Y Magazine #584, September 12, 2019

Green house

INDOOR GARDENING TIPS FOR AN AUTUMN IN BLOOM Coffee with Y HARNESSING THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY

OMAN WINS TOP AWARD IN 8 News: ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT

CATCH THE LATEST UPDATES ONLY ON WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

DESTINATION: Seeb Beach TASTE TEST: The Eggspress Café YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

SEP 12 - 18 2019 / ISSUE 584 • WEEKLY

THE HEIGHT OF FUN

PLUS!

FROM WATERPARKS TO SNOW-PARKS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, OMAN’S NEAR FUTURE COULD SEE CONSUMERS OPTING OUT OF THOSE BIG WEEKENDS IN DUBAI FOR SOME WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS CLOSER TO HOME. Y EXPLORES HOW A NEW STRATEGY FOR ENTERTAINMENT DEVELOPMENT IN THE SULTANATE IS WORKING TOWARDS LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD.

FIRST DRIVE: THE ALL-NEW 2019 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 01 NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

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POSTCARD: ATHENS, GREECE

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YUMMY OMAN: HARVESTING POMEGRANATES IN 32 JEBEL AL AKHDAR

EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

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s a weekly news and lifestyle publication, we pride ourselves on being ‘The Pulse of Oman’. It’s a slogan that imbues a certain sense of responsibility upon our Team Y staff to live up to our name. And that means knowing what’s happening, before it happens, so that we can bring you – our loyal readers – all the latest insights into events across the Sultanate.

But here’s the thing…sometimes, this information doesn’t come easily. We’re often asked the question ‘Hey, you’re a media outlet – why isn’t there more stuff happening in Oman? You should be the first to know!’

It’s a fair point…and yet we can’t help but wonder if it’s not so much a lack of things in Oman on a weekly basis (after all, it all depends what you’re looking for!), but rather a glitch in the channels of communication between events or society groups and local media that make our community seem sleepier than it is.

If there’s a big event, it’s splashed across front pages nation-wide. But when the oneoffs are over, what’s left to fill the rest of our days in this vibrant community?

Blessed with an abundance of natural wonders, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities to partake in and road-trips to embark on to make the most of what Oman has to offer – which is a lot! But when it comes to the infrastructure of world-class entertainment destinations, how do we stop the ‘fun-drain’ over the border to cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and start levelling the playing field?

It’s a topic we delve into with enthusiasm in this week’s cover feature as we explore in-depth the Sultanate’s plans for development that aims to position the country as a hub for entertainment that can proudly stand tall next to its neighbours. From new upcoming projects and infrastructure, to sneak peeks at what’s on the entertainment horizon – we’re spotlighting it all.

Also in this issue, we’re wandering the coastal roads of Seeb to explore this vibrant community in Destination, heading to the highlands of Jebel Al Akhdar over in Yummy Oman to bask in the Sultanate’s September pomegranate harvest, indulging our green thumb with some indoor gardening tips in our Features section, and jetting over to Athens, Greece in our Postcard pages!

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 REPORTER Basma Al Zadjali

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contents SEP 12 - 18

Your Oman 08 News Oman wins top award in environment management 08 News New mobile operator to begin services in the Sultanate

2019

This Week 07 The Ode to Joy Catch Beethoven’s last great masterpiece, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, live at the Royal Opera House Muscat 11 Movies British intelligence translator, Katherine Gun, takes on the dark government forces in this docudramathriller, ‘Official Secrets’

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Cars and Adventures 22 Destination

Seeb Beach 24 First Drive

Mitsubishi Outlander 28 Game Review

Ultimate puzzles

Health and Beauty 29 Health Youth stress management

12 On the map A bold new tourism strategy has its sights set on positioning the nation as a hub for world-class entertainment, with infrastructure projects and new developments underway leading Oman into a new era of megaevents and attractions that could eventually give its GCC neighbours a run for their money.

16 Coffee with Y We meet a local startup that’s taking their business to new heights through the power of technology in a bid to further Oman’s thriving grassroots economy.

18 Green house See how your garden grows with our top tips for indoor floriculture featuring hardy plant varieties you can find right here in Muscat!

Food and Drink 32 Yummy Oman Harvesting pomegranates in Jebel Al Akhdar 34 Taste Test

The Eggspress Café

30 Fashion The best fall maxi-dresses

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Features

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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 e’ From e hits of the week, w gossip to your ultimat from the pulse of the music your superstar dose Radio Oman 100.9 FM world, with Virgin

Rumour Mill Quashing speculation of any romance between Ariana Grande and Social House’s Mikey Foster, is her brother, Frankie Grande. Earlier, news of the ‘7 Rings’ singer dating her fellow vocalist from their song ‘Boyfriend’ went rippling across the music industry, breaking the hearts of several of her (shall we say?) admirers.

The rumours began when her socialite brother inadvertently hinted that the two singers were dating, but has since gone on to retract his statement on Twitter, saying: “My sister is not in a relationship everyone (sic) relax she is very much single.” Not everyone who comes together to make music is dating, Frankie (counting out Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, or Beyonce and Jay-Z, or Ariana Grande and [late] Mac Miller)!

their album – ‘Fear Inoculum’ – at the same time as Taylor’s album, ‘Lover’. As blasphemous as that sounds, this pushed Tool’s album to the top of the Billboard Top 200 albums, and this has since enraged Taylor’s fans.

Rap Queen hits pause button Self-proclaimed ‘Rap Queen’ Nicki Minaj has revealed she is taking an indefinite break from music. She revealed on Twitter: “I’ve decided to retire and have family I know you guys are happy now (sic).” The newlyengaged rapper may be taking a break but sources say that she has booked out a studio until next month, and has new music in the works.

Tarantino to pilot new TV show Quentin Tarantino’s latest flick, ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, is expected to land on television… but as a television series as opposed to a showtime release or feature film. Confirming this news was actor Brad Pitt, who said that it was a “pretty good idea” to start the show on TV. He also said: “Younger viewers are more inclined to watch a short series of episodes where you can stay in it as long as you want or jump out whenever you get bored.”

That’s one way to go about it, we suppose.

Clash of the titans Remember American rock band Tool who rose to fame for their Grammy-winning hits such as the ‘Forty-Six & Two’ and ‘Sober’ in the 1980s? Well, they’re back.

And this time, they’re taking on Taylor Swift. While “Taytay” has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with time and again, Tool engaged in a game of cat-andmouse after they released 06

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New role for Jonah Hill Award-winning actor Jonah Hill will take on a new role soon: of being a husband to his fiancée Gianna Santos.

Congratulations are in order for the two for taking things to the next level after they were romantically linked only last year. It seems that keeping a relationship low-key does have its benefits.

Love is in the air!

Camila Cabello is out with new music – and we love it!

After teasing us with snippets of two tracks through her social media channels, she has finally dropped the songs to stream. The two tracks – ‘Liar’ and ‘Shameless’ (neither of which we hope is about her new beau Shawn Mendes) – highlight her new approach and aesthetic in her new album titled, ‘Romance’, which his out later this month.

Hollywood is bleeding… but we call it home Post Malone’s new album, ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’, seems to have come out of nowhere to knock the best of the Billboard Top 200 albums out of orbit.

Leaving the heavy lifting to pop stars such as Travis Scott, SZA, Ozzy Osbourne and the like; rapper Post Malone himself takes a more melodic approach with plenty of acoustics and rock to complement his husky yet dulcet tones.

His singles include ‘Goodbyes’ and ‘Circles’ – and they’re worth the Spotify subscription.

John Mayer is back John Mayer is out with a new single called ‘Carry Me Away’. The video clip is intimate, and shows John Mayer hanging out in his studio and working on his new track. The whole aesthetic is cosy – and it’s supposedly meant to make us feel at home. This is his first track since his last single, ‘Guess I Just Feel Like’, from February.

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 The Breakfast Show with Dan and Maya.

THE ODE TO JOY

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Sep

13

Let music take over your body and mind as the orchestra strings to the opuses of Ludwig van Beethoven’s last great masterpiece, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125. This collection of pianic, brass and woodwind melodies go beyond traditional music, forming an esthetic bridge between the classical and romantic eras in music. Having adapted the words for his grand finale from ‘Ode to Joy’, a poem penned in 1785 by the German philosopher and physician, Friedrich Schiller, the composer structured his glorious choral finale in four movements. Catch the retelling of this great Western music achievement by tenor, conductor and composer, José Cura; alongside the Orchestra and Choir of Teatro Colón Buenos Aires. The four voices will be sung by soprano Daniela Tabernig, alto Alejandra Malvino, tenor Gustavo López Manzitti and bass Emiliano Bulacios, at the Royal Opera House Muscat on Friday, September 13 from 7pm onwards. Prices range from RO5 to RO51, and tickets can be booked online at rohm.org.om.

GLAMPING AT BAR AL HIKMAN

Sep

19-23 Like a jewel concealed in a safe, Oman has long preserved the turquoise waters and unspoiled white sands of Bar al Hikman.

Booming tourism heckles with nature itself, but if you’re doing it, we suggest you do it right. Join the crew from Watersport Oman this month as they embark on a kite and watersport safari there, complete with options to kite board or play SUP with the flamingos.

The organisers promise tents, toilets, and television (for the kids, we suppose). You can have this, and all the pleasures of glamping (glamorous camping) for RO80 per person and above. For further details and information, contact the organisers via email at safari@watersport-consulting.com or call (+968) 9269-4962.

UTSAV 2019 THIS

WEEK

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

S E P T E M B E R Soak in the vehemence of the Keralite festival of Onam, this year, at the UTSAV 2019 – Colours and Flavours festival. With local dancers and musicians ready to entertain the thronging crowds, and a 23-course sadhya (banquet) set to tickle your taste buds, we assure you’ll be in for an evening you won’t forget. The event – organised

by Intelligent Events – promises a ‘non-stop’ cultural fiesta, alongside exhibitions of traditional art forms and games. The event will kick off at 11am and close at 10pm in the Hotel Al Madinah Holiday in Ghala.

Contact (+968) 9139-1325 for tickets or for enquiries.

Sep

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YOUR

OMAN T

he Sultanate has won a prestigious award in Saudi Arabia for ‘best environment management in the Islamic world’ in 2018-19.

This award was granted to the Marine Sciences and Fisheries Center for their project ‘Verifying the Age and Growth of Spotted Small Spots in the Northwest Coast of the Sea of Oman’.

Additionally, the environmental award focuses on the Arab Region’s

OMAN WINS TOP AWARD IN ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT environment management sector. It encourages Arab countries on sustainable development, and highlights the successful Arab and international practices in the same field.

The award will be presented on the opening ceremony of the eighth Islamic Environment Ministers Conference, which will be held at the headquarters of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in October in Rabat, Morocco.

OMAN GETS NEW MUSCAT AIRPORT MOBILE OPERATOR RANKS AMONG WORLD TOP 20

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new mobile operator is set to begin its services in the Sultanate.

The Oman Future Telecommunication Company (OFT) complied with the Oman Ministry of Transport (OFT)’s requirement of launching 3G services by signing a strategic partnership agreement with British company, Vodafone.

The agreement aims to provide all basic services for the operation of the new company, including the use of the trade brand, technical support and knowledge and operational support during the 15-year contract period.

Mr. Diego Mesida, CEO of Vodafone Global Markets, said: “We will build Vodafone Oman to provide the best possible customer experience in the Sultanate.”

In accordance to the strategic partnership agreement with Vodafone, the third operator will join the Vodafone Global Partnership Program, which offers a variety of Vodafone special services, while Vodafone will not own a

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shareholding in the capital of the new company.

Itqan Technical Development Company, joined by OFT under the umbrella of Oman 70 Holding Company, has led the business alliance to establish the third telecom operator.

It includes numerous government pensions and investment funds, as well as private investors.

Commenting on the event, Sayyid Fahad Bin Abdulaziz Al Busaidy, a representative of Itqan Technical Development Company, said: “Oman Future Communications Company, through its strategic partnership with Vodafone, aims to provide distinguished communications services.”

He also indicated that the third mobile operator will commence its services in 2020.

A board of directors for the new company will be formed later, in addition to completing the other required procedures to obtain the licence of the third mobile operator from the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA).

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ut of 371 international airports, the Muscat International Airport was ranked 14th at the Global Customer Experience Summit in Bali, Indonesia, and as the most improved airport in the Middle East.

Saud bin Nasser Al Hubaishi, Senior Chief Executive Officer of Muscat International Airport said: “Muscat International Airport’s competitiveness to achieve this top position indicates that the services provided by the airport to passengers is compatible with what is offered in huge airports around the world, which includes

high quality and professional handling of passengers that aims to enhance convenience of travellers, whether (they are) coming to Oman, or those who transit to other international destinations via Muscat International Airport.”

The Airport Services Quality Program is a global indicator of passenger satisfaction, covering over 300 airports in more than 50 countries around the world, where thousands of travellers are interviewed for their feedback.

The program provides the most accurate and comprehensive analysis of airport services performance.

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still some way to go to be well known for architectural or medical tourism options. However, the visitors are loaded with alternatives for different types of tourism, and Oman seems to be making its mark in these areas alongside its popular tourist attractions.

DARYLL ALTAMERA

With more entertainment options in development, is Oman on the brink of becoming a hub that offers visitors more than an escape to nature?

Oman offers visitors a stunning combination of old and new. One of the most diverse nations in the Middle East, our country offers a fantastic mix of nature, history and culture. Its attributes include its beach destinations, great activities and opportunities for adventure, as well as its breathtaking rugged mountains. Oman never fails to entertain and inspire. Today, Oman has an amazing international presence and it’s becoming a hub for international activities that have brought economic stability, social equality and peace. No doubt in the coming years, Oman will take its place among the most-visited countries in the world. The region is an exciting and welcoming year-round destination of rich history and diverse landscapes where ancient character meets modern comfort. All this will continue to make it a favourite destination for a growing number of tourists and investors.

MUTHUMARI PANDIAN

Oman certainly has everything of becoming a hub for visitors that offers more than an escape to nature. Its people who are well known for welcoming everyone with their traditional warmth and hospitality are a unique gift for every visitor. The serenity and tranquility and the much-appreciated peaceful co-existence and the supremely blissful law and order situation are very unique to Oman, and visitors would definitely be bowled over with these attributes. Its historical forts, modern malls and infrastructure, cleanliness, beautiful airports, culture and tradition are added attractions to anyone who visits this country.

MOHAN ANANDAN

Obviously true, the pleasant ambience, the beauty of nature and calmness of the country gives people peace and quiet to enjoy their stay. Oman makes every visitor feel that they are missing something when they leave the country. The unique Omani culture and heritage is reflected in its tremendous and spectacular architecture. And the historical forts, castles and museums express our splendid Omani heritage.

The architectural grandeur, the glorious mountains, mind-blowing beaches, the green wadis (the hidden beauties), charming islands, the variety of tasty and mouthwatering dates; all are attracting more visitors. Moreover, the kind-hearted people of Oman and their hospitality and tradition induce visitors to come again and again to the country. It also provides an adventuring atmosphere, which offers hiking, rock climbing, snorkelling, etc.

Apart from this, innovative water theme parks, snow village (polar region of Oman) and many entertaining developments keep attracting more and more visitors to the country. Oman is a perfect escape for all nature lovers. The increasing number of visitors every year proves that Oman is on the brink of becoming a hub for nature lovers.

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

ABEDA NARMAWALA

The natural beauty of Oman and entertainment development happening in Oman will surely attract more visitors. The entry fee for these places should be less for people to attract them to go and spend time.

Also, air tickets are getting very expensive for all sectors, and because of this there are fewer instances of visitors opting to come.

DR. TAMANNA DALWAI

Oman is currently a hot spot tourist destination well known for its natural beauty and cultural appeal. An individual looking for adventure tourism packages is in for a treat through activities such as trekking, rock climbing, parasailing and zip lining. It offers cruise tour packages that include dhow cruises, dolphin and snorkelling tours, and sea trips. There are options to take a holiday for experiencing wildlife tourism through the turtle reserve, Arabian Oryx sanctuary, natural reserves at Daymaniyat islands, bird trekking and camel safari tours. There is

New Debate:

As the world slowly moves towards alternative and sustainable resources to fuel its energy needs from carbon-based resources such as oil and natural gas, do you think Oman is striving for the same? If so, what can Oman adopt to fast-track the process?

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

Win a Thai set dinner for two at Tiptara Restaurant

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SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / /ytabloid. The winning correspondent will receive a voucher for a Thai set dinner at Tiptara Restaurant,

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

MASTER CHEFS

OMAN

STUDENTS AT THE NATIONAL HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE IN WADI KABIR TAKE PART IN A SKILLS COMPETITON TO TEST THEIR METTLE.

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MOVIES MOVIES Section 375 Cast: Rahul Bhat, Akshaye Khanna, Meera Chopra

The Goldfinch Cast: Nicole Kidman, Finn Wolfhard, Ansel Elgort When 13-year-old Theodore embarks on a day out to a museum to see an exhibition of Dutch masterpieces, it changes his life.

After a visit that includes ogling his mother’s favourite ‘The Goldfinch’, his day is shattered by his mother’s death in a devastating bomb attack.

As the course of his life changes from that day, the adult Theo (Elgort) is tormented by grief, guilt, confusion and hopelessness that sees him spiralling out of control.

His appetite for destruction includes business fraud, drinking and drug-taking, and an overall existence that was clearly not the destiny of a 13-year-old art lover.

But ‘The Goldfinch’, the painting he steals after the bombing, subtly pulls him back on track to finding the boy he once was.

‘The Goldfinch’ is a drama-mystery film adaptation of Donna Tartt’s acclaimed best-selling novel, which won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

With this we get a strong cast propelled by a carefully laid-out cinematic tone.

The film also projects the value of an undying and redemptive love from a mother, friend, partner or mentor, which is manifested in Theo’s life.

Expect strong language and scenes of drug use and alcohol abuse.

Official Secrets Cast: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Goode

Katherine Gun (Knightley), a British Intelligence translator, finds herself torn between her morals and her patriotic duty, in this true story.

When Katherine receives an email from a chief of staff at the National Security Agency in the United States, her suspicions are aroused.

According to the memo, the NSA is looking for any valuable information about UN delegates to be used in swaying them to support the invasion of Iraq.

After getting one almighty shock, Katharine takes action that results in her being charged with breaking the UK’s Official Secrets Act. Facing a lengthy jail term, Katherine has to fight to justify her actions, clear her name and defend herself against dark government forces bent on invading Iraq; come what may.

Celebrated Bollywood director Rohan Khurana (Bhat) is accused of rape by a female employee Anjali Dangle (Chopra).

The real battle begins as Tarun Saluja (Khanna), a brilliant defence lawyer representing the director, and Public Prosecutor Hiral Mehta (Richa Chadha), go head-to-head in a relentless battle of uncovering the truth, with strict reference to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code.

Who is the real victim here, and who is the liar?

This taut and incisive courtroom drama is directed by Ajay Bahl.

Love Action Drama Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Nayanthara

Dineshan (Pauly) is a drunk and a layabout who relies on family wealth to survive until Shoba (Nayanthara) came along.

He falls head-over-heels in love with her, but to win her over, he must give up his vices and find something useful to do.

Dineshan gladly complies despite knowing it is not going to be an easy ride.

It all makes for a good, old-fashioned tale about true love mixed with many laugh-outloud moments with a superb musical score.

This Malayalam romantic action drama is written and directed by Dhyan Sreenivasan in his directorial debut.

Are you ready to laugh out loud and get all mushy with this flick? See and enjoy.

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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ON THE MAP A BOLD NEW TOURISM STRATEGY TAILORED TOWARDS DEVELOPING THE COUNTRY’S INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AIMS TO PUT OMAN IN LEAGUE WITH ITS REGIONAL NEIGHBOURS AS A HUB FOR WORLD-CLASS ATTRACTIONS IN PARALLEL TO ITS REPUTATION AS A NATURE ESCAPE. Y INVESTIGATES WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON

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man is many things. It’s a nation blessed with an abundance of natural resources – most of which are scoped for commercialisation; it’s also home to a warm and welcoming local population; is a cultural melting-pot with a global community from all corners of the world and is a haven for adventure and nature tourism.

Unlike neighbouring countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar however, one label Oman is rarely associated with is as a hub for leisure and entertainment activities… but the winds of change are blowing.

Having taken the road to development with its ambitious ‘Vision 2020’ – which includes fortifying the nation’s sectors in stone for sustainability and a stronger economy, Oman is now on the fast-track to implement new projects along the lines of leisure and entertainment.

Whether it’s something as simple as a park set for families, or as pronounced as a mega-mall or theme park, there’s plenty of talk of on turning the nation into one that can self-sustain its entertainment needs.

This would inevitably mean residents can finally lock their focus on the market within, and thereby fuel the GDP of an economy that’s

quickly shifting its reliance from oil towards more sustainable forms of income.

Speaking about this shift is Talal al Farsi, the founder of Inbound Oman – a local startup organising tour packages to tourists visiting the Sultanate. He says: “It won’t be long before Oman begins batting with its neighbours to bring in tourists to experience some of its latest leisure tourism options.

“The plans have already been set in motion, and as you can see today, a lot of it has also begun serving the people. One of the greatest examples is the aquarium in the Mall of Muscat, which claims to be one of the largest in the Middle East itself.

As per data revealed by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Oman hosted more than 3.24 million visitors in 2018 alone (!). That’s up from 1.54 million in 2008 – which means the number of tourists doubled in the span of a decade.

In retrospect, five years ago (in 2014), this figure stood at 2.23 million. This has also marked an increase in the average spending of tourists in Oman. For instance, in 2008, the net inbound tourism expenditure was pegged at RO178.65 million and by 2018 it had risen to RO679.18 million.

As per Talal Al Farsi, this is just one of many ways Oman can reinforce its leisure tourism sector. He adds: “It’s the little things that come together to add to the bigger picture.

He’s right too, as tourism arrivals to Oman are expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 5 per cent until 2023, bringing in upwards of 3.5 million tourists every year.

To aid this, total investments in 2019 have been estimated at RO3.7bn, including the allocation of RO1.2bn for infrastructure projects that are overseen by government units.

“With such establishments in place, residents will slowly begin staying back within the country for their holidays and spend within it,” says Talal. “This would also be constructive to the country in many ways – as it would help both the small- and medium-scale enterprises as well as the overall economy to rise for the better.”

An array of new investments and properties are slated to open their doors in the coming years, further marking the Sultanate as a key player in the tourism sector within the GCC region. Here, we look at projects already underway, along with those that are in the pipeline ready to break ground. ■

AS TOURISM ARRIVALS TO OMAN ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AT A COMPOUND ANNUAL RATE OF 5 PER CENT UNTIL 2023, BRINGING IN UPWARDS OF 3.5 MILLION TOURISTS EVERY YEAR SEP 12 - 18 / ISSUE 584

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Sur Gate

Don’t let the name fool you – the Sur Gate project isn’t just about bringing a new gate to garnish the face of a city long-believed to be a historic hotspot of Oman. Instead, the RO120mn-worth project that’s located on a plot of 21.7 hectares will bring to life the city’s largest shopping mall, complete with a hypermarket and a leisure centre. It will also mark the coming of a new City Walk community area for residents like what we’ve seen in one of Oman’s prime properties: Al Mouj.

Mall of Oman

The board says it all: ‘Opening March 2021’.

Hyped up to become the Sultanate’s largest shopping and leisure tourist destination – and perhaps the only mall in the country worthy of the ‘mega-mall’ title, Mall of Oman is en-route to a mid 2021 completion as per the latest news from the Majid Al Futtaim stables. With a retail space of 145,000sqm in the heart of Baushar, which will include a large 12,200sqm Carrefour Hypermarket, a Magic Planet play area, and Oman’s largest VOX cinemas, the mall will aim to attract foreign and boutique brand-names, franchises of leading brands, and a host of dining options. But, our favourite bit would be the large indoor snow-park. And if the ice-park in UAE’s Mall of the Emirates – Ski Dubai – is anything to go by, the one in Oman will feature steep slopes for skiing, perpetual snowfall to craft snowmen and women, and other activities you’d best expect from a ski resort in Alaska.

Mega Theme Park

The company that once created waves around the Sultanate – Muscat National Development Company (ASAAS) – with its plans for megatheme and water parks seems to have gone quiet for a bit. But, as per the company website, 2020 will mark the opening of a theme park – or at least a first phase of the project – that spreads across 1.5 million square metres in the city of Barka. The mega-project is expected to include an equestrian centre, edutainment centre, a wildlife park, a waterpark, hotels, retail areas, and even a residential zone. The developers state that the equestrian centre is also expected to be a hub for the country’s equestrian sports, including a riding academy, show-jumping, and livery facilities.

Al Araimi Walk

Touted as Oman’s ‘first-ever retail-tainment destination’ by the ambitious developers (Al Raid Group) themselves, Al Araimi Walk aims to take over the Barka skyline and give it a modern twist. So, in comes a mall that’s nearly the size of the Mall of Oman – at 140,000sqm – that also brings space for 5,400 shops, four restaurants, and seven entertainment parks. The latter is expected to include a forest – where ‘natural elements are mixed with landscape louvers for a delightful play of light and shadows’; an oasis – an area that offers seating around a water feature; mountains – featuring terraces covered by plants; a city – an area that includes a palazzo; and a marketplace – one that purposes itself to uphold Oman’s age-old traditions with kiosks and street-food stalls like you’d expect from a souq. But that’s not all: the mall will also include an indoor waterpark, a trampoline park, snowpark, ice skating rink, a virtual reality centre, family entertainment zone, and a host of other entertainment options.

Snow Village Hawana Aqua Park

If the calling of Khareef season in Salalah isn’t enough to have you packing your bags for a road trip to the ‘Kerala of the Middle East’, then this will: the Hawana Aqua Park – Oman’s only water-theme park. While it may seem a tad ironic to have a water-theme park in a country with lush valleys in the rainy season, this theme park includes aspects that nature just can’t provide – namely safety. Aside from that, the aqua park is spread across 65,000sqm and offers a wave pool, kids’ pools, and a variety of different slides.

Other standout features include day-use cabanas, playgrounds, tube-rides, and a food court to feed hungry bellies after a long, hard day of, well, enjoyment.

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Snow seems to be all the rage now. And if camping out at Jebel Shams in the heart of winter in January seems like an excursion far away in the future, it’s best you round up the kids for a quick stop at the Mall of Muscat’s ‘Snow Village’. Nestled right by the Novo Cinemas in the mall in Mabelah, the snow-park is drawing in huge crowds – even more than what we saw with the aquarium. The park isn’t fully operational yet, and more rides and activities will be added; but for now, this remains Oman’s only snowpark. Prices are nominal, ranging from RO5 for adults, to RO3 for kids. If snow isn’t your cup of tea, you can always head downstairs to the aquarium and spend time ogling at the fishes and penguins.

Safari Park

Those looking to escape the clutches of the city will soon be able to head out on safari adventures in a new zoological park set to open in Adam.

This Ministry of Tourism project had remained under wraps until now – but a statement revealed recently that 60 per cent of the work had been completed. If zoos don’t attract you, the park will also feature a safari hotel village for overnight stays, a safari restaurant, an amusement park with roller coasters and other rides, and a gokart racing track as well as a park with manmade lakes and ponds for animals. No more information has been revealed to the public as yet, though the Ministry has urged citizens to come forward with their queries about the development on social media in a recent call to the public.

COFFEE WITH Y MEETS A DUO OF TECHNOLOGISTS WHO ARE TRANSFORMING THE WAY WE MARKET PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN OMAN, ALL WHILE KEEPING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AT THE HELM OF A HI-TECH BUSINESS MODEL

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S

ometimes it’s the simple ideas that revolutionise the world.

Billion-dollar social networking website, Facebook, began as a modest website for students at Harvard University to interact among themselves, while Amazon opened their doors as an online bookstore.

On that note, local firm Mubashir, founded in 2017 by a trio of Omanis is another company that could well be en-route to similar success.

Pegged as an unassuming digital marketing company, the young Omani startup has a lot riding in its favour – primarily its reliance on technology to create a self-sustaining marketing and data collection blueprint.

This, as it turns out, has paved roads to create what they call a ‘sustainable society.’

Today, the company boasts clients in the ministries, oil and gas industry, and several in the retail sector – and it’s not easy to miss them either: you can catch one of their 56 advertising screens placed in six Shell fuel stations across the Sultanate.

Displaying a constant stream of advertisements as well as general information – such as the rate and density of fuel, costs in riyals, and the amount filled – these screens are helping make life easier for commuters.

But it’s a bit erroneous to label them as ‘advertising boards.’

To learn more about what Mubashir stands for, we sat down with Ali al Raisi – the CEO, and Khalid al Awadh – the brand’s Business Development Manager.

Ali, a former executive in the oil and gas industry, begins by saying: “The screen is more than just

a screen. It’s a smart one that’s ever-evolving.

“It integrates the pump and screen by reflecting information to have a one-to-one personal interaction between the driver and passengers, and the screen itself. But, in the coming months, it will have more features added to it.”

This is where the company’s expertise in digital marketing comes into play.

Some of the features in the pipeline include artificial intelligence (AI) technology such as facial and cellular data recognition that will help the company amass data from its users for better – and targeted – advertisements.

Khalid jumps in to say: “Our slogan is simple: ‘Our story. Your channel.’

“Mubashir came together to bring new technology in the field of retail and digital marketing so that we could put Oman on the digital map of the world,” he adds.

Not only would this technology make your experience at the fuel station more enjoyable, it also provides you with content relevant to your interests. It’s a concept adopted by leading players in digital networking such as Google, Facebook, and the like.

Ali then explains: “Soon, our screens will be able to learn about you.

This would be used in providing you ads based on who you are and some other parameters that are already known about you.

“But, to begin with, we’re in the process of implementing a feature which will target ads based on the type of fuel you opt for. So, someone buying premium fuel will see ads that would be of a different type; for example, business class offers for Oman Air. Meanwhile, those opting for lower grade fuel such as MOGAS91 would see other ads.

“This allows us to offer our clients greater reach with reliable statistics on how many people have seen the ads.”

But all of this raises a matter of privacy and safety.

To that, Ali says: “We don’t mine for data or store photos. We only keep data that’s already available to us through other legal sources.

“We hold ethics with great regard – and we wouldn’t do anything that would go against the beliefs of our country.”

When we ask about whether they would be concerned about rival competitors coming in to offer companies unscrupulous data – think Cambridge Analytica and the US elections – Khalid steps in to elucidate: “This is a good question. While it’s true that companies can come in and take unethical routes to provide marketing data, we feel that those clients we work with will not jeopardise their name in society for data.

“The truth will always come out – and that’s what we saw with some companies in the past that were being dishonest with consumers.”

That said, there aren’t many competitors in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. Mubashir also holds the title as the first company in the MENA region to introduce smart screens in fuel stations.

“This is a medium by which marketers, advertisers, and even the government can reach out to the people.

They reveal that one of their clients, the Ministry of Interior, has

been using the company’s services to communicate with people to participate in the elections, while the Oman Environmental Service Holding Company S.A.O.C (Be’ah) are using these screens to spread tips on cleanliness and waste management.

“Our aim with Mubashir is to create a sustainable society – and I think we’re achieving that with the work we’re currently doing.

“This is our vision and our mission: we want to bring technology to connect people with an Internet of Things so that we can create something beneficial to society.

“We’ve been doing that since we began our journey as a small startup, but are continuing our efforts to reach the goals that we’ve set. We have a path drawn ahead – and we want to follow that.” ■

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A green hou How does your garden grow? ‘Indoors!’ according to Swati Basu Das as she rounds up some of the hardiest indoor plants found at Muscat nurseries that can improve the look (and health!) of your home

A

good crop of potted plants (the more diverse, the better!) not only embellishes the interior of our homes by adding a dash of green – but can also enhance our quality of living. Indoor plants are the perfect foil to numerous environmental nuisances and hazards; with their ability to purify the air we breathe, they can simultaneously help regulate room temperature, keeping our indoor spaces moderately cooler during the hot summer months.

And with plenty of plant know-how easily available online at the touch of a button, gardening has never seemed easier for newbies setting out to put their green thumbs to work. But, maintaining a healthy indoor garden does require a bit more knack than a quick Google search – with right knowledge required to keep our greenery thriving when the mercury levels spike.

“Every plant accessorises a home, both indoors and outdoors,” says Rustico Manicadao, Landscaper-in-Charge and Nursery Supervisor at

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Anaam Al Haya Nursery in Seeb. “They provide a fresh aesthetic to our living space, but the question is – will all of them survive Oman’s harsh summer months?”

With indoor plants, he explains, not only are they less challenging to maintain than their outdoor cohorts, they also don’t follow a seasonal rule of thumb to help them sustain Oman’s climate. Most plant varieties that thrive indoors are low-maintenance and can survive under low-light conditions and with the right room temperature. “[Species] like succulents, dieffenbachis, orchids, anthuriums, palms, lucky bamboo, aloe vera, and jade can easily thrive anywhere in the world,” says Rustico. “They require much light and constant care. Water them weekly and add soil when the amount in the pot begins to shrink of a period of time. They’ll continue to grow so long as they get the right care.”

Thinking of starting your own in-home flora menagerie? Here are a few varieties that are irrepressible enough to withstand a life indoors.

Pothos

A top option for homes with lower levels of natural light, the pothos plant trails gracefully and is much-loved for this aesthetic feature. Pot them in soil and water them only when the topsoil is dry.

These plants can grow bushy, longer trails when placed in a container filled with water, without soil. Just be sure to check for any yellowing of the leaves, which can be a sign of overwatering or a rotten root.

Green effects: Best known for removing benzene and other carcinogens from the air, place your pothos in your living room or home office.

And if there’s a smoker in the house – encourage them to quit.

use Jade Plant

One of the hardiest plants you can pot, the Jade plant is hard to kill and requires minimal care – for those of you who sometimes forget that plants need water! A symbol of luck, this resilient succulent enjoys a long lifespan; its roots are short and potting soil must contain a mix of sand, peat moss, and other organic matter – think compost! Place them near the window where they can enjoy abundant sunlight and water them only when the soil is dry as frequent watering can spoil their root.

Green effects: A perfect air-purifier, Jade plants absorb toluene emitted from gasoline, paints, and kerosene.

Peace Lily

An evergreen tropical plant, the peace lily is easy to care for, and an excellent decorative addition to your home or office greenery. Tolerant to under-watering, it can even survive in drought-like conditions and – if kept in the proper light – the plant will produce delicate white flowers. Sprinkle water on its succulent leaves to wipe off any indoor dust accumulation and keep them shiny.

Green effects: Keep this plant in your bathroom or other damp areas of the house to help get rid of mold particles from the air.

Spider Plant

Durable and easy to care for, this hanging plant can tolerate a wide range of conditions. Though they do best in good sunlight, they can still survive in low-light and need watering only fortnightly.

Our nursery experts recommend a good, organic potting soil to help your spider plant thrive.

Green effects: A lovely addition to your living room, spider plants purify the air by rapidly removing formaldehyde.

Moth Orchids/ Phalaenopsis Orchids

Anthurium

Best known as an outdoor landscaping plant in cooler climates, indoor planters in Oman seem to love anthuriums just as much! Direct sunlight can burn their leaves so, if you’re potting indoors, it’s best to keep it near a window with indirect light for maximum flowering all year-round. A mix of potting soil and perlite (orchid soil) is best for anthuriums’ growth and regular watering when the topsoil is completely dry will help keep the plant moist and avoid root-rot.

Green effects: Anthuriums effectively remove harmful chemicals such as ammonia and formaldehyde from the air.

Without a doubt, orchids make the most colourful houseplants. Though a challenging variety, with the right soil, light, and care to help them bloom each season, they’re well worth the investment. Keep them away from direct sunlight and instead drench them in early morning light from an east-facing window. Orchids need their roots checked frequently and be sure to trim them before re-potting if they’ve turned brown and squishy. A thick, silvery-green root is a sign of a healthy orchid plant. A potting substrate or bark mixture is best for their growth and a good rule of thumb is to never under- or over-water them.

Instead they’re best kept in a damp place.

Green effects: A natural air filter, orchids purify the air day and night and are known to release oxygen at night and remove xylene from the air.

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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 QUIET TIDES

Its catch off-loaded for the day, a fishing vessel lays still in the twilight of Seeb Beach.

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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

SEEB BEACH This seaside stretch wears its charm like a string of pearls, as Ashlee Starratt discovers, wandering through surf steeped in tides of tradition 022

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block with shops selling everything from gold jewelry and kummas, to exotic frankincense oils and electronics, an evening walk through its brightly-lit streets, passing small street-stand restaurants and juice stalls and all manner of retail ephemera is an initiation into the ‘bazaar’ culture of an Omani souq.

In fact, an evening stroll along Seeb’s Beach Road and you’ll finds families out in abundance at all times of the day or night enjoy the sea breeze over moonlit waters, while the mouthwatering aromas of the street-side barbecue mishkak vendors give you pause.

The start of the Beach Road is also where Muscat’s congregation of food trucks is known to lay stakes, catering to the many night-sports

Just a little way up the road from the souq is the Seeb Fish Market, where Oman’s maritime bounty is laid out in the daily catch. It’s best to get here early when the seafood is freshest and take your pick of the best offerings. (The Omani prawns are some of the largest in the world!)

While all of Oman basks in a long history of Maritime tradition, perhaps nowhere else in Muscat do you feel a more indelible connection to the sea than in Seeb – where a slower pace of life gives way to a fuller sense of one’s place within it.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

T

he smell of the sea is never very far from the nose in Seeb. An essential smell, pungent in its vitality, it’s inescapable – much like the tide itself and the traditional ways of life that persist along its beachfront fishing community.

While a part of Muscat Municipality, the Seeb, Al Khoud, and Mabelah areas can seem a world apart – roughly a 30 to 40 kilometre drive from the commercial and city centre hubs of Qurum or Ruwi. Life seems a bit slower here on the sea breeze, as gulls circle the nets cast out to sea and people stroll leisurely along its eight-kilometre-long waterfront Corniche.

Yet the heart of Seeb is its souq.

A virtual bazaar of streets chock-a-

teams who pass by, hungry after an evening football or cricket match and craving a burger or shawarma fresh off the grill.

Book-ending the Beach Road’s opposite far side is the traditional market area of the Seeb Souq where apothecary shops sell everything from traditional herbal medicines (you’ll literally find bottles that say ‘Snake Oil’ on the shelves], to fresh, fried grasshoppers – a local delicacy when in season. (But you have to eat them hot from the pan).

Further along you’ll find vendors selling all manner of local produce and spices, to crispy dried fish – known as ‘Omani fries’, to ‘loomi’ (dried lemon) and ‘shelanjh – dried fermented yogurt balls that are a common snack in the Balushi community.

From Ruwi or Qurum, take the Sultan Qaboos Highway towards Sohar, following the signs for Seeb and Muscat International Airport. Take the exit towards the airport that connects with the Muscat Expressway and exit near the Airport Services Road. Turn left at the set of lights and connect onto November 18 Street past the Al Mouj Golf Course and Al Mouj developments. The airport will be on your left. Once you reach the Al Mouj roundabout go straight, past the Al Maha Petrol Station until you reach the next roundabout. Hang a right and then take then next right-hand turn onto the Seeb Beach Road.

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CARS ADVENTURES

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

FIRST DRIVE

S

tylish yet functional. Funky yet civilised.

Matured yet relevant.

It’s easy to sum up Mitsubishi’s tried-andtested mid-size crossover offering – the Outlander – which has long stood as a familiar face in the market among a myriad of new global entrants.

Standing unfazed by competition, the Japanese all-rounder picks up traits from its larger siblings, the Montero Sport and Pajero, while whisking up a set of quirks and features that stave off pretty much anything that prowls around its territory today.

We knew it from the get-go – the Outlander was always an over-engineered product designed to run for decades before requiring a complete overhaul… much like the current-gen Pajero (which has been on sale since 2006!).

Aside from minor nips and tucks in 2015, and then again last year – (those that bring it in line with modern market demands) – the Outlander hasn’t

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Like taking a double-edged sword to a street-fight, Mitsubishi has fine-tuned its best-selling crossover just enough to throw serious shade on its rivals for another model year

altered its original mojo for what it’s worth. And, it’s a trait worth commending – it’s a bold, strikinglooking SUV. Much of that has to do with the face-lift – one that ditches the archaic headlamps for sharper LED lights and DRLs and incorporates a new ‘Dynamic Shield’ grille upfront complete with generous doses of chrome wrapped around a gloss-black plastic lip and the large Mitsubishi logo.

That said, the profile remains the same for 2019, so you’ll still get the deep character line that runs across the length of the SUV before fading away into the front fender. The 16-inchers have now been replaced by 18-inch multi-spoke alloys, and there’s also plastic trim bits on the doors to break up the design.

LEDs wrapped in red housing flank both taillamps, ditching the early-2010s-looking clear jewel lamps, while newer plastic bits on the bumper round

off the new design elements on the car.

Overall, it manages to remain trendy, yet tasteful.

This carries over to the interior too. The dashboard is neatly laid out and ergonomic, with large buttons taking up important functions such as that of the A/C, reverse parking sensors, hazard lights, and the like. Meanwhile, a retro-fitted 7-inch touchscreen unit takes care of all infotainment functions.

The latter is easy to use, though the graphics are a bit passé. It’s still a welcome addition among an assortment of visual cues to appease passengers. A feature that did stand out is the audio system itself.

Speakers in the tester we lobbed-in to sample were crisp with a generous dose of bass from all six units. It was also intuitive enough to separate the highs and lows to produce near-natural sounds and is easily one of the better stock units we’ve tested in an Asian car of late.

On the safety front, the Outlander comes packing driver and passenger airbags, ABS, and traction control, as well as Hill Start Assist (HLA) for when the going gets tough off-road.

Having kept its long, wide proportions for 2019, the Outlander outshines its competition in interior space. The SUV can be had in five- or seven-seater

D e s t i n at i o n

Po s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y-Fi

Gaming

CARS

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER Specifications: • Engine: 2.4-litre in-line fourcylinder • Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) • Power: 170hp • Torque: 232Nms All-wheel-drive Reverse camera Cruise control LED headlamps Rear parking sensors Electric parking brake 18-inch alloy wheels ABS, EBD, and TC Hill Start Assist Auto hold assist 591-litre boot 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system

options with a plethora of leg and head room for tall firstand second-row passengers and passable space for kids in the third row. There’s also plenty of leeway for cargo management, courtesy of a 591-litre boot.

All the seats are saddled in plush leatherette, while areas you’d normally touch-and-feel are of the soft plastic kind.

The plastics do have a sense of quality to them and are well put-together with little to no panel gaps to speak of.

What’s worth speaking about are the engine options.

On-cue from the factory are two variants – a frugal 2.4-litre in-line fourcylinder motor and a punchier 3.0-litre V6 motor – all mated to a four-wheeldrive system and different transmissions.

Our former four-pot banger tester came packing 170hp and 232Nms of torque that’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Power is adequate to keep a stable head on the Outlander on highways, while kick-downs can be spirited enough for overtaking.

Manage the throttle right and the CVT behaves itself well, but tinker a bit too much and it’ll rear its head; revving to the red line in a bid to crank out as much torque as it can. On the upside, there’s enough power on-tap to avoid unnecessary pedal slamming, and it can be controlled via paddle shifters.

The set points (or ratios) are set to mimic a traditional gearbox. They even dial-in slight jerks to the cabin when you shift ‘gears’ for the complete experience.

Unlike its competitors, the Outlander maintains its composure well in corners, taking

STANDING UNFAZED

BY COMPETITION, THE JAPANESE ALLROUNDER PICKS UP TRAITS FROM ITS LARGER SIBLINGS, THE MONTERO SPORT AND PAJERO, WHILE WHISKING UP A SET OF QUIRKS AND FEATURES THAT STAVE OFF PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING THAT PROWLS AROUND ITS TERRITORY TODAY. sharper turns like a car than a crossover.

Part of that can be attributed to the tuning of the MacPherson struts upfront, and partly to the electricassisted power-steering that adds weight when you cross the 80kph mark.

This doesn’t compromise ride comfort at all: Mitsubishi has tweaked the suspension a bit to soften up the ride.

This has worked wonders, with most imperfections soaked up with ease, and only larger bumps occasionally making their way into the cabin.

Road noise is also kept to a minimum with better sound-deadening materials.

There’s something oddly assuring about owning and running a Mitsubishi, and the Outlander fits the bill perfectly; offering just the right dose of comfort and practicality with fuel economy and performance.

While it slots in between the Montero Sport and ASX in an ever-growing list of SUVs from the brand, we feel that it has just enough zing to throw shade on its larger siblings… keeping in mind that this will fit seven people and do better miles-per-litre on fuel.

It’s a winner that stacks up as an allround package, even in 2019.

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CARS ADVENTURES

INFINITE ATHENS After a decade-long

economic crisis, the Greek capital finds its footing, with tourism on the up-tick once more

1. Wander the National Gardens for a green retreat from the urban jungle 2. Sample local delicacies at the Varvakios Agora food market 3. Indulge your penchant for mythology at the Temple of Poseidon.

4. Take in an outdoor film at Cine Paris with a view of the Acropolis 5. Stretch your legs with a climb to Lycabettus Hill – one of the highest peaks in Athens

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Swati Basu Das recommends

ATHENS, GREECE T

o visit Athens is to wrap yourself in glorious Greek mythology and dive back in time, into history. Named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, every corner of the Greek capital reflects her vitality. The Parthenon served as her temple, and the sacred olive trees that surround belonged to her. The home of the Greek Gods, their echoes reverberate well-preserved, throughout the city’s historic locales.

Down alleys wrapped in the sweet smell of acanthus flowers, magnificent monuments stand with stories to tell - erasing the line where mythology ends, and history begins. Travel Athens by foot to feel the vibrancy of a dominant past that’s still present. Case in point? The majestic Corinthian columns of the Temple of Zeus with its Tsoliades (Royal Guards) manning the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in perfect silence and stillness. Stay a while and observe their changing of the guards, as their slow-motion march invites spectators to observe a snippet of history.

Be it its crumbling aged relics, historic boulevards, or echoes of its ancient Olympic Games, Athens graciously juxtaposes the time-worn and the venerable with the contemporary. Over the ages, Greece, with its influential offerings that have shaped our modern world, continues to beckon us to come, stay awhile, and discover...

My favourite place

DONKE YS WA T H E W A IT F O R T O U R IS T S A TERFR L O N T IN HYDRA ONG

An integral part of the fabric of Greece, the nearby Greek Islands – which are easily accessible via a flight from Athens – are known for their romantic sunsets and pristine beaches. While island-hoppers tend to flock to Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete, other less-frequented islands such as Hydra and Aegina are no less exotic.

Make the port of Piraeus – located in the greater urban Athens area – your gateway to the islands. Twelve kilometres from the Monastiraki (Athens city-centre), the port is just a few minutes away by metro or local taxi. A luxury daycruise will take you to out on the Aegean Sea with stopovers in Aegina and Hydra – just an hour and a half ’s boat ride from the coast of Athens.

Dropping anchor in the café-ringed harbour of Hydra, restaurants, shops, art studios, and galleries line its steep stone streets. Vehicles are off-limits here, making the city-centre a car-free zone. A donkey-ride or stroll through the island’s tranquil landscape is the best way to get your bearings.

Three cobbled streets meander from the port through the village, while donkeys wait for tourists along Tombazi Street to take them on a ride across the island. Mialouli Street leads to the village’s clock tower and monastery, while Lignou Street goes up to the village of Kamini. Artistically rich, Kamini displays and sells remarkable works of Greek art, but perhaps its most stunning feature is its architecture – carved white-washed stone houses, cobbled alleyways, and slowmoving pace of life are all set against the backdrop of turquoise blue water.

A little closer to Athens, and a 40-minute boat-ride from the port of Piraeus is the idyllic island of Aegina, with its pineclad hills and scenic vistas. Seemingly untouched, it’s a fertile wedge on the Aegean, abundant with orchards of pistachio trees – and a bag full of fresh pistachios is must to take back with you.

Known for its natural beauty, Aegina is home to the famous Aphaia Temple which completes the so-called ‘Holy Triangle’ along with the Parthenon (Acropolis), and the Temple of Poseidon (Cape Sounio). Make your way to the top of Mesagro Hill for a breathtaking view of Athens from across the water. Its picturesque harbour of Pedrika is also worth exploring. A charming fishing village, a bevy of restaurants and cafés dot its waterfront – making it the perfect spot to relish some authentic Greek seafood in a sumptuous setting by the pristine blue sea.

E R IC T IS ON L A K A D IS T P ’S N S E D H T OO A B OU R H E S T N E IG H OF IT S OL D

Highlights

Athens’ oldest district, Plaka, is magnetic. Its flea market at Monastiraki sells some of the most authentic souvenirs if you fancy indulging in an afternoon of shopping. Or, try some authentic Greek salad, tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber dip), souvlaki (wraps), moussaka (baked eggplant with minced lamb), fresh olives, fish and octopus at any one of the restaurants and cafés that line its zig-zagged cobbled steps. It’s a labyrinth that many travelers easily get lost in.

For a dose of history head to the capital’s most icon symbol. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Acropolis commands unparalleled surrounding views of the city. Walk through Plaka, braving the crowds, and climb the hilltop to its pinnacle where the Parthenon stands spectacular. The nearby Theatre of Herodes Atticus still holds performances, while the wonders of Greek history and art draw tourists to the National Archaeological Museum.

The birthplace of the Olympic Games, Athens holds a rich tradition of sport, and the U-shaped Panathenaic Stadium is the world’s oldest Olympic venue and, just a 20-minute walk from the city centre it’s an historic landmark worth checking out.

Lowlights Very few – but like in any major city the risk of theft persists. Pickpocketing is still a problem in the Greek capital so exercise awareness and usual precautions with valuables – especially while on the metro.

Souvenirs Leather shoes and bags, Grecian urns, bouzouki (a Greek musical instrument), olive oil and fresh olives, for resh pistachios from the Isle of Aegina.

Getting there Oman Air operates regular flights to Athens International Airport, while Aegean Airlines will whisk you

from the capital to the nearby Greek Islands.

Where to stay The Hotel Grande Bretagne offers the most luxurious stay in the heart of the city, but all major hotel

FRESH

KOULO W IN D O U R I B A G E L S WS OF L IN E P A S T R A N A T H E N ’S T H E Y SHO P

chains are on-hand and budget stays can be booked via Trivago, Booking.com or Agoda.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

The Y Geek Squad sky-dives into a world of logic and reason to unravel the mysteries behind a trifecta of puzzles stumping gamers worldwide

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good puzzle can keep you occupied for hours, but a great one can take several days to complete. The margin between the two is small and largely depends on how long the game can keep you secondguessing before you make a move.

It’s your mind against that of a (puzzle) writer’s – and the victor is the one who can see it through to the end.

This week, we round up three brainteasers that aren’t just challenging – but nearly impossible to crack.

2048

If puzzlebased games pique your interest, spare some steam for 2048 – a simple, yet gripping block-style smartphone title that can and will swipe several hours from your day while offering you a thrill you’d sooner expect from a role-playing game on a console. The game revolves around the world of numerals and can be played by swiping blocks of numbers into each other to add up and reach the

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D e s t i n at i o n

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

Ultimate Digital Brainteasers

number 2,048. The game doesn’t end there: you can carry on your merry way until you hit the big leagues. Reaching top spot is virtually impossible, as the leaderboard currently stands at an unattainable nine quadrillion. Still, it’s on the top of our list of must-play puzzle games.

Platforms: Android and iOS

BABA IS YOU

Baba is tough. Baba is brilliant.

Baba is you. For a game designed to test (and frustrate!) even the smartest among us, Baba Is You does a great job in bringing back the long-lost mojos of two-dimensional interface gaming – and we dig it. It’s a game where you must work out what the rules are… so you can then break them. It challenges you to change the state of objects around you by manipulating them. These rules are presented as blocks of alphabets that must be aligned in a way to get a desired ruling. There are over 200 levels designed to make your life a living hell.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, Linux, and Mac OS

I HATE THIS GAME Eight minutes and 23 seconds of gaming is all it took us to say: “I hate this game.” But don’t let its fool you, though. Pit it against any modern-day puzzle and it’ll emerge on top.

Cracking puzzles – if you choose to put your brain through the torture – is rewarding and will require you to decrypt on-

screen directives. These texts also throw in subtle hints on how to solve puzzles.

It’s a masterpiece of a game, but one that gets increasingly under its players’ skin as you progress.

Platform: PC

HEALTH

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Fa s h i o n

Home

Fa m i l y

SAFE SPACE As grown-ups, we’ve learned to tackle stress one way or another. But, how do kids handle it? We speak to experts to unravel the intricacies of childhood stress

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tress doesn’t discriminate based on age, race, or gender.

Whether you’re a student in school or college, the manager of a firm, or a doctor, your unique tango with life will inevitably have its effects – be it direct or indirect – on your stress levels.

How you tackle it will determine the effect stress has on your health and overall well-being.

While adults who have identified their fight with stress can receive emotional support from various avenues – starting from professional help, to friends or their spouse – stress among kids often goes unnoticed.

A part of this, says Dr. Anuya Phule, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at the Hatat Polyclinic in Muscat, can be due to factors that aren’t being diagnosed by parents at home and teachers at school.

Stress among children, as per health portal Medline Plus, is an adverse response to a negative change in a child's life. In small amounts, stress can be good. But, excessive stress can affect the way a child thinks, acts, and feels.

In a global study conducted by online health portal WebMD, nearly 72 per cent of children exhibited negative behaviours – such as being aggressive, dishonest, and agitated – while 62 per cent had physical symptoms such as headaches, and stomachaches arising from stress.

In an interview with Y, Dr. Anuya says: “Every child is different. Stress can occur among both teenagers and younger children – but every kid’s ability to tolerate stress is different.

“While some children can work around their stress levels, others can struggle to tackle it. This can arise from school projects, homework, tests, and even from many other factors at home.”

“The workloads are definitely higher as per the current school systems.

• Keep connected. The greatest way to increase resilience in kids is to stay connected with them.

Make sure you have time every day when you put your phones and your devices away, and “Starting from Grades 4 and 5, we see a steep you’re talking to your kids and your kids are incline in the time dedicated to school routines talking to you. (homework, projects, and tests) daily. This can • Take it easy. Families are always running from impact the overall well-being of a child,” she adds. one thing to another. Make sure your kids get This goes in line with experts at Medline Plus regular, unstructured time at home when they who have narrowed down the greatest stressors can play, rest, read, or do whatever they feel like among children. doing. It’s space where they can pick and choose, • Worrying about schoolwork or grades and it’s soothing, fun, and stress-free. All kids • Juggling responsibilities, such as school, work, or need breaks. sports • Name stress and normalise it. Stress • Problems with friends, bullying, or peer-group can make a child feel like their body is out of pressures control. Explain to them that this is the body’s • Changing schools, moving, or dealing with response when we’re expecting something housing problems or homelessness scary to happen. And when they learn to • Having negative thoughts about themselves recognise those signs, they can do things like • The onset of puberty, in both boys and girls deep breathing to slow the body’s stress reaction • Seeing parents go through a divorce or separation down.

• Money problems in the family • Stick to healthy routines, like good nutrition • Living in an unsafe home or neighbourhood and regular bedtimes. Ask your pediatrician Dr. Anuya’s tips to curb stress among children for guidance if your child’s stress seems to be is, primarily, directed at parents. She states: “How persistent. parents are able to create a relaxing environment • Take care of you. Get yourself in-check or one of calmness will directly show in the stress emotionally before you take care of your kids. levels of the child.

When you ease your own stress, you boost your “Home must be a safe space for kids. Parents connection to your children. must encourage and give reassurance to their kids – that’s key in their early development stages.

(Sources: Dr. Anuya Phule, Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Hatat Polyclinic; WebMd; and Medline Plus) “They must also avoid showing unnecessary aggression towards their child to study and attain certain scores. Each child is different, and their capabilities vary – and positive reinforcement can go a long way in the way a child grows.

“Parents are the most important figures in a child’s life. It’s up to them to help make things better,” she goes on to add.

Here are some ways – as per WebMD’s Carrie Bashoff Spindel, PhD, a clinical assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center – you can help your child overcome stress:

(All images for illustrative purposes only. Photo credits: Shutterstock)

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

TO THE MAX

Fall’s hottest new trend, the classic yet everversatile maxi-dress gets an upgrade in lush fabrics and eye-catching prints that will have you swiping left on those jackets and cardigans when it comes to keeping warm while looking hot.

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Health

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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

Sometimes, nothing but a bunch of flowers will do. So why not forgo the fall colours for a pretty-as-a-posy pattern that clings to summer’s last gasp. This version from Zara does the job nicely. Make it yours for RO29.9.

You’ll want to make this flowy maxi-dress from MANGO your official autumn office uniform.

Perfectly professional, we love its subtle nautical detailing and rounded neckline.

Own it for RO39.

Nothing pairs perfectly with the longlines of a maxi-dress than a sleek pair of heeled boots. This leather and textile pair from Aldo will make sure you look more city-chic, than ‘Little House on the Prairie’. Snag them for RO49.9.

Let this long-sleeved sable-coloured maxi-dress from M&S work double duty from day-to-night. Made from sustainably sourced cotton, its playful crimson-dotted print is ace. Loosen the collar and cinch it with a shimmery belt for those after-work tapas with your mates. Price: RO21.

Channel your inner bohemian in a long, flowing maxi-dress topped with the ultimate accessory – a wide-brimmed floppy hat. This delicate felted version from H&M is a head above the rest… no pun intended. Wear it for RO9.6.

When it comes to accessorising a maxi-dress, it’s a garment that you’re your earrings stand out. Choose a pair in a primary hue that picks up on the base colour of your dress and watch as the compliments keep coming.

We love these crimson-hued fabric pair from Matalan. Get them for RO3.

Add an autumnal touch to your elbow with a versatile handbag from Parfois in the season’s hottest hue of burnished amber.

The ultimate fall accessory –match it with any one of these dresses for a look that’s pulledtogether and on-point. Buy it for RO15.9.

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New Restaurant

Reviews

POM-TASTIC!

The humble pomegranate is one of Oman’s most-loved fruits, growing mainly in the Sultanate’s mountainous regions

YUMMY

Jewels of

THE JEBEL

Oman’s end-of-summer pomegranate harvest means barrels of the luscious red fruits hitting the markets around Jebel Al Akhdar and elsewhere across the Sultanate. Here Aftab H. Kola traces its tasty history 032

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eptember is the season in Oman to binge on pomegranates. Packed with a range of health benefits these rubyred fruit grow here in abundance. Blessed with a climate ideal for cultivation, the highland haven of Jebel Al Akhdar is considered the Sultanate’s fruit-basket, with its plentiful pomegranate trees ripe with the sweet, hanging globes dotting the uplands.

With their mellow pink –sometimes slightly green or yellow hue – small signature crown, and lush white flesh encasing hundreds of juicy, pink-red seeds, this versatile fruit can be harvested for its tart juice, or its crunchy-sweet seeds that can be used in everything from desserts to salads, and is known for its myriad health benefits.

Considered a superfood, pomegranates are high in fibre, packed with antioxidants and rich in cancer-fighting ellagic acid. Aside from the fruit itself, the leaf, fruit rind, seeds, dried bark, stem and root of the pomegranate also have their own unique usages towards health.

Often called ‘nature’s power-fruit’ pomegranates can help promote heart health, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and also protect your arteries.

One pomegranate delivers a whopping 40 per cent of an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement and is known for its historic remedial properties in traditional medicine in the treatment of acidosis, dysentery, and certain microbial infections.

Pomegranate leaf extract is often used in ayurvedic and natural medicine, and Chinese herbology recommends its juice for longevity.

While there are certain lowlying pockets of Oman where pomegranates grow – such as Wadi Mistal, it’s the highlands of Jebel Al Akhdar where, every September harvest, a profusion of the luscious fruits welcomes visitors. Some of the finest pomegranates in the world are grown in the terraced villages of Sayq, Wadi Bani Habib, Shuraijah, and Al Ayn, with traditional varieties cultivated in Oman including ‘Helow’ (sweet), ‘Qusum’ (hardseeded), ‘Malasi’ (gentle-skin), and ‘Hamedh’ (sour, wild).

As a culinary ingredient, pomegranate is consumed as a fruit, as juice, jellies/jams, as an ingredient in appetisers and main dishes, or a garnish in salads. Lebanese and Turkish cooking use it frequently to garnish dishes, while its syrup (Dibse al-rumman) is often used in Syrian cooking. And, long before tomatoes became commonplace, pomegranates fulfilled a similar role in certain Persian culinary preparations as well – both as a juice and syrupy molasses. Some traditional Iranian dishes also include ‘Fesenjān’, a thick stew prepared from pomegranate juice and ground walnuts, usually served with duck or other poultry, or lamb koftas served with white or yellow rice. Pomegranate seeds (arils) are extensively used in salads and can also be sprinkled on cooked lamb to impart a tart sweetness that cuts through the natural fattiness of the meat. Finally, foods like ‘baba ghanoush, are a typical example where pomegranate seeds are used for garnishing this popular Middle Eastern eggplant dip.

Here are a couple of our favourite simple recipes to help you relish – and savour – the pomegranate this September!

Spiced Pomegranate Rice This side-dish can easily § Add rice and turmeric stand up to take centre-stage and stir to coat. Add thanks to pomegranate’s broth and bring to boil. sweet sucker-punch.

Reduce heat to low and cook, partially covered, until liquid is Ingredients: absorbed, 15–18 minutes. § 2 Tbsp olive oil § Remove from heat; cover and let § 1 small onion, thinly sliced stand 5 minutes, then fluff rice § 1 garlic clove, peeled, with a fork. Fold in pomegranate crushed seeds, scallions, and pepper; § 1 cup basmati rice season with salt and black § 1 tsp ground turmeric pepper. § 1½ cups low-sodium (Source: www.bonappetit.com) chicken broth § ½ cup pomegranate seeds § 3 scallions, thinly sliced § ¼ tsp pepper § Kosher salt and freshlyground black pepper Preparation: § Heat oil in a medium saucepan over mediumhigh heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden brown.

Pomegranate and Kiwi Salad It doesn’t get more sweetlyfresh than this nutrientdense, power-fruit-packed salad that takes all of ten minutes to whip up!

§ Roughly tear all the lettuce leaves and add to the bowl. § To make the dressing, mix the garlic, mustard seeds, mint leaves, orange juice, lemon Ingredients: juice, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, § ¼ cup of fresh pomegranate and pepper powder and grind till kernels smooth. § 2 medium kiwis § Roughly crumble cottage § 5-7 Romaine lettuce leaves cheese and add to the bowl § 8-10 iceberg lettuce leaves with pomegranate kernels and § 50 gm cottage cheese dressing and mix well. (paneer) § Transfer the salad onto a serving plate and serve immediately.

Dressing: (Source: www.food.ndtv.com / Sanjeev Kapoor) § 5-7 garlic cloves § 1 tsp mustard seeds § 8-10 fresh mint leaves § 1 Tbsp orange juice § Juice of ½ lemon § 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil § Salt to taste § Black pepper powder to taste Preparation: § Peel and roughly-chop kiwis and put into a bowl.

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Info Box

THE EGGSPRESS CAFÉ Behind Aster Hospital, Al Ghubrah Street, Muscat Contact: (+968) 7901-6745 Dinner for two: RO24.9

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

The Eggspress Café raises the stakes and sets a new benchmark in healthy eating with a new menu that puts health above everything else Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

THE EGGSPRESS CAFÉ Y TRIES OUT A QUIRKY DINER NESTLED IN THE HEART OF AL GHUBRAH THAT’S NOW SERVING UP HEALTHY NOSH ALONGSIDE ITS EGGY MENU

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n ingredient that can be whisked up to tickle your taste-buds in endlessly innovative ways, adding the humble egg to your daily meal-plan can go a long way.

Whether you give it a spicy twist with a masala omelette, or go gourmet with Hollandaisesmothered Eggs Benedict, it’s clear that what you can prepare is only poached by the limits of your imagination.

Perhaps that’s what gives The Eggspress Café in Al Ghubrah its edge – and the staff of the diner proudly flaunt that. A lot of that points towards the obvious: take the restaurant’s name, dishes, and décor for instance.

The latter can’t be missed; even if you were to overlook its playful moniker and the dishes on the menu, there’s no way your eyes will miss the over-sized egg installation bearing the brand name that greets diners on the verandah by the entrance.

Seated at one of three large tables in the café by the courteous manager himself, we quickly appreciate the time taken to craft its interior décor – most of which is dolled-up in yellow and white, with some facts on eggs chalked up on a black wall by the entrance.

Basam, the manager, also dons the role of our waiter for the night. Having presented us with their usual menu, he then turns our attention to their new healthy options – all of which strictly adhere to a ketogenic diet.

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It’s a surprising, yet welcome, addition to the dining scene and we were quick to order up some of their best-sellers: a portion of spicy prawn salad, and chicken with mashed cauliflower to start, followed by a portion of cauliflower rice with grilled chicken, a cauliflower poha – a keto take on a beloved Indian breakfast staple, a cabbage beef burger, and a mushroom and egg crêpe (not a part of the keto diet) for our main courses.

All dishes began arriving quickly, with the spicy prawn salad making an appearance first.

Generously garnished with plump prawns and doused in a coconut milk-based dressing, the salad was nothing short of moreish. Both the greens (lettuce) and the steamed prawns were fresh, crunchy, healthy, and overall delicious. Zing was provided by red chili flake – but the heat levels were dialed down by the naturally-sweet coconut milk base.

Next to arrive were the chicken with mashed cauliflower, and cauliflower rice with grilled chicken. While the former stole us with its flavourful cauli-mash (a healthy take on mashed potatoes) and lightly basted (with olive oil!) grilled chicken, we also took a shine to the well-grilled chunks of chicken soused in a light mayonnaise base and cauliflower rice.

The cabbage burger and the cauliflower poha soon followed.

Cut in half for us to dive in easily, the burger ditched bread-based buns in favour of steamed cabbage-leaf covers. Inside that laid a juicy beef patty cured ever-so-slightly with salt and pepper,

along with grilled onions and low-fat cheddar cheese.

We were told that it was a chef ’s special – and to that we obliged.

We found the deep flavours of the medium-rare meat to be complemented by the slight whisper of tanginess from the cheese and the cabbage. Sure, the odd sensation of biting into cabbage instead of bread was one we couldn’t get past – but it was a worthy trade-off for those in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.

Meanwhile, the cauliflower poha was a healthy and admirable rendition of the flattened, ricebased savoury dish usually served in central India.

Every ingredient and flavour was immaculately captured by the chef, even though the rice had been swapped out for grated cauliflower.

Our last dish of the night – the mushroom and egg crêpe – was a step away from the keto menu, but one we thoroughly relished after a night of healthy nosh.

The fried eggs and mushrooms wrapped in soft crêpes were just the sin we needed after an otherwise healthy supper. As we write this, we’re drooling over the memories of fried eggs basking in their own flavours in the delicious crêpe – the dish was that scrumptious.

It’s hard to fault The Eggspress Café’s recent crack at a niche market in Oman – especially when it successfully executes healthy options without sacrificing on flavour and, above all, without falling prey to what other eateries around have: blandness. This here is a new benchmark in healthy dining. ■ 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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