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our years of training. Four years of anticipation. And now all that’s left is just eight days before the “Greatest Show On Earth” – the Rio 2016 Olympics – begin. Representing Oman are four of our most talented athletes: sprinters Barakat al Harthi and Mazoon al Alawi, and shooters Hamed Said al Khatri and Wadha al Balushi. It’s a proud moment not only for our Olympic team, but also for the Sultanate – and when the Olympic torch is lit and the opening ceremony begins on August 5, it’s safe to say that many people in Oman will be glued to their TV screens. In our cover story this week, we look at our medal hopes at the Rio Games, as well as profile our athletes – and wish them the very best of luck in their events. Elsewhere, we check out the latest gaming venue in Outdoors, put the new Subaru XV through its paces in Car of the Week and head to London Fish & Chips in Taste Test. Have a great week!

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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. JUL 28 - AUG 03 / ISSUE 430

contents JULY

Your Oman

21 - 27 2016

This Week

06 Coffee With Y Felix Meza

16 #FYI Countries With The Most Billionaires

08 Voice Of Oman Karima Farid

Features 20 On The Way To Rio Oman’s Athletes Going For Olympic Glory 24 African Adventure Did Our 3 Muscateers Conquer Kilimanjaro?

17 Movies Kabali

10 News Call For Tougher Speeding Fines

18 This Week Master Chef

12 News GCC Sizzles

13 Faces of Oman

14 Gallery Ooredoo’s Shababiah

15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Zuhair Taqi Al Abduwani

Cars and Adventures

Food and Drink 28 Food Feature Go Veggie 30 Taste Test London Fish & Chips

38 Destination Wadi Shab 40 Indoors Game On

Health and Beauty

44 Y-Fi Vlogging

32 Fashion Here Come The Boys

46 Car Of The Week Subaru XV

34 Beauty Clean Regime 35 Health Bad Blood

NEXT ISSUE... FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / FOOD / DESTINATION / HEALTH/ FASHION / OUTDOORS

Credited with introducing sa lsa dancing and a flavour of Latin America to Oman, Felix Meza tells Kate Ginn about his battle with ca ncer

here are times when you meet Treatment started at the someone and it turns out to transplant but this time, it had to be Royal Hospital in Muscat with be nothing like you expected. 26 from a donor. His family was tested chemotherapy cycles and 16 This is what happened with Felix and the only one compatible was his radiations. Meza. youn ger sister, who was only 12 or “It was difficult,” he says. “After the One of Felix’s friends had 13 at the time. Treatment would chem o, I could not eat anything for a begi suggested he would make a good n at an institute in Italy. interview, saying he was instrumental week, just drinking fluids. Then I had then, he would travel to IndiBefore a for one week when I could eat normally in introducing salsa dance to Muscat. another test. and try to com pen sate for the weight We meet at a coffee shop in Shatti “During that time, my mother overlooking the beach. Dressed all in loss, before I had to go back for the neve r accepted what happened to black and with a muscular physique, next cycle. me,” says Felix. “She refused to “For my mother, the first month Felix certainly looks like a man who accept the idea that I might die. was very diffi cult for her. We were knows his way around the dance “One day before I go to India, I living in the same house, her room floor. talk to my mother and I said, ‘It is was by my room , and we would It’s not surprising that he’s good at about time for you to let me go’ and communicate through emails.” salsa. After all, he’s from Venezuela. she said, ‘Yes son, if it is the will of To help his reco very, Felix also “We all dance over there, it’s just God. I will not say any more.” And something you grow up with. It’s part changed his lifestyle; he stopped she let me go.” bod ybu ildin g (and salsa) and took up of the culture,” says Felix. In India, however, the test revealed Felix moved to Oman when he was golf. no trace of the disease. A second test Wh en he talks about his illness, 20 with his parents. in January could not find anything Felix is very composed, recounting It was difficult. He didn’t speak a eith er. the terri ble time he went through word of English, didn’t know a soul “Th e doctors could not explain it,” and had to adapt to a new culture at without emotion. says Felix. “Since then, I have been Afte r a year and a half, the a time when there was very few Latin clean. I believe it is down to God.” treatment had worked. But three American families living here. A few months later, he got a job in mon ths later , the disease came back. While studying English and then Om an working in the oil fields. Two The doctors told him that he going to Caledonian College of year s ago, he started exercising again. need ed a bone marrow transplant. Engineering, he did what came “I feel healthy. Eight years have “I stop ped ever ythi ng and I went naturally to him: he began teaching passed now and I have a normal life,” to Venezuela to do the treatment. a salsa class at a gym in one of the says Felix, now 34. It was supp osed to be four or five malls, then a hotel and started Latino He’s even started bodybuilding months but it took a year. nights at a club. again. “Fir st, I need ed to do more “There was nothing like it here Does he worry and it really made a good impact. All chemotherapies to remove the disease come back? “Alw the cancer will ays,” he says. “The agai n. The last chem otherapy, I got the classes were booked. Now it has doctors say that I don’t need to do an infection in my mouth, tongue become something big. tests or check-ups any more but I and throat, stomach and kidneys. In “My students are now better keep going to the hospital.” 10 days , I lost more than 10kg.” than me and many are Arabs. It’s a You cannot help but be moved by His own stem cells were removed passion for them and they are really his story, the strength that he showed. and froz en. good. “I believe that everything happens Before the transplant, he “We have a lot of similarities in for a reason,” he says. “Before this und erwent chemotherapy for a week, the way that we are thinking [Arabs hap pened, I can say that my life was day and nigh t, for 24 hours, before and Latin Americans]. We believe idyllic, I had a good job, money but I the stem cells were put back in his that God is number one, then family was feeling empty. blood. The aim is for the cells to and then friends. These are our “I am a help the bon e mar row mak e heal thy become better person for it. I have priorities.” humanitarian. I see life in a cells agai n. So far, our chat was going just different way. I was young, selfish and “Six mon ths after the tran spla nt, as I expected. Until Felix suddenly arrogant before. I was afraid to go out,” says Felix. ‘I pauses and says very quietly: “In “I didn ’t wan t to talk to peop le, I didn’t emp am content with my life and the my last year of university, I got very tiness has gone. wan t to eat anyt hing outside, I was sick, I got Hodgkin Lymphoma, the “I touched the bottom and I feel in my room . I was not able to touch cancer.” anyone. Maybe the doctor said I was that I couldn’t go any lower. He says it very matter of fact but “I live life in the now. In the past I it’s still a shock, as I wasn’t expecting OK but I was afraid.” had a lot of plans and goals and my The supp ort of good friends and that. world just collapsed. loved ones helped him to overcome Hodgkin Lymphoma develops in “I have a second chance and I his fears and he was able to return to the lymphatic system and affects the do my best today, I don’t wait for Mus cat. white blood cells, but is known as one tomorrow.” Two months later, during an of the more treatable of cancers with eval uati on, doct ors disc overed that a good survival rate. Have you got a unique story to tell or do you the Still, for a young man of 24 it must agaiHodgkin Lymphoma was back know someone who has? Contact us to have n. have been devastating. coffee with Y and be featured in Y Magazine He needed another bone marrow . Email: editor@y-oman.com

JUL 28 - AUG 03 / ISSUE 430

INTERN AT Y

re you a college or university student hungry to work with the best magazine in Oman? Y is looking for bright and ambitious interns to join us over the summer break and learn the journalism ropes. This is very much a handson role with plenty of scope to get your name into print. You won’t just be making the tea – we all take turns doing that on Y – but given exciting chances to get involved on real assignments, write stories

and take photographs. One day you could be attending a press conference and the next, trying out the latest adventure sport. Knowledge of social media is a must, as is a “can do” attitude and willingness to get stuck in. While the position is unpaid, the opportunities are huge. If you are up to the challenge, email your CV and cover letter explaining why you’d be the best intern to editior@y-oman.com

JUL 28 - AUG 03 / ISSUE 430

THE VOICE OF OMAN KARIMA FARID ON THE ISSUE OF DAY CARE

correspondence HAPPY STAYCATION Dear Editor,

’ve touched upon this topic before, but it’s time to mention it again as we approach a new academic year – day care and nurseries in Muscat. I’m extremely happy with where my daughter attends, but when they close for summer that’s when the panic hits. For convenience, parents generally prefer dropping their kids off somewhere close by on the way to and from work, or have the driver and “nanny” do the pick-up and drop. There’s also the bus option. As I went around different nurseries that offer summer camps, I was shocked with what I experienced – it’s like some of these establishments were built to make a parent’s life miserable! Some expect the “nanny” instead of a parent, and also claim to be something they aren’t. Meanwhile, some don’t even have child car seats or boosters on their transport buses. Others occupy poor-quality rented houses yet are priced equally to a good nursery. Summer camps vary between RO50 and RO150 a week and some actually cost more. How long will these nurseries run without being monitored? Are there standards they have to abide to? Or minimum requirements? Parents – what do YOU do with your little ones? Please share your experience at Instagram @karimafarid

NEXT WEEK: ALVIN THOMAS

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Thanks for the article “The Long Stay” (Issue 428), which made our long weekend a memorable one. Last weekend, we decided to go to Wadi Shab as per your guidance from the article. It’s excellent, and one of the must-see places in Oman. Travel to Wadi Shab starts with the wonderful boat trip. The motorboat, which didn’t cost much, dropped us on the other side of the wadi from where we started our walk, with green, lush plants in view. Walking through the centre, with both sides guarded by large, rocky mountains, was a joy to behold. It’s really a treasure trove of nature that was a real treat for us. Walking at Wadi Shab gave me some experience of trekking. The long walk wasn’t too much for me as we enjoyed a break in the cool water. The water is very clean, not so deep and is suitable for children to swim in, under supervision. On the whole, Wadi Shab is a wonderful place that has to be experienced. It’s a very beautiful and peaceful location where we can forget about our city lives and spend some quality

DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED:

“Are Oman’s school summer holidays too long?” BADRIYA AL BUSAIDI

There is no doubt that the Ministry of Education has its own strategy, and has reasons for it. I think the period of the summer holiday is suitable and it is organised according to the needs of parents, children and teachers. Nevertheless, there is a lot of activities students can do during the summer, like joining summer clubs, gyms

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time. Once again, thanks to Team Y for letting me know about one of the wonderful places of Oman. Regards, Subbashini M, Muscat and holy Quran schools. Moreover, this period of vacation days makes students miss the school and it is enough to refresh their minds for the new year. We should remember that they only have one (or two weeks for some) between the two semesters, so the Ministry is on the right track.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

Oman’s summer holidays are not too long at all. Looking at the prevailing hot climate it is better that children are at home during these extremely hot months. However, to beat the boredom felt at home, it is the main responsibility of parents to keep children engaged in some kind of interesting physical and social community activities, and keep them busy.

MEHUL UDESHI

Kids do need a break but three months is too

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long. In three months, kids forget what they have learned. They get totally out of routine. They get out of the habit of thinking of reading, studying and sitting still. They also get bored. Holidays are great but 12 weeks is too much. Holidays spaced throughout the year would give kids better breaks than one big one.

USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI

Yes, they are too long in comparison with the practices other countries. But the Holy Month of Ramadan, the fasting practices, peak summer schedules etc are key factors in this decision to go for longer academic breaks. But at the end, what matters is the number of school working days, which, on average, need to be around 200 in a year. However, it is equally important for parents to see their children avoid boredom at home, and vocational programmes of various kinds need to be explored to keep them busy and spend their time more productively.

JANICE DCRUZ

No, school summer holidays are not too long or too short. It is about how effectively time is utilised. Children can spend summer holidays joining camps and learning new sports, developing new skills such as painting and seeing new places. A fun learning environment with other children, away from the boredom of classrooms, can be beneficial.

LAVAN SINGH

All the Indian schools in this country put up a sensible length of summer vacations, with the number of days either increasing or decreasing. Basically, the Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir keeps a three-month long summer vacation. But when we heard that the summer vacation was cut short and the result was only two months of vacation, we were sad. Why they did it, we shall probably never know. But two months is enough for kids, and teenagers often say that they don’t have much to do and are bored, unless they are on a tight schedule of sightseeing in India or in a foreign city. So I can say that the summer vacation is not too long although the students may need more just for the sake of it.

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I am not familiar with the education here in Oman but I strongly believe that children should get a break of only two months. These are the times that they can spend their childhood and expand their innocent minds while developing some of the life skills they will need later in life. And for me, a three-month vacation for them is long enough. After that, they will not be so keen to go back to school because they will have enjoyed a lot of free time unrelated to education.

DR RAO SUDDAPALLI

In a way, summer holidays in Oman are longer than they are elsewhere around the world. Such long breaks away from school results in boredom. Children tend to lose touch with their studies as laziness descends on them. As a result, getting back on track to study becomes a tall order. But a ‘Hobson’s Choice’ prevails upon such decisions, as there is an overwhelming opinion that students should stay indoors during peak summer. Besides, there is the Holy Month of Ramadan that has fallen these past few years in summer. This is likely to change in years to come when Ramadan will fall during nonsummer months. So right now, parents have a duty to keep their children busy by organising productive activities.

ANTONY VETTIYAZHICKAL JOSEPH

Summer holidays for Oman schools are certainly long but the student community has no choice, so have to face the boredom. This being a fact, one has to consider the reasons

/YMAGAZINE

that forced these decisions by the authorities. When there is a situation to choose between the devil and the deep, blue sea, one has to abide by the decision of the authorities as they are responsible for the best interests of the children.

home, they can play and they can take some rest. Some expats normally visit their country or some tourist places for relaxation and return with a lot of energy. So I feel Oman school holidays are not too long.

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HARSHA UDESHI

Yes, it is. Kids need more breaks during the school year. Between tests and projects, some schools go weeks without a break. So if the break is shortened over summer, with more breaks during the school year, then students will have a chance to catch up on sleep. Then maybe they might even get ahead on projects. I know that many students, including myself, stay up past midnight working on homework because of extra curricular activities eating up time, and there is no way we can perform at the level we need to. Coming from a junior in high school, short summers with more breaks would be extremely helpful!

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SYED BOKHARI

I think Oman’s school summer holidays are neither too long nor too short, keeping in mind the hot and sizzling weather that may cause children any sort of harm on their health. In different countries, some schools begin their summer vacations earlier than their schedule, taking the weather and other factors into account. These kinds of factors can make a difference, causing the summer vacations schedule to change accordingly. And it’s up to the parents to see that their children don’t indulge in bad habits, too.

DEEPAK PAI

No. Taking into consideration the climatic conditions, it’s better for holidays to consist of a longer period. The children can relax at home. Children are the bright future of any country. Even as we parents feel so uncomfortable, when we just get out of our cars and enter our offices, we feel the intense heat for 10 to 15 seconds. It gives us a huge responsibility as parents to take care of our children during the vacation time. Children can study in the

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JUL 28 - AUG 03 / ISSUE 430

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OMAN W

NEWS

EXPERTS PUSH FOR TOUGHER SPEEDING FINES

ith the rate of accidents at an all-time high in the Sultanate, road safety experts and motorists have raised concerns over the low speeding penalties levied by the Royal Oman Police (ROP). Earlier this week, it was reported that Oman had the lowest speeding fines in the GCC. Motorists who exceed the speed limit by 15kph to 35kph face a ROP fine of just RO10. Meanwhile, the fine rises to RO15 for violations between 35kph and 50kph, and RO35 for those breaking the speed limit by 50kph to 80kph. Most GCC countries increase their speeding fines at intervals of 10kph, as opposed to Oman’s 15kph to 30kph. In the United Arab Emirates, for instance, speeding fines can range anywhere from AED400 to AED1,000 (RO41.9 to RO104.8) and in Saudi Arabia, drivers face fines ranging from SAR300 to SAR900 (RO30.7 to RO92.3). In Qatar, speeding fines range from QAR500 to QAR1,000 (RO52.8 to RO105.7); in Bahrain, it’s from BHD50 to BHD500 (RO51 to RO510) and fines in Kuwait start from KD40 to KD100 (RO50.8 to RO127.2). This also means that the average price paid for a speeding ticket in Oman is only a quarter of what drivers in neighbouring countries are paying. Other GCC countries also impose fines at 10kph intervals, with the penalty rising in line with higher speed violations.

Drivers in Oman can also brake just moments before a speed camera to avoid a speeding ticket, thus making it harder to crack down on repeat offenders. ROP statistics reveal that 3,411 accidents were caused by speeding in 2015, leaving 1,728 injured and 383 dead. In a recent interview with local media, Dr Mohammad Al Zadjali, the head of the Legal Committee in the Majlis Al Shura and chairman of the Oman Lawyer’s Association, said: “There are hefty fines in the amended traffic law; so when the new, amended traffic law is issued it will contain all the fines and violations in order to make our roads safer.”

MUSCAT FESTIVAL DATES ANNOUNCED

he capital’s popular Muscat Festival is back, with Muscat Municipality announcing that it will kick off on January 19 next year. The month-long festival, which this year featured a jungle village and a dinosaur park, will come to a close on February 11. Ibrahim al H’sani, a media department spokesman at Muscat Municipality, announced details of next year’s Muscat Festival. He also confirmed that preparations for next year’s extravaganza were also under way. The announcement clarifies the terms and conditions for organising and managing various events at the festival. Venues such as Amerat Park and Naseem Park are expected to host the grand event next year, which will also feature an Omani Heritage

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Village and educational and fun zones for children. The festival will also offer visitors a variety of shopping options, with artisans, craftsmen, artists and various other merchants from around the GCC expected to set up stalls at participating venues.

NEWS

VISITORS FLOCK TO KHAREEF

ith countries across the GCC and region experiencing sweltering temperatures, it’s little wonder that record numbers of people are pouring to Salalah to cool down. More than 127,235 tourists visited the region during the first 28 days of the current Khareef season from June 21. That’s a staggering 128.7 per cent rise compared with the same period last year, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The majority arrived by road with the rest, 27,158, passing through the new

Salalah International Airport. Oman residents choosing to “staycation” more this summer also led to a surge in visitors from the Sultanate, up by 218.3 per cent to 71,439. These photos show just why Salalah and the Dhofar region are such a big draw. Lush verdant grass, drizzling mists and waterfalls with crystalclear water create a unique landscape. The breakdown of GCC visitors is: Bahrain: 1,156 UAE: 13,468 Saudi Arabia: 4,608 Kuwait: 1,053 Qatar: 1,033 * Red hot GCC – P12

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

NOT TO BE SNEEZED AT

What’s this about? Imagine what it would be like if you sneezed thousands of times a day. To be honest, I can’t. We can’t either but that’s what nine-year-old Ira Saxena is facing every day of late – in fact, she’s sneezing up to 8,000 times a day. Are there enough hours in the day for that? We guess so. Apparently, the only time she stops sneezing is when she’s asleep. But as soon as little Ira wakes up again, her nightmare begins with that telltale itchy nose and the sudden urge to go atchoo! How irritating. We agree! Her mammoth sneezing fits have left doctors baffled and her mum is at her wit’s end about what to do. When did it start? About a month ago now. Ira has seen a GP and a specialist but so far nobody can explain why she can’t stop sneezing. Are there any positives? The experts are still hoping to figure out what is causing this but in the meantime, Ira has had a few weeks off school – so we guess she’s happy about that. Don’t say: “ Have you got a tissue?” Do say: “Gesundheit.” 012

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RED HOT KUWAIT

f you think it’s hot here in Oman, spare a thought for the residents of Kuwait, who recently saw the mercury hit a blistering 54 degrees Celsius from an “abnormal” heat wave. It was the highest-ever temperature recorded in the Eastern Hemisphere, and the second highest on the planet in history. A day later in Basra, Iraq, the temperature soared to 53.9 degrees Celsius. They’re not quite the hottest countries in the world. Furnace Creek in Death Valley, Eastern California, holds that record with 56.7 degrees Celsius, which was measured back in 1913. The Sultanate hasn’t escaped the hot swathe sweeping across the region either. We’ve seen sultry temperatures nudging the mid-40s, which, combined with the humidity, have pushed heat index values (how hot the air feels) off the charts. This week, thankfully, has been cooler. Lucky Dhofar residents were even due to enjoy a thunderstorm this week. The UAE has been suffering as well. In Fujairah, on the east coast, the dew

A WEEK IN PICTURES

point – measure of humidity – hit 32 degrees Celsius. Mix that with the air temperature of 36 degree Celsius, and you’re looking at a heat index of over 60 degrees Celsius, putting the others in the shade. In Iran, the air temperature was recorded at 41 degrees Celsius with a dew point of 86. However, experts warn that the extreme heat conditions could worsen. A study published in the journal Nature Climate Change in October warned that due to climate change, temperatures by 2090 may be too hot for human survival.

HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND

An 18-year-old German-Iranian wielding a semi-automatic handgun shoots nine dead, including seven teenagers, one of whom was just 13, outside a Munich mall before killing himself as terrified shoppers ran for their lives. Ali David Sonboly is described as a loner with mental health issues who targeted young people in revenge for years of bullying

Kabul is plunged into mourning after the deadliest attack in 15 years kills 80 people and leaves hundreds maimed in twin suicide bombings, which tore through crowds of Hazara protestors

Businessman Donald Trump officially accepts the Republican Party presidential nomination at a convention in Cleveland, Ohio, and vows to restore law and order in America, reiterating a pledge to build a wall on the border with Mexico

The Solar Impulse touches down in Abu Dhabi and into history for the first roundthe-world solar-powered flight. The 17-stage journey covered 42,000km, taking in four continents, three seas and two oceans. The aircraft, powered by 17,000 solar cells, landed in Muscat on the first leg of its journey in March last year

aces of

Oman

Welcome to Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home Name: Moosa Nabhani Age: 33 From: Oman Occupation: Bouncer

Photo: Shaquel al Balushi

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SMART PHONE

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OOREDOO CELEBRATED THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW YOUTH-FOCUSED SHABABIAH PREPAID PLAN IN A SPECIAL CEREMONY AT VOX CINEMA, CITY CENTRE MUSCAT, HELD UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF SAYYID NASR BIN BADER AL BUSAIDI, AT WHICH A NEW LOGO WAS UNVEILED.

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GALLERY

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

DRIVEN TO

SUCCESS

Omani entrepreneur Zuhair Taqi al Abduwani has been an instrumental force in establishing the Gulf Specialized Hospital in Muscat. Today, the hospital’s founder and Administration Director is studying for a master’s degree in business administration and wants the hospital to be one of the leading healthcare providers in the Sultanate. Q: What drives you to success? I think it is the passion that drives me to success. I have learned that doing things that you do not like doing can only end up making you less successful. So, today I do things that mean a great deal to me; things that help me excel in achieving the goals that I have set for myself. Also, after realising my passion, I had to define my vision; where I wanted to go, why

I wanted to do it and how I’m going to achieve it. Q: Who or what has been your inspiration in your career? My father, because I have seen him go through a lot of obstacles in his life. He undertook a lot of tasks, and headed out to achieve his goals even when he was gripped by a medical condition that would normally have forced him to stay at home. He even finished his PhD and established a very successful business during that time. I see my dad as a person willing to break a steel wall using a rock. That is how strong his determination is and that is why he is my greatest inspiration. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? I was one of the founding members of the hospital, and I am very proud that I was there to oversee everything. It also happens to be the first 100 per cent Omani- owned hospital in the country. We are giving our all to establishing our name as an honest hospital in the country. We are also giving a lot of effort to help us achieve the visions we have set for our hospital. Q: What are your career goals? Over the short term, I want to learn a lot of things, from the people around me, my father and the people I work with. I am also learning a lot from my MBA course. I think this will help me endure further and give me a better understanding about the

I LOVED THE WOOD FINISH, THE REFINEMENT AND LUXURY THAT THE GENESIS OFFERS. IT MAKES FOR A GREAT DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

business. Right now, we are also focusing on developing the hospital to make it a known name around Oman as well as ensuring the patients’ maximum care and support. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? Firstly, I am hoping to complete my PhD in a field related to entrepreneurship over the next 10 years. Maybe after my MBA, I would also like to start teaching. In the long run, I would also want to increase the hospital’s reach, to make service available in different parts of Oman. Our plan is to establish a 100-bed hospital. I rate my success with the satisfaction of the patients that come to the hospital. Q: What do you like about the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company? I had heard about the Genesis a while back, and this drive was indeed a revelation for me. I loved the wood finish, the refinement and luxury that the Genesis offers. This car is also rich in features and it left me impressed with what the Genesis offers as standard equipment, when compared to other luxury cars of its class. I also found the drive to be smooth and the engine refined and powerful. The safety technology is also really top class. From the outside, I loved the looks of the Genesis, with its commanding road presence, it makes for a great driving experience for any auto enthusiast. JUL 28 - AUG 03 / ISSUE 430

015

Top 10 countries with the most billionaires ❶

China

❷ United States

❸

India

❹

Germany

❺ United Kingdom

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535

111

❻

Switzerland ❼

France

❽

Brazil

❾

Japan

❿ Source: www.therichest.com

016

568

Russia

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

Ghostbusters

Alice Through The Looking Glass The long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 2010 gothic masterpiece Alice In Wonderland has finally hit the big screen – and not before time. Alice Through The Looking Glass is well worth the wait, with Australian actress Mia Wasikowska, who plays the title role of Alice, reuniting with Johnny Depp (The Mad Hatter) and a brilliant Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. Based on Lewis Carroll’s classic story, Alice Through The Looking Glass launches straight into some impressive special effects. With Alice now the captain of her own boat, her adventures on the high seas see her fleeing pirates before finally making it home safely to England. But all is not good at home, and Alice finds a way to return to the kooky world

WIN CHANCE TO R U O Y B A R G TS EMA TICKE IN C Y IT C R FOU

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Where was the film Kabali mainly shot? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Anirudh Anand

of Underland via a mirror. It’s here that we are re-introduced to the beloved, but odd, characters we met in the first movie – The Mad Hatter, The Cheshire Cat and Tweddledee and Tweedledum, just to name a few. But with an ailing Mad Hatter, Alice must find a way to travel back in time to save her old friend – and it’s here that we finally discover the back story to the characters, including the hostility between those warring sisters, the Red Queen and the White Queen (Anne Hathaway). With a budget of US$170 million (RO65m) the special effects are excellent and the story a fun adventure. Can Alice save the day? Only time will tell. Review by Felicity Glover.

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

Let’s get one thing straight – there’s nothing wrong with an all-female cast for Ghostbusters, despite numerous media reports to the contrary. Sure, we loved the 1984 original, starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramos, but a little bit of girl power in the remake is also hilarious. And

let’s not forget the welcome touch of eye candy thanks to Chris Hemsworth. The new team – led by Melissa McCarthy as paranormal researcher Abby Yates – tackle ghouls with plenty of attitude and humour. Give it a shot.

The Legend of Tarzan We’ve seen quite a few versions of The Legend of Tarzan but we have to say none look quite as good as this one starring a seriously ripped Alexander Skarsgård. The Swedish actor plays Tarzan, otherwise known as John Clayton III, who returns to the jungle 10 years after leaving to live in Victorian England with his wife, Jane (Margot Robbie). While a decade may have passed, Tarzan, unsurprisingly, has lost none of his jungle skills, which is a good thing as they find themselves in a precarious position when an old enemy returns.

Bollywatch KABALI We think it’s safe to say that Kabali has been one of the most highly anticipated films to show in Oman for quite some time, with hundreds of people last Thursday (July 21) reportedly queuing from early morning on the day of its debut here to buy tickets. And we can see why – the gangster-drama film stars popular South Indian actor Rajnikanth, an industry veteran with the “Midas touch”. Kabali, which was directed by Pa Ranjith and shot mainly in Malaysia, sees Rajnikanth play an ageing gangster who is desperately trying to protect his family from his many enemies. Definitely a must-see.

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

Go Kart!

AUG

13&20

MAKE SOME DOUGH

There’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread and it tastes even better when it’s homemade. Learn how to become a master baker with this breadmaking course run by the National Hospitality Institute. In no time, you’ll be turning out beautifully made cornbread, sesame peanut bread, baguettes, focaccia, tomato bread and olive bread. Presented by the NHI chefs at Gulf Chef School, the course provides ingredients, preparation, baking methods and finished products for you to take away – and eat! Duration is two classes, one day a week for three hours a day, from 9.30am-12.30pm. Cost is RO70 per person. For details, contact 2481 3141 or email businesscentre@nhioman.com. Check out nhioman.com for details and more courses.

ALL SUMMER Get the motor running and enjoy the thrill of the track with special summer offers for go-karting, at Muscat Speedway at the Oman Automobile Association in Seeb. Rope in friends and family for a fun challenge with a Mini Grand Prix for 15 drivers but pay for just 12 people. Or rock up for an Arrive & Drive karting session and receive a 50 per cent discount on your next spin round the circuit. Offers valid until September 1. For more information, call 9659 0300 or search Oman Automobile Association on Facebook.

MIND GAMES

THIS

WEEK

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

J U L Y - A U G Unleash the power of your mind and your kids at NEUROLAND. In this thrilling experience, you will be able to move objects using your mind with a powerful controller, which allows you to interact with items through sensors. From 10am-1pm and 5pm-10pm in the main atrium at Muscat Grand Mall. Check out AXIS events on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for details.

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Until

AUG

Gallery

Movies

UP AND AWAY! While Mum and Dad and the older kids are putting their minds through their paces at NEUROLAND at Muscat Grand Mall, younger ones can have a go on the amazing MGM Children’s Balloon Ride. Experience the fun of a KinderBallon, which is filled with non-flammable helium and secured with a rope so the children can ride safely. It will take them to new heights and give them a taste of a real balloon ride. From 10am-1pm and 5pm-10pm in the mall’s main atrium.

Until

AUG

Deadline

AUG

MASTER CHEF If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen as the saying goes. Prove you’ve got what it takes to keep your cool in the pressure cooker environment by entering the Kitchen Master 2016 Cooking Competition with The Yellow Chilli, Oman. You’ll need to present a self-created, unique and original recipe to Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, the Indian chef and entrepreneur behind The Yellow Chilli brand, in the Grand Finale at Panorama Mall on August 24. Participation entry closes on August 15. Visit your nearest The Yellow Chilli restaurant to find out more details and register. Entries are on a first-come, first-served basis.

AUG

Weekend Fun

Join a weekend trip organised by InterNations, the leading expat network and guide, to swim, sunbathe, see turtles and kick back for some chill time. You’ll be staying overnight and then spending days enjoying the great outdoors – it will also be possible to jump in a local fishing boat and surf the waves! Car share can be arranged. The venue is a two-hour journey from Muscat and full details will be shared when you sign up at internations.org. If you’re not already a member, you can register online first.

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WITH JUST EIGHT DAYS TO GO TO THE RIO 2016 OLYMPICS, OMAN’S SMALL TEAM OF FOUR ATHLETES ARE GEARING UP TO COMPETE ON THE BIGGEST STAGE OF THEIR LIVES. ALVIN THOMAS REPORTS

ixteen days, six events and four participants: that’s Oman’s count for the Rio 2016 Olympics, which kicks off from August 5 to August 21. In just eight days, the Olympic torch will be lit inside Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium, not only marking the beginning of the Games, but also setting alight a sporting fever that will envelop the world as we witness the “Greatest Show On Earth”. And this time, we’re pinning our hopes on four of the very best athletes in Oman: sprinters Barakat al Harthi and Mazoon al Alawi, and shooters Hamed Said al Khatri and Wadha al Balushi. Sure, the Omani team may look small, but they are certainly not lacking in talent, skill or willpower when compared to their rivals. This year, a record number of countries will be participating in a record number of sports: more than 10,500 athletes from 207 countries

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will be competing at the Games, which marks the first time the Olympics have been held in South America. Oman’s fastest sprinter, Barakat al Harthy, who won a bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, will be competing in the blue ribbon 100-metre event alongside 77 other athletes, including Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt. Meanwhile, Mazoon al Alawi, Hamed al Khatri and Wadha al Balushi booked their places at Rio after receiving Rio 2016 Tripartite Commission Invitation Places from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Hailing Mazoon’s inclusion in the team, Taha al Kishry, the secretary general of the Oman Olympic Committee (OCC) was quoted by the local media as saying: “We are very happy to have another woman athlete represent the Sultanate at the world’s biggest sporting extravaganza.”

“Her inclusion completes the Oman team for the Games that will include two sprinters and two shooters,” he added. Mazoon’s participation also means that Oman will be among a selection of GCC countries that have nominated a woman athlete in all of the Games since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Two new countries will be competing in Rio for the first time: Kosovo and South Sudan, as well as a team of Refugee Olympic Athletes comprising 10 sportsmen and women who have been displaced from their home countries. With 306 sets of medals, the games will feature 28 Olympic sports – including rugby sevens and golf, which were added by the International Olympic Committee in 2009. These sporting events will take place at 33 venues in the host city, as well as in São Paulo (Brazil’s largest city), Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Brasila (Brazil’s capital) and Manaus.

sain St. Leo Bolt, nicknamed “Lightning Bolt”, is regarded as the fastest man in the world. He holds the world record for both the 100m (9.58 seconds) and 200m (19.19 seconds). The Jamaican-born spirinter is the reigning Olympic champion in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay events and also the first man at the

I A S

LT O B

modern Olympic Games to win six gold medals in sprinting. Bolt is also an 11time World champion from 2009 to 2015. And as the highestpaid athlete in track and field, he’s known as “the world’s most marketable athlete”. By winning three gold medals at the 2015 World Championships. This feat saw Bolt become the first athlete in the history of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) to complete a “triple-triple” – three gold at the Olympics and three gold at the World Championships.

BARAKAT AL HARTHI

arakat Mubarak al Harthi is one of Oman’s finest sprinters who specialises in the 100-metre event. Born in the humble town of Ibra, 160km from Muscat, he remains one of the country’s biggest assets to date, making his second appearance on the world’s biggest sporting stage: the Summer Olympic Games. He also competed at the 2009 World Championships and the 2010 World Indoor Championships, but failed to make a mark. However, al Harthi bounced back to win a crucial bronze medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, in 2010. It remains Oman’s only medal in the games. Tragedy struck Al-Harthi’s career when a sample came back positive for banned substances. He was subsequently banned for six months. Al Harthy still qualified for the 2012 London Olympics with a personal best time of 10.17 seconds at the GCC Games in Manama, Bahrain, to become only the second Omani after Mohammed Amer al Malki (now retired) to make the cut, ending a 23-year wait for the Sultanate.

Source: iaaf.org

RECENT PERFORMANCES (100 METRES): YEAR

PERFORMANCE

WIND

2016

9.88

+1.0

2015

9.79

-0.5

2014

9.98

-0.6

PLACE Kingston (NS), JAM Beijing (National Stadium) Warszawa (Stadion Narodowy)

2013

9.77

-0.3

Moskva (Luzhniki)

DATE

YEAR

PERFORMANCE

WIND +1.1

PLACE Stara Zagora (Beroe Stadium)

11 JUN

2016

10.05

23 AUG

2015

23 AUG 11 AUG

09 JUN

10.16

+1.7

Mungyeong

06 OCT

2014

10.29

+0.4

Incheon

28 SEP

2014

10.29

+0.4

Kraków

06 SEP

PERSONAL BEST: PERFORMANCE 100 Metres 200 Metres

WIND

9.58

+0.9

19.19

-0.3

PLACE Berlin (Olympiastadion) Berlin (Olympiastadion)

DATE

PERSONAL BEST: DATE 16 AUG 2009 20 AUG 2009

100 Metres 200 Metres

PERFORMANCE

WIND

10.05

+1.1

PLACE Stara Zagora (Beroe Stadium)

20.77

+1.3

Manama

DATE 09 JUN 2016 19 OCT 2011

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021

OMAN’S

022

HA AL

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A O ON AL

A W

AT RI

OLYMPIANS

L A SAID

SPECIALISES IN: SHOOTING AGE: 27 HOMETOWN: MUSSANAH MASTER EYE: RIGHT WADHA IS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE OMANI NATIONAL TEAM. SHE HAS FEATURED IN THE WORLD CUP IN THE WOMEN’S 10M AIR PISTOL AND 25M PISTOL EVENTS.

FACTS ABOUT RIO 2016

• Rio 2016 will be the first time in Olympic history that a

South American country has hosted the Games. The city outbid Tokyo, Chicago and Madrid in 2009 to win the right to host the Games.

• 10,500 athletes from 207 countries are expected to take part in the 16-day sporting extravaganza, competing across 306 events in 28 sports.

• Golf returns to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to reinstate the sport, which was previously played at the 1900 and 1904 Games. However, several top golfers, including Rory McIlroy and World No.1 Jason Day, have pulled out due to fears over the Zika virus.

• Rugby sevens, a seven-side and 15-minute game, will also make its debut at the Rio Games. Both the US women’s and men’s teams are considered to be hot favourites. The US will also be defending the rugby championship, having won gold in the standard version of the game when it last featured at the Olympics in 1924.

plus five football co-host cities: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Manaus, Salvador and São Paulo.

• The mascot for 2016 is “Vinicius”, a yellow and blue creature representing Brazil’s wildlife. It resembles a cat/monkey that has the power to stretch its limbs and body, and also fly.

• The Rio Games will be the first to feature Olympians born in the year 2000. Rules that all competitors must have been born before January 1, 2003, is in place for health and safety reasons. Sixteen-year-old table tennis player Kanak Jha from the US will be making history as the youngest athlete at the Rio Olympics.

• Jo Pavey, the 42-year-

old British long-distance

runner who was expected to retire before the London Olympics four years ago, will be the oldest athlete at the Games. Rio 2016 will be her fifth Olympic Games.

•

Triplets Leila, Liina and Lily Luik from Estonia will make Olympic history when they cross the starting line for the women’s marathon in Rio. Twins have been known to compete in the same events in the past. But the Luiks will be the first triplets to compete against each other.

• The Games will take place in 32 venues in Rio de Janeiro,

The Games have not been without problems. On Sunday (July 24), the Australian team refused to move into the Olympic Athletes’ Village in Rio, declaring it “unliveable”. Organisers are scrambling to fix problems including blocked toilets, leaking pipes and dodgy electrical wiring.

It is named after Bossa Nova musician Vinicius de Moraes. Rio 2016 organisers hope Vinicius will help them raise Brazilian Real 1 billion (RO 117 million) in merchandising.

• Around 85,000 soldiers and policemen will be deployed

— the largest security force assembled at any event in Brazil’s history and twice as large as the security presence for London 2012. Around 45,000 volunteers and 6,500 employees will also assist in the smooth running of events. JUL 28 - AUG 03 / ISSUE 430

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AT THEIR PEAK A TRIO OF MUSCATEERS SET OUT TO CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO, AFRICA’S HIGHEST PEAK. IT WOULD PROVE TO BE THE HARDEST THING ANY OF THEM HAD EVER DONE IN THEIR LIVES

entally, physically and emotionally exhausted, the climbers had to dig deep into their bodies’ reserves to find a last drop of energy to make the final push to the top. The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, some 5,895m above sea level, was in sight and Sarah Cook and Heather Duncan knew the end was in reach if only

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they could summon up the strength. Also battling on the mountain, on a different route with a separate climbing party, had been Chris Fisher, programme director and presenter of our sister station, Merge 104.8. There could be no underestimating the potential dangers that the three were facing. Only 45 per cent of climbers who attempt to conquer the mountain make it to the

top. Only two weeks ago, the South African rally driver Gugu Zulu – referred to as “the fastest man in Africa” – died during a charity trek up Kilimanjaro on the same route (Marangu) that Chris Fisher was on after falling ill with flu-like symptoms (a sign of altitude sickness). Here, in their own words, Sarah, Heather and Chris each tell the story of their personal Kilimanjaro journey

SARAH COOK, 40 PERSONAL TRAINER AND MOTHER OF TWO

Photography by: Sarah Cook, Heather Duncan & Chris Fisher

efore we left Muscat, people kept asking me: “Are you ready?” and I said I didn’t think I would be ready until I actually started walking. There were four in our team: Heather (Duncan); an American woman and a Syrian guy who lived in Dubai, and we only met when we all arrived in Tanzania. The first day was overcast, drizzling rain, as we walked through a rainforest area. It was only then that it really hit me and it became real at that moment. It was a long walk and when we got to the camp, I remember thinking to myself: “Can I do this every day?” We stayed in tents, which the porters would set up each day before we arrived, and Heather and I shared a tent. We had a good group, we gelled well, and as we walked along in single file we would be playing music, singing and telling jokes, playing word association games; anything to keep up morale. When you are walking up to nine hours a day, climbing upwards with a backpack weighing up to 11kg, you need to keep your spirits up. Our guides called us Team Raha, which means “happy’ in Swahili and that word became synonymous with our group. Our route (Machame) is known as one of the most scenic; from rainforest to desert scrubland. On Day four we reached the Barranco Wall, which is like a cliff face. You have to scramble up 800m and it’s steep. Here, you have to pass what is known as the “Kissing Stone”, a large rock, which had fallen from above onto the path. To get past, you have to hold on to the rock and keep your face pressed against it as if you are kissing it and slide past. The guides always say “don’t look down”. I wasn’t looking forward to it and just tried to stay positive and focused. When I did it, it was as if a big weight had lifted off me. We started walking through the most beautiful valley; the peak of the mountain is to your left and the path winds its way between these

odd-looking trees, almost like stunted palms, which only grow on Mount Kilimanjaro. It was so perfect that it was almost not real. When we arrived at base camp before the summit attempt, we saw a Chinese lady being carried and rushed down. She was delirious and screaming. She had heat stroke or something. It was a scary moment. We left for the summit at midnight after having tea, chocolate and some biscuits. I was nervous but feeling quietly confident. There had been tough times but up until that point, I felt that we had nailed it all. It was pitch-black and you are wearing a head torch so all you can see is the person in front of you. I remember looking up and seeing a line of lights going up – the head torches of all the other climbers on the mountain attempting to summit. I had expected there would be a few other climbers but there were about 400 people following the same path. We would take breaks but you cannot stop for long, only a few minutes, as it’s so cold, -25 degrees Celsius. After about five-and-a-half hours walking, two thirds of the way through the climb, Heather was not doing so well with the cold. She was in a terrible state. They were going to send her back down. She was shaking uncontrollably and could hardly speak. The guide said I had to make a decision whether she could carry on but I said it wasn’t up to me. I went to speak to Heather and she said that she would be better when the sun came up. I told the guide to give her one more walk before the next stop. Before going to Kilimanjaro, Heather and I had spoken about what would happen if one of us succeeded and the other didn’t or what we would do if it got to the point where one of us couldn’t continue. We agreed that the other one would carry on to the summit and succeed for the both of us. But neither of us wanted to be that person.

As we were walking, the sun started to come up and Heather turned a corner. But as we neared the top, I started to go downhill. My energy suddenly dropped and I could hardly walk. It felt like I was walking super slowly and my legs were lifting up really high, as if I was in space. I’ve since seen a video of me and I’m walking normally and at a decent pace but my mind was playing tricks with me. It happens when you’re at altitude. Some people have told me that they hallucinated or had an out-of-body experience. At one moment I thought: “I’m not going to do this, I’m not going to make it”. I would walk for 30 steps and then stop for eight breaths. When I saw a sign for the last bit to the summit, I got a last burst of energy from somewhere. When we got the summit, Heather and I hugged each other but we didn’t have this huge exhilaration because you are just so exhausted. We took photos and stood looking at the view. Coming back down was tough. You are sliding down on this loose scree, in a skiing-like motion, and it’s hard on the knees. The sun was coming up, it was getting hot, and we were still dressed in our thick layers for the cold the night before. The American lady in our group tore a tendon and had to be taken down by stretcher. At this point, I was mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. The first day back in Muscat was strange. Not having a schedule or routine to stick to was hard. Everything felt empty. We had been planning the climb for so long and speaking about it and training for it and suddenly it was over. We had been successful, and there was a sense of: “What do I do now?” I am thinking about what to do next. I need that goal to work towards. I think it would be nice to do something next time with my husband but Heather and I will definitely do something, too. We were close friends before but our friendship is even stronger now. We have shared quite a big, incredible experience together. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was brutal but amazing. You don’t know your own willpower and you don’t know your own strength until you do something like this.

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HEATHER DUNCAN, 28

LIFESTYLE BLOGGER AND MOTHER OF TWO

ithout a doubt, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is the hardest thing that I’ve done and the most amazing thing. For the first five-and-a-half days it was easier than I had expected. We had a good team dynamic. Summit night, day six, was brutal; absolutely awful. We only had about two hours’ sleep and you’re zig-zagging up the mountain in the pitch black. I’ve been told that one of the reasons you do the summit assault in the dark is that you’d be too intimidated if you actually saw how high the climb was and how far you have to go. You have no sense of time or where you are. It’s quite a surreal feeling. The cold got me. There was a wind chill of -40 degrees Celsius. My whole body was shaking violently. I had been crying and it was so cold, the tears were freezing on my face. Twice I wanted to give up. I remember sitting on a rock with my head hanging down and one of the guides was trying to speak to me and hold my head up.

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I was a hair’s breadth from being sent back down. I told Sarah that I would be better when the sun came up. Somehow I got to my feet and carried on walking, just one step at a time. As soon as I could see that tiny sliver of sunlight coming up on the horizon, I knew I was going to be OK. I would start to warm up and the strength would come back. Then Sarah and the Syrian guy, Amr, were not doing so well. It was a big struggle for them. I looked over at them and could see that Amr was a broken man. It was the altitude, cold and exhaustion. I was a bit hyper by then. As we went higher, the lack of oxygen hit us. The altitude makes your body and mind do weird things. I felt like I was walking in slow motion. Amr and I were literally pushing each other up the mountain. Sarah also seemed to be walking in slow motion. My lips were starting to turn blue. I kept thinking of the shame if I didn’t make it. When I’d told some people that I was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro they’d said: “You won’t be able to do that”, so I knew that I had to keep going. I dragged every last drop of energy up. The local guide was a star and if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have made it. We reached the summit on July 8 at 7.50am. All four of us summited. It’s not as glamorous as you think. We were all filthy dirty, covered in volcanic ash, exhausted both mentally and physically, and hardly able to breathe. It feels like you are on the moon up there. There are glaciers, there’s no life up there and it’s so quiet. We had about 15 minutes at the summit and then you have to leave. Your body is starting to

become starved of oxygen. It took us seven hours and 50 minutes to get up from camp and four-and-a-half hours to get back. It was so steep and harsh, my legs and knees were aching. We had one hours’ sleep and then had to start walking again for another four hours. I lost three kilos in a week. When we made it all the way back down, we had a party, dinner and drinks, with our team and the 15 local guides who had helped us get up the mountain. Coming back down to earth, physically and emotionally, has been hard. I didn’t feel that I was ready to come back to Muscat. My husband, Colin, and two-and-a-half year old son, Spencer, were waiting for me but I felt completely lost. All the animals were there (two pet dogs and two cats) and I thought: “I can’t do this. I can’t be a mum.” It was a very overwhelming, emotional experience. I missed the tent, I missed the team and I missed Sarah. It is such an intense experience up there and you form a real bond with the team. Physically, I still feel tired and out of breath sometimes. I’ve been going to the gym again and I am already thinking about what to do next. Sarah and I are looking at taking part in a wadi adventure race in October. I enjoy the training and having a goal to work towards. It’s only really now starting to sink in that I’ve actually done it, I’ve climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. I think about one day when Spencer is older and they’re studying Africa at school and talk about Mount Kilimanjaro and he can say: “My mum’s climbed that.” That will be pretty cool.

CHRIS FISHER, 42

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR & PRESENTER MERGE 104.8

was feeling very positive and excited on the plane going over to meet my team in Dar es Salaam (the largest city in Tanzania). The age range of our group was from 29 to 60 years old with seven nationalities: Danish, German, Pakistani, Indian, Emirati, British and Jordanian. My trip was with Gulf for Good (a Dubaibased charity), which supports various causes around the world, and we went to see the Amani Children’s Home, an orphanage in Tanzania, for which some of our money raised would go to support. It was great to see the children and it really gave me the motivation to take on the climb. Our first day was meeting the guides at a briefing and then starting to walk. We would be climbing at roughly 1,000m altitude daily, walking between six to nine hours a day. Our group of 11 had six guides and porters. I always had a guide close by me. Day two was my toughest day. There were lots of big climbs and I was the slowest in my group and the last person to reach the hut each day. We stayed in huts rather than tents. I got into a good routine with my walking and breathing. Every so often I would hit a brick wall. I was exhausted and would need to stop, and then I would carry on a bit more. But I had no altitude sickness at all. After Day Two, when we got to Horombo hut, with an elevation of 3,705m, I remember thinking that I was finding it challenging. The third day was acclimatisation day, when the group would climb up to 4,000m and then come back down. I stayed at the hut because I was too exhausted and I felt that break recharged me. The next day was a climb of 1,000m to Kibo hut, at 4,730m. We crossed an area called the “Saddle”, located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. I just powered ahead and felt really good. But for the last 30 minutes, after seven hours’ walking, I hit a wall. That night, for the first time, all 11 of us stayed in one room ready for the summit attempt. I laid out all my layers ready for the climb. The adrenalin was flowing and it was hard to sleep. I probably only got two hours’ sleep before someone came in at 11pm with some hot tea. At midnight, we set off. I was leading from the front to set the pace – it needs to be very slow – and mentally I felt it put pressure on me. We were moving at half steps, the slowest pace that you can imagine, and even that was exhausting. I was trying not to look up and trying to mentally block out that I had another seven or eight hours of this.

Two hours in and at an altitude of 5,000m (895m shy of the summit), my body gave up. My legs said “no” and I couldn’t go on any more. I probably had six hours left to go and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to make it. Forty-five minutes earlier, two girls from our group had already gone back down; one from altitude sickness and the other from fluid in the lungs.

One of the guides started to take me back down. I was so disappointed. I had tears in my eyes. I felt that I had let everybody down. I felt such a failure. I kept thinking about all those people who had supported me and sponsored me. In my mind, I was working out how I would pay them back. When we got back to Horombo hut at 3,705m, it was freezing cold. I couldn’t sleep; I was so upset. That walk down was so emotional for me knowing that my journey was over. I was thinking that I wanted to get off this mountain as soon as possible. I wanted to go back to Oman and wallow in my self-pity. I got talking to a girl from another group who said it would be a real shame if I didn’t finish with my group at the same time. I realised that it wasn’t about me; I had started with the team and I was going to finish with the team. I started to think about all the positives and began to enjoy the climb back down. Those 36 hours gave me time to digest what had happened and focus on what I had done, not what I hadn’t done. Out of 11 from our group, six summited, including a lady from Germany and the 60 year old. It is the hardest thing that I’ve ever done but I can look back now and see that I probably needed an extra month of preparation and I definitely didn’t drink enough water. And while I didn’t actually summit, I can say that I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. I’m going to go back one day. I see it as unfinished business. I’m determined to summit.

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FOOD AND DRINK GREEN IS GOOD

Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, vegetables are a vital element in our diet to stay healthy.

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Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

VEGGIE POWER

Do you have enough vegetables in your diet? Try these recipes to ramp up the flavour and your intake of veggies

t’s no secret that eating more nutritious vegetables is an essential element of healthier eating. Fortunately, finding ways to boost the veggie content of your favourite dishes may be easier than you think. Put a creative twist on your meals from breakfast through dinner with these tasty tips: • Experiment with new flavours to enhance the dishes you enjoy regularly. If a tomato and cheese omelette is your standard breakfast fare, try adding peppers and mushrooms for a whole new taste. If you tend to keep things simple, get creative when it comes to topping your morning toast such as this version that features avocados and radishes. Then at dinner, give basic pasta a bump by adding broccoli or spinach to your sauce. • Look for veggie-rich versions of your favourite condiments, dips and sauces. For example, Sabra’s Veggie Fusions Guacamole has loads of added vegetables with 30 per cent less fat than classic guacamole. Available in Garden Vegetable and Mango Lime, you can also opt for the Southwest flavour and get your fiesta fix with a hearty combination of guacamole, sweetcorn and rich black beans – the perfect complement to a spicy steak taco. • Find new flavour combinations by swapping out calorie-laden carbs. Ditch the bread and instead use leaves of lettuce to wrap your sandwich. Traditional cold cuts, chicken salad and even burgers taste great nestled in fresh, crisp leafy greens. Get inspired with more ideas to up your veggie intake at sabra.com * Family Features

Avocado Toast with Radish and Cotija Cheese Recipe courtesy of The Lemon Bowl Serves: 4 Ingredients: § 1/2 medium-red onion, thinly sliced § 1 lime, juice only § Salt, to taste § 4 slices crusty, wholegrain bread, ¬toasted § 1 cup Sabra Veggie Fusions Southwestern Guacamole (or make your own) § 55g Cotija cheese, crumbled (good substitutes for this include Parmesan and Romano cheeses) § 4 large radishes, thinly sliced Coriander sprigs (optional) Method: § In a small bowl, toss together the onion slices with the lime juice and salt, to taste; let them sit for at least five minutes, or overnight. § Top each piece of toasted wholegrain bread with 1/4 cup guacamole. § Place equal parts of pickled red onions, crumbled Cotija cheese and the radish slices on top of each piece of toast. Garnish with cilantro, if desired, and serve.

Spicy Steak Tacos with Southwestern Guacamole Recipe courtesy of Emily Bites Serves: 8 Ingredients: § 1 tbsp chilli powder § 1/4 tsp garlic powder § 1/4 tsp onion powder § 1/4 tsp dried oregano § 1/2 tsp paprika § 1 ½ tsp ground cumin § 1 tsp sea salt § 1 tsp black pepper § 454g raw lean, trimmed flank steak, cut into thin strips § 1 tbsp canola oil § 8 tortillas (14cm each) § 1 cup chopped lettuce leaves § 8 tbsp Sabra Veggie Fusions Southwestern Guacamole § 4 tbsp clover sprouts § 4 grape tomatoes, sliced § 1 radish, thinly sliced Method: § In a small dish, combine the chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper, and stir together until well mixed. § Place the uncooked steak strips into a re-sealable plastic bag and add the spice mixture. Seal the bag and shake/turn until the steak is coated with seasoning. § Pour the oil into a large frying

pan and bring to medium heat. Add the seasoned steak strips and stir to coat steak with oil. Cook, stirring and flipping occasionally, for about five minutes, or until the steak strips are cooked to taste. Remove from heat. § Warm tortillas slightly in the microwave then lay out to fill. Divide the lettuce and steak between tortillas and top each with one tablespoon of guacamole. Sprinkle each taco with sprouts and slices of tomato and radish.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

al u s Ca ning Di

Info Box

LONDON FISH & CHIPS

Food Court, Panorama Mall, Ghubra Tel: +968 2459 1828 Open: 11am-midnight Takeaway available Facebook: London Fish & Chips Dinner for two with drinks: RO9.27 (incl. municipalty and tourism tax)

GONE FISHING

NEWLY ARRIVED IN MUSCAT, LONDON FISH & CHIPS PROMISES THE REAL DEAL. KATE GINN TRIES IT OUT AND IS IMPRESSED

’m British so it goes without saying that I love fish and chips. It’s our unofficial national dish and pretty much every town across the UK has its own local “chippy”, as we like to colloquially call the shop that sells us this magnificent meal. When I was growing up, every Friday night in our house was fish supper night. The four children would wait expectedly by the door for our dad to return home with piping hot fish and chips, wrapped in white paper with a wonderful smell emanating from the parcel. When you’re a Brit living abroad, finding great fish and chips is like looking for the Holy Grail: you’re always hopeful but frequently disappointed. I’ve been searching for a first-class fish and chip supper in Oman but have always been left dissatisfied. Which is why, as soon as I heard on the grapevine that London Fish & Chips had opened in Muscat, I was down to Panorama Mall faster than you can peel a potato. One of my colleagues had been to a franchise in Dubai (there are also outlets in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and one opening in Egypt soon) and assured me it was “very good”. I roped in my friend, the Grumpy Welshman, to join me in the quest. London Fish & Chips is in the food court, which is not my ideal place to dine at all but I was prepared to overlook this to get my hands on some fish and chips. It was busy with quite a few customers milling around. All were different nationalities including Omanis, who seem to have enthusiastically embraced this most British of dishes. Most chippies in the UK are takeaway only; the joy is eating your fish and chip bounty, still wrapped in the white paper, in the comfort of your own home in front of the television. Here, we would be sitting on plastic tables and chairs, with plastic trays, which slightly detracted from the experience but not enough to put me off. But you can opt for takeaway instead and recreate the “at home” experience. 030

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REVIEWS

The menu, handed over by very friendly staff, was more extensive than I expected, ranging from fish suppers with suitably apt names such as Mayfair, Trafalgar and Park Lane – all places in London – to chicken fillets, soup, salads and baked potatoes. There was even, rather incongruously, paella, which being a Spanish dish has, in my view, no place in a fish and chip shop! I was tempted by the Big Ben – a juicy fish fillet with crispy batter, shrimps and chips, but decided it had to be the classic cod and chips, here known as the Piccadilly. The Grumpy Welshman, who is also a fish and chip connoisseur, selected fish fillet, shrimps and calamari rings – a veritable treasure trove of seafood called the Buckingham, as in Buckingham Palace. Both come with chips and a soft drink included in the price (RO3.9 and RO3.5, respectively). Other than my cod and haddock for the Trafalgar dish, all the other fish used is unnamed, so presumably it’s local hammour. The staff told me that all the fish comes from Dubai. On the side, we ordered the obligatory mushy peas and threw in some onion rings for good measure. As it’s cooked to order, you have to wait for your food but for no more than five to eight minutes. Our dinner party expanded to include Paul from Manchester, who had dropped in for a fish supper before heading to the cinema. I noticed with approval that staff members were using an authentic “chippy” fryer for the fish and chips. Soon our meals were on the table, served in paper trays, so not the traditional white paper but a good effort. My cod looked spot on, being of a good length in a golden yellow batter, and

Verdict : 8 / 10 Service 9/10 Food 7/10 Ambience Fish as good as that served in a British chippy. Nice service. Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

tasted even better. It was like fish from the chippy at home! There was a little burst of moisture from the fish when you bit into it, showing it was fresh, and the batter was light with a perfect crunch. Across the table, the Grumpy Welshman was equally happy, pronouncing his fish as “awesome”. We both loved the mushy peas, which were near perfect but the onion rings could have been a little thicker. Paul from Manchester – already a frequent visitor to London Fish & Chips – described it as “one of the best fish and chips in Oman” and it was hard to disagree. I was a bit disappointed with the tartar sauce and vinegar served in plastic pots but, as the Grumpy Welshman pointed out, we were eating in a food court so you have to make allowances. The chips were excellent too; crispy with fluffy centres. It’s just a shame they were prepared frozen and not made fresh on site but perhaps this was asking too much. As frozen chips go, however, they were delicious. All that was missing for me was some buttered bread or a roll to make a “chip butty”, that most heavenly concoction from my home island. Next time, I will come armed with my butty-making material! Unusually we were too stuffed to contemplate either of the two desserts offered – apple pie or a sweet trio (which looked like a chocolate mousse with an Oreo biscuit base). By now, it was also 7.45pm and the food court was starting to fill up, which meant lots of noisy, hungry kids running around and it was time for us to leave. Again, you have to make allowances for being in a food court but I couldn’t help thinking that London Fish & Chips deserved better. Still, I’ll definitely be back for more. The search for the fish & chip Holy Grail is not quite over but we’re getting very close Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

HEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE BOMB

From actor James Franco to singer Keith Urban, everyone on the runway seems to be sporting one. Bomber jackets and florals are making a comeback this summer, and they look chic, effortless and suave.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

n nter i Y , reet he look t s gh tt e hi to ge h t u o nd t elps yo e h h g e hi sahan h t From rleen O Ha

T t Ge

Dramatic florals add a splash of stylish colour to this black shirt from Topman. From RO8.1

We love this pair of lightblue, ripped jeans from New Look. From RO12.7

Hot off the runway, this rose-gold and blue jacket from New Look would look great paired with a simple black T-shirt and blue jeans. From RO20.4

Casually modish, this pair of black jeans from Topman could be a firm favourite. From RO 22.9

A blue denim cap from New Look. Perfect for protecting yourself from the mid-summer sun. From RO3.5

A must-have in your wardrobe, a classy yet understated pair of sneakers from Matalan. From RO7.1

Topman jacket: Making a huge comeback this year, this bomber jacket from Topman is a show-stealer. From RO 38.27

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BEAUTY H e a l t h

Fashion

CLEAN AND

CLEAR Top tips to ensure a hygienic beauty routine

hether you are heading to a barbecue or a summer soiree, a healthy, glowing complexion is the best accessory this summer. Everyone knows the drill about proper skin cleansing and moisturising regimes. However, many women are interfering with their skin health by failing to take the same care when it comes to their beauty products. “Keeping skin looking radiant is no small feat,” says Stacey Ramstedt, a senior director of marketing at Paris Presents, a global leader in beauty products and personal care accessories. “Women are careful about the make-up and products they use on their skin but overlook the importance of maintaining those products for optimal use and skin health.”

Mistake 1: Never washing make-up brushes

A whopping 43 per cent of make-up brush users have said they never wash their make-up brushes, according to a 2014 online survey of 212 make-up brush users. Brushes not only collect make-up residue but also hold dirt, oil and other impurities. A regular maintenance routine ensures brushes are clean when they touch your skin plus it boosts brush performance so they last longer. Cleaning makeup brushes does not have to be a timeconsuming chore. For daily cleaning and quick colour changes, try EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths. They help keep your brushes fresh and conditioned. For a weekly, deeper clean, use EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo to get your brushes back to new. Both are made from plant-based ingredients and are dermatologist-tested so they are safe for sensitive skin.

Mistake 2: Using expired make-up

Similar to the kale salad you had for lunch, your make-up comes with an expiry date. While it may not give a specific “use by” date, the general rule is to replace mascara and eyeliners every three months, liquid foundation every six months and powder eye shadow every two years. We all struggle with letting go, with 89 per cent of women hanging on to make-up just in case they need it later, according to a Stowaway Cosmetics survey. This

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means, at best, that make-up will perform poorly and at worst, it could bring bacteria to the skin and eyes, causing irritation. Keep in mind, the more often you use the product, especially with your fingers, the more often you should replace it.

Mistake 3: Relying on products to include your sun protection It is no secret that sunscreen helps to maintain skin health. By blocking dangerous ultraviolet rays, sunscreen is a key tool to protect the skin against cancer and premature aging. Recognising the benefits, most face lotions and products on the market today include a sunscreen ingredient. But be cautious, similar to the products in your make-up bag, sunscreens do not last forever and should be replenished. While sunscreens are designed to endure at their original strength for up to three years, according to the Mayo Clinic, the sunscreen ingredients in your favorite face products may not last as long. In fact, facial moisturisers and serums should be tossed after six months to a year. Be on the lookout for PAO (Period After Opening) notations on new products or look for a number followed by an M to tell you how many months after opening the product should be tossed. To be safe, be sure to use an oil-free high SPF face sunscreen after your moisturiser to provide any extra level of protection all summer long. – BPT

BAD BLOOD Oman is making significant strides in lymphoma detection, says Dr Fauzia Wasim, a haematologist at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

lobally, the number of people living with cancer has increased. The number of cancer patients in Oman has also steadily risen over the past decade. The latest report from the National Oncology Centre and the Ministry of Health (MOH), called Cancer Incidence in Oman 2012, has revealed that 1,314 cancer cases were registered in 2012. The most common cancers are breast, leukaemia, lymphomas, stomach, thyroid, prostate, colorectal, skin and liver, in order of prevalence. Lymphoma is a cancer of the blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes have an important function in the body as part of the immune system, and serve to fight certain types of infections. However, sometimes, the lymphocytes may be transformed into cancer cells. There are two main types of lymphoma; Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) and nonHodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). NHL is more common. In the 15-34 age group, non-Hodgkin lymphoma accounted for the most frequent type of cancer in men (18 per cent). According to the World Health Organization, (Cancer Country Profiles, 2014) lymphoma contributed to 10-12 per cent of deaths related to cancer. Even if lymphoma were widespread, its cure could be achieved in a significant number of people. Accurate diagnosis of the sub-type of lymphoma is essential for appropriate and specific treatment. Enlargement of the lymph glands â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially in the neck, armpit and the groin, without an obvious reason â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and persisting for more than two to four weeks, should prompt the person to seek medical advice. Additionally, some people may develop fever, loss of weight and drenching sweats. It is important to keep in mind that not all swollen glands turn out to be lymphoma. The exact cause of most forms of lymphoma remains unknown. At this time, there are no widely recommended screening tests for this cancer. The best way to find this cancer early is to be mindful of the signs

and symptoms of this disease. Careful, regular medical check-ups are important for people with known risk factors such as viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) and the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, organ transplants receiving medicines used to suppress the immune system, autoimmune disease, or prior cancer treatment. Not everyone with risk factors get lymphoma. The gold standard for diagnosis of lymphoma is a biopsy of the enlarged lymph node, or suspected organ. Once the diagnosis is established, certain other scans are undertaken to establish the extent of the disease in the body. These tests are called staging investigations, and these include blood tests, CT scan, occasionally MRI scan, and now more commonly, a PET scan, which is readily available at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. PET/CT is a big step forward in Oman and has been assigned a central imaging role in Hodgkin lymphoma. This technology has been demonstrated to be more sensitive and specific than either gallium scintigraphy or computerised tomography (CT). More cases are coming to light and the probable reasons include better diagnostic facilities, increased awareness and better treatment facilities.The relatively recent integration of PET/CT into routine oncologic imaging has further improved baseline staging and facilitated functional evaluation of disease behaviour, metabolic response to therapy, earlier detection of disease recurrence, assessment of transformation, and, more recently, as a surrogate marker in new drug development. The most effective use of PET/CT requires multidisciplinary collaboration between a radiologist, a haematologist, clinical and a radiation oncologist. Recent attempts to standardise PET in clinical trials and the incorporation of this technology into adopted response criteria will hopefully lead to an improved outcome for patients with lymphoma. JUL 28 - AUG 03 / ISSUE 430

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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

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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

Outdoors

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

FRIENDLY FACE

While the natural delights of Wadi Shab are a drawcard for many, some colourful artwork and local wildlife add a fun element.

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

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A DAY OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS ON A TRIP TO WADI SHAB TURNS OUT TO BE A LIFE LESSON FOR SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI 038

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Cars

of the bridge at the start of the wadi, I found some amazing graffiti art. I recognised two of the works by a very talented, well-known Omani who uses the tag (his personal signature) of “Chndy”, a variation of his surname, Kindy. An artist, photographer, videographer, filmmaker and YouTuber, he is part of a creative group from around the region whose members produce innovative work. And here, on a concrete column in Wadi Shab, were apparently two of his graffiti works. My favourite was the Arab man with an Omani fort for his head and the Sultanate’s flag flying on top, symbolising our country. His beard, lips and eyes represented the diverse ethnic groups who call Oman home, or at least that’s how I saw it. It was a real find and injected some colour into my waiting for someone to come. At Wadi Shab experience. Before I left, I also managed this time of the day, there wasn’t to snap a nice photo of an old mudbrick hut built much traffic and I had to wait a good 15 minutes in the humidity into a rock, and the resulting image was one of my favourites from the day. waiting for a car. Eventually, my It was time to head home but I decided to get my saviour appeared in the form of flat tyre fixed first and found a local shop. A few a young Omani guy in a white Camry (he must have wanted to help metres down the road after leaving, I could feel there out a fellow Camry owner) who produced was something wrong with my brakes, which were a jack handle so I could put on the spare tyre. making a rattling noise when I pressed down. By then, I was soaking wet from the humidity A nearby garage discovered that one of the bolts and the sense of something bad happening on the brakes was extremely loose. I couldn’t help was still clinging round me like a blanket. I but imagine what might have happened if I had pushed on, nonetheless, and reached Wadi Shab been travelling at speed down a highway when the without further mishap. I spotted a group of bolt broke loose. I wondered if this was the cause of the boatmen, who take visitors across the main the feeling I’d had all day that something bad was stretch of water and into the wadi, and spent a going to happen. This made me realise that I had few minutes chatting to them about their work been lucky to have a flat tyre because if that hadn’t and lives. happened, I might not have found the loose bolt until Usually, I’m quite animated but in the back it was too late. I had avoided something bad. What of my mind, I knew that my mood was off. I had been negative turned into a positive. couldn’t get the creative juices flowing. While the The moral of the story is that all things happen wadi was impressive with greenery, water and for a reason. I felt that God had given me a refresh high cliff faces towering over me, it all seemed of my faith; that he had given me a totally different the same and, after taking a few photographs, I Destination to test me. was stuck for inspiration. My faith became even stronger and I revisited a I needed something out of the ordinary and valuable life lesson. My next Destination has a lot to unexpected. And I found it. On the columns live up to!

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

here are some days, which from the outset, you just know aren’t going to go your way. I had that feeling when I set out to do this week’s Destination to Wadi Shab, one of the most popular outdoor attractions for expats and locals in the country, which I had passed many times but had never visited. Even before I set off, I had a sense that all was not right. For a start, my usual Destination buddy, Imran, couldn’t come due to work commitments so I was travelling solo this time. I would be driving my trusty, light-blue Toyota Camry car, which I call my “Warrior”. That car can go anywhere and do anything. It has been to places that most saloon cars shouldn’t be able to tackle but my “Warrior” can face any challenge and win. Leaving my home in Amerat at 7am on a recent Thursday, I made good progress on the Route 17 Sur road but still this feeling of uneasiness wouldn’t leave me. Then, disaster struck. Past Quriyat, I got a flat tyre. It wasn’t a big deal; I’ve changed tyres countless times. Until, that is, I realised that I didn’t have the handle to wind the jack up. All I could do was stand by the road

From Muscat, take Route 17 until you see a sign for Wadi Shab. Take the turn-off and follow the signs. You will see a car park and the boats will be moored on the side ready to take you across. To see the graffiti art by “Chndy”,

go to the concrete pillars before crossing the wadi and walk round the side.

GPS location of the wadi: N22°51’06.1” E59°14’05.2”

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

GAME O

The new Gaming Trailer in Qurum is a perfect way to hone your skills as a gamer and blow off some steam over the weekend, says Alvin Thomas

he adrenalin is running high: it’s the chief trainer of the Gaming Trailer (also one of Oman’s finest gamers), Qusai Amour al Noumani, versus me, a pesky journalist from Y. We’re taking each other on a three-lap race of Forza 6 around the treacherous Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari racetrack; better known as Imola, where my favourite F1 driver Ayrton Senna met his untimely death. This was going to be more than just a race for me. It was maybe even a dream come true. Of course, this would be on an Xbox One and not in a real racecar. To take on the daunting task of beating Qusai, I called upon the services of the mighty Nissan GTR, nicknamed the “Godzilla”, for its high-speed cornering prowess and 565 horsepower powertrain. It’s also one of the fastest accelerating cars in the world. I thought I was going to ace this. However, Qusai was already expecting me to play smart, and opted for a custom-built 1980 Renault 5 Turbo, a “mental ride” tuned to pump out a whooping 1,200 horsepower. Nevertheless, I was quite confident about the race. 040

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We even attracted a small crowd, which had gathered to witness the action from the monitors that grace the Gaming Trailer from the outside. In any case, the stakes had been raised, and the countdown began. Three… two… one… go! In less than three seconds I had hit 100kph. However, Qusai and his Renault were flying, literally! His car was lifting its front wheels off the ground due to its rear-wheel power. He had already taken a thumping 10 seconds lead on me but I knew that I could lure him back in the corners with my car. By now, Qusai had slowed down for the first corner, “Variante Tamburello”, a cinquaine (a series of slow S-shaped corners). I knew my only shot at taking pole position was if I drifted myself into the corner, a trick that worked well. As I had hoped, I soon took the lead, and stayed there, as Qusai and his Renault limped forward trying to find his footing in the corners. To avoid embarrassment, Qusai’s fellow trainers quickly began offering him tips on how to tackle the corners more efficiently. He quickly began catching up but to no avail. I was getting better and

better in the corners, drifting the supercar into the chicanes, and only touching the sand traps for a few seconds, if anything. The laps quickly rolled by and I was soon crowned the champion, with average lap times of 2 minutes and 4 seconds – a mere six seconds under the worldwide leader. Qusai still hadn’t finished his final lap so I quickly asked Randall Bernard, the vice president of Business Circle Integrated Solutions, to give me a quick tour of his trailer. “The Gaming Trailer made its first appearance at the COMEX tech show,” says Randall. Since then, the trailer has been camped at Marah Land in Qurum. The Gaming Trailer can accommodate up to 36 gamers at a time and has a total of seven screens and 15 gaming consoles such as PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Wii. “This is also one of the first ever gaming trailers in the region,” he points out. “We’re currently in talks to grace the Khareef Festival in Salalah, as well as the Dubai Summer Surprises in the UAE. “However, nothing is confirmed yet.” He was quite chuffed with the response his trailer had been receiving at Marah Land. By now, Qusai was done with the race and was waiting for me with a new challenge. He invited me to take him on a spot of FIFA 15 on one of the many PlayStation 4s. I obliged, and once again took on the controller for a duel. I could see the determination in Qusai’s eyes, as he chose to play with Champions League winners, Real Madrid. I opted for FC Bayern Munich and we were good to go.

It didn’t take me long to realise that the young Omani was a pro at FIFA 15. He kept possession of the ball for a nice chunk of the first half before Gareth Bale made a one-on-one sprint for the goal, taking him one-up in 45 minutes. The second half was quite a spectacle, though, as I too had got into the flow of things. I was now tackling Qusai more efficiently, and also was keeping possession of the ball more than before. However, if getting past his defence was a daunting task, trying to get past Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Keylor Navas seemed impossible. That, along with Qusai’s swift response quickly put him at an advantage, as seen with his second goal in the 79th minute. It was Ronaldo this time. Needless to say, he maintained his two-goal lead throughout the rest of the 11 minutes, and an additional three minutes of stoppage time, to claim victory. Qusai was smug over his victory but I was quite disappointed with my performance. But, I have to confess, this was the most fun I’d had in more than six months. I was able to take on one of the best in the business and even beat him at one of the games. The Gaming Trailer is a perfect way to blow off some of the weekday steam. I’ll be visiting Marah Land more often to take on some of the local talent, as well as the gaming coaches. And, Qusai, I’ll be coming for you again!

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU IWEAR IT

Outdoors

D e s t i n at i o n

Y-FI

VLOG IN

With the YouTube phenomenon at an all-time high, there are a lot of gadgets out there that can help make your life as a ‘vlogger’ easier. Alvin Thomas checks them out

Don’t let its look fool you. This is not your average virtual reality headset. The iWear by Vuzix is one of the very best high-end video headphones out there today. It gives the viewer a field of view equivalent to a 320cm home theatre screen viewed from three metres away. It also supports HDMI inputs for a 3D Blu-Ray player, tablet, console system, PC, and even mobile phones for plug-andplay. However, the iWear’s party piece has to be its HD 3D video gameplay compatibility. At vuzix.com from RO253.6

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU If you’re a game vlogger and your name doesn’t start with Pewdie and end with Pie, or KSI, then chances are you’re not going to invest in a RO2,000 gaming rig. However, if you are a budget-minded and sensible gamer, the GeForce GTX 1080 should serve as a good upgrade: for starters, it’s the second-most powerful graphic processor on the market today. It also comes with 8GB of memory, 4K gaming and virtual reality support. All for RO269.6 from amazon.com

READY, GET SET… CHARGE The Anker Power Port 5 is a game-changer among the usual rubble of unreliable charging hubs. The power Port 5 lets you charge up to five devices at a given time – at 40 Watts per port – meaning you could charge five iPads simultaneously. Meanwhile, you could also use this to charge a 30cm MacBook. The charger offers FastCharging technology for selected devices. This way, you can make sure your gear is always ready to go shooting anywhere, anytime. At amazon.com from RO9.2

EDITOR’S PICK

XBOX ONE S

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GAME VLOGGERS, REJOICE! MICROSOFT HAS ANNOUNCED THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW XBOX ONE S, A REFINED CONSOLE TO THE LOVE-OR-HATE XBOX ONE. THE NEW ONE S WILL BE 40 PER CENT SMALLER THAN THE OUTGOING ONE AND WILL ALSO BOAST HIGHER PROCESSING CAPACITIES FOR HIGHER FRAME-RATES AND HDR GAMING, WHICH WILL TRANSLATE TO HIGHER CONTRAST RATIOS BETWEEN THE LIGHTER AND DARKER AREAS OF THE SCREEN. APART FROM THAT, THE CONSOLE WILL GIVE USERS ONLINE 4K VIDEO PLAYBACK AND A 4K BLURAY READER OUT-OF-THE-BOX. THE ONE S IS SLATED FOR RELEASE THIS AUGUST AND SHOULD RETAIL AT RO115 JULY JUL 2803- -AUG 09 /03ISSUE / ISSUE 327430

ALL-IN-ONE

NEW

The MSI GT72 Dominator Pro Dragon Edition is every professional Vlogger's dream. As its name suggests, it’s quite the pro dragon in terms of performance, and should handle rendering heavy HD and UHD 4K videos with no sweat. Taking care of a chunk of the work is a 2.7 GHz Intel i7 CPU, supplemented by 32 Giga Bytes of RAM and an 8GB strong Nvidia GeForce GTX 980. The laptop is also powerful enough to execute ultra-heavy games at high resolution. The catch? It weighs 3.8 kilos and costs RO1,155. At www.ibuypower.com.

DJI OSMO

The DJI Osmo eliminates every Vlogger's nightmare: shaky footage. The Osmo comes standard with a Zenmuse X3 camera, which can shoot 4K as well as slow-motion videos with incredible stability. To maintain its balance, the Osmo features a three-axis gimbal combination. Users can connect their smartphones to the device to monitor the action and also swap out the standard cam for better ones if needed. Anything better, and you’re looking at a Hollywood-style steadycam. At store.dji.com from RO219

App of the Week

PINNACLE STUDIO PRO Forget iMovie and YouTube Capture. This is the only app you will ever need for editing on-the-go. Pinnacle Studio is not aimed for casual use, rather, for professional editors, with a host of editing features such as playback speed control, transition effects, pan-andzoom, audio editing, title support and its party piece: picture-in-picture. Editing is easy and fast, and can be done by anyone with basic smartphone skills. Available at www.itunes.apple.com for RO5.

GO PRO The Go Pro Hero4 Black is an essential item if you’re a travel vlogger. Simply mount the camera on your car, motorbike or bike to capture some stunning 12 megapixel 4K and 2.7K videos and images to help narrate your journey to the world. The Hero4 now comes with a faster processor and is waterproof up to 40 metres. The camera also offers timelapse shooting, looping and burstmode. Available at www.shop.gopro.com, from RO224 onwards. JUL JULY 28 - 03 AUG- 03 09 / ISSUE 430 327

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

Postcards from

Outdoors

The humble station wagon just got a whole lot sleeker with the Subaru XV. Kate Ginn tries it out for size

ne of my former neighbours in Muscat, Ashwin, swore by his trusty Forester Subaru, recounting many kilometres and hours of troublefree motoring. When he bought another vehicle for his wife, I had half a mind to put in an offer for his Forester until he announced that he would never part with his beloved SUV. Now, a few years later, I was getting my hands on my own Subaru, the XV, a crossover for the urban lifestyle and those with a little hankering for the SUV dream, albeit a compact one. First off, I loved the colour of my test car. A khaki green, it reminded me of the desert and immediately summed up images of off-road adventures and exploring off Oman’s beaten track. It looked pretty smart, too, with black roof rails, a colour-coded rear spoiler and aluminium alloy wheels adding a sprinkling of sportiness, which I imagine would appeal to younger drivers. It wasn’t exactly gritty; more urbane. My car was the Premium model and also sported a power sunroof. Despite being in the middle of an Omani summer, I threw caution to the wind, opened the sunroof up fully at one point as we sped down the Sultan Qaboos highway, enjoying the feel of the breeze whipping through my hair. I was pleasantly surprised at the interior of the XV. While lacking in high-tech wizardry, I liked the functional chunky, big buttons and the macho dials. The retro analogue clock on the digital display was also pretty cool. It was very “Subaru”, unpretentious, practical and built to last. A little touch of luxury came with the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. I was impressed with the air conditioning, which gave out a nice, icy blast and the dual-zone system should keep both the driver and passenger happy. The seats were comfortable and with a six-way manual adjustable driver’s seat, it should be a good fit for anyone. It was easy to pair my iPhone using Bluetooth connectivity, allowing me to make calls and play my own music, and while the touchscreen doesn’t look the nicest, it does the job. Cranking up the audio system, the six speakers had a nice tone and decent sound quality. I was interested to see how the XV would perform on the road. Slam your foot down on the aluminium accelerator pedal and the two-litre injection engine takes time before the 16 valves open up and the four cylinders kick in, but when it does, it’s quite a nifty little mover. I found it much more responsive switching over to manual and using the paddle shifts to take control, allowing me to move

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Y- F i C A R S

Subaru XV Premium Specifications: Engine: 2-litre injection 4 cylinder 16 valve Transmission: Six-speed automatic Lineartronic AWD Horsepower: 148 Torque: 196 Acceleration 0-100kph in 10.7 seconds Maximum Speed: 187kph

through the gears. This really allows the Subaru Boxer engine to show what it’s made of. Cruise control can always take over when you feel like a break. Steering is light but tightens up for a more taut ride when you switch to manual. With All Wheel Drive capability – all Subaru’s, Door mirrors with builtincluding saloons, are AWD – the XV gives solid in LED turn signal grip and control under all road conditions while 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels making for a sportier handling than a 4x4. That Power sliding, tiltsaid, I wouldn’t take the XV on extreme offadjustable glass sunroof roading. Leather-wrapped As you would expect from a Subaru, the XV steering wheel and has excellent safety features including front, front gearshift knob side and curtain airbags (in the front and rear, 60/40 split folding rear seats both sides), a brake-assist system, childproof rear door locking and side-door reinforcement beams. Keyless access and push button start system I didn’t expect a rear camera and was Dual-one automatic air impressed to discover it had one as I attempted to conditioning system with back out of a parking space. anti-duster filter With a slightly elevated driving position, the 2-DIN audio system XV feels very stable and smooth, even at high with Bluetooth, CD and six speakers speed, an important asset for a car pitched at the Rear-vision camera family market. system On this point, I was a little disappointed at Multi-function display the size of the boot space. I was expecting a Paddle shift cavernous area, a bit like the carpet bag that Aluminium pedals Mary Poppins touted around with her – from Brake assist system Cargo volume 1,180 which she would pull out large objects such as a litres coat stand and mirror – to the amazement of the children. Instead, the XV’s boot seemed small and cramped and I couldn’t see much room to stash luggage or the pushchairs and toys that families have. You would need to drop down the rear seats to accommodate any larger objects, which is not possible if you have little ones on the back seat. That aside, I enjoyed my run out with the XV and the brand. I can now see why my neighbour, Ashwin, was so reluctant to sell his Subaru.

ADMISSIONS NOW OPEN Opening in Seeb September 2016

ENGAGE INSPIRE INNOVATE EDUCATE Extra-curricular activities at AGS will enrich your child’s life and help them to develop key skills in areas such as creativity, self-discipline, leadership and team-work. Our after-school clubs include an exciting range of activities to capture everyone’s interest, and are supported by specialist providers such as:

Muscat Gymnastics qualified and certified staff will be providing coaching on site at AGS to all ages. They have a comprehensive awards scheme where each level concentrates on certain gymnastic skills, highlighting your child’s progress throughout the term. The professional staff will guide your child lesson by lesson making gymnastics time their favourite time!

Pro Tennis coaches will be providing lessons on AGS tennis courts. They aim to make children enjoy tennis in a fun, safe and challenging environment, allowing them to reach their full potential on and off court. They welcome children of all ages, and abilities and will offer private lessons to those that want to pursue the sport further.

Drama Scene Performing Arts School will be providing lessons in our spacious drama room to children of all ages. Their belief that drama is so much more than the stage will see the drama coach build on important life skills such as confidence, concentration, communication, co-operation and creative skills. Children will also be given the opportunity to enter annual examinations to benchmark their progress against an internationally applied standard.

International Preparatory and Senior School Offering British Independent Education for the Leaders of Tomorrow T: +968 24287916 | E: registrar@agsmuscat.com