Y Magazine #500, December 28, 2017

Cup of passion

SPECIAL FEATURE ON GULF CUP 2017

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EXPLORING HYUNDAI’S NEW HYBRID CAR

10 GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS NEXT MONTH News: E-PAYMENT TO BEGIN AT

DESTINATION: Jarnan Cave TASTE TEST: Angelina Paris YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

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DEC 28 - JAN 03 2018 / ISSUE 500 • WEEKLY

HEALING TOUCH

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GOVERNMENT PLANS MANDATORY HEALTH COVER FOR OMANIS AND EXPATS

FEAT BY FOOT

01

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

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GAME OF THE YEAR

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NEW YEAR BLING

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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

NUMBER OF HOTEL VISITORS IN OMAN Hotels in Muscat had the second-best occupancy rates among the cities of the Middle East and North Africa. The survey revealed that the hotels had an average occupancy rate of 86.4 per cent in Oman.

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

Fast forward

T GOING DOWN

NUMBER OF SMES There has been a 38.1 per cent decrease in the total number of small and medium enterprises at the end of November 2017, the National Centre for Statistics and Information announced.

THIS WEEK…

his edition of the Y Magazine is special for us in many ways. This is the 500th issue of Y and in the last 499 issues we have published stories tailor-made for the readers. This has not only enhanced our readership but also made us the best lifestyle magazine in the country. As a publication, Y will be firmly committed to the public interest and we will continue to do quality journalism with a human touch. In the meantime, we make a simple appeal: read us and share our content, and send us your feedback.

In our cover story this week, we discuss yet another important subject that needs public attention – insurance. Not just health insurance but also the greatest asset – you! Nothing is more important in this world than your life and your ability to make a living. Be it from insuring cars to health, how many of us are really protected?

According to statistics, only 9 per cent of Omanis and 10 per cent of expats in the private sector are insured. This is shocking and to address this issue we talk to experts in the insurance sector and people who are affected to give you a large picture of what’s happening.

And we are at the end of 2017 and what a year it has been. A year of dysfunction and discontent, disruption and dismantling across the world. A year when righteous anger reigned, underdogs ruled and everyone else jumped the shark. The countdown for the New Year has begun. With excitement in our minds and love in our hearts, let us all welcome 2018 with open arms.

Wish you all a very happy New Year.

Team Y celebrated Christmas this week. Meanwhile, we also visited the cave in Jarnan, the beach adjacent to the Bimmah Sinkhole and also explored new restaurants in the capital.

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

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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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DEC 28 - JAN 03 / ISSUE 500

03

contents

Features 20 Insurance assurance

We talk to experts

about the changes in the

insurance sector in Oman

DEC 28 - JAN 03 2018

Your Oman 08 Voice Of Oman

Nishad Padiyarath 10

News First test flight takes off at new Muscat International Airport

12 News

Oman ministry issues

Haj selfie warning

This Week

26

18 Celebrate New Year

Top New Year’s Eve

parties in Oman 19

Movies The Greatest Showman set for Oman release

Feat by foot Meet the Omani who traversed the country by foot

26

19

10

Food and Drink 44 Food Feature

Keep it lean

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Jarnan Cave

46 Taste Test

Angelina Paris

Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Hyundai Ioniq 38 Y-Fi

Light up your 2018

with new gadgets

40 Fashion

New year bling 42 Health

Stay away from pain killers

44

40

38 NEXT ISSUE...

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THE VOICE OF OMAN SMARTPHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA ARE ADDING SPARKLES TO OUR LIFE, BUT THE ADDICTION IS LEAVING MANY DEPRESSED AND DISSATISFIED AS WELL. NISHAD PADIYARATH POSTS A NEW YEAR MESSAGE YOU SHOULD LIKE

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Omani citizens whose monthly income from all sources is not more than RO600 are eligible for the National Fuel Subsidy scheme. What about the expatriates whose salary is below RO600? What are your thoughts?

MOHAN ANANDAN

When it comes to special welfare packages, the primary concern of any nation is its own citizens. Like the minimum wages announced earlier, announcement of the National Fuel Subsidy Scheme too has its own reasons and compulsions. Although expatriates would have been elated had it been extended to them as well, one must appreciate the factors leading to restriction of this scheme to the citizens.

W

hat is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

“I check my phone,” my friend replied instantly while we met at a dinner party the other day. He is right and he can’t be blamed because many people of my generation do that every day and that’s how “real life” is going these days.

Phones and social media have become an essential part of our everyday lives. Digitalisation has had a huge impact on our lifestyle, whether we are aware of it or not. The point is we have become addicted to our phones as well as social media apps and we don’t even realise it!

Last week, I was trying to contact a close friend but he never answered my calls but the moment when I texted him on Facebook Messenger, he instantly replied. That’s the beauty of technology, but what about human relationships? Is it getting affected? Yes, big time! We are more worried about how many people have “liked” our photos on Facebook or busy posting “stories” on Instagram, but we are losing out on so much more. And do you know what that is? THE REAL LIFE. This addiction leads to dissatisfaction, impatience and even depression. How do you get over this? Avoid the temptation of overusing your phone and interact with real people who are your friends and family members. This will help you to strengthen the relationships you already have.

Yes, we are digital and I am a digital person as well but we should also value personal relationships.

Communicating with people without your phone can be easy. You make the first move and let this be your New Year resolution.

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DEC 28 - JAN 03 / ISSUE 500

gets subsided fuel then an expat earning less than RO600 should also get it. The decision of granting the subsidy only to Omanis is unfair and must be revised.

ZAHID SAEED

As in the case of water and electricity, expatriates earning less than RO600 should have been included in the fuel subsidy scheme.

NADEEM NOOR

USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI

Any government will always prioritise their own people before expatriates. Though it is not a wrong move to provide fuel subsidies for Omanis who are making less than RO600 a month, but taking into consideration the fact that expatriates are the ones who actually need the subsidy as many are earning less than RO400 a month, it could have been extended to them as well. Omanis get higher wages compared to that of expatriates and also receive more benefits in certain areas. The best possible way to actually make this scheme effective is by providing subsidised fuel to Omanis who are earning less than RO500 and a small fuel subsidy to expatriates who are earning below RO400 a month. This will help boost spending habits as it will help citizens and expatriates save some money and actually use it for spending. It’s then a win-win situation. Even a 50 per cent discount is good enough to help expats who are equally contributing to the growth of Oman and are actually in need of a way to cut down their costs.

JANKI RISHIT HEMANI

The Omani government’s decision to make life a bit more comfortable than it is at the moment for its citizens who are earning less and struggling to make ends meet is welcome, but why should it make expatriates complain about not getting a share? They

In any country, social welfare schemes normally cover its citizens and so expatriates need not grouse about not being covered under any subsidy plans, for they remain aliens and second-class citizens forever. Though the high fuel prices impact all residents equally, we must be happy for our Omani friends who are getting relief under the National Fuel Subsidy Scheme.

I am sure everyone, including expatriates, will welcome it, as 376,000 Omanis are expected to benefit under the scheme. It is understood that the Sultanate saved about RO250mn in 2016 with the fuel subsidy withdrawal. The fuel subsidy budget that remained at RO580mn need not necessarily remain at this level this year, for the revenue deficit stood at 30% in 2016. We the expatriates have to go along with the flow and feel happy for the safety, liberty to follow our religious beliefs and, above all, peace we are enjoying here so, subsidy or no subsidy, we should stand by the government.

Expatriates are contributing equally to the Omani economy as Omanis do. The law should treat all residents equally and not with any bias. If an Omani earning less than RO600

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should not. Of course many expatriates are earning a lot less than RO600, but a monthly income of RO300 itself is quite a big amount for expatriates who send most of their earnings back home and thereby gain a good conversion rate.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

I appreciate the authorities on their initiative to launch the national subsidy scheme for the citizens of Oman whose monthly incomes do not exceed RO600. It is a well-known fact that the high fuel costs are hitting hard all residents with limited pay packets. In my humble opinion, the authorities should consider the plight of expatriates as well.

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MOHAMMED AL BALUSHI

I have great respect for the effort put in by the expatriates working here, but it surprises me that some of them really feel bad about not being included in the fuel subsidy scheme. The Omani government need to look after its citizens first, and then only others come in the picture. When the going was good, the Sultanate did not charge expatriates anything extra for petrol — both Omanis and expatriates paid the same price. Now, when chips are down, priority need to be set, and expatriates should understand the situation, instead of feeling negative.

New Debate: How was 2017 for you in Oman? And what kind of changes you wish to happen in the Sultanate in 2018?

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

THROUGH YOUR EYES

SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION Y Magazine reader Anup Bhatt captures the beauty of Al Riyam park tower using his coolpad note 3 camera.

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: Anup Bhatt

DEC 28 - JAN 03 / ISSUE 500

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YOUR

OMAN

NEWS

FIRST TEST FLIGHT TAKES OFF AT NEW MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A

n international flight consisting 200 guests on board Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from the new Muscat International Airport as part of the trial on Saturday morning.

To make it look real, the 200 guests had even dummy passports and luggage for the 30-minute trip. The trial followed the entire process including checking in, baggage handling, finding the boarding gate, emergency evacuation, boarding the flight and disembarking from the same.

The guests comprised high-ranking officials from ministries, travel agents, exchange house representatives, Public Authority for Civil Aviation and Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) officials.

Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed bin Sultan al Hosni, chief executive officer, OAMC said, “We plan to be among the top 20 airports in the world. The construction is almost over and the new Muscat airport will start its operations soon. We will have more trials in the coming days.”

Hosni said that the aim of the flight trial was to ensure that everything is in order before the commencement of actual operations.

“These trials will be more than

testing operations. We will use the valuable feedback from everyone to achieve the goal of emerging among top 20 airports in the world.”

He added that the tourism sector is witnessing a boom and the new airport will help to attract more airlines and travellers to the sultanate.

H E Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications had earlier said that the trial will help the government to decide on the launch date of operations.

E-PAYMENT TO BEGIN AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS NEXT MONTH

E

lectronic payment at the government hospitals will begin from January next year, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Starting from January 1, 2018, only electronic payment via debit/ credit cards will be accepted at public hospitals.

“The Ministry of Health (MOH) would like to draw the attention of the public that, the collecting of all fees and amounts due to the Ministry in all its health institution will be via E-payment through the credit/ debit card, effective from January 1, 2018,” the MOH said in

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DEC 28 - JAN 03 / ISSUE 500

an online statement.

The Ministry has started the E-payment service through the credit/debit card since first of October 2016.

SPORTS DAY

GALLERY

AL INJAZ PRIVATE SCHOOL CONDUCTED ITS ANNUAL SPORTS DAY ON 20TH DECEMBER 2017 FOR THE KINDERGARTEN, SECTION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS AND GRADES 1 - 12, AT THE SULTAN QABOOS INDOOR STADIUM, IN BAUSHER.

DEC 28 - JAN 03 / ISSUE 500

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YOUR

OMAN

O

OMAN MINISTRY ISSUES HAJ SELFIE WARNING

man’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has warned pilgrims from Oman against clicking pictures inside the premises of the two holy mosques.

The ban would apply to clicking of pictures and videography and upon failure to abide by this rule, the Saudi Arabian authorities may confiscate the film and camera, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious affairs said.

The announcement was made through a notice issued by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs on Saturday.

“The ministry of Endowments and Religious affairs calls upon all Haj companies, citizens and residents wishing to perform Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) or Haj to abstain from photography and filming of all forms and in any way within the two holy mosques and in their squares.

OVER 3,000 BUSINESS ENTITIES AVAIL SERVICES OF INVEST EASY PORTAL

T

he Ministry of Commerce and Industry has stated that the number of sole proprietorships and commercial companies that have renewed or cancelled their commercial registrations (CRs) through Invest Easy portal stood at 3,062 since starting submitting applications at the beginning of December.

Some 2,437 sole proprietorships renewed 940 CRs and cancelled 1,497 CRs while 625 commercial companies renewed 614 CRs and cancelled 11 Crs. The ministry urged owners of sole proprietorships and commercial

companies to cancel or renew their expired CRs till March 31, 2018 to ensure accuracy of their establishments’ data. The renewal also helps in maintaining these CRs valid and ensure their compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.

The ministry also processed 37,430 CRs which have expired during the period from January 1 to July 12, 2017. The number of expired CRs as on December 31, 2016 stood at 117,038 including 75,864 sole proprietorships and 41,174 commercial companies.

The ministry affirmed that as per

the provision of article No 15 of the Commercial Registration Law No 3/74 the sole proprietorships whose CRs are expired will be cancelled if their owners failed to submit an application for renewal or cancelling.

KHOULA, AL NAHDA HOSPITAL HOTLINE NUMBERS CHANGED

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R

esidents in Oman who are looking for medical services should be advised that the phone numbers of the Khoula and Al Nahda Hospitals have been changed.

The Ministry of Health announced that the phone numbers of Khoula and Al Nahdha hospitals had been changed as follows: Khoula Hospital Switchboard: 22501000 Accidents & Emergency: 22501753, 22501710, 22501727 Al Nahdha Hospital Switchboard: 22503333 Accidents & Emergency: 22503330 Patients looking to visit these two hospitals are required to take note of the changes in numbers to avoid confusion in future.

TEE OFF

GALLERY

THE ASSARAIN GOLF OMAN JUNIOR SERIES WRAPPED-UP ITS 1ST SERIES, CROWNING THE 2017 CHAMPION GOLFERS, ON SATURDAY AT AL MOUJ GOLF CLUB. DANNY WHATMORE (14) FROM GHALA GOLF CLUB, AND RAYYAN AHMED (12) OF RAS AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB, TOOK HOME THE TITLES IN THE UNDER 15’S AND UNDER 12’S CATEGORIES, RESPECTIVELY.

DEC 28 - JAN 03 / ISSUE 500

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Festivities to flight of future

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

T

T

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DEC 28 - JAN 03 / ISSUE 500

MAY

T

he month commenced with the news of snowfall enveloping the striking mountains of Jebel Shams on February 5. Several residents drove up to the ranges to experience the one-off event.

On February 15, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Oman for the second time since he assumed power in 2013. On February 18, the Tour of Oman concluded with Belgium-cyclist Ben Hermans taking the pole position.

The 878km-long cycling competition took place over six stages.

he year was set in motion with the commencement of the Muscat Festival on January 19. The 24-day festival enthralled the audience with its cultural activities and shows. In other news, the Petroleum Development of Oman signed a $1.2bn contract to supply piping for its drilling operations in Duqm. Also, the Public Authority for Consumer Protection scrapped the service tax across restaurants in the country.

APRIL

Q

he month had some amazing surprises for Oman. It all began with Haitham Rafi snagging top spot in India’s Dil Hai Hindustani music competition on April 2. Then, on April 25, Oman’s Ministry of Tourism won the Golden Award for the ‘Best Usage of Social Media’ in the Middle East and North Africa region at the Arab Travel Market Expo 2017 in Dubai.

T

he Royal Army of Oman (RAO), represented by the Northern Frontier Regiment, concluded a 14-day joint exercise ‘Al Najah 2’ on March 20 with the Indian Army in India. The exercise reflected RAO’s desire to exchange tactical expertise with friendly military forces and it was aimed at improving the abilities of the participants.

JUNE atar Ports Management Company Mwani Qatar announced on June 11the launch of a new direct service between Hamad Port and Sohar Port. “In light of the recent developments in the region, Mwani Qatar and its partners have ensured the business continuity of its ports and shipping operations in and out of Qatar to mitigate the impact of actions that may affect the imports and exports to and from the country,” stated Mwani Qatar.

A

s part of its economic diversification plan, the government introduced the e-visa service to tourists on May 18. Those who are planning to visit Oman can now apply online for visas by submitting their applications at evisa. rop.gov.om. This also meant visitors from 67 countries can avail tourist visas without a local sponsor.

THE YEAR 2017 HAD A FESTIVE BEGINNING AND A GLORIOUS END, WITH THE 24-DAY-LONG MUSCAT FESTIVAL GETTING OFF TO A COLOURFUL START IN JANUARY AND THE FIRST TRIAL FLIGHT OUT OF THE ALL-NEW MUSCAT AIRPORT TAKING OFF IN DECEMBER. IN BETWEEN FUN AND FROLIC, THERE WERE A SLEW OF EVENTS — FROM RAINS TO SNOWFALLS, DISPLAY OF MILITARY MIGHT, WINNING GLOBAL AWARDS AND KEY DECISIONS ON NEW JOBS — PLAYED OUT AGAINST A BACKDROP OF REGIONAL TENSIONS AND CRUDE PRICE UNCERTAINTIES. HASAN AL LAWATI AND ALVIN THOMAS RECAP THE NEWS OF THE YEAR THAT WAS

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

O T

he Oman government signed a $3.55bn five-year loan agreement with a group of Chinese financial institutions and, on August 8, Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight on the Doha-Sohar sector arrived at Sohar Airport to become the third airline to operate from Sohar Airport and the second international airline to do so after Air Arabia which started its Sohar operations on July 9. il and gas entrepreneur Qais al Khonji was listed among the GCC’s top ten entrepreneurs in 2017

by Gulf Business. He was the only Omani national on this year’s list, as published by the UAE-based magazine.

Nominees were chosen based on their company’s financial performance and the achievements of the person cited.

O

R

eading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal on July 16. The 35-year-old signed a three-year deal with the Saudi champions who won their 14th title last season.

B

P, together with the Ministry of Oil & Gas, announced on September 25 that production has begun from the giant Khazzan gas field, which is operated by BP in partnership with Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production. On September 30, Omani authorities announced that some Indian, Chinese and Russian nationals will be allowed to obtain a nonsponsored tourist visa for Oman.

mani job seekers heaved a sigh of relief when the Council of Ministers decided to create 25,000 jobs for citizens on October 4. The Council also urged the private sector to offer attractive employment opportunities to Omanis. The Council of Ministers, which has throughout the year been engaged in ways to realise a suitable and sustainable treatment of all aspects of the issue (employment), urged the private sector to “accord maximum priority” for Omanisation in their programmes. Prior to the decision, there were some 50,000 job seekers according to statistics revealed by the National Centre for Statistics and Information. A big campaign was carried out by the Manpower Ministry soon after the decision. On October 18, the government selected a third mobile operator in Oman — a consortium of a local company owned by investment funds and its global partner.

L

ocal and international experts joined hands in December 5 to plan the future of the Sultanate with The Oman 2040 Vision. It is a national programme ordered

by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos through which experts got together to prepare an advanced vision for Oman in 2040. n December 22, the Gulf Cup football championship got off in Kuwait. n December 23, in preparation for the opening of the new Muscat International Airport, the first trial flight (WY2001) took off from the airport. The test flight was deemed a success. n December 12, people got a new commuting option on when Mwasalat launched its taxi service. The company said the airport tax service would be launched in January 2018. The service will include a mobile application for instant and pre-booked taxis as well. he government announced a National Subsidy System, through which Omanis aged 18 and above, and earning RO600 and below, would receive 200 litres of subsidised M91 fuel, every month. Eligible Omanis can register themselves and begin availing the services

by January 2018.

O O O

man Telecommunications (Omantel) won the bid for the acquisition of a 12.1 percent stake in Kuwaiti telecoms company, Zain, for $1.35 billion (RO519mn) on November 11, and the first Blockchain Club in Oman was established on November 25.

On November 13, Muscat University celebrated launching of its operations in conjunction with the 47th National Day celebrations.

O

n November 18, the Sultanate celebrated the 47th anniversary of National Day.

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TOP NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES IN OMAN Begin your New Year with a blast at the InterContinental Muscat. Three of the hotel’s best restaurants – the Musandam Café & Terrace Restaurant, Al Ghazal Pub and Trader Vic’s – are offering dinner on New Year’s eve. The events will commence at 7pm and will carry on until late into the night. The prices for the night stand at RO25++ for adults and RO12++ children; RO10; and RO65++, in the respective restaurants.

Celebrate the New Year at the Park Inn Hotel Muscat on December 31 from 7pm onwards. An evening of exceptional entertainment, glitter, glam and non-stop music with a promise to make it one of the most memorable celebrations of your life. Popular DJ and producer from the Netherlands DJ Debris will entertain the crowds. Single entry is priced at RO15.

For reservations, contact 96584858 / 97098681

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

D E C E M B E R

Rumba Lattina, one of the most happening entertainment venues in Oman, is set to host “The Ultimate New Year Bash 2018” at the Rumba Gardens from 8pm. The event promises to be a power-packed evening with an impressive line-up of world-class entertainers. The line-up includes international DJs such as DJ Dash, DJ Rabaita and DJ Mox. There will also be a live Cuban band and dancers to entertain, along with flare shows, spot prizes, photo booth, etc. Entry ticket is priced at RO30 for single and RO50 for couple which includes unlimited selected beverages until 12 midnight. For diners who enjoy authentic Mexican and Latin American cuisine, there is a special dinner package of RO45 with a buffet and unlimited selected beverages.

Special VIP packages are also available. For more information call 96981393, 96953709

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NEW YEAR BASH AT RUMBA LATTINA

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Photo: Shaquel Al Balushi

Today’s inspiration: The sound of rain is soothing.

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

POSITIVE INSURANCE Arabia Falcon Insurance is set to go public, and its CEO is upbeat about the sector even when there’s an oversupply. Alvin Thomas sits down with A.R. Srinivasan to share his hope and optimism

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he face of insurance is changing in Oman: In recent times, car sales have plummeted and several corporates have withdrawn benefits for their staff – one of which includes the all-important health insurance.

But one man is optimistic about the future of insurance and the demand for insurance products in the Sultanate. His name is A.R. Srinivasan, and he is the chief executive officer (CEO) of one of the country’s leading Insurance Companies – Arabia Falcon Insurance.

For those of you who don’t know: Arabia Falcon Insurance is a relatively new company formed by the merger between two leading players in the insurance sector in Oman – Arabia Insurance Company – Oman Branch and Falcon Insurance Company. The merger was accomplished on March 28, 2017. Talking about the insurance market in Oman, Srinivasan says: “The insurance market in Oman is overcrowded because we have more than 20 players in the segment. For a country of this size, there is a bit over supply of insurance operations.

“Until three years back, car insurance was the single largest insurance segment in Oman – it was almost 55 per cent of insurance premium of Oman market.

“With increasing life and medical business, this has dropped down to a low 40 per cent.

“But last three years, I have witnessed the motor insurance to see a bit of a downtrend, too – new car sales have been coming down year on year. This reflects on the general economic trend of the region and over the world too,” the expert says.

Srinivasan – a veteran of over 32 years in the field of insurance – began his career in India but moved to Oman in 1994. He also worked in countries such as Bahrain and UAE before finally making the decision to come back to Oman in 2004.

He also says that he has witnessed substantial changes in the insurance sector since he took over.

“Now, there are several new products in the market; the way the products are structured are different; the coverage in the products have had substantial changes in line with the changing

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economic scenario and the changing environment and work culture,” he explains, before going on to assert that the basic principles of insurance remain the same.

“A lot of things evolve. And I think the next five years is going to be an interesting period.

“I am quite optimistic. I believe substantial opportunities exist, and off-late we are seeing the government/public spending on projects taking off. So, I hope that will lead to some similar growth in the related fields like imports, workmanship, property insurance, etc.

“And with medical insurance becoming mandatory (for certain sectors from January 1, 2018) and life insurance policies on the rise, I think the future of insurance in Oman is very strong,” he adds.

Following this, the CEO reveals some information about the company’s future.

“We are going public,” he says. “We are offering an Initial Public Offering (IPO), although it’s not like what you would see in international companies.

“When we offer shares, 25 per cent of the shareholding will be off loaded to the public by the existing shareholders – the capital will remain unchanged and no money will be raised.

According to the 2014 amendment in law required all insurance companies to be publicly listed.

“And with all of these happening in the coming months, I firmly believe that the future of the insurance sector in Oman is very bright,” he remarks, before ending our conversation.

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

Hostiles Starring: Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike and Ben Foster

The Greatest Showman Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya Hugh Jackman is at his most relatable here in this cheerful fantasy musical, so mainstream it is at the exact centre of the road as if placed there by some impossibly sophisticated scientific implement. The film succeeds in being cheesy and sugary at the same time, and is very loosely based on the life of the legendary showman and inveterate crowd-pleaser Phineas T Barnum, the man who in the 19th century possibly invented entertainment as we know it today.

Another type of movie might seek to draw parallels between the cheeky impresario Barnum – frantically promoting fake or at any rate unreliable news about giants, bearded ladies etc. – and another questionable American celebrity of the present day. But this is a Barnum we can all get behind. He’s an entrepreneur, a dreamer, a family man, an idealist, an underdog, a proto-modern evangelist for diversity (he has circus turns of all shapes and sizes) and he’s someone for whom the template for conventional white body image is not the be-all and end-all.

Barnum’s career is interestingly depicted as something which shows how showbusiness moved from the margins to the mainstream: from a wacky circus tent to something at the very centre of American life. Here is the rackety and cheerfully disreputable vaudeville from which Barnum made his fortune: the macabre wax figures of historical figures and exotic stuffed animals, the cabinet of strange curiosities, the human freaks whose backgrounds and anatomical achievements he may have exaggerated just a trifle. And then we had the liveaction circus acts that he tried next.

It’s a movie which in some ways resembles Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge from 2001: a celebratory and euphoric entertainment which is not overly concerned with dramatic or psychological consistency. It is all about the mood, the feel, the general sugar rush of euphoria. I can imagine the same treatment being given to the early career of the great theatrical magician Orson Welles.

And Hugh Jackman is absolutely the right casting for this figure – at least as he is imagined here. A less starry-eyed dramatisation might give the role to Paul Giamatti or Toby Jones. At any rate, Jackman gives this the muscular heft that it needs. He has the musical theatre chops and the film pizazz to sell it; he is approachably handsome and his singing voice is light, pleasant, yet strong and competent. It’s not a film to break moulds or test boundaries. Yet Jackman’s real charm will carry you along.– Guardian

Oman release: December 28

It is a period western film written and directed by Scott Cooper, based on an original story by Donald E. Stewart, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of the 1982 film Missing. It stars Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, Adam Beach, Ben Foster, Jesse Plemons, Rory Cochrane, and Q’orianka Kilcher. The film set in 1892 follows an army captain who is tasked with escorting a dying Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their tribal lands.

Bleeding Steel Starring: Jackie Chan, Show Lo and Nana Ou-Yang

Lindong (Jackie Chan), a UNSS agent, leaves his dying daughter to escort a bioengineering expert to a high-security facility. He has a run-in with Andre (Callan Mulvey), a ‘bioroid’. Dr James (Kym Gyngell) who has been placed in witness protection and who is the creator of Andre is being hunted down by the bioroid. Thirteen years later, the narrative is relocated to Sydney, with Lindong doing odd jobs to remain close to a student named Nancy (Nana Ou-Yang), on whom Andre has set his sights. Lindong, Nancy and thief Leeson (Show Lo) must defeat Andre.

Oman release: December 28

Oman release: December 28

!

N WI

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who is the director of The Greatest Showman?

LAST WEEK’S WINNER Saranya Sankar

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.

Tickets must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions, see voucher.

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INSURANCE ASSURANCE REVOKING OF HEALTH INSURANCE BY PRIVATE FIRMS LEAVES MANY EXPATRIATES SICK AND WORRIED FOREVER. THE REASON: THE HEFTY LOANS THEY TAKE FROM BANKS OR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO PAY THE BILLS. THEY NEED NOT WORRY ANY MORE: HEALTH INSURANCE IS GOING TO BE MANDATORY BY LAW. A MEDICAL OBSERVATION BY ALVIN THOMAS

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he year is 2016. Sameer Hasan, an aspiring 25-yearold engineer, just lands in Oman for the first time after bagging a job as an assistant telecom engineer in a top international engineering contracting firm after going through months of gruelling video interviews

and tests.

He is received by the company’s public relations officer at the airport, and is taken straight to the Royal Oman Police office in Seeb to process his residence card. The whole process is “professionally taken care of ”. Sameer receives his residence card and then proceeds to apply for a driving licence on the same day.

The youngster reports to work later in the week, but there is shocking news waiting for him: one of his colleagues alerts him that the company no longer provides the employees with health cards – a benefit that’s spelled out in his work contract.

Health insurance is a type of insurance coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses that are incurred by the insured.

Health insurance can either reimburse the insured for expenses incurred from illness or injury or pay the care provider directly.

Back to the present. Sameer tells Y he didn’t believe it when his friend told him that he wouldn’t receive health insurance. “It’s a mandatory grant in the UAE and several other countries in the Middle East,” adds Sameer.

His company issued a memo stating that all employees had to pay for their own medical expenses, following which the company would reimburse the payments as emoluments.

“The company stated that they were finding it hard to fund the medical insurances of all the employees at one go. Many saw that as a fair trade but I wasn’t convinced,” he says.

And it didn’t take long for Sameer to realise the hidden agenda behind this move – but he had to find it out the hard way.

In July 2017, Sameer was involved in a hit-and-run case when he was hit by a sedan while he was taking a late-night stroll. He suffered severe damage to his collarbone, hip, shoulder, ribs and both his legs.

Bystanders called for an ambulance which then took him to the nearest multi-specialty hospital. But there was a problem; he had no insurance or emergency contacts listed on him.

So, the hospital proceeded with emergency surgeries.

The surgeries were successful but it took him two days to regain consciousness.

“The final cost of all the expenses were over RO1,970,” says

THE COMPANY STATED THAT THEY WERE FINDING IT HARD TO FUND THE MEDICAL INSURANCES OF ALL THE EMPLOYEES AT ONE GO. MANY SAW THAT AS A FAIR TRADE BUT I WASN’T CONVINCED

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Sameer, who was confined to a wheelchair then.

“The cost of my ambulance alone came up to RO400. And with a salary of RO450 and a non-existent savings pot, I had no way to pay for it. My company told me that they would loan me RO500 – as per their ‘policy’ – but nothing more.

“Therefore, I had to take a personal loan (and a life insurance policy to assure the loan) to pay off the bills,” a teary-eyed Sameer tells Y. “Now, I pay RO75 (which includes interest) every month to the bank, and after some heated words with the company, they relinquished the salary cuts on the amount they had loaned me.”

After this incident, Sameer and a group of his friends signed up for private health insurance packages. The insurance package, which takes care of the expenses in Band ‘B’ hospitals, cost them RO160.

While Sameer’s case may seem unfortunate, reports of several private corporate companies withdrawing health insurances from their employees have made waves. And as per the revelations of the Insurance Market Review 2015-2016 (released in 2017), there has been a 1 per cent drop in the number of local companies opting for health insurance in Oman.

In 2015, local and foreign companies offered health insurance to a total of 3,493 and 7,675 companies, respectively.

In 2016 the number dropped to 3,475 for local companies.

A social worker who wished to remain anonymous told Y that he received at least one medical case a day wherein the patient was uninsured and could not make payments.

“Some companies don’t give health insurance to their employees to

save money. In most cases, to reduce the premiums the companies also opt for lower insurance caps. This means that the patient has to cover the remainder of the cost of treatment,” he says.

“In case of a patient who has suffered a cardiac arrest, the treatment costs start at RO2,000. And that is out of reach for several people. They are then at the mercy of their friends and family.

“I have also heard of several cases where the hospitals don’t admit an emergency patient if they feel the patient cannot make the payments,” he remarks.

This trend has led to the introduction of talks for a mandatory health insurance plan for private sector employees in the Sultanate.

The scheme is in the final stages and will be implemented from January 2018.

In an interview with local media in Oman, Rashid bin Amer al Musalhi, a member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and head of the Services Committee, explained Article 33 of the Omani Labour Law: “An employer may satisfy this legal obligation in relation to the payment of medical treatment for expatriate employees by providing medical insurance for its employees with a third-party insurer, which insurer would pay the government or private hospital directly when the employee receives medical treatment at these health institutions.”

While the law states that an employer is not obligated to provide medical insurance to an Omani employee – as they are entitled to free medical treatment at all government hospitals – the new health insurance scheme is expected to cover the citizens too.

This is also expected to blow away the “cloud of uncertainty over insurance companies in Oman”.

A.R. Srinivasan, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Arabia Falcon Insurance, believes that health insurance could soon also take on motor insurance as the single largest premium that is on offer.

“From probably the beginning of this decade, we saw health insurance slowly gaining popularity. More and more companies started offering or taking out medical insurance on the staff.

“It is still increasing a bit, but by late 2016 and early 2017, a few of the corporates began withdrawing this facility – probably because of the lower revenues and profitability in their companies. We also saw that some quasi-government corporate companies partake in this trend,” he says.

But Srinivasan says the number of people withdrawing their health insurance is still fewer than the number of people coming on board.

“Now we further understand that it (health insurance) is going to be made mandatory for corporates that have more than 100 employees, have outstanding or excellent grade with the Ministry of Manpower, and consultancy firms.

“Going forward, by the 1st of July 2018, it will be extended to companies with 50 or more employees and companies that are

IT IS STILL INCREASING A BIT, BUT BY LATE 2016 AND EARLY 2017, A FEW OF THE CORPORATES BEGAN WITHDRAWING THIS FACILITY – PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE LOWER REVENUES AND PROFITABILITY IN THEIR COMPANIES. WE ALSO SAW THAT SOME QUASIGOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS PARTAKE IN THIS TREND

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classified as Grade 1 and Grade 2.

The first-party is responsible for its own damage or losses whether caused “By January 2019, this will be made mandatory for all expatriates, even by itself or the third-party – and the cost of insuring the car is relatively for singles and families. lower. Comprehensive insurance covers accident damage and also losses “Of course, we are still awaiting the rules and regulations on how this is arising due to other factors (i.e. theft, vandalism, natural disasters, falling going to be implemented; whether it will be a mandatory minimum policy rocks, hail, animal damage, etc.) like in the UAE. Despite that, however, Srinivasan says there is another whopping reason “So, the insurance companies are in close touch with the insurance for this downtrend: Overcrowding. “The insurance market in Oman is regulators, the capital market authorities, the Ministry of Health and the overcrowded because we have more than 20 players in the segment. So, for a Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.” country of this size, there is a bit of oversupply of insurance operations.”

Over the course of our interview with the CEO, Y also learns that Nevertheless, there has been a slow but steady rise in people opting for the insurance sector in Oman has been struck by the recent worldwide certain kinds of insurances. economic crisis caused by a drop in crude prices.

For example, people opting for life insurance is on the rise. “This is “Until three years back, car because people need to borrow, insurance was the single largest and if they need to do that, UNTIL THREE YEARS BACK, CAR insurance segment in Oman – it was they must take a life insurance. controlling 55 per cent of insurance INSURANCE WAS THE SINGLE LARGEST The insurance for the premium of Oman market,” borrowers have been growing INSURANCE SEGMENT IN OMAN – IT WAS Srinivasan says. steadily,” Srinivasan says.

“But over the last three years, I have As per a recent report, CONTROLLING 55 PER CENT OF been witnessing the motor insurance 107,327 people protected opted to see a bit of a downtrend – as new for individual life insurance in car sales have been coming down year INSURANCE PREMIUM OF OMAN MARKET 2016, as opposed to the 22,030 on year. people in 2015 – which is a “This is a reflection of the general economic trend of the region and staggering 387 per cent increase. over the world too.

The property insurance sector also saw an increase of 17 per cent over As per the latest report published by the National Centre for Statistical the time frame, but insurance companies are chiming that the property Information, there has been a drop of 19.9 per cent in the total number insurance market has steadied and is slowly improving. of new cars registered within the country. The report states that 45,498 Property insurance refers to the business of effecting and carrying out new cars were registered in Oman from January to September this year, as contracts of insurance against risks of loss of or damage to material property. opposed to 56,782 cars registered during the same period last year.

The retention ratio of insurance companies – which is the rough measure “On the other hand, the value of existing cars also reduces as per of how much of the risk is being carried by an insurer rather than being the insurance policy. If the value of A [the car] reduces, then the passed to reinsurers – in 2016 was about 57 per cent, compared to 56 per corresponding value of B (the insured value) reduces too. cent in 2015.

“So, if you were to multiply A and B, the number would be lower than “I think the next five years is going to be an interesting period,” says what it was before,” he tells Y. Srinivasan, who believes that there will be sunny days despite the 4 per cent This was asserted by the Capital Market Authority report too, which drop in engineering insurance due to the dearth of new engineering projects. stated that a total of 298,761 cars were protected by comprehensive “I am quite optimistic; I believe substantial opportunities exist and even insurances in 2016 when compared to 309,847 cars that were protected though the economy has been low key, we are seeing the government/ with the same insurances in 2015. This translates to a 4 per cent drop. public spendings on projects are slowly taking off, so I hope that will lead to On the contrary, the number of people availing third-party insurances some similar growth in the related fields like imports, employees, property, rose by 13 per cent in 2016 to 1,041,757 from 920,230 in 2015. insurance, etc.

A third-party insurance is essentially a liability insurance purchased by “And with medical insurance becoming mandatory and with life insurance an insured (the first party) from an insurer (the second party) for protection on the rise, I think the future of the insurance sector in Oman is very against the claims of another (the third) party. strong.” ■

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GULF CUP SEPCIAL

Cup of passion

BRIMS OVER

Saudi Arabia and UAE are the favourites to win the Gulf Cup, but Kuwait draw the cheers for a different reason and Oman win praise after beating the hosts.

Hasan al Lawati joins fans and experts as excitement kicks in

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he Gulf countries have risen up to the occasion against all expectations to give an exciting take-off for the 23rd edition of the Gulf Cup currently under way in Kuwait, which was chosen to host the prestigious tournament just days before the kick-off on December 22.

Despite the uncertainties about whether the 23rd edition would actually happen, Saudi Arabia, with a team of youngsters, displayed how battle-ready they were, putting in a great performance in the opening match against hosts Kuwait who played their first official game after the international ban on the team was lifted by the FIFA. Oman played the second game of the tournament, against the UAE, one of the favourites to win the tournament. A controversial decision by the referee to award a penalty kick to the UAE resulted in a 0-1 loss for Oman.

The loss has not dampened the spirits of Omani football fans.

The reds revived their chances to qualify to the semi-finals when they won

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their second game, beating Kuwait 1-0, and snatching three important points.

Professional players and ordinary fans of the game in Oman were pleased with the performance of the national team against UAE and Kuwait, even though few are expecting Oman to win the title.

Former international Omani player and football analyst Mohammed Ismail picked three teams that are likely to win the cup. Obviously, Oman are not on his list. “Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or Bahrain...one of them will definitely win the cup,” he said.

He agreed that the Omani team had played better than the UAE in the first match, but the latter won with minimum effort.

“Saudi Arabia are the favourites. Beating the hosts playing in front of 60,000 home fans will be a great achievement,” he explained.

However, Mohammed hoped the Oman team would prove him wrong.

“The Kuwaiti government did a wonderful job by hosting this tournament and organising a brilliant opening ceremony despite the limited time,” he added.

“I just hope that the media skirmishes between the teams will stop.

If not, it will make a mess of the tournament. Hope no team will quit midway,” he said.

Ibrahim Al Buraiki, head of the Oman football team’s fan club, agreed with Mohammed on the matter of the favourites to win the cup this time around. He, however, cut the list down to just two — Saudi Arabia and the UAE. “Most teams, including Oman, are way more fit than they were in the previous years. It was a surprise to most viewers how Kuwait has managed to arrange this tournament in such a short time,” he said.

Al Buraiki hoped the Oman team would make the fans happy for the second time. Oman won the 19th edition when Muscat hosted the tournament in 2009.

Hussain Ali, an Omani fan, said the loss against the UAE “can prove to be damaging”.

“I did not expect such an attacking performance by our guys. We easily kept the ball in our possession. We just needed a good finisher. I hope the loss won’t affect our spirits,” he told Y magazine.

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FEAT BY FOOT

A young engineering graduate sets off on a solitary travel by foot around Oman, with just a packet of dates and a few spoons of rise. Hasan al Lawati meets the man to share his travel tales

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ohammed Al Jahwari is a master of the art of hitchhiking.

With zero baisa in his pocket, Al Jahwari embarked on an eight-day journey across 14 wilayats in Oman.

The young traveller said he had walked for a total 26 hours and crossed around 105km during the trip.

Al Jahwari set out on his expedition in the early morning of Thursday, November 30, from Al Rustaq and the journey took him through Wadi Bani Ouf, Balad Seit Village, Al Hamra, Nizwa, Minah, Adam, Sinaw to Al Mudhaibi where he spent the night in a stranger’s house.

The next day, Al Jahwari joined the villagers there in celebrating the 47th National Day. It was amazing how people commuted using camels and donkeys while shopping there. “I ate, celebrated and even danced ‘Al Razha’ with the very hospitable people of Al Mudhaibi,” Al Jahwari said.

On Saturday, Al Jahwari thumbed a ride to Bidiyah with a group of travellers. After dune bashing in the golden sands of Al Sharqiyah, he

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headed for Al Ashkhara for night camping.

Strong and dusty morning winds cut Al Jahwaris tent rope on Sunday. “I walked for five hours. It was difficult to find a car due to the dusty winds. Luckily a group of Ukrainian tourists spotted me and drove me to Wadi Bani Khalid.”

The 24-year-old adventurer took a dip in the wadi’s large pools of water.

By Tuesday, the electrical engineering graduate came close to ending his trip. He spent the day discovering the mountainous villages near the wadi.

On Wednesday, Al Jahwari hitched a ride to ‘Taab’ (Tired).

“It was one of the most gorgeous villages I have ever seen. Rich in its landscapes, water sources and tress,” he said.

“I asked the locals about the village’s weird name. They said it’s because it’s hard and tiring to reach,” Al Jahwari recounted.

He rounded off his more than a week of

adventure the next day with a tour of Majlis Al Jinn cave. “I toured inside Majlis Al Jinn cave and then in the afternoon I waited for hours to find a vehicle. To my surprise, a fully-loaded school bus stopped by and transported me to Fins beach.”

So how did he manage to find food?

“I had dates for breakfast and three spoons of rice for lunch. I used wood for cooking. The food was not providing sufficient energy for my trip but was light to carry.”

But how hard is it to find free rides in Oman?

“It is easy if you are well prepared. Both citizens and tourists were happy to help me and generously offered food, transportation and even accommodation.”

Mohammed loves to travel and explore places, and he’s ready to deal with inconveniences that might come in his way. “I had postponed a semester to explore the mountains,” he said, adding that he had earlier travelled “all the way from Muscat to Salalah with my friend Shihab Al Dahmani”.

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GET THE

PICTURE

THE YOUNGSTERS POURED THEIR HEARTS OUT IN CONVENTIONAL AND UNCONVENTIONAL WAYS, AND THE RESULTS WERE STUNNING. HOLD YOUR BREATH — THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE GRAND FINALE, SAYS ALVIN THOMAS

Associate Sponsor

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Q

uick question: What makes the Portrait By A Nation art competition truly distinctive? Well, the answer to that is simple – just peruse the hard work and efforts put in by the participants that took part – and excelled – in the contest this year.

Paintings of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said were completed in poster colours, water colours and other varieties of acrylic paints, while some also opted for unconventional tools like coffee and glitter.

And remember: More than 2,300 young kids participated in the event this year, which is the highest turnout we’ve ever had – so choosing the best has been a difficult task.

We have whittled down the final 47 finalists and are in the final process of setting the stage for the grand finale.

We’ll also be contacting the finalists soon.

Paintings of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said were completed in poster colours, water colours and other varieties of acrylic paints, As you know, there can only be three winners, and the pot is overflowing with several prizes that are valued at RO3,150.

This year’s competition was powered by FRiENDi, in 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.

“We all have our favourite paintings but at the end of the day, it is the judges who have the final say,” says Y’s editorial head, Nishad Padiyarath.

“Choosing 47 from 2,300 has been a daunting task but we did it. It was amazing to see the level of creativity that has been showcased.

“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 withthat of the previous years and more than 200 spot registrations at the venue. This shows the popularity of this competition,” he added.

This year’s event – touted as the nation’s largest art event of its kind – witnessed a staggering 2,300 young artists take on each other at the Muscat Grand Mall in Baushar to show their love for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, earlier last month (November 11-12). ■

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

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

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

Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Economics and

Political Science

• Students Banking Area • Reception/ Canteen Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality Institute • Pizza Hut • Shell Petrol Station Wattayah • Ahli Bank • Best Cars • BLS International Services • Chevrolet/GM showroom • Ford Showroom • Hatat House • Honda Showroom • Hyundai Showroom • Kia Showroom • Lexus Showroom • National Travel & Tourism • Passage To India Restaurant • Shell Petrol Station • Subaru Showroom • Suzuki Showroom • Toyota Showroom Al Mouj Muscat • Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee • Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co. • Al Mouj Muscat

Head Office Other Regions Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • LuLu Hypermarket Nizwa • University of Nizwa Sohar • Centrepoint (Splash) • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Markets • Ooredoo • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port and Freezone • Sohar University

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Adventures

CARS AND ADVENTURES

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

THE FUTURE IS NOW

Hyundai is stepping into the realm of hybrid cars with their all-new Ioniq.

The handsome hatchback is giving its Japanese competitors a run for its money. -P34

Photo: Alvin Thomas

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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

JARNAN CAVE

RESTRICTED BY HIS CLAUSTROPHOBIA, BUT FIRED UP BY A DESIRE TO BREAK FREE, SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI HEADS FOR THE UNCONQUERED TERRITORY ON HIS TO-DO LIST AND CHILL OUT IN SOLITUDE WITH TINY CREATURES 032

DEC 28 - JAN 03 / ISSUE 500

Gaming

Jarnan cave on Google maps, I realised that it was the entrance to a house. It was extremely odd that the cave was marked under someone’s private property. So, I resorted to talking to the locals in the area to get an idea on the whereabouts.

The people were incredibly helpful and told me that I had overshot the entrance of the cave. This meant that I had to drive back to the Izki wadi and search for the cave there – which seemed a tad arduous.

Nevertheless, I drove back and began my search. And lo, in about 20 minutes, I was staring down the barrel of the gun – or in my case, the entrance of the Jarnan cave. Of course, I had to leave my truck behind, so I grabbed my camera gear, jacket and lights, and headed in.

As expected, the cave was dark, but there was still a sense of life around (despite me being alone in the cave), as the municipality had created a marked entry point, chairs around the cave and

TRAVEL GUIDE

W

adis and castles seem to be the only real places I’ve been visiting for my Destination of late. So, for a change, I decided to head someplace I had never actually explored – a cave.

Now, before you jump to conclusions, I must let you know that the real reason I had never really investigated a cave was because I suffer from claustrophobia. I’m really terrified of tight spaces. The whole idea of crawling into a small room gives me the creeps.

However, as part of fulfilling my to-do list for this year, I deduced that it would be best if I gave it a shot. And my location of interest was the Nizwa region – or rather the Jarnan cave in Izki.

As usual, my trip started at the wee hours of the morning, even before the birds had come alive. The only real sound on the streets was of the eight cylinders of my new truck humming and rumbling. The night sky and the sound of American muscle in the background seemed straight out of a Hollywood flick – it was captivating.

The trip to Izki took about two hours since I was taking things rather slow. The town is only about 100kms away from Muscat and should be easily accessible.

Upon reaching the point that was marked

even garbage bins for tourists to make use of.

The inside of the cave was cold. I couldn’t make out the actual temperature but it must have been around 15°C. There was not much to see inside the cave; it’s definitely a location you must visit with your friends or family. I’m also not sure if you can stay the night in the cave, but it’s definitely something you must try (if allowed by the Muscat Municipality).

I kept trekking inside the cave before I realised that I was completely secluded from the living society – my phone and the GPS were disconnected. It was a terrifying feeling. The only living beings inside the cave was me and perhaps the tiny living organisms in the cave.

With that feeling of solitude creeping in, I decided to retreat; but not before I clicked some photos of the cave. Within 20 minutes, I found myself trekking back to the foot.

Once outside, I took a deep breath of the air around me and thought to myself about how important connectivity (both physical and psychological) is. Yes, I may have pushed to the limits of my phobias – but it definitely opened up another can of worms. I guess that’s what happens when you muddle with the forces.

HOW TO GET THERE Take Highway 15 from Muscat and head straight to Izki. From there, enter the Izki wadi – this can be found on Google Maps.

Once you’re in the wadi, try to locate the entrance

of the cave. It can be found to the left side of the wadi.

GPS location: 22°55’25.8”N 57°45’49.9”E

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

HYUNDAI IONIQ

With an unrivalled price tag and equipment levels that owners of other hybrid cars can only dream of, the South Korean hatchback is light years ahead of its rivals. Alvin Thomas goes green with a grin

B

elieve it or not: Electric cars are the future of motoring. However implausible that may sound, it’s inevitable that we must switch to more sustainable forms of energy for transportation.

Thankfully (for us petrol heads) though, we’re not quite there yet. I deduced that after a couple of hours with a Tesla Model S. There are several shortcomings – and we’re still a good decade or so from driving completely electric-powered cars.

But there’s something we must keep an eye on: hybrid cars. As its name suggests, it’s a hybrid between a petrol engine and an electric motor – and it may very well be the future of cars… for now.

Joining the list is Hyundai with their new Ioniq hatchback – a newcomer hybrid car from the South Korean stables. And for a car that’s trying to outprius its rival from Japan (you know which car I’m

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talking about), it’s actually quite a bona fide vehicle.

From the outside, there’s no telling that it’s a hybrid. Unlike its rivals, the Ioniq looks rather conventional; dare I say, like any other Hyundai.

The lights look like a hybrid between an Elantra and a Tucson, but the combination works well. These headlamps are furthermore contiguous with the large three-dimensional hexagonal grille.

The bumper is unique to the Ioniq: It is sculpted, with a low air intake to cool the batteries and the electric motor. The rear, however, is where things start to take shape. The tailgate is split into two by a spoiler-esque panel that is then completed by two panels of glass.

There are also hybrid badges and blue accents running around the car that will give passersby an idea that you’re not cruising along in a regular car – if you’re worried about it.

Much of the interior is carried over from other Hyundai products but is tweaked a bit to give it exclusivity. The greatest change can be seen in the instrument cluster, which shows you information on the battery, drivetrain mechanics, range and so on.

My tester also received an 18cms wide touchscreen head unit, though customers can opt for a larger and slicker screen, if need be. The standard touchscreen can still take care of all necessary infotainment functions.

The fit and finish inside the cabin

Destination

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

Y- F i

is top notch, despite the use of plastics on the dashboard around town. and other panels. I also took a shying towards the sporty The torque from the electric motor is what makes city thick-rimmed flat-bottom steering wheel. driving a bliss – it takes off without much haste when it’s Space inside the cabin is plentiful, and five people can in electric-only mode (if selected by the on-board ECU ride inside in absolute comfort; the seats are soft too. itself).

The hatchback profile means the C-pillar of the Ioniq is What sets the Ioniq apart from its competitors is its raised; this makes way for excellent rear seat headroom handling. The Ioniq is essentially an Elantra with a flat and 751 litres of boot space. posterior, so it will take corners with ease. The quick-ratio Underneath the hood lies a 1.6-litre in-line four-cylinder electric steering is responsive (but non-communicative) engine pumping out a respectable 104hp and 147Nm of and should allow you to take torque. The accompanying electric motor – which is an sharp turns with poise. interior-permanent magnet synchronous motor – buzzes The suspension layout and out 43hp and 169Nm of torque. This translates to a total the 17-inch alloys wrapped of 147hp and 316Nm of torque. underneath high-profile tyres While the numbers may seem lucrative, you should make way for a soft ride, but know that the combo does not feed in power from both the chassis still copes very well sources together all the time. It only combines when unsettled. Albeit, the power from both sources if the ECU thinks the added weight of that you require maximum power. Else, the the electric motor and electric motor works singlehandedly or battery do THE HYUNDAI IONIQ hinder the in tandem with the motor to recharge itself. balance ratio IS DEFINITELY AN Even at speeds of about 120kph, of the Ioniq.

UP-AND-COMER I noticed that the petrol engine was Mind you, it’s recharging the batteries. Of course, the FROM SOUTH KOREA still light years duo was still driving the front axle then. ahead of its Japanese rival.

THAT SHOULD HAVE The acceleration is what I would call The Ioniq comes with regenerative unhurried, as it takes more than 10 braking as standard, but it’s not as THE JAPANESE AND seconds to hit the 100kph mark. But intrusive as the system fitted in the Tesla.

GERMANS ON THEIR There’s not much resistance when you you cannot deny that it’s uber-cool when your car’s electric motor hums TOES. let go of the throttle and cruise along. as it hauls you This probably does decrease the rate of recharging the batteries, though.

The Ioniq’s powertrain is mated to a clever sixspeed EcoShift® dual-clutch

Gaming

CARS

Hyundai Ioniq Specifications: Engine: 1.6-litre in-line four-cylinder engine and electric motor Transmission: Six-speed EcoShift® dual-clutch transmission Horsepower: 147hp (combined) Torque: 316Nm (combined) Top Speed: 186kph Front-wheel drive Hybrid powertrain Auto stop/start function Regenerative braking LED daytime running lights 18cms infotainment screen Six-speaker audio system Rear backup camera Power-adjustable front seats Cruise control Dual-zone a/c Sunroof ABS and Traction Control 23km/litre mileage

transmission. It’s undeniably tuned for efficiency, allowing the gears to shortshift. But the shifts are silky-smooth and go unnoticed.

The Hyundai Ioniq is definitely an up-and-comer from South Korea that should have the Japanese and Germans on their toes. Not only is it an efficient ride (I averaged about 20kms per litre during my spirited drive), but it also offers equipment levels that existing owners of hybrid cars can only dream of – and at an unrivalled price.

&

CARS ADVENTURES HEAVEN’S GATE

The southernmost inhabited area in the world is dramatically picturesque.

The tall snow-covered mountains, the glaciers and the crystal-clear lakes add to the allure of Patagonia.

1. Whale-watch in Puerto Madryn 2. Do outdoorsy things in El Chaltén 3. Learn about dinosaurs at the Palaeontology Museum 4. Explore Cueva de las Manos 5. Watch glaciers at Parque National los Glaciares

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Alvin Thomas recommends

PATAGONIA S

outh America is rarely if ever a locale of interest to tourists h a i l i n g f r o m O m a n . I t ’ s a f a c t t h a t I w a s t o l d b y a i r p o r t o ff i c i a l s during my trip to Argentina a while ago. But, astoundingly, I c o u l d n ’ t - n o t e v e n fo r a s e c o n d - f i g u r e o u t w h y t h a t w a s t h e case. While it’s true that most of us would rather head to someplace g l a m o r o u s fo r o u r v a c a t i o n s , t h e r e ’ s o n e v e r y g o o d r e a s o n y o u should spend the extra bucks and book a trip to Argentina: to see Patagonia.

Sure, Patagonia has had no fancy weddings, rich billionaire vacation s t o r i e s , o r f e a t u r e a r t i c l e o n Fo r b e s o r B u z z F e e d ( a s f a r a s I k n o w ) credited to its name. So, it’s relatively mysterious.

B u t t h a t , fo l k s , i s a p a r t o f t h e a l l u r e o f t h i s b e a u t i fu l b o r o u g h .

Patagonia is a sparsely populated stretch of land shared by Argentina and Chile. While that may sound humdrum to many, this is actually as exotic - and exclusive - as a location can ever get.

A quick Google search of the area will show you some of the most stunning landscape photographs, but I’ll tell you this: the photos will not even tell you half the story. And there’s not much else to base my observation on with but a couple of tales of people who visited t h e r e g i o n b e fo r e .

My trip started at the Perito Moreno Glacier - one of the most placid locations on earth. I was also blown away by the ginormous, jagged-edged mountaintop glaciers that sketched over the horizon.

The glacier is quite unique, though. Apparently, it’s one of the 48 glaciers fed by the Patagonian ice field and is one of the world’s third largest reserves of fresh water. It is also growing in size, as opposed to shrinking due to global warming (which, by the way, is real).

If you’re tired of staring at the pallor mountains, you can also head i n t o t h e n a t i o n a l p a r k s fo r s i g h t s e e i n g . A l b a t r o s s e s , fo x e s , s k u n k s , e t c . g a l o r e , t h e s e p a r k s c a n h a r b o u r h o u r s o f fu n a n d a d v e n t u r e .

Oh, and just so you know: the Patagonian steppe (desert) is one of the last strongholds of the Guanaco and the Darwin’s Rhea.

Again, the population of these species is on the rise due to the placid nature of the residents. The land stretches over 1mn sq. km and less than 2mn people reside in the region; translating to low population density.

All of this slowly grew on me during my time there. Oddly enough, I even enquired whether I could migrate to the region permanently.

Sadly, that was met with quite a lot of laughter.

BEACH

NEARB Y PUER TO MAD C IT Y IN RYN PATAG O N IA

IE R ENO GLAC P E R IT O M OR

My favourite place On a broader scale of things, Patagonia is much like Oman. There are a plethora of areas that you

can hike across. My favourite would have to be the Laguna Torre, which is the mecca of hiking trails. The ups and downs are challenging but the reward is an almost Hollywood-like setting for camping the night. The region is also engulfed by the Atlantic and the Pacific ocean, meaning the beaches are often obscured by penguins.

Highlights There’s more to Patagonia than just its landscapes. Scratching the surface will reveal deep political tensions

– and will most likely get you into trouble, so it’s better not to jeer the residents. But, as a traveller, you can still ask your tour guide to take you to the caves in the mountains. These are known to have drawings that are over 12,000 years old! There is a cave at the foot of a cliff that is covered in wall paintings, particularly the negative images of hundreds of hands, believed to date from around 8000 BC. The climate in Patagonia is cold and dry but the east coast is warmer than the west. However, the winters can be as cold as -1.5°C and you should pack some quality sweaters to keep you warm.

Lowlights Agriculture and farming is the bread and butter of a majority of Patagonians, so you must take care not to encroach upon private lands or even feed domesticated animals. I came across a bunch of angry farmers upon doing so. Also, keen viewers of Top Gear would remember how the locals chased away the three motoring presenters and their crew with rocks.

Souvenirs The shops in the locale offer more than just branded T-shirts. You can buy carved stone statues, pots and even special tea leaves. Although, you must check with the local authorities if the tea you purchase can be legally carried abroad.

Getting there

There are several options for you to choose from, but Turkish Airlines will fly to Buenos Aires for RO501. From there, it’s a 20-hour car journey or a shorter flight. The drive through the gorgeous prairie lands will be so much more rewarding though.

ADORA

BLE PE N G U IN IN PATAG O N IA

Where to stay

The America del Sur hostel in El Calafate offers clean and simple beds for rent, and costs roughly RO10 for a night. For a bit more luxury, you can head to the Estancia Don José in Rio Mayo.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

From lantern to watch, camera and laptop — you could choose just one or all four to make a new statement of attitude and purpose in the New Year, says Alvin Thomas

GOAL ZERO Christmas may be over, but it’s now time to welcome the New Year. You know what that means: it’s time to set new resolutions. And if spending more time with nature is on your cards, then you must invest in this GOAL ZERO rechargeable lantern. As its name suggests, the LEDs in the lantern runs on energy you create by cranking the on-board mechanism. Of course, you can charge the batteries using an external power source under normal circumstances, but a one-minute crank will reward you with 10 minutes of light. You can increase that time by shutting off a part of the lamp too. What’s better is that you can also crank up the charge on your smartphone using this device. Get yours from huckberry.com for RO30.7 before you head into the wadis

FITNESS COMPANION

VLOG IT Are you planning on documenting every bit of your life on camera? If so, check out the CANON EOS M100.

It’s a mirrorless camera – for beginner photographers and aspiring vloggers (video bloggers) – that packs a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, a fast image processor and a good selection of interchangeable lenses. Above all, you can ardently look at yourself using the tilting display. The camera also packs Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for quick connectivity to a smartphone or a computer. Get it from all leading electronic stores for RO231

Did you promise to stick to a strict diet regime earlier this year and fail? Well, fret not, because we’re among the several millions of people who probably did that. To kickstart this fad – again – this year, we suggest you try out the GARMIN FENIX 5 SAPPHIRE FITNESS WATCH. Sure, it’s no Fitbit, but this regular-looking smart watch comes with a stainless-steel body, sapphire crystal glass, an in-built heartrate sensor, GPS, and the ability to track multiple sports and activities. The display is 1.2inch in diameter and sports a resolution of 240 x 240. Buy it from jet.com for roughly RO327.1 (ouch!)

MASTER GAMER

EDITOR’S PICK

IF YOU’RE ANYTHING LIKE ME, YOU’LL PROBABLY BE SPENDING YOUR 2018 IMMERSED IN A RANGE OF GAMING TITLES. TO DEVOUR ALL OF THOSE GAMES IN ONE SITTING, HOWEVER, YOU WOULD REQUIRE A GOOD GAMING LAPTOP – AND THAT’S WHERE THE ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS (GX501VI) COMES INTO THE PICTURE. IT’S NOT THE BEST GAMING LAPTOP YOU CAN CURRENTLY BUY, BUT IT SURE IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL ONES OUT THERE. UNDERNEATH THE PLUSH ALUMINIUM CHASSIS LIES A QUAD-CORE INTEL CORE I7 CPU, ULTRA-FAST NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 GPU AND 16GIGS OF MEMORY. AT 15.6 INCHES, THE SCREEN IS A TAD SMALL AND, SADLY, IT CANNOT DISPLAY CONTENT AT 4K RESOLUTION, BUT IT HAS A REFRESH RATE OF 120HZ! INTERESTINGLY, THE MOUSE PAD IS PLACED TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY, MAKING IT EASIER FOR GAMERS (WHO STILL USE THE TRACKPAD). BUY THIS BEAST FROM JET. COMFOR RO1038

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JULY DEC 2803- -JAN 09 /03ISSUE / ISSUE 327500

Game of the Year

Info Box

Release date:

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Composer(s):

KEIICHI OKABE; KEIGO HOASHI

Writer(s):

YOKO TARO; HANA KIKUCHI; YOSHIHO AKABANE

Series:

DRAKENGARD

Developer:

PLATINUM GAMES

Designers:

TAKAHISA TAURA, ISAO NEGISHI

Alvin Thomas is all over the moon as he joins the ‘YoRHa’ squadrons in the eerie fight against the invaders from another world to retake planet Earth

NIER: AUTOMATA No matter how much fun you can have, Japanese role-playing games (JPRG) can get quite arduous over time.

Most of the games feature complex storylines (which I quite like), solid themes, narratives and strong anime graphics, but all of this makes way for a disconnected – and often aloof – gameplay that can only be appreciated by hardcore anime fans. Thankfully, however, Nier: Automata is not one of them.

Set in the year 11945 AD, the (arguably generic) story is based around a war that takes place between the remnants of humanity and the machine army of invaders from another world. Humans – who now reside on the Moon – must fight their way back to their planet, and androids named ‘YoRHa’ lead our fights.

The game’s protagonist YoRHa

No. 2 Model B, or “2B” – a calm-headed and composed android warrior – harmoniously blends with the narrative, despite the countless silly and overthe-top “Japanese-inspired” fight sequences. Still, at no point are you left to question whether the game actually makes sense – everything serves a purpose.

Although, you must keep in mind that the controls are quite complex (duh!). And don’t forget: In true Japanese game fashion, if you were to die in the (offline) game, you would have to start from the beginning. So, you’ll be more inclined to searching for health packs in the initial stages of the game. As you progress, nonetheless, the health bar increases. There’s no way we can look past the abstruse metaphorical value of the storyline. After several hours of gaming, I deduced that the theme – while laying out itself – tells us of our priorities as a society, and often questions us about our relevance in an increasingly automated world.

It’s eerie, if anything. But hey, you don’t buy a JPRG expecting anything mundane or with bereft face value. At the end of the day, it is the game’s elegance and praise-worthy mechanics, and the successful alliance between the all the elements, that tick all the boxes – and steals the top spot as our ‘Game of the Year’.

DEC JULY 28 - 03 JAN- 03 09 / ISSUE 500 327

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

FASHION

NEW YEAR BLING

2017 was a year of chokers and tassels. Will 2018 see more fun tassels and chic chokers? We sure think so and we are ready to welcome the New Year with some fringy bling, like these earrings from Accessorize.

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k o o L e h

aran K e tin hris C , t ry tree esto s o h h g s e hi rmy h a t e o t H end e look. ram h g g hi th the to get n Insta m Fro s you tine o is help w Chr o Foll

T t Ge

For those not up for some bright, flashy accessories; this white stone floral ‘Disney’-style necklace can up your fashion game. Available at Accessorize

Combine some floral and tassels and you get this beautiful jewellery from NewLook. Pair it with a shimmering gown or elegant trousers and make a fashion statement

2017 was a year of chokers and tassels. Will 2018 see more fun tassels and chic chokers? We sure think so and we are ready to welcome the New Year with some fringy bling like this from Accessorize

Bored of rhinestone clutches? Keep up with the trend of tassels and fringe with this tasseled black clutch from New Look. Shop it for RO8

New Year headband: The perfect accessory to welcome 2018. Buy the dazzling golden ‘Happy New Year’ headband from H&M at RO4.5

We absolutely love this bright, neon fringe earring. Pair it with an equally bright dress and you are ready to welcome 2018 in full glam. Shop this from ZARA for RO3 only

Want to add some colourful pompoms to your tassels?

Then H&M has the right accessory to style your ensemble.

Bag this pair of fun pink tasselpompom earrings for RO8

You always need the prefect bag to complete your style.

Love the one our main lady is donning? Shop the exact floral and pearl-studded bag from Accessorize for RO14

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

The New Year BEAUTY GLAM Lashes:

It’s that time of year when you love to glam up and turn heads at the party. Christine Karan highlights a few must-haves that will give you an Insta-perfect look

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e are just three days away from welcoming 2018. With parties all around the town, it’s that time of year when strangers become friends and we start looking ahead to the new adventures the New Year would bring.

Are you ready with your fashion? Are you ready to turn heads at the party? Do you have everything needed to glam up your look?

For those still rushing to the malls to pick up some last-minute beauty product, here are some items that can help you with your shopping. After all, we are all about that glam.

Foundation:

New Year party means a load of Instagram pictures. Look glamorous and look ‘Insta perfect’ with the new and acclaimed Huda Beauty’s Faux Filter foundation.

Claimed by many beauty gurus as the ‘must-have’ foundation, this product can make your skin seamless to click that perfect Insatgram moment.

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Fake lashes add the much-needed glam to your whole look. We highly recommend Tarte’s Tarteist Pro CrueltyFree Lashes, which are vegan, latex free and have a comfortable cotton strip. These ultra-black lashes give you a fuller look with lightweight, dramatic fibres that can blend well with your own natural lashes. These lashes are perfect for the natural bold effect and partying all night long.

Eye shadow:

Welcome the New Year with full-on shimmer and sparkle and look forward to the journeys of 2018. Glamourise your eye look with TOO FACED Glitter Bomb Eye Shadow Collection. With the palette consisting of only two base shades and eight holographic shades, this is a perfect item to give you the ‘out-of-the- world’ alluring look.

Lipstick:

Go daring with the boldest red lips. Georgio Armani’s Ecstasy Shine is the lip cream that has multi functions of moisturising as well as colouring your lips. The lightweight, bold colour has the shine of a lip-gloss and the perfect pigment to give your entire look the daring charismatic finish.

Highlighter:

We can’t deny it, Fenty beauty’s Trophy Wife has been the biggest hit among the highlighters this year. The flashy green-glow has a warming and a blazing effect that can almost blind people. For those who want to make a statement — Trophy Wife is for you.

There you have it: the ingredients to make you look super glam and just drop-dead gorgeous this New Year.

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

THINK BEFORE YOU POP

Thought to be a cheap, safe cure-all until quite recently, paracetamol can actually be hazardous. Alvin Thomas discusses the dangers of its overdose and long-term use with a doctor

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rust me when I say this: There’s nothing more annoying than battling with neck pain when trying to get some work done – and losing. Well, this was very much the case this week when I had a sharp pain running across my neck as I tried to meet all my deadlines at Y. So, how did I cope with it? In short, I did what anyone else – or rather anyone operating on a stringent time limit – would do: I headed straight to the pharmacy and asked for a packet of Panadol.

Back at the office, I popped two 500mg tablets and waited for the results to kick in. It didn’t take longer than 10 minutes before I felt the difference.

“Why do people require a doctor,” I asked myself, as I termed the magic drug a “workhorse painkiller”. As ignorant as I may sound (now), I was under the impression that paracetamol cures – and with no side effects at all.

But, I was wrong. And it was a Facebook post by a renowned doctor (who wished not to be named) in Oman that opened my eyes. To get to grips with the topic, I asked him a series of questions and his answers were nothing short of worrying.

“Paracetamol is a very, very dangerous drug,” he exclaimed.

“It can cause liver and kidney problems. And if things get too much out of

hand, it can also cause gastrointestinal bleeding.”

But the doctor shed light on a greater worry – overdose.

“People may not realise it, but there has been a sharp increase in the usage of this medicine, and there are cases of overdose being reported,” he said.

“The maximum dosage one can take in a 24-hour period is 4g,” he said, before stating that I had pushed the tables close when I had taken four tablets of paracetamol in a tight timeframe.

“This can cause you to OD (overdose) but also cause liver complications as the organ can fail to handle such amounts of acetaminophen,” he said.

One recent study by the University of Edinburgh backs up the doctor’s claims.

Their tests showed that in certain settings, paracetamol can damage the liver by harming the ‘vital structural connections between adjacent cells in the organ’. When these cell wall connections – known as tight junctions – are disrupted, the liver tissue structure can get damaged and the cells will be unable to function properly – and eventually die.

They added that this type of cell damage was known to occur in liver conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer, but had never been linked to paracetamol toxicity – until now.

Researchers say they will now seek to examine how varying paracetamol doses and timescales affect toxicity in the liver, and identify potential targets for new drugs.

“A lot of research is being conducted around the use of paracetamol, especially because it is an over-the-counter drug (a medicine that can be purchased through any store). This makes it our duty to understand the power of the chemical compounds in it.

“So, before you pop another one of those Panadols, take some time to think about whether you actually require it,” the doctor added.

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New Restaurant

Reviews

KEEP IT LEAN

Are you starting 2018 with a resolution of keeping yourself fit? If so, take a look at tips that can help you make your meals healthy and also hearty without compromising on taste.

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3 forNEW YEAR -course menu

Change up your routine, start at the tap and create healthy recipesand that’s a wholesome threecourse meal to trim, tone up or detox in the New Year

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fter a holiday season filled with indulgent food and limited time for exercise, there’s no time like the New Year to adopt some new, healthy habits. These tips can help you get a healthy start to the New Year: • Change up your routine. Start by making a few lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthier diet or increasing your exercise regimen. Maybe you’d like to shed a few kilos or tone up before the weather gets warmer. Changing up your eating (and drinking) habits can be the first step on the path to success.

• Start at the tap. Make sure your healthy eating habits include cooking with the best-tasting water possible. You may be surprised to know that the water coming from your faucet may contain unwanted contaminants such as lead and mercury.

That means you could be washing your fruits and vegetables or making soups and smoothies with water that contains impurities. Contrary to what some people may think, boiling water does not completely remove certain contaminants like lead from water.

• Create healthy, hearty recipes. There are plenty of delicious and nutritious recipes that can help fuel your body all year long. For example, this hearty soup is full of tasty, powerful ingredients like protein-rich chicken sausage; nutrient-dense kale and butternut squash, which are excellent sources of fibre; plus vitamins and minerals. Garlic, onions and cloves add a kick of antioxidants and flavour.

White Bean Soup with Spicy Chorizo Recipe courtesy of Keri Glassman Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 1 Ingredients: § 4 cups kale, chopped § 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces § 1 can (400g) cannellini beans, drained § 2 cups PUR filtered water, plus additional for rinsing § 2 tbsp olive oil § 1 medium onion, chopped § 2 garlic cloves, minced § 2 links precooked chicken sausage, diced § 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth § salt, to taste § freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method: § Rinse kale, squash and cannellini beans in filtered water. Set aside. § In a pot over a medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic, stirring frequently until softened, for about five minutes. Add sausage and saute for two minutes, or until warmed through and slightly browned. § Add squash, kale, broth and two cups filtered water. Cook, partially covered, for 15-20 minutes, or until squash is softened. § Reduce heat to low. Add beans and gently simmer uncovered for three minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, before serving.

Source: Family Features

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New Restaurant

REVIEWS

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Info Box

ANGELINA PARIS

Al Mouj and Sabco Centre, Muscat, Oman Opening Hours: 8am to 11pm Contact: 2428 8317 Verdict : 9/10 SERVICE 9.5/10 FOOD 9/10 AMBIENCE

ANGELINA PARIS

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Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

THE POSH INTERIOR FIRED UP THE SENSES, THE RICH HISTORY BUILT ON THE CHARM AND THE HOT CHOCOLATE REVVED UP THE MOOD. ALVIN THOMAS CHOMPS ON A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL GASTRONOMIC ESCAPADE

tend to classify restaurants into three genera: Good ones, great ones and truly exceptional ones. And I never thought I’d say this in the opening paragraph of my review – the Angelina Paris in Oman is the most extraordinary restaurant I have ever dined at.

Angelina Paris considers itself a tea library but, surprisingly, offers a wide variety of food options to pick from. During my escapade, I was joined by my brothers Allen and Ninad – both of whom are (self-proclaimed) food experts.

Walking into the restaurant in the Al Marsa 2 area of the Al Mouj for brunch, we were captivated by the sheer poshness of the interior décor. The cabinets, the chandeliers and several other elements were all gold-wrapped and truly striking.

We were quickly greeted by a waitress who showed us to our seats, and then the menu.

The menu isn’t shy about revealing that the restaurant came into existence in 1909 (!) and that it was founded by an Austrian confectioner in memory of his daughter-in-law.

In any case, a quick history lesson later, we placed our orders. Allen opted for a beef fillet with mashed potatoes and morel cream; and Ninad the royal fillet of salmon with mashed potatoes, herbs and chive cream. I decided to go for the elaborate brunch option, which consisted of an Angelina hot chocolate, healthy cocktail, mini viennoiseries (croissant, pain au chocolat, pain au raisins), eggs benedict, hollandaise sauce and smoked salmon,

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A high-end eatery that serves top-class food.

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held the flavoured juices within and was doused in mushroom sauce, which added to the palate of the dish.

ANGELINA PARIS HAS TO BE ONE Meanwhile, Ninad’s salmon was delectable, too.

OF THE STANDOUT RESTAURANTS The salmon was fresh and soft, and its skin crispy THAT HAS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED and well seasoned. The accompanying mashed ITSELF IN OMAN. potatoes were smooth and consistent.

My eggs benedict, hollandaise sauce and smoked salmon was presented on a brioche. It was a treat to watch – and eat. The brioche was soft, and the eggs and salmon were placed ever so carefully on top of the bread. Needless to say: It didn’t last too long on my plate. The freshly smoked salmon was the star of my dish.

Allen and I washed the food down with healthy cocktail – a mix of carrot juice, orange juice and and a pain-perdu style brioche. ginger. The juices were refreshing while the ginger The hot chocolate was the first to arrive, and it gave it a strong base. Ninad ordered tea, which he was splendid. The presentation was stupendous claimed was “revitalising and strong”. and the thickness of the drink was appealing.

Angelina Paris has to be one of the standout The drink is made of dark chocolate though, restaurants that has recently established itself in which can be for those with an acquired taste.

Oman. It’s the perfect location to head for with Nevertheless, the accompanying fresh cream toned your family for a brunch or to simply hang out down the chocolate. with your friends on a weekend. And with an Next to arrive was a fresh selection of breads. ambience, service and a menu that cannot be It was accompanied by a packet of French butter. rivalled by competitors, this is definitely the place The bread was freshly baked and incredibly soft, to visit. Trust me: you won’t be disappointed. and we enjoyed every bite of it.

The mini viennoiseries, with the accompanying Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see croissant, again, was freshly prepared and soft, yet reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com crispy on the skin. I quickly deduced it the best croissant I had ever eaten. Sadly, Ninad and Allen stole my chocolate croissant and pain au raisins.

Our main course arrived in the next five minutes. All of the dishes were presented in a very professional manner – and similar to what I was served in Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in Dubai.

The standout of the day was definitely the beef fillet. The beef was well done; soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. The meat also

Oman Avenues Mall ; 22060120 City Centre Seeb ; 24558330 Aalami, Qurum ; 24560419