Y Magazine #587, October 3, 2019

Coffee with Y OMAN’S MILLENNIAL MUSIC-MAKERS

Living history UNESCO SITES OF THE SULTANATE

OMAN’S FDI REACHES 8 News: RO10.56 BILLION

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DESTINATION: Wadi Tanuf TASTE TEST: Harra Fi Bukhara YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

OCT 03 - 09 2019 / ISSUE 587 • WEEKLY

MUSCAT ON THE

PLUS!

AS OMAN CONTINUES ITS STRENGTHENED INVESTMENT TOWARDS DEVELOPING A PUBLIC TRANSPORT SECTOR THAT’S BOTH EASILY ACCESSIBLE, COST-EFFICIENT, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, Y HOPS ON BOARD TO GAUGE HOW FAR IT’S COME AND WHAT MILES ARE LEFT TO GO.

FIRST DRIVE: THE NEW AND REFINED FIAT 500NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258 01

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POSTCARD: CARDIFF, WALES, UK

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YUMMY OMAN: WHERE TO FIND YOUR ICE CREAM FIX!

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Program Highlights Relaxed Rules No occupation list Everyone Qualifies Point-based system Having a valid job offer or Provincial/ territorial nomination will guarantee Express Entry candidates an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

A

diverse economy across all fronts: that’s the keystone of Oman’s Vision 2040.

On the face of it, the nation is already en-route to achieving its targets, having invested heavily in sectors far from oil and gas, and in more sustainable ones such as alternative energy, tourism, services, and agriculture – all in pursuit of a knowledge-led economy.

But among this lies one important sphere that was long overlooked: transportation.

Having proven its worth in gold in GCC countries such as the UAE and Qatar, the industry has a great potential to connect the nation from end-to-end.

And even if it’s a few years late to the party, Oman has – over the course of the last five years or so – been injecting funds to create a self-sustaining public transportation model led by Mwasalat and its city and inter-city buses, alongside a flurry of local cabs such as OTaxi, Marhaba, and the like to help complete the cycle.

This has slowly led to standardisation of the industry. And while it enriches the economy, it also creates an eco-system around it that slowly promotes the shift from private commuting to public transport – a shift that can also spell well for the environment and help reduce congestion.

With that in mind, we delve into the world of public transportation to learn of its benefits, effects, and to analyse its long-term impact on the Sultanate and its economy.

In other news, we get up close and personal with Omani musicians Akram Masruri and Firas al Bakri to learn about the struggles of local singers and music producers, round up Oman’s top UNESCO-recognised sites, take a calorific journey to find Muscat’s top ice cream parlours, and put the trusty little Italian car – the FIAT 500 – through its paces. You wouldn’t want to miss this.

Until next week, happy reading!

Team Y

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

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OCT 03 - 09 / ISSUE 587

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contents OCT

Your Oman 08 News Sultanate’s FDI reaches RO10.56 billion 08 News Oman hosts prestigious Medical Physics workshop

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2019

This Week 07 On-stage The Royal Opera House Muscat raises the curtain on Giacomo Puccini’s iconic classic ‘La Bohéme’.

11 Movies Joaquin Phoenix earns early Oscar buzz for his gripping performance in ‘Joker’, hitting theatres across Oman this weekend.

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Cars and Adventures 22 Destination

Wadi Tanuf 24 First Drive

The Fiat 500 28 Y-Fi

Video editing’s top-tech

Features 12 All the right moves A comprehensive public transport system is foremost on the minds of commuters in the Sultanate. It’s a service the government is taking seriously with invigorated investment – and we show you how those plans are set to change how we get around.

16 Our generation Coffee with Y meets a millennial musical duo who are spreading their wings abroad while staying true to their Omani roots.

18 Living history Exploring the archeological and natural wonders that have Oman firmly planted on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Food and Drink

Health and Beauty

32 Yummy Oman Muscat’s best ice cream parlours

29 Beauty Choosing the right soap for your skin

34 Taste Test

Harra Fi Bukhara

30 Fashion Mad for fall plaid

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30

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

No extinction here!

It’s hard to believe that the original ‘Jurassic Park’ movie came out more than 20 years in 1993 and now, after numerous blockbuster sequels, author Michael Crichton’s band of deadly dinos are set to live on once again with the announcement of ‘Jurassic World Part 3’. Production on the next instalment will begin in early 2020 and is slated for a June 2021 release. Fans of the 1993 film will be happy to hear that original cast members Sam Neil, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum will be reprising their roles on the big screen once again!

Centre-stage at Halftime The Super Bowl Halftime show is one of the biggest sporting event live concerts in the world and fans have been waiting with baited breath for the 2020 line-up. Well, it’s just been revealed that Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will be headlining at Halftime so fans can expect some hip-shaking performances! The Super Bowl is set to take place on February 2, 2020.

Spidey’s ‘Marvel’-ous return So here’s the backstory: PlayStation’s parent company Sony owns the film rights to the Spider-Man character, but have been sharing those rights with 06

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Marvel’s parent company Disney. When it was announced recently that the two couldn’t agree on a new financing deal, Sony opted to split from the deal with Disney, effectively removing Spider-Man from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and leaving fans of the franchise reeling. Now the two brands have struck a deal that will see them unite again to co-produce another Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland. The movie is set to hit theatres worldwide July 16, 2021. Phew! Can’t they all just get along?

To drop, or not to drop?

Rapper Kanye West was planning to release his new album on September 27, yet in true Kanye fashion, eager fans will have to wait as he’s decided to delay the release.

This news comes in spite of West performing the album at a recent concert with Chance the Rapper, but he hasn’t given fans any updates as of yet on when he plans to drop it, or why he chose to delay. Don’t keep us in the dark Kanye!

Making memories Pop stars Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes have wrapped up their North American and European tour together and now the two have just released a mini documentary for fans that highlights the ups and downs of the tour’s last leg which ended last week in Toronto. Grammy Award-winner Cara and pop sensation Mendes have played 95 shows together and this documentary captures every moment along the way – the good and the bad.

We can’t wait to watch!

JoBros & Diplo Diplo’s country alter-ego Thomas Wesley and the Jonas Brothers have teamed up on a new track called ‘Lonely’.

And there’s a bit of history that gets addressed in the music video!

Just a few months ago Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner got married in Las Vegas in what was a supposedly secret ceremony – which Diplo live-streamed! In the video clip for the single, Diplo is trying to apologize to the JoBros, which we think is a pretty fun way to make amends!

A K-Pop collab BTS member and K-Pop royalty, J-Hope has paired up with ‘Secrets’ and ‘Dollar’ songstress Becky G on a new track called ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’. How funky is that? The song is in three different languages – English, Korean, and Spanish – and has even sparked a dance challenge inspired by the track that looks super epic, so be sure to check it out!

Meghan’s making waves Popstar Meghan Trainor and producer Mike Sabath have teamed up on a new single called ‘Wave’. The track is off Meghan’s upcoming album ‘Treat Myself’ and, according to her it three years to finish the song. Let that sink in!

Meghan has said she’s never worked harder on a song and we couldn’t agree more – the combination of choir and dance beats go together like peanut butter and jelly!

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.

PARTY ON DECK

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE World-famous party label Candypants is coming to Oman for the first time on Friday, October 4 at the W Muscat’s poolside WET deck. Indulge, dine, and dip at the pool party from 2:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. with beats from DJ Armando and Sync Styles. Entrance fee is RO17, while a VIP Silver Cabana is RO200 inclusive of passes for four, and the even larger VIP Gold Cabana is RO300 also inclusive of passes for four. Candypants is one of the world’s largest names in nightlife and has held events across Europe, the Middle East, and North America helping partygoers live it up! For more information or to book your cabana visit https://candypants.events/muscat-reservation/.

LAUGH-OFF

Oct

4

Oct

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Stand-up comedy fans can mark their calendars for this Friday, October 4 as Indian comedian Sorabh Pant brings his ‘Born On Mars’ comedy tour to the Levatio Hotel’s Luban Ballroom. The show runs from 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. and audiences can look forward to some belly laughs as Sorabh shares unbelievable stories from his life that go like this: he was born on Mars, married a tree, once jumped into the audience, got pranked by his own wife, and made the Mumbai Indians win the IPL. Sounds far-fetched? Grab your tickets to the show and laugh out loud by visiting muscat.platinumlist.net. Standard tickets start from RO10 and Premium tickets are RO15.

ON-STAGE THIS

WEEK

Oct 3&5 WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

O C T O B E R The Royal Opera House Muscat’s coproduction of Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème makes its début on Thursday, October 3, and Saturday, October 5 starting at 7:00 p.m. This 19th-century masterpiece is one of the most frequently performed works in the world repertoire and follows the story of struggling bohemian writer Rodolfo, and Mimi a young seamstress who find love at first sight but whose course doesn’t run smooth. Italian tenor Giorgio Berrugi stars in the lead role of Rodolfo alongside renowned Russian soprano Irina Lungu as Mimi, with music performed by the Orchestra and Chorus of Opéra de Monte Carlo under the baton of Giuseppe Finzi. To book your tickets visit www.rohmuscat.org.om.

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OMAN’S FDI REACHES RO10.56 BILLION billion and RO819.7million respectively.

Other Gulf nations including Kuwait and Qatar recorded investments of RO441 million and RO391.6 million apiece.

NCSI data shows that other major international FDI contributions in 2018 came from Bahrain (RO273.3 million), India (RO247.3 million), the Netherlands (RO240.2 million), and Switzerland (RO222.6 million) respectively, while the FDI from other nations accounted for an additional combined total of RO1.63 billion. he Sultanate’s Foreign Direct Investment NCSI data revealed that the oil and gas (FDI) for the 2018 fiscal year saw a growth sector accounted for the bulk of FDI within the rate of RO1.36 billion from the previous Sultanate at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year of 2017, for a total of RO10.56 billion, 2018, reaching to RO6.14 billion, followed by the reports the National Centre for Statistics and financial sector at RO1.48 billion.

Information (NCSI) in its latest data figures.

FDI in the manufacturing sector reached The United Kingdom topped the list of RO1.27 billion, while the real estate sector – countries with significant FDI in Oman for including renting and business activities stood 2018 with investments valued at RO5.27billion, at RO671.5 million, with other categories accounting for an additional RO1 billion. followed by the UAE and the US at RO1.02

T

OMAN CELEBRATES ARAB AGRICULTURE DAY

O

man’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries marked Arab Agriculture Day on September 27 with events organized alongside a number of local agricultural organizations and associations, reports the Oman News Agency. These included seminars and lectures in schools and colleges throughout the Sultanate, in addition to specialized meetings with farmers and beekeepers to highlight the importance of the country’s agricultural sector as the Ministry aims to increase production, diversify food projects, and enhance the country’s food security.

According to official statistics, local food production in the Sultanate has increased from 3.2 million tons in 2017, to 3.8 million tons in 2018, achieving an unprecedented growth rate of 17.2 per cent, with the value of local food production

increasing from 44 per cent to 50 per cent from 2015 to 2018.

The self-sufficiency ratios of the majority of locally produced food commodities has increased to 79 per cent of the overall total of produced and imported food products including fish, dates, vegetables, fruit, milk, red meat, poultry, eggs, and honey – while Oman ranked third out of all Gulf and Arab countries and 28th globally in selfsufficiency of food production for the year 2018.

OMAN HOSTS PRESTIGIOUS MEDICAL PHYSICS WORKSHOP

T

he Sultanate was the host of a twoday workshop on ‘Medical Physics in Diagnostic Radiology’ held September 28-29 at the National Center for Cardiology and Surgery, reports Oman News Agency. Organized in collaboration with the Oman Medical Physics Society, the Royal Hospital, and the Middle East Federation of Organizations of Medical Physics, the opening ceremony was held under the patronage of HE Dr. Darwish Al-Muharbi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Financial Affairs.

The workshop brought together participants from the Sultanate’s top minds in the field of medical physics across various health entities in the nation, plus academic cadres from Sultan Qaboos University’s Institute of Health Sciences, along with other specialized participants from the Gulf and Arab countries.

Bringing together some of the region’s leading professionals in the field of

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medical physics in diagnostic radiology for collaboration and knowledge exchange, workshop discussions included the review of 13 working papers on topics surrounding the regulation of radiation protection in diagnostic radiology, studies of the biological impact of ionizing radiation, the prevention procedures from radiation effects, and highlighting developments in radiology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and devices.

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

The face of the transport industry in the Sultanate is changing for the better. According to you, which transport project has greatly affected the nation and its people, and how has it allowed industry to boom?

MOHAMED ABDELMAGUID MAHMOUD

The logistics sector in Oman has witnessed a major shift in the provision of a road network linking all parts of the Sultanate, in addition to the inauguration of the new Muscat International Airport which is the gateway to the country, and the establishment of many ports – all which have entailed the Ministry of Transport and Communications to accelerate expansion of the main and secondary road networks. And they continue to modernize this network by raising the efficiency of roads and providing public transport connections to serve all sectors of society, in all categories. It’s a step that’s helped eliminate in one way or another any alleged or potential exploitation by taxis who raise the fare, taking advantage of the lack of alternatives.

This was a personal experience that happened to me recently, though I have noticed that many taxi owners have abided by the tariffs prescribed to the public buses, as the provision of public buses with appropriate tariffs has led to the demand of people to ride public [transport] and their reluctance to ride in taxis because the fare is higher than the government buses. This is in addition to providing Wi-Fi and air-conditioned vehicles, making it a distinct service.

SUHEL ASSADI

Mwasalat has greatly impacted the nation, and the major aim of its development was to assess the overall situation of public transport services

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experience in using public transport in Oman. The introduction of a public transport system has taken an unusually long time and there’s a growing need for public transport in Oman to stimulate economic development, increase road safety, and to combat traffic congestion.

New Debate:

With the environment and sustainability leading current global debate, how can Oman reconcile the need for sustainability in its fishing industries with the preservation traditional livelihoods?

in Oman, and to suggest some strategies and Share your view with us and you could be in with a chance tactics to ensure a successful transportation of winning dinner for two. system. The study followed a multifaceted research approach involving key stakeholders whose diverse opinions were taken into account in the development of an effective public transport system in Oman. This study was conducted in four phases which included (i) a review of public transport (ii) a survey of 2,000 respondents, (iii) individual interviews, and (iv) discussions with key officials from the regulating authorities, transport operators, and the business sector.

A mixed method approach was used in the analyses and information obtained from the four phases was analyzed using the PESTEL framework to arrive at the conclusions and recommendations.

Whilst a wide range of factors was examined in the research, this paper specifically reports the findings pertaining to the strategic actions, derived from the PESTEL framework.

The study found that people have little

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YOUR

CULTURAL BONDS

OMAN

THE THAI TRADE EXHIBITION OMAN 2019 BEGAN THIS WEEK AT OCEC AS A MEANS TO PROMOTE TRADE AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN NATIONS

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MOVIES MOVIES Unbeatable Fighter Cast: Adel Al Hallawi, Christina Andrea Blunsum, Mohamed Yehia

Joker Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz Fans of the DC Comics universe know all-too well the story of Batman, but what of the rise of his arch-nemesis The Joker before his mask and villainous made him a household name whispered in fear across Gotham? ‘Joker’ is a standalone offering from director Todd Phillips that peels back the layers on a character the world has loved to hate, to create an origin story that’s surprisingly moving and is already earning star Joaquin Phoenix awards buzz. The piercingly raw dramathriller seeks to offer up a new point of view of who the Joker really is that just might tip the scales of audience sentiment.

After a series of failed attempts to become a comedian, Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) wanders the streets of Gotham – a city that’s devolved into hostility, violence, and degradation – seeking a human connection. Instead he encounters cruelty, judgment, and harm along the way that leaves him feeling disregarded and outcast by society. Fleck spirals down into madness and transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker. Phoenix gives a riveting performance that could just earn him an Oscar this year.

A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Kate Harbour

Shaun the Sheep is back for another installment of this famously woolly franchise and this time he’s going to the outer

limits on a mission to shepherd an alien who crash-landed near Mossy Bottom Farm back to her intergalactic home before a sinister organization captures her. Mums and Dads take note – this film is a treat for the kids and one the whole family will enjoy. Lots of laughs, action, and superb stop-motion animation!

In this Emirati thriller, a former Mixed Martial Arts champion (Al Hallawi) is forced to return to the ring only to find himself subsequently intertwined in the invisible world of crime and the dark side of the internet as he reluctantly gets involved in an underground illegal martial arts tournament to keep his friends and family away from danger. While there’s a plethora of stand-out martial arts films to choose from on demand, if you’re going to spend money at the theatre to see one this first-time regional offering is a solid foray into the genre.

Avengement Cast: Scott Adkins, Craig Fairbrass, Thomas Turgoose

Cain Burgess (Adkins) is a hardened lowly criminal out for revenge in this prison action romp. After evading his guards while on furlough from the penitentiary where he’s being held for murder, Cain goes on a mission of retribution towards the people who turned him into a cold-blooded killer.

Don’t except ‘Shawshank Redemption’ levels of acting chops here, but ‘Avengement’ is an entertaining knock-‘em-out romp for the lads (and ladies!) who like a bit of close combat on-screen.

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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All the right

AS THE COSTS OF RUNNING A CAR CONTINUE TO RISE, MANY OMANIS ARE OPTING TO TAKE CABS OR BUSES, AS TRANSPORT OPERATORS TAKE ON THE MANTLE OF MOVING PEOPLE AROUND MORE EFFICIENTLY WHILE GARNERING ‘GREEN’ CREDENTIALS. TEAM Y INVESTIGATES.

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he fuel price reads: 220 baisas for a litre of ‘premium’ M95 fuel.

Sunny Jackson, an engineer commuting to his work site in Seeb from Ruwi, sighs in disbelief as he tops up his SUV’s tank for RO16 – a stark contrast to the RO13 he once paid only a few years ago.

“I must come up with an idea to pay less to travel more,” he jokes, as he hands over his credit card to the fuel station attendant to swipe.

But modern problems require modern solutions, they say.

It sheds light on the longstanding debate: why commute in a car when you can just as easily opt for public transportation.

A commute that would normally cost Sunny RO1.5 per side in his SUV (based on a fuel economy breakdown) will now cost him a mere 800baisas.

The future of Oman is slowly taking shape, and at the heart of its growth and development is the transportation industry – one that has received an overhaul to keep it in line with modern times and changing trends.

Only five years ago, the transportation sector was headlined by the Oman National Transport Company (ONTC) and complemented by a string of unmetered orange-white taxis –both of which had their shortcomings.

But, a rapid development strategy rebranded ONTC to Mwasalat, and furthermore, set its roots to become one among the most streamlined and youngest transportation companies in the entire GCC, while new and regulated taxi companies fulfill the other end of the sphere.

All of this is slowly creating a huge transport divide in the nation; one between self-commute and public transportation.

And, even though new private vehicle

This includes Mwasalat buses, taxis, and even ferry services across the country. While these collectively help to move people from A to B, it also reduces the carbon footprint.

Each person opting for public transportation instead of using their vehicle is signing up to reduce emissions by a huge margin.

registrations stood at 1.16 million by the end of April 2019 as per details revealed by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Mwasalat marked ferrying 5.9 million passengers throughout 2018 – an impressive feat when compared with previous years.

The government isn’t stopping there either – a slew of new projects is aimed at changing the face of the transportation sector in Oman while building on the success of existing ones.

While Mwasalat continues growing its fleet, routes and services, and a plethora of taxi firms offer their services across Oman, it’s important to note that the government isn’t stopping with traditional forms of commute.

Instead, it aims to diversify into newer avenues.

This includes a railway project that will link up the mineral deposit lines in Shuwaymiyah and Manji (in Dhofar) and the port of Duqm (as per the Oman Observer), and a potential helicopter service between cities.

While the former is reportedly on track, news of the latter seems to have gone silent but its future remains vague. Earlier, in 2016, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) had announced it was opening up the aviation market to private companies.

As per the revelations, it had also issued a clearance for a Class B licence to Salalah and Al Sharqiyah aviation companies under which the companies would operate jets or helicopters with a capacity of 19 seats or less and a maximum take-off weight of less than ten tonnes.

In an interview with Y, Abdullah al Bakri, a professor of environmental sciences at a public university, says: “Public transportation is the backbone of the transportation sector of several countries, and it’s becoming the case here in Oman as well.

“This includes Mwasalat buses, taxis, and even ferry services across the country. While these collectively help to move people from A to B, it also reduces the carbon footprint. Each person opting for public transportation instead of using their vehicle is signing up to reduce emissions by a huge margin.”

Figures appear to back the professor up. A full bus in Oman can take as many as 45 cars off the road (!) and reduce as much as 65 per cent of the emissions during peak hours as per his revelations. And with 439 vehicles under its fleet, Mwasalat alone would take away around 20,000 passengers away from their cars.

As per Prof al Bakri, aside from improving air quality standards by reducing overall vehicle emissions on a per person basis, the public transportation system can also help to reduce congestion and travel times.

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Combine this with the car capacities of orange-white taxis, OTaxi, Mwasalat, and Marhaba, and the environmental impacts could be noticeable.

“The future is public transport: buses, taxis, rail, and ferry,” says the professor. “The way things are going, we can see at least three out of those four turning into the nation’s official means of public transport that will one day replace private cars.”

To understand more about this, we speak to Daniel Jones, a specialist in automotive emission regulations with a leading Asian automotive brand in the UAE. Mr Jones says: “Public transportation is currently pegged a ‘great’ way to commute, and even though people don’t think of it as the respectable means to get around, I think there’s no greener way to do it.

“One of the greatest challenges this theory has faced is the use of diesel-powered buses, but even those whittle down to great person-kilometers per litre of fuel. In short, because public transit carries many people in a single vehicle, it can reduce the overall tailpipe emissions over an assumed overhead of saved cars, the level of noise pollution, and traffic.”

In a study conducted in the US, it was learnt that a bus ‘with as few as seven passengers is more fuel-efficient than the average singleoccupant auto used for commuting’, and that buses generate only about 20 per cent of the carbon monoxide and 10 per cent of hydrocarbons per passenger-mile when compared with a single-occupancy vehicle.

These are surprising statistics that will enable a greener tomorrow in Oman.

This isn’t a far from reality either. Salim al Jabri, a 65-year-old entrepreneur, is one Omani who has ditched his car for public transportation.

His family has since followed suit, thereby cutting down on the use of four cars on any given day.

He says: “My interest for public transport came four years ago when Mwasalat first began rolling out its beautiful red buses. These were attractive on the road and I thought I’d give them a go.

“Having taken the bus a couple of times, I was hooked. I realised it was cheaper to head to my factory – a 32km-long journey from Azaiba to Seeb – than drive there in my SUV. This resulted in huge savings monthly, but also gave me more time to work on my commute to work.

“Soon, they also rolled out Internet (Wi-Fi) in buses. So, I could now do research or send emails using my laptop. I now ask employees of my company to try these buses out.

“It will give them time to work and get productive. And, I will account hours worked from the bus in commute to their daily working hours.”

And with the frequency of buses standing at a mere 15 minutes (or less based on the writer’s experience), there’s no dearth of buses for the public. Moreover, taxi and ferry services are increasing their stronghold, and a freight railway network is on track too.

In an earlier exclusive interview with Y, Khaled Nuseibeh, the General Manager of Careem GCC (a ride-hailing app that works in tandem with Marhaba Taxi in Oman), talked about the future of public transport in Oman.

He says: “We’re living in a time when the world is seeing a shift from personalised vehicles to public transport.

“People are slowly learning of the benefits of public transport, and you can see that it far outweighs the negatives. Therefore, you’ll see that ride-hailing and the implementation of technology to streamline it will make it one of 014

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My interest for public transport came four years ago when Mwasalat first began rolling out its beautiful red buses. These were attractive on the road and I thought I’d give them a go

the most important businesses in the coming years.

He is right, as Careem was bought by International conglomerate, Uber, for US$3.1 billion (RO1.2bn) He then adds: “Oman is growing and has a transportation system that developed at a pace that has impressed us all. Things were very different just a few years back – and it’s amazing how much has changed over the course of four or five years.

“And if the country has managed to garner such levels of trust in public transportation from the residents, then it’s definitely going in the right track.”

Here are some of the top public transportation options in the Sultanate:

Mwasalat

With more than 500 vehicles in its core fleet, Mwasalat has singlehandedly given the transportation network in Oman a facelift. Their network currently boasts 34 intra- and intercity travel routes and buses to countries such as the UAE. As per the company, they’re also on a diversification strategy to implement an online ticketing service, card-based travel system, and an all-inclusive logistics network. The excellence in their service has resulted in a 77 per cent growth rate this year when compared with 2018. The company is also a strategic partner of Oman’s 2040 Vision Conference.

OTaxi

A taxi service that puts customer service at the helm of the wheel; OTaxi blends the best of modern technology with Omani hospitality.

The company broke waves when they introduced their very own app with live tracking of cars.

This means you can open the app on your phone and request a car in mere seconds. Moreover, cars are always at your call – so you don’t need to pre-plan your travel. Launched back in 2014, the company has undergone several changes, most of which are in line with consumer demands that have changed the way we take cabs in the country. The service also provides an e-bill – a feature that throws shade on traditional cabs operating without meters or even bills.

National Ferries Company

It’s unlikely you’ll have seen them floating in Muscat waters, but the National Ferries Company has a stronghold in challenging coastal areas of the Sultanate without direct road access.

With seven ferries – for both passenger and commercial uses – in their docks, the company offers its services to Khasab, Lima, Shinas, Masirah, and Dibba. Upon special request, you can also hire one of their boats for corporate clients, leisure cruises, parties, and seminars.

Marhaba Taxi

A government-licensed taxi company with over 250 on-call cars, Marhaba Taxi offers users options to travel at reasonable rates (after a nationwide price slash in 2017). However, they also offer premium ‘VIP’ services at different rates for those looking to arrive in style. Like OTaxi, you can book your cab via an app or by making a booking on their website: marhaba. taxi. The company famously makes use of international ride-hailing app Careem (now owned by Uber)’s services. ■

Our genera Hibba Al Kindi meets a talented duo with designs on the music world beyond the Middle East, all while keeping their ears to the ground and staying close to their roots

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lenty of music superstars started out early; think Elvis (19), Stevie Wonder (12) or, ahem, Justin Bieber. So by the time a musician hits his mid-20s, there is little wonder he might start to ponder what it’s all about.

Oman’s own Firas Al Bakri has been producing music since he was 19, and now at 26, he is determined to prove that the Middle East’s musicians are well worth listening to.

And he is certainly making some waves on the Omani music scene, alongside 24-year-old singer Akram Masruri.

Together, they are known as AkramxViirgo, and the pair have become a well-known, up-andcoming R&B duo in the Sultanate and beyond.

Over the past year, they have released an album, called Avenoir, a few tracks (Bibi’s Lullaby, Hinda’s Exit, Reasons), and opened up for international artists such as Sean Paul while setting up a dedicated fan base.

However, they are also two individuals who took on the challenge of creating an album within a few days of meeting each other.

“I met him (Akram) at an EP listening party hosted by another Omani singer, Adam Nabeel,” says Viirgo.

“At the time I was with a band and I wanted

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to collaborate with an Omani artist. I just came back from Dubai after living there for five years and I did not know anyone.”

Originally, Viirgo was planning to feature a local artist on an album he was creating himself.

However, after inviting Akram to his studio they decided to try and create an album together in three months.

The pair bonded over a shared work ethic and a respect for each other’s craft.

“With his beats, the inspiration would come to me easily,” says Akram.

“I wanted to reflect the beats that I was listening to. It was easy to write to,” he says.

“However, I still wanted to make sure that I pushed myself into writing the best I can.”

Viirgo, on the other hand, was impressed with Akram’s songwriting abilities and his commitment to his craft. He noted the challenges he faced previously while working with other artists, most notably the struggles of songwriting.

“We were able to finish two songs within a few days of meeting each

other,” he says. “Whereas it would have taken other artists I have worked with before a month to finish one song.”

When it came to naming their album, the duo searched for terms that “reflect things you did not know had a name”.

After a long Google search, the term ‘avenoir’ resonated with the pair.

“It is the desire to relive the past and reminisce, which made sense because we treated the album as a therapy session,” says Akram.

And anyone who listens to the album can attest to that. Vulnerability is a major theme behind AkramxViirgo’s work.

Each track off the album tells a different story.

The album showcases a wide range of emotions including heartbreak, grief and regret.

Both men think it is important to shatter

ation gender stereotypes about men expressing their emotions.

Akram says: “We always take being vulnerable as a weakness and that you shouldn’t show your emotions, while Viirgo adds: “I see vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness.”

“As artists we tend to be very emotional and sensitive,” says Akram.

“Any creative has to be in touch with their feelings to be able to create. That’s why it’s important to be vulnerable.

“We live in this world where the music industry is like a facade,” says Viirgo.

“It’s like ‘yeah I got the bling… I got the money’ but there’s no relatability.”

The pair also stress the importance of what they call owning your truth and setting your own narrative.

“I always take the final scene of the 8 Mile movie where rapper Eminem just shares all his weaknesses and his opponent can’t use it against him,” says Viirgo.

“I feel like it allows you take the power back because I am putting myself out

there, I have control over my narrative and what I have to say,” adds Akram.

Frank words, but does their almost disarming honesty have any bearing in both their everyday lives?

Both guys laugh, and as Viirgo is the duo’s lyricist, he takes up the mantel of answering the question.

“A lot of my close friends were freaking out when they heard the songs. [However] the names we used were not real names but were nicknames.

“It’s funny because some people were flattered and some were completely offended, but they eventually came around.”

The duo credits their environment and the local arts community as a huge influence for their album.

“While we were creating Avenoir, the environment we were in (Cure8) exposed us to many artists coming in and out,” says Akram.

Cure8 is an arthouse, and the location of AkramxViirgo’s studio. According to one of the studio’s founding members, Aysha Al Bakry, “it was mainly a space for artists to commune and share ideas and collaborate on projects”.

Akram says: “We were secluded in our studio but not really at the same time.

Our album was heavily inspired by that artistic vibe and probably subconsciously influenced by all the artists we met coming in and out.

“One of those artists was Ali Al Sharji who listened to a couple of our tracks and wanted to be involved. He ended up helping us shoot our Hinda’s Exit music video.

“A lot of the local community wanted to be involved in our project. So that was very motivating for us.”

Both guys are clearly driven, and have goals that they are working towards, despite their previous talk of the ‘journey’.

“When we reach our end goal, the thing that we will look back at are our memories along the way,” says Viirgo.

“However, for me as a human being, my end goal is just leaving a legacy and helping other people and paving the way for other artists.”

As for Akram, he says: “It’s similar to what my vision is. For me, of course, I want to share our music on a global scale but also on a local scale, I really want us to open the door and break the taboo of what it means to be a musician in Oman and normalise it.”

To learn more you can find the duo on all social media platforms @akramviirgo.

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LIVING

HISTOR

Oman’s archaeological treasures have meant the Sultanate punches well above its weight on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as Swati Basu Das reports 018

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esides owing much to its natural beauty, the Sultanate is also a cultural heartland soaked in the legacy of ancient times. The ethnicity of the land lies in its maritime traditions and historical buildings.

Every region of Oman reflects the purity of life as it used to be lived. The cities of Nizwa, Bahla, Ibri, Qalhat, Sur and many more enthusiastically foster Omani tradition.

The archetypal Islamic architecture, historical artefacts or the wooden dhows that sail through the azure ocean all offer a taste of our country’s heritage.

The archaeological treasures of Oman defiantly stand the test of time, are continually restored and preserved, and thoroughly merit their inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The Ancient City of Qalhat: (UNESCO Heritage site since 2018)

A two-hour drive from Muscat on the way to Sur, Qalhat lies on the eastern coastline of the Sultanate. A major functional port, Qalhat dates back to the 11th century and bore witness to trade links between Africa and Asia.

Having flourished during the rule of Princes of Hormuz, the ancient city of Qalhat traded Arabian horses, dates and pearls until the 16th century. Its inner and outer walls demarcate the entire town. This archaeological site features the Bibi Maryam Mausoleum, which was built

by Bahauddin Ayez to honour his wife Bibi Maryam. The site has lain abandoned since the 16th century. Further excavation has revealed a detailed sketch of an intra-muros cistern, and this also represents the old ways of life and trade.

RY

narrow mud-walled channels run across wadis, farms and local streets; all supplying water to the lush green farms of Oman to irrigate date and banana plantations. These water tunnels carry water from the mother well (Umm al falaj) to nearby farms. They are then split into two types depending on the source of water, its depth and length. The dawoodi aflaj is a long underground channel that goes as deep as ten metres and runs for several kilometres. The aflaj sources its water from the underground geothermal springs, and carries both hot spring water and fresh drinking water.

Falaj Daris and Falaj Al Khatmayn (in Nizwa), Falaj al Jeela (Sur), Falaj Al Mayassar (Al Rustaq) and Falaj Al Malki (in Izki is named after Malik Bin Faham Al Uzdi) are the five aflaj listed under UNESCO heritage sites.

Bahla Fort: (UNESCO heritage site since 1987)

Built by the famous Banu Nehban tribe, which once dominated the town between 12th to 15th centuries, the enormous Bahla Fort is a classic fortification. Located at the foothills of Jebel Al Akhdar, it is one of Oman’s oldest and the most significant forts. The fort includes many towers, a mosque, and wells that served as water reservoirs. The oldest part of the fort Al Qabasah is five storeys high. It holds a cultural significance to the land with its defensive architecture, while offering a panoramic view to visitors.

Land Of Frankincense: (UNESCO heritage site since 2000)

Aflaj Irrigation channel: (UNESCO heritage site since 2006)

The conventional system of irrigation, aflaj, is a sophisticated ancient water distribution system that reflects the simple law of gravity.

Dating back to 500 CE, a falaj (the singular of aflaj) would be dug in the earth, and the water flowing through it would find its source through the underground geo-thermal spring.

The occasional rainwater further fills it. These

The Frankincense Trail or the Land of Frankincense in Salalah is the site along the Incense Road in Oman. The heritage route to the Frankincense Land covers the whole area of Ubar, Wadi Dawkah to Khor Rori (Baleed port). Wadi Dawkah is famous for the frankincense tree park.

The resins leaking out of the tree bark solidifies, spreading an intense smell of frankincense far and wide. One of the bestkept treasures of Oman, the frankincense trade was one of the essential trading commodities in medieval and ancient times, which helped to grow the economy.

Archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Khutm, and Al-Ayn: (UNESCO heritage site since 1988) The archaeological complex of Bat, AlKhutm and Al-Ayn displays settlements and necropolises from the 3rd millennium BCE. This prehistoric site consists of monumental towers, rural settlements, irrigation systems and necropolises.

The ‘beehive’ tombs of Bat are either single- and multi-chambered, round in shape, and were built nearly 4000 to 500 years ago. The site stands on the fossilised Bronze Age terrain, making it a unique cultural relic. ■

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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

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(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

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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

END OF THE ROAD

Standing pools of water dot the terrain at the offroad escape of Wadi Tanuf

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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

WADI TANUF Paul Reddington finds a town with an indelible role in the Sultanate’s history, one that belies its chequered past with a charm that endures 022

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disguise these little holes – and there’s no telling how you could get injured.

Accessing nearby hospitals can be a task at night, and you’d need an SUV and pre-hand knowledge of the route before attempting a night-time drive, much less an emergency one.

Still, dialling down your anxieties while keeping a strong, wary eye is the best way forward. The breezy skies make for a great nighttime outdoor adventure and the cool temperatures are a blessing.

The pulls of sitting by the wadi and talking about life with your better half while the breeze flirts with the water isn’t something you can do at the common community pool by your house. It’s the kind of treatment you deserve for the three-hour drive it took to get you here.

Wadi Tanuf may be far from being the most quaint valley in Oman, but there’s a charm that arises from the history surrounding the town, its grey past, and the pride it invokes in the hearts of its citizens who know a thing for the nearby towns; feeding in aflaj or two about the nation’s past. to sustain agriculture and livestock.

That alone makes the trip to Wadi At the time of our trip, there’s Tanuf rewarding. just about enough water to keep the dryness of the nights at bay even though the mysteries of the waterfilled craters in the rocks have us steadying our cameras for some longexposure shots.

Eeriness fringes the air as the sun sets by the towering mountains. The sounds of crickets and other creepycrawlies have us looking over our shoulder even if we’re in the confines of our tents.

It’s wise to remain cautious while climbing over rocks; some of them can potentially be slippery. And even he ruins of the past lay off unwanted military aggression in peppered by the beige the mid-1950s, though, a great deal if circumnavigating them can take longer, it’s worth the extra time. mountain rocks of Al of the population fled the town for Also, keep an eye out for craters in Hajar as we drive past our nearby areas of refuge. campsite in Muscat and towards Wadi It just seems like a lot for one town the rocks. A moonless night can often Tanuf. to be known for; yet, the remnants of It’s a moment of revelation to the its history are still evident from the writer who knows little about this myriad untouched relics of mud and Nizwa, a town whose name in history sand houses that once sheltered the is greatly overshadowed by a brand of inhabitants of this region. bottled water that’s widely circulated The scenes are rather dramatic in the country. (grim to some, intriguing to us) as Yet, the name goes beyond its roots we pass by the roadside ruins in our and to the very beginning of the SUV, hard-guessing where the shells Sultanate – and those who know of its from the bombs landed and how past have no intention of keeping the much devastation they must have stories to themselves. caused.

Its name is a matter of pride to Having crossed this five-kilometre Omanis. The land harks back to radius of history, we then head the beginning of life in Oman, with towards our final stop off point: the fossils of humans found as early as wadi of Tanuf. A boulder-filled wadi the pre-Islamic era. It also fended has long been a source of fresh water

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TRAVEL GUIDE

HOW TO GET THERE From Muscat, drive to Nizwa. Pass Nizwa and head straight to Hamra. Around 20kms behind Nizwa is a village called Tanuf. Follow the brown road signs.

GPS Coordinates: N23° 03’ 8”; E57° 28’ 8”

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CARS ADVENTURES

F I AT 5 0 0

FIRST DRIVE

I

f Karl Benz invented the motorcar, and Henry Ford’s Model T marked the era of the affordable car for the pre-WWII era, then humble vehicles such as the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Beetle really drove onto the motoring map in the mid 20th Century.

Today, its sales numbers may be a drop in the ocean when compared to those of the big boys from Asia and the United States – but with nearly 3.9 million units sold, the Fiat 500 was once a sales sensation.

Small and unassuming on the outside, yet chockfull of emotion and sentiment on the inside, the Fiat 500 – a.k.a. the ‘Cinquecento’ – was once the hallmark of economical Italian cars.

Those are traits that solely lie in the hands of Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Lamborghini, now – but surprisingly, the Fiat 500 still powers onwards... like a fighter unflustered in battle.

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Team Y’s motoring expert climbs into the latest incarnation of a classic – and finds it as appealing as ever

While the original Fiat 500, which was produced between 1957 and 1975, bit the dust long ago, the brand’s reboot (in 2007) strives to keep the original recipe intact but with the niceties you’d find in a modern car.

So, it’s safe to say our 2019MY tester is possibly the most refined 500 we’ve ever driven.

Despite aligning itself as a premium hatchback today, the car keeps its retro pastiche intact with a flat fascia, rounded headlamps, halo-style daytime running LED lights, and soft curves around the side profile with wide flares on the arches.

The rear, on the other hand, is clean. The tail lamps are now LED-lit and wrap around a piece of body-coloured trim. Aside from that, there are plenty of chrome and race-inspired stickers to eke out a glance or two from passers-by. It’s a greatlooking car.

Our ‘Lounge’ variant also received a rounded rectangle chrome tail pipe and chic 15-inch multispoke alloys that proudly don ‘500’ badges on the large centre hubcap. Fiat says that the new refresh brings 1,800 changes to the pre-refresh car from last year, but there’s no way you’ll mistake this for any other hatchback.

Everything is undeniably Fiat – including the interior.

Keep away the large UConnect touchscreen and digital instrument cluster and it’s like hopping into one of the classics: the dashboard holds on to the large body-coloured panel from its earlier days although it now wraps around the a/c and radio controls around it.

It’s a premium-feeling cabin, and the infotainment screen is easier to use than ever before. It also packs several useful driver functions, and complements the large screen on the circular instrument cluster that displays speed and music information.

Meanwhile, the seats are finished in soft, high-quality fabrics and are quite sizeable upfront. The seating position is higher than anticipated but this makes for great visibility when trundling around city roads.

Believe it or not: space is adequate for a full-sized adult in the rear if the front seats are pushed up although legroom can be a mixed bag. Still, there’s plenty of head room and lighting inside to curb the effects of claustrophobia.

Safety-wise, the Fiat 500

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

FIAT 500 Specifications: • Engine: 1.4-litre in-line four-cylinder • Transmission: 5-speed automanual • Power: 100hp • Torque: 131Nms Front-wheel-drive Paddle shifters Keyless entry Chrome exhaust tip Leather-trim steering wheel Steering-mounted controls 15-inch alloy wheels Bluetooth audio Front and rear fog lamps Daytime running lights 185-litre boot 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system

comes with the usual suite of driver aids such as ESC, traction control and ABS, and front and side curtain airbags.

Underneath the small hood lies a 1.4-litre naturallyaspirated four-pot banger. Power is rated at 100hp while 131Nms is cranked to the front wheels via a 5-speed auto-manual transmission (AMT). This ensures a fuel efficiency rating of 17.2km/l, making it one of the most efficient cars in this segment.

With a curb weight of just over 1,000kg, the 500 is eager to get moving, powering through the gears quickly to match up with the high-revving engine.

It’s a gutsy car for most parts, hitting the 100kph mark in about 10.5 seconds on a good day – a remarkable achievement for a small and economy-minded engine such as this. The gearbox complements the efforts, even if it does emanate the quirks of a traditional AMT. However, it’s worth noting that this is the smoothest AMT gearbox we’ve tested in a modern car. Jolts are prominent in the cabin but the clutch is always in control of the gear to follow.

This eliminates any unprecedented clutch or axle hopping that has plagued cars with AMT. Keeping that aside, the 500 rides well for a hatchback with a short wheelbase. The 185/55 tyres and suspension work in tandem to do a great job in ironing out smaller bumps while there’s never too much body roll to unsettle the car in sharp turns.

While body roll is controlled well, we were impressed by the steering setup. It’s a sharp and wellweighted steering system that offers just enough feedback to engage the driver midway through a corner.

It’s a soulful little car for the most part, settling

SMALL AND UNASSUMING ON THE OUTSIDE, YET CHOCK-FULL OF EMOTION AND SENTIMENT ON THE INSIDE, THE FIAT 500 – A.K.A. THE ‘CINQUECENTO’ – WAS ONCE THE HALLMARK OF ECONOMICAL ITALIAN CARS into its speeds and happily staying there; even if our tester didn’t come with cruise control. We even took a shine towards the exhaust note: a grumble that grew into a bolder tone as it gained steam but with muffled pops on the follow-through.

The 500 comes with disc brakes all around, and they offer great stopping power when the need arises. Owing to their lightness, there’s a great sense of progression to the stopping force, and emergency stops can be judged with ease.

This is especially useful if you aren’t taking control of the gearshifts with the steeringmounted paddle shifters.

The Fiat 500 is impressive on all fronts: it offers just about enough power and tech to keep its rivals in check while pinning itself as a fun-to-drive vehicle. It achieves a feat that several manufacturers have failed to attain in recent times.

Overall, the Fiat 500 remains a welcome addition in an era in which characteristic designs are slowly ironed out in the name of modernism. Not only is it proud to flaunt its six-decade-old design to the masses, it does so in the kind of style and panache you’d normally expect from anything Italian.

Has the Fiat 500 aged well? We’d like to think so, and we even reckon it’ll stand true to its own for generations to come. ■

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CARS ADVENTURES

CAPTIVATING CARDIFF The Welsh capital has

become one of the UK’s most visited cities.

1. Inspect myriad art treasures at the National Museum & Art Gallery.

2. Join the hipsters, go all arty and relax at the Chapter Arts Centre.

3. Go gorge walking on a trip to the magnificent Brecon Beacons.

4. Take the kids to the town of Camerthen, believed to be Merlin’s birthplace.

5. Visit the Principality Stadium, and revel in the rugby legend tour.

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Michael Matheson recommends

CARDIFF, WALES I

t’s a well-known fact that the Welsh are pretty good at singing.

And now they are on the verge of dancing to a different tune; one that means a bright new future.

The UK’s political troubles (that’s Brexit; for those of you who don’t know) have instilled a confidence in this Celtic country that it hasn’t had for decades.

In fact, a recent poll revealed 41 per cent of Welsh people would vote for independence from the UK and would seek to plough their own furrow as a member of the EU family of nations.

And this week, as the Rugby World Cup rolls on in Japan, Wales will take its place among 19 other nations ensuring that its red dragon flag will be among the most prominent.

Wales boasts breathtaking scenery; magnificent historical castles, manors and forts; wondrously spectacular beaches and majestic mountains.

But it can also offer up its capital city, Cardiff, as a candidate for a city break.

It’s not a big city (in fact it is the UK’s 11 th largest) but as they say, good things come in small packages.

Cardiff missed a chance for global exposure when the Welsh Assembly inexplicably passed up the chance to be chosen as a location shoot for the James Bond film ‘Spectre’, and the ‘Dr Who’ experience dedicated to the travails of the Time Lord has also since closed.

Never mind, the proximity of this vibrant city to wonderful outdoor spaces, such as the breathtaking Brecon Beacons National Park or the captivating Gower Peninsula means a trip here is going to tick all your traveller’s boxes.

You also shouldn’t leave without tasting some of that traditional Welsh cuisine: that’s Welsh rarebit (a very elaborate and tasty version of cheese on toast), or cawl (a sumptuous broth not unlike Irish stew).

This is a small country but one with a proud, hospitable populace (most of whom can sing).

A DOW NTOW

My favourite place

Cardiff Bay is just the ideal place to chill out in. In fact, TripAdvisor voted it the fourth most popular tourist attraction in the UK, thanks to its wealth of places to eat, drink, shop and enjoy attractions like Techiquest. This interactive science centre is where your kids can really let themselves go. The waterfront area, or Mermaid Quay, is the perfect place to go for lunch afterwards. The Red Dragon Centre is one of the most attractive (and clean) malls I’ve ever been to, too. The Welsh Millennium Centre is a perfect home to showcase how the legacy left by Welsh talents such as Dylan Thomas, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Bryn Terfel, Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins is being continued.

N V IE W FROM C A R D IF F BAY

: THE DERLAND W IN T E R W ON ASTLE R E T S OF C S N OW Y T U R C OC H

Highlights

Cardiff Castle is one of the best attractions in the whole of the UK. Located loftily in the middle of the city between the shopping area and the verdant Bute Park, it’s open seven days a week. It’s really like stepping back in time and meandering through a medieval odyssey of make-believe. You can almost imagine King Arthur, Merlin et al doing business or preparing for battle against some foreign (or English) invader. It’s unmissable.

Lowlights Wales can be wet. At any time of year so ensure you take the right gear.

Souvenirs A good place to visit is the Indoor Market. It’s an eclectic array of stalls offering anything from local artefacts or

fabrics to classic vinyl records. Cardiff also has a few classic Victorian arcades where you can buy jewellery and bric-abrac. Then of course, you there’s Jacob’s Antiques, next door to the main railway station.

Getting there Oman Air flies to London’s Heathrow Airport. If hiring a car, it is about a 2hr 30min drive. If going by train, it means a two-hour trip from London’s Paddington station. Why not spend a night in London and travel down the next day? Perfect.

Where to stay All the world’s best hotels have a presence here, so check out Expedia, Booking.com, Kayak and TripAdvisor for the best deals. Cardiff is a compact, walkable city so wherever you book should not be far from the hub of the city.

T H E IC ON A M E D IC C A R D IF F C IE V A L H IS T O R A S T L E H O L DS Y U N L IK OTHER E ANY

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

D e s t i n at i o n

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

THE FINAL CUT The Y Geek Squad gets a grip on some of the best tech around for video editors MASTER OF ALL

WEAVE YOUR WAY Razer’s knitting up debate in the tech world as it spreads beyond its usual suite of gaming gadgets.

This Razer Orbweaver Chroma mouse, however, isn’t one among the hullabaloos. This tried-and-tested mouse that’s finished in the brand’s trademark green is peppered with 30 programmable keys – 20 of which are mechanical and 10 more that rely on the thumb-pad and modifier keys.

All those shortcuts make the mouse a perfect fit for an editor or gamer.

The mouse is also ergonomic and can be adjusted to fit in the palm of your hand, and there are backlit keys with customisable colour options – 16.8 million colour options to be specific.

You can buy this gadget from razer.com for RO50.6, though you can also check with amazon.com for more up-to-date offers.

Many are called but few are chosen.

Video editing is a clear case of stringing together clips to the best of your ability and ringing in imagination to mash up truly spectacular content; which is why only a handful of those who pursue the trade ever make it unscathed. But those who are invested in it must give the Apple Mac Pro a chance. Set aside the revolting, trypophobia-inducing design shell aside and you’ll receive one of the most capable video-editing workstations on the market.

Choose the right spec and you’ll receive a multi-core workstation with 12 physical DIMM slots that can allow for 1.5TB of RAM, an Intel Xeon processor to crank out 28 cores worth of power at 300W, and the ability to animate 3D scenes and 8K video. There’s even a “massive” heatsink to help cool down all the internals.

We’re hell-bent on calling it a pseudosupercomputer. Only if it looked right, but as they say, we can’t have everything. The Mac Pro is slated for release in the coming months, though sources speculate that the device alone without the monitor and all the 28-core bells and whistles could set you back RO2,310.

ALL-IN-ONE KEYBOARD

It’s the device you never knew you wanted. Video editors can kiss their complex multi-button computer mouses (or shall we say, mice?) goodbye. The Logitech Craft eliminates the need for fiddling with your mouse to adjust your videos or photos by offering users a creative solution: an input dial. The touch-sensitive control lets you “feel your way through creation” by giving you access to multiple functions, all of which can be defined by the editors themselves. The keyboard is also backlit and comes with an ergonomic key layout that promises easy typing. Get your keyboard from logitech.com for RO76.6.

DA VINCI OF VIDEOS

EDITOR’S PICK

OUR TOP PICK FOR THIS WEEK ISN’T A GADGET OR AN APP. IT’S DAVINCI RESOLVE, A FULL-BLOWN VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE THAT CAN REPLACE ADOBE’S PREMIERE PRO OR APPLE’S FINAL CUT PRO WITH ITS WIDE RANGE OF EDITING OPTIONS THAT INCLUDES COLOUR CORRECTION AND AUDIO MASTERING – BOTH FEATURES THAT WOULD NORMALLY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PLUGINS OR SOFTWARE. IT’S ALSO AN EDITING SUITE THAT’S NOW GAINING STEAM AMONG THE BIG-BUDGET TV AND FILM INDUSTRIES WHILE REMAINING FREE OF CHARGE FOR SMALL-TIME EDITORS. THE SOFTWARE LETS YOU TWEAK COLOUR CURVES AND PRIMARY COLOUR WHEELS, OFFERS FACIAL RECOGNITION AND TRACKING, AND THE ABILITY TO MASTER UP TO 1,000 CHANNELS. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS FOR FREE FROM BLACKMAGICDESIGN.COM OR PAY UP TO RO115.1 FOR THE STUDIO VERSION.

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HEALTH

&

Health

Soft

BEAUTY

Fa s h i o n

Home

Fa m i l y

SOAP

In an era of face-washes and exfoliators, we seem to Volcanic soap: Mother have skimped on the simple bar of soap. But we could Nature’s natural skin purifier, volcanic ashes are the best-kept secret be missing out if we bypass these bars of goodness. on the Greek islands of Santorini Swati Basu Das tests some of the best on the market and Crete. A safe and age-old

I

n our constant search for the right skincare, we continue to strive for the best products around to perfect our cleansing plans.

But, beyond your daily facial routine, you may find yourself in the middle of two extremes: whether to enthusiastically support the beauty bars or to write them off as a dead loss.

You may even wonder if the soaps really do wipe off harmful bacteria while adding goodness to your daily routine. Or do they simply eradicate the essential oil already present in your skin?

Well, the ‘clash question’ persists but it hasn’t put a stop to the use of soap.

In fact, many dermatologists say most soaps high in pH levels (acidic and alkaline factors measured) actually dehydrate the skin.

But as caring about the soap we use has become a given, there are some high-quality soaps worth paying a premium for.

And there are now more niche brands making their way on to the market with formulas for sensitive skin.

One, the natural sulphate and paraben-free formula, is just the right potion for your skin as it includes ingredients that are organic and completely natural. New organic extract and mineral-rich formulae are offering neutral pH levels to help nourish your skin while cleansing.

Opting for nourishing soaps to give your visage some va-va-voom is all about choosing the right beauty bar. Here are some options:

Charcoal soap: Charcoal soap is spreading its ripple in the skincare

sector, and for all the right reasons. Activated charcoal efficiently extracts all dirt, unwanted oiliness and microparticles that may otherwise harm your skin. Suitable for all, skin type charcoal soap makes the skin soft and supple and will maintain the skin’s essential oil. The exfoliating agents of charcoal will leave your skin feeling fresh, and alive.

remedy to treat infections and skin problems, volcanic soaps are a veritable miracle in your bathroom cabinet. A super disinfectant, this cleansing bar protects the skin against the toxic effects of pollution and radiation. The natural sulphur present in the soap also slows down the ageing process.

Olive soap: The secret to a youthful,

fresh look comes right from the kitchen.

Olive oil is one unheralded ingredient that focuses on our health beyond other daily dietary products. A perfect skin moisturiser when added to the soap base (do not use it on its own), olive oil is ideal for people with dehydrated and sensitive skin. The powerful antioxidants present in the olive oil soap repair skin damages as well as relieving conditions like psoriasis and eczema. It also effectively heals inflammation and sunburns.

African black soap: Rich in antioxidants,

African Black Soap is made from the ashes of the cocoa pod, plantain, palm leaves and palm oil. With all its organic ingredients, black soap firms and tones the skin while improving its texture and making it more supple and glowing. It effectively reduces inflammation, soothes dry skin and fades discoloration. Its anti-fungal properties are best known for deep pore cleansing.

Shea Soap:

Shea butter is an invaluable asset when used as soap. It has been used for centuries to treat various skin ailments.

Shea butter soap is an anti-ageing product suitable for all skin types. Without stripping the skin of its natural oil, the bath soap calms, moisturises and heals the skin. The fatty acid present in shea butter naturally controls the skin moisture. ■ OCT 03 - 09 / ISSUE 587

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

PLAID PRESTIGE

With fresh and striking shades paired with black, plaid complements classic with cool. The trend is back in, and the trick is how to look chic without checking into the era your Granny dressed in. This red-and-black little number shows you how it’s done.

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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 ra hel h t te From ela Es a Mik

If this rare repository of wonder isn’t worthy of your belongings, we don’t know what is.

This compact, stylish and durable backpack is a great way to shout out your love for classic plaid. It is perfect for office-use, school-use and travelling. Get it at Zara for RO27.9

Want to incorporate class into your style?

A plaid skirt can be an instant stand-out piece. When going formal, avoid sturdy shoes unless you want to look like an elderly English country squire’s wife. For casual style, skirts are best paired with boots or white shoes, such as this one from Mango. It costs RO19.

Of course, we all like to laze around in our leggings. But when they come in plaid then that’s a game changer, making them funky and fun to wear. You can really hark back to the look of a Harlequin or the Joker in a pack of cards, but isn’t that part of the fun? Buy this pair for RO5.620 at Aeropostale.

These narrow, straight trousers were popular in the 50s and have come back in for any owner who wants to exude effortless confidence with a penchant for practicality. They can be paired with just about any footwear and will go well with sleeveless shirts, halter tops, regular shirts and long sleeves. This pair cost RO14.9 at Stradivarius.

Now, something for the guys.

For men who want to shield their head from the sun but like something with a bit more character, this one perfect. Yes, it might make you look a bit like a lumberjack; but hipsters with ZZ Top-like beards will make a beeline for this one, from Aeropostale. It costs RO3.85.

This funky footwear might seem a bit on the bulky side but you can climb every fashion ‘mountain’ with these. Fun, funky and firm, these sturdy stars will go well with a plain mini-dress or jeans. You will find this pair at Forever 21 for RO10.78.

Fashion doesn’t just stop at what we wear, does it? We all want our mobile phones to be an alluring accessory. This plaid cover will endow your iPhone with enough admiring glances from onlookers who will want one just as cool. Buy this from Forever 21 at RO1.89.

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Tr e n d

New Restaurant

Reviews

YOU SCREAM, ICE CREAM

YUMMY

As the hot weather lingers into fall cool down with a scoop (or two!)

Cold

COMFORT

It’s the ultimate treat for making us feel better, and Omanis love their ice cream. Team Y finds some of the best outlets around dedicated to delivering the dessert we just can’t get enough of 032

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W

e like all things Italian at Y. That’s why we chose the Fiat 500 for this week’s motoring page, and why we’re honing in on one of that great nation’s gifts to the world – gelato, or as we know it, ice cream.

If there’s one thing we can all agree on; it’s that Oman loves its ice cream – be it a regal scoop of vanilla or a more elaborate banana split that’s splashed on with your favourite flavour.

And whether we pin it on those long and hot summers or on your sweet tooth, there’s no escaping its calorific clutches and its close buddy – love handles – that it shamefully brings along.

Though, with a new breed of ice cream vendors having set up shop in Muscat; ready to carve out a scoop of your choice, we head out to the streets for a taste test to find out who does it better, and more importantly, if the ice cream tastes better than it looks on that blogger’s Instagram.

Tropical Juices & Ice Cream

Dip N Dip Introducing Dip N Dip to a face-off between the top ice cream parlours in Oman is like a karate black-belt entering the ring. But, this eatery doesn’t do ice creams like the rest: they create masterpieces out of simple ingredients.

For instance, while their selection stops with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry; what they create with them is truly a testament to their creativity. While it remains pricier than the former two, the parlour does offer larger portions of their desserts. Some of their signatures include the crispy chocolate ice cream, ice cream brownie sundae, and the oven-baked cookie and ice cream.

Must-try desserts: fettuccine crepe, Dip N Dip speculaas n cookies oven baked, Alaskan waffle, rock star jar.

Location: Oman Avenues Mall, Al Muzn Mall, Salalah Garden Mall

With great power comes even greater responsibility – and as one of the largest homegrown hospitality chains in the Sultanate, Tropical Juices & Ice Cream delivers the goods. Their ice cream is prepped in-house and flavoured to bring local palates to life. Their flavours range from Omani Halwa, which is a modern take on the traditional Omani pudding; to elaborate ones such as anjeer and pistachio, both staples in South Asian countries. There are plenty of other options too – and you can grab a fresh cone or blend from one of their outlets in Muscat or place an order on Talabat.

Must-try flavours: Omani halwa, Anjeer, pistachio, Mango Location: Al Khuwair, Seeb Suq, Seeb, 18th November street, Ghala If you’re in the mood to serve up some home delights, give this flavour a try:

Honey Roasted Fig Ice Cream Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Calories: 425kcal

Ice Cream Mama

This funky-looking eatery takes us back in time to when spending time at an ice cream parlour was a cool affair. Animated with colourful Arabic cartoon characters, the walls bring to life the joys of heading out to a store with your close ones for a large dollop of ice cream. That said, the walls only tell half the story. Peek into the menu and you’ll notice local Omani and South Asian blends such as saffron kulfi, meetha pan, and Omani frankincense (!) If ice lollies are your thing, you can also opt for laban with zatar, Vimto, or a blueberry one to take along on a hot day.

Must-try flavours: Omani frankincense, Omani halwa, meetha pan Location: Qurum

Ingredients: § 400g of fresh figs quartered § 2 tbsp of brown sugar § 1 tbsp of honey § 2 cups of full cream milk § 2 cups of heavy cream § 1 vanilla bean split and seeds scraped/Vanilla essence § 6 large egg yolks § 3/4 cup of sugar Method: § Place the milk, cream, vanilla bean and seeds in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. While the mixture is heating, combine the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitter with a whisk attachment. § Whisk until the mixture is lightly thickened and then gradually add the milk mixture into the egg yolks.

Do this slowly so as not to curdle the eggs. § Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and return to a medium low heat and stir and check the consistency by turning the spoon over

§

§ §

§

and running your finger through the mixture that has coated the spoon. If the line from your finger remains clear then the custard is ready. Pour the custard into a large bowl and cover with cling film and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 200-degrees-Celsius and line a roasting pan with baking paper.

Combine the figs, honey and brown sugar in a bowl and then spread the mixture evenly over the roasting pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until caramelized, and set aside to cool.

Once the figs have cooled down, place into a food processor and process.

Prepare the ice cream maker.

Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve and discard the vanilla bean pod and pour into the ice cream maker and chill as per your manufacturer’s instructions.

When the ice cream is almost done, add the pureed figs and allow them to mix through.

When finished pack into a large freezer safe container and cover and freeze for four hours before serving.

(Source: Delicious Everyday)

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New Restaurant

REVIEWS

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an id-R

M

Info Box

HARRA FI BUKHARA Ghala, next to Shanghai Kitchen, Muscat Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Contact: (+968) 7982-1744

Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 8/10 FOOD 7/10 AMBIENCE

A humble eatery that sticks to the basics of serving up vibrant and flavoursome South Asian fare at remarkably budget-friendly prices.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

HARRA FI BUKHARA TEAM Y TRIES OUT A UNIQUE EATERY THAT EXCELS IN A FOODIE FUSION OF THE BEST OF ARABIC AND ASIAN CUISINE

Y

ou can’t have the best of both worlds, so they say. For Asian foodies such as ourselves, that would mean blending the flavours of India with the prep-styles from Pakistan and garnishing them all with the authenticity of an Afghani platter.

All of that sounds simple in theory. But it’s a trio that rarely fares well together. However, the Harra Fi Bukhara restaurant has the comings of a new-age eatery that may just tick all boxes.

Set in the heart of Ghala business district, by the super-successful Shanghai Kitchen, this new entrant aims to draw an audience by offering a flair for mixed cuisine in a setting that best respects Omani traditions.

There’s enough seating to keep large groups happy, and there are majlises for those looking for a more authentic eat-out experience.

And experience, as it stands today, is what sets this restaurant apart from the rest. Our postwork trip with colleagues on a Thursday evening is met by the owner himself – a young and witty Omani – who seats us in a silent corner before handing us the menus.

It’s a simple takeaway-style menu that rings in their dishes: a small selection of the best curries, grills, rice, and tandoor from the three countries.

We’re greeted by a serving of mutton soup – a

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traditional offering in Arabic restaurants in the region. Flavoursome to say the least, the fresh mutton broth tickles our taste buds with a dash of mild spices and melt-in-the-mouth cubes of mutton.

Our starters arrive in the next five minutes. Our group order of grilled chicken is followed by a serving of mutton karahi and Pakistani-style naan.

Spiced right, and with just the right amount of char to give the meat a smoky bite, the chicken sits among the best we’ve had in recent times. The smoke leads on that the meat has been freshly grilled; the luscious serving of chicken is tender and all flavours are locked in only to break free with every bite.

This applies to the chicken karahi, too. Mildlypiquant from the gravy but cooked to perfection in traditional Indo-Pak flavours, the dish is the first to disappear in entirety from its bowl.

We find it’s best paired with the butter naan bread – a baked flatbread brushed with a layer of butter for taste.

It’s all about evoking your taste buds at the Harra Fi Bukhara. A scoop of the piping hot curry with the fluffy naan bread creates a flavour explosion that our colleagues can’t get enough of.

We go on to order another plate of the dish.

Just when we think we’ve had it all, we give the

king fish grill – the writer’s order – a taste.

Tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, the fish is everything you’ll ever want from a seafood grill… and more. Marinated in a traditional Indian-style spicy sauce, our fish holds all its heat on the crunchy outsides. But, it’s the perfect companion to the Qaboli rice from our order.

Speaking of which, the Qaboli ‘Afghani’ rice is a masterpiece, serving up depths of flavour only found in biriyanis. Tossed with carrots and broth sauce, the basmati rice is as fragrant as ever – and raises a debate among us as to how a dish for four adults only costs 800 baisas to prep and serve.

This is what Harra Fi Bukhara is all about: serving the masses with pocket-friendly prices. The eatery does its name proud while delivering above all expectations at a locale that’s not associated with staple dining options.

It’s the coming of a new player in a market that longs for ideas with elevated execution to refresh an industry that’s desperately in need of a new benchmark. This comes close and is en route to something a spectacular future; one that we hope we’ve just foreseen with this review while not jumping to conclusions. ■ Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com.

18 years.

12 million customers.

1 name.

Exclusive on the Omantel App.

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