Y Magazine #497, November 30, 2017

Discovering new talents 47

The

Catwalker

PORTRAIT BY A NATION COMPETITION

Free!

TESTING THE ALLNEW KIA RIO

10 News: EIGHT KILLED IN HOUSE FIRE

DESTINATION: Wadi Qalhat TASTE TEST: Love That Burger YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

EVERY THURSDAY NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

NOV 30 - DEC 06 2017 / ISSUE 497 • WEEKLY

PLASTIC DISGRACE

PLUS!

USE OF PLASTIC MATERIALS ON THE RISE IN OMAN

CASH IN ON THE CAMEL

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COOL COLLECTIONS

40

CLICK ON THE HASH

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EDITOR’S

NOTE COMPETITION Send in your answers for our ‘Movie contest’ and stand a chance to win two tickets of your choice from VOX.

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

OMANISATION IN LOGISTICS SECTORS The number of Omani workers in logistics companies have increased substantially. Statistics show there are more than 3,000 companies, employing 80,000 workers compared with 11,000 workers in 2011, with an Omanisation rate of 13.9 per cent.

GOING DOWN

TEMPERATURES IN OMAN Winter has set its foot in Oman and temperatures across country are falling.

Certain parts of the capital have already started witnessing temperatures below 20-degrees-Celsius.

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

Fast forward

I

t’s in toothbrushes, clothes and shampoo bottles. It’s even in teabags. Plastic is everywhere, literally and figuratively.

While plastic is handy for some use, such as making composite materials for lighter aircraft and wind turbines as well as blood bags, it is dangerous.

Every year, about 300m tonnes of plastic is produced globally – roughly equivalent to the entire weight of mankind. Production has increased 50% in the past decade and will grow another 20% in the next five years. At least 5m tonnes of it ends up in our oceans. By 2050, there will be a greater weight of plastic in the oceans than fish, according to a study.

Oman is no exception. Barber shops in our country alone account for around 47 tonnes of plastic waste every month, but why are we not doing anything about it?

Our cover story this week talks about the dangers of plastic and how we can restrict its use. According to experts, going without plastic, it seems, is possible – but with time, effort and an inordinate degree of planning we could limit and eliminate its abuse. But isn’t it possible to live without this excess plastic? I think it is. To prove it, I agree to go on a normal week without buying the stuff. What about you?

Enjoy your holidays!

THIS WEEK… Team Y headed to the tallest peak in Oman, Jebel Shams, this week, to experience the sub-10-degrees-Celsius temperatures. We also headed to Abu Dhabi for the gaming convention.

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

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

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NOV 30 - DEC 06 / ISSUE 497

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contents

Features 20

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Your Oman

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman

Hasan al Lawati 10

News Häagen-Dazs celebrates 47th National Day

16 News

Road safety in the spotlight

18 Homage to Pavarotti

Catch the

memorabilia of late

Pavarotti at the ROHM 21

Movies ‘The Mountain Between Us’ all set to debut in Oman

Plastic perils Several individuals and organisations are stepping up to reduce the reliance on plastics

28 Cash in on the camel

Microchips to help track

camels in Oman

28

21

10

Food and Drink Cars and Adventures

44 Food Feature

Potatoes to the rescue

32 Destination

Wadi Qalhat

46 Taste Test

Love That Burger

Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Kia Rio 38 Y-Fi

Superhero gadgets

and Abu Dhabi Gamecon

40 Fashion

Winter couture 42 Health

Pain management

44

40

38 NEXT ISSUE...

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

DELIGHTFUL

DILEMMA

THE PORTRAIT BY A NATION JUDGES ARE FINDING THEMSELVES IN A SITUATION THAT IS HAPPY, PROMISING AND YET PUZZLING. CHOOSING THE BEST IS BECOMING TOUGHER THAN ANYBODY THOUGHT

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Supporting Partner

T

he tensions are running at an alltime high as we near the final stages of our Portrait by a Nation art competition. And no, folks, it’s not over yet. Our judges are diligently scouring through thousands of paintings, and shortlisting the best for an entry to the final round.

As promised, only 47 of our favourite paintings will be selected, and the criteria will be based on creativity, craftsmanship and dexterity.

Of course, there’s no denying that the selection process is hard; every contestant had his or her strong suite that sets them apart from the rest.

Our event this year saw 2,300 participants, thereby making it Oman’s premier art competition. Still, there can only be three winners, and we’re giving the talented artists a chance to win gifts worth RO3,150.

This year’s competition was powered by FRiENDi, in

Choosing from 2,300 is a daunting task and we’re working hard to choose the best of 47 paintings

association with sponsors Muscat Grand Mall, PUCK, IDdesign and Finland Eye Center. eXtra was the electronics sponsor and Tanuf the supporting partner for the event.

“It’s amazing to see the level of talent of these young artist,” said Y’s editorial head, Nishad Padiyarath.

“It’s even more astonishing to see the level of enthusiasm they showcased at the event.

Now it’s up to our judges to line up the final 47 participants.

“Choosing from 2,300 is a daunting task and we’re working hard to choose the best of 47 paintings.

“I am proud to say that this was the biggest art contest organised by Y Magazine. The response from the students participating in this competition was so overwhelming. We had the highest number of entries compared with that of the previous years and more than 200 spot registrations at the venue. This shows the popularity of this competition,” he added. ■ NOV 30 - DEC 06 / ISSUE 497

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THE VOICE OF OMAN

AFTER WATCHING HUGE CROWDS TURNING UP AT COSPLAY BOOTHS AND LETTING OUT THEIR INNER CHILD, HASAN AL LAWATI WONDERS WHY WE DON’T GET INTO OUR TRUE CHARACTER MORE REGULARLY THAN WE DO

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Getting away at peak holiday times has always been expensive as airlines take advantage of increased demand. But is this really fair, and can anything be done to stop airlines from hiking up the prices?

SHAILLY SINGH

L

ast weekend, Abu Dhabi hosted Gamescon 2017, a major festival for video game fans.

Most of them were there to see cosplayers, the people who dress like game or movie characters.

It was just like Halloween, but exclusive to a niche audience.

They got into character, with their faces covered, letting out their inner child and enjoying hours of nonjudgmental fun.

I saw an Arab Super Mario who was yelling in an Italian accent, a Mortal Combat fighter who was parkouring in the hall, and children dressed as Pikachu, believing they could electrify people.

To many of them, the opportunity served as a stress-releasing activity.

We all need to “cosplay” every now and then. Many hide their identities on social media to say or act the way they cannot in real life, especially in small, conservative societies.

For years, social media has been providing individuals with an identity-less space where they can “openly” express their opinions and share their thoughts and worries.

In the Arab world, I see many users with fake names often highlighting controversial topics.

They are, I believe, not hiding behind a mask because they fear the conservative laws, but rather the critical, non-forgiving society.

That is one of the reasons I believe ‘Saraha’, an anonymous messaging app, is exceptionally popular in the Arab world.

The app allows people to say what they want about anyone without being known to them.

Whether it is for fun or for sharing our thoughts, online or offline, I think we all need to “cosplay”.

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It’s unfair to up air fares abnormally to take advantage of an increase in demand. It spoils travel plans of many families. This sudden increase in fares, despite no hike in the cost of fuel, maintenance or staff salaries, exposes the greed of airlines. I think the government should direct (in consultation with the International Air Transport Association) airlines to adopt price bands during normal periods and allow them to charge only the maximum in the band during peak seasons when demand is up. Violations, if any, must be dealt with severe fines.

NIRMALA GOPAL

The only way to get cheap tickets is by booking seats in advance as airlines always keep track of holidays and festivals and increase the rates.

One way that may work for passengers is using Skyscanner to check out the rates — there are some websites that hold tickets — and the other is taking an indirect flight because, obviously, a direct flight is going to be expensive.

MOHAN ANANDAN

It’s the theory of demand and supply that is at work here! Airlines are adept at exploiting this opportunity by hiking up the prices, leaving not many options for travellers. Of course this is unfair. Time and again dissenting voices have been heard against this exorbitant pricing at various forums, but to no avail. The irony is that during peak holidays, prices of tickets of even the so-called no-frill airliners are also higher, sometimes even higher than that of the other airlines! Planning in advance may be an option that can be exercised to mitigate the pricing impact.

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

JANKI RISHIT HEMANI

Air fare hikes during holidays is unfair and strict measures should be adopted to stop airlines from resorting to this unjustified practice. The government should issue regulations which clearly specify the grounds, such as an increase in fuel prices, for airlines to hike the prices. Airlines are looting people not only by overcharging passengers but also by providing the most pathetic services. Leg space has been reduced, making it tough for tall or overweight persons, and crew is extremely rude.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

This topic has been discussed time and again in the print media for years but all in vain. Neither the airlines nor the authorities have taken any serious note of travellers’ concerns. Thanks to Y for raising the topic again. Many people, tired of this attitude taken by airlines, do not plan any travel during holidays, such as Eid or National Day, unless it is a matter of urgency. The airlines will continue to behave so as long as there are takers for the highpriced tickets. So, dear travellers, don’t fly during such holidays. Maybe, the airlines should operate bigger aircraft with more number of seats to meet peak season demands.

ZILLE HUMA

Airlines should offer cheap, last-minute deals to help fill empty seats...but nowadays each and every organisation is trying to maximise its profit. Not only airlines but many hotels too charge extra for lastminute bookings. If demand is high, so will be the price, so plan in advance.

SHILPA BENNY THEKKEDATH

It is not fair to the people who toil hard in the Gulf region only to hand their meagre savings to airlines.

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

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The authorities concerned should do something to stop this situation. Average off-peak rates must be kept as the standard rates for peak times.

DR RITU BALI

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AYAZ AHMED AND MAHADHIR MOHAMED were spotted with their favourite Y Magazine in Muscat

Most airlines hike their prices to almost double during the holiday season.

This is really unfair. Many times people buy tickets much before their annual vacation, not sure if their leave would be sanctioned. It would be fair if the prices are regularised so that passengers could avoid unnecessary panic.

ASMA RASHID

During peak holidays airlines should provide travellers with different packages that make both parties — airlines and travellers —happy. How about an increase in the ticket rates but with extra luggage allowance to cushion the impact on passengers?

NARENDRA SINGH

It is really unfair on the part of airlines to hike the prices manifold during peak seasons. Fleecing the helpless passengers is unfair, and often people are forced to drop travel plans because of high airfares. The International Air Transport Association should enforce a strategy whereby airlines are allowed to charge up to 10-25% more than the normal rates during peak seasons to compensate the lean period losses. Local government authorities should direct airlines not to burden the people with hefty prices during holidays.

New Debate: Oman is witnessing the construction of a number of retail outlets. Does the market have the ability to sustain numerous malls/hypermarkets and supermarkets? What are your thoughts?

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

THROUGH YOUR EYES

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

Send it to: info@y-oman.com

SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION Y Magazine reader Hansa Piparsania captured Jebel Akhdar beautifully using her Nikon D5000.

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

PHOTO: Hansa Piparsania

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EIGHT KILLED IN HOUSE FIRE

ight people were killed and one person injured after a fire broke out at a home in Barka, earlier this week [Tuesday, November 28].

The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) responded to the blaze at 4:35am.

As per the report from the Oman News Agency, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) identified the victims in the house.

“The wife aged 35, her sister, 28, and five other girls aged between seven and 15 and their housemaid died while the man sustained moderate injuries and was rushed to the Barka Health Center for treatment,” read the report.

The cause for the fire was not revealed by the authorities.

In other news, firefighters from the Directorate of Civil Defence and Ambulance in the Muscat Governorate said that they had successfully controlled a blaze inside a house in Mabella.

No injuries were recorded, the officials stated.

HÄAGEN-DAZS® CELEBRATES

47TH NATIONAL DAY

H

äagen-Dazs® joined the nation in celebrating the 47th National Day by spreading joy to over 200 families with its ice cream. The initiative included giving miniature ice cream cones with flavours inspired by the Omani flag.

Commemorating the festive occasion, HäagenDazs® also introduced its signature crepe and salted caramel cheesecake as part of efforts to expand the range of indulgent treats it offers in Oman.

The delicious treats reflected the global brand’s trademark for only using the freshest and best ingredients, with its unique National Day combination including raspberry and vanilla.

The Sultanate’s first Haagen-Dazs® branch was recently opened in Oman Avenues Mall, bringing its unique brand of super-premium ice-cream to customers in Muscat for the very first time.

T

he Sultanate has been ranked second at the Arab level on the 2017 World Quality of Life Index of the Expat Insider Report.

The report, issued by Munich-based InterNation Network, was released on its English website. It was ranked 26th at the world level.

Oman was ranked 45th at the global level on the entertainment options index, 16th on personal happiness index, 37th on travel and movement index, 30th on health index and ninth on security and safety index.

GRAND MILLENNIUM HOTEL MUSCAT WINS TOP HONOURS

O

man is definitely en route to becoming one of the Middle East’s most preferred destination for tourists and for business, and in a recent event, The Grand Millennium Hotel Muscat recently snagged the honour of the ‘Leading Business Hotel’ in Oman, at The World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony, in Dubai.

The gala red carpet ceremony witnessed some of the industry leaders from the hospitality and tourism industry in the Middle East.

The World Travel Awards in an annual event that was established in 1993, covering the Middle East and the globe, with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognize and celebrate the successes by leading hotels in each country.

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Meanwhile, the Millennium Executive Apartments Muscat grabs The Leading Serviced Apartments Award.

Millennium Executive Apartments Muscat also received a prestigious accolade as the Leading Serviced Apartments in Oman, asserting that Oman was marking itself as a destination for high-end hotel accommodation.

Area General Manager Martin Cramer and Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing Raul Guerra said: “We are extremely delighted to win such a prestigious accolade for our properties and for them to represent the Sultanate of Oman as destination for The Leading Business Hotel & The Leading Serviced Apartments.

“Winning these awards as a fairly new properties in the market highlights the effort and dedication our team has invested in exceeding expectations and excelling in the hospitality industry,” he added.

FOUNDER’S DAY

GALLERY

INDIAN SCHOOL AL GHUBRA CELEBRATED THE FOUNDER’S DAY, AT THE SCHOOL’S MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, LAST WEEK. SEVERAL STUDENTS TOOK PART IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, DANCE SHOWS AND MUSIC, DURING THE COURSE OF THE EVENT.

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YOUR

SILVER JUBILEE

OMAN

INDIAN SCHOOL DARSAIT ORGANISED ITS SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT CITY AMPHITHEATRE QURUM, LAST WEEK [24 NOVEMBER 2017], WITH FERVOUR, JOY, ZEAL AND ZEST.

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GALLERY

YOUR

TASTE OF OMAN

OMAN

THE ZEITOUN RESTAURANT AND LET!S, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OSFRA. ORGANISED ‘A TASTE OF THE OMANI TALENT’ - A COMPETITION THAT FOCUSSED ON CREATING TRADITIONAL OMANI DISHES WITH ITALIAN OLIVE OIL. MARIAM AL-DHAHAB, WHO COOKED HAREES REINTERPRETING THE ITALIAN “RISOTTO” WAS THE WINNER.

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GALLERY

ROAD TO MINDSET

Road safety represents a milestone in Bank Sohar’s CSR initiatives aimed at knocking down the wrong habits in adults and setting the right mindset in kids.

Alvin Thomas takes a ride with a top official on the bumpy road

T

here goes a saying: “Drive as if every child on the street is your own.” The quote aims to instill a sense of wariness and watchfulness in motorists by creating a clear perception of responsibility which in turn will improve their safety as well as others’. And one bank in Oman seems to be constantly steering all its efforts towards teaching the public this very motto — but on a greater scale.

The institution is ‘Bank Sohar’, and it is on a mission to create awareness among the driving population, starting from toddlers.

To understand more about this, we sat down with Mazin Mahmood al Raisi, the senior assistant general manager of Bank Sohar. He said: “From year one of creating the bank, the management and the board was very keen that we as a bank, while focusing on the financial and economical side, must also focus on adding value through various other services for the people of Oman.

“The aim was to create a partnership between the bank and the community. So we created ‘Sohar al Atta’, which is the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

The CSR programme zeroes in not only on road safety but also on providing donations or support to the needy, actively participating in social events (like the Oman Cancer Association’s annual Walkathon) and hosting a galore of competitions.

Bank Sohar’s initiatives are not confined to the Muscat region, but reach out to the far ends of Oman, like Salalah. Mazin recalled one incident in Salalah – during a part of their ongoing road safety road shows at different regions – that changed his outlook on road safety. It was a conversation between the host of the show and a guest from the audience: Host: How did you come to Salalah?

Guest: By car.

Host: What speed were you driving on your way? Were you speeding?

Guest: About 180kph.

The host then advised the guest about the ill effects of speeding and how dangerous it was and, at the end of it, asked: ‘What will be your speed when you drive back?’

The guest answered ‘180kph.’

Mazin said: “What clicked with me is that we as adults know it is wrong but still we do it. Both you and I know that talking on the phone while driving is dangerous, yet we continue to do so. Another thing is that we all know that we must install child-seats in cars. But very few people actually 016

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take time to buy one and fit it in the car.

“So, everyone knows about it. But the question is whether they all are taking the right steps.”

This, as per Mazin, is the reason why his team focuses on educating the younger audience.

“Let’s start from the people from a very young age. It’s a culture that we can teach; it’s all about a mindset. It’s about building that knowledge in them.

This is why Bank Sohar also conducts its road safety shows in schools.

Recently, it conducted live demonstrations of its RakizWaSouq road safety campaign at the Ajyal Al Huda Private School in Azaiba and Al Sadiqqa bint Al Saddiq Elementary School in Al Khabourah.

The events were held in association with the Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA) as part of a series of programmes that the bank has been co-hosting in partnership with the ORSA pitched at schools across Oman.

During the school visits, Bank Sohar also presented 12 ‘I Pledge’ videos, which were posted on the bank’s Facebook page through a dedicated contest, and its popular RakizWaSouq jingle to students.

The jingle promotes road safety through radio stations. Since its inception, the jingle has gone viral with 111,000 views on YouTube as a video and 25,000 in its audio format.

It is also being played through radio.

So, has it worked for them?

Mazin is confident that it has. He explained: “Adults may be set in their ways and that’s why our campaign is focusing on children. They are the main influencers to the parent”.

“There’s something one should know. If your child is with you in the car, and you’re breaking some law, then he or she will quickly point out that you’re in the wrong. And as an adult that’s embarrassing. So, the parent will follow the rule.”

All of this has made Bank Sohar one of the leading forces in creating road safety awareness campaigns across the Sultanate. The bank was bestowed with the ‘Best Public Awareness Campaign Middle East Road Safety’ award in November 2016 for its RakizWaSouq road safety campaign at the IQPC Middle East-Qatar Transport Safety Awards, and honoured by the Central Bank of Oman for its contributions towards raising awareness on road safety.

Enjoy a safe drive!

Date: 26th November to 9th December Venue: Mezzanine, New Wing Weekdays 6 PM - 10 PM : Weekends 7 PM - 11 PM

CHALLENGES: Sign test:

If you got your basics right, let’s play a quiz on road signs.

Drum test: If you’ve the knack of it, then drive between the drums in the motorized battery car.

Slope test: Get your balance right to climb up the slope.

Road test: Test-drive on a specially designed circuit with signals, roundabouts, zebra crossings and everything you see on the real roads.

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

NOV

30

WEEK NOV

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

-

DEC

To mark the 10th anniversary of the death of the legendary Luciano Pavarotti, the Royal Opera House Muscat is organising a fascinating exhibition of treasured Pavarotti memorabilia, displaying costumes and other iconic items on December 14.

The exhibition honours Luciano Pavarotti, not only as one of the world’s greatest tenors, but also as the simple yet noble man that he was. Pavarotti believed in the educational power of music and the emotional importance of involving children in its magic.

AFFORDABLE ART AT BAIT AL BARANDA

A two-day exhibition, “Affordable Art”, will be held on December 9 and 10 at Bait Al Baranda where several Omani artists will display their works.

“The exhibition is part of our initiatives to give local artists space to display and sell their art to collectors. As this is a period with visiting tourists, we target them as well,” said the organisers.

DEC

09

HOMAGE TO PAVAROTTI

THIS

MEGA EVENT AT CITY AMPHITHEATRE IN QURUM

JMT Events with Soul of Muscat is organising a mega event in association with the Oman Cancer Association on November 30 at City Amphitheatre in Qurum. The event ,‘Together We Can’, is to help the Oman Cancer Association in its projects to aid underprivileged cancer patients. Legendary singer Dr K.J. Yesudas will be honoured at this event. Renowned actors Jayaram, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Mamtha Mohandas and Asha Sarath will also be present.

DEC

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

Today’s inspiration: Young, wild and free.

Photo: Shaquel Al Balushi 020

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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

save her, but also outsmart the ultimate mastermind behind everything, while evading the police, rescuing the vase, and restoring his reputation to its former glory.

Oman release: November 30

The Mountain Between Us Starring: Kate Winslet, Idris Elba, Beau Bridges and Dermot Mulroney

Brad’s Status Starring: Ben Stiller, Mike White, Michael Sheen and Luke Wilson

Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow-covered mountain. When they realise help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across hundreds of miles of wilderness, pushing each another to endure and discovering strength they never knew possible. The film is directed by Academy Award nominee Hany AbuAssad and stars Academy Award winner Kate Winslet and Golden Globe winner Idris Elba.

Oman release: November 30

Better Watch Out Starring: Virginia Madsen, Patrick Warburton and Olivia DeJonge

This holiday season, you may be home, but you’re not alone... In this fresh and gleefully twisted spin on home-invasion horror, babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge) must defend her young charges (Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould ) when intruders break into the house one snowy night — or so she thinks.

Oman release: November 30

Smart Chase Starring: Orlando Bloom, Leo Wu and Simon Yam

Danny Stratton (Bloom), a washed-up private security agent, is given the rare opportunity to escort a valuable Chinese antique out of Shanghai, and finds himself ambushed en route. With the safety of the woman he loves in jeopardy, Danny not only has to work with his team of experts to

Lava Kusha Starring: Biju Menon, Aju Varghese, Neeraj Madhav and Deepti Sati

The movie revolves around two semijobless, happy-go-lucky friends, Lavan and Kushan. When they sense their common interest to be cops, after inadvertently getting involved in a police encounter, they decide to stick together. Things take a turn when they are approached by a mysterious guy and girl who influence their lives in various ways. What awaits them is a cauldron of crimes and outlaws.

Wonderstruck Starring: Oakes Fegley, Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams

Brad Sloan has a satisfying career and a comfortable life in suburban California, but it’s not quite what he imagined during his glory days in college. Sloan keeps comparing his life with those of his four college friends, wondering what it would be like to have their well-paying and glamorous jobs. When circumstances force Brad to reconnect with his buddies, he soon begins to question whether he has failed, or is in some ways the most successful of them all.

Ben and Rose are children from two different eras who secretly wish that their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he’s never known, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue and Rose reads an enticing headline, they both set out on epic quests to find what they’re missing.

!

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who is the director of the film The Mountain Between Us?

WIN FREE MOVIE TICKETS! Read our movie section and answer the question to stand a chance to win two tickets to watch movies of your choice! Send your answers to info@y-oman. com, along with your contact information.

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A staggering 47 tonnes of plastic capes and 4.6 tonnes of car service covers are dumped in Oman a month. That’s more than 600 tonnes of lethal waste a year that takes up to 2,000 years to degrade.

Alvin Thomas and Hasan al Lawati investigate the dangers that emanate from plastic use

I

’s a cold Friday evening. For most of the working class community in Oman it’s a day of relaxation. However, for 48-year-old barber Sulaiman it’s a working day. He must work harder than usual to keep the customers moving and meet his targets.

His routine is simple: he slaps on a thin sheet of plastic (cutting cape) as a protection cover, enquires about the type of hairstyle and fulfils the needs of the customer. The task is repeated 40 to 50 times a day.

At the end of the day, he collects all the waste – the hair, the paper towels and the plastic sheets – and deposits it all into the nearby dumpster.

While all of this may seem like a day’s work to Sulaiman – or even an onlooker’s eyes – there’s a huge matter of concern that presents itself here: plastic pollution.

Sulaiman’s salon in Ghala has a total of three barbers, and there are four barber shops in the vicinity. The number increases to several hundred when you take into consideration the Muscat region.

What this means is that there is a sharp increase of plastics in dump yards in Oman. To be more specific, as per the research of Shijas Abdul Latheef, an environmentalist who is on a mission to help reduce plastic pollution in the country, there is a staggering 47 tonnes of plastic cutting capes dumped in Oman a month. The number rises to 564 tonnes (!) annually.

Shijas’ research was based on an estimation of the total population of Oman (4,712,685 as of Saturday, November 25, 2017), and a cross-examination based on the probability of

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residents (about half of Oman’s population) availing the facilities from local salons using plastic cutting sheets.

“This number is the bare minimum from our estimates – and it is only increasing,” says Shijas.

Adding to the matters is the fact that we make use of plastic bags for shopping, plastic seat covers while servicing cars, food protection (including water bottles), agriculture and even in outdoor dining (plastic plates and cutlery). Plastic is also a key material in cars, mobile phones, toys, clothes, packaging, medical devices, and many other consumer goods.

In 2015, it was reported that 322 million metric tonnes of plastic was produced globally. And the figure keeps growing; by 2050, it is expected to be four times higher.

More worryingly, in 2012 it was estimated that there was approximately 165 million tonnes of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. One study also estimated that there are more than five trillion plastic pieces – classified into small micro plastics, large micro plastics, meso – and macro plastics – afloat at sea.

Currently, plastic waste makes 21 per cent of the total waste in Oman’s landfills, thereby making it the second most produced waste after organic waste (food), according to Abdul Rahman Al Busaidi, the Business Development Executive at Oman Environmental Services Holding Company be’ah (a company that aims to manage waste in a sustainable manner that is socially acceptable, financially cost-effective and environmentally responsible).

Be’ah has been closing traditional landfills and replacing them with environment-friendly engineered landfills which are known

to prevent liquids from affecting underground water and prevents foul smells, according Al Busaidi.

But he points out that landfills are not the solution for the ever-growing problem of dumping waste.

So far, there is no filtering waste system in Oman which results in plastic getting mixed with other liquid and solid wastes in the landfills. This is one of the reasons why be’ah has invested in building landfills across Oman, said Al Busaidi.

The company states on its official website that sustainable waste management systems aim to reduce the quantity of natural resources consumed, while ensuring that resources taken from nature are reused or recycled multiple times, and that the amount of waste produced is kept to a minimum.

“Our Community Reach Department is working hard on raising awareness among the public to recycle and reduce their consumption of plastic,” he stated.

This is also a view shared by several others, including volunteers from the Environmental Society of Oman (ESO).

“Waste management systems are only one part of solving the plastic crisis,” says a volunteer from the ESO. “I firmly believe that to tackle this situation, we must take a firm stance against plastics. I understand it is not possible to do overnight, but maybe we can educate the people to act accordingly, and at the very least, reduce our reliance on disposable and one-time-use plastics,” he adds.

And this is exactly what Shijas is up to.

“Growing up, you’ve probably learned about the various kinds of pollution. Air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, light pollution, thermal pollution and so on are just a few examples of those you would have sat through in a science class in school. Today, plastic pollution has come into the picture as a serious case to be handled,” says Shijas, who is now partnering with his team to help reduce Oman’s reliance on singleuse plastics with the use of non-woven fabrics.

He has furthermore started a company – Future Engineering Technology & Manufacturing Co. LLC (Femco) – to aid his efforts.

And his motto is simple: “Join hands to make Oman go green.”

“There is a switch from nondegradable plastics to eco-friendly alternatives worldwide,” says Shijas.

And he’s right. Countries like India, England, USA, Bangladesh, Pakistan and China have banned plastics (at least certain types), or are taxing the customers if they require plastic bags for shopping and other purposes.

Shijas says: “In the city of Bengaluru in India, the fine for simply carrying a plastic bag is Rs5,000 (RO29.85). It’s an income for the government but at the same time they’re reducing plastic in the city – it’s a win-win for the city.

“In Oman, however, this probably has not been incorporated because there’s enough land here to dump plastic waste.

“Generally, things are taken into consideration when something goes wrong; and I believe it is when the land taken by these waste TOP Barber shops in Oman make use of plastic cutting capes, but many are also using disposable plastic shaving tools.

Shijas Abdul Latheef

lands increases and the land for inhabitation falls,” he adds.

But that, according to the World Health Organisation, would be too late. Their recent study highlights that plastics pose a serious threat to humans.

While the plastics used to package foods are considered nontoxic, most plastics are laced with chemicals – from softeners, which can act as endocrine disruptors; to flame retardants, which can be carcinogenic or toxic in higher concentrations; and also chemicals to aid in degrading plastic over time.

These chemicals can make it through the ocean and its food chain – and back onto our plates.

That’s not all, though. Videos and photos of several marine life and wildlife chocking, or that have chocked, on plastic have surfaced, bringing to light the topic of plastic reduction.

Shijas himself has encountered several cows and camels on the outskirts of Oman that have ingested plastics – thereby having resulted in their death.

But the answer to all this is complex but feasible, says Shijas.

“When someone raises the concern of banning plastics, they immediately think of banning bags.

They don’t care about the other products. Reducing 560 tonnes (from plastic cutting capes) of plastics alone is a huge quantity.

“Banning plastic bags all over Oman at one go would be really

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023

tough,” he tells.

“Else, we’ll need to have a company that can supply alternatives on a really large scale.

And that will take at least two to three years to set.”

Shijas’ company and his concept has been accepted by the government and he was also awarded land for his company in Sinaw.

“Our fabric is completely biodegradable. The material degrades when exposed to ultraviolet rays and has a half-life of three months. The material is also breathable, meaning that it will not cause accidental suffocation.”

Plastics, on the other hand, are known to have a life of up to 800 years (or more).

“Plastics are not eco-friendly,” he exclaims.

“Our product is already used in tea-bags, children’s diapers and so on. Even the face wipes that you get is of this product. And the best part is that it is all available from 10GSM to 300GSM – which is 0.1mm to 3cm thickness.”

Several companies have already 024

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started using Shijas’ “innovative” products, although a complete switch, he believes, will take time.

“But we’re hoping to change the way certain other sectors use plastic; for instance, the cutting capes.

Now, these are used in barber shops following a direct order from the Muscat Municipality. The move was actually very thoughtful, because the fabric sheets that were used in salons weren’t safe and was very unhygienic.”

The plastics that replaced the fabric clothes are actually banned in countries like China and India.

“In Bengaluru, India, there is a rule that you can produce plastic and export it but cannot use it for the city. There is also a nationwide rule that you are not allowed to import plastics lesser than 45 microns in thickness.

These cutting capes are known to be 7 microns in thickness and can take up to 2,000 years to degrade completely.

“These are cheap plastics and are for one-time use only. And we want to say ‘NO’ to these single-use plastics.

Another example of excessive use of such plastics is in automotive service centres.

The service seat covers that are placed in the cars – the thin sheets

of plastics placed to protect your car while it is at the hands of the technicians – are equally dangerous.

This is known to be 15 microns in thickness.

“These plastics are highly dangerous because it can fly away and move around quickly after being disposed,” Shijas tells Y. “So, it’s easier for animals to ingest it. There are several cases in Barka where cows or camels have suffocated after eating plastics which were tangled with their feed. These sheets were found inside their stomachs.”

Then why are companies still using this material? Cost is one of the factors, the young entrepreneur says.

“Initially, when the barbers were buying the sheets from the vendors, they were paying roughly 45 baisas per piece; now it is 25 baisas. I remember that back then they were using substantially thicker plastics, but things have changed now; the plastics are even thinner.

“Another problem with plastics below 45 microns is that they are

ABOVE Abdul Rahman Al Busaidi, the Business Development Executive at Oman Environmental Services Holding Company

not recyclable. It’s very difficult to recycle because it sticks to the machine and can even damage it.

“But our non-woven fabric material is recyclable up to 10 microns – which means it is 100 per cent recyclable. This also means it is cost effective, as we can re-use the material.

“This is why I think we need to take the first step. By cutting down on the little things – like the plastic sheets in barber shops and the service seat covers – we can make a huge difference.

Shijas has also done a study on the wastage of service seat covers.

As per Shijas’ findings, roughly 5,000 cars are serviced daily in Oman. Each service cover weighs between 25g to 40g, resulting in the monthly wastage to be around 4.6 tonnes of waste, and 56.16 tonnes a year.

But, he is not simply throwing in worrying numbers; he has answers to all of the concerns, too.

Some of the products that Femco can cover are:

“The price difference between non-woven fabrics and plastics can be (at most) 15 per cent,” says Shijas.

“I am willing to provide these materials at no difference or at a maximum of five baisas over plastics.

“At the end of the day, it’s not just for profit. It is for the country and the people. By reducing this much plastic itself you can make a difference. And if I can ever see an Oman with no plastic, I would consider that to be the greatest reward to this wonderful nation.” ■

1) PLASTIC INCREASES THE RISK OF CHILDHOOD ASTHMA

Studies have long suggested a connection between childhood exposure to plasticisers and asthma, but a recent Columbia University report found there is even an increased risk before birth.

1) D Cut bags 2) W Cut bags 3) Box-type bags 4) Laundry bags 5) Garment bags 6) Cutting capes 7) Service seats covers 8) Protective coveralls 9) Luggage protection cover 10) Bouffant cap 11) 3-ply face mask

2) CHEMICALS IN PLASTIC KILL FEMALE LIBIDO

3) PLASTIC IS DESTROYING OUR WATERWAYS

An estimated 13,000 pieces of plastic litters each square kilometre of our oceans, and one huge factor to the problem are microbeads.

These tiny plastic beads in many of your personal care products are only one of the environmental contaminants polluting our waters.

4) PLASTIC HAS INFILTRATED FOOD

With six different phthalates banned from children’s products in the US, the last place you’d expect to find these toxins would be in our food. Acrylamide is a fairly common plasticiser that’s been linked to cancer, and other phthalates linked to problems with reproductive development have been appearing at unsafe levels as well.

5) PLASTIC DESTROYS HORMONAL BALANCE

Source: globalhealingcenter.com

the dangers of plastic

Phthalates used in plastic have even been linked to low libido in women.

BPA ( bisphenol A, an industrial chemical) mimics oestrogen in the body, so many people try to stay away from the toxin by using BPAfree plastics instead.

NOV 30 - DEC 06 / ISSUE 497

025

SEVEN STAY-AT-HOME MOTHERS TOOK TO THE BRUSH TO ADD A DASH OF COLOUR TO THEIR MUNDANE EXISTENCE AND REDISCOVER THEMSELVES. ALVIN THOMAS GETS A PEEK INTO THE ART OF THEIR NEW LIVING

W

orld-renowned art historian and author Elizabeth Broun once stated: “Art is not always about pretty things. It’s about who we are, what happened to us, and how our lives are affected.”

Roughly translated, she defines art as a medium that transcends the limits and touches a newer and deeper level that was once considered implausible by us humans.

But little did she know that what she said is now setting a consuming passion among budding artists who are finding a “new life with art”.

This isn’t the story of a group of artists but rather the tale of seven stay-at-home-mothers who have completely submitted to art and rediscovered themselves – even as they go about their daily chores.

Tagging along their spiritual journey is Suji Narikal Velayuthan – a veteran artist and teacher – who has been teaching and inspiring several students through his art classes at the fine-arts institute, Kalamandalam.

Geethanjali Nair

“I have been in Oman for the last nine years, residing with my family. The reason I started art is because I believe that for the last 20 years, I haven’t done anything productive for myself.

“I have been a stay-at-home mother looking after my kids ever since I came here.

“But to break the routine, I had just tried painting at home. And that’s when I felt like it was something that could completely change me. It was a new feeling, and one that I knew I liked.

“I started with sketching but then moved onto pastel. The art that I am showcasing today is a horse; it’s an expression of strength. If you see, the horse is galloping and that shows inner power, and a sense of freedom that exists in the form of art.”

Jwala Rajiv

“I’ve been residing in Oman for the last 13 years but it has only been a year since I joined the art classes. Prior to that, I was a nursery school teacher but gave it up to become a stay-at-home mother.

“This passion for art started off when I came to see a display that was put up at Kalamandalam. I felt that I had a calling. I just wanted to do something of my own and perhaps start by replicating some of the works that were exhibited.

“So I asked Suji sir if I would be able to do that. And to my surprise he said: ‘You can surely do it’.

“I’ve never drawn, let alone painted, in my life. If you ask me if I have indulged in any form of art, I can say that I was a dancer.

“The outcome was fabulous. Even I cannot believe that I was able to do something of that level. And just as I enter my first year, I can already tell you that I am completely invested in art.

“The work I have showcased is a mural painting. The reason I did that is because of the encouragement I received from Sir, as well as the will-power I had to succeed as an artist.

“Mural painting is known to be on the harder side. And by accomplishing this, I feel like I have grown as an artist. Now, I must work hard to learn more and perfect on more murals.”

Mini Krishnakumar

“Art has given me the motivation to do something different; something I never thought I would ever do.

“Yes, in my mind, I had always wanted to do some mural paintings but never had the courage to do so. But, as I enrolled myself in Suji sir’s class, I learnt that art isn’t just about talent but also about finding the right state of

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Mini Milind

mind to be creative.

“I found that by being told that I can succeed, I could be very inspired.

“I’m currently showcasing a ‘Raja Ravi Varma’ painting of the ‘Maharashtrian lady’, which is one of the celebrated artist’s strong works.

I feel his painting shows the emotions that are portrayed by the subject, and that’s what motivated me to take it up.”

Mita Poddar

“I’ve been painting for two years – so I would consider myself a senior (she laughs).

But my story began when I started bringing my daughter to class here.

“That’s when I started seeing the many works that were showcased here, and in a way it inspired me to join.

“After I did enter the classes, there was no looking back.

“Painting is something that I always wanted to do, but I could never find the time for it; I have two daughters to look after. But when I started, I found myself making time to come here.

“Apart from being an artist, that’s another thing I learnt: I now know that I can find time for myself – and do something that inspires me and also the people around me.

“As you can see, I have exhibited a pencil sketching of Cleopatra. But the face is an interpretation rather than a definitive sketch.

Cleopatra was one of the strongest women of her time, and that’s probably something that I wanted to portray and capture through the tip of my pencil.”

“It has been only a year-and-a-half since I’ve come to Oman, which makes me the youngest of the group (laughs). It’s been eight to nine months since I joined.

“I actually read about art in Oman through one of the stories in Y Magazine. Of course, it was a passion in me since childhood – even though it never actually materialised.

“When I came here, I had a lot of time, though. I was a counsellor by profession and in Mumbai (a city in India) you are really very busy.

“I found that art is the best stress-buster for anybody. When people vent out their problems to you, it also – on some level – adds to your stress. And art has helped me to overcome a lot of this on a personal and professional level. I don’t practise in Oman, though.

“I started from scratch where I learned to draw a graph, shade, use pastels and even acrylic. It’s been a wonderful journey and it has helped me grow as a person.

I think as a guru, I think Suji is the best person who can help you overcome your fears and bring out the real you.

“For this display, I am showcasing scenery and a horse.”

Jamuna Rani

“I started one year ago, but I’ve been drawing ever since I was a child. Back then, I sketched rivers, human faces, animals, etc.

“Drawing – as I found at a very young age – was the only way to express my creativity.

That’s also why I joined here.

“Another part that I try is to portray animals; I love them. Some people even call me an animal lover.

“I have some pet dogs back home in India.

And by drawing them, I intend to show the people the life form that they are.”

Rema Shivakumar

“I’ve been in Oman for about 10-and-ahalf years now. I was working in the human resources department of a company but left it after I came to Oman.

“My first encounter with art in Oman was when I went for one of Suji’s exhibitions. I was very fascinated by it and what hit me was that everyone – both young and old – were artists portraying their drawings and paintings at the same level.

“And the reason for that has to be Suji. He is an artist that comes and tends to everyone’s works and that gives you a little more confidence.

“I used to paint as a child, but back then I would only do scenery and animals.

“Now, though, I have expanded my range of works.

And as you can see, I have displayed a picture of Ganesha and a floral painting.

“I just want to move onto a professional platform if I can, and I would like my children to follow me. My son is also a student of Suji, and my daughter will also join soon.

“I want my children to become better artists than me, and I just want to show them the way.” ■ NOV 30 - DEC 06 / ISSUE 497

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CASH INtheON camel 028

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Camels represent a fabulous model to make our — and their — life better if we tap the animal’s full potential. Hasan al Lawati exchanges camel camaraderie with friends

L

ast week I visited a Bedouin friend in Al Shaqiyah dunes. The young mechanical engineering graduate showed me around his tourist desert camp, invited me for a traditional lunch and took me on a spooky sand bashing tour.

But what caught my eyes as a city boy was not the swathe of red sands or the undisturbed quietness of the deserts, but a white baby camel that happily allowed me to pet it.

In Muscat, I am used to playing with cats and dogs — they are small, cute, intimate and found everywhere in the capital.

Here in the vast sea of sand, they have camels which are just as cute and cuddly but a lot bigger.

Coming back home, I was thinking of how Bedouins could profit further from this animal that provides milk and meat and serves as a great tourist attraction. And it led to an interesting conversation with Ahmed Nasser Al Junaibi, general editor of Camels magazine, who is taking this age-old business to a whole new level.

One of his company’s (4dmedia) key future projects is implanting an electronic chip in the camel’s skin so a herder can trace his Al Junaibi stressed that the camel is the “food security animal” of the animals and navigate their location in the wide deserts. future but the country is not tapping the animal’s full potential.

“We believe this idea will help 70 per cent of Bedouin herders to locate “They (camels) produce milk and dairy products, we can use their their animals. They can know if their camels are close to a road too so bones to create sculptures and other handmade souvenirs, their meat, their skin for leather chairs and belts and more,” he said. they can help prevent any dangers,” Al Junaibi said.

Al Junaibi said 4dmedia also invested in turning camel milk into ice “We are working on finding a chip that can resist the harsh weather cream and chocolates, pointing out that camels in Dhofar were known for conditions of the desert and run on a long-life battery or, if possible, on producing a larger quantity of milk. kinetic energy,” he explained.

His magazine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Al Junaibi said the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries fixed chips Fisheries, Royal Camel Court, Al Bashaer Arab Camel Circle and Oman in camels for the purpose of identification and registration, but the Camel Racing Federation, is organising the first Sultanate did not have a camel navigation We are working system yet. scientific symposium on camels on January 10 at on finding a chip Sultan Qaboos University.

“Our product is still pending because we are waiting for official approvals and licences. The chip “The symposium will highlight the latest that can resist will be connected to a mobile app that will allow research and studies on camels and how to prevent the harsh weather users to pinpoint the location,” he said, adding and treat diseases,” he explained. that the main challenge they were facing was weak conditions of the desert In tourism, camels proved to be a major and run on a connectivity in the deserts. attraction for western visitors, according to Al Junaibi. long-life battery He is organising a four-day camel riding tour or, if possible, on in December (Hida Al Sahra). It is set to start on kinetic energy December 15. ■

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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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CARS ADVENTURES

Adventures

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

THE CATWALKER

The all-new Kia Rio is an econobox with the zing and zest of a car that costs twice as much. It’s well engineered, sporty, and above all, quite the fashion arbiter.

-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

Gaming

Destination

WADI QALHAT ONE OF THE MOST SERENE LOCATIONS TO ENJOY A BBQ AND RELAX AMID WETLAND FLORA AFTER A CHALLENGING DRIVE, BUT THERE’S ANOTHER REASON WHY SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI DID A REPEAT. AND THAT’S TO SHAKE OFF THE JITTERS 032

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in mind. It’s best to have your vehicle moving at all times; inertia can bog you down and leave you stranded. And the fact that Wadi Qalhat is peppered with large boulders and pebbles makes it all a bit more hard.

Unlike my last trip there, I was alone this time, meaning that I had to make sure to keep myself safe. So, I didn’t venture too deep into the wadi. Remember, I had to make a round-trip.

Still, I pushed the SUV until it could take no more. The rocks became too tough to navigate and I was bouncing over the bumpy terrain than riding over it.

The next part of the journey I completed like it was intended to be: on foot. I climbed over the tall rocks to capture some stunning photos. Unlike last time, there wasn’t much water in the wadi, but this should change post the winter rains.

I could see the tiny caves that were carved out by the water that slowly eroded the rock surfaces.

This also showed the path taken by the water, and you could use that as a reference when choosing your location for camping.

Wadi Qalhat has to be one of the most serene locations for

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

Facing your fears is the first step towards growing up.” Before you look that quote up on the internet, I must tell you that I just made it up; it’s a Shaquel special for you readers. In any case, there’s a reason why I said that: my Destination this week covers a location that gives me the jitters.

Well, if you remember my story about Wadi Qalhat from three years ago, you would not lose sight of the fact that it was one of the first times I had ever headed off the road and into the wild in a SUV. Needless to say, I had made a hash of things and got my friend’s SUV marooned atop a large rock! Of course we have managed to patch up our friendship, but my fear of Wadi Qalhat has remained.

So, taking the decision to head there again was quite a tough one, but I knew I had to do it to get over my anxieties. To make matters worse, I had to make this week’s trip in my cousin’s SUV. I began the (lonely) trip at the break of dawn – at 4am – as always. From my house in Al Amerat, I took the road to Sur. The board to Wadi Qalhat lies en route – and you wouldn’t miss it. I reached the wadi in about an hour and 30 minutes.

Scouring the location, I could see the rock I had beached my friend’s SUV on. I decided to stay away from it and head in from the side. I made sure to keep the vehicle on all fours for as long as I could, and kept the differential locked and the gearbox in low range for added traction.

This is something you must keep

a barbeque. The clear waters should make way for a place to relax after a long day of trekking, and the quiet and peaceful surroundings would add to the overall atmosphere.

Also complementing the setting was the flora. The tiny purple flowers that caught my eye last time were still there, only in lesser concentration than before. Still, I took time to admire the symmetry of the petals.

The route down to Sur is a gold mine of wadis and beaches and there is so much to explore beyond old favourites like Wadi Shab and the Bimmah sinkhole.

But something about Qalhat calls out to me; I guess that’s what having the Stockholm Syndrome feels like.

Wadi Qalhat is easily visible on the way to Sur. Take Route 17 from Muscat all the way past Wadi Shab. There will be a sign for Qalhat Heritage Village, with the beach on one side and the wadi on the other, carving an obvious path between the mountains.

GPS Location of Wadi Qalhat: N22º 41’ 39.938”; E59º 22’ 5.624” NOV 30 - DEC 06 / ISSUE 497

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

KIA RIO

Great value for money and with a generous helping of features, the fourth generation hatchback is a sophisticated package posing a tough challenge to European brands. Alvin Thomas is convinced of the ‘power to surprise’

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emember the good old days when the only options you had when buying a hatchback were the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and the Toyota Yaris? Well, those days are long gone. And replacing that list today are a slew of new hatchbacks that are not only taking the challenge to these greats but also beating (or rather annihilating) them at their own game.

One such new entrant is the Kia Rio. Sure, the car has been zooming on the roads in sedan form for about 17 years now, but it wasn’t until 2011 that it really caught the public eye as a hatchback.

And boy, it certainly has upped the ante for competitors in this segment. The Rio, which is only in its fourth generation, maintains both form factors – sedan and hatchback – but this time around it’s the hatch that’s taking the cake.

Why wouldn’t it? It looks pretty darn fabulous for a hatchback. My tester, which was finished in crimson red, looked bold. Albeit, that could also have been because the Rio is longer, wider and shorter – by

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15mm, 5mm and 5mm, respectively – than its predecessor.

The front fascia of the new Rio finally earns the respect that it deserves. The newly redesigned wedge-shaped headlamps, which are connected to the faux-gloss black plastic-grille, gives it a very distinct – if a bit European – look. The real intakes are, however, buried in the lower portion of the bonnet, and close to the radiator. Still, the bumper gets distinct character lines that start from the lip and finish at the fog lamps housing.

As the Rio sits lower, the side profile of the hatchback is characteristically sporty, but the roofline that swoops down slightly and the small windows probably add to the effect too. Discerning buyers can also opt for 44cm split eight-spoke alloys.

I’ll tell you this: At no point did it look like the Rio was shrunken down from a sedan to a hatchback.

The posterior, on the other hand, keeps in line with its predecessor’s neat and clean look. But yes, the tail lamps, with the three light diffusers, are new.

In all, the Kia Rio could easily be the best-looking budget hatchback that you can buy today.

Much of this peppiness and funkiness carries over to the interior too. For instance, there was a large grey metallic-looking strip that took much of the dashboard, and a small but functional 13cm-wide touchscreen right in the middle. The screen is fairly responsive (in a very Kia-ish way) and provides you with multimedia, clock and phone functions. This is also where the reverse camera – with predictable guide lines – resides.

The tachometer is what you would normally find on a Kia product – and it’s nice to see the Rio benefit from that. Kia even chucks in a

small information display that will monitor vehicle functions, and even display a digital speedometer, should you need it. The three-spoke steering wheel is thick rimmed, and offers excellent ‘10 and 2’ holding positions.

Surprisingly, you can operate up to 16 functions with the 12 buttons on the wheel.

The air conditioner is excellent and comes with a strong blower – which is perfect for this region, and the

Destination

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

Y- F i

four-speaker audio system works like a charm around all complement each other more than they do on other Kia corners of the cabin. products. The transmission holds gears till the very end Space inside the cabin is on a par with its European and the motor is happy to rev all the way to 6000rpm. competitors. There was enough space left for rear seat But yes, there will be quite a lot of pandemonium when passengers after I – a quite generously-sized adult – set the you do that, and by the time you hit the 4000rpm range, front seats to my liking. Meanwhile, the seats were covered you’re already out of steam. in grippy fabric that felt nice and soft. The front seats are On the upside, the transmission is smooth but moderately bolstered and offer good lumbar, but downshifts have a bit of lag, so you’ll have to do I didn’t push the car to a point where I could a bit of pre-planning if you’re looking for a swift test its support threshold. overtake. Once you’re settled into the speed, The boot space is above average and though, the Rio is unwavering – as it THE NEW RIO should hold three medium-sized duffel sits happy even at speeds of 120kph and SEEMS TO SIT AS A bags without a hitch. To fit larger above.

FORMIDABLE PACKAGE Wind noise is quite low, even though it’s bags, you would have to fold down IN A SEGMENT THAT IS single glazed windows throughout the car. the rear seats (which are split 60:40).

PRIMARILY OCCUPIED Still, the larger alloys make way for a firm Howbeit, there’s a bump to look out

BY EUROPEAN CARS for when laying down fragile cargo. ride (in a nice way) and more tyre noise Overall, I felt the Rio to be put at speeds above 90kph. But, the 205/45 together very well – as sturdy as an Audi even! Though, I Kumho tyres offer admirable levels of grip when taking feel Kia could have chucked in some soft, padded surfaces sharp or tight corners. into the mix; but hey, you shouldn’t really complain when Push the car past its limit and you’ll be treated to liftoff you’re on a budget. I mean, Kia is even caring enough to oversteer. It’s really, really amusing and the chassis copes throw in a decent-sized sunroof for you. with it very well. If you’re feeling bored, you can also pull Speaking of decent-sized objects, the new Rio comes the traditional handbrake lever; though I wouldn’t advise packing a 1.6-litre in-line four-cylinder engine. This is you to do so. There is a substantial amount of body roll, good enough for 123hp and 151Nm of torque, but the but it is less than what you would find in a Volkswagen powertrain is rounded up with a new six-speed automatic Polo or even a gearbox with tiptronic function.

The gearbox and engine combination is good – and they

Gaming

CARS

Kia Rio Specifications: Engine: 1.6-litre ‘naturally aspirated’ in-line four-cylinder Transmission: six-speed automatic Horsepower: 123hp Torque: 151Nm Top speed: 190kph Front-wheel drive Steering-mounted controls Cruise control Traction control 13cms touchscreen infotainment system Backup camera Leather steering wheel Premium cloth seats 388litres storage space Front independent suspension Tyre pressure monitor Stability control Fog lamps USB charging port

comparable Japanese hatchback.

Unlike both Europeans and Japanese competitors, the steering is nicely weighted straight from the factory.

There’s no finicky button to press or a mode to switch to when you need some more resistance from the rack. Yet, there’s no feedback from the steering.

The brakes are strong and linear.

Somehow, the pedal resistance felt similar to that of an Audi, too. Maybe Peter Schreyer did more so than just design on Kia’s cars – and that’s a compliment.

Overall, the new Rio seems to sit as a formidable package in a segment that is primarily occupied by European cars.

But somehow, the Kia Rio manages to upset its counterparts by simply offering higher value for money and a host of discerning features. Dare I say, the Rio is definitely a remedy to a market that is slowly losing faith in sub-compact hatchbacks.

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CARS ADVENTURES SPACE CITY

Houston’s charm may come from its tall buildings, clean streets and actionpacked racing arenas, but its soul lies in space research, the memorials and the galore of museums scattered around the city.

1. Learn more about space travel from the Space Centre Houston 2) Take a tour around the Houston Zoo where there are 6,000+ species 3) Swim with the fishes at the Downtown Aquarium 4) Visit the Museum of Fine Arts 5) Pay your respects at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Alvin Thomas recommends

HOUSTON, TEXAS Houston, we have a problem!” This has to be - by a mile the most-used statement by astronauts in Hollywood sci-fi movies. Do you remember that scene in ‘Gravity’ wherein George Clooney frantically shouts back to Earth those very lines? There’s even an investigative documentary that goes by the very name. This makes Houston the most negatively publicised American city till date.

But, golly, Houston is nothing like it has been portrayed in the movies - it’s one of the coolest (yes, coolest) cities I have ever been to in the United States. I was star-struck as the city unleashed the inner geek in me.

The city beholds some of the most renowned American marvels such as the Space Centre Houston, the Museum of Fine Arts, the USS Texas and even the Holocaust Museum (!) - I doubt there’s any other city in the world that nestles such historically significant buildings under one roof.

But then again, this also makes Houston the most populous city in Texas - I guess it’s home to several physicists, experimental scientists and conspiracy theorists (in that very order). Walking on the streets of Houston reminded me - in some way - of the bustling roads of Jumeirah in Dubai. There’s also a tram line that r u n s t h e l e n g t h o f t h e c i t y . T h i s i s e ff e c t i v e , c o n s i d e r i n g s e v e n million tourists visit the already tenanted city every year!

The glitz and glamour may not be as much as, say, Los Angeles, but there’s enough to have you enthralled. After you’re done touring the space centre and the several museums, you should head straight to the Sam Houston Race Park - a horse racing track that is home to several gamblers. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the horse you bet on win.

But that said, Houston’s allure is in its past; the several a c h i e v e m e n t s t h a t h a v e b e e n a tt a i n e d o v e r t h e y e a r s , a n d t h e dreams of young kids that it helped construct. A survey conducted in 2011 revealed that Houston had the most number of working professionals in the medical and space research, technology, and even the media industry. Who says New York is the concrete jungle where dreams are made of?

My favourite place

Ah! Without a doubt, that would be the Space Centre Houston. I spent hours loitering along there with a visitor’s pass. Of course, you’ll be presented with a headset describing all the live exhibits so that you know what you’re looking at. Walking past the Lunar Module replica; Mercury 9 capsule, which was flown by Gordon Cooper; Apollo 17 Command Module; the Lunar Rover and the Apollo-Soyuz test project was nothing short of breathtaking – it’s like looking at the wondrous machines that left the Earth but have retired from their game.

Another great place to kill some time is the ArtCar museum where cars are turned into fashionable pieces of art.

AN EXH S P A C E IB IT IO N A T T H E CENTE R HOUS TON

ELEPHANT

T ON Z OO S A T H OU S

Highlights

It’s very hard to ignore the importance of space research in a city that has been nicknamed the “Space City”. Let’s just put it this way: If the Jetsons were real, they’d reside in Houston. But, as an onlooker, you cannot ignore the impact of culture of this city on the history of the US; a majority of the country’s cultural artefacts are placed in the several museums that are scattered around Houston. Heck, you can also visit the World War II navy vessel USS Texas for some sightseeing. The weather in Houston is subtropical but is prone to “supercell” thunderstorms.

During the summer, the temperatures usually hover around the 32°C range, making it an easy location for us to adapt.

Sometime in 1980, Houston was also touted as the “most air-conditioned place on earth”.

Lowlights The crowds. As I had stated earlier, Houston is the most populated city in Texas with over 2.3 million residents.

But this, in addition to the seven million tourists visiting the city every year, makes it incredibly overpopulated.

Souvenirs What’s there to think about? Get your loved ones some sci-fi-themed gifts. There are several souvenir shops littered around the city and even more in the museums. Do keep in mind that the prices in these museums can be excruciatingly high.

Getting there Both of Middle East’s greatest airlines – Emirates and Qatar Airways – fly to Houston via their hubs. A round trip should cost you roughly RO587 (in economy class). Else, you can also fly to any airport in the US and catch a bus to Houston – the country’s well connected.

Where to stay Surprisingly, it’s quite nominal if you book a hotel in Houston. The Embassy Suites by Hilton should set you back RO62 (per night), which is cheaper than that of hotels in the UAE. There are also several other hotels peppered around the vicinity.

H IS T O R IC B A T TLESH TEXAS IP IN S A N J A C IN T O

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

REALITY CHECK

Augmented reality resurges through the Glass and virtual reality gets enhanced with Batman even as you could get charged like the Iron Man or get hooked to the Wonder Woman. Alvin Thomas emerges excited from reality scrutiny

WONDER WOMAN There’s no doubt that Wonder Woman is all the rage now. I’m not sure if it is because of the newly released movie or just the effect of the wondrous Gal Gadot. But, I can tell you that there’s quite a lot of merchandise bleeding into the market currently. This Wonder Woman-themed headphone from Amazonian Sound is one of them, and it certainly looks its part. The device comes packing a 40mm driver that produces excellent bass and treble. It’s also quite robust for its size. Wonder Woman would say: “You don't just wear this, you wield it.” Buy this from thinkgeek.com for RO9.5

CYBORG VISION Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Google glasses flopped. But, I still maintain that it is the closest we can get to being cyborgs without actually transplanting a head – or doing some thingamajig like that. Nevertheless, augmented reality continues to live on with the Glass Enterprise & Streye. As its name suggests, however, you’re only limited to looking at work presentations, other multimedia and, perhaps, cat videos on YouTube. Still, it can shoot images with its 5MP camera and save it to the in-built 32GB ROM. The display resolution is still at a tacky 720p but we’ll forgive Streye for that. Oh, and before I forget, Google is working on a newer version of its very own glasses; so stay tuned. Buy these for an excruciating RO657 from store.streye.com

SUIT UP Tony Stark’s Iron Man has to be one of the most invincible android superheroes of all time. But, as you all know, his enervation lies in the fact that he needs to charge his iron suit to keep fighting all the baddies. Similarly, even my phone needs a good charge every four hours, and that’s where the Iron Man Mark V Armor Suitcase Mobile Fuel Cell comes handy. In the traditional sense, it’s not really a fuel cell (!) but rather a lithium ion battery. It packs about 12,000mAh of power, which should be able to recharge your iPhone X five times. There’s also two separate USB ports for your devices. Above all, the device looks like something Tony would carry to a meeting at the Stark Enterprises. Get it for RO38.4 from thinkgeek.comcom

EDITOR’S PICK

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

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HOW COOL WOULD IT BE TO SEE GOTHAM THROUGH THE EYES OF BATMAN? PRETTY DARN COOL, I SUPPOSE. EITHER WAY, HERE’S A CHANCE FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE THIS; USING THE VRSE BATMAN VR HEADSET. THE BOX COMES WITH A TRADITIONAL-LOOKING VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET BUT WITH BATMAN LOGOS ENGRAVED INTO THE FRONT. YOU ALSO GET A BATARANG-STYLE CONTROLLER TO SIMULATE THE MOVEMENTS IN THE GAME. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE IS THAT THE GRAPHICS OF THE GAME IS MEDIOCRE – AS IT IS STILL PREMATURE. APART FROM THAT, THE STORYLINE AND THE PHYSICS ENGINE ARE ON POINT, MAKING THIS A WORTHY PURCHASE. BUY IT FOR RO9.58 FROM AMAZON.COM

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Forza Motorsport 7

Back from the biggest gaming event in the Middle East that offered exquisite interactive experiences, Hasan al Lawati throws down a cosplay challenge

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bu Dhabi hosted Gamescon 2017, billed as the 'Gamers Disney Land". The ultimate gaming festival hosted YouTube sensations Vikkstar, Zerkaa, Ali A, one of the most popular YouTubers of all time with over 13.2 billion views; and Clare Siobhan who has nearly 1 million followers.

Voice-over actors Chloe Hollings of Widowmaker fame, Brina Palencia (Mad Moxxi), and DC Douglas (Albert Wesker of Resident Evil) were also among the top draws, along with teams from Nasr and Yalla eSports.

Emirati mobile game developers and manga artists also had busy booths.

Fans got the opportunity to compete in the DOTA finals and FIFA 18 tournament.

The highlight of the three-day event was the cosplay competition that attracted hundreds of fans, leaving the other booths nearly empty for two hours.

Here we share pictures of some of the coolest cosplayers. Can you guess the characters?

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

COOL COLLECTIONS

No doubt, winter fashion is so overwhelming that we all just want to look chic and cosy.

Well, the stores here know how we roll. We can now get the cool look without heating ourselves up unnecessarily, says Reemsha Akbar.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

t d no s e e rn ck inte ar che w in b ble ha Ak a n s io ash . Reem f d n s sh a saving sy e r f o r , arm in you l and c w g s o co pin ole Kee e big h to look mak ptions o out

T t Ge

Comfortable and edgy, a perfect sweatshirt to kick off this winter with tulle sleeves — a great top for those who want to look fun and fresh.

Something unusual for a sweatshirt but with the colour black no one can ever go wrong. Shop it from H&M for RO7.9

The year 2017 has been all about off the shoulders. This trendy grey sweatshirt is a hot little off-theshoulder number but gives the ultimate classy look with the perfect balance between casual and stylish. Buy it from H&M for RO7.9

Dare to bling? Why not?

This embellished jacket with a mystique golden and black – back and front, with long dark purple sleeves. A perfect spotlight glam for all the ones that want to make a winter statement, that is without trying too hard.

Shop it at Splash for RO18

Get glitzy by pairing this up with a glittery high waist slim trouser in stretchy jersey.

Simple, attractive and comfortable, yet so fashionable.

Buy it from H&M for RO4.9

Let’s go a bit extra with being trendy. This pinkish beige colour sweatshirt is all about its girly ruffle sleeves. It gives an elegant, classy, playful look that can easily go from the office to an evening function. Get it at New Look for RO12.2

To get the absolute charming look, pair the sweatshirt up with a wardrobemust-have tuxedo trousers with belt.

Together it makes a perfect match for a wind-chill night out.

Buy it for RO4.9 at H&M

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

● Let’s start off with a household must have. An oldie but a goodie, Vaseline petroleum jelly makes a great moisturiser and is easily available. It comes cheap but gives that instant million-rial glow. It will help heal dry skin deep down for fast relief from itchy dryness this winter. Besides the face, it can be used on lips, heels and elbows. Shop it at your nearest supermarket for just 0.500 baisas. ● Wanna get fancy and radiant? Well then Givenchy’s Rich Luminescence is the right one for you. It keeps dry flaky patches at bay all day, leaving you with a well-plumed look. Wow, isn’t this just what we need this season? Buy it from Salam Store for RO34.7

Secrets to SKIN CARE Winter is hard on your skin and it takes more than normal routines to keep the glow. Reemsha Akbar checks out smart ways to invest in the skin

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laky face. Chapped lips. Cracked heels. Rough elbows. Dry hands. What a bummer.

Skin concern is a big issue. Despite what season it is, we want our skin to look flawless.

Unfortunately, winter takes a toll on our skin. No matter how hard we try, it doesn’t cooperate with us. As winter approaches, we have to get ready to winter-proof our skin.

When the air outside gets cool and dry, the humidity level drops and, therefore, the water in our skin evaporates more quickly. As a result, we face itchy, flaky and tight dry skin which leads to various other irritating issues.

The most affected part of our body is our face. But, thankfully, it is easily treatable. The simplest moisturising products can smooth dry skin in just a click of your fingers. Here are the creams to invest in right now:

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● Strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier by locking it in for an all-day hydration. The Body Shop Vitamin E moisture cream has a plumping hyaluronic acid with a wheatgerm oil formula. Light weight and easily absorbed, the cream hydrates the skin, leaving it smooth and fresh. Apply, sit back and relax, let the Vitamin E do its thing and look replenished from the night before. Shop it from The Body Shop for just RO8.1. ● When we hear aloe vera the first thing comes to mind is hydration. Boots Simply Sensitive hydrating moisturiser with aloe vera is hypo allergenic and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin. It is fragrance free and makes the skin smoothly refreshing and silky. A great value for its price because nothing beats a quenched and nourished happy skin. Buy at Boots for RO2.2. ● A super thirsty skin needs nothing but Clarins Hydra-Essential Silky Cream. It restores comfort and kicks away dullness and uneven texture. It is noncomedogenic and soothes redness, irritations and tightness. A one-stop perfect treatment for problematic skin, the cream gives a perfect velvety finish look which we all need this winter for a readyset-go glow. Buy it from Salam Stores for RO28.4.

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

MANAGING

PAIN

Pain is ubiquitous, but you don’t need to curse your luck and get on with it silently forever.

KIMS Oman Hospital explains how and why pain clinics could put a smile back on your face Pain’ is a very general term. As a matter of fact, the Oxford Dictionary defines pain as a physical suffering or discomfort caused by an illness or injury. But each one of us experiences some sort of pain occasionally.

It is a common problem that crops up in forms ranging from back pain to joint pain to headache, or something more severe like pain from cancer.

Pain is generally accepted as inevitable. People surrender to it and try to learn to live with it.

There is an absence of proper education and lack of awareness about it. This leads to a misuse of painkillers resulting in complications like gastritis, kidney failure, bone marrow depression and bleeding from the stomach or intestine which can be catastrophic.

Continuous suffering from chronic pain results in change of lifestyle, poor efficiency, dependency on others and medicines; ultimately leading to suffering in the whole family and mental disturbances like depression.

But is it necessary to suffer? Are there any alternatives?

The answer to that is: you must see a pain specialist if you continue to suffer from pain after a month of conservative treatment.

‘Pain Medicine’ is a specialty which deals with the management of all types of painful disease states, even long-standing pain, and ‘Pain Clinics’ are now assuming the role of an essential service as they meet a need unmet by any previously existing medical facility.

It is based on the conviction that the effective management of difficult pain conditions is possible only through well-coordinated efforts of a specialist possessing knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, vocational and social aspects of chronic pain cost-effectively.

Interventional pain procedures can be performed with ease by pain physicians without anesthesia as outpatient or daycare procedures and produce immediate pain relief. The main advantages of them over both medicine and surgery are that they do not have side effects like medicines and are suitable for surgically unfit and debilitated patients. These procedures can be repeated safely, if required. Surgery for pain has now limited indications, and it is usually done as a last resort.

Dr Manjeet Singh, specialist – anesthesia – at KIMS Oman Hospital, says: “The ultimate goal is to provide relief and care to people suffering from pain. As the quality of life is restored, the patients increase their selfesteem and can live life as normal individuals. People with chronic pain should not suffer unnecessarily. They should consult a pain medicine specialist. The sooner your pain is managed, the better the overall results are.” ■ NOV 30 - DEC 06 / ISSUE 497

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FOOD DRINK

A STARCHY AFFAIR

Incorporate foods with high resistant starch like potatoes to have a hearty and nutritious meal. But that’s not all: Potatoes are low in calories and cholesterol, too.

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Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

Click on

the HASH Garlic Herb Potato Hash

Throw in crisp vegetables and fresh herbs with potatoes and pair it all with a glass of milk — and you will have calcium and calories to power through a busy season

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inter is here (finally!) and the holidays are fast approaching. This year, take time to relax and make family memories – like sitting down for a delicious breakfast with everyone.

Bringing loved ones together doesn’t always need to involve an elaborate gathering. Sometimes, a warm, cosy morning meal is all you need.

Try out our exclusive recipe, which is a twist on classic hash browns. Made with ingredients you can feel good about, like nutritious milk, crisp vegetables and fresh herbs, this potato hash is sure to become a new favourite. It’s served with a 236ml glass of milk for an extra nutrient boost that helps everyone power through the busy holiday season.

For more recipes to bring the family together during the holiday season, visit milklife.com.

Source: Family Features

Ingredients: § 3 tbsp unsalted butter § 8 small red potatoes, skin-on and diced (about 3 cups) § 1 red bell pepper, diced § 3 tsp minced garlic § 1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped, plus additional for topping § 1 tsp fresh oregano, finely chopped, plus additional for topping § 2 tbsp all-purpose flour § 2/3 cup milk § ¼ tsp salt § 1/4 tsp pepper § 2 slices low-sodium turkey bacon, cooked near crispy § ¼ cup finely grated reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese Method: § In a large frying pan over a medium heat, melt butter, then add potatoes, bell peppers, garlic, thyme and oregano, stirring occasionally until potatoes are fork-tender. § Sprinkle flour over the potato mixture and stir to coat. Gradually stir in milk until sauce forms. Season with salt and pepper and stir in slices of turkey bacon. Sprinkle with cheddar

cheese and cover, allowing to melt for 1-2 minutes. Uncover and top with additional herbs, if desired, before serving. § Pair each serving with 236ml glass of milk.

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FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

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rke a m d

Mi

Info Box

LOVE THAT BURGER

Adjacent to the Audi Showroom, Azaiba, Muscat (A heavy) Lunch for one: RO10.6 Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 8.5/10 FOOD 6/10 AMBIENCE

LOVE THAT BURGER

Authentic burgers at decent rates.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

GETTING ‘YES’ TO ALL THE ORDERS AT THE NEW JOINT WAS THE APPETISER AND THEN THE CRUNCHY, YUMMY SHRIMPS SWIMMING IN SRIRACHA TURNED UP TO NOSH ON. ALVIN THOMAS DISCOVERS THE PLEASURES OF SERENDIPITOUS INDULGENCE

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f late, heading out to discover a decent place for lunch has become a daunting task owing to my work schedules. The Indian restaurant next door to work has become my staple location for a quick bite. But every so often I like to take some time out to explore some place new; a place no one really knows or talks about.

That was my situation this week as I headed into a new hole in the heart of Azaiba – Love That Burger. And you know what? I really did love that burger, and then some. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

The burger joint is located adjacent to the Audi car showroom in Azaiba and isn’t one that will catch your eye immediately. Strangely, even after I had tracked it down, I had to peep inside the outlet to see if it was open. And thank heavens, it was.

The insides are really spacious – every booth is spaced out well and is also generously sunlit. I particularly admired the privacy between each booth. Nevertheless, I settled into my spot and started scouring through the menu my waiter had already placed down for me.

There’s plenty to choose from: Salads, pastas, burgers, sliders, milkshakes, nachos and even a gourmet of appetisers, but the menu clearly stated that the restaurant was still in its soft opening stages.

Thus, it was with haste that I chanted out my orders: “Can I get a penne pasta, shrimp slider and (our editor Nishad’s favourite) red velvet cake

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NOV 30 - DEC 069 / ISSUE 497

laid out and garnished with spring onions and till seeds. As was the trend of the day, I fancied my dish. Heck, I finished the eight large pieces THE THICK, CRUNCHY SHRIMPS of shrimps in less than the time it took to be WERE NEATLY GARNISHED IN prepared.

SRIRACHA SAUCE AND TOPPED My red velvet cake milkshake was the next WITH CHEESE AND A PORTION OF to arrive. It looked nothing like the ones I had BIB LETTUCE. seen before in restaurants, but it was definitely palatable. The shake contained small chunks of (soft) cake which were smooth when I decided to chug it down. Do keep in mind that the milkshake alone can be quite stodgy.

A few minutes later, my pasta arrived. Although, by then, I was completely stuffed. In a bid to not waste food, I asked for it to be packed.

As expected, by the time I went home – hours later – and dug into the dish, it was cold. So, in all milkshake?” To my surprise, he said “yes” to it all. fairness, I cannot judge the dish.

My last encounter with a newly opened restaurant Still, I fancied the grilled chicken and the saw me munching on slices of dry bread, halfmushroom sauce-heavy pasta. I’d rate it at seven baked beans and chewy grills. on 10.

Still, I was just happy to know that it was not to In all, I can say that I had been longing to dine be the case today. in a restaurant as this for long. I cannot remember I was also exceedingly chuffed to be served my the last time I actually got time to sit down and slider within five minutes of placing the order. But enjoy a warm, hot and indulging lunch. And now upon handing me the dish, the waiter warned me that I have done it, I don’t think I’m going back to that the shrimps would be a tad spicy. my routine of stale and quick lunches. Now if you I obliged and hesitantly took a bite. all will excuse me; I must head back there for a Moments later, my eyelids popped wide open. burger. Adios, amigos.

It was not because of the spice but rather the brilliant tang. I had never noshed a slider as Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see succulent and fresh as that. The thick, crunchy reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com shrimps were neatly garnished in sriracha sauce and topped with cheese and a portion of bib lettuce.

All of this was then nestled safely and securely in between two slices of soft home-made buns. It was delightful – and as you all would’ve guessed by now – the best slider I had ever tasted.

Enthralled by the slider, I quickly ordered a plate of sriracha glazed shrimps. The kind waiter brought it to me rather quickly, but it was neatly

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