Red’s the rage
OMANI TEAM CLINCHES EURO FIVES CUP
Smart SUV
EXPLORING THE ALL-NEW LINCOLN MKC
10 LAND PLOTS FOR OMAN FOOTBALL TEAM
News: HIS MAJESTY ANNOUNCES CASH REWARDS,
DESTINATION: Harat Al Nizar TASTE TEST: The Famous Kathi Rolls YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK
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JAN 11 - 17 2018 / ISSUE 502 • WEEKLY
GOAL BEYOND GULF
PLUS!
IT’S TIME TO EYE ASIA AND THE WORLD
STUNNING SANTORINI
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NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258
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SNAP IT
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RIGHT RESPONSE
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EDITOR’S
NOTE COMPETITION Send in your answers for our ‘Movie contest’ and stand a chance to win two tickets of your choice from VOX.
THE BAROMETER GOING UP
RAINFALL IN MUSCAT Parts of Muscat received light to heavy rainfall this week. Several residents also took the opportunity to head out and frolic in the rain.
GOING DOWN
TEMPERATURES Yes, the temperatures will drop below what you’re experiencing currently. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation predicts temperatures to dip as low as 16-degrees-Celsius in the later hours of the evening in Muscat.
THIS WEEK…
Team Y was glued to the television set for the final game of the Gulf Cup 2018, which saw Oman take on United Arab Emirates. As you probably know, the boys brought back the cup to Oman.
Ways to get your Y fix Online: Visit y-oman.com for even more inspiration. Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go by scanning the QR code below
Welcome to Y Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.
Fast forward
I
t’s emotional, but this is what it feels like to finally win something,” one fan was overheard saying as the open-top bus carrying Oman’s footballers came into view near the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (SQSC) in Baushar. He was one of thousands who lined the streets, waving flags, decked out in red, tooting horns, and occasionally screaming out loud cheering as they awaited the Gulf Cup heroes. Football lovers in Oman are a feisty bunch by GCC standards, and on Saturday even the beaming players appeared surprised by the masses that had turned out for them, at short notice. The joy in the whoops, the whistles and the waves could not be mistaken, but equally palpable was the relief. The people have waited for a long time to shower adulation like this on their players. The players, many of them accustomed to a relatively throng-free existence, lapped up the attention from a 29,000-strong audience at the iconic SQSC. Captain Ahmed Mubarak ‘Kanu’ and Fayez al Rushaidi were in predictably high demand, with many fans calling out their names in desperate hope for a wave or smile from them. Among the two, Fayez was their favourite as the crowd screaming his name admitted that they had not thought much of him before the Gulf Cup. He had been on the reserve bench for almost nine years before becoming an overnight hero, and that gave him a new name: “Superman”. “Frankly, I never thought this day would come. All these years I had been sitting on the bench and watching the legend Ali Al Habsi playing. I learnt a lot from him and he always used to tell me to believe in myself. Now, that day has come and it’s time to celebrate this moment,” he told Y. Oman now have a second regional crown and first since 2009, avenging their 2007 final defeat to the UAE in the cruellest way possible. But this win is not the end but the beginning of a new wave. While we at the Y magazine celebrate this historic triumph with the thousands of fans, we also talked to experts and fans on why Oman should look beyond the Gulf Cup to become an international football powerhouse. Happy reading!
editor@y-oman.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Nishad Padiyarath ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst
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contents
JANUARY 11 - 17 2018
Your Oman
This Week
08 Voice Of Oman Hasan al Lawati 10
News His Majesty Sultan Qaboos announces rewards for national football team
16
News Sword master Alex Magala set to perform in Oman
18
Run for good Enroll yourself in the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon 2018
19 Movies Read our review of Molly’s Game
Features 20
Goal beyond the Gulf With the Gulf Cup in hand, we investigate if it’s time to look beyond the GCC
28 Oman creates history The CBD Boys clinched the ‘Euro Fives’ cup in Barcelona
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Food and Drink 44 Food Feature The right mix
Cars and Adventures 32 Destination Harat al Nizar
Health and Beauty
34 First Drive Lincoln MKC 38 Y-Fi Top cameras of 2018
40 Fashion Shake things up with bold prints 42 Health Top tips to adhere to in the event of a heart attack
46 Taste Test The Famous Kathi Rolls
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NEXT ISSUE... FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / FIRST DRIVE
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THE VOICE OF OMAN
THE GULF CUP THREW UP AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OMAN NOT JUST TO CELEBRATE ITS SOCCER SKILLS, BUT TO DRUM UP ITS CULTURE AND HERITAGE AS WELL WITH AN AL AZI LILT. HASAN AL LAWATI SEEKS TO CONVEY A TANGIBLE MESSAGE
correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Oman is witnessing construction of a number of retail outlets. Is there room for more malls in Muscat? NEERAJ KUMAR
I
t was impossible to miss Al Azi repeated on Oman Sports and Al Kass TV channels during the weekend when Oman won the Gulf Cup defeating the United Arab Emirates. Al Azi is a patriotic poetry recital performed in the northern regions of Oman. The Sultanate is rich with diverse performing arts such as Al Razha, Al Bar’a, etc., so why did they keep rerunning Al Azi for two days? Perhaps a look back to the past would throw in some clues. Oman got the traditional performing art of Al Azi listed on the Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Paris meeting of the UN body in 2012. Last month — that is five years after Oman had made the successful initiative — the UAE got its request to include Al Azi on the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding list granted by Unesco at a South Korean meeting. Obviously, the UAE move has touched a raw nerve with Omani historians and media persons who have condemned it unanimously. But Oman made sure not to cross the line. The country’s official media responded in a diplomatic manner, reporting the fifth anniversary of registering Al Azi on the Unesco list. However, the dispute over Al Azi’s origins became obvious during the Gulf Cup when Oman TV played almost nothing but Al Azi during its coverage of the tournament. Qatar too streamed Al Azi, and its Omani commentator sung the lyrics during the semifinal game between Oman and Bahrain. Although fans and officials of the two neighbouring states displayed a remarkable level of sportsmanship, the conflict over historical facts was conspicuous. A simple but significant message that could be communicated at the moment is: “Our culture is intangible”.
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Oman being an emerging economy and still not a mature market, there is ample scope for more shopping outlets. Of course they need to create a better lifestyle appeal and customer experience to be relevant in the market. The malls should act as social hubs for families and highlight the ethos and traditions of various regions of this beautiful country. Footfall may decrease if business propositions are not exciting. Malls with more prominent anchor stores and better family attractions will find their due space, for now and in the future.
PARUL JAIN
A country whose citizens spend more, prospers more. There is a significant role of malls in the 2.4 per cent GDP growth of Oman. The beautiful malls are an add-on to the tourist destinations of any country. In 1928, the Arcade in Providence on Rhode Island was the first to introduce the concept of a shopping centre in the United States. However, the concept was not new. It was based on the multivendor Grand Bazaar in Isfahan province of Iran in the 10th century. Visiting a mall is advantageous as groceries, clothes, shoes, reading material, food court, cinemas and other entertainments are available in one place where you could spend even a whole day. Malls are a great meeting place for friends. Families flock there for weekly shopping and entertainment. Due to high competition, you get good stuff at great price. The more the malls, the more the job opportunities and, eventually, the more the growth of the country. The disadvantages include crowding, especially on weekends and holidays. At times it feels as if everyone has the
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same idea of going to the mall. Older people with mobility problems have difficulty in passing through due to the breadth of the malls. Keeping to the monthly budget becomes problematic as one is often tempted to buy unnecessary things. We welcome the new malls wholeheartedly — shopping is an art, let’s become artists.
MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT
Oman is flooded with shopping options and the mall culture is killing the business of small outlets, which is not in the overall interest of the nation. The impressive displays at malls tempt visitors into buying things that are not of immediate need. The mall culture should be discouraged so that conventional small shops could survive. Also, malls encourage power retailing and soon we will be forced to buy a brand of malls’ choice because they don’t stock the ones that are less profitable to them. Initially, malls rope in visitors with attractive offers but the prices shoot up once they are successful in throwing out the conventional outlets.
RASU JOHN
Malls are now not just shopping hubs but epicentres of all-round entertainment under one roof. Barring a couple of places in Muscat, most other shopping malls are small shopping complexes with limited offerings. Oman has yet to see a great mall like the Dubai Mall or the Mall of Emirates in Dubai. Almost half of the spending in malls in other countries comes from tourists, reflecting the opportunity of making significant foreign exchange earnings. That’s why the Omani government should promote shopping malls: they boost tourism and help generate employment opportunities.
KATHRYN CHANG BARKER
Malls have become cultural artefacts and economic
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disasters in America. The consumer culture that they promote has proven to be unsustainable. Oman is going down a path that will cause people to overspend and the products on offer are not even produced in Oman. I wonder if the mall profits even stay in Oman. All these new malls will simply drain the economy while putting unbearable pressure on people — especially parents — to buy buy buy.
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TRACY KRINKE
The East Coast of the US has so many new malls which are empty or with a couple of merchants in them. Usually when this happens, a gambling establishment or smoke shop goes in. Who needs either? They are also being used by church groups who get really cheap rent. Not a win-win for anyone, and I like shopping better than most people do.
JANKI RISHIT HEMANI
There is scope for more malls in Oman, but the mall culture is taking away the joy of having a good time with family and friends in the outdoors. We have enough malls for shopping and food now and I think instead of more malls we need more parks and outdoor activities. Most children now prefer indoor entertainment centres in malls to playing outdoors, which is killing the spirit of outdoor games and sports, which is really important for overall personality development.
New Debate: Brands are increasingly using social media to prompt people into making a purchase decision or even to turn them into their loyal customers. Many in Oman are using social media stars to persuade the customers. But do these stars have any influence in society?
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JAN 11 - JAN 17 / ISSUE 502
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ASK OUR DOCTOR? TIPS FOR HEALTHY JOINTS As the connection between the bones, joints will sustain a certain amount of wear-and-tear as we age. Remaining painand arthritis-free requires practicing good joint preservation techniques. The following techniques will help you to treat your joints with care as they age.
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NEWS
HIS MAJESTY ANNOUNCES CASH REWARDS, LAND PLOTS FOR OMAN FOOTBALL TEAM
is Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said has announced rewards for the Gulf Cup winning football team’s players, managerial and support staff, according to Oman’s state news agency. “Royal orders for financial rewards to the technical and administrative staff of the national football team that became champions of the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup which was held recently in Kuwait,” the Oman News Agency statement read. “His Majesty also extended generosity to grant residential land to all the players of the national team for the great football achievement that brought happiness and pleasure in the hearts of all Omanis and residents on this kind land,” the statement added.
Stretching and Strengthening • Move each joint through its full range of motion every day to sustain mobility and freedom from pain. Make sure your movements are slow and gentle to avoid injury, and be careful not to overextend. • Joint and Muscle strengthening exercises to be practiced so that excess stress on joints is reduced
Proper Ergonomics The manner in which you carry your body has a significant impact on whether your joints will remain pain-free. Practice good posture by adjusting work spaces to your specifications.
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS HAILS OMAN’S GULF CUP WIN
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he Council of Ministers has acclaimed Oman’s triumph in the Gulf Cup held in Kuwait. The council said on Sunday: “In the context of Omani national football team’s win in the 23rd Gulf Cup held in Kuwait, we congratulate the sons on this great sports feat. “We also congratulate the administrative staff and coaches on their efforts and pray to Allah the Almighty to grant success to our youths, civil
Avoid back pain by picking items up by bending your legs, not your lower back. When carrying heavy objects, be sure to cradle the items close to your body.
as well as military, in regional and international events.” The council said the achievement was an outcome of the continuous attention accorded by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the Omani youths so that they could do their best for the homeland. The Council of Ministers also commended Kuwait for its efforts in organising the tournament. “We would like to thank and appreciate the efforts undertaken in handling the accident at Jaber al Ahmad International Stadium, notably the care and assistance received by the injured, who are recuperating, thanks to Allah the Almighty.” The council also appreciated the good spirit that existed among the participating teams and appreciated their performance. “We wish success to all.”
ROP SETS DEADLINE FOR GULF CUP CAR DECORATIONS
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osters and stickers on vehicles celebrating Omani national football team’s victory in the Arabian Gulf Cup can be retained until January 15, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has said. The ROP had allowed the decorations ahead of the final, provided they were in accordance with the guidelines. “Posters are limited to those that express encouragement to the Oman football team,” the ROP had announced on its official Twitter handle. “Stickers should not be pasted on the front, side and rear windows of the vehicle. They should also not cover the number plate of the vehicle.” Posters and stickers have been allowed on vehicles from January 4. “Authorised stickers are restricted to images and phrases related to the occasion and supporting the national team,” it had said. For sedans, posters can be affixed to the
body and the rear window, a rule that also applies to four-wheel drives, which can also feature posters on the side windows towards the back of the vehicle, the ROP had said. Posters must be well affixed, must not reach the vehicle’s front window, or the frontal side windows on either side, the vehicle’s headlight, or its licence plates. Stickers on the back window must be seethrough from the inside, it added. The posters and stickers must not be made from unattached or easily removable fabrics, especially on the vehicle’s front hood, no inappropriate or offensive phrases must be printed, and all affixed posters and stickers must not affect the colour or shape of the vehicle, or go against the existing road safety regulations, the police had said.
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HAVANA WATER PARK IN SALALAH OPENS
he Minister of State and the Governor of Dhofar has inaugurated a number of projects, including the Havana Water Park and other new expansions at Fanar and Rotana hotels. The new water park can accommodate up to 500 people per day. Facilities in the park include water slides, leisure pools, a toddlers’ pool, poolfront cabins, sliding swimming pools, wave pools, and a main tower. With a total land area exceeding 65,000 square metres, the development will feature a dedicated food court, a retail shopping area, and a large parking area for guests.
TEMPERATURES TO DROP IN MUSCAT NEXT WEEK
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he temperatures in Muscat and other parts of Oman are expected to drop by two to three degrees in the next week, following the conclusion of the current weather conditions. Isolated light to moderate rains could be expected during this period, said an official at Oman Meteorology. Clear to partly cloudy skies over Musandam governorate and parts of Oman Sea coastal areas and Al-Hajar Mountains with a chance of isolated rain and mainly clear skies over the rest of the sultanate have been forecast. EXPECTED WINDS: Wind will be northwesterly light to moderate over most of the Sultanate, changing during night over the coastal area of the Oman Sea to be northeasterly moderate to fresh. SEA STATE: Slight along most of the coasts with a maximum wave height of 1.25m, changing by night to be moderate to rough along most of the coasts, with a maximum wave height of 2.5m.
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FRIDAY BRUNCH
GALLERY
INDULGE IN A BRUNCH SESSION WITH YOUR LOVED ONES IN THE MUSANDAM RESTAURANT, AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL MUSCAT. THE BRUNCH BUFFET FEATURES A RANGE OF INTERNATIONAL CUISINES AND A GALORE OF DESSERTS.
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30 INJURED OMANI FANS RECOVER, RETURN HOME
majority of the Omani fans who were injured when a glass barrier incident. The barrier at the stadium gave way as fans from Oman pressed collapsed at the end of the Gulf Cup football final on Friday have against the glass during celebrations, with the team several metres below on been discharged from hospital. Thirty of them are back in the the pitch, said an eyewitness. Sultanate. An official from the Oman Football Association (OFA) said only 10 of the 40 injured fans were still in Kuwait. About 40 people sustained ‘minor injuries’ in the incident. “Most of the people suffered minor injuries and many of the injured are already back in Oman,” confirmed a Ministry of Health official. The incident occurred when the jubilant fans from the Sultanate rushed to greet their team after a hard-earned 5-4 victory on penalties. The barrier went down due to pressure caused by waves of moving fans, reported the Kuwait News Agency. Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al Mubarak al Sabah visited the injured in the hospital. Images of his visit were posted on social media by the Kuwait Football Association. The Kuwaiti authorities have launched an investigation into the
MWASALAT FERRIES 4.5MN PASSENGERS IN 2017
M
wasalat ferried more than 4.5mn passengers during the period first quarter of the current year. from January 1 to December 31, 2017, on its city routes in Muscat With the arrival of the new buses, new public transport lines will be and on inter-city services to various governorates. operated within and outside Muscat Governorate, especially to Salalah and The figure represented a 21 per cent increase from that of 2016. The Sohar. buses carried on average 1,000 passengers per day. On Fridays 18,000 passengers used Mwasalat. Omanis accounted for 40 per cent of the total number of passengers. The total number of passengers on the Ruwi-Mabela route reached more than 1.6mn, followed by the Roy-Wadi Kabir line with more than 700,000 passengers, Roy-Amerat with more than 600,000, Al Khoud-Sultan Qaboos University-Burj al Sahwa with more than 400,000 passengers, RuwiMuttrah-Al Alam Palace with more than 300,000 passengers, Ruwi-Wadi Adei with 200,000, and Mabela-South Mabela with 82,000 passengers, bringing the total number of passengers on Muscat routes to 4,212,189. The total number of passengers who travelled to Dubai was 304,340. Mawasalat signed an agreement for the supply of 98 new buses in October 2017, including 33 for inter-city and 65 for Muscat city services. This is in addition to the plans for replacement of a number of longdistance buses. This month, Mawasalat will get the first of its 33 new MAN buses, equipped with leading accident prevention systems such as the EBA and LGS, along with adaptive cruise control (ACC). The new buses also have a radar device and cameras installed to determine the speed and distance between two vehicles. The new buses are expected to start operating in the
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SAILS-UP
GALLERY
FINAL PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY AT THE MUSSANAH SPORTS CITY, AS THE WORLD-CLASS OMANI FACILITY WELCOMES 91 OF THE BEST YOUNG INTERNATIONAL SAILORS TO MUSSANAH RACE WEEK 2018.
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BURJEEL HOSPITAL RECEIVES TOP HONOURS
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he Burjeel Hospital in Al Khuwair has won the coveted ‘Best Private Hospital-2017 Award’ from the Ministry of Health. The premier tertiary care hospital, part of UAE-based VPS Healthcare, opened its doors to the public in 2016, and is renowned for providing personalised hospitality services in addition to exceptional medical care. Speaking about the recognition, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and Managing Director, VPS Healthcare, said: “To be recognised as the best private hospital by the Ministry of Health underlines our commitment to provide the highest quality of care and ensure our guests get the best of services. “Our entire team is proud and thankful to the Ministry of Health for this great honour,” added Dr. Asif Gani, Regional Director for Burjeel Hospital and Medical Centres in Oman. Burjeel Hospital offers state-of-the-art patient care facilities across various specialties including orthopedics, joint replacements, spine surgery, sports medicine and arthroscopy, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, urology, internal medicine, ENT, dermatology, ophthalmology, radiology and diagnostic imaging, dental and laboratory services. Oman’s Ministry of Health has prioritised elevating quality in the healthcare sector, and this has led to a strong focus on projects that would add high-end facilities to the existing healthcare landscape. Oman spends the equivalent of 2.6 per cent of its GDP on healthcare, according to World Bank development indicators. In 2014, the Government of Oman released Health Vision 2050 – a long-term plan for the country’s healthcare sector.
The plan, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) says “serves as a model for strategic planning in health,” envisions large-scale investment in the healthcare sector to create a well-organised, equitable, efficient and responsive health system. “Oman’s healthcare sector has been growing steadily, and the Government is also keen to establish high-end medical facilities to provide specialised treatments. We are committed to work hand-in-hand with the Government, and are continuously on the lookout to increase the number of specialties provided. We also have plans in place to add more superspecialised services like oncology in the future,” Dr Shamsheer said.
IHG LEADERSHIP SWORD MASTER ALEX MAGALA ACADEMY SET TO PERFORM IN OMAN ontinuing the success of his previous show, amphitheatre in Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah – Muscat’s GRADUATION world-renowned sword master Alex Magala will favourite luxury destination – on Friday, January 19, 2018. perform his daredevil stunts for the public. The Tables for this exclusive show – which is titled ‘Sword HELD AT second event will be hosted at the Al Mazaar open air Master Show’ – are limited and admission into the event is restricted for those under the age of 16. INTERCONTINENTAL “Why?” You ask. Well, Alex Magala continues to put his life on the line performing sword tricks with extreme MUSCAT acrobatic elements. His unique performance art earned
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rowth and leadership skills are important to the sustenance and progression of a company. And in its efforts to further strengthen its workforce, 32 supervisors and managers have undergone courses and furthermore graduated from the IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) Leadership Academy, Leading Others Programme, in December 20, 2017. IHG’s six-month leadership development course focused on developing the capability of the mid-management colleagues in hotels and offices. Six colleagues were recognized with an Excellence Award for their outstanding performance during the course, which was awarded by Thierry Perrot, Area General Manager – IHG Oman and Michael Jabbour, Hotel Manager – InterContinental Muscat. The hotel is aiming to develop more leaders in 2018 and continue embedding the learning culture in every opportunity. 016
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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 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.
CHAIR MAKEOVER
Have you ever looked at a chair and thought to yourself: “Boy, I wish this looked funkier”? If so, the “Complete Chair Makeover” workshop is straight up your league. The instructors will teach you – yes, you guessed it – how to customise tired, old chairs into works of art. The course will also provide you with basic skills in upholstery. All materials will be inclusive of the RO70 per person package and you can take the chair home. Of course, refreshments and snacks will be provided. The event will be hosted at the Sununu Muscat from 9am onwards. For more details, contact: 9018 5174.
JAN 29
WEEK
WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.
J A N U A R Y Catch the renowned 1831 opera, Bellini’s La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker), live at the Royal Opera House Muscat. Staged by the famous Argentine stage director, Hugo de Ana, the opera is expected to be one of the headline performances of the year. The story goes along these lines: A lovely sleepwalker Amina is about to be married to Elvino, a rich landowner, but Elvino becomes jealous and discards Amina when she sleepwalks into the room of Conte Rodolfo. The rest of the play must be seen to be cherished. The orchestra of Fondazione Arena di Verona is conducted by Antonello Allemandi. The opera will commence at 7pm and tickets will start at RO10.
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 twoday 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 18-19 of the full 42km course.
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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
Hollow in the Land Cast: Dianna Agron, Rachelle Lefevre, Shawn Ashmore and Jared Abrahamson
Molly’s Game Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner
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e all know Aaron Sorkin can write. The one-man zeitgeist behind The West Wing, The Social Network, Moneyball, The Newsroom and more, his confrontational style blends skill, smartness and, particularly, showiness in a way that leaves no question about his talent. But can he direct? Having now watched his directorial debut twice, I am still not entirely sure that he can. Most certainly he can put together a slickly entertaining story: Molly’s Game, based on the autobiography of disgraced “poker princess” Molly Bloom, rattles along nicely. He can offer us a privileged vantage point from which to gaze into the closed world of the high-stakes poker games that Bloom runs. He can most certainly tell a story. But this is a story that is told primarily with words rather
than pictures. This is film-making that is almost slavishly in service of the screenplay. It’s essentially a display cabinet for Sorkin’s dialogue. There is barely a shot or a cut that isn’t dictated by Molly’s silky narration. Cinema is, or should be, a visual medium. At times, it almost feels as though you could watch the film with your eyes closed and not miss out on much of its meaning. But Elba is as good as we have ever seen him. Jaffey has a peppery impatience, which makes him a perfect foil for Molly’s quicksilver intellect. Their sparking, firecracker scenes together are so deliciously bracing, you rather wish there were more of them. The thrill of watching two actors at the absolute top of their game is Sorkin’s winning card. - The Guardian.
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.
Insidious: The Last Key Cast: Kirk Acevedo, Spencer Locke and Josh Stewart
Brilliant parapsychologist Elise Rainier receives a disturbing phone call from a man who claims that his house is haunted. Even more disturbing is the address – 413 Apple Tree Lane in Five Keys, N.M. – the home where Elise grew up as a child. Accompanied by her two investigative partners, Rainier travels to Five Keys to confront and destroy her greatest fear – the demon that she accidentally set free years earlier. Spooky!
Aadu 2 Cast: Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Saiju Kurup, Harikrishnan and Ranji Panicker
Aadu 2 revolves around cult-leader Shaji Pappan (Jayasurya) and his group of misfits, who take part in another tug-of-war contest to win the golden cup. But along the way they unwittingly get drawn into a deal gone wrong, which involves dangerous smugglers.
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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who is the director of Aadu 2? LAST WEEK’S WINNER Domnic Karan
WIN FREE MOVIE TICKETS! Read our movie section and answer the question to stand a chance to win two tickets to watch movies of your choice! Send your answers to info@y-oman. com, along with your contact information. Tickets must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions, see voucher.
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With the Gulf Cup in hand, it’s time to celebrate, but with keeping an eye on Asia and the world. Alvin Thomas shares the happiness and hopes of the fans
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nxiety and excitement runs high at the Jaber International Stadium in Kuwait. It’s the deciding penalty kick that can ensure Oman our second Gulf Cup title. You can cut the tension with a knife. Oman have the upper hand, though: An error in judgment by UAE player Omar Abdulrahman handed the advantage to the Sultanate as Fayez al Rushaidi intercepted the shot to deal a crushing blow to UAE’s hopes. This was the UAE player’s second penalty miss of the day. He had missed a scoring opportunity in the 89th minute of the match following a rough decision against the Omani team by the referee. With determination and diligence, midfielder Mohsin Johar al Khaldi places the ball on the ground. He then retreats, runs towards the ball… stops… and finally takes the shot. The ball beats the UAE goalkeeper and bullets into the far-right corner of the net. Oman have successfully clinched its second Gulf Cup title – and the crowd goes wild. The emotions are shared by tens of thousands of fans who were glued to their television sets to watch the match. The excitement is at an alltime high as fans scurry onto the roads and group to join the celebrations. This, after all, is the first-time Oman have lifted the trophy after nine years of waiting. It doesn’t take long before the roads clog up with fans driving around in their decorated cars and SUVs. Sitting on the window sills, the roof and also the bonnet of their cars, people chant praises to the Omani team led by Ahmed Mubarak ‘Kanu’. Amid all the praise and glory, one group of friends come to us and chimes: “We couldn’t have done it without Fayez al Rushaidi. He saved our team in the second half, and continued his efforts until the last whistle. He was also instrumental in our win against Bahrain in the semifinal. He is the diving hero who answered all our wishes.” Imran Ali al Balushi, a government employee, goes on to call Fayez “Superman”; it’s a name that has since caught on. “Not only did Fayez prove himself to all of us in the Sultanate, but he also won over the hearts of all the people watching the game. Oman
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went into the tournament as the underdogs, but we kept our cool and finished victorious. This is the ultimate proof that we can achieve so much when we stand together as a team and work to attain the improbable,” al Balushi says. He adds: “Since the start, he had been the man that kept the rest of the team functioning like a well-oiled machine. “It’s great that he was there at our beckon to see us through to the final whistle.” The man with the ‘Golden Gloves’ had been benched for nine years before being given the opportunity to play hero. And his story has been nothing short of a remarkable one. “As you know, I was always a substitute goalkeeper for Oman,” says Fayez al Rushaidi, in an interview with Y. “But I learned so much under the guidance of Captain Ali al Habsi during that time. “This period also made me stronger as I was able to work harder to become the player that I
am now.” He then opens up about the two crucial saves that aided Oman in lifting the trophy. “I think it was the prayers of my family and all the people supporting us that helped me stop those penalties. But, at the same time, I could guess the direction and lift of the ball in Omar Abdulrahman’s shots.” The pride of Oman – the whole team led by manager Pim Verbeek – was flown back to the country on a Royal Air Force of Oman plane. They were given a fitting arrival at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Baushar, wherein a welcome and victory celebration was hosted. There they were welcomed by Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Diwan of Royal Court, and scores of fans and followers. The team with the Gulf Cup was paraded inside the stadium in horse-drawn carriages as onlookers cheered in glory. Since then, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin
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Said has also conferred the Oman Civil Order third class on Sheikh Salim al Wahaibi, the chairman of the Oman Football Association (OFA), and First Class Order on Pim Veerbek. The orders were handed over by Sayyid Khalid. But that’s not all: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said announced that all members – Oman’s Gulf Cup winning football team’s players, managerial and support staff – would receive residential land. Following the win, fans are now coming together to motivate the team for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. “It’s time we aimed bigger than the Gulf Cup,” says Zeeshan Sultan al Zadjali, an ardent follower of the Oman football team and an aspiring football player. “Football is in our blood and I think it is important that we focus on not just the Gulf Cup but other tournaments as well. For example, after our famed win in 2009, we came back and didn’t even qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. “Of course, this time around, we did qualify for it and have done rather well. But I think it’s time we looked beyond the local tournaments and focused on the bigger picture,” he adds. This is also echoed by Fahad al Tamimi, an expert in football analysis and the sub-editor of sports magazine Koooora Wa Bas. He remarks: “I think that more attention must be given to football from all angles. Yes, we do take the Gulf Cup very seriously, and that probably is one of the many reasons we now have the trophy with us here in Oman, but it’s also a signal that we must focus on all the other tournaments that we take part in. “For example, this week, our Under-23 team is taking part in the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship, which is hosted by China. But I feel that not much attention has been given to it. “These players are the future of Oman. The question everyone is asking is whether Oman has the capability of making it past the qualifying stages. “It will be these players who will most likely be representing the team there.” For the Gulf Cup, offers were open to residents who were interested in catching the action live. For example, SABCO Group offered 100 free airline tickets to fans who wished to encourage and support the national team. Oman Air responded to the enthusiasm of fans by offering ten free tickets, besides discounted tickets to people to attend the Gulf Cup final. They also offered a special price of RO16 for tickets to Kuwait for the final game and RO167 per person for soccer packages. The Sultanate’s low-cost airline SalamAir operated eight flights – six from Muscat, one from Sohar, and one from Salalah – to help the fans. All of this translated to record sales for both airlines. The flights to Kuwait were full and seats were sold out in less than 24 hours of opening bookings. Post win, companies have been showering the team with several incentives. Omantel offered the team RO100,000 and the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) RO50,000. A big demand was also seen for patriotic products during the national team’s participation in the Gulf Cup. The demand gradually increased as the team progressed over the stages and peaked as Oman reached the final. Prestige Oman – a brand that designs scarves – said Omani players wore their
products during the national anthem. The company’s founder Ahmed Abdullah al Dahmani said they had provided free scarves, flags and banners to passengers of SalamAir’s flights to Kuwait. “It’s a national event and we have to stand together to support the team,” he says. “Such occasions serve as a good opportunity to market our products inside and outside the Sultanate. Especially the big banner we designed for His Majesty which was displayed at the stadium in Kuwait,” he adds. The Omani SME provided 130 different products with exclusive and creative designs. But all of this begs us to question: Is this
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enough to entice a generation of youngsters into playing football in Oman? And are companies and public entities starting to take steps to help improve this ever-growing industry? Meeran Yoosuf, the founder of Alpha Football Academy of Oman, seems to think so. “The scope for football in Oman is endless. It’s an industry that we are only starting to capitalise on now,” he says, before pointing out that his coaching academy already has more than 150 students. “Oman is a huge country and the game is embedded in their veins. The talents here are amazing, so giving them attention and the right training is necessary. But there is certainly a dearth of tournaments hosted within Oman. “To alleviate this issue, we are trying our best to keep bringing international powerhouses to Oman, and expose our kids to them. This way, their game and thoughtprocess will improve to a much higher standard,” the US-certified football trainer says. Taking in young candidates is vital to the development of football in Oman, though. For instance, children are known to start football training at the age of two in countries like Brazil and Argentina. To inculcate such behaviour here, Meeran and his team of experienced coaches are now working hard to incorporate their ‘grassroots’ initiative. When established, it will aim to rake in kids as young as five to play and train in football. “The key to the future of the country’s football industry is the youth,” the coach exclaims. But Meeran then points out an important fact: “We can train all the kids in Oman, but the need for a space to continue with the sport after they’re done with training is required. Fahad al Tamimi goes on to explain that Meeran’s worry is of real concern. “We need to see an increase in government expenditure on the football industry in Oman. The need for professional tournaments is vital to the growth of our national team,” Fahad tells. “The funding of these clubs is really sparse and this causes an exodus of players from one location to another. You can see up to 10 players moving from one club to another; it’s not a joke. We cannot even call it a transfer. “If this happens, how can we see a growth in the players?” he asks. “The major tournaments in the country are all organised by the OFA, which funds the clubs. The sponsors are another leading source of money, but without television rights and apt sponsors, the tournaments are organised on a tight budget,” he tells. Nevertheless, some companies are still keeping a positive approach to the football scene in the Sultanate. The commencement of SABCO Sports – Oman’s premier sports agency – is a turning point in the sports sector in Oman. It brings several brands under one umbrella and, above all, provides event and stadium solutions, marketing/sponsorship and consultancy, and even opportunities for brands to align with the right stars. This provides the player with the right exposure, while the client also gets the best benefit out of their resources. “While this is just a start, it’s a step in the right direction,” says Muneer al Balushi, a football aficionado. “I feel this will help bring the right people into the limelight and that should have more international eyes on Oman. “And who knows, if that happens, we could be looking at our stars entering the 024
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big leagues in England or even La Liga, if we don’t already have a league of stature on our own,” he adds. ■
Football is in our blood and I think it is important that we focus on not just the Gulf Cup but other tournaments as well.
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RED’S THE RAGE Red is the colour of the year, Kuwait or Spain, UAE or Ireland. Alvin Thomas meets another bunch of boys who proudly wore the popular national football colours in Barcelona and came back home with flying colours
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eam Red may have made us all proud in Kuwait following their historic win against the United Arab Emirates in the 23rd Gulf Cup. But there’s another group of boys – again, clad in red – who travelled continents to uphold the name of the Sultanate – and have emerged victorious. The team, which go by the name ‘CBD Boys’, represented Oman in the prestigious Euro Fives tournament in Barcelona, and created history by winning the trophy. The team went up against 32 teams from countries around the world, including England, France, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Latvia, Denmark and Switzerland. The five-a-side team, consisting of Arjun Nanda, Daley Mathias, Deepesh Mehta, Rubik Menezes and David Gallego, had a rather shaky start. They were drawn in the same group as the previous tournament winners and other strong debutants.
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They lost their first match by one goal and the second by two – thereby dipping their hopes of progressing to the knockout round. But the boys soon got to grips with the cold climate and the pitch to pull off a stunning draw against the Leek High Boys from Ireland, and then two wins against Prospe FC (Spain) and Sigurdsson’s Advice Bureau (Iceland). “I must admit that our team morale hit an all-time low, as it put us in a tricky situation to qualify for the knockout rounds. Nevertheless, having multiple experiences of being in such a position as a team and recovering together in the past at tournaments in the Sultanate provided us with the motivation to give it our maximum effort till the last minute of the final group game,” said the striker, Daley Mathias, in an exclusive interview with Y. “A ‘never give up’ attitude is key as a team, since football is a sport filled with upsets and comebacks throughout its history, be it on the international, domestic or grass root stage,” he added. A place in the knockout stage was still far away, though. But then the unthinkable happened: The strong Danish team dropped points in their last group game, leaving the Omani team within a shy of the next round. “A wise man once quoted that ‘luck favours the brave’ and fortunately we were handed with a golden ticket by the Danish team that failed to win their final two games. Goal difference and a win in our last game was all we needed to qualify, and we were not going to let this opportunity slip. “The rest is history,” he remarked. Now, all they had to do was beat the previous champions, Deportivo Dooradoyle, from Switzerland. And guess what? Daley Mathias and Rubik Menezes rose to the occasion, scoring a goal apiece, to seal victory. Oman’s next target (in the quarterfinals) was the CAP FC boys from the United States. They recreated scenes from the previous game, scoring two vital goals, to take the country into the semi-finals. There, it was the team’s defence power that kept the English from scoring any goals. David Gallego, Oman’s Spanish-born keeper, was crucial in keeping a clean slate throughout the knock-off stages. In the end, however, it was Daley Mathias’ golden goal in extra time that took Oman to the final. “We conceded silly goals in our opening games since we tried to attack from the first minute, which led to opening gaps in our defence. From our third game, we took a step back and let the opposition teams have the ball.” “Our aim was to hit them on the counter the moment they faltered. Given the pace Rubik Menezes and I possessed, it became easier too. Another additional point was the chemistry we both had developed over the years as attackers playing together since high school.” Now all that laid ahead of these victory-hungry boys was the Leek High Boys team from Ireland – a team that the CBD Boys had earlier drawn with. Following kick-off, the boys from the Sultanate had to keep their defence tight. But the formidable team led by Tommy Coates pushed – and pushed hard. But, David Gallego, Deepesh Mehta and Arjun Nanda sweat it out to keep all advances away. “Most importantly, our defence Deepesh Mehta and Arjun Nanda was second to none. They were absolutely phenomenal clocking in clean sheet after clean sheet. It was an absolute joy to be playing ahead of them as I was confident that our goal was protected on all fronts.” But a win was still far, far away, or so they thought. Rubik Menezes from the CBD Boys soon lobbed the ball into the far corner of the net, and the win was sealed when Daley Mathias added a second and a third goal to finally create history for Oman in the tournament. October 14 marked a new piece of tournament history in the 12 years of Euro Fives as the team from Oman were crowned the first winners from the Middle East.
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THE RUINS OF MYSTICAL WATCHTOWERS AND ENIGMATIC FORTS OF A BYGONE CIVILISATION TURN HIM PHILOSOPHICAL. SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI USHERS IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A DRIVE DOWN TO THE PAST AND THE ROOTS 032
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don’t meddle with any of the walls. But, the sand-covered wall surfaces make for a camerafriendly location – something I couldn’t quite comprehend initially. Most old buildings convey a sense of abandonment and desertion, which translates to the photograph. This is also why most pictures snapped in such locations end up with an almost melancholic tone – but that’s not the case here. The watchtowers, especially before sunrise, look mystical. You can also explore them (at your risk). Some of these buildings have labyrinth-style interiors, further adding to the allure of exploring this wonderful location. I continued snapping
TRAVEL GUIDE
T
here’s no better way to welcome the New Year than to go back to our roots; the core elements that make up Oman. It’s a tradition I partake in every year – and it sets my year in motion. So, this year, when I was presented with the opportunity of heading out for a Destination trip, I decided to go someplace unheard of – a location that is even unlisted by Google’s search bots (until now). My point of interest, Harat al Nizar, is a locale that was reportedly inhabited centuries ago by Omani Bedouins. Of course, I’m going by the tattletales that were narrated to us by the elders in our community. The settlement, located just past Izki, is en route to the spectacular mountain ranges of Nizwa. The drive should take you about two hours, if you’re cautious. I began my drive in the wee hours of the morning, and proceeded onwards through Route 15. The roads were relatively empty, so I parked on the side of the road just as the rays of the sun began to gleam through the thick clouds that peppered the sky. It created a bluish-orange hue in the sky; sort of like what an artist would create on his palette. I rolled down my windows and soaked in the winter breeze. I could see the condensation of my breathing as I did that. I carried on driving and reached the brown signboard that read ‘Harat al Nizar’. From there, it was only a few more minutes of driving. You cannot miss the area: Large forts and watchtowers galore, there’s quite a lot to see, especially if you’re trekking. So, the best option would be to carefully park your car on the side and explore the rest on foot. Mind you, the structures are weak, so it would be best if you
photos until the memory card was out of space. Following that, I headed off into one of the old structures for some exploration. I found it quite amazing that I could simply walk into these shelters without anybody’s consent. Think about it: these were once inhabited and off limits to passersby. Who knows, maybe this was also home to a lovely Omani family. I guess, time does correspond to a change in everything. But this also brought some other questions into my head, primary of which was: ‘How long will this generation last before it is reduced to ruins such as this?’ I know; it’s a terrifying question but it is one that we must ask ourselves. And as I left the once-inhabited town, not only did I carry memories of a great outing, but also thoughts that I would probably ponder upon for months.
HOW TO GET THERE From Muscat, take the Route 15 and follow the road till Izki. From there, you will be able to see the old buildings. Use the coordinates to reach there safely.
GPS location of the turning for Fanja: 22°55’39.7”N 57°45’51.8”E
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CARS ADVENTURES
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2018 LINCOLN MKC
A pleasant mix of comfort, convenience and luxury decked out with striking lines and synched with impressive, responsive technology — that’s the name of new crossover game from Lincoln. Alvin Thomas figures out the handsome transformations
uying a car is a huge investment: Both you and I know we’re losing money every minute the car is out of the showroom and, over time, we’ll be spending more money to maintain it. Yet we purchase them. A couple of decades ago, if someone went up to potential buyers and asked them to invest in an SUV, they would most likely end the conversation in fits of laughter. But we’ve evolved since then: Today, it’s normal to buy an SUV, and it’s only customary to buy one that comes with a swanky badge. Undoubtedly, the Lincoln MKC fits into a breed of vehicles that is now loved and adored by car buyers across the globe. And somehow, somewhere, in between my long test-drive, even I grew to like it – but I couldn’t quite figure out why.
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Taking it from the top, the MKC easily slots itself into a category of handsome SUVs. It’s as striking to look at as a Porsche Macan or even a MercedesBenz GLC, but with its busy front bumper, strong character lines on the bonnet, sharp LED-accented headlamps and split-wing grille, the MKC easily takes the cake. The design is rather adventurous compared with German vehicles in its class. The side profile is quite neat, with only a bold line splitting from the headlamps and running across the length of the SUV. The one piece light bar that completes the tailgate gives it a look that’s nothing but conspicuous. The dual exhaust pipes and the “MKC” and “AWD” badges round off the exterior of the vehicle. Underneath the chunky hood lies a small 2.0-litre inline four cylinder engine. It’s been forcefully induced using what seems to be a high-pressure turbocharger. The outcome of this marriage is an impressive 240hp and 366Nm of torque. When left in the ‘Normal’ driving setting, the car plods along, but things tend
to take a turn for the better when you switch the button-operated six-speed automatic transmission into ‘Sport’ mode. This lets the transmission to hold the gears, and furthermore, allows the engine to rev freely to about 5500rpm, wherein power is eked out. The torque kicks in at about 3000rpm, which is a touch on par with vehicles with forced induction.
Destination
P o s t c a r d s Fr o m
Y- F i
The torque is delivered linearly at first but it will shun The new SYNC3 interface is easily the best I’ve tested you to the back of the seats when the revs hit the sweet and is incredibly responsive to touches. spot (torque band). And surprisingly, the engine sounds The steering is thick-rimmed and chunky, with buttons good when you smash the pedal to the… err… mat. to operate in-car functions. As is the norm, you will get The wind noise is kept to a minimum too. paddle-shifters too; not that you require them in day-toThanks to the all-wheel-drive drivetrain, there’s no day driving. What’s impressive is that Lincoln equips the torque steer or understeer when you accelerate quickly. MKC with a panoramic sunroof (though, it’s not the large The torque is split between each four wheels effortlessly. one-piece glass panel that you can get with the MKZ). There’s even a meter in the digital instrument cluster that The cabin is rather compact, with just enough space will show you where the torque is sent. I urge you not to for four adults and one child. The head and knee room use it as a conversation piece when carpooling. up front is in plentiful, although The 19-inch alloys wrapped by 245/45 Michelin head space is a bit limited in the Latitude rubber complement the AWD system to rear. Those of you wanting more provide more grip. It’s easily the best-handling American room can upgrade to the posher crossover I’ve tested in a long time. MKX, if needed. As is the case with most cars of today, there’s not much On the plus side, the seats are feel from the light electric steering and the pedals. downright comfortable But it’s just a matter of getting used to the initial and extremely supportive switch. Albeit, I must point out that the brakes – even in the rear. You on my MKC were well-weighted can also meddle TAKING IT FROM and precise. with the seat’s The ergonomics of the crossover is positions in the THE TOP, THE MKC another factor that sets it apart from rear. Up front, EASILY SLOTS ITSELF the adjustable its competitors. While the GLC and the Macan opt for a subtle interior, the lumbar is INTO A CATEGORY MKC goes all aboard, with a slanted OF HANDSOME SUVS. supportive dashboard, button-operated gears, a and the fixed IT’S AS STRIKING TO functional 8-inch-wide touchscreen bolstering isn’t with SYNC3 and a dual-display digital LOOK AT AS A PORSCHE intrusive. instrument cluster. The ride is MACAN OR EVEN A While all of this can smooth at all MERCEDES-BENZ GLC. times and its upset Lincoln’s usual 632kms of buying audience, it must cruising range on a single tank be noted that the makes it perfect for long trips learning curve to, say, Dubai. There’s decent for these boot space (713.5 litres) with all toys is the seats in its upright position, short. which is great for storing two large bags and a couple of smaller ones. The MKC may have entered the playing arena with the disadvantage of arriving late. But I’ll tell you this: It plays so hard that it leaves its competitors gasping hard for breath. In short: The Lincoln takes all the pluses of cars from its competitors and wraps them in a rather stylishlooking shell. And that alone is enough to keep its well-heeled customers chuffed.
Gaming
CARS
2018 Lincoln MKC Specifications: Engine: 2.0-litre in-line turbocharged four-cylinder Transmission: Six-speed automatic Horsepower: 240hp Torque: 366Nm Top Speed: 190kph All-wheel drive Wood-trim panel Push-button start Electric power steering LED daytime running lights 8-inch infotainment screen Rear backup camera Blind spot monitoring system Power-adjustable front seats Lane Keeping Assist 713.5litres cargo space ABS and Traction Control SYNC3 interface 7 airbags Button-operated gearbox
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CARS ADVENTURES SPECTACULAR SANTORINI
Santorini is an astonishing sight from the air – a collection of five islands floating on the waves of the Aegean Sea – like an incomplete jigsaw puzzle.
1. Take a tour of the Santorini’s special wineries 2. Enjoy a cliff-side walk from Thira to Oia 3. Do a “sunset tour” on one of the traditional Greek boats 4. Visit and trek the volcanic mountain 5. Enjoy the local cuisines at the local bistros
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Destination
Cars
Y-Fi
Gaming
POSTCARDS FROM
Christine Karan recommends
SANTORINI, GREECE J
ust an hour’s flight or seven hours by ferry from Athens, Santorini, one of the most romantic islands on the Aegean Sea, h a s b e e n a tt r a c t i n g p e o p l e o f a l l k i n d s f o r c e n t u r i e s ; f r o m kings and royals of the yore to modern-day couples, honeymooners, photographers, writers or simply people who want to chill out. The island’s capital town Fira is the most populated and happening place with several choices of hotels, restaurants, pubs a n d n i g h t c l u b s t o s u i t e v e r y t a s t e a n d b u d g e t . Fo r t h e d i s c e r n i n g , t h e r e a r e o t h e r p i c t u r e p o s t - c a r d v i l l a g e s a l o n g t h e c l i ff , I m e r o v i g l i , Fr e s t o fa n i , O i a , e t c . I f y o u a r e a b e a c h b u m , j u s t g o d o w n t h e h i l l and you have a choice of hotels and pubs along the beach. Here is how you can make the best of Santorini in two days. Day 1: Visit one of the few museums to know about the history of the Island. Drive or take a bus to Akrotri archaeological site and s e e t h e r e m a i n s o f t h e a n c i e n t s e tt l e m e n t b u r i e d f o r t h o u s a n d s of years by the volcanic ash. Then head to the nearby Red beach past the white and blue Orthodox Church and swim and relax in the b a c k d r o p o f r e d c o l o u r e d c l i ff . H e a d b a c k a t y o u r w i l l . D a y 2 : H e a d d o w n t o A t h i o n o s o l d p o r t a n d b o a r d a f e r r y fo r a Caldera, Therassia and hot springs tour. Hike up to see the two c a l d e r a s - o n e s t i l l e m a n a t i n g a s t r o n g s m e l l o f s u l fu r . A f t e r a b r i e f s t o p a t t h e h o t s p r i n g s , r e a c h T h i r a s i a i s l a n d k n o w n fo r r u s t i c , p i c t u r e s q u e a n d c o l o u r fu l h o u s e s o f M a n o l a s v i l l a g e . S w i m i n t h e crystal-clear waters until you are hungry and have lunch in any of t h e t r a d i t i o n a l t a v e r n s b e fo r e r e t u r n i n g t o S a n t o r i n i . S t r o l l a l o n g the town square visiting the souvenir shops and have dinner of your choice from the several restaurants around.
SANTO
R IN I IS LAND, GREEC ON SUN E, SET
ND U IL D IN G S A A IN C IE N T B Y E D P OT T E R D E C OR A T
My favourite place
The sunset point at Oia has to be my very favourite. The undisturbed view of the vast carpet of the Aegean sea with the bright yellow/orange sun descending behind the rocky island is a view to remember.
Highlights
If you are visiting in the summer, then the beaches by default are the highlights. The crystal-clear blue water with white sand is a picture postcard moment. However, if you are travelling during the winter, trek your way up to the town of Fira from sea level.
Lowlights During the winters, public transport is very limited and may deter your local travel. Souvenirs Local, hand-made products such as jewellery, soaps, room fresheners, etc. are a must buy. Getting there There are various flights flying out from Muscat to Athens, with stopovers at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
Where to stay the sea.
Though there are not may branded hotels on Santorini, there are many cliff hotels overlooking
MESA G IA L O S , OLD P MODER ORT OF N C A P IT F IR A , AL OF T HE GR AEGEA EEK N IS L A ND
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-FI THE TECH IN YOU
Destination
Cars
Gaming
Y-FI
SNAP IT
From the heavy, unrivalled flagships to the light, compact ones, they are all designed to keep the enthusiasts and professionals snap happy. Alvin Thomas zooms in on the fabulous choices
TOP TRUMP Let’s face it: You either love Nikon to a point you’d shell out money to buy one, or you hate it so much that you’d rather have a Canon or a Sony. But, if you – like us – fall into the first category, you’re going to want the allnew (well, when we say new, we mean 2017) Nikon D5. The large metal case sheathes a formidable 20.8-megapixel FX-Format CMOS Sensor and an EXPEED 5 image processor. This means you can shoot photos at 12fps (frames per second) for 200 shots with AE/AF, record 4K UHD videos at 30fps, and process 14-Bit Raw and 12-Bit Raw S format files. Even more impressive is its 153-point AF system, and the uncomplicated 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen monitor. Buy the camera frame – minus the lenses – for RO2,500 from amazon.com
MAKE YOUR MARK Building a portable adventure camera is a tricky affair, yet the boffins at GoPro have been mastering the art for over a decade now. Now in its sixth iteration, the GoPro Hero6 Black ups the stakes by offering 4K UHD recording capabilities at 60fps as well as super-slow-motion (240fps) videos at 1080p. There’s a small 2-inch wide touchscreen for navigation through the menu and an on-board stabliser as well. Overall, it’s a musthave product for action photo- and videographers… if you’re willing to look past the hefty RO192.5 price tag. Buy it from amazon.com
THE X FACTOR Canon produces some of the best DSLRs you can currently buy today. However, there’s a problem: The flagship Canon 5D Mark IV is over two years older than its Nikon counterpart. Nevertheless, we’re not going to give it the cold shoulder. The DSLR packs a 30.4-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor for versatile shooting. You can also record 4K UHD videos at 30fps or 24fps, and there’s an in-camera still frame grab that can shoot at 8.8-megapixels. While the numbers seem to be on a par with industry standards, the 5D can only shoot images at 7fps, and comes with a 61-point AF system with 41 cross-points for expanded vertical coverage. At RO1,231, however, the Canon has the Nikon beat. Get yours from amazon. com
SMART CAM
EDITOR’S PICK
POINT-AND-SHOOT CAMERAS ARE THE UNDERDOGS OF THE CAMERA WORLD. THINK ABOUT IT: YOU CAN PURCHASE A DECENT DSLR FOR A SLIGHT MARGIN OVER THE PRICE OF A SMALLER CAMERA. THIS HAS LED TO THESE CAMERAS OFTEN BEING GLOSSED OVER WHEN CROSS-SHOPPING. BUT, PANASONIC IS TRYING TO BREAK THE TYPECAST WITH ITS ZS100 SERIES TRAVEL CAMERA. FOR STARTERS, IT PACKS A 1-INCH TYPE CMOS SENSOR WITH 20.1-MEGAPIXELS OF RESOLUTION AND 10FPS CONTINUOUS SHOOTING CAPABILITY. AS IS THE NORM WITH CAMERAS THESE DAYS, THERE’S ALSO 4K UHD VIDEO RECORDING AND SIMULTANEOUS PHOTO MODE. ALL OF THIS IS FURTHER ENCASED IN A BEAUTIFUL METAL CASE. BUY THIS FROM AMAZON.COM FOR RO211.3
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Fabulous four
Gamers will have a busy time in 2018, 1. MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 3. FAR CRY 5 hunting down enormous monsters Marvel fans will finally be able to play with their The game that never fails to impress. And time, instead of fighting tribal groups and exploring gorgeous worlds. most-beloved character, Spidey. Though we do this in rural parts of the world, you will be up not know when exactly the action-adventure Hasan Al Lawati picks the top four to game will be released, we are sure that nothing against modern-day religious fanatics. Shooting enemies, hunting animals and a gamer more than web-slinging from a help you save on money and time and satisfies carefully planning ambushes will make tower to another. the game worth your time and money. stay ahead of the race
P
erhaps 2018 will be the most promising year for PlayStaion4 fans. To the ones who are still dithering about buying a PS4, I say "GO FOR IT". It seems plenty of open-world games will see the light of day this year, including famous brands like Spider-Man, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Far Cry 5. Gamers all over the world are looking forward to playing new productions and exciting sequels such as The Last of Us 2, God of War and Monster Hunter: World. But laying your hands on all of them, including the ridiculously expensive downloadable content, will leave you poorer by a few hundred rials. That is why we would like to make your choice easier, and your wallet heavier, by listing the top four most-anticipated games of the year.
2. GOD OF WAR The son of God of War's merciless hero, Kratos, will make his debut in this edition of the series. With a softer storyline set in Greek mythology, the game will let geeks enjoy breaking bones and souls of mighty monsters.
4. RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 After years of waiting, Rockstar's second best franchise after GTA will come back to the market. The cowboy-based game is our top pick for the year. Sadly, it will not to be released before mid-2018.
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
Health
Beauty
BRIGHT AND BOLD
FASHION
New Year is always an opportunity to try something innovative and new – to shake things up. So, let your 2018 be fashionably bright and bold, like this stunning and funky ensemble from River Island.
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aran K e tin hris C , t ry tree esto s o h h g s e hi rmy h a t e o t H end e look. ram h g g hi th the to get n Insta m Fro s you tine o is help w Chr o Foll
T t Ge
This holiday season ZARA has brought in some amazing dazzling outfits and we absolutely love this black sequenced blazer! Do you? Available for RO46
Planning to dance all night with your friends? Then you need something that will give disco ball some competition; get hold of this multicoloured dress from H&M! Shop it now for RO21
Make heads turn at the Christmas party in this super chic, long-sleeved, fully sequenced dress from ZARA. A real showstopper you need to shop! Buy it for RO46
Organise all your essentials for the party and spread some love this holiday season with this simple, yet bold shoulder flip bag from H&M. Shop it for RO13.
When you go for a full glittering look, then your shoes should also dazzle. NewLook has the right pair — simple black-heeled pumps with striking embellishment on the bow strap. Shop it now for RO15
Break the monotony of dazzle and allure with a fashionably rebellious matt faux leather jacket from ZARA. We assure you this flowing jacket will give you the right fashion balance. Buy it now for RO18
Organise all your essentials for the party and spread some love this holiday season with this simple, yet bold shoulder flip bag from H&M. Shop it for RO13.
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
Feeling
INCLUDED
From the 40 shades of foundation to the 14 shades of lipstick, Rihanna is celebrating beauty in all its shades. Christine Karan on why girls of all skin tones fall in love with Fenty Beauty
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ihanna has proved herself to be a rock star not just in the world of music but also in the world of beauty. She rocked the fashion world (at least the beauty industry) last year making a grand entry with her brand Fenty Beauty, launching 40 different shades of foundation — a mattifying and luscious liquid base for all skin tones. Since then it has become a cult among the beautyconscious. But that was just the soft launch. With the foundations came a variety of concealers, blushes and show-stopping highlighter Trophy Wife that became the talk of the town, literally. Fenty Beauty rocked more, and came out with the holiday edition Galaxy right before the Christmas break. The Galaxy edition focused on bringing out the alien in you and instantly became a must-want for all beauty/makeup lovers and Rihanna lovers. The Galaxy edition includes Galaxy eye shadow pallet, Cosmic lipglosses, lipsticks and glitter eyeliner. Clearly, the brand focuses on introducing products for those who want to stand out from the crowd and be the shimmering queens. If anyone is looking for an exquisite lip colour to make a fashion statement in holiday parties, Stunna Lip Paint is the answer. The bright red lip colour is dubbed as the ‘lip colour for all’ by Rihanna. This liquid, matt lipstick suits all colour tones and does not budge for almost eight hours (Yes, we tried and tested!) 042
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Finally, Fenty Beauty has yet again rocked the beauty world with some astonishing and funky lip colours under the name Mattemoiselle. With unconventional colours like bright orange, military green, deep blue and a couple of 80s vibe browns, the 14-shade collection indeed turns heads and captures everyone’s attention, including the non-makeup lovers. Since the launch, Fenty Beauty has been hitting headlines, beauty blogs and vlogs, and has become every makeup lover’s must-have — justifiably so, with its diverse shades and bespoke range. Starting from the 40 shades of foundation launch to the recent Mattemoiselle, Fenty Beauty
is revolutionising the beauty industry by bringing in amazing formula that every skin tone can enjoy. That said, we have to be honest here and say we are not a fan of ‘everything’ from the brand. For example, the Y-Beauty team found the foundations a tad bit drying. However, we did find the right shade of foundation to match our skin tone. We fell in love with the Stanna Lip paint and the sheer, petal softness of the new Mattemoiselle collection. With all the vibrant and unique products brought to the shelf by Fenty Beauty, we look forward to what Rihanna has to offer us next.
Beauty
HEALTH
Fashion
RIGHT
RESPONSE
Two things that matter most are the symptoms and how you respond to the situation. Dr Moosa briefs Alvin Thomas on the art of survival in heart attacks
T
he lifestyle you live can often construe into the health of your heart. You needn’t be a rocket scientist to comprehend that a frivolous routine can often lead to detrimental health – which can then lead to an early grave. Last week, we looked at easy (and some difficult) ways by which we can keep our heart healthy. It’s a matter that must take centre stage, chiefly because recent statistics have alerted us that Oman is among the leading countries with reported heart diseases. But taking steps to keep your heart healthy isn’t just enough, says Dr Moosa, a general practitioner at a private hospital in Oman. “It’s true that you can always adopt a different routine to change your heart’s health, but the damage that has been done is irreparable – especially when dealing with those who have already undergone a heart attack. “So, in such a case, wherein you may have to deal with patients who are suffering from a heart condition, it’s best to know how to respond,” he tells. “It’s important to know the symptoms of a heart attack and how you can respond to such a serious situation. “When a person has a cardiac arrest or a heart attack, his or her survival depends on immediately getting a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from someone close by. “There are reports that almost 80 to 90 per cent of people who suffer from cardiac arrests outside of a hospital die. So, CPR, especially if performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.” But cardiac arrest and a heart attack are two different conditions, says the doctor. “A heart attack is when the heart is blocked and blood cannot flow. A sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly.”
Here are some of the symptoms exhibited by a patient suffering from a heart attack: • Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back • Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain • Shortness of breath • Cold sweat • Fatigue • Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness Cardiac arrests, however, strike immediately and without warning. It is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat, which is also known as an arrhythmia. The symptoms are: • Sudden loss of responsiveness (no response to tapping on shoulders). • No response to tapping on shoulders. • Does nothing when you ask if he or she is OK. • No normal breathing • Victim is not breathing or is only gasping.
Here’s how you can respond to a situation: • Tap the person and shout: Check if the person responds to your calls. Tap him or her and shout, “Are you OK?” If he or she doesn’t move, speak, blink, or otherwise react, then call 9999. • Yell for help! Don’t hesitate to call for help. You will be performing a CPR after the next step, and it’s best to have someone to keep the situation under control (i.e. to perform a two-person CPR). • Check breathing: If the person isn't breathing or is only gasping, start giving a CPR. • CPR: Push hard and fast: Push down on the centre of the chest at least 2-2.5 inches on the chest and at a rate of 100 to 120 pushes a minute, allowing the chest to come back up to its normal position after each push. Don’t fret about cracking the ribs. You may also have to open the airways using the head-tilt, chin-lift manoeuvre.
Next week, we’ll focus on how to give a CPR, and some crucial steps that must be taken when performing a CPR. JAN 11 - JAN 17 / ISSUE 502
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FOOD DRINK
Trend
New Restaurant
THE RIGHT MIX
Spending precious time in the kitchen cooking can be quite onerous, especially when there are guests in the house. Try our easy-toprepare recipes so that you can stay involved in the action.
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Reviews
CREATIVE TWISTS Being the best host at your holiday gathering is very simple: spend less time in the kitchen and more time having small talk with the guests. Here’s how you could do both, and dish out a great meal
O
ne element that makes the holidays in Oman so special is spending quality time with loved ones – even those visiting guests from the far end of the country. When hosting, it is your chance to put smiles on your guests’ faces with tasty foods for everyone to enjoy. Spend less time in the kitchen preparing and more time with your guests with small changes and simple shortcuts that may be all it takes to bring ease to the holidays and be the host with the most (fun, that is). Reinvent old favourites. Take your holiday appetisers and small bites from ordinary to exceptional with novel takes on your favourite recipes. For example, potato skins are a classic crowd-pleasing appetiser and easy-to-make snack. Give them a creative twist by stuffing potato halves with beef pepperoni and shredded mozzarella for a flavourful new way to enjoy a timeless favourite. Make it easy. Have fun preparing a meal for guests and save time in the kitchen when using ingredients like meatballs. Flavour and substance are key to any great meal, especially when feeding a crowd. From appetisers to everyday dishes, frozen meatballs make it simple to create crowd-pleasing meals, cutting down on the preparation time so you can get back to fun and entertaining. Be the hero at your next holiday gathering with zesty meatball-baked ziti, which can be prepared and ready to serve in next-to-no time.
Stuffed Pepperoni Potato Skins Ingredients: § 10 baby potatoes § 2 1/2 tsp minced garlic § 5 tsp pesto § 20 tsp mozzarella cheese § 10 slices small beef pepperoni/meatballs, diced Method: § Heat an oven to 177°C. Line a sheet pan with foil. Set aside. § Rinse potatoes and place in a microwave on a high for 3 minutes. § Remove potatoes from the microwave and let cool for 5 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. With a spoon, scoop out the centre of each potato to make boat. § Fill each potato boat by evenly stuffing with minced garlic, pesto, cheese and pepperoni.
§ Place potato skins on sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly. Remove skins from the oven and let cool before serving.
Meatball-Baked Ziti Ingredients: § 450g ziti pasta, uncooked § 1 package (400g) meatballs, thawed § 1 jar (680g) marinara sauce § 2 cups grated mozzarella or provolone cheese Method: § Heat an oven to 190°C. Cook pasta according to package directions. Cut meatballs in half. § In a large frying pan, combine marinara sauce and meatballs; bring the mixture to boil over a high heat. Reduce heat to a mediumlow; stir well, cover and simmer for 5-6 minutes, or until meatballs are heated
through, stirring once. § Stir in drained pasta; mix well. Transfer half of the mixture to an 8-inch baking dish; top with 1 cup cheese. Repeat layering with the remaining pasta mixture and cheese. § Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mixture is heated through and cheese melted.
Source: Armour
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FOOD DRINK
Tr e n d
New Restaurant
REVIEWS
getd u B ndly Frie Info Box
THE FAMOUS KATHI ROLLS
Adjacent to Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghubra, Muscat Opening hours: 8am to 11:30pm Phone: 9727 4226 (A heavy) Dinner for two: RO10.9 Verdict : 5/10 SERVICE 7.5/10 FOOD 7/10 AMBIENCE
THE FAMOUS KATHI ROLLS
Great Indo-Chinese food options at affordable rates. Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals
THE NEPALI AND INDO-CHINESE CHOWS ON THE MENU WERE THE FIRST. AND THEN THERE WERE A SLEW OF IT. ALVIN THOMAS CHEWS OVER A ROLL CALL OF SURPRISES
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he streets of Kolkata harbour some of India’s most prized chattels: Iconic buildings, aspiring poets, artisans and some of the nation’s most palatable dishes. These are some of the quirks that give the former Indian capital its much-needed identity. There’s no doubt: Kolkata – formerly known as Calcutta – is the cultural hub of the country. While a trip down memory lane will expose you to a galore of old poetries, ballads, movies and even paintings, it will also showcase some of India’s best chows; namely the Kathi rolls. So, staring at The Famous Kathi Rolls restaurant in Ghubra, I couldn’t help resist myself from trying out some authentic (West) Bengali rolls. The insides of the restaurant are modern and unlike what you would find in Kolkata; albeit, that’s a good thing. The floors were clean and the chairs and tables were all prepped for customers. The waiter presented us with the menu soon after. And then came the biggest surprise: The Famous Kathi Rolls serves Bengali, Nepali and Indo-Chinese cuisines. My brother Ninad and I found that rather surprising but still asked the waiter to bring us Kathi mutton and paneer rolls. We also ordered a plate of mixed noodles, paneer parantha, chilly chicken and chicken rezala. The waiter was a bit aloof – which can be interpreted as a bit too authentic to some.
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hanging in the balance, we made the decision to order two pots of mishit dahi (sweet yoghurt). Of course, we had never heard of the delicacy THE MIXED NOODLES WAS DONE before and were a bit circumspect about it. We JUST RIGHT AND THE FLAVOURS waited about 10 minutes for it to arrive – assuming WERE DELECTABLE. it being prepared exclusively for us – before realising that the waiter had forgotten to place our order. To no offence of his own, though, as he seemed to be overworked with the several take-away orders that were being placed. So, we didn’t react when he ran inside to bring us our pots. The sweet invoked our taste buds (in a great way). The yoghurt, meanwhile, was consistent and creamy, and the sensation wasn’t too overpowering. Most Indian sweets tend to be The rolls were the first to arrive and, to our overkill, especially after a hearty meal. This wasn’t surprise, they were rather small. But at 800 baisas, the case here. we didn’t complain. Though, the palate of the In all, our experience at The Famous Kathi rolls wasn’t top-notch. Rolls restaurant was quite mixed: We enjoyed the Mind you: it was satisfactory, but not as good as Chinese dishes more than the actual rolls. But, what you’d get, say, in India. The Kathi mutton given that it has just opened doors to the public, roll was the better of the two but, even then, it I’d like to commend the workers for their wasn’t worth writing home about. resilience to make it one of the most versatile The noodles and the chilly chicken were the Bengali restaurants in Oman. I’d definitely visit next on the list. Amazingly, the dishes were this place again. I’m sure that things will take a stupendous. The mixed noodles was done just turn for the better as time passes on. right and the flavours were delectable. With its tender chicken lumps and hot flavours, even the Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see chilly chicken was admirable. reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com The paneer parantha and the chicken rezala arrived soon after. The curry looked like a miss, as it produced some strong south Indian flavours. The chicken rezala is a very popular dish that originated in Bengal and was highly influenced by Mughlai cuisine – so it tends to be white in colour. The curry was a tad oily, but we were quite satisfied with the taste. The accompanying parantha was delicious too, if a bit stingy with the paneer. We still gobbled all of it down without any haste. With our experience dining at the restaurant still