The team
Bahrain This Month December 2012
Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Email: george@bahrainthismonth.com Publishing Director David M. Robertson Editorial queries: editor@redhousemarketing.com Editorial Consultant Dr. Paul Balles Assistant Editors Alison Coldridge Elma Bartholomew
Dear Readers,
Staff Writer Maryam Toorani Contributors James Claire (dining), Simi Kamboj
Perhaps it’s the change in weather but, for the first time in a while, I’m sensing a much more optimistic disposition to the situation in which we have been embroiled over much of the past two years. I think I’ll put it down to the impending start of a new year and the opportunity for a fresh start that such an occasion always affords. Of course, my new-found outlook could have something to do with the short cruise Anne and I took a few weeks ago aboard a truly opulent vessel. It was certainly a chance to recharge the batteries. Then again, there was the close shave in Oman driving a spanking, brand new Mercedes. It did, though, demonstrate the safety aspects of the vehicle, which we feature in our test drive page this month. As is customary at this time of the year, our pages are packed full of seasonal activities in the second half of December. From celebrating National Day to a new year we are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting where we would like to go. You can read about the options available in our happenings, dining and after dark pages. The sense of something new is also reflected in our business interviews; both George Saounatsos and Puneet Singh have only recently taken up respective residence at Bahrain Airport Services and the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel. As we discover they have no shortage of ideas as to how to move their businesses forward. The same sentiment is shared in the series of interviews that constitute our annual review. From Wassim El Sayegh, at the Sovereign Group, to Aziz Mithaiwala (Pegasus Real Estate), Stephen Harris (Jaguar Bahrain) and Karen Moffat at The British School of Bahrain, there is cautious optimism about our prospects for 2013. Many of us will no doubt be spending time discussing ‘21 December 2012’ during the course of the month, the date on which the Mayan calendar predicated the end of the world would arrive. I’m fully expecting, however, to be out and about on New Year’s Eve celebrating the great way of life the Kingdom has to offer!
Bystander Editor Anil Ravi Shankar Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Dalal Al-Sabbagh, Romeo San Miguel, Rodolfo A. Reyes Jr. Staff Photographers Shankar Kunhambu, Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Personnel Manager Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Sales Manager Mayukh Majumdar Media Sales Marise Prata Dos Santos, Shani Davel Circulation Manager Fawaz Al Balooshi Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Rafeeq Mohammed, Gopal Arul Kumar, Epegenio Tempra Jr. Distributor Al Hilal Corporation Photography Picture Arabia: andrew@picturearabia.com Printing Press Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej W.L.L., Bahrain Published monthly by
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Cover
Cover Picture: December is always a time to celebrate. YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE
BD 2.000 (SR 20)
December 2012 ~ Vol. 16 ~ Issue 12
George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman
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New Beginnings Thinking Forward
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Festive Fare | New Year’s Eve | National Day Events
HAPPENINGS ~ DINING ~ ARTS SCENE ~ CLUBS & SPORTS ~ KIDS’ EVENTS ~ AFTER DARK ~ SAT TV
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