Y Magazine #423, June 2, 2016 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

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DESTINATION TANUF

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R A M A DA N

EDITOR’S

NOTE

This is our last issue before the start of the Holy Month, which is expected to be June 6 or 7. It’s a time for the whole country to join in the spirit of Ramadan and engage with its true meaning.

THE BAROMETER GOING UP

THE POPULATION Oman’s population figures are increasing, hitting 4,428,946 at the end of April, up 2.6 per cent on the same period last year. For the first time, the number of expats has surpassed two million.

GOING DOWN

OUTDOOR FUN All 19 Indian schools in Oman have been directed to restrict outdoor activities to protect pupils from the summer heat before the end of term. With the temperatures hitting 46 degrees Celsius this week, it sounds wise.

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

Fast forward

here’s no doubt that Oman has offered many expatriates a stable place to call home and a good standard of living for many years. Expats raise children here, make lifelong friends and contribute to the country’s economy, carving out a life far away from their own countries, and are grateful for the opportunities the Sultanate has given them. Times are changing, however. In our cover story this week, we investigate the growing tide of expats who are leaving the country as the economic slowdown starts to bite. With hundreds of jobs being shed in a variety of sectors and many contract renewals coming up, the exodus is likely to increase in the summer. The knock-on effect can be seen in falling car sales, a decline in the residential rental market and a revenue drop in the hospitality sector. We speak to expats about their experiences; those who have been forced to leave and some who have chosen to go, finding better opportunities in other GCC countries. Others are caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to secure a No Objection Certificate to move jobs within Oman and left with the stressful option of uprooting their families and going elsewhere. This sense of uncertainty is spreading beyond expats. Our investigation makes for sobering reading. We hope it adds to the debate on the way Oman is moving forward.

THIS WEEK… Team Y enjoyed watching Real Madrid win the Champions League in a thrilling penalty shootout, cooled off in the swimming pool and caught up with friends over dinner.

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contents

JUNE 02 - 08 2016

Your Oman

19 Ramadan Car Guide Mid Level Sedan 24 Expat Exodus Is The Dream Over?

This Week

06 Coffee With Y Laura Eggleton

Features

16 Movies Pelé: Birth of a Legend

08 Voice Of Oman Alvin Thomas 10 News New Beauty Spots

18 This Week Swimming For Kids

11 Gallery Champions League 12 News OCA Chess Fest

14 Gallery Family Shopping Expo Crepe Café 15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Faiza Al Mazroui

Food and Drink 30 Taste Of The Med Mediterranean Cooking

Cars and Adventures 38 Destination Tanuf 40 Stars Of The Track The Winners Revealed

Health and Beauty

42 Indoors In The Ring

32 Fashion Petal Power

44 Y-Fi Office Tech

Faces Of Oman 34 Beauty 46 Photo Portrait Fantastic Facial 35 Health Weight Loss Surgery

NEXT ISSUE... RAMADAN CAR GUIDE / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION

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JUNE 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

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UP TO

THE VOICE OF OMAN HEATHER DUNCAN ON EMBRACING THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN

correspondence PRIVATISE TOURISM Dear Editor,

he holy month of Ramadan is almost upon us and while it’s a joyous occasion for many Muslims celebrating it, it is also a time of questions and uncertainty for others. This year will mark my fourth Ramadan as a non-Muslim in Oman and I have found that, with the right attitude, Ramadan is no longer something to be nervous of. Joining in and embracing the festive occasion can be very fulfilling. Last year, I was invited to several Iftar (the evening meal that breaks the fast at sunset) meals by Omani friends and neighbours. While I was nervous – mostly because I didn’t understand the etiquette of the occasion – once I got into the swing of it, I relaxed and had a brilliant time, as well as feeling so flattered to be included. Those Iftar nights are now some of my most treasured memories of living in the Sultanate. Of course, there are certain rules that you must observe in this time of heightened spirituality but if you educate yourself a little to the do’s and don’ts it can make the occasion less nerve- wracking, leaving you free to embrace it. If you find yourself being invited to an Iftar meal then I would highly recommend that you gladly accept the invitation and join in the fun and sample some of the world-famous Omani hospitality.

The cover story on tourism (Issue 422) provided a very insightful read. This industry may be going through confusing times right now but could benefit from the introduction of privatisation. For example, outsourcing the maintenance of tourist hotspots to private entities in exchange for concessions and perks in various business undertakings will not only solve the problem of dirty surroundings but will also attract investment, resulting in economic growth. After all, Oman is trying to reduce its dependency on oil-generated income so care must be taken that the focus is not just on a single industry.

DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

“Should tablets replace textbooks in schools?” ‪‪KAMAL GANATRA ‬‬‪ ‬‬‬‪ ‬‬‪ ‬‪

Textbooks should not be replaced by tablets. Too much technology is harmful for children who are not sensible enough to avoid the distractions that come with tablets. Addictive games, social networking sites and other distractive elements would occupy most of their time when they are supposed to be studying. Health problems such as Computer Vision Syndrome, along with eyestrain, headache and blurred vision, are commonly

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Another very important fact about privatisation is that it should lead to home-grown competition for the tourism market and the end result would be better affordability in sync with abovestandard facilities. This will result in an influx of tourists, with large numbers of people arriving in this beautiful homeland of ours. These visitors will definitely give Oman its place on the map alongside other international heavyweights such as Thailand, France and Greece etc. Sincerely, Mona Aman, Muscat associated with using technology for too long. Technology offers an attractive and impressive way of learning but it is not an effective mode of study and cannot replace learning from books.

‪‪AKSHATHA PUDKETHOOR ‬‬‬‪ ‬‬‪‬‪

The place of textbooks in schools is facing a growing challenge from tablets. The biggest advantages of tablets is that they can hold many learning materials in one place including textbooks, homework, quizzes, dictionaries etc. The other benefit of tablets is that they are costeffective, light in weight and can be updated easily. The disadvantage of using tablets is that they have been related to health issues. Heavy usage of tablets is believed to cause computer vision syndrome, which includes headaches, eyestrain, and blurred vision. The other drawback of tablets is that many digitally connected students tend to have shorter attention spans than those who use textbooks. So it is important to look at both sides of the coin before moving forward.

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JUN 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

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The benefits of using tablets in place of text books far outweigh the disadvantages of not doing so. The way to the future and keeping up to date is for children to gradually switch to tablets because more textbooks can be stored on a single tablet. A tablet has more features to engage students for longer periods than do text books and can be updated easily. They are also current and relevant to today’s fast-changing world and make learning fun and relatively easy.

RASU JOHN ‬ ‪ ‬‬‪ ‬

It would take preparation and a huge effort for tablets to be used instead of text books. It would require a lot of guidance from parents and teachers to ensure pupils were not distracted by time-wasting elements and harmful content. Using tablets over textbooks would be more affordable for parents, when calculating the amount spent by parents on the purchase of textbooks every single year. Tablets are handy and can be updated easily. Taking notes on tablets would also save paper. Reducing the weight of books on children’s school bags is important as there are relevant health issues. However, the practice of handwriting and spelling would lose their significance.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

The use of tablets in place of text books would certainly be handy in reducing the weight of school bags but then it will lead to an era in which the next generation will not at all be aware of books. They may even forget how to use notebooks and write with a pen. Tablets should not be used in place of textbooks in schools but in colleges… yes.

BEENA SHIBU MATHEW

Totally support the tablets. People must have reacted with similar apprehensions when paper was first introduced. So glad our ancestors didn’t stick to animal hides, rocks, tree leaves etc. We have to move on. I enjoy reading on a tablet just as I love reading from a book. It’s just another medium.

PRACHI SHARMA

When we learn from textbooks we remember it well for longer period of time. It’s good to use technology but we should do so in moderation. Let’s not be addicted to it . When children use tablets more it can affect their eye health. I would strongly recommend textbooks in schools .The excitement of getting new books each new session is a wonderful feeling and one that a child will miss if tablets take over.

SHEILA DSOUZA

Printed media is the best media over electronic media so tablets should not be totally replaced by textbooks. There

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are advantages and disadvantages to both. Textbooks have been used by children until now with ease and have not given any side effects on the body or mind. However, carrying weighty books in a bag generally will not harm the body but tablets can certainly harm the eyes, due to radiation. The learning process is far more effective with textbooks than with tablets.

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SYEDA FATIMA WARSI SAIKIA

Tablets will slowly decay the growth in development in children due to its effects on health, particularly with vision. They are not an overall replacement for books but they have their uses.

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HUDA KHAN

Our young people deserve to be taken care of and so tablets should never be allowed to replace text books. Smart gadgets like these have been proven to be the cause of many muscular-skeletal painful disorders, posture problems and vision-related degeneration; all of which are the result of restricted movement of spine and body. Youngsters these days are already burdened by a digital lifestyle so why not give them a well-deserved chance of being gadgetfree at school? Let’s not forget that the good old textbook is more studentfriendly in comparison to the tablet because it is more academically-focused and subject-specific. However, the tablet will always be able to divert the students’ attention towards social media, games apps etc, the list goes on!

TH E H O U SE O F O M A N I H O S P I TA L I T Y

Iftar buffet for your family and friends to enjoy the spirit of Ramadan at 10 OMR* for early bird bookings Early bird bookings will be accepted until the 1st day of Ramadhan

New Debate: “In light of the low oil prices, what are the biggest issues that Oman is facing today?” Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

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JUN 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

YOUR

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TYCOON

he hunt for the next top business brains in Oman is over after Saif al Manji was announced the winner of the Entrepreneur’s Conclave 2016. Saif, 24, beat off stiff competition from the eight shortlisted candidates in a tense finale on Monday (May 30) night at which he had to give a presentation in front of a panel of judges. Saif, who began working in human resources for an oil company, set up Engineering For Kids, which brings maths, science, technology and engineering alive for youngsters in a fun environment in Panorama Mall in Muscat, in 2015. In its third year, the Entrepreneur’s Conclave aims to help aspiring young entrepreneurs get a helping hand in business. SABCO Media is one of the conclave’s partners and has offered RO10,000 worth of media packages to Saif as part of his prize.

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JUN 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

Gallery

Interview

NEWS

The drivers will also be given customer service and language training, following which they will receive a certification from the International Road Transport Union (IRU). The service will initially be made available at select star hotels and the Sultan Qaboos Port, and should benefit the passengers following longstanding issues such as overcharging by taxi drivers in Oman. Meanwhile, Mwasalat is also planning to launch a new route to Al Khoudh, connecting Sultan Qaboos University and Burj Al Sahwa Roundabout, this July. “Preliminary studies suggest opening new routes will be successful as they will serve a large segment of citizens and residents in the Sultanate,” Salim bin Mohammed al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Transport and Chairman of Mwasalat Board, was quoted as saying to the local media. The frequency of buses to Sohar, Salalah and Nizwa will also be increased during the months of Ramadan.the “There will be eight and five buses a day both to and from Sohar and Nizwa, respectively, in addition to increase in the number of buses to Salalah during khareef season. “This is being done to facilitate those wishing to travel to these destinations and spend more time with their families during the holy month,” he said. A “one-bus-a-day” service from Muscat to Duqm is also expected by the third quarter of the year. The frequency of the route will be increased in later stages. According to Al Nuaimi, the company has already chalked out a master plan for the next 20 years, which will be unveiled, this October.

OMAN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

TO RECEIVE OVERHAULING

assengers can rejoice, as travelling around the Sultanate is set to get easier and safer, as the Ministry of Tourism announced its plans to implement a new taxi management system

service. Ingenuity Technologies LLC, solutions provider based in Oman, will be partnering with the Ministry of Tourism to launch the service soon. The system will bring all the taxi services under one umbrella, using a 24-hour call centre and monitoring room to track all the vehicles, thus providing a safe and secure environment for everyone to use the taxi services for their commutes. The highlight of the service will be an application that will be available at your fingertips. With the app, you can call for a taxi from anywhere, and at any time. Users can download the dedicated app for Android or iOS devices, or simply use the website or call-centre facility. The applications will provide passengers and drivers with their locations on Google maps along with the routes to the destinations. Passengers can also opt for prepayment of the taxi fares. Furthermore, the app will offer drivers alternative routes [shorter routes] using the GPS system, thereby helping to reduce fuel consumption.

HOTSPOTS ELECTED TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN OMAN

s a part of the Sultanate’s 2020 vision that aims to attract more than five million annual visitors to the country, 14 locations within the nation have been elected to represent tourism in Oman, as the Ministry of Tourism strengthens its efforts to establish the country as a major player in the tourism sector in the GCC. According to an official from the Ministry of Tourism, the coastal lands in Musandam governorate, the old cultural areas in Muscat, the forts and mountainous villages in Al Dakhiliya governorate, the coastal areas in North Al Sharqiyah governorate and the frankincense route in Dhofar are the hotspots that will be included in the

suggested cluster. The proposed sites have been included in a draft for the ministry’s 2016-2020 master plan. According to the plan, the ministry will also develop the Bedouin areas in North Al Sharqiyah, Masirah Island, and parts of South Al Batinah governorate during that period. In 2015, the number of inbound visitors stood at 2,617,269 - up by 17.7 percent compared to 2014, according to statistics published by the Ministry of Tourism.

HALA MADRID!

GALLERY

FOOTBALL FANS GATHERED TOGETHER IN MUSCAT TO WATCH THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL, WHICH SAW REAL MADRID TAKING ON ATLÉTICO MADRID. THE SCREENING WAS PARTLY ORGANISED BY THE REAL MADRID SUPPORTER’S CLUB IN OMAN AT THE CITY CINEMA, IN SHATTI.

Tel.: 2439 8718 / 9770 7550 Email:infooman@semsom.com

JUN 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

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YOUR

OMAN

CHECK MATE

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

GRAND DECOR

What’s this about? It’s about a grandmother, or rather, an overzealous grandmother. So what’s actually going on? From the looks of it, Carmen Baugh, 66, from North Carolina has redecorated her house with pictures of her grandchildren. She is apparently vying for the title of “World’s Proudest Grandma,” having decorated her home with wallpaper, curtains, pillows and tablecloths printed with photos of her grandchildren. Seems a little over the top? Absolutely! She has clothes as well as shower curtains made of pictures of her grandchildren. There are more than 30 photos now covering 158 square feet of wall space in her living room. She calls it her “Sistine Chapel”. Maybe she’s an interior designer? Nope. She really isn’t. What does she say? “When I stand against the wall, my husband says that I just blend in and disappear. All you can see is my head.” How did her grandkids respond? Carmen claims that her grandchildren love it and have fun picking out their own photos. What are other people saying? I think she needs a cat or two to give her something else to do! Don’t say: Get a cat! Do say: “Great wall of grandma” 012

JUN 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

A WEEK IN PICTURES

he Oman Cancer Association organised the Chess Fest 2016 last week [Saturday] in an effort to raise funds for their Mobile Mammography Unit (MMU). The event was inaugurated by OCA president and chairperson Dr Wahid Ali Said al Kharusi. Around 108 participants from all age groups took part over nine rounds of chess, at the Al Barza Hall in Muscat College, Bawshar. The Chess Fest 2016 was organised by four interns studying in various colleges both in the capital and abroad. Mohammed Al Mamri, Faham Al Maqboli and Sidvanika Eugenio were declared the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. Established in 2009, the Oman Cancer Association’s MMU is the only successful mobile unit in the GCC and has covered all corners of Oman at least twice a year offering women screening for breast cancer. “It’s very hard to maintain the MMU and we thought this Chess Fest would be a fun way to help raise money for the cause,” said an OCA media intern.

HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND

The trial of five-time footballer World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi, on tax fraud charges has begun. The Barcelona star and his father Jorge are accused of defrauding more than €4m (RO1.73) between 2007 and 2009. Messi is expected to appear in court on Spain this week

David Warner’s Sunrisers’ Hyderabad (SRH) lift the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy for the first time, after beating the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by eight runs

The White House was placed on a temporary lockdown on Monday with President Obama inside after a woman threw a suspicious “metal object” over the north fence. After a security sweep of the grounds, the offical residence of the American president returned to normal

Militants from the so-called Islamic State launch a dawn counter-attack as Iraqi government troops push into the city of Falluja on Tuesday. More than 50,000 civilians are said to be trapped in the city as the miltiary attempts to break throught into the heart of the city

.com

Every Tuesday, Friday & Monday

14 th night of Ramadan

Every Thursday & Saturday

Every Wednesday & Sunday

13th June â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3rd July

Date to be announced soon!

YOUR

GALLERY

SHOPPING EXPO

OMAN

GREAT CREPE

EAGER BUYERS HAVE BEEN SNAPPING UP SOME BARGAINS AT THE FAMILY SHOPPING EXHIBITION AT THE OMAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE IN SEEB. THERE’’S STILL TWO DAYS LEFT TO GRAB SOME RETAIL THERAPY WITH THE EVENT ON UNTIL JUNE 4 FROM 10AM-1PM AND 5PM-10PM.

ARTISTS, DESIGNERS AND TELEVISION PRESENTERS JOINED A SOCIAL EVENT DISCUSSING MARKETING AT THE CREPE CAFÉ IN GHUBRA ON SATURDAY.

Photos: Adil Al Balushi

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

DRIVEN TO

SUCCESS

Starting her career at Bank Muscat, Faiza al Mazroui moved to Oman Oil Marketing Company, where she stayed for nearly eight years, ending up as head of Corporate and Customer Services. With a dream to start her own business, she opened up a small fashion boutique, Fizziz, in Muscat. In February this year, Faiza launched Savannah BBQ, a restaurant serving traditional African cuisine, at Panorama Mall in Ghubra Q: What drives you to success? The desire to be a meaningful human being and wanting to add value to whatever I do always drives me to think differently and propels me to work harder. I’m also a very creative person. I find creativity is a big motivator for me, too. Q: Who or what has been your inspiration? People who dream big and work hard to

achieve their goals; overlooking criticism and believing that everything is possible, always inspire me, as these people create something out of nothing. You can see examples of these people in every walk of life. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? Opening my restaurant Savannah BBQ is my biggest at the moment. It has been my dream for the past five years and finally it is a reality. It took me two years to resign from Oman Oil Marketing. It was a hard decision as I loved my job but I wanted my own business and to be an entrepreneur. It’s in my blood. I’m very happy and only wish that I had made the decision earlier. I am very grateful to Oman Oil for the expertise that it gave me. The training I received in different aspects of business really helped when it came to a business plan and feasibility studies. Q: What are your career goals? My goal is to focus on building a strong brand with high standards and a great dining experience, which is driving the brand to international markets. I want to franchise Savannah BBQ and build a brand that will be recognised worldwide.

IT IS DYNAMIC TO DRIVE, SPACIOUS ON THE INSIDE AND HAS ALL THE GOODNESS THAT ONE EXPECTS FROM THE BEST OF LUXURY CARS. THE GENESIS IS GOOD LOOKING AND HAS A GREAT ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? In 10 years, I will be working towards having several branches (of Savannah BBQ) in the GCC market. I also want to have a branch in London. Q: What do you like about the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company? This was my first experience with the Genesis and I am amazed with the car. It is dynamic to drive, spacious on the inside and has all the accessories that one expects from luxury cars. I love its powerful AC , which is a must, given our temperatures. I also like the quality of the ride, which really makes it glide on the roads. The Genesis is goodlooking and has a great engine under the hood. All in all, a very luxurious package. JUNE 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

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

Connell) is sporting an explosive-backed vest not to mention a serious grudge, and takes the whole television crew hostage. The sheer box-office wattage of the leads and the director (Jodie Foster) make this a film that packs a punch, and even more so in these uncertain times in the West.

Money Monster Financial TV host Lee Gates (George Clooney) and his producer Patty Fenn (Julia Roberts) find their studio at the mercy of an irate investor who has lost his life savings thanks to one of Gates’s tip-offs. Kyle (Jack O’

Warcraft The tranquil realm of Azeroth is on the brink of war as its civilisation faces a fearsome race of invaders, namely orc warriors fleeing their dying home to take over another. Two heroes, one from each side, are set to battle against one another; the result of which will decide the fate of their families, their people, and their home. It’s a likeable adventure movie, in 3D, and directed by Duncan Jones.

Pelé: Birth of a Legend Pelé is the legend who changed football forever. So any biopic about the Brazilian icon has to be worth a look, especially considering where this year’s Olympics will be held. In this, his extraordinary life is brought to the screen and it’s a rhapsody of action, colour and raw emotion. Pelé fought his way out of the slums of Sao Paulo to lead Brazil to its first World Cup victory in 1958 at just 17. The film kicks off with that moment when the great man (played by Kevin de Paula) strides out onto the pitch and into history. From there, the film flashes back to his impoverished childhood in which

he and his friends steal peanuts to buy footballs. After being talent-spotted in the street, Pele has fresh battles ahead with officials who find his wildly creative style of playing a little hard to fathom. With vibrant cinematography and slick camera work, Pele’s incredible journey (and goal-scoring genius) makes for a highly uplifting film that also has something to say about life chances, community and aspiration. Directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist, with a foot-tapping soundtrack score from A.R. Rahman. Review by Nikita Lobo

PREVI EW

BORN TO DANCE Tu Kaea (Tia Maipi) is a teenaged boy from Auckland, New Zealand, with a very dull summer job at a recycling centre. He’s a bit nifty on his feet though and dreams of being a professional hip-hop dancer despite the protestations of his disapproving military dad John Tui (Zack). A charming coming-of-age movie even though the aspiring dancer in straightened circumstances theme has rather been done to death, and this is certainly no Billy Elliott. Directed by Tammy Davis.

IN W O T E C N CHA R U O Y B A R S G T E K C I T A INEM C Y T I C R U FO

Bollywatch KING LIAR (COMEDY)

Sathya Narayanan (Dileep) is an impulsive conman who has fallen in love with Anjali (Madonna Sebastian), an aspiring fashion model. Using all the most devious tricks in the book, he tries to get her work with one of India’s top fashion houses. Some of the situations are so mind-boggingly silly and so obviously played for laughs, you’ll either split your sides or cringe, so this is a (long) comedy that you will either love or hate. However, Dileep fans will love it. The film marks a comeback (after 22 years) by director duo Siddique and Lal but it’s a disappointing one. In Malayalam, with subtitles.

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN, just answer a question based on the week’s cinema reviews and send your answer to info@y-oman.com, along with your name and contact information. Tickets must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions, see voucher. Contact: Movie enquiries 2460 7360

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Brought to you by

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION In which part of Brazil did Pelé grow up? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Sanora Samson

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

IN AT THE DEEP END

JUN

LITTLE ONES

JUNE

Keeping the younger ones busy (and happy) during the hot summer months can be hard. Little Fingers Nursery in Madinat Al Ilam is holding summer school classes for two sessions of four weeks each, with a programme of arts and crafts, music and movement, cooking lessons, swimming, trips outside, exploration play and more, based on a theme of “Around The World In 8 Weeks”. Sessions start on June 19. The cost is RO50 per week per child. Places are limited on a first-come, first-served basis. To register or find out more, contact the nursery on 9779 0288/2469 7738 or email info@little-fingers.org

What child doesn’t like splashing around in the pool? Enrol them on a Summer Swimming Camp to learn how to do it properly in a safe, fun environment, with eight classes twice a week. The venue is the Hotel Al Madinah Holiday in Ghala, and the camp runs from June 12 to July 5. Sessions are from 4.45pm-5.30pm and 5.30pm-6.15pm. For beginners and intermediates, children aged two years and older. Price is RO70. For more information and bookings, contact 9234 7007.

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

THIS

WEEK U

WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

BUY

NOW

Mark Evans is a British explorer who recently crossed the Empty Quarter as part of an Omani expedition. He will recount his incredible journey, in an evening at the British School Muscat (BSM). Hear about his 49-day 1,300km trek on foot and camel across the biggest sand desert on earth. Mark will share stories, images and video clips. The cost is RO10 per ticket. All proceeds will go to Muscat Dog Adoption. Tickets are available from BSM, Royal Flight School and Muscat Vets Azaiba Clinic. The evening runs from 7pm-9pm in the Main Hall at BSM. Doors open at 6.30pm and tea and coffee will be served. Note that tickets are limited.

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Desert Tales

WHAT TO DO.

June

Tickets for the new season at the Royal Opera House Muscat are now on sale. With so many expected to sell out fast, book ahead and be sure not to miss your favourites. Some of the big names for 2016/7 season are expected to be tenor Placido Domingo; Wagner’s great romantic operatic epic, Lohengrin, and the classic ballet Anna Karenina. The first show of the season is Romeo Et Juliette by Opera de Monte-Carlo on September 29-October 1. Get your tickets now, priced from RO10, at rohmuscat.org

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

MID LEVEL

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O T E D I U G D A E R T S U M G N Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S I R U D S L A E D O T U A P THE TO H T N O M Y L O H THE JUN 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

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The Volkswagen Jetta’s timeless design, German build-quality and spacious elements gives customers a sense of a superior but affordable saloon

olkswagen revealed its first generation Jetta in 1979. Since then, the brand has streamlined the sedan by adding more modern and stylish design elements and features. It offers customers a remarkable vehicle with supreme comfort and sportiness. The current generation Jetta also sports an exceptionally large interior, seating five in absolute comfort. This, along with well-known German reliability, makes for a perfect mid-level sedan for the discerning buyer. You just cannot go wrong with the Volkswagen Jetta.

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● Central locking system with SAFELOCK ● ABS ● Lancaster 17-inch alloys ● Climatronic air conditioning system ● Electric tile/slide sunroof ● Rear view camera ● Rear fog light for driving on right ● Leatherette upholstery ● 510 litres boot space

Y Recommendation:

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Capacity: 2.0-litre/2.5-litre Horsepower: 115 hp/170 hp Cylinders: 4 Transmission: 6-speed automatic (triptronic) Fuel tank: 55 litres

“The Volkswagen Jetta remains a value-for-money sedan, with a remarkable chassis, ride quality and impressive fuel economy. It has ample space for five and it’s clearly a winner in our books.” FOLLOW US ON:

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The new Sentra is a modern and charismatic vehicle deriving its strengths from its seductive design, unexpected spaciousness, class-defining features and safety – delivering all the basics

he Nissan Sentra sedan is available in either 1.6 litre or 1.8 litre configurations and offers drivers the sportiness, spaciousness and comfort of cars that are usually found in larger segments, and the technology that is usually associated with more expensive cars. Positioned to give an accessible premium experience, the Nissan Sentra appeals to the aspirational, smart and savvy compact sedan consumer.

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● Rear A/C vents ● Steering Switch for Audio ● Drive Computer ● Cruise control ● ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) ● Electronic Brake-Force Distribution ● BA (Brake Assist) ● Dual Airbags ● 510-litre boot

● Intelligent key ● Push start button ● CVT transmission ● Navigation ● Rear view camera ● USB / Bluetooth ● iPod connectivity ● Seat Height Adjuster

“Nissan Sentra 2016 completely redefines what an affordable car can be. It’s a new generation vehicle that offers the latest technology features. Basic safety features are standard. Exterior looks are very elegant. Coupled with advanced features like Intelligent key, Push start button, Bluetooth, Cruise control, Navigation and rear view camera, the Sentra proves to be a well-deserved possession.”

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Engine: 1.6-litre / 1.8-litre Transmission: CVT Horsepower: 113/130 Torque: 154/174

Y Recommendation:

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Cylinders: 4

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THE

EXPAT

EXODUS

AS THE FISCAL SQUEEZE TIGHTENS IN OMAN, THE DREAM IS TURNING SOUR FOR SOME WHO HAVE MADE THE COUNTRY HOME, WITH MANY FORCED TO LEAVE OR CHOOSING TO GO. IN A SPECIAL Y INVESTIGATION, ALVIN THOMAS AND KATE GINN REPORT

t was just another ordinary morning for Mathew*; nothing to mark it out as different from his daily routine of coffee and cereal with the news running in the background on the television. A marketing analyst for a leading international airline company operating in Oman, he loved his job of six years. “It was just another day for me at work,” he recounts. “I had paperwork pending from my recent clients and a few booking offices from around Muscat. It was going to be a normal working day.” Only this wasn’t going to be a regular day. Walking into his office, Mathew remembers seeing his colleagues were a bit disturbed and when he reached his desk, he realised why. Waiting for him was a memo, the contents of which were going to shatter his life in a matter of seconds. 024

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The memo announced that following a discussion with board members and a review of staff, he was being let go. Mathew was given one month to search for a new job before he had to clear out his desk and his company agreed to provide him with No Objection Certificate (NOC). His whole life flashed before his eyes. Everything – from his first day in the company to his first day in Oman – sprung to mind. He

Watching Nita work so hard, I realised that it wouldn’t be fair to give her a share of my tensions

thought of his wife and two children, aged 11 and seven. “I moved to Oman after my marriage to Nita* [his wife, who was already working in the country] in 2010,” Mathew tells Y. “I came here on a family visa and spent more than two months searching for a job before getting hired. I understand the value of a job because I spent months looking for one.” Back at home, his wife, a nurse, was preparing for an evening shift at the hospital in Muscat where she had worked for 16 years, unaware of what had happened to her husband. When he returned home and saw his wife getting their two children ready for school the next day before heading out to work, Mathew couldn’t bring himself to break the news. “Watching Nita work so hard, I realised that it wouldn’t be fair to give her a share of my tensions,” he says. “I had to stoop as low as

IT’S NOT JUST EXPATS WHO ARE LEAVING OMAN. HERE, IN A VERY CANDID ARTICLE, A YOUNG, MODERN OMANI, WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, EXPLAINS WHY HE IS LEAVING THE SULTANATE

hiding my problems away from my trusting wife.” Over the next few weeks, Mathew began to search for jobs, keeping up the façade that everything was fine to his unsuspecting wife. He sent his CV out to 40 travel-related companies in two weeks with no luck. With time running out and just a week before his leaving date at work, Mathew had to confess to his wife. “There was no way out of it and I had to tell Nita everything. It was embarrassing and at the same time very shameful,” he says.

“Hearing everything that had happened, she was shocked and also very angry; after all, I did keep sensitive information from her. “Things cooled down very soon and she was very supportive. She even called up her friends to ask for vacancies.” If that wasn’t bad enough, two days before Mathew was due to finish work, his wife lost her job at the hospital. Nita says: “The management decided to let go of staff who had been working here for more than 10 years and I was on that list.” “Certain members of the staff also had

I’m an Omani. I was born and brought up in this country and I love it, but I’m currently applying for jobs away from Oman. “I don’t want to and it makes me very sad to even think about leaving but I feel that I don’t have a choice. The restrictions and rules are making it very difficult for me to live here. My wife cannot get a job; she’s not allowed to work on a spouse visa (she’s not Omani) even though we’re married. We’ve been clearly instructed that she cannot work if she’s on my visa. In the beginning, when we started the application, that wasn’t the case but they’ve told us the rules have now changed. It makes it very difficult for us as a couple to live here. “This is the first time there’s a sense of restriction in Oman, not just for my wife and other expats. “I know three different families who are leaving this month. These are people that are part of my life; people who I have grown up with and they are leaving Oman. They are packing up right now. “My in-laws have both had their contracts terminated with no reason or explanation. Both are top experts in their fields and funnily enough, have been teaching up-and-coming Omanis. “There is no growth in my field of work. Our industry really needs that right now but we cannot grow it. We can’t get any new visas to hire people. “Even if my wife wasn’t an expat, I would still be leaving. I don’t think that I fit in here. “One of my friends in human resources has quit his job today because he found it too much. They are saying to people: ‘Book a flight, your contract is terminated.’ “People have been here six years or more and they get two months’ notice to go. They’re devastated to lose their jobs and their life here. Some have been here for 20 odd years; to them Oman is home. “We need Omanis who are capable and trained to take on these jobs. “One idea is to have a mandate that anyone coming to Oman to work has to teach an Omani; it’s the simplest way of increasing the skill set of Omanis and make it competitive. “I’m applying for jobs this week in other countries “It’s a devastating feeling; that you don’t belong in your own country. If you’re an expat and come here and it doesn’t work out, you can always go home but if it’s not working out for me where can I go? I’m kind of lost. “I would like to stay in the region; I’m looking at Dubai. My wife can work there legally because I’m a citizen of the GCC. “I’ve really tried to make it work. I’ve given a lot and I don’t feel that I’m getting anything back. “I’ve worked very hard for the last five or six years and now I have to pack it all in and start all over again. It is not any easy decision. It’s quite scary for me but I don’t see any other option. “If I go, this move will be permanent. I cannot see myself coming back to Oman unless there are major changes.”

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their contracts terminated,” she adds. “They began replacing a portion of the experienced Indian staff with nurses from Philippines with lower starting salaries.” Within a month, their lives had been turned upside down. And they’re not the only ones. As the economic downturn due to the falling oil price starts to bite in the Sultanate, more and more expatriates are either losing their jobs or choosing to leave the country for better prospects elsewhere in the region. The domino effect of this – think of it like a falling domino setting off a cumulative chain reaction – is rippling out across Oman in an unstoppable tide. It makes for grim reading: car sales have dropped by up to 29 per cent leaving automobile dealers pinning their hopes on Ramadan promotions to boost figures; the residential renting market is in a slump with a new report this week forecasting a five to 10 per cent drop in rents across Muscat; revenue in the hospitality sector (including hotels) is down and some international schools are bracing for a larger drop in pupil numbers than usual after the summer break. Redundancies in key sectors are set to continue, with the oil and gas sector shedding jobs, exacerbated by the slowdown, and government departments are having to introduce austerity measures, slashing some staff benefits and perks, as the country tries to claw back some of the 4.5 billion budget deficit. No one is calling it a crisis, of course, but the outlook is gloomy, with some saying that even if the economy picks up towards the end of this year, as is predicted, it won’t be until the end of 2017 or early 2018 before this is reflected in Oman.

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Value Added Tax (VAT) will implemented next year and next up will be income tax. “The bubble has burst, it’s time to leave,” one expat who has lived in Oman for 18 years tells Y. “I’ll be leaving when my contract ends next September.” In our investigation, Y has spoken to many expatriates of different

nationalities to gain a sense of the mood on the ground among people who have made Oman their home. What we’ve found is a general feeling of anxiety and insecurity about jobs and futures. This, in turn, is leading to tightening of the personal purse strings, with many reluctant to spend their disposable incomes and saving it instead. “I thought a while back that I might be let go because our business was down but in the end my colleague was cut instead of me. He’ll probably go in August,” says one expat. We’ve heard of one worker in the oil and gas industry who was called in and told to accept a large pay cut or leave. There is talk of up to 1,500 jobs being lost in that sector over the next two or three years alone. Tonia Gray, the general manager of Muscatbased recruitment services company Competence HR, says a trend has emerged for expats to be replaced by cheaper expatriate resources. “There is a possibility that someone from

Holland will be replaced by someone from Russia, or an Indian with a Filipino, because he or she will work for less,” says Tonia. “This also explains the increase in the number of expats that are coming into Oman. “However, I don’t think you can easily replace the experienced workforce with inexperienced staff.” The issue of NOCs is also in the mix. Anyone who wants to leave their job in Oman but can’t obtain an NOC from their employer has no alternative but to leave the country for two years. On Monday (May 30), the Ministry of Manpower announced that a temporary ban on issuing new visas for certain job categories – including sales, marketing, construction and cleaning workers – will be extended for another six months from June 1. Industry insiders say that businesses, already struggling from a drop in trade, are going to be further hit by the ban. In the meantime, families are being torn apart. We spoke to one Indian family in Muscat who has decided to take their children out of school here and send them back home with their mother to a more secure, stable environment. The husband will remain here alone for as long as his job lasts. Mathew and Nita (both of who

are now in India) had to dismantle their life here and ship it back to Kerala, India. What couldn’t be transported was sold. But they have been unable to sell their two new cars, both bought on a finance deal, despite advertising on internet sites and in newspapers. “We are still paying the EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) for one of the vehicles,” Mathew says. “We were able to cover the shipping cost for our household items as well as finish the EMI of one of our cars using the money from my gratuity. “Unfortunately, OLX (online classified ads) is flooded with ads from leaving expats.” A quick investigation on OLX reveals that there are more than 400 live ads with the tag: “Expat leaving”. Y also followed up with some of the ads, enquiring why they were leaving the country. One of the advertisers in the household section of the website was Alessandro*, an expatriate from Italy, who was selling furniture. Speaking to him about why he is leaving Oman, he says: “I relocated to Oman six months ago for a contracting company from Spain that was undertaking a major government project in the Sultanate. “I was in the project management team that comprised of 140 staff. However, three months back, the project was cancelled. “And since I was only linked to the company for as long as the project was active, I was asked to leave. “I received a three-month notice period, following which I have to leave Oman. “I am a bit disappointed. I grew fond of Oman in the short time I was here.” However, Alessandro says that a French construction company contracting for the government in Saudi Arabia hired him. “Job instability is a major problem; not just in Oman, but various other parts of the GCC. “I am not very comfortable moving to Saudi Arabia with my daughter. Oman is a very tolerant country and it is also culturally diverse. My daughter and I just fit in.” “I wouldn’t mind coming back to Oman,” adds Alessandro. “However, the price of oil in the coming years is a major factor. “More than 50 of us lost our jobs after this contract and more will lose their jobs in the coming few months. “This will leave a huge gap in the various sectors of the society. “The real estate and renting sector is going to suffer heavily if more expats have to depart from here.” Indeed, the effects are already being felt. According to a quarterly report by international real estate consultant Cluttons, released this week, the residential property market has registered a fall in rentals for the third consecutive quarter. Average rents fell by 5.9 per cent in the first quarter of this year, while there’s been a 12.7 per cent drop compared with the same period last year. “With an economic turnaround unlikely

I thought a while back that I might be let go because our business was down but in the end my colleague was cut instead of me. He’ll probably go in August

over the short to medium term, it is our expectation that the rate of job generation and therefore demand for rented accommodation will continue to fall over the next six to 12 months, putting rents under further downward pressure,” says the report. It’s bad timing for all the new apartment blocks and villa compounds that have sprung up across the capital over the past year, which owners are now struggling in fill. Y visited one smart apartment block in Azaiba and found whole floors with just one or two tenants, giving it the air of a ghost town. Trawling local internet forums, we also found leaving expat families selling off the entire contents of their homes, offering some as “job lots” with televisions, fridges and ovens packaged up. Some expats are also leaving their pets behind, the desperate ones simply dumping them on the streets. “I live in The Wave [Al Mouj Muscat] and have noticed there are abandoned animals, mostly cats,” says Dr Svetlana, a veterinary surgeon at PetCare Veterinary Centre in Al Mouj Muscat. “Contracts will finish this summer and the schools at the end of June, so we will see more abandoned. “Mostly, the problem is money. When they find out the cost to take the pet with them when they leave [upto R900 for a cat with tests, paperwork and flights), they don’t want to pay. “More people are leaving,

our customers are mostly Wave residents and a lot of expats have gone. Our majority of customers now are Omani. “We also have a big problem trying to rehome cats. Before there was a demand, people were waiting for our kittens, but now no one wants them and there are less expats willing to adopt. All our cages are full.” According to Tonia Gray, the majority of expats leaving the country are from professional backgrounds – managers, engineers, nurses and more. “My impression is that there is a definite increase in the number of expats leaving Oman,” says Tonia. “There is also the issue of finding

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another job, especially with all the after he was offered the position of constraints surrounding the NOC. project manager in a major civil “Many people feel that they are engineering firm with a monthly salary tied to their employer. Of course, of RO2,300, RO600 more than his most employers are honourable employer is currently paying him. and treat their employees well, However, Tonia believes that it is but there are employers who take very difficult to state that expats are the opportunity and mistreat their moving in droves to other countries in employees. the GCC. “I had a chat with someone from “We cannot compare the life one a logistics contractor and they said has in Oman with, let’s say, the life in that they are shipping out at the very Qatar, Saudi or the UAE because your least one expatriate every day.” life in Oman [cost of living, safety and Y spoke to the sales manager of lifestyle] makes up for it. another leading logistics company “I think one of the main reasons in the Sultanate, who told us: “We people leave is because they feel have had over 1,000 enquiries this unsettled at their jobs and if they have month alone. However, very few to change their jobs within Oman, the go through with it after hearing NOC becomes a factor. the price. The average price for “I know of not many people transporting goods to India is who would trade in their lives here RO800.” [Oman], with a more expensive and Meanwhile, the advent of the new brash lifestyle like that of UAE or two-year ban and the NOC means Qatar.” a lot more expatriates are opting to Some might argue, however, that leave Oman in search of better jobs Oman is beginning to lose its allure for in other parts of the GCC. many expatriates who are finding life An Indian expat engineer, who did here is not the enviable idyll it once not want to be named, says that he was. is relocating with his family to Saudi Arabia in the coming months after being offered a higher pay scale than in Oman. “I was earning a total of RO2,500 in a petroleum engineering firm here in Oman. “Aramco [the Saudi Arabian oil company] offered me a pay of RO5,500 and I gladly opted for it. There are a lot of restrictions for people looking to switch jobs here in Oman.” Another Mauritian expat in Oman says he will be moving to Qatar in three months (end of April)

EXPATS IN OMAN

YEAR TOTAL OMANIS EXPATS 2007 2,743,499 1,922,697 820,802 2008 2,867,428 1,967,180 900,248 2009 3,173,917 2,017,559 1,156,358 2010 2,773,479 1,957,336 816,143 2011 3,295,298 2,013,158 1,282,140 2012 3,622,997 2,092,560 1,530,437 2013 3,855,206 2,172,002 1,683,204 2014 3,992,893 2,260,705 1,732,188 2015 4,293,875 2,365,937 1,927,938 2016 4,428,946 2,414,598 2,014,348

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EXPATS IN OMAN END APRIL 2016:

1,763,710 workers Increase 1 per cent 1,564,532 males and 199,178 females 61,495 (39,638 female and 21,857 male) in public sector 1,430,975 (32,412 female and 1,398,553 male) in private sector 271,250 (144,909 female and 126,341 male) in family

Sectors: Construction: 652,439 workers Wholesale and retail trade: 221,307 workers Manufacturing: 199,725 workers Nationalities: Indian: 630,433 (38,392 female and 649,200 male) Increase

1 per cent (on March 2015)

Bangladeshi: 590,170 (1,227 female and 225,112 male)

Increase 3.5 per cent

Pakistani: 225,112 (1,227 female and 223,885 male)

Increase 1.1 per cent

Ethiopian: 21,221 (21,013 female and 208 male)

Decrease 5.6 per cent

Indonesian: 28,323 (27,681 female and 642 male) Filipino: 36,570 (24,403 female and 12,167 male) Egyptian: 24,937 (5,776 female and 19,161 male) Decrease 0.9 per cent Nepalese: 14,000 (4,176 female and 9,824 male) Sri Lankan: 16,885 (9,830 female and 7,055 male) Increase 3.3

per cent

Other nationalities: 78,637

Increase 3.9 per cent â&#x2014;? Source: National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI)

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FOOD AND DRINK

Trend

New Restaurant

FOOD FEAST

Reviews

Enjoy an authentic Mediterranean meal with linguine pasta and chicken cooked in extra virgin olive oil.

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TRANSPORTED

BY TASTE Mediterranean cooking is all about fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flavour

ipe vegetables, fresh herbs and fragrant spices all lend vibrant, bold flavours to mouthwatering meals that are worth lingering over with friends. This is what Mediterranean cooking is all about. Add some Mediterranean inspiration to your everyday meals with these recipes using Crisco olive oils to help you turn an ordinary meal into a memorable one. Use extra virgin olive oil to add a full-bodied flavour to salads, vegetables and meats. Pure olive oil offers a mild, subtle olive flavour with a hint of fruit to sautés and stir-fries. Light-tasting olive oil is ideal as an all-purpose cooking oil that can be used for sautéing, roasting vegetables or in baked goods like muffins, cakes and brownies. For more recipes, visit www.crisco.com. * Family Features

Mediterranean Linguine with Basil and Tomatoes Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Will serve: eight Ingredients: § 1 450g box linguine pasta § 1 tbsp salt, or to taste § 1/2 cup Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil § 1 litre of grape tomatoes (4 cups), cut in half § 1 tbsp minced garlic § 2 tbsp red wine vinegar § 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes § Salt and pepper to taste § 18 to 20 basil leaves, cut into thin strips § 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish Method: § Heat and bring to the boil 5.6 litres of water. Add the pasta and salt. Cook for the minimum recommended time on as directed on the packet. While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. § Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on a medium heat. Add the tomatoes and garlic. Cook and stir for two minutes or until the tomatoes are soft. Remove from the heat. Stir in the vinegar and pepper flakes. § Drain the cooked pasta. Add to the frying pan. Cook and stir for one minute or until the pasta is coated and hot. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the basil and cheese. Serve with additional cheese, if desired.

Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Will serve: four Ingredients: Chicken § Crisco® Olive Oil NoStick Cooking Spray § 1 tbsp Crisco® Pure Olive Oil or § Crisco® Light Tasting Olive Oil § 1/2 tsp oregano § 1 tsp minced garlic § 1 (1.5kg-2kg) whole chicken with neck and giblets removed § Salt and pepper Gravy § 1/2 cup cold water § 1/4 cup milk § 1 (24g to 34g) package chicken § gravy mix § 1/2 tsp oregano § 1 tsp minced garlic § 1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice Method: § Heat the oven to 200°C. Spray a shallow roasting pan (with rack) with no-stick cooking spray. § Mix the oil, oregano and garlic. Brush the mixture over the entire chicken. Season the chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Place it in a prepared pan, breast side down; and let it stand for 30 minutes. Turn the chicken breast side up.

§ Roast for 65 to 70 minutes, basting occasionally. The chicken is done when the meat thermometer registers 76°C or when juices run clear as the thickest part of the thigh is pricked. Transfer the chicken to a carving board and cover with aluminium foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. § Skim the grease from the pan drippings. Place 1/4 cup skimmed pan drippings into a small saucepan. Add the water, milk, gravy mix, oregano, garlic and lemon juice to pan. Cook, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens. § Carve the chicken. Place on a serving platter. Serve with warm lemon-garlic gravy.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

PETAL POWER

Fun, floral prints are everywhere this summer, as designers look to the beauty of the great outdoors for inspiration. From bold statements in strong colours to delicate, pastel prints, such as this look from Wallis, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be sure to find a style that suits.

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FEB 1102- -1708/ /ISSUE JUN ISSUE407 423

Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

You’ll be as fresh as a daisy in this summery print wrap dress, also from New Look. From RO8.4

, reet look t s igh t the h e th to ge o t end ps you h g l i e h ver he h t Take a bold step in the great Glo From y t i c outdoors in this mint-green i l Fe floral maxi dress from New

T t Ge

Look. From RO12.9

This pink, floral “Bardot” midi-dress from New Look features another popular style this summer – the off-theshoulder look. From RO14

There’s no shortage of the floral look when it comes to accessories, with this cute flower ring from Accessorize and 3D daisy wayfarer-style sunglasses adding a fun touch to any look. From RO3.3

Add a touch of glamour to your outfit with this 3D floral clutch from New Look. From RO11.2

These elegant sandals from Dune not only come in a range of colours but are also a nod to the “gladiator” look currently doing the rounds. From RO45

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BEAUTY H e a l t h

Fashion

s I have been in training to trek up Mount Kilimanjaro next month, I’ve done a lot of walking recently. So when it came to a trip to the salon for some pampering, I didn’t really fancy another trek across town in the heat. Therefore, I chose the convenient option and booked into the new ladies’ beauty salon, Body and Sole, which can be found in Oman Avenues Mall. It’s easy to reach, there is plenty of parking, and I can get lots of errands done in one place. At first, I was a little dubious of how relaxing a beauty treatment in a mall could really be. However, as I walked through the main doors I was transported from a bright, brash, noisy shopping area to a different world, with low lighting, beautiful scents and the feel of an opulent boudoir. Warmly greeted by Joanna, she led me to the treatment room and got me ready for my first of two treatments, the “Eminence Bright Skin” facial. Living in this dusty, humid climate can play havoc with your complexion and mine especially needed something a little more than my very basic home skin care routine. I was hoping that the brightening facial was going to live up to its name. As I lay down and the facial began, I felt relaxed, and in good hands with Joanna and her relaxing aura. She worked quickly and gently without fumbling. The soothing music and tranquil salon made it easy to zone out and enjoy the time spent being cossetted. I was pleased to hear that all the ingredients used were natural without any nasty chemicals and were combined for cleaning, hydrating and brightening. Even the active ingredient used to remove dead skin cells comes from pineapple. As the active ingredient works its magic it’s normal to feel a little itchy .To distract myself from that I was treated to a shoulder and arm massage, which was a wonderful and unexpected part of the treatment for ultimate relaxation. The whole experience lasted around 50 minutes and I didn’t want it to end. I could have stayed there all afternoon quite happily. Immediately after the treatment my skin felt clean, clear and rejuvenated and during the following days it was noticeably blemish-free and youthful-looking. This is definitely something I need to add to my beauty regime more often. As the name of the salon suggests, it focuses on every aspect of the body. For the next treatment I popped across into the open seating space to treat my weary feet to a pedicure. My tootsies have been enclosed in hiking boots and sneakers and have traipsed up every hiking trail in the area. It was time to rest them up and give them a little bit of care. Once they were treated to a soak and a buff I started to recognise my own feet again. With a little more attention to the finer details and finishing off with a coat of bright red polish I was soon ready to rock, and am no longer embarrassed to wear open-toed shoes. As I settled the bill and said goodbye to the girls they chorused: “Bye Madam, see you again soon!” and I’m confident that they will. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and what is even better, I could do this again guilt-free as I leave my husband and son to roam the shops and food court while I enjoy some pampering.

In need of some TLC, Heather Duncan checks out the latest beauty salon in town 034

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Eminence Bright Skin facial: RO41 Pedicure: RO9 Contact details: Phone: 2201 0101 Email: info@bodyandsoul.om Web: bodyandsoul.om

WEIGHTING TIME Surgery can help those for whom exercise or diet have failed. Here, a leading expert runs through the options

besity has become a significant national health issue, and morbid obesity is closely linked with a myriad of serious health conditions that severely undermine the health of seriously overweight patients. These include heart disease, diabetes and chronic pain which, when added to the burden of weight, can make daily life very stressful. It is a frustrating cycle for morbidly obese people who want to shed the burden they carry each day but can’t because exercise and eating habits seem difficult, if not impossible, to change. However, there is hope for the morbidly obese who have had difficulty losing weight through traditional diet and exercise: weight loss surgery, according to one Oman-based doctor. Dr Szabolcs I Papp, Sr, Consultant Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon, Aster Al Raffah Hospital in Ghubra, says: “Bariatric surgery, when performed correctly, can help obese patients manage these conditions.” Immediately after surgery, life will not be easy but you would begin to notice a significant improvement, says Dr Papp. Everything you’ll need to succeed is in one place: pre-surgical counselling, diet and exercise instruction (the success Mantra), state-of-the-art surgical and post-surgical facilities, peer support, and resources to help you maintain your healthier lifestyle. “Our outcomes, including weight and complication rates, are very good and we

attribute our success to the outstanding care of patients before, during and after surgery. “Most patients are extremely pleased with their weight-loss results. They feel as though they have gained new lives,” says Dr Papp. A variety of surgical options are available to patients at Aster, including gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a weightloss procedure that is usually performed by keyhole surgery and is a permanent, irreversible surgical treatment with very effective results. Patients can lose 60 per cent of excess weight in one year with a special diet. Patients lose their appetite and, along with limiting their food intake, can start shedding vast amounts of weight. Who is the ideal candidate for sleeve gastrectomy? ● not extremely obese patients with BMI over 55 ● mild diabetics undergoing oral anti- diabetic treatment ● no sweet eaters ● no patients with reflux disease

Roux Y gastric bypass

This is a weight-loss surgical procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. A small stomach pouch (25 cc) is created to limit

food intake and a Y-shaped part of the small intestine is attached to the pouch, which leads to the artificial malabsorption of nutrients, thereby reducing calorie intake. Usually performed as keyhole surgery, this is one of the most effective types of bariatric surgical procedure. Patients can lose 70-75 per cent of excess weight in one year. Who is the ideal candidate for gastric bypass surgery? ● patients with very high BMI ● sweet eaters ● patients with low commitment ● patients with unstable diabetes ● patients with reflux disease After the surgery, which is performed as a keyhole procedure, patients spend three to four days in hospital on a special diet, which should be followed for one month.

Mini gastric bypass (loop gastric bypass)

In the first part of this MGBP surgery, the stomach is divided and a small tube is created from the stomach as a pouch. This means a restriction on food intake and a very small amount of food can be taken at any one time. “If excess weight is limiting your life, weight loss surgery may be right for you. Healthy isn’t a goal. It’s a way of living, and today is the chance to change yourself for the better.” says Dr Papp. JUN 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

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GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS… Capital Region Azaiba • Amara Dermatology Clinic • Audi showroom • Bentley showroom • Costa Coffee • Al Fair • Jaguar Showroom • Jeep Showroom • Al Maha Petrol Station • Mazda showroom • McDonald’s • Mitsubishi Showroom • Oman Arab Bank • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Peugeot Showroom • Range Rover Showroom • Sayarti Auto Care • Shell Select • Skoda Showroom • The Sultan Center • Volkswagen showroom • Volvo Showroom • Yamaha Showroom Bawshar • College of Banking and Financial Studies • Dolphin Village • Modern College of Business and Science • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital (Emergency and Outpatients) • Oman Medical College CBD • Al Maya Hypermarket • Alizz Islamic Bank • Bahwan Travel Agencies • Bank Sohar • Copper Chimney Restaurant • Costa Coffee • HSBC • Lama Polyclinic • NBO • Oman Arab Bank • Standard Chartered Bank • Woodlands Restaurant Darsait • Indian Social Club • Khimji’s Mart

•

KIMS Oman Hospital • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Bakery • Shell Petrol Station Al Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant • Toshiba Showroom Ghala • National Mineral Water Ghubra • Al Hayat International Hospital • Al Maya Hypermarket • Bank of Beirut • Costa Coffee • Crêpe Café • GMC Showroom • LuLu Hypermarket • Moka & More • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Park Inn • Porsche Showroom • Al Raffah Hospital • Stationery Hut • The Chedi Muscat Al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College of Engineering • Markaz Al Bahja Mall • McDonald’s • Omantel • Starcare Hospital Al Khoudh • Al Fair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Pizza Hut Al Khuwair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Bait Al Reem Mall • Caffè Vergnano • Centrepoint (Splash) • Diplomatic Club • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Harley-Davidson Showroom • HSBC • KFC • Khimji’s Mart • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Landmark Group

• • •

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

• •

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

•

Knowledge Oasis Muscat -4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • Waljat College of Applied Sciences Ruwi • Apollo Medical Centre • Kamat Restaurant • KFC • Khimji’s Mega Store – Swarovski Showroom • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Oman Air • Oman UAE Exchange • Oman Trading Establishment • Saravana Bhavan Sarooj • Al Fair • Al Masa Mall • City Cinema • Ayana Spa • Cosmeclic • Emirates Medical Center • McDonald’s • Shell Petrol Station • VLCC Wellness Sawadi • Al Sawadi Beach Resort Seeb • Golden Tulip Hotel • McDonald’s Shatti Al Qurum • Bareeq Al Shatti Complex • Caribou Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • German Eye Centre • The Indus Restaurant • InterContinental Hotel Muscat • Jawharat Al Shatti Complex • Kaya Skin Clinic • Muscat Eye Laser Center • Oasis By The Sea • Second Cup • Starbucks • VLCC Wellness Sifah • Sifawy Boutique Hotel SQU • Diplomatic Club • College of Economics and

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

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

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Postcards from

CARS AND ADVENTURES

Indoors

Y- F i

Cars

MEN OF STEEL

Fighters go head-to-head in the second season of the Oman Fighting Championship (OFC) held in Muscat, last weekend.

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

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

Y- F i

Indoors

Destination

TANUF

WITH RUINS, POOLS AND TREKKING TRAILS, TANUF IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE, FINDS SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI 038

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Cars

Fuelled by the food in our bellies and bursting with energy, we wandered into the wadi on the other side of the ruins. You’ll see a falaj running along up on your left and then the water. I was surprised by how verdant it was, bursting with green trees and shrubs. While my friends did their own thing, I got some interesting close-ups of the abundant flora. My favourite photo of the day was a delicate pale yellow and white flower, the centre protected from greedy bees and other insects by large protruding thorns. I also caught an intricate spider’s web, woven between two plants, glistening in the sunlight, before clambering up some rocks to capture a view with a different angle. We splashed through the shallow water, which looked so pure and refreshing, and enjoyed just the feeling of being present and at one with nature. In my view, it’s best to come to

Tanuf early in the morning to catch the sunlight reflecting off the rocks and water. Farther down the wadi, the water deepens and you can swim in the pools, washing away the dust and cooling the heat on your skin after the walk to get there. We spent three hours or so there but you could easily make it a day trip here. It would be a great place for anyone new to the country to get a taste of Oman. I call it the “complete package” because I think it gives a glimpse into the many facets of Oman; from the heritage of the ruins to the wild landscape of rocks, the wadi pools and the indigenous plants. You can swim, trek, enjoy the ruins, exercise and have a picnic or simply chill under the shade of a handy tree. The walk is gentle and not too taxing, suiting all ages. I’m not sure it’s the best place for young kids, however, as it could be too tiring. Whatever you choose to do at Tanuf, you’ll leave feeling relaxed and fulfilled. My only tip is: bring your own food in case you’re not as lucky as us and can’t find a shop open!

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

f you’re a regular reader then you’ll have followed my last two adventures to Moquzeh and Daris Falaj. This week’s Destination is the third part of the series, which all took place over one intrepid and packed day. Tanuf was actually the second place on our list, after Moquzeh, and we arrived around 8am. By then, our group – “Head Man”, “New Guy” and “Thumbs Up” – was ravenous and in need of some sustenance before embarking on our explorations. Round and round we drove but every shop was closed; the shutters firmly locked up. Our stomachs were rumbling in protest and it looked like our luck was out when we suddenly stumbled on the only shop in the village that appeared to be open. What a relief. It was like finding gold! We feasted on biscuits, crisps, chocolate and drinks until our hunger was finally sated and we felt human again. We were ready to start on the next leg of the journey. Driving into Tanuf you can’t miss the ruins almost straight ahead: a sprawl of dilapidated mud brick houses; in various stages of falling down, long since abandoned and left to crumble away. The roofs and windows had gone, leaving the interiors open to the elements and the baking Omani sun. You can also see the remains of a much taller structure than the rest, a tower of some kind, slowly eroding away. We wandered around for some time, walking where the area would once have bustled with noise and life but is now reduced to a “ghost village” of sorts although the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. I captured some nice shots of the buildings. If you stand directly in front of the ruins, the factory where Tanuf water is bottled at source can be found. We were in the mood for more outdoor pursuits

From Muscat, take the main Route 15. Pass Nizwa, and Tanuf will be signposted. Follow the signs and you’ll see the ruins as you reach the area. You can park up by the ruins and explore

before heading to the wadi on foot or by car.

GPS location of the dirt track: N23° 01’ 31.8” E57° 52’02.5”

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l u t a r g n o C ’s A A O e th f o s r e on n i t n i i t e w p e h m t o l c a k e c v a e We r rs of the Tr Sta

has been inundated with entries to the Oman Automobile Association’s (OAA) Stars of the Track selfie competition. We’ve seen some fantastic creativity, with some entrants using fun filters and even one who managed to create a gif of his selfie with a rain cloud above his head (nice work, Kumar!). It was a difficult task to judge, but there can only be three winners of our cash prizes.

Congratulations to: First prize – RO100

Fatima Akhtar We loved your fun selfie that played with colour and black and white tones.

Second prize – RO75

Jinny Wadhwani The OAA’s Muscat Speedway is all about family fun – and that’s exactly what you portrayed in your selfie. 040

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! s n o i t la Third prize â&#x20AC;&#x201C; RO50

Aish Masood Fun and colourful, and we loved the smile.

Weekly go-karting session for four people: Kumar Vembu.

Well done to our winners! You will be awarded your cash prizes at a special ceremony at the OAA at a date to be confirmed. The Muscat Speedway go-karting track is open from 6pm-12 midnight on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 6pm-10pm on Wednesday and is closed on Sundays. To take part in a go-karting session, you have to be over the age of eight and 135cm in height. A registration fee of RO1 will be charged for the ID. An eight-minute session of karting costs RO5 for children and RO7 for adults in a 270cc Dino go-kart for a 15-minute session. For further enquiries, contact the OAA on 2451 0239 or 9659 0300. Thank you to everybody who entered our great competition!

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

The Oman Fighting Championship (OFC) sees a new generation of mixed martial art fighters break into the international arena, in a night filled with blood, sweat and tears. Alvin Thomas and Shaquel al Balushi catch the action

ast forward to the final fight: Staring at each other menacingly, Sami Ali and Vinod Kumar, the two finallists contesting the OFC lightweight championship title have already started toying with each other’s emotions. With sweat dripping from their foreheads and adrenaline gushing through, the only person standing in their way is the match referee. And boy, they are impressing the audience. Bells away, and the referee at a distance, it is clear that this is more than just a title match. This is a war of two nations; a war for the pride of two families and the pride of two premier boxing clubs in the Sultanate. Sami, with his powerful jabs and swinging kicks takes the early lead from Vinod. However, a minute into the match, Vinod drops his defensive tactics and unleashes his surprise – his swinging power kick. Black Stallions’ Sami is left clueless and, much to everyone’s dismay, has no answer.

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Round two quickly becomes a recap of round one as Vinod whips Sami with swift jabs and kicks, as the audience looks on in shock. Needless, to say, there’s no round three, and Sami concedes defeat (unwillingly). The Muscat crowd roars for Vinod, as his title song Started From The Bottom by Drake plays in the background. The underdog has broken the shackles and lifted the belt. Vinod Kumar, the 28-year-old Punjabi boy, is the new lightweight professionally during champion. his school days in Jalandhar, By now his opponent Sami is an emotional wreck. Punjab, before making a move to kickboxing and mixed-martial However, all teary-eyed arts. He is currently training with Vinod can say is: “I want to the Oman Kickboxing Club. thank my coach and my Meanwhile, Ayman al Khaldy, the brothers (colleagues) who brother of former OFC champion supported me throughout Nageeb Abdul Rauff, is also in the running the ordeal”. for the middleweight championship title. Working in the CCC Stepping into the shoes of his injured younger construction company brother, Ayman has only one mission: to destroy in Muscat, Vinod his opponent Hussain Jahjah. started fighting

Postcards from

Y- F i

C a r s INDOORS

g lem facin limbing. ill have any probnock my c in ta n t mou don’t think I w I am going to k r the firs “I fo day. e c n fe de ”, proves ponent to of p s o d n y u m o r nderboltes out his ” u t. h u o T “ t g three n e in mak oppone nicknamed th later, he strik the fight,nches and Saffat, just moments al Farai. u p r swift d sending ed, it c x self as, opponent Saif rting platform fo e y im r h n e a v s s k m y ta a a ic s ld k a “I ,” s nce into 24-year-ohampionship is d relaxed OFC the audie c calm an before the fight. e h T ys: “The talent a s g r. n s. in , a r r g o n e r te m a in H h a ir g Aym r, six the co een train young fi organiser Jessica e to express the Howeve to the part in FC, you will “I have bnths, during c e n C k a F a h t c O in a o s s o T O ent l ter minute kick for five my weight has e final evn’s n of the mixed-martia s youngsvel.” e o th iv s a e g a , b h e .5 to s m tc a m l le ma ens which from 95 to 76 join a lling jah dents on a locaontest also happ ster) Jonathan, O have to t club (eg: Ro rks, RX from Jah hopes of a c dropped e (m h i T e h a for Sens Ayman’s the title. r. ing arts fig ham Blue Sh best kgs.” n, 33, began in Omanartial arts traine22 years of serv ck g in a ly n a e S n h in m , o y T w s A m . la a r m y B n w e t d a s ft G e is a e a h h h m old hen o rough are Jahjah an on ou oodbye ) in O karate w d Tae Kwon D Saying g ents in Oman thol, he says: “If y ill say Fitness from the club e clubs Aym d he k n c a u t, d tr o w s . h h tu I h 1 eig ot, an young s Martial Arts Sc rted in Oman, proudly. age of 1 fighters to represent t his left forfeit the from the n has grown n e s Stallion here MMA sta the sensei says title fo o ch s. has to arried out t “Ayma ce his early h g fi ask me w here, with me,”tment in Sami’s ke my sin to be c ce looks for title im so much ays his coach h g ien it started e his disappoin [Sami Ali] is li ing avin result, le other, as the aud years,” s med Jeifar. a s a Despit nsei says: “He all he was train ng h br matc d n ti se a m h Moham and speed is c a t is loss, the . Since he was s training and fighd by his co may. e elemendesh, a “His h al now and I n see the n is n a r t o e s p o e E r n is n b u A l d s w e il U o e v en sw on in er adding th ies like . We ha ge m Bangla phenom that his enemie with me onally, in countr Aziz, froghter since the a Furth e t e a r cal to th u ff s a in S ti m e a . r a tern om the lo whe ar-old e kwon do fi ming y fr in e o e n c k k -y a a s 8 t ta e e 1 r h t h g b ld c u l u pun a year, b ssional ta y could fi ; they co Turkey. sure that Ali wil ne day.” saw for over which is “This guand his brother the world.” te profe0. o A m e a n M e I c “ s M the OFC l g s, a f in e 1 la n le o in s p f H o u r n in o r . ti e te a o a 1 s ld h th tr n r a K n fig to wo the inter l, the second se o title fights. the best ping up ent. “I’ve bee tition focuses on its ta stress tw on even n feels he is step a disappointm e to f p g o n I in m s FC sinceC, I o d m c O r lu f c is d fo o a e t in th r y s s d m , s e n n y la e ts ff a F a c A e su g. nine figh g about the suc Since the last Opened training ndergo m was in th brother , he kickboxin had to u water resistance after his ys: “My brother . Unfortunately e v a Talkin Jessica says: “ clubs have o h I “ r unde ht n, He sa n and he won is season. e k li s e inceptio e or two new fig th tio exercis t and n o competi a ligament tear rn. He’s dleweightitle I think man. id t u tu m d b e y a r y e e a m v ff d e su fight to time it’s up in O year we also ha opposed to on Hall in “So this d that he can’t d cover for that. “This t title fight, as the Al Bahja te n in a h at disappo into the arena the title for my g li htweig d it is also held a sequel event. going n r A will step llah, I will take fo t t. spo ve been figh “Insha - a good , our fighters ha GCC in order ebanese L m t u s r u in a Q g ag f the OFC ulf family.” n starts his fight n a high, keepin “Before nd other parts o have an inter-g m l o a il i fr Ayma ssain Jahjah o a w s b to Du Hopefully, we Omani fighter ntries. u fighter H to fight. ent, where the E and other cou hters in tournaml be fighting UA cts of Omani fig MMA here wil g of the prospe Chris Negro, anf Oman, Talkin tional scene, tory o at the hisries. They na r k o te lo in e u th rtuguese ys: “If yo for centu coach sa e been fighting y pushed the Po they havghting when the. a camp began fi rders of Africa bout starting up o to the b eally thinking a .” “I’m r is to train here n for Oma

e k a t o t How OFC? part in

nent his oppoed in lock

JUN 02 - 08 / ISSUE 423

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-FI

THE TECH IN YOU

Indoors

D e s t i n at i o n

Y-FI

OFFICE GEAR

The days of boring office stationary are long gone. In these times, it's all about the high-tech workplace. Matthew Herbst gives you the lowdown SMART PRESENTATION The MiLi Power HI-P60 Pico Projector is simplifying the way we make presentations in business meetings. Since smartphones can be used to take pictures and record videos, you can now also use them as presentation tools at work. All you need is this digital multimedia Pico Projector, which comes with a hands-free stand that makes it easier to use. The HI-P60 Pico Projector is compatible with iPhone, iPod and iPad. At amazon.com from RO130.48

JUST PRINT IT

HOT ’N COLD

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SMALL SPACES

EDITOR’S PICK

SCAN OUR QR CODES WITH ANY QR READER APP

The Yecup is a definite investment at work. It is a high-quality smart mug, which is controlled from your smartphone! It is a vacuum flask that will heat up or cool down your drink to your exact specifications via its app. You can also check the battery status of the cup via the app, including charging your phone with the help of a built-in battery charger. Plus there’s an additional feature that takes selfies with a special Selfie Button on the cup. Nifty. Pre-order at yecup.org from RO61.20

If you’re an artist or designer you may want to take your creativity to heights you couldn’t imagine possible through printing. What if you could make whatever you wanted out of almost any kind of material or improve the visual quality of things that you already have with little more work than having an idea? Well, now you can with the GlowForge 3D Laser Printer. It comes at a steep price but we think it’s worth it. Pre-order yours at glowforge.com from RO1,845.63

THIS GADGET IS AIMED AT THE MORE TECHNICALLY MINDED SUCH AS ENGINEERS, MECHANICS AND ARCHEOLOGISTS ETC WHO USUALLY HAVE TO DECIPHER PROBLEMS BY LOOKING CLOSELY INTO TINY SPACES OR FIND BROKEN CONNECTIONS AROUND OTHER MECHANICAL BITS AND PIECES. BACK IN THE DAY YOU WOULD WHIP OUT A TORCH AND TRY TO FORM A CLEARER PICTURE OF WHAT’S GOING ON AND FIGURE IT OUT. THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY AND THE ANDROID BLUEFIRE ENDOSCOPE, THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE. IT IS A WATERPROOF USB INSPECTION SNAKE TUBE CAMERA THAT PLUGS INTO YOUR SMARTPHONE AND SHOWS YOU WHAT’S BROKEN, BY GIVING YOU A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK. AT AMAZON.COM FROM RO10.77

DIGITAL WRITER

Finally, Moleskine has joined the race in digital technology and now brings written text to the digital world. Meet the Moleskine Smart Writing Set that is sure to set a new theme to your writing skills by watching your ideas move from paper to screen in an instant. Now you can explore with the tools you love – pen and paper– and smoothly digitise your notes, making it fast and simple to edit. Store and share things on your phone or laptop. At store.moleskine.com from RO112.02

NEW

THE RECORDERGEAR RECORDING DEVICE You could be a busy journalist chasing so many calls everyday that it’s hard to keep track of all your notes and interviews. Being human, you can only take so many notes as best you can but when human error steps in, you better have safeguards in place. So why not invest in the RecorderGear Recording Device? Now you can recall every phone interview with complete clarity. It wirelessly Records mobile phone calls with 4GB Memory and holds 144hrs of Audio. It works with Bluetooth capable phones amongst other brilliant features. At www.recordergear.com from RO45.80

App of the Week

OFFICE FOR ANDROID This Office app was developed by Microsoft especially for working on the go. Its familiar Office experience has also been adapted and designed for Android phones. Now you can read, review, edit, and share your documents on the go and no longer be tied down to your desk. What’s good is that you have easy access to all your documents in the cloud whenever you need them instead of smothering your phone memory. Free at products.office.com

SENSES Simply rest your phone on top of the Touch Speaker and the sound will instantly be amplified. Best of all, no wires or pairing is needed. This wireless speaker is ideal for gentle office tunes and outdoor parties thanks to the built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge! Check it out at www.iwantoneofthose.com from RO8.43. JULY JUN 02 03 - 08 09 / ISSUE 423 327

045

aces of

Oman

Welcome to Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home Name: Mohsin al Balushi Age: 41 From: Oman Occupation: Security manager and free diver for over 26 years

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Photo: Shaquel al Balushi