www.omanair.aero

YOUR FREE COPYVolume 5 - 2006

� Mumbai: India in microcosm� Where the sea beckons � Hues of henna� Watchtowers - Vestiges of the past � Mastering a fine art - Effective communication

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Dear Passenger,

The Internet is revolutionising the very idea of the way we plan our travels. Keeping abreast with

technological advances, Oman Air recently took a significant step by launching its electronic

e-booking, by which flights can be booked directly by the travellers. Offering the ultimate and

convenience to busy, modern travellers, the Internet based “Web Booking Engine” allows

travellers to book seats and pay for their electronic tickets by credit cards.

In a resolute bid to further exploit air travel market potentials, Oman Air has reinforced its tie-up

with National Bank of Oman to issue a wide range of Credit Cards, all co-branded cardholders will

automatically become entitled to the Sindbad membership, which has benefits like extra baggage

allowance on Oman Air and partner airline flights, duty free discounts, advanced seat and meal

selection, personalized membership card and baggage tags.

Our participation in the Khareef Festival was a very successful one. The number of visitors to the

Dhofar governorate from June 21 until the end of August reached more than 270,000.

This symbolizes the popularity of the event. As usual, Oman Air did its part with regard to

promoting the Khareef Festival, being the official carrier and a major sponsor for the event.

This edition of Wings of Oman is crammed with interesting articles, colourful features and

information. This time we have featured Ras Al Hadd as the cover story, a place where you can

bliss your eyes on turtle nesting. Ras Al Hadd is an ideal example of eco-tourism, which the

Government of Oman has come about with. You get to feel the sensation of scenery devoid of

disturbing the elements of nature. We also take you to Mumbai, the microcosm of India, where

life is at its vibrant best. The colourful feature on henna, yet again is another piece which I am sure

will gladden our valued readers. Also our feature on watchtowers will certainly give you a definite

understanding of their significance as defensive outposts and vestiges of the past.

With every new issue, we go for a new getaway seeking quest. Yeti is the spot you ought to visit.

This edition also includes a feature on 'Effective communication'.

We wish you a pleasurable journey.

Sincerely,

ZZiiaadd KKaarriimm AAll HHaarreemmii

Acting Chief Executive Officer

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Cover Story

12Green Turtles - Courting natureIt is a beautiful sight to watch green turtles comingashore for nesting at Ras Al Hadd. One is leftenchanted by the wonders of nature.

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26Where the sea beckonsYiti offers a peaceful outing, away from the hustleand bustle of city life.

18Mumbai: India in microcosmWhether it is its wildly careering stock exchange that'sthe nation's economic barometer, or its cosmopolitanpopulation trying to live out its dream, or its muchpublicised, much idolised film industry, Mumbai is rarelyout of the news.

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24Watchtowers - Vestiges of the pastOman's countryside bristles so naturally withwatchtowers perched along strategic passes that it isdifficult to imagine the landscape without them.

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Oman Air’s inflight magazine is issued by the Corporate Communications & Media Department, Oman Air.P.O. Box: 2526, Seeb Airport, Postal Code 111Muscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24519616, Fax: +968 24510771E-mail: wings@oas.com.om Website: www.omanair.aero

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissionscontained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

All copyrights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproducedwithout our written permission.

For Oman advertising enquiries contact:Publishers:

National Publishing And Advertising LLC (NPA)P.O. Box: 3112, P.C. 112, RuwiMuscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24793098, Fax: +968 24708445E-mail: advertising@npaoman.comWebsite: www.npaoman.com

For regional/international advertising enquiries contact:

Media Score ServicesDubai Media City,P.O. Box 502023, Dubai, UAE.Tel: +971 4 3908030, Fax: +971 4 3908031E-mail: kazansc@cyberia.com.lb

TRIVIAJUNCTION

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34The top 10 super foodsThe benefits from eating healthy are endless. But, somefoods can be eaten to help you look and age better! Thereare 10 that are so beneficial to your health they are knownas 'super foods'.

38Trivia JunctionFacts, humour and other anecdotes.

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40Kiddies’ CornerThe Wise Bilal.

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36Mastering a fine art - Effective communication is vital for success in any fieldCommunication is a means by which behaviour is modified,change is effected, information is made productive and goalsare achieved.

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30Hues of hennaHenna is a special plant with delicate, fragrant, white topale yellow flowers that are used as a base for manyperfumes and grows all over Oman. Its leaves have beencarefully gathered and dried for hundreds and hundreds ofyears to obtain a reddish brown dye for colouring the hairand decorating the skin.

News

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Oman Air Launches ItsInternet Booking Service

Implicated with e-commerce, Oman Air haslaunched its electronic e-booking, by which flightscan be booked directly by the travellers. This servicecan be accessed through Oman Air's website -www.omanair.aero.

The Commercial Division in the Company statedthat establishing e-booking, imitate Oman Air'sstrategies operating comparably with the new trendscultivated by the government in this regard, as well asconceptualizing its services according to the marketindications.

Offering the ultimate and convenience to busy,modern travellers, the internet based “Web BookingEngine” allows travellers to book seats and pay forelectronic tickets by credit cards.

They also pronounced “E-ticketing is currentlyavailable only to selected cities, including thedestinations of most frequent travellers such as,Salalah, Dubai, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kuwait andCairo. The service will be extended throughout OmanAir's network by the end of 2006.”

“From the marketing perspective, e-booking willencourage more travellers, especially frequenttravellers, as this new adopted technology willfacilitate booking and ticketing transactions. Thus,travellers will only need to go to the airport, showpicture identification and be issued a boarding cardfor the designated flight. As for our “Sindbad”Frequent Flyer Programme members, privileges canbe obtainable by simply logging in their membershipnumbers when proceeding formalities of theire-booking,” they concluded.

From the management's standpoint, e-booking willassist Oman Air to operate in a cost-effective manner.Undoubtedly, launching this state-of-the-art option forOman Air's passengers enhances convenience, whiledelivering a more cost-effective process to the airline.E-ticketing symbolizes an additional promote to thewebsite of the national carrier, supported by meansof the agreement signed with Sabre Holdings, tosustain from the technical concept, Oman's nationalcarrier being a customer-friendly airline.

News

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NBO partners Oman AirFrequent Flyer Programme'Sindbad'

NBO previously joined hands with Oman Air in

2003 and launched the successful NBO/Oman Air

Co-Branded Credit Card. To reinforce the existing

partnership of many years, both Omani companies

have once again come together to further

enhance services to the people of Oman.

National Bank of Oman, a premium bank in the

Sultanate of Oman, issues a wide range of Credit

Cards and offers several services such as Money

Back for spend on cards, super value offers,

insurance protection, flexible payment, cash

access at any time up to 100% of the available

credit limit anywhere in the world and co-brand

cards.

NBO's current offer on Money Back points will

be more attractive with the points earned by

spending on the Credit Card and will have the

potential to be converted into Frequent Flyer

points on Oman Air's 'Sindbad' programme.

All co-branded cardholders will automatically

become entitled to the 'Sindbad' membership,

which starts with the entry level called 'Green' and

has benefits like extra baggage allowance (on

Oman Air and partner airline flights), duty free

discounts, advanced seat and meal selection,

personalized membership card and baggage

tags.

Each Oman Air flight gives additional status miles

to 'Sindbad' members bringing them closer to Silver

Status. Silver Tier entitles the member to a better

and wider range of privileges such as priority

waiting list, automatic seat reconfirmation, airport

lounge access (on Oman Air and partner airline

flights).

The next highest level for an upgrade is the Gold

Card level. This card enables 'Sindbad' members to

experience Oman Air hospitality at its finest - from

the moment they book their flight to the very end

of their journey with maximum privileges and

exclusive services.

In addition, The Family

Nomination Promotion is one of

the main attractions of the

'Sindbad' programme. As part of

the family programme, every

time the members nominate an

adult family member travelling

on Oman Air, they earn 100% of

their flown miles. Child family

members contribute 50% of their

flown miles to the head of the

family.

Speaking on the occasion, NBO's Divisional

Manager- Consumer Banking, Mr. Asif Redha said:

“This partnership between two big brands of Oman

compliments each other and brings the best of

both worlds to the customers. We always strive to

offer innovative products for our customers.”

Mr. Mohammed Mubarak Al Shikely, Oman Air's

Senior Manager Marketing said: “This is yet another

initiative towards our product enhancement

exercise where we strive to make the entire Oman

Air flying experience both enjoyable and

rewarding. I would like to take this opportunity to

thank our valued customers for their patronage and

invite them to discover the rewards of traveling as

a 'Sindbad' member”.

GreenTurtles

GreenTurtles

It is a beautiful sight to watch greenturtles coming ashore for nesting atRas Al Hadd. One is left enchantedby the wonders of nature.

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SANCTUARY OF PEACE: Ras Al Hadd is home to thousands of green turtles who come for nesting.

C o u r t i n g n a t u r eC o u r t i n g n a t u r e

Eco-tourism in Oman is fast catching up. The Ras AlHadd Turtle Reserve located in the wilayat of Sur in theSharqiyah region is now being further developed as apremier eco tourist destination.

Proclaimed as a reserve in 1996 by a Royal Decree,Ras AI Hadd attracts a stream of visitors to watch greenturtles lumber up the shore to nest.

Green turtles (chelonia mydas), which play an importantrole in ecosystem maintenance in the form of nutrientcycling and community structure in their foraginghabitats, have been thronging Omani shores for morethan 7000 years.

Turtles are an excellent species for eco-tourism becausethey can be really watched when they come ashore tonest and therefore are an important resource.

From Sur, a new road takes you to Ras Al Jinz where theReserve gate is located. One has to maintain pin-dropsilence, and as one moves further at a distance one can

see the aquamarine blue sea spread like a sheet ofshimmering glass with a glint of contrasting moonlightframed on both sides of the contrasting hues of the well-sculpted mountains. Turtles come ashore only at nightsfor nesting.

On the beach you will be greeted with a phalanx offemale turtles nesting and others emerging from the sea,crawling themselves up to a point above the high tideline. The turtles rest for a moment, take a deep breath andstart excavating a nest clearing the sand by the use of itsfore flippers. An extraordinary sight to watch!

Cover Story

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Half an hour later, an egg chamber carefully crafted bythe hind flippers is ready. At this time the turtles startlaying the eggs and the nest is now filled withapproximately120 soft purewhite eggs,resemblingping-pongballs. Afterlaying theeggs shecovers the pitwith sand tohide the eggsfrom predatorssuch as foxes,crabs, seagullsthat would bedelighted tofeast on thedelectable eggs. The green turtles resort to an ingeniousdecoy to divert predators away from the eggs, which takeabout 55 days to hatch.

After laying the eggs and covering it with sand, theturtles move ahead to make a large hole just to give animpression that it is the pit where they laid the eggs.

The tracks left by the nesting green turtles are easilyidentifiable as the fore flippers are swept backwardstogether pulling the turtle along the beach; the right

flipper leavinga distinctlinear groovein the sandexactlyopposite theleft flippercreating aseries ofparallelhorizontaltracks eitherside of theway.

As nature'sphenomenonunfolds to the

delight of the visitors, the ranger is quick to reprimandthose who attempt to disturb the 'turtle in auto-pilot'stage. After she finishes laying her eggs the turtle thenhurtles back to her real home, the ocean. The greenturtles can lay a clutch of about 120 eggs. Nesting occursbetween May and October.

WONDER OF NATURE: A green turtle laying eggs in the sand.

HAVEN FOR TURTLES: The Ras Al Hadd beach.

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The eggs remain cocooned in the sand forapproximately 55 days before hatching. The sandtemperature helps the eggs to incubate. An eruptionof sand is followed by the appearance of hatchlingturtles, tiny enough to be placed on one's palm. Onceon the surface, they pace towards the sea and thelife-long struggle for survival begins.

These hatchlings, after becoming matured, returnto their birthplace to mate and lay eggs and the cyclegoes on and on.

Only two to three in every ten thousand eggs liveto survive to become adults.

The Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve and the nearbybeaches host about 20,000 green turtles annuallywhich migrate from the Arabian Gulf, remote pocketsof the Red Sea and the Somali coast. The turtlesreturn once in two or three years to the same beachfor nesting.

During the reproductive season, adult turtles travelto the vicinity of the nesting beach, where they roamthe waters up to several months. The migratorycorridor serves as a mating station, also called theinternesting habitat.

In view of the immense importance attached to theconservation and environmental protection, thegovernment of Oman has announced a series of facilitieswhich will come up at Ras Al Jinz, in close proximity to Ras Al Hadd.

Besides turtle watching, the Ras Al Jinz area is arenowned site for ongoing archaeologicalexcavations and some of the finds date back to4000 BC. According to local environment officials, theexcavated material will be showcased at a museum tobe set up at the visiting centre by the Ministry ofHeritage and Culture.

Primer on green turtlesThe Green Turtle is one of the most endangered species

in the world inhabiting the Arabian Gulf and the IndianOcean. These turtles spend their entire lives in the water,but the female species have to come on to land for nesting.It is believed that the first turtles lived more than 185 millionyears ago. Considering grave threats against their survival, itis amazing that turtles have successfully braved throughmassive upheavals in the world's environment, witnessingthe extinction of numerous species of their time.

Turtles have been used since time immemorial for food(oil and protein) and other commodities (bone, shell, leatherand oil).

The green turtles can measure up to 1.2 metres in lengthand an adult of this size may weigh about 200 kgs. Thesmooth, rounded carapace has four pairs of large plates oneither side and is generally dark brown in colour with lighterpatches, although the colour can considerably vary.

Journeys spanning through thousands of kilometres areknown to occur in a very short time by the turtles. The greenturtles have been reported to travel about 3000 kms in about65 days. A green turtle tagged at Ras Al Hadd was found inthe Red Sea at Assab, Ethiopia three months later.

Feeding grounds are in shallow water over seagrass andalgal beds. They are herbivorous whose food includesseagrass, seaweed and algae. Some green turtles asjuveniles are omnivorous.

The name 'green' is due to the fact that the fat under itsshell is green in colour.

The most distinctive characteristic of the green turtles istwo large oblong pre-ocular scales between their eyes. Anoutstanding feature of these turtles is the accuracy withwhich they return to their natal beach for nesting.

Ready ReckonerWhat to see: Green turtles nesting on beach;

archaeological sites Instructions to visitors: To visit you need a permit from the

DG of Nature Conservation, Ministry of RegionalMunicipalities, Environment and Water Resources(MRMEWR) or an entry pass may be obtained at the Reservegate itself.

Do not use lights as you land on the beach to watchnesting.

Maintain silence.When to visit : June to October Entrance fee : RO 1 per adult

100 baisas per childCamping fee : RO 3 per adult

RO 1 per child(The camping facility can accommodate 100 persons.)

The eggs remain cocooned in the sand forapproximately 55 daysbefore hatching. The sandtemperature helps the eggsto incubate. An eruption ofsand is followed by theappearance of hatchling turtles, tinyenough to be placed onone's palm.

MumbaiIndia in microcosm

Let’s take a look at a sight that's graced the city's postcards for years. The magnificent twin structure of the Taj Hotel forming a backdrop for the splendid Gateway of India.

Things are quiet, but then it is seven am. An hour from now, there would be more people about, and two hours on, it would become abuzz with the office rush hour, with a staggering two million people on the move.

MumbaiIndia in microcosm

DEFINING LANDMARK: The imposing Gateway of India.

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Whichever way you look at it, Mumbai demandsattention. Whether it is its wildly careering stockexchange that's the nation's economic barometer, or itscosmopolitan population trying to live out its dream, orits much publicised, much idolised film industry, the cityis rarely out of the news.

You may not think so standing amidst the urbanmayhem that personifies the city today, but Mumbairose from rather unlikely beginnings.

A group of seven islands ceded to the Portuguese in1534 by the Sultan of Gujarat were in turn given as partof the wedding trosseau of Catherine of Braganzawhen she married England's Charles II in 1661. In 1668,the British Government leased the islands to the EastIndia Company for 10 pounds in gold per annum, andMumbai gradually grew to become a trading centre.

But the past's been quickly swept aside, and today, it'sa major metropolis and India's financial and film capital.Association with the British has left its imprint on the citythrough majestic, Indo-Saracenic buildings. Gracing thewater's edge at Apollo Bunder is the Gateway of India.Other notable buildings are the High Court; the OldSecretariat; the University building; the Mint; the TownHall; the Gothic style Victoria Terminus; and FloraFountain where local life ebbs and flows.

Business and commerce grease the city's wheels andare its lifeblood. Hundreds of Indian and multinationalcompanies have their head offices here, as do banksand financial houses. A drive along the upscale MarineDrive takes you past the offices of the country'scommercial bigwigs.

But the money mantra hasn't blinded the city to otheraspects of life. The city hasn't neglected the arts. ThePrince of Wales Museum houses varied collectionsranging from China to sculpture and miniaturepaintings. Adjacent is the modern Jehangir Art Gallery.The Victoria and Albert Museum is also well stocked.

The city's secular character has spawned severalshrines. Ensconced on an island is a memorial to HajiAli. The St. Thomas Cathedral in the Fort area, and theAfghan Church of St. John the Evangelist built inmemory of those slain in the First Afghan War, are theprominent city churches. The main Hindu shrines arethe Mahalakshmi Temple near Breach Candy, and theJain Temple on Malabar Hill.

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Destination

Article by Inder Raj Ahluwalia

Thanks to the ever-present religious backdrop, there's

always a festival on. The biggest and most colourful is the

Ganesh Chaturthi held in August-September.

Janmashtami, the celebration of Hindu icon Krishna's

birth, is also a colourful and zestful affair. Then of course,

there's Diwali - the festival of lights.

Bazaar talk: If you're a serious shopper, you're in for a

delightful overdose. There's splendid shopping for

clothes, jewellery, and leather, and fascinating bazaars at

Colaba, Bandra, Linking Road, Fashion Street and Juhu.

Finely crafted ornaments at Jhaveri Bazar, brass at

Kalbadevi Road, and bargains at Bhuleshwar all enhance

the shopping experience. And there's the infamous Chor

Bazar which offers everything imaginable - antiques, old

furniture, and bric-a-brac.

Anyone for the movies? Who can ignore the tinsel world?

A major film producer, the city's got this distinct filmy

character. 'Masala' or 'formula' films are mass-produced,

with touches of melodrama, tragedy, song, dance, intrigue,

violence, sex, tears and laughter. It's always fascinating to

visit the studios that churn out these films.

A drive along the upscaleMarine Drive takes you pastthe offices of the country'scommercial bigwigs.

IMAGES OF MUMBAI: A festival procession.

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PICTURESQUE: Mumbai by night.

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Travel FactsMumbai squats on the Arabian Sea coast and is a

major shipping centre. It's also India's main aviation

gateway, with several international airlines operating

flights.

Local transportation comes in varied forms. There are

metred taxis, auto rickshaws, local trains and buses.

A wide accommodation infrastructure ranging from

5-star hotels down to small guest-houses, means there's

a hotel room to suit all budgets.

Dining out choices are equally well distributed. You

can eat out in fancy restaurants, in traditional food

outlets, or unpretentious cafes renowned for good

food.

A good way to explore the city is through the

conducted tours operated by the Maharashtra Tourism

Development Corporation and ITDC.

If you're seeking a genuine sun and sand

experience, head for Chowpatty, a beach along

Marine Drive, known for its varied snack stalls. This is

the heart of Mumbai's burgeoning middle-class and

in many ways, best personifies the city's

cosmopolitan character.

For more beach and surf, head for Juhu beach that

has a long stretch of sand and plenty of

beachcombers, especially on weekends. For

solitude, hit the unspoilt stretches of sand north of

Mumbai at Gorai, Marve, Manori and Madh.

Mumbai has this certain character. It's often

chaotic. There are traffic snarls, and there's

overcrowding. But the city's on the move. The dense

traffic notwithstanding, things move. The business

of the day goes on, and this is because of the locals'

spirit of 'give and take'.

You get the definite feeling that the city's looking

ahead rather than back …

BIRD’S EYE VIEW: Marine Drive.

V e s t i g e s o f t h e p a s tWatchtowers

Oman's countryside bristles so naturally withwatchtowers perched along strategic passes that it isdifficult to imagine the landscape without them.

Much of Oman's history is echoed in the mud brick,stucco and stone of its defensive architecture. Oman'sstrikingly beautiful landscape is punctuated with overthousand impressive forts, castles and watchtowers.These extant citadels whisper gently the history ofOman under different influences and bring alive theOman of yore before our minds' eyes.

Usually perched on rocky outcrops overlookingancient harbours, they cling to cliffs. Some rise abovefrom the plains of towns and villages while others are ina state of ruins, their outlines silhouetted against thesetting sun.

Forts in Oman can be best divided into threecategories, namely, military forts, castles andwatchtowers. In this article, we focus on watchtowers.

While forts served as sentinels for the populatedtowns, watchtowers had a different purpose. They

served as outposts to protect inland trade routes andguard water supplies. They were look-out towers fromwhich, at the sight of incoming enemies, warning shotscould alert the garrison at a nearby fort. In other words,watchtowers were considered as secondary defence,and were rallying points, permitting the besieged tomake sorties under cover of artillery fire.

Watchtowers are seen scattered throughout Oman.While many have become victims to the vagaries ofnature, others have withstood the onslaught andcontinue to serve as reminders of the past. The highestconcentration of watchtowers in this country is alongthe main mountain passageways from the coast ofOman to the interior. These are Bid Bid, Wadi Samail inDakhliyah region, Wadi Jizzi and Wadi Al Hawasinah inBatinah region.

There is a very picturesque grouping of nine towers inBiaq in Wadi Samail while five towers, on surroundingknolls, form a supplementary defence to the singletower of the fort in Al Hobe, 80 kms from Nizwa.

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The extant towers at Araqi, Subaiki and Yankal inDhahirah region stand testimony to the bygone period.At Gheizen in Wadi Hawasinah, four towers remain at thecorners of what was once a wall around the village. Theold towers have survived the rigours of nature and timebetter than their mud-brick counterparts.Wadi Jizzi whichruns through the northern range of the Hajar Al Gharbi,connecting the oasis of Buraimi and the Batinah coasthas few tower ruins at Al Hail, Al Rabi and at Al Wasit.Al Hail has two restored towers high above a wadicanyon near the Royal Oman Police checkpoint. Al Rabi'stower sits on a pinnacle rock 60 metres high, but withina short distance of a small restored fort.

Muscat also has watchtowers. Besides the towersscattered in Muscat, the most prominent are the onesnear Al Jalali and Mirani Forts which protected Muscatfrom different sides in the past and the one at Quriyat,southeast of Muscat. At low tide, the tower is accessibleby foot. One of the old maps of Quriyat shows the toweras a secondary defence to the town. Mudairib is yetanother town which is punctuated by towers. There aretowers among fortified mansions, near old walled townruins, next to new homes and topping the ophiolite hillsaround the city. Some of the many villages on the flat

plains of Sharqiyah were formerly enclosed walls withinwalls and all had towers. Towers abound in Al Wasil, andseveral can be seen rising above the palm groves. Onelarge tower stands next to an open space surrounded bylarge shade trees in the centre of this village. The towerwhich is perched atop a large yellow sand mass alsohappens to be the most photographed tower in Oman.Other defensive watchtowers can be seen in Ibra, Al Qabil and other places in the Sharqiyah region.

The architecture of towers is distant from forts andcastles. While some are tall and slender, others are shortand squat. Tall towers increased the range of the gunsand also offered better views. The material used alsovaries in texture. Some have a stone-and-mortar basewith a mud-brick top section and others are made solelyfrom mud-brick.

Heritage

The highest concentration of watchtowers in this countryis along the main mountain passageways from the coastof Oman to the interior.

SENTINELS: Watchtowers dot the landscape of Oman.

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The long endless walks on the seashore in the evenings

can tell you what bliss is all about. In Yiti, it is an experience

in itself to stroll down the beach and the rolling waves

vying with each other for attention. And, listen to the tales

of the sand. Views of the many hues from dawn to dusk

on the beaches of this coast are a feast to the eyes. A

stretch of sand, soothing and serene, invites swimmers

and picnickers. Endless waves lap the shores and the

refreshing sunshine lures the tourist to come and soak in

the sun. The aquamarine waters beckon to bathe as the

swirling surf gently seduces the senses. Enjoy the dynamic

seascapes created in the beautiful Gulf of Oman where

the sun, sea and sand mingle.

Hideaway

Where thesea beckons

SERENE CHARM: A view of Yiti beach.

Yiti offers a peaceful outing,away from the hustle andbustle of city life.

The quickest route to Yiti, as well as Bandar Khyran and

Al Sifah, is from the Al Hamriya roundabout in Muscat.

About 1 km from the roundabout, a maze on the road

takes you past residential locality and into the heights of

mountains overlooking the Hamriya area and Ruwi. The

road has a number of sharp bends, which must be

manoeuvred carefully.

The coastal village of Yiti lies at the mouth of Wadi Al

Meeh as it meets the Gulf of Oman. A longer alternate

route to Yiti begins at the Wadi Adai roundabout in Muscat.

Take the road towards Quriyat to go to Yiti.

Taking the Hamriya roundabout road, you can reach Yiti

in about 45 minutes' time. You can see a lot of picnickers

camping on the beach and people swimming. You can

also join the swimming group and relish the waters.

It is a fascinating sight to watch children playing on the

beach. Sometimes as the glorious sun sets on the west like

a big orb, a brilliant moon coyly rises up on the opposite

horizon lighting up the rippling waters of the sea with

silver streaks. You can enjoy the sound of the lashing

waves as the untiring tides come in again and again

lapping the seashore. While the evening sea breeze wafts

earthy aromas, you can walk barefooted on the wet sandy

beach. It is the perfect way to end a short trip to Yiti.

So, if you love the sun, sea and sand, then Yiti is a place

to be. Get ready to see those spectacular sunsets on the

beach and have your feet gently washed by the cool

waters of the Gulf of Oman as the gentle sea-breeze blows

through your hair.

From Yiti, Yankut, Bandar Al Khyran and Al Sifa are close

by. So, if you plan to go to Yiti, make it a point to visit these

breathtaking places as well.

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While the evening sea breezewafts earthy aromas, walkbarefooted on the wet sandybeach. It is the perfect way toend a short trip to Yiti.

PICTURE POSTCARD: Yiti environs.

The coastal village of Yiti liesat the mouth of Wadi AlMeeh as it meets the Gulfof Oman.

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Hues ofhennaHues ofhenna

Article by Sarah White - Bait Al Zubair

Henna is a special plant with delicate, fragrant, white topale yellow flowers that are used as a base for manyperfumes and grows all over Oman. Its leaves have beencarefully gathered and dried for hundreds and hundredsof years to obtain a reddish brown dye for colouring thehair and decorating the skin.

Henna is described as a "plant of Paradise" that is highlyrespected and must not be cut down. The leaves containpowers to revive and refresh the senses, and have beenused over time as both a medicine and a cosmetic.

Henna has been used to treat amongst other things -headaches, burns and boils, bee stings, smallpox,toothache, chapped skin, leprosy and jaundice. Freshhenna leaves are often chewed to freshen up the mouthto prevent or remedy halitosis. In northern Oman, hennajuice extracted from the leaves was used to treatinflamed, irritated eyes.

In Oman's interior region, about 20-30 years ago,henna paste was smeared on the lintel of an internaldoor, if a lady of the house was pregnant, to protect herfrom the evil eye (the eye of envy). The door would leadinto the private family areas of the dwelling, a placewhere the pregnant lady would spend most of her time.The newly born babies would have henna pasteadministered to their head, chest, knees and feet topromote good health and protect them from evil.

Omani women use henna to revive and cleanse tiredfeet and to remove dry skin. The leaves are collected anddried and then ground into a very fine powder that isthen mixed with lemon juice. The juice is extracted bysoaking broken up dry lemons for about a day. Thisbrownish juice is then kneaded into the henna powderuntil it becomes a very soft paste. The paste is thencovered and left to stand for about a day beforeapplication. Once adequately rested, the paste is thenmassaged into the feet and hands if desired for as long

as possible to revive, refresh and soften the skin leavingthe skin lightly dyed red. If you are lucky you can getsomeone to work on your feet and ankles to soothe awayyour worries, if not, you can easily do it to yourself andyour hands will benefit from the treatment. OftenOmanis of both genders, young and old, apply henna onthe soles of their feet as a protective cooling agentespecially through the extremely hot summer months.

Henna is also famous globally for colouring the hair.The henna leaves are ground into a fine powder (today itis possible to buy ground henna seed and henna hairdyes and products). Henna is believed to revive the scalp,cleanse the hair and add shine. It is useful for coveringthe odd grey hair. In Oman the powder can be mixedwith boiled red tea to give a light red coloured hair dye.To achieve a warm dark hair colour, the henna is mixedwith water only. Yoghurt and water can be mixed with thepowder to condition and colour the hair. The henna mustbe left on your head for at least 3 hours and some ladiessleep with it all night. The henna cools the scalp andgives off a strong aroma. Both men and women use thisnatural hair dye and treatment in Oman.

In the past Omani henna designs were very simple buttoday they have become incrediblycomplex, incorporating amultitude of floral andgeometrically-based designs. Itis a must to be decorated withhenna at both Eid and weddingcelebrations. Today, anytimean Omani woman feelslike dressing up, orcelebrating, shemay go off to asalon for delicatehenna decorations tobe added to her handsand feet.

Culture

ARTISTIC: Henna sketching is popular in Oman.

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Muscat weddings generally will last for athree- to four-day period and there can betwo types of henna celebrations for ladiesduring this time.

Firstly, there may be a private family henna event whereonly very close female family members and friends of thebride and groom gather, usually at the bride's home. Thebride wearing a traditional green dress and scarf that coversher whole head and most of her body, is taken into theroom set aside for this event. She is taken to a speciallydecorated green chair where she remains for the wholeevent. Her relatives will bring in a tray containing hennapaste on a plate, rose water in a special sprinkler called amresh, an incense burner, a bowl of water and a smallcandle. The ladies then sing a different song while thebride's relatives put the tray at her feet and light the candle.

A designated and skilledfamily member starts to carefully

apply the henna to the soles of herfeet. It is very important that the

henna is applied well and by anexperienced lady. The henna shouldcompletely cover the sole of the footleaving space for intricate designs to beadded later in private. Guests will be fedand their hands and heads will besprinkled with rose water, then the

bride's family will perfume them all before theyleave.

The next day the bride will have her special intricatehenna applied. Bridal henna is very special and almostmagical, designs are full from the tips of the fingers to theelbow and from the tips of the toes until the knee. It takes along time to apply bridal henna, at least 7 hours, so a greatdeal of patience is required! Once the design is completethe henna is left to dry overnight. The colour will bestronger, the longer it is left to penetrate and dye the skin.Only bridal henna specialists are employed for this task. Thedesign for the bride has to be unique and very fine with tinyintricate designs. Other female members of the bride andgroom's family will also have special henna but the designsare less ornate than the bride.

Henna is believed torevive the scalp,cleanse the hair andadd shine. It is usefulfor covering the oddgrey hair.

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The next henna ceremony for ladies in Muscat is theofficial henna which is a much larger and grander affair. Thisoften takes place in a hired hall or ballroom today toaccommodate all the guests invited. A decorated bedcovered from all sides is constructed for this occasion; it isadorned with colourful fabrics and traditional jewellery forthe bride to sit in, called Al Hijlah. Some brides today preferto sit on a decorated stage with a special ornamented sofaor chairs.

The bride then sits in the Al Hijlah or decorated chairwith only her feet exposed. The bride's female familymembers and friends gather to watch henna beingceremoniously applied to her feet amidst specialcelebratory songs and dances. The groom will then arrivewith his female relatives in a procession across the roomto the bride. A lady who carries the pyramid styledecorated mubkarah containing a plate full of hennaleads the procession.

The bride's family will then swap plates giving thebride's henna to the groom's family and the groom'shenna to the bride. Guests are fed and perfumed beforeor after the groom's appearance. Some grooms in

Muscat will also have a separate henna celebration andhenna will be applied to the soles of their feet withoutany decoration.

Henna is an ancient and very special plant that remainsa strong traditional, medicinal and cosmetic product inOman. Today this historical "plant of Paradise" is bestknown for its ornamental applications to the body thathas become fashionable all over the world.

In the past Omani hennadesigns were very simple buttoday they have become incredibly complex, incorporating a multitude of floral and geometrically-baseddesigns.

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The benefits from eating healthyare endless. But, some foods canbe eaten to help you look andage better! There are 10 that areso beneficial to your health theyare known as 'super foods'.Check them out here.

1. Apples Over 7,500 varieties of apple are grown throughout

the world. They are packed full of antioxidants,

especially vitamin C for healthy skin and gums - one

apple provides a quarter of your daily requirement of

vitamin C.

The apple is rich in pectin, which is hemi cellulose

with the capacity of absorbing water. Pectin helps to

lower blood cholesterol levels and keep the digestive

system healthy. An apple is also a carbohydrate with

a low glycaemic index (GI) type.

Low GI foods are digested slowly; once they are

finally broken down in the intestine they are

gradually absorbed into the bloodstreams as

glucose, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar levels.

They may help with weight control, as well as

improving diabetics' long-term control of blood

sugar levels.

2. Baked beans The humble baked bean is a nutritional

powerhouse of protein, fibre, iron and calcium. It

contains carbohydrate that, like that in apples, is of

the low GI variety.

The tomato sauce covering baked beans is also a

good source of lycopene, another powerful

antioxidant shown to help prevent heart disease and

prostate cancer.

The insoluble fibre in baked beans is not digested

but moves into the large intestine, or colon, where

bacteria act on it and produce short-chain fatty acids.

These fatty acids are thought to nourish the colon

lining and protect it from carcinogenic (cancer-

causing) invaders.

3. Broccoli Just two florets - raw or lightly cooked - count as a

veggie portion. Not only does broccoli contain

antioxidants including vitamin C but it's a particularly

good source of folate (naturally occuring folic acid).

Increasing your intake of folic acid is thought to be

of major benefit in preventing heart disease.

Broccoli also contains an antioxidant called lutein

that can delay the progression of age-related

macular degeneration (AMD). This affects 10 per

cent of people over 60 and is a major cause of

impaired vision and blindness.

Finally, broccoli also contains a phytochemical

called sulphoraphane that has specific anti-cancer

properties.

4. Olive oil Several large studies suggest that the

monosaturated fat in olive oil is good for the heart.

Olive oil lowers bad cholesterol levels and increases

the good levels.

Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants - it's probably

one of the key protective aspects of the so-called

Mediterranean diet.

Watch out for the calories - a little goes a long way.

A tablespoon of oil contains 120 kilocalories, which is

the same as a large slice of bread and butter.

5. Wholegrain Seeded Bread Breads containing a lot of seeds and wholegrain

have a low GI, which can protect against heart

disease, reduce hunger pangs, and help with weight

control.

The top 10SSUUPPEERR FFOOOODDSS

They are also packed with fibre, which keeps the

gut working efficiently; and seeded breads contain

essential fatty acids.

Studies show that including four slices of soya and

linseed bread a day can give a dose of

phytoestrogens, thought to relieve "hot flushes" in

menopausal women.

The downside is that bread contains a lot of salt.

However, the good news is that bread manufacturers

have started to use less salt in their pre-packaged

bread.

6. Salmon All fish is a source of good-quality protein,

vitamins, and minerals, but oily fish such as salmon

also contains omega 3 fats that reduce blood clotting

and inflammation.

Studies show that eating oily fish dramatically

reduces the risk of having a heart attack, even in

older adults.

Omega 3 fats also help to prevent depression, and

protect against the onset of dementia. Yes, it's true,

fish really is an all-round brain food.

7. Tea The drink loved by many has a range of useful

properties. The caffeine content is helpful for

stimulating alertness, mood and motivation. Tea

counts towards the recommended eight cups of fluid

daily, which is the minimum to avoid dehydration.

Tea, whether black or green, is a rich source of the

antioxidant called catechins. Studies suggest that

catechins protect the artery walls against the damage

that causes heart disease and prevents formation of

sticky blood clots.

Some population studies suggest as little as one

cuppa a day seems to offer some protection.

8. YoghurtYoghurt is an easily absorbed source of calcium.

It's also a useful milk substitute for people who can't

digest large amounts of the milk sugar, lactose.

Yoghurt has long been credited with a range of

therapeutic benefits, many of which involve the

health of the large intestine and the relief of

gastrointestinal upsets.

The bacteria Lactobacillus GG, added to some

yoghurt, are not digested, and reach the large

intestine intact where they top up the other friendly

bacteria living there.

The friendly bacteria fight harmful bacteria,

including Clostridium difficile that can cause

diarrhoea after a course of antibiotics.

9. Bananas It's a myth that bananas are fattening. Bananas are

slightly higher in energy than other fruits but the

calories come mainly from carbohydrate; excellent

for refuelling before, during or after exercise.

All types of fruit and vegetable contain plant

chemicals or phytochemicals known as antioxidants.

These antioxidants protect cells in the body against

damage from free radicals that can cause heart

disease and cancer.

Bananas are also jam-packed with potassium that

helps lower blood pressure, and vitamin B6 for

healthy skin and hair.

10. Brazilian nuts All nuts are generally full of essential vitamins,

minerals and fibre. Recent studies suggest that

eating a small handful of nuts four times a week can

help reduce heart disease and satisfy food cravings.

Brazilian nuts are one of the few good sources of

selenium that may help protect against cancer,

depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Health & Fitness

36

Mastering a fine art

The need to make

communication an

effective instrument

of organisational

cohesiveness and

control is well

recognised.

Professionals need

to pay more

attention to that

elusive art of

communication.

Studies show that

persons possessing

good communication

skills have a higher

chance of being

successful. It is also

noticed that people

with powerful communication skills have an easier climb

up the corporate ladder.

Communication is an exchange process - exchange or

sharing of information or viewpoints between at least

two persons,

whether by word

of mouth or in

writing. It is also

regarded as the

process of sharing

of meaning and

understanding

between people so

as to achieve

'meeting of minds'

and 'hearts'.

It is also

described as the

glue that holds an

organisation

together, the very

essence of an

organisation.

Communication is a means by which behaviour is

modified, change is effected, information is made

productive and goals are achieved. Communication is

the process of meaningful interaction among human

beings. Chester Bernard, an early management thinker,

wrote on the role of communication: "In any exhaustive

theory of organisation, communication would occupy a

central place because the structure, extensiveness and

scope of organisation are almost entirely determined by

communication techniques."

Effective communication is vital for success in any field

Communication is a means bywhich behaviour is modified,change is effected, informationis made productive and goalsare achieved.

Influence for the better Good communication skills are indispensable.

Employers prefer hiring effective communicators to

manage teams. Communication is used to leverage the

potential of subordinates, engage in persuasive

conversation and negotiation.

Effective communication skills are often a result of

good language skills. To improve communication skills,

try this.

Find a Mentor If you feel you cannot effectively express yourself you

have a problem. Find a person who is good with

language and communication, and ask him/her for an

honest assessment of your communication skills. Asking

them to help improve your communication skills by

giving you inputs on where you need to improve is a

good option. Make sure you use the language in regular

conversation, and while interacting with peers. It would

be valuable if you can enlist the support of someone who

could possibly correct and assist you when you go wrong.

To be seen and heard To communicate effectively you require to be assertive.

You need forethought, so formulate your ideas clearly.

Be sincere. Stress matters need to be taken seriously. If

you think that something can be misunderstood or

misconstrued, make sure you word it differently each

time you repeat it. Ask for a definitive response from the

listening party and confirmation of what you said to him.

To reaffirm your point, write it down and send it to the

person concerned.

Back to basics Reading is essential for improving communication skills

as it gives you the exposure to the right usage of words

and phrases. Apart from helping, you increase your

vocabulary, it refines your speech and improves your

command over the language, usage, spelling and

fluency.

Attuning Listening is as important as conveying what's on your

mind. Try to give the person who is at the other end

enough room to express his ideas before you jump to

conclusions. You can use your silence as a tool to get

more information than you would be able to elicit if you

were to demand an inquiry. Put yourself in the listener's

shoes and treat him like you would want to be treated.

Make sure you maintain eye contact with the person

you are addressing so that you do not lose out on his

body language.

Make amends Knowing your shortcomings is not enough. You have

to make amends to better your speech. There may be

some skills you may like to emulate. Identify those skills

and focus on them.

Concentrating on improving your communication skills

will yield rewards in due time, it cannot be an overnight

transformation. Clear, crisp and direct speech, will ensure

professional success in more ways than can be imagined!

0

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SummerSpringWinterFall

Business Traveller

Reading is essential for improving communicationskills as it gives you the exposure to the right usageof words and phrases.

37

HumourTwo bright young engineers applied for

the same position at a computer

company. Since they had identical

qualifications, the company

asked the two applicants

to take a ten-question

test. At the conclusion of the

test, one of the applicants was

called into the manager's office.

"I have graded the test, and you both

scored nine correct answers and got one

answer wrong. Thank you for your interest, but

we've decided to give the job to the other

applicant."

"And why would you choose him if we both got nine

questions correct?" asked the rejected applicant.

"We have based our decision not on the correct

answers, but on the question you missed," said the

Department Manager.

"And just how would one incorrect answer be better

than the other?" the rejected applicant enquired.

"Simple," said the Department Manager, "The other

gentleman answered Question #5, 'I don't know.'

Your answer to Question #5 was, 'Neither do I.'"

Interesting Facts• The most sensitive finger is the forefinger.

• The giant squid is the largest creature without a

backbone.

• You should be very worried if you spot the letters

GOK on your health records - it's an acronym

used by doctors standing for God Only Knows.

• There are some five million red blood cells in a

tiny droplet of blood.

• Most gemstones contain several elements

but the diamond is all carbon.

• Henry Ford produced the Model

T in black only because the

black paint available at the

time was the fastest to dry.

• The only two mammals to lay eggs are the

platypus and the echidna. The mothers nurse

their babies through pores in their skin.

• A snake can eat one whole goat

per day.

• The words algebra,

carafe and syrup are all

derived from Arabic.

• Spectacles were first worn in

Italy around 1285.

• The nest of the bald eagle can weigh

more than a tonne.

What is Diabetes?To understand diabetes, we must first understand the

process of digestion. The food that we ingest is generally

broken down during the digestive process, and

converted into a simple sugar called glucose, which

provides cells with energy.

Glucose is usually released into the bloodstream after a

person eats. To pass from blood into cells, it needs the

help of a hormone called insulin. As glucose moves into

the cells, glucose levels fall in the bloodstream, and the

pancreas releases less insulin.

In diabetics, this delicate balance is

disrupted, and glucose levels

aren't kept in check.

There are two types of

diabetes. Type I diabetes is

an autoimmune disease - this

means that the immune system

TRIVIAJUNCTION

38

somehow goes awry, and attacks and destroys the

pancreatic cells that produce insulin. It usually strikes

suddenly, in childhood or adolescence. Type II diabetics,

in contrast, are generally adults, and the symptoms of

type II diabetes set in slowly. In type II diabetes, the

pancreas is generally unable to produce enough insulin to

regulate blood glucose, and the cells of type II diabetics

don't respond to insulin the way normal cells do.

The end result in both cases is an excess of glucose in the

blood, and it is unable to get into the cells to produce

energy. As a result, diabetics don't get as much energy as

they need from the food they eat, and glucose starts to

build up in their blood.

Knowledge Bank: NileThere would be, perhaps, no Egypt or Pharaohs if the Nile

was not there. The river creates a fertile strip about 1000

kms long on either side of which are the mountains and

the Sahara desert on the west. It drains into the

Mediterranean Sea, near Alexandria, after a long journey

of 6500 kms from the Lake Victoria and the Ethiopian

mountains as the White Nile and the Blue Nile respectively.

It is thus one of the longest rivers in the world. The

livelihood of the people living in the valley, near the river,

is essentially agriculture. They grow sugarcane, corn and

fruits and vegetables, thanks to the life-sustaining waters

of the Nile. Date palm is endemic to the region. Fishing is

a traditional means of livelihood all along the river.

Traditional feluccas, boats, and small ships sail up and

down the river carrying goods and people.

Fun Corner

39

40

Rashid and Salim both claimed ownershipof the same mango tree. One day theyapproached Bilal, the old wise man andasked him to settle the dispute. Bilal said tothem: "There is only one way to settle thematter. Pluck all the fruits on the tree anddivide them equally between the two ofyou. Then cut down the tree and divide thewood."

Rashid thought it was a fair judgementand said so. But Salim was horrified.

"Your Honour," he said to Bilal "I've tendedthat tree for seven years. I'd rather let

Rashid have it, than see it cut down."

"Your concern for the treehas told me all I wanted to

know," said Bilal, anddeclared Salim the true

owner of the tree.

Kiddies’ Corner The Wise Bilal

Welcome aboardWelcome aboardOman Air’s constant endeavour is to make your journeysafe, comfortable and enjoyable. We provide below thedetails of the amenities that are provided on board for yourconvenience. Should you require anything not listed here,or have any queries, please contact our cabin crew. Theywill be delighted to be of assistance. If you have any sug-gestions to improve our service, please convey them to ourcabin crew.

Safety RegulationsHHAANNDD BBAAGGGGAAGGEE:: To ensure comfort to all the passengers,hand baggage in the cabin is limited to bags smaller than24 cm x 41 cm x 51 cm. These must be stored either in theoverhead baggage lockers or under the seat in front of you.Please do not leave any baggage in the aisle, galley or in away that obstructs the emergency exits. Doing so couldcause inconvenience and impede evacuation in an emer-gency.SSAAFFEETTYY OONN BBOOAARRDD:: Your safety is our prime concern. Youcan find a safety card in the seat pocket in front of you. Thiscard gives you the details of the safety features of the air-craft. Kindly study it carefully, note the emergency exits andpay close attention to the crew’s demonstration of theemergency drill. When the captain turns on the “Fastenseatbelts” sign due to any emergency or bad weather,please return to your seat immediately and fasten your seat-belt. For your own safety, we also recommend keeping yourseatbelt loosely fastened when seated during the flight.EELLEECCTTRROONNIICC EEQQUUIIPPMMEENNTT:: Portable electronic items such aspersonal computers and handheld games may not be usedduring take-off and landings as they could interfere with theaircraft’s equipment. Pocket calculators, hearing aids andheart pacemakers are exempt. Use of radios and mobilephones are prohibited on board at all times.

FACILITIES AVAILABLE ON BOARDIINN--FFLLIIGGHHTT EENNTTEERRTTAAIINNMMEENNTT:: For your enjoyment we arepleased to provide programmes in Arabic, English andHindi; we also show Tamil and Malayalam films in certainsectors. To listen to the programme you wish to enjoy, justplug in the headset and press the channel of your choiceon the control unit.

RREEAADDIINNGG AANNDD WWRRIITTIINNGG MMAATTEERRIIAALL:: A wide selection ofnewspapers and magazines in English and Arabic, bothnational and international, are available on board. Shouldyou require aerogrammes or stationery, our crew will makethem available to you.TTOO FFRREESSHHEENN UUPP:: A selection of deodorants, perfumes,soaps, tissues and towels are available in the lavatories; alsoavailable are electric sockets for electric shavers.Toothbrushes, toothpaste and combs are available onrequest.FFIIRRSSTT AAIIDD:: Should you require any medical attention due toany pain or discomfort, please contact the cabin crewimmediately. They are trained in first aid procedures andemergency care. A first aid kit is available on board.DDUUTTYY FFRREEEE SSHHOOPPPPIINNGG:: A wide range of products are availableon board in the Duty Free Shopping facility; and you can findthe details of these in the accompanying literature. Pleasecontact the cabin crew if you wish to make any purchase.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTSUUNNAACCCCOOMMPPAANNIIEEDD MMIINNOORRSS:: If your child aged between 7and 12 is flying unaccompanied, please inform us whilemaking the reservation. Our staff will be assigned to takecare of your child’s requirements, safeguarding their pass-port, immigration and medical cards.DDIISSAABBLLEEDD PPAASSSSEENNGGEERRSS:: Our ground and cabin crew will behappy to assist disabled or injured passengers in every waypossible. Kindly inform us of the nature of the disability inadvance while making the flight reservation to help usmake the necessary arrangements.IINNFFAANNTTSS OONN BBOOAARRDD:: We have a limited selection of babyfood on board, plus bottles, teats, talcum powder and dia-pers. Should you have special requirements for your child,please inform us while making your flight reservation andwe will endeavour to make arrangements. Our cabin staffwill be happy to warm your baby feeding bottles for you.Our aircraft are fitted with baby bassinets which should berequested while making your reservation. If you are carryinga child on your lap, please ask the cabin crew for a child’sseat belt before take off.

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� Oman Air flies three NG B737-800 aircraft on international routes and to Salalah. This aircraft carries 154passengers (12 in Business Class and 142 in Economy) and is operated by two pilots and six cabin attendants.Maximum range of this aircraft is 5,940 km, with an average cruising speed of 818 kilometres per hour.

� Oman Air flies three NG B737-700 aircraft on international routes and to Salalah. This aircraft carries 114passengers (12 in Business Class and 102 in Economy) and is operated by two pilots and six cabin attendants.Maximum range of this aircraft is 4,190 km, with an average cruising speed of 818 kilometres per hour.

� Oman Air flies four ATR 42-500 aircraft. They carry 46 passengers and are operated by two Pratt & WhitneyCanada PW 127 turboprop engines. Maximum range is 774 km, and normal cruising speed is 525 kilometresper hour.

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