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

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Welcome to Y Magazine – your top

guide to the best of Oman every week.

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

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FO L L O W U S O N :

In a sign of the times, legendary billionaire investor George Soros has come out and said what millions of people around the world dared not utter: we are hurtling towards another global financial crisis. With the price of oil at a

critical level, hitting government coffers in the GCC hard, and the slowdown in China sparking a mass sell-off in markets recently, I have to say that we’ve not had a good start to 2016.

And with Oman’s 2016 Budget just announced, it’s looking like a tough year for everybody residing in the Sultanate, who will be reining in their spending to cope with the expected rise in the cost of living.

In our cover story this week, Y sits down with a range of people to talk about how they plan to cope amid this period of fiscal tightening. It doesn’t matter what your salary is, the fact remains that everybody will be sacrificing more to ensure their families and loved ones are taken care of financially. Of course, it will be tougher for some, but staying out of debt is key to survival.

Elsewhere, we launch our Valentine’s Day competition, “Y We Are Soulmates”, continue with our Coolest Fresher auditions and head to Caviar in Taste Test.

Have a great week!

Fast forward

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EDITOR IN CHIEFSayyida Iman bint Hamad

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MANAGING EDITORFelicity Glover

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ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

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PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Feroz Khan

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Team Y has been celebrating a very special birthday (Happy Birthday, Cia!), saying goodbye to loved ones who have been visiting Muscat and

welcoming family from the UK.

THIS WEEK…

It’s back and bigger than ever! To celebrate Valentine’s

Day next month, our “Y We Are Soulmates” competition has kicked off it’s third season. Turn to P24-25 for details on how to enter.

GOING UPBINGE TV

The eagerly awaited expansion of Netflix to Oman has finally arrived,

with TV and movie fans signing up in their droves. Turn to P11 for details.

GOING DOWNOIL

It’s been a bad start to the trading year for oil, with global benchmark Brent

hitting a near 12-year low of US$32.96 earlier this week.

C O M P E T I T I O N

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

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contentsJ A N U A R Y 1 4 - 2 0 2 0 1 6

Yo u r O m a n06 Coffee With Deeba Aftab Patel

08 Voice Of Oman Felicity Glover

10 News Petrol Price Increase

13 Gallery Bait Al Zubair’s Oryx

14 Gallery Go-Kart Challenge

15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Muslim Mahmood

T h i s We e k

16 Movies The Revenant

18 This Week Dmitri Hvorostovsky

H e a l t h a n d B e a u t y32 Fashion Digging Denim

34 Beauty Teen Skin

35 Health Beating Allergies

10

33

Fe at u r e s20 Austerity Bites Tough Times Ahead

24 Y We Are Soulmates Couple Competition

26 Coolest Fresher The Hunt Continues

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

40 Outdoors Rock Climbing

42 Postcard From Cyprus

44 Y-Fi Hi-Tech Havens

46 Car Of The Week Kia Cerato Koup

FEATURES / COFFEE WITH DEEBA / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / FOOD / DESTINATION / HEALTH / FASHION

NEXT ISSUE...

18

Fo o d a n d D r i n k28 Food Feature Family Fun

30 Taste Test Caviar

29

20

44

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

Deeba Hasan meets Aftab Patel, CEO of Al Omaniya Financial

Services SAOC, who speaks about the secrets of his company’s

success and his own route to the top

Tall, formally dressed, and usually found sharing his ideas and opinions on the

financial world, Aftab Patel is well versed in giving his thoughts on fiscal matters through regular interviews with business magazines and newspapers, but I wanted to get to know the man behind the money talk.

His company, Al Omaniya Financial Services, started out as a spark of an idea but has grown to become one of the largest non-banking financial institutions in the country, with more than 200 employees.

Aftab arrived in Oman in 1984 and although success was not easy, his determination and drive made it all happen. “This company started in my mind, but I had the vision in place – I knew how it was going to look, otherwise I wouldn’t have invested so much money into it. Today, in almost 20 years, we have nurtured so many SMEs, touched lots of lives, and helped train people.”

Although Aftab is a qualified chartered accountant, he thinks education is only part of what shapes you as a person. “Qualifications contribute very little to what you are,” he tells me. “It’s qualities like curiosity, common sense, assuming responsibilities, ethics, values [and] the way you grew up that really make a person. Academic qualifications are just the nuts, bolts and tools to run a business.”

Back in India, Aftab grew up in a town called Belagavi in the state of Karnataka, in southern India, which was occupied by the British from 1818 util 1947, when the country got its independence. As a result, Aftab’s upbringing was filled

with English influences. “I studied in a school that was started by the British and German missionaries, celebrated almost every festival and lived in a military cantonment. It was a very liberal and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Everyone from our tailor to the cobbler spoke fluent English and there were billiards clubs at both ends of the street. I studied with students from around the world and we read Shakespeare, Byron and Shelley from Grade 5.”

In order for a company to be successful, it requires a strong foundation and a good team. Aftab believes that when one builds a solid team, lays down a process and empowers them, they will be capable of running proceedings without the need of constant hands-on supervision. “Strategy is what I work on now – the direction the company

needs to go in,” he says. “I mentor my people and provide them the conviction – that is how

my team has developed, with a very high quality business model,

team, and shareholders.”When hiring staff, Aftab

considers their drive to succeed more than anything else. “If I see that overwhelming desire to succeed it will override everything, even if they are academically lower than someone else. I have hired people at different levels and have always noticed that candidates with fire in their belly always produce superior performances.”

Aftab started Al Omaniya Financial Services after leaving a renowed bank in Oman and he describes his subsequent journey as challenging, fruitful, productive, and exciting. “I have immensely enjoyed every single day working for this company, I

think if I had another chance, I would probably do this again.”

Although Oman has been home for Aftab for the past 30 years, London, India and Toronto all hold special places in his heart, as his daughters are settled in the UK and Canada after pursuing their studies in medicine and finance. Aftab’s wife is also a chartered accountant and they enjoy taking

breaks as a family and travelling to different places around the world.

“I spend a lot of time reading and travelling; I feel like we are truly global citizens. I love driving and whenever we go to the United States, I often drive 6,000 to 7,000km. I also swim and love walking,” says Aftab.

Aftab enjoys giving talks at different management colleges on the occasions that he holidays in India. “Generally my talks are about success,” he tells me. “I say if you have a single-track mind, it’s great; if people think you have an exaggerated opinion

of yourself, it’s also great. To succeed you need to be a team player and leader at the same time, the rest comes later.”

His advice for those who want to achieve success is to dream big. “Everything starts with a dream. You need to remain focused and have a one-track mind regarding what you want to do, then [you can] start building the foundations for your dream.

“After that, I would say aim for

the sky, for the highest, because nothing will hold you back. Aim for the sky [and] you might not fly, but certainly you will jump.”

Have you got a unique story to tell or do

you know someone who has? Contact us to

have coffee with Deeba and be featured in Y

Magazine. Email: editor@y-oman.com

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 6

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 8

correspondenceSAVE THE BEACHES

THE VOICE OF OMAN FELICITY GLOVER ON TIME FLYING BY

NEXT WEEK: KARIMA FARID

It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating my daughter’s first birthday. They

say that the older you get, the more time flies. And I have to say that I agree. Cia’s first birthday, you see, was celebrated in Hong Kong 12 years ago.

Since then, friends and family have gathered in Cia’s honour on January 13 every year to sing Happy Birthday regardless of where we are – from London, to Paris, Stockholm, Abu Dhabi, Copenhagen and Sydney, just to name a few.

Watching her grow from a premature, tiny newborn into a curious toddler, then hitting the big five and tween years has been an amazing journey filled with a lot of laughter, tears, learning and love.

But then came yesterday’s birthday, which, so far, has been the biggest milestone of all: my little girl became a teenager.

And this is where I have to admit that I wasn’t prepared. I’d been putting off the thought of Cia being a teen because it was always so far into the future. But time really has flown by and that dreaded number – 13 – has arrived whether I like it or not.

Of course, Cia has been looking forward to this day for a long time. And me? She’ll always be my baby girl, and my only hope is that the next 13 years are as wonderful as the last – oh, and that she won’t think I’m the uncoolest mum in the world as she negotiates these tricky teenage years.

Happy birthday, sweetheart!

Dear Editor,

I would like to express my sadness at Oman’s beautiful seaside being littered by unconcerned beach users.

Perhaps the only way to rectify this is to call the attention of the municipalities covering all beaches, especially those of densely populated areas like Qurum, Azaiba and Seeb, and put up visible “No Littering” signage, along with fines for violations.

Regular random checks for violators should be carried out with stiff penalties for first, second and final offences. It is high time to put a stop to careless people littering the beautiful

beaches of Oman. Discipline must be imposed.

Thank you so much for allowing me to express my views for the betterment of a beautiful, green and clean Sultanate of Oman.

Respectfully yours,Jesse Estandarte, Muscat

Dear Editor,

The efforts of Deeba Hasan need to be appreciated for the way she brought the best out of her article “The Great Transport Divide” (Issue 402), which is beefed up by the opinions of a cross section of some of the stakeholders.

Every change needs a beginning and after a long wait, the authorities adopted a well-considered pro-commuter policy and introduced the Mwasalat bus service that has been welcomed by a majority, but is problematic for the

TAXI OR BUS?affected taxi driver community.

It is natural that this step will meet with teething troubles, but they will get crossed off in due course. Providing better transport facilities to commuters is top of the agenda of all governments everywhere and is mandatory for a host of reasons, including economy, safety, security and efficiency.

At a time when the Sultanate of Oman, like any other nation, is reeling under the impacts of the steep drop in the price of crude oil, Mwasalat can add its own might to the austerity that is much needed.

Having said this, one has to agree with the fact that there must be a ministry vested with the ability to address the issues faced by taxi drivers;

but they cannot dictate terms like frequency of bus services, which is the sole domain of bus management, though they can seek better facilities.

Since this contentious issue is reaching a head, Deeba Hasan’s article is a wake up call for a round table meet of all stakeholders to resolve things.

Regards, Dr Suddapalli Bhaskara Rao, Ruwi

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the root cause of evil acts. Money cannot buy morals, trust, respect, and love. True happiness is not measured in the amount of money that you have, it is when you are at peace with God, with yourself and the significant people in your life who create wonderful memories.

FAZAL KHAN Money can buy materialistic things, which can give you temporary happiness, but money cannot directly give you happiness. With power comes responsibility – it’s up to you to use money for your happiness.

ARZOO BARIANA According to my point of view, money cannot be the only reason for one’s happiness. Material happiness cannot be the supreme reason for your success. What makes a man truly happy is the spiritual satisfaction of success. Memories don’t come with money and money can’t buy memories. Not all rich people enjoy the pleasure of internal joy. Money brings its own responsibilities that take away small moments of happiness. Happiness is all around; all it takes is a loving soul and a patient mind to find it without worrying about money. Money can buy you everything you wish, but can’t get you the peace you desire.

SAIMA NAVEED Money can buy happiness for the time being, but inner happiness can only be when you are happy from the heart.

GVK DURGA RAVI Money cannot buy happiness, but it can buy things that bring happiness to us, provided we know how to make use of it productively.

KJ ROY Although money can satisfy one’s desires to possess the luxuries of life, the happiness is only momentary. In my opinion, money in your pocket can’t fetch you enduring happiness. The quality of life also depends on other essential

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 3 0 9

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WE ASKED: “Can money buy you happiness?”

PRACHI SHARMA If money could buy happiness all rich people would be happy, but it’s not true. Money can only buy the things we need in life, whereas happiness comes from what we do in life.

WAFAA EL ANANY Money can buy you happiness, as long as you give some of the money away, or use it for an experience rather than buying a product. However, wealth alone doesn’t provide any guarantee of a good life. What matters a lot more than a big income is how people spend it. For instance, giving money away makes people a lot happier than lavishing it on themselves. And when they do spend money on themselves, people are a lot happier when they use it for experiences like travel as opposed to material goods.

SANDHYA VORA Money cannot buy happiness. True happiness comes from your heart. Money buys tangible things and happy moments, but when the money is gone one still needs to be joyous, which is different to being happy. Happiness is something that can’t be bought – it must be found. What money buys you is a temporary sense of happiness. The key to being happy is to be satisfied with what you have. If you are happy with what you have, anything more is a treat.

ADEEBA FATIMA It’s true that money can’t buy happiness and there are other things that money can’t buy. Money can buy a bed, but not sleep, a computer, but not a brain, food, but not an appetite, finery, but not beauty, a house, but not a home, medicine, but not health, acquaintances, but not friends, obedience, but not faithfulness.

NAZEER M THAHA Money enhances our level of happiness to some degree. We need money to survive and surviving itself allows us to be happy. But it really depends on who you are and how you handle your money.

RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE In my opinion, happiness is a subjective feeling. Most people are happy when they have money. The wealthy people are happy because they have all the money, while the poor are sad because they don’t have money to fulfill their basic needs. But money itself can only give temporary happiness and it is

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aspects like freedom, mutual respect, good health and peace of mind. Only when these are fulfilled can one attain happiness forever.

ISABELLA YOUSUF Happiness is all about money. If you have money there is no stress, you enjoy life and eventually you are happy all the time. As the saying goes “Where there is money, there is honey” (happiness).

SEEMI SAHAR If money could buy happiness then the rich would be the happiest people in the world, but the situation is vice versa. The fact is that you should learn to be content with what you have and then you’ll be happy forever.

ASMA SHABBIR According to my point of view, money is a source of happiness if it is earned and spent in the correct way. It is one of God’s blessings. As everything contains some good and bad, it depends on us how we use it.

SUNIL D’CRUZ No, money cannot buy happiness. Look at the labourers on the streets, construction workers and other blue-collar workers. They do not have the money, but are happy and contented with smiles on their faces.

LIBA KHAN Money is not everything. Happiness doesn’t relate with money, it is the intense feeling that revitalises the heart when performing any good deed. Happiness can be achieved by simply becoming a helping hand for others. That’s the real sense of happiness and satisfaction.

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 1 0

Amemorial concert to celebrate the life of iconic British singer David Bowie, who died following a secret battle with cancer, is set to be held in New York on March 31.

Bowie, who is credited with shaping a musical generation, lost his 18-month fight against the disease on January 10, just two days after he turned 69 and his new album was released, which had been timed to coincide with his birthday.

The visionary singer passed away from his illness in New York. A tweet on the David Bowie Official Twitter page on January 10 announced “David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer.”

Bowie had last been seen in public on December 7, attending the premiere of a musical based on his songs in New York.

His death was a shock to his fans and fellow musicians as publicly there had been no word that he was gravely ill, although there had been rumours in music circles that he was unwell.

Bowie, who rose to fame with 1969’s Space Oddity and later through his alter ego Ziggy Stardust, had kept a low profile since undergoing emergency heart surgery in 2004. His last live performance was at a New York charity concert in 2006, where he sang with singer Alicia Keys.

It is not known what type of

cancer Bowie had been suffering from. Blackstar was the singer’s 25th studio album and the first that didn’t

feature his photo on the cover, but instead a black starBowie lived primarily in New York with his former supermodel

wife Iman and their 15-year-old daughter Alexandria.Bowie’s longtime producer, Tony Visconti, wrote on Facebook that Bowie knew for a year that his

cancer was terminal and that his final album was a “parting gift” to the world.

“He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us.”

The Rolling Stones paid tribute to “an extraordinary artist” and a “true original”.

Madonna said she was “devastated” and that Bowie had “changed her life”. She wrote on Twitter: “Talented. Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever!”

Rapper Kanye West said: “David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.”

Scottish musician Midge Ure, who helped organised the Live Aid concert in 1985 – at which Bowie performed – said: “He wasn’t just a brilliant songwriter and an amazing creator, he excelled at everything.

“He gave us the point to run towards, we are all still trying to run towards that, everyone.”

Bowie will reportedly be laid to rest near his US home rather than the UK.

Fuel prices in Oman have risen for the first time in 17 long years by a third for

super unleaded, pushing Oman’s ranking out of the top 10 cheapest fuel providers to the 13th place.

Earliest global records available show that Oman’s petrol price has remained the same since at least 1998, though the price of diesel did rise in May 2005 from 102 baisa to 146 baisa. It is the first hike since the lifting of the regulation on fuel prices and will come into effect from tomorrow (January 15), and will be in place until the end of the month, according to the Ministry of Oil and Gas.

Quoting Eng Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, the Oman News Agency reported that the price of super unleaded petrol will rise from 120 baisa to 160 baisa per litre; regular will increase from 114 baisa to 140 baisas per litre and diesel will rise from 146 baisa to 160 baisa per litre.

In real terms, it means the owner of a small sedan car could on average expect his fuel bill to rise from RO4.8 to RO8.6 to fill up. A mid-sized car fuel bill will go up from RO7.2 for a full tank to RO9.6, while owners of large SUVs will be hardest hit with a full tank for a capacity of 5.7 litres jumping from RO11.5 to RO15.3.

However, Mwasalat, the recently launched public bus service in Muscat, announced this week that it won’t increase fares in the wake of the rises.

The hike had been expected since the government unveiled its austere State Budget of 2016.

“The rise in petrol prices will have an impact on essential commodities. There will also be a chain reaction on other items, and housewives will perhaps need to revise their home budgets, as will everyone else.” said Saiyed Ali Naqvi, a Muscat resident, speaking to Y.

Awais Khan, another young resident said:“It’s tough to accept fuel prices have increased in Oman. I was anticipating it to be a less than a 40 baisa rise. I think this will affect a lot of other things as well. We might need to look into our budgets again.”

Despite the 33 per cent increase in some fuel prices in Oman, it will still remain cheaper here than across the border in the UAE, where fuel is currently at the equivalent of 177 baisa per litre. The UAE was the first country in the GCC to cut fuel subsidies, with Saudi Arabia

following suit and increasing their prices as well. Kuwait is said to follow Oman’s path, and Bahrain have increased their prices by a whopping 56.3 per cent.

“It’s basically not a rise in fuel prices, it is the government cutting down its subsidy on fuel. I don’t know exactly what will happen, but I guess for consumers, it’s higher prices for related products directly affected,” said Murshid al Abri, a student at Sultan Qaboos University.

* Feeling the pinch. See our cover feature on P20.

FUEL PRICES GO UP 33 PER CENT

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N E W S

Walking with dinosaurs, a trip to the jungle and fireworks. All these and more will

be waiting for visitors to this year’s Muscat Festival, as organisers go all out to attract record attendances.

Starting today (Jan 14), the festival runs until February 13 and is split across several venues, as in previous years, with the main action happening at Amerat Park and Naseem Park. There will also be events on the beach and in the sea at Seeb and Azaiba, with the Royal Navy of Oman taking part. Old favourites such as the Heritage Village and the Family Village, theatre shows with acrobats and clowns are also returning.

Focusng on culture and heritage, a new exhibit ‘1001 Inventions’ will showcase the Golden Age of Islamic civilisations, celebrating such intellectuals as Ibn Sina and Al Razi.

More than 1 million visitors went to last year’s festival – despite speculation it might not go ahead – making it one of the highlights of the city’s social calendar for visitors and residents.

Last year’s new exhibit, Dinosaur Village, a display of models with sound and light effect, was a huge hit. This year, it has been moved from Naseem to Amerat Park. Instead, Naseem will play host to new exhibits, Jungle Village, which features new models, including a gorilla and the Illuminated Village, with animals and landmarks inspired by Omani marine and wildlife.

Also back is the hugely popular Tour of Oman cycling race with 18 teams from around the world competing in the gruelling six-stage 938km event, starting on February 16.

However, several teams, including Team Sky, will not be competing this time round due to a

busy racing schedule. It could be the last year that the Tour event

is held in Oman, with the five-year deal due to end this year. Muscat Municipality is reportedly hoping to negotiate a renewal.

“There will be negotiations. Either to renew it or if that [2016 edition] will be the last one,” Habib al Zawawi, supervisor of sports events and the Tour of Oman at the Municipality, told a local newspaper.

“By the end of the tour we will come to know. There will be (an) official announcement about it.”

Muscat Festival has been running since 1998.

● For more info, check out the official Muscat Festival website muscat-festival.com. Twitter @MuscatFestival

MAIN VENUES AND EVENTS

Opening Hours: Naseem and Amerat: 4-11pm Entrance Cost: 200 Bzs for adults and 100 Bzs for cbildren

Amerat Park:Heritage VillageScience ExhibitionFamily VillageDinosaur VillageTheatre shows

Naseem Park:Children’s theatreEntertainment ParkFireworks ShowsJungle VillageIlluminated Village

Porting and Beach Events:SailingOmani youth shipTattoo display of the Royal Guard of OmanWatersports experience (Oman Sail)Muscat Marathon (Jan 29)BasketballTour of Oman (Feb 16-21)

The world’s leading internet TV service, Netflix, is finally available

in Oman, much to the delight of the Sultanate’s residents.

Oman was among 130 new countries worldwide to get access to the streaming service, which allows subscribers to view television shows and films. South Korea, Poland, India and Turkey were also given access to Netflix for the first time, with the service now reaching just about every nation on Earth.

For a starting price of RO3 a month,

with the first month free, subscribers in Oman can enjoy some shows previously not shown here. However, some hit series such as House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, White Collar and Battlestar Galactica have not yet been made available for streaming, according to Netflix officials.

“With the help of the internet, we are putting power in consumers’ hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device,” said Netflix Co-founder and chief executive Reed

OMAN GETS Hastings, during a keynote speech to launch the global service.

Excited residents were quick to sign up and start binge watching their favourite programmes as a local newspaper this week quoted some people voicing fears that authorities in Oman would pull the plug on the service.

There has been no official response from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) or other government body in Oman to the launch.

Netflix now delivers video in more than 60 countries and streams more than 125 million hours of content each day in the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

Arabic, Korean and Simplified and Traditional Chinese have been added to the 17 languages it already supports.

Netflix is available on virtually any device that has an internet connection, including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, Smart TVs and game consoles, automatically providing the best possible streaming quality based on bandwidth.

Netflix has not yet launched China. It is also unavailable in Crimea, North Korea and Syria due to US government restrictions on American companies.

IT’S BACK – MUSCAT FESTIVAL

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YOUR OMAN

What’s this about then?Some bright sparks have come up with what they believe is another innovative pairing of gold and food. Oh dear – what are they doing this time? Forget the burgers and the gold-flecked cappuccino, which you can order at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. This time around, it’s all about the golden doughnut.Really? Eww!We are afraid so. According to a report by UPI, the Manila Social Club in Brooklyn, New York, has launched the Golden Cristal Ube Donut. What’s that?Basically, it’s a doughnut covered in 24-carat gold flakes and gold dust. How much is it selling for?For the grand sum of US$100, or RO38.4. I can think of better things to spend my money on!So can we. But to their credit, the creators say the decadent doughnut is nothing more than a publicity stunt. Have they sold any?According to the store’s owners, they’ve shifted a total of five dozen – for a grand total of US$6,000. Not a bad profit for a publicity stunt! Don’t say: “Do you want gold with that?” Do say: “I’ll have my doughnut plain, please.”

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

LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

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

An aid convoy enters besieged Syrian town Madaya where at least 10 people have reportedly died of starvation and thousands are trapped according to the United Nations. The UN also claimed 400 residents need to be urgently evacuated for medical treatment

HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND

France comes together as a nation to remember the victims of the killings at Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket on the one year anniversary of the Islamist attacks in which 17 died during three terrible days in January 2015

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 84, and model Jerry Hall, 59, have become engaged after a whirlwind four-month romance. It will be the fourth marriage for Australian billionaire Mr Murdoch, executive chairman of News Corporation, and the first for Miss Hall, who has four children with her former long-term partner Mick Jagger, lead singer of The Rolling Stones

British aviator Tracey Curtis-Taylor lands in Sydney to complete a re-enactment of the pioneering flight of Amy Johnson, who in 1930 became the first woman to fly solo between Britain and Australia. During her three-month journey, she crossed 22,000km and 23 countries, stopping in Oman en route

Galloping across the Sultanate’s terrain with their horse’s manes flowing in the wind, the group of horse riders made an arresting sight.

But these particular men and women on horseback are not just enjoying a gentle ride out as part of a holiday to Oman. They are all taking part in a “Journey of Horse Riders Through Oman”, a 480km trek across the country over 14 days, arranged to showcase the very best Oman has to offer.

Organised and supervised by Oman Equestrian Federation, the riders – nine of which are British and the rest local riders from Oman – are taking part in a first-of-its kind event to be held in the country.

Setting off from Barka several days ago, the group will travel across Oman, ending in the Governorate of Muscat. Along they way, they’ll be visiting tourist sites and archaeological areas, while learning about the geography of the Sultanate as they encounter mountains, wadis and sand dunes.

Among the group is British award-winning photographer Henry Dallal, who specialises in landscape and nature photography, with an interest in equine images, who has visited Oman before.

As well as highlighting Oman as a travel destination, the event aims to raise awareness of the Sultanate’s rich wildlife.

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

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task that was assigned to me was my own baby. I always worked on every task with immense passion and wanted to satisfy myself with the outcome. I think this is what has kept me motivated all these years. Besides this, the work environment in Oman has so much to offer; it keeps you motivated on all grounds.

Q: Who or what has been your inspiration in your career?

My inspiration has always been my father; he was an amazing man and led a very disciplined life. Apart from raising us and taking care of the family, he was always active and involved with a lot of things and he never retired. The values he instilled in me have helped me become what I am today – sincere and straightforward.

Q: What is your biggest career success to date?

My biggest career success would be making Al Hashar Travels what it is today. We started with one little office with two employees and today, we have 12 branches and a wonderful

reputation in the market. I have won several awards and the most recent one was last year, where Oman Air honoured us.

Q: What are your goals?My career goals are obviously linked with

Al Hashar Travels. I want us to have a much larger market share in the next couple of years and I want us to work towards offering diversified services in the travel and tours sector. I want to implement some strategies for the company that will take it higher in a few years’ time.

Q: Career-wise, where do you plan to be in 10 years’ time?

Definitely to be the number one travel agency in Oman and to serve our customers and clients with the best possible services with the lowest rates. As for me, I just want to make sure that I deliver the best to my work, build the brand and maintain my reputation as a sincere and straightforward person.

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

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THE BOY

When Greta (Lauren Cohan) took the job as a nanny to babysit Brahms, she wasn’t expecting her charge to be a life-size porcelain doll used by an elderly couple to cope with the death of their son years before. Given a strict set of rules to follow, Greta soon notices that every time she breaks one, something mysterious happens, convincing her that the doll may not be inanimate after all.

Bollywatch

Daddy’s Home

Brad (Will Ferrell) is the well meaning, but largely embarrassing stepfather to Megan and Dylan. Just as the two children begin to grow closer to the new figure in their lives, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg), the children’s effortlessly cool biological father, shows back up on the scene, initiating an “old-fashioned Dad-off ”. The two actors teamed up to

The Revenant

MOVIES MOVIEShilarious effect in 2010’s The Other Guys and their reunion provides solid, if predictable laughs as the one-upmanship between the two parents increases. If you’re a fan of Ferrell when he plays the whimpering, ineffectual good guy and are looking for a straightforward comedy, see this movie.

The Peanuts Movie

The iconic comic strip has just marked its 65th anniversary and what better way to celebrate than with the first big screen appearance of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of gang. The Peanuts Movie is the charming story of an underdog, Charlie Brown (voiced by Noah Schnapp), and his dog Snoopy (voiced by Bill Melendez), both of whom have very different quests they aim to complete. The animation is at times reminiscent of the old comics, making it both modern and traditional at the same time and is a great introduction to these much-loved characters for the younger generation.

WAZIR You may wonder what a paralysed chess Grandmaster (Amitabh Bachchan) and a tough cop stricken with grief (Farhan Akhtar) have in common. The first major Bollywood release throws the unlikely pair together as they play a deadly game against a mysterious opponent. Wazir promises to be a fast paced and intelligent rollercoaster ride, just like a good game of chess.

Fifteen years after development first started on The Revenant and three directors later, it has finally appeared on the big screen. The question has to be: was it worth the wait?

Inspired by the real life experiences of American frontiersman Hugh Glass, The Revenant opens at pace, with a brutal attack on a hunting party carried out at the hands of a Native American tribe searching for their leader’s kidnapped daughter.

Only a handful of the group survives and while Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is separated from the rest of his party, he suffers a near fatal encounter with a bear.

After watching his son die at the hands of John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy),

Glass is left for dead. Miraculously, he pulls himself together and braves unforgiving elements as he sets out for vengeance.

The cinematography and acting will have you utterly convinced, as you are transported to the American wilderness, all but sharing the experience of a bitterly cold winter in uncharted lands and empathising with the pain of Glass’ anguish and also his burning desire for revenge.

In answer to the earlier question, it’s probably a yes. The Revenant is an emotionally charged epic, propelled by sheer force of will and a man unwilling to give in until justice is done.

Review by Matt Blackwell

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THIS WEEKJ A N U A R Y

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

Muscat Singers will begin their spring season shortly and although the choir has attracted many new members since the arrival of their new Musical Director, Dr Michael Buck, they are still keen to attract more. No previous singing experience is required only a great deal of enthusiasm. Rehearsals take place at TAISM (The American International School of Muscat) in Azaiba every Sunday evening, from 7.30pm-9.30pm. Anyone interested in joining can simply go and sing along. For details, visit muscatsingers.org

Oman’s boating enthusiasts will have an opportunity to explore the endless possibilities of water leisure at an exclusive three-day preview by Gulf Craft at Almouj Marina in Muscat. The event will showcase the innovative shipyard’s wide range of semi-custom yachts, boats, and sport cruisers in a stunning display. For details, call 2453 4544 or visit almoujmarina.com

Looking for a great way to spend your Thursday night with the girls? Want to get glammed for a fun time? If the answer is yes, the Mirage Ballroom next to Route 66 in Muscat is your destination. DJ Fawaz and DJ Nawras will be spinning records with a selection of favourite old school / hip hop music for the perfect way to end your long week. Put on your best dress and dancing shoes. Ladies enter for free, while men pay RO10. The groove starts at 10pm. For details, search for Titan Events & Entertaiment on Facebook.

21Ja

n

Boat Watch

LADI

ES N

IGHT

Sing Along

14 - 16JAN

17Jan

CHILL WITH INTERNATIONSChill with members of InterNations Oman at an evening of socialising, music and great food and drinks at Route 66, at Al Qurum Beach Resort next to Jawharat Shatti. A free welcome drink is on offer for all guests and snacks will be served between 8.30pm–9.30pm. It’s RO5 for basic members and free for Albatross members. For details and more info, visit internations.org

Jan

18

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 3 0 1 9

Anoushka Shankar is the daughter of Ravi Shankar, who was probably the most famous sitar player in the world, and as such carries the weight of his legacy and bears continual comparison.

She came to Muscat for a one-night-only performance, which was sold out weeks before. Some of those attending were familiar with the form and language of Indian classical music. Many, especially Western opera-goers, were not sure what to expect, and yet all were enchanted by her presentation. I was relieved that this proved to be a pure classical Hindustani concert, with no compromises or gimmicks. The first piece, announced by Anoushka herself in a clear English accent, was an Evening Raga in Rupak Tal (7 beats) from her album Home, and was about 30 minutes long, in testement to its authentic roots.

Anoushka performed the slow, unveiling alaap as a solo, and its lack of rhythmic metre gave a timeless, hypnotic quality to the opening. Gradually she introduced a sense of pulse and metre in the jhor, and the direction of the unfolding raga slowly became clear. Unusually, she shared the melodic improvisation with a co-soloist, Sanjeev Shankar, on a shehnai – a plaintive, mournful Indian oboe – played with the delicacy of the recital platform, not the raucous wail we associate with outdoor wedding processions!

One of the most exciting things about listening to a raga performance is that you know it will become so exciting during the jhala (the fast-paced conclusion) when the percussion join in, that you will be sitting on the edge of your seat, anticipating the tihais – rhythmic climaxes which punctuate the final section of the composition. The band which accompanied Ms Shankar was exemplary; Tanmoy Bose was the most flamboyant tabla (similar to bongos) player you could hope for, with Japanese Kenji Ota on tanpura (a lute-like instrument).

For the second piece, two more musicians completed the ensemble in an arrangement of one of Ravi Shankar’s orchestral compositions, made fresh by the inventions of bansuri player (bamboo flute), Ravichandra Kulur, and south Indian mridangam (a double-headed drum) player, Pirashanna Thevarajah, in impossibly fast and intricate embellishments.

The second half of the concert comprised just one extended composition, again by Ravi Shankar, in Tintal (16 beats). This time, without alaap, the music expanded straight away into melodic improvisations, and those foxy yet witty dialogues played out between tabla and mridangam. Anoushka put her sitar down and clearly enjoyed the battle of rhythms as much as the audience.

Anoushka is truly her father’s daughter, and I eagerly await the next 33 years of her journey to see where her spirit of innovation and experimentation will lead.

For details of forthcoming performances at the Royal Opera House Muscat, visit rohmuscat.org.om

ANOUSHKA SHANKAR Georgina Benison finds that Anoushka Shankar can hold her own under weighty expectations of her famous father

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

The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Career Advisory Office for Administrative Consultancy, have announced the first conference of “The Role of Career Advisory in Omanization and Entrepreneurship 2016” to be held at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry conference hall in Ruwi, Muscat, at 9.30am. For details call 2476 3700.

CAREER ADVICE

The world-renowned singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky, star of the world’s opera stages, is coming to Oman in a wonderful concert exploring Italian and Russian works including composers such as Rachmaninoff, Verdi and Rossini. It’s happening at the Royal Opera House Muscat from 7pm, ticket prices start from RO5. For bookings and other details, visit rohmuscat.org.om

21Ja

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BARITONE IN CONCERT

The Bigger Picture

Jan

21

19Jan

Author of the recently published book Mah and Me and online series Hans Hedgehog, Ibtihaj al Harthi will be giving an insight into her work and motivation as well as tips and advice on how to develop ideas, concepts and stories using drawings as a language all of its own. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone that wants to express themselves through art and drawings and pursue visual storytelling, through books, comics, or art in general. Venue is the MuscArt Gallery in Ghubra from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and it’s free of charge. For details, visit muscart.net

TOUGH TIMES AHEAD

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 2 0

With the cost of living tipped to skyrocket in the Sultanate this year, Matt Blackwell discovers that many are worried about their financial futures

Tomorrow – January 15 – marks an important milestone in the Sultanate’s fiscal fortunes, at least for the next year or so. For the first time, the Government has cut its generous petrol subsidies in the wake of the critically

low global oil price, which has plummeted 70 per cent since its mid-2014 high of about US$110. In late trading on Monday (January 11), Brent crude futures hit a 12-year low of US$32.92 a barrel.

With analysts forecasting that it won’t be long before we see the price of oil falling below US$30 and Morgan Stanley even tipping US$20, we’ve got a long road ahead of us – not only for a recovery in oil, but also for our personal finances.

And in a client note this week, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is warning of a “cataclysmic year” that could see global markets crashing by a fifth and oil hitting US$16 a barrel, leading to a global deflationary crisis.

Meanwhile, Oman’s Government has launched austere measures to rein in the country’s ballooning deficit, which hit RO4.5 billion last year. In its 2016 Budget, expenditure and revenue were expected to be RO11.9bn and RO8.6bn respectively, while a deficit of RO3.3bn was expected, HE Darwish Bin Ismail Ali Al Balushi, the Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, said on January 1.

Aftab Patel, the chief executive of Omaniya Financial Services, has lauded the Government for its 2016 Budget, saying it is doing several things to overcome this difficult period.

“If you have a job, and you lose it or get a reduction in the income, what would the family do? They will perhaps cut on extravagant expenses, unnecessary travel and not spend on buying new clothes or a new car, but instead pay for house rent, children’s school fees and essential medicines,” he says.

“And [they will] carry on with this until things improve and this is what Oman is doing. All we need to now do is to cooperate with the authorities because in a period like this, if we all cooperate well, that would help the country come out of the deficit period quickly.”

Other financial experts are warning that 2016 will be a tough year for

residents of the Sultanate as companies raise prices to factor in the hike in fuel. Last year alone, Oman’s petrol subsidies amounted to RO580 million. There is also talk of water and electricity price rises in the Sultanate.

“2016 is expected to be a very challenging year for Oman and the region as a whole. The budget for 2016 reflects the decline in oil prices. This in turn has incentivised the government to take a number of measures to address the issue. Diversifying the

revenue base and reducing dependence on oil while being rational in our spending is central,” says Ahmed

Amor al Esry, office managing partner at Ernst & Young Oman.

“To this end, withdrawal of fuel subsidies will not only reduce the budget burden, but should bring positive change in our consumption behaviour. Research demonstrates that subsidies encourage over consumption. A number of other austerity measures announced should help in creating an atmosphere of cost consciousness. “As a country we have to remain focused

and look at our most pressing priorities. We need to continue taking bold measures and

pursue the economic diversification agenda with greater urgency.”

Another expert recently told local media: “The increase in gasoline prices will definitely have a spiralling

effect as living expenses shoot up.”The knock-on effect will see us not only paying more at the petrol pump, but also for a range of consumer goods, such as groceries

and other essentials

like water. For many,

this will be a make or

break year for their finances. Here, we talk to three people from very different socio-economic backgrounds about their personal finance concerns.

Karina Losabia (pictured above) first moved to Oman when she was 21 years old. Eight years later,

she works as ground crew for Oman Air and finds herself as a single mother of two young

boys facing a year of austerity. While life in the Sultanate has never been

easy for her economically, she recognises that the next 12

months will pose an even bigger problem when it comes to her finances

I’ve been worried about the financial

situation of the country for a long time. All the

prices are increasing and even though my salary also

increases each year, it is not by that much. A friend of mine is in a similar

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

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 2 2

situation as me and her salary increases, but only by RO7 or RO10 each year. That is a very small amount when everything is increasing a lot faster.

I have a regular taxi driver and even he told me that the cost of my transportation would increase based on oil, petrol and other prices. I am worried about everything because it will get very expensive soon, but our salaries will basically be the same. It’s not only transportation and petrol I’m worried about, but also rent and food.

It will be difficult for us Filipino expats to pay our rent each month, especially those who have a family and kids like me. It’s already very difficult to live here in Oman, not only for Asians, but also for Westerners, because the price of everything from schools to transportation and food will rise.

I’ve been in Oman for eight years and my children were born here. But the good thing is I am not raising my kids alone; although we are separated, I get financial help from their father’s parents when it comes to their expenses.

I am grateful for this because for me, it would be impossible to raise my kids in Oman alone. School here is already very expensive.

I will definitely make changes to the way I live this year. Maybe I will eat less so that I can lose weight and save money as well! I am currently renting a place, but maybe I will search for someone who can share with me to save on the cost of rent a little.

Sometimes I send money to the Philippines because I am supporting my brothers in their studies and also for my mum’s and sister’s allowances. But it is not every month, more like every two or three months because I need also need money for myself. I’m not earning that much and I have two kids.

The salary I earn in Oman is probably double what I would get doing the same job in the Philippines. But of course the cost of living is very different over there. For example, I could rent a small house with one room for the equivalent of around RO30 a month, there is a big difference.

However, right now I don’t have any plans to leave or go to another country. My kids are here and they are studying and I have some family in the form of my in-laws.

It would be difficult for expats to have their salary taxed. We are not from here and are renting everything, from cars to houses. If tax were introduced it would be hard on many people, especially those who have a low salary. And I don’t think Omanis would agree because they already have deductions for their insurance. I don’t know how we would manage if our salary was taxed.

In my opinion, the situation over the next year will be very difficult. If tax is brought in it will be even more so because everything will become expensive.

I think the government should come up with an alternative way to raise money, for instance tourism. Oman is beautiful and if there were more tourists here there would be more business opportunities. The next year will be hard for us all, not only expats, but Omanis as well.

Rafq is Omani, but was born and spent his entire life

in Qatar. At the age of 25, he made the decision to come “home” and has just completed his first year in Oman. When he arrived he immediately noticed a stark difference between the two Gulf countries, particularly in finances

When I was in Qatar, I was treated better than I am here and I was an expat.

I have recently transferred from the military into the aviation industry and if I were doing the same job in Qatar, I would be getting paid around four times more money than I am here. The working hours are also fewer.

That said, I am worried about the next year in Oman. We are used to life with high oil prices and what I am most worried about is fuel. Right now, I fill my car with RO8 and later it could easily be double if they remove the subsidies.

The salary people get is not going to be enough anymore.I’m sure I will have to make several changes to my lifestyle to fit in with

the budget and price rises in 2016. I will have to try and be more careful with my spending and cut back on a lot of the luxury things I buy each month.

Monthly, I spend around RO80 on phone credit because I use the internet a lot and make international calls to my family in Doha, but this will have to be the first thing to change. I will also cut down going to restaurants and will try to be at home to cook more often.

I have savings separately and I also plan to open a laundry business so that I will have some extra income, but that will not solve the problem completely, I need more. My future aim is to train and become a pilot and I also plan to buy an apartment and rent it out to ensure the money keeps coming in.

This will be my first business and I am a little worried about the current economic climate here in Oman because I think it will affect it. I chose a laundry because people always need to wash their clothes, but with the financial situation in the coming year, I think that people will be trying to save money wherever they can, so they may decide to wash and iron their clothes at home as much as possible. Perhaps they will not use this kind of service as much as before.

I would be very angry if the Government introduced a salary tax – that would definitely not be okay in my opinion.

I work hard to earn my money and for the Government to just take it from me to solve their problems wouldn’t be fair. What about my own problems? Omanis already pay insurance [into a sort of pension fund]

Defense and security

Oil and gasProductionexpenditure

Developmentexpenditure

Participationand subsidies

Health care Other civilministry

Interest on loans

Education

3,500

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

3,000

4,000 3,500 3,800

1,790

1,350

550

2,080

1,6501,310

1,806

684

2,720

50

1,645

631

2,344

90

2016 2015

Defense and security

Oil and gasProductionexpenditure

Developmentexpenditure

Participationand subsidies

Health care Other civilministry

Interest on loans

Education

3,500

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

3,000

4,000 3,500 3,800

1,790

1,350

550

2,080

1,6501,310

1,806

684

2,720

50

1,645

631

2,344

90

2016 2015

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

every month. Even if the tax were just 1 per cent of the salary it would not be okay at all.

In Europe and in other places around the world it is different because there has always been tax. It’s been like that ever since people were born, but for me, I was born and found my country like this so it should be kept like it was before, when gas prices were low, food was low and everything was good. Now, it seems everything is going up except the salary.

There are Omanis who don’t have any education who earn a salary of RO100 or RO200 a month. If I find it difficult, then you have to wonder how they will manage. It is hard for me, but it is going to be even harder for them.

There was no future in Qatar for me because in the end, I am an expat. Now I will stay in Oman, but I am strongly against all the rising prices and tax.

Steven Wileman, chief operating officer of Horizon Fitness, is coming up to his four-year work anniversary in Oman. He’s single (engaged to be

married) and has enjoyed a relatively comfortable

lifestyle until now and isn’t too

concerned about the coming year either

In my four years in Oman I’ve not overindulged like some expats do. Fundamentally, I have come here to work and give

my expertise to the country to support it

and held development. Consequently, from

a personal perspective I am not really worried about

the next year and what it may hold financially. I went through the

recession in the UK where cuts were made to public services and petrol prices were astronomical, but I don’t think this will happen in Oman.

We can see in the UAE, petrol prices went up and then they went down again because they are tracking the markets, so I think it’s a good thing for the country and a good saving for the economy. From my perspective, I still don’t think petrol is hugely expensive here, having been used to UK prices, which were up at £1.50 (RO0.84) per litre at one point.

I think some people will suffer, but they will suffer because they are not used to managing their money. They are used to having a disposable income and spending it however they like as often as they like.

I don’t think I will feel the pinch as much as some people, but the lower income workers may suffer.

From a country perspective, just to drop in these sorts of cuts without offering advice to people about how they can save could be problematic.

We don’t really have a competitive market; fixed prices don’t encourage retailers to have offers, which can be quite difficult from a consumer’s point of view, especially when there are cuts.

I consider myself quite economic with my money anyway – I control my spending and do not waste money on materialistic things – so I think it will largely be business as usual this year. I will probably not eat out as much, which is probably the biggest change.

For me, I see it as the motivation to do what I did in my first year in Oman. When I first came here, most of my experiences of the country were out being adventurous. Oman has fantastic things to offer from this perspective; it’s like the adventure capital of the Middle East.

In the past couple of years I’ve been going to hotels and eating out at

restaurants, but I see the next year as inspiration to get back out and enjoy the country, which is mostly free.

During the recession in the UK premium health club brands suffered, but what emerged were budget gym groups that were charging £15 (RO8.39) per month and they boomed because instead of eating and drinking in a restaurant, people would spend one or two hours training in the gym because it was low cost.

This is what we are, a budget gym. RO8 a month isn’t even a three-course meal in a local restaurant, so I think our business will actually grow as people look for low cost things to do.

I think it makes sense for the Omani public to pay tax on their income. In the UK, if you are a British or EU resident working and residing in the country you pay tax. If you’re not a UK resident and you’re only there for a short period then you don’t pay tax.

Most of the managers in business come and work here because of the tax situation, so I think some high level expertise could be lost if the government were to enforce tax. I understand why the government would want to do it, but I think their focus should be in different areas.

Oman is a fantastic country, they need to be driving tourism and looking at how to bring people into the country. It’s not currently on people’s maps as a holiday destination and that’s where the work needs to be done.

The government needs to find a way to keep money in Oman country and encourage people to shop, spend, buy, holiday and travel in the country.

I love Oman, it is the best country I’ve ever lived in and I’m here for the long haul. I came here to work and save money, my ambition is to retire when I am 45-50 years old. I keep my money in Oman because I think it is more stable in the banks here – I don’t trust banks in the UK any more.

I think the country will survive but they need to diversify and the oil companies should support that.

61,69 65,15

101.06

56.67

76.64

102.95

109.61

105.51

103.23

56.45

120

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

100

80

60

40

20

0

Oil price volatility of oman crude-last 10 years (Us$)

Source: Ernst & Young

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 24

“Y” WE ARE SOULMATESA r e y o u a n d y o u r p a r t n e r t h e p e r f e c t c o u p l e ?

T h e n e n t e r t o t a k e p a r t i n o u r c o m p e t i t i o n t o f i n d t h e m o s t

l o v e d u p p a i r i n O m a n a n d w i n s o m e g r e a t p r i z e s

WIN A SHARE OF PRIZES WORTH RO850!

Associated Sponsors

Presents

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

Calling all lovebirds. It’s coming up to Valentine’s Day

and there’s magic in the air. Y is now searching for the most well matched couple as

our popular “Y We Are Soulmates” competition returns for season three,

bigger and better.Are you and your partner more in

love than ever? If you’ve still got the spark, then we want to hear from you as our hunt for contestants begins.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just got together or have been married for 50 years; the most important thing is that you’ve got the right recipe for love and all the ingredients for a long life together.

Presented by Mitsubishi Motors and in association with Panorama Mall and Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel, doting couples will have a chance to test their compatibility with the ultimate live quiz show.

Entry is open now and we’ll be whittling down our

pairs to 10 finalists who will answer a series of

questions about their spouses to prove how

well they know each other. If you think

that you know your husband or wife

well, this is your chance to prove it

to them in the most romantic of ways – and

win some dreamy prizes. The winning couple will get

RO500 worth of prizes, with the two runners-up win-

ning RO250 and RO100 worth of rewards. In

our first two seasons, we found some

amazingly well

matched couples, as our photos

show, and we’re expecting a similar response this time round.

“It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. Y is excited to bring you our special competition in the spirit of love and romance,” says Felicity Glover, Y’s managing editor.

“It’s a chance for couples to show us how much they love each other. The big question is: How well do you know your soulmate? Enter our competition to find out.”

For a chance to become one of our 10

contestants in the live final at Panorama Mall

on February 13, simply tell us in 50 words or less who is your soulmate and why. Send your answer to:

editor@y-oman.com by February 8.We’ll chose the best

answers and invite these couples to be part of our

exciting fun final to find out if they really are

soulmates and select the winners. Good luck

and we look forward to

your entry!

Presen

ts

In Association with

2016 started with a bang with a

new round of Y’s Coolest Fresher

auditions. We’ve been on the

road checking out three more

colleges, all of which produced

some seriously impressive

talent

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Are You Cool Enough?

If you attend any of the following colleges and

know anyone who is taking part in Y’s Coolest

Fresher, make sure you’re there at the auditions to

show your support and cheer them on their journey

to the Grand Finale.

1) Waljat College of Applied Sciences

2) Middle East College

3) Oman Tourism College

4) College of Banking and Financial Studies

5) Modern College of Business & Science

6) GUtech

7) International College of Engineering

and Management

8) Mazoon University College

9) National Hospitality Institute

10) Oman College of Management and Technology

● You can log on to y-oman.com for more

information on the competition, or alternatively call

9405 1770

● The Grand Finale will be held at a special

venue on January 20

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Sitting opposite each other, trying to follow the

beats, Yasar al Lawati and Saleh al Abbadi

ran their fingers along the fret boards of their

guitars, producing some mesmerising tunes

to the delight of the audience. And these were just

two of the many first year students who performed

at GUtech’s auditions earlier this week in a bid to be

crowned the coolest fresher in town.

After a fresh start in 2016, Y’s Coolest Fresher

auditions resumed once more and we visited

the International College of Engineering

and Management (ICEM), Oman College of

Management and Technology (OCMT), and the

German University of Technology (GUtech), where

we received a huge response and selected some

incredible talents to enter the final round.

At ICEM, the hall was full of eager students, who

had come to watch their friends perform. A lot of the

talent at this college was based around great artwork

and graphic design, although one student put on a

very unique show with just a hammer, which was as

intriguing as it sounds.

From singing, dancing and beat boxing to reciting

poetry, acting and playing the oud, the judges had a

hard task on their hands when it came to selecting

just one boy and one girl from each college. There

was even a taekwondo demonstration set to music

(right).Hayan from the student affairs department at

GUtech was one of the judging panel and was full of

praise for Y’s Coolest Fresher. “Our students enjoyed

taking part and I am surprised to see the talent we

have here, he says. “I think the competition is a huge

opportunity for the students to show their talents and

skills on this big platform. I wish the winners all the

best for the finals.”

Laila al Busaidy was chosen from among the

females for the Grand Finale for her beautiful

singing, while Harith al Touqi was chosen from the

boys for singing some English pop songs, including

Bruno Mars, and playing the guitar at the same time.

Y’s Coolest Fresher is presented by Splash, the

Middle East’s largest fashion retailer and part of the

Landmark Group, is powered by Ford Figo and is in

association with NESCAFE 3 in 1.

In total, Y will be visiting 10 colleges to find those

worthy of a place in the Grand Finale on January

20 or a slot on the catwalk of a special fashion

show, so there are just a few more colleges

to go in our talent hunt.

Excitement is building and we’re

expecting the standard to be high

as students strut their stuff on

stage. If you attend any of the

colleges you can go along to

the auditions to support your

friends in the spotlight and

cheer them on to reach the

final. By the end, the best

male and female student

will be crowned the

coolest fresher in Muscat

and walk away with

RO250 cash each. On top of

that, they’ll have the street cred

of knowing that they are the

talk of their college.

Ford Oman is giving away a

free iPad at each of the 10

colleges taking part in the

Coolest Fresher. All you

have to do to be in with

a chance to win this cool

prize is to take a test drive

of the exciting new Ford

Figo.

Ford will be showcasing the

new Figo at each of the

colleges during the auditions and

offering test-drives. Any student who takes a test

drive will be entered into a raffle to win an iPad.

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FOOD

DRINKAND

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

GET STUCK INBaking is a great

activity for the family to bond over and enjoy

eating the sweet treats together afterwards.

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 3 0 2 9

Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Prep time: 20 minutesCook time: 8 minutesServes: 4 dozen

Ingredients:§ 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened, plus 6 tbsp§ 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar§ 1/2 cup granulated sugar§ 2 eggs§ 1 tsp vanilla§ 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour§ 1 tsp baking soda§ 1 tsp ground cinnamon§ 1/2 tsp salt (optional)§ 3 cups Quaker Oats, uncooked (or other brand)§ 1 cup raisins Method:§ Heat oven to 175ºC. § In large bowl, beat butter and sugars with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well. § Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for eight to 10 minutes, or until light golden brown. § Cool for one minute on cookie sheets; move to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

A staple of the winter, flavourful desserts bring a seasonal spread together like nothing else, and whipping up those desserts is a perfect time to spend some quality time with your family. From cookies that are sure to quickly disappear

to a classic cheesecake and a berry-inspired twist on a winter favourite, an array of tantalising desserts can keep family and friends around the dinner table long after the main course has been devoured, and give everyone a new activity to bond over.

* Family Features

Recipes for winter treats that you can make with the family

ALL ABOUT DESSERTSClassic Cheesecake

Prep time: 20 minutes Total time: 5 hours, 45 minutes (including refrigerating) Makes: 16 servings

Ingredients:§ 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or similar brand)§ 3 tbsp sugar§ 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted§ 4 packages Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened§ 1 cup sugar§ 1 tsp vanilla§ 4 eggs§ 1 cup canned cherries Method:§ Heat oven to 160ºC.§ Mix graham crumbs, sugar and butter; press into bottom of nine-inch springform pan.§ Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed until blended. Pour over crust.§ Bake one hour, or until centre is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate four hours. Top with canned cherries, if desired.

Ingredients:§ 2 cups plain, reduced-fat (2 per cent) Greek yoghurt§ 1 lemon, zest only§ 2 tbsp honey§ 1 cup frozen raspberries§ 1/2 cup shelled pistachios§ 1/4 cup slivered almonds Method:§ Line small baking pan with aluminium foil. § In medium bowl, combine first three ingredients. Stir until well incorporated.§ Add berries, pistachios and almonds to mixture. Fold in until well incorporated. Spread mixture in baking pan and place in freezer for about two to three hours, or until hardened.§ Once hardened, remove bark from pan and either cut or break up into pieces. Allow to thaw about 5 minutes before eating.

Notes: Store remaining bark in freezer. You can experiment with any ingredients you have on hand, such as frozen cherries with dark chocolate chunks, frozen blueberries with unsweetened flaked coconut or dried cranberries with pecan nuts.

Made to vanishWhen it comes to baking, it’s often the simplest ingredients and

classic recipes that resonate best with everyone. One of which is Quaker’s vanishing oatmeal raisin cookies – a family favourite that’s been featured under the lid of the Quaker Old Fashioned Oats canister for 20 years. A kitchen staple for 100 per cent whole grain baking needs, the Quaker Oats canister is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Find more oats recipes and learn more about the iconic oat canister at quakeroats.com

A classic that is sure to pleaseBe sure to remember around that special can be simple, and recipes

do not need to be complex to be guest-worthy. Keep your kitchen stocked with a few key ingredients that can be used in a variety of dishes, such as Philadelphia Cream Cheese, which is perfect in this rich classic cheesecake and other desserts, but it also lends a creamy texture to appetisers and main dishes. Find more tips and recipes to make your entertaining sparkle at creamcheese.com

Recipe courtesy of NourishRDs.com

A tasty treat straight from your freezer

For a twist to your sweet treats, look no further than your freezer. Aside from a bright, joyful colour, frozen red raspberries’ sweet and tart flavours allow them to complement and enhance a wide range of ingredients. They also boast the most fibre and the lowest natural sugar content compared to other berries. This raspberry Greek yoghurt bark is sure to warm your loved ones’ hearts. Find plenty more recipes worth sharing at redrazz.org

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Call your restaurant Caviar and you’ve automatically got high standards to live up to. Whether used as a garnish or a spread, salt-cured fish eggs are

considered an elite delicacy around the world and so I was expecting good things from my visit to Caviar, positioned opposite City Cinema in Shatti.

There are numerous restaurants dotted around the plaza, but Caviar immediately draws the eye, purely down to size – it’s rather large.

Inside, the restaurant was cavernous. I’ve read that Caviar is one of the biggest seafood eateries in Oman, with the ability to cater for more than 300 diners and looking around, this didn’t come as a surprise.

The hubbub of fellow fish-loving foodies would’ve made a pleasant setting for the meal experience, but when my friend and I arrived at 9pm on a Friday evening there wasn’t another diner in sight, which only highlighted the restaurant’s vast expansiveness.

Once we were seated with menus I did notice that there was in fact a family sharing a meal behind one of the private screens on the opposite side of the restaurant.

Care and thought has clearly gone into the interior design of the restaurant and the result is a contemporary aesthetic with white fixtures, fittings, tables and chairs, which make for a chic and modern dining space.

To call Caviar’s selection of food extensive would be something of an understatement. In addition to its namesake dish, the restaurant offers diners the choice of grills, kebabs, soups and a vast range of speciality dishes. It’s one of those menus where you keep expecting to reach the end, only to be amazed by yet another page of sumptuous food and by the time you finish, you’re struggling to choose between 10 delicious-sounding dishes.

I’d heard good things about the soup, which made the starter choice easy, with my dining partner, Rashid, going for the seafood option, while I ordered the fish version.

Agreeing on mains was to prove a harder task, but after much whittling down and debate, we settled on the crab in béchamel sauce, a mixed marinated seafood grill and a rucola pomegranate salad. While we didn’t opt for the eponymous caviar, of which there were several varieties, we did order the equally opulent lobster stuffed with shrimp as we were both ravenous.

The soups were served in ceramic bowls complete with a candle burner to keep the contents hot and at first glance the two were nearly indistinguishable. Dipping a spoon in revealed the difference, with crab’s legs, shrimp, calamari and fish surfacing in Rashid’s, while mine just offered the latter.

The chunks of fish were white and flaky and the smooth broth tasty, but it was the seafood soup that turned out to be the star. In fact, Rashid went as far as pronouncing it the best seafood soup he had ever tasted in this country – high praise coming from an Omani who has sampled more than his fair share over the years.

Our mains were a feast for the eyes and

presentation is clearly an area that Caviar takes pride in. The seven individual crab shells were stuffed with tender meat, finely chopped vegetables and a creamy béchamel sauce, topped with melted cheese. Our lobster arrived at the table almost whole, the shrimp mixing in with the lobster meat of the carapace and tail, again topped with melted cheese.

While the appearance was flamboyant, the taste didn’t quite measure up, with the lobster meat a little chewy, as if it had been cooked for slightly too long before being plated up. We still managed to happily munch our way through more than half of it though.

The balsamic vinegar and pomegranate seeds that covered the rucola salad served as a tart palette cleanser as we moved between dishes and next up was the mixed grill.

Four chunky prawns dominated the plate, next to a heavily seasoned fish steak and rings of calamari. While the prawns turned out to be meaty and imbued with the taste of the sea, the calamari was a little on the rubbery side and was left largely untouched after the first few bites. The fish had a slight spice to it and again had a meaty texture, along with a pleasingly salty taste. There was also a dome of fragrant yellow rice that had little shrimp lurking in it.

Desert was umm ali, a milky pastry dish, and although it was nice enough, we could barely do it justice and soon tossed in the towel.

There was a slight delay in the service throughout the evening, but this is something the staff acknowledged themselves and apologised for, which goes a fair way in making up for it.

The food itself at Caviar was good, not outstanding, but certainly above your average seafood restaurant. The menu offers enough variety to entice diners back time after time (myself included); I’d just like to see a few more people in there on my next visit.

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

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

DRINKAND R E V I E W S

TASTE OF THE SEA

Info BoxCAVIAR

Shatti, opp City Cinema Tel: 2469 0022Opening hours:

10am-12am dailyDinner and drinks for two:

RO41.6

Verdict :Service: 6 / 10

Food: 7 / 10Ambience: 6.5 / 10

Solid seafood offering, just lacks customers

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS DON’T COME MUCH BIGGER THAN CAVIAR, BUT CAN THE FOOD MEET THE EXPECTATIONS THE NAME BRINGS? JUST ABOUT, FINDS MATT BLACKWELL

Mid

Market

FOOD

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 3 2

Get The Look

HEALTH&BEAUTY

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

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 3 2

STREETS AHEADVersatile denim is one of the

hottest trends this month. And no wonder – jeans are a wardrobe staple that can be dressed up or down. From

distressed to faded to colourful appliques, you are sure to

find your perfect fit, like these fun embroidered jeans from

Glamorous.

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

Get The Look

From the high end to the high street,

Felicity Glover helps you to get the look

Paired with flat loafers, these casual limited edition jeans from M&S are a great look for the weekend. From RO22.1

You can’t go wrong with these faded jeans from the recently opened American Eagle Outfitters at City Centre Muscat. From RO21

Dress down your jeans with classic black loafers from Dune (below; from RO38.6) or add a touch of glamour with a pair of bright block-heeled sandals from Moda in Pelle (right; from RO42.5)

Perfect for the weekend, this bright red braid floppy hat from Accessorize will protect you from the sun’s harsh rays. From RO8.4

This Savannah Miller lace top with front tie from Debenhams is inspired by the “pirate” look and is a great match for a pair of jeans. From RO25.2

This pansy ear cuff from Accessorize will add a fun element to the classic casual denim look. From RO4.4

Team these New Look girlfriend jeans with a blazer, button-down shirt and strappy heels for an on-trend look that will take you from the office to dinner without a worry. From RO14

J A N 1 4 - 2 0 / I S S U E 4 0 30 3 4

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

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

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

Negotiating the notoriously tricky teenage years is hard enough for youngsters, but spots needn't be one of their worries with these tips

OF SKINCARE

THE The winter break is just a distant memory for many teenagers as they have hit the books once more

and are back into school mode. Teenagers do many things to make sure

they go to the classroom with confidence: buy school supplies, get a haircut and plan their perfect first day outfit. But they may be forgetting one important thing: a proper skincare routine.

Teenagers already have so much to worry about, they shouldn’t have to worry about getting a spots as well. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, 40 to 50 million people are affected by acne annually, and that’s just in the US. But a proper skincare regimen can help prevent acne before it starts.

A regular skincare routine will help to not only keep their skin clear, but boost their mood and embrace their natural beauty. The PanOxyl brand, a portfolio of dermatologist recommended acne management products, makes it easier for teens to be hands-on with their skincare regimen so they are prepared and self-assured to start classes.

It’s important for teenagers to have an accessible skincare routine that is easy for them to manage and to maintain, without their parents having to remind them. This routine is the best way to avoid breakouts to help teens feel comfortable in their own skin now and well into their adult years.

Key tips that can help contribute to clearer skin, include:

● Keep hands off face to reduce the spread of bacteria

● For girls, wearing non-comedogenic makeup to prevent clogging pores

● Change your pillowcase more often

● Daily use of over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products (BPO), like a cleanser

● As a supplement to a cleanser, use of a spot treatment in trouble areas

● Don't scrub too hard; exfoliating too forcefully can irritate skin and clog pores

● Eat nutritious foods that will keep you and your skin healthy

● Wash face right after any physical activity or using athletic equipment, such as helmets or chin straps

● Don't cram for exams and keep your stress low by giving yourself time to relax

When looking to clear your face of blemishes, daily use of benzoyl peroxide products (BPO), like PanOxyl, are an excellent solution for acne treatment and to help prevent acne. BPO is recommended by most dermatologists for the treatment of acne.

For additional information on PanOxyl, visit panoxyl.com.

* BPT

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

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

If you find yourself using more tissues and sneezing up a storm during certain times of the year, you’re not alone. More than 45 million people in America alone live with seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as nasal allergies. For many, allergies occur seasonally and are mild, but others have allergies so severe it interferes with their day-to-day lives.

“If you have allergies upon exposure to an allergen, such as trees, grass and weed pollen, your immune system incorrectly believes the pollen is an invader. It then overreacts by producing IgE antibodies, which ultimately act in releasing certain chemicals such as histamine, responsible for countless unpleasant symptoms such as watery eyes, itchy throat, sneezing and nasal congestion,” says Clifford W Bassett, MD, chair of the AAFA Medical-Scientific Council Subcommittee. “Outdoor allergens include pollen and mould spores, while indoor allergens involve pet dander, dust mites, and others. The key is to be proactive and see an allergist for proper testing in order to confirm the triggers for your allergy symptoms. Then, you can put an individualised allergy action plan in place.”

Dealing with seasonal allergies is a pain, but you shouldn’t let it lower your quality of life. Here are a few helpful steps to gaining control of your symptoms:

Know your triggers. Pay attention to the things that prompt your allergy symptoms. For example, try to stay inside on dry, windy days when pollen is active in the air. Have someone else in the family take care of chores that may stir up allergens, like dusting. You may even consider wearing a dust mask when working on outdoor chores.

Pay attention to allergen

forecasts. Check your local news for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels in your area. If the forecast predicts high pollen levels, start taking your allergy medications before the symptoms have a chance to set in. Keep your doors and windows closed, and avoid outdoor activity when pollen counts are at their highest, such as in the early morning.

Be aware of your location. For those with seasonal allergies, some locations may be more challenging to live in than others. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently announced its 2015 Fall Allergy Capitals ranking, which names the worst cities based on an analysis of three factors: pollen, allergy medication use and the number of allergists per patient. For more information and to see the entire list, visit allergycapitals.com

Control your allergens. Keeping the air clean inside your home can also be a challenge, but there are ways to improve your overall air quality. For air heating and air conditioning, use high-efficiency filters and follow a strict maintenance schedule. A portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom will help you breathe easier while you’re asleep. You can also keep your indoor air dry by using a dehumidifier to reduce the risk of mould. Of course, be sure to vacuum your floors at least once a week to discourage dust from building.

Determine a treatment method. First, talk to your doctor and get an allergy management plan. There are a number of over-the-counter solutions to provide relief for your allergy symptoms, such as oral antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and combinations. Antihistamines help relieve itchy and watery eyes, a

runny nose and sneezing. Decongestants and nasal sprays help by providing temporary relief to a stuffy nose. Depending on your symptoms, one of these types of medications may be right for you.

* BPT

They can play havoc with our lifestyles, but with these simple steps you can banish unwanted sniffles and bring your allergies under control

5 STEPS TO BEATING SEASONAL ALLERGIES

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• Pizza Hut • Shell Petrol StationWattayah• Ahli Bank• Best cars• BLS International

Services• Chevorlet/GM

showroom• Ford Showroom• Hatat House• Honda Showroom • Hyundai

showroom• Kia Showroom • Lexus Showroom• National Travel &

Tourism • Passage To India

Restaurant• Shell Petrol Station• Subaru showroom• Suzuki Showroom• Toyota ShowroomThe Wave• Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee• Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co.• The Wave Head

Office

Other RegionsBarka• Al Nahda Spa and

Resort• LuLu HypermarketNizwa• University of

NizwaSohar• Centrepoint

(Splash)• Crowne Plaza• National Gift

Markets• Ooredoo• Pizza Hut• Safeer Mall• Sohar Beach Hotel• Sohar Port and

Freezone• Sohar University

FO L L O W U S O N : @ytabloid /ytabloid www.y-oman.com /ytabloid ymagazine /ymagazine

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

CARS ANDADVENTURES STUCK IN A RUT

Oman’s outdoors has some fantastic rock

formations that provide great opportunities

for both beginner and seasoned climbers.

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CARS ANDOUTDOORS

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

HOQUMSOMETIMES YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR TO DISCOVER

A PLACE OF TRUE BEAUTY, FINDS SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI AS HE STUMBLES ON “PIGEON” VILLAGE

Destination

HOQUM

As we bumped along a track in the middle of nowhere, with no idea of where we were going, a small building suddenly came into view. It was a tiny ancient mosque, the stone painted white but

faded over the years, with the smallest of minarets topped with a crescent moon. It was as unexpected as it was beautiful. My friend and I concluded that this charming mosque was probably for travellers passing by, enabling them to stop on their way and pray. I snapped away and managed to get a few good shots of the building.

The mosque signalled that we were at Hoqum; a village nestled in a protecting circle of mountains, with little more than a smattering of homes to be found.

Half an hour earlier my travelling companion and I had set off from my home in Amerat in a 4x4 car to find a new destination. I had a notion for exploring nearby, but no clear sense of where to go.

It was actually the day after my wedding. And instead of being with my wife, I was in a wadi with a friend doing a new Destination for Y Magazine. While my friend teased me about it during our trip, he knows that the demands of work sometimes come first.

We set off on Route 17 from Amerat, heading towards Bawshar, and as the blacktop road ended and a track began, we weren’t quite sure where we would end up until the mosque came into view.

As far as I am aware, the Arabic translation of Hoqum is “pigeon”. While there were lots of birds in the area, who unfortunately proved too tricky to photograph, perhaps some of them were pigeons, hence the name.

Looking around, I realised that the landscape was amazingly untouched without a drop of litter or rubbish in sight. It was pure and unspoilt – Oman, as it should be.

I can honestly say that in my 35 years of living here, I never knew that this place existed. It sits deep in “Red Mountains”, as we called the peaks as children, with the

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most spectacular backdrop of rocky outcrops, the like of which I’ve not seen before. The rocks were layered, creating horizontal strips of differing composition and texture, almost pyramid-like in their structure, although these were placed by nature’s hand and not man’s.

What struck me most was how the odd small tree or shrub sprouted out between the rocks, a vivid green standing out against the dark colour and harshness of the terrain. It spoke to me of hope. It shows that we cannot stop life no matter how tough things are.

One of my favourite photos of the day was a shot of a solitary tree growing on a rocky crag, emerging up between the cracks.

As for signs of human life, we only came across some local children playing outside and an old man who greeted me warmly, as is the Omani custom in the smaller towns and villages.

Further on, a rock that had tumbled down from the mountain caught my eye. The photo here doesn’t do it justice but the colours, yellow and pale red, standing out against the darker background, were stunning. I also liked the image of a small red and white telecommunications tower standing proudly in its splendid isolation, although I’m not sure it was working as I couldn’t get a mobile signal while there.

Hoqum is a fantastic find, a mere half an hour drive from civilisation, but giving you a sense of space and peace. It would be heaven for trekkers or anyone who simply wants to get away from it all.

Keep an eye out for those elusive pigeons…

HOW TO GET THEREFrom Muscat, take the road to Amerat. At the ROP roundabout, take a right turn onto Route 17. At the next roundabout, turn left and follow the road straight. At one point, the road splits. Make sure to follow the curve right and continue on. Hoqum will be signposted TR

AVEL

GUI

DE

several times. The tarmac road will end. but just follow the track. A 4x4 is advisable but not essential. Time from Muscat to Hoqum is a little over an hour.

GPS location of Hoqum: : N23º 20’ 46.767” E58º 22’ 1.481

CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDADVENTURES

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Forming in 2013, Adventure Oman now has more than 1,000

thrill-seeking members and their latest trip took them to the

picturesque Wadi Mayh for a rock climbing expedition. Deeba

Hasan finds out more

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Get involvedAdventure Oman trips are free of cost. Just join the Facebook page and look out for future event notifications. The participants must have some degree of fitness and be free from leg or major back surgery.

Secured with ropes and carabiners, sporting safety helmets and gloves, 10 thrill seekers steadily make

their way up a 50m-rock face. Their relentless determination to climb means no obstacle will deter them from reaching the summit.

As the journey progresses several members began to tire, but a short break accompanied by water and energy drinks is enough to get them on their toes once again, rising higher with increasing excitement. “It’s the enthusiasm that keeps us going”, says one member of the group.

Rock climbing can be a gruelling hobby and the recent Wadi Mayh expedition lasted for five hours, but seasoned climbers will tell you that the satisfaction you get from conquering a tough rock face is easily worth the effort.

Adventure Oman, the group of outdoor enthusiasts responsible for the trip, has members ranging from nine to 70 years old who regularly participate in exhilarating activities, covering everything from hiking and snorkeling to off-road driving and camping. The team has organised more than 12 rock climbing and rappelling events since they formed in 2013.

According to Arun D’Souza, the leader of Adventure Oman, the Sultanate is a paradise for rock climbers, provided they are equipped with the right gear. “Rock climbing is a sport that you will definitely fall in love with. It’s more of pulling and pushing adventure to the limit and you can experience the real boundaries of your body.”

In rock climbing, Arun says that the most important part is the safety of the climber. “One has to be fit and equipped with the necessary safety equipment gear like a harness, helmet and climbing shoes. Although they can be expensive and difficult to find in Oman, it’s important that participants have these,” he says.

Those taking part in the most recent trip met at the Qantab road side parking at 6am on a Friday morning and after some initial briefing from the

event leader, the group made out for Wadi Mayh, which is located approximately 20km from the outskirts of Muscat and offers great opportunities for climbing, mountain biking and family picnics.

The first task was for Raj, the lead climber, to anchor the safety rope at the first point on the rock face and rappel down, paving the way for everyone else to make their way up after him.

Once all the participants tackled the first leg, Raj upped the difficulty level with a tougher, higher climb, which some were able to conquer while others had to gracefully admit defeat.

Tufail Ahmed is a regular participant of the Adventure Oman activities and says every trip is a cherished experience due to the friendly and enthusiastic people who take part. His wife and two children also join him on most adventures.

Raj has been climbing for the past 14 years, so you can trust his opinion when he says that Oman is the perfect playground for all rock climbers. Wadi Bani Awf and Wadi Mayh are two of the most popular climbing spots in Oman, but there are plenty more just waiting to be scaled.

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TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO:1) Walk around the old streets of Limassol2) Take the hiking trails in the Troodos Mountains3) Head back in time at Nea Pafos4) Sample some traditional Cypriot mezze5) Explore Nicosia both sides of the Green Line

CYPRUS SIGHTSThe cosmopolitan city of Limassol is

becoming increasingly popular with tourists

from around the world, but still manages to retain its old world

character.

CARS ANDADVENTURES

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P O S T C A R D S F R O M

Our favourite place Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus after the capital Nicosia and as a hub of international business, has a largely cosmopolitan feel. Nevertheless, the city still retains its old town flavour, with dozens of streets and lanes radiating out from the small but perfectly formed castle in the centre. It’s the perfect place for pottering in and out of tiny shops in the day, picking up knick-knacks and souvenirs as you go, while the evenings can be spent hopping between tavernas, most of which offer live music and are as popular with the locals as they are the tourists. Limassol is also a great place to base yourself as it is within striking distance of many of the island’s other attractions and offerings.

Highlights Cyprus is a historical melting pot and you’ll find traces of several cultures across the ages, from Phoenician tombs and Roman villas to Venetian walls and Byzantine castles. If history is your thing, then Paphos is the place to be. The coastal town to the south of the island offers the sprawling archaeological playground of Nea Pafos, with houses, tombs, military buildings and catacombs dating back to Hellenistic and Roman periods. If you’re an outdoor explorer then make sure you take a trip into the Troodos Mountains, where the highest peak stands at nearly 2,000 metres and even sees snow in the winter. Several hiking paths cover the mountains and provide access to stunning viewpoints, waterfalls and forests. The capital of Nicosia is divided into the Turkish north and the Greek Cypriot south, offering visitors the unique opportunity the sample two very different cultures within the same city. Treading the line between the two offers a fascinating contrast, with museums and traditional cafés available either side of the Green Line – the boundary that divides the city’s two halves.

Lowlights Watch out for the “cabarets”, most of which are fronts for nefarious businesses often associated with organised crime, and always buy your own drinks, as there have been cases of spiking in the past. Providing you employ good common sense you should experience no problems as a tourist.

Souvenirs Lefkara is an unspoilt little town in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains famous for its lacework. Even if you can’t make it to the village itself, lace items are available in towns and villages around the country. Leather goods and jewellery are also popular and if you are in Limassol, make sure you pick up some sea sponges, which can be used as bath and face scrubs.

Where to stay We stayed with some family based in Episkopi, but if you don’t have that luxury, the nearby city of Limassol is a good place to start. Cypriot hospitality is legendary and if you want the best, check into the Amathus Beach Hotel. If you’re looking for a good all-rounder, try the Atlantica Bay Hotel or Kapetanios Odyssia.

CYPRUS Matt Blackwell recommends

Just a stone’s throw from the Middle East, but with a distinct Gre c i a n f l a v o u r a n d b u c k e t s o f c u l t u r e , C y p r u s i s t h e p e r f e c t p l a c e t o g e t a t a s t e o f E u r o p e w i t h o u t t r a v e l l i n g t o o f a r f r o m h o m e . T h e e a s t e r n

M e d i t e r r a n e a n i s l a n d n a t i o n h a s h a d a t u r b u l e n t p a s t , w i t h t e n s i o n s b e t w e e n t h e G r e e k C y p r i o t m a j o r i t y o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n a n d T u r k i s h C y p r i o t m i n o r i t y r e s u l t i n g i n a U N b u ff e r z o n e b e t w e e n t h e T u r k i s h -a d m i n i s t e r e d n o r t h a n d t h e s o u t h i n t h e e a r l y 7 0 s . D e s p i t e t h i s , r e u n i f i c a t i o n t a l k s a r e i n c h i n g fo r w a r d , w i t h i n c r e a s e d i n v o l v e m e n t f r o m t h e U N a n d t h e E U .

P o l i t i c s a s i d e , C y p r u s i s t h e c o m p l e t e h o l i d a y p a c k a g e . I t s y e a r -r o u n d w a r m t h m a k e s i t g r e a t fo r a v i s i t a t a n y t i m e a n d t h e i s l a n d o ff e r s t h e p r o s p e c t o f l a z y m o r n i n g s s p e n t o n s u n d r e n c h e d b e a c h e s , fo l l o w e d b y a n a f t e r n o o n o f d e l v i n g i n t o t h e u n i q u e m u l t i - l a y e r e d c u l t u r e b e fo r e s a m p l i n g s o m e t r a d i t i o n a l C y p r i o t m e z z e , w h i c h s o m e r e s t a u r a n t s r e g a r d a s a n a r t fo r m . Fo r t h o s e w h o p r e f e r a b i t m o r e a d v e n t u r e , C y p r u s w i l l n o t l e t y o u d o w n e i t h e r . Y o u c o u l d e x p l o r e t h e c r y s t a l - c l e a r w a t e r y d e p t h s w i t h a s p o t o f s n o r k e l l i n g o r s c u b a d i v i n g a n d t h e n c l i m b a r u g g e d m o u n t a i n - a l l i n t h e s a m e d a y !

TROODOS MOUNTAINS

NEA PAFOS

CYPRIOT MEZZE

D e s t i n a t i o n O u t d o o r s Y - F i C a r s

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

Y - F IP o s t c a r d s f r o m D e s t i n a t i o n

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SMARTER HOMES

EDITO

R’S PI

CK

UNDER COVERIN A LOXONE SMART HOME, YOUR BLINDS WILL KNOW TO CLOSE AT DUSK TO ENSURE TOTAL PRIVACY. YOU WILL BE WOKEN UP BY NATURAL LIGHT IN THE MORNINGS AND LATER IN THE DAY, SHADE

WILL BE PROVIDED TO KEEP ROOMS FROM GETTING TOO HOT. LOXONE LEARNS SCHEDULES AND CAN REPLAY YOUR ACTIVITY AT

HOME FROM THE PAST WEEK SO THAT WHEN YOU'RE AWAY ON HOLIDAY, THE LIGHTS SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THE BLINDS GO UP AND DOWN, MAKING IT LOOK LIKE YOU’RE HOME. THERE IS ALSO THE OPTION TO ADD OTHER LOXONE PRODUCTS AND TURN YOUR ENTIRE HOME INTO ONE BIG SMART HUB. CHECK IT

OUT AT SHOP.LOXONE.COM, WHERE PRICES VARY ACCORDING TO THE PRODUCT REQUIRED.

SMOOTH SOUNDSUnwind, and set the mood with soothing smart sounds by investing in BeoLab18 speaker towers by Bang & Olufsen. These great speakers operate on their own frequency and won’t get cut off or affected by any other wireless networks. They’re a tad on the expensive side, but you pay for quality and the investment is worth it if music is your thing. Available at bang-olufsen.com from RO2,536.49.

2016 is shaping up to be the year that homes truly become smart. Matthew Herbst looks at the gadgets that will make your abode a hi-tech haven

SMART CHARGE While the Nest Protect smoke and CO2 alarm is great for those who want a two-in-one product that connects to several smart home devices, you’re going to need to keep it active. The best way to ensure you never forget about a flat battery is to invest in a Roost Smart Battery. Not only does this RO15 gadget plug into a Nest Protect, but also any other existing smoke or CO2 detector, turning ordinary alarms into smart devices with low battery alerts. For increased piece of mind, check out getroost.com

SAFE NEST The Nest Protect is probably one of the best investments you can make to keep your family and home as safe as possible. The smoke and carbon monoxide detector gauges potential dangers and will loudly alert you if there’s a problem. If you’re not home it’ll even send an alert to your phone through the Nest app. Available at amazon.com from RO39.

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App of the Week

SAMSUNG SMARTTHINGS Stay connected to your household and family with a Home Monitoring Kit from Samsung, which turns your home into a well-oiled smart machine. You can then gradually continue to enhance your home by adding hundreds of compatible products from lights to motion sensors and front door cameras. Get the hub at shop.smartthings.com from RO38.

SMART SPINNERThe Vizia RF+ Fan Speed Control can adjust your fan to a low, medium, or high speed, switch it off and be set to start on a specific speed, all through the power of Wi-Fi. It’s a great gadget for Omani summers and also coordinates with Leviton light dimmers to set the mood! Available at leviton.com from RO63.50.

Say goodbye to sky-high electricity bills as a result of leaving your air conditioning running all the time, or forgetting to turn it off. The smart scheduling of Aros learns your habits and adjusts to cool your home just the way you like it, all week long. For peace of mind it turns on and off according to your location and GPS settings. It also tracks your usage so you can adjust settings to save on energy costs. Available at amazon.com from RO61.50.

NEW QUIRKY + GE AROS SMART WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER

FACE ITNetatmo’s Welcome is a great new smart home security system for 2016. This camera sends the names of the people it sees directly to your smartphone via the app and also notifies you when your children or elderly parents are home. If it doesn’t recognise a face, the camera will alert you that a stranger is present. All videos and identification data stay private thanks to Welcome’s local SD card storage and a screenshot of each event is stored for free in the cloud. Available at shop.netatmo.com from RO83.50.

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Matt Blackwell rediscovers his love of driving after a weekend with the irresistibly sporty Kia Cerato Koup

There are generally two tests I put every car I drive through. One is the reflection test, where

I keep an eye out for glimpses or the car on reflective surfaces such as shop windows to assess whether the car fits my image, and the other is to see if the car has the ability to turn heads.

After spending an entire weekend driving a bright red Kia Cerato Koup around the city, I can say that it passed both tests with flying colours.

If image is high on your list of priorities, the Cerato Koup should tick your boxes. Effortlessly cool, the car has a low stance with smooth, clean lines that ooze attitude and dynamism.

I could wax lyrical about the appearance of the car, but while getting to your destination in style is important, it is certainly not the be all and end all.

Opening the frameless door (another super cool touch) I lowered myself into the cabin. It was quite utilitarian, with no unnecessarily lavish touches, but considering the Cerato Koup starts at RO8,675, putting it well within budget for young drivers, it comes with some seriously impressive features as standard. We’re talking Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry and button start, a ventilated driver seat, auto cruise control and a touchscreen display. Putting the Cerato Koup in reverse to

manoeuvre my way into a tight parking spot, I was pleasantly surprised to find a rear view camera flicker to life on the screen and guide me in with no problems.

As opposed to different the different drive modes often found in cars, the Cerato Koup offers a choice of steering modes, controlled via a button on the steering column. Normal, Sport and Comfort were the options available and I spent the majority of my time in the final of the three, which made steering light, easy and, well, comfortable. Apart from giving you a good arm workout thanks to heavy and sluggish steering, I’m not quite sure what the Sport option was for, but still, it’s nice to have the choice, I guess, and putting anything in Sport mode never fails to get the endorphins flowing.

When it came to the actual driving, the Cerato Koup was steady on the road, but not always the smoothest when driving in the lower gears. Far from criticism though, the ability to actually feel the car moving up through the gears came as a refreshing change, as did the ability to hear the strain of the two-litre engine from inside the car as I applied relentless pressure to the accelerator the moment I found an open road. It reminded me that I was actually driving a car – a feeling that is sadly lacking in some modern vehicles – and is a great way to

re-establish the bond between man and machine.

If you want to go the extra mile and really get to know the Cerato Koup, you can also pop it into manual – as I did a few times – and control the gear changes using the paddle shifters behind the wheel.

Coupés can be an acquired taste, but providing you don’t mind folding the front seats forward to hop into the back, you can be assured of a comfortable ride.

Legroom can sometimes come at a premium in this segment, but the Cerato Koupe experiences no such issues and is easily able to accommodate grown adults without trouble. There were no complaints from the boot either; although not the tallest, there was plenty of depth, providing ample space for shopping, suitcases or whatever else you might want to store in there.

Make no mistake, this isn’t a luxurious car designed for elite businessman, but what I did feel over and over again was the youthful exuberance of the car, making it the perfect match for twenty or thirtysomething thrill seekers. The Cerato Koup tackles every task you throw at it with a boundless enthusiasm that helped me rediscover my passion for driving and brought a smile to my face on even the shortest of journeys.

Paddle shifters Button start engine Smart Key Frameless doors Alloy wheels Out-sliding power sunroof Electric folding wing mirrors Auto cruise control Rear parking assist system Touchscreen display Bucket seats Daytime running lamps Ventilated driver seat

They say: “Irresistible fascination”

We say: “Makes driving fun”

Cerato KoupSpecifications:

Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinderTransmission: 6-speed

automatic Torque: 19.8kgm/4,800rpm

Price: Starting from RO8,675

CARS ANDADVENTURES

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