Y Magazine #595, November 28, 2019

Ancient lifelines

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By A Nation OUR 49 FINALISTS FOR 2019!

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NOV 28 - DEC 04 2019 / ISSUE 595 • WEEKLY

A dream at bat

PLUS!

THE OMAN NATIONAL CRICKET TEAM IS POISED TO MAKE HISTORY AT THE ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP, QUALIFYING ONCE AGAIN FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS TOURNAMENT UNDER TOUGH COMPETITION. WITH THE EYES AND PRIDE OF THE NATION AT THEIR BACKS, WE HIT THE PITCH WITH THEM TO FIND OUT WHY STRIKING OUT ISN’T AN OPTION.

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

F

rom the Virat Kohlis to the Mitchell Starcs of the world, the game of cricket is stacked with tales of hard work and resilience that have led to international fame.

But, if there ever was a come-up story of an underdog team with their sights set on clinching top spot in an international competitive sporting event, Oman would headline the spiel. From being relative unknowns worldwide, to pinning the nation’s love for cricket on the map, the Sultanate made us all proud when they sealed a berth on the flight to Australia in 2020 for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Unexpected but well-deserved, the nation’s efforts pay off after months of contention against rival teams around the globe – from the US to Namibia, and even Hong Kong.

And throughout their journey, they proved that they can run the hard miles, slog the longest sixes, and knock the hardiest of bails from their place – all in a bid to prove how much the game has progressed in its four decades of existence as a recognised sport in Oman.

This week, we head to the pitches around the capital to find out more about the deeprooted love for cricket in the nation – and how it’s translating into more Omanis and expats coming together to take the sport forward.

In other news, we ditch the city in search of ancient aflaj that have, for decades on end, contributed abundantly in carrying forward the nation’s agriculture system, take a trip to Al Ashkharah in search of pink lakes (you heard that right!), give some homegrown beauty products a try, and traverse new grounds with the aptly-named Chevrolet Traverse. 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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contents

NOV 28 - DEC 04 2019

Your Oman 08 Correspondence Are you this week’s lucky winner of a dinner for two at the Centara Muscat Hotel’s Tiptara Restaurant?

Flip to Page 8 and see if your response made onto our pages in this week’s debate!

This Week 06 On the airwaves We bring you your weekly dose of celebrity news and everything good from the world of music with 100.9 Virgin Radio Oman’s ‘The Breakfast Show with Dan and Maya’.

07 The Countdown is

on and open!

Bring your appetite to Muscat’s newest sports lounge open now at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat!

08 Cars and Adventures 22 Destination

Al Ashkharah 24 First Drive

The second-gen

Chevrolet Traverse 28 Y-Fi

Multifaceted tech

28

Features 12 A dream at bat The Oman National Cricket team will be packing their bags next year for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – beating out the odds in a qualifier that was touch-and-go.

We sit down with the team and their coaches to find out if second chances really do happen…

18 Channeling history How Oman’s historic aflaj system continues to nourish the nation’s agricultural goals.

20 Y Portrait By A Nation In honour of the 49th Oman National Day, Y’s Portrait By A Nation event celebrated its sixth edition of patriotism and portraiture. And, now, the judges have deliberated and we’re ready to announce our 49 finalists!

07 Health and Beauty 29 Beauty Ancient aesthetics 30 Fashion Winterwear for your wee ones

Food and Drink 32 Yummy Oman Pumpkin-perfect recipes 34 Taste Test

Wasabi Sushi

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

Stolen jewels Iggy Azalea and rapper Playboi Carti have told police in Atlanta, Georgia, US, that $366,000 USD worth of jewelry was stolen from the rental home. Nineteen pieces of jewelry, including diamond rings, platinum bracelets, and luxury watches were allegedly stolen. The theft allegedly occurred when the back door to their rental home was left unlocked.

Soon after the pair noticed that a designer bag in which they kept their valuables was missing. A surveillance video has since shown an alleged gunman wearing gloves and a mask entering the home and leaving within ten minutes.

Gotham’s cast grows The upcoming Batman movie directed

by Matt Reeves is already gaining a long list of A-list stars added to its cast of characters. Robert Pattinson has been confirmed in the role of Batman, alongside Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon. Now, Reeves has since announced the casting of veteran actor John Turturro to take on the mantle of Gotham crime boss Carmine Falcone.

Turturro is best known for off-beat roles in ‘The Big Lebowski’, ‘O Brother Where Art Thou?’, and ‘Transformers’.

What’s up Justin?

Singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake was recently spotted at a party in New Orleans allegedly holding hands with actress Alisha Wainwright – with whom he is co-starring in an upcoming film, reports ‘The Sun’. And the paparazzi photos of the pair have been 06

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causing a stir as Justin has been married to actress Jessica Biel since 2012. It was also reported that during their cast night out Justin was allegedly not wearing his wedding ring, though sources close to the pair insist that there is nothing going on between he and Alisha.

Best in show The 2019 American Music Awards were held on November 24 and, as expected, it was a starstudded event with some incredible performances

by Selena Gomez, Lizzo, Kesha, Halsey, and more.

Winners were plentiful with highlights being Billie Eilish winning ‘New Artist of the Year’, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello winning ‘Collaboration of the Year’ for their track ‘Señorita’, K-Pop superstars BTS winning ‘Tour of the Year’ and ‘Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock’, and Taylow Swift’s new album ‘Lover’ winning ‘Favorite Album’ in the Pop/Rock category.

We just couldn’t let it go…

Disney’s ‘Frozen 2’ has already grossed $350 million USD globally on its opening weekend. The sequel hits theatres worldwide six years after the first movie and saw the biggest opening ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film, opening at Number 1 in every single international territory. We guess Disney’s just done it again!

Into ‘Oblivion’ Labrinth and Sia have teamed up on a new track called ‘Oblivion’ off Labrinth’s latest second album ‘Imagination & The Misfit Kid’. Released seven years after his début album, Labrinth has definitely matured and rounded out his sound and this latest collab with Sia is ace.

What goes around…

Bastille have released a cover of REO Speedwagon’s 1984 hit ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ – teaming up with the London Contemporary Orchestra for a big sound on it too. The track is nothing short of phenomenal, with lead singer Dan Smith’s vocals matching epically with the orchestral arrangement.

New 1975 The 1975 are out with a new video clip for their latest single ‘Frail State of Mind’ – the newest track off their upcoming album ‘Notes on a Conditional Form’, which is set to drop on February 21, 2020. This will be the band’s fourth studio album after their highly successful ‘A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships’.

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.

A STAGE CLASSIC

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) is staging the performance of Gaetano Donizetti’s 1830 opera ‘Anna Bolena’ on Thursday, November 28 and Saturday, November 30. A tragic figure, Anne Boleyn was the second wife of Henry VIII’s six wives – and the first to be executed. ROHM has co-created this superb production in gorgeous period costume with stage direction by Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera, and in production with the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège in Belgium, Opéra de Lausanne in Switzerland, and Bilbao ABAO-OLBE in Spain. Coloratura soprano Olga Peretyatko will sing the title role of Anne Boleyn, while bass-baritone Erwin Schrott will sing the role of Henry VIII. Curtains up at 7:00 p.m. and to reserve your tickets book online at www.rohmuscat.org.om.

THIS

WEEK

NOV

28 & 30

A DECADENT DISPLAY

DEC

3-7

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre kicks off two luxury showcases as the Muscat International Jewellery Exhibition and the Perfume Show Oman take over its halls with the best in brand names and craftsmanship from the worlds of fragrance and fine ornaments. With both well-established international brands and independent exhibitors showcasing their finest products – from rare and unique perfumes, to precious diamonds, gemstones, and stunning pearls – it’s an incredible celebration of luxury that you won’t want to miss! For more information and timings on both exhibitions visit www.omanconvention.com.

THE COUNTDOWN’S ON AND OPEN! WHAT TO DO. WHAT

Ongoing

TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

D E C E M B E R

Opening its doors on Sunday, November 24, the Kempinski Hotel Muscat’s all-new The Countdown Sports Lounge, is one of largest sports outlets of its kind in Muscat with an eclectic and contemporary spacious design accommodating 260 people an oversized outdoor terrace, with breath-taking views overlooking the sea. A dream venue for sport’s fans with its state-of-the-art projectors and multiple widescreen TVs, the lounge is located at

the Kempinski Hotel Muscat’s Boulevard street in Al Mouj.

Muscat’s foodies will be spoiled for choice with a mouthwatering overload of hand-crafted dishes to tuck into such as The Countdown Burger, Flamed Steak, the not for the fainthearted ‘Fire Wings’, sharing style ‘Nasty Nachos’, and the whopping 2kg BBQ Ribs. Book your table now and call (+968) 2498-5000.

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make sure that they have the same passion going forward.

And, we should motivate the next generation of Omani cricketers to come up in this field without any struggle.

The Ministry of Sports Affairs has been trying to forge a name for the nation in many international sporting events, with the friendship of various sporting associations – a task which isn’t easy when the nation is in the developing stages of its sport infrastructure.

So, our cricket players are putting in a great effort to obtain the Cricket World Cup. – where there’s a will, there’s a way as the saying goes. No matter, whatever sport you choose, if you focus hard, are passionate and driven you can be the champion. So, there’s ample space and support to shine in cricket just as in football here in Oman – and both should be fostered among the nation’s youth.

GEETHA PRADEEP

The Oman National Cricket Team and the Oman National Football Team have equally attained many achievements over the past few years. Though the national game of Oman is football, Oman’s cricket team has become a formidable force in there’s been a rapid growth of cricket in the country. It the region. But is there space for football and cricket to was seen that according to a survey commissioned by UAE survive together among the nation’s youth?

Exchange, 37 per cent of people in Oman were cricket fans. This showed that people have an interest in it also.

The Oman Football Association was established in 1978 youngsters in both facilities. The signing took place and became an official member of FIFA in 1980. Oman’s MOHAMED ABDOULMAGUID Football is unique in transcending all geographical, at a high-level ceremony at Al Amerat Cricket National Football Team, the Red Warriors, were successful Stadium last week. racial, and religious boundaries. While most in winning many Asian Cup titles in 2004, 2007, 2015, people realize that whether they’re playing football There’s no doubt that this is a step towards the and 2019. They had won the Gulf Cup in 2009 and development of the game in the Sultanate in or watching it on television, it’s rare to hear placed fourth in the year 2014. someone talk about the great value of the impact recent years – and a giant step achieved by the The Oman National Cricket Team is governed by the Sultanate at the international level that supports this game has on positive change in society’s OCB, which became an affiliate member of ICC in 2000. behaviour. Football is a global culture that’s free to future plans on the development of the game at International status was given until 2022 for the first time be played in any country in the world, with players the grassroots level. to the team and it had been a qualifier in many of the ICC often understanding a single language that can T20 World Cup matches.

MUTHUMARI PANDIAN be easily circulated among everyone who plays it.

With the progress seen, it’s clear that football and cricket It’s certainly possible for both games to thrive It’s also a sport that’s no longer restricted only to can definitely flourish together in the country. Foremost, men’s teams – but has become widespread on the here in the Sultanate. It’s a great achievement it’s necessary to implement proper facilities at schools like that Oman’s National Cricket Team has qualified feminist scale more than any sport. forming sports clubs to emphasize the importance and for T20 after walking a long, struggled path. As Given the need to prepare talent available for development of cricket as well as football, as it will give per experts’ reports, the Oman Cricket Team is national and international levels of competition, children an exposure to both sports. This will bring about in 15th position in the ODI format and ranked the Oman Cricket Federation has taken another a drastic improvement and, in turn, help them to aspire as giant step towards providing its players with world- 18th in T20. It’s a great start for the Cricket World young players to represent the Sultanate of Oman.

Cup. class infrastructure and will be implementing it On the other hand, as football is the national within the next few months sport of Oman, we could stand to see more avid The Oman Cricket Federation, the Marylebone followers here. Yet with cricket, many vibrant and Cricket Club, the owner of Lord’s Cricket In the wake of art events dedicated youngsters strive hard to prove their Ground signed a ‘Memorandum of Friendship’ like Y Portrait By A Nation, best on the cricket field, so we highlighting the common goal of strengthening must encourage them to infrastructure, promoting cricket, and nurturing what more could Oman be

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AATdream BAT CRICKET’S GROWTH AS A COMPETITIVE SPORT IS SNOWBALLING AS OMAN RAKED ON CRUCIAL WINS TO QUALIFY FOR THE ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA. TEAM Y SITS DOWN WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM AND THEIR MANAGEMENT TO FIND OUT HOW PUTTING IN THE HARD YARDS EXTENDS OUTSIDE THE PITCH

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I

t’s a match made in heaven for Oman’s cricket team.

Victory is lurking in the air – and all that stands in the way of decades of hard work and resilience is a hard-wearing and in-form team from Hong Kong.

But, 13 runs from one ball reads the scorecard: it’s in Oman’s favour.

The national team has spun its opponents into an unmanageable position in their do-or-die match to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup that’s due for play in Australia in 2020.

Emotions are running high too, as an ecstatic Madursinh Jesrani, General Secretary of the Oman Cricket board, is seen scrambling towards the boundary rope on live television.

The commentator exclaims: “He’s going for a lap of honour. Hang on!

There’s a ball to go.”

And sure enough, Oman takes the match as paceman Fayyaz Butt fires one past Hong Kong’s Mohammed Ghazanfar’s nose, winning the Sultanate the match by a stout 12 runs.

The final score reads: Oman 137/4 and Hong Kong 122/9 from their 20 overs. The team has finally overcome their final hurdle – and the lap of honour can finally begin.

A colonial sport originated in the UK that only found its way into the Sultanate in 1979 by the founder of Oman Cricket (the nation’s officiating cricket body), Kanaksi G. Khimji, cricket has only now begun weaving its way into the lives of young Omanis.

Today, the Omani cricket team is still comprised largely of expats – but we learn that it’s set a base for the crowd to build on.

It’s a testament to the temperament of the players as the country jumps from 40 to 16 in Men’s ODI (One-Day International) rankings worldwide – a list that features countries such as Australia, India, UK, and South Africa; all countries that have over 100 years of experience in the game.

This is a fact pointed out by the official representative of Oman Cricket, Pankaj Khimji, who is also a prolific and established businessman and Chairman of the well-known Khimji Group. In a joint interview with the team and Madursinh Jesrani at the Oman Cricket office in Al Amerat, he tells us: “We are on cloud nine. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.

“We have achieved so much in so less time. And that shows you how much the sport has grown in Oman in the last four decades. It’s incredible, if you think about it.

“The Oman cricket team has a mix of players from Asia, and they’ve all become a family after playing so much for Oman. And when you’re with your family, you give them 100 per cent of what you have.

“That creates a bond in them and motivates them to perform to their fullest potential.”

Support from local families

But, as Pankaj rightly points out, the success of cricket in Oman goes beyond just its players’ strengths and integrity. It also comes down to whether there’s support from local establishments for the sport to flourish.

He says: “For a country to come ahead so quickly, there must be backing – and that’s what has helped cricket in the nation grow. This has happened in many countries, including the likes of India, Pakistan, England, and so on. “[This is true] if you look back at the history of cricket. Even if it’s in the Indian subcontinent, cricket has flourished when families or institutions back them up. I’m not very aware how, but if you go back to the days of cricket in Pakistan, you had corporate sponsors such as the PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) and Habib Bank that supported the local Pakistani team immensely.

“And because you had them, you have players of the likes of Zaheer Abbas, Majid Khan – the cricketers of the 1970s and 1980s – becoming household names.

“Back then, there wasn’t much remuneration. There was no material benefit to cricketers. Cricket was being backed by institutions and families who were just passionate about the game.

The same goes for cricket in India. He adds: “Cricket in Mumbai was backed by the Nirlons family, Air India, and so on. So, it was the families and institutions that had a passion. And this extends to modern-day cricket too.”

He’s right. Today, the Ambani (from Mumbai) and Sreenivasan (from South India) families, alongside Bollywood cricketers back up Indian cricket – all of whom have come together to raise India above the likes of England and Australia, to clinch top spot across various formats (T20, ODI, and Test) in the game.

Pankaj explains: “And that’s why I say, if you don’t have that passion that causes a spark to ignite a fire and keep it burning, then cricket will not carry on,” before going on to add how it was the Tawoos, Khimji, Muscat Pharmacy, and Al Turki families who took the game ahead in the country.”

Supporters have kept flowing in too with more family businesses like the Mohandas, Assarain, and Chaitanya Khimji families jumping on board to help grow the sport in Oman. The national team is currently accredited by both the ICC (International Cricket Council) and ACC (Asian Cricket Council).

And, just as Pankaj wraps up his statements, Madursinh (fondly dubbed, ‘Madhu Bhai (‘Madhu brother’ by his peers), butts in to say: “Without these families, there would be no cricketers here.”

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The achievements of Oman cricket

That said, Oman’s achievement in the sport is commendable. Before sealing a berth in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2020, they also secured ODI status that enables them to play 50-over (300-balls-per-side) competitive cricket on an international level.

The team has also been ranked 16th globally with 174 points, which is only a few points under Namibia but a substantial lead over its next team, Nepal.

What’s more astonishing is how Oman’s Zeeshan Maqsood and Khawar Ali are, at the time of publishing this article, ranked as the eighth- and 10th best all-rounders in T20 International cricket – a list that includes worldrenowned players such as Australia’s Glenn Maxwell (Rank 2), Sri Lanka’s Thishara Perera (Rank 13), and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner (Rank 12).

Oman also famously upset an in-form Ireland at the ICC World T20 World Cup in Dharamsala, India, in 2016. And even though the team couldn’t qualify to the final rounds, they were hailed for holding their composure as an amateurplaying side.

In an interview with the head coach of the Oman cricket team – who is also a (former) iconic Sri Lankan cricketer – Duleep Mendis, we learn about how Oman is striving to progress quickly through hard work and determination.

He tells us: “The Oman cricket team is a mixture of great talents who have played cricket for many years. They’re professional in the way they go about their cricket, and it’s now up to the

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coaches to guide them into focusing their efforts into playing the game competitively. I think we have achieved a lot in the last four years, and we must thank the management for the support and the players for their willpower in taking the game forward.”

It’s an emotion that’s shared by former international cricketers Anil Kumble (former Indian captain) and Mahela Jayawardene (former Sri Lankan captain).

In an exclusive interview with Y, Kumble says: “I’ve heard a lot of Oman Cricket. It’s good to see the progress in the last five years, but it’s also important to highlight the progress of 40 years.

There are a lot of unsung heroes who have toiled hard without any reward. But of course, a reward would be getting the ODI status.”

Meanwhile, Jayawardene is keen on highlighting how Oman’s diverse team is what has led to the quick progress. He elucidates: “A lot of countries have benefited from expats in their teams, especially those in the Middle-East region. The expat population are the ones who started the game here in Oman – and it has come a long way.”

“But a lot of work must be done, as you need to grow the game locally as well. Oman has taken the right direction as it’s important for the national team to achieve great things so that the next generation can know what they must do after them.

“It’s a competitive world, you’ve got more than 90 teams playing the game globally in different leagues – and to be among the top 20 is something special for a population that’s as little as four-anda-half million.”

How is Oman going to tackle the T20 World Cup? Zeeshan Maqsood Born: Pakistan Role: Captain/All-rounder Batting: Left-handed Bowling: Slow left-arm orthodox “When the team is performing as we are, we hope to continue that momentum into our upcoming series – as well as the T20 World Cup. We’ll try our best to win all the games and perform the way the management and the team wants. We need to play like a team and a family – only then will we do better. We are all focusing on our skills, and we will fight.”

Bilal Khan Born: Pakistan Role: Pace Bowler Bowling: Left-arm fast medium “For fast bowlers like us, it won’t be difficult to adjust to the Australian conditions. But our main aim will be to bowl from wicket to wicket without much margin for error.

There’s plenty of swing there, and it’ll be fun to scare the batsman. In Scotland, I enjoyed scaring the batsmen with the short ball.

The new ball can be dangerous in pace-y pitches such as those. In Amerat, however, there’s good swing too with reverse swing from the wind that comes into the ground here. In our last match against Hong Kong, captain [Zeeshan Maqsood] said, “Let’s give this game our all. It’s a do-or-die match.” That we did – and we won it. We hope to apply the same mindset in Australia as we take on those who qualified.”

Khawar Ali Born: Pakistan Role: All-rounder Batting: Right-handed Bowling: Right-arm leg break “Overseas conditions are different to what we see in Oman – and that can pose challenges. But we’ve played so much international cricket, such as the tournament in Scotland – which allows us to learn the pitch and how we must navigate it. As a player, this allows us to get acclimatised to the grounds. So, we hope to perform when we head to Australia. But, before that, we have a few more games to concentrate on.”

Oman’s way forward

Pankaj is quick to point out how the national team is among only a few countries where their players aren’t contracted by the cricket board.

Y learns that much of the team members work full-time jobs and play cricket on weekends and days off and rely on their companies to grant them leaves for international games.

Pankaj explains: “If you look at UAE cricketers, they have a contract. But, even there, if you don’t have a family or two or three non-cricketing institutions to back them up, the game isn’t going to progress as planned.

“I’ve spoken to my colleagues in the UAE about this. We’re friends now and we play cricket on that level and are together all the time for tours or games here. We share our thoughts on the game, and we’ve shown that you need individuals to bind good players together. If you don’t have that, it’s going to go.”

He then asks a question: “Is there going to be another Kanaksi Khimji to take the game to the next generation in Oman?”

“I honestly don’t know. At 65, I’d like to call it a day and pass the baton on to someone else. You need to build an environment of cricket and look after the cricketers. It’s not just about how much money you pour in.

“The span of a cricketer is very small. There’s 10 – or at a stretch 15 years – of cricket in each player. And in that time, we need to make sure they earn some form of respect and

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compensation to look after their families and, most importantly, how they must earn something to sustain themselves after cricket.

“This institution is trying to do that. We need to retire boys, and those who have been on the fringe and not made it to the national team. Our job now as stakeholders is to find out what happens to the bench strength and those who have contributed and are now playing domestic cricket.”

In its process of molding the environment that Pankaj speaks of, Oman Cricket built its first cricket stadium in 2012. With land donated by the Ministry of Sports Affairs and money (RO2mn or US$5.2mn) raised by corporate sponsorships, the stadium now boasts floodlights, a full-fledged office, meeting rooms, and a grassy pitch to emulate Oman’s natural pitch conditions.

This complements the indoor facilities at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex’s training pitches and a handful of local practice nets set by individual investors.

Zeeshan Maqsood, the captain of the Oman team, is in awe over the facilities. He says: “When we head out of Oman to play cricket, we see a lot of countries don’t have favourable conditions for playing the game.

Many grounds are small, and it only tells us how we must be proud of the facilities we’ve been provided.

“I think a lot of why cricket is becoming more popular in Oman is because of the efforts of Oman Cricket management, the supporters, and the Ministry of Sport.”

Owing to this, Zeeshan Maqsoon, Bilal Khan, and Khawar Ali have all been selected to partake in international premier leagues in India and Pakistan; the details of which are yet to be officially disclosed.

All of this is helping nurture talent in Oman. A trip to Naseem Garden shows us how both expats and Omanis come together to play the sport.

While the games are still non-competitive in nature, Pankaj believes it’s important to build the name of the sport from the ground up.

Cricket as an amateur sport

Pankaj says: “I firmly believe that cricket is still an amateur sport.

There are teams that are in the top 10 that are playing on a different league, but if you look at teams from ranks 15 to 25, it’s a highly competitive amateur sport.

“But even so, there’s a level of competitiveness there, and we’re all grooming our boys to take that on and do the best they can. Today, whatever the team has achieved, we’re all very proud of.

Madursinh breaks his silence to add: “I mean, honestly, we couldn’t ask for anything better. That’s what is relayed through our emotions,” citing his impromptu run for the boundary rope that was captured on television.

Pankaj smiles, as he then says: “We are a family. His emotion is my emotion and vice versa. If the players have any concerns, they can come to us. They can share anything with us. Today, it’s not about taking them to Al Bustan Palace for a dinner; it’s about taking them home.

“We have the support from many individuals and the Ministry of Sport. They’ve been rewarding the players individually for their successes. We want to keep on adding – and our end goal would be to keep growing at the pace we are and keep taking Oman’s name to levels beyond what we even imagined.

“His Majesty has given us the biggest present to Oman Cricket to move on to the next level.” ■

OMAN NATIONAL ENGINEERING & INVESTMENT CO. OMAN NATIONAL ENGINEERING & INVESTMENT CO. OMAN NATIONAL ENGINEERING & INVESTMENT CO.

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Oman’s aflaj system is one of the world’s most well-preserved examples of ancient irrigation.

Swati Basu Das explores its continued relevance in the Sultanate’s agricultural ambitions 018

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The three parts of a functional falaj The ‘umm al falaj’

The ‘umm al falaj’ is the ‘mother’ well and the primary source of the water. The water here contains the maximum minerals and is best suited for consumption and domestic use. This water gets channeled through the tunnel system into the fields.

H

ere’s a free-flowing idea: if a drop of water could spell out its history it could surely explain the universe to us. A vital source for the existence of life, water’s soft burble narrates age-old human traditions and ways of life through channels that help nurture agricultural fecundity and growth.

The hundreds of fertile farms here in Oman that remain verdant year-round impressive illustrations of the impact a sustainable flow of water can have in the desert. The Sultanate’s traditional irrigation system – its aflaj system – is one of mankind’s most marvelously-engineered ancient archetypes. A gravitational wonder, it’s a system that can flow across great distances, stretching kilometres at a time, through concrete channels that bring succor and life to the. local eco-system.

Archaeological findings report 3,000 functional aflaj – some dating as far back as 2,500 BCE – across Oman, with five listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Channeling water from deep within the rock and earth, these aflaj irrigate elevated farmlands, helping them to remain lush and fertile, and remain deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural history and heritage.

“The aflaj water is sourced from underground springs, ‘qanats’, or wadis,” explains Yasser Al Maamari, a local farmer living in Rustaq who owns several date farms and orchards.

“The water is pumped out naturally without any machines, through fissures and crevices in the mountain using the law of gravity. It’s then channeled through the village farms to irrigate the orchards and date plantations. It runs for several kilometres and the water is fit for drinking and other domestic uses. Since time immemorial we depend wholly on its viability.”

An integral aspect of Oman’s agricultural system, the Arabic word ‘falaj’ when roughly translated, means ‘to split and share in equal part’ – with ‘aflaj’ being the plural form of the word. The distribution of water to local farms through this system can be turned ‘on’ and ‘off’ at regular intervals by opening or closing a ‘sarja’ – a heap of rags or cloth weighted with stones that can block off the source. Each farm receives an equal amount of water each day – a precious resource that follows a strict schedule under the guidance of a ‘wakil’ or a local ‘judge’ of water consumption.

“He is in charge and manages the supply of water,” says Yasser. “He looks after the timings to open and close the flow of falaj water. He ensures even distribution to each farm, and he also tackles various issues related to the aflaj system in this area. It’s a long-standing traditional system which he follows – and everyone abides.”

A natural resource, water justifies its dominance over the arid land. Its soft murmurs flow through the narrow falaj channels, re-routed through the various farms as its flow brings bloom to the desert. Streaming ceaselessly year-round, the aflaj are a system that have shaped a nation through the cascading and bending of their currents – a blessing to farmers millennia ago, and which still make their rippling presence felt over the landscape of richness we enjoy even today. ■

The tunnel

The tunnel carries water from the mother well to the farms and can run for several kilometres depending on the altitude and the quantity of water available in the mother well.

The shaft

These are covered rings which protect the falaj from external damage. Located every 20-metres along the falaj, these shafts ensure proper ventilation of the water flowing through the tunnel. They also remove impurities and debris carried by the water on its way.

Aflaj water extracted directly from the ground is divided into three major categories depending on the structure and the source of water:

Dawoodi falaj

These highly engineered tunnels are comparatively long and run for several kilometres. They’re usually ten metres deep, and the water flows all year-round. Falaj Al Khatmeen and Falaj Daris are classic examples of a Dawoodi falaj.

Ghaili falaj

These four-metre-deep tunnels remain dry during the extended summer months and their source of water is flowing run-off water, ponds, or the occasional rainfall.

Ayni falaj

The water that flows through these aflaj is either hot or cold depending on the underground source. The water is drawn from hot springs or wells and can be saline, sweet, or alkaline, and is best suited for agricultural use. Some of these springs have a high mineral content and are well known for natural treatments and therapies. Falaj Ayn Al Kasfah in Rustaq, Falaj Hammam in Baushar, and Falaj Al Jeelah all fall into this category.

In 2006, UNESCO listed the following five aflaj as World Heritage Sites: • Falaj Al Khatmeen • Falaj Al Daris • Falaj Al Malki • Falaj Al Jeela • Falaj Al Muyassar

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Powered by

Presents

49

In Association with

Y

’s Portrait By A Nation wrapped up its 6th annual competition in honour of the 49th Oman National Day this past weekend on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16 at Mall of Muscat. Presented by Ahli Bank, Powered

by Mazoon Dairy and Asian Paints Berger, in Association with Mall of Muscat, Minara, OSCO Shapoorji Pallonji, and Staedtler, and with Support Partners Nizwa Grand Mall, My City Centre Sur, Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah, and City Centre Suhar, young artists from schools across the Sultanate came together to create a unique piece of art as a lasting tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The competition kicked off across Oman’s interiors on November 8 in Nizwa at Nizwa Grand Mall and Salalah at the Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah, and on November 9 in Sur at My City Centre Sur and Sohar at City Centre Suhar. This year’s event saw 2,900 children nationwide in both the interiors and the capital region flock to take part. Using their utmost creativity and imagination to paint a portrait of His Majesty, the sky was the limit to the array of ways they chose to express their love for our nation through their art.

Many of our valued sponsors were on-site during the competition to show their support and encouragement for our nation’s batches of talented young artists – and PBAN Presenting Sponsor Ahli Bank was one of them. Here, Hanaa Mohammed Al Kharusi, General Manager – Corporate Banking, Ahli Bank, tells why they continue to lend their support to this event year-after-year.

Y H

: Why has PBAN remained an event of singular importance over the years for Ahli Bank as our valued Presenting Sponsor?

MAK: Ahli Bank continues its support of social initiatives. With a plethora of corporate social responsibility activities, it has always contributed to the socioeconomic development of the Sultanate. The 6th Annual Y Portrait by A Nation event encourages participation in the arts and is a great opportunity for the youth of Oman to come forward to celebrate Oman National Day. It’s also in line with the Ahli Bank’s efforts to become instrumental in supporting social initiatives that work for the well-being and progress of the people of Oman.

Y

: Can you comment on how such events help to instill a culture of creative expression among our nation’s younger generation?

MAK: Any form of an art enriches the life of an individual.

Such platforms help in fostering and developing art through diverse and engaging experiences. It’s also a great way to contribute to the economy and boost tourism. Arts and culture also provide resources and education, help people come together for a common cause, and provide an environment for creative experiences and development. They foster creativity and initiative, imagination, emotional intelligence, and freedom of thought. Art events such as PBAN are a perfect platform for the younger generation to express themselves, showcase their talent and, at the same time, offer gratitude to His Majesty and the beautiful country of Oman. It’s a pleasure for us to be associated with such events and help in fostering the youth of the nation.

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H

As the Sultanate celebrated the 49th Oman National Day, Y Magazine once again brought the nation’s young talent together to paint their patriotism with the 6th annual Portrait By A Nation competition.

Now, it’s time to announce this year’s finalists

Y H

: In what ways is Ahli Bank committed to strengthening and enriching its ties with the local community?

MAK: Ahli Bank’s corporate social responsibility initiatives are a part of its commitment to contribute to the development and the well-being of the nation. The series of initiatives across the country are aimed to complement the government’s efforts for socio-economic development across local communities. In the past few years, Ahli Bank has launched several CSR initiatives including Ahli Cares – a socially conscious bank – and its CSR work comprises everything from government to private sectors, and nongovernmental organizations. : What words of encouragement do you have for this year’s round of finalists?

MAK: It’s a matter of pride for us to be associated with this event. It’s a pleasure to see how these young minds transform their imagination on a canvas. There is immense talent in our country, and we would like to be always supportive to such initiatives. We continue to encourage these youngsters to come forward and pursue their passion. Every child is special and can make a difference in this world. They shouldn’t shy away from what they love to do and strive to develop their skills, work on their expertise, and build on their talent. Ahli Bank is always there to support such initiatives and also has a team that work under its programme Ahli Cares, which primarily supports social causes and works towards the well-being of the people.

Y H

Y

: Do you think Oman can do even more on a national level to encourage and offer a platform for Omani artistic talent?

MAK: There is immense talent in this nation but there are limited platforms to showcase them. Moreover, there’s a need to create more awareness about the existing platforms. With the emergence of new media and better understanding about fostering arts and culture, the nation is moving in the right direction. A lot of initiatives have been kicked off to encourage the youth and create an environment conducive for the development and discovery of new talent on a national level.

Corporates and other organizations should encourage employees to volunteer for such events. A joint effort would definitely help put Oman on the global map and foster their youth’s capabilities, unlock their hidden skills, and enable them to pursue their talent.

H

Y

: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s finalist’s showcase and awards ceremony from a sponsor’s perspective?

MAK: Art is an expression of one’s self and feelings of the individual, We look

H

forward to encouraging the youth as they’ve come out in greater numbers this year to come together, share experiences, and have a platform to express their individuality – and Ahli Bank will always be a part of social initiatives that help people grow.

Y

: What would you like our readers and PBAN participants and finalists to know about Ahli Bank as a brand and one of the Sultanate’s most trusted financial institutions?

MAK: Reflecting the ethos of responsible banking, Ahli Bank attaches strategic importance to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that complement the Omani government’s efforts for socio-economic development across local communities. Going forward, Ahli Bank remains committed to its prudent growth strategy to maintain a winning streak of excellence and maximize value for all stakeholders and the community at large. We will continue expanding the branch network of Ahli Bank and Ahli Islamic across Oman, while keeping pace with changing market demands to tailor innovative customercentric services.

H

Y Portrait By A Nation 2019 Finalists

5-9 Age Category: Mohammed Arhaan Azam Dayaan Bisanth Arya Deepak Avitha Arun Deepak Daksh Gulecha Hamshaad Hafeez Khadija Syed Imran Kamal Sripad Kandukuri Wania Khan Zayd Ahmed Khan Aayath Khanum Yadu Krishnan M.P. Disha Pradeep Rashmikha Alonso Chukkri Rovin Vadapali Srinidhi Vadapali Varshika

10-13 Age Category Aqeedath Hammiyat Aziz Vyka S. Bichu Sidharth Chenni Sahada Begum Chowdhury Lama Fazal Harita S.D. Harsedha Bhadra Jayakrishnan Shreya B. Panicker Vaishnavi P.B. Saanvi Raju Janatul Riya Saba Vaiga Sujith Rishik Vashisht Karthika Vinod

14-17 Age Category Muthu Valliammai Aravanan Cazaryna Sajida Begum Chowdhury Ehan Jabir Amal Krishna Sarang Santhosh Krishna Meenakshi Anil Kumar Fouad Zenin Naushad Sruthi B. Panicker Jishu P.M. Noel Shaiju Nuha Shiren Ishrat Sultana Abhinav Suresh Richa Thakur Priya Vilson

About Y Portrait By A Nation

O

ne of the biggest events of the year in Oman, Y’s Portrait By A Nation saw an impressive number of 2,900 entries received from children ages 5-17 years-old from Muscat, Nizwa, Sur, Sohar, and Salalah this year.

Children received a different sized canvas and a different portrait of His Majesty, across three age categories of competition: 5-9 years – Canvas size 20cm x 30cm 10-13 years – Canvas size 30cm x 40cm 14-17 years – Canvas size 40cm x 50cm Forty-nine (49) finalists will be selected from participants – 17 from the ages 5-9 category, and 16 each from the ages 10-13 and 14-17 age categories, with three winners chosen among them from each age category, for a chance to win prizes worth a total of RO2,550. Each winner will win a prize worth RO500 in each age category, while runners-up will win prizes valued at RO250 in each age category, and there will be RO100 for third place in each age category.

Championing the patriotic heart of the nation through the artistic expression of the young generation, Y’s Portrait By A Nation is featured across all of SABCO Media’s platforms, including Y Magazine, Merge 104.8, Al Wisal, and Virgin Radio Oman 100.9 FM.

Portrait by A Nation Milestones: On-ground competition The competition was held on Friday, November 8 in Nizwa and Salalah, Saturday, November 9 in Sur and Sohar, and on Friday November 15 and Saturday, November 16 in Muscat as, over two days, thousands of children created their own special pieces of art on the canvasses given to them with a pre-printed sketch of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. This initiative not only encouraged talent but provided children with a platform to bring out their best artistic efforts while taking pride in their work.

Judging Panel Judging took place on November 18 at Mall of Muscat, and included sponsors, representatives of Team Y, and eminent local artist Budoor Al Riyami.

The panel has selected 17 winners from the ages five to nine category and 16 finalists from the ages 10-13 and 14-17 age categories each for a total of 49 finalists.

Awards Function Conducted in a 5-star venue, the Y Portrait By A Nation awards function will be held on Monday, December 2 at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat and will see sponsors interacting with the 49 finalists from the three age categories. The finalists, along with their families, will be invited to be awarded commendation certificates and prizes. The event will be followed by dinner.

Special coverage in Y Magazine After the competition, there will be continuing special coverage in Y Magazine which will feature the works of the young artists along with their interviews, and those from sponsors and eminent local artists.

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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

AL ASHKHARAH Swati Basu Das finds solace and serenity among the salt flats and sea pools of this fishing stronghold

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Ashkharah is ruled by the thunderous reverberations of the crashing waves, as elderly fishermen and their friends gather to unwind on the sand. Elders and pillars of the community, they spend their time tossing shells in a traditional game of ‘hawalees’ while sipping a cup of ‘kahwa’ with some fresh fruits at hand. It’s here they unload their daily stress, socializing and weaving new fishing nets or untangling the unwanted knots of an old one.

It’s a place that embraces both the lifestyles of the fishermen and of the Bedouin, with the desert dunes so close by. Along our journey as we drew closer to Al Ashkharah, we noticed a striking demographic contrast along the way as the structure of the buildings and the space between each of them denoting the cultural distinction.

“Both fishermen and Bedouins populate this part of Oman,” Abdul Aziz Al Jafferi, Head of Leisure Concierge at the Atana Stay in Al Ashkarah tells us. “The structures

in the whole of Al Ashkharah, and it’s an heirloom.”

After speaking with the village residents, learning more about their heritage and culture, we’re keen to explore a few of the area’s unique natural pockets. Just a 30-minute drive from Al Ashkharah the flat terrain evokes an eerie wonder of emptiness. The texture of the sand is almost white as it blends seamlessly into the coastline, while, on the other side of the shoreline dried desert lakes form the bright salt flats that shimmer under the midday sun, almost blindingly. The water escaping the natural evaporation process thanks in part to a proliferation of ‘dunaliella salina’ algae in this patch of land has given these lakes their distinctive pink hue. This and more gives Al Ashkharah its charismatic flavour as a road-trip destination worth setting out on – and worth setting aside any preconceived notions that nature in Oman is anything less than awe-inspiring.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

H

ow often is it the course of a journey becomes less about the destination that decided it, and more about the expedition that, ultimately, brings us to places unknown? It was with this intent in mind that we set out one recent weekend to venture into the remote recesses of Ash Sharqiyah – far the madding crowd, to unleash our inner rover. A long drive into serenity was what we were after…stumbling upon those hidden hamlets and corners of nature that brought out the best of Oman’s beauty along the way.

And while every road trip from Muscat along the coastal reaches of the Sultanate is undeniably panoramic, the allure of Al Ashkharah – a quaint fishing village in the governorate of Ash Sharqiyah, proved hard to pass up.

Having drove through the village once before, a few years back, during a trip to Masirah Island, at the time we didn’t stop to explore its charms.

Majestic beaches cradled by a wedge of desert; perfectly bleached salt flats; the natural anomaly of its pink lakes; friendly locals and a rich fishing tradition were what awaited us.

A four-and-a-half-hour drive from Muscat, (stopping along the way for refreshments), the journey made us heavy-eyed as our vehicle plodded along the flat-top, windows down and sea breeze freshening as we caught glimpses of the windswept shore with its fishing boats firmly anchored in a row.

A tranquil afternoon here in Al

of their houses differ accordingly. A fisherman stays out of home for several days; each building, therefore, stands close to the other. Staying close to one another ensures strong community bonding. While the Bedouin houses are built far away from the other as they rarely travel, and their lifestyle includes primarily cattle-rearing.”

For every local (both Bedouin and from the fishing community) residing in Al Ashkharah, what draws them indelibly together – aside from the area’s pristine beaches – is its small yet lively souq. Here, you can find everything from household products and garments, to daily use foodstuffs.

Also, worth noting is the unique architecture of the houses here – as a 250-year-old one in particular caught our yet. Situated at the centre of the village and constructed to look like a fort spread out over four stories, its chalet terrace overlooked the expanse of the town and the sea.

“This house belongs to my ancestors and its built with mud and wood,” Hamood Juma Rashid Al Jabari, the houses current resident, tells us.

“Imported from India, these wooden beams have the dates engraved on them in Arabic. It’s the only old house

From Muscat, follow Route 17 heading towards Quriyat and follow the Sur road. Drive via Ras Al Hadd until you reach the Asila roundabout, then follow the coastal road. Al Ashkharah can be reached via three routes – Jalan Bani Bu Ali from the west, Ras Al Hadd from the north, and the Al Ashkarah road from the south.

GPS Coordinates: N 21° 50’ 59.99” E 59° 33’ 59.99”

CARS ADVENTURES

C H E V R O L E T T R AV E R S E

FIRST DRIVE

W

hen it comes to hauling large families at a go, not many mid-size SUVs strike a balance between space, practicality, and technology.

Yet the Chevrolet Traverse has, for years on end, continued its power play by virtue of its positioning as a people carrier alone – but with the pizzazz of a vehicle styled to charm.

Introduced back in 2009 as a sibling to the Chevy Equinox and Tahoe, the Traverse sealed a gap in the market for those looking to transport eight passengers in comfort, but without the added weight of a thirsty V8 motor (such as that of the Tahoe).

It’s a simple recipe that aims to appease the market with simplicity, but packaged to please – thus the facelift that brings it in line with Chevrolet’s signature design language: the split grilles, tapered head lamps with daytime-running LED lamps and HID lights, an acceptable amount of chrome, and an overall smart fascia complete when pitted against

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Chevy’s second-gen Traverse is a compelling value for families that warrants a spot among the pioneers of the mid-size SUV segment

several of its rivals from Asia.

The side profile is the greatest give-away of its size.

Gargantuan to say the least, there’s plenty of metal from bumper to bumper, a healthy dose of chrome to break up the pallor of our solid white tester’s exterior, and 17-inch alloys wrapped around highprofile rubber to lug all that weight.

Styling updates extend to the rear too; there’s new tail lamps, a re-styled tailgate, and a plastic bumper housing that breaks up the colours. Since the GCC primarily benefits from the V6 motor, our car also came with dual exhausts.

Inside, the Traverse takes a chic approach, keeping a large 7-inch touchscreen (8-inch in top variants) running the Chevrolet MyLink software as the hub around which the cabin is designed. The A/C vents are aligned vertically around the screen on the dashboard, while the centre stack is plush with large – and, more importantly, usable buttons.

The Traverse comes with large steering to help

give the driver a sense of weight to the car – as the electric-assisted system largely remains light in city and highway driving. There are buttons on the wheel to control the multi-information display screen and cruise control functions, and a set of four more buttons behind to control the music and source for audio.

Our tester came with cushy fabric seats, leatherette surfaces on the dashboard and centre console, and just about enough space to cram in eight full-size adults. Head- and leg room galore, the Traverse is easily the most sizeable vehicle we’ve tested this year. It’s no Suburban, but the 3,071mm wheelbase is justified, with great seating position for both the second- and third-row passengers.

There’s also 651litres of boot space behind the third-row – though you can raise it to a total of 2,781litres with the other rows folded flat – all thanks to the seats that go flush with the floor.

On the safety front, you’ll get the usual suite of nannies: reverse camera with guided lines, airbags, ABS, and traction control as standard. Higher models will profit from blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, and surround camera systems, alongside

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

CHEVROLET TRAVERSE Specifications: • Engine: 3.6-litre V6 • Transmission: 9-speed automatic • Horsepower: 310hp • Torque: 361Nm • Top speed: 208kph Four-wheel drive Rear-view camera 17-inch alloy wheels Auto start/stop system Tri-zone automatic a/c 7-inch touchscreen unit Daytime-running LED lights Leather-wrapped steering Chevrolet MyLink OS Push button start 10-speaker Bose audio system (optional) Parking sensors Cruise control

ventilated seats, a sunroof, power tailgate, and auto stop/ start and front pedestrian detection systems.

For a vehicle that tips the scales at nearly two tonnes, the Traverse is no slouch either. This praise is largely directed to the 3.6-litre V6 motor that’s capable of 310hp and 361Nms of torque. It’s further mated to a compliant nine-speed automatic torque converter.

Power is put down to either the front wheels or, all four, via a twin clutch AWD system, and the car remains largely stable upon loose surfaces thanks to the intuitiveness of the drivetrain.

Chevy claims the zero to 100kph is about 7.7 seconds, and it feels like it. Power is gradually built up, with the engine revs hitting the notes (some 7,500rpm) before redlining and shifting gears. Meanwhile, torque is available lower down the range, thereby allowing the SUV to pick up speed briskly.

There’s quite a ring to the exhaust note too. The raspy tune of the exhaust plays through to the cabin to let you know it’s a full-blown V6; which is the same unit from the large Impala sedan and the all-new Blazer SUV. Vehicle dynamics are in line with what’s in the market,

INTRODUCED BACK IN 2009 AS A SIBLING TO THE CHEVY EQUINOX AND TAHOE, THE TRAVERSE SEALED A GAP IN THE MARKET FOR THOSE LOOKING TO TRANSPORT EIGHT PASSENGERS IN COMFORT, BUT WITHOUT THE ADDED WEIGHT OF A THIRSTY V8 MOTOR with body-roll creeping into corners at speeds over 60kph. But, the added quietness in the cabin at cruising speed is admirable, and suspension is tuned with cross-country trips in mind. The Traverse also remains settled when tested by crosswinds – not veering about lanes when blasted from corners like some rivals in its class.

That said, the lightness of the steering will need a bit of practice getting used to, especially when coupled with the strong brakes that bite hard when slammed in an emergency. Though, the ABS, ESP, and traction control systems will keep the vehicle planted and stable at all times.

There’s a touch of sophistication in simplicity – and that’s what makes the Traverse a value-for-money proposition.

It offers a seamless driving experience over varied terrain – and for kilometres on end.

It’s a no-brainer then: the Chevrolet Traverse is one of the best mid-size SUVs money can buy that will seat eight in comfort. That alone leaves it in a league filled by only a handful, and even fewer will provide you with the tech that Chevy packs in.

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CARS ADVENTURES

SUNSHINE STATE The theme park

capital of the U.S. continues to thrill our inner child

1. Play a swash-buckling game of mini-golf at Pirates Cove Adventure Golf.

2. Test your team-building skills at America’s Escape Game.

3. Get your sweet-tooth on at Chocolate Kingdom: Interactive Factory Adventure Tour.

4. Paint the world in colour at the truly unique and family-friendly Crayola Experience.

5. Have a second heaping helping of Florida key lime pie.

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Ashlee Starratt recommends,

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA T

he first time I was ever on an airplane was on a family trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida in 1995, my parents saving up for two years prior to that just to book us in business class for our first foray above the clouds. For seven days, we braved the theme park queues, bought as many mouse-shaped souvenirs as we could handle, marveled at the palm trees we were seeing for the first time, and giggled at the Southern drawls echoing all around us - so foreign to our little Canadian ears.

A trip to Disney World was (and maybe still is) considered a seminal part of childhood - the ultimate make-or-break family trip. And of all the Disney theme parks worldwide, it doesn’t get any more epic than the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. In fact, it’s often the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning the ‘Sunshine State’ and the memories made there - a sense of complete wonder instilled at that crucial junction between childhood and adolescence.

It’s a force that’s strong - and is surely the reason behind the number of adults who also flock there to find the kid at heart as much as to introduce their own children to its magic. And while much has changed over the last 20 years, some things such as this remain the same.

To avoid the massive queues, your best bet to making sure you make the most of your time at Disney (and this goes for any of the state’s vast array of theme parks) is to arrive early just before it opens. A head-start will help you skip the massive queues that form later on the day ROSEA TE and which can put a whole damper on the experience.

W A T E R S P O O N B IL L S WA S OF TH E E V E R D E IN T H E And while tickets and park passes can run you a pretty penny, they do offer up some great GLADE S value-for-money deals online and also at authorized Disney Tickets retailers that are worth looking into. The 4-Days 4-Parks pass is a great option as it allows you access to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios - where the all-new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction is the new ‘it’ ticket. So, ride the Millennium Falcon’s Smuggler’s Run, or build your own lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop.

Theme park fanatics eager for a day-trip can also check out Universal Studios in nearby Tampa, where ‘muggles’ and wizards alike can embark on an epic adventure through Hogwarts, go on a thrill-ride with Hagrid and his Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, or ride the Hippogriff. Thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies can also test their mettle on the rollercoasters at Busch Gardens, while families with little ones can explore the world in miniature at Legoland.

And while theme parks may be Orlando’s bread and butter, that’s not to say its many other cultural attractions should be overlooked. Explore the headwaters of the Florida Everglades in nearby Kissimmee with Boggy Creek Airport Rides and see if you can spot some truly exotic local wildlife - including the American alligator. Or, head to Giraffe Ranch in Dade City - about an hour’s drive from Disney World - and interact with these gentle giants in a open grassland habitat.

My favourite place The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. This comprehensive wildlife park is the perfect outing for the whole family when you just can bear another day of line-ups at Disney. Kids can get up-close and personal with a variety of reptiles, mammals and amphibians through the zoo’s interactive education programs. You can also take part in giraffe feeding and rhinoceros encounters, cooll off at the Wharton-Smith Splash Ground, and soar through the treetops on the Seminole Aerial Adventures zipline.

Highlights The food. Truly. When you think of Floridian cuisine what comes to mind is a delicious mélange of Creole

T R M OU S E A Y OU R IN N E H S A E E N L N U OF D IS Y A L W OR L D IC G A M E H T

and Caribbean flavours with a touch of Southern Americana blended in for good measure. And you certainly wouldn’t be wrong. From classic tropical barbacoa (Florida barbecue) and Creole- and Cajun-inspired shrimp and grits, to fried gator tail – there’s nothing that’s off the menu in this melting pot of cultural gastronomy. In Orlando, head to The Rusty Spoon on W. Church St. for a true taste of local Floridian produce at this farm-to-table eatery. Sample a bowl of grits with shrimp harvested off Florida’s Cape Canaveral or indulge in one of their fresh salads and hearty sandwiches.

Lowlights While it still remains one of the Sunshine State’s top five theme parks, think it over before deciding to spend an afternoon at SeaWorld. While the park has many aqua-adventure rides for the young thrill-seekers out for a splash, their live orca, dolphin, and sea lion shows remain contentious among members of the animal rights movement. And while the awe of seeing a 5,700 kg bull orca breaching a tidal wave is immediate…the stark reality quickly sinks in that these majestic creatures suffer an extremely poor life in captivity.

Souvenirs It’s a cliché, yes, but Mouse Ears from Disney World and, also, seashells from Shanibel Island, sun-kissed Florida oranges, Cuban-style guayabera linen shirts, and your very own wizard wand from Ollivander’s Wand Shop at Universal Studio’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Getting there Qatar Airways offers direct service from Doha, while most other regional airlines will get your there via connecting flights with local US carriers.

Where to stay

If Disney’s in your plans, a stay at their Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista is the perfect blend of family-friendly luxury and true Floridian charm. All the world’s major hotel chains can be found in Orlando via booking.com, Trivago, Agoda, or Kayak.com and also be sure to check out Airbnb for more budgetfriendly options.

THE UL IN D U L G T IM A T E F L O R ENCE: K E Y L ID IA N IM E P IE

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

D e s t i n at i o n

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

MULTIFACETED TECH The Y Geek Squad rounds up a bunch of weirdly purposeful gadgets

that go beyond their routine tasks to do much more than meets the eye SMART ASSISTANT

GLAMPING MAGIC Who says camping has to be a mucky, miserable affair? Maker of modular tents, Cinch, certainly thinks it’s time to innovate the age-old practice of living in discomfort when you’re out camping in the elements, and the result is a tent that offers the comforts of a hotel stay – minus the room service.

The tent comes complete with an LED lighting system, charging points, torches, mirrors, and a climate control canopy that’ll keep you safe from the extremes (even the 50-degree-Celsius heat!). Much of all this is achieved with solar panels; though, there’s also meshes all around the windows to protect you from beasties both large and small. The tent is available for pre-booking on Kickstarter for RO115.2 (onwards) and will be made available to the public by 2020.

Voice-activated smart assistants are getting smarter – well, duh!

However, the Skyroam Solis Smartspot cranks things up a notch by offering added mobile hotspot services and some extra frills to justify its place in a cramped market.

That’s right, the Solis X-powered smart assistant can be turned into a 4G hotspot with a SIM card to connect some ten devices at once, it also boasts a camera (for security or leisure) with an added 8MP sensor, a GPS navigation hub, and even a power bank thanks to its generous 4,700mAh battery. You can get this from amazon.com for RO69.2.

FUTURE-PROOF Two devices for the price of one – that’s what the Zungle Panther aims to be. These smart-looking wayfarers double up as Bluetooth earphones – but with a solid twist.

Sounds are transmitted through the temples of the frame to the ends of your skull (just by your ears) with new technology (mostly glib) that goes by the name – ‘bone conduction’. While we here at the Y Geek Squad aren’t fans of the tech itself – having tried it extensively before – it’s the first time we’ve come across such a multipurpose gadget. Bond-like and spy-ready, it has all the makings of a modern-day Kickstarter come-up.

Buy it from zungleinc.com/ shop for RO65.4.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

EDITOR’S PICK

A SMARTWATCH THAT MOONLIGHTS AS A BLUETOOTH EARPIECE IS THE GADGET NO ONE KNEW THEY NEEDED. THE ALL-NEW HUAWEI TALKBAND B5 LOOKS LIKE ANY REGULAR HEALTH BAND OUT THERE – EXCEPT FOR A FEW NUANCES THAT SEPARATE IT FROM THE REST. TO BEGIN WITH, THE WATCH – WHICH IS LIGHT – IS THICKER THAN OTHER SMARTWATCHES AND THERE ARE TWO BUTTONS ON EACH SIDE THAT ACT AS RELEASES FOR THE EARPIECE. IT’S AS QUIRKY AS A SMARTWATCH GETS. THERE’S A 1.13-INCH AMOLED SCREEN THAT SERVES AS A TOUCH DISPLAY FOR THE IN-BUILT WATCH AND FITNESS FUNCTIONS (PEDOMETER, HEART RATE MONITOR, WORKOUT, SLEEP MONITOR, ETC.). BUT IT ALL COMES TO LIFE WHEN YOU ANSWER CALLS. THE EARPIECE IS STURDY AND SITS WELL IN YOUR EAR, AND CALL QUALITY IS AMONG THE BEST WE’VE EXPERIENCED IN BLUETOOTH HEADSETS. POWERING THE TALKBAND B5 IS A 108MAH BATTERY THAT’S GOOD FOR NEARLY FOUR OR THREE DAYS OF JUICE, DEPENDING ON USAGE AND ENABLED FUNCTIONS. IT’S THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS – AND THERE’S NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT IN THE MARKET. BUY IT FOR RO69.9 (PRICE AS PER NOV 17, 2019) FROM SHARAFDG.

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HEALTH

&

Health

BEAUTY

What’s old is new again? Well, how about if it never went out of style? Mikaela Estera rounds up some traditional trends in beauty that have proven their staying power in the modern market.

Argan Oil

Full of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, viamins and minerals, this ‘liquid gold’ is one of Arabia’s oldest beauty staples. While it can be applied headto-toe, it’s most well-known for its significant hairgrowth benefits. Top tip: to know you’re buying the best-quality argan oil, it must contain 100% Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil as stated on the label and must be packaged in dark-coloured bottles that prevent any outside penetrative light from breaking down the oil’s beneficial properties.

Product we love: Izil 100% Pure Moroccan Oil (RO15.2).

Available at www.izilbeauty.com.

Fa m i l y

AESTHETICS

W

Nature’s natural astringent, rose water has been used for centuries across the MENA region as a pore minimizer that repairs the skin’s elastin fibres. One of the best kept beauty secrets of Arab and South Asian women’s daily skincare regimens, the use of rosewater dates as far back as ancient Egypt – with Cleopatra herself reputed to have used the delicate liquid in her own skincare routine.

Product we love: Thayer’s Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner with Aloe Vera (RO3.5). Available on Amazon.

Home

Ancient Mint Leaves

hen it comes to aesthetics in beauty, practices of ancient South Asia and the Middle East still remain some of the most reliable.

The original sustainability movement, products found in traditional use were all-natural, organic, and simply sophisticated. Having stood the test of time, these low-cost luxuries can still be found in souqs and shopping malls across the region and throughout Oman – proof positive that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to looking good with products found in nature that are also good for you!

Rose Water

Fa s h i o n

Think twice the next time you pass up a fragrant bunch of these leafy greens in the supermarket.

Used traditionally as a remedy for acne, for a just a few baizas you can pulverize some mint leaves and apply the emulsion to your face – leaving it on as an overnight spot-treatment on its own or incorporated with a face mask. It does get anymore fresh feeling!

Frankincense Oil

While there’s a plentiful array of oil extracts beneficial to our skin and body – frankincense tops them all.

Dubbed ‘the Holy Grail of Essential Oils’, this delicate oil is found in abundance throughout Oman’s ‘Land of Frankincense’ heartland in Dhofar and, when applied directly to the skin, can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, aid in remedying skin discolourations, and stimulates the growth of new cells that promote faster healing.

Product we love: Cliganic USDA Organic Frankincense Essential Oil (RO3.83). Available at www.cliganic.com.

Sugar Wax

This natural waxing process has long been most popular across Egypt and Lebanon. Easy to prepare at home and gentle on the skin, mix one cup of white or brown sugar with two tablespoons of water, one and a half tablespoons of lemon juice, and one teaspoon of salt in a saucepan and simmer on low heat until the mixture turns golden-brown. Let it rest for a few minutes until a wax-like consistency forms before applying it to your skin for hair removal. (We recommend you watch a few online tutorials to get the hang of self-waxing though, and to make sure you don’t irritate your skin starting out!)

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

WEE ONES' WINTERWEAR

Keep your little ones warm this winter in seasonal style with looks that meet the cool factor – minus the chill!

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

T t Ge

k o o L e h

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

Because Oman’s winters can blow hot and cold, a good fashion rule of thumb? Look to layering. This searchlight yellow puffer vest from GAP Kids is just the ticket to zip on over a lighter long-sleeved tee – or add bulk under a winter coat on your weekend road-trip to snowy Jebel Shams. Snag it for RO22.

Winter is all about warm, comforting fabrics to wrap yourself up in! This velvet polka dot dress from M&S is the perfect ensemble for that festive family gathering, or winter school concert performance. Own it for RO9.9.

Who says style ever goes extinct?

Look fierce and fashionable in this green knit jumper from GAP with a T-Rex twist. Price: RO15.3.

Every good vest deserves to be worn over a warm and comfy hoodie. Lend your look some wintry street cred in this paint-splatter effect hoodie from Matalan that kind of reminds us of an urban blizzard. Get it for RO5.9.

Stride along this winter in a pair of mid-length riding boots from Aldo. Made of synthetic material with a durable rubber sole, there’s no puddle too deep that this footwear won’t hold up against. Grab them for RO21.

When the December sea breeze is blowing keep your strands in place – minus the static of a woolly winter hat – with this stylish navy beret from M&S. Its subtle starry print earns it extra points on the kids-chic quotient.

Wear it for RO5.9.

There’s still a few weeks left before winter break and, no matter what the weather, school must go on! Make sure your pencils, books, iPad, and lunchbox are protected from the elements in a sturdy backpack that’s winter ready.

We love the playful print on this version from Max that has us casting our minds back to the days of warmer weather!

Buy it for RO4.7.

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New Restaurant

Reviews SQUASH IT!

YUMMY

Trade your pumpkin-spice latté for a hearty bowl of pumpkin soup

Pumpkin perfect We’re ending the fall season by rounding up some easy recipes starring that classic fall staple – pumpkin!

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Seven-Ingredient Pumpkin Soup This simple, no-fuss soup recipe § requires just seven ingredients that you already might have at home.

The best part? You can enjoy this warm bowl by customizing it your § own way!

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 1 hour Serves: 4

To a large saucepan over medium heat add olive oil and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly browned and translucent.

Add the remaining ingredients, including the pumpkin, and bring to a simmer. § Transfer soup mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to purée the soup. If using a blender, place a towel over the top of the lid before mixing to avoid any accidents. Pour the mixture back into the pot. § Continue cooking over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve as is.

Ingredients: § 2 small sugar pumpkins § 15 ml olive oil § 3 cloves garlic, minced § 480 ml vegetable broth § 250 ml coconut milk § 30 ml honey § ¼ tsp each sea salt, black pepper, (Source: www.theminimalistbaker.com) cinnamon, paprika.

E

arning their spot as the most famously known type of squash, pumpkins offer so much within their shells. They’re a great source of vitamins A and C and are extremely versatile when used in cooking – as most parts of pumpkins are edible. This includes the shell, flesh, seeds, leaves, and flowers. Pumpkins can be roasted, boiled, steamed, and mashed – making them easy soup fixes. Pumpkin seeds can also be roasted and eaten as a snack, while the leaves of the pumpkin are eaten as a vegetable in some Korean dishes. Pumpkins can also be pressed to produce pumpkin seed oil which can be used in cooking or as a salad dressing. Aside from their uses in the kitchen pumpkins are also used as decorative accoutrement – carved into decorative lanterns during Halloween.

The gourd has also gained popularity from the fairytale of Cinderella, where a pumpkin was turned into the carriage by the fairy godmother to help Cinderella get to the Royal Ball.

That being said – here are five unusual facts about these mighty gourds that may just surprise you!

1. Uncut pumpkins can be stored for three months. The longer you store them, the sweeter their flavour becomes.

2. Pumpkins are 80 per cent water. It’s hard to believe that these dense gourds can also be hydrating, right?!

3. T here are hundreds of different varieties of pumpkins, large and small – though jack-o-lanterns are the orange ones most people are familiar with.

4. Over 450 million kilograms of pumpkin are produced in the US each year.

5. Finally, (and perhaps most surprising), pumpkins are fruits not vegetables.

Method: § Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. § Cut off the tops of the sugar pumpkins and then halve them.

Use a spoon to scrape out all of the seeds and strings (see the next recipe for roasting these seeds). § Brush the insides of the pumpkins with oil and place face down on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a fork easily pierces the skin. Remove from the oven, let cool for 10 minutes, then peel away the skin and set the pumpkins aside.

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds at Home If you’re feeling ambitious, utilize the seeds you’ve scraped off the pumpkins for the soup recipe and roast them at home for a healthy snack.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 35 minutes Ingredients: § Fresh pumpkin seeds § Salt § Extra virgin olive oil

Method: § Boil the pumpkin seeds in salted water for 10 minutes. § Let simmer for another 10 minutes. § Remove from heat and drain. § Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees Celsius. § Coat seeds with olive oil. § Spread seeds out on a roasting pan. § Bake seeds at 200 degrees Celsius until browned. Depending on the size of the seeds, this will take between 10-20 minutes. § When lightly browned, remove seeds from the pan and let cool.

(Source: www.simplyrecipes.com)

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FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

Info Box

WASABI SUSHI Second floor, Panorama Mall, Bausher Opening hours: 12 noon till 10:45 p.m., daily Contact: (+968) 2459-3385 Dinner for two: RO18.7

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an R d i

M

REVIEWS

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

Filling and fast sushi at exceptional price points with enough array of other Japanese offerings to easily satisfy the picky eater in your bunch.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

WASABI SUSHI

SERVING UP A SOLID SELECTION OF MAKI AND MORE, THIS PANORAMA roll is a colourful swath of pink salmon and blushed tuna, with cucumber ‘horns’ and a prawn tempura MALL SUSHI CHAIN HAS US CLICKING OUR CHOPSTICKS FOR MORE.

C

ravings should never be taken lightly.

For avid foodies such as us, they’re our bodies’ ways of telling us to strap in and indulge in a little self-care (in moderation!).

Some of us crave chocolate or pasta, pizza or fried chicken…but us? We crave sushi.

Sashimi-slice-it, nori-wrap-it, maki-roll-it, it’s our go-to comfort food. Filling, flavourful, fresh – (and mainly healthy) – it’s a treat we enjoy practically guilt-free. Always on the lookout for decent Japanese dining in the capital, on this particular weekend we were in the mood for something fast and filling but not up for superfancy sit-down dining.

Instead we found ourselves heading back to Wasabi Sushi at Panorama Mall – a place we’d frequented on just one other occasion many months back. We were pleasantly surprised then at the value for money and wanted to see if it still held up to our original first impression.

Though we arrive around dinnertime on a Saturday evening there’s no peak rush to be found. One thing we’ve noticed about the restaurants located on the second floor of Panorama Mall is that they suffer from a lack of foot-traffic that can ultimately harm their bottom line. Which is a shame because there are some very unique offerings to be found here.

Located adjacent to the long-decommissioned The Yellow Chilli restaurant and across the upper level rotunda from Mooyah, Wasabi Sushi’s vibrant lime green interior is virtually unmissable. Sadly, it and Mooyah are the only two outlets on this top floor that remain open… with the Savannah BBQ outlet across from it

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also closing its doors – for what we hope is simply a renovation ahead of a revived comeback.

With one wait staff on-hand and two sushi chefs behind the central island kitchen, we’re the only customers in the place. Tucking into a comfortable booth in the back, we stare up at the TV screens around the restaurant – cameras trained on prep area where customers can watch their orders made freshly-rolled before their eyes.

Wasabi Sushi’s menu is fairly expansive and offers a good selection of special items and unique maki rolls – like their deep-fried volcano roll, and the Chef ’s special which is a bit of a ‘kitchen-sink’ kind of catch-all roll. We know we’re here for maki though, and get directly down to it, ordering up a portion of their Spicy Maguro Futomaki – a spicy tuna roll with avocado, carrots and cucumber, their Black Puppies roll – an oddly-named selection of maki stuffed with crabstick, fresh veg, and Japanese mayo that gets it name from its topping of black fish roe, and their signature Dragon Roll – a perennial favourite packed with tempura prawns, avocado and veg, and topped with tun, salmon, and teriyaki unagi (eel).

We also order up a warming bowl of their vegetable Crispy Noodle Soup to get us started along with our soft drinks. The service is fast – as to be expected given we’re the only ones there.

We settle in to wait for our order and take in our surroundings. Given its blazing lime-green interior you’d think the space would require a pair of sunglasses in order to dine in, but the interior is actually quite dimly lit in contrast. If it were a packed dining room, this would create a nice ambience…but when you’re the only table there it can feel a bit eery and cavernous.

Our Crispy Noodle Soup is first up to arrive, piled high with nest of delicately fried rice vermicelli submerged in a warming miso-based broth. There are silky pieces of tofu, plump shiitake mushrooms and delicate strips of nori that lend a delicious depth-of-flavour to the broth. Though, we would have preferred a wider selection of veg as essentially this is simply a miso soup topped with some noodles.

But we’re not complaining…the flavour is strong and it warms us inside and out.

Up next our Dragon Roll and Black Puppies roll arrive to the table. Beautifully presented the dragon

‘tail’. The delicate sweetness of the teriyaki unagi is moreish and each piece plump with delicious crispy tempura prawns offset by creamy avocado. With a little dollop of wasabi on top – these don’t last long.

It’s worth pointing out that for the price you’ll pay at some other mid-range sushi chains for a six-roll serving – at Wasabi Sushi they up the ante to eight rolls, making it a better value for money.

The Black Puppies rolls however leave us wanting more. A bit of a misnomer the only thing ‘black’ about them is a small dollop of black roe on top.

We thought they would at least be rolled entirely in the small black pearls to warrant the gimmick. The crabstick and veg inside, while packed plentifully is a little dry for our taste and begs for a heftier dollop of Japanese mayo per bite.

However, the Spicy Maguro Futomaki makes up for it. Packed inside and out with deliciously fresh, perfectly sliced pieces of tuna offset again by creamy avocado it’s a winner – though spicy it’s not. Instead the spicy mayo is drizzled over the bottom of the plate which takes away somewhat from the full effect of the roll, but it still earns our favour for its amazing freshness and quantity of tuna it boasts for its price point.

Were there some hits and misses? Yes. But we still left feeling happy and full overall – taking our leftovers home for an evening snack later. Matters of seasoning can always be adjusted – but freshness?

Not so easily… And here at Wasabi Sushi fresh fish is most certainly the hero of the menu – one that doesn’t need to be hidden under lashings of condiments. ■ 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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