Y Magazine #512, March 22, 2018 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

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MAR 22 - 28 2018 / ISSUE 512 • WEEKLY

Rent CRASH

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

Burjeel is celebrating month of March as Women’s Month.

Fast forward

re you planning to shift to a new house? Then this is the best time to rent a flat or a villa in Oman. According to experts who attended the Oman Real Estate Expo last week, more landlords are providing tenants with flexible rates. To be specific, as per the Winter 2017/18 Property Market Outlook by real estate agency Cluttons, there has been a 25 per cent drop over the last three years in property rental rates Oman. The recently published Oman Property Market Review by real estate surveyors Cavendish Maxwell states that rents are expected to fall further. This continuous drop in rents has put tenants in a stronger position to negotiate terms with owners who in turn are offering better rents and flexible lease terms. But, what are the reasons for this decline? And how will this downtrend affect the industry in the coming years? In our cover story this week, top experts in the real estate field talk about the rent crash in Oman and how the tenants can cash in on the opportunity. Happy reading!

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Nishad Padiyarath ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

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REPORTER Alvin Thomas PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

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contents

MARCH 22 - 28 2018

Your Oman

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman Hasan al Lawati 10 News Mwasalat slashes fares to Muscat airport 12 News Muscat Film Festival to host international stars

Shake it off Join some of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best DJs in a night of music and dance at the Sunset Musica Festival

Tenant is king We investigate the truths and myths behind the rent crash in Oman.

A helping hand Students from around the world join hands to focus on helping one another, while also shedding light on one Omani hallmark

19 Movies Pacific Rim Uprising wins hearts in Oman

20 Food and Drink 44 Food Feature Seafood delights

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination Stargazing at Yiti 34 First Drive Volkswagen Arteon 38 Y-Fi Wearable gadgets

Features

46 Taste Test Ruby Tuesday

Health and Beauty 38 Fashion Sassy Skirts 41 Health Importance of self- care

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

DREAM ON

THE WING

The new Muscat International Airport terminal has come to life with the first set of passengers walking out in awe at the facilities and pleased with the service. Alvin Thomas basks in the excitement

t was a momentous occasion for anyone who has been residing in Oman. The once solitary structure that formed Seeb’s skyline, and part of the old Muscat International Airport, has finally come to life – like a well-oiled machine that has just begun operations. And as airport staff, some with tears in their eyes, welcomed the first set of passengers at the new airport terminal, the dream of having a new airport to serve those visiting Oman came true. It’s not a single-handed effort, though. It’s the product of several thousands of hours put in by engineers, labourers, management staff, electricians, carpenters, designers and, finally, the public in the form of passengers who undertook trials. The new Muscat International Airport terminal will not only begin operations from the old terminal, but is also expected to form the core of Oman’s tourism strategy, which will place the mega-airport at the forefront of its goals. Let’s also not forget: The airport is now aiming to earn a spot in the top 20 airports in the world. Juxtaposition of the old and new will help appreciate the vast facilities now available. For instance, the new airport can handle 20 million passengers and their luggage with no hitches. The latter is possible thanks to a stateof-the-art cargo terminal that was launched at the new Muscat International Airport just this week (March 19). During the launch, Mohammed Al Zaabi, CEO of PACA, said: “We are very pleased with the successful operation of the new air cargo building with a capacity of 350,000 tons per year and an expansion capacity of 500 thousand tons. The equipment includes stateof-the-art technologies to keep pace with the

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steady growth in air traffic.” For the convenience of passengers, the new airport adopts new levels of automation and digitisation – some of which rivals international airports. This can be seen with the new self-service check-in kiosks that have been installed near the check-in counters. Two new applications will also be launched to ease traffic in the airport. Nicole D., a mother flying from the new airport with her young toddlers, told Y: “I am extremely pleased by the experience. I thought I would have to wait in long queues as the staff would be still learning about the new systems that are on board, but that was not to be.” Complimenting the beautiful interiors and the use of natural light and resources to brighten up the interior, she added: “Seeing that I was with children, the staff politely aided in checking us all in. Overall, we’re very happy with the experience.” Joining in the fervour is Mwasalat, Oman’s national transport company. The bus fares to and fro the new airport will now cost 50 per cent less than before. So, a ticket that previously cost RO1 will now only cost 500 baisas. The new airport will operate a total of 86 check-in counters and 40 gates. Passengers in Muscat will also get to their flights via jetbridges as opposed to traditional buses. All this should pave way for a 40 per cent increase in the number of tourists visiting Oman next year, and providing everyone with top-class service. NOTE: Passengers must report three hours before their flight’s scheduled time of departure at the new airport, while those who need to cancel their visas need to report four hours before the time of departure, as per the recently issued directives. This is applicable for both international and domestic flights.

THE VOICE OF OMAN

AS THE NEW MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMES TO LIFE, HASAN AL LAWATI REFLECTS ON THE OLD AND DECLARES: THE MEMORIES WILL LIVE ON

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: The authorities have announced that singles living in residential areas have three days to register with Muscat Municipality or face eviction. What do you think of the move? GAUTAM GHOSH DASTIDAR

eople in Oman are all eager to get a firsthand experience of the new Muscat International Airport that just opened on Tuesday (March 20). While the beautiful airport is the talk of the town now, I think it is also a good time to reflect on the old airport. The one that has served the country for around 45 years. With more than 10 million travellers passing through it in 2017, it has been a silent witness to tearful goodbyes and happy reunions. A wise person once said that “airports see more sincere kisses than wedding halls. The walls of hospitals have heard more prayers than the walls of churches.” I do agree. Airports are not just a commercial hub for airliners that transport people from a place to another while serving them tasteless food. Airports witnessed our first awkward hugs, our earliest dreams of leaving civilisation to wander into nature, and our hardest and most joyful moments. I arrived in Oman last Tuesday on a Turkish Airlines flight’s last trip to the old airport. When landing in Muscat on a very quiet night, I could not help thinking that it’s the last time I would see the building, the last time I would pass through the immigration counter and the last time I would pick up my bag from the conveyor belt. But like humans, buildings die, leaving nothing but memories to live on. Adieu old Muscat airport.

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There have been disputes between expatriates living with family and without. According to Article 31of Muscat Municipality Local Order Number 23/92 issued on April 12, 1992, concerning building regulation for Muscat, single men should live in segregated living quarters in the capital. In line with this article, on March 6, 2018, unmarried expats and workers living in residential areas were given up to three days to register with Muscat Municipality to escape eviction. Initially, it’s a move against home owners who house single residents in residential neighbourhoods without prior permission of the municipality, and not a step to victimise the tenants. Media reports said municipal authorities and ROP jointly raided a few such homes in Mawaleh in January this year, but we have not come across anyone who was a victim of the ongoing eviction process. Some clarification will be helpful. Who exactly face the eviction: single men or singles of both genders? What will happen to those whose families come over to Muscat for just two or three months a year? Are the companies going to relocate their ‘married’ bachelors in Bausher, Amerat or Mabella and look after staff transportation to and fro the workplace?

BRINDA KALYANI

Muscat Municipality announced early this month that single residents should not stay in apartments where families are residing. Appreciation goes to the authorities for this proactive move and creating a congenial, fearfree atmosphere for families. Single residents’ priorities are different from that of families and it is a danger that single residents are living near families. Men are out at work and

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women are staying back at home, or both are out and children are left alone at home. That’s a risky situation. While it’s welcome to house single men in bachelors’ quarters, the time span given is too short. They may be given more time to relocate. We need more low-cost bachelor residential areas. Bachelors are mostly noisy and their weekend celebrations cause annoyance, inconvenience and fear in the families living nearby. The municipality is fair enough that if bachelors register with it and come under the surveillance of the authorities they may be exempted.

ASGHAR ALI

Illegal expats are the target of this new move. Legal expats already have residential documents (bataqa) which are a form of registration. The new measure may affect those who are here looking for job opportunities. Landlords should be more responsible for their tenants’ legal status. I welcome the move: it’s all part of making Oman safe and peaceful.

SUNIL SETH

There are two sides to the issue. True, there could be some social and ethical problems when a large number of single expats stay together. They could hold parties/ gatherings/ play loud music, etc. which could create nuisance to other residents. There could also be vast differences in the behaviours as well as customs and traditions. When men go to work, their family members (wives and young girls) may feel insecure if young, single men are living in the same complex. However, we cannot ask single expats to vacate their current accommodation until there are alternative arrangements. Similar issues were raised about three to four years ago, and it was decided that the solution was building special housing complexes for single expatriates in certain localities in every wilayat. I believe that Muscat

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SUSHMA CHATHURVEDI

While we understand the concerns raised by families about having to share living premises with single men, we need to look at the other side of the issue as well: how prepared are we to take care of the need of the bachelors? Or, are we going to soon come out with a decision that the Sultanate no longer welcomes singles for employment? That is unrealistic and impossible. Remember, most of the singles here are â&#x20AC;&#x153;married bachelorsâ&#x20AC;? who are forced to stay alone for a range of reasons, including economical and social. Let us not look down upon the singles as the cause of all the trouble, please.

RETNA BEDI

Single men and families living in the same blocks of flats are unwelcome. I have no problem with single men, and I agree that a lot of them are gentlemen (though not so perfect), but the fact that the availability of such facilities could be misused by the bad ones is what families are worries about. Why make it easier for these bad guys, so let us slowly move the singles out to their own dedicated spaces of accommodation. Gradually, yes, but not overnight.

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MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

NEWS

YOUR

OMAN

wasalat, will now be offering a 50 per cent discount on routes to and from the new Muscat International Airport. A statement issued by Mwasalat said: “The route prices to and from the new Muscat International Airport will be 0.500 baisas.” The offer will run from March 20 until June 20 this year. The buses will leave every 30 minutes from bus stations in Ruwi, Azaiba, Mabella and Rusayl, and the service will run 24x7. The first bus will leave from Ruwi bus station at 5.52am, stopping at Al Nahda Hospital, Wadi Adai, Wattayah, Wattayah – ROP stadium, Qurum, Royal Opera House, Al Sarooj, Omantel Al Khuwair, Al Khuwair

MWASALAT SLASHES FARES

TO MUSCAT AIRPORT

– bridge, Ghubra, Ghubra North, Ghubra – bridge and Azaiba – A, reaching the new Muscat International Airport at 6.43am. The Azaiba – Mwasalt B, however, will make its first pickup at 6.02am heading directly to the airport, reaching at 6.13am. The first bus back to Ruwi will leave at 5.45am and drop passengers off from Al Azaiba – Mwasalt B until the last bus station in Ruwi by 6.37am. The first bus from Mabela will leave at the same time as the service in Ruwi—5.52am— picking up passengers from Al Khoud, Al Hail B, Al Hail A, Mawalih, Burj Sahwa, Burj Sahwa East and the old airport, reaching the final destination by 6.25am. At the same time, the first bus from the new airport is

scheduled to leave at 5.30am and reach the last bus stop in Mabela at 6.02am. Mwasalat taxis are also currently operating at the new Muscat International Airport, the malls and on demand. Orange and white cabs are also available but the fare to and from the new Muscat International Airport varies depending on the location and the driver. The fare from Ruwi taxi stand, which is across Mwasalat bus station, starts from RO5 and goes up to RO7, depending on the taxi driver, while on the way back it can range between RO7 and 9. However, the taxi stand located next to Burj Sahwa is charging RO5 to go to the new airport, while asking for between RO5 and 7 on the way back.

HOUSE, FARM GO UP IN FLAMES IN OMAN

wo fires that started in Muscat and Ibra were brought under control by firefighters, the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) said. While the fire in Muscat started on a farm in Bausher, a house in Ibra caught fire. However, no injuries were reported in either case.Firefighters were able to put out the fire with the help of residents in the Wilayat of Bausher. In a statement online PACDA said, “In response to a report on a fire in a farm in Wilayat

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Bausher, we would like to inform you that the civil defence and ambulance department in Muscat, managed to control the fire and extinguish it.” “We would like to thank all the nationals that aided in outing out the fire, hand in hand with the servicemen,” PACDA added.

AL WISAL CELEBRATES 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

man’s number one radio station, Al Wisal, celebrated 10 years of its existence this month from the highest peaks in the country – Jabal Akhdar and Jabal Shams – to become the first radio station ever to broadcast live shows from the top points in Oman. From its studios in Muscat, the celebrations had commenced on air from the 1st of March, through a special competition which gave away RO1000 to winners, each week. On March 19, 2018 – the day that marked the launch of the station 10 years ago in 2008 – the Al Wisal team gathered together to celebrate. H.E. Dr Abdul Munim bin Mansour bin Said al Hasani, the Minister of

Information, and Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, the chairman of Sabco Media, attended the event. H.E. Dr Abdulmunim bin Mansour bin Said al Hasani, the Minister of Information, also congratulated Al Wisal on its big day. “Congratulations Al Wisal on the prizing contribution to the media sector in Oman, and to all the Sabco Media products for presenting and delivering to the public in the country Talking about the momentous occasion, Sayyid Khalid al Busaidi said: “The main reason behind launching Al Wisal in 2008 was to serve the society and country, and to be another milestone in Omani media along with other official media institutions in Oman. “I thank the Al Wisal team members, the Ministry of Information, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority for their continues support for Alwisal and all our stations. I would like to thank Alwisal’s audience, who keeps Al Wisal as their first choice while listening to the radio. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all our partners, sponsors and advertisers who have supported us over the last 10 years,” he added. Al Wisal – which operates under the frequencies 96.5 in Muscat, 100.7 in Buraimi and 107.1 in Nizwa – forms a key pillar under the Sabco Media umbrella. Often touted as the leading Arabic station in the country, the FM radio station first opened doors on March 19th in 2008. Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, the chairman of Sabco Media; Eihab Abutaha, the CEO of Sabco Media; Salim Al Amri, the general manager of Al Wisal; Nadim Attieh, the general manager of Merge 104.8 and Virgin Radio Oman; presenters; technical team; and other Sabco media employees from Y Magazine, Koooora Wa Bas, Merge 104.8 and Virgin Radio Oman were present during the anniversary celebrations.

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NEWS

MUSCAT FILM FESTIVAL TO HOST

INTERNATIONAL STARS

he 10th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) will be hosting film stars from around the world, including Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, award-winning IndianAmerican filmmaker Mira Nair, Egyptian actor Amr Waked, Syrian filmmaker Ghassan Massoud, Egyptian director Ali Badrakhan and Italian actor Franco Nero. The six-day festival will begin on March 26 and continue until the end of the month, mostly at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) auditorium in Seeb, while other venues will include Vox cinemas, Shatti cinemas, and Qurum City Centre. The festival, organised by the Oman Film Society (OFS) under the Ministry of Social Development and in association with the Ministry of Tourism and Oman Airports, will feature as many as 115 movies, including short films, documentaries, and feature films. President of OFS and MIFF Mohammad Al Kindi expressed optimism and excitement over the event: “As the event unfolds over the course of six days from

March 26 to 31, in a swirl of excitement, glitz and glamour and also with social themes, Oman’s nascent film industry will get a much-deserved boost as it shares the spotlight.” Movies with contemporary social themes highlighting women’s power and children’s rights will also be featured. Three movies will be premiered— Dear Maya, Queen of Katwe, and Pihu. Escape to Victory, the 1981 British-American film about allied Second World War prisoners interned in a German prison camp, will also be featured. Swedish-Lebanese singer Maher Zain, Grammy award-winning Japanese flautist Kitaro, world-whistling champion Dutchman Geert Chatrou, DanishPalestinian percussionist Simona Abdallah, as well as Russian Jaw harpist Olga Uutai, Indian saxophonist S Lavanya and Oman’s well-known Munshid singer Watasimu, popular singer Haitham Mohammed Rafi and Oud artist Ziyad Harbi will be attending the festival.

OIL AND GAS SECTOR GAVE JOBS TO

MORE THAN 6,000 OMANIS

moh no. : 434 / 2018

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ore than 6,000 Omanis were reemployed or newly hired in 2017 in the oil and gas sector, according to the Ministry of Oil and Gas. The total number of employees in operating companies, including concession area companies, Oman Oil Refinery and Petrochemical Industries, Oman LNG and Oman Gas Company, was 170,301. Some 13,941 of them were Omanis and 3,360 were expats, achieving 81 per cent Omanisation in the sector by the end of 2017. Operating companies recruited 387 Omanis in technical, engineering and administration jobs. More than 4,222 citizens were employed by the end of 2017, through redeployment in accordance with article 48 of the Labour Law.

67 ILLEGAL MIGRANTS DEPORTED

EXPAT ARRESTED FOR SELLING EXPIRED BODY CARE PRODUCTS

total of 67 illegal migrants have been deported by the Royal Oman Police (ROP), in coordination with their respective embassies. “The Royal Oman Police deported 67 infiltrators through Muscat International Airport, in accordance with the provisions of the judicial authorities which ordered them to be expelled after entering the Sultanate illegally,” the ROP said. The Royal Oman Police is keen on carrying out deportations of infiltrators in accordance with legal procedures. The ROP coordinates with the embassy of the infiltrators to verify their identities and finalise the procedures related to their deportation.

n expat who fabricated the expiry dates of over 260 body care products was arrested, announced Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP). According to authorities, the expat was arrested after expired products were found in a store in Muttrah. In a statement online, PACP said, “A total of 266 expired items have been seized by the Judicial Control Officers. They revealed that the expat used a special seal to falsify [the date on] some of them, while he used a pen to write dates of the rest.” The seized goods include 65 bottles of shampoo, 10 boxes of black hair dye, 178 soaps, two containers of floor antiseptic and 11 packs of moisturising cream.

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OMAN

PORSCHE OMAN HAS UNVEILED ITS FLAGSHIP CAYENNE SUV IN THE SULTANATE. THE EVENT WAS HOSTED AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL MUSCAT GROUNDS AND WAS ATTENDED BY PORSCHE OWNERS, DIGNITARIES AND MEDIA PERSONNEL.

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GALLERY

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FRENCH WEEK

OMAN

INTERCONTINENTAL MUSCAT HOSTED AN EXCITING ‘FRENCH CAN CAN’ ON THURSDAY, 15TH MARCH AT THE PALM GARDEN IN CELEBRATION OF THE OMAN FRENCH WEEK, WHEREIN GUESTS EXPERIENCED THE SPIRIT OF PARIS AND ENJOYED FRENCH CUISINE, CANCAN DANCERS AND MUSIC. THIERRY PERROT, THE REGIONAL GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HOTEL, SAID: “IT’S A BLESSING TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRENCH WEEK. WE HAVE CAPTURED ALL THE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE FRANCE FAMOUS AROUND THE WORLD. WE WILL BRING IT TO OMAN NEXT YEAR TOO BUT WITH A DIFFERENT AND NEWER CONCEPT. 016

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In a new series, we look for inspiration from a variety of influences around Oman, including its people, places and wildlife. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspiration: Until one has loved an animal, a part of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soul remains unawakened.

Photo: Shaquel Al Balushi MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

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SUNSET MUSICA FESTIVAL

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE After an unforgettable and star-packed night last year, Spirals, in association with Fasi Production, is bringing back the Sunset Musica Festival 2018 to Oman. The festival expects to bring music and dance lovers to the grounds of Intercontinental Muscat for a night of fun and frolic. Worldrenowned Swedish-Congolese singer Mohombi will grace the event along with DJ Darly from Brazil, DJ Essie from Spain, DJ Khalifa, DJ Gine, DJ Sultan, Dub Bass, DJ Leon and Zo Electric Project feat. Drum Infection from Oman, and DJ Miss Cara and DJ Wazi from South Africa. Doors to the event will open at 5pm – and the event will run until the early hours of the day. Tickets will start from RO7 (for those 21 and under), and will run up to RO10 for single men and women, and RO15 for couples. For more information contact: 97098681, 99805525, 96584858

WEEK

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

Celebrate Easter with your family and friends at the Muscat Hills Resort. The event will be family- and kid-friendly, with several exciting activities lined up for visitors. It will be hosted on the resort’s new grass lawn from 9am. To keep the kids occupied, there will be a bouncy castle and face painting. Kids under the age of 10 will also receive a complimentary buffet. Entry will cost RO10 for adults and RO5 for children between the ages of six and 12. The event will be powered by My Gym Muscat and supported by Axis Events. For more information call or whatsapp: +968 7150 0555 or email the sponsors at muscathillsresort.com

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MARCH

08-28 Are you striving to become a yoga trainer? If so, you’re in luck. Simply register yourself at the Yoga Teachers’ Training Programme to learn the art form. The training will take over 200 hours and will be provided by registered yoga teachers. After successfully completing the training, you can apply to become a member at the World Yoga Alliance. The training will be held at Al Nahda Resort & Spa, Barka. For more information, contact: 9884 0456 or sssymiddleeast@gmail.com

EASTER DAY FUN

THIS

MAR 30

PEACE AND YOGA

MAR

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

Johny Frank Garret’s Last Word Cast: Sean Patrick Flanery, Erin Cummings and Mike Doyle

Pacific Rim Uprising

expertise into a story of two secret agents, one Russian and one American, navigating intricate surveillance missions around the world in a game of one-upmanship. Oman release: March 22

Tall Tales

Cast: Scott Eastwood, Tian Jing, John Boyega Guillermo del Toro’s massively hyped 2013 giant-robot epic Pacific Rim underperformed at the US box office, but became a cult classic stateside and racked up plenty of dough overseas, revving up plans for a sequel. Pacific Rim Uprising (which is spelled without a colon, according to the studio) hits theatres on March 22, and the latest update on the film brings a new trailer packed with fresh footage. Directed by Steven S. DeKnight (Marvel’s Daredevil series) from a script penned by DeKnight, Emily Carmichael (RPG OKC), Kira Snyder (The 100), and T.S. Nowlin (The Maze Runner), Pacific Rim Uprising is set 10 years after the events of the original

Hichki Cast: Rani Mukerji, Supriya Pilgaonkar and Ivan Rodrigues

movie and follows a new generation of pilots tasked with battling massive “Kaiju” beasts from the sea using gigantic robots known as “Jaegers.” Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor John Boyega leads an international cast for the film, which will also introduce a new group of Jaegers — giant mechs piloted by humans — in humanity’s war against the monstrous Kaiju. Oman release: March 22

Hichki is the story of a woman who turns her most daunting weakness into her biggest strength. Naina Mathur (Rani Mukerji) is an aspiring teacher who suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome. After several interviews and numerous rejections, she lands her dream job as a full-time teacher in one of the most elite schools in the city. However, she soon realises that the class she has been assigned comprises defiant and impish students who can’t seem to keep out of trouble. Despite a few initial hiccups, Naina must do whatever she can to ensure that her students realise their true potential and defy all the odds. Oman release: March 22

Join the club

VOX REWARDS

A realistic movie narrated in a light way set in the 2001-2017 time frame. After suffering a loss in his duty-free shop, Shajahan finds it difficult to sustain his business. To make ends meet, he decides to take up odd jobs while his friend Neeraj, a cable operator, aspires to make it big as a director and strikes the idea of making an adult film. What happens next forms the crux of the movie. Oman release: March 22

Red Sparrow Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton and Matthias Schoenaerts

The movie is based on a 2013 novel by Jason Matthews, an ex-CIA operative who reportedly brought much of his

When Apollo, a kind-hearted travelling performer, lands in the village of the Funny Little Bugs, it’s not too long before he upsets the life of the kingdom. As Apollo falls into a trap set by Wendy, the jealous and treacherous cousin of the queen, he is framed for kidnapping Queen Marguerite, causing panic in the hive! In reality, Marguerite is held by the Vermin, Wendy’s accomplices, while she takes over the throne. With the help of his new friends, Apollo embarks on a perilous rescue mission. To free the Queen and save the hive, the Little Bugs will bravely face many dangers and be more imaginative than ever! Oman release: March 22

N WI

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who directed the film Hichki? LAST WEEK’S WINNER Rahul Rajagopal

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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RENT WITH A SMILE

Rents have dropped significantly and landlords are flexible with the terms and conditions. Now’s your time to pick places of your choice at bargain prices, report Alvin Thomas and Hasan al Lawati

myriad of newspaper headlines read that rents across properties in the Sultanate have dropped RO 700 considerably. It’s a notion – that turned into reality – RO 1.050 following the 2015 oil crisis that hit countries across the world. Countries that include the Sultanate of Oman. While the oil prices may be recovering and the subsequent market now picking up its share of the spoils and rebuilding itself, the property industry – courtesy numerous other factors – continues to fight for retaining its value and, as we see RO 380 now, keep sales and rental prices up to its full potential. RO 400 The case of Sandeep Mehta, a tenant staying with RO 430 his family in the Azaiba area in Muscat, proves the point that the tenant is king now. The marketing agent recently moved into his new house with a one-year contract that required him RO 570 to pay RO375 a month RO 480 for a twobedroom flat.

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The new building – which is registered to a reputed builder – seemed like a bargain. But he soon learnt that his neighbours were paying only RO320 a month for similarly sized flats. “The neighbours in our flat pointed out that the price of their flats were considerably cheaper during one of our routine chats. That made me furious,” says Sandeep. He headed to the holding company’s office demanding a drop in the rent. And they readily obliged! “I was surprised to see that it didn’t take much haggling to get the price low. I was all fired up to make my point. But the lady who was dealing with us pointed out that she would get the rent dropped. And to my surprise, I got the same flat for RO315 per month (along with utility bills), which is even lower than what my neighbours are paying. “The drop was RO60 plus the RO12 we were paying as utilities every month. This is a great time to rent a house. Plus, our building provides facilities such as a working gym, swimming pool, covered parking, play area, supermarket and much more.” Lenient landlords This is the general consensus around the capital as more landlords are providing tenants with flexible rates. To be specific, as per the Winter 2017/18 Property Market Outlook by real estate agency Cluttons, there has been a 25 per cent drop in rental rates over the last three years in Oman. RO 620 RO 960

Trading fee hikes ‘a major setback’

During the recent Oman Real Estate Exhibition, experts have proposed a number of recommendations to help the sector recover. Mohammed Al Busaidi, chairman of the Oman Real Estate Association, said the recently hiked government fees caused a “major drawback in real estate trading” in Oman. He demanded a “complete reassessment of the fees”. In his closing remarks of the Oman Real Estate Expo, Al Busaidi called for setting up a lab for the real estate sector for implementation support and follow-up. Among the association’s 15 recommendations was a call upon higher education institutions to introduce “real estate-related courses as the sector can provide job opportunities for Omanis”. Also, Al Busaidi recommended the establishment of an independent real estate authority in the country. Talking about the country’s legislation, Al Busaidi called for the involvement of the private sector in drafting real estate laws and introducing or amending fees. He suggested granting customs exemptions for real estate companies that import sustainable technology, in addition to opening a real estate investment portal to allow government bodies such as the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Housing and the Supreme Council for Planning, as well as others “to transparently view investing opportunities in the Sultanate”. In all, 425 companies from 18 countries took part in the event offering investment and real estate finance services and facilities.

But, what are the reasons for this decline? And how will this downtrend affect the industry in the coming years? To answer these questions, which dubious landlords are now asking, we speak to the experts and top-rated builders in the region. Nouf al Ajmi, the marketing specialist of Tibiaan Properties – one of the leading property companies in the country – accepts that there is a “slight” drop in the rents across the country. She elucidates: “We see that there are several factors involved in this shift. The recent expat visa ban is one of the reasons, and that has led to an oversupply of apartments. Although, oversupply was always a concern before as well.” She’s right. The recently published Oman Property Market Review by real estate surveyors Cavendish Maxwell reads that rents are expected to fall further due to the government’s move for Omanisation through the “imposition of a new expatriate law causing a six-month ban on expat visa issuance in 87 occupations, as well as RO 620 residential project oversupply from previous years”. RO 760 The report adds: “Continuous decline in rents have put tenants in a stronger position to negotiate terms with owners who in turn are offering better rents and flexible lease terms.” “Landlords have also been offering RO 330 three and six-month advance RO 390 RO 540 RO 1,050

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payments, as opposed to annual payments, to reduce vacancy risk on the properties. Furthermore, housing demand is shifting towards more affordable housing causing a stronger rental decline in the premium locations. “Tenants are migrating and showing a preference towards larger communities with a broader array of existing infrastructure and amenities being offered at affordable values.” All of this spells well for tenants. Anyone interested in renting a 1BHK (bedroom, hall, kitchen) flat in Al Mouj will now only have to shell out RO640 as per the earlier report. However, an investigation into the local market reveals that you can rent a 1BHK flat for as low as RO450 per month. We also learn that you can rent 2BHK flats in Al Khoud for a meagre RO310 per month, while similar flats in Azaiba or Baushar will set you back only RO440 and RO400 per month, respectively. This is, on average, a drop of RO20 to RO50 from the rents in 2015. Meanwhile, villas and townhouses in Al Mouj and Muscat Hills now will set you back somewhere between RO1,430 and RO2,230, and 1,520, respectively. Several residents say that there is, on average, a 15 per cent drop in rents across flats, villas and townhouses across the capital. In the beginning of 2017, the average residential rents receded by about 0.8 per cent, and by 0.2 per cent by the third quarter. The change left average rents at about RO690 per month, which was down by RO5 per month when compared with the third quarter of 2016. Average rents in Muscat in 2017 also stood at 20 to 25 per cent lower than they were during the third quarter of 2014, according to a statement released by leading international real estate consultancy Cluttons. Tenants make the most Albeit, this is now causing a flux of tenants

upgrading from smaller flats to bigger, better-equipped flats. “Let me share an insight with you,” says Nauf from Tibiaan Properties. “Let’s say that you have a middle-quality 2BHK for RO400 a year ago. But due to the slight decrease in rents, landlords are ready to reduce RO20, RO30 or even RO50 from the rents – that is a huge saving for the tenant. “What I see, though, is that people now want to upgrade. The prices of high-quality flats are coming down – and people want to upgrade from middle-quality to high-quality at the same price or a slight difference. “Now, people can get better quality living for a cheaper price; complete with security, swimming pools, gyms and more for free.” While all of this creates a positive impact on tenants, Emad Pattni, the chief operating officer of Union Property Development – a company dealing with ITC projects freehold and properties – goes on to say that we’re now in a “tenants’ market”. “There have been a lot of people asking about the expat visas and so on. But that is only affecting the lower income group and not the white-collar workers.” Oversupply Emad then touches upon the topic of oversupply: “The issue is that there has to be an analysis before a landlord or property owner builds a property. Normally, what happens is that they just build and expect things to happen. “If you don’t do your homework properly and jump into something, what’s going to happen is that you’re going to be taking a risk. And most of these landlords take finance from banks, so they must pay the amount back,” he adds. While the statistics of vacant properties are vague, it is known that the average number of villas built in Muscat between 2003 and 2010 was around 3,000. This inevitably rose to around 9,000 villa permits being issued in 2016. “What happens then is that they are forced to drop rents to get them

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occupied to pay the bank. We feel that this isn’t particularly affecting big players in the market,” he exclaims. But according to him, a shift in the trend in the first quarter of this year is the response to the buyers’ market (those buying properties in Oman). “Regions outside Oman have reached a certain peak level. Oman never really opened up to investments from outside before. But now, there is a lot of movement happening within the economy. And more doors are opening,” an enthusiastic Emad tells Y. “The higher you jump, the harder you fall. Our neighbouring countries have witnessed that and Oman has not had any history of a really bad economy or political instabilities. These are huge bonuses to the country. “In terms of the future, there is a lot of land available for development; from small to large scale. But even then, when you look at the pace, we’re moving steadily – and that’s why I see the Omani market is slowly going from strength to strength.” Drop in property trade While the COO’s optimistic statements may be welcomed by property builders across the Sultanate, it clashes with the ‘Oman Property Market Review’ report, which – in accordance to a report released by the Ministry of Housing – states that the total value of property traded (rentals and buying) in 2017 dropped to RO2.6 billion, which is a staggering 61 per cent drop from its values in 2016. The demand, according to the ministry, is low due to the pressure on housing budgets resulting from taxation. “When you have a problem, you have to admit it first. And finally, it has been admitted. So, now we will have come up with solutions to tackle the issues,” says Nauf.

“As an Omani, I see my country as a land of opportunities. I see what is happening now – the situation is hard and we are in the middle of a crisis – however, the opportunities in Oman are amazing and are ever-increasing. Now people are more aware and knowledgeable. “Tibiaan Properties is doing rather well in terms of sale, returns, investment and revenue. We have managed to have a growth during this period (2017 and first quarter of 2018). “To be honest, yes, 2017 was a tough year. We have seen some indicators for a good growth, even though it is a slight increase. “The scene is like this: People do have money; maybe it’s not in a surplus, but there is still a substantial amount being put into properties. I’m not saying all of them have, but the one per cent of the community that have the money want to invest it,” she explains, before telling us that there has been a strong increase in the number of foreign investors looking to invest in the Sultanate. “A lot of people are also coming from outside. For instance, we have Qataris and Kuwaitis coming in to invest here. And it’s not just in Tibiaan but in many other industries too. “The economy in Qatar, for instance, is really great and they’re trying to expand to other markets. They like the country and the people, and they trust us.” In 2017, more than 33,000 GCC citizens owned lands in the Sultanate for various purposes. Oman’s geographical location – which puts it bang in the middle of the trade hub that connects the GCC to the Eastern hemisphere – also adds to the allure of the country. “Logistics and tourism are the two strong pillars that were in focus in the Tanfeedh, and is what sets Oman apart from a lot of other countries in the region,” she adds. And as Oman’s GDP growth is set to rise to 5.2 per cent next year, aided by the introduction of natural gas production at the Khazzan gas field and the opening of the new airport in Muscat, we can only expect the real estate market to stabilise over the forthcoming months. But for those who are looking to rent out flats, there’s no better time to do so than now. ■

● Check if the real estate agents are licensed. ● Make sure that the rents and deposits are paid in the presence of the landlord. ● Keep a record of all transactions, including any communication by email, SMS or WhatsApp. ● Always go with a reputed agent.

RO 242,200

STAY SAFE FROM

SCAMMERS

With the rents dropping and many tenants getting keen on shifting to better, bigger accommodations, an increasing number of real estate agents have sprung into action — but not all of them are safe, trustworthy options. Here are some tips to remember so you don’t fall prey to the scammers:

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The Art

OF MANGA M

HASAN AL LAWATI SITS DOWN WITH THE FIRST OMANI MANGA AUTHOR FATMA AL LAWATI AT HER BOOTH IN THE 968GAMEZ EXPO TO LEARN WHAT SHE IS PLOTTING NEW

isuzu, the girl who has destructive powers, finds herself in conflict: whether to stay in an institute of magic or to escape to the world of demons. Like Misuzu, Omani artist Fatma Al Lawati is in a bit of confusion, but her problem has nothing to do with magic or demons. It’s actually about manga and the language: Arabic or English. Meet Fatma, the first-ever Omani manga comics author. Misuzu is one of the characters in her manga series. The manga artist drew huge crowds to her booth at the recent 968Gamez at the Opera Galleria held earlier this month. And like her characters who face demons and hurdles to achieve their goals, Fatma has been dealing with hurdles on her way forward. It was a few years ago that she published the first Omani manga work, with an Omani theme and characters. “It got rejected…few people are interested in these types of comics here,” she says. Fatma is now focused on publishing English-only manga. “The Arabic version has not received much attention like the English version. However, there were people who were looking for Arabic copies

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due to their lack of understanding of English, especially readers from Saudi Arabia, but printing a huge number of copies in Arabic is just a waste. I’m not planning to publish the Arabic version again…I’m still studying this issue, though.” In November 2017, the young Omani artist’s work won the first prize in a competition organised by a Manga production company in Riyadh, in cooperation with Toei animation (a leading animations company in Japan) and the Misk foundation. She was also nominated to meet Shimizu Shinjeko, the producer of Toei animation. Hasan al Lawati meets the Omani manga author, who is an IT graduate otherwise, to get the picture right. Excerpts from the interview:

So what made you take to manga? Drawing is a talent I was born with. I didn’t have the opportunity to study art, especially the art of manga, but my love for this kind of art and my passion kept burning inside me. I consider drawing as the air I breathe in.

How did the first manga work happen? In 2004. I loved writing stories and drawing them as comics. I was sharing my creations with my friends and posting them online, many of them wanted me to turn the comics into my own manga as I got this talent and have the ability to draw comics in Japanese style. I wrote my first story in 2005 and then in 2008 made the drawings and in 2015 the first book was out. In the meantime, that’s before the publication of the book, I had been learning new manga styles and techniques. That’s what I’m still doing.

How did Oman welcome your work? Manga comics are relatively new to Omani reading culture. It still needs more chances and opportunity to be recognised by society as an art. With a little

more support, we manga artists can achieve more success. Some people still think this type of art is childish, and that’s funny.

How was the demand for your book at 968Gamez? I was surprised to see people’s reaction when they came to know that I’m the first Omani manga artist who published the first manga in Oman. Most of them didn’t hesitate to buy my book right after reading the summary and taking a quick look inside the book. They appreciated my style. However, the thing that made me happier was when my old customers and readers came to me to buy my next volume of work or asked for more copies of the first work to gift them to their friends. Also, many of them wanted signed copies, because they couldn’t get the signed ones when they bought from MEFCC 2017 Dubai or IGN Oman 2016. They are waiting for the new volume to come out this year.

What could spread the culture of manga and anime locally? Manga and anime need more support by having special events and exhibitions. It needs more recognition by the media and we have many Omani talented artists in this field but we lack support.

Tell us a bit about the plot The story takes place in different worlds: MACIA (muman world), DŽEHENNA (demon world) and LYCHFIELD (witches world). Misuzu, a girl who holds the destructive powers of Oruchi, finds herself in conflict: whether to stay in an institute of magic or to escape to DŽEHENNA to become a knight under the demons’ care, hence finding her freedom and true identity. Lots of developments in the characters happen in the next volume and more action is going to take place. The genres of the manga are comedy, magic and supernatural.

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Do o r to

DREAMS The hands are knocking. Brother, will you let them in? Sister, will you let them in?” sang the students from Muscat – and those who are visiting from around the world – in chorus as they took the notion of helping one another to a whole new level. It’s a concept that deserves much attention, especially in today’s world where instability and abhorrence fill our living space. Thankfully, we form part of a country that accepts and respects one another. These were the two topics – opening doors for those in need and celebrating life in Oman with a focus on the Omani door – that were in focus at the 15th Annual TAISM Festival of Choirs held in Bosch Center for The Performing Arts at The American International School Muscat on March 17. More than 150 students – of whom 60 are from TAISM – took part in the events. And the students – who came from afar as UK and Austria, as well as from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and many other countries – joined hands together to create musical symphony. Melanie Brink, who has been with TAISM for 16 years as the choral music director and artistic 026

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HAND IN HAND THEY SOUGHT TO OPEN THE DOORS — OF CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, TO HELP AND TO GET HELP. ALVIN THOMAS TUNES UP WITH THE STUDENTS AND THEIR MENTORS AT THE TAISM CHORUS TO CONNECT WITH THE WIDER WORLD

and educational director for the festival, said in a pre-event chat: “One thing that’s unique about the festival is that it’s not an auditioned choir but rather students who represent their home choral programmes from schools from around the world. “It could be just seven students, 14 students or even 40 students. But they’re coming here to represent their school, and it’s not a competition. They all come prepared with some music that they’ve been practising. “And when they get here, they all collaborate as one. That is one large chorus that they’ve created out of all these little groups,” she said, pointing at the group practising inside the hall. “They all work to polish the music during these days under a guest conductor from the US – Kyle Pederson. It’s a very unique event in this part of the world,” she added. And she’s not wrong. In March of 2004, it was TAISM that founded the first-ever Festival of Choirs held in the Middle East, and it was a vision of Melanie and TAISM’s director Kevin Schafer. “It’s not a competition,” she exclaimed. “We design these activities during the event to help them connect with one another.”

The corridors of TAISM were also decorated, with doors designed to look like traditional Omani doors, to promote the theme of helping one another and thinking about inculcating new values in the students and those who witnessed the event. “The Omani door also symbolises the host country and how much pride and honour they take in having a door that is so beautiful and ornate. The textures and colours that we see in the doors inspired us to go with that concept,” Melanie said. The doors were created by TAISM parents who spent nearly 20 hours designing and building the beautiful structures. “We are also connecting it to the theme of the year, which asks them to think about their own hands and what stories they tell, and what adventure their hands have been on. It may not be literally but symbolically as to what their hands can do to help one another. “Think about it: The hands can slam the doors or open them; push the doors or pull open. And our unique feature this year is that in addition to bringing a conductor, we have also brought a composer who has written three songs specifically for this event,” Melanie added.

And just as she said that, the choir broke for lunch. That’s when we caught hold of Kyle Pederson who was in Oman from his home in Minnesota, USA, to teach the students their songs for the big night. His three songs – Hands Are Knockin’, These Hands Know A Better Way and Silver Linings – went down well with the students who had practised them for several hours. He chimed in: “In a way all songs are related in a way that they all explore the theme of doors opening and hands that can support and be used in non-constructive ways. “The choir can use this as an encouragement for themselves but also to the audience who is listening to live in to our call. “There’s something about these Omani doors that’s special,” said the composer who was visiting Oman for the first time. “And the fact that hands knock, which is quite literal but also metaphorical, in a way that we pose questions if the doors are opening or closing, and what our responsibilities are.” During the weekend, participants engaged in approximately 15 hours of rehearsals – polishing works they prepared in the

weeks leading up to the festival which also coincided with the school’s 20th anniversary. Singers learned about endurance, voice care and choral excellence. TAISM families hosted the visiting students in their homes, and organisers designed special ways for the students to connect with one another through community-builders, challenges, and social activities. In a chat with us, Andrew Elbin, the teacher who is in charge of logistics of the festival, said that the students were all gaining a lot of insight from each other. “The memory of the concert will be something these kids will take home from all of this. It has the power to stay with you as it has many of the senses included. “They’ll also remember Oman, as they’ll keep in mind the hospitality shown by the Omani people involved in TAISM’s community that comes out. The door is the centerpiece of the festival and it is indicative of the culture here. “Omanis – as we all know – are very welcoming. “And that’s a feature that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.” ■ MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

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COMPETITION

d r o w e h t s ’ m Mu

Hey kids! Here’s a dream chance for you to put a big, proud smile on your mother’s face that’s going to stay there for a long time. Be free, get creative and win it — Oman’s Best Mum tiara — for her

others are the lifeline of the family – there’s no denying that, and it is high time we gave the mums the credit they deserved. Y magazine has teamed up with PUCK to show the mums of Oman just how much they are loved by their children in a special competition to coincide with Mother’s Day in the GCC, which is celebrated on March 21. This is the fourth edition of the competition – and following trend, this event is only going to be bigger and better than last year.

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Love you mum

In 2017, we saw our boxes inundated with hundreds of entries as children across the capital poured out their feelings, proving why their mum was the best in the world. It’s not just the title of Oman’s Best Mum that is up for grabs. Thanks to PUCK, there will be several valuable prizes for the top three entries. And if this isn’t motivation enough to show your love, then we don’t know what is – just think of the treats you could buy your mum as a thank you to all that she does for you. “The first real human interaction a child has once they are born is with the mother. It’s a bond that is strong and beyond what words can convey. But, every now and then, we must try and express our love to our beloved mothers. So, here’s a competition that will do just that,” says Nishad Padiyarath, the editor of Y magazine. To enter, you’ll need to be 16 or under. Just pick up the special card, which was slotted in Issue 509 of the magazine and fill it with a heartfelt message for your mum. Remember, our judges will be selecting the winners based on content and display, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Last year we received poems, drawings, touching words and simple displays of gratitude, so getting creative is a must if you want to take home the top spot. So, what are you waiting for? Grab the card from the magazine and complete your entry with creative drawings, words and pictures. Good luck!

AND FINALLY: ● The top three entries will also be framed and given back to the participants for them to present to their mothers as a keepsake. ● The competition starts on March 1 and you can collect the specially designed card from Issue 509 of the magazine. ● Winners will be awarded prizes with their mum at a special ceremony, in March.

COMPETITION RULES: ● The competition is open to children aged 16 and under. ● Cards must be decorated and written by children only. Entries will be disqualified if there is evidence of parental involvement. ● Children of employees of SABCO Media or associated companies are excluded from taking part. ● The editor’s decision is final. ● Winners will be notified by email or telephone. ● Winners and their mums must be able to attend the prize ceremony in Muscat on a date to be confirmed.

DROPBOX LOCATIONS ● SPAR MBD ● SPAR Darsait ● SPAR Waves (Al Maha Petrol Pump)

MAR 22 -28 / ISSUE 512

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CARS AND ADVENTURES ART ATTACK

Volkswagen’s new Arteon lives up to its nametag. It’s drop-dead gorgeous to look at and it drives like a sports car on steroids. – P34

FEB 01 - 07 / ISSUE 505

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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

YITIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STAR-SPANGLED Shaquel al Balushi spreads his mat on Yiti beach and stares in disbelief at the twinkling wonders in the sky on a moon-less night to marvel at the mysteries of life and the countless blessings from above. The out-of-this-world spectacle is just 43km away for anyone staying in the capital area 032

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ave you ever tried looking up at the stars? Well, most of us have at some point in our lives. It’s a feeling that cannot be matched by anything worldly, but owing to the city life we don’t particularly indulge in looking up at the stars and dreaming about things out of this world. As it had been a long time since I did that, I headed to the beach in Yiti to do a bit of stargazing. Accompanying me on the trip was my trusted friend Imran, who finally took time out of work to count the stars… literally. Yiti beach is quite close to those of us who stay within the city. From Muscat, Yiti beach is only 43km away – which is a mere 45-minute drive. We reached the beach around 8pm for our shoot but were quite surprised to see the sands taken up by campers who had already pitched their tents. They had also set up lights and barbeque grills to enjoy the night. To avoid any human interactions, we headed to the corner of the beach. It was considerably silent and light-free. So, without any haste, I parked my car and set up my camera gear there. Following that – after setting the camera in bulb mode – I clicked a few images of the sky and the horizon. The lights from the campers crept in, but I was still happy that I could capture some fantastic images of the stars. The fact that these astronomical objects their lights millions of light years ago for us is truly mind-blowing. It’s a gift from above and is something I believe everyone must try and soak in. While shooting, I also observed a few people lying on the ground and doing the same. Imran and I quickly followed suit and laid mats on the ground to lie back and just observe the stars. There was no moon to brighten up the skies, either. So, the night was peppered with stars and nothing else. By the end of the trip, I found out that the trip ended up being a new experience for me – as it opened up a newfound respect for life. It’s amazing how we’re among several trillions of astronomical objects and how little we are when compared with them. Think about it: It’s truly miraculous.

TRAVEL GUIDE

HOW TO GET THERE The drive to Yiti beach will take you about 45 minutes. From Seeb, take the Sultan Qaboos Highway and split into the road that leads to Wadi Kabir. From there, break into the Al Jissah street, which will take you through Wadi Adai and Wadi Mayh. Power through until you reach the signboard that points to Yiti beach.

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

VO L K S W A G E N A R T E O N

Essentially a Passat, but obviously longer, wider and swankier. Alvin Thomas takes the upmarket version of the People’s Car aimed at rivalling country cousins Audi and BMW for a spin and is all smiles about its poshness and practicality.

olkswagen has been on the front foot for quite a while now, hitting the right notes with every possible release it has made over the last decade or so. It’s a feat in itself and – if you ignore the negative press it received for pushing through the wrong gates – it’s one of those few car companies that is foraging into newer grounds with its fresh breed of cars. Albeit, there’s no denying that there’s one car in the lineup that – over the years – has stuck out like a sore thumb: The Passat CC. Launched back in 2008 as a ‘Comfort Coupe’ in a rather mysterious segment what I now call the “not-so-much-a-sedan-as-it-is-a-coupe-segment”, not many of us expected the Passat CC to do well in sales…but it did. The car did so well that it clocked respectable numbers in sales and continued taking up shelf space until 2017. Nevertheless, it was time to retire the old CC to make way for a new car – and thus the new Arteon came to life. It came as a bit of a shocker to us that

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Volkswagen would get rid of the ‘CC’ tag from its nameplate but, hey, change is always good, right? The Volkswagen Arteon is quintessentially the spiritual successor to the former in every possible way: Pillar-less doors, sleek and sharp lines, and a coupe-like profile to match. There’s no way you’d take me to court over that statement. But where it splits ways with its predecessor is in exterior design – and we’re in awe of that. The Arteon is by far one of the most striking and artsy fastbacks you can currently buy. It’s so stylish and contemporary that it belongs in an art museum (!), especially if it’s finished in candy red (like my tester). Every line and crease on the car is made functional by other complementing elements. For instance, the massive front grille – which comprises several chrome lines that run from end to end – is home to the LED lights on both sides. This constitutes the daytime running lights that you see on the car. The headlamps are further hidden to match the threedimensional form factor of the fascia. That’s not all, though. The Arteon comes with flared air intakes on either side of the bumper too to complete the front end of the car. I cannot lie: It looks stunning in person. The side profile, as I had stated earlier, now sports a fastback profile, thereby eliminating all the shortcomings of a four-door coupe. Instead, you’re now treated to copious amounts of head and leg room in the rear. This also means you get a ginormous 563-litre boot, which expands to 1,557 litres with the seats folded down flat. This is by far the largest boot we’ve tested in a fastback of late. The R-Line model I was testing came with some cosmetic enhancements in the rear too. The stupendous LED lights, along with the subtle lip

spoiler and dual exhausts, add to the car’s sporty guise – though it can come across as a bit reminiscent to that of a Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG coupe. We’re not complaining, though. The interior of the Arteon is classic Volkswagen, starting from the flatbottomed thick-rimmed steering wheel and the gear lever, all the way to the strategic button placements on the centre console. Gone is the old touchscreen and in comes a newer 9.2-inch infotainment screen with motion detection that brings up necessary

Destination

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON Specifications: Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder Transmission: seven-speed dualclutch automatic Horsepower: 280hp Torque: 350Nm Top speed: 250kph (limited) All-wheel drive Panoramic sunroof 9.2-inch infotainment screen Drive mode selector Leather upholstery DCC chassis control Parking assist

WHILE STILL MAINTAINING THE REPUTATION OF WHAT THIS SWEDISH CARMAKER HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR: GRACEFUL AND SAFE VEHICLES WITH AN EDGE FOR INNOVATION functions when you’re looking to make changes. The instrument cluster also takes a digital approach with a large 12.3-inch driver display. This can be altered to show details ranging from your current location on the map to your music playlists and other driving information. The fit and finish of the cabin is top-notch and you’d have to be a wizard to spot panel gaps or loose panels. The seats are large and comfortable, but offer great support while taking sharp corners. The lumbar and shoulder supports are excellent too, and there’s a massage function (for the driver only) to take care of you on long journeys. Oddly, you only receive the option to have heated seats. Our test car was the top-of-the-line Arteon, which came fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI petrol engine. It is the same unit you receive in the Golf R – so it churns out 280hp and 350Nms of torque. The engine is further mated to a potent seven-speed

DSG gearbox that then sends power to all four wheels for maximum effect. The result is a 0- to-100kph time of 5.6 seconds, which is only a fraction slower than its top-of-the-line predecessor that packed a 300hp 3.6-litre V6 under the hood. Still, power delivery is addictive, with torque kicking in at about 2,000rpm and holding its way until the redline (about 4,000rpm). Power delivery isn’t nearly as liner as the former, though. As is the case with most Volkswagen products, you get to choose from ‘Sport’, ‘Economy’ and ‘Normal’ driving modes. ‘Sport’ mode sharpens up the steering, throttle and gearbox response – which translates to greater oomph when taking sharp corners or during spirited driving. Irrespective of the driving mode, the Arteon manages to return decent fuel economy. I was able to achieve figures of 8 litres/100km – which is miles ahead of its

V6 predecessor. The steering is well weighted, and is almost too heavy, in Sport mode. But it mellows down in ‘Normal’ mode. Mind you: It still isn’t as light as that of cars from Audi or Mercedes-Benz. Where it kicks dust on the aforementioned is in handling. The Arteon, with its brilliantly-tuned shocks, can safely take tight corners at incredible speeds. The steering provides decent feedback, and understeer is doled down to a bare minimum. The stiff and well-balanced chassis does feel like it wants to kick out midway through a corner, but the ESP kicks in to avoid any tail swinging action. Still, there’s no undermining a car that can munch down corners at speeds of above 80kph. This can also be pinned down on the “DCC” chassis control, which adapts the shock absorbers as per the road conditions. In ‘Normal’ mode, this translates to a smoother and softer ride. The Volkswagen Arteon still possesses all the bells and whistles of the Passat CC, but adds so much more value to the overall package. I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that the sedan has finally shaken off its “Comfort Coupe” tag to go up against cars in a class much higher than its own. Don’t believe me? Just take a long and hard look at the Arteon. And once you’re done with that, take it out for a spin. I cannot pick on any faults with the car – it’s that great. And for the first time ever, the other big guns from Germany are feeling the heat. The “People’s Car” is slowly evolving, raising the stakes, and the others cannot quite keep up… literally.

MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

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CARS ADVENTURES HERMOSA MADRID

The architecture, food, people and the quality of football clubs are just a few highlights of Spain. To truly experience the wondrous country, head to Madrid. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t regret it.

1. Walk in the city centre and appreciate the massive statues and old buildings 2. Watch Real Madrid playing at the Santiago Bernabeu 3. Celebrate victory after defeating the other team! 4. Visit national parks on Sundays 5. Visit the national library

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MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Hasan al Lawati recommends

MADRID, SPAIN

ho said playing video games was a waste of time? Last May when I participated in a national-level PlayStation tournament and finished second, I was awarded a free three-day trip to Madrid. It was my third trip to the second-most-visited country in Europe after France, and it was easily the best. The moment you land in the Spanish capital, you would find scores of people eager to offer help and push the envelope to speak understandable English. What makes a country great is its people. They were extremely kind to me, perhaps because I was one of the 82 tourists who contributed to more than 11 per cent of their GDP. My first night in Madrid was a waste. I embarked on a journey to hunt for board games in the city centre. Of course I found all I needed, but the games were written only in Spanish. On my first morning, I met a sweet Swedish lady at the Nuevo Boston Hotel reception desk, whom I joined on a city tour. Susie - that was her name - took me to Retiro Park, a massive land of greenery amid the concrete-filled city centre. The park was full of life: kids running around, young couples and tourists enjoying cheap rowboat tours, and performance artists and street magic enlivening the charm. A perfect place to spend Sunday with family. Since the main national museum, Museo del Prado, was closed on Sunday, Susie suggested checking out another, less popular museum, which she visited 20 years ago. So we ended up walking for half an hour to reach Museo Sorolla. The building was originally the house of artist Joaquín Sorolla and was converted into a museum after the death of his widow. The place was breathtaking. A 30-minute free tour was enough to make better understand how people lived in the late 19 and early 20 centuries. Presenting social and historic themes, the landscape and portrait artwork was stunning, especially that his favourite model was his own wife. How romantic! My last stop in the city was, of course, the historic Santiago Bernabeu football stadium. The place was scary. A lady who sitting next to me started panicking and crying because she suffered from acrophobia (fear of heights). After an old Spanish man successfully calmed her down, we enjoyed an amazing victory for the royal club, whose star player Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals! man successfully calmed her down, we enjoyed an amazing victory for the royal club, whose star player Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals!

S A N T IA

GO BER NABE

UMENT S O X II M ON K IN G A L FO N IR O P A R K AT EL RET

My favourite place The stadiums in the city, which accomodates football fans from around the world. Highlights The people of this land are blessed with many charming traits: good manners, genuineness, beauty and elegance. A walk in the city centre after midnight doesn’t sound like a good idea in most capitals in the world — but Madrid was an exception; it’s very safe.

Lowlights The country is very expensive, from food to transportation, nothing costs less than 5 euros. Souvenirs I didn’t check the market but the shops near the stadium sell amazing minifigures of football players. Getting there Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines have daily trips to Madrid, and getting a visa takes

a couple of days for Omanis.

Where to stay

THE A LCALA ALCA DOOR L A ) IS (P U E R A ON TA D DOORS OF THE E OF THE ANC E C IT Y O IE N T F MAD R ID

Several locals offer their homes on Airbnb for nominal rates. Opt for ‘Superhosts’ for the best experience. MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU NO STRESS Do you feel a lot of stress at home or work? If so, we’d advise you to invest in an Airo Stress Tracking Wristband. Sure, no one likes being told that they’re under stress when they’re anxious, but this device – with its sensors – can actually calculate your baseline for anxiety and relaxation and log it safely for your future reference. The device is capable of saving six hours of data at 100 samples per second, including your heart rate variability, heart rate values and steps. If it detects stress, it will vibrate gently to calm you down. Users say it works marvels for them, so we’ll just have to take their word for now. Get this for RO77 from airohealth.com

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

WEARABLE TECH

From a real-time lifesaver to a mixed reality headset and from a device to keep tabs on your stress to a watch that’s a smartphone minus the call option, here’s wearable technology at its practical best, writes Alvin Thomas ON TRACK Travelling alone at night can be an ordeal, especially if you’re heading out of the city. Get peace of mind with the Athena – a device that can potentially save your life. It comes with a transmitter that can hook your coordinates to a GPS and then transmit the information to your close ones who are safe back home. It’s able to do so by connecting to your phone via Bluetooth.This means that they can come to get you should you need their support. Alternatively, if you feel threatened, you can activate a high frequency alarm that is powerful enough to ward off attackers. Buy this from roarforgood. com for RO49.6

MIXED REALITY There’s no way we are going to leave out VR headsets in a Y-Fi segment that focuses on wearable gadgets. So, in true spirit, we present to you the HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset. The device sports dual 2.8-inch highresolution displays that can reportedly transport you to a whole new world. It also comes with tow hand controllers that will allow you to personalise and interact with a variety of content. Currently, there are more than 20,000 different titles to choose from – so you won’t be running short of content anytime soon. It isn’t dissimilar to Samsung’s Gear VR, but we feel this new entrant is definitely worth its RO134 price tag. Get this from store.hp.com

SMART WATCH

EDITOR’S PICK

WE’RE NOT STRONG ADVOCATES OF SMART WATCHES: WE FEEL THAT THE TRADITIONAL ART OF WATCH MAKING – BOTH MECHANICAL/AUTOMATIC AND QUARTZ MOVEMENTS (UP TO AN EXTENT) – IS TIMELESS AND SHOULD BE PRESERVED FROM GOING OUT OF STYLE. NEVERTHELESS, THE ALLNEW GARMIN DESCENT MK1 GPS DIVING WATCH NEEDS CREDIT FOR PROVIDING ITS USERS WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF FEATURES. THINK OF IT AS A SMARTPHONE ON YOUR WRIST – MINUS THE CALLING FUNCTION. THE DEVICE COMES PACKING A 1.2-INCH DISPLAY THAT IS RECEPTIVE TO YOUR FINGERS EVEN WHILE YOU’RE UNDERWATER AND COMPLETE TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING THAT CAN HELP YOU NAVIGATE WHILE YOU’RE OUT DIVING. APART FROM THAT, IT ALSO FEATURES A 3-AXIS COMPASS, GYROSCOPE AND A BAROMETRIC ALTIMETER. BUY YOURS FROM BUY.GARMIN.COM FOR RO384.2

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JULY MAR 22 03 - 28 09 // ISSUE ISSUE 512 327

Smartphone games to look forward to in March 2018

Some months are great, but this month seems to be the greatest in terms of new smartphone games. Alvin Thomas picks four awesome titles you could enjoy on the go THE SIMS MOBILE

Platform:

Android and iOS

The greatest simulation game of all time continues to power its way to smaller devices – and we’re looking forward to the latest game to hit smartphones this month. Sims Mobile – as has always been the case – will allow you to customise your character and build a profile – like you would on your PC or console. What’s new in 2018 is that you can now host other players in your game; meaning, you can now host parties and have them come over for a digital chat. Oh, what a world we live in. Now if you’ll excuse me, my character needs some tending. Adios!

ALTO’S ODYSSEY

FINAL FANTASY XV

Platform:

Android and iOS

Another year, another Final Fantasy game. Albeit, we’re not complaining. This new game – despite its watered-down skin and inspired gameplay – will feature newer simpler controls, better screen adaptation and a new battle style. The first episode of the game is free to play, so loyal fans can evince on various platforms about how brilliant the game is.

Platform: iOS

For those of you who have played Alto’s Adventure before, the Alto’s Odyssey game will seem oddly familiar. This sequel will remain true to its core, with its 2D graphical interface and slick physics engine. What’s different is the environment: You’ll now be running across barren lands and desert settings to complete your missions. That, coupled with the brilliant red-to-purple colour tone, will garner great response from gamers, won’t it?

THE ROOM: OLD SINS

Platform: iOS

We’ve waited for this game for long. The Room: Old Sins will incorporate tactile exploration with challenging puzzles. It will all then be topped off with a brilliantly crafted storyline. The latter goes something like this: The sudden disappearance of an ambitious engineer and his high-society wife provokes a hunt for a precious artefact. The trail leads to the attic of their home, and the discovery of an old, peculiar dollhouse. It’s all eerie, but rewarding. We would’ve sure loved to try it out on a VR headset, but thank you Apple for your support… or not. JULY MAR 03 22 -- 09 28 / ISSUE 327 512

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

SASSY SKIRTS

Skirts — long or short, frilly or dazzled — are still trending in the fashion scene. Many high street stores are carrying them with a unique twist, like this super bold print skirt from Debenhams.

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FEB 1122- 17- 28/ ISSUE MAR / ISSUE407512

Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

aran K e tin hris C , t ry tree esto s o h h g s e hi rmy h a t e o t H end e look. ram h g g hi th the to get n Insta m Fro s you tine o is help w Chr o Foll

T t Ge

Join the trending crop top fashion by donning this fashion edgy off-shoulder top from Miss Selfridge. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cute, stylish and chic. Buy it now for RO13

Looking for a funky top to go with one of these skirts or even a good denim? Then this red striped top from H&M is for you. Shop this for RO10

This fashion issue is all about skirts and the modernism that goes in it. On that note, we are mesmerised by this skirt that is a fashionable optical illusion. We know you like it, so shop it immediately from Monsoon for RO31

This highwaist, patchwork skirt, is a combination of three very bold prints. Unique and truly a fashion innovation, this skirt is a must have just for these daring patterns and design. Shop it from ZARA for RO36

There is always something very interesting about asymmetric skirts. They are tough to style, but easy to fashion. We are truly in love with this printed, bold red skirt from H&M. Available for RO16

Head for your nearest New Look to grab this soft pink, frilled block heels. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an absolute buy which can be paired with anything... literally. Pick them up now for RO16 Stripes? Yes, please. Bring back some of that 70s and 80s retro fashion to the millennial times with a fashion twist. Pair this striped skirt with a black tee and a pointed black shoe, and you are ready to make a fashion statement. Shop this from ZARA for RO20

MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

BEAUTY

Fashion

Home

Family

Liquid

GOLD Make your own magic potion with a few drops of the ‘liquid gold’. Take these tips from Gayathri Das

nown as the ‘liquid gold’ in ancient times, olive oil is not just for cooking but getting that dream glow for your skin that others will feel envy of as well. Try out these tips to make your own natural, chemicals-free magic potion that could be used to conjure up a range of things you need, from skin scrub to makeup remover, moisturiser and anti-wrinkle serum.

Scrub

Mix 1 teaspoon ground coffee, 1 teaspoon brown sugar or crushed refined sugar, 1 teaspoon olive oil, and use this as a face and body scrub. It helps remove dry and dead skin and give you a healthy and glowing skin, removing fine lines and dark spots as well.

Makeup remover

Gently remove your makeup with a few drops of olive oil — and without the use of any chemical remover! Put a dab of olive oil on a cotton ball and rub it all over your face. Your makeup will disappear. 042

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Moisturiser

Use olive oil as a natural moisturiser. It contains vitamin E and antioxidants which help nourish your skin.

Under-eye serum

Mix 1 teaspoon olive oil with 1/4 teaspoon almond oil and 1 teaspoon cucumber gel. Store this mixture in an air-tight container in a refrigerator for up to a month. Use it around your eyes during night time and remove all the tiredness around your eyes in no time.

Anti-wrinkle serum

Mix 1 teaspoon olive oil with 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Transfer this into an air-tight container and store it in your refrigerator up to a month. Apply this serum on your face before bed time. Massage your face for three minutes and the next morning wash your face with lukewarm water.

Beauty

HEALTH

Fashion

Home

Family

hen it seems that everyone around you is feeling under the weather, you can be your own best line of defence against getting sick. Help ward off sickness for yourself and your family with these self-care tips that help promote healthy habits and fight off illness.

1. Eat right:

A diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables can give your body the immunity-boosting nutrients it needs to function properly. Avoid excess, empty calories and instead aim for meals that deliver a healthy balance of all food groups.

2. Wash, wash, wash:

Kids and bacteria go hand-in-hand, literally. Kids' hands are everywhere, including some surfaces that may be more susceptible to bacteria. Handwashing is a simple way to encourage healthy habits all year round. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, hand-washing is an important step to help avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. You can find more hand-washing tips and information by visiting CDC.gov/handwashing.

3. Get up and move:

Exercise is one of your strongest weapons against illness. A regular routine that gets your blood pumping is good for overall health and your immune system. It can help flush toxins and keep your body in top condition.

4. Just say no:

STEPS TO SELF-CARE

Wholesome habits are the first step you need to stick by to keep you in good health and shape. Try these out and enjoy the magic they work up

When it comes to protecting yourself and your family, give yourself permission to draw hard lines about spending time with those who aren't feeling well. Reschedule play dates or other events that might unnecessarily expose your family to germs.

5. Rest up:

When your sleep schedule is off, so is your whole system, and that makes you more susceptible to illness. Everyone's precise sleep requirements are different; you'll know you're getting enough if you feel rested when you wake up. If you're not, and more overnight rest isn't realistic, look for ways to sneak in some extra rest time during the day.

6. Enjoy the outdoors:

Even when it's cooler than you'd like, brief time outdoors can do plenty to lift your spirits and, in turn, your overall well-being. The fresh air and vitamin D from a bright, sunny day are free and easy ways to give your body a boost and help ward off illness. Source: Softsoap MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

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FOOD DRINK

Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

THE RIGHT CATCH

Maintain a healthy balance of seafood in your diet. Fish is a great source of nutrients and healthy fats that can help you fight cholesterol and also aid in weight loss if cooked right. 044

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SIMPLE

Seafood

A selection of easy, tasty one-pot-meals that could be tried out when you are too busy to cook lavish dishes

heet pan and one-pot dinners can be perfect in a pinch, so it’s no wonder they’ve become a go-to for busy families – like is mostly the case in Oman. Cleanup is typically a breeze with just one pan, and it’s a quick way to get vegetables and protein all in one step. Combine your key ingredients with rich spices, herbs and sauces to create a flavourful meal in no time.

Sheet Pan Tuna Melt Being short on time doesn’t mean you have to skimp on flavour. These tuna melts can be on the table in less than 15 minutes. Swap out mayonnaise for tartar sauce in the tuna salad as a better-for-you option with an extra kick.

Orange Chili Sheet Pan Salmon Salmon gets a sweet and spicy kick with this crowdpleasing dish. Chili seasoning mix brings the heat while orange extract, brown sugar and red bell pepper create balance with tang and citrus flavours. Even sweeter: This recipe is made in one pan for an easy, weeknight-friendly meal.

Parmesan Herb Shrimp In one pan, saute shrimp with Parmesan cheese, white wine and herbs, and serve over a bed of fluffy rice. This surprisingly simple, gourmet-tasting dish can be whipped up by nearly any home chef.

Basil Shrimp and Pasta Alfredo Whisk up a creamy Alfredo sauce with fresh shrimp, bright green peas and crisp basil in just a few minutes. Simply toss with pasta in the same pan and you’re done.

Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi

Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Dill Tilapia This white fish dish gets its flavour from a citrusy, lemon butter dill sauce that adds extra zest. Serve alongside asparagus, shallots and green beans for added veggie goodness.

Source: McCormick

Garlic, butter and white wine create a winning flavour combination, which is freshened up with lemon juice, broccoli and cherry tomatoes in this sheet pan version of an Italian classic.

MAR 22 - 28 / ISSUE 512

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FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

Mid ket Mar

REVIEWS

Info Box

RUBY TUESDAY

Oman Avenues Mall, Baushar Opening Hours: Daily from 10am to 10:30pm Contact: 2200 9812 Lunch for two: RO22.5 Verdict : 9/10 SERVICE 8/10 FOOD 8/10 AMBIENCE Excellent food with top class service.

RUBY TUESDAY

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

THE PITCHER WAS LARGE BUT FOR RO6.9 THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ‘WANT MORE?’ COURTESY, BUT THE CHEESE BURGERS AND BRILLIANT SERVICE THAT FOLLOWED SPREAD THE SUNSHINE. ALVIN THOMAS GORGES ON THE MALL MOMENTS WITH A FRIEND

eandering along the twisty corridors of the Oman Avenues Mall in Baushar at 4pm with an old friend who was visiting from the UAE, I made a quick and hasty decision to sit down for a late lunch at one of the many fast food chains in the food court. It’s not a particularly classy affair, THE SEAFOOD SAMPLER WAS THE FIRST TO ARRIVE FROM THE LOT. IT CAME but it would have done the deed for the two of us. WITH THREE KINDS OF FISH – AND IN A As you’d know, there are several options to PLATTER FORM. THE BREADED FISH FILLET choose from in the mall, but one restaurant WAS CRISPY ON THE OUTSIDE, WHILE particularly caught my eye: Ruby Tuesday. It’s SUCCULENT AND SOFT ON THE INSIDE an outlet I had been to before, but I recalled that it offers a suitable setting for casual dining, as opposed to just tables and chairs in the food court. We decided to sit outside the restaurant in the dedicated area that’s designed to look like a small boulevard. The waiter quickly bought us our free appetiser and menu, from which I picked the Cocktail Supreme. It’s essentially a large pitcher of apple-based juice tinted with a dash of lemon and passion fruit, and mixed with a whiff of Perrier sparkling water, before finally being garnished with a mix of red and green apples and mint. The drink arrived immediately – and we gulped it down almost instantly. It was rejuvenating after our long walk and quite light on the tummy. The weren’t too enthralled by the fact that it set us amalgam of flavours and fresh fruits meant that back RO6.9. we were longing for more but, sadly, that was not For main course, we opted for a seafood to be. While the pitcher is undeniably large, we sampler, a premium cheese burger and a platter of chicken cheese sliders. The seafood sampler was the first to arrive from the lot. It came with three kinds of fish – and in a platter form. The breaded fish fillet was crispy on the outside, while succulent and soft on the inside. On the other hand, the marinated fish was also splendid, with an ample amount of mayonnaise blended with the outer layer. In all, we proclaimed it top notch, before diving into our burgers, which had arrived in the meantime. My cheese burger was unquestionably large and the fillings were generous. However, I did find the 046

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beef patty to be a bit dry, despite everything else ticking the right boxes. Still, with mayonnaise, barbeque burger sauce and cheese – which, by the way, was melted beyond belief – available in abundance, I gobbled it up without thinking twice. Without a doubt, this has to be one of the best burgers in Ruby Tuesday; trust me, I’ve tried it all. The accompanying fries were freshly fried and crunchy too. Just writing about it makes me want more. Meanwhile, my mate Mashfique declared his sliders exquisite yet simple. He was right: each slider came with a humble breaded chicken patty, mayonnaise and a slice of fresh lettuce. He loved it and gorged on the three sliders in a jiffy. He also took time to commend the brilliant service offered by the waiters. At some point, even the manager came to ask if we were satisfied with the food. Ruby Tuesday – an international chain from the US – may be nestled in the far corner of the mall, but in my books it’s aces on all counts. When compared with other restaurants and burger joints in the Oman Avenues Mall it stands out. Heck, I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that it could be the best burger joint among all others in the vicinity, save for the all-new Five Guys and Mooyah Burgers joints. Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

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