Y Magazine #580, August 7, 2019

Going for gold OMAN’S RISING TAEKWONDO CHAMPION

Top 5 Eid escapes PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY DESTINATION

YOUNG OMANI INNOVATOR 8 News: CREATES ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTIC

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DESTINATION: The Mahout coast TASTE TEST: Tokyo Taro YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

AUG 08 - 14 2019 / ISSUE 580 • WEEKLY

TUNING OUT?

PLUS!

AS GLOBAL CABLE NETWORKS STRUGGLE FOR AIR-TIME AMONG A NEW GENERATION OF VIEWERS WHO PREFER TO DOWNLOAD, STREAM, OR GET THEIR FIX FROM DIGITAL PLATFORMS SUCH AS NETFLIX OR AMAZON PRIME VIDEO. Y EXPLORES THE IMPACT THIS SHIFTING TREND IS HAVING ON THE SULTANATE’S OWN MEDIA LANDSCAPE – AND MEET THE YOUTH WHO ARE LEADING IT

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POSTCARD: DORSET, ENGLAND’S JURASSIC COAST

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YUMMY OMAN: MUSCAT’S CHEESIEST PIZZA PARLOURS

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

W

hen was the last time you watched a program on TV? An actual sit-onthe-sofa and tune in to the tube kind of program – scrolling through channels with the remote in-hand? Maybe you’d prefer to take in a weekend movie – 3D glasses on and large popcorn at the ready? Or, more likely than not, maybe you’ll wait for that movie to come out online where you can stream it from the comfort of your living room, or binge-watch that latest series that’s got you firmly in its grip.

It’s the change no one foresaw: the move from cable and satellite television to digital streaming. Some even call it a 21st -century shift that’s revolutionised the way we consume our television. The coming of internet-based applications such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu has quickly transformed the entertainment industry – bringing to light a plethora of movies and shows that were once buried under decades worth of content, while giving the masses the opportunity to choose what they want to see when they want to see it. Aside from giving consumers power at their fingertips, this has also caused a flux in entertainment content production in the Middle East region.

This week, we take a look at how this new trend has affected the mass media market right here in Oman – especially among the millennial generation and how things are expected to progress. So, grab the popcorn and tune in!

Also in this issue, we’re meeting a young taekwondo athlete from Oman who’s making waves as she competes for her home country of India’s national team; plus with the Eid Al Adha holidays just around the corner we’ve rounded up some of our top staycations and travel destinations that will have you packing your bags in anticipation!

Plus, we’re getting our slice on over in Yummy Oman as we suss out some of the Sultanate’s top pizza parlours, bring you the ultimate in high-flying fashion for those long-haul flights to summer destinations unknown, and slip behind the wheel in First Drive of the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio! (Say that five times fast!)

Until next week, happy reading!

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi ADMIN MANAGER Yousef al Harrassi REPORTER Hassan al Lawati

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@ytabloid /ytabloid

Team Y PHOTOGRAPHER Ismail Al Farsi

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan MANAGER – DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Umair Mehmood

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Acting General Manager Salim al Amri We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial enquiries, please info@y-oman.com email Want to read Y on the go?

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

AUG 08 - 14 / ISSUE 580

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contents AUG

Your Oman 08 News Young Omani innovator creates alternative to plastic 08 News Stop cutting and delaying salaries, Ministry warns

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2019

This Week 07 Up and away Heading to Dhofar over Eid? Check out the hot air balloons at the Salalah Tourism Festival, on now!

11 Movies The birds are back and in cahoots with their arch-enemies in order to save their beloved island home in ‘Angry Birds 2’ hitting theatres this weekend.

11

Cars and Adventures 22 Destination

The Mahout coast 24 First Drive

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 28 Game Review

Top new August releases

Health and Beauty 30 Fashion High-flying fashion for those long-haul flights 29 Health Could sleep deprivation be affecting your immune system?

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Features 12 Tuning out?

There’s a 21st-century digital paradigm shift at play globally as a new generation of young consumers are tipping the scales of consumption away from traditional cablenetwork programming in favour of online platforms to stream or watch, or those that offer video-on-demand services such as Hulu and Netflix. Y delves into the larger impact this shift is having on the mass media market here in Oman as the nation’s youth tune out to TV. 16 Going for gold Coffee with Y meets a young taekwondo star whose dedication to the sport here in Oman have led her to great heights – namely a spot on the Indian national team.

18 Top 5 Eid Escapes Make your holiday magic with a mini-getaway to one of these top Eidbreak destinations!

Food and Drink 32 Yummy Oman

Muscat’s cheesiest

pizza parlours 34 Taste Test

Tokyo Taro

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32 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

A rocky road for A$AP! A$AP Rocky has been released from a Swedish prison after his arrest for alleged assault. The rapper is allegedly denying injuring a 19-year-old man during a street fight in Stockholm on June 30. After his trial concluded, Rocky was permitted to leave and arrived back in the U.S. on Saturday, August 3 with his verdict in the case pending on August 14. If convicted, the rapper could face a possible six-month sentence.

Katy copycat?

Katy Perry has been embroiled in a recent court battle after being accused of alleged copyright infringement by Christian rap group Flame – who have accused Perry of allegedly stealing a riff from their song ‘Joyful Noise’ on her 2013 hit single ‘Dark Horse’. Now, a federal jury has found Katy and her producers liable for copyright infringement and have ordered them to pay $2.78 million USD in damages to Flame as a result of the lawsuit. The damages will be split between Perry and her record label.

New heights for Ed Ed Sheeran has been shattering records since breaking on the music scene in 2011. Now, he’s just gone on to set the record for the highest-grossing concert

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tour of all time. His ‘Divide’ tour has raked in $736.7 million USD since March 2017 with his epic two-year tour about to end later on this month – that’s a whopping 893 days on the road! Ed even inched past U2’s 2011 record-setting $735.4 million USD ‘360°’ tour.

Kanye the builder Rapper Kanye West has announced that he’s going to build new type of home that he hopes could provide an egalitarian solution to the U.S. current housing crisis.

His Yeezy Homes Project has conceptualized these ‘Star Wars’inspired domeshaped abodes which he plans to build on a 300-acre property he owns in California. According to sources close to the rapper Kanye allegedly hopes that this kind of social housing project could aid in breaking barriers between rich and poor communities. The dynamic domes will be 50-feet high, with Kanye and his team studying dwellings “from every period of man’s existence on Earth” in their conceptualizations.

Camila slams shamers Camila Cabello has shot back at internet trolls after finally opening up and responding to online body-shamers with an emotional story of her own. After recent negative headlines which body-shamed the young singer-songwriter she took to Instagram to say: “Of course there are bad pictures…of course there are bad angles. My body’s not made of rock – or all muscle for that matter.” She also said that she has many fans who are growing up on social media and stressed that seeing all these Photoshopped and edited pictures of celebrities shouldn’t be considered the norm.

‘Lonely’ ladies We already know Lauv from her single ‘I’m So Tired’ featuring Troye Sivan, while Anne Marie has had cameos on hit songs like ‘Friends’ with Marshmello. Now, the two talented artists have teamed up on a new melancholic bop called ‘Lonely’ – a track which will feature on Lauv’s upcoming début album ‘How I’m Feeling’. It’s also been featured alongside the trailer for the upcoming Season 3 of Netflix’s ’13 Reasons Why’.

It’s definitely a track that gets under your skin and will find its way into your mix when you least expect it!

New from Ariana!

Ariana Grande is out with a new song called ‘Boyfriend’ featuring Social House – best known for their track ‘Magic in the Hamptons’. Ariana had been teasing fans with the song last week after rumours surfaced that she was dating Social House member Mikey Foster. Without a doubt this is one catchy tune and their chemistry in the video is undeniable!

Khalid drops latest single Khalid is out with a revamped release of ‘Right Back’ – a catchy collab with Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, off Khalid’s second album ‘Free Spirit’. While BWTH wasn’t on the original version of the song, but his cameo appearance adds a distinctive summer vibe to the song.

Definitely one worth putting on repeat!

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 Virgin Radio in the Morning.

UP AND AWAY

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE As the Salalah Tourism Festival kicks off now until the end of August in celebration of the annual khareef season, it will also mark a new milestone with the Sultanate’s first hot-air balloon festival. The first of its kind in the GCC, the nearly one million visitors to khareef will have a chance to fly high for a bird’s-eye view of the Dhofar greenery with as many as 15 hot air balloons available for a stunning lift above the clouds.

The festival will also offer a playground for children, international restaurants, and even a race-track for cars.

For more information visit www.dm.gov.om.

EID STAYCATION

Ongoing

Ongoing

Dive in and discover W Muscat’s wave of playful programming this Eid. With rates starting from RO79 per night, you can wind down and wake up to breathtaking ocean views or luscious garden and pool views. Plus, enjoy a healthy breakfast buffet for two at their all-day dining restaurant Harvest along with 20 per cent off at all restaurants. Need a break? Then fuel your body and rejuvenate your mind at their signature Away Spa. Late night? Don’t worry – they have you covered with a 3:00 p.m. late checkout. Offer valid seven days a week through September 30, 2019. For bookings visit call (+968) 2212-0000 or visit www.wmuscat.com.

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT THIS

WEEK

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

A U G U S T Dance the night away to your favourite Bollywood beats at Turbine & Taps this Friday, August 9 brought to you by Events in Style!

With their resident DJ on deck with some of the best new mixes to keep you grooving, bring your whole gang and drop it like it’s hot on the dance-floor. For more information visit you can visit Events in Style on Facebook.

AUG 9 AUG 08 - 14 / ISSUE 580

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OMANI VESSEL WINS INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP PRIZE

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he sought-after 2019 International Friendship Prize for Tall Ships Races held in Aarhus, Denmark has been won

by Oman’s Royal Navy vessel, Shabab Oman II, reports Oman Observer. The special flag representing the International Friendship Prize for Tall Ships Races, 2019 has been officially handed over by the Sailing Boats Races organizing committee and will be hoisted on Shabab Oman II’s mast at all international maritime events to distinguish it as the winner of the top prize among other ships. The achievement was imminent due to the crew’s strong experience and determination during the race which made them a tenacious competitor.

YOUNG OMANI INNOVATOR CREATES ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTIC

Q

uriyat resident Said Khalid Said Al Farsi, 21, a student of Geophysics at Sultan Qaboos University, has developed an alternative to plastic, reports Muscat Daily. Farsi’s product is called ‘Fung Plas Ment’ and is grown from mycelium which are networks of fungal or

mushroom roots that contain the ability to break down waste such as old leaves, dead plants, and pieces of wood, and use them to multiply. As a result of this process, mycelium can then be turned into various shapes and structures.

According to Farsi, “The result is a product that can be used instead of plastic products. It decays, is reusable, and is lighter and harder than plastic.

The prototype is ready, but I have to still conduct some more experiments to come out with a quality product. The name of this product is ‘Fung Plas Ment’, which means ‘replacement of plastic by fungi’. ‘Fung’ means ‘fungi’, ‘Plas’ is ‘plastic’ and ‘Ment’ means replacement’.”

Farsi’s product has been patented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and has won him first place in the Falling Walls Lab Oman competition conducted by The Research Council this year. As a result, he will take part in the international Falling Walls Lab Conference in Berlin, Germany in November.

STOP CUTTING OR DELAYING SALARIES, MINISTRY WARNS

A

strict warning to private sector companies regarding employee salary delays or cuts has been issued by the Ministry of Manpower, reports Oman Observer. “Salary is the right of an employee and the Oman law guarantees it. No company can deprive the employees of their rights”, stated one unnamed Ministry official.

He also stated that when a salary is specified in the contract, it becomes a contractual right and must be fulfilled. While the official didn’t specify the fines or penalties, he did say that the act of nonpayment of wages can even lead to the shutdown of an office or establishment.

According to Article 23 of the Labour Law, the employment contract should contain the basic salary, allowances, and any other benefits an employee is entitled to, and salaries must be deposited to any locally-approved banks. However, a decision by the Minister of Manpower may determine those exceptions where an employee’s salary may not be deposited in his account, the official stated.

When salaries are deposited in the bank account of employees, it helps the Ministry track whether

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employees have been paid on-time. Additionally, it makes the labour market more transparent and enables the Ministry to maintain an accurate database of all private sector employees in the Sultanate.

According to the official, as reported in Oman Observer, “It’s likely that companies that are facing any particular situation or financial difficulties think about reducing the salaries or allowances of their employees. But they can’t do it as it will be treated as a violation of the law”. For this, he expressed that unless a salary cut is affected as a punishment as part of the company’s disciplinary policy, approved by the Ministry of Manpower, in no other circumstances can the employer reduce salaries or allowances of employees.

correspondence

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DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

In the streaming vs. screening debate, what impact is the rise in online video services such as Netflix having on how we’re choosing to view media in Oman?

SYED BOKHARI

Although video-streaming is the ‘need of the day’ in this progressive world, it should be looked at in a positive way. People use more on-demand video services on mobiles rather than TV because television doesn’t give streaming as you need it – whereas mobile platforms deliver as and whenever you want them to according to your desire. People have a relationship with Netflix or Amazon Prime Video and YouTube, but vulgar or irrelevant streaming should be avoided to create a healthy and clean atmosphere – especially when watching with the family. Consumers’ needs of the hour don’t have any limitations and it’s up to us use it or misuse it.

HUNAINA MURAD ALLANA

The choice of viewing media in Oman is a point for debate in this smart-world. Nowadays, it’s been observed that viewers – especially the young generation – prefer streaming video. The most common examples are Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, YouTube, Vudu, Amazon Instant, LoveFilm, Baidu, NowTV, and Vimeo. This is because streaming video or streaming media offers flexible opportunities to web users: 1. The content doesn’t have to be downloaded to play it.

2. Instead, the media is sent in a continuous stream of data and is played as it arrives.

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3. It’s time-saving and offers easy access for viewers.

In my opinion, the rise in online video services includes educational videos, motivational talks, lifestyle and fashion stuff, Hollywood and Bollywood videos, and much more information required by the viewers. Thus, the choice of viewing media has been shifted to streaming video from screening videos.

MUTHUMARI PANDIAN

With the development of the internet and its wide accessibility, this has led people into a different world as feelings of loneliness and social isolation provoke them to over-indulge in TV programs.

A decade ago, if people wanted a means to relax they would come back home from work or school and watch TV programs with their family members.

But now, everyone is isolated with online videostreaming as a means to drain their thoughts, kill boredom, and loneliness. Everyone has a smartphone and can connect online easily to watch programs in their own times with these technologies.

Traditional television viewing is declining, while internet websites that provide instant

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access to content keep growing. It’s a great shift of TV audiences to other platforms that we’ve witnessed on a global level. Digital video recorders and the internet have changed the way of ‘TV watching’ These technologies allow viewers to watch at their own convenience and pace. Studies have also shown that online video-watching among young adults is skyrocketing with nine out of ten internet users accessing content via streaming.

Everyone is depending on ‘multi-screen environments’ of viewing, where an individual can watch content through smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Companies like Netflix, Hulu, Apple, and Amazon Prime Video have made features to watch almost any show, at anytime, with a single touch. This media has the ability to trump and, ultimately, overshadow traditional TV studios.

In addition, these websites have their own original content divisions with interesting shows and movies as a means to increase their market share and draw in more audiences.

As a result of our dependence on new media and the widespread usage of smartphones connected to the internet, we’re becoming a nation of ‘binge-watchers’.

People try to recreate feelings of happiness when bingeing on media.

There’s an indication that binge-watching has become a daily habit for most teenagers. Many of them use internet streaming for binge-watching, while one-third of adults spend at least four hours a day watching programs using smartphones.

Nowadays, it’s very hard to imagine video content without these media platforms – it’s inevitable.

New Debate:

The current gaming culture in Oman has never been more prevalent among youth. But are its effects good or bad from both a health and cultural perspective?

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Centara Muscat Hotel. Vouchers must be collected from Y’s Seeb office in person. Only one winner per week; editor’s decision is final. For other terms and conditions, see the Centara Muscat Hotel voucher.

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YOUR

SUSTAINABLE ART

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ARTISTS CREATE A PORTRAIT OF HIS MAJESTY USING RECYCLED MATERIALS AT THE PLASBEX 1 - ECO-ART COMPETITION. PHOTOGRAPHY

BY SAVIOUR PETER

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MOVIES MOVIES Angel Has Fallen Cast: Gerard Butler, Jada Pinkett Smith, Morgan Freeman

Secret Service Agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), a trusted confidante of U.S. President Allan Trumbull, is wrongfully accused of an assassination attempt on the President and is taken into custody – but escapes successfully. Desperate to uncover the truth, clear his name, protect his family, and save the country, he turns to unlikely allies to find out the real threat surrounding them. It’s all in good action-packed fun with this flick, the third film in the ‘Fallen’ franchise.

Night Hunter

Angry Birds 2

Cast: Alexandra Daddario, Henry Cavill, Ben Kingsley

Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Leslie Jones Parents – get ready to pump up your kids with this treat of an animated film! In this second installment of the franchise, the flightless angry birds and the scheming green oinkers must set aside their differences and become ‘frenemies’ as they try to

The Kitchen Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish

save their island which is in danger of annihilation.

Will their rowdy team-up have a chance of succeeding?

Book your tickets online to this colourful family romp and find out!

In the 1970’s, a group of gangsters wind up in prison; to continue their organization, their wives must take over and become Hell Kitchen’s most powerful mobsters. While the film’s plot of hard-as-nails women stepping in to fill their husband’s shoes in the underbelly

world of organized crime is remarkably similar to 2018’s ‘Widow’s starring Viola Davis and Michelle Rodriguez, it’s thoroughly enjoyable to watch a side of Elisabeth Moss and Melissa McCarthy in the lead roles that we don’t often see.

Police detective Marshall Cavill) and local vigilante Cooper (Kingsley) arrest a serial killer targeting women. Little do they know the arrest is just the beginning of the murderer’s game-plan and a series of deadly attack take place from behind bars. Marshall and Cooper are in a race against time to stop the carnage and to do so, they must think like a madman.

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

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TUNING OUT?

AS MORE VIEWERS IN OMAN CUT THE CORD TO THEIR CABLE AND SATELLITE TV PROVIDERS IN FAVOUR OF OVER-THE-TOP MEDIA STREAMING SERVICES SUCH AS NETFLIX AND AMAZON PRIME VIDEO, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE CHANGING YOUTH-LED TRENDS IN MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE REGION AND EXAMINE THE FUTURE OF MODERN TELEVISION

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O

nly time will tell what the future holds for humanity.

But without a doubt, the coming of the 21st-century has spawned new technologies and inventions that we can be proud of.

From matters of convenience such as GPS, autonomous vehicles, and social networking, to more groundbreaking tech such as the artificial beating heart and smartphones, it’s a wonderful time to be alive.

Yet even as we revel in the success of our creations, there’s one invention that has stirred a revolution; one that’s strong enough to have shaken the very basis of the way we consume our media: Netflix – an over-the-top (OTT) videostreaming platform.

While Netflix began its journey as a humble DVD rental company in 1997 in the US, the company has transformed itself and is currently valued at more than US$15 billion – taking the cake in what is the lucrative video-streaming business that includes companies such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, CBS, and the like.

It’s also causing millennials to cut the cord to basic cable (quite literally!) and satellite television, while also slowly dropping trips to the theatre.

And, why wouldn’t it? At RO3.85, a Netflix subscription for a month will set you back less than the cost of a single movie ticket. It will also

offer you access to more than 1,569 TV shows, 4,010 movies, and over 1,128 documentaries – all of which are spread across a wide range of genres and can be accessed through your Smart TV, laptop, or PC, or any compatible streaming box (ex: Google Chromecast).

This brings stream-able content to a staggering 34,000 hours – which amounts to a stout four years’ worth of content if you decide to binge on shows without breaks.

It also means that people in Oman – and those around the world – are cozying up to their favourite TV shows and movies in the comfort of their home more often than opting for traditional television or theatres.

In fact, as per the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), a trade body that represents major Hollywood studios and Netflix, all video-streaming services now have a combined subscribership of 613.3 million users worldwide when compared with a cable connection, which has some 556 million users.

Speaking to Y about this change in consumer demands is Fawas Puthenveetil, an engineer and tech enthusiast studying local market trends in the Sultanate. He tells us: “We’ve entered a bold new era of entertainment, and it’s incredibly exciting.

“Tens of thousands of hours of shows and movies are at your fingertips. I won’t lie – it

WE’VE ENTERED A BOLD NEW ERA OF ENTERTAINMENT, AND IT’S INCREDIBLY EXCITING. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF SHOWS AND MOVIES ARE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

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doesn’t get any better than that. Moreover, when you talk about videostreaming, you think of the two biggest players here in Oman: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

“That’s the kind of stronghold these two companies have on you.

Their ‘Original’ (in-house production) contents are gripping, and their inventory of movies is getting better. The latter isn’t the most polished of content you’ll get, but the final product is improving by the day.

“You can also practically play, pause, and rewind the shows at your convenience. I’m not sure anyone would turn down such an offer. This is the next best thing to TiVo (a television recorder used to tape shows in the late 1990s).”

Whether you buy into the hype or not, Netflix alone currently has more than 148.8 million subscribers from the 190 countries it streams to. While we can’t procure statistics for Oman, it’s safe to believe that the country is moving towards a streaming-friendly media setting.

Its nearest competitor, Amazon Prime Video, meanwhile, clocked in at 75 million active subscribers (as of 2018), although, it also offers other goodies such as Amazon Music and other services for no added cost.

As Aisha al Barwani, a clinical psychologist and life coach, says: “The reason online video streaming is picking up so quickly is because: one, it’s cheaper than regular television; two, it breaks down barriers and opens content from one region to people all over the world; and three, it can bring local actors, directors, and other members of the production instant fame for their work in what is now being called ‘The Netflix Effect.’”

As Radio Times – a British media firm – puts it, ‘The Netflix Effect’, is the phenomenon where young and relatively unknown actors receive international exposure and fame almost instantly following the release of their show on the streaming platform.

Actors that shot to fame following successful shows on Netflix include Radhika Apte from ‘Sacred Games’, Finn Wolfhard and Millie Bobby Brown from ‘Stranger Things’, and Katherine Langford from ’13 Reasons Why’.

Meanwhile, local actors from Oman and the rest of the GCC are also keenly watching the proceedings, as Netflix has begun testing waters in the Middle East with an all-new Original series (a Netflix production), titled ‘Jinn’.

The show is expected to star Hamzeh Okab, Salma Malhas, and Sultan Alkhail – all of whom are Jordanian actors on début.

Sahara Hamayon, a social media influencer and an emcee, is among those who believe that Netflix can bring TV stars instant gratification.

“Netflix is a hot pot that’s full of great content – from crime and drama to more intriguing documentaries and movies… they’ve got it all covered.

“This means that the chances of you finding something you like are high. I, for instance, have been binge watching ‘Stranger Things’ on my weekends. And, the lineup of young stars in the show makes for some fresh faces.

“The fact that Netflix regularly releases TV shows in clusters (with several episodes crammed into one season) over a day also means that people are likely to spend time trying to watch it all in one sitting.

“Not only will that translate to more time being used on the app, it can also help viewers get emotionally attached with the characters; almost like you’re taking a journey with them,” she adds, before praising the production staff and cast members from the ‘Stranger Things’ TV show.

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If that wasn’t all, Netflix also pumped in funds of up to US$13 billion on content alone – but a staggering 85 per cent of the fund was diverted towards Netflix Originals.

All its efforts are paying off too, as the Netflix movie ‘Bird Box’ starring Sandra Bullock clocked in nearly 45 million viewers on its first weekend on the website alone – a number that rivals even blockbuster movies released in theatres.

While Netflix buffs like Sahara exist, there are some devotees to the app that crank things up a notch or two. Among them is Aaron Albuquerque, 25, an entrepreneur based out of Muscat, who has cancelled his cable TV connection to make way for streaming services.

He weighs in saying: “Before Netflix, we all hit the movies, rented DVDs, or just had everything in our hard disks – legally, of course. Now, however, we can stream content smoothly to any device – be it a smartphone or even a laptop.

“That’s the kind of versatility that these applications bring to the table.

“I’ve been subscribed to Netflix for the past two years and have cancelled my satellite TV connection since. There are no commercials or unnecessary interruptions, and I can also switch between any show depending on my mood for the day.”

All of this is probably why nearly 33 per cent – or 33 million people – cancelled their cable connection in the US in 2018 alone.

There are no statistics readily available in the Sultanate, but one expert believes that the nation is still a year or two away from completely adopting internet-streaming as its primary mode of entertainment.

But the results still reverberate through the television industry, with the Middle-East’s largest pay-tv service, OSN, going up for sale – (though, not for the first time in the last five years) – late in 2018.

The future of the company remains undetermined to this day.

However, what’s promising is the imminent rise of video streaming apps in the country.

“There’s no doubt, Netflix will take over the entertainment scene here in the Sultanate. But, the reason for this is beyond just the great content,” says Sahara.

“Platforms such as Netflix is trendy and youthful, making it a matter of social discussion ever so much than before. Perhaps that’s what makes it stand out among a sea of other apps that do the same tasks.

“This brings us back to the big question: will Netflix take over traditional forms of TV entertainment?” she asks.

“The answer to that is easy: yes. Give it a couple of years and Netflix will stand on top among websites such as Facebook and Twitter. There’s no more questions surrounding the streaming vs. screening war.” ■

GOING FOR GOLD COFFEE WITH Y MEETS AN EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG ATHLETE AT THE TOP OF HER GAME ON THE SULTANATE’S TAEKWONDO SCENE, WHOSE TRAINING AND PRACTICE IN OMAN HAVE EARNED HER A SPOT ON THE INDIAN NATIONAL TEAM

T

he path to success is never straight; instead, it zig-zags, curves, and doubles back on itself before our goal is ever sighted. But reaching that goal can be attributed to perseverance, determination, and a self-confidence that’s etched in stone. And yet, an individual’s quest to find success can depend on how quickly they take the first step towards achieving it.

Perhaps this is what has helped Maheen Nawaz Khan – a 12-year-old student from the Indian School Maabela – strike gold… literally!

A taekwondo artist who has quickly stolen the limelight from competitors in this age group, Maheen’s attempt to break records in Oman has been an awe-inspiring one – and nothing short of successful.

But, what was the motivation behind the making of one of the sport’s youngest stars?

It’s a question that Maheen – who sits across us with her father, Afzal Khan, during our interview – has no trouble answering.

She laughs as she proclaims: “It was my father’s idea. He thought I was becoming lazy as I was growing up. So, he enrolled me in taekwondo classes.”

Her father responds with a grin on his face.

But his decision cannot be faulted with; since

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her introduction to the sport, she’s taken home more than 10 medals, including a gold while representing Oman at the prestigious Gulf Championship for Taekwondo – an achievement that’s pegged to adults with over a decade of experience.

A natural in the martial arts, a humble Maheen quickly tells us that her success can be put down to her training and her coaches – those who have helped her extensively from when she began her practice at the age of seven.

Today, she trains and performs the art of ‘Poomsae’ – a well-defined pattern of defense and attack motions performed in a designated space.

Since beginning her training, she’s taken part – and won medals – in the 3rd Asian Cadet Taekwondo Championship, IIT Kanpur Championship, National Championship in Pune and Chennai, Barka Taekwondo Championship, and the 6th Greater Hyderabad Championship, among several others.

Talking about her early days in the sport, she tells us: “When I first began training, I wasn’t serious. I thought that it was a way to pass time.

“But, things changed after I won the silver medal in my first competition at Barka in 2015. That’s when I realised my true potential and that I could achieve so much more if I put my mind and heart into it.”

Even her coach, the renowned Musafir al Sinani, told her that she could draw greater awards if she trained harder… and that’s exactly what she did.

Today, Maheen trains anywhere between five and six hours, daily.

“I don’t see this as a waste of time at all. I feel this has already become my career, passion, and hobby – and I love it.”

If that wasn’t all, the eighth-grader is also a horse-rider, swimmer, and the topper in the section of her school.

Explaining to us the reason why Maheen is pushed into physical activities, is her father, Afzal. He explains, “Going to taekwondo is a big challenge – possibly one of her greatest ones to date.

“The reason I thought she needed that time away from all the books is because the world has quickly moved into one where children rely on smartphones, PlayStations, and books for their source of entertainment and knowledge.

“This restricts your movement in a day.

It can end up harming you more than you think. That’s why we made the decision to take up this sport.

“Ever since we started, we have been able to see the best in her. And what began as training soon became something more competitive.”

However, it wasn’t all fun and games for Maheen during her early days. As she

confesses: “Every medal I earn is a matter of pride for me and my parents. But I will never forget how nervous I was when I started. I didn’t know if I could perform the things that I had practiced the night before.

“I even practice until the time for my performance.

These are all things that I have worked around, though.

I have dealt with it and all that’s left is excitement before the start of a championship.”

The confident Maheen may be performing at her peak, but her next challenge sees her up against no shortage of talented contestants – the World Taekwondo Championship 2020.

She remains confident, however, as she aims to take home a gold medal representing her home country – India – for the first time.

“I’m a player of Oman,” asserts Maheen. “But this time, I will be playing for India – it’s the dream of my parents to see me wear a gold for our country, and that’s what I’m striving for.

“We can’t simply push Oman to the side. The support we’ve received – from the school to the coaches – have been amazing.

Maheen now trains with the coach of the national team – Kamal al Busaidi.

She dreams big. Aside from her perseverance and determination to bring home gold, Maheen also aims to become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer someday – one of India’s most prestigious titles.

But she says that she probably won’t put her taekwondo aside.

“I’ll give studies preference as I grow older, but I will be in touch with taekwondo for life.

“It’s one of those sports that gets a grip on your life and refuses to let go. And, if you pursue the sport with your heart and mind, then you’ll also achieve great heights.”

Things changed after I won the silver medal in my first competition at Barka in 2015.

That’s when I realised my true potential and that I could achieve so much more if I put my mind and heart into it.

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TOP 5

EID ESCAPES

Whether you’ve got your plane tickets already booked – or are looking for a little R&R closer to home, Mikaela Estera rounds up our top picks for the ultimate Eid break getaway!

E

id Al Adha is fastapproaching around the corner, starting on Sunday, August 9 and running until Thursday August 15. Add on to that the weekends before and after and you’ve got yourself an extra-long break to look forward to! How you

spend it is up to you, but we’ve done our research to bring you five of the most marvelous staycations and getaways to help you detach and de-stress this holiday. From beautiful destinations within Oman, to budget-friendly locales abroad – you’ve got options!

SUR

An easy drive from Muscat – roughly 200kms via the coastal highway – Sur lets you peek into the past to Oman’s rich maritime heritage and offers various historical and cultural attractions that make it a consistently popular location among residents and tourists. Not-to-be-missed are the nearby Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, the Al Ayjah Lighthouse, the iconic Fatah Al Khair dhow and Sunaysilah Castle. If you want to stay a few days, there are lots of affordable hotels available but, as a general rule, best to book in advance as things tend to book up fast ahead of Eid. This way you’ll get your best value for money too!

MASIRAH ISLAND

You’ll have to travel 450kms from Muscat along the Nizwa road going to Shannah and then take another hour-long ferry ride to get to this camper’s haven!

Ninety-five kilometres long and 14kms wide, the beauty of Masirah Island is untouched. Known for kitesurfing, whale-watching, deep-sea fishing, and bird- and turtle-watching it’s a nature-lover’s paradise!

You can also hike to the island’s Jabal Al Humr peak for an exhilarating aerial view!

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SALALAH

The city of Salalah is a gem in the south of the Sultanate – and there’s no better time than now to travel there during the monsoon or ‘khareef’ season when the land is blessed with light rains and cool air, the grass green and lush, and the trees and foggy hills ready to welcome you with their splendour. You can also take in the annual Salalah Festival with its hot air balloons and family entertainment.

To reach Salalah – the capital city of Dhofar Governorate, you can either drive there if you

don’t mind a 1,015kms epic road-trip, or else grab a one-and-a-half-hour flight via Oman Air or SalamAir. Once there, take the opportunity to visit the Sultan’s Palace – the ancestral home of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. Though not open to the public you can take photos outside and it’s a popular selfie spot for those who come to admire its incredible architecture from afar.

You can also visit Al Baleed Archaeological Site – a 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, or Taqah Castle which is now a museum that exhibits traditional Omani weaponries. Head over to Sumhurum (Khor Rohri) if you’re keen to explore Omani artifacts, or if you’d rather get out in nature head to the iconic Mughsail Beach and Al Marneef Cave. And for families, a trip to the newly-opened Hawana Aqua Park is a must; also, don’t forget to scope out the Dhofar anti-gravity point new Tawi Atair where your vehicle can travel up to 40-60kms per hour without acceleration – as though being pulled by a magnetic force.

SRI LANKA

The ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ is ready to welcome visitor this Eid with golden sandy beaches, lively waterfalls, gripping wildlife safaris, and enticing local cuisine. Offering tourists a laid-back and quiet holiday vibe it has long been one of the world’s most ruggedly beautiful bucket-list places to visit. Some of its most popular places to visit are the heart-warming Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Yala National Park. To help with your planning, some airlines are even including all-inclusive packages for Eid. On the AirArabia Holidays website alone, roundtrip packages, including hotel accommodation for a two-night, three-day stay are just RO156 per head for a family of four at the time of publication, with the option to add on customized day tours to your itinerary. Rates are ever-changing though, so advanced booking is key to getting the best offer!

century. Nepal also offers plenty of temples and fascinating jungle safaris – but if you want Located between the some truly heart-pumping adventure, opt for a Himalaya Mountains and short trek to the Himalayas, mountain-biking captivating Indian jungles, in the Kathmandu Valley, or river-rafting on Nepal offers visitors an the Bhote Koshi River. If you want to have an exotic appeal with a idea of the budget you might need for trip, perfect blend between AirArabia Holidays is advertising, at the time ancient and modern. of publication, a roundtrip ticket and hotel While there, don’t miss the accommodation for a two-night, three-day chance to visit the historic stay for a family of four turns up rates as low Durbar Square, listed now as RO146 per head. It’s up to you if you want as a UNESCO World Heritage to avail a package with day tours, or if you’d Site where the Nepali Royal rather explore this mountain paradise at your Family lived until the 19thown leisure.

NEPAL

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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 • Al Hayat

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Splash) • SPAR • NBO • Oman Oil Petrol

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

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

Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café

& Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Papa John’s Pizza • Pizza Hut

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

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

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

Station • Pizza Hut • Qurum Commercial Complex • Ras Al Hamra Club • SABCO Centre • Second Cup • Starbucks • The Sultan Center • Tche Tche Café Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-3 • Knowledge Oasis

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

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

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

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

Economics and

Political Science

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

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

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

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

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Adventures

CARS AND ADVENTURES

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming PRETTY IN PINK

The rosy-hued waters of Khaloof beach owe their unique hue to algae blooms that make Oman’s pink lagoons a popular tourist site

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

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

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

Y- F i

Gaming

Destination

MAHOUT COAST Aftab H. Kola heads to the Sultanate’s Al Wusta Governorate for a whiff of the fresh sea breeze along this stretch of unspoiled coastline 022

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slushy salt pan (sabka) that the land becomes after a rain-shower. There’s an existing salt production plant at Ras bin Toot and Duqm Salt is weighing options for its expansion.

More spectacular landscapes are revealed driving westward and then south. Ras Halaat, another fishing ground, has some fine beautiful beaches – and with rocky hillocks along the beach the route is, however, less motorable. Turn westward at this point and head for the main road linking Sinaw with the wilayat of Duqm, past the villages of Salutiyaat and Saraab.

There are three islands in the Wilayat – the most important being the island of Mahout with its stunning ‘qaram’ trees; the island of Jaz with superb natural scenery, and the island of Ab which has a great number of sea-birds and herons, plus, other types of migratory birds.

Beaches in the wilayat of Mahout are, Kanasa, Las Ruis, Al Khulaf, Bantut, Ras Al Zakhar, and Ras Khaba Sarab.

Traditional industries visitor can find throughout a trip down the coastline are spinning and weaving ‘Khuruj’ and ‘Al Ghali’ which are made from hair and are used as covers for camp-sites and also as blankets which are called ‘Al Aina’.

It’s a place where living history speaks aloud in harmony with nature.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

S

erene, white sands, gentle waves, and mangroves aplenty – the Mahout coast is all this and much more.

Located in the Governorate of Al Wusta to the south of Al Dakhiliyah and Al Dhahirah, it’s a region bordered by the Arabian Sea to the east, the Empyt Quarter to the west, and the Governorate of Dhofar on its southern reaches. Consisting of four wilayats – Hayma, Mahout, Duqm, and Al Jazur – Al Wusta is a coastal haven attuned with the sea, offering up its unique tapestry of culture at every turn.

Zooming in on the Wilayat of Mahout, it’s a rustic hamlet that consists of 32 villages, and was home to one of the most important ports in the Sultanate’s bygone era

locals and visitors alike seeking refreshment amid nature.

Mahout Island – a bird-lover’s oasis –lies just across from the coastal village of Filim, and there are many boats operated by local villagers that ferry (for a small fee) the island’s residents, as well as tourists back and forth.

From Filim, you can also make the drive to the coastal village of Khaloof. The route traverses a shallow, muddy stretch until you arrive at a popular fishing spot with an expansive white-sand seafront. A haven for sea-gulls and other birds, ornithologists and tourists have also reported sightings of falcons in – when ship-building was the main occupation and Mahout was known flight.

The sight of a pinkish hue along for transporting travellers and goods from Oman to India and East Africa the beach, which is attributed to the carrying local wares and returning presence of small snails scattered with goods that were not produced all along the stretch, makes for a in the Sultanate at that time. delightful scene. Little wonder then Known for its unique ecology, that Kahloof is sometime called the the Mahout coast is replete with ‘rosy beach’. mangroves which prevent shoreline Just six kilometres away is erosion while supporting the the village itself, where fishing surrounding marine eco-system. and herding are the principal Here, serene fishing villages, white occupations. Drive along the beach sandy beaches, and azure blue sky at low tide and follow the route as come alive. It’s not uncommon it veers inward, bypassing rocky to see flocks of birds swarming as stretches along the beach. Some fishermen haul their nets, or locals 25kms down this stretch is Ras relaxing in impromptu majlises bin Toot, which appears like a sail by the sand. Wadis such as Al from the sky. Although a popular Joubah, Madirah, and Al Sail are fishing area, tourists are urged to be also popular attractions for both careful when driving here due to the

From the Bid Bid-Sur Roundabout drive along the Sharqiyah road for 72kms to arrive at the turnoff to Sinaw near the Shell filling station. Sinaw is a further 62km away and is the best point of entry into the Al Wusta region for those coming from either the Al Dakhiliyah or Al Sharqiyah regions.

From Sinaw, drive 250kms to the turn that will take you to Hij in the centre of wilayat Mahout – a further 18kms away. From Hij head south towards the coastal village of Filim, some 19kms away, on the fringes of Mahout Bay.

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CARS ADVENTURES

ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QUADRIFOGLIO

FIRST DRIVE

T

he recipe for a super SUV is quite simple: throw in oodles of power to a vehicle large enough to ferry anywhere between five to seven people and their valuable luggage (perhaps even a couple of dogs), plus a bit of light off-roading when the going gets rough.

It’s a market that remained relatively uninviting for the better part of the early 2000s, with only a handful of players even daring to take on the seemingly impossible challenge of figuring out how to keep their vehicle grounded on all four wheels and not topple over – let alone make it go fast.

Things have changed a lot since then – starting with how technology has made it possible for an SUV to go hard and fast in a stable manner – without any superfluous drama normally associated with supercars.

Today, the high-performance SUV market is flooded with competition; from the track-focused Lamborghini Urus and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo,

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With a century-long experience building cars, Alfa Romeo creates a super SUV that looks and drives like a million dollars

to the more practical Range Rover Sport SVR and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 63S Coupe.

But, when it comes to cranking things up a notch or two and crushing records – sometimes even those set by multi-million-dollar supercars – only one name comes to mind: The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The brainchild of the world’s darling car brand, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the Italian manufacturer’s first attempt at taking a crack at the lucrative market… but without the obnoxious looks or the price-tag this clique is normally associated with.

In fact, this might be the only SUV that dons a daring design language that works in its favour and attracts enough eyes and camera flashes.

Unlike the ostentatious (and a bit over-the-top) Lamborghini Urus, the Alfa flaunts a designlanguage reminiscent to that of its sedan sibling – the Giulia Quadrifoglio.

This marriage between sedan and SUV design

leaves the Stelvio with a tasteful fascia. The long headlamps with adaptive bi-xenon projectors and wraparound LED daytime-running lights remain, as does the signature ‘Scudetto’ grille with a brushedaluminium lip.

It also comes with a tall, aggressive bumper with large intake vents and a handful of cuts and sharp creases that distinguish it from the regular variants.

There’s also functional vents on the bonnet that resemble shark gills to aid in cooling the engine.

Our top-spec tester even came fitted with a carbon-fibre bonnet to aid in weight reduction alongside aluminium panels that help keep the car a humble 1,800kgs.

At 4.7m x 1.68m x 1.95m (length x height x width), the Stelvio Quadrifoglio slots in between the larger Range Rovers and the smaller Porsche Macans. Nevertheless, with 20cms of clearance separating the bumper lip from the ground, it’s capable of light off-roading.

The side profile is rather understated but still unique with sportier side-skirts and flared arches distinguishing the Quadrifoglio from the ‘Veloce’ or ‘Super’ variants. Meanwhile, the rear end is finished up with a small diffuser, a menacing quadexhaust setup, and a wider lip to house all the extra metal.

All variants of the Quadrifoglio also come wearing specially-designed 20-inch alloys that are wrapped around a staggered set of Pirelli PZero tires.

D e s t i n at i o n

The best way to sum up the exterior of the car is as a Giulia Quadrifoglio on stilts.

It feels the part on the inside too.

Aside from the generous serving of carbon-fibre and additional stitching on the dashboard, centre console, and doors that help break up the grey from the alcantara on the seats and steering wheel, along with darker leather bits on the other panels, the car is incredibly driver-focused.

Case and point, the large multi-function flat-bottom steering wheel comes with excellent ergonomics for driving, while there are tall, milled aluminium shifters on the column behind the steering for shifting gears.

Po s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y-Fi

Even the 8.8-inch highdefinition infotainment screen is angled towards the driver so that all the necessary information is available at their fingertips.

We found the screen to be user-friendly – but there’s a learning curve to dodge before you can go full-fledged with it while on the move. The accompanying knob that controls the screen, however, is easy to intuit and easy to use.

Our tester also came fitted with supportive carbon-fibre bucket seats. The seats, despite offering supreme levels of side support with bolstering and lumbar support, also remained quite soft and premium in feel with just the right mix of top-end leather and alcantara.

Space inside is apt for five adults. Head and leg room is plentiful in both the front and back, though middling in its class – but it’s quite sizeable when pitted against the likes of the Macan or the GLC 63 AMG Coupe.

This carries over to the boot as well. With a boot space of 525-litres – owing mostly to the sloping roofline and lower profile – there’s enough space for four large suitcases and three more smaller bags. Aside from that, you can also do a 40:20:40 split seating to make way for some extra room.

It’s practical by most means, and the standard-fit electric tailgate, coupled with the low and flat loading space makes for easy loading and unloading.

Where the Stelvio Quadrifoglio really takes the cake is in the safety department.

Pre-loaded with just about everything (save for autonomous driving) technology currently on offer, the SUV can be rated as one of the safer ones out there.

Gaming

CARS

ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QUADRIFOGLIO Specifications: • Engine: 2.9-litre ‘twin-turbocharged’ V6 • Transmission: Eight-speed ‘ZF’ automatic • Power: 503hp • Torque: 600Nms • Top Speed: 283kph (limited) Four-wheel drive Carbon-fibre trim 3 selectable drive modes 50:50 weight distribution Alfa Chassis Domain Control 8.8-inch infotainment screen Auto emergency braking Adaptive cruise control Harman/Kardon premium surround sound system Leather and alcantara upholstery

WHEN IT COMES TO CRANKING THINGS UP A NOTCH OR TWO AND CRUSHING RECORDS – SOMETIMES EVEN THOSE SET BY MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR SUPERCARS – ONLY ONE NAME COMES TO MIND: THE ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QUADRIFOGLIO. Standard kit includes blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, hill descent control, and the usual traction and stability controls with additional help from the torque vectoring system.

For an added cost, you can also get adaptive cruise control fitted to the car for some added assistance while driving long distances.

From a trivial standpoint, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio blends the best of Italian design with modern technology and practicality – an amalgamation we’ve long waited for – to create what could possibly come close to being the perfect high-performance SUV ever made… that is if you set aside the frightfullooking Lamborghini.

It’s a hard and fast rule that every petrolhead must have driven an Alfa Romeo to know the real meaning of driving and sense the emotion behind it. For more impressions on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, stay tuned for a follow-up test drive.

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JURASSIC COAST Ancient geological

history meets quaint seaside retreat in this UK hub for weekend wayfarers

1. Take in the lush splendour of Bournemouth’s Victorian gardens.

2. Wander the white pebble beaches of Lulworth Cove.

3. Hit the shops and high-streets of Poole for some retail therapy.

4. Go fossil-hunting on Monmouth Beach.

5. Visit the medieval monastery at Christchurch Priory.

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Ashlee Starratt recommends

DORSET, ENGLAND, UK I

n our Insta-obsessed world, we’re always chasing the next click-bait selfie, seldom putting away our digital devices to marvel over those corners of nature we’re lucky enough to stumble upon. If we’re extremely lucky we happen to find those which no lens, save our own eyes, can take in - let alone capture for the masses. This is Mother Nature after all - and she doesn’t care about social media. #NoFilter.

One such corner of the world can be found on England’s jaw-dropping southwest coast.

Dorset and its UNESCO-listed 152km Jurassic Coast is one of the most rugged regions in the lower half of Britain, with fossil-clad cliffs and rock formations giving way to striking azure waters that would be at home in the Caribbean.

A stone’s throw away from its equally well-known neighbours - Bournemouth and Southampton, Dorset is part of southwest England’s tourism hotbed with its stunning geography, rustic seaside charm, and voracious local foodie scene.

Just a two-hour train ride from London’s Waterloo Station to Gillingham Station in Dorset, it’s an easy locale for a weekend jaunt away from the urban crush. Fresh sea breezes, ancient cultural and geological history that you can literally trip over, and welcoming local markets, museums, and cultural attractions are reason enough to catch the early train and make a full day of it.

If you’re stopping over in Bournemouth, be sure to pack a picnic and hit the sand of Alum Chine - a Blue Flag beach with lush golden dunes that are the jewel in Bournemouth’s seven miles of pristine coastline beaches.

Moving onwards along your Dorset village trip-tych and a diversion to Dorchester’s Thomas Hardy Cottage is a must for the literarily-inclined. A pastoral thatched dwelling, it’s the place where Hardy was born in 1840 and where he wrote his masterpiece ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’.

Antique hunters can also explore the Wimborne Market in Bournemouth where you’ll find all manner of collectibles, bric-a-brac, and memorabilia among its many shop stalls - along with the day’s haul of fresh produce from local farms in the surrounding area.

And if an afternoon of traipsing cliffside trails and castle ruins has left you peckish, work off your appetite with some of Dorset’s most delicious dining, with all manner of locavore restaurants, inns, and cafés catering to every palate. If you’re stopping by the Thimble Inn in Dorchester, be sure to try one of their gourmet burgers, or local cod fillet with new potatoes while savouring gorgeous views across the Piddle Valley.

THE RU IN S IL L U M IN O F C O R F E C AS ATED B Y SUNS TLE ET

IV E OL D M A T IO N S G C H A L K FO R IR U N IQ U E OC K S T H E HARRY R C OL OU R

My favourite place Hiding in plain sight along the unspoiled Jurassic Coast of

Dorset, is the Durdle Door – the area’s most iconic landmark. Located on the Lulworth Estate, this majestic natural limestone arch is the result of centuries of waves battering the cliff-face until a ‘door’ was forged straight through the middle. It also has the honour of being named England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and now ranks among other UNESCO wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Make your way along its cliffside trails for the ultimate photo-op or wend your way down the stairs along its craggy slopes to the beach cradled between the cliffs for a swim (with many other eager tourists!)

Highlights Book in a Jurassic Coast coach tour with a local geological guide who will take you hunting for fossils amid the region’s 185 million years of natural history, visit the brooding ruins of the 16th-century Corfe Castle, take a ride on the historic Swanage steam railway, wander the gardens and grounds of the 15th-century Athelhampton manor house, or marvel at the striking chalk formations of Studland Bay’s Old Harry Rocks.

Lowlights None.

Souvenirs Fossil trinkets or seashells, locally-knitted tea towels, local honey and jam, Dorset cereals and tea.

Getting there Oman Air offers daily service to London Heathrow. From the UK capital it’s a two-hour train ride from Waterloo Station to Dorset’s Gillingham Station.

Where to stay There are numerous local B&Bs and small boutique hotels to be found between Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole, and Weymouth via booking.com, Trivago, Agoda and other sites. But if you prefer a room with a view why not give the Durdle Door Holiday Park caravan campground a go?

T H E ID Y L L IC SEA W E Y M S ID E T O W N OF OUTH

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

D e s t i n at i o n

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YU-GI-OH!

A gripping card game that made its way onto the consoles long enough for it to have a stand-alone cult following; ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ blends the best of turn-byturn card games and adds to it the joys of modern animation and design. This rendition of the game adds a 9,000-plusstrong card library, complete with the latest mechanics that allow it to feature the likes of link summoning – a new law to play the game. Getting to grips will be a trial, as we all know: subtlety is hardly the game’s strong suite. Add to it the challenges of switching through various plotlines and characters from previous games, and you’re left with what could possibly be the best card-based game on console.

Platforms: Switch

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Gaming

Y-FI

Top August Releases

The Y Geek Squad rounds up four games that break the norms and pave the way for an exciting month of gaming

t’s gearing up to be a month to remember for gamers eager to make up for the largely forgetful year they’ve had. August cranks the ante all the way up to a hundred as it beckons the long-awaited arrival of what we geeks like to claim for ourselves: gaming season.

The flurry of releases for the month covers everything from the world of the mystical, to more realistic titles in sports, and turn-by-turn action-adventure releases – meaning, there’s plenty and more for us to hibernate with (indoors) through for a month or two… or at least until summer’s strong grip lets go.

Here, we round up our top picks of the month that are worth every penny you (probably) saved not buying games since the spring.

Cars

RAD

‘Rad’ takes up the worst of modern gaming – the hackneyed postapocalyptic story-line, zombies and mutants, and slash-and-hack gameplay – and turns it into a refreshing update that’s worth playing. The plot follows an Earth that has ended... twice… to a nuclear holocaust and throws you – the human who survived the ordeal – into the heart of it. Where things take a turn for the better is when you realise you’re exposed to radioactivity that slowly results in your mutation. Far into the gameplay, you’re less human as you are mutant. This allows you to gain superstrengths that you can then use to go save what’s left of the planet.

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

single-celled organisms to more complex forms of life – ‘Ancestors’, like its name suggests, gives you control over the evolution of humankind. We’d like to imagine there’s more to it than just eating, sleeping, and exploring new areas.

The developers say that the game relies on you to sustain your clan of apes (in the early days) and then take control of the eight-million-year-long journey to humankind (or something similar) as we know it today. Oddly, the final form of humans may vary depending on the evolution path you take – so you’ll get to know how life would actually turn out if you played creator.

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

BLAIR WITCH

ANCESTORS: THE HUMANKIND ODYSSEY

Think of this game as a modern take on the brilliantly-scripted yet failed title, ‘Spore’ (from 2008). While ‘Spore’ gave players an opportunity to control everything – from the evolution of

Everything about this game is worryingly spooky – from the title, all the way to the gameplay and storyline.

Inspired from the (forgetful) ‘Blair Witch’ movie from 2016, the game tightens up on loose ends and adds a touch of graphical dexterity to package the final product on a high note. The first-person view, alongside the dark environment and lack of any characters to interact with makes this one of the hardest games to sit through. Also, the addition of a camcorder and a torch light to record and proceed through the woods and the cabins makes for some compelling jump scares.

Platforms: PC, Xbox One

HEALTH

&

Health

BEAUTY

Fa s h i o n

Home

Fa m i l y

SICK AND TIRED Diseases arising from sleep deprivation are far more common than we may think, as Jeremy Whittaker learns that an hour away from your bed could be damaging your immune system

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f food is fuel for the body, then sleep must be fuel for the mind.

While experts in the field of sleep advise adults above the age of 26 to get anywhere between seven to nine hours of sound sleep, the reality of how people treat their sleep patterns can vary greatly – and as it turns out, this can have lasting effects on your body.

So, are you getting enough sleep? It’s a query that’s often met with smiles from the people we surveyed.

“Six hours,” answers Joseph*, the team leader of an automotive dealer in the country. His wife Annie – a flight attendant – on the other hand tells us that she routinely clocks less than five hours of sleep.

It’s not just Joseph and Annie, either. This trend continues as we speak to more adults from our focus group of people above the age of 26 – and it also forms the basis of Dr. Elias Said’s research paper on the matter.

The assistant professor from Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Medicine (Department of Microbiology and Immunology) details his study to us, saying: “Adults should sleep at least seven hours daily in a continuous manner.

“Anything less than that is considered ‘sleep deprivation.’”

However, sleep deprivation, a term rarely taken seriously, can pose health risks that can even result in complications leading to death.

Dr. Elias’ also goes on to show a worrying correlation between lack of sleep and the body’s immune system. This is a matter of concern, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) reports that changing lifestyles and trends have resulted in a decrease in the average nocturnal sleeping time – from seven hours per night to less than six hours.

This comprises 35.2 per cent of all adults and increases as high as 50 per cent in developed countries.

“Sleep deprivation will affect the immune system,” he reiterates. “It’s also linked to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and blood pressure, aside from affecting mood, ability to concentrate, and one’s memory.

“In our study of sleep deprived volunteers, we learned that the capacity of the immune cells (neutrophils) to ‘eat’ –phagocytose – and kill bacteria was reduced.

“Also, they had a decrease in CD4 T Lymphocyte cells that are very important in regulating all the responses that fight infection and cancer.

As per the CDC, the CD4 T Lymphocytes play a vital role in leading the immune system to efficiently respond to fight different diseases. So,

a decrease in the number of these cells found in the study suggests that their role in fighting cancers properly is compromised.

Dr. Elias then says, “This, in turn, was linked to a sharp change in the levels of some proteins of the immune system – chemokines – that are responsible for the distribution of the immune cells around the body.”

The relationship between sleep and the human immune system is a field that’s gaining attention quickly. “We’re now still in the phase where we’re discovering the effect of sleep on the immune system, however, the exact causes (direct link) are still only being studied.”

As Joseph tells us: “This is a spooky revelation indeed. Still, with the rates of cancer at an alltime high in the GCC, it’s only fair to suspect that greater lifestyle changes are at play here.

“And, if sleep is playing a factor in this, then I think we all need to heed the message and change our routines.” *Name changed to protect identity

Average Sleep Needs By Age • Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours • Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours • Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours • Pre-schoolers (3-5 years): 10-13 hours • School age children (6-13 years): 9-11 hours • Teenagers (14-17 years): 8-10 hours • Young adults (18-25): 7-9 hours • Adults (26-64 years): 7-9 hours • Older adults (65 years and above): 7-8 hours (Source: National Sleep Foundation) Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Please seek the advice of a medical expert if you have any questions regarding a health issue.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

HIGH-FLYING FASHION

Travelling this Eid? Being comfortable is just as important as looking and feeling good on those longhaul flights. Here we’ve rounded up the wardrobe essentials that should be in your carry-on.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

T t Ge

k o o L e h

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

It can get chilly on those long-haul flights with the constant A/C, so consider laying up! Slip into this comfy blush-pink belted cardigan from H&M and settle in to the in-flight entertainment. Price: RO9.6.

Because our feet also tend to swell up in-flight – the same rule of loose-fitting apparel applies. Opt for shoes that you can slip on and off with ease and allow enough stretch so as not to cramp your toes – like these pair of ballet flats from Hush Puppies in a sleek snake-print. Wear them for RO30.7.

(Available online.)

We get it. You want to accessorize without going over-board on those long-haul flights.Ditch those long necklaces and dangling earrings that will weigh you down and trade them in for a colourful pair of studs that will keep you looking chic from departure to arrival. We love these bright pair from M&S that go for RO3.5.

Between the cabin pressure, carb-heavy plane food, and sitting for hours on end, our bodies tend to retain water on long-haul flights. Avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing and instead opt for trousers in light, breathable fabrics that stretch easily. We love these powderblue fluid jacquard pair from MANGO, which retail for RO19.

Finally! Frequent flyers have the option of colourful, stylish compression stockings! Long the territory of ‘Granny garments’, these potentially life-saving socks help facilitate circulation on long-haul flights and reduce the risk of deep-vein thrombosis. Grab this rainbowhued pair from A-Swift for RO4.9. (Available on Amazon).

This grey quilted carry-on from River Island is both stylish and functional – big enough to carry all your travel essentials from your makeup kit and passport holder, to a spare cardigan or slippers, snacks, plus that book you’ve been waiting to get up in the air to finish! Snag it for RO21.2.

(Available online).

Keep your skin glowing while grabbing some shut-eye at altitude with a sleep mask that does double-duty. The Illuminage Skin-Rejuvenating Sleep Mask is made with copper fibres woven into its patented silky fabric that alleges to help your skin look radiant. Snag it online from Nordstrom for RO13.4.

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Tr e n d

New Restaurant

Reviews

FANCY A SLICE?

It’s official – science has now proven pizza is a healthier breakfast option than cereal!

YUMMY

Pie

CHART

Got a craving for an ooey-gooey slice? You’ll want to check out and check off these Muscat pizza joints that are toppers when it comes to toppings!

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W

hether you’re a Neapolitan purist, or a devotee of the ‘pineapple-has-no-place-onpizza’ school of thought, thin-crust or stuffed-crust, humanity’s love for the humble pizza-pie is one of gastronomy’s most intense relationships.

And with The Daily Meal going viral with a recent feature on how pizza has been proven to be a better breakfast option than sugary cereals – well, dreams do come true!

The ultimate comfort food, the mere smell of a pipinghot pizza fresh from the oven is enough to rev up the appetite. And in our neverending search for the perfect slice, we’ve rounded up a few Muscat pizza parlours where you’re bound to get that Instaworthy cheese-pull with an ooey-gooey slice loaded with some mouthwateringly unique toppings.

We’ll have a large to go, please!

Ruken Al Pizza

T

Location: Al Ghubrah, Al Khuwair, Ghala, Al Khoud, and multiple other locations Timings: 9:00 a.m. till 12 midnight, daily Contact: (+968) 9808-7736/26 or 2207-1000 @rukenalpizza (Facebook & Instagram)

his local Omani startup may just be one of the Sultanate’s tastiest franchises. Offering up a range of comfort food options from burgers to pasta – but it’s their delectable pizzas that they’ve staked their name on. One of the fastest-growing local SMEs, Ruken Al Pizza’s pies are worth every last calorie. Fresh from the oven, crusts fluffy and golden, layers and layers of mozza, and a golden ratio of sauce-to-cheese – and we can’t get enough. Our must-try faves are the Tropical Hawaiian Pizza loaded with fresh pineapple (don’t judge!) and zingy jalapeños, and the delicious Beef and Chicken with juicy slices of meat smothered in all the cheese you can handle. YUM! (Plus they also offer gluten-free versions!)

Yellow Cab Pizza

B

Location: The Walk, Al Mouj Contact: (+968) 7177-7792 or 2498-7000 @yellowcabpizzaoman (Facebook & Instagram)

ig New York-style flavour has arrived at Al Mouj with the recent opening of Yellow Cab Pizza. Think massive flying saucer-sized pies, generous toppings and barely-there thin-crust. While still a newcomer on Muscat’s foodie scene, they’re definitely one to watch out for! After scouting their menu we’ve got our eye on the extra-large Four Seasons Pizza – with a different delicious topping in all four corners from juicy prawns, to fiery peppers, and plump mushrooms. And their classic Pizza Napoletana looks aces as well!

#968 – The Food Studio

W

Location: Al Khuwair Timings: 12 noon till 12 midnight, daily Contact: (+968) 2447-5750 @968foodstudio (Facebook & Instagram) @968FoodStudio (Twitter)

hile its name is an homage to the Sultanate, this modern Indian eatery is putting an elevated twist on food from the subcontinent with some truly out-of-the-box cuisine – and their deliciously fresh pizzas aren’t exempt! Taking your average pie up a notch with a good dose of spice is their Chicken Tikka Pizza. Thin-crust with a luscious basecoat of masala tomato sauce, this pie is topped with tender morsels of smoky tandoori chicken and topped with a generous portion of mozzarella cheese and sprinkled with zingy red onions and fresh coriander that will have you fighting over the last slice!

BBQ Chicken Skillet Pizza This pie ticks all the boxes for smoky, savoury flavour and spicy zest! The best part? You can make it in under an hour – perfect in a pinch for family pizza night!

Ingredients: § 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing § ½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces § Kosher salt § Freshly-ground black pepper § All-purpose flour, for dough § 1 lb pizza dough, at room temperature § 2 Tbsp barbecue sauce, plus more for drizzling § ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese § ½ cup shredded fontina cheese § ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced § Ranch dressing, for drizzling § Freshly-chopped chives, for garnish

§ Meanwhile, brush an ovenproof skillet with oil. § On a floured work surface, roll out dough until circumference matches your skillet. Transfer to skillet. § Leaving a ½-inch border for the crust, spread barbecue sauce onto dough. Top with cheddar, fontina, chicken, and red onion. § Brush crust with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. § Bake until crust is crisp and cheese is melted, 23 to 25 minutes. § Drizzle with barbecue sauce and ranch and garnish with chives.

Method: § Preheat oven to 260° Celsius. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add chicken and cook until golden and no longer pink, six minutes per side. Season generously (Source: www.delish.com) with salt and pepper.

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FOOD DRINK

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an R p To

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

Info Box

TOKYO TARO 8th floor, Al Falaj Hotel, Ruwi Opening hours: 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. lunch (Sat-Thurs) 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m.

Contact: (+968) 2470-2311, Ext. 714 Dinner for two: RO45.6

Verdict : 9/10 SERVICE 9/10 FOOD 8/10 AMBIENCE

Authentic Japanese eatery in both menu and ambience that’s stood the test of time to carve out a culinary niche on Muscat’s foodie scene.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

TOKYO TARO BOLD FLAVOURS FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN SHINE AT THIS RUWI INSTITUTION THAT’S AS AUTHENTIC AS THEY COME

W

eeding out the mall franchises and chain eateries, finding a traditional Japanese restaurant in Muscat is a task for the stalwart foodie. You can imagine our surprise then when we were finally let in on a 34-year-old secret nestled on the eighth floor of the Al Falaj Hotel in Ruwi.

Full disclosure: Tokyo Taro has been around almost as long as this Team Y food writer has been born – existing for over three decades in a Muscat market that, in 1985, it would have had the monopoly on for Japanese cuisine. We’d still say it does today.

Stepping out of the elevator on the eight floor of the hotel you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s stopped by accident on a service-floor meant for staff only. A tiny vestibule greets us with a humble sign letting us know we are indeed in the right place. Through an unassuming door we step into the warm glow of an authentic ‘izakaya’ – the homely, after-work watering holes endemic across Japan.

A cozy dining area is divided by lattice-framed, family-style tables with a hot-pot stove in the middle. While to the right of the entrance two sliding wood doors lead to a low-slung private dining room where you can dine, Japanese-style on the floor.

We’re walk-ins and it’s the weekend, so we were lucky to snag a small table near the window with an evening view of the Al Hajjar Mountains.

One of the first customers to arrive for the start of their 7:00 p.m. dinner service, there’s just one other table occupied – a family going for an early dinner. An hour-and-a-half later when we leave, the entire restaurant is full, loud, and bustling as a proper Japanese izakaya should.

Our waitress is dressed in a traditional Japanese ‘yukata’ and is quick to bring us some hot hand-towels and the menus. Expecting a taste of tradition, we were extremely (pleasantly!) surprised to see how far and wide their offerings ran on the authenticity scale.

Their menu is expansive – and no fusion fare or off-the-wall maki roll combos here. Tokyo Taro is as traditional as they come – even serving up ‘natto’ on the menu, the extremely stinky fermented soybeans that are more than an

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acquired taste for the uninitiated.

Not so brave as to venture that far off-palate, we opt for a sharing portion of their Taro Special Teppanyaki which comes with freshly-grilled prawns, chicken, beef, and fish. For the budgetconscious, the portion is more than generous to share – and clocking in at RO13 they’ve made it a meal deal as it also comes with two starters, a portion of miso soup, and fresh fruit for dessert.

As we wait for the teppanyaki to be prepared we order up two additional starters of vegetable tempura and some delicate spicy tuna and prawn tempura maki rolls. Both additional starters arrived along with the two included in the teppanyaki set menu – a Japanese salad and a bowl of shoyu broth with delicate braised tuna and Japanese radish.

Service is fast and friendly throughout our meal and all preparations fresh, keeping the focus on minimalism in appreciation of a dish’s key ingredient – as is the Japanese culinary style.

The tempura was piping-hot and the panko batter fresh and not gloopy or stodgy, standing up to the sweetly-delicate dipping sauce in spades.

The maki rolls were equally delicious, the soft sweet morsels of prawn pairing perfectly with the tangy spice of the mayo and amplified with a dose of wasabi; while the tuna rolls were a textural marvel of fresh tuna, light in flavour and not too ‘fishy’ against the toothsome-ness of the nori seaweed.

The Japanese salad was also freshly-prepared –

not a wilted vegetable in sight, though we would have preferred a few additional lashings of the wonderfully acidic ‘wafu’ dressing. The shoyu broth with tuna and radish was also delicious – though, due to the addition of bonito, may strike some culinary newbies as a bit too deep-seaflavoured.

The teppanyaki arrived on piping hot a platter, heaped with tender morsels of meat and lush stir-fried veggies. Accompanying the spread were delicate Japanese-style barbecue and cashew dipping sauces and a separate side order of shortgrain vegetable fried rice.

The tender slices of beef tenderloin were absolutely moreish and went down a treat with the barbecue sauce, while the pieces of fish – we weren’t sure if they were kingfish or hammour, flaked away at the slightest touch of our chopsticks. The only downside is that there was only a single lonesome prawn on the entire platter which we ended up having to cut in half to share – search as we might through the mound of stirfried vegetables to see if any were lurking under a wayward piece of broccoli.

While most Muscat foodies may have long been in the loop about Tokyo Taro, the capital’s Japanese culinary secret, not-so-best-kept – for us Team Y newbies it was a welcome discovery and one that’s now on permanent rotation on our foodie roster. ■ Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com.

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