Y Magazine #274, 13 June 2013

Hot In The City How to keep your kids cool this summer

Tap To The Top / Superman In Oman Wakeboarding Mania / Amazing Free!

Mazda / The Week’s Events EVERY THURSDAY Safety Spread: Car Seat Campaign 24 Hits Salalah

NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

RACING RECORD: Al Harthy Talks Victory SALT ISLAND: Destination Qarat Al Kibrit

Your top guide to the best of Oman, every week

JUN 13 - 19 • ISSUE 274 • WEEKLY

rio or bust

oman’s big match Ninety Minutes to Make History

PLUS!

Beauty

TOP TRENDS

Food

34

PURE & SIMPLE

Y-Fi

28

COOLING GADGETS

44

Trend Barometer GOING UP Hot Designs At H&M I trawled through my emails today and found the type of fashion news that made me jump for joy – despite wearing four-inch heels.

Parisian designer Isabel Marant is set to become H&M’s next big designer collaborator.

So, it’s elbows at the ready when the collection hits the GCC stores in mid November.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Welcome to the new look Y Magazine your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.

Fast forward I

GOING DOWN Salads Few things stave off that midweek feeling better than a decent roast dinner – and the Yorkshire puddings at More Café in the Opera Galleria take some beating. Wednesdays will never feature salads again.

THIS WEEK… Team Y has been rubbing shoulders with footballing royalty, hobnobbing with racing hero Ahmed al Harthy and chasing designer bargains in back alleys (but that’s another story!)

n sport, there will always be special fixtures to look out for. Few, however, will beat the football match between Oman and Jordan on June 18. Why? Well, if you’re a footy fan you’ll already know. If not, it’s the date that decides the Sultanate’s World Cup destiny – well sort of (I can’t really be bothered to go into detail on the group dynamics of the Asian qualifiers.)

Here at Y Towers, we’re so confident of a win that we’re already chanting the song ‘We’re on way our way to Rio’ and ogling images of Brazil’s golden shores on the Internet. After receiving our lovely awards from the Oman Football Association last week, we didn’t waste time in pouncing on players and arranging a sneak preview of their prowess on the ball at the training ground.

Meanwhile, using his celebrity status both in Muscat and Salalah to save lives, footballer Ali al Habsi joined Y, the National Youth Committee and Safety First in championing a law to make child car seats mandatory in Oman.

Ways to get your Y fix Online: Visit y-oman.com for even more inspiration.

Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go at y-oman.com/current/issuu

Penny Fray

editor@y-oman.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha MANAGING EDITOR Penny Fray SECTIONS EDITOR Kate Ginn

follow us on:

@ytabloid

PAGE EDITOR Joe Gill PHOTOGRAPHER Jerzy Wierzbicki ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

facebook.com/ytabloid

Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC /Y is a SABCO Media product.

We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial enquiries, please email info@y-oman.com

www.y-oman.com

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

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

03

contents JUNE 13 2013

Features 20 The Big Match

Oman v Jordan 24 Seat Belt Safety

Stars On Board

Your Oman

12

06 The Big Interview

Monique Helou

This Week

08 Letters

Your Oman 10 News

Racing To The Top

16 This Week

Dance For Life 18 Movie Listings

Man Of Steel

Food & Drink

16

28 Trend

All White Now 30 Restaurant Review

Al Tajin

20 Business & Career 26 Tap To The Top

Conquering Anxiety

Cars & Outdoors

30

Health & Beauty

36 Destination

Qarat Al Kibrit

40 Outdoors

Wakeboarding 42 My Hood

Al Ansab

44 Y-Fi

Cooling Gadgets

46 Car of the Week

32 Fashion

Children’s Clothes

Mazda6

34 Beauty

Colour Crazy

44 NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...

GETAWAY GLAMOUR SUMMER STARS SHOT & SHOCKED SALUT CASTLE

YOUR

News

Gallery

INTERVIEW

OMAN

Fashion healer

MONIQUE HELOU, FOUNDER OF VIVID BOUTIQUE, FORMERLY ART DIRECTOR, BAIT MUZNA Words:Joe Gill Photo: Jerzy Wierzbicki Tell me about you career in 60 seconds or less: I have 20 years’ experience in management. I graduated with distinction in Computer Sciences in Lebanon but never used it. Because of the war there, I took a Masters in International Affairs, because I wanted to help my country. I came to Dubai where I was a senior research and development manager for the slimming company VLCC. My father died young, and to honour his memory I studied holistic nutrition in Canada.

I spent three years serving the community. Later I studied art in Oman, mostly illustration and figurative, and completed a correspondence course. I had a solo exhibition in 2011 in Muscat before becoming art director at Bait Muzna.

You’ve done so many things. Are you restless?

(Laughs) My son asks me ‘when are you going to stop studying?’ But I want to have a good foundation in whatever I do – whether it’s art, fashion or nutrition.

What are the problems in terms of food and nutrition in Oman?

A lot of kids in Oman are underweight and there is malnutrition here. We have anorexia as well as binge eating. Girls especially need to know that food is not their enemy.

Why did you leave Bait Muzna and start up Vivid Boutique?

I really enjoyed working as art director for Bait Muzna – it is the reason I am doing this project. I have a big respect for Sayyida Susan for opening the first private gallery to promote Oman’s artists in Oman and internationally. I got to know the artistic community and met many impressive people. Sayyida is a great friend and there is a really good team at Bait Muzna, so I will continue working with them as arts consultant.

What is the idea and vision behind Vivid Boutique?

I want to make every life more vivid, and more colourful. Oman is a hot country and it’s not fair for women to be wearing black all of the time. I want to mix the traditions and soul of the east with the elegance and style of the west. For me, what you wear is who you are. So many ladies here cannot express that. I created Vivid in Bareeq al Shatti to fulfill the need of every woman who wants to express something about themselves. The teenagers who want to be funky and stylish, even the younger girls. I want everybody to be able to afford it too.

How will Vivid stand out from the competition?

I am trying to bring something new to Oman – whether for interiors, clothes or accessories – through quality, beauty, the value of the products.

Everything is hand made. Our Lebanese supplier keeps the essence and soul of our roots but they have elaborated it to make it more trendy and stylish for this generation. We will have handmade Italian leathers and French and Spanish products for eight to 18 year olds.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Energetic, ambitious, determined.

What or who inspired you in life?

I always listen to the moment I am living in. Every decade you are more mature. I want to leave a good name behind and to serve people. We didn’t have a satisfying childhood, surrounded by war and death. This is why I studied to be a diplomat, to make a positive change in my country.

My father’s early death inspired me to study nutrition.

Also I couldn’t have started my new project without my husband David and my Omani family.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am a shopaholic. I shop every day. I travel all over the world and shop in every country I visit.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see Vivid becoming an empire. My mission is to see the name of Vivid everywhere.

06

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

Monique’s philosophy: ‘Where there is a will, there is a way. Work hard and believe in yourself and you will always find your way to be happy.’

OMN_3065_BMW_316i_Local_Campaign_YMagazine_24x34cm_Eng.indd 1

5/21/13 10:47 AM

The Voice of Oman Rumaitha al Busaidi offers some tips on the handshake dilemma

correspondence A mother’s love Dear Editor,

O

man is generally to be considered a fairly conservative society where religion plays a big part in its culture. That’s as may be, but when you step out in Muscat the diverse cultural mix of the city presents some tricky dilemmas for expats and locals alike. Which brings me to the handshake issue.

The newcomer to Oman is at a loss to know who they can shake hands with and who they can’t. It’s confusing and mindboggling, but there is an easy way to avoid embarrassment.

The best thing to do is always wait for them to offer their hand first. If they do then they are okay with it, if not, then you can just play it safe, rather than find yourself with your hand hanging in mid air like a beggar asking for loose change.

Now that could be straight forward until one day you find the usual Omani friend whom you usually greet with a handshake suddenly decides not to offer their hand.

Don’t read the action as a brush-off. The reason could simply be that they come from a strict religious family and might have some relations accompanying them. Out of respect and to save the lecture of it being haraam, they tend not to shake your hand.

Don’t let the situation weird you out. We are a nation that takes pride in family values and respecting our elders. Religion and culture will always trump politeness in Oman. So just wait for the hand – if it doesn’t come towards you, be happy with a smile and a hello.

Next week: ISOBEL SPAVEN-DONN

08

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

Just as every skyscraper is built on a strong foundation of pillars, the life of each and everyone in the family is built on the pillar of support called Mom. ‘Mother’ – the word itself gives a soothing and relaxing feeling to all the daughters and sons in the world. The same goes with me, as I am also one of those daughters who have married and come to Oman but misses her mother a lot.

The position of mother in this complicated world is totally irreplaceable.

Adjusting to married life independently – which includes household chores, cooking and maintaining the house – takes a lot. I am constantly reminded of my mom, who always handled our family with love, dedication but without complaints.

At times, when my cooking begets negative remarks (I am still learning), it often takes me back to when I would shout at my mom when her food didn’t taste good. It’s only now that I realise

Winner!

Reply of the Week

how bad she must have felt, but she never complained – and that clearly reflects the vastness of the love in her heart.

It’s really heartrending to read in Y magazine about some mothers in Oman who are more interested in their careers and enjoying their social life than taking care of their own babies. It’s really sad, as when these kids grow up they will never understand the importance of the motherly love, care, support and understanding, which nurtures each child from the earliest days of childhood.

It’s not only my voice but the voice of all daughters across the globe who, due to one reason or another, live away from their mothers.

“Mom, we really love you from the bottom of our hearts and will always be thankful for all the toil that you took in our upbringing, because of which today we are so happy and successful in our lives.”

Love to all Moms.

Ashita Chakraborty, Darsait, Muscat

The coolest colour Go green! Green is cool. Green is nature.

Green is peace. Green is prosperity.

Emerald being my favourite is also green.

Yes, I loved the green article. So live and breathe green and see the vibrant change in you. So go green and grin.

Best Wishes Dr. Vijayalakshmi R Shetty, Muscat

WRITE TO US AND WIN A VOUCHER

Dinner For Two

SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / @ytabloid / www.facebook.com/ytabloid. Impress us and the winning correspondent will receive a RO20 voucher towards lunch or dinner at Park Inn. Terms and conditions apply.

The ultimate Chip Debit Card is here!

Introducing MasterCard Debit Chip Card from NBO • Purchase Protection • Travel Accident & Inconvenience Insurance • Fraud Protection Insurance • Airport Lounge Access (at Dubai, Cairo, Kuwait, Riyadh, Dammam & Jeddah)

Call 800 77077 Conditions apply.

*on select cards

YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US

Debate of the Week We asked:

What is the best way to avoid the summer heat?

Tanvir Sams Better lock yourself inside the fridge – best way to stay cool.

The GUIDE Oman Escape to the mountains. As you climb up through the mountains the altitude treats you with a cooler climate. It’s a great weekend escape right on our doorstep.

PRAJWAL HARITSA I scream, you scream, we all scream for ‘ice cream!’

Muhammad Hisham Just stay at home and watch television.

Awais Khan Stay indoors as much as possible. Do your outdoor activities in the evening. Stay calm, because the heat is surely going to test your temper.

LETTERS

E-MAILS

FA C E B O O K

TWITTER

YOU CAN’t TAKE IT WITH YOU Dear Editor, I am really impressed by all your efforts to highlight important issues in Y. As your cover story highlighted (‘Fast Money’, Y 273), it is very easy to get credit but very difficult to pay it back.

As Muslims, we must always remember that no matter how big the temptations are – like a brand new car or designer jewellery or whatever – all these things will be left behind in this world and what we will take with us is our deeds, good or bad.

So why don’t we try to get credit on good deeds and take them with us as savings for the future.

Take care and keep up the good work.

Regards, Afsheen Syed, Ghubra

I'm a reader

Yousif Emad al Shamarri, 12, was spotted on Barka beach with a copy of Y

Sherrin Finoj Just go to the beach and holiday resorts. It will be great fun.

Heather Louise Duncan Ice skating!

Dahlia C Castaneda I miss the snow. I wish I was still in Russia – better take a trip to Dubai for skiing.

Vedette de Niese Stay indoors during the day. And work at night.

Mohd Ziauddin Wear a white jacket, which contains cold water – the white colour reflects the heat and the cold water keeps the body cool.

Jacqueline Daisy Just go to another country where it’s winter – or go to Thailand.

SHRIDEV CHERUKAT Buy an air conditioner.

THIS IS YOUR PAGE!

Just send us your picture with the free Y Magazine or pose with our photographer and we will publish it on this page.

This Week’s Debate: According to estimates, at least 30 per cent of Omani men are obese. What can be done to reduce this? Share your views on Facebook.

010

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

Send it to: info@y-oman.com

Khanjar Y-Tabloid 24x34 E.indd 1

5/22/13 5:01 PM

NEWS

YOUR

Gallery

Interview

Al Harthy

OMAN

brings trophy home after triumph at Silverstone

Oman champion is first Arab to win Endurance race

O

extra Shell Super,

kilometres

AT NO EXTRA COST

At Shell, our scientists are using smarter and smarter ways to create quality fuels that are designed to deliver better fuel economy. The smart choice for you – Shell Super, the only petrol in Oman with a special additive formula designed for extra kilometres at no extra cost. www.shelloman.com.om

* Comparison between a standard fuel and that same standard fuel containing our fuel economy formula. Actual benefits may vary according to vehicle, driving conditions and driving style.

012

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

Words: Joe Gill Images: Jerzy Wierzbicki

man’s champion racing driver Ahmed al Harthy brought his Endurance Series trophy home this week, saying he hoped it will be the first of many more wins.

The 31-year-old won his first Blancpain Endurance race on June 3 at the UK’s Silverstone circuit, in just his second outing in this race class. He was the first Arab to win in the European tournament.

Speaking in Muscat on Tuesday, he said: “I am very proud to be standing here with this trophy – we have worked very hard over 20 years to get here. I am proud to wear the colours of my country.

“I am also proud to achieve a class win in only my second race, al hamdullilah.

“We started fourth in our class. It was a very tough starting grid, and a big challenge to go round the first corner. I had to be aggressive and challenging – it was about taking over as many cars as I could.

“I hope this is not the only win for 2013. I always go out there to win so hopefully there will be more to come,” he added, thanking his racing team and supporters back home.

“Since 2012 we have been building for the future. We had a great season last year and we are building on that now.”

Al Harthy was the first Omani to win a title in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship Pro Am 1 in 2012.

He said 2013 was a development season. “My goal is to get as much track knowledge and experience as possible in Endurance. It’s no secret that we want to climb the ladder of different categories and classes in Europe. The results will come with time.”

Al Harthy’s eyes are set firmly on becoming a champion in Europe’s prestigious racing tournaments. “It’s no secret that I want to be known as a Le Mans driver,” he added.

With the Italian and British Endurance races behind him, the next designed for race is Paul Ricard in France on June 29-30. Belgium is in July and the final European race is in Nuremberg, Germany, in September.

“This is a huge season with a very intensive programme of races in the UK and Europ,” al Harthy added.

Salaam al Shaksy, chief executive of National Bank of Oman, al Harthy’s main sponsor, said: “Ahmed al Harthy is our champion. He does us proud because he lifts not just the NBO banner for driving our * car, but he wins for Oman.

“We work with Ahmed, we don’t just write a cheque and say ‘Ahmed, go by yourself a car.”

Al Harthy will be back on the track at the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Snetterton 300 Circuit in the UK on June 15 and 16.

YOUR

OMAN

NEWS

Gallery

Interview

Fake parts warning BMW says risks are too high Imitation parts causing many accidents Words: Joe Gill

014

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

B

MW Group Middle East is the latest auto seller to warn customers against taking the risk of buying fake parts for their vehicles.

The German carmaker is launching a campaign in the Sultanate and across the GCC to raise awareness on the growing trend, following a similar campaign launched by Mitsubishi in April.

The size of the imitation parts trade is estimated at 30 percent of the $8.5 billion parts market in the Gulf region.

This is made up of cheap imitation parts imported from Asia and those produced or reconditioned by local workshops.

According to the Royal Oman Police, 45 per cent of the recent road fatalities in the country can be attributed to vehicles running on unsafe or counterfeit replacement parts.

“Customers often seek out a short-term saving without knowledge of the adverse long-term implications it has on their vehicle,” said Rudolf Spann, after sales director at BMW Group Middle East.

“The more people understand the dangers behind using fake products and see the benefits of purchasing original parts, the less likely they are to suffer severe or even fatal road traffic injuries.”

The huge price difference between real and counterfeit parts is the major reason for people opting to buy reconditioned or fake parts, rather than the new, more expensive ones available through official dealers. The other issue is availability.

As Y reported last June, for some car owners who live in the interior of the country, there are no dealers in their area and so they are more likely to turn to a workshop.

A recent OECD report pinpointed the Middle East as a major market in the $16bn global trade in fake auto parts, which is growing at approximately 10 per cent a year.

T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

Gallery

June

Days of Summer Beaconhouse School System is back in Oman and accepting bookings for their summer camp, mixing fun and creative learning activities. The camp runs throughout July with art and craft, cooking, classical dance, mental math, reading and handwriting, as well as days out at Happy Land MGM. Call 24560215/24560219 for details.

13 -14

Festival of Theatre Original drama from Rage Productions Mumbai is showcasing at 2013’s Theatre Festival at the Al Bustan Palace this week. If you’ve missed the earlier performances, don’t worry. On June 13 you can see AR Gurney’s Love Letters and on June 14 the ensemble piece, One on One, with doors opening at 8pm.

July

01-31

THIS

WEEK MAY

-

What to do.

What to see.

What to hear.

J u ne

Free your mind

Quietening the mind is not just a mental exercise – meditation and yoga are known routes to all-round well-being. The Art of Living is running a day of classes for beginners and it is free. Ladies classes are 9.30am-11am and 11.30am-1pm, and those for men 7pm to 9pm. Call Subhashree on 98266860 or email yogathon2013@gmail.com.

June

016

JUN 13 - JUN 19 / ISSUE 274

15

Movies

June

A life remembered The life of Bait Al Zubair’s late, much-loved museum director Sarah White will be celebrated at the Bosch Centre for Performing Arts with a programme of live classical music from 7.30pm. Entrance is free with a collection for children’s cancer charity Dar Al-Hanan. Enquiries by email to dananthonyhorn@hotmail. com. Performers include former London Symphony Orchestra violinist Min Yang and former BBC Philharmonic violinist Richard Thirlwall.

13 Late night Madness Come to Movida at Radisson Royal, Sheikh Zayed Road, from 11pm for the Absolute House night, teaming up with eyewear extraordinaire ‘Mad In Italy’. It’s the official afterparty for the Italian brand, mixing famed house beats, while Mad’s models will be snapping partygoers with their vintage Polaroid cameras. Guests will be asked kindly to fill in their details on the back of the snaps to get the chance to win a pair of Mad’s groovy sunglasses.

June to Sept

June

15

Memories of

Things Past The Omani French Centre is exhibiting French artist Neyb this week. The show, entitled ‘Memories of a Time’ is the last of the season before the summer holidays. Make sure to pass by Inshirah Street in Madinat Qaboos between now and June 26.

Almouj Golf has joined up with Ghala Valley and Muscat Hills to offer a special summer ‘golf passport’ for golfers looking for variety in their game this summer. The RO90 golf passports can be purchased at Almouj Golf, Ghala Valley and Muscat Hills and are valid until 31 September. For more information about the summer offers, please contact Almouj Golf on 2200 5990.

June 13 - 26

Dancing for a Cause

Your feet are just itching for a reason to dance.

So go on, come and let loose to the beat as the finest local artists and DJs spin an exclusive set for the ‘Dance for a Cause’ event at Al Noor Hall from 5pm-11pm. Every ticket sold will help put funds towards Oman Cancer Association, especially for young cancer sufferers.

June 15

14

Movie Magic Admit it – you’ve got a thing for those classic Tamil and Hindi movie songs. If so, head down to Majestic Muscat’s night of golden melodies sung by local talent, from 6.45pm at the Grand Hall, Al Falaj Hotel. For information call 92205860 / 92898787.

Estate of the Nation The International Exhibition Centre in Sohar is the venue for the Real Estate Development Exhibition, organised by Maber Al Qawafil LLC, with exhibitors from across the commercial property sector.

June 1616 -18

JUNE 13 - JUN 19 / ISSUE 274

017

THIS WEEK

MOVIES MOVIES Arthur Newman

Man of Steel

The bar has been set pretty high for reboots of old superhero franchises, notably Christopher Nolan’s Batman series, Joss Whedon’s The Avengers and the Iron Man franchise.

The trend toward a grittier, more independent spirited direction for the DC Comics spinoffs is also apparent in the latest reincarnation of Superman.

Henry Cavill plays the young man of steel as an edgy, more angst-ridden Kal-El/Clark Kent.

Gone is the goofy farm boy from the earlier movies.

Father Kevin Costner warns him to keep his superpowers under wraps or risk arousing the suspicions of the narrow-minded humans – and the military authorities.

However, his cover is inevitably blown when a party of his fellow Kryptonites led by General Zod (Michael Shannon) arrives on Earth intent on violent conquest – and it’s up to a reluctant Kal-El to save humanity.

With Nolan sharing writing credits, this is, not surprisingly,

a more serious character-driven affair than previous renditions.

Kal-El has good reason to fear that the humans will not appreciate his efforts to save them.

Russell Crowe appears briefly as Kal-El’s Kryptonite father and is believably paternal in a role once taken by Marlon Brando.

The chemistry between Amy Adams’ Lois Lane and Clark Kent is palpable, with Adams bringing plenty of chutzpah to the role of the intrepid reporter.

Director Zack Snyder is best known for the Greek gorefest 300 and Watchmen, and you can see something of the stark vision of the latter film in Man of Steel.

When General Zod imposes a reign of terror on the earthlings, it feels not a million miles from the plot of Nolan’s Dark Knight Rises.

It’s a world of xenophobia and fear we are all familiar with, and it makes for a more serious rumination of the state of the planet than you might expect with your popcorn.

It’s all the better for it.

Reviews by Joe Gill

B O L LY WAT C H Fukrey

In this comedy, four lazy no-hopers come up with a hair-brained scheme to win the lottery by following the dream predictions of a friend. All they need is someone to bankroll them.

Unfortunately tough-talking Bholi Punjaban paints a very bleak picture of what will happen if they don’t make her money back. Predictably things go from bad to worse for the boys in this zany Delhi-set caper.

THIS WEEK’S MOVIES 018

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

Colin Firth plays a floor manager who decides to fake his own death on a camping holiday and reinvent himself as the eponymous Arthur. He heads for the golf course to take a shot at a more adventurous life, where he meets Mike (played by Emily Blunt) a fellow misfit who impersonates her institutionalised paranoid schizophrenic twin sister.

Together they impersonate their way across the country. A charisma-free script sinks an interesting idea – even Blunt’s heroic performance can’t save it.

Rapture-Palooza In this satire on apocalyptic beliefs, a young couple are left behind after the day of reckoning when the chosen ones ascend to Heaven. The world after the ‘rapture’ is rather like the present one, give or take the odd meteor strike and locust plague. The potential of the premise is barely explored, with the cast of well-known jokers left looking for something funny to say.

Y’s Top Two The Internship 1

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are back together for the first time since The Wedding Crashers, this time playing sales guys made obsolete in the digital age.

As middle-aged has-beens, they come up with a ruse to get themselves into Google’s internship programme. Pretty soon they are out of their depth among the geeky babes, but manage to show them a thing or two about team spirit.

A mildly amusing and very extended ad for Google Inc.

Lords of Salem

Rob Zombie directs this art-house chiller, which sees the infamous witch trials of Salem come back to haunt the residents of the town. Heidi, played by Sherri Moon Zombie, is a recovering addict working for a local radio station who receives a demo album in a wooden box.

She plays it on air, only to send the young women of the town into a trance and sending her into a spiral of visions from the trials. A bold shot to break the horror mould, even if Mr and Mrs Zombie can’t quite carry it off.

2

For more information and times, go to: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

G ( ! f a d a H oman could make football history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time – but THEY have to beat Jordan for rio to be within reach. kate ginn reports

020

JUN 13 -19 / ISSUE 274

) ! l a o G

Y was invited to join the Oman team’s final preparations with a punishing training session in the heat and a match against the Olympic Team at Sultan Qaboos Stadium. Here we get the thoughts from coaches and players ahead of the big game on June 18.

Paul Le Guen - Head Coach “It’s great for us to be in such a position and unexpected. It’s a big game. We are hopeful. We have a lot of young players and the league they play in is not professional so it’s a great achievement. “There is pressure but it’s good to feel pressure. I prefer that rather than to be last in the group. “Can we reach the World Cup? For us it’s unbelievable. We have a chance.”

Hussain Mudhaffar - Defender “Jordan are a strong team but we have the best manager on the field. We can go all the way. It would be a dream come true for all of us to play in the World Cup.” Mohanna al Adawi - Assistant Coach “I think we have done a good preparation. We are ready for the game. Of course, we are thinking about the World Cup. We can do it. It would be amazing for us.”

Raed Ibrahim Saleh - Midfielder “I have thought about playing in a World Cup since I was small. It would be a big chance for me to play with players such as Messi and Ronaldo.”

W

hen 11 football players wearing the red shirts of Oman walk out onto the pitch in Amman at 8pm on Tuesday evening, they will be carrying more than just the burden of a nation’s hopes. They could be on their way to making history.

If Oman’s national team manages to beat Jordan under the glare of the spotlights in the King Abdullah International Stadium, it may, depending on other results, put them through to the World Cup finals for the first time.

No wonder the Oman Football Association has called it the most important game in Oman’s sporting history.

As the countdown begins to the match, World Cup fever is building in Oman.

Thousands will be gathering round their televisions at home to watch the game live and it will also be showing in hotels and bars across the country The Red Warriors journey towards Rio 2014 has not been without drama. Their team captain and star player, goalkeeper Ali al Habsi, has been sidelined with a shoulder injury and will play no part in the crucial remaining World Cup Qualifiers.

A 1-0 victory over Iraq in the last game on

June 4 gave Oman real hope. The dream took a slight dent when Australia beat Jordan to leap into second place in the group.

But the window to Rio is still open. It all comes down to a nail-biting climax on June 18 when the final automatic qualifying place from the Asian group will be decided.

Hearts will be firmly in mouths. It will be crunch time to decide who joins Japan on the road to Brazil.

Oman’s head coach, Paul le Guen, has been here before. Three years ago, he guided the Cameroon national team to the World Cup in South Africa. Can he pull it off again and mastermind another incredible achievement for the underdogs?

If our boys do beat Jordan on Tuesday and Australia, who play on the same day, can only draw with Iraq, it will be Oman who finishes in second place. Even if Australia wins, there’s still a chance to clinch a World Cup Finals spot in a third placed play-off match where the likely opponents will be Iran or Uzbekistan.

If Oman does grab an historic place, it promises to spark one hell of a celebration across the Sultanate.

Whether the Red Warriors prevail remains to be seen. Whatever the result, it has been quite a journey.

Ahmed Mubarak Midfielder and team captain “We know the whole country wants us to win but it’s a positive pressure not negative, it motivates us. Ali (al Habsi) is very important to us but we beat Iraq without him and we can do it again.’

Imad al Hosni - Striker “I’ve been injured but I’m fit again now. I hope to be picked to play against Jordan but it’s up to the coach. I am trying not to think about the World Cup and just concentrate on the Jordan game but I would love to play in the same match as Messi.

Who know maybe if we make it to Rio I will.”

Pavol Skoda Team physio

“I hope it’s a good game.”

Mohammed al Mashari Striker

“We will win.”

JUN 13 -19 / ISSUE 274

021

INTRODUCING THE RED WARRIORS Meet the coaches and players who will be giving their all on and off the pitch to create history and take Oman to the World Cup. PAUL LE GUEN Head Coach The Frenchmen, 49, won 17 caps for the French national team as a player. His playing career as a defender included successful stays with FC Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Le Guen later managed among others PSG, Olympique Lyonnais, Glasgow Rangers and the Cameroon national team, leading the side to qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He accepted the Oman job in June 2011.

MOHANNA AL ADAWI Assistant Coach

Expected team line-up for June 18 1. Faiz al Rashidi 24 Goalkeeper Club Team: Al Suwaiq 2. Jaber al Awisi 23 Defender Club Team:

3. Abdul Salam Amur Age: 25 Defender Club Team:

4. Saad Sohail Age: 25 Defender Club Team:

Al Seeb Club

Al Ra’ed

6. Mohammed Saleh Ali al Musalami 23 Midfielder Club Team: Fanja FC 7. Ahmed Mubarak Age: 28 Midfielder and team captain Club Team:

Al Ettifaq

8. Raed Ibrahim Saleh Age: 20 Midfielder Club Team:

Al Arouba

9. Abdul Azia al Muqbali Age: 24 Midfielder Club Team:

Al Taawon

10. Ismail al Ajmi Age: 29 Striker Club Team:

Al Faisaly

11. Imad al Hosni Age: 28 Striker Club Team:

Al Ahli

Honourable mention:

5. Yaqoob Salem al Farsi Age: 24 Midfielder/Defender Club Team:

Dhofar

Sur

Ali al Habsi 31 Goalkeeper Club Team

If you don’t know your offside from your assist, here are the very basic rules of the game:  Also known as footie or soccer  The game consists of two halves (a favourite football cliché). A standard adult game is 90 minutes long, broken up into two 45-minute halves. Half time is 15 minutes.  Each team must have 11 players on the field at all times. They play in defence, midfield or upfront (the job of strikers is to score goals).  If a player is injured or isn’t playing well, he can be taken off the pitch and replaced by one of the substitutes sitting on the bench.  The manager and assistant coaches are the ones sitting on the bench or tearing their hair out by the side of the pitch.  A referee oversees the game and ensures fair play. There are usually two linesmen assisting him or her.  Players who have been naughty and committed an offence, such as fouling another player, could be given a yellow ‘warning’ card. Another yellow and it turns into a red card and the player is sent off (told to leave the pitch), usually protesting his innocence.  A goal is scored any time the ball crosses the goal line.  The offside rule is fiendishly difficult to explain so we won’t try.  A goalmouth scramble is when lots of players are bunched near the goal and either trying to score or clear the ball, through a sea of legs and football boots.  Apart from the goalkeeper (also known as the goalie) no other player can touch the ball with his or her hands.  A penalty kick is given when a contact foul or handball is made by the defending team within the penalty area, a large box area in front of the goal. Penalties are very good because the player has a great chance to score one-on-one with the goalie – unless you are an England player that is, who pretty much always miss penalties.  When players do score, you will see them running ecstatically around the pitch, hugging their fellow players, doing acrobatic jumps, leaping into the crowd and various other ways to celebrate their moment of glory.

022

JUN 13 -19 / ISSUE 274

Wigan Athletic

Had al Habsi been fit, he would have been leading the players out onto the pitch as the long-standing team captain. A pivotal player, he will be missed but the team have shown they can win without him.

Can we do it?

Oman Fahad al Tamimi, Football reporter for Kooora Wa Bas Magazine in Muscat “Oman will qualify. We have good players, team spirit and a huge support from everyone in Oman. I am looking forward to going to Rio.”

VS Jordan Ahmad Abdul Qader, Jordan’s assistant coach “A big effort has been invested in this team. We are now two steps away from realising our goal, and will do our utmost to achieve it.”

OFA GALLERY

OFA AWARDS NIGHT

PLAYERS, COACHES and sponsors honoured

OFA chairman Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi

Al Wisal station manager Nadim Attieh receives an award

Kooora reporter Fahad al Tamimi

Kooora managing editor Naeem Taher

Y editor Penny Fray receives an award

JUN 13 -19 / ISSUE 274

023

Star

Attraction As Oman footballer Ali al Habsi joins Y’s campaign for car safety seats, police in Dhofar admit a law is needed to protect our children, reports Kate Ginn

R

oad accidents in which children are killed or seriously injured are on the rise and legislation forcing parents to buckle up young ones in cars should be introduced, police have told Y. New traffic laws are being drawn up and should include child restraints, according to a senior traffic police officer in the Dhofar region, who said it was possible that rear seat belts for all passengers would become compulsory as part of the revisions.

Abdullah Abu Bakar al Dhahab, First Lieutenant with the Royal Oman Police (ROP), told Y Magazine: “Accidents on the roads involving children and babies have increased.

“Using child car seats could be beneficial in helping reducing deaths or serious injuries.

“We would hope that a law making it necessary to use car seats is introduced in the new traffic legislation. It is necessary in our opinion.”

While police on patrol in the Dhofar region cannot fine parents for not using child seats, officers do routinely stop drivers travelling with unrestrained young passengers and warn them of the dangers, he added.

Lt al Dhahab was speaking as footballer Ali al Habsi, Oman national team goalkeeper, and Omani rally legend and founder of Safety First, Hamed al Wahaibi, visited the ROP Dhofar Governate HQ as the child car safety seat campaign went on tour.

Y Magazine is championing calls with the National Youth Committee (NYC) and Safety First for a law to make car seats mandatory in the whole of the Sultanate for children under the age of six. A similar law was introduced in the UAE two years ago.

While there, the two stars donated ten child car seats to be used by police officers with children, in the hope it will encourage colleagues and other parents to follow suit.

“I lost my cousin when he was 14 years old in a car accident,” says Hamed al Wahaibi.

“It has got to the point where everybody has lost somebody in Oman on the roads.”

During the trip to Dhofar at the weekend, the sporting heroes also went on stage at the new Salalah Gardens Mall in an event to promote road safety. Dozens of car seats were handed out to the audience, along with education and advice on looking after children in cars.

024

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

A similar event was held at Muscat Grand Mall a few days before, which both stars also attended.

Last year, 60 children aged between newborn and six were killed in accidents on Oman’s roads and a further 62 died in the 11-15 year old age group.

As a father to two young daughters Ali al Habsi, 31, who plays in the English Premier League, is only too aware of the need to keep children safe on the roads.

“In the UK, using a car seat is done without thinking. It’s just a normal thing to do.

“Everyone can make a difference, parents and individuals, by working together. I know that it will take time but I hope that one day it will change.”

Al Habsi, who has also lost family in traffic accidents, is co-founder of Safety First, a non-profit road safety organisation that seeks to decrease car accident fatalities in the country.

NYC’s Sayyid Nasr Badr Albusaidi, who has spearheaded the car seat campaign, said using celebrities helps to raise the profile of the cause and hammer home the message.

“Ali and Hamed have a great following. They have that ability to pull people in, the magnet effect. They can help us to achieve our objective much quicker.”

Illustrating the devastating consequences of not using child car seats, he told Y about one of his friends.

“He was involved in an accident driving to Barka and all of his family died. He lost his three children, aged two to six, and his wife. None of them were wearing seatbelts.

“He was the only one who survived. That was six or seven years ago and he is a different person to the guy I used to know. He is a broken man.”

More child car seats will be given away to parents in the coming months and car dealerships will also be targeted to sign up for the campaign.

“We have other laws on the road but no attention is given to children,” says Sayyid Nasr.

“Something has to change. It must change.” * Go to f/YTABLOID for photo gallery and videos JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

025

BUSINESS & CAREER

Emotional Freedom Technique is a powerful, drug-free and easy to use system that can help reduce stress and negative self-belief. The celebrity-endorsed treatment involves gently tapping parts of your body whilst repeating positive phrases. And now there are classes in Muscat’s Al Harub Medical Centre. The next introductory session will be on June 26. Whether you believe in energy fields or not, you might be curious enough to try this the next time you feel negative – and be surprised by the results. For more information, go to info@alharubmedical.com.

020

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

Trend

Networking

Minute Mentoring

Mantra

Trend

Networking

Minute Mentoring

TAP TO The Top

Whether you want to conquer anxiety, think more positively or maintain your motivation – tapping can help you become a success, says Penny Fray.

I

magine for a moment that you’re a success. It’s in the job description to be confident, positive, driven and fearless. So, you’ve tried coaching, development classes and even stalking large salaried CEOs. But something’s holding you back. Actually, quite a lot is holding you back – anxiety, procrastination and a fear of failure to name but a few. The solution? Tapping. Yup, you heard right – jabbing specific points on your body can make your life a whole lot better.

Popularised by celebrities and sports personalities, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), otherwise known as tapping therapy, is based on the theory that negative emotions are caused by disturbances in the body's energy field.

Often referred to as acupuncture without needles, EFT involves locating and tapping on meridian points while thinking of a negative emotion and using positive suggestion and thoughts to alter the body's energy flow, restore balance and reprogramme the thought process.

PGA players have been spotted doing it around the golf course, Madonna is rumoured to be a fan and interior designer Kelly Hoppen has used it to help her cope with anxiety.

“The combination of tapping the energy meridians and voicing positive affirmation works to clear the ‘short-circuit’ or the emotional block from your body’s bio-energy system,” explains therapist Everton Brown. “As that happens, imbalances are eliminated from the body’s energy system and negative emotions are weakened and eventually eradicated.”

It may sound bonkers but EFT has had impressive results on a whole spectrum of emotional issues and is rapidly making its mark in the professional arena. Everton recounts the case of an executive who was struggling to hit tough targets. His anxiety about sales and meeting new demands had started to manifest themselves as physical ailments.

“He now exceeds those targets on a daily basis,” explains the expert. “I just hope his bosses ask him: ‘what happened to you?’”

Several other similar stories are recounted, including a man who was saved from turning down a promotion because he was afraid of giving presentations.

But it’s not just work-related issues that are tackled by this non-invasive technique; tapping has also proved beneficial to addictive smokers and over eaters.

“Apart from the high success rate, there are many benefits to EFT including immediate results, lasting positive changes and the fact that it can be done anywhere,” concludes Everton. “It can increase the productivity of a workforce, relieve sales call reluctance and work towards the betterment of a workforce’s well-being. The possibilities are endless.”

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY:

LET GO OF WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK

“EFT allows you to drop away limiting beliefs.

You’re working on pure emotion, so there’s no analysis, just a set of tapping techniques and statements. It’s amazing – try it.” Rosie Malcolm MacEwan, an EFT therapist from the Al Harub Medical Centre.

ADDRESS THE CAUSE NOT THE SYMPTOM “When we are over-stressed or have too many things to do in a short time frame, as occurs regularly in the workplace, the part of our brain that normally assists with concentration, memory and understanding of a problem, tends to shut down, as it’s prioritising the stress response, and hence we have poorer brain function to work optimally. Alternative medicine can help alleviate these problems by addressing the cause rather than the outcome of the problem.” Shella Hall from Capital Natural Herbs

BUSINESS BUY

, the If, like us y desk k ir u q t lates cites rnalia ex paraphe ou’ll love these y you, thenird egg magnets Oualy b as we do. Pretty ll as much cal, you can fix a ti s and prac ll-important note those a eggs – available with the RO4 at Nelly from td.

Pepper L

C oNen n e c t e d

twork fro with Y’s newm your desk weekly profile .

Name: Nadeem Position: ExecuQureshi Benefits: As ou tive director, Dzine Works Use EFT techniques to help you boost your business needs: Taiba Pharmacy anr award-winning interior refitting of Ì Identify and vanquish limiting self-beliefs and images that stop you from d the Pirates & P rincesses MGM achieving your goals using EFT. Powerful points include the lower edge salon show, I can offer excitin g de si gn un co iq ue ncepts and fit -outs for retail and of your hand, the top of your head, the inside edge of your eyebrow, co m m er C ci al h a cu ra stomers. ct your chin and under the top part of your arm. er: D Would Like Tedicated, honest, innovative. Ì Introduce affirmations that encourage positive self-talk, which class building desi o Meet: Clients who want world can impact on your self-image and core beliefs. Add an image of you Contact me ogn for properties that stand out from succeeding. The persistent repetition of an affirmation paired with n: nadeem@dzin the crowd. a vivid image conditions the mind towards perceptions, thoughts and eworks.com behaviours that conform to the newly envisioned reality. Use EFT to further empower them. Tap to increase the emotional believability of the goal, affirmation and image.

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

021

food and drink

Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

PLATES THAT MAKE YOU GO YUM!

Did you know that the colour of your crockery influences how much you enjoy your food? Researchers discovered that a dessert served on a white plate tasted better by 15-20 per cent. According to the study, the whiteness of the plate accentuated the pinkness of the mousse, leading tasters to think it was sweeter and scrummier than it actually was.

NEWS ALERT! Fresh Plus has finally arrived in Muscat. And the fab, boutique grocery store with in-house bakery and Café Arabica has plans to expand throughout Oman. “Fresh Plus is considered a qualitative development in modern shopping,” says Sadiq al Lawati, the man behind bringing the franchise to Muscat. “It enables customers to shop in a friendly comfortable atmosphere, and focuses on value, quality and unique service.”

026

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

TREND New Restaurant

News

ALL WHITE NOW

GRAND

SALE

The achromatic trend on the catwalk translates perfectly into the home, says Penny Fray.

N

othing packs a more powerful interior design punch than pure white. Its very starkness screams modern and expensive.

Whether you are designing a dining room to be sleek and sterile or minimalist with raw textures, the all white look is here to stay.

Decorating a room from floor to ceiling in white can really open up a space, although it’s not exactly practical for people who want their homes to be more than a designer den. You can’t have clutter. And children, especially ones with mucky hands, are a definite no-no. Oh, and the cleaner will hate you, after all there is nowhere grime can hide in an achromatic room.

Transforming your dining area into a simple yet super stylish space is easier than you think. The White Company at Muscat City Centre is a must-visit store for those with elegantly pared down tastes – but like most classics, you’ll find plain white pieces almost everywhere in the city. For designer or quirky touches, go online.

For those who don’t do the allwhite look, you can always add personality with vibrant pops of colour on crockery, candles, flowers and other accessories. A yellow or fuchsia pink accent will add a much-needed burst of life into a bright white room.

Homes R Us is a good place to look in this regard.

Alternatively, rustic features will lend warmth and character to your dining space. Use wicker baskets, rugs and neutral linens to transform a cold room into a cozy zone to eat and entertain.

This super-cool deer head is the ultimate dining room accessory - available online from The French Bedroom Company.

We love this industrial chic dining chair featuring wooden Eiffel style legs, from Alexander & Pearl – RO60

Bring something traditional to the table with this LSA porcelain cake stand from RO20 at Drink Stuff.

This white, funky fruit bowl combines an exciting and dynamic design with a soft and seductive silicone body, creating the perfect centrepiece for your table.

Available from Red Candy at RO18

SHOWROOMS: OC CENTRE, RUWI (TEL: 24786596) CENTRE POINT, AL KHUWAIR (TEL: 24603542), FANJA HOUSE, QURUM OPP AL KHAMIS PLAZA (TEL 24560086)

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

027

food and drink

review N e w R e s t a u r a n t

News

Mid Market

SURF AND

TURF S

Meat and fish lovers will be more than satisfied – but those with a sweet tooth may be left wanting, says Heather Duncan

ometimes your reputation precedes you and such was the case with the Al Tajin Grill. I’d heard good things around town about this restaurant. It’s known as a great place to try cuts of beef and locally sourced seafood, so I decided it was time to try it for myself.

One of six on-site restaurants and bars at the Radisson Blu Hotel, the AT Grill is relatively small but has a charming, relaxed feel to it. A large window through to the kitchen allows you to observe the chefs hard at work preparing your meals while you wait.

With rumbling stomachs, my husband and I opted to start our meal with the buffet starter consisting of Arabic breads, salads, hummus and other delicious little side food. With our greedy eyes on the mains, we didn’t want anything too heavy to ruin our appetites and it was the perfect choice.

And so on to the main event. With a selection ranging from Wagyu beef to Omani lobster and other locally caught seafood, the menu was impressive. I plumped for the Sizzling Prawns, which definitely did their best to sizzle with vigour as the waiter set down the plate still hot from the grill. Presentation was spot on too, with grilled peppers and tomatoes, complimented by my choice of garlic sauce. Fresh and tasty, I was a happy girl with my prawns.

Across the table, my carnivore husband, Colin, was

028

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

also making light work of his Angus Tenderloin steak with peppercorn sauce. His silence while eating was a very good sign. His verdict? Cooked medium rare to perfection.

Our ever-helpful waiter offered us the dessert buffet and pointed to another table with a selection of cakes and sweets. Usually I would have been jumping up out of my seat with pudding plate in hand at the thought of a selection of sweet treats. This time, however, I stayed put, having been extremely discouraged by the fact that they were sitting in the open air and unrefrigerated.

That said, overall our visit to the Al Tajin Grill was enjoyable and the main courses were great quality and cooked perfectly. The observing area to watch the chefs at work was a nice addition and made the space feel a bit more intimate.

The only things that held it back from being great instead of just good was the lack of ambience – it was very quiet with not much going on.

VERDICT :

7

10

Sizzlin and help g mains ful atmosph staff – and dess ere e need wo rts rk

Info Box

Address: Radisson Blu Hotel, Al Khuwair Way No.209, Al Khuwair, Muscat, Oman Opening Times: 6pm-11pm (Daily) Phone number: 24487777 Reservations.Muscat@Radissonblu.com www.radissonblu.com/hotel-muscat Price (dinner for two people with starters, mains and water): RO45

HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

COOL KIDS

FASHION

The sun’s rays in Oman can harm tender young skin, so prevent them from getting sun burnt by applying a liberal amount of sun cream on exposed parts of the body.

Hats are also a good idea, especially if your little ones don’t have much hair.

HOT GOSSIP Rumour has it that Mango Kids is coming to Muscat soon – woo-hoo!

The stylish Spanish brand is well known for its chic collection – for a sneaky peek of its children’s pieces, go to mangokidsfashion.com

Model wears outfit from Mothercare

030

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

BABY, IT’S HOT OUTSIDE Summertime is meant for beach adventures, lemonade and the coolest kids outfits, says Penny Fray.

I

t’s hard to take kiddie fashion seriously when the models can’t even pronounce their r’s properly – ‘weally’ it is. But over the past few years there has been a dramatic revolution in children’s wear. When I was a kid in the early ’80s, the choice was stark – layers of pastel polyester with a sensible pair of Clark’s shoes. Today, virtually every adult designer label – from Christian Dior to Burberry – has a junior range. It’s gone from being about children’s clothing to children’s fashion as cutting-edge collections filter down from the catwalks to the high street.

If you can’t justify some of the RO500 outfits from the couture houses that dominate Dubai Mall and Muscat’s specialist baby boutiques, then you’ll find plenty of designer and celebrity names in the likes of Gap, Mothercare and even Toys’R’Us thanks to collaborations with Diane Von Furstenberg, Jools Oliver and Heidi Klum. Otherwise, M&S, Matalan and H&M always do well with reasonably priced, colourful basics.

As the heat rises, it’s all about easy layering, bright hues and plenty of sun protection. So, make sure your little ones are smothered in factor 50 and have their heads covered with either a handy hat or pretty parasol.

Matalan’s t-shirts are a great way to add a pop of colour to an outfit – plus, they offer good value.

Swim and swagger in these stylish shorts from H&M – from RO3.

Whatever the outfit – don’t forget to smother your little ones in sun protection lotion.

Toddler wears outfit from Mothercare

Baby Dior top RO65 and parasol RO130 from dior.com.

Summer Style:

Dress your ‘dots’ in designer without breaking the bank. Diane Von Furstenberg baby grow from Gap.com – RO11.

These M&S retro sunglasses are super stylish – from RO3.

PENNY’S TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR KIDS COOL IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

1 When it comes to casual summer fashion for kids, comfort is more important than style. Strike a balance with bold colours in light, natural fabrics like cotton and linen. 2 Avoid form fitting fashion and spandex, which make kids hot and uncomfortable. 3 Children grow quickly, so buy designer pieces in the sales or on online auction sites.

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

031

HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

B ea u ty

Fashion

COLOUR CRAZED Marrying fashion with beauty, Nilo Haq tells Penny Fray what’s hot this summer.

1. TANGERINE DREAM

The future’s definitely bright and for the fashion courageous, head to toe in tangerine is the way to go. But when it comes to beauty, it’s all about softly sculpting your face with rich, warm tones and finishing the look with a pop of citrus colour on the lips.

“Tangerine compliments bronze skin beautifully, so keep your make-up sun kissed by using a golden bronzing powder on the cheekbones and then dusting the rest around your face and neck,” says Nilo Haq, make up artist for Pond’s Arabia. “Orange, peach and tangerine lips are a fun and flirty way to embrace summer 2013.”

2. GREEN FOR GO

As revealed in last week’s Y magazine, emerald green is a huge colour trend this season – but how would do you wear it on your face? While runway models at Michael Kors showcased futuristic green lines above the eyelids, Nilo advises the rest of us to go neutral.

“When wearing emerald green clothing or accessories, try to shy far away from matching eye shadow or nail polish,” says Nilo.

“Choose colours that would complement the clothing or go for bronzes and beiges on the eyes with a nude or natural lip shade.

To play up the look, go for soft pink lips, which complements green beautifully.”

3. MAKE YOUR POUT SHOUT

Tell the world you’re not afraid of colour with one of the season’s top statement makers – neon. The trend for all things bright and beautiful is back this year with a bang but that doesn’t mean you have to go retro with your cosmetics.

“Let the clothing be the focal point of your look by keeping your makeup colours minimal,” says Nilo. “This would be the perfect time to try nudes and natural hues for your make-up palette. Keep the skin looking fabulous by applying Pond’s Gold Radiance Day Cream before putting on your foundation for a glowing complexion. If you want to play up your look, choose a hot pink matte lipstick for the lips.” Statement pouts were seen everywhere this season – from Missoni to Dries Van Noten.

EDITOR’S TOP PICK In support of last week’s World Ocean Day, Crème de la Mer created 24 Limited-Edition Project Ocean Lip Balms, embellished with Swarovski elements. This intensely renewing balm is formulated with a potent concentration of Miracle Broth™, the heart of Crème de la Mer’s profound powers of transformation. It soothes on contact, softens roughness and helps rejuvenate seriously dry lips. Buy at Selfridges.com

032

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

www.radiomerge.fm

Enjoy Merge 104.8 and get your daily dose of the freshest tunes, news and entertainment with Merge 104.8.

Rock, pop, R’n’B, house – all your favorite hits –on the road, at home, at work and at play. All the latest sounds from around the world, delivered with local flavour and style.

Y Mag.indd 1

5/24/11 1:20 PM

My Hood

CARS AND OUTDOORS

036

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

Cars

Wi-Fi

OUTDOORS

FREE BIRD

In the midst of the flattest desert is the salt dome of Qarat Al Kibrit, an outcrop of jagged hills and caves that is rich in ancient fossils, and the odd vulture on the wing.

My Hood

Cars

Wi-Fi

OUTDOORS

Destination

Qarat

al Kibrit

The salt dome is a moonscape of geological wonders rising out of the flat desert, says Jerzy Wierzbicki

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

037

CARS AND OUTDOORS

My Hood

Cars

S

Wi-Fi

OUTDOORS

ome locations in Oman surprise you with their originality.

A week ago I decided to visit an obscure spot between Adam and Haima in a region seemingly of little interest to explorers and adventure seekers.

This whole part of Oman is almost completely flat and the desert very monotonous – but there are nuggets of Oman’s rich geological heritage to discover here.

It also happens to be of vital importance to the national economy, with many established oil fields and surveys.

A few dozen kilometres behind Adam are a group of hills that rise up mirage-like from the flat sandy desert. One of the most striking is a salt dome named Qarat al Kibrit.

As you draw closer, it looks more and more like the moon’s surface, with craters, lattice rock patterns and jagged outcrops. Ancient fossilised coral reefs and huge chunks of natural salt are scattered around, as layers upon layers of geological time are exposed to the eye. The whole area is only 300 by 400 square metres across.

There are also a number of caves here, one of which is large enough to enter and pass through to the other side.

Qarat al Kibrit is a treasure trove of natural wonders and a total contrast to the monotonous desert that surrounds it. There are a number of these ‘salt domes’ in the region although Qarat al Kibrit is best known for its unusual features.

The combinations of sandstone and salt was once part of a prehistoric ocean until violent upheavals in the earth exposed it to the desert winds, over the aeons creating the abstract forms pictured here.

I brought only one camera and two lenses – a standard zoom and a telephoto lens – a fortunate choice as it turned out. Suddenly above me I saw

038

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

a huge vulture floating over the hills. Perhaps it had spotted my dog Trop, mistook him for a hairy lizard and was planning its next meal. I ordered Trop to stand by me. He barked at the sky before bolting for safety under the car.

Meanwhile I secured my tripod with the telephoto lens and waited till the vulture drew closer to me.

After ten minutes or so, it suddenly flew directly towards me and I snapped away with the camera.

Qarat al Kibrit is quite easy to reach due to the flat terrain and established tracks. A 4x4 is advisable, but if you keep to the main tracks you can even reach it in a normal passenger car.

travel guide

HOW TO GET THERE Go to Adam and refuel your car then continue straight to Haima. Some 8km before you reach a small oil exploration settlement called Ghaba, turn right on the asphalt road. Go straight until you reach a gravel roundabout, where you turn right again. From this point you will see the hills at a distance on the completely flat horizon.

GPS location of Qarat al Kibrit : N21’30’45 E57’09’3 JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

039

MMyy HHoooodd

CCaarrss

OUTDOORS WWi i- -FFi i OUTDOORS

WAKEY! WAKEY! Penny Fray finds out about the sport making waves in Oman.

040

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

I

t all started with a conversation about sharks. are attached to bindings. You start off in the water We were having a girly lunch at MORE Café behind a boat holding on to a towrope. You’re pulled when someone said they’d spotted one in Oman, out of the water and hey-ho you’re wakeboarding. which strangely moved on to the topic It’s not quite as simple as this and a few attempts are of wakeboarding. generally required before you start flipping tricks.”

It was decided that if there were ever a remake of This isn’t a sport for those who prefer a slower pace Jaws, it would be a bit old hat of life. to use a water-skier as bite bate.

Riders are typically towed behind That’s because wakeboarding is a motorboat at speeds of 17-25 km/ far trendier. In fact, it’s the fastest hour depending on the board size, growing water sport with nearly rider’s weight, type of tricks, and the  Wakeboarding has been four million enthusiasts around rider’s comfort speed. part of the World Games the world.

Of course, as with many action since 2005, in the trend sports Rumour has it that the sport sports, there is specialist lingo to category. was born through a lack of describe the various moves. The more  Paul Fraser, a Canadian waves in either Australia or New height, the more pop you have. from Vancouver, coined the term ‘wakeboarding’ along Zealand and was originally known Heading towards the wake with with his brother Murray as Skurfing. chest facing the boat is known as a and a pro-snowboarder they A hybrid of snowboarding, heelside edge – while heading from sponsored. skiing and surfing, the action is the other direction is known as toeside  Boards are buoyant with predominately practiced behind a edge. Beginners usually embrace the the core usually made of foam, purpose-built speedboat with the former stance. honeycomb or wood mixed rider being towed behind at high Children, who are often fearless, with resin and coated with speeds. can also enjoy wakeboarding. fibreglass.

According to converts, Once you master the basics, there  Both men and women do wakeboarding is different from are many more adventurous moves wakeboarding at a competitive level, but they compete in skiing in there is more room to get to grips with going by such separate categories. for innovation and creativity. intriguing names as Tantrum, Blind  A basic adult board costs Using the boat’s wake to Pete, Scarecrow and Whirlybird. around RO108 launch enthusiasts into the air, Either way, Rebecca says it’s a performaing rotations, flips and great way of keeping fit without the other tricks become easier with practice. boredom of daily treks to the gym. Plus, Oman is Blessed with hundreds of kilometres of coastline the perfect wakeboarding place. In fact, it’s ranked as and open sea, what could be a better location for the number 21 among the most popular wakeboarding sport than Oman? countries in the world.

Rebecca Cox, a sales and marketing manager based “The water is good all year round and if the in Muscat, has been skimming the water for nearly ten conditions are a bit rough on the open sea, you can years and believes that anyone who gives this sport a go to Bandar Khayran where it’s somewhat sheltered try, and gets decent instruction, will be hooked. from the elements,” she concludes.

“After spending a year in Thailand working as a Interested in giving it a go? Oman Sail does lessons.

Divemaster, I wanted to continue the beach lifestyle Oh, and as for sharks, several species up to four so I found a job working at a wakeboarding centre metres long are known to inhabit, reappear seasonally just outside London,” she explains. “It had several or occasionally visit the waters of Oman such as Bulls large lakes – one with a cable and the others for or Hammerheads. wakeboarding behind a boat.

Don’t worry though – none are man-eaters so you’re “It’s like waterskiing with a board, where your feet perfectly safe - we hope!

Fact Box

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

041

CARS AND OUTDOORS

EXPLORING

Al Ansab

Photo by Jerzy Wierzbicki

The LowDown

The old village is now part of a sprawling suburb of new developments, with banks and a hypermarket on the way.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly The Al Ansab highway was only turned into a dual carriageway last year and, combined with the opening of the expressway, primed the area for development.

It still feels like a very new suburb, lacking much in character or facilities. However it is developing fast with schools and shops popping up almost overnight to cater for the growing population. Al Ansab is not blighted by industrial pollution like nearby Ghala, although it does have the city’s main sewage plant.

Haya Water opened the submerged treatment plant a year ago to improve sanitation in the city.

Living There Tranquility and open space are the most attractive aspects of living in Al Ansab, as well as affordable rents for villas and apartments. The nearby mountains make for a pleasant backdrop, and the proximity of the expressway means you can be in Qurum in ten minutes.

Schools are coming to the area, including the Injaz Private School, which opened here last November. A soon to open branch of Bank Muscat is another sign that the area is arriving, but there’s a long way to go.

042

JUN 13 – JUN 19 / ISSUE 274

Look south as you drive along the expressway and you can see this emerging suburb expanding towards the mountains. The old village of Al Ansab is distinct from the new residential outgrowth of the city, with its greenery and palms, while the new suburb is concentrated near the expressway. The area has very little in the way of services, but peace and quiet are at a premium.

Cars Why I live here: Five years ago there was nothing here, just the Air Force base and the old village. Every year it’s growing with lots of new villas coming up. It’s a good place for families.

Aasif, shop worker

Wi-Fi

Outdoors

My Hood

HangOuts Al Ansab is home to both a Royal Air Force and Army base, where staff can enjoy facilities including a football field, swimming pool and tennis courts. There is a military shooting range visible from the main road close to the air force training centre. For civilians, aside from a few coffee shops and a tandoor house, there is nothing in the area for entertainment – except the great outdoors. You are on the outskirts of urban Muscat and there is a lot of open country and the mountains for off-road driving. There is a small park with climbing frames for the kids.

Places of Interest The Royal Air Force base is unmissable thanks to the installation of a military jet next to the impressive gates and the floodlights of the base’s stadium. The stadium is used for exercise and prayers. Al Ansab is home to a large reservoir and the wetlands nature reserve, which boasts hundreds of species of birds, including eagles that winter here.

Behind Ansab Street there is a wadi and also some old mud-brick ruins in the old village.

The largest mosque is at Al Ansab Heights. You can also see the old Jebel Park Golf Club course off the dual carriageway, with a big emblem carved on the hillside.

Shopping The day the new Shukran hypermarket opens will be not a moment too soon for residents, who have to drive down to LuLu or MGM for their household needs. There is a reasonably useful mini-market at the Al Maha petrol station and a few small corner stores, as well as beauty parlours, tailors, dry cleaners and fast-food takeaways. A new branch of Bank Muscat is also due to open soon.

JUN 13 – JUN 19 / ISSUE 274

043

-FI

My Hood

Cars

WI-FI

THE HEAT IS ON

Cool gadgets to help your survive the Omani summer. By Penny Fray.

THE TECH IN YOU

CRUSHINGLY COOL Ever since watching the film Basic Instinct with Sharon Stone, I’ve been a little scared of ice picks – far better to use this handy chrome ice crusher.

Available from RO18 at drinkstuff.com.

Outdoors

ICE, ICE BABY This ingenious little treat maker from Zoku can freeze lollies from liquid form in less than seven minutes. You can make all kinds of different flavours, add fruit, yoghurt or chocolate – the sky really is the limit. What’s more, it does not require any electricity and can be used in lots of different locations. Pretty impressive hey?

Prices start from RO24. Go to zoku.com for further details.

SLUSHY FOR SUMMER One of the latest gadgets from Giles & Posner’s unique retro range is this super lush Slush machine.

It creates the feel and look of a 1950s diner and makes the most amazing frozen drinks.

From RO30 at prezzybox.com

THE NO SWEAT TEE Rohan’s patented coolant™ technology uses mica crystals in the weave of the fabric to keep you cool in the hottest conditions. It also boasts an anti-microbial element, which employs ionic silver to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and the associated build up of odour. From RO20 at rohan.co.uk

EDITOR’S Pick Hi TECH HANDSET It looks like any other stylish analogue watch, except Citizen’s Eco Drive Proximity is solar powered and syncs with your iPhone to learn the time. It also vibrates when you have an email or call.

044

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253

044

F I N D O U T W H A T ’ S H I P & H A PP E N I N G I N G A D G E T S FULL OF AIR Dyson’s Air Multiplier™ fan works very differently to conventional fans. Using special technology to produce an uninterrupted stream of smooth air, it has no blades or grills and doesn’t cause unpleasant buffeting. From RO200

APP OF THE WEEK

NEW! Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 Samsung’s newest Galaxy Mega delivers a mobile experience that is literally larger than life. Despite being one of the world’s biggest smartphones – it sits comfortably in your hand yet looks and behaves like a tablet.

Wake-up it’s a beautiful morning.

The birds are singing, the bath’s running and the coffee maker’s gurgling gently in the background – well, sort of! A few minutes before your alarm is set to go off, ‘Warmly’ will get the weather for your location and begin quietly playing ambient sounds until you’re sufficiently motivated to get out of bed. Perfect for sleepy heads – and all for less than a rial!

With smart functions and services, this mobile comes in handy on any occasion. Travelling to a new place? Receive geographic info for restaurant recommendations or sites to see. The mobile also features various camera modes for fun picture taking as well as offering you translation services.

The Mega keeps you connected to friends, interest groups and more - whether you’re sharing content over WiFi, checking what’s on TV via Samsung WatchON or instant messaging on ChatON, your mobile reach is wider and more powerful than ever.

THE GIRLY GADGET

Introducing AIR, the first professional hairdryer from those clever people from ghd. The hairdryer features advanced ionic technology, variable power and temperature controls (including cool shot), plus, it is ergonomically designed for right and left-handed users - from RO60 at Harvey Nichols, Dubai.

JAN JUN1613–- 2219 / ISSUE 253 274

045

CARS AND OUTDOORS

My Hood

Wi-Fi

Outdoors

CARS

Mazda6 2014 Comfort Engine: 2.5L 16-valve, 4-cylinder Horsepower: 184 Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds

They say: “The thrill starts here.”

We say: “A purring machine with bite.”

Check this out

Car of the week A touch of luxury and striking appearance makes the all-new Mazda6 a highly desirable beast on the road, says Kate Ginn

S

•• •• •• ••

225/55/R17 alloy wheels Touch screen audio Push button ignition system Cruise control Dual zone AC (Prestige) Daytime running lights (Prestige) Rear view camera (Prestige) Lane Departure Warning System (extra)

046

JUN 13 - 19 / ISSUE 274

ome cars make you feel frivolous, some are grandiose status symbols while others are for those who prefer to make a rather more understated declaration of intent.

In the latter category falls the new Mazda6. Make no mistake; this is a no-nonsense car for serious-minded drivers.

A long, lean and powerful machine, crouched on the forecourt of the car showroom like a panther with its tail flicking in anger, it clearly means business.

I have history with the make, once having a mean black Mazda3 as a hire car during a heady six-month automobile love affair, so it’s fair to say I’m a fan.

Aficionados of the 6 might take a bit of umbrage at the new model, which has been completely redesigned with a focus on fuel efficiency, but should be appeased by the luxury and technology features

not usually expected in its class.

Offered with either a 2.0L or 2.5L engine, there are two trims available in each, the Comfort (which I drove) or the Prestige, which adds a sunroof and smart entry system along with other extras.

It’s a big car, with a low to the ground ride, and the response to a touch on the accelerator pedal was a little on the slow side.

When it got going, however, it positively roared along Sultan Qaboos Street.

I found the steering a little heavy at times, though it didn’t detract from the sporty drive and it still navigated through the tight turns of a Muscat shopping mall with ease.

Mazda’s Skyactiv Technology makes for a lighter body, which grips the corners yet is stronger and 30 per cent more rigid to help achieve top safety crash performance, according to the manufacturers.

With its cool grey colour, this car oozed elegance and

sophistication to mark it out in a sea of boring family saloons.

Where it really comes into its own is the dynamic, bold styling and sleek lines.

Inside, the dashboard and console are reassuringly solid and the leather trimmed steering wheel, shift knob and seats add a gratifying sumptuous feel to the interior.

There’s a push button, keyless start and a host of gadgets to keep the most demanding driver happy, such as an 11-speaker Bose surround audio system and full-colour touchscreen display.

Available extras, depending on the trim level, include blind spot monitoring system and automatic climate control.

This is very much a man’s car.

By that I mean, the masculine interior, handling and feel seemed more a fit for a larger build driver.

That said, I would happily swap my drab saloon car to rekindle my love affair with Mazda in a heartbeat.

7

www.bankmuscat.com/almazyona

Million Omani Rials

to be shared this year.

Prize draw application tested by

We've always shared our future. Today, lets share more.

Maintain a minimum balance of Omani Rials 100 in your interest-free al Mazyona savings account for a chance to win exclusive prizes.

Prizes over Omani Rials 500,000 for every governorate.

Omani Rials 30,000 per week Omani Rials 300,000 per month Omani Rials 500,000 per quarter Omani Rials 1,000,000 at the year end PLUS, exclusive prizes for Zeinah, Children and Shababi account holders.

Call 24795555 for more information.