July 2014 - Faces Oman

A fresh perspective to
tourism in Oman
Making headway with
Insta8Oman
Exploring outdoors in
Oman
Issue 90, July 2014
Family Attitude Class Entertainment Success
A fresh perspective to
tourism in Oman
Making headway with
Insta8Oman
Exploring outdoors in
Oman
Editor’s Note
Founder / Essa Bin Mohammed Al Zedjali
Chairman & Editor-in-Chief / Mohammed Issa Al Zedjali
Chief Executive Officer / Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali
W
Business Director / Sophia Raman
ith pleasant weather continuing to play truant, outdoor
might not exactly seem like an appealing option. But if
you are staying-put in the capital during the upcoming
Eid holidays and are wary of sitting at home to chill to the
hum of the air-conditioner, feel adventurous and venture out. Oman has
myriad nature-inspired destinations to explore and experience. From the
monsoon-drenched Salalah – a hotspot for tourists from the region – and the
captivating Sharqiya Sands for a couple of days, to the mesmerising wadis
and pristine beaches for day-long trips, it is all about indulging your passion
for the outdoors.
Read all about the tourism avenues in the
country and the exciting options to make
the best of your holidays and even the
Great rs
regular weekends, beginning with the
Outdoo
cover story and continuing all the way to
the ‘special’ pages. However, if summer is
a definite ‘no’ for any outdoor trip, plan an
exciting winter itinerary with tips presented
in the following pages.
The spotlight in this issue is on Fahmi Al
Mawali, founder of Insta8Oman, who has
turbo-charged the social media circuit with
his new venture. The regular pages are packed
T
with interesting features and articles for your
monthly entertainment.
Editorial Consultant / Suzy Fontes
Art Director / Pushpender K. Sharma
Head of Advertising & Marketing / Aziz K. Baker
Advertising / Avril D’souza
Operations / M.V.V. Sagar
Oman’s
ORY
cover ST
Published By / Muscat Press &
Publishing House (SAOC)
PB 770, PC 112, Ruwi, Oman
Tel: +968 24 811953 . Fax: +968 24 813153
Printed At / Ruwi Modern Printers LLC
Tel: +968 24798157 / 24794167
an’s
rt of Om
a stalwa
Riyami,
spectives
d Ali Al
fresh per
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s and new
ind
l resource
tourism
rt in the
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spu
t
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ren
the cur
to develo
s to boost
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ntials
ma
ense pote ers
tourism
play
it has imm
Contact
d, I just knew
vistas of Switzerlan
about the stunning
I pass yellow fields
cosmopolitan of Zurich
ver since I had heard
asphalt for a jog,
Of course the bustling
in the
it’s not canola
I had to visit the country. its pretzels, but it was the Val de Travers
of canola. However,
as did
best known for
to me.
sounded fantastic,
that these parts are
l that was really calling
a valley where
herbs such as
Swiss canton of Neutchâte Australia, I find myself in Fleurier,
growing; it is rich
from
and fennel used
and community spirit. as
Journeying to Europe
wormwood, anise
has not replaced manners
board, and,
that were once
ancient medicines
efficiency and modernity are registered with the local tourism
in
three
for
Giger
troops during the
me into their home
Nicolas and Beatrice
given to the French
, they have welcomed
war.
l.
leaders of their community
Algerian
Neutchâte
the
of
the valley,
the region
jog and return to
with the beauty of
days while I explore
When I finish my
Traverse I am overcome
that the locals hike
find Nicolas in his
Here in the Val de
rolling green hills
my host’s home, I
the abundance of
promptly opens
hospitality of my hosts, as if it is as natural to them as breathing. and explore. drying room. He
seem
t to awake
herbs he has grown
of
excitemen
boxes
and ski, making it
my
up
by
is interrupted
cooping my
getting up to see
My first night’s sleep
somewhere new and
and dried himself…s
that buzz of arriving
is mild and gentle,
wormwood is like
There is nothing like
summer time which
hands through his
Celsius.
of an angel. My
- and I’m here in the
all that is on offer
of around 30 degrees
touching the wings
foot. Taking to the
with maximum temps
to see Fleurier on
offering sunshine
this valley, I decide
Rising early to discover
July 2014
E
July
Just TRAVEL
2014
that
oned
by seas
ing and
hotel
or is grow well established ansion of the
ism sect
n
exp
more
n’s tour
has bee
tion to the
newer and
hat Oma
economy
ssive atten llel growth in
ent the
ons?
a para
to augm … But is the exce
istic opti industry is
need for
itional tour
itality
in the field , sidelining the
to the trad of the hosp pace, rather the
ehow
d to add
ent
rests
but the
sector, som ures, designe the developm
inte
try,
vent
the coun of all tastes and to add
ying that th of tourism in
creative
no den
ct tourists
e is a need on of
is
grow
e
attra
ther
the
to
Ther
nds,
isati
surate with a wider platform gaining grou
standard
ism
commen
with the r thrust for both
ting
estic tour ons; more so
, in crea
ur.
a majo
intensity
opti
With dom
istic flavo
seen as
pick up. to the existing
which is
oors a tour work on the
s,
is yet to
ons
outd
kend
ng
ensi
wee
oing
tourism
two-day
newer dim
n’s fascinati
the ong
and the
domestic
give Oma networks and
holidays expatriates to
el the
of the road will also prop Riyami, whose
locals and
growth
airports
amed Al
gering
regional
tains Moh
The stag
and the direction, main
t
railways
righ
the
in
industry
Debunk
The Fashion Myths
16
A you a slave
Are
l
tto ffashion
hi or are you willing
illi tto b
break
k
those established fashion rules?
Agreed, fashion trends rule our lives – completely! We slavishly track the trends popularised by top
it is no wonder
around the world and adopt the ones that are endorsed by celebrities from the world of
u un-spoilt beauty, designers
much
Listening
flock to this valley.
entertainment.
s
visitors
cowbells, I soak gurus have identified some clear fashion myths that don’t really have a say in our
to the clinging of the But well…fashion
d - but
Switzerlan
style quotient. Rules,
whether fashion or otherwise, are meant to be broken, they assert. If it’s chic…it
in quintessential
I
than tocheese?
be cool,
is the dictum to follow.
h is more Swiss has to
what
taste the
y
a miss an opportunit
can’t
Here
some of the fashion myths to break – NOW!
with the
town are
the
from
Gruyère
am
famed
name.
a
same
from
just a couple of hours the
Driving
D
at the foot of
my
m host’s home, I am
up the mountains
stagger
I
pre-Alps.
p
Just a short hike
o the call of cheese.
to
the medieval
I have arrived at
and
a
explain to me
in a castle
as I try more, my hosts
of Gruyère. Sitting
o
town
which go into
off the
the rigors and steps,
cafe, I take my eyes
turned
t
just so
best chocolate.
for a brief moment,
producing the world’s
mountains
m
where to go from
Life is brilliant
I can’t imagine
I can chose my fondue.
in Nauchâtel, as
here but very
here on my journey
now. It’s so pretty
d.
right
r
overloade
already
Following a small
my senses are
busy with tourists...
up with chocolaty
arrives with
However, packed
wait, my melted cheese potato and
chocolate
fine
iment of
souvenirs, including
an accompan
Shoes
should match the handbag/purse, belt…
more for me…
and enjoy, and that’s
to dip
spread, my hosts have
of
pickles
taste
This
is
one
myth
you
have probably broken several times over. If you are an avid shopper, you, obviously, are aware that
a
me
I do.are just too many attractive footwear out there to worry about finding a matching accessory to go with it. As one
My kind hosts give
exactly whatthere
a belly full of
with guru
Australiana.
Satisfied style
notes, ‘shoes, belts
go to Le Grange
possibly, the and purses can be statement pieces in an outfit, and it could look a bit garish if you tried
I am awestruck to
to match all of your accessories to a boldly coloured
Switzerland’s, and,
museum. Here I
I climb a little
– an Australian art
pair of heels.’ Instead, try and find hues in the same
world’s finest cheese,
remote Kimberley
to visit the gallery
find works from the
colour family to coordinate your look. Alternately,
further up Gruyère
Australia, created
deceased artist H.R
region of Western
recently
try and put a few colours together and see what
the
me
of
It makes
and honestly, quite
by Indigenous artists.
combinations work for you. While certain colours
Giger. It’s exciting
I once lived in
Giger’s works with
a little homesick.
beg to be combined, there are some definite
stirring, seeing H.R
know these night
way one human can
‘no’s; but if the shades are subtle, most colours
Wyndham and I
my own eyes. The
to see…and here
beautifully interests
so
can be paired without appearing garish.
skies that so few
horror
capture
back at me while
a mountain in the
The idea is not to look overtly colourful.
they are, reflected
me and here, atop
my chocolate high.
people flock to
e,
I gaze at them on
countrysid
a
Swiss
‘the Swiss are
man, who was once
I think to myself,
see the works of a
and intelligent
more than
nothing
as
truly open, cultured
aside
swept
collection
people’.
crazy. Giger’s personal
of rest, day
– some
evening
an
fascinating
ly
Following
is particular
has me creeping
g.
three of my journey
pieces, very concernin
heady
Creax Du Van the
the
of
from
edge
away
to the
Pulling me
most incredible
the thought of
by far one of the
heights of art is
of Switzerland..
to Zurich for my
natural wonders
l
making my way back
view of Neutchâte
Providing a vast
o
flight home
up here. With so
it’s just gorgeous
42
0
20
2
y 2014
ully
ul
July
JJul
Ju
I look at Nicolas
fingers tingle and
has opened these
with a smile. He
his home and his
precious boxes,
find the words
heart to me. I cannot
s it is to be
to tell him how marvellou
the soil holds
here, in this land where tinctures of
the riches to produce
various kinds.
the delicious
Soon, however, I discover Switzerland.
of
and decadent side
was nothing more
What I thought
manifests as my
than a Swiss cliché,
from Jacot.
reality – quality chocolate control, I
quality
Insisting I do a little
With a crunch,
try a chocolate baton. flavours spill
thick and smooth herbal
crystallised sugar
into my mouth. The
as the chocolate
adds the crunch
exceptional and,
melts delicately. It’s
Riyami
July 2014
4
Beyond
Pretzels, Cheese and
Chocolates
utor
g, says FACES contrib
Switzerland is stunnin
she explores the
Meagan Patroni, as
land
scenic vistas of the
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Copyright 2014 FACES / All material published remains the copyright of FACES. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent
of the publisher. FACES cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other material.
Contents
In This Issue
FACES Features
16 Cover Story
Mohamed Ali Al Riyami presents
fresh perspectives to develop the
potential resources and boost the
current spurt in the tourism
market
22 In Conversation
Javed Nawaz, M.D. of
Agro-development and Commercial
Projects, talks about his communitycentric approach to life and work
24 In The Spotlight
Focus on Fahmi Mohammed
Zahran Al Mawali, founder of
Insta8Oman
FACES Foodie
26 Feast on
Nutritional tips and tricks to improve
feeding habits of fussy children
29 Healthy Bites
A quick look at the symptoms of
Vitamin B6, B9 and B12 deficiency
and the easy cure
FACES Health
30 Health Check
Find out why you should eat more
fruits if weight loss and fitness is
on your mind
34 Health Tidings
3
Health tid-bits from around
the world
FACES Style
38 In The Luxe
Presenting cruise holidays that are
designed to pamper your every whim
40 Look Good
Check out the so-called ‘pointless’
beauty products that do nothing for
your skin
42 Style File
Debunking the fashion myths to help
you break free from the shackles of
fashion rules
FACES Elements
34 Man Date
Domestic violence, whether physical
or psychological, knows no
gender bar
36 Relatively Speaking
The prospect of retiring from one’s
job, business and even expatriate life,
isn’t an easy one to contemplate
50 At Home
Interior design should never be an
afterthought; it should be an integral
part of the final product, taking into
consideration a host of factors
FACES Special
52 Experience
The Outdoors
the fascinating blend of
mountains and seas, green vistas and
starkly bare plains, golden sand dunes
and sheer canyon drops
FACES Travel
46 Just Travel
Switzerland is stunning, says FACES
contributor Meagan Patroni, as she
explores the scenic vistas of the land
48 Explore Oman
With Oman gearing up to become a
hub for water sports enthusiasts, the
focus is on kiteboarding
FACES
Razzmatazz
10 Star Light
Tracing Mel Gibson’s journey from
‘Braveheart’, to the upcoming film
‘The Expendables 3’
12 Razzle Dazzle
Latest celebrity gossip from
the world of Hollywood
14 Tittle Tattle
Heard through the grapevine...
FACES Digest
64 Movies & Books
Reviews of upcoming
movies and books
67 Gadget Notes
Roundup of new gadgets in the market
Samsung
Galaxy Tab S
T
NIVEA Sun
– The new, refreshing
Protect & Refresh range
T
his summer NIVEA Sun introduces
a complete range of sun products for
highly effective protection and instant
refreshment. The new NIVEA Sun Protect &
Refresh range combines immediate protection
with a refreshing, cooling effect on the skin.
The range includes an invisible cooling mist, a
refreshing sun lotion, and an invisible cooling
sun spray that proves to be a perfect companion
days
on hot summer days.
To combat loss
lo of moisture, tightening
and redness of the
skin caused by sun
exp
exposure, NIVEA
Sun has launched
an
In-Shower
R
Refreshing After
S
Sun Lotion.
T
To fight skin
da
damage and aging
to the lips caused
by UV damage,
B
Beiersdorf’s other
lleading brands
L
Labello – lip
c
care
presents
a
moisturising
fformula infused
w
with hydrating
ssunflower extract
a
and anti-oxidant
v
vitamin E.
he ‘tablet’ got richer,
lighter and more
immersive with the
launch of Samsung Galaxy
Tab S tablet - Samsung’s thinnest
and lightest tablet to date. This
Super AMOLED tablet combines the
most advanced display technology
with a full range of premium content
for an unrivalled
entertainment experience. The Galaxy
Tab S is also powered
with enhanced productivity features for
effortless
multitasking,
all elegantly housed in a highly stylish, yet
practical design. It also features additional Samsung screen technologies that
go beyond the hardware specifications. The tablet’s Adaptive Display ensures
the best visual experience anywhere, anytime by intelligently adjusting gamma,
saturation, and sharpness based on the application being viewed, the colour
temperature of the viewing environment and ambient lighting.
Sony Alpha 3500s
P
hotography aficionados have an all-new
option with the launch of Alpha 3500 from
Sony. The Alpha A3500, a 20.1 megapixel
interchangeable lens digital camera is designed
to help photography novices shoot DSLR-quality
pictures with ease. The camera offers superior picture quality
especially for a fixed-lens compact camera. It is teamed with the growing choice
of E-mount interchangeable lenses, to capture flawlessly detailed still images.
Full HD videos look just as impressive, with a choice of 50i or 25p shooting
modes for crisp action or a smooth cinematic look as the subject demands. The
new Alpha A3500 is now available across Jumbo showrooms and other leading
electronics retailers in Oman.
Millennium Resort Mussanah launches eid al fitr offers
July 2014
G
6
uests at Millennium Resort Mussanah can celebrate Eid Al
Fitr with relaxing leisure activities and special room rates
for the occasion. Visitors to the resort can unwind at the
Zayna Spa, while those seeking an active getaway can take part in
a wide range of sporting activities on site.
From July 24th until August 3rd, guests can enjoy a Deluxe Garden
View Room with views of the landscaped resort and majestic
Hajar Mountains including breakfast for OMR 70 per night. Deluxe
rooms including breakfast and dinner for two are also available at
a rate of OMR 90 per night.
A 54 berth private marina managed by Oman Sail offers sailing,
PADI dive courses, water sports activities, yacht charter options
and trips to the nearby Daminiyat Island Nature Reserve.
New G3 From LG
R
City Centre Qurum
Opens Second VOX
Cinemas
C
inema buffs in the capital have
another destination to frequent with
the opening of the 7-screen VOX
Cinemas at Qurum City Centre. Qurum
residents will now be able to watch their
favourite movies in Standard 2D, 3D, in VIP
seats or within the mega-screen VOX MAX
concept, which boasts an expansive 18-metre
screen and Dolby® Atmos™ surround
sound technology. For VIP treatment, there
are more spacious seat options along with a
gourmet-style menu featuring crepes, fresh
juices, salads, sandwiches, French fries,
coffees, muffins and gourmet popcorn to
complement the traditional cinema fare.
For added convenience, movie-goers can
book their tickets in advance using the
VOX Cinemas website, onsite at ticketing
kiosks, or via the brand new smart phone
applications available for iOS and Android
enabled handsets.
edefining the concept
of ‘smart and simple’,
LG Electronics (LG) has
introduced G3 smartphone, the
successor to the company’s LG
G2. The LG G3 is a culmination
of consumer research based
on LG’s product development
philosophy, ‘Learning from you’.
Highlights of the new G3 include
5.5-inch Quad HD display with
538ppi; 13MP OIS+ (Optical Image
Stabilizer Plus) camera with a revolutionary Laser
Auto Focus; polished metallic skin on the rear
cover; and the floating arc form factor that feels
comfortable in one hand and incorporates the innovative design heritage
of the Rear Key Redesigned graphic user interface (GUI).
I
BenQ’s Vision
For The Future
ntroducing new ‘Eye-care’ technology from BenQ… Eye-care
is an initiative that will benefit long-term vision of end users
by incorporating Flicker-free technology and Low Blue Light
(LBL) modes into a range of VA LED monitors. It aims to produce
technology offering consumers a better choice for the health of their
eyes. The VA panel technology provides uncompromised picture
quality and colour reproduction. ‘Flicker’ is the fading between
cycles and this coupled with screen brightness and contrast, is
responsible for causing eye fatigue.
Travelex launches
new money transfer service
July 2014
T
8
ravelex has launched a new money transfer
service in Oman allowing customers to send money
directly to international bank accounts. Travelex
Money Transfer (TMT) enables customers in Oman to send
cash to bank accounts in India, Sri Lanka and Philippines
within 24 hours for just RO1.5. Customers using Travelex, the
global expert in currency exchange, will also have the option
to join a Travelex loyalty scheme allowing them to make their
6th transaction absolutely free. Travelex’s network of stores
includes Oman International Airport, which is open 24 hours
a day, making the service easily accessible at any hour.
Hollywood’s
Braveheart
While his unforgettable portrayal of William
Wallace, a 13th century Scottish Warrior,
in ‘Braveheart’, still resonates around the
world, Gibson’s new outing, as an adversary to
the team of action heroes in the upcoming film
‘The Expendables 3’, is all set to win over his
legion of fans
July 2014
‘How hard can it be to kill
10 men?’ asks Stonebanks, played
10
by Mel Gibson, in a trailer of ‘The
Expendables 3’, due for release on
August 15. In the movie clip, Gibson
explains: ‘We were close once, we
started this whole Expendables thing
together, but we had a falling out.’
Gibson plays the ruthless arms
dealer Conrad Stonebanks, who is
determined to destroy the team, but,
ironically, he is revealed as a cofounder of the Expendables, which
includes Sylvester Stallone, Jason
Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Wesley Snipes and Dolph Lundgren,
to name a few.
Mel Gibson excels as the villain; his
calm and collected, but, apparently,
sinister nature is well captured in
the trailer, convincing viewers that
Gibson is, indeed, a fine addition as a
rogue agent who stepped over to the
dark side. But die-hard fans of Gibson
are well aware of his acting skills,
having proven, time and again, in such
blockbuster successes as Braveheart,
Mad Max, Gallipoli, Apocalypto, The
Passion of the Christ, The Year of
Living Dangerously, The Man Without
a Face, Lethal Weapon and The Patriot.
Born Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson
on January 3, 1956, in Peekskill, New
York, Gibson was 12 when he moved
with his parents to Sydney. He studied
acting at the Australian National
Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and
today is renowned as an actor, film
director, producer and screenwriter.
It was while he was a student at NIDA
that Gibson made his film debut in
the 1977 film ‘Summer City’, for which
he was paid $400. After graduation
in 1977, Gibson began work on the
filming of ‘Mad Max’, while continuing
to work as a stage actor; he joined
the State Theatre Company of South
Australia in Adelaide. Gibson then
played the title character in the film
‘Mad Max’ in 1979 (he was paid $15000
for this role). Shortly after making the
film he did a season with the South
Australian Theatre Company. During
this period he shared a $30 a week
apartment in Adelaide with his future
wife Robyn.
After appearing as an action hero
during the 1980s, Gibson went on
to establish Icon Entertainment,
a Production Company which
independent film director
Atom Egoyanhas called, ‘an
alternative to the studio
system’.
Gibson joined the cast of
the World War II action
film ‘Attack Force Z’,
which was not released
until 1982, by which time
Gibson had become a
bigger star. The sequel
‘Mad Max 2’ was his first
hit in America (released
as ‘The Road Warrior’).
In 1982 he attracted
critical acclaim in Peter
Weir’s romantic thriller ‘The
Year of Living Dangerously’.
Following a year hiatus from
film acting, after the birth of
his twin sons, Gibson took on
the role of Fletcher Christian in
‘The Bounty’. It was the third Mad
Max series – ‘Beyond Thunderdome’
- that earned him his first milliondollar salary. In 1995, Gibson swept
the Oscars with Braveheart, his epic
account of 13th century Scottish
leader William Wallace’s lifelong
struggle to forge an independent
nation.
Whether he practices what he
preaches or not, Gibson, seemingly,
lives by these words: ‘The only
way to maintain a moderate sum of
happiness in this life, is not to worry
about the future or regret the past too
much.’
Oscar organisers have new
regulations for music categories
O
rganisers of the Academy Awards are
putting rules in place for next year to
prevent any mishaps in the film campaign
process, targeting the music categories. As per
the rules, member of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences’ music branch are
not allowed to contact other members via mail,
email, telephone or social media to promote the
nomination of their song. Voting members are
also not permitted to attend a live performance of
eligible songs unless it is tied to a film screening.
Phil Collins’
Alamo collection
back in Texas
B
ritish rocker Phil Collins, an avid
collector of Alamo memorabilia,
plans to donate his collection of
items from the 1836 battle for Texas
independence to a museum at the
San Antonio shrine. Collins holds the
largest known private collection of
artefacts from the Texas Revolution
and the Battle of the Alamo, with
the collection kept
at Collins’ home in
Switzerland.
He
has one of the four
rifles known to
have belonged to
Davy Crockett,
other artefacts
from the time and
documents from
early
Texas
history.
P
resident Barack Obama
and wife Michelle both
worked
minimumwage jobs before they got
law degrees: a characterbuilding experience they
say they also want their
teenage daughters to share.
The president scooped ice
cream at Baskin-Robbins,
waited tables at an assistedliving facility for seniors
and also worked as a painter. The first lady
worked at a book binding shop. “We are
looking for opportunities for them to feel as if
going to work and getting a pay check is not
always fun, not always stimulating, not always
fair,” the president said. “But that’s what most
folks go through every single day.”
Eid Releases
A
July 2014
fter several delays and
postponements, Amr Diab is
set to release his new music
album, post-Ramadan. Several
factors led to the delay of the
Egyptian singer’s new production,
most significantly, the death of his
close friend, poet Majdi al Najjar.
Majdi had written three distinctive
songs for Amr before his death;
these are included in his upcoming
album. Egyptian singer Amal Maher
has also decided to postpone the
release of her new album until Eid.
Following on their cue, Khaled
Selim will also be releasing his
album at the same time.
12
Chris Brown
rejects plea deal
R
&B singer Chris Brown rejected a no-jail plea deal for a
suspected sidewalk punch-up and will go to trial in September.
Brown rejected a plea accord that would have sentenced him
to time served in exchange for pleading guilty to a misdemeanour
assault charge, his attorney Mark Geragos said. “They wanted him
to read from a script that wasn’t true. He didn’t want to do that, and
I didn’t want him to do that,” he told reporters outside the court.
Mubarak
Tittle
a
“Oh yeah, 100%.
I still kind of do. I was
‘Big Tub’, that was my rap
name. I was very paranoid about
my weight. I didn’t know how to
sscratch [a record] so I used to pull up
and down the zip on my hoodie and
record it. It sounds exactly like it!”
- Robert Pattinson reveals that he was
a bit chubby and had aspirations of
being a rapper, back in
those days.
“I’ve moved on
from this topic so I hope
people will respect that and do
the same.”
J ly
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014
01
- Singer Rita Ora addresses her recent
break-up with fellow muso
Calvin Harris on
Twitter.
14
“I would never name
anybody but I just did a video
with this model and he was just
almost perfect. It’s not that he’s perfect,
like he’s got a big nose, but he’s perfect.
If I had a celebrity crush it would be him.”
- J-Lo revealed she has a crush on the
British model, who recently appeared in her
music video First Love.
“It’s total chaos obviously. Before you have kids
you really do not understand
how much work it is and how
consuming it is. And then you have
one and you’re like, ‘Oh my God my
baby is my whole world.’ Every moment
of the day is dedicated to this one baby
and then all of a sudden you have
two babies!””
- Megan Fox opens up about how
becoming a parent has changed
her life.
- Katy Perry shared a photo via
Instagram of herself posing with the
former Secretary of State, and
expressed her support for Clinton’s
presidential candidature.
- Kim Kardashian and Kanye West might be the
biggest perfectionists in the history of showbiz,
after the rapper revealed that they spent
four days editing their wedding
photo so it was just right.
“She was famous
because she was a
talented child actress,
and now she’s famous
because she gets
into trouble.”
- Actor James Franco was
possibly talking about
Lindsay Lohan...?
July 2014
“I told
@hillaryclinton that
I would write her a ‘theme’
song if she needs it…”
“She was exhausted
because we worked on
the photo so much… Can you
imagine telling someone who wants
to just Instagram a photo - who’s the
No. 1 person on Instagram - ‘We need to
work on the color of the flower wall,’ or the
idea that it’s a Givenchy dress, and it’s
not about the name Givenchy, it’s about the
talent that is Riccardo Tisci — and
how important [she] is to the internet.”
15
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16
Oman’s
Great Outdoors
Mohamed Ali Al Riyami, a stalwart of Oman’s
tourism industry, presents fresh perspectives
to develop the potential resources and new
dimensions to boost the current spurt in the
tourism market
Mohamed Al Riyami
cover STORY
JJuly
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T
hat Oman’s tourism sector is growing and that it has immense
potentials to augment the economy has been well established by
seasoned players in the field… But is the excessive attention to
the expansion of the hotel sector, somehow, sidelining the need for a
parallel growth in newer and more creative ventures, designed to add
to the traditional touristic options?
There is no denying that the development of the hospitality industry is
commensurate with the growth of tourism in the country, but the pace,
rather the intensity, in creating a wider platform to attract tourists of
all tastes and interests is yet to pick up. With domestic tourism gaining
grounds, there is a need to add newer dimensions to the existing
options; more so with the standardisation of holidays and the twoday weekends, which is seen as a major thrust for both locals and
expatriates to give Oman’s fascinating outdoors a touristic flavour.
17
7
cover STORY
July 2014
18
The staggering growth of the road networks
and the ongoing work on the railways and the
regional airports will also propel the domestic
tourism industry in the right direction,
maintains Mohamed Al Riyami, whose
Arabian Sea Safaris was the first sea tourism
company to be registered at the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry – way back in 1996.
“Those seeking weekend trips within the
country are boosted by the improvements
in the transportation infrastructures and
facilities, which have made it easier and
quicker to travel around the country,
especially for weekend trips. Added to that
are the ferries and buses. And when the
regional airports are completed for local
flights, it would also provide new options
for weekend trips; alongside will be the
Oman national railway, which will make
travel affordable, easy, quicker, relaxing and
comfortable for weekend trips,” he explains.
While sightseeing trips are still popular,
there is a large untapped market for tours
and trips that have adventure and novelty
woven into them. Although the potential
exists, adventure and sports related tourism
activities are limited in their scope and
reach. It is not the tour and service providers
alone who can be held liable for this; the
lack of awareness and apathy among the
domestic tourists, are also responsible
factors.
There is, however, a palpable growth in
adventure tourism notes, Riyami, stressing
the need to implement safety procedures to
encourage adventure tourism. Dive centres,
marinas for sea trips and tours, trekking
and hiking facilities in Jebel Shams have
all gained popularity in recent times. The
growth in water sports has been impressive
too.
In the following article, Riyami, a veteran
in the tourism industry and water sports
- he initiated dolphin-watching trips in
the capital with Robert Baldwin, a leading
marine biologist in Oman – highlights the
“Those seeking weekend trips within the
country are boosted by the improvements
in the transportation infrastructures and
facilities, which have made it easier and
quicker to travel around the country,
especially for weekend trips.”
Mohamed Al Riyami
scope of growth in the sector as he presents an impressive list of
tourism activities that he has planned for the near future.
Spur for the growth in the touristic facilities
and services:
A major spur for the growth in the touristic facilities and services
in all the prominent touristic destinations in the country is His
Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said who believes in developing Oman
as a leading cultural tourism destination in the Arab world and not a
mass tourism one. His Majesty’s policies have ensured improvement
of all kinds of tourist infrastructures in the Sultanate of Oman, and,
at the same time, encouraged us, Omani citizens, to preserve our
culture and traditions. His Majesty also believes in the diversification
of the economy so the Sultanate of Oman can benefit economically
and spread its image internationally.
Growth of domestic tourism:
I believe domestic tourism has grown very successfully in the
country. It is well demonstrated in Salalah with improvements to
the Khareef festival and tourism infrastructure. Other places like
Jebel Akdhar and Sur - a popular destination owing to its traditional
and historic background as the sailing capital – have grown as
important domestic tourism destinations, thanks to the establishment
of tourism infrastructures and other facilities. Musandam is also
gearing up to become a popular domestic tourism destination. It has
amazing coastal sceneries, fjords, diving sites, game fishing sites,
mountainous regions and interesting cultural traditions.
cover STORY
However, one needs to remember that Oman is a big
country and it is not easy for Omanis to travel as a
family on a day trip to different parts of the country.
To better their options, what is needed is:
1. Affordable and comfortable public transport
2. Affordable traditional accommodation
Birkat al Mauz
To encourage locals and residents to explore the
country…
The most important thing to do is to preserve the historic forts
and castles. They are being preserved now; but there should be
additional cultural activities in these forts and castles for visitors
to learn about the history, culture and tradition of the area that the
domestic tourists’ visit. This will help them learn the contrasts in
history, cultures and traditions when they visit places like Nizwa,
Sohar, Sur, Salalah and Musandam. Most importantly, the cultural
activities should be presented in a theatre setup, not just in
pictures and books.
Water sports and related tourism options
I believe in promotion of non-motorised water sports, which
are environment friendly. I did
establish, for few years, nonmotorised water sports such
as kayaking, canoeing, pedal
boat, aqua bikes, laser sailing,
hobbie cat sailing, laser fun
boat, fishing ski adventure
and beach casting at the Boat
House in InterContinental
July 2014
Domestic tourism can certainly be improved,
especially to win over the large population of
traditional conservative Omani men who would
like to travel with their families. It would help if
there were affordable traditional accommodations
like the old Omani village of Birkat al Mauz and
others that can be renovated into domestic visitors’
family accommodations. Traditional conservative
Omani men would feel more comfortable to stay in
these accommodations when they travel with their
families. This way they would not have to share the
accommodation with visiting tourists in modern
western hotels or force themselves to be guests
with their Omani counterparts in the local villages
that they are visiting.
In these affordable traditional accommodations,
there should be cultural events like traditional
dances, traditional sports, traditional cooking, etc.,
providing entertainment to the families and easy
options to see different parts of the country and
also learn and enjoy its cultural diversity and
natural beauty.
19
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Hotel Muscat. Also important are land sports like cycling
and kite flying.
20
20
Adventure tourism options
Cave diving has caught the imagination of adventure
travellers in the country and international adventure
seekers are drawn to the exciting options in the country.
One such is the Majlis Al Jinn Cave (Salma Plateau)…
Out of sight in the heart of brown hills, located at the
foothills of the eastern Al Hajar Mountains, hides one
of the greatest and most beautiful natural wonders.
It is the Majlis Al Jinn Cave or Salma Plateau as it is
commonly known, and is considered one of the largest
underground caves in the world.
Tourism products needed to boost
the industry:
Tourism products that are needed to boost the industry:
1. Primarily, the need for Omani tourist guides who are
educated and trained, have learned the history of Oman,
understand the diversity of Omani cultures and have
physical experience of the geography of the country.
These Omani tourist guides will act as mirrors of the
Sultanate of Oman, as far as tourists are concerned.
Whatever knowledge the guides pass on to the visiting
tourists’ is a way of direct marketing of the country and
it will further boost the tourism industry.
2. Development of restaurants, accommodations,
cultural events and adventure tourism activities like
cycling, camel ride, horse ride, etc. This will ensure
that when the tourists arrive at their destination – at the
historic fort and castle - there will be facilities that will
make them comfortable and spend more time at the
place.
3. Development of traditional sailing dhows as Oman
was a sailing nation. However, for safety and upmarket
operations, these dhows should be owned by the
Ministry of Tourism, through Omran, and operated by
the Royal Navy of Oman, like the way it does with Shabab
Oman. These dhows could be sailed to different parts of
the world, like Shabab Oman, to promote Oman’s image
as a unique tourism destinations. This will be unique in
the Arabian world and will be a big attraction.
Need for tour operators offering
diverse services and facilities:
I would say that there is room for more tour operators
with diverse services and facilities to meet the demand
and promote the Sultanate of Oman. Personally, I have
plans to:
1. Start the ‘first floating restaurant’ in Oman, once the
Sultan Qaboos Port will be turned into Cruise Liner Port.
2. Establish ‘mountain lift’ and ‘chair lift’ in mountainous
scenic areas of the Sultanate of Oman, especially in Jebel
Al Akhdhar and Jebel Shams.
3. Establish lake cruises in Dhofar, as Dhofar is the
only part of the Sultanate that has permanent lakes with
beautiful greenery and scenery. The yachts do not have
to be very big, like the ones in big European lakes; they
need to be small and comfortable enough for visitors to
enjoy the scenery
The Sultanate of Oman is a land of contrast. There
are various destinations that can be covered and
experienced in a daylong trip or an overnight one.
Here below is one of the two-day adventure trip
- Muscat, Sur, Wahiba Sands and back to Muscat –
which I used to offer. It was very popular among
middle-aged domestic tourists, as it provided lots
enjoyable experiences. These include:
1. A sightseeing yacht trip from Muscat to Sur
- about five hours with on-board breakfast.
2. When in Sur, a sightseeing drive to explore
the wadis and mountains of Sur - for about
two hours - followed by a lunch in a local
Sur restaurant.
3. After the lunch, a drive from Sur to the camp
in Sharqiya Desert (Wahiba Sands).
4. After check-in and rest, a late afternoon
camel ride to explore the desert and
experience camel ride.
5. Overnight stay in the desert camp with
an open buffet dinner.
6. Next morning, after breakfast, drive back
to Muscat with a countryside sightseeing tour.
Aishelaqtta Blog Updates
WOW, WHAT’S HAPPENING? WELL HERE ARE A
FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LATEST HAPPENINGS
AROUND TOWN, WHICH WERE FEATURED IN THE
BLOG (THERE MIGHT BE MORE SO LOOK IT UP)
T
here is a small part of me that keeps wondering if there is a reason for
me to keep doing what I do with my blog, and social media
networks but then the voice of reason strikes and I say
to myself I enjoy what I do and like to keep people informed with
what’s happening around town. The direction of the blog may have
changed slightly in that it includes more of a marketing aspect
to it, but then the information shared is just the same in keeping the local
community informed.
What could you have missed this summer month? A Lot!
Though I must admit the blog-sphere has been lethargic due to two factors;
one being that it’s the summer season and the second is that Ramadan has
started. For those of you still in the country and looking up on things to get
the kids active with then check out the blog post listing various activities
for them. Keep in mind that some of them are coming to a close due to it
being mid-summer and most people are setting off out of town.
Ramadan is usually a slow-moving month but this time around there is the
Football season that comes in line with it, thus giving the hoteliers a chance
to attract the football fans to fancy set-up Iftar menus and locations. This
month you can look forward to the biggest local charity incentive “Hand in
Hand” generated by the Shangri-la’s Barr Al Jissah running every Friday
(4/11/18th of July) with funds being generated for school supplies, you
can read more about it within the Aishelaqtta blog, and keep up with the
competition running on the social media channels where the participants
gets to win Iftar dinner for two at the Al Bandar Hotel on a weekly basis.
Other things to look up during this month are the SQU blood drive which
will be in MGM, the Dar Al Atta Souq and the BM Souq. Another interesting
activity for this month is the Red Bull Runaround, which has started with the
beginning of Ramadan and will continue for the whole month. The concept
is that clues are featured and locals are expected to allocate the “wings”
at specific locations around Muscat. All of which are announced within
the blog, so take a look and keep updated with the local activities in town.
The hot weather has not hindered activities in the local scene. You can
expect a few more activities and offers with the Eid season coming soon,
and maybe a continuation of shopping venues offering promotions.
With these events and more happening, there’s no reason you should be
bored in Muscat. Get out and have some fun. There will
sure be a lot of others doing the same thing!
Visit: D. Al-Riyami’s blog at: http: //aishelaqtta.blogspot.com/
Instagram: @aishelaqtta, E-mail: [email protected]
July 2014
Guidelines
for domestic
tourists to savour
the best the
country has to
offer:
21
in CONVERSATION
Javed Nawaz:
A Community Man
Fortune, apparently, favours the bold, as exemplified
in the following conversation with Javed Nawaz, who has
taken a community-centric approach to life and work
‘A place behind Quetta Mountains’, is how a group of young Omanis, who were
visiting Pakistan, described Oman, inviting Javed Nawaz, now the Managing
Director of Agro-development and Commercial Projects*, to visit Muscat. He
took up their invitation and landed in the capital on December 1982; he has
stayed put since, for more than three decades, thanks to a host of attractive
features that have shaped Oman into a hospitable and peaceful nation.
Early life
At the helm of affairs
Following in his father’s footsteps,
Nawaz soon demonstrated his
leadership trait and passion for
community welfare. He was elected
Secretary, and later President of
Punjab University Law College
Students Union. After Masters in
Statistics and Post Graduation in Law,
with Roll of Honour and Gold Medal,
he joined DANIDA, (Danish Agency
for International Development) and
got a fellowship to learn ‘Management
of CO-OP Super Markets’ in Denmark.
“On my return, DANIDA in
co-operation
with
Pakistan
Government, established a Chain
of Self Service Stores that brought
miraculous change in the behaviour
and consumer habits in Pakistan,” he
states.
July 2014
Born in Jalandar (India), Nawaz migrated to Lahore amid large-scale massacre.
Recalling his early life, he narrates: “After a short stay at Lahore, we moved to
Rawalpindi and then to Bahawalpur, where my father was elected a Member
of Legislative Assembly (MLA). The nearest school from our village was 5kms
away - with a canal to cross. My mother was not happy, and readily abandoned
the large estate in pursuit of education. She packed everything on two bullock
carts and moved to Punjab.”
However, on reaching Lahore, they realised that floods would curtail their
movement and decided to stay on at the railway station. His mother then
recalled that one of her cousins, Jameela, had married a police officer, posted
in Lahore. She only knew that the cousin lived in the vicinity of a street - Mayo
Hospital Street No. 5, but managed to send a letter, via a tongawala (horsecart) operator, informing about their situation and stating that they would
come and stay with them, provided her son accompanied the tongawala back.
“This courageous step, in spite of the resistance from the family and friends,
changed our life. We then settled in a town where we had access to quality
education and very good teachers,” adds Nawaz.
During those days, two equally strong groups were trying to get control of the
Municipal Council. His mother intervened for reconciliation, following which
his father took over as Chief Officer, with the support from both the groups.
Although it was a position lower than an MLA, he had strong connections and
was able to improve the situation, getting electricity supply as well telephone
connection, in addition to a host of other facilities.
22
Javed Nawaz with MPPH founder Essa Bin Mohammed Al Zedjali
& Hussain Ahmed
Javed Nawaz Nikkah
at Syed Maudoodi Residence
Giving back to the society
Emboldened by the confidence
demonstrated in his ability, he
achieved extensive growth in the
country and, today, is poised to do his
bit for the country. Having realised the
impact of societal changes on locals
with low incomes, he has come up
with a blueprint for a ‘Co-operative
Consumers Society’ with central
procurement, storage and logistics; a
few hypermarkets in the capital; and
hundreds of markets spread over the
country, which are to be managed
by Omanis so as to help stabilise
prices and ensure food security,
while creating over 4000 jobs. “To
pay back to the country, I have
proposed residential complexes that
are financed on Islamic co-operative
basis and built and transferred as ‘not
for profit’. A young Omani should be
provided a decent apartment in an
environment like Muscat Grand Mall,
with easy instalments of RO150 to
RO250,” he explains.
Community aid
In October 2005, when an earthquake
wreaked havoc on the northern
areas of Pakistan, Nawaz, who was
the Chairman of Pakistan Social
Club in Oman, organised a friendly
‘Cricket for Cause’ match, between
Pakistan Ambassador’s team and
Indian Ambassador’s team. Pakistan
Ambassador and Indian Ambassador
extended full support, while H.H.
Sayyid Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said
presented a personal cheque.
The Match was followed by a food
festival and they managed to raise
USD290,000, in two nights, for the
earthquake victims.
In early 2000, the Pakistan
Government appointed him as the
Honorary Investment Counsellor
and during the 12-year stint he
participated in several conferences,
attended seminars on investment and
had deep interaction with public and
private sector investors in Oman. “In a
media interview, I floated the concept
of Pak Oman Investment Company,
which was signed during the visit of
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said
to Pakistan,” he states, pointing out
that he has also accompanied several
high level talks, including the visit
of Shaukat Aziz, trade delegation
meeting with Minster of Commerce
and Industry and meeting with the
Chairman of Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
Back in Pakistan, he is the Chairman
BOD, PILDAT (Pakistan Institute
of Legislative Development and
Transparency) and Member Board of
Advisors, PINA (Pakistan Institute of
National Affairs).
He has been the Chairman Board of
Governors of Pakistan College from
1990 to 92, during which time the
Computer Science, Statistics and
English Literature departments were
added and affiliation with London
University was applied. This period
also saw the establishment of three
Pakistan schools at Sohar, Nizwa and
Turmad.
in CONVERSATION
scared of ‘sponsorship’, known as
‘Kifalah’, he struggled to establish
an Omani company with foreign
investment. “We were indebted to the
wisdom of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos
bin Said for promulgating Foreign
Investment Law 1976. Shaikh Soud
Khalili, (Ex Minister of Education),
Col. Said Salem al Wuhaibi, President
of Diwan, and Bilge Group of Turkey
joined me while Prof. Kharshid Ahmed,
the Former Federal Minister and my
mentor transferred one million dollars
to accelerate registration,” he adds.
Family
Nawaz and his wife Gul have three
children. Talking about them, he says:
“Oman offered unique opportunity to
send my daughter Javaria to London
Met, where she won Benazir Bhutto
Fellowship and did Masters in ISD.
My son, Salman, did post graduation
diploma in Economics from London
School of Economics and is now
contributing to the financial growth
of Oman. Anem, the youngest, did her
MBBS from Shifa Medical College and
is now pursuing medicine in the US.
Gul has always been a support and
source of strength”
* The focus of Agro-development is on food security
of Oman, through research in vegetables, poultry and
livestock. Guided by Abdus Sattar Basra, the former
Advisor to Diwan, the company also assists students
of Sultan Qaboos University in their field research.
July 2014
In early 1974, he was selected
to join the Group Study Exchange
Programme (tailored by Rotary
International to enhance management
skills of young business executives)
for training in California. On his return,
he was appointed General Manager
of Roti Corporation of Pakistan, a
brainchild of Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
(Former Prime Minister of Pakistan),
for mass production and distribution
of bread, to conserve fuel and power
and ensure nutritious, hygienic bread
at affordable prices.
Later, he floated a company
called Remca Pak Ltd and won the
construction contract of Pakistan’s
largest Poultry Complex, jointly
owned by PIA and Shaver Breeders of
Canada. “Mr. Shaver personally came
to Lahore and advised us to recruit
50 percent workers and award major
sub-contracts to the local people…
In the last 30 years, the project has
transformed the lives of young men
and women and created a new class
of self-employed people who were
given financial help to buy tractors,
tools and plants,” explains Nawaz.
In 1982, he was elected member,
Board of Directors of Lahore Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, and later,
Chairman of Foreign Investment
Committee; he also had unique
interaction with Punjab Delhi Chamber
across the border. After successfully
completing World Bank Financed
‘Greater Lahore Sewerage 302’ and
Asian Development Bank Financed
‘Wheat Storage’, the company was
awarded a lucrative job in Quetta.
“My wife Gul and me, instead of
leasing an apartment, opted to live at
Lourdes Hotel, situated in cantonment,
which was then managed by a British
Lady,” he states, recalling that it was
during this time that they met a few
young Omani boys. Thanks to their
encouragement, he made several
visits to the country, but as he was
Javed Nawaz with his son, daughter & wife
23
in the SPOTLIGHT
July 2014
24
Shifting the Paradigm of Success
Insta8Oman, a unique platform that has gripped the
imagination of social media aficionados in the country,
with its exciting permutations and combinations and
an all-pervasive reach, could soon be making
its mark on the global market
W
hile the clichéd ‘A
picture
can
speak
a
thousand
words’
inadvertently suppresses the need
to speak about a photograph,
Insta8Oman, the brainchild of
precocious event manager and
articulate entrepreneur Fahmi
Mohammed Zahran Al Mawali,
is all about providing a platform
to enunciate the photographer’s
perspective of the image.
Words that describe the creative
zone in which an image was
captured, has, apparently, an
inspirational quality about it; one
that Fahmi has well encapsulated
in his social media venture and
helped pave the way for even rank
newcomers take on the mantle of
motivational speakers.
Insta8Oman, which was conceived
a couple of months ago, has already
zoomed into Oman’s popularity charts,
and is all poised to hit the global scene.
“I started pushing the threshold. I
reached a point when I started thinking,
‘don’t think out of the box…think there
is no box’ - that, by the way is a slogan
I live by,” he quips. The last Insta8 event
was held at Hand-in-Hand organised by
Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and
Spa, earlier this month.
The interest generated locally has
aroused the curiosity of social media
buffs in the neighbouring countries,
with feelers being sent to the founder
to initiate Insta8 outside Oman too.
Potentials for Insta8Bahrain and one
in Pakistan too were discussed early
last month. It will also go on a regional
circuit, with Insta8Salalah in the offing
during the upcoming Khareef season.
This is in addition to the novel runs of
Insta8 on alumni tracks. Following the
success of Insta8 alumni at Sultan School
Muscat, on the anvil are Insta8 events for
AIESEC, GUTECH, PDO and Omantel.
“It is called insta8Oman but it has many
permutations; it is open to anybody
who wants to come in,” notes Fahmi,
who operates the Insta8 brand under
the banner of his event management
company - Eventus.
The events generate revenue purely
through sponsorships. According
to him, “Every sponsor would want
to be a part of this because it is a
motivational platform and everybody
wants to be associated with education
and creativity.”
The first Insta8Oman event was held
in late April at the Opera Galleria with
in the SPOTLIGHT
H.H. Sayyid Tarik Al Said leading the
speakers and setting the tone for the
event.
How did it all begin…?
Why Insta8…?
While it is obvious that it is a take on
the popular online photo-sharing social
networking service, the number 8 was
Fahmi’s way of giving it a twist. 8, he
says, defines the basic attention span
of humans and an upside look at the
infinity symbol - “I thought 20 minutes
– of TED Talks - is too long and 20
seconds – Pecha Kucha - too short. So I
decided to do a minute for each photo,
with a total of 8 minutes,” he explains.
What exactly happens in an
Insta8 event?
‘8 moments (images) in 8 minutes
by 8 motivators.’ That, in a capsule,
explains the concept behind the brand.
The motivational speakers chosen for
every event have to, compulsorily, take
their photographs by phone and not
any camera. “It doesn’t have to be a
demonstration of photography skill; it
is how you perceive things and present
it in your Instagram,” notes Fahmi.
The idea is to make the audience feel
educated and more aware and inspired.
There are three categories – open topic,
which features six speakers, in addition
to a case study of community, and a
case study of business, by two speakers,
respectively. The nearly three-hour long
event includes one hour of reception,
two hours of presentations by speakers,
with introductions and a monologue.
From the very beginning, Fahmi relied
purely on social media to generate
awareness and curiosity for the event,
which soon caught the attention of
the press. However, he did not have
to advertise to garner interest or
attendance and the very first Insta8
event saw his insta8oman page jump
from 388 people to 1100 - by the end of
the day. “It was the first paperless event
in Oman,” he claims.
As per the set format,interested speakers
and even attendees are required to
send a request via instagram.
Final thoughts…
About success and life in general, Fahmi
says: “I prayed hard and God gave me
something very strong in content and
context. I have been in this business for at
least 13 years and I have been lucky… I
see myself selling this to Instagram for a
staggering amount. You can see that it is
easily saleable, because it is a Vanity Project.
I am playing on that…
“I am a team building facilitator; I am
all about education and motivation. My
slogan, as an event manager, is – making
effort effortless!”
J ly 2
Ju
July
2014
014
01
“I love to speak; I love to be in front
of the audience,” is the preamble from
the confident Fahmi. It was the rank
indifference from the coordinators of
TED Talks and PechaKucha, to his request
to be a speaker, at their respective
events, that led him to redefine the
boundaries of organising events.
“I said enough is enough. I am a creative
event organiser and I knew I could
come up with something for myself,” he
states. He listed his strong points and
knew, instantly, that what he does best
is host events. As if to corroborate that
trait, Oman’s celebrity tennis star Fatma
Al Nabhani, after the first Insta8 event,
pointed out that she cannot see anybody
else but Fahmi presenting Insta8Oman.
As he notes, the strength of the show is
not in its official look – not in the lights,
the sound and the projector – “It’s in the
content and the speakers”.
To go back to the very beginning,
his mom realised, very early on, that
his unstoppable energy was fit for a
field job, which led him to become a
mechanical engineer. But what triggered
his current crest of success was his early
belief that he had no creative talents like
his brother who used to draw, and his
desire to break those shackles. A simple
game of wits with a friend, to come
up with a creative ad for a soft drink,
proved effective in making him realise
that he does have a creative frame of
imagination.
Soon he realised that his ideas were
strong and that they could actually be
sold. So, while he was graduating in
England, he found his groove as a party
organiser and in the course of time
found his calling in event management.
“I started realising that there is
something in me. The money is in my
brain… As long as I can stay imaginative
and creative, that is as long as I can last
in this business,” he maintains.
25
25
From
feast ON
Fawziya’s
Kitchen
Presenting some tried and tested recipes from
well known cookbook author Fawziya Ali Khalifa Al Maskiry
W
hen what to cook, or, perhaps, how to cook a particular dish, boggles the mind, it is
best to refer to a cookery book that has stood the test of time. There is nothing more
comforting than a step-by-step recipe book to guide novices in the kitchen; even
seasoned cooks need to refer to books or online guides when whipping up a new
dish. There is just no denying the importance of recipes
published by experts. Like the popular local cookery book,
‘A Taste to Remember’, from Fawziya Al Maskiry, which
has become an all-important item in many a kitchen
in the country and abroad. It presents the secrets of
successful cooking, with exact measurements that
are designed to create perfect dishes – every
time.
We have culled out some interesting recipes
from her cookbook to try out during these
Eid holidays…
July 2014
Cream of lentil soup
26
Ingredients:
z Split orange lentils – ½ cup (washed)
z Fresh spinach – 1 cup (chopped)
z Potatoes – 2 medium (cup into small cubes)
z Onion - 1 medium (chopped)
z Tomatoes – 2 medium (chopped)
z Carrot – 1 small (chopped)
z Garlic – 2 cloves (chopped)
z Lime juice – 1tbspn
z Salt – 1tsp (level)
z Green chilli – ¼ (chopped)
z Water – 6 cups
z Vegetable stock cube – 1
z Butter- 1tbspn
Method:
1. Cover and boil lentil with 4 cups of water in a
medium pan over medium heat. Add all the other
ingredients, except the stock, butter, limejuice
and salt – cook for 25 minutes.
2. Let the mixture cool before putting it into a
blender. Add the remaining two cups of water and
pulse for three minutes.
3. Pour the mixture back into the pan. Add the stock,
limejuice, butter and salt and cook over medium
heat – without covering – for three minutes.
4. Garnish with parsley leaves and serve hot.
ffeast
east ON
ON
Sesame Bread
Ingredients:
z Plain flour – 3 cups
z Fresh milk – 2 cups
z Milk powder – ½ cup
z Oil – ¼ cup
z Yeast – 2tbspn
z Sugar – 5tbspn
z Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp
z Eggs – 4
z Baking powder – 2tsp
z Sesame seeds – ½ cup
z Butter – for brushing
Method:
1. Beat the flour, fresh milk, oil,
sugar, yeast, cardamom powder,
milk powder, eggs and baking
powder at a low speed for five
to six minutes.
2. Cover and leave to rise in the
same bowl for about 30 minutes
or until fully risen.
3. Prepare a small bowl of salted
water, in addition to another small
bowl of unsalted water. Keep a
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
fr ying
pan
over high heat and
sprinkle some
salted water on it.
Reduce
the
heat to low. Dip your
hand
in
the
unsalted water and
take a handful of the
flour
mixture.
Spread it gently
and carefully with
your fingers to
cover the base and
sprinkle the top
with sesame seeds.
Cook for two – three
minutes until the base is light brown. It puffs and cooks quickly.
Immediately, place the bread under a hot grill (close to the heat). Rotate
the pan to make sure all sides are evenly cooked to golden brown.
Remove from the grill and brush the top with butter.
Repeat the process and make sure that the sesame breads are kept apart
while still hot
This mixture will make six medium breads. It takes about 30 minutes to
cook all of them.
Ingredients:
z Fish fillet – 1kg (cleaned and cut
into medium pieces)
z Rice – 2 cups (washed, soaked
for 20 minutes and drained)
z Fish stock cube
(boiled with 3 ½ cups water)
z Onions – 4 big (thinly sliced)
z Potatoes – 3 medium
(cut into quarters)
z Oil – ½ cup
z Salt – 1tsp
z Coriander leaves – 1tbspn
(finely chopped)
For fish marinade
z Garlic – 1tsp (mashed)
z Black pepper – ½ tsp
(freshly ground)
z Red chilli powder- ½ tsp
z Lime juice – 2tbspn
z Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
z Fish masala powder – 1 tsp
z Salt – 1tsp
Method:
1. Marinate the fish in the fish
marinade ingredients for one to
two hours.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Fry the fish in hot oil over medium heat for about three minutes on
each side, until light brown.
Deep-fry the potatoes in oil over low heat for 15 minutes, until golden
brown. Drain oil and keep aside.
Fry the onions in the oil in a deep wide pan over medium heat until light
brown. Add the garlic and stir. Now add the rice, stir for a minute and
add the fish stock and salt.
Cover and cook over medium heat for eight minutes until the water
has evaporated. Reduce heat.
Mix the fried fish with the fried potatoes and chopped coriander. Place
the mixture on top of the pilau rice.
Cover and leave to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes.
Serve hot with onion salad (optional).
Ju
July
uly
l 2
2014
014
01
Fish Pilau
27
27
feast ON
Meatball Curry
Ingredients:
z Minced meat – 1/2kg
(rinsed well and drained)
z Onions – 2 medium (minced)
z Tomatoes – 3 medium
(minced)
z Onion – 1 small (minced fine
to mix with the meat)
z Potatoes – 2 medium (cut into
small cubes and deep fried)
z Tomato paste – 2tbsp
z Cinnamon powder – 1/2 tsp
z Black pepper – ½ tsp
freshly ground
z Fresh green chilli – 1
(finely chopped)
z Coriander leaves – 1tbsp
z Mashed garlic – 1tsp
z Mashed ginger – 1tsp
z Lime juice – 1tbsp
z Salt – 1tsp (to mix with
the meat)
z Salt – 1tsp (for the curry)
z Oil – 7tbsp
z Water – 2 cups
Method:
1. Mix the minced meat with the small onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon
powder, black pepper, salt and chilli. Shape it into approximately
20 small balls.
2. Arrange the meatballs in a shallow pan; cover and cook without adding
water over low heat, for about 15 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat and fry the onions for about
12 minutes, until golden brown.
4. Add tomatoes, cover and cook for 5 to 8 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Now add the tomato paste and cook for another two minutes.
5. Reduce the heat to low and add the meatballs along with the stock.
Add in the water, salt, fried potatoes and the limejuice. Cover and cook for
another 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Garnish with coriander leaves and hot pepper.
July 2014
Date Cake
28
Ingredients:
z Plain flour - 500gms
z Butter – 450gms
z Dates – 500gms (stoned and
chopped)
z Sugar – 500gms
z Eggs – 10 (medium)
z Baking powder – 4tsp
z Bicarbonate of soda – 1tsp
z Evaporated milk – 4tbsp
z Vanilla essence – 1tsp
z Water – 1cup
z Almond flakes – ½ cup
Method:
1. Soak the dates in water with
bicarbonate of soda for about 2 – 3
hours.
2. Sieve the flour and baking
powder together.
3. Line the base and the sides of the
tine with greaseproof paper.
4. Beat the butter and sugar for
about 10 minutes, until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in the eggs, one at a time
and add the vanilla essence.
6. Reduce the speed to low and add
the flour mixture gradually. Follow
that with evaporated milk and finally the soaked dates along with the water.
Beat for a few seconds.
7. Now fold the mixture gently with a flat spoon and immediately pour into
the prepared cake tin. Smooth the surface evenly and decorate with almond
flakes.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for one hour or until a skewer inserted
into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
9. Leave the cake in the tin for about 20 to 30 minutes and upturn it on to a
wire rack to cool.
asep
ep
pro
roof paper.
10. Carefully peell the greas
greaseproof
e.
11. Cut and serve.
Want help feeding your child?
Check out some nutritional
tips and tricks from Anu
Bahl, Dietician and Clinical
Nutritionist
‘My child hates veggies, throws up at the name of milk… I don’t remember
when he last ate fruits…’ These are common complaints from parents with
kids in the age group of 3 to 12. As children grow taller and stronger in their
pre-school years, they also become more independent and start to form
their own personalities. This is the time when they also start to control what
they will and will not eat - liking vegetables one day, and not the next. We
cannot control them by force or change them, but we can mould ourselves
and bring about few positive changes in our habits. Kids learn from us, they
imitate us; we cannot have a soda and expect them to drink milk.
The following tips can help get your
kids’ diet back on track.
fresh fruits instead of tinned or
frozen; add fruits to shakes and
smoothies instead of syrups.
z
Let your kids’ help you plan
the menu, shop for food and the
prepare meals: Ask them to help
you mix up a salad dressing, peel a
carrot or measure out ingredients.
The more involved they are, the
more likely they will be to try new
things.
z
Watch what you buy: Your
kids can’t eat unhealthy foodss if
you don
t
don’tt have them around the
house. Make sure that veggies and
a d
fruits are always around. Fruits li
ike
e
like
pomegranate pearls, pineapp
ple
e
pineapple
slices, watermelon wedges, et
tc. ,
etc.,
can be kept ready to eat always.
alwa
ayss..
Don’t buy soda or other sweet
swe
ee t
drinks; offer water, buttermilk orr
homemade juices (without
(witho
ou t
adding sugar).
Jully
Ju
July
y2
2014
01
0
14
z
Eat what you want them to
eat: Always have at least two meals
with your child. Cook something
that everyone can eat instead of
special preparations; this will save
time and effort and give a feeling
of equality. Make it a habit to have
a salad time before actual lunch or
dinner, as at that time the hunger
is at its peek and they will eat what
they are served.
z
Add fruits and veggies to the
foods your kid already likes: Mix
veggies to their favourite chicken
or
beef
patties. Make
instead
fr uitcakes
of vanilla
or
chocolate
cakes; use
z
Stick to a snack schedule.
Kids will be hungry enough to eat
what you offer them, if you keep
snacks spaced apart. Encourage
healthier snacks that will offer
some nutrition. Accompany fruit,
bread sticks and veggie sticks
with some healthy and tasty dips.
Try melted cheese with wholegrain crackers, apple slices with
low-fat yogurt, cucumber, carrot
and celery sticks with mint and
curd dip or flavoured hummus,
peanut butter on whole-wheat
bread.
z
Smart lunches: Kids always
love what their friends carry
for lunch. Mothers can make an
extra effort by discussing among
themselves what to pack and
share healthy recipes. Kids eat
maximum when they are playing
with friends. Pack compact
lunches instead of elaborate
ones; make rolls, frankies, and
wraps, as they are easy to hold
and to hide all the nutrient rich
veggies.
healthy BITES
Feeding
a child is not
child’s play
Always remember: Don
Don’t force your kids to ‘eat all
their veggies’. Children may
m rebel if forced to eat. It
may take several (up to 15) attempts
a
for a child to warm
up to a new food. Just keep offering,
offering without pressure, and eat
with them. Some things can be learnt
learn with time.
29
Health CHECK
Dietary
of Autistic
The use of healthy foods and the use of dietary supplements
are essential to the health of children who suffer from autism,
says Mostafa Waly, Assistant Professor, Food Science and Nutrition
Department, CAMS, Sultan Qaboos University,
in the following article, compiled and
edited by him
Professor Mostafa Waly
July 2014
W
30
Regimens
Children
e believe that the use of
healthy foods and the use
of dietary supplements are
essential to the health of children
who suffer from autism. Applying
the special nutrition diets for autism
as a complement is recommended
for improving the cognitive and
behavioral treatments for autistic
children. Stories of successful
recovery that was told by autistic
parents always include dietary
intervention and improvement in
food intake.
There are six dietary regimens for
autistic children:
1. A diet free of gluten and casein
2. Carbohydrate specific diet
3. Feingold Diet
4. Low oxalate
5. The body ecology diet
6. Weston Price diet
The Autism Research
Institute (ARI) recently
reported a survey on
thousands of autistic parents
and revealed that gluten
(wheat) free diet, and casein (dairy
products) free diet have positive
effects on behavior or cognition of
their autistic children by rates of
69% and 71% respectively. The most
common symptoms reported by the
parents, who improved with following
these two diets are: the behavior of
self-motivation, language, attention
and hyperactivity, learning and stress
and aggressive and self-injurious
behavior,
rashes,
indigestion,
diarrhea, and constipation.
Gluten
Free Diet
and
Casein
Diet free of gluten and casein is the
first protocol recommended to start
interfering diet for autism. This diet
requires the removal of all foods that
contain gluten and casein from the
foods list of autistic children. The
gluten is a protein found in wheat,
rye, barley, wheat, and commercial
oats. Gluten is also found in bread,
biscuits, pasta, cereals, canned
food, baked goods and a lot of other
foods. Meanwhile, casein is a protein
found in milk, which is used in dairy
products such as milk full-fat cheese,
sour cream, butter, ice cream, yogurt,
cottage cheese, and milk powder
additives in foods. Other foods that
contain gluten and casein proteins
are: soy sauce and potato chips
and French fries, which are often
sprinkled with wheat flour (gluten)
during manufacturing. It is important
that when a gluten/casein free diet is
adopted is to exclude empty, such as
cakes and candies and chips.
Carbohydrate Specific Diet
The vast majority of autistic parents
start specific carbohydrate diet
for reasons of their child’s special
circumstances, and this is a common
dietary choice when the autistic
children continuing problems of
the digestive system while they are
adopting diets free of gluten and
casein. This dietary regimen involves
the removal of all the complex
sugars and starches except honey
and fructose. Foods that must be
avoided are potatoes, sweet potatoes,
baked products, candy and snack
marmalade, juices and fruit drinks,
ice cream, ketchup, soft drinks and
chocolate milk, salad dressing,
sauces, cereals, and other canned
and frozen foods that contain these
ingredients. When parent follow the
specific carbohydrate diet, they cook
for their children and family meals
centered around meat, fish , eggs,
nuts, seeds, legumes and some all
Dr. Feingold was the first in
highlighting the negative effect of
synthetic ingredients such as artificial
colorings, artificial flavorings, and
aspartame on the behavior and
growth state of the autistic children.
The physical signs common to the
sensitivity of phenols in children
include dark circles under the
eyes, and redness of the cheeks /
ears, ear infections, asthma, sinus
problems, diarrhea, hyperactivity and
impulsivity, aggression, headaches
and head-banging / harm self and
impatience and short attention span
and difficulty in sleeping, walking
at night for several hours and laugh
for no reason and rash (blisters)
and stomach pain, bed-wetting and
urination in the daytime and the
difficulty of reading and sensitivity
to noise / lights / touch and speech
difficulties and contraction of the
muscles of the face and some forms
of epilepsy. When implementing the
Feingold diet, it is recommended to
avoid phenols and sulfur containing
f oods;
these may include
foods containing
artificial colors
and flavors
Low Oxalate Diet
It is the latest diet for autism, based
on the observations that high oxalate
foods cause health problem for
autistic children. Low oxalate diet
reduces the risk of kidney stones,
inflammation and pain accompanies
urination and infections linked to the
immune system. Most of the autistic
children have low glutathione levels,
and thus oxalate may exacerbate
oxidative stress for these autistic
children. Cooking of low dietary
oxalate foods is typically limited and
aims to avoid the following foods:
spinach broccoli, potatoes, beans,
kiwi, strawberries, oranges, beans,
cinnamon, chocolate, red berries,
tomatoes, almonds, cashew nuts,
peanuts and sugar beet, cocoa
powder, flour, potatoes, beans, pasta,
cheese, blue red cabbage, squash,
purple grapes, grapefruit, garlic,
cheese, biscuits, and Oatmeal.
The Body Ecology Diet
In many cases when, the autistic
children have systematic positive
yeast tests; then the body ecology
diet along with medical treatments is
recommended. The yeast infection,
harmful gut microbes, is associated
with insomnia, and diarrhea. The
body ecology diet provides the yeastinfected children with a recovery
system that establishes and feeds
the growth of good bacteria and
the balance of the digestive
system against harmful
yeasts causing diseases.
The long term goal of
this kind
of diets
is
to
restore
t h e
ecosystem in the endocrine glands,
systemic blood circulation, and the
central nervous system. The principle
of eating alkalinity is to balance the
body acidity and to maintain normal
digestive system functioning.
Examples of recommended alkalizing
vegetables
(Beets,
Broccoli,
Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery,
Cucumber, Eggplant, Fermented
Veggies, Garlic, Green Beans, Green
Peas, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Onions,
Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radishes,
Spinach, green, Spirulina, Sprouts,
Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Watercress,
Wild Greens) & alkaline fruit (Apple,
Apricot, Avocado, Banana, Berries,
Blackberries, Cantaloupe, Coconut,
Dates, Figs, Grapes, Grapefruit,
Honeydew Melon, Lemon, Lime,
Orange, Peach, Pear, Pineapple,
Raisins, Raspberries, Tangerin,
Tropical Fruits, Plums, Watermelon)
& alkalizing proteins (Almonds,
Chestnuts, Millet, Tofu (fermented),
Whey Protein Powder) & alkalizing
sweeteners (Stevia) & alkalizing
spices and seasonings (Chili Pepper,
Cinnamon, Curry, Ginger, Herbs (all),
Mustard, Sea Salt, Tamari & alkalizing
other food products (Alkaline
Antioxidant Water, Apple Cider
Vinegar, Bee Pollen, Fresh Fruit Juice,
Lecithin Granules, Mineral Water,
Molasses, Probiotic Cultures, Soured
Dairy Products, Veggie Juices).
Health CHECK
Feingold Diet
and preservatives, vanilla, almonds,
peanuts, oranges, apples, apricots,
blueberries, cherries, pepper
powder and apple juice, fermented
apple cider vinegar, cocoa, cloves,
coffee, cucumbers, pickles, currants,
red grapes, raisins, plums, tangerines,
tea, and tomatoes.
Weston Price Regimen
Weston Price was a dentist in the
thirties and forties of the last century,
who reported that a balanced healthy
diet must includes both animal and
plant sources. The main notion of this
dietary regimen is to avoid processed
foods with additives, soy foods, and
refined sugars. It recommends the
consumption of diets rich in omega3fatty acids, which is important for
normal brain health and functioning.
Regarding autistic children, the
Weston Price diet focuses on nutritious
foods and animal fats such as eggs,
butter, milk, meat and other animal
protein, dairy products, legumes,
gravies, and seeds. These foods
aimed to increase the availability
of nutrients and to contain a high
percentage of fat, which can be a
problem for those who suffer from
gallbladder problems in the digestion
of fat. Overall, a lot of parents who
followed this diet with their autistic
children reported an improvement in
mental ability, communication skills
of their children, and they have fewer
rates of digestive health problems
July 2014
non-starchy vegetables and fruits.
It will be advisable to add honey
and fructose in recipes and meal
preparation. This diet is not a low
carbohydrate diet, but a specific
carbohydrate diet focuses on nonstarchy vegetables and fruits.
31
Health TIDINGS
Higher The Physical Activity,
Lower The Heart Attack Risk
Maintaining or boosting physical activity after the age of 65 can improve heart’s
electrical wellbeing and lower the risk of heart attack, according to a study.
Researchers found that people who walked more and faster and had more
physically active leisure time, had fewer irregular heart rhythms and greater
heart rate variability (differences in the time between one heartbeat and the
next) than those who were less active. Participants who increased their walking
distance or pace had better heart rate variability.
Medical
Detection Dogs
While
guide
dogs are known
to do a host
of things for
the
owner,
the
medical
detection dogs
are known to
keep one alive.
These dogs have
been specially
trained to smell
several cancer
types; others can
gauge the blood
sugar
levels
in
diabetics,
warn
allergic
owners
away
from peanuts,
or detect when
people
with
narcolepsy are about to fall asleep. Their sense of smell
is so strong that they can smell their owner’s breath from
another room of the house, and can even be on guard
from the side of a football pitch or dance floor.
Tele-Psychiatry
To The Fore
Tele-psychiatry can bring emergency mental health
care to rural areas. This was observed in North Carolina,
where 28 counties across the state do not have a single
psychiatrist. They are now trying tele-psychiatry…
When a patient comes into an emergency room,
they can be connected via a two-way video connection
with a psychiatrist. The programme uses a secure
tele-conferencing system to connect doctor and
patients.
July 2014
Obesity By Age 25 Linked
To Severe Late-Life Obesity
32
Researchers studying the relationship between body mass index at the age
of 25 and obesity later in life have concluded that people who are obese
by 25 have a much higher risk of more severe obesity after the age of
35. Conditions related to obesity include heart disease, stroke, type
2 diabetes and certain cancers. They found that while people who
were obese by age 25 were more likely to be severely obese later
in life, current weight was a better indicator of cardiovascular and
metabolic risk, rather than duration of obesity.
Where does
it hurt more?
Forehead and fingertips are the most sensitive
parts of our body, say researchers, who have
identified that ‘spatial acuity’, or understanding
where it hurts, differs across the body parts.
They have produced the first systematic map
of how acuity for pain is distributed across
the body. However, high pain acuity of the
fingertips is something of a mystery and
requires advance exploration, they note. Touch
and pain are mediated by different sensory
systems and while tactile acuity has been well
studied, pain acuity has been largely ignored.
Health TIDINGS
Four tomatoes a day…
Good news for tomato lovers. A study has found that a tomatorich diet may lower kidney cancer risk, especially in the
case of women. Women who eat more tomatoes or other
lycopene-containing fruits
and vegetables may have a
lower risk of developing
kidney cancer, the study
suggests. Lycopene
is an antioxidant
that
also
gives
tomato, watermelon,
grapefruit
and
papaya its reddish
colour. Women who
consumed the highest
amount of lycopene had
a 45 percent lower risk of
kidney cancer compared with those who ate the lowest amount.
Health check through
handshake
Hypnosis for sleep
House dust exposure
reduces asthma risk
Exposure to house dust, early in life, can reduce the infant’s
asthma risk later in life. Infants exposed to a diverse range
of bacterial species in house dust, during the first year of
life, appear to be less likely to develop asthma in early
childhood, opines a recent study. Children who were neither
allergic nor prone to wheezing as three-year-olds were the
most likely to have been exposed to high levels of bacteria,
and paradoxically, to high levels of common allergens.
Exposure during the first year of life to household dust
containing higher levels of two specific groups of bacteria
- Bacteriodes and Firmicutes - that are abundant in the
human gut, was associated with less asthma risk.
July 2014
A casual handshake can reveal a person’s health, says a study,
which has revealed that firm handshakes of people can tell
how likely they are to survive severe illness such as cancer. All
it requires is an equipment called dynamometer; the method
of evaluation is both portable and practical. This measure is
one of several to categorise patients according to the severity
of their disease and it can help determine interventions they
may need. The grip test could help all categories of patients,
especially the slightly stronger ones.
Suffering from insomnia? There is an easy way
out, according to researchers who have found that
restorative slow-wave sleep, or deep sleep can
be increased using hypnosis; it is a method that
can influence processes, which are very difficult
to control voluntarily. The study, involved 70
healthy young women who listened to a special
13-minute slow-wave sleep hypnosis tape over
loudspeakers, developed by hypnotherapist
Angelika Schlarb, a sleep specialist, or to a
neutral spoken text. Highly suggestible women
experienced 80 percent more slow-wave sleep
after listening to the hypnosis tape, compared
with sleep after listening to the neutral text.
For older adults and patients with sleeping
problems, the results could come as
a sigh of relief as in contrast
to many sleep-inducing
drugs, hypnosis hardly
has any adverse side
effects.
33
Are you
man DATE
battered/
abused?
Most men find it difficult to admit, even to
their friends, that they have problems in
their marriages…
D
omestic violence, whether physical or psychological, is a universal
syndrome. It is a fallacy to think only women are abused or battered in
a relationship; domestic violence knows no gender bar. It could affect
men from any culture, religion, community and class. Often, though, when
the relationship is intense, it is difficult to tell when the lines are crossed. The
everyday ambience at home could soon become a habit and the line between
normal ribaldry and taunts might get blurred; the onslaught of emotional
and psychological abuse might seem normal.
Answer the following
questions with a ‘yes’ or
‘no’ answer to find out
if you are in an abusive
relationship:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Does your spouse isolate you or
discourage your relationships
with friends or family
members?
Does she control what you do or
who you see or talk to?
Give you the cold shoulder when
she is displeased?
Punish you by withdrawing any
show of affection?
Routinely humiliate you in front
of others?
Ridicule you, every time, on
topics that you are sensitive to?
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
July
Ju
July
ly 2014
201
0 4
18.
34
Does she keep a track of all
your time?
Look at you or act in ways that
intimidate you?
Forbid you from having your
own opinion?
Manipulate you when it comes
to controlling the finances?
Dominate all the decisions
of the family?
Argue against everything that
you say or do?
Does she use ‘ordering’ tone
when talking to you?
Blame you for everything that
goes wrong in the house?
Trivialise your feelings or
accomplishments and make
you feel unimportant?
Find fault with everything you
do and interrupt you constantly?
Criticise your parenting and
threaten to take away or hurt
the children?
Constantly accuse you of
being
unfaithful
and
demonstrate her jealousy?
19. Destroy your personal things
in vengeance?
20. Blame you for her anger?
21. Criticise you for little things?
22. Threaten to use some weapon
against you when she is
in rage?
23. Shove you or slap you?
24. Threaten to commit suicide?
25. Threaten to kill you?
If you answered ‘yes’ to majority of the
questions, then its time to take stock
of the situation and work on ways to
alter the dysfunctional nature of your
marital status to normal. You are in
desperate need of help if you dread
the idea of talking with her; you get
into a panic mode at the mere thought
of a conflict or disagreement with
her and/or have inexplicable aches
and body stress. Remember, absence
of physical abuse doesn’t make it
less abusive. If your partner’s constant
verbal and emotional abuse is taking
a toll on your self-esteem and general
well being, you better wake up to
your situation; undertake some life
changing decisions.
man DATE
1
2
Do not
get provoked
into any kind of
retaliation.
3
Do not
blame yourself
for the problem or
feel guilty about
admitting that there
does exist a
problem.
A few tips to
help you get
started on that
change:
6
7
Remember
it is never right
to keep silent
about the situation
or pretend
everything
is okay.
4
If th
the abuse –
physical and
phy
psychological – is
psych
becoming a source
becom
for your
of trauma
trau
children, it may be
childr
best to leave.
bes
Try not to
retaliate, as an
abusive partner will
try to provoke you
into retaliating or
using force to
escape the
situation.
5
If you feel
your partner
could turn violent,
get counseling
help and even
seek legal
advice.
The last is crucial, as most battered men prefer to remain silent about their
situation, owing to the element of shame and embarrassment associated with
abuse. ‘What will people think…’ is the foremost thought hindering action.
Besides, it tends to make one feel that they are not strong enough to defend
themselves.
Low self-esteem could also propel one to keep the abuse under covers.
‘I probably deserved it,’ is one of the reasons why most men remain silent about
it. In addition to that is the major denial of reality and the false assumption that
you can handle the situation any time you want to. At times, it could also be the
lack of motivation to do anything about it or the sense of inertia… And when
something becomes a habit, it becomes a way of life.
Often, men dismiss any talks of abuse if they are not being physically harmed
by their partner, not realising the dangers of being in a relationship that is
emotionally draining. They forget that domestic violence is not about the gender
or the strength, but all about abuse, control and power. And that it is never okay!
July 2014
The
first step is to
reach out; talk to
a friend, family
member, or
someone
you trust.
35
JJu
July
uly 2
2014
014
01
Relatively SPEAKING
Retirement
36
36
Plan
The prospect of retiring from
one’s job, business and even
expatriate life, isn’t an easy
one to contemplate
W
hen
work-lif e
feels like a tightly
wound toy that goes
spinning out of control, only to
fizzle out as a damp squib and
go ‘plonk’ away from where it
began its frenzy, the prospect of
retiring from it all seems very
inviting. The long days to laze
and evenings to fritter away
with friends; the unhurried
pace of life; holidays to exotic
destinations…
Retired life could be all that
and more, provided you have
backed up your savings and
have emotionally geared up for
a life sans deadlines, sans the
daily rush to meetings and the
bantering with colleagues in
the corridor. Life away from the
highs of a work life isn’t an easy
one for those whose identity
is related to their career. But
whether you are awaiting the
long stress free days or not,
retirement is inevitable, unless
you venture into a business,
post-retirement.
Generally, people tend to think
of retirement as a beginning, at
a fixed point in time; however, in
reality it is a process that extends
over at least a couple of years.
Experts advice a minimum of five
years: ‘you should begin to focus
on what you want from your postretirement life five years before
leaving the office for the final time.’
Referring to the initiation process
as the five-year window, they exhort
you to start implementing some
elements of the retirement plan
so that you can test its feasibility
and correct if there are any
loopholes. You would need
to assess your situation
and consider a variety of
factors before putting
your retirement plan
together.
Some pointers to
heed…
Financial Plan
Make a list of all your post-retirement
funds, including the settlement you are
bound to receive from your employer,
incentives and perks they may want
to share with you; pension, insurance,
fixed deposits and any other financial
assets that you may have accrued
over the years. Now ask yourself, ‘am
I financially set to retire?’
Retirement Budget
To answer the above, allimportant question, make
a list of the possible
post-retirement
expenses. You may
need to save a
substantial amount for
your daily expenses
and
the
medical
requirements that may
crop up. If you have saved
enough, you could schedule
travel in the list too. Remember that
Financial Expertise
If needed, get assistance from
financial experts, on the best possible
ways
to reinvest deposits that have matured.
The expert will be better placed to evaluate your risks of
investments and find ways of increasing the benefits. You
need to understand the importance of a financial plan that
will assure income for the rest of your life. In the absence of a
monthly income, you would need to cut back on some of the
personal expenses. Prepare an annual retirement budget that
appears practical, and is easy to maintain.
Income Sources
With the end of all your monthly employment benefits, except
your monthly pension, the urgency is to identify all sources of
retirement income. You have to be aware of the shift in your
income status; the shift is drastic, as you are moving from an
income accumulation phase to a distribution phase. The ball is
in your court, so to say, to understand when and how you could
maximise withdrawals.
Clear Debts
This should be one of the first tasks you do during
your 5-year window period. At no cost should your
credit card, auto loans or housing loan debts spill over
to the post-retirement stage, unless you have made
arrangements for the same. Have a clear understanding
of your spending habits and be realistic when going
shopping or holidaying abroad. Cut down on some
expense and even holidays if it means clearing off all
your debts.
Enjoy Life
You have more space and
time at your disposal and
you need to find ways
to improve the quality
of your life. Find
out activities that
you could engage
in
within
your
community. Make a
list of things that you
want to do and see in
your retired life and
ensure that your savings
and financial plan can see
you through
July
Ju
July
y2
2014
014
01
you would need to save substantial
amount for medical expenses, as
age is not really kind to ones
health. Long-term care also might
become an issue and you need to
seek an insurance that includes
any medical requirement.
37
37
in the LUXE
Cruise in Style
A cruise holiday may
not be everyone’s idea
of a vacation, but would
you say ‘no’ if it was
designed to pamper
your every whim?
Crystal Symphony
Experience sublime comfort, immeasurable
pleasure and a perfectly memorable voyage
aboard Crystal Cruise, as it sets sail on an
89-night cruise, travelling to Asia and Africa,
with multiple overnight stopovers in major
cities. At your service is a lavish Crystal Spa, a
salon adhering to the Feng Shui principals, the
Caesars Palace at Sea Casino, expanded dining,
shore side and bedding choices, among others.
The 982-square-foot penthouse suite aboard the
Crystal Symphony has an elegant dining area,
floor-to-ceiling windows, and a pedestal sink
made completely out of crystal. Price: Ranges
from $39,380 to $197,710 per person
Silversea cruise
This luxury cruise line has six ships in its fleet, each
with ocean-view suites, Bulgari bath products,
Egyptian cotton linens and butler service.
The 113-night voyage begins when you are picked
up from your home on a helicopter, en route to a
London airport. Get ready to be served with
Beluga Caviar (costing $6,320 per kilogramme)
and Hong Pao Tea harvested from 1,000-yearold plants (more than $3,160 per kilogramme).
You will travel to and from the U.S. in a private
Boeing business jet while a Michelin-starred chef
prepares a 10-course tasting menu; you will be
transferred via Rolls Royce Phantom.
Price: Ranges from $54,550 to
$160,450 per person
Queen Victoria
July 2014
Cunard’s Queen Victoria does a 116-day voyage,
roundtrip from Southampton, which focuses on the
southern hemisphere with a tour of South America,
the South Pacific and Australia/New Zealand before
heading home via San Francisco, the Panama Canal and
the Caribbean.
Price: Ranges from $19,995 to $66,995 per person
38
This cruise attempts to conjure the traditional charm of ocean voyages with classic
afternoon tea, elegant decor and dressy eveningwear, along with an outstanding
outdoor Promenade ringing Deck
7, making it a refreshingly adult
cruising experience. The 113night world cruise visits Africa,
circumnavigates Australia, cruises
through Southeast Asia and then
heads home through the Middle
East and Europe.
Price: Ranges from $21,995 to
$68,995 per person
From vast spa facilities and kids club
to its Grand Prix driving simulator and
extensive entertainment options, you
will be spoilt for choice aboard this
100-night, 38-port voyage that reaches
five continents. The cruise sails
roundtrip from Savona, Costa’s port
facility just west of Genoa, Italy. There
are smart self-service screens, called
totems, which let you check your
onboard account, make restaurant
reservations, learn about the crew,
figure out what’s in the daily program
and book spa treatments from public
areas without having to find your way
back to your cabin.
Price: Starts from $14,699
A ‘Seabourn Sojourn’
Enjoy a creative living room - Seabourn
Square - at Seabourn Sojourn (Seabourn
Cruise Line), which replaces the
traditional cruise ship lobby with a
welcoming lounge filled with easy chairs, sofas and cocktail tables. Its spa
is the largest on any ultra-luxury ship - 11,400 square feet encompassing
indoor and outdoor space over two decks. There are a variety of open
terraces that are scattered over seven decks, offering places to gather with
a few friends or spend an isolated hour with a book. Seabourn Sojourn
offers six whirlpools and two swimming pools, including the Pool Patio,
with a pair of large whirlpool spas and a ‘beach’ style pool, a casual Patio
Grill and the Patio Bar. High atop Deck 11 is a Sun Terrace with 36 tiered
double sun beds. Price: Ranges from $49,999 to $235,450 per person
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The line’s three mid-sized ships (carrying about 500 to 700 guests each)
are designed with Canyon Ranch SpaClubs, L’Occitane bath products,
private balconies and several restaurants. Book a concierge-level
suite or higher and you could avail offers/services and priority dinner
reservations. If you are lodged in penthouse suites, you will have personal
butlers, use of in-room iPads and Hermès amenities.
Price: Starts from $8,299 per person
Cunard Line
Beautiful artwork, rich Italian marble, polished wood and soft light, diffused by
glittering chandeliers greet you aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, which has
novel gimmicks to keep you occupied. Instead of the regular waterslides and
high-tech nightclubs, Cunard presents old-fashioned pursuits like ballroom
dancing, lawn bowls or afternoon tea in the Garden Lounge. The 119-night world
cruise provides passengers the option for variations that include a roundtrip
New York itinerary and departures from San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale for
slightly shorter voyages. Price: Ranges from $21,995 to $74,995 per person
July 2014
Costa Cruises
in the LUXE
Queen Mary 2
39
look GOOD
Beauty
Pointless
Products
G
ullible shopper or otherwise, beauty and its excessively
hyped up results never fail to make a mark. Blame it on the
low threshold of expectations from all things purchased or
the seemingly harmless let’s-give-it-a-try policy of the incurable
shopper, certain products on the beauty counter are picked for
the sheer value of their packaging appearance and/or some
vague recommendation of an acquaintance. The gimmick,
seemingly, works…
But if you belong to the growing tribe of cautious shoppers, who have
had one too many bitter experiences, here’s a list of pointless beauty
products that you could do without.
Cellulite creams
Toner
J ly 2014
Ju
July
The toner is the second step in the
highly recommended three-step face
cleansing process. But is it really
needed, ask dermatologists, who have
pointed out that the tasks attributed to
toners – cleansing skin and shrinking
pores – could, in fact, be causing the
skin to dry. According to one, the tingling and tightness you experience
when using toner is actually a sign of
over-drying. Toners are helpful only
if you have really oily skin, they point
out.
40
0
Have you ever
fallen for a beauty
product based on
its chic packaging,
the exotic
ingredients listed
and the slick
advertisement…?
Can cellulite ever be lessened with
creams or solutions? If you have used
one of those products that claim to
reduce cellulite, you would know
the answer to that one. For cellulite
is on a deeper level and the creams
are not designed to pass through the
skin barrier. This means that a gentle
moisturiser could do the same trick
and even have better results than the
more expensive cellulite cream. As an
expert pointed out, the anti-cellulite
products often contain caffeine to improve blood flow or plant extract to
hydrate skin, which may temporarily
work. Or follow the dictum of a fashionista: ‘If you can’t tone it, tan it!’
Foot creams
With the beauty market being inundated with a range of face creams and
body moisturisers, does one need
specific products to cater to different
parts of the body? Apparently yes, going by the wide range of cuticle oils,
nail gels and hand lotions... But does
one need foot creams too, ask dermatologists, who believe petroleum jelly
can do a better job. “Apply it on a few
times a week, put on socks and you’ll
get smoother skin while you sleep,”
suggests one.
Pore Skincare
Reducing the appearance of pores on
the skin is what most skincare products claim to do; however, with negli-
LIFESTYLE MANTRA
THAT
STYLE RUT
By Sophia Raman
Scrub
The premise behind using a scrub is, obviously, related to the
grime and dust our face attracts during the course of the day. But
seriously, does it really get caked in mud and dirt that it requires
the scrub treatment to rid it off all the impurities? Over the years,
the beauty industry has gone ga-ga over the need of using a face
scrub – twice a day – to keep the face glowing. The truth, though,
is that harsh scrubs do more harm than good. According to a
dermatologist, people with oily or acne-prone skin should avoid
scrubs, as they cause skin to overcompensate for the dryness
that the scrubs cause.
Split End Eliminators
Split ends are a common problem faced by most girls with long
hair. But the same cannot be repaired with any serum, state
experts. Ends split at the top of the hair shaft and produce an
electrical charge that worsens frizz. The only thing that a serum
could do is neutralise this static with temporary frizz-taming results, creating the illusion of smoother hair - temporarily. The
best cure, though, is to get a haircut.
Anti-Ageing Hair Care
Like anti-ageing skin care products, the anti-ageing hair care
ones also claim to treat split ends, frizziness, unruly gray, thinness and dryness, among others. The question here is, can a
shampoo really address the signs of ageing…? Most of these
products are gimmicks targeting women who are sensitive about
the signs of ageing. For the truth is that thinning hair, gray, frizz
and dullness can happen at any age and there are products that
specifically address those issues
HOW DO I KNOW
IF I AM I STUCK IN A
STYLE RUT; ARE THERE
ANY SIGNS TO WATCH
OUT FOR?
Consciously or otherwise, most of us tend to shop for
clothes that come close to the styles that have previously
worked for us. Some of us might even become slaves to
a particular style and choose similar colours and cuts to
keep up with the look. Soon it becomes a habit and you
may not even realise that you have dragged yourself into
a rut.
Unless, you have friends who periodically rouse you from
your style slumber with their comments and feedback…
The best way to identify your style quotient, rather
determine if you are indeed stuck in a style rut is to keep
a check on your shopping habits. If your shopping is
more of a mundane exercise, one where you tend to pick
similar items every time, it may be time to overhaul the
wardrobe. And, if your friends and colleagues regularly
predict what you are likely to wear, you are definitely
stuck in a style quagmire.
Notice how you feel in the morning when you dress up:
do you feel dull and weighed down by unseen issues; do
you routinely wish that you could dress like others in your
office or in friends’ circle?
When you fall into a style rut, the excitement of dressing
up for a new day is, usually, lost. The best way to ensure
you are out of it is to stop clinging to those old favourite
clothes and the ones you can’t seem to throw away
because they are in the colours you love. Initiate the
change by trying different styles of dresses; include
accessories, or play with colour. If your mirror shows a
smiling you, well, you have easily walked out of the rut.
July 2014
gible results. One effective remedy for problematic pores is to
make sure the skin is clean and blackhead-free. Cleanse and
exfoliate your skin regularly, is the advice from skin therapists.
41
style FILE
Debunk
The Fashion Myths
A you a slave
Are
l
tto ffashion
hi or are you willing
illi tto b
break
k
those established fashion rules?
Agreed, fashion trends rule our lives – completely! We slavishly track the trends popularised by top
designers around the world and adopt the ones that are endorsed by celebrities from the world of
entertainment.
But well…fashion gurus have identified some clear fashion myths that don’t really have a say in our
style quotient. Rules, whether fashion or otherwise, are meant to be broken, they assert. If it’s chic…it
has to be cool, is the dictum to follow.
Here are some of the fashion myths to break – NOW!
Shoes should match the handbag/purse, belt…
July 2014
201
14
This is one myth you have probably broken several times over. If you are an avid shopper, you, obviously, are aware that
there are just too many attractive footwear out there to worry about finding a matching accessory to go with it. As one
style guru notes, ‘shoes, belts and purses can be statement pieces in an outfit, and it could look a bit garish if you tried
to match all of your accessories to a boldly coloured
pair of heels.’ Instead, try and find hues in the same
colour family to coordinate your look. Alternately,
try and put a few colours together and see what
combinations work for you. While certain colours
beg to be combined, there are some definite
‘no’s; but if the shades are subtle, most colours
can be paired without appearing garish.
The idea is not to look overtly colourful.
42
style FILE
Do not mix prints
If you have been keeping the stripes alone and
not mixing them with other pronounced prints like
polka dots or paisley, get into a fun mode with mix
of prints and patterns. With vintage clothing making
a huge comeback, prints are liberally mixed. From
stripes with cute paisleys to argyles with plaids,
all the taboos associated with print mix have been
broken. Watch out for designs that are soothing to
the eyes and blend easily with the complete look.
Do not wear more than one bold colour
Fashionistas have always relied on bold and bright
colours to make a statement. And no, there is
nothing wrong in using more than one bold colour
in an outfit. With an eye to colour coordination, you
could make bold colours work for you, even when
there is more than one. The guideline to follow is
to visually break up the standout shades with other
muted hues. You could combine a bold top and a
bright pair of shoes, provided you balance it with a
neutral skirt to break up the bold zones. You could,
alternately, wear bold shades with brightly
coloured accessories.
Navy blue and black… the two shall
never meet
July 2014
Surprising, as it may seem, many do believe that
navy and black cannot go together. That myth
probably came about because both shades are
close in their appearance. The best way to wear
both without feeling less fashionable is to find a
neat combination of the two shades. For example,
you could wear denim jeans, topped with a black
top. To create harmony in the look, wear red lipstick
and red heels. You could also create a little contrast
by wearing a white shirt under a navy blazer with
black skirt/trouser; opt for brighter shades of blue
to pair off with black.
43
43
style FILE
Save the sequins and metallics for night
Right, sequins and metallics do add oomph to your
eveningwear, but there is no reason to avoid them as daywear.
To keep the look chic, get a perfect high-low mix by ensuring
that the sparkle is restricted to one piece, say your skirt or
jacket, while keeping the rest of the look simple. The trick is
not to overdo the sequin fiesta. You could wear a sequined
top under a jacket or you could also choose tops with a
few sprinkles of beads at the neckline, especially if you are
wearing it to work. For a casual outing, you could pair a fully
beaded top with jeans or pants.
Gold and silver cannot blend
Another myth, related to the no sequins theory is the mixing
of gold and silver. Gold and silver, or for that matter metallics
of any shade, can complement each other, whether the
reference is to jewellery or accessories. When combining the
two, make it look as if it is intentional – pick the right pieces
and keep an eye on the scale. If you’re layering necklaces,
make sure the chains are around the same size or theme.
Even mixing gold and silver bangles could create a fun
combination.
Long dresses are only for tall folks
No, you don’t have to be model-tall to wear those long dresses and pants. The
key is not in ensuring how long the dress is or how wide the trouser legs are;
it is all about the perfect fit. While pencil skirts that reach below the knees are
perfect to pull off - whatever be your height - you could venture into long dresses
even if height is a factor. Pair it with wedge sandals or pull up the hair to make your
neck appear long. However, do not pick dresses that have large patterns, as it could
overwhelm a smaller framed person. Small print dresses are ideal.
Horizontal stripes will make you look fat
You have surely heard this one before. According to this myth,
horizontal stripes draw the eye across the body, making
tical stripes draw the eye
you appear heavier, while vertical
aking you appear thinner.
up and down the body, making
This myth was debunked by a study done
on perception. Stripes, apparently, only
a where they’re
draw attention to the area
o minimise that
worn and so the trick is to
ea with stripes.
effect by reducing the area
y by wearing a
This could be done easily
jacket over a striped top.
July 2014
July
201
014
4
Black will make you look
slimmer
44
This is another one of those
hat has
oft-repeated myths that
or many.
almost become a truth for
ught that
It is based on the thought
ates the
the illusion of less creates
lhouette.
illusion of a slimmer silhouette.
plained:
As one fashion guru explained:
ack, you
‘By wearing black on black,
can actually appear heavier because
rying to
it could seem like you’re trying
hide a fuller figure.’ But, of course,
n smaller
black could work if it is worn in
elling on
amounts. For example, black panelling
the sides of a jacket or dress can present a
slimmer shape.
If you consider the intent behind creating high-heeled shoes, it is easy to
fall for that myth. But then, heels are about making your legs look great, as
much as they are about making you look taller. Heels are effective in adding
a little strut to your walk and up the style quotient of any outfit.
style FILE
High heels are not for tall women
Do not wear stockings or socks with open-toe shoes
This myth does not hold water in the current fashion scenario where looking
chic is all about breaking the rules. As many fashionistas agree, pairing
tights with open-toe shoes, especially in a contrast, like a silver shoe against
black tights, can add to the look. Although it has a schoolgirl look, it can also
add to a sophisticated outfit. From jeans to skirts, socks with open-toe shoes
are just right.
Denim on denim
is a no-no
Well, well, well… If you are a
denim fan, there is no reason why
you can’t go all out with it. The
trick, though, is to pair them right.
You could wear a light denim shirt
with a darker shade of denim
jeans or top a dark denim jacket
with a light-wash pair of denim
shorts/pants.
Don’t wear leather
WRRIÀFH
July 2014
This myth must have come
about owing to the allegiance
to leatherwear by motorcycle
enthusiasts, making it a clear ‘no’
for office. It has a distinct casual
and outdoorsy look about it, but
it can also, easily, double up as
office wear. For example, a leather
skirt or leather sleeves or panels
in a top or jacket could also help
inject that chic look
45
Just TRAVEL
Beyond
Pretzels, Cheese and
Chocolates
Switzerland is stunning, says FACES contributor
Meagan Patroni, as she explores the
scenic vistas of the land
July 2014
E
46
ver since I had heard about the stunning vistas of Switzerland, I just knew
I had to visit the country. Of course the bustling cosmopolitan of Zurich
sounded fantastic, as did its pretzels, but it was the Val de Travers in the
Swiss canton of Neutchâtel that was really calling to me.
Journeying to Europe from Australia, I find myself in Fleurier, a valley where
efficiency and modernity has not replaced manners and community spirit.
Nicolas and Beatrice Giger are registered with the local tourism board, and, as
leaders of their community, they have welcomed me into their home for three
days while I explore the region of Neutchâtel.
Here in the Val de Traverse I am overcome with the beauty of the valley, the
hospitality of my hosts, the abundance of rolling green hills that the locals hike
and ski, making it seem as if it is as natural to them as breathing.
My first night’s sleep is interrupted by my excitement to awake and explore.
There is nothing like that buzz of arriving somewhere new and getting up to see
all that is on offer - and I’m here in the summer time which is mild and gentle,
offering sunshine with maximum temps of around 30 degrees Celsius.
Rising early to discover this valley, I decide to see Fleurier on foot. Taking to the
asphalt for a jog, I pass yellow fields
of canola. However, it’s not canola
that these parts are best known for
growing; it is rich herbs such as
wormwood, anise and fennel used
in ancient medicines that were once
given to the French troops during the
Algerian war.
When I finish my jog and return to
my host’s home, I find Nicolas in his
drying room. He promptly opens
up boxes of herbs he has grown
and dried himself…scooping my
hands through his wormwood is like
touching the wings of an angel. My
Just TRAVEL
as I try more, my hosts explain to me
the rigors and steps, which go into
producing the world’s best chocolate.
I can’t imagine where to go from
here on my journey in Nauchâtel, as
my senses are already overloaded.
However, packed up with chocolaty
souvenirs, including fine chocolate
spread, my hosts have more for me…
My kind hosts give me a taste of
Australiana.
I am awestruck to go to Le Grange
– an Australian art museum. Here I
find works from the remote Kimberley
region of Western Australia, created
by Indigenous artists. It makes me
a little homesick. I once lived in
Wyndham and I know these night
skies that so few to see…and here
they are, reflected back at me while
I gaze at them on my chocolate high.
I think to myself, ‘the Swiss are a
truly open, cultured and intelligent
people’.
Following an evening of rest, day
three of my journey has me creeping
to the edge of the Creax Du Van by far one of the most incredible
natural wonders of Switzerland.
Providing a vast view of Neutchâtel
it’s just gorgeous up here. With so
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fingers tingle and I look at Nicolas
with a smile. He has opened these
precious boxes, his home and his
heart to me. I cannot find the words
to tell him how marvellous it is to be
here, in this land where the soil holds
the riches to produce tinctures of
various kinds.
Soon, however, I discover the delicious
and decadent side of Switzerland.
What I thought was nothing more
than a Swiss cliché, manifests as my
reality – quality chocolate from Jacot.
Insisting I do a little quality control, I
try a chocolate baton. With a crunch,
thick and smooth herbal flavours spill
into my mouth. The crystallised sugar
adds the crunch as the chocolate
melts delicately. It’s exceptional and,
much un-spoilt beauty, it is no wonder
visitors flock to this valley. Listening
to the clinging of the cowbells, I soak
in quintessential Switzerland - but
what is more Swiss than cheese? I
can’t miss an opportunity to taste the
famed Gruyère from the town with the
same name.
Driving just a couple of hours from
my host’s home, I am at the foot of the
pre-Alps. I stagger up the mountains
to the call of cheese. Just a short hike
and I have arrived at the medieval
town of Gruyère. Sitting in a castle
turned cafe, I take my eyes off the
mountains for a brief moment, just so
I can chose my fondue. Life is brilliant
right now. It’s so pretty here but very
busy with tourists... Following a small
wait, my melted cheese arrives with
an accompaniment of potato and
pickles to dip and enjoy, and that’s
exactly what I do.
Satisfied with a belly full of
Switzerland’s, and, possibly, the
world’s finest cheese, I climb a little
further up Gruyère to visit the gallery
of the recently deceased artist H.R
Giger. It’s exciting and honestly, quite
stirring, seeing H.R Giger’s works with
my own eyes. The way one human can
capture horror so beautifully interests
me and here, atop a mountain in the
Swiss countryside, people flock to
see the works of a man, who was once
swept aside as nothing more than
crazy. Giger’s personal collection
is particularly fascinating – some
pieces, very concerning.
Pulling me away from the heady
heights of art is the thought of
making my way back to Zurich for my
flight home
47
47
explore OMAN
Fly Like
A Kite
With Oman gearing up to become a hub for water
sports enthusiasts, the focus is on kiteboarding
“It’s all about giving yourself away to
the wind and controlling the kite and
your own body…” That is how Alexander
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Friesl, Managing Director of KiteboardingOman,
describes
a
kiteboarding
experience. It is an experience that is not
exclusive to experts alone; but one that is
open even to novices with an adventurous
bent of mind.
Although the Kiteboarding Centre was first
started in 2007 at the Sawadi Beach, near
Barka, it has slowly and steadily garnered
local interest, with more Omanis now giving
the sport a try. “This was the first certified
kiteboarding school in the entire Gulf
region,” states Alexander, pointing out that
the company now runs two kiteboarding
centres – at Sawadi Beach and at Masirah
Island – in addition to a school at Al Hail
Beach near Seeb. Lessons are also offered
at Sawadi Beach (Kiteboarding-Oman is the
only certified kite school in Oman).
Explaining about the reasons for starting
kiteboarding in Masirah, he says: “For years
I explored kiteboarding spots all along
the coast of Oman and I have never seen
kiteboarding conditions as good as those
on Masirah Island. With a constant wind, far
beyond 20 knots in the summer months, and
the astonishing nature of the island, I could
not imagine a better place for kiteboarders.
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“In our sport, there are many people I would call adventurers.
And Masirah is in my opinion one of the last real adventures of
our time. Where else can you enjoy such breathtaking nature and
experience Arabic tradition in this way?”
Talking about the popularity of the sport in Oman, he reiterates
the importance of natural conditions and features. “I decided
to come to Oman to open a water-sport centre, as there are
amazing conditions for the sport here. With endless beaches and
predictable wind conditions, Oman is really one of the top spots in
the world,” he stresses.
However, it wasn’t a sport well known in the country, especially
when he initially began teaching kiteboarding in Oman. “The sport
was really unknown in the Sultanate and lots of people didn’t know
what we were doing with these kites on water,” he quips.
Interestingly though, things are changing and more and more
people are now interested to learn it…unlike the early phase when
almost all their guests were expatriates. “Now we even employ
two Omani kiteboarding instructors. We can see from the guest
statistics that the sport gets more popular, step-by-step, every
season,” he points out.
explore OMAN
So, what exactly is
kiteboarding all about?
Explains Alexander: “Kiteboarding
combines board and wind-powered
sports.You stand on a board – perhaps
comparable to a wakeboard – while
a certified kiteboarding school. We
teach kiteboarding with an approved
system, this is the best way to have
a save and happy start into the kite
life,” he describes.
controlling a large stunt kite, which
is attached to leashes that are metres
long. The wind is the only impetus.
“The excitement comes with the first
success. It’s all about giving yourself
away to the wind and controlling the
kite and your own body. When you
have managed the first few metres
standing on the board and driving, it’s
a feeling you want to recreate, on and
on. With some experience, you can
even do high jumps of more than 10
metres – all that only with the power
of the wind.”
Qualifications required to
undertake kiteboarding
As is obvious, it is important to
have a streak for adventure. And as
Alexander puts it, “It is helpful to
not be a complete couch potato.”
However, people with board
experience, whether it is snowboard,
wakeboard or skateboard, are likely
to improve their kiteboarding skills
quite fast, he notes.
“But with some patience, everyone
can do kiteboarding... As a kite in
the wind is a real powerful tool,
we recommend taking a course at
For more information and
to check out the summer offers,
visit www.kiteboarding-oman.com
Services & facilities
offered by KiteboardingOman
“We offer full service at our schooling
places, when it comes to experiencing
kiteboarding,” states Alexander.
Novices can start into the sport with
beginner courses, while advanced
riders can improve their skills with
excellently trained instructors.
Besides, they also offer kite rental
and repair services.
“Above all, guests can visit us on
Masirah Island at our kiteboarding
camp, where we offer accommodation,
catering and, in summer, some of the
best wind conditions in the world,”
he adds.
Beginners are recommended to take
the Basic Course, which starts from
RO136 per person and includes 8
hours of practical and theoretical
lessons
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What’s more, one of their
instructors, Issa Salim
Al-Aamri, has become
the
first
professional
kiteboarder in Oman. “We
expect some of the top
kiteboarding pros to have a go in
Oman,” he adds, highlighting their
plans to organise some kiteboarding
events. It started late last month with
the first freestyle contest on Masirah
Island.
With kiteboarding activities not being
restricted to the tourism season alone,
holidaymakers can look forward
to an experience of a lifetime, all
through the year. Kiteboarding can
be done all around the year - when
there is enough wind. And enough
wind means about 7 knots. “Highlight
in Oman is definitely the summer
months on Masirah Island, when the
summer monsoon blows constantly
above 20 knots over the island,” he
points out.
Besides, the kite camp on Masirah
Island has been improved; “more
comfort and better facilities await our
guests and we are looking forward to
a windy summer,” he states.
49
at HOME
Beginning rather
than ending with
interior design
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Can you imagine a car reaching an assembly line without the interior being
fully designed? Interior design should never be an afterthought; it should be
an integral part of the final product, taking into consideration the architecture of
the building, the exterior design, the limitations of the space, the function of the
building and the lifestyle of the people using the space, says Kristine Bonnici.
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‘Designing from the outside in’ or ‘designing from
the inside out’, both expressions are commonly
used to represent the philosophy of design. The fact
remains that the exterior affects the interior and the
interior affects the exterior.
Unfortunately, interior design is often considered
at a late stage in the process, rather than as an
element that should be fully thought out at the start
of a project. A building might be beautiful on the
outside, but does it accommodate the needs of the
client by utilising the space to its best advantage,
in a way that expresses their unique personality or
corporate identity?
As a professional interior designer, I have often
encountered major problems affecting the interior;
problems that would have been easily remedied
had the interior been designed at the beginning of
the project. Often, not enough thought is given to
the layout of the rooms, to the basic placement of
doors and windows, the length and width of halls
and corridors and the position of focal points within
the space.
at HOME
philosophy seems to work,
but, unfortunately, the design
element is often entirely
omitted from the process.
Plastered walls will need
to be chased to fit the
numerous power and light
points that are necessary for
a successful interior design
scheme. Tiles might need
to be lifted to add cables,
wiring and under floor
heating. Suspended ceilings
also need to be fitted to
add low voltage lighting
and kitchens sometimes
need to be altered to fit
quality worktops and
appliances.
In an effort to reduce expenses, a
successful project should attempt
to address all the issues of the
interior from the beginning, by
integrating architecture, engineering,
construction,
interior
design
and landscaping, allowing each
professional the time to address
solutions to problems in advance,
rather than ‘under-the-gun’ during
construction. And, most importantly,
these specialists will be working from
the onset to provide the client with
a fully designed, totally integrated
project that provides true value for
money
Kristine Bonnici
Senior Interior Designer at StudioBasel
[email protected]
www.studiobasel.com
www.kristinebonnici.com
Middle East: +968 9690 0939,
Europe: +356 7700 0077
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Unfortunately,
many
‘finished’
apartments are being designed with
only one thought in mind - that of
achieving the maximum amount of
profit to the developer. The properties
look ready to move into, but closer
inspection reveals a minimum of
low-quality finishes. Typically, a few
light and power points are dotted
haphazardly round the room, the walls
are plastered, unoffending cream
ceramic tiles are laid throughout the
house, standard white sanitary ware
and bathroom tiles are installed,
internal doors are fitted, and,
sometimes, if you’re particularly
unlucky, a bog standard kitchen is also
fitted as a focal point to the interior.
On paper, the design and build
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Outdoors SPECIAL
Outdoor
Oman’s
Are Beckoning
Experience the fascinating blend of mountains and seas,
green vistas and starkly bare plains, golden sand dunes
and sheer canyon drops…
Khareef at Salalah……………........................53
Bask in the magic of monsoons at Salalah
Wadi Time………........……………................56
Enjoy the natural bounties of Oman’s scenic wadis.
Camp Out……...............…………….............58
July 2014
Camp out and relish the vivid flavours of natures
52
Khareef
season lures to
Salalah
Outdoors SPECIAL
The
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Salalah is basking in the
magic of monsoons, as the
temperature and humidity
continues to soar in other
parts of the country
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Outdoors SPECIAL
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S
alalah is beckoning, and how… Verdant green blankets hugging
the horizon, mist and fog slumbering on the narrow trails, coconut
palms swaying to the beats of the drizzle, carefree camels lumbering alongside the roads – welcome to Salalah, your must-visit summer destination.
With the onset of Salalah Tourism Festival, from the second day of Eid Al
Fitr, the reasons to visit this magical land are all the more pronounced.
As announced by Sheikh Salim bin Oufait Al Shanfari, Head of Dhofar
Municipality and Chairman of the Salalah Tourism Festival Organizing
Committee the festival will continue till September 6.
Giving details about the festival, Sheikh Salim Al Shanfari said that the
festival will highlight art, cultural heritage and traditions of Oman as well
as consumer items.
The Khareef season, when the weather is most attractive across the
entire Gulf region, will begin from June 21 and end by the last week
of September. This season attracts tourists from within the country and
abroad and the Salalah Tourism Festival adds value to the tourism sector.
Elaborate preparations have been made for the festival. Festival related
events will be held all across the wilayat of Taqa, Mirbat, Mighsail and Al
Hisn market. It will introduce environment, ecology, life style and traditions of the rural and urban life of Oman, he said.
Al Shanfari said that to make the festival better, the Dhofar municipality
was working on improving road conditions, bridges and street lights. This
will help lessen traffic jams, particularly during the Khareef season.
He said that Salalah was chosen by the
sixth forum of Arab Centre for Tourism
Media as the best tourist destination.
The Arab tourism forum organized by
the Centre was held in Egypt.
With more than 1,200 craftsmen and
women expected to showcase their
skills in the exhibition part of the festival, the event is seen as the most comprehensive show of local traditions and
cultures. Various public and private
sector companies will also be showcasing their services and products at the
festival which will help them interact
with the locals as well as consumers
from the entire Gulf region, he said.
This festival is expected to cater to
amusement needs of people of various age groups. It will feature dance
and music performances of indigenous
artists and games and shows for children. Around 8,000 people have been
employed to work for the festival in
various capacities.
Experience the natural
splendour of Salalah by
visiting the following
places:
Ain Homran boasts scenic natural springs that are
enclosed by a garden. It is also popular as an excellent
spot for bird watching.
Ain Razat is a source of several natural springs, which
present scenic spots for picnickers.
Frankincense Trail is a world heritage site of UNESCO
about 37 kilometres from Salalah.
Khor Rori is an inlet where fresh water and water from
the sea comes together. It is a protected area where
migratory birds can be found.
Magic Road is a dirt track between Tagha and Mirbat
with certain magnetic powers that move the car up when
left idling on neutral gear.
Mirbat is famous for picturesque bays and caves as well
as the Mirbat Fort, which is a major attraction for visitors.
It is located 66kms east of Salalah.
Mughsayl Beach is a must stop for all visitors, thanks to
its unique blowholes. It is 40 kilometres west of the town
of Salalah and is immensely popular also because of the
scenery and the mountains in the vicinity.
Nabi Ayoub’s Tomb shrine is perched high on the Jebel
Atteen Range, 20 miles from Salalah.
Rakhyut is a spectacular spot to visit with hairpin bends
around the mountain. The view from the top is aweinspiring.
Taqa is the third largest town in Salalah - located about
30kms away, along the coast. It has several picturesque
spots for photography and has an interesting fort for
visitors to enjoy.
Tawi Atayr has the region’s largest sinkhole.
Wadi Darbat is a picturesque locale with a beautiful
green wadi running through it. There are neat picnic
spots in the area, shaded by large trees.
Outdoors SPECIAL
Wadis
and Picnics
Explore the magic of
Oman’s wadis this Eid holidays
Wadi Bani Khalid
T
here is something about water and picnic. While beaches remain all
time favourites of picnickers, the lure of wadis, is not less. Its appeal,
possibly, lies in its visually inspiring features of an oasis. The trapped
water, the green foliage bordering it and the polished rocks strewn around,
make it a picture perfect destination for a leisurely picnic with baskets of
food to enjoy its splendour without any pause.
Fortunately, Oman is blessed with more than its share of ideal wadis, most of
which are immensely popular as picnic spots. We present here some of the
popular ones, which never fail to draw picnickers during long Eid holidays.
Wadi Bani Awf
July 2014
Wadi Bani Khalid
56
Approximately
200
kilometres away from
Muscat is this popular
wadi of the Sharqiyah
region. There is constant
water
flow
in
this
wadi and it is home to
some cave formations,
including the Kahf Maqal,
which is the country’s
underground chamber.
This formation opens opportunities for
those seeking adventure. And for those
wanting to savour the local lifestyle, the
best bet is the village of Badaa, which
has become popular as a tourist stop.
Wadi Bani Awf & Snake
Gorge
This is about one and half-hours from
Muscat - about 40 kilometres after
Nakhal - is this stunning wadi. Its
Wadi Darbat
terrain makes it the most diverse and challenging of the lot. The wadi itself leads
to the famous Snake Gorge, which has been so named for the serpentine effect
created by the narrow valley in between the mountains. It skirts through rock
pools, waterfalls and boulders. Trekking along this path is tempting but it can be
difficult and even dangerous if there are signs of rain.
Wadi Darbat
Located in the Dhofar region, this wadi spells scenic wonder with caves,
water pools and waterfalls, wildlife and a lush spread of green vegetation.
Some places along the wadi look as if they have been halved by the caves
that have cut into them. The wooded highlands on both sides of the wadi
make it breathtakingly beautiful. There are many settlements in this area.
Outdoors SPECIAL
Wadi Al Hoqain
Wadi Dayqah
Wadi Dayqah
Closer to Muscat is the Wadi Dayqah, which was described
as ‘the most singular piece of earth sculpture in Arabia’, by
explorer S.B. Miles, more than a century ago. Even today
it is popularly known as the ‘Devil’s Gap’ – thanks to its
breathtaking location through a narrow winding canyon,
whose walls rise to a height of 1,700 meters. Deep pools and
huge boulders mark this wadi.
Wadi Tiwi
Wadi Shab
This wadi is located in Niybat Tiwi, the Wilayat of Sur. The
road presents some breathtaking scenes as it passes through
a ravine and trails along the Tiwi road where houses cling on
to the cliffs. Its important features are date plantations, pools
and vegetation, like the oleander bushes that have become
a hub for butterflies.
Approximately seven kilometers away from Wadi Shab is
Wadi Tiwi, which stretches about 36 kilometers inland,
ending strikingly at the mountain village of Mibam. Nature
lovers should watch out for the sea that is visible as one
climbs up the hill and treks down to the valley. Fruit trees
and groves make it picture perfect.
Wadi Al Hoqain
This wadi is accessible from the Wilayat of Rustaq and is
characterized mainly by its many springs which flow between
the granite rocks and form beautiful waterfalls, cascading
from up to 10 meters height. Visitors to this place can also
savour history packed in the Al-Hoqain fort, which dates back
to 1722. There is also the Wadi Bani Auf, which presents a
picture perfect feel to the surroundings.
Remember…
If there are any signs of oncoming rain,
discontinue your picnic and head home
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Wadi Tiwi
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Wadi Shab
Outdoors SPECIAL
Camp
Out
Take a break from the mundane city life and get
into the camping mode
Oman’s diverse environment presents myriad opportunities for those who love the
outdoors. There is no dearth of avenues for those who love the idea of exploring its
exciting terrain and camp out in the open, with nature for company.
Closer home, the pristine beaches in the capital present fun camping opportunities
for those who are not motivated by adventure alone. With facilities to barbecue
and even shower after a dip in the waters, these beaches are very popular during
the weekends and long holidays. Beach is a perfect lure for campers wanting to
spend some fun time out with friends/family.
However, if you are seeking adventure and want to savour the joys of camping out
without other picnickers adding to the scene, you could visit Shatti Ras Al Hadd in
A'Sharqiyah Governorate or drive up to Jabal Shams or Al Jabal Al Akhdar. And if
desert is your idea of a perfect campsite, make way to Sharqiya Sands.
Yiti
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Two things make Yiti an ideal camping destination: its proximity to the city and the
scenic beauty. The beach itself is broken into various segments, which, in a way,
adds to the novelty of the area, and enough space for campers to locate their ideal
spot.
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Jebel Shams
Ras al Hadd
With the onset of turtle nesting season
in Ras Al Hadd, this camping destination
is all the more special. While some
parts of the beach may be off limits for
campers, there are several others to
camp overnight and have close look at
the nesting turtles.
Jebel Akdhar
A visit to this fascinating destination
would require a four-wheel drive, but
you will not be disappointed. What is
more the pleasant weather will make it
a perfect campsite to spend a night or
two and explore the natural bounties of
the place.
This is another place to mark on your
camping itinerary. While there are
several campsites established by tour
operators, you could indulge your
adventure streak by finding your own
little nook to camp out with friends or
family.
Mughsayl
If Salalah is on
this summer,
a d re n a l i n e
a camp out
w h i c h
scenic
c a m p.
your itinerary
set
your
pumping with
at
Mughsayl,
offers several
spots
to
T h e
secluded beach is also an option to
consider.
Dhofar Mountains
There is a special magic about Dhofar
Mountains during the khareef season,
which can be best experienced with a
camping trip. The bewitching greenery
and the cloudy ambience is perfect if
you are a nature lover.
Barr Al Hikman
Outdoors SPECIAL
Some places to
check out are:
Located in the centre of Oman’s east
coast in AlWasta Governorate, 500
kilometers south of Muscat, it is a
paradise of sorts. It is an important bird
migration stations for several species of
birds; it is also a favourite destination of
divers. Camping here is bound to be a
unique experience.
Guidelines for campers
Before you go on your planned camping trip,
check the following to see if you have followed the
essential dos and don’ts.
Pack all the camping essentials
Camping does not have to mean sacrificing
good food. You could even add variety by
carrying the right gear. Simple eggs and
pancakes or even sausages can be cooked
easily on a small stove.
Leave behind a copy of the itinerary
Demonstrate that you
environment friendly
Some of the must include items in your camping bag include a firstaid kit, compass and emergency equipment. It would help to include
bug sprays and mosquito repellents if, for example, you are camping
on the Dhofar Mountains.
Emergencies can crop up at any time and you could lose communication
network in a crisis situation. This means you need to leave behind a
detailed copy of your travel plans with friends or family.
‘Check-in’ before nightfall
Wherever be your destination, ensure that you set up the camp before
it turns dark. Even the simplest task of erecting the tent could seem
complicated in the dark. This will also give you enough time to check
out the immediate surroundings and build a campfire for food.
are
While camping is all about experiencing
nature from close quarters, it should not mean
adding to the eco-footprint. Ensure that you
leave with everything that you came with,
including all your trash. Carry extra garbage
bags so as to collect any trash left behind
previous campers.
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Do not skimp on meals
59
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Omani British Friendship
Association holds reception
Value of
traditional
fisheries catch
grows
T
he total value of fish caught by
traditional fishing methods has
increased by nearly 20 percent since
April 2013, while overall catch volumes
have remained relatively unchanged over
the same period. The ‘Total and value
fish landed by species’ report issued
by the National Centre for Statistics and
Information (NCSI) reveals that the total
catch landed by traditional fishing methods
by the end of April 2014 stood at 69,284
tons, versus 69,236 tons landed during
the same period in 2013, registering a
modest increase of 0.1 percent. While the
catch volumes have remained relatively
unchanged, the total catch value by
traditional fishing methods increased by a
healthy 19.8 percent, totaling 61.6 million
R.O by the end of April 2014, compared
with 51.4 million R.O recorded during the
same period in 2013.
As part of OBFA’s
(Omani British
Friendship
Association)
mission
to
strengthen
bilateral
trade
ties
between
Oman and Britain,
HRH The Duke
of York met His
Highness Sayyid
Haitham bin Tarik
Al Said at an Omani British Friendship Association reception. Attended by leading
dignitaries and senior level business figures from both Britain and The Sultanate,
the event, hosted by the Anglo-Omani Society at their premises in Sackville Street,
is the highlight of the OBFA Business Council’s annual calendar. Offering a unique
opportunity for commercial networking to help British businesses set up in Oman,
the reception launched a two-day programme of activities.
Shell Oman’s Annual Careers &
Prospects Ceremony
S
hell Development
Oman
(SDO)
recently held its
annual Careers and
Prospects
graduation
ceremony
under
the patronage of His
Excellency Shaikh Khalid
bin Hilal Al Mawali,
President
of
Majles
A’Shura.
The
event
celebrated more than
180 Omanis who have
successfully completed
SDO’s
training
for
employment programme, and, as a result, will soon begin full time jobs. The
ceremony was hosted by Chris Breeze, Shell’s Country Chairman in Oman, and
was attended by representatives from the Oman Society for Petroleum Services
(OPAL), including Irshad Al-Lawati, OPAL CEO, and other senior officials from
public and private sector establishments across Oman.
Collective Wedding Ceremony
at Qantab village
July 2014
A
60
s part of its continuous efforts to contribute to the
development and stability of the local community,
Saraya Bandar Jissah supported a collective
wedding ceremony for Omani couples within the
Qantab village, recently. The event, which was financially
supported by Saraya Bandar Jissah, was attended by
many relatives and guests from the village and the
neighboring areas, together with several employees from
the company. The community wedding is only the latest
in a series of sponsorships and community activities that
have now become a staple fixture within the operational
strategy of the new Integrated Tourism Complex.
‘Smart Swap’ with Nawras
N
awras is giving customers a chance to trade-in
their outdated smartphones as part of Oman’s
first ever trade-in programme. The service,
in partnership with Redeem, a leading electronics
recycling company, will allow customers to swap
their device in exchange for discounts on the latest
smartphones for Shahry customers, or make postpaid bill payments
or add credit to their prepaid account. Feras Al-Sheikh, Nawras
Director – Consumer Sales, said: “Customers want to use the latest
technology and each time they change their device they are usually
left with their old handset. If customers prefer to take the value of
their old handset as credit on their prepaid account or to make a
postpaid bill payment, they also have this choice.”
NBO’s
growth blueprint
N
ational Bank of Oman (NBO) has unveiled its strategic
plans to build on its vision: ‘To be the bank of
choice’, as part of its internal transformation program
‘Together, we can!’ NBO’s Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Al
Musalmi made the announcement at a staff gathering last
month. He also announced the launch of NBO’s social media
sites on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube as part
of its commitment to proactively engage with customers
and employees. Al-Musalmi was named CEO of NBO in May
2014, moving up from his previous role as Deputy Chief
Executive Officer. Since his appointment, Al-Musalmi has
worked closely with the senior management team to develop
innovative plans to build on the success of National Bank of
Oman’s transformational strategies.
NATS
(National Air Traffic Services)
to train young Omani
Engineers
T
he next generation of engineering talent from
Oman is to receive specialist training from air
traffic management company, NATS (National Air
Traffic Services) Delegates from Muscat and Salalah
airports will attend a series of 16 week courses run at
NATS’ training college in Hampshire. Each will begin
with English language lessons followed by expert ‘Air
Traffic Safety for Electronics Personnel’ training. The
Omani Public Authority of Civil Aviation (PACA) aims
for all its engineers to achieve ATSEP compliance by
2016 as part of its modernisation and transformation
programme.
In the light of Ramadan, Muscat Grand Mall (MGM) is bustling
with activities. Hosting numerous activities like Royal Oman Police’s
anti-drug campaign, HSBC’s female entrepreneurs SME exhibition,
Dar Al Atta’a and Al Rahma Team charity drives. Holy Quran classes
are also being conducted for women and children.
As part of its Ramadan activities, MGM is running a ‘Shop and Win’
contest where prizes are given on daily basis. The promotion also
includes a two draws with grand prize of 2 Infiniti QX60. The first
draw conducted on July 14 was won by Mr. Saed Al Rawas. The second draw will be conducted on July 28. Customers are eligible for the
Shop and Win coupon for every RO20 purchase at MGM.
July 2014
Muscat Grand Mall
hosts range of activities
this Ramadan
61
Malabar Gold & Diamonds intensifies
CSR initiatives this Ramadan
New Muscat
University to
Open Doors
in 2016
A
new
innovative
and
entrepreneurial university is
being established by a group
of prominent Omani business leaders.
Muscat University has been conceived
as a private, not-for-profit institution
and has appointed Isis Innovation Ltd,
the University of Oxford’s wholly owned
technology transfer company, as lead
consultant for the project. The curriculum
will be designed with the requirements
of the private sector as a central focus
and is expected, in the long-term, to
show a positive influence on the growth
of employment opportunities within the
Sultanate. The structures, facilities and
staffing of the new university are being
planned with a view to accepting the
first Foundation Programmes students in
September 2016
M
alabar Gold &
Diamonds, one
of the leading
jewellery
retailers
has intensified its CSR
activities during this
Ramadan by hosting
iftar events in various
parts of GCC,
in
association with likeminded organizations.
As a part of this, an iftar
event was organized at
Muttrah Souk, Muscat
and Dhofar Club- Salalah, Oman and over 4200 people gathered at the event.
The jewellery group hosts iftar events in various parts of GCC, by organizing a month
long calendar of activities, in association with like-minded organizations. Over 50,000
residents in GCC will be benefitted by their CSR initiatives this Ramadan. The jewellery
chain with over 116 retail outlets in India, GCC and Singapore sets apart 10% of their net
profit for the benefit of the needy.
Al Raffah Sohar
conducts a complicated but
successful multiple fibroid surgery
A
l Raffah, one of Oman’s leading hospital chains, conducted
a multiple fibroid surgery at Al Raffah’s Sohar branch.
A lady patient was diagnosed with uterine fibroids wherein the fibroids
ntil her stomach looked bloated. Dr. Arif Jahan, (Visiting
grew larger and larger, until
Senior Consultant OBS & Gynaecologist), Al
Raffah Sohar and his
team decided to go in for a procedure
known as Myomectomy instead
nstead of
the traditional hysterectomy.
omy.
Myomectomy is a surgical
gical
procedure that removes visible
sible
fibroids from the uterine wall,
leaving the uterus in place.
lace.
The complicated surgery
gery
lasted about 5 hours was
as a
success. The patient has been
een
discharged and is on the road
to a full recovery.
July 2014
Ramadan specials at
Khimji’s Watches
62
Khimji’s Watches, one of Muscat’s leading franchisees for luxury
watches, jewellery, accessories and writing instruments has added to
the celebrations of the special month by announcing a Ramadan offer.
Now shoppers can avail up to 60% off on some of the leading luxury
brands of watches, jewellery, accessories, sunglasses, handbags,
scarves, ties, writing instruments and much more.
Madhursinh Jesrani, General Manager Khimji’s Watches said, “This
month is all about the spirit of giving and everyone wants to gift their
loved ones something unique, something special. Our promotion
not only celebrates this but also fosters the spirit by offering huge
discounts on some of the most exclusive brands in the world. In
addition, the showroom will be open Saturday through Thursday from
9:30 am to 1:00 pm, and 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm during the holy month”.
BMW’s Summer Seasonal
Offer Hits Oman
MINI’s
Summer Seasonal
Offer Strikes Oman
Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, the BMW Group importer
in Oman, announced its yearly summer seasonal offer valid until
August 14th. All BMW models will be available with the BMW
Service Inclusive Plus(BSI) package covering all major servicing
costs for the first five years or 100,000kms (whichever comes
first), in addition to the registration costs for the first year being
covered by the BMW importer. Customers can also enjoy flexible
solutions to suit their financial needs by paying 50% of the car
value as a down payment and the remaining after a two-year
period with 0% interest rate. Additional benefits include: 5 year
manufacturer’s warranty/150,000km (whichever comes first), a 1
year complimentary insurance (with cash payments or regular
finance options) and a 16GB iPad Air as a complimentary gift.
A
l
Jenaibi
International
Automobiles, the BMW Group
importer in Oman, launched
its yearly summer seasonal offer valid
until 14th August.
Customers purchasing a new MINI during
the promotion will receive complimentary
MINI Service Inclusive XL Package
covering major service for the first three
years or 50,000km (whichever comes
first), in addition to the registration costs
for the first year being covered by the
importer.
Customers can enjoy tailored solutions to
suit their financial needs by paying 50%
of the car value as down payment and the
remaining after a two-year period with
0% interest. Additional benefits include:
3 year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s
warranty, a 1 year complimentary
insurance (with cash payments or regular
finance options) and a 16GB iPad Air as a
complimentary gift.
GAC launches
‘Mitsubishi Oman’ mobile app
G
eneral Automotive Company (GAC), the
official distributors of Mitsubishi Vehicles
in Oman, has launched a new Android and
iPhone-compatible mobile app called ‘Mitsubishi
Oman’.
Available for free on the iTunes App Store and the
Google play store, the app helps book test drives
and services, provides its users with updates on the
latest news, events and offers from GAC, a gallery
of images for each of the vehicles sold, detailed
information on the brand and the distributor, a
means locate your nearest GAC showroom and
es you with your vehicles service
even provides
status updatess if you already own a Mitsubishi.
Ford Motor Company’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost® engine, which lowers fuel consumption
sumption
ar for an
without sacrificing power, has been named 2014 International Engine of the Year
unprecedented third straight year. The 1.0-liter EcoBoost – available for Ford Fiesta –
he award
fought off competition from premium brands and supercar contenders to win the
nel of 82
for its driveability, performance, economy, refinement and technology. A panel
nder 1.0automotive journalists from 35 countries also named the engine Best Engine Under
Liter for the third year in a row at Engine Expo 2014 in Stuttgart, Germany.
JJuly
Ju
uly
ly 2
2014
01
0
14
Ford 1.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine
e
Wins Unprecedented Third
Consecutive ‘International
Engine of the Year’ Honour
63
Chill Out
Movies
Mo
Movie Review
Director
Patrick Hughes
Cast
T
RE
ND I N G
O
CHART
TOPPERS
W
Sylvester Stallone
Jason Statham
Nicolas Cage
Jackie Chan
Wesley Snipes
Dolph Lundgren
N
1. Fancy - Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX
2.
Problem - Ariana Grande &
Mac Miller
3.
All Of Me - John Legend
4.
Turn Down For What - DJ Snake &
Lil John
5. Wiggle - Jason Derulo & Snoop Dogg
6. Summer - Calvin Harris
July 2014
7. Stay With Me - Sam Smith
8. Happy - Pharrell Williams
9. Young Girls - Bruno Mars
10. Am I Wrong - Nico & Vinz
64
THE
EXPENDABLES 3
Continuing with the franchise,
The Expendables 3 is about the
Expendables needing to save the President of the United
States; while on their mission, they clash with several younger,
technology-oriented action heroes
In The Expendables 3, Barney (Sylvester Stallone), Christmas (Jason
Statham) and the rest of the team comes face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks
(Mel Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney.
Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who
Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death
once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables - but
Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with
new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting
individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission
becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the
Expendables’ most personal battle yet.
Returning Expendables Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph
Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews and Arnold Schwarzenegger will be
joined by fellow action vets Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, and Harrison
Ford. New recruits include Kellan Lutz, MMA star Ronda Rousey, welterweight
boxing champion Victor Ortiz and Glen Powell.
Rating: PG-13
Book
s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget
Upcoming Releases
What If
Daniel Radcliffe,
Adam Driver,
Mackenzie Davis,
Zoe Kazan, Rafe
Spall, Oona Chaplin
‘What If’ is the story
of medical school
dropout Wallace
(Daniel Radcliffe),
who’s
been
repeatedly burned by bad relationships. So
while everyone around him, including his
roommate Allan (Adam Driver) seems to
be finding the perfect partner (Mackenzie
Davis), Wallace decides to put his love life
on hold. It is then that he meets Chantry
(Zoe Kazan) an animator who lives with her
longtime boyfriend Ben (Rafe Spall). Wallace
and Chantry form an instant connection,
striking up a close friendship, which begs the
question: what if the love of your life
is actually your best friend?
(PG-13)
Child of God
d
James Franco, Tim Blake Nelson,
Jim Parrack, Fallon Goodson, Scott Haze,
Jeremy Ambler, Vince Jolivette
Based on the acclaimed Cormac McCarthy novel, director
James Franco’s ‘Child of God’ follows Lester Ballard,
a dispossessed, violent man in 1960s Tennessee. His life
is a disastrous attempt to exist outside the social order.
Successively deprived of parents and homes and with few
other ties, Ballard descends literally and figuratively to the
level of a cave dweller as he falls deeper into crime and
degradation.
The Hundred-Foot Journey
Helen Mirren, Manish Dayal,
Om Puri, Charlotte Le Bon
‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’ is centered on an Indian family who
moves to France and opens an eatery across the street from
a Michelin-starred French restaurant run by Madame Mallory.
Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family settles in the
quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France –
the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, the
Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le
Saule Pleureur, a Michelin starred, classical French restaurant run
by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) gets wind of it. Her icy
protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred
feet from her own escalate to all out war
between the two establishments...
Book Review
Unlucky 13
Author: Lincoln Peirce
Big Nate - an American comic strip
written and illustrated by Lincoln
Peirce - is Mr. Popularity! Nate has
decided to run for office - will he
triumph over the more popular kids?
With Francis’s help, he might just have
a winning chance! This fourth Big Nate
comic compilation in the New York
Times bestselling series by Lincoln
Peirce is all about king of detention
and cartooning genius Nate Wright.
It includes over 300 full-color comic
strips, plus bonus Big Nate activities
in the back!
Life Of The Automobile: The
Complete History of the Motor Car
Author: Steven Parissien
The car has shaped the modern era more profoundly than
any other human invention. Its manufacture introduced
mass-production to the world, bringing with it tarmac,
suburbs, and car culture. In this comprehensive world
history of the most important transport innovation of the
modern age, historian Dr. Steven Parissien examines the
impact, development, and significance of the automobile
over its turbulent and colorful 130-year history.
July 2014
Big Nate:
Mr. Popularity
Author: James Patterson
San Francisco Detective, Lindsay Boxer, loves
her life as a new mother; with an attentive husband, a job she loves, plus best friends with
who she can talk about anything. Then the
FBI sends Lindsay a photo of a killer from her
past, and her happy world is shattered. The
picture captures a beautiful woman at a stoplight. But all Lindsay sees is the psychopath
behind those seductive eyes: Mackie Morales,
the most deranged and dangerous mind the
Women’s Murder Club has ever encountered.
65
Web World
Chill Out
Apps to keep your kids
sharp this summer
Worried about the annual ‘summer learning loss’? Find
out how apps can help maintain the continuum…
While experts are divided
on whether more screen
time benefits the growing
minds of children more
than summer downtime,
app developers are finding
ways and means to keep
kids mobile-engaged over
vacation. With app reviews broken
down by age range and summerspecific subjects that encourage
engagement with the world, the
focus is on kids using apps with
their parents or friends.
Some apps help kids identify and share plants and animals they find in their
neighbourhood, while others enforce basic math and science concepts
through games. Each is rated on a variety of areas, including privacy, content
and levels.
Check out www.funeducationalapps.com/best-summer-learning-apps-forkids/ for some of the latest summer time apps to keep your kids busy.
1. iPad Apps to the Rescue for Fun Travel with Young Kids:
Plan your trip and make sure you have plenty to keep the little ones busy
and entertained.
2. Ocean - Animal Adventures for Kids - Top Discovery App for Kids:
This is a perfect app if you are staying by the sea this summer. Download
Ocean - Animal Adventures for Kids by Fox & Sheep and explore and tap
around to learn about 30 Ocean animals in 3 settings!
3. Top Five Summertime Apps & Adventures-Part II: Summer is a busy
time for families, but, of course, there is still a lot of in-between time that
July 2014
Riddle Time
66
1
2
3
4
5
Movies
Mo
needs to be filled with creative and
fun activities, and apps can serve as
an important starting point.
4. Doctor
Numbers:
Math
Challenge - Math Apps for Kids:
This is a fun and simple app for kids
to play and practice their math skills
with friends and family.
5. Math Tub by Happsan - Smart
Math Game App for Kids: Math
Tub is a fun and original game app
for kids to master their multiplication
and division skills with three cool
games.
6. 25 Best Math Game Apps
for your Kids to Play Smart this
Summer: Getting purely educational
is surely not any kids idea of summer
fun. Here are some great math games
to keep the fun element on all through
the summer holidays…
Riddle Time Answers
(June 2014 issue)
Why do cows wear bells?
What did the frog say when he hear
heard
arrd
a
“time flies when you are having
ng fun?
How do you catch a squirrel?
Where do fish keep their money?
ey?
What did one cow say to the other?
her?
1
2
How are elephants and trees alike?
Answer: They both have trunks!
What do you call a sleeping bull?
Answer: A bulldozer!
3
What is the difference between
a car and a bull?
Answer: A car only has one horn.
4
What is the quietest kind of a dog?
Answer: A hush puppy.
5
How is a dog like a telephone?
Answer: It has a collar I.D.
Book
s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget
What a smart
doorbell!
The Chui Intelligent Doorbell has a
smart feature that allows you to know
just who is ringing your doorbell.
It has been designed specifically to
keep uninvited guests away from your
home, especially when you are not
expecting company. This new gadget
solves that problem by putting a
camera loaded with facial recognition
software on your doorstep. It may
sound rude, but if you absolutely do
not want a visitor, one that isn’t on
your approved list, then Chui will play
a pre-recorded message telling them
where they can go!
Ozobot, a game-playing robot, is designed to
get you physical with digital games. Created
by Evollve, a
small company based in California, this educational toy
robot is a tiny, one-inch-tall autonomous bot (derived
from robot) that plays games on tablet screens as
well as on tables or other physical surfaces. What’s
more, it will follow both digital and physical lines that
players draw on the fly, and can even reportedly tell
the difference between a digital and physical surface.
Ozobot essentially makes decisions based on perceived
virtual obstacles, changing direction, reacting to paths,
patterns, and colors, and otherwise communicating with
you. The robot itself is really small; it can fit on an iPhone screen and actually have a little
room to move. It charges via USB, and has a lone power switch. Four iPad games come
with Ozobot: OzoPath, OzoLuck, OzoDraw, and OzoRace, with more to follow soon after, the
company says.
Toy Robot
Gadget Notes
In sync with your
insoles
With technology breaking barriers to blend
with gadgets of all types and genres - fridges
with Wi-Fi, toothbrushes with Bluetooth - you
now have shoes that track every step you
take. These ‘smart’ insoles link to your phone
via Bluetooth, know where you are and where
you are going, and will vibrate the left or
right sole to point you in the right direction.
They can also link to a fitness app on your
smartphone to monitor how much exercise
you’re getting.
Printer in your pocket
If you have used a portable printer you would know that most portable
printers aren’t that useful, or that portable. Unless you want to carry
something the size of a large hardback book that exclusively printed
documents the size of a photo... But this cup-sized robo-printer scoots
along any paper it’s sat on, depositing ink as it travels, and it connects
via Bluetooth to your mobile device or computer so you don’t need any
pesky wires.
A
ttorney: Doctor,
before you
performed the
autopsy, did you check for
a pulse?
Witness: No.
Attorney: Did you check
for blood pressure?
Witness: No.
Attorney: Did you check for
breathing?
Witness: No.
Attorney: So, then it is
possible that the patient was
alive when you
began the autopsy?
Witness: No.
Attorney: How can you be so
sure, Doctor?
Witness: Because his brain was
sitting on my desk in a jar.
Attorney: But could the
patient have still been alive,
nevertheless?
Witness: Yes, it is possible that
he could have been alive and
practicing law.
R
eaching the end of a job
interview, the human
resources person asked
a young engineer who was fresh out
of MIT, ‘What starting salary were you
thinking about?’
The Engineer said: ‘In the
neighbourhood of $125,000 a year,
depending on the benefits package.’
The interviewer said: ‘Well, what
would you say to a package of 5
weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full
medical and dental, company matching
retirement fund to 50% of salary, and
a company car leased every 2 years say, a red Corvette?’
The Engineer sat up straight, and said:
‘Wow! Are you kidding?’
The interviewer replied: ‘Yeah, but you
started it.’
July 2014
FUN
67
Chill Out
FUTURESCOPE
JULY 2014
Aries
Libra
Taurus
Scorpio
This will be a summer with a difference. You
have spent your spring decluttering and
putting some extra cash in your pocket, but
you are not in the mood to spend that money
on an extravagant vacation. You are in the
mood for learning and new experiences.
Your mind feels sharp and there is a need to
seek out new things and explore.
Balance your health this summer and don’t
get caught up in summer excesses – picnics
and parties. Romance will play a major
part in your summer life; it could, however,
prove to be just a summer romance and
not a long lasting love. Don’t forget about
family and friends; spend some time with
them as well and spread your love around.
Treat yourself to a good vacation this
summer. You have worked really hard
during the early part of 2014 and your
reward should be a ‘spoil yourself’ holiday.
Pick a place that does not only provide a
bed and nice food, but somewhere that
can also help you take care of your health.
A luxury spa or health spa might be the
perfect place. Leave the laptop at home and
just relax.
Gemini
Channelise your energy, as there are new
horizons to explore and new places to visit.
You will meet new kindred spirits and you
will grow as an individual. The new places
you visit or travel to during summer may
leave a profound impression on you, and
there is even a possibility you will go back
home and make a permanent move to a
new horizon. You will feel that you need to
explore and find a new destiny.
Cancer
Be cautious… A demanding person will
try to take over your life and change your
lifestyle. Make it clear to this person that
you do like them but you are your own
person and you enjoy it. Choose to allocate
your time differently and the person will
get the message. Spend time with your
friends and celebrate the summer.
July 2014
Virgo
68
Movies
Mo
Health is really important throughout
the year, but during the summer it is at
the forefront. You need to look after your
health this summer, eat well and rest. Try
to conserve your energy, and enjoy the
sunshine and build up some more energy.
You might be busy at work during this
summer, and a new colleague could mean a
new love interest.
Daniel Radcliffe
23 July 1989
Daniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English
actor who rose to prominence as the
title character in the ‘Harry Potter’ film
series. He made his acting debut at
10 years of age in BBC One’s 1999
television movie ‘David Copperfield’,
followed by his film debut in 2001’s ‘The
Tailor of Panama’. At age 11, he was
cast as Harry Potter in the first ‘Harry
Potter’ film, and starred in the series for
10 years until the release of the eighth
and final film in 2011. He won the Best
Cast and the Best Hero MTV Movie
Awards for his role in Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows Part 2. After his
role as Harry, he began his stage-acting
career, appearing in How to Succeed in
Business Without Really Trying.
Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Slow down and catch your breath this
summer. You need to learn to enjoy
some ‘down time’, more so since you
have been feeling as if your life is
running away with you and that you are
really not in control. Invest in a notebook
and start writing down all those thoughts
and ideas that keep you worked up.
Spend some time reflecting over your
notes and you might have the start of a
new beginning. You need to spare time
for socializing…a new long-term love
may enter your life.
You have been busy working and this will
continue. Instead of taking a longer vacation
you might just settle for shorter weekend
breaks. The good news is that the money
will keep rolling in but you have no interest
in spending the money as you are planning
for the future. Towards the end of the
summer you will meet someone with a sunny
personality, and he/she will cheer you up.
Sagittarius
You are buzzing with energy at the moment
and you could almost fly away without
wings. You will need all that energy during
this summer. You will be in line for new
experiences and you will be making new
friends during the summer. Slow down a
little and you will enjoy the summer better.
Your summer will not only be full of new
friends and new experiences but you will
also be taking on new projects at home and
at work.
Capricorn
You will feel relaxed and ready to enjoy the
sunshine, fresh strawberries and spending
more time outside. You will start seeing
things and, perhaps, your life from a new
perspective after meeting new friends.
Don’t be surprised if your new friends are
younger than you are. It is time to put some
new personalities into your life, and get a
new outlook.
Aquarius
This will be a really busy summer for you.
You will find that you have lots to fill your
summer with activities; you will spend a
lot of this summer outdoors. You have, for
sometime now, been interested in helping
charities, and getting involved with some
specific causes.
Book
s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget
Weird News
Facts
About
Too fur fetched…?
All for selfies
Paul Carrington from Birmingham spent a staggering
£15,000 on following celebrities around the world –
just so he could take a selfie with them. He has been
snapped with The Dark Knight Rises star Tom Hardy,
pop star Peter Andre and the star of Benefits Street,
White Dee. But in his quest for the perfect picture,
Carrington, a comedian, has managed to overdraw on
his savings. He spends six months planning his trips,
pinpointing the exact locations that stars will visit. Each
trip costs up to £1,000, including travel, living costs and photo printing. His
first celeb selfie was with actress and comedian Crissy Rock in 2011.
Looks good tastes better
Travel
Some well known
and some completely
unknown interesting
travel facts
-
Food really does taste better when it looks
good, say scientists. For example, a salad
tastes better and people are willing to pay
more for it when it is made to look like ‘edible
art’. The findings back the theory of top
chefs, who have long believed that a culinary
masterpiece has to look as well as taste
the part. Psychologists found that a salad
tasted better when arranged to resemble a work by the Russian artist Wassily
Kandinsky. The ‘abstract plating’ was inspired by Kandisky’s Painting Number
201, which hangs in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
-
Too fat for the morgue
-
A 440-pound man was turned away from
a morgue in Western Australia because
he was ‘too fat’. Joanne Cummings, the
co-owner of Pilbara Funeral Services in
Port Hedland, said the Hedland Health
Campus had refused to take the bodies
of two large people in the past year after
claiming it did not have the equipment to
accept bodies of such size.
Ms. Cummings said the latest incident occurred last week, when she was
forced to drive two hours home with a 200 kilogram body in her car before
alternative arrangements could be made to store the body.
-
-
The world record for collecting the
largest number of sick bags on aircraft
is 6,000.
France is the most visited country in
the world.
Spain has over 8000 kms of beaches.
It’s illegal to feed the pigeons in
San Francisco.
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the
world not to have any rivers.
The city with the most Rolls Royce cars
per capita is Hong Kong.
There are no clocks in Las Vegas
gambling casinos.
The rear section of an aircraft is where
you will feel the most turbulence.
Singapore is the largest country without
a farm.
If you moved the entire population of
Manhattan to Alaska, each person would
have 12 acres.
The Tokyo Zoo, in Japan, closes down for
two months every year to give the
animals a break from people.
Spain is also considered the most
mountainous country in Europe.
The United States has no official language.
The name Spain comes from the word
Ispania, which means the land of rabbits.
Adding salt and pepper to your food
is considered highly offensive to chefs in
Switzerland
One third of all the airports in the world
are located in the US
In parts of Tibet, sticking one’s tongue
out at someone is a greeting.
In Albania, nodding one’s head stands
for ‘no’, while shaking one’s head means
‘yes’.
Internet check-in was first used by
Alaskan Airlines in 1999.
South Africa is the second largest
exporter of fruit in the world.
July 2014
Turning taxidermy trendy may seem
rather fur-fetched, but that’s exactly
what a young woman is aiming to do.
Jo Shears, 31, spends her spare time
stuffing rabbits, mice and birds - and
turning them into hats and handbags
– which have, surprisingly, proved
popular with brides. Working from the
tiny studio in her flat in Ealing, West
London, Ms. Shears works mainly on
road kill. Among other things, she spends her time cleaning between the
spines of hedgehogs and prepares birds of all shapes and sizes to make them
into exotic headgear. She also recently completed a necklace made from a
raven skull, alongside a whole stuffed raven, for one groom.
69
Airlines
SEARCHING
Emergency
1
SEARCHING
Airlines
Airlines
Emergency
Cinema
July 2014
Beauty
70
Flight information ....................... 24519456
Aeroflot ....................................... 24704455
Ahlan Lounge ............................. 24519088
Air Arabia ................................... 24700828
Air France ................................... 24562153
Air India...................................... 24762111
Air Maldives ............................... 24566046
Air New Zealand ......................... 24700326
Bangladesh Airlines.................... 24701128
British Airways............................ 24568777
Cathay Pacific ............................. 24789818
Continental Airlines.................... 24816565
Egypt Air .................................... 24794113
Emirates Airlines ........................ 24404444
Ethiopia Airlines ......................... 24660314
Gulf Air .......................24703222, 80072424
Iran Aseman ............................... 24660313
Japan Airlines ............................. 24704455
Jet Airways ..................24787248/24787246
Kenya Airways ............................ 24660317
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines ........... 24566737
Kuwait Airways ........................... 24701262
Lufthansa..................................... 24796692
Malaysian Airlines ...................... 24560796
Middle East Airlines ................... 24796680
Oman Air .................................... 24531111
Pakistan International Airlines...................
.................................................... 24792471
Qatar Airways ............................ 24771900
Qantas ........................................ 24559941
Royal Jordanian ........................... 24796693
Saudi Arabian Airlines ................ 24789485
Shaheen Air International ........... 24817021
Singapore Airlines ...................... 24791233
Sri Lankan Airlines ..................... 24784545
Swiss International Air Lines ...... 24796692
Syrian Airlines ............................ 24797567
Thai Airways ............................... 24705934
Turkish Airways ................ 24703033/ 2778
Emergency
Hospitals
Al Nahdha Hospital ..................... 24837800
Khoula Hospital........................... 24560455
Muscat Private Hospital .............. 24583600
Royal Hospital ............................. 24599000
Al Raffah Hospital .................. 98294371/70
KIMS Oman Hospital ................... 24760100
Electricity
Muscat / Muttrah ........................ 24714300
Ruwi ............................................ 24701821
Salalah ........................................ 23219188
Water
General Enquiries ..............................1442
Muttrah ...................................... 24795775
Salalah ....................................... 23290222
Cinema
City Cinema Ruwi ................. 2456 7664/68
City Cinema Al Shatti ........... 2456 7664/68
City Cinema MGM................ 2456 7664/68
City Cinema Sohar ............... 2456 7664/68
Star Cinema ................................ 24791641
Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540855
Cinema
Beauty
Health Clubs
Hotel &
Hotel Apartments
Retail
Sports
Travel & Tour
Operators
Eat Out
Beauty
Al Lilac Beauty Center ................ 24483994
Al Nahda Resort and Spa, Barka ................
26883710
Ayana Spa ................................... 24693435
Beauty Centre ............................. 24697585
Beauty Today .............................. 24568991
Chi Spa, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa ....................................... 24776666
Daksha’s Salon ............................ 24562596
Emirates Medical Center............ 24604540
Essence Spa................................ 24603225
Europe Beauty Centre & Health .................
Club, CBD ................................... 24797813
Europe Beauty Centre & Spa ....................
Wadi Kabir.................................. 24815805
Grand Spa................................... 24695766
Grand Spa (Bareeq Al Shatti).....................
.................................................. 95588880
Hana’s Slimming & Skincare ....... 24697270
Holistic Skin & Hair Care ............ 24601134
Hollywood Beauty Centre ........... 24568292
Kaya Skin Clinic ................ 24601700/4300
Kottakal Arya Vaidya Sala ........... 24701555
Manal Beautician ........................ 24479655
Muscat Beauty Salon ................... 24562541
Muscat Slimming Centre ............ 24565687
Nadia Beauty Salon ..................... 24689777
Nails Spa ..................................... 24699440
Raz Hair and Beauty Salon .......... 24692219
Saharz Beauty Centre ................................
................................24695151 / 24696161
Signature .................................... 24490282
Sri Sri Ayurveda Clinic ..............................
..................................24480874, 92800793
The Chedi, The Spa .................... 24524400
Tips & Toes Nails Spa.................. 24603969
The Spa Bar for Men ................... 24698681
Touch & Glow Beauty.................. 24791979
VLCC .......................................... 24695157
Perry's Saloon ............................. 24538539
Airlines
Emergency
Cinema
Beauty
Health Clubs
Hotel &
Hotel Apartments
Retail
Sports
Travel & Tour
Operators
Eat Out
Oman
on your
ÀQJHUWLSV
Health Clubs
Muscat Region
Al Bustan Palace Hotel ................ 24799666
Al Bahjah Hotel ........................... 24424400
Al-Khuwayr Hotel Apts ............... 24478171
Al Madina Holiday Inn ................ 24596400
Al Fanar Hotel ............................. 24712385
Al Falaj Hotel .............................. 24702311
Azaiba Hotel Apartments...........................
................................24490979 / 99424470
Beach Hotel ................................ 24696601
Bowshar Hotel............................. 24491105
Coral Hotel Muscat ..................... 24692121
Crowne Plaza Muscat.................. 24660660
Golden Tulip Seeb...................... 24510300
Grand Hyatt Muscat .................... 24641234
Haffa House Hotel ....................... 24707207
Holiday Inn Muscat ..................... 24487123
InterContinental Muscat ............. 24680000
Best Western Hotel ..................... 24692121
Majan Continental Hotel ............. 24592900
Marina Hotel ............................... 24711711
Mina Hotel .................................. 24711828
Muttrah Hotel .............................. 24798401
Nuzha Hotel Apts ........................ 24789199
Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240
Park Inn ...................................... 24507888
Qurm Beach House Hotel ........... 24564070
Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat.......... 24487777
Ramada Qurm Beach .................. 24603555
Ramee Guestline Hotel ............... 24564443
Ramee Dream Resort .................. 24453399
Ruwi Hotel .................................. 24704244
Safeer Hotel Suites...................... 24691200
Qurum Beach Resort Hotel ......... 24605945
Shangri La’s Barr Al JissahResort and Spa .....................24776666, 800708102
The Chedi Muscat....................... 24524400
Al Dhakliya
Nizwa Hotel................................. 25431616
Al Jabal Al Akhdar Hotel............. 25410500
Adam Motel ................................ 25434975
Al Diyar Hotel ............................. 25412402
Bader Aslam Motel ..................... 25435007
Bahla Hotel ................................. 25420211
Matan Motel ................................ 99062641
Majan Guest House..................... 25431910
Tanoof Guest House.................... 25411601
Al Batinah
Al Nahda Resort & Spa ..............................
............................... 26883710/ 992RELAX
Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545
Sohar Beach Hotel ...................... 26841111
Al Wadi Hotel .............................. 26840058
Al Suwaiq Hotel .......................... 26862241
Green Oasis Motel ...................... 26846442
Ghurnata Hotel Apartments........ 26844539
Al Sharqiya
Al Ashkara .................................. 25566266
Al Qabil Resthouse ..................... 25581243
Al Raha Tourism Camp ............... 99343851
Al Sharqiya Gardens................... 99332264
Al Sharqiya Sands Hotel ............. 99205112
Al Wasil Camp ............................ 99332264
Desert Safaris ............................. 25593232
Golden Sands Camp................... 99445092
Ibra Hotel.................................... 25571873
Mahoot Hotel .............................. 25504401
Marsa Sur Hotel Apartments....... 25540784
Masirah Motel ............................. 25504401
Ras Al Hadd Beach Hotel ........... 25542031
Musandam
Millennium Resort ...................... 26871555
Khasab Hotel .............................. 26730267
Qada Hotel ................................. 26731664
Isra Hotel Apartments................. 26730562
Al Wusta
Ghaftain Rest House ................... 99485881
Ghaba Rest House ...................... 99358639
Haima Motel ............................... 23436061
Qatbit Motel................................ 99085686
Dhofar
Hilton Hotel Salalah .................... 23211234
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah ...... 23235333
Haffa House Hotel Salalah........... 23295444
Al Hanna Hotel............................ 23290274
Al Jabal Hotel .............................. 23210611
Al Mazyuna Hotel........................ 23293340
Al Nassr Hotel ............................. 23294815
Al Saada Tourism Complex ........ 23225250
Bamasir Hotel ............................. 23293340
Darbat Hotel ............................... 23295877
Dhofar Tourist Hotel.................... 23282300
Redan Hotel ................................ 23292255
Salalah Beach Hotel Apts ............ 23235999
Salalah Hotel ............................... 23295332
Samahram Hotel Apts ................. 23295444
Thumrit Tourist Hotel .................. 23279371
Al Dhahira
Al Buraimi Hotel.......................... 25652010
Abha Hotel.................................. 25654700
Al Aeilat Hotel Apts .................... 25654330
Al Baraka Oasis Hotel Apts ......... 25650955
Al Dhahira Hotel ......................... 25650492
Al Masah Hotel ........................... 25653007
Al Raha Hotel Apts ...................... 24701898
Al Sharq House Hotel Apts ......... 24702399
Hamasa Hotel.............................. 25651200
Ibri Oasis Hotel........................... 25489955
Nafahat Al Burami Hotel Flats ..... 25654777
SEARCHING
Hotel &
Hotel Apartments
2
Health Clubs
Hotel &
Hotel
Apartments
July 2014
Your Fitness
Quotient....
Al Falaj Health Club ........................24702311
Al Majan Hotel ................................24592900
Al Qurum Resort .............................24605945
Adam’s Fitness Center ....................24684989
Balance Health & Fitness ...............24564132
Bodylines, Al Sawadi ......................26795545
Body Speak ......................................24765578
Crowne Plaza...................................24660660
Fitbody Gym....................................24601970
Fontana Club Radisson Blu ...........24487777
487777
Future Health Club .........................24600030
600030
Grand Hyatt Club Olympus ...........24641234
641234
Golden Tulip ....................................24510300
510300
Hammer Gym .................................24483399
483399
Horizon Fitness Center ..................24571337
571337
InterContinental Muscat ...............24680000
680000
Muscat Holiday Inn ........................24487123
487123
Samaa Health Club .........................24694892
694892
Qurum Beach Resort Hotel ...........24605945
605945
Crowne Plaza Salalah .....................23235333
235333
Hilton Salalah ..................................23211234
211234
Sohar Beach Resort.........................26841111
841111
Sky Club, Park Inn ..........................24507888
507888
71
Sports
Basketball
Oman Basketball Association .... 24796780
Boating
Retail
SEARCHING
3
Retail
July 2014
Sports
72
Al Araimi Complex ..................... 24566180
Al Khamis Plaza .......................... 24562791
Al Harthy Complex ..................... 24564481
Al Wadi Commercial Centre ......................
.................................................. 24564782
Alasfoor Plaza ............................. 24564686
Capital Commercial Complex (CCC) ......
.................................................. 24567338
Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex ....... 24692113
Khimji Megastore........................ 24708075
Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540222
Sabco Center .............................. 24562761
Capital are Yacht club ................. 24737712
Desert Thunder........................... 95555153
Grand Hyatt Boat House ............. 24641234
Gulf Leisure ................................ 99819005
Marina Bander Al Rowdha .......... 24737288
Ocean Boats Diving and Sea Tours ............
.................................................. 92645889
Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107
Bowling
Al Masa Bowling ......................... 24693991
Oman Bowling Centre ................ 24480747
Seeb Novotel .............................. 24510300
Classes
Al Falaj Hotel (Martial Arts, Tennis, ...........
Swimming).................................. 24702311
Grand Hyatt Muscat (Aerobics, Ballet, Salsa, Yoga for women) ............... 24641234
InterContinental Muscat (Fitness workouts,
Aqua Aerobics, Spin, Pilates+) ... 24680000
Cricket
Oman Cricket Club .................... 24703142
Cycling
Muscat Cycling ........................... 98453580
Diving & Snorkeling
Al Khuwair ..................96473101, 24601569
Fahad Plaza, Ruwi ....................... 96725845
Muscat City Centre ....................................
..................................96473113, 24558063
Sohar .......................................... 95119656
Salalah ........................................ 23289260
Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545
Blu Zone Watersports.................. 24737293
Desert Adventures ...................... 95201107
Desert Thunder........................... 95555153
Dimaniyat Diving ........................ 24795545
Global Scuba .............................. 99317518
Gulf Leisure ................................ 24693561
Musandam Extra Divers.............. 99877957
Muscat Divers ............................. 99355671
Muscat Diving and Adventure Cente.........
.................................................. 24485663
Ocean Boats Diving and Sea Tours ...........
.................................................. 92645889
Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240
Sub Aqua Dive Centre Salalah .... 92471073
Muscat City Centre
Golf
Centrepoint
Muscat City Centre (Mall) .......... 24558888
Bata (Footwear) ........................... 24558855
Emax (Electronics) ..................... 24558062
Home Centre .............................. 24558063
Max (Fashion) ........................ 24558981/82
Origem (Fashion)........................ 92648542
Oysho (Fashion).......................... 24558865
Rado (Watches) ........... 9776492, 92247101
Salsa (Fashion) ............................ 24558631
Sunglass Hut ............................... 24558869
Zara (Fashion) ............................. 24558887
Zara Home .................................. 24558869
Muscat Grand Mall
Muscat Grand Mall ..................... 22000000
Almouj Golf Club........................ 22005990
Ghala Valley Golf Club ............... 24591248
Muscat Hills Golf Club ................ 24510065
Hiking
Desert Thunder........................... 95555153
Muscat Diving and Adventure Center .......
24485663
Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107
Horse Riding
Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545
Al Sawahil Horse Riding ............. 95177557
Desert Thunder........................... 95555153
Qurum Equestrian School........... 99832199
Ice Sports
Ice Skating Centre ...................... 24489492
Jet Skiing
Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545
Kayaking
Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545
Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ......
.................................................. 24485663
Rob Gardner ............................... 99239658
Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240
Motor Sports
Bikers Oman ............................... 99556430
Harley Davidson Owners Group ...............
.................................................. 99310853
Oman Automobile Association .................
.................................................. 24510239
Rock Climbing
Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ........................................ 24485663
Rob Gardner ............................... 99239658
Rugby
Muscat Rugby Club .................... 24604890
Running
Muscat Road Runners ................. 24692903
Sailing
Castaways Sailing Club ............. 24594613
Desert Thunder........................... 95555153
Sport Fishing
Desert Thunder........................... 95555153
Grand Hyatt Boathouse ............... 24641234
Gulf Leisure ................................ 99819006
Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ......
.................................................. 24485663
Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240
Marina Bandar Al Rowdha .......... 24737288
Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107
Water World Marine ................... 24737438
Squash
Al Falaj Hotel .............................. 24702311
Al Sawadi .................................... 26795545
Crowne Plaza Muscat.................. 24660660
Grand Hyatt Muscat .................... 24641234
Tennis
Oman Tennis Association ........... 24751902
Khasab Travel and Tours............................
26730464
Kurban Tours & Travel ................ 24699886
Mark Tours .................................. 24782727
Marmul Travel and Tours ............ 24482868
Majan Travel ............................... 24785728
Mezoon Travel ............................ 24796680
Midland Tourism......................... 24566524
Moon Travels ............................. 24793551
Nahar Tourism Oasis .................. 99387654
National Travels & Tourism (NTT) ..............
24660376
Nomad Tours .............................. 95495240
Nomadic Adventures and Tours.................
99336273
NTT Tours............................... 24660378/70
OTTB ........................................... 24789845
Oasis Tours .................24499922, 99440441
Oman Geo Tours......................... 24600914
Oman Discovery ......................... 24706424
Oman National Transport ........... 24490046
Oman World Tourism .................. 99252680
Orient Holidays .......................... 24478902
OUA Travel ................................. 24559900
Premier Tours ............................. 99222620
Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107
Remal Al Sharqiya Tourism......... 24544525
Rusayl Travel .............................. 24510012
Salalah City Services .................. 23299663
Salalah Tourism........................... 23292289
Sama Al Wasil Tourism Village...................
99604004
Shanfari Travel and Tours ........... 27602710
Sumahram Falcon ....................... 95774166
Sun and Sand Tours .................... 99373928
Sunny Day Tours, Travel & Adventure ........
24490055
Steps Travel and Tourism............ 24488891
Tour Oman .................................. 24799966
United Tours ............................... 24787448
Zahara Tours ............................... 24400844
4
SEARCHING
ABC Tourism ............................. 244582663
Adonis Oman Travel & Tours 24693371
Advantage Travel & Tours ........... 95220095
Airborne Travels......................... 24479295
Al Azure Tours .......................... 244565745
Amazing Arabia ..........24701454/99310005
Al Ahlam Tours ......................... 244892612
Al Areesh Wahiba Camp ............ 99317107
Al Daleel Tours ........................... 23296503
Al Ghadeer ................................. 99325441
Al Ghubayra ............................... 24812874
Al Haditha ................................... 24603587
Al Hashar Tourism & Travels ....... 24836100
Al Hasn Araimi Travel ................. 24799966
Al Maskry Tourism & Travels ...... 24595241
Al Naheem .................................. 24478192
Al Noor ....................................... 99318822
Al-Qandeel Travel & Tourism ..... 24643877
Al Raha Tourism Camp ............... 99343851
Al Sawson ................................... 24485637
Arabian Sands Tour Services ...... 24785027
Arabian Sea Safaris..................... 24693223
Arabian Trails ............................. 24475437
Arise Travel and Tour ................. 24605825
AST Tours ....................24571311, 23298085
Bahwan Travel Agencies............. 24797405
Choice Holidays ......................24660364/7
Desert Discovery ........................ 24493232
Desert Thunder........................... 95555153
Eihab Travels .............................. 24683900
Elite Travel & Tourism................. 24485020
Empty Quarter Tours .................. 99387654
Ena Tourism ................................ 23298500
Global Tours ............................... 24484156
Golden Oryx Tours ..................... 24489853
Gulf Leisure ................................ 24693561
Gulf Ventures .............................. 24559985
Kanoo Travel ............................... 24700249
Travel & Tour
Operators
July
Ju
July
ly 2
2014
01 4
01
Travel & Tour
Operators
73
73
SEARCHING
5
July 2014
A list of
restaurant
and eateries,
to match your
tastes
74
Arabian
Al Deyar ...........................................24603553
Next to Shatti Plaza
Kababji ............................................24488846
Al Khuwair
Al Khanjar ........................................24795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Kargeen Café
AL Harthy Complex ........................24560531
Centrepoint .................................... 24694048
MQ Complex ...................................24692269
Al Istanbuli ......................................24480900
Next to Rawasco, Al Khuwair
Al Reef Al Lebnani ..........................24485775
Al Khuwair, Opp Safeer Bld
Al Tanoor .........................................24776540
Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr
Al Jissah Resort and Spa
Al Zafran ..........................................26841111
Sohar Beach Hotel
Arab World
Al Ghubrah ......................................24491734
Ruwi High St. ...................................24798119
Automatic
Al Khuwair .......................................24487200
Azaiba...............................................24499981
Bareeq Al Shatti...............................24605735
Qurum..............................................24561500
Seeb ..................................................24424343
Beirut Restaurant ............................24568411
Near Qurum Roundabout
Bin Ateeq
Al Khuwair .......................................24478225
CBD ..................................................24702727
Camilia Restaurant and Cafe.........24706663
CBD
Irani House ......................................24698098
Al Khoud ..........................................24545741
Azaiba ..............................................24491921
Jabal Lebnan....................................24698098
Al Noor Plaza, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos
Al Jood Restaurant .........................24472630
Al Khuwair
Samar .............................................992RELAX
Al Nahda Resort & Spa
Samat (Iranian food)
MQ.....................................................99 889394
Qurum................................................24605515
Shahrazad ........................................24776565
Al Husn Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
Shiraz................................................24660660
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Tarboosh
Opp Sabco Centre...........................24565673
Al Ghubrah ......................................24498553
The Arabian Courtyard .................24524400
The Chedi Muscat
The Khanjar Omani Cuisine ..........24795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Turkish House .................................24488071
Al Khuwair
Ubhar ...............................................24565689
Bareeq Al Shatti
Wadi Hadramout Restaurant
Al Khuwair ......................................24475282
Al Ahli Cafe ................................ 24424400
Al Bahjah Hotel
Al Falaj Coffee Shop ................... 24702311
Al Falaj Hotel
Al Fursan ................................... 24603555
Ramada Beach Hotel
Al Maha ...................................... 24487123
Muscat Holiday Inn
Al Makan Café
Muscat City Centre ..................... 24545311
Shatti Al Qurum .......................... 24404200
Al Mas......................................... 24491105
Bowsher Hotel Deluxe
Atrium Tea Lounge ..................... 24764000
Al Bustan Palace
Barista ......................................... 24571531
Sabco Centre
Cafe Barbera .............................. 24603505
Near Shatti Cinema, Shatti Al Qurum
Café Capuccino .......................... 24564443
Ramee Guestline Hotel
Café Ceramique ......................... 24566617
Al Araimi Complex, Qurum
Caribou Coffee........................... 24694473
Bareeq Al Shatti
Mood Café
Madinat Plaza ............................. 92125639
Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24538752
Casa de Cafe .............................. 24499565
Midan Hotel Suites
Patisserie .................................... 24479344
Risail Complex, Seeb
Colombian Aroma Cafe .............. 24693131
Bareeq Al Shatti
Petit Café .................................... 24603555
Ramada Beach Hotel
Coffee Republic........................ 244703739
Qurum City Centre
Pink Berry................................... 24558113
Muscat City Centre
Costa Coffee
Seeb Intnl Airport ....................... 24519734
MQ .............................................. 24692858
Muscat City Center..................... 24535895
Oasis by the Sea ......................... 24605574
Alasfoor Plaza ............................. 24571236
Lulu Bowsher .............................. 24503861
Bareeq Al Shatti .......................... 24692699
MBD ............................................ 24793169
Pooldeck ..................................... 24680000
InterContinental Muscat
Chado Tea Lounge..................... 24500773
Oasis By The Sea
D’Arcy’s Kitchen
Jawaharat A Shatti ....................... 24600234
MQ .............................................. 24699119
Glacier Café
Markaz Al Bahja ......................... 24540200
Zakher Mall ................................ 24540391
Café de Lotus.............................. 24560439
Al Khamis Plaza
Gloria Jean's Coffees .................. 24662940
Fun Zone, Qurum,
MGM........................................... 22009295
Café G Patisserie ........................ 99531999
Madinat as Sultan Qaboos
Golden Bean Café ..................... 96969645
Al Araimi Complex, Qurum
Café Samaharam......................... 24707207
Haffa House Hotel
Grind Floor ................................. 24487777
Radisson Blu
Café Torque ................................ 24500773
Azaiba
Le Mermaid Café ........................ 24602327
Near Grand Hyatt Muscat
Café Unique................................ 96684686
Ruwi
Majlis al Shams ........................... 24680000
InterContinental Muscat
Richoux cafe .............................. 22005165
Opera Galleria Ground Floor
Rumours Cafe ............................. 24692121
Coral Hotel Muscat
Second Cup
CCC, Qurm ................................. 24566616
Shatti Al-Qurum .......................... 24699951
Bareeq Al Shatti .......................... 24697776
Sirj Tea Lounge ........................... 24641234
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Shalashil Café ............................ 24498008
Star Hotel Apartments, Ghubra
Starbucks
Ernst and Young bldg ................. 24567644
Jawaharat A’Shatti ....................... 24601457
Muscat City Centre ..................... 24558861
MQ .............................................. 24699367
Borders, Muscat City Centre....... 24558636
Qurum City Centre ..................... 24470588
Surf Cafe ..................................... 24776666
Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
Sidewalk Cafe and Deli .............. 24563058
CCC, Qurm
6
A list of
restaurant
and eateries,
to match your
tastes
Mokha Cafe ................................ 24641234
Grand Hyatt Muscat
July 2014
Cafe’s
SEARCHING
Café Vergnano 1882.................... 24692370
Madinat as Sultan Qaboos
Mokha Cafe ................................ 24776666
Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
75
Far Eastern
Bamboo Kitchen ......................... 96969645
Al Araimi Complex, Qurum
China Mood ................................ 24764000
Al Bustan Palace InterContinental - Muscat
China Town ................................. 24567974
CCC, Qurm, MBD
Chinese Durbar .......................... 24486688
Al Khuwair
Chinese Garden ......................... 24489414
Al Khuwair, Near Ice Skating Rink
7
Chinese Palace ........................... 99563368
Al Wadi Commercial Centre
Pal Meera.................................... 24692368
Shatti Al Qurum
SEARCHING
Golden Dragon ........................... 24697374
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Golden Oryx .............................. 24702266
Rex Road
A list of
restaurant
and eateries,
to match your
tastes
Silk Route Chinese & Thai........... 24696967
Al Noor Plaza, Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Jade Garden................................ 24605945
Al Qurm Resort
July 2014
Chicking
Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540200
Muscat City Centre ..................... 24489575
Cold Stone Creamery ................................
24470614, 95202436
Qurum City Centre
Coral Express ............................. 24540200
Markaz Al Bahja
Dairy Queen
Jawaharat A’Shatti ....................... 24693031
Lulu, Ghubrah ............................. 24504504
Seeb Intnl Airport ....................... 24519468
DQ Grill & Chill .......................... 24693031
Jawaharat A’Shatti
Lai Thai ....................................... 98025189
Al Khuwair
Domino’s Pizza ............................ 24479111
Al Khuwair
Magic Wok
Muscat City Centre ..................... 24537118
Qurum City Centre ..................... 24470596
Mamasan .................................... 24210452
Dunkin’ Donuts
Ghala .......................................... 96177967
MQ .............................................. 96177967
Shatti Cinema ............................. 96177967
Marjan Rest. and Pool Bar ........... 24641234
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Gourmet Burger Kitchen............. 24558065
Muscat City Centre
Meji’s Aroy Thai .......................... 99839595
Shatti Al Qurum
Narjeel ........................................ 24560606
Asas Oman Hotel Apartments
Palayok ....................................... 24797290
Ruwi High Street, opp. OC Centre
Al Khuwair
Shang Thai ................................. 24483083
Al Khuwair slip road
Royal China ............................... 24571339
Shatti Al Qurum
Hot Pot & Grills ........................... 24404291
Bareeq Al Shatti
Thai Basil .................................... 24499565
Midan Hotel Suites, Ghubrah
The Noodle House ...................... 24558377
Muscat City Centre
76
Fast Food
Tokyo Taro .................................. 24702311
Al Falaj Hotel
Wasabi Sushi............................... 24699490
Bareeq Al Shatti
Il Gelato Di Bruno ....................... 95275987
Oasis By the Sea
Hardees ...................................... 24477774
Al Khuwair, Wattyah, Al Khoud, City Centre
One number for all the four stores
Hot and Crispy ........................... 24699524
Al Masa Mall, Sarooj
Just Falafel................................... 22009922
Muscat Grand Mall
KFC ............................................. 24477777
One number for all the 21 stores
Ruwi, Qurum, Al Khuwair, MCC, QCC, Lulu
Ghubra and Darsait, Near Airport, Azaiba
Roundabout
McDonald’s
Al Khuwair .................................. 24482046
As Sarooj..................................24691033/4
Muscat City Center..................... 24545773
Book Roundabout ....................... 24421119
Qurm Behind CCC ..................... 24565798
Papa John’s Pizza
Lulu, Ghubrah ............................. 24501111
MQ .............................................. 24697220
Qurum ........................................ 24571100
Muscat Intl Airport...................... 24519468
Ruwi ............................................ 24793153
Al Khoudh ................................... 24546516
Penguin
Ghubrah ..................................... 24493963
Seeb............................................ 24422004
Sultan Qaboos University ........... 24413144
Pizza Inn
Ruwi ............................................ 24784555
Al Araimi Compex, Qurum ......... 24566661
Pizza Muscat
Al Khuwair .................................. 24483393
Al Harthy Complex ..................... 24565618
MBD ............................................ 24817715
Pizza Hut ..................................... 24822500
Wadi Kabir, MBD, Rex Road, Qurum,
CCC, QCC, MSQ, Al Khuwair, Ghala,
Bowsher, Ghoubra, Airport, Al Khoud,
Mawallah, Mabella, Barka
Subway
Oman Oil, Qurum Jabal .............. 24666704
Al Khuwair .................................. 24593963
Al Masa Mall ............................... 24604664
CCC............................................ 24560327
MQ .............................................. 24694774
Muscat City Centre ..................... 24558080
Wally’s
Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540200
Al Masa Mall ............................... 24543154
Al Khuwair .................................. 24502929
Indian
Lazeez ........................................992RELAX
Al Nahda Resort & Spa
Aaryans ..................................... 24702311
Al Falaj Hotel
It’s Mirchi ................................... 24564443
Ramee Guestline Hotel
Ananthapuri .............................. 24706226
Opp. Muscat Municipality, Darsait
Mumtaz Mahal ............................ 24605907
Qurum
Annapoorna ............................... 24810396
MBD
Mughlai Zaika ............................. 24568200
Wattayah
Biryani House ............................. 24488478
Al Khuwayr
Omar Al Khayyam Restaurant ....................
Ruwi ..........................24703035/ 24707082
Al Khoudh ..................24535001/ 24539718
Curry House ............................... 24564033
Wattayah
Mullapanthal ............................... 95267540
Ruwi
Chowpatty .................................. 24488829
Al Khuwair
Daawat ........................................ 24787980
Ruwi
Divine ......................................... 24705070
Ruwi
Dosteen Restaurant ..................... 24622850
Seeb
Happy Village ............................. 24564995
Qurum
Horizon Restaurant ..................... 24798252
Ruwi
Hot Pot Restaurant...................... 24700691
Near Khimji’s Mart, Darsait
Kamat
Al Khuwair .................................. 24479243
Ruwi ............................................ 24783300
Passage To India ......................... 24568480
Behind Hatat House
Princess ...................................... 24482213
Al Khuwair
Punjabi Dhaba ............................ 24787755
Darsait
Puranmal...................24707172 / 24706969
CBD
8
Sagar .......................................... 24794114
Ruwi
Saravanaa Bhavan ................ 24704502 / 07
Near Ruwi Roundabout
Spicy Village..............................................
Al Khuwair .................................. 24475518
Rusayl ........................................ 24510120
Nizwa ......................................... 25431694
Sohar ......................................... 24843238
Sur ............................................. 25544594
Customer Care ............... 800spicy (77429)
Sayujya Restaurant...................... 24816909
MBD
Italian
Swagath Veg Restaurant.............. 24707676
Ruwi
Capri Court ................................ 24776666
Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
The Indus Restaurant .................. 22022888
Opera Gallaria - Shatti Al Qurum
Come Prima................................ 24660660
Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat
Keranadu .................................... 24564443
Ramee Guestline Hotel
Taj Samarkhand Restaurant ........ 24582040
Muscat Oasis Residence, Bowsher
Khana Khazana............................ 24813466
Ruwi
Tawa Magic ................................ 24703300
CBD
Mediterranean Grill.................... 24680000
InterContinental Muscat
Khyber ........................................ 24781901
CBD
The Great Kabab Factory............ 24478373
Al Khuwair
Koliwada .................................... 99421778
MBD
The Taj ........................................ 26795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
O Sole Mio .................................. 24487777
Radisson Blu - Muscat
Trattoria ...................................... 24210451
Kumkum...................................... 24714114
Muttrah
Woodlands.................................. 24700192
MBD, Ruwi
Pane Caldo ................................. 24698697
Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex
Pizza Express .............................. 24696169
Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al-Qurum
Tuscany....................................... 24641234
Grand Hyatt Muscat
SEARCHING
Copper Chimney........................ 24780207
CBD
A list of
restaurant
and eateries,
to match your
tastes
July 2014
The Bollywood ............................ 24565653
Qurm, Behind CCC
77
International
Al Bandar Lounge ....................... 24776666
Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
SEARCHING
9
A list of
restaurant
and eateries,
to match your
tastes
July 2014
Japengo....................................... 92892868
Qurum
Al Aktham ................................... 24489292
Al Khuwair, behind OIB
Jean’s Grill .................................. 24567666
Sultan Center
A’Rifaak ...................................... 92558842
Al Khoud, Main Street
Jungle ......................................... 24561600
Qurum Rose Garden
AlExandria.................................. 24561611
Qurum, next to Sabco Center
Khaboura Cafe............................ 24592900
Majan Hotel
Al Khiran Terrace Restaurant .....................
Al Bustan Palace ......................... 24764000
Khalab .......................................992RELAX
Al Nahda Resort & Spa
Sundowner’s Beach Bar............... 26795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Al Waha Lounge ......................... 24776666
Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
La Brassiere ............................... 2471 3707
Muttrah
TGIF ............................................ 24488899
Al Khuwair, City Seasons Hotel
La Mer ........................................ 95038487
Shatti Al Qurum
The Beach Restaurant ................. 24524400
The Chedi Muscat
Left Bank ..................................... 24693699
Below Mumtaz Mahal restaurant, Qurum
The Chedi Pool Cabana.............. 24524400
The Chedi Muscat
Le Jardin...................................... 24510300
Golden Tulip Seeb
The Crepe Cafe .......................... 24558530
Muscat City Centre
Beach Pavilion Restaurant and Bar
Al Bustan Palace ......................... 24764000
Love At First Bite ......................... 24601737
Shatti Al Qurum
The Serai Pool Cabana ............... 24524400
The Chedi Muscat
B+F Roadside Diner................... 24698836
Bareeq Al Shatti
Musandam Café.......................... 24680000
InterContinental Muscat
The Restaurant ............................ 24524400
The Chedi Muscat
Blue Marlin ................................. 24737940
Marina bander Al Rowdha
Musandam Restaurant ................ 26730267
Khasab Hotel
The Coffee Shop ......................... 24704244
Ruwi Hotel
BreadTalk.................................... 24603033
Bareeq Al Shatti
Nando’s .......................................
.... 24561818
Opp CCC
Muscat City Centre
Tinello......................................... 24502570
The Treasurebox Hotel
Assira Pool Bar............................ 24776666
Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
Bait Al Bahar ............................... 24776666
Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
Bread and Co.............................. 24698379
Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al-Qurum
Buffet Restaurant ......................... 24697967
Bareeq Al Shatti
Chilli’s
Muscat City Center .................... 24558815
Qurum City Center .................... 24470700
Circles ........................................ 24776666
Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
Class Room ................................. 24813141
National Hospitality Institute, Wadi Kabir
Coral Reef Cafe .......................... 26795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Coffee Shop ................................ 24702311
Al Falaj Hotel
Four Seasons ............................... 24707207
Haffa House Hotel
Golden Spoon
Al Khuwair .................................. 24482263
Seeb Souq................................... 24424204
78
iFoods ......................................... 24121114
18 November St, near Sultan Centre,
Azaiba
Hamburger Nation ...................... 24558077
Muscat City Centre
Neptune Bar................................
.... 24795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Nouras Al Shatti ..........................
.... 24603555
Ramada Beach Hotel
Odyssey ......................................
.... 24824240
Oman Dive Centre, Bandar Jissa
sa
Olivos..........................................
.... 24487777
Radisson Blu
Retro ...........................................
.... 24571339
Shatti AL Qurum
RBG Grill ....................................
.... 24507888
Park Inn Muscat
Samba .........................................
.... 24776666
Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr
rr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
Slider Station ..............................
.... 24698990
Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al Qurum
rum
Stomach ......................................
.... 24692486
Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex
Sultanah ......................................
.... 24776666
Al Husn Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr
rr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
Trader Vic’s................................. 24680000
InterContinental Muscat
Tropicana.................................... 24660660
Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat
Long Bar and Xyro ...................... 24776666
Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri-La’s
Barr Al Jissah
Nirvana ......................24781901/ 97015530
CBD
Mediterranean
O'Malleys .................................... 24487777
Radisson Blu
Bellapais .................................... 24521100
Risail Complex
Periwinkle’s Pub ......................... 26795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Mediterranean Grill ................. 246803000
InterContinental Muscat
Piano Lounge .............................. 26776666
Al Bander Hotel, Shangri-La’s
Barr Al Jissah
Pubs & Lounge
Al Ghazal .................................... 24680000
InterContinental Muscat
Al Jizzi Lounge ............................ 26841111
Sohar Beach Hotel
Al Marrah Pub ............................ 24424404
Al Bahjah Hotel
Barrio Fiesta ............................... 24592900
Majan Hotel
Churchill’s Pub............................ 24487123
Muscat Holiday Inn
Mexican
Pavo Real .................................... 24602603
MQ
Senor Pico................................... 24680000
InterContinental Muscat
Sports Bar ................................... 24487123
Muscat Holiday Inn
The Hut ....................................... 26795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
The Lazy Lizard ........................... 24487777
Radisson Blu
Club Safari.................................. 24602327
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Copacabana ............................... 24641234
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Steak & Grill
Feeney’s Irish Pub....................... 99262821
Al Qurum Resort
Grill House ................................. 24603660
Grand Hyatt
Habana Cafe ............................... 24602327
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Just Grilled.................................. 24601290
Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al Qurum
John Barry Bar............................. 24641234
Grand Hyatt
Kobe’s Sizzlers .........24563220 / 24564092
GBM Building, Qurum
Layalina Bar ................................ 24487123
Muscat Holiday Inn
The Safari Rooftop Grill .............24641234,
.................................................. 24641114
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Pub......................................... 24702311
Le Pub..............
Al Falaj Hotel
10
The Wahiba ................................. 26795545
Al Sawadi Beach Resort
Club Bar ..................................... 24704244
Ruwi Hotel
Duke’s Bar ................................... 24660660
Crowne Plaza
Is your
enterprise
missing in our
lists?
Sama Terazza ............................. 24507888
Park Inn Muscat
SEARCHING
Tomato ........................................ 24680000
InterContinental Muscat
Rock Bottom Cafe’ ...................... 24564443
Ramee Guestline Hotel
A list of
restaurant
and eateries,
to match your
tastes
Please mail u
us the details
editor@faces
[email protected]
or
call us on: + 9968 24563382/24563385
Entry!
For a Quick E
July 2014
Tapas & Sablah ........................... 24776666
Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah
Resort and Spa
79