N O V E M B E R 24 / I S S U E 2 5 8 0 1

JAN

9 – 1

5 •

ISSU

E 252

• W

EEKL

Y

Your top guide to the best of oman, everY week

PL

US

!

OCT 16 - 22 / ISSUE 340 • WEEKLY

Free!EVERY THURSDAY

NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

Feline Footwear

Melody Makers

dolphin tales 4032 44

TasTe TesT: JapengoDesTINaTION: Ras al Markaz

News: Malala Yousafzai wins nobel Peace Prize10

Rise Of Girl PowerentrepreneUrs coMe into their ownGreen lightOMaN Rally ReTuRNs

ByP

ortr

ait

A Nation

Join Y’s special event to celebrate national DaY

44th National Day

PRESENTED BY

OMN_5959_MINI Range Tactical_Y_Magazine_24x34cm_Eng.indd 1 9/30/14 1:16 PM

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 3

Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing &

Advertising LLC / Y is a SABCO Media product.

We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial

enquiries, please email info@y-oman.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

Welcome to Y Magazine –

your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has

to offer.

EDITOR IN CHIEFSayyida Iman bint Hamad

bin Hamood Al Busaidi

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Eihab Abutaha

MANAGING EDITORFelicity Glover

DEPUTY EDITORKate Ginn

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

CONTRIBUTORS Matt BlackwellAdam Hurrell

Jerzy Wierzbicki

INTERNS Deeba Hasan

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Feroz Khan

Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman.

@ytabloid /ytabloid www.y-oman.comfO L L O W U S O N :

,

Fast forwardEid Al Adha might be over for another year, but if there is one celebration that

everybody is eagerly awaiting, it has to be Oman’s 44th National Day on November 18.

As the nation comes together to celebrate Oman’s 44 glorious years, Y Magazine has organised a unique art project to mark the historical occasion.

In association with Bank Sohar, Y is holding the “Portrait by a Nation” competition for children to create a unique piece of art as a lasting tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said.

Turn to P24-25 to find out how you can be a part of history and discover art techniques that will help you to stand out as a budding artist. It’s a wonderful initiative and we are sure you will want to be a part of it!

Meanwhile, we discover that female entrepreneurs are leading the way in Oman. We sit down with four of the brightest women in their field, all of them striving for success and none of them afraid of hard work to build their own businesses from the ground up. Their stories are inspiring and prove that dreams really can come true with commitment, drive and fantastic ideas.

Have a wonderful week and don’t forget to put your creative hats on to be a part of “Portrait by a Nation”!

editor@y-oman.com

Want to read Y on the go? Scan our digital issue here:Download any QR reader from iTunes or Google Play to read Y on the go

Y has been hunting for a new car, sampling tasty sushi at Japengo, joining

the Merge 104.8 team for a barbeque and preparing to welcome Kate back

from the UK.

THIS WEEK…

the BaroMeter

Be the star of your own photo in our competition with City Cinema, which is giving away 10 pairs of movie tickets a week for another week. Go to P14 for details. Meanwhile,

Kaya Skin Clinic is also giving away five

Instant Brightening Micro Masks to help you get your glow back. See P35 for more information!

GoinG uPHOTEL GUESTS

The Ministry of Tourism’s hard work is paying off, with the number of hotel

guests staying at four and five-star hotels in the Sultanate rising by 20.7 per

cent in the first half of 2014.

GoinG DownJUST…

The Australian cricket team beat Pakistan by just one run in Abu Dhabi

this week, in what many are describing as a sensational finish to the day-night

international.

coMpetitions

online: Visit y-oman.com for even more inspiration.

smart device: Catch up with Y on the go by scanning the QR code below

Ways to get your Y fix

contentsO C T O B E R 1 6 - 2 2 2 0 1 4

yo u r o m a n06 coffee with Deeba Marissa Pontilla

08 Voice of oman Sheline Clarke

10 news Nobel Peace Prize

15 Gallery Oman vs Uruguay

t h i s w e e k16 This week Manon In Muscat

c a r s a n d a d v e n t u r e s38 Destination Ras al Markaz

40 outdoors Dolphin Watching

42 Postcard from Buenos Aires

44 Y-fi Melody Makers

46 car of the week Audi A3 Saloon

44

Fe at u r e20 women at The Top Female Entrepreneurs

24 44th national Day Portrait By A Nation

26 rally returns Triumphant Homecoming To Oman

h e a l t h a n d B e a u t y32 fashion Easy Strider

34 Health Focus On Vision

35 beauty Get The Glow

PorTraiT bY a naTion / baG laDY / waDi beir anD al JaYlaH / beDouin / wearable GaDGeTs / renT woes

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...

15

33

18Fo o d a n d d r i n k28 food feature Make The Most Of Mango

30 Taste Test Japengo

28

24

24

Now experiencethe ‘art of healing’ in Oman

With the opening of Burjeel Medical

Centre in Muscat, Burjeel Hospital, the

UAE’s leading tertiary care facility, brings

the unique ‘art of healing’ closer to you.

Conveniently located on Sultan Qaboos Street in Al Azaiba, burjeel medical centre is poised to usher in a new era in healthcare in Muscat.

specialty services will include:

General Medicine • Pediatrics • Obstetrics

and Gynecology • Dental • Dermatology

For more information call: 22085252, Building No. 136-144, Way No. 270, Azaibah-North, Sultanate of Oman.

info@bmcoman.com l www.bmcoman.com

J U LY 0 3 - 0 9 / I S S U E 3 2 70 60 6

This week, Deeba Hasan sits down for coffee with Marissa Pontilla,

one of Oman’s first Zumba instructors who believes that life is

a gift we should enjoy to the fullest

As I leaned forward to add another sugar to my cappuccino, I expected a reaction from Marissa Pontilla. It felt like I was breaking an unwritten rule by acting in such a way around someone whose life revolves around fitness. When I mention it, though, her response surprised me: “I think people should enjoy their lives rather than worrying too much about things like having a little extra sugar.”For the uninitiated, Zumba is an energetic aerobic fitness programme featuring moves inspired by various styles of Latin American dance that has taken the world by storm. Marissa is largely credited with bringing the phenomenon to Muscat, when she began giving classes at Al Bustan Palace in February 2013. Over the course of our chat, I realised that, as far as fitness instructors go, she is far from conventional. Dancing has been a huge part of Marissa’s life from the tender age of eight. Her biggest supporter was her mother, who always encouraged Marissa to follow her passions. Along with her three siblings, Marissa was sent to an institute for dance, where she developed her innate talent for the art. She then graduated with a degree in physical education in her home country of the Philippines.After moving to Oman in 1989, Marissa started working for Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) as a fitness instructor, where she remained for 11 years. With more than a

decade of aerobics and fitness instructing under her belt, Marissa decided it was time for an exciting change and headed to Bangalore, India, to discover Zumba. “The music and dancing were completely addictive and I knew I had to make Zumba a part of my life.”Founded in the 1990s by Colombian American dancer Alberto Pérez, Zumba borrows elements from both dance and aerobics to tone the body and keep fit. So what is the ethos of Zumba? “It’s all about dancing, having fun and feeling good about yourself,” Marissa says, adding that it can also be a family activity. “My son is 15 and my daughter is 10 and my son can dance really well now.” Marissa is the kind of person who needs constant stimulation to keep things fresh and interesting and says it is this trait that was behind her leaving her secure job at PDO. “I wanted a change from the normal routine and I think if I’d carried on with that job, it would’ve probably become a little boring for me.” Even while working at PDO, Marissa kept researching the latest trends in fitness and that’s how she found out about Zumba.

Fast forward to 2014 and Marissa now runs the Zumba Fitness Studio at Al Muneif Sports Centre in Al Khuwair with the help of a business partner. She enjoys her Zumba classes for two hours each day, one in the morning and

the other during the evening. “When I instruct my students, it’s like we are all in a party, just dancing and having fun. It doesn’t feel like work at all and that is the best part about my job.” She also loves being her own boss, saying: “When I worked at PDO, I would have to seek permission every time I wanted to travel or try new things, but now I can just take my car and plan a road trip at any minute.” Marissa has reached the point where her name has become all but synonymous with Zumba in Muscat. She went to a summer camp last year where the kids referred to her as “Aunty Marissa Zumba” and “Ms Zumba”.Her dedication to the discipline has seen Marissa travel to workshops around the world, including a Zumba conference and workshop in Orlando, Florida, where she was asked to come on stage by Alberto Pérez himself. The Zumba master didn’t recognise the Omani flag badge she was wearing, but Marissa says: “It was there that Pérez advised me to take Zumba training to Oman. I did what he said and not only am I am proud of it, I’ve never looked back.”

Have you got a unique story to tell or do you know someone who has? Contact us to have coffee with Deeba and be featured in Y Magazine. Email: editor@y-oman.comO C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0

Marissa Pontilla

119811_1066064_Diwali_2014_Y_34x24_OMA_Mi.pdf 1 02/10/2014 09:55

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 8

HaVinG kiTTens

correspondenceDear Editor,

Greetings from sunny Qurum!As an animal lover, I am

more than concerned about the new generation of kittens at the moment. We counted 12 round the dustbins the other evening.

I feed two young cats, their mother who is once again with kittens and one older cat – a male who is un-neutered and probably the father of most of them, a real old war horse. I then have another cat which comes up to our door and I have been feeding him for two years as well.

Is there nothing that the municipality can do to sort this out? It really is becoming ridiculous, and if one gets a bite from an actual feral cat, it can lead to very serious complications. I know of one UK man who was bitten and he ended up with huge health issues, which remain to this day.

Would it be possible for you to highlight the plight of these animals, the danger they can create? And perhaps the municipality might think very seriously about this problem.

Regards, Jane,Qurum

SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / @ytabloid / /ytabloid. Impress us and the winning correspondent will receive a voucher for dinner at the Golden Tulip. Vouchers must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions see voucher.

WRITE TO US AND WIN A VOUCHER

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

/GoldenTulipSeebHotel

@GoldenTulipSeeb

We asked: “If you could be a famous artist from any period in history, working in any medium, who would you be and why?”

BEnny nAJEEB I would want to be Oman’s greatest artist, Anwar Sonya. He is one of the founders of the art scene in Oman and has participated greatly in the movement. Anwar has been awarded by the country for his services to art and received

DebaTe of THe week

three awards from HM Sultan Qaboos as the best artist.

KAlpAnA prAKASH I would be the Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. It’s just amazing how he can bring light into other people’s lives with a painting.

AMor AlIAM I would like to be Leonardo da Vinci because, unlike some artists, he was famous during his lifetime and became even more so after his death.

JAD FADEl I would be Salvador Dali because his work is crazy. The way that laugh on his face appears in his work is mystifying.

roDnEy WooDSI would love to be Michelangelo. He was the greatest artist and because of this he was privileged

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 9

New debate:“The spate of drownings in Oman over the Eid break

has prompted calls for beaches to be made safer

for visitors. What measures should be taken to protect

swimmers?” Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner

for two.

sarah hale, was spotted with her favourite Y Magazine at AMIDEAST Oman

THIS IS YOUR PAGE! Just send us your picture

with the free Y magazine or pose with our photographer

and we will publish it on this page

Send it to:info@y-oman.com

to paint the Sistine Chapel, among other great works. He was known as an artist, sculptor, architect and poet.

MErzIA VAJID If I could be a famous artist from any medium, I would like to be Vincent van Gogh, so that I could know what was going on in his mind when he cut off his left ear.

VIJAyAlAKSHMI SHEtty Michelangelo because he was a sculptor, painter, architect, poet and engineer. What versatility of talent. A complete package.

AlI FArEED Al-lAWAtI I would be Jackson Pollock because I love abstract expressionism. I find his painting style really engaging.

DEBBIE StrIcK I would like to be Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an Austrian contemporary artist. He was an architect as well.

FErDInAnD EMIlA Leonardo da Vinci because of his eternal masterpieces. His work is still very popular today and is totally priceless. He created some of the most iconic masterpieces.

MIrEttE ESSAM I would be Constantino Brumidi because his masterpeice, The Apotheosis of George Washington, is stunning in every way.

rAJ SHEnoy I would be Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. No one can pull off the moonwalk as amazingly as MJ could. We miss you, MJ.

KHuSHBoo uDESHI I would be Charlie Chaplin. Making people laugh without words is an excellent art in itself, which is kind of lost today. And there’s no one to replace him.

SEtH rAVEnHEArtLudwig van Beethoven. Whenever the silvery visage of the full moon

comes out, I will play his hauntingly beautiful piece, Moonlight Sonata.

HAFEz DrAčE BEcHnAK Omar Khayyam. He was a Persian poet and a mathematician (he wrote a book about algebra). His poems were translated into many languages, including English.

JoEl cruz pAlAD Fernando Amorsolo. His paintings show the typical lives of the Filipinos.

AHMED BADr I would like to be Pharrell Williams because he’s HAPPY! He’s also looking very good for 41 years old.

MAx cHIGWEll If I could be anyone, I would chose Quentin Tarantino because when it comes to films, this guy is the man. The dialogue in Pulp Fiction is just so cool it hurts. Now where was I? Oh yes, “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides…”

FOLLOW USSCAN THESE QR CODES &

WWW.Y-OMAN.COM /YTABLOID @YTABLOID /YMAGAZINE

For more information visit www.audi-me.com/landofquattro

Monthofquattro

09

14

Tel: +968 24 500 200 | www.audi-oman.com Audi3Oman

Go where few dare with the world’s best permanent all-wheel drive.

Join Audi as we document Oman’s uncharted off-road trails and

discover the land of quattro.

Claim your

land of quattro.

On select quattro models, enjoy:

• Free 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty Plan

• Free 5-year / 105,000 km Maintenance Plan

• Free 5-year / 105,000 km Service Plan

• Free 5-year Roadside Assistance

• Free Registration

· Not applicable on RS6, RS7, R8 and special order cars. · Offer valid only on retail sales & not in conjunction with other offers. · Offer Valid from 14th Sep till 31st Oct 2014.

"Y" - 15.5 X 21.5 cm.pdf 1 10/14/14 5:34 PM

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 1 0

G a l l e r y I n t e r v i e w N E W SYOUR OMANHistory was made last week, when Pakistan’s 17-year-old

education activist Malala Yousafzai was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with India’s Kailash Satyarthi, becoming the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious award

in the process.Two years ago, Malala was shot in

the head by the Taliban for promoting secular education in the Swat district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The young girl was rushed to England for specialist treatment at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth hospital, where she made a full recovery.

Malala has since remained in Birmingham to finish the rest of her education and it was from the £186 million (RO115 million) Library of Birmingham that she gave a media conference after learning of her win.

Speaking at the conference, which was organised for the end of the school day to ensure she didn’t miss class, Malala dedicated the award to “all the children who are voiceless, whose voices need to be heard”.

Malala’s co-winner, Kailash Satyarthi, is 60 years old and has campaigned for years to highlight issues related to child labour and children’s rights.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee is responsible for selecting the

recipients of the prize each year, based on instructions from Alfred Nobel’s will. According to the committee, the duo were chosen for their struggle against the repression of children and young people and “for the right of all children to education”.

“Through her heroic struggle Malala has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education,” the committee said.

With the joint winners hailing from Pakistan and India, it seems the region is in for a series of celebrations and Malala has invited both the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to celebrate the joint win at a ceremony being held in Oslo, Norway, in December.

In Malala’s hometown of Mingora, the atmosphere was one of great celebration with festivities including dancing and singing. An ex-classmate of the prizewinner feels as if all girls of Pakistan have won the award and referred to Malala as “the light of our eyes”.

“She has proved that you can’t put a halt to education by blowing up schools,” Malala’s

former classmate was quoted by AFP as saying. The announcement of Malala’s joint win has sparked messages of

congratulation and praise from leading world figures, including the Pakistani Prime Minister, who called Malala the “pride” of his country, and US President Barack Obama, who said he was “awestruck by her courage”.

pakistan and india celebrate historic nobel prize win

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 1 2

We’re building a new airport?Yes. The amount of people travelling to Oman by air has risen significantly in the past few years and the current airport is struggling to cope with the volume, so the authorities are investing heavily in a new one. How many more people are coming here? According to the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), total passenger traffic through Muscat International Airport increased by 7 per cent to 5,106,159 until July 2014. During the same period in 2013, the airport carried 4,773,856 passengers. But surely a new airport is expensive – can we justify the expense based on the assumption that visitor numbers will continue to rise?Yes we can. As Kevin Costner says in that frightfully boring 1989 film, Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” Seriously, though, if we have a bigger airport, more people will be able to come and visit this beautiful country. The economy will also grow on the back of our ability to play a bigger part in the global tourism industry. Has Kevin Costner ever been in a film that wasn’t boring?I don’t think so. Waterworld and The Postman were especially dire if I remember correctly. But back to the subject at hand. When will we be able to use this new airport?The PACA has announced that Phase 1 of the Muscat International Airport expansion will be completed in the next two months. And then it will open, yes?No. Well, it may do, we don’t know for sure. But the completion of Phase 1 is still very exciting news. Because? It will provide us with a new runway, control tower, meteorological and air traffic management centre and PACA headquarters. It also means that the airport won’t be far away from being properly finished. Don’t say: Your flight has been delayed due to an incomplete airport.Do say: Tally ho! Chocks away, Biggles!

B i t e S i z e dOUR WEEKLY SLOT TAKES A LIGHTHEARTED

LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE Of THE WEEK.

MUSCAt’S NEW AiRpORt

G a l l e r y I n t e r v i e w N E W SYOUR OMAN

Looking for your next race challenge? You could be interested in Urbanathlon, which making its Middle East debut on October 24 at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina

Circuit. Registration is now open and entries are being invited from both men and women. The event is also open to corporate groups and teams and residents of Oman are encouraged to take part.

The race promises to be one of the region’s most difficult, with competitors having to negotiate 18 obstacles over a 10km course. The course layout will see competitors crawling under Aston Martins and other high-performance cars, sprayed with high-pressure water jets to slow them down, as well as having to drag a tyre for 75 metres and swim 110m across Yas Marina. If that wasn’t enough, competitors will also have to use oil drums for stepping stones, swing across monkey bars, climb through gravel pits and squeeze between two workshop lorries positioned just half a metre apart, among other hurdles. The winner of the race will win a trip to compete in the US edition of Urbanathon.The race has taken place in more than 25 cities across six continents and Abu Dhabi is the latest addition to the global roster. Organised by Men’s Health Middle East and supported by National

Health Insurance Company – Daman’s Activelife initiative, Urbanathlon adds yet another world-class event to Yas Marina Circuit’s health and fitness portfolio.“I’m delighted that we’re able to kick off Men’s Health in the region with such a flagship event as the Urbanathlon,” said the magazine’s editor, Andrew Nagy. “The thing to remember, though, is that this isn’t just for elite athletes, this a test thrown out to people of all fitness levels and I’m certain that it’s set to become a firm fixture in our annual fitness calendar.”To register visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com. Entry costs AED250 per person or AED800 for a team of four. #UrbanathlonAD

UltiMate UrBan race

A W E E K I N P I C T U R E S

Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan was the first patient to die of Ebola on American soil and the nurse who was caring for him has become the first to contract the disease in the US.

HEADLINING STORIES FROM OMAN AND BEYOND

Thousands were left red faced when hackers collated and published a collection of Snapchat images that users thought had been deleted.

The battle between paparazzi and celebrities in the US took flight with concerns raised over drones being used to invade home privacy.

According to the US, Turkey has agreed to allow moderate Syrian rebels to be trained on its soil in a bid to combat Islamic State in both Syria and Iraq.

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 1 3

Oman is set to hear the screech of tyres and smell the burning of rubber as the Red Bull Car Park Drift returns to the Sultanate for the fifth consecutive year. Regional qualifying rounds began earlier this year and the competition

will continue to tour the Middle East on the long and winding road to the grand finale, which will take place in Dubai.

Preliminary rounds will take place today (October 16) in order to select the drivers who will battle it out in the qualifier, which will be held at the Oman Automobile Association tomorrow (October 17). The king of the Omani drifters will go on to represent the Sultanate in the Dubai finals. A new format will be introduced at the Oman qualifier this year, which will feature both amateur and pro categories.

Abdo Feghali, rally champion and Red Bull Driver will design the track. The drivers’ performance will be scored by a panel of judges with points primarily awarded for the impressiveness of the drift completed by the drivers – its length and durability and the amount of tyre smoke created. Crowd reaction will also be taken into account as will the amount of driver skill demonstrated. In addition, points will be awarded for the car’s appearance and for the amount of noise it makes; it’s pretty much a case of the louder the better.

The competition will be an incredible opportunity for motor sport fans to enjoy some tyre-shredding action.

drifting

marriot_light_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" €$€£¥₩฿руб

marriot_light_italic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $€£¥₩฿руб marriott_med_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $€£¥₩฿руб marriott_med_italic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $€£¥₩฿руб marriott_bold_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?åç´ƒ©˙ˆ˚¬µ˜øœ®ß†¨¥`¡™£¢§¶•ªº–“‘«…æ÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜،‰Íˇ¨„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $€£¥₩฿руб

marriott_bold_italic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?åç´ƒ©˙ˆ˚¬µ˜øœ®ß†¨¥`¡™£¢§¶•ªº–“‘«…æ÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜،‰Íˇ¨„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $€£¥₩฿руб

marriot_condensed_light_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $€£¥₩฿руб

marriot_condensed_medium_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $€£¥₩฿руб

marriot_condensed_bold_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆ∆˚¬µ˜øπœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" € $€£¥₩฿руб

AbadiMTStd-Light_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆΔ˚¬µ˜øϖœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" $‚Ǩ¬£¬•‚Ç©‡∏ø—Ä—É–±

AbadiMTStd-LightItalic_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆΔ˚¬µ˜øϖœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" $‚Ǩ¬£¬•‚Ç©‡∏ø—Ä—É–±

AbadiMTStd_abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz`1234567890-=[]\;’,./ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~!@#$%^&*()_+|:”<>?å∫ç∂´ƒ©˙ˆΔ˚¬µ˜øϖœ®ß†¨√∑≈¥Ω`¡™£¢∞§¶•ªº–≠“‘«…æ≤≥÷ ÅıÇÎ´Ï˝ÓˆÔÒ˜Ø∏Œ‰Íˇ¨◊„˛Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿Á¸`⁄‹›fifl‡°·‚—±”’»ÚƯ˘¿|áéíóúâêîôûàèìòùäëïöüÿãñõÁÉÍÓÚÀÈÌÒÙÄËÏÖÜŸÑÃÕÂÊÎÔÛ ”“’‘ '" $‚Ǩ¬£¬•‚Ç©‡∏ø—Ä—É–±

Laid Back Brunch at Beach Pavilion

An endless array of gourmet delights. A Friday afternoon with familyand friends will never be the same again.

RO 19.9* excluding beveragesRO 29.9* including bubbly and premium beverages

©2014 T

he R

itz-C

arlto

n H

otel

Com

pany

, L.L

.C.

For reservations please call 24764000 or emailBoxOffice.AlBustan@ritzcarlton.com. *Prices are subject to 17 percent

service charge and prevailing government taxes.

G a l l e r y I n t e r v i e w N E W S

away

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 1 4

GrinninG means

winninGG a l l e r y I n t e r v i e w N E W SYOUR

OMAN

This year’s Box Appeal has been delcared an overwhelming success, with donations exceeding

organisers’ expectations. “The number of boxes filled and returned is far beyond our wildest expectations,” says Marius Wolmarans, the general manager of Muscat’s Radisson Blu Hotel. “I am truly humbled by the support we have received from our partners, local businesses, schools and the local community. We will be distributing the boxes and putting a smile on the faces of more than 2,000 migrant workers on November 1 – this puts a smile in my heart!” There has been huge participation from the local community and the Box Appeal team is keen to thank the ABA, Sultan’s

School, Indian School, Azzan Bin Qais International School, Knowledge Gate International School, Royal Flight School, Oman Private School and OURPLANET International School Muscat for all their support and participation. Friends, families and community groups also clubbed together to fill boxes and join in the appeal. It has been a tremendous public effort to support this cause and the Box Appeal is sure to be even bigger when it returns next year.

The huge success of 2014’s appeal goes to show that a small box really can make a big difference. Distribution of the boxes is due to take place in the morning of November 1 and the boxes are always thoroughly appreciated by all who receive one, says Marius.

week 4: all boxed upTHE BOX APPEAL 2014 HAS NOW REACHED ITS CONCLUSION AND WITH OVER 1,100 BOXES RETURNED, IT’S CLEAR THAT THE APPEAL HAS TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF MANY LIVING IN OMAN

The response to Y’s selfie competition has been overwhelming this week and the team have enjoyed looking at all your smiling faces.

Whether you’re a cinema junkie or a casual moviegoer, it’s time to get involved and be in with the chance to win free film tickets. Y has 10 pairs to give away to 10 winners and

it’s as simple as taking a selfie – just be sure to get City Cinema branding in the picture. Whether it’s a billboard, your tickets or a shot of your popcorn, make your pictures as creative as possible to be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets – the more creative your entry, the better.

A special well done to Raj and Vrinda Shenoy, who papped themselves at Muscat Grand Mall before watching the terrifying Annabelle.

There are seven cinema venues around the country, so there’s plenty of backgrounds to choose from to capture the perfect selfie. Check your nearest venue at wwww.citycinemaoman.net

Don’t worry if you’re not a winner this week. Every participant will be automatically entered into a fortnightly draw to win a goodie bag from Capital Stores in Qurum, courtesy of the generous folk at City Cinema.

Send your selfie to our Facebook or instagram accounts and don’t forget to include your name and contact details. Make sure you tag and follow @ytabloid and hashtag your entries with #citycinema and #ytabloid.

The deadline for the next round of entries is Monday October 20.

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 1 5

G A L L E R Y

f O O T B A L L f R I E N D L I E S THE OMANI NATIONAL TEAM TOOK ON ONE OF THE GIANTS OF SOUTH AMERICAN FOOTBALL IN A FRIENDLY MATCH THIS WEEK. URUGUAY, RANKED 7TH IN THE WORLD, BEAT THE RED WARRIORS 3-0, WITH LUIS SUáREZ SCORING TWICE IN HIS SECOND MATCH SINCE RECEIVING A BAN FOR BITING AT THE WORLD CUP FINALS IN BRAZIL EARLIER THIS YEAR

Photos: Abdul Wahid Al H

amdani

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 1 6

MUSICAL ExTRAVAGANzA

T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

THIS WEEKO C T O B E R

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

Fans of Arijit Singh will get to witness the singer perform live for the first time in Oman, complete with his 15-plus member troupe at the Qurum City Amphitheatre in what promises to be a musical extravaganza. The event is being organised by Roar Entertainment and the show will start at 7pm. Tickets are available for sale at Roar Entertainment Office – Suite 214, Hatat House, R&B (Ruwi, MGM, Barka and Sohar), Kamat Restaurant (Rex Road & Al Khuwair outlets) and Puranmal Restaurant in the Central Business District. For more information, contact +968 9979 3036 or email tickets@roaroman.com

16Oct

23O

ct27

+

Ma

NO

N IN

MU

sCaTManon Lescaut, the opera by the renowned Giacomo Puccini will soon take centre stage at The

Royal Opera House. Based on the novel by Antoine Prévost, the performance follows the trials and tribulations of two lovers from France to America. Opera fans and novices alike will be captivated by the drama and passion of the story, vividly brought to life by the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Performances start at 7pm. For pricing and further information visit, www.rohmuscat.org.om

Pink palette

October

Rumba Lattina, the Latin American restaurant and lounge, is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a “Pink Initiative” that aims to raise awareness, as well as funds for the Oman Cancer Association. To mark Breast Cancer Awareness month, the restaurant will be offering customers desserts and drinks specially made by Mexican head chef Guillermo. Rumba Lattina will also be featuring specialty non-alcoholic pink shots. Located within The Cave complex, Rumba Lattina offers genuine Caribbean, Central and South American food and is open from 12pm to 12.30am. For more information, go to www.rumbalattina.com or contact info@rumbalattina.com

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 1 7

JUNK IN THE TRUNKOne man’s trash is another man’s treasure, or so the saying goes. Whether you’re on a bargain hunt or just want to shift some unwanted clutter, the Royal Flight School car boot sale is ideal. Gates open at 7.30am for vendors and the cost is RO5. Buyers are welcome anytime after 8am and the entrance fee is RO1. For more information, get in touch with Linda Rattray or Cath Morrison on +968 2451 6444

ExCEL AT ENGLISH

Preparing for an IELTS exam? Struggling with the difference between present perfect and past continuous tenses? IDP Education are offering a free IELTS master class where you can have your questions answered free of charge. Priority will be given to those taking the test with the organisation. For location, test dates and any other information, contact IDP Education on 2469 6452/453 or via e-mail: ielts.muscat@idp.com

20OCT

B R I D G E T H E G A PThaikkudam Bridge, a popular South Indian band, will be in Muscat for the first time to perform a live concert for their fans here. The event will be held at City Amphitheatre in Qurum this Friday from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are available at Lulu Hypermarket (Darsait and Bowsher), Majan Exchange (Ruwi, Ghala and Sohar), Al Hail Hypermarket, Foodlands Restaurant and Majan Shopping Centre. For more details on the concert, contact +968 9836 6863

17OCT

Follow us:

PLEASE CALL OR VISIT OUR STORE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER

CUSTOMIZED CAKE ORDER FOR ANY OCCASION!

Perfect for Birthday,wedding,graduation parties,event ,new born baby and more!

( Please order 2 days in advance )

17OCT

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 2 0

Ambitious, driven and at the top of

their game, female entrepreneurs are

coming into their own in Oman. Deeba

Hasan meets some of the best

They symbolise the brightest in their field, striving for success on their own terms and not afraid of hard work to

build their own businesses from scratch. The fact they happen to be women is irrelevant.

In fact, if the latest list of the 200 Most Powerful Arab Women recently released by Forbes Middle East magazine is anything to go by, women are increasingly making their mark in the world of work in the region, smashing glass ceilings and cultural barriers along the way.

The list features female entrepreneurs, women CEOs and leaders across the region, from Oman to Iraq, to Egypt, Algeria, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, all of whom are forging ahead in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as oil and banking.

And Oman, which has 12 women on the Forbes list, is helping to lead the way in the advancement of women in the workplace, with help from the Government and support from their families.

As Asisha al Hajiri, a successful entrepreneur who founded Salma’s Chocolates in Muscat with her sister, says: “If you have a strong product, big faith and are sure of where you’re going, there is no limit. You can say the sky is the limit, but it’s not. There is no limit to where you can reach.”

Y speaks to Aisha and three other female entrepreneurs in Oman about their personal journeys. They share their stories, their dreams, the challenges and the secrets to their success.

Shadya bint Salim al ismailiyaJewellery designer, founder and owner of Deema Oman

Her designs blend traditional Omani jewels with modern styles. Before becoming a designer, Shadya was a crude oil international market dealer and managed the pension fund of the largest oil company in the Sultanate. She decided to follow her passion by starting a jewellery line. Her first piece was a long, six-strand pearl necklace called “Al-Shumookh”, which used an old Omani traditional earring as a pendant.

Shadya says: “Entrepreneurship is hard work, dedication and passion. You have to be very determined. You have to have a vision, don’t give up on your dream, it will happen.

“I started the business in 2008 and since then, I have been spending from my own savings. It’s only this year that I’ve been funded by the Al Raffd Fund [a government entity that approves loans to SMEs].

“I started small, but I didn’t aim for small. From the beginning, I knew that I wanted to be big. I also tell my children to aim big, that way if you don’t achieve it, you will at least be close.

“I did exhibitions and shows. I employed marketing offices in London and Dubai to market my products. Maybe it’s because I started the business when I was 43 that I wanted it to quickly stand on its own.

“There were people who were against my idea and some were very positive about it. There were people who thought I was crazy, saying: ‘Shadya you work in an organisation like PDO [Petroleum Development Oman] and you are in a leading managerial role in the company. Why would you leave that secure income and take a risk? You have children at university and you are financing them abroad, what if the business didn’t work out, what will happen?’

“The good thing about being your own boss is that you plan it the way you want and there’s nobody to tell you no. You need to have a clear vision and focused plan, though, otherwise you will drive the whole thing down the drain because there is no one to apply the breaks for you; you have to apply them. You have to have the guts to acknowledge that something is going wrong and re-evaluate.

“I think the generation which came after us is really exposed to many things; to how the

lifestyle outside Oman is, they are more educated and have access to information in a very wide way. They have learned that being an employee is not the only option you have as a woman.

“We have a generation that is really ambitious; girls who are open-minded and not shy. They can go out and promote and market themselves very well. I can see that ladies are in their golden era now.”

Shadya’s tips to being a successful entrepreneur: Confidence, clear vision and determination

0 2 1

Salma and her aunt Aisha started the company in 2009 from their home with just RO5 and were the first chocolatiers in Oman. After two years, they opened a small shop in Muscat. They make chocolate using local ingredients such as Omani honey, milk, thyme, ginger and lemon, as well as Belgian chocolate.

Aisha says: “From the beginning, we had a strong faith in the product. We’ve had our challenges, of course. The first thing was limited financial resources. We got support from Omran [a tourism-related development and investment company] and they helped us launch the product. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry also gave us consultants.

“Our funding came from mixed sources. At the beginning, we got support from a family member who helped us set up the shop up and then we got a loan from ODB [Oman Development Bank]. The local banks are much more open-minded when it comes to SMEs.

“After that, it was a case of how to continue on the same level and increase the business without affecting the quality of the products. This was the most challenging thing.

“It’s difficult to manage between your

private life and business life – something will be affected and you have to make sacrifices. Sometimes you become so addicted to your business that you feel your whole life is about your business, you forget your personal life and everything else.

“Being your own boss is very positive because you can control everything in your life.

“You’re the one leading the ship towards the direction that you want.

“I always recommend people to start their own business. You don’t need to work for others if you are intelligent and if you have the ability to create something that people need and even if there is no need, you create that need.

“Women in Oman are hard workers, they don’t wait for others support them – they support themselves.

“We want to be role models for the younger generations and encourage them not to duplicate each other, but to create something new.”

Salma & Aisha’s tips to being a successful entrepreneur: Hard work and patience, clear goals and a purpose

Etab al ZadjaliOwner, Cake Gallery

A former banker, Etab has transformed a small family business into a household name in the Sultanate over the past four years.

Etab says: “Most entrepreneurs look at their business as profit from the beginning, something that will get them lots of money.

“It’s not like that. I believe that if you want to start a business, you must study the market, study yourself, your abilities, and your conviction. You study what you can give your customers and what kind

of business you want to start with. You don’t go and copy the other businesses. You have to work with yourself from the beginning and then you can come up with something different.

“My husband financed me and Al Balushi Investment is also my partner.

“I come from a very open-minded family. They supported me in each step from the beginning. I was at my first branch from morning to evening and my father was coming with me, my brother and sisters were there and even when we were travelling, my brother and sisters-in-law were taking care of the shop.

“When my husband finished at his office, he used to join us, so we would leave the branch very late. I never felt shy to wash the plates and to serve my customers because I was short of staff, I was very happy to do all this work.

“In Oman, being a woman and being an entrepreneur works well. The market is open, much more than when I started in 2010. I felt the market was very closed and small, but within these four years, there is a huge change, especially because you can market yourself and the business through social media in a very effective way.”

Etab’s tips to being a successful entrepreneur: positive thinking, the right conviction and ethics

Sameera al Mahrooqi

Fashion Designer

Sameera al Mahrooqi is a young Omani fashion designer who has been designing traditional as well as modern clothes for children and adult women for

nearly five years. Sameera says: “It all started as a hobby, when I

used to pick up clothes for my children.“I like to mix and match colours and make

designs for children. I especially love doing stuff for mothers and their daughters.

“At first, I didn’t know how my designs would be perceived.

“There is also an increased amount of competition because there are so many new designers coming into the market every single day.

“Thankfully, I have overcome these challenges and now I know how to manage my business well.

“Things are easy for me now because I do everything at home and my customers live in the neighbouring areas, but I would love to have my own boutique.”

Sameera feels that Omani women today have plenty of opportunities to start their own businesses.

And she encourages all Omani women who have the desire to start a business to do so immediately.

Sameera’s tips to being a successful entrepreneur: time management and a belief in yourself

Salma al Hajiri and Aisha al Hajiri Founders and owners, Salma’s Chocolates

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0

Salma

Aisha

Women across the region are

leading the way in business,

government and management,

as Forbes Middle East’s list of

the 200 Most Powerful Arab

Women for 2014 has revealed

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 2 2

Topping the list of the corporate queens in executive management, Shaikha al Bahar has more than 30 years of banking experience and a formidable reputation. Beginning as a trainee with NBK, she climbed the career ladder to become the bank’s deputy group CEO earlier this year, managing a portfolio of US$16 billion (RO6.1billion). Educated at Harvard Business School and Stanford University, al Bahar was ranked as the 85th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes in 2012.

Here, we profile some of the women who

are making waves in the workplace, in

Oman, the GCC and beyond

SHAiKHA AL BAHARKuwaitDeputy Group CEO, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK)

Hayek became chair of the Swatch Group in 2010 after joining the board of the luxury jewellery brand in 1995. In May 2013, she was appointed CEO of the company, which her father co-founded. She is also responsible for Swatch Group Middle East. The company hit the headlines in May this year after it bought the world’s largest flawless blue diamond, The Winston Blue, for $28.3 million. In her spare time, Hayek is an international Arabian horse judge and breeds her own horses.

DR NAYLA HAYEKLebanonChair, Swatch Group

Salma Ali Saif bin Hareb became the first female head of an economic free zone in the Middle East when she was appointed in charge of EZW, part of the Dubai World Group, in 2005. After studying at Al Ain University, bin Hareb did a postgraduate degree in Medical Lab Sciences at the Cardiff Institute of Higher Education in the UK.

SALMA ALi SAiF BiN HAREB

UAECEO, Economic Zones World (EZW)

HAiFA AL KHAiFiOmanFinance Director (CFO) (Board & Company Secretary) at petroleum Development Oman (pDO)

Named as the 40th most powerful Arab woman in management, al Khaifi is the Sultanate’s first appearance on the Forbes list. Educated in the UAE, the US and at Cambridge University in the UK, she started her stellar career as a contracts engineer with PDO in 1998 and rose steadily through the ranks with managerial posts at PDO and Shell International. Al Khaifi is also an advisory board member for the Academic Innovation Assistance Program (AIAP) at Sultan Qaboos University.

Named 6th on the list of the most powerful Arab women, al Harthy has played a pivotal role in the growth of MB Holding, one of the biggest multinationals working across the oil and gas, manufacturing and mining sectors in the Middle East, since its inception in 1982. In addition to her role, al Harthy heads the Mohammed Barwani Charity Foundation, which provides scholarships to students in need, supports the Omani Women’s Association and assists patients who require urgent medical treatment.

SHARiFA MOHAMMED AL HARtHY

OmanVice Chair, MB Holding Company LLC

0 2 3O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0

LUBNA OLAYANKingdom of Saudi ArabiaVice Chair of the Board & CEO of Olayan Financing Company

Based in Riyadh, Olayan is one of the Kingdom’s most prolific businesswomen, pushing boundaries in a patriarchal society. As vice chair, she oversees 50 companies, spanning distribution and manufacturing, employing more than 15,000 people. Olayan was the first Saudi woman to speak at a major conference in the Kingdom and sits on the board of Saudi Hollandi Bank, as well as acting as an international adviser to Rolls-Royce and Citigroup. She’s also a philanthropist and takes a keen interest in women’s issues.

When she became Bahrain’s Minister of Social Development in 2005, Dr al Balooshi was only the second woman in the country to be appointed to a ministerial post. She was instrumental in forming the Ministry of Social Development and has also sat on the boards for the Supreme Council for Environment and the Bahraini Society for Creativity. Dr al Balooshi achieved a doctorate in education from Columbia University in the US.

DR FAtiMA MOHAMED AL BALOOSHiBahrainMinister of Social Development

Oman appears twice in the Top 10 list of the most powerful Arab women in government:

DR RAWYA AL BUSAiDiMinister of Higher Education

Ranked second on the list, Dr al Busaidi was the first woman in the Sultanate to be appointed to a ministerial position in 2004. Since then, she has worked towards improving the country’s education system, with her efforts over the past decade seeing an increase in the number of private colleges and universities, as well as the number of scholarships awarded to young people studying in Oman and abroad. Dr al Busaidi obtained her PhD from the UK’s Oxford University.

Her key role saw Dr al Shaibani named at number seven on the list. She is responsible for drafting educational policy, developing plans to ensure policies are implemented and encouraging investment in school education by the private sector. Dr al Shaibani gained a PhD from the prestigious University of California, Berkeley.

DR MADiHA AL SHAiBANiMinister of Education

Ghada al YousefExecutive manager, Electricity Holding Company SAOC45th on Executive Management List Assila Zaher al HarthyCEO, Group 6, the first private equity firm in Oman49th on Executive Management List Hind S. BahwanFounder & Chairperson, Bahwan Cybertek Group17th on Family Business List Areej Mohsin Darwish & Lujaina Mohsin DarwishJoint Deputy Chairpersons, Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC24th on Family Business List Hunaina Sultan al MughairyAmbassador to the United States27th on Government List Dr Shaikha Salim Saleem al MusallamiChairperson of the Social Committee of the State Council46th on Government List Maitha al MahrouqiUndersecretary at the Ministry of Tourism47th on Government List Lyutha Sultan al MughairyPermanent Representative to the UN48th on Government List

Also appearing in the three categories in the Forbes 200 Most Powerful Arab Women list from Oman are:

MOH No. 68/2014

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 24

As the nation comes together to mark 44 glorious years, Y Magazine is preparing

to embark on an ambitious historical art project for National Day and we need the help of our younger readers to do it.

To celebrate Oman’s 44th National Day, Y Magazine is holding the “Portrait by a Nation” competition for children to create a unique piece of art as a lasting tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said.

This exclusive artwork saluting the architect of modern Oman will go on public display during National Day celebrations for everyone to see and enjoy.

National Day is a special time when every citizen and resident of the country joins hands to commemorate the years of Renaissance and the road of evolution Oman has taken to become a nation that can proudly hold its own on the world stage.

This progress and prosperity has been achieved under the guidance of His Majesty the Sultan, who continues to lead the country with a steady hand.

In tribute to this dedication to duty, Y Magazine can think of no better way to memorialise His Majesty than in a portrait created by the children of

his own nation, the future generation who will lead Oman on the next step of the journey.

We are inviting children of Oman between the ages of six to 17 years to harness their creativity and paint a portrait of His Majesty. Any medium of art can be used, from finger painting to using items such as bottle tops or buttons, woodblock or even blowing paints with a straw. All we are looking for is individual flair and unique appeal.

Presented by Bank Sohar, our month-long activity will not only encourage local talent by providing an artistic platform, but it also offers a medium through which young creatives can express pride in their country and home.

To take part, each child will first need to register their interest and select the correct age category they will be entering. Entrants will be invited to take part in a day-long event hosted by SABCO Media, Y Magazine’s parent company, on November 7.

Supervised by professional art teachers, the children will be able to let their creativity run free and make their own piece of history, a portrait of His Majesty, in their own style.

We’ll help you to come up with some ideas on how to let

young imaginations fly free with a weekly series in Y, starting today, giving art tips and advice.

A panel of judges, including art experts and a representative from Y Magazine and Bank Sohar, will choose 44 entrants to make up our “Portrait by a Nation”. The winners will be announced on November 13, along with the four entries that have been chosen as the top pieces of artwork. The winners of the two age categories will each receive a RO500 prize, while the runners-up will each collect RO250.

All 44 portraits will be collated and spread on a larger canvas that will be presented as a giant collage of the many faces of His Majesty the Sultan, as seen through the eyes of the nation’s children.

This canvas is then set to be unveiled in a grand ceremony on National Day, November 18, attended by the young artists and their families, before going on public display for the duration of the country’s celebrations.

Furthermore, the chosen 44 pieces of art will be displayed at a special location for sale from National Day until November 27. Open to the general public, the artwork will be available to buy in person or online, with the proceeds of the sale given

44th National Day

be a part of history and win up to ro500 with Y’s exciting national day competition

Simply pick up a registration form at selected branches of Bank Sohar, complete it and post in the drop box on site.

You can also post your details on Y’s Facebook page ytabloid or simply drop us an email at editor@y-oman.com. We will need your name, age and contact number to verify your registration and add you to the event.

parents may complete the registration form – but remember the children must create the actual portrait.

Entry is restricted to children aged between six and 17 years old. there are two categories to enter: one for six to 10-year-old children, the other for 11 to 17 year olds.

Only one entry per child.Children selected to go forward for

the day-long painting event will be notified and must be free to attend the event on November 7.

The decision of the judges is final.

Want to take part in “Portrait by a Nation”? Here’s how to enter:

to each of the child artists. This will be your chance to own a unique piece of history and be part of something special.

“This is a wonderful way to celebrate the success of Oman and the leadership of His Majesty,” says Y Magazine’s managing editor, Felicity Glover.

Ibra

him

G

ail

an

i

Paints stacked in a corner, walls adorned with portrait paintings and the floor covered with a transparent plastic sheet

to avoid spoiling the beautiful marble. This is the scene that greets you when you first enter the well-lit studio of Ibrahim Gailani.

Ibrahim is a self-taught contemporary artist who started painting at the age of six. As he sits down to add some finishing touches to one of his pieces, he narrates his journey in the world of art before imparting some invaluable wisdom for any children wishing to participate in Y’s National Day competition and be in with a chance of winning RO500.

When he first came to Oman in 2009, Ibrahim didn’t know many people and had to endure somewhat of a struggle before finally organising his first art exhibition at Bait Al Zubair Museum. The rest, as they say,

is history and his popularity has since skyrocketed, resulting in many more exhibitions in addition to extensive media coverage.

Ibrahim takes a large part of his inspiration from the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo – considered by many as the queen of self-portraits – which accounts for why some of Ibrahim’s early works were all about himself. As he progressed, Ibrahim moved into abstract and expressionist art, before returning to portraits.

The artist has an impressive six exhibitions under his belt, including one solo display, and is currently working on a set of 25 paintings that have been two years in the making. According to Ibrahim, his next exhibition will be an Andy Warhol-style tribute with a twist and will be on display in Oman by the end of this year or early 2015.

Ibrahim continues to take art to a

whole new level in the country and organised the Art 100x100 exhibition to mark World Cancer Day earlier this year. One-hundred artists each donated a piece of artwork, which were then put up for sale for RO100, with all of the proceeds going to charity. Some of Ibrahim’s biggest passions in art are charity exhibitions and using the medium as a way to highlight social issues such as addiction, alcoholism and child abuse among others.

Besides this, Ibrahim is heavily involved in art therapy and has hosted monthly Gailani Art Retreats for the past year. He now plans to start his own YouTube channel where he will interview an artist every month and upload videos of exhibition events, as well as people’s reactions to art.

Ibrahim’s primary aim, however, is to make art accessible to everyone and not keep it confined to a select few.

❶ Get a good photograph, photocopy or scan it so you can enlarge it onto your canvas.

❷ Get the measurements of the face right. Either draw squares on the face of 1cm each or use the instagram Collage app. this lets you see your actual work and the photograph in order to get the measurements right. Check if the eyes and other facial features match.

❸ Highlight the contrasts – make the dark darker and the light lighter.

❹ When you have finished, put the work aside and look at it the next day. then make sure you look at it in the next two days and self-critique each time.

❺ Look at your artwork in bright sunlight, where you can find the flaws easily.

❻ Use acrylic colours as they dry faster, especially if you’re into pop art because you get a lot of silver and metallic colours in acrylic paints.

❼ Let the layers dry before you paint on them again.

❽ put your own style into it, don’t copy to get the exact shades of the painting and make it look real. the whole point is not to do that, otherwise just take a photograph. You need to put your stamp on things.

Ibrahim’s favourite technique: I paint the background first. A lot of artists also do that and then I make the face. Later, I go with the light colours and when I have done that, I put the dark colours. so I go from dark to light.”

Tips:Ib

rah

im

Ga

ila

ni

O C T 1 6 – 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 2 5

Y speaks to local painter Ibrahim Gailani to get an insight into his life as an artist, as well as tips and tricks on how to make your art stand out from the crowd

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 2 6

After an agonising seven-year break, it’s fair to say that rallying is long overdue a return to Muscat. Enthusiasts’ prayers have been answered, it seems, with the Oman International Rally, organised by

the Oman Automobile Association (OAA), set to kick off on October 30 and run until November 1. Twenty-two cars and teams are gearing up to do battle along a 700km course that will consist of 60 gravel and tarmac stages and one Super Special stage. The rally’s Clerk of the Course, Ahmed Somar, says that after such a long break, the return of rallying to Oman is not only exciting, but also an incredible opportunity for local teams and drivers to take part in a global event.

The route of the course remains a heavily guarded secret and will not be revealed until the week before the race is due to start, but Ahmed says the teams need to be prepared for both tarmac and rough gravel surfaces, meaning tyre and suspension set-up will be crucial. They will also need to be prepared for racing in high atmospheric temperatures and be ready to deal with the vast amounts of dust that the desert roads create. When dust and high temperatures combine, they can easily lead to engine failure as parts overheat and filters clog.

“Racing in Europe is easier as it is colder, so it takes less of

Rallying is set to make triumphant homecoming to Oman later this month. Adam Hurrell talks to Ahmed Somar, the Clerk of the Course to find out more

rallyRETURNS

1979 Harry KÄllstrÖm

1980 Harry KÄllstrÖm

1981 saeed al Hajri

1982 allen sKinny

1982 saeed al Hajri

1983 saeed al Hajri

1984 saeed al Hajri

1985 saeed al Hajri

1986 moHammed Bin sulayem

1987 moHammed Bin sulayem

1988 Bjorn Born Garde

1990 moHammed Bin saleem

1992 tony GiorGio

1993 micHel saleH

1994 moHammed Bin saleem

1998 moHammed Bin saleem

2003 nasser al-attiyaH

2004 nasser al-attiyaH

2005 nasser al-attiyaH

2006 nasser al-attiyaH

2007 KHalid al Qasimi

Drivers who have won the oman international rally:

Children’s road safety eventRoad safety education is essential, as this event held by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) demonstrates

Alongside the Oman International Rally, there will also be a road safety initiative taking place in conjunction with local schools. About 1,000 children, from 10 local schools will have the opportunity to learn about motor sport in Oman and enjoy the excitement of the rally itself at the OAA’s Road Safety Camp, which is being held at the rally’s spectacular opening event on October 30.

The Road Safety Camp will host a number of different activities themed around the FIA’s Action for Road Safety campaign. The programme is also in line with the United Nations campaign declaring 2011 to 2020 as a Decade of Action for Road Safety.

The one-day camp, which is being held in association with the Royal Oman Police with support from the Oman Road Safety Association, is aimed at increasing awareness and instilling important road safety values in children from an early age. The activity list is yet to be fully confirmed, but the schoolchildren will be part of a safety helmet design competition and the winner will be announced at a special ceremony on the day. On a more light-hearted note, the video game Forza Motorsport 4 will be set up on an Xbox for budding racing drivers to test their skills.

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 2 7

rallya toll on both drivers and engines, but here the warmer climate makes things more difficult. However, temperatures are due to drop towards the end of the month and modern rally cars are well practiced in dealing with extremes of climate, so I don’t think we will have too many problems in terms of the conditions,” says Ahmed.

This rally is perhaps seen by many as a precursor to the Sultanate being included on the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar. It is a triumph, yes, but Oman hosting a WRC event is not the primary goal. “It is very exciting that rallying has returned to Muscat. This event is more about celebrating motor sport in our beautiful country and the OAA is exceptionally grateful for the Government’s support it has received in holding the race. Whether or not Oman one day hosts a WRC event we will have to see, but we have no ambitions for that to happen at this stage as yet,” Ahmed explains. He adds that the OAA is working towards getting Oman back on the Middle East Rally Championship calendar. If successful and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (the governing body for world motor sport) approves, the Oman International Rally will be able to re-enter as a fixture in the regional championship.

The Oman International Rally is a hotly anticipated event that, with any luck, will propel the Sultanate back onto the global motor sport scene.

Nasser Al-Attiyah

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 2 8

FOOD

DRINKAND

T r e n d N e w R e s t a u r a n t R e v i e w s

coloUr is keyMaking use of brightly

coloured fruits and vegetables can be a

fun way to encourage children to eat

healthily.

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 2 9

N e w sT R E N D N e w R e s t a u r a n t

Some people say that we eat with our eyes first and with this in mind, Y checks out the emerging trend that focuses on colour for healthy eating

Looking for creative ways to get your family to eat healthier? Registered dietitian nutritionist and mum of three, Frances Largeman-Roth, finds inspiration from the colour spectrum, cooking up vividly hued culinary creations that encourage her

children to explore new foods while incorporating good nutrition. “When planning meals and snacks, include the colours of the rainbow

– like vitamin C-rich mango or protein-filled red lentils. This is an easy way to entice kids to eat more fruits and vegetables, while eliminating the need to overthink vitamin and mineral intakes,” says Frances. “The whole family benefits from bringing more colourful foods to the kitchen table. Replacing processed foods with fresh fruits, vegetables and wholegrains will automatically cut calories and reduce saturated fat intake, while increasing fibre and antioxidants.”

As a leading healthy cooking expert, Frances shares her personal family stories, tips and recipes for colourful healthy eating in her newest cookbook Eating in Color: Delicious, Healthy Recipes for You and Your Family. Mango is one of her go-to fruits for colour-infused meals and snacks. “My family loves the tropical flavor of mango and its vibrant orange colour. As a nutritionist, I love that one serving of mango delivers 100 per cent of your recommended daily vitamin C intake.”

Mangos are superfruits bursting with antioxidants and more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. One cup of mango is only 100 calories and a good source of fibre, which aids in digestion and the management of weight. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin A, which plays a vital role in bone growth.

The good news is that mangos are available everywhere in the Sultanate, either locally grown or brought in from far-flung places such as Asia, Australia and India – so there’s no shortage of choice.

To select a mango at a supermarket or grocery store, squeeze gently to judge ripeness. If the mango has a slight give, it’s ripe and ready to eat. If it’s too firm, let it ripen on your kitchen counter for a few days at room temperature. Don’t judge a mango’s ripeness by its colour. The red blush you’ll see on some is simply a characteristic of the variety.

Get your family on its way to more colourful, nutritious eating with these tips from Frances:

1. Eat colour often. Pack antioxidant-rich colourful fruits and vegetables into every meal and snack.

2. Don’t eat monochrome. It’s easy to get into a routine and just start eating kale salads every day. Kale is great for you, but it’s not going to meet all your nutrient needs.

3. Go beyond your comfort zone. When shopping, seek out new fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein sources to try. And have your kids help with grocery selections!

For more tips and recipes to help fill your table with colour, visit www.mango.org.

MAKE THE MOST OF MANgO

coco-Mango sMoothieingredients 1 large ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced1 lime (finely grated zest and juice)½ cup coconut butter 1 teaspoon ground turmeric1 cup ice, plus more for serving

MethodIn a blender, combine all ingredients with one cup of water and blend until smooth. Pour into two glasses, over additional ice if desired, and serve.

Source: Eating in Color by Frances Largeman-Roth

Recipe

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 3 0

I leapt at the chance to review Japengo as I am a lover of sushi and I enjoy eating with chopsticks – there’s a certain elegance to it that appeals to me. Also, a chopstick is

a brilliant tool for adding emphasis to a point during a heated mid-meal debate.

Matt, Y’s art director, and myself paid Japengo a visit on a Tuesday lunchtime and it was about half full. We were greeted with smiles all round from the very welcoming and hospitable staff, who invited us to sit wherever we liked. We chose a table by the window so we could enjoy the view – Matt is a charming chap, but looking exclusively at him for the duration of the meal would’ve been a struggle. Our very helpful waiter explained the lunchtime menu and we quickly ordered drinks. After much contemplation of the menu, we ordered a chicken katsu curry, a plate of mixed sushi and a Caesar salad to get in a few greens. While clearly trying to be a Japanese establishment, it was a little odd that the menu also featured pizza, pasta and even fish and chips – who goes to a Japanese café and orders fish and chips? There seemed to be a bit of an identity crisis going on here.

There was a healthy mix of clientele and a good balance of expats and locals, with friends

and families all enjoying hearty lunches. Japengo has enormous windows looking out over the beach, making it an incredibly light and airy dining space. So many places these days are dark and dingy and I can’t stand sitting in the dark. But Japengo is clean, fresh and bursting with natural light, which was a real delight.

Our food duly arrived and we placed the dishes in the middle of the table so that we could share. Put simply, the food was brilliant. The chicken curry, its official name being Tori Katsu Karee, was delicious. The sticky rice was perfect

and the sauce was sumptuous. The chicken was crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, and could not have been tastier. And the sushi, well, that was just exceptional. Sushi is an elegant dish, and I love the way it is so detailed and composed on the plate. It’s an organised meal. A plate of logic, in smart rows with each piece carefully crafted. For me, presentation is almost, if not even more, important than how it tastes. Luckily on this occasion, it tasted as good as it looked. Our 10 pieces of Tsuki sushi went down a treat. Very tasty, indeed, although also somewhat expensive in my opinion at RO12.3. Matt was brave and much more liberal with the wasabi than I was – the man must have a mouth made of asbestos, as even the tiniest bit blew my head off. How he managed to chomp his way through so much of the stuff is a biological

miracle. The Caesar salad did not disappoint either. The lettuce was crisp and so fresh it felt like it had been picked five minutes before it arrived at our table. Again, the chicken was perfectly cooked and had a pleasant char-grilled texture. We were both extremely happy with our main meal and were full by the time we had polished off the three plates.

In fact, we were too full for a pudding, so we opted for a green tea to help wash things down. Unfortunately, this was where Japengo got it wrong. The tea arrived in a charming teapot with accompanying cup that resembled an earthenware pot, popular in Europe during the 1970s. Once again the presentation was good, but sadly, the tea was a disappointment. It had clearly been stewing for too long, giving it a bitter taste. This was somewhat of a shame, as everything up to that point had been so good.

Japengo is the sort of place people would frequent even if the food was average on account of the fantastic view, but on this occasion the food was as good as the view.

It is well worth another visit, although I fear I may have to save up for it first. At RO37 for two for lunch, it was rather steep and I can’t help but think you really are paying for the location.

T r e n d N e w R e s t a u r a n tfOOd

dRINkaNd R E v I E w S

Info BoxJAPEnGO CAfé

Shatti al Qurum, MuscatPhone: +968 9289 2868

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-1am

Lunch for two including drinks: RO37.089

STUPENDOUS SUSHI JAPENgO IS A JAPANESE-THEMED RESTAuRANT lOCATED ON THE BEACH ROAD IN QuRuM. AND, AS ADAM HuRREll DISCOvERS, IT’S REAllY RATHER gOOD

Verdict 7 / 10 Service

8 / 10 Food 8 / 10 Ambience

good food, nice view and friendly service.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

THERE WAS A HEAlTHY MIx Of ClIENTElE AND A gOOD

BAlANCE Of ExPATS AND lOCAlS, WITH fRIENDS AND

fAMIlIES All ENJOYINg HEARTY luNCHES

O C T 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 3 3 90 3 2

HEALTH&BEAUTY

H e a l t h B e a u t y fA S H I O N

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 3 2

Feline Footwear

The genius of leopard print is that all it takes is one piece to elevate a standard look to stand out. These Dune

slippers – a fabulous example of this season’s statement flat

– will take you from day to night in cool comfort.

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 3 3

EASY STRIDERIconic flats are style classics for a reason, says Penny fray. You can actually walk in them

1. look after your feet by ditching cheap flats that are thin, unsubstantial, with little or no support. Newer styles are more tailored, with a real sole and a heel of at least a 1/4-inch or more for good arch support. 2. Want to elongate your figure? Wear pointed ballet shoes with a pair of ankle grazers or a skirt. for added va-va-voom, choose a printed pair that show some toe cleavage. 3. Smarten up your sneakers by wearing them with a trouser suit. It fits into the hi-lo trend nicely. gROUNDED!

Penny’s tips on wearing

flattering flats:

These black pointy-toed bluchers from Zara get extra points for designer-worthy looks. Embellished with a sleek strip and glossy finish, they ooze office cool when worn with this season’s trouser suit. From RO43

We’ve seen them on the street, on screen and even lust after them in museums. From

Dorothy’s famous ruby-red slippers to Carrie Bradshaw’s Jimmy Choos, shoes are not just a means of walking – they’re style statements, mood enhancers and even symbols of strength. As Marilyn Monroe once said: “Give a girl the right shoes and she’ll conquer the world.” Of course, it’s pretty tough navigating a cobbled street, let alone embark on global domination in vertigo-inducing heels. No, when it comes to getting things done, you can’t beat the flat shoe. And this season, the grounded number is everywhere, with boots, brogues and bedazzling slippers sneaking into almost every designer and high street collection. Anything goes so long as it has a pointy toe and makes an impact. Sparkling flats are a good place to start. Alexander McQueen’s crystal-encrusted combat boots simply scream cool commando, while Yves Saint Laurent’s glistening Mary Janes make you feel like a fairy tale character.

Meanwhile, on the high street, both sneakers and slippers are still going strong. Just make sure you wear them with either slogans or print. Okay, so flats can make you look stumpy. But given a toss up between mobility and wobbling against a partner’s arm, I’d rather go low. Not only is wearing flats comfortable and cool, it’s positively liberating.

A modern way to dress for evening is to wear an elegant pair of embellished flats. Boden’s pair is scattered with statement crystals, making them every socialite’s must-have shoe.Available from Boden.com for RO75

Tabitha Simmons’ point-toe flats are loved by the style set. This pair has been crafted in Italy from iridescent glitter-finished leather that sparkles with every step. Wear them to your next party with bare legs and oodles of attitude. From RO274

Add a touch of animal to your look with these leather H&M sneakers. This

mock crock pair slips on easily thanks to elasticated inserts.

Wear them with everything from mini skirts to

jeans. From RO37

Charlotte Olympia’s birthday slippers are inspired by Chinese astrology. This handmade turquoise suede pair features a gold-plated dragon decorated with sparkling red Swarovski crystals - a symbol of authority, dignity and determination. From RO348 at net-a-porter.com

Embroidered with a Hey You slogan, Call It Spring’s bright slippers are the perfect blend of comfort and cool. Style yours with distressed denim to channel this season’s casual aesthetic. RO12 at Callitspring.com

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 3 4

HEALTH&BEAUTY

Focus on Vision

H E A LT H B e a u t y F a s h i o n

If you’re like many people the world over, when it comes to your regular healthcare regime, your eyes get overlooked. In fact, you may only pay attention to your eye

health when something goes wrong, whereas actually, preventive and routine eye care should be high on everyone’s list of priorities.

“Too many people fail to grasp the value of routine vision care, only seeking treatment for eye-related problems after they occur,” says Stephen Shawler, president of Essilor Vision Foundation. “Although 80 per cent of vision problems are preventable, we still have significant work to do to prevent vision problems before they start.”

impact of poor visionClear vision is a crucial tool in experiencing life to its fullest potential, but, according to Essilor, an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide see poorly and don’t possess adequate access to vision correction.

From an economic perspective, the France-based Vision Impact Institute (VII) estimates as much as US$745 million (RO286.86m) in productivity is lost every single day as a result of uncorrected vision problems in 33 per cent of the world’s working population.

With World Sight Day celebrated just last week, extensive social consequences have come to light. According to the VII, some 30 per cent of the world’s children experience vision problems that have a significant impact on their long-term health, school performance and emotional and social development. Given that

80 per cent of children’s learning is through visual information processing, poor vision can hinder not only their academic performance, but also how they interact with peers and integrate into society.

Beyond the economic and social consequences, ignoring eye health can also have disastrous outcomes in other areas. For example, elderly individuals with poor vision are seven times more at risk for falls and hip fractures, while poor sight is linked to 59 per cent of road accidents.

Eye health by the numbersFrom a medical standpoint, eye exams do more than correct vision problems. They can also help detect conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, multiple sclerosis, strokes, hypertension and eye tumors.

Anna Gardiner, a media specialist based in Muscat, agrees that eye health is important. And coming from Australia, she is also aware of other health problems that can be detected via regular check-ups.

However, she says local optometrists don’t appear to check for other health problems, such as diabetes or even high cholesterol.

“Whenever I have had my eyes checked here and in the UAE, it is only ever about what I can and can’t see. I am not even sure if they are trained to look for other things.

“My brother, who lives in the UK, was alerted to the fact that he had high cholesterol when he went for an eye check. It is amazing what optometrists can do these days and it

would be great to see that here as well. Early detection is vital and would go a long way in helping to optimise the medical industry here.” To minimise the risks associated with poor eye sight the experts at Essilor recommend knowing the numbers that add up to healthy eyes:

1: Adults should have one comprehensive eye exam every year. for kids, don’t settle

for the vision screenings at school; schedule a annual exam with an eye doctor.

3: If you wear contact lenses, you can prevent the risk of bacteria and infection

by replacing your lens storage case once every three months.

20: Staring at a computer monitor for too long can fatigue the eyes, leading

to painful side effects like dry eyes and even headaches. Every 20 minutes, look away for about 20 seconds at a space 20 feet (six metres) away from you. This simple trick can reduce eye strain and help you safely refocus.

25: Age-related macular degeneration is a serious eye condition that affects the

elderly, causing visual impairment, damage to the retina and even blindness. Taking zinc supplements in addition to antioxidant vitamins can reduce your risk by up to 25 per cent.

90: When selecting sunglasses, find a pair that not only blocks out invisible

ultraviolet light, but also blocks up to 90 per cent of visible light.

For more information about your eye health follow Essilor USA on and or follow the social conversations: #bettersightbetterlife.

Y looks at why it’s so important to take good care of our eyes to ensure we experience life to the fullest

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 3 5

H e a l t h B E A U T Y F a s h i o n

Our skin does so much to protect us, but sometimes we’re not as kind to it as we should be. The experts at Kaya Skin Clinic tell us how to get your skin’s natural glow back

Your Skincare Expert

My skin is looking dull, dry and tired. I have a busy schedule and don’t always have time for a lengthy beauty

routine. With an upcoming conference this weekend, I want to be looking as fresh as possible. What can you recommend to help give my skin a healthy, natural glow?

Q&A with dermatologist Dr Mona Saleh: Dull skin

There are many things that can cause skin to look dry and dull, from dehydration to lack of sleep and

general tiredness. For an instant pick-me-up, try Kaya’s Insta Brightening Micro-Mask. Full of natural ingredients, the silky gel is suitable for even the most sensitive skin and will easily get you the glow you’re after. The product is a result of extensive research that improves the texture of the skin by locking in the moisture your skin craves, making it soft and smooth. Application is easy and you should use the treatment every other day to ensure you always feel confident in your own skin.

Tired skin is one of the most common side effects of our hectic schedules. While a face mask is a fantastic quick

fix and a trip to the spa is a wonderful indulgence, there are plenty of every day ways to combat dull skin. Check out Y’s skincare tips and tricks to keep your complexion radiant:

❶ Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate. Sun and air conditioning cause dryness, which is only exacerbated by a lack of fluid. Your body is made up of approximately 60 per cent water, so to keep your skin happy, drink up. ❷ As well as leaving us dehydrated, living in a sunny climate means our skin is constantly exposed to UV rays, which can speed up damage and result in dull, tired skin. Use a foundation or tinted moisturiser with an SPF to

help combat daily exposure.❸ Exfoliate. Removing the build up of dead skin cells will expose the brighter, fresher layer underneath, giving your face and body an instant lift. ❹ Moisturising after you exfoliate will help lock in the skin’s natural moisture and prevent it from becoming dry. Look for moisturisers containing ceramides, retinoids and vitamin C ❺ Get your 40 winks. Sleep is essential to helping the body rest and repair itself and that includes your skin. If you’re feeling tired, the chances are your skin is looking it.

Combining a healthy skincare routine with the treatments on offer at Kaya Skin Clinic will have your skin glowing in no time, inviting compliments and questions as to your beauty secrets from inquisitive friends and co-workers.

with kaya skin clinic

with kaya skin clinic

Busy lifestyles often leave us little time to look after ourselves properly, but with Kaya Skin Clinic’s Insta Brightening Micro-Mask you can achieve radiance in just 20 minutes!We want you to tell us about an event that occurred for which you were unprepared. Perhaps your friends threw a surprise party after a busy week and you weren’t feeling as bright and beautiful as you could have. Any instance in which a 20-minute pick-me-up would’ve come in handy!

The best five anecdotes will win one of Kaya’s newly developed Insta Brightening Micro-Masks. Designed by dermatologists with natural ingredients, the transparent gel washes off easily, leaving behind silky smooth skin with a natural glow. To be in with a chance of winning, send your skin stories to editor@y-oman.com or post on Y’s Facebook page and hashtag it with #OmanGlowingskin

Get The Glow

TOO LATE? DON’T WORRY. GET Y INSTANTLY ONLINE USING YOUR MOBILE DEVICES & PCVisit www.y-oman.com/current-issue/

No downloading required

GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE

GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS…Yiti• SifawyBoutique

HotelQantab• AlBustanPalace

Hotel• MarinaBanderAL

Rowdha• OmanDiveClub• ShangriLa-Barr

AlJissahWadi Kabir• AlMaya

Hypermarket• KhimjiMart• LuluHypermarket• National

HospitalityInstitute

• ShellMBD• BankDhofar• MooreStephens• NBO• OmanOilAhlain• PizzaHut• PizzaMuscat• ShellCBD• AlMaya

Hypermarket• AlizzIslamicBank• BahwanTravel

Agencies• BankSohar• Centrepoint-

Splash• CopperChimney• CostaCoffee• HSBC• LamaPolyclinic• NBO• OmanArabBank• Standard

CharteredBank• Woodlands

RestaurantMuscat• Muscat• BaitalBaranda• BaitalZubair• Diwan• ShellDarsait• CaveRestaurant• IndianSocialClub• KhimjiMart• KIMSHospital• LuluHypermarket• MuscatBakery• ShellAL Falaj/Rex Road• AlFalajHotel• BadarAlSama• GoldenOryx

Restaurant• KamatRestaurant

• ToshibaShowroom

RUWI• KamatRestaurant• KFC• Khimji’sWatches-

Showroom• KMTrading• OmanAir• OmanUAE

Exchange• OTE• SarwanaBhawan• SwaroskiHamriya• ApolloMedical

CentreWattayah• AhliBank• Bestcars• BLS• Ford• GM(Chevrolet)• HatatHouse• Honda• Hyundai• Kia• Lexus• NationalTravel&

Tourism• PassagetoIndia• SABCOGroup• Shell• Subaru• Suzuki• ToyotaQurum• AlAraimiComplex• BalanceGym• BankNizwa• BMWshowroom• BurgerKing• CapitalStore• Chili’s• CrownePlaza• FinlandEye

Center• FunZone• GloriaJean’s

Coffee• JungleRestaurant• LeftBank• McDonald’s• MercedesBenz• MumtazMahal• Nandoos• Nissan• OmanOilAhlain• PizzaHut• Qurum

CommercialComplex(OldCCC)

• SABCOCentre• SecondCup• Starbucks• TchéTchécoffee

shop• TheSultancentre

(TSC)PDO• PDO• OmanOilHead

Office• PDO• RasAlHamraClubRoyal Opera House• IndusRestaurant• MoreCaféShatti Al Qurum• BareeqAlShatti

Complex• CarribouCoffee• Darcy’sKitchen• GermanEyeLaser

Center• Intercontinental

Hotel• JawaharatAl

ShattiComplex• KayaSkinClinic• MuscatEyeLaser

Center• OasisByTheSea• SecondCup• StarbucksSarooj• AlFairS/M• AlMasaMall• AlShattiCinema

(DunkinDonuts)• AyanaSpa• Cosmeclinic• EmiratesMedical

Center• McDonald’s• ShellMQ• AlFairS/M• ArabOpen

University• BritishCouncil• CostaCoffee• Darcy’sKitchen• EmiratesAirlines• HanaSlimming

Centre• KargeenCafé• KFC• Mackenzies• MoodCafé• OmanOilAhlain• PapaJohn’s• PizzaHut• SaharzBeauty

Saloon• Starbucks• TBWAZeenahAl Khuwair• BadarAlSama• BaitAlReem• BaitAlReem-

CoffeeShop• CaféVergnano

• Centrepoint-Splash

• DiplomaticClub• FriendiMobile• GrandHyatt

Muscat• GrandHyatt

Muscat(Saloon)• GulfCollege• HarleyDavidson• HSBC(OldOIB)• KFC• KhimjiMart• Khimji’sWatches-

Showroom• KMTrading• LandmarkGroup• McDonald’s• Ministryof

Information• MuscatBakery• MustafaSultan

Enterprises• OmanBowling

Center• OmanOilAhlain• OmanUnited

Insurance• OMRAN• PizzaHut• RadisonBlu• Shell• TGIfridays• TheKebab

Factory• TheTikkaPlace• VLCC• ZaharaTravel• ZakherShopping

MallMGM• CarribouCoffee• GloriaJean’s

Coffee• Nawras• PaulPatisserie• TimHortonsBousher• Collegefor

Banking&FinancialStudies

• CostaCoffee• CrepeCafé• DolphinVillage• ModernCollege

OfBusinessStudies

• Moka&MoreCafé

• MuscatCollege• MuscatPrivate

Hospital-Emergency

• MuscatPrivateHospital-Outpatient

• OmanMedical

College• StationeryHutGhubra• AlHayatPolyclinic• AlMaya

Hypermarket• AsterHospital• BankofBeirut• GMC• LuluHypermarket• OmanOilAhlain• ParkInn• Porsche• TheChediGhala• NationalMineral

Water• TAISMAzaiba• AlFairS/M• AlMaha• AlMeeraH/M• Audi• Bentely• BrandOman• CarribouCoffee• CostaCoffee• GoldenTulip• InfinityService

Station• Jaguar• Jeep• LandRover• Mazda• McDonald’s• Mitsubishi• OmanArabBank• OmanOilAhlain• Peugeot• SevenSeas

Complex• Shell• Skoda• TheSultancentre

(TSC)• Towell• VolksWagon• Volvo• Yamaha• Zubair

Automotive(Sayarati)

Al Murtafaa• BankMuscat• DHL• KFC• MuscatHillsGolf

Club• OmanAirMawaleh• Chili’s• CostaCoffee• MakkanCafé• NoodleHouse• Starbucks• StarcareHospital• TimHortons

• VLCCHail• AlMoujGolfClub• Amouage-Oman

PerfumeryLLC• BaitalHail• BurgerKing• Caledonian

College• CostaCoffee• MarkazAlBahja• McDonald’s• OmanFootball

Association• OmanSail• Shakespere&Co.• TheWaveH.O.Rusayl• KnowledgeOasis

Muscat-1• KnowledgeOasis

Muscat-2• KnowledgeOasis

Muscat-3• KnowledgeOasis

Muscat-4(ITA)• MiddleEast

College• Omantel• SQU-Diplomatic

Club• SQU-Collegeof

Commerce• SQU-Students

BankingArea• SQU-Hospital• WaljatCollegeSeeb• McDonald’s• SABCOMediaAl Khoud• BadarAlSama• AlFairS/M• PizzaHutBarka• AlNahdaSpaand

Resort• LuluHypermarketSawadi• SawadiBeach

ResortMassnaah• MillenniumHotelSohar• Centrepoint-

Splash• CrownePlaza• NationalGift

Market• Nawras• PizzaHut• SafeerMall• SoharBeachHotel• SoharPort• SoharUniversityNizwa• NizwaUniversity

@ytabloid facebook.com/ytabloid

fo l l o w u s o n :

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 3 7

P o s t c a r d s f r o m O u t d o o r s Y - f i C a r s

CARS ANDADVENTURES the tide is high

The beach at Ras al Markaz rewards intrepid

adventurers with a sandy stretch of

solitude and calm blue waters.

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 3 8

CARS ANDOUTDOORS

D E S T I N A T I O N P o s t c a r d s f r o m Y - f i O u t d o o r s C a r sCARS ANDADVENTURES

Destination

RAS Al MARkAzwe head back to FebruarY 2010 to discoVer the

undisturbed beautY oF ras al markaz beach

As part of our retrospective series, which takes a look at some of former Y photographer Jerzy

Wierzbicki’s favourite trips around the Sultanate, we head to the picturesque beach at Ras al Markaz this week.

Located south of Duqm, the area has become important in the storage of oil in recent years, although, thankfully, this has not affected the inherent beauty of the beach’s deserted white sands. Here’s Jerzy’s take on it:

“You won’t find Ras al Markaz in many guidebooks, but it already holds a special place in the hearts of many adventure seekers here in the Sultanate.

“After the long drive from Muscat, there is little wonder why this place is so captivating for many in Oman, with its warm waters, remarkably clean white sand and stunning views. The term ‘coastal paradise’ is certainly a tag Ras al Markaz could claim as its own.

“The warm waters of the Arabian Sea periodically lap the sheer cliffs

of Ras al Markaz and the sublime coastline proves to be a great spot for angling, swimming and snorkelling.

“The cliffs are the main marking point of this region, with the multilayer sedimentary rocks both aesthetically pleasing and geologically significant. A little further on, you will see evidence of the desert and the sea in conflict in the form of a vast sand dune that separates the road and the cliffs – another attraction for those who are interested in off-road driving.

“Nothing denotes the romantic seaside feel more than the small harbour, where you can purchase something for the BBQ from a fisherman’s fresh catch. Camping is also extremely pleasant with the 40-metre cliff casting a beautiful shadow over the beach area. Bringing a pair of binoculars is a good idea, too, as wildlife is in abundance during the winter, with flocks of birds searching for crabs on the flat sand.

“If you are lucky enough to visit during stormier weather, then you can watch huge waves crashing into

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 3 9

Set the satnav for Duqm. From Muscat, take the expressway, followed by route 15, route 23, route 27 and route 32. Once you reach the Shell petrol station in Duqm, drive in the direction of Hayma. After 17km, head straight for Al Jazar. The turning for Ras al Markaz is 49km from the petrol station. You must take the dirt road for 14km, so a 4x4 is recommended, although the road down to the seafront is paved.

GPs location: 19°11’38”N 57°45’28”ETRAV

El g

UIDE

How To GeT THere

the cliffs. It is also worth noting that the beach area is extremely difficult to travel on due to a scattering of mud flats, making a 4x4 pretty much essential.

“Flash floods can also prove to be a hazard and are extremely dangerous. All in all, it is best to prepare for all extremes when taking the 500-kilometre trip south to Ras al Markaz, but as an experienced adventurer will tell you, that is part of its attraction.”

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 4 0

CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDADVENTURES

Biologists describe cetaceans (members of the Order Cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins and porpoises) as “charismatic animals”. Species with widespread popular appeal are often used by environmental activists to achieve their goals; I am

sure you can all think of prominent examples such as elephants, lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, numerous birds of prey and our old friends, the dolphins. And if watching dolphins is your thing, then there are few better places to do this than off the coast of Oman, which is home to large numbers of a wide variety of dolphins. I have seen porpoises off the west coast of Scotland on a number of occasions, but their display was nothing to compare with Oman’s dolphins.

If you do decide to go dolphin watching – and I would encourage you to do so – what are you likely to see? If you are lucky, quite a range of them since more than 20 species of dolphins can be seen off the coast of Oman. Regular visitors to the Sultanate’s warm, clear waters include bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis if short-beaked; Delphinus capensis if long-beaked), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) and Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus). This last dolphin, under its common English name, grampus, was traditionally a “royal fish” and so considered to be the property of the English Crown. Spinner dolphins are particularly distinctive, leaping out of the water and spinning, hence the name.

Taking a dolphin watching trip may well prompt you to wonder just exactly who is watching whom. It is, of course, impossible for any of us to have a completely clear idea of the mental life of a particular animal species, but there is no doubt that dolphins, and the other

Andy Barrow boards a boat to observe some incredible mammals D

OLP

HIN

DO

LPH

INW

atchi

ng But who is watching whom?

O U T D O O R SP o s t c a r d s f r o m Y - f i C a r s

Sidab Sea Tours:Tel: +968 9946 1834 / +968 9931 6011 Email: sidabseatour@hotmail.com www.sidabseatours.com

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 4 1

members of the Cetacea, are highly intelligent. This can be deduced from the fact that dolphins are highly social animals, often living in pods of up to a dozen individuals, though pod sizes and structures vary greatly between species and locations. In locations with abundant food, pods can be very large indeed, containing in excess of 1,000 individuals. Dolphins communicate both by verbal and non-verbal means, make use of tools and display altruism, caring for the young, the ill and the injured. Wild dolphins have been observed raising injured dolphins to the surface so that they can breathe. Dolphins are – if you will permit me to remind you – mammals, not fish and so they breathe air, suckle their live-born young, have body hair and have three bones in their middle ear. This altruism even extends beyond their own species and there are many anecdotal records of dolphins helping human swimmers in difficulty, rescuing humans from attacks by sharks and making other helpful

interventions when humans get into difficulties. There’s also a rather touching story of a Labrador and a dolphin playing together daily in the sea at Troy Island Harbour in Ireland.

Whether a tourist or a resident, one of the best ways to see the dolphins is to take yourself down to Bandar Al Rowdha Marina, located south of Muttrah on the road to the Al Bustan Hotel. Once there, join one of the dolphin watching boat trips organised by Sidab Sea Tours. You can simply go on a dolphin watching cruise or take in a slightly longer cruise, which includes a stop for those with the inclination to try some snorkelling. I have been on two trips, thoroughly enjoyed both and I am planning a third trip very soon to show my wife the dolphins when she next pays me a visit. The boats are clean and comfortable and the cost of the trip includes light refreshments. But remember to take a hat – the Omani sun can be brutal offshore, even at this time of the year.

Give it a go:

Photo

s: Tr

acey

Kenn

ett

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 4 2

TOp fIVE THINgS TO DO:1. Take in a tango show2. Treat yourself to locally made leather cowboy boots3. Visit the pink palace and Eva Peron’s grave4. Take a trip through the Rue de la Plata delta5. Indulge in a world-class argentinean steak

Living in CoLourLa Boca is a

neighbourhood famed for its brightly coloured buildings

and lively street cafés.

CaRS aNdadvENTURES

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 4 3

p O S T C a R d S f R O md e s t i n a t i o n O u t d o o r s Y - f i C a r s

my favourite place Buenos Aires beats to the rhythm of tango and a dancing show is a must for any visitor. Lessons can also be arranged for those feeling a little more adventurous. However, a daytime visit to the La Boca neighbourhood is a sight that should not be missed.Lined with pavement cafés, this colourfully decorated area is a visual feast and its streets come alive with energetic renditions from tangoing couples when the weather permits. Buenos Aires is a city destination in itself and contrary to popular belief, it is not on the ocean, but rather nestled along the banks of the Rio de la Plata, or River Plate as it is also known. If a break from the city is needed, I highly recommend a boat trip through the delta.With hundreds of tributaries that wend their way around little islands, this is a world in itself.A visit to Café Tortoni, however, is an absolute must. Tortoni was founded in 1858 and is the oldest coffee shop in Argentina. The father of tango, Carlos Gardel, spent a lot of time here, as did other artists, literary greats and politicians, including the likes of writer Jorge Borges and poet Alfonsina Storni. In their honour, Café Tortoni has life-sized statues of them in the restaurant.

Highlights Getting around is very easy and affordable. With a well-organised and regulated transport system, there are buses everywhere in Buenos Aires, as well as riverboats, more than 40,000 cabs and a subway. Lowlights A word of advice – always check your pesos as tourists are known to fall victim to counterfeit scams. It happened to me! When paying for a small souvenir, a stallholder informed me that my 50-pesos note was indeed fake. The loss wasn’t too great and, in fact, it meant I had a rather original souvenir to take back home. I was later told that you should check every note handed back for the watermark.With virtually no English spoken in this country, communication can be a problem, but with sign language, maps, calculators and a little bit of patience, you quickly realise the initial language barrier can be overcome.However, I would suggest a simple Spanish/English phrasebook as phrases such as “how much does that cost?” can be useful to know. Souvenirs Boutiques and leather shops nestle side by side and on Fridays, the informal traders arrive and lay out their artwork, beadwork, hand-made shoes and stunning silver jewellery on mats to entice visitors to buy their goods.Unlike many markets around the world, the informal traders in Buenos Aires will leave you in peace if you tell them: “I am just looking”. There is no quibbling, no hassle and no pestering.

where to stay The Sheraton Libertador Hotel is central and within walking distance of good restaurants, shopping, parks and other amenities. Staff members are friendly and rooms are comfortable.

BUENOS aIRESKathy Whitehead recommends

If y o u h a v e n ’ t b e e n t o B u e n o s A i r e s , t h e n I s u g g e s t y o u a d d t h i s a w e s o m e c i t y t o y o u r d e s t i n a t i o n “ w i s h l i s t ” .

I s p e n t f i v e d a y s i n t h e c i t y a n d f r o m t h e f i r s t s t e p I t o o k , d o w n a n a r r o w l a n e , e v e r y s e n s e c a m e a l i v e a s I d r a n k i n t h e b e a u t y . T h e h i s t o r i c a l b u i l d i n g s , t h e d é j à v u o f s e e i n g o l d c a r s a n d t h e g l o r y o f t h e a r t w o r k t h a t a d o r n s t h e w a l l s o f c o u n t l e s s c h u r c h e s , i t w a s a v i s u a l o v e r l o a d .

T h e f i r s t n u g g e t o f w i s d o m m y t o u r g u i d e s h a r e d w a s t h a t w h e n w a l k i n g “ a l w a y s l o o k u p ” . A n d l o o k u p I d i d !

S q u e e z e d b e t w e e n n e w h i g h - r i s e b u i l d i n g s a r e t h e o l d c o l o n i a l o n e s , a d o r n e d w i t h i n t r i c a t e s t a t u e s a n d g a r g o y l e s , m a n y o f w h i c h d a t e b a c k t o t h e e a r l y 1 8 0 0 s .

E v e n t h e s t r e e t s h o l d a c h a r m o f t h e i r o w n a n d a s c o b b l e s t o n e s a n d t a r r e d l a n e s c r i s s - c r o s s d o w n t o w n B u e n o s A i r e s , w a l k i n g b e c o m e s a p l e a s u r e a s t h e p a v e m e n t s a r e o f t e n e l a b o r a t e l y t i l e d .

rIo dE lA plATA

TAngo lESSonS ArE ThE ordEr of

ThE dAy

ThE TIgrE ArT muSEum lIES on ThE BAnkS of ThE luján rIvEr

J U LY 0 3 - 0 9 / I S S U E 3 2 70 4 4

-fIT H E T E C H I N Y O U

Y - f IP o s t c a r d s f r o m C a r s O u t d o o r s

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 4 4

TriGGer HaPPY Ever heard of drum pants before? Well, now you have. Don’t expect to go to H&M and find a pair, though. DrumPants are wearable triggers that fit inside your trousers and include 100 built-in sounds with a USB connection to your PC or Mac. The DrumPants Pro Kit comes with six wearable drum triggers and also features Bluetooth LE wireless functionality for iOS and Android. Prices start at ro38.11 from www.trycelery.com

MElODY MAkERS

iPlaY IF YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF MULTI-TALENTED wHEN IT COMES TO THE wORLD OF MUSIC, THEN

THE artiphon INSTRUMENT 1 IS FOR YOU. THIS AFRICAN HARDwOOD MIDI DEVICE wITH METAL SPEAKER GRILLES USES AN IPHONE AS ITS BRAIN. ONCE THE IPHONE IS PLACED IN THE DISCREET BLACK BOX, USE THE NECK TO SELECT wHICH INSTRUMENT YOU wISH TO PLAY (VIOLIN, GUITAR, KEYBOARD, BANJO AND MANY MORE) AND STRUM AwAY. UNDER THE NECK, YOU’LL ALSO FIND SOME ADDITIONAL CONTROLS THAT STEER THE INSTRUMENT IN MORE SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS (BASS MODE FOR FRET TAPPING, BANJO MODE wITH ARPEGGIOS, FOR INSTANCE). AS FOR THE MIDI OPTIONS, IT SPORTS POLYPHONIC AFTERTOUCH, VIBRATO, VERSATILE MODULATION AND MAPPING. THERE IS AN OCTAVE SwITCH ON THE NECK, GIVING YOU A wIDE RANGE OF NOTES

wITH EASE. PRICES START AT ro307.61 AT www.arTiPHon.coM

MoVe on uPWith eight sound engines, a four-track tape recorder, drum sampler, effects, MIDI-controller and more all built in, the Teenage engineering oP-1 truly is an all-in-one portable wonder synthesizer. It’s also incredibly versatile and in addition to the range of sounds you can tease out of the synth engines, you can also sample and record audio from a built-in mic, line-in source and even the radio. Who would’ve thought so much sound could be squeezed out of something so beautiful and compact? From ro326.86 at www.teenageengineering.com

The way we create and consume music is changing. It’s time to forget what you thought you knew about musical instruments and step into the digital age, says Matthew Herbst

EDITO

R’S pI

Ck

sTrinG alonG Rock and roll: been there, done that. Hang on, what’s this? A guitar? But it

looks so wrong! It is, however, so right. Meet the Gittler Guitar. While it may

resemble an arts and crafts project, the truth is that the Gittler offers 31 playable

frets (10 more than a traditional guitar), a long neck, strings and a pickup. Ditch the

boy band duets and get shredding for ro1,925. Check it out at

www.gittlerinstruments.com

J U LY 0 3 - 0 9 / I S S U E 3 2 7 0 4 5

f I N D O U T W H A T ’ S H I P & H A P P E N I N G I N G A D G E T S

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 0 0 4 5

new - air insTruMenT exPansion Pack

App of the Week

Tune iTIf you’ve ever had a burning desire to play the trombone, ibone offers you the chance to do just that! This virtual master class allows you to either blow into your device’s mic or use your fingers to tap the notes on the app’s background to control the sound produced. You can even play along with songs from your iTunes. Easy and great fun. Snap it up for ro.50 at www.itunes.com

iT’s GoT winDWind just got digital. Meet the ewi 5000, the most expressive and versatile wind instrument to date, with a huge array of advanced features, such as digital 2.4GHz ultra-low-latency wireless connectivity and more than 3GB of built-in traditional and progressive sounds. The EWI 5000 is jam packed with top-quality sounds, including traditional horn, brass and woodwind, as well as progressive synths and other non-traditional sounds. This magnificent instrument comes with 12 touch-sensitive metal keys on its top and an eight-wheel thumb-controlled octave roller on the bottom. Either hook it up to an amplifier or plug in headphones for silent practice, the choice is yours. ro307.69 from www.amazon.com

The AIR Instrument Expansion Pack combines multiple synthesis technologies, instrument samples, high-definition digital drums, vintage electric pianos, as well as a comprehensive digital groove-creation platform. Today’s musicians, composers, and producers will be able to tap into familiar sounds or create something no one has ever heard before.

hybrid 3.0 combines the warmth of analog synthesis with futuristic digital controls.

loom is a modular extra that lets you explore additive synthesis with 30 editable modules with a sound-shifting Morph Pad. the Vacuum pro is a polyphonic analog tube synthesizer that re-invents the throwback sounds of the analog age.

structure delivers a world of sounds with multi-timbral layering and comprehensive sample editing.

strike is a drum and arranger instrument with a realistic performance engine. Velvet puts five electric pianos at your fingertips. transfuser 2 is a melodic and groove creation that offers powerful sound

manipulation capabilities.

Combine all these together with 70+GB of samples, loops, effects, and 2,000+ tweakable patches and presets and you’ve pretty much got an entire recording studio in front of you. The only catch is that you now have to pay per instrument, as they no longer come in an actual digital package – disappointing. Each one costs from RO57.36 at www.airmusictech.com

O C T 1 6 - 2 2 / I S S U E 3 4 00 4 6

Adam Hurrell puts the Audi A3 saloon through its paces on its natural home turf, the Muscat Expressway

Audi A3 Saloon S-LineSpecifications:

Engine: 1.8L TFSI Horsepower: 178bhpTransmission: Seven-speed automatic with

optional manual selector 0-100kph: 7.2 seconds

Top speed: 242kph

Over the past decade, the German big three have become very good at making small,

premium cars and the Audi A3, which kicked off the trend when it was first launched back in 1996, is no exception. For me, though, the saloon shape doesn’t work, it’s just not as good looking as its European hatchback cousin. By some miracle of design, it’s still a very handsome car, but I just don’t really understand this junior executive saloon segment. As a saloon, the A3 doesn’t compete with the BMW 3 series or the Mercedes C-Class and so I’m struggling to see what market this car is for; it feels like a rather unnecessary niche.

However, once you get behind the wheel and onto a motorway, the A3 saloon begins to make sense. It rides exceptionally well and the seven-speed automatic gearbox is a joy to use, especially when in manual selector mode. Changes are instantaneous and virtually unnoticeable, even under heavy acceleration; it really is a very impressive transmission set-up indeed. At motorway speeds, drop it down a few cogs from seventh to fourth, nail the throttle into the carpet and the car will shift. The Honda Accord tailgating me was left for dust anyway. My test car had the

1.8L four-cylinder turbo-charged unit that produces 178bhp, 184lb-ft torque and will hit 100kph in under eight seconds, which is plenty quick enough for most situations.

In terms of handling, the A3 did provide plenty of confidence, but the set-up didn’t really communicate what the front wheels were actually doing. Everything felt very safe and organised, just not especially engaging. As with all Audis that are not quattros, there is a predictable amount of understeer when pushed through the corners, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have the occasional bit of fun. The A3 does what all Audis do and that’s let you travel at speed in significant comfort. While cruising down the Muscat Expressway in seventh gear, I got the impression the car could do this all day, every day. And that is one of the great things about this car and indeed the brand in general – at no point did it feel like it was struggling – it did what I asked, when I asked, without breaking sweat.

What really makes the A3 sing, though, is the interior. I could sit in this car all day and never want to get out. People will buy this car because of the interior alone. I loved the half-leather, half-Alcantara seats. The slivers of aluminium on the dash and the door-cards looked very smart and the dials and controls

were a delight. This has to be one of the best car interiors I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. I drove the S-Line version and it came with a lot of optional extras including laser-guided cruise control, a reversing camera and a sunroof – I love a sunroof. The flat-bottomed steering wheel was my only real gripe. It’s unnecessary in a car of this type and felt awkward when turning in tight spots, especially when parking.

I enjoyed driving the A3, not because it was particularly exciting, but because I know I could drive it all day long in comfort, without the fear of it ever letting me down. As a small executive saloon, this has to be one of the best on the market and as a motorway cruiser, you would struggle to find something better in this segment. However, there is one serious thorn in its side, and that’s the BMW 1 series and the Mercedes CLA – which doesn’t seem to be available here. The BMW is certainly more engaging to drive and the Mercedes is better looking.

The A3 is a great car, but it just doesn’t excite me in the same way the rear-wheel drive BMW does and it doesn’t turn my head in the way the Mercedes does. Make no mistake, the A3 saloon is a lovely bit of kit and a great car, but if you want a compact Audi saloon, what’s wrong with the A4?

CARS ANDADVENTURES

C A R SD e s t i n a t i o n P o s t c a r d s f r o m O u t d o o r s Y - f i

CAR Of THE WEEk

Seven-speed S-tronic automatic gearbox

xenon headlights Multi-function sport

steering wheel Adaptive cruise control Active lane assist Sunroof Automatic air

conditioning Half leather, half

Alcantara seats Reversing camera Bang & Olufsen

sound system

they say: “Elegant and

confident”We say:

“Great little saloon”