Y Magazine #302, January 9, 2014

Fight The Flab Campaign

AB FAB & fit

BEATING BALDNESS / ACTIVE GADGETS / NEW YEAR PARTIES / THE BOOK THIEF / TGI FRIDAY'S / VISITING KURDISTAN / TOP TOYOTA FOOTY FEVER: AFC UNDER 22 TOURNAMENT HITS OMAN DESTINATION: Manah From Heaven OMAN IN PICTURES: The Oryx

14

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JAN 09 - 15 • ISSUE 302 • WEEKLY

AN

ARABIAN

ADVENTURE

PLUS!

TV Stars Take On The Empty Quarter

Fashion

Food

PLAYING PEEK-A-BOO

TOP TRENDS

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NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

30

News

26

PINK PONY

10

TREND BAROMETER GOING UP

GLOBAL DOMINATION You can get in touch with Y online, on Twitter and on Facebook. We’re also on WhatsApp; add Y’s contact number, 97021648, to your contact list and then send us a WhatsApp message with your name, age and #ymagazine

GOING DOWN

BABY DJS Hipster parents are now getting their little ones to hit the decks – but is it a mini activity too far? We think so!

EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward

A

THIS WEEK

Team Y has been enjoying some horse racing in the presence of royalty, kickboxing and making endless ginger, honey and clove concoctions to get rid of a cold. Achooo!

fter Olympic hero James Cracknell suffered a life-changing brain injury, his best friend and BBC presenter Ben Fogle, agreed to one last adventure crossing the Empty Quarter on camelback.

It had been ten years since the daring duo rowed the Atlantic together and the idea of taking on the Rub’ al Khali seemed irresistible. Little did they know how arduous it would be crossing 600km of punitive desert for almost three weeks with little food or water.

In this edition, the British stars reveal how their latest journey in Oman became their toughest to date – and why camels aren’t as cute as they look.

Elsewhere, we kick off our three-week fitness special with some sound advice.

Find out more on how you can change your body shape with our daily tweets on #yfitnessplan Finally, don’t forget about the big match kicking off this weekend. Find out more on p14. We’ll be wearing our oryx horns in support of Oman. What about you?

Penny Fray MANAGING EDITOR

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

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

editor@y-oman.com

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

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CONTRIBUTOR Tom Robertson PHOTOGRAPHER Jerzy Wierzbicki ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

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

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

JAN 09 - 15 / ISSUE 302

03

contents JANUARY 09 2014

Your Oman

10

06 The Big Interview

Maggie Jeans 08 Your Oman

Jane Jaffer 1 0 News

Taxis Revamped 14 Football Fever

We’re On Our Way

To Muscat 15 Gallery

New Year’s Eve

This Week 16 This Week

Oman Has Talent

17 Oman In 43 Objects

The Oryx 18 Movie Listings

The Past

26 Trend

Nice Ice Baby 27 Food

Food Fads 28 Food Review

TGI Friday’s

20 An Arabian Adventure

Ben & James versus

the Empty Quarter 24 Fitness (Part 1)

Get Fit, Get Happy

20

16

Food & Drink

Features

Cars & Outdoors

37 Destination

Manah and the Fortress

of Fiqain 40 Outdoors

Riders In The Warm

30 Fashion 42 Postcard From

Playing Peek-A-Boo Kurdistan

32 Male Beauty 44 Y-Fi

Bald And The

Fit & Lean 2014

Beautiful 46 Car of the Week 33 Style Counsel

2014 Toyota Corolla

Barbra Young

Health & Beauty

26

45

HOME LIVING

34

34 Pretty In Pink

Pastel Pop

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...

Bollywood Star Hrithik Roshan Standing Up To Street Harassment Cold Cures Fit Fashion

YOUR

News

Gallery

INTERVIEW

OMAN

Best of British Maggie Jeans, Owner and Director of Al Manahil International LLC and Coordinator at the British Business Forum Words: Tom Robertson / Image: Jerzy Wierzbicki

Could you tell us briefly about your career to date?

I arrived at Sultan Qaboos University from Bristol, UK in January 1990 where I had worked as an education officer in the College of Medicine. I was there for six very enjoyable years before becoming owner and Director of Al Manahil. We specialise in the wholesale import of books for the government and private sector. We also represent both Oxford and Cambridge University Press and many other publishers throughout the Sultanate. I’ve also been a coordinator at the British Business Forum (BBF) for 10 years now.

What does your role at the BBF entail?

I am part of a small team that works very closely with UK Trade and Investment, which is part of the British Embassy. It’s good to be part of something that’s a particularly useful networking forum for newcomers to Oman. We often entertain visiting trade missions from the UK and also find sponsors and venues for each will provide the opportunity to network with members of the European, monthly meeting, although most of our events are now held in Australian, American and British business groups, as well as our Omani the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel. We’re also a point of contact for partners. The guest of honour will be HE Khalil Abdullah al Khonji, British business people visiting Oman. chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

What are the highlights and lowlights Apart from the projects you’ve already of being a BBF coordinator? mentioned, what are your hopes and aspirations Maggie’s top tips for Like most event organisers, I heave a sigh for the New Year? people trying to make of relief when a meeting has gone well.

The BBF is gathering momentum and I hope it will It’s sometimes a struggle to find sponsors, it in business in Oman continue to flourish. Networking is very important for a particularly during the long hot months of successful business. l Oman is a challenging place summer when meetings are probably most When you’re not working, what do you like to do to do business because it’s appreciated by our members. to unwind?

What has been significant for the BBF a relatively young country Music is very relaxing and I really enjoy going to the this past year and what do you think and you have to be very Royal Opera House Muscat. I’m also interested in the will be big this year? determined to succeed environment, so I’m a Member of the Environment We were delighted that our website won the l There’s sometimes a Society of Oman (ESO). I also enjoy reading, films, Oman Web Awards earlier in 2013 and our gardening, entertaining and seeing friends, walking with great deal of bureaucracy to most exciting meeting was in November when our Saluki dog, boating and swimming in the sea. contend with and patience we hosted the Red Arrows Display Team from I also serve as Chargé de Mission for the Muscat Chaîne is necessary for success. the UK. During 2014 we need to capitalise des Rôtisseurs, the worldwide gastronomic association.

The good news is that Oman more on the connections that arise from the The purpose of bringing this particular association to BBF being part of a network of similar groups is putting a great deal of Oman is to spread fine cuisine and encourage young emphasis on the development throughout the Gulf Region. This year, we’re professionals working in the hospitality sector. of SME’s also working on a series of recommendations, You’ve lived in Oman for a significant period. based on suggestions from members, to l Young people entering What do you enjoy most about the country? explore ways of making business in Oman the market need to do their We arrived in Oman exactly 24 years ago. The Sultanate easier, particularly for Small and Medium homework and learn from was a very different place in 1990. It’s been fascinating Sized Enterprises (SMEs). the experience of others. to witness the steady development of the country but the You’re also involved in other projects people remain the same, always gentle and friendly. Like It’s a good idea to find an at the moment. Can you tell us a bit many people who have ‘stayed on’ in Oman, we also experienced mentor to look at more about these? appreciate its natural beauty, particularly the coastline. your business plan and act as Normally I’m involved each January with the Describe your personality briefly. a sounding board annual European Business Persons Dinner.

Eternally optimistic, persistent and outgoing.

This year it’ll be a bit different as the dinner 06

JAN 09 - 15 / ISSUE 302

The Voice of Oman

Jane Jaffer on the healing benefits of music

correspondence KEEP OMAN BEAUTIFUL Dear Editor,

L

istening to music can calm, excite or inspire us, giving us a wonderful way to come together and celebrate our lives. Music can uplift or bring us to tears when the lyrics of a song resonate with our own lives. Our musical memories are amazing. I wonder why music is not used to aid the learning process? When I was teaching in London, an entire reading scheme to music. The children soon memorised the words and were able to ‘read’ almost immediately, which greatly increased their confidence and motivation.

I think we underestimate the healing power of music too. Singing can be a great antidote to fear. Terrified on the ski slopes, I once sang at the top of my voice all the way up the mountain to overcome my fear. I often use the powerful humming OM breath with counselling clients to help them drown out negative thoughts and fears.

Neurologist, Oliver Sacks, says it has therapeutic potential for patients with a variety of neurological conditions’.

We’ve all heard of patients who wake from a coma on hearing their favourite music.

A stroke in certain areas of the brain can result in aphasia or the inability to use or comprehend words. Singing can help stroke victims regain language. Sufferers from Alzheimer’s who may be unable to carry out a chain of actions can be prompted by musical rhymes.

If music be the food of love, play on!

Next week: Sayyida Mayya Al Said

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JAN 09 - 15 / ISSUE 302

I wanted to share a photo with you taken at 7am on January 4th, a Saturday, in front of Costa Cafe at Al Shatti beach.

I am a visitor from Dubai and I noticed two missing factors: the role of Muscat Municipality and individual responsibility.

We should all know that public places are for everyone. Isn’t it a tourist destination too?

I really hope Y can start an awareness campaign to encourage people to keep such places clean.

Best regards Bassem Zein, Dubai

GIVE VISA A TRY Dear Editor, With reference to a letter written by Gautam Ghosh-Dastidar in Y (Issue 301 Jan 02) ‘Visa Not Passport To Success’, I totally disagree with his view. I think the single visa for the GCC would be a great thing for expats in the region. Many people would frequently

visit the Holy cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

It would boost tourism and the region’s economy.

Thank you, Mohammed Ali, Muscat

This Week’s Debate: If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

Tell us on Facebook or Twitter.

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SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / @ytabloid / /ytabloid. Impress us and the winning correspondent will receive an InterContinental voucher. Guests may redeem gift vouchers from the hotel’s reception. For the rest of the terms and conditions see voucher.

YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US

Debate of the Week

LETTERS

E-MAILS

FA C E B O O K

TWITTER

Frouke, Femke, Jitske van As and Ellen van Kaam were spotted with a copy of Y Magazine in Wadi Shab

We asked:

‘If you won RO1 million, how would you spend it?’

Louise Loony Hudson I would set up my own ballet school with a small theatre for the kids to perform in.

Jinan Al-Busaidi I’d buy a house for my family and support them so that they would never have to work another day in their lives. Then I’d pay for my higher education and keep some hidden away for a rainy day. The rest would go towards helping others in need.

Jomari Somontina Sagal I would help my family first then invest in my future.

Belinda Wallington I would open an animal shelter and get all the wild dogs and cats neutered. I’d also buy warm sweaters for all the cold labourers I see shivering every morning., buy toys and clothes for the kiddies in the orphanage and send food parcels to the needy. If there was any left I would treat myself to a carpet cleaning machine.

Ricky Cherian Laugh out loud! I am currently only 15 years old, turning 16 in April so I wouldn’t want much.

However if I won it, I would first buy a good laptop for myself, get an iPhone and give all the rest to my parents. Even if I didn’t give it to my parents, I’d use that money to take care of them for the rest of their lives. This may sound incredulous and superbly simple but that is really all I want for now. My priority will always be my parents since they were the ones who brought me into this world and raised me.

Editor’s note: Ricky, you have to give your prize voucher to your Mum and Dad for being such great parents.

Debbie BlueEyes Nel Buy an island and retire.

Steven Darwish I would count it. I don’t want to get short changed. Then I would build a giant water park in Oman!

Ali Fareed Mohammed Mc Firstly, I would rent a helicopter. Secondly, I’d buy jewellery for my girlfriend. And thirdly, I would take my father to Pakistan.

Jenni Eden Easy. I would set up my own positive empowerment centre called ArtsSpa and show everyone how to create their own abundance in all things to be joyful and happy souls.

Vangie Lyn Abad If I won a million rials, I would save some of it for my daughter’s future, help my family and pay for some poor kids’ education so that they could help others once they finish and get a good future.

Correction: In Issue 300 (Dec 26-Jan 1), a reflow problem meant that Sayyid Nasr Albusaidi was wrongly associated with the Wave and Abdullah Jbr Nasser al Busaidi was described as Director General at The Royal Opera House Muscat. He is in fact Communication & Public Relations Manager of Bait Al Zubair Museum

Shangri-La’s Getaway Offer Escape to Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa with your family and friends. Enjoy the following local rates for Omanis and residents of Oman: Al Waha Superior Room - OMR 90 net Al Bandar Deluxe Room - OMR 105 net Al Husn Deluxe Room - OMR 140 net For more information and to make reservations, please call 2477 6262 or e-mail: reservations.slmu@shangri-la.com Rooms subject to availability.Terms and conditions apply.

P.O. Box 644, Muscat 100, Sultanate of Oman Tel: (968) 2477 6666 Fax: (968) 2477 6677Email: slmu@shangri-la.com Website: www.shangri-la.com/muscat

JAN 09 - 15 / ISSUE 302

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YOUR

OMAN

Gallery

The freak weather hitting countries around the world has been affecting Oman this week.

Winds and rain swept across parts of the Sultanate, flooding roads and wadis.

Two women had to be airlifted to safety.

An Omani woman was evacuated from Al Jabal Al Aswad (the Black Mountain) in the wilayat of Quriyat on Tuesday, while another woman was transported by police helicopter from Al Amerat. Both were taken to Khoula Hospital in Muscat.

Four European tourists trapped by water in Wadi Dayqah Dam while camping nearby, were also rescued by helicopter, said the Royal Oman Police.

Rain and strong winds were also seen in Musandam, al Buraimi, al Dhahira and north al Batinah governorates, while prolonged rain showers and winds hit Muscat.

Unsettled weather is expected to continue into the weekend.

STOP PRESS: An electronic work visa will be available soon, to make the process quicker and easier. A second victim of the Coronavirus has died in the Sultanate. The victim, an Omani man aged 59, died on December 30.

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NEWS

TAXIS TO GET MAKEOVER

They're a familiar sight plying their trade up and down the roads of Muscat and beyond. But the days of the traditional orange and white taxi are soon to be numbered.

Plans have been unveiled to find a new look for the Sultanate’s cabs as part of a general move to smarten up the industry.

However, rather than the government deciding on what this new image will be, it has been thrown open to the public with a competition and cash prize.

In an unusual and, some might say brave, move, the Ministry of Tourism is asking Oman’s residents to come up with ideas for a new exterior look for the Sultanate's taxis.

In an announcement, the Ministry said the makeover’s aim was ‘to upgrade and improve the services rendered by taxis.’

RESCUE FROM RAIN

Interview

Some would say that the change isn’t before time. It’s fair to say that not every taxi maintains a pristine appearance and conditions can vary. A freshen up could be just the answer.

If you’re not convinced about taking part, maybe the idea of a RO2,500 first prize might persuade you otherwise. Second prize is RO2,000 and there’s R1,500 up for grabs for the third place.

Before you get carried away with all sorts of flamboyant designs, the Ministry of Tourism has sensibly laid down some guidelines.

For a start, colours reflecting the Omani environment are preferred. Which probably means that bright purple or shocking pink is not likely to go down too well.

The Ministry will, of course, have the final say.

Still if you fancy creating a taxi masterpiece, here are a few of the rules: The competition is open for Omanis and residents.

The design should be original and not copied or based on pre-prepared drawing models.

Maximum three proposals per person.

Designs should be in EPS or Al format (Photoshop or Illustrator) and 300-megapixel resolution.

The Ministry of Tourism will retain all submitted designs.

Think you’ve got what it takes?  Designs and contact information (including full name, address, telephone number and email) should be sent to email: initiatives@omantourism.gov.om  Deadline is January 17 at 1pm

Share your fun ideas with us at

/ytabloid or

@ytabloid

INCOME ALMOST DOUBLES The average monthly income for Omani households has almost doubled over a 10-year period, it has been revealed.

Back in 2000, earnings were on average RO637.53 per month. This rose to RO1,172.258 in 2011, an increase of 83 per cent.

Muscat has the highest levels of income with RO1,459 per month. These families are spending an average of RO930 a month.

A look through the keyhole into Omani households was part of a new report into income and spending in Oman by the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

It gave a glimpse of the financial habits of families throughout the Sultanate.

The report found that the number of Omani families in the Sultanate, until the middle of last year, was 278,891, with an average of 7.5 people

per home.

This figure is growing by 4,700 families annually, according to the NCSI ‘Facts About Oman Households Report.’

Unsurprisingly, a quarter of the families live in the Muscat governate. The majority of these – 77 per cent – live in modern homes. In contrast, less than a quarter in the Al Wusta region have newer houses.

Home ownership is also high – 83 per cent of Omani families own their property – with the most in Al Wusta and the lowest in al Buraimi (65 per cent).

Most us already know that the roads are congested, so you won’t be shocked to hear that 90 per cent of Omani households own a car.

When it comes to financing a house or car purchase, many families rely on credit. The report highlighted that 444,000 Omanis have borrowed money from commercial banks as either personal or housing loans.

IN THE PINK No, your eyes are not deceiving you; this really is a pink horse.

Khadi, a rare pink stallion, was paraded in public at the recent Annual Royal Horse Racing Festival in Muscat. With his bright pink skin shining through his coat and blue eyes, his appearance was one of the highlights of the show.

Originally from Kazakhstan, the animal’s distinctive look is believed to be the result of a change in pigmentation.

Khadi is not solely unique in Oman, however.

The Royal Stables actually has two pink horses – and a potential third on the way. Khadi’s mate is expecting a foal. The mare is currently in France preparing for the birth.

Whether the addition to the family turns out to be a

pink arrival is not clear. Until the foal is born, it won’t be known whether he or she has inherited its parents’ pastel shade.

Khadi also delighted Prince Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall during their visit to the Sultanate in March last year.

GIVE YOUR WALLS AN INSpIRING NEW LOOk inspiring

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cHanGe tO BriLLiant desiGns cHanGe tO tHe nO. 1 in paints

YOUR

OMAN Bite Sized Our new weekly slot takes a lighthearted look at a news issue of the week.

What is it? The stuff of nightmares for anyone who failed maths at school.

What is it exactly? An analysis and overview of the Nation’s economy and financial statistics.

So, what’s the lowdown?

According to the Oman News Agency, the government is going to spend RO13.5 billion this year and earn RO11.7 billion.

Now I’m not very good at math, but….? Yes, well spotted.

The government is set to spend more than it’s forecasted to earn.

So, how will it be covered?

We’ll be asking our friends to lend us a small amount but the majority will come from our general reserves and the 2012 surplus.

What’s driving the spending?

There’s a 5.3 per cent increased expenditure in social sectors such as education, healthcare and housing.

Let’s also not forget the first stage of the National Railway Project, which is set to steam ahead this year at a cost of RO1billion.

Anything you’re not telling us?

Ahem… the deficit doesn’t include the increased expenditure needed for the recent standardisation of grades in different ministries. That will incur an estimated additional cost of RO 800-900 million.

Anything else? Oil revenue accounts for 83 per cent of total revenue so we’re reliant on global oil prices.

So they’ve got us over a barrel? Don’t be so crude in your analysis.

Do say: ‘Our deficit is modest in comparison to other countries.’

Don’t say: ‘Our economy is also modest.’

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Gallery

Interview

NEWS

GET READY FOR FESTIVAL It’s that time of year again. The Muscat Festival is back.

In two weeks, the much-anticipated annual extravaganza will be getting ready to entertain the city.

The countdown has begun with the opening day set for January 23 (a Thursday), continuing until February 22.

Amerat Public Park will remain the main venue, along with Al Naseem Gardens. Both sites have been closed to the public already to allow for preparations to get underway.

Qurum’s City Ampitheatre and Al Seeb will also play host to some activities, including on the beach.

Last year’s Festival attracted over 1.6 million visitors, with 900,000 of these flocking to Amerat. This was a 20 per cent increase on 2012’s event attendance – and organisers hope that this year will beat these figures.

Visitors travel from the Gulf and Middle Eastern states to attend.

More fun and entertainment are being lined up for 2014. The Oman Heritage & Cultural Village – a big favourite last year – returns, and organisers are also promising fun fairs, children’s shows, acrobats, firework

A WEEK IN PICTURES

displays and folk dancing and singing.

Another highlight from last year, the Tour of Oman, a six-stage cycling event over 935km through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, will also be back.

Tour de France champions Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome both took part in the last race, among more than 100 cyclists.

Now one of the key events in Oman’s social calendar – along with Muscat Fashion Week – the Muscat Festival was first held in 1998.

HEADLINE STORIES FROM OMAN AND BEYOND

A polar vortex grips Chicago, US, where temperatures dropped to -27°C and have been blamed for 16 deaths across North America in the last few days

Yuan Zai, a six month old Panda, goes on display to the public at Taipei zoo

Violence mars elections in Bangladesh

Al-Qaeda linked militants gain control of Fallujah, Iraq

25233 tabloid 24x34cm ad.indd 1

11/26/13 2:47 PM

Gallery

YOUR

Interview

News

OMAN

WE’RE ON OUR WAY TO MUSCAT Forget Rio, the best football action to be seen this year is in Oman as it plays host to a new football tournament.

Read on to get on the ball with all the info

What is it? If you haven’t heard, the inaugural Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under 22 Championship is being held right here in Oman.

Is Oman pleased to be the host? Of course! To use a football cliché, we’re over the moon to be hosting it. The chance to stage a top-level football tournament and show our near neighbours Qatar how it’s done (Qatar is staging the FIFA World Cup in 2022) is an irresistible fixture. Ok, the AFC U22s is not quite as prestigious as the World Cup but it’s a start.

Ones to watch for Oman Abdullah Hadi, Hamood al Saadi, Nadhir and goalkeeper Mazin al Kasbi, potentially the new Ali al Habsi.

Where can I buy tickets?

They’re available at Oman Oil, Ahlain Shops and on match days at the venues.

Who is taking part?

Teams from 16 countries are competing in 32 games across three stadiums.

When does it all kick off? The first games are on Saturday (11) with the final on Sunday, January 26 at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium.

Who are the favourites to lift the cup? There is no clear frontrunner but Japan, South Korea and Uzbekistan are very strong. Australia is sending a 23-man side so they clearly mean business. But remember football is a game of two halves, so anything can happen.

Where can I catch the action? Games are being played at Sultan Qaboos Stadium, Seeb Sports Stadium and the Royal Oman Police Stadium.

How much are tickets?

General admission is just RO1 per game. You’ll have to shell out a bit more for VIP, RO5.

Why should I go to games?

To watch some scintillating football and passionate young players battling for glory for their country. Some on the field could be the stars of the future.

Plus, where else can you have such fun for just RO1?

What happens? The top two teams from each of the four groups progress to the quarterfinals.

The Groups: Group A Oman Korea Republic (South Korea) Jordan Myanmar Group B DPR Korea (North Korea) UAE Syria Yemen Group C Australia Japan Islamic Republic of Iran Kuwait Group D Saudi Arabia Uzbekistan China Iraq

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What about our boys? Oman’s U22 national squad has been training hard in preparation for the tournament. A championship win on home soil would be fantastic.

When is Oman playing?

Our opening game is against Myanmar on the first day, the 11th, at 8pm in the Sultan Qaboos Stadium.

Who is Oman’s U22 squad manager?

It’s Frenchmen Philippe Burle, a former player. He used to play defence/midfield and joined the Oman set-up with fellow countryman Paul Le Guen (Oman first team coach) in May 2012.

For more info go to www.the-afc.com or www.ofa.om

G allery

N ew Y ears E ve M U S C A T

Interview

News

Revellers partied the night away at the Grand Hyatt Muscat and Park Inn by Radisson to welcome in the New Year with style

Levels – 1, 2, 3 & 4

Timings:

ARABIC CLASSES @

Morning & Evening Starting from 12.01.2014

“Your Strategic Training Partner”

Main Centre - Wattayah: 24 666 666 & Al Hail Centre: 24 541 545 enquiry@polyglot.org - www.polyglot.om

JAN 09 - 15 / ISSUE 302

015

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Jan 14 - 16

HORSING AROUND

The Horse and Camel Exhibition is one of the most popular events in the Middle East. Go to the Oman Exhibition Centre to see something different. It’s educational and fun for the whole family. It also brings together many horse and camel enthusiasts. www.omanexhibitions. com for more details.

SNAP HAPPY The Power of Light is a two day photography workshop led by Ahmed S al Harthy. You can learn how to capture natural light, portraits, landscapes and improve on basic photography skills. Date & Time: January 16th (Al Harthy complex) and 17th (Sultan Qaboos Street) Fee: RO 30 Register via www.muscart.net

GET SET, GO!

The Oman Automobile Association will host the second round of the Oman Karting Track Endurance Championship. The event will last about six hours from 3pm to 11pm and the team entry fee of RO 300 will include the kart as well as the fuel. To find out more, go to www.facebook.com/ omanautomobileassociation

JAN Jan 16 - 17

17

OMAN HAS TALENT

THIS

WEEK

What to do.

What to see.

What to hear.

In an effort to discover local stars, Talent Hunters Oman has been conducting marathon-singing auditions in Hindi, Arabic and English for their big charity event, Muscat Youth Icon 2014. You can witness the young performers at the Qurum Amphitheatre where the winners will be chosen according to their language category.

J A N U A R Y

Jan 18 - 20

BALLET BEAUTIFUL

The Royal Opera House Muscat presents the ‘Vienna State Ballet: Masterpieces’, an event led by the famed ballet dancer Manuel Legris.

The Austrian dance company will entertain the audience with three choreographies and will be accompanied by the melodious Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. Evening performances at 7.30pm. For more information, go to www.rohmuscat.org

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JAN

14

OMAN IN 43 OBJECTS

9. THE ORYX Here in Oman, we’re wild about this horned animal and regard it as an unofficial symbol of the Sultanate, despite some other GCC countries claiming it as their own (you know who you are!).

If you’re not in the know, the Arabian Oryx is a small species of antelope that was saved from extinction through a captive breeding programme. This elegant beast can now be found at The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, within the central desert and coastal hills of Oman. Seasonal fogs and dews support a unique desert ecosystem whose diverse flora includes several endemic plants, supporting the first freeranging herd of Arabian Oryx since the near annihilation of the species in 1972.

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THIS WEEK

MOVIES MOVIES THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

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

Mr Go

The Past If anybody’s in the mood to flex a bit of the old grey matter and can stomach ladles of the director’s cynicism, then perhaps the French film ‘The Past’ (Le Passé) may prove a rewarding treat.

When Ahmad, an Iranian man returns to Paris to finalise his divorce with his soon to be ex-wife, he finds that she’s in a relationship with Samir (Tahar Rahim). The story centres on the strained relationship between the woman and her daughter, who disapproves of her mother’s new love. While not the stuff of box office dreams, this widely acclaimed film is garnering accolades far and wide and is regarded as one of the finest

examples of storytelling from director Asghar Farhadi. He’s currently at the top of his game for being able to weave a plot full of twists and turns but at its heart, it’s a drama that carefully examines the tangled web of emotional connections between the main characters of two broken households.

Having been nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where its star, Bérénice Bejo, won best actress, it’s a film with pedigree. The performances are intelligent and emotionally compelling, although some will find the abundance of detail and plot surprises a little overwhelming.

PREVIEW 388 Arletta Avenue Starring Nick Stahl, probably best known to audiences for his role as the wide-eyed John Connor in Terminator 3, the film follows the story of a suburban couple whose home is invaded by a mysterious stalker. Unaware that their house has been bugged with microphones and cameras are observing their every move, James returns to find that his girlfriend, played by Mia Kirshner, has disappeared. With the police reluctant to offer him help, James develops an obsession to find out what happened to her. If the aim of the film is to give the view of a stalker then it works, but other than that, it offers nothing new.

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When her grandfather dies, a young circus ringmaster, Wei-Wei, is left with an insurmountable debt and a baseball bat-swinging gorilla. Yes, a bat-swinging gorilla. With loan sharks circling, the gorilla soon comes to the rescue by succeeding in the Korean baseball league. It’s as silly as it sounds.

Police Story 2013 Jackie Chan is back with a reboot of

the Police Story film series, though this time with a grittier tone. Set in China, Chan plays Detective Zhong Wen in search of his estranged daughter, Miao Miao, now the girlfriend of a nightclub owner. Chan’s character isn’t happy with his daughter’s relationship but soon the pair put their troubles aside as they become embroiled in a kidnap plot. Chan uses his usual array of highflying kicks and lightning punches to get the two to safety. If you like Chan’s movies, you’ll enjoy this one.

The package Steve Austin, formerly of ‘Stone Cold’ WWE fame, goes up against ageing hard man Dolph Lundgren in this so-so action thriller in which he plays the clichéd nightclub bouncer and ex-soldier, Tommy Wick. Employed by his Seattle mob boss to deliver a package to an international crime boss, ‘The German’ (Lundgren), things turn sour as Wick finds himself the target of an increasingly rampant team of hit men and mercenaries. Bodies pile up and bullets fly wildly. Think The Transporter with more muscle and you won’t be far off.

Y’s Choice THE BOOK THIEF

Based on the international bestselling book by Markus Zusak, The Book Thief tells the story of an extraordinary young girl sent to live with a foster family in WWII Germany. At her brother’s funeral, she picks up a book and keeps it to remind her of him.

But she can’t read until her new parents and the secret guest under the stairs teaches her, opening a magical world that inspires other people. It’s a beautiful, intelligent story, starring a solid cast that includes Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson.

IN SEARCH OF THE Following in the footsteps of historic explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger to cross the mighty Rub’ al Khali was far from a walk in the park for two intrepid TV stars, reports Kate Ginn Images courtesy of: BBC/Indus Films

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unburnt, dehydrated and exhausted to the point of collapse, the caravan of two men and four camels wound its weary way through the last few kilometres of sand.

Their epic journey crossing the vast expanse of the Empty Quarter by camel without guides was made even more challenging by the fact that every tortured footstep was captured on camera for a television programme.

These particular travellers were not professional explorers with years of knowledge.

Ben Fogle and James Cracknell are British television stars and complete novices when it comes to crossing deserts and tackling this sort of inhospitable terrain.

To be fair, James Cracknell is a rowing champion and double Olympic gold medalist, so he wasn’t completely ill equipped.

The pair had also previously taken on two other feats – rowing across the Atlantic and

trekking to the South Pole, in the snow prints of Captain Scott, pulling 90 kilogramme sleds for 700 kilometres.

But a three-week trek through the largest sand desert in the world was a different matter altogether.

James Cracknell described it as ‘the hardest challenge of my life’, while Ben Fogle admitted that it pushed him to the absolute limit.

Their task was daunting: to recreate the journey of legendary explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger, who travelled in the Empty Quarter in the 1940s.

It meant walking and riding across 600km of harsh desert and huge dunes for almost three weeks, surviving on Thesiger-style rations of dates and bread. Following was a film crew, recording their extraordinary trip for a BBC television series.

Along the way, the duo battled tempestuous camels, boiling temperatures, sandstorms,

Their Daily Routine Wake up at 4.30am, feed the camels, build a fire, have hot sweet tea, and pack the extra bread made the night before and some camel meat to eat during the day. Don’t drink too much water. Leave before 7am, ride the camels until the middle of the day then walk for two to three hours. Then ride for two hours stopping around 5pm, feed and tie up the camels, then make camp. frayed tempers and a potentially calamitous accident.

There were also some hilarious moments – such as James having to chase his runaway camel – and poignant ones along the way.

Added to this was the fact that James, 41, had been in an accident three years ago, knocked off his bike while training for a triathlon and sustaining brain damage.

It's left him suffering from epilepsy, which can be triggered by stress and dehydration – both of which he was likely to encounter in bucket loads in the Empty Quarter.

Their 18-day expedition set off from Salalah bound for Umm as Samim, the fabled quick sands known as ‘Mother of Poison’, made famous by Thesiger, the first Westerner ever to reach them.

First, they had to buy some camels. Two apiece were needed, one to ride and one to act as ‘Sherpa’ for supplies.

Guided by their mentor, Mussallem Hassan Masoud al Mahri, who told them “The most beautiful place in the world is to be alone in the desert with your camel”, they bought three males and a female (named Otto 1 and Otto 2, Captain Barnacles and Janet).

“The advice of our Bedouin guru Masalan (his Western moniker) was to ‘choose strong healthy ones',” says James.

“Learning how to select and buy a camel before you’ve even ridden one is like buying a car before learning to drive.” (continued on page 26 & 27)

The pair covered 600kms in blistering temperatures

James and Ben used a combination of both walking and riding camels

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THE EMPTY QUARTER – the facts  Also known as Rub’ al Khali, it’s the largest sand desert in the world covering some 650,000 square kilometres. It covers most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula, including parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.  Measuring 1,000 kilometres long and 500 kilometres wide, the terrain is covered with sand dunes up to 250 metres high. Due to minerals, the sand is a reddish-orange colour.  The region is ‘hyper arid’, in that it hardly ever rains with a typical annual water fall of just 30 millimetres. Daily temperatures average 47°C and can reach as high as 56°C.  Unsurprisingly, the only creatures that can flourish there are scorpions, rodents and the odd camel spider.  There’s also oil. Vast reserves have been discovered under the dunes. Ghawar, the largest oil field in the world, extends from Saudi Arabia into the northernmost parts of the Empty Quarter.

James takes a cooling drink

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They had one week to master the basics of camel owning. Along the way, they also learnt how to chase stubborn camels, tie them down with a sack of sand and what it feels like to be bitten by one.

Food supplies were dates and ingredients for making their own bread, accompanied by dried camel meat and sweet tea or water from goatskin containers.

In the first few days, they struggled to navigate to the first water well and nearly lost their camels down a steep dune. They argued about how best to make progress and after three days, were hardly speaking.

Then disaster struck. On day four, Ben, 40, was thrown from his camel, resulting in a fractured rib and had to be evacuated on a plane back to Britain.

They refused to give up. After six weeks recuperation and with levels of stubbornness to rival their humpy travelling companions, they returned to conquer the desert and their personal differences.

“James and I both share a strong trait: determination,” says Ben. “It’s been one of the keys to our adventures together, and is the reason that James will always be my best friend. It took an extraordinary journey across the Arabian desert to remind us of that.”

CAR VERSUS CAMEL Y’s photographer Jerzy Wierzbicki has travelled into the Empty Quarter many times but explains why his preferred mode of transport is a 4x4

James and I both share a strong trait: determination. It’s been one of the keys to our adventures together, and is the reason that James will always be my best friend. It took an extraordinary journey across the Arabian desert to remind us I have very limited experience of using camels in the desert. I am more comfortable, and much happier, behind the wheel of my faithful Toyota Land Cruiser.

A few years ago, I set out on a camel in the Empty Quarter at Ramlat Muqshin. It was very uncomfortable and I quickly noticed that I had no control over my beast.

Nowadays, even local Bedouin use 4x4 cars to tackle the desert. The preferred choice is a Toyota Land Cruiser. Toyota pick-ups have high enough suspension to drive across the piles of sand and with a double fuel tank, it can hold 180 litres of petrol, enough for a long trip. Camels, of course, can keep going indefinitely – though you need to feed them lots of fuel (food) to keep them going too.

Land Cruisers can be equipped with special sand tyres. Camels too are well equipped for walking on the hot sand, with those wide, hard-skin feet but I like letting four wheels do the work rather than four feet.

It’s true that by camel you can probably go further and reach places that perhaps a 4x4 cannot.

Still, there’s no doubt in my mind that driving in the Empty Quarter is easier than traveling on a camel.

For a start its much more comfortable – as anyone who has suffered sitting for long periods on a camel hump will agree.

It’s also easier to load up your car with supplies. For the equivalent, you’d have to take several camels.

With a car, you can also sleep inside if need be, whereas by camel, it’s the great outdoors.

Any mistake by car, however, and you can quickly find yourself in trouble. Camels, of course, don’t break down with mechanical problems but I find them more wilful.

My beloved Land Cruiser is my travelling companion. I can’t see myself changing that for a camel any time soon.

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, t i F t e G p p a H t e G 2014 isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling great, too. During the next three weeks, Y introduces a team of top experts and fabulous fitness freaks to advise and inspire you to get active. First up, Tom Robertson introduces you to tennis pro Lukas Janoska

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ecent statistics here in Oman demonstrate an alarming trend.

As a population, we’re becoming less and less healthy. Nationally, almost one in every eight adults has diabetes and sadly the levels are rising. Added to this is the potentially significant number of those cases that go undiagnosed. We now have people in their mid 20s that are being diagnosed with heart disease as a fast food diet and lack of exercise continue unrelentingly to create a nation with higher cholesterol levels.

In spite of these forboding facts, there are ways to prevent future health problems.

One that’s relatively cheap, even free, readily available and will start having an immediate effect: exercise. It’s an activity that science claims is able to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer by up to 50 per cent.

While a great many of us are becoming more sedentary, there are people who do, in fact, place great emphasis on a healthy, active lifestyle. Over the next few weeks Y magazine will be introducing some of these to inspire and motivate you.

First is Lukas Janoska, a full-time tennis coach and self-confessed sports-addict.

The son of a former physical education (PE) teacher in his native Slovakia, sport is in his family and it was his parents who first encouraged him to pick up a tennis racket at the age of five. And a sporting life has been in his blood ever since with a stint as a professional basketball player in his teens,

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during which he trained five times a week followed by games on the weekend.

It was while studying for his Masters degree in geography and physical education that he again picked up a tennis racket which led him to his current profession as a tennis coach. “I realised that I wasn’t going to make money as a basketball player so I had to turn my attention elsewhere,” Lukas says, acknowledging the financial difficulties of those involved in professional sport.

“But it enabled me to engage with the youth community. As a PE teacher in the UK, where I was engaged greatly with the Muslim community in places like London, I found that young people were incredibly dedicated to sport.”

Now his tennis teaching qualifications from the UK and Slovakia have led Lukas to the Ras al Hamra recreation centre where he teaches tennis to the club’s members, as young as three. Lukas says that tennis is a great sport for helping youngsters to develop physically. “Given the nature of the game, it can really help to improve hand-eye coordination, as well as reflexes and timing. We get a lot of children after school in the afternoon and early evening before the adults arrive a little later.”

Tennis is widely acknowledged to be a whole body workout with great health benefits. The many different aspects of the game mean that all the muscle groups are worked. “Tennis isn’t like football where it’s predominantly the lower body that’s used.

Yes, we have to be quick around the court

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and to backpedal and switch direction - which gives a great work out for the legs - but we also have things like the serve, which uses the upper body and strengthens the shoulders, while the ground strokes strengthen the arms and the torso given the rotational nature of the techniques used for the shots. It’s also a great game for increasing stamina.”

But he’s also keen to point out that it’s simply not feasible for some of his clients to go from sitting down in front of a computer all day to sprinting immediately around the court. “Warming up is so important”, emphasises Lukas, “so we concentrate on a thorough warm-up, getting the legs moving again, with simple but effective exercises like heel-flicks and side-skipping.”

So what does a full-time sportsman do on his day off ? “I look for another sport to do”, he says, astonishingly. “I love sports, so playing tennis six times a week I really only have one day in which to pursue my other passions, such as golf, or sea-swimming, which I believe is a great all-round exercise.” Oh, and he’s also in the gym three times a week. However, at 6 foot 6 inches, he’s careful to acknowledge that people’s workouts need to be tailored to their physique. “I’m tall, so I try and do exercises that help to improve posture and strengthen the lower back.”

But sport is only one half of Lukas’ efforts in leading a healthy lifestyle. He’s also careful about the food he eats. “When I was living in London, I really felt as though my immune system was suffering, with all the readily available low quality foods that were prevalent. I really had to switch it up a bit in order to get my body feeling good again. I changed to eating a lot more fresh food. More fruit and vegetables and less fried foods. Now it’s steak and salad rather than steak and chips. I also try and eat a lot of local produce here in Oman.”

Top Tips for exercise and healthy living Adjust your calorific intake: While 2500 and 2000 calories daily are the recommended amounts for men and women respectively, adjust this guideline appropriately depending on how active you actually are during the day.

Exercise: Experts recommend that an

average adult should undertake either 150 minutes of moderately intensive exercise per week (exercise that breaks a sweat but doesn’t leave you breathless) or 75 minutes of highly intensive exercise (exercise that substantially increases your heart rate) in addition to muscular exercises.

Warm up, stretch out: Warming up before

sport is essential for avoiding injury but equally as important is stretching after exercise in order to reduce muscle fatigue.

Every little helps: Even if you can’t undertake regular intensive exercise, be more active in any way possible: Walk instead of taking the car on short journeys or play with your children in the garden or on the beach and take the stairs instead of the lift. It all helps in a small way.

Choose a fun activity: Choose a form of

exercise that you actually enjoy. If you don’t like it, you’ll be less likely to want to burn those calories.

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food and drink

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Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

ICE, NICE, BABY

Ice cubes infused with herbs, superfruits and other ingredients are about to become the next big thing in mocktails. Even flavours like smoke are being incorporated.

In fact, we’ve heard about one bartender melting ice in a meat smoker before re-freezing the water to imbue the ice with a subtle, smoky tang.

TREND New Restaurant

News

FOOD FADS

From townies to ancient grains – Penny Fray predicts what’ll be hot (and not) on 2014’s dining scene

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kay so 2013 was a bit of an annus dullus when it came to food. Apart from Nigella Lawson's alleged fondness for white powder (and we’re not talking about icing sugar here), nothing wildly exciting happened on the culinary scene. We stalked Mary Berry on iPlayer, pretended to prefer cronuts to cupcakes and took endless instagrams of our suppers – yawn. Thank heavens for the heap of tongue tingling trends that are about descend on Oman.

THE TOWNIE Dark, sweet and gorgeously gooey, I understand why this latest mash-up has replaced the cronut as the pastry du jour. Half tart, half brownie, this new pastry offers the perfect combination of crunch and unctuous chocolate ganache. To gild the lily, ask for an extra fudge coating.

Yummy.

ANCIENT GRAINS After the popularity of the Paleo diet in 2013, the health obsession with antique grains continues to soar. Trend spotters at Innova Market Insights now predict a rise in nutritious seeds like chia and freekeh – starring in a dish near you in 2014.

SOCIALLY SCRUMMY According to a recent survey, more than half of us want to support eateries and food manufacturers that donate to important social causes. Brands that deliver a consumer friendly product that align with our particular beliefs are guaranteed to burgeon - consider all those pink afternoon teas that emerged last October to support the Oman Cancer Association. Expect more charitable collaborations this year. We're already rubbing our bellies and haloes.

EXOTIC MEATS We already have camel, shark and goat on the menu but analysts now expect more and more small-scale producers to experiment with options other than beef, chicken and lamb.

Another big trend to emerge in this field is ‘meat ups’ where men get together after dusk to talk and tear into steaks, kebabs and shawarmas.

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT With nearly 40 per cent of the food in this country going uneaten, hipsters are now highlighting the importance of making the most of leftovers and not over-buying. A huge campaign took place in Oman during Ramadan and here at Y Towers, we transformed our turkey leftovers into a very cool Jamie Oliver pie. Recycling has just got a whole lot hotter for 2014.

LOW TEA With the acceptance of eating several light meals throughout the day rather than three large ones, The Food Channel predicts the emergence of a fourth meal. Low tea is a light snack of brunch-type fare that is served around 4pm and shared with guests. It’s the trendy new afternoon tea – only with half the calories. Talking of tea, it’s fast overtaking coffee as the hot beverage of choice. Starbucks has just paired with Teavana to open its first Tea Bar in New York. It won’t be long until we see similar set-ups here in Oman. As a coffee hater, I can't wait!

IT LOOKS LIKE A BRAIN..BUT IT TASTES DELICIOUS Move over heritage vegetables and prepare to shine a light on this year's hottest veggie: the cauliflower. You'll see colourful cauliflowers and find them in places you wouldn't think of looking, like mashed potatoes.

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Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews Info Box

TGI Friday’s Al Khuwair Street, Al Khuwair Muscat (located in front of City Seasons Hotel) Tel: 24 488 899 Dinner for Two: RO32 (including soft drinks)

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

TGI Any Day of the Week

With eccentric staff and decoration it’s certainly memorable – and the food isn’t bad either, says Kate Ginn

VERDICT

L

ong ago in my misspent youth, my friends and I got into the habit of having a weekly dinner at TGI Friday’s. Back then, the Americanthemed restaurant chain was quite a novel experience with its eclectic interior and waiters, who bounced around manically from table-totable like spinning tops. At the time, it seemed fun and refreshingly different.

Now that I’m (considerably) older, I wasn’t sure if it would have quite the same appeal. Nor was I even certain that the TGI Friday’s brand would be the same.

It turned out that it was exactly as I remembered; in fact it was almost like stepping back in time, as absolutely nothing appeared to have changed. I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or not. I had grown-up but TGI Fridays hadn’t.

The inside – articles of pop culture and American memorabilia hanging on the walls – was the same and the staff were still haring around like Duracell Bunnies high on E numbers. And they were still wearing the same uniform – black and white striped shirts with various silly badges pinned on black braces, topped with a hat and a fixed smile.

TGI Friday’s only opened in Muscat in September 2011, so it’s still a fairly new phenomenon here in Oman.

So I was a bit surprised to find it virtually empty when we rocked up for dinner on a Thursday evening.

Settled into a booth (just like old times) a quick look through the extensive menu revealed it to be very similar as before, with a few additions. My old favourite, the blackened chicken sandwich, was reassuringly still there.

To start, however, my dining companion and I decided to share three small starters, Mac & Fry (fried macaroni cheese), jalapeno cheesy poppers and mini chili wraps with meat and a nice spicy kick. If you didn’t already know, TGI Friday’s is heavy on the fried food and the calorie count.

Our first waiter (we had four in total) was Eastern European and pretty sensible for a TGIF member of staff, with no zaniness or bounding around.

Perhaps he realised that we were a bit too old for any nutty nonsense and just weren’t up for it.

Starters were brought and dispatched quickly. All were pretty standard for their type but tasty nonetheless. Other regular fixtures include chicken wings, nachos and chicken trips.

Waiting for the mains, I had a quick glance around. The thing about TGIF is

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7.5

:

that because the décor is identikit in every restaurant, you Fast 10 fo could be anywhere in the world. Apart from the clientele, a bit od with the generic look gives no clue to the country or city and f of class au servi ltless of origin. ce Each one has the same sort of items stuck on the wall.

We were sitting under some skis, boxing gloves and roller blades - the opposite wall had a yellow New York taxi door.

A new waiter, this time a trainee called Grace, took our orders for mains. She was terribly sweet and even had the times written down for how long a steak would cook, from medium rare (15 minutes) to well done (20 minutes).

My strawberry mojito drink to accompany the meal may be too sickly sweet for some but I loved it.

By now, the restaurant was filling up fast. There were two children’s birthday parties (it’s a very popular venue for eight-year-olds, it appears) and a crowd of mostly families. This is not, you’ve probably gathered, a place for a date or quiet romantic rendezvous.

I would have also preferred just the over-excited babble of young girls to the elevator Muzak (piped music) that was played initially. It got better later.

My blue cheese steak, served on a griddle, with cheesy mash and mushrooms was excellent, as was my fellow diner’s medium rare steak, which she raved, was ‘amazing’ and ‘wow, melt in the mouth’. The crunchy onion rings that went with her meat were massive, the biggest I’ve ever seen, big enough to lasso a small dog.

We took a break before considering pudding, to rest our straining stomachs and sing another verse of ‘Happy Birthday’.

Eyeing our table full of empty plates, Amr, our new waiter, said he was ‘too scared to ask’ whether we wanted pudding. Of course we did.

We shared a sizzling caramel cake, which turned out to be like a sticky toffee pudding sitting in hot vanilla custard and caramel sauce, with a nice hint of winter spice. We were stuffed and said we couldn’t possibly eat it all.

But the plate was all but licked clean. Amr was clearly impressed.

Was I impressed with my return to TGI Friday’s after over a decade absence? It was like discovering an old friend and slipping back into comfortable familiarity, yet wishing that they had changed just a little. Still, I will be back to renew my acquaintance again.

2014

2014

2014

2014

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2014

HEALTH& BEAUTY

SHEER SEDUCTION

Sexy, but not overtly so, this season’s obsession with lace, chiffon and mesh adds a hint of sensuality to your closet – think everything from playful prom dresses to sassy sportswear. Y loves the athletic modernity of this outfit from M&S’s new collection.

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Health

Beauty

fashion

PLAYING PEEK-A-BOO A furtively revealing suggestion of skin is much more sartorially stylish than baring all this season, says Penny Fray

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here’s nothing sexier than the hint of something, the suggestion of skin or a peep of torso, rather than having it all on show.

That’s why spring’s obsession with tame transparency is so interesting. Think knee length dresses mixed with mesh, translucent blouses and tailored suits with lace panels. It’s all about ladylike layering with a hint of lasciviousness.

The design houses leading the revolution in reveal-and-conceal clothes include Balmain and Oscar de la Renta. The main theme is retro romance with prom style dresses adorned with see-through panels – or in the case of Dolce and Gabbana – try channelling the look of a sultry Sicilian widow. Lace continues to be big news as does silk chiffon but for a more modern incarnation, go for pure white as seen on the catwalks of Nina Ricci and Calvin Klein.

In an echo of last season’s sportswear trend, mesh and fishnet appeared on loose T-shirts, crop-tops and baggy sweaters to super hot effect.

Surprisingly, the peek-a-boo trend is already making its debut in the malls with everyone from Marks & Spencer to Max embracing pieces with transparent panelling. Never forget that you are in a Muslim country though. Keep it clean by making sure most of your midriff is covered and no underwear can be seen. Alternatively, layer sheer on sheer. Both Nicholas K and Jason Wu sent models floating down the runway in dreamily transparent layers of white. When you build see-through fabrics, you create a lovely weightless illusion that looks light but still hides what lies beneath.

The idea is to be playful not pornographic.

And remember - sheer materials can make an otherwise dour looking dress or top look a bit more light and feminine.

Viva la revolution, we say.

Dolce and Gabbana’s lace-ruffled blouse is cut from a light-as-air silkblend. Balance the loose fit with a tailored skirt or trousers. RO385

This mid length skirt from the online clothing brand Misguided is the perfect blend of prim and provocative thanks to its mesh panel.

Plus it’s a bargain at RO11.5

Zara excels again with its on trend peeka-boo shoes, currently on offer for RO12.90

The nights are getting nippier here in Oman.

Get warm but not too warm with this mesh panelled coat from ASOS. RO60

Jil Sander’s clear PVC clutch is the height of modern minimalism. Free of embellishments save for black leather trims, it will add conversational appeal to evening looks.

RO105

HOW TO WEAR IT

1 Consider strategic transparency. Pockets, stripes and appliqués can cover up what you don’t want seen, leaving everything else gauzily visible. 2 Get yourself a good set of undergarments. A totally seamless skin-coloured tank top will let you wear any sheers you want without showing all.

3 Highlight an all black look with a glossy bag and nude lipstick.

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BEAUTY

Fashion

Health

THE BALD & THE BEAUTIFUL Men don’t have to accept hair loss.

There are more ways than ever before to halt the retreat, says Penny Fray

BALDING STARS English footballer Wayne Rooney went public with his hair transplant on Twitter

Make like Bruce Willis and shave it all off 032

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Actor Jude Law retains his heartthrob status despite his receding hairline

W

hen the footballer Wayne Rooney ‘came out’ on Twitter about tackling his baldness a couple of years ago, it became the subject of ridicule.

Prince William’s tufty temples are an international obsession and we’re constantly monitoring the receding hairline of Hollywood stars such as Jude Law. While Botox and man bags have gone mainstream, hair transplants and toupees remain strangely taboo in today’s society.

Which is odd considering hair loss affects more than 60 per cent of men before the age of 40 and that treatments are becoming more sophisticated than ever before. Take follicular unit extraction (FUE), for instance. The technique, currently on offer in Dubai, allows surgeons to place individual follicles back into thinner parts of the hairline, resulting in a more natural looking re-growth. Great news considering the psychological impact of baldness cannot be underestimated. For many, it denotes a lack of virility, attractiveness and youth. This was certainly the case for William, a 50-year-old executive from Muscat.

“It’s devastating when you first start to notice that your hair’s getting thinner. Mine started around the top of the scalp just after my divorce about 15 years ago,” he says. “I guess it was a combination of stress and genes. My father had the same pattern of baldness so I knew it was coming but it was still a shock when my hair started to thin out. I felt old and much less attractive. It was a real blow to my confidence at a time when I needed it most. What’s worse is that there’s no hiding from it. You see the decline every time you look in the mirror. But there comes a point when you have

BEAUTY

Fashion

to accept, then ignore it.”

Not everyone can do the same of course, and online forums are testament to a swirling world of male neurosis and vulnerability, a place where young men consider ending it all while others complain of depression and bullying.

Most cases of hair thinning in men is known as androgenic alopecia and is characterised by a receding hairline or a thinning crown triggered by the sex hormone dihydrotestosterone. Other potential contributors to hair loss include illness, age, genetics, and even primping habits – but not wearing the kummar, most Omani men will be happy to hear.

For those who don’t want to go under the knife or can’t afford expensive surgery such as FUE, the good news is that there’s now a wealth of effective new pharmaceutical treatments. One of many options is the topical application of minoxidil - a foam known to many by its brand name of Rogaine. But like most over the-counter-remedies, its not going to work well on those who have already lost most of their hair but it may help individuals early in the hair loss process, claim experts.

Health

Propecia is another option.

Originally used to treat an enlarged prostate, studies show that when taken daily and orally, it can counter the problem. It’s not perfect but it helps when the patient is younger and the hair loss is early.

The list goes on but there are no guarantees, especially for those who are already suffering from baldness.

That’s why recent news about a revolutionary breakthrough with the condition has been causing more than just a bit of a stir. Scientists say they have moved a step closer to banishing bald spots after human hair was grown in the laboratory.

So far, the technique has been tested only in mice, but if the research pans out, experts say it could produce a treatment for hair loss that would be more effective and useful to more people than current remedies.

The new technique means taking a smaller patch of cells from the scalp, growing them in the laboratory, and then injecting them back into the patient’s head to fill in the bald or thinning spots – adding hair and putting an end to all the teasing and trauma that hair loss triggers.

STYLE COUNSEL

BARBRA YOUNG ANSWERS YOUR FASHION QUESTIONS

Q

Dear Barbra, I’ve recently moved to Oman from Northern Europe and I’m struggling to adapt to the heat, particularly the problem of avoiding smelly shoes and visible sweat marks on shirts. It’s not a good look but I have to remain smartly dressed for work. Do you have any useful tips? Pete, Muscat.

A

Sweating may be nature’s way of keeping the temperature down but no one else needs to be assaulted by your bodily functions.

I’m assuming that you already shower daily, wear deodorant and have tried foot powders. After that, it’s a case of avoiding artificial fibres. Make sure your socks are cotton and your shoes are leather, including the sole and lining – they’re far slower to smell than anything with a fabric lining. These ones from Church’s are an investment buy at RO180. Otherwise, head for Clarks in Muscat City Centre. If your feet do sweat but you want to go sockless try tracking down things called ‘sockettes’, which cover the sole of the foot, but only attach to the toes and the heel so they are invisible once your shoes are on. They’re available from most department stores. When it comes to shirts, go for white cotton.

If you can find one with an airy open weave, that would be ideal.

Barbra Young, a former designer and retailer

If you have any fashion questions for Barbra, email info@y-oman.com or tweet @ytabloid

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INTERIORS

A POP OF PASTEL

Y spotted unexpected pink accents peppered throughout spring’s collections. Interior designers say that the colour can brighten neutrals and soften industrial or edgy looks.

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Trends

Space

INTERIORS

PRETTY IN PINK Powder pink pieces are hot commodities for the home this season, says Penny Fray

Trends

Space

A chandelier is the ultimate form of statement lighting.

This one is from Laura Ashley at RO58

I

f you think powder pink was just for your new Céline dress or Rochas coat, think again. This ultra feminine shade is everywhere, particularly on walls and statement seats. And while it can bring a girly touch to a room when it needs to, in skilled hands, and in the right shade, it can be both strong and sassy. It works brilliantly with copper, which is undoubtedly the metal of the moment.

If you’re getting tired of the shabby chic look of the nineties, go for geometric rather than floral designs. Also, add a modern edge to a minimalist look by mixing textures and shades. I love the simple sophistication of this IDdesign showroom in Bahrain (bottom right).

Similar pieces can be found in the Muscat store at Markaz Al Bahja.

These vintage inspired glasses from Zara look more expensive than their price tag suggests. From RO3.5

Chevron bird cushion RO18 from Oliver Bonas

How cute are these carousel espresso cups and saucers in pink by Annabel James? RO21

Vintage or wild bouquets instantly lift a room. Visit The Flower Shop at the SABCO Centre for inspiration. These faux ones are from Sainsbury’s from RO6

Grey and baby pink are the colours du jour as seen in this IDdesign room.

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GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS… Al Mina’a • Bait al Baranda • Bait al Zubair Muttrah • Shell Select Qantab • Al Bustan Palace Hotel • Marina Bander AL Rowdha • Oman Dive Club • Shangri La Sifa • Sifawi Beach Hotel Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • Lulu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality Institute • Pizza Hut • Shell Select MBD • Bank Dhofar • Centre pointSplash • Khimji Mart • NBO • Oman Oil Ahlain • Pizza Hut • Pizza Muscat • Shell Select CBD • Al Maya Hypermarket • Alizz Islamic Bank • Bahwan Travel Agencies • Bank Sohar • Copper Chimney • Costa Coffee • HSBC • Lama Polyclinic • NBO • Oman Arab Bank • Standard Chartered Bank • Woodlands Darsait • Indian Social Club • Khimji Mart • KIMS Hospital • Lulu Hypermarket • Muscat Bakery • Shell Select AL Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badar Al Sama • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant • Toshiba Showroom

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• Oman Sail • Shakespere & Co. • The Wave HO Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College • Markaz Al Bahja • McDonald’s • Omantel • Starcare Hospital • VLCC Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -3 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • Waljat College SQU • SQU - Diplomatic Club • SQU - College of Commerce • SQU - Students Banking Area • SQUH - Rception/ Canteen Al Khoud • AL Fair • Badar Al Sama • Pizza Hut Seeb • McDonald’s Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • Lulu Hypermarket Sawadi • Sawadi Beach Resort Massnaah • Millennium Hotel Sohar • Centre pointSplash • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Market, Falaj Al Qabail • Nawras • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port • Sohar university Nizwa • Nizwa University

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My Hood

CARS AND OUTDOORS

Cars

Wi-Fi

Outdoors

KEY TO THE PAST

Take a step back in time to discover old Oman in the village of Manah

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CARS AND OUTDOORS

My Hood

Cars

Wi-Fi

Destination

Manah and the Fortress of Fiqain

there’s no better time to head to abandoned ruins in search of the perfect shot, says Jerzy Wierzbicki

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Outdoors

was better to achieve the shots I had originally envisioned.

And so I returned there last week. With a far more bearable ambient temperature and the sun’s rays less fierce, I was able to spend more time in among the ruined buildings with my camera. After a relaxing drive from Muscat that took just one-and-a half hours, I parked my car in the shade offered by a long wall and, equipped with my camera, headed down into the old village.

The mud brick complex makes an immediate impression on the visitor, even years after the last person moved out from the now-abandoned dwellings. The structure and character of Manah reminded me of archeological excavations in Syria and Iraq that I had attended many years ago as a young archeologist and photographer. Drawing parallels between the two, it was evident that here in the Middle East, building technology didn’t change for thousands of years. As a result, Manah, and other old Omani villages, are remarkably similar to older constructions from Nineveh, an ancient Assyrian city located near the Tigris river in Iraq, or the ruins of Babylon. The mud brick houses, made with their incredibly thick walls to isolate the interior from the intense heat outside, seemed to be the same style as those found in these ancient cities.

As were the narrow streets in their layout and construction. There’s also a fortress in Manah called Fiqain, which dominates the surrounding

travel guide

A

d Dakhiliyah is a very special region. The abundance of date farms and small forts nestled in among the dark hills and mountains give it a distinctive look but it’s not just its appearance that makes it special. Inhabited constantly from ancient times until today, it has one of the richest histories not just in Oman but the whole of the Arabian Peninsula. Only Yemen, it would seem, has a longer, and somewhat more complicated, history.

Clues as to just how long an area has been inhabited for are often denoted by religious architecture and it’s therefore no surprise that Ad Dakhiliyah is home to the oldest mosque in Oman, the Masjid al Mihdhar, near Samail.

There are, however, many other clues to its cultural past and it’s for this reason that I feel it’s one of the best regions, along with Dhofar, in which to study traditional culture in Oman.

Though many people will know the main town, Nizwa, as the cultural centre of the region, one of the best places to discover the region’s past is the village of Manah, south of the market town and on the way to Adam.

I had heard about Manah a few months ago from an Omani friend, whose family comes from the region. Upon first visiting the ancient village, I knew immediately that it should be featured in Y. But at that time, the light simply wasn’t right - something photographers often lament - and, as such, I had to return when it

area and along its massive defensive walls huge houses and old palm tree plantations are found.

Manah’s history begun in the Sassanid period in the 6th Century B.C. and developed until the second half of the of 20th Century. The source of life there was the falaj, a traditional irrigation system relying upon gravity and consisting of small canals for carrying water to inhabitants and cultivated areas. The main product in the area was sugar cane, an industry that persisted until the settlement started to fade when its inhabitants moved into nearby modern concrete buildings.

These days, it may well be devoid of human life, but a visit to Manah is obligatory for anyone who’s curious about Oman’s past. The ruined village has been listed in a variety of literature, from scientific dissertations to popular books, the best of which is perhaps Philip Ward’s ‘Travels in Oman: Arabia Past and Present’, for its historical references.

For photography fans, it can be an attractive destination, with narrow alleyways, ancient architecture and textures found in nowabandoned homes. The old rough walls and dimly lit interiors are certainly a difficult but rewarding subject. The resulting shots are far from having the spectacular grandeur of panoramas but careful observers can eek out interesting and regular forms in the details.

At this time of year, the light’s perfect for photography in these ancient locations, so grab your gear and move quickly to Manah.

Although ruins are often off the beaten track, getting to Manah is surprisingly easy. From Nizwa, take the road to Adam (direction Salalah). Just a few kilometres from Nizwa is a turning to Karsha and Manah. The road is straight to Manah. The old fort and ruins are located in the centre of the town.

GPS Location of Manah: 22°47’16.26”N 57°35’55.44”E

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My Hood

Cars

Wi-Fi

O U T doors

JOY RIDERS

It’s the season for horse racing, so catch the action on the track while you can, says Kate Ginn Main image: Prakash T. Wadhwani

Y

ou can hear them before they come into sight. A thunder of hooves pounding the ground resonates around and then the horses appear down the home straight.

In full flow, mud flicking up into the air as their horseshoes carve into the earth and glossy manes blowing in the wind, it is quite magnificent to behold as they sweep into view.

Every sinew is straining for victory as the roars from the crowd urge them home.

It’s like watching world-class athletes in action. And in a way that’s exactly what these thoroughbred horses are.

Oman is famous for its pure bred Arabian horses, and all things equine are an enduring passion in the Sultanate with national show jumping competitions and races.

“Interest in horses is one of the cherished pastimes for Omanis,” says the Ministry of Tourism.

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“Horses symbolise integrity and pride.

Because of the horse’s high status and appreciation by Muslims, Oman has been famous since ancient times for raising, breeding, acquiring and caring for horses.”

It is said that all Arabian horses originate from Zad ar Raakib, the stallion given by the Prophet Solomon to the Azds, one of the major preIslamic Arab tribes.

Horse racing, in particular, is a favourite pastime with regular events attracting big crowds. Flat racing and endurance riding are both very popular.

Last weekend saw The Annual Royal Horse Racing Festival at The Royal Cavalry grounds in Seeb, Muscat, in the presence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

Some of the finest horses in Oman were on display, both in the show ring and on the racetrack.

The Oman Equestrian Federation, set up in

1983, also works to promote equestrian events such as dressage and show jumping. The Enam Equestrian show ground at the Royal Stables in Seeb is said to be among the top riding arenas in the world.

To win, trainers carefully study the pedigrees of their horses, maintaining bloodlines to ensure the breeding of top class animals capable of competing with the best not only in Oman but also around the world.

Of course, gambling is strictly forbidden so the horses and the crowds cheering on their favourites are racing for glory only.

In the case of the Royal Horse Racing Festival, they were also racing for honour and in the last event, the Wadi Dhiqah 2000 metres race for Pure Arabian horses, the prestige of winning His Majesty’s Cup. Fittingly, Oman’s Royal Cavalry owned the winning horse, Sahib Du Close.

Al Felaj Camel and Horse Racecourse in

My Hood

Cars

Wi-Fi

O U T doors

IN THE SADDLE £ Arabians are one of the oldest breeds in the world, dating back 4,500 years.

£ Distinguished by a fine chiseled bone structure, arched neck and high-carried tail.

Barka is also a great place to catch some action. Nine scheduled races, one for amateur riders, were held there last month.

It goes without saying that the riders in the saddle need to have both physical and mental stamina to cope with the demands of a fiercely fought race.

As for the horses, well there are various factors, which can influence whether an Arabian is a good racehorse or not.

A Pure Arabian should have a small head, proportionate to his body, with large eyes, apparently. They come in a variety of colours but the most prized is the white Arabian.

Each horse is given a unique name. They even have their own version of the identity card – an Equine Passport issued by the Omani Horse Registrar.

Racing can only open in the cooler winter months – during the sweltering Gulf summer, the horses are moved to Salalah or abroad - so now is the best time to see for yourself the unforgettable sight of an Arabian horse at full gallop. p.s. 2014 is the Year of the Horse in Chinese Zodiac. The horse is said to symbolise the Chinese people’s ethos of making unrelenting efforts to improve.

£ Developed for a desert climate, the Arabian was prized by Bedouins and was often taken inside the family home for shelter and protection from theft. £ Arabians gallop at average speeds of 40 km/h.

£ The fastest race speed recorded over two furlongs is 70.76 km/h by Winning Brew, a two-year-old filly, at the Penn National Race Course in Pennsylvania on May 14, 2008. £ The average Arabian weighs around 591 kilograms

£ Stallion Samsheik (left) became one of the most expensive Arabian race horses of his time when he was sold for $575,000 (RO221, 374) to HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar in 1992.

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CARS AND

OUTDOORS

capital sights

Explore Erbil, the main city of Kurdistan, with its imposing architecture, such as the Ulu Mosque, or go further afield to discover ancient ruins.

Top 5 Places To Visit: 1. Bekhal Waterfall 2. Lake Dukan 3. Sandiar Cave 4. Ashawa Resort 5. Sulaf

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Cars Sura Abdulrahman,

Wi-Fi

O u t d o o r s postcards from

recommends

IRAQI KURDISTAN

Okay, when thinking about a possible destination to holiday in during the summer, Kurdistan might not immediately spring to mind. It’s a shame that political issues have overshadowed its charms. And I’m not just saying that because I’m biased (I’m Iraqi). Kurdistan has some spectacular scenery, great hospitality and an enchanting, natural vibe. The province of Kurdistan is quite independent and seems like a different country from the rest of Iraq's regions. There is a distinct Kurdish culture, language and identity - It first gained autonomous status in 1970 following an agreement with the Iraqi government - although, you will find four languages spoken, Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic and Persian.

This small region’s capital is Erbil (also know as Irbil or Arbil), comprising 80,000 square kms and a population of 5,000,000. Kurdistan was established in 1991, after the UN resolution to protect Kurds in Iraq, who represent the majority of the inhabitants of these provinces.

Perhaps the most prominent attractions are the archaeological sites of the Kurdistan region. Considered one of the richest areas historically, it has 30,152 archeological A r b il Castl e sites in total. Every province of the region is characterised by a different and specific background. Other than that, Kurdistan has many wonderful natural sites, like green mountains filled with citrus trees and waterfalls. I would recommend you hire a car or a taxi to get to all the resorts and other famous sights. It can get crowded in the middle of summer so I would suggest visiting between April and July.

My Favourite Place: It is hard for me to pick just one place in Kurdistan, as I’m a person who appreciates the beauty of nature, but the one I’m recommending is a favourite for many visitors and residents.

Bekhal is a must see. Featuring thunderous cold waterfalls, lush landscapes and leafy trees, it never fails to captivate. It’s surrounded by green mountains and the summer resort also has restaurants and shops selling souvenirs and traditional Kurdish accessories. The coolest thing that I've tried is climbing up to the highest spot of the waterfall; it's such a great adventure trying to move against the current of a chilled water stream.

Highlights: First you need to start with the summer resorts, where you can enjoy pristine nature all around. With 21 resorts in total, there’s plenty of choice. From a resort base, you can explore the historical spots and learn about the diversity of Iraqi culture, as well as try out activities such as boating and swimming. Discover crystal clear lakes, dense forests with firs, conifers, oaks and willow, as well as majestic mountains. Mountains are a symbolic feature in Kurdish life, as the saying goes ‘Kurds have no friends but the mountains.’ I think you should visit Ashawa, Sulaf, Lake Dukan, Darbandikhan Lake, Shaklawa, Shandiar Cave, Gali Ali Bek Strait and waterfall, as well as Jandia resort, which is covered in magnificent green spaces and has cold water streams. Kurdistan is also well known for delicious fresh fruits like oranges, apples and grapes. It's easy to come across fruit trees while you’re roaming around, so simply help yourself to nature’s larder.

Old walls of Hasankey f and Tigris river

Lowlights:

Although the Kurds are very welcoming and kind, the communication factor might be a small barrier to enjoying your holiday. You may find young people speak English, while most elders speak Arabic. Others will just respond in Kurdish no matter what language you use.

Souvenirs: You can easily find souvenirs within the summer resorts. However, the most famous place

for traditional accessories and Kurdish products is Salah al-Din Fort, about 32 km from Erbil and considered one of the main historical sights in Iraq. The cost of living in Kurdistan is cheaper than many places, including Oman, for instance, so your holiday budget should stretch further to buy more souvenirs.

Where to stay: It isn’t hard to get a hotel in Kurdistan. Erbil or Hawler are the places for hotels, and prices vary according to what you’re looking for. Most of the hotels are located downtown, so you won't get lost. These are the ones I would recommend; Erbil Rotana hotel, Hayali Suites furnished apartments, BL Hotels Erbil, and Jiger Palace hotels. The Kurdistan government is trying to develop the state’s tourism with plans to expand and invest here. Great news for visitors!

Kurdis

h WATERF

ALLS

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-FI

Postcards from

Cars

Outdoors

Lean and Trim 2014

It’s the time of year for new beginnings and strict diet regimes.

Matt Herbst gives your fitness goals a boost with the latest tech equipment

THE TECH IN YOU

KICK OFF

Designed by Nike for a new breed of attacker who’s agile and has that killer instinct. The new HyperVenom Phantom SG-Pro football boots feature revolutionary NikeSkin ACC technology which make it not only comfortable (as if running barefoot) but extremely light. No more aching feet while scoring all those goals. Get a piece of the action for only RO68 at www.nike.com

TRY-POD

DIAL TO FIT

This Equi-Lite Helmet with Dial-Fit-System allows a rider to simply turn the dial at the back of the helmet for a perfect custom fit, It’s lightweight and the helmet also has a three-point harness with front ventilation. Various types available from RO10 - RO38 from www.amazon.com

A revolutionary new bike mount for all digital cameras with the standard 1/4in screw thread. The Breffo Adventure Camera Kit, with advanced soft touch rubber coating, protects the camera or camcorder, while providing a secure means of attaching it to whichever bike you choose. Probably one of the most versatile in the world, the camera tripod securely attaches to virtually any surface in any position allowing far more adaptability than a standard camera tripod. A wheelie good deal: RO12 from www.breffo.com

EDITOR’S PICK NEED FOR SPEED

Instabeat is A groundbreaking swimming monitor mounted on your goggles that tracks, stores, and displays instant feedback on your heart rate, calories burnt, laps and turns made during your swim. a sleek design ensures that your swim won’t be interrupted. pre-order now for RO57.30 and Check it out at www.instabeat.me.

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WI-FI

FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS IN THE SWING

Designed for both iOS and Android mobile devices and tablets, the GolfSense is a Bluetooth sensor you attach to a golf glove. When you swing, you can see a 3D rendering that shows an overswing, poor positioning over the ball, and tempo problems that can cause that dreaded slice. The sensor works from about 10 metres away, so it’s ideal for home practice, the driving range and on the course.

RO40 www.amazon.com

NEW! BLUE GOJI Kai and Charles Huang, the co-creators of Guitar Hero, are now hoping to make gamers’ lives healthier by introducing Blue Goji. The ultimate tool for fitness gaming, it’s for people working out on cardio machines. It includes a pair of two-button controllers that strap onto the handles of your exercise equipment, and an activity sensor that clips onto your shorts. These connect wirelessly to a series of iPhone and iPad games which read the data and turn it into gameplay. Now you dont have to feel guilty with your 108 hours of gameplay as you burn the calories away. http://bluegoji.com RO38 Transform any cardio equipment into an interactive game machine.

Fuse your exercise with games. The wireless sensor tracks your movement as part of the game and also your workout.

With a diverse and growing library of Blue Goji and third-party games and apps, most free, you can make your workout experience your own.

APP OF THE WEEK

Workouts is a fantastic fitness partner in the form of an App. It comes with 300+ exercises, or 1000+ in the premium version. Once you tell the App which area of your body you want to concentrate on, it will set a step-by-step routine for you.

All the activities come with a detailed breakdown including pictures. The best part is a warm-up routine before you start to suit each individual exercise plan. It’s suitable for all smartphones and it’s free.

Download today at www.itunes.com or your Android App store.

See your progress toward goals in real-time during your workout.

THE GIRLY GADGET

This cordless jump rope allows you to get all the calorie burning benefits of a traditional one without the interruption of constantly tripping on the cord. The rope tracks calories burned, number of jumps and time based on the user’s height and weight. This is a must-have piece of fitness equipment. Only RO7.30 from www.amazon.com JAN AUG0915- –1521 / / ISSUE ISSUE302 282

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CARS AND OUTDOORS

Postcards from

Wi-Fi

Outdoors

C ars

2014 Toyota Corolla

Engine: 1.6 litre or 2.0 litre Transmission: Four-speed automatic with Electronic Control Transmission (ECT) Horsepower: 121hp/143hp Starting price: From RO6995 1.6 litre, From RO8100 2.0 litre

Car of the Week

It may have more bite and sharper looks but the Toyota Corolla retains its much-loved essence, says Kate Ginn

H

ere’s an amazing statistic for you: Every third car on the road in Oman is a Toyota.

And a good proportion of these are the Corolla.

Whether a reliable family car on the morning school run or a white one spray painted with blocks of orange to become a taxi, these Japanese saloons are ubiqutous in the Sultante.

Another statistic for you: The Toyota Corolla has notched up close to 40 million sales in 170 countries and is now in its 47th year of production. This car has lineage, then, and brand loyalty.

Its performance, safety, reliability and high resale value has endeared it to car owners in the Middle East, in particular.

It’s fair to say that the Corolla is a global phenomenon that almost sells itself. There’s really no need to scream from the rooftops about how wonderful it is because everyone is pretty much convinced already. But it turns out that the design team at the Toyota Motor Corporation in Toyota, (yes, there really is a city of that name) northcentral Japan, has got something new to shout about.

For the first time in its long history, the Corolla is now available with a 2.0 litre engine.

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With the 2014 model, the 1.8 has been dropped (the 1.6 litre remains) to make way for a car with a bit more poke. This change, says Toyota, was in response to customer feedback.

I have to say it does make a welcome difference. Knowing that you have that extra bit of power under your foot is reassuring, especially in Oman.

Officially launched in December, Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, a Premier League superstar, is the brand ambassador for both the new 2014 Corolla and the Yaris.

No one is saying that the Corolla is a premier car. It’s not luxury and doesn’t set out to be. Yet there is a new air of refinement about it, both inside and out, which certainly promotes it to a new league.

I loved the exterior of my model (the 2.0 GLi, one below the top-of-the-range) with its chrome door handles, clean lines and eye-catching multi-spoke wheels. It looks more elegant and sporty.

Inside, the bestseller has also been given a makeover. I liked the retro cream dashboard and touches of chrome (on the door handles and gear knob) and the uncluttered instrument panel.

The bucket-like seats also mold

nicely to the body, making for an extremely comfortable driving position. Don’t expect lots of gadgets. This no-frills brand concentrates on what it does best – offering a great value car that will serve you faithfully for years to come.

On the open road, it performed well with a smooth ride and nice kick as the bigger engine responded, and the collision warning sensors (beeping when another vehicle gets too close) are invaluable. Retractable outer mirrors are also handy for tight parking.

Families will be pleased by the cavernous boot and ample storage space throughout the cabin. As you would expect, safety is well covered with airbags and several features such as ABS. When I parked the Corolla that I was test-driving in a mall, two Omani men stopped to check which car it was. They were surprised when it was revealed to be a Corolla, saying that it looked different.

Which means that the team from the Toyota Motor Corporation has done its job very well. The only way it could have been improved would have been to have Cristiano Ronaldo sitting next to me as an optional extra.

They say: ‘Step Into The Spotlight.’

We say: ‘Enjoy the Toyota experience.’

Check this out

New 2.0 litre engine option LED headlights Moonroof (2.0 GLi SPL) Three-spoke Genuine Leather Steering wheel with controls Smart Entry and Push Button Start Audio Systems with USB Rear Seat 60:40 Split Folding 3.5” TFT Multi-Information Display Chrome Door Handles Inside and Out Brake Assist System