Y Magazine #596, December 5, 2019

The ‘Hero’ among us AWARD-WINNING OMAN FILM SHEDS LIGHT ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Ultimate drives THE SULTANATE’S BEST WINTER ROAD-TRIPS!

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

Correspondence: WIN DINNER FOR 2 AT CENTARA MUSCAT HOTEL DESTINATION: Masirah Island TASTE TEST: The Restaurant at Marina Hotel YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

DEC 05 - 11 2019 / ISSUE 596 • WEEKLY

Tribute by a nation

PLUS!

THE 6TH ANNUAL Y PORTRAIT BY A NATION COMPETITION SAW A RECORD 2,900 CHILDREN FROM ACROSS OMAN TAKE PART IN THE SULTANATE’S LARGEST ARTISTIC NATIONAL DAY TRIBUTE. THEY BROUGHT THEIR SUPPLIES, IMAGINATIONS, AND CREATIVITY TO CRAFT A UNIQUE PORTRAIT IN HONOUR OF HIS MAJESTY SULTAN QABOOS BIN SAID. NOW, OUR JUDGES HAVE DELIBERATED TO BRING YOU OUR 2019 PBAN WINNERS!

POSTCARD: NUR-SULTAN, KAZAKHSTAN 01 NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

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FASHION: WINTER’S ICIEST ACCESSORIES

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YUMMY OMAN: EATING WITH ALLERGIES

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

E

ach and every year, for all of us here at Team Y, this is the issue we wait for. Our annual Y Portrait By A Nation (PBAN) winner’s circle. Each and every year you, the nation’s youth, continue to surprise us with your creativity, your talent, your skill, and your determination as you help make this event the heart and soul of our Oman National Day tribute.

This year over 2,900 of you turned out across the nation – from Muscat, Sur, and Sohar, to Nizwa and Salalah – bringing your imaginations, your materials, and inspiration to colour and craft a portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in honour of the 49th Oman National Day. To you we give our heartiest thanks, alongside our incredible sponsors, judges, and support partners who made the sixth annual edition even bigger and better than the last. Whittling down 49 finalists across three age categories from the thousands of submissions we received was no small task. You challenged us, you surprised us, and you inspired us.

And now, we’re here to dedicate this week’s issue to you, the nation’s youth who took part in PBAN 2019 as we announce our winners and celebrate their immeasurable talent, originality, and ingenuity. Flip to Page 12 as we take you inside this year’s winner’s circle – and we already can’t wait to do it all over again on an even larger scale for the 50th Oman National Day as the Sultanate marks half a century of progress and growth under His Majesty’s auspicious leadership.

Also in this issue, we’re rounding up some Oman’s best winter road-trips to fill your weekends, catching the ferry to Masirah Island in our Destination pages, jetting off to the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan in Postcard, showing you how life can still be tasty eating around allergies in Yummy Oman, and showcasing some of the world’s craziest concept cars in our First Drive section. What a way to kick off December!

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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PHOTOGRAPHER Ismail Al Farsi DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan MANAGER – DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Umair Mehmood

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

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

DEC 05 - 11 / ISSUE 596

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contents DEC

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!

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11

2019

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 Christmas cheer Kick off the Christmas season with festive indulgence at Al Bustan Palace’s Al Khiran Kitchen

08 24 First Drive

Cars that broke the

rules of design 28 Game Review

Donut County

Health and Beauty 29 Health Why mindfulness matters when it comes to self-image – and self-care.

30 Fashion Winter’s iciest accessories!

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12 A portrait to remember The sixth annual Y Portrait By A Nation competition saw the largest national turnout yet as more than 2,900 children took part across the Sultanate to paint their patriotism with a portrait of His Majesty.

Now, we’re unveiling the winners across three age categories for 2019!

16 The heroes among us Filmmaker Midhun Mukund explores the everyday heroes protecting our environment in his award-winning Omanbased short film.

18 Oman’s ultimate drives Hit the road to parts unknown with our roundup of the Sultanate’s best road-trips!

07

Cars and Adventures 22 Destination

Masirah Island

Features

Food and Drink 32 Yummy Oman Eating with allergies 34 Taste Test

The Restaurant at

Marina Hotel

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32 NEXT ISSUE...

FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / FIRST DRIVE

brity ch and the latest celeve got at w to ts tis ar e th e’ From e hits of the week, w gossip to your ultimat from the pulse of the music your superstar dose Radio Oman 100.9 FM world, with Virgin

Down for the count Singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes has called off his upcoming concert in São Paulo, Brazil due to a severe sinus infection coupled with laryngitis. Posting to his social media he apologized profusely to fans for having to cancel stating that doctors have warned him that if he tried to perform it could lead to long-term damage to his vocal cords.

Feel better soon Shawn – ‘tis the flu season!

Sia – or Santa?!

After a recent trip to a Walmart and TJ Maxx in Palm Springs, California, Grammy Award-nominee Sia got her festive goodwill on by paying for everyone’s groceries and shopping carts. Videos of her hugging customers and paying up have gone viral on social media, with the singer telling customers her name was Cici and she just won the lottery as she paid for their items.

Known for her visage-hiding wigs and often performing with her back to the audience, not everyone would recognize her easily – making her the perfect ‘Secret Santa’.

Liam lashes out?

Former One Direction star Liam Payne allegedly had a bit of a face-off with security staff at a lounge in Texas this last weekend.

The singer allegedly got into a shouting match with security who wouldn’t let he and his 19-yearold girlfriend – model and

influencer Maya Henry – inside the club.

Liam allegedly tried to push his way back in and was pushed to the ground by security staff. Posting a statement on his Insta-Story after the alleged incident Liam said: “Three of your bouncers just jumped me for no reason whilst I was grabbing my ID. I took pics of the whole thing and look forward to seeing you in court.” He’s since deleted the post.

Return to Pandora ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is officially in the works as filming of the live-action sequel has just wrapped, with behind-the-scenes photos already released, revealing that there’s a new mothership in the movie called ‘The Sea Dragon’. The first film, directed by ‘Titanic’s James Cameron was released in 2009, and four sequels to the original are reportedly planned. This latest instalment is slated for a December 18, 2020 release.

Pete’s protected ‘Saturday Night Live’ comedian Pete Davidson has allegedly been handing out non-disclosure agreements to audiences at his recent shows. According to reports in ‘Deadline’ and NME online, Davidson took this rather unorthodox step as a means to prevent his stand-up material from being leaked online and keeping it fresh for new audiences. Fans were allegedly less than happy at the prospect of having to sign the agreement or be turned away at the door with a full refund. The fine for violating a non-disclosure agreement -- $1 million USD.

Weeknd tunes The Weeknd has just broken his new music dry spell with the release of two new tracks called ‘Blinding Lights’ and ‘Heartless’.

Both singles are from his upcoming new fourth studio album – which we, for one, can’t wait for! Also taking a fivemonth hiatus from Instagram, The Weeknd broke his silence to drop the announcement of his new tracks to fans.

Trippie’s on-track

Trippie Redd’s album ‘A Love Letter To You 4’ is currently Number One on the Billboard 200 charts. This is the rappers fourth top-ten album on the Billboard 200 charts taking the top spot, with Jason Aldean’s album ‘9’ in second spot, the ‘Frozen 2’ soundtrack coming in third, Post Malone’s ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ at fourth, and Billie Eilish’s ‘When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?’ rounding out the top five.

A very Katy Christmas It wouldn’t be the festive season without one of our favourite superstars dropping a holiday track.

Enter Katy Perry and her new video clip for her new tune ‘Cozy Little Christmas’. It’s a track pumped full of holiday cheer and candy canes – and we just love it!

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.

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THE COUNTDOWN’S ON AND OPEN!

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE 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 stateof-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 mouth-watering overload of hand-crafted dishes to tuck into such as The Countdown Burger, Flamed Steak, the not for the faint-hearted ‘Fire Wings’, sharing style ‘Nasty Nachos’, and the whopping 2kg BBQ Ribs. Book your table now and call (+968) 2498-5000.

Ongoing

A CELEBRATION OF SONG DEC

5&6 Renowned Emirati singer Ahlam will be bringing her signature sound to the Royal Opera House Muscat with two spectacular concerts on Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 9.

Showcasing her signature artistry of the khaleeji accent within her vocals, Ahlam’s popularity transcends generations. Heralded across the Arab world, this ‘Arab Idol’ judge was crowned ‘Queen of the Arab Art’ at the 2003 Doha-Qatar Festival and has also performed at the UESCO and Ledo Festivals in France, L’Olympia in Paris, the Washington Festival in the United States, various venues in Los Angeles, as well as at the Royal Albert Hall and other prestigious venues in London. Having released a total of ten albums including two, ‘El Thokol Sana’a’ and ‘Hatha Ana’ under the distinguished Rotana label, Ahlam’s most popular songs are ‘La Tsadigonah’, ‘Tidri Lesh’ and ‘Talqah’. Here in Muscat, she’ll present an unforgettable concert with a selection of her past hits and fabulous new songs. Performances begin at 7:00 p.m. and tickets can be booked online at www.rohmuscat.org.om.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

THIS

WEEK

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

D E C E M B E R

Ongoing

Get into the festive spirit as Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel pulls out all the stops for the ultimate Christmas Brunch at Al Khiran Gardens. The restaurant’s lush outdoor lawn will be lively with merriment as the resort’s chefs prepare a sumptuous buffet of traditional classics and much more. Little ones will be surprised by a visit from Santa Claus himself as the whole place radiates with the joy of the season. Decked in all things merry and bright, the much-loved resort is the perfect setting to enjoy Christmas as it should be – surrounded by family and friends.

With the stunning beachfront and infinity pool as the backdrop, feast on a tantalizing array of cuisines from the traditional to the exceptional. From succulent turkey with all the trimmings, live cooking stations, international and Arabic delights, and a dessert display to impress even the most discerning sweet lover. Spend the afternoon soaking up the celebratory atmosphere while enjoying a leisurely meal at the hands of the resort’s dedicated Ladies and Gentlemen. For more information or to book your table call (+968) 2476-4444.

DEC 05 - 11 / ISSUE 596

07

correspondence

SCAN THESE QR CODES &

FOLLOW US

DEBATE OF THE WEEK

WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

SHAKIL NARMAWALA

There’s immense potential among youth in Oman when it comes to artistic expression. One bold step forward for nurturing this talent can be by establishing international-level art institutes. This can be by way of partnering with existing top institutions world-wide, or by establishing new world-class institutions.

This will further help with the influx of international students and artists which could in turn benefit and inspire young artists in Oman.

WE ASKED:

In the wake of art-centric events like Y Portrait By A Nation, what more could Oman be doing on a national level to foster and encourage artistic expression among youth?

HUNAINA MURAD ALLANA

Arts, poetry, and storytelling are some of the ways we express feelings. In my opinion, these unique talents should be

New Debate:

Is Oman ready to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup? Share your view with us and you could be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

HOME OF ALL GAMES

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promoted at national and international levels. As the world is transforming digitally, it’s quite challenging to encourage artistic expression among youth. Instead, youth today prefer artistic expression via gadgets that are feasible for use. I believe the intense use of technology is detracting from the skill of fine arts, painting, drawing, and other forms of creativity. Therefore, students should be encouraged in schools and, moreover, art competitions and camps should be arranged to motivate artistic skills among youth. In addition, the development of arts schools can be a long-term goal to foster the significance of artistic expression among our nation’s young minds.

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A PORTRAIT TO

REMEMBER TALENT AND THE SPIRIT OF NATIONALISM OVERSHADOWED COMPETITION AT THE 6 TH ANNUAL Y PORTRAIT BY A NATION – OMAN’S BIGGEST ART CONTEST. TEAM Y HIGHLIGHTS THE CREATIVITY AND ENTHUSIASM THAT WENT INTO EACH PAINTING AS NINE WINNERS WERE HANDPICKED FROM THOUSANDS TO MARK THE OCCASION

A

year of planning, four weeks of intense competition across all areas of the Sultanate, more than 2,900 contestants, ten long hours of judging, and 49 finalists later, and the final night of Y’s premier event – Y Portrait By A Nation (PBAN) saw once again some of the nation’s best young talent come out and shine.

It’s a sight to behold, as 49 young finalists ages five to 17, all dolled up in the colours of Oman or wearing their traditional finery, eagerly wait by their portraits in the ballroom in the Kempinski Hotel Muscat.

Two hours of hard work and creativity lies in the balance as the night commences. Much 012

DEC 05 - 11 / ISSUE 596

like the explosion of paints and colours on their portraits, their emotions are animated as well.

Smiles stem from anticipation as all eyes are trained towards their artworks. After all, the stakes are high and prizes worth a total of RO2,550 are to be won – and, if it was up to us, each child would’ve taken home the prize.

But, our top 49 contenders were handpicked after a rigorous screening process by a discerning panel of judges made up of PBAN sponsors, award-winning Omani artist Budoor al Riyami, and Team Y. Presented by Ahlibank, Powered by Mazoon Dairy and Asian Paints Berger, In Association with Mall of Muscat, Minara, OSCO Shapoorji

Pallonji, and Staedtler, and in Support With the Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah, Nizwa Grand Mall, City Centre Suhar, and My City Centre Sur, and Hospitality Partner the Kempinski Hotel Muscat, this year’s PBAN event exceeded all expectation.

The intricacy of each young artist’s portrait renders a unique signature. From paintings lined

(Photography by Saviour Peter & Abdulwahid Al Hamadani)

in coffee, to a three-dimensional model of His Majesty, and even ones splashed in varying tints that portray an abstract air, each painting is the brainchild of the artist’s imagination.

It sets the tone for the night that lay ahead.

Taking the role of Chief Guest for the night is Her Highness Sayyida Dr. Taghreed Bint Turki Al Said, along with Her Highness Sayyida Amaal

Turki Al Said, both of whom are intrigued by the artworks they’ve seen on display.

“The creativity is off the roof,” says Sayyida Dr. Taghreed. “The colours are incredible. It’s the perfect tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and for the National Day of Oman.”

Led by the Acting General Manager of SABCO Media, Mr. Salim Al Amri, the DEC 05 - 11 / ISSUE 596

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distinguished dignitaries take a tour of the ballroom, as each child explains their paintings to the chief guests.

Separated into three groups – split between ages 5 to 9, 10 to 13, and 14 to 17 – there are obvious changes in the size of the portrait to determine the best from each category.

But it all comes down to the final call of the judges. And the night officially commences with a short procession of acknowledgement from the sponsors and the organisers from Team Y and SABCO Media.

The children also receive a welcome surprise to ease the tension in the form of free Oman Aquarium tour vouchers from PBAN 2019’s Associate Sponsor Mall of Muscat.

But, tension still looms – and you can cut the anticipation in the air with a knife. Twenty minutes in, Merge 104.8 presenter Tom Green dissolves the suspense to reveal the final nine from the pool of 49 finalists…one at a time.

Excitement peaks as parents beam with pride over the triumphs of their children. Some even pass on hugs as their child walks towards the stage. As it turns out, it’s the children who manage their emotions well on this night.

Daksh Gulecha, Janatul Riya Saba, and Abhinav Suresh take home the top prizes in the 5 to 9, 10 to 13, and 14 to 17 categories, respectively, amid cheers from the proud parents and onlookers who were present in the ballroom.

Sayyida Dr. Taghreed is keen to snap up images of the finalists’ portraits as they interact after the ceremony.

“What inspired you to create a colourful portrait of His Majesty,” she asks Daksh Gulecha, the winner of the 5 to 9 age group, who is seen shy in response. She laughs, before passing on words of encouragement and commending him on his efforts.

Speaking to us, she says: “This is one of the platforms that kids can beautifully express themselves and they can showcase whatever they did. Some of these kids – as we’ve seen today – are very shy and are unable to express themselves verbally.

“But, through art and their paintings, they’ve done a marvelous work and have expressed

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themselves and their love for Oman and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

“Unfortunately, when we were looking at the portraits, we had to look at them quickly. But, if we were to take a second look at it and we go deeper and deeper, there’s a lot that we can analyse and understand about the way they chose the colours, the detailing, and the backgrounds they selected.”

It’s evident from her words that the children are able to convey their messages of love, peace, and unity to His Majesty through their artistic expression – and it’s a level of talent that also renders Lee Northmore, the Director of Retail and Mall Operations at Mall of Muscat, speechless.

Expressing his regards to the winners and contestants, he says: “I don’t know what to say about all these paintings. I’m absolutely speechless.

The way they’ve all come forward and brought to life such beautiful portraits with colours is amazing.

“They’ve exceeded all our expectations; from the young to the youth.

“This is what the National Day of Oman and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said means to them.

It’s extremely touching, and it gives out a wonderful image of life here in the country,” he adds, before revealing how he’s celebrating his first National Day in the Sultanate this year.

But we’d expect no less from what’s touted as Oman’s biggest competition for children. With over 2,900 participants coming out to draw lasting tributes to His Majesty – all the way from Salalah to Sohar, Sur, Nizwa, and Muscat – the talent pool has grown and so has the creativity here on display.

While portraits fitted with LEDs were missing this year, children weren’t afraid to experiment with three-dimensional models, glitter, paint splashes, and even 24-karat gold flakes – thereby stepping things up a notch for this edition of PBAN. This freedom of expression and experimentation kept in line with the one challenge that was presented to the children: to get creative in any way they deemed possible to bring their portraits to life.

While the event was held at the Mall of Muscat in Mabelah on November 15 and 16, the preceding events in the interiors of Oman were held earlier between November 8 and 9.

Speaking about the event, Muzna al Balushi, a member of the CSR Group of Ahli Bank, tells us: “It’s great to encourage the young generation to showcase their talent and show their gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and the country.

“The drawings that they made are amazing. It goes to show the talent and creativity in our country.

“I encourage Y Magazine in the initiative and hope that you can continue this and include more cities within Oman in the future so that we can get to showcase what talents we have within the Sultanate.”

Ms. Al Balushi’s emotions are echoed by Ahmed al Ghafri, the Chief Support Officer of the all-

Omani dairy company – Mazoon Dairy.

Lauding Y’s efforts in promoting the 49th National Day of the country, Ahmed says: “It was a pleasure to be a part of this event. It was a lovely event as well. When you see kids gathering here after competing for weeks, it promotes the National Day festival – and that makes us very proud.

“What I can see here are wonderful works – regardless of the competition and results. The talent of the kids is incredible, and Mazoon Dairy would like to wish them the best. We will be a reliable partner in the social events and initiatives in the future.”

Also vowing to return to PBAN is this year’s winner from the ‘junior’ 5 to 9 age category, Daksh Gulecha, saying: “I’m very proud to be a part of this year’s finalists and was very happy to learn that I’m the winner.

“I put a lot of effort into it. I practiced a lot at home and I think it’s the hard work that paid off in the end. The competition was very tough this year, and everyone here did a great job. But, I am certainly proud of my achievement and will be coming back next year.

Janatul Riya, the winner of the 10 to 13 years’ age category is a returning artist and a regular at Y’s art events. She says: “Every year, I practice for PBAN a few months before the final event.

“I practice a lot to take part in the event. I feel it’s one of the ways we can showcase our skills while also expressing our love for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. I feel the colours on all our portraits are a testament to what he has done for his nation.

“This is Oman. A colourful nation with a wonderful leader such as him. And these paintings here are all an emotion of love for His Majesty.”

HERE ARE THE WINNERS OF PBAN 2019 Age Category: 5 to 9

Second runner-up: Wania Khan First runner-up: Zayd Ahmed Khan Winner: Daksh Gulecha

Age Category: 10 to 13

Second runner-up: Saanvi Raju First runner-up: Bhadra Jayakrishnan Winner: Janatul Riya Saba

Age Category: 14 to 17

Second runner-up: Richa Thakur First runner-up: Noel Shaiju Winner: Abhinav Suresh

The

heroes among us

A hero could be hiding in plain sight, illustrates Oman-based filmmaker Midhun Mukund and his team, as they highlight the importance of protecting the environment in an award-winning silent short film worth a million words

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T

he difference between an average film and an award-winning one often lies in its execution.

From a mere script on a piece of paper to a complete film ready for public viewing, the life of a director and of those behind the scenes of a production team goes beyond the scope of a 9-to-5 job – requiring immense patience in pursuit of creativity.

Maybe that’s what distinguishes a good team from a great one – such as the one led by film director, Midhun Mukund, 28, that has just snagged the first-place spot at the highly-coveted Nikon Middle East Film Festival.

Armed with a concept in line with current events – specifically those of climate change and environmental care – Midhun and his team sought to give the Sultanate’s scarcely recognised heroes (such as the cleaners who toil away laboriously for hours on end) a hero’s cape…quite literally!

Grim in tone from its start, with dark noir-inspired lighting to match the message, Midhun begins his short film, titled ‘Hero’, by taking a dig at the ‘like-share-subscribe’ culture brought about by social media, and proceeds to highlight the efforts of a cleaner – who takes the role of ‘Hero’ in this story.

The three-minute-long silent film may lack dialogue, but there’s a level of sophistication that it brings about; a simple but involving sound score provided by Japanese composer Masaki Uchida gives an uplifting sensation as the film progresses.

“It’s a dream production,” says an ecstatic Midhun Mukund. “All of this was a part of an elaborate process – from submitting my first show-reel earlier this year to Nikon, to taking home the award in the Pro’s category.”

Humble and soft-spoken, there’s no hint of sway in our interview – the self-taught director and videographer remains on-point, giving us the recipe to the team’s success.

Talking about the video that got him selected into the final five from over 400 participants from ten countries, he says: “The first show-reel I submitted was a video I made in Samail of the Eid Habta (Eid market), and it was a random video I had shot while soaking in the ambience there.

“It was unexpected – but I was extremely honoured to be a part of the finalists in the competition.”

Realising his talent, Nikon handed him their latest Z6 mirrorless camera and a lens, to shoot his final video for the contest.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Though, that’s not to undermine the long, perilous hours put in for the production and post-production of the video. And with Vivi Charly, a pioneer in the Malayalam movie industry, added to the mix as Creative Director, the winning formula quickly begins to take shape.

A nine-strong team – comprised of both experienced and newbie members – is put together.

Assistant Director Laxmi Hari, 19, for whom this is her first short film of such stature, is quick to point out: “One of the greatest things we achieved was working with people who haven’t worked together before.

“For example, I met everyone on the set. But, we all had a purpose and the mission was clear to us – and that’s why we all blended. We had a connection that was forged by the film,” she adds.

Crew Director: Midhun Mukund Creative Director: Vivi Charly Production Head: Sudin AP Assistant Director: Laxmi Hari

Having shot scenes over three weeks in locations such as Al Amerat, Darsait, Yiti, and Azaiba as early as the wee hours of the morning, Midhun and his crew rake in an Omani atmosphere that’s hard to rival – all while giving the Hero, played by Shaneeb Mohammed, his importance.

But all did not go as planned at first. As Midhun tells us, “I had to change the script a few times. We began by trying to mix a few stories before finally settling in to show how there are many heroes within the society who we need to begin talking about.

“Our short film may only show one – but our idea is to use that one person to create a wider awareness on the topic. And, I believe we were able to achieve that.”

Countless revisions and a multitude of feedback later from professionals in the industry, Midhun submits his video to the Nikon panel, which includes famous names such as Mustafa Abbas (writer and award-winning film director), William Mullally (film critic), Mini Sharma (film producer), Razan Takash (director and film professor), and Ankit Ojha (film critic).

Determined to hand-pick films on the basis of their technical and artistic merit and purpose, the Nikon Film Festival adopted sub-themes such as showcasing kindness in the digital age, taking care of the environment, and youth empowerment this year.

Whether they instigated a movement or not, the ‘Hero’ crew has begun influencing others through their own lives. Midhun says: “I like making films with a message. One thing about this film was that we became very conscious about waste management and protecting our environment while shooting.

“We also began noticing things that we never did before. Things like people leaving behind plastic trash out in the open. Today, we can proudly say that most of us will take the effort to echo the theme of our short film.

“That’s an impact we were able to create. And that’s the power of film.”

Cast Shaneeb Muhammed Hasna Annacot Ameya Varun Menon Jagruti Narvani Sayed Mohammed

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Oman’s

ultimate drives

Whether it’s a camping trip with friends, a family escape, or a romantic couple’s weekend away, there’s nothing quite so bonding as a good-old-fashioned road-trip – and Oman’s got some of the best routes to roam as Swati Basu Das discovers

T

ravel doesn’t necessarily mean dipping into the luxury of five-star accommodation, relishing seven-course meals, and booking expensive plane tickets. At its essence, travel can be encapsulated in that intangible feeling of wonder while discovering the joy of adventure. And if travel is, truly, a journey into yourself, what better way to learn your strengths (and your limits!) than embarking on the ultimate road-trip.

And as the blessed winter weather takes hold, our weekend wanderlust is calling out along the Sultanate’s captivating networks of winding roads – feats of human engineering carved into the very mountains and running alongside some of the most breathtaking natural views in the nation that transform the journey into an experience.

From heart-stopping hairpin turns and stunning panoramas, there’s something to be found around

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every new bend that appeals to the heart of the rover inside us on these journeys. Be it a fuelsipper, mid-sized sedan, SUV, or minivan – you can make the most of a good-old-fashioned roadtrip no matter what kind of vehicle you drive.

(Though we don’t recommend you go off-roading or up some of the steeper mountain passes without the security of a 4x4.)

Through the ascending heights of the high Al Hajjar, to the blue coastal roads, meandering wadis, and desert paths sandwiched between golden dunes, each twist and turn can become an enduring recollection for the avid road-tripper.

Whether rugged or smooth, each path throughout the nation’s vast road systems remains admired for its quality of construction, while interweaving themselves with the country’s diverse and picturesque landscapes. And while some roads offer incredible views of the surrounding land,

others shed light on its architectural or traditional values.

This being said – it’s no wonder Oman ranks among the top ten countries worldwide when it comes road-trips that mesmerize. The Sultanate’s road systems themselves can be considered works of engineering art in their own right – paving an impressive network over the past 49 years connecting villages, urban centres, and major tourist hotspots.

Some of our top classic road-trip routes to embark on from Muscat this winter can stretch anywhere between 45 to 1,000 kilometres – it all depends on how much gas you have in your tank and how willing you are to hit the blacktop outside the comfort zone of the familiar!

Muscat to Bandar Al Khiran A 45-minute drive from Muscat, the road to

Bandar Al Khiran’s table-top mountain is a short sojourn that will reward you with stunning views amidst the cliffs and khors. The scenic, winding road offers spectacular glimpses of the turquoise blue waters below along a trail that forms a series of loops and bend. The way is heavily guarded by rugged cliffs on one side, and panorama views of the mangrove marshes and fishing boats on the other.

Muscat to Sur For those not afraid to venture a little further outside

the city limits, this is the road-trip for you. The best way to witness the enigmatic beauty of Oman’s coastline is from afar and this 200 kilometre stretch from Muscat to Sur makes for a great driving experience. The eastern slopes of the Al Hajjar range on your right, and the downhill views of the azure Arabian sea on your left unfold to reveal and landscape that’s nothing short of dramatic. On the way, stop to explore the wonderful pebble beaches, the popular Bimmah Sinkhole, and the enchanting oasis of Wadi Shab.

Muscat to Salalah

The flight time from Muscat to Salalah is just an hour-and-a-half, but the 1,000 kilometre journey from Muscat to Salalah by road makes it the mother of all road-trips. The memorable 11-hour drive from Muscat to Dhofar Governorate through remote wilderness and pristine desert terrain is an unparalleled excursion. From the capital, the road to Dhofar passes through the easternmost tip of the Gulf – Ras Al Hadd (known as the ‘land of the rising sun’ in the Middle East). Moving ahead into Ash Sharqiyah Governorate and a series of natural secrets reveal themselves to the intrepid traveler.

The ‘pink’ lakes, sabkha fields (salt flats) and herds of camels roaming wild are a wonder to witness along the way, while the golden dunes of the Wahiba Sands scatter their glimmering streaks through your rear-view mirror. Also worth stopping for along the way is the birdlife sanctuary of Barr Al Hikman and the beauty of the sugary-white dunes at Khalouf Beach as they merge into the blue ocean.

The final leg of the journey. is also worth the cramped confines of the long drive, revealing panoramic vistas of Salalah emerging from with the banana and coconut plantations that enfold it and fringe its coastal bends.

Road-Trip Road Rules:

• Top up your fuel tank regularly.

• Check your tire pressure – especially if venturing off-road.

• Keep your engine from over-heating by making regular pit-stops.

• Pack a cooler with plenty of water and food to take along the way.

• Keep an eye on your speedometer and watch out for speed-traps.

• Stay fresh by alternating with a driving buddy every few hours.

• Drive safe and always adhere to road conditions and traffic rules.

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

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

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

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

and Financial Studies • Dolphin Village • Modern College

of Business and Science • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital

(Emergency and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Splash) • SPAR • NBO • Oman Oil Petrol

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

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

Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café

& Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Papa John’s Pizza • Pizza Hut

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Economics and

Political Science

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

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

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

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

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Adventures

CARS AND ADVENTURES

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

THE ROAD GOES EVER ON...

...for a young wanderer and his curious friend on Masirah Island

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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

MASIRAH ISLAND

The sun-kissed shores of one of Oman’s most well-known islands draws Swati Basu Das to linger longer than she planned 022

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Eaters’…isolated, calm, and peaceful.

Surrounded by a surreal stillness, its tranquility draws visitors who come to explore its virtually unmarred topography. Wandering along the silence of its coastline, a host of ghost crabs pops up from within the depths of its white sands – almost perfectly camouflaged, blink and you’ll miss them. And while loggerhead turtles nest on its beaches by night, migratory bird species such as flamingoes, gulls, and even European ducks flock here during the day, making the island a haven for wildlife photographers.

Resembling an hourglass in shape, the length of the island runs 65 kilometres with its width varying from ten to 16 kilometres across its widest point and its gorgeous rim of rough, windswept coastline is also a retreat for avid windsurfers and kiteboarders.

From Muscat to the port of Sannah it’s about six long hours along the coastal stretch of highway from Sur, and the flat, sandy terrain of Al Ashkharah. But don’t be put off by the duration of the trip as you’ll see more than a few different tones of

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

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olidaying in Oman is a never-ending delight.

Blessed with a diverse topography and more than a few natural surprises, the Sultanate offers some of the most serene vistas and rugged gateways to nature for backpackers and lovers of the great outdoors. Be it its sand-fringed pristine beaches, high Al Hajjar mountain range, or its winding wadis – every nook and cranny of comes packed with its own unique wonder.

One such ideal spot for a short weekend trip is Masirah Island.

A quintessential desert island, Masirah is located off the eastern coast of Oman in the governorate of Ash Sharqiyah, almost 500 kilometres from the mainland.

A sleepy hamlet, it’s a locale that remains idyllic throughout the year – an island that echoes that of Somerset Maugham’s in ‘The Lotus

nature along the way – the sand-kissed roads, the dunes merging into the sea, the sabkha fields (or salt flats) and, of course, the infinite sea.

Our ferry to Masirah Island stood ready to sail at 1:00 p.m. – having booked our NFC ferry tickets online a week before our travel date, which made proceedings at the port all the more smooth. Grabbing our boarding passes we maneuvered our vehicle onto the ferry before heading above decks to relax in the vessel’s luxurious seating area and indulge in some on-board refreshments before heading out to take in the seabreeze from the sundeck. Sailing for 45 minutes with nothing but the blue vastness of the water around us was an invigorating experience as the midday sun kissed the tops of our heads.

As we approached the port at Masirah we caught a glimpse of the island’s main town – Ras Al Hilf – and its corniche that runs parallel to the settlement.

Home to a tiny population of just 12,000, Masirah Island also boasts a Royal Air Force base to the left of the main port hub.

After checking and taking rest at Masirah Island Resort, we set off to explore some of the wilderness to be found on Oman’s largest island. Along our drive away from the resort along the main sea road we spotted only a few cars, some small shops, a petrol pump, and fisherman’s colony before this pastoral tableau gave way to the relaxing rhythm of the crashing waves.

The winds blowing in gusts across the island made the waves roar in rage and we cast our eye out past the breakers to the exhilarated windsurfers find their

wings atop the turquoise blue water. While many of the island’s untrodden beaches beckon campers, Sur Masirah is one of the better-known campsites just a 20-minute drive from our resort.

As we traversed the island in our vehicle, we spotted rough waves lashing against a wrecked dhow boat. A popular windswept artifact on Masirah, the 1,000-year-old Somali dhow lays abandoned near the shell beach. A colossal structure, it still stands strong…drawing a snap-happy crowd. Leaving behind the relic we crossed several sandy loops sandwiched between rocky landscapes and the rough sea until we reached a lonely villa overlooking the endless water. There, on the shore, lay the bones of a whale – a stark reminder of the power and relentlessness of water to wash us clean.

With its solitary white beaches, fresh sea breezes, small population, and sense of blissful isolation, Masirah Island continues to remain remote – and, in its remoteness, hides a sense of profound contentment.

Drive from Muscat to Sannah Port via the Sur coastal road and pass through Al Ashkharah – or, take Route 32 through Sinaw. The roadtrip is around five-and-ahalf hours from the capital. The NFC Sannah-Masirah ferry reaches the island within 45 minutes of departure.

Booking ferry tickets in advance is highly recommended.

GPS Coordinates: 20.3173° N, 58.6916° E

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CARS ADVENTURES

D AW N O F D E S I G N

FIRST DRIVE

S

culpted in steel and aluminum and garnished with a pinch of chrome and just the right dose of plastics – the recipe for cars is a simple one.

But not everything outfitted as an automobile that can get you from point A to B need look like a tank on wheels, ready to tip over on the tarmac at the bendiest of bends.

Occasionally, you’ll need to train your eyes at the curves of Pininfarina’s best, or some of the latest and greatest from Europe – a haven for automotive design – when you think all is lost in the world of creativity.

Where avantgarde design meets purpose and aerodynamics meet the limits of engineering, this week, we round up some of our all-time favourite designs – from revolutionary ones to the quirkiest of the bunch – that have altered the way we look at cars.

These are cars, make no mistake about it – but they’re all built to appeal.

Pagani Huayra

The Pagani Huayra is as striking to look at as it is outrageous. It’s the byproduct of a design team that isn’t constricted by the limits of automotive production or costs.

Built with an equally shocking material called ‘carbon triax’,

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Team Y rounds up four cars (and one truck) that bend the rules of automotive design – for better or worse – while creating a legacy in the name of style and performance

which is a mixture of tri-axis fiberglass and a mesh of carbon-fibre power bands, the Huayra captures each curve and angle with the precision of a flight engineer. The result is a hyper-car that looks ready for its aisle in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. With over 800 horses packed and ready to be unleashed by its Mercedes-AMG-derived from 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 mid-mounted motor, it isn’t a slouch either. It even comes with ailerons (flaps) that lift and drop based on braking and cornering to keep the car grounded at all times.

Priced at US$3.5mn (RO1.3mn) apiece at launch and numbers shooting skywards soon after, we’re surprised it doesn’t take off.

Mazda RX-7

Made famous in pop-culture by the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise and its actor Han Lue, the RX-7 has had its fair share of love and hate. While the latter can be owed to the niggling Wankel rotary motor, its’ design is etched away in Japanese automotive history books. Wide in its stance, yet pleasing to the eye with soft curves, a smiling front bumper air-intake, and a large spoiler, the RX-7 fulfilled every 90s-kids’ dreams. Plus, the car was also well-priced, attainable, and quick-footed. Little wonder it ended up on most of our walls as posters.

No? Just us then? Maybe we should’ve mentioned the pop-up headlamps which add some 1,000 points for ‘cool’

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

Jaguar E-Type

It’s hard to believe that the Jaguar XKE was designed in the early 1960s. Revolutionary when it was first rolled out to the public, the XKE stole the hearts of car lovers like nothing else did in the era.

Malcolm Sayer, designer of the iconic cabriolet, found arcs and bulges that no one else quite could – and helped blend the best of British car design with an aggressive sports-car image. It had the speed to match too, with 265hp (and more in other variants) under the belt and a top speed of 217kph, the sports car still puts on a fair fight to modern cabriolets.

Clean XKEs are now worth over GBP250,000 (RO120,000) – which, after adjusting for inflation, is about five times the value of what it was worth when new.

Lamborghini Miura

Lamborghini may have been late to the party by a few years, but owning a Miura is much like owning a part of automotive history itself. The Italian marque’s first car is touted as the world’s first supercar. It’s low-slung, impractical, and a pain to maintain, drive, or even own (given how expensive they are to buy today). But boy, it’s a fine-looking car. Its scandalous ‘Miami Vice’ looks are complemented by its bulbous wheel arches, thin waistline, and the glorious high-revving V12 screamer. The final package is desirable in the same way as it is unattainable. A well-maintained and restored Miura can set you back US$3.3mn (RO1.27mn) today, which is nearly five times the value of a modern one – that, plus the added stress of zero rear visibility when backing up, a heavy clutch, and a crunchy gearbox that just hates to sync up. At least the V12 will sing its song as you cut through the mountain roads.

Tesla Cybertruck

We know we’re staking our credibility here with Tesla’s newly-revealed Cybertruck – the brand’s first consumer truck. Everything about the electric vehicle (EV) is controversial – from its design to its construction. While the truck looks like something out of a zombie apocalypse game, others say it borrows cues from the iconic DeLorean from ‘Back to the Future’. We think it resembles a Be’ah trash can placed around

Muscat…however, we won’t lie – it redefines the way we look at trucks. Elon Musk and his team’s latest creation is allegedly impenetrable with its ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless-steel exoskeleton and Tesla armoured glass (which embarrassingly shattered at the media launch of the truck). Still, with a reported range of 800kms on a single charge and towing capacity of 6,350kgs, the Cybertruck is unrivalled in its class. That said, we wouldn’t be surprised if Tesla came back to call the entire press conference and design a publicity stunt given how Elon Musk relies on self-advertising.

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CARS ADVENTURES

THE CITY ON THE STEPPE The Kazakh capital

is a futuristic city of skyscrapers that seeks to shed its Soviet shadow

1. Explore the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation’s glass and steel pyramid structure.

2. Learn about Kazakh history at the blue-glass and marble National Museum.

3. Worship at the Nur-Astana Mosque – the third largest mosque in Central Asia.

4. Marvel at the blue domes and spire of the Ak Orda Presidential Palace.

5. Take in the local nature at Burabay National Park and Lake Borovoe.

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Aftab H. Kola recommends,

NUR-SULTAN, KAZAKHSTAN K

azakhstan’s newly named capital of Nur-Sultan is fast emerging as a travel hotspot among visitors seeking to tick off the more unexpected side of their bucket-list as the nations of Central Asia rise to enjoy a renaissance in tourism. Rising from the northern slopes of the Kazakh Steppe, Nur-Sultan (meaning ‘The Sultan of Light’) is a city stuck between its Soviet past and a promising present. Previously known as Astana, the capital was renamed after the country’s former president Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Well-known throughout history since the time of the great Silk Road, today it’s a city situated in the geographic centre of Eurasia and is considered the pride of Kazakhstan.

Currently considered a lucrative locale due to its vast resources of oil and mineral deposits, during the long reign of the Soviet Union Kazakhstan was once known as the home to one of the Soviet regime’s most notorious gulag labour camps - Karlag.

Today, Kazakhstan, and its capital of Nur-Sultan, have reinvented themselves through an architecture of commerce and culture that have the nation’s sights set firmly on the future.

The Kazakh people were once nomadic - riding their majestic horses across the mountain steppe and building the rich culture of their heritage in yurt communities. When Kazakhstan gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Kazakh Parliament voted to move the nation’s capital from the southern city of Almaty to Astana, which, as of March 2019, is now called Nur-Sultan. Today, this magnificent city is dotted with large parks and boulevards, flashy futuristic buildings, commercial shopping hubs, and five-star luxury hotels that rise majestically from the plains.

It’s also a place where a traveler can easily lose themselves between past and present in this nation where the indelible tide of history breaks upon the rugged face of nature.

THE RE OF THE SPLENDENT GRAND AK ORD EUR A PR P A L A C E S ID E N T IA L E

My favourite place The capital city’s iconic Bayterek Tower is a defining landmark that stands sentinel over the city. Seen

on every banknote of Kazakh currency, the slender white 97-metre tall latticed tower is crowned by a large glass orb resembling an egg and provides the best platform to catch a panoramic glimpse out over the tapestry of the city. It’s possible to take the elevator all the way up to the top-most floor and is well worth the aerial vistas that await.

E ED PALAC M ID -S H A P A R Y N P IO E T H T C IL IA A N D R E C ON OF P E A C E

Highlights The Norman Foster-designed Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, on the road into the city centre from the

airport, is one of the world’s largest marquees – with a total area of 127,000 square metres and a height of 150 metres along its spire. Offering a range of civic, cultural, and retail amenities all sheltered inside a ‘climatic envelope’ – a world within if you will – that boasts a comfortable microclimate all year-round – no matter what the weather. The center encompasses and urban-scaled park with a 450-metre jogging track, along with a wide variety of shopping and leisure facilities such as restaurants, cinemas, and entertainment spaces that can accommodate various programs and exhibitions. Can it get even more over-the-top? Why, yes, it can – there’s also a monorail system that runs within the center and a man-made ‘beach’ on the complex’s top floor that boasts sand imported from the Maldives.

Lowlights Though it may seem like we’re stating the obvious – the weather. Kazakhstan can reach temperatures of -35 degrees Celsius during the winter months and +35 degrees in summer. Talk about extremes…so you might want to rethink that January winter break and opt for a sojourn in June instead.

Souvenirs Locally-made Kazakh chocolate, unique Bal-Bala toys inspired by Kazakh folklore, silk scarves, local ceramics and handicrafts, and a bottle of ‘kymys’ – or fermented mare’s milk.

Getting there Astana Airlines has a code-sharing arrangement with FlyDubai and Qatar Airways also operates direct flights from Doha to Nur-Sultan.

Where to stay While most of the world’s major hotel chains have been making in-roads into Kazakhstan one five-star

option for your stay in the capital is The Ritz-Carlton Astana, set in Talan Towers in the heart of Nur-Sultan’s business district is the way to go. But take your pick from an array of options on Booking.com, Trivago, Kayak, and Agoda.

ON TH FALCO E STEPPE, A NER H UNTS O KAZAKH N HOR SEBAC K

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

D e s t i n at i o n

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

Donut County Info Box

Developer: ANNAPURNA INTERACTIVE Genre: PUZZLES, PHYSICS Platforms: PS4, STEAM, APPLE APP STORE

The Y Geek Squad’s Leen Al Said proves that there truly is ‘a game for that’ with a title as outrageous as it is fun

H

ave you ever wanted to be a sinkhole, swallowing everything in sight and grow in size? There’s a game for that.

Created by Ben Esposito and published

by Annapurna Interactive, ‘Donut County’ is an indie story-based video game where you control a sinkhole by swallowing objects that in turn make your sinkhole increase in size. So simple in its design and creatively composed, ‘Donut County’ does a lot with what little it seems to start with.

The puzzle/physics game starts off by introducing its two main characters – BK, a sneaky little raccoon that owns a donut franchise, and Mira, his human friend that works at his donut shop. A

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prequel scene is shown underground – 999 feet underground to be precise, where a bunch of anthropomorphic animal townsfolk grieve about the sudden fall of their town, as they’ve all sunk into this dark hole along with their houses. The title screen is a little tutorial where you start off as a tiny hole, slowly swallowing up bits of grass, rubble, and bricks, eventually working your way up to devour an anthropomorphic animal on a motorbike.

Each level presents a small story that

shows how every creature in town has had their livelihood devoured by the sinkhole. The gameplay throws more physics into the mix as the elements and several obstacles are introduced. In one of the levels, your sinkhole can only just manage to absorb a carrot halfway into it. Then, you’d have to use that carrot to lure in bunny rabbits that could eat bits of the it until you’re able to swallow the rest of the carrot – along with the two bunnies.

‘Donut County’ is a relatively short and casual game that includes a lot of character and charm in its own in-game ‘Trashopedia’ that includes descriptions of all the items you’ve managed to sink – my personal favourite being a coffee mug’s description that reads, “Coffee rules. It burns your tongue and makes you go to the bathroom.” It doesn’t get much more quirky-cool than this game.

HEALTH

&

Health

BEAUTY

Fa s h i o n

Home

Fa m i l y

MIRROR IMAGE In a world that cares more about maximizing outer value at all costs, mindfulness can seem almost an act of rebellion. Leen Al Said delves into why society should be focusing its collective attention towards the vital inputs of self-care – especially when it comes to self-image among youth

T

here’s a line that exists between the ‘bare minimum’ and ‘not caring’ when it comes to how seriously we take our own well-being and mental health, with varying degrees of perspective and execution.

One person’s bare minimum could be a quick swipe of lip balm and mascara; while, for another it could be a complex full face of makeup; for others still a hot shower and spritz of perfume could be enough to see them through the day.

The standards of conformative beauty have been cemented in history, magazines and, more recently, online. Up until the 20th-century, makeup was used as a means to differentiate class and wealth; while now, it’s been made easily accessible to the masses due to the surge of advertorial content pushed out by cosmetic industries, then validated on social media through celebrities, or an old friend from high school who just posted a Snapchat of an eyeshadow palette she bought.

Alla Kholmogorova, the Dean of Faculty for Counseling and Clinical Psychology at the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education conducted two experiments in which she and her team studied the consequences of promoting unhealthy beauty

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

standards on the mental health of young people in the era of the information revolution.

Kholmogorova’s research team developed an experiment called ‘Choose a Doll’ in which a group of pre-school age girls were asked to select between five dolls – four of them being whiteskinned, blonde Barbie dolls, and the fifth a doll with the same height as the others, but with an ‘average’-sized body and face. The task was to choose a doll out of the pile and rank them from best to worst. Of the 23 children who participated, 16 chose the ‘average’ doll last only because she was the only doll left.

In another study, Kholmogorova’s research team hypothesized that young adults from metropolitan cities had higher levels of dissatisfaction with their body image than young adults from provincial cities. Three hundred young adults ages 18 to 23 were studied and split into four groups – men and women who live in metropolitan Russian cities (Moscow and Saint Petersburg), and young men and women from provincial Russian towns (Saransk and Murmansk).

Using the Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale (PAPS), a measure with two scales – ‘Worry About Imperfection’ and ‘Hope For Perfection’ with statements such as ‘I am not satisfied with my appearance’ and ‘I hope that I look attractive’ – are ranked by the subjects. The results of their research supported their hypothesis: young adults from the metropolitan cities were generally less satisfied with their physical appearance and weight compared to their peers from the provincial towns.

The team concluded that physical perfectionism and body dissatisfaction among young people are closely linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety. The data also confirmed that unrealistic beauty standards have a strong influence on the ideals of children in pre-school age.

In comparison, Annika S. K. Forssen, a researcher in family medicine in the Department of Public Health in Sweden conducted an experiment exploring how a group of elderly women maintained physical and mental well-being by creating humour, beauty, and cultural activities.

Twenty Swedish women, ages 63 to 83, were interviewed on what enabled them to feel well and healthy, even though some were ill with disease.

These women explained the different methods in which they found comfort and joy in their day-today lives. Making jokes with their workmates made their low-status jobs easier, while gardening and beautifying their homes gave them pleasure. Sewing and making articles of clothing for loved ones was regarded as worthwhile because of the appreciation showed to them by their families. Forssen’s team’s research concluded that humour, beauty, and culture were used as a means for survival by these women – they knew what they needed in order to stay ‘healthy’. Simple acts such as going outside to enjoy nature or meeting a friend should be given their importance.

This focus on ‘doing’ rather than ‘being’ makes everyday life turn from tolerable to enjoyable. Our desire and need as people to find humour, beauty, and culture must be understood and respected in order to grow and learn from the actions brought out by our emotions, and to find beauty in acts of kindness towards one’s self instead of how one’s physical attractiveness defines their life. And the earlier in life we begin instilling these values in our children, kinder, more caring societies have room to be nurtured.

Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

WINTER ICE

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We like our winter sparkle right where we can see it – dangling from our ears and draped around our wrists.

From glittering baubles, to shimmery bags, these are our season’s pick of icy accessories.

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

Gold and jewel tones all in one glam little accessory? Don’t mind if we do. You’ll need a pair of shades when getting up close with these pair of gold earrings with diamanté appliqués from Zara. Très chic. Snag them for RO8.9.

Cinch up in style with a slinky gold belt that will hold you tight. Loop this delicate wide-waisted version from H&M through a pair of paperbag trousers, or around a gem-tone shirtdress. Price: RO7.3.

Make a statement at your festive season function with a necklace that will turn heads. This plucky circle encrusted collar from M&S adds ‘oomph’ to any party outfit. Own it for RO9.6.

A pretty-in-pink pashmina is about as versatile a winter accessory as they come. Tuck it under your collar when the breeze is blowing – or, drape this subtly starry version from Dorothy Perkins at Debenhams over your shoulders and over that little black party dress. Grab it for RO5.9.

Don’t be fooled by the rocks that we got – but we don’t blame you if this ice-drop ‘diamond’style ring from Aldo Accessories made you look twice. It’s ours (and yours!) for just RO5.7.

A winter wardrobe is all about versatility – and we love a good accessory that does double-duty.

These gorgeous pair of T-bar chrome heel mules from Charles & Keith are the perfect shade to pair with your 9-to-5 ensemble, while their shimmerygold chunky heel will scream ‘Look at me!’ glam at the office festive party. Wear them for RO19.1.

Because every girl should have at least one piece of armcandy that shines as bright as a disco-ball.

For us, that accessory is a shimmer-metallic mini-mesh party clutch from Parfois. Make it yours for RO11.9.

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Reviews

THE ALTERNATIVE PANTRY

As more organic and alternative products hit shelves across Oman, swapping in substitutes for common food allergen groups continues to get easier

YUMMY

Eating with

ALLERGIES

For severe food intolerance and allergy sufferers, running the gauntlet of eating in or out can be daunting – and sometimes, it can even be life-threatening. Ashlee Starratt offers some helpful tips to help you take back your power when it comes to managing eating and allergens

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t was mid-morning on Wednesday here at the Y Magazine offices when my throat began to close off. It started out slowly, insidiously.

One moment I was fine…the next, my tummy felt unwell; then, I broke out in hives around my jawline and my face and chest became red, my lips began to tingle, and I felt like I couldn’t swallow.

A sense of unreality seemed to seep in, and I felt panic starting to add to the tightness in my throat and chest. Thankfully some fastacting colleagues saw what was happening and immediately assisted in rushing me to hospital where my journey towards discovering I had food allergies began.

After specialist consultations, countless rounds of bloodwork, and an endoscopy procedure, my immunoassay tests finally came back from a lab in Dubai to change my world irrevocably. I didn’t just have a severe immune-response to one or two common food allergens – I had them to practically all of the major ones.

Dairy, whey protein, wheat, and eggs; plus, cashews, garlic, curry leaves, and rapeseed oil, ginger, bananas, pineapples, pomegranates, cornstarch, yogurt, and gluten. Plus, significantly increased intolerance levels to a host of other foods too lengthy to list here, out of the 200 they tested for.

It was a gut-punch I wasn’t expecting. Having already been coping with major lifestyle changes from a recent Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, to receive this news on top of it felt like the last nail in this foodie’s coffin.

I fought back tears in the doctor’s office, breaking down only once I reached the car – clutching my referral to the dietitian. ‘What was left??’, I thought to myself. ‘What can I eat that won’t actually kill me?’

‘What kind of quality of life will I have?’ “How can I eat out?’ ‘How can I travel without fear and ensure the food I consume is safe for me?’

Having always taken joy in recipe-hunting, meal-prepping and menu planning, and – being a journalist – a decided to do what I do best: my homework. I wasn’t going to let a diagnosis that had changed my life, consume it.

I carry an EpiPen now. And while I don’t accept media invitations to foodie events as readily anymore – or be so quick to dine out spontaneously (a trip to a restaurant requires planning now!), I’m here to say that life still tastes pretty good.

Here are some important guidelines that helped me cope and which I now live by: 1. Reading ingredient labels. A no-brainer, perhaps, but when you have a severe allergy or food intolerance its essential. Allergens can be hiding in the most innocuous of products – from ice cream that contains soya lecithin, to your favourite brand of nacho Doritos that contains whey powder. Learn the lingo, stay empowered.

2. Consider going plant-based. While I still eat oily fish and lean chicken once or twice a week, I’ve found that following an otherwise mostly plant-based or vegan diet has helped immensely in managing my risk factors. (Bearing in mind those fruits and veggies I’m intolerant to.) There are many great vegan blogs out there to help get you started and ease you into a gluten-free and/or dairy-free life. And learning how to make chapatis from steamed cauliflower and psyllium flour, or a creamy tahini pasta salad dressing that will have even the staunchest of dairy-lovers fooled is pretty empowering. You’ll want to bookmark ones like www.veganricha.com and www.picklesnhoney. com.

3. There’s a substitute for that. Thankfully human ingenuity, with a little push from Mother Nature has made sure that swap-outs exist to fit a wide variety of allergy profiles. For those with wheat allergies, understanding that ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t always mean ‘wheat-free’ is vital. I rotate in rice-flour or quinoa-based pasta instead. For eggs substitutes in baking and cooking, a few teaspoons of water with a few tablespoons of powdered flaxseed and it’s ‘job done’. Plus, rice, oat, flaxseed, almond, arrowroot, and tapioca flour will become your best

friends when living with a wheat allergy – and all can be found readily in Oman supermarkets. While peppercorns, onions, celery, asafetida, and other aromatics have helped me make a clean yet still savoury break from garlic.

4. Expect to invest. After all – it’s your health. A lot of these alternative allergy-friendly products don’t come cheap. So, when you hit the grocery stores to stock up your pantry expect the bill to be steep initially. But then thankfully, once stocked up they should last you a good while – especially a lot of the wheat-flour alternatives. Our first ‘eating with allergies’ grocery bill set us back at Lulu around RO74.

5. Keep an open mind. Approach your new diet and lifestyle with rosetinted glasses as knowledge is power on the first step towards health.

Personally, we’ve really enjoyed our vegan and plant-based meals – and yes you can still have treats! Potatoes and fries are not off-limits for me (in moderation of course!), and we’ve made some amazing vegan gluten-free brownies, and tahini-maple oat cookies packed with cranberries, almonds, and dark chocolate. Your attitude determines the altitude as they say…

Finally, always have an emergency plan in place in case the unexpected happens and you accidentally come in contact with one of your food -allergy triggers without realizing it. If you carry one, make sure you keep your EpiPen on you at all times and inform friends, family, and colleagues where it can be located in the event of an emergency and, most vitally – how to administer it.

African Lentil Peanut Stew Comfort food in a bowl, this veggie-packed flavour-punch is creamy and satisfying, getting its zing from the heat of fresh sambal oelek and harissa spice.

If you have intolerances to either garlic or ginger, the recipe remains flavourful even without them. And if you have a peanut allergy, leave them out, and the dish still becomes a hearty veg stew.

§ 2.5 cups vegetable stock or water § 3/4 tsp to 1 tsp salt § 1 tsp or more lime or lemon juice § ½ cup packed baby spinach or other baby greens.

Method: § Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent – about five minutes. § Meanwhile, blend the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, chili sauce, tomato paste, and spices until puréed. Add to the Ingredients: saucepan. Cook for five to six minutes. § 1 tsp oil § Add peanut butter, half of the nuts, § ½ of a medium onion lentils, veggies, stock, salt, and lemon § 2 juicy tomatoes juice. Mix, cover, and cook. § 4-5 garlic cloves § Stir after 15 minutes. Taste, and adjust § 1-inch ginger salt, heat, and check if the veggies are § 1 Tbsp sambal oelek or Asian al-dente. Add in the baby spinach. Cook chili sauce or other hot chili for another five minutes or until the sauce to taste § 1 Tbsp tomato paste or ketchup veggies and lentils are cooked through.

Add more water if needed. § 1.5 tsp ground cumin § Garnish with rest of the peanuts, fresh § 2 tsp ground coriander cilantro, § 1 to 1.5 tsp harissa spice blend and more § ¼ tsp black pepper lemon juice. § ¼ cup nut butter like peanut Serve with butter or almond butter vegan or § 2 Tbsp peanuts gluten-free § ½ cup red lentils flatbread, § 2 cups veggies chopped small crackers, or thin slices - zucchini, sweet or as is. potato or potato, carrots, eggplant, broccoli etc.

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Info Box

THE RESTAURANT AT MARINA HOTEL Opposite the Muttrah Fish Market, Muttrah, Muscat Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., daily Contact: (+968) 2471-3100

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

Traditional Goan cuisine meets the mystical seaside aura of Muttrah in this two-decade-old Indian eatery.

THE RESTAURANT AT MARINA HOTEL

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

SPARKING UP NOSTALGIA BY SERVING UP HOMESTYLE, TRADITIONAL A hint of tanginess is brought in by tomatoes GOAN CUISINE, THIS HIDDEN GEM STOWED AWAY IN THE HEART OF but isn’t overpowering enough to steal the richness of the spices from the gravy, or the crunchy, wellMUTTRAH MAY JUST BE TEAM Y’S GREATEST FIND YET seasoned prawns. It’s the perfect companion with

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t’s like taking a trip back in time. Weathered doors from the early 1970s, floors that seem to be direct from an Alfred Hitchcock film set, a vested guard eyeing us as we walk past his wooden booth, and an earthy fragrance that’s reminiscent of a seaside abode – our entry into the rustic Marina Hotel in Muttrah is nothing short of old school.

It’s all a bit too familiar, and we particularly take a shine to its bucolic ambience – having heard a multitude of glowing reviews of this restaurant nestled just by the Muttrah Fish Market and hidden away at the top of the hotel.

With that in mind, our elevator arrives.

‘Ting,’ it chimes as the doors part way to reveal a structure that can barely pass for a modern elevator. The clang is loud enough for each room to hear, we joke.

Arriving at the top, we’re greeted by narrow hallways and a small door that leads to the restaurant. There are no obvious markings of a restaurant but for a ‘Visa Accepted’ sticker and furniture that shouts ‘Oman in the 80s’ – but one thing’s for sure: this hole-in-the-wall has been making its mark for decades.

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We opt for the sea view seats for supper, as the polite waiter walks us towards our table. It’s a small balcony that overlooks the Muttrah Corniche, His Majesty’s yachts, and the forts, and the cool breeze brought about by the cloudy skies creates an atmosphere that’s hard to beat.

The waiter presents two menus: one that showcases their decade-old best-sellers (think Indian curries and tikkas) and the other their new menu that caters to a wider audience who have a penchant for all things spicy. The latter includes Arabic grills and the like.

Our eyes immediately wander onto the Goan curries – a staple in the humble but hip state of Goa in India – that’s known for its lip-smacking and flavoursome spices.

We decide to skip the appetisers and keep things simple and order up a prawn curry and beef vindaloo along with some white rice.

It’s a long wait after placing the order; though, the ambience and availability of some flamboyant mocktails more than makes up for the wait. A good 30 minutes and four bevvies are downed before the waiter brings us our dishes.

But, boy, it’s worth the wait.

Simplicity is key here. Presented in a tall bowl, the presentation of the prawn curry and the vindaloo is far from what you can expect in a fancier resto.

But, drawing up comparisons would be unfair – it’s hands-down the prawn curry to be the best we’ve ever had in a restaurant in Oman. We’re even confident that it can give curries prepped in Goa a run for their money.

Seasoned to perfection with spices (which include garlic, red chilies, and turmeric) and topped off with fresh coconut milk and fresh prawns, the curry falls right into our list of all-time favourites for its succulent flavour.

plain rice – and it takes us back in time to the days when our mother would cook for us. The brilliance of the dish we sense in every bite – from the gravy to the prawns.

The beef vindaloo, on the other hand, is a spicy affair. Mixed up with ground red chilies, chilli powder, paprika, and traditional Indian spices, this Indo-Portuguese delight hits all the right notes and tingles our palate – just as we expect from the dish.

That said, with the vindaloo the chef opts for a tangier approach to the gravy – likely in a bid to mellow down the spice levels for their usual crowd using ripened tomatoes. It still ranks delicious in our books and is worth its’ asking price of RO5.

A restaurant hidden away atop a hotel from a bygone era hardly seems like a spot where you’d be served up delicious homestyle fare – but this find in the Marina Hotel proves us wrong. Homecooked food away from home is, quite literally, in the last place you’d look in Oman: Muttrah.

It may be worth marking down this restaurant on your Google Maps, as it’s already become our go-to spot when nostalgia hits us hard. ■ 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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