JAN 9 – 15 • ISSUE 252 • WEEKLY
FUTURE PROOF YOU Look younger, longer the natural way
FASHION / FILMS / PORSCHE POWER / Free! ROYAL INTERVIEW/ BAMMAH TO FINS EVERY WEDNESDAY NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR
3 WIN VIP TICKETS TO RED BULL EVENT
PERFECT PICNICS – The art of alfresco dining BEAUTIFUL BAWSHAR – Explored!
Your top guide to the best of Oman, every week
JAN 16 – 22 • ISSUE 253 • WEEKLY
Taxi troubles — three years on and nothing’s changed
PLUS!
Outdoors
HORSING AROUND 38
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Reviews
PIZZA EXPRESS
Fashion
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TRENDY TOTS
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WIN! TWO VIP TICKETS TO THE FIRST RED BULL SOAP BOX RACE
The famous Red Bull Soapbox Race is heading to Oman for the first time on March 28. The rules are simple. You create a team. Each team builds a car in the shape and material of choice. The winner is determined by the speed, creativity and showmanship of the cart. It’s a really cool event, full of camaraderie. If you want to get involved, you need to register before January 28 via the Red Bull website. Entry is free but if you want to be part of the cool crowd, have the best views and enjoy all the perks of corporate hospitality, then answer the following question by January 28, 2013: What is the maximum weight your cart can be to compete in the soapbox race? Send your answer to Andis excestrunt, nusanis prize@y-oman.com autem dolupta es et Competition tessinus rules apply. fugiam il everi ommos sequodipsum quunt, siti andusci psamus, corrore rspienis ulpar
EDITOR’S
NOTE
Welcome to the new look Y Tabloid- your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.
Fast forward I
’ve always loved taxi drivers because they’re usually funny, knowledgeable and great sources of gossip. But occasionally, you’ll find yourself in a vulnerable position – either financially or personally. It happens and it shouldn’t. Since my arrival in Muscat, I’ve experienced the good, the bad and the downright ugly when catching cabs. I’ve had drivers who have doubled their fares, not known where they’re going and made me late for meetings. It’s time to weed out the bad apples that are tarring honest drivers with the same reputation. In this issue, you’ll also find tips on how to throw the perfect picnic and turn back the clock. Enjoy!
THIS WEEK…
Cat que sedi velit ut laborum int que nest, aut veratur, torum Team Y have been lusting after designer 0971 1234 5678
handbags at Khimji’s Watches, watching waif-like models saunter down Signature’s catwalk, testing out cult road side cafes and trying to find a home for Jazzie – a fun-loving, fully vaccinated rescue dog. Interested? Call Peter on 99217950.
Penny Fray
editor@y-oman.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha CONTRIBUTOR Kate Ginn, Joe Gill, Chevron Mosquera
follow us on:
@ytabloid
PHOTOGRAPHER Jerzy Wierzbicki ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan LOGISTICS MANAGER Ayman Canawati
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Y Tabloid is published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC /Y is a SABCO Media product. We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial enquiries, please email info@y-oman.com
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Write to us at Y Tabloid, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman.
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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contents JANUARY 16 2013
07
Features 20 Taken For A Ride Taxi Trouble in Muscat
Your Oman 07 Voice of Oman Readers’ Letters 10 The Big Interview HH Sayyid Faisal Bin Turki Al Said 12 News Ferry Furious
Food & Drink 26 Dining Trend Street Food 27 Restaurant Review Pizza Express 28 Happy Hampering Family Picnics
28
This Week 15 Gallery Nawras 17 Movies Stand Up Guys 18 This Week Into The Blue
17 Health & Beauty 31 Fashion Trendy Tots 34 Beauty Botox Backlash 37 Shop of the Week OTE
20 Cars & Outdoors 38 Outdoors My Little Pony 40 Destination Bammah to Fins 42 My Hood Bawshar 44 Y-Fi Pamper Power 46 Car of the Week Porsche 911 Carrera S
45 NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...
FIGHTING LEUKAEMIA FASHION WEEK SPECIAL COPING WITH DYSLEXIC CHILDREN REVIEW OF THE MUSCAT FESTIVAL – IT’S COMING TO TOWN
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MARCH PRIZE 2013
YET ANOTHER MILLIONAIRE FROM NBO ONE MILLION, ONE WINNER FROM AL KANZ
Daily Prizes 2,000 Rials Call 80077077 or SMS AK to 90303
路 The earlier you deposit, the more your chances to win. 路 Minimum average balance of RO 100 for 30 days is required to participate in the prize draws. 路 Interest bearing accounts are also available. Terms & Conditions apply.
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The Voice of Oman
Cool communications specialist Isobel Spaven-Donn of Four Communications on how she fell in love with Oman at first sight
correspondence MENACE OF THE TEXT
Win Rep ner! the Wly of eek
Dear Y, Technology is a boon and also a bane. At 1.57am on January 6, I received an SMS from Nawras. It woke me up and my sleep was disturbed. As if that was not enough, I received another SMS, a promotional message from Nawras at 5.50am. Are the telecoms companies listening to their customers? Please stop sending messages to customers at night. Best wishes, Sunil D
I
t’s a rare but amazing thing to feel immediately at home in a new or unfamiliar place. I’ve had it only twice: when I first visited my university town and when I first stepped onto the tarmac of Muscat airport. Perhaps that’s an unusual sentiment for an airport experience, but from the immigration desk of the late 1990s to the Muscat Expressway today, Oman has spelt home for me. It’s the unique and interesting character ethnically, historically and linguistically - that first drew me in and continues to fascinate me daily. For me, Oman also encourages. An Arabic degree and many hours of practice later, despite my undoubtedly numerous pronunciation errors and many grammatical frustrations, I’m still inspired by the language around me, the people speaking it, the places it comes from and the future it’s helping to build. There are not many places in the world that you can say that of.
Next week: THE YUMMY MUMMY
Have you been pestered by a marketing SMS or phone calls at all hours of the day and night? Tell us your stories on Facebook or email us at info@y-oman.com
help bring students of the world to our homes Dear Editor, My name is Hilal Al Miskry and I am part of a non-profit organization called AIESEC. We offer youth around the world the opportunity to participate in international internships and global development projects, which help their development and also the targeted communities. We are looking for families around Muscat to host these interns and help their involvement with Omani Society. The interns will be helping our local committee, Waha, on our first global community development project, Hold My Hand, which aims to teach young school students skills that will help motivate them in their lives. We are reaching out to the people of Oman to join us. We are asking them to open their homes for the interns and provide them with
WRITE TO US AND WIN VOUCHER
the full experience of being in Oman and living among its people. Additionally, we can introduce the youth around Oman to our work and get them interested in joining us, to become the leaders of the future and have an impact on the development of Oman. If you can be a host family or are interested in our work, please contact +968 9526 1649, email AIESECWahaHost@gmail.com or apply here: www.bit.ly/wahahostfamily. Many thanks in advance. Regards, Hilal Al Miskry Talent Manager AIESEC Oman, Local Committee Waha.
V
V
Radisson
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SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / @ ytabloid / www.facebook.com/ytabloid. Impress us and we’ll send the winning correspondent a RO20 voucher to use at the Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat.
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US
Debate of the Week We asked:
Muscat fashion week is almost upon us. What outfit would you choose to wear on the catwalk? KAZY MD MUSTAKIM Jeans with a Levi’s t-shirt, Ray-Ban sunglasses and sneakers. KUMAR VEMBU This is a wonderful platform to showcase Oman’s traditional outfit to the world. I would wear Oman’s national dress, a dishdash embroidered with His Majesty’s photograph and Oman’s national flag colours, and a silver belt with a khanjar. RAZMEENA JEMSHEER An Indian bridal Lehanga. SAIKAT KUMAR Blue jeans with a full-sleeve body-fit shirt and a vest coat with black shoes, Rayban glasses, a Rolex watch and my country’s flag in my hand. MOHAMMED SALMAN A FC Barcelona jersey. ARSHI SARFARAZ A dress, which has the colours of both India and Oman, a fusion of two cultures to show my love and respect for both countries. I like Nawal al Hooti designs here.
LETTERS
E-MAILS
FA C E B O O K
JOY OF READING
Hi Y Team, Dear Y, I just wanted to let you know how much I look forward to reading Y on a weekly basis. As an “A well read man is never a bore” (Y, January 9). ex-pat out here learning my way around Oman Reading is a fast-fading virtue. It should be cultivated and discovering just what a beautiful country it is, and nurtured in every child. Since children are given Y Tabloid is an invaluable source of information ample opportunities in schools for learning, they to me, and I think you have struck the balance should be encouraged to read good books that allow between investigative and fun journalism perfectly. them an insight to other worlds and cultures. Keep up the good work! Reading can be for gaining knowledge or for fun. Laura Shergold Reading is a very useful hobby because it gives us Al Hail peace of mind and pleasure. Hence the adage “Give me a man who loves books and I need Dear Laura, no other friend” holds true even today. Thanks for your super kind comments. It’s great to know Thanks to the Y Team for highlighting that you love both Y and Oman in equal measure! Keep the issue. reading and enjoy exploring this wonderful country. Aravind Parthasarathy Warm wishes Student at Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir The Editor
I'm a reader
Basia Golachowska was spotted with a copy of Y Magazine at Seeb THIS IS YOUR PAGE!
Just send us your picture with the free Y magazine or pose with our photographer and we will publish it on this page. Send it to: info@y-oman.com
GAUTAM GHOSH DASTIDAR Both of us would be there in our traditional Dhoti sari that won us the Best Dressed Couple award at the Crown Plaza on February 26 last year. Piyush Vora I would wear jeans with a Chinese colour t-shirt and a smart blazer with matching sneakers.
This Week’s Debate: The Oman national football team failed to progress far in the recent 2013 Gulf Cup in Bahrain in a run of poor results. What is going wrong with the team and who is to blame? Tell us on Facebook.
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YOUR
News
OMAN
Gallery
INTERVIEW
THE SKY’S
THE LIMIT
His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki al Said, Director General of Marketing and Media, The Public Authority for Investment Promotion & Export Development, TALKS TO Y. Words: Penny Fray
In brief, what’s your official role? In my official capacity, I work for a government organisation that’s about creating wealth through investment, promotion and export development. On the one hand, it’s about promoting Oman as a destination for investment, providing information about Oman as well as answering ‘why Oman, and what investment opportunities are open here?’ On the other hand, we work closely with exporters, reaching out to them to understand the markets they are exporting to, how we can assist them, exhibit in international exhibitions as well as helping with strategies. What are your views on tourism and Oman being a real player on the international travel stage? We have to distil the message slowly. We are from the Middle East. We are from Oman. Let us tell you about it. Tourism is a strong driver that will eventually create business. We’ve had a lot of instances where people came here as tourists and ended up opening businesses here as well. But we cannot promote Oman as a destination if we do not simplify procedures to make it happen. What’s next? The coming years are about securing infrastructure and all the right ingredients to position Oman to promote itself. The other challenge is diversification. How fast can we grow other sectors, to cut the dependency on oil? Growing the private sector is another challenge - getting people to understand the future is in the private sector and not relying on government to provide jobs. It’s a more complex issue than just looking at a destination — it’s about education, embracing technology,
investing in education and getting young people to understand what the market will demand with the right mindset, skills and attitude are all very important. Education is important to you – what charities and other initiatives are you involved in? In my personal capacity, I chair an association that manages the Special Olympics Programme and an organisation that helps individuals with intellectual disabilities. I also happen to be the patron of Outward Bound Oman, which is about empowering young people through outdoor experiences and getting them acquainted with what the real world demands as well as leadership skills and team work. I want young people to believe in themselves, have a sense of responsibility rather than dictating what they want, what job they want and the salary they expect to be paid. It’s about giving back. In previous editions of Y we’ve focused on the issue of littering in Oman. What are your thoughts on this problem? It’s something that hurts me personally. I have been involved in Clean Up Oman as a volunteer and I take my kids as well. It comes back to education. You instil values through education. How do you introduce the idea that learning is fun to your own children? My weekend is Thursday and Friday. My wife works in a bank and she’s off every Friday and Saturday. So every Thursday, my kids are up early and they say to me: ‘What shall we do?’ On the one hand they want to play but I’ve been asking myself,
while they’re having fun, what can they learn? So I look for museums and galleries. It’s something we take for granted. But did you know that PDO has a museum for renewable energy? Go – learn about renewable energy, solar power and the ocean. It’s done in an interesting way – touching, feeling and learning. I took my kids there and the questions they came up with were interesting. It’s all about learning. Instead of complaining about being bored, break routine. Go out and go for a walk. Technology is taking over our lives because it’s new and it’s a pity. We have to embrace it but we can dictate to what extent technology takes over our lives. At home, when we sit for dinner, there is no TV or mobile phones. We sit and talk. But it’s such a challenge. As human beings we need to be reminded about the simplest things in our lives. My son said to me this morning: ‘Dad, I want a new bag for school – I only have two.’ I said: ‘Do you know there are some kids out there without any kind of bag?’ He replied, ‘how come?’ I told him ‘they can’t afford a bag. You should be thankful for the two that you have.’ And do you know what he said? ‘You know what Baba, I want to donate a bag.’ Every month or two we go into their rooms and decide what can we give away, provided it’s in a good condition. We need to fight against this mentality of ‘it’s mine and I want to keep it’. We create two piles, one for what needs to be kept and another for what needs to be given away. My mother is very much involved in this – she taught us that when you believe you have enough, that’s the time
HH Sayyid Faisal’s Work Philosophy: 1. Believe in yourself. We can all be leaders in our own way 2. Be positive. It gives out the right energy. 3. Do what’s right not what’s easier. Think of your day-to-day decisions. Doing the right thing is important.
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My mother is very much involved in charity – she taught us that when you believe you have enough, that’s the time to give
JAN 16 – JAN 22 / ISSUE 253
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NEWS
FERRY furious
Gallery
Interview
Battle to get on the boat home from Masirah Island
O
Photographed by: Jerzy Wierzbicki
n Friday morning the scene turned ugly at the ferry terminal at Ras al Hilf on Masirah Island as holidaymakers and locals tried to get onto the ferry home. Police tried to keep order but could not prevent arguments breaking out between tourists, locals and ferry employees. The basic problem was that there was not enough room on the ferry for passengers and their vehicles to get on board. Meanwhile Y discovered that two empty ferries were sitting in the harbor at Shannah on the mainland. There is not a fixed timetable for ferries taking cars and passengers from Shannah to Masirah. Clearly, something needs to be done to make the service more regular and to ensure enough ferries are available to get people to and from the island. The journey to Hilf usually takes one and a half hours or longer when the boat gets beached on a sand bar. Ferries run from morning until evening, but only during high tide.
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JAN 16 – JAN 22 / ISSUE 253
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NEWS
CAMP TURTLE
Gallery
Interview
12,000 tourists flocking to the Ras Al Jinz reserve each year - up 30 per cent
N
estled between rocky outcrops, a new encampment is the latest venture to cater to the rising tide of turtle-loving tourists coming to Oman. Visitors to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve have increased by 30 per cent in the last year, with 12,000 people drawn to the largest nesting sanctuary in the Indian Ocean. Imported from Australia, the 10 eco-friendly luxury tents are the first of their kind in Oman, and are both windproof and rainproof. Located on a hillock close to the reserve, a walkway will allow visitors to go from the campsite to the reserve’s Scientific and Visitor Centre. Oman Tourism Development Company, Omran, which recently installed and furnished the tents, said the camp will take the standards of sustainable tourism to new heights. “The new and improved facilities are equipped with all the essential amenities expected in a modern hotel, in a setting that offers added comfort and convenience with breathtaking panoramic views of the turtle-nesting coast,” said Nasser al Maqbali, chief operating officer at Omran. Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is an important nesting site for the endangered green turtle. Over 20,000 females return annually to the same beach where they hatched originally in order to lay their own eggs.
The eco-tents (left) and above a baby green turtle
Reported By Kate Ginn
Students reach the goal!
O
man’s national football team might not be producing on the pitch at the moment but students from The Sultan’s School managed some much more impressive results. Teenagers showed off their skills with the ball at a football tournament organised to raise funds for the Royal Hospital in Al Ghubra. Each student, aged between 15 and 16, was given responsibility for some part of the tournament, including marketing the event, gathering teams to take part and pitching to potential sponsors. “Taking an active role in the community is very rewarding and this is something that I hope inspires others to take part,” said Suhaib Abu Radwan, a student at The Sultan’s School and head organiser of the tournament. Money donated to the hospital was used to brighten up the children’s ward by painting the walls and decorating the unit. Graeme Garrett, principal of The Sultan’s School, said: “The project is a great example of the public spirit within the school and the students’ abilities to channel their desire and hard work into a successful event.” The project was part of the International Baccalaureate creative action service (CAS) programme, which requires a minimum of 50 hours community service.
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Close shave
Pupils and teachers cut hair for cancer charity
T
oday (Jan16) pupils and teachers at The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) will be losing their hair – all in the name of charity. All proceeds raised from the hair-shaving stunt will go to SQU Hospital to support children in Oman with leukaemia. Others will be dressing up as a superhero for the day. Events are part of the annual Terry Fox Run. Fox, a Canadian, had one leg amputated after being diagnosed with cancer. He embarked on a cross-country run to raise money and awareness of the disease, but died in June 1981, a month before his 23rd birthday and just before he could finish the run.
Terry Fox
JAN 16 – JAN 22 / ISSUE 253
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NEWS
Gallery
Interview
Cool Concept
HE Dr Abdulmunim bin Mansour Al Hasani cutting the ribbon HE Dr Abdulmunim bin Mansour Al Hasani, Minister of Information
The audience waiting for official opening
Photographed by: Jerzy Wierzbicki
Ross Cormack, CEO of Nawras HE Dr Abdulmunim Al Hasani during the presentation of the new Nawras store in the Grand Mall
Omani staff of Nawras
New Nawras flagship store inaugurated by minister of information JAN 16 – JAN 22 / ISSUE 253
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www.radiomerge.fm
It’s the dawn of a new musical era right here in Oman. Merge 104.8 is a celebration of cultures and a true reflection of diversity. Providing you with the best R’n’B, House, Rock, Lounge, 90s, and Pop music from around the world. Served with fresh local flavour.
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THIS WEEK
MOVIES MOVIES THIS WEEK’S MOVIES For more information and times, go to: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641
Stand Up Guys Despite boasting some impressive acting pedigree with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin, this crime black comedy had something of a bruising time from reviewers. True, it does feel at certain points like a vehicle for the leading men to show off their rarified talent but with actors of this quality, some might argue, it’s perhaps no bad thing. The trio play elderly gangsters reunited in the twilight of their long crime careers for one last night on the rampage for old time’s sake. Even at their age, they discover, they can stir up plenty of trouble. And despite the advanced years of the actors, with a combined age of 219, they prove more than capable of still stirring an audience on screen,
Tad, The Lost Explorer
playing off each other beautifully. Pacino, 72, in full manic mode, is the noisiest of the three, as Val, who, newly sprung from prison after 28 years, is intent on making up for lost time in all sorts of ways. Walken, in contrast, gives a marvellously understated turn. They are ably supported by a great script and spot-on evocative soundtrack, featuring blues greats and Jon Bon Jovi. During the film, we discover that one of the three has been given a last assignment – to kill one of his buddies. We won’t spoil it and reveal whether he follows through or not, but suffice to say it brings into question such values as friendship, loyalty and facing one’s own mortality.
Delightful animated adventure parodying Indiana Jones about a construction worker who dreams of being an archaeologist and is mistaken for a famous scientist, seeing him sent off on a mission to save a lost city in Peru. Tad must battle the evil Koppopnen and Odysseus corporation.
Quentin Tarantino’s latest is a homage to the spaghetti western with his trademark blend of graphic violence and dark humour. Set in the Deep South of America two years before the Civil War, Jamie Foxx is Django, a slave intent on finding and rescuing the wife he lost to the slave trade long ago. Leonardo DiCaprio is unexpectedly brilliant as a sleazy plantation owner. Nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture, it’s a must-see for Tarantino fans.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK The Last Stand
So Undercover A tough street-smart private eye is hired by the FBI to go undercover in a college sorority. Molly (Miley Cyrus) must transform herself into a refined, sophisticated girl to help protect the daughter of a one-time mobster, while ensuring her cover isn’t blown. Is she up to the job? Sandra Bullock did it so much better in Miss Congeniality.
Truth or Die Horror mystery in which a group of college friends’ decision to celebrate the end of term with a party turns into a nightmare after an innocent game of ‘Truth or Dare’ turns nasty. Expect the odd shocking jump.
Y’s TOP TWO HYDE PARK 1 HUDSON
Bill Murray is a revelation as American President Franklin D Roosevelt, juggling his wife, mother and mistresses during a weekend hosting the King and Queen of England, the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. Lavish costume drama, which looks and sounds sumptuous.
PREVIEW
DJANGO UNCHAINED
to save the girl and the day. Great fun for all the family.
THIS IS 40
A spin-off of hit film Knocked Up, this expands on the story of married 40-something couple Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) and their struggles to make their marriage and businesses work. Likeable comedy, tackling the modern issues, which frustrate and perplex us all.
Zero Dark Thirty
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Darling Companion JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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Friday
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Why Knot?
Sunday 20
The Women’s Guild in Oman’s Wednesday coffee morning has moved to the Musandam Terrace at the InterContinental Hotel in Shatti, starting this Wednesday January 16. WGO hopes to see you there from 11am to 1pm. If you want to be part of the WGO’s Knotting the Globe Carpet project, it continues on January 20 at Al Besat Carpets in Al Khuwair, behind the Home Centre.
THIS
WEEK
Blue
Into the
What to do. What to see. What to hear.
J AN U ARY 1 6 - 2 2
Get your rocks off Ever wondered what the ’70s were like? Head down to Rockbottom Cafe on January 16 in your favorite ’70s outfit and boogie the night away. Doors open at 7pm. Single entrance fees are RO5, couples are RO10. Enjoy your drinks to the music of soul, groove and disco. For an empty stomach, the kitchen is open until 11pm. Come down and experience a blast from the past.
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Wednesday
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MONDAY
Running down that hill
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Mad inventors with a wacky sense of humour and the verve to win should register now open for the upcoming Red Bull Soapbox Race 2013, which is coming to Muscat for the first time on March 28. The Red Bull Soapbox Race is a national event for amateur drivers – fueled by creativity and competitive fun, not to mention the need for speed. This unique non-motorised racing event challenges both experienced racers and amateurs to design and build outrageous, human-powered soapbox dream machines to compete against the clock in a downhill race. Make sure to register before January 28.
If your busy life has made you forget what a beautiful country you live in, check this out. Muscat Diving Adventure Centre is sailing up the coast on January 18 at 1pm and into the calm waters of Bandar Al Khayran. There they will anchor, allowing you to enjoy yourself swimming, kayaking, snorkelling or just relaxing in the shade. The dhow returns at 5pm. Adult fare is RO18 and children RO5. For more information call 24543002 or email info@holiday-in-oman.com.
COMING UP
IT doesn’t matter where you are in the world, there will always be somewhere to celebrate the great Scottish poet Robert Burns, with a wee dram, a plate of haggis and some renditions of the bard’s earthy Scottish lyrics. The InterContinental hotel are hosting a Burns night from 7pm in the garden, with ceilidh band Laverock to entertain the revelers. So put on your kilt and get ready to ceilidh.
The Sultanate is taking a long, hard look at breaking out of its dependence on gas and oil this year as it looks toward utilizing more solar power and wind energy. With this in mind, Oman Environment Exhibition and Conference 2013 (Gulf-Eco) is being held from January 20 to 22 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre and will display a range of
the latest services and solutions related to environment, water technologies, power and renewable energy and wind energy. The Gulf Eco Conference will also take place alongside the expo on January 21 and 22 at the Golden Tulip Hotel under the theme ‘Harnessing the Potential of Oman’s Renewable Energy’. http://gulfeco.net/2013/
RUNNERS for SQU
The National Hospitality Institute is planning three days of activities on January 19-21 and it’s open to the public. There will be an exhibition of catering equipment on day one and the chef ’s competition. NHI will host a Ladies Night where they will display and sell some small kitchen utensils. Bringing some glamour to the proceedings will be the NHI fashion show where the students will parade their designs. For more information email businesscentre@nhioman.com or call 2481 6313
Maeve Binchy’s latest novel, A Week in Winter, will sadly be her last as she passed away in July 2012. It finds Binchy’s cast of characters in the familiar setting of a village on the west coast of Ireland. As ever, her theme is how a group of strangers and misfits, this time staying in a B&B, confront the difficulties of life and is shot through with the author’s trademark warmth and humour. A Week in Winter is available on Amazon from February 13.
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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Must Read Mon 21
More than 1,000 runners draped in Canadian flags will be at The American International School Muscat on January 21, taking part in a charity race to raise funds for the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital’s work to support children in Oman with leukaemia. The funding will help support research into why Omani children suffering from leukaemia do not react with the same positive results to the available treatment as children in the western world. For more info call the TAIM office on: 2459-5180
Get cooking
January
Fuel for thought
January
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Photographed by: Jerzy Wierzbicki
It’s not fare Taking a cab in Oman is a lottery when drivers can make up the fare and don’t know the roads. What can be done? B y J o e G i l l an d T a r i q A L H a r e m i
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t’s a familiar story. An unsuspecting tourist just arrived in Muscat leaves her hotel and looks for a cab to take her to town. In the street, she hails a passing taxi, whose sullen driver gestures for her to get in. Once inside, the tourist notices that there is no meter in the cab and asks how much the fare will be. The cab driver quotes a fare, seemingly plucked out of thin air, which the tourist mentally calculates in her own currency and realises is a king’s ransom. The passenger protests but the cab driver will not budge and grows angry. After some tense negotiations, the tourist reluctantly agrees to pay. A few minutes into the journey, the driver appears to be lost and turns to the passenger to ask which way to go. Dear Tourist, welcome to Muscat.
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This is the first impression many tourists and those new to the country will receive and it’s not a nice one. Once in a while, rumours will circulate that the authorities are threatening to do something to tighten up taxis in the Sultanate. But then, as if by some invisible force of inertia, nothing happens. Three years ago Y investigated the problems with taxi provision in Muscat, from overcharging to lack of seatbelts, and was told by a source at the Ministry of Tourism that taxi charges were “under investigation” and that “things would be different in the future”. A firm from the UAE was said to be coming across the border to set up a new taxi service with metered cabs. It never happened.
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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Last February, the Diwan of the Royal Palace announced a tender for a new fleet of metered taxis to be introduced at the airport before the end of the year. Since then, the taxis operating out of the airport are looking spruced up, but there is no sign of meters. No one from The Oman Airports Management Company, which oversees the airport taxis, was available for comment at time of writing. At least at the airport, the process is transparent. Set fares to different locations are clearly advertised on a board for tourists to see. Of course there are many hardworking taxi drivers who are just trying to earn an honest living and are prepared to go the extra mile to help their customers. Zahara Tours in Muscat organise transit for tour groups in Oman. A spokeswoman explained that the company always steers their touring group clients away from private taxis. “We have our own taxis at the airport and the car rental companies we work with know them. The second option is to use the airport taxi service. We have come across comments that the taxi was driving like a lunatic; it was charging us too much. In this regard we can inform the [tour] operator that they can come to us for self-drive or chauffeur service.” Another Muscat tour operator confirmed that they only use their own fleet of cars for tourists and never use taxis. Regulation of taxis and drivers remains frightening limited. Taxi drivers do not need to take any tests to check on their driving skills or knowledge of the areas they will ply their trade. Muscat Municipality oversees what little regulation there is. According to Khalid al Husseini, a taxi driver based in Muscat, any Omani national can own a cab if they buy the car of their choice and get an orange and white paint job. Once they get approval from the Directorate General of Traffic or whoever acts on his behalf, and have it in writing that the plate number will not be sold or hired out since it belongs to the traffic department, they are free to get out on the road and start picking up fares. It’s as easy as that. There is no requirement for a photo license to be displayed in the cab. “Every driver is trying to earn a living one way or another; to the extent that some have another job at, for example, a telecommunication company, and owning a taxi is a way of earning a few extra rials,” said al Husseini. A simple way to stop overcharging would be to regulate the industry by making it a legal requirement for all orange and white taxis to have meters, a system employed by authorities in the UAE with great effectiveness.
Muscat Municipality refused to comment on whether it had plans to meter taxis in the city when asked by Y and did not answer a series of questions we put to them about the situation. Meanwhile, low and middle-income expatriates who feel that licensed taxi drivers demand excessive fares are increasingly opting to use illegally operating private taxis. The fares offered by these illicit cabs are approximately half of those of the licensed taxis, and some customers have reported that they are safer. However, passengers are potentially taking a risk when they use illicit cabs. “These illegal cab drivers should be reported to the police because they are not licensed by the Directorate General of Traffic,” says Khalid Al Rashdi, head of media at the Oman Association for Consumer Protection. Asked about problems related to the licensed taxis, he added: “We can’t do anything about the private taxis because they are owned by individuals and they are not part of a company which we can regulate. Only the municipality can deal with them.” According to a source at the Ministry of Transport, plans were afoot to introduce metering at the airport following an announcement last February. “The meters
were proposed but we don’t think they will be installed any time soon. They won’t be introduced at the airport since the fares are already fixed by the municipality.” The situation for tourists and residents appears to have deteriorated since Y last covered this issue in depth. Y tried to reach listed taxi companies who used to provide a private service that could be booked in advance by phone with advertised rates but none of the listed cab firm numbers worked any more. Swift Cabs, which was a metered, call taxi service launched in August 2008 with female drivers for female passengers, closed down in 2011. A spokeswoman for Fatik bin Fahr Group, the company that launched Swift Cabs, said: “The reasons for Swift shutting down were that Omani drivers weren’t flexible, on time, and they all wanted morning shifts. Drivers would come in whenever they wanted. We had fixed salaries for the drivers and cab fares were fixed. Unfortunately pick-ups and drop-offs weren’t on time and there were many complaints. Only the female drivers were dedicated.” Women have also highlighted the issue of unwanted advances from their drivers. Oman is by no means, the worst offender in this regard, but it happens. Mathitha Roy, a Y reader, told us: “I go to my office nearly every day by taxi and mini vans. I found lot of good Omani drivers but once I had a bad experience from a driver.
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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He started touching my hand. I told him to stop the car and when he did I flew out of it swearing at him.” She adds: “I have many Omani friends who complain about similar situations.” Unfortunately, women who want a safe service to take them from their home or work do not have an alternative from hailing a private cab on the street. Aside from some hair-raisingly bad driving, another common
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complaint is taxi drivers who do not know their way around the popular areas in Muscat. How many of us have set off on a journey, only for the taxi driver to start phoning friends or colleagues because he’s lost? Proper training and official qualifications might help. When asked about this, al Husseini confirmed there is no training for taxi drivers whatsoever since the taxi is privately owned and anyone can register his own taxi. Perhaps even more of a worry, quite often the person driving is not the actual owner of the cab. While the owner is enjoying the weekend, his relatives or friends, whom very likely are not residents of Muscat, take the cab with the owner’s permission and try to earn some extra cash by providing the service on his behalf. According to al Husseini, taxis at hotels are not employed by the hotel itself but are private and, in some cases, hotel staff receive a cut of what is earned for procuring the customer, or even own the cabs themselves. He claimed this is because it’s very rare to find taxis at hotels with usually only one or two taxis standing outside making tourists a captive market. Aside from a limited public bus system in the city centre,
the next best thing to a public transit system in Muscat is the mini van taxis, which ply the main highways from Muttrah to Seeb picking up workers and commuters. There is no issue with the drivers asking for more than the usual fare, simply because in a day they will have transported scores of passengers, taking just a few baisas for each journey. It is understandable that taxi drivers try to earn a living, but ripping off innocent people, especially those who don’t know how to deal with them, is the bane in the lives of Muscat residents and tourists. Of course, not all drivers are out to rake in as much as they can, leaving their morals by the side of the road. There are some honest and decent taxis
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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Here Y readers tell us their experiences, both good and bad, with taxis around the CAPITAL. Rishikesh Chidhambaranathan
Once I gave five rials for a 500 baisa charge. The taxi left like a bullet without paying the balance.
ATIF DAFEDAR
I had a good experience once. A man didn’t have enough cash so the taxi man dropped him for free. He was a very kind taxi driver and a good example for humanity.
Lorelie Vico
Sad to say, I’ve had lots of bad experiences with taxi drivers. They’re very greedy, rude and impolite especially to expatriate women. Good drivers are very rare in my experience.
Tahseen Rizwana Kareem
I had a good experience once - a cabbie asked me to pay whatever amount I wished to pay him.
Katharina Mende
Unfortunately, we’ve only had bad experiences so far: drivers don’t know the way, there are no seat belts and fares vary a lot. In my opinion, it’s unsafe to step in a taxi here. That’s why I avoid it.
Donna Condon
There was an elderly taxi driver who became very angry with me when I wouldn’t sit in the front seat. At a set of lights, he reached back between the seats, grabbed my leg and tried to push his hand up my skirt. I slapped his hand away and jumped out of the cab. He followed me until we reached some shops with people about. He yelled something at them and drove off. Everyone stared at me as though I was in the wrong.
Zaquie Janszir
There are very few good taxi people in town. Most of them want to grab as much money as they can, especially from expats.
Ashraf Al Masiraah
We have to wait 10 or 15 minutes, sometimes an hour, for public buses. But I get can a taxi in a minute or two. For me, taxis are better but yes, there are some taxi drivers charging more than the usual!
Arshi Sarfaraz
In the same way that all the fingers of a hand are not equal we can’t find only good taxi drivers. But I do think Oman is the only country where we find very few cases of theft or assault by taxi drivers compared to other countries.
Ann Malloy
I got lost driving to Muscat Grand Mall and, not wanting to be late, left my car at a hotel. I was going to get a taxi, not realising it was less than two minutes drive away. The taxi driver outside the hotel initially didn’t want to take me as it wasn’t a big enough fare but when I said I would walk, beckoned me in, saying it was too hot. He refused to take any money when he dropped me off, waving away even a few baisa for his troubles. His kindness didn’t end there. He gave me his mobile phone number and asked me to call him when I had finished my meeting if I needed to and he would pick me up and take me back to my car – again for no fare. After making sure I had got safely into the mall, he drove off with a smile and a cheery wave. This driver, whoever he was, really renewed my faith in the city’s taxi drivers.
MY EXPERIENCE
– by Tariq al Haremi
Long before I passed my driver’s exam and was issued with my driver’s license, I have been using the public transport system, namely taxis. Though I passed my driving test at 17 and got my own car when I was 18, I still have to use taxis when my vehicle is due for a service or in for repairs. As there isn’t a public transport system in Oman, only a limited bus service in Ruwi, I am once again at the mercy of taxi drivers. I am an Omani citizen, born and raised here. My father is Omani and my mother is Palestinian, so it’s safe to say that when people first look at me, they don’t realise that I’m an Omani unless I say I am. I have experienced firsthand, therefore, what expats and tourists have to deal with in terms of taking taxis and dealing with taxi drivers. On a recent journey, for instance, I took a cab from Athaiba to Al Hail. I wasn’t wearing a dishdash, the traditional Omani attire, and at first, the taxi driver wanted RO7. I negotiated this down to RO5 but he wasn’t prepared to go any lower, no matter how hard I haggled. For a 10 minutes ride, it was still over-priced. Bear in mind that he didn’t know I was Omani, despite speaking in an Omani accent. At the end of the ride, he asked where I was from. When I said Oman, his facial expression of shock and surprise gave him away. I simply smiled and left the cab. This happened about three to four months ago. It was the first time that I had been overcharged but I’m sure it won’t be the last. I was, and still am, disappointed: this isn’t the way to reflect our country’s beauty by taking advantage and ripping off people who are here to enjoy the scenery that Oman provides. * Tariq is a qualified private pilot who is about to embark in a career in journalism
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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drivers out there, who generally only charge the standard rate for the journey. Y’s reader feedback strongly suggests that an experience of using taxis may depend a great deal on what you look like. As Kawthar Hoffman Al-Balushi puts it: “Basically, if you are a white westerner they will try to rip you off. Rates get cheaper per nationality.” Unfortunately, the issue of Muscat’s wayward, overcharging taxis will not go away. In the absence of a comprehensive public transit system, the only option is to drive your own car or take your luck with the taxi lottery. As reader Donna Condon says: “Have I also had good experiences? Of course, but they aren’t the norm. If Oman wants to be a tourist destination, the sexual predators have to be weeded out and taxis must be metered. It’s the only way forward.”
Y’s top tips on how to survive the orange-and-white brigade: our guidelines for a safe and better experience with taxis: Always negotiate fares to a destination before getting into the taxi. Once you’re in the taxi you will be hassled and arguments can start from negotiating while on the way. Negotiate before you get in to save you the trouble. If you want the cab for yourself, tell the driver you want to ‘engage’ which means the cab is all yours. It will be more expensive but it ensures the driver won’t stop on the
journey picking up other passengers on the way. Do not discuss personal life. It is normal to start up a conversation in a taxi to break the silence, but try to avoid discussing personal details such as jobs and your position in the job. If the driver thinks you have a well-paid job, he’s more likely to try and squeeze you for more money. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your life is basically in the driver’s hand. If he is texting while
driving, talking on the phone or even speeding, speak up and tell him to slow down or stop using the phone. If he ignores you, ask him to stop the taxi and get out. Pay him a reasonable amount for the journey you have travelled just to be fair, and find the next suitable taxi to continue to your destination. At the end of the journey never whip out your wallet while you’re in the car. Wait until you get out of the car and then pay him. Don’t let your money
be visible to the driver - he might demand more. A deal is a deal. Once the price is agreed, do not be pressured into paying more at the end of the journey. If he starts saying “No, I want more”, just walk away. If you can, make a note of his plate number just in case. Don’t be afraid to complain. If you’re unhappy with any aspect of the journey or fare, make a note of the car plate number and report the driver to the police or municipality.
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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food and drink
Trend
New Restaurant
Reviews
It was once regarded the Russian roulette of the dining world but now street food is trending like never before thanks to the authentic cooking and low prices. In Muscat, you’ll find plenty of pavement stands selling shawarma – rolled pita bread filled with lamb or chicken carved from a rotating spit. But team Y’s top tip is to try the takeaway burgers at the roadside shack known as the Kiwi Café near the Wave. Freshly cooked and full of flavour – they are AMAZING!
Did You Know?
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 2.5 billion people eat street food every day.
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JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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Reviews
PIZZA EXPRESS Service with a smile serves up a good evening out, says Kate Ginn.
Info Box
Contact number: 2469 8990 Contact number: 2455 4777 Address: The Wave Muscat, Almouj Marina, The Wave, Muscat. Opening hours: 11.30am11.30pm every day (Takeaway service available) Average price: (for two people) RO21
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n unfamiliar surroundings, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of trying to seek out something instantly recognisable and, therefore, comforting. That’s not, however, why I found myself in the familiar surroundings of Pizza Express. True, the menus looked exactly the same as those I had recently left behind in the UK, as did the contemporary interior design. Even the black leather and chrome chairs had a reassuringly cosy feel. No, what drew me there one evening was a host of recommendations from people in the know, exhorting its excellent local reputation and popularity among discerning residents and visitors to The Wave (They also have a branch in Oasis by the Sea, Shatti Al Qurum). There was certainly no lack of attention, with staff flitting around at speed, dropping off drinks, scooping up plates and taking orders - all with the same quiet, unassuming efficiency. Our drinks arrived within a minute. All pizzas are handmade to order, giving us time to sit back and watch the trained pizzaiolos, in their distinctive striped tops and white baseball caps, work the dough in the open kitchen.
When my Fiorentina pizza arrived, it was just divine, leaving us fighting with our spoons over to my liking: squidgy cheese, ribbons of spinach, the last piece. The latest addition to the menu, a strong hit of garlic and egg on top. Perhaps the Toffee Fudge Glory - vanilla ice cream, toffee it was a little on the greasy side but scrummy sauce and fudge chucks – however, was a tad nonetheless. My colleague, on her best behaviour disappointing as it was nothing like the dramatic after a Christmas blowout, opted for the guilt-free Knickerbocker Glory we had imagined. version, the Leggera Pizza, created with the centre On a weekday evening, the restaurant had cut out and filled with rocket salad, coming in enough customers to make a nice hum of chatter under 500 calories. Her verdict: lovely and light, a without being overly noisy. We could have done healthy dose of salad but still enough cheese and without the occasional bursts of banging and delicious topping to make it taste and hammering from the builders who appeared to look like a proper full-on pizza. Her be temporarily working on another area in VERDICT: only quibble was that it might have the complex building, but thankfully, it all looked nicer had it been placed on went quiet halfway through our mains. 10 a proper slate serving plate rather All in all, going to Pizza Express was Impeccable service, than a plastic one. like bumping into an old friend; they’re great atmosphere and reliably good For pudding, Pizza Express’ very welcoming and friendly, make you food, will keep famous Chocolate Fudge Cake comfortable, you have a great time and you coming back for more. lived up to its billing, moist and part promising to meet again soon.
Safari Bar
M
Info Box
Contact number: 2464 1234 Address: Grand Hyatt, Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat Opening hours: 6:00pm to 3:00am (2:00am on Fridays) Average price (for two people): RO20
y South African colleague felt right at home at the Safari Pub at the Grand Hyatt, with its faux African paintings and plaster leopard pattern walls. It’s a classic South African sports bar, he said, with pumping R&B, a flat screen TV showing movies and sport on every wall – and no less than three above the bar. Constant distraction both visual and audio is not everyone’s cup of tea, although pretty much unavoidable in a sports bar setting. Safari has a mixed clientele of Omanis, westerners and young mixed groups, as one would expect at a bar right in the heart of the Grand Hyatt complex in Shatti al Qurum. We sat under a safari tent with its canvas roof on bamboo-style poles, watching American marines on R&R making use of the dance floor. The stage was not in use during our weekend visit but there is live music entertainment
I didn’t quibble over the lack of the rest of the week. a pastry base. The wedges were The menu was standard perfect and, unlike my colleague, international hotel chain fare, I had a helping of side vegetables catering for all tastes with a to his fries. Big game hunters will mixed fast food range, offering be well satisfied with the portion anything from salads to nachos, sizes and my friend immediately and fish and chips to curries. felt the need to go on a smoothie For dessert, as is usually the case and exercise his new year health with male-oriented bar cuisine, regime. We skipped the unexciting it’s aimed at sporty men with big dessert menu of apple pie, cheese calorie-crunching appetites rather cake or ice cream. Unlike a real than weight watching or health safari however, the AC was on full conscious females. blast and in my T-shirt I wasn’t Service is efficient and very bearing up as well as the buff friendly with a good range of young Americans at the bar. beverages. We got into the spirit of If sports bars are your thing, things as would-be athletic males you could do worse than Safari, and jumped to the main course. which is situated below the I went for the pepper steak pie open-air Safari restaurant while my colleague opted with its fantastic views for the steak and fried VERDICT: over the beach. egg sandwich. However, this being The pie had 10 a tourist hotspot, lovely light pastry Close to the beach, excellent service, some of the clientele on top and rich, good value meals but it attracts means that dark steak chunks a bit generic, brash this is not necessarily a which were a little and telly-heavy for all tastes. family-friendly venue. overdone and chewy.
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Photographed by: Jerzy Wierzbicki
Grand Hyatt
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food and drink There are few greater pleasures in life than alfresco feasting with friends and family. Penny Fray shows you the art of throwing the perfect picnic.
Happy
Hampering
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n need of some sunshine, scenery and stress reduction? Then a picnic might just be what the doctor ordered. According to Professor Roger Ulrich, an expert on the benefits of green space, spending time in parks can improve morale and mental wellbeing. Besides, there’s something about eating outside that just makes food taste better. And when the dishes are delicious to begin with and the setting is a natural wonder, well, you’ve got yourself a little slice of Utopia. Here’s a cheat sheet on Muscat’s best picnic spots and what to pack in your hamper. So roll out your rug, tuck in to some fabulous fare and relax with your latest copy of Y Tabloid.
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JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
Try our chicken salad recipe
1/14/13 10:45 PM
Reviews
New Restaurant
Trend
THE CHOICE KIT FOR ALFRESCO DINING
Traditional Fouta, RO15, Febronie
21 piece picnic set RO22, from Stylish Life
Stacking Boxes, RO4, Berry Red
WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR PICNIC HAMPER Forget about soggy sandwiches and wilted greens, picnic food should be all about colour, flavour and fun. Try this simple chicken salad recipe from Waitrose: Ingredients: 400g of cooked chicken breasts 1 cucumber 1 bunch salad onions, trimmed 20g pack fresh coriander, TOP CHEF TIP: chopped Chop up some For the dressing: fresh herbs before 2 mangoes you go and drizzle with a dash of olive Juice of two limes oil to add interest to 1 tbsp sunflower oil
a bit of bread.
MUSCAT’S 3 BEST PICNIC SPOTS
1. Al Sahwa Park offers beautifully manicured grounds, several Islamic gardens and gazebos. This popular family spot is open daily from 9am to midnight.
Where to lay your feast and make merry with friends:
2. Al Qurum National PARK features everything a picnicker could want –
from sprawling lawns and rose gardens to water fountains and shady pergolas. 3. Qurum Beach is a popular place to kick back and watch the world go by in spectacular fashion – be warned though – it’s a busy spot with families and fitness fanatics.
Method 1. Cut the cooked chicken fillets into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large bowl. 2. Cut the cucumber in half lengthways and run a teaspoon down the centre to scoop out the seeds, then thinly slice into crescents. Finely slice the salad onions. Add the cucumber and salad onions to the bowl with about half the coriander. Season generously. 3. To make the dressing, peel the mangoes, cut the flesh away from the stones and slice into large chunks. Purée in a blender or food processor with the lime juice and oil, until smooth. 4. Drizzle the chicken mixture with the mango and lime dressing and gently stir so that everything is evenly coated. Garnish with the remaining coriander and serve with crusty white bread.
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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food and drink
Trend
New Restaurant
GALLERY
Look, Listen & Learn
Ibrahim Gailani, HE Yuthar al Rawahi, HH Sayyid Faisal Bin Turki Al Said and Sarah White from BAZ foundation HH Sayyid Faisal Bin Turki Al Said, director general of marketing and media, OCIPED
The audience at the exhibition
The art exhibition in Bait Al Zubair museum
This week we visit THE ‘100 x 100’ ART exhibition and a pdo talk on Sustainability
Kholoud theraturibus curator of EcOman Wque nisIsmail, dolorep event eatque volum est accu cscptatem
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Otam imporerunt Omani students during qv amthe fugiass lecture
Eped molessi sunt et
Photographed by: Jerzy Wierzbicki
The interior of EcOman
Daniela Ottmann, assistant professor at GUtech, during the presentation
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
1/14/13 10:45 PM
HEALTH& BEAUTY
hair
beauty
fashion
CUTE & COLOURFUL
Add a retro print with a pop of bright pink to be bang on trend this season.
We love this super cute dress and knickers from Marks & Spencer – RO6
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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LITTLE THREADS
Penny Fray explores some bright ideas to revamp your toddler’s wardrobe.
This bright pink dress from Gap.com is adorable. RO14.4.
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ne minute they’re all smiles. Next thing you know they’ve stopped, dropped and rolled their way down into a meltdown in Mothercare. Some call it a tot tantrum, we call it the foundations of being a fashionista. These days, children know their DKNYs before their ABCs – and putting your little one in anything less than Lanvin or Dior is bordering on child cruelty. And no wonder – parent pressure is now at its fiercest with baby bloggers on the rise and celebrity children constantly being ‘papped’ for their designer style quota. Fortunately for you, Muscat has a wealth of stores for fashion forward pipsqueaks – from upscale boutiques like Mennez to high street favourites like Gap. Otherwise, there are websites such as The White Company and Petit Bateau offering the most adorable examples of Euro chic. Current trends for 2013 include bright colours, quirky prints and humorous graphics. Preppy pieces continue to dominate fashion campaigns, so try teaming a classic tee with a pair of jeans and a flash of neon.
We ‘heart’ these little leather booties, RO7, from Monsoon.
Add personality to your kid’s ensemble with these fun daisy print glasses, RO4 from Monsoon.
Boys will look super cool in a pair of jeans (RO12.4) and a graphic top (RO5) from Gap.
Wooden toys are back in vogue. This retro car is available from The White Company in Dubai.
FASHION TIPS for
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Breton stripes and neon shorts earn extra points on the fashion score board this season. Outfit from Marks & Spencer.
1 Add some personality into your child’s wardrobe. After all, the window for wearing tiger ‘onesies’, animal backpacks and neon ballet tutus is short. 2 Kids get dirty. Fact. So, make sure that their clothes are machine washable. 3 Get inspiration from blogging sites like The Tiny Satorialist.
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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Health
Beauty
Fashion
NEWS ALERT! Model Georgia May Jagger will showcase H&M’s Rock‘n’Roll Mansion collection this February. Georgia, daughter of Rolling Stone frontman Mick Jagger and model Jerry Hall, is the quintessential poster child for all things bridging music and fashion. The collection boasts edgy biker jackets and tie-dye jeans, mixed boucle jackets and belted shift dresses reminiscent of staples for music and fashion aficionados.
MUSCAT MODE
Penny Fray takes her place among the fashion connoisseurs, glitterati and trendsetters at Signature’s annual Couture Show featuring international models flaunting top designer collections.
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t was meant to be the less showy prequel to Muscat Fashion Week. But far from being an anonymous introduction to all the style the city had to offer, the Signature Couture Show offered standalone appeal that sparkled with creations that were anything but basic. There were pieces from top designers including Stella, Armani, Moschino and cool new labels on the block – Alice & Olivia. Think cute LBDs, sparkling tunics and bright shifts – with some extra bling from Chopard and Mikimoto. The jewellery donations
from Khimji’s Watches added some much-needed vivacity to unobtrusive black dresses. But competing with the models that strutted down the InterContinental’s runway was the latest model from Mercedes-Benz. With its own sleek bodywork, it turned heads and sent a ripple of envy through the distinguished guests as it made its own little turn down the catwalk. All eyes are now turning to Muscat Fashion Week, which kicked off yesterday (Tuesday), seeing hundreds of visitors arrive into the city for what promises to be a truly international event.
STREET STYLE Name: SAMRAN AKHTAR KHAN age: 4 Wearing: THREE-PIECE GREY AND BLACK SUIT FROM INDIA, LIGHTNING TRAINERS FROM LULU HYPERMARKET Spotted at: DIBBa
JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
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JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
1/14/13 10:46 PM
Health
Fashion
BEAUTY
THE BOTOX BACKLASH
Looking good for your age no longer requires a surgeon’s scalpel. Today, it’s all about healthy living and having a dermatologist on speed dial, says Penny Fray.
F
rozen faces, hamster cheeks and overblown lips – these are just some of the tell-tale signs of a beauty jab junkie. But with more and more celebrities waving ‘bye-bye’ to Botox and other invasive procedures, the backlash against the plastic pursuit of youth has already begun. The accusation of surgical ageing (when the work is so obvious, that people think you’re older than you really are) has meant that there’s less enthusiasm for extreme makeovers than before. Facelifts have fallen off the list of the top five cosmetic treatments and good oldfashioned face creams have made a come back - but not any old kind. We’re talking about cosmeceuticals - potions with pharmaceutical prowess. “There will always be a market for aesthetic procedures but cosmeceuticals
are ideal for those who want to look younger the more natural and less invasive way,” says Rosi Chapman, managing director of Transformulas – a company that specialises in anti-ageing and lifestyle treatments. From La Prairie’s Platinum Collection to Rodial’s Dragon Blood – the beauty shelves are currently groaning under the weight of miracle creams packed with increasingly exotic sounding ingredients. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily translate into women completely eschewing the needle. It’s just that when it comes to anti-ageing treatments, the smart money is on the subtle. “Women
no longer want to look like plastic Barbie dolls,” confirms Dr Dina Hosni Gumaa, from Muscat Dermatology & Cosmetic. “They want to look naturally good for their age. You just have to flick through the pages of any fashion magazine to realise that we’ve moved away from the huge lips, arched eyebrows and immobile features of the ‘noughties’. These days, more and more people are asking for understated solutions like softening the lines around the eyes or the frown line between the eyebrows without losing mobility. There has to be a reasonable balance so the patient looks fresh and approachable rather than tired and angry.” According to the expert, popular JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
Health
column here c/o matthew
An Advanced Treatment for Central Obesity.
MOH: 01/13
Over the years, fat gets accumulated around the abdomen and upper body. This condition, known as central Call us for a obesity, can lead to serious health risks Complimentary such as heart disease, hypertension and Fitness Check diabetes. VLCC’s Waist & Tummy Trim treatment helps not only reduce your excess weight, but also the associated health risks.
Fashion
treatments in Oman currently include light fillers and micro injections. “Patients also want their lips to look smooth, fresh and plump without increasing their size,” adds Dina. “Soft tissue augmentation with biodegradable Hyaluronic Acid gel fillers for laughter lines is also popular. However, an increasing number of patients want the healthy glow achieved by light filling. This is really a subtype of mesotherapy but of a higher grade where small micro-injections are inserted all over the face.” Of course, you need to treat skin with the respect it deserves. The ageing process starts somewhere between the ages of 17 and 25 but in today’s increasingly polluted environment, we’re constantly subjected to harmful outdoor elements which contribute to premature ageing. It is estimated that 80 per cent of wrinkles are due to sunbathing, smoking and diet rather than genetics. “Wrinkles are caused by the contraction of those muscles responsible for frowning, worrying and squinting,” adds Dina. “This is physiological but you can help lessen the consequences by wearing shades, sun protection cream and trying to follow a healthy diet.” Sugar, says the Muscat based doctor, is a big problem. “The best way to stay young is to keep away from sugar and oxidants that age the internal cells and organs,” she continues. “Better to stick with foods that are potent in anti-oxidants. These super foods include salmon, dark chocolate, raw nuts and vitaminrich berries.”
BEAUTY
EAT YOURSELF
YOUNGER
Could today’s dinner make you look younger tomorrow? A glut of research shows that the right diet can make a visible difference to the way you look and feel. So, start eating better. Thanks to a boom in anti-ageing research, the craze for super foods is going from strength to strength. Of course, it all started in earnest over a decade ago when dermatologist Dr Perricone discovered that eating a lot of Omega 3 rich salmon resulted in plumper, fresher looking skin. Today, a new food fad is discovered every other week. Here are our top three picks: 1. Native to the Middle East, the pomegranate contains high levels of wrinkle busting antioxidants and immune boosting vitamins. 2. Most of us don’t need an excuse to eat chocolate, but did you know that a bar containing at least 70% cocoa can help improve the condition of your skin and hair because it’s packed with protein and vitamin B? 3. They say that water is the source of life but it’s also an essential component to turning back the clock. Not only does it hydrate, it tackles toxins and is a great alternative to calorific and sugar laden drinks. The result? Clearer, younger looking skin.
SLIMMING | BEAUTY | FITNESS F O R
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p r o m o t i o n
SHOP
HOME IS WHERE THE THEATRE IS
the week
Watch out for OTE’s Home Theatre Systems – they take Smart televisions, Blue-ray and 3D to a whole new level.
OTE
T
his chain store literally stocks the coolest stuff – from fridges to freezers. Of course, white goods tend to get overlooked because they’re useful - but imagine a world without a washing machine or dishwasher. You hands would become red raw with scrubbing. And a lounge without a television or home cinema kit would be bleak beyond imagining. Thank heavens that OTE Consumer Durables Business Group is committed to providing you with electronic goods that match style with substance. Offering amazing brands like LG, Bosch and White Westinghouse in state-of-the showrooms, OTE is a home appliance heaven. Easy to navigate with helpful assistants, picking up household pieces is a breeze. But their services are not limited to just sales, they also provide after sales packages, 24-hour help and spare parts.
COOL STUFF Sleek and stylish, this fridge freezer is the ultimate kitchen accessory.
RUB-A DUB-DUB LG is known for its intelligent features, exceptional performance and intuitive functionality.
QUALITY COMES FIRST It’s better to lose money than to lose trust – that’s Bosch’s business philosophy and it’s a good one when it comes to consumer belief.
For more information, please go to www.otegroup.com
ON TREND TELEVISIONS When it comes to televisions, OTE Home Entertainment section offers the best and the latest technology.
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CARS AND OUTDOORS
My little pony
Four-legged fun in the park for the young ones. p39
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My Hood
Cars
Wi-Fi
OUTDOORS
THE
MANE
Maryann gets to work grooming Oriole
EVENT
Sit back, relax and take a walk in the park using pony power, says Kate Ginn
W
ith the clip-clop sounds of hooves in our ears and the smell of leather from saddle mixing with the aroma of freshly mown grass, we amble along at a gentle pace. Oriole the pony (named after the American cookies) is in no particular hurry and neither are we. The pony’s young rider, Maryann Canawati, is evidently smitten with her new method of transport and looks perfectly content to spend the rest of her childhood being ferried around on four legs. In the afternoon sunlight, the beauty of Qurum National Park can be viewed at leisure as we meander past, taking in the tinkling of the fountains, singing of the birds and the breeze ruffling the fronds of palm trees. It’s the ideal setting for children to experience their first taste of pony riding or reacquaint themselves with the magical world of all things equine. Maryann announces that actually, she has been on a horse before
when she was younger but it’s too long ago for her to remember too much about it. When you’re five and growing up fast, it’s tough to recall all past adventures. There’s no need to worry, though. We’re in safe hands with Terri Argument, pony club coordinator of Qurm Equestrian Stables, one of two stables located in the park. Terri is leading Oriole so there’s no danger of the little pony charging off across the park, although she does manage to grab a sneaky mouthful of grass on the way round. “She’s actually grown her winter coat, which sounds a bit odd as the winter here in Oman is so mild,” said Terri, laughing as she ruffles Oriole’s brown and white pelt. Oriole is a tough little Shetland pony, a breed which originates in the wilds of Scotland, where the thickest of winter coats are needed to survive the Arctic winds whipping across the glens. She is one of two Shetlands the stables have for pony rides through the park and during the months when the sun is still
bearable, it’s the ideal activity to keep the little ones amused and stimulated. Rides in the park, for children aged between five and seven years old cost a reasonable OR3 for 15 minutes. Maryann is kitted out with a helmet before being allowed to groom a waiting Oriole, who is drying her freshly washed coat out in the sunshine next to Chocolate, the other pony. Terri, a gregarious American who is training to be an equine vet, gets Maryann acquainted with her steed before it’s time to head off into the park, at a gentle pace. “It’s fun,” cried out Maryann, as we wandered past flowerbeds. Oriole swished her tail in agreement. The stables also offer a pony club for youngsters from eight years upwards. “It’s an opportunity for children to get up close and personal with our ponies,” says Terri. “The children learn the basics of horse safety, care, anatomy and health, in addition to being taught the basic skills necessary to safely ride a pony.”
During the 10-week course, the young pony club members will work towards badges with cute names such as ‘I Love My Pony’ and ‘Grooming is Great’. “Our instructors are excited to share their passion for horses with the children,” says Terri, who is clearly besotted with anything equine. Be aware, though, that children+ponies = waiting list. Horse and pony riding is hugely popular so there’s currently a wait for pony club places to become free. Grown ups aren’t left out of the fun, either. The stables offer lessons for beginners and advanced, along with trips out along the beach for experienced riders. Our trip round the park, with Maryann clutching fearlessly onto the saddle, is almost over. She is clearly quite taken with the whole thing. Maryann’s mum can, no doubt, expect a pleading request for her very own pony sometime soon.
FACTFACT BOX BOX KITE For Pony Club at Qurum Equestrian Stables contact Terri Argument on 923 78602, or email terrioverseas@gmail.com. Pony Club fees are 10OR registration and 50OR for ten-week class sessions, which includes a Pony Club t-shirt as well as a badge and certificate. Children will have several opportunities to ride during the ten weeks. For other enquiries, contact Stables Manager Astrid Arapakis on 994 22401. Pony rides OR3 for 15 mins any day between 4pm and 6pm.
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CARS AND OUTDOORS
My Hood
Cars
Wi-Fi
OUTDOORS
Destination
From Bammah to Fins
For a taste of Oman’s beautiful shoreline go no further than this stretch of coast. Words and photos: Jerzy Wierzbicki
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ROCK ‘N ROLL When the wind is up at this rocky shoreline you may very well get wet
D
cliffs are the main attraction of this region. But it was the cliffs that I was interested in. The first stop I made on the cliff was just a few meters from the track. I brought my camera and went out to the edge of the cliff. The visibility was perfect, the sun not too strong and the sky mostly clear bar a few clouds over the mountains. I could see many details in the landscape. The wind was a bit stronger than usual so the sea surface was very wavy and I could sense the delicate smell of salt in the air. I went on a small walk with my camera along with two fixed lenses - the 180mm telephoto lens and the wide-angle 24mm short lens. The view of the cliff against the waves was very picturesque and I took several pictures of the white waves hitting the dark rocks on the shore. The wind was whipping the waves
up and some of them splashed me (and my dog). After an hour I decided to check some small bays covered in grey pebbles where the water was a very intense shade of turquoise. The wind there was noticably weaker and the waves smaller. It was a perfect spot for camping, or for a coffee break. As I waited for the water to boil, I jumped on a big rock situated just next to me and took in the panorama of the shoreline. The small bay with turquoise and green water, dark brown rocks edged with waves looked amazing. I didn’t wait for a moment, just took out my camera with the wide-angle lens and captured the scene. It was my photograph of the day. I felt better after coffee and some snacks. I tried to find some details in the landscape. Small shells or fossils in the old coral reef gave me additional
pictures from this location. On my way back to Muscat I saw a couple of Egyptian vultures patrolling the shoreline. It reminded me of my last trip to Masirah Island a few months ago. It was a valuable day and experience. I am sure that I will be back to this beach in the future.
HOW TO GET THERE
travel guide
uring the winter the weather here is lovely, especially in the early afternoon. I could not wait to enjoy these conditions and last Friday, I visited the shoreline between Quriyat and Tiwi. My 4x4 was in for a service so I just rented a small passenger car and set off in the morning from Muscat. Behind Al Amarat I stopped at the service station and had a quick look at the map. I decided to check out the rocky shoreline between two small villages - Bammah and Fins. After an hour and a half ’s driving toward Sur. I came off the highway and reached the gravel track next to the sea. I saw some tents and cars on the beaches where people were enjoying a weekend camping trip. The small beaches that lie between the rocky
Total distance from Muscat is around 150 km. Go to the new road leading to Al Amarat. From Amarat go straight to Quriyat. Pass Quriyat and follow the main road to Sur. The first junction to this beautiful shoreline is in the small village of Bammah - not to be confused with Bimmah Sinkhole, which you will pass a few kilometres before reaching Bammah. From Bammah to Fins is around 10 kilometres. There are several beauty spots where you can stop and admire the environment. You really do not need a 4x4. Even the gravel tracks are good enough for small passenger cars
GPS location of junction to Bammah is : : N22’58’23 E59’08’45
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CARS AND OUTDOORS BawshAr, UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAINS, IS A LOVELY PLACE.
Living There
EXPLORING Bawshar
This is an up and coming residential area, with lots of new high-end villas available to rent or buy. Major property developments include the Oasis Residence and the Dolphin Village, which both target well-to-do expats and families with swish apartments, green lawns, swimming pools and gyms. The Dolphin Village has outdoor playing areas for children and a licensed restaurant. For families with children there is the sought after Ecole Francaise, which attracts many Lebanese pupils and French expats, as well as a number of Arabic and Indian schools. For football fans, the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex – known as Boshar – is home stadium of the Oman national squad and hosts major international games.
It’s got mountain views, exclusive villas and it’s close to malls, schools and, of course, the dunes.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Just off the Ghubra Roundabout and under the shadow of the mountains, estate agents will wax lyrical about Bawshar – confusingly also Baushar or Boshar – as a desirable location within convenient reach of Muscat Grand Mall, a range of schools, Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex and the Muscat Private Hospital. Its position above the city offers grand views and a feeling of spaciousness and quiet. On the downside, the popularity of Bawshar’s famous dunes with picnickers and thrill-seekers has created a major litter problem, while land-grabbers have also started excavating and transferring the sand for construction. 042
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Cars Why I Live Here: “I like it here, it’s very similar to LA only the pace is not so crazy with less traffic. Dolphin is like a resort, with a pool, restaurant and gym. There are quite a few activities round here – you can ride on the dunes or play golf in the valley. It’s five or ten minutes to Al Ghubra, the Grand Mall and Al Qurum although you have to go into town for groceries.” – Ryan, petroleum worker from California
Wi-Fi
Outdoors
My ‘Hood
Places of Interest The Bawshar dunes are a popular site for offroading and quad biking, and also a favourite spot for picnics, with spectacular views over the city. Bawshar also has some ancient ruins close to the French school, which are used as a picnic spot, but also sadly as a rubbish dump. The magnificent Bawshar fort at the base of the ‘White Mountain’ near the French School is another local landmark and visitor attraction. The area is a hub for higher education, with the Modern College of Business and Science, Oman Medical College and the College of Banking all situated on Bawshar Street.
Hang Outs Dolphin and Oasis have bars and restaurants, otherwise there are several five-star hotels within easy driving reach of the district, including the Park Inn, Holiday Inn and Radisson SAS. If you want to get into the swing of things, the Ghala Wentforth Golf Club is just off Way 61 offering a challenging 18-hole course built into a natural wadi and with a clubhouse and a good value bar attached. There is also a brand new Turkish restaurant opposite Dolphin Village, which is tasty and not expensive.
The Lowdown In the summer months, Bawshar affords some respite from the heat by virtue of being on higher ground, so while most of Muscat sweats, Bawshar’s residents can enjoy the dryer air as well as the great views of the mountains and the dunes. In the winter months it’s a good place for hiking too. For those who like a dog to guard their villa, Canadian Jebel in Bawshar is the place to go for training your canine friend to be an obedient watchdog.
Shopping The Muscat Grand Mall is a short drive away, with all the international retail brands including Carrefour, H&M, SharafDG and Mango, as well as Tim Horton cafe. Just opposite the Dolphin Village there are some fast food shops and convenience stores. Most residents agree that the big malls are close enough by car to be convenient although having a Lulu supermarket or something similar would be handy. JAN 16 – 22 / ISSUE 253
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-FI
My Hood
Cars
Outdoors
WI-FI
PAMPER POWER
Reboot your daily regime with these innovative grooming gadgets, says Penny Fray.
THE TECH IN YOU
WILKINSON HYDRO5 POWER (RO5) Want the ultimate shave without visiting the barbershop? This radical new razor features adjustable vibration levels and skin softening serum to minimise irritation.
REMINGTON TOUCH CONTROL HAIR CLIPPER (RO30) Take control of your image with the world’s first hairstyling tool for men with advanced touch-screen technology and self-sharpening blades. It’s the next generation of hair clippers.
CLARISONIC CLEANSING BRUSH (RO55) Step away from the face cloth. Skin cleaning enters the electronic age with this cult gadget. It claims to remove six times more grime than manual cleansing, hence reducing spots, dry skin patches and other skin problems.
MUST BUYS The Sound Jar is a speaker with a difference. It doesn’t require any batteries and is perfect for listening to your music on the move. Simply attach your MP3 player to the 3.5mm jack, place it into the jar, screw on the lid and hey presto the jar is transformed into a music magnifier. Even better – it’s sand and splash proof. Available from Prezzybox for RO7
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Hot? Cold? Get the perfect temperature with this sleekly designed fan from Dyson. Retailing at nearly RO120, it’s not cheap but using Air Multiplier technology, it offers even air distribution. Plus, it’s easy to clean because there are no spinning blades.
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FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS YUMMY MUMMY ALERT! The Angelcare AC1100 baby monitor combines a video, sound and movement monitor into a single system. All options on the baby monitor can be set using the touch screen on the Parents Unit. They can also be easily deactivated in case of embarrassing accidents! Available from the NCT Shop for RO95
APP OF THE WEEK
If you love everything about your Android apart from its bad battery life, you’ll really dig JuiceDefender. It keeps your phone or iPad alive by disabling its most draining components. The lite version is free.
NEW! Canon EOS M This much-hyped camera is small, sophisticated with an amazing three-inch touch screen. The full HD movie mode continuously tracks moving objects, controls exposure and audio levels as well as taking snapshots from film. The Scene Intelligent Auto ensures amazing results when shooting at night. Hybrid CMOS AF delivers fast autofocus speed for video and photos.
THE GIRLY GADGET
We naturally love all things Lanvin – but for those of you with designer tastes but high street budgets, there’s always the iPhone case. RO20
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CARS AND OUTDOORS
My Hood
WI-FI
Outdoors
C ars
Carrera
257kw (350hp) at 7400rpm 0-100km/h in 4.8s Top speed: 289km/h Engine 3.4 litres Price RO36,000
Carrera S
294kw (400hp) at 7400rpm 0-100km/h in 4.5s Top Speed: 304km/h Engine 3.8 litres Price RO42,800
Car of the Week The revamped Porsche 911 Carrera S is a worthy return to classic form
I
t’s always going to be hard to please the fans when updating a sports car as legendary as the 48-year-old Porsche 911, but the engineers in Stuttgart have done just that with the new Carrera and Carrera S, and at close to double the price of the 2012 Porsche Boxer, it needs to please. The most noticeable change from the 1998 Carrera S is the convertible soft-top roof, which still keeps the classic 911 roof styling. The top is sturdier than in most convertible sports cars – it’s thick and padded, with its own headliner. Together with the electric rear windbreaker, it means that even at 120km per hour driving is relatively wind-free. You can even speak to your passenger above the engine noise, although don’t try to squeeze your mother in the tiny back seat space, which could well have been left out in favour of more storage. In the end, this is a Porsche and so the bottom line is horsepower and speed. The Carrera houses a 3.4 litre 350 horsepower flat engine in the rear, while the opentop Carrera S comes with a 3.8 litre sixcylinder 400hp boxer engine. Both boast
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improved fuel efficiency, consuming less than ten litres per 100km, 16% lower than previous models. It’s possible to lower fuel consumption on the Carrera S by a further 14% with the PDK option. It has a longer wheelbase, wider front track and new electro-mechanicial power steering, and the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission. The Carrera S can accelerate from nought to 100km per hour in 4.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 304 km per hour. But not on the way to the hypermarket. The leather-padded interior features a centre console rising to the front and very close to the steering wheel. The stereo and automatic AC are straightforward to use although car engineers seem to love to add complexity with in-car media technology requiring something like a PhD to understand all the touch-screen functions. Replacing the hand break with a button is also somehow less reassuring. The Carrera and Carrera S are available from Porsche Centre Oman in Ghobra. The Carrera starts at RO36,000 and the Carrera S at RO42,600.
Check this out Lightweight body of aluminium-steel Number of cylinders: 6 Rear wheel drive with 7-speed transmission manual or automatic (DPK) Total wheel base is 245cm Fuel tank 64 litres Fuel efficiency – Carrera: 8.2 litres/100km; Carrera S: 8.7 litres/100km Carrera S has a soft retractable roof with electronic rear wind shield for high-speed open-top driving Carrera S CO2 emissions 205g/km
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