Y Magazine #451, December 29, 2016 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

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The news that shaped 2016 News: TOURISM NUMBERS ON 10 THE RISE IN OMAN

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SMART TALK

DEC 29 - JAN 04 2017 / ISSUE 451 • WEEKLY

ALL TORQUE

HEALTH GUIDE ASK

THE

EDITOR’S

NOTE

EXPERT

I have foul smelling discharge & itching per vaginum. What can it be Doctor? Presence of vaginal discharge is a normal phenomenon. Normal vaginal discharge can be clear to slightly yellowish white in color and is odorless. If vaginal discharge develops an odor or change in consistency or causes irritation or burning, a health care provider should be consulted. It can be a sign of vaginal infection. Foul smelling discharge with itching or burning sensation can be due to the following causes: Bacterial Vaginosis: It is one of the most common causes of pathological vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age group. This discharge is typically thin, grey and possess a fishy odor. It is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is mainly due to disruption of normal vaginal flora. Vagina Yeast Infection: It presents with thick curdy white discharge and is usually non-foul smelling. It is also associated with Itching, burning sensation, irritation, pain on urination and even pain during sex. Risk factors for candida infection include diabetes, immuno suppression, recent antibiotic use, increased estrogen levels. Trichomonas Vaginitis: Usually associated with greenish yellow discharge and is a sexually transmitted disease. It also presents with frothy foul smelling discharge with vaginal burning, itching and pain on urination and during Sex. Chlamydia & Gonorrhea: It is important to note that in around 80% of cases chlamydia does not cause discharge and is a subclinical infection. But gonorrhea can cause pus-filled vaginal discharge. Both are sexually transmitted diseases which can ascend up to the uterus and upper reproductive tract and cause Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PID). How to diagnose or differentiate between the various causes? Per vaginal and per speculum examination is done and vaginal swab is taken. Microscopic study and culture and sensitivity of the discharge is performed. Even gram staining and PCR assays are used to detect the specific organism in the discharge.

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

Fast forward

t seems like only yesterday that we were ringing in the New Year for 2016. And here we are, just three days away from 2017. Where has the time gone? It’s been an incredible year for Team Y, from travelling to many corners of this beautiful country of ours, to investigating some of the Sultanate’s pressing social issues, such as two devastating bus crashes that killed a total of 25 people between January and March this year. Safety on our roads continues to be at the forefront of Y’s focus, more so as the Sultanate has one of the highest death tolls in the region. And this will be an issue that we will continue to cover in 2017 as road safety awareness is vital to saving lives. In our cover story this week, we look at the news that has shaped 2016, from the surprise outcome of the US presidential election, an alarming increase in terrorist attacks around the world and, of course, the stories that have had the Sultanate talking. Elsewhere, Y’s photographer Shaquel al Balushi looks at 2016 through the lens, choosing his favourite photographs of the year, while he also heads to Fins Beach for his first camping trip of the season. Happy New Year – and we hope 2017 brings you all good health, happiness and peace!

What is the treatment for the same? Medical treatment is the mainstay for vaginal infection management. Anti-infective agents are used for the treatment in accordance with the appropriate diagnosis. Treatment of partner is required for Sexually Transmitted Diseases. In addition to the above, maintenance of personal hygiene and optimal control of medical illness like diabetes is also beneficial.

Dr. Bindu Kumari, Senior Gynecologist & Obstetrician MBBS , MD (OBGYN), DGO, DNB MNAMS Aster Al Raffah Hospital, Ghubra

editor@y-oman.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

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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. DEC 29 - JAN 04 / ISSUE 451

contents

DEC 29 - JAN 04 2017

Your Oman 10 News Tourism figures rise 12 Looking back Best photos of 2016 14 Faces of Oman

22 FYI The world’s top five theme parks 27 The year that was The major news stories that shaped 2016

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman Ali Al Rahma

Features

16 Review Barbara – Fairouz

18 This Week New Year fun 20 Movies Passengers

15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Saleh al Mahthuri

Cars and Adventures Food and Drink 33 Taste Test Kobe Sizzlers

40 Destination Fins Beach

Health and Beauty

44 Y-Fi Latest smartphones

34 Fashion New Year, new you

46 First Drive Masarati Ghibli SQ4

42 Postcard From Goa, India

36 Beauty Stylish tresses 37 Health Weak in the knees

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

Ammar al Badi chose Irelan d as his country of choice fo r exploring on foot. Here, he sh ares his experience of the “Emerald Isle” with Jeevan Bl esson

veryone has dreamed of early in the morning and start a long packing up everything and When he met people on the way, , hard walk after I had just finished travelling the world. But have their reactions to his journey ranged one the previous night. you ever heard of a man walking from bewilderment to admiration. “Some days, I suffered painful more than 2,000 kilometres to see “They said, ‘You’re crazy, but an feet but I kept going until I got used entire country? keep doing what you’re doing’. All to the pain. And the weight that I Ammar al Badi, an Omani, has the way, people kept offering me lifts was carrying in my rucksack was now graduated from Dublin City but I kept saying,‘I’m walking; I’m a terr ible strain on my back but I University (DCU) in Ireland. Las just walking’.” t tried to balance it to minimise the summer, he walked all around the And Ammar refused to take the discomfort.” country to experience the best of easy option and “cheat” by taking During his travels he tackled stee its well-renowned, resplendent lifts anywhere. p inclines and hauled himself up som greenery. His illustrious trip took In fact, he only once hopped on to e him of Ireland’s most taxing mountains to Northern Ireland as well. a ferry, which was necessary to visit to continue his journey The 23-year-old from Al Buraim Valentia Island, which lies off the i also chose to undertake his journey And it made for an extensive trip coast of County Kerry. during the month of Ramadan, that took in some of the most scen According to Ammar, walking ic which only added to the sheer effo loca tions in Europe. around a nation will give you mo rt re required. However, it made him eve “From Dublin to Drogheda; insight into a country, which you n more determined. from Dundalk to Belfast to Derry; cannot get when travelling by car or “I really don’t know what inspired Letterkenny; Westport; along the bike. me to do it. It just came into my coast of Galway and the Ring of “You get the advantage of meeting head during my last two weeks of Ker ry and back up the east coast more local people and seeing an internship in Dublin. I wanted to again. do stunning landscapes. And you will something that I would remember “All in all, it turned to be close to have a nice long story behind eve ry for the rest of my life,” Ammar says 2,000km,” he says. . picture you take. It turns out he was a member of Ammar set himself the challenge “On the other hand; travelling by the DCU’s hiking society for thre of covering the distance within 40 e bus, car or bike can save you a lot years and a member of its runnin of days, at an average of 50km per g time. You get to see more and enjo day. club for a year. y He walked between 10 and 14 hou more in less time. But the stories rs And Ammar has enjoyed longare a day. more easy-come, easy-go.” distance walking, running and hiki Speaking about his preparations, ng Despite having visited many since his childhood. Ammar says: cou ntries in his life, Ammar is very “I like these activities because “There was not much specific fond of his motherland. there is so much you can gain and preparation for this trip. I started “Oman has the most peaceful, my learn from them,” he says. journey in the month of Ramada frie ndly people in the world, and it n, “Besides, they are among the which meant I was fasting in Ireland has got the variety: mountains in best activities for ensuring a healthy for 19 hours a day with no food the north, desert in the middle and lifestyle. They also help you to or drink for 30 days. I guess this green lands in the south,” he says live a better life by appreciating . experience of fasting for a long tim Ammar is also planning to write e factors such as patience and time helped me to be more patient and a book about his epic journey management. carry on and finish my walk.” in Ireland. His advice to fellow “When I go for a run or a long Ammar did not follow a specific adventurers is straightforward. walk and I reach a goal I have set diet on his journey but tried to “Do what you love to do, do it myself, I feel like I have achieved consume healthy food on the way an safe ly and enjoy every moment of . amazing thing.” At night, he stayed in hostels and it. Sometimes it gets tough but the According to him, to walk around B&Bs but when he couldn’t find a feeling that you get once you reac Ireland was one of the biggest h bed, he set up a tent and camped your goal is just beyond words.” challenges of his life. in some random spots, on some of “Continuing to walk day after Ireland’s most impressive beache Have you got a unique story to tell or do s day without a day stop was a big know someone who has? Contact us to you and in the Burren National Park have challenge. It was hard to wake up in coffee with Y and be featured in Y Mag County Clare. azine. Ema il: editor@y-oman.com

DEC 29 - JAN 04 / ISSUE 451

THE VOICE OF OMAN ALI AL RAHMA ON WHY STARTING OVER SHOULD NOT BE RESTRICTED TO NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

s we approach New Year, most people are searching for resolutions. Whether it’s starting a new diet programme, stopping some bad habits or exploring new adventures, New Year is the best time to initiate something. But it is better to start your resolution NOW rather than wait until January 1. If you have been thinking of beginning a new diet programme or hitting the gym to lose the weight you started putting on in September, you have just wasted three months of progress. Plus, January is the busiest month for joining a gym because of all the people who have resolved to do likewise. If you are waiting to start going on weekend outdoor adventures, now is the right time instead of bragging about it for weeks or months. Furthermore, the new year is not only about starting something new but also about ending things such as altercations and disputes with others. Again, waiting until January 1 to end conflict with a friend or a loved one makes little sense. If there is a problem, conclude it immediately and start a new day by making a clean breast of things. Besides, it’s only another day. The roads, buildings and streets will not change overnight but people might. Those who do have either a limit to their goals or have resisted turning over a new leaf. Changing for the better is always a good thing but changing for the better immediately is the right thing to do. 2016 was definitely a rollercoaster; from a global recession, to global warming to diversification of the country’s economic income. 2017 is also bound to be filled with unexpected twists and great surprises. Have a great weekend and happy New Year!

NEXT WEEK:

FELICITY GLOVER

DEC 29 - JAN 04 / ISSUE 451

correspondence TIME TO END FOOD WASTAGE Dear Editor, In the recent past I have written several letters and community reports on food wastage – this topic disturbs me a lot. A few days ago, during my regular walk, I happened to see large quantity of food in a waste bin near a restaurant in the city. It is a fact that so much food being wasted comes from hotels and restaurants. A restaurant employee recently said that as per his hotel’s policy norms, they have to dispose of leftover food. Yes, some norms and practices set by us show how we approach humanity and realise the life of those who struggle for survival. The world reality is that one-in-seven people go to sleep with an empty stomach every day, while great deal of food items are going to waste across the world – parties and gatherings are the occasions that prompt the dumping extra food in the bin.

DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: “Do you have any resolutions for the New Year? If so, what are they?” MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

As in the past, my New Year resolution for 2017 would be to be a better human being and to work with a more positive approach to do better in all aspects of life.

REEM ELASSAL

Mine would be to start eating healthier food, and less food overall. This is usually an extension of last year’s New Year resolution. Switching to a healthier diet can be incredibly tricky when we are surrounded by so much cheap “junk” food. However, with some determination and a few

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A study conducted a few years ago indicated that food wasted at weddings and social events in India’s commercial hub Mumbai alone would be enough to feed the city’s large slum population. Food is one of the basic requirements for survival and should be given its due importance and respect. Perhaps developed nations should set examples for others by saving food and effectively controlling the wastage. And as individuals, how much can each one of us contribute to it? Sincerely, Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi basic tips I hope to develop healthier eating habits and rein in my tendency towards emotional eating.

RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE

A New Year’s resolution is defined in the dictionary as being a promise to oneself or a decision to do something to improve one’s behaviour or lifestyle during the year ahead. I have two resolutions for 2017; firstly, to be a better version of myself in all aspects of my life not just physically but also behaviorally, mentally, and professionally. My second resolution would be for the world to attain a degree of peace, unity, and harmony regardless of race, gender, religion and social status. And let that peace, unity, and harmony start within ourselves and our own family. A healthy and peaceful New Year to everyone!

NIKHIL RAINA

This year my main resolution is to be more grateful. If you haven’t climbed aboard the gratitude bandwagon yet, this is the year to do it. There are various studies that show that gratitude can make us 25 percent happier. Thinking about that for a second: 25 percent happier would be a great boon!

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Being grateful would also help me to overcome adversity, improve the quality of my sleep, help me to work better and allow me to get along better with others. Next year, I resolve to be more grateful.

GAUTAM GHOSH DASTIDAR

Resolutions are not a flash in the pan for me; I believe in them at every step I take in my life. So my resolution is just to aim to enact them more efficiently.

DR RAO SUDDAPALLI

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Despite the likelihood that they might not be fulfilled, my resolutions remain the same. I strive, pray and try to ensure to do the best I can for myself and other people.

RAJ SHENOY

All my life I have been worrying about my future, thereby missing out on the enjoyment of some great moments of my present. I have finally realised that yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, which is why we call it the present. My New Year resolution is to enjoy the present and the wonderful life I have been given in the form of my family, friends, health and comfort.

HUDA KHAN

Well, my New Year’s resolution is pretty much out of place but it has the most meaning for me. It is simply: “live and let me live”. Having said it, I simply do not want to remember my most regrettable life choices so far and more importantly, I cannot stop looking back if my family, friends and the whole world keep on criticising me about some poor choices I have made. So I say to people: give people some space to mull over their shortcomings and regroup. I’m starting over and feel really good about that.

MOHAN ANANDAN

Resolutions, per se, are intentions or commitments to achieve something. Why do we have to wait for the New Year to make a beginning or make a commitment to achieve something? In my view, a new beginning can be made anytime and on any day. As they say, every dawn offers us a chance to begin afresh and start life anew. The challenge lies in not breaking the resolution as many of us normally crumble or give up after beginning enthusiastically. A resolution to achieve something involves changing the routine and bringing in new habits. The golden rule is 21 days – the time required to form a new habit. In other words, if one is sincere and persistent enough to break this timeline, resolutions can be made meaningful and achievable.

MOHAMMED SINAN WAS SPOTTED WITH HIS FAVOURITE Y MAGAZINE IN MUSCAT

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GVK DURGA RAVI

One resolution would to refrain from waiting for New Year to make a change but to carry out whatever good thought or deed comes to mind right there and then.

SYED BOKHARI

My resolution would be to see a prosperous, peaceful, happy world free from poverty and terrorism; and have tranquility, brotherhood, tolerance, harmony and love all over the world.

USHA DEVI SUDDAPALLI

My focus will be on helping and supporting expatriate Indian housemaids who need assistance.

SUKANYA SUVEESH

To start a meditation practice and eat fewer calories. That’s my New Year resolution.

DEC 29 - JAN 04 / ISSUE 451

YOUR

OMAN T

he outlook for Oman’s tourism industry looks bright, with recent statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showing a significant increase in the number of visitors from the beginning of 2016 until October compared with the same period last year. According to the NCSI, 2.5 million travellers visited Oman from January to October this year. This is up from 2.2 million visitors during the same period in 2015. Broken down, the NCSI numbers reveal that 1,248,387 of total visitors to Oman were from other Gulf Cooperation Council States, followed by Indians with 244,292 and British nationals with 133,706. Germans came fourth with 98,061 registered visitors, while Filipinos registered 93,970 visitors. According to the NCSI, 144,000 people visited Oman via cruise ship this year. People from Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain and America were ranked respectively as the top five travellers to Oman via cruise ship. The data also shows that over 4.9 million people have departed the Sultanate until October 2016. The month of October alone witnessed a drop in the number of visitors to the Sultanate. There was a 10.7 per cent decrease where 192,000 visitors touched down compared with 215,000 in the same month last year. GCC visitors reached 74,000, or 38.3 per cent of the total in October. Indians, Britons and Filipinos followed

NEWS

with 11.2 per cent, 7.2 per cent and 5.1 per cent of the total respectively. The NCSI data also showed that there was a 10.5 per cent decrease in hotel revenue in October, dropping to RO16.7 million compared with RO18.7 million last year. Visitors staying at Oman’s three to five-star hotels grew up by 15.4 per cent, or 141,045 guests from January to October this year. The occupancy rate reached 63.5 per cent during October compared with 63.9 per cent during the same month in 2015, registering a 0.7 per cent decrease. Europeans made the top of the list with 61,966 guests accommodated in Oman’s hotels followed by Omanis with 40,068 and Asians with 12,529. Oman is known for its Unesco-recognised heritage sites, beaches, mountains, deserts and old markets. Khareef season in Salalah also draws tourists from around the GCC from July to September.

PORTRAIT BY A NATION PAINTINGS TO GO ON SALE

ow often is it that you get a chance to be a part of something truly special? Well, after many hours of painting and judging later, it is now your turn to own some of the most unique and bespoke art works that are on offer in Oman. But we suggest you hurry up, because there are only 46 paintings on offer. The paintings on display are by the 46 finalists

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in Y Magazine’s historic Portrait By A Nation” art competition, which saw a record 1,500 participants vie for the top spot to create a lasting tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said. The paintings will be on display at the IDdesign outlet at Markaz Al Bahja Mall, in Seeb. A minimum price tag of RO25 will be put on each painting, but you can bid for a higher price and the proceeds from the paintings will go to the child artists. The paintings will be showcased from December 29 to January 5, 2017, from 10am to 10pm, during which interested buyers can put down their offers for the paintings. Y’s Portrait By A Nation art competition was held over the weekend of November 11 and 12, and the winners were announced at a special ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel on November 28.

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2016 Looking back Shaquel al Balushi looks back over 2016 and finds some favourite photographs he’s taken this year

ime really does fly. It only feels like yesterday that I was compiling a list of my favourite pictures from 2015. But of course, here I am, already listing my favourite pictures for 2016. I cannot lie: 2016 has been a great year for me. It all started with a glorious wedding ceremony… my wedding. That truly laid the groundwork for the amazing year that was to be. But don’t get me wrong; this year, which also marks my second anniversary at Y Magazine, has been nothing short of a journey with a lot of ups and downs, complete with a myriad of emotions, hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Behind each and every picture that you see in the magazine lay countless factors that have fallen into the right place at the right time, starting from simple elements such as the rays of the sun falling on the subject, to more complex factors such as determining the angle of the shot and the speed of the wind. Meanwhile, 2016 has also been a year that has brought me many wonderful experiences. Whether it is heading out of the city once a week to explore the various corners of the Sultanate in my Destination assignments or meeting inspirational candidates for our Driven to Success campaign, I tend to garner a lot of information from every experience. But of all the pictures I have clicked this year, my favourite has to be the one of the model (pictured above) who is looking into the sky in hope. Furthermore, her head is surrounded by colourful feathers. The photo, titled, “Colours of Life”, was captured during one of my daily shoots, but has to be one of the hardest pictures to recreate because of the complexity of the colours. The image is extremely lively and vibrant, depicting the various shades of one’s life. I really love everything about this picture. Apart from that, a few of my favourites, such as the white freckled horse that I caught a glimpse of in the Seeb beach, and photos of inspirational individuals (including an army man) wearing Omani dishdashas also make it to my list of favourite photos, thus depicting the sheer simplicity and elegance of our traditional culture. I’m extremely honoured to present these images to you, and I sincerely hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

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aces of

Oman

Welcome to Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home Name: Lord James Garcia Age: 38 From: Philippines Occupation: Senior sales executive Passion: Photography

Photo: Shaquel al Balushi

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

DRIVEN TO

SUCCESS

After graduating with a degree in accounting from Sultan Qaboos University, Saleh al Mahthuri joined Occidental Oman, where he worked for a decade in different roles that took him from Oman to the company’s then HQ in Los Angeles, California. Today, he is the head of internal auditing for Daleel Petroleum and also the proud owner of 24/7 Fitness, where he is a certified trainer and gym instructor Q: What drives you to success? I have always wanted to do something for myself that I would be remembered by. I see a lot of successful people and realise that they aren’t any different from regular people. But I wondered what makes them different than most

of us. Then I realised that the key to their success lies in working hard. If one wakes up one day and thinks he or she is going to be a successful entrepreneur, I don’t think that’s going to pan out. The successful men and women of today plan everything in advance. That’s what differentiates them from others, and that’s what I try to achieve. Q: Who or what has been your inspiration in your career? Mohammed al Barwani, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Richard Branson are all businessmen who I take inspiration from. Some people are born with money; and with the help and guidance of their families, they work things ahead. But if you are coming from the ground up then you have to work harder than everybody else. Failures can happen too, but you have to persevere and work towards what you want to achieve in life. And that’s how you can succeed in fulfilling your goals. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? I think it would be too early to categorise my success. It has only been a couple of weeks since I opened my fitness centre. But, honestly, I have been planning this for the past two-and-a-half years. There has been a lot of sacrifices and I figure this would have to be my biggest success to date. Q: What are your career goals? Something that I really like doing is

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A WOMAN FOR ALL SEASONS Dorsaf Hamdani is an outstanding voice for her generation and gender, as Georgina Benison discovers at a recent concert at the Oman Auditorium at Al Bustan Palace

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estern popular music has never been short of female singers with something to say; about their lives, loves and some of the misfortunes that have come their way. Luminaries like Joni Mitchell, Joan Armatrading, Janis Ian and others have produced songs that have etched their way into public consciousness and have become evergreen standards. On what often comes under “World Music” – that convenient but crude classification of anything that is not western or mainstream – Dorsaf Hamdani is helping to pave the way for plaintive female vocalists from outside the English-speaking countries. And for an artist who describes her own work as “poetic” and “philosophical”, the Tunisian singer gave a nod to some of her own influences at a recent concert at the Oman Auditorium at Al Bustan Palace. Here, at the Opening Concert of the Muscat Chamber Music Series’ Third Season (2016-17), under the auspices of Arabesque International (an organisation that promotes artistic talent from the Middle East and North Africa), Hamdani called her recital Barbara – Fairouz. Hamdani paid tribute to two singers whose body of work has earned them a following for anyone with ears for songs that contain more than “I love you”. One was Parisian chanteuse Barbara, whose melancholic lyrics and melodies made her a legend in the Frenchspeaking world. The other was Fairouz, one of the most admired and respected singers in the Arab world. It takes skill and virtuousity to produce a creditable tribute to two such unique artists but Dorsaf proved she was more than up to the task. Of Fairouz, she says: “I love this woman. She is not only a singer but also a big icon and a modern woman.” Dorsaf ’s voice is reminiscent to that of Fairouz, and her rich and voluminous vocals also effectively handled some of Lebanese duo The Rahbani brothers’ most famous compositions. While such a programme can often mean an uneasy mélange of genres

and languages, Hamdani was clearly as comfortable singing in Arabic as she was handling the chanson. By the second half, the audience was enraptured, and demonstrably so, of what will go down as one of the finest vocal recitals of 2016. Leading Hamdani’s band was Daniel Mille, her musical director and a noted French accordionist. He endowed the ensemble with an almost Argentinian Piazzola-feel at times, and the instrumental star of the evening was the innovative guitarist, Lucien Zerrad. They were joined by the excellent violinist Zied Zouari and percussionist and Oud player Youssef Zayed. Sometimes the music had almost Latin-like influences, and in the second song of part 2, Give Me the Flute and Sing in Arabic, it radiated a smoky, almost cabaret-like atmosphere. Given Hamdani’s background and training – she styles herself as a classic Arabic singer and has a master’s degree in musicology – simply taking the easy option for a performance was never going to be on her agenda. But then, as a female performer from Tunisia, she has a very clear idea of what she wants to achieve with her music. In a recent interview with music website News and Noise!, she said: “The way to connect with other cultures is to open up. That was my way of being; to open up myself, my music, my culture to this other culture that is quite different. “Sometimes we have to keep it simple. In rehearsals we cannot put all the Arabic music, all the rhythms, all the scales, it is impossible. “But it can be interesting that we can change our way of thinking and we just open up our mind and accept different codes from other cultures.” She set herself a difficult challenge with the two styles and genres by contrasting six romantic yet mournful Lebanese melodies with the Parisien cafe sounds of Barbara. However, such is the ability and talent of Dorsaf Hamdani that she surpassed all expectations and delighted everyone lucky enough to watch her first Muscat performance.

DEC 01 - 07 / ISSUE 447

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

DEC 30

NEED FOR SPEED JAN

QUIZ SHOW

How much do you know about Oman? Put your knowledge to the test at the Oman Quiz Show at Panorama Mall and you could be in with a chance of winning a thrilling helicopter ride with your family. Contestants must be aged 15 and above to take part in the quiz, which will be focused on the Sultanate’s geography, history and culture. To register, all you have to do is like Panorama Mall’s Facebook page or Instagram account, then email your name, number and age to info@panoramamalloman.com. The quiz begins at 6pm on the lower ground floor of the mall. Good luck!

THIS

WEEK

Catch all the action of round six of the UAE’s Rotax Max Challenge at Muscat Speedway, the Oman Automobile Association’s go-karting track. With more than 100 drivers competing to become the next National Class Champion, it’s promising to be a thrilling day on the racetrack. Go-karters from as young as five can show off their skills behind the wheel in the Bambino category. Professional drivers will ramp up the pace in the DD2 (16 years and above) and the DD2 Masters (31 and above) races. The day starts at 10am and entry is free.

New Year fun WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

DECEMBER - JANUARY Are you still deciding where to spend New Year’s Eve? Perhaps NYE 2017 – Countdown by the Sea at Marina Bandar al Rowdha is the party for you. The outdoor party will see guests entertained by the likes of The T Band and DJs Saleh and Manish while there will be spot prizes; a grand raffle draw to win return flights to Bangkok, Thailand; and live food stations catering also to vegetarians. Dress code is smartcasual and the fun kicks off at 6pm. Cost is RO20 and for bookings, call 2474 0038, 9282 0532 or 99771785.

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DEC 31

Gallery

Movies DEC 30

JAN

14 & 21

SWEET SOUNDS BAKER’S CHOICE Learn a new skill for the new year at the National Hospitality Institute’s (NHI) Bread Making Course and impress friends and family. Participants will learn how to bake a variety of breads; from gold corn bread to sesame peanut bread, baguettes, focaccia, tomato bread and olive bread. The course is being held over two Saturday mornings, from 9.30am to 12.30pm and it costs RO70 per person. For details, call 2481 6313 or email businesscentre@ nhioman.com.

Head to Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, for a night of sweet music by the acclaimed musician and composer Gautma Dabir. The concert will showcase the range of Dabir’s compositions in which he will be mixing classical music with modern forms for a truly entertaining evening. For more information call, 9493 4617 or 9493 4618 or email aoloman@gmail.com. The concert is being held in the Oman Auditorium at the hotel and begins at 6.30pm

In the December 1 issue of Y Magazine, we published the wrong toll-free number for the NHI. The correct number is 8009 0091. We apologise for the error.

JAN 04

COFFEE MORNING Join the ladies from the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO) for their first coffee morning of the new year. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends over tea, coffee and cakes. You can also buy tickets to WGO events and either renew or sign up for membership. The coffee morning begins at 10am and is being held at the Ghala Golf Club. For more information, go to www.womensguildoman.com.

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

Snow Queen 3: Fire and Ice

Passengers Starring Jennifer Lawrence as Aurora and Chris Pratt as Jim, Passengers starts out well enough but loses its direction towards the end. That said, it has a great storyline that combines some impressive sci-fi action and a moral dilemma. As the spaceship Horizon transports 5,000 people to a new life on Homestead II, a colony planet; Jim mysteriously awakens 30 years into the 120-year journey. Over the next 12 months, he wanders the luxurious spaceship alone but is constantly drawn to Aurora’s hibernation pod – and herein lies the moral dilemma. With 90 years’ travelling time remaining, should he wake her up from her suspended sleep or should he spend his remaining years alone, dying before the spaceship reaches its

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 Aurora in Passengers? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Sunil Koshy

destination? Of course, he wakes Aurora up, and the two set off trying to solve the mystery as to why the pods malfunctioned, while being helped later by Gus (Lawrence Fishburne), the spaceship’s chief deck officer who also woke up too early. There are some great special effects – keep an eye out for Aurora’s pool scene – but the ending is rushed as though director Morten Tyldum was trying to pack in as much as possible before running out of production time. Lawrence is fantastic as Aurora, and she and Pratt have some good on-screen chemistry while Michael Sheen shines as Robert, the robot bartender. Review by Felicity Glover

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

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The third outing for the Snow Queen franchise, which is based on the fairytale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, sees Gerda return to find her long-lost parents. This time, however, Gerda and her brother Kai have grown up and have entered a new stage of their lives. Their adventures take them on a journey in which they

discover an ancient magical artefact – the Stone of Fire and Ice – but nothing goes according to plan and it’s a race against time as they battle magical elements in an effort to get her family back. The Russian 3D animated movie is fun for younger children but lacks the slickness and pizzazz of some of its contemporaries, such as the recently released Sing and Trolls.

Singam 3 It’s been a long time coming, but Suriya finally reprises his role as hero police officer Durai Singam in Singam 3, also known as S3. Directed by Hari, the Tamil-language film is an actionpacked thriller with plenty of exciting car chase scenes, fighting and, of course, ensuring the bad guys are put away. This is the sequel to 2010’s Singam 2 and also stars Shurti Haasan and Anushka Shetty. Die-hard Singam fans won’t be disappointed but will also see a softer side to Singam as his family life is integrated into the film. Definitely a must-watch. With Arabic sub-titles.

Long View PATRIOTS DAY Based on the true story of the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013, in which three people were killed and 264 others were injured, actor Mark Wahlberg returns to the streets of his real-life hometown to star as police sergeant Tommy Saunders. This is a fast-paced action drama that stays true to its story as the four-day hunt for the bombers leaves the city on edge. The solid cast that includes John Goodman, Kevin Bacon, J.K. Simmons and Michelle Monaghan means this is a powerful story of real-life heroes that takes us behind the scenes as the search for the two Chechen brothers responsible for the carnage reaches its peak. Oman release date: January 12, 2017

Top

most visited theme parks in the world

❶ Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Where: Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States Annual attendance: 20,492,000

❷ Disneyland Where: Anaheim, California, United States Attendance: 18,278,000

yland e n s i D Tokyo kyo, Japan : To 000 Where nce: 16,600, a Attend

❸

❹

pan a J s o i tud S l a s r Unirve:eOsaka, Japa0n,000 90 Whe ce: 13, n a d n Atte

ney s i D o y Tokre: Tokyo, Japan

❺

Sea

Whe 0 : 13,600,00 Attendance

Source: Themed Entertainment Association (2016)

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THE YEAR THAT WAS Team Y looksDiscover... back at the biggest news stories that shaped 2016 – a year marred by an increase in terrorist attacks, a spike in celebrity deaths, a surprise new president for the US, and GCC economies struggling to cope with ballooning budget deficits

man had a wet start to the new year as heavy rains battered the capital city as well as surrounding wilayats, causing wadis to overflow, clogging up roads, and causing gridlocks in many cities. Meanwhile, news of nine-time Grammy-award winning singer Natalie Cole’s death on New Year’s Eve left many in mourning. The news of her death also left many of Natalie’s local fans in tears, as she had been due to perform at the Royal Opera House Muscat in April. In news around the region, Iran’s nuclear deal went into effect just 16 days into the year. Sanctions on both financial dealings and oil were lifted by EU nations and the US after inspections proved that Iran had dismantled the weapons as agreed upon by the nuclear deal. In what was shocking news, the Islamic extremist group of Boko Haram in Nigeria raided the village of Dalori, Nigeria, on January 30, killing at least 65 people. Meanwhile, the group also abducted many children and burned the remains of the village. But on a brighter note, Y Magazine celebrated its eighth anniversary on January 29 with a bumper issue, which saw us give away numerous prizes over a seven-day period. Meanwhile, we also wrapped up our Coolest Fresher competition after weeks of searching for the “coolest” first year students in colleges across Oman.

January

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February

n what caused a whirlwind of conspiracies across the world, North Korea launched its Kwangmyongsong (or shining star) rocket to send a satellite into orbit on February 6. While North Korean officials claimed it was for peaceful purposes, the US and South Korea condemned the move as a thinly veiled attempt to test their intercontinental ballistic missile technology. Nigeria fell into the limelight again on February 11, when 58 people were killed in a refugee camp after two suicide bombers (girls wearing bomb vests) detonated themselves in the camp that was set up for people fleeing Boko Haram. Meanwhile, the Syrian Government and opposition agreed to a “cessation of hostilities” on February 22, which was brokered in a joint intervention by the US and Russia to bring stability to the country. Earlier in the month, several countries such as the US, Germany, Norway and Kuwait came forward to raise US$10 billion (RO3.85bn) in aid to Syria. Meanwhile, Team Y investigated a devastating road accident, which occurred on January 28, when a bus carrying 34 students was hit by a truck in Bahla, killing four children, one teacher and both drivers. As Oman prepared to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we also conducted the grand finale of Y We Are Soulmates, a competition that was designed to test the bond that holds various couples across the Sultanate together.

March

Htin Kyaw as the new president of the country. However, March brought yet more tragedy to the Sultanate when an accident involving a tourist bus, a truck and a car left 18 people dead and more than a dozen injured. Meanwhile, heavy thunderstorms also swept the country, causing widescale flooding and damage to property.

he UN Security Council imposed another round of sanctions on North Korea following its satellite launch that had sparked debates worldwide. The new sanctions called for inspections on all cargo entering and leaving the country. March also marked Barack Obama becoming the first US President to visit Cuba in over 88 years. Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro discussed issues surrounding human rights as well as the long-standing US economic embargo during a joint news conference. In news that shocked the world, Islamic extremist group ISIS carried out three co-ordinated suicide bombings in Belgium: two at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem and one at the Maelbeek metro station in central Brussels, on March 22. The incident left 32 civilians dead and 300 others injured. In other news, the citizens of Myanmar joined hands to elect scholar and politician

April A

pril turned out to be one of the most memorable months of the year, when the country celebrated the return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said to Oman on April 12 after nearly two months of medical check-ups in Germany. Meanwhile, the month also marked a lot of firsts for Oman, as F1 legend David Coulthard and Omani racer Ahmed al Harthy introduced Formula One to Oman, as thousands gathered around the Muttrah Corniche to witness the action. The month also saw airport taxis being fitted with electronic meters for the very first time. In other news, Oman also became the first GCC country to draw up its draft for implementing Value Added Tax

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May

e kicked off the month with ISIS claiming responsibility for a series of three bombs that killed 80 people and wounded scores more in Baghdad, Iraq. In other news, Barack Obama confirmed that the leader of the Afghanistan Taliban had been killed in a US drone strike that targeted his car in Pakistan. President Obama said the death of Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour was an “important milestone in the fight against terrorism”. In Oman, the closure of Al Sawadi Beach Resort in Barka left more than 70 workers, including 30 expatriates, stranded with no pay, food or electricity, according to local media. The workers had not been paid since November 2015. However, a local trade union came to their rescue. Meanwhile, Majid Al Futtaim, the UAEbased shopping mall operator, announced plans to pump R0515 million into Oman’s

(VAT) across the country. In other news, the world was greeted to news of the “Panama Papers” leak on April 3, referring to the revelation of millions of confidential documents that were leaked from a Panama-based law firm, Mossack Fonseca. The papers revealed details of how some world-renowned businessmen, businesswomen, politicians and celebrities funnelled their assets into secretive shell companies set up in lightly regulated jurisdictions. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman announced the approval for the “Vision 2030”, a 15-year plan to reduce reliance on crude oil, and focusing on growth in non-oil areas with the goal of increasing the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Closer to home, Y took an in-depth look at the future prospects of solar-powered homes in Oman, and also took a tour in one of the country’s self-sustaining homes.

retail sector over the next three years, including the Mall of Oman, which is planned to open by 2020. Confusion over No Objection Certificates (NOC) has been widespread since the beginning of this year, when expats expressed concerns that they were not allowed to start a new job despite having an NOC. However, the Director General of Passport and Residences confirmed that the NOC law would remain unchanged.

June T

ennis fans were thrilled when Serbia’s Novak Djokovic defeated Britain’s Andy Murray to win the final of the French Open tennis tournament, becoming the first man since 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time. June witnessed the UK’s referendum on whether or not to leave the European Union. In a decision that rocked the world’s markets, Britain voted to leave the EU (a move commonly known as “Brexit”), forcing the resignation of prime minister David Cameron. He was replaced shortly

August T

he most awaited sporting event of the year – the Rio Olympics – kicked off the month of August, which saw some of the world’s most talented athletes gather in the South American country. The United States topped the medal table for the fifth time, winning 46 gold medals and 121 medals overall. Four athletes represented Oman; this was the nation’s ninth consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympics. Elsewhere, Russia launched an airstrike on Syria from an airbase in Iran. The United States was upset by this move, claiming that the airstrike out of Iran could violate the UN Security Council resolution 2231. In August, Y magazine undertook an investigation as accidents involving speeding reached an all-time high and deaths on the road rose more than in any other GCC country. Our investigation found that drivers in Oman had to do more to combat the problem. Our team witnessed speeding and tailgating, dangerous manoeuvring and illegal parking during an hour-long drive from Muttrah to Seeb.

afterwards by Theresa May. Later in the month, three terrorists stormed into Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport in Turkey. Armed with explosives and guns, the terrorists opened fire before detonating the explosives. More than 40 people were killed, and hundreds more were wounded. In Oman, the economic downturn continued to bite, with Y Magazine launching an investigation into the expat exodus, which has seen thousands leave the country since the beginning of the year.

he break-up of “Brangelina” – the marriage of Hollywood superstars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt – shocked millions of fans around the globe. The couple had been an item since 2004, married in 2014 and have six children together. Speaking to CNN at the time, Pitt said: “I am very saddened by this but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids. I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.” In the digital space, Yahoo!’s woes continued; this time confirming that more than 500 million accounts had been compromised after the company was hacked back in 2014 in a “state-sponsored” attack. According to Yahoo!, the hackers stole names, passwords, birthdates and email addresses while it was unclear in which country the hack had originated. In Russia, Vladimir Putin secured his fourth term as president after his party won most of the seats in the Duma, or parliament. OPEC members announced the first oil production cut in more than eight years in a bid to halt the sliding oil price while the first presidential debate in the United States between presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was held at Hofstra University in New York. Closer to home, organisers of the Muscat Marathon announced ambitious plans to make the capital an

July

outh African “blade runner” and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius was found guilty for killing his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day in 2013, and was jailed for six years. Meanwhile, Nintendo released its augmented reality game, Pokémon Go, for Android and iOS devices, becoming one of the world’s highest-grossing mobile app games. Tragedy struck France once again; this time when the country was celebrating its most important holiday, Bastille Day. A large truck was driven through a crowd in the southern city of Nice. The truck barrelled through the crowds, fatally crushing 84 people and injuring more than 200; children included. Back in Turkey, there was an attempted coup by a group of soldiers within the country’s military. Gunfire and explosions were seen throughout the two major cities of Turkey, Istanbul and Ankara, as the government, the military faction, and the people of Turkey clashed in the streets. Around 60 people died and 300 were arrested for their participation in the coup. This left 71 Omani nationals trapped in Turkey after the failed military coup but they were flown home by the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO).

September

international venue for marathons, placing it on the same level as Boston and London. And as the Sultanate prepared to celebrate Eid Al Adha, the Government announced that both public and private sector workers would receive a generous five-day break to mark the blessed occasion.

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October I

t was good news for the winners of the annual Nobel Prize, which are announced by the Nobel Committee over the first two weeks of October. But perhaps the surprise winner was singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Earthquakes continued to hit Italy, with the small town of Visso, in the centre of the country, taking the brunt of two temblors measuring 5.5 and 6.1 magnitude respectively. These earthquakes followed the devastating quake that had killed 300 people in August, also in central Italy, which left scores injured and cut off from emergency services. Still in Europe, France announced that it was finally shutting down “The Jungle” – the notorious migrant camp in the port city of Calais, where up to 8,000 immigrants were waiting to get access to the United Kingdom. In Oman, the impact of record-low global oil prices continued to take their toll, with the budget deficit surging by 43 per cent to RO4.37 billion in the first eight months of this year.

Celebrity deaths Here’s a snapshot of some of the famous people who passed away this year: JANUARY British actor Alan Rickman Age: 69

David Bowie Age: 69

Irish broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan Age: 77

Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey Age: 67

t was a bad start to the final month of the year, with Kurdish militants claiming responsibility for two bombs exploding outside a football stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. The attack killed 38 people and injured another 155. In Germany, another attack on a Christmas Market in Berlin killed 12 people and left many others injured. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Syria reached a crisis point, with President Bashar al Assad’s government taking control of the city of Aleppo for the first time in four years. However, government bombs continue to kill scores of innocent residents

December

resoundingly to stay in the European Union) was entitled to negotiate a separate treaty with the EU. But in the biggest news event of the year, Donald Trump won the 2016 US presidential election – despite earlier polls that had put Hillary Clinton in the lead. Trump will be the 45th president of the US and will be sworn in on January 20, 2017. The win shocked the world and in the days following the result, it was clear that Trump was just as surprised. This led to outgoing President Barack Obama promising to “coach” his successor before he moved into the White House. Closer to home, Oman was planning to celebrate an historic 46th National Day on November 18, and Y Magazine was leading the way with its third annual Portrait By A Nation competition.

November

rexit was back in the news after the High Court of Justice of England and Wales ruled that the UK Parliament had to approve Britain’s exit from the European Union before the process of leaving could begin. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon maintained that Scotland (whose people voted

and reduce neighbourhoods to rubble. While evacuations have been completed since the rebels were overthrown, the United Nations has condemned the violence in Aleppo. Back in Turkey, Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador, was shot dead by an off-duty policeman while giving a speech at an art gallery in Ankara, which was captured by the media. As the shocking images and video went viral around the world, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack was “an attempt to undermine Turkey’s relations with Russia”. A decision by the Indian government to demonetise the INR500 and INR1,000 banknotes left millions struggling to change the banned notes, including expatriates in Oman. Meanwhile, Sohar officially changed its name to Suhar and Thai Air Asia X suspended its flights from Muscat to Bangkok, saying low passenger numbers were to blame.

FEBRUARY US author Harper Lee (To Kill A Mockingbird) Age: 89 Former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali Age: 93

MARCH British comedian Ronnie Corbett Age: 85

Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan Age: 94

British record producer George Martin (The Beatles) Age: 90 APRIL Prince Age: 57

British comedian Victoria Wood Age: 62

JUNE Muhammad Ali Age: 73

AUGUST US actor Gene Wilder Age: 83

SEPTEMBER British actor Kenny Baker (Star Wars’ R2-D2) Age: 81 Arnold Palmer Age: 87

OCTOBER Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej Age: 88

British actress Jean Alexander (Coronation Street) Age: 90 NOVEMBER Leonard Cohen Age: 82

British actor Andrew Sachs (Fawlty Towers) Age: 86 Fidel Castro Age: 90

DECEMBER Tamil Nadu chief minister, Jayalalitha Age: 68

US astronaut John Glenn Age: 95

Hungarian/US actress Zsa Zsa Gabor Age: 99

Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt Age: 68

Let’s hope the New Year brings the world peace, joy and happiness.

George Michael Age: 53

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sCaN Our Qr CODEs WITH aNY Qr rEaDEr aPP

FOOD AND DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

te g Budendly fri

REVIEWS

Info Box

KOBE SIZZLERS

GBM Building, Qurum (near Qurum Commercial Centre) Tel: 2456 3220 Opening hours: 12-3pm, 7pm11.30pm Dinner for seven: RO35.2

THE GO-TO PLACE FOR A SPICE GIRL

Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 9/10 FOOD 9/10 AMBIENCE Fabulous food and friendly service Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

SAIMA SIDDIQUE FINDS AN EATERY WITH A STARTLING ASSORTMENT OF SIZZLING OFFERINGS THAT SHE AND HER FAMILY SIMPLY CAN’T RESIST

aised in a diehard foodie family, there aren’t many restaurants in Muscat that my siblings and I haven’t tried. Kobe Sizzlers had never really caught our attention before but now that it has, it has become one of our favourites. Kobe Sizzlers can be found near Qurum Commercial Centre (QCC). And there are actually two restaurants in one – the second is Lemongrass. The restaurant has seating both inside and outside. We preferred sitting indoors and fortunately, as it was a Saturday, it wasn’t crowded. Kobe’s seems like a fine restaurant to me, with its dim lighting, soft music and cozy atmosphere. Several paintings hang proudly on the red walls while a petite, golden lamp helps to illuminate the homely atmosphere so well. We took our seats at the corner and the waiter laid out the menus after a minute or two. After perusing the menu, we discovered we could have Chinese, Thai, Indian or Arabic food. Kobe’s also has some amazing meals for lunch, which are quite cheap. Some of the starters are pretty delicious too including the manchow soup, which I had, and it was a definite hit. We craved sizzlers so we went with chicken chilli, chicken Manchurian and garlic chicken. Apart from this, the menu had a load of

perfectly round balls; so round we didn’t want to ruin their perfection. But alas, they were meant to be eaten. The only marks dropped here was when our server forgot to ask us whether or not we wanted any side dishes. But as soon as the waiter realised this, a plate full of French fries was in front of us, which offered the dilemma of diving into the fries or the mash. The members of my family present were also satisfied with the Manchurian chicken and particularly loved the sauce. My brother did complain that there was a lot of chillies in his chicken chilli but the clue was in the name. After stuffing ourselves, it was quite late and past the restaurant’s closing time but the staff were fine with this. After such large portions, none of us had the courage to go for dessert. Whoever said there is always room for dessert never went to Kobe’s. The prices were quite reasonable, especially when you consider the generous portion sizes. The service was also good throughout. It was a very tasty experience, with amazing staff and negligible complaints. Without a moment’s hesitation, I’d be very happy to go there again. other options like steak, which is cooked to your preference in almost no time at all. No worries. The food took about 20 minutes to come to our table and by then we were ravenous. The sizzling sound of the food was enough to make our mouths water. Our server presented the food one-by-one in front of us. Quick tip: wait for five minutes before eating sizzlers as they are extremely hot! The food looked absolutely stunning but was way too hot to dig in straight away (trust me, I’m an old hand). After a very long five minutes ended, we tucked in. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the rice – neatly hidden under the sauce – was accompanied by a medley of vegetables such as beans, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and bell peppers; all cooked to perfection. The mashed potatoes were scooped into

Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

DEC 29 - JAN 04 / ISSUE 451

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK! Hitting the gym after New Year to stay in shape is one resolution that many of us will be making this year. These fun looks will help you to kick off 2017 in style, such as this outfit from Matalan that will keep you cool, comfortable and get you fighting fit in no time.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

aran K e tin hris C , t ry tree esto s o h h g s e hi rmy h a t e o t H end e look. ram h g g hi th the to get n Insta For those of you who love to run along m Fro s you tine o the beautiful beaches of Muscat, this s i running jacket with a neon zip from help w Chr o l TK Maxx will keep you warm and fulfil l o F your need for speed. From RO8

T t Ge

Gone are the days when active-wear T-shirts were boring and plain. Now is the time to shake things up! This black slogan top from Pretty Little Things will do exactly that. From RO4

One of the most important aspects of your workout is your outfit. Fitness trainers say it should be comfortable. But they don’t say it shouldn’t be chic. Try these tri-color leggings from Joy and turn a few fellow gym bunnies’ eyes green with envy. From RO9.5

Who said gym wear has to follow a certain rule? As long as it is convenient for you, you should wear it. We are sure these chic space-dye leggings from Primark will be comfortable as well as trendy. From RO3

Whether running outside or lifting weights in the gym, it is important that you wear the right shoes. The zig-zag sole on these trainers from TK Maxx offers that ample, athletic motion needed for your workout. From RO9 Nutritionists say that it helps to write down what you should eat to monitor kilos and calories. Why not start the new year with a stylish notebook to record your achievements? This one, from Sainsbury’s is just RO1, but you’ll find similar styles in Muscat’s malls

We are very much “digging” this hoodie from JC Penney which, we assure you, will add a cool and bold feel to your gym attire. From RO3.6

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

BEAUTY

Health Fashion

BLOW AND GO Top five tips to achieve the perfect blow-dry

ou have a dilemma: it’s party season but you don’t have the time or the money to splash out on a new hairstyle. Celebrity hairdresser Asgar Saboo’s DIY blow-dry guide is here! All you need to achieve an amazing look is a curling brush, a hair dryer and some rollers. The best part is you will turn up at any party looking a million dollars. 1. Prep and perfect Start off by towel-drying your hair. You will not achieve that sought-after “salon bounce” with damp hair as this will not only weigh down but also flatten you hair, and nothing is worse than having flat hair when there are plenty of cameras around. Once you feel that your hair is towel-dry apply a small amount of either coconut or argan oil to your hair. Avoid the scalp area as this will leave your hair looking greasy. Carefully brush using a detangling hairbrush or wide-toothed comb. Both will work in the same way and act gently on your scalp when brushing your hair to avoid damaging the ends.

perfecting this technique as it focuses on the direction of your hair when it is drying. Hence, this is why it is called the concentrator nozzle. To start off the styling process, take a barrel brush and a small section of hair and layer it onto the top end of the brush. Hold the hairdryer on top of your hair and slowly pull along the brush. While doing this gently, curl the brush under as it reaches the end of your hair to ensure that it falls with a soft finish. For curly hair, using a brush will cause the look of frizziness so it is best to dry by scrunching and holding your hair under the heat.

4. Va-va volume Velcro rollers are a perfect way of naturally lifting and curling your hair. To focus on the top layers – particularly for thicker hair – separate the individual sections and place the roller at the roots underneath your hair. Pull the roller along the hair. When you reach the ends, roll it back under itself to the scalp. Fasten the 2. Simply section roller onto your head with a grip and secure Once your hair is semi-dry, start to part it off with a medium-hold spray. Once you have into several sections. This is especially important secured all the rollers, give a final spray. Gently for those of you with thick hair as this will cut warm using a low setting on the hairdryer. This will firmly secure and set the down the drying time. This is always a plus as curls so no need to carry hairspray all night long! you never want your hair to withstand too much heat. Start this process by creating a horizontal 5. Finished and fabulous parting along the back of your hair and fasten Now your hair is beautifully prepped and dried, the final steps allow you the top section of hair to polish the look as much or out of the way. Drying as little as you like. Remove the bottom layers first the rollers and shake your hair will ensure all the hair is gently. Be wary of running dried thoroughly. your fingers through the curls as this can cause the look of 3. Handle the heat frizziness. Position your hair To achieve that “salon bounce” it is all about around your shoulders to how you use your hairdryer. Always remember to beautifully frame your face. apply some heat protection spray to avoid damage. Apply a spritz of hairspray and The nozzle is your best friend when it comes to you’re good to go. 036

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Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

WEAK IN THE KNEES Dr Shrinarsha, an orthapaedic surgeon at Burjeel Hospital, offers some insight into the body’s largest joint

t’s amazing isn’t it? Something you use all the time without as much as a second thought. Bending one’s knee to get out of bed, to put on your shoes or to sit down at the breakfast table; it’s an integral part of our day. But when you suddenly can’t use it, then that’s when we realise the knee’s significance as a part of our anatomy. It’s the body’s largest joint. For any athlete, a knee injury is probably the worst they can get. And 55 per cent of sporting injuries are those to the knee. Strong knees are simply fundamental to an athlete’s performance; be it a football, rugby or tennis player, skier, swimmer or track and field athlete. For the rest of us, knee problems can range from seemingly simple sprains to more serious afflictions caused by inflammation of the tendons, To understand these problems any sufferer has to grasp the fundamentals. The knee joint is formed by three bones: the lower end of the femur (thigh bone), the upper end of the tibia (leg bone) and the patella (kneecap). Two cartilage discs, called menisci, allow the bones to glide smoothly against each other, absorb shock and act as a cushion between the femur and the tibia. Fluid-filled sacks, called bursa, surround the outside of the knee. The knee joint is stabilised by muscles, tendons and four critical ligaments. Any of these structures can get injured during sports either singly or together. Each injury and its management is different so it’s essential to know what the injury is and what’s involved in treating it. Injuries can be classified under two groups: acute injuries and overuse injuries. With acute injuries, the most common are sprains (in which a ligament is stretched or torn). These happen when an athlete changes direction quickly, stops suddenly or lands from a jump. Overuse injuries are caused by a repeated action or continuous pressure on the knee. These can include: • Bursitis: inflammation of the bursa • Patellar Tendinitis (jumper’s knee): inflammation of the patellar tendon, the cord-like tissue that

joins the patella (kneecap) to the tibia (shin bone) • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (runner’s knee): an aching pain around the kneecap, caused by muscle weakness or a minor softening of the cartilage under the kneecap that may cause an abnormality in the movement of the patella over the femur formidable combination of technical skill, Of course, it’s not just athletes who suffer from athleticism and mental strength that took him to these kinds of problems. No.1 in the world, the Spaniard has been felled by Anyone who spends time doing things that make knee problems. you bend your knees a lot, like walking, biking, and What was it that caused so many problems to his jumping can get runner’s knee. knee joints and how did he combat them? Like everything else, there are vital signs to His team has said that the constant pounding of look out for if your knees start to hurt. These hard, clay courts certainly didn’t help. include swelling and stiffness; warmth and redness; To overcome tendinitis, Nadal took to a special limping and instablity; inability to fully straighten running machine that encloses the body from the the knee; and “locking” of the knee. waist down, and as a result, lessens the pressure on Obviously, symptoms will depend on the severity the body and makes it feel as if it is 30kg lighter of the injury. In acute ligament injuries, sometimes than it really is. you will hear a popping sound, feel some pain and Many knee conditions can be treated with your knee will start to swell up. anti-inflammatory medications, rest, activity The knee might start to feel unstable and you’ll modification and proper physiotherapy. However, find it difficult to walk. However, even with minor some require surgical treatment. injuries, an athlete can continue to play his sport, Injuries caused by overuse will require surgical albeit with discomfort while observing the swelling treatment only if they fail to respond to adequate and increased pain later. to non-operative treatment. If there is an isolated minor injury to the So, as with every other kind of injury, it’s meniscus or the cartilage, the player may feel essential to consult your doctor, who may refer you only mild discomfort and pain initially, which to specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment. will be followed by One of the most important ways to maintain healthy bones and joints in the swelling in between long-run is daily exercise. six to eight hours Strengthen – Avoid high-impact forms of exercise that could cause stress to later. A combination your bones and joints. Instead, try taking a brisk walk or using hand-held of rest, physiotherapy weights or stretch bands to build strength and resistance. Stretch – Building your flexibility is important to maintaining a wide range of on the tendons mobility while avoiding injury and developing better balance. Before and after and strengthening exercising, take five minutes to stretch your leg, back and arm muscles. exercises can often Cool Down – Before you end your workout, ease into a cool down exercise, such work wonders. as a light jog around the track, to prevent injury and unnecessary tightness or soreness post-workout. For instance, the tennis player Rafael Nadal’s career has been blighted with knee injuries. Despite a DEC 29 - JAN 04 / ISSUE 451

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

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

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

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

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Postcards from

Y- F i

Outdoors

Cars

CARS AND ADVENTURES

RUGGED BEAUTY

Fins Beach is a great spot for a weekend camping trip with family and friends looking to chill out.

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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

FINS BEACH Shaquel al Balushi finds his form with a fishing rod in a favourite scenic spot 040

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Cars

t’s that time of the year again: daylight is dipping and the nights are drawing in, with temperatures dropping below 20 degrees. For many, this is a time to huddle up at home but for me and my group of friends, who call ourselves the “Second Cup group” (because we spend hours chatting at the Second Cup coffee outlet in Jawaharat Shatti), this is the perfect time for a camping trip. And that’s exactly what we decided to do last weekend. Our decision was to spend some time at one of the beautiful coves in Fins, a small village in Wadi Shab in the Sharqiya Region. Its sandy and pebble-covered beaches are perfect for escaping the busy and bustling life of the city. We started our journey to Fins on Thursday evening and opted for scenic coastal roads as opposed to boring highways. It took us a total of two hours to reach our location but upon getting there, we found that a lot of people also had the same idea. So we had to move on to another spot, and after many hours of fruitless searching we finally found a little stretch of fine, white sand that didn’t seem too crowded. It was just the perfect spot for setting up our camp. In total, our location was a mammoth 200km away from Muscat so most of our group arrived only after darkness had descended. Therefore, there wasn’t much exploring to be done and we set about putting up our tents under the light of our torches. After that, we unpacked our things to make something to eat. One of the guys in the group made some tea and then we prepared some barbequed-marinated meat for the night. The group had come together from around Muscat but we have all been friends for a long

time so we had plenty to talk about. Apart from the beauty of the place itself, the sea overflowed with coral and fish, which is not surprising because most of the coastal area of Oman contains a richness of life beneath the water. Our group is really fond of fishing and they even claim to be fishermen but never seem to have any luck on camping trips. Fortunately, the curse was broken and we ended up catching as many fish as we could. After all our adventures at night we went to sleep in our designated tents and I was prepared to see the sunrise. The sunrise was beautiful and I sat on the shore and enjoyed the sound of early morning waves and walked along the beach capturing a variety of photos, from seabirds to some strange-looking creatures I couldn’t identify. Finally, my friends woke up and we had breakfast and decided to have some time in the ocean. The water was quite cold but it was the best way to start the morning. I got an opportunity to take a special photo of two tents – an old one and a modern one in one frame. This was the best photo of this weekend trip. It had been a long day and it was time to pack up before having our traditional coffee to celebrate our time together. It had been a fun weekend with my friends. This was my first camping trip of the season; an amazing experience made all the more pleasant by mild temperatures and a cool breeze, and I can’t wait for many more over the months to come.

TRAVEL GUIDE

HOW TO GET THERE It’s an easy drive from Muscat to Fins Beach. From the capital, take Route 17 via Amerat and continue on until you see the signs for Fins. The trip should take just under two hours.

GPS location: N22°57’13.5” E59°11’55.9”

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO: 1. Go on a romantic Mandovi River Sunset cruise 2. Go dolphin watching 3. Visit the many churches 4. Kayak in the Goan backwaters 5. Shop at Anjuna market

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CHILL OUT

The relaxed pace of Goa is a magnet for tourists, where beautiful beaches and a fun nightlife can be found.

Destination

Outdoors

Y-Fi

Cars

POSTCARDS FROM

Jeevan Blesson recommends

GOA, INDIA

f you ask an Indian where the perfect spot for chilling out and letting off some steam is, he or she is most likely to recommend Goa. And why not? With its vast shoreline, gorgeous beaches and numerous festivities, Goa is known as the “Western” state of India - a spitting image of Portugal, if you will. Then again, Goa is one Indian state that can trace its roots back to the Portuguese. After all, the Portuguese did rule over it for four-and-a-half centuries after having conquered it in the early 16th century. Goa was only returned to Indian rule in the 1960s. It reflects a Portuguese influence in everything, from architectural relics to the names of businesses. And that is what sets this state apart from others. Goa is India’s smallest state, and makes up for its tiny size through the multiplicity of its population and the array of activities and experiences to be enjoyed. Here, tourism is the main source of revenue and its 120 kilometres of coastline is one of its major attractions. Goa has a culture all of its own and offers a different feel from the traditional Indian experience. Getting there couldn’t be easier. Oman Air offers four flights a week to Goa direct from Muscat.

PANAJ

I C IT Y

My favourite place Dona Paula Beach is one of the beaches that all tourists should visit when in Goa. On Dona Paula Beach, tourists have a lot of options for water sports, and its sheer scenic beauty is pretty hard to beat. When you are here, don’t forget to sample the lemon drink that the locals sell. Highlights Goa’s charm lies in its beautiful beaches. Pick your destination from about 30 strung out along the coastline. Swimming and other water sports are generally safe in designated areas, but exercise caution during the months of October and November as the seabed is still settling after the monsoon season. The best time to be in Goa is after the monsoon season, which lasts from June until late September. The tourist season begins in November and lasts until March. During the cooler season, the temperature might be hover as high as 31 degrees Celsius and as low as 23 degrees. One of the best hangouts in Goa is Anjuna Beach, which has an array of delights on offer. Even though it has changed a great deal from its early days, it retains an element of the unconventional. On market days, people can find hawkers selling jewellery, fabrics and trinkets from all over the India. On the northern side of Goa, you can find the peaceful beaches of Mandrem, Ashvem, and Arambol with their wide range of palm trees and pines, which are backed by brown sands. Palolem, one of the state’s most southerly beaches, has perfect, picturesque views. It oozes a lazy pace of life and a chilled out nightlife. If you want a quieter life, head south to Patnem, the next beach along.

OF T H E OU R L A D Y T IO N C T E ON C E P IM M A C U L A CHURCH

Lowlights The only thing more brutal than the climate in Goa is the stay. There’s a multitude of hotels around but there are also huge numbers of tourists. Book your hotel before you travel.

Souvenirs You can find various souvenirs that are mostly made of easily available materials like coconut, seashells, paper, beads and brass. The uniqueness of the crafts lies in Goa’s multicultural history. Where to stay Goa has lot of options available but book your hotel before your journey as it is considered one of the world’s most popular tourist spots.

DONA

PAULA

BEACH

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Outdoors

D e s t i n at i o n

Y-FI

THE BEST SMARTPHONES MONEY CAN BUY Y keeps its ear to the ground on the best handsets around PIXEL PERFECT There are a few things you need to know about the Google Pixel before you actually purchase the smartphone. Firstly, it is Google’s first standalone phone, meaning, there’re no other manufacturer tag associated with it (although it is made by HTC). Secondly, it will definitely burn a hole in your wallet (because it is expensive). Heck, it even looks like an iPhone 7. But we’re simply nitpicking here as the specifications truly set the phone apart from the competition. For instance, underneath the Google skin you get a very fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB of RAM and either 32GB or 128GB worth of storage, making it quite the performer. The Pixel also allegedly has the “world’s best smartphone camera”. Pre-book yours from your nearest electronic store from RO250 onwards.

SEVEN’S THE CHARM The iPhone 7 Plus may look and feel the same as its predecessor but we would be lying if we said it was the same. Sure, its design is a little dated, and its sheer size makes it a little tricky to hold but that’s not enough to debunk Apple from being one of the best smartphone makers in the world. Inside, the iPhone 7 Plus receives a spanking-new and concord-fast A10 Fusion processor; a new 12megapixel snapper with 2x optical zoom and to top it off, a completely overhauled iOS 10 operating system. These specifications, alongside the Samsung Galaxy Note 7’s explosive exit from the market has definitely put the 7 Plus on top. Get yours from Lulu for a hefty RO320.

T FOR TURBOCHARGED Chinese brand OnePlus has nothing to prove here. The underdogs first entered the market in 2013, making it one of the newer entries in the smartphone industry. But since its release, it has seen great success and a substantially huge market following. Now in its fourth generation (the OnePlus 3T), the new flagship takes on smartphones like the Google Pixel and even the S7 Edge, and also gives them a run for their money. With only a slighter bump in price compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus 3T packs an HD screen, a fingerprint sensor, an excellent camera and even a Snapdragon 821 chipset and 6gigs of RAM. It will be available soon at all local electronic stores.

EDGE IS BETTER

EDITOR’S PICK

THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 EDGE IS ALMOST A YEAR OLD NOW BUT IT STILL MANAGES TO HAVE NEARLY EVERY OTHER SMARTPHONE BEATEN IN TERMS OF AESTHETICS AND PERFORMANCE. GRANTED, THE SPECIFICATIONS ARE LATE2015 SO THERE’S A CHANCE SOME PHONES WILL PROBABLY HAVE A SLIGHT EDGE OVER THE S7 EDGE. HOWEVER, WITH ITS BRILLIANT-LOOKING DUAL CURVED SUPER AMOLED SCREEN DISPLAYING AT A CRYSTAL-CLEAR 2K RESOLUTION, POWER-PACKED OCTA-CORE EXYNOS CHIPSET AND 4GB OF RAM, IT STILL PACKS QUITE A PUNCH. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE S7 EDGE COULD SEAMLESSLY PROCESS EVERY SINGLE APPLICATION WE WERE ABLE TO THROW AT IT, AND ALSO SNAP SOME OF THE BEST PICTURES WITH ITS DUAL-PIXEL-READY 12MEGAPIXEL CAMERA. THIS, ALONG WITH A NEARLY BEZEL-LESS DESIGN TRULY SETS THIS SMARTPHONE APART FROM THE REST. YOURS FOR A HEFTY RO240 (PRICES MAY VARY) FROM ALL LEADING ELECTRONIC OUTLETS IN OMAN.

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ASPHALT SERIES

aming has always been a part of mobile phones, with the earliest of games appearing in 1994. However, it became a norm in all mobile handsets in 1997, following Nokia’s introduction of the “Snake”. And as we preview the best smartphones currently out there, it is only fitting for us to take a trip down memory lane, and trace the roots of gaming on our mobile phones. It didn’t take us long to find a game worthy enough to be reviewed, either. With more than 13 editions to its name, the Asphalt series has to be one of the longestrunning titles in the mobile gaming industry. Launched in 2004 by Gameloft, Asphalt Urban GT was the only popular game with hardcore (and rich) gamers, due to its availability only on Nintendo DS and N-Gage, both of which were expensive products at that time. However in 2007, Gameloft redefined the gaming industry with its Asphalt Urban GT 2. Sporting a superior graphics engine and a crafty storyline, the game took users by storm. It was also available on mobile phones with JAVA and J2ME capabilities (almost all colour-screen phones), meaning anyone with a mobile phone could have a piece of the action. The gameplay was similar to that of its PlayStation rivals such as Burnout and Need for Speed, where players should eliminate opponents by bumping into them or taking down cop cars. The game also featured a special appearance by the Pussycat Dolls, who were quite popular at that time. Fast forward to 2016, and Asphalt is still one of the best gaming titles ever to be featured in Google Play and iTunes. Dubbed the Airborne, the latest incarnation of the game was unveiled in 2013 but has since been updated frequently. Now, it possesses some of the best graphics ever to be displayed on a smartphone. Since then, locations have also been fine-tuned, and cities such as Dubai, San Diego, Beijing and many others have been added. The game also features more than 140 licensed cars, from 24 cars in 2007. Even after all these years, the underlying, arcade-esque gaming-style has been retained, and players still have to evade cops and ram opponents to receive points. The only major difference is that you can play with your accelerometer, as opposed to pressing physical buttons. Review by Alvin Thomas

2016

2007

App of the Week

DROPBOX With more smartphone makers dumping the memory card slot in favour of internal storage, users are often left in limbo when it comes to storing files. And often, it’s not the fault of the user, as smartphones now snap images and even record videos at high resolutions, leaving the phones with little or no storage space at all. Dropbox eliminates the need for internal storage, as it brings all your files to your fingertips. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone. You can store all your files on the cloud system, and choose to retrieve them at your will. Download for free from Google PlayStore and iTunes.

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

Postcards from

FIRST DRIVE

Outdoors

An icon of Italian design gets a more modest makeover but is still thrilling, finds Alvin Thomas

aseratis are soulful, drop-dead gorgeous, and sound like angels blowing trumpets while on the go. But above all, a Maserati – with its character and charm – always makes its driver feel special. There’s nothing quite as pleasing as cruising on a highway in a Maserati. Don’t believe me? The company’s GranTurismo model has been on sale since 2007. The car is still on sale worldwide (even after nine years), and I have been very vocal about its status as a grand tourer. There’s nothing quite like it, and there probably never will be again! So, when Maserati told us they were going downmarket with a fourdoor-sedan, and no less – naming it Ghibli – I was aghast. For those of you who don’t know: the Maserati Ghibli was a two-door grand tourer from the late 1960s. It was so good it was deemed one of the best sports cars in the world by magazines of the day. I even had posters of it in my scrapbook. So, you get my disappointment with slapping “Ghibli” on a four-door sedan. But with the keys to a “Blu Emozione Metallic” (blue) Maserati in my hand, I have to be honest and say that my initial disappointment was being washed away. With its majestic curves in the front and sides, the Ghibli looks unmistakeably “Maserati”. The front end is particularly avant-garde and aggressive with its long bonnet and spectacular nose that points low and dominates the whole of the front fascia. Pictures don’t do justice to this design. It must be seen in person to be appreciated.

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The same design language is carried into the interior. Everything is neatly laid out in a very minimalistic cabin. However, there’s a 20cm touchscreen unit, which controls all your entertainment, telephone and even navigation needs. Thankfully, Maserati also keeps physical buttons for the air conditioning (unlike many manufacturers of today), which obviates fiddling with a touchscreen to change temperatures or set the fan speed. The cabin is also wrapped in contrasting Rosso Trofeo (red) leather from head to toe. My tester also received real wood finishing on the dashboard and door panels. Apart from that, everything you touch is softtouch thus adding to that “premium” feel. Underneath the bonnet lies a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 pumping out a hefty 410hp and an astonishing 550Nm of torque. All the power and torque is put down to all four wheels via a clever, eight-speed automatic transmission. If needed, you can also take control of the shifts manually using the paddle shifters or even the gear lever. The shifts are definitely sharp and snappy; upshifts for instance are instantaneous. The inclusion of a massive turbo means there are substantial amounts of turbo-lag (time taken for the turbocharger to spool up). But when it’s all spooled up and ready to go (somewhere around the 3,000rpm mark), the torque shuns you into the back of your seat and gathers speed like no other car in this class. After a few attempts, I could hit the 100kph mark in just 5.3 seconds although someone more skilful could break the five-second mark with ease. But the best part has to be the brilliant exhaust system. Pop the car into “Sport” and “M” (manual)

Y- F i C A R S

Maserati Ghibli SQ4 Specifications: Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 Transmission: ZF eight-speed automatic Horsepower: 410hp Torque: 550Nm All-wheel drive ABS, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control Maserati Touch Control w/ navigation Genuine wood inserts on console and door panels Eight-way adjustable front bucket seats Leather wrapper steering with button operated commands

modes, and you will be treated to Maserati’s signature exhaust wail. It’s biblical, to say the least. I found myself driving the car with the exhaust on full blast more often than not. The Ghibli is also very compliant, despite riding on massive 48cm low-profile tyres. Of course, “Sport” mode firms up the dampers and makes things a bit jittery but it is still a very comfortable place to be in. This mode also firms up the steering and alters the steering ratio, meaning you can take corners with very little effort. However, because the Ghibli is still based on the same chassis as its bigger brother, the Quattroporte, it definitely does not take corners with the same ease as its grand touring sibling (GranTurismo). Pushing it into corners hard reveals a slight hint of body roll. But it is still miles ahead of its other European competitors. Since the car sends power to the rear in most situations, I could slide the car into corners with ease. It also drifts and power slides eagerly, if with only a slight hint of understeer, initially on tip in. But you can easily counter that by flooring the pedal and sending the rear into a staggered drift. The Brembo brakes that come with the Ghibli are epic. They retard speed with ease but if I were to nitpick, the ABS does kick in a tad early. All in all, a day with the Maserati Ghibli is all it took for me to rediscover my passion and love for the “Ghibli” nameplate. And with its RO28,000 pricetag, it has been designed to take on “supersedans” from Germany. But in truth, this is a different animal. It’s nothing like any four-door sedan I have ever driven. It is a spacious, luxurious sedan that can give its rivals a run for their money. Do give the Ghibli a shot before you shop for another car.

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