Y Magazine #503, January 18, 2018

Running Success

6,000 ATHLETES TO TAKE PART IN AL MOUJ MARATHON Incredible Infiniti

Free!

EXPLORING THE ALL-NEW Q50

EVERY THURSDAY

16 LAUNCHED

News: HIGH-GRADE M-98 FUEL

NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

TASTE TEST: Zanjabeel Cafe DESTINATION: Siya YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

JAN 18 - 24 2017 / ISSUE 503 • WEEKLY

MOVERS &

SHAKERS

PLUS!

DO SOCIAL MEDIA STARS HAVE INFLUENCE ON OMANI SOCIETY?

MAGICAL MANALI

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NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

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THE ACTIVE KIND

40

SNACK AND SCREAM

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EDITOR’S

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

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

OMANISATION More than 6,000 Omanis have landed jobs in the private sector in the last 13 months, according to latest government figures.

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

Fast forward W

GOING DOWN

TEMPERATURES The Public Authority for Civil Aviation predicts temperatures to dip as low as 16°C during the latter part of the evening in Muscat.

e could all agree that social media has taken over our lives and social networking has been expanding quickly across the globe. People are spending more time online liking posts on Facebook, sharing tweets, posting photos on Instagram, etc… We could no longer imagine a world without social networks or even how it was before this era.

In fact, the average person has five social media accounts and spends at least 1 hour and 40 minutes daily on social media.

What does all this mean to brands and businesses?

Brands are increasingly using social media channels to target their consumers and influence them to make a purchase. Businesses are becoming obsessed with social media to drive a strong brand presence, increase followers and of course enhance engagement.

However, we have all encountered the overuse of social influencers. If you have a big number of followers, you are considered part of this bubble. But most of the times, brands end up wasting their time and money on the wrong influencers who are either “fake” or not influential.

In Oman, many top brands are using the services of social media influencers to reach out to the customers. But the question is: Are these influencers relevant in this market?

In our cover story this week, we talk to experts and some of the “real” social media influencers in the country to get an understanding.

Happy reading!

THIS WEEK… Team Y explored the beautiful Dhofar region. We also took a tour of the beautiful Hawana Aqua Park in Salalah, and indulged in American cuisine for our Taste Test.

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

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JAN 18 - 24 / ISSUE 503

03

contents

Features 20 The influencers

We talk to some

of Oman’s top media

personalities and

learn the facets of media marketing

JANUARY 18 - 24 2018

Your Oman

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman

Sonia Ambrosio 10 News

Record fall in vehicle

registrations in Oman 12 News

Aster Al Raffah

Hospitals & Clinics

opens 8th branch in Oman

26

18 The Daredevil

Witness Alex Magala

perform live at the

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah

Run for good We’re joining the 6,000+ athletes for the 2018 Al Mouj Muscat Marathon

19 Movies

The Post to hit

theatres in Oman today

18

10

20 Food and Drink 44 Food Feature

Game night snacks

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Siya

46 Taste Test

Zanjabeel Cafe

Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Infiniti Q50

40 Fashion

Workout gear

38 Y-Fi

Camping gadgets

42 Health

The basics of CPR

44

40

38 NEXT ISSUE...

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

WORLD ON YOUR DOORSTEPS The Muscat Festival is upon us — get set to feast on the foods, culture and art forms of several countries right here in Muscat for a full 24 days, writes Alvin Thomas

I

t’s time to rejoice, as fun and frolic awaits you at the Muscat Festival that will kick off today (January 18). Now in its 18th instalment, the crowd’s favourite carnival carries the theme “Let’s Celebrate Together”.

But it’s not just activities and games: The crowd will be enthralled with a host of cultural and art programmes. Besides Oman, several other countries are taking part in the events that are slated to unfold over the course of 24 days.

And if that isn’t enough, the Tour of Oman and the Muscat Marathon are due to coincide with the dates of the 18th Muscat Festival.

Chief attractions: ● Heritage Village ● Family Village ● Children’s Theatre ● Entertainment and Arts Park

Locations:

● Al Amerat Public Park ● Al Naseem Public Park ● Oman Automobile Association ● Al Madinah Theatre ● Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre

Timings:

● 4pm to 11pm (Weekdays) ● 4pm to 12am (Weekends)

Ticket Prices: ● Adults: 200 baisas ● Children: 100 baisas

Other Attractions: ● Tour of Oman – February 13 ● Oman Cruise

Khalid bin Mohammed Bahram,

Assistant Chairman of Muscat Municipality for Services and Assistant Head of Muscat Festival’s Organising Committee

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The Organising Committee of the festival has made great efforts to prepare for this edition of the festival through the development of perceptions and study of proposals and the careful selection of activities and programmes with the participation of several parties.

THE VOICE OF OMAN

TEEMING MALLS AND RESTAURANTS, TOURIST HOT SPOTS BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT AND TALES A LA THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. SONIA AMBROSIO RELISHES LIFE IN AND AROUND MUSCAT DURING HOLIDAYS TO DISCOVER HEAVEN ON EARTH

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Brands are increasingly using social media to prompt people into making a purchase decision or even to turn them into their loyal customers. Many in Oman are using social media stars to persuade the customers. But do these stars have any influence on society?

NARENDRA SINGH

T

he young and beautiful people visiting Oman during the holidays brightened up the nightlife in Muscat. The festive season was marked by many parties.

Chic and elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen gave a touch of colonialism to celebratory events in the capital.

An atmosphere of joy filled restaurants and shopping malls, and everybody who looked into the period as a money-making opportunity had wide smiles on their faces, except the big bosses who wanted more clients and more money coming in. It was party time, after all!

The many hidden jewels around the capital and interior offer the visitor a taste of an authentic treasure hunt experience. The captivating tales told from tourists’ point of views and locals’ and sellers’ perspectives seemed as if they came straight out of the 1001 Arabian Nights. It sounds exotic to learn about life in an Arabian country: a blend of adventure, mystery, magic and, perhaps, some romance.

Nice to see entire families and young girls and boys exploring the beaches and mountains of Oman.

The country is a paradise: heaven on earth.

There are places where a dress code is still enforced. Some could argue that modernisation is the way to go; others would argue that ‘our culture’ has to be preserved. Well, can capitalism be denied?

Social relations, regulation and governance, development and consumption are some of the backbones of the political economy of tourism. And yes, social class has an influence on tourism motivation in the same way that social stratification contributes to the type of choices visitors decide. And so, we need more parties and more tourists – ὰ la Marx.

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It is quite evident that social media stars are exerting great influence on the general public.

People of all ages try to ape these stars from various fields of life such as sports, music, cinema, arts, fashion, etc. From an Oman point of view, football player Ali Al Habsi, tennis star Fatma and singer Haitham are some of such stars who make crowds go crazy. What they talk, what they wear and what they do have mass appeal.

ALE ZADJALE

Most social media stars in Oman don’t really measure up to the ones in the neighbouring countries. It’s simply not working here. Their endorsements create barely a 10-second memory about the brands. They are not driving opinion or boosting business.

Social media stars have good influence on shaping up the buying habits of the masses.

Brands and marketing agencies make use of these personalities to reach and influence customers.

They certainly do have an influence on the selling and liking pattern of a product. Some of the products are synonymous with the celebrities who are their brand ambassadors to the extent that whenever a product is thought of, what comes first to people’s mind is the image of the star/celebrity. This is because of the popularity these celebrities enjoy which makes them connect with the masses easily and they become their role models in society. It is their credibility that is the selling point. Manufacturers exploit

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

The fan following and the influence of the stars in our society, especially among the youth, cannot be ruled out. It has become a thumb rule in advertising all over the world to rope in stars as brand ambassadors. The endorsement from popular stars helps boost the brand image and sales of the product to a great extent during its launch but, in the long run, it is the quality and the after-sales service that matter the most.

ZAHID SAEED

A lot of people model on the stars they admire, so what these stars do is often copied by the masses in a wide range of aspects of their daily lives, be it shopping or love life.

NEENA GOPAL

PAUL BARUA

MOHAN ANANDAN

this credibility proposition of the stars to sell their products and succeed.

You could overlook the message being sent out by the stars once or twice but when it’s drilled into you again and again you get lured into the idea they suggest or the brand they promote. Nothing produces the result it desires or deserves without a fair amount of publicity about it, so brands are just taking advantage of the popularity of the celebrities, whether they are the mainstream ones or the social media personalities, to drive home their message.

TOM HARRISON

It’s incredible how people fall into the traps set up by businesses in collusion with celebrities to loot your well-earned money. Celebrities endorse products they rarely use and we foolishly buy them to make our skins softer or to put the glow back in our old and tired eyes. Fortunately, there are not many personalities in Oman who wield such power, but the

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MAHDIYA NAHAS was spotted with her favourite Y Magazine in Muscat.

A decade or so ago traditional celebrities ruled the roost, but now it’s the turn of social media personalities. The reason is obvious: people have lost faith in the celebrities who endorse any product if they get handsomely paid for it, and often these products are seldom used by these celebrities. It’s when the credibility of traditional celebrities got hit that social media personalities came into prominence in brand endorsement. The masses identified with them more than the big stars as it was easy for them to ask questions and get replies from these social stars than from the high and mighty ones.

DR ASHOK KUMAR G NAIR

Advertising will have an impact on the people, but to what extent? Social media is a powerful influencer as one is more connected to like-minded people on new media. Peer-validity plays a huge role in accepting a brand. However, the innumerable messages that we come across on social media promoting brands do have the downside of making customer response jaded. Most of these messages are not targeted. The effectiveness can be improved if better targeting is achieved. Look at the heaps of leaflets on your doorsteps or at the gates everyday promoting some sale — almost all of them end up in waste bins.

New Debate: The Public Authority for Consumer Protection has taken action against a number of retailers in the Sultanate over dodgy pricing and false sales promotions.

Recently, a shop promising 70 per cent discounts was fined RO200 after customer complaints. What are your thoughts?

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

THROUGH YOUR EYES

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

Send it to: info@y-oman.com

SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION Y Magazine reader Nahas Haneefa captures the beauty of Muttrah Corniche using his Canon EOS 750D.

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: Nahas Haneefa

JAN 18 - 24 / ISSUE 503

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RECORD FALL IN VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS IN OMAN

hile new vehicle registrations in the Sultanate continue to decrease, September 2017 marked the biggest-ever fall in recent times.

According to data, registrations averaged 9,716.93 from 2012 to 2017, reaching an all-time high of 14,717 in September 2012 and a record low of 5,449 in September 2017.

Data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) also shows that registrations dropped to 6,017 in November from 7,478 in October in the previous year, reaching a total fall of 18.3 per cent.

The largest decline was in the commercial vehicle segment, which saw a 31.9 per cent fall in the first 11 months of the previous year.

The registration of rental cars witnessed a rise of 18.4 per cent between January and November last year. Taxis and driving school vehicles also saw significant drops (25.6 per cent and 27.5 per cent respectively) during the period.

There has been a marginal three per cent rise in the number of government vehicles registered during the period.

ROYAL OMAN POLICE

DENIES PRISONER ESCAPE RUMOURS

T

he Royal Oman Police has denied that it is on the lookout for an escaped convict, in a statement refuting claims made by a viral social media post.

An ROP official said: “The attached advertisement, as it appears on social media, was not issued (by ROP). Reporting or providing information about criminals is a national duty to protect society and enforce the law by calling 9999 or informing to the nearest police station.”

The text in the fake social media post read: “A financial reward for those who arrest the escaped convict and hand him over to the police, or provide information that could help in arresting him.”

TWO EXPATS DIE OF SUFFOCATION T

wo people have died after choking on fumes from charcoal they used to heat their homes.

The operations centre at the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) received information about a fire at an under-construction building at Jabal Al Akdhar on Saturday.

When the civil defence officials arrived at the spot there was no fire but two people were found dead due to inhalation of charcoal smoke.

The public authority called on all residents to be more cautious while using charcoals in the heating of homes.

The authority advised people to use proper ventilation to avoid suffocation risks for children and adults due to the emission of poisonous gases.

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NEW BEGINNINGS

GALLERY

MURIYA THE MOST DIVERSIFIED DEVELOPER OF THE BIGGEST DESTINATIONS IN OMAN CELEBRATED ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE LAUNCH OF HAWANA WATERPARK AND SOULY LODGE, LAST WEEK.

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ASTER AL RAFFAH HOSPITALS & CLINICS

OPENS 8TH BRANCH IN OMAN

ster Al Raffah Hospitals & Clinics are now serving patients with its newest clinic – Aster Al Raffah Polyclinic located at

Mabelah.

Aster Al Raffah Hospitals & Clinics officially launched its eighth branch in the Sultanate of Oman on January 9 with Aster Al Raffah Polyclinic at Mabelah.

The new clinic is a testament to Aster DM Healthcare’s ongoing commitment and drives to provide quality and specialised healthcare services to the residents of Oman.

The inauguration of the new facility was officiated

by His Highness Al Sayyad Hujaija Jaifer Al Said, chairman of Association for the Welfare of the Handicapped Children, and Dr Azad Moopen, chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, in the presence of officials and staff of Aster Al Raffah Hospitals & Clinics, Oman.

Moopen said: “We are proud to announce the inauguration of our eighth clinic in Oman within 10 years of our presence in the region. In addition to the newly launched Aster Al Raffah Polyclinic at Mabelah, we have two hospitals and five clinics across various regions in Oman.

“Over the years, the healthcare landscape in Oman has undergone various changes; however, our consistent growth is a true testament of our endeavour and commitment to increasing our footprint within the Sultanate in order to deliver sustainable, quality and accessible healthcare.

“We have made a commitment to the community we serve, to provide them with seamless access to the most advanced modes of patient-centric care.

“Going ahead we will continue to deliver the internationally recognised calibre of care and uphold our brand promise – ‘We’ll Treat You Well’.”

Seeniya Biju, the chief executive officer for Aster Al Raffah Hospitals & Clinics, said: “This is indeed a proud

moment for Aster Al Raffah Hospitals & Clinics Oman as we are expanding our healthcare offerings with the official launch of our eighth branch in the region. Aster Al Raffah Polyclinic at Mabelah adds to our developing portfolio of healthcare facilities in the region and truly demonstrates our commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare facilities while assuring comfort and care to all categories of Oman residents.

This initiative comes in line with our bid to improve our reach and add value to patient care in the locality.

“Similar to all our facilities, the newly opened clinic is staffed with highly experienced medical professionals providing medical care that is best-in-class on the doorsteps of the people at Mabelah.”

Aster Al Raffah Polyclinic in Mabelah offers a comprehensive range of primary healthcare services. Conveniently located in Al Mabelah, behind Nesto Supermarket, the new facility will function from 9am to 9pm.

CHANGES TO INDIAN PASSPORTS

T

he Indian government has decided to keep the last page of its citizens’ passports blank, following recommendations made by a panel set up to look into, among other issues, requests by single mothers that the name of the father not be mentioned in their child’s passport.

The last page of the Indian passport currently lists the names of father/legal guardian, mother, spouse, address, and whether the holder is in the ‘Emigration Check Required (ECR)’ category. With the last page blank, passports will most likely cease to be a valid address proof.

“A three-member committee comprising officials of the MEA and the Ministry of Women and Child Development was constituted to examine various issues pertaining to passport applications where mother/child had insisted that the name of the father not be mentioned in the passport, and also relating to passports issued to

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children with a single parent and to adopted children,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced, adding that the report had been accepted by the ministry.

One of the recommendations was that the MEA explore the possibility of doing away with the printing of information now found on the last page. “The ministry has examined the recommendation... and decided that the last page of the passport and other travel documents issued under the Passports Act 1967 and the Passport Rules 1980 would no longer be printed,” the MEA said.

Under the changed system, those with ECR status would be issued orange passports, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

The Indian Security Press at Nashik will design the new passports.

LUCKY DRAW

GALLERY

NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN (NBO) HELD A SPECIAL AL KANZ DRAW, WHICH SAW TWO WINNERS ENJOY AN AWARD OF OMR 250,000 EACH. THE EVENT MARKED THE END OF THE 2017 AL KANZ SCHEME AND THE LAUNCH OF THE 2018 EDITION, WHICH WILL BE THE LARGEST ACROSS OMAN WITH OVER 15,000 POTENTIAL WINNERS.

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GOOD PROGRESS IN MINISTRY PUSH

TO RECRUIT OMANI MANPOWER

fforts to provide opportunities to 25,000 Omanis in public and private sectors are receiving good response from employers and job

seekers.

Officials from a number of establishments have agreed on the employment of national manpower.

The executive steps follow the decision of the Council of Ministers for providing opportunities to 25,000 job seekers and offering an attractive work environment.

They also affirmed that the first stage ends in May 2018, and many other opportunities will be offered to absorb more Omanis.

The Ministry of Manpower has affirmed that the government continues with the plan currently being executed for absorbing job seekers in the private sector and hailed the follow-up and interest of all citizens in the process.

It called upon job seekers to grab the opportunities and asked those who have inquiries to follow the account of the Ministry operating in recruitment services who were provided with the data of searchers, characteristics, professions and opportunities in the private sector.

OMAN’S TRADE SURPLUS SURGES TO

RO1.4BN

O

man recorded a surplus of RO1,402.9mn in international trade at the end of September 2017, compared with RO944.3mn during the same period of 2016, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The total value of exports from the Sultanate by the end of September 2017 was RO9,143.2mn, an increase of 21.8 per cent compared to that of the same period in 2016, where the total commodity exports was RO7,504.8mn.

The Sultanate’s import of goods increased by 18 per cent to reach RO7,740.3mn, compared with RO6,560.5mn during the same period in 2016.

The Sultanate’s exports of oil and gas stood at RO5,360mn, an increase of 28.8 per cent over RO4,162.9mn during the same period in 2016.

The export of crude oil stood at RO4,269.9mn, while the value of refined oil

exports was RO238.8mn.

Liquefied natural gas exports were valued at RO851.4mn. The statistics show nonoil exports increased by 31.4 per cent to RO2,364.7mn, compared with RO1,799.6mn during the same period in 2016.

MARIJUANA SEIZED AT MUSCAT AIRPORT

T

he customs officials in two Oman ports have confiscated about 6kg of marijuana and a large quantity of illegal cigarettes.

The customs officers at Muscat International Airport foiled a bid to smuggle 5.9kg of marijuana, the Oman Customs revealed.

In the second case, customs officials said: “Al Wajajah customs department has foiled a professional attempt at smuggling a quantity of illegal cigarettes hidden in a box designed for smuggling purposes.”

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BOOK LAUNCH

GALLERY

‘BONSAI KUTTIKAL’, A BOOK ON THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF MR. RADHAKRISHAN KURUP, TEACHER AT INDIAN SCHOOL DARSAIT, WAS RELEASED

BY H.E. INDRA MANI PANDEY, AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO OMAN ON FRIDAY, 12TH JANUARY 2018.

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otorists, rejoice! You can now fill up the tanks of your vehicle with high-grade M-98 petrol in Oman Oil fuel stations. The corresponding number is the octane rating – and it is a standard measure of the performance of an engine.

The premium grade fuel is necessary for performance vehicles to operate at its peak power.

The higher-grade fuel is also known to keep the engine running smoothly; the lower the octane rating, the higher chance for your car to develop engine knocking.

Prior to this, several car owners were known to travel to the UAE to obtain quantities of this grade of petrol for their supercars.

HIGH-GRADE M-98 FUEL

LAUNCHED IN OMAN

OMAN’S SATELLITE TO

VISIT SPACE IN 2019

T

he year 2019 will mark an important point in astronomy in the Sultanate, as the first Oman-made satellite is being readied to enter the Earth’s orbit.

The cubesat, a miniature satellite used for space research, has the configuration of 10×10×10cm cubic units and weighs in at about 1.33kg.

The satellite’s primary purpose will be to help detect light pollution. This refers to the brightening of the night sky caused by street lights and other man-made sources.

This phenomenon has a disruptive effect on natural cycles and hinders the observation of stars and planets.

The project is headed by the Oman Astronomical Society (OAS). Other participants in the project include prominent people in academia as well as ministries of transport, communication, telecommunications and the armed forces.

OMAN CRUDE PRICES HIT

THREE YEAR HIGH

T

he Sultanate’s crude oil prices has shot past the US$67 mark and is now peaking at a three year high.

The Oman crude traded at US$67.21(RO25.87) a barrel at the Dubai Mercantile Exchange today for deliveries in March.

In the budget that was discussed this year, Oman assumed oil prices per barrel to stand at US$50 (RO19.25). Thus, any amount beyond the aforementioned will aid in reducing the budget deficit of RO3 billion.

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FLYING HIGH

GALLERY

MARKAZ AL BAHJA HOSTED ITS ANNUAL ‘KITE FESTIVAL 2018’ AT THE QURUM BEACH, ON 12TH JANUARY 2018, FOR ALL THEIR MALL CUSTOMERS. SEVERAL MEMBERS TOOK PART WITH DECORATED AND HAND-MADE KITES TO MARK THE FESTIVAL.

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

JAN

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

J A N U A R Y Great news, folks! The Al Mouj Muscat Marathon 2018 is set to begin today (Thursday, January 18). Join the crowds and make it a success. Following the overwhelming interest last year, the event will now be part of an extended two-day festival of running. Today will be dedicated to the Kids’ Run, while Friday will see the established Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km Race complemented by two new categories: A Charity Fun Run and a Marathon Relay open to teams of four to six runners who will each run part of the full 42km course.

RUN FOR GOOD

WEEK

MALL WARRIORS Are you a warrior? If you think so, try your hand at the Oman Avenues Mall’s ‘Mall Warriors Challenge Season 2’, which is designed to push you to your limits. The challenge will feature a set of courses that are specifically designed to test your resilience, concentration and strength. Among the tests is a ‘Car Pull Challenge’ and ‘Indoor Football Challenge’ – which should have you sweating hard. The event will commence at 5pm at the mall grounds and will continue until 9pm. Registration 18 - 25 is free, but hurry up as spots are limited. For Inquiries call 7939 1527

JAN 19

THIS

THE DAREDEVIL

Shiver me timbers! Alex Magala, the “Sword Swallower”, is in Oman for the ‘Alex Magala Sword Master Show’. The event will be held at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Al Mazaar Amphitheatre, and the gates will open to the public at 6.30pm.

Tickets start at RO20 – but only those aged 12 and above will be granted entry. The seats are limited, so make sure you book immediately. You can also opt for VIP tables, if need be. For more information, contact: +968 9556 9795/9468 1772

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MOVIES MOVIES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

Diwanji Moola Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Nyla Usha, Nedumudi Venu, Siddique, Vinayakan and Sudheer Karamana.

The Post Cast: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Sarah Paulson

S

teven Spielberg’s handsome new picture has a big, beating heart on its classically tailored sleeve. It’s a rousingly watchable film from firsttime screenwriter Liz Hannah about the Washington Post, its editor Ben Bradlee, proprietor Kay Graham and what is supposedly their platonic office romance while publishing the Pentagon Papers in 1971. In the face of legal threats and boardroom faint hearts, their mission was to disclose the truth about how the US government deceived America about the unwinnability of the Vietnam war.

It was the scoop that paved the way for the Watergate investigation.

The film is a pointed celebration

of liberal decency in the past and implied present. Its stars’ unadorned surnames have been put up on the poster over the title with granite simplicity: “Streep Hanks The Post”.

These are naturally intended as Lincoln-Memorial-level rebukes to today’s various squalid declines in Washington and Hollywood.Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep give excellent performances, though not exactly a stretch in either case, and both with a tiny, tasty touch of cheese. Their characterisations are luxuriously upholstered, effortlessly fluent, busting with relatability. - The Guardian.

The reopening of a long-forgotten race brings together a family, old-time friends and an entire colony of the downtrodden to raise a new champion.

Newly appointed collector Sajan Joseph (Kunchacko Boban) takes up the task of setting his city in order. Among the challenges he faces is uniting its residents especially those in areas where gang wars are prevalent. To do this, he proposes bringing back the Diwanjimoola Grand Prix, which was once the pride of the place.

Oman release: January 18

Oman release: January 18

Aadu 2 Cast: Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Saiju Kurup, Harikrishnan and Ranji Panicker

This sequel to the 2015 hit film Aadu revolves around Shaji Pappan (Jayasurya) and his group of misfits who take part in another tug-of-war to win the golden cup. But along the way they unwittingly get drawn into a deal gone wrong, which involves dangerous smugglers.

Oman release: January 18

Bunyan and Babe Cast: John Goodman, Jeff Foxworthy and Kelsey Grammer

Travis and his sister Whitney visit their grandparents for the summer and stumble upon the evil plan of a greedy land developer to steal the land of the town’s long-time residents. While running from one of the developer’s goons, Travis falls through a magical portal which transports him to the world of American hero, Paul Bunyan & his pet ox, Babe. Bunyan and Babe get wrapped up in a brand-new adventure, and with the help of their new friends Travis and Whitney they save the town. Together they learn first-hand that you don’t have to be big to do big things.

Oman release: January 18

Hollow in The Land Cast: Dianna Agron, Rachelle Lefevre, Shawn Ashmore and Jared Abrahamson

With their father in prison for murder, siblings Alison (Dianna Agron) and Brandon (Jared Abrahamson) are instantly considered suspects when a string of killings plagues their town, and they must fight to clear their names.

Oman release: January 18

!

The Pirates of Somalia Cast: Al Pacino, Evan Peters and Melanie Griffith

In 2008, rookie journalist Jay Bahadur forms a half-baked plan to embed himself among the pirates of Somalia. He ultimately succeeds in providing the first close-up look into who these men are, how they live, and the forces that drive them.

Oman release: January 18

N WI

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

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JAN 18 - 24 / ISSUE 503

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S

ocial

Pushers

THE ‘GOODFLEUNCERS’ MAKE A HONEST, EFFECTIVE SALES PITCH AND THE ‘FAKEFLUENCERS’ BUY FOLLOWERS AND LIKES TO SELL A FALSE, USELESS IMAGE. ALVIN THOMAS AND HASAN AL LAWATI SIZE UP THE SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS IN OMAN

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t’s well past 2am on a Wednesday, and we’re in Salalah for a launch “Since the digital revolution, which I think started in 1999, there have event. From the new Salalah International Airport, we take a cab been forums like ‘Sablat Al Arab’ and ‘Muntadayat’ that had come up in to our hotel, which is roughly 15km away. The cabbie, who goes by the digital sphere. the name Mubashir, only speaks Arabic, so we’re forced to use our “What motivated me to do this was that there were things to do in life limited proficiency in the language to make conversation. and we needed a platform to show our feelings towards the country, talk However, following a small chat, we reveal that we’re part of SABCO about local issues and so on. We started this forum with nicknames; mine Media – and that’s when things take a rather surprising turn. Mubashir was ‘FactSound’,” Moosa tells us. quickly asks us if we work with Arabic radio station ‘Al Wisal’ presenters “We used to talk about political and social issues; they were very Moosa al Farei and Madiha al Sulimani. sensitive topics. We listened to people and took their requirements When we proclaim that we indeed do work with them, he and needs to the government. goes on to shower praises and tell us how their shows have “But that’s when we came face-to-face with our new social media “changed his life”. competitors: Twitter and Facebook. Even people started moving “My life is spent in a car,” says the taxi driver. to those platforms and I decided to start a new “So, listening to these wonderful presenters talk philosophy in the media. to us through the radio makes our day.”

WHATEVER I – OR THE MEDIA “So, I decided to point my views towards Twitter He adds with a smile: “I’ll tell you this: INFLUENCERS – POST ON SOCIAL and that’s also when I started my electronic If Moosa al Farei tells me that something is MEDIA MAKES A DIFFERENCE. magazine Atheer.” good, I will believe him. That’s his power here THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Moosa in Salalah. They are our celebrities and they IT AND WE NEED TO BE VERY al Farei is the third-most followed individual on are our nation’s best influencers,” he remarks, RESPONSIBLE Twitter in Oman – with over 243,000 followers, before tuning in to 95.3 MHz – the frequency and the presenter of Muntada al Wisal – which of Al Wisal in the governorate. focuses on real-world issues. “I believe our listeners, our followers are To get to grips with why Moosa al Farei has such a stronghold in the strong. People love Al Wisal and Muntada al Wisal a lot.” region, we talk to him about how he has become a media influencer in the This, according to Moosa, is why brands and companies now approach region and the country. him for support and endorsements. “Some of the people nowadays also And we learn that his rise to success wasn’t overnight but rather a very come to me and ask if I can write their tweets and others ask if I can be long process that took more than a decade of resilience. He explains: their media consultant – and they pay money for it,” he remarks, before

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going to tell us that he refuses to do branding and marketing work for companies.

Working with brand influencers or – as they are now termed – “social media influencers” has been touted as an easy bet to increase the reach of a company.

It’s uncanny, but the reach and relevance that an influencer brings to the table is something small and medium scale enterprises can often make use of to create brand awareness.

One Oman-based retail chain that wishes not to be named reveals: “We take branding very seriously; it’s something that helps us gain traction among the public. We use some of Oman’s top sporting and media stars for our products.

But we also make sure to include some celebrities from outside Oman and within the Middle East region.”

But how effective is such branding in Oman? And are these influencers the future of advertising and branding?

In reality, however, influencers not only include celebrities like Ali al Habsi, Ahmed al Harthy and Taj Noor, but also a wave of bloggers and socialites who have gained status over the last five years.

To understand the topic, we talked to several members of the public (also, the buying audience) in the Sultanate.

Shailly Singh, an Indian expat in Oman, says: “Wide Publicity and frequent promotions have become the mantra for sale augmentation of any seller company, firm or shop.

“Hence, today all big companies, brands, shopping malls have turned to social media to grab the upcoming big opportunities to their business through it. And why not – a big size of our customer base: young or old, male or female, rural or urban, are all connected to each other through social media and to their popular stars.

“Here, social media becomes a bridge between seller and potential customers through various stars of social media and their talk show/event and promotions.

“Generally, our decision to buy a product is affected by opinion of people we’re close to. More so, social media has also become a tool for brand awareness and its promotions to the mass consumers at no extra cost or almost negligible cost and that too instantly.

“Social media stars have huge fan followings these days. These fans naturally attend social events/shopping mall and promotional events wherever they happen and, as a result, sales zoom. Therefore, I strongly feel that social media stars have wide influence on society,” she remarks.

However, our initial gust was compromised when one of our interviewees pushed us into a rather thoughtprovoking direction.

He highlighted one facet of social media that this newfound frenzy has given rise to: “Fakefluencers”.

While the word is selfexplanatory, Bader al Lawati, public relations consultant at a leading agency, explains: “Proving that someone bought followers and fans is a difficult thing to do, but it’s a known fact within the influencer community that many ‘fakefluencers’ only exist because they have purchased followers and likes.”

These followers can be purchased on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even Snapchat.

“Some research has been done by social media monitoring tools that stated that marketing and PR agencies in this part of the world need to scrutinise influencers much more

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rigorously,” he adds.

But why would they put their name at risk of getting called out by buying likes and followers? The answer, Bader tells, is simple:“It is actually a very profitable thing. Purchasing followers is very simple and cheap, maintaining the disguise is also cheap and easy.

“By doing this, they get invited to events, get free products to review and, in many cases, they even get paid to promote products.”

The remuneration for each promotion can range from RO50 to RO100. The amount will be higher based on the brand and its reach. Even more worrying is when you realise that procuring followers costs less than buying a new smartphone.

Bader tells us: “With only RO50, you can purchase 15,000 followers on Instagram. You would need another RO30 to purchase the likes to make it seem that there are real people liking the content.”

Currently, there are numerous companies that offer an individual the option to boost his or her social media credentials.

A simple Google search with the terms “buy social media followers” reveals scores of websites advertising to provide ‘genuine and targeted’ followers. It’s also money well spent, as Bader rightly points out — if an “influencer” does two sponsored promotions, they have already made more money than the cost of creating and making the account look real.

“Fakefluencers understand social media, so they won’t buy a million followers and two million likes. They will buy just enough to make it believable and profitable,” he asserts.

According to a report published by NapoleonCat in April 2017, there are more than one million users accessing Instagram from Oman.

While the ratio of real profiles to the fake ones isn’t known, the number of Instagram users has been reported to be rising. And this translates to companies opting for social media influencers to market their products.

Talking about how influencers are becoming more relevant to companies in Oman, Dr Nithin, the Chief Executive Officer of Axis Group, says: “Nowadays, influencers are becoming an important part of marketing for a brand. But, it also depends on whether the followers are real or non-genuine.

“For instance, a small restaurant would find it helpful if a food blogger with a decent set of followers can post information and photos on their social media profiles. Then, it makes sense to pay cash for the services. They also invite several of these people and that in turn helps increase the restaurant’s reach over a short span of time.”

This is echoed by Nafih TN, the director of Teefee Café in Oman. He

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reveals: “We’ve seen a great increase in our customer base after we conducted an activation with ‘IgersOman’, an Instagram group from the Sultanate.

“I can say that there was an increase of 10 to 20 per cent after that event. We invited several famous Instagram photographers and provided them with food so that they would promote us. No other remuneration was provided in cash.”

Nithin, however, deals with full-time influencers who are hired for a contract. “When we work with social media influencers, we pay them. And we have a right to know who is having genuine followers and who is not. We have caught out a few famous influencers who have been buying followers from companies.

“These followers were from countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Spain and so on,” he explains, adding that “we have the right to know what we get when we pay RO200 and more for the services of the individual.

“This is plainly bad for the company as he or she can easily lose hundreds of Riyals and not get results. I would advise everyone to do a proper background check of these people using the ‘Insight’ that is available on the influencer’s personal business page (you will need the permission of the individual to access this) and make sure that you’re getting what you’re paying for.”

In an interview with Y Magazine last year, Omani singer Haitham Rafi had pointed out that there was a need for companies to approach trusted sources for procuring talented media influencers.

“If a company decides to promote their brand, they must be able to get the best for their business. And for that, it’s always best to approach reputed influencers, celebrities and media people,” he told us.

HH Mayya al Said, an acclaimed media personality and avid socialite in Oman, has voiced her opinion on the same issue. In an earlier interview with SABCO media, she had told: “There is a lack of awareness and understanding regarding what one is trying to sell or advertise, and numbers are not always a good indication.

“Many followers may mean that someone is being followed for the wrong reasons, while someone with a smaller number of followers may be putting out good content.

You have to see what kind of brands need to associate with whom.

“Unfortunately, numbers can be fudged as people are buying followers. Advertisers think that they will be in a better position if they use an influencer with a larger following.

“Instagram knows that this is happening and they periodically cut off such scammers and it looks bad on the person. Like anything in life, gradual growth is the way to go and it applies to digital as well.”

This was also asserted by Nithin, who says some influencers in Oman are known to witness a loss of up to 15,000 followers a day.

There are ways to spot a fake influencer, though. “This depends on what follower purchase services they use. Cheaper services have simple fake accounts; if you go through the influencer’s followers and click on their follower’s profile, you may see many accounts with no photos and strange names,” Bader says. “The numbers are also an indication. I have been approached by “fakefluencers” that have almost a million followers on Instagram and they claim that 90 per cent are from Oman. These figures exceed the number of registered Instagram users in Oman (according to social media analysis tool SocialBakers),” a frustrated Bader tells us.

Albeit, when done right, this promotion can make your company.

“The impact of selecting an authentic and respected influencer can be huge for a business. Influencers typically have a unique fan base that trusts their opinion. One authentic fashion blogger can bring light to a retailer in ways that traditional marketing doesn’t,” says Bader.

“Small businesses especially can benefit vastly from influencers, they typically don’t cost as much as traditional advertising and, if done right, they have a higher reach to a specific audience.

“Numbers aren’t the biggest factor when selecting an influencer, but the power of their reach is. For instance, my followers follow me because I post reviews and because of my food photography. I may only have 1,800 followers, but 20 out of the 1,800 would visit a restaurant I recommend. “That’s better than three visitors that came through an automotive or fashion blogger that have more than 20,000 followers, for instance,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Moosa al Farei has a piece of advice for those prevalent in the media. “Whatever I – or the media influencers – post on social media makes a difference. The people are watching it and we need to be very responsible.

“I generally help people for free – especially new SMEs. I try to help them with re-tweets and so on. When you’re rising in life, I believe that you must also help others grow; that’s what I have been able to do with this work.

“At the end, however, the right always wins.” ■

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S uc c e ss

RUNNIN

WITH OVER 6,000 RUNNERS AGED SEVEN TO 73 YEARS FROM 86 COUNTRIES AND EIGHT RACES SPREAD OVER TWO DAYS, THE 2018 EDITION IS SET TO MAKE AND BREAK A FEW RECORDS. ALVIN THOMAS WARMS UP FOR AL MOUJ MUSCAT MARATHON

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W

hen 28-year-old – 86 countries to be specific – to take marathon runner part in the event.

Dominic applied for The entry list shows substantial a spot in the 2018 Al numbers hailing from nations such Mouj Muscat Marathon, little did as India, Britain, the Philippines and he know what he was signing up for.

France, closely followed by significant A year ago – from among the 1,300 groupings from South Africa, the participants – the young runner was US, Pakistan and Ireland, along with placed in the top 20 runners – a feat hundreds more from countries ranging he says he is very proud of. from Australia, Brazil and China to But this year around, the stakes Venezuela, Wales and Yemen. are raised beyond what he – or what Even impressive is that for the several others – time, Al I think it will first would ever have Mouj Muscat imagined. The Marathon will be be quite a third installation by the challenge to recognised of the Al world running’s achieve top results, international Mouj Muscat Marathon will this year, especially governing body see a total of AIMS (The if you’re not 6,051 runners Association of (!), which is prepared. The talents International almost six times Marathons and who are running greater than Distance Races). that of last time. will definitely be In addition, you “I think it can also expect among the best in will be quite to see some the world ⁃ a challenge to record-breaking achieve top performances, and you must results, this as athletes can year, especially be ready to now push the if you’re not boundaries in prepared. The the precisely talents who are running will definitely measured race courses. be among the best in the world – and “Oman Sail was delighted to you must be ready to take them on,” become involved with such a wellsays Dominic. founded event in 2017 and we are “Last year’s event was splendid, happy to have been successful in and we couldn’t imagine it to get any building on that and broadening bigger. But the organisers have startled its appeal for 2018,” says Salma Al us and made us proud,” he adds.

Hashmi, the Chief Marketing Officer Little wonder then that the of Oman Sail. organisers are hosting the event “It has always been part of our over two whole days. And when the pioneering mission to contribute to event kicks off January 18 with the the social and economic development Kids’ Run, it will become the largest of the Sultanate of Oman, and the sporting tournament to be hosted in Al Mouj Muscat Marathon works the country. on all counts. It is a celebration of The Kids’ Run will be conducted in health and fitness and it is the perfect age categories and will feature three opportunity to showcase Oman’s courses: 1km for children aged 7 and particular blend of beauty and culture 8; 2.5km for 9- and 10-year-olds; and to international visitors,” she adds. a 4km for youngsters aged 11 and 12.

First held in 2012 with just 135 More than 2,372 young runners have competitors, the Muscat Marathon reportedly entered for the Kids' Run. has gone from strength to strength.

This will then be followed by the Organised for its first five years by Half-Marathon, Marathon, Marathon the local Muscat Road Runners Relay, 10km run and the Charity Fun organisation, the event has now Run (5km). extended its international reach thanks to the event management expertise The starting time for the events of Oman Sail and the support of are as follows: title sponsor Al Mouj Muscat, the ■ The Kids’ Run: 3pm, 3:40pm renowned waterfront destination. and 4pm We’re also told that the youngest ■ Marathon: 6am runner will be among the seven-year■ Marathon Relay: 6am olds in the 1km Kids’ Run, while ■ Half Marathon: 6am the eldest entrant will be 73-year-old ■ 10km: 9:30am Edwidge Van Den Assem – who is ■ Charity Fun Run: 9:30am coming in from the UAE. But who will take the top spot is a Predictably, this event has also question that we will have to wait gained traction abroad: Participants and see. ■ are now flying in from other countries

take them on

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Smiling through

T H E S C D PA I N S Prevalence of SCD is on the increase in Oman thanks to cousin couples. Hasan al Lawati sits down with a PhD student who has stepped in to relieve the agonies of parents and their children

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eports suggest that at least 6 per cent of Omanis have Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder that increases one’s risk for extreme pain.

And in Oman, many parents have a poor knowledge of SCD management which can prove to be fatal for their children, according to Yusra Al Nasiri, a doctoral student in the College of Nursing at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

As a lecturer, she used to accompany nursing students to paediatric wards for training.

“I have seen many children suffering from the complications of SCD, moaning and crying from pain,” she said.

Pain in SCD patients is triggered by certain factors such as consumption of less water, exposure to hot and cold weathers, climbing of places with high altitudes, exposure to infections, and performance of heavy exercises, according to Al Nasiri.

The prevalence of the disease is increasing in Oman due to consanguineous marriage (first-cousin marriage), she added.

“If both parents are carriers of the disease, there is a 25 per cent chance to have a child with this disease,” she explained.

The “very common blood disorder”, which is considered one of the most painful health conditions, is preventable, and it can be controlled with decent awareness.

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IF BOTH PARENTS ARE CARRIERS OF THE DISEASE, THERE IS A 25 PER CENT CHANCE TO HAVE A CHILD WITH THIS DISEASE

That is why Al Nasiri decided to step in and educate parents to help their kids to endure the agonies of SCD. “When I got accepted at the UCLA for a PhD degree, I thought about designing an intervention to improve parents’ knowledge about the triggering factors and other important aspects of SCD that could enhance the health-related quality of life of children with SCD,” she said.

The programme will recruit 74 participants from the Royal Hospital and the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

The parents, according to Al Nasiri, will be divided into two groups: the intervention group and the control group.

The intervention group will be given videos that will be delivered on their smartphones.

The first video includes information about SCD, signs and symptoms, treatment, management, triggering factors of pain and some guidelines for the parents on how to improve the physical health of their children.

The second video includes information about the impact of the disease on the emotional, social and cognitive health in children with SCD. Parents are provided with certain guidelines on how to improve those aspects so that their quality of life could be improved.

On the other hand, the control group will receive a standard education programme that is provided to them in the hospital during their routine visits. It consists of a booklet that has general information about SCD. “So far the research achieved great acceptance from the participants!

I feel proud that parents are very interested in my research. Parents who received the videos reported that the videos are rich with information and they learned a lot of facts about SCD they were not aware of before,” Al Nasiri said.

The study will provide data to support the effectiveness of the educational programme in improving the HRQOL in children with sickle cell disease.

Nurses will be able to implement a comprehensive educational programme that can be adopted for use by parents of children with SCD, regardless of geographical location within Oman and other Arabic-speaking population.

The educational programme may also be used as a template for developing educational programmes for children with other chronic illness (asthma, diabetes, chronic pain).

Finally, the study will highlight the effectiveness of technology for delivering a high-quality educational intervention programme for parents and their families. ■

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The all-new Infiniti Q50 polishes all the shortcomings of yesteryear and gives buyers a formidable sedan that takes Japanese design to the next level. –P34

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JUST 45 MINUTES FROM HIS HOUSE BUT HE TOOK HOURS TO GET THERE IN 2015. AND HE MANAGES TO GET LOST AGAIN JUST LAST WEEK. SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI’S HIT-AND-MISS AFFAIR WITH THE PRISTINE DESTINATION THAT’S SO NEAR YET SO FAR CONTINUES 032

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Gaming

T

he most vivid memories are those that have had hardships peppered in them. Trust me when I say that; there’s no better way to reminisce about a place or thing than by relating them with the difficulties that you had experienced in the past.

This is very much the case with me and Siya.

And no, Siya is not a friend of mine, but rather one of the most prized locations in Oman. My first encounter with the locale was in 2015 when I spent hours trying to search for it. And keep this in mind: Siya is a mere 45 minutes from my house in Al Amerat.

Nevertheless, when I decided to take a trip down to the wadi, I decided to ask my friend Waleed to tag along.

We started sometime after our Fajr prayers – it must’ve been about 10am when we left.

From there on, it was a straight drive on the route 17 highway. However, the drive took us more than an hour as I got lost…again. Still, a quick backtrack allowed us to head back to the road and then subsequently into the wadi of Siya.

I parked my car at the usual spot: atop the hill that overlooks the modern cottage-like villas. This is also the perfect location for an early morning shoot.

Sadly, it was nearly noon when I reached there, so I couldn’t quite recreate some exquisite morning shots.

To begin clicking pictures, I headed down to the wadi. The aroma of fresh water and greenery was captivating. This was the perfect location for us to kick back and relax – and that’s exactly what we did.

It must’ve been just 30 minutes or so, but we felt like we were relaxing in the waters for about two or three hours. The waters were cool and the winds were blowing very lightly to keep us both fresh.

TRAVEL GUIDE

We then headed out into the deep corners of Siya. The pathways around Siya are a hiker’s dream. The polished, dishevelled rocks and the thick bushes are a paradise for those seeking some thrill and excitement.

We kept going for an hour or so, before making the hasty decision to retreat. That’s when I realised something: Siya is one of the few wadis that are still relatively unscathed by litterbugs. And for that I would like to commend the efforts of the Muscat Municipality to keep the sands and the waters clean and ready for the public. It is their efforts – in union with the locals – that is helping this wadi keep its identity.

This is also why I would like to urge all travellers and explorers to take care of your belongings and waste after you are done camping or exploring.

HOW TO GET THERE It’s an easy drive from Muscat to Siya. From Amerat, take Route 17 and simply follow the signs until you reach the village of Siya.

GPS location of the parking site: N23°11’48.3” E58°40’57.1”

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

T

INFINITI Q50

The mid-size luxury sedan has style and substance to stand out in a crowd, but the slot it tries to squeeze into is crowded. Still, the Japanese could give the German giants a run for their money, writes Alvin Thomas

he luxury sedan segment is brimming with contenders from around the globe: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Genesis, Lincoln, Jaguar and Cadillac are just a few of those who have recently launched spanking-new models of their mid-size sedans.

There’s no denying that practical sports sedans are back in the limelight – and it looks like the fad is here to stay.

But breaking into the segment is Infiniti, with the Q50. And for once, there’s no other way to put it: This may very well be one of the best sports sedans from Japan to have ever graced the roads of Oman.

Yes, the automaker from the “land of the rising sun” is finally giving the Deutschland trio – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – a run for its money; and I think it’s working.

The truth is, until now the BMW 440i M Sport, the Mercedes-AMG C43 and the Audi S4 have been the holy grail for those seeking the thrills without spilling comfort and practicality. Now,

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though, there’s the Infiniti Q50S Red Sport.

Albeit, I was given the keys to something totally different: the Infiniti Q50 3.0T – a toned-down version of the Red Sport. And you know what?

This one has a personality of its own too. To be specific, it has an aura of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ hiding underneath the surface of the car – if you dare to scratch deep enough (figuratively, of course).

For starters, the Infiniti Q50 looks reminiscent to its muscular brother. It looks well-wrought from every angle, even without the “S” bumpers and large wheels.

The design language is unmistakably Japanese; it’s overly aggressive and perfectly proportioned. It’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer angles and curves on the body.

The headlights sit low and apart from each other on the fascia, and are complemented by the spindle-shaped three-dimensional grille and 18-inch 10-spoke alloy rims. If I were you, I’d opt for larger wheels, though.

The hood is nothing short of ornamental. It flows smoothly across its lengths and amalgamates smoothly into the fenders and the chiseled front bumper.

The interior is typical Infiniti: there’s a slight tinge of Nissan here and there (buttons, knobs and so on) but it’s not something the average customer will notice at first glance. What will be noticed, however, is the plethora of stitched leather and soft-touch padding all around the cabin. Even the dashboard is made up of soft plastics.

The centre console is the centrepiece of the car: It houses the gorgeous dual-screen infotainment system, which, again, is distinctive. Granted, it’s not

the easiest to use, but it’s definitely a quirk that most drivers can get used to.

Hear this: the bottom screen comes pre-loaded with applications with which you can access additional functions. Oh, and much like the Nissan GT-R, the Q50 integrates digital gauges that display g-forces, turbo pressures and fuel inputs to the engine.

Is it purposeful? Perhaps not, but it certainly gives you bragging rights over most BMW and Audi owners. Also, the top screen is solely intended for navigation and

Destination

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

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

INFINITI Q50 3.0T Specifications: Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 Transmission: Seven-speed automatic Horsepower: 300hp Torque: 400Nm Top speed: 250kph Rear-wheel drive InTouch System w/dual display screens Dual-zone climate control 8-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support ABS and EBD 16-speaker Bose audio system

infotainment purposes. at 4,000rpm and provides thrust until about The seats are moderately bolstered, with 6,000rpm. During my mid-winter test drive, the abundant cushioning and adequate lateral turbocharger spooled up quickly without much lag. support, while the rear seats can The gear shifts smoothly and without

BY THE END OF MY comfortably seat up to three adults any jerks in automatic mode too. But DRIVE, I REALISED THAT effortlessly (if you are OK with you can choose the ferocity of the shifts INFINITI’S TAKE ON AN seating a third passenger right in (and throttle-response and steering OTHERWISE GERMANfront of the AC vents). resistance) by changing the mode from INFESTED MARKET MAY ‘Normal’ to ‘Sport’ or ‘Eco’.

Underneath the hood is where HAVE NOT ONLY SPAWNED ‘Sport’ mode makes maximum use of things get even more tantalising: THE ARRIVAL OF ONE The Infiniti packs a 3.0-litre all the gear ratios but at the expense of OF THE BEST SPORTSturbocharged V6 engine. The fuel economy. The ‘Eco’ mode, on the SEDANS FROM JAPAN, high-pressure turbo layout aids in other hand, short-shifts and helps you BUT ALSO ONE THAT the engine pumping out 300hp rake up more kilometres per litre.

WILL SOON BECOME A and 400Nm of torque.

The electric-assisted steering is BENCHMARK FOR OTHER incredibly precise, if lacking in any real The powertrain is completed by MANUFACTURERS TO TRY feedback. I found the input response a seven-speed automatic gearbox TO BEAT that sends power to the rear wheels.

The results? Well, the car effortlessly (almost a tad too effortlessly) hauls itself from a standstill to the 100kph mark in about 6.2 seconds.

But, it feels faster, as the torque kicks in abruptly

from the rack to be spot on without much play.

What all of this translates to, though, is in excellent handling. The chassis acts very neutrally during normal driving and comes alive during more spirited driving. Even the suspension is welltuned of this size.

The car turns corners effortlessly, with only a hint of body roll and understeer.

If anything, the Q50 leans towards tail-slinging oversteer when the tyres are cold – or if you decide to push the throttle mid-way through a corner, with the stability control switched ‘off ’.

Leaving the ESP on keeps things in check.

By the end of my drive, I realised that Infiniti’s take on an otherwise Germaninfested market may have not only spawned the arrival of one of the best sports-sedans from Japan, but also one that will soon become a benchmark for other manufacturers to try to beat. The Infiniti Q50 is definitely more than your average family sedan; it’s everything the sprightly teenager in you wants, wrapped in a package that will appeal to all.

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CARS ADVENTURES MAGICAL MANALI

If you’re looking for an adventure, head to the beautiful peaks of Manali. Not only will it give you a chance to experience the mighty Himalayas but also an insight into the origins of Hinduism.

1. Visit the Solang Valley and partake in skiing with the crowds 2. Take a tour of the Naggar Castle 3. Delve into the past at Old Manali and grab some authentic continental food from the stalls 4. Surrender yourselves at the Manu and Hadimba temples 5. Try to find the hidden waterfall in Naggar – it’s reportedly exquisite

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Alvin Thomas recommends

MANALI, INDIA T

ravelling across India can be a daunting task if you’re not well versed with the tourist destinations. There is a plethora of locales that you can visit if you’re moving from state to state. India, after all, is the seventh largest country in the world.

B u t a n a r e a t h a t o n e m u s t v i s i t b e fo r e l e a v i n g I n d i a i s M a n a l i - a r e g i o n t h a t i s b l a n k e t e d b y s n o w fo r m o s t p a r t s o f t h e y e a r . N e s t l e d deep in the heart of Himachal Pradesh and cradled by the Himalayas, this spot in north India has become a snow park of sorts; like the Snow King Mountain Resort in Wyoming that I reviewed a few weeks a g o . T h e d i ff e r e n c e s a r e e v i d e n t , t h o u g h . I n l a y m a n ’ s t e r m s , M a n a l i is a hill station, but its most sought-after feature (the snow) has a l s o l e d t o i t s d e m i s e . T h e r e g i o n i s a c t u a l l y a h u b fo r c u l t u r e a n d heritage in Himachal Pradesh - and has been considered a pilgrim s p o t fo r s o m e H i n d u s .

A s a m a tt e r o f f a c t , t h e n a m e c o m e s f r o m t h e a n c i e n t H i n d u lawgiver Manu. The area has long been regarded as his safe a b o d e . E a r l y t e a c h i n g s s t a t e t h a t M a n u s t e p p e d o ff h i s a r k i n Manali to recreate human life after a huge flood had submerged the world.

Thus, the hill station is referred to as the “Valley of the Gods”.

I doubt that the valley in Wyoming or Alaska has a comparable tag line. In all honesty though, I wouldn’t mind permanently residing in Manali - it’s that great a place.

Go there in the winter, however, and you’ll be treated with people skiing down the slopes of the valley, enjoying cable cars to catch a glimpse of the scenery, and trying their hand at the exquisite local cuisine.

A p a r t o f t h e l o c a l fo o d s c e n e i s f r u i t s . R u m o u r h a s i t t h a t a p p l e t r e e s p l a n t e d i n t h e r e g i o n a r e s o p l e n t i fu l t h a t b r a n c h e s o f t e n , unable to bear the weight of the fruits, would collapse. Apples, p l u m s a n d p e a r s r e m a i n t h e b e s t s o u r c e o f i n c o m e fo r m o s t o f t h e inhabitants.

The people in Manali are some of the most welcoming you can find in Asia. You could even partake in a game of ice cricket with the local fo l k , i f y o u ’ r e r e a d y t o g e t y o u r h i n d s w h o o p e d .

THE BR ID G E C MANAL ONNEC T IN G T H I W IT H THE NE E OLD W MAN ALI TOW N

R IV E R THE BEAS

My favourite place

The most striking place in Manali is also the most sought-after place in the state. The Solang Valley is a haven for tourists from Europe and even central Asia. Of course, for most parts of the winter, the mountains are enveloped by snow. This means that you can enjoy throwing snowballs at your friends, try your hand at skiing (or miserably fail at it like me), or even book yourself for a cable car ride that will take you to the top of the mountain and back.

Highlights

Manali houses some of the deepest secrets of Hinduism, and has since become a spot for tourists who are looking to learn the origins of the religion. The temples of Hidimba and Manu, and the beautiful and serene monasteries of Manikaran Gurudwara and Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa are worth visiting. But if you do, make sure you visit during the summer, as the crowds are thinner and the temperatures bearable. The temperatures in the winter are known to fall below -15°C.

Lowlights

Manali, like most other tourist destinations in India, is prone to overcharging. The vendors have been known to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists, including Indians coming from as far as Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Souvenirs The Buddhist singing bowls are a must-have for everyone. I’m no Buddhist, but the bowl at home is definitely a stress buster. The low hums created by the bowl can calm you down and also take your concentration to a whole different level when meditating or praying.

Getting there

From Oman, you can take the Oman Air flight to Delhi. From there, it’s only an hour-and-a-halflong flight journey. You can avail the Air India flight for about RO25. Alternatively, you can take a 12-hour cab or a luxury Volvo bus ride to your hotel.

NAGGA

R CAS TLE

Where to stay Finding a hotel to stay in is difficult. You may have to rely on early bookings if you are planning on a trip to Manali. On the upside, the price for a room will not exceed RO18.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Camping is fun and a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but with the right tools and supplies. Alvin Thomas picks four gadgets that could add sparkle to your adventures — in the woods or the wadis

THE LEADING LIGHT Adept campers will tell you how important it is to carry a portable torchlight with you; using your smartphone’s LED flash frequently can hamper its battery life and result in the build-up of heat. That’s why you need the Mpowerd Luci Outdoor 2.0 inflatable solar light. The device uses solar energy to light up the LEDs in four different lighting modes. Moreover, the solar panels are collapsible, meaning that you can fit it into your backpack without taking up too much room. Get yours from amazon.com for RO7.7

MAKE FIRE

COFFEE ON THE GO There’s no better way to start your morning than by sipping on a mug of hot coffee. Keeping with that motto, the WacacoMinipresso will make sure that you commence your morning with a hot cup of espresso. The machine – despite its small size – brews fresh, rich and aromatic coffee with its builtin semi-automatic piston. There’s none of that N2O cartridge or battery trickery going on either; all you need is air and your energy to magically transform ground coffee into drops of espresso.

Purchase it from amazon.com for RO23

The camping season is upon us, folks: The temperatures have dropped low and the wadis are brimming with crystal-clear waters. Needless to say, there’s no better time to head out of the city with your friends and family than now. But when you do, it’s best to carry the BioLite CampStove with you. The device – which looks like a blender – creates smokeless, odourless fire by burning twigs and small chunks of wood. But here’s the cherry on the cake: it has an integrated 2600mAh battery that can store electricity generated from the fire for other purposes. There’s an LED screen which displays the fire strength and rate of power generation too. Buy it for RO50 from bioliteenergy.com

PERSONAL ASSISTANT

EDITOR’S PICK

AS SMARTPHONES EVOLVE INTO WATER- AND SHOCKRESISTANT COMMUNICATION DEVICES, THE NEED FOR A ROBUST WATCH IS SLOWLY DOWN. HOWEVER, IF YOU THOUGHT WATCHMAKERS NO LONGER CARE FOR ADVENTURISTS, YOU’D BE WRONG – MONUMENTALLY WRONG. CERTIFIED TO US MILITARY STANDARDS, THE CASIO SMART OUTDOOR WATCH IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST WATCHES YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON TODAY. APART FROM THAT, IT ALSO COMES WITH BUILT-IN QUAD SENSORS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH REAL-TIME ACTIVITY TRACKING, ALTIMETER, BAROMETER AND COMPASS READINGS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A PHONE. IT’S ALSO WATER-RESISTANT UP TO 50 METRES. GET IT FROM AMAZON.COM FOR RO76.9

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PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds

It’s about looting, shooting and remaining the sole survivor. Alvin Thomas drops into the sprawling, shrinking map to declare: ‘This is it, one of the top 100 games ever’

O

n the face of things, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is among several hundreds of survival shooting games; but somehow, it has gripped the masses – and has since become one of the most memorable games of all time.

The game follows a simple philosophy: You dump 100-odd people into a sprawling map and fight to the death – or at least try to. This is what has led to the Korean-origin game into becoming something of a crowd favourite.

Unlike most survival games (except the multi-player versions of GTA IV and V), you can make use of a wide variety of equipment to take down your opponents. This means, you’ll be squirming around looking for potential weapons.

But the large map – which is 8km x 8km in size – can be quite challenging to survive in. For instance, more often than not, you’ll find yourself running around frantically looking for protective armour, vehicles, clothing and other equipment that can keep you safe and in the running.

Your only other way to gain access to

these essentials is by killing an opponent and looting him or her. Nevertheless, the developers have chucked in an intuitive map that lists the high-risk zones. These areas are a goldmine for superior weapons, but you risk being attacked while scavenging for items.

To make matters worse, every few minutes, the playable area of the map shrinks down towards a random location – meaning that any player caught outside the safe area can take a substantial amount of damage, and eventually be eliminated. These areas are also susceptible to aerial bombings.

While this translates to a confined map, it also means that you have to be alert of your surroundings at all times. You can switch between first-person and third-person perspective, if need be.

A typical game takes about 30 minutes to complete and it didn’t take me long to realise that the game does favour those willing to take risks early on. Sure, you can play stealthily, but that only increases your risk of an early exit, with every passing second.

It’s funny how a simple notion has given birth to one of the most challenging games of 2018. No doubt, it’s going to be in the running for a spot in the top 100 games ever created.

JULY DEC 03 21 - 09 27 / ISSUE 499 327

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

THE ACTIVE KIND!

We salute all those, especially gentlemen, who have taken a New Year resolution to lead a healthy and active life in 2018.

While you have made your vow, we are here to amp up your active wear and make it fashionable.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

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

T t Ge

Be the cool guy at the gym. Add some print to your active ensemble, with this fashionable print tee shirt from Superdry.

Shop this now for RO13

For all those who enjoy a run along Qurum beach, this super sporty grey, camo running jacket will help you stay warm, easy and chic.

Buy it now from New Look for RO21

Good active wear is as much important as exercise.

This pair of black sport tights from H&M is so comfortable and fitting that it will help you reach your goal. Buy it for RO13

For all those runners, these may be the shorts for you. This fast-drying pair of shorts will absorb your sweat resulting in perspiration-free clothes when you enter your car.

Available at H&M for RO8

Socks are accessories that are often overlooked, but are as much significant as your shoes as they support your physical activity. Shop this pack of three sporty socks from H&M for RO5

Whether you are hitting the gym or going for a run on the road, it is always recommended to have proper footwear. Shop the right shoes that fit your active lifestyle like these grey sneakers from F&F available for RO9.5 All items are available at the City Centre Muscat, Seeb

Gym bags don’t have to be boring and worn out. They have to be fun and sporty. In fact, they will act as a motivator to get you to the gym when you have those slacking feels. Buy this backpack from ZARA for RO15

JAN 18 - 24 / ISSUE 503

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

● Banana peel: Start saving the banana peels that you throw away after your breakfast. Scrub the insides of the peel over your teeth for a few minutes and rinse. Use this method at least twice a week.

Pearly

WHITES

Yellow teeth spoil your smile and erode your confidence, but the remedy is simple and costs you almost nothing — or just a few banana peels

W

e all love a hot cup of chai, especially on chill evenings that every Muscateer is enjoying right now. However, if you are a regular karch chai drinker, have you ever noticed any change of colour in your teeth? Have you seen they’re slowly turning yellowish and dull?

Your favourite karak chai may be one of the reasons for this yellowing. But worry not; we have natural remedies that you can use right away to get back that pearly white glow and sparkle.

Before we delve into the remedial solution, it is important to understand the causes for this yellowness occurrence.

One of the major reasons is consuming too much tea or coffee or any sugary drink. Smoking adds to this problem. Another reason is brushing right after eating. Yes, brushing your teeth is a good idea, but did you know our body system produces certain acids and sugar while eating that weaken the enamel and brushing your teeth right after a meal weakens it even more? It is recommended to wait at least half an hour to one hour before you brush.

Now, here are some ways to get rid of the dullness with natural ingredients.

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● Baking soda: Mix baking soda with very little water, apply over your toothbrush and brush.

Or apply the baking soda-water mixture over your teeth with your fingertips and rinse after one minute. Use this method sparingly, or it can erode the enamel. ● Healthy eats: Vegetables and fruits like apples, celery and carrots act as a perfect, natural abrasive that helps remove the yellowness without damaging the enamel. So make sure to include a lot more of crunchy fruits and veggies in your diet. ● Apple cider vinegar: Dab cotton round with a good amount of apple cider vinegar and rub over your teeth for a few minutes. Then rinse thoroughly to make your smile sparkle. ● Oil pulling: Oil pulling is one of the traditional remedies from India. It is one of the easiest and most economical methods to brighten your teeth. Simply take a tablespoon of organic oil (coconut oil is recommend) and swish it around your mouth for about 15- 20 minutes. Move the oil around your mouth through sipping, sucking and pulling. Once done, spit the oil out and rinse thoroughly and consume two to three glasses of water. ● Brushing and flossing: This should not come as a surprise, but regular brushing and flossing of the teeth will definitely result in bright teeth.

Dental care is as important as skin care or body care. So keep you teeth clean and bright and don’t forget to always keep smiling.

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

BUY TIME When someone suffers an out-of-hospital heart attack, the chance of survival depends greatly on the bystander. Dr Moosa explains to Alvin Thomas how to ‘buy’ time for the patient with CPR

T

here’s a saying that goes: “Prevention is better than cure.” But reality strikes without any warning – and it can leave many in the dark, not knowing what to do.

This is the primary reason for an alarming number of deaths of out-of-hospital heart-attack and cardiac arrest patients.

As a matter of fact, more than 90 per cent of all patients who suffer a heart attack outside of medical care die.

“It is vital to understand how to respond to a situation. The first response is always the best response,” says Dr Moosa, a general practitioner at a private hospital in Oman.

“Nowadays, people are known to have heart problems from a very young age; say 35 to 40 onwards. That’s a wide audience in Oman’s demographics and it’s very important that we take care of the health of their hearts.

“This is also why everyone needs to learn how to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),” he tells.

A CPR is an emergency procedure that combines chest compressions often with artificial ventilation to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person.

CPR can be conducted in two steps: Start by calling 9999.

1) Hands-only CPR This is done to carry out a chest compression: ● Start by placing the heel of your dominant hand at the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers. ● Position yourself with your shoulders above your hands for maximum efficiency. ● Using your body weight, press straight down by 5-6cm (2-2.5 inches) on the chest. This may cause rib to fracture, but do not fret. ● Keeping your hands on their chest, release the compression and allow the chest to return to its original position. ● Repeat these compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute until an ambulance arrives or you become exhausted. It’s always best to call out for help; an extra set of hands could be crucial to the individual’s survival.

2) CPR with rescue breaths Only attempt to give rescue breaths if you’re confident of doing so. If not, stick to a hands-only CPR. Adults ● Place the heel of your hand on the centre of the person's chest, then place the other hand on top and press down by 5-6cm (2-2.5 inches) at a steady rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. ● After every 30 chest compressions, give two rescue breaths. ● Tilt the casualty's head gently and lift the chin up with two fingers. Pinch the person’s nose.

Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth for about one second. Check that their chest rises. Give two rescue breaths. ● Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

Children over one year old ● Open the child's airway by placing one hand on the child’s forehead and gently tilting their head back and lifting the chin. Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose, if necessary. ● Pinch their nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth, checking that their chest rises. Give five initial rescue breaths. ● Place the heel of one hand on the centre of their chest and push down by 5cm (2 inches), which is approximately one-third of the chest diameter. ● After every 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, give two breaths. ● Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

JAN 18 - 24 / ISSUE 503

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FOOD DRINK

Trend

New Restaurant

GAME ON

Reviews

It’s always good to munch on food when you’re watching your favourite sports and cheering for your team. Try out our top easy-to-prepare snacks that should have you covered throughout the game.

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Snack and

SCREAM

Watching our heroes conjure up magic in Chinese football grounds with a big plate of snacks made with fresh ingredients by our side to munch on is double delight

T

he Gulf Cup is over and it’s time to cheer for our red warriors competing in China for the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship. But, no game is complete without snacks and drinks, and that’s why you need to invest some time to prepare homely foods that will keep you occupied during those long half-time breaks.

Use recipes that can complement the season. These quick recipes for an Olive Bar Flatbread and a Mediterranean Nacho Bar can leave the fans in your home screaming for more.

They will almost assuredly be dipping, diving and running for these simple snacks created with fresh ingredients like Sabra Hummus, which is available in more than a dozen flavours in the deli section of your grocery store.

Spread it on fluffy flatbread with your favourite veggies to create a snack that fans can go crazy over, or set it out buffetstyle for everyone to munch on at halftime.

Mediterranean Nacho Bar Ingredients: § Sabra hummus § Diced tomatoes § Chopped green onions § Chopped zucchini (1/4inch chunks) § Chopped Greek olives § Chopped pepperoncinis § Shredded lettuce § Crumbled feta cheese § Grilled chicken § Pita chips Method: § Assemble hummus, tomatoes, green onions, zucchini, olives, pepperoncinis, lettuce, cheese and chicken in buffet format. § Serve with pita chips.

Olive Bar Flatbread § 1 flatbread § 1/2 cup desired vegetables, chopped (olives, roasted peppers, peppadew or artichokes) § 3 miniature mozzarella balls, sliced § 2 cups arugula § 2 tbsp lemon juice § 1 tbsp olive oil § 1/2 tsp salt § 1 tsp pepper

Prep time: 15 minutes Servings: 2 Ingredients: § 3 tbsp Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Method: § Heat an oven to 200°C. § Place hummus on flatbread.

Top with desired vegetables and mozzarella. § Bake on lower rack for 10-12 minutes, or until crispy and browned. § Toss arugula with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on flatbread and serve.

Source: Sabra

JAN 18 - 24 / ISSUE 503

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FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

getd u B ndly Frie Info Box

ZANJABEEL CAFE

Adjacent to Oman Oil petrol pump, November 18th Street, Azaiba, Muscat Opening hours: 10am - 12am Phone: 9925 8566 Dinner for two: RO12.1 Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 6.5/10 FOOD 7/10 AMBIENCE

ZANJABEEL CAFÉ

Palatable dishes at affordable prices.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

MENU IS CROWDED, PATTIES AREN’T PLUMP, NOT EVEN A HINT OF SPICE IN THE CHICKEN AND THE DYNAMITE SHRIMPS JUST DIDN’T EXPLODE ANY MISGIVINGS. STILL ALVIN THOMAS HANDS OUT COMPLIMENTS. UNRAVEL THE MYSTERY!

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good café must possess three key features for it to succeed in Oman: It must serve great food, have presentable staff and, above all, win audience over with its delectable drinks. It’s a norm that is overlooked by a majority of cafés operating in the capital; most budget cafés tend to get away with sub-standard dishes.

But, one café seems to be pushing the boundaries to etch its name into the dining scene here: Zanjabeel Café. And you know what? It could very well be one of the better entrants into the restaurant biz in recent times.

From the outside, the café is inviting: The walls are made of decorative stone and the waiters welcome you with a wide smile. The insides, despite being a bit cramped, is accommodative, albeit with a sofa-styled and bar-counter setup.

The designers of the restaurant have also incorporated a lot of antique elements into it.

For instance, there’s a classic Vespa scooter and a rustic globe placed in the seating area. It all adds to the overall appeal of the place.

My brother Ninad and I were quickly seated and handed the menus. That is when things took a turn: I found the menu to be overcrowded and sans any explanation on the ingredients.

Based on the waiter’s suggestion, Ninad opted for a spicy chicken burger, while I went for a ‘Z Cheesy ‘O burger’.

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of fact, it was just ready-made shrimps fried and seasoned with (mildly) spicy cheese mayonnaise.

On the upside, the shrimps were crispy, but there’s nothing else I can say about it.

However, Ninad acclaimed the Zanjabeel THE DOUBLE CHICKEN PATTY burger as a saving grace. The double chicken patty WAS CRISPY, DESPITE BEING was crispy, despite being heavy on the batter. But HEAVY ON THE BATTER. BUT THE the flavours were strong and the vegetables fresh.

FLAVOURS WERE STRONG AND THE My Calzoni burger kept the trend going. It VEGETABLES FRESH wasn’t spicy by any means, but the patty and the other sauces kept me enticed. The razor-sharp crispy potato fries were a nice addition, too.

We decided to wash it all down with some carrot juice and mint tea. This is where Zanjabeel scores maximum points. The carrot juice was spot on and the presentation was splendid. Ninad said his tea was refreshing and energising.

In all, our experience at Zanjabeel was mixed, but it was then that the waiter told us that the café had only been operating for about three days, and that the dishes were still being perfected.

And based on my previous experience with newly opened (mostly just past its soft opening) The dishes arrived in about five minutes. My restaurants, I would have to rate Zanjabeel café as beef burger, despite the stingy patty, was definitely one of my favourites. But, it has a long, long way a star. The patty was soft and succulent, and the to go. flavours were locked in well.

Meanwhile, the additional cheese and “secret” Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see sauce added to the palate. reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com On the other hand, Ninad’s spicy chicken burger was a let-down. Again, the accompanying patty was “miniscule” and the flavour was average.

He remarked: “There’s nothing spicy about the burger, and I can hardly taste anything other than the mayonnaise and the lettuce.”

Not fulfilled by the size, we then ordered Dynamite shrimps, Zanjabeel burger and a Calzoni burger.

It didn’t take more than 10 minutes for it all to arrive. The dynamite shrimps weren’t worth writing home about as it wasn’t spicy. As a matter