Y Magazine #563, March 28, 2019 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

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MAR 28 - APR 03 2019 / ISSUE 563 • WEEKLY

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E-WASTE IN OMAN HAS INCREASED FIVEFOLD IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS ALONE, AND AS OUR LANDFILLS TAKE THE HIT WITH EVERYTHING FROM LAPTOPS AND SMARTPHONES, TO REFRIGERATORS AND SMALL APPLIANCES LEACHING THEIR CHEMICAL EFFLUENT INTO THE SOIL, Y INVESTIGATES HOW OUR LUST FOR CONSUMERISM WILL SOON MAKE OUR ENVIRONMENT OBSOLETE.

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EDITOR’S

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

s human beings, is it simply in our nature to trade the old for the new? Perhaps there’s something ingrained in our programming that has us always seeking to upgrade our lives – from the cars we drive to the class we fly in, the clothes we wear, and the gadgets we tote around with pride. Status symbols, all – but at what cost to the planet is their production having on our landscape and in our landfills? You might say consumerism is, well, all-consuming. But this week’s cover story is no throw-away issue. The foundation of modern-day society lies in the hands of technology – and whether it’s something as simple as your smartphone to more intricate products such as medical equipment and the like, there’s no doubting its place in our lives. But what happens when technology itself becomes obsolete? Much like everything else, it too ends up in the trash. This e-waste now forms a greater part of the everincreasing tech waste here in Oman, with authorities reporting a five-fold increase in its accumulation since 2015. Has our reliance on technology led to deeper troubles that require human intervention – and if so, are we capable of making a change? This week, we take a trip to the dumps of Oman to determine what must be done. Also in this issue we take you behind the scenes once again with Cirque du Soleil’s masterpiece BAZZAR, which opens this Thursday, March 28 and runs until Saturday, April 6 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Plus, we’re excited to announce the event details of our upcoming Y Road Safety competition, which will see children from across the Sultanate drafting the pledge of a lifetime on April 6. And finally, be sure to grab the Mother’s Day card in this issue and participate in our annual Y Mother’s Day competition for a chance to crown your mother ‘Oman’s Best Mum’! Flip to Page 28 for details on how to take part! Until next week, happy reading!

Team Y EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

ADMIN MANAGER Yousef al Harrassi

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

REPORTER Hassan al Lawati ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

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contents

MAR 28 - APR 03 2019

Your Oman

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman Clinton Povo 10

News Three female tourists arrested over ‘extortion racket’

12 News PDO pledges to improve oil output

Under the big top Cirque du Soleil brings its performance of ‘BAZZAR’ to the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, starting Thursday, March 28!

Health and Beauty

34 First Drive Honda Accord 1.5T Sport 38 Y-Fi Top new gadgets for motorists

16 Logged out As more e-waste clogs Oman’s landfills, the Sultanate has seen an estimated five-fold increase in tossed tech since 2015. We explore the environmental impact of this unprecedented rise and how its solution is in fact leading to more problems.

20 Turtle power We get back to nature with some of the Sultanate’s most 15 Movies endangered Director Tim Burton denizens at the brings his quirky Ras Al Jinz Turtle touch to the Disney Reserve. re-make of ‘Dumbo’, in theatres across 28 Mum’s the word Oman this weekend. Want to show the world that you’ve got ‘Oman’s Best Mum’? Then grab our Mother’s Day card to enter in this issue!

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination Al Hashah

Features

40 Fashion Counterculture couture

Food and Drink 44 Yummy Oman Cooking at Kempinski 46 Taste Test D’Arcy’s Kitchen

42 Beauty Man-scaping 101

44 NEXT ISSUE... FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / FIRST DRIVE

brity ch and the latest celeve got at w to ts tis ar e th we’ From ate hits of the week, gossip, to your ultim from the pulse of the music your superstar dose Radio Oman 100.9 FM world, with Virgin

Emilia the brave Actress Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen (aka the ‘Mother of Dragons’) on HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ has revealed that she suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms during the first years of the show’s filming. Writing in ‘The New Yorker’ Clarke said she couldn’t remember her name for two weeks while recovering from the first aneurysm. After two surgeries and a lengthy recovery period, she spoke out about that time: “I’m an actor – I need to remember my lines. Now, I couldn’t recall my name. I looked as though I had been through a war more gruesome than any that Daenerys experienced.” Fame’s earthly cost After pop star Justin Bieber released a video clip in 2015 called ‘I’ll Show You’, which was filmed in a remote canyon in Iceland, the Icelandic government has just announced that the site is now closed to the public until June 2019 over concern that the scenic location is being negatively affected by the huge influx of visitors who have turned up after Bieber’s video was released. Iceland’s environmental agency is blaming the singer for the spike in tourism which jumped to 150,000 in 2017, and 282,000 in 2018. Prior to Bieber’s video vlog the area received very little foot traffic and officials are worried on the impact the influx is having on the canyon’s flora and fauna. With great power comes great responsibility, Justin! Trademark Cardi Rapper Cardi B. has filed to trademark her catchphrase ‘Okurrr’ – which she describes as sounding like a cold pigeon in New York City. The application was made 06

MAR 28 - APR 03 / ISSUE 563

by her company ‘Washpoppin’, and the trademark licence would cover merchandise such as T-shirts and hoodies, paper goods, cups, and posters. Cardi says that ‘Okurrr’ is spelled with three ‘rs’ – but, she even made sure to submit and alternative spelling using two ‘r’s just to reduce the threat of any knock-off merchandise being made. We say ‘Okurrr gurrrl!’ Gaga’s new beau?

After announcing last month that she was breaking off her engagement to fiancé Christian Carino, rumours are swirling that Lady Gaga is now dating ‘Avengers’ and ‘The Hurt Locker’ actor Jeremy Renner. Renner plays Hawkeye in Marvel’s ‘Avengers’ series and according to sources close to the pair, they’ve apparently been hanging out. An insider said it’s not a romantic connection at this point – but the pair have spent time together with Renner’s six-year-old daughter. Watch this space and stay tuned – we’ll get back to you on this! Sample this! If Ariana Grande’s track ‘Seven Rings’ sounds familiar, it’s because it samples the song ‘My Favourite Things’ from the 1965 classic film ‘The Sound of Music’. Written in 1959 by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Grande is now paying 90 per cent of the money made off her single to the two composers’ estates, despite ‘Seven Rings’ having ten writers credited. You wanna play, you gotta pay Ariana!

CNCO are back with new song! They’re known as America’s Latin boy band, and CNCO are back with a new Spanglish song! The group has just released ‘Pretend’, which delivers the band’s signature blend of smooth harmonies over a reggaeton beat. This is CNCO’s first solo single sung both in English and Spanish since the release of their massively popular ‘Reggaeton Lento’ featuring Little Mix. Juice WRLD releases ‘Hear Me Calling’ He’s best known for his popular song ‘Lucid Dreams’ and now Juice WRLD is back with another track off his sophomore album ‘Death Race for Love’. ‘Hear Me Calling’ is a song about heartbreak, and it has an island vibe to it. Juice WRLD is gearing up to kick off his North American tour starting in Vancouver, Canada on April 25. Macklemore teams up with Why Don’t We Why Don’t We, the American boy band who first found fame on YouTube, have teamed up with Macklemore on their new single ‘I Don’t Belong In This Club’. This is the group’s third single of 2019 after previously releasing ‘Big Plans’ and ‘Cold in LA’. Be sure to keep it locked to Virgin Radio Oman 100.9 FM, and don’t miss your Tea Time with Maya Noise, daily on Chad in the Morning.

THE VOICE OF OMAN

CLINTON POVO, THE FOUNDER OF A FIRM THAT SPECIALISES IN GREEN TECHNOLOGY, OFFERS TIPS ON HANDLING E-WASTE WITH CARE

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

y motto has always been simple: awareness is the first step towards going green. And only when you realise that can you understand how easy it is to incorporate sustainable practices in your daily lives. This can be something as hard as getting rid of plastics from your daily lives to making the decision to opt for practices that will ensure a more viable future. In the case of e-waste, what’s amazing is that we can recycle most of it. More than 92 per cent of smartphone internals can be reused and the numbers hover around that range for other gadgets too. But that’s where the more crucial question comes in: are there companies that recycle electronics in Oman? The answer to that is no. We cannot call out the country for that as we need entrepreneurs – both locals and expats – to start believing in this before they can even set up such facilities. For instance, in India, there’s a hotline number that you can call, which will allow you to recycle your smartphone. They’ll even send someone home to collect your phone. If you don’t want that to happen, you can always donate your gadgets. Not only will that allow the less fortunate to have better products, it’ll also keep the gadgets from entering the landfills. These are just some simple ways by which we can reduce e-waste. Lastly, I’d like to remind everyone of two things: one, we are not the only generation who will live on this planet, so it’s only courteous of us to make the future a better place to live in; and two, always think twice before buying a new product. Money is secondary; keep in mind that all products need energy to be made. And that is energy that is going to harm the environment in some way.

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As our reliance on technology increases, so does our consumption of it. While this means we’re entitled to the latest in the tech world, it also means that there’s e-waste that piles up by the day. And, as Oman reports a five-fold increase in e-waste since 2015, what do you think should be the next move by the government to curb its spread in our landfills? USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI

Although there is no magic wand available to curb the piling up of e-waste in landfills, it remains a contentious issue. Prevention is better than cure, and should be tackled by everyone involved, starting from manufacturers to end users. We should all feel a duty towards this cause. This means monitoring the import of e-products, and especially those that do not comply with international guides on pollution and chemical content. There should be steps taken to sample products, to check on their adverse effects and enforcing regulations to ensure that they do. We, the consumers of products, have a duty to co-operate with official guidelines and dispose of products properly. It also means re-evaluating if we actually need to have the very latest, allsinging, all-dancing version of a smartphone, for instance.

manufacturers involved in the recycling process so as to cut down on the e-waste generated. Include environmental education and citizenship as part of the standard curriculum in schools so that the younger generation understands the complexity and takes decisions wisely. Information should be published regularly on waste management while recycling should be promoted by working handin-hand with locals, experts, manufacturers and all other stakeholders to ensure we have a greener tomorrow, and a sustainable future.

MOHAMED ABDOULMAGUID

When looking for ways to treat the problem of waste, we might emulate some of the practices being adopted in the EU. Smart ‘trash’ boxes use RFID technology to track the behaviour of people in Spain and Portugal concerning their recycling habits. The garbage collector scans garbage cans for information about their contents and puts it into a database, and then charges a fee that varies depending on the JASON FELIX NORONHA E-waste, or electronic waste, keeps piling on at the amount of waste the owners have failed to treat as rate of knots and polluting the environment. It’s recycling. The money-for-waste system has contributed to an high time the government took a hard long look increase in the recycling rate to between 7 and 10 at the menace and say “enough is enough”. At per cent in these countries. It has also prompted a minimum the government should implement recycling of e-waste and organic waste collection researchers to try to obtain quick decomposition for items such as plastic bags. The possibility of in much the same way as trash is collected. Ease of e-waste disposal should be prioritised as many benefiting from another approach that focuses on encouragement rather than punishment is often of us are still unaware of the hazards posed by successful, too. the wrongful disposal of e-waste. Let’s get the

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MUTHUMARI PANDIAN

The advancement of technology has been increasing day by day, and at the same time the rate of e-waste is also rising. These electronic items contain toxic elements like lead, mercury and cadmium. This creates lots of health issues such as allergies, cancer, kidney problems, physical and mental weaknesses and many more dangerous diseases. Waste management is a very challenging environmental issue. Oman is striving to sort out the problems associated with it by launching engineered landfills and recycling projects and waste-to-energy facilities in different parts of the country. As human beings we have some responsibilities. We must be aware before we throw any gadget into the landfill. We should think twice before we buy a new one. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our

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responsibility to be sure that our old one gets recycled properly (we can either sell old electronic items or donate them).

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With new technology comes a whole host of problems. The disposal of gadgets and devices improperly increases the chances of them polluting the air. So, we have to dispose of them in an eco-friendly way. Before throwing away your old device please check if anybody else can use these gadgets (there may be less well-off people who are struggling to get a useable device) or you can upgrade the device you have. If all this is not possible then you will need to find an e-waste recycler who is officially certified by the Basel Action Network (BAN). BAN is a nonprofit organisation of recycling companies that are dedicated to recycling e-waste in a safe and responsible way.

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MAR 28 - APR 03 / ISSUE 563

YOUR

OMAN

BUILDERS MUST TOE LINE ON OUT-OF-HOURS WORK

uilding work has been curbed on Fridays and on public holidays by the Muscat Municipality. Construction firms will now need a special permit to carry out work on non-working days. The changes in the law regarding construction were made by Eng. Mohsen bin Mohammed al Sheikh, the Muscat Municipality Chairman. According to amendments to the Municipality Law 1992, “no construction works including demolition, building extension, and excavation should be done on official holidays and Fridays in the residential neighbourhoods without prior permission”. The amended laws also ban noise-generating work between sunset and sunrise. Violators face a fine of RO500 and an abrupt stoppage of work, according to the new law. At the start of this year, the municipality announced that steps were being taken to curb building work that breaches the peace and affects air quality. The new law requires building owners and contractors to submit details of the plot and other specifications about any construction work. The law adds that there “should also be signage boards placed at the site with details of the construction work”.

THREE FEMALE TOURISTS ARRESTED OVER ‘EXTORTION RACKET’

hree tourists have been arrested on suspicion of forcefully detaining and blackmailing a man, the ROP has confirmed. The three women came into Oman on a tourist visa from Africa, officers said. Instances of young men being targeted on social media and being exploited is becoming a problem in Oman, the ROP added.

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MWASALAT FLIES FLAG FOR MIDDLE EAST AT BERLIN TRADE SUMMIT

wasalat was the only delegate from the Middle East at a prestigious trade show in Germany. And the bus giant earned another distinction by sending a representative who was the youngest there, at the BUS2BUS trade show and congress in Berlin. Hajar al Haddabi, 24, represented Mwasalat at the event, which took place from March 19 to 21. Hajar took part in the conference as a speaker during a panel

discussion on the impact of digital solutions in the public transport bus sector. The conference was attended by a number of executives, technicians, and experts. It highlighted fields such as the quality of digital services, their uses in public transport buses, and the future of the technical revolution in the manufacture of buses of all kinds. The conference also included a trade fair, with 100 exhibitors from 13 countries around the world.

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QATAR AIRWAYS CEO MR. AKBAR AL BAKER TOURS THE CARRIERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW MUSCAT OFFICES DURING ITS INAUGURATION ON MONDAY, MARCH 25.

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YOUR

OMAN

VOLUNTEERS HELP FAMILIES FIND THEIR OWN HOMES

ighty volunteers in Sohar aim to build or refurbish 28 homes for families on social security by the end of the year, Muscat Daily

reports. The Sohar-based group has already built and refurbished 17 houses, helping 65 citizens live in the comfort of a modern housing unit. It intends to build and refurbish another 11 houses, making it 28 by the end of this year. The group is working under a campaign called Manzil Yawihim (A home collects them together). Speaking to Muscat Daily, Ali Saleh al Balushi, head of the Media Committee in Takaful Suhar Social Charity Team, which is running the campaign, said: “We operate under the umbrella of Committee for Social

Development in the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) in Sohar. The team consists of 80 private and government staff and students. We started the campaign in 2016.” Balushi said that the campaign aims to improve the standard of living of families on social security. He said: “We have built nine new houses and refurbished eight benefiting 65 Omanis, from the campaign so far. The cost of refurbishing and building a house is between RO10,000 and RO20,000. We help those families whose monthly income does not exceed RO400. “The family must not have obtained a housing loan from any government agency. We follow certain specifications when building or renovating a house suiting the Omani environment.”

OMAN POST LAUNCHES E-LOCKERS SERVICE

man Post is beefing up its customer service even further – by introducing eLockers, Muscat Daily reports. The company is offering an alternative delivery option of free parcels during a pilot period, which kicked off on Monday and will run to September 4. The first two self-service eLockers will be at Muscat Grand Mall and Sultan Qaboos University’s student centre. This means customers can pick-up their items easily and securely at their own convenience. Abdulmalik Albalushi, chief executive officer of Oman Post, said: “This innovation is in keeping with our journey of transformation and meeting and exceeding the evolving needs of customers

across the Sultanate. The eLockers service is all about providing flexibility, privacy, and convenience for our customers.” He added: “We are undertaking this pilot eLocker program as part of our strategy to invest in the eCommerce value chain. This move will help us elevate our performance, in order to drive better B2C margins, and ultimately stimulate B2B growth.” The eLocker service complements the company’s ePost service, which allows subscribers to receive printed mail and parcels without the need to subscribe to a conventional mailbox. Customers subscribing to ePost receive a specific mailbox number and may arrange pick-up at any ePost-enabled post office in Oman. ePost users can activate the new service by visiting www.epost.om.

PDO PLEDGES TO IMPROVE OIL OUTPUT

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etroleum Development Oman (PDO) has announced plans to ramp up oil production to a new level of 670,000 barrels per day (bpd) over the next five years. After setting a 550,000 bpd ten-year plateau commitment over the past decade, PDO has expanded production and is confident it can deliver further growth. This comes after it confirmed that 2018 yielded its highest oil output since 2005 of 610,170 bpd, despite the impact of Cyclone Mekunu last May, which disrupted

production in the south of its concession area. Speaking at the annual media briefing of the Ministry of Oil and Gas at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, PDO’s Managing Director Raoul Restucci said: “Our approach has been simple: to stay the course in the face of oil price uncertainty and increasing technical and operational scale challenges, increasing value delivery for the nation’s development and preparing the business to face changing energy expectations. This means more sustainable oil and gas, and driving energy efficiency in all aspects of our operations.”

DIGITAL DRIVE

GALLERY

AS OMAN DATA PARK OPENS ITS DOORS, VISITORS WERE GIVEN INSIGHTS INTO THE NEW FACILITY DURING COMEX 2019 AT OCEC.

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A N I G H T AT T H E O P E R A

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

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28 MAR 6 APR

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UNDER THE BIG TOP The world-famous Cirque du Soleil brings its Big Top to Oman for the first time, with its production of ‘BAZZAR’. The show is a mesmerising array of adrenaline-filled acrobatics performed by some of the world’s greatest artists and athletes. In an awe-inspiring spectacular, the audience will be treated to an eclectic extravaganza of creativity, artistry, and death-defying skill. ‘BAZZAR’ comes to Oman courtesy of Alchemy Project and is being performed at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. For tickets, contact www.tixbox.com.

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

The legendary car of French first-time motorists, the Citroen 2CV is making an unusual visit to the Sultanate. M&N Tours, a French company based in Oman since 2014, is organising a series of displays designed to show off some souped-up versions of the car in an array of spectacular surroundings. On Friday, March 29 spectators can enjoy a show by some of the most original and striking models in the region in Nizwa during its famous cattle market. On Sunday, the 2CV convoy will head to the Wahiba Desert. The show is part of a series of ‘raids’ throughout the country, in which 30 cars imported from France will take part to cover 3,000kms between March 26 and April 5. For more information visit www.m-and-ntours.com.

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The Royal Opera House Muscat is staging Leo Delibes’ ‘Lakmé’ in collaboration with eight other international partners. This beautiful opera tells the story of how, in the era of the British Raj in India, the lovely Hindu Priestess Lakmé and a British officer fall in love, with tragic consequences. This is the world premiere for this production, which is directed by Davide Livermore. For tickets contact the ROHM Box Office at 2440-3332 or log on to their website at www.rohmuscat.org.om.

26 MAR – APR 5

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it’s clear his plans for the Big Top are going to take a decidedly dark turn. This has all the hallmarks of another Burton classic: a lot of shots in the dark (in every sense) and superb acting amid a world with an eerie sense of wonder. Then there’s a plot laced with a sleek slathering of suspense to keep us all continually at our cartons of popcorn. Fabulous.

The Professor and the Madman Cast: Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Natalie Dormer Who would have thought that a great film could be made about a man thinking up words for a dictionary? Professor James Murray (Gibson) faces the unenviable task of compiling the first Oxford English Dictionary, in mid-19th century Britain. It’s a tough job, but help comes from an unexpected quarter – a patient at Broadmoor, an asylum for the criminally insane. Dr. Murray finds himself being bombarded with around 10,000 words

Dumbo Cast: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito

It’s a dogged director who attempts to redo a Disney classic; in this case the

Super Deluxe Cast: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Vijay Sethupathi, Fahaad Faasil

from Dr. William Minor (Penn), and the source of the contributions piques his interest. It’s a fascinating film; not least because it features two brilliant actors reprising a slice of previous (highlyacclaimed) roles. Penn serves up a soupçon of his role as a killer from ‘Dead Man Walking’, while Gibson re-does his dodgy Scots accent from ‘Braveheart’. Therefore, both are inspired casting for this intense and fascinating film.

baby elephant who could fly. But relax, folks; it’s Tim Burton at the helm, the genius auteur who gave us classics like ‘Batman’, ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. As before, Dumbo’s oversized ears are a star attraction for a circus struggling to get the punters in. But when a dastardly new owner takes over,

calling time on his faith. It all rolls along at such a leisurely pace, you might find your attention wandering. But maybe that’s its way of lulling you into a false sense of security before hitting with you with a drama that blends the weird with the wonderful. For mature movie-goers only.

Uncle Naji in UAE Cast: Mohamed Alkendi, Alia Al Manai, Tariq Almahairi

It’s a testament to Indian cinema that its films are going a bit deeper and veering into areas that are a little less conventional. In this, key moments aren’t illuminated by bright, breezy, and demanding dance routines; that’s for sure. Instead, proceedings focus on a day-anda-half in the complicated Chennai lives of an unorthodox lead character (Sethupathi), a bickering couple with a corpse to dispose of, some good-time teenagers who encounter a mobster, and a priest who feels like

Four lads out for some outdoor fun in the UAE? Well, let’s hope no kill-joys get in their way! Naji is a young man who realises there’s more to his homeland than the urban delights of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. What better way to savour the best of what’s beyond the desert than with a good, old-fashioned road-trip? Heading to a mountainous region, he and his mates encounter a series of befuddling incidents; and their drive away from it all starts descending into downright farce, and worse. Pretty soon this lot must wish they’d contented themselves with nicking their fathers’ cars and holding speeding contests down Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road on a Saturday night. Still, it makes a change from hanging around the mall, stuffing themselves with fast food! See it if you must.

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

‘Dumbo’ director Tim Burton is most famous for which 1993 stop-motion animated film? LAST WEEK’S WINNER Tushar Girase

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WE LOVE OUR GADGETS, BUT THERE’S A PRICE TO PAY FOR THIS AND IT’S OUR ENVIRONMENT THAT’S FOOTING THE BILL. AS THE NUMBER OF DUMPS OF DIGITAL DEVICES IN OMAN HAS ROCKETED, TEAM Y INVESTIGATES WHY THE NEED TO TACKLE E-WASTE CAN NO LONGER BE IGNORED 016

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Almost 30 per cent of the weight of batteries is down to toxic materials such as Mercury, Cadmium, Nickel, Magnesium, Lithium and Zinc. Most of these elements are polluting, mainly if they come into contact with soil or water and dilute into reservoirs or rivers AS PER ACTIVESUSTAINABILITY.COM, A WEBSITE DEDICATING ITSELF TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND PRACTICES, BATTERIES HAVE BECOME SAFER OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO BUT STILL REMAIN HAZARDOUS TO THE ENVIRONMENT, HUMANS AND ANIMAL LIFE.

tanding tall over the horizon are the Sultanate’s mountains. Waiting to be explored and captured on smartphones for the world to see – there’s no denying that technology has shrunk the world, and etched Oman on its digital map. But, head to the mountains before the landscape changes, for the basis of our new-age existence – technology – is slowly transforming the country’s backdrops. Soon we’ll be trekking over mountains of electronic waste – or e-waste – to get around. It’s a concept relatively unheard of in Oman yet it’s one that has been brought along by the notion of disposable technology. Everything from our smartphones to our computers that we shell out big bucks for has an expiry date – one that’s set by our changing mindsets and the ever-increasing reliance on skilled machinery to get us through our daily routines. While that augurs well for the developing nation that Oman is, it also means more people are running through gadgets more than ever before – even if some of these gadgets can cost more than the average person’s salary. Yet, people are buying these gadgets, and the dumps of Oman are where they all end up, which we see so clearly as we head to the landfill in Al Amerat for a quick look to see how it all stacks up… in this case, quite literally. The remnants of the past pepper the landscape with what can only be described as a grim coating of lead, cadmium, and plastics that make up microchips, batteries, and any other component of a phone, laptop, refrigerator, air conditioner, television, and the like.

This also forms the basis of Oman’s e-waste problem. But to understand what it means, we speak to Khalid al Zadjali, a member of the Muscat Municipality and an advocate for recycling e-waste. He says: “It’s quite hard to describe what e-waste is but it’s easy to identify it. It is the electrical and electronic devices that are dumped by us after our use. “But, e-waste is not just what ends up in the landfills. It also includes the devices that are discarded and are sent off for recycling, reuse or even reselling. So, no matter what you do, if you’re going to throw away your device, you’re contributing to e-waste. “Oman’s problems, however, don’t pertain to this alone. Our issue is more acute: it’s that the waste is either sent to the landfills or is exported out of the country to other countries – even though this is not a legal procedure.” He declines to comment further on the latter but tells us that Oman’s e-waste problem has grown to nearly five times its size since the early 2013s. He’s right. It’s a shocking statistic that begins to take shape as we learn from the Omani Environmental Services Holding Company (be’ah) how the Sultanate has witnessed a 146 per cent growth in e-waste. But these numbers are conservative too, says one source at the be’ah that prefers to remain anonymous. In fact, based on his fact sheet, be’ah – who classifies e-waste as Waste of Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) – has recorded, in just six years, an increase of e-waste from 54,148 tonnes to 133,304 tonnes in 2018. As per details compiled and published in 2015 by WEEE, nearly 18.33k tonnes were refrigerators, followed by washing machines at 11.47k tonnes, 16.58k tonnes of televisions,

16.35k tonnes of air conditioners, 6.82k tonnes of personal computers and 0.9 tonnes of mobile phones. Our source says: “These numbers are increasing by the second. Every time a dump truck comes in we’re adding to this number. “Oman’s problem with e-waste isn’t nearly as bad as what we see in countries such as the US, India, and China but those are larger countries in comparison, and when you take a national average, you realise that countries such as Oman and the UAE have relatively high disposal rates due to our over-reliance on technology, which in turn results in a lot of waste.” He then explains how this year will exceed everyone’s expectations and become the “worst year in the history of electronic waste” in Oman. “The trends are looking bad for 2019 as well. Why is this happening? But, the answer to all our questions is in the mirror – just look into it and ask yourself that,” he says. We don’t stop there and continue to probe why there is such a sharp increase in e-waste in Oman. And our search leads us to Marcus Smith, an environmental impact management officer working with one of the leading ecoconservation and risk management companies in the Sultanate. His take on e-waste is purely an observation of this problem over the past two decades. He says: “Oman never had an e-waste problem until 2010 or 2011. And before that, it was just smaller items such as televisions, printers, and pagers that ended up in the dumps. “A lot has changed since then. Back in the late 1990s, I remember how we would run campaigns in newspapers asking people to

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dump their equipment if it has been damaged, so that we could proceed to recycle or safely dispose them off. “People used to milk every bit of life out of an IBM computer or printer before they decided to get rid of it. “Things started changing by about 2010, when I remember the smartphone phenomenon began. So, this was solely spearheaded by the youth of the world; Oman’s included. “The purchasing power, though low at the time, quickly changed as priorities changed. So, you then had people putting aside [financially] more important tasks and queuing up outside stores to buy or prebook a phone. “These people started a smartphone revolution here in Oman. But, this was harmless too – up to an extent. It was what happened next that changed this part of the world: the emergence of cheap gadgets. “So, phones that were costing RO200 to RO300 then now only cost a fraction of the same, and they have far more features.” A quick check on the prices reveals that the average cost of a smartphone – which is increasing every quarter – is still relatively lower than what it used to be ten years ago. For instance, budget Chinese phones with specifications to match the top-dog models such as Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and Apple’s iPhone X, can cost anywhere between RO120 and RO150, when compared with the originals, which will set you back upwards of RO240. This, says Marcus, is just the tip of an ever-increasing global iceberg. “Soon, just like plastic islands floating about the ocean, we’ll see e-waste islands too. We’re really in an era where electronics are no longer mere pieces of telemetry, they’re also our form of entertainment, navigation, gaming; and so much more. “So, when one of those aspects is updated, the general tendency is to upgrade to a newer piece of tech – be it computers, phones, printers and now, even car parts. That, for some people is irrespective of money, says Marcus. This behaviour, however, is now being deemed erratic by experts such as Marcus and Khalid, who lobby the government both to bring change and to potentially educate the masses of the dangers of e-waste. According to Khalid, it’s hard to create a change of mindset as even the people involved in changing habits are so reliant on modern technology that it is “obstructing” their decisions. He then reveals: “We’ve been in talks with several members from various councils on creating a cap on the number of smartphones or televisions one can buy in a year, but to no avail. “Today, we see people upgrading their gadgets every month, and they are the real problem makers and not someone who is doing the same, say, every two or three years. “This can cause an unnecessary imbalance in the ratio of discarded goods to purchased goods, and we just don’t have the resources to balance that out,” he adds. In a completely different turn of events, Khalid then shows us the palms of his hands, and points at what appears to be a discoloration caused by a chemical burn, saying: “This is what a battery can do to you.” Khalid reveals that the burn was caused when an exploding battery spewed burning lithium onto his hands. His point raises some very important questions too – mostly those pertaining to the safe disposal of chemical compounds found in gadgets such as smartphones, refrigerators, air conditioners, laptops, and the like. Oman’s current laws don’t dictate the removal of batteries, heavy metals, and other fluids from components before disposal, thereby causing several to slowly leak metals and chemicals into the soil and gases into the air. A quick research reveals that these elements are considered special waste in countries such as the USA and UK, where they are stripped from their components, their chemicals neutralised and then carefully transported for recycling. As per activesustainability.com, a website dedicating itself to sustainable development and practices, batteries have become

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safer over the past decade or so but still remain hazardous to the environment, humans and animal life. It reads: “Almost 30 per cent of the weight of batteries is down to toxic materials such as Mercury, Cadmium, Nickel, Magnesium, Lithium and Zinc. Most of these elements are polluting, mainly if they come into contact with soil or water and dilute into reservoirs or rivers.” However, aside from the water pollution, experts state that the hydrocarbons released by the wires can pollute the atmosphere, while other heavy metals such as lead can mix with the soil to enter the food chain as they are absorbed by plants thereby contributing to all three; air, water, and soil pollutions. The government of Oman now recognises this, as the be’ah official reveals. It’s also the right time to set the ball in motion as statistics reveal that nearly 196,254 tonnes of e-waste will be generated in Oman by the end of next year (2020). In response to this, be’ah is now establishing a new recycling facility in the governorate of North Batinah. No details of the expected date of completion or its capacity have been revealed as yet, except that the facility can recycle up to 10,000 tonnes of e-waste per annum. We’re told that this will work in conjunction with the existing e-waste recycling plant – Oman’s first – in the same region. However, it’s a far cry from what’s already in the dumps currently. In fact, the Sultanate generated 110,810 tonnes of e-waste in 2017 alone. Not only will this reduce the issue of accumulating e-waste for long periods of time but it will also curb the illegal exporting of e-waste to other countries, says one other Municipality official who wishes to remain anonymous. He says: “We are all aware that there are people within the framework that are collecting – and I don’t want to say from where or how – these electronics and selling them to exporters who will then take them to countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ghana, and Nigeria.” Our source reveals that each consignment can earn the seller anywhere between RO2,000 and RO6,500 after shipping depending on the load and quality of microchips. Not only does this break international trade laws, it is also a direct

violation of the municipality’s code to keep all disposing and recycling within the country. Any individual conducting such activities are also required to obtain a no-objection certificate from be’ah. As per the law, the restricted list of items includes lead acid batteries, microchips, scrap metals, and even fire retardant materials (commonly found in electronics). “Personal benefit is what drives these people to do this. And we’re a bit concerned where they’re able to procure such amounts of waste from. While this does greatly reduce the nation’s waste, it does hamper SMEs that rely on recycling these items. “So, what’s benefiting one is probably causing the downfall of several others – and not just of people in Oman. For instance, the e-waste will require stripping and other processes, and we’ve learnt that a lot of them involved in the processes are actually children and underpaid workers. “We [Omanis] don’t want to be a part of this. And it’s not what we want to see happen to anyone. Our waste is our problem – and we’ll need to take care of it.” Khalid is apprehensive about the rate of the accumulation of e-waste. “While the transporting of waste outside the country isn’t what we want to do to solve the crisis, keeping it in the country isn’t an option either. “We are now awaiting the opening of a facility to take care of the excess that is coming into our dump yards daily – and even that can only address a part of the problem. “It’s funny how our reliance on technology is leading to our downfall. When something we rely on greatly let us down, what do we do (?) – I guess the answer is simple: you let the humans take care of it.”

HOW CAN WE REDUCE E-WASTE AND ITS HAZARDS • Sell old electronics If you are planning on selling, you should be able to easily find a buyer as they will have the opportunity to purchase the same product at a much lower price than if it were new. You get easy money while the buyer gets a nice gadget; a winwin for both parties. • Donate old electronics Donating electronics to the needy is also a practice followed by many. It not only gives the gadget a new life but also makes you feel good about yourself. • Recycle and dispose of E-Waste properly Improperly disposed e-waste is becoming more and more hazardous, especially as the sheer volume of our e-waste increases. • Maintain your electronics One of the best ways to save your money and reduce e-waste is to keep your electronics wellmaintained, to increase their life. Here are some tips to get you started: • Repurpose or Re-evaluate Always think twice before upgrading or buying a new electronic device: ●Do you really need this new device? ●Is it a need, or more of a want? ●Will it add value to your personal or professional life in any way? • Store data online Cloud services are much better than you would think in reducing your environmental impact.

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Power

THE WORLD OF NATURE IS CLOSER THAN WE THINK AND CAN OFFER UP SOME MOMENTS TO TREASURE FOR ALL TIME. SWATI BASU DAS VISITS THE RAS AL JINZ TURTLE RESERVE, AND ENCOUNTERS SOME TINY REPTILES THAT ARE JUST RARING TO TAKE IT ON

ocated 250 kilometres from Muscat, Ras (meaning ‘cape’ in Arabic) Al Jinz is the Arabian Peninsula’s very own ‘land of the rising sun’. A jewel in the crown, this eastern-most tip in the Ash Sharqiyah governorate of Oman is clearly so much more than that. The 42km stretch of coastline from Ras al Hadd to Asilah displays an array of natural wonders and archaeological sites. The loud whistling of the sea-breeze, the swashing of the waves, the soft, soggy sands and the quirky rock garden on the beach all make for a remote, serene landscape. Set between the cliffs, the vast and flat beach has long been beloved by endangered green sea turtles. Researchers believe this area to be the most significant nesting site of green sea turtles in the Indian Ocean. A sanctuary here has two beaches – Beach A and Beach B. Each is separated by rocky cliffs and hillocks. The nesting ground here is eerie and calm, and nature is left undisturbed. The Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve promises a safe nesting cycle. Said Al Araimi, operations manager at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, says: “Stretching over three kilometres in length, this sanctuary is the only place in the world where the Green Sea turtles come to lay their eggs every single night. The climate here is perfect for them to nest throughout the year.” Depending on the quality of sand, a female marine reptile will choose a spot here to dig her nest The one she builds will be either near to the sea or a bit farther. According to marine biologists, eggs laid near the shore produces male turtles and those farther from the sea will produce females. Her choice thus determines the gender of her babies. The distance from the sea and warmth of the sand will also help in the process. Turtles make their presence felt everywhere on the beach – be it the nests, false pits or the trails they leave behind. Nasser Al Zadjali, the Eco-Guide/ Ranger at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve says: “Sometimes the female will dig in the sand, and if she finds it is not soggy enough she will return to the sea without laying eggs but will

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be back after a day or two when conditions are apt. Otherwise, she will waste her eggs in the water.” Around 4.15am, we start our one kilometre walk to reach the site. Only a faint light coming from the ranger’s torch is there to guide us in the dark. Nasser Al Zadjali leaves no stone unturned to bridge the gap between visitors and the one-metre-long matured female turtle laying her eggs in front of us. At dawn, this turtle is ready to head back to the sea. The misty morning spreads throughout the horizon. A thick layer of sand on her carapace is evidence of her labour. From digging a 1.8 metres deep pit, laying her eggs and covering them to digging up yet another ‘camouflage nest’ to mislead predators means at least three hours of arduous labour. The mother-child bond ends the moment the mother heads back to the sea. Once the babies hatch they have to survive on their own. Two months from now, the hatchlings will surface from under the sand. They will then creep towards the sea, gearing up for the “lost years” (from hatchling to adulthood). Fluorescent blue waves keep flashing in the dark as they hit the shore. We are standing amid a moment of unadulterated nature. Nasser says: “The hatchlings follow the light from the horizon and the glowing waves to reach to the sea. The babies born here will return to the same shore for nesting.” As the day brightens up, two turtles, a male and a female, can be seen floating on the shallow water near the shoreline, and they are getting a bit amorous. “While female returns to nests on maturity, male waits offshore to caress his beloved. They never forget the coast where they were born. They will continue this cycle until their death,” says Nasser. It’s indeed the return of the native. And the cycle of life begins here. When to visit: Green sea turtles nest throughout the year. Monsoon is considered to be the peak season. Rain and monsoon fog make for a perfect environment for nesting. In July and August, nearly 80 turtles throng the beach. June to September is the high season, and around 40 turtles can be spotted. The lean season has a minimum of five to 20 nestings per night. An overnight stay at Ras Al Jinz Eco-tents at Ras Al Jinz is sure to make you feel at one with nature.

Vijay Handa, Cluster General Manager Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, says: “Opened in 2008, this nature’s reserve has been shortlisted as one among the World Heritage Sites. Nearly 60,000 visitors from all over the world visited the sanctuary last year. Plans are being made to build a special pathway to the nesting site with viewing decks. The Scientific and Visitor Centre showcases seafaring facts, archaeological findings and a detailed understanding of the different species of sea turtles in Oman. It’s a tribute to this natural phenomenon.” MAR 28 - APR 03 / ISSUE 563

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ALL THE RIGHT

MOVES C

reativity and inventiveness form the heart and soul of a circus. Every spectacle is composed of a strong suit of performers, directors and art directors – the trinity that lays the foundation for fun-filled evenings of electric shows and performances. Showers of claps, cheers and whistles greet these performances; letting those behind the performance know that all their hard work and perseverance have paid off. Behind every successful show lies a group of people that often gets overlooked: choreographers – the creative minds that work towards fusing the eyes, ears, and minds of the viewers. From orchestrating routines to perfecting them before they’re played out to the crowds, there’s much that goes on behind the scenes of a show. This week, we head backstage to Cirque du Soleil’s BAZZAR to catch glimpses and speak to Samuel Chouinard, the choreographer of the show, and learn what to expect when the much-anticipated event finally kicks off on March 28. Here’s an excerpt from our interview:

Q A

Y: Cirque du Soleil is renowned for its ingenuity and inventiveness in its shows. How are you able to put on a unique show tailored for specific audiences every single time? Samuel Chouinard: Designing a show specifically to introduce Cirque du Soleil to a totally new audience is a creative challenge. It pushes our creators to find our essence and articulate it in a way that is universally understandable. With its story centered on the creative process and the energy found in the ‘unexpected’, BAZZAR shines a light on what is uniquely Cirque du Soleil. The challenge is always the same: create a show that will be nothing like the audience has ever seen before and we’ve been successful in this matter for more than 30 years!

Q A

Y: What are some of the key elements you keep in mind when choreographing a piece? SC: The most important objective for me as a choreographer is to bring the audience through an emotional journey from the minute the show begins to after they walk outside the Big Top. I feel that the artists onstage are the most important element because it is through their performance on stage that we are made to feel emotion. They arrive on stage with humility, and perform from the heart. The music, costumes, lighting, and makeup are there to support the feeling we are trying to convey.

Q A 022

Y: Mastering the art of audio and visual performance is a difficult task – especially for troupes that travel the world such as you. What are the criteria for training and practice before you enter a show? SC: Our casting team – composed of some 60 people, including more than 20 talent scouts – does everything in its MAR 28 - APR 03 / ISSUE 563

power to find exceptional artists for current and upcoming Cirque du Soleil productions throughout the world. They play a consulting role with the various creation teams, directors and artistic directors by showing them acts or artists discovered at auditions or scouting activities. The creation teams leave it up to the experts to find the talent that will give each show its unique character. At Cirque du Soleil, more than 60 per cent of the artists come from a sports background such as gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling, acrosport, diving, martial arts and synchronised swimming. We also hire professional athletes to work behind the scenes. The cast of BAZZAR is showcasing a full range of different disciplines including Mallakhamb for the first time at Cirque du Soleil.

Q A

Y: Can you give us a sneak peak of what happens behind the scenes in a Cirque training program? SC: When the creation starts, we work for seven hours a day and it gradually increases in the last two to three weeks of creation. Some artists could start their day with fitness training. Then, they could train their act individually before the artists, meeting under the Big Top with the creation team. This meeting is followed by a session of creation on stage with dance rehearsal. The artists also have separate make-up training and acting workshops. When the tour starts, the artists perform around 10 shows a week, including the weekends, which makes their routine extremely hectic. In order to maintain a balance for a healthy lifestyle, they are provided with fitness training and are all taught breathing exercises. One month

before the première, they start training and rehearsing for the shows. The entire Cirque du Soleil team works together to be ready to offer the audience an aweinspiring experience!

Q A

Y: How difficult is it to come up with new concepts for every show – and from where do you draw inspiration when choreographing a new show? SC: In BAZZAR, the six dancers are from very different and eclectic backgrounds and styles of dance but are all rooted by their “urban” styles. We have hip hop, B girl, contemporary, classical, and acrobatic dance. A real mix of styles! Every time we see dance in the show the dancers change their style so that we never know what we are going to see next from them on stage. ■ MAR 28 - APR 03 / ISSUE 563

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COMPETITION

Presented by

In Association With Venue Partner

e m i t e f i L A f O e g d Ple Children will write it and parents will sign it – let’s take the pledge together towards safer roads. Y is calling on families to join the ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ and take part with us on Friday, April 5 at Markaz Al Bahja Mall for a chance to win a top prize!

oad safety awareness plays a significant role in shaping the attitudes and behaviour of children and young people – guaranteeing that they become responsible drivers, passengers and pedestrians in the future. With the highest number of deaths on the road in the GCC, figures for the Sultanate are staggering – with one death for every ten accidents, and 3,845 accidents occurring in 2017 alone, based on the latest available data. Of those incidents, 640 resulted in fatalities.

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To teach children from a young age to be aware of traffic rules and regulations, Y Magazine is once again conducting the ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ competition in conjunction with the recent regional GCC Traffic Week. To participate, children will write a ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ on behalf of their parents in a custom-made card. The ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ card has a space where children can pen the pledge on behalf of their parents. The Road Safety Pledge has to be countersigned by their parents as the purpose is also to promote the message of road safety to parents

through their children. The best three pledges will win a cash reward. Once the Road Safety Pledge is written on the supplied card, parents are requested to drop the card at designated drop-boxes coming soon across Muscat. Participants can also look forward to an on-ground activation event happening Friday, April 5 from 6pm till 7.30pm at Markaz Al Bahja Mall where children will colour in the cards and take the Road Safety Pledge, with the winners being announced at a special upcoming ceremony where they’ll receive their prizes. ■

7 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE ON THE ROAD Besides teaching children road safety rules, parents should also keep in mind the following tips to ensure that their little ones stay safe on the road: ① Buckle up and ensure that your child always wears the seat-belt or is secured in a car-seat. ② Use the child lock feature to prevent your kids from opening car doors by themselves. ③ Teach them about the rules practically – take them for walks and cycling and teach them how to do it correctly.check if they are breathing.

Y’s My Road Safety Pledge 2019 When: Friday, April 5 Where: Markaz Al Bahja Mall Timing: 6:00 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.

④ Show patience when driving and set an example for your kids by being calm and refraining from rushing out on to the road. ⑤ Be punctual and disciplined to avoid speeding and rash driving. ⑥ Don’t use mobile phones or other gadgets when driving.

Here’s why you’re always safe in a Honda – Putting Your Safety First Tire Pressure Monitoring System The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is an electronic system that reports realtime tire-pressure information to the driver of the vehicle through a simple lowpressure warning light.

In Association With

Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM) Body Structure The ACETM body structure is a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Whiplash Lessening Front Head Restraints In the event of a collision, these front head restraints help keep passengers safe and secure and reduce the likelihood of whiplash injuries. Knee Airbags Knee airbags are designed to protect the driver and the passenger from a heavy frontal impact during a head-on collision.

COMPETITION RULES:

● The competition is open to children ages 16 and under. ● Cards must be completed by children only and then signed by a parent or guardian. Entries will be disqualified if there is evidence of parental involvement. ● Entries received after the closing date of March 30 will not go forward to the judging stage. ● Children of employees of SABCO Media or associated companies are excluded from taking part. ● The editor’s decision is final. ● Winners will be notified by email or telephone.

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COMPETITION

Presented by

In Association With

d r o w e h t s ’ Mum Calling all children across Oman! Show us just how much you love your mummy this Mother’s Day and enter for a chance to crown her as Oman’s Best Mum! Join us on Thursday, April 18 at the MG Showroom in Azaiba for a chance to win!

others are the lifeline of the family – there’s no denying that, and it is high time we give our mums the credit they deserve. That is why Y Magazine has teamed up with PUCK and Morrison Garages to show the mums of Oman just how much they’re loved by their children, in a special competition to coincide with Mother’s Day in the GCC, which is celebrated on March 21. 028

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This is the fifth edition of the competition – and following trend, this year’s will be even bigger and better than ever! In 2018, we saw our boxes inundated with hundreds of entries as children across the capital put their feelings down on paper, proving why, in their opinion; their mum was the best in the world. It’s not just the title of Oman’s Best Mum that’s on the line. Thanks to PUCK and Morrison Garages, there will be several valuable prizes

Y ‘s ‘Oman’s Best Mum’ Competition 2019 When: Thursday, April 18 Where: MG Showroom, Azaiba Timing: 6:00 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.

up for grabs for the top three entries. And, if this isn’t motivation enough to show your love, then we don’t know what is – just think of all the treats you could buy your Mum as a thank you for all that she does for you. The first real human interaction a child has once they’re born is with their mother. It’s a bond that’s strong and beyond what words can convey. But, every now and then, we must try and express our love for our beloved mothers. And Team Y is thrilled to bring our loyal readers a competition that will do just that! To enter, you’ll need to be aged 16 or under. Just pick up a special card, which will be slotted into this issue of Y Magazine, and fill it with a heartfelt message of love for your mum. Remember, our judges will be selecting the winners based on content and creativity so don’t be afraid to get artistic. Last year, we received poems, drawings, touching words and simple displays of gratitude, so getting creative is a must. Look out for the A5 card in this issue of Y. Complete your entry and be as creative as you like with words and pictures. Good luck and remember to say it with love!

AND FINALLY: ● The top three entries will also be framed and given back to the participants for them to present to their mothers as a keepsake. ● The competition closes on March 30 and our winners will be awarded their prizes with their mum at a special ceremony.

m u m u yo e v o L

COMPETITION RULES: ● The competition is open to children aged 16 and under. ● Cards must be decorated and written by children only. Entries will be disqualified if there is evidence of parental involvement. ● Entries received after the closing date, March 30, will not go forward to the judging stage. ● Children of employees of SABCO Media or associated companies are excluded from taking part. ● The editor’s decision is final. ● Winners will be notified by email or telephone. ● Winners and their mums must be able to attend the prize ceremony in Muscat on a date to be confirmed.

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Operatic

overtures

As the curtain rises on the world-premiere of the new ROHM production of Léo Delibes’ 1883 opera, ‘Lakmé’, we take you behind-the-scenes with the creative team masterminding its conception

ight world-class production companies with a shared vision; a story spanning 136 timeless years; one iconic venue. The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) comes alive with a new production of French composer Léo Delibes’ exquisite 1883 opera, ‘Lakmé’. One of the theatre’s most colourful productions, it’s a tale that tells the unlikely love story of a British officer who falls in love with a Hindu priestess named Lakmé only to have their union meet a tragic end. Under the masterfully creative eye of Artistic Director Davide Livermore, ‘Lakmé’ is a production whose global roots run deep with a collaborative creative team that spans the hemispheres – from the Los Angeles Opera, the Teatro Dell’opera di Roma, and the Fondazione Arena di Verona, to the Cairo Opera House, the Astana Opera, the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genoa, the National Centre for the Performing Arts of Beijing, and Opera Australia. Voicing the two leads are Romanian soprano Elena Moscu in the title role of Lakmé and rising Russian star Sergey Romanovsky – while leading the orchestra and chorus of the Teatro Carla Felice di Genoa is Conductor Jordi Bernàcer. But a production of this size takes immense artistic scope and meticulous attention to detail with over 200 bespoke costumes, led by Costume Designer Mariana Fracasso, complex stage constructions featuring movable water elements, a cast and dance troupe of dozens, and two of the most iconic arias in opera canon. Here, we go behind the scenes for a oneof-a-kind tour with Artistic Director Davide Livermore, Costume Designer Mariana Fracasso, and Conductor Jordi Bernàcer to glean first-hand insights into ‘Lakmé’s incredible scope. Y: How is Lakmé’s story timeless and how do you hope ROHM’s production will share it with new audiences?

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Davide Livermore: It’s a story that’s typical of the 19th century, but what sets it apart is where it’s situated – India. This part of the world represents the 19th-century ‘sense of somewhere else’ and was written for the imagination of the people who would have watched it at the time. I think of audiences of the past; for example, Paris was an incredible city in the 19th century – but people didn’t have the possibility to pay 1,000 Euros in today’s currency and travel to India. But what they could do, is buy a ticket to the opera and be transported. This is a journey for them. It’s also a journey across continents, across emotions, and across the soul – all set to an incredible musical score. Many times, when I think about artistic ingenuity, I think about this libretto and how its sense of wonder and ingenuity is supported by such timeless music. It’s my job to translate the story of Lakmé in a contemporary way. From the costumes to the set design, I want to evoke that same sense of ‘Wow’ with the senses – with the eyes and ears that 19th-century audiences would have felt. I’m a decoder in this sense, and I want to recreate this same magnificent sense of beauty and impact. Y: Can you elaborate on the production’s creative process and the conceptualization for the set and costume designs? Mariana Fracasso: The intention was to make a story with a global team – and ‘Lakmé’ is a global story in

itself, because it’s a love story. From a costume design perspective, it was an easy choice because it features such a wealth of cultures. And, because it’s a first-of-its-kind production for ROHM, it was also the first time that tailoring department went in blind in a way. It’s the first time the theatre was taking on this project on its own and we were building over 200 costumes from the ground up. It was an immense challenge, and we are the first to do that. I feel a huge sense of responsibility. But I also feel proud. You can see the strain, the effort, and all the work that went into our job. It was amazing – because at the start no one believed we could pull it off. At the start of the project, for the Indian cast of characters, we thought ‘Okay, let’s do saris’ – which are easy. But we achieved so much more. The initial aim was to create the bulk of the costumes in Italy and then some here in Muscat. But we ended up making the majority here in Muscat – something I’m really proud of. Some of the extras in the cast are Omani merchants in the market scene, so I sent my team to the National Museum and to the Muttrah Souq; I told them ‘Go and visit your grandmother, your grandfather, and find out what they wore in the days of their youth’ In fact, in the souq we were even able to find a shoe-maker who knew the style of ancient Omani shoes they would have worn during that time period and so we were able to reproduce the shoes locally – which was truly incredible. From the Chinese merchants and their lavish costumes in the market libretto scene, to the British gents and ladies – I wanted to put all the flavours of our design into that scene. We sourced all our fabrics right here in Muscat and we found such beautiful materials and it was a wonderful way to connect with the local culture – I’m dying

to see how the finished Arab merchant costumes turn out! It was a chance to learn about the trimming and embroidering styles of the time and, for me, it’s been a trip through history. Y: Tell us about productions rather exciting orchestral collaborations. Jordi Bernàcer: This has been such a fascinating project to watch growing all around us. As you know, ‘Lakmé’ is famous for its two great songs – the ‘Flower Duet’ and ‘The Bell Song’. We’re working with the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genoa and they’ve been so inspired by this production because it’s a new piece for them. ‘Lakmé’ is rather unusual for the regular opera season – it’s a bit outside the seasonal repertoires you’d usually see in Italy and elsewhere. So that’s what makes it so special to be staging it here in Muscat. It’s an important moment for ROHM and it’s been fantastic building up Léo Delibes opera from 136 years ago. While not the most important pieces in ‘Lakmé’, the ‘Flower Duet’ and ‘The Bell Song’ are certainly two of the most famous and they show exactly what is happening musically in the opera. The musical language is coming from the French tradition in the 19th-century and it’s very melodic, very special, and emblematic of the characteristics of the French language. It’s also an orchestration that’s full of colours; it’s a very delicate orchestra and in it we have two worlds – the Indian world with its special arrangements and chorus to explain its deeply religious essence; superimposed upon this is the more ‘superficial’ world, if you will, of the march

of the English regiments which is more of an Opéra-Comique, something lighter. So, you have a lighter world reflecting off a deeper world and, through the music this is made very clear, very subtly, with the orchestration. Y: How did this project fall into the lap of ROHM to make its world premiere début here in Oman? Why Muscat? DL: ‘Why’ is the politics of the theatre – to be always open for the world through the productions that come from it. I live an incredible sense of honour and pride because I have the great responsibility to tell this story – to bring an incredible masterpiece to the Omani people. I get this feeling every time I open a curtain [on a show], but in this case more-so because of the location. This is an incredible country – attractive and full of culture. Omanis are open to culture and theatre – and this [ROHM] isn’t just a theatre for me, but a sort bridge between culture, camaraderie, and human beings who want to collaborate. It’s fantastic to be here on-stage – you can hear so many languages that make up this very global production…Arabic, Spanish, English, Italian, French etc. It’s a miracle every time people from all corners of the world can come together around the beauty of a masterpiece like ‘Lakmé’; this act can change the world. Y: What do you hope a new generation of viewers will take away from this opera – as a spectacle of both production and storytelling? DL: I feel this responsibility in every part of the world I work in to create beauty. In Italy, we can walk the streets where we grew up and see history

and culture all around us – ancient buildings, old churches, incredible architecture. Even in the smallest of towns you can find the cultural remnants of history. Growing up around the masterpieces of art and culture, we have a great chance to pass that on, and for me it’s very important to give back this sense of art. For example, the water scene in ‘Lakmé’ is one of the elements I use to recreate the impact of beauty. In terms of the set design, water and flowers are one of the most important elements of the libretto’s narration that tell the story. In many senses water is the symbol of purity and also of change with its constant flow. Our contemporaries in Western culture…we don’t speak of purity. So sometimes, as in this moment, we are using the element of water to evoke the culture of ‘Lakmé’ in a different way – the concept of purity is so important in this story and runs so deep. We want audiences to meet that sense of purity within ourselves and within the production as well. ■ MAR 28 - APR 03 / ISSUE 563

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E ST I N AT I O N P o s t c a r d s f r o m

Y- F i

Outdoors

Destination

AL HASHAH

THROUGH SHAQUEL AL BALUSHIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LENS, TIME STANDS STILL IN THIS REMOTE VILLAGE WHERE WASHED- OUT RUINS SPEAK TO THE FORCE OF NATURE THAT ONCE RAN THROUGH THEM

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Cars

For both men, Al Hashah is where the grandparents of their grandparents grew up, lived and worked the land. Date palm groves surround the wadi and the remains of the old village, which we later explore on foot. In the distance, the bright white-washed façades of houses mark the perimeter of the new village that has been built up over the past few decades. What makes the ruins of Al Hashah unique is their conjoined, elevated structure. If there was ever an approximation to an ark in the Sultanate – this is it. Built on a raised foundation, the village resembles a ship-like structure – bow-like, and ergonomic. When the wadis swelled and overflowed, sending their currents rushing like rapids through the village, the houses with their families, livestock, and storerooms would be spared the deluge. It’s a feat of engineering from yesteryear. Rather than creating a dam or pool-like effect, which could draw dengue and malaria-carrying mosquitoes, its shape would have ensured that the wadi’s current could constantly flow around the village and its

buttressed embankments. But today, as we wander through the empty rooms among the ruins, it’s a different story. Gone are the days when the floods came, and the water of the wadis rushed forth. As the old man called ‘Father’ tells us, the rains are fewer and far between…and the beating sun the only constant. And, while date palms are a hearty species that can take route and thrive in adverse conditions, the farmers who planted those seedlings that are now century-old trees saw their bumper crops take a hit. “The winters were colder back then,” he tells us. “And there was more rain.” What he has described is, in no uncertain terms, is climate change. It’s a threat that continues to be ever-present as the recent cyclones that have torn through the Sultanate over the last year – such as the devastating Cyclone Mekunu –can attest to. But here in Al Hashah, and elsewhere throughout Oman, there are some things that will always remain constant. The Omani sense of hospitality is one; there are still cups of coffee to be poured, stories to be recounted, and echoes of a people and their history to be explored.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

“

This whole area used to swell with the current of the wadi,” the old man tells us as we hunker down to sip kahwa, and nibble sweet, paste-like dates from a plastic bag he produces, almost on cue. It’s as if he keeps it handy should visitors, like us, pass through. For here, in the Sultanate’s interiors, the old ways of hospitality haven’t been forgotten. After breaking the gulf between us with fruit and drink, strangers become kin. Continuing onwards from Al Awabi in the Al Batinah South Governorate’s Rustaq area, we have set Al Hashah in our sights on this Friday morning – seeking out its ship-shaped ancient village and lush, surrounding verdant farmlands. As we sip our piping cups of kahwa, another elderly gentleman approaches, and he is even older than our date-offering host. In fact, he calls this man ‘Father’. Age and the experience that comes with it make listening to these two grandfathers recount the tales of their ancestors all the more special. For it’s oral histories like these that won’t last long without attentive ears to speak to.

From Qurum, take the Muscat Expressway all the way to Rustaq – about an hour’s drive. Keep following Route 10 past Rustaq and take the exit a kilometre or two before the Oman Oil roundabout. Follow the slip-road until you reach Wadi Alhoqain and the village of Al Hashah.

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

he battle to win the hearts and minds of sedan fans was once the Holy Grail for car makers but is now a one-time fad that has faded. With brands from the US pulling out of the mid- and full-size sedan segment altogether, and with more manufacturers slated to get on the bandwagon, it’s clear that this shift in strategy will spell disaster for some car brands. As it stands today, Honda seems to be one of the very few still makers holding onto its sedans – and the all-new Honda Accord is testament to that. Redesigned from the ground up and packed with everything you’d normally expect from an extravagant German cruiser, the Accord seems to encroach – for the first time since its launch in 1976 – into a quasi-luxury segment that gives its rivals a run for its money; looks included. While previous versions of the Accord were well and truly within the realms of what was hot on the

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H O N DA AC C O R D 1 . 5 T S P O R T

Team Y finds the Japanese giant is content to buck a modern trend, in offering a sedan that still cuts it market then, the new one seems to usher in a design language that’s daring enough to distinguish it from the drab. In fact, sleek headlamps complete with LEDs are now standard across the range, and even the thick chrome that flanks the grille comes as an added touch of aesthetic that we love. The Accord now sits on a lower and wider profile to aid sportiness, and character lines are so sharp that it belongs in a designer’s dream. There’s no other way to put it: this may very well take the cake for being the most stylish sedan from the East. This compromise for sportiness hasn’t resulted in any trade-offs, either – and that’s what makes this car special. For instance, the ride height is still adept enough to clear even the nastiest of speed bumps, and the added profile contributes to a longer wheelbase that extends to create enough space – 40 inches worth – for three adults in the back. Add the ‘Sport’ package to the mix and you’ll also receive an aggressive body kit with flared side skirts, larger 18-inch alloys, and a sleek lip spoiler to complement the coupe-like droop on the C-pillar. The deck lid and the trunk are virtually invisible to the naked eye. The rear is interesting too: dual chrome-tipped exhausts, large tail lamps, and a small rear windshield to round off what must be one of the quirkiest posteriors we’ve ever come across in a sedan. Our tester, the 1.5T Sport, sits as a base line for the car – offering only the fundamental features that sets this apart from its competitors. Still, you get a 7-inch infotainment screen that displays all the essentials: fuel economy readings, entertainment functions,

clock, and some other cool parameters. There’s also a customisable display on the instrument cluster that’ll offer you funky graphics along with the essential features. High-quality leatherette is standard on higher variants but our tester came with a blend of leatherette and fabric to offer a very soft yet comfortable surface. We also found the seats to be sizeable and quite compliant during long journeys.

D e s t i n at i o n

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

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

HONDA ACCORD 1.5T SPORT Specifications: • Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder • Transmission: CVT • Power: 192hp • Torque: 260Nms • Top Speed: 195kph Front-wheel drive 7-inch infotainment screen Cruise control Electric power steering Digital instrument cluster Chrome exhausts 18-inch alloy wheels 160-Watt audio system Full-LED headlamps 473-litres boot space Drive mode selector Sunroof Eight airbags ABS and EBD systems

Aside from these nuggets, you’ll also receive features such as paddle shifters, dual-zone automatic a/c complete with LEDs that change colour when you alter the temperatures, 160W audio system with four speakers, Bluetooth, cruise control, and eight airbags along with your usual suite of safety tech. Higher variants will also receive Honda Sensing, which includes safety features such as collision mitigation, radarguided cruise control, and several other features. Space inside, as we’d mentioned earlier is top-notch, with more than adequate room for five adult passengers. Meanwhile, boot space is pegged at 473 litres, which is enough to slot in three full-size suitcases and two more holdalls. Despite all that, it was the engine that made our tester stand out. At 1.5-litres, the new Accord boasts one of the smallest engine sizes in its class but the added high-pressure turbocharger then spools out just about enough steam to crank out 260Nms of

torque and 192hp. It’s an undeniably impressive engine that has the legs to haul the 1.5 tonne car from zero to 100kph in just about eight seconds. It may not be the sprightliest but where it shines is in fuel economy. At 16.4km/l, the Accord shadows most frugal pot-bangers out there – but keep in mind that the accompanying continuously variable transmission can spike up the revs to keep the engine within the power band if you’re not careful with the throttle. It does suffer from a hint of the rubber-band effect upon hard acceleration but at least it picks up speed faster than its competitors. The paddle shifters keep the shift points in check in ‘sport’ mode and can work on providing engine braking when required. Ride comfort from the high profile 235/45 rubber is excellent, and the electric steering is tuned to be responsive and quite soft at low speeds. Characteristically, there’s a noundulations feel in the steering but it’s up to you whether you like it or not. We also liked the strong yet linear brakes. The all-new Honda Accord may very well be a ‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’ – at least among the budget sedan range. It ticks all the

THE ALL-NEW HONDA ACCORD MAY VERY WELL BE A ‘WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING’ – AT LEAST AMONG THE BUDGET SEDAN RANGE. IT TICKS ALL THE BOXES YOU’D EXPECT FROM A CAR IN THIS SEGMENT, AND, BETTER STILL, IT’LL GIVE YOU BETTER MILEAGE THAN MOST ECONOBOXES. boxes you’d expect from a car in this segment, and, better still, it’ll give you better mileage than most econoboxes. And for that very reason, the Accord still commands respect in a market that’s slowly shunning sedans for SUVs. Perhaps this is the overhaul that the automotive industry requires: looks, check. Features, check. Price, check. Honda haven’t left any stone unturned.

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CARS ADVENTURES

BEAUTIFUL BUDAPEST Hungary’s capital city boasts some of Europe’s most impressive historical architecture.

1. Visit Buda Castle by taking the funicular from Chain Bridge. 2. Gaze at the Crown Jewels on a tour around the Parliament Buildings. 3. Stroll along the banks of the Danube Promenade for stunning views. 4. Inspect the magnificent art works at The Museum of Fine Arts. 5. Relax, and let the kids run wild at the 300acre City Woodland Park.

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Destination

Cars

Y- F i

G a m i n g POSTCARDS FROM

Gemma Harrison recommends

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY I

t takes a pretty impressive city to inspire someone to write about it - especially if they haven’t been there. The British pop star George Ezra admits he hadn’t visited Hungary’s capital before he penned his global hit ‘Budapest’. Still, the Hungarian Embassy in London was so pleased with his efforts that a diplomat surprised him on a talk show by awarding him a special medal. The fact is, all our hearts should be in Budapest. It’s one of the world’s grandest cities; with an impressive skyline so beloved of cruise ship TV commercials for so long. It’s a city that enjoys a stunning natural setting while boasting a magnificent array of architectural treasures that range from Roman ruins to bastions of Baroque splendour and monolithic-but-magnificent monuments to Modernism. There’s also a gastronomic tradition here to tantalise the taste-buds of tourists, and it delivers on the dining front at prices THE that are very reasonable for a European capital. Basically, the city gets its name from being split into two by the River Danube: the hilly Buda on one side, the flatter Pest on the other. The 19 th century Chain Bridge connects the two districts. Buda includes the commanding Royal Palace, and most of the Ottoman-era Turkish baths (the city is the king of spa towns) while Pest brims with magnificent Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture, a rich array of museums and art galleries and a vibrant array of cafés, eateries, shops, and street life. Of course, Hungary gave the world goulash, but that’s not all there is to gush about when it comes to dining out. Here, the foodie scene encapsulates the mood of the city: hearty, versatile, unpredictable, and rarely disappointing. From café or street snacks consisting of kolbasz (spicy sausages) to kacsamell (seared duck); from lunchtime nosh like salmon with sweet potato or Turkish-style salads topped with zingy dips; there are also Michelin-starred establishments. Hungarians are ardent meat eaters, sure, but there are enough eateries here to keep vegetarians and vegans happy. But it’s better not to have a full stomach when checking out the city’s thermal baths, one of which is the Gellert Thermal Baths. Entry costs less than 10 Euros, and whether you choose to take a steam bath or sauna; a lap or two of its indoor swimming pool set amid its venerable Victorian colonnades just has to be done. If swimming isn’t your thing, simply stretch the legs with a walk around the myriad attractions. It’s a very walkable city but offers excellent public transport that covers bus, tram, and metro.

My favourite place

Ambling around Castle Hill is an absolute delight. The area reeks of history, but from a more downto-earth perspective. It’s split between Buda Castle and what would have been the homes of its servants. Bijou-like and Baroque, these 18th century residences can’t fail to fascinate. While many of the front gables were destroyed amid battles down the years, some still stand on their original walls. A stroll through this area’s narrow, winding alleyways offers a window on the world of ordinary folk, pre-industrial era.

V IC T O R

IA N - E R AS BATHS ZECHENYI

U N G A R IA B OW L OF H Y T R A E H A ASH B E E F G OU L

Highlights While so much of the city’s magnificent architecture will keep you busy, it harks back to the city’s imperial heritage when the Hapsburgs ruled the roost for centuries. I loved the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum. Nestling under Castle Hill, the rock is a labyrinth of secret passageways that have been used for various purposes since ancient times. During the time of the Cold War, the hospital was secured against nuclear contamination and is now a museum. One of its most impressive exhibitions depicts the ghastly realities of deploying nuclear weapons, and it’s both chilling and informative. Lowlights None Souvenirs A pair of Tizsa trainers is one cool option. Before the Iron Curtain came down in 1989, this Hungarian brand was what teenagers sported then instead of Adidas or Nike (which would have raised too many questions even if people could have smuggled them in!). The brand is enjoying a resurgence, and can only be bought in Hungary. Authentic handmade embroidery from the country’s Matyo region is another worthy memento.

Getting there Turkish Airlines operate regular flights from Muscat via Istabul, which takes nine hours. Another option is Emirates, flying via Dubai, which takes ten hours.

Where to stay As Hungary was once half

of the mighty Hapsburg-ruled Austo-Hungarian empire, there is a fair number of majestic buildings that are now hotels, such as The Corinthia Hotel or The Four Seasons Gresham Palace. However, Hungary’s post-war Communist era has made for a few rather more funky options. Formerly, hotels with forbidding-looking front elevations such as the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus can really inject some Cold War intrigue into your trip. Check out options online with sites such as Trivago, Booking.com, Kayak.com and Expedia.

THE IC ONIC C H DIVIDE AIN BRIDGE T S THE HAT CITY

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-FI

THE TECH IN YOU

D e s t i n at i o n

Cars

Gaming

Y- F I

THE HIGH ROAD

Advances in car technology have made motoring easier and more rewarding, as the Y Geek Squad finds out GUIDING THE WAY

RIDE CONTROL

Just like advancements in airplanes have made flying safer so has driving been made easier with new in-car technologies. While features such as cruise control – a system that allows drivers to set their desired speed while driving – have been around in cars since the early 1990s, it’s only recently that we have seen radar technology, which sets a distance between two cars and maintains speed. It works with a system that is in line with the shipping and aviation industry: Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging). This sends out constant bursts of waves that then return to receivers to help the car track a vehicle in front. Added elements such as lane and twocar tracking (systems that can track two cars ahead) have made this a much safer bet. Users can find this feature on cars from Nissan, Toyota, MercedesBenz, Honda, BMW among many others, and the feature can cost anywhere between RO200 and RO1,200 depending on the brand of car.

Forget those ugly and cumbersome leaf springs or regular shock multi-link suspensions, for the magnetic ride system is here to save the day. Not only does this make cars more comfortable during daily ALL-ROUND PROTECTION drives, it can also spice up your track day when required. Purists say that driving has never been It does that with an electrolesser-involved than it is today. With mechanical system that alters features that can drive you from A to B current in the shock absorber without human interaction (with the likes to change the density of the of Tesla and Volvo), there’s a general lack fluid to then achieve the of link between driver and car. However, desired driving dynamics. one of the lesser-appreciated technological From something that was aids is the parking sensor. These humble initially seen as a gimmick to dot-shaped add-ons fit right onto your car’s a feature that’s slowly being bumper and indicate the distance between pushed in as standard, it’s your car’s bumper and the front gate that clear that the magnetic ride you are inevitably bound to back up into. control is here to stay. You can The best part about these contraptions is get them installed from your that they’re cheap to fix and can be fitted local dealership as an option to any car. You can opt for parking sensors on higher-end cars such as while buying a car or you can buy them Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi from amazon.com for RO8.9 or even lesser and Jaguar from RO450 from vendors in Ruwi or Mabela. onwards.

A CONCERT ON WHEELS

EDITOR’S PICK

AUDIO SPEAKERS MAKE UP ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED TECH TOYS EVER FITTED TO A CAR. WHILE THEY SERVE NO SIGNIFICANT PURPOSE OTHER THAN OFFERING ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS THEY ARE OFTEN SEEN AS A VITAL PART OF DRIVING. THINK ABOUT THIS: HOW DRAB WOULD DRIVING BE WITHOUT SOME TUNES IN THE BACKGROUND? THE WHOLE ‘THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS’ MOVIE FRANCHISE AND THE RAP MUSIC INDUSTRY WOULD TURN INTO DUDS. AMONG THE BEST WE’VE TESTED THIS YEAR IS THE JBL GTO609C, AN ALL-ROUNDER THAN BRINGS IN THE BEST OF BOTH BASE AND DEEPER TONES FOR THE ULTIMATE LISTENING EXPERIENCE. THIS MODEL PACKS A PUNCH AT 270W ALTHOUGH YOU CAN EKE MORE OUT BY ADDING A SUB-WOOFER. ALL OF THAT MAKES THIS THE BEST CONTENDER IN THE SEGMENT – AND BETTER STILL, IT WILL ONLY SET YOU BACK RO38 FROM AMAZON.COM.

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Top Multiplayer Games of All Time

The Y Geek Squad pulls the lever on the dark side of gaming while picking out the deadliest and most daunting

ultiplayer games: once heralded as the dark side of gaming, the genre has become one of the leading gameplay choices. From silly but catchy games such as ‘PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’ to more story-led ones such as the ‘Call of Duty’ titles, we’re hooked on these games like never before. It’s a definite change in the landscape, yes. But, it’s one that was foreseen decades ago… and these three titles define what a successful multiplayer option should be. Everything else is relegated to the passenger seat. COUNTERSTRIKE: SOURCE The name Counter-Strike has become analogous to online multiplayer espionage gaming with Source – the developer Valve Corporation’s and Turtle Rock Studios’

second release – which turned out to be a game changer when unveiled back in 2004. The game’s allure comes from its stellar game physics, which aside from a handful of niggles when playing online, still allows gamers to connect and take each other on in a classic game of terrorists and counter-terrorists. The results speak for themselves: the game was the most-played multiplayer tactical warfare game until recent titles such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and the like jumped on the bandwagon. This is the forefather of all first-person shooter multiplayer titles. PLATFORMS: PC, MAC OS AND LINUX GRAND THEFT AUTO V Adding a wellrounded title such as the Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) to this list is like asking someone to buy a supercar and then advising them to drive it around town at 60kph – it just doesn’t work that way. Similarly, GTA V is one game that must be admired for its intricate storyline and standalone single player gameplay. Yet, we’re a bit hard-set on ignoring the features that make this one of the best multiplayer

games of all time. A large map consisting of several towns and an ecosystem that allows for versatility makes this one of the best games we’ve tried out, ever. The rules are simple: you find your enemy and shoot them down. It doesn’t matter what you do. You could simply record every bit of gameplay and narrative to form a movie, or simply hunt down enemies like you would in ‘Call of Duty’. PLATFORMS: PS4, XBOX ONE AND PC DOTA 2 As wonderful as the game was, Dota 2 broke more friendships than it ever made. The reasons for that are plenty, the main one of which is an intricate schematic that asks each player to defend their own lands and military bases with personnel. Each game took several hours of playtime and even more amounts of planning and strategy. However, with great investments also come great risks – and even as the popularity of the game grew, its overall gameplay had a steep learning curve that not many could scale. Those that did have no friends left – and we’re not exaggerating. PLATFORMS: PC, MAC OS AND LINUX MAR JULY 28 - 03 APR- 03 09 / ISSUE 563 327

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

FASHION

COUNTERCULTURE COUTURE

The ‘Summer of Love’ was a moment in time in 1967 that defined an era of music, art, fashion and culture. What that counterculture generation would think of the wave of ‘hippy modernism’ seen on this season’s 2019 spring runways, we’re not sure. But we’d wear this carefree ensemble from Chloé anyway.

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Photo credit: www.vogue.com

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T t Ge

k o o L e h

The ultimate earthy accessory, this beaded wood bag from MANGO is as about as close to nature as you’ll ever sling over your shoulder. Make it yours for RO30.7.

, reet ook t s l gh e hi get the h t d to you to n e gh ps e hi att hel h t rr Fromlee Sta Ash

Look breezy at the beach – or brunch – in this red print frill maxi-dress from River Island that will have you channeling your inner flower child! Grab it for RO25.4.

Trade tie-dye for twisted in this knotty cutwork top from Miss Selfridge that balances a boho feel with a punchy, citrusy shade that will make sure you don’t go unnoticed! Snag it for RO14.2.

No 60s-inspired ensemble is complete without a set of bangles or love-beads. This multi-textured elemental cuff bracelet from M&S does the trick nicely. Get it for RO6.3.

If there’s one living legend that captures the free spirit of the hippie and bohemian movements, it’s Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks. Grab inspiration from her head-gear of choice in this sleek black fedora from River Island. Don it for RO12.6. Trade in your Birkenstocks for something a little chunkier yet no less earthy. We love this pair of square-heeled sandals with suede lacing from Call It Spring. Walk away with them for RO19.2.

Flaunt your flower power where everyone can see it with these face-framing abstract rose petals earrings from Zara that are the perfect reimagined accessory. Wear them for RO8.9.

Glide along with grace in a pair of high-waisted, wide-legged trousers that will make it seem like your feet aren’t even touching the floor. Trust us – these aren’t your mother’s bell-bottoms! Own them for RO149.14 from Ulla Johnson.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

BEAUTY

SMOOTH

OPERATOR

Pierce Brosnan may have been a poster boy for L’Oreal but would James Bond really get to grips with grooming? Roger Evans scratches his bushy beard for answers, while bristling at the notion that men need to moisturise

“

Are you too much of a man to spend time on grooming?” This was a question – albeit, rhetorical – posed to me recently by a friend down at a local eatery here in Oman as we clinked glasses over supper. My scruffy beard and dry skin probably didn’t aid the cause, thus prompting her regard for my lack of self-grooming. But she had a point. Like many other men out there, I consider self-care and grooming tedious. It’s not a crude observation but rather a fact revealed by analytics company CB Insights, which pegs the men’s grooming industry at a mere US$45bn (RO17.3bn) when women pull in almost ten times as much, at US$445bn. The reluctance towards personal care is evident yet it’s one men are in denial about. Things are changing, though, according to a bunch of optimists throwing statistics at beauty and health websites. And as projections for the industry are expected to grow more as men take charge of their grooming, it was time for me to give it a go. A challenge soon presented itself: to get set for a gala night at under RO150 – and I had a week to prep for all this… with the help of a male beautician, of course. All the way from haircare to more intricate details such as pore cleansing and the like, I’d be giving it my best shot. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to how I achieved this, and how I subsequently grabbed the ‘best-groomed man’ award away from a bunch of handsome, highfalutin dudes at said swanky do. Get combing Whether you decide to don a slick-back ducktail or a more pompous pompadour, it’s important to get the right hair product that suits your style and texture of hair. We may all fantasise about sporting a gaudy Justin Timberlake or Tom Cruise-esque hairstyle – but there will come a point in life when you’ll know that there’s not enough money in the world to get you there. Your best bet then would be to opt for a tight-hold hairspray, or hair gel, if you’re allergic to aerosol and perfume. The Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Texturizing Sea 042

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Spray is one product that can stand the rigours of nature. Apart from that, the spray can also have your hair looking fuller by adding a bit more texture. You can get it from amazon.com for RO8. Bring out the blade A quick 10-minute nip to the salon can go a long way. However, if you – like us – find it hard to beat the clock, then it’s time to take matters into your own hands. Not only will trimming your beard weekly reduce bacterial growth in your face, it’ll also add to your charm… we promise. The Panasonic ER-GB80-S is our favourite this year. Its 39-setting trimmer is perfect for attaining the look you desire and it’ll also provide you control of up to 0.5mm. Get yours from LuLu Electronics for RO30. Wash it away GSimple and easy; a face wash cream – if chosen wisely – can save you from constant trips to the salon for facials. While most face wash creams are capable of deep pore cleansing, they’re known to cause dryness and patches. However, we’ve come across one that blends natural ingredients with a bit of beauty ingenuity to attain the perfect recipe for the summer that lies ahead. Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash stands out for two reasons: one, it’s 99 per cent natural; and two, the added charcoal means it’s great for men with sensitive skin. It’ll set you back RO9.6 from amazon.com. Complement the face wash with a face cream or moisturiser that suits your skin type. Brush up Pssst! We’ve got exclusive news for you: 10 out of 10 dentists agree that brushing your teeth daily will increase your dental hygiene, reduce bacteria and viruses, and also curb your chances of contracting potential infections such as ulcers or oral thrush. The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Electric 9300 Series toothbrush claims to remove up to 10-times more germs and plaque from your teeth. The electric toothbrush also makes way for different types of heads that can suit the sensitivity of your teeth. Buy this from amazon.com for RO74.

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AGE-OLD MYTHS Society is often dismissive of the elderly, as Y’s cover story explored last week. Getting old is a challenge, says Stella Mason, but it’s one we can meet with grace, as well as grit

t’s the one thing in life that belies the maxim ‘what goes up must come down’. Age creeps up on all of us, and often requires us to change tack both professionally and personally so that we can live our days instead of counting our years. The Canadian author Carl Honoré believes a ‘revolution’ is on the way in how we can manage our lives in old age. In his new book ‘Making the Most of Our Longer Lives’ he claims we’re in the midst of a “longevity revolution” and that we should make the most of the “demographic bounty” denied our ancestors. These include ripping up the script that dictates devoting our young lives to getting an education, our middle lives to family years, and our elderly lives to leisure. Honoré thinks we should carry on learning from start to finish, remaining active and energetic throughout our lives. The author is big on YouTube, with plenty of followers hanging on to his every word; and that can only be a good thing. Mind you, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg once pompously proclaimed that “young people are simply smarter”, without providing any evidence to back this up. But his assertion is rather refuted by the fact that some of the world’s most prominent politicians are not exactly spring chickens (Memo to Mark: ‘check your facts’). Last time I looked, the President of the United States was north of 70 and the German Chancellor has long since been eligible for her free bus pass.

And the British actress/ex-politician Glenda Jackson is taking to the Broadway stage this year to play King Lear, Shakespeare’s most demanding role. Jackson is 82. For his part, Honoré travels the globe expounding his views and speaking to influential figures belying society’s preconceptions of age. But how much resonance does his message have for those of us who aren’t rich or powerful? And what does Honoré, a mere 51, really know about it anyway? Most of us have jobs to keep, bills to pay, kids to feed, grandchildren to look after; and we do what we have to do to get by. In our normal, regular lives coping with aging is a matter of attitude, which means accepting that we are all going to get old – and making the most of it. That means not panicking when you finger your first grey hair or notice that your ‘laughter’ lines are pinching a bit more than they used to. It requires smiling when the delivery driver calls you ‘Ma’am’ instead of ‘Miss’, or chortling when you rush into M&S for some ready meals, and end up ambling over to the clothing racks. It also means coping with younger relatives who call you ‘Auntie’ and insist you sit down all the time. Their turn will come, and you can look down from above with a certain amount of schadenfreude when it does. At 68, I prefer to heed the words of legendary

feminist Betty Friedan, who proposed that “Age is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” Treat your senior years as if you’re planning a political campaign. Here are a few tips to get you started: Eat regular, healthy meals As you age, your body can’t absorb nutrients like it used to so ensure your diet consists of plenty of fruit and vegetables. You can also consider taking vitamin supplements. Take daily exercise It’s a no-brainer, isn’t it? Our metabolism slows as we age, our muscle tissue becomes less flexible and we lose bone density. Start gently, and build up but consult your doctor first. Keep your mind active Ensuring our brains remain active will halt any cognitive decline that could lead to dementia. This could include reading a really intensive book, doing crosswords or learning a language. Stay sociable Engaging in a group, be it simply at a party or a gathering or in a drama group, book club, or a sewing bee, is good for the soul. It’s a wellknown fact that loneliness precipitates decline in old age. Don’t live in the past While you may be tempted to wallow in nostalgia for supposedly happier times that have passed on, don’t do it. The key to this is ‘look back but don’t stare’. Yes, we were younger, fitter, more active, and productive, then; but life moves on. Editor’s Note: Team Y says: “This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the advice of a medical expert if you have any questions regarding a health issue.” (Sources: ‘Making The Most Of Our Longer Lives’ – Carl Honoré, Amazon) MAR 28 - APR 03 / ISSUE 563

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Chef Guillaume Joly brings his culinary ‘savoir-faire’ to the Kempinski Hotel Muscat, blending local ingredients with global flavour

Culinary

CONVERSATIONS

Sometimes, a little advice from the pros goes a long way to inspiring us home-chefs to think outside the cupboard! We sit down with the Kempinski Hotel Muscat’s Executive Chef Guillaume Joly to talk about his passion for food, which ingredients he can’t live without, and how time is relative

f you’ve ever dined out at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat and were left thinking about the meal you had for the rest of the week – there’s a reason for that. And his name is Chef Guillaume Joly. As the hotel’s Executive Chef, he’s the culinary talent who leads the Kempinski’s Food & Beverage teams to push the envelope and tantalise our taste-buds. He’s also recently been nominated for

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‘Executive Chef of the Year’ at the Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2019. In a stellar career spanning 25 years, he has worked for some of the industry’s top French chefs such as Georges Blanc and Alain Dutournier, and has cooked for the three-Michelin-starred French restaurant Troisgros. Chef Guillaume’s culinary journey has taken him across the globe from Moscow to the UAE.

Reviews

Here, we find out what makes him tick in the kitchen. Y: You’ve been leading the Kempinski Hotel Muscat’s culinary team since its preopening stage. That’s no small assignment! What have been some of the highlights and challenges? GJ: The opening of a hotel in itself is a big challenge, let alone ten restaurants and lounges. During the first period of opening, my main goal was to provide training for the team members as per the standard for each outlet, in terms of food taste and plating. We also had to source high-quality products from a variety of suppliers, which is crucial to the guest experience. With all this in place, the next phase was to ensure that guests are satisfied with their dining experience, and evolve our style to ensure the authenticity of each outlet while tweaking our dishes to satisfy the diner. In that sense, the culinary team has succeeded in its aim to provide our guests with authentic dishes that translate across a variety of palates, which I believe is a great highlight. Y: How do you find new ways to integrate the culinary heritage of Oman within the hotel’s F&B offerings? GJ: We source many products locally as much as possible – such as Omani rock lobster, shrimps, and oysters. Our eggs are locally-sourced and free-range, and an amazing variety of micro-herbs used in our dishes can be found in Oman. Last but certainly not least, all our dates are Omani. Y: What excites you most about the achievement of your nomination for ‘Executive Chef of the Year’ at the Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2019? GJ: Being nominated is truly an honour to be part of a select group of my peers from across the region and I aim to share my passion for cooking with guests and fellow chefs alike. Being the only Executive Chef from Oman in this category, I hope to come out with a win with the support of the community – as the winners are based on votes. Y: Tell us a little bit about the recipes you’re sharing here – what makes them stand-out dishes? GJ: The Omani Rock Lobster Salad found at Zale pays tribute to Oman’s rich marine life, adding

a twist with fresh citrus and pomegranate, and brought together with olive oil. The Wadi Cheese Cake is the hotel’s signature dessert, using local ingredients such as dates, coconuts and goat cheese to infuse what is typically a Western dessert.

Omani Rock Lobster Salad § 5g orange segments § 5g pomegranate seeds § 5g lemon segments § 1g sumac § 3g panko crumbs Dressing § 550ml, local olive oil § 30ml, lemon juice § 3g coriander leaves § 3g chives § Salt to taste § 1g peppercorns

Y: Now for the cookery lightning round! Olive oil or butter – and why? GJ: Ideally both! Olive oil for fish, starters, and salads while butter is for meat – especially beef. I sometimes use a combination of both. However, olive oil is the healthy option. Y: What’s your favourite latenight snack? GJ: A nice piece of French cheese. Y: What’s your favourite kitchen tool – and why? GJ: Without a good knife, a chef cannot be precise. Y: Finally, we hear you’re an amateur horologist – someone who collects timepieces – and you’ve got over 45 from 1950 to 1980. How did you stumble upon such a unique hobby in your spare time? GJ: My passion for watches started 15 years ago while I was in Moscow collecting vintage watches. I love the design and the tremendous craftsmanship put in to produce these watches and I believe it has a connection with cooking. When you look at a watch, it’s hard to imagine all the work put into something so small. Similarly, years of dedication and passion go into a dish served in restaurant – no matter how simple the dish may seem.

Poached local Omani lobster is infused with citrus fruits, pomegranate seeds, and a sumac crumble, drizzled with local olive oil. Ingredients: § 120 grams (g) Omani rock lobster meat § 20g local farm cherry tomatoes § 5g Sakura mix (mixed baby herbs)

Method: § Poach the lobster in hot water with a slice of lemon and salt. § In a mixing bowl add dressing ingredients and whisk well. § Heat the non-stick pan, adding the panko crumbs and sumac powder, and toss on a slow flame until they turn light brown in colour. § Slice the poached lobster, arrange it on a serving plate, and pour the dressing. § Arrange the lemon, orange, and grapefruit segments, garnish with pomegranate seeds and sakura mix leaves, and serve cold.

Wadi Cheese Cake This wadi-inspired cheese cake is steeped in Omani dates and coconut, a goat cheese mousse, and French meringue. Portion: Serves 10 Ingredients: § Roasted coconut biscuit § 80g fresh coconut flesh § 80g coconut powder § 75g brown sugar § 75g sugar § 20g all-purpose flour § 0.5g baking powder § 175g soft butter § 120g egg whites § 200g chopped dates § 75g raisins French meringue § 180g whipped egg white § 50g sugar Goat cheese mousse § 300g fresh goat cheese § 50g sugar § 1 g Arabic spice § 6 pieces, gelatin leaves

§ 300g whipped cream Method: § In a food processor, add the first seven ingredients and blend without allowing the butter to melt. § Add the chopped dates, raisins, and egg whites. § Add the French meringue and place on a baking tray. § Heat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius and bake for 30 minutes. § Glaze the goat cheese mousse with natural glaze. § Top off with Omani dates and Arabic crumble and serve.

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N e w R e s t a u r a n t REVIEWS Info Box

D’ARCY’S KITCHEN Shatti Al Qurum, opposite Oasis By The Sea Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. (Sat-Wed) 8:30 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. (Thurs & Fri) Contact: (+968) 2460-0234 Lunch for two: RO17.1

an id-R

Verdict : 9/10 SERVICE 9/10 FOOD 7/10 AMBIENCE

D’ARCY’S KITCHEN A HEALTHIER TAKE ON COMFORT FOOD IS WHAT MAKES THIS SHATTI AL QURUM DINER A HOMESTYLE FAVOURITE

e all long for a taste of home. Serving an appetite for the familiar, a home-cooked meal is a quintessential part of our shared cultural identity and brings warmth, comfort and satisfaction to the table. You don’t have to speak the same language to understand the language of love, friendship and family that is associated with food. There’s a reason home food is called ‘soul food’, and it’s a dialect our hearts (and bellies) know well. This applies to every single one of us although expats may seek it out a little more often to connect to their collective culinary memory and the sense of time and place it evokes. So, it was with high hopes and a raging hunger that we headed to D’Arcy’s kitchen, mid-day on a cloudy Friday to join the casual collection of family and foodies staking out a place on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace – rain, be darned! Located in Shatti Al Qurum, in the promenade of shops and restaurants directly across from the Oasis By The Sea complex, D’Arcy’s has been a comfort-food staple for years. This, however, was our first sampling of its selection of British-style fare, which has been tarted up for the healthconscious. The omens are good, as the full patio and small interior dining area are busy while the terraces of its surrounding neighbours remain vacant on the weekend morning. Known for its hearty breakfasts, it’s a popular AM spot. But as we’ve already crossed the threshold into brunch territory with our timing, we opt for some of the lunch-time specials. With the terrace tables full we head inside and grab a seat at the last available two-seater table, located near the kitchen pass. Decked out to look like your grandmother’s kitchen – a yellow and

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blue calico colour scheme predominates alongside shelves full of knick-knacks your gran might have picked up at the local bring-and-buy sale. It’s kitsch yet comforting. And the service is prompt, friendly, and fast – given it’s a full house and all hands on deck for the lunch crowd rush. Our waitress Hellen is quick to take our order and answer our questions about the menu – which ranges from the best of breakfast to classic sandwich platters, hearty burgers, fresh salads and Buddha bowls, and freshly-squeezed juices – with no sugar added. We opt for a comforting bowl of Molly’s Chicken Soup, and an order of Classic Caesar Salad and a crisp and refreshing blend of fresh carrot and orange juice to get us started. The wait is fleeting, and our salad arrives in short order tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing that doesn’t skimp on the condiment-to-lettuce-leaf ratio, and the bowl of soup is piping-hot. Always a sucker for Caesar – let’s face it, it’s the comfort food of salad and while probably the least nutritious of all the green options, it’s still healthy enough to justify ordering it, and saucy enough to make the extra calories worth it. Something we’ve noticed since moving to the GCC region is that most restaurants just don’t get their house-made Caesar dressing quite right. Rather than the taut and zingy goodness it should have – pungent with Parmesan and anchovy – most experiences we’ve had have essentially had us spreading what were dollops of mayo on our salad. Not here. D’Arcy’s, refreshingly and thankfully, gets it right. The same goes for the portion of Molly’s Chicken Soup. A clear broth is made fragrant with chopped scallions and, floating in the hearty stock, with chopped veg and delicate chunks of pulled rotisserie chicken. It’s the perfect starter for a rainy day, and we spend more than a few minutes trying to suss out the mystery spice that lingers on our palate. Nutmeg or cinnamon is

Soul food speaks at this family diner serving up healthier takes on British homestyle fare at prices that won’t leave you losing your appetite.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

the final verdict but either way it adds a surprising richness and depth of flavour that has us diving deep with each spoonful. Next up we order a portion of their Grilled Chicken Alana and their signature Chef ’s Chicken Burger. It’s comfort food without a doubt but guilt-free as we soon find out. This seems to be the trick of the trade that D’Arcy’s hangs it hat on – making flavourful comfort food (diner-style no less!) healthy again. The burger arrives with a heaping patty made from delicately-herbed chicken mince – not a deep-fried chicken breast as we expected – and served with dollops of D’Arcy’s own homemade special sauce and lightly-melted cheese. Sides of thick-cut chips that have been baked (not fried) and piled up in one corner of the plate are balanced out by a garden green salad on the other. It’s a homely platter we don’t mind devouring in one sitting although the chips are so plentiful we just have to pack them for a takeaway. Following on the heels of that is the Grilled Chicken Alana. For anyone who goes to a diner and just can’t help but order the chicken fingers and fries – this one’s for you. But instead of greasy, crispy batter; tender strips of chicken are tossed in the lightest flour coating mixed with fresh oregano and rosemary, and Parmesan cheese and then lightly baked to perfection. You still get that desired crispy element thanks to the perfectly-golden cheese crust, while the herbs’ light flavour evoke memories of a Sunday roast chicken. Served with a fresh side salad and their house-made Thousand Island dressing, the plate gets polished off. We find friendly service amid a hometown diner ambience with a stellar menu of elevated comfort food favourites? Who is D’Arcy – we’d like to meet her and say thanks for the leftovers. ■ Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com.

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