Y Magazine #598, December 19, 2019

Coffee with Y FIVE OMANIS, ONE 7,000KM JOURNEY TO AFRICA The heart of the desert UPHOLDING TRADITION IN OMAN’S BEDOUIN COMMUNITIES

HM THE SULTAN RETURNS FROM 8 News: BELGIUM AFTER MEDICAL CHECKS

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

DESTINATION: Bait Al Safah TASTE TEST: The Countdown Sports Lounge YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

DEC 19 - 25 2019 / ISSUE 598 • WEEKLY

PLUS!

SETTING ASIDE THEIR RECENT GULF CUP UPSET AND RETURNING HOME MORE DETERMINED THAN EVER WITH LESSONS LEARNED, THE YOUTHDRIVEN OMAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM HAS ITS EYES SET ON WHAT COULD BE ITS GREATEST CHALLENGE YET – THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP. Y EXPLORES THEIR PURSUIT TO QUALIFY AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE.

FIRST DRIVE: GOING GREEN WITH THE KIANOVEMBER NIRO 24 / ISSUE 258 01

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Y’S FESTIVE GUIDE TO THE SEASON’S BEST OFFERINGS

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YUMMY OMAN: A TASTE OF THE FESTIVE SEASON

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

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ootball. An athletic pastime that began humbly here in the Sultanate has now taken over as the leading sport in the nation. From listening to commentary on the radio, to lifting the Gulf Cup for the first time in 2009, Oman has come a long way – and so have the ranks. While the Oman national team is ranked 81st by FIFA globally, the true nature of the sport still resides in the talent its players carry to the main stage, bringing home the glory in the name of our country more so than ever before.

The reason? Investment and training in its next generation of players: the youth…all of which was set in motion a decade ago by the Oman Football Association – headed by a motivated Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, and experienced players who have now taken it upon themselves to keep the ball rolling and, eventually, finding the back of the nets.

This week, we hit the pitches around Oman to discover our country’s passion for the game and how it’s changing the way we look at football on a national level.

Also, in this issue, we’re taking you deep into the Sharqiyah Sands to learn about the nomadic heritage and vibrant cultural traditions of the Sultanate’s Bedouin populations; and, then, taking you even further back in time to explore the living history found at Bait Al Safah in Al Hamra over in Destination.

Plus, we haven’t forgotten about those all-important stocking stuffers this festive season as we bring you some of the best console-and-game bundles over in our Game Review, round up some of our favourite low-hassle recipes to help make your Christmas dinner a festive one full of good cheer, and much more all throughout this week’s edition!

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

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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DEC 19 - 25 / ISSUE 598

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contents DEC

Your Oman 08 News HM The Sultan returns from Belgium after medical checks 08 News Mazoon Dairy signs MoU with National Training Fund

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25

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 This Week Celebrate New Year’s Eve in sumptuous style at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel

08 24 First Drive

The environmentally

friendly Kia Niro 28

Game Review Our gaming bundle top-picks for the festive season

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12 The beautiful game Football in Oman isn’t so much a national pastime as it is the passion of the nation. And with the sting of the recent Gulf Cup loss still fresh, in this week’s issue we’re exploring the future of all things football in Oman, as the Sultanate sets its sights on FIFA 2022.

16 The road less travelled We follow five Omani friends as they retrace the steps of their ancestors along a route that begins in Muscat and ends in Rwanda, Africa, 18 Dwellers of the desert We lose ourselves among the dunes on a journey of exploration and tradition with the Bedouin communities of Oman’s Sharqiyah Sands.

07

Cars and Adventures 22 Destination

Bait Al Safah

Features

Health and Beauty

Food and Drink 32 Yummy Oman Seasonal tastes and festive feasts!

29 Health Living with fibromyalgia

34 Taste Test

The Countdown

Sports Lounge

30 Fashion Men’s sub-zero winter style

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34 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

Cold cash Hip-hop superstar Cardi B. and her hubby Offset have always gone over-thetop when it comes to gift-giving. From loads of icy (and expensive!) jewellery, rings, bling, and shiny things, Offset has showered Cardi with some serious swag.

Now, it was Cardi’s turn to splurge out for Offset’s recent birthday. And what do you get someone who has everything? How about a refrigerator with $500,000 USD in cold hard cash stashed inside? Some fans of the two rappers have allegedly called the gift ‘disturbing’, saying that such an amount of money could have been better spent towards a good cause or helping those in need.

Puff’s party Whether you know him as ‘Puff Daddy’ or just ‘Diddy’, Sean ‘Puff Daddy’ Combs is known throughout Hollywood for throwing the biggest birthday parties of the year.

And, at his most recent bash, everyone who’s anyone in Hollywood was spotted in attendance.

From the whole Kardashian clan, to Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Kanye West, Post Malone,

Leonardo DiCaprio, Cardi B., Pharrell, and more – there were some epic moments.

Case in point? It seems Kanye and Jay-Z have finally ended their long beef with one another after they were spotted shaking hands and chatting at the party.

Remembering Juice Wrld Rapper Jarad Anthony Higgins, aka Juice Wrld, passed away suddenly last week at the height of his career and at the young age of 21. His tracks had already racked up millions of streams online, and now those figures have increased a whopping 453 per cent since his passing. His albums ‘Goodbye & Good Riddance’, and ‘Deatch Race for Love’ are already back in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 charts. Rapper Offset has also come out to state that Juice Wrld will be featured posthumously on Migo’s upcoming album ‘Culture III’.

‘The Matrix’ redux Fans of the sci-fi film franchise practically caused a glitch in the matrix after it was announced that the much-anticipated fourth film in the series would hit theatres on May 21, 2021. With original cast members Keanu Reeves and CarrieAnne Moss reprising their roles, the latest ‘Matrix’ film will also welcome new cast members Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Jonathan Groff (‘Frozen, ‘Mindhunter’).

It’s a going to be a blockbuster year for star Keanu Reeves though – as ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ is also hitting theatres on the same day this coming year, on May 21, 2020.

Disco Dua Dua Lipa has just dropped another new track called ‘Future Nostalgia’ – the title track off her upcoming new album. The new single comes hot on the heels of her recently released song ‘Don’t Start Now’ and keeps her funky, new disco theme going. It’s definitely a sound we can get behind!

Collaboration of the year?

The two biggest names right now in R&B, Ella Mai and the iconic Usher, have teamed up for a new slow jam that’s already being hailed for its sound and smoothness. Called ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ is a mood-setting track if we’ve ever heard one – and Ella Mai’s young career has skyrocketed during her short time on the charts, making her one of the hottest up-and-comers in the industry. And Usher?

Well, he’s the unofficial father of R&B, and hasn’t slowed down since he started.

Meghan’s gone rogue Pop singer Meghan Trainor is unleashing her alter-ego on her latest track ‘Evil Twin’. Known for perky pop sound, this latest track has a distinct retro vibe that we can’t get enough of and will be featured on her upcoming album ‘Treat Myself’, set to be released on January 31, 2020.

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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DEC 19 - 25 / ISSUE 598

THE COUNTDOWN’S ON AND OPEN!

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE Opening its doors just last month, 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 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.

THIS

Ongoing

WEEK

DANCE SPECTACULAR

DEC

19 & 20

Argentinian dance company Che Malambo is set to storm the stage at the Royal Opera House Muscat this weekend on Thursday, December 19 and Friday, December 20 with a powerhouse performance that will thrill audiences with their fast-paced ‘zapateo’ footwork. Inspired by the rhythm of galloping horses and performed with the machismo of the South American cowboy or ‘gaucho’, Che Malambo’s performances are fired up with wild drumming on large, traditional ‘bombos’.

Demonstrating both agility and strength, the daring choreography features virtuosic whirling of ‘boleadoras’, a throwing weapon made of long cords weighted with stones. Malambo is a folkloric stepdance with roots in the competitive gaucho duelling traditions that evolved during long nights by the campfire on the old cattle trails of Las Pampas, fertile grasslands in the broad Atlantic coastal areas of southeastern South America. This brilliant new production is created by renowned French choreographer Gilles Brinas, and shows will begin at 7:00 p.m. sharp. To book your tickets now, visit www.rohmuscat.org.om.

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT AL BUSTAN DEC

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

D E C E M B E R

Celebrate the arrival of 2020 in style. Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel will be full of festive joy, hosting a series of glamourous events to ring in the New Year. Pairing local celebrations with exquisite cuisine, spectacular entertainment, and the city’s most beautiful views, it’s the perfect way to bid farewell to the old decade and welcome the new. Indoors and outdoors, dinner, music, and magic, New Year’s Eve at Muscat’s luxurious beachfront palace is sure to make the most awaited night of the year one to remember.

Indulge in a delectable fourcourse dinner right by the sea at the Beach Pavilion Bar & Grill or enjoy

a sumptuous buffet dinner in the warm glow of Al Khiran Kitchen, overlooking the pool and gardens.

Ensuring a memorable night for everyone, even the littlest guests and kids of all ages will delight in fun activities throughout the night.

Dress to the nines for the ultimate New Year’s Eve party under the stars, surrounded by the lights of the torches in the gardens and on the beachfront. A buffet will be served with unlimited beverages to toast to the New Year. Topped off with a live band performance as guests light flying lanterns to fill up the sky, all the ingredients combine for a memorable celebration on the shores of Oman.

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER Where: Beach Pavilion Bar & Grill When: December 31, 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Price: OMR 55 net per person. 4-course set menu. Beverages not included.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BUFFET DINNER Where: Al Khiran Kitchen When: December 31, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Price: OMR 45 net per person.

Beverages not included.

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER Where: Outdoors - Gardens When: December 31, 8:00 p.m. onwards Price: OMR 85 net per person. Selected beverages included.

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YOUR

OMAN MAZOON DAIRY SIGNS MOU WITH NATIONAL TRAINING FUND

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n line with its vision to train and support Omani nationals to join the workforce, Mazoon Dairy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Training Fund. The agreement is aimed at training and providing employment opportunities for 100 Omanis across various sectors at Mazoon Dairy through the Qudarat program. This training and employment program will strengthen Mazoon’s operational expansion in the Sultanate.

Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Ghafri, Chief Support Officer at Mazoon Dairy, and Sharifa bint Tahir Aidid, CEO of the National Training Fund, signed the MoU – which will offer excellent training opportunities for Oman’s talented workforce, followed by employment. Mazoon Dairy celebrated the graduation of the first batch of 122 Omani nationals under

HM THE SULTAN RETURNS FROM BELGIUM AFTER MEDICAL CHECKS

“W

ith the Almighty Allah’s care, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, may Allah protect him, returned to the country after some medical treatments and checks in the Kingdom of Belgium.

the Qudarat program in September this year, making this the second successful edition.

Mazoon Dairy has begun launching its products in the market, including fresh milk and laban in the governorates of Muscat, North and South Al Batinah, Al Buraimi, and Al Dakhiliya, and is working to reach the governorates of Dhahira, Al Sharqiyah, Dhofar, and Musandam soon. This will be followed by the launch of juices.

The statement was issued by the Diwan of Royal Court on Friday, December 13, reports Oman News Agency. May the Almighty Allah protect His Majesty the Sultan and grant him long life to always remain a source of guidance and inspiration for the dear homeland and its loyal people.

AL MOUJ MUSCAT UNVEILS NEW LUXURY DEVELOPMENT

A

l Mouj Muscat offered up the first sneak peek of its newest luxury development – Zunairah: Essence of Paradise beachfront mansions to media on December 11, 2019.

Located at the waterfront of Al Mouj Muscat, this private district of luxury properties offers exclusive sanctuary among superior amenities, combined with exceptional living and lifestyle experiences. The Al Mouj community surrounding Zunairah

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includes a 400-berth marina, hotels, parks and open spaces, a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course, a vibrant retail hub and restaurants, a beautiful sandy beach, and sport, recreation, and entertainment facilities. The Zunairah properties have been designed by internationallyrenowned architects and offer individual villa designs that follow a distinctive brief to deliver a contemporary appeal, privacy, and luxury.

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Is Oman ready to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

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Oman is very passionate about football, and the nation has always supported its players whenever they’ve been on the pitch – taking victory and defeats in their stride.

Oman’s national team has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup – though, they have qualified for the Asian Cup four times.

They’ve also reached the Arabian Gulf Cup final four times – winning in 2009 and 2017.

The real issue is the team hasn’t been consistent in their performance during tournaments or even matches. On a given day, the team has performed superbly – able to beat the best. But, on other days, their performance has been average…leading them to lose to other teams in matches they should have easily won.

Considering Oman’s FIFA 2022 World Cup chances, we need to look back at their past win records in the qualifiers. Oman has a 40 per cent win record in past World Cup qualifiers – while, internationally, teams that qualify for the World Cup have winning percentages above 70 per cent. That leaves us with a big gap to cover if our national team is to achieve glory on the international stage and qualify for a World Cup. This brings us to the challenges.Due to inconsistent performance as a whole, they’ve had a record of changing coaches far too often – with eight coaches in the last 11 years. While it’s important we have the best coaching talent for our national team, we

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need to remember that each coach comes with his/her own ideas and strategies. Too many changes too fast over a short period of time mean players have to keep adapting with frequent adjustments which could impact their abilities to hone their talents consistently. It can also lead to players being unsure of their positions in the final team line-up due to changes in the system which, as a result, have led to many of our players seeking greener pastures throughout the Gulf region, as well as with the European clubs…and budding talent is lost.

It’s important we have a long-term vision, starting now, if Oman is to qualify for the World Cup.

New Debate:

What has been Oman’s biggest milestone over the last decade?

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

DEC 19 - 25 / ISSUE 598

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YOUR

A GALA GATHERING

OMAN

ALUMNI OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY BEIRUT’S OMAN CHAPTER CELEBRATE THEIR ANNUAL GALA DINNER 2019 AT THE KEMPINSKI HOTEL MUSCAT

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MOVIES MOVIES Dabangg 3 Cast: Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Warina Hussain

Witty, brawny, and hyper-intelligent, copy Chulbul Pandey is back on the scene in ‘Dabangg 3’, which sees Bollywood superstar Salman Khan reprise his role as the popular title character. While Pandey may not always have the right approach in dealing with corruption and wrongdoers; but when his past comes knocking, he’s left with no choice but to take a righteous path to protect his family. Comedy, action, and a bit of drama make for movie magic in this Bollywood-favourite franchise!

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO:

Cast: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill The final installment in the ‘Star Wars’ prequel series brings the saga of Skywalker to a close in a way that only Disney and Lucasfilm can. In this last chapter, the surviving Resistance fighters Rey, Poe, Finn and Luke Skywalker prepare to face

Kylo Ren and the forces of his Dark Order in a last bid to save their world using the ancient knowledge and power of the Jedi. It’s an epic battle of good vs. evil in this action-packed blockbuster that’s got us ordering our tickets in advance!

City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 2479-1641

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(Photo credits: Selective photography by Abdulwahid Al Hamadani.

Additional images courtesy of Shutterstock)

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ith a history that spans five decades, football is indelibly woven into the tapestry of the Sultanate’s sporting landscape. To have risen from a loss to Libya by 15 goals in their first international game, to lifting the Gulf Cup twice by 2018, it’s evident that Oman has come a long way in developing their game – becoming a formidable force in the GCC and warranting respect from its neighbours.

But football is beyond simply a sport in the nation; love for the game is embedded in its blood.

Whether it’s a child learning how to kick a ball for the first time, or an adult cheering for his or her favourite team, the passion for ‘the beautiful game’ is evident.

It arises from the memories embedded in the Sultanate’s collective experience with the sport.

The ones of Oman’s former captain Ali Al Habsi and the former Chairman of the Oman Football Association (OFA) Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi lifting the Gulf Cup trophy in 2009 for the first time as they rewrote the nation’s sport-history books.

Smiles galore and cheers from the far ends of Oman pouring in, this created a stage for the team to build on – a stage that pushes the nation forward even today.

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WITH THEIR SIGHTS SET FIRMLY ON THE FUTURE, THE OMAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM’S UPSET AT THE 24 TH GULF CUP HASN’T DAMPENED THEIR HOPES FOR A 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP ENTRY. HERE’S HOW THEY HOPE TO GET THERE…

Whether that alone was enough to make Oman favourites in the coming years was unknown, but there’s no forgetting the cries of pride and joy that ensued at the 2018 Gulf Cup as Mohsin Johar alKhaldi found the back of the nets on a make-orbreak overtime penalty kick, one which ultimately helped the Sultanate lift the trophy yet again.

This largely cemented Oman as the favourites at this year’s Gulf Cup tournament. However, the team couldn’t progress beyond the group stages, having lost to a resilient Saudi Arabia – and shattering the hopes of the millions of fans here in Oman as well as those who headed to Qatar to support them.

But all is not lost, says Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi –Chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) and SABCO Group – in a one-on-one interview with Y earlier this week.

“It’s pretty natural to witness ups and downs in football when it comes to national team performance,” he says. “We’ve won the Gulf Cup twice – once was in 2009 and once two years ago.

This time the team couldn’t qualify for the second round of the tournament, so we wish them all the best for the next attempt which will hopefully be in Iraq.

He added: “Despite the failure of the national team to win the Gulf Cup this time, I see huge prospects for football in Oman. I believe there’s a large base of strong, young players who play for the country throughout the various governorates and wilayats in Oman.”

He’s right – the Oman national football team has come lengths in stride since its official formation in 1978. Currently ranked 81st worldwide by FIFA, the current team is a talent pool of players who’ve pioneered the game since their younger years.

In retrospect, Oman was placed 174th in the table in 1984.

From the captain, Ahmed Mubarak Al Mahaijri, 34, to the goalkeeper Faiz Al-Rushaidi, 31, the current team is now deemed an aggressive side reminiscent to the winning team from 2009.

This further instills confidence that the national team can qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

While the qualifying rounds are currently ongoing – with three more matches to be played against Afghanistan, Qatar, and Bangladesh – the team’s performance in Round 2 of the qualifiers have raised hopes of a maiden FIFA World Cup

Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi

Chairman of SABCO Group and Oman Olympic Committee

It’s pretty natural to witness ups and downs in football when it comes to national team performance.

We’ve won the Gulf Cup twice – once was in 2009 and once two years ago. This time the team couldn’t qualify for the second round of the tournament, so we wish them all the best for the next attempt which will hopefully be in Iraq. Despite the failure of the national team to win the Gulf Cup this time, I see huge prospects for football in Oman. I believe there’s a large base of strong, young players who play for the country throughout the various governorates and wilayats in Oman. qualification. Though, the road to qualifying isn’t going to be easy.

Speaking about the topic, Sayyid Khalid says: “I think we have a long way to go to prepare ourselves better and ultimately perform better if we want to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. One of the key things we need to do quickly is implement the club licensing system, whereby we need to enhance the level of football management and football governance in the current league.

This will give our clubs a better position in competitions and, hopefully, give them a better chance to play against strong teams in Asia.

“Parallel to that OFA’s plans must include high-level competition matches, friendly games and competitions, and championships to prepare our players for high-level performance. Because, to be honest, our national team wasn’t critically challenged in the last two years.

“The only two times we played against strong teams were against Qatar – which we lost in Doha in the Asian Qualifiers – and Saudi Arabia – which we played in the Gulf Cup and lost too.

“Otherwise, really, we are lacking that experience to challenge strong teams. If we have to qualify for the World Cup, first of all,

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“It’s amazing to see that children as young as this are ready to put in the time and effort to be the best in their game. Even eight-year-olds of today are far better than I ever was at that age.”

“A part of growing football in Oman however, is to make quality coaching accessible to all kids.

We have kids here between the ages of five and 18 – and we’re giving them the best opportunities to showcase their skills.

“These kids then go on to matches outside the Sultanate and represent [Oman] to make us all proud.”

Meeran and his team are currently in talks to bring coaches from Venizia FC, a Venicebased Serie B team from the Italian football league system. His intentions are simple: to bring qualified coaches to teach the youth how to impart their skills on the pitch and instill confidence in them from a young age.

Devising a strategy to develop youth is one way to transform the game – and sports in Oman – but the road to a newer and better tomorrow we have to win the current stage of qualification, in sports development and sponsorship in Oman,” is going to be a long one. Yet it’s one worth the effort, believes the Chairman of the OOC. before moving to the second level where we will elaborates Sayyid Khalid. “There’s huge value With this in mind, Sayyid Khalid proudly face the big guys – Japan, Australia, South Korea, behind sports in Oman, I believe. Sports can and so on. become a good platform for companies to present announces to Y that he’s going to organise and host a nationwide workshop in February, whereby “So, from my experience, if we want to achieve their CSR programs and create loyalty programs a positive outcome from the 2022 qualifiers, we for the youth. So, the SABCO Sports project is one he will invite all sports stakeholders under one really have to do a lot to prepare the boys for the among many other projects that I have in mind for roof to discuss the nature and opportunities of sports development in the Sultanate. challenge.” promoting sports in this country.”

And, as Sayyid Khalid promises to elevate Along with their senior players Oman is now Football academies are one way to reach out to Oman’s Olympic team to greater heights, he also also banking on its youth to make a mark on the youth – and they’re slowly but efficiently shaping intends to apply his experience with the national country’s football scene – bringing in a wealth of the way football grows in the country. talent from local clubs throughout different wilayats As Sayyid Khalid rightly points out, SABCO football team to his current role – though, he’s across the country.

Sports, organisers of Tough Mudder and National optimistic about taking it one step further by The HM’s Cup – Oman’s premier knockout Obstacle Series (NOS), also has a direct hand in tackling challenges head-on. tournament – is among a list of professional complementing the Ministry of Sport’s and OFA’s “Taking my experience to the Olympic level competitions that are now helping players expand efforts in building football in Oman. is an interesting one, because football is, by far, a beyond their communities into the national arena With two premier events – the Oman more complex sport than many others,” he says. alongside Oman national team players.

International Youth Cup and Academy League “However, there are certain fundamentals and This coincides with their strategy to include – the private institution aims to give youth an ground elements that could work in any game. youth players on the team. At 34, Ahmed Mubarak opportunity to vie for top spot internationally If the principles and foundations are correct, I is the most experienced team player, while against other youth teams from Italy, Spain, the really feel that we can achieve strong results on goalkeeper Ammar al Rushaidi (21), midfielder UK, and the like. an international level in other sports.

Moataz Saleh (23), and forward Muhsen al In an earlier interview with Y, Nic Cartwright, “But it will take a good level of preparation.

Ghassani (22) are some of the newer players in the the Managing Director of the company reveals: What I’m trying to do is work with stakeholders mix.

“SABCO Sports is making huge leaps when it in the country and align ourselves on certain “We have already seen the fruits of youth football comes to harbouring a wave of young sportsmen key objectives, identify our key strengths and during my time at the Oman Football Association,” and women in the country. weaknesses and, try to design a road map that says Sayyid Khalid. “There’ve been a number of “Coming up with events of such nature – could lead us to a successful result in France 2024 players performing extremely well on the national those that help get the people involved – is very and the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. team today. This gives a positive indication that we important for the Sultanate.

“If we want to achieve our Olympic objectives, do have a new generation coming up that could “Not only does that give more opportunities to we have to think long-term. Short-term Insha’Allah fulfill our objectives and hopefully the people here for more fun events, but it also objectives will not get us anywhere. reach the Olympics in France in 2024 and also improves the standing of the country, as it marks it “We’re all trying our best. Now, we need qualify for the World Cup in 2022. as a sports destination. There’s still a long way to the support and encouragement of all our “There is huge potential in Oman for youth go but we’re slowly making progress,” he adds. stakeholders; whether it’s government bodies, development and grassroots development. Oman This is also echoed by Meeran Yusuf, the federations, sponsors, youth, or schools. has a young population – statistically – and football founder and Head Coach of Alpha Football “We all need to work with the same objective: is largely played and loved in the country in Academy Oman – a training school with over 300 addition to many other sports as well. students. Speaking to Y, he reveals: “It’s important to win.

“To win championships and trophies is a long “The SABCO Sports initiative started to capture to start training the kids young. All the Messis process – and is a lot of hard work. But the fruits opportunities in Oman and we are trying to link and Ronaldos of the world didn’t break into the sports to tourism and promoting the country scene overnight. It was decades – if not more – of of the rewards mean you elevate sports in the country and make your nation proud – and that’s regionally and globally. By introducing new persistence, training and hard work that made what we’re all trying to achieve.” ■ initiatives such as the International Youth Cup this happen. tournament and other projects with the Ministry of Education and other partners, I think we’ve laid a good foundation whereby we attract good sponsors to promote youth development. We engaged some new football academies to work with us, developing opportunities for kids, and we’re attracting foreign academies to come to Oman and interact with the youth. Our kids are getting better exposure and experience to play against stronger teams.

“All these elements will play a positive role in feeding the club structure and national team structure as well, going forward.

“I hope we see more private sector engagement 014

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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED With their hearts set on retracing the steps of their ancestors, and a goal to propagate a message for global peace, a group of five Omani friends show us how truly amazing things can happen when people unite

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ive friends voyaging across seven countries in a trip spanning 7,000kms – if that isn’t the makings of a modern-day epic journey, then we don’t know what is.

But, this month-long excursion from Muscat to Rwanda, Africa by road is far from a guileless sightseeing jaunt; it’s a mission for five Omani friends to put themselves in their ancestors’ shoes and empathise (to an extent) with what they experienced as they travelled across the hot desert sands in the early 1900s.

Much has changed since those early days of their forefathers. The fivestrong crew will make the trip starting from Muscat in a heavily-modified Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Tundra pickup truck – both workhorses that can hold their own when the mercury plummets to the low zeroes and the road vanishes into sand.

The challenges will be immense, proclaims Sultan Abdullah al Namaani, the leader of the group, in a telephone call with Y from the UAE border.

He adds: “From the cold temperatures of Ethiopia, to the thunderstorms of Uganda and Kenya, and the politically-unstable Sudan, we have a lot to overcome as we progress through our journey.”

But the crew is prepped for the worst. From tents that can withstand the worst of climates, to safe routes mapped in case of an emergency, Sultan and his mates have thought every scenario through.

Abdulaziz al Zakwani, a crew member, elaborates: “The whole idea stemmed very quickly when we first sat down for coffee at Al Mouj. It was just a little idea when it was planted in our heads, but we quickly turned it into reality.

“Also, we didn’t want to do what everyone does and travel by flight – we wanted to make memories.

“The stories my grandfather would say of him travelling on a donkey from Oman to Africa was the real inspiration for our journey. That journey

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would take him six months to make. But today, technology has changed the way we travel.

“A trip to Rwanda will only take five hours by flight – and that’s barely an experience. So, by travelling by road, we will be at least taking a similar route to what our forefathers took –though, even this is considered a luxury today.”

The beginning of the 7,000kms-journey saw them travelling to UAE, from where they’ll then head to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia before venturing into Sudan.

That’s where the real challenge will begin, reiterates Abdulaziz.

“We’ve all seen the news and know how Sudan has been struggling. We understand the risks going there, but to be safe, we’ve booked three- and fourstar hotels to stay in. We also have a policy to travel only during the day to be safe.”

All of this, he says, comes even after he was assured by his friends who have travelled to Sudan of how the political atmosphere has changed in recent times. This raises their budgets to RO770 per person (including insurance, visas, hotel stays, fuel for their cars, and other mechanical expenses) – but it’s one they’re happy to shell out for the hundreds of hours of experience they’ll share together.

They also run the added risks of mechanical works on their cars, as Sultan points out how much of their journey will be across gravel and sand.

But they aren’t letting that put a stop to their excitement. Sultan says: “I think one of the best parts of this journey is that we’ll all get to know each other better than ever before. This means we’ll see every side – from the good to the bad, and I think that will help our bond grow stronger.”

Forging ahead from Sudan, the quintet intends to enter Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and, their final stopover point, Rwanda… all in their SUV and truck that wears Omani plates – a foreign sight in these countries.

But it’s not just their cars that will steal attraction. Both Sultan and

Abdulaziz have a plan to spread the message of love and peace they’ve experienced under the rule of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

Abdulaziz says: “As much excitement we carry forward to this trip, I think we’re all still bound by the mission to spread the message of peace across the places we visit. We aren’t planning anything elaborate, but we’ll be sharing our forefathers’ stories and our stories of Oman to those who are ready to lend us an ear.

“I think this is the greatest part of our journey – interacting with the people from these countries.

Our forefathers built their families around the people from these very places – as Oman has a very strong history linked with Tanzania and Zanzibar – and I think it’s important for us to connect with our roots in this day and age that’s increasingly falling for technology.

“I don’t mean to say technology is bad – but it’s caused us to be disconnected from our purpose of being human beings. To talk, to laugh, to meet people… there’s just a lot that we’ve sacrificed in view of a virtual world.

“Our journey will showcase how amazing the world still is, and I can’t see any reason why our experience can’t help strengthen our belief in humanity, while breathing the air our forefathers breathed, and [following] the paths they took to get us to where we currently are.”

“That’s what makes this journey one to savour – the nostalgia, the friendship, and a unified approach towards peace. I can’t think of a better place to be than on this trip.”

Team members

Sultan Abdullah al Namaani Abdulaziz Sulaiman al Zakwani Wael Salim al Yaqubi Naser al Salemi Khalid al Barwani DEC 19 - 25 / ISSUE 598

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DWELLERS OF THE DESERT Swati Basu Das explores the ways of life preserved within Oman’s Bedouin communities and the indelible bonds that bind them to lands they wander 018

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rom afar, the parched, arid desert with its rolling honey-gold dunes and scattered tufts of shrubs reflects nature’s scorching splendour. The vastness of the barren, yellow sand underfoot stands in stark contrast to the enormous blue sky that unfurls above. Here on the dunes each grain of sand bears witness to the wind-sculpted wrinkles that spread that move continually, across their crescents.

In the expansive heart of Oman’s edge of the Empty Quarter, the Sharqiyah Sands, the midday sun erases all cardinal directions without shadow. With no fixed destination, their coarse sandy paths wander into the middle of nowhere. Nearly 300 kilometres away from Muscat’s affluence and modernity, here there echoes the enigma of solitude in every possible direction.

Where the paved city roads hit the sandy topography of the Sharqiyah Sands (known formerly as the Wahiba Sands), soon all tracks vanish into a seemingly uninhabitable – and even hostile – terrain. Yet, it’s here that some of the Sultanate’s most elusive residents, call home.

We’re hesitant to enter, yet, in the unplumbed distance wedges of high dunes emerge – encircling and protecting the small inner valleys where the desert local inhabitants stay guarded, distinctive in their demography among this unmapped terrain where every dune tells a story.

And here, they tell tales of the Bedouins who have made their ever-shifting settlements and homes among the shifting sands in this corner of Ash Sharqiyah. Surrounded by high dunes on all sides, we make our way to Laiyima, a Bedouin village whose name means ‘well-protected’ – and so it is. Laying hidden among the dunes which surround it on all sides, this quaint yet secure enclave is just one among many such small sheltering spots for the region’s Bedouin population.

With a small population of just 100 villagers residing in Laiyima, it’s a territory valued for its strategic position deep in the desert.

Dwellers of the desert, Bedouin life here surrounds the sand. While to us and our untrained eyes, all the dunes around us look the same…we are strangers lost in the desert.

But for our 33-year-old Bedouin tour guide Bader Said Al Badri, it’s home – and he’s well-versed in the directions of the blowing winds and every undulating shift in the sand.

Born here in these blazing-hot environs, his Bedouin instincts have never let him go astray. “I was born here,” he says, smiling with pride, “And I’ve lived here ever since.

The desert is our life. Wherever I go, I know my way back home.”

Navigating his 4x4 through the dunes, he asks us to buckle up as we prepare to cross four high peaks of sand before finally reaching his 70-year-old tiny village. From atop the dune, camouflaged Bedouin huts reveal themselves…spread out in clusters that stretch out kilometres apart from one another.

Bader explains: “Bedouins love to stay isolated. We need space from our neighbour.

Our cattle also need enough space to graze in the wild. By staying further from our neighbour we avoid scuffles.”

The startling view of these scattered houses and encampments, of camels roaming freely, and miles of emptiness stretching out beyond…it’s an awestruck feeling we’re left with. But for Bader, it’s

home-sweet-home. Bashing his car down the dune and driving along the rugged valley floor dotted with bushy scrub-brush we’re soon at his doorstep where his daughters and son welcome him with a hug.

A typical Bedouin tent made of goat hair stands juxtaposed next to his modern abode.

A fence made of wood and date palm fibres adorn the porch of the tent, while the gate of the stone house build adjacent is made of date palm wood – the space inside boasting yet another black-and-beige goat hair tent.

“Our requirements are minimal,” Bader says. “This stone house has one single room. We built it to protect our family from sandstorms in the hot summer months – but you’ll rarely find us inside this house. For all our daily activities like eating, resting, chatting, and music, we prefer our tent.

We love to spend most of our time here, as we prefer the open sky above us and the bare sand beneath. We are Bedouins, and we move around a lot chasing the rain for water and searching for fodder for our cattle.

Carrying the tent with us is compulsory to set up our temporary homes when we’re on the move.”

This tent beside the stone house contains a majlis where the family members meet and gather to greet guests in typical Bedouin style. Sitting on a red rug made of goat hair, sipping fresh camel milks and nibbling on fresh dates, we wonder how remarkable it is that life can survive in the face of adverse conditions such as these, in the middle of a beautiful yet treacherous desert desolation.

As these thoughts of remoteness creep in, the jingle of bridles from a herd of roaming camels catches our attention. Peering outside, there she stood – beauty in the form of a beast. “She’s Sadra, my beauty queen – my favourite camel,” says Bader. “She’s a gift from my mother. Camels are a part of our family, and a source of our income. I have more than 90 camels – and some of them even take part in races. But Sadra is different…she’s a priceless possession.”

Reveling in the pungent saltiness of the camel milk offered to us, Bader’s family invites us inside their stone home to taste authentic, freshly made Bedouin bread, camel meat with gravy, and fresh yogurt topped with cow butter. Bader’s wife offers us a cool glass of water. “We’re blessed this way,” he states. “Water is a requirement… we fetch it from the town nowadays. But in the past, it was harder; it took two days on a camel to bring water from the wadi running along the mountains. Things change…”

Our bellies full from the delicious meal offered to us by Bader’s family, and our hearts equally full from their hospitality, we leave Laiyima on a high note – wishing our new Bedouin friends the fortitude to move ahead in their migrations with vitality and prosperity.

On the threshold of modernity, the life of Bedouins such as Bader and his family interweaves a desire to explore the contemporary, while protecting their roots as wanders of the desert – planted firmly and deeply in the searing sands.

“We never think of leaving behind our Bedouin traditions and lifestyle,” Bader muses. “Some are moving to cities for job opportunities, but no one – neither you, or me – can go far away from home. Wherever we go, we make sure to come back to the desert. It’s our home.” ■

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‘Tis the season FROM CHRISTMAS DINNERS AND YULETIDE BRUNCHES, TO THE BEST BASHES TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR, WE’VE ROUNDED UP THE SEASON’S BEST FESTIVE OFFERINGS TO TEMPT YOU

InterContinental Muscat welcomes the festive season

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his coming holiday, InterContinental Muscat invites family and friends to enjoy endless festive fun with a variety of culinary offers, delightful entertainment, and exciting activities in a luxurious

setting.

For the entire month of December, get into the festive spirit and be dazzled with the sparkling festive decorations in the hotel’s opulent lobby.

Visit Majlis al Shams for attractive holiday treats, gingerbread treats, and other Christmas goodies and takeaway. Coffee lovers will also enjoy great festive offers from Tr.Eat including spiced lattés , drinks, and Christmas pastries.

Christmas Eve with loved ones are best spent in any of the hotel’s restaurants offering lavish culinary selections. At Tomato, indulge in an exquisite three-course set menu featuring Italian classics paired with drinks. Get into the festive mood and dance the night away at Al Ghazal Pub. Filled with the holiday vibe with the music mixes from resident DJs, guests will also be treated with signature festive beverages. Entry fee is OMR 5 after 10:00 p.m. in the evening. At Trader Vic’s, have a joyful Christmas Eve celebration, island-style, together with live band Los Hidalgos! Enjoy a four-course Christmas menu with a beverage. Set menu is priced at OMR 26++ and a la carte menu is also available.

Start Christmas Day right and gather the family together to enjoy brunch in the beautiful gardens. Dine outdoors at the Palm Lane and enjoy our extensive buffet selection including holiday classics and international flavours. The little ones can also enjoy an afternoon of fun and games with a special visit from Santa and live entertainment. Christmas Brunch is priced at OMR 28++ for adults and OMR 14++ for children. Additional OMR 8++ for special beverages. You can also spend the perfect Christmas Day at Takara Japanese restaurant and enjoy the sushi and teppanyaki live station offers. Priced at OMR 15++ excluding selected beverages.

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Don’t miss the biggest and most glamourous New Year’s Eve party in town! Celebrate in glitz and glam – Great Gatsby-style! Dance the night away as Bring the Party Band and DJ Liv Knight sing and perform for you with the best music of the decade. This event is priced at OMR 60 net including open buffet and beverages.

Welcome the new decade in any of the restaurants with one-night only set menu. Say ‘aloha’ to the New Year at Trader Vic’s and enjoy a four-course set menu and a complimentary glass. Live entertainment by the resident band Los Hidalgos and set menu is priced at OMR 65 net including free flow of selected beverages.

The InterContinental Muscat is also offering holiday staycation packages that include overnight stays, Christmas Brunch, and access to the New Year’s Eve Party.

For bookings call (+968) 9137-3243 or 2468-0000.

You can also visit www.intercontinental.com/muscat.

Celebrate the season at W Muscat

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elebrate the season in style with W Muscat. Kicking off the festive period on December 24, celebrate Christmas with an exquisite buffet and delectable treats at Harvest.

For OMR25++ per person, the fresh and nutritious restaurant is rivalled only by the hotel’s signature grill house, CHAR, offering a flavourful set-menu designed by Chef Marcos for OMR30++ per person. Moving into Christmas Day, Harvest is celebrating with a lavish lunch buffet served up for OMR25++ per person – so you can leave the cooking at home and spend the day being jolly with friends and family.

This is the year to sparkle as W Muscat prepares to ring-in their first NYE with a bang. The Living Room invites you to adorn your most decadent dance attire and indulge in delicious canapés and unlimited specialty beverages from just OMR70++ per person. Or, go for an unforgettable evening at Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar. With a mouth-watering set-menu and unlimited premium beverages, the rooftop reveling can be enjoyed for OMR125++ per person. With CHAR and Harvest also serving up glam celebrations for NYE, W Muscat is pulling out all the stops for the most wonderful time of the year.

For bookings or more information call (+968) 2212-0000.

Christmas at Centara Muscat Hotel Oman

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t’s festively delicious at Centara Muscat Hotel Oman.

Join them at The Roof on Christmas Eve for a sumptuous BBQ dinner for only OMR 8 per person, served from 6:00 p.m. till 12 midnight. Head back to the same venue to welcome 2020 as they celebrate the New Year with DJ Black. Indulge in a sumptuous BBQ dinner for OMR 12 per person and get the party started from 6:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m.

Call (+968) 2423-6660 for enquiries and reservations, or email cmo@chr.co.th.

An enchanting festive season at Muscat Hills Resort

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ndulge with the whole family this festive season with a Christmas Dinner to remember at Muscat Hills Resort’s sumptuous restaurant. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. on December 24, treat the whole family to a six-course menu featuring smoked salmon and caviar, fresh king scallops, fresh black truffle, veal tenderloin and some of the most delicious Christmas sweets. Packages start from OMR27++ for dinner only, OMR30++ with unlimited soft drinks, and OMR40++ with unlimited selected beverages.

For more information or to book your table call (+968) 9121-6645.

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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

BAIT AL SAFAH Aftab H.Kola immerses himself in Omani heritage at this living museum in Al Hamra where local culture comes alive to ignite the senses through sight, smell, taste, and sound.

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their heritage intact – serving as a reminder of the its simple traditions.

Al Hamra is one such settlement where the vestiges of the past still reverberate in all their glory.

And it’s here in Al Hamra that Bait Al Safah – which means the ‘house on the shiny rock’ due to its location on a large, flat slab of weathered granite – serves as a microcosm of traditional Omani architecture, culture, and heritage. Converted into a so-called ‘living’ museum, this fourstorey edifice is a favourite tourist destination.

Through its living displays of heritage it becomes a unique identifier – a symbol of the country’s cultural vibrancy, its traditions, cuisine, clothing, jewelry, and more.

It’s a place where visitors to the Sultanate can become completely immersed in Omani culture with all their five senses.

hand-woven carpets and exquisitely carved rosewood doors are women performing the daily tasks required in a household. We sit near one Omani lady dressed in traditional attire who demonstrates to us the preparation of ‘rukhal’ bread – a thin, round crêpe made of flour – a favourite in every Omani kitchen.

We also had the privilege of watching the preparation of fresh juniper oil, the grinding of coffee beans, the extraction of oil from local nuts, and examples of weaving and spinning. The Bait Al Safah house also houses examples of Omani handicrafts, utensils, and traditional kitchenware that are now seldom in use today – all to our delight of stepping back in time.

There’s also a gift and curios shop that sells ‘kahwa’ powder, Omani honey, local spices, frankincense, ‘bakhoor’ (a traditional incense), Oman halwa and dates, along with handicrafts like ‘khanjars’, keychains, and other keepsakes.

On the uppermost floor of Bait Al Safah we paused to drink in the panorama view of the surrounding village from its window. It’s here where visitors are entertained by Omani folkloric troupes who perform traditional dances and battle scene re-enactments. Multilingual local guides who are well-versed in several languages are also available to escort tourists around this ‘living’ museum and help them make the most of what is nothing short of an unforgettable experience where tradition thrives among the echoes of a cultural history that has shaped Oman indelibly.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

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he all-pervasive scent of frankincense remained suspended on the air, mingling with the everinviting aroma of ‘kahwa’ and fresh ‘rukhal’ bread to tease the senses as I entered Bait Al Safah – a 400-yearold house-cum-‘living’-museum in Al Hamra, where Oman’s fascinating cultural heritage thrives within the walls of its ancient mud buildings.

Al Hamra – a non-descript small town at the foothills in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate – once prospered under the Al Yaribah dynasty four centuries ago. Today, it’s an open-air museum of historic mud architecture and traditional ways of life that have yet to lose their foothold in the face of change.

In spite of the modernity ushered in with the discovery of petroleum in Oman, some enclaves within the Sultanate have managed to keep

With its compact, narrow alleys lined with mud-brick homes, Al Hamra is a town caught in a time warp. Set at its center, Bait Al Safahis a graciously-restored dwelling – almost as old as the town itself – that presents a ‘living’ version of what Omani homes and households looked like several centuries back.

Entering through a rustic engraved door which opens onto the first floor with its high wooden ceilings adorned with hand-paintings, an earthen pot captures our attention. Once used as a natural cooler for water storage, these vessels are now almost extinct.

Water would evaporate through the pots clay pores, causing it to be become cool as energy is consumed during the evaporation process – thus lowering the temperature of the water remaining in the pot. In the centuries before modern methods of refrigeration it was an ingenious way to make sure you always had cool, cold water to drink and bathe in on a hot summer’s day.

As we pass further through the first floor of Bait Al Safah, a young girl carrying a ‘mijmar’ passes by, welcoming us with the perfumed aroma of Omani frankincense as the delicate smoke wafts around us. The scent of rose water is also prominent in the the ‘al barzah’ – or ‘living room’ here. Sitting down, we’re offered hot cups of ‘kahwa’ – strong, bittersweet coffee dashed with cardmom – along with lusciously sweet Omani dates. As we tuck in, we’re transported to another place and time.

Amidst this traditional setting of

From Muscat’s Seeb area, take the Burj Al Sahwa roundabout past the Wholesale Vegetable Market and onto Route 15 towards Nizwa. Continue on for an hour-and-a-half until you see the exit for Route 21 bypassing Nizwa. Connect onto Route 21 and follow the signs for another hour until you reach Al Hamra. Once there, follow the road to the centre of the village, keeping an eye out for the signs to Bait Al Safah.

GPS Coordinates: 23.1026° N, 57.2875° E

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023

CARS ADVENTURES

KIA NIRO

FIRST DRIVE

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rom cars that drive themselves to those running exclusively on batteries – it seems we’ve come to a point where we can say that the ‘future is now’. But, with reservations on how safe autonomous cars are, and with sporadic electric charging stations in Muscat, you’d be hard-pressed to take the plunge that marks the future of motoring.

Instead, this calls for a middle ground; one where we can continue relying on existing technologies that efficiently address the environmental evils of motoring – technologies such as hybrid cars and the like.

It’s also one that makes the Kia Niro – which is pegged a hybrid utility vehicle (HUV) – one of the more popular releases from South Korea this year.

Essentially a hatchback on stilts, the crossover platform of the Niro puts it in contention with other hybrid SUVs in the international market – though it remains an exclusive purchase in the Sultanate and one among only a handful of such vehicles.

It’s handsome too. There’s no superfluous costcutting in the name of aerodynamics. In fact, the

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Kia’s latest green crossover – the Niro – takes on the great challenge of frugal commuting to keep the kilometres running without the added fuel pit-stops

Niro adds a few elements to aid air-flow – like a few inlets on the front bumper that channel in air to the tyres. We presume it’s placed to help cool the brakes for torque blending that aids the regenerative braking system. Either way, it all results in a drag coefficient of 0.29 – which is better than that of most crossovers in the segment today.

Looks-wise, the design bears Kia’s signature attire.

The front end is aggressive, with its large wedgeshaped headlamps that radiate deep into the fenders and the tiger-nose grille. There are pronounced character lines on the lightweight hood too that help emanate a sporty feel to the hybrid. But that’s not all: the lower air intake on the bumper also houses active flaps that close at higher speeds to reduce drag and increase efficiency.

The sides are sleek, with just the right blend of black plastic accents and a set of stylish 16-inch alloys. Also, the rear brings together handsome LED combination tail lamps, a silver garnish alongside an aesthetic diffuser on the bumper, and ‘Eco Hybrid’ badging to single itself out from Kia’s other products.

All the added dimensions mean you receive a spacious cabin. The Niro will seat five (or six at a stretch) in comfort, with plenty of leg- and headroom to spare – and the fabric seats in our tester are as snug as car seats can get. Bolstering is on the lighter side, but the supports and adjustments make for great seating positions for the driver.

There’s no shortage of tech either. A seven-inch TFT touchscreen makes up the dashboard, while the entertainment unit that offers Apple CarPlay also doubles up as a monitor that provides live feedback on the hybrid system and other nubs on fuel efficiency.

It’s a responsive screen that’s finished in matte to reduce fingerprint smidges. The interface is smooth, and it’s easily among the best screens we’ve used in an Asian-made car of late. The driver will also receive a 4.2-inch TFT LCD screen in the instrument cluster that displays a range of details – from the fuel economy readouts to live hybrid-system status and even the speed.

At 540-litres, boot space is commendable – especially with the addition of a high-voltage battery and spare wheel in the rear quarter of the car. To negate its effects, designers

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

KIA NIRO Specifications: • Engine: 1.6-litre in-line fourcylinder + electric motor • Transmission: 6-speed automatic • Horsepower: 146hp • Torque: 264Nm • Top speed: 172kph Front-wheel drive Reverse camera Fabric upholstery 7-inch infotainment screen Atkinson Cycle hybrid setup 1.56 kWh Lithium-Ion battery Reverse parking sensors LED daytime-running lights 6-speaker audio system Efficiency monitor Apple CarPlay 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen

have also crammed-in side pockets in the boot to help load smaller items.

Focusing on efficiency more than anything else, the Niro comes packing an Atkinson Cycle setup that packs a 1.6-litre GDi internal combustion engine producing 103hp and 147Nms of torque, coupled with a permanent magnet electric motor that buzzes out 43hp. Combined, the hybrid pumps out 146hp and 264Nms of torque.

The results are, quite frankly, astounding. Keeping performance aside, the car achieved over a two-day test period a fuel

economy readout of 4.6kms/litre of fuel – which is the best we’ve ever consistently achieved in a car. Our estimates show that the car can achieve over 800kms of on-road driving on a single tank (45-litres) of petrol.

A part of this can be put down to the intuitive hybrid system, which keeps the electric motor engaged to the front axle while moving away from a standstill, thereby reducing stress and the effects of the petrol motor in city traffic conditions.

Pump the accelerator pedal harder and the engine whirrs to life, coupling with the axle together with the electric motor to give the car an added boost. At highway speeds, the duo work in tandem to reduce load – though the engine also takes over the task of recharging the batteries on the go.

The battery – which is a 1.56 kWh Lithium-Ion pack that weighs 33kgs – can also be recharged by the regenerative braking system. With a voltage strong enough to keep the car purely on electric-only mode up to speeds of 80kph, the car remains quiet at regular cruising speeds.

It’s also a comfortable car to be in. The suspension is tuned to absorb smaller bumps but also take corners like a hatchback. Body-roll still creeps in corners at higher speeds but, for the most part, the car remains stable on the road – unscathed by crosswinds and vortices created by other larger vehicles.

THE NIRO IS A TRUE MASTERPIECE IN DISGUISE – AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN TODAY’S MOTORING SCENE IS HIGHLIGHTED BY NUMBERS AND HARD FACTS…ALL OF WHICH POINT TOWARDS A BRIGHTER AND GREENER FUTURE Driving dynamics remain neutral and are in line with what you’d expect from a hybrid. The steering is light, but not overly so to create an unstable driving feel, while the six-speed dual-clutch transmission responds quickly to rpm changes and is instinctual both on- and off-road.

Also commendable is the zero to 100kph time of 9.9 seconds (as tested

by Y on a cooler night), and the brake feel. The Niro brushes away all the undesirable nuances of a traditional regenerative system and offers seamless (and linear) braking when it blends in hydraulic friction with the brake-force from the generator.

Cars such as the Kia Niro are the automotive industry’s practical and realistic answer to the world’s global warming crisis – blending in the best of internal combustion engines with the power of a battery and electric motor to create a machine that prompts you to drive more efficiently and resourcefully.

The Niro is a true masterpiece in disguise – and its importance in today’s motoring scene is highlighted by numbers and hard facts…all of which point towards a brighter and greener future.

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GATEWAY TO THE ROCKIES Canada’s frontier city enters the post-oil age with innovation

1. Visit the endangered Vancouver Island marmot pups at the Calgary Zoo. 2. Rock out to a taste of Canadian music at the Calgary Folk Festival.

3. Take a daytrip outside the city to view the Badlands’ unique ‘hoodoo’ rock formations.

4. Explore the shops at the Inglewood Night Market and take home some souvenirs.

5. Tuck into some authentic Canadian cheese curds at Calgary’s Old School Cheesery Ltd.

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Ashlee Starratt recommends,

CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA G

rowing up on the east coast of Canada, the first time I truly understood the size and breadth of my country was on a family trip ‘out west’ in 2000. Flying six hours from Halifax to Calgary, we drove up into the mountains and through the Rockies - from Jasper, Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise, and down into British Columbia along the great Pacific highway to Vancouver.

But it was in Calgary where I had my first glimpse of the tall white peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains standing sentinel across the vast stretch of prairie grassland that beat a line to seam of the horizon. Considered one of two ‘Gateway to the Rockies’ cities alongside the provincial capital of Edmonton, Calgary was - and to some degree still is - a boom town.

During the heyday of Alberta’s ‘black goldrush’, this city on the banks of where the Bow and Elbow Rivers that was once a hub for 19 th-century fur traders exploded overnight with development as petroleum companies set up shop, immigrants flocked in from Canada’s Maritime provinces seeking a piece of opportunity, and retail sectors ballooned. With an estimated 1.7 trillion barrels of bitumen oil lodged in the Alberta tar sands, it’s the third largest oil reserve in the world - after Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

BUSTL IN G C But the process of extraction of oil from the sand has proven not only controversial but THE CA ROWDS CLA M LGARY catastrophic to the environment - making the province’s tar sands project one of Canada’s STAMP OUR AT EDE most environmentally and politically contentious investments.

Yet, for better or worse, Calgary - and many of Alberta’s boomtown cities - grew from its industry, developing into one of western Canada’s most vibrant and multicultural major cities. With a comprehensive public transit system and North America’s largest urban bikeway and pathway system - during the warmer months, your best bet to get around and see the city is on two wheels.

Traverse the city’s iconic Peace Bridge which spans the Bow River for spectacular views or take in the greenery among the great outdoors at the 20-hectare Prince’s Island Park or the 31 acres of fishing coves and wetlands to be found in the East Village’s St. Patrick’s Island area.

During the winter months, those who aren’t afraid to bundle up and brave the city’s sub-zero temperatures can lace up their skates and go for a twirl at the outdoor Olympic Plaza skating rink or do some last-minute holiday shopping at the Granary Road Christmas Markets.

Sports fans are in good company here in Calgary - a city that likes to work hard and play hard and home to the NHL’s Calgary Flames hockey team which takes up residence during Stanley Cup season at the city’s Olympic Saddledome stadium - a relic from the 1988 Olympic Winter Games.

For culture vultures Calgary is a city that both embraces its ‘Wild West’ persona while also offering up a vibrant landscape for arts and culture to thrive. Explore the many galleries along its Beltline district, take in some of the country’s finest examples of indigenous Canadian art at the Glenbow Museum and Nickle Galleries, visit during the annual High Performance Rodeo in January - Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts.

E WATERS U OI S E B L U THE TURQ OR A IN E OF L A K E M

My favourite place With 12 national parks and historic sites within day-tripping distance, make Calgary your home-base

for a side-quest to the Rockies or the Badlands. Just an hour-and-a-half ’s drive from Calgary is the town of Drumheller, Alberta. Driving through the flat prairie land, the earth seems to open up in yawning crack to swallow you whole as you drive down to greet it. Home to Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology, visitors can explore more than 130,000 fossils – including a full-size fossil specimen of a T-Rex. Spend an afternoon wandering through its galleries or exploring its grounds along the ‘Dinosaur Trail’ – aka the fossil-bearing Late Cretaceous Horseshoe Canyon Formation – with a pit-stop at the Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Egg Site.

Highlights Take a lift up the 190.8-metre tall free-standing Calgary Tower for unparalleled views of downtown Calgary, take in world-class musical acts and rodeo performance at the annual Calgary Stampede – dubbed ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’, or step back in time to the frontier days of the 19th-century at Fort Calgary.

Lowlights Winter temperatures in Calgary can drop as low as -25 or -30 degrees Celsius with wind chill factor making it extremely frigid – so be sure to bundle up.

Souvenirs Calgary Heritage coffee beans, Brassica mustard, a Calgary Stampede cowboy hat, handmade moccasins and quill-work jewelry from the Stoney Nakoda or Siksika First Nations communities, Old Dutch ketchup-flavoured potato chips.

Getting there Qatar Airways operates weekly service to Canada via Montréal, while Emirate and Etihad touch down in Toronto. From either city you can transfer to either an Air Canada codeshare or a WestJet flight to take you onwards to Calgary.

Where to stay Airbnb options abound, while the Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown is the perfect mid-

THE O FORMA THERWORL D T IO N S OF THE LY ROCK BADLA ND

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city hub. But find any and all options to suit your budget on booking.com, Kayak, Expedia, or Agoda.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

D e s t i n at i o n

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

Stocking Stuffers

The Y Geek Squad lines up the best deals on games and accessories to please even the hardiest of gamers this holiday season

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book or a subscription to Amazon Prime may seem like easy, sure-shot gifts fitting for the season – but you’d be cruel to skip past the great lineup of deals out there…especially if your mates aren’t bookworms or cinephiles (like us) as we inch towards the countdown to Christmas.

If you’re feeling festive and want to please your geek squad but don’t know what to get them, veer into the gaming arena to strike down a deal on a console or a lucrative package on games for that spot under the tree.

We round up the top picks of the season – from the gaming titles to the collectibles – all of which should win you brownie points among your friends and family.

THRUSTMASTER FERRARI 458 SPIDER + FORZA HORIZON 4

You can’t go wrong with a Ferrari – both on the tarmac or screen.

Emulate the feel of driving a 458 Spider (one of Ferrari’s finest builds) with the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider racing wheel for the Xbox One. The all-in-one device comes with a Ferrari-styled wheel, nine action buttons, one Manettino (the little switch that controls the driving dynamics), a D-pad, and textured grips to add to the ergonomics. You’ll also get gas and brake pedals, and paddle-shifters to sift through gears easily. Pair this with a copy of Forza Horizon 4 or Forza Motorsport 7 and you’ll be aces in your mate’s book.

PS4 PRO 'DEATH STRANDING' PACK

A game revolving around death and destruction may not seem very festive, but we promise you that this purchase will go down well with Sony’s PlayStation fans. The collectible will set you back a fortune – RO154 from amazon.com to be precise – but the bundle comes with a fully-loaded PS4 Pro, complete with 1TB of onboard storage, two unique translucent game controllers to create the right mood, 4K upscaling and rendering capabilities and, to top it all off, a copy of Death Stranding – one of the better releases of 2019. The openworld title conceived by infamous game creator, Hideo Kojima, revolves around a post-apocalyptic America and you – a courier tasked with connecting fractured factions of society, to create a wireless network that you can then use to regain control of Earth.

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AMD RADEON RX 5700 + METRO EXODUS

Only a true geek will appreciate this bundle – an AMD Radeon RX 5700 graphic card and the most graphic-intensive game of 2019, Metro Exodus. Putting it all together may be a tall ask –a and may require expert assistance – but when it’s all in place, you’ll be left with one of the most powerful budget graphic cards of the year to render out frames from Metro Exodus. The GPU only boasts 1440p resolution and 8GB GDDR6 memory, but it’s still capable of rendering the game between 40 and 60fps.

You wouldn’t want to crank the settings any lower, as the first-person shooter survival-horror stealth game relies on its graphical intricacies to showcase how humans take on mutated creatures in a post-apocalyptic world. Everything from the dynamic weather system to the dazzling environment deserves a chance to be let loose in a powerful PC – and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 will be up to the task.

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examination. This checkup reveals the tenderness of muscles and areas around tendon insertions, teamed with other somatic symptoms.”

Facing the challenge

In the case of fibromyalgia, pain may not make you look sick – when in truth a person is in fact experiencing a great deal of physical discomfort within. Facing indifference from friends, family, or even colleagues can make a fibromyalgia diagnosis all the more challenging, as patients who feel judged by those around them can face added mental and emotional distress which can lead to further feelings of anxiety or even depression. Coping with chronic, nagging pain and the feeling of frustration when people refuse to believe you’re actually suffering creates an added stigma around the disorder.

“Chronic pain is much more complex than shortlived painful conditions,” says Dr. Sivarajan. “Even the perception of pain and painful stimulus varies from person to person. Sometimes a person suffering from chronic pain remains active, while the same pain makes someone else feel disabled.”

Significant traumatic injury with outward physical presentation tends to draw sympathy – a broken arm in a cast, a burn on our leg, for example. But chronic internal pain quickly becomes difficult to comprehend as there is no outward physical change.

Case in point – 32-year-old Asma*, an IT professional based in Muscat, and a fibromyalgia sufferer. She says: “I have severe morning pain, stiffness, and fatigue that follows me all through the day. People think I’m lazy as I don’t look sick from the outside, but my body aches from within. Most people don’t believe me – and even some doctors have suggested that I should visit a psychiatrist instead. It’s even more stressful to make the other person in front of me to understand the truth about my pain and fatigue.”

TOUCHING A NERVE For fibromyalgia patients, suffering in silence is no longer an option. Swati Basu Das sheds light on how this once misperceived ‘phantom’ disorder is finally being given the attention it deserves within the medical community

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ain wears many faces, both physical and psychological – and are so often intertwined. As often as it presents outwardly – a fracture, a cut, a bruise, an injury…so too does it present (enough to lay us low) without any visible outward signs at all.

This is perhaps the most insidious aspect of the disorder known as fibromyalgia – that the sufferer is in acute pain without any one pinpointed cause.

The prestigious US-based Mayo Clinic classifies fibromyalgia as a disorder ‘characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood disorders.’

In other words – you’re aching or experiencing shooting pains all seemingly invisible to conventional diagnoses. Sufferers, as a result, may often feel judged by family, friends, or even healthcare practitioners – having their symptoms passed off as being ‘made up’; and it’s this ordeal of having to provide physical evidence to justify the reality of the throbbing pain they’re experiencing in order to convince those around them that can also have significant implications on a patient’s mental health too.

To experience chronic, undetectable pain – as fibromyalgia almost always presents – is to often endure judgment and cynicism in the face of an already challenging situation. Considered to be an ‘invisible’ disease, fibromyalgia patients tend to be misdiagnosed due to a lack of specific tests for the condition, coupled with symptoms overlapping other illnesses that make its presence difficult to substantiate. A disorder that affects the muscles,

Getting diagnosed

soft tissues, and any number of tender trigger points throughout the body, fibromyalgia’s calling card is pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance.

Even celebrities such as musician Lady Gaga, and actresses Janeane Garofalo and Susan Flannery have opened up about their own struggles with fibromyalgia – and how every ache is a reminder of how debilitating the condition can become when chronic fatigue also sets in.

“Fibromyalgia doesn’t cause any abnormalities in routine clinical laboratory testing,” explains Dr. Sunuraj Sivarajan, a Specialist in Internal Medicine at NMC Hospital in Ruwi. “It’s necessary to know the complex, regional pain syndrome to spearhead a treatment for fibromyalgia – as the diagnosis remains mostly overlooked and untreated. The most common way of tracing fibromyalgia is by palpation in multiple soft tissue sites during physical

Given its complexity, fibromyalgia may easily remain undiagnosed for years. And, although there is no cureall pill for the disorder as of yet, experts believe in a multi-faceted approach to managing the condition via a combination of alternative treatments, exercises, and lifestyle change that can help potentially alleviate symptoms.

“It’s important to be familiar with the ailment – as a failure to correctly diagnose fibromyalgia makes it even more difficult to treat its symptoms,” states Dr. Sivarajan. “A generalized musculoskeletal pain is more likely in women between the ages of 20 and 55 – and, quite often, this illness reveals its true self along with other health disorders. Fibromyalgia comes along with other ailments like headaches, jaw pain, and irritable bowel syndrome. Sometimes treatment involves more than one healthcare provider. Besides medication, physiotherapy, and dietary routine, stress management should also be taken into consideration. Staying physically active can help relieve symptoms of pain, stress, and anxiety.”

• Chronic pain and tender points throughout the body.

• Cognitive disturbances known as ‘fibro fog’ – Ex: lack of concentration and memory loss.

• Sleep disturbances • Morning pain and stiffness

• Fatigue • Paresthesia – a creeping or crawling sensation of the skin and numbness in the arms and legs • Headaches • Anxiety

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

FASHION

SUB-ZERO STYLE

From ‘Harry Potter’ scarves, to shearling collars, day-glo duds, and oversized trench coats, the trends this winter for fashionable fellas are outdoorsy meets urban.

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, 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 Keep comfy and chic in a classic winter

Hitting the Al Hajar for some weekend hiking?

Keep your trousers thermal, yet loose, with a pair of trekkers that come with ample cargo pockets and protection from the elements.

These belted pair from M&S come with a zipoff option to convert them into shorts in case you work up a sweat. Price: RO19.9.

pullover you’ll want to wear all year-round.

We love the thin cable-knit of this mustardcoloured thermal from Bershka – and you will to! Snag it for RO16.9.

Going to great lengths to keep warm this season? Wrap yourself up tight in a scarf that you can easily dress up or down. This classic, checked version from Gap will keep you bundled up nicely. Price: RO11.5.

Keep warm and cozy while camping at Jebel Shams this weekend in a jacket that goes the distance when it comes to warmth and waterproof. This claret-coloured version from M&S is lined with faux-shearling and will set you back a cool RO44.9.

Whether you’re trekking up the dunes of the Sharqiyah Sands or navigating the cliffside trails of Jebel Al Akhdar, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got traction on your side. These ankle-grazing Gore-Tex treads from Clark’s will have you covered.

Wear them for RO58.1.

Don’t even think of braving the elements this winter without protecting your gadgets too. Drop it, bump it, stamp it, this OtterBox case will keep your smartphone from biting the dust – no matter what you throw at it. The catch?

At RO23.4 it’s on the pricier side, but well worth it.

Don’t lose your grip just because it’s cold outside. Slip on this pair of brown leather gloves from H&M and get that beach-side campfire started under the stars. Wear them for RO11.5.

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Reviews CHRISTMAS CHEER

YUMMY

Festive family favourites get a new lease on flavour this holiday season

Seasonal

taste

This holiday season, make your next festive feast a memorable one with an array of tasty offerings that are as crowd-pleasing as they are simple to prepare

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f the thought of Christmas dinner ‘round your place makes you break out into a cold sweat, then this is the article for you.

Hosting a festive feast should be a delicious – and enjoyable – experience with something for everyone.

Enjoyable for who, exactly? Well, your guests of course…but also the host or hostess extraordinaire.

A little planning in advance will help you make sure you’re not run ragged and stressed to the max by the time the turkey’s served. Do your research and play around with menu planning. There are loads of simple, yet tasty recipes out there that won’t have you running a marathon to make. Or, better yet, can easily be prepared ahead of time – this is especially true of desserts.

But before we jump into some of our favourite festive recipes that will help you do just that, here are few top tips to help you on your way to making your next Christmas dinner with family and friends a delectable one.

1. Get a head start – From stuffing, fruit cakes, and even cranberry sauce, there are loads of items that you can prepare ahead of time, a day or two before the main event to help cut down on your Christmas Day workload in the kitchen.

2. Keep it simple – If you’ve done your prep ahead of time then, on the day of, it’s just a matter of getting the turkey in the oven and putting together those items you’ve made ahead of time. Which means… more time for you to put your feet up and enjoy!

3. Smile and delegate – Don’t think you have to do it all on your own – that’s what children, spouses, and close family are for! Need help getting the table settings in place? Or transferring items to serving dishes? Or (especially!) the washing up afterwards?

There’s a family member for that.

Now, here are some flavourful festive recipes to help you on your way!

Christmas Cheeseboard § Chill goat’s cheese before Need a simple starter that’s cutting into discs. both comforting and savoury? § Slice block cheeses like There’s nothing quite so cheddar and red Leicester simple and chic as a luscious into rectangles, then cheeseboard replete with across diagonally to make textures and bolstered with smart wedges, or cut into dried fruits, olives, nuts, and little cubes. sticky-sweet chutneys! § Add piles of different Ingredients: shaped biscuits, crackers, § Goat’s cheese, one block and breadsticks. § Cheddar cheese, one block § Use small bowls for § Red Leicester cheese, one chutney, mustard, olives, block and honey or chili jam. § Blue cheese or gorgonzola, § Leave softer cheeses one block (such as brie and creamy § Brie cheese, one block or crumbly blue) whole. § Havarti cheese, one block § Pepper the platter with § Roasted cashews, pecans, bunches of grapes, figs and smoked almonds and apple slices. § A variety of crackers and/or (Source: www.olivemagazine.com) breadsticks § Fresh grapes and apples slices § Dried apricots and figs § Marinated olives § Chutney or chili jam Method: § Space out the cheeses on a large board or platter, leaving plenty of room around them. § Fill in smaller gaps with roasted cashews, pecans, and smoked almonds.

Roast Chicken with Mixed Mushroom Stuffing large frying pan over medium heat. Add your onion and garlic and cook for about ten minutes until soft, but not coloured. Add the mushrooms with the leaves from a few of your thyme sprigs. Turn the heat up to high and fry for five to ten minutes until the mushrooms go slightly crispy.

Remove from the heat, grate in the zest of the lemon, and season well. Tip into a bowl and leave to one side to cool.

Once the mixture has cooled, use clean hands to mix in the pine nuts and breadcrumbs, then add the egg.

Ingredients: Carefully push your fingers between the meat and skin § Olive oil on the top of the chicken then gently create a pocket § 1 onion, peeled and finely for the stuffing. Push a quarter of the stuffing into this chopped pocket and roll the remaining mixture into balls and pop § 4 cloves garlic, peeled and to one side. Cut your zested lemon in half and place in finely sliced the chicken cavity with the remaining thyme sprigs. Pop § 500 grams mixed, your chicken in a roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil and interesting mushrooms season with salt and pepper. (such as shiitake, oyster, § Place in the pre-heated oven and turn the heat down to chestnut etc.), cleaned 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Cook for 40 minutes, then add your large ones chopped up, mushroom stuffing small ones ripped up balls to the tray. Return § 1 bunch fresh thyme to the oven and cook for § 1 lemon a further 35 minutes § Sea salt until gorgeous and § Freshly-ground black golden. To check your pepper chicken is cooked, § 1 large handful pine nuts stick a skewer into the § 2 large handfuls fresh fattest part of the thigh white breadcrumbs – if the juices run clear, § 1 free-range egg, beaten your chicken is done. § 1 whole chicken, Leave to rest for ten to approximately 1.5 kg 15 minutes, covered loosely with tin foil, Method: then serve with fluffy § Preheat your oven to roast potatoes and 240°C/475°F/gas 9. Heat seasonal greens. a good lug of olive oil in a Forgo the massive turkey this year for a simpler – yet no less tasty roast chicken.

We’re adding this succulent bird with an earthy mixed mushroom stuffing courtesy of celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver to our festive menu wish-list! §

Healthy Christmas Fruit Cake Grain- and gluten-free, this sweet Christmas classic gets a guilt-free upgrade – without skimping on taste!

Ingredients: § 500 grams mixed dried fruits § 75 grams walnuts (3/4 cup) § 1 orange § 125 grams almond flour/meal (1 ¼ cups) § 67 grams coconut flour (½ cup) § ½ tsp bicarb soda § ½ tsp salt § 3 tsp mixed all-spice § 1 tsp ground cinnamon § 5 eggs § 50 grams butter or coconut oil, melted (¼ cup) § 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

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§ §

§

§ Method: § Start by soaking the fruit. Fill your kettle and pop it on to boil while you organise all the dried fruit into a large bowl. If you’re using larger fruit like § dates and apricots, roughly chop them up first. Pour the hot water over the fruit and allow to sit for ten to 15 minutes to soften and then drain and allow to cool to room temperature. § Preheat your oven to 150 Celsius.

Line a 20cm cake tin (preferably spring-form) with baking paper along the base and sides. § Combine the almond flour, coconut flour, bicarb, salt, all-spice and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.

Zest the orange, roughly chop the walnuts, and add the zest and walnuts to the bowl. Keep the orange. § In a separate bowl, whisk together

the eggs, melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla. Squeeze in the juice of the orange (it doesn’t matter if some pulp goes in).

Create a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and gradually stir in the wet mixture, stirring as you go (coconut flour is very absorbent so it’s better to add it gradually). You should end up with a very thick batter, almost like a wet crumbly dough.

Make sure your soaked fruit is well drained, and then add this to the cake batter. Fold it in with a spoon until combined evenly.

Scoop the cake batter into your lined baking tin and press down with your fingers or the back of a spoon until there are no gaps and the top is smooth.

Bake the cake for between 60 - 70 minutes, or until the top is well browned and the centre feels firm to touch.

If you’re going to glaze the cake, do so immediately while the cake is hot, brushing on your glaze of choice with a pastry brush. You can also poke a few holes in the cake and then drizzle it over.

Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 30 minutes and then place on a wire rack to cool to room temperature. (Store in the fridge for about one week, or freeze for a longer life.)

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REVIEWS

THE COUNTDOWN SPORTS LOUNGE Kempinski Hotel Muscat Al Mouj Opening hours: Mon - Wed 6:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Thurs – Sat 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Contact: (+968) 2498-5000

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

Kempinski Hotel Muscat’s family-friendly sports lounge kicks up dust as it plates up scrummy dishes while upholding the ambience of a full-fledged sports lounge.

THE COUNTDOWN SPORTS LOUNGE THE KEMPINSKI HOTEL MUSCAT WINS OVER SPORTS BUFFS WITH AN ALL-NEW LOUNGE THAT BRINGS A MODERN CULINARY TWIST TO AN AGE-OLD CONCEPT

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t’s hard to describe an ideal night out on a working weekday, but devouring a rack of ribs on one hand and few other munchies to go with it as we soak in some football action is as close as it gets to brushing away the blues after a long, hard day.

Perhaps it’s that, or our incessant need to hit the pause button on work nights, that keeps us on our toes and on the lookout for a goodish sports lounge to unwind.

And, after spending some 15 years in the country with little to no hope of finding one that delivers across all fronts – quality food, humble prices, and an atmosphere to match – we think we hit the jackpot this week at the Countdown Sports Lounge at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat.

Decked out in style with high-quality televisions, wooden walls, and LED lighting to complement a setting that’s plush with a myriad of colours emanating from the TV screens, The Countdown Sports Lounge easily steals top spot as a staple worthy of wearing a ‘sports lounge’ nametag.

Walking into the lounge, we’re welcomed by the manager and Eden, our waitress, who seat us in a vacant corner of the lounge. The atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful as we glance through the menu. There’s an elaborate selection to sift through too – from signature burgers and hot wings, to steaks and salads for those weightwatchers.

Our order is quite extravagant. Though, Chef Nicolas Madueno is keen to explain each dish to us and also accommodate our mate’s dietary and allergic requirements in an interaction after Eden pens down our order.

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Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

accompanied by golden brown waffles, chives, and doused in maple syrup. While the latter adds richness to the waffles, it also gives the crispy deepfried chicken a savoury touch that we quite enjoy.

But, it’s no match for the rib-rack. With enough beef for two (or even three) people, the half-rack (which is a 1kg monstrosity) is a generous dose of barbequed and baked meat. The burst-in-yourmouth-flavours flow with every bite, and the tender fall-off-the-bone ribs are baked to perfection and among the best we’ve tried recently.

This carries over to the Cheesy Burger too.

There’s no taking away the splendour of an honest medium-rare and high-fat beef patty, topped off with pickled gherkins, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, layers of delectable beef bacon, and goops of matured cheddar – it really is a masterpiece.

Having filled ourselves up to the brim, we’re not too keen on dessert – but throw caution to the wind The Golden Rings, Super Food Bowl, and Fire anyway and order up the Snickers Delight, which Wings are the first to arrive. is battered Snickers bar soused in vanilla ice cream, The deep-fried, batter-heavy onion rings are a chocolate fudge, and condensed milk. delight. Crispy on the outside yet not too stodgy It’s a calorific combo worthy of indulging in. on the inside, we proclaim them to be one of the From the sweet batter, to the gooey, chocolatey better starters we’ve had recently. This goes for Snickers, the ice cream and the cocoa fudge, there’s the Super Food Bowl too – which is a dish done a lot to savour in the dessert – even for us after up with quinoa, kale, corn, feta cheese, tomato, having just downed a hearty meal. avocado, and honey mustard dressing.

In all, we relish our time at The Countdown Our mate rates it high, deeming it a creamy, wholesome, and perfectly balanced salad; with the Sports Lounge – it’s a welcome addition to sweetness of the honey-mustard dressing offsetting Muscat’s nightlife scene that fulfills the pleas of many patrons who have, for long, asked for a the tartness of the feta cheese (though smaller restaurant with an ambience fit enough to carry chunks would have been good), and serving up a perfect balance of textures. The crunch of the kale their flags in to cheer for their favourite teams in and sweet corn, and the creaminess of the cheese, the world of sport. And, yet again, Muscat tomatoes, and avocado, and the earthy nuttiness of has delivered. ■ the quinoa makes for a very moreish plate.

Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see Meanwhile, the chicken wings, which we ask reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com. for to be flaming hot, are a delight. Garnished to perfection in the chef ’s signature sauce, the fiery hot wings do justice to their name. The hint of tanginess coupled with the generous dose of chilies has us in tears – quite literally – and are easily a must-order in our books. Though, it’s worth noting that you’ll need to personally ask for the hottest sauce to receive it.

It’s a stark contrast to our main course, which is comprised of a rack of Beef Ribs, Waffled Chicken, and a Countdown Cheesy Burger – all rich in flavour but subtle on the spice front.

The Waffled Chicken – which is exactly what its name says – is a Cajun crispy chicken schnitzel

We have it.

You’ve got it.

Let’s share it.

We’re proud of who we are and where we’re from.

Share your passion and let’s celebrate our taste for life together.