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THE WEIGHT IS OVER: The Winners Revealed

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK MAR 26 - APR 01 2015 / ISSUE 363 • WEEKLY

OMANCOUNTRY REJOICES AS SULTAN

QABOOS COMES HOME

CELEBRATES

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3 0 3

Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing &

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CEO Eihab Abutaha

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

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FO L L O W U S O N :

,

Fast forwardM

abrook, Oman! And a very warm welcome home to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, who has been in Germany for the past eight months receiving medical treatment.

The news of His Majesty’s return to Oman on Monday marked a historic day for the Sultanate, in which the nation came together to celebrate and breath a collective sigh of relief that

their beloved leader was finally home.“He is back and life has returned to Oman,” says Issam al Ismaily, our Voice Of

Oman columnist this week.And I have to agree. The outpouring of joy and love that we’ve witnessed this week

is a testament to His Majesty’s accomplishments since coming to power in 1970.As Issam says, “[He is] the reason why Oman is where it is now”.In our special issue this week, we cover His Majesty’s return home, while we have

dedicated our Correspondence section to heartwarming messages from our readers for Sultan Qaboos.

I am sure the celebrations will continue for some time, but in the meantime, have a wonderful week!

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 taking a few Porsches out for a spin, wrapping up our final

performance as an extra in Don Pasquale and trying our hand at some

fun water sports.

THIS WEEK…

GOING UPSOCIAL MEDIA

The return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said set social media alight this week, while an

overloading of networks caused the internet to slow down as news of his

arrival quickly spread.

GOING DOWNFOOTBALL HOPES

It was good news for Oman, but not so great for Bahrain, which went

down to our national side 3-2 in their opening match of the FIFA Beach

Soccer World Cup – AFC Qualifier in Doha earlier this week.

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

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Kate Ginn

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

SUB-EDITOR

Matt Blackwell

INTERN Deeba Hasan

DIRECTOR OF SALES

& MARKETING Feroz Khan

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It’s time to treat your mum by entering our Mother’s Day

competition, in which you can win RO200 in cash. Meanwhile, Y has teamed

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DON’T FORGET.. .

contentsM A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 2 0 1 5

Yo u r O m a n06 Coffee With Y Aliya Al Hashim

08 Voice Of Oman Issam Al Ismaily

10 News Critically Injured Yemenis Treated In Oman

T h i s w e e k16 This Week Get Into Tune

18 Movie Listings The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

H e a l t h a n d B e a u t y32 Fashion Here Come The Boys

34 Beauty Become A Better You

35 Health Stay On Track

BACKSTAGE AT THE OPERA / BEAUTY / TASTE TEST / PORSCHES AT PLAY / EVENTS / JUMP TO IT FASHION

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...

10

33

Fo o d a n d D r i n k28 Food Feature Sleep Juice

30 Taste Test Sombrero

28

Fe at u r e20 Welcome Home Oman Celebrates As His Majesty Arrives Back

24 Releasing The Wolf Film Theeb

26 The Weight Is Over And The Winner Is...

C a r s a n d A d v e n t u r e s38 Destination Wadi Dayqah

40 Outdoors Water Toys

42 Postcard From Miami, USA

44 Y-Fi Smart Kitchen

46 Car Of The Week Lincoln Navigator

44

1724

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

This week Deeba Hasan sits down with Aliya al Hashim, co-founder

of the recently launched Oman Centre of Architects and an assistant

lecturer at Sultan Qaboos University

W hen we met, Aliya al Hashim was dressed in a hijab and appeared

chirpy and sweet. As soon as she

began talking, however, I realised

her impressive intellectual

abilities.From being a research

assistant to achieving the status

of assistant lecturer at Sultan

Qaboos University, what Aliya

has achieved by the age of just

28 is remarkable. Her thirst for

success is not quenched though

and she continues to push ahead

in pursuit of her goals.

Aliya’s love for architecture is

something she was born with,

thanks in no small part to a vast

imagination. From a young age,

Aliya would fill her books with

drawings and comic strips and

absolutely adored colours.

She visited various workplaces

in her teens in order to sample

working life, but it was not until

Aliya’s father took her to the

office of an architect that she

knew what she wanted to do.

“I remember going into the

Royal Court office with my

father one day. His friend was an

architect there and he showed

me a few of his drawings. I was

amazed at the fact my imaginative

creations on paper could actually

be turned into reality. This is what

made me take up architecture,”

she says with a reflective smile.

The oldest of 10 siblings, Aliya

is very stubborn when it comes to

her decisions – if she has decided

on something, she won’t give in.

“One thing I knew was that I

would either study architecture

or nothing at all,” she says.

Despite her grades preventing

her from getting into the College

of Engineering at Sultan Qaboos

University, Aliya enrolled in the

College of Arts instead, choosing

subjects relevant to architecture

and was able to transfer after two

semesters thanks to her excellent

GPA.Upon finishing her degree, Aliya

was given a scholarship to study in

the United States at the University

of Arizona. She says that initially,

people at the university didn’t

expect much from her, perhaps

because she wore a hijab and

didn’t talk a lot. “Everyone at the

university took me very casually,

but I was able to change this

attitude with the quality of my

work,” she says triumphantly.

Although Aliya says she prefers

working on commercial buildings

that are geared towards public

satisfaction, she admits that the

type of building doesn’t always

matter. “What matters is the quality

of design,” she says. “Our role as

designers is to satisfy the needs of

the community by providing them

with comfortable working and

leisure environments.”

Consequently, Aliya’s career

to date has seen her contribute

to a huge variety of projects,

from private villas to large urban

developments such as Salalah Free

Zone, right down to designing a

Bank Muscat ATM.Despite the fact that Aliya

is already a member of two

architecture societies, she has

recently co-founded a third,

together with nine young male

architects. “The Oman Centre of

Architects has been established

under the umbrella of Oman

Society of Engineers and aims to

participate and contribute to the

development of architecture and

associated arts,” she explains.

Aliya believes that Oman has

managed to maintain its cultural

heritage in terms of architecture

while also keeping up with

modern designs. “In contrast to the ostentatious

architectural statements that have

come up in the neighbouring

countries, Oman has managed

to maintain its cultural identity

and this has been supported by

the government through firm

guidelines and regulations.

“The biggest dream I have

is be able to contribute to

the development of Omani

architectural character, so that

it becomes renowned regionally

and internationally. I also aspire

to transfer this knowledge to the

younger generations, so they

understand its importance and

become part of this movement.”

Come August, Aliya will

return to the US, this time to the

Georgia Institute of Technology,

where she has been given a

scholarship to pursue her PhD in

architecture. During the brief time we

had together, it soon became

clear that Aliya loves to push

herself to the limit in order

to test her abilities. “I like

healthy competition,” she

says before we part, “because

without competition there is less

motivation to do great

things.”

Have you got a unique story to tell

or do you know someone who has?

Contact us to have coffee with Y and

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0 6

Aliya al Hashim

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3

Nojoom-W Y-Tabloid 24x34 E.indd 1 3/11/15 8:34 PM

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 8

correspondenceTHE VOICE OF OMAN ISSAM AL ISMAILY ON WHEN OMAN BREATHED AGAIN

NEXT WEEK: HEATHER DUNCAN

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.

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March 23, 2015 marked an historical event. It was the

day when His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said came back home, back to Oman, back to his people. He brought joy, happiness and love with him that has since spread all across Oman, no, all across the Gulf, no, all across the world.

Since the day His Majesty left Oman back in July 2014, our hearts, souls, thoughts and prayers were with him every single day. When he appeared on national TV in November 2014, we were all in tears to see him address his people again after a long time. You see there is a special relationship between us and His Majesty that I find impossible to describe. He is our father, leader, our idol whom we talk about with our children and grandchildren and the reason why Oman is where it is now.

To start talking about him and his accomplishments since the 70s would require years. To start thanking him for all the blessings that we live day by day would take centuries.

He is back and life has returned to Oman. There are smiles of joy, people dancing with happiness, proud singing of the national anthem, mothers making feasts to honour his return, men wearing their best to celebrate this day and kids waving the Omani flag. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, today we are all happy. Today we will all celebrate because it is the day that Oman breathed again.

At the news of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s return to Oman after eight months of medical treatment in Germany, Y was flooded with messages of joy. (The debate answers from Issue 362 will run next week).

DEBATE OF THE WEEK

WELL DONE YDear Editor,

Deeba Hasan did a commendable job in portraying the continued travails of maids in the Sultanate of Oman (Issue 362) and the real life experiences the article cited are indeed touching.

The Indian Telugu community and I have been mute witnesses to this saga of female domestic workers in these parts for more than 15 years.

I’ve heard hundreds of stories of destitution of this type, many who suffered much more torture and humiliation than those cited in the write-up. GCC countries in principle decreed that it is illegal for the employers to hold passports of expatriate employees, so both the Government and foreign consulates need to work out a practical strategy on the safe keeping of the documents, to ensure they don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Who should be blamed for this? Is it the system, the gullible victim or the hidden

sharks?It needs a concerted cohesive team effort

from all involved to evolve a policy that ensures the safety and financial security of the maids while taking care of the interests of the sponsors.

Well done Deeba Hasan and hats off to you, you did stir the hornet’s nest and your article is a grim reminder to every one that this contentious issue is yet to be resolved.

RegardsUsha Devi Rao Suddapalli, Ruwi

RAFIA FAISAL Welcome back to the homeland, my prayers go out to all for good health and vitality. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is a good human being, an efficient ruler who has heart, love and respect. Best wishes to Baba, a true ambassador of peace and harmony. May Allah grant His Majesty good health and a long life and may Oman strive for prosperity under his guidance.

ZUMBA MARISSA OMAN I’ve been in Oman for 25 years and when I saw him coming down [the steps of the plane], I felt happy, safe and secure. Welcome home His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, we love you and may God bless you.

LLOYD RASHMI Long live His Majesty, wishing you good health and lots of love.

CAMILO DAZZA Mabrook! His Majesty has come home. A great leader and a legacy man.

M A R 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 6 2 02 1

EMBASSIES ARE MOVING TO PROTECT THEIR CITIZENS WORKING AS DOMESTIC HELPERS IN THE SULTANATE AFTER A SPATE OF COMPLAINTS AND A RUSH OF RUNAWAYS SEEKING HELP IN SHELTERS. DEEBA HASAN REPORTS

Maids in

M A R 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 6 2020

When Aisha* arrived in Oman two years ago to work as a housemaid, she believed she had made the right decision for her young family. Recently widowed, she had three young children to provide for and knew that the only way to keep them above the poverty line was to join the millions of other foreign domestic helpers who were pouring into the GCC in a desperate bid to support their families back home.Boarding the flight from her hometown on the outskirts of Delhi in India to Muscat, the 40-year-old mother knew that what she was sacrificing – being away from her children and support network – was her only option now that she had become the main breadwinner of her family.

Aisha’s decision to leave India and work in another country was a leap of faith, as it is for many of her fellow housemaids. Oman was an unknown destination, a faraway place that she’d heard of only through word of mouth from others in her hometown who were able to make a better life for themselves and their families. The lure of working as a housemaid in a foreign country was hard to resist, more so as the promised salary was much more than she’d ever be able to earn at home.Similar stories stretch from Hong Kong to Singapore to Malaysia, Oman and the rest of the GCC, where the market for foreign domestic helpers thrives thanks to locals and expatriates who have the money to hire people to clean for them, cook their food, take care of their children and, basically, run their houses for them so they can have it all – their careers and social lives without “worrying” about what’s going on at home.

Many are appreciated by the families they work for, but for every silver lining, the horror stories abound. And for Aisha, what started out as a leap into the unknown and a dream of making a better life for her family turned into a nightmare.From not being paid what they were promised to not receiving a salary at all, passports being confiscated illegally and being abused both physically and mentally, the life of a housemaid can be extremely difficult.

“I have three little children back in India,” Aisha says in tears. “When my husband died, I wanted a regular source of income, so I came to Oman to work as a housemaid. My Indian employers brought me here. Everything seemed okay for the first few days that I was here, but later I was beaten every day and it became a nightmare.Aisha’s case is not an isolated one; similar cases have occurred in Muscat and in other parts of the Sultanate, not to mention other countries. To escape the abuse, housemaids often resort to running away, which causes even more problems as the employer often – and illegally – retains their passport and reports them as absconders to the Ministry of Manpower.

In an interview with a local newspaper recently, Rashid al Habsi, an agent who regularly brings housemaids to Muscat, says: “We receive a lot of complaints from both sponsors and housemaids. Most of the sponsors put the blame on us. But ill treatment by sponsors is one of the reasons for absconding housemaids, though there are some good sponsors who have lost their money because of the housemaid’s irresponsible behaviour.”

Y spoke to one of the many recruitment agencies in Muscat to get the official view on maids who find themselves in unfavourable situations.“If the maids we recruit face any troubles in the employer’s houses, they can come back to us and we can sort things out for them,” says one agency employee. “If the two parties do not compromise, we normally transfer the housemaids to another waiting household, which takes about a week.” The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) says that the number of domestic workers – both male and female – in Oman reached 224,006 by the end of 2012, a rise of 25 per cent since 2010.In 2010, it was reported that the Director-General of Labour Affairs in the Ministry of Manpower in Oman received 1,000 complaints about housemaids running away from their original employers towards the end of the year whereas the complaints stood at 700 in the same period in 2009.“If housemaids are in trouble, they can approach Ministry of Manpower’s Labour Welfare offices, which have been set up across the Sultanate especially for addressing such complaints,” an official from the Ministry of Manpower told Y.The NCSI says that 91 per cent of domestic helpers consist of women, 46 per cent of which hail from India and Indonesia, while about 80 per cent of male domestic workers are from India and Bangladesh.Aisha says her employer always told her how influential he was and that no matter how much he tortured her, nobody would do anything to him. After almost one year in his house, the physically abused and heartbroken Aisha was sent to an Omani colleague of her employer.

“The Omani person took me to the place where his extended family lived,” Aisha says. “I worked there for a few months without salary, but I didn’t have any problems there.” She was then moved to the home of the Omani colleague to take care of his immediate family. “I cooked and cleaned in their flat without any salary, but at least I was not beaten or tortured.”

A few days later, Aisha learned there was another Indian family living in the same building and went to their flat looking for extra work. “The lady in the house heard my whole story and felt very sorry for me. I did small jobs for them and got paid in cash.”Aisha had no idea, but her knock on the door of this family would change her life forever – and end the nightmare she had endured since arriving in Muscat. Just two months after her first visit to the flat of the Indian family, she was able to return to the safety of her home in India.“They fed me, supported me and did everything they could to help me. They gathered their friends to donate money for me so I could come home. I will always be thankful to them,” Aisha says.An official from the Bangladeshi Embassy tells Y: “There are cases of abuse and housemaids run away from their employers – sometimes the maids are at fault, but this can be dealt with in a responsible way.”He adds that the embassy runs a shelter to assist maids who are seeking help from their situations. “We keep them here for a few months until their cases are solved and then we help them get back to Bangladesh.”

The Bangladeshi embassy official says some housemaids are living in poor conditions, but there are others who are lucky to find good households. “The Ministry of Manpower has been supporting us

TROUBLE

WHEN MY HUSBAND DIED, I WANTED A REGULAR SOURCE OF INCOME, SO I CAME TO OMAN TO WORK AS A HOUSEMAID. MY INDIAN EMPLOYERS BROUGHT ME HERE. EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS THAT I WAS HERE, BUT LATER I WAS BEATEN EVERY DAY AND IT BECAME A NIGHTMARE.

AMGHIE Speechless, emotional and teary eyed; I just want to hug our Baba Qaboos.

RAYYA AL HABSI No words are enough to express our feelings, unexplainable.

AAMIR JILANI The arrival of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said was the most awaited moment in the history of Oman. Citizens and residents are extremely happy. God bless the Sultan.

SADIA SHAMS Welcome back to our great Sultan, we all wish you good health.

RASHMI DSOUZA Long live His Majesty, wishing you good health and lots of love.

MIE OBSUNA Allah answered the prayers of all the people in Oman, including us expats. We love His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

VINAY GAIKWAD We are all happy to hear this news. Long live His Majesty, may Allah bless him abundantly.

SALEHA HAROON I feel more protected and overwhelmed now on arrival of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. The father of our nation is back.

GVK DURGA RAVI My family and I are feeling delighted for the good news and pray for the health of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. Long live His Majesty!

VIJAYALAKSHMI SHETTY It is a great moment and the whole country is emotional with tears of joy, welcoming His Majesty and praying for his good health.

SUBODH KT Mabrook to all and may God keep His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said safe and healthy.

REGINA JOSUE BUENA It is great to see His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said come back home and we are all grateful he is finally here. His Majesty was sorely missed by Oman for many months. May His Majesty be blessed with good health and a long life.

SRI KUMAR Welcome back, long live His Majesty.

AHMED SOHAIL May the Sultan live a long life and continue to guide the country towards success.

VIJAYASRI PARTHASARATHY Prayers to Allah to grant His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said a long and healthy life.

SAMAR ALAZAWI May God bless you with good health and happiness.

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N E W SYOUR OMAN FIVE CRITICALLY INJURED

YEMENIS CARED FOR IN OMAN

In an attempt to find the most promising young entrepreneurs in the Sultanate, an exciting initiative is about to begin after the success

of the first year.Experiment Events announced

that the second edition of the Entrepreneurs’ Conclave will be held in a two-part series – the first one at the top of Jebel Akhdar on May 9 and the second on May 24.

Hundreds of young businessmen and women have already applied to take part in the event, which aims to bring start-up businesses and big corporations together.

A jury panel will select 20 candidates to team up with expert mentors from

Oman for a series of challenges, including a mountain hike up the Green Mountain. From these, only nine finalists will go on to the next stage to showcase their existing business to investors at a Grand Final in Muscat.

“We look forward to making this year’s Entrepreneur’s Conclave even more exciting, competitive and rigorous to bring out the best in entrepreneurs in Oman,” said Zameel Ameen, managing director of Experiment Events.

This year’s brand ambassadors for the Entrepreneurs Conclave include the winner from last year’s competition,

ENTREPRENEURS CONCLAVE

Rashid al Barwani of fitness company RevGX.SABCO Media, including Y Magazine, are media partners

of the event and will support the Entrepreneurs Conclave with reports and regular updates.

SMEs wanting to participate can do so until April 20, after which registration closes. For more information, check out facebook.com/TheExperiment.

Five out of the 40 seriously injured Yemenis who were evacuated in the Sultanate’s humanitarian efforts after a suicide attack in Sana’a on Friday are now fighting for their lives in Oman, where they are receiving medical treatment.

“On Saturday, we received about 40 Yemenis who have been injured in the attack in their country. They are receiving various treatments,” a government hospital source in Muscat told a local newspaper.

“Their injuries range from loss of limbs to general body wounds. Most of them are serious and about five of them are in critical condition,” the source added.

Earlier this week, Oman’s Foreign Ministry denounced the attack in Yemen, which targeted Friday prayers at two mosques in the capital, Sana’a.

In a statement which was issued on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry said that it “condemns this inhumane act, which has nothing to do with Islam and does not contribute to the success of the efforts made to resume dialogue”.

Television footage showed young men in traditional Yemeni clothes carrying lifeless bodies, some dripping with blood, out of the mosques. It was reported that 142 worshippers were killed and hundreds more were injured in the attack.

Yemenis residing in Muscat were horrified by the attack and feared the worse for the relatives and friends back home, “I was watching the massacre on television on Friday. It is sad my compatriots kill each other for the sake of political power. As a

Yemeni living in Oman, I pray that the global powers will find a peaceful solution,” Mohammed al Hadhrami, a Yemeni resident in Muscat, said.

Oman News Agency (ONA) earlier said that the treatment of the injured Yemenis was a gesture “in compliance with His Majesty The Sultan’s orders to respond to Yemen’s humanitarian demand”.

Ahmed al Murshid, another Yemeni resident was grateful for the efforts Oman had undertaken for its neighbour.

“All the Yemeni people in Oman are indebted to His Majesty’s kindness to order the repatriation of the wounded people to receive medical attention here. This is not the first time Oman has responded to Yemen in a crisis,” he told a local newspaper.

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 1 2

What’s this about?Forget tiger parents, these days we are witnessing an unprecedented level of helicopter parents who will go to extreme lengths to help their kids pass school exams.Oh dear. There’s nothing worse.You’re right on that count – extreme helicopter parents are a nightmare. So what did they do?It seems that a bunch of parents and friends of students scaled – yes, scaled! – the outer walls of a school building in the Indian state of Bihar to pass cheat sheets to pupils to help them with their 10th grade exams. It sounds like they got caught.Absolutely – their embarrassing tactics were captured by a local TV station and aired around the world. Were they called in to the head teacher’s office and given a dressing down?More than that. The 600 kids whose parents were caught were expelled for cheating. Wow – that plan sure backfired!That it did – and rightly so. While there’s a lot of pressure on 10th graders in India to pass these exams, which determine whether or not they get to continue their education, cheating just doesn’t cut it.How are they punished if caught?Students are barred from taking the exam for up to three years, face hefty fines and can even be sent to jail, although that’s not happened – yet. Don’t say: Here’s your cheat sheet, darling.Do say: Study hard.

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

LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.

EXTREME CHEATING

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

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

More than 148 people feared dead after an Airbus A320 airplane from Barcelona to Dusseldorf operated by Lufthansa’s Germanwings budget airline crashes in the Southern French Alps

HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND

Singapore goes into mourning after the death of Lee Kuan Yew, the prime minister and founding father of the nation, who passed away, aged 91, after being hospitalised since February 5 for pneumonia

Riot police disperse hundreds of protestors in Kuwait marching towards parliament demanding the release of “political prisoners” and democratic reform

The third suspect in last week’s Bardo museum terror attack in Tunis, which killed 23 people, is still on the run confirms Tunisia’s president

Abandoned cars left in public places and not claimed within a set time will be confiscated and towed away to the scrapyard, as part of a crackdown launched by Muscat Municipality.

The number of vehicles being dumped on roadsides and in wastelands has increased, as have complaints from residents about the unsightly debris piling up near homes.

Many of the cars are rotting away, parts removed by scavengers and interiors full of discarded rubbish spilling out on the ground.

People no longer able to afford loan repayments are said to be among those dumping vehicles, which can be often seen covered in dust by the side of roads in and around the city.

More annoyingly, for residents, some of the vehicles are left in precious parking spaces, blocking out bays for months.

Wadi Kabir is said to be the abandoned car hotspot due to its close proximity to lots of auto workshops.

Now the Municipality is fighting back. According to a notice issued this week, owners of the left cars must

either clean, repair or take away their vehicles under Article 5 of Municipal Cleaning and Organised Use of Public Places or “the vehicle is then confiscated and towed away to the scrapyard.”

At this point, the owners could still save their vehicles from being scrapped if they stump up a fine (amount unspecified) and reclaim the set of wheels.

“I think there are a number of reasons people don’t reclaim their cars,” a Muscat Municipality official told a local newspaper.

“In many cases they are quite old and need repairing.”

The Municipality has a dedicated team to locate and tow away abandoned cars, often after a tip-off from residents.

An executive in the recovery section of a leading finance company in Muscat also said there have been several cases of loan defaulters abandoning cars by the side of the road. Expatriate owners have been known to then catch a flight out of Oman and never return.

“We confiscate those cars, if located, with the

help of the Royal Oman Police (ROP). But there are also several cases of missing cars, which are not traced. They remain as unclaimed and abandoned,” the executive told the local newspaper.

An official from the ROP said the police take action against owners if cars are found parked or abandoned at roadsides causing traffic problems, and following complaints from residents.

OLD CARS TOW AWAY

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3 0 1 3

Be part of the global initiative as Muscat prepares to dim the lights on March 28 as

darkness falls across the world in the annual Earth Hour initiative.

Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel has teamed up with Y to offer two lucky readers a prime viewing location to see the spectacle unfold when the hotel switches off its lights for an hour from 8.30pm.

Earth Hour sees companies around the world pledge to switch off non-essential lighting to highlight energy use. Oman is taking part and the Grand Hyatt is hosting a special event in the evening.

Dining under the stars at Safari Rooftop Grill House, lit by candles

throughout the night, means you can watch as the lights go out at the hotel and around Muscat while enjoying a three-course set menu of sustainable local produce.

We have dinner for two worth RO16 each at the Safari Rooftop Grill House up for grabs. All you have to do is go to Y’s Facebook or Twitter page, give us a like or follow, comment “I Support Earth Hour” and hashtag #GrandHyattMuscat.

The winner will be chosen by 8pm tonight (Thurs, 26). You must be available on the evening of March 28.

N E W S

If you forgot Mother’s Day or haven’t had time to arrange a special treat, Y might just

have the answer.With our fabulous competition

you can write a special message to your mum telling her just how much you love her – and you don’t even need to buy the card because Y has designed one for you to use.

Even better, you could end up winning RO200 cash, which should give you enough money to really treat your mum. Or perhaps you just want to spoil your mum all over again after Mother’s Day to thank her

for being so fantastic.With the help from our main

sponsor Cake Gallery and associate sponsors, Nissan and Tips & Toes nail spas and beauty lounges, there are also other great prizes on offer.

All you have to do is pick up the Y Mother’s Day card from the points below, write your message and pop it into the drop box on site:Cake GalleryMawalah, Al Khuwair and Qurum branches

NissanMawalah and Qurum showrooms

You can also drop it into Y’s office or email

it to editor@y-oman.com. Competition closes on March 30, 2015.

First prize is RO200 cash, first runner-up wins

an overnight stay for two at The Chedi Muscat hotel and

the second runner-up gets RO50 worth of perfume.

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EARTH HOUR

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 1 4

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SINGING STARS

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M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 1 6

THIS WEEKM A R - A P R

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

AP

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If you haven’t met the lovely ladies in the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO) then this is your chance to do so over a cup of coffee. The WGO Coffee Morning is a regular item on their social calendar and this one is being held at More Café at The Wave, Muscat, from 10am-midday. If you’re a member already, then head down to catch up with old friends. For more information about the Guild and how to join go to womensguildoman.com

T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

It might be known as one of the great operatic comedies, but the final show in the three night production of Don Pasquale took a rather dramatic

turn and left the audience wondering if it would end in tragedy.

Towards the end of the first act, the principal male star, Ruggero Raimondi, who was playing the eponymous hero, suddenly slumped gracefully to the floor. There was a pause – both from the crowd and the orchestra of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna – before the curtain dropped.

Uncertain whether it was part of the show or not, no one moved. Then a member of the backstage team arrived and announced an early interval, leaving the audience wondering – and fearing – what had happened to the leading man.

After a break of around 20 minutes, the curtain went back up but with the understudy to Don Pasquale

Do you think that you’ve got the X Factor? You might be great singing into a hairbrush microphone in your bedroom, but it’s time to prove you can do it in front of an audience. The stage is set every Wednesday for Karaoke Night at Route 66 in the Al Qurum Resort in Shatti. Restaurant opens 6pm and entertainment starts 8.30pm. For more information call +968 2460 5615 or go to Facebook.com/Route66Oman

Pop along to the Crowne Plaza Muscat to see a unique collaboration of art showcasing three very different talents. “Time to be Enchanted” features poetry by Jacqui O’Neill, a writer, wife, mother and preschool educator who has lived in Oman for five years; illustrations by Tania Hens, who came to the Sultanate to work as a geologist and uses her drawings to reflect her love of the landscape; and

Sami Jaffer, whose photographs bring Jacqui’s words to life. Their exhibition will be at the hotel in Qurum until April 13, when their second work “Desert Dreams” is held, followed by “Spirit of Oman” starting on May 12.

Art

To L

ove

APR 13UNTIL

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R E V I E WCOMEDIC TURNKate Ginn reviews Don Pasquale at the Royal Opera House Muscat

now on stage. Luckily it turned out to be nothing serious for Mr Raimondi, who had apparently fainted with low blood pressure and on doctor’s orders, had been unable to continue.

The rich bass baritone of one of the most important opera singers in Italy was missed – up until then he had been a wonderful Don Pasquale – but his understudy did a magnificent job in taking over and, quite rightly, received a huge cheer at the end.

Drama aside, this was a beautifully balanced production of Gaetano Donizetti’s masterpiece, at turns witty and poignant, with a nuanced performance from all the leading parts.

Don Pasquale tells the story of the lead character who decides to marry in order to each his nephew, Ernesto, a lesson – but ends up learning a few lessons of his own. Conspiring to bring about this lesson in humility was the Machiavellian Doctor Malatesta, brought to life by the excellent Massimo Cavalletti. Some of his exchanges with Norina (Roberta Canzian) as they plotted poor Pasquale’s downfall were standout moments. Norina’s love for the handsome but ineffectual Ernesto (a suitably good looking Bogdan Mihai) leads to a devious plot against Pasquale, which all the characters and the audience are in on. The only one who isn’t is Pasquale.

Among the cast were local extras recruited in Muscat, including Y’s Matt Blackwell, who did a debonair turn as the dandy hairdresser in a very assured, albeit short, professional stage debut. Another extra who stood out was Pasquale’s housekeeper, who put in a very funny performance with just her movement and expressions.

The sets and costumes were also first rate.I particularly enjoyed a scene set in a kitchen, with a

moving table and the chorus in kitchen whites bashing pots and spraying flour into the air. It was all good fun.

In the end, Don Pasquale learns a lesson in life and Norina and Ernesto have their wish to marry granted.

It’s a testament to the lead understudy that, by the end, it felt like he had been Don Pasquale all along.

The long round of applause for the whole cast – extras included – showed how much the audience had liked it.

For details of the next performances and to book tickets, go to rohmuscat.org.om

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3 0 1 7

G a l l e r y M o v i e s

Is your child the next J K Rowling, Steven Spielberg or Salvador Dali? This could be their time to shine in a competition organised by the Studies and Research Centre (SRC) to find the best of young talent in the Sultanate. The SRC’s Youngsters Contest 2015 aims to provide a platform for youngsters to express their creativity and preserve the legacy and traditions of Oman. Open to all Oman and resident youngsters from 5-11 years and 12-18 years. Contest categories are Writing: creative short story, poetry and tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos; and Art: painting, photography, sculpture and filming. The theme is “Oman in the Eyes of Youngsters”. Entries must not have been published or premiered. Deadline is April 30, 2015. For more information, please contact +968 2464 9169/9194/9146/9167 or +968 9722 6417/9983 5543. Email src.youngsterscontest@gmail.com

NOWENTER

Wh

at A

Gem

YoungCreative

GET INTO TUNEDiscover the beauty of the classics in a concert with legendary conductor maestro Riccardo Muti and the star German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. Joined by the exceptional Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra, they will perform a programme of masterpieces by Rossini, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, making for an unmissable night. Both evenings start at 7.30pm with a 20-minute intermission. Tickets priced from RO8. Go to rohmuscat.org.om for more information.

28M

ar29

+

/shangrilabaraljissa @shangrilamuscat @shangrilamuscat

Exceptional Barbecue Jazz NightEvery Thursday at Sultanah Experience a barbecue like no other every Thursday evening at Sultanah restaurant and enjoy the night with a live jazz acoustic performance. The lavish buffet features the freshest seafood, mixed grills and a delectable dessert corner.

Sultanah restaurant is open from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm.For reservations, please call 2477 6565.

Only at Shangri-La

www.shangri-la.com/muscat

Get inspired by stunningly crafted gold and diamond jewellery at the 38th MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show at the Expo Centre Sharjah, just across the border in the UAE. Over 450 leading jewellers will be there from around the world including Bahrain, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen and the USA. Win valuable prizes in daily raffle draws. Runs until April 4. General visiting hours are midday-10pm and 4pm-10pm on April 3. Special ladies timing on April 1 from midday-4pm. Free entry and parking. Check out mideastjewellery.com

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 1 8

A LITTLE

CHAOS

This romantic drama tells the story of Sabine (Kate Winslet) a landscape designer who is chosen to work with the renowned architect André Le Notre (Matthias Schoenaerts) in designing and building one of the main gardens at King Louis XIV’s new palace at Versailles. While some members of court look down upon her due to her humble origins, Sabine finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Le Notre.

Bollywatch

Insurgent

In the second installment of The Divergent Series, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) continue their fight against the dystopian police state that rules their post-apocalyptic world with a faction system, used to assign a function and role to each individual in society. It seems you can barely move for teen-

MOVIES MOVIESfiction film adaptations these days and while the sequel is going to be essential viewing for fans of the series, everyone else would be better off starting at square one with last year’s Divergent in order to get up to speed.

The Gunman

Jim Terrier (Sean Penn) is an international operative who was forced into hiding to avoid retribution after assassinating a minister from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Years later he returns to Africa attempting to atone for his sins through humanitarian work for an NGO, but his murky past soon catches up with him as he finds himself a target of those with links to the original hit. Pierre Morel, the man behind Taken, is in the director’s chair, so rest assured you can expect similar amounts of scenery chewing action scenes and a somewhat excessive body count.

DILLIWALI ZAALIM GIRLFRIEND Director Japinder Kaur’s first Hindi feature film tells the story of Dhruv (Divyendu Sharma), who falls into a one-sided love affair with a materialistic girl (Prachi Mishra). After taking out a loan to buy a car in order to woo her, he struggles with the repayments and learns some tough lessons about how cruel life can be.

With The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel now fully booked on a permanent basis, co-managers Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) and Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) begin looking into expansion and set their sights on building The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The film takes us back to the familiar enclave of British pensioners based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, with Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and Celia Imrie all returning, along with new face Richard Gere, an American silver fox who Sonny pegs as the undercover inspector sent by a US retirement home business to assess the project’s potential for investment.

Culture clash clichés were largely exhausted in the first film, meaning that

the sequel had bring something new to the table, which it does through a variety of sub-plots, that combine to make the sequel just as good, if not a little better than its predecessor. With several strands woven together throughout the duration of the movie, there is a looming threat of descent into the realms of soap opera, but the final act sees everything resolved in a pleasantly subtle and unexpected way, against the vibrant backdrop of a grand Indian wedding. The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the definition of a feel-good film and just goes to prove you’re only as old as you feel.

Review by Matt Blackwell

PREV

IEW

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and contact information.

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Lijo John

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M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3 0 1 9

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For inquiries or reservations, please call +968 93 80 03 56

BEST WESTERN PREMIER MuscatWay 3341, Dohat al Adab Street, Al Khuwair, P.O. Box 786, PC 115, MSQ, Muscat, Sultanate of OmanPhone: +968 22 03 33 33 Fax: +968 22 00 08 88Email: FNB@BWPMuscat.comwww.BWPMuscat.com

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0 2 6 M A R 0 5 - 1 1 I S S U E 3 6 0

HIS MAJESTY’S RETURN TO OMAN THIS WEEK SPARKED OUTPOURINGS OF JOY AND HUGE CELEBRATIONS ON THE STREETS AS THE COUNTRY UNITED TO SHOW LOVE FOR THEIR LEADER, WRITES FELICITY GLOVER

WELCOME

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HOME

0 2 1M A R 0 5 - 1 1 / I S S U E 3 6 0 9M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3 0 2 1

From tears of joy, to dancing and singing the national anthem in the streets and celebratory gunshots in the air, the people of Oman came together this week to celebrate the return of Sultan Qaboos Bin

Said Al Said after eight months of “successful” medical treatment in Germany.

As news spread of His Majesty’s homecoming, thousands of people poured onto the streets in Muscat and around Oman as joy erupted across the country.

Many gathered around the Royal Opera House Muscat, a landmark building in the capital and a legacy of His Majesty, who first ordered it to be built in 2001, with construction beginning in 2007.

Children in pushchairs were draped in Omani flags, youngsters leaned out of car windows waving and the sounds of hundreds of car horns simultaneously honking to mark the return of their leader filled the air.

Impromptu singing broke out as flags fluttered from car windows. Some wore Oman hats or the Omani colours of red, white and green. Roads around the Opera House and Shatti were gridlocked with traffic, although nobody was in a particular hurry to go anywhere.

Police cars closed off some roads to divert traffic away from residential areas and officers stood on patrol. The joyful celebrations continued long into the night.

“This means so much to us,” said Tariq al Balushi, 22. “We have been waiting a long time for His Majesty to come home. My heart is full tonight.”

The student and his friends had headed out in the evening upon hearing the news. “We are so happy. I will cry tears of happiness tonight,” said his friend, Abdul.

Shortly after his arrival, the Diwan of Royal Court released a statement confirming His Majesty’s return. It also assured the country that His Majesty’s medical treatment had been successful.

“Encompassed by Allah’s care, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said returned to the dear homeland enjoying full health and wellbeing after His Majesty’s successful completion of the medical programme in the Federal Republic of Germany, thanks be to Allah,” the Diwan of Royal Court said.

After eight months of uncertainty, in which international media speculated about His Majesty’s health and the future leadership of Oman, some are saying that the Sultanate has now “come back to life”.

Ahmed al Balushi, a student at the Caledonian College of Engineering, was dining at Volare Pizzeria in Shatti with some of his friends when he heard the news.

“The moment I got the good news of the return of

His Majesty the Sultan, I was overjoyed,” he said.

“I knew my country would come back to life as all of us have

been waiting for this wonderful occasion for a long time now. I immediately

knew that celebrations and joyous moments would continue for several days to come.

“I can say from today’s celebrations that these will be in our memories for a very

long time. I just want to say to everyone that I am very happy on the return of our Sultan and pray that Allah gives him a long and healthy life.”

Sultan Qaboos travelled to Germany in July last year for “medical tests”, leaving many to wonder how long he would be away and exactly what was wrong.

But in a video message that was broadcast on state television to coincide with his birthday on November 18 last year, His Majesty assured

the country that he was doing well and his medical tests were continuing.

“The divine will has dictated that the

I CAN SAY FROM TODAY’S CELEBRATIONS THAT THESE WILL BE IN OUR MEMORIES

FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I JUST WANT TO SAY TO

EVERYONE THAT I AM VERY HAPPY ON THE RETURN OF

OUR SULTAN AND PRAY THAT ALLAH GIVES HIM A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 2 2

occasion this year falls while we are outside the dear homeland for reasons you know,” Sultan Qaboos said in the video message.

“But, by God’s grace, He prepared the good results that will require a follow-up in accordance with the medical programme during the coming period,” he added, without elaborating.

While the Diwan of Royal Court announced last October that Sultan Qaboos was in good health, it did not say what kind of tests he was undergoing or what he might be suffering from.

However, some privately expressed concerns regarding reports that Sultan Qaboos was suffering from cancer, although this has not been confirmed by the authorities.

Also in his November video message, His Majesty greeted Oman’s armed forces, saying he was committed to “equip them with whatever is necessary to carry out their duties and to deliver on their noble task of protecting the homeland and safeguarding its gains”.

Since November, there has been no news of His Majesty’s health or when he was coming home – until this week, that is.

Haitham, another diner at Volare, which was giving away free meals to celebrate, said he had no words to describe how he felt.

“I don’t know what to say, it’s the best news I have had in these eight months – the return of His Majesty is something we have all been waiting for and to be able to realise this happy moment is such a gift from the Almighty,” Haitham told Y Magazine.

“I heard that Volare were giving away free meals for the occasion and I thought why not come and join the celebrations. Right after this, we are heading to the streets of Shatti [beach] area where we will join the colourful parade. We have flags and scarves in our car, which we will use to show our love to the Sultan and the people of Oman.”

Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, said there was overwhelming joy in the Sultanate that His Majesty had returned fully recuperated.

“An overwhelming pleasure has prevailed in the Sultanate now that the Almighty Allah has endowed His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said with full recuperation and a safe return home under His divine care,” he said in a statement. “Sentiments of self-denial and allegiance to the country’s monarch can never be articulated in any number of words because these affectionate feelings stem from hearts that are filled with enormous love.”

Just a day after his arrival, His Majesty the Sultan had already issued a royal pardon for a group of 246 prisoners, who represent 76 different nationalities, to celebrate his homecoming, while more celebrations are expected in the coming weeks.

“I am sure every Omani and everyone living in this country is very happy today, the Sultan has done so much for everyone living in this country and we can’t thank him enough,” said Haitham.

“I pray that the Almighty gives him good health, may he continue to rule this beautiful country for years to come.”

November 18, 1940 Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said is born in Salalah.

1958 The Sultan travels to the UK to complete his studies.

1960 Joins the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst as an officer cadet, where he spends two years before joining a British infantry regiment.

1964 Returns to Oman.

July 23, 1970 Sultan Qaboos becomes the leader of Oman and begins the country’s modernisation programme.

1981 Oman becomes a founding member of the six-nation GCC.

1997 Sultan Qaboos decrees that women can stand for election to – and vote for – the Majlis Al Shura, or Consultative Council.

2002 Sultan Qaboos extends voting rights to all citizens over the age of 21.

2003 The first elections to the Majlis Al Shura are held, allowing all citizens over 21 to vote.

2004 Sultan Qaboos appoints Oman’s first female minister with a portfolio.

2006 Oman and the US sign a free trade deal.

2009 Oman’s population is estimated at 3.4 million.

2010 Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II pays a four-day visit to the Sultanate to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Renaissance under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos.

2011 Lawmaking powers are granted to officials outside the Royal family in the boldest reforms yet. Sultan Qaboos officially opens the Royal Opera House Muscat.

April 2014 Oman’s population passes the four million mark.

July 2014 Sultan Qaboos travels to Germany for medical treatment.

November 2014 Sultan Qaboos addresses the nation via a televised video address.

March 23, 2015 Oman celebrates as Sultan Qaboos returns home after eight months in Germany.A

LIFE

OF

ACCO

MPL

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M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 24

As dusk begins to settle across the ravishing landscape of Wadi Rum in Jordan last week, a bus cuts across the barren ground, sending up a trail of dust to announce its arrival.

On board are a screen, projector and speakers. This makeshift mobile cinema, paid for by The King

Abdullah II Fund for Development, was heading to a local Bedouin community on an extraordinary mission to put on very special screening. None of the Bedouins there that day had ever been to a cinema – some were not even aware of the concept of movies.

The film being shown was Theeb, and the Bedouin community about to watch it had played a starring role. Not only had the film been shot in and around the wadi but uniquely, local Bedouins had been cast in the leading parts.

As many did not have the means to travel to Amman to see Theeb when it was released on March 19, the film was, by ingenious means, being taken to them.

“It’s a wonderful thing,” says the film’s director, Naji Abu Nowar, who is half-English and half-Jordanian.

“The Bedouin actors got a huge reception when they came back; there were thousands of people firing guns in the air when they arrived. They’re heroes of the tribe now.”

It was a gamble using non-professional actors, but it has certainly paid off. With a small crew working on a shoestring budget, they pulled off a major coup, producing a film that won Nowar the accolade of best director in the Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti section, which celebrates custom-format works with a wider view towards new trends, as well as an award at last year’s Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

Theeb (which translates roughly as “Wolf ”) tells the story of a young

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3 0 2 5

Bedouin boy’s coming of age as he helps a British soldier reach safety in the desert in a corner of the Ottoman Empire in 1916, set against the backdrop of the Arab Revolt.

It features a stunning performance from debutant child actor, Jacir Eid in the title role, who was 11 when filming started.

After its initial debut, Theeb has been scheduled for release in the wider Arab world, hitting cinema screens in Kuwait and Oman on March 26.

“We wanted to create a film about the Bedouin culture with a story that was both cinematic and true to the nomadic way of life,” director Nowar tells Y.

“I come from a very traditional family, not Bedouin, but I have in-laws from the big Bedouin tribes. I’ve been exposed to their culture and love the storytelling, so it was really exciting for me to make a film with them and learn more.”

On his decision to cast local Bedouin in the leads, he adds: “I wanted a spontaneous performance that authentically represented the Bedouin culture and closely resembled our characters. We believed the best way to gain that kind of realism was to develop the locals into actors.

“The Bedouin were curious but not passionate about acting at the beginning. Their world is about their families, hunting and camels and the cinematic experience held little attraction to them.”

Nowar managed to draw powerful performances from his cast, which includes the English actor Jack Fox.

Working with the cast and unforgiving terrain was not without its challenges.

“Logistically it was very tough,” says Nowar. “We were filming in remote locations and constantly having people lost or stuck in the sand. There were flash floods, sand storms and all kinds of hardships to endure.

“But we were very lucky we had the Bedouin with us who ensured that everyone was always safe.”

The success of Theeb has taken everyone by surprise, not least the director.

“We just loved making it and were proud of it. But we had no idea what was coming,” he says. “We were shocked at how well the film has been received and it has made us all extremely happy.”

Watch out for it screening in a cinema or desert near you.

● Theeb is showing at City Cinemas in Oman at Muscat Grand Mall and Shatti Al Qurum● Y Magazine a will be hosting an exclusive screening night and you could win tickets to the special event. Watch out for competition details in Y and on our social media pages soon.

I COME FROM A VERY TRADITIONAL FAMILY,

NOT BEDOUIN, BUT I HAVE IN-LAWS FROM THE BIG

BEDOUIN TRIBES. I’VE BEEN EXPOSED TO THEIR CULTURE AND LOVE THE

STORYTELLING, SO IT WAS REALLY EXCITING FOR ME

TO MAKE A FILM WITH THEM AND LEARN MORE

0 2 6 M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 I S S U E 3 6 3

The wait was finally over for our contestants as the winners in our slim to win competition were revealed in the grand finale

The smile said it all. As Muntashir Razzak heard his name called out, he broke into a huge grin and walked proudly on to the stage with

the sound of cheers from the audience all around.

All the hard work and sacrifice over the past four weeks had paid off as the 23-year-old graduate was crowned King of Weight Loss after winning first prize in our “The Weight Is Over” competition.

Sensible eating and exercising saw Muntashir shed almost eight per cent of his bodyweight, dropping from 104.6kg to 96.4kg, a loss of 8.2kg.

His efforts were rewarded with RO500 cash and a year’s membership to Balance Health & Fitness club in Qurum worth RO399 to help continue with all the good work.

“I’m so happy,” said Muntashir, as he clutched his prizes and a winner’s certificate. “I didn’t even think I was going to win any of the prizes, let alone come first.”

As his friends snapped away taking photographs of his new shape, Muntashir revealed that his regime had even been interrupted for 10 days while he was in the Philippines.

“I only really lost most of the weight in 16 or 17 days. I cut out fats and jogged around 12km a day.

“I look better and I feel better. The journey is just beginning for me. I want to lose 20kg in total, so this is just the start. I would like to thank Y Magazine for providing me with the motivation in the first place.”

He was planning to enjoy the winnings with his friends.

Final weigh-ins for all the contestants took place at City Centre Qurum, our venue partner, on Saturday (21) evening in a nerve-wracking finale with no one certain until the last minute what the results would be.

In the Grand Reveal compered by Merge 104.8 presenter Chris Fisher and attended by our

presenting sponsor, Geely GC7, the new compact sedan, our Slimming Partner, VLCC Wellness Oman, and Balance Health & Fitness, our Fitness Partner, the top four in each category, male and female, were honoured.

Crowned “Queen of Weight Loss” was Bhairavi Kothari, who scooped the title by the narrowest of margins – just 200 grams separated the first and second place. With a support team of family members, Bhairavi

dropped 5.3kg from 72.6k to 67.3kg, over seven per cent of her bodyweight.“It was a hard going,” said the delighted champion, a

mother of one and a chartered account. “After the third week I wanted to give up, but my husband urged me to carry

on and I’m so glad that I did.“It’s my mum’s birthday today and this will be a nice present

for her. My parents in India really supported me.“It was a real team effort. My mother-in-law was my ‘dietician’,

my husband took me for long walks and my father-in-law was very supportive. I couldn’t have done it without any of them.”

It was a real family affair – Bhairavi’s husband had also taken part in the competition, mainly as a way of motivating his wife, although he also managed to lose over a kilogram in the process.

Bhairavi intends to spend some of her winnings (RO500 cash) on treating her family as a way of saying “thank you” for their help.

Coming second in the female category, Nilofer Tanna, 24, had already been on a diet before signing up to “The Weight Is Over” and lost an impressive total of 20kg. “I have given up all junk food and treats like cakes and now do yoga,” she said. “It’s been an effort, but definitely worth it.”

Over the course of 28 days, the contestants changed lifetime habits and embarked on a new lifestyle, rediscovering their energy and zest for life in the process. Most vowed to continue on their journeys and not slip back into old ways.

Felicity Glover, managing editor of Y Magazine who presented some of the prizes, said all the contestants were winners in the eyes of everyone involved in the event.

“All participants deserve to be congratulated for taking the first steps towards healthier lifestyles and we hope that ‘TWIO’ inspires

them to continue with their new regimes and to motivate their friends and families to join them.

“The more people who join in, even after the competition has finished, the healthier and happier the people of Oman will be.”

PRIZES FOR TOP 4

FIRST 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), put up the RO500 cash prize for the men’s category, while Y Magazine matched this for the women’s competition.

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“We are very proud to be associated

with the competition and to have helped some

of the contestants lose weight and start a

healthy lifestyle, which is what we

are all about. We would love

to be involved with

the event again.”

Abdul Basit,

marketing manager of

VLCC Wellness Oman

TOP 4 WINNERS - WOMEN

BHAIRAVI KOTHARI 72.6kg 67.3kg 5.3kg 7.3% WINNER

NILOFER TANNA 72.1kg 67kg 5.1kg 7.07% 2nd PLACE

RACHNA SHANKAR 83.3kg 77.7kg 5.6 kg 6.72% 3rd PLACE

BUTAINA 70kg 65.9kg 4.1kg 5.86% VLCC SPECIAL AWARD

NameFinal Weight

Weight Lost

% weight lost Prize

Initial Weight

TOP 4 WINNERS - MEN

MUNTASHIR RAZZAK 104.6kg 96.4kg 8.2kg 7.84% WINNER

KUMAR VEMBU 95kg 87.6kg 7.4kg 7.79% 2nd PLACE

SALMAN TARIQUE 91.7kg 85.3kg 6.4kg 6.98% 3rd PLACE

MOHAMMED AHMAD 79.2kg 73.8kg 5.4kg 6.82% VLCC SPECIAL AWARD

NameFinal Weight

Weight Lost

% weight lost Prize

Initial Weight

“We have really enjoyed being involved and

would like to congratulate all the contestants

who took part. All of them showed

dedication and determination,

which fits in with our brand.”

Ahmed Sultan,

manager vehicle sales,

Geely Oman

““This is not just about a diet or exercise,

it’s a whole lifestyle change. Ultimately it’s

your life and you have to take charge

of it and be responsible for your

own health. And when you

do, you feel so much better

about yourself, which is

the best thing.”

Padma Kasthurirengan,

director at Balance

Health & Fitness

WH

AT

OU

R S

PON

SOR

S SA

ID:

Bhairavi with her certificate

Muntashir with his certificate

All the winners proudly holding their certificates

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 2 8

We’ve all been there at one time or another. Tossing and turning, the hours creep by as you lie there desperate for a few z’s but unable to get any shuteye. Even all the tried and tested aids like having a warm

bath before bedtime or trying to count sheep haven’t helped and sleep eludes you.

An estimated 50 to 70 million adults in the US suffer from sleep disturbances, leaving many searching for natural, cost-effective solutions to improve sleep quality.

“Getting proper sleep has never been more important – inadequate sleep is considered a risk factor for obesity, heart disease and other chronic diseases,” said Dr Carol Ash, Director of Sleep Medicine for Meridian Health in the US.

Ongoing sleep problems have caused an uptake in the use of sleep aids, although Ash recommends starting with your fridge rather than the medicine cabinet.

Food, it turns out, can have an effect on how well you get your forty winks.

“Take a look at your diet,” advises Ash. “Cut down on caffeine, particularly in the evening, and instead of reaching for an extra cup of coffee, try drinking a glass of cherry juice at night. Research shows tart cherry juice can help reduce the severity of insomnia and improve sleep efficiency.”

Ash recommends creating a bedtime routine with these simple suggestions for a better night’s rest, which should see you meeting Mr Sandman at an early time each night:

● Go red before bed: Change your bedtime ritual by adding tart cherries to your routine. Get started by drinking a glass of cherry juice in the evening before you go to bed for seven consecutive days.

● Be anti-social: The screens from gadgets can emit blue light that suppresses the sleep hormone melatonin causing alertness, so forget about social media before bed. Keep the room quiet, dark and cool, creating a calm sanctuary.

● Hit the gym: Decompress from stress with exercise. Exercise anytime is good for improving sleep patterns.

● Set your internal alarm: Keep the same bedtime and wake-up time every day. This helps to set your biological clock, which controls rhythms for sleeping and waking.

If you’re having trouble nodding off at night, try some slumber inducing foods, such as cherries, to send you drifting off

Tart Cherry & Mango Smoothie

Available year-round in dried, juice and frozen forms, tart cherries are an easy and flavourful addition to your daily diet. Try this delicious tart cherry and mango smoothie.

For more recipes and information on tart cherries, visit ChooseCherries.com.

Ingredients:§ 1 1/2 cups tart cherry juice§ 1 1/2 cups frozen mango chunks§ 3/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt§ 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey

Method§ Place tart cherry juice, frozen mango chunks, Greek yogurt and agave nectar or honey in heavy-duty blender. Puree until smooth.§ Pour into two glasses and serve.

Recipe courtesy of Dara Michalski, CookinCanuck.com

FOOD

DRINKAND

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 3 0

Hola, amigos! In search of a new weekend date nightspot, we headed along to visit Sombrero, a fusion restaurant that serves Mexican food

with a twist and claims to be the first of its kind in Oman.

Located inside the new Gallery Muscat mall in Al Khuwair, it took us a few minutes of wandering through a mostly empty shopping centre to find the location. The outer window is adorned in hundreds of coloured sticky notes full of praise for the establishment from happy diners – which set the tone nicely as we settled in to a table by the window.

The decor is reminiscent of a cosy Mexican tavern with rich red tones and strategically placed mirrors to make the room look more spacious. Arriving just after 7pm, there was only one other table occupied and coloured balloons were hung round the room, leftovers from their recent first anniversary celebrations.

As we browsed the menu, we ordered a bowl of dynamo nachos to share. The corn chips were fresh and crunchy and perfectly complemented the cheese and ranch combo generously drizzled on top. As soon as the nachos was devoured, however, I wished that I had ordered extra. As always, the Duncans arrive hungry!

For the main, I ordered the enchilada vistosa – corn, pepper, jalapeños, olives, tortilla, tomato, jack cheese and chipotle mayo. Enchiladas are always a popular choice for me, so I had high hopes. It all seemed pretty standard Mexican fare,

so I wasn’t sure exactly where the “fusion” part came in.

As we waited for our mains to arrive, we noticed other diners were wearing sombreros. We asked the waiter, who then brought us some of our own to wear before scuttling off again in a hurry. We spent the short wait until our food arrived playing with our hats, which are a good way to entertain young diners and also a great marketing strategy, as diners often upload the fun selfies to their social media pages.

When my main dish arrived, I peered at the lonely enchilada and then back at the waiter, who just turned and walked away, not checking if we were happy or would like anything else. It literally was just one single enchilada on a plate. No side dish, no garnish. True, I should maybe have asked at the time of ordering what it came with, but the waiter should also have thought of this when taking the order.

My partner was also feeling pretty underwhelmed at his six small prawns and no side. While he said that they tasted good, a grown man needs more than that. Hollering the waiter back to the table once again I placed an order for two bowls of shoestring fries.

When they arrived there was nothing particulalry “shoestring” about them – they were just regular fries. Feeling a bit mis-sold at this point but too hungry to care, I still ate the fries to assuage my grumbling stomach.

For dessert there were only two options on the menu – chocolate and cinnamon churros and a

chocolate fudge pudding. As we were both still hungry, we ordered one of each in the hope that they might prove to be a saving grace.

My seat faced the open kitchen hatch, giving me a perfect view of what was going on inside throughout the night. I was pleased to see it seemed organised and clean, with the cooking staff wearing gloves and hats. The dishes were served with efficiency and they seemed to have everything under control – just a shame that the food didn’t reach the same standards.

The rich chocolate dessert was served warm with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream; it was filling but not spectacular. The cinnamon churro’s were crunchy, hot and served on top of a plate of melted chocolate intended for dipping. Both desserts were nice, and served a purpose in filling us up, but were nothing to write home about.

Leaving just after 9pm, all tables were occupied and more couples were still arriving, so it’s clearly a popular choice.

When providing the bill, the waiter made no attempt to ask if we enjoyed the meal whatsoever, which was very disappointing. Nor did he ask us whether we wanted to take part in the Greek tradition that the restaurant has introduced, where customers can smash a plate after their meal if they’re happy with the food or service.

We handed back our on-loan sombreros and left sorely dissatisfied.

Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

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

MEXICAN WAVE

Info BoxSOMBRERO

Gallery Muscat Mall, Shop 19, Al Khuwair, Muscat

Tel: +968 2469 2343www.sombrero.me

Email: contact@sombrero.meOpening Times: 12pm-11pm

Dinner for 2 plus drinks: RO23 Verdict :

5 / 10 Service 5 / 10 Food

5 / 10 AmbiencePromised much but didn’t deliver Y Magazine reviews anonymously

and pays for its meals

THE DISHES WERE SERVED WITH EFFICIENCY AND THEY SEEMED TO HAVE EVERYTHING UNDER

CONTROL – JUST A SHAME THAT THE FOOD DIDN’T MATCH THE

SAME STANDARDS.

Mid

Market

SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH A BIT OF BITE, HEATHER DUNCAN DONNED A SOMBRERO, BUT FOUND THAT IT WASN’T A GOOD FIT

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 3 2

HEALTH&BEAUTY

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

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 3 2

TOP TEEN For inspiration on cool boy style, look no further than Brooklyn Beckham, who is giving his famous father,

David, a run for his money in the fashion stakes. The

16-year-old has just landed his first official fashion

campaign.

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3 0 3 3

HERE COME THE BOYSFashion for teen lads is all about the right labels and looks

1. Don’t be branded from head-to-toe. Mix and match high-street essentials with a brand hoodie or jeans. 2. Develop your own clothing persona. Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to buy every new trend on the market. There’s a difference between fast fashion and classic style. 3. Find clothing that fits into your comfort zone. If you don’t feel good in it, chances are that you won’t look good in it either.

Tips on becoming

a teen style idol:

If you thought teenage girls were fussy about their clothes, then you clearly haven’t had much to do with their male counterparts.

Teen boys are notoriously picky when it comes to what they are seen in. Not any old hoodie or shoes will do. We are talking labels here. Parents beware, buy the wrong one and the offending item is likely to never make it out of its bag or box.

At the high end, they wear Rick Owens, Helmut Lang and Hood By Air with a swagger and carefully choreographed nonchalance, and upload images to their Instagram pages.

These looks however, can be replicated from high street stores.

Teen boys are great at taking a “look” or trend and making it their own. Creative flourishes and a touch of inspiration can turn high street into high fashion and comfy casual into urban cool.

Labels like Burberry have also been savvy enough to plug into the teen boy market – Brooklyn Beckham’s young brother, Romeo, was recently the face of the brand.Expect more designers to jump on the bandwagon as they realise today’s young male fashionistas know their brands too.

T-shirts can make statements

or simply be fun, like this one from H&M

from RO2.6, which parodies

social media trends. Check

local stores for availability. Long

tail t-shirts can also give straight tees an added dimension

Shoes maketh the man and teen boys love American brand Vans,

which has been around since the 1960s, but is

bigger than ever. This pair of classic T&C Authentic is good with skinny

jeans or drop crotch track pants. From RO21

Beanies are not only for bad hair days, but are also perfect for channelling the urban street look. This Neff daily beanie comes in a range of colours and is soft and lightweight with a slouchy fit. From RO6

You can’t go wrong with a hoodie and this one by New York-based streetwear label Hood By Air is hot property at the moment with prices from RO71. Joe Bloggs in Muscat Grand Mall has great cheaper alternatives

As any self-respecting teen boy will know, you’re nothing without a good pair of jeans in the wardrobe. These super skinny dark wash jeans by Aéropostale are currently on sale on their website. Team with on-trend boots or trainers. Check out the branch in Muscat Grand Mall. Prices from RO21

ALL ABOUT THE BOY

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

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3

Beauty comes from within as well as from the outside. Follow our simple tips on how to feel and look good

0 3 4

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

It’s no surprise that making healthy choices can make you feel more beautiful. Looking and feeling healthy is not just a trend, but also a way of life

– because healthy is beautiful. Apply this concept to different areas of your life and focus on becoming your best self by following these simple tips:Balance

Outside of exercise, a healthy lifestyle should emphasise a well-rounded diet. Avoid fad diets, which can strip your body of important nutrients and leave you looking dull and worn down. Instead, opt for well-balanced meals that include elements from every food group and remember to keep portion sizes under control. Also, be sure to stay hydrated to keep skin and hair moisturised and lustrous.Power up your smile

A healthy smile can make you feel more confident and make a great first impression. Maintain good oral hygiene by flossing regularly, brushing at least twice a day with a good-quality toothpaste, such as Colgate Enamel Health Multi-Protection Toothpaste. It strengthens enamel, helps prevent acid erosion, and fights cavities, while also whitening teeth and freshening breath.

Taking care of your tooth enamel is important because weakened enamel can lead to issues

like sensitivity. Did you know that sensitivity pain can be caused by enamel loss

resulting from brushing teeth directly after eating acidic foods? Protect your enamel by waiting 30 minutes after eating acidic foods before brushing your teeth. To help relieve any existing sensitivity, try the Colgate Sensitive Toothbrush + Built-In

Sensitivity Relief Pen, which shields exposed nerves and creates a seal

against sensitivity pain. This provides sensitivity relief within one week and long-

lasting results with continued use, when used as directed. Visit colgateenamelhealth.com for more

information.Boost mental strength

Keeping a clear mind can help inspire positivity and high spirits, leaving you

feeling healthier and happier. Whether you like to write in a journal, clear your mind through meditation or practice other means of relaxation, make it a priority to carve out time every day to ease tension and keep

your mind strong. Good health promotes beauty inside

and out; making a few simple changes to your everyday routine can shape other

parts of your life, helping you to feel better about yourself overall.

ARKE is Greek for the origin of things – from which everything originates and towards which everything returns. Think of a baby: at the start of his life they are mainly in the supine or foetal position.ARKE equipment is divided into four categories. Each category is named after a natural element in line with the Greek philosophical tradition (Earth, Water, Fire, Air) and is marked by different colours and shapes, according to the type, energy intensity and position of use.

* EARTH (green) for stability and proprioception * AIR (orange) for dynamism and reaction time * WATER (blue) for agility and balance * FIRE (red) for adaptability and controlwww.technogym.com/om

EARTH

AIR

WATER

FIRE

www.technogym.com/arke

Keeping focused on your wellness goals takes willpower and determination, but with a few easy steps you could be well on your way to success

STAY ON TRACK

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 3 0 3 5

With dreams of bettering their lives, people of all ages pledge to create resolutions at the start of every year. However, many discover that it’s easy to make a promise, but difficult to stick to it.

With these helpful tips from Dawn Jackson Blatner, a certified specialist in sports dietetics and licensed dietitian nutritionist, it’s easy to get back on a healthy living track:

1. GET BACK ON TRACKFalling off the wagon can be discouraging, but don’t let your mind get in the way of your might. Track your daily meals and snacks to help you stay focused on what, and how much, you are eating. Writing in a food journal is a great way to look back over your week to see what you did well and could do better next week.

2. PACK YOUR LUNCHBeing in control of what you eat throughout the day is essential for staying on track with your resolutions. Why hit the greasy food truck outside when you can whip up a fresh salad at home? A quinoa, grape and prune salad is an easy, protein-packed lunch that will power you through the day.

3. CHOOSE RIGHT AT SNACK TIMEThe 4pm slump is almost unavoidable. You’re three hours past lunch and it’s too soon for dinner. Instead of reaching for an unsatisfying bag of pretzels or chips, try Sunsweet Ones Individually Wrapped Prunes or nuts from home to curb the afternoon hunger. Ones are lower in sugar than other dried fruit and have a low glycemic index of only 29. Prunes are digested and absorbed slowly by the body, which helps to sustain energy over a longer period of time compared to foods with a higher glycemic index.

4. GET MOVINGEveryone has a lot on their plate and with a busy schedule comes a lot of stress and anxiety, but much of that can be alleviated with exercise. If you think about it, 30-40 minutes of exercise is only 2 per cent of your day. Small changes, like walks around the block while using an app to count steps is a great way to track your movement throughout the day.

5. MAKE IT FUNInstead of making drastic resolutions early in the year, and inevitably falling off the wagon a month or two later, embrace a healthy living lifestyle. The key to lasting, lifelong health is to make changes you enjoy. Make eating well and exercising fun and it won’t be hard to stick with.

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

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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

HOLD ON TIGHT Water sledding is an

extreme water activity that gets the adrenaline flowing in no time, just don’t lose your grip!

M A R 2 6 - A P R 0 1 / I S S U E 3 6 30 3 8

CARS ANDOUTDOORS

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

WADI DAYQAHIF YOU VISIT THE DAM AT WADI DAYQAH EARLY IN THE MORNING, YOU ARE REWARDED WITH A FANTASTIC SLICE OF SERENITY AND

SOME STUNNING VIEWS, SAYS SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI

Destination

As an attraction, Wadi Dayqah has been awarded four-and-a-half stars on Trip Advisor and it certainly deserves them; it is

simply stunning. The last time I had visited was back

in 2012, just after a heavy storm had hit and the rough waters were an amazing sight. However, in complete contrast to this, when I revisited the dam early in the morning last Thursday, the blue waters were flat and there was a pleasant sense of calm order.

Being one of Oman’s popular tourist attractions, it’s easy to find your way to the wadi by following the signs and there is ample parking space. As I made my way along the paved path towards the top of the dam in order to get an overview, I noticed that a small expanse of greenery has been set aside and fitted with tables and chairs, making it the perfect place for a picnic.

I’ve heard that the dam can get very busy at the weekends as visitors jostle for the best space, but given that I left home at 6.30am, I didn’t experience any such problems. My friend and I were the only two there. It was eerily calm and an ethereal beauty settled over the entire area.

The construction of the dam has created a huge freshwater lake that stretches back for several kilometres, allowing for spectacular panoramic views of the deep turquoise waters, contrasted by the jagged mountains that rise up around them. From a photographic point of view, the wadi offers a wide variety of shoot possibilities, depending on the weather and lighting, but from a personal point of view, I find it a good place to relax and rejuvenate.

After capturing several shots from the top, I returned to my car and relocated to explore the base of the dam.

The hulking mass of stone really is an incredible sight to behold as you approach from the bottom and I couldn’t help

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thinking about the huge capacity of water that the construction was holding back.

For me, the most beautiful part was the waterfall that spouted from the side of the dam near its base. It thundered down and soaked us to the skin but it was mesmerising.

Personally, I feel that water has the same attraction as fire; I could quite happily sit and stare at it for hours on end. I find the time flies. I took a seat with my friend and we sat around chatting about the old days, when we used to play here as kids, before the dam was constructed. The water was fast flowing back then and when we got bored of walking, we’d just jump in and let the pace of the water carry us along. We’d emerge covered from head to toe in small cuts and bruises, but with smiles on our faces. I don’t think that kind of playing would pass today’s health and safety tests though, so don’t try it at the dam or anywhere else!

Almost as a tribute to our childhood we jumped in to the water a little further down from the dam and swam around for a while before heading off and returning to the grown up world.

HOW TO GET THEREThe dam is just over 100km from Muscat and can be reached by travelling towards Quriyat on road number 17. Just before Quriyat you will find a roundabout with a brown road sign directing you straight to

Wadi Dayqah. Turn there and follow the directions. A 4×4 is not compulsory.

GPS location of the dam in Wadi Dayqah: N23°05’21” E58°50’47”TR

AVEL

GUI

DE

CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDADVENTURES

Almouj Marina recently

held a wild day of watery

fun, where Deeba Hasan

takes to the waves

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Picture the scene: you are in the middle of the sea, lying on your

stomach clinging onto the rubber bars of a huge inflatable with

room for three people. The speedboat ahead of you lurches

forward and milliseconds later the rope grows taut and you are

yanked along with it. Soon, you are skimming along the waves at high

speed with saltwater splashing everywhere, but it is almost impossible to

keep the smile from your face.

For me, this was a reality last weekend and the highlight of the

adrenaline-pumping extreme water sports day held at Almouj Marina.

Water sled is a brilliant aquatic activity that really gets the endorphins

flowing and, best of all, it requires no experience whatsoever. In the

water just before me were a father and his two children, aged seven

and 10. The kids had absolutely no issues and seemed to be enjoying

themselves thoroughly if the looks on their faces were anything to go by.

The 10-year-old girl returned to solid land exhilarated and beaming with

a broad grin on her face. It was clear she wanted

more and sure enough, within a few minutes she

was bouncing off the relatively calm waters inside

the marina’s breakwater once more.

It wasn’t only water sled that was on offer on the

day, though. Various other marine sports including

kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, jet-skiing and

wakeboarding were all available to try, under the

watchful eye of Adel al Abri, CEO of Uniboats,

and his team. “Our aim was to provide activities for residents

of The Wave, while also introducing others to our

offerings and promoting watersports in general.

It was the first time anything like this had been held at The Wave and

with more than 850 people attending, it was a huge success,” says Adel.

I’d been given a coupon to try out two of the sports on offer, and with

water sledding completed; I faced a difficult decision

for my final choice. As I had been kayaking and ridden a jet-ski

numerous times before, I thought I’d try something

a bit more adventurous and opted to give the

paddleboarding a go after encouragement from the

instructors. Stand-up paddleboarding is a sport that originated

in Hawaii and is similar to kayaking in the sense

that you use an oar to control your movement, but it

requires a great deal of balance as you stand atop a

floating board.Professional paddlers often race each other for

miles at a time on lakes or along coastlines, but

before I progressed to that level, I had to first learn simply how to stand

up.The trick was to kneel down on the floating board and paddle to the

left and right side with the oar, and then move on to standing up in one

fluid motion – not as easy as it sounds.

I did exactly what I was told and gathered enough courage to

stand up twice. After two successful attempts, I was quite confident of

repeating the feat a third time, only to lose my balance and fall face-first

into the water, much to the amusement of Shaq, our photographer.

I wasn’t disheartened, though, as the enthusiastic team of instructors

reminded me that falling is only a part of the learning process.

When it comes to safety, both the water sled and stand up

paddleboarding are perfectly benign. Apart from life jackets, there is

no need for any special safety gear. In fact, unlike jet-skiing and more

dangerous activities, children can attempt both sports.

I would recommend any thrillseeker to try out activities that

Uniboats have to offer, be it water sled and stand-up paddleboarding or

any of the other various sports available. I would certainly go back for

more fun in the water, even if I do fall in again.

● Uniboats offers jet-ski and

kayak hire, paddleboarding,

wakeboarding and boat trips

among other activities

● For information on booking,

prices and times, call Adel on

+968 9261 1922

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TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO:1. Check out South Beach and top up the tan2. Party at one of the achingly cool nightclubs3. Explore the Art Deco District around Ocean Drive4. Take a day trip to the Everglades National Park5. Buy some Cuban cigars in Little Havana

VINTAGE VIBESMany of the hotels along

Miami’s Ocean Drive have an Art Deco feel and vintage cars, such

as this Chevrolet Bel Air, can often be seen cruising in the

evenings.

CARS ANDADVENTURES

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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 So many to choose from but I’m going for the coastal resort Miami Beach, not as you might imagine for the beaches, as good as they are, but for the wonderful Art Deco District. I’m a huge fan of that period and was captivated by the stunning 1920s and 1930s architecture featuring classic designs such as pastel buildings with porthole windows, sleek curves, shiny chrome and glass blocks. The most popular street is Ocean Drive, where you can stroll along and check out places like The Park Central Hotel – built in 1937 and once a hangout for Hollywood stars like Clark Gable – and the wedding-cake like Beacon Hotel. You’ll be snapping selfies all day. As the sun goes down, head to Lummus Park for a great view of the Art Deco skyline, particularly spectacular at night.

Highlights I couldn’t cover Miami without mentioning the beaches, the most famous of which is South Beach. Further along on 12th Street, you’ll find the muscle beach area, where you can check out some very impressive pecs and abs while soaking up the sun. Miami’s nightlife is legendary, as the saying goes “If you’ve come to Miami to party, you’ve come to the right place.” From Latin-inspired dance clubs to high-end restaurants and nightclubs like the ultra hip Mynt Lounge where the beautiful people go to be seen, the city comes to life at night. For something more sedate, take in a show at the 1950s Coconut Grove Playhouse. Or head to Little Havana, the Cuban district of Miami, to immerse yourself in a rich cultural flavour. Bayside Marketplace is a great outdoor-style mall from where you can take tour boats to explore the Biscayne Bay area. If you have children, Zoo Miami will keep them entertained and the Everglades National Park, home to alligators, crocodiles and snakes, which can be viewed from a high-speed airboat, is only a short drive away.

Lowlights Local driving can be a bit hairy at times – but hey, we’re used to that coming from Muscat – and you’ll need to take a big, fat wallet or a couple of credit cards as partying Miami-style doesn’t come cheap. It can also be a bit too brash for some tastes. Souvenirs No one should leave Miami without at least one tacky and kitsch memento. South Beach’s Pink Palm Company has plenty of stuff from notebooks to novelty soaps. If you want to be a bit cooler, go to Lincoln Road Mall where you can buy anything from books to funky kitchenware.

Where to stay As I was only visiting Miami for a few days before heading to Orlando (and the delights of Walt Disney World), we opted for a cheapish hotel, close to downtown Miami, the New Yorker Boutique Hotel, which has a pool. Book in advance and stay at one of the Art Deco wonders for around RO90 a night. On a budget? Go for one of the motels or cheap hostels.

MIAMI, USAKate Ginn recommends

SOUTH BEACH

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

AIRBOAT RIDE

HIT SHOW MIAMI VICE

We l c o m e t o t h e s u n - d r e n c h e d c i t y o f M i a m i i n t h e s t a t e o f F l o r i d a , a p e n i n s u l a i n t h e s o u t h e a s t o f A m e r i c a , w h e r e t h e t e m p e r a t u r e r a r e l y d i p s b e l o w 7 2 F d u r i n g t h e y e a r . N e s t l e d o n t h e A t l a n t i c c o a s t , M i a m i i s t r u l y o n e o f t h o s e h o l i d a y l o c a t i o n s t h a t c a n o ff e r

s o m e t h i n g fo r e v e r y o n e : p l u s h h o t e l s , h i s t o r i c h i d e a w a y s , g l o r i o u s b e a c h e s , s p r a w l i n g m a l l s , w o n d e r fu l fo o d a n d a r o c k i n g n i g h t l i f e . N i c k n a m e d t h e “ C a p i t a l o f L a t i n A m e r i c a ” , M i a m i i s t h e s e c o n d -l a r g e s t U S c i t y w i t h a S p a n i s h - s p e a k i n g m a j o r i t y ( a f t e r E l P a s o , T e x a s ) a n d t h e l a r g e s t c i t y w i t h a C u b a n - A m e r i c a n p l u r a l i t y , l a r g e l y d u e t o i t s p r o x i m i t y t o C u b a . T h o s e o f y o u w h o h a v e g r o w n u p w i t h M i a m i V i c e , t h e 1 9 8 0 s t e l e v i s i o n s e r i e s w i t h D e t e c t i v e s T u b b s a n d C r o c k e tt ( s t a r r i n g P h i l i p T h o m a s a n d D o n J o h n s o n ) , w h i c h s h o w e d M i a m i o o z i n g s t y l e a n d g l a m o u r w i t h a t o u c h o f d a n g e r , w o n ’ t b e d i s a p p o i n t e d . T h e r e a l i t y i s t h a t t h e c i t y i s a l l o f t h i s a n d m o r e .

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-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

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SMART KITCHENThere’s no doubt that the heat has been turned up when it comes to kitchen technology.

Matthew Herbst takes a look at the top gadgets that will transform your cooking

CALORIE COUNTERIF YOU’RE A FAITHFUL CALORIE COUNTER, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE PREP PAD. ALL THE NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE FOODS YOU ADD TO THE BOWL ON ITS CONNECTED FOOD SCALE IS TALLIED UP AND TRANSFERRED TO AN IPAD APP SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH CARBOHYDRATE, FAT AND PROTEIN IS IN EACH MEAL, ALONG WITH CALORIE CONTENT. AVAILABLE AT THEORANGECHEF.COM FROM RO42.33.

BETTER BAKING

Baking is a precise science, but the Drop Kitchen Connected Scale can turn even the most humble kitchen hand into a master baker. All you have to do is pick out one of the recipes from the app, place a bowl on the bluetooth connected scale, drop in each individual ingredient until the app tells you to stop and follow the instructions. It really is as easy as pie! Available at getdrop.com from RO38.48.

SMART COOKER

The Electric Single Oven Range with Infrared Grill from LG is part of their Smart ThinQ range and gives you the power to control your kitchen remotely using your smartphone. The LG Smart Access Range app allows for precise temperature and cooking time according to each recipe – all you need to do is remember to put the dish in the oven! And if you forget to turn the oven off, the app will give you a handy reminder. Available at lg.com from RO538.61.

TIME TO GRILLIf you think this is just another ordinary grill, think again. The Palate Smart Grill

cooks almost any food perfectly based on weight and composition

and is controllable through an app on your mobile device. This means you can set up a dish in the grill,

run out on an errand and return to a perfectly cooked meal. Available from

palatehome.com from RO192.11.

EDITO

R’S PI

CK

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NEW SIEMENS CONNECTED IQ700 COFFEE MAKER

App of the Week

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOURGlobal Cuisine is an interactive 3D globe app that shows you food information from all around the world. All you have to do is rotate, zoom-in, spin and play around with the globe in order to learn about each country’s unique dishes and culinary history. Fascinating stuff for foodies. Available for iOS and Android from RO1.73.

KITCHEN CHATDue for a worldwide release later this year, LG’s range of Wi-Fi-enabled home appliances includes the likes of refrigerators and ovens. You can literally message your home appliances and they will alter their function accordingly. For example, send a text to your smart refrigerator saying you are going on holiday and it will wirelessly

enable a power-saving mode. It also comes with handy features like an internal camera, so that users can check what foods need to be purchased when shopping. Keep an eye on lg.com for launch dates, prices should be around RO1,346.

HAPI MEAL

The HAPIfork is an electronic fork that helps you to monitor and track your eating habits for general health and weight loss. It measures how long it takes you to eat and the amount of times you bring food from your plate to your mouth. What’s more, it uses gentle vibrations to remind you when you’re eating too fast. Information is uploaded to an app so that you can view and assess your eating habits. At RO30.78, it’s a pricey piece of cutlery, but worth investing in for the added health knowledge. Available at hapi.com

There was a time when you could only dream about ordering a coffee from the comfort of your bed, stroll towards the kitchen and have it ready and waiting. That dream has come true. Siemens has just launched an extensive range of connected appliances and amongst them is the iQ700 Built In Espresso Coffee Machine. That sleek machine allows you to enjoy an amazing range of speciality coffees including espresso, Americano, latte and cappuccino. It comes with an interactive LCD display and the ability to select different coffee strengths, but perhaps the best feature of all is that you can prep your morning cuppa from the comfort of your bed using an app, before grabbing it as you walk out the door. Available at siemens-home.com from RO764.25.

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While the Lincoln Navigator dwarfs many vehicles on Muscat’s roads, Felicity Glover finds it is surprisingly easy to handle

2015 Lincoln NavigatorSpecifications:

Engine: 3.5L EcoBoost V6 Horsepower: 380Torque: 460 Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic SelectShift

Price: RO33,999

My first ride in a Lincoln coincided with my first trip to New York City more

than 20 years ago. Emerging from John F Kennedy airport after a long flight from Sydney, I was met by a chauffeur, who led me to the one car that is synonymous with the Big Apple: a shiny black Town Car parked curbside.

Having grown up on a diet of American TV and movies, I was very familiar with the car and the brand – but only from afar.

Sinking into the soft leather seats in the back and noticing that the legroom on offer surpassed that of my flight over, I remember thinking that this was the only way to be picked up from the airport in New York. It exuded money and power – and I felt that I should have been heading to Wall Street rather than my friend’s Central Park address.

But back to the future. I jumped at the chance to test drive the 2015 Lincoln Navigator – a massive 4x4 that measures an impressive 5.2 metres in length and can seat up to eight people in comfort.

It was the largest SUV I’d driven and I have to say that I was a little worried it might prove too big for me to handle – let alone park. But my concerns were unfounded, as I soon discovered.

From the outside – and despite

its size – the Navigator is a good-looking vehicle, with curves in all the right places and the new Lincoln split grille at the front.

It offers remote start and if it’s nighttime, an illuminating light and the Lincoln “welcome mat” will ensure you enter the car with dignity – a lifesaver if you are wearing heels. I loved it already.

Inside, the luxe theme continues – soft leather seats, plenty of leg and headroom, ambient lighting and wood finishings. Even sitting in the third row, you’ll find that the designers added enough legroom to keep an adult or tall teen happy.

As we only had the Navigator for a few hours, I was keen to get on the road and put it through its paces. And what a smooth ride it was.

You could feel the power of the V6 twin turbocharged engine immediately and if you wanted to pretend you were driving a manual, there’s the option of using the six-speed SelectShift.

Unsurprisingly, the Navigator’s size commanded respect from even the most reckless of drivers, who, rather sensibly, baulked at tailgating us.

The power steering put paid to my fears about the Navigator being too big to handle. In fact, it was an easy drive and thanks to the front and rear parking sensors and rear-vision camera, I was

able to manoeuvre into some tight spots without fear of any bumps or scrapes.

It hugged corners with ease and my selection of “comfort drive” ensured one of the smoothest and quietest rides I’ve had in a while. So quiet, in fact, that on a few occasions I turned the music down to check if the motor was running while we were waiting at traffic lights. In total, there’s three drive modes – comfort (my favourite), normal and sport.

In the second row, there’s plenty to keep tech-savvy kids amused, with dual headrest DVD players and the ability to control the music from the back seat – perhaps not so great if all they keep playing is One Direction or 5SOS. Up front, the central console is home to an eight-inch colour LCD screen that keeps you in touch with the outside world and allows you to sync your smartphone.

There’s also a smaller 4.2-inch LCD display in the instrument cluster in front of the driver, so mum or dad – with a quick flick of the wrist – can settle any arguments about the music. Or simply play their own when they’ve had enough of 1D.

When it comes to cars, I look for size, safety and comfort – and the Navigator delivers on all levels. My only regret? That I had to return it at the end of the day.

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

Illuminated lighting with Lincoln welcome mat

Driver seat memory Sync with MyLincoln Touch

and GCC navigation Dual headrests with DVD

screens Audio system with 14 speakers Power-adjustable pedals with

memory

They say: “Power wrapped

in beauty.”

We say: “Big is beautiful.”

Almouj Golf, the club with the best golf course, service and benefits in town.

Designed by Greg Norman and home of the NBO Golf Classic.

� 7-days a week access to the Championship Course

� 7-days a week access to night golf

� Complimentary use of golf carts and range balls

� Priority Tee-Times and advanced booking rights

� Member rates for club products, services and special events

� 10% discount at the Pro-Shop and 20% discount on food and beverages

� Members guest green fee rates at Dubai Golf courses

� 10% discount at the Academy Retail Shop and 20% discount on food and beverages at Dubai Golf golf clubs

� 2-complimentary guest invites to the Championship Course.

“One golf course that is close to my heart is Almouj Golf, The Wave in Muscat (Oman). It’s one of the finest golf courses I have designed anywhere in the world…”Greg Norman

For more information, visit www.almoujgolf.comFor reservations, call: +968 2200 5990 or Email: golf@almoujgolf.com

THE GOLF COURSE • THE ACADEMY • 5 STAR FACILITIES

MEMBERSHIP IS NOW ONLY RO1,312

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