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

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

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JAN 22 - 28 / ISSUE 354 • WEEKLY

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NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

OMAN’S FISHERMEN IN SHOWDOWN AT SEA

GONORDIC

HiddenYiti

STYLISHSEPARATES 3228 38

TASTE TEST: Super SemsomBEAUTY: Men’s mishaps

News: RAIN-SOAKED OMAN11

Taking The PlungeABSEILING IN MUSCATOperation TurtleSAVING OUR WATERY FRIENDS

BEING SERVED?ARE YOU

THERE’S TWO SIDES TO BAD CUSTOMER CARE

Use your HSBC Credit Card to benefit from exclusive offers Apply now and spend OMR 700 until 31 March 2015 and get a chance to win OMR 300

• No annual fee for HSBC Premier and Advance Credit Cards• Exclusive HSBC Entertainer booklet with ‘Buy 1 get 1 free’ vouchers worth OMR 2,000• Free travel insurance1

• Free lounge access at Muscat International Airport and select lounges worldwide for Premier and Advance Credit Card holders

Credit Cards and offer terms and conditions, fees and charges apply.

1 Travel insurance is provided by AIG MEA Limited (Oman Branch) and subject to policy terms and conditions.Issued by HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G, P.O. Box 1727 PC 111 CPO-Seeb, Sultanate of Oman. OMM/CMP/140079© Copyright. HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G. 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G.

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J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 4 0 3

Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing &

Advertising LLC / Y is a SABCO Media product.

CEO Eihab Abutaha

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.

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 forwardW

e’ve all heard the horror stories about bad customer service, but what if I said it was a two-way street and that customers were also responsible for the way frontline sales staff treat them?

But the customer is always right, I hear you say. Not necessarily, I would argue back. When was the last time you said thank you or even smiled at a sales assistant?

As part of a new scheme that has been launched by the National Hospitality Institute, which rewards sales staff for good service, our cover story delves into this often contentious issue. We find that it’s not just about the person behind the counter and that customers also need to start thinking about treating staff with respect.

While “service with a smile” still reigns, consumers should also remember that a smile and a polite thank you costs nothing – and that will go a long way in terms of the quality of service you are receiving.

Elsewhere, our resident action man Matt Blackwell tries his hand at abseiling in Outdoors, we sample the best Lebanese food in Muscat in Taste Test and dig into some fun garden gadgets in Y-Fi.

Have a wonderful week – and remember, just one smile can make a sales assistant’s day (and perhaps yours)!

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

Team Y has been celebrating yet another birthday, this time, Felicity’s

(many happy returns!), trying our hand at abseiling and catching the

latest kids’ movie, The Snow Queen: Magic of the Ice Mirror.

THIS WEEK…

THE BAROMETER

Are you looking to save money and have a good time? Y has five fabulous Entertainer apps up for grabs this week. Turn to P13 for details on how to enter. And don’t forget to check if you are one of five lucky winners of Penny Destro’s new

book, Year of the Decree Absolute. You’ll find our

list of winners also on P13.

GOING UPUMBRELLA SALES

The rains finally hit, drenching Muscat and other parts of Oman, and creating

chaos on the roads. Y has gathered some great photos of this week’s

washout from around the country, which you’ll find on P11.

GOING DOWNYOUR WEIGHT

At least we hope so if you enter our exciting “The Weight Is Over”

competition, in which you can win RO500 cash as well as a host of other

prizes worth RO2,200. See P26 to find out more.

COMPETITION

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 EDITOR IN CHIEFSayyida Iman bint Hamad

bin Hamood Al Busaidi

MANAGING EDITORFelicity Glover

DEPUTY EDITOR

Kate Ginn

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

CONTRIBUTORS Matt BlackwellAdam Hurrell

INTERN Deeba Hasan

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Feroz Khan

contentsJ A N U A R Y 2 2 - 2 8 2 0 1 5

Yo u r O m a n06 Coffee With Deeba Donna Benton

08 Voice Of Oman Felicity Glover

10 News If you haven’t paid your fines, you can’t leave Oman

14 Gallery Muscat Festival

T h i s w e e k16 Movie Listings REC3: Genesis

18 This Week Verdi Good

H e a l t h a n d B e a u t y32 Fashion Building Blocks

34 Health Everyday Workout

35 Beauty Male Grooming Mishaps

Y TURNS SEVEN. BIRTHDAY ISSUE PLUS FILM, FOOD, FASHION AND ALL YOUR USUAL FAVOURITES

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...

11

33

Fo o d a n d D r i n k28 Food Feature Nordic Nourishment

30 Taste Test Semsom

28

18

Fe at u r e20 Service With A Smile Change Needed Both Sides Of The Counter

24 Less Plastic, More Turtles Protecting Oman’s Sea Creatures

26 The Weight Is Over Slim To Win RO500

24C a r s a n d A d v e n t u r e s38 Destination Hidden Yiti

40 Outdoors Learning The Ropes

42 Postcard From Lucknow, India

44 Y-Fi Garden Gadgets

46 Car Of The Week Maserati Quattroporte S

45

J U LY 0 3 - 0 9 / I S S U E 3 2 70 60 6 J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 4

Want to get your hands on one of the Entertainer’s new 2015 apps? We’ve got five to give away to Y readers in our easy to enter competition. See page 13 for full details. You’ll never need to

pay full price again!

Donna Benton

Deeba Hasan sits down with Donna Benton, owner of the

Entertainer books and app, who shares her success story and

thoughts on being a woman in the Middle East

Donna Benton, the founder and CEO of the Entertainer guide

and discount books, looks like

the epitome of the perfect businesswoman. She’s tall, glossy and perfectly groomed.

She is also, it turns out, a fast talker, humble and very down-to-earth.

In Dubai back in 2001, the Entertainer had only one employee, but 14 years on, the company employs more than 150 people and operates

in 15 countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and

Europe, with buy one get one free offers from 10,000 merchant partners in the dining, leisure, beauty, health and hotel industries.

Donna moved from her native Australia when she was

26 to take up a marketing and events position in Dubai. Although her family has no entrepreneurial background, she always dreamt of going it alone and when her new job didn’t work out, the Entertainer was born out of this passion.

“I always wanted my own company,” she says. “I’m an organiser and I have always had those dreams and ambitions, as well as a strong work ethic. I believe that if you put your mind to something, you can do it and I think that is what I did with the Entertainer.

“The idea came when I was driving along the Sheikh Zayed Road one day and noticed that there were a lot of restaurants and attractions, but no incentive for people to stop anywhere.”

With the seed of an idea, Donna investigated

further. Feasibility studies were conducted in internet cafés because she couldn’t afford a computer at the time. “If there was a bigger incentive, I thought people would probably drive [to the restaurants and attractions] and that’s when I thought of the two-for-one concept.

Despite lacking in experience, Donna was no pushover when it came to the initial negotiations. “It had to be buy one get one free, it had to be valid seven days a week excluding public holidays and it had to be valid for lunch and dinner. I was very strict on the terms and conditions,” she tells me.

As with any start-up, it was a challenge to begin with, but

Donna was resolute. “After the first year I had very little to show anyone. There were some outlets that wanted to see how it went before they committed to signing up.”

After a shaky start, the concept took off and has since experienced vast success and exponential growth, with the global mobile app launched in 2013. Has this changed Donna? “I think I am the same person I was when I arrived in Dubai. I am quite a humble person with my feet

on the ground and so I never forget where I started. I think you grow as a person rather than change.”

Despite her busy schedule, Donna still manages to devote time to being a mother to her two young children, aged one and four. “I met my husband nine years ago and he also works in the business. We try and

balance things so that we’re not travelling at the same time.”

Balance is something Donna stresses as important in all elements of life and she believes the Middle East has got the right idea. “This is a great region to be a female in. There are opportunities for entrepreneurial women and you get the chance to have a family and work at the same time. There are not a lot of countries where you can do that.”

Overseeing her business as it grew from scratch into the success it is today, Donna rightfully feels a sense of pride. “There is no greater pleasure than when I am out at a restaurant and I see somebody in the queue using one of our offers. It makes me feel proud because I know I am creating extra revenue for the merchants and also saving the consumer money at the same time.”

As to what the future holds, Donna plans to expand further in the continents they already operate in. “We keep evolving the best that we can.

For example, in Asia, we are in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, but next we will potentially look at the Philippines or Thailand.”

If you want to purchase the entertainer app or the book, you can find the best prices online at theentertainerme.com

MD YWeekly 24x34 E.indd 1 1/7/15 3:00 PM

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 40 8

TIME FOR CHANGE?

correspondenceTHE VOICE OF OMAN

NEXT WEEK: ALI AL RAHMA

Dear Editor,

That was a good article regarding the fishing industry in Oman [Issue 353]; maybe it does require a makeover. May the authorities look into all the issues, as it is an important industry for the country.

Meanwhile, Muscat Festival has started, so let’s all enjoy the different cultures being showcased.

Wishes,Dr Vijayalakshmi R Shetty

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

As an expat parent, education is an important issue for my daughter, Cia, and me.

And I’m not just talking about things like the daily school run, chasing her up on her homework or nagging her to pack her PE kit.

What I’m talking about here is the big picture – the planning, the cost and her happiness. I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about Cia’s education, particularly when we have moved countries.

In the beginning, it’s a game of what ifs and chance – hoping that you’ve made the right choice to move countries and that your child will settle in quickly and love their new school.

Just this week, Cia attended a pre-admission interview for Year 7, which she will start in the 2015-16 school year. Unfortunately, her current school – one of Muscat’s best – ends at Year 6, which means another transition for Cia.

But when asked how she felt about moving schools in the interview, she replied: “I’m used to it now as I’ve done it so many times.”

Cue pangs of guilt. But at the same time, I have

to give credit where credit is due. Cia has been the new kid at schools in Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Copenhagen and now Muscat. And I have to say that it takes a brave kid to do this.

She’s already had a “taster” day at this particular senior school and loved it. So I am feeling positive that this could be a good fit for her.

But in the meantime, we are awaiting the formal offer of a place. Keep your fingers crossed!

WE ASKED: “The New York Times has listed Oman as a must-see destination this year. What is your favourite destination, either in Oman or around the world and why?”

AMMY MAAN I have been living in Muscat for the last six years. Oman is full of natural beauty, fantastic

DEBATE OF THE WEEK

landscapes and fascinating historical and cultural heritage. Muscat is as green as green can be and defies being classified as part of a desert country. The city has retained its old-world character, especially in places like the old souk of Muttrah. On the other hand, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a magnificent example of modern Islamic architecture. There are so many other attractions like the Grand Canyon of Oman, Jebel Shams, Wahiba Sands and Masirah Island, while I have no words to explain the beauty and greenery of Salalah and its beaches. Oman is the best country to live in the Middle East, in my opinion; it’s so

calm and clean.

RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE In the beautiful land of Oman, my favourite destinations are Jebel Shams and Nizwa Fort. The breathtaking peak of Jebel Shams is a nice place to relax, go hiking, biking, and camping. Nizwa Fort gives visitors a glimpse into the early history

Dear Editor,

I loved the Thank You poem by Alex Roy in Y last week [Issue 353]. What a great reminder of how special those two simple words can be.

Thank you, Alex. Your poem will be saved and posted on my fridge. Regards,

Kristi Palmer, Muscat

A LITTLE REMINDER

FELICITY GLOVER ON THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF MOVING SCHOOLS

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 4 0 9

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of Oman through the arts, crafts and other memorabilia displayed there. On the other side of the world, my favourite destinations are Mayon Volcano and Misibis Bay in my native country, the Philippines. The majestic Mayon Volcano is considered by many as one of the most perfect cone-shaped volcanoes in the world. It’s a great place for a picnic with family and friends. With its white sand beach, Misibis Bay is good for swimming, relaxation, and self-reflection. It also has an amazing amphitheatre and a mini-zoo.

RAJ SHENOY My dream destination is Disneyland, California. It’s a magical and adventurous kingdom where one can sail with pirates, explore exotic jungles, meet amusing cartoon characters, dive under the ocean and rocket through the stars. As it is rightly said, there is a child inside all of us.

SYED BOKHARI Well, I haven’t been to any other country in the world, but I have heard a lot about Switzerland’s scenic beauty. I have no hesitation in saying that Salalah is the most fascinating and beautiful city in Oman, with its lush green mountains and beaches, plus so many cultural places and islands too. All Omanis should really feel proud of Salalah and all credit goes to His Majesty, who has left no stone unturned in order to bring this country to the forefront on the world’s tourism stage.

ROSARIO LORENZOI liki to visit the stunning Masirah Island in Oman and would love to be chosen by Y Magazine to visit and tell the story of its beauty.

KAMAL GANATRA My favourite destination is the Himalayan Mountains. They are an oxymoronic combination of gentle natural beauty and ferocity, with terrain that is timeless and truly indescribable. The impressive snow-capped and frost-crusted peaks have not only posed a challenge to the physical prowess of adventurers; they have also inspired sublime metaphysical and lyrical poetry.

DEEPIKA GAUR It is needless to say that there can be no better place than Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams to escape the heat of Muscat during summer months. For the next month, a day at Muscat Festival will be an amazing trip. There are so many reasons that I love Oman.

MONIKA KAUSHIK I have been in other GCC countries, but the beauty of the Sultanate is mesmerising. My mother visited Oman and she also felt the same. It has both the mountains and the sea. Muscat is a magnificent city full of life and Salalah is magical and enchanting. I love Oman.

VALERIE GILLETT I spent three three-week holidays in Oman between 1990 and 1992. I stayed at the InterCon Hotel Muscat and they were the best holidays of my life. It is a magical country.

SHERRIN FINOJ Switzerland, because I just want to feel the awesome climate and play in the milky-white snow.

ADEEBA MD HUSSAIN Being a Muslim, my favourite destination is Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is my life’s dream to perform the pilgrimage (Hajj). I have also heard a lot about Salalah and would like to visit there one day, too.

ANNUU SINGH I love Oman because I think it is the cleanest country in the world. The people are very well cultured and connected to their roots. Omani hospitality is simply amazing and you won’t experience anything like it anywhere else in the world. The country has greenery, mountains and beautiful forts, as well as awesome beaches and wadis. Wahiba Sands and Salalah are two places I want to go and enjoy.

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historical figure and ask them one question, who would it be

and why?”

Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 40 1 0

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has been forced into a U-turn regarding its plans to ban expatriates from leaving the country until outstanding traffic

fines have been settled. Just a day after announcing the tough new

rules, the ROP was forced to backtrack and water down measures after apparent complaints from expats and experts in Oman’s immigration department. Now, expats will only be prevented from leaving the country for good if they haven’t paid up. Travelling for holidays and business trips will still be permitted.

According to figures from the ROP, the amount of traffic fines issued increased by 20 per cent between 2012 and 2013, up to 3,889,301, prompting the introduction of regulations as a deterrent to curb violations and reduce traffic accidents.

Expatriates’ resident cards will now be linked to a police computer system, which will alert the immigration staff at airports to any outstanding payments.

To make the process as easy as possible, special counters have been opened at airports for expats to pay their overdue fines.

“The new measures were established after it was found that some expatriates leave the country for good without paying their traffic fines,” a ROP official told a local newspaper.

If you’ve already left the country, the law could still catch you. Unpaid traffic fines remain on file and a returning expatriate will have to cough if they ever return to the Sultanate.

Tourists won’t escape either. If a visitor commits a traffic violation while renting a

vehicle, the fine will be forwarded on to the rental agency, which will in turn charge the customer’s credit card, providing they have the details.

Despite similar travel restrictions already existing is other countries, such as the UAE, the decision to implement the new regulations has received a mixed reaction. Some, including road safety expert Wahid

al Kharusi, argue that heftier fines and public education campaigns would be a more effective measure.

In order to avoid any complications leaving the country, the police reminded that traffic fines can be paid via the ROP website or mobile app, before heading to airport or land borders.

N E W SYOUR OMAN

The Sultanate has agreed to take four former inmates from the Guantanamo Bay prison as US President Barack Obama takes another step towards fulfilling his promise to close the

controversial facility.Al Khadr Abdallah Muhammad al Yafi, Fadel

Hussein Saleh Hentif, Abd al Rahman Abdullah Au Shabati and Mohammed Ahmed Salam, all Yemenis, will be transferred to the Sultanate, while a fifth prisoner, Akhmed Abdul Qadir, will be sent to Estonia.

It is the first time Oman has accepted transferred prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay camp.

OMAN ACCEPTS GUANTANAMO INMATES

IF YOU HAVEN’T PAID YOUR FINES, YOU CAN’T LEAVE OMAN SAY ROP

It follows a meeting between His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Al Said and the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in Germany earlier this month (Jan).

After an American interagency task force conducted a thorough review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, the men were unanimously approved for transfer.

The Pentagon thanked Oman’s Government for its involvement in an official statement.

“The United States is grateful to the Government of Oman for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The United States coordinated with the Government of Oman to ensure these transfers took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.”

The remote prison, located at a US naval base in southeastern Cuba, was set up in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001, but has been condemned by human rights groups as a “legal black hole”, where inmates languish for years without being tried in court.

The latest transfers are the first of 2015 and mean that just 122 inmates remain in the prison that has held 779 since its establishment in January 2002. A total of 28 inmates were moved in 2014.

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 4 0 1 1

WASHED AWAY OMAN! The rain came swiftly and its impact was felt just as fast.Within the space of a few hours, the Sultanate was in

floods as water lashed down.Cars floated down streets running with muddy water,

traffic ground to a halt and rescue services were run ragged trying to cope with a deluge of calls.

Among the emergencies on Monday night were 95 patients who had to be airlifted by police helicopter from a waterlogged Al Nahdha Hospital in Wattayah and eight schoolchildren who had to be rescued through the windows of a stranded bus. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) even had some speedboats on standby at one point, as drivers had to be rescued from their stricken cars trapped in swollen wadis.

Residents also had to be evacuated from their homes as water levels rose at alarming rates, gushing a brown tide across roads.

Temperatures dropped to a chilly 14 degrees Celsius as commuters faced a miserable journey home, battling through hairy driving conditions. There was even reports of snow in Ibri.

From Muscat to Musandam and Sohar to Sur, the rains wreaked havoc. Amerat caught the worst with 34.2mm of rain, while Muscat received 10.4mm.

The morning after saw a sodden Sultanate start the clear up, with streets in places like Hamriya strewn with rubbish and detritus washed through by the waters from the day before. The cost of the damage is expected to run into millions of rials.

Thankfully, the outlook is looking a lot brighter for the country. A cloudy end to the week should be blown away on Friday (23) as the sun returns, with temperatures picking up to 25 degrees Celsius by Monday.

N E W S

It might look like an ordinary house, but in fact the building pictured right has got some serious green credentials.

Designed by the Higher College of Technology (HCT) it was this week revealed to be the winner of Oman’s first-ever National Eco-

House Competition, organised by The Research Council (TRC).With the change in climate conditions globally, countries across the

world are increasing their focus on building eco-friendly, sustainable houses for the future. The competition, which was open to all higher education institutions, was a major project and shows Oman’s commitment to launching initiatives in this field.

Eco-houses are designed and constructed in a way that helps reduce energy consumption and waste. Studies have proven that the construction industry is responsible for as much as 40 per cent of man-made carbon emissions and eco-houses are in high demand across the globe due to their unique designs and sustainable living atmosphere.

After rigorous scientific evaluation, HCT won the overall award for the best eco-house, followed by the German University of Technology (design pictured below left) and Nizwa University (below right). The team from HCT also took home awards for the Best Project in Engineering Design and Best Project in Sustainable Design. Dhofar University and Sultan Qaboos University were the two other institutions

Goes GreenOman’s Housing

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 40 1 2

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

who also took part in the competition.HCT’s GreenNest eco-house is environmentally friendly and boasts both

energy efficiency and sustainability. It is also constructed in line with Oman’s architecture and has been designed in order to maximise natural use of light, shade and prevailing wind.

After presenting awards to the winners at a special ceremony, HH Sayyid Shihab Bin Tariq Al Said, adviser to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and chairman of TRC, announced that the houses will now be purchased by the Ministry of Housing and Municipalities and developed further before being marketed to the public.

At the ceremony, HH Sayyid Shihab also said he was in favour of a mentorship programme for young Omani architects, enabling them to learn from international institutions and senior architects. This would help create a pool of talented young Omani architects to help design Oman’s future.

MERS Resurfaces The deadly MERS Coronavirus has reared its head once more, claiming the life of one Oman-based victim, while another remains in isolation in hospital.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will now conduct contact tracing to discover the source of the virus according to a news bulletin the world body released earlier this week.

The first case was that of a 32-year-old farmer from the Ad Dhakhiliyah region, who frequently came in contact with sheep, goats and camels. The man was admitted to a hospital on January 5, almost a week after he developed symptoms of the disease. He passed away after being admitted to the intensive care unit on January 7.

A day later, a 31-year-old from the same region, who is said to have been a household contact of the deceased, also contracted symptoms of the disease, despite having no direct contact with camels. She was admitted to hospital on January 9 and is currently in a stable condition in isolation.

“Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for acute respiratory infections and to carefully review any unusual patterns,” the WHO said in a statement.

The first confirmed case of MERS was reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and a second case was found in Qatar later the same year in. In total, 950 laboratory confirmed cases from across the world have been reported to the WHO, of which 350 have been fatal.

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 4 0 1 3

LET Y ENTERTAIN YOU

N E W S

The Entertainer was the brainchild of Donna Benton

and since launching in Dubai in 2001, the company has gone on to become the leading provider of buy one get one free incentives across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

With offers from 150 merchant partners across the Sultanate, covering everything from fine dining and hotel accommodation to beauty, sports and leisure, the Entertainer, which is available in book or mobile app format, certainly is one product you won’t want to be without.

If the idea of never paying full price again appeals to you, then

you’re in luck. Y has five Entertainer Oman apps, worth RO20 each, to give away to lucky readers and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer this simple question: which country is Donna Benton originally from? (Hint: Donna had coffee with Deeba this week). Email your answers to editor@y-oman.com before January 26 and make sure to include your contact details.

CO

MP

ET

ITIO

N

ARE YOU ALREADY A WINNER?

We had five signed copies of the debt novel penned by Oman-based British author Penny Destro.

Her book, Year of the Decree Absolute, tells the story of a reluctant female divorcee who has to come to terms with her new status. Told in journal style, it’s a riveting read.

Penny, who has lived in Oman for the past 10 years, had already released a compilation of short stories and rhymes in 2012 for a cancer charity.To win a copy of her novel we asked readers to

tell us in 150 words or less what they’re favourite book was and why.

The winners are:

Mohammed Rayan – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark TwainNabiha Juma al Ghadani – The Help by Kathryn StockettIrwin Serso Rio – The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch AlbomSunil D’Cruz Saligao – Focus on a picturesque Goan Village co-authored by their late father, Alfred D’CruzJoseph Emenyeonu – Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Congratulations to all of you! We’ll be in touch soon about collecting your prize.

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 40 1 4

G A L L E R YYOUR OMAN O M A N O N S H O W

THE MUSCAT FESTIVAL IS IN FULL SWING WITH ACTIVITIES, DISPLAYS AND INTERACTIVE EXHIBITIONS ALL ON OFFER AT BOTH NASEEM PARK AND AMERAT PARK. AS WELL AS OTHER VENUES. THE FESTIVITIES WILL RUN UNTIL FEBRUARY 14

Photos: Shaquel al Balushi

STONEHEARST

ASYLUM

Based on a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, this thriller tells the story of Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess), a recent medical school graduate who takes up an apprenticeship at the titular establishment, only to find that those who have welcomed him so warmly are not, in fact, who they appear to be.

Bollywatch

The Wedding Ringer

Jimmy Callahan (Kevin Hart) provides a service for grooms-to-be who find themselves lacking in options for a best man. Doug (Josh Gad) is a customer in need of the full service, or a “golden tux” as it’s known. Callahan goes about his duty of assembling an entire team

REC3: Genesis

MOVIES MOVIESof groomsmen with thrills and spills along the way including a disastrous first meeting with the bride’s suspicious father. Light-hearted and fun, you’re guaranteed to walk out of this bro-mantic comedy with a smile on your face.

American Sniper

Clint Eastwood helms this biopic, based on the autobiography of Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL sniper. Bradley Cooper, who has been nominated for an Oscar, stars as Kyle and provides a fascinating insight into the life of a man who served on four tours of Iraq and was highly decorated for his work. Stark realism wins over a mindless celebration of heroism and American Sniper shows an Eastwood who is back to his gritty best.

DOLLY KI DOLI A quirky romantic comedy that sees Sonam Kapoor play Dolly, a conwoman who fakes marriages before running off with the groom’s money. Pulkit Samrat plays the officer responsible for tracking down the runaway bride and her team of tricksters in order to bring them to justice.

Spanish horror REC3 documents the wedding of Clara (Leticia Dolera) and Koldo (Diego Martín), which takes a turn for the worst when one of the guests suffering from a strange illness vomits blood and begins to get bitey with his fellow revellers. What shouldʼve been the happiest day of their lives soon turns into a fight for survival when the newlywed couple becomes separated.REC and REC2 were absolutely terrifying. Fusing the claustrophobic hand-held camera format with the zombie genre made for frights galore, with the demonic, religious overtones only serving to disturb viewers further.

Unfortunately, the third installment in the series forgets its roots, ditching the hand-held shots 20 minutes in, as the film degenerates into something close to a parody of itself. Perhaps this is the result of director Paco Plaza going it alone, without the help of Jaume Balagueró, who co-wrote and co-directed the first two films. Still, for fans of zombies, guts and gore, you can certainly do worse than watch Leticia Dolera do her thing with a chainsaw while wearing a torn and blood-smeared wedding dress.

Review by Matt Blackwell

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TWO IN TUNE

T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

THIS WEEKJ A N U A R Y

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

Get down to the Park Inn by Radisson to hear the dulcet tones of the Malagasy Duo, also known as Thierry and Sandra. The pair will be performing at Sama Terrazza rooftop lounge from Saturday to Friday, 8.30-11.30pm (except Thurs), entertaining audiences with their extensive repertoire of well-known songs in multiple languages. Expect anything from jazz to current hits and old classics to pop. Sama Terrazza is open from 6pm-1am. For details, contact the hotel on 2450 7888 or email info.muscat@rezidorparkinn.com

29Jan

G’D

ay Australia

It’s time for an Antipodean party to celebrate Australia Day in style. Meet up with a fair dinkum group of Aussies in the John Barry Bar at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel from 7pm-9pm. Tickets are RO15 and include an open bar and a selection of food. For reservations and enquiries, email muscat.dining@hyatt.com or call 2464 1234.

Join a cast of merry characters on stage for a production of Giuseppe Verdi’s last work for the theatre, Falstaff. Adapted from Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, this comedy recounts the tale of “The Fat Knight” and his efforts to find romance. There are jealous husbands, moonlit forests and double-crossing accomplices, all served up with the idealism of young love. Brought to the Royal Opera House Muscat by Accademia Teatro alla Scala, the highly-rated young artist programme of the world-famous La Scala, Milan. The show starts at 7pm on both nights. Tickets from RO10. To book and find out more, go to www.rohmuscat.org.om

24Jan

26Jan

Give your brain a workout and raise money for charity with this quiz night at the Dolphin Centre Pool Deck. Tickets are RO10 and include dinner, with all proceeds going to the Dar Al Atta’a’s Let’s Read mobile library bus (Maktabati) to cover annual running costs. Team registration is at 7pm, with the quiz starting at 7.30pm. For tickets, contact Sonia Carr at soniacarr44@gmail.com or call +968 9924 2078. You can also pick up tickets at the Let’s Read Book Shop in the Al Qurum Complex (CCC shop 116; upstairs) from 10am-1pm and from 5pm-7pm Saturday to Thursday and from 5pm-7pm on Friday.

BE SMART

30JAN

Verdi G

ood30

+

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Irish R

oseThe hunt is on to find the next Irish beauty to represent Oman in the annual Rose of Tralee festival – a competition to find the ultimate Irish woman, judged on beauty and talent. The Sultanate’s Rose will travel back to Ireland in May for the regional round and, with luck, will go on to appear in the main event in August.To enter as Oman’s Rose, you must be 18-27 years old, be living in Oman for at least one year and have credible Irish descendancy. You must also be unmarried or never have been married. Oman’s Rose Selection event will be held on February 27. Whoever is crowned the Rose of Tralee overall can look forward to prizes that include jewellery, world travel and the use of a Kia Soul car for year. If you fulfill the criteria and look as sweet as a rose, apply for the Rose of Oman contest by emailing irishinoman@gmail.com or phone Martina Stevens on +968 9944 5201.

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READ THISIt’s No.1 on the Amazon hot new book releases and with good reason. The Girl On The Train is garnering rave reviews and already drawing comparisons with the bestseller Gone Girl (which was turned into a recent Hollywood movie). Paula Hawkins’ story weaves together three overlapping lives in a page-turning thriller that grips you from the first sentence. Check it out and order on www.amazon.com

* In last week’s issue we incorrectly stated that the date of the Burns Night by The Caledonian Society of Oman was Feb 2. It is in fact on Thurs, Feb 5 at the British Ambassador’s residence in Bandar Al Rowdha. For details, email caledoniansocietyofoman@gmail.com or call Susan on +968 9605 6904

REGISTER NOW

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Picture the scene. As a queue forms at a till, the sales assistant barely glances at the people she serves, going through the motions like an automaton and a bored one at that.

Meanwhile, one of the customers continues talking on his mobile while being served, throwing his credit card on the counter when asked for payment, causing the lady behind with an overflowing basket to tut in impatience before trying to push in.

The chances are that most of us have encountered a similar scenario at some point while out shopping in Muscat and around Oman. Many would say it’s a regular occurrence.

Now imagine the same scene again. But things are different this time.

The assistant makes eye contact with the man on the phone and smiles. He smiles back. Now they have connected and what was purely a business transaction has become more about two human beings meeting.

Instead of being on his phone throughout, the customer ends his call and engages with the person serving him, making small talk. The credit card is handed over rather than thrown onto the counter to the faceless person behind it.

The customer notices the assistant’s nametag – he’s actually looking at her this

time – so thanks her personally, and is rewarded with a smile.

Wouldn’t it be great if every shopping experience could be like this?

This is precisely what those working towards improving customer care in the Sultanate want to see. The general consensus is that we’re underperforming drastically in that area. There have been similar pushes before, but this time, the focus is on the customer as much as those doing the serving. There are, after all, two people involved.

As Rob MacLean, principal of the National Hospitality Institute (NHI) in Oman says: “Customers need to realise they have a part to play too. Good customer service comes from forming relationships with the people you interact with from both sides.”

The NHI is no stranger to the war on bad customer service. In 2012, it launched “Smiles of Oman”, a first of its kind training programme to improve customer service skills in sectors such as banks, retail, telecommunications and hotels.

The idea is to instill a sense of pride in achieving good customer care and fostering a cultural change in both the servers and those served.

“Oman is a fast-developing nation, with an expanding service sector and an increasing number of visitors. It’s high time we

upgrade and develop the skills of the service personnel,” says MacLean.

It’s certainly an area that Oman needs to polish up if it wants to fulfill lofty ambitions of becoming a major player on the tourism stage and the go-to destination for visitors to the Gulf.

There’s also a lot at stake for retail companies. A recent report by The Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) estimated that the retail market in the GCC will reach $221 billion (RO85 billion) in 2015, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the region.

In 2011, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry put the value of the Sultanate’s retail sector at RO5 billion.

With more shopping malls set to open and retail developments in the pipeline introducing more competition, companies would be well advised to invest wisely in training their staff in the highest levels of customer care.

“The service sector plays a crucial role in promoting tourism. We have to provide visitors the best service possible. If we disappoint them, we have to pay a heavy price,” says MacLean.

MacLean and his team at the NHI, a provider of hospitality and travel training in the Sultanate, are trying something a little different in a new initiative, Good Service

Customer care in Oman is under the spotlight again, but this time both those behind and in front of the counter are

under scrutiny. Kate Ginn and Deeba

Hasan reportS

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WIT

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Bonus Cards, which is part of the “Smiles of Oman” (SOO) campaign.The cards are handed out to anyone who shows good customer service in a bid

to encourage and reward those who go the extra mile.“We introduced Good Service Bonus Cards to encourage those shining stars

who deliver great customer care,” says MacLean. “We all talk about customer care and complain about it, but we wanted to do something positive.

“We’ve had a great reaction from those who have been given the cards. Hopefully it makes them realise that good service is recognised and that they are valued.”

Anyone given a card gets a small reward – currently phone credit.The NHI has formed a team, known as Friends of NHI, to find those who

deliver good service and hand out cards.“We give 10 cards each to the group members,” says MacLean. “Whenever

they receive good service, they can reward the person with one of the cards. The recipients will then contact NHI to collect their rewards and we hope the recognition will encourage the staff to perform better.”

One of these Friends of NHI is Maggie Jeans, coordinator of the British Business Forum in Oman and owner of a Muscat-based company.

“My first Good Service Bonus Card went to Talal al Alawi, a young Omani tour guide,” she says. “He had done an outstanding job of looking after some friends revisiting Oman after many years.”

However, educating the person behind the counter, serving or on the phone is only half the battle.

Customers also need to learn how to change. We’ve all seen someone behaving unreasonably towards an assistant who is trying to do their best. Cases of customers being rude or simply ignoring the staff serving them are equally common.

“I’ve had people not look at me once the whole time I serve them, as if I don’t exist,” one assistant in a coffee shop reveals.

“Many are also not nice to us. They are rude or aggressive and get angry if we make a small mistake.

“Some won’t even hand the money to you, they throw it onto the counter for us to pick up. It makes you feel invisible and not worth much.

“There are some customers who are really nice to you. They smile and talk. It makes me feel happy and I like my job when they do that.”

So what does make customers – and servers – adopt the attitudes that they do? Roma Fernandes, a clinical psychologist at Whispers of Serenity Clinic, says

people can take on the roles they perceive they should play, whether it’s the server or one being served.

“I think individual personalities do have a role to play, especially when it comes to being a customer,” she says. “If the client is angry, it is the customer care agent who needs to handle the situation. They are trained for that.

“For this kind of job it is necessary to keep personal issues aside and serve the customers, which is obviously hard, but a demand of the job.

“The agents are normally expected to be polite and humble and if they think they can’t do that, they should probably not take up a job in customer service.”

On the other side, customers can be equally to blame. “Sometimes customers can get a bit loud and offensive, which of course is not

appropriate. We can forget that the person serving us is human too and should be treated the same way we would want someone to treat us. Just because we are paying customers doesn’t give us a right to be inhuman,” says Fernandes.

“Not everyone gets abusive and angry. Someone who is an introvert may not say a word, even if they are being served rudely. But then there are other people who have a superiority complex. These are the people who are normally loud and abusive with customer care agents because they think they are paying and it is their right to do what they like.”

Clearly, it’s a two-way process. Customers need to rethink their attitude as much as the servers do. All it takes is a small change. As Rob MacLean says: “Great customer care starts with a smile.”

And this applies to those on both sides of the counter.

REWARD THE GOOD ONESDo you know a shining star of retail or customer service who deserves some recognition? Is there someone who has gone out of their way to help you as a customer? Now is your chance to reward them.

Y has 10 Good Service Bonus Cards and we’re on the hunt for people who merit receiving one.Simply email us outlining the person you’d like to award a card to and why (what was good about their customer service) to editor@y-oman.com. Don’t forget to include your contact details.

There’s only one way to really discover how good (or bad) customer service is in Oman and that’s to get out there on the ground

and check it out.Y did its own research with a spot of mystery shopping. We visited a selection of different stores and outlets in and around Muscat to experience first-hand how customers are treated – and how they treat the people serving them. This is, after all, a two-way process.We maintained anonymity – not revealing whom we actually were ensured a true reflection of the service offered. As far as the assistants were concerned, Y’s secret shoppers were just another customer.To keep it fair, we missed out places like McDonalds and Costa Coffee, which have scrupulous standardised training schemes and strict corporate guidelines for customer service, and other similar chains.Each store was rated out of 10 and some are given gold stars for excellence. Read on to find out how your favourite store got on.

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SECRET SHOPPING

CITY CENTRE QURUMA jewellery and accessory chain popular with teenage girls and younger ones. When we went on a weekend, a cheerful sales girl came up and asked if there was anything she could help with. She not only guided us, but also looked for a specific item. She even helped sort out a pre-paid card, which didn’t seem to be working. Impressive.

Claire’s 9/10

QURUM COMERCIAL COMPLEXThis international coffee chain can be a bit hit and miss with customer service but they were on top form this time. A nice greeting from the barista and took time to give suggestions on what coffee to have. When complimented on fast service, barista said they were the fastest in town. Also created beautiful foam art on top of latte when asked. Nice touch. Thumbs up for this one.

Second Cup 9/10

INTERNET WOES Y’s managing editor Felicity Glover has an interesting experience with Omantel trying to get her internet fixed

Customer service can be a bit of a hit and miss affair in Oman. But the same can also be said of pretty much anywhere else in the world.

Over the years, I’ve experienced all kinds of customer service – from good to mediocre to bad.

But I have to say that customer service is a funny thing. You can come across disinterested, rude sales assistants but also find another who may go that extra mile to help you.

Then again, we are all human and have our good and bad days, even frontline sales staff and call-centre employees.

But in a world in which social media has taken hold, consumers have more power today than ever before when it comes to getting their complaints heard about shoddy service or bad treatment.

I can’t think of many companies that want to see complaints littered over the likes of Twitter and Facebook about their customer service. It’s bad for brand loyalty and reputation – especially if it goes viral.

I have used this strategy on a few occasions and have to say that it can work a treat. I haven’t tried it for retail stores, but have called out the likes of Omantel and HSBC in London.

Just this week, I had to contact Omantel because my internet stopped working. I tried the usual turn off the power/turn on the power trick, but to no avail. So I visited Omantel in The Wave, Muscat on Saturday afternoon to report the problem. I was assured that an email had been sent requesting a technician.

By Monday, I still had no internet and no contact from a technician. So I called their 1234 customer care number. Surprisingly, I got through pretty quickly. But it all went downhill from there.

The upshot? After determining that I had a certain type of modem, I was informed by a disinterested woman that no technician would be sent out to fix the problem and I’d have to reconfigure it myself – the modem that is. Perhaps that’s how you save money these days.

There was a promise to send a text that would take me through the procedure (which never came, of course), but I couldn’t help thinking that I was being fobbed off because they couldn’t be bothered to help, despite the fact they worked in “customer care”.

So off to Twitter I headed:

Shortly after, we were in business:

And then my mobile phone rang – it was Omantel asking me how they could help. By Monday afternoon, I’d had three calls from Omantel, but because I was at work, they promised to call me at home in the evening to fix the problem remotely.

Did they call? Yes, I am happy to report that they did – and Talal, who had been assigned my case, pulled out all the stops to fix the problem and I am back online.

This was a great example of good customer service. It’s just a shame that Omantel’s customer care department isn’t as on the ball as its social media team.

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SEEBFirst class service all the way. Assistant turned up as we struggled to put furniture items on trolley and was faultless. Got a second trolley, packed the items and guarded them as we did some food shopping. Helped through the till and took both trolleys to car and packed everything away in the boot. Refused to take a tip saying it was just his job. Wonderful.

LuLu 9.5/10

CITY CENTRE QURUMThis international clothing store has a reputation for clothes at very affordable prices. No sign of a sales assistant. When one was found, there was no smile or greeting in return. He seemed bored and disinterested. Asked about jeggings in a specific colour, and was taken to a female assistant, who first said they didn’t stock them, but later pointed out skinny jeans in darker shades. She smiled all the time and appeared quite nice. Helpful enough.

H&M 7/10SAROOJQuick service but not much of a response to our greeting. No attempt at conversation. Did clean front and back windscreen when asked. Didn’t respond with a “thank you” on being given a tip. We’ll put it down to shyness rather than rudeness.

Shell Petrol Station 7/10

CITY CENTRE QURUMA popular supermarket in Oman and the region, but service doesn’t always match the quality of products. Sales assistant hardly smiled when greeted and asked about some fruit yoghurt. Took us to look for it – but to wrong aisle at first. Not bad but nothing special.

Carrefour Hypermarket 7/10

CITY CENTRE MUSCATSomething of a revelation and even better for being unexpected. Male assistant was superb, taking us to find trainers and offering to help further with whatever we needed. Smiled and made constant eye contact. The female Omani cashier was equally lovely, engaged in conversation in our basic Arabic, and waved as we left. This is how it should be done.

MAX Fashions 9.5/10

AL SAROOJ PLAZAAl Fair is a favourite of expats, but their customer service didn’t impress us greatly. We wanted pound cakes but the assistant took us to the cream cake section. No smile or proper greeting. Another assistant from the bakery section was much more helpful. Cashier replied to greeting but made no attempt at eye contact or smile. Poor.

Al Fair 6.5/10

MAWALEH, NEAR THE WAVEVery friendly attendant, who smiled and responded to greeting. Cleaned front and back windscreen without being asked. Very gracious when given a tip. Good, professional service with a smile.

Al Maha Petrol Station 8/10

MUSCAT GRAND MALLIt was the first ever Sharaf DG store in Oman – and the largest electronic store in the Sultanate – when opened for business in October 2012. Pride themselves on knowledgeable and friendly staff providing exemplary service. They certainly know their stuff. Excellent help with choosing wireless speakers – though the assistants are prone to pushing the higher priced products. Staff also have a tendency to follow you around the store, which can be uncomfortable. Sometimes less is more.

Sharaf DG 7.5/10

SEEBBanks are often the brunt of many complaints about poor customer service, mostly justified it has to be said. Long queues and a ticket number system that make no sense to anyone, least of all the bank staff. Constant pushing in by people not prepared to wait is annoying. Took almost 30 minutes to be seen. When we were, the cashier was fast, efficient and very friendly. Good effort but work to be done.

Bank Muscat 7/10

City Centre MuscatOften held up as an example of the best in customer service, this communications provider needs to constantly up its game to meet expectations. We had no complaints after a trip to a mall outlet. Greeted with a smile and our question about prices for pre-paid internet was answered swiftly and with excellent manner. Thankfully, a name change hasn’t meant a drop in standards.

Ooredoo 8/10

T he sea turtle is an iconic part of Oman’s natural heritage. The fact that four out of the world’s seven species of endangered sea turtles

can be seen in Omani waters is a major boost to the country’s growing tourism industry.

The green turtle, loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle and olive ridley turtle are all visible in waters around the country, although you’d be extremely lucky if you spotted a leatherback, the largest of all turtles, which has been seen in offshore waters feeding on jellyfish on occasion. To get a sense of their size, you can head down to the Natural History Museum in Al Khuwair where two leatherback skulls from dead specimens that washed up on local

beaches are exhibited for the public to see. A key part of any visitor’s tour of the

Sultanate is a night out under the twinkling stars watching turtles lay their eggs in the soft sands near Ras al Hadd. Not many people are aware that Oman is actually home to three of the most important turtle nesting sites in the world. Ras al Hadd and Ras al Jinz provide nesting beaches for up to 20,000 green turtles each year and both sites have made it onto UNESCO’s Tentative List, which means they could be nominated for World Heritage Site status in the near future. Masirah Island is home to a staggering 40 per cent of the earth’s total nesting loggerhead turtle population, while the Damaniyat Islands are a globally important

nesting site for hawksbill turtles. Fans of the Disney Pixar movie Finding Nemo can get a glimpse of Crush and Squirt’s cousins all along Oman’s coastline, but particularly on Masirah Island, the Damaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, or on a snorkelling trip to somewhere like Bandar Khiran, as featured in last week’s issue of Y (#353).

Sadly, turtles are often victims of two aspects of our everyday life. Danger number one is the fishing industry. At the end of 2013, Y reported about the illegal harvesting of turtle meat, but there are also more seemingly innocuous risks. Simply getting tangled up in fishing nets or being hit by a boat’s propeller blade can result in serious injury or death for a turtle. Not something

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LESS PLASTIC,

Y looks at a new campaign launched to help preserve the endangered sea turtles that call Oman’s waters home

MORE TURTLES

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anyone wants to see happen, but when a turtle does suffer injury, what can be done? Thankfully for Oman’s turtle population, which is protected under law, various methods are being designed and tested to help decrease the threat of accidental catching, such as LED lights to illuminate nets so that turtles can see and avoid swimming into them, as well as acoustic pingers that emit sound waves turtles are sensitive to, which ultimately would deter turtles away from nets.

Danger number two is the ubiquitous plastic bag. Marine debris, especially plastic rubbish that takes hundreds of years to degrade, is a massive global problem, but the plastic bag is a particular problem for turtles. A turtle’s diet consists largely of sponges, various seaweeds, seagrasses and crustaceans (crabs and shrimps). Jellyfish are also a real delicacy for our leathery-skinned friends and, sadly, a plastic bag floating in the water can be almost indistinguishable for turtles. If swallowed, a plastic bag can block the turtle’s digestive tract, causing them to slowly starve to death. Given the durability of plastic bags, they could then go on to kill again once the body of the turtle has decomposed.

Turtles are already protected by law in the Sultanate, but Chris Howitz, who has been a Muscat resident for three years and campaigns for environment awareness, has taken matters into his own hands, producing a range of T-shirts to raise awareness of the issue.

Sporting a sick-looking turtle, the “reduce, reuse, recycle” logo, and the words “Less Plastic – More

Turtles” in Arabic, this T-shirt aims to get people thinking about cutting down on their plastic bag usage and potentially sparing many turtles from a cruel death. In addition to this, all the profits from the sale of the T-shirts will go to help setting up a turtle rehabilitation sanctuary. Muscat-based marine biologist Elayne Looker is hoping to start such a centre, in collaboration with the relevant government ministries, in order to rehabilitate injured and sick turtles that have been discovered by fishermen and others. Chris hopes that his T-shirts will have the double benefit of providing funding for the new centre, while also encouraging people to be more aware of the effects plastic waste has on the beautiful flora and fauna of Oman.

Show your support:The T-shirts cost RO10 each and come in a choice of two colours, either green on black (pictured) or white on dark blue. Sizes available are medium and large. For more information and to order, email lessplasticmoreturtles@hotmail.com

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 40 24

You’ve been promising yourself to change bad habits and adopt healthier ways for some time, but

have never quite got round to it.Getting motivated enough to start

exercising and following a better lifestyle is often easier said than done. It takes time,

commitment and the will to change.You’ll need all these and more to take part in

our first of its kind weight loss competition “The Weight Is Over”, but we’ll be giving you an incentive

to stick to your resolutions this time.Y Magazine has teamed up with Geely Oman, VLCC

Wellness Oman and Balance Health & Fitness to give you a host of reasons to go for it – how does RO500 cash and RO2,200 worth of

prizes, including gym membership and health treatments, sound?All you have to do is pledge to trim down for a month. Whoever has

lost the most weight during that time (based on a percentage of weight loss), in both male and female categories, will be crowned the winner,

claiming RO500 in cash each.There are also prizes for second and third place, plus a special

consolation prize, so everyone has a chance to win.“The Weight Is Over” will begin on February 5 and run until March 5.

The hunt is now on to find competitors up for the challenge. It’s simple – shed the kilograms and win the rials.

Felicity Glover, Y Magazine’s managing editor, says: “This is not just about winning prizes. It’s about building self-confidence and

boosting your self-esteem, not to mention improving your health.“We all know that Oman has a very high incidence of diabetes, heart

disease and obesity, and many of these problems are caused by being overweight or living a sedentary lifestyle.

“Making a commitment to lose weight is the best thing that you can do this year, not only for your health, but also for your family and friends. This is the first step to a new you and a whole new lifestyle.”

“The Weight Is Over” is presented by Geely GC7, the new compact sedan and, together with our Slimming Partner, VLCC Wellness, and our Fitness Partner, Balance Health & Fitness, Y Magazine will be with you every step of the way.

There’s never been a better time than now to make a firm vow to finally make some changes in your life.

Only this week, an expert in obesity and diabetes warned that Gulf countries have recorded some of the highest numbers of obese residents compared with the rest of the world.

Diet, lifestyle and genetic factors were blamed by Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, founder of the Centre for Obesity and Diabetes Surgery in Mumbai.

“The number of obese people with side-effects like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea (shallow or infrequent breathing while asleep), gout and infertility, to name a few, is growing at an alarming rate worldwide,” says Dr Lakdawala.

He recommends a controlled diet and exercise for those who are overweight or in the early stages of obesity. Prevention is the best cure in his opinion.

Every year, 7,000 people in Oman are diagnosed as diabetic and a further 33 per cent are pre-diabetic.

“The Weight Is Over” could be your chance to make sure you don’t end up as one of these statistics.

Start the new year with a new you and grab RO500 cash and a share of

RO2,200 worth of prizes in our slim to win competition

If you are aged 18 or over and believe that you have got what it takes be a contestant with “The Weight Is Over”, the registration process couldn’t be easier.Simply pick up a registration form at these locations:

● Geely showrooms located in Wattayah, Azaiba and Barka.www.geelyoman.com

/GeelyEmgrandOman@GeelyOman on Twitter

● VLCC branches in Al Mawaleh and Shatti Al Qurumwww.vlccwellness.com/Oman

● Balance Health & Fitness at Al Qurum Complex, Muscat www.balanceoman.com

● Y Magazine’s office at SABCO Media in Seeb, Muscat

Complete the form and post it in the drop box on site or:

Complete an online registration form on our website www.y-oman.com/register

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 competition.

“The Weight Is Over” will feature two categories, male and female. Main prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place. The judges’ decision is final.

There will be three official weigh-ins: before February 5, midway through the contest and a final one after March 5.

Contestants must be free to attend the Grand Reveal, when the winners will be announced, on Saturday, March 14 in Muscat.

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WANT TO TAKE PART?PRIZES UP FOR GRABSFIRST PRIZE MEN AND WOMEN:RO500 cash each and a Balance Health & Fitness health club single membership for one year worth RO399 each

SECOND PRIZE MEN AND WOMEN:RO350 worth of VLCC treatments each

THIRD PRIZE MEN AND WOMEN:RO200 worth of VLCC treatments each

VLCC SPECIAL AWARD (FOR MEN AND WOMEN):RO150 worth of VLCC treatments each

* Geely Oman, which is part of the Towell Auto Centre (TAC), has put up the RO500 cash prize for the men’s category, while Y Magazine has matched this for the women’s competition.

NEED SOME HELP?

One of VLCC’s international experts has a few

ideas for you to keep on the right track when

losing weight and beginning a healthier lifestyle

DIETARY TIPS FOR WEIGHT LOSS:

● Avoid oversized food portions

● Make half your plate fruits and vegetables

● Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk

● Make half your grains whole grains

● Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added

sugars, and salt

● Drink water instead of sugary drinks

● Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues before,

during and after meal

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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

ALL IN A PICKLEPickled or marinated herring is a popular

choice in Scandinavian households and has been

a staple of the region’s cuisine since medieval

times.

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Forget the Mediterranean diet – it seems that eating like a Viking is in vogue thanks to the clean, healthy food that most of Scandinavia embraces.

Of course, the Nordic diet, which is based on seasonal and fresh ingredients, has been about for a while. A long while, in fact, thanks to the Vikings first launching their longships in about AD700 to begin raiding and trading around Europe.

Fast-forward to 2015 and you will find that the Nordic diet is taking the world by storm. And no, we are not talking about the meatballs and Wasa crackers you can buy in the IKEA food shop.

While the concept of the Nordic diet has been around for many centuries, it wasn’t until 2004 that a bunch of Danish chefs and nutritionists got together to give it a 21st-century spin.

Basically, the Nordic diet is all about foraging and eating seasonal, rustic and simple foods. And we can thank the Michelin-starred Copenhagen-based Noma, currently the world’s best restaurant, for finally putting it on the map.

The Nordic Diet is based on 10 principals, or guidelines:

1. More fruit and vegetables every day

2. More whole grains

3. More food from the seas and lakes

4. Higher-quality meat, but less of it

5. More food from wild landscapes

6. Organic produce whenever possible

7. Avoid food additives

8. More meals based on seasonal produce

9. More home-cooked food

10. Less waste

Having lived in Copenhagen for a while, I have to say that even the supermarkets appear to have embraced the Nordic diet guidelines. It didn’t take me long to figure out that there would be no shortcuts when it came to making the evening meal – or any meal for that matter. There was very little or no processed foods on the shelves, while there was not a pre-prepared meal in sight.

Yep, it was all about making meals from scratch – not a fun prospect when you are running a busy household and working full time.

But back to the Nordic diet. Fish (salmon, shrimp, crayfish and the like) is an essential ingredient of the diet, as is meat (reindeer anyone?) – but it has to be free-range, caught in the wild or organic. Fruit and vegetables are another important component – think root vegetables, such as potatoes, which is a staple of the Scandinavian diet.

Recent studies have found that the Nordic diet promotes better

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

Ingredients:§ 4 salmon slices, approximately 900g§ ½ cup sour cream§ 1-2 tbsp apple vinegar (to taste)§ 4 tbsp salmon roe§ 4 tsp pink peppercorns§ Salt§ 1 bunch lemon verbena (or lemon thyme)

Method§ Light the grill, or preheat the broiler in the oven. § Mix the vinegar and sour

cream in a small bowl. Stir well. Sprinkle the salmon with salt. Place each slice of salmon on top of a small handful of lemon verbena on the grill. The herbs will be charred beyond recognition, but will give off a nice, lemony flavour.§ Grill for three to four minutes on each side until light golden brown and crispy. Remove the charred herb and serve with sour cream sauce. § Garnish with pink peppercorns, salmon roe and a sprig of fresh lemon verbena.

NORDIC NOURISHMENTThe newest diet trend is actually one of the oldest in the book. Felicity Glover tells you everything you need to know about the Nordic diet

Grilled salmon with salmon roe, lemon verbena and pink peppercorns

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health, such as reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure and weight loss.Claus Meyer, who founded Noma restaurant in 2003 with René Redzepi, is a

huge proponent of the Nordic diet, in particular for its health benefits.“For people struggling to reduce their food intake to lose some extra pounds,

the good news is that the New Nordic Diet is not a ‘diet’ in the conventional sense, but rather a meal system centred around a combination of good taste, sustainability and local ingredients,” Meyer says on his website.

So what are we waiting for? As they say in Danish: “Nyde din sunde måltid”, or enjoy your healthy meal.

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I’ve been ruined. Thanks to Muscat’s latest dining sensation Semsom, I can never again eat mediocre Lebanese food.

It means that every time I have a hankering for it, I will now have to head down to Muscat Grand Mall and hope there’s a free table.

Officially opened just a couple of weeks ago, Semsom, which brands itself as Lebanese cuisine with a twist, is a serious wake-up call to the traditional greasy spoon outlets that dominate the city and think that stuffing a shawarma with French fries and serving up hummus swimming in a sea of oil is nothing short of great food (believe me, it’s not).

Okay, so perhaps I’m being a little harsh, but seriously, Semsom has set the bar high and is a revelation in concept, style, design and taste.

Founded in Lebanon in 2008 by Christine Sfeir, who was last year ranked at 19 on Forbes’ list of the 200 most powerful businesswomen in the Arab world, it has grown to include outlets in Saudi and Kuwait, while there are plans to expand to New York later this year.

But back to Semsom in Muscat. On a recent Friday afternoon, we were planning a late lunch before heading to the cinema and thought the crowds, if any, would have dissipated by 2pm. How wrong we were. When we arrived, there was a small group of people milling around outside the entrance, all waiting for a table.

But thanks to the kind manager and our dining companion, Kate (who arrived before us and had already requested a table), we were seated relatively quickly.

The dining space has been divided into three areas, all decked out with modern, colourful chairs and wooden tables.

The place was packed and abuzz with happy, excited diners. And, once our food started to arrive, it was easy to understand why.

Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable and happily made some excellent recommendations. He also explained the “twist”, saying Semsom

takes traditional Lebanese recipes and adds another level of flavour to them.

This was evident in the starters, such as the hummus with mint, or other choices such as olives and sesame, and sumac (which gives it a vivid purple colour) and zaatar. Good old plain hummus is available, too.

We plumped for the mint version – a delightfully fresh, moreish pale green combination that woke up the taste buds thanks to its minty zing. It went perfectly with the tabbouleh feta (a cross between a Greek salad and the traditional tabbouleh, but without the bulgur wheat) and the fresh, soft, puffy bread straight from the oven.

Literally, it was a match made in heaven.We continued with the appetisers, next trying

the fish kebbe, grilled halloumi and the ras asfour with apple. The fish kebbe was light and delicious, filled with caramelised onion, small slices of mushroom and sprinkled with seasame seeds. There was a subtle taste of fish, but where was it? Skillfully incorporated into the kebbe pastry – or at least that’s where I think it was!

The creamy, lightly grilled halloumi was served on a set of two skewers, sprinkled with herbs and separated by sweet cherry tomatoes, while the ras asfour was a small bowl of tender, juicy morsels of meat with apple – and one of the stars of the show for Kate, our resident meat lover.

That said, all three dishes were a surpise: who knew that Lebanese food could be so free of oil, taste so fantastically fresh and light and pack a massive flavour punch?

By this stage, we were already full, but still had another two dishes to come: the Semsom marinated chicken saj platter and the grilled meat saj. Both came with a choice of two sides. Miss 12, who had chosen the grilled meat saj, opted for the plain hummus and French fries, while Kate and I were sharing the house speciality marinated chicken with sides of vine leaves and cubed potatoes with coriander.

The marinated chicken was tender and juicy, while the vine leaves had a wonderfully sharp tang and helped to cut through the richness of the meat. The grilled meat saj was moist, flavoursome and got the thumbs up from Miss 12, who also loved the smokey, garlicky hummus.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t do the food justice. Our table was groaning under the weight of so many dishes and it all caught up way too quickly. So quickly, in fact, that desserts were declined, despite the lure of some tempting house specialities.

Rest assured these are firmly in our sights for our next visit – which we hope will come much sooner than later. Only this time, we will make sure that we book ahead.

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

SUPER SEMSOMTHE LATEST LEBANESE DINING OUTLET MIGHT BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN, BUT DOES IT LIVE UP TO THE HYPE? FELICITY GLOVER IS WILLING TO GIVE IT A TRY

Info BoxSEMSOM

First floor, Muscat Grand MallTel: +968 2439 8718

Opening times: Open daily, 11am-12amLunch for three plus drinks: RO30.62

Verdict :8 / 10 Service

9 / 10 Food 8 / 10 Ambience

A serious taste revelation

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

SEMSOM IS A SERIOUS WAKE-UP CALL TO THE TRADITIONAL

GREASY SPOON OUTLETS THAT DOMINATE THE CITY

AND THINK THAT STUFFING A SHAWARMA WITH FRENCH

FRIES AND SERVING UP HUMMUS SWIMMING IN A SEA OF OIL IS NOTHING SHORT OF

GREAT FOOD

Mid

Market

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HEALTH&BEAUTY

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

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CLOSET CLEANSE Make a fresh start with a wardrobe detox. Take

inspiration from this Matalan outfit by pulling out everything you own in shades of cream

and white, then layering together. If you must add

colour or character, reserve it for accessories.

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BUILDING BLOCKSLay the foundations for spring with these stylish separates, says Penny Fray

1. The white shirt smartens jeans and keeps evening skirts from drifting into la-la land. But versatility comes at a cost: a short shelf life. So buy in bulk, don’t over bleach (which can cause yellowing), and refresh regularly. 2. A garment’s lining is often a designer’s calling card and a good way to judge quality. A well-crafted lining is a sign that the whole piece has been sewn with care. 3. A silk scarf is the ultimate accessory. It can transform a simple T-shirt, add zing to a neutral dress and help you look great after a long-haul flight.

CLASSIC CARE

Penny’s transformative

fashion tips:

We love the elegant muted hues of Chloé’s sand, blush and pale-gray “Baylee” carryall. Crafted in Italy, this signature style can be carried over your shoulder or by the top handles. The zip is trimmed with a chain embellishment that can be detached

and worn as a bracelet. From RO748 at Net-a-

Porter. Pick up a more affordable piece at Zara or Mango

Golly. What does she look like? That’s what I’m thinking when I see a model walk down the catwalk with a transparent

gown complete with neon circles. Normal women don’t do peek-a-boo frocks in Oman.

Okay, so there may be a few bloggers ready to rock this season’s fringed jackets or neon fur, but generally, most of us are dedicated followers of mall fashion.

We may love daring designer creations, but we understand that those outlandish outfits are art to be worn by the eccentric few or the fashion forward. For the rest of us mere mortals, being appropriately on-trend is the aim. And that means starting with the classics and carefully layering new pieces on top.

Regular readers of this column will know that solid investment foundations include a white shirt, a pair of well-fitting pants and a perfectly proportioned tote. But these days, you can add a few unusual extras to the list, including flared jeans, fierce studs and leopard skin accessories (the power print is now regarded as a neutral among stylists).

H&M’s shirt has the perfect slightly loose fit – it’s smart but not too formal to wear at the weekend. Channel the high street label’s causal aesthetic and style yours with jeans. From RO12

Jeans are a mainstay of most off-duty wardrobes, but 2015’s upscale take on denim is reworked in retro silhouettes. To rock the new look, try this pair from Next. From RO17

A classic red lip not only lifts your mood in seconds, it can totally transform your look. Try YSL’s version from RO14.5 Forget about classic diamonds

or pearls, Anita Ko’s delicate 14-karat rose gold earrings

are expertly crafted to resemble a thorn.

Wear yours to add a chic finish to daytime looks. From RO145

Stella McCartney’s precision-cut tailoring is timeless yet modern. This “Ingrid” blazer’s single-button design draws you in at the waist and its midnight-blue hue ensures versatility. Wear it with smart jeans or leather skinnies. From RO452

Stair Crossovers Find a long and wide set of stairs. Starting from the top, facing side on, place your right leg down a step, crossing it in front of your left. Place the left leg on the step below your right. Cross the right leg behind your standing leg onto the step below and then move your left leg a step down as before. Repeat to the bottom of the stairs, squat down and repeat back up to the top. Switch the direction you are facing and repeat with the other leg. Start slowly and increase speed as your confidence grows. This is a great workout for your calves and helps work the mind as well.

Squat LungesMark out roughly 10 metres and grab two water dispenser replacement bottles, one in each hand. Step forward with one foot into a lunge position; both knees should form a 90 degree angle. Straighten your legs, bringing the back foot in line with the front. Repeat on the other leg until you have crossed 10 metres. Turn around

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HEALTH&BEAUTY

GET MOVINGPerform the below circuit through twice with no breaks between exercises, but take a one-minute rest between circuits.

If you’re a complete beginner, why not start with one of the exercises and slowly add the other moves as you get fitter and stronger?

You don’t need an expensive gym membership to keep fit and healthy. Try simple exercises making use of things you have or do in your daily routine and it could make all the difference

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

Official Representative in The Sultanate of OmanTel: (+968) 22343330 , GSM: (+968) 94654507

service@healthworld-international.comwww.technogym.com/om

Email: enquiries@healthworld-international.com

HOW & WHERE TO ACHIEVE DAILYWELLNESS

A Wellness Lifestyle must include healthy daily habits, satisfactory relationships and sufficient motivation to face our daily commitments.

Here are a few simple but effective steps, all equally important for a positive approach to life: • Sleep long enough to recharge physically and mentally• Dedicate time to your social relationships• Cultivate your passions and interests• Avoid polluted environments and get back to nature• Do not smoke or drink too much alcohol: think clearly and stay in control• Be positive about life, get motivated and smile!Remember that stress is a natural physiological reaction: it can be controlled and turned into an incentive to improve.

WHERE TO ACHIEVE DAILY WELLNESSAt work The workplace is where you spend at least a third of your day and often where you take on high physical and mental stress.

Here are a few suggestions:• Take maximum satisfaction from your achievements at work• Keep a positive relationship with your colleagues• View problem solving as a way of improving yourself• Ensure you take a long enough lunch break and eat a moderately-sized meal in relaxed surroundings, free from noise and interruption

At home Home is where we relate with our loved ones and is therefore one of the most important places to achieve emotional fulfillment. Sharing the positive and negative experiences of the day with your family in peaceful surroundings — reading, playing and exercising are activities which have much more value than a typical meal at a restaurant.

During free time: sport and holidays You can achieve Wellness by focusing your free time and holidays on active well-being, both mentally and physically. Sport or travelling are two excellent ways to do so. Some suggestions:• Plan itineraries for walking tours to places of interest• Treat yourself to therapeutic and relaxing treatments at wellness centres or spas• Book a stay at a countryside retreat, which offers sports and excursions

Next week: What is exercise and how is it done.

Not everyone enjoys working out at the gym or can afford it. Others simply can’t spare the time in their busy schedule to commit 30 minutes or longer to exercise every day.

But Y will show you that you don’t always need to. With a bit of thought and simple innovation, you can have regular workouts using everyday objects around you.

As with any exercise, you need to build up gently and gradually incorporate the moves into your life.

and repeat. The benefits of lunges are numerous; they tighten up your glutes, give you better core stability and improve balance among many other things.

Handstand Push-ups Find a wall and place your hands on the floor, roughly 50 centimetres away. Push yourself up into a handstand position and let your feet rest against the wall. Perform five vertical push-ups before taking 30 seconds’ rest. Repeat this until you have performed five sets. During a handstand push-up, your upper body bears 100 per cent of your body weight as opposed to 60 per cent during a regular push-up, which makes it a great workout for your deltoids, the upper chest, upper back and triceps.

Weighted Shuttle RunsSquat to pick up a water dispenser replacement bottle and lift it onto one of your shoulders. Walk, jog or run over a 10-metre distance before placing the bottle on the ground once more. Squat to pick it up again and repeat on the opposite shoulder. Perform the exercise for five minutes. Shuttle runs increase your agility and stamina. The strain placed on your body’s aerobic systems will also improve recovery time.

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

S C A N O U R Q R C O D E S

W I T H A N Y Q R R E A D E R A P P

The days when men could get away with leaving the house looking like they’d just rolled out of bed are long gone. In the 21st century, good things come to those who groom.Historically, it’s always been the fairer sex who have invested time, effort and money into their appearance, but over recent years the phenomenon that is male grooming has swept the globe. Little

by little, the concept is infiltrating the Middle East, with larger supermarkets beginning to stock essential male grooming products such as moisturiser and some of the more intrepid salons and spas extending their range of services to cater for men.

For those who want to get ahead of the well-groomed curve, Y looks at the top five offences men are most often guilty of and how to remedy them.

There’s no shame in looking good. Matt Blackwell examines the most common mistakes men make when it comes to their appearance

DANDRUFFHair is one of the first things people will notice about you and a dry, flaky scalp can easily give off a negative first impression. According to the health and fitness website Bodyandsoul.com.au, the average lifespan of skin cells is 28 days. For dandruff sufferers, this lifespan is reduced to around 10 days, with cells clumping together and becoming visible thanks to the oil on your scalp. Neutrogena’s T/Gel Daily Control 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner is considered one of the best products on the market and is available from large supermarkets and online at Amazon.com for RO5.94.

WRINKLES AND BAGSYou can tell a lot about someone from their face. Each line and crease tells its own story and while it’s impossible to halt the process of ageing, there is much you can do to limit the effects on your features. Hydration is key here, so invest in a top-quality moisturiser. Menshealth.com recommend a few drops of Ahava Age Control All-In-One Eye Care (RO10.78 from Ahava.com) to lighten dark circles, plump lines, and ease puffiness. Avoid consuming anything that dehydrates you too much and always keep your body topped up with water – try to drink at least 1.5 litres each day.

HAIR LOSSNothing can give the modern man sleepless nights like the thought of going bald. Thankfully, the grooming disaster that is the toupee has been banished to the annals of fashion crime history and with scientific advancements, those with thinning locks have more options than ever. If caught in the early stages, try investing in an Alterna Caviar Clinical Starter Kit (RO26.57 from Amazon.com), which detoxifies the scalp and strengthens individual stands over a six-week course. If the hair loss has gone past the point of no return, there are more radical treatments on offer including hair transplants and scalp micro-pigmentation.Always check with your doctor first.

EXCESSIVE HAIROn the flipside of not having enough hair is having way too much. And we’re talking in places that it shouldn’t necessarily be, like the chest, back, nose and ear. While some women may love the teddy bear look and feel, you’ll find that most, well, don’t. Spaloon in Qurum is Oman’s first all male grooming centre and offers a range of services including full and part body waxing. If you prefer to take matters into your own hands, you can always keep everything in trim with the Remington PG520 Head To Toe Body Grooming Kit (RO46.58 from Amazon.com), which pretty much has every eventuality covered.

BACNESpending hours in the gym sweating as you sculpt the perfect physique, you always run the risk of breaking out in spots. In order to minimise the chances of contracting the phenomenon knows as “bacne” (pimples on the back), you should always wear breathable clothing at the gym and make sure you shower either at the gym or as soon as you get home to rinse the pores. Neutrogena comes out on top once more, as the brand’s Body Clear Body Scrub (RO10 for a pack of three at Amazon.com) contains salicylic acid, a proven acne-fighting ingredient, and leaves the skin feeling clean and refreshed.

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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

FOR YOUR EYES ONLYThis tranquil spot can be found close to Yiti beach and offers a perfect place to reflect and clear your

head while contemplating the wonderful view.

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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

HIDDEN YITI

Destination

SOMETIMES IF YOU PUSH SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES, YOU CAN UNCOVER SOME NEW GEMS, AS SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI

FOUND ON A RECENT TRIP TO YITI BEACH

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O ver the past few weeks I’ve been travelling to the southeast of Muscat, exploring different places

along the coast and so I decided to continue the theme by visiting Yiti.

Although I’ve been to Yiti several times before, I was intrigued after talking to a friend the other day who told me of a secret place she goes to when she wants to clear her head.

The track that led to the beach was really easy to take and is suitable for any saloon cars, so I was able to get very close to the sea. More challenging routes can be taken by those with 4x4s in search of some off-road fun.

Yiti beach itself is a well-known and popular spot for people who like to camp and have parties over the weekend, but thankfully when I visited on Monday, the whole area was very clean and there was no trace of the festivities that no doubt took place a few days before.

I took a slow stroll all the way to where the sand meets rock and the beach ends. To access my friend’s secret area of solace, some climbing was in order. It was very gentle, though and I was able to do it with my camera in hand, shooting as I went. Anyone could make this rocky journey that is part path and part climbing; it’s more of a walk if anything.

I witnessed some beautiful rock formations along the way, with several arches carved out of the stone from

centuries of weathering by the sea. As I climbed up, the rock became a

small cliff and I was able to see a little concealed cove. At low tide, there would’ve been a very small beach and from the looks of the plastic bottles that lay disregarded in some areas, the place had been occupied by a group fairly recently.

It’s not an area that would be suitable for camping, but I can imagine that this isolated place would be a great place to relax and enjoy the views on offer. It would be a nice place to read a book or chill out and I would guess that the sunrise would be spectacular. Arriving around 8am, I was a couple of hours late for this but, nevertheless, it was a beautiful and calm morning with a pleasant temperature. I’d brought my breakfast with me – cereal and milk – and began to tuck in in complete silence.

When I felt suitably tranquil, I began my climb back and wandered the length of the beach to the other side. During my time there, which was two or three hours in total, I never saw anyone else about, apart from two men who were setting up some tents in preparation for an evening event.

I did see a herd of goats, however, which shot me quizzical glances when I tried to capture some images of them on the way back to my car.

If you’re looking for a bit of splendid isolation or a secluded spot where you can enjoy some time away from the city and modern stresses, my hidden Yiti is well worth a visit.

HOW TO GET THERE

Yiti beach is around 28km from the centre of Muscat. From Hamriyah, take Yiti street and travel southeast

all the way to Yiti.

GPS location of Yiti Beach: N23° 32’ 02” E58° 40’ 50”TR

AVEL

GUI

DE

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CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDADVENTURES

Y’s resident action man Matt Blackwell gets to grips with the adventure tourism on offer in the Sultanate and takes the plunge with abseiling

● Cultural and historical tours, city tours, camping tours, adventure activities, overland expeditions, school camps, corporate activities and events, team building and water sports are just some of the services offered by Arabain Overland

● For more information, go to arabianoverland.com

● Email: enquiries@arabianoverland.com or Telephone: +968 2461 4763

● /arabianoverland

● @arabianoverland

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 4 0 4 1

Standing on a small ledge 30 metres in the air, the crowd assembled below looks miniscule. The midday Muscat sun beats down mercilessly and far below, cars come

and go soundlessly, as if someone has put the world on mute.

I’m asked to take a huge leap of faith and lean back, with nothing below me but thin air.

Thankfully, the carabiners and safety ropes attached to my harness remove any element of danger from the process and soon enough, my abseil down the side of the Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat is in full swing.

What’s the point of this? Why, it’s all in the name of adventure, of course. “Tourism is going to be a big industry for Oman in the future and today is all about promoting the adventure side of it,” Tim Fenton tells me before I make the long journey up to the hotel’s sixth floor. Tim is the director of Arabian Overland, an adventure tourism company that specialises in group and individual travel tours throughout Oman, offering a range of different adventure activities, as well as overland expeditions, camping and cultural and historical tours.

The day’s event is the first of its kind, held in conjunction with the Radisson Blu and the National Hospitality Institute (NHI), and is designed to show that adventure can be found in many places and that anyone can take part.

The first person to successfully complete the descent was Rob MacLean, principal of the NHI.

“I’ve not done anything like that before and it was great,” Rob says breathlessly, after touching his feet down on solid ground. “I had a few butterflies on the top ledge. When you stand up and have to turn around, that’s it; there is nothing below you.” But the broad smile fixed on his face speaks volumes and says that the experience was well worth it, despite the nerves.

“The whole safety aspect is very important and I felt so confident that I was safe and that nothing was going to happen,” he says.

The hotel’s general manager, Marius Wolmarans, tackled the task with aplomb, completing the descent in seconds, thanks to great leaps that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Mission Impossible movie.

With his wraparound sunglasses, he even had an air of the Tom Cruise look about him and with that impressive feat of athleticism fresh in my mind, I was informed it was my turn.

Heading up in a group of three, the atmosphere in the lift was one of lighthearted, adrenaline-fuelled humour. As we knocked on the door of room 601, we were greeted by the smiling face of Steve, an Arabian Overland

instructor who got us harnessed and helmeted up before running through the safety side of things.

His message was to stay relaxed and have fun. That’s all well and good, but when you’re facing a drop of 100 feet and have to put your faith – and life – in the hands of some ropes and a man you’ve just met, it’s hard to stay calm.

Stepping out onto the room’s balcony and peering over the edge brought on a wave of nervousness for the first time as the reality of what I was about to do hit home. I’ve abseiled before, on an adventure holiday to France with my high school, but that is going back 10 years or more and the height can’t have been more than 10 metres – or 32 feet. This was a different kettle of fish entirely.

After being securely clipped and fastened in by Steve, I managed to sit on the balcony’s wall and swing my legs over easily enough. The next step was to be more difficult.

There is a small ledge, a little over 50 centimetres wide on the exterior wall that Steve tells me to stand on before leaning back, putting my trust, along with all of my weight on the rope. My heart was in overdrive as every sensor in my body concerned with notions such as self-preservation screamed for me not to do this.

When I put these fears to bed and made the lean of faith, everything seemed to click into place. I still clung for dear life to the rope used to control my descent, slowly letting it through my hands inch by inch, but soon I was walking down the wall of the hotel like a seasoned professional. At least that’s the image I had of myself in my head.

My confidence grew with each metre I descended and the sounds of the real world were soon audible, with shouts of encouragement from those below spurring me on to attempt Marius’ jump and release technique in mini bursts.

And then before I knew it, Tim was there to steer me away from the bushes and guide me back to the ground. I’d done it.

It took me two minutes and a lot of sweat, but thankfully no blood or tears.

With all parties involved safely on terra firma once more, Rob says: “It’s good that we’re all amateurs because that’s what it’s all about. We’re trying to get people interested. We live in this amazing place with all these abseiling opportunities and a lot of people are still frightened because they think it’s only for professionals.”

But as Tim points out, Arabian Overland is a company for everyone.

As well as working closely with schools, they offer corporate programmes, as well as itineraries designed around individuals.

Oman is one big adventure playground waiting to be discovered. So what are you waiting for?

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 40 4 2

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO:1. Visit the Bara Imambara

2. Take the Uttar Pradesh

heritage walking tour

3. Sample Mughlai cuisine at one

of the many restaurants

4. Indulge in some street snacks

5. Buy yourself a piece of chikan

embroidery

GATEWAY TO INDIAThe famous Rumi

Darwaza is a prime example of Lucknow’s intricate architecture,

which blends old and new to create something totally

unique.

CARS ANDADVENTURES

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 4 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 I really can’t pinpoint one place – I am really fond of the Bara Imambara [Big Shrine], a sprawling historical monument that also houses a labyrinth. I’d recommend taking a guide with you on your first visit if you don’t want to get lost. The place is a real work of art. The exterior area features a large garden that makes for a great picnic spot. Another place I absolutely love is the Ambedkar Memorial Park, which was built over a decade ago. The park is spread over a large area and offers a lovely view of the city. Convent school buildings such as those of Loreto and La Martinière are all beautiful examples of Victorian architecture.

Highlights The major highlight of Lucknow is the world famous Mughlai cuisine. which consists of several types of kebabs and breads. Apart from the food, Lucknow’s historical buildings and sprawling green spaces are definitely worth visiting. Being inside the top 100 fastest-growing cities in the world, Lucknow has plenty of high-end shopping malls, stadiums, cafés and multiplexes, while more spring up each month. It’s also very easy to get around in the city, with a variety of modes of transport available including manual and auto rickshaws, taxis, buses and trains for long-distance transport. Street food is found in abundance in Lucknow. Lowlights Lucknow is a very friendly city and you aren’t likely to come across any trouble. However, it’s always an idea to protect your personal items. Most people speak some English, as well as Urdu and Hindi, so it’s not too difficult to communicate, but it may be useful to carry a phrasebook with you to help with translation. In the marketplace, you may have to bargain, especially if you are a foreigner, and beggars can be found in most parts of the city but they mean you no harm. Souvenirs Probably the best souvenirs you can take back from your trip to Lucknow are the items of “chikan” embroidery. The industry is 400 years old and still flourishes in the city today. Popular pieces include caps, scarfs and other items. Lucknow is also famous for its jewellery, particularly bangles.

Where to stay If you are looking for luxury, then Vivanta by Taj, on the banks of the Gomti River, is probably is the best option. The service is courteous and discrete, leading the hotel to become one of the most sought-after places to stay in the region.

LUCKNOW, INDIADeeba Hasan recommends

I w a s b o r n i n L u c k n o w a n d s p e n t t h e f i r s t f i v e y e a r s o f m y l i f e g r o w i n g u p t h e r e . M o s t o f m y f a m i l y s t i l l l i v e i n t h e c i t y a n d I ’ d s a y i t i s o n e o f I n d i a ’ s h i d d e n g e m s . I t d o e s n ’ t n e c e s s a r i l y h a v e t h e s t u n n i n g b e a c h s i d e r e s o r t s o f G o a , n o r d o e s i t b o a s t t h e b r e a t h t a k i n g m o u n t a i n o u s s c e n e r y o f

t h e f a r n o r t h , b u t w h a t i t d o e s h a v e i s a b e a u t i fu l l y p r e s e r v e d c i t y , r i c h i n b o t h h i s t o r y a n d c u l t u r e . D r a m a , m u s i c a n d t h e a t r e h a v e a l w a y s f l o u r i s h e d i n L u c k n o w a n d t h e c i t y h a s p r o d u c e d s o m e v e r y p r o m i n e n t U r d u p o e t s .

L u c k n o w h a s u n d e r g o n e M u s l i m , M u g h a l a n d B r i t i s h r u l e o v e r t h e c e n t u r i e s a n d t h e i n f l u e n c e s o f t h e I s l a m i c e r a c a n b e s e e n i n t h e fo o d a n d c u l t u r e o f t h e c i t y , w h i l e t h e a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d p l a c e n a m e s a r e m o r e t r a d i t i o n a l l y B r i t i s h , w h i c h m a k e s fo r a n i n t e r e s t i n g m i x .

T h e w h o l e c i t y h a s a b e a u t i fu l c h a r m o f i t s o w n - i t ’ s n o t t o o h e c t i c , b u t a t t h e s a m e t i m e , i t ’ s n o t t o o l a i d b a c k e i t h e r .

BARA IMAMBARA

STREET VENDOR

MUGHLAI CUISINE

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

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 40 4 4

ECO TECH

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? SEE YOUR FLOWERS GROW WHILE YOU’RE NOT THERE OR CHECK OUT WHICH PESKY BUGS ARE ATTACKING YOUR PRIZED BLOOMS WITH THE BRINNO GARDENWATCHCAM. SIMPLE TO OPERATE, THIS CLEVER CAMERA WILL TAKE HIGH-QUALITY TIME-LAPSE PHOTOS OF YOUR GARDEN AT PREDETERMINED TIMES FROM ONE MINUTE TO EVERY 24 HOURS. THE 1.3 MEGAPIXEL CAMERA IS STURDY AND WEATHERPROOF. GREAT FOR KIDS TO LEARN ABOUT HOW PLANTS GROW. JUST PUT IT IN YOUR GARDEN AND WATCH NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE. AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM FROM RO100.48

You have gadgets in the home so why not the garden? Matthew Herbst gives you the lowdown on technology to give your green fingers a helping hand

EDITO

R’S PI

CK

GARDEN OF EDYNGet connected to your garden with this neat system that gives your plants the best conditions to thrive in. The Edyn Garden Sensor will turn your patch of green into a smart garden that monitors and tracks the environment. The sensor keeps tabs on humidity, temperature, soil nutrition and moisture and checks weather databases to recommend which plants would fair best in your garden via the Edyn app. It will even advise you the best time for planting. Pre-order now at edyn.com.from RO38.11

FLOWER POWERIf you want to be completely in tune with your plant's needs, then you’ll need to invest in Parrot Flower Power. It’s a wireless sensor that monitors your plant's fertiliser moisture, temperature and light levels, then transmits the info directly to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Available at amazon.com from RO19.90

GREEN HOUSE If you don’t have the magic touch or an outside space, you might long to have a garden indoors. Well, now you can thanks to technology of the XYZ Green Cube. Created by the famous Taiwanese printing company XYZ, which built the first affordable 3D printer, the cube enables you to grow your own vegetables inside. A hydroponics pod allows lettuce and other vegetables to be grown anywhere, regardless of the season. You can stack them, too, meaning you'll be able to grow as many veggies as you can fit in your home. Release date yet to be confirmed. From RO153.61 at xyzprinting.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

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 4 0 4 5

NEW HUSQVARNA AUTOMOWER SOLAR HYBRID

App of the Week

BIRD'S EYE It’s time to forget scarecrows and go high-tech instead. This realistic-looking Garden Defence Electronic Owl uses movement and sound to clear away pests. When its sensors detect that unwanted garden interlopers are near, it will turn its head in their direction and emit a loud hoot, scaring anything from birds to cats. Get one at Amazon.com from RO6.93

GREEN FINGERSA Gardeners Handbook: Volume 1 is your digital guide to help you grow your dream garden. Divided into 10 easy chapters, it’s packed full of do-it-yourself gardening and landscaping tips, information and cost-saving advice. Free for Android users and similar versions can be found for iOS.

SHEER JOY At last you’re able to trim your hedges with ease without needing specialist services. The Bosch Isio Cordless Shrub Shear is a handheld multi-tool that gives around an hour of work on one charge. This should be more than enough to get the job done unless you have of hectares of untamed foliage to clear. It also has a patented Anti-Blocking System that prevents stalling for continuous cutting. Available at amazon.co.uk from RO32.07

Meet the ultimate gardening gadget: the Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid. It’s a completely autonomous robot mower with its own built-in solar panel, which enables it to recharge itself when not in use (provided there’s sun, of course). With large coarse-tread wheels and guide wires, the mower can

tackle unusual lawn shapes and uneven terrain. Three razor-sharp rotating blades ensure a great finish. The height of cut can also be adjusted. There’s even an anti-theft protection built in. It comes with a Ni-MH battery that lasts for 90 minutes on a 45-minute charge, and a charging station. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy a chore-free day. From RO1,167.47 at husqvarna.com

J A N 2 2 - 2 8 / I S S U E 3 5 40 4 6

It has immense power and growls like a big cat, but the Maserati Quattroporte S is more of a beauty than a beast, finds Merge 104.8 presenter Chris Fisher

Maserati Quattroporte SSpecifications:

Engine: 3.0L Twin turbo V6 Horsepower: 410

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

0-100kph in 5.1 secondsTop speed: 285kph

Price: On Application

I like big cars. Those pocket super minis or smaller saloons just don’t do it for me. I enjoy the feeling of safety and

security that a larger car affords – my current car is the amply sized Peugeot 508, which has “big” stamped all over it, from the bonnet to the boot.

So when I first clapped my eyes on the Maserati Quattroporte S, mine for just 24 hours, I knew we would get along just fine. It’s a huge car. It has immediate presence as it draws your eye along its polished, sleek bodywork in one sweeping line.

I was keen to get behind the wheel as quickly as possible. This is a car that looks as if it loves being driven, rather than sitting stationary on a car dealership forecourt.

Sliding inside, I was struck by the smell of money, which emanated from the full leather cream upholstery, complemented by the shiny real wood trims and flashes of gleaming chrome.

To be honest, I usually prefer darker colours for car seats, but the cream worked well with the pure white exterior. After a quick look around the cabin to get acquainted with the important parts I headed off to put the Maserati through its paces in Muscat.

As you would expect in a car like this, the handling is superb. It grips the road like glue and is easy to drive despite its bulk. Cars like this can be a bit intimidating to be in charge of, but I never felt overawed or out of control. You never get a sense that you’re driving a hefty car.

In fact, one thing to point out is that the interior feels much smaller than the car looks. I wouldn’t go so far to say that it’s cramped. Far from it, there’s plenty of leg and headroom for the driver and passenger (the rear looked a bit tighter), but my Peugeot’s cabin is much roomier and it’s a smaller car.

Still one mustn’t quibble. The Maserati has far more plus points and I can live with a slightly more compact space when driving.

The car really came into its own when I pressed my foot on the accelerator. A tiny pause follows and then the engine kicks in. Awesome! It’s quite scary when you realise how much power is under the bonnet and you have to be very conscious of the speed limit, as it’s so easy to go too fast in this car. It literally flies along the road. The engine sound is beautiful and growls as if to say: “I’m here, this is me, Mr Maserati.”

There’s such a “wow” factor with this high-performance car and I could see the looks of admiration from other drivers when I pulled up beside them. A light tap on the accelerator and it was “ma salama, baby” to everyone else as the lights turned green.

In the beginning, I wasn’t sure whether the Mas would suit me. It did. I think it reflected my personality, being fun, gregarious and larger than life.

I also like the way the car commands respect. It doesn’t just drive on the road, it owns the road.

I’m a big fan of gadgets and the Mas didn’t disappoint with a

touchscreen giving you easy access to all sorts of fun things, including a very snazzy 3D navigation system, which is easy to use.

As a radio presenter, music is an important part of my life and the stereo blew me away with amazing sound quality and clarity. I had the sunroof open and Merge 104.8 blaring away to my heart’s content.

A lot of the functions of the Mas are controlled by a small joy stick on top of the steering wheel, which is operated by your thumb, allowing the driver to manage things like the air con and make telephone calls without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. It took a while to get used to – and I would have preferred paddle shifters – but I got the hang of it by the end.

What I did love was the very impressive rear-view camera, which guides you into even the tightest of parking spaces. When you’re driving a car worth around RO50,000, you don’t want to risk scratching it.

I also liked being able to switch between automatic and manual gears. The Sport mode gives a faster and crisper ride, while the ICE (Increased Control Efficiency), is a softer and more relaxed drive with excellent fuel economy.

Of course, driving a Maserati is all about being noticed. Why shy away when you’ve got this in your driveway? Even better is that this car is noticed in a refined, elegant way.

It gets 11/10 in my scorebook. Would I swap my current car for one? Do kangaroos live in Australia? You bet!

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

Sunroof Keyless entry LED day running lights Twin steel oval tailpipes 19” Tritone wheel trims Maserati 8.4” Touch Control screen

with navigation and CD/DVD Briarwood trim Ergonomic seats Supple Poltrona Frau leather

upholstery Power rear side sunshades Premium stereo with 10 speakers

They say: “Italian glamour”

We say: “Refined dynamism”

4495_BM_LaunchAd_Y Weekly_24wX34h+5mmbleed.ai 1 1/12/15 4:45 PM