Y Magazine #453, January, 2017 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

LASTING THE DISTANCE TRAINING FOR THE MUSCAT MARATHON KING OF THE CASTLE The delights of Al Wasl Fort

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JAN 12 - 18 2017 / ISSUE 453 â&#x20AC;¢ WEEKLY

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Fast forward W

ith the cost of living on the rise in the Sultanate, it appears we are in for yet another year of belt tightening, with many already bracing themselves for an uncertain financial future. In our cover story this week, we look at the impact this is having on a range of people living in the capital – from families who are now considering leaving (or at least sending their families home), to bachelors and business owners. Faced with rising costs, such as rent, petrol, food and school fees, coupled with late or non-payment of salaries, their financial situations are becoming untenable and they realise they must make serious changes before it’s too late. It’s an interesting story and one, I am sure, that many of you can relate to. Elsewhere, we head to Al Wasl Castle in Destination, take the impressive Volvo S90 T6 out for a spin in First Drive and try a new café in Azaiba for Taste Test. And if you are in training for the looming Al Mouj Muscat Marathon, we feature a range of tips to help you stay motivated and last the distance, while in Health, we help you to make healthy changes to your life for the year ahead. Have a wonderful week – and many thanks to Mustafa Hamidi for our cover photo this week!

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. JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

contents JAN

Your Oman

2017

16 ROHM Review Celebrating Oman

08 Voice Of Oman Alvin Thomas

22 Cover Story Belt tightening continues as cost of living rises 26 On your marks Top training tips for the Muscat Marathon

This Week

06 Coffee With Y Nickos Zakkas

Features

10 News Metered taxis

18 This Week Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

12 News Omanisation in focus

21 Movies A Monster Calls

28 Spirit of Cohesion New exhibition puts mosques in the spotlight

14 Faces Of Oman

15 Hyundai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Driven To Success Shatha Mohammed Redha al Saleh

Cars and Adventures

Food and Drink 3o Food Feature Egg-citing flavours 33 Taste Test Teeffee Cafe

40 Destination Al Wasl Castle 42 Postcard From Prague, Czech Republic

Health and Beauty

44 Y-Fi Top laptops

34 Fashion Work it

46 First Drive Volvo S90 T6

36 Beauty Textured tresses 37 Health Change your life

34 NEXT ISSUE... FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / FIRST DRIVE

Artist Nickos Zarras talks to Jeevan Blesson about his styl e of painting and how Oman cont inues to inspire him or Nik

os Zarras, every restoration, but the crafting and painting is an inspiration Greece; all of which have helped nature of all materials used in art from his day-to-day life, his work to evolve. through the ages,” the artist says. and each canvas is injected with a “I enjoy taking photography and “I have always tried new spontaneous use of colour. techniques on my own and a few I use my own photographs taken Although he has only lived in years back, I came up with the of Oman and make paintings of Oman for a few years, Nikos is technique of using sand. As a them. I am planning an exhibition already a well-known name in the text ure, for me, it was intriguing Sultanate’s art circles. of these soon,” he says. and it looked unique,” he says. “Art is such a passion that it He is planning to conduct the His first pure sand painting was cannot be explained in words. On exh ibition in March this year as he ly made in the year 2000. an artist can understand the depths is com pleting his artwork. “It was the beg inning of my new of it,” says Nikos. series of art,” he said. Nik os also likes to share his Reminiscing about his initial day s And Om an’s natu exp ral erti bea se with the younger uty in Oman, Nikos says that when he has inspired him to continue his generation in Oman. was new to this country it took tim e creations on canvas with colours for people to respond to his work “I was teaching at PDO School and sand. but gradually he started getting Art s & Crafts and MuscArt Gallery “As Oman has such a beautiful recognition. and some other local schools. The landscape and unique history, it has He developed his love of art feedback from the children was had a huge impact on my artwork at the age of seven and has been sinc e I mov such ed her a pleasure because what I e.” painting professionally since 1991. To mak e a per fect piec was e, many doing with them was different “Drawing was already a natural things should be kept in mind, he obsession for me at a younger age and unique. I also give individual ,” says. Nikos recollects. tuition to students.” “A lot depends on the design. It “At a young age I was always Nikos has also undertaken can take from one week to even sketching and drawing, and as tim vari e ous interior design projects one to two months to finish a piec passed my love for art got me mo e, re dep bot end h for businesses and private ing on the size and design,” inspired to continue my passion to he explains. residences. paint,” he says. His sand paintings are created Before moving to the Middle Nikos decided to take art up as a with pure sand collected from the career after discovering that people East, he worked in Athens as beaches of different regions. had been admiring his works he a puppet designer, theatre set Nikos starts with a canvas on was exhibiting. desi gner, a creator of children’s which he sketches an actual piece Nikos, 44, was born in South fest ival of art sets, interior designer, and then glue s the pure sand Africa and is an expert in sand gra ins into thea the tre and television animator of spec ific indi vidual painting, watercolours, oil colours, sect ions to get a 3D pup effe pet ct. sho ws and as a set designer. palette knife techniques, sketchin g “The painting starts with a and wall paintings. “I have worked with Greece’s sketch followed by pouring the pur After completing high school at e most famous puppet maker, Lakis colo ur sand by hand. The work is the age of 16, he attended the fine Apostolides for more than a protected with a varnish to preven art department in the Polytechnic t dec ade as a puppet-maker and set it from damage,” he says. School of Trikala, Greece, where desi “I gner,” he says. wou ld say that it was a he later taught design, history of cha llen ge her e His as an advice to someone starting artist art, sculpture, traditional crafts and espe cial ly bec aus e of my out concept as an artist is to create whatever puppet designing. with the sand art is different and “I later moved to Athens and you want and believe in your unique and people are sceptical to studied at the Athens Technical ability. acc ept the concept.” and Arts Institution, majoring His biggest successes so far in the Conservation of Ancient Have you got a unique story to tell or do incl ude exhibitions not only locally, you Monuments and Works of Art. know someone who has? Contact us to have but also in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Art I was taught not only design and coffee with Y and be featured in Y Mag azine. Hub, Athens and in Trikala in Email: editor@y-oman.com

JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

THE VOICE OF OMAN ALVIN THOMAS ON WHY YOU SHOULD RESPECT EACH OTHER’S BELONGINGS AND APPLY THAT MORAL ON A MUCH WIDER SCALE

t was the weekend, and I was in my house, snacking over a re-run of Dexter on Netflix. Everything seemed well in my world; maybe a little too well. But that was only until my dad came running home to tell me something I had dreaded to hear: someone had dinged my car. The change in my mood was instant. I ran downstairs to assess the extent of the damage the perp (who didn’t bother staying) had caused. It wasn’t a case of hit-and-run like I had thought. But sadly, the guy had left quite a deep scratch as well as a sweet little dent on the door when he had slammed his door onto my spanking new car. A quick recap on our security camera footage showed me that not only had he slammed his door onto my car, but he also used my car’s door as a shoulder to lean on. Due to the nature of the accident, I decided not to pursue any legal action. But since then, my car has been the victim of six such incidents. Don’t people take care of other’s belongings anymore? Heck! Don’t they take care of theirs? It’s important that people understand that the road (and the cars that run on it) – much like other surroundings – are not their own property. Dinging cars with one’s door is one thing. But I’ve seen so much more. I’ve seen people key other’s cars, spit on public walls and benches and even litter in wadis and beaches. Last week, the Government announced that fines await those who litter. Maybe people should be fined (maybe warned) even if they were to cause light damage to any public or private property. Only then will they learn to respect another person’s belongings. Until then, I’ll have to park my car away from my building’s crowded parking lot.

NEXT WEEK: EMILY SHOTTER

JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

correspondence NUISANCE NEIGHBOURS Dear Editor, I have been living in this apartment in Wadi Kabir for over two years now and I was the first occupant of this residential building. Until recently, it was very nice and quiet to live here. A few months ago all the children residing in the building started to make a lot of noise and play in the corridors from morning till night. On weekends, they play till 10pm or sometimes 11pm at night. I confronted the parents but that didn’t go well since they claim they have the right to let their kids play in the corridors and make all the noise they want. In addition to this, the kids have painted and written on the walls of the corridors and I am ashamed to invite any of my friends over to my apartment now. Right now all I want is for that peace I enjoyed before and it is now a nuisance and stressful when you come home from work to be disturbed

DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: “After this month’s petrol price rise, do you think the cost of living in Oman is too high now?”

by the sound of over 10 kids playing in the corridors with their stamping of feet while running. I can’t find any articles posted on the web related to this matter in Oman and would like to get other people’s opinions. Sincerely, RRW

man is in trouble. When we look into it, the cost of living is rising but this is not being matched by any increase in wages or earning power. With groceries, transport, medical expenses and household items, the rates are so high one’s salary is spent in a matter of seconds. Life is getting harder as salaries remain the same, especially for employees in the private sector. Even education fees have become so high that few expat parents give a second thought on whether to send their children to schools in Oman or opt for schools back in their homeland.

JASON FELIX NORONHA

Any hike in fuel prices is directly or indirectly ELIZABETH JOSEPH going to have an impact on the cost of living. It With the rise in oil prices, I strongly agree that affects almost everything from basic food supplies the cost of living in Oman is on the rise. This to transportation. People living in Oman are increase is having a debilitating effect on families. fortunate enough to have access to utilities that are With no increase in wages, life for the working still heavily subsidised by the Government. Instead

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of complaining about the price hikes, which were bound to happen sooner than later, we need to think of options where costs can be controlled. Expats and local citizens need to work together with the authorities to overcome this challenge. Price hike or not, we are all here to earn a living so let’s make the most of it.

KAMAL GANATRA

The increase in gasoline prices will definitely have a spiralling effect as living expenses are shooting up. The knock-on effect will see us not only paying more at the petrol pump but also for a range of consumer goods, such as groceries and other essentials like water. For many, this will be a make-or-break year for their finances. As a country we have to remain focused and look at our most pressing priorities. We need to continue taking bold measures and pursue the economic diversification agenda with greater urgency.

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MONIKA KAUSHIK

Yes, I think the higher cost of living will affect everybody. There are people who have to find more money for rental charges, for household items and children’s school fees. Getting around town will be more burdensome, as taxi fares have now increased by up to 30 per cent. Now people on fixed incomes are going to find the situation very difficult to cope with indeed. It is a very sad situation and so disappointing for the people of Oman.

MOHAN ANANDAN

There is no doubt about it. While on one side employees are suffering due to the curtailment of their perks and benefits; on the other side, there emerges in the media periodic news of hikes in every conceivable service. The latest is the extra charges being levied on air travellers from Oman. Many expatriates who were living with their families have found the going tough and have already sent their families away. Deregulation in oil prices has another cascading effect in the economy. News of taxis charging exorbitant fares and increase in the prices of commodities due to higher cost of transportation, etc are also signs that the cost of living is too high now.

AZENIHT MUNAR WAS SPOTTED WITH HER FAVOURITE Y MAGAZINE IN MUSCAT

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

Yes, of course it is going to make a difference, and the impact will be felt all over. The increase of taxi fares this week is just the tip of the iceberg. The increase in the price of petrol could push up the prices of all essential commodities and the withdrawal of the subsidy on electricity is just like rubbing salt into the wound. It is going to be quite difficult for all those on fixed incomes.

PRACHI SHARMA

For a few years now, the Government has been bringing in measures that make living in Oman a little more difficult. A rise in petrol prices will surely add to that and will affect people both directly and indirectly.

ZAHID SAEED

The increase in petrol prices will force people to exercise more care over household expenditure and will undoubtedly curb their enthusiasm for buying luxury items they don’t necessarily need. Unfortunately, if people are buying fewer products, this can only have a knock-on effect on jobs, meaning more problems for the economy and misery for a lot of people.

INDULAL VISWANATHAN

It’s not ideal, but compared to other countries, Oman is still doing OK, relatively.

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JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

YOUR

OMAN M

NEWS

METERED TAXIS ON ROADS SOON

wasalat will begin its taxi service soon and fleets will be running on meters by the end of this year, the public transport company confirmed this week. Around 500 taxis will begin operations in the first quarter of this year. The company will manage 150 airport taxis, 150 at malls and 200 taxis on call. “We are closely working with the Ministry of Transport to regulate the taxi business in Oman and hope to start operating our vehicles by the first quarter of this year. By the end of this year, all our taxis will run on meters,” Ahmad bin Ali al Bulushi, the CEO of Mwasalat, confirmed. According to the company’s plan, customers can book their taxis via an app or by a call centre. The company is also looking to hire nationals as directors of taxi services, supervisors, and for many other positions.

“Expatriates may be hired if company fails to find the right Omani person. However, our first choice is Omani nationals,” the CEO asserted. Meantime, a local daily reported that the existing taxi drivers have welcomed the metre system. “It is good that taxis will install meters, as it will benefit customers and drivers. Having a fare structure is always better, as can be seen by the success of airport taxis,” a representative of taxi drivers said. According to another taxi driver, fares must be kept low to attract more passengers. Customers also agreed that the taxis should be metered as we are going through an economic crisis. “Now we have to pay whatever the drivers demand, so meters are welcome,” a frequent taxi passenger said.

SNAKE ON BOARD CANCELS EMIRATES FLIGHT

n Monday, Dubai-based Emirates flight EK083 from Muscat to Dubai was cancelled after a snake was spotted in the cargo hold.

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A spokesperson for the airline said that the snake was found before passengers boarded the plane. It said in a statement: “Emirates can confirm that flight EK0863 from Muscat to Dubai on January 8, 2017, was cancelled due to a detection of a snake in the cargo hold prior to passengers boarding. “Engineering and cleaning teams are working to clear the aircraft to re-enter service. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.” The flight was scheduled to leave Muscat at 10.50am and arrive in Dubai at 11.55am. The carrier later confirmed the serpent was eventually captured and the plane is back in service. Emirates have not confirmed the species of the reptile or whether the snake was venomous.

WILD AT HEART

GALLERY

A NEW EXHIBITION, WONDERS OF WILDLIFE IN DHOFAR, WAS RECENTLY OPENED BY HE MOHAMMED BIN SALIM BIN SAID AL TOBI, THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE AFFAIRS. TAKEN BY AWARDWINNING PHOTOGRAPHER HAITHAM BIN GHALIB BIN MANSOOR AL SHANFARI, THE SERIES OF 40 STUNNING IMAGES ARE ON SHOW AT BAIT OUD AT THE BAIT AL ZUBAIR FOUNDATION UNTIL JANUARY 26.

JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

011

YOUR

OMAN ILLITERACY DROPS

Oman’s illiteracy rate for people aged between 15 and 44 dropped to 2.2 per cent in 2015, compared with 3.5 per cent in 2010, according to news reports. The drop has been attributed to the country’s literacy initiative, which was launched in 1973.

CRIME RATE FALLS The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) has revealed that the crime rate in Oman fell 17 per cent in 2015, its lowest since 2013. According to the figures, 52 per cent of offenders were non-Omani, while two thirds of crimes occurred in Muscat, Dhofar and North Al Batinah.

NEWS

OMANISATION IN CONSTRUCTION TO DROP TO 10 PER CENT

here could be a substantial drop in the number of Omanis hired by the construction sector this year, as a new law proposed by the Oman Society of Contractors (OSC) is pressing for the Omanisation quota to be slashed to 10 per cent. The proposal, which was presented at the annual meeting of the society on Monday [January 9], aims to bring down the quota by 20 per cent to relax the “stringent labour laws”, but is yet to be approved by the Government. Shahswar al Balushi, the CEO of OSC, was quoted as saying: “The 2017 Budget shows expenditure for the construction sector at RO1.2 billion, a majority of which will be used to pay 2016 payments and dues, leaving very less for new projects. “This year will remain hard for the sector and therefore we need to help the construction industry by relaxing the laws,” he added, before highlighting that the

Omanisation rate in the sector lies at seven per cent, far below the Government allowed standards. The proposal also mentions a gradual rise in Omanisation from 10 per cent this year to 15 per cent in 2020. According to the CEO, “even

criticised bosses for not stepping up to the recruitment mark in the past five years, and branded the act as “unfair and unacceptable”. In an interview with the Times of Oman, al Lawati was quoted as saying: “During the last five years, around 650,000 jobs were created in the private sector in Oman. However, only 16,000 Omanis got recruited. This means that around 3,000 Omanis were only recruited by private sector [per year]. “Private sector should fulfil its responsibility. Yet it has not done enough. They should be more responsible. There is no space for jobs in the Government at 10 per cent, we will be doing sector.” much better than now. This law However, Dr Hamad al will bring true Omanisation and it Dhahab, the chairman of the is in process to get approved.” OSC, said: “There is nothing Meanwhile, OSC officials have proposed on capping expat noted that various construction workers. The point is there is not companies have been outsourcing a lot of work so expats leaving is official work like “bill of imminent. quantities” and designs in an “It’s even hard for Omanis to effort to cut down on expenses. find work. The economic situation Elsewhere, Tawfiq Al Lawati, doesn’t allow companies to keep a Majlis Al Shura member staff and pay them when they and Tanfeedh participant, has aren’t required.”

LABOUR LAW ARRESTS T H R O U G H Y O U R E Y E S The Ministry of Manpower has announced that 577 workers were apprehended for labour law violations in the first week of this month. Muscat recorded the biggest number of violators at 191, while 161 workers were caught in the the governorate of North Al Batinah. More than 450 expat workers were also deported by the Ministry.

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EMBASSY MOVE The Indonesian Embassy has moved its consular office to Way 3015, Villa number 1089, in Shatti Al Qurum – just 700 metres from the embassy’s main office. According to news reports, the relocation is aimed at offering improved consular services to foreign nationals and Omanis. The Indonesian Embassy’s consular services are available from Sunday to Thursday, from 8.30am to 12.30pm. 012

JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

It’s a pleasant end to a great day in the Sultanate, according to Michel Mandrea, who took this photograph of the sun setting at the beach in Al Mouj. Michel captured the stunning image with a Samsung Duo.

Send your photo to editor@y-oman.com to be featured in our new section, Through Your Eyes. Include where it was taken, your name and a few details about your photograph, such as the camera used.

PHOTO: Michel Mandrea

SPAR EXPANDS

GALLERY

SUPERMARKET CHAIN SPAR OMAN THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED IT HAD ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH NAKHEEL UNITED ENTERPRISES TO LAUNCH ITS FIRST INDEPENDENT RETAIL MODEL THROUGH SUBLICENSING. THE PARTNERSHIP WILL SEE 15 MARHABA QUICK SHOPS AT AL MAHA PETROL STATIONS IN MUSCAT CONVERT TO SPAR EXPRESS OUTLETS, SPAR CEO M. SRIDHAR SAID.

JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

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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: Taimur Alwahaibi Age: 33 From: Oman Occupation: Purchase representative Passion: Off-road adventurer

Photo: Shaquel al Balushi

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

DRIVEN TO

SUCCESS

After gaining an MBA in the UK, Shatha Mohammed Redha al Saleh started her career at Shell Oman Marketing and later moved to the National Bank of Oman, where she now works as a marketing manager. She now also co-owns Cloud9-The Bake Studio, which can be found on Bausher Street, opposite Muscat Private Hospital Q: What drives you to success? I always motivate myself to be successful in my life, which is very important, and we should be focused, innovative and creative in what we do. We should think out of the box and it should be unique so that we can become successful in life. If you want to stand out and shine in this competitive world, you should be unique. I think these things drive me to be successful. Q: Who or what has been your inspiration in your career? When it comes to my career perspective, my family and my business partner are my inspiration. In terms of business, it is none other than Steve Jobs. The way he started from a small garage in a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house reminds me of myself starting from a small kitchen in a house. From a small garage, Steve Jobs came up with Apple and we all know what Apple is. We can identify the brand just by looking at the logo. I want my brand Cloud9 to reach out in the same way. People should identify my brand just by looking at my logo. Q: What is your biggest career success to date? Starting a business has been my biggest success so far in my career. It has meant sleepless nights for me. My partner, Nadiya Khan, and I focused

definitely be within Oman, but we are setting our eyes on the international market, too. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time? I want to relax on a beach in the Maldives in the knowledge that Cloud9 is doing amazingly well, both locally and internationally.

a lot and worked very hard to achieve our goal. We tried to use our 24 hours to make it possible, and our true dedication and commitment has made our business a success. Q: What are your career goals? My ultimate goal is that someone approaches us asking to franchise Cloud9. We want to see Cloud9 flying like a jet aircraft. We are looking to open more branches locally and internationally. As part of our local expansion, we are planning to open more branches in the Muscat Governorate. Our next few branches will

Q: What do you like about the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company? The Genesis provides its passengers with a smooth and sophisticated ride and everything, from the dashboard to the tail lamps, speak of sophistication and refinement. Moreover, it is also robust and comfortable, and meets all the expectations from a premium vehicle. I loved the heads up display and find it to be an extremely useful feature. Also, the blind spot detection is another safety feature that demands mention because it will keep occupants safe and protected in uncertain traffic conditions. Overall, the Genesis is a luxury car that leaves most others behind and I look forward to more time with this fabulous machine.

JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

015

CELEBRATING OMAN

Photo credit: Khalid al Busaidi, ROHM

Georgina Benson celebrates Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heritage at the Royal Opera House Muscat

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o one knew quite what to expect of the eagerly anticipated open-air show, produced by the Royal Opera House Muscat, Celebrating Oman – the Great Journey. There had been rumours and mutterings of amazing sights, with flying trapeze artists and massive projections of Omani icons but what transpired last weekend exceeded expectations and delighted scores of lucky residents. A huge, 3D aerial extravaganza transformed the auditorium into a wonderland of what best describes the Sultanate in all its glory; past, present and future. This was the first production totally created by ROHM, in collaboration with the Italian theatrical designer Namaste Europa, and the sheer size and variety of the performance must have been a logistical headache to put together. The format was of a huge storybook inscribed by the Omani calligrapher, Suliman al Subhi, in eight chapters, which takes you on the “journey” of the title through various aspects of Omani history and culture. And the narrative is a long poem by the contemporary Omani poet, Saleh Mohammed Al Fadhi, recited by Issam al Zadjali and Rasha Shanoon al Balushi as storytellers in colourful traditional Omani dress of yesteryear. The show opened with projected images of the people, land and sea of Oman on the walls of the opera house and the open Book was accompanied by beautiful Omani music played by the Takht Ensemble – Nay, oud, violin, kanoon, bass and daff – from the Oud Hobbyists’ Association, who were perched high above the galleria on a terrace. This dissolved seamlessly into Act Two, with the delicious aroma of burning frankincense drifting by, and then – a sight to behold – a gigantic incense burner emerged from somewhere above the rooftops, and sailed across the sky. Below, a “corps de ballet” held fire-sticks and danced to ethereal sounds. Meanwhile, from the top of the opera house, two other dancers swung fire-sticks in celestial circles to form heavenly catherine wheels against the night sky. A further assault on the senses arrived in the form of a flying dhow in Act Three (Sea Travels) followed by a dancing Sinbad character, turning and swimming high above our heads on a trapeze. Teams of fishermen hauled two boats below, and others strained to climb the rigging against projections of sea-scapes in the Opera colonnades, which evoked the legendary navigational skills of Omani sailors through the centuries. This was concluded by members of the Nojoom Jaalan Ensemble for Omani Folklore enjoying a traditional Sur fisherman’s dance. More spectacular still came “The Silk Road”, with two women on the trapeze – suspended on long white silks –turning above a veritable caravan of goods being pushed across the marble floor to form a souk of lamps, gold and fabrics from the exotic East against the presentday arcade. The backing track was in an evocative Indian mood but alas the programme gave no clues to the origins of the pre-recorded music. The troops from Italy brought amazing skills to the splendour of the show, from stilt-walking – fighting Oryx, dancing on stilts in the ballet scene later – to astounding flag-juggling with trumpet fanfare in “Oman’s Renaissance” – with a nod to the medieval Italian Renaissance – under the national emblem, two giant crossed swords and a crown, reigning down from on high. There was more, much more to describe; above on the high wire, below from the performance artists and photographic transformations of the opera house facade into castles, deserts, trees and wadis. But let’s continue on the journey: many parents in the audience were waiting excitedly for the penultimate chapter, when rows of young children from Al Sarooj and Al Amal Schools, beautifully dressed in Omani National costume, entered the arena under a magnificently inflated sphere featuring a beautiful girl’s face, marching, dancing and running; symbolising the new Omani march towards the future, oasis of peace – The Land of Tomorrow. The Finale was heralded by Nessun Dorma, sung live from the roof-top of the opera house porch by tenor Giancarlo Monsalve. The aria was a reprise of the Royal Opera House Muscat’s inauguration in the presence of His Majesty in October 2011, with a magnificent production of Puccini’s Turandot. All the performers of the evening – including three camels from the Royal Camel Corps – returned to the arena, ablaze with fireworks for one lasting, memorable farewell to one of the most awe-inspiring conceptions imaginable. A clever twist is that Turandot was conducted by Placido Domingo in that first performance, and the great tenor is to return to Oman to sing in his own concert at the Royal Opera House this week. JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

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THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

SCHOOL DAYS

JAN

LOVE AND REGRET JAN

Are you thinking about boarding school as the next step for your children? Then perhaps head down to the Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat for an informal information session on boarding schools in the UK. No appointments are necessary, and you’ll have an opportunity to talk to experts, who will also have a range of school prospectuses and the UK Boarding School Directory to give out. It starts at 3pm and ends at 7pm. Go to www.ukboardingschoolexhibition. com/information-days/oman for more information.

Opera lovers won’t want to miss Eugene Onegin at the Royal Opera House Muscat. Tchaikovsky’s famous opera of love and regret is full of wonderful melodies and heart-rending drama. It will be performed by the Moscow State Stanislavsky and NemirovichDanchenko Music Theatre, Russia. The opera is set in the 1820s and follows the story of Onegin, a man who struggles to forget a beautiful young woman who rejected his love. Curtain-up, 7pm. For bookings, go to www.rohmuscat.org.om.

FROM

THIS

WEEK

JAN

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

J A N U A R Y Celebrate Muscat Festival 2017 at City Centre Muscat (CCM) and City Centre Qurum (CCQ), where you’ll get to meet Nickelodean’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who are performing in Oman for the very first time. From January 24 to January 30, the superheroes will present three power-packed shows, called Turtle Power, at CCM at 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm. Meanwhile, you can meet Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael four times a day, at CCQ from February 1 to 3, at 4pm, 5.30pm, 7pm and 8.30pm. For details, check out City Centre’s Facebook page.

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Cowabunga, dude!

Gallery

Movies

Head to Al Mazaar Amphitheatre at Barr Al Jissah for a night with Grammy-award winning DJ Roger Sanchez. It will be the first time Sanchez has performed live in the Sultanate – and it’s a night you won’t want to miss. He has been named Best House DJ four times, and was the first ever winner of the International Dance Music Award. Sanchez’s cool sounds will have you rocking the Head to the Palm Garden at the InterContinental Hotel Muscat night away. show starts at guests 7pm will be entertained for an exciting The Spanish Night, where by a thrilling flamenco dance show. Spanish and tickets are available at Barr Al culinary treats such as tapas and paella will be or served. The evening Jissa from just RO20, call 9468 1772 begins at 7pm and costs RO20, including selected beverages. For bookings, call 9137 to have them delivered to your door. 3243 or email fb.icm@ihg.com.

Smooth sounds

JAN

JAN 27

JAN

HARD ROCK

Heavy metal fans will be raise the roof at Rumba Lattina, which will be hosting the UK’s AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells on January 20. Performing many of the original Australian band’s classic hits, such as Back in Black, Highway to Hell and You Shook Me All Night Long, the show is promising to be an epic night. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8.30pm. For bookings and more information, call 9447 7099.

NEW YEAR DE-CLUTTER Head to British School Muscat in Madinat Sultan Qaboos for its quarterly Table Top Sale, where you can pick up some great deals on children’s toys, clothes, household goods and other items. It’s also a great way to start 2017 with a de-clutter, as you can also book a table to sell your unwanted things. Tables cost RO10 each, while entry is just 500 baisa per adult. Children enter for free. It starts at 8.30am and ends at 11am. For queries, call Julie on 9922 3749.

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Top

tallest water slides in the world

❶ Kilimanjaro rai; Do Pi e a r r a y Slid ion: B Locat eefall Bod tres e Fr : 49 m Type: t h g i He Drop

Brazil

o ❷ Insan azil az; Br e r i u q y slid ion: A Locat eefall bod Fr res Type: 1 met 4 : t h Heig

USA tucky; n e K , ville : Louis ree-fall slide n o i t a rf Loc ap-doo tres r T : e p e Ty 6.9 m 3 : t h g Hei

aly zia; It e n e V lo, ide : Jeso line raf t sl n o i t a Loc ll in reefa tres F : e p Ty me t: 42 Heigh

❸

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❺ Summit Plummet

Location: Orlando, Florida; USA Type: Freefall body slide Height: 36.6 metres

Source: www.waterslidedatabase.com

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Dive r e t a Deep W

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

Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania With this, the long-awaited sequel to the 2007 animated comedy, it’s a little disconcerting to discover that Surf ’s Up 2 has gone straight to DVD and VOD in the US. However, fans can catch filmed, but you wouldn’t expect anything the movie on the big screen in Oman. less from talented director J.A. Bayona We pick up the story of penguin Cody (who also helmed the Spanish thriller Maverick, who joins a new crew of The Orphanage). surfers – all of them voiced by WWE

A Monster Calls A Monster Calls is a bittersweet coming-of-age movie in which 12-yearold Conor (played by newcomer Lewis MacDougall) is faced with a range of issues many boys his age never have to experience. As Conor battles to deal with his beloved mother’s (Felicity Jones) terminal illness, he finds himself also being bullied at school. But after moving in with his grandmother (Sigourney Weaver), Conor finds an unusual ally when the “Monster” (voiced wonderfully by Liam Neeson) appears at his bedroom window one evening. What follows is a tale of courage, faith and truth, in which Conor must face his fears through both reality and his imagination. Based on the book of the same name by Patrick Ness, who also wrote the screenplay, A Monster Calls is beautifully

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who voices the Monster in A Monster Calls? LAST WEEK'S WINNER Deborah D’Mello

Within a dark and Gothic plot, the animatronics behind the Monster are impressive, and Neeson shines in his role while the dulcet tones of his baritone voice are a perfect match for his character. MacDougall is a rising star and plays Conor with an emotional maturity beyond his years. As he is reminded in the film, he’s “a boy too old to be a kid; too young to be a man” and while this might be right to a point, the chain of events in the story put him well on the way to growing up very quickly – despite his age. Bring the tissues for this one, as the ending may very well have you in tears. Review by Felicity Glover

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

superstar wrestlers, including John Cena, Undertaker, Triple H, Paige and Vince McMahon. This is definitely one for the kids although it’s probably a better idea to watch it on the small screen at home.

XXX: The Return of Xander Cage The third movie in the XXX franchise, Xander Cage is back to his fighting best despite being left for dead in XXX: State of the Union. But we have to say that audiences have waited a long time for this sequel – 12 years to be exact. We pick up the story with Cage (played by Vin Diesel) coming out of exile to take on a dangerous, new assignment, led by his handler Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson). What follows is a thrilling adventure full of explosions, gun battles, and extreme stunts – watch out for the thrilling skateboarding scene – as Cage races against time to find a deadly weapon known as Pandora’s Box.

Long View MONSTER TRUCKS From the director of Ice Age comes Monster Trucks – a rollicking ride that will appeal to tweens and teens thanks to its fun story, great stunts and interesting animatronics. Lucas Hill is high school senior Tripp, who is desperate to escape from his small-town life. His passion is monster trucks and he builds one from scratch. Along the way he meets a strange subterranean creature who has a serious need for speed. The two become friends and that’s where the adventure starts. Also starring Jane Levy and Thomas Lennon, this is a must-see for the kids. Oman release date: January 26

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AT ANY PRICE

As Oman continues its austerity measures in the wake of record-low oil prices, residents are finding the cost of living higher than before – with many struggling to make ends meet. Team Y reports

n January 1, the residents of Oman were greeted with some very sobering news: the price of petrol was increasing to its highest level since the Government cut its generous fuel subsidies exactly one year ago in a bid to help offset the tumbling oil price. Since then, the country has seen a range of austerity measures put in place; from government employees having their benefits cut, to salary reductions, higher visa costs and corporate tax increases; to name but a few. But it’s not only the Government looking to save money. School fees are on the rise for expats while unexpected rent hikes can mean the difference between having enough cash to survive on until the end of the

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month. In October last year, the International Monetary Fund warned that Oman would have to continue its austerity measures – and this was reflected in the 2017 State Budget, in which the Government expects to spend RO11.7 billion despite revenue of RO8.7bn, leaving a deficit of RO3bn. Meanwhile, residents also face the possibility of a new VAT and excise tax being levied by the middle of this year, after finance ministers from all GCC countries agreed to the system last year in June. At the time, Jeanine Daou, Middle East indirect taxes partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, said: “The introduction of VAT and Excise Tax

constitute an important policy reform aiming to help GCC governments achieve medium to longterm social and economic policy goals, and to reduce reliance on hydrocarbon revenues. “Some administrative matters still need to be resolved, notably with regards to the tax collection mechanism related to intra-GCC trade.” If you thought 2016 was a tough year for your personal finances then be prepared for even more belt tightening this year. Here, we sit down with people from all walks of life to hear how they are managing financially, and how the cost of living is prompting them to make tough decisions about their futures in the Sultanate.

My husband has started to go to his office by carpooling with his colleagues. As a matter of fact, we plan to get rid of our SUV. This should save us from the loan as well as the fuel expenses, which are exorbitantly high. We are also planning to send our kids abroad for their studies – maybe a boarding school – as it would be cheaper than here. We have also seen that there has been an increase in the prices of commodities, including groceries in Oman. The hike may not seem substantial but it has affected our family quite a lot. Nowadays, we head out to buy groceries and other essential goods on weekends, as some supermarkets tend to offer promotions on their goods. We have even started checking which outlet provides the most discounts, and head there. Despite all of this, we are still RO200 short of what we used to save before.

Bangladeshi expat Ashraf Ahmed, a cleaning service worker, can’t afford to stay with his family in Oman due to a rent rise

I am sending them (my family) back to our country. My salary of RO620 isn’t enough to make things work in the ongoing conditions. Things were all running smoothly until mid-2016. But in August of last year, my landlord hiked our house rent (for a three-bedroom house) from RO245 to RO300. This was the first time that there was such an increase in the eight years that we had been staying in Oman.

The Families

Merlin William, an expatriate teacher in Oman, is having to make daily sacrifices to make ends meet for herself and her family

eople with fixed monthly incomes will be affected as expenses rise. We both (Merlin and her husband) have jobs here, and even then we can’t meet our monthly outgoings. In our case, we have expenses such as house rent (which went up by 8 per cent), school fees (which went up by RO50 for a year), and two car loans. Because of this we can’t save money like we did in previous years. Until last year, we were living in Al Khuwair but a few months ago we moved to Al Hail, where we could find a cheaper flat.

This has meant that our savings are almost non-existent. Apart from that, I am also spending roughly RO10 as a part of my monthly fuel expenses. And what’s funny is that my salary remains the same. I have not received a salary rise since 2014. My wallet is literally empty by the 18th or 19th of the month, meaning I have to live on peanuts for the next 10 days. The only solution seems to be to send my wife and kids back to Bangladesh. It pains me to even think of that situation but it’s happening soon. I have asked my company for a rise. If that doesn’t work out, then my family will be off. If things get too bad, I will be leaving too. JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

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The Business Owner Ameer Mohammed Naaser, a 65-year-old Omani property developer, has had to cut staff in the wake of the oil crisis When the oil price fall first broke, I didn’t pay much heed. I believed that the oil market would recover in a few weeks’ time. However, as you now know, that didn’t happen. Soon, I found my business looking down the barrel of a gun. The thing with owning a business is that you are not just looking after the interests of yourself and your family’s but also those of others. If I were to slash the salary of one of my employees then I would be responsible for that. From January to March 2016, all was going well. But I soon realised that I was incurring losses, as opposed to making money. I cannot say that we weren’t able to sustain ourselves but I know that our margin fell by 30 per cent. The cost of raw materials such as cement, sand, reinforcing steel and wood increased substantially. Even then, it was the cost of transportation that really hurt us. When the Government took steps to stabilise their losses, they took off the subsidy on various commodities, petrol being one of them. This meant that the cost of transporting our workers from work to home was shooting up, and the cost of hiring trucks to transport raw materials was touching unbelievable levels.

So, before I lost total control of the situation, I took things into my own hands. I had to let go around 12 of my expatriate staff. However, I have promised them that I shall bring them back as soon as things stabilise here. Things are looking much better than they did last year but I think it will be another year before we can start reaping the benefits of the austerity measures we took. Apart from that, on a personal level, I have made a lot of sacrifices too. My family and I have stopped using our SUVs to travel around the city. We take our sedan if we are travelling along, and resort to the SUV only when we travel together. With petrol prices touching 186 baisas (MOGAS 95), we are struggling. I still remember the good old days when petrol cost a mere 120 baisas.

The Bachelors

Koshy Varghese, an Indian expatriate, has had to send his family home after his outgoings nearly put his back to the wall The cost of living in Oman has been on the rise since last year, when the Government decided to lift the subsidies on oil, and I firmly believe that it will only get worse this year. My family was here with me until the middle of 2016 but I had to send them back to India as our expenses shot up beyond my reach. I was the breadwinner and I had to take care of the education of both of my children as well. That’s when our family budget started to wobble and I realised that we wouldn’t be able to survive in Oman if we were all to live together. Since they left, I have shifted to a single bedroom to save a little more every month. But the current situation is getting much worse, as the oil price is poised to increase even more in the coming months. I may have to think of some alternative methods to earn more money to survive.

Omani engineering graduate Mohammed Ali Hussain, 26, is unemployed and finds his career prospects bleak I am not a just resident of Oman; I am a citizen of Oman. And it hurts me that I have to be unemployed and looking for a job. It seems like there is no job available for me, even after completing my course. I initially tried to apply for a job in aviation but from the look of it, there are very few openings there. I cannot blame them because once the oil prices dipped, they had their hands tied too. Unfortunately, my engineering degree isn’t valued much anywhere since I have very little work experience. Right now, I am doing odd jobs by helping family members set up their new homes so I can earn some money. There are days when I realise I might have to give up the idea of being an employed individual with a stable income. Right now, my only option is take a loan from the bank to start a business.

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But I know it would be the biggest mistake of my life. I have thought of becoming a sales representative but that would be killing my dreams of becoming an engineer. I don’t know what to do. I tend to keep my struggles away from my family. But without their support I wouldn’t even be able to take care of my needs. I know that my dad’s business is struggling to keep a footing now. Therefore, I don’t want to take any money from him. The way forward seems very bleak.

Pradeep Kumar, 30, is struggling to save money, which he needs to support his family back home in India Things are getting very bad for me. I can’t save any money right now. I have to pay off my car loan, as well as my monthly house rent. Apart from that, I have to send money back to my family in India. After providing for my family, all I have is 30 per cent of my salary. And I have to use this money to pay my other expenses. As a result of this, I have had to cut down on my expenses. I am now looking to share my room with someone else to save money.

I decided to stick with the company for another month. And by September, I realised that the company was about to fold so I filed my resignation, which was switched over as a termination to avoid complications. I was denied a No Objection certificate too, which wasn’t a problem for me at all. By October, I had packed up everything and headed back to Denmark. Since then, I have been working for an oil company in Saudi Arabia. Things have been quite tough here but it is marginally better here because I am being provided with a house and other facilities. But in retrospect, things are still the same. I can see the GCC countries breathing hard to keep themselves afloat.

The Student Amira Ahmed has had to cut down on some of her personal interests to keep from burning a hole in her pocket This drop in oil prices has had a prominent impact on my cost of living. I had to personally to cut down my expenses up to an extent that I would buy clothes and shoes only when in a sale, and only when necessary. I have also stopped using my car unnecessarily. But as I am still a student and my father pays for the fees and expenses, I consider myself fortunate in that respect.

Jeffery Rhodes, an expat from Denmark, was forced to move from Oman to Saudi Arabia to continue his career in the oil industry I began my career in the GCC region from Muscat. Things were going great as I was working for a contracting company in the oil industry. I had also been working there for a total of four years, and had taken over quite a senior role in the department because I was looking after some fresh faces. Sadly, in March 2016, my salary was lowered by 12 per cent and by June, I wasn’t receiving any pay at all. I was living in a shared villa at Al Hail, which I knew I couldn’t afford to stay in. But, I couldn’t question my company either because I knew that they were under a lot of stress to keep going. We hadn’t undertaken any worthwhile projects for a few months. I remember companies that we were working for were shelving their plans to cut costs, thus leading to a dearth in projects for us.

Top tips to save when money is tight:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Shop smarter Keep the change Pay yourself first Save with purpose Make it automatic Stop using credit cards Create a budget Stay committed

Source: www.bankrate.com JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

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ON YOUR M As training intensifies for the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon on January 27, David Wentzel, the master trainer at Horizon Fitness, offers his top tips for going the distance

ith 1,200 runners expected to compete in this year’s Al Mouj Muscat Marathon, to be held on January 27, the pressure is on for competitors to be at their peak fitness levels. And with training sessions being held at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat every Friday morning in the leadup to the event, there’s no excuse to lose your motivation. The training sessions are being hosted by Horizon Fitness, the official fitness partner of the 2017 race, which is being organised by Muscat Road Runners and Oman Sail. “Training for a marathon can be challenging for the average individual,” says David. “In order to stay on top of your training in any event, it is important that you focus on your goal, which, in this case, would be to complete the marathon in your best time possible.” Here are David’s tips on making the most of your training and handling the race:

The challenge

In the weeks leading up to the event it is crucial that we challenge ourselves. How do we do this? It’s fairly simple: set your goal distance, set an achievable yet challenging time goal and give it your best. But don’t be put off if you are not hitting that time or distance yet as you need to work towards that goal distance or time.

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some of us, your motivation could be prompted by a journey to better health, to achieve a competitive result, to raise money for a worthy cause or simply to take on a challenge. Whatever your reason is, use that as your driving force to keep you motivated and on track.

Mix it up

Leading up to the race, it is important to focus and make sure you are getting as much training in as possible. The best way to train for a marathon is to do marathon training. However, doing a full body training regime would be very beneficial to ensure you are building and working on all aspects of your fitness. You should also include stretching in your training regime and also have days off for rest and recovery.

Nutrition

MARKS

This also plays a big role leading up to your race day. You should be eating good nutritious foods in the days before the event and increasing your carbohydrate intake to store up lots of energy for the day. As well as this, you need to stay wellhydrated and make sure you are getting enough salts and minerals. Good luck!

Stay motivated

Staying motivated is often where most of us fall short. We set a goal to do something but fall short and often lose interest in achieving it. But staying motivated is the key to achieving your goal. Why? The most important part of any goal is the reason behind it. Ask yourself: “Why? Why am I here? Why am I running? Why do I want to do this?” These are questions only you can answer and should motivate you. For

THE FACTS

• The 2017 race will feature three events – the 42km marathon, 21km half marathon and 10km run – and will start and finish at Al Mouj Muscat. While the final route has not yet been decided, it is expected to showcase some of the most striking locations around the capital. • The marathon takes place on January 27. • The 2016 Muscat Marathon featured 600 runners, but this has doubled to 1,200 competitors this year. • The Horizon Fitness training sessions are held on Fridays at 8am at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

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THE SPIRIT OF COHESION T

alented Omani photographer Soud al Buhiry is celebrating his first solo show in the Sultanate with a series of spectacular monochromatic photographs that showcase the beauty and architecture of the country’s mosques. His aim of the exhibition was to highlight the “deep and important role” that mosques play in Oman – from creating an atmosphere of tolerance to bridging ties in communities, and their educational. The series of images – all of them in black and white – are in stark contrast the environment, with a playful nod to Oman’s stunning nature to help him to form his narrative. The chiaroscuro, or treatment of light and shade, enhances the impact of the images, which saw al Buhiry travel around the country to places such as Tiwi in Sur, as well as around the capital to capture the stunning photographs. You can view The Spirit of Cohesion exhibition at Gallery Sarah at Bait Al Zubair until February 2, from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

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FOOD AND DRINK

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Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

BRUNCH TIME

Take lazy weekend mornings to the next level and add a little South American spice to your repertoire.

MAKE BRUNCH ‘EGGS-CITING’ Spice up your brunch with these egg dishes inspired by Hispanic cuisine

ggs, they are the superstars of your fridge. Delicious on their own, or the perfect addition to a salad, skillet or even breakfast tacos, their versatility makes the possibilities truly endless. And as families today are choosing fresher, unique ingredients to inspire their own ethnic dishes at home, eggs are a perfect choice. They are especially prevalent in Hispanic cuisine – and are a celebrated ingredient in a variety of Latin dishes from around the world, such as traditional Spanish flan, to Brazilian feijão tropeiro to Mexican huevos rancheros. It’s no surprise that eggs pair beautifully with the brightly coloured, bold ingredients often found in Latino cuisine. While these beloved “egg-tastic” dishes celebrate a vibrant culture, they also deliver high quality protein – six grams in one large egg! These perfect little protein powerhouses are an inexpensive, nutrientdense and tasty way to start off your weekday routine. And with many dietary guidelines removing the daily cholesterol limits and recommending eggs in all healthy eating patterns, people can feel good about including them in their diet. This surprisingly simple recipe will take your repertoire to a new level. The Huevos Divorciados is one of those effortless entrees that require common pantry ingredients, but deliver big, bold flavours. Explore more tasty ways to serve up eggs with these recipes and more at incredibleegg.org. – BPT

Huevos Divorciados Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Makes 4 servings

second side to desired doneness. Sprinkle eggs lightly with salt and pepper if desired. (Repeat method with remaining butter and 4 eggs, or prepare all 8 at once in 2 large nonstick skillets or on one large flat griddle.) § Spread warm refried beans evenly over tortillas. Spoon tomatillo salsa over half the tortillas and tomato salsa over remaining half. Top each tortilla with 1 fried egg. Transfer one of each salsa-topped tortilla to 4 dinner plates and garnish evenly with red onion and coriander. Serve immediately.

Ingredients: § 8 small corn tortillas § 2 cups prepared refried pinto beans, warmed § 1/2 cup tomatillo or green salsa § 1/2 cup tomato or red salsa § 4 teaspoons butter, divided § 8 large eggs § Salt and pepper § 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion § 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh coriander Variations: * Mix 1/4 cup regular sour cream or light sour cream Method: with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice for drizzling § Bake tortillas in a single layer on a large over finished huevos divorciados. Or garnish with baking sheet in preheated 400-degree chopped avocado and lime wedges. Farenheight oven for 7 to 10 minutes or * Prepare recipe with refried black beans instead of the pinto beans if desired. until crispy. Source: American Egg Board § For sunny-side up, over-easy or overhard eggs: heat half the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just melted. Break 4 eggs and slip into skillet one at a time. Immediately reduce heat to low. § Cook eggs about 5 minutes or until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Serve as is or flip eggs carefully with turner and cook

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TEEFFEE CAFÉ

Opp. Azaiba Driving School ground Wesbite: www.teeffeecafe.com Opening Hours: 6am to 2am Dinner: RO6.8

TEEFFEE CAFÉ

Verdict : 7/10 SERVICE 8/10 FOOD 9/10 AMBIENCE Great food and an ambience to match. Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

ALVIN THOMAS FINDS THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN THE EATING AT A NEW CAFÉ IN HIS NEIGHBOURHOOD

vening walks are fun: after a long day of writing behind me, it is the best way to tread away the general stresses of life. Above all, it is the perfect way to encounter new things happening around my area – something I don’t get to see very often nowadays. Just like that, when I was out for my evening stroll, I noticed a new outlet – the Teeffee Café – not far from where I live in Azaiba. I usually don’t stop to admire restaurants but with its wood finish and fairly pleasant ambience, Teeffee definitely caught my eye. But I didn’t bother heading in and decided to leave it for another day. Therefore, when I was made the official taste tester for Y this week, I knew where I was heading. This was also one of my solo trips out for dinner since my brother (aka Captain Kirk) has now left for university. Therefore, it was an opportunity to kick back and relax over some tea and snacks. I decided to take a seat outside as the weather was actually very congenial. The waiters were affable and welcoming, and handed me the menu as soon as I had settled into my seat. The menu was neatly laid out too, with options galore. There are numerous varieties of teas, coffees, fresh juices and even smoothies to choose from. Interestingly, you can also opt for items such as burgers, tortilla wraps, shawarmas and club sandwiches.

I ordered the Saffron Tea and a side of samosas – a fried delicacy filled with potatoes and spices. I was trying to replicate my good old days at college, when I used to head into one of the local coffee outlets in India and spend hours reading novels and analysing newspapers while munching on samosas and gulping down coffee. Of course, I didn’t have a book with me today so I resorted to settling down for a staring contest with my phone. Thankfully, both the tea and the samosas arrived in less than 10 minutes. Both didn’t last too long on my plate. The tea was incredibly refreshing. There was a generous portion of saffron in the tea, and despite the tea being pre-sweetened, they somehow managed to find the right mix. I didn’t find the tea to be either too sweet or too bland; it was simply perfect. The samosas, on the other hand, were freshly prepared. However, I found them too spicy for my liking. Mind you, anybody with a penchant for spicy food might enjoy them. I’m just not a fan of spicy food. In any case, since I was still hungry, I ordered Teeffee’s special shawarma. It only took a couple of minutes to arrive but it was definitely well prepared. It was almost like they were expecting me to order it. Teeffee’s special shawarma was unlike those found in your average Turkish and Lebanese joints. For instance, the chicken was wrapped in freshly prepared bread rolls, as opposed to Arabic bread (which I am a fan of). It was unique if a little odd. However, it tasted great, and I am definitely going back there for some more of their shawarmas. While I was at it, I also ordered Teeffee’s special pudding which, according to the chef,

was prepared using biscuits, peanut butter and caramel syrup. He also told me that it was only available if you’re dining in and not if you were opting for a takeaway. The pudding was presented in a Teeffee branded glass bowl. It also tasted really good. What was funny was how the folks here experiment with basic ingredients to come up with something truly scrumptious. The pudding was consistent and the caramel and peanut butter crusting on the sides provided a very sweet base. Sometimes, it is the simple little things that add up to create something truly amazing, right? In all, I was incredibly happy with my solo experience at Teeffee Café. The folks here, despite having opened a few weeks ago, were still well-prepared for customers. The overall ambience of the café was nice too. I can actually see myself sitting here with my friends for long hours at weekends. Teeffee Café is definitely worth giving a shot. Here’s a small suggestion from me: do try out their teas and puddings. They’re absolutely gorgeous. It feels amazing to have a good experience in a Taste Test, after two disappointing episodes. Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

SUBSTANCE AND STYLE

Are you starting your year with back-to-back meetings? Then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time you dressed to impress! Make heads turn with some impeccable office fashion while emphasising that substance and style go hand-in-hand in the workplace, such as with this look from M&Co.

k o o L e h

aran K e tin hris C , t ry tree esto s o h h g s Do you want to bring some colour to your e hi rmy h a t e o t H meeting table? Why not don this timelessly . end e look ram classic piece from East? The beautiful blue h g i h g h t a t embroidery on a grey-denim base is sure to t e e s th to g In m n bring some cheer to a corporate meeting. o o r u e F o y n i Price unavailable. t s s i help w Chr o Foll

T t Ge

It’s the new year and it’s time to restyle your office-wear wardrobe. These self-design dark blue trousers from Very are perfect for the office as well as for entertaining clients. From RO15

We love the playful-yet-polished look of this navy anchor jumper from Dorothy Perkins. Pair it with your favourite linen trousers or a long chiffon skirt to get that professional yet casual look. From RO11

It’s the time of the year to rock your full sleeves. This stylish, crisscross, body-shaping wear from Joy is something that you would definitely want to wear to work. From RO16.5

Symmetrical jewellery can add a winning edge. This Loleta denim cord necklace from Oliver Bonas does exactly that. Upgrade your outfit from ordinary to excellent with just one accessory. From RO12. Nothing completes an office outfit than the perfect pair of shoes. But we recommend shoes with a twist. Buy these gorgeous black lace-up pumps from Dorothy Perkins from RO15.

This beautiful, light floral scarf from Accessorize is the perfect accessory to welcome the season of spring. The lovely design of birds and flowers set in a pastel background is something you can pair with any outfit. Price unavailable.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

BEAUTY

Health Fashion

SMOOTH OPERATOR Understanding hair texture is crucial in achieving a beautiful and bouncy style, says celebrity hairdresser Asgar Saboo

e all know that having dull, limp or lifeless hair is not going to win you any brownie points on the beauty front. But how does your hair actually feel when you run your fingers through it? For example, suffering from dry hair is common. But ‘dry’ or ‘oily’ are terms to describe your hair’s condition not its texture. It’s important to understand the difference. Your hair can be straight, wavy or curly; its condition can be dry, normal or oily; and your texture can be fine, medium or coarse. The best way to deal with the texture of your hair is to experiment. All hair types have different levels of texture, thickness and elasticity so the best way to get the look you want is to try out different natural remedies and ways of locking in texture. Hair can be textured naturally every day without the use of damaging heat styling, which, over a period of time, causes hair to become dry and brittle. It also makes it more difficult to achieve texture later on. Let’s take a look at the common hair types, with some great natural remedies you can use to de-stress your tresses Straight hair Straight hair is the hardest type of hair to achieve texture as the hair naturally falls smoothly without 036

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volume, with a risk of it looking limp and flat. Detangle with fingers while damp and give an all-over spritz of volumising or salt spray. Put the damp hair up into a high ponytail and wrap the ends around the band and secure into a bun. Leave in to dry overnight. Once dry, let it down. The hair will naturally look more volumised and textured with slight waves and movement. Finish with massaging texture power at the roots of the hair. For more volume and a long hold, apply hairspray all over to hold the waves.

volume. The idea behind styling curly hair is to naturally develop and mould the hair into the style and texture you want. After a shower, refrain from towel drying as this will pull the texture and waves out while causing frizz. Apply a curl smoothing serum all over the hair, covering the hair from the root to the tip. Pull back into a low bun and leave to dry. Brushing and touching the hair will lead to frizz so it is better to let the hair dry before touching it. In the morning pull the hair out of the low bun and the hair will naturally be more defined with bounce. Avoid the crunchy look by Wavy hair finishing the dry style with a few Naturally wavy hair already has drops of hair oil and deep condition slight texture so you can enhance this the hair at least once a week to keep and create more defined waves. the hair luscious. Run hair gel through damp hair, dividing the hair in half. Do not ‘Corkscrew’ hair brush the hair as this will dull the end This type of hair is the coarsest result of the texture. Create braids and driest of all the hair types. all around the head, securing into Therefore, it can be difficult to get place. After the hair is dry, undo the moisture to the scalp and maintain braids and lightly comb through with shine your fingers, pulling the braids apart. Clearly defined corkscrew coils Again, avoid using a brush. Keep dry can range in size. To avoid crunchy shampoo on hand for an afternoon curls, wash strands with a cleansing reboot, and avoid thick conditioners conditioner, which will help to weigh that can weigh hair down and can down the hair. This will also cut give strands a greasy look. down on flyways and maintain shine. Use light gels and styling butters to Curly hair twist damp hair into place. Again, do For all you lucky people born with not brush the hair as this will leave naturally curly hair, you are at an the hair lifeless but frizzy. advantage because curly hair already To add texture, there are some holds a lot of luscious texture and natural remedies you can use:

Salt spray There’s no need to spend any money on sea salt spray because, chances are, you will have all the ingredients to get it yourself to achieve that effortless, salt-watersculpted wavy hair. Instead of using gel, use pomade within the mix with hot water, sea salt and coconut oil, but leave in some conditioner. It will evade any crunch and leave your locks free to flow. Aloe vera Aloe vera is locked with all the essential nutrients to improve the texture of your hair. Using aloe vera can boost hair growth, prevent hair loss and breakage, and ultimately create more texture and volume over time. Green tea Green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that promote hair growth. Not only this, the vitamin C present in green tea can also add a beautiful sheen to the hair. Almond oil and banana home remedy for soft hair Banana and almond oil together make an excellent remedy to get rid of dry and frizzy hair. Besides maintaining natural elasticity and moisture, this mask will also prevent split ends, hair loss and hair breakage. Almond oil is a rich source of Omega fatty acid and multi vitamins, and it will penetrate deep into the scalp, keeping your hair healthy and strong.

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

FORCE OF HABIT Five healthy changes in 10 minutes or less

healthy lifestyle is an admirable goal to aim for, no matter what time of year it is. However, the problem is that many people shoot for the stars either by resolving to lose a large amount of weight or by giving up the food they love. A better approach is to make small changes that, when combined, can make a big impact. “People who make smart yet simple lifestyle changes will find it easier to succeed,” says Margot Savoy, a US-based doctor. “It’s about all the small victories that add up to winning the war. If you want to feel your best and make changes that will last, think small for big results.” Healthy habits can take up to 10 minutes a day to complete, which is not a lot of time despite our busy lifestyles. Over time, these can be very beneficial to your health and will become second nature within a few weeks. Dr Savoy suggests these five simple steps for healthier living in 2017.

Be informed

Stomach pains? Sore knees? Not sure if it’s the cold or the flu? Being healthy means staying informed. When you need more information about your health, visit a reputable website such as familydoctor.org to learn more.

Snack well

Eating well is all about balance, and while many Omanis are striving to eat more healthily, it’s the snacks that are sabotaging their diets. When hunger pangs strike, reach for nutrient-rich foods instead of junk. One of the best ways to do this is to select one drawer in the refrigerator and dedicate it to foods for healthy snacking. Stock it with fruit, veggies, wholegrain crackers and low-fat cheese and nuts. Spend 10 minutes each Sunday cutting vegetables and portioning out nuts and other snacks.

but for other soft drinks, it’s not so obvious. Many fruit juices and sports drinks are packed with sugar and calories. Hydration is important so drink as much water as possible to boost your health. Staying properly hydrated is essential to healthy living, and because the body is approximately half made up of water, there’s no better drink than good old H20. If it’s too bland for you, add some healthy flavour with fresh oranges, apples, kiwis or strawberries.

Sun protection

The sun gives off UV rays of light that are helpful and harmful. Some sun exposure is good You don’t need a fancy gym membership to get because it helps the body to create vitamin D, fit. Just block off 10-minute increments each day which absorbs calcium. Too much sun exposure, to work out and you’ll start to feel the difference. though, can lead to skin changes, a lowered Try walking, biking or doing sets of squats, immune system and cancer. crunches and jumping jacks. Within minutes you’ll It takes just a minute to slather on sunscreen to raise your heart rate and work those muscles. block out harmful UV rays in the winter months. If you have children, join in the fun with them Focus on the face which is exposed all year long, and you’ll be surprised just how quickly you can and during warm months or while vacationing, get in a quick workout. A game of tig (also known make sure to use sunscreen on the entire body, as tag), for example, is a great running exercise. reapplying regularly. It’s also a wonderful way to bond with your family. What’s more, teach your children to do likewise and create healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Move and groove

Hydration

Everyone knows that fizzy drinks are unhealthy

– BPT

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

•

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

• • •

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

• •

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

•

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

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

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

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Postcards from

Y- F i

Outdoors

Cars

CARS AND ADVENTURES

TIMES OF YORE

Al Wasl Castle is a sight to behold, offering visitors a unique insight into the past.

JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

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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

Cars

Destination

AL WASL CASTLE A faded historical edifice still has the power to keep Shaquel Al Balushiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lens busy, and can still cut it as view of veneration 040

JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

n my Destination article last week, I talked about how I had headed towards the Sharqiyah Sands for a night of camping with my friends. And despite the incident during which we (our Jeeps) had got stuck and were forced to drive for kilometres with almost zero visibility, we actually had quite a lot of fun. But there’s something I kept from everyone in my previous article: when I was on my way towards our camping location, I had actually taken a slight detour to look for some interesting locations, which I could potentially feature as Destination stories for the weeks to come. And that’s just when I stumbled onto (not literally) a brown-coloured sign board that read, “Al Wasl Castle”. The board was located just a few kilometres before reaching Bidiyah and before our camping location from last week. But I didn’t head to the exit that led to the castle, and ploughed straight on to our location – you know – in fear that I would not reach our camp site at Sharqiyah on time. However, I had set my eyes on the castle and wanted to head there once we had all split from the pack. So, after we had all packed up after camp, I caught hold of Imran (my long-term travel buddy) and Badr – another friend of mine and a wonderful chef and photographer himself – and headed towards the castle. It was still the early hours of the morning and the sun was shadowed by the fog that had enveloped the entire region. It was very dark and we had to resort to driving with our headlights as well as our fog lamps on full blast. Progress was slow too

because we didn’t want to cause any accidents due to speeding. In all, it took us almost an hour to get there but in reality – if the conditions are right – it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. The best part about this road is that it takes you all the way to the foot of the castle. So there’s no chance of you getting lost or searching for directions on your way there. But still, here’s a gentle piece of advice for you: always keep your phone with you. In that case, if you find yourself in any sort of trouble, you can reach out for help. I’ve heard of many cases of people getting into tricky situations without the possibility of receiving any assistance – and paying the price! But, let’s not go off topic. Upon reaching the megastructure, I was inclined to appreciate the sheer beauty of the castle that was Al Wasl. More astonishing was how beautiful the neighbouring surroundings were: it took me back to the more simple days when I was young, and was able to enjoy my time exploring new areas and clicking pictures of the same. By now, the fog had dissipated and I was finally able to take my camera out. But the humidity in the air meant the surrounding sandy land was quite mushy. Nevertheless, we continued to look for the ticket counter from where we could buy our entry passes. The ticket counter – or at least, the structure that looked like it – was completely empty and shut (probably because it was Friday). So, we resorted to entering the castle and explore things on our own. Upon doing so, the first thing that struck me was how certain parts of the castle had been renovated, and how some remained untouched. It was like someone had decided to keep away from completing his task of renovating the castle because it was too fragile or something. But, in my eyes, doing so preserved the sanctity of the castle. It doesn’t look like a brand-new structure with shiny walls and rooms to match. It still has that rustic effect to it – one that has to be seen in person to understand.

The walls of the castle are made of mud, therefore, there is quite a lot of erosion happening. I guess, years of exposure to the elements have to have had some sort of an effect on the structure. Still, the exterior looks structurally intact, with only wind patterns carving deep patterns in the walls. I’m also assuming that someone lived here before; there are rooms and other areas within the castle that seem to suggest so. However, these portions of the castle are not well preserved as there seems to be a lot of degradation, which is a pity. Even the windows that once kept people within the castle safe are falling apart and this makes me feel sad. What is also surprising is how the castle remained empty throughout our adventure. I could click away with no disturbance at all. However, I cannot be sure if the castle is open to the public on other days of the week. Nonetheless, it was still a blessing. And just as I went through the door that took me back to where we parked our car, I saw the Omani flag fluttering on top of the castle. Most of you who follow my adventures would know that I’m a very patriotic man. For a few minutes, all I did was stare at the Omani flag in silence, just as the sun rose over the horizon. Imran and Badr joined me in admiring the flag. It was a beautiful sight; and more importantly, offered a powerful feeling.

TRAVEL GUIDE

HOW TO GET THERE From Muscat, take Route 15 and just after passing Fanja, take Route 23 at the Shell service station and follow the signs to Bidiyah. En route, you will find a sign board for Al Wasl Castle. Take the right and head straight until you begin to see the castle.

GPS location: N22°30’05.4” E58°44’35.2” JAN 12 - 18 / ISSUE 453

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CARS AND ADVENTURES BOHEMIA RHAPSODY

The pedestrian-only Charles Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in Prague.

1. Take a tram to Prague Castle, wander around and walk back to the city. 2. Visit Charles Bridge at sunrise or at night to enjoy its full glory. 3. Visit Old Town Square where the locals hang out. 4. Attend one performance at The National Theatre for its dĂŠcor, acoustics and interior. 5. Take a day-trip to Karlovy Vary for its mineral-rich spas.

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Destination

Outdoors

Y-Fi

Cars

POSTCARDS FROM

Christine Karan recommends

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC W

ant to immerse yourself in old-world charm yet enjoy a modern lifestyle? Brimming with history, culture and absolute grace, Prague is a breathing riddle of modern times infused with legendary historical tales. Lovingly called Praha by the locals, the capital of the Czech Republic was also once the capital of erstwhile Bohemia, the largest historical region of the sprawling Czech lands. Unlike other big cities in Europe, Prague is compact and very walkable. Architecture and history lovers can have a feast with stunning and well-preserved buildings from the Renaissance, Gothic, Bohemian, Baroque and Art Nouveau eras, which have luckily escaped unscathed from two world wars and communist regimes. The city is the proud home of the only working, and the third oldest, astronomical clock in the world, which draws millions of visitors annually to the Old Town Square to see it. Wander off from the clock tower along the narrow streets to Wencelas Square for some souvenir shopping. One of the must-dos is a walk on the pedestrian-only Charles Bridge over the Vltava River. Or better still, beat the crowd and take an early morning walk or a night walk to enjoy the bridge and its famed 30 statues of saints, all by yourself. Charles Bridge has featured in many Hollywood movies such as Mission: Impossible (1996), Casino Royale , The Illusionist , Hellboy and many more. Another must-visit place is Prague Castle, which is perched on top of a hill, commanding a spectacular view of the city. Once the seat of power for Bohemian kings, it is now the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. It also has a place in the Guinness World Records as the largest, most ancient castle in the world. The Prague Opera house and the National Museum are two other important places that you should visit if you have time. Prague offers you a variety of local cuisine to choose from. For those with a sweet tooth, tredelnik is a must-try. The cake and sweet pastry is wrapped around a log and grilled with a cinnamon, sugar and walnut mix. Make sure to coat your tredelnik with melted chocolate and whipped cream. For those who want to taste the savoury part of Czech cuisine, dumplings are a must. Mostly served as side dish with meat soup (gulas), it is a dish perfect for lunch out in one of the traditional restaurants. If you are looking for modern-day shopping, the massive Palladium mall has every brand that you can imagine. To get there, KLM offers flights from Muscat to Prague via Amsterdam.

KARLO

VY VAR Y

P R A G U E ,N

EATRE A T IO N A L T H

My favourite place

The National Theatre, without doubt. More than 100 years old, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a perfect example of Renaissance architecture and cultures coming together in one place.

Highlights

The hourly spectacle of the astronomical clock and the wondrous architecture of Prague Castle is a treat to behold.

Lowlights Just like any other tourist city, Prague has its share of pickpockets and petty thieves. Just make sure to guard your purses and wallets, especially when you are on public transport. Souvenirs

If you are looking for something a little more traditional, then the famous Czech glass is a must.

Where to stay

Prague offers some amazing lodging options; from five-star hotels to bed and breakfasts to hostels. Whether by the riverside or within the city you have numerous options to choose from. You will be surprised. Prague is very, very affordable compared to other European tourist cities! Although euros are used here, Czechs continue to use the crown (koruna).

PRAGU

E - CH ARLE S B R ID G E

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043

-FI THE TECH IN YOU

Outdoors

D e s t i n at i o n

Y-FI

POWER OF ONE

There's a range of laptops out there to suit everybody's needs, but which one is for you? Alvin Thomas checks out a few choices POWER TOOL

RAZER SHARP There was a time when Razer devices (laptops, headphones, keyboards, etc.) were considered a relatively cheaper alternative to devices from Alienware and MSI. Today, however, the brand has shed all its early baggage to create what is possibly the best bangfor-your-buck gaming laptop in the market, although it isn’t the most powerful gaming laptop out there. Packed with an INTEL Kaby Lake i7 processor and 16 gigs of RAM, there’s no denying: the Razer Blade Stealth will keep up or maybe even overshadow the big guns. Better yet, this laptop can change the lighting on its keyboard to suit your tastes. Get yours from amazon.com from RO370 onwards.

There’s a reason why people love Dell so much, and that’s because of the XPS range of laptops. Today, with the new XPS 13, the brand still lives up to its name and continues to rake in new customers. And why not? The XPS 13 is phenomenally thin, light, and frankly, quite the looker. It features a gorgeous bezel-less 30cm 1080p InfinityEdge display, INTEL’s latest Skylake i3 processor, lightning fast storage and memory, as well as USB Type-C with Thunderbolt. Spec the laptop right and you’re looking at an Apple MacBook Pro killer right here. This laptop is –hands down – the best Windows laptop money can buy today. Available at all leading electronic stores from RO580 onwards.

MACBOOK There’s no way we’re featuring the most powerful gadgets out there, and skipping the MacBook. True, the MacBook may not be the fastest laptop out there, but it still has the specs to eke its way into this spot. For 2017 (although it was released late 2016), Apple packs the MacBook with an Intel Skylake Core M processor, which is clocked at 1.1GHz. Apart from that, the MacBook still maintains its thin, low-profile body despite having a 3.5mm headphone jack (cough… iPhone 7… cough) and USB Type-C ports. It’s the perfect device for the professional on-thego. From RO500 from all leading electronics stores in Oman

EVER-READY

EDITOR’S PICK

HAVE YOU EVER LOOKED AT YOUR COMPUTER AND ASKED YOURSELF: “HEY! WHY CAN’T I PLAY MY GAMES IN 4K? WELL THEN, GOOD NEWS; NVIDIA RECENTLY REVEALED ITS ALL NEW GEFORCE GTX 1080, AND IT IS BY FAR THE BEST GRAPHIC CARD MONEY CAN BUY TODAY. NO MORE STRAPPING TWO GRAPHIC CARDS FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE (ALTHOUGH WE’RE NOT SURE IF PEOPLE STILL DO THAT). NEVERTHELESS, WITH THE LAUNCH OF NVIDIA'S PASCAL ARCHITECTURE (AND THE GTX 1080) YOU CAN NOW GET THE PERFORMANCE OF TWO HIGH-END GRAPHIC CARDS FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE. OF COURSE, YOU COULD RISK BURNING DOWN YOUR HOUSE IF YOU DECIDE TO GAME AT 4K FOR LONG HOURS, SO IT IS BEST YOU KEEP SWITCHING TO AND FRO TO KEEP THE HEAT TO A MINIMUM. YOU STILL SHOULD GET EXCELLENT FRAMERATES AND A LAG-FREE EXPERIENCE THOUGH. FROM RO220 AT AMAZON.COM.

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JULY JAN 1203- -1809/ ISSUE / ISSUE453327

VIRTUAL REALITY

he advent of virtual reality headsets has opened Info Box up a whole new level in portable entertainment. GALAXY VR Today, people can watch a movie on Netflix, Download: take a rollercoaster ride or even travel to the GOOGLE PLAY international space station and observe the solar Cost: 700 BAISAS system in close depth – there’s just so much you can do. Rating: You can also buy these virtual reality headsets 16 AND UP from all leading manufacturers such as PlayStation (PlayStation VR), Samsung (Gear VR), HTC, (Vive) and Oculus. But there’s one thing we tend to forget: virtual reality has actually been a part of the gaming industry for more than two decades. Rewind to 1993: this was a time when virtual reality seemed to be booming. Every arcade gaming arena seemed to have consoles with added virtual effects. For instance, Virtua Cop was a game released by SEGA. Admittedly, the graphics weren’t particularly mind-boggling and the game was quite sketchy, even for its time. However, it had one trick up its sleeve: you could use a gun (attached to the system) to take down targets. As you completed levels, the game became increasingly difficult, albeit, it was all a part of that “virtual experience”. What’s more interesting is that the gun was sinisterly accurate, and it provided users with a very immersive gaming experience – even though there weren’t any virtual reality headsets at that time. All you had to do was point at a screen and take a shot. Fast forward to today and we’re back on the bandwagon that was set in motion decades ago, only it is more accessible to us today. A Google cardboard will set you back roughly RO6, and will come with a host of compatible games. Galaxy VR is one of the more captivating games out there. It is a shooter that combines aerial battling in space with an FPS shooter experience. The best part of the game is that you can actually look around and experience your surroundings like an actual pilot. You will require an additional controller for the game, but it is well worth your time and money. Mind you, the game is so riveting you may find yourself motion sick after a few minutes of gaming. So, will virtual reality stay long enough to see the light of day? Or will it die down like it did before? Well, this time, it may just hold on. Review by Alvin Thomas

2017

1993

App of the Week

NOVA LAUNCHER Hand on heart: how often does your android phone stutter in performance on a daily basis? Well, if you said, “a few times”, then fret not, Nova Launcher is here for you. Nova Launcher is a custom launcher designed to smooth out the various bugs in your stock launcher (TouchWiz, etc.), while providing you with silky-smooth performance. The app is fast, slick and also highly customisable. There is a lot of options to work through, from colour themes to icon packs, scrollable docks to app drawer customisations, folder settings and infinite scrolling. Download for free from Google Play.

JULY JAN0312 -- 09 18 / ISSUE 453 327

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Destination

FIRST DRIVE

Postcards from

The Volvo S90 is an impressive sedan and the perfect answer to its German rivals, writes Alvin Thomas

Outdoors

Y- F i C A R S

2017 Volvo S90 T6 Specifications: Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four cylinder turbocharged + supercharged engine Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Horsepower: 320hp Torque: 400Nm All-wheel drive Post-collision safety system Semi-autonomous driving Premium leather seats 9-inch touchscreen

from a standstill. But this isn’t something to worry about because once the turbo spools up, it picks up speed briskly. I was still able to hit the 100kph mark from a standstill in a mere six seconds, which is faster hat makes a sedan truly special? The and also does justice to the sedan, despite being a than most of its German rivals at this price point. answer to that varies from person carry over from its bigger brother, the XC90. The S90 (T6 Inscription) also rides on massive 21to person. And because I’m an This Swedish treatment is carried over to the inch alloys, wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres. Despite individual who still embraces the idea inside. Each and every element present in the car has the massive rims, the ride was still very comfortable of owning a sedan – than say, upgrade to an SUV a designated function – everything is orderly – and (thanks to the air suspension system fitted in the rear) – I tend to think of sportiness, style and practicality nothing looks out of place. Despite that, the cabin in “Economy” and “Comfort” mode. It stiffened up (in that very order) as the key elements that makes a design takes quite a minimalist approach, with only slightly in “Dynamic” mode and also beefed up the sedan stand out from the rest of the crowd. a few buttons (seven to be precise) placed on the steering feel and holds gears for spirited driving. However, if you were to delve deep into a range dashboard. In “Dynamic” mode, the car takes corners like of more upscale “executive” sedans, you’re only All other controls, from the air conditioning to an actual sports sedan, with no drama whatsoever. I left with a handful of manufacturers; namely Audi, the interior lighting and even the car’s settings, also noticed very little body roll from the car, thanks BMW and Mercedes-Benz to do all the heavy lifting. are controlled via the slick LCD touchscreen partly to the brilliantly tuned chassis and partly due And undoubtedly, this German trinity, with the infotainment system. Getting used to operating the to the air suspension system. A6, 5-Series and the E-Class, has been successful touchscreen while driving may be a bit arduous at Of course, don’t expect it to slide around corners in taking over the market share from all other first, but it should be easier once you get used to it. like a BMW M5; it just won’t. Even with the traction manufacturers – up to a point where no brand tries Apart from that, the interior is wrapped in leather control switched off, the car maintains its line – not to outclass these brands anymore. from head to toe, and all the interior elements are under or oversteering – instilling a lot of confidence But as they say, nothing lasts forever. And today, either padded or are made of soft touch plastic. in the driver. the trio of German sedans have a new rival to deal There’s a splash of wood on the dashboard and During the last portion of my review, I also got with; and one that they least expected to show up at the centre console to add to the overall luxe of the time to try out Volvo’s latest autonomous driving the party: the Volvo S90. car. The seats are extremely comfortable with good function. It completely takes over the car’s controls Now, I must tell you that the new S90 is yet to be bolstering and lumbar support. (the accelerator, steering, brakes and gears) and helps unveiled in the Sultanate. So what you’re reading My tester also received a RO1,500 Bowers and cuts the driver some slack (although you should here is an exclusive review of Sweden’s answer to the Wilkins audio system, and I have to say that it is the always have your hands on the steering wheel at all Germans. And it all looks very promising. best audio system that I have ever experienced in a times). I first came across this system in the XC90, For starters, the S90 ditches its slender design car. The audio output is sublime, even when you’re but I have to say: it still feels a little eerie. But what and stance for a more muscular and broad design streaming low-quality Bluetooth files from your I do know is that the collision mitigation system (measuring at almost 74.4 inches in width). Aside smartphone. I strongly urge you to tick that box; you stepped in to save my life when I failed to respond to from that, there are bold lines that run all the way won’t regret the decision. a quick braking manoeuvre. from the front to the back, giving it a very beefy Now let’s move on to the powertrain of the I enjoyed every minute I spent in the S90. At no posture. Even the bonnet has subtle, yet distinct flares car. Underneath the bonnet lies a peppy little point in my journalism career did I think that I would that add to the overall brawny appeal of the car. forcefully induced (turbocharged and supercharged) say this: the Volvo S90 is the best sedan that I have Volvo has also been generous with the use of chrome 2.0-litre four-cylinder pot-banger, pumping out an ever driven. Mind you, I drive a 300hp Japanese around the car, giving it a very flashy, yet classy aura. unbelievable 320hp and 400Nm of torque. How the super-sedan, so I think giving the Volvo that kind of Despite all of that, however, the most striking engineers eked out so much power from the engine, praise talks about how good the car actually is. Give feature of the car still has to be the Thor’s hammer- I have no idea. But what I do know is that there is a this car a shot; it is the perfect answer from Sweden’s inspired headlamps. It is eye-catching to say the least, substantial amount of turbo-lag when accelerating automotive industry to Germany’s.

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