Y Magazine #536, September 20, 2018 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

Riding solo

ONE OMANI’S 154KM TREK FROM SALALAH TO YEMEN Cultural connections WHAT’S NEW CATCH THE LATEST THIS FALL AT ROHM! UPDATES ONLY ON

MUNICIPALITY RAIDS ILLEGAL 10 News: BUSINESSES

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DESTINATION: Dayqah Park TASTE TEST: Duke’s Bar YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

SEP 20 - 26 2018 / ISSUE 536 • WEEKLY

THE END OF

OIL?

PLUS!

THE WELL IS RUNNING DRY. WITH JUST 15 YEARS OF OMANI OIL RESERVES LEFT BASED ON CALCULATIONS FROM RECENT NCSI PROJECTIONS, THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE COUNTRY TO MOVE AWAY FROM A CARBON-BASED ECONOMY. THE QUESTION IS – ARE WE READY?

YUMMY OMAN:

GLUTEN-FREE PICKS NOVEMBER TOP 24 / ISSUE 258

FIRST DRIVE: TOYOTA’S AVALON GETS A MAKEOVER

POSTCARD: HONG KONG

EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE…

here are few things in life we shouldn’t ever take for granted yet we do: our health, our jobs, our relationships, and our planet and its natural resources. While the first three affect us on an individual level, the last can throw our whole world into jeopardy as we continue to subject our planet to further climate change and to a depletion of natural deposits. What we forget is that anything, at any time, can change. Here in the GCC region, the oil resources around us are dwindling and the need for sourcing renewable energy to fulfil our requirements is becoming inevitable. But where does the future of Oman lie? Solar energy, hydropower, and wind power are all efficient – and clean – methods of energy generation. Is that where we’re headed? In this week’s cover story, we assess if Oman is ready to adopt such new projects and, above all, if they’ll create a ground for sustainable energy generation in the country. We also focus on how the switch from an oil-based economy will affect the country’s GDP, and whether or not we’re a few years too late to make the switch to a knowledge-based economy. Also in this issue we bring the incredible story of Hamdoon al Hashmi whose 154 km cycling journey from Salalah to Yemen is a testament to the human spirit in reminding us that, borders aside, we are all travelling a shared road. Plus, we take the 2018 Toyota Avalon out for a spin in First Drive, round-up top gluten-free options for foodies in our Yummy Oman pages, and sit down with Umberto Fanni, Director General of the Royal Opera House Muscat for a sneak peek at the 2018-2019 season ahead! Until next week, happy reading!

The Y Team EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi ADMIN MANAGER Yousef Al Harrassi ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

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PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan MANAGER – DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Umair Mehmood

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contents

Running dry Y contemplates the end of oil in Oman and what viable steps the country is taking towards renewable alternatives to the fossil fuel that’s been the backbone of the GCC economy for the past century.

26 19 Movies Rowan Atkinson 26 returns to the big screen with more of his signature brand of slapstick comedy in ‘Johnny English Strikes Again’.

Centre stage Royal Opera House Muscat General Director Umberto Fanni tells us about the cultural connections sparking the 2018-2019 season.

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Your Oman 08 Voice Of Oman Ahmed al Shakaili 10

News Two houses in Muscat raided for illegal businesses

12 News Duqm Airport marks official opening with inauguration

10 34 First Drive Toyota Avalon 38 Y-Fi Going green with eco-gadgets

2018

This Week 18

Health Expo Two hundred companies, 18 countries, one venue! The 2018 Oman Health Expo kicks off at OCEC on September 24!

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination Dayqah Park

Features

The wheel deal We hit the road with Hamdoon al Hashmi as the Omani student makes the 154km trip on bicycle from Salalah to Yemen.

Food and Drink

Health and Beauty

40 Fashion Fall trends for 2018

46 Taste Test Duke’s Bar

42 Beauty How to pick the perfect perfume

Yummy Oman: The grain drain Any way you slice it, going gluten-free in Oman is easier than you think!

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

brity ch and the latest celeve got at w to ts tis ar e th e’ From e hits of the week, w gossip to your ultimat from the pulse of the music your superstar dose Radio Oman 100.9 FM world, with Virgin

No more Superman for Henry Cavill? You’ve seen him on the big screen playing the caped superhero with the curlicue but now it has been confirmed that Henry Cavill won’t be reprising his role as the Man of Steel any time soon. Speculation about him leaving the ‘Superman’ franchise began circulating when it was revealed that he was going to star in the Netflix adaptation of the video game ‘The Witcher’. Turns out scheduling conflicts with any possible new ‘Superman’ movie – according to a source: “the door is now closing on other potential Superman appearances”. A shotgun wedding for the Biebs? After a whirlwind engagement, it seemed like Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin came to their senses and were taking their time and not rushing in to marriage yet. Now, we hear talk that the pair took out a marriage licence and got married last weekend at New York City courthouse. Hailey has taken to Twitter to say: “I understand where the speculation is coming from but I’m not married yet.” But Justin was seen at the courthouse saying: “Thanks for keeping it on the DL.” So that still leaves us wondering – are they or aren’t they? Aaron Paul joins ‘Westworld’ cast ‘Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul will be joining season three of HBO’s Emmynominated sci-fi sensation ‘Westworld’. The hit series centres on a Wild West 06

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theme park populated with robots that are programmed to fulfil the wishes and whims of the visitors. Aaron took to Twitter, posting a picture of one of the robots from the show with the caption: “I feel like I’m in a dream Dolores. Can you wake me up from this dream? #westworld”. Nas & Santigold snubbed! Rap icon Lauryn Hill has dropped Nas and Santigold from the line-up of her ‘Ms. Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation Anniversary Tour’, and social media has been all over it. Both artists were meant to open for Hill – but were noticeably absent for two shows. Santigold finally Tweeted: “I will no longer be performing on The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill Tour at the following dates due to the tour organisers’ decision to reduce the support. So sorry to disappoint my fans.” Nas didn’t address the cancellation, but there have been reports that he’ll not be performing in upcoming shows either with Hill, tweeting instead that he was going to perform in New Zealand in February. Childish Gambino ‘retires’ Rapper Donald Glover has been vocal about his plans to retire his musical alter-ego, Childish Gambino – yet until now he’s still been releasing music under that name. Currently he’s on his ‘This is America’ tour and, during his last show at New York’s Madison Square Garden he announced that: “If you bought a ticket to this concert, that means you bought a ticket to the last Childish Gambino tour ever.” End of an era it seems?

The Black Eyed Peas are back! The Black Eyed Peas are officially set for a comeback. And, while Fergie is still not back with the group, they’ve just released a new song called ‘Big Love’ which sounds a lot like it’s the sequel to their 2003 hit ‘Where Is The Love’. The group has also announced that it is releasing a new album called ‘Masters of The Sun’ on October 12. Mike Posner returns with ‘Song About You’ Grammy-nominated singer, Mike Posner is back with a brandnew track called ‘Song About You’. It’s his first release in two years since his platinum-selling ‘I Took A Plane To Ibiza’. ‘Song About You’ is about a failed relationship and has a melodic hip-hop beat with acoustic guitar. Posner commented on the song saying: “It was good to make it because of all the angst inside me. What do you do with that angst? I put it in a song. That way I don’t have to throw it on another human, or on myself.” Noble indeed! Ciara drops girlpower anthem Ciara is back yet again and this time she’s recruited marching band percussion and brass for her uplifting new anthem, ‘Dose’. Like a motivational speech aimed at empowering women with lyrics like “I’m a ground-breaking woman / Put me down, I’ll go harder,” it’s a follow-up to ‘Level Up’ which she released in July. Ciara hasn’t given many details about her upcoming seventh album, but she has said she’s been working on it for the past year. Be sure to keep it locked to Virgin Radio Oman 100.9 FM, and don’t miss your Tea Time with Maya Noise, daily on Chad in the Morning.

THE VOICE OF OMAN

AHMED AL SHAKAILI, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY, TALKS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO SOLAR ENERGY AND HOW IT WILL PROVE TO BE A SOLID ALTERNATIVE TO HYDROCARBON-BASED ENERGY OVER TIME

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: How will Oman overcome its reliance on fossil fuels when the oil runs dry? DR. TAMANNA DALWAI

olar energy is the future of energy generation – and the future is now. In the wake of the oil crisis in the Middle East, I think there is a focus on moving towards renewable sources of energy. It was evident: the less we spent on our energy needs here, the more we could export. So, in more ways than one can imagine, such energy alternatives were making sense. But, there has always been a misconception that solar energy is less viable than, say, oil and gas. That has been proven wrong recently, as our studies have shown that in the long run, solar equipment will be more reliable and efficient. This, along with the fact that companies are now providing 20 to 25 per cent off on solar equipment means it’s the perfect time to make an investment. Affixing solar panels on a regular villa today will set you back somewhere around RO2,500. And if you’re registered with an on-grid arrangement with the government, you won’t be requiring batteries either. Batteries are the most expensive part of the solar-electricity system. Today, however, if you have panels that produce 7kW and only have a requirement of 5kW, then the government can buy back the extra 2kW. Moreover, panels are so efficient these days so your current generation would be considerably more stable than previously. All of this means you’ll be making money from your investment as opposed to simply paying per month for your expenses, like what most people do today. This initiative was set in motion in May 2017, and I firmly believe that everyone must slowly make the switch to solar power. It’s green, clean, and above all, affordable.

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Oman has initiated steps towards replacing its reliance on fossil fuels by having a dedicated Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, a commitment to 17 Sustainable Development Goals and ongoing initiatives by individual institutions. However, it lacks a vision with a defined period for planning the transition towards renewable sources of energy. For example, the US state of California recently announced its aim to replace fossil fuels for generating electricity by 2045. This is a good lead in taking initiatives in building an infrastructure of renewable energy sources such as those of solar power, wind power and battery storage. There needs to be a greater initiative for promoting the use of electric cars in the country. Local airlines should join others in powering flights with bio-fuels. All this could be strongly and specifically addressed in the upcoming Oman’s Vision 2040 to be successful in switching away from fossil fuels.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

Oman has already shifted its dependence from crude oil. The country has already diversified towards tourism business, free trade zones and industrial developmental plans and solar energy projects. However still it is time for oil wells to dry and the dismal demand of fossil fuel. The oil prices have once again taken a leap. Tourism will support the economy of Oman to a great extent.

can significantly reduce greenhouse emissions, with a study indicating a drop of 11,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year. Similarly, Oman’s long coastline and strong summer and winter monsoon winds give it an abundant source of wind energy. Thus, taken together, these two renewable energy sources could well be the potential solution for the impending depletion of fossil fuels. Efforts must be made to seriously tap these resources through the use of science and technology and liberal investment.

SINTHIA BANERJEE

The fossil fuel age is over: nuclear power stations are melting down and our economy, in its current rate, cannot continue to rely on fossil fuels for power. This means that fossil fuels are no longer the lifeblood of our existence.

ARKAN HADI

Oman can easily diversify into tourism. The country has plenty of tourism factors that can transform Oman into a tourism powerhouse such as a rich history, clean beaches, a desert, and Salalah. The government should (and I believe they already are) taking advantage of the country’s tourism factors to diversify the economy.

GAUTAM GHOSH-DASTIDAR

This is surely going to be a global crisis that not only Oman is going to face, and one that is going to happen within the next couple of decades! We need to switch basically to solar energy and, indeed, to MOHAN ANANDAN wind energy! It may sound fanciful but the sad fact Naturally, we should be developing renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar energy. is that we need to accept that these days are not far away, and we face being put back on the animal’s Oman is blessed in abundance with these two resources. For example, Oman receives extensive back! In Oman, we might have to use the sea more daily solar radiation, making it one of the highest and increase the use of water-borne transportation. solar energy densities in the world. The added DIVYA HARIDAS advantage and attraction for developing this form Fossil fuels are the valuable natural resources of power is that it is environment-friendly and and assets of a country. In Oman, the past three

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centuries of progress has been relied on fossil fuels. It is evident that with all these drastic changes, population, agricultural use of fossil fuels, concentrated into a short period of time, the country, Oman has started a colossive experiment with the systems practised in Oman. Global temperature marked in the history, deterioration, historic investments in renewable energy have to be considered to the miracle changes. It is also includes commitments to pursue efforts to a limit warming. As per the records, 2015 was the hottest year, and it was determined that the high temperatures would continue through the first two months of this year. As a result, the privileged position of the fossil fuels already seems weakening. Oman can overcome the situation by implementing solar power vehicles, public electric transport, conserve energy, reuse products and live green.Formation of fossil fuels take millions of years and it is a non renewable energy, so people should aware of the situation.

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ANTHONY CARLTON

Oman already has a clear plan and strategy going forward when it comes to moving away from energy being generated from fossil fuels. 500 MW of solar power will be awarded by the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) by the end of 2018 and within the next 4-5 years, approximately 4000 MW of Grid Connected Solar Power will be tendered. Solar densities in Oman are among the highest in the world and the government has rightly given Solar Power from PV a higher probability of success than wind, which is more concentrated in certain parts and away from major development and habitats. This pro-active approach will not only reduce fossil fuel dependence but will surely go a long way in generating a new breed of solar engineers. It will also create a renewed focus towards more sustainable projects in all areas that affect and touch lives in Oman.

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SEP 20 - 26 / ISSUE 536

YOUR

OMAN

TWO HOMES RAIDED FOR

RUNNING ILLEGAL BUSINESSES

#NOTALONE PULLS IN

STAR SPEAKERS

welve celebrity speakers will share their experiences on depression, anxiety, bullying and survival, at a forum called #NOTALONE Stories on October 5/6 at the Kempinski Hotel in Seeb. The event is being organised by Whispers of Serenity, a mental health clinic and well-being centre. “It takes a bold person to share their mental health issue publicly and we have chosen these celebrities not based on their fame but because they showed a willingness to share their stories,” said Her Highness Sayyida Basma al Said, the founder of Whispers of Serenity. However, the names of the celebrities have not been revealed. The two-day event will have an entry fee of RO40. Revenue from half of the ticket sales for the event will be donated to the Oman Association for the Disabled while the remaining half

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will be used for developing an app designed to help fight child abuse. The forum will also have students from various schools in Oman taking part. “We had specifically reached out to schoolchildren with a campaign on bullying and we were amazed to note that some of the children were well-informed about it and some of them had very good information from which we benefited,” said Her Highness Sayyida Dr Taghreed al Said, who is an assistant professor at Sultan Qaboos University. She said: “Just like adults, children also go through anxieties, stress and depression and that is why we are planning to develop an app called Ziad which will help us to reach out to children easily.” The Not Alone awareness initiative was launched in 2014. It is aimed at reducing social stigma about mental health disorders. For updates, people can follow @ notealoneoman on Instagram.

wo houses in Muttrah have been raided by officials for running illegal businesses. Muscat Municipality said one of the houses was being used as a tailor’s shop while the other doubled up as a food storage warehouse. In a statement, a Municipality spokesman stressed that operating a business out of residential premises was illegal. He said: “These were run without following proper licence. This is against the law.”

KHAREEF TOURIST

BOOST FOR SALALAH

ore than 800,000 people visited Salalah as part of Khareef Season, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). At the end of the 11th week, 811,170 people had visited Salalah.

“There is an increase of 28.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2017,” a NCSI spokesman said. Last year, only 630,234 people visited as part of the festival. Omanis accounted for 91 per cent of the total number during the Khareef season, while there was a 10.2 per cent rise in visitors from Asia.

A KEY PARTNERSHIP

GALLERY

THE OMAN SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND SABCO SPORTS STRUCK A NEW AGREEMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT NEW ACTIVE INITIATIVES ACROSS SCHOOLS IN OMAN.

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OMAN

DUQM AIRPORT STARTS WORK

uqm Airport started fully-fledged operations on Monday, after 45 days of tests. The airport is the third in the Sultanate to enter service with all of its facilities in operation, after Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport. With its state-of-the-art facilities, it is expected to add value to the national economy and support the country’s economic diversification programmes. The airport, according to Oman News Agency, can handle half a million passengers a year, with the potential to expand, and cope with two million.

FISHERMEN CAUGHT WITHOUT LICENCES

wenty-one men have been caught fishing without proper permission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has reported. A Ministry spokesman said in a statement: “We have confiscated three boats and arrested 21 fishermen who were caught fishing without

proper licences.” The inspection campaign was carried out in Raysut, Al Mughsail and Al Fazayah. Last year, a total of 2,857 cases of fishing violations were reported. “This number is only rising and we are cooperating with the Ministry of Manpower and the coastguard to increase their supervisory efforts,” the Ministry statement added.

OMAN RANKS FIFTH IN GCC

IN HEALTH OF NATIONS

500 ORGAN DONORS FOUND

he Sultanate has come fifth in the GCC region and 48th globally on the Human Development Index (HDI), which assesses the progress of nations in health, education and income. The index forms part of the UN’s 2018 Global Huma Development Report. Oman is up four places, from last year’s position of 52nd. Among the 189 countries listed, Norway came first in the world followed by Switzerland, Australia, Ireland and Germany.

ive hundred people in Oman have signed up to donate their organs in the event of their deaths. In 2016, the government introduced the landmark organ donation programme for brain-dead patients. His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamed Al Khalili, the Grand Mufti of Oman, also issued a fatwa which allows organ transplants after brain death under certain circumstances. According to the fatwa, the necessity of transferring the organs should be established and it should be ensured that the patient cannot be treated any further. 012

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NEW BEGINNINGS

GALLERY

THE FINLANDOMAN SCHOOL OPENED ITS DOORS AT THE GUTECH CAMPUS IN HALBAN.

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STEREO LOVE

OMAN

ICONIC DJ EDWARD MAYA HIT THE DECKS AT THE CAVE, BRINGING HIS SIGNATURE SOUND TO MUSCAT COURTESY OF AXIS EVENTS.

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GALLERY

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DISHING IT UP

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THE FRIDAY FAMILY BRUNCH KICKS OFF AT THE KITCHEN IN THE KEMPINSKI HOTEL MUSCAT.

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GALLERY

Photography by: Shaquel al Balushi

Location: Al Amerat Public Park

Style: Portrait

Culture lives on through every new generation as a young Omani girl in traditional attire participates in the Muscat Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heritage Village. SEP 20 - 26 / ISSUE 536

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UNDERSTANDING DISABILITY Nawaal Akram, a Qatari comedian, model and athlete who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of six, is on a mission to raise awareness about this rare disease. Akram, who founded the Muscular Dystrophy Qatar, will host an event at the National Library in Qurum, where she will talk to people about the disease. To attend, please register by logging on at www.events.qnl.qa

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

SEPTEMBER WOW (Wednesday on Walls), an exhibition of paintings by six artists on nature has opened at the City Seasons Hotel’s Majlis Café in Al Khuwair. The exhibition, which will run until October 5, is to foster public awareness on the need to protect our eco-systems. Participating artists include Minakshi Nayyar, Dipty Srivastava, Sindhu Palathingal, Krishna S, Showbi Noushad, and Pooja Umesh. For more information call 2439-4800.

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ECO-ART EXHIBITION

WEEK

SEP

More than 200 companies from 18 countries will take part in the eighth edition of the Oman Health Exhibition and Conference, which will be held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 24 to 26. According to the organiser Omanexpo, more than 30 hospitals from India will be taking part in the three-day event, which is being held in conjunction with Oman Medical Association (OMA). For more information log on to www.omanhealthexpo.com.

SEP

THIS

OMAN HEALTH EXPO

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE

SEP

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 2479-1641

Batti Gul Meter Chalu Cast: : Shahid Kapoor, Yami Gautam, Ashrut Jain

Johnny English Strikes Again Wildling

Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller, Emma Thompson When a criminal mastermind unveils the identities of all undercover agents in Britain, the security of the country is in peril. The trouble is, as all available agents are now known, the Prime Minister (Thompson) must rope in an unknown to find the dastardly hacker. Her choice is a man who once had an 00 code and drove an Aston Martin. But it’s not that guy. No, this time it’s Johnny English (Atkinson), a rubbery-

The Yellow Birds Cast: Toni Collette, Jennifer Aniston, Tye Sheridan

faced school-teacher who must grapple with the latest gadgets if his mission isn’t going to be impossible (maybe he should read our Y Fi column!) After an array of inept escapades, such as firing a missile on a group of French cyclists, the PM finally asks him: “Can I just ask, what is WRONG with you?” It’s a lively spy spoof with sharp, slapstick comedy, and plenty of action to enjoy.

Murph (Sheridan) and Bartie (Alden Ehrenreich) are serving US soldiers dealing with the daily ravages of war in Iraq. Bartie made a promise to Murph’s mother Amy (Collette) before both were sent there, and as their ordeal continues, so does the suspense surrounding the mystery of that pledge. This film makes a fair stab at capturing the realities of war and its psychological effects but some inaccuracies let it down (the army has posts not bases, for instance). Its two great actresses are in supporting roles here, but their presence is sorely needed to shore up the watchability. Unfortunately, it’s a rather crude attempt by Hollywood to portray the US invasion of Iraq as being honourable. If American filmmakers want to address their country’s biggest foreign policy disaster since Vietnam, they’ll have to do better than this.

Anyone who has struggled to pay a utility bill is going to love this. Vimal (Kapoor) is mourning the death of a friend whose death, he believes, was caused by his ever-escalating electricity bill. While electricity in India has always been state-controlled, the effects of increasing privatisation are causing consternation among its citizens, including Vimal: power cuts, higher bills, and poor service. It’s great to see Bollywood tackling topical issues; and this gets political brilliantly. And while making its point, it’s a drama that doesn’t bore the viewer rigid with finger-pointing polemic. But really, India really should have observed its former coloniser Great Britain to see how much of a disaster privatising electricity can be! In Hindi, with subtitles.

Cast: Bel Powley, Liv Tyler, Brad Dourif

Anna (Powley) has spent her childhood confined in a remote woodland cabin owned by a sinister adult she called Daddy. She has rarely been outside in 16 years, for fear of encountering a beast called The Wildling, which she has been told is a terrifying predator. When the nearby town’s sheriff (Tyler) sets her free and takes her in, she begins to piece together Anna’s ordeal. And as Anna finds adjusting to the outside world taxing enough, the trauma of her upbringing is (understandably) proving hard to shake off. It’s not a teenager slasher movie (more of a budget indie flick) but there’s enough suspense, twists, and scary moments in this to keep movie-goers interested. A very watchable horror, and Powley is excellent.

N WI

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

What other famous alter-ego is ‘Johnny English’ actor Rowan Atkinson known for? LAST WEEK’S WINNER Manoj Ambhure

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Now open near you at VOX Cinemas, Muscat Grand Mall Book your tickets at voxcinemas.com or the VOX app SEP 20 - 26 / ISSUE 536

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You see, it’s certain that the good old days of oil money are over. It’s either time to buck up and strive for a stronger future and a greater country, or lay here expecting the fortunes to turn

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il will not last forever. Efficiency versus renewable energy: that’s the age-old debate. And, despite everything we’ve achieved over the past two decades, we find ourselves working towards the goal of devising an “energy miracle” – a resource that can help us reduce our dependence on carbonbased reserves like oil, naturalgas and coal. Yet, here in the Sultanate, energy primarily equates to ‘oil and gas’ – both dwindling non-renewable resources that have a lasting impact on the environment, and at the same time, lay the foundation for the nation’s ‘oil-based economy’. Oman, as it turns out, is one of the few nations in the mix – alongside other GCC countries – that is heavily reliant on non-renewable resources like oil and gas for energy generation. It’s said that a staggering 65 per cent of the nation’s energy comes from crude oil, while the rest is pegged on natural gas. This, understandably, is a matter of concern. And if the Energy Information Administration (EIA) – a US-government-based energy evaluator – is right, Oman is now left with a touch below 5.115 billion barrels of estimated and proven oil reserves (as of 2017). While this places us as the seventh largest oil reserve holder in the Middle East and 22nd largest in the world, it must be noted that given our current expenditure, oil will only run the nation’s economy for 15 years (!) The year 2032 will mark the end (should no more oil fields be discovered) of the Sultanate’s oil reserves. All oil-based activities will come to a halt: those driving past on the Qurum Heights will no longer witness the iconic flame that towers over the skyline, and no longer will the complex matrix-like structures be retained. All the billions of Riyals spent in expenditure on the infrastructure will then be scrapped. Meanwhile, Oman can also bid farewell to the ‘oil-based economy’ that drives the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation. If it indeed runs out of crude oil by the specified timeline, the nation would be forced to dive into newer fields to generate revenue, or focus to tap existing resources to maintain stability in the country. After all, hydrocarbon revenues made up for almost 39 per cent of the nation’s GDP of US$78.94 (RO30.35) in 2013, as per the Central Bank of Oman (CBO)’s evaluation. Does all of this sound a bit far-fetched to you? As per the revelations of a top official from the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), who preferred to remain anonymous, the answer to that is: “It’s not time to panic, yet”. He says: “Believe it or not, Oman’s oil reserves won’t simply die down completely after 2032 like what is portrayed in the media. “What people fail to realise is that the Sultanate is currently faced with the task of exporting hydrocarbon resources – mainly crude oil, among several other products – as well as providing for their own needs, which includes energy requirements. “That’s putting a lot of pressure on the government and all the agencies involved in everything starting from extraction, refineries, suppliers, and vendors. And what we must keep in mind is that everything is interlinked. “Therefore, we witnessed the great

crash of 2015, which led to companies crumbling and the GCC nations struggling to gain footing. “Even so, the oil prices have been volatile of late, hovering between the US$63 and US$73 marks. “But we’re expecting 2019 and 2020 to be a bit better. We’re now slowly capping our deficits, and covering our losses,” he adds, before asserting that Oman can slowly begin exporting more barrels when they remove the trade cap that was placed to help sustain the growth in oil prices. Currently, Oman’s production values consist of about 970,000 barrels per day (bpd), but as per the official, the consumption, on average, can be 140,000 barrels per day. This can be to produce products such as petrol, jet-fuel, diesel and other oil products. However, a sizeable amount of it is also spent on energy generation, namely electricity. As per the National Centre for Statistics & Information (NCSI), the Sultanate produced 3.7 Terra Watt-hour of electricity in May, 2018, and on average, 2.2 Terra Watt-hour per month since 2008. While we could not procure an accurate breakdown on the methods used to produce electricity, it’s safe to assume from the aforementioned statistics that on average nearly 1.43 Terra Watt-hour is generated using crude oil, while an additional 0.77 Terra Watt-hour is created by using natural gas. “Oman simply relies a lot on oil and gas to produce electricity,” the official says, before adding, “We cannot simply come to a halt when the oil runs out. We need an action-plan to put in place so that we can at least cap our demands. “Let’s face it, the consumption of oil products will only rise in Oman, as we’ve witnessed over the past decade or so. But, the real concern lies in whether we can reduce our reliance on oil and gas – and cutting down on the use of non-renewable resources to produce electricity should be on the top our lists.” When we ask him why such sustainable projects never took effect in the Sultanate before the oil crisis, he answers, stuttering for words initially: “In an ideal world, an infrastructure for solar power, hydro power, or wind power would already be in

What’s next for us is for us to continue our focus, which is to supply solar steam to the oil fields. We’ve been very clear on our mission, which is to reduce gas consumption and carbon emissions in oil field operations place. But, really, the Middle East – especially the GCC – has always had a glut of hydrocarbon resources that there never seemed to be a need to switch towards more sustainable sources immediately. “Sure, we all knew the change had to be made. We just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. As a matter of fact, more plans were made to tap into our existing gas reserves; like the Khazzan-Makarem gas field that we discovered in 2000.” His words are proven right by a report published by multinational professional services firm, Ernst & Young. It reveals that the gas consumption alone in Oman soared by 168 per cent over a 10-year period from 2002 to 2011. What’s more noteworthy is that the study also expected the nation to divert all its natural gas supply to domestic consumption by the year 2024. “Much of this is to generate electricity – and what must be kept in mind is that oil and natural gas-based electricity generation are incredibly inefficient and harmful to the environment,” he says. A study conducted by the Joint Research Centre, a subsidiary of the European Commission, reveals that in 2015, a staggering 78,446 kilotons (kt) of Carbon Dioxide was released into the atmosphere in the Sultanate. In the wake of all these concerns, Oman has begun taking “baby steps” to initiate a radical shift that will soon help the nation reduce its reliance on these non-renewable resources, the primary of which

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is the use of renewable resources – such as the sun and hydro power – for a variety of industrial activities, which also includes the generation of electricity. In an interview with Y, Rizwan Ahmed, an engineer working with Solar Intertech, a newly-established solar energy products supplier, says: “Oman is blessed with sunlight all year round. It doesn’t matter which season it is, there’s always enough potential to tap into the power of the sun. “This solar radiation that we receive is among the highest in the world, and the possibilities of tapping this resource are endless. Simply placing solar panels and storage batteries at your home will enable you to generate free electricity for yourself. “But, it doesn’t end there: when the infrastructure is in place, you can generate electricity and then send it to the grid through which it will then reach another house that is in need of power. “While this is by far the most energy-efficient way to operate in Oman, it can also earn you – the consumer – a few Riyals every month,” he explains. During the initial phase, Rizwan says that his company spent months on the field studying areas that could be included in solar projects. “Locations such as Marmul, Sohar, and Fahud have higher average daily sunshine, when compared with other locations that are closer to the coast. Harnessing the power from here would provide us with the potential to store high amounts of electricity... if we’re given the

Oman is blessed with sunlight all year round. It doesn’t matter which season it is, there’s always enough potential to tap into the power of the sun

right resources to tap the power. “Moreover, these areas are largely empty lands, so it serves as a perfect base for such activities,” he adds. A study commissioned by the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) in Oman revealed that Photovoltaic (PV) systems – that form the basis of solar equipment – installed on residential buildings in and around the Muscat governorate could help generate a staggering 450 megawatts (MW) of power – which is comparable to a mid-size gas power plant. The figures increase to a whopping 1.4 gigawatts (GW) when extended to residential buildings across all regions in Oman. That, coupled with the fact that, on average, one square metre of land in Oman can produce 200 watts of electricity per hour from PV power, makes this the perfect solution for the nation’s efforts to reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons. During our investigation, we also learn that it would cost roughly 770 baisas worth of (solar) equipment to produce one watt of power. However, currently, it only costs residential consumers 12 baisas to use 1kW in one hour, rising to 30 baisas if more than 10,000 units are consumed. However, strategic steps are being taken to set the ball in motion. For instance, the Authority for Electricity Regulation Oman (AER) – Oman’s power sector regulator – has begun taking steps to allow homeowners to install rooftop solar panels, and allow the surplus electricity to be sent back to the grid. Moreover, companies like Majan Electricity Company, Knowledge Oasis Muscat, and Sultan Qaboos University already have solar systems in place. It seems that now would be the perfect time to make the shift to solar energy. This is also a notion shared by prominent oil companies in Oman. “Solar power – it’s so simple yet efficient,” says Marwan Chaar, a spokesperson for GlassPoint, a company that specialises in effecting solar projects in the oil and gas industry. “Oman is one of the countries in the GCC that has an abundance of potential to make use of solar energy – which is an environmentally-friendly source of power – in many applications.

“We started with the Miraah solar plant (southern Oman), and it was the result of a successful pilot that took us to a commercial scale. But now, what’s next is deploying this in the future in other oil fields in Oman, as well as in other applications in the same sector.” Unlike most solar plants, GlassPoint’s plant doesn’t undertake production of electricity. Instead, it uses thermal energy produced in the form of steam for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process to extract heavy and viscous oil at the Amal oilfield. This, reportedly, enhances the well’s productivity by up to 300 per cent! “What’s next for us is for us to continue our focus, which is to supply solar steam to the oil fields. We’ve been very clear on our mission, which is to reduce gas consumption and carbon emissions in oil field operations. “The usage of steam is extremely high in Oman. Over 100,000 tonnes of steam is being injected in different oil fields in Oman – so the potential is very high,” he says, before ending the interview. That said, solar is just one such way the country can effect its stand against heavy reliance on oil and gas for energy generation. Recently, plans for a full-fledged wind farm in Dhofar surfaced, foreseeing an annual output of 160 gigawatts per year of clean energy. The project – which is a joint venture between the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) – will see a total of 13 wind turbines will be installed on a 1,900-hectare site in the Wilayat of Dhofar. While these schemes are aimed at developing the nation’s infrastructure, all while tapping in on the abundant renewable and clean energy sources, many economists are now raising their concerns as to whether all these projects have come a little too late, and more importantly, if it’s the right time to ditch the “unpredictable” oil-based economy and switch to a more modern outlook – like a knowledge economy. On paper, it all sounds enticing: a knowledge economy is – in its simplest form – defined as a shift from traditional economies and into one in which production and the use of knowledge are paramount. As per an Omani economist and college professor, who declined to be named, this will “inevitably break the feigned shackles posed by the oil-centric economy that

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once drove this nation”. In a heated interview with Y, he asks: “There’s no doubt that an oil-based economy has always worked for Oman. But do you think that the vast wealth that this nation has amassed over such a short period will impact us for the better (?)” “Even in 2018, we face issues such as lack of adequate and quality education, under population, and underdevelopment. And handing over a bucket full of money – oil money to be specific – will never solve our problems. “What it gave rise to, however, is a land of disparity: a handful of rich that get richer and a middle-class that struggle to find footing for survival. “This is precisely why we need to take a cue from countries such as Norway and Japan that focus on education, and more so, on incorporating technology in our daily lives. “This forms the basis of a knowledge economy – taking what’s the latest in field of technology, and incorporating it within our societies. In return, this will provide us with skilled individuals, a strong information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, and a landscape that is tolerant of changes. “We also see nations like Germany and United Kingdom take on the knowledge economy to bounce back from economic instabilities and, up to an extent, fend off

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Oman is one of the countries in the GCC that has an abundance of potential to make use of solar energy – which is an environmentally-friendly source of power – in many applications

rough situations; even if it means that there’s stiff competition among individuals within the society.” According to the professor, countries that are already pursing a knowledge economy will have a generation of professionals rising up to adopt problem-solving skills to solve crises – but he believes that a “good deal of ” Oman’s youth has been tarnished by a “lack of motivation” by their antecedents. “A strategy for sustainable development should be in place in every country, and such has been the case in the GCC state of Qatar. It has spent a great deal of their wealth oversees and in procuring properties and assets around the largest metropolitan areas. “So, if tomorrow something was to go wrong, they would always have their fortunes in countries to fall back on,” he says, before going on to explain that Oman must begin investing heavily on its greatest asset: tourism. “You see, it’s certain that the good old days of oil money are over. It’s either time to buck up and strive for a stronger future and a greater country, or lay here expecting the fortunes to turn. “But, if you didn’t get the memo: it’s the end of an era.” ■

With the fall season at the Royal Opera House Muscat in full swing, Y sits down with its Director General Umberto Fanni to explore how Oman’s cultural epicentre is raising a curtain on the arts to new audiences

What’s on the roster for the new season and is there a direction you want the ROHM to head towards for 2018-2019? Season 2018-2019 at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) promises to be one of its most exciting and wonderful. Signalling the high quality of all the programmes to come, the season opened with Plácido Domingo’s spectacular Gala Zarzuela, featuring beautifully sung theatrical vignettes and dramatic tango pieces performed against a backdrop of evocative sets. And so, the new season got off to a spectacular start with the most famous living tenor in the world performing his favourite music. What will follow at ROHM is a diverse array of operas, ballets, recitals, symphonic concerts, shows, and some of the greatest names in Arab music. Season 2018-2019 encompasses 40 new programmes and a total of 69 performances. With respect to important new directions, in the 2018-19 Season, The Royal Opera House Muscat is continuing

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along the transformational path, which is taking the institution firmly into the vital realm of in-house production, including co-productions with some of the world’s most prestigious opera companies. ROHM’s first major in-house production premiered in January 2017 with Celebrating Oman, an amazing outdoor show that drew more than 8,000 people over three nights. This was followed by The Opera, an operatic work designed to take audiences – especially patrons just getting to know opera – through the history of opera, with timeless arias woven into the mythic story of Orfeo and Eurydice. The success of these SEP 20 - 26 / ISSUE 536

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beautiful, innovative works, along with impressive new co-productions, proved inspirational in accelerating ROHM’s vital developmental ventures; and, this year, we are presenting not just one, but three new coproductions with top opera companies from around the world. I would like to draw the attention of Y readers especially to ROHM’s three new 2018-19 co-productions. In November we present Johann Strauss’ Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice), a delightful romantic comedy of errors co-produced by ROHM with Opéra de Lyon and Oper Graz. February brings Verdi’s La Traviata, a collaborative production of LA Opera and ROHM staged by Marta Domingo, with Placido Domingo conducting and singing, on different nights. Reserved for the final opera of the Season is a ROHM World Premiere in a global co-production of Léo Delibes’ beautiful opera, Lakmé. An impressive array of prestigious companies from five continents are participating - LA Opera, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Fondazione Arena di Verona, Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova, Cairo Opera House, Astana Opera, National Center of Performing Arts of Beijing and Sydney Opera House. With these three important global co-productions in 2018-2019 capping ROHM’s many successful international productions to date, the Royal Opera House Muscat is well on the way to becoming a producing as well as a receiving institution.

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Looking back at Season 2017-2018, were there any sell-out shows that surprised you? What are people interesting in seeing? I’m very pleased to report that in the previous 2017-2018 Season, the Royal Opera House Muscat achieved a record number of seat sales, with many sold-out performances and an average of more than ninety-three percent of seat capacity filled, a record achieved by few other top opera houses anywhere in the world. ROHM’s highly diverse programming ensures that there is virtually something for everyone, as ROHM’s appeal extends to a broad spectrum of audiences. Arab shows top the list of ROHM’s most popular programmes and they are always sold out. In this regard, special mention goes to ROHM’s world premiere of The Ring Dove Story, an original Arab Ballet by Hirat Minas Keshishian; and to the Season’s grand finale, Antar and Abla, an Arab operatic drama presented by Opera Lebanon. Next in popularity are operas, followed by ballets. Symphonic concerts and recitals are also very popular; and, this Season we have a particularly stellar line-up of famous stars that includes one of the world’s most celebrated conductors – Valery Gergiev, as well as one of today’s greatest tenors, Juan Diego Flórez and world-renowned soprano, Kristine Opolais. Muscat loves jazz, and Season 2019-2019 includes Chucho Valdés, the most influential figure in modern Afro-Cuban jazz with his fabulous Quintet, as well as Sarah Jane Morris who has been lauded as “one of the world’s great jazz-soul vocalists of the past 20 years”. The most amazing of ROHM’s spectacular shows this season is bound to be the breathtaking Opera on Ice. Performed right on stage in ROHM’s auditorium, the show combines the inspirational artistry of operatic singing with the virtuosic talent and grace of world-class ice skating.

ROHM’s new Season 2018-2019 opener raised the curtain with the flamenco-driven ‘Gala Zarzuela’, with Plácido Domingo performing. What was it like working with him again and how was audience turnout/reception? I’ve known Plácido Domingo for many years and so we have the relaxed rapport and synergy that comes with familiarity and shared perspectives, including a passionate love of opera. Plácido is a consummate professional who is also a warm person, and unusually down-to earth, with a great sense of humanity on which he acts with heartwarming generosity. His infectious joyousness for life and art is evident in all he does. It is indeed a wonderfully inspiring privilege to be again working directly with this great man who has a unique place in the modern history of opera. This season, Maestro Domingo comes to ROHM not just once, but twice, amounting to a total of four visits and ten performances at the Royal Opera House Muscat. Plácido Domingo’s first engagement with ROHM was for the Inauguration in October of 2011 when he declared Oman’s Royal Opera House to be “a cultural gem”. Plácido Domingo’s second visit to ROHM was to perform in a gala concert in January of 2017, at the end of which the audience would not stop clapping. Plácido Domingo’s wonderful Gala Zarzuela was sold out well in advance of the Opening earlier this month. The audience was moved by the warm affection that Plácido radiates to the audience, just as much as they were by his marvellous voice and superb musicianship. It must be said that there is a magnificence in the figure that Plácido Domingo cuts on stage at 77 years of age, with his graceful carriage, an impressive cloud

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of white hair, his natural ease and incredible exuberance. It is not an exaggeration to say that the audience loved him to bits!

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Placido Domingo’s ‘Gala Zarzuela’ was specially fashioned for ROHM. Can you elaborate on that process of collaboration? Very soon after Plácido Domingo’s 2017 performance at ROHM, we began planning his next appearances. Plácido was very enthusiastic about returning again to ROHM, the institution that he fell in love with virtually at first sight seven years ago. Maestro Domingo and his team from LA Opera, including, among other outstanding professional experts, Plácido’s wife Marta Domingo, a renowned stage director; and Plácido’s son and publicist, Alvaro Domingo, pulled out all the stops to work with ROHM on a two truly great productions. Plácido Domingo and his team were as keen to ensure respect for Oman’s local culture with respect to costume and comportment, as they were to create spectacular productions. For this Season’s grand seasonal opening, Plácido chose a form of Spanish theatre that is close to his heart, as he grew up working in his parents’ zarzuela company in Mexico. And he elevated the art of zarzuela by rendering it in gala form. What better opera to choose for Maestro Domingo’s fourth appearance at ROHM, than the world’s favourite – Verdi’s La Traviata?! Plácido Domingo, who is an expert conductor as well as a great singer, decided to perform in both roles in La Traviata on different nights. He will sing the baritone role of Germont, father of La Traviata’s leading man, Alfredo. Marta Domingo further perfected her dazzling Art Deco

and the celebrated violinist, Joshua Bell. Omani children are encouraged to perform as extras in operas so that they can become familiar with opera from the inside – and quite possibly discover their talent. Community engagement is vital to the success and on-going relevance of the Royal Opera House Muscat. Especially successful has been ROHM’s free-of-charge Lunch Music series held in the Opera Galleria. Members of the general public are invited to drop by and enjoy recitals by wonderful singers and musicians who perform at ROHM. Held in cooperation with Opera Galleria cafés and restaurants offering reduced prices to those who wish to combine music with lunch, the Lunch Series has been so popular with the public that it has been extended to a Dinner Music series. Employing user-friendly mobile phone technology and mainstream social media, spanning Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, ROHM has become popular with younger generations, attracting many thousands of followers. ROHM courts tourists and International visitors through alliances with Muscat’s five-star hotels and by participating in Oman’s tourism initiatives abroad. ROHM has an impressive track record with marketing strategies that successfully appeal to both local and international patrons. Twentythree percent of ROHM patrons came from eight-two different nations, with the highest proportions among the twenty-three percent coming from five countries – the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, The United States of America and Switzerland, in that order.

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With Oman’s National Day just a couple short months away, what ROHM initiatives are being planned to mark the occasion? Every night during Oman’s National Day celebrations, the Royal Opera House will be magnificently illuminated in the colours of the Omani flag in brilliant red, green and white. Early in November, to mark the start of the National Day period, the bands of His Majesty’s armed forces will march in tattoo formation in magnificent dress uniform while playing martial music in ROHM’s heart-stopping military music concert. Signalling Oman’s global outlook, military bands from Poland and China will also perform for ROHM’s annual celebration of the Nation’s greatness. ROHM’s annual November tribute to the Sultanate and its beloved Leader, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, is ROHM’s most popular event.

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interpretation of the staging for this treasured opera, on which she has worked for many years. The staff of LA Opera and ROHM are continuing to work closely together on various aspects of the production, including local staging and the complex logistics of delivery.

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How does ROHM seek to draw in new audiences for whom the experience of the performing arts and live stage performance is new? An important objective of the Royal Opera House Muscat is developing, nurturing and drawing in new audiences. Open houses, tours and exhibitions for the general public are a regular feature each season. ROHM’s Outreach and Education Department is active with both teachers and students in local government schools with the aim of introducing RHOM and the performing arts to students, imbuing them early on with a genuine interest in their Nation’s Royal Opera House. ROHM’s regular programming includes special productions for families and children. Among such programmes are interactive operas in which the children create their own props and participate from their seats, singing and directing the action. School students are occasionally invited to special matinées for productions that are relevant to them. Some musicians who perform at ROHM voluntarily give workshops for music students in the schools, including most famously in the past, the world-famous cellist, YoYo Ma

In ROHM’s upcoming autumn roster will there be any more celebrity appearances coming up? In addition to Placido Domingo, the 2018 portion of the new Season features one of the very best conductors in the world, Valery Gergiev who will also participate in a ROHM Coffee and Date session, giving ticket-holders for Gergiev’s concerts a chance to meet this giant of the music world and interact with him informally. Maestro Gergiev will conduct the Orchestra of the renowned Mariinsky Theatre in Alexander Borodin’s epic opera, Prince Igor, as well as in a concert featuring Stravinsky’s famous orchestral work, Firebird and Prokofiev’s glorious Cantata, Alexander Nevsky. The incredibly charismatic Arab singer Wael Kfoury will perform in ROHM’s annual Omani Women’s Day Celebration as well as in a solo concert. World-famous Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez will sing with the brightly rising Egyptian star, Fatma Said. Juan Diego and Fatma will participate together in a ROHM Coffee and Dates session. Known as the Caesar of Arab Song, the widely adored star, Kadim AlSahir, will sing some of his most popular romantic songs.

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How does ROHM seek to foster and provide a platform for Omani artistic talent? In addition to encouraging Omanis to appear as extras in operas, working with Omani school children and involving them in a variety of Education and Outreach initiatives such as workshops and interactive operas, ROHM employs a very high percentage of Omani Nationals. ROHM offers promising young Omani staff skill-development training, both in-house and abroad, as technicians, staging artists or crew, costume specialists, and performing arts managers or administrators. All of ROHM’s Front of House staff are Omanis who naturally become imbued with the excitement and ethos of the performing arts. Their loyalty and enthusiasm infect others in their social circles, and naturally, some staff members and those they influence eventually seek careers in the performing arts. For more information on the ROHM, and to book your tickets, visit www.rohmuscat.org.om.

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A story scripted on a bike: 154kms of mountain roads, undulating paths and welcoming people make for a trip to Yemen that Omani rider Hamdoon al Hashmi will never forget. Team Y follows his trail 028

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Curiosity is the mother of great adventures. All great tales etched into the books of history start with the quest to travel and a thirst to connect with nature. And such is the story of one Al Sharqiyahbased Omani student, whose inquisitiveness led him to a place off the radar of most travellers: Yemen. Today, travel can mean booking expensive flights, checking into five-star hotels, and snapping Instaworthy pictures; but Hamdoon Sultan Salim al Hashmi has a different tale to tell – one that involves him, his trusty bicycle, and the benevolence of the people around him. It all began when the 20-year-old mechanical engineering student drew up plans to explore the north-eastern towns of Yemen – a plan he says he had when he was a child. Hamdoon says: “Something about Yemen touches my heart. “Ever since I can imagine, I’ve heard distressing stories about the country. So, I’ve always wanted to visit the place and see if what’s being portrayed in the media is true.” As expected, however, his plans had cold water poured on them by his sceptical friends, who were

certain he would be “attacked and robbed”. After all, his possessions – which included a regular bicycle, tent, and cooking equipment – were all fruits of the months of labour he had put in as a promoter after his classes in college. Still, Hamdoon was determined to prove them wrong. And just as the rays of the sun began to gleam through the cracks of the green and misty mountains of Salalah on August 6, he set off – armed with nothing but RO50 (for his visa and other expenses) in his pockets, camping gear flanking his bicycle, and an unwavering will to confound stereotypes. “I began the journey from the centre of the city (Salalah) and was expecting the journey to be an easy one. After all, I had cycled about 350km within the Zanzibar island, and this, on paper, had all the tell-tale signs of being an easy ride.” The total distance between Salalah and his destination, Yemen, stood at 154km. But, he did not know that between him and the neighbouring nation lay treacherous mountain roads, winding paths and no pit stops to gather essential supplies. On top of that, he then had to muster the confidence to pedal his way up mountains that towered 1,200 metres above sea level, in the town of Al Mughsayl, on a fully-loaded bike that tipped the scales at 20kg. “It was the hardest I’d ever pedalled in my life,” Hamdoon sighs.

Sometimes, it’s best to trust in humanity. Because, if that trucker hadn’t stopped to give me water, I probably would have collapsed

“And, I only realised then that I wasn’t involved in any simple adventure. This, after all, was a trip to Yemen(!) It took the cyclist four days to reach the Oman-Yemen border. He would set up camp in towns every night to regroup for the following day. But, holding only limited supplies of Arabic bread, Nutella, biscuits, and water; and with funds dwindling quickly, Hamdoon was forced to consume very little, often resorting to simple eats over the course of his journey. At one point, he also nearly succumbed to exhaustion when he ran out of water – and encountered a truck driver whose kindness meant he could soldier on. “Sometimes, it’s best to trust in humanity. Because, if that trucker hadn’t stopped to give me water, I probably would have collapsed.” His trust, though, was proven right yet again when he arrived at the Yemen border. “Based on what my friends had told me, I was expecting a terrible welcome. But, that was not the case: the officers there made me feel comfortable, and even spoke to me about my journey. “They even made sure that all went smoothly at the immigration counter – thus giving me a taste of what true Arab culture feels like,” says the young Omani. Paperwork sorted, Hamdoon’s next target was to make it to the town of Hawf – one that he would reside in for two days. But, following the suggestions of the guards at the border, he decided to ditch his initial plan and head to Al Ghaida – a town famous for its natural honey. As luck would have it, en route to the town, he would then run into a Yemeni to ask for directions. Hamdoon then says: “Once I reached Yemen, I needed the help of a local to direct me to the village. After all, I wasn’t prepared to make a switch from Hawf to Al Ghaida. But, I soon ran into a local: an unassuming man, whom I asked if he could help direct me towards the town. “He quickly drew me the directions, but then also instructed me to go to a hotel – Taj Plaza – and asked me to alert the staff at the reception that I had met him [name withheld on request]. “I was a bit circumspect initially but nevertheless, decided to give it a shot. After all, I had nothing to lose. “A tough 120km later, I reached the hotel, and followed the instructions of the man. Upon doing so, I was immediately applauded and told that I could stay at the hotel for free. “As it turned out, the man I had met was the owner of the hotel. I was soon beginning to feel at home in Yemen.” Hamdoon spent a whole two days in the town sightseeing and shopping with what was left over from his savings, before beginning his return trip back to Oman – only, now his bike was a whole five kilos heavier with the added honey and fresh fruits. “The media and people around you have negative notions of Yemen, and a great deal comes from what’s happening within the country. But, I’ll tell you this: if you were to shelve the opinions of the people around you and follow what your heart wants, the world will oblige. “That’s what I’ve learned from this journey: the people you interact with on a daily basis can make or break the impression of a place you’re at – even if it’s your home. But, if you have faith in humanity, then everything – and by that, I mean absolutely everything – will fall into place.” ■

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

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

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

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

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

• Students Banking Area • Reception/ Canteen Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality Institute • Pizza Hut • Shell Petrol Station Wattayah • Ahli Bank • Best Cars • BLS International Services • Chevrolet/GM showroom • Ford Showroom • Hatat House • Honda Showroom • Hyundai Showroom • Kia Showroom • Lexus Showroom • National Travel & Tourism • Passage To India Restaurant • Shell Petrol Station • Subaru Showroom • Suzuki Showroom • Toyota Showroom Al Mouj Muscat • Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee • Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co. • Al Mouj Muscat Head Office Other Regions Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • LuLu Hypermarket Nizwa • University of Nizwa Sohar • Centrepoint (Splash) • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Markets • Ooredoo • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port and Freezone • Sohar University

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Adventures

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS AND ADVENTURES

MORNING MEDITATION

The dawn sky shows its face in the mirrored reflection of Wadi Dayqah. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;P32

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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

Dayqah Park Shaquel al Balushi goes all nostalgic as he comes across a scenic spot where the desire for digital devices goes out the window, apart from his camera (of course)

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sun reflecting off the shiny mountain surfaces, and at the same time, also the rowdy dark clouds hovering around the locale. As time went by, the park started coming alive. Families with kids; the entire setting was jampacked with parents heating up the barbeques to grill meat while the kids were in a world of their own playing football and simpler games like hide and seek. I avoided clicking any pictures of the families so as to avoid any unwarranted privacy issues but the fellow folk were well aware of my existence there. Even so, I was approached by a family and was offered lunch. Omani hospitality, it seems, is one of the few things that isn’t lost in this digital era of phones and computers. More amazingly, I couldn’t find a single child meddling with a phone or sitting idle: Everyone was soaking in their time at the park. This took me back to my old times when we would head out as a family – just me, my parents, and siblings. I lingered around the park for another good hour or so – clicking as many photos as I could – before making a retreat to Muscat. That brings me to reason: it doesn’t matter how many times you visit Wadi Dayqah, the dam, or the park, as long as you’re with your loved ones. It’s a great place to connect with people and make new friends, but at the same time, it is also a place that exudes Omani hospitality… if you’re in the mood for interacting with people, that is.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

he smell of rain in the morning – it’s invigorating. The dew-heavy leaves, moist air, the sprawling life, and sharp rays of sun that refract through the droplets in the ether; all radiate the sensation of a new beginning. And for us here in Oman, it’s not every day that we get to experience this. Yet, my recent trip to Wadi Dayqah was a lucky one – it had just rained there, leaving open a door for my camera to work its magic. Reaching Wadi Dayqah is one thing but choosing a spot to shoot is where things get a bit sketchy. Think twice before heading there: will you be fine sharing your personal space with other visitors? After all, it’s a 110km-long journey that should take up a good hour or so – and it’s best you prepare to scout for a location to settle down in. Still, the drive to the Dayqah region is a picturesque one, complete with scenic backdrops of historical villages on one side and mountains on the other. Wadi Dayqah is predominantly a man-made attraction, with the dam and the overlying observatory taking the top spot. But, its distance from the city, coupled with the greenery makes for a nice weekend getaway. Either way, I began shooting early. Any later and I would’ve stumbled upon enthusiastic families making their way to the park. The splendour of the morning sun was one to behold: the camera could capture the rays of the

The dam is just over 100km from Muscat and can be reached by travelling towards Quriyat on road number 17. Just before Quriyat you will find a roundabout with a brown road sign directing you straight to Wadi Dayqah. Turn there and follow the directions. A 4×4 is not compulsory.

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CARS ADVENTURES

TO YOTA AVA L O N L I M I T E D

FIRST DRIVE

A nod to the past with a blast towards the future keeps Toyota buyers happy with a sedan for all seasons. Team Y takes it for a spin

t’s the car no one quite expected to break into the limelight. We weren’t even sure if we’d see another release from Toyota this year, especially after the introduction of the new 2018 Camry and the humble, yet functional crossover SUV, Rush. But, it seems that 2018 has been filled with surprises. And much like how the music world came alive this month with the release of rapper Eminem’s new album, Kamikaze, which disses fellow musicians; the Toyota Avalon, too, comes out all guns blazing with similar ambitions: to take the fight to its unsuspecting competitors. And that it does efficiently: the Avalon now comes in a guise that triumphs over everything else on the market. It’s buff, sporty, and above all else, incredibly aggressive to look at – thereby ticking all the boxes

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mandated to take the sedan into a league otherwise crammed with cars from Europe and the USA. Rest assured, you’d be obliged to switch tracks if you were being tailed by one of these on the highway. For the gaping grille; the sharp and angular headlamps, complete with distinct LED daytime running lights; and the brash cuts on the bumper, give the Avalon a menacing look that is unlike anything else we’ve seen on the roads recently. And it’s not all show, either. For instance, the grille comes packing aerodynamic vents that work towards increasing the overall efficiency of the car while prowling around the roads. The profile is indisputably long – it is a full-size sedan after all – but the low roofline, the character lines that run and break the monotony across the sides, and the 18-inch sporty alloys helps keep the looks in check. The posterior is rather alluring, too: chrome-tipped dual exhausts, a sporty lip spoiler, and integrated tail lamps with sequential lighting round off the busy rear end. That said, don’t for a moment think that the Avalon is solely a car intended for the youth. While it comes with a certain aura that appeals to the young at heart – you know, with its menacing looks and the lot – Toyota hasn’t skimped off on features that have helped defined the Avalon brand: passenger comfort and class-leading interior features. There’s a glut of toys to play with, starting with the large 9-inch infotainment screen with navigation functions, a 7-inch multi-functional display on the instrument cluster that can be controlled using the arrow keys on the steering, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a brilliant heads-up display, and ventilated and heated front seats.

Speaking of the latter, our ‘Limited’ variant came with cushy and supportive chairs upholstered in high-grade leather – much of which also flanks a great portion of the dashboard, armrests, and the padded door sills. We particularly took a shine towards the wood grain panels that made up much of the top half of the cabin. Being an Avalon, there’s a plethora of space inside – and that should be enough to house five full-sized adults. The rear seats are bolstered deep and the centre seat is elevated, but a third passenger can still take the seat and be left with enough leg and head room. At 456 litres, the boot space is exceptional, too, fitting an impressive three full-size suitcases and two smaller ones without the need for folding over the rear seats. The boot opening is quite wide and low, thus making loading and unloading an easier task.

Destination

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

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED Specifications: • Engine: 3.5-litre ‘Dual VVT-i’ V6 • Transmission: Eight-speed automatic • Power: 298hp • Torque: 356Nms Front-wheel-drive 14-speaker JBL audio system 7-inch multi-information display 9-inch infotainment system Heads-up display Lane-departure warning Seats with memory function Leather upholstery Selectable drive modes Parking sensors Wood grain trim Pre-crash safety system Heated and cooled front seats Radar-guided cruise control Sunroof

On the safety front, the car comes packing – if you opt for the ‘Limited’ variant – Toyota’s ‘Safety Sense’, owing to which you’ll receive features such as pre-crash braking, radar-guided cruise control, lane-departure warning, cross traffic alert, and a useful blind-spot monitoring system. Now let’s move over to the drive. Powering the Avalon is a reworked 3.5-litre V6 that pumps out, near as makes no difference, 298hp – which is a whole 33 horses more than its predecessor – and 356Nms of torque. It’s incredibly sprightly for a full-size sedan that tips the scales at 1.6 tonnes, and it marks its territory with a 0-100kph time of six seconds. This makes it the fastest Avalon to be ever sold in the GCC region. This achievement can also be put down to the well-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission. Sure, the powertrain is set up to drive the front wheels, which can cook up a bit of torque steer when you belt it on the road – but in normal conditions, the car picks up speed effortlessly and without any tyre-smoking drama. The gearbox switches its gears slickly in ‘Normal’ and ‘Eco’ modes, while picking up a bit more aggression in ‘Sport’ mode. The latter also stiffens up the steering wheel and improves upon the driving feel. As expected, the V6 Engine responds vocally – with a signature six-cylinder wail – and quickly; providing a bounty of torque from the 3,000rpm mark. It’s contrasting, and unlike anything we’ve experienced from an Avalon before. When left alone to do its own thing, the sedan sits comfortably on the road and can whisk itself into the ‘grand

touring’ territory and rake up the kilometres without any haste. The suspension (McPherson Strut in the front and Double Wishbone in the rear) layout keeps passenger comfort in mind, resulting in a more-than-sublime ride. This doesn’t seem to faze the handling of the car, either: it holds corners well and sticks to its line for most parts. The brakes are strong and responsive too, even if the tip in point is a bit later than, say, its sibling, the Camry. The chassis is well-balanced, meaning, the length of the sedan still won’t invoke any liftoff oversteer in high speed corners. Meanwhile, understeer only creeps in when you flirt with the utmost limits of the 235/45 Bridgestone tyres. Even so, the car is settled in tight corners at speeds of up to 65kph, which is undoubtedly impressive. Credit where credit is due: Toyota’s engineers have uplifted the Avalon into a rather lucrative segment for the fifth generation. Laying the foundations for a sedan in a tranche of the market predominantly occupied by families is a tough task – but the Avalon has achieved more than just that: it evokes emotion with its design-language, and in the process, also

TOYOTA’S ENGINEERS HAVE UPLIFTED THE AVALON INTO A RATHER LUCRATIVE SEGMENT FOR THE FIFTH GENERATION. LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A SEDAN IN A TRANCHE OF THE MARKET PREDOMINANTLY OCCUPIED BY FAMILIES IS A TOUGH TASK – BUT THE AVALON HAS ACHIEVED MORE THAN JUST THAT. brings out a side of Toyota we’ve never seen before. And that very trait has Gen Xers like us stumped. Way to go, Toyota!

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CARS ADVENTURES FAR EAST FLAIR

A relic of the past, a traditional Chinese junk makes the crossing on the waters of Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Victoria Harbour.

1. Take a double-decker bus City Tour to get a full glimpse of the metropolis. 2. Enjoy the sky-high ride on the Peak Tram from Victoria Peak. 3. Take the kids to the iconic Ocean Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the largest theme park in Asia. 4. Take a trip with your loved ones to Po Toi Island. 5. Visit Wellington Street to explore some of the best restaurants.

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Christopher James recommends

HONG KONG

You can leave Hong Kong, but it will never leave you. The drama, the charm and the beauty of Hong Kong is all here just as is its breathless energy”. Author Nury Vittachi wrote this in his travel memoir, ‘Hong Kong: The City of Dreams’. He is indeed right. Hong Kong is a joy to explore. From its tallest, most monolithic buildings, its gaudy and opulent shopping malls and its pristine beaches; this fascinating city can stun you. But as I write this, just a few days NEON L IG H T S O N T S IM ago, a tornado dubbed Mangkhut wreaked havoc here, injuring more than 100 TSUI S SHA T REET people and causing nearly 40,000 people to suffer power cuts. I’m sure the good people of Hong Kong will face the adversity of the catastrophe and recover. It is an enchanting place. You can start your day by visiting the little fishing village of Tai O, which is on the Western coast of Lantau Island. It is a quiet, picturesque village that offers some stunning vistas and some resplendent beaches. Why not either take a bus from Tung Chung to Tai O or via ferry to Mui Wo and from there, take a taxi to Tai O? You can easily spend hours in the bustling fishing market and rent a trip on a small boat to take you around the harbour and the stilt houses for a closer view. The Tai O market is a feast for the senses. From fresh seafood to souvenirs, you can get everything here. If you’re in Hong Kong, it’s a must-do to visit Long Ke Wan beach. With soft sand, crystal-blue water and a spectacular view of the South China Sea, the beach is a photographer’s paradise. It is also near the Hong Kong UNESCO Geo Park, where you can see unusual rock formations, which historians say were formed hundreds of millions of years ago. To get there, take a taxi from Sai Kung town to the East Dam reservoir. However, if you want to enjoy the magnificent OF N A N coastline, then you can also walk from Sai Wan Pavilion which is 15 minutes’ walk N P A G OD A T H E G OL D E EN L IA N G A R D from the beach. Po Toi Island is another place to visit. Located in the southeast of Hong Kong, the island used to be home to more than a thousand people. However, the population has now dropped to just over 200. The famous Tin Hau Temple can be found on Po Toi facing the bay of Taiwan. While its construction date is unknown, the temple was renovated in 1893. People also flock to the Haunted House, which is also known as Mo’s Old House, to take pictures.

My favourite place Lamma Island. Located in the southwest of Hong Kong, it’s a traditional Chinese fishing village. Highlights It’s the delicious food! Eating is an integral part of experiencing Hong Kong. One of the reasons to be here is to eat dim sum, which consists of little bite-sized dishes that can be steamed buns filled with pork; white dumplings or rice noodle rolls. People here drink tea, known as yum cha. Lin Heung Teahouse at Wellington Street in Sheung Wan is where you can find some of the best dim sum around.

Lowlights Pickpockets Street market.

abound in Hong Kong, especially in places such as ChungKing Mansions and Temple

Souvenirs Hong Kong is famous for its wide variety of clothes, electronics, and sweets. If you’re looking for silk dresses, visit Ladies’ Market and Jardine Bazaar. You can get shining silk dresses for just under RO5. Getting there There are no direct flights from Muscat to Hong Kong. Instead, opt for a trip on Oman Air to Kuala

PO TOI IS LAND

Lumpur, and then hop aboard a Malaysian Airlines flight to Hong Kong.

Where to stay Butterfly on Morrison Hotel is my favourite hotel. It’s not only cheap but also located within Hong Kong city.

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-FI THE TECH IN YOU

POWER-FREE SLOW COOKER The power-free slow cooker from Wonderbag is one of the coolest inventions this year. The bag does not require a battery, plug or even electricity. If you have plans to go camping with friends, this is a useful item to buy. How does it work? Stick your ingredients into a pan, bring everything to the boil and remove from the heat. You can then wrap up the bag, and its heat retention design keeps your meal cooking for up to 12 hours. Buy from Amazon for RO25.

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

GREEN GADGETS

From eco-friendly speakers to energy-saving thermostats, the Y Geek Squad picks some of the coolest ecological devices around SOLAR PHONE CHARGER You can keep your home eco-friendly any way you like but when you’re travelling, it’s harder. If you’re charging your mobile with an electric socket, then here’s how you can make it eco-friendly. Buy a PowerPlus Camel 3 Watt Multi item and keep your phone charged allday without connecting it to a socket. The PowerPlus charger works on solar energy. To charge, simply face the panel towards the sun, and connect your mobile device with its USB cable. You can also charge your powerbank at the same time. Buy it directly from PowerPlus for RO13.

BAMBOO SPEAKER

EDITOR’S PICK

If you want to listen to music in an eco-friendly manner, then buy the iBamboo speaker. Made from the ultimate eco-material, bamboo; it amplifies your phone’s sound without any power. The speaker consists of a piece of bamboo, open on both ends and is built in a way that allows you to place the speaker on a flat space and insert your phone at the top. Buy from Amazon for RO12.

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SMART THERMOSTAT

IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO MAKE YOUR HOME ECO-FRIENDLY, THEN START BY SAVING ENERGY. GADGETS LIKE THE SMART THERMOSTAT FROM NEST CAN CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR HOME ACCORDING TO YOUR CHOICE. THE NEST THERMOSTAT CAN LEARN YOUR HABITS AND START TO SAVE YOU MONEY BY AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING THE TEMPERATURE. YOU CAN ALSO CONTROL THE THERMOSTAT BY CONNECTING IT TO YOUR SMART PHONE. BUY IT FROM AMAZON FOR RO82.

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Info Box

Is the new 'Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' up to the task of carrying on the legacy of this iconic franchise? The Y Geek Squad heads to Hyrule to find out Believe it or not: The Legend of Zelda series has always benefitted from something of a cult status among gamers; and one that’s almost as strong as the (grotesque) My Little Pony community on Reddit. So, when Nintendo, its developer, went on to change the original formula for 2018, it definitely raised a few eyebrows – ours included. It’s debatable, though, whether this change – one that has happened for the first time in its three decades of existence – is worthy enough to sit in the Zelda lineup. Be that as it may, the game makes a strong return to form, while still making a giant leap into new and unmarked territory, for the first time since, say, 1991. Yes, it still caters to the needs of gamers looking for a true and authentic action/adventure title, but here’s the main disparity: the game takes a new approach to design and in-game physics to create something truly phenomenal. Authenticity or refinement: it’s a choice you must make. Regardless, the title is quintessentially a Zelda game with all the bells and whistles from that of its previous iterations. You still get to travel across fields, forests, and mountain peaks – except, the underpinnings of the game lie in a ruined kingdom – Hyrule. You’re free to explore the lands any way you see fit, during which you’ll come face-to-face with enemies and wild beasts, and at the same time also be faced with the task of gathering resources.

Series: LEGEND OF ZELDA Developer: NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Platforms: NINTENDO SWITCH, WII U

As always, you’ll also receive special outfits and gear that can alter your strengths and dial down your weaknesses, which is made especially handy thanks to the increased graphical potential of the Nintendo Switch handheld console. That said, the greatest feature of the game must be the way the game now treats its players. In-game actions are rewarded, unlike that of the previous versions, which did a great job at stifling you as you progressed. Don’t believe us? Simply take a peek at the myriad YouTube videos that showcase the frustrations of gamers dealing with a dated platform. The Breath of the Wild gives us gamers an oversight into the future of the title, and it’s one that we think has the potential to outgrow its three-decade-old counterpart. Evolution is an integral part of every game – and this move signals towards better times. This then is the first prominent – and in some ways, legitimate – Legend of Zelda game in almost two decades.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

FALLING FOR IT

FASHION

From pick-me-up plaids and bold hues, to an 80s rewind, 2018’s fall fashion edit is eclectic to say the least – like this look from Mango’s new fall line that seamlessly blends slouchy-chic with disco-ball glamour. Here are some of the season’s top trends!

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T t Ge

k o o L e h

What goes around comes around, and from its music to its fashion, the 80s never really went out of style. Hit the rewind button on your wardrobe with this classic bomber jacket in the season’s hottest scarf-print fabric from Zara for RO29.9.

t, tree s h g e hi ok. h t n to t the lo o i h ge fas igh ps you h l From Y he m Tea

Country girl meets city-chic in this light-weight checked linen dress from Mango. Pair it with a boldsolid bag or pair of white or yellow pumps. Snag it for RO25.

A bucket-bag in a bold autumnal hue is fall’s must-have accessory. Fill it, flash it, and flaunt it – just make sure it’s always on your shoulder! Grab this squash-coloured number from H&M for RO10.99.

See the world through rose-coloured lenses indeed with this pair of shades from Aldo Accessories that hit all the right notes. Own them for RO5.

Take a walk on the wild side with these suede statement stilettos from M&S. Pair their striking cheetah print with a slim-leg trouser or jean and own it – rawrrrr! Stomp away with them for RO34.

Finish off your look by adding a flash of chrome to your ensemble with this pair of fringed hoops. Order them online from ASOS for RO4.

Boldly go where no ankle-grazing trousers have gone before with these savvy-chic pair of buttonbedazzled pants in shocking pink from River Island. Retail price: RO19.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

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MAKING SCENTS

It’s time to get personal with perfume. Your signature fragrance can say a lot about your personality – and choosing the right one is nothing to sniff at. Here are some top tips to help you navigate the olfactory overload

rom finding a scent, choosing between a perfume and an eau de toilette, to learning whether you should layer, there are many choices to consider when shopping for a fragrance. But choosing a signature scent doesn’t have to be difficult. Jan Moran, the creator of the Sephora Fragrance Finder by Scentsa, a touch-screen technology that helps shoppers find and learn about perfume, offers the following tips:

Choose a fragrance strength Perfume is the most intense form of fragrance, followed by eau de parfum, eau de toilette and eau de cologne. Intensity doesn’t mean that the scent will be bold and strong; only that it will last longer on your skin.

Know your scents Scents are typically grouped into five categories – floral, fresh, spicy and warm, woody and earthy, and brisk aromatics. Different scent groups appeal to different personalities. For example: fresh scents; which include citrus, aquatic, and fruit aromas, speak to a sunny personality while woody and earthy fragrances can seem soothing and calm. Try ‘fragrance wardrobing’ Once you know which scents you like, change your perfume for different occasions, moods, and climates. Choose rich scents during the winter and lighter fragrances for summer. Relax with vanilla and lavender, energise with rose and tuberose. 042

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Apply fragrance at your pulse-points Your pulse-points are behind your ears, at your throat and the nape of the neck, in the décolletage (collar), on your wrists, in the crook of your elbow, behind your knees, and on your ankles. Spray fragrance for a more even application. Store your fragrance correctly For maximum shelflife, store fragrances in a cool, dry place with the cap tightly secured – and be sure to keep fragrances away from direct sunlight. Source: newsusa.com

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NO BLOAT ABOUT IT If you struggle with the daily discomfort of swelling, fullness, and inflation after a meal then you may need to consider a few simple changes in lifestyle. Here are some top tips on how to beat the bloat

hether you’re getting back into that swimsuit and gearing up for the cooler fall beach weather here in Muscat or you just want to head out to Friday brunch with friends without any restrictions – what’s more frustrating than stubborn belly bloat that leaves you feeling uncomfortable? The good news is there are simple tips to help you combat bloating and leave you feeling better than ever. Eat slowly You’ve heard this advice for a bunch of different reasons – such as to help you feel fuller faster or be more mindful of your meal. But as it turns out, taking your time at the table can help with bloating as well. When you scarf down a meal or drink something quickly, you’re likely to swallow too much air. You might get the hiccups, or the gas may build up in your stomach and intestines and lead to bloating. Take your time and chew well while eating. Cut back on sodium The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that the general healthy adult population limit sodium intake to 2,300 milligrammes a day. However, reports indicate that the average person eats about 3,300

mg of sodium a day – which means chances are good that you’re consuming more sodium than you should. And, given that excess salt intake can be to blame for water retention, your salt habit could be causing midsection puffiness – so you might want to consider cutting back on your consumption. Ease in more fibre Fibre helps keep things moving through the intestines, which aids digestion and helps prevent constipation. But many high-fibre foods – like beans, Brussels sprouts and broccoli – are also pretty potent gas producers. Upping your fibre intake too quickly can cause bloating, so start slowly and work your way to your daily fibre goal over the course of a few weeks. Get moving Ideally, you want to work in some exercise on most days, but even taking a short walk after eating can help. The most important thing to remember is to just get moving. Try working out with friends or family to help keep one another stay motivated and committed to your daily fitness goal. Pump up the probiotics Put simply, probiotics are good bacteria in your body that help you fully digest your food. What’s more, probiotics can help reduce the belly bloat you feel when you don’t have enough of the right kind of bacteria in your gut. Pile on the probiotics by scaling down on fermented dairy foods like yogurt, kefir products, and aged cheeses, or opt for non-dairy foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh and soy beverages. Source: newsusa.com SEP 20 -26 / ISSUE 536

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A TASTY SWAP

Pumpkin is the secret ingredient that makes this glutenfree pizza crust sing with flavour.

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rain Gdrain The

Going gluten-free can mean a healthier diet and lifestyle. But how easy is it to find foods that don’t contain the protein? Team Y trawled the supermarket shelves to see what we could find

re you thinking about going going gluten-free? Many stars such as Victoria Beckham and Novak Djokovic have been happy to reveal what they believe to be its health benefits These include improved health, weightloss and increased energy. And Djokovic, 31, attributes his ascendancy to the top of the tennis tree to the diet. Going gluten-free means avoiding the protein gluten, which can be found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and oats. It has been adopted by people who have Celiac Disease (CD), a condition in which gluten triggers immune system activity that damages the lining of the small intestine. The result can affect digestion. Even those who don’t have a glutensensitivity are happy to follow the diet. But if this major dietary change is for you, do you know what to buy? Team Y decided to give it a go, and chose some of the gluten-free products available at all LuLu Hypermarket branches in the Sultanate. We also had a bash at making a Gluten-free carrot cake.

and toasted sunflower seeds. Their soft, easy-to-eat texture means you can enjoy them either at breakfast or lunchtime. They come four to a pack, and one pack costs RO1.975.

Schar Panini Rolls

If you’re looking for an alternative to a sandwich, then these low-fat, high-fibre rolls are great for a deli-style snack or lunch, depending on what you fill them with. A good dollop of Coronation chicken will not seep out; as these rolls are soft and very strong! They come in packs of six. Buy one packet for RO 3.150.

Lovemore Genoa Fruit and Slab Cake

Going glutenfree shouldn’t Cranberry, mean your sweet tooth has to miss out. So why not sample a Honey and slice of a moist and gooey cake made from Cinnamon bars These bars are crunchy, juicy sultanas and cherries? It’s a traditional satisfying and scrummy. enough cake to accompany afternoon tea However, few stores in with your grandmother, and will keep the Muscat have them but kids happy as a treat with milk. It costs we managed to track RO2.750. them down at LuLu Hypermarket in Bousher. All packets are Mrs Crimble’s Gluten Free crammed full of nuts and chunky fruit and Jam Coconut Rings seeds. You can have one while having your While Mrs Crimble may not be as wellbreakfast or to accompany your favourite known as Mr Kipling, ‘she’ has been at snack. One costs RO1.650. the forefront of gluten-free gateaux and sponges since 1979. These are like Jammy BFree Brown-Seeded rolls Dodgers, except they ooze with delectable If you’re coconut, with a melt-in-the-mouth texture following a strict that will have you continually tucking in diet, then you as you enjoy could try these. your favourite These baps boxed set on are made with the sofa. Buy flour, starches, a pack for proteins, fibre RO1.375.

Gluten-free carrot cake

You don’t need the masterful baking skills of Mary Berry to make this cake. Here’s how to do it: Ingredients: § 200g caster sugar § 250g carrots, grated § 140g sultanas § 140g unsalted butter, so § 2ggs, lightly beaten § 200g gluten-free raising flour § 1 tsp cinnamon § 1 tsp gluten-free baking powder § 50g mixed nuts, chopped § 75g butter, softened § 175g icing sugar § 3 tsp cinnamon, plus extra for dusting Method: § Heat oven to 180 C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 900g/2lb loaf tin with baking parchment. § Beat the butter and sugar until soft and creamy, then stir in the grated carrot and sultanas. Pour the eggs into the mix. § Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and chopped nuts and mix well. Tip the mix into a loaf tin, then bake for 50 minutes. Allow to cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then remove from the tin and cool completely. § Beat the butter in a large bowl until it is soft, add the icing sugar and cinnamon, then beat until thick and creamy. When the cake is cool, spread the icing on top and add a little more cinnamon and the chopped nuts. Sources: BBC Goodfood, The Mayo Clinic

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FOOD DRINK

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DUKE’S BAR

Lobby level, Crowne Plaza Muscat Opening hours: Daily from 12:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. Contact: (+968) 2466-0660 Dinner for two: RO29.82

DUKE’S BAR

Verdict : 7/10 SERVICE 7/10 FOOD 8/10 AMBIENCE Restaurant and pub serving comfort food classics Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

TEAM Y UNWINDS AT THIS SPORTY SPEAKEASY THAT’S A STALWART STAPLE tenderloin steak sandwich. It’s typical pub-fare for the hungry masses. What isn’t typical is the size WITH ITS HIT-THE-SPOT PUB FARE AND POOLSIDE VIEWS of the portions. The steak sandwich is a foot-long or pub-loving expats, nothing hits the hoagie while the towering burger teeters to contain spot with the reminiscent ambience its toppings. Suffice to say there’s no chance of and taste of home quite like an Olde leaving here hungry… English-style lounge. A platter of fish The oversized buns we could do without but the DUKE’S REMAINS A STAPLE ON THE F&B SCENE – PROVING THAT THE TIME‘n’ chips or a curry, the game on the big screen patty is juicy, dribbling and cooked to perfection. TESTED AND TRUE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A The cheese is gooey, the fried egg runny – and the and the sound of laughter and chatter in a place PLACE AT THE TABLE where everybody knows your name. And Duke’s whole shebang deliciously artery-clogging. Served – the Cheers-style taproom at the Crowne Plaza with a side of thick-cut chips, pickles and coleslaw, Muscat has been a favourite haunt of many it ticks all the boxes for keeping ‘hanger’ at bay. members of such a crowd. The coleslaw was perky but there could have been With the hotel newly re-opened after extensive more of it – and the chips…well…let’s just say as renovations that began back in May, we tasty as they were, they would have been tastier were eager to check out what was new at the had they been served piping crispy-hot. beachfront property since the refurb. The ground It’s a similar verdict for the steak tenderloin floor has had an open, airy facelift with modern footlong – although it comes with a topping of furnishings and colour palette at their new lobby tooth-squeakingly-satisfying grilled halloumi… lounge. Duke’s however, (also located on the the strips of steak are, well, a bit on the tough ground floor) remains the same, and – let’s be side. After a shaky start to the second sandwich, honest – why mess with a good thing? To its loyal we go for an all-star finish with a colossal slice of patrons Duke’s is Duke’s and its rustic trappings New poolside restaurant/lounge, The Edge, New York cheesecake, overflowing with blueberry are part and parcel of its charm. welcomes the weekend sun-worshippers while those compote. Each bite is light and sugar-dusted – and Step outdoors, however, onto its newlycraving some comfort food off the menu at Duke’s fantastically calorific. refurbished terrace and you’ll truly see what’s can climb a short flight of stairs to a banquette While the Crowne Plaza Muscat revels in its new at this Muscat icon – a sprawling, enlarged seating area hanging just below the main terrace, newfound look and vibe amid a summer’s worth terrace; for starters. A vibrant seating area with where they can avail themselves of the restaurant’s of renos, Duke’s remains a staple on the F&B added splashes of colour complements the offerings without entering the premises in wet flip- scene – proving that the time-tested and true will unbeatable sunset view out over the water, as flops or bathing suits. always have a place at the table. the sun’s rays trip over the lips of the two new The perfect spot for an after-work meet-up, the elevated infinity pools, which are the crowning outdoor terrace is prime real estate – though the Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see jewel in the property’s outdoor facelift. humidity on this late afternoon is still a tad too reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com much for us so we opt for a table indoors, with an excellent view to the outdoors and a Premier League match on the big screen. It’s quiet for a late Saturday afternoon but it’s an eclectic mix of clientele – diehard footie fans, postbrunch zealots, and families with children making the most of the fresh air out on the terrace. Bellies growling, we’re ready to tuck into some proper pub grub – although with an extensive range of offerings, Duke’s menu runs the gamut from classic down-home comfort, to more refined repasts. We select off the ‘Afternoons’ menu, served daily from 3pm to 6pm, opting for the classic beef burger (with fried egg and cheese extras), and the

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