Y Magazine Issue 344 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

JAN 9 – 15 • ISSUE 252 • WEEKLY

Footie Fever CHEER ON THE RED WARRIORS Portrait By A Nation

Free!

Time to get creative

10 News: Catch a ferry to Abu Dhabi GROOMING: Taking care of the tache REVIEW: The Noodle House

EVERY THURSDAY NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

p U p e t S

Your top guide to the best of Oman, every week

NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344 • WEEKLY

PLUS!

It’s time to tackle diabetes FAIRYTALE FASHION

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

EAT TO LIVE

COOL KIT

Competitions Have you registered for our Geely competition yet? We are looking for Geely car owners and prospective buyers of the budgetfriendly Chinese brand to enter our competition for a chance to win an iPad! Turn to P26-27 for details on how to take part.

The Barometer Going UP

Rainfall It’s that time of the year when the skies open up and we get some much-needed rain. After last weekend’s downpour, weather experts are now predicting more rain later this week. Stay dry and safe out there.

Going DOWN

Scammers The Royal Oman Police has issued a warning to beware of fraudulent schemes in which scammers promise large cash prizes via telephone, SMS or email. As the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Keep your bank accounts safe and never share your details with anybody!

THIS WEEK… Team Y has been putting the final touches to our “Portrait By A Nation” event, heading off to the beautiful Damaniyat Islands on a luxury yacht and learning all about diabetes, a serious disease that is taking hold in the Sultanate.

Ways to get your Y fix Online: Visit y-oman.com for even more inspiration. Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go by scanning the QR code below

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Welcome to Y Magazine – your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.

Fast forward

s people around the globe gather to mark World Diabetes Day tomorrow (November 14), awareness and prevention of the disease has never been more acute than it is today. With more than 7,000 cases of diabetes reported in Oman every year, it is safe to say that we have a potential epidemic on our hands. As Y discovered at last weekend’s Oman Diabetes Summit, the first of its kind to be held in the Sultanate, nobody is immune to this ticking time bomb, with obese children as young as eight years of age already showing signs of pre-diabetes symptoms. Last year alone, more than 1,200 adults died from diabetes in Oman, while some of our youth, mostly aged in their 20s, are suffering from heart attacks and renal failure because of the disease. But what can be done? In our cover story this week, we find that our sedentary lifestyles and love of processed, fat-laden fast foods can be blamed for the high prevalence of diabetes in Oman. It’s a sad predicament that we find ourselves in – more so as diabetes is a preventable disease. Meanwhile, our “Portrait By A Nation” competition reaches its apex tomorrow, when hundreds of children from around the country will begin gathering to create lasting tributes to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said. To be held over the entire weekend, Team Y will be at Markaz Al Bahja mall coordinating and reporting live on the event – why don’t you drop by, say hi and watch as our budding artists create their masterpieces? It’s an event not to be missed! Enjoy the week – and remember, the key to staying diabetes free is a healthy diet and exercise.

[email protected]

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha MANAGING EDITOR Felicity Glover DEPUTY EDITOR Kate Ginn

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst CONTRIBUTORS Matt Blackwell Adam Hurrell Jerzy Wierzbicki INTERN Deeba Hasan DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan

Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC / Y is a SABCO Media product. We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial enquiries, please email [email protected] Want to read Y on the go? Scan our digital issue here:

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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

contents

Feature 20 Health Crisis Dealing With Diabetes in Oman

NOVEMBER 13 - 19 2014

26 My Geely Win a iPad

This week

Your Oman 06 Coffee With Deeba Khalil Abu Jaber 08 Voice Of Oman Karima Farid

16 44th National Day Portrait By A Nation 18 This Week Motor Mad

10 News Ferry Service From Muscat to Abu Dhabi

Food and Drink 28 Food Feature Diabetes Diet 30 Taste Test The Noodle House

Cars and Adventures 38 Destination Wadi Shital 40 Outdoors Island Hopper

Health and Beauty

42 Postcard From Bath, United Kingdom

32 Fashion Fairytale Fashion

44 Y-Fi Cool Stuff

34 Health Baby Myths

46 Car of the Week Honda Accord

35 Beauty Taking Care Of The Tache

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE... National day celebrations / Portrait by a nation – the event / GEELY Gang / Film / Fashion / FOOD / Y-FI

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JULY 1303- -1909/ /ISSUE NOV ISSUE344 327

The Voice of Oman Our children deserve better than junk food, says Karima Farid

correspondence Cat-atonic Dear Editor,

hese days there is no excuse for getting your child’s nutrition wrong. We have infinitely more resources at our disposal than were available in the past and the topic receives a lot of coverage. Thankfully, I come from a very healthy household and my parents always paid close attention to what we ate. Now however, as soon as I leave my house I see so many situations that worry me, but I feel helpless. After all, I can’t interfere because it’s not my child. A child’s food intake is solely the parent’s responsibility and we should own it. At a recent gathering, a fellow mother was complaining that the maid was feeding her child too much chocolate, which was resulting in hyperactivity. Well, whose fault is that exactly? Giving children the opportunity to experience fresh food is their right and raising their awareness from a very young age is crucial. Indeed kids can be picky and many will also have a sweet tooth, but then again, who introduced them to the sweets in the first place? With the increasing burden of diabetes, particularly in developed countries, the best course is prevention and this starts from when children are born. For example, instead of wondering what your child eats at school, find out, get involved and make the difference there – you could even come up with a new healthy and fun menu. As for alternatives, you can simply switch. Try fresh juices instead of canned, home cooked meals instead of junk food and grilled/baked food instead of fried.

Next week: Ali al balushi

NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

Your cover story last week struck a chord with me. We are a family of animal lovers. Our house in Al Khuwair has, over the years, become a “safe haven” for stray cats. We started with one, then adopted two kittens when they were hurt in a storm. One had babies and now we have a medley of cats and kittens running around. They are adorable, and we love them dearly, but it is becoming harder to take care of them all. We have tried to find them homes, but again, people seem to go by looks and breed, so no luck there. It would be wonderful if vets came forward and offered their services for free in order to help facilitate the trap, neuter, release system.

If there’s any vet out there willing to help my cat family, or feline lovers who can help home a kitty, please get in touch with me. I can cat-egorically say: adopt a fluffy bundle of joy. It’s a gift that keeps on giving! Warm regards, Nandita Divakaran, Al Khuwair

A Tail of Mew Kitties Allow me to introduce The Cats of our Clan We begin with Fudge A thorough gentleman

Midnight, Zari and Cinnamon (Oscar came for free)

One stormy night Trees fell willy-nilly Twas then we rescued Tulip, Oreo and Lily

And so goes the story… (Are you keeping track Of the fluff balls who appeared And never went back?)

Kits turn into Cats In the blink of an eye… So lithe and lissome See them elegantly glide

Starting with One We’re now up to Seven It’s a medley of mews A.K.A. – Kitty Heaven!

Now Lily is a Mum With her brood of three:

By Nandita Divakaran

WRITE TO US AND WIN A VOUCHER

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

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SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to [email protected] / @ytabloid / /ytabloid. Impress us and the winning correspondent will receive a voucher for dinner at the Golden Tulip. Vouchers must be collected from Y’s

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We asked:

“Should there be more budgetfriendly hotels in the Sultanate to attract a wider range of tourists?” Amita Nagpal‪ ‬‬‬

Yes, budget hotels are required in the Sultanate to boost tourism. But at the same time, we need more tourist attractions like waterparks and aquariums in Muscat and various other governorates too. Most importantly, we need public toilets and more transportation options for the tourists and for locals too.

Lorelie Vico Armamento

Definitely yes, budget hotels will attract more tourists locally and internationally. If the hotel is affordable, guests will recommend it to their friends.

louise hunter Indeed there should – not everyone who visits foreign countries is rich – they may have saved for a couple of years to make it to where they want to holiday and should be able to afford a hotel at least. James Ryan

Personally, I think the hotels wouldn’t be the priority when it comes to attracting tourists to experience everything Oman has to offer. In my three years of

www.y-oman.com

voyage around the country, I have found a lot of pristine landscapes that are untouched and need to be developed, most of them outside the capital. Once these destinations are developed, tourists will be thrilled to visit. Secondly, in order to be able to reach these breathtaking landscapes, transportation should come next. Lastly, the hotels that will accommodate the tourists should offer budget friendly rates. Together it will help improve Oman’s tourism.

/YMAGAZINE

Nicholas Hardy was spotted with his favourite Y Magazine at City Centre Muscat

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Rishikesh Chidhambaranathan

Send it to: [email protected]

There is no doubt that budget hotels increase the stay period of visitors who look to cover many destinations in a “once in a life trip”. I believe budget friendly hotels attract more tourists and this improves the economy.

Reem Elkashlan

Budget hotels will attract many visitors to Oman and also in the country itself, residents will be able to afford trips at weekends and holidays. I think it will be very useful for the tourism industry because a lot of hotels are very expensive.

Only at Shangri-La

Anthony Carlton

Budget hotels add variety to the type of tourist – these tourists provide a boost to a host of other services and industries like car rentals, guides, customised tours and the purchase of locally made products. The real tourist is one who will want to explore the length and breadth of Oman in vehicle with GPS. Hence plenty of budget hotels would be a necessity.

Kelly webb

Syed Bokhari‪

New Debate:

@YTABLOID

Oman is in dire need of budget hotels that can cater to the needs of tourists who would opt to explore many different spots in Oman. There is an overabundance of four and five star hotels and it would be good to give tourists a range of hotels and services to choose from to suit varied needs.

Budget friendly means lower quality. Why would Muscat want that in this beautiful city?

“What is the best that has happened to Oman in the past 44 years?” Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

/YTABLOID

Surely there should be budget-friendly hotels in the Sultanate of Oman to attract more tourists to explore this beautiful country. Four and five star hotels are for privileged people; by creating budget-friendly hotels tourists have more choice for their stay, enabling a huge increase not only in the number of visitors, but to Oman’s economy as well.

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NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344 A Taste of Thailand ADS - Y Magazine 105W x 155H mm.indd 1

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YOUR

NEWS

OMAN

Want to go to abu dhabi, how about a ferry?

bu Dhabi is already a popular weekend and holiday destination for residents of Muscat and it could soon become easier to reach thanks to the development of a new ferry service linking the two cities. The service has become a possibility following the announcement of new visa regulations that include an AED200 (RO20.9) multi-entry cruise visa for the UAE. Although The Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) does not have any immediate plans, it is in talks with a shipping line to perhaps operate such a ferry service in the future. “ADPC is supportive of any plans and is working with the shipping line in question, to provide information as they examine whether such a service would be possible and viable,” a senior official from the ADPC told a local newspaper recently. If the ferry service is launched, it’s expected to reduce the burden on road and air traffic that currently exists between Muscat and Abu Dhabi due to large numbers of people wanting to travel between the two cities for tourist and business purposes. “We have to drive around 600 kilometres or fly. The passenger ferry will especially help those people

SHARP SHOOTER

010

NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

travelling with families and children,” said Ravi Kumar, an Indian expat who lives in Oman. When considering the ferry link between Muscat and Abu Dhabi, tourism experts believe that it will bring in huge revenues and boost tourism in Oman and the UAE. “The new visa fee makes it much more affordable for operators to promote Arabian itineraries, of which Abu Dhabi is a key stopover,” an official was quoted as saying in the local press. Experts also believe that the ferry link will help to reduce time spent at the Oman-UAE border, where travellers often have to queue for hours to have their visas processed, especially during national holidays and weekends. The 2013-2014 cruise season from November to April has been the busiest to date for Abu Dhabi, with a record 10 maiden calls (first-time visits) and 189,709 passengers visiting the UAE capital on 75 calls into Zayed Port over the course of the season.

The beauty of Oman in different guises captured by camera have scooped awards at a recent international competition in Europe. The Omani photographer’s work, one of which won a gold medal, featured traditional bull fighting and fishing, along with desert scenes.

Gallery

Interview

NEWS

Property

market boom

here has been an RO315 million boom in the Sultanate’s property sector, sending real estate sales soaring to new heights. Y previously reported on rising rents around Muscat, now it’s the sale of properties that has seen a tremendous increase it emerged this week. As the country strides towards economic prosperity, residential and office spaces have become two prime needs. Driving around Muscat, there are dozens of construction sites that will soon fulfill these wants. Qurum, Al Khuwair and Al Hail are just some of the places that are experiencing development as new buildings are constructed. “The demand for freehold properties is increasing more than ever, especially now since the demography of the country is changing, with people moving from rural areas to cities. Businesses have also grown across all sectors and this has resulted in the growth of the essential office spaces in major cities of Oman,” Abdul

Wahid Al Farsi, the vice-president of external affairs at Omran, told a local newspaper. Statistics show that by the end of August 2014, sales contracts rose 18 per cent to 55,521, up from 46,921 during the same period last year. Meanwhile, properties at Saraya Bandar Jissah, Oman’s newest premier lifestyle destination, experienced an exceptional rise in demand. After going on sale in September, the first residential zone called Zaha has apparently exceeded 2014 sales forecasts as customers’ demands surpassed everyone’s expectations. “Our sales centre continues to be inundated with requests for information on the Zaha residential properties,” a senior official from Saraya Bandar Jissah was quoted as saying. The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) has released a report revealing that the traded value of property in Oman witnessed a growth of 55.6 per cent by the end of August 2014.

Omani fashion takes UK by storm I

t’s a long way from Oman to Sheffield, a city in the UK, and at first glance the two might not seem to have much in common. But it seems that the city in the north of England, famous for its steel industry, has enthusiastically embraced the Omani culture, the fashion in particular. An exhibition of abayas by a young Oman designer, Hajar al Ruzeiqi, at a university in Sheffield has become the talk of the campus after stealing the show and attracting national and international fans.. The young models sported some chic and stylish abaya designs, which are the designer’s newest additions to the market and served as a perfect introduction to the Middle East for British students. “It’s a fantastic honour to show my designs on the international stage. I’m very proud to have the opportunity to raise the name of my home country Oman internationally,” said Hajar. The Omani section of this fashion extravaganza seemed to impress crowds of attendees, who had gathered to

celebrate fashion in all its forms. Andrew Bromley, international officer at the university, praised the show. “The event was a huge success,” he said. “The beautiful designs provided an insight into Omani culture and we are extremely happy to have supported Hajar in organising this event as

she rises to become a truly international designer.” After the success of the show, Hajar now wants to represent her country as an abaya fashion designer around the world, including at some of the biggest fashion weeks in London, Milan and across the US. NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

011

YOUR

OMAN Bite Sized Our weekly slot takes a lighthearted look at a news issue of the week.

Beat-deafness

What is beat deafness? Beat deafness is a new condition discovered by a team of scientists led by Caroline Palmer at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. It’s the inability to synchronise your body with musical cues. Is this just a medical term for “dad dancing”? Not at all. After analysing 32 individuals against a pair of beat-deaf volunteers, Professor Palmer and her team discovered that the beat-deaf volunteers could easily tap out a beat without musical accompaniment. However, when asked to tap along to a metronome that changed speed they failed to keep up. The study concluded that people who suffer from beat deafness are able to maintain a beat, but are unable to adapt it. This means that they struggle to follow a changing beat and, therefore, will struggle to maintain time with music. How many people have this condition? It is thought that roughly two to three per cent of the global population suffers from beat deafness. Although, those who have witnessed some questionable dancing at weddings and office parties may feel that this is a gross underestimate. Ask any 18 year old and they will no doubt say that everyone over the age of 30 suffers from the condition. Before you self-diagnose, Professor Palmer says some people who think they are suffering from the condition may simply lack confidence and that this could be holding them back when it comes to moving to music rather than a medical inability. How do you know if you’re beat deaf ? This is the best bit of the whole study. Most sufferers are blissfully unaware of their affliction and will carry on dancing (badly) without a care in the world. Don’t say: You can’t dance! Do say: My dad suffers from beat deafness. That’s why he can’t dance.

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NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

Gallery

Interview

NEWS

Rain Hits Oman

any parts of Oman were battered with strong winds, heavy rains and thunderstorms last weekend, with the northern provinces, Muscat and Sohar in particular bearing the brunt of the bad weather. With temperatures cooling of late, meteorological experts said the conditions were brought about because of the transformation of low pressure over the Sultanate. The stormy conditions hit Seeb at 9.30 in the morning on Saturday and progressed east towards Azaiba and the rest of Muscat, producing intermittent downpours throughout the day. Many low-lying areas of the city such as Ghubra, Qurum and Muttrah were left flooded. Elsewhere, Barka, Musannah and Mabelah were all struck by a hailstorm on Saturday morning. The intensity of the weather in Musannah caused portions of the ceiling to cave in at Indian School Muladah, although no injuries were reported due to it being a weekend. Repair works are under way at the school and classes were conducted as usual earlier this week. Away from the cities, the adverse weather conditions caused wadis to overflow and roads to become submerged. In some areas, trees were uprooted, causing thousands of rials worth of damage to property. Snow also settled on roads and houses in Batinah. Although far from a winter wonderland, several farmers in the area expressed concerns for their crops. “It is like Europe here. It is freezing, but we are more worried about what we grow

A WEEK IN PICTURES

here. Our fruits and vegetables are all covered with snow and I don’t think we will be able to sell them in the market,” Suhail al Ramadhani, a farmer in Saham, told a local newspaper. Going into the weekend, temperatures are expected to remain in the high 20s, with conditions sunny and pleasant. Many readers sent in pictures and videos of the weather in their areas – search for Y Magazine on Facebook to see the best of the worst conditions.

HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND

A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber disguised in school uniform kills 47 students and injures 79 in northeast Nigeria in one of the worst attacks against schools teaching a so-called western curriculum.

Britain observed a two-minute silence at 11am on November 11 to remember those who died in the line of duty since the First World War.

A new cabinet is formed in Yemen, headed by Prime Minister-Designate Khalid Bahah, in a bid to defuse political tensions that continue to mount.

We should know by now whether the Philae probe, launched from Rosetta satellite, hit its target successfully as part of an historic mission to land on a comet.

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GULF CUP OF NATIONS 2014 After the spectacle and excitement of the World Cup in Brazil earlier this year, many people may have a football-sized hole in their lives. But that gap is about to be filled with the return of the Gulf Cup of Nations, which kicks off tonight (November 13) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Matt Blackwell reports What is it?

Do we stand a chance?

How long has it been going for?

Controversy, what controversy?

The Gulf Cup of Nations is a biennial football competition held between eight nations in the region. The draw took place in August and saw Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen, and Kuwait divided into two groups. The winners from each group will face the runner-up of the opposing group in a semi-final that will decide 2014’s two finalists.

The first tournament was held in 1970, although Oman did not take part until 1974, meaning that 2014 marks the 40th year since it joined the competition.

When is it?

The competition begins today (November 13), although Oman won’t take to the field until November 14, when they face the UAE. The final will be held on November 26 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.

Oman has only one championship title to its name so far (2009) and this year the Sultanate has been placed in a group with current holders the UAE, as well as the tournament’s most successful nation historically, Kuwait. The Red Warriors will certainly have their work cut out if they want to progress from the group, but in order to be the best you have to beat the best. Under the guidance of head coach Paul Le Guen, Oman has been playing a brand of direct, physical football and the team enters the tournament on the back of a 2-0 friendly win over Yemen.

It has been suggested by many, including John Duerden, Middle East and Asia football correspondent for The Guardian, ESPN and Yahoo, that in order for Middle Eastern football to gain maximum exposure and benefit, the name of the tournament should be changed to allow Iran to take part.

Did you know?

 Kuwait has won 10 of the 20 tournaments that have taken place.  The biggest victory in the tournament came when Kuwait beat Oman 8-0 in 1976.  Majed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia) and Jassem al Houwaidi (Kuwait) hold the joint record for the most individual goals scored in a single game. They bagged five each in 1979 and 1998 respectively. Both games were against Qatar.  Iraq was banned from the competition from 1991 to 2003.

Oman’s fixtures November 14: Oman v UAE 5.45pm November 17: Oman v Iraq 8.15pm November 20: Oman v Kuwait 7.45pm 014

NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

GALLERY

fun in the jungle

The magic of the jungle was brought to the heart of Muscat when circus and theatre professionals reinterpreted The Jungle Book, transforming the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic into a four-day musical stage show held at City Centre Muscat recently.

NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

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44th National Day

In Association with

History is a mere 24 hours away from being made. Here’s all the information on Y’s “Portrait By A Nation” art competition participants and spectators will need

re you ready for Oman’s biggest art event of the year to celebrate the 44th National Day and create a lasting tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said? Presented by Bank Sohar and in association with Shell Oman Marketing, Jotun Paints Oman and Markaz Al Bahja, Y Magazine has received more than 500 entries from children across the Sultanate, all wishing to be a part of this momentous occasion. And on the eve of “Portrait By A Nation” – which begins tomorrow (November 14) and ends on Saturday evening – Y has been putting the finishing touches to this historic event that celebrates 44 glorious years of the Sultanate. Hundreds of budding artists between the ages of six and 17 years will begin gathering at Markaz Al Bahja from 1.30 tomorrow afternoon to begin their lasting tribute to His Majesty. We will be staggering age category sessions throughout the weekend to ensure that all children have an equal chance to harness their creativity and produce their best work – and stand a chance to share in a total prize pool of RO1,500! All children registered in the “Portrait By A Nation” event

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will be given a pre-printed canvas that depicts a portrait of His Majesty – and it will be up to them to decorate it whichever way they wish. Perhaps painting is your preferred technique. Then again, you may have discovered the wonderful effects that a collage can produce. You can use buttons, glitter, paper, fabric – the list is endless – to decorate the canvas. It’s up to you to decide on which technique you will use and to bring along your own paints and other art supplies to ensure you have all the right materials to create your masterpiece. “Our month-long activity will not only encourage local talent, but also provide children with a platform to bring out their best and feel proud of their country and home,” says Felicity Glover, the managing editor of Y Magazine. “We are very honoured that so many children have entered our ‘Portrait By A Nation’ competition. This is a reflection of how proud they are of their beautiful country and their devotion and love for His Majesty.” This exclusive artwork saluting the architect of modern Oman will go on public display during National Day celebrations for everyone to see and enjoy.

A panel of judges, including art experts and representatives from Y Magazine and Bank Sohar, will choose 44 finalists to make up our “Portrait By A Nation”. From the 44 finalists, the judges will then select the top four pieces of artwork. The winners of the two age categories will each receive a RO500 prize, while the two runners-up will each be awarded RO250. All 44 portraits will be collated and spread onto a larger canvas that will be presented as a giant collage of the many faces of His Majesty, as seen through the eyes of the nation’s children. The canvas is then set to be unveiled during a grand ceremony on National Day, November 18, attended by the young artists and their families, before going on public display for the duration of the country’s celebrations. The chosen 44 pieces of art will be on display at Markaz Al Bahja from National Day until November 27. Open to the public, the artwork will be available to buy in person or online. The proceeds of the sale will be given to each of the child artists. This will be your chance to own a unique piece of history and be part of something special.

Hosted by SABCO Media, the parent company of Y Magazine, you can follow the historic “Portrait By A Nation” event live via our social media platforms. To ensure you don’t miss all the excitement, like us on Facebook ytabloid follow us on Twitter: @ytabloid or Instagram at ymagazine. Or you can follow our hashtag #PortraitByANation on Twitter and Facebook.

§ Entry is restricted to children aged between six and 17 years old. There are two categories: six to 10 year olds and 11 to 17 year olds. § Only one entry per child. § Paints and other tools needed for the painting/decorating of the pre-printed canvas must be brought by the child to the November 14-15 event. § Y Magazine will supply the pre-printed canvases depicting His Majesty’s portrait used by the entrants. § Only one pre-printed canvas per child. § The judges’ decision is final.

“Portrait By A Nation” Sessions Markaz Al Bahja mall – main entrance All entrants are required to arrive 30 minutes before their session begins to register. Parents and children have been notified of their session times. Friday, November 14 4pm-6pm 6.30pm-8.30pm Saturday, November 15 9.30am-11.30am 12.00-2pm 2.30pm-4.30pm

Let your

To give you some inspiration, Y had a go at decorating the portrait of His Majesty. For our creative effort above, we used buttons, cloth and paint. You’ll be working with the blank canvas (left).

imagination fly

Ì All participants of “Portrait By A Nation” will be given the same pre-printed canvas of His Majesty to decorate or paint as they wish. The Sultan’s portrait that will be used in the competition is reprinted on this page above (not actual size). Ì No drawing is required and every child will have two hours to complete the canvas. Ì You must bring your own art materials or other items to decorate the canvas. Cleaning materials for brushes should also be brought. You might want to bring an apron, too. Ì Watercolour paints can’t be used on the canvas, but remember to be as creative as possible! Ì Art mentors will be on hand at the event to help and refreshments – water and juice – will be provided for the participants. NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

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THE WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON GUIDE

Nov 18

As the nation comes together to celebrate 44 prosperous years, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be sure to see many parades and marches to mark this momentous occasion in Muscat and around the country. You may also get a glimpse of British Royalty, with Prince Harry set to visit the Sultanate next week from November 18-20.

What to see. What to hear.

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Nov 14

Muscat Hills Golf and Country club is set to host a Texas scramble-style day of golf, as well as an evening dinner, with the proceeds going to charity. Tickets cost RO25 for members and RO45 for non-members. You can also pick up an evening ticket, which includes dinner, all inclusive bar, disco and live band for RO25. Remember to wear pink, otherwise you will be fined RO5 for the cause!

Golf for a

WEEK

What to do.

Good Cause

THIS

Gallery

Masquerade Mystique

Movies

Dec

Indian Dance

Nov 14

Deepam Odissi Academy Muscat will be proudly presenting its latest production at the Oman Auditorium, Al Bustan Palace on November 14. Gunjan features more than 25 dancers, many of whom will be taking to the stage for the first time, to present a combination of classical and contemporary, ancient and modern Indian dance with a twist of fantasy. For enquiries, call +968 9112 5380.

The Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO) and the Oman Cancer Association (OCA) have joined forces to put on quite a show. With traditions dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, masquerade balls offer a fun piece of cirque du celebration and the best thing is that all funds raised will go to helping Oman fight cancer. Ticket sales have now commenced and further details can be found at www.womensguildoman.com

DEC

2–5

Motor Mad

Fantastic Flamenco

Nov 20

If you’re an enthusiast of all things automotive, then you won’t want to miss the Oman Motor Show. It’s the 17th international exhibition of the latest car models, best auto parts and accessories. Event highlights include a drift show, speed tests, stunt biker show, live car modification and plenty more. Go to www.motorshowoman.com for more information.

Regarded as one of the world’s foremost flamenco composers, the 72-year-old Paco Peña will be bringing his dance company to Muscat to wow audiences with Quimeras, a kaleidoscope combination of traditional flamenco with music and dance from Senegal and Guinea. For ticket prices and further details, go to www.rohmuscat.org.om

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h t l a e H g a nation in m o c e b e ’r e W nd it’s a s ic t e b ia d f o uelled by f , e s r o w g in gett ix of junk m y h t l a e h n u an entary d e s a d n a d o fo n and in G e t a K . e l y lifest stigate e v in n a s a H a Deeb

s i s i cr

hen her friends go out to play sports at school, little Sharifa Rashid al Amri can only watch from the sidelines. She can’t join in the fun because of the disease she suffers from. Six times a day, Sharifa receives an injection administering the medicine that helps her to live as normal a life as possible for a nine-year-old girl with diabetes. Sharifa was only eight when she was diagnosed with diabetes, a lifelong condition that means her body cannot control blood sugar levels. “There are times when she asks me to buy her a pancreas,” says Sharifa’s mother, Majida. “At school she is not allowed to take part in sports because her teachers think that something might happen. Even though she is really active, she feels different because of these things.” Diabetes is caused by various factors, but in Sharifa’s case it was hereditary – both her father and paternal grandparents have diabetes – and she has

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the less common type 1 condition. Diabetes type 1 typically develops in young adults and children and occurs quite quickly as the pancreas stops making insulin, sending blood sugar levels sky high. The last two years have been difficult for Sharifa, who turns 10 next week, and her family were shocked when she was initially diagnosed because she was so young and is the only child who has diabetes in the family. “All of our family feels sorry for her,” says her mother. Unless diabetes touches your life, it probably never crosses your mind. But if you live in Oman, or were born here, the chances are that diabetes will cross your path sooner than you think. Ahead of World Diabetes Day tomorrow (November 14), Oman and the rest of the GCC finds itself in the grip of a diabetes epidemic that one expert described as a “disaster”. The statistics make for grim reading. Children aged as young as eight are being diagnosed with pre-diabetes symptoms, meaning

they are already on the path to getting the disease. Patients in their 20s are having diabetes-related heart attacks and end-stage renal failure, far younger than in other countries, where mid to late 50s is the average. Every year, 7,000 people in the Sultanate are diagnosed as diabetic and 1,200 adults die from complications arising from the disease. Diabetes is known in some medical circles as the “silent killer”, due to the fact that it often goes undetected for many years. The rate the disease is growing in Oman is astounding. In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that the number of people living with diabetes in Oman would rise by a staggering 190 per cent – from 75,000 to 217,000 – by 2025. We’re only in 2014 and already the figure has hit almost 200,000. An unhealthy fast-food diet and a sedentary lifestyle, combined with the fast pace of modern living, is taking its toll on the nation’s health. It’s clear that the battle against diabetes is going to be a long and hard one, fought out on several fronts. Just how much of a hill we have to climb was laid bare at the Oman Diabetes Summit last weekend, the first of its kind held in the Sultanate, which brought together experts and health professionals from across the GCC. In a keynote speech, Professor Mohammed al Maatouq from Saudi Arabia, outlined how diabetes was eating away at the health and economy of countries in its relentless march. “This is a global phenomenon and it effects everyone, regardless of whether you are rich or poor,” said Professor Mohammed. “In the GCC, we are seeing patients as young as five with obesity and pre-diabetes before the age of 10. By the age of 25, they have full diabetes with complications, which means they basically are helpless. “Diabetes is big and it’s getting bigger. It’s an underestimated epidemic and it’s getting worse.” Oman is by no means the worst afflicted nation in the GCC – Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in particular, have a higher prevalence of diabetes – but the rising trend is extremely worrying. At the Sugar Apollo Clinic For Diabetics in Ruwi, Dr Binu Parameswaran Pillai, a specialist endocrinologist, is at the frontline of the fight against diabetes, seeing firsthand those affected. “In the majority of type 2 diabetes patients, there may not be symptoms for many years. Hence, it is considered a silent killer,” says Dr Binu. “Often a person realises that he or she has diabetes only when they are admitted with a heart attack or stroke. “By the time diabetes is detected, more than 50 per cent of insulinproducing cells are damaged.” There’s no doubt in the doctor’s mind what is contributing to the spiraling rates of diabetes in the Sultanate – our growing reliance on junk food and exercise apathy, which Professor al Maatouq refers to as “Global McDonaldisation”. This shift in eating and lifestyle patterns runs in tandem with the dramatic growth the country has seen in recent years, bringing an explosion of car ownership and food franchises with it. “The change in food habits and lifestyle may be contributing to this,” agrees Dr Binu. “Stress factors associated with modern ways of working and living may also be contributing to diabetes. “It is unfortunate to see that obesity is very common among Omani and expatriate kids living in Oman. They may look cute when they are chubby, but the parents need to understand the future risks associated with childhood obesity. “In general, we must discourage the use of soft drinks and fast food as much as possible. Exercise should be emphasised. The bad effects of diabetes and obesity should be taught in schools and colleges. Otherwise, large numbers of the future generation may develop diabetes, which may affect the productivity and progress of the nation.” As Dr Noor al Busaidi, the director of the National Diabetes & Endocrine Centre and president of the Oman Diabetes Association, has pointed out: “People die here due to diabetes complications; so if not hit by a car, they are hit by diabetes”, in reference to the Sultanate’s appalling record of deaths from accidents on the roads. And the “enemy” is the fast-food industry. No one knows the legacy that being overweight can leave more than Khalid Mohammed Hussein, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 14 years ago. “I developed diabetes because I was obese,” says Khalid. “My mother also had diabetes and now my son has diabetes as well because of hereditary factors. “Life has been very difficult and almost lost its colour.” Watching what he eats now controls his life. “I am not allowed to eat sweets, carbohydrates and any fruits which have high sugar content like mangos and dates. I used to be very fond of them, but now I am just used to not eating them,” says Khalid, who

Sharifa Rashid al Amri

DIABETES IN NUMBERS 7,000 cases of diabetes in Oman every year 1,200 adults died from diabetes in Oman last year 199,000 adults with diabetes in Oman as of 2013 34.6 million people with diabetes in the MENA region 382 million people living with diabetes in 2013 592 million predicted to have diabetes in 2035 10 age of children showing signs of pre-diabetes in Oman 25 age of people being seen with diabetes and full complications in Oman 20 times more likely to go blind if you are diabetic 25 times more likely to have a limb amputated 40 times more likely to have a heart attack * Source: International Diabetes Federation NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

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cases, for example where there is a hereditary risk and intervene earlier, treating each patient with an intensive, holistic approach. “Everyone needs to take responsibility for their own health,” says Dr Noor from the ODA. “Diabetes is real and people need to start taking it seriously.” Back in the al Amri household in Muscat, where Sharifa is getting ready, her mum, Majida, is changing her daughter’s insulin pump, which can be inserted into her thighs, arms or abdomen. The pump’s site has to be changed every four days. “The insulin pump is very handy and I don’t want to prick her six times a day and make her suffer,” explains her mum. Sharifa wants to be a doctor when she grows up and her mother wants to see her cured from diabetes, “She is an active child and everybody likes her, she cares about people and wants to help. I want her to be happy in her life and as a mother, I wished I had diabetes instead of her.”

Want to know more? * Oman Diabetes Association: www.omanda.org * International Diabetes Federation: www.idf.org * Join the Beat Diabetes Walk being held at Qurum Natural Park on December 5. works in the private sector. Family support has been vital to help him keep on the straight and narrow when it comes to food as, he admits, once he picks up a sweet, he can’t stop having more and “that’s what brings trouble”. Khalid’s son Ziyad developed diabetes at the age of seven and is now 12. “It’s very difficult with my son also having diabetes. “I recommend parents keep a strict watch on their children’s diet and also make them play outdoors rather than sitting at home using the iPad.” Majida Khalifa al Amri, Sharifa’s mother, agrees that parents play a key role in making sure that their children don’t develop diabetes in the future. “In our house, we have changed our diet and we try not to buy sweets, chips and bottled juices that contain sugar,” she says. “Sharifa’s father had type 2 diabetes, which is caused by eating junk food and a lack of exercise.” According to Dr Saif al Yaarubi, a senior consultant at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, the education – of both children and parents – needs to start as soon as possible. “It is recommended to parents to eradicate the cultural norm that having an obese child is healthy and a sign that the family is wealthy. We should tackle this issue from an earlier age. “If someone has an overweight child, they have to work to prevent him [or her] from getting diabetes.” The complications of untreated or unmanaged diabetes can be devastating. We are talking renal failure resulting in patients hooked up to a dialysis machine, heart attacks, strokes, amputations from gangrenous infections and blindness. Then there’s the “hidden” cost on people’s lives and the economy. “There’s the suffering and emotional impact on families because of someone who has diabetes and has complications. That and the economic burden,” says Professor Maatouq. Oman spends an average of $863 (RO332) on every person with diabetes each year, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Multiply that by 199,780 (the number of diabetic patients in Oman at the end of 2013) and you can see the reasons why we need to act. Qatar spends around RO846, Saudi Arabia RO270 and the UAE about RO650 per diabetic. Kuwait, which has 407,530 diabetes sufferers, spends RO726. The way forward, as suggested by the Oman Diabetes Association (ODA), should include widespread screening in schools and colleges to catch cases earlier. This should run in tandem with an educational programme for students and parents. Currently, screening is only mandatory for the high-risk 40-plus age group. The ODA also wants doctors to be more aware of potential

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For more information and to register, go to www.beatdiabetes.me

s r o t c a F k s i R

◆ Family history ◆ Lack of exercise ◆ Unhealthy eating ◆ Overweight ◆ Increasing age (type 2) ◆ High blood pressure (type 2) ◆ Ethnicity (type 2)

s m o t p m y S The

◆ Frequent urination ◆ Weight loss ◆ Lack of energy ◆ Excessive thirst ◆ Increased hunger ◆ Lack of interest and concentration ◆ Blurred vision ◆ Slow-healing wounds ◆ Frequent infections

s n o i t a c i l p Com ◆ Blindness ◆ Heart attack ◆ Kidney failure ◆ Amputation ◆ Nerve disease ◆ Pregnancy complications

Prevention ◆ Exercise – swimming, cycling, brisk walking, dancing ◆ 30 minutes of exercise a day can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 40 per cent ◆ Weight loss ◆ Balanced and nutritious diet ◆ Reducing stress ◆ Stop smoking

The development of Type 1 diabetes is usually sudden and dramatic while symptoms can often be mild or absent in people with Type 2

t n e m t a e r T ◆ There’s no cure for diabetes, so treatment aims to keep blood glucose levels as normal as possible and control symptoms. ◆ Diabetes type 1 occurs because the body isn’t producing enough insulin. Treatment includes insulin injections or using an insulin pump. It can be managed well. ◆ Diabetes type 2 usually gets worse over time. Making lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise and weight loss can help, but medication will eventually be needed.

MOH No. 68/2014

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My Geely E

ver wondered about the cute car that’s just nipped past you in rush hour traffic or the smart sedan that oozes style parked next to yours? What about that SUV that combines a touch of luxury with rugged durability? It’s a Geely. In these cases, you have spotted a GC2 hatch (also known as the Panda), Emgrand 8 and Emgrand X7. Geely is redefining the notion of value for money, with a range of cars offering a global appeal and the winning combination of performance, safety, economy and design. To get the word out about just how great Geely cars are, Y has joined forces with Towell Auto Centre, the sole distributor of Geely Emgrand in the Sultanate. Geely’s fanbase is growing, but we want to take it to the next level – with your help. Join the Geely Gang and you could win an iPad with our fabulous competition running over a month. It’s free and easy to enter. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is submit a question about a Geely and we will then pose it to a current owner. It can be on any

topic and about any of the models in the full range, which has engines from a 1.5 litre up to a 2.4 litre model. Be as creative or as straightforward as you like. We’re printing four Q&As here that have already be sent in, which might give you some inspiration. With two weeks to go, including this one, there are still lots of chances to win. Two iPads will be given as prizes for the best Q&As and the winners will be announced in our December 4 issue. * To keep up with the latest deals and information from Geely Emgrand, search for Geely Emgrand Oman on Facebook, or follow @GeelyOman on Twitter.

Geely Gossip Geely started off manufacturing motorcycles in the mid-90s and then moved on to small van production. The first Geely car rolled off the production line in 2002.

Geeling Fine Do you have a question about a Geely that you’d like an owner in Oman to answer? Simply email your question and contact details to us at [email protected] by November 17 and we’ll do the rest.

Want One? Whatever you want from a car, Geely will have the answer for you. The full range in

Oman is the GC2 (Panda), a hot hatch with heart and a 1.5L engine, the trendy GX2 crossover with flashy colours, the suave Emgrand 7 sedan with 1.8L engine, its bigger brother the 2.4L Emgrand 8 and the Emgrand X7, the first SUV to receive the 5+ star rating in the China – New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) test. 026

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Get behind the wheel and join the coolest new car gang in town, the Geelys. There’s an iPad up for grabs in our competition too

Own a Geely? If you already own a Geely car you can be part of our own gang by registering to answer questions from Y readers. You’ll be in with a chance of winning an iPad too. To sign up, simply email your contact details to [email protected].

The Emgrand X7 is a best selling SUV with excellent safety features but can we compare it to a Kia Sportage, Toyota Rav4 and other SUVs? Some people think a Chinese brand is inferior without knowing the true features. From Adil Nasser al Jabri

A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to ride in a colleague’s Emgrand sedan. Once inside the car, I was amazed by the comfort and was even happier to discover that I had more than enough leg and head room. I was wondering about the handling and comfort of the car on the main roads? Asked by Sayed Imthiyaz

We recently bought an Emgrand 7 SUV (the X7). Before buying, I did research on spare parts availability and prices through other Emgrand owners, who assured me that prices are similar to other brands. The features of the Emgrand X7 that attracted me were an anti-theft system and tailgate and engine hood, which are rare in a competitively priced SUV. Fuel consumption is very normal for a 2.4L engine capacity. Answered by Raya al Habsi

I am a new driver and I want to purchase a car at a low cost without compromising my safety. How can you convince me to buy Geely? From Irwin Rio

As a proud Emgrand 7 owner I strongly believe that it’s the most affordable luxury car in town right now. The driver seat has vertical and horizontal adjustment, along with back support adjustment. The vehicle has expandable luggage space and the air conditioning and audio system are beyond satisfactory. The drive is very smooth – yesterday I drove 700km without feeling exhausted. Space and comfort are two things this vehicle offers in abundance. Answered by Devak Kumar

Omanis tend to avoid Chinese-made cars. What features would attract an Omani to buy a Geely vehicle? From Sulaiman Qassabi

I am proud to say that my brother owns an Emgrand 7, which both he I strongly advise you to own Emgrand EC8 (Emgrand 8), and I drive. Most people are dumbfounded when they see our car. They because it has amazing safety options. Plus it has great always seem skeptical about Geely as a legitimate and quality brand of options to make the car look and feel stately. Regarding car. However, once they get to ride in it, boy, do their opinions change! I’ve the price it is very good. Just try to compare the price of it, for always found the Emgrand to be one of the best cars I’ve ever driven, if not example, with a Mazda 6, you will find the price is close to the the best. I love absolutely everything about it – comfort, daily drivability, the interior half. Go ahead and buy, Geely is great company. and exterior, you name it! I definitely wish to see more and more Geely vehicles Answered by Mahmoud al Khatib gracing Oman’s highways in the near future. Answered by Abul Hashem

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food and drink

Trend

DIABETICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DREAM

Fill up on fabulous falafel, rich in protein and known as being a great way to keep sugar levels stable as part of a diabetesfriendly diet. It tastes lovely, too.

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New Restaurant

Reviews

DIABETES

DIET T

here’s a common belief that being diagnosed with diabetes means being condemned to a menu of bland, unappestising food for the rest of your life. In reality, though, nothing could be further from the truth. Living with diabetes doesn’t have to mean feeling deprived or constantly worrying about what you’re putting in your mouth. It’s all about being sensible, eating in moderation and learning what is and isn’t good for you. The key is balancing meals and making the healthiest food choices. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find a wide variety of delicious meals and snacks can be part of your diet. Protein

Protein foods are an important part of a diabetes meal plan. Some of the best choices include fish and seafood, chicken and other poultry, reduced-fat cheese, cottage cheese and eggs. Plant-based proteins such as hummus and falafel, staples of the Omani diet, are also good. You could also try making a soup using protein rich lentils. About a quarter of your plate should be made up of high-protein foods. Meat

If you do have beef or lamb, go for the leanest options available, such as tenderloin and sirloin trimmed of fat. A lamb chop is also a healthy option. Non-starchy Vegetables

A great choice for diabetics, who can eat as much of these as they like. Packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre, you can’t go wrong. Starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, corn and peas, contain more carbohydrates. If you are a diabetic, you should look for fresh, frozen and canned vegetables and vegetable juices without added sodium, fat or sugar.

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Eat yourself well with food and a lifestyle that can help keep blood sugar levels in check and alleviate symptoms

Starchy Vegetables

Reading food labels in this group is essential to ensure you are making the best choices. Good whole grains for diabetics are whole wheat flour, whole oats/oatmeal, brown rice and rye. Starchy vegetables without fats, sugar or sodium include parsnip, pumpkin and butternut squash. Drinks

What you drink can also play a big part in the management of diabetes and keeping potential complications at bay. Weight and blood glucose is directly affected by your liquid consumption. Aim for low or zero-calorie fluids such as unsweetened tea, water and diet soda. Avoid sugary drinks, sweet tea, energy drinks and regular soda – which can have as much as 140 calories in a single can – as these will raise blood glucose levels Fed up of boring plain water? Try flavouring it with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to add a bit of zest. Or infuse with cucumbers, strawberries or fresh mint for a refreshing low-calorie drink. Diabetes Superfoods

Not all low-cal, low-sugar meals have to be tasteless. Try this flavourful diabetic-friendly recipe:

Cumin Quick Bread Ingredients § 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour § 2 tbsp calorie-free sweetener § 1 tbsp baking powder § 2 tsp ground cumin § 1/2 tsp cumin seed, slightly crushed § 1/4 tsp dry mustard § 1/4 tsp salt § 2/3 cup fat-free milk § 1/3 cup egg substitute § 2 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil § 2 tbsp picante sauce § Cooking spray Preparation method

● Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. ● Combine first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl; make a well in the centre of mixture. Combine milk and next 3 ingredients; stir well. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. ● Spoon batter into an 8 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch loafpan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centre comes out clean. Remove from pan, and let cool on a wire rack.

* Source www.health.com

Give your diabetes diet superpowers with foods bursting with calcium, potassium and magnesium, all of which have a low glycemic index and should be part of a diabetic’s daily eating plan. We’re talking kidney or black beans, both high in fibre, leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach (Popeye had the right idea), which are low in calories and carbohydrates, and sweet potatoes, full of vitamin A and a good alternative to regular potatoes. Grapefruit and oranges are excellent for vitamin C, berries are packed with antioxidants and tomatoes contain iron along with vitamin E. Snack on walnuts, which are full of good Omega-3 fatty acids. Yoghurt and milk are a good source of vitamin D, but try to go for low-fat products. NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

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food and drink

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New Restaurant

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The Noodle House

City Centre Muscat Phone: +968 2455 8377 Opening Hours: Saturday to Wednesday: 12pm-11pm, Thursday to Friday: 12pm-11.30pm Dinner for two, including drinks: RO25.25

Verdict 6 / 10 Service 5 / 10 Food 6 / 10 Ambience Quality of food doesn’t match the price Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

My dining partner, Becka, had chosen the nasi goreng with chicken satay and fried egg for a main after reminiscing about an Indonesian friend who used to cook the dish for her on a regular basis. Having never sampled it before, upon serving, I was surprised to see what was essentially a heaped pile of special fried rice with an egg on top and two tiny skewers of chicken. Becka seemed slightly disappointed too, remembering how her friend in Australia used to produce a dish that was much less dry. We’d ordered a portion of egg The setting was sumptuous, but the food at The Noodle fried rice, which lay untouched due to the heavily rice based House wasn’t entirely up to scratch, writes Matt Blackwell nature of the nasi goreng. This t was a Wednesday night and I found myself was annoying and could’ve easily To begin, we selected crispy salt and pepper calamari bored. In search of something to spice my evening and sticky chilli beef ribs, which looked great when they been averted if our server had up a little, I ventured to Muscat City Centre with perhaps guided us more with arrived, but proved to be a slight let down. There was nothing particular in mind. our choices, pointing out the fact nothing crispy at all about the calamari’s damp batter, After parking my car and walking to the nearest which submissively slid away from the food it coated, and that we were ordering a lot of entrance I almost immediately came across The Noodle rice, with no real sauce to the squid itself was slightly tough. Our second appetiser House. I could’ve continued on and caught a film at speak of. was pleasant, although I can’t help but feel it was misVOX or indulged in some retail therapy, but I am Our second main was half a sold. The meat was tender to the point that not only had an uncomplicated man and this seemed as good an roasted duck Singapore style. it fallen off the bone, the bone was in fact nowhere to opportunity as any to enhance my evening and bring a be found. Served in a bowl, the beef was swimming in a This dish is always a winner little flavour to my life, quite literally. with me as I love the fun, rich tasting sauce and lacked any hint of the advertised Originating in Dubai in 2002, the franchise now hands-on element of creating chilli; the whole dish was more akin to a stew or soup. has locations across the GCC region as well as, a little your own meal, with the thin Tasty, but not what I want when I order ribs. randomly, Cyprus, Russia and the UK. The Noodle pancakes, sliced spring onions House draws its inspiration from the busy street markets and cucumber, crispy duck and of places such as Hong Kong, Bangkok and Jakarta and hoisin sauce all combining to so it would be fair to say that “Southeast Asian” was a result in a wonderful concoction suitable umbrella term for the food on offer here. of flavours. The interior of each outlet will be the same wherever The duck’s skin was incredibly you go, but this is by no means a bad thing. Wooden crispy, which was benches cut from dark wood mix with smooth lines pleasing, although this had the and clean contours to generate a very contemporary knock-on effect of making some feel. The restaurant is cavernous in its size and the of the meat slightly dry. open-air kitchen, where you can watch the chefs toss up After paying the bill, a slightly ingredients over huge flames is a nice touch. Ostensibly, steep RO25, I found myself the only thing lacking upon entering The Noodle House reflecting on the meal. It wasn’t were the customers. necessarily bad; it was just okay One of the first things that struck me was the and not a great deal more quirkiness of the menu. Not its contents, but the way in than that. which you order. Each table has a pad of printed menus It passed an evening and and a couple of novelty-sized pens, which are used to provided me with a great tick off the dishes you require. Our waiter immediately opportunity to catch up with crossed off the dim sum options with no explanation; a friend who I hadn’t seen in a although the menu was filled with specialties, house year. But I couldn’t help feeling favourites, noodle dishes and soups, meaning there was slightly unfulfilled by the still plenty to choose from. whole experience.

Southeast

Asian Flavour

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD Red is the season’s most seductive

shade and was spotted on the runways of Valentino, Simone Rocha and Dolce & Gabbana. Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren (pictured) and Yve Saint Laurent’s haute take on Little Red Riding Hood are the stuff of fashion fairytales.

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Health

Beauty

fashion

FAIRYTALE

FASHION Everyone needs an escape to a fantasy world once in a while – and these fashion pieces will help you do just that, says Penny Fray

Keys were a major theme of Dolce & Gabbana’s autumn runway. Topped with an ornate crown and flower, these gold-plated brass earrings are heavily embellished with dark green and white Swarovski crystals. Sweep back your hair to keep them on full display. From RO410

The “Elizabeth I & Her People” exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery inspired Simone Rocha for autumn. Contrasting heavy and light fabrics, this striking red dress is cut from sheer tulle with a checked brushed woolembroidered overlay. The crochetknit collar and a layered petticoat add structure and volume. RO1,077 from Net-a-Porter

y name is Penny Fray and I’m addicted to sparkle. And when I say addicted, I mean that my cleaner is threatening to resign over the amount of sequins she has to

hoover up. But in a drab world of “normcore” neutrals, grey sweaters and taupe tunics that only look good on Scandinavian models, fairytale dressing is a reminder that there is a world beyond bland. A pair of sparkling pumps, for instance, are truly magical things in that they transcend the notion of accessories being fit for purpose. They are gloriously decadent, as are bejewelled crowns, velvet capes and tapestry bags. And yippee, because it seems designers such as Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana agree – weaving a spellbinding story with couture-like creations, from Erdem’s warrior maidens to Dolce & Gabbana’s forest-dwelling heroines. Of course, Little Red Riding Hood should be your main inspiration because scarlet dresses are so this season – as are snoods and capes. If red isn’t your colour, how about trying something dark and embroidered? My choice would be Alexander McQueen’s black cutout gown, embroidered with whimsical crimson beaded poppies. Beautiful. Thankfully, you don’t have to have a royal budget to look like a princess because Muscat’s malls are full of pretty lace dresses and heavily embellished gowns. Alternatively, dress up your trusty LBD with a bejewelled necklace or pair of pearlencrusted pumps. The whole idea of this trend is to remember that time when you were little and felt like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz in your glittering Mary Janes. All you needed to do was tap your heels together to be transported to a magical kingdom. Now that’s the kind of emotion this season should evoke – an innocent belief that anything’s possible.

BROTHERS GRIMM GET UP

For a cheaper version of the little red dress, try this embellished number from e-tailer Simply Be. From RO25

Master modern elegance this season with gothic-style gloves from H&M. From RO19

Even devotees to minimalism need an occasional dress-up moment, and the chicest way to live out your fairytale fantasy is via a whimsical headband. If designer crowns are a little too regal for your fashion needs, try these sparkling kitty ears from Accessorize. From RO4

Jimmy Choo’s pointed leather flats are embellished with silver sequins and covered with black flocking for a fantasy feel. Finished with a velvet bow, this slip-on pair will stylishly take you from desk to dinner. From RO230

If you go down to the woods today, you’ll be inspired for your new season wardrobe, says Penny:

1. If you’re not into sequins, this is the one time we’ll sanction woodland animal motifs for the over 30s. If it’s good enough for Dolce & Gabbana… 2. Look for a cardigan or light coat with a large hood. We understand scarlet capes aren’t for everyone. 3. Swap a crown for a bejewelled headband for a little daytime dazzle.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

Fashion

Baby Myth-

Conceptions Becoming mum (or dad) brings all sorts of responsibilities, not least working out what is or isn’t good for baby. Y gives you a few tips on making sure the new arrival is in safe hands

s a new parent, it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed by conflicting information about the safest ways to care for the little one who completely relies on you. This is especially true when it comes to baby care products. The confusion related to ingredients that may be harmful to a baby’s sensitive skin is a key concern for many mothers. In order to make the right choices for your family, first you need to sort the myths from the facts. Myth: Baby’s skin is naturally perfect and can be cleansed with water alone. Fact: Protecting the integrity of a baby’s skin barrier is critical. Cleansing is essential as it not only removes dirt, but can also prevent infection and transmission of bacteria that are on the surface of baby skin. It is important to buy products that are designed for babies specifically and that are proven to be mild, while meeting or exceeding industry standards. Not all infant cleansers, lotions and shampoos currently on the market are safe, effective and appropriate for use on newborn skin, so be sure to look out for products that are when you shop. Myth: Tear-free products are not safe for baby’s eyes and may contain harmful numbing chemicals. Fact: The assertion that numbing chemicals are added to tear-free products is false. Products developed by scientists have undergone extensive clinical evaluation and are proven to be as gentle to the eyes as pure water. They only include ingredients that are safe without the use of numbing agents. The team of scientists at Johnson’s, one of the market’s leading baby care brands, specialise in developing ways to evaluate products for eye safety and mildness. They conduct a complete ingredient review and assessment using laboratory and clinical methods before a product is eligible for the signature “No More Tears” label. Myth: Products that say “natural” on the label are safest for your baby. Fact: The use of the word “natural” on labels can be misleading. Standards created by groups like the Natural Products Association apply to a wide range of personal care products. In fact, some natural baby products contain allergens and products that eliminate preservatives, which are needed to prevent mold growth and contamination and ensure the product remains safe throughout its shelf life.

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TIPS FOR SHOPPING

THE BABY AISLE: ❑ Do your research and buy from companies that you trust to provide safe and appropriate products for your baby. Learn more specifics about product ingredients here: www.cosmeticsinfo.org. ❑ Understand what ingredients on the label mean and don’t shy away from complicated words just because you don’t understand them. ❑ Remember, some trendy and natural brands may not follow guidelines for safety and mildness. ❑ Beware of brands that make false or unapproved claims and that are not evaluated for baby skin specifically. ❑ For more information to help you make decisions in caring for your family, visit www.youtube.com/baby.

Health

Beauty F a s h i o n

Taking care of

the Tache As this month is all about Movember, Adam Hurrell takes a look at how you can maintain your mo

en across the world are growing facial hair this month to take part in the Movember initiative, which has been organised by the Movember Foundation to raise awareness of men’s health issues. However, the main problem a lot of us face is not knowing how to groom the mo we are growing. Here’s Y’s insiders’ guide to sharp shaving, with help from fashionbeans.com, as well as all the gear you’ll need along the way.

The perfect shave in

easy stages:

Prepare

The cream and razor

The best time to shave is after a long hot shower or bath, when the skin is wet and warm, the pores open and the beard growth soft. When we shave, we remove the top layer of skin cells from our face and neck, so be sure to prepare the skin properly with a good- quality men’s exfoliating cleanser. “If you want a more comfortable shave, do it in the bath or shower – the steam will open up the hair follicles. Alternatively, a hot flannel will have a similar effect,” says Sarah Louise O’Looney, a beauty therapist and author of Fresh, Clean Men: Advice for Men and Beauty Therapists.

Keep the application of shaving foam even – too little cream and the skin will be left raw, but too much will cause the blades to clog. “When applying shaving gel or cream, apply with your fingertips using a circular motion. Beard hair grows in several different directions and by spreading the lather in circles there’s less risk of missing an area,” explains Tony Glenville, the author of Top To Toe: The Modern Man’s Guide To Grooming. Next, you need to warm your razor. This can be done by dipping it in a mug of steaming water if you are using a multi-blade razor.

YOU NEED: Bulldog Original Face Wash. Available online at www.mankind.co.uk for RO28

YOU NEED: Geo. F. Trumper Coconut Shave Cream. Available online at www.mankind.co.uk for RO9.8

The shave

Let the blade do the work. According to Dr Nigel Kermode, the director of global blades and razors research and development at Gillette: “Men think that if they press harder, they’ll get a closer shave but that’s not so. Modern razors are designed to work with relatively little pressure, so if you want to reduce irritation don’t push.”Shave with short, even strokes and ensure the blade is fully cleaned in hot water before reapplying to the face and neck. “Always shave with the grain. If your hair grows sideways in places, you should still shave ‘with’ it by gliding the blade parallel. Never go against the grain with a razor as this can cause follicle damage,” says Matthew Jessop, the former head barber at the Liberty branch of the London-based barber Murdock. YOU NEED: The Gillette Fusion ProGlide, available in all good supermarkets

The rinse

After you have finished shaving, run your fingers over your face and neck to catch any hairs you may have missed and go back over them. Now wash your face with clean, lukewarm water to remove any left over cream and to calm the skin. Rinse off any hair debris. Lightly pat-dry your face with a fresh towel. Avoid rubbing the skin dry as this can aggravate it and increases the chance of shaving rash. YOU NEED: Lukewarm water and a clean towel

The finish

Apply a good-quality men’s aftershave moisturiser. “Skin might look smooth, but in reality it’s full of tiny ridges. These become especially pronounced if the skin is dry and can cause problems for the razor, leading to irritation. By moisturising twice daily you help reduce these ridges and improve razor glide,” explains Dr Kristina Vanoosthuyze, the principal scientist at Gillette’s Innovation Centre. A good moisturiser will further calm the skin and soothe it, replacing the essential oils that shaving removes. YOU NEED: L’Oreal MenExpert Hydra PostShave Balm. Available online at www.mankind.co.uk for RO3.76

NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

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shop The Sultan centre (TSC) PDO • PDO • Oman Oil Head Office • PDO • Ras Al Hamra Club Royal Opera House • Indus Restaurant • More Café Shatti Al Qurum • Bareeq Al Shatti Complex • Carribou Coffee • Darcy’s Kitchen • German Eye Laser Center • Intercontinental Hotel • Jawaharat Al Shatti Complex • Kaya Skin Clinic • Muscat Eye Laser Center • Oasis By The Sea • Second Cup • Starbucks Sarooj • Al Fair S/M • Al Masa Mall • Al Shatti Cinema (Dunkin Donuts) • Ayana Spa • Cosmeclinic • Emirates Medical Center • McDonald’s • Shell MQ • Al Fair S/M • Arab Open University • British Council • Costa Coffee • Darcy’s Kitchen • Emirates Airlines • Hana Slimming Centre • Kargeen Café • KFC • Mackenzies • Mood Café • Oman Oil Ahlain • Papa John’s • Pizza Hut • Saharz Beauty Saloon • Starbucks • TBWA Zeenah Al Khuwair • Badar Al Sama • Bait Al Reem • Bait Al Reem - Coffee Shop • Café Vergnano •

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Centre pointSplash • Diplomatic Club • Friendi Mobile • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Grand Hyatt Muscat (Saloon) • Gulf College • Harley Davidson • HSBC (Old OIB) • KFC • Khimji Mart • Khimji’s Watches - Showroom • KM Trading • Landmark Group • McDonald’s • Ministry of Information • Muscat Bakery • Mustafa Sultan Enterprises • Oman Bowling Center • Oman Oil Ahlain • Oman United Insurance • OMRAN • Pizza Hut • Radison Blu • Shell • TGI fridays • The Kebab Factory • The Tikka Place • VLCC • Zahara Travel • Zakher Shopping Mall MGM • Carribou Coffee • Gloria Jean’s Coffee • Just Falafel • Nawras • Paul Patisserie • Tim Hortons Bousher • College for Banking & Financial Studies • Costa Coffee • Crepe Café • Dolphin Village • Modern College Of Business Studies • Moka & More Café • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital - Emergency • Muscat Private Hospital - Outpatient

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• VLCC Hail • Al Mouj Golf Club • Amouage - Oman Perfumery LLC • Bait al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College • Costa Coffee • Markaz Al Bahja • McDonald’s • Oman Football Association • Oman Sail • Shakespere & Co. • The Wave H.O. Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -3 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat -4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • SQU - Diplomatic Club • SQU - College of Commerce • SQU - Students Banking Area • SQU -Hospital • Waljat College Seeb • McDonald’s • SABCO Media Al Khoud • Badar Al Sama • Al Fair S/M • Pizza Hut Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • Lulu Hypermarket Sawadi • Sawadi Beach Resort Massnaah • Millennium Hotel Sohar • Centre pointSplash • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Market • Nawras • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port • Sohar University Nizwa • Nizwa University

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

Outdoors

Y- F i

Cars

Plain Sailing

The Muscat coastline dissolves away as you ride calm seas towards the Dimaniyat Islands aboard a luxury yacht.

NOV 06 - 12 / ISSUE 343

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D estination P o s t c a r d s f r o m

Y- F i

Outdoors

Destination

Wadi Shital We head back in time to September 2010 to take in the untouched sands and remarkable rock formations of Wadi Shital 038

NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

Cars

some of my fellow explorers. Wadi Shital is a wadi with many rock formations that predates civilisation tenfold. It is a rich geological area that lies near the village of Shital. “The fragile site is believed to be 600 million years old and it was once the bottom of a prehistoric ocean, but now it’s a wide, sundrenched valley. “Should you venture up the small hills on either side of the wadi, you can admire an impressive landscape. It really is a must see. “Despite a bumpy path lined with sand dunes, driving into the heart of the wadi is easy if you have the right 4x4. “If you are concerned for your car or are not the most confident off-road explorer, don’t fear. As an alternative, there are many easy-to-navigate paths that you can explore in the vicinity. Thanks to the acacia trees and sweeping brown hills, there are lots of places to set up camp and the area is still largely pristine and untouched by man.”

HOW TO GET THERE

travel guide

n tribute to former Y photographer Jerzy Wierzbicki, who spent five years exploring the Sultanate’s natural beauty on behalf of the magazine, we’ve been running a retrospective series looking at some of his most stunning destinations in the hope of inspiring the next group of adventurers. This week, it’s the spectacular sands of Wadi Shital that stretch across 14km. Here’s Jerzy’s take on it: “I was driving in the night, somewhere between Mahout and Duqm. I was all alone and aimlessly heading out into the wilderness. It was a quiet, monotonous drive. “The darkness and rawness of the desert always relaxes me. I pulled up just before dawn at a place where rocks, sand dunes and green acacia trees dotted the landscape. I needed to sip some strong tea after an exhausting night. “I had decided to try to recapture the emotions I felt when I was exploring the Cinnamon Desert. There was only one place that could live up to my expectations that I had heard about only in whispers among

Travel from Muscat to Sinaw via the Nizwa road and then go to Mahout. From Mahout, head towards Duqm along road number 32. Approximately 70km before Duqm is a small Al Maha service station; 5.6km after this station you have to turn right onto a gravel road. This will lead you directly to the wadi.

GPS location of the gravel road turning: 20°09’0.10”N 57°43’29”E

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

ISLAND HOPPER With secluded beaches of white sand, glistening translucent waters and myriad of marine life, the Damaniyat Islands rank high on any Omani bucket list. Matt Blackwell ticks them off his

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tanding at the bow of a 61-foot-long pleasure yacht looking out over the sapphire-blue Arabian waters while the wind gently flaps a loosely buttoned shirt, it really is difficult not to spread your arms and yell “I’m the king of the world” at the top of your voice. This is genuinely how it feels to sail on the Al Wasmy II. Boarding the luxury yacht at Almouj Marina, The Wave, Muscat, the destination of our five-hour charter lay just under 15 nautical miles off the coast; the Damaniyat Islands. In the three months that I’ve lived in Muscat, I’d heard whispers of their untouched beauty, but hadn’t found the time to pay them a visit. To say I was excited for the day’s cruise would be somewhat of an understatement. Mazaya Oman are the selfproclaimed experts in luxury lifestyle management services throughout the Middle East, and taking one look around the Al Wasmy II, which belongs to their Marine Tourism division, I was already beginning to feel that the title was well deserved. The yacht offers an indoor relaxed saloon seating area, leading below deck to three en-suite

bedrooms as well as an additional single bedroom, all complete with flat-screen TV and DVD player. Outside, towards the bow, there’s a generous sized lounging area, while at the stern, a small staircase leads to the flybridge, which affords 360-degree unobstructed views, a table and seating area, as well as a barbecue. In short, it has everything you could possibly need – plus a little bit more – for a truly luxurious trip. As our marine journey got under way and the Seeb coastline slowly dissolved from view, so too did the stresses and strains of the real world, leaving my head clear and allowing me to fully focus on the experience at hand. Maintaining a steady speed, the fine mist from waves on either side of the boat would gently spray up from time to time, providing a refreshing remedy to the temperature, which was a very pleasant 33°C. The Damaniyat Islands are an internationally recognised nature reserve that is made up of nine rocky islets and as we neared the first and largest of the islands, Al Jabal Al Kabeer, I was able to glimpse the white sands and crystal-clear blue waters I had heard so much about.

Postcards from

Y- F i

C a r s OUTDOORS

I love being underwater and the brief glimpse into another world that it provides and – as is often the case when I’m snorkelling or diving – I completely lost track of time, such was my level of enjoyment. Deciding that I’d probably been long enough and not wanting to delay lunch any further, I resignedly turned round and began the swim back. It was then that I glimpsed something that I’d never seen in my life. Quite a way ahead of me and only just visible was the circular outline of a slow-moving creature, lazily gliding though the water with effortless grace using its four flippers as propulsion. I kicked as hard as my own flippers would allow in an attempt to catch up with the turtle, but to no avail as it disappeared into the depths. I’ll never forget that moment, though. Back on board, we were treated to a buffet lunch before it was time to return to reality. With the sun creeping lower in the sky, the water danced with shimmers and as I lay on the deck at the fore of the yacht, I was overwhelmed by an enormous feeling of contentment. True to their reputation, the Damaniyat Islands proved to be the epitome of beauty and provided a relaxing reprieve from the real world. At just an hour’s sail from the Seeb coast, they really are only a stone’s throw away and with the Al Wasmy II on offer, you can certainly get there in luxury and style. They certainly didn’t disappoint, with the colour of the sea changing from deep blue to turquoise as we floated into shallower waters. The clarity of the water was such that we were able to see the rocks and coral on the seabed, as well as dozens of darting fish from our vantage point on the deck. But the real treat was to come as we dropped anchor just off one of the many secluded beaches. With the crew busy attending to lunch preparations, I took the opportunity to make my entry into the water. The Damaniyat Islands are home to more than 100 species of tropical fish and other marine life, including dolphins and the rare hawksbill turtle, and consequently, the area is famed as one of the best diving sites in the region. So far, I’d appreciated the sheer magnificence and beauty of everything above sea level; now it was time to head below the waves to continue this voyage of discovery. This being my first trip to the Damaniyats, of course I didn’t want to slip into the water quietly at the yacht’s stern. This was an event to be marked in style, with song and dance and, as such, I felt that a backflip from the rails at the bow would only be fitting. After having entered with suitable bravado, I got my head down and set about snorkelling. As I gently propelled myself over the corals, my vision was filled with a wide array of fish; the smaller ones swimming in schools, while the larger ones travelled alone or in pairs, withdrawing beneath the ample corals when I submerged myself for a closer look.

Mazaya Oman Marine Tourism

Mazaya’s Al Wasmy II operates out of Almouj Marina at The Wave, Muscat and offers three, four, six and eighthour charter packages as well as custom overnight trips To request a yacht charter quote, complete the online booking form at www.mazayaoman.com, email [email protected] or give them a call on +968 9422 0666 Search for “Mazaya Oman Marine Tourism” on Facebook NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

BEAuty from above

The fan-vaulted ceiling of Bath Abbey dates back to the 17th century and is considered one of the finest examples of the technique in the UK.

Top five things to do: 1. Visit the Roman Baths and the abbey 2. Have a walk around Royal Victoria Park 3. Shop; Bath has some of the best shopping outside of London 4. Buy a piece of Roman Aqua Glass 5. Take tea in The Pump Room

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Bath, United Kingdom F

a m o u s fo r i t s G e o r g i a n a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d R o m a n r u i n s , B a t h i s a w o n d e r f u l l i tt l e c i t y i n s o u t h w e s t E n g l a n d . D e c l a r e d a World Heritage Site in 1987, the city is within an easy train ride of London and is also close to Bristol. It has two universities and is home to a thriving local arts and culture scene. The River Avon runs through its heart and hills surround the city on all sides. More modern parts of the city and the majority of the suburbs are on the south side of Bath, whereas the majority of the Georgian architecture is on the northern side. There is so much to see and do here - youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure to come back after your first visit to catch all the things you missed the first time around. Over the years, Bath has been home to many famous residents, most notably the author Jane Austen and the painter Thomas Gainsborough. B a t h i s a h i g h l y a ff l u e n t c i t y a n d t h i s i s r e f l e c t e d i n t h e s h o p s a n d r e s t a u r a n t s o n o ff e r . A l t h o u g h p o s s i b l e t o v i s i t o n a b u d g e t , i t is a city that it is best explored with deep pockets.

R o y al

V ic toria

P ar k

My favourite place

Royal Victoria Park has to be my favourite place in Bath. Walk up the hill from the main shopping area, pass the Royal Crescent on your right and go straight through the tall iron gates for a relaxing wander around the wide, open spaces. The park is also home to botanical gardens and aviaries for exotic birds. Perhaps the best part, though, is that you can sit on the grass in the evening and look across the city to the southern slopes in the distance to watch the sun drop behind the hill line.

with B ath R oma n B aths c tio n A bbe y in refle

Highlights

The annual Christmas Market is certainly a highpoint of the calendar. The square surrounding the abbey is packed with market traders selling all nature of gifts and seasonal paraphernalia. Certainly one of things I enjoyed visiting most during my time in Bath was the abbey. Situated in the centre of town, the tower dominates the local skyline and its bell can be heard all across the city centre when it tolls. A trip to the top of town to the Circus and the Royal Crescent is essential as they are two of the most elegant areas of the city, architecturally speaking. Designed and built by John Wood the Elder and his son, they are wonders of early modern classical architecture and are key points on the tourist trail. Another place to visit is the Roman Baths, probably Bathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous tourist attraction, drawing more than one million people annually. Built on the site of a natural spring and formally constructed in 60-70AD, the complex developed and grew over 300 years. Next door to the baths is The Pump Room, which serves the best afternoon tea and cakes in the city and often has a pianist playing during the afternoon.

Lowlights

Bath is wonderful, but eye-wateringly expensive. This is not a city break that can be done on the cheap. Save up to do Bath properly and hang the expense is my advice.

Souvenirs It is impossible to visit Bath and not see a souvenir shop. The main ones are in the square surrounding the abbey and sell all kinds of tourist items. My favourite shop for souvenirs, though, is the Bath Aqua Glass shop next door to the abbey. Glass has been made in Bath since Roman times and today, they continue the tradition with each piece sold made within the city. They make a vast range of products from tableware to jewellery and decorative items, so you are bound to find that special piece just for you.

Tea in the Pu mp Room

Where to stay Bath has several notable hotels, perhaps none more so than the Royal Crescent. Offering opulent luxury and situated in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought-after address, the Royal Crescent Hotel is certainly the place to stay in style. There are many cheaper options, however, and the new Premier Inn on James Street West is ideal for those travellers on a tighter budget. NOV 13 - 19 / ISSUE 344

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COOL STUFF Sometimes gadgets and gizmos transcend boundaries and defy categorisation. Matthew Herbst brings you the coolest novelties on the market right now

THE TECH IN YOU

off the cuff These simple square cufflinks offer a hidden benefit for stylish businessmen. One of the cufflinks has a cap that detaches to reveal either a 2GB or 4GB flash drive, keeping business literally at your fingertips. With a choice of silver, gunmetal or gold, you’re sure to look the part when you whip out a flash drive, James Bond style. RO38.11 from www.brookstone.com

Tilt-ability

EYES IN THE SKY

Picture the scene: you and your partner have just reached the summit of Mount Everest and want a joint photo to prove your feat, but it ends up as an awkwardly close selfie. Meet your new friend – the Tiltpod Mobile. A keychain sized pocket tripod for your iPhone. It's easy, just place and play for perfect stable, hands-free photos, movies, videos and more. Check which size will fit your iPhone model at www.amazon.com; from around RO11.16.

Everyone wants party photos with a difference, but this can often mean dangling from somewhere rather obscure in pursuit of the perfect pic. Thankfully, though, you can now whip out your Pocketcopter, which is essentially a flying 3D HD camera. Use your smartphone to control the device and capture oddangled photos without the drama of broken bones. Powered by a 12V battery, Pocketcopters can reach heights of up to 30 feet and record not just images, but videos too. Who needs a drone? The pocketcopter has just about wrapped up its crowd funding campaign at www. indiegogo.com and should be available to buy in 2015, with prices expected to start around the RO39 mark.

EDITOR’S PICK

HOTROD

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Calling all cool seafarers. If you are looking for the classiest water transport that takes speed and comfort to the next level, then The Strand Craft V8 Wet Rod is for you. Made of carbon fibre, its 5.7L V8 engine produces 300Hp and the water jet propulsion system means you can expect to glide through tides effortlessly at speeds in excess of 100kph. It also comes with a waterproof luggage box and ice chest under the seat. The Wet Rod is expected to be on the market in early 2015 and will cost a cool RO17,325.00. See www.strandcraft.n.nu/wetrod for more information.

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FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS

App of the Week LITTLE snapper Lego has come a long way since the interlocking bricks were first manufactured back in 1949 and now the fun can be extended into imagery. Lego has engineered a fully functioning digital camera that is perfect for kids, even though it looks like it is built completely from bricks. But it's worth noting that it can't be taken apart as it’s not really a toy! Despite that, Lego bricks can be added to the top and bottom, encouraging kids to integrate the camera into their creations. The 3MP digital camera features a 1.5" LCD screen, a built-in flash, fixed focus as well as digital zoom and holds about 80 images at a time. There is also a Stop Animation Video Camera available for budding film directors. From RO45.29 at www.amzon.co.uk

NEW

LIQUID IMAGE SNORKEL MASK CAMERA

Finally, a swim mask that allows you to capture the breathtaking beauty of life beneath the waves. Liquid Image allows you to take beautiful images and videos hands-free thanks to a built-in camera with a 74-degree field of view lens. The 32MB memory isn’t much, but don’t worry, you can slot in an additional 32GB microSD card. To download your footage or images, just plug the mask into your computer’s USB port with the cable provided. Prices start at RO38.11 from www.liquidimageco.com

do-it-yourself

Are you a jack of all trades but master of none? That’s okay, because this fantastic modern day MacGyver-style app will save the day. From useful how-tos, to delicious recipes and outrageous projects, Instructables is just the place to explore, document and share your creations. With more than 100,000 tutorials in technology, workshops, living and more, doing it yourself just got easier through projects created and submitted by others just like you. Free for Android and iOS

AT HOME

Home and office cord phones are still in use, but there’s no need to settle for normal. How about a unique phone that could almost pass as a Bauhaus art piece? That’s exactly what ePure offers, combining a unique neoretro design with indispensable technology and high sound quality. It also comes with a backlit matrix display, including essential telephone functions such as clock and appointments. Nothing too complicated, just nice and easy. From RO29.94 at www.swissvoice.net JULY NOV0313 - 09 16 / ISSUE 344 327

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CARS AND ADVENTURES

D e s t i n at i o n

Postcards from

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HONDA ACCORD SEDAN 2015 Specifications: Engine: 2.4L or 3.5L i-VTEC Horsepower: 185/274 Transmission: Six-speed automatic 0-96kph in 7.8 seconds/6.1 seconds

car of the week It’s the all new Accord, although regular owners might not notice too much of a change from the outside

hat do you do to update a great selling family car that has been on top of its game for nearly 30 years? Well, you certainly don’t fiddle with it too much. To do so,would risk alienating your core customers, potentially losing their rials at the same time. Thankfully, Honda took note of this when creating the 2015 version of the Accord. The result is a car that has undergone changes in all the right places, but retaining the essence of the brand. Judging from the outside, the Japanese carmaker has gone for a more dynamic and, some might say, aggressive styling. A bold chrome grille gives the car an expressive character of its own and sharp lines certainly give the impression of a car that means business. When you throw in the LED headlights on the V6 Sports grade, it looks even more forceful. The addition of a chrome twin silencer (exhaust) integrated into the bumper on all models also gives it a clean aesthetic. It’s quite an elegant looking car in its own way. Daytime running lights and LED brake lights are standard. It used to be that you could always spot a Volvo on the road because its lights were permanently on, but now most car manufacturers are opting for this 046

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feature on all the new models they produce. There’s also a neat bit of technology hidden in the right wing mirror on the V6 trims called Honda LaneWatch. When the driver takes a right turn or changes lane, a live video image appears on the main information screen giving details on how far other cars are away. Honda claims the system gives four times more information than the side mirror alone. In Oman, where random lane changing and tailgating by drivers is a daily ritual, it could prove a vital piece of safety kit. As for performance, both engine sizes (2.4L or 3.5L) offer enough punch when needed. Longer commutes would probably benefit from the larger engine, which offers friskier acceleration. The engine is of the latest generation and uses something called Earth Dreams Technology, which sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but it’s all to do with improving performance apparently (we won’t go into complex technical detail here). Honda says the suspension has also been given a tune for a more comfortable ride – another plus for those facing a long drive to and from work every day. If you want something with a bit more va va voom, go for the Sport

trim to get more horsepower, larger alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other treats. All trims of this car are very quiet and well mannered on the highway, with little wind noise. Where the Accord really scores highly – and always has done – is the extremely generous interior, with bags of front and rear legroom and plenty of space for passengers in the back. When you’re choosing a family car, this is a big consideration. No one wants cramped moody teenagers or tetchy smaller children fighting over space in the back, while mum and dad are trying to keep their patience and sanity up front. It has to be said that the standard features on the Accord are very generous, such as alloy wheels and the infotainment system. However, some have quibbled that to get your hands on some of the more desirable features, like a sat nav and leather seats, you’re required to opt for pricier trims that come with other items you have no interest in. That aside, the Accord is a car with a big heart and a reputation for being very undemanding with trouble-free ownership, outstanding fuel economy and impeccable handling. Even in the crowded mid-size family sedan market, it remains a car that should definitely be on your shortlist and near the top.

They say: “Pure driving fun.” We say: “Family favourite with bite.”

Chrome grille Daytime running lights Bumper integrated chrome twin silencer Alloy wheels as standard 8-inch colour multi- information display Electric parking brake Front and rear air conditioning Rear power sunshade Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)