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THE BAROMETER GOING UP
PASSENGERS TRAVELLING BY OMAN AIR Oman’s national carrier, Oman Air, revealed that they ferried 8.542mn passengers last year, compared to 7.7mn passengers from 2016 – translating to a 10.9 per cent increase in traffic.
GOING DOWN
TEMPERATURES IN MUSCAT The mercury is dropping across the capital. Residents are reporting temperatures as low as 17-degreesCelsius in the Muscat region.
Welcome to Y Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.
Fast forward
T
here were days when in the din of festive preparations one had to keep aside three to four days to shop for clothes, groceries and what not, plan hours of travelling to shop for the young ones, walk to the other end of the road to pick up trousers, go through the trauma of finding a parking spot, and make endless car and taxi rides before coming home tired with yet more shopping to do. Today, shopping for Eid can be finished in three to four hours, and is more fun as you can pick up popcorn, shop in a leisurely fashion, maybe combine a game at the bowling alley and even grab a quick bite at the cafeteria before you resume again on the next floor. With so many shopping malls in the city, we now have a lot more options to choose from than ever before. Oman is witnessing the construction of several retail outlets but the big question is: does the market have the ability to sustain numerous malls, hypermarkets and supermarkets? According to reports, at least two big malls are expected to open in Oman in the next three years, but is there room for more malls in Oman, especially when online retailers are slowly finding their space in the country? Our cover story this week talks about shopping malls in Oman and people’s spending habits. Experts in the field also talk to us about the growing popularity of online retailers. Happy reading!
THIS WEEK…
Team Y visited the wadi in Abayah, tried out authentic Kerala cuisine at Food Day and caught the Oman team live in Kuwait for the Gulf Cup Semi-Finals.
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contents
JANUARY 04 - 10 2018
Your Oman
This Week
08 Voice Of Oman Alvin Thomas 10 News His Majesty approves Oman’s 2018 budget
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12
19 Movies Read our review of Message From The King
News Sword master Alex Magala set to perform in Oman
Run for good Enroll yourself in the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon 2018
Features 20
Mall for all We take a look at mall culture and shopping habits in the Sultanate
28 Lone warrior Omani youngster shares his life-defining travel tales
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19
10
Food and Drink 44 Food Feature Top winter recipe
Cars and Adventures 32 Destination Abayah
46 Taste Test Food Day
Health and Beauty
34 First Drive Mazda CX-9 38 Y-Fi Top smart timepieces of 2018
40 Fashion Italian cuts with African boldness 42 Health Take steps to keep your heart safe
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07
THE VOICE OF OMAN
MOST PEOPLE MAKE NEWYEAR RESOLUTIONS AND BREAK THEM. PERHAPS WE SHOULD FOCUS ON THE SELF WITHOUT BEING SELFISH, SAYS ALVIN THOMAS
H
appy New Year, folks! Now that I’ve got the obvious out of the way, I’d like to voice an opinion (or two) about new-year resolutions. At the end of every year, I get asked the same perturbing question: What are your resolutions for this year? It’s a question I often tend to ignore. And the reason for that has always been the same: I don’t make resolutions. I’ve always thought of people who make new-year resolutions as the first to end up breeching them… half way through January. The resolutions may include losing weight, giving up something you love and picking up new instruments, among many others – most of which are quantitatively analysed by you (and your peers). And that’s where I think we need to change. I feel that resolutions must be less about such trivial matters and more about changing oneself for the world around you to sense – and benefit from. Self-development – sympathy and empathy – is something we need to acquire, and here’s why: Last week, there was a post on an Oman-based group taking care of animals of an animal strangled to death. This distressed me and prompted me to ask whether the attackers had no respect for other (living) beings. Have we, as a generation, lost our sense of comprehending what’s right and wrong? If so, I think we need to take a couple of steps back to analyse the challenges that surround us today. Social media has broken countless barriers in our societies. This means, we’re now able to see things we normally wouldn’t have before. And that has also led to the normalising of such gruesome events – including the loss of human life. Today, videos of people attacking each other, murder and so on flank the internet – and that must change. We must sympathise with the families of the deceased, and take their sorrows into account. In theory, self-development resolutions may sound good, but the challenge lies in how to measure them and how we can apply them to create a wave of change in the sphere of society that we live and see every day. And that would be a resolution to stick by. 08
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correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: How did 2017 treat you? And what changes do you wish to see in the Sultanate in 2018? Share your views with us and you could be in with a chance of winning dinner for two MOHAN ANANDAN
Oman has always been an oasis of peace, tranquillity and hospitality personified and 2017 was no exception. I would like to see the country succeeding further in addressing the huge budgetary deficit in 2018, operational stabilisation of the new Muscat International Airport, further development in the public transport system with mobile applications to book taxis gaining further momentum, more discipline on the roads and fewer traffic accidents and loss of lives, and gainful employment for the youth who would take pride in contributing towards nation-building. Also, I would want to see the happiness quotient curve rising further.
SUNIL JOHN MARTIN
2017 started off on a bad note for me since I lost my dear sister. The Sultanate is already moving in the right direction with the new Muscat International Airport slated to be opened in 2018. The infrastructure is improving at a rapid pace and it would be good to see a railway line connecting the GCC countries. A metro line connecting Sohar and Al Mawaleh with Seeb, Al Khuwair, Qurum and Ruwi would help save on travel time and precious fuel.
NADEEM NOOR
2017 was a challenging year, with lots of ups and downs. It made us realise life is not a walk in the park. Everyone in Oman faced hardships in 2017 but is slowly overcoming them and adjusting to the new situations because our love for the Sultanate is stronger than the hardships. I expect 2018 to be a year of more challenges, and hope Oman’s economy will recover
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steadily, putting everyone at ease. Though Oman is a beautiful country, there are not many nearby places to explore and relax in, which is a letdown. I expect to see some more activities available for young adults like me and kids, and hope more positive measures will be in place to address the growing traffic in Muscat.
ZAHID SAEED
Oman is an ideal destination for tourists, and I would like to invite some of my relatives to this beautiful country in the New Year so they could see for themselves what I have been telling them all these years. One thing I love to experience in the New Year is the renovated Muscat International Airport. And when the economy recovers in 2018, life will definitely be just as sweet as it used be in the past, or at least that’s what I hope.
HARSHAL MARATHE
Oman is a very safe, peaceful country. I have been living in Oman for 15 years and I have not heard of many serious incidents of crime here. You could take a stroll in the park in the wee hours and it’s not surprising if you don’t find police cars on the street. Here I could do things that I could never imagine to do elsewhere. At any shopping mall or restaurant, or any other public place, I could leave my phone and wallet on any table and go to the toilet — and they would be right there when I come back. People respect all religions and beliefs, and they are warm and friendly. Mosques are places of peace where everyone could gather and pray without sectarian divides. Most things and services are relatively cheap here: you can get a haircut for around RO1 a sandwich for less than a riyal. There are nice places to visit, and they range from rocky mountains to sand mountains, pristine beaches, mighty deserts, beautiful islands and majestic forts.
Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant
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Year 2017 was a pleasant, memorable and wonderful time of my stay in the Sultanate. Having visited beautiful Salalah, amazing Al Hoota caves and many mesmerising beaches, I could say this with conviction. Warm people, wonderful facilities and extraordinary road networks make the Sultanate a special place. With Sohar International Airport and the new Muscat International Airport complex getting officially inaugurated in the New Year, the image of the Sultanate is poised to get a shot in the arm. In 2018, I expect oil prices to go up and the economy of the Sultanate to get better, which had been sluggish in 2017. I wish the government would take additional steps to improve tourism, mining and SME segments to shore up the revenues. Hope Omani and expatriate motorists will obey the traffic rules and help prevent untimely loss of precious lives.
PAUL BARUA
Well, 2017 was full of ups and downs. It was a tough year, but there are a lot of positive things for us to look forward to in the New Year. Crude prices are improving, and that is going to reflect positively on the economy of the Sultanate. Muscat International Airport is ready to welcome more passengers, and that’s good news for tourism.
New Debate: Oman is witnessing construction of a number of retail outlets. Is there room for more malls in Muscat?
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JAN 04 - JAN 10 / ISSUE 501
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HIS MAJESTY APPROVES OMAN’S 2018 BUDGET
is Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued a Royal Decree approving Oman’s budget for 2018. Royal Decree No. 1/2018, which endorsed a budget that centres around economic diversification, was ratified by His Majesty on January 1, 2018. According to the Oman News Agency, the total estimated revenues of the state budget for 2018, calculated on the basis of the oil prices staying at $50 per barrel, amounted to RO9.5bn, an increase of 3% over the actual
expected revenues for 2017. The total public expenditure was estimated at RO12.5bn, an increase of RO800mn from the estimated expenditure for 2017, said ONA. The statement estimated that the budget deficit of 2018 will be about RO3bn, or 10 percent of the GDP. Eighty-four per cent of the estimated budget deficit, or RO2.5bn, will be financed through external and domestic borrowing. Deficit estimated at RO500mn will be through withdrawals from reserves.
“About RO3.88bn was allocated in the 2018 budget for education, health, housing and welfare sectors, which represent the largest share of the budget,” a statement from the Ministry of Finance confirmed. The statement stressed the continuation of the implementation of the programme of building social housing and cash assistance to eligible groups of citizens, the cost of which rose to RO80mn, with the allocation of developmental loans and housing totalling RO30mn.
FUEL PRICES HIKED IN OMAN AS GOVERNMENT LIFTS CAPS
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Starting January 1, residents in Oman will have to spend more to fuel up their vehicles unless they can benefit from a government safety net scheme. Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas has announced fuel prices for the month of January — which came into effect at midnight — and dropped a government cap on M91 after the introduction of a subsidy programme for Omanis. M91 is priced at 199 baisas per litre, 13 baisas above its previously capped limit of 186. The price of M91 will now depend on global oil prices, but Omani families on low incomes have been protected by a government scheme. The government has ensured needy citizens are provided a safety net with the government’s National Subsidy System (NSS). Families that earn less than RO600 a month will be able to buy the first 200 litres of fuel every month at a subsidised rate of just 180 baisas under the scheme. The scheme, however, is only for Omanis. The NSS was announced last year to support low-income Omanis, and more than 156,000 nationals registered for it by the end of December 2017. From January 2018, M91 will cost 199 baisas per litre, M95 will be priced six baisas higher than its current 213 baisas per litre, and the price of diesel will be 230 baisas per litre, up from 219 baisas.
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LUXURY LIVING
GALLERY
GRAND MILLENNIUM HOTEL MUSCAT, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MUSCAT AND WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO MUSCAT GRAND MALL, HAS LAUNCHED A RANGE OF LUXURY APARTMENTS SPECIALLY STRUCTURED TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES AND EXTENDED STAY GUESTS.
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NEWS
YOUR
SWORD MASTER
OMAN
ALEX MAGALA SET TO PERFORM IN OMAN
OMAN CUSTOMS O SEIZES SMUGGLED CIGARETTES
man will witness a one-of-a-kind event to kick start 2018, next week, when world renowned sword master Alex Magala will perform his daredevil stunts for the public. The event will be hosted at the Al Mazaar open air amphitheatre in Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah – Muscat’s favourite luxury destination – on Friday, January 12, 2018. Tables for this exclusive show – which is titled ‘Sword Master Show’ – are limited and admission into the event is restricted for those under the age of 16. “Why?” You ask. Well, Alex Magala continues to put his life on the line performing sword tricks with extreme acrobatic elements. His unique performance art earned him a place in the hit TV series ‘America’s Got Talent’ in 2013, where he reached the quarter-finals. His popularity only continued to grow from there and he has since won ‘Russia’s Got Talent’ in 2014, reached
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ustoms officials at the Al Wajajah border port have seized cartons of cigarettes that were originally intended to be smuggled into the Sultanate. “At Wajajah, Customs thwarted the smuggling of cartons of banned cigarettes that were hidden professionally,” the Oman Customs announced in a post online.
ONLY E-PAYMENTS IN OMAN HOSPITALS
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hinking of paying off your hospital bills in cash? If so, it’s best if you deposit the amount into your bank account and pay using your electronic card, because all government hospitals have stopped accepting cash payments. According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), all these hospitals had already adopted this new electronic payment system from January 1, 2018. “The Ministry of Health
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(MOH) would like to draw the attention of the public that, the collection of all fees and amounts due to the Ministry in all its health institution will be collected through E-payment through the credit/ debit card, effective from January 1, 2018,” the MOH said in an online statement. This step is part of the Sultanate’s national plan to shift its public institutions into e-government services.
the finals on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘Italia’s Got Talent’, and battled to the semi-finals on ‘Ukraine’s Got Talent’. He also performed live at the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Sochi. The tickets are available at the Al Mazaar Entertainment Center for RO20 per person and concert goers can contact the team at Shangri-La for booking details and VIP tickets. Doors to the event will open at 6:30pm and kicking-off the event will be the Dubai-based magician and illusionist, Fred Sharp. This event will be the first of 2018 and kicks-off another action packed year of music and events at Al Mazaar, further establishing Barr Al Jissah’s reputation as one of Muscat’s most favoured luxury destinations.
SEASON’S GREETINGS
GALLERY
OMAN AVENUES MALL DECIDED TO CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON BY SETTING UP A UNIQUE ‘WISHES DO COME TRUE’ INSTALLATION. IT WAS AIMED AT EXTENDING THE WARMTH AND LOVE OF THE SEASON BY HUMBLY INVITING ITS CUSTOMERS TO THE MALL TO ENJOY THE MAGNIFICENT INSTALLATION. IT LASTED UNTIL 31ST DECEMBER, 2017. THE JOYFUL INITIATIVE WAS SET IN MOTION BY ASKING THE CUSTOMERS TO MAKE A WISH USING THE WISH CARD AND THEN HANGING IT ON THE INSTALLATION .
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OMAN AIR CLOCKS 8.5MN PASSENGERS IN 2017
man’s national carrier, Oman Air, revealed that they ferried 8.542mn passengers last year, compared to 7.7mn passengers from 2016. This 10.9 per cent increase comes as a result of a rise in the seat capacity. The company’s statistics show that Oman Air continued its ambitious expansion program in the fleet and its airline network. In 2017 alone Oman Air added several new aircrafts, with a total fleet capacity of 48 being used in 53 local, Gulf, Arab and international destinations. The number of scheduled flights by Oman Air increased in 2017 to 68,457 flight compared with 30,978 in 2016. The company continued its human resources-related policy by assessing the skills of all its employees and the extent to which they are committed to their responsibilities. The company made a great effort to raise the percentage of national cadres working in the company and the Omanisation rate in the company is 63 per cent, with 4956 Omani employees working in Oman Air, 85 per cent of them are males and 15 percent are females. With regards to commercial freight operations, the statistics showed that they performed well, as commercial cargo operations increased during the year 2017 to reach 98780
tons. As per the statistics, Oman Air achieved a good on time performance with 87% and in the technical dispatch reliability per aircraft amounted to 99.1 per cent. Oman Air continued to receive more prestigious awards from various destinations in the airline industry in 2017, reaching 12 international awards recognizing the high level of services offered by the airline to passengers on its fleet.
OMAN POPULATION HITS 4.6MN IN 2017
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he Sultanate’s population peaked at 4,638,908 by the end of the year, the statistics published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed. As per the report, 54.9 per cent of the population were Omani, while the other 45.1 per cent were expatriates hailing from different countries. However, the NCSI population clock shows a deviation in the numbers when compared with the daily count registered by Royal Oman Police (ROP). The number of registered citizens by end-2017 stood at 2,546,446 while expat number reached 2,092,459.
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PRÊT À PORTER
GALLERY
DESIGUAL LAUNCHED ITS AW17 ‘EXTRAORDINARY’ COLLECTION AT ITS OUTLET IN THE OMAN AVENUES MALL, IN BAUSHAR. THE LAUNCH EVENT WAS FOLLOWED BY A MEET AND GREET SESSION, COMPETITIONS, AS WELL AS AN EXCITING FLASH MOB DANCE.
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n the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and his due care for Omani youth, and within the framework of Council of Ministers to provide Omani youth job opportunities in the public and private institutions, the Ministry of Manpower in coordination with the General Authority will announce a number of job opportunities for the holders of university degrees and diplomas. The applicants will be invited to attend the tests and interviews on request and will have the choice to appear for interviews for the advertised jobs. Preference will be given according to the record of the academic qualifications.
NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES
TO BE ANNOUNCED
SABCO GROUP OFFERS 100 FREE FLIGHT TICKETS FOR GULF CUP SEMI-FINALS
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ABCO Group offered 100 free airline tickets to fans who were eager to encourage and support the national team during the semi-final clash between Oman and Bahrain. To apply for the free ticket, the participants were asked to fulfill a certain criteria. The first 100 to apply received the tickets, and successfully cheered for the red boys during the do-or-die match in Kuwait.
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Photo: Shaquel Al Balushi
Today’s inspiration: The source of life.
In this series, we look for inspiration from a variety of influences around Oman, including its people, places and wildlife.
Great news, folks! The Al Mouj Muscat Marathon 2018 is set to begin soon. Following the overwhelming interest last year, the event will now be part of an extended two-day festival of running. Thursday, the opening day, will be dedicated to a Kids Run, while Friday will see the established Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km Race complemented by two new categories, a Charity Fun Run and a Marathon Relay, open to teams of four to six runners who will each run part of the full 42km course.
JAN
RUN FOR GOOD
18-19
WEEK
WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.
J A N U A R Y Do you like flying kites? If so, here’s your chance to do so, and perhaps also interact with some of Oman’s leading kiting enthusiasts. The Kite Flying Festival will be held at Qurum Beach (opposite the Japengo). The event will begin at 9am with a breakfast session, following which there will be other gaming activities and lunch. Those interested can register themselves on January 8 at the Indian Social Club, Darsait, Porta Cabin. For more details, call +968 9257 7912
Shiver me timbers! Alex Magala, the “Sword Swallower”, is in Oman for the ‘Alex Magala Sword Master Show’. The event will be held at Al Mazaar Amphitheatre of the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, and the gates will be open from 6.30pm. Ticket prices start at RO20 – but only those aged 12 and above will be granted entry. Seats are limited, so make sure you book early. You can also opt for VIP tables. For more information, contact +968 9556 9795/9468 1772
JAN
12
FLYING HIGH
THIS
THE DAREDEVIL
THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE
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MOVIES MOVIES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641
Masterpiece Cast: Mammootty, Unni Mukundan and Gokul Suresh
Message From the King Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Teresa Palmer, Luke Evans and Alfred Molina It’s a thriller about a mysterious outsider from South Africa who arrives in Los Angeles to avenge his younger sister’s death. For Chadwick Boseman, things are looking good. He was cast as the Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and set to have his own stand-alone story in 2018, and audiences got their first good look in Captain America: Civil War and were greatly impressed. With Message From the King, now we get a chance to see more of the engaging actor and it’s a good showing, with a strong performance, carrying the film from frame one. After getting an alarming message from his sister Bianca (Sibongile Mlambo), Jacob King (Boseman) travels from South Africa to Los Angeles with little more than a few hundred dollars and a mission. Once past some questioning custom agents, he gets himself seedy lodging and goes on the hunt. He discovers the worst at the morgue and takes to piecing together what little clues he has, running through the gamut of cultural crossovers in the LA scene. These include a Korean grocery clerk (Joe Seo), a rich dentist (Luke Evans) and a paedophilic film producer (Alfred Molina). Now, with a stylish leather jacket, a thick South African accent and a brand new but soon-to-be bloodied bike chain, he takes to the streets to get answers. Directed by Fabrice du Welz, Message From The King is a gritty, noir-ish thriller that keeps most of its abundant violence toned down, with more concentration on the characters, though to be sure, there’s a lot here that looks familiar and is soaked
in standards. From a rogue-ish unbeatable hero to a pretty, goodgirl hooker (Teresa Palmer) with a cute kid to lots of somewhat clichéd and colourful characters, yet the urgency of King’s quest is enough to overlook most of these. Du Welz ramps up plenty of tension and wraps it around a fairly fast-paced story with some genuine intrigue. It works because of the characters and the stripped down layers of a dark side to the city we rarely see. – That Moment
Oman release: January 4
The Disaster Artist review Cast: Zoey Deutch, Alison Brie and James Franco
The real-life story of writer/director Tommy Wiseau, the man behind what is often referred to as ‘The Citizen Kane of Bad Movies’, The Room, is brought to life, chronicling the odd film’s troubled development and eventual cult success.
Directed by Ajai Vasudev and written by Udaykrishna, Masterpiece is a story set on an idyllic college campus. To spice things up, the campus has two warring groups, the Royal Warriors and the Real Fighters. Into their midst walks a naïve and good-looking young man, Unnikrishnan, played by Gokul Suresh. Reminiscent of Puthiya Mukham, the most famous girl of the campus, the ‘kalathilakam’ falls for him putting the already warring groups at loggerheads. Their relationship puts some events in motion that carry the rest of the movie ahead. The script has magnanimously allowed multiple tributes to the megastar himself with references to his previous characters and works. There are references to almost all of his larger-than-life portrayals like Thevalliparambil Joseph Alexander from The King, Johnnie Walker, Pokkiriraja, Rajadhi raja and Pazhassi raja. They are so thickly packed that you may think someone is soon going to break into a dialogue in the Rajamanikyam style, though it doesn’t happen. The scriptwriter of the movie makes a rather flashy appearance in one scene of no consequence to the story. He simply walks in with the background music of Pulimurugan playing out as
an accompaniment to his gait while he announces to the police that he doesn’t consume alcohol. Masterpiece is a typical Mammootty mass-action movie, tailor-made for his fans while graciously and magnanimously creating a citadel for Unni Mukundan who finally seems to have grown into an actor apart from the action-hero image he has worked hard to earn. Oman release: January 4
Hollow in The Land Cast: Dianna Agron, Rachelle Lefevre, Shawn Ashmore and Jared Abrahamson
With their father in prison for murder, siblings Alison (Dianna Agron) and Brandon (Jared Abrahamson) are instantly considered suspects when a string of killings plagues their town, and they must fight to clear their names. Oman release: January 11
Darkest Hour Cast: Gary Oldman, Lily James and Kristin Scott Thomas
During the early days of World War II, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds.
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Oman release: January 4 THIS WEEK'S QUESTION
Who plays the role of the lead actor in Message From The King? LAST WEEK’S WINNER Mohammed Rehan Salam
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ROOM
FOR ALL?
Malls have become the go-to place not just to s meeting, chatting, eating and entertaining one and friends. But do we have just enough or to online platforms? Alvin Thomas 020
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Nowadays, malls are so expansive that it will take a person at least four hours to explore completely. This, coupled with the ever-expanding sphere of retail outlets, will definitely engross the interest of the people here in Oman.
shop but to enjoy quality time, eself or with the whole family oo many of them, including s follows footfall
ameela al Riami, 26, has happy memories of hanging out with her cousins in the mall as a teenager. According to the business consultant, the best years of her life as a teenager was when she would take a taxi down to the City Centre Muscat in Seeb or the SABCO centre in Qurum and spend about six to eight hours window shopping. As time passed, one would have imagined her routine to have evolved – but it hasn’t; not even slightly. After her working hours (at about 4pm), the mother of one takes her daughter to – you guessed it – the mall. Later in the evening, her cousins join her. But one thing has taken a complete turn: She now spends money as opposed to staring at commodities from the glass windows. It’s something she takes pride in as she shows us the new Swarovski watch she has bought from the exclusive outlet at the Oman Avenues Mall – a newer mall complementing the retail scene in Oman. “There’s no better place to while away time than the mall,” says Jameela. “It’s the best spot to catch up with your friends and family – and perhaps even indulge in a spot of shopping. I’ve never had regrets spending time at the mall.” And experts say more people are opting to spend time at these one-stop shops than ever before in Oman. The growing number of brands foraging into the retail sector proves the point. In the span of a year or so, two new mega malls are expected to open in the Sultanate. The Mall of Oman – which is a Majid Al Futtaim initiative – will soon be crowned the largest mall in the country. When it opens in 2020, the mall will feature 350 outlets in a 13.7ha retail space. It will feature Oman’s largest snow park, with an 8,000m2 play area, and the largest Vox Cinemas and Magic Planet in the region. The mall is also part of a wider $1.33bn (RO515m) investment plan in the country by Majid Al Futtaim, which has also announced the construction of City Centre Sohar and My City Centre Sur. If that wasn’t enough, the Mall of Muscat, which will be situated in Mabellah, is expected to open doors later this year. It will feature Oman’s first full-fledged snow park, a large aquarium and a host of exclusive retail outlets. Lulu Group has also signed on and confirmed that they will be opening the largest Lulu Hypermarket in the Sultanate, with a total area of approximately 22,000sqm, in the mall. All of this is translating into a fresh wave of optimism for malls in the country. In an interview with Y, Gogi George, General Manager Development & Leasing, Lulu Group International, elucidates his thoughts: “Retail in Oman is steadily moving from the traditional formats into a highly organised sector with the advent of modernday malls, and our view is that customers would now have the opportunity not only to shop but also to spend quality time in the malls. “The experiential factor would play a major role in customer behaviour in the future,” he adds, further citing that development is strong in this sector. “The retail culture here is evolving from destination-based centres to mall-centric offerings, wherein customers have all-underJAN 04 - JAN 10 / ISSUE 501
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one-roof visibility. “The more and more malls opening in Oman (sic), the customer benefits – the transition would also increase the competition level among malls which would then lead to malls adopting innovative approaches to retain their customer base,” he explains. But it hasn’t been a walk in the park for the group. Success has taken its time even for a standout brand like LuLu Group International. “As with any other mall, the incubation period wherein customer expectation versus the mall offerings need to be realigned. And we are successfully managing this. “Along with training the local manpower, which has been a tedious task, we have also effectively managed the establishment of training through our internal resources.” Another hindering factor was the 2015 oil price slump, which came as a shocker for the industries in Oman. “The impact of the dropping oil prices was generally felt through consumer optimism dipping. But we could realign our marketing and promotional efforts based on the consumer trends, which generally helped our retailer community in the mall,” he adds. This also helps answer the long-standing question: Is the Oman market saturated with retail malls? “Each mall has its perks and features,” says Sami al Balushi, a data analyst at a private logistics company, who we interviewed at the Oman Avenues Mall. 022
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“The Baushar area is cramped – as you can see from the traffic – with malls. The Oman Avenues Mall, Muscat Grand Mall, Panorama Mall and Ramez Shopping Centre are all situated within the three-kilometre radius. “But I prefer the Oman Avenues Mall because it provides the kids with entertainment while we can carry on shopping. That’s something generally missing from Muscat Grand Mall and Panorama Mall,” he tells Y. “But if I want to watch a film, then I would rather head to the Muscat Grand Mall or the Azaiba Mall (in Azaiba). So, the choices are clear – every mall has its own unique fingerprint and it’s up to us to decide. One can no longer complain that there are no options,” he laughs. This is further asserted by Indian expatriate Shashank Bharadwaj, a showroom manager in Oman. He explains: “A lot of Asian expats living in the Muscat area would certainly want to go to LuLu hypermarket, Ramez Shopping Centre or Carrefour (in City Centre Muscat) as the food items there are more affordable for the middleclass community. “Therefore, there is no reason as to why these malls would ever go out of customers. It’s been the trend for years and it should remain the case too. “If you notice, a lot of these outlets also provide customers with offers on selected goods. This means people can mix and match – basically where they can buy what they want – from the place that provides the best deal,” he tells. This has further given rise to a slew of new
malls and hypermarkets with the expat populace in mind. Nesto and Mars hypermarkets have already gained significant market shares from the existing players in the segment. While the statistics haven’t been disclosed, several residents have been known to flood to these shopping centres to avail lucrative offers. A prime example of this was on the inauguration day of the new Nesto hypermarket in Ruwi. Videos of shoppers grappling over discounted goods was quickly circulated among WhatsApp and Facebook groups, and received over 25,000 views. Mars Hypermarket also opened its latest outlet in the Seeb Souq in an effort to expand on its current success. Our attempts to connect with Mars International for a comment were futile. Melissa Joan, an economist based out of the Sultanate, believes that this is the right time for retailers to open shops in the Omani market. “Oman, unlike many other Middle East countries, is behind when it comes to mall culture,” tells Melissa. “If you excuse the City Centre Muscat and the Lulu Hypermarkets, there really weren’t any other players. But, now every resident can choose where he or she wants to shop. “Nowadays, malls are so expansive that it will take a person at least four hours to explore completely. This, coupled with the everexpanding sphere of retail outlets, will definitely engross the interest of the people here. “Of course, this will also have an impact on the
Online shopping definitely affects physical retail outlets, but the factor is not very big as of now in Oman. - Haris Aslam, Chief Operating Officer, Roumaan Internet Group
local economy. For example, smaller players will soon see themselves against tremendous pressure to uphold the footfall in their malls and centres. “The smaller malls offer limited shopping and dining options too, so there’s no doubt that the next five years will be really challenging for them. We also have to see how many survive,” she remarks. In 2016, there were reports of a 20 to 30 per cent drop in footfall across malls in Muscat, but mall owners chimed together that this was not the case in 2017. There is, however, one factor that continues to irk the retail sector in Oman: online shopping, a brainchild of the internet age. To understand the position of the e-commerce sector in the country, we sit down with the chief operating officer, Haris Aslam, of award-winning Roumaan Internet Group – Oman’s largest e-commerce company. “Online shopping definitely affects physical retail outlets, but the factor is not very big as of now in Oman,” explains Haris. “There is definitely a shift that we see today but
whatever revenue we make today – and in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 – was always there in the market for online shoppers. “Obviously, we have done our bit to change the thought process, and approximately 50 per cent of the customers we have are the ones that wanted products online and shop locally but were not able to do so before.” What roumaan.com does is it facilitates the option to shop all locally available goods – starting from electronics, to accessories and fashion goods – within the comforts of your home. “The e-commerce industry in Oman rakes in more than RO130mn yearly. But this includes travel, hospitality, etc. and most of the revenue is going outside the country – and that is to companies operating outside Oman,” he tells us. Nevertheless, RO130mn is a very good number for a country with the current amount of e-commerce penetration, says Haris. “I am seeing a shift. And that’s why we have been able to be as successful as we have been today.”
How successful is roumaan.com? Well, as per the data provided by the COO, we learn that the website clocks in almost 20,000 visitors daily – which is a five-fold increase in a short span of three years. “Obviously, the conversion rate doesn’t increase as the traffic increases. That’s the case even in mature markets like the USA, China or India. But word out mouth can help generate higher sales. This is because people begin by spending RO20 or RO30, but once they are confident they will be comfortable to spend RO80 or more.” To entice customers, the website also offers one promotion every month (up from three to four a year), following customer demand. “You see, this kind of a revolutionary change is only happening here now. It has already happened in the UAE market. The UAE market is a little more matured. For instance, 8 out of 10 people would be considering online shopping over offline. But here it would be the other way around: only 3 out of 10 would do that here. “But yes, a change is inevitably happening,” he exclaims. “Roumaan.com has been growing as an online retailer for three years now, and we should be standing as the leading retailer and continue to have our market share as a local online retailer for the next five years. “Every year, the online market is improving by 25 per cent, or RO30mn. We aim for a 30 to 40 per cent market share in next three years of online shopping. We would like to be looked at as the amazon.com of Oman,” he says proudly. “But we’re certain that in the coming five years we will be at least 20 times bigger across all conceivable parameters (revenue, profitability, team size, warehousing, etc.). “So, yes, the change is happening, but it’s about who can rake in the customers with the right form of marketing.” ■ JAN 04 - JAN 10 / ISSUE 501
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FLIGHT OF PASSION When love for the country and passion for football brought public and private sectors together, generosity took flight as hundreds of fans got free tickets to Kuwait. Hasan al Lawati captures the soccer mood that pervades the nation
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here there is a will, there is a way, and that’s what Kuwait has proved by hosting at short notice the 23rd edition of the Gulf Cup. So far, and against expectations, the tournament has showed a high level of sportsmanship, which was beautifully displayed by Omani and Kuwaiti fans when they launched the Twitter hashtag #Oman_ and_Kuwait. Despite the tough contest, the fans cheered both teams, even after the match. Another memorable moment was when Qatari player Mohammedi helped a Bahraini player who was suffering from muscle cramp. The well-organised tournament not only brought GCC countries together but also provided an opportunity for local companies to give back to society. When Oman fans launched a Twitter hashtag, #Take_us_to_Kuwait, to encourage more companies to sponsor the trip, government bodies and the private sector responded by offering free flight tickets to hundreds of fans to Kuwait. The Shura Council had a novel marketing 026
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strategy. It gave away a total of 100 tickets: 20 each for its Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook followers, and 40 for its Twitter followers. The Ministry of Sports Affairs teamed up with the Majlis Al Shura and the Royal Air Force of Oman to provide eight free flights for fans. Sabco Group has released a list of 100 lucky winners who flew for free to support the reds against Bahrain on Tuesday. Omantel gave away 10 tickets via its Twitter account. Local airlines SalamAir and Oman Air discounted the fares to Kuwait during the tournament to facilitate the journey of the fans. Flights of both airlines were fully booked within hours of announcing the special prices. W J Towell, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport Affairs, donated 100 tickets for the fans to cheer for the national team in the semifinal against Bahrain. But what was more impressive is that individuals donated money to buy tickets for their compatriots. “It is a national duty to support a team that represents Oman, our country. Chairmen of
many Omani clubs spent their personal money to fly more fans to Kuwait, which shows unity and passion for football,” said Ahmed Al Habsi, member of the board of directors of Al Mudhaibi Football Club, who donated six tickets to residents of Al Mudhaibi. “Many Omani fans did not wait for any financial support and paid for the tickets themselves,” he added. “The initiatives from the public and the private sector show how football and our love for Oman can bring us together. The government has been funding the national sport teams for a long time and it is great to have the private sector’s support too,” Al Habsi said while stressing that arranging such a tournament and successfully bringing all eight nations together was in itself a major success for Kuwait. “Kuwait gave a great example of how sports, especially football, can be used as message of peace. We all sensed Kuwait’s capability in achieving peace through this competition,” he said, adding that he hoped the tournament would go on for years, for it “represents a valuable heritage for the GCC nations”.
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PAY WITH EASE You could soon pay with your smartphone for almost anything you buy in Oman. Hasan al Lawati checks out the new digital wallet that offers three, safe payment options
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ou will soon be able to enjoy a wallet-less life thanks to thawani, a mobile payment platform that allows you to settle almost everything via a smartphone. From buying breakfast to topping up your mobile credit, the made-in-Oman digital wallet can revolutionise the way we deal with money. Thawani is expected to hit the market by early 2018, according to Majid Al Amri, the company’s founder and CEO. Users will have three payment methods to choose from. “When you are sitting in a coffee shop and ordering food, you could just scan the thawani QR code at the merchant desk and authorise the payment with a fingerprint or PIN number, the money will instantly transfer to the shop’s account,” Al Amri explained. “If, for example, you are in a meeting and there are workers doing AC maintenance at your house, you can just type down their phone number and the payment will be made without you leaving the office,” he added. The third method, paying through a thawani ID, was initiated for cultural reasons. “The five-digit number of the merchant ID feature assures privacy, so ladies who have home-based businesses can deal with consumers without the need of sharing their phone number,” Al Amri said, assuring that all transactions are real-time, and user get notified about the payment via SMS or the app itself. “We are expecting at least 200,000 users and between 3,000 and 5,000 merchants to subscribe by 2020,” After addingyour banking details to the thawani app, you would not need the plastic card anymore. The first-of-its-kind (as total ecosystem) payment platform, according to Al Amri, is also very secure. “Nobody can see your personal information and the chances of your details getting stolen are nearly 0,” he said. Al Amri is confident that thawani will cover all main services in 2018, which means that people can say goodbye to their wallets next year. “thawani will cover the entire Oman, merchants will also be able to follow sales by logging in the dashboard and view all sales and generate detailed reports on consumer behaviour, rush hours, payment methods and the best-selling products,” Al Amri said, adding that some “lovely products are coming to the fuelling system which will not require you to even lower your window.”
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TRAVEL NOT FO Backpacking in 19 destinations in 19 months, the Omani youngster shares his life-defining tales with Hasan al Lawati to bring home the point: there is more to it than good food, star hotels and exotic places
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R TRIVIAL T
o many tourists, travelling is all about staying in luxurious hotels, visiting iconic destinations and enjoying exotic cuisines. But this youngster took the road less travelled by most Omani tourists. Fuelled by a strong passion to leave his footprint on the world, Saleh Al Khanjari embarked on a journey of hope, faith and love. Backpacking in 19 overlooked destinations over a period of 19 months, the 26-year-old Omani lived in a remote village in Malawi, gardened at a Turkish family, volunteered at a refugee camp in Athens and slept in a crowded hostel in Mexico. “Unfortunately, many so-called travellers care about covering a large number of countries in a short period of time rather than actually exploring the beauty of it or spending time with the locals,” he explained. Inspired by a fellow traveller, Al Khanjari decided to get out of his comfort zone and quit his job as a well engineer to explore the world’s hidden gems. “I wanted to prove to the world that travelling can not only be cheap, but very safe too. Here in the Arab world, we have totally wrong ideas about some countries. I challenged myself by travelling to places that others warned me against visiting,” he said. The free-spirited backpacker
hitchhiked his way from Iran to Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Greece and, finally, Muscat. “It is important to learn a few words of every language to start a conversation. Solo travelling improves communication and leadership skills,” he said. Al Khanjari had zero cooking skills before he started his daring lifestyle, but complete independency taught him how to cook basic meals with simple tools. In Greece, on the second leg of his tour, he did volunteering work before heading for Germany and then to Mexico, his favourite destination. “I fell in love with Mexico. The people there are similar to Omanis, very social and have family values families. Despite trying hard to spend as little as I could, the airfares, insurance covers and visas cost a lot,” he explained. Humbled by the generosity of the people he met on the tour, and happy with the rich experience the tour had provided him, Al Khanjari has no plans to quit his travel quest at any time soon. And so are his 16,000 Instagram followers.
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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 • SPAR
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• 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 • Starbucks • Tim Hortons • VLCC Wellness MBD • Bank Dhofar • Centrepoint (Splash) • SPAR • 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 MSQ • 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 • Chevrolet/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 Al Mouj Muscat • Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee • Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co. • Al Mouj Muscat 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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Adventures
Fa s h i o n
Health
Fo o d
LIFE STYLE
TO THE BEAT
The new Mazda CX-9 merges the best of both worlds: It’s a practical and handsome SUV. But if you thought that it’d cost a fortune, you’d be wrong. – P43
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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES
D E S T I N AT I O N C a r s
P o s t c a r d s Fr o m
Y- F i
Gaming
Destination
ABAYAH THE LAST DESTINATION TRIP OF 2017 TOO HAS A SURPRISE IN STORE FOR SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI AS HE HEADS OUT FOR A POPULAR, FAMILIAR PLACE AND LANDS UP IN AN EXOTIC, UNEXPLORED SPOT. AND HE WILL BE RIGHT BACK THERE AFTER ANOTHER SPELL OF WINTER RAINS 032
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resorted to clicking photos of the landscape from beneath. The pictures turned out well, but the dearth of water was obvious in every click. I’ll definitely be going back to Abayah for a camping trip with my cousin Imran and my brothers after the winter rains. It’s a place that continues to be untouched by tourists solely because of its proximity to Wadi Dayqah – and that alone is part of the charm of Abayah.
HOW TO GET THERE
TRAVEL GUIDE
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couldn’t afford to get my last Destination trip of 2017 wrong. Call me superstitious, but I believe in the saying ‘all’s well that ends well’; it’s one that I’ve heard time and again – and tend to heed when presented with a task. So, to close the chapter for the year, I decided to head for Oman’s most loved adventure spot – Wadi Dayqah. The wadi, known to be picturesque, is a popular stopover for tourists visiting Oman. It is also one of the few places that I have featured time and again. I drove down highway 17 that led to Quriyat and kept on with the road. But a few metres from the wadi, there came a twist in my tale: I spotted a brown board – and one that I had never seen before – that read: Abayah. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. An ‘abaya’ is the traditional dress worn by women in Arab countries. I proceeded to the locale a bit puzzled by the possible other meaning of the place. It’s only a few minutes’ drive from the signboard into the heart of the wadi, and it’s fairly accessible by a normal sedan. Interestingly, upon reaching the location – which was essentially the opposite end of the wadi in Dayqah – I realised that Abayah is an inhabited and brimming village that also moonlights as a channel for passing water from the prodigious wadi. Of course, all the homes are built atop tall rocks and are relatively new. But, I couldn’t get my head around how these villagers could sleep in peace knowing that water passes underneath their homes during the peak of the rainy season. The wadi was completely dry, which I thought was ironic as it rained just a few weeks back. Perhaps the dam hadn’t been opened to let the water go. I drove deeper into the wadi and came across large rock formations. The rocks were so tall that they would easily pass off as part of the overlying mountains peppered across the background. There, I had to ditch (or rather safely park) my new RAM pickup truck and continue to traverse the land on foot. All the rocks had a smooth surface owing to the water that had been etching its way through for a million years or so. It made these surfaces incredibly slippery and unstable to climb on. Therefore, I
Abayah is just an hour’s drive from Muscat and can be reached by travelling towards Quriyat on Route 17. Just before Quriyat you will find a roundabout with a brown road sign directing you straight to the wadi. Turn there and follow the directions.
GPS location to the foot of the mountain: 23°10’12.6”N; 58°49’05.4”E
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FIRST DRIVE
CARS ADVENTURES
M A Z D A C X- 9
The three-row crossover has substance, like other SUVs in its class, and tremendous style that puts them all to shame. Alvin Thomas explores the room with the zoom
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hree-row SUVs are unbelievably exigent to delineate. Just keep an eye open for the cumbersome and vile-looking vehicles that cross your path as you drive home today, and you’ll probably understand what I’m talking about. Much of these cars were designed and developed with only one thing in mind: functionality. It’s a case of substance over style. Style has always been a trifling matter for vehicle designers working on large family SUVs… until now. The Mazda CX-9 is the first non-mainstream full-size SUV that has our hearts racing – and racing fast. It’s true that Mazda sedans – with its Kodo Design – have always been a step ahead of its rivals. But, to be utterly honest, not in a million years did I think that it would kit out an SUV with such grace and finesse.
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I’m sure many wouldn’t disprove me when I say the Mazda CX-9 is the one of the most stylish SUVs that is currently on sale. Think of it as a sheep in a wolf ’s clothing (you’ll get why I said that later). There’s no line on the vehicle that ravages the look: The lights are slender and sharp, and extend into the chrome-plated three-dimensional grille. The hood is tapered into the front bumper, further giving it a muscular appeal. The bumper itself is a work of art, with a sharp chrome-tipped chisel hiding the LED fog lamps. The side profile is sporty as the roofline is quite low. Moreover, the B- and C-pillars are blacked out to add to the effect. My tester also rode on 18-inch aluminium wheels, although there’s a 20-inch option too. The hind of the CX-9 looks ‘busy’ courtesy several
added styling elements, but it doesn’t hamper the overall appearance by any means. As a matter of fact, the chrome bar that intersects the sharp tail lamps, and the dual exhausts, complement the looks of the SUV. Its interior follows suit too: The dashboard and the accompanying centre console are raised, and it envelops you like you’d normally see in a sports car. The insides of my tester were fitted with space grey plastic panels, which was broken by the dark grey on the dashboard and gloss black plastics on the centre console. The colour tone was welcoming, but the glossy bits in the cabin are prone to scratches and swirls. The steering wheel, a/c controls (knobs and buttons), the infotainment screen and the command knob are all picked up straight from the new Mazda 6, and work perfectly. The infotainment screen graphics are a bit plodding but work perfectly to control several in-car and entertainment functions. Further adding to the allure are the comfortable, yet grippy seats. The bolstering on the sides is perfect, and the lumbar can be easily adjustable. Space upfront is above average but things start to take shape once you step in through the rear doors. There’s
Destination
P o s t c a r d s Fr o m
Y- F i
enough space for three people in the rear seats, and the and corners as well as a Ford Edge Sport or even the accompanying third row can easily accommodate two Jaguar F-Pace. Thankfully, the sharp dynamics do not medium-sized passengers. Although, I must tell you that hinder the vehicle’s ride quality. the competitors do offer marginally more head room, But, the steering is light and is overly susceptible to the and slipping into the third-row seats can be complicated, intrusive lane-keeping assist system. This keeps nudging initially. the wheel up to a point you begin questioning if the SUV Still, do note that the cabin does feel more upmarket comes fitted with autonomous driving like that in a Tesla than that of similarly priced vehicles in this segment. or Volvo. It was a hindrance on the road that I didn’t The loading height on the CX-9 is absurdly high, owing quite enjoy – so I turned it off. to the sculpted rear bumper. But, fold down both rows of There’s a ‘Sport’ mode in the car that firms up the seats and you’ll find an impressive 2010-litres of space in steering wheel and holds gears, the boot. if the need arises. The brake Underneath the hood lies a 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder pedal is soft but responsive after turbocharged engine (replacing a 3.7-litre V6 unit) you nudge past the sweet spot. pumping out 227hp and 420Nms of torque that is mated You needn’t worry about keeping to a six-speed automatic tranny. It doesn’t come with a set distance from the vehicle low-gearing, so off-roading is not an option, but in front of you like in a the transmission itself is smooth and quick larger SUV. to respond. The previous iteration The torque kicks in as low as of the CX-9 IT’S TRUE THAT MAZDA was never sub2000rpm, allowing for some breezy SEDANS – WITH ITS manoeuvres in the city. Power, on the standard by any KODO DESIGN – HAVE means – but other hand, is completely extracted at ALWAYS BEEN A STEP its offspring 5000rpm. AHEAD OF ITS RIVALS. manages to Turbo lag is apparent but negligible BUT, TO BE UTTERLY thanks to the “Dynamic Pressure outclass its HONEST, NOT IN A Turbo” system. All of this translates to father while still maintaining a judicious MILLION YEARS DID I approach in pricing. Sure, the largest a 0-to-100kph time of 9 seconds, and THINK THAT IT WOULD vehicle Mazda makes has its limitations the all-wheel-drive system channels KIT OUT AN SUV WITH when compared to other off-road-ready the power without any of the wheelSUCH GRACE AND spinning action. SUVs in this segment, but its endearing FINESSE As expected, the CX-9 drives very well for a full-sized SUV. It takes sharp corners at speeds of up to 60kph without much body roll or tyre squeal. Dare I say: It rides
Gaming
CARS
Mazda CX-9 Specifications: Engine: 2.5-litre in-line turbocharged four-cylinder Transmission: Six-speed automatic Horsepower: 227hp Torque: 420Nm Top Speed: 225kph All-wheel drive Leatherette seats Push button start Electric power steering LED daytime running lights 8-inch infotainment screen Bose audio system Rear backup camera Power-adjustable front seats Six airbags Lane Keeping Assist 1082litres cargo space ABS and Traction Control 1,587kgs towing capacity Cruise control
looks, supreme driving dynamics and the fabulous list of tech-toys should have you bowled over. All you need to do is take a test drive; I assure you – it’s that great a car.
&
CARS ADVENTURES
PICTURE PERFECT
1. Sleigh down the slopes at the National Elk Refuge 2. Take skiing lessons at the Snow King Mountain 3. Visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art 4. Rent an RV and stay at the Virginian RV Park 5. Challenge yourself on the Cowboy Coaster
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Jackson Hole is haven to some of the country’s best ski resorts and art museums. But the beauty of the town lies in its tall unexplored mountains, unmarred lakes and kind-hearted residents.
Destination
Cars
Y-Fi
Gaming
POSTCARDS FROM
Alvin Thomas recommends
JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING I
f you love throwing snowballs at your peers and missed your opportunity to do so on Jebel Shams, it’s time you pack your bags a n d h e a d o u t o f O m a n fo r a q u i c k p e r e g r i n a t i o n . This was very much the case last month and after much searching I deduced it best to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming - a town in the mountainous western region of the US. I’m not the kind that heads to the US only to visit one state - I consider it to be the perfect road-trip country and would try to stay t h e r e f o r a f e w w e e k s . B u t , w i t h t h e m o tt o o f s n a g g i n g a s m u c h a s p o s s i b l e t i m e w i t h t h e s n o w i n t h r e e d a y s , I h e a d e d fo r W y o m i n g . Situated atop the country, Wyoming is bordered by Idaho and Montana - and is only 800kms from the Canadian border. N e v e r t h e l e s s , i t ’ s q u i t e a d v e n t u r o u s a n d o ff e r s a l o t t o t o u r i s t s . The point of interest in the state, however, is Jackson Hole, which is a valley between the Teton Mountain Range and the Gros Ventre Range. The term “hole” was coined by early hunters, who primarily entered the valley from the north and east and had to descend along relatively steep slopes, giving the sensation of entering a hole. All of this now translates to greater tourism, as it is home to three ski resorts. But don’t fret about bumping into long queues and pesky visitors; Jackson Hole is last on the list of people visiting the US. And with a population of about 9,600 residents, Jackson (town) is quite sparse. T h e S n o w K i n g M o u n t a i n r e s o r t i s a m u s t - v i s i t l o c a t i o n fo r t h o s e looking to partake in skiing. The peaks are challenging and are not the greatest place to learn the art. Of course, if you’re not into it, you can always head straight into other activities: like throwing snowballs at tourists (although I don’t recommend you to do so) or y o u r m a t e s . T h e v a l l e y i s a l s o n o t o r i o u s fo r i t s t o u g h t e r r a i n , w h i c h includes the peak with the largest vertical drop in the country. I f y o u ’ r e s t r a p p e d fo r c a s h , t h o u g h , y o u c a n m a k e u s e o f t h e u n c l a i m e d l a n d fo r y o u r e s c a p a d e s . A l t h o u g h , i t ’ s b e s t t o m a k e s u r e you take a tour guide along with you. Jackson Hole isn’t like Oman: several wild animals roam around the alps and the snow-covered mountains, so you will require someone familiar with the area by your side. If you’re planning on spending some hours sightseeing, it’s best to head to the National Museum of Wildlife Art and Astoria Fine Art or take a tour of the several parks in the town. Oddly, there are several art museums and associations in this town. You can also buy these paintings if you’re stashed with monies.
BULL E LKS A T THE ELK R EFUGE
E SKI EK AND TH FL A T C R E R E S OR T
My favourite place The National Elk Refuge is one of the best spots to relax with your friends or family. You can opt for
sleigh rides – and pretend that you’re Santa Claus. There, you can also interact with elks (the largest species within the deer family). It’s also a great place to snap some postcard-ready photos. Mind you, the bison and the elks aren’t as friendly as their cousins, so it’s best to maintain a good distance.
Highlights
Much like my previous postcard (from Patagonia), Jackson Hole is picturesque too. The terrain is largely mountainous and covered in snow, and there’s a lot to see. One spot that caught my eye was the “Sleeping Indian”(the name did cause confusion in me), which is a series of rock formations on Sheep mountain. The average elevation of the valley is 2,000m above sea level. Summers are warm and mild, but winters are known to be extreme, as the temperatures drop to as low as -49°C.
Lowlights
As stated, the temperatures in Jackson Hole are life-threatening and it’s best to layer up with coats if you want to see the light of day.
Souvenirs There are numerous art galleries and museums peppered around the town. You can purchase paintings, mural designs and so on from the vendors inside the buildings. Getting there
This is quite tricky. There are no direct flights from Oman or the UAE to Wyoming, so you’d have to take a flight (Emirates, perhaps) to Denver, and then opt for another flight or a bus. The ride should cost you about RO40 and take eight hours, but it’s worth your time.
N A T IO N
AL MU SEUM O F W IL D L IF E ART.
Where to stay There are numerous three-star hotels around the town – the best being the Lexington at Jackson Hole Hotel & Suites. It should set you back RO45 per night. JAN 04 - JAN 10 / ISSUE 501
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-FI THE TECH IN YOU
Destination
Cars
Gaming
Y-FI
WATCH OUT!
Three mini-computers and one traditional piece of art that you could wear on the wrist. Alvin Thomas picks the smart, subtle and complex differences in the way they look and function and are looked on
THE THIRD DIMENSION Smartwatches have swamped the timepiece market ever since its inception. These watches are considered a symbol of status, prestige and (err…) wealth. And if you’re jumping onto the bandwagon, do it right: Buy an Apple Watch Series 3 – the best smartwatch money can buy today. The device comes with a 1.53-inch-wide OLED display, an S2 dual-core processor, 8 or 16gigs of on-board storage and, as an added feature, LTE connectivity. Watch 3 is water resistant, which means that you can swim or partake in outdoorsy activities without damaging the watch. Battery life is rated at a miserly 18 hours. Buy it from roumaan.com for RO172
360 DEGREES OF SPLENDOUR Who says smartwatches must look grandiose and resplendent? The all-new Moto 360 (2nd Gen) continues to be a thing of beauty, while keeping its roots to the original timepiece-like form factor. Despite its looks – and competitive price – the Moto 360 packs EVER-READY a quad-core 1.2Ghz processor, 4GB of Samsung’s all-new smartwatch goes right up against storage and IP67 the Apple Watch Series 3 – literally. The Gear S3 comes rating from dust and packing a dual-core 1Ghz processor, 4gigs of storage and water splashes. At all the bells and whistles you’d find on Apple’s watch. Of two days, the standby course, it outdoes the former with its three days’ standby time is significantly time, and by remaining IP68 water and dust resistant. lower than that of the The Tizen OS is intuitive and very simple to use, too. All Samsung but it does of this, coupled with the 1.3-inch-wide AMOLED display, make up for all with makes way for an excellent device. Get yours from any its price tag. Buy it from Samsung store for RO125 roumaan.com for RO114
OLD IS GOLD
EDITOR’S PICK
THIS WATCH DOES NOT HAVE A TOUCHSCREEN OR BUILT-IN-MAPS, NEITHER WILL IT TRACK YOUR HEART RATE OR GIVE YOU EMAIL UPDATES. STILL, THERE’S ONE VERY GOOD REASON TO BUY THE FABERGÉ VISIONNAIRE CHRONOGRAPH: IT’S MORE INNOVATIVE AND COMPLICATED TO BUILD THAN YOUR SMARTWATCH. SURE, IT’S A LOT EXPENSIVE TOO, BUT THAT’S BECAUSE OF THE SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF HOURS THAT WAS PUT INTO CRAFTING IT. YES, IT’S STUNNING TO LOOK AT, HOWEVER, THERE’S NO RIVALLING THE CHRONOGRAPH MOVEMENT THAT WAS MASTERED BY WATCHMAKER AND COMPLICATIONS SPECIALIST JEAN-MARC WIEDERRECHT. THANKS TO THE SPECIALLY DESIGNED LATERAL FRICTION CLUTCH AS WELL AS A NOVEL RESET MECHANISM, THE FABERGÉ VISIONNAIRE CHRONOGRAPH IS CONSIDERED THE MOST COMPLICATED CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH IN THE WORLD. BUY IT FROM FABERGE.COM FOR RO13,280
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Heart to heart
Hasan al Lawati slips into the shoes of Japanese high school students, gets nailed to the chair and journeys through dark corners of human hearts to see through the masks of the toxic world
P
ersona 5 is a role-playing game you may have got to hear about just recently perhaps because it was nominated for the Game of the Year Award 2017, which was eventually snatched by — as expected —Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Though it was internationally released in April 2017, the popularity of Persona 5, the fifth game in the series, did not cross Japanese borders swiftly, but the nomination soon brought the world's attention to it, which is why it still, after six months from release, costs $60 at Playstaion Store (without DLCs). Proudly Japanese in its storyline, Persona 5 is easily one of the best games I have ever played, surpassing Fire Emblem and Pokémon sequels. While the basic game requires at least
100 dedicated hours of gaming, the storyline is very rich in characters and events. Like most Japanese games, Persona 5 allows user to personalise the main character by choosing his name, and then naming his team, which keeps growing and adding new members throughout the game. You start as a high school boy who leads a dual life: one as a normal student and the other as a phantom thief who explores the dungeons and fights shadows who represent the dark thoughts of his targets. On a day-and-night cycle, you can do normal, daily-life chores, like brewing coffee, hanging out with friends, dining out, visiting library, etc., which ultimately affect your skills and relationship with other members of your team. The main characters’ task is to change the hearts of evil people through entering their shadow selves and defeating the shadows within in a turn-based combat. Via a 'phan-site' website, your team of 'phantom thieves' gets requests from victims to help them change hearts of other people. Funny that the developers extended the idea to real-life and set up an actual website: https:// phansite.net/ Persona 5 offers a variety of attack and defence strategies, ranging from melee attacks to fire, nuke, ice moves and so on, depending on your Persona, a manifestations of the main characters' inner psyche. Similar to most games in
Info Box
Release date: APRIL 2017
Series:
PERSONA
Developer: ATLUS
the RPG genre, each fighter has weakness and strength points. You need to be smart and careful when making any move, but the system allows players to analyse their opponent without wasting money or turns. But apart from the state-of-the-art combat system, many details hardly make sense in the narrative. A talking cat that serves as your game guide turns suddenly into a bus to transport other characters... can this be really Japanese? But what makes the game stand out from the crowd is its epic artwork, character building and catchy music tracks. The game's theme is very unique. It’s nothing like I have ever seen before in any game, making Persona 5 hands down my favourite RPG. Persona 5 is great for people who are familiar with RPG tactics and have lots of time on their hands. But, beware, this addictive masterpiece can completely ruin your social life and easily cost you your job!
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
Health
Beauty
FASHION
MAKE A STATEMENT
Greta Tulipani is keen on integrating with locals by learning more and delving deep into not just the fashion aspect of the Sultanate, but also integrate with local tastes and customs of Omani people.
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WITH
ITALIAN CUTS AFRICAN BOLDNESS
Move over conventions and classics. The fashion scene in Oman is set to witness a fusion of fashion: Greta Tulipani is here with a blend of chic and bold fashion
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reta Tulipani, an emerging Italian brand that infuses chic Italian style with bold African prints, is making a mark in the Oman market. The brainchild of two fashion-forward and fusionloving entrepreneurs, Greta Tulipani focuses on the bold and vibrant patterns and designs unique to African culture and tradition. All of Greta Tulipani’s designs are inspired by the roots of African culture and lifestyle and aesthetically transformed into bespoke fashion pieces with Italian cuts and curves that any modern woman would love to wear. The brand offers a boutique of fashion wear that includes skirts, dresses, t-shirts, shoes, beach accessories, bags and much more. In recent times, Oman has been making a splash in the fashion circle locally and internationally. With more young Omanis becoming fashion forward and fashion conscious, Oman is gaining its place as a fashion spot to watch out for. And Greta Tulipani has not failed to notice the untapped potential of this beautiful country and thus made it its Middle Eastern hub. Greta Tulipani made a groundbreaking entry in the Sultanate in 2016 at a fashion show in Muscat. While launching the brand, Greta Tulipani ensured it understood the Omani lifestyle and absorbed the local culture and tradition. Fans and customers will notice that the brand’s creations are a fusion of distinctive Omani urbanity in form and Italian style in design. With its bold colours, prints and geometric patterns, no doubt the brand instantly caught the eye of the local fashionistas. The brand is keen on integrating with locals by learning more and delving deep into not just the fashion aspect of the Sultanate, but also integrate with local tastes and customs of Omani people so that Greta Tulipani’s creations are integral to Oman’s fashion scenario. Valeria Cepi, Greta Tulipani’s co-founder and representative for the Middle East, said: “Our CEO, Emanuela Murawho, who is the founder, stylist and the first creative designer, and I have great passion for fashion, one of the inspirations to start Greta Tulipani. We wanted it to be unique and different from what is out there, present something that will make the wearer stand out and make heads turn. When we came across African fashion, which was so bright and bold with a distinct pattern, we jumped upon the idea of combining Italian design with African patterns. Oman will be another step up to improve our creation as an inspiring country in every way. That’s one of the reasons we choose Oman as our Middle East platform. We aim to create pieces that the modern-day Omani woman can wear, because it is her culture and her modernity.” After establishing itself as a vogue brand in the Europe, Greta Tulipani has expanded into Africa, including Cape Verde and Morocco. To further explore new markets and audiences, the brand is set to “grow and travel all over the Middle East and the Gulf to present its original and exclusive styles”. The brand is active on social media and can be followed on Facebook (@gretatulipani) and Instagram (@gretatulipani_me).
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
Get the glow,
NATURALLY
Feeling young is a matter of heart, but looking young is a matter of skin that’s soft, glowing and wrinkle-free. Christine Karan shows you how to get baby soft skin with ingredients straight from your fridge
M
any of us (that includes me) may not know that the largest organ of our body is skin — all of 3.6kg wrapping our entire physical contour. It breathes, senses, filters and protects. And justifiably so, there are millions of products to enhance the beauty of our skin. We have seen numerous trends over the years, from wavy eyebrows to Kim Kardashian-style contouring, glitter eyes and show-stopping highlighters. I’m sure 2018 will bring even more interesting and creative trends. So, let’s prepare our skins for the beauty adventures. Here are a few tips on how you can get and maintain baby soft skin with ingredients right from your fridge. • Papaya paste: Everyone loves to look young, and that’s impossible without ensuring that one’s skin does not to show wrinkles. Papaya paste is your magic potion. It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, carotenes and other phyto– nutrients that can fight any skin-damaging particles. Apply the paste on your face and body and let your skin soak in the nutrients for 10-15 minutes. Wash it off with roomtemperature water and feel your skin become baby soft. • Honey and rose water: We are sure you cannot resist this simple aromatic mix. 042
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Combine the two liquids, mix well and apply over your face and neck. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wash the sticky paste off. bhtips. com says this acts as a natural bleach as well. • Banana and milk: Banana and milk need not be just for the breakfast table; bring it to your beauty cabinet too. Combine mashed banana fruit with milk to make a paste and apply. Let it dry for 20 minutes and rinse off. You will be surprised with the result. For best results follow the routine twice a week. • Exfoliate: Removing dead skin is almost half way to clean and soft skin. Instead of going for synthetic products in a can, create your own natural and organic scrub. Mix together sugar and olive oil and gently rub. This will make your skin soft and plump. For the best result, exfoliate once a week.
• Drink water: Drinking plenty of water has abundant benefits. It not only hydrates your body and skin, but it also flushes out any chemical residues and toxins in your body ensuing in natural, glowing skin. Look forward to the escapades that 2018 will bring with glowing and healthy-looking skin.
Beauty
HEALTH
Fashion
4 STEPS TO HEALTHY LIFE Health begins at home, Dr Moosa tells Alvin Thomas. Pick up his prescription that could change your life forever
C
ardiac arrest can strike anyone and at any time. A prime example of this was when Dr John Warner – the president of the American Heart Association – narrowly escaped from the clutches of an early quietus when his daughter gave him a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In truth, Dr Warner is among a lucky few who live to tell the tale. The case has been prevalent in the Middle East – and more so in Oman – of late. This was highlighted in the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Annual Report for 2016, which exposed the extent of the problem. As per the report, a staggering 25 per cent of all deaths in hospital in the year were put down to heart disease and the circulatory system. The newer 2017 Statistical Yearbook by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) recorded that 981 deaths in MoH hospitals in 2016 were linked to diseases of the circulatory system. Despite the alarming statistics, however, Dr Moosa, a general practitioner at a private hospital in Oman, remarks: “All is not lost. A few simple steps can change your – and your loved one’s – life forever. “Health begins at home,” the doctor says, before providing us with some easy steps that you can make use of to alter your lifestyle right now:
• Eat healthy fats and stay away from trans fats: Read the label on foods you buy from the supermarket. Trans fats can harm your heart by clogging up your arteries and raising your bad cholesterol levels (LDL). It can also reduce the good cholesterol (HDL) level in your body. • Get enough sleep: Make it a rule to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night. If that’s not possible, try to sneak 30 minutes or an hour of sleep during your lunch break at work. This can rejuvenate your brain cells and also keep your heart fit. • Move around at work: It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re working. This means that you’re sitting in the same pose for hours – and that’s definitely not good for your heart. Sitting for hours increases your chance for developing a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis). • Avoid smoking and stay away from smokers: If you’re a smoker, try to stop the habit or, at the very least, cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. Smoking is said to damage the lining of your arteries, leading to a build-up of fatty material (atheroma) which narrows the artery. This can then lead to a heart attack or even a stroke. Apart from taking these steps, it’s also best to undergo a CPR course. Simply knowing what steps to take when someone is suffering from a cardiac arrest can potentially save his or her life – and additional money on treatments. If you’re looking to learn about CPR, simply head to the CPRCertified.com channel on YouTube. Albeit, it’s always best to partake in a course organised by registered sources in Oman. Next week, we’ll take a look at the symptoms of a cardiac arrest and how you can respond in a dangerous situation. JAN 04 - JAN 10 / ISSUE 501
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&
FOOD DRINK
TURN IT UP
Keep yourself warm this winter by whipping up some hot dishes that can heat your body from the inside out. Check out our recipe for a healthy, yet wholesome, pasta dish.
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Trend
New Restaurant
Reviews
TAKE THE CHILL OFF WINTER Whip up a warming winter dish in just 20 minutes that’s sure to become a family favourite in the cold season
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s we settle into the chills of the winter here in the Sultanate, one easy way to warm up from the inside out is with family meals centred around a delicious bowl of comfort food like pasta, soups and stews. By planning your weeknight menu to include in wholesome, organic foods made with no artificial flavours, artificial colours or high-fructose corn syrup, you can create hearty and flavourful dishes in the New Year that will have everyone in the family eager to dig in. With a high-quality organic sauce in your pantry like one of the Bertolli USDA-certified Organic Pasta Sauces, available in red- and white-sauce varieties, you can quickly whip up a warming and indulgent winter dish while still keeping your resolutions to cook with more quality ingredients. For example, this recipe for campanelle with prosciutto and peas uses creamy Alfredo sauce, made with organic cream, aged Parmesan cheese and spices, is sure to become a cold-weather family favourite! Source: Bertolli
Campanelle with Prosciutto and Peas Cook time: 10 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 6 Ingredients: § 340g uncooked campanelle pasta § 1 tbsp Bertolli extra-virgin olive oil § 1 large shallot, finely chopped § ½ cup dry white wine § ½ cup frozen peas § 85g thinly sliced prosciutto § 425g Bertolli organic creamy Alfredo sauce § 115g Fontina cheese, shredded § 6 eggs § 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
toss gently. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes to coat pasta with sauce. § In a saucepan, bring water to boil and add eggs. Cook for 6 minutes. Transfer eggs to ice water and cool before peeling. § Top each serving with soft-set egg and black pepper. Notes: Gouda or Gruyere can be substituted for Fontina. Unpeeled, cooked eggs can be stored in refrigerator up to one week.
Method: § In a pot of salted water, cook pasta for two minutes less than directed on the package. Drain pasta. § In a large frying pan over a medium-high heat, heat oil and shallots. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add wine; cook for 3-4 minutes, or until most liquid has evaporated. Stir in peas, prosciutto, Alfredo sauce and cheese. Add pasta;
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FOOD DRINK
Tr e n d
New Restaurant
REVIEWS
et
g Bud
Info Box FOOD DAY
Behind Zubair Automotive Showroom, Azaiba, Muscat Opening Hours: 9am to 12pm Contact: 2413 8411 Dinner for six: RO24.5 Verdict : 8/10 SERVICE 8.5/10 FOOD 5/10 AMBIENCE
FOOD DAY
Delectable Malayali food in a budget setting. Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals
THE CHICKEN KICKS IT IN, THE BEEF BUILDS IT ON, AND THE DUCK, CRISPY PAROTTAS AND SAPID GRAVY MAKE THE EXPERIENCE TRULY, DULY KERALA. ALVIN THOMAS IS BOWLED OVER BY THE FOWLS AND THE FLAVOURS
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ost Indian expatriates who migrate to Oman don’t usually feel out of place here. The reason for that is the acceptance of their cultures by the locals and the availability of fellow mates to back them up should they need help. There’s a running joke that Oman and the UAE are extended annexes of India. Of course, where things really take a turn is when you’re on the lookout for authentic Indian cuisine. And if you’re a bachelor on a budget, the options for good quality Indian foods are quite slim (despite what it seems like) – trust me when I say that. Most restaurants here serve you a variety of dishes from a slew of Indian states but fail to capture the soul – or the emotion – of any one of them. But one restaurant managed to surpass my expectation recently – Food Day. The name is as clear as day, and what amazed me was that they delivered on almost all counts. I headed for Food Day with a cloud of doubt: It’s a hole in the heart of Azaiba that claims to serve authentic Keralite (Malayali) cuisine. To test out whether the restaurant could live up to its claims, I took my parents and siblings along. The restaurant is quite spacious despite an understated façade. We were escorted to the family dining area, which was essentially a party hall, by the kind and well-spoken waiter. Sadly, the insides were probably unused for a while, and I was put off by the manky floors.
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tasted in a restaurant outside of India. Mind you, even restaurants in India struggle to reproduce this dish; it’s known to be simple in texture yet arduous IF YOU’RE EVER ON THE LOOKOUT to prepare. FOR BONA FIDE KERALA CUISINE, Next to arrive was our main course. The duck YOU MUST HEAD TO FOOD DAY. roast and the appachan varatiya beef turned out to be the stars of the evening. The duck was fresh, soft and incredibly flavoursome, as is almost never the case in restaurants, and the accompanying gravy was thick and spicy. It went well with the golden-coloured crispy parottas. The beef fry was exceptionally appetising, too. The dryness of the gravy complimented the soft beef, while the Kerala-style onion salad complemented the palate. The chicken curry Nevertheless, we decided to dine there. The and the prawns fry were enjoyable but were waiter presented us with our menus. overshadowed by the extraordinarily tasty duck We opted to go elaborate, and asked for a wide and beef curries. variety of dishes. We started with a bowl of sweet My brother Allen made conversation with the and sour chicken soup, before ordering a plate waiter to glean information about their source of of chicken lollipop, prawns fry, pidium kozhium fresh ducks and beef – to no avail, though. (a chicken and rice-based delicacy), duck roast, But none of that mattered, because the appachan varatiya beef (which roughly translates restaurant, despite its shortcomings, manages to to “beef prepared in a style reminiscent to how bowl over its audiences with top-quality food and a your father would”), chicken curry and a plate service to match. So, if you’re ever on the lookout of parottas. for bona fide Kerala cuisine, you must head to The chicken lollipops were the first to arrive and Food Day. were splendid, further alleviating our doubts of the And don’t forget to order a plate of duck roast. place. The small chicken pieces were garnished in It’s lip-smacking good – I promise you. spices and it was a good way to kick-start things. The soup was the next to arrive. The portions Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see were generous and the overall aura of the dish was reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com impressive. The sourness of the soup transcended over all other flavours, which made it the perfect mid-winter soup. My brother Ninad took a shying to it and said that it tasted like what you would ordinarily get in a star restaurant. Meanwhile, my parents had already started off with the pidium kozhium. They said that it tasted “genuine” – and better than what they had ever
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