Y Magazine Issue #350 December, 25, 2014

JAN 9 – 15 • ISSUE 252 • WEEKLY

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Festive Exclusive WE INTERVIEW SANTA

2014 Awards

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OUR BEST PICKS REVEALED News: SAVE NICHOLAS THE KITTEN

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OUTDOORS: Camping it up COMPETITION: Find the elf and win a tablet YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350 • WEEKLY

PLUS!

Y’S 2014 REVIEW

FOOD TRENDS

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NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

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MEN’S EXTRAS

32

WADI WANDERINGS

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COMPETITION

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Want to win a seveninch itouch calling tablet, complete with dual camera and dual SIM? Turn to P10 for details, where you can also find out if you are one of three winners to dine at Rumba Lattina.

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

DISCO FEVER Boney M, a band synonymous with the 1970s disco era, is headed our way and will perform in Muscat in February.

Which can only mean one thing: it’s time to unpack the flares, dig out the platform shoes and trip the light fantastic to hits like Daddy Cool, Rivers of Babylon and Ma Baker. Groovy, baby!

GOING DOWN

CHRISTMAS TREES Well, maybe not today of all days. But we’ll soon be putting all the decorations and trees away as we power into a new year and a fresh start for 2015.

THIS WEEK… Team Y has been exploring Muttrah Souq with family visiting from London, hosting a festive Christmas Eve gathering, enjoying the barbeque weather and relishing delicious stollen cake from the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa.

Welcome to Y Magazine – your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.

Fast forward

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elcome to our final issue of the year – a time for reflection and looking back on our achievements and the stories that have shaped our world.

But I have to say that 2014 has flown by. In fact, it’s gone so fast that I’ve just marked my seventh month at Y. It seems like only yesterday that I flew into Muscat with my daughter and joined the fantastic, dedicated team at Y. You may have noticed a few changes since I arrived, not least that we’ve been fortunate to boost our team with new members this year – and yes, we have some amazing plans in store for you in 2015 (but more on that next year!).

In the meantime, this issue is dedicated to our annual Y Awards, in which we pick the best of the best of everything we’ve written about and reviewed in 2014.

No stone is left unturned as we bring you the best news stories of the year, our top restaurant pick for Taste Test, our number one choice for Car of the Week, the best international city to explore, our favourite Destination and the gadgets that inspired us to lift our game in this increasingly hi-tech world.

May the spirit of the season bring you and your families peace, joy and happiness – and we look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

editor@y-oman.com

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

Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go by scanning the QR code below

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover DEPUTY EDITOR Kate Ginn ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

PHOTOGRAPHER Shakeel Al Bulushi CONTRIBUTORS Matt Blackwell Adam Hurrell Jerzy Wierzbicki INTERN Deeba Hasan DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

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

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DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350

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contents

DECEMBER 25 - 31 2014

Feature 20 Review of The Year

Oman’s Past 12 Months 24 My 2014

People’s 12 months

This week

Your Oman 06 Coffee With Deeba

Santa Claus 08 Voice Of Oman

Ali al Rahma 10 News

Nationwide Organ

Donor Cards

12

16 Movie Listings

Movies Of 2014

26 A Year In Pictures

Headlining Stories From

Around The World

26

18 This Week

Royal Invitation

19

Food and Drink

Cars and Adventures

29 Food Feature

Trends Of 2014

38 Destination

Favourite Place Of 2014

30 Taste Test

Gourmet Greats

40 Outdoors

Coastal Camping

29

Health and Beauty 32 Fashion

Essential Extras

42 Postcard From

Best Of 2014 44 Y-Fi

Best Gadgets Of 2014

34 Health 46 Car of the Year

Driving In The Dark

Top Wheels Of 2014 35 Beauty

Join Club T&T

33

44

NEW YEAR’S EDITION THE YEAR AHEAD / FASHION / FILMS / RESOLUTIONS / DESTINATION / TASTE TEST / EVENTS

Deeba ut somehow he b r, a e y f o e an at this tim Claus when He’s a busy m d to catch up with Santa ip tr ge Hasan mana man as part of his world When it O to in d e p p comes to his dro esents.

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A nd ou be gr so ck al Ev and ba istmas They’ve the Middle Santa’s sleigh is finished on Chror Canada – he travelling here to some practice witha service – at tle at Se in lly usua to Lapland. His East.”

– currently in for um’s fun zone. ads straight back ent relaxing and Sultanate’s he e ur th Q ve in ha k rin So ice sp the istmas Day is od? Santa says ad the festive children been go g them all year Chrching himself in festive movies “I am here to spree ones who in at ch w th at work he’s been w cheer and to find ys and good rs Claus. He starts with their M d se ith es w pr bo im od ’s go he and y. have been 14 and give again the next daSanta promised me behaviour. girls throughout 20ys Santa, his ft, so le ne he do re ve fo Be “Lots of kids ha this year, kshop in Lapland them presents,” sa joy. He looks a tour of his wor is year, but we’ll just things th wi od g go in y kl in an m tw r es ey their younge agine Santa for being good thsee if it happens. from just helpingen being good very jolly, as you im ir ha ite wh ev , have to wait and words? “I wish all ng to t lo siblings ou es or would, with his de smile. ch g in do to And his parting Christmas!” friends at school my and and beard and wir this year, readers a Merry um Y m r fo at home fo Top presents e, bl ta er m nn fro di ything daddy, like settingand even just he tells me, are an r the girls ue story fo en oz Fr ’s cleaning the car n bedroom ey isn Have you got a uniq someone D x for bo ow X r or ow ei n th kn io g u at in yo St keep and Play to tell or do have all been to have very clean, so they the boys. who has? Contact us d be od go a en be e .

I’v od if go er an very I wond t the elves coffee with Deeba ine. Email: ar to get a “That’s what wha every year. enough girl this yea. I don’t dare do featured in Y Magaz I committee and onderful present from Sant editor@y-oman.com We find out the w n do and then ask him. ys ne im ch re no things that child Because there are man, I O in es us ho t reward them.” os m in ages to Santa Cla an m a nt Sa w ho us wonder

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THE VOICE OF OMAN In his last column of 2014, Ali al Rahma ponders whether flexitime is the way forward next year

correspondence HAPPY CHRISTMAS Dear Editor,

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he rush hour every morning and afternoon prevents us from getting out of bed with a mindset conducive to working and leaving the office in a peaceful state of mind.

All Government offices are strict with their office timings. They start at 7.30am and finish at 2.30pm.

The private sector varies in timings; some from 8am to 3pm, some 8am to 5pm and others stay until 6pm. It all depends on the employer’s official hours of business.

Since we are a bit behind other countries in terms of quality and service, people often have to leave work earlier to finish up personal errands. And let’s not forget the traffic that is caused each day with the morning and afternoon rush hours. Our patience is lost in the heavy traffic and our energy is consumed.

Some organisations in Oman, especially in the private sector, have introduced flexible working hours, with a one-and-half to two-hour buffer each side of the working day.

With flexitime, those who dislike waking up early in the morning can enjoy an extra hour of sleep, or those who would like to end their day early may do so.

It’s also good for those who wish to finish some of their personal errands before they start their work or at the end of the day.

With flexible working hours, one can avoid the hectic traffic during the day. I recommend this scheme to be spread to all private and Government sectors in Oman, which will enable everyone to manage their time.

NEXT WEEK: KARIMA FARID

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DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350

Christmas around the world (Issue 349) was a jolly good read. For me, it was like a Christmas tree decorated with lights of peace and the ornaments of variety that are the the spice of life. Here in Oman, irrespective of our origins – region-wise or religion-wise – we all make ourselves at home away from home. The entire credit for this is to be given not only to the far-sighted Government but also to the expat-friendly nationals. However, Christmas is not just for the Christians. Non-Christians also feast on Christmas or even attend Midnight Mass.

Merry Christmas!

Regards, Gautam Ghosh-Dastidar, Muscat

A poem of Christmas Cheer The season of joy and excitement is in the air, A magical time of giving, sharing and prayer.

For this spell of the year, we eagerly await, The gifts, chocolates and celebrations become our bait.

The Christmas tree is an unforgettable must, Which each year strengthens and rebuilds the trust.

The beautiful lights and adornments on it are often the lure, “Wow, its awesome!” we’ll say for sure.

The preparations begin from the month’s start, Decorations of all sorts are certainly the finest part.

From writing and sending Christmas cards and letters, To wrapping gifts; the atmosphere all around glitters.

We enjoy making the tubby snowman, Dressing it up, as tidily as we can.

Hanging up our stockings at night, before we sleep, Expecting a gift from Santa, into it, we peep.

Children are in the ardour of the coming of Santa Claus, His bountiful gifts and goodies, being the cause.

While elders are all set to bake the delicious cake, Savouring the taste of every bite, happiness from it we take.

WRITE TO US AND WIN A VOUCHER

Christmas time is indeed the best season, All these activities make up the possible reason.

I sit by the window and wait for the next year, For the coming of the same old Christmas cheer!

By Alex Roy, Grade 9, Indian School Wadi Kabir

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

ebHotel /GoldenTulipSe eb @GoldenTulipSe

SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / @ytabloid / /ytabloid. Impress us and the winning correspondent will receive a voucher for dinner at the Golden Tulip. Vouchers must be collected from Y’s

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FOLLOW US DEBATE OF THE WEEK

WE ASKED:

“Do celebrities and sports athletes make good role models for children?”

RONAK BHATTI

Yes, celebrities and sports athletes have a huge impact on young minds.

Children look up to their favourite role models for everything, from dressing styles to eating habits or even exercise regimes.

RAFIA FAISAL

No, they should not. Celebrities and sport personalities can be role models to some children, but that does not mean they should be. It should depend on what exactly the child in question is looking for in a role model and the kind of behaviour they are going to pick up on. Some celebrities do some really awesome charity events and help the community, but many others do not get invovled in those sorts of activities. They are all still people, so it all depends on the individuals involved.

WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

celebrities get into some controversy or scandal, it then becomes difficult to justify and explain to children.

MONIKA KAUSHIK

Yes they are. The children see their role models in their dreams and get the inspiration from them. The sportsperson or celebrities are mostly very popular among people as they are the real heroes who compete to win for their country. All children have a madness or craze for their role model and, understandably, they also try to be like them.

DIMPLE KANABAR

The best way of behaving is to always act for peace.

Parents and teachers are the best role models for children as they learn and observe each and everything from them in their life. A role model is a person whose behaviour, example or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by children.

Celebrities and athletes are paid for their talents to better themselves not mankind. Children should be taught

/YTABLOID

who is worth of their admiration and respect.

RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE

Nowadays, celebrities and sports athletes are a huge influence on young children and teenagers.

However, in my opinion, only a few of these celebrities and sport athletes can be a good role models for children. I think this because some of them are involved in the use of illicit and prohibited drugs, which is either featured on the news and mainstream media or used secretly. They are also often involved with traffic and road

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/YMAGAZINE

regulations violations, excessive alcohol drinking, and other gross behaviour misconduct, which are seen and read by children on forms of mass and social media. To name a few celebrities who can be good role models are Angelina Jolie and George Clooney, who are UN ambassadors, and David Beckham, who is a Unicef ambassador.

However, I believe that parents should be the first ones who serve as good role models for their children.

ROSARIO LORENZO

It depends what kind of personality character they portray as to their suitability to be role models.

New Debate: “Have you got any New Year resolutions?”

Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance to win a dinner for two.

AKSHARA,9TH GRADE (INDIAN SCHOOL, WADI KABIR) was spotted with her favourite Y Magazine at home in Muscat

MADHURI SENTHIL MURUGAN

Yes, celebrities and sports athletes should be good role models because millions of young people look up to them and want to be them when they grow up. They inspire kids to play more outdoor activities and be fond of one particular sport. Kids then start practicing, exercisig and have a sense of competition. This inspiration leads them to an excellent life and they can fulfill their dreams.

SYED BOKHARI

Definitely. Celebrities and sportsmen and sportswomen are a great role model for children. Not only are they their icons and heroes, but their noble cause and positive approach leave behind them a great impact in their respective fields.

They are ambassadors representing their countries and children try to follow and move forward in their footsteps by participating in their relevant fields.

MARIO F PEREIRA

It is not necessary and it will need some degree of filtering/judgement from parents. Because when such

DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350

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YOUR

OMAN

A

NEWS

NATIONWIDE

ORGAN DONOR CARDS

new initiative of distributing organ donor cards across the Sultanate by next year is under way. This new step reflects Oman’s efforts to help save lives by promoting the culture of organ donation after brain death.

If the scheme falls in place, those who wish to become organ donors would be able to register their consent through organ donor cards available across the country. Although the cards have been at The Royal Hospital in Muscat for the past 10 years, the new move will make them available at hospitals in all governorates. This will also help to regulate the practice, Dr Issa Salim al Salmi, a senior Omani consultant in medicine/ nephrology at The Royal Hospital, told a local newspaper.

Initially, the focus will be on kidney donations because of the prevalence of renal failure in

Oman, but the programme will later extend to other body organs. Donors will be able to give their consent to donate their choice of organs as part of the plan. Similar card schemes are routine in places such as the UK and United States.

In September this year, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad al Khalili, the Grand Mufti of Oman, passed a fatwa (a religious ruling) allowing organ transplants after brain death under special circumstances.

Dr al Salmi added that The Royal Hospital had its own database, but under the new system, it would be run in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police. The consent of the individual will be printed on their ID cards so that the information will pop up in the system at any hospital where the patient is being treated. He also said that hospitals would be asked to hold workshops to inform their staff about the new drive.

THE PEARL

– IN OMAN

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ith seven pearl-shaped buildings strung across the water, all lit up at night in different colours, along with a towering hotel, it looks like another grandiose project from Dubai or Doha.

In fact, this $2.5 billion (RO962 million) development is in Oman and work on the master plan will begin next month (January).

“Omagine” will feature up to three hotels, as well as serviced apartments and chalets, a boutique mall, an open air ampitheatre, a harbour and exclusive residences.

Up to 1,000 jobs will be created for Omanis on the project, which is earmarked for a plot of beachfront land in Al Hail, close to Muscat International Airport.

The proposed Omagine project, a 010

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combination of the phrase “Imagine Oman”, will feature seven buildings (the pearls) that follow different themes: Oman, culture, energy, innovation, earth, sea and sky in a reflection of the historical, cultural and scientific influences from around the world and Oman.

The development will also feature offices and more than 2,000 residences, as well as a large number of eateries, restaurants and coffee shops, Frank Drohan, the managing director of Omagine, told a local newspaper.

“Omagine will entertain while subtly unveiling the true story of man and its heritage, world culture and modernity, innovation and imagination, energy, sea, earth and sky,” he said.

The project is expected to take five years to complete.

Y’S GIFT TO YOU

P.S: Are you already a winner?

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e had a great response to our fabulous Rumba Lattina competition, in which readers had a chance to win dinner for two at the restaurant, located in The Cave complex.

Three dinners for two were up for grabs at the eatery, which serves up authentic flavours of Latin America in a stunning location in the hills of Darsait above Muscat.

We asked: “What happens every Monday at

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f you missed out on a Christmas present or fancy getting something more, don’t despair. Y is being extra generous this festive time and has an extra goodie just for our readers.

We have rummaged around in our present sack and found a brilliant item as a giveaway prize – an itouch Vision 2 tablet, a must-have gadget for 2015.

This slim, seven-inch 8GB beauty with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi has a dual camera (both front and rear), dual core and dual SIM. As a 2G smartphone, you can also make telephone calls, so it’s perfect for being connected on the go.

NEWS It also comes with a smart white tablet case, so you can look good as you surf the internet or chat to friends and family.

We have one itouch Vision 2 tablet to give away. To win, all you have to do is spot the Christmas elf hiding somewhere in the magazine.

Remember to carefully check every page as you never know where he might pop up.

When you find him, simply email the page number to editor@y-oman.com with your name and contact details by Monday, December 29. The winner will be revealed in the next issue of Y on January 1.

Happy elf hunting!

Rumba Lattina?” We were inundated with entries with the correct answer: “Mexican Mondays”, a special menu of treats from Mexico.

We had a prize for each night, December 24, 25 and 26. The winners are: Robert Christian Aquino, Shamna Mahmood and Sue Davenport.

Congratulations to the three of you and enjoy your dinner!

If you missed out, you can still enjoy Rumba Lattina during the day or night. It’s open daily from 12pm-12am. Check out the restaurant’s Facebook page or go to www.rumbalattina.com

GIRLS ON THE BALL

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arlier this month women made their debut at the crease in a cricket tournament and now they’ll soon be in action on the football pitch too, only a little younger this time.

The Oman Football Association (OFA) has finally approved a women’s football league to start next year. To build up a strong future for the women’s game, the focus is on training up girls aged from six to 12 years.

Indoor football matches will be held in Muscat early next year, starting in Muscat and moving to other parts of Oman.

An OFA official said that it will

coordinate with the Ministry of Sports Affairs and Ministry of Education to pick students who are interested in football from schools across the Sultanate.

Indoor practice areas will also be built in more girls schools to develop the game.

“It is a new game for women here, so we have to be well prepared for that if we are serious about it.”

Saada bint Salim bin Mohammed al Ismaili,Ddirector of the Department of Women’s Sports at the Ministry of Sports Affairs told a local newspaper.

She described the league as signaling a “bright future for Omani women footballers.”

In conservative communities, women playing football is still frowned on.

The Oman women’s national football team was disbanded a few years ago.

DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350

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YOUR

OMAN Bite Sized OUR WEEKLY SLOT TAKES A LIGHTHEARTED LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.

LIFE ON MARS

What do you mean? Is there life on Mars?

Possibly. It’s not confirmed, of course, but the Nasa Curiosity Rover has potentially found signs of organic life on the red planet.

What kind of signs have been found?

The rover has come across pockets of methane gas. Organic matter is made up of carbon bonded with other elements, often hydrogen and oxygen. Living things are made up of it, but life is not necessary for it to exist. Methane is the smallest organic compound, consisting of one carbon and four hydrogen atoms.

What does that mean in layman’s terms?

Methane is a gas that is usually produced either by living things or things that once lived. And we all know that methane is produced by living things by way of flatulence, or is created by decomposing organic material.

So there may be life on Mars after all?

Let’s not get too hasty here. It has also been recogninsed that methane can be produced by non-organic material. It can even come from water interacting with rock, for instance.

Is Mars the only planet that has signs of life?

No. And that’s the really interesting thing about space. While Mars is the most studied planet for signs of life, there are other places where there could be life. One of the moons circling Jupiter, Europa, has signs of what appears to be an ocean on its surface. Another place of great interest for scientists looking for life beyond our atmosphere is Enceladus, a tiny moon of Saturn, just 250km wide. Dr Carl Pilcher, interim director of Nasa’s astrobiology institute at Ames research center in California, told a British newspaper: “Enceladus is delivering water to space on a regular basis, and guess what: it contains salts and organic compounds.”

So is there life in a galaxy far far away?

We don’t know for certain, but we are using the force of science to try to find out!

Don’t say: There is no such thing ET. Do say: Who knows, he may just yet phone home.

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Gallery

Interview

NEWS

HELP LITTLE NICHOLAS

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eam Y is back in the animal rescue business after stumbling across a very sick seven-week-old kitten at the weekend.

Now known as Nicholas (it is Christmas, after all!), the kitten was abandoned by his mum near Seeb beach.

Suffering from cat flu, a severe eye infection and cartilage damage to his ear, Nicholas is currently being treated at Al Qurum Veterinary Clinic.

Nicholas is on the mend, but the vet says he could be left blind in his eye – or it may need to be removed completely – as the damage to his cornea is extensive, while his ear will always be droopy.

“We are looking for help to fund Nicholas’s treatment as he could have a long road ahead to recovery,” says Kate Ginn, Y’s deputy editor.

“We’d then like to find him a loving, forever home that he deserves. Nick is already a real character and would make a lovely family pet. He is a friendly chap and loves to be stroked and cuddled.”

SEEKING YOUNG

AUTHORS

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f you’re Omani, aged between 15 and 18 and looking to publish your creative writing, this is the time for you to pen your next short story and get rewarded.

HSBC Bank Oman and the British Council have jointly announced the Young Omani Author competition with a prize that any young wannabe JK Rowling worth their salt would love. The winning story will be illustrated and published, with the author getting an Apple iMac desktop computer to write their first bestseller on. Second place gets a MacBook Pro, while the third place winner will receive an iPad Air 2.

The competition aims at getting talented young people to write about themes that circle around them – the community, youth and environment – for an audience of their peers and schoolchildren across the country.

Judging will be based on originality, use of good English and use of competition themes.

Andrew Long, CEO of HSBC Oman said: “HSBC has been an ardent supporter of education and the benefits of reading to children in Oman for a number of years. This new initiative builds on this and we hope this creates some fun and excitement for children across the country as they showcase their writing and storytelling skills.”

Paul Hilder, country director for the British Council, added that it was “a wonderful platform for giving young people an outlet for their creativity and engaging them in activities to hone their English skills”.

For entry forms, tips and details, students can log onto the official competition website at www. youngomaniauthor.com. Alternatively forms can be picked up from the teaching centre at the British Council in Madinat Sultan Qaboos.

The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2015.

Results for the competition will be announced in April.

GALLERY

YOUR

OMAN

WINTER WONDERLAND

BSM'S GOT TALENT

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THERE'S PLENTY OF FESTIVE FUN TO BE FOUND AT SABCO COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN QURUM OVER THE HOLIDAYS. POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS WITH REINDEERS OR FROSTY THE SNOWMAN - YOU MIGHT EVEN SPOT SANTA IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH. PLENTY OF GIFT IDEAS AROUND TOO

PUPILS AND STAFF AT BRITISH SCHOOL MUSCAT SHOWED THEY WERE ALL POP IDOLS AT THEIR ANNUAL STARS IN THEIR EYES TALENT COMPETITION. MR WYRE AS ELVIS (PICTURED LEFT) WON THE CONTEST WITH HIS SUSPICIOUS MIND...

THIS WEEK

MOVIES OF 2014

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here have been some smash hits and there have been some right rotten tomatos, but here’s Matt Blackwell’s take on the good, the bad and the ugly of 2014 in film chosen by

Runner-up: 22 Jump Street What is so great about a sequel some may ask? To which the simple answer is The Godfather: Part II, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. Need I list any more examples to prove my point?

Every so often, there comes a film that not only meets the expectations of fans, but actually surpasses them and achieves the rare accomplishment of being better than the original.

22 Jump Street sees special narcotics agents Morton (Jonah Hill) and Greg (Channing Tatum) team up again, this time going undercover in search of a drug

called “WHYPHY” that was responsible for the death of a college student.

On the surface, the formula is near enough the same as 21 Jump Street, but the filmmakers are acutely aware of this and play with the audience through self-referential jokes in the script. The Hangover series could learn a lot from this.

Originality aside, the on-screen relationship between Hill and Tatum is laugh-out-loud funny and the tongue-in-cheek scenes that play out over the closing credits alone are reason enough to watch the film.

Y’s Film of the Year –

Guardians of the Galaxy The cinematic powerhouse that is Marvel Studios presents its latest offering – a slice of action-packed sci-fi escapism and the best film of 2014.

Heroes Star Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Groot and Drax may not be as well known as Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, but director James Gunn has ensured they will soon be household names.

Peter Quill, aka Star Lord (Chris Pratt), is abducted from Earth as a child in 1988, after saying a tearful farewell to his dying mother. Raised by a group of thieves and smugglers,

he grows up a rogue who finds himself in possession of a mysterious orb and the subject of an interstellar manhunt led by the villainous Ronan (Lee Pace).

Quill is then forced to form a rag-tag crew of bounty hunters and bandits to save the galaxy.

The film’s soundtrack, which heavily features songs from the 70s and 80s, is equally excellent and is guaranteed to linger in your head for days after watching.

Striking a perfect balance between action and laugh-outloud humour, Guardians of the Galaxy is definitely not a movie to be missed.

PREVIEW

As we are just days away from the beginning of 2015, the film landscape is already shaping up to be something quite special.

Titles that have grabbed our attention so far include The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jurassic World, Jupiter Ascending and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the latest chapter of one of the world’s most popular franchises.

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Honourable mentions: With hundreds of films released each year, whittling the selection down to just two is a difficult task to say the least. Boyhood, with its groundbreaking approach of filming the actors over a period of 12 years, gave viewers a unique and literal take on the coming-of-age theme.

Interstellar wowed audiences with stunning landscapes of distant planets, while the recent Nightcrawler gave us a voyeuristic insight into the sometimes skin crawling underbelly of LA and the world of crime journalism.

* Competition winners from our December 18 issue will be announced on January 1, 2015.

TOP 6 GROSSING MOVIES OF 2014

Guardians of the Galaxy $332,490,182

The fact that the second-highest grossing film of the year, is Guardians of the Galaxy shows that it is not only Y that thought it was a great film. Based on Marvel’s lesser-known comic series, director James Gunn introduces audiences to Star Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Groot and Drax, a rag-tag crew that come together to save the galaxy from the power-crazed Ronan.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I $279,367,978

Jennifer Lawrence didn’t disappoint fans or the box office in her latest outing as Katniss Everdeen, the central character in the phenomenally popular young-adult fiction books of the same name.

Adapted to the big screen, it’s spawned a franchise to rival that of Harry Potter. This time round, Katniss is leading the rebellion against the Capitol after being extracted from the Third Quarter Quell – it you don’t understand what any of that means just grab some DVDs and play catch-up.

Y’s TOP TURKEYS

Captain America: The Winter Solider $259,746,958

Marvel completes its domination of the 2014 box office with Captain America: The Winter Solider.

Finding it hard to align his old-school ideals with the complexities of the modern world, Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans) is forced to face a deadly relic of the old Soviet regime, who threatens to bring SHIELD down from the inside, destroying it once and for all.

The Lego Movie $257,784,718

The first-ever, full-length threatrical LEGO adventure was always going to be a smash-hit thanks to the plastic bricks’ status as a perennial children’s favourite toy. The 3D film follows Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt), an everyday, average minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world.

Transformers: The Age of Extinction $245,439,076

The fourth installment of the Transformers series gave the franchise a complete overhaul, waving goodbye to regulars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox in the process. Mark Wahlberg takes on the role of Cade Yeager, a struggling inventor who uncovers a refugee Autobot that turns out to be Optimus Prime. With humanity hunting down all alien robots following the battle that leveled Chicago, Optimus and the straggling group of Autobots turn to Cade and his family for help.

Maleficent $241,407,328

Angela Jolie stars in this live-action re-imagining of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, playing Maleficent, a young woman pure of heart. When an army threatens the peace of the kingdom, Maleficent rises up as its protector, before suffering a ruthless betrayal. With her heart turned to stone, Maleficent places a curse on the newborn daughter of the invading king’s successor, but soon realises that the young girl may actually hold the key to peace.

As well as some serious success stories this year, there have been some major flops, too. Unpopular with audiences and critics alike, here is Y’s list of the worst films of 2014.

Godzilla

Following the abysmal show that was Ronald Emmerich’s 1998 take on the mutated lizard, there was much hype surrounding the 2014 remake.

Unfortunately, it was unfounded. Director Gareth Edwards took the focus away from the eponymous lizard monster, morphing the film into a human-interest story, which, sadly, wasn’t very interesting at all.

Legends of Oz: Dororthy Returns The original Wizard of Oz film starring Judy Garland and the unforgettable song

Now let’s take a look at the movies that were smash hits at the box office, earning hundreds of millions of dollars for the studios that created them.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow remain a classic. This sequel, following Dorothy’s return to the magical land of Oz, should have been a dead-cert for a box office success. Instead, it bombed, earning a paltry $19 million worldwide, just 27 per cent of its estimated production cost of $70 million. The critics slammed it for being rife with weak jokes and awful, unmemorable songs.

Sabotage

The name Arnold Schwarzenegger used to guarantee a hit, but the big man is misfiring of late. This tale of an elite taskforce taking on the world’s deadliest drug cartels brought in a meagre $17.5 million, a poor return on a budget of $30 million. The former California governor has yet to star in a successful film post his political career, so could it be that Arnie’s film career is terminated? Knowing him, he’ll be back.

Vampire Academy

It had vampires and was based on a series of young-adult books. But if the filmmakers thought they had another Twilight on their hands, they were sorely mistaken.

Instead, this tale of about a school where students are taught how to fight the creatures of the night disappeared off the big screen faster than a vampire when the sun rises. Takings were a miserable $15 million, nowhere near the $26 million it cost to make the movie. Don’t expect to a release of Vampire Academy 2 any time soon.

DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE Dec

WELCOME 2015

27

MUSIC NIGHT If you’re a fan of the renowned Indian playback singer Unni Menon, you will enjoy what is certain to be a memorable evening at the Al Falaj Hotel in Ruwi.

Mazhaneerthullikal, a grand musical event, will see Unni, a household name in India and Oman, run through some of his best-known songs from a career that began in 1981 and includes working with AR Rahman. Show from 6pm in the hotel’s Grand Hall. For invitation, contact 2481 3430 or +968 9289 8787/9760 9309/9237 7454/9775 4060

THIS

WEEK DEC

-

Head to Asia’s biggest New Year Bash and say goodbye to 2014 in style. Celebrate with Indian actress and former model Aarti Chabria at Marah Land Park, Qurum. You will be able to party through the night with live performances by Mohit Lalwani and there will also be a DJ. Gates open at 7pm and the show starts at 9pm. For further information and packages, contact +968 9743 8632/9539 2678/9769 9107. Email events@countryclubdubai.com or check out www.countrycluboman.com

DEC 31

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

JAN

ROYAL INVITATION DEC

30&31

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See in the New Year in style at the Royal Opera House Muscat’s Gala Evening, a two-hour festive concert with music by Gershwin, Strauss, as well as operatic favourites from Puccini and Verdi.

Opera superstar couple, tenor Bryan Hymel and soprano Irini Kyriakidou, will belt out the classical gems. Performances start at 7pm. Part I will last about 45 minutes and there will be a 20-minute intermission before Part II, which should last about 50 minutes. Seat prices start from just RO8. For tickets and information, visit www.rohmuscat.org.om

Dec 31

Hurly Burly

Dec 29

Spend the evening with good friends and make new ones at one of the last InterNations gatherings before we say goodbye to 2014. An evening of networking, socialising and music will be held at On The Rocks, next to the Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel, from 7pm. There will be a free drink on arrival for guests, as well as light snacks served from 8pm-9.30pm. Albatross members have free entry. Check out internations.org/muscat-expats for details.

There’ll be something in the air down at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel on New Year’s Eve – a live aerial acrobatic show as part of the Grand Burlesque party event. You can also look forward to a fire show and special guest DJ Adam from Oman Radio 90.4 FM playing the decks. Featuring live cooking stations, a lavish buffet and full open beverages until 2am.

Price RO95. For reservations, call +968 2464 1234 or email muscat.dining@hyatt.com

TO THE FORE

ROCKY ROAD

DEC

31 Until Jan 08

FOUR ART

Dec 25

If you like buffets, you need to make sure you have a table at Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club at their New Year’s Eve Event. The club claims to have the largest buffet in town to welcome in 2015, along with a live band and DJ to keep your feet moving all night. Tickets RO40, which includes entry, unlimited food and beverages, and entertainment. There’s a 10 per cent discount for residents of Muscat Hills and golf club members.

Contact 800 500 44 or check out www.muscathillsgolf.com

An exhibition by four prominent Omani artists will showcase their work in mediums ranging from painting to sculpture. “QuARTnet” will run at Gallery Sarah, part of Bait Al Zubair, from December 22. The quartet – Essa al Mafarji, Ali al Hinai, Nadia al Balushi and Malallah al Zadjali – are with the Omani Society for Fine Art and the Youth Studio in Oman. Open to visitors from 9.30am-6pm, Saturday until Thursday. For more information about the exhibition and Gallery Sarah activities, visit www.gallerysarah.com

KICK UP A SAND STORM

Make sure your Christmas Day really rocks by heading down to the best beach party of the year at Al Sawadi Beach Resort and Spa. Three of Oman’s favourite DJs will be spinning the decks into the early hours, from 6pm-1am.

Entry just RO9, ladies go free, and it’s strictly for over 21s. For tickets and info, contact Daanish +968 9455 5600, Asma +968 9455 5611 or Ehtisham +968 9899 9256. Check out Facebook/alsawadibeach for more information.

Young Omani Author 2015 Submit a short story Become a published writer* Other great prizes to be won! Open to young Omani boys and girls aged 15 - 18 years. *Conditions apply.

DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350

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st 12 a p e th about n o k c a us b l l k e t o o to l Oman to Hasan e m i t it’s eople in d Deeba , e s o l o a c notable p e Ginn an t s w e ra at d m K r o y s a e b d y s e As thtehs. We ask. Interview mon their 2014 Heather Duncan Blogger

(www.theduncanadventures.com)

Sayyida Basma Al Said

Founder of Whispers of Serenity wellness centre, mental health counsellor and psychotherapist Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. I have enjoyed 2014 and seeing my three kids grow and getting closer as a family. My sisters are back from abroad and I am delighted to have them back in Oman but most of all I am really happy that we did this big event called “Not Alone” in order to create awareness about mental health, together with a video, and we started working on a child abuse hotline initiative.

These have been some very happy moments from 2014.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. Looking forward, I think I would love to see more people carrying out initiatives which give back to the society but most of all I want to see His Majesty the Sultan back in Oman because without him we feel like a family which is missing its most important member.

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Greg Young Chief Executive Ooredoo

Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. The rebranding of Nawras to Ooredoo was a huge task for myself and the Nawras team, culminating in October, when we launched the new brand to the overwhelming support of the community, our customers and stakeholders.

The Nawras brand had 10 years of wonderful history and customer loyalty. The whole team worked very hard to ensure a successful transition and a memorable launch.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. Fully bringing alive our new brand and delivering against our brand promise, as we inspire our customers and #OurOman, with new services, delivered with our renowned customer service under the banner of community and corporate social responsibility. Ooredoo. Be Inspired.

Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. 2014 couldn’t have started any better as my husband, Colin, and I welcomed our first baby together, Spencer. Through the space of one short year we have watched this little guy change from a tiny baby to a walking talking little person with a huge personality. He inspires me to do many things in life and keep blogging and taking pictures for him to look back on later in life.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. For the New Year, I am looking forward to my blog site, The Duncan Adventures growing. I want to continue to appreciate and take inspiration from the sweetest things in life, like my beautiful boy and the amazing country that we live in.

You can’t put a price on things like that.

Marius Wolmarans General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat

Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. My highlight for 2014 can only be the great success of “The Box Appeal” (an initiative to distribute donated essential items to Muscat’s migrant workers, which Y Magazine supported this year). The response we had from the local community, schools and businesses was overwhelming. From having achieved 850 boxes in 2013, we set ourselves a target of 1,500 boxes for 2014. We could never imagine that we would smash this target. As a community we can all be proud that we made a difference to the lives of more than 2,500 migrant workers.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. Always a very difficult one to answer both professionally and personally. Professionally, I am looking forward to another exciting year in tourism. Hopefully we can put all the uncertainty of the ban on alcohol and shisha behind us early in the year. Oman continues to grow as a destination of choice, and the wrong decision on these topics can severely harm our image. Let’s just hope that the right decision is made and that we can have another great year!

Rebecca Elfverson

Nada al Moosa

Founder of Omani Paws, animal welfare charity Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. It has to be starting Omani Paws in January this year. It was a passion that simply grew. We had no idea what we could do as a charity, how much we could help the animals and where we would get the money.

But everything just happened and I’m very pleased with what we have achieved over the year. We have helped more than 80 animals (dogs and cats), whether it’s getting them treatment, rehomed, foster homes or sent abroad. It has been hard work.

We only have five core members and while this is my full-time work, the other volunteers have other jobs and families. The best thing is that we are achieving what we set out to do and that is to help the animals of Oman.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. We want to raise more awareness of Omani Paws and animal welfare over the next year, and how people can help us. I am Omani and many Omanis do not respect other creatures. We are trying to educate the children so they learn to care for animals from a young age. Things are changing. We are getting calls from Omanis now about an injured dog or cat, which is a start. Instead of walking by, they are stopping. Rather than depending on us for help all the time, I would like them to take the initiative and rescue the animal and give it a home or take it to the vets for treatment.

I want them to just step up as a human and do their part. That is my hope for the next year.

Aftab Patel

CEO, Al Omaniya Financial Services Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. Personally, I am really happy because my younger daughter

Head of Costume, Hair and Makeup at Royal Opera House Muscat

Gailani Artist

Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. My most memorable professional moment in 2014 was getting a standing ovation by over 500 students and faculty members of Al Musanna College of Technology. This was at the completion of a live painting show on stage that I choreographed to music and had two other artists painting on a single canvas.

We were painting to the theme of “Rising above hurdles of life” and it was the first time in Oman that three artists were painting jointly on one canvas on stage. We had rehearsed it prior to going on stage and the choreography had the canvas flipped upside down and in unique positions to symbolise the hurdles of life. We were quite nervous and anxious of how it was going to be received, but when the crowd stood to their feet cheering it was truly an overwhelming moment. It made the hair at the back of my neck stand on end, as it was the first time we as artists received such instant gratification – and it left us feeling like a rock stars.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. What I’m most looking forward to is completing and exhibiting my collection titled “#Disconnect”, which is a series of faces painted in an Andy Warhol tribute-style that I have been working on for over a year-and-a-half.

This is very dear project to me as it’s a comment on the impact of social media. My entire statement for the exhibition is that “in this wired world of selfies and Instagram, how well do we know the person beyond that image?”

It seems the more connected we are technology-wise, the more disconnected we have become on the human side. “#Disconnect” has truly been a labour of love and a long time coming, and it’s scheduled to be exhibited this February 2015 – fingers crossed!

Hanan has graduated from Newcastle University in the UK and has also got accepted to the London School of Economics for her post-graduate.

Professionally, I am delighted because the European Assembly in Oxford, UK, has awarded us the best

Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. This year, a highlight was being asked to preside on the assessment panel for the final year fashion students at the Higher College of Technology in Muscat.

This was a great honour and allowed me to both reflect on where I began my training in fashion and how it has aided my direction and influence in both that field and within the theatrical and operatic industries over many years. It also allowed me to impart some experience and guidance to the students alongside my esteemed fellow panel members from within the arts and fashion industries.

Women in education and employment are issues I hold dear and wish to encourage in this area, in both study and work. I hope that I can help in any way as both a spokesperson and an advocate.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. What I look forward to in the New Year is taking some more time to enjoy and explore my natural surroundings and the beauty this country offers. I wish to learn more about life in Oman’s villages, particularly the national and tribal dress, and artistic traditions throughout the Sultanate

performing company.

This is the first international award for us, which we are all extremely happy about and very proud.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. For 2015, I am really

Abdullah al Mahmoodi

Chief Manager, Event & Promotion Marketing, at Bank Sohar Q. What was your most memorable moment in 2014 (either personally or professionally)?

A. 2014, you could say, was a year of great new challenges, as I’m handling events as part of my work. I have organised many events during the year and thanks to God, I have a great team in my department who make me proud. We have had great success, which is reflected in achieving objectives in my work. My most memorable moment personally was when I joined the Cancer Awareness Walkathon, which took place on October 28 at the Qurum National Park and witnessed a large attendance and participation. My family joined me on the walk. I feel the best moment in 2014 is being given the gift of life and sharing with others to support Oman Cancer Association with this great event. I would like to applaud them for their continuous efforts to educate the community on cancer, as well as providing support to people and their families who suffer the ill effects of the disease.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

A. I hope to have new challenges, new travel and new fun. The important thing I’m planning to do is move to my new house and I hope it will be completed in time.

hoping that His Majesty The Sultan comes back to the country in good health and continues to rule Oman. I am also looking forward to the oil prices going back to what they were like at the beginning of 2014 so that the people of Oman continue to live in peace and flourish.

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A YEAR IN PICTURES JAN 01

FEB 07

Cases of the deadly disease Ebola spread from Guinea to neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone. The current death toll stands at 7,373, the worst Ebola outbreak in history

MAR 02

JUL

FEB 23

Start of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, mired in controversy with claims of discrimination and half-finished venues

MAR 08

A selfie taken at the Oscars ceremony by American TV host Ellen DeGeneres featuring a host of Hollywood stars including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, among others, is retweeted a record two million times

Attacks and aerial bombardments in Gaza rage during the 50-day war.

By the end, it would leave 2,200 dead, more than 2,100 of which are Palestinians and mostly civilians.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, travelling from Kuala Lumpur, vanishes with 239 people onboard. Despite the largest search in aviation history, there is still no sign of the aircraft’s final resting place

JUN 12

India took to the polls in what was to become the largest general election in the world with around 815 million Indians registered to vote. On May 12, Narendra Modi, the candidate for the opposition BJP Party, is declared the winner with 60 per cent of the seats in Parliament

Radical Islamic group calling themselves the Islamic State (IS) begin to rise to prominence as they capture vast amounts of territory in Iraq and Syria. The group is responsible for a series of videotaped beheadings of American and British hostages, including US journalist James Foley and British aid worker Alan Hennings

SEP 27

Apple releases its much anticipated iPhone 6, redesigned with a bigger screen and slimmer build.

More than 21 million iPhone 6s were sold in the first two weeks

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The FIFA World Cup kicks off in Sao Paulo with hosts Brazil beating Croatia 3-1. Germany lifted the trophy with a 1-0 victory over Argentina

AUG 01

Malaysia Airlines in the news again when flight MH17 is shot down over Ukraine, killing all 283 passengers and 17 crew. The investigation is ongoing with the final accident report due in August 2015

SEP 09

The Crimean crisis flares up again after the Ukrainian Revolution sees pro-Russian forces seize control of the Crimean peninsula

APR 07

JUL 17

08

014

Y Magazine presents a look back at the year’s most momentous photographic events that have made headlines around the world, from sporting heroics to tragic bloodshed and loss

Mount Ontake on the Japanese island of Honshu erupts, killing 57 as hikers are caught in a cloud of dust and debris

OCT 21

South African Paralympian, Oscar Pistorius, 28, receives a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide for the fatal shooting of his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in his Pretoria home in February 2013

NOV 12

After a 10-year mission, the Rosetta spacecraft makes history when it lands a mini probe on the surface on a comet

DEC 16

A horrific massacre at a Pakistani army school in Peshawar shocks the world. 132 pupils, some as young as five, and nine staff members were killed when Taliban gunmen broke into the school and opened fire

NOV 25

DEC 15

Long-standing racial tensions in the United States resurface after a Missouri grand jury’s decision not to indict a white policeman who shot dead an unarmed black team. The St Louis Suburb of Ferguson sees looting, riots and buildings and cars set ablaze

DEC 19

DEC 21

The price of a barrel of Oman oil drops to a five-year low of $56.39. It rose slightly this week to $59.68

WE SAID GOODBYE TO:

Robin Williams, 63, actor; L’Wren Scott, 47, fashion designer and girlfriend of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger; Joan Rivers, 81, comedian and TV star; Philip Seymour Hoffman, 46, film star; Philip Hughes, 25, Australian cricketer; Lauren Bacall, 89, legendary stage and screen actress; Oscar De La Renta, 82, fashion designer; Shirley Temple, 85, former child star; Richard Attenborough, 90, Oscarwinning director and actor; Mickey Rooney, 93, former child star; Bob Hoskins, 71, British actor; Maya Angelou, 86, acclaimed author and poet; P.D. James, 94, British crime writer; Angalifu, 44, the last breeding male Northern white rhino, who died at San Diego Zoo, effectively killing off the species with him (among others)

A lone gunman holds 17 hostages in a café in central Sydney, forcing some to hold up an Islamic banner at the window. Two hostages, including a mother of three, as well as the gunmen, Man Haron Monis, are left dead when armed police storm the building

An Australian woman has been charged with the murder of her seven children and niece found dead at her Cairns home. Mersane Warria, 37, was charged in hospital, where she is recovering from stab wounds

WE SAID HELLO TO:

Eric, a son for Simon Cowell, English reality TV celebrity, music and television producer and creator of The X Factor; a baby Gosling, Esmeralda, for Hollywood star Ryan and actress Eva Mendes; a son Charlton Valentine to singer Robbie Williams; a daughter Wyatt for actor Ashton Kutcher and Hollywood actress Mila Kunis; actress Scarlett Johannson became a mother with the arrival of Rose; veteran actor Bruce Willis became a dad again at the age 59 with daughter Evelyn; American singer Gwen Stefani welcomed baby son Apollo; tennis great Roger Federer becomes a dad to a second set of twins, Leo and Lenny; Prince Albert II of Monaco ensures there’s an heir to the Rainier throne after his wife Charlotte gave birth to twins, Jacques and Gabriella

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TREND New Restaurant

News

HOME GROWN YEAR 2014 was all about locally sourced and healthy food – and realising the best things can be found closer to home, says Kate Ginn

F

ood tends to go in cycles. Take, for instance, two years ago, when 2012 was all about the cupcake and how many different colours or flavours they could possibly me made in.

Cupcakes may have had their day in other countries, but the cute creations are still riding high in Oman with shops such as My Cupcake and Cake Gallery still cooking away.

Last year seemed to be about sweet treats, with macarons on the rampage and foodies dreaming up all sorts of hybrids to tempt us, such as the Cronut, a croissant and donut mix that enjoyed a brief reign on the top of the bakery shelf.

Things changed in 2014, or perhaps the world lost its super sweet tooth as more wholesome foods came to the fore and sugar-laden dishes took a backseat.

Here, we look at some of the food trends that have made an impact on the global gastronomy scene over the past 12 months:

Vegetables

We already know that veggies are great for us, but don’t always choose to follow the good food path. Now, the humble vegetable is back in vogue and often the star of the dish, rather than being stuck on the side. Eating your greens has never been so easy or delicious, whether it’s in vegetable smoothies (beetroot or broccoli are especially tasty), dips or elegant quiches. Muscat has an amazing vegetable market in Mawaleh, so there’s no excuse not to get your daily intake.

Provenance

By this, we mean the origin of the food. Diners and consumers became savvier about their foodstuff and started asking where the things they’re putting in their mouths are coming from. This is where locally sourced food comes into its own. The shoppers in the Sultanate like to buy food grown here or around the region rather than items flown in from far-flung locates. We’ve got some great food to be found on our doorstep, from sweet bananas in Salalah to amazing hamour fish fresh out of the sea. Organic food is also coming into view with rich pickings from Dhofar farms.

Gluten Free

It may be considered a fad but gluten-free cuisine was identified as a top-five trend in America’s National Restaurant Association’s What’s Hot in 2014 survey, with more than three quarters of chefs saying they planned to do more with gluten free next year. Oman has embraced the movement, with shops like Carrefour now stocking a gluten-free range for those with food intolerances or medical conditions.

Coconuts

The hairy little nuts were elevated to new culinary heights during 2014 and suddenly became very fashionable, indeed. Not only is the coconut flesh – the rich white lining contained within the shell – bursting with goodness and nutrients (including vitamins A and E), it has other health benefits and is said to protect against heart disease and stroke. It also tastes pretty good.

Coconut milk is already a common ingredient for cooking, but coconut water was the hero of 2014. As well as replenishing dehydrated bodies, research suggested it contained plant properties that could have significant antiageing and anti-carcinogenic effects. It also packs a strong potassium punch.

Celebrities such as singer Rihanna and supermodel Kate Moss are said to be fans. You can jump on the bandwagon with home-grown coconuts from Salalah.

What Will Be Hot in 2015?

So you may be wondering what new arrivals on the food scene we’ll be seeing in the months ahead.

Well, upscale comfort food is said to be on the boil again with old staples such macaroni cheese given an upmarket twist with Gruyere cheese and mustard, adding a touch of sophistication.

Slow food could well be the words on everybody’s lips in the kitchen during the coming year. The food concept was devised in America as an antidote to processed food and is growing fast, with the philosophy that everyone has to take responsibility for their food choices from where it comes from to how it’s cooked; watch out for it in Oman.

This ties in with the provenance mentioned earlier.

Seaweed is apparently going to be big in 2015, popping up in everything from salads to smoothies. The kale craze is waning and cauliflowers are going to be moving into the spotlight, jazzed up with interesting sauces and spices.

Also look out for biscuits, sweet and savoury, used as a sandwich for different fillings.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Trend

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

GOURMET GREATS

This year has served up platefulls of fantastic restaurants, and a few that have tasted a bit below par. Now it’s time to find out which ones deserve a spot at the top table, says Kate Ginn

O

ur menu of 2014 has been varied, from fast food in shopping chic décor and stylised food. Felicity and her 11-year-old daughter, Cia, were malls to exquisite five-star food in top hotels. We’ve feasted on the big fans of Café Ceramique in Bareeq al Shatti Mall, which combines the finest French patisseries on offer in Oman and the best seafood fun of creative art with eating in a laid-back friendly place. Anar (Persian for this side of the Arabian Sea; we’ve sampled authentic Mexican pomegranate) in The Wave, Muscat, also scored well, along with the Marjan fare, traditional Omani hospitality and savoured Brazilian cuisine. One thing Indonesian Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel. But it was Fauchon, all the eateries have had in common is a desire to feed the gourmands of the gorgeous French café at Opera Galleria, that pipped them to the post in Muscat and beyond with the best dishes possible. Some don’t always get it the end. Make sure you try their mille-feuille pastries, the most amazing in the right but discovering food is, in essence, all about trying city, if not the country. different tastes and flavours.

Ever had a burger served in a red bun with a There have been culinary triumphs and other food Superman logo branded on the top? No, me neither, but memorable for all the wrong reasons, and examples of that’s exactly what Retro in Qurum serves up. Japengo the best and worst customer service in the Sultanate. on Qurum Beach Road overlooking the sea got high Along the way, we’ve relished bringing you food from marks for its stupendous sushi and view. We liked it, but around the country and because Y Magazine reviews not as much as The Chocolate Room in Ghubra and anonymously and pays for its meals, you can trust us for the gooey, calorific delight that is the fondue – warm independent and honest comment.

Belgium chocolate with marshmallows, strawberries, ◆ Up Market: Bait al Bahr, Shangri-La bananas and mini waffles. When it tastes this good, who Now it’s time to reveal the restaurants that have ◆ Mid Market: Fauchon, impressed our stomachs and proved that good service is cares about the waistline? Excellent serving staff ,too, Opera Galleria as much as part of the meal as the food. with a special mention going out to Victor, who is always ◆ Casual Dining: The Chocolate When it comes to the Up Market section, the culinary there with a warm welcome and wide smile every time.

Room, Ghubra giants were lining up to take the top award and there And so we have come to the end of our award menu ◆ Budget: Shuwa Express, Shatti al Qurum was barely a thin wafer’s width between them all. One with the Budget category. This is perhaps the hardest of the region’s top eateries, China Mood at Al Bustan to judge as there are so many cheap and cheerful cafes Palace, served seriously good Chinese food in equally sumptuous surroundings. around the country offering a good-value plate of food for RO3 or less.

The tea ceremony, performed outside, was superb entertainment.

We commend a valiant effort by the classroom restaurant at the National In the end, we have decided to give the Up Market category award to Bait Hospitality Institute, with food cooked and served by students, who dished al Bahr at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, which won over Y’s up a decent attempt at a traditional Christmas Day lunch. Fatburger made managing editor, Felicity Glover, with its fresh, tasty and creative seafood. A its entrant into the fast-food market with freshly cooked meat and milkshakes spectacular bird’s-eye view of the Gulf of Oman from its wraparound balcony to die for. Despite all their efforts, though, the award goes to Shuwa Express matched the fabulous food. A sublime olive-oil poached kingfish and luscious in Shatti, which serves up no-frills food at bargain prices. Their sandwiches lobster thermidor, a dish so easy to make a hash of, were particular highlights. were good enough to impress my colleague, Adam Hurrell, who is not easily Mid Market had a veritable groaning table of delights to choose from. On pleased, to say the least. the Rocks, which opened earlier this year next to the Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel, These are just a few of the Taste Tests that we have tucked into this year. was an instant hit, with one customer declaring it as “the best thing that has There will be plenty more meals to be had in the year ahead, so until then bon happened in Muscat for food lovers”. It was easy to see why with its cool vibe, appétit wherever you choose to dine.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

I’M COLD!

FASHION

Travelling to chillier climes this winter? If you are leaving the warmth of Oman, then you need a few essential items to keep warm.

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The White Company’s Winter candle is Christmas and winter in a jar. The classic Christmas scent has been bottled and sealed in wax for your burning pleasure. Worth every rial twice over, no festive winter home is complete without one of these.

Available online and via the White Company shop in City Centre Muscat for RO12.

ESSENTIAL

EXTRAS When dressing for cold weather, it pays to sport the right accessories to stay on trend and stylish, says winter-wear fan, Adam Hurrell

I

Whether you are travelling or staying at home, this can be a busy time of the year with many social engagements to attend. Keep your schedule running smoothly with this beautiful rose-gold, slimline, classic Oxford watch from Daniel Wellington, one of my favourite watches of 2014. Danielwellington. com/uk RO90

am a self-confessed lover of winter. Chilly conditions mean extra layers and for a chap interested in clothes, that creates a win-win situation. The best thing about winter is that we can indulge in fabrics that are impractical to wear at other times of the year, such as wool. People are often intimidated by winter accessories as they change every year and can become expensive. But the trick, gentlemen, is to buy quality classics to ensure they last a good few years. Then all you need to do is buy one or two new pieces each season to keep your look modern, yet stylish. Now, of course, we are not going to need scarves and gloves in Muscat, but if you are heading off to Europe for a skiing holiday or are planning a trip to the mountains, where it can get very chilly, here’s a few ideas to stay warm – but oh so cool.

At this time of year, there is nothing worse than cold toes.

Luckily, Welsh firm Corgi make some of the best woollen socks in the world – even good enough for the British royal family. This red pair is sure to keep your feet toasty warm.

Corgihosiery.co.uk RO11.5

WINTER WARMERS:

Beanie hats are all over the catwalks this autumn/winter. The perennially popular choice is back this year with a vengeance. There are plenty of dull beanies out there, but this jazzy design from Zara is a real eye-catcher and great fun. Zara.com RO3.9

Adam’s tips on keeping cosy:

To protect your hands from the elements this season, good-quality gloves are essential.

Buy one good pair and you will never need to buy gloves again.

English firm Dents has a great range and supplies gloves to British royalty and even James Bond. This cashmere-lined, hand-made pair will keep the cold at bay and will add an extra level of sophistication to your winter wardrobe. dents.co.uk RO43

A quality scarf is essential in winter. Keep the chilly wind at bay with this luxurious red cashmere scarf from N.Peal, the masters of knitwear. It is an exceptional piece that will last a lifetime. Winter clothes are so often muted in tone that a splash of colour can lift any outfit. Npeal.com for RO66

1. Invest in quality items and then you only need to buy them once every few years, making them more affordable in the long run.

2. Buy classic as your main items and then purchase one or two items to update your collection each season. 3. Be fussy over your fabrics. Wool is much warmer and more comfortable than modern synthetic fabrics, such as acrylic.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

HEALTH

Beauty

Fashion

Driving in the Dark Tips and tricks for navigating at night

A

lthough a lack of confidence while driving at night is most commonly associated with older drivers, new survey results reveal that drivers as young as 40 feel uncomfortable driving in dark, nighttime conditions. Darkness falls earlier at this time of year, and this means more lowlight driving time for drivers of all ages.

And with many motorists in Oman bizarrely driving with their lights on high beam, it is especially important to understand the factors that contribute to this discomfort, including one surprising culprit – your nutritional intake.

Night driving is characterised by lowlight conditions and glare from oncoming headlights that impact a driver’s vision and can have serious safety implications.

The US-based AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that vision provides as much as 85 percent of the information drivers need to make safe decisions behind the wheel.

Results from a survey conducted by Toluna and EyePromise reinforce the importance of quality vision: with nearly one in four respondents reporting that if they could see better they would feel safer driving at night.

Concerns about safe driving at night and in low-light conditions are valid.

According to the National Safety Council, a US-based organisation, traffic death rates are three times greater driving at night versus day.

However, for many people, driving at night is not a choice. In the survey, one in five respondents said that, despite feeling anxious, they continued to drive at night out of necessity.

The first step towards night driving safety is being aware of the issues that may disrupt a driver’s confidence behind the wheel. The vision issues related to 034

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night driving can be organised into three categories: low-light conditions, which affect contrast and the ability to gauge distance; glare, which may cause a period of blind driving; and reaction time, which is reduced when visibility is hampered.

You can also enhance your safety behind the wheel by adopting smart driving behaviours. For example, you could consider driving more slowly at night and watch the white lines more carefully.

The National Safety Council also recommends drivers clean their headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows (inside and out) at least once a week.

Research reveals there is an additional solution proven to directly address the major night driving vision concerns: protecting your vision quality at its source.

Scientific studies show that nutrition has a significant impact on visual performance, specifically the nutrients zeaxanthin and lutein. Zeaxanthin and lutein are carotenoids that make up the macular pigment – the area of the eye responsible for protecting vision.

Trace amounts can be found in foods like leafy greens, corn, eggs and red, orange and yellow peppers, but because it is difficult to get enough in the average diet, optometrists recommend a nutritional supplement.

“It has been scientifically proven that high levels of dietary zeaxanthin taken in supplement form improve night driving visual performance,” says Dr Dennis Gierhart, who is the foremost researcher on dietary zeaxanthin and founder of ZeaVision, one of the leading companies in ocular nutrition.

Learn more about the impact vision has on night driving safety at www. eyepromise.com/nightdrivingvision.

COMMON NIGHT DRIVING PITFALLS Low light: Low-light conditions make it harder for the eyes to see contrast and thus identify objects and gauge their distance. It is much more difficult for a person to make out an object or person in the street or to accurately measure how fast they are moving or how far away they are at night versus during the day.

Glare disability and recovery: Glare and blinding light from an oncoming car’s headlights not only disables vision in the moment, but there is a period of time before the eyes recover where people are left driving blind. In fact, glare is one of the most common night driving vision issues, with one out of four respondents reporting that they feel unsafe driving at night due to glare, according to a survey

by Toluna and EyePromise.

Reaction time: Reaction time is slower at night. The National Safety Council reports that 90 percent of a driver’s reaction depends on vision, which is limited at night, so a person’s ability to spot danger and react is compromised. When considering the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s assertion that a typical driver makes 20 decisions per 1.2km and has less than half a second to act to avoid a collision, it’s clear that hampered night vision poses serious danger.

Take steps to improve your safety There are numerous ways you can proactively improve your safety while driving at night. The experts at EyePromise offer these suggestions: Practice safe driving ● Make sure the windshield and headlights are clean. ● Leave more distance between cars. ● Use “night” setting on your interior rearview mirror.

Improve your eyes with nutrition Research has proven nutritional supplements high in dietary zeaxanthin (10mg or above) and lutein protect and promote eye health to directly address major night driving vision issues. These nutrients help by improving contrast, reducing glare and improving recovery time.

Trace amounts of these nutrients are found in foods like leafy greens, eggs, corn, and orange and yellow peppers. The best option, though, is a natural supplement like EyePromise vizual EDGE, which features high levels of dietary zeaxanthin (14mg) and lutein in a once-daily softgel.

Schedule regular eye exams to monitor for vision issues.

A professional will be able to identify any issues with the aid of routine examinations.

Club

Health

BEAUTY F a s h i o n

JOIN

T&T

B

eauty treatments are all about being made to feel special. Tips & Toes is going one better by giving their customers a chance to feel privileged too.

The nail spa and beauty lounge chain has come up with a first for the industry in the GGC – a scheme to give back to their customers with rewards and exclusive benefits for members.

The Club T&T Privilege Card is based around a unique concept. Buying the card for just RO10 opens up a world of wonderful treats at discounted prices.

Cardholders automatically enjoy a 15 per cent discount on all salon services and 10 per cent on retail purchases annually.

They’ll also be issued with a beauty “cheque book”, filled with 23 discount vouchers and one offering a completely free service.

With these vouchers, customers can save up to RO250 annually, with discounts of up to 30 per cent in some cases. Even better, the vouchers can be shared with friends, perhaps as a gift or perfect way to introduce them to Tips & Toes.

Club T&T Privilege Card is an incredible opportunity that is not to be missed.

And with Tips & Toes branches in Muscat Grand Mall, City Centre Muscat, Bareeq Al Shatti and Sohar, there really is no reason for any lady in Oman in need of pampering to lose out.

Alaedin Nassani, from Tips & Toes, said: “This scheme is unique, a first of its kind in the GCC salon industry.

There are lots of membership cards, which are simple, but not a privilege card, which offers as much as this will.

Tips & Toes launches a unique customer privilege scheme

It will give us the edge in the market.

“We want to reward our loyal customers and give them something back. We hope it will also encourage new people to come to our salons and see for themselves what makes Tips & Toes so special.”

As a brand, Tips & Toes has grown significantly during the past 12 months and 2015 is expected to be even better. The City Centre Muscat Tips & Toes will move to a new larger shop within the mall, making it the biggest of their salons in Oman, offering the full range of services from manicures to hair and facials. The new shop should be open for business in the third quarter of 2015. There is great deal of excitement in the Tips & Toes salons about the forthcoming move and the new customer incentive along with the direction the brand is heading in 2015. With the help of the Club T&T Privilege Card, it looks a bright future is in store. “We are confident it will be a great success,” says Alaedin. “Club T&T members will also benefit from exclusive offers and events. It’s just the start with more exciting things planned.”

You can keep up-to-date with Tips & Toes latest news by following them on Twitter @ tipsandtoesoman and by liking them on Facebook and following them on Instagram

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Cars

CARS AND ADVENTURES

BEACH CAMP

We spend a weekend camping out on the beautiful Omani coastline and swimming in the crystal waters.

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E S T I N AT I O N P o s t c a r d s f r o m

Y- F i

Indoors

Destination

Wadi Al Arbaeen THE AWARD FOR BEST DESTINATION OF 2014 GOES TO A RIVER VALLEY THAT IS JUST A SHORT DRIVE FROM MUSCAT

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Cars

to take my lead from Trop. What’s the worst that can happen? We pass little groups of wandering goats and a couple of donkeys.

“Occasionally, a Bedouin tribesman or a young child in a brightly coloured robe wanders up the track, always with a friendly wave as we slow down to pass them.

“It has been a dry winter, but there are still stretches of water along the trackside.

Occasionally, the big 4x4 splashes easily through shallow fords, sending a cascade of shimmering water crystals dancing over the windscreen.

“As we press further into the wadi, we come to deeper water, made vivid turquoise or emerald green by the mineral-rich rock formations.

Tiny freshwater fish play close to the surface, occasionally breaking the water to snap at a hovering insect.

“It is hot, the sun is already high overhead in the azure mid-morning sky and the steep valley walls offer almost no shade.

“We stop, gather a few dry twigs and Jerzy makes tea over a campfire in a trusty old copper kettle. Trop shuffles about, dipping into the ice-cool water, snuffling among the grey and copper-brown rocks. Jerzy watches him from the corner of his eye, every now and again calling him back. ‘This close to water, there are always the risk of venomous snakes or lizards,’ he explains. ‘Trop found a nest of snakes once in terrain like this.’

“I make a mental note to pick my steps carefully. The flora is sparse,

but there are crops of palm trees and clusters of hardy little shrubs that somehow manage to thrive in this rugged place.

“We drive on, coming across occasional groups of simple homes, impressively equipped with electricity through overhead cables and water through a falaj, which is a manmade water channel carved into the sheer walls of the wadi.

“The track climbs higher and the views back down the valley become ever more spectacular as the car clings precariously to the bends.

“Eventually, we reach journey’s end, a system of deep and inviting water holes linked by tinkling little waterfalls over bluegrey granite. This close to Muscat, we have not completely escaped the tourist trails and a red warning sign cautions the unwary: ‘Drowning accidents are now popular.’

“We, we knew what they meant.

“Wadi Al Arbaeen is a quiet, ancient place where the sounds of rushing water and gentle birdsong provide the same soft soundtrack that must have endlessly echoed down the valley for thousands of years. It is a corner of mystic beauty and my first taste of the great Omani wilderness. A wilderness that Jerzy knows so well.”

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

I

t has been an adventurous year for Y Magazine and its travels around the Sultanate.

From wadis to the mountains, deserts and beaches, there’s not many places we didn’t visit. But it has to be said that our top pick for 2014 goes to Wadi Al Arbaeen, a stunning river valley just 90 minutes from Muscat.

Jerzy Wierzbicki, Y’s former photographer, took visiting journalist Mark Thomas on this trip back in February. Here, Mark takes up the story: “An hour-and-a-half out of Muscat, we are zipping along an empty highway through the Hajar Mountains with the bustle of the city roads just a bad memory. ‘We have arrived,’ Jerzy announces, before swinging the big white Land Cruiser off the reassuringly smooth asphalt carriageway and down on to the rough, rocky terrain of the dry riverbed at the roadside.

“I am in expert hands. As regular readers of this feature will know, Y photographer Jerzy Wierzbicki is an inveterate explorer of Oman’s most beautiful secret backlands.

Yet, as he steers the car under the bridge and takes us down the wadi hewn by the ages into the base of those forbidding mountains, for just a moment I find myself glancing quizzically at my companion.

“Soon, the highway is just a memory as the car slews and bounces its way down a dirt track, weaving through the river valley known as Wadi Al Arbaeen.

“The third member of our expedition, Trop, seems completely unfazed. Jerzy’s intrepid 10-year-old Dachshund has travelled thousands of kilometres with him on routes like this and he takes it all calmly in his four-legged stride. I decide

Take the Sultan Qaboos highway to the airport and turn right at the exit for Nizwa/Salalah. Then drive all the way towards Nizwa/Bahla on the

Nizwa road. From there, you turn to Nizwa and follow the road towards the town centre. At the roundabout (left to the Nizwa fort), you take the

right for Bhala. Tanuf is 19km from Nizwa. Take the paved road at the signs for Wadi Tanuf and the mountains. After 1.5km, turn off for old Tanuf.

Location of Tanuf Village: N23’03’8”E57’28’8”

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

Coastal

Camping Y’s new photographer Shakeel al Bulushi spent a night under the stars on a secluded stretch of Oman’s coastline with a group of friends, where they enjoyed all that the outdoors has to offer

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Y- F i

C a r s OUTDOORS

N

ow that the temperatures are well and truly falling, the camping season in Oman is in full swing. Every weekend, groups of friends and families are taking full advantage of the change in climate to spend more time in our wonderful landscape and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. I am part of a unique band of people called the Second Cup Group. We meet at the coffee shop every day and it is here that we plan our camping adventures. This time, we decided to visit As Sifah, on the west coast of Oman, about a 90-minute drive from Muscat. About 20 members of the group came, so it was quite a convoy of cars on the journey there.

Each trip, we go on we try to visit a different place and I had never been to Sifah before, so was really excited to see what it would be like. And what an amazing location it is – such a stunning coastline and wonderfully clean beaches and water. I know we say every coastline in Oman is special, but trust me: Sifah is really something.

We all arrived on Thursday afternoon and quickly got all the tents set up. The group is very organised and we are all allocated jobs – whether it’s cooking, making tea or providing entertainment, we all know our jobs. We are a very mixed bunch and we all bring something special to each camp, whether it’s taking great photographs and videos of our activities or providing music and singing, we all have something different to offer.

On the Friday morning, while breakfast was being prepared, many of us went snorkelling in the clear, crisp coastal waters. I was also able to get involved in squid fishing with the harpoons we had brought along. Afterwards, breakfast was ready. Food is a big part of our camping trips, especially the social aspect of eating together.

At lunchtime, we eat amazing traditional Omani dishes created by our resident chef, Imura al Balushi. His food is incredible, especially when he uses saffron. I had no idea how expensive this spice was. When we sit down to eat, it is in the traditional Omani way by sharing large amounts of food on shared plates. I love this sense of closeness at mealtimes. We all live such busy modern lives, that to take time out and spend real quality time with friends is something we so often miss out on.

Afternoons are spent relaxing, chatting and listening to music played by group members.

It’s all very impromptu and inspirational and always good fun to listen to.

In a way, the most important part of our trips is the clearing up when we get ready to leave.

We never leave litter or debris from our brief stay behind. I can’t stand littering and hate to see pollution in our wonderful country. We are so fortunate to live in such a scenic part of the world, we must enjoy it without damaging it.

Our next camping trip is planned for the New Year and we are hoping to go down to an area near Salalah.

Camping tips ● Always clean up after yourself – never leave litter. ● Sage is a natural insect repellant – throw some on your camp fire every now and again to keep mosquitos at bay. ● Research your camping site in advance so that you know what is provided at the site and what you will need to take. ● Make a list of everything you will need and pack according to the list to make sure you don’t forget anything. ● Make sure your bedding and tent are seasonally appropriate. An uncomfortable night will ruin your trip.

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CARS AND ADVENTURES WORLD CLASS

Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro is Y’s favourite destination of 2014. The city went football crazy this summer with the World Cup.

Top 5 Destinations: 1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2. Cambodia 3. Monaco 4. Norfolk Island, Australia 5. New Orleans, USA

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Destination

Y Awards

Outdoors

Y-Fi

Cars

POSTCARDS FROM

recommends:

WINNER: RIO DE JANEIRO RUNNERS-UP: CAMBODIA, MONACO, NORFOLK ISLAND, NEW ORLEANS

T

here’s a huge world out there to explore - and whether you are an armchair traveller or one who loves to discover new cities, Y has brought you a whole host of fabulous new places during 2014 for you to put on your bucket list.

From Lapland, the home of Father Christmas, to a wild road trip across the US and the little-known Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, we’ve been to every continent and more than 50 cities this year alone.

The good news is that there’s still plenty of travelling to do in 2015. But in the meantime, here’s our top five favourite cities we’ve been to this year. Safe travels!

CAMB

O D IA

Our Favourite Place: OK, so this was a no-brainer. The Latino warmth of Rio de Janeiro topped our list

this year simply because it was in the spotlight thanks to the FIFA World Cup. It’s a month-long football fest that saw tens of thousands of fans pour into Brazil not only to watch the beautiful game, but also to explore all that is has to offer, including the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. Second was Cambodia, where we were captivated by the beauty, rawness and the collision between old and new.

Coming in third was Monaco. While it might be one of the world’s smallest countries, what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in glamour.

Highlights: Where to begin? The top five spots we have picked all have their own charm and appeal. But that’s the beauty about exploring a new city – each one will take your breath away, but for different reasons. We loved the old bohemian area of Santa Teresa in Rio and delighted in exploring Ta Prohm in Cambodia, where Angelina Jolie, as Lara Croft, swung through the overgrown temple. In Monaco, it was the Palais Princier and the Musée Océanographique de Monaco that captivated us.

On Norfolk Island, we were intrigued by the penal past of Slaughterhouse Bay, the site of weekly prisoner hangings. And in New Orleans, we found our dancing feet in the French Quarter, the vibrant heart and soul of the city’s music scene, which is slowly but surely emerging from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

MONACO

Lowlights:

The child poverty in Rio is heartbreaking and hard to ignore, and you need to be on the lookout for pickpockets in Cambodia. In Monaco, you may experience some rudeness from the locals, but it’s the expense that will leave you gasping for breath. There’s very little or no crime on Norfolk Island, but don’t expect sophisticated shopping or a lively nightlife, while the hurricane season in New Orleans – from June to the end November – can put some visitors off.

Souvenirs: If you love flip-flops, then the world’s coolest brand – Havaianas – can be had for a song

in Rio as that’s where they are made. Colourful textiles, wooden handicrafts and handmade curios are the order of the day in Cambodia. Norfolk Island boasts a bevy of local sculptors, painters and jewellery makers, all of whom create unique memories of their surroundings. Expensive Monaco should more about the life experience (unless you find yourself a rich partner there) and New Orleans is all about trinkets you can’t find anywhere else – think ornamental alligator heads and carnival masks.

Where to stay: It all depends on your budget, but some of our favourite places included Villa Rio, which is set atop Joa’s Cliffs in Rio, and The Plantation – a luxe resort and spa in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Norfolk Island and New Orleans offer a range of accommodation to suit all tastes, while in Monaco, there’s no other place to stay except the Hotel de Paris.

NEW OR LEAN

S

DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Postcards from

BEST OF

THE BEST

Cars

Indoors

Y-FI

What’s our top gadget of the year? Matthew Herbst gives you the lowdown

GADGET OF THE YEAR : GO-PRO-FESSIONAL With 2014 being all about on-the-go video, it was obvious that Go-Pro would steal the show. This year saw Go-Pro come back with its biggest hit, The Hero 3+ black edition. Video in action couldn’t be easier. Unlike it’s predecessor, this one is 20 per cent smaller and lighter making it easier to clip onto your helmet. It’s also the perfect companion for capturing scuba adventures but beware, it’s only waterproof up to 40 metres. A big selling point of this gadget is that the Wi-Fi-enabled, adrenaline-fuelled camera also comes with a remote that can control the Hero 3+ from an impressive 180m away for even more creative freedom. R0237 from gopro.com

RUNNER-UP : SKY HIGH Mention a drone to anyone this year and the answer you’ll get? “Of course, I have one.” Drones are fast becoming as common as mobile phones and therefore a definite runner-up for 2014. The AR.Drone 2.0 Power Edition Quadricopter is the best development of 2014 from Parrot’s world of hi-tech flying gadgets. Advanced, ready to fly and Wi-Fi controlled, you can easily navigate it with your smartphone or tablet. The two highdensity lithium polymer batteries provide a lengthy 36 minutes of flying time. The best part is that this power-packed machine features a high-definition camera with video recording and flight data sharing, meaning you no longer need to strap your expensive iPhone to it’s base. It costs RO207 and can even perform 360-degree flips on command – if you are an experienced pilot. www.amazon.com

PRIVATE EYE Almost a winner, but still one of the best of 2014. The head-mounted Sony HMZ-T3W Personal 3D Viewer is your own personal home cinema system where you can experience truly immersive entertainment.

The viewer offers clear 360º audio thanks to its 7.1-channel surround sound. The headset includes wireless connectivity and a near-zero screen response time, making it ideal for gamers. Check it out at

HONOURABLE MENTION

www.sony.com. RO384

044

LUMINAID INFLATABLE LIGHT BAG In Oman, we are blessed with plenty of sun, spectacular outdoor activities and camping opportunities. These make the Luminaid Inflatable Light Bag an FEBRUARY DEC 25 - 3106/ TO ISSUE 12 /350 ISSUE 306

absolute must when relaxing with friends on dark dunes. The bag is lightweight, waterproof, dustproof and an ideal campmate, shedding light on your campground. RO13.45 from firebox.com

FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS

BEST OF NEW AX880 LED SERIES For Panasonic, 2014 will mostly be remembered for being the year the brand pulled the plug on its prestigious plasma TVs, which sent fans into a buying frenzy.

However, later in the year it unveiled an even better product in the form of The AX800 edge LED series, which is a winner when it comes to quality, especially when it comes up against some tough competition. RO1,204.18 Available in two sizes, the 58-inch TX-58AX800 and the 65-inch TX-65AX800.

CLEAR VIEW Not a winner, but worthy of being one of our best picks of 2014. Year after year, our life schedules get heavier, so thinking about clean windows is usually the last chore on our minds. The Winbot Robot Window Cleaner with cleaning solution just made 2015 easier. Simply fill the bot, attach it to a window and press the power button. It cleans your windows in three stages: spray, squeegee and wipe. Check out www.ecovacs.com; RO153

The TV handles all 4K content, as well as taking standard content and upscaling it to near 4K resolution quality.

Features “Life+ Screen”, which memorises individual and family viewing preferences and suggests related content for the viewer.

amazon.com

ONE FOR THE KIDS A winner in Y’s eyes because nothing beats the beauty of a night sky. The Orion SpaceProbe 3 AZ Reflector Telescope and starter kit is a great kit for children who want to explore the Moon, the rings of Saturn and the moons orbiting Jupiter. It is easy to set up and, best of all, very affordable. Included in the starter kit is a 76mm aperture reflector, a map to discover the names of craters and features of the Moon. It also comes with a Star Target planisphere, which is a star chart to understand it all. Available at www. amazon.com, from RO45.81.

App of the year MAGISTO Why not leave your mark for 2014 and use your smartphone to record your lasting moments, just like the 15 million people currently using Magisto. The clever App analyses your photos and videos and then crafts them together into an edited movie ready to close 2014 off nicely.

Free on iOS and Android.

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

Postcards from

Y- F i C A R S

Saloon (Sedan) Winner: Mercedes Benz C200 AMG

Hot Hatch Winner: Ford Focus ST

Runner-up: VW Beetle 2015 SEL

Runner-up: MINI Cooper Paceman S ALL4

4x4 Winner: Range Rover Sport V8

Sports Winner: Jaguar F Type V6 Convertible

Runner-up: Lincoln MKC

CAR OF THE YEAR I

f the year 2014 had to be described in motoring terms, I would call it a roaring success. There were some serious crackers from the start, when we featured the Aston Martin DB9 in February, for instance. This set the trend for the rest of the year.

We have been privileged to get behind the wheel of many automotive marvels, from the cheeky retro fun of the Fiat 500 to the awesome power of America’s most popular muscle car, the world-famous Mustang GT. Over the past 12 months, we’ve had a few standout drives that included careering round the twists and turns of the Al Amerat road in a MINI Cooper to sedately cruising the highway in the majestic BMW 650i, which is always an honour to be in charge of.

As always, some cars have taken us by surprise.

We weren’t expecting the Ford EcoSport, a mini SUV that looks like a full-blooded 4WD, to be quite so captivating and the Geely GC2 (also known as the Panda) proved that good things do indeed come in small packages. We still haven’t got our hands on a Porsche to test drive – please Porsche Centre Oman make our dreams come true in the new year – and we would love to try out the Toyota FJ Cruiser before it’s phased out at the end of 2015.

Still, this is all about declaring winners and the vehicles that have, for whatever reasons, grabbed 046

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DEC 25 - 31 / ISSUE 350

Runners-up: Mustang GT and Aston Martin Vanquish

It’s been a somewhat vintage year for cars and Y has been lucky enough to try out some of the best, says Kate Ginn

Y’s attention this year. Let me say from the start that it’s been a difficult task trying to separate out the best from the rest. In fact, it’s been such a challenge that we’ve added a new category this year, Sports, and split the Saloon and Hot Hatch.

And so (drum roll) to the hotly contested Saloon of the Year award, which had me reminiscing fondly about some of the rides that have passed through my hands in 2014. It’s was a close call, but in the end the German wonder of engineering, the Mercedes C200 AMG, just edged it. My colleague, Adam Hurrell, described it as “the best car I’ve driven this year”, which takes some beating. The VW Beetle did do its best to chase it all the way to the finish, coming in a very close second for its thrilling acceleration and traffic-stopping looks.

Now for the Hot Hatch, another fiercely fought section. For me, however, it just had to be Ford Focus ST. This pocket rocket is packed with high performance and enough va-va-vroom under the bonnet to hit 100kph in 6.6 seconds like a streak of (in the case of my test drive car) red lightning.

Runner-up is the MINI Cooper Paceman S, which rocketed down the Expressway like a greyhound out of a trap chasing the hare. What this little chunky car may lack in stature, it more than makes up for in personality.

Choosing a top 4x4 is never going to be straightforward. Do I go for stalwarts such as the

Mitsubishi Pajero, which had a slight facelift this year? Or should newcomers muscle in on the crown? In the end, it was that British bulldog of a car, the Range Rover Sport 5L V8 Supercharged that emerged as the front-runner. Designed, engineered and built in the UK, it is quite simply class – from the soft leather upholstery to the superb handling – and a worthy winner. One of the new kids on the SUV block did, however, sneak in at the last minute and grab the runnerup spot. I only test drove the Lincoln MKC a few weeks ago but it did enough to impress me (and Y’s boss, Felicity) to steal second place thanks to a heady combination of silky-smooth handling and opulent luxury.

We’re almost at the end of the road as far as the awards. Without hesitation, I name the Jaguar F Type Convertible as the Sports Car of the Year.

I’ll never forget cruising along Qurum beachfront with the roof down and the engine growling like a big cat. Joint runners-up are the Mustang GT – a childhood ambition to drive one fulfilled for me – and the Aston Martin Vanquish, which had guest test driver Barbra Ward besotted from the start.

Peering into the crystal ball, there are some equally stunning cars set for release in 2015, with the Audi TT Roadster and the Infiniti Q30 looking particularly interesting.

We’ll be bringing you lots of new adventures on the road during 2015, so get ready for the ride.

Now experience the ‘art of healing’ in Oman

With the opening of Burjeel Medical Centre in Muscat, Burjeel Hospital, the UAE’s leading tertiary care facility, brings the unique ‘art of healing’ closer to you.

Conveniently located on Sultan Qaboos Street in Al Azaiba, burjeel medical centre is poised to usher in a new era in healthcare in Muscat.

specialty services will include: General Medicine • Pediatrics • Obstetrics and Gynecology • Dental • Dermatology

For more information call: 22085252, Building No. 136-144, Way No. 270, Azaibah-North, Sultanate of Oman. info@bmcoman.com l www.bmcoman.com