Y Magazine #552, January 10, 2019

Coffee with Y OMANI HIP-HOP’S RISING STAR 24 hours in Oman

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LAYOVER!

News: DUQM AIRPORT TO OFFICIALLY 10 OPEN ON JANUARY 14

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DESTINATION: Kalbu TASTE TEST: Shang Thai YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

JAN 10 -16 2019 / ISSUE 552 • WEEKLY

FOOD FOR

THOUGHT

PLUS!

JUST HOW SAFE IS EATING OUT IN THE SULTANATE? WITH CASES OF FOOD POISONING ON THE RISE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WE’RE TUCKING IN TO FIND OUT HOW, IN SPITE OF RIGOROUS MUNICIPAL CRACKDOWNS ON FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE STANDARDS, ROGUE RESTAURANTS ARE CONTINUING TO MAKE US SICK

FIRST DRIVE: MITSUBISHI ASX, THE ULTIMATE 01 NOVEMBER 24SUV? / ISSUE 258

34

YUMMY OMAN: FLU-FIGHTING SUPERFOODS

44

POSTCARD: BEIRUT, LEBANON

36

EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

A

s we grab and go in our morning rush, how many times have we ignored the ‘Best Before’ date on that tub of yoghurt? Or come home from the supermarket with a few tubs of what you thought were fresh berries, only to have them go off the next day even though you ate around the mouldy ones anyway?

When it comes to food safety we often take a lax approach. We put a greater value on money wasted/lost on what we don’t consume or let spoil rather than the health risks of frying up that greyish kilo of mince, hoping for the best rather than letting it go to waste.

If this is the standard we hold ourselves up to in our homes, is it the same standard that we’re applying to the food and beverage retail industry? Whose job is it to ensure accountability when it comes to food safety? The answer, in a world where more than 400,000 people die globally each year as a result of foodborne illness, is ‘everyone’s’.

This week, our cover feature delves into the world of the food and beverage industry to find out how dangerous dining in Oman can be if health and safety are put below profits. We also speak to a food inspector from the Municipality who reveals the state of some restaurants in the Sultanate – and what steps are being taken to curb unsanitary kitchens.

Also in this issue, we meet one of Oman’s first rising hip-hop stars, and, show you how to spend 24 hours in Muscat on your next layover. Plus, we go behind the wheel of the new Mitsubishi ASX in First Drive while Yummy Oman brings you some comforting superfood recipes to help you fight that seasonal flu!

Until next week, happy reading!

Team Y EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi ADMIN MANAGER Yousef Al Harrassi ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

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@ytabloid /ytabloid

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan MANAGER – DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Umair Mehmood

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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman.

JAN 10 - 16 / ISSUE 552

03

contents JAN 10 - 16

Your Oman 08 Voice Of Oman

Dr. Baby Sam Saamuel 10 News

Two women killed in

Salalah car crash 12 News

Duqm Airport to open

this week

This Week 18 The best of brunch

The ever-popular Big

Chill brunch is back

for the New Year,

kicking off this

Friday, January 11

at the Crowne Plaza OCEC. 19

10

2019

38 Y-Fi

Virtual office

38

Hunger pangs Just how safe is it to eat out in the Sultanate?

With cases of food poisoning on the rise in Oman we’re putting on our gloves to get down and dirty with the issue of food safety across the nation.

22

Coffee with Y We find out what it takes to break into global hip-hop with Omani rapper Salim Ghalib.

19 Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Mitsubishi ASX

20

Movies 28 How to spend 24 hours

in Muscat Will Ferrell and

Grab your e-visa, get out John C. Reilly

of the airport and team up as the

explore on your next iconic detective duo layover! in ‘Holmes & Watson’, but are they raking in the laughs?

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Kalbu

Features

Food and Drink

40 Fashion

Teen trends

44 Yummy Oman

Flu-fighting superfoods

42 Beauty

The short cuts

46 Taste Test

Shang Thai

40

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

Close is a closer Glenn Close edged out Lady Gaga at the Golden Globes on Sunday while the other big winner was the Queen film ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

Close, 71, won the Golden Globe for Best Actress In a Motion Picture-Drama for her role in ‘The Wife’, and earned a standing ovation after an emotional speech.

Many film pundits had thought Lady Gaga would win the award for her role in ‘A Star Is Born’. However the film picked up just one gong, for Best Original Song.

Rami Malek picked up the Best Actor – Drama award for his role in the Queen film ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, beating Bradley Cooper (‘A Star Is Born’) to the prize. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ also took Best Motion Picture-Drama, beating – yes you’ve guessed it – ‘A Star is Born’.

New year, new start for Lovato Demi Lovato had a tough 2018, and spent some time in a rehabilitation centre. Since the songstress left, she has reportedly been healthy and happy with a positive outlook for the new year. She recently shared on Instagram a New Year’s message to her fans, sharing her gratitude for what she has discovered on her road to recovery, saying: “I’m so grateful for the lessons I’ve learned this year.

I’ll never take another day in life for granted – even the bad ones.

Thankful for my fans, friends, family, and everyone who supported me throughout this year.”

A stand-up fall ‘Girls Trip’ and ‘Night School’ actress Tiffany Haddish is also a stand-up comedian, but during a recent New Year’s Eve show in Miami fans walked out during her set after 06

JAN 10 - 16 / ISSUE 552

booing Haddish for forgetting her jokes. During the set she announced: “I really wanted to talk about some stuff, but I can’t remember any of it.” Fans Tweeted their disappointment and Haddish responded with an acknowledgement of how bad the show was, saying: “Yes this happened. I wish it was better, Miami. I have a strong feeling this will never happen again.” While receiving a lot of support from fellow comedians, she also got a lot of hatred on Twitter from fans. Can’t we give her a bit of a break, folks?

It’s Baby #4 for ‘Kimye’!

Kim Kardashian and husband Kanye West are expecting their fourth child. A baby boy, the child will be delivered via the same surrogate who carried their daughter Chicago.

Kim and Kanye have three other children: North, Saint, and Chicago. The latest arrival is due in May. Kanye drops out of Coachella And in more Kanye news, the rapper was in talks to headline the Coachella Festival in April, but it looks like he won’t be returning. Kanye announced that he was pulling out of the line-up because he believes the stage was artistically limiting and the festival organiser would not allow the structure to be altered or removed for West’s set.

Apparently the decision to pull out from the festival was mutually agreed upon and, now, the official headliners for Coachella 2019 are Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and Ariana Grande.

Backstreet Boys release new single!

Backstreet’s back once again with a new single to kick off 2019! ‘No Place’ is off their upcoming album ‘DNA’ which drops on January 25 and marks the group’s tenth studio album.

‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ and ‘Chances’ are also included on their highly-anticipated comeback release.

New music from Mike Posner Mike Posner is back with another new song off his upcoming third album ‘A Real Good Kid’. ‘Move On’ is a touching tribute to his father, his friend Avicii, and a lost love. The video clip is a compilation of home videos with an insightful commentary.

Despite the track’s undertone of grief and loss, Mike has an uplifting message that ties in well with his smooth vocals and catchy melody. ‘A Real Good Kid’ hits the airwaves on January 18.

Ozuna branches out

We all know reggaeton star Ozuna from the hit song ‘Taki Taki’ with Cardi B., Selena Gomez, and DJ Snake. Now, he’s dropping his first single since last year’s album ‘Aura’.

‘Baila Baila Baila’ is the first track to drop from his new album ‘Nibiru’ which will be coming out sometime this year. Watch this space for more!

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

DR. BABY SAM SAAMUEL, THE CHAIRMAN OF INDIAN SCHOOLS IN OMAN AND A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, TALKS ABOUT REBUILDING THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: The municipality is in overdrive to shut down restaurants violating the health and hygiene code, but several still beat the system.

Do you think restaurant and cafeteria owners are complying with the law – and have you come across any case of negligence in the Sultanate?

MOHAN ANANDAN

M

y decade-plus of life in Oman has taught me that we as a nation and as individuals have a lot of resilience. Even in the worst oil crises, when the economic predictions were at their most dire, the country showed what it is capable of.

There are many young people here who are aware of the market situation and have begun or will soon begin their careers, and are eager to make a difference. In 2019 and beyond, I see the tide turning in favour of a more diversified economy that maintains a healthy balance of traditional versus new age industries, without compromising the national ethos.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Oman is its uncompromising stand on social betterment. Most of these development projects proposed for the coming year could make the nation’s economy stronger and more diversified. Even if there may be a few hiccups in the initial phase, the focused approach undertaken by the government will surely yield returns in the years to come. The nation’s people are now more aware, and this transformed outlook will aid and support national development plans – be they in the private sector or public.

The current information age offers everyone a voice. But, as they say, with power comes responsibility. The initial global reaction to this newfound power has been to use social media to express our thoughts and opinions without consideration for others although in Oman, we see this less often.

These are very divided and divisive times. It is easy to fall into the trap of entitlement, self-gratification and intolerance.

In this new year, let us remember that we humans are created as social animals who need each other for our survival. I wish everyone a truly connected life online and offline, without the side effects we have seen over the past years.

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JAN 10 -16 / ISSUE 552

The hygiene standards of hotels and the quality of food served in eateries in Oman are certainly better than they used to be. Credit for this should go to the municipality for raising the quality bar high and undertaking periodical inspections to nab the violators. However, there will always be some who will find ways to beat the system and let the side down. Diners have to be alert and notify the authorities, besides boycotting such eateries, in case they find they are violating health and safety guidelines.

DR. TAMANNA DALWAI

I have personally not come across any gross negligence in the consumption of food products served at restaurants or cafeterias. However, I have heard some unfortunate experiences from close friends and family members. A couple of years ago, a pregnant friend experienced a severe case of stomach upset and continuous vomiting after eating a sandwich from a cafeteria. She had to be hospitalised and was found to have suffered a bout of food poisoning. Hopefully, cases such as this one will become less frequent, given that the the municipality is tackling rogue café and restaurant owners who breach the regulations.

This happened a few years back in Athaiba, where I had sushi served under a thick layer of hot sauce that I had never tasted before anywhere, anytime. The noxious effects started the same night and lasted for three days, at the end of which I was too exhausted to take it up legally. Although regretting not speaking up earlier, I am grateful that Y has brought it up so I can share my unfortunate experience with the readers to be extra careful, especially when it comes to raw foods. Hopefully, the municipality is conducting more frequent and thorough raids including kitchen staff’s documents verification, their attire, condition of workplace, adherence to food storage rules, marking, and more. This should force business owners and chefs to think twice before they violate the health and hygiene code. This should make eateries more competitive and qualitycentered, and more importantly, protect customers’ health.

MUTHUMARI PANDIAN

Good food hygiene is essential for restaurants to run properly. Lack of personal hygiene, improper handling of food, and dirty kitchen areas are some of the factors affecting the hygiene of restaurants. I have found some coffee shops don’t care too much about cleanliness so I have stopped going into them to eat their samosas. I have noticed some catering staff failing to wear hats. Thankfully, the municipality ELINA KARIMOVA is cracking down on some of these violators so Food hygiene is not always taken seriously by many in the catering business, where cutting costs perhaps our cafes will be forced to up their game. by serving expired or near-to-perish products PINKY ASIFF can save them money. I have experienced it and ended up in hospital with a bill totalling RO500. There are many hotels/restaurants that obey the

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municipality rules regarding food hygiene.

But there are also many that don’t, and their food (especially meat) often comes from frozen. My family and I have had some unfortunate experiences with shawarmas and are now very picky where we choose to buy, and eat them.

DR. RAO BHASKARA SUDDAPALLI

There is no denying that the Muscat munipality is leaving no stone unturned to enforce laws governing food storage, quality, hygiene and cleanliness in the catering sector.

Way back in September 2015, a review article published by Y magazine on this

WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

/YTABLOID

contentious issue is still fresh in my mind, with some 20 Omanis taking ill in a hotel in Saham. The whole issue of safety and hygiene in this arena has become more well-known, after the government stressed that food establishments were a vital part of the image of our country as a tourist destination. While stringent steps being taken by Muscat Municipality are welcome, monetary fines and/or a few days/months’ imprisonment are not enough to deter offenders. Closing down establishments, barring further licences, repatriating erring staff to their countries with life-long bans on re-entry to Oman may make some offenders think twice about flouting the law.

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THROUGH YOUR EYES

SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION Y reader Anand Pore captures the majesty of the Khasab mountains with his Canon IOS 1200D.

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

PHOTO: Anand Pore

JAN 10 -16 / ISSUE 552

09

NEWS

TWO WOMEN KILLED IN

T

SALALAH CAR CRASH

wo women have been killed in a car crash in Salalah, Royal Oman Police have confirmed.

The incident took place on Tuesday on Al Ribat street in the

Wilayat of Salalah, after being involved in a collision with another vehicle, according to police.

Dhofar Municipality officials have confirmed that they had warned officials of the need to build a crash barrier in the area where the incident took place.

In an online statement, it said: “Dhofar Municipality wishes to acknowledge that His Excellency the Minister of State and the Governor of Dhofar, has already addressed the Supreme Council for Planning and the concerned authorities on the need to make a concrete barrier in the centre island of Ribat Street in Salalah, because of its importance to traffic safety.”

NEW SHOPPING MALL PLANNED FOR AL KHUWAIR

A

shopping mall is to be built in Muscat’s Al Khuwair district in the wilayat of Bausher, officials have announced.

Muscat Municipality signed a deal with Bayan Investment Company to build the complex in Al Khuwair.

The agreement was signed by Muscat Municipality Chairman Mohsen bin Mohammed Al Sheik and the CEO of Bayan Investment Company, Sheikh Fahd bin Mohammed bin Hilal Al Khalili, at the municipality headquarters in Darsait.

It stipulates that Bayan Investment Company can use the plot of land (3,380 sqm) in Al Khuwair to build a mall and should start the project within one year.

A Municipality spokesman said: “The project is an integrated commercial complex consisting of two floors with a building area of 6,000 square

metres. The project also includes 36 commercial units and 200 parking spaces.”

He added that the contract includes the development, improvement, and maintenance works of Al Khuwair Park, as well as a children’s play area with new equipment and tools.

The company has pledged to maintain the project facilities throughout the project duration, and pay bills and other charges related to the delivery of these services.

WATER TAXI SERVICE TO LAUNCH IN MUSANDAM

A

water taxi service is being launched in Musandam as part of a plan to draw more tourists to the governorate, Muscat Daily reports.

The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) in Musandam is aiming to boost the governorate’s economy by the service.

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Around 250,000 tourists visited Musandam in the first nine months of 2018.

The maritime taxi route will be from Khasab to Kumzar and pass through the villages of Khor Sham and Lima.

Speaking exclusively to Muscat Daily, Raed bin Mohammed al Shehhi, Chairman of OCCI’s branch in Musandam said: “We call on firms to invest in this project which aims to develop tourism services in Musandam. Our goal is to provide a safe maritime transport and attract more tourists from within and outside the sultanate.”

He said that OCCI has started the registration process for anyone who wants to invest in this project.

“However, there should be a serious desire on the part of the investors to fund the project.”

OMAN OPEN

GALLERY

THE OMAN GOLF COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES THE OMAN OPEN 2019 GOLF TOURNAMENT IN A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE KEMPINSKI MUSCAT, THE OFFICIAL HOTEL OF 2019 OMAN GOLF.

JAN 10 - 16 / ISSUE 552

011

YOUR

OMAN

DUQM AIRPORT TO OPEN THIS WEEK

T

he Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) will celebrate the official opening of Duqm Airport on January 14 under the patronage of HE Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidi, Minister of Interior.

The airport occupies a total area of 27,386 sqm and has an estimated capacity of half a million passengers a year with the potential

to expand to 2 million passengers a year.

The airport includes a passenger building with an area of 9,614 sqm. It also includes an air navigation complex, a 38m air traffic control tower, an air cargo terminal with an area of 9,958 sqm and a runway 4km length and 75m wide.

There will also be connecting lanes and parking areas for four aircraft, as well as other facilities.

BOOST FOR JOB-SEEKERS WITH NEW EMPLOYMENT CENTRE

O

man’s Council of Ministers has approved a National Centre for Employment for both the public and private sectors.

The new facility will act as a one-stop centre for job-seekers,and is aimed at unifying employment efforts while linking the supply and demand of job opportunities in the Sultanate.

It aims to help job-seekers find employment and employers to find suitable candidates while providing support to both.

A government statement confirmed that “all aspects related to the centre will be completed before the end of February 2019.”

The first National Centre for Employment (NCE) aims to unite all employment services, according to the Implementation Support and Follow-up Unit (ISFU) of Tanfeedh.

LAND OF FRANKINCENSE LURES

MORE THAN 13,000 VISITORS

A

total of 13,511 tourists visited the Land of Frankincense sites in Dhofar in December last year, according to statistics from the Department of Frankincense Land Sites at His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s Advisor for Cultural Affairs’ office.

The number of visitors to Al Baleed Archaeological Park and Laban Museum reached 6,522 visitors, while the visitors of Samherm Archaeological Park reached 4,117. Visitors to Wadi Dooka Nature Reserve for frankincense trees reached 1,408 and the visitors to Obar Archaeological Site were 1,464.

Al Baleed, Samherm, Obar, and Wadi Dooka are registered sites on the World Heritage List under the name of Al-Laban lands.

The Office of His Majesty’s Advisor for Cultural Affairs develops and provides them with service and aesthetic facilities to promote cultural and archaeological tourism in Dhofar.

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TEAM SPIRIT

GALLERY

MORE THAN 200 OMANI TALENTS CAME OUT TO TAKE PART IN A UNIQUE ‘CASTING DAY’ RECRUITMENT DRIVE AT THE UPCOMING W MUSCAT HOTEL, WHICH IS SLATED TO OPEN IN THE QURUM BEACH AREA

JAN 10 - 16 / ISSUE 552

013

YOUR

HAPPY NEW YEAR

OMAN

THE SHANGRI-LA BAR AL JISSAH RESORT & SPA RANG IN 2019 WITH A FIRE AND ICE EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING THE REMIX BAND WHICH KEPT THE CROWD’S TOES TAPPING

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MIDNIGHT MADNESS

GALLERY

CROWDS OF NEW YEAR’S REVELERS WALKED THE RED CARPET AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL MUSCAT’S HOLLYWOOD NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH

JAN 10 - 16 / ISSUE 552

015

YOUR

FACES & FIGURES

OMAN

OMAN-BASED ARTISTS SONAL SHAH AND ILA RAVAL SHOWCASE THEIR WORKS IN AN EXHIBITION LAUNCH AT THE MAJLIS ART CAFE, CITY SEASONS HOTEL

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GALLERY

Photography by: Shaquel al Balushi Location: Qurum Style: Architecture Sunset illuminates the fluid lines of Qurum’s iconic waterfall fountain monument during a brief rush hour respite.

JAN 10 - 16 / ISSUE 552

017

The Big Chill Brunch is back for the New Year, kicking off this Friday January 11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel OCEC. Every Friday from 2:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. enjoy some of the best brunch offerings and delectable live stations at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, Mosaic.

And the best part? Bring your swim gear as the brunch include pool access too! Special beverage packages are available, and reservations are a must! To book call (+968) 9065-4364 or email dine.cpmocec@ihg.com.

JAN

11

THIS

WEEK

JAN

10

FAMILY FUN

THE BEST OF BRUNCH

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Oman’s annual Muscat Festival kicks off today and will end on February 9. Visitors can attend the festival from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day and the event will go on until midnight at the weekend.

This year’s event should have many cultural sporting and entertainment events. There will also be many exciting competitions to enter, as well as nightly firework displays. It is taking place at the joint venues of Naseem Garden and Amerat Park.

OPERATIC OVERTURES WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

J A N U A R Y Head down to the Royal Opera House Muscat’s Opera Galleria on Saturday, January 12 for a sneak peek performance of ‘Madama Butterfly’ at their Lunch Music series which features wonderful arias from popular operas, and fine instrumental music.

Giacomo Puccini’s iconic ‘Madama Butterfly’ opens on January 17 at ROHM. For more information visit www.rohmuscat.org.om.

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JAN

12

MOVIES MOVIES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 2479-1641

Zoe Cast: Ewan McGregor, Lea Seydoux, Theo James

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Holmes & Watson

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kit Harington, Gerard Butler

Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Ralph Fiennes With so many recent incarnations of the enigmatic English detective, it was always going to be less than elementary to come up with a fresh take on the tale.

In this, Holmes (Ferrell) and Watson (Reilly) are back on the trail of the dastardly Professor Moriarty (Fiennes), but all are doing it for laughs.

But going for cheap, tawdry gags all the way that simply provide a foil for director Etan Cohen’s take on US

The Super Cast: Patrick John Flueger, Val Kilmer, Louisa Krause

politics – ex: anti-gun law jokes, Trump jokes, gender politics jokes; is all a bit much.

And what on earth is the usuallyreliably-excellent Pam Ferris (playing Queen Victoria) doing in this piece of tosh?

This effort was directed by Etan Cohen, not to be confused with Ethan Coen. Pity it wasn’t the latter behind the camera; that’s all we can say.

Phil Lodge (Flueger) moves into an apartment building with his two daughters and starts settling in as its new superintendent.

His janitor Walter (Kilmer) is not the most social of employees but Phil decides to give him a long leash.

When some of the residents start disappearing, Phil begins to wonder if taking the job was a wise career move, and if Walter has a few problems he might want to find out about.

The premise of the film is OK but laboured direction, cheap thrills, and a less-than-riveting pace turns this in to a bit of a doozy.

It’s a shame. With a good director, this horrorthriller could have been really good. Maybe the studio just didn’t want to invest in a sound idea.

Still, it’s good to see Kilmer back, and he does brooding malevolence well without overdoing it.

Can androids love and feel the full gamut of human emotions?

In this, artificial intelligence engineer Cole (McGregor) creates the beautiful but artificial ‘Zoe’ and all goes swimmingly.

But when Cole can’t create a successful companion for Zoe, he ends up stepping into the breach himself.

His problem is that he will have to tell Zoe that she isn’t like him (in more ways than one). Love is blind and complex, but your average relationship has nothing on this one.

This is basically a love story between an android and its maker. It’s also a lovely film to look at, with some really striking cinematography. There’s also an excellent cameo from Christina Aguilera (pictured), who plays a synthetic escort.

It’s an artsy, sci-fi rom-com for those of you who fancy something a bit different.

!

This is the third and final instalment of the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, and there’s nothing like going out on a high.

For those of you who missed the first two, it’s basically about a community of colourful dragons who live in the town of Berk.

When pirates keep nabbing them, the remaining dragons have to keep rescuing them.

The two protagonists Hiccup and Toothless hold court and lead the charge.

But to stop the problem, they’ll have to defeat the sinister poachers’ leader Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham).

This is one of the most stunningly colourful animated films of all time; with creative CGI painting a palate of all manner of clouds, forests, caves, and waterfalls.

It’s a really lovely family movie, with subtle nods to the life lessons of friendship, loyalty, romance, and courage.

N WI

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Which former ‘Saturday Night Live’ comedian also stars in the ‘Holmes and Watson’ movie?

LAST WEEK’S WINNER Abdullah Masoud Saif

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

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Experience more VOX Cinemas magic! Discover

Now open near you at VOX Cinemas, Muscat Grand Mall Book your tickets at voxcinemas.com or the VOX app JAN 10 -16 / ISSUE 552

019

HungeR

pangs ROGUE RESTAURANTS ARE HITTING OMAN’S HOSPITALITY SECTOR HARD. DESPITE EFFORTS BY THE MUNICIPALITY TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM, HYGIENE STANDARDS OF SOME CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS ARE A DISGRACE. TEAM Y REPORTS ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY BREACHES THAT ARE MAKING UNWITTING DINERS SICK WHILE TAINTING THE SULTANATE’S REPUTATION AS A TOURIST DESTINATION

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T

he thought of getting more food than what you’ve ordered – for free – while dining at a restaurant is a delight like no other.

But it’s best enjoyed when what’s on the plate is an extension of the menu and not anything else.

And especially not one of these three rogue items: Salmonella, E. Coli or Norovirus – one of which is responsible for 30 people who simultaneously fell ill – with some vomiting while others suffered acute abdominal pain – in Sohar after eating at a party last year.

Often – and rather sadly – that’s the trade-off some people have to settle for after a quick dine-and-dash at certain restaurants and cafeterias.

These unwelcome ingredients in your dish can’t be seen with the naked eye – but there’s a very good chance that you’ll feel the effects – and they result in food poisoning.

In fact, your one consolation – if you can call it that – would be knowing that nearly 1.5 million people around the world are experiencing what you’re going through, at any given point of a day.

It’s a matter of serious concern – and one proven once the statistics start rolling in. In fact, cases of food poisoning in the Sultanate are on the rise and the Municipality is working in overdrive to shut down eateries serving tainted food.

While the number of recorded cases in the Sultanate are low by international standards, the cases of restaurants violating the health and safety code is relatively high when compared with other countries in the GCC – thereby shedding light on the concern of under-reporting.

It is with a rather stark message that Dr. Khalfan al Araimi, an endocrinologist at a government hospital in Oman, meets us.

He says: “Food poisoning can lead to death.”

“How many times have you fallen sick after eating a meal and gone on to simply take pain killers or not care about it,” he asks.

“That is the problem here in Oman: people don’t pay enough attention to food poisoning. You can be vomiting for hours and suffering from diarrhoea but still refuse medical attention.”

The doctor’s frustration is clear as he goes on to tell how ignorance and lack of education on the topic is leading to severe clinical complications, and in some cases, even death.

As it currently stands, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that a staggering 550 million healthy people fall sick due to food poisoning every year, and more worryingly, 230,000 healthy people die every year due to contaminated food.

“In countries such as the USA and UK, we find that there are strong measures taken on food safety – and it all begins with having strict rules to govern restaurants, and local-level

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In countries such as the USA and UK, we find that there are strong measures taken on food safety – and it all begins with having strict rules to govern restaurants and local-level eateries such as cafeterias and even food trucks eateries such as cafeterias and even food trucks.

“But, where it all makes a difference is in how it is implemented and how well-documented it all is. In fact, you can see how many people, on average, get food poisoning and how many lose their life.

“That’s what I am not seeing in Oman. While there are internal takes on the number of people dying due to acute food poisoning, there are no details published officially. Awareness must be created and that’s what leads to people taking adequate steps to protect themselves.

The doctor’s point is further highlighted by the fact Oman has no official record of number of food poisoning cases, or worse, figures of healthy individuals who have succumbed to the illness.

“I suppose that when one thinks about food poisoning they really don’t think about the extreme cases that can cause complications such as kidney failure and the likes that can lead to death.

Explaining how the human body responds to contaminated food, the doctor tells us: “The root cause of food poisoning is microorganisms that can be present in the food that you eat. This can then travel down to your stomach and then, within a few hours, begin to attack your body.

“As a cautionary measure, your body will fight back. So, that’s when you begin to experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe abdominal pain or cramps.

“While most people can, and will, recover in the span of a few hours to a day, there are several cases that may require treatment.

It’s true that not each case has to be treated equally, and it is up to the patient to really think it through; whether they need professional attention or not.

However, Dr. Khalfan maintains that, on any given day, he treats at least five to eight cases of patients suffering from food poisoning – but he believes that there are hundreds of mild to severe cases that go unreported daily due to a “level of negligence caused by ignorance on the topic”.

“There’s a general belief that as time goes on and as we progress forwards there are lesser chances of falling victim to food poisoning.

But, in reality, the case is turning out to be the opposite: the number of victims are increasing exponentially as per the doctors forming the medical board as more restaurants gear up to serve more customers,”

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he adds.

It’s a fact that’s highlighted by some of the reports we obtain from one municipality agent during our research. The Omani official, who wishes to remain anonymous, tells us that a staggering 245 shops and restaurants were shut following raids across the country, and 1,321 cartons of food was destroyed in just one of the raids that occurred in the Sohar Port last year.

Despite this, not every restaurant breaching the health code is closed immediately.

The official, who has assisted in more than 1,200 inspections and raids, tells Y: “Mistakes happen and it is our duty to find out who is committing what mistake.

“It’s a case of breaking the trust between the restaurant and the customer; but thankfully, we’ve been on the tail of rogue restaurants so much so that we’ve been able to close down those who were repeatedly violating the code.

“In 2018, we conducted more than 20,000 inspections across Oman – and we were able to find and destroy nearly 8,000kg of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit that we deemed unfit for human consumption.

The selling of spoiled or contaminated food, or expired goods is a criminal offence in Oman – and violators can pay up to RO55,000 and face a maximum of 15 years in jail.

“It’s one of the strictest punishments one can be slapped with,” says the official, “But that hasn’t led to a complete eradication of violations.

“In fact, we try to hold at least two raids a day on shops or restaurants to see if they’re selling or making use of fresh products.

This is a very tough process and time-consuming but we have several teams that are on the prowl for such activities.

“Sometimes, we even head to shops and eateries as undercover agents, pretending to be customers. That’s when they’re at their most vulnerable state as they’re sometimes left with no answer and caught redhanded.”

The municipality official then goes on to reveal a paper with the products that they usually target. It reads: “Milk and dairy, honey, eggs, fish, lobster, beef, chicken, ready-to-eat packet…”

It’s not just the expiry dates of goods that are noted.

Restaurants are constantly under the radar, and officials make sure that the items in use comply with international food safety standards, and ideally, are certified by a regulatory

body.

But, Dr. Susan Lima, a nutritionist from a private health and wellbeing club, Smart Eating, believes there should be more focus than just on “expired goods and old ingredients”.

She says: “For food to be completely fit for human consumption, it must also be handled in the most hygienic way possible.

“So, everyone from the chef to the waiters must be pro-active with their conduct. I’ve come across several cooks handling their food with their bare hands, and in some cases, also tasting a sliver of the dish from the palm of their hands and then continuing to cook.

“It’s incredibly unsanitary. You’re essentially spreading the germs from your saliva on to the food you’re making.

“I’ve also come across some restaurants re-using utensils for preparing different dishes at various times. This is also a matter of concern as cutlery kept in the open can harbour dangerous parasites that can cause immediate problems in your gut.”

Another violation that Susan claims she has come across is halwa makers using plastic buckets to prepare the hot halwa mix.

“Not only is this unhygienic, it’s also introducing carcinogens into our bodies. This can later form cancer as small melted portions of the plastics may be found in the halwa.”

Rather worryingly, in 2018, the Times of Oman newspaper reported that a panel from the Sultan Qaboos University – from their nationwide survey – found that 13 per cent of all food handlers did not wash their hands after using the toilet.

The report went on to state that 20 per cent smoked cigarettes between handling food, while 80 per cent had confessed to not receiving training on health and safety, and only 33 per cent of eateries had certification from Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).

While these are all facts that require immediate attention, the reality is that most of the eateries and shops go unnoticed until the matter is raised by members of the public.

The municipality official reveals: “Social media is the greatest tool of the 21st Century. Not only has it given the people a voice to speak with, it has also given them an opportunity to connect with us directly.

“Every day we have people sending us tips on places that violate the health code. The customers are mostly always right, and we have indeed clamped down on several violators – but one of our most satisfying achievements is how restaurant owners have now taken it personally to rectify mistakes in their establishments.

Crispin Jacob, the owner of Bread Basket in Oman, is among a handful of

restauranteurs that keep an eye out for negative press in the media or online. He says: “We’re very particular about health and safety of our customers.

“Still, no restaurant on a budget can ever achieve 100 per cent safety – the closest we can do is to strive until we hit the closest mark.

“One of the ways we currently do this is by keeping a check on the online portals such as ‘Muscat Restaurant Review’ and ‘What’s Happening Oman’ to see whether there’s any negative news about us.

“And if there is, we will rectify it immediately. Even so, we proudly make use of fresh ingredients in our products and no lax will be tolerated.”

Crispin’s determination has given him a clean sheet online, but some harsh comments have been made against one western restaurant in Oman. Some cite poor service but others state that they’ve fallen sick after consuming their food.

Our efforts to reach out to the owners of the restaurant are initially met favourably, but their tone turns sour after we present them with the questions regarding the implementation of strict health and safety rules in the kitchen.

The implications of such “rogue restaurants”, however, don’t end with just food poisoning. In truth, some experts say that the lack of confidence in the country’s local-level food and beverage sector – the backbone of the nation’s food industry – can lead to a dip in tourism.

While statistics show that the tourism industry of the Sultanate is well and truly on top of its game, one municipality official – who wishes to remain anonymous – believes that the numbers will slowly begin reflecting poorly if the nation doesn’t perk up its levels of health and hygiene.

Our source from the municipality weighs in: “Tourism is a complete sphere that relies on every sector in the country to come together and become one unit. But, if it’s being let down here by the food, beverages, and consumables department, then we must accept that we have some serious issues to address.”

Lester (last name unknown), a British tourist who visited Oman, is one among the few that have vented their frustrations on the country’s health code in restaurants. In a Facebook post in 2015, he wrote: “As a first-time visitor to the Middle East, I can say that there’s no other [country] that can reflect the beauty and love of the land and its

I suppose that when one thinks about food poisoning they really don’t think about the extreme cases that can cause complications such as kidney failure and the likes that can lead to death

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people like Oman.

“I spent a week there, and interacted with the locals in every way possible; even eating with them on several occasions.

“Everything was splendid until I headed back to my hotel. As weird as it sounds, I fell ill after dining at a restaurant in my five-star hotel in the capital. So much for first-class service.

“I was admitted to the Khoula Hospital after suffering from dehydration but am now safe.

He then goes on to warn fellow tourists: “Make sure you keep a tab on where you ate and what you ate, for that will come to be very important if you fall sick. Please report the list of restaurants to the authorities (as was told to me by the British Embassy) for a formal investigation by the municipality if you fall sick.

“It’s a rare occurrence, I suppose. But, it was one **** of an experience.”

After hearing about this experience, the municipality official is distressed, citing how much more must be done before such instances are eradicated.

“As an Omani, it hurts for me to see this happen. Our land is meant to be pure on all grounds and not a place where deceit and cheating takes place.”

The official states that his team has already cracked down on two violators (at the time of going to press) since the start of the year.

“Restaurants, cafes, eateries and groceries. These are our targets – they must be kept clean so that there exists a level of transparency between the customer and business.

That’s an ideal transaction and that’s what we’ll promote.

“Everything else – the violators, the illegal goods importers bringing in fake food products and uncertified brands, and the unhygienic cooks – can stay where they belong: in the bin.” ■

How to prevent

food poisoning at home 1 Wash your hands, utensils and food surfaces often.

Wash your hands well with warm, soapy water before and after handling or preparing food. Use hot, soapy water to wash utensils, cutting boards and other surfaces you use.

2 Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods.

When shopping, preparing food or storing food, keep raw meat, poultry, fish and shellfish away from other foods. This prevents crosscontamination.

3 Cook foods to a safe temperature.

The best way to tell if foods are cooked to a safe temperature is to use a food thermometer. You can kill harmful organisms in most foods by cooking them at the right temperature.

4 Cook ground beef to 160 F (71.1 C); steaks, roasts and chops, such as lamb, pork and veal, to at least 145 F (62.8 C). Cook chicken and turkey to 165 F (73.9 C).

Make sure fish and shellfish are cooked thoroughly.

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5 Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods promptly — within two hours of purchasing or preparing them. If the room temperature is above 90 F (32.2 C), refrigerate perishable foods within one hour.

6 Defrost food safely.

Don’t thaw food at room temperature.

The safest way to thaw food is to defrost it in the refrigerator. If you microwave frozen food using the ‘defrost’ or ‘50 percent power’ setting, be sure to cook it immediately.

7 Throw it out when in doubt.

* Source: Mayo Clinic

If you aren’t sure if a food item has been prepared, served or stored safely, discard it. Food left at room temperature too long may contain bacteria or toxins that can’t be destroyed by cooking. Don’t taste food that you’re unsure about — just throw it out. Even if it looks and smells fine, it may not be safe to eat.

When to see a doctor

* Source: Mayo Clinic

IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION: ● Frequent episodes of vomiting and inability to keep liquids down ● Bloody vomit or stools ● Diarrhoea for more than three days ● Extreme pain or severe abdominal cramping ● An oral temperature higher than 100.4-degree Celsius ● Signs or symptoms of dehydration — excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness ● Neurological symptoms such as blurry vision, muscle weakness and tingling in the arms

RISK FACTORS Whether or not you become ill after eating contaminated food depends on the organism, the amount of exposure, your age and your health. Highrisk groups include: ● Older adults. As you get older, your immune system may not respond as quickly and as effectively to infectious organisms as when you were younger.

● Pregnant women. During pregnancy, changes in metabolism and circulation may increase the risk of food poisoning. Your reaction may be more severe during pregnancy. Rarely, your baby may get sick, too. * Source: Mayo Clinic

● Infants and young children. Their immune systems haven’t fully developed.

● People with chronic disease. Having a chronic condition — such as diabetes or liver disease — or receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer reduces your immune response.

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the beat goes on 026

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COFFEE WITH Y TALKS TO AN OMANI RAPPER WHO, AFTER WORKING WITH SOME BIG NAMES, AIMS TO ADD HIS VOICE TO THE SOUNDS OF THE SULTANATE

M

usician by birth, rapper by choice.

Salim Ghalib, 34, has become a household name and an inspiration for the youth of Oman – at least for those among the hip-hop-loving crowd here in the Sultanate.

A tough clan to please, the audience for hiphop here has long been known to accept Western music but has rather dismissed local artists. This rings true when you draw up the very short list of Omani rappers.

Countable on one hand, there’s not much competition to fret about either. But, Salim isn’t letting the lack of locally-brewed music – or even criticism – dilute his one and true love: music.

His songs, ‘Pony’, ‘Shine’, ‘Hot Like Fire’, and ‘Taking Over’ are staples at Omani clubs and have gained him recognition internationally.

Perhaps it’s his persistence that has led to him becoming the first Omani-British rapper with a music video, and with many chart-toppers still banging within the walls of clubs in Europe and the GCC. Here’s an excerpt from our conversation with the musician.

Can you walk us through your early days of music – what motivated you and how you made the decision to get into music?

Wow! It’s almost amazing when I think that my music career clocks over a decade now. I come from a musical family: my dad was a musician and they had a band themselves. The kind of music that they were doing was different but it was he who gave me my first microphone.

I grew up listening to the likes of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, and I would start by just imitating their styles. Years passed, and in school we – my cousins and I – came up with a small group and started recording other artists’ songs – such as Nas, Jay-Z, 2Pac, and Dr. Dre. We were influenced by their sounds and music, and would record on their beats on cassettes. Our friends, some of them, were inspired. Though, at that stage they were laughing at us, to be honest.

Now they’ve turned into fans and supporters.

Back then, I wasn’t too serious. I was just 14 or 15 years’ old and was focusing more on my studies at that point. But, it was in the second semester of college, in 2003, when I built up a small studio at home and created a group called the ‘DK’ (denoting “Drama Killers”) with my brother, my cousins, and a few friends.

Whatever we did had a mix of R&B and rap and was aimed at catering to a wider crowd.

All through this while, I was studying IT in the Higher College of Technology and was doing the recordings on the side.

So, when I had any free time, I would sit and write lyrics. I’d pen down things that I would experience in my daily life and make a song out of it. That’s how things started off.

Q A

Q A

When did you first gain recognition as an artist and which song paved the way for your success?

It was at an event during Eid in Oman and we had been asked to perform our song ‘Pony’ in front of an audience –

song the success that it is.

If you think about it, there’s really no one who has broken beyond a certain point and become an international star from Oman and that’s when we started gaining recognition.

Streaming services didn’t exist then so everything was through word of mouth or parties and events such as this.

The motivation behind that song was the music that was out then. R Kelly was a huge influence on one of our members, and we just decided to go with that flow and vibe, while keeping the lyrics and the beats original.

This song was absolutely huge, even by the early 2000s. So, the song was played on the radio, in clubs, parties, events, and everywhere you could think of in the Middle East region. But, we have friends who tell us that the song was also a smash in the West, where some clubs would jam with the song.

Q A

How has your style of music changed since you took over the rap game in Oman – and how can you compare it with the international beats?

This is a very good question. There was a time when rap had a meaning. So, people would say that rap was from the heart. Today, there’s something called mumble rap – and you could be saying nonsense on the track. These songs rarely make sense, as it’s all about blending great beats and flow with average lyrics. But don’t get me wrong: I listen to these guys and I enjoy them.

As an artist, I didn’t want to accept that in the beginning. But one thing I’ve learnt is that not everything is about me. So, yes, it’s out there but I won’t be adapting to that style. I like to keep my lyrics a bit more meaningful so that I can connect with the people and the beats fresh and free-flowing.

Have you found the aggression associated with your genre of music to be restrictive in the Omani market?

Not really. It is true that rappers objectify women and cuss in their songs but I’m away from all that. When I create music, I want it to be up there in the market for a long time. And if I cannot look back at my songs 10 years from now and appreciate them, I wouldn’t put them out in the first place.

Therefore, I do not cuss or have explicit content in my music and its videos. It’s all familyfriendly. Maybe it’s because of that, but I have several young fans – some of whom are in school – listening to my music.

Q A

Q A

How hard is it to become a successful singer in the Sultanate?

Very difficult. Oman is accepting of great music and it has superb tastes. But, when it comes to local musicians of any genres, you don’t see one making it to great heights like they do from the West, or from India and so on.

If you think about it, there’s really no one who has broken beyond a certain point and become an international star from Oman.

It will take some time to change this current mindset and I can’t see a change overnight.

My love for creating music comes from straight passion and nothing else. Even our group ‘DK’ parted ways a long time ago, and I’ve since had to collaborate with different producers for some solo music.

But, I still hold a full-time job in the oil and gas industry. So, the way I operate is that I either record on weekdays after work and on weekends when I’m finally ready to spit some bars at the microphone.

Q A

What are your forthcoming projects?

I’ll be dropping an album later this year, the name for which I am keeping secret for a while. And the greatest fact there is that it’ll be all about my experiences and some cool beats by different producers. I’ll also be featuring some really insightful young singers in the music. So, stay tuned for that.

Q A

What would you consider your greatest achievement to date?

I’m still growing as an artist and am learning so much every day. But, if you ask me to put my finger on some of my greatest moments in the music industry, it’d be doing the opening acts for Flo Rida (in Dubai) in 2010, Shaggy in 2011, Sean Paul in 2012, and Akon in 2013.

These guys are all established singers and rappers, and I was only up- and-coming then. So, it was big for me; being able to interact and work with these talented guys.

Also, being able to shoot a music video for my song ‘Shine’ that was conceptualised and shot in the span of two weeks was a great success.

The music video has been doing well on YouTube, but even so, it’s the recognition from the clubs and the local DJs that have made the JAN 10 - 16 / ISSUE 552

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So, you’ve got your e-visa and are ready to explore what the Sultanate’s capital has to offer. Here are our top five things to do on a layover in Muscat

T

he platform is set: you’ve just flown into the new Muscat International Airport terminal for the first time and you have 24 hours to kill before you hop onto your next flight. What are you going to do?

It’s no sin to say that you’d rather cozy up in a pre-booked hotel room but there are some who would prefer heading out for a little sightseeing or shopping.

Are you up for the challenge? Here are five ways you can spend time – while on a strict budget of under RO50 – galloping around Muscat. ■

1

Head to the National Museum

Let’s break the cliché. Leave out the Muttrah souk and head straight for the National Museum. It’s a 45-minute drive that will cost you roughly RO8 by taxi but once you’re in the city, you can navigate it on foot. Entry into the National Museum will set you back RO5 (and RO1 and RO2 for citizens and expats, respectively) – and exhibits are aplenty. Some of the rocks in the museum date back 4,000 years while other rarities such as old weapons and cutleries also flank various sections of the museum. The tour will take you a good two hours even if you skimp through every section.

Where: Muttrah Price: RO5 Distance from airport: 35.4kms (45 minutes)

2

Take a stroll at The Walk

Want to experience Oman in the span of a few hours? Take a walk across Al Mouj. Essentially an amalgamation of Omanis and expats from all around the globe, the township is now considered a mini-world of mixed cultures – all coming together to form a tranquil environment. The Walk and the

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Al Mouj Marina are two areas that you can explore. There are several restaurants you can visit (we highly suggest Angelina Paris) and other activities (think, shopping) you can enjoy in the area.

Where: Seeb Price: Free entry Distance from airport: 9kms (10 minutes – can vary depending on traffic)

3

Try your hand at the Xcape Room

Amusement parks in Oman aren’t built for adults – it’s a fact. But as it turns out, escape rooms are. This Hollywood-meets-Omanthemed game area takes things up a notch.

So, put on your glasses and thinking cap, and reprise Sherlock Holmes – Omani style. The game is rather simple: you must escape from a room after solving intricate puzzles that would lead to your final exit.

There are three options to choose from – one of which involves a murder-mystery of an Omani barber (also our favourite). The room is also situated at Shatti al Qurum, so you can tie in your visit with a trip to the beautiful Royal Opera House Muscat, and the iconic Love Road that is home to some of the most exotic cars in the world.

4

Take a religious trip to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Don’t pass up on a chance to catch glimpses of one of the largest mosques in the world. With a capacity of 20,000 and an area of more than 416,000 sq.m, it stands as one of the largest structures in the country.

Non-Muslims are welcome to head to the mosque, though several tourists opt to park outside the mosque and simply click photos of the minarets (of which there are five). The true splendour of the mosque can only be experienced by those who have entered it. As of the time of publishing, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque houses the largest singlepiece carpet in the world (at 70 x 60 metres) and the world’s largest chandelier that tips the scales at 8.5 tonnes.

Note: The escape room requires a minimum of three players. However, if you’re travelling alone, you could join other teams. Pre-booking required.

Where: Shatti al Qurum Price: RO8 Distance from airport: 18.6kms (19 minutes)

Note: Dress gracefully as you would in a place of worship.

Where: Azaiba Distance from airport: 12.5kms (13 minutes)

5

Camp at Tiwi Beach or Wadi Tiwi

Take adventure to the next level by heading to the Tiwi beach. With its white sands and azure waters, this is, by a mile, one of the most striking beaches in the Middle East. There’s also a wadi – flanked by tall rocks, lush greenery, and cool waters – that will make for the perfect camping spot. Since it’s a hub for tourists, you could also end up meeting new people. The drive to the location will take roughly two hours but there are several tour guides who will assist you in your stay for less than RO30 (with transportation).

Note: Pre-plan your trip and make sure you head back to the airport early to avoid missing your flight.

Where: Tiwi Price: (Roughly) RO30 along with transportation.

Distance from airport: 170kms (1 hour and 45 minutes).

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

Dermatology Clinic • Audi Showroom • Bentley Showroom • Costa Coffee • Al Fair • Jaguar Showroom • Jeep Showroom • Al Maha Petrol

Station • Mazda Showroom • McDonald’s • Mitsubishi Showroom • Oman Arab Bank • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Peugeot Showroom • Range Rover Showroom • Sayarti Auto Care • Shell Select • Skoda Showroom • The Sultan Center • Volkswagen Showroom • Volvo Showroom • Yamaha Showroom Bawshar • College of Banking

and Financial Studies • Dolphin Village • Modern College

of Business and Science • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital

(Emergency and

Outpatients) • Oman Medical College CBD • Al Maya Hypermarket • Alizz Islamic Bank • Bahwan Travel Agencies • Bank Sohar • Copper Chimney Restaurant • Costa Coffee • HSBC • Lama Polyclinic • NBO • Oman Arab Bank • Standard

Chartered Bank • Woodlands Restaurant Darsait • Indian Social Club • SPAR

• KIMS Oman Hospital • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Bakery • Shell Petrol Station

Al Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant • Toshiba Showroom Ghala • National Mineral Water Ghubra • 1947 Restaurant • Al Hayat

International Hospital • Al Maya Hypermarket • Bank of Beirut • Costa Coffee • Crêpe Café • GMC Showroom • LuLu Hypermarket • Moka & More • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Park Inn • Porsche Showroom • Al Raffah Hospital • Stationery Hut • The Chedi Muscat Al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College

of Engineering • Markaz Al Bahja Mall • McDonald’s • Omantel • Starcare Hospital Al Khoudh • Al Fair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Pizza Hut Al Khuwair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Bait Al Reem Mall • Caffè Vergnano • Centrepoint

(Splash) • Diplomatic Club • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Harley-Davidson Showroom • HSBC • KFC • SPAR • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading

• Landmark Group • McDonald’s • Muscat Bakery • Oman Bowling Center • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Oman United Insurance • Omran • Pizza Hut • Radisson Blu • Shell Petrol Station • TGI Friday’s • The Great Kabab Factory • The Tikka Place • Zahara Travel • Zakher Mall Mabela • Gulf College Oman Mawalah • Chili’s Restaurant • Costa Coffee • Al Makan Café • Starbucks • Tim Hortons • VLCC Wellness MBD • Bank Dhofar • Centrepoint

(Splash) • SPAR • NBO • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Pizza Hut • Pizza Muscat • Shell Petrol Station MGM • Caribou Coffee • Gloria Jean’s

Coffees • Just Falafel • Ooredoo • Paul • Tim Hortons Al Mina • Bait Al Baranda • Bait Al Zubair MSQ • Al Fair • Arab Open University • British Council • Costa Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • Hana’s Slimming &

Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café

& Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Papa John’s Pizza

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

Country Club Muscat International Airport • Caribou Coffee • Majan Lounge • Plaza Premium Lounge Mussanah • Millennium Resort Muttrah • Shell Petrol Station Qantab • Al Bustan Palace • Marina Bandar Al Rowdha • Oman Dive Center • Shangri-La Qurum • Al Araimi Complex • Balance Health & Fitness • Bank Nizwa • BMW showroom • Burger King • Chili’s Restaurant • Crowne Plaza • Finland Eye Center • Fun Zone • Gloria Jean’s

Coffees • The Jungle Restaurant • Left Bank • McDonald’s • Mercedes-Benz Showroom • Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant • Nandos • Nissan Showroom • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Pizza Hut • Qurum Commercial Complex • Ras Al Hamra Club • SABCO Centre • Second Cup • Starbucks • The Sultan Center • Tche Tche Café Rusayl • Jotun Paints • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-2 • Knowledge Oasis

Muscat-3 • Knowledge Oasis

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

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

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

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

Economics and

Political Science • Students Banking Area • Reception/ Canteen Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality

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

Head Office Other Regions Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • LuLu Hypermarket Nizwa • University of Nizwa Sohar • Centrepoint

(Splash) • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Markets • Ooredoo • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port and Freezone • Sohar University

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CARS ADVENTURES

LIGHT & SHADOW

Beams of refracted light spill through the arches that line the interior of Muscat Gate in the Old Muscat area of Kalbu.

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E S T I N AT I O N C a r s

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

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Destination

Kalbu

SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI DISCOVERS A TRANQUIL HAMLET ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF MUSCAT THAT BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN OLD AND NEW, ON THE DOORSTEP OF NATURE 032

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TRAVEL GUIDE

here are few things quite like a Muscat morning – the early rays of daybreak glinting across the sea as the mountains perk up to greet the sun, their jagged edges breaking through the morning mist. There’s a sense of purpose that comes with it; as the day unfurls, begging to be made the most of.

This morning was a Friday and we were up early to make tracks towards Kalbu. On the outskirts of the city, it’s an area known as ‘Old Muscat’ and a popular weekend jaunt that offers up the best of nature with something for everyone – friends, families, and intrepid trekkers – to enjoy.

If you’re heading for a day-trip to Muttrah, a walk along to the far end of the Corniche will bring you to the unmistakeable Riyam Park, with its giant frankincense burner monument. It’s here that families and couples flock to on weekends.

Kalbu Park sits adjacent, and nearer to the beachfront, and offers a plethora of green space perfect for picnicking. Nearby mountain trails beckon intrepid hikers to wander down into Kalbu village where you

might just spot an Arabian wildcat along the way!

Kalbu village, or ‘Old Muscat’ sits just behind the mountain ridges that lead upward from the Muttrah waterfront. It’s a beautiful drive along the shoreline or a relatively short hike through the trails where you can spot the ancient turreted watchtowers dotting the mountain ridges. Just make sure to fuel up at the hot dog stands or coffee stalls throughout the park. (The iconic ‘Chutney Place’ is a must for sandwiches!)

If you’re exploring the old town of Kalbu it’s easy to spend a few hours wandering on foot. The village is also ideally situated just a short drive from the tourist hotspots of the Muscat Palace and National Museum. Though it’s early on a Friday, there is already a fair amount of people out and about, and it’s nice to see such diversity among their numbers – couples young and old, families and groups of friends from all walks of life adding their own characters to the landscape.

For those exploring the area for the first time – or returning to rediscover it, few may know that the area’s iconic Muscat Gate houses an extensive historical museum and adjacent park area. What makes us scratch our heads, however, is

that it’s only open throughout the week from Sunday to Thursday, 8am till 2pm. It seems remiss not to cater to the throngs of weekend crowds that flock to the area – as the museum hosts one of the Sultanate’s most comprehensive explanations of the country’s unique ‘falaj’ irrigation system.

Kalbu marks the perfect day-trip for city-dwellers seeking the beauty of the landscape alongside a dose of culture and history – without spending hours on the road to get there. And for us we stepped back in time…if only for a few hours.

HOW TO GET THERE Head along Sultan Qaboos Street from central Muscat, following the signs towards Ruwi and Muttrah. Take the Muttrah exit and drive down towards the Corniche area.

Drive along the Corniche until you reach the far end where the road heads back into the mountains. Kalbu

Park will be on your left just past Riyam Park, and the old town of Kalbu, just a little farther down the mountain road.

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

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MITSUBISHI ASX

Team Y tries an SUV that’s small, perfectly formed, and streets ahead of its rivals

ith manufacturers grappling for a piece of the action to stay relevant in the ever-evolving automotive industry, it has now become common practice to revise every car with a mid-cycle refresh, at the very least, every two years.

But, that doesn’t seem to fit in with Mitsubishi’s mojo. Yet, it’s a model that works.

In fact, their why-fix-it-if-it-ain’t-broken attitude forms two sides of a very crucial coin: one, the brand’s fiasco with their flagship product ‘Evolution’; and secondly, their increasingly stalwart focus on churning out more SUVs and crossovers than smaller sedans.

Perhaps it’s a concept that deviates from their norm though, as many say: “It is what it is”.

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Our tester, the ASX is a sub-compact SUV that harks back to the early days of 2010.

There have been a few nips and tucks that split the timeline efficiently but from the onset, you can’t ignore the elements derived from the nowdiscontinued Lancer sedan that it is based on.

The lights, for instance, are reminiscent of the former, if only a bit larger and completed by projector halogens and daytime-running LEDs. The posterior is kept simple, thanks to the wedge-shaped tail lamps.

Overall, the design is clean, with just a hint of sporty touches derived from the (cosmetic) diffuser in the back and some chrome elements sprinkled in for added effect. Rounding off the exterior bits are the 18-inch alloys, sloping roofline with racks, and plastic accents around the arches and lower portions of the bumper.

Much of this translates to the insides, too.

Everything from the HVAC to the audio controls are where you’d expect them to be. There are also no gaudy light-sensitive buttons governing the functions. It’s all simple, with labelled plastic switches taking care of all necessary tasks – as it should be.

Headlining the cabin’s simplicity is a touchscreen unit, which comes packing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Much like the other controls presented within, the screen is easy to use and also provides a fair bit of functionality that the driver can make use of, even while driving.

Our tester came fitted with soft-touch fabric seats, which were undeniably – and rather surprisingly for an SUV – comfortable. We deemed it excellent for long journeys, courtesy of its unrestricting bolsters and decent lumbar support.

Space inside is commendable. It’s perhaps even on a par with its larger-looking American rivals. There’s enough space for five adults, and even if the driver’s seating position can come across as a bit tall for the small SUV that the ASX is, other passengers are treated with excellent levels of comfort.

The luggage situation is rather splendid too, with the square-shaped boot – with a short loading lip – providing 442 litres of space and an extra 30 litres of space under the boot floor.

Powering the ASX is a 2.0-litre ‘DOHC’ inline four-cylinder motor, producing 148hp and 197Nms of torque. The powertrain is completed by a continually variable transmission (CVT) that then channels the gruff to all four wheels or only the ones upfront through a rear differential with electronically-controlled coupling.

This eco-minded combo makes way for a naught to 100kph time of about 10 seconds but returns roughly 12.2kms per litre of fuel – both decent

Destination

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

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

MITSUBISHI ASX Specifications: • Engine: 2.0-litre ‘DOHC’ in-line four-cylinder • Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (CVT) • Power: 148hp • Torque: 197Nms Four-wheel-drive Five-link suspension 18-inch alloy wheels 7-inch infotainment screen Blind spot monitoring system Lane departure warning Leather upholstery (optional) Traction and stability controls Parking sensors Reverse camera Cruise control Steering-mounted controls Foglamps Seven airbags

figures that throw shade on its rivals.

It rides well for the most part; rarely unsettled by strong winds and even keeping its shape at speeds above 130kph without any vibrations translating to the steering wheel.

In fact, the silent nature of the steering, coupled with the fact that the ASX comes packing an expensive five-link suspension, makes it a great highway cruiser.

Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels are kept to a minimum, with the high-profile rubber leaving very little from even the meanest of bumps for the suspension to cope with.

Driving feel is what you’d expect from an SUV – there’s just enough to keep the driver engrossed. Despite this, we found the ASX more engaging than some of its American and Asian counterparts, thanks to its heavy steering and rev-happy engine.

In fact, the latter – and perhaps it’s due to the nature of the CVT – allows the car to rev all the way to 6,000rpm with no sweat. You’ll have parted ways with the torque long before, but there’s something oddly-satisfying about

revving the nuts off an engine.

The SUV behaves well on corners, with body roll only prominent while taking turns at speeds above the 60kph mark. It makes this a thoroughly-stout contender in an ever-growing segment, despite its age.

This pretty much sums up the ASX: it’s an ageing car that despite all odds still manages to enthrall us with its feature-heavy kit and spritely chassis. True, its youthful contenders will continue to swathe the segment with glamorous designs and more potent powertrains but the ASX is, by a mile, in a league of its own.

And for that very reason, we’d recommend this in a heartbeat.

THE SUV BEHAVES WELL ON CORNERS, WITH BODY ROLL ONLY PROMINENT WHILE TAKING TURNS AT SPEEDS ABOVE THE 60KPH MARK. IT MAKES THIS A THOROUGHLY-STOUT CONTENDER IN AN EVERGROWING SEGMENT, DESPITE ITS AGE.

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CARS ADVENTURES JEWEL OF THE LEVANT

After decades of unrest, Beirut’s indomitable spirit proves unbreakable.

1. Step back in time on a Beirut Old City Walk guided tour 2. Take a day-trip to the great Roman temple at Baalbek 3. Explore the eclectic quirkiness of the Robert Mouawad Museum 4. Party all night at the iconic MusicHall Beirut 5. Sample the best Lebanese mezze at Tawlet 036

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Destination

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Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Ashlee Starratt recommends

BEIRUT, LEBANON I

f there’s a singular word that encapsulates the vibrant spirit of Beirut, it’s ‘persistence’. From its cacophonous urban street life and infamous art and club scenes, to an unmatchable culinary tradition that’s long defined the taste of the Levant; the Lebanese capital has been a cultural crossroads across civilisations seeking succour on the doorstep of the Holy Land.

It’s also contested ground, long kissed by conflict. A 15-year civil war (1975-1990) and concurrent Israeli invasion, political upheaval after the 2005 assassination of President Rafik Hariri, and the ever-present tensions with Hezbollah - which saw the capital caught in unrest once again in 2006 and 2008 - have all left their mark.

Yet still, Beirut persists. As the shells rained down, Beirutis moved their night-clubs underground and carried on partying like there was no tomorrow. Because, who knew if there was? Only the sunrise could make sure of that, and nothing was guaranteed. So, until then, there was music and laughter, life and resilience.

It’s this irrepressible spirit that still ignites Beirut today and, as a visitor, just one spark is needed to fall in love with the city’s curves and edges. Jostle your way among the congested streets of its downtown core to central Martyrs’ Square and you’ll find religious and cultural history juxtaposed all around you.

The Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque - better known as the ‘Blue Mosque - sits next to the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the city’s oldest extant church, which was built over the ruins of the Anastasi Romano-Byzantine Cathedral. Walk along the tree-lined street it fronts on and you’ll still see pillars of its ancient ruins.

A Mediterranean city, the climate remains relatively balmy with winter temperatures dipping just into the low teens centigrade, while summers are hot and heaving. Plonk yourself down on an outdoor patio at any one of the city’s artsy cafés and sip your tipple while drinking in the Parisian-style architecture. Under French control since the First World War, Lebanon gained its independence in 1943 - and locals switch from English to Arabic to French in the same breath.

It’s this mélange of cultural influence and history that sparked Beirut’s iconic arts movement, earning the city it’s moniker as the Paris of the Middle East in the 1950s and 60s. Today, beautiful Beirut still awakens the senses - if, in the face of its defining adversity, it ever slept at all.

T H E P IG EON RO CKS OF RAO UCHÉ

My favourite place The National Museum. Of all the things you can see and do in Beirut, it may seem a cliché or remiss to single out a museum. New York has the Met, Paris, the Louvre; and Beirut, the National Museum. Boasting one of the most comprehensive collections of artefacts that form a testament to Lebanon’s rich and diverse cultural history, the National Museum is one of the best of its kind in the Middle East. Its own history is equally fraught; as the building was located along the Green Line that carved out the two sides during the Civil War and was once a spot marked by much shelling and gunfire. Spend a full afternoon wandering through its exhibition halls and witness the great civilisations that shaped the beating heart of Lebanon.

H R U M S W IT B E IR U T ’ T H E IF -L T REE URBAN ST

Highlights For culture vultures, foodies, and club kids, Beirut is a playground of hedonism. Visit the shops in the revived Beirut Souk or grab some wheels at Beirut by Bike and cycle down the city’s Corniche Promenade all the way down to the Raouché area with its crystal blue waters and iconic Pigeons Rock formations. Foodies on the prowl can sample some of the best seafood in Beirut, paired with a few glasses of grapes at Feluka or head to the ultra-hip Mar Mikael and Gemmayzeh streets with their graffiti-splashed walls, art galleries and night-clubs that form the nucleus of young, urban Beirut.

Lowlights While the political climate in Beirut has been relatively stable of

late, for first-time visitors it’s always best to proceed with caution and have an awareness of your surroundings – like you would in any new city. There is a visible military presence in Beirut, and protests can escalate quickly. Tourists should exercise caution or avoid the city’s southern suburbs where Hezbollah activity is most concentrated.

Souvenirs Luscious Lebanese sweets from Hallab, silver trinkets and Turkish coffee pots from the old souk, engraved cedar wood keychains, or a traditional local kaftan.

Getting there Oman Air offers a service from Muscat to Beirut in conjunction with Royal Jordanian airlines.

Where to stay All the world’s top hotel chains can be found here and you can find some good options on Booking.com,

Trivago, Agoda, etc. But Beirut is also a city full of stellar boutique hotels and we love the Le Gray, Beirut situated right on the very edge of Martyrs’ Square. Its rooftop patio lounge with expansive views of the city is the perfect spot for a sundowner libation or scrummy Friday brunch.

ENJOY SOME LEVAN T’S BES OF THE T MEZ ZE

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

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Y-FI

VIRTUAL OFFICE

The Y Geek Squad finds the latest gadgets that will send your next meeting into the stratosphere

MEET AND GREET Standing out from among a sea of conferencing software is Citrix’s GoToMeeting. While its necessity in this day and age is questionable – owing to its aged mojo – there are still tens of thousands of professionals who prefer to use the app due to its ease of use and encryption options.

This makes for a great app that can not only connect you with your colleagues or clients from miles away, but also a safe space where your ideas are safeguarded from the prying bands of the Internet. Get this app from gotomeeting.com for free for your PC, Mac, tablet computer or smartphone

HELLO! A screen mirroring, video conferencing, and digital white-boarding device – all packed into one small and fancy gizmo: that’s Hello 2 in a nutshell. The device couples to your television and turns it into the aforementioned, allowing you to communicate with your colleagues or peers using built-in apps such as Skype for Business, Microsoft Team, and the like. What’s more is that it comes with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-operated commands, and also features end-to-end encryption, 4K HDR video output, and an app to go along with it all. Get it from thegadgetflow.com for RO172.9

CONNECTING PEOPLE Touted as the go-to application for long-distance communications, Internet telephony (VoIP) software Skype initially rose to fame in 2003 as one of the most prominent platforms to offer video-calling solutions. Since then, the list of functions has been expanded. The software can now make calls and send messages, although the former requires the need for in-app credit. Introduced to the world as peer-to-peer software relying on its users’ internet to root its services, the boffins made the bold switch in 2016 to run it on its own (dedicated) servers to increase pace and stability. This means Skype is better than ever before. You can download the app for free on your PC, Mac, tablet computer or smartphone.

ON POINT

EDITOR’S PICK

GONE ARE THE DAYS OF OVER-SOFTENED, SUB-PAR VIDEO FEEDS – CAMERAS ON SMARTPHONES HAVE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TAKEN OVER ONLINE VIDEO CONFERENCING. WHILE THERE’S A PLETHORA OF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM, ON TOP OF THEM ALL LIES THE ONEPLUS 6T – A BUDGET PHONE THAT PACKS THE SPECS TO DETHRONE EVEN THE TOP PLAYERS FROM SAMSUNG AND APPLE. ON THE FRONT OF IT LIES A 16-MEGAPIXEL SONY EXMOR FRONT CAMERA THAT CAN RECORD AT 1080P AND 30FPS. BUT, WHAT MAKES THE PHONE TRULY SPECIAL IS HOW IT CAN PROVIDE AN ALMOST WEBCAM-LIKE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT OVERSATURATING OR OVER-PROCESSING THE VIDEO FOOTAGE DURING LIVE TRANSMISSION. BUY THIS PHONE FROM ROUMAAN.COM FOR RO210.

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The Evolution of Super Mario Changes to this game included giving Mario more superpowers in the form of a tanooki suit for flying, a frog suit for swimming, and a hammer suit for throwing hammers. The well-tuned controls and the vivid colours made this one of the best-sellers of its time.

5. SUPER MARIO KART (SUPER NES) – 1992 Why the developers took the call to create a racing game featuring characters such as Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong Jr, and Bowser is beyond us. But what we can tell you is that the game paved the way for one of the most fun arcade multiplayer games console of all time and all the titles that followed.

The Y Geek Squad reviews how Nintendo’s much-loved character became game for anything

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all it ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ if you like, but Princess Peach from the Mushroom Kingdom certainly struggles to stay out of trouble; so much so that it takes a tubby Italian plumber to rescue her from the creepy stalker, Bowser.

In fact, not only has this given poor old Mario – the protagonist– sleepless nights and countless hours of twiddling around the kingdom’s darkest corners in search of his lover, but also in the real world, a foothold in possibly the greatest gaming franchise of all time.

The numbers don’t lie: more than 200 video games have been created and nearly 40 million copies sold under the premise of this very story – and it has been adapted or ported into everything from the Famicom console from the late 1980s to the Nintendo Switches of today.

This week, we look at the evolution of Mario – how the game progressed from being a mere side-character in Donkey Kong to the hero of his own super-title: Super Mario.

1. DONKEY KONG (ARCADE) – 1981 This became known as the genesis of modern gaming.

In short, this is where it all began. Originally introduced as a

character named, ‘Jumpman’, in the Donkey Kong game, Mario’s character didn’t have a convincing identity to go by when he made his first appearance on screen. Yet, with his distinguishable moustache and tradesman jumpsuit, there was no denying that Mario was slowly starting to take shape..

2. MARIO BROS. (ARCADE) – 1983 It took them another two years to finally come up with the complete concept of having Mario as a separate character.

Released for Nintendo’s arcade machines from the era, the game – for the first time ever – was developed with a storyline, and additionally, a co-op mission mode that let players play as Luigi – Mario’s brother.

6. SUPER MARIO 64 (NINTENDO 64) – 1996 This year marked the game’s first radical change since its inception: the release of a Super Mario game set in a 3D environment. Mario could now walk, run, crouch, creep, swim, crawl, climb, and above all, speak!

7. NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. (NINTENDO DS) – 2006 In a surprise move, the developers ditched the 3D platform to hark back to its past.

This meant you were now back to controlling Mario in a 2D environment in a powerful handheld console. It broke all expectations and stunned the critics by becoming the best-selling Nintendo game of all time, with sales figures touching 26 million.

3. SUPER MARIO BROS. – 1985 8. SUPER MARIO The most distinguished ODYSSEY gaming title of all time, (NINTENDO Super Mario Bros., SWITCH) – took the game Mario 2017 Bros. game to fresh The latest and heights – complete with a the greatest release on the iconic NES gaming console.

Mario game This also marked the beginning of the of the modern size-varying mushrooms – or as they call era. Excellent it, the “super mushrooms” – which would graphics, allow Mario to grow twice in size, and sophisticated the final product of a title that we would controls and a physics continue to witness for the years to come. engine to match, this title redefined the way we played the game. A slew of 4. SUPER MARIO BROS. 3 – 1988 missions that switched between 3D and 2D Banking on the success of its predecessor, added to the overall experience – and it sat Super Mario Bros. 3, followed in the well with the audience. In fact, it became footsteps of the earlier games, albeit a best-seller that year, with 12.17 million with substantially improved graphics. copies sold overall.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

TEEN TRENDS

It’s hard enough being a Generation Z-er. But when you’re discovering your identity and style, bridging the fashion gap between the children’s aisle and the adult section can be inspiring! Here are our top teen trends for 2019 to help you look the part!

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

T t Ge

k o o L e h

, reet t s gh e hi look h t d to get the n e to gh e hi s you h t lp From Y he m Tea

Who needs ruby slippers when you can rock a glitzed-out cherry-red shoulder bag that’ll add bling to any ensemble? H&M’s got one big enough to stash both your lipstick and phone charger! Make it yours for RO4.9.

Neutral animal prints are one of the top trends for 2019 and we’re going wild over this feisty little jersey dress number from H&M. Pounce on it for RO2.6.

Offset your wild side by grounding it with an edgy zippered biker jacket that will have you going back to black.

This Ted Baker creation from Debenhams is all the street cred you need.

Buy it for RO22.

Yes, the eponymous pants of the 90s have made a comeback on the runways of 2019.

This military green pair from Zara lend a matching sporty feel when paired with that red track jacket.

Slip ‘em on for RO6.9.

Guys, wear your millennial status proudly in this retro ‘1990’ striped track jacket from Lucky Brand.

Trust us, you’ll look fresh. Own it for RO17.1.

Soften your look with a pair of pastel stompers that tie it all together.

These basel booties from Lucky Brand are business at the front, party at the back.

Snag them for RO26.9.

Make your commute to class all the more musical with these earthy-chic Buffalo Soldier BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones from House of Marley.

We love the natural wood accents!

Get them for RO48.8.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

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Fashion

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Family

The short

CUTS

Brave enough to embrace 2019’s trendiest trim? Going short doesn’t mean skimping on style. Here we show you how to make the most of your cropped top

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here’s something undeniably liberating about a shortly shorn ‘do. Less fuss and muss, fewer tangles, more time. And, though we’re just a few weeks into the new year, trends from the runway to the red carpet are coming up short. Literally. From celebs such as Dua Lipa and Emilia Clarke, to the Spring 2019 catwalks of Gucci and Coach – short cuts are going the extra mile. Here are a few of our faves to get you inspired!

The Jawline Bob Best chopped bluntly, this chin-skimming crop can be worn with or without bangs, and adds edge to your look. It’s also a great starter cut if you’re thinking about going short but are afraid to commit to going all the way, and adds body, volume and bounce to your tresses.

Get the look: Keep your strands looking sleek and glossy by using a shineenhancing hair oil. We’re snatching up Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Oil for RO14.6.

The Bangin’ Bob This isn’t your spinster aunt’s 1920s Louise Brooks-inspired hairdo. Though drawing inspiration from the golden age of flapper style, the design’s in the details with this updated version. Bangs (aka a fringe) is a great way to freshen up your face if you’re looking for a new way to perk up your do. Just be sure to snip them with your face shape in mind. This is a great cut for those with waves or curls as the natural texture of your hair will add lift and movement.

Get the look: Get that beachy tousled look with a few spritzes of Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray. Price: RO9.7.

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The Tousled Pixie In spite of its über-short length, a classic pixie can still be ultra-feminine – though growing it out tends to invoke fear among even the staunchest style chameleons. Work through that awkward in-between stage by opting for a tousled look that screams runway glam – rather than bed-head.

Get the look: A good hair volume powder is your best friend when it comes to keeping your pixie versatile.

We love Redken’s Powder Grip 03 Mattifying Hair Powder – just apply it to your roots and voilà – instant texture! Price: RO4.09.

The Angular Chop Whether you choose to opt for a heavy fringe or not, this cut is the perfect starter pack for those wanting to dabble in going short. With longer layers at the front and shorter, piece-y wisps at the back, it’s an asymmetrical style that works well with all face shapes.

Get the look: Invest in a BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Volare 2000W V2 Mid-Size Hair Dryer and let its powerful airflow give your tresses the ultimate voluminous blowout. Price: RO76.9.

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THE PARENT

TRAP Children are more inquisitive and better informed than ever before. But how many adult conversations should we expose them to? Mother-of-three Gemma Harrison reports on some of the do’s and don’ts of parent-child dialogue

I

’m not a great fan of dancing around a problem. When my husband and I don’t see eye-to-eye, we get it out in the open until it’s resolved.

Of course, there’s a whole Richter scale of discord that ranges from a disagreement over what to have for dinner to an acrimonious argument over, well, anything.

But there’s one thing we do always agree on: ‘not in front of the children’. We try our best not to display our displeasure at one another in our children’s presence.

However, a study from Washington State University Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada, recently published a report that takes a rather different view.

Researchers have found, apparently, that it can be better for children to see their parents’ emotions being expressed rather than suppressed.

Dr. Sara Waters, assistant professor in human development at WSU, says: “Our study shows that when parents are trying to suppress their negative emotions, children pick up on that. They know something is wrong. The danger is that children can very easily think it’s their fault that their parents are acting in this stifled way.”

According to the report, witnessing a heated exchange between parents is no bad thing.

And it’s a viewpoint shared by the Cambridge, UK-based writer and psychologist Terri Apter.

Dr. Apter says: “Arguing is something we grown-ups do, and our sons and daughters need to witness people – even people close to them – arguing, expressing anger, standing up for themselves, opposing one another, and (in many cases) coming together again.

“As children get angry, and they fight with each other and their parents, they extend their interpersonal education. They learn about conflict resolution.”

My Mum, bless her, was clearly a pioneer then. She and Dad used to go at it like two US presidential candidates: barely-concealed fury, barbed sarcasm, and bitter recrimination. Half a day later, my parents were OK again; all genuine sweetness and light.

Of course, no parents would share details of their marriage in front of

the kids.

However, older children will need you to be honest when a sensitive subject comes up.

And that means careful handling, especially in the event of an impending marital break-up.

Dr. Apter says: “Children – and girls, in particular, are shrewd observers of the emotional weather. They see through the façade of persistent calm.

“When they come to understand that a parent’s calm façade covers up for more complicated feelings, they’re likely to accuse them of dishonesty, which to them is a betrayal.”

So, based on the battlefield that’s been my home for the past 20-odd years, here are some guidelines for handling some of those warts-and-all conversations with your children: ❶ Do talk about money It’s how you talk about it that counts. When your child asks you how much Daddy earns, don’t say: “MYOB (Mind your own business)”. Instead, try: “Why do you want to know?” Be honest about your means but never hint that their expensive tennis/ballet/singing lessons might be the reason why you can’t afford a weekend trip to Adventure World in Abu Dhabi. ❷ Don’t hide realities of life Death and serious illnesses are just part of life, which children must get used to. If a relative is sick, maintaining an artificially cheerful front can be counter-productive, as can being evasive and vague. At best, you’ll confuse your children; at worst you’ll be accused of ‘not telling the truth, Mummy’. ❸ Don’t put on a brave face If you’re having a bit of a downer, or just having a ‘bad hair day’, then say so. Expert psychologists say children should understand that there are reasons why parents or adults in general feel the way they do. It’s OK to feel a bit rubbish some days and, more importantly, to learn how to feel cheerful again.

(Sources: WSU, Canada; Psychology Today)

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YUMMY COLD CURE-ALLS

Under the weather? Before running to the medicine cabinet this winter, try running to your kitchen for these immune-boosting foods you probably already have stocked in your pantry.

The

FLU-FIGHTERS With the cold and flu season knocking at the door this January, Yummy Oman helps you in the fight with these nutrient-laden recipes that pack an immunity superfood punch 044

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Reviews

Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates was on to something when, in 400 BC in ancient Greece, the Father of Western Medicine coined his famous phrase. And while we always stress the importance of timely medical advice when laid low with illness and always recommend seeking the professional care of a doctor, what we think the historic physician meant by this is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It’s here where the adage ‘you are what you eat’ rings true. By bolstering our bodies to be the healthiest they can be through a nourishing diet, we can help stave off viruses and illness from the inside out – and, reduce those seasonal trips to the doctor for every cough and sniffle.

Sound like common sense? True enough, but there are certain ‘superfoods’ with known immune-boosting properties to help give you an extra leg-up along the way. Here are some tasty ways to incorporate them into your meal planning with these comforting recipes to warm you through-and-through when you’re sick.

The Ultimate Immune-Boosting Soup A comforting bowl is just the ticket to nurse you back to health when you’re feeling less than perky. This version packs a vitamin-laden wallop with turmeric, kale, and a mushroom broth.

Serves: Makes 6-8 bowls Ingredients: § 1 Tbsp coconut oil § 1 large yellow onion, chopped § 6 garlic cloves, minced § 2 celery stalks, sliced § 1 lb shiitake mushrooms § 1 ½ tsp sea salt § ¼ tsp black pepper § 1 tsp turmeric § 12 cups water § 4 heads baby bok choy, bottoms chopped off § 1/2 head kale, chopped § Optional: 1 Tbsp freshly-grated ginger Method: § Chop off the bottom of the stem from the mushrooms and discard.

Separate stems from tops and slice tops and remaining stem, if necessary, into large pieces. You will only discard the very bottom of the stems, not the full stems as they contain many nutritional benefits! § Heat up coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. § Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent. § Add in garlic and cook for 1 more minute. § Add in celery and mushrooms and sauté for about 10 minutes or until mushrooms have wilted. § Add in spices (including ginger, if using) and water and bring to a boil. § Then let simmer, covered for 1 hour, or as long as you want (the longer you leave, the better!) § Add bok choy and kale in the last 10 minutes of cooking to wilt. § Serve warm or store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

(Source: www.thehealthymaven.com)

Feed your flu

antibiotic, anti-microbial, and powerful immune-booster

• Beef – Contains high levels of zinc, an essential mineral for a healthy immune system • Beans – In addition to being rich in fibre, beans contain bodybuilding protein that aids in cell repair Keep your pantry stocked year-round with these immunity-boosting superfoods:

• Citrus fruits – Are packed with heaps of Vitamin C and other phytochemicals that aid in keeping us healthy

• Chicken soup – The ultimate cold and flu comfort food, a • Ginger – Contains hot bowl of chicken soup can in fact anti-inflammatory properties trigger white blood cells that help and helps ease digestion fight infection • Garlic – A natural

(Source: www.eatingwell.com)

Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic Before you go running for the breath mints and a nose-clip, hear us out. Garlic is delicious.

It’s also one of nature’s most powerful natural anti-bacterials.

Here, it adds endless depths of flavour in this succulent chicken dish – and an injection of health to boot.

Serves: 6 Ingredients: § 6 whole chicken legs § 2 tsp salt § 40 cloves garlic (you’ll need about 3 bulbs), peeled § 4 stalks celery, thinly sliced § 2 Tbsp olive oil § Freshly-ground black pepper § Freshly-ground nutmeg § 4 sprigs Italian parsley § ¼ cup white grape juice § 1/3 cup (homemade or low sodium) chicken stock § Crusty bread or toast for serving Method: § Heat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC).

Season the chicken legs all over with the salt. Arrange them, skin side up, in a single layer in an ovenproof baking dish with a tight-fitting lid. § Scatter the garlic and celery into the gaps between the

chicken pieces, and then drizzle everything with the olive oil.

Grind some black pepper and a bit of nutmeg over the chicken and vegetables and arrange the parsley on top. § Pour in the white grape juice and the chicken stock. Cover the dish tightly with tin foil and put on the lid. Bake the chicken for an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, without removing the lid until the hour mark. When the chicken is really tender, and the garlic is soft enough to spread, remove the dish from the oven. § Serve the chicken in shallow bowls with plenty of the fragrant sauce; spread the softened garlic on the bread and then dunk it into the sauce as you eat your chicken.

(Source: Adapted from www.food52.com)

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The Walk, Al Mouj Muscat Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m., daily Contact: (+968) 2455-4774 Dinner for three: RO26.2 Verdict : 6/10 SERVICE 5/10 FOOD 7/10 AMBIENCE Thai fine-dining chain with a focus on regional delicacies and authentic preparation.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

CULINARY OFFERINGS FROM THE LAND OF SMILES LEAVE US FROWNING AT THIS THAI FINE-DINING CHAIN’S OUTLET ON AL MOUJ

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SHANG THAI

SHANG THAI hai gastronomy is one of those cultural culinary identities that’s generally hard to fault. Unique in its flavour profile, it balances sweet, sour, acidity and salt in a perfect marriage that enlivens every tastebud. And a night out for some good Thai in Muscat is, hands down, one of our favourite weekend splurges – be it eat-in or takeaway.

So, it was with prodigious appetites and great expectations that we headed over to The Walk at Al Mouj in search of satiation at the Shang Thai outlet located in the heart of its pedestrian promenade. With several branches throughout the capital, Shang Thai has managed to set itself apart from other big-box restaurant chains in that it upholds authenticity in the preparation of its offerings and quality of ingredients.

While The Walk at Al Mouj boasts a plethora of restaurants, cafés and takeaway options Shang Thai has somehow failed to benefit from the constant flow of foot traffic in this nightly and weekend hotspot. We’ve popped in for a takeaway a fair number of times and the restaurant is usually fairly quiet, and its outside terrace empty. To be fair, it’s got some stiff competition on its hands; positioned kitty-corner to two restaurants with large outdoor shisha terraces that are always heaving on any given night. Yet still – the food at Shang Thai has, in our experience, always been consistent and delicious.

With this precedent in mind, it’s on a whim that we decide to head over to dine in for a change. It’s early in the week, and there are just

New Restaurant

flavour is muted due to the fire in our mouths that leaves our eyes streaming and our napkins oilstained.

Hoping our starters are just a hiccup, we order for our main courses a sharing portion of Nuea Pahd Isaan Style – marinated grilled beef served with a spicy chili sauce. Having had this Thai classic elsewhere at restaurants of high repute we know that the morsels of dried, marinated beef should be akin in consistency to a jerky or South African biltong. What arrives are morsels that equate to cold roast beef leftovers from Sunday dinner. Dry and flavourless, they rely solely on the chili sauce (which is quite good!) to carry the dish. And at a price-point of RO7.4, they give us nowhere near our money’s worth.

The red Thai chicken curry isn’t much better.

Used to the depth of flavour in Shang Thai’s rich, smoky-sweet sauce what arrives is a clay pot of curry with hapless slices of chicken floating in a sea of raw red chili landmines and virtually little to no other veg. Overly salted, it lacks any resemblance to the quality we know and love from this brand. Drizzled over fluffy clumps of jasmine rice, we add some of the chili sauce from the beef, which is slightly sweet, to the curry just to make it more palatable.

Our waitress comes over to clear our plates on and off throughout the meal but doesn’t ask us once if we’re enjoying our meals or if there’s anything else we need. When we complain about the quality of the dishes, she explains that they’ve got a new chef who – no surprise here – isn’t Thai.

It’s early days yet in 2019 and we hope this restaurant can get back on its feet in short order. ■

two other booths occupied. Bellies rumbling, we reckon a slow night will mean fast service and all items made freshly.

We decide on three bowls of steaming Thai soup to warm us on this cold winter’s night. Two portions of Tom Kha and one Tom Yum – extra spicy, at our request. Twenty minutes later when our soups still haven’t arrived, I flag down the waitress to enquire about the delay and to ask if they have any prawn crackers with sweet chili sauce – a Shang Thai staple, to nibble on while we wait. She assures us the soups are ‘coming soon’ but offers no other explanation for the unusual delay, given the restaurant is practically empty and there’s more kitchen staff on-hand than wait-staff.

She also apologetically tells us that there are no prawn crackers available, so we continue to sip our water and wait.

Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see The soups finally arrive, piping hot and plentiful. The Tom Kha is creamy and comforting, reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com packed with succulent morsels of chicken, plump cherry tomatoes that burst in your mouth, fragrant lemongrass, and fiery chilies. It’s a perfect specimen of what a Thai soup should be. The Tom Yum, on the other hand, is an oil slick. While we asked for a bit of extra spice, they’ve poured on so much chili oil and chopped up so many raw red chilies that the dish is rendered practically inedible. Digging to the very furthest reaches of the bowl brings up tender pieces of chicken, lush mushrooms, and lemongrass that are the hallmarks of a good Tom Yum. However, their

11 - 12 January 2019

Open to the Public

Featuring: ● Stage Activities ● Kids Activities ● Prize Giveaways ● Live Interactions & Training Sessions Experience the first of a kind - Healthy Lifestyle Festival in Muscat organized at Oman Automobile Association. The festival will include various exhibitors and participants promoting health, fitness, and leading a healthy diet, in addition to exciting side activities that will take place throughout the two days. Do not miss the experience!

For more information, please call us at 24510239 and follow our Facebook page and Instagram account.

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