Y issues 517, April 26, 2018

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News: 15,000 ATHLETES TO TAKE 10 PART IN OMAN-INDIA SPORTS MEET

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APR 26 - MAY 02 2017 / ISSUE 517 • WEEKLY

POSE BY

THE ROSE

PLUS!

TOURISTS FLOCK TO JABAL AKHDAR AS PEAKS BLOOM

MARVELLOUS MUNICH

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NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

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SUMMER GADGETS

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FASHION PAINS

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward

Win back your life with our state-of-the-art rehabilitation

I

t is that time of year when the beautiful Jabal Akhdar turns pink, celebrating the season of rose harvest in Oman.

Every year, from the end of March to mid-May, the rugged, rocky mountain landscape of Jabal Akhdar — the Green Mountain in Arabic — gets transformed into a spectacular shade of pink. Rows of pink roses in full bloom are a sight to behold, and Omani photographers who have been visiting the picturesque Jabal Akhdar have been gorging on the veritable feast for the eyes.

The season of roses on Jabal Akhdar is always a photographer’s delight. This one is no different as the shutterbugs have brought their best equipment to capture the blooming beauties. In this week’s cover story, we feature some of the best pictures taken from the Green Mountain.

This week we are also launching the ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ campaign to help improve safety on Oman’s roads, giving children a chance to win a share of cash prizes totalling RO150. With the number of accidents on the roads of Oman rising at alarming levels, there’s never been a better time than now to start making a change.

So take the pledge with us!

Welcome to the Physiotherapy Department at Burjeel Medical Centre.

Specialties: Ÿ

Pain management (back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain etc .)

Ÿ

Help and prevention in injury recovery

Ÿ

Relieve stress and muscle tension

Ÿ

Flexibility improvement

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Mobility improvement

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Complementary techniques and high technology modalities

Happy reading!

editor@y-oman.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Nishad Padiyarath

burjeel medical centre po box 1465, al azaiba, muscat, sultanate of oman call: 2208 5252 | e-mail: info@bmcoman.com www.bmcoman.com Our other medical facility - burjeel hospital, Al khuwair- 24399777

MOH.NO – 107/2018

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER/REPORTER Hasan Al Lawati

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REPORTER Alvin Thomas

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

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APR 26 - MAY 02 / ISSUE 517

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contents

Features 20 Bloom!

Don’t miss the rose

magic on the peaks of

Jabal Akhdar

APRIL 26 - MAY 02 2018

Your Oman

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman

Robin Sebastian 10

News 15,000 athletes to take part in Oman-India sports meet

12

News Two jailed, fined for improper sale of food to school

18

This Week Want to check

out the latest in technological developments?

Visit Comex at OCEC

19

Movies Avengers: Inifinity War is set to release in Oman today

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28

Road Safety Pledge Y calls out children and parents to join the ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ and win fabulous prizes

20 Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Wadi Bayda 34 First Drive

Toyota Yaris 38 Y-Fi

Cool pick

38

19 Health and Beauty 38 Fashion

Fashion Pains 43 Health

Foot for thought

Food and Drink 44 Food Feature

Summer fresh 46 Taste Test d2xme

44

40

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

Adieu Tributes pour in for the Swedish DJ who died in Oman on Friday

T

he death of DJ Avicii, whose supreme knack for uplifting, melodic pop-house hits made him one of the world’s biggest dance producers, has left fans and fellow musicians in deep shock.

He was just 28. He headlined arenas, notched up billions of streams and worked with some of the biggest names in music, but suffered health problems and struggled with life on the road.

Artists have been paying tribute to Avicii who died in Oman on Friday. It’s not yet known how the Swedish DJ died but two years ago he announced his retirement after suffering from health problems.

Rita Ora, who he recently collaborated with on the track Lonely Together, tweeted that she had “no words” after hearing the

news.

Diplo posted that Avicii’s music will “live forever”, writing that he “set the precedent” for other producers.

Radio 1 presenter Annie Mac began her 06

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Friday evening show paying tribute to Avicii, saying it’s a “massive loss for dance music” and that it was “absolutely devastating news”.

It’s known that the 28-year-old has been suffering from pancreatitis, reportedly caused by heavy drinking.

He once said in an interview: “Drinking became routine for me, but it’s impossible to keep up touring and drinking at the same time, because you are going to crash.”

The electronic dance music (EDM) star reportedly made $250,000 (£180,000) a night on tour.

It was after Avicii’s, real name Tim Bergling, 2011 hit Levels that he achieved worldwide acclaim.

During his career he notched up 11 billion streams on Spotify and was the first EDM DJ to stage a worldwide arena tour, nominated for two Grammy Awards and had nine UK top 10 singles, including two number ones. American musician Skrillex remixed that song and posted online that he was “a genius and an innovator, yet sensitive and humble”.

In 2016 Avicii announced he was retiring from touring, after health complications, but it’s thought it’s something he didn’t really enjoy.

Nicky Romero, who collaborated with Avicii on I Could Be The One, said: “He was more of the musician in the studio than the guy that wants to be on stage, tour the world.

“I never really thought that he was super enjoying his DJ sets. It felt like he wanted to do it but he didn’t want to feel the pressure of it or be the guy that’s in the spotlight in front of thousands and thousands of people.”

THE VOICE OF OMAN WE HAVE BEEN TRACKED ONLINE RIGHT FROM DAY ONE OF THE INTERNET ERA, AND THAT’S PLAIN TRUTH. ROBIN SEBASTIAN LISTS OFF SOME SIMPLE FIXES

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Muscat Municipality is considering asking shops to provide paper bags instead of plastic ones. What are your thoughts?

ROSHINI NAIR

I think it’s the best possible way to reduce plastics consumption. Just talking about it or writing articles about the hazardous nature of plastic or hanging out ‘SAY NO TO PLASTIC’ posters is of no use.

A

fter Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica controversy, everyone started asking the question: ‘Are we being tracked or monitored online?’ The answer is a bold ‘YES’.

Even from the very beginning of the Internet era all the users have been tracked by leading service provides for various research and marketing purposes. The only difference is that, at the early stage, the number of data points tracked was limited. But now, all major search engines and social media companies are tracking all possible details of the users for marketing purposes.

Nothing is free in this world! All free digital service providers are using or selling user data to advertisers and other research agencies, as they all need to make money to run their business. Users are able to use the services free of cost from digital giants like Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter, etc. only because they generate revenue from advertisement. And those advertisers need to target their core audience based on available data through online platforms.

How can we control?

The only thing we can do to ensure our data privacy is to have a strict control on the access or approval we provide to these online platforms. Under various personal data protection acts, online service providers are supposed to take consent from the users before tracking their personal information. However, they will smartly keep all these terms in a very long terms and conditions document. Most of us don’t ever read the terms and conditions but accept them. We should be careful about the websites we visit and the approvals we provide them. Also, we should log out from the pages whenever they are not in use. Another way to avoid tracking our vital information is to clear the cookies and cache from our system on a regular basis.

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RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE

It is important to take all aspects of the issue into account. Paper is produced out of trees which are a renewable resource but a great deal of energy is required to convert trees into paper and finally to paper bags. There are two major negative impacts involved in the process. The manufacturing process produces greenhouse gases. When more trees are felled to make more paper there will be fewer left to absorb greenhouse gases. On the other hand, crude oil is a major source of plastics production, and it is a non-renewable energy resource. Plastics can be recycled but the process is more challenging and less rewarding than paper recycling. One of the best ways to help the environment is to reuse the bags whether they are made of paper or plastic.

WAFAA EL ANANY

Durable reusable bags are the best solution to the problem. This requires a serious commitment from customers to the protection of the environment. We need to carry our own reusable bags when we are out shopping.

ZAHID SAEED

Paper bags are good but will they be as sturdy as the plastic ones to carry heavy stuff, like a couple kilogrammes of potatoes? Shops must make sure the paper bags are good enough to

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carry heavy purchases. A better option will be jute bags — they are durable, they can hold heavy items and they can be used for years.

VIVEK VIJAYAKUMAR

We use plastic bags to carry things bought from hypermarkets to our homes and, thereafter, many of us use them for other purposes: they are used in dustbins to safely and cleanly deposit household waste and dispose it of. We also use them to store vegetables in the fridge. Plastic bags have occupied a big role in our daily life: many housewives will have a big plastic bag to store the smaller ones that can be used when needed! Well, we all get them from hypermarkets — they are our major sources for plastic bags, so any move to curtail the use of plastics bags need to be targeted at these shops. Plastic is not easily biodegradable and it is dangerous to burn them because of the dangerous gases they emit. On the other hand, when we switch from the convenient plastic bags to the environmental-friendly paper ones, the main issue is that the paper ones are not good enough to hold heavy things. No doubt we need to protect the environment and customers will have to get used to the new way of shopping.

JASON FELIX NORONHA

All shops should support the initiative to reduce the use of plastic bags and encourage people to use paper bags. However, the change should be introduced in a phased manner.

MOHAN ANANDAN

Turning over to paper bags means more trees are cut, which calls for efforts to plant and create

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sufficient eco-cover to minimise the impact on the environment. However, the fact that paper bags can be easily recycled for reuse and that they are biodegradable make them a better alternative to plastic bags. But paper bags may not be good to carry heavy items, so more number of bags may be required for big shoppers. Currently, plastic bags are not put into use to the optimum level as supermarket assistants are quite generous: four bags are used to pack the purchase that can be safely put in a single bag. Levying a nominal fee for plastic bags or paper bags would discourage wastage leading to a more sensible and economic use. Looking at the issue differently, it will be a game changer if the shoppers bring their own jute bags. It requires a change in our attitude. Shoppers elsewhere in the world are doing so without any grudge and have realised its profound impact.

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PIYUSH ARVINDKUMAR was spotted with his favourite Y Magazine in Muscat

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

It is needless to mention the hazards of plastic bags, which have been discussed by experts for years, but not much has been done to get rid of the menace. Even hypermarkets where “Say No To Plastic To Protect The Planet� posters are displayed are dishing out plastic bags. I hope Muscat Municipality will strictly implement the new decision.

New Debate: Using personal connections to make illegitimate gains is wrong and it harms society. Does wasta still exist in Oman?

Do you have any such experiences?

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

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THIS IS YOUR SPOT! Just send us your picture with Y Magazine or pose with our photographer and we will publish it on this page

Send it to: info@y-oman.com

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Y Magazine reader Sukhil Suresh captures the beauty of Muttrah Corniche using his Samsung A5.

Send your photo to editor@y-oman.com to be featured in our new section, Through Your Eyes. Include where it was taken, your name and a few details about your photograph, such as the camera used.

PHOTO: Sukhil Suresh

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15,000 ATHLETES TO TAKE PART

IN OMAN-INDIA SPORTS MEET

early 15,000 athletes from India and Oman will be taking part in a six-month-long sports festival being organised to strengthen bilateral ties.

The 2018 Oman-India Sports Meet, which begins on May 4, will see teams from both nations compete in six sports: football, volleyball, cricket, hockey, badminton and athletics.

There will be a nerve-wracking match between India’s I-League team Gokulam FC and a yetto-be-named top Omani club, which will be a major draw at the event that will be opened by Shaikh Khalid bin Omar al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Services, at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Baushar.

The meet is being organised by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with the Malayalam wing of the Indian Social Club (ISC) and the Sultanate’s Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs to commemorate 70 years of Indian independence and foster better relations with Oman, a nation with which India has strong ties that go back centuries.

“The exciting sports event titled Oman-India Sports Meet 2018 being organised as part of the India at 70 project is an opportunity for Omani and Indian nationals to play friendly matches, which will promote camaraderie and foster goodwill among the people of both countries,” Indian Ambassador Indramani Pandey said.

A host of Omani sports stars are expected to be honoured at the event, including tennis star Fatma Al Nabhani, sailor Ibtisam Al Salmi, rally car champion Ahmad Al Harthy, legendary athlete Mohammed Al Malki, champion footballer Ali Al Habsi, former Olympian Mohammed Al Balushi, and golfer Azzam Al Rumhi. In addition, all of Oman’s 2017 Gulf Cup winners will be felicitated.

Several Indian sportspersons, such as cricket stars Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, badminton aces Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, Olympic shooter Abhinav Bindra, boxing legend Mary Kom and PV Chitra, one of India’s fastest athletes, are expected to arrive for the event.

SMART CITIES BOOST OMAN’S IT

MARKET TO RO122M BY 2019

S

mart Cities investment is boosting Oman’s IT market to a record-high of RO122 million by 2019, industry experts have announced at COMEX Oman.

Supporting Oman Future Vision 2040 transformation goals, public and private sectors are investing in Smart Cities initiatives to transform citizen experiences, and enhance productivity and national economic competitiveness. With these Smart Cities initiatives, Oman’s IT market is set to grow by 9 per cent to a record high of RO122 million by 2019, according to a recent reportby BMI Research.

Digital transformation enabler SAP argues that Oman’s most rapidly digitising Smart Cities verticals are government services, transportation and logistics, tourism, healthcare, and education.

“Oman’s Smart Cities are rapidly moving from theory to reality. COMEX is an ideal platform to showcase how Smart Cities can enhance quality of life, enable real-time decision-making, and drive new levels of economic growth and job creation,” said Waheed Al Hamaid, Country Manager, SAP Oman. “As Oman enhances its global trade routes, smart ports have a strong opportunity to make it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to ship goods through Oman.”

“The next phase for Oman’s Smart Cities will be adopting a digital platform to connect emerging innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and the Internet of Things,” said Dr Hichem Maya, Head of Industries, SAP MENA, who will present a COMEX keynote. “Oman’s Smart Cities can better predict citizen needs, and become more sustainable and competitive.”

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ELEGANCE

GALLERY

CARTIER HELD, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A WATCHMAKING EVENT IN MUSCAT, OMAN,AT THE CHEDI HOTEL ALONGSIDE WITH KHIMJI’S WATCHES, THE MAISON’S TRUSTED PARTNER

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TWO FINED, JAILED FOR SALE OF CAKE

WITHOUT EXPIRY DATE TO SCHOOL

wo expatriates have been fined RO2,000 and ordered jailed and then deported for selling food to a kindergarten without specifying a validity period on the packaging.

The Court of First Instance in the wilayat of Samail recently issued the judgment against two defendants for violating Consumer Protection Law No. 66/2014 and its executive regulations.

“The Department of Consumer Protection in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate received a report from one of the kindergarten schools in the wilayat of Samail stating that a salesman of Arab nationality sold food items (cakes) that did not have expiration dates,” the Public Authority for Consumer Protection said in a statement online.

Upon investigation the PACP noticed that the validity dates were scratched out from the packaging. The goods were confiscated. It was found that the food was sourced from a company operating in the shipping and export industry in Muscat Governorate.

The court convicted the first defendant of providing the consumer with incorrect information about the product, and sentenced him to a year’s imprisonment and a fine of RO1,000. The court ordered him permanently deported from the country.

The court convicted the second defendant in absentia of failing to provide the consumer with correct information about the product and hiring a non-Omani worker who was not authorised to work with him. The second defendant was given the same punishment.

MINISTRY ORDERS COMPANIES TO DO RANDOM DRUG TESTS ON WORKERS

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wners of businesses in certain sectors must carry out random medical checks on employees to curb drug and alcohol intake, according to a new Ministry of Manpower decision.

Article 1 of ministerial decision No. 133/2018 states that “a new Article (24) shall be added to the Regulation on Occupational Safety and Health for Establishments subject to the labour law”.

Article 24 reads: “Owners of establishments in the following sectors: oil and gas, ports and airports, electricity and water should conduct random periodic medical examinations for their workers to ensure that they do not consume any drugs, psychotropic substances, or alcoholic beverages. The employer must also take measures to ensure that work sites are free from such substances.”

Salem bin Saeed Al Badi, Director-General of Labour Welfare at the Ministry of Manpower, said: “All companies have to abide by the decision to avoid any legal accountability.”

Al Badi told the media that the move aimed at protecting the workers.

“Such sectors are very sensitive and provide several services. Drugs and alcohol intakes are very dangerous to both workers and sectors,” he said.

He added that no complaints had been received by the ministry in this regard.

“It’s a precautionary measure for the sake of all,” he said. Originally, Article 24 of ministerial decision No. 286/2008, which dealt with the regulation of occupational safety and health for establishments, did not mention specific industries.

Furthermore, the previous Article 24 did not specify conducting random medical tests for drugs or alcohol. It was mainly focused on workers exposed to any occupational disease.

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GRAND OPENING

GALLERY

RENNA MOBILE OPENED A 24-HOUR SALES AND SERVICE CENTRE AT THE NEW MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

BOOST TO TOURISM KEMPINSKI HOTEL MUSCAT WAS INAUGURATED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF H H SAYYID TAIMUR BIN ASAAD BIN TARIQ AL SAID IN THE PRESENCE OF ALMOST 500 GUESTS AND BAND MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL OMAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

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YOUR

COMEX 2018

OMAN

THE 28TH EDITION OF COMEX 2018 WAS LAUNCHED AT THE OMAN CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ON MONDAY. THE SIX-DAY EVENT IS SPLIT INTO THREE ELEMENTS — BUSINESS AND E-OMAN; SHOPPER AND SMART HOMES; AND SMART CITY & INDUSTRY 4.0 SUMMIT.

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GALLERY

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YOUR

ENGINEERING MASTERPIECES

OMAN

THE FIRST-EVER BMW X2, THE NEW BMW X3, THE NEW BMW 6 SERIES GRAN TURISMO AND THE NEW BMW M5 WAS LAUNCHED IN OMAN ON TUESDAY.

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In a new series, we look for inspiration from a variety of influences around Oman, including its people, places and wildlife.

Today’s inspiration: Time spent with a cat is never wasted.

Photo: Shaquel Al Balushi APR 26 - MAY 02 / ISSUE 517

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE Want to check out the latest in technological developments across industries related to Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities, Transport, Healthcare, Building & Infrastructure, Retail, Finance, Education, Open Industry and Oil & Gas? Then visit COMEX exhibition today at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. Besides, the Smart City and Industry 4.0 Summit held alongside COMEX will explore how to adapt concepts to meet the needs of smart city projects in Oman and transform today’s urban environment into tomorrow’s smart cities while COMEX Shopper will be a haven for homeowners hoping to invest in smart homes and consumer electronic products that offer new and smarter ways to live.

APRIL 26

WEEK APRIL

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

MAY

Royal Opera House Muscat will host the Peter pan: The Musical on May 3 (7:30 PM), May 4 2018 (7:30 PM) and May 5 2018 (4:00 PM).

Action-packed and exciting, this award-winning production of Peter Pan is for people of all ages.

Directed by Maurizio Colombi with music of Edoardo Bennato, twenty performers on stage animate a magical realm with special effects that include Peter Pan flying in the air with ease. In this timeless tale, Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy companion, Tinkerbell, are chasing Peter’s shadow and fly through an open window into the nursery of the Darling family where the children, Wendy and her younger brothers Michael and John, are fast asleep - and wake up to a real dream.

With a sprinkle of pixie dust, the children are taken across a starry sky on a fantastic journey that none of them will ever forget.

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APR 26

PETER PAN: THE MUSICAL

THIS

Gulf Beauty Expo 2018 is a trade exhibition specialising in highlighting the current trends for perfumes, fitness and cosmetics with the latest products displayed by specialist companies At Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre from April 26 to April 28, 2018. The exhibition will showcase the latest innovations and solutions in perfumes, cosmetics, beauty supplies and fitness centres, as well as giving local companies a platform to demonstrate their capabilities.

The event will offer an opportunity for companies and visitors to meet with leading manufacturers and suppliers from the region and across the globe and offer an opportunity to watch product demonstrations of techniques and equipment. Furthermore, the event will provide an opportunity for buyers, suppliers, manufacturers and customers to interact with national and global participants.

A daily coiffure and makeup show will be held by International Beautification Experts, and the organising company will present the award of Gulf Beauty Expo 2018 on the final day of the exhibition.

GULF BEAUTY EXPO 2018

COMEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK

MAY

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MOVIES MOVIES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

Mohanlal Cast: Sajid Yahiya, Salim Kumar, Indrajith Sukumaran, Aju Vaghese , Manju Warrier

Avengers: Infinity War Cast: Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Russo, Jeo Russo, Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hiddleston As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet -- the evil Thanos.

On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts

Halemo Cast: Mohamed Saied, Bayoumi Fouad, Nermin Maher, Talaat Zakaria

to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment- the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.

Oman Release: April 26, 2018

Here Comes the Grump Cast: Toby Kebbell, Lily Collins, Ian McShane

Halemo (Talaat Zakaria), is a lifeguard on one of Alexandria’s beaches, who cannot swim, which puts him in many comic situations.

Here Comes the Grump (also known as Ahí Viene Cascarrabias in Mexico) is a 2018 Mexican-British animated film based on the DePatie–Freleng animated series of the same name, which originally ran from 1969 to 1970 on NBC. Produced by Mexico’s Ánima Estudios, Prime Focus World, and GFM Animation, the film features the voices of Toby Kebbell, Lily Collins, Ian McShane. From the writer of Ice Age The Meltdown, a teenage boy named Terry has been transported into a magical land where he must stop a mean-spirited wizard called “The Grump”.

Oman Release: April 26, 2018

Oman Release: April 26, 2018

A musicalromantic-comedy about an educated middle-class woman from Kerala worth a watch for all fans of Mohanal, one of the finest actors of Indian film industry.

“Mohanlal” the film is about how a little girl’s fandom turned to become her life.

Meenu (played by Manju Warrier) was born on the same day when the Mollywood superstar Mohanlal appeared for the first on the silver screens across Kerala, through the iconic movie Manjil Virinja Pookal.

Oman Release: April 26, 2018

Finding Your Feet Cast: Imelda Staunton, Joanna Lumley, Timothy Spall

with her estranged, older sister Bif (Celia Imrie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Bridget Jones’ Baby). The two could not be more different - Sandra is a fish out of water next to her outspoken, serial dating, free-spirited sibling. But different is just what Sandra needs at the moment, and she reluctantly lets Bif drag her along to a community dance class, where gradually she starts finding her feet and romance as she meets her sister’s friends, Charlie (Timothy Spall), Jackie (Joanna Lumley) and Ted (David Hayman).

Oman Release: April 26, 2018

Bhaskar Oru Rascal Cast: Arvind Swamy and Amala Paul

Bhaskar Oru Rascal (Bhaskar is a rascal) is an Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written and directed by Siddique.

A remake of his own Malayalam film Bhaskar the Rascal (2015), the film features Arvind Swamy and Amala Paul in the lead roles, while Baby Nainika play supporting roles.

Oman Release: April 26, 2018

When ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott (Academy Award nominee Imelda Staunton, Maleficent, Vera Drake) discovers that her husband of forty years (John Sessions) is having an affair with her best friend (Josie Lawrence) she seeks refuge in London

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Who is the director of Avengers:Infinity?

LAST WEEK’S WINNER Lakshmi Vivek

WIN FREE MOVIE TICKETS! Read our movie section and answer the question to stand a chance to win two tickets to watch movies of your choice! Send your answers to info@y-oman. com, along with your contact information.

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Friendly villagers

“The villagers’ hospitality in Yamen and Al Ain villages and their eagerness to help photographers was really touching,” he says.

“They were smiling to the camera, striking poses, and even suggesting shooting angles. It is not just the roses but the chatter of the men and women plucking the petals of roses delights you too. The temperature of 25 degrees Celsius on the mountaintop proved to be prefect too.”

Al Araimi’s quest to capture the ‘Rosa Damascena’ flowers in full bloom has proved fruitful and he is going back a happy man.

“Photographers and visitors must take advantage of the season to click magical images. It is a colourful subject which APR 26 - MAY 02 / ISSUE 517

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Khalid Al Abri

bloom!

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ows of pink roses in full bloom is a sight to behold, and Omani photographers visiting the picturesque Jabal Akhdar are now gorging on the veritable feast for the eyes.

Every year from the end of March to the middle of May the landscape of Jabal Akhdar, or the ‘Green Mountain’, is enveloped in multiple shades of pink.

The season of roses on Jabal Akhdar is always a photographer’s delight. This one is no different as the shutterbugs have brought their best equipment to capture the blooming beauties.

Moayad Al Araimi, a photography student in Muscat, is blown away by the gorgeous landscape.

“What I see is pink merging with green. It gives a fresh, fabulous coat of colour to the otherwise harsh brown rocks. It was a pleasant surprise for me to see the roses in full bloom and the whole area carpeted in pink.

“The place at the moment is a photographer’s dream and provides the perfect opportunity to master the art of photography. There is a fantastic variety of roses and the shades of picks are gorgeous. It is breath-taking to see the rose plants cover the entire mountain slope...it looks like a pink river cascading down the mountain.”

But the spectacular nature was not the only thing that amazed the 22-year-old photographer.

Sawarah Group

can never disappoint anyone. Take all your lenses and capture the view to your heart’s content.”

Omani photographer Khalid Al Abri who is enjoying his first experience documenting the season is a content man too.

“A photographer always aims for excellence and to capture Oman at its best. This season which lasts for a little more than a month needs to be captured by as many photographers as possible to show its exquisite beauty to the world.”

He explains that photographers “race” to document the season and capture the very essence of nature and its enchanting beauty.

“Most of the images pay tribute to the place and photographers’ creative brilliance shines through,” he says.

Let the world get the view

Al Abri thinks the process of collecting the harvest is also a subject by itself.

“The harvest is collected in a sheet of cloth by the villagers who are engrossed in the job...their emotions as they gather the petals in a bundle are not be missed.

I feel they are happy and sad. Sad because they are saying goodbye to the flowers.”

The petals are sent to various traditional extraction units around Jabal Akhdar to make the famous Omani rosewater. “As a photographer I found this part very fascinating,” Al Abri says.

He called upon the government to promote the season of roses exclusively as a tourist attraction.

“Maybe like how the Netherlands promotes the tulip season. Oman must encourage tourists to travel to Oman during this period to see the roses in full 022

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Moayad Al Araimi

Khalid Al Abri

A PHOTOGRAPHER ALWAYS AIMS FOR EXCELLENCE AND TO CAPTURE OMAN AT ITS BEST. THIS SEASON WHICH LASTS FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH NEEDS TO BE CAPTURED BY AS MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS AS POSSIBLE TO SHOW ITS EXQUISITE BEAUTY TO THE WORLD

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Khalid Al Abri

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Moayad Al Araimi Moayad Al Araimi

bloom. Jabal Akhdar is by itself one of the best destinations to visit in Oman but this would be an ideal time to watch the roses in all their glory. There is of course a need to promote the destination without tampering with the privacy of the villagers,” Al Abri says.

Tourists flock around

Don’t miss this photo exhibition

The farmers of Jabal Akhdar enjoy the attention and affection from people who visit the place during the season.

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WHAT I SEE IS PINK MERGING WITH GREEN. IT GIVES A FRESH, FABULOUS COAT OF COLOUR TO THE OTHERWISE HARSH BROWN ROCKS. IT WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR ME TO SEE THE ROSES IN FULL BLOOM AND THE WHOLE AREA CARPETED IN PINK Recently, four members of the Sawarah Group, a team of Omani volunteers, drove up the mountain to help the farmers pick the rose petals.

Established in October 2015, the group works under the umbrella of the Child Care Centre.

Also, they take photographs and hold exhibitions. In a touching gesture, the team gifted a printed image of a farmer at work on Jabal Akhdar that was taken last year.

Ahmed Al Hasani, one of the team members, says the group is planning to hold an exhibition of their photographs in December 2018.

Those who do not make it to Jabal Akhdar during the rose season could still get an idea of the visual feast if they find time to visit the exhibition. ■

Moayad Al Araimi

Oman News Agency has reported that “significantly” more tourists have visited the mountain this season than that of last year.

The occupancy rate in hotels since the beginning of March was between 80 per and 100 per cent. According to the 2017 statistics, 34,559 tourists visited Jabal Akhdar during March, April and May. With 233,012 visitors by the end of 2017, there was a qualitative leap of 43.4 per cent compared with that of 2016 (162,499).

Hamoud bin Khalid bin Saleh Al Qamshoui, Director of Tourism in the Governorate of A’Dakhliya, says: “Jabal Akhdar is famous for its many tourist attractions, especially because of the exceptional climate. The temperatures are moderate in the summer and fall below zero in some parts of winter. This weather is suitable to grow multiple agricultural products and it helps increase their yield.”

One of the plants people of Jabal Akhdar are keen on cultivating is the rose. “It grows in abundance on the green mountain. The rose water industry has become a profession for many people of Jabal Akhdar as a major source of income,” he says.

Speaking about the itinerary offered to tourists during the season of roses, Al Qamshoui says: “The tourists are free to take a walk in some of the agricultural areas where some villages are situated. They get the opportunity to watch the local people plucking roses early in the morning. There are also some traditional factories which tourists can visit. Here they can watch the old method of manufacturing rose water.”

Moayad Al Araimi

Moayad Al Araimi

how to get there

Sawarah Group

Sawarah Group

Sawarah Group

From Muscat, take the road leading to Nizwa. Just before the town, turn right when you see the road signs for Jabal Akhdar. There is a police checkpoint before you begin the climb where you need to show your driving licence. A 4×4 is compulsory.

On your way to the top of the mountain you will pass through Birkat Al Mawz.

Follow the signposts to Saiq.

GPS LOCATION OF SAIQ N23˚ 04’ 40” E57˚ 40’ 14”

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COMPETITION

s s e l e c i r p e h t r o f e g d e Pl Children will write it and parents will sign it — let’s take the pledge together towards the priceless: safer roads. Y calls out children and parents to join the ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ and win fabulous prizes

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oad safety awareness plays a significant role in shaping the attitudes and behaviours of children and young people – guaranteeing they become responsible drivers, passengers and pedestrians in the future. To teach children from a young age to be aware of the traffic rules and regulations, the Y magazine is once again conducting the “My Road Safety Pledge” competition.

To participate in the competition children will write a “My Road Safety Pledge” on behalf of their parents

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in a custom-made card distributed along with the May 3rd edition of Y. The “My Road Safety Pledge” card has a space wherein children can pen the pledge on behalf of their parents.

The Road Safety Pledge has to be counter-signed by their parents as the purpose is also to promote the message of road safety to parents through their children.

Nishad Padiyarath, editor of the Y magazine, said: “The authorities in the Sultanate have come up with new rules and are ensuring their implementation to

make roads in Oman safe. In our own way we want to support the government in fulfilling its mission to make the country’s roads safer. The intention of this competition is to make sure that children are aware of road safety from a young age. The intention is also to involve the parents as they too need to be reminded of the importance of road safety. We want to make parents more mindful of their behaviour behind the wheel and we believe that parents taking the pledge along with their children is going to help fulfil the objective of this competition.

Parents need to be more aware of their role, about crash and injury risk to children, and about behavioural strategies to ascertain safety on roads. Through this activity we hope to make parents better road safety role models for their children. We ask the children to make the pledge as creative and effective as possible as there are attractive prizes to be won.”

The best three pledges will win a cash reward of RO75 (first place), RO50 (second place) and RO25 (third place).

Once the Road Safety Pledge is written on the supplied card, parents are requested to drop the card at designated drop boxes across Muscat before May 26 when the contest closes.

An on-ground activation event where children will colour the cards and take the Road Safety Pledge will be held on May 18.

The winners of the “My Road Safety Pledge” competition will receive their prizes at a special ceremony to be held on June 9.

■ Children should be taught the correct road crossing technique.

■ Parents or an accompanying adult should always hold hands of children when they are on the road. Children don’t have the understanding to cope in a traffic situation and therefore need to be constantly supervised on the road.

■ Parents or an accompanying adult should always hold hands of children when they are on the road. Children don’t have the understanding to cope in a traffic situation and therefore need to be constantly supervised on the road.

■ Make sure your child gets in and out of the car away from the traffic side.

■ Make sure all passengers including children wear a seat belt or child restraint as the new rules in Oman require back passengers too to wear seat belts.

■ Around schools be extra alert especially when driving past a stationary bus as children often run out in front of and from behind buses to cross the road.

■ As a driver, you should be very careful when reversing. Before you enter the vehicle, walk behind the vehicle to make sure there are no children behind the car and check for children and other pedestrians nearby.

■ As parents, set a good example for your children on how to be safe as a passenger, pedestrian, and driver by not speeding, by not jumping traffic lights, by not overtaking dangerously, by not shouting or yelling at other road users, or by not showing aggressive driving behaviours.

■ Instruct your child to always follow the rules for car safety – even if you are not present.

COMPETITION RULES:

● The competition is open to children aged 16 and under. ● Cards must be completed by children only and then signed by a parent or guardian. Entries will be disqualified if there is evidence of parental involvement. ● Entries received after the closing date of May 26 will not go forward to the judging stage. ● Children of employees of SABCO Media or associated companies are excluded from taking part. ● The editor’s decision is final. ● Winners will be notified by email or telephone.

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FIVE FOR FUN

I

t has been two weeks since the Indian Premier League got off to a dramatic start. A lot of interesting things have happened in these two weeks, and the first among them was of course Chris Gayle’s getting back to his brutal best. Among the thrills and spills were Shane Watson’s century against Rajasthan Royals — after getting dropped in the slip in the very first over — and A.B. de Villiers’ breezy knock to stop Royal Challengers Bangalore’s losing streak. Here we take a look at some of the other interesting facts about the Indian Premier League:

#1 Team with the smallest squad this year

The two-time champion Kolkata Knight Riders team has only 18 players in its squad this season, which makes KKR the smallest squad in the league. Interestingly, the franchise is also the only one to spend even the last penny of its 80 crore budget..

#2 The Billionaire industrialist’s son who is featuring in the IPL

The Rajasthan Royals have made some big purchases in the IPL this year. However, a young 20-year-old Aryaman Birla stands out. Aryaman is the son of Kumar Mangalam Birla, one of India’s biggest industrialists. For Aryaman, whose father’s net worth is approximated at Rs80,369 crore, the price tag is of secondary importance as he was picked by the Rajasthan Royals for Rs30 lakh.

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AS CHRIS GAYLE, SHANE WATSON AND A.B. DE VILLIERS SCRIPT POETRY WITH THEIR WILLOWS, Y LOOKS INTO THE LESS-KNOWN, BUT EQUALLY FUN, MOMENTS AND MILESTONES

#3 The Australian cricketer who mentored Sandeep Lamichhane

Sandeep Lamichhane is the first player from the Himalayan country of Nepal to play in the Indian Premier League. The 17-year-old leg spinner scripted history when he was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for Rs20 lakh. Not many know of former Australian Captain Michael Clarke’s role in spotting and nurturing the teenage talent. Clarke saw Sandeep bowl at the Hong Kong sixes and has kept an eye on him ever since, giving him tips for improvement and providing him with constructive criticism.

#4 The Indian player who has played for the most number of franchises

Parthiv Patel is the only cricketer to have played for as many as six franchises in the IPL when he turned up for the Mumbai Indians in 2015. The Gujarat cricketer has played for the Chennai Super Kings in 2010, Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011, Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013, Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and the Mumbai Indians from 2015-2017.

#5 Highest paid U-19 player of IPL 2018

The highest paid U-19 player to feature in IPL 2018 is Afghanistan sensation Mujeeb Zadran who fetched a Rs4-crore deal with the Kings XI Punjab. He became the third Afghan player to be bought by an IPL franchise.

The Afghan cricketer is one of the youngest players in tournament’s history and the 16-year-old spinner is capable of rewriting a few more records. Zadran, being an off-spinner himself, could learn a few tricks of the trade from his skipper R. Ashwin.

Brought to you by

ARCHER FILLS THE PACE VOID

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IPL HIGHLIGHTS ‘THE BEST CATCH WE’VE SEEN IN THE IPL’

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rent Boult boasts a collection of spectacular grabs that few in the cricket world can rival, and overnight in the IPL, the Kiwi flyer added another to his CV. Playing for Delhi Daredevils against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Boult was fielding on the rope at backward square leg.

Indian maestro Virat Kohli was the batsman, and he couldn’t help himself when he was bowled a juicy full toss on leg stump.

Kohli flicked the ball nonchalantly towards the boundary, and six runs looked set to be added to his name.

That was when Boult - making a mockery of the suggestion that Kiwis can’t fly - intercepted the flying ball.

“This is the Vivo perfect catch of the season!” hollered the commentator. “Trent Boult, what are you doing? That is the best catch we have ever seen in the IPL when you think of the enormity of the situation.”

Making the catch all the better was the fact that Boult was just centimetres from the boundary rope, stopping his fall short as he gathered his bearings before standing and celebrating.

eldom has there been as much hype surrounding a player who hasn’t played an international game before.

But those who saw him in the BBL, and in the viral clips from County Cricket on the internet felt they were seeing something special. There was a reason why Rajasthan Royals were willing to pay as much as INR 7.2 Crore to get Jofra Archer on their roster.

Pace of the quickest kind had been missing in IPL 2018 following injuries to Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada.

Billy Stanlake held that fort up while Jasprit Bumrah toiled hard to battle his pre-IPL workload. Few others in world cricket consistently average over 145kph and those who do it, kindle visceral pleasure unlike anything else in cricket.

On Sunday, it took a while for Archer to incite that kind of a reaction. It wasn’t to come until his final over. But, the wait wasn’t tease-free. Showing that he wasn’t all about speed, Archer brought in a few of the knuckle-balls and cutters as demanded by a sluggish track. Batsmen lining up for that extra pace were left in a fumble by the bluff. A bouncer to Mumbai’s Kieron Pollard was perhaps the first nakedly visibly sign of his pace.

The measured run-up and nimble action only add to his deception but make no mistake, the pace is real as the speed gun will affirm. And perhaps too, the hype surrounding the man.

He picked up the Man of the Match award for his three-wicket haul, a debatable decision after K Gowtham’s stellar hitting in a clutch situation, but it would matter little to Rajasthan Royals. Their campaign that was veering off the rails until Archer’s arrival has received a big boost, and a tournament that has already hit a few highs checked another box in the excitement column.

Predict the winners from the matches played in India from April 26 to April 30 to win a SIM with 2GB data pack worth RO 5 from Friendi Mobile.

Email us your predictions to editor@y-oman.com. *Names of the winners will be announced on May 31st.

APR 26 - MAY 02 / ISSUE 517

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

Dermatology Clinic • Audi Showroom • Bentley Showroom • Costa Coffee • Al Fair • Jaguar Showroom • Jeep Showroom • Al Maha Petrol Station • Mazda Showroom • McDonald’s • Mitsubishi Showroom • Oman Arab Bank • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Peugeot Showroom • Range Rover Showroom • Sayarti Auto Care • Shell Select • Skoda Showroom • The Sultan Center • Volkswagen Showroom • Volvo Showroom • Yamaha Showroom Bawshar • College of Banking

and Financial Studies • Dolphin Village • Modern College

of Business and Science • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital

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

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

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

Al Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant • Toshiba Showroom Ghala • National Mineral Water Ghubra • Al Hayat International Hospital • Al Maya Hypermarket • Bank of Beirut • Costa Coffee • Crêpe Café • GMC Showroom • LuLu Hypermarket • Moka & More • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Park Inn • Porsche Showroom • Al Raffah Hospital • Stationery Hut • The Chedi Muscat Al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College

of Engineering • Markaz Al Bahja Mall • McDonald’s • Omantel • Starcare Hospital Al Khoudh • Al Fair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Pizza Hut Al Khuwair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Bait Al Reem Mall • Caffè Vergnano • Centrepoint (Splash) • Diplomatic Club • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Harley-Davidson Showroom • HSBC • KFC • SPAR • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Landmark Group

• McDonald’s • Muscat Bakery • Oman Bowling Center • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Oman United Insurance • Omran • Pizza Hut • Radisson Blu • Shell Petrol Station • TGI Friday’s • The Great Kabab Factory • The Tikka Place • Zahara Travel • Zakher Mall Mabela • Gulf College Oman Mawalah • Chili’s Restaurant • Costa Coffee • Al Makan Café • Starbucks • Tim Hortons • VLCC Wellness MBD • Bank Dhofar • Centrepoint (Splash) • SPAR • NBO • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Pizza Hut • Pizza Muscat • Shell Petrol Station MGM • Caribou Coffee • Gloria Jean’s Coffees • Just Falafel • Ooredoo • Paul • Tim Hortons Al Mina • Bait Al Baranda • Bait Al Zubair MSQ • Al Fair • Arab Open University • British Council • Costa Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • Hana’s Slimming &

Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café

& Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Papa John’s Pizza • Pizza Hut

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

Country Club Muscat International Airport • Caribou Coffee • Majan Lounge • Plaza Premium Lounge Mussanah • Millennium Resort Muttrah • Shell Petrol Station Qantab • Al Bustan Palace • Marina Bandar Al Rowdha • Oman Dive Center • Shangri-La Qurum • Al Araimi Complex • Balance Health & Fitness • Bank Nizwa • BMW showroom • Burger King • Chili’s Restaurant • Crowne Plaza • Finland Eye Center • Fun Zone • Gloria Jean’s Coffees • The Jungle Restaurant • Left Bank • McDonald’s • Mercedes-Benz Showroom • Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant • Nandos • Nissan Showroom • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Pizza Hut • Qurum Commercial Complex • Ras Al Hamra Club • SABCO Centre • Second Cup • Starbucks • The Sultan Center • Tche Tche Café Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-3 • Knowledge Oasis

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

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

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

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

Economics and

Political Science

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

Head Office Other Regions Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • LuLu Hypermarket Nizwa • University of Nizwa Sohar • Centrepoint (Splash) • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Markets • Ooredoo • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port and Freezone • Sohar University

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Adventures

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS AND ADVENTURES

STYLISH YARIS

The 2018 Yaris looks happy, peppy and more youthful – P34

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E S T I N AT I O N C a r s

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

Gaming

Destination

AL BAYDA

IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO ESCAPE THE CROWDS POPULAR FROM A GREEN AND HAPPENING PLACE TO A DRYAT AND SCARY SPOT. WEEKEND CAMPING SPOTS, TRY EXPLORING THE SECRET SIDE THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI JUMPED INTO OF FINS, SAYS SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI HIS TRUCK IN SEARCH OF HIDDEN TREASURES THIS WEEK 032

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Nestled near Al Baydha area in Dakhiliyah governorate, it looked totally empty. Nothing welcomed me but a mud-covered tyre which sat there like it was praying for a raindrop.

Even in drought a photographer finds his way to take interesting pictures. Among the yellow plants and dusty landscape a brave little plant decided to break out from its seed, setting an example of hope and strong will.

The weather in the wadi, however, was cool.

You can feel the breeze when sitting in the shade which reminded me of my summer days in Al Amerat where we used to sit under trees and enjoy hot tea.

A traveller cannot predict how good will a place be before reaching it.

Last week was a jackpot. Al Amerat was away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but the few hours I spent there was peaceful and lively. While this was quite the opposite. But hey! Nature is nature after all and drought might amuse some travellers and disappoint others.

Before driving back I decided to test the strength of my new truck in the wadi’s rough terrain.

And let me tell you, the vehicle does hold on to its reputation.

TRAVEL GUIDE

I

magine relaxing on the soft sands spending a lively day with friends on a beach filled with hordes of happy people and suddenly waking up on a deserted island engulfed by a maddening silence with absolutely no one else in sight. That’s very scary.

What I felt this week was something very similar. After spending a beautiful day among villagers at Al Awabi last week my experience this week was just as disappointing as spending a day on a remote island all alone.

The place I am referring to is a wadi. A dull, dry one. That’s my first impression of the place. Later on I realised it was one way to look at it but a more healthy approach would be to take it as a good example of living in a country rich in biodiversity.

Oman is not about date trees everywhere. Nor is it about wadis and deserts. It is also about mountains, some naked and some green. It is as much about busy, modern cities as it is about lazy, quiet villages, as we experienced at al Awabi last week.

The wadi I ended up this week was conspicuous by an absence any signpost directing me to it. Simply put, it was a nameless space that seldom attracted tourists as such.

HOW TO GET THERE On your way from Muscat to Adam, there is a roundabout that leads you straight to Adam and Sinaw. Take right and drive for roughly 10 minutes to arrive at

the wadi while enjoying the view.

GPS Location of Al Bayda: N22° 44’ 5221” E57° 92’ 581”

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

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T O Y OTA YA R I S

Spruced up to outsmart the country cousins and rivals from beyond the borders, the 2018 model looks happy, peppy and more youthful. Alvin Thomas hangs out with the darling of the masses

t’s hard to imagine a car that has achieved as much as the Toyota Yaris has since its inception back in 1999 (although, it was initially called the Echo). That’s nearly 15 years of stronghold in the Middle East’s much-acclaimed and coveted budget sedan segment.

Initially launched as a 2015 model-year for its third generation, the sedan has now been given a facelift to keep it in check with all upcoming rivals from Japan and South Korea. To find out if the plot had worked, we took the latest variant out for a spin.

The first thing that will come to you when you see the Yaris in person is how much larger it looks when compared with its previous iterations. Also, Toyota now keeps the car in line with its larger siblings – the Corolla and the Camry and so on.

Despite that, it’s obvious that the boffins are now targeting the youth too, as the design language is far from conformist. The character lines and chisels on the fascia are peppy and sprightly. Meanwhile, the intake grille is gaping but not obnoxiously so, and the fog lamps are placed in a wedge-shaped cutout

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adjacent to the grille.

The side profile is fairly low, even with the 15-inch alloy wheels, but the posterior complements the sporty look. The tail lamps are long and sharp, while the exhaust is hidden under the sculpted bumper.

Overall, it’s still light years ahead of its rivals in this segment. However, where it really takes the cake is in interior comfort and features. The dashboard, for instance, is sleek and posh-looking, thanks to the gloss black elements.

My tester came with Toyota’s standard six-speaker entertainment system with an LED screen. It also supports AM, FM, CD, AUX and USB. The speakers are crisp and clear, and provide adequate oomph – even for songs with sharp notes and heavy bass.

The seats were covered in soft fabric which, despite its looks, provides comfort while also offering excellent lumbar support. Courtesy the 2,550mm wheelbase, there’s plenty of leg room for passengers (even in the rear). Even those who are six feet and above can find themselves sitting comfortably in the rear.

The 476-litre boot space is great to store two large suitcases or four to six small ones with ease. Come to think of it, the

Destination

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

TOYOTA YARIS Specifications: Engine: 1.5-litre in-line four-cylinder Transmission: Seven-step continuously variable transmission (CVT) Horsepower: 105hp Torque: 141Nm Top Speed: 175kph Front-wheel drive Audio system with USB/AUX/ Bluetooth support 15-inch alloy wheels Leather steering wheel ABS, ESC, BA and EBD Push-button start Rear parking sensors Steering wheel mounted audio controls Cruise Control

THE CVT IS TUNED FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY, AND YOU CAN SEE IT FIGHT TO KEEP THE ENGINE REVOLUTIONS TO THE MINIMUM WHILE STILL OFFERING YOU THE THRUST REQUIRED Yaris boasts almost as much (and in some cases, more) boot space as a midsize sedan.

Standard safety features include front driver and passenger airbags, ABS, brake assist and Electronic BrakeForce Distribution (EBD).

Underneath the hood lies Toyota’s flagship in-line four cylinder 1.5-litre engine pumping out a respectable 105hp and 141Nms of torque. The motor is further mated to a seven-step continuously variable transmission (CVT).

While this doesn’t necessarily translate to an eyepopping 0-100kph timing – which is about 11 seconds,

for all you keen speed-freaks – the Yaris impressed me in fuel economy. Fuel economy was pegged at about 6.1-litre per 100km, and I could achieve figures close to the same during highway driving. Of course, that also depends on how you treat the throttle.

Overtaking on highways isn’t a hassle thanks to the quick response CVT, but there’s no getting over the fact that the car sits comfortable at speeds of about 120kph – after which there’s not much steam left. Also, pushing the pedal to the floor can result in a bit of engine drone, which is characteristic of cars with CVTs. The CVT is tuned for maximum efficiency, and you can see it fight to keep the engine revolutions to the minimum while still offering you the thrust required. It’s a battle which can often result in vain in the city though.

The chassis and suspension setup on the Yaris is inclined towards maximum comfort – and it shows: The car can take even the roughest of roads without much of the harshness or tyre noise translating into the cabin. The latter does make its way into the cabin after you break past the 110kph mark – but it’s still better than, say, most of its South Korean competitors.

Albeit, this does etch its mark on the handling. For instance, the soft suspension means a bit of body roll does creep in when you push the car into corners at high speeds. But understeer is kept in check thanks to the intrusive ESP system, and traction does take power over any form of wheel spin when you power away from the traffic at a signal.

I did, however, find the electric powersteering to be quite quick to respond – and with a great deal of sharpness.

This allows the car to be nimble on its feet during city drive. Also, aiding to the driving feel is the light steering setup which makes manoeuvring through tight traffic easy.

The brakes are strong enough to cope with the 1060kg kerb weight of the car, and it also progresses linearly when you put your foot on the pedal. Ironically, it provides copious amounts of feedback when you’re decelerating; it’s a trait that has gone missing from modern cars.

Toyota’s Yaris may come to you with a new – and sportier – face today, but there’s no denying that the overall recipe remains the same. It’s still the simple car that would ferry you from home to work or take your family out to parks on weekends without even the slightest of hesitation.

In other words, the Yaris is undoubtedly the same car that you probably spent your days in while time ticked on. And just like you have, it has now grown up too.

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CARS ADVENTURES MARVELLOUS MUNICH

A holiday in Munich offers the benefits of a chilled-out holiday and the excitement of a knowledge enhancing break

1. Explore Munich by bike 2. Visit Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s daily outdoor farmers market 3. Don’t miss the view from the Olympic Tower 4. Experience cultural highlights 5. Take a Munich Walking Tour

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Nirmal Raj recommends

MUNICH A

summer break does not mean you have to make a compromise between relaxing and sightseeing activities. A holiday in Munich, the capital of the German state of Bavaria, offers both the benefits of a chilled-out holiday and the excitement of a knowledge-enhancing break.

So, whether you want to relax in one of the boats on the beautiful lakes or revel in the beauty of the centuries-old buildings and numerous museums, the quaint Bavarian city has something to offer everyone.

Munich is the third-largest city in Germany. Over a length of 13.7km, the Isar river winds its way through the city and offers recreational activities on its banks. There are also recreational activities on offer in the numerous parks - the Englischer Garten (English Garden) alone covers 375 hectares.

Munich has four districts that have gained a reputation far beyond the city limits. There are Altstadt-Lehel, Maxvorstadt, Isarvorstadt and Schwabing.

Altstadt-Lehel: The Altstadt (Old Town) is the heart of Munich and includes Marienplatz - the central square; the church Frauenkirche and the pedestrian area. In neighbouring Lehel, other hotspots like the Haus der Kunst - art museum; the Bavarian National Museum and the surfing wave at the Eisbach attract the tourists.

Everything revolves around education and art in the central city district of Maxvorstadt. Several museums such as the Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, Glyptothek (sculpture gallery) and the university LMU Munich make the city district appealing to young and old alike. It also hosts several cafes and restaurants.

One of Munich’s most popular districts Isarvorstadt has beautiful old buildings, lots of cafés, and restaurants and trendy shops. Best part of the district is that it directly borders the Isar River.

The legendary artists’ quarter to the north of Munich’s city centre Schwabing is especially popular with young people thanks to a variety of nightlife options.

Among the places that you must see is the Nymphenburg Palace, in the west part of Munich which was the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs.

Though the popular of Bavaria’s larger lakes lies outside of Munich, the city has some stunning lakes and rivers - so make sure to revel in their meandering beauty.

Public transport in Munich is well-developed and almost all of Munich’s major landmarks can be reached on foot from Marienplatz, the central square in the city centre of Munich.

The best times to visit Munich for ideal weather are between May and September based on average temperature and humidity.

V IK T U A

L IE N M

ARKT

OW E R OL Y M P IC T

My favourite place

I love the Marienplatz, the central square in the heart of Munich which hosts the New Town Hall of the city. The Neue Rathaus or New Town Hall is a magnificent neo-gothic building from the turn of the century which architecturally dominates the north side of Munich’s Marienplatz. The tower of the New Town Hall houses the Glockenspiel, a beautiful chiming clock that is over 100 years old. Since 1908, figurines representing stories from Munich’s history twirl on two levels daily at 11am, 12pm, and 5pm (the 5pm show is omitted from November through February).

Highlights Everyone in Munich is attracted to the Englischer Garten (English Garden). Luckily, there is enough space for everyone to sit on the wide area of the lawn. You can also often listen to amateur musicians at spontaneous concerts – in the Monopteros, for example. And in between, it’s very relaxing to take a boat out on the Kleinhessseloher See.

Lowlights Due to the proximity of the Alps, winters in the state capital are relatively snowy in comparison with other German cities. So, if you don’t like winters avoid the place in winter.

Souvenirs Munich is a shopping hub and enthusiasts of luxury items or bargain hunters can find shopping havens everywhere. Make sure to pick up Heilemann Chocolate, Dallmayr Coffee, Traditional “Tracht” Clothing and Accessories, scarves, hats, fridge magnets among other things.

Getting there Fly with Oman Air and experience world-class hospitality during your trip to Munich. Non-stop/

direct flights and standby flights are available. Flying time from Muscat is seven hours and 15 minutes.

THE S IE G E S TOR V IC T O R Y ARC H

Where to stay Accommodation is not a problem as from youth hostels to every hotel category is represented here and located in the centre of the city.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

GADGETS ON THE GO

The heat is on and you need cool stuff whether you are walking the dog or taking a dip in the pool. Hasan al Lawati takes his pick

BREATHE EASY WITH SCORKL The best time to snorkel in Omani waters is summer. Many people find it hard to use a lot of traditional snorkelling equipment, and for them the Scorkl Underwater Breathing Device is a real boon. The device provides you with a full 10 minutes of underwater breathing time. The gadget can be activated with a simple pump. The instructions are pretty straightforward, place it in your mouth and hold the device with your hand. Buy it from Gadget Flow for RO78.

READ ON THE SWIM

KEEP BEACH CLICK RISKS AT BAY

Swimming pools get packed in summer and you get very little space to flex your muscles, so why not do some reading?

Reading? Yes, you read that right! Waterfi, a company that develops waterproof accessories and editions of our day-today gadgets, has come up with a waterproof kindle. The Waterproofed Kindle Paperwhite by Waterfi comes in two colours and can hold thousands of books with its 4gb space. It is waterproof down to 210 feet underwater. Buy it from waterfi. com for RO65.

EDITOR’S PICK

Stylish, flashy and handy. The Cooper Cases Beach Bag 2-in-1 Universal Tablet & Smartphone Sleeve is great for Instagrammers who like to post their images at the beach without getting their phones dirty. These cases not only keep your tablet/phone free from sand but also provide you easy access to the touch screen. Buy it from coopercases. com for RO8.

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DOG’S DELIGHT

MUSCAT'S SCORCHING SUMMER DOES NOT SPARE ANIMALS. THEY NEED TO BE KEPT IN THE SHED, AND PREFERABLY IN A CLOSED, AIR CONDITIONED PLACE. BUT WHAT IF IT’S STILL TOO HOT AND HUMID IN THE EVENING AND YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR DOG OUT FOR A WALK? YOU JUST NEED TO GET THIS ICOOL SCARF. THE NON-TOXIC POLYMER INFLATES WHEN WATER IS ADDED TO THE SCARF. PUT IT AROUND THE DOG'S NECK TO RELIEVE HEAT. NO RE-FRIGERATION NEEDED. JUST ADD MORE WATER FOR CONTINUOUS USE. BUY IT FROM DOGOPET.COM FOR RO4.6.

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FAR CRY 5

An open world replete with mountains, valleys, plains, forests, rivers, lakes and caves where wild animals and goons are lying in wait. Hasan al Lawati arrives in Hope County to take on the fanatical cult

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ne of the most anticipated games of the year is available all around Oman, and I got my hands on Ubisoft's latest masterpiece last week.

The action-adventure firstperson shooter game takes place in Hope County, an American county radicalised by a bizarre religious cult that forces its beliefs on other residents.

They do not take 'no' for an answer.

The cult members — known as the peggies — represent extremists who are obsessed with their guns and wish to live in a world of their own, away from civilisation.

If you are familiar with first-person shooting games and play Far Cry 5 on normal difficulty it will take you around 23 hours to complete the story mode.

Sadly, the storyline is very goofy.

Thought it sheds light on the polarised American society it is far from engagement and does not really develop in sensible manner.

Your mission is to arrest Joseph Seed, the charismatic church's leader, after killing his three partners.

The game progresses based on the 'Resistance Meter'. The more enemies you kill, outposts you liberate, and

armoury you destroy; the quicker you complete the meter.

The game is fairly difficult, especially the campaign missions if played in hard mode.

It is also full of glitches.

Like the previous Far Cry editions, the game involves different animals which you can hunt or use to attack enemy.

But this time you do not play solo.

You can allocate up to two fighters (or animals) in the new (Fangs and Guns to Hire) feature.

This addition fundamentally changes Far Cry's battling style.

By depending on your partners you can command them to launch sky and land attacks while you can go stealth and cowardly backstab the peggies.

My favourite part of the game was the side missions. In this edition they are more sophisticated, more

challenging and far more rewarding than they were in the previous games.

No matter how good your armoury is and how many perks you unlocked the story mode will give you hard time and might lead you to break the joystick!

Is this the best Far Cry so far? Can't tell.

But for sure it was up to the expectations.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

FASHION PAINS

FASHION

Have you ever thought that your everyday fashion could be harming you? Various surveys are showing that products you adore to make a statement may be leaving you weak, sick and in extreme pain.

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k o o L e h

st late e h t y, ring silentl a e n art w in pai m s r g fe okin you suf o l ith n w making o i s s bse ay be s o r You shion m thri Da a in fa s Gay e t wri

T t Ge

Heels give you a tall, proud feel but in the long run you may regret your obsession.

Regular use of heels changes your posture and causes a heavy strain on your lower back which may take ages to heal.

It can also cause issues like varicose vein over a period of time.

Regular usage of tight-fit skinny jeans can result in a condition called meralgia paresthetica.

It’s a condition where the nerves that supply sensation are affected, causing issues like urinary infections, bladder weakness, fungal infection, etc.

Neck-ties that men wear can hamper blood circulation, causing pressure on the eyes leading to headaches and tight back and shoulder muscles. Not a relaxing situation at all. So, when you buy shirts next time, choose a comfortable size that is definitely not smaller than your neck.

Heavy earrings make you beautiful, but your ear lobes might get affected gradually. Regular usage of danglers causes tearing of the ear lobes. Make sure you at least use ear supporters when you use such earrings.

Flip-flops have very thin soles that do not support the weight of your body and so can cause back pain. Moreover, you are more likely to scrape your feet which are prone to get infected.

Most women prefer big bags to load their things. But this extra load could leave a bad impact on your neck, lower back, upper back and shoulders. Make sure that your bag doesn’t hang below your waist.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

FAMILY

Fashion

Home

Beauty

EXAM STRESS

OF PARENTS

Exam time ups the stress levels of children, and over-eager parents add to this seasonal melting pot. A few tips from Gayathri Das for parents to get ready for the tough tests

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ore than children it’s parents who need to deal with exam stress nowadays. In their eagerness to make things ideal for children, parents often tend to transfer their stress to their kids. Despite knowing that comparison is a wrong thing to make, parents tend to do that mentally which increases their stress.

The atmosphere at home increases your stress. If you are a party person you must postpone such plans until the exams are over as your child’s study will get affected otherwise.

Understand the capability of your child and keep your expectations accordingly. This will help reduce your as well as the child’s stress. Here are a few more helpful tips:

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● Every child makes a timetable for their studies during their exam time. Match your schedule with your child’s timetable. This assures your availability to the child. ● Try to avoid stress with statements. This will pressurise your child. It won’t help them, but could increases their anxiety. ● Give a suitable environment at home for the child to study. Arrange it according to your child’s comfort. ● Limit your child’s screen time. Even you will have to reduce your screen time so that the child is not distracted. ● Make sure your child gets enough sleep and give them a healthy diet. ● Don’t hesitate to seek professional help for studies if required. ● Encourage your child to de-stress by taking a walk or playing outdoors for a while. ● Associate hard work with small rewards so that they remain encouraged. ● Keep motivating them and not stressing them out.

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

Home

Family

FOOT

FOR THOUGHT

A pair of smooth, soft feet is not a dream but a matter of regular care. Gayathri Das tries out a home-made scrub

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he wear and tear on your feet is tremendous, but a pair pretty feet is possible for everyone if one finds time to soothe the cracks and remove the dead skin regularly.

Instead of relying on over-the-counter creams, lotions or scrubs, you could prepare your own.

Here’s how you could make a great foot scrub and transform your rough and dry feet into a soft and beautiful pair: Take half cup sugar, two tablespoon olive oil, two tablespoon honey and one tablespoon baking soda and mix well. Take a small quantity of it and apply all over your feet. Concentrate on the rough areas and keep scrubbing for at least five

minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Honey helps to fade the scars caused by shoe bites. It acts as a pure cleanser and it’s a gentle exfoliator. It serves as a good natural moisturiser, too.

Baking soda soothes your feet. It treats stained and yellow nails. It helps in skin whitening by removing the tan and improves skin complexion.

It also helps in treating foot odour.

Olive oil is the best ingredient to treat cracked heels. It moisturises your legs and improves skin and nail health.

Sugar acts as a natural exfoliator.

Use this scrub every alternate day especially if your legs are very dry.

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&

FOOD DRINK

Trend

New Restaurant

SUMMER FRESH

Reviews

Creating delectable meals out of freshly available food is easy and fun. Here are some tips.

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SUPER FOODS for summer Smarter choices will keep you cool and healthy in the months of scorching sun. Six wholesome dos and a few don’ts to beat the heat

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ummer increases your health risks such as dehydration, skin sensitivities, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The simple solution is to indulge in the freshly and abundantly available fruits and vegetables in the market.

The mercury is rising in Oman and the sweltering sun gives us plenty of reasons to look for foods that are suitable for the season. Thankfully summer is that amazing time of year when fresh produce is available in abundance.

Creating delectable meals out of freshly available food is easy and fun. Besides, summer offers so many ways for you to add flavour to your food without resorting to salt and fat. Herbs, spices, and berries are all plentiful during the warmer months.

Here are a few cool foods you should add to your summer diet. ● Watermelon Watermelon, which is about 92 per cent water, is a refreshing fruit drenched with nutrients. Every juicy bite has substantial levels of vitamins A, C, antioxidants and amino acids. Importantly, this ideal summer snack is fat-free, low in sodium and calories. ● Yoghurt Cooling, soothing, nutritious and light – it is just what you need to beat the scorching summer with.

The presence of good bacteria – also known as probiotics – in yoghurt can strengthen your immune system and ensure that you enjoy better health. ● Green leafy vegetables Adding green leafy vegetables to your daily diet is beneficial because they contain high amounts of water. Avoid over-cooking these vegetables as it could lead to loss of

water content in them. Add them to salads, make a curry or have a green smoothie — have them the way you like — but make sure you eat them. ● Mango It is during the summer season that one of the richest tropical fruits, mangoes, is abundantly found.

An excellent source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it contains traces of magnesium, manganese, selenium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus which are very important for our body. It is high in energy and beta carotene that is an important antioxidant. ● Cool beverages Drink naturally cooling beverages like tender coconut water, laban and other fresh fruit juices instead of aerated drinks since they contain sugar and other preservatives which act as diuretics and can cause loss of water from the body. ● Fibre Make sure your fibre intake is good in summer. Fibre is richly found in foods that are also naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Spinach, tomatoes, avocados, citrus fruits, berries, peas, broccoli and squashes are just a few of the whole fruits and vegetables to improve your fibre intake.

Foods to avoid Avoid heavy meals as it can cause acidity and affect digestion. Rather, eat small meals to feel light and keep your system active. Don’t have juices with high sugar content, foods containing saturated or trans fats and processed foods.

Watermelon Summer Salad Ingredients: § 2 cups seeded, cubed watermelon § 1 cup thinly sliced onion § 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese § 1 tbsp fresh lime juice § 1/2 cup black olive halves § 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint § 2 tsp olive oil Method: § Place the onion slices in a small bowl with the lime juice § Let it stand for 10 minutes § In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes, feta cheese, black olives, onions with the lime juice, and mint § Drizzle olive oil over it all and toss to blend § Serve and indulge

Cucumber-Yoghurt Dip

§ 4 cucumbers finely chopped § 4 cups plain yoghurt § 1/2 cup water § 2 cloves of garlic § 1 tsp finely chopped mint § A dash of salt § 1/2 tsp lime juice (optional) Method: § Finely chop the cucumber and crush the garlic § In a bowl, whisk the yoghurt, crushed garlic, water, salt and lemon juice § Add the finely chopped cucumber and mix § Add the finely chopped green mint § Check salt if needed. § You can use laban instead of yoghurt § Use as a dip or serve as an appetiser

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FOOD DRINK

TOPGE RAN

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

Info Box D2XME

Near al Maha petrol station opposite Almouj Website: www.d2xme.me Contact: 9 ‫ ‏‬060 7060‫‏‬ Lunch for three: RO29.0

D2XME

Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 9/10 FOOD 6/10 AMBIENCE Provides customers with healthy eating and other diet alternatives.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

AFTER MONTHS OF BEING ON A HEALTH KICK WITH HOME-COOKED GOODNESS, MATTHEW HERBST CONTINUES THE HEALTHY OPTION VIA A DETOX RESTAURANT THAT IS MORE OF A TAKE-AWAY

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hen one thinks of a Taste Test for Y, one is most likely to end up in some sort of restaurant, except trying out d2xME was going to be slightly different. My colleague Neal Bowden from Merge 104.8 suggested checking it out as he was keen on getting regular deliveries from there for his lunch at work and albeit expensive I thought it was well worth a shot to see if it was all it was cracked up to be.

Neal is usually a bad influence on my waistline, but this time we were in for a detox and good healthy grub. And my penchant for detox juices and healthy grains had my stomach grumbling and ready for what was on offer. And it being so close to home was ideal too, so off myself, Neal and his girlfriend Daisy went for our super lunch.

On reaching the side fridge where they keep their pre-cooked goodness that is either warmed up for you or delivered to your home or office if preferred, we checked out what the daily special was. And much to our joy were three dishes available. I went for the beef kafta, which was covered in rich tomato sauce and bulghar wheat to the side, Neal settled on the grilled chicken with lemon sauce and vegetables and Daisy chose the fish with a spicy tomato sauce and bulghar wheat.

Looking at the dishes on offer, we knew we were on to a good dining experience.

Upon grabbing our fridge selections, we headed for the counter not only to request these to be heated up but also to choose our detox juices.

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choco or date power balls for dessert but was not so sure now with my full stomach.

Despite this, with our stomachs being stretched we concurred that we really should try those power balls and without delay I raced to the fridge D2XME MET OUR EXPECTATIONS ON THE QUALITY OF FOOD AND SERVICE. THE to grab the choco balls. Which contain a mix of QUALITY OF MEALS WERE ABOVE GREAT. flax seeds, cacao, hazelnuts, vanilla, cocnut oil, maple syrup, and cocnut milk. I also got them to prepare a Cinnacoco dessert consisting of mango, cinnamon, vanilla essence, protein powder, honey and cocnut milk along with a Tropicadamia which consisted of banana, mango, vanilla essence, protein powder, macadamia syrup and rice milk.

These were great choices to finish off the meal.

They were smooth, delicious and you could feel the health soaring through your veins instead of the greasy or oiliness that usually come with meals out. d2xme met our expectations on the quality of food and service. The quality of meals was above great. If you are wanting to have a healthy lunch, Neal was keen on tasting the citrus kick, filled with give them a go, as they also deliver straight to your citrus fruits with a fresh kick, Daisy wanted to chill door as well as send daily photos of specials if you with a Chillax which is banana, nutmeg, honey, sign up with them on WhatsApp. What a nifty almond, greek yoghurt, vanilla and camomile tea. idea. However, they could do with actual crockery I went for two juices. One to kill my thirst, a Red if eating in and less use of plastic. I am though Sangria which is a berry blend and the other to impressed with their use of wooden spoons and sip and enjoy slowly as it was a thick Gingerbread forks. I will return for a delivery request for sure. smoothie containing banana, ginger, cinnamon, Good work d2xME. nutmeg, honey and almond milk.

While waiting we took a look around the shop Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see and it was peppered with healthy options to take reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com home including cool water bottles that you could squeeze fruit into, different teas from around the world, cereals and vitamins. It all looked so good, except a little sparse and could do with a few more products.

The meals finally arrived as we sipped our detox juices and as much as we liked minimalism we were surprised that the dishes were warmed up in their take-away containers and not on plates, but never mind we knew it would deter us from tucking into a feast.

Every mouthful was as delicious as it looked and even though it looked like a fair enough portion it was mighty filling. I had earlier checked out the