Y Magazine #446, November 24, 2016

RED ARROWS LIGHT UP THE SKY IN A COLOURFUL SHOW TO THE RESCUE

Free!

Real life superhero gadgets

EVERY THURSDAY

OMAN’S BUDGET 10 News: DEFICIT DROPS

NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

FOOD: Fresh from the farm DESTINATION: Birkat Al Mouz

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

NOV 24 - 30 2016 / ISSUE 446 • WEEKLY

PORTRAIT BY A NATION

PLUS!

MEET OUR 46 FINALISTS

COOL WHITE

01

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

32

GAMERS UNITE

40

DRIVING FOR SHOW

46

HEALTH GUIDE ASK

THE

EXPERT

EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward W

hat an amazing week of celebrations we’ve had for Oman’s 46th National Day! And to top it off, we have a four-day weekend to to mark this historic occasion that is a celebration of 46 years of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said’s wise and inspiring leadership.

As the country celebrated and world leaders congratulated His Majesty The Sultan on this wonderful occasion, Team Y has also been busy with our Portrait By A Nation art event, which is now in its third year.

We’ve held the judging in secret and have found our winners, who will be revealed at a special ceremony on November 28. In the meantime, our cover story this week features our 46 finalists, all of whom have impressed the judges with their exceptional creativity and techniques.

Elsewhere, we head to Shatti al Qurum beach to watch the incredible Red Arrows perform, check out some superhero gadgets in Y-Fi and head to the “ghost village” of Birkat al Mouz for a day of exploring in Destination.

Enjoy the long weekend and have a fabulous week!

editor@y-oman.com

Dr. Fadwa Richi MBBS, MD, DGO Gynaecologist Aster Al Raffah Hospital, Ghubra ASTER AL RAFFAH HOSPITAL Al Ghobra Roundabout, PO Box: 1262, PC : 133, Gubrah, Sultanate of Oman.

Tel : +968 24618900/1/2/3/4 | Fax : +968 24497210 www.asteroman.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi REPORTER Alvin Thomas DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

AN INITITATIVE BY

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

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NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

03

contents NOV

Your Oman

24

-

30

2016

16 This Week Blackout

10 News

Budget deficit drops

20 Portrait By A Nation Meet the 46 finalists 26 Flying colours The Red Arrows

thrill Muscat

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman

Felicity Glover

Features

18 FYI Top coffee drinking 11 Gallery countries Muscat Hills Resort 19 Movies 12 News Operation Chromite

Mina Al Sultan

Qaboos Waterfront

26

13 Gallery LEGO flag

12

14 Faces of Oman

15 Hyundai – Driven To Success

Zahra Mohamed

Husain Moosa al Lawati

Cars and Adventures

19

Food and Drink 28 Food Feature

Farm fresh 30 Taste Test

B+F Roadside Diner

28

38 Destination

Birkat Al Mouz 40 Indoors

New gaming centre

Health and Beauty

44 Y-Fi

Superhero gadgets

32 Fashion

Cool white

46 Car Of The Week

Top concept cars

34 Beauty

Winter wonders 35 Health

Illness etiquette

44

33

NEXT ISSUE...

FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / OUTDOORS

One of Oman’s top tourism bosses has helped to rejuvena te the Sultanate’s hotel sector but is also a keen supporter of an imal welfare. Alvin Thomas mee ts him

F

or most of you who are reading choice, however, he says: “Early this, the name Leon Raphael body and you can breathe correctl on, when I was young, I wanted to y, Salinel may not instantly use your energy efficiently as well as become a priest and, of course, that ring a bell. Despite that, however, think properly. It helps us live in the changed and I wanted to become chances are that Leon and his team mo ment and appreciate the living an architect. But due to various at Oman’s tourism wing, Omran , has bein rest gs around you.” rictions, I couldn’t. I’ve always already affected you in some way . loved design and art.

After taking up yoga, Leon has also Leon is the Corporate Director of However, Leon surprises me whe become a vegetarian.

Sales and Marketing for Omran’s n he says : “I con side r myself very “Being a vegetarian is a part of us hospitality group, which owns and artistic. I am actually a dancer and humans believing in and standing operates entities such as the Atana a singer.” Now I know why his voic Hotels at Khasab and Musandam against violence on animals. Tod e , ay, sou nds so mellifluous. the Masirah Island Resort, the Ras I have three dogs: a West Highland Al “W hen I was gro wing up I used to Jinz Turtle Reserve and the Al Ho terrier and two wadi dogs, which ota do a lot of painting and sketching, I Caves. Despite his success, Leon resc ued from Oman. I have also been is afte r which I discovered my passion one of the most down-to-earth and active member of the Omani Paw for dancing. I began with ballet, but s humble people I have met in quit ea cha didn rity. ’t actu ally pur sue it for that long. while.

“Then it was all contemporary and “I absolutely love dogs. And I hav Our meeting point is the Omran e hiphop dan read ce form a lot about dogs being shot and s.

As you grow offices at Al Khuwair. And with a older you sort of start liking things killed here. I feel something has to smile on his face, Leon invites me be like that,” he chuckles. done about that. into the conference room.

As the youngest of three siblings Talking to him is a breeze as he “I think the solution could be (two sisters and one brother) in his is extremely engaging. Born in the the T-N-R (trap-neuter-return) family, Leon says that his early day beautiful city of Baguio in the nor s pro gra mme, which could help th saw a little bit of friendly sibling of The Philippines, Leon spent his con trol this problem. And if you were rivalry. childhood alongside three other to find a stray dog, it would be really “As the youngest child, I was very siblings. help clos ful e if to you could make use of this my mum. And my dad “I did my schooling in Baguio, and was very close to my eldest brother programme. also graduated in the field of Ma . ss This was a bit frustrating, and As a matter of fact, Leon’s love Communication from the St. Lou is dan cing and sing ing tow wer ards animals doesn’t end there. e ways of University in the Philippines,” he expressing myself and channelling He has provided vouchers (overnig says. ht my frustrations of anything and But Leon’s family shifted to the accommodations, etc.) to Omani eve ryth ing I wan ted from my dad,” United Arab Emirates permanentl Paws. The proceeds from the y, he tells me with a smile. and all his early jobs revolved aro vou chers, which are auctioned, will und However, after graduating and luxury outlets within the Middle then go to funding for the NGO. East. starting work in the hospita lity sector, “I’ve opened a number of hotels “I have not seen dogs being shot he no longer had time for dancing in Dubai, including the stunning at. But it really happens and it bre and sing ing like befo re.

Ritz-Carlton Dubai, at the Jumeira aks h But, to keep in shape and still my heart,” Leon says, bringing our Beach Residency (JBR). I was maintain a healthy lifestyle, Leon interview to a close. working with them for about thre has e ado pted yoga as part and parcel of He has really opened my eyes years before shifting to the Fairmo nt his daily life. to the animal cruelty within our Dubai. I was there for six years.

“I am a yogi,” he says. “I wasn’t “However, I came to Oman in Jun country. And for a man as establis e into yoga until about two yea hed rs 2015 and am very happy to be her and successful as he is, I salute e. ago .

I was 83k g in weight and I was One thing you notice about Omanis Leon for his pledged support to the gaining weight. So I decided to go is that they are extremely familyfor sma ll community of animal welfare an eight-week course high intensity oriented, respectful and cultured acti vist s in Oman. exe rcis e and then took on yoga after. people. And the expatriates living I dro ppe d to 69k gs. here embrace that. People live her Have you got a unique story to tell or do e in “Practising yoga has become you absolute harmony,” exclaims Leo know someone who has? Contact us to n. extremely beneficial to me. What have it When asked about his career coffee with Y and be featured in Y Mag does is give you control over your azine.

Email: editor@y-oman.com

06

NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

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THE VOICE OF OMAN FELICITY GLOVER ON HOW TO HELP OUR CHILDREN HANDLE LIFE’S MISFORTUNES

A

terrible thing happened on our school run this week. As always, it’s busy on the roads at 6.30am, but this particular day was especially bad – and not made any better by the reckless driver in the huge SUV who was tailgating us and flashing his lights in a bid to get me to move into the next lane.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t so easy as there was no opening in the traffic. But just as I spotted a safe opening, my daughter let out an anguished cry. Just in front of us, a ginger cat had been hit by a car and she’d witnessed the tragedy. It was an awful moment for Cia, who at 13, has never seen anything – or anybody – die in front of her.

Hands covering her eyes and crying, she didn’t know what to do.

And because I was caught up in the maelstrom of navigating the crazy traffic, I couldn’t pull over safely to comfort her; to try to wipe the horrifying image from her mind.

Instead, we had to press on until we reached our destination. Getting out of the car, she collapsed in my arms and sobbed. As a mum, you always want to take away the pain your children are feeling, even if it’s something as simple as a skinned knee after a tumble.

But this was so much harder. Cia is a gentle, kind soul and adores animals. She has her own cat but also feeds two strays every day. She has given them names and spends time with them. In time, I know her memory will fade and that her love of animals will continue to grow – even now understanding that nobody is on this earth forever.

NEXT WEEK: TINA SQUIRES

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correspondence A NATION CELEBRATES WITH ART Dear Editor, Having just grabbed your magazine, and after a quick browse, my heart sank when I saw the article entitled “Portrait By A Nation” (Issue 445). For some reason, my 14-yearold daughter missed the event. She is an art enthusiast like me and canvas painting is her new pastime. But when I started reading, I was amazed to see the young candidates and their awesome works. Eight-year-old Akidat captured my attention specifically. Her emotions before the contest remind me of how I was at her age. The first things I used to wonder at an art event included: who else

will be there? What will the other contestants be like? What is the theme? I did my research, and in those days there was no internet.

Then I would think of a picture of my entry, which changed every day, to the extent of dreaming about it. At the venue, the sight of other contenders would frighten me. Like Akidat, my hands would tremble and become numb. Anxiety would be an understatement.

On the day, the more I would see of other works, the more I would get ashamed of mine. Onlookers would send me into a panic too. It took a while and a few wins to develop some confidence. It was only when I came to Oman that my passion for art was rekindled, after more than two decades. I hope there will be more occasions like this, especially for the youngsters, to discover more of themselves and their abilities. This is the perfect place to keep the fire burning. Happy 46th National Day, Oman! More inspiring stories, Y Magazine!

Sincerely, Gerda Summerian L. Cuestas, Seeb

DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: What more can be done to help entrepreneurs and SMEs in Oman?

KAMAL GANATRA

Oman’s entrepreneurship and SME policy objectives need to be focused upon creating a conducive entrepreneurial macro environment for wealth creation through innovation, produced via high-impact, new venture creation and not, as is currently the case, upon low-potential ‘copycat’

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ventures. Policymakers should not spend time and money on encouraging so-called “regular” ventures, but instead allocate resources, and focus policy on those new businesses with future growth potential.

However, this cannot be achieved through minor, spontaneous policy adjustments and uncoordinated entrepreneurship initiatives but rather requires a comprehensive policy agenda. It should be one that pulls together all uncoordinated efforts into a coherent strategy-driven policy that can have a real and sustainable impact on the country’s entrepreneurial activity. Oman needs to follow a holistic entrepreneurship policy approach, such as those now being adopted by more developed countries.

SYED BOKHARI

Oman’s development and progress depends on entrepreneurs and SMEs. These are the pillars and foundations of any country’s progress so the

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

ebHotel /GoldenTulipSe eb @GoldenTulipSe

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Government should enable much more feasibility and guidance to boost trade in the private sector and the oil and gas sectors. Taxes should be eased and employment created. Oman’s trade policy should be strengthened with neighbouring countries to ease the flow of business and bolster a trade sector that would boost the economy.

/YTABLOID

@YTABLOID

/YMAGAZINE

JOSE DE LOS SANTOS DIAZ was spotted with his favourite Y Magazine in Muscat

MOHAMED ABDOULMAGUID

There are not yet any real advantages for many of the incentives and special projects offered by the government to small and medium-sized enterprises.

How are these institutions going to benefit from many of the incentives provided to them? Perhaps by development and institutional development; planning, coordination and promotion of the deployment; and enabling businesses to get what they need from financing and services in coordination with the government and the private agencies concerned. Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and self-employment among young people would be beneficial as would strengthening the role of institutions in providing multiple renewable jobs for Oman’s youth. The government could also assist entrepreneurs through an initiative to help them create their own projects, and the competitiveness of existing institutions could be highlighted with a nod to their value to the national economy, support for innovation and diversification and the use of modern technology.

WAFAA EL ANANY

Oman has taken many exemplary steps to strengthen the SME sector in Oman over recent years. Though the sector is showing signs of growth it still remains at the start of the growth curve.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are critical to all economies and the Sultanate is no exception. SMEs constitute 90 per cent of the corporate sector and have become a priority sector for the government of the Sultanate, which is giving a much-needed push to create self-employment opportunities for the youth. The government must focus on developing SMEs as a springboard to improving economic diversification and creating employment. Ministers could initiate a number of measures to give this segment a boost, including eligibility for support under a scheme aimed specifically at SMEs or by considering factors such as research funding, competitiveness and innovation. A new approach by the government could cover allocating a share of public tenders and sourcing a share of procurement by large contractors of government projects to SMEs, providing mentorship and assistance to entrepreneurs and setting up a development fund to target college and university students entering the job market.

THIS IS YOUR SPOT! Just send us your picture with Y Magazine or pose with our photographer and we will publish it on this page

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1

10/27/16

Send it to: info@y-oman.com

12:29 PM

NAZEER M THAHA

The development of SMEs is essential to the economic and social development of Oman, therefore, it should be a priority for the Government.

SME entrepreneurs do not have sufficient knowledge and experience of personnel management practices. Most entrepreneurs do not like to provide training, health and welfare facilities for employees due to the resulting increase of cost of production.SMEs suffer from a lack of information exchange, leading to conflict, dissonance and other industrial relations issues. New training methods and settings that are more flexible should be adopted by SMEs in place of the traditional models of training. Promoting entrepreneurial skills, reducing the skill gaps and providing support to particular categories of entrepreneurs also need attention. A strong package of support in respect of credit, intermediate inputs, technology and marketing should be devised to promote SMEs considering their capacity to create jobs and business.

New Debate:

“What else can the Government do to help boost Oman’s economy?”

Share your view with us on Facebook and you could be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

09

YOUR

OMAN VISA CRACKDOWN

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has introduced stricter entry rules for women entering the country from Bangladesh.

In February, the ROP stopped issuing visas to domestic helpers from Cameroon, Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal and Guinea in a bid to reduce the unskilled workforce.

NEW ID CARDS

Omanis and expats have started receiving new ID and residential cards this week.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) said the new cards have higher security levels, were more difficult to copy and can be used for e-applications. The design has also been updated, while there will be another picture added to the card.

CITY WALK

Al Hail North is set to get its own City Walk after Ahmed bin Nasser al Mehrzi, the Minister of Tourism, signed an agreement with Samih Sawaris, the chairman of Orascom Development Holding to develop the 47,999-square-metre project. The beachfront commercial project will be built in Seeb at a cost of RO60-80 million and will take five years to complete.

NEWS

BUDGET DEFICIT DROPS

O

man’s budget deficit has fallen for the first time since February 2015 thanks to the Government’s move to cut expenditure and a rise in the price of oil.

According to local press reports, the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) said the total fiscal deficit up to the end of the third quarter had hit RO4.55 billion compared with RO4.37bn in the previous corresponding year.

“The Government move to cut spending and increase taxes couple with a rise in income from oil are finally paying off,” one analyst at a local brokerage was quoted as saying in the Oman Daily Observer.

The CBO data reveals that the month of September recorded the lowest deficit increase since early last year to RO181 million. This came on the back of a rise in the price of oil to an average of US$38.3 a barrel during the January to September period.

Meanwhile, the Majlis Al Shura referred the 2017 fiscal year draft budget to the State Council during its third regular session earlier this week.

According to the Oman News Agency (ONA), the Majlis Al Shura made the decision after discussing the project with HE Darwish bin Ismail al Balushi, the Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs.

RAIN AND DUST STORMS FORECAST

EXPAT ARRESTED

An expat has been arrested in Sohar for allegedly murdering another man, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said in a tweet earlier this week. According to the ROP, the victim’s body was found in Al Waqiba and the public prosecution is investigating.

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Speaking to Shura members in his opening speech at the session, Khalid bin Hilal al Ma’awali, the Chairman of Majlis Al Shura, said: “We will exchange views with the Minister about the project, its foundations and key goals, including the social, economic goals, prioritising criteria for development projects, overall global economic developments, the performance of the national economy and estimates of oil prices in light of the decline in world markets.”

The ONA added in its report: “The meeting focused on the volumn of oil and non-oil revenues, spending estimates, rates of economic growth, financial position of the Government and its monetary policy, the size of the savings versus investment rates, rates of oil production and prices expected during the year.”

D

ust storms and light showers have been forecast for Muscat and the northern parts of the Sultanate over the course of this week, according to a report issued by the Oman Meteorology Department.

According to the report, the Sultanate is expected

to witness a trough of lowpressure with the possibility of cloud advection, which could result in scattered rains over the governorates of Musandam, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Muscat and South Al Sharqiya.

Meanwhile, residents have also been warned that moderate to strong northeasterly winds are expected over the next 24 hours. This could result in dust storms. The sea is expected to be rough along the coastal areas of Musandam and the Oman Sea, with a maximum wave height ranging between 2.5 metres to three metres.

The Public Authority for Civil Aviation has urged fishermen and the general public to take precautions and follow weather bulletins to avoid any mishaps.

NEW RESORT

GALLERY

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MUSCAT HILLS RESORT, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE OMAN DIVE CENTRE, OPENED ITS DOORS EARLIER THIS WEEK. NESTLED IN BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS IN THE SECLUDED AL JISSAH BAY, THE NEWLY REFURBISHED DEVELOPMENT AIMS TO ATTRACT LOCALS AND EXPATS ALIKE, EITHER FOR THE DAY OR WEEKEND GETAWAYS, IN WHICH GUESTS WILL STAY IN THE RENOWNED BARASTI BEACHFRONT HUTS.

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011

YOUR

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

HIGH TEA

Does this come with scones, cream and jam?

Very funny! Not quite, but it does come with a biscuit.

So what’s it all about then?

It’s about an Englishman setting a Guinness World Record by bungee jumping 240 feet and 10 inches (73m) to, um, dunk a biscuit into a cup of tea.

Seriously? That’s a bit over the top!

We have to admit that we think so too – and goes against everything that an elegant high tea represents. But it is an interesting way to get yourself into the record books to celebrate the 12th annual Guinness World Records Day! What kind of biscuit was it?

A chocolate Hobnob, of course – another British tradition!

So did he set the record?

We are happy to say that 24-year-old Simon Berry succeeded in dipping the Hobnob into a cup of tea, beating the previous record of 198 feet and eight inches for the Highest Bungee Dunk in the world.

Impressive! Who held it before?

That would be Ron Jones of the United States. Although we are not sure if dunking biscuits into cups of tea is an American tradition.

Don’t say: “Cookie Monster!”

Do say: “One lump or two?”

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NEWS

MINA AL SULTAN QABOOS WATERFRONT TO REDEFINE THE FACE OF MUTTRAH

M

uttrah is poised to take over as the face of tourism in the Sultanate as one of the leading waterfront destinations for tourists visiting the Middle East when the Mina Al Sultan Qaboos Waterfront tourism and real estate project opens its doors to the public in 2020.

Oman’s Tourism Development Company, Omran, launched the RO150.1 million first phase of the project last week at an exclusive event hosted at Port Sultan Qaboos.

The project will released over four separate phases and spread over a total area of 64 hectares. It is expected to include business and residential zones, a destination mall, six hotels (ranging from three, four and five-star hotels), recreational amenities, tourist attractions, as well as docking facilities for cruise liners and luxury yachts in what will soon be dubbed the “Downtown Hub”.

HE Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), said: “Our Vision for the Mina Al Sultan Qaboos Waterfront is to create a world-class waterfront development of outstanding beauty and interest that celebrates the maritime history of Muscat and showcases the very best of Omani culture, heritage and innovation to a global audience.

“Upon completion, it will provide an extraordinary year-round tourism hub that is rich in activities, entertainment and experiences, and is accessible to all,” he added.

One of the star attractions of the project is expected to be the Jebel Rock Mountain Waterpark, which is in

THROUGH YOUR EYES

its final stages of agreement.

Also included in the project is the National Ferry Terminal – Al Inshirah National, which will enable direct travel to Iran. The terminal will include a fivestar hotel, 50 luxury residential penthouses and also the main Royal Oman Police Coast Guard tower. Phase one of the project is expected to create nearly 12,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs.

Addresssing guests at the launch, James Wilson, the CEO of Omran, said: “Constructing this project is a challenging proposition, but the success of that endeavour rests on how the project is established from the outset. Much of the architectural design will be concerned with providing low energy sustainable solutions that draw inspiration from the rich architectural and cultural traditions of the Sultanate of Oman. The development will absolutely respect and compliment Oman’s rich historical context.”

SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION

As Muscat continues to grow and develop into a world-class city, many changes can be seen on a daily basis. But Y reader Jijin Christine Thomas believes there are still pockets around the city that have held onto their traditional roots as his picture of Darsait, taken from the highway at Qurum Heights, shows just how well Omani architecture is standing the test of time.

Send your photo to editor@y-oman.com to be featured in our new section, Through Your Eyes. Include where it was taken, your name and occupation.

PHOTO: Jijin Christine Thomas An engineer at a leading telecommunications company in Muscat

LEGO FUN

GALLERY

CHILDREN HAVE BEEN FLOCKING TO OMAN AVENUES MALL TO TAKE PART IN A FUN 46TH NATIONAL DAY ACTIVITY: BUILDING A GIANT MAP OF OMAN BY USING MORE THAN 200,000 LEGO BRICKS. THE EVENT ENDS ON NOVEMBER 28, SO THERE’S STILL TIME TO BECOME INVOLVED, WHILE THERE’S ALSO WORKSHOPS FOR THE KIDS AND 1,500 LEGO OMANI FLAGS TO GIVE AWAY.

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f

aces of

Oman

Welcome to Y’s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home Name: Abbas Alajmi Age: 21 From: Oman Occupation: Student Passion: Magic

Photo: Shaquel al Balushi

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

DRIVEN TO

SUCCESS

After graduating in e-business management from the Higher College of Technology in Muscat in 2011, Zahra Mohamed Husain Moosa al Lawati, 29, followed her heart and became a professional musician. Today, she is the only major female pianist in the Sultanate and regularly performs at high-profile events Q: What drives you to success?

I started playing the piano when I was five.

It is my dream, my passion and my life. And I am happy because I can do what I love.

In my view, the key to success is doing what

you have always loved. This way you will not stop doing it, and you will eventually succeed.

Another thing is that I cannot read music because I am self-taught. But if you were to play a song for me, I could immediately recreate it for you. Whatever I play is processed through my ears and to my fingers. Of course, because I have been doing it all my life, it has become a part of me, which is probably why I am comfortable doing it this way.

Q: Who or what has been your inspiration?

It is my parents who have inspired me. My mother, even though she isn’t into music, pushed me to go ahead with what I do. Moreover, my father used to have more than 1,000 CDs, which he used to lend me so that I could cover the tracks in my own style. I also remember that he used to discover the stories of classical composers from around the world and used to tell me about them. So when I play at events people are shocked that I actually know about these composers even though they are not famous in Oman. My original style is combining Arabic, English, Indian, Turkish, and other soundtracks into what I play.

Q: What is your biggest career success to date?

My biggest career success to date would have to be that I am the only professional Omani pianist playing music at high-profile events around the Sultanate consistently.

THE INSIDE OF THE GENESIS MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A FIRST CLASS PASSENGER ON AN AIRPLANE AS IT FEELS THAT COMFORTABLE AND SAFE. Q: What are your career goals?

My career goal would have to be this: I want to be the first Omani lady to compose her own piano album for the public, and then play it at the Royal Opera House Muscat in the near future.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

In the coming 10 years, I will be focusing on becoming a pianist playing at an international level.

One of the reasons for that is that Oman is a very unique country, and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said really loves and enjoys music. And I want to spread the news of our country to the whole world. It is not going to be easy but that is my goal.

Q: What do you like about the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company?

The inside of the Genesis makes me feel like a first class passenger on an airplane as it feels that comfortable and safe. At the same time, it makes way for a fantastic driving experience.

I find that the features, accessories as well as the optional extras are superior to what you find in most luxury cars in this segment of the market today. Overall, it is a car that chauffeurs me in absolute luxury, comfort and style. It’s a car I can trust completely.

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African beat

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

DEC

1

Head to the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) for a thrilling concert featuring a new generation of musicians and dancers from South Africa. Starring legendary jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela, a pioneer of American-influenced African jazz, it promises to be an electrifying evening highlighted by drumming, dancing and singing by the likes of the Mahotella Queens and Mafikizolo, an award-winning singing duo with Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza. The concert begins at 7pm and for bookings, go to www.rohmuscat.org.om.

THIS

WEEK

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

Are you trying to improve your short game in golf ? Perhaps a few lessons at Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club is the answer – especially if you are finding yourself in the sand bunker more often than not. For just RO70, you could sign up for their Short Game Package, which includes a 30-minute chipping lesson, bunker session, a pitching lesson and a 45-minute pitching yardages session using FlightScope. For details, call Jade on 9829 2580 or email jade@ muscatgolf.com.

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Until

Nov 30

1

Head down to On the Rocks Restaurant and Lounge in Seeb for a glow-in-the-dark extravaganza featuring DJ Bkay from Lebanon, who will be wowing the crowd with his mix of progressive house, techno and EDM music. Also featuring Muscat’s very own DJ Alex B, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable night. The fun kicks off at 11pm and dress code is white, while you can also have your face painted in some fun neon colours. For bookings, call 9637 2727, 9773 1515 or 9437 8706.

To a tee

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

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ROCK ON

DEC

Top

❶ The Netherlands

Coffee Drinking Countries in the World

❷ Finland

Litres per capita: 260.4

Litres per capita: 184.9

.1

❸

a ad

n

Ca

a

er

p res

2 : 15

it p a c

Lit

n

e ed

❹

Sw

re

Lit

r

e sp

ita

cap

.9

1 : 14

❺ Germany Litres per capita: 129.2 Source: Euromonitor International

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List Notes: Data is the top 5 coffee consuming countries per litre per capita for the year 2016. Data includes coffee sold at grocery stores and food service outlets like coffee shops.

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

Shut In

Operation Chromite Not many of today’s generation would know, but if you were to ask someone well-versed in history about wars that changed the course of mankind they would almost certainly include: 1) The Battle of Britain (in the West), and 2) The Battle of Incheon (in the East).

However, not many know that it was indeed Operation Chromite that led to the Incheon campaign. And that’s exactly what director John H. Lee aims to mount on screen with this flick.

Liam Neeson plays General Douglas MacArthur surgically and somewhat enthusiastically. However, it is Lee Jungjae who steals much of the screen time, as Captain Jang Hak-soo. Fortunately, the movie more or less retraces the story related by most history books. We see the South Korean Navy Special Forces, along with Captain Jang Hak-soo and seven members of the KLO (Korean

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 Who plays General Doublas MacAurthur in Operation Chromite?

LAST WEEK'S WINNER Anil Deshpande

Liasion Office) unit disguise themselves as a North Korean inspection unit.

They infiltrate the North Korean army command centre in Incheon to recon enemy forces in the area and to kidnap Ryu Jang-choon – the second-highest ranking officer in the North Korean command centre.

If you’re familiar with the military campaigns of the Korean War, you could spot the differences, as it is highly unlikely that the South Korean investigation advanced exactly as depicted because their tactics seem so ridiculously risky that any actual mission pursuing them would probably have been quickly neutralised. But it is worth noting that Operation Chromite tries to keep to the facts unlike other various Hollywood-ised takes on history (cough, Argo, cough).

Review by Alvin Thomas

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

Mary Portman (Naomi Watts) is a child psychologist who has been known to develop close bonds with her patients as part of their treatment. So when Mary’s patient Tom goes missing from her house during a deadly winter storm, the town is convinced that the child is dead. However, Mary claims she sees

and hears Tom, and is convinced that he is still alive. A heart-pounding thriller film for those with nerves of steel.

The Good Neighbour Mischievous high school kids, Sean (Keir Gilchrist) and Ethan (Logan Miller) create an illusion to scare their unsuspecting aged neighbour, Harold (James Caan), while also keeping his reactions under surveillance. However, when things don’t go as planned, the two learn that Harold is not the gullible and credulous man they always believed him to be. A psychological horror flick that’s not worth your time or money.

Bollywatch FORCE 2 Now in its second instalment, Force 2 sees Mumbai Police’s cynical police officer Yashvardhan (John Abraham) take on an international criminal syndicate run by Shiv Sharma (Tahir Raj Bhasin). In an action-packed thriller, the young officer goes all the way to Budapest, along with India’s RAW (Research and Analysis Wing). Still lamenting over the death of his wife (from Force 1), Yash claims to be dead from the inside, owing to his almost seemingly superhero levels of strength. Aside from that, there’s a plethora of high-speed chases, fired bullets and illogical stunts but it all makes way for yet another successful action flick.

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019

It has been a tough task for Y’s Portrait By A Nation judges to whittle down 1,500 entries to just 46 finalists, but the results are now in. Here, we give you the finalists in our exciting art event that celebrates Oman’s National Day

I

t’s a Sunday evening and the sun is beginning to set on the beach at Seeb, transforming the tranquil blue waters into a stunning palette of golden hues. Families and friends are relaxing and walking along the Corniche, little knowing that a top secret meeting is taking place at the nearby A’Soud Global School (AGS), where a group of people have gathered to judge Y’s annual Portrait By A Nation competition.

The task is daunting: 1,500 entries and just 46 finalists, of which there can only be nine winners as well as picking the winner of a one-year art scholarship in the five-to-nine year category, thanks to our associate sponsor AGS. Also at stake is a lot of money. First prizewinners will take home a cash prize of RO500, while the first runners-up collect RO250 and the second runners-up, RO100.

Y Magazine’s managing editor, Felicity Glover is there, as is AGS Head Teacher Andrew Hurst, well-known artist Ibrahim Gailani, prominent Omani artist Shaker Jalal (known as the “Da Vinci of Oman”) and Leon Rafael Salinel, Omran’s corporate director of sales and marketing. Omran is one of the sponsors of the competition via its Atana Musandam and Atana Khasab resorts. Marios Stylianedes, from IDdesign; and Veenu Sreedharan, from Burjeel Hospital are also sponsors of the competition, and make up the group.

Three rooms are filled with entries – the first room is for the five-to-nine age group, the

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second room is packed with paintings by the 10to-13 age group, while the third room is for the oldest category, the 14-to-17 year group.

“To begin with, it is quite overwhelming for the judges, especially if this is their first time,” says Felicity.

“But once they get into the swing of it and start understanding what to look for, it becomes much easier and the judging moves along quite quickly.

“But I have to say this year has been very hard. There are some exceptionally impressive portraits in this year’s Portrait By A Nation so we did find it more difficult to agree on the winners.

However, we use a points system so there’s no arguing with that!”

Y Magazine has received 300 more entrants this year compared with the 2015 edition while the event has also been held in Salalah, where 200 contestants competed, as well as in Nizwa and Sohar.

Held as part of the Sultanate’s celebrations to mark National Day, Portrait By A Nation enables children to create lasting tributes to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said.

Presented by Al Mouj Muscat, powered by Shell Oman Marketing, and with associate sponsors A’Soud Global School, Atana Khasab, Atana Musandam, Burjeel Hospital, and IDdesign, as well as our venue partners Crowne Plaza Salalah and the Grand Hyatt Muscat Hotel, this year’s Portrait By A Nation has been the most successful so far.

And now in its third year, the event is a firm favourite on the nation’s National Day calendar, with parents and even children contacting Y Magazine weeks before the competition is ready to begin.

“This is the first time my son has participated in a national level event and we are very happy to be a part of it. Y Magazine has given an opportunity for youngsters in the country to show their love for the country as well as His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said,” says Hossam al Said Abdul Aziz, the father of seven-year-old Osama Abdul Aziz, who was competing in this year’s event.

“When these children go outside the country and back to Egypt, they will share their experiences at the event with their family members there and that will give the people outside an idea about the country, too,” he adds.

Meanwhile, another parent, Ziad Rahman, says this is the second year his four children have entered Portrait By A Nation.

“None of them received a prize last year. But all of them loved the event and the atmosphere so much

that they actually enrolled and did all the registration process themselves,” he says.

“I think the Portrait By A Nation really helps children unleash their true artistry on canvas.

There are a lot of children who are not given the opportunity in school and need some other place to express their true talents. And for those children, the PBAN event really helps lay the groundwork for

the future.” But back to the secret meeting of the judges.

After a few hours of judging, there’s a sense of relief as the group chooses its final winners, as well as admiration and praise for all of the children who have entered.

“It’s been a wonderful experience as it is the first time for us,” says Veenu Sreedharan, from Burjeel Hospital. “The judging went very well.”

Leon Rafael Salinel, who is representing Omran and was also a first-time judge, agrees. “I loved it,” he says. “The whole experience was very new… but the outpouring of love from the children was very evident.”

Shaker Jalal is also judging

Portrait By A Nation for the first time and is surprised by the quality of work, saying that at first, that he thought the children had received help from their parents.

However, he was assured that Portrait By A Nation is a live event and is closely monitored

by Team Y and other assistants to prevent parents from helping their children to give them an unfair advantage.

“I thought it would be easy as they are kids, but their art looks like it is not by kids,” he says.

In the meantime, the winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel on November 28. Who will they be? The judges are sworn to secrecy but we can tell you that they are looking forward to meeting these creative stars of tomorrow.

I thought it would be easy as they are kids, but their art looks like it is not by kids

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MEET T HE FINALIS TS

5-9 YEARS

AARAV TANNA Age: 9

AKSHAJ MATHUR

ALINA MUSKAN SHAFEEQ

ANVITHA ARUNDEEBAK Age: 6

AQEEDATH KHANUM Age: 8

FATHIMA TAMANNA JASFAN

GAUTHAM SIDHARTH. V

KARTHIKA VINOD

KEVIN JOSHY THOMAS

PARIN JAYESH TANNA

RYAN SETH GLADSON

SAANVI RAJU

SOHA KHAN

SUKRITI BHATNAGAR

WANIA KHAN

WASHMA AHMED

Age: 9

Age: 8

Age: 8

Age: 9

Age: 7

Age: 9

Age: 9

Age: 9

Age: 5

Age: 7

Age: 7

Age: 6

Age: 8

10-13 YEARS

ABHINAV. S

FOUAD ZENIN NOWSHAD

Age: 12

AMAL KRISHNA Age: 11

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ARYAN SHERE Age: 12

BHADRA JAYAKRISHNAN Age: 10

Age: 13

INDRAJITH Age: 13

PRIYA VILSON Age: 11

MAGANDHA DINESH

MANYA SUNIL TALATI

NADIA NISHAD

NOEL SHAIJU

R. NIKITHA

RASHA JAIN T.S

RISHIMA MATHUR

TAMIZHSELVI

Age: 11

Age: 12

Age: 13

Age: 13

Age: 10

Age: 13

Age: 12

Age: 11

14-17 YEARS

ALIA GHANI

ARDRA JAYAKRISHNAN

Age: 16

Age: 14

ANIKA JOSHI Age: 16

ALITTA AJAY Age: 15

ANSAR MOHAMMED Age: 16

POOJA DHARMASA

AVIGYAN BHATTACHARYA Age: 14

Age: 14

JANNATUL MAWA Age: 16

LAKSHMI VIKASH Age: 15

OESHI CHOWDHURY Age: 15

SAHELA

VAIDEHEE THAKUR

Age: 17

SANA WAHAB Age: 14

SNEEGHDHA ROY Age: 14

SUCHI SMITA SINGH

Age: 15

Age: 15

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023

WITH FLYING COLOURS Muscat’s skies were streaked with magnificent shapes of multi-coloured smoke as the world-famous Red Arrows showcased their aerobatic artistry for Oman

A

t first, they were just specks in the distance but then came the sound. It was a rumble at first, and that grew into a mighty roar as 12 Hawk T1s thundered over thousands of onlookers gathered on Shatti al Qurum beach as smoke was billowing in the bright blue sky behind them.

There was no mistaking it: the Red Arrows, also known as the UK’s Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, had arrived in town for their one-off, adrenaline-packed aerobatic display.

The crowds were in for a treat, with the highly trained Red Arrow pilots putting on a colourful aerial display that showcased their precision as they performed death-defying feats of “formation aerobatics”.

In Oman as part of their biggest overseas tour in a decade, which has seen them also perform in China, India, Singapore and Malaysia, the Red Arrows’ performance coincided with Oman’s 46th National Day celebrations.

Group Captain Fein Mohahan, the Chief of the Red Arrows team, said: “We are proud of this participation that reflects the extent of the cooperation between the Sultanate and the United Kingdom, and I am very happy to be in the Sultanate for its good reputation of hospitality and generosity.”

Since being established in 1965, the Red Arrows, which are based at RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire in the UK, have

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flown more than 4,725 displays in 57 countries and have been seen by millions of people around the world. The team puts on displays every summer, but for eight intensive months of the year, they train and practise their manoeuvres at their home base.

And it was these formations that the residents of Muscat witnessed last Sunday, as the Red Arrows turned and twisted and even “drew” a love heart in the skies above Shatti, drawing huge cheers from the crowd.

The flybys were spectacularly vivid, with red, white and blue smoke streaming behind the Hawk T1s.

“It was so loud, but incredible to see,” said one onlooker.

“It’s amazing what they can do and I can imagine that hours and hours of practice goes into everything they do.

My favourite was the love heart – to me, it showed their love for Oman and that they were happy to be here.”

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FOOD AND DRINK

FRESH IS BEST

Keeping it simple and fresh is a great way to serve up delicious meals for friends and family.

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Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

FOOD AND FRIENDS N

Gather around a table and enjoy some lush lunches or scrummy suppers crafted with fresh produce from down on the farm

othing beats a meal filled with flavoursome ingredients fresh off the farm. From sides to main dishes to desserts, these recipes show you how to transform wholesome farm-raised foods into a crowd-pleasing menu you can enjoy from start to finish. To find more main dish ideas for entertaining, visit eatchicken.com.

Pan-Roasted Maple Dijon Chicken with Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts from the chicken. § Turn the heat up to high and add the stock, syrup and Ingredients: mustard to the butter in the § 1 tbsp olive oil pan. Stir, and bring to the boil, § 4 chicken thighs scraping up the brown bits on § 4 chicken drumsticks the bottom of the pan. Put the § 3/4 tsp kosher salt chicken back in to the pan, § 1/2 tsp freshly-ground pepper cover and reduce the heat § 1 tbsp unsalted butter to medium-low. Cook over a § 16 Brussels sprouts (about medium-low heat for 20-25 225g), bottom trimmed, outer minutes or until the chicken leaves removed and halved registers 75C by using an § 2 cups diced (1.2cm) butternut instant-read thermometer. squash § Add the vegetables to the § 1 1/2 cups chicken stock pan, cover again and cook for § 2 tbsp maple syrup another 8-10 minutes until the § 2 tsp Dijon mustard vegetables are tender. Then, put the chicken and vegetables Method: on to a serving platter, placing § In a frying pan large enough the vegetables around the to hold the chicken in a single chicken. Turn the heat up to layer, heat the olive oil over a high and boil the sauce until it medium-high heat. Season the has reduced and has slightly chicken with salt and pepper. thickened, which should take Add the chicken to the pan, about 2-3 minutes. skin-side down, and saute for about 4-5 minutes per side or § Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve. until the chicken is browned. § Remove the chicken from the pan and put to one side. In the pan you have just used, add some butter. Allow the butter to melt using a medium heat.

Add the sprouts and squash to the pan and saute, tossing occasionally, until the outside is golden brown, for about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the pan and put to one side, separately Servings: 4

Meanwhile, potatoes can be a crowd-pleasing appetiser or side dish at any festive party. Simply grill or bake Wisconsin potatoes and top them with your favourite flavours, like bruschetta or a combination of ingredients such as Greek yoghurt, cheese, herbs, olives and tomatoes.

Find more potato recipes at eatwisconsinpotatoes.com. * Family Features

Festive Papas Tapas together 1/2 cup of plain, nonfat Greek yoghurt, 1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, two tablespoons of Ingredients: fresh chives, chopped; and § 2-4 medium Wisconsin russet spoon on top of the potatoes. or gold potatoes Garnish with one tablespoon of § 2 tbsp olive oil chives. § 1/4 tsp pepper § Mediterranean: In a bowl, mix § 1/2 tsp sea salt together 170g of Feta cheese; one can (65g) of sliced olives, Method: drained; one medium tomato, § Heat the grill or oven to diced; salt and pepper, to 200C. Thinly slice the taste; and spoon on top of the potatoes lengthwise to a 10cm potatoes. thickness, discarding the ends. § Creamy Greek Yoghurt with § Toss with olive oil, then season Lemon and Herbs: In a bowl, with salt and pepper. mix together 1/2 cup plain § Place on a grill or prepared non-fat Greek yoghurt; baking sheet. Cook for 10 two tablespoons of freshlyminutes on each side and add chopped dill; juice from half the toppings. a lemon; salt and pepper, to taste; and spoon on top of the Topping Ideas potatoes. Garnish with dill § Bruschetta: In a bowl, mix sprigs. together two medium tomatoes diced, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, two cloves of minced garlic and one tablespoon of olive oil, and spoon on top of the potatoes.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 6

§ Baked Potato: In a bowl, mix

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FOOD AND DRINK

Tr e n d

d i M ket r Ma

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

Info Box

B+F ROADSIDE DINER

Marsa 2, Al Mouj Tel: 2454 8444 Opening hours: Daily from 12 noon to 11pm Dinner for six: RO49.9

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Verdict : 7/10 SERVICE 8/10 FOOD 9/10 AMBIENCE American diner concept that serves up great burgers Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

WHILE THE SERVICE MIGHT BE A BIT HIT AND MISS, FELICITY GLOVER FINDS THAT THE FOOD’S PRETTY GOOD AT THE NEW B+F ROADSIDE DINER IN AL MOUJ

I

t’s a gorgeous Saturday afternoon and the cooler weather means we can spend more time outdoors, which means dining al fresco.

And so it was that my daughter Cia and I found ourselves walking along the marina at Al Mouj Muscat with some friends – the P Family – as we headed to B+F Roadside Diner, which can be found in the new Marsa 2 area.

It’s become quite a bit of a hotspot since a number of cafes have opened their doors here over the past couple of months. From kids shooting about on their scooters to teens showing off their inline skating skills and families going for a stroll along the waterfront, it’s no wonder that it has become so popular so quickly.

Because there were six of us and we wanted to sit outside, the friendly waiters at B+F asked if we could wait about 10 minutes for a table to be free. Sitting outdoors at this time of the year is at a premium – there were very few diners inside B+F’s modern, industrial-looking space.

Finally seated, we were given our menus quickly.

Fortunately, it wasn’t an overwhelming menu – just two pages that kicked off with starters, mains, burgers and drinks.

Many of you are probably already familiar with B+F at Shatti, and the outlet at Al Mouj is its second outing. It’s an upmarket burger joint that goes that little bit further with modern American cuisine. From chicken and waffles to sliders, burgers, country-fried steak, salads and pasta, the menu is short and sweet – just the way I like it.

But choosing was still difficult. Mrs P chose the jalapeno chicken and cheddar waffle, but then spotted the Coyote Canyon burger – a green chilli-infused beef patty with pepper jack cheese.

However, when it came to ordering, the burger wasn’t available so it was back to Mrs P’s original chicken and waffle choice.

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while Mr P’s sliders were “very good”. There was a slight spice of jalepeno that lit up the burger, while the brioche buns were very soft and the meat was moist even though it was cooked through rather than pink. His only complaint?

It wasn’t a big enough serving and needed to be served with a side, such as B+F’s delicious homecut fries.

Miss Pre-teen gave her whopper of a burger (it came with two beef patties) the thumbs up. Served with a heap of hand-cut fries, Miss Pre-teen said the sauce in the burger had a little “ting” about Mr P settled on the Dynamite slider, while Miss it – in other words, a hint of spice. However, her Pre-teen plumped for the DDM burger, and Miss salted caramel shake was a little too sweet and Teen and Cia the Roadside burger. I was intrigued sickly for her liking. by the shrimp risotto cakes and ordered these.

Cia and Miss Teen loved their burgers as well, Miss Pre-teen also ordered the salted caramel saying the meat was tender and juicy while they shake, and Cia and Miss Teen decided to have loved the fries. strawberry crush mojitos. As always, the adults Unbelievably, the three girls were up for dessert, stuck to water. with Cia plumping for the chocolate brownie First out of the kitchen was my order – three pudding, Miss Teen the mug chocolate fondant golden risotto cakes beautifully presented with a and Miss Pre-teen the skillet cookie. Cia and Miss sprinkling of greens and sitting on a drizzle of Teen gave their desserts another thumbs up but thick balsamic vinegar and a homemade tomato the skillet cookie – again with the caramel sauce – sauce on the side. was too sweet and doughy for Miss Pre-teen.

It was then that we realised that, as my order Overall, everybody said that they’d go back was a starter, perhaps the rest of the meals again, while we thought the service was hit and wouldn’t be coming out until I’d finished. But five miss because B+F had only recently opened. or so minutes later, Mrs P’s meal arrived. And At least we are hoping that’s the case. In the then there was nothing for quite some time. Mr P meantime, it’s a great spot to sit outdoors and finally got his slider, but the girls’ meals still hadn’t shoot the breeze while sampling some very good arrived. Next up was Miss Pre-teen, then another modern American cuisine. wait for the final two burgers. In all, it took about Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see 30 minutes for all of our meals to arrive – all of reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com them separately – so by the time, Cia’s burger was placed in front of her, I’d already finished.

It is safe to say that we were not impressed by the service – and were rather puzzled by the approach.

But that would have to be the only major complaint. My shrimp risotto cakes were delicious although lacking in shrimp (I think there was only one or two in each cake). Soft and creamy on the inside, it was a lovely contrast to the crunch on the outside.

Mrs P said she enjoyed her waffles and chicken

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

ALL WHITE

White is one of the hottest hues for the cooler months this season. From linens to soft jerseys and touches of blue, it’s the perfect look for relaxing in Oman, such as this outfit from East.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

, reet look t s igh t the h e th to ge o t end ps you h g l i e h ver he h t Glo From y t i c Feli

T t Ge

This navy-blue ruffle blouse from Top Shop is a classic hue that pairs perfectly with white.

From RO16.1

A pair of winter white cord slim trousers from M&Co is a blank canvas for a variety of colours.

From RO10.4

Try these wide leg cropped trousers by Very for size. They have a cute buckle detail and are a great option for long beach walks. From RO11.8

A gold-tassel necklace from M&Co adds a glamorous, boho touch and lifts your outfit to the next level. From RO5.7

This blue Nita square bag from Oliver Bonas is a handy tote that will take you from the office to a more casual day out (due January). From RO18.7

Aviator-style sunglasses never go out of style, such as this pair from Accessorize. From RO5.7

A pair of white leather-look lace-up plimsolls, such as these from New Look, has to be one of the biggest trends of the year judging by the number of celebrities sporting them.

From RO7.1

NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health Fashion

BEAUTY

COOL LOOKS

Three ways to revamp your winter skincare regime

S

mart skincare is essential all year round to maintain healthy, youthfullooking skin. During the colder months, it becomes especially critical as temperatures, humidity and air quality are in flux – not to mention your calendar, which is sure to be packed with seasonal festivities.

By upgrading your skincare regime this winter, you can protect your skin more effectively and maintain a healthy glow. Whether you’re getting glam for a gathering, hitting the ski slopes or holiday shopping, taking care of your skin is key to looking and feeling your best.

The secret to maintaining healthy-looking, dewy skin is to find products that help refine the appearance of pores. While cold air visibly shrinks pores, lower humidity levels can actually increase excess oil production and cause irritated, clogged pores.

When choosing your skincare products, look for those designed to improve your skin’s texture.

Formulas with ingredients like oat extract can help you exfoliate. Lentil seed extract, which is high in antioxidants, can reduce the appearance of pores. Additionally, java tea extract is known for its oil control properties. Ingredients such as these are used in products like Artistry Advanced Skin Refinisher, which is a great addition for your skincare regime.

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Always remember to moisturise skin and stay hydrated. This goes for every climate and season, as skin cells require water to stay healthy and resist environmental damage. In the winter, harsher climates often see lower humidity, which requires extra hydration.

Moisturise at least twice daily. In the morning, moisturisers are the perfect base for your makeup to avoid flaky skin. Complement it with nourishing foundations for smooth, flawless coverage, and toss a compact foundation with moisturiser in your bag to reapply when you’re on the go.

For intensive hydration, consider denser moisturising creams like Artistry Supreme LX Regenerating Cream and Eye Cream, which also have anti-aging benefits.

“These formulas contain multi-phase technology to replenish, energise, repair and protect skin so it looks and performs more like it did when it was younger,” says Dr Sumita Butani, global product innovation lead for Artistry by Amway.

If moisturising creams feel too heavy on your skin during the day, opt for a lotion for a light and refreshing boost.

Then, as you’re unwinding at night, reapplying moisturisers after removing makeup and cleansing is a great way to revitalise the skin

for the day ahead. It’s like giving your skin a big glass of water!

Of course, don’t forget to drink water as well.

Eight glasses, which equals about two litres, gives your skin a refreshing reservoir. Coffee, tea and pop have a diuretic effect that counteracts hydration so try to limit your intake of those beverages.

In addition to your daily skincare regime, pick a day or two each week to pamper your skin even further, with a revitalising mineralbased mask or peel. Try moisturising masks and soothing fragrances, like cucumber and lavender.

Every now and then, take time to indulge yourself. Make yourself a cup of herbal tea, soak in a hot bath or dive into that book you have been putting on hold, for example.

“The holidays are all about focusing on quality time with family and friends but it’s also so important to invest energy into my own physical and emotional wellness so I can feel my best,” says Amway Independent Business Owner Carrie Bohlig.

By taking care of yourself from the inside out and investing in high-quality skincare, you can look and feel great as you enjoy the winter months and make memories to cherish.

– BPT

Beauty

HEALTH

THE ETIQUETTE OF BEING ILL AT WORK

B

Fashion

When cold or flu hits, sharing is not caring

eing considerate of others when you’re ill is one of the first steps to maintaining etiquette at work when you’re not feeling well.

For instance, you may think you’re going to earn brownie points for turning up for work despite feeling under the weather. However, American etiquette expert and corporate trainer Diane Gottsman takes the opposite view.

Recent surveys have found that many people feel anxious about getting sick when others cough around them, Gottsman says. “When you cough, your co-workers are likely going to be thinking of themselves and may not sympathise with you.”

That’s why Gottsman says the best thing to do is steer clear of the office. If working remotely isn’t an option, it is better to take a sick day.

“When you’re sick, it’s so important to take precautions to keep your germs from infecting others, which should always include staying home from work or other activities until symptoms have subsided,” says Gottsman. “I understand that sometimes life seems too busy to get sick, or a workplace may not offer enough paid time off. So staying home and putting work on the back burner until you’re well is not an option for everyone. Still, productivity will decline when you are sick and you may prolong your illness by overexerting yourself.”

With that, Gottsman says the name of the game is to keep those germs to yourself. Don’t be afraid to be demonstrative about that so you send a clear signal that you care and you don’t want to infect

anyone. This will put your friends and colleagues at ease. Here are Gottsman’s sickness etiquette tips: Telecommute If it is physically possible for you to complete a day’s work at home, that is probably the second most ideal solution to taking a sick day. If that’s not a typical arrangement at your place of employment, though, frame it as being beneficial to your boss and your fellow employees.

For example: “I understand we have this important deadline coming up, which is why I would prefer not to spread this bug to others.

What if I worked on the project from my home office today instead of coming in? If you sent me the call-in information, I could still join the conference call later. Of course, if you need anything at all, I’m just a phone call or email away”.

Touch no one If a friend moves in for a handshake, kindly warn them that you are recovering from a cold and would prefer to ‘play it safe’ before extending your hand.

Keep a sickness arsenal Keep your desk well stocked to help you treat your symptoms and keep common areas germfree. For your kit, consider items like tissues, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitiser, as well as relief for sick symptoms, such as pain relievers and a cough syrup like Robitussin.

Avoid shared surfaces Cold viruses can survive for several hours on

surfaces, transferring easily to your colleagues.

Germs can be hard to contain and avoid but you can do your part by wiping down shared areas like a table or chair with a disinfectant wet wipe when you are finished using them.

Cover your mouth Coughs and sneezes give germs and viruses a nice little vehicle to get around and infect others nearby. If you have to cough or sneeze, use a tissue or cough into your arm or elbow; never your hand because the hands help spread the germs around. When using a tissue, promptly dispose of it and sanitise your hands.

Minimise coughing When people hear someone cough in a crowded space, 26 percent feel annoyed, and 46 percent feel anxious about becoming ill themselves, according to a recent online survey conducted by pollsters Harris. Keeping the medicine cabinet stocked with a powerful cough reliever is one effective way to suppress your cough. One product Gottsman recommends is Robitussin 12-Hour Cough Relief, because the long-lasting formula gets you through the working day by providing soothing relief from the heavy coughing (you’ll also be much quieter, which is a bonus).

It’s not always possible or practical to stay at home for several days when you come down with a cold but practising a good, professional sickness etiquette can help keep viruses from spreading to those around you.

– BPT NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

035

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

•

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

• • •

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

• •

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

•

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

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

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

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Postcards from

Y- F i

Outdoors

Cars

CARS AND ADVENTURES

STEP UP

The ghost village of Birkat Al Mouz gives visitors a fascinating look into the past.

NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

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

Y- F i

Outdoors

Destination

BIRKAT AL MOUZ Shaquel al Balushi comes across a ghost town and appreciates a beacon of living from a bygone age 038

NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

Cars

U

nlike most young guys growing up, I wasn’t a fan of spooky films.

And the chilling sensation of being in a place that is completely deserted was not lost on my buddy Imran and me when we headed for the “ghost” village of Birkat al Mouz.

Stocked up with our water bottles, cereal bars, chocolate and dates, Imran and I set off at our usual time of 4am, just before sunrise. Our usual banter over what CDs to play on the way was unusually harmonious for this trip.

The journey takes a couple of hours and the village is about 140km from Muscat, heading towards the majestic mountains that surround Nizwa. Birkat al Mouz can be found between Nizwa and Izki at the crossing, about 2km from the base of the mountain at Jebel Akhdar. Coming from Izki, you can’t miss the plantation of date trees on your right.

It’s a “ghost town” all right. It became completely deserted after its denizens left the countryside to seek better lives in the city.

The name Birkat al Mouz literally means “a pool of bananas”. There is now a new town nearby, and the whole area is peppered with a planation of verdant green date trees, while the Jebel Akhdar mountain range presides over the area with an air of authority. The village is nestled at the base of the mountain.

If you’re a regular reader of my Destination page then you’ll know I’ve been lucky enough to have been to some of the most atmospheric places Oman has to offer.

But standing in a place surrounded by derelict buildings is a little sad, actually. This was once probably quite a vibrant little town, with people going about their business, socialising and generally

looking out for each other, as most small communities generally do.

The houses are made of mud, and some of them are starting to crumble. It certainly gives me plenty of opportunities to get some nice shots.

A watchtower still presides over this place, and still somehow has the unmistakeable air of authority. Despite the decay you can still appreciate the skill and craftsmanship with which it was originally constructed One of the houses still has an active falaj (water channel) running through it while in another, we came across a pair of men’s shoes and noted the chipped painted remnants of traditional Omani décor. In the old mosque, the roof has fallen in and the beams are forlornly strewn on what remains of the floor. The door still bears its brass knob, though.

A few birds can be seen teetering on some of the walls but they are the only living things you will find here, apart from insects.

Given the precarious nature of the buildings, Imran and I have to take care.

We stick to walking on the foundations and don’t venture too far into the middle of the old town.

We’re also careful where we leave the Jeep.

But you should really take your time in a place like this, anyway. On this hot day, the shade was pleasant enough for us to sit down on a dishevelled old wall and dip into our rucksack of supplies.

Strictly speaking, this is one of two nowabandoned villages (the other is Birkat Al Mawz, which would have been the home of the neighbouring tribe) at the base of the mountain range.

Imran and I found a twisting path, which was crude but still managed to guide us towards up the mountain.

We wanted the reward of a beautiful view and to appreciate how prominent a place Birkat al Mouz must have been in its heyday.

Coming down wasn’t so hard, either.

We found another basic path and easily found an alleyway back to where we had parked the car.

Seeing old villages like this continues to remind us that people lived life before us.

And despite the eerie emptiness of this place, they appear to have done it rather well.

TRAVEL GUIDE

HOW TO GET THERE Take the road from Muscat to Nizwa. Birkat al Mouz can be found between Nizwa and Izki at the crossing, about 2km from the base of the mountain at Jebel Akhdar.

GPS location: N22°55’23.2” E57°40’20.9”

NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

GAME SPOT

A bowling centre is the perfect place post-National Day for some downtime, and can deliver some kudos with the kids, finds Alvin Thomas

I

t’s Saturday and one of my closest friends (for the sake of this article, let’s just call him Zombie) has just landed in Oman after a year’s absence from the Sultanate. Spending most of his time studying at a coaching centre in India, he’s here for a month of relaxation from the burden of books and test papers.

And as a good friend (not so much by calling him a zombie, but good nonetheless), I decide to take him someplace nice to hang out.

But the aftermath of the 46th National Day celebrations means the whole country is in a state of rest. After all, you really need a time-out after all the fun and frolics from November 18. But this leaves me in limbo and I’m stuck between taking him to Oman Avenues Mall for a spot of lunch, and then for a bit of mooching about around the mall.

Reaching the mall, we take the lift. However, an error in selecting the floor number lands us on the third floor of the mall. And just as we exit the lift, I hear people cheering and the unmistakeable sound of bowling balls 040

NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

crashing into bowling pins. “Strike,” roars the crowd from inside the arena.

Now curious about what’s going on, Zombie and I head into the arena, which is called the Pinz Bowling Centre. However, looking around the well-sized gaming zone, I notice that there’s more than just a bowling arena.

Since we are both terrible at bowling, we quickly opt for an hour-long session of gaming on one of the many PlayStation consoles on offer.

There are some really comfortable couches, generously sized LCD television sets and a great set of games to choose from, too. We initially opted to play the all-new Fifa 17 game, which sees us lose track of time. By now, we also draw quite a few spectators who are rooting for their favourite teams. And soon, what started as a friendly game soon becomes a fight for pride.

Thankfully, however, Zombie is an awful gamer, and I take him out on all of the four matches we play, and by

quite a margin. There are also ten to 15 young boys and girls standing by our couches and cheering for me (or the team I chose) as we clock out our full hour.

By now, a couple of youngsters (probably in their early teens) come to me asking for tips on how to take out an opponent with such precision and consistency.

My eyes light up as I feel like a rock star amid all these youngsters. However, Zombie, being the party pooper he is, tells them that it was the first time he has ever played the game, instantly bursting my bubble of fame.

Nevertheless, since he’s here for a few weeks, I’ll make sure to get him back for that. Meanwhile, he vows to come back to the centre and practise Fifa 17 while I’m at work, to take me out in a future session of gaming at the arena. But will I be coming back to play here? Oh, yeah! It’s a perfect spot for gaming, and is probably the only real gaming centre for the young at heart within the Azaiba area. Maybe next time I’ll even try my hand at bowling, and probably humiliate Zombie at that. After all, that’s what are friends for, right?

Pinz Bowling Centre Third Floor, Oman Avenues Mall, Baushar, Muscat Price: RO2 for one hour of gaming Games on offer: Bowling, PlayStation, Snooker

NOV 24 - 30 / ISSUE 446

041

CARS AND ADVENTURES

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO: 1. Explore the Bradman Museum and International Hall of Fame 2. Head to Holly Street to check out the childhood homes of Bradman and Travers 3. Visit the colourful Tulip Time Festival in Corbett Gardens 4. Have a picnic at the Bowral Lookout and explore one of the many hiking trails 5. Catch a movie at the 100-year-old Empire Cinema

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BOWLED OVER

The famous Bradman Oval is a must-see for cricketing fans visiting the Southern Highlands town of Bowral.

Destination

Outdoors

Y-Fi

Cars

POSTCARDS FROM

Felicity Glover recommends

BOWRAL, NSW, AUSTRALIA N

estled in the picturesque Southern Highlands of New South Wales, the town of Bowral has long been a favourite weekend getaway for the upwardly mobile, thanks to its great restaurants, chic boutiques, upmarket spas, cool art galleries and plethora of antique shops.

Its modern-day reputation is no surprise if you consider the town’s history.

Established in 1861, it was a popular rural retreat during the summer for the “elite” gentry of Sydney, which is just under 120km away. Back then, the humidity and high heat in the city drove many to the Southern Highlands, where the temperatures are noticeably cooler over the summer months - think The Hamptons and New Yorkers, but on a much smaller scale.

Thanks to the summer exodus from the late 1800s onwards, many wealthy families built their own estates or manor houses, many of which are still standing today and add to the charm of the town.

But of course, you can’t talk about Bowral without mentioning cricket’s legendary Sir Donald Bradman, often referred to as the best batsman of all time.

While Sir Don may have been born in Cootamundra, his family moved to Bowral when he was two so his mother could be closer to her family, who lived in nearby Mittagong. If you are a cricket fan, then one must-see place on your list of things to do in Bowral is to visit the Bradman Museum and International Hall of Fame in Glebe Park, also home to the Bradman Oval, which also featured in the hit movie Babe .

Surprisingly, another famous Bowral resident was the late author Pamela Lyndon Travers, better known as P.L. Travers, who penned the famous Mary Poppins series of books. Like Sir Don, her family moved here when she was a child - and they actually lived on the same street at the same time: Holly Street.

These days, you will also find a statue of the magical nanny Mary Poppins in Glebe Park.

To get to Bowral, Emirates and Etihad offer flights to Sydney from Muscat via either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

My favourite place

BRADM

AN MU SEU

R A IL W A Y

M

OW R A L S T A T IO N , B

There’s nothing better than wandering around the main street of Bowral on a Saturday morning, where you’ll find great cafés for brunch, lunch and anything else in between. There are some cute antique shops to explore, while if you are a movie fan and a bit of a history buff, you can catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster at the Empire Cinema, Australia’s oldest commercial movie house that celebrated its centenary last year.

Highlights

As mentioned, you can’t visit Bowral without exploring the Bradman Museum and the International Cricket Hall of Fame. It’s a hi-tech, interactive experience that takes you back to the origins of the game, and visits the significant periods of cricket, including Bodyline from the Bradman era to the “Big Bash League”. It’s also worth checking out Bradman Oval and there’s also a children’s playground in the park – it’s cricket-themed so should appeal to many. If you happen to be in Bowral in September, head to Corbett Gardens for the Tulip Time Festival, which dates back to 1911, where you’ll find a huge colourful display of more than 100,000 tulips. A small fee applies during the festival but entry is free for the rest of the year.

Lowlights

Bowral is a beautiful place to get away from the summer heat but during the wintertime, it can get very cold, with temperatures dipping to below zero degrees Celsius. In fact, I’ve been there when it has snowed so wrap up well if you are planning a mid-year visit.

Souvenirs There are the usual touristy souvenirs, such as “I Love Bowral” T-shirts and hats but I would explore the antique shops for something a little more unique. There are also some fun weekend markets in Bowral and nearby towns such as Mittagong, Burradoo and Moss Vale, where you can find one-off designs and some colourful local characters.

CORBE

TT GAR DEN

Where to stay There’s a plethora of choices in Bowral, from the luxe Milton Park to small boutique hotels to B&Bs and youth hostels for those on a budget. You can also go camping and there are a number of motels and caravan parks to choose from – it just depends on your budget.

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043

-FI THE TECH IN YOU MIND CONTROL Step into the future and a world of superpowers at the flick of a muscle with the Thalmic Labs Myo Armband. Fans of Minority Report will be familiar with the technology, but wearing the lightweight elastic armband means you have control over a range of Bluetooth connected devices, such as computers, music and even Parrot drones. The armband works by reading the electrical activity of your muscles and the motion of your arm, meaning you’ll never have to do something so mundane as typing on your keyboard again. At www. amazon.com from RO76.6

Outdoors

D e s t i n at i o n

Y-FI

TO THE RESCUE We’d all love to have the powers of comic book superheroes and, thanks to technology, there are a few gadgets out there that could see you channelling your inner Batman, writes Felicity Glover JUMP FOR JOY Channel your inner Hulk (remember he could travel kilometres in just one jump?) and get a good workout at the same time in a pair of Kangoo Jumps. While they might look a little odd, they provide a fun, low-impact workout that is meant to burn twice the calories in half the time. Judging

by The Hulk’s gargantuan muscles, we suspect he had inbuilt Kangas in his feet. For humans though, jumping has never been such fun – or healthy. At www.amazon.com from RO95.8

HEAT SEEKER Superman may have had the ability to see through walls thanks to his X-ray vision but that doesn’t mean we can’t take advantage of this ability via modern technology. The Seek Thermal Compact XR Camera is a cool device that clips onto your iPhone and turns thermal energy, or infrared light, into a visible image on your phone. With a range of up to 550m, it has a detectable range of -40°C to 330°F and can track wildlife, predators and even intruders in your home at night. At www.amazon.com from RO76.6

GARRISON BESPOKE BULLETPROOF SUIT

EDITOR’S PICK

FORGET LUKE CAGE, THE BULLETPROOF SUPERHERO, OR EVEN THAT HEAVY HUMAN INVENTION KNOWN AS THE KEVLAR SUIT. THESE DAYS, THE STYLISH MAN ABOUT TOWN CAN INVEST IN THEIR OWN GARRISON BESPOKE BULLETPROOF SUIT. DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION WITH SUPPLIERS FOR THE US 19TH SPECIAL FORCES, GARRISON SAYS THE SUIT USES NANOTECHNOLOGY THAT IS BASED ON CARBON NANOTUBES USED IN US TROOPS’ UNIFORMS IN IRAQ. THIS MEANS THE SUIT IS LIGHTWEIGHT AND FLEXIBLE – AND 50 PER CENT LIGHTER THAN A KEVLAR SUIT. AT WWW.GARRISONBESPOKE.COM AND PRICE ON APPLICATION.

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JULY NOV 2403 - - 3009 // ISSUE ISSUE 446 327

BATMAN – THE TELLTALE SERIES: REALM OF SHADOWS

I

f history teaches us anything, it is that no Batman game has ever been rated subpar. However, if there’s even the slightest chance for something Info Box like that to happen, it has to be with this BatmanGenre: Telltale Series game. Why? For starters, this is not your GRAPHIC ADVENTURE everyday action-packed third-person simulation game Platform (s): that users have grown to love and admire. For the first PC, PLAYSTATION 3 AND time ever, Batman becomes the protagonist of a story4, XBOX360 AND ONE, telling and interactive mission.

ANDROID, IOS Against all odds, however, this first episode of Developer: Telltale’s Batman series, entitled Realm of Shadows TELLTALE GAMES actually impresses with its exciting and intricate Rating: MATURE 17+ storyline and unpredictable plotline.

What the game successfully does is to divulge players with the social pressures that Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, has to undergo on a daily basis. There’s something oddly satisfying about making decisions for somebody else. What’s even more impressive is that in the start of the game, you’re only starting off your career as Batman so you can singlehandedly choose what sort of a Batman Bruce must become, such as ruthless, politicised or a mixture of both.

Simple commands let you choose the actions. However, because you only get a few seconds to make your decisions, you will almost certainly find yourself grinding your teeth from the outset.

The game is quite complex as you are forced to fight a war between what you would personally desire and what Bruce would do, although that’s also where the charm of the game lies. This is accompanied by fluidic, superb comic-style graphics and makes way for a lot of good times behind your TV. Remember, once you’re done with the game, you can even go back and try your hand at changing the final chapter for an alternative ending.

Review by Alvin Thomas

App of the Week

GUESS THAT SUPERHERO Put your memory to the test and try to remember every superhero that’s saved the world. As you level up, the images – which are shown as pop art-style artwork, such as those by Andy Warhol and Lichtenstein, become harder to recognise while you also need to spell their names correctly. With more than 120 heroes to name, it’s a blast to the past and also a nod to our modern-day heroes. Free at iTunes.

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045

CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

Postcards from

Outdoors

Y- F i C A R S

Making the models of tomorrow means car designers can have some fun but don’t expect these prototypes on the road any time soon, says Alvin Thomas

A

s the motoring industry continues to evolve, carmakers have been raising the bar and working hard to stand out from the crowd and increase their market

share.

However, in recent years, more manufacturers have proven that car making isn’t simply about cramming expensive technology into a lump of metal but is also about integrating elements such as vision, design, passion and practicality into these models.

Still, every now and then (almost always after the success of a particular car), engineers and designers are given a free pass to go gaga with technology and design to produce – what we call – a concept car.

This will one day form the foundation for a car that will eventually resemble it but will be toned down for production. Today, we take a look at some of the best concept cars that have graced the red carpets of car shows recently, and have stolen our hearts.

Jaguar I-Pace Concept

A while ago, we tested the all-new F-Pace. It looked amazing, and it drove like a peach. We were so blown away by it we actually think it is one of the most soulful SUVs ever made. However, come 2018, we may actually see the manufacturer enter the industry with its first-ever battery-electric SUV, the I-Pace. Tesla has been the lone manufacturer of electric-powered SUVs for a while now, and Jaguar’s entry into the scene is most likely to change that. The I-Pace looks just like the F-Pace, albeit

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with a few changes to the exterior. It also looks a tad more aerodynamic and sporty. If it looks like this in production form then Tesla better up its game real soon. The I-Pace debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show and, as an added treat, Jaguar says the I-Pace will whizz from 0-100kph in a mere four seconds – that’s supercar territory.

Mercedes-Benz X-Class Concept The Mercedes-Benz X-Class Concept gives us a preview into the brand’s first pick-up truck. But there are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, the X-Class is most likely to be based on the production variant of the Nissan Navara, and that means it probably will not enter the GCCmarket. But that won’t stop an enthusiastic few from importing the pick-up truck here. It looks absolutely gorgeous with its flared arches, wide stance and monster-truck tyres. The X-Class should add some luxury to the mid-size segment pick-up lineup, and will most likely adorn the tagline “Powerful adventurer”. Rest assured: this is not your average fleet pick-up truck.

Infiniti QX Sport Concept

When it comes to expressing itself, Infiniti is a step ahead of most car manufacturers in terms of design. And with its elegant and progressive SUV design, the QX Sport Concept raises the game when it comes to designing truly groundbreaking mid-size crossovers. This concept will most likely take the shape of the now discontinued QX50.

This should certainly come as a worry to certain Asian and European manufacturers who have been touting bland designs in their crossover lineup.

Renault Trezor Concept

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: the production-version of the Renault Trezor will not look one bit like this concept car it features at car shows today. But that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the French giant for trying. We’re particularly impressed by its gloriously cartoonish looks and that elongated hood. It has a few party tricks up its sleeve too. For instance, there’s a grid of hexagonal openings – air intakes we’re told – that pop open when needed. The effect is striking if a tad impractical. Another interesting touch is the exterior lighting, which changes to indicate to those around it that it’s in fully-autonomous mode.

Expect to see this at your local Renault dealerships – never.

Fast ! Fun !

Innovative !

Creative !

Committed to Create

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Unlimited calls to

Unlimited calls to

Unlimited calls to

favourite numbers

favourite numbers

favourite numbers

social media

social media

social media

5

5

5

1GB 2 GB 4 GB

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Offer valid until 12th February 2017.

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