Picture postcardBandar Al Khayran 30 42Fast and

Confident26Etched in eternity

Your FrEE CoPY Volume 4 - 2009

www.omanair.aero

20Dhofar - Where nature is at its best

Frankfurt - A city full of curiosities

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The response from our customers who have travelled on our recently introduced Airbus A330 aircraft to either Bangkok or London, has been very complimentary. On these services we are now able to offer an In-flight Entertainment system that provides every passenger with a full range of audio, video and interactive games to enjoy throughout their flight, as well as fully reclining flat beds in Business Class. All this however is only a taste of what Oman Air has in store for customers travelling on our long-haul services from September. With the delivery of our first brand new Airbus A330-200 aircraft in August this year, we will be further upgrading our on-board service in every area, new seats offering more space, the latest in flight entertainment including live television and the use of WiFi mobile GSM telephones. With the introduction of the new Airbus A330’s into our fleet, we will be expanding our European network to include Paris, Frankfurt and Munich this Winter.

Verdant and delightfully cool, the southern part of Oman will be wearing a new look with the onset of the Khareef season. Coupled with the Salalah Tourism Festival, it is fast becoming a major tourism destination appealing to all ages, some of whom now visit annually. Oman Air has increased the frequencies of flights from its Gulf regional stations to Salalah making it convenient for people to take that much needed break closer to home. In these challenging economic times, Salalah and Dhofar region provide an ideal solution to spend your vacation – a fact that is reiterated in our report on Dhofar which gives you an idea on some of the must-see places of the region.

Our main story this time is on a destination that Oman Air will be flying soon – Frankfurt. The very busy cosmopolitan Frankfurt is considered the ‘gateway to mainland Europe’ and you will see why when you visit this unique city that has towering skyscrapers on one hand and old world timber framed buildings on the other. For now, read on to get acquainted with the city, its sights and lifestyle in this narrative report on Frankfurt.

In every issue of Wings of Oman, we bring a report on Oman’s heritage and culture and in this issue we feature Bibi Maryam Mausoleum in Qalhat. Dating back to 1311 AD, the tomb is one of the fantastic vestiges of Oman’s history. In our ‘Hideaway’ section, we bring a place of beauty within Oman that is tucked in the folds of nature waiting to be explored – Bandar Al Khayran bay – a picturesque spot that leaves a lasting impression upon every visitor.

Yoga is fast catching up as the most sought after fitness regimen. In our ‘Health and Fitness’ section we bring you a report titled “Yoga – the new age medicine”.

We have selected various other interesting articles in this issue, which I do hope you would find informative.

We wish you a comfortable and enjoyable flight and thank you for choosing to fly with Oman Air.

Peter HillChief Executive Officer

MarhabaMarhaba

20 20They say if there is a photographer in

you, this is the place to be. Yes, the reference is to Dhofar where from

June to September a swirl of mist rolls around the mountains with a drizzle

almost everyday, everywhere

Dhofar - Where nature is at its best

30

Bandar Al Khayran is a haven of tidal

creeks and sheltered bays fringed in places

by dense growth of mangroves

Picture postcardBandar Al Khayran

26The mausoleum of Bibi Maryam in Qalhat is one of the fantastic vestiges of Oman’s history

Etched in eternity

Contents

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Frankfurt - A city full of curiosities Frankfurt - A city full of curiosities

14 Cover Story14 Cover Story

Oman Air’s inflight magazine is issued by:Corporate Communications & Media Department - oman Air P.O. Box: 58, Muscat International Airport, Postal Code 111, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24519616, Fax: +968 24510771E-mail: wings@omanair.aero Website: www.omanair.aero

For advertising enquiries contact Publishers:

National Publishing And Advertising LLC (NPA)P.O. Box: 3112, P.C. 112, RuwiMuscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24793098, Fax: +968 24708445E-mail: advertising@npaoman.comWebsite: www.npaoman.com

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

All copyrights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without our written permission.

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32Yoga - The new age medicine

34Great rivers of the world

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42Fast and Confident

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Good performersProven knowledge and

skills are often necessary conditions for people to

be high performers and to be successful

The rising level of awareness to keep fit has fuelled a demand

for newer ways of exercising

8

Contents

Rivers are vital to a country's development. They have always been an essential part of human culture

Ahmad Al Harthy has been successfully participating in the Formula Racing for the past two years, with his performance ranking going up every time

‘Sindbad’, Oman Air’s rapidly expanding Frequent Flyer Programme announced new partnership agreements with Rezidor Hotel Group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Language Direct GmbH and Oman Air Holidays.

Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the world’s fastest growing hotel companies. The Group’s Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts and Park Inn Hotels can provide the most extravagant luxuries or fit the most practical of budgets, giving its guests the best of both worlds.

The increasing presence of Park Inn and Radisson Blu hotels in Europe and Africa, provides Sindbad members with numerous opportunities to earn additional miles. Sindbad members will earn 500 miles for every eligible stay at any participating Radisson Blu or Park Inn hotel in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading Asia-based luxury hotel group, welcomes business and leisure travellers with award-winning Asian hospitality.

With this partnership, Sindbad members are entitled to 500 miles for every qualifying stay at any of the Shangri-La Group's hotels around the world. In addition to the above, Sindbad Frequent Flyer Programme members who are also Shangri-La’s Golden Circle members will receive additional Sindbad miles as

bonus for each qualifying stay. Golden Circle Executive members receive 25% or 125 miles as Bonus Miles and Golden Circle Elite members will get 50% or 250 miles as Bonus Miles.

Oman Air has also extended its Frequent Flyer Programme partnership base following the signing of an agreement with Language Direct GmbH. The partnership offers Sindbad members the opportunity to learn a new language or improve existing language skills from the comfort of their home or office. All it takes for Sindbad members to earn valuable Sindbad miles is to simply sign up online for the course of their choice.

Sindbad Frequent Flyer Programme has teamed up with Oman Air Holidays to offer a range of exciting holiday packages topped with the benefit of earning Sindbad Miles.

Whatever your dream holiday, Oman Air Holidays definitely has it covered. For those who wish to explore horizons beyond Oman, Oman Air Holidays offers an ever-expanding list of international destinations. Egypt, Jordan, Thailand, London or India, Oman Air Holidays has the right holiday package for you. On every holiday package with Oman Air Holidays, Sindbad members will not only earn miles on the flight segment of the package but will also receive an equal number of Sindbad miles from Oman Air Holidays.

News

Sindbad Signs Four New Partnership Agreements

In the continuous effort to better the Customer Experience on Oman Air and provide customers with a new and easier channel for accessing information, Oman Air has partnered with Tamimah and Nawras, and is proud to announce a further enhancement to its SMS solution.

The new Oman Air SMS service gives access to scheduling, fare enquiries and booking status. Nawras customers can also use the service to update their local contact details or to make a request ordering a special meal or a preferred seat for example.

From now, Oman Air customers using a Nawras SIM-card will have an option to receive messages on various products and services offered by the airline. “We urge customers in general and travel agents in particular to ensure their mobile numbers are provided at the time of booking so that passengers can be reached round the clock and 365 days,”

said Mr. Hamad Saif Al Harthy - Senior Manager Reservation and Global Distribution; of Oman Air.

It is also worth mentioning that in December 2008, Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman launched its SMS notification services which informed customers about any flight schedule changes or cancellations and this has now been extended to a complete and innovative SMS enquiry service.

Oman Air’s SMS Service is very easy to use. As an example, a customer who would like to check seat availability on a flight from Muscat to Salalah on 09 July 2009 would send SA MCT SLL 0907 to the code 90910. To find out the flight cost for the same date, the fare enquiry message would be FE MCT SLL 0907.

The service can even be accessed when travelling outside the Sultanate where international roaming rates would apply.

oman Air enhances its SMS solution powered by Nawras and Tamimah

News

Frankfurt's most famous resident, poet Johann Wolfgang von

Goethe, once observed, “Frankfurt is full of curiosities.” The

curiosity lies in the interplay between the traditional and the

modern, manifested in the mishmash of towering skyscrapers

and tiny, half-timbered houses. With 670,000 residents and a

large immigrant community, Frankfurt displays all the signs of a

unique city to visit.

Germany's fifth largest city, Frankfurt possesses an

international flair of about 400 banks including the European

Central Bank and Bundesbank, as well as continental Europe's

biggest Stock Exchange. Frankfurt is host to the most important

European fairs and is the air traffic hub of central Europe. In the

Middle Ages, Frankfurt was a free imperial city and until 1806

the site of the elections and coronations of German Kaisers. In

1848, the first German constitution was drawn up here.

SIGHTSEEING: The Goethe Haus and Museum: The birthplace of

Germany's most famous poet is today a sizeable museum,

furnished with pieces which belonged to his family. They

provide a fascinating insight into the writer's early life and

influences, including the miniature theatre where he first

experimented with drama.

Alte opera: The Opera House, built between 1873 and 1880,

was rebuilt after the war and today offers an opulent setting

for classical performances. It has one of the most beautiful

concert halls in the world and is considered one of the most

important music centres in Europe.

Palmengarten: Established in 1868 by the citizens of

Frankfurt as a trust, the Palmengarten, spread across 50 acres,

features spectacular garden displays and hosts concerts,

festivals and exhibitions.

römer and römerberg: The City Hall, with its gabled Gothic

façade, is widely recognised as the city's emblem and is where

banquets were held to celebrate the coronations of the Holy

Roman Emperors. The historic Römer building still continues to

be home to administrative offices.

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Frankfurt - A city full of curiosities

Colourful culture

Cover Story

Kaiserdom/Cathedral: The Roman Catholic cathedral St. Bartholomew with its gothic tower was, together with Aachen, the site of the elections and coronations of German Emperors. In the cathedral today you will find a historical garden with excavations from Roman times and from the time of Charlemagne.

old Town of Sachsenhausen: For partying the Frankfurters like to go to the Old Town of Sachsenhausen. This part of the city, first mentioned in 1192, was the home of fishermen, farm hands, and craftsmen. In the 18th and 19th centuries, this area became the residence of prosperous citizens and a popular place for

strolling about and for amusements.

Zoo and Palm Garden: It showcases a collection of tropical plants established in 1868 by Frankfurt citizens.

The zoo, dating back to 1858, has a nocturnal animal house.

City Skyline: In the 70s, the city changed its outward appearance. Many skyscrapers were erected in the city centre and brought a unique skyline to Frankfurt. Notable skyscrapers are the Messeturm and the Commerz Bank, presently the second highest building in Europe, the headquarters of the Dresdner Bank and the Deutsche Bank twin towers, as well as the European Central Bank. The Main Tower is the only skyscraper open to the public. It offers a breathtaking view of the city.

TrANSPorTATIoN: Frankfurt is one of the biggest airports in continental

Europe, and used to be at one time the only entry point for any international traveller. It is convenient; you can catch a shuttle train to the city or a mainline train to any other city in Germany or Europe. It takes less than 20 minutes to reach the city centre from the airport if you take the airport bus service or a taxi. The train will reach you to the main city station (Hauptbahnhof) in 11 minutes. Frankfurt has a predictably efficient and well integrated underground system, the U-Bahn, as well as suburban railways, S-Bahn, and a network of Strassenbahn, or streetcars.

Scenic gardens and parks are found aplenty in Frankfurt

An imposing monument

SHoPPING:Shopping is fun in Frankfurt. The shopping scene is

divided into different regions. On “The Golden Mile,” the Zeil, a pedestrian zone between the Hauptwache and Konstablerwache, you'll find department stores, clothing shops, shoe stores, and furniture outlets. Once one of the most famous shopping streets on the Continent, the Zeil was destroyed in the war and hasn't regained all of its former prestige, though it has the highest sales of any shopping area in Germany. Nearby is the Kleinmarkthalle, a covered market with international grocery products.

The Hauptwache, in the centre of Frankfurt, has two shopping areas, one above and one below the ground. Groceries, book dealers, flowers, clothing, tobacco, photo supplies, recordings, and sporting equipment abound. In the Hauptwache-Passage are restaurants, travel agencies, and banks.

Schillerstrasse, another pedestrian zone, lies between Hauptwache and Eschenheimer Turm, near the stock exchange. Walking from Schillerstrasse northeast towards Eschenheimer Turm, you'll pass many elegant boutiques and specialty shops.

West of the Hauptwache is Rossmarkt, leading to Kaiserstrasse. It passes the

BFG skyscraper, which has three floors of exclusive

retail stores, boutiques, and restaurants, and

directly connects the downtown area to the Hauptbahnhof. Kaiserstrasse is also known for its large selection of stores selling clothing, audio and photography equipment, and stainless-steel ware. Art and antiques are the domain of Alt-Sachsenhausen, an appealing and original neighbourhood. The Frankfurt Flea Market takes place here every Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm along the Main River on the Sachsenhausen side.

Frankfurt’s Christmas market dates back to 1393. The heart of the festivities is the Römerberg, the central square of Frankfurt's Old Town, where a giant Christmas tree stands in front of the attractive town hall and rows of half-timbered houses.

CuLTurAL SPECTruM: Sound of Frankfurt: Frankfurt celebrates its

musical heritage through its Sound of Frankfurt event held in July. See live bands throughout the downtown area, including techno pop performers walking in malls. During the first week of July, the Sound of Frankfurt presents the city’s vibrant music scene at its best. Music of numerous styles shakes the inner-city pavements, while the pedestrian zone around the Zeil becomes a stage for techno, rock and pop from around the globe.

The huge space between the department stores of the Zeil leaves enough room for parties to develop around the concerts. Frankfurt has a dramatic skyline and partying with the skyscrapers in the background is a unique and special experience.

Sound of Frankfurt grew out of the city’s birthday celebrations in 1994. Past editions have attracted over 350,000 people to enjoy a broad range of music from drum & bass, rap and soul to jazz, Latin, world music and techno. No matter what kind of music the event is sure to turn you into a party animal.

If you are looking at combining business with leisure, then Frankfurt is the place to be.

Oman Air will fly 4 flights in a week to Frankfurt from September 2009Currency: 1 US Dollar = 0.74398 Euro 1 Euro (EUR) = 1.34413 US Dollar (USD)When to go: Weather between May and October is mild

and comfortable with occasional rain, although temperatures do rise in July and August. Temperatures range between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during these months. Rain occurs frequently during the winter, and temperatures range between 15 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Visas: The Schengen Visa, which enables tourists to travel to 15 European countries, can be obtained from German embassies

Time Zone: Frankfurt is in the Central European Time Zone (GMT/UTC plus one hour).

Dialling Code: 00-49-69

Impressive mix of old and new

The City Hall, with its gabled Gothic façade, is widely recognised as the city's emblem Adventure sports for all age groups

A busy market place

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They say if there is a photographer in you, this is the place to be. Yes, the reference is to Dhofar where from June to September a swirl of mist rolls around the mountains with a drizzle almost everyday, everywhere. The entire region turns into a green canvas. The captivating panoramic scene makes you linger.

Salalah welcomes her visitors during this season by organising the Salalah Tourism Festival during the period 15th of July to 31st of August, which is fast becoming one of the major festivals in the international calendar of events due to a variety of activities that stir the interests of everyone. Many activities are conducted during the period of this Festival. The Municipal Entertaining Centre is the main venue for this Festival which accommodates all events and activities. The Festival includes among many other attractions, a Heritage Village that shows different interesting aspects on Oman's history and culture including how houses were constructed during olden days, live folklore events, traditional souqs and also showcases different living environment in Oman, namely, coastal, Bedouin, modern and village-life. The Municipal Entertaining Centre has a special Children's City which has a lot of games, contests and theatre for kids. There are also a lot of exhibitions that promote international products in addition to the international Arabic and local entertainment shows. Visitors to the Municipal Entertaining Centre, can also discover the reach of Omani heritage by watching the Omani folklores from different parts of Oman. This place offers the perfect way to end your day's outing as this is the right place that comes alive in the night with various cultural and entertainment activities.

Ten administrative areas (wilayats) constitute Dhofar: Salalah, Taqah, Marbat, Sadah, Rakhut, Dhalkut, Maqsham,

Shalim, Halaniyat Islands and Al Mayzuna. Each wilayat has its own unique features.

The entire Dhofar region is a feast for the eyes as idyllic beaches, khawrs and bays, caves, natural springs, heritage sites and wadis beckon tourists. These are the places that one shouldn’t miss visiting when they are in Dhofar during the Khareef season though there are many other equally beautiful and picturesque places here. While driving around Salalah city, you will find the place dotted with farms and greenery surrounding the entire place; the place is a watering hole for many visitors who stop by and enjoy the fresh farm produce of fruits, vegetables and especially the tender coconut water. While you are here you can also get the fragrance of the unique frankincense that are available only in Salalah that you could buy from most of the shops but the ideal place for this purpose is Souq Al Haffa, where you will find other traditional artifacts typical to Salalah. These are the things that a visitor to Salalah takes back with him/her as a treasured memento.

Beaches: Among the beaches the most popular ones are Mughsayl, Raysut, Haffa, Dahariz, Taqah, Marbat, Sadah, Rakhut and Shuymia.

Caves: There are a string of cave chambers that dot the cityscape. Tayq, Shroat, Akhrt, Hartoam, Marnif and Ayn Razat are among the important caves found here.

Natural springs: The natural springs that punctuate the region, are Garziz, Sahalnawt, Arazat, Athoam and Darbat.

Wadis: For those who prefer languishing by the wadi-side, there are a number of wadis that are located in Dhofar which include the picturesque Wadi Darbat, Wadi Muqshan, Wadi Tawi Attar and Wadi Dawka (known for frankincense trees).

DhofarWhere nature is at its best

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oman

Deep-rooted history and versatile topography is what Dhofar offers its visitors

Dhofar magic: Nature at its best

Image source: Ahmed Bin Said Al-Shanfari

Historical Sites: Like other places in Oman, Dhofar too encompasses historical heritage sites. In fact there is more history in Dhofar than any other regions of Oman. Al Baleed, Nabi Ayub tomb, Nabi Omran tomb, Nabi Salih camel’s footprints and Khawr Rawri archaeological area, are some of the favourite tourists spots for history buffs. Outside the town of Marbat, on a hillock is the shrine of Mohammed bin Ali who is described as a man of piety. He established a madrasa (religious seminary) in Marbat, and died in the year 1161. This place today attracts a lot of tourists.

Parks and recreation centres: Dhofar is blessed with a number of parks that are well maintained by the Dhofar Municipality. Among the popular ones are the Salalah Public Park, Saada Public Park, Daharis Park, Ayn Razat Park and Taqah Park. As part of the Salalah Tourism Festival which officially begins from July 15, the Municipal Entertaining Centre hosts a gamut of cultural activities. The Centre is always teeming with tourists from all over the GCC countries during the festival period.

Mountainside Dhofar: You will be amazed to see a different world that exists west of Salalah city towards a mountainous swathe of Dhofar. This pocket consists of the wilayats of Rakhyut and Dhalkut where nature finds abundant expression. About eight kilometres out of Mughsayl, the beach known for blowholes, the road ascends vertiginously up the walls of a gorge, punctuated by a slew of steep curves. This is the Salalah-Sarfait highway – an engineering marvel – with the road cutting into the steep edge of a mountain. Tourists can relish the dramatic views of the rocky coastline with the turquoise waters of Arabian Sea. Another ten kilometres after Rakhyut the road veers towards wilayat of Dhalkut and the border town of Sarfait beyond. Here you can get a peek into Dhofar’s luxuriant countryside. On the slope of the mountains, which receives full blast of rains, grow lush forests. Ensconced in these beautiful environs are a number of picturesque sleepy villages.

Mughsayl beach is known for blowholes formed in the limestone rocks where plumes of water can reach a heightof 30 metres or more

A panoramic view of the blue sea

Bird watching in Dhofar: A group of birds flapping their wings and gliding before disappearing is a common sight in this southern region of verdant Dhofar. The familiar landscapes, over which they fly, have evolved over thousands of years.

For a bird enthusiast, Oman’s picturesque Dhofar is rewarding since it boasts within a relatively small area a mix of African, Oriental and Palaearctic birds, including a large number of sea birds. From coastal khawrs, beaches and cliffs, to irrigated farmlands to thickly wooded wadis these feathered beauties are all prevalent providing a great spectacle. Three worldwide bird regions meet and overlap here making it unique for bird-watchers. Among the birds found in the mountain forests are African paradise flycatcher, Shining Sunbird, African Rock Bunting, Hume’s Tawny Owl, Yellow-bellied Green Pigeon, African Scops and Verraux Eagle breed. During the winter season the place presents a beautiful

spectacle with birds like Tawny Eagle, Long-tailed Shrike and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Of Arabian endemics, Yemen Serin, Golden-winged Grosbeak and Arabian Red-legged Patridge are common. The coastal khawrs are home to water birds and migratory birds like Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Lesser Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Long-toed Stint, Herons, Pintail Snipes, Baillon’s Crakes and Pale Rock Sparrows. It is said that over 70,000 water-birds (herons, waders, gulls, terns) use Oman’s beaches and sea for food and for roosting. Near Taqah you can watch an incredible number of birds crouched on the vegetation unmindful of the inquisitive gaze of the tourists. So, next time you are in Dhofar do not forget to explore the amazing conglomeration of birds. There are tourism agencies which organise bird watching trips.

With the Khareef season now on, you could take some time off to visit this beautiful place and enjoy the unique weather.

Blue sea and green mountains create nature’s best poetry

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The mausoleum of Bibi Maryam in Qalhat is one of the fantastic vestiges of oman’s history

Etched in eternityWith the recent opening of the Quriyat-Sur dual

carriageway, important sights that fall along the route are

now easily accessible. With an alignment that touches

scenic spots and a major heritage sight, the new highway is

expected to add considerably to the tourism potential. One

such sight is the town of Qalhat.

The town, 25 kms north-east of Sur, is steeped in history

and traditions. Throughout history, the town had economic

significance which has been documented in the books written

by celebrated international travellers. The town’s prosperity was

at its peak during the 12th century AD and continued through

the 14th and 15th century.

The town of Qalhat is now more identified with the mausoleum of Bibi Maryam which stands on a desolated hillock overlooking the town and the Arabian Sea. The tomb can be seen from a distance if one is travelling on the Quriyat-Sur dual carriageway.

The tomb may have been built by the ruler of Qalhat for his wife around 1311 AD. Today, the historically important monument, in a dilapidated state, bears unmistakable testimony to the significance of Qalhat in the past. Even today, after a span of hundreds of years, the structure retains its architectural features which employed the most refined skills of that era. To create awareness about the rich heritage of Oman and to educate the children about the importance of preserving and appreciating our heritage, efforts are being made to preserve the edifice.

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Image source: Yousuf Al Zadjali

Culture &Heritage

Bibi Maryam Tomb: History at its best

Bibi Maryam mausoleum was built on a raised platform of coral and stone bonded together and embedded in mortar, with the original coatings of plaster still in existence in larger part of the edifice.

There is a crypt below the floor and the building was topped by a pointed dome, which has mostly collapsed due to the vagaries of nature. Part of the drum and the few segments of the dome that remain give indications in identifying the shape and design.

The four facades are decorated with niches and blind arches, reflecting the style adopted in India and Iran. The use of poly lobed arches was typical of Mughal style of architecture, while the inner corners wall with its squinches and mihrab were ornamented with a motif of muqarnos. It is assumed that the interior would have originally been embellished with glazed tiles, the remains of which can be seen as vague design motifs but nevertheless giving a clear indication of the skills and talents of the craftsmen and artisans of those times.

In 1507, the town came under heavy destruction with the exception of the mausoleum of Bibi Maryam. This may be due to the reason that the name Maryam was sacred to all the concerned warring parties.

Ibn Battuta, noted traveller, was very impressed by Qalhat and the mausoleum of Bibi Maryam. He wrote: “ … having fine bazaars and an exceedingly beautiful mosque, the walls of which are decorated with elaborate enamelled tile work and which occupies a lofty situation overlooking the town and harbour.”

The destruction of the town is vividly described by later visitors, like Wellsted who landed in Qalhat in 1835. He writes that the town was reduced to an extensive ruin field with a lovely structure, the roofless Bibi Maryam mausoleum standing amidst the ruins.

Poala M. Costa, a noted archaeologist, describes the mausoleum in ‘Historic mosques and shrines of Oman’ thus: “The mausoleum is rectangular in plan, and was originally covered by a dome now almost missing.” He further writes:

“Entrance is on the east side: through an arched opening surmounted by a motif of elongated fluted petals.”

There is little doubt that the splendid mausoleum of Bibi Maryam has been witness to many a tale and continues to enchant visitors with its beauty and historical significance.

The tomb of Bibi Maryam is priceless and ought to be conserved and handed over intact to future generations.

The town of Qalhat is now more identified with the mausoleum of Bibi Maryam which stands on a desolated hillock overlooking the town and the Arabian Sea

The underground passage in the tomb

The tomb is witness to many historic tales

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Picture postcard

Bandar Al KhayranMost visitors to this placid bay are awestruck by its serene charm and the slow pace of life

Hideaway

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If you are looking for fresh air and unadulterated nature which can rejuvenate your body and soul head straight to Bandar Al Khayran, a picturesque spot within easy reach if you happen to live in Muscat. 25 kms southeast of Muscat, Bandar Al Khayran is a haven of tidal creeks and sheltered bays fringed in places by dense growth of mangroves. Green environs, complemented by placid water and framed by copper-coloured mountain, make for a delightful experience. Yeti and Sifah, both scenic coastal villages, fall on the route if you are coming from Hamriya roundabout and thus you can combine this trip with two other exciting places.

Most visitors to Bandar Al Khayran are awestruck by its serene charm and the slow pace of life. If you are lucky you will spot spinner dolphins which are found between Fahal Island and Bandar Khayran.

People from far off places, and especially from the Muscat Governorate regularly visit Bandar Al Khayran for camping, diving and snorklling. What soothes one’s eyes is the calmness of the area. No sound pollution, no vehicle pollution, no traffic jams... you feel you are in a different world where serenity reigns.

It is the largest semi-enclosed bay, surrounded by steep rocky hills and cliffs, on the western coast of Oman with an area of approximately 4 sq kms. This island separates the western side from the open sea forming two narrow channels serving as the main inlets to the bay. The maximum depth of the bay is around 16 mtrs.

Besides serving as a rich habitat for mangroves, fish and corals, it is also home to turtles and nesting birds such as the white-cheeked tern, osprey and heron. More than 200 fish species, most of which are coral fish, and about 40 coral genera live in the bay. Local fishermen will provide boat rides for those interested in venturing into the calm waters of Bandar Al Khayran.

It is a place where you can commune with nature.

Bhandar Al Khayran – Stunning views

A panoramic view of Bandar Al Khayran

The calm waters of Bandar Al Khayran

How to go: Bandar Khayran can be reached both by boat and

by road. It lies beyond Yiti and Al Sifah. From Hamriya roundabout take the Yeti road and reach Al Sifah. Further down after Al Sifah a small bay that cuts deep into the coastline unfolds before you. And you arrive in Bandar Al Khayran. The new road built from Barr Al Jissah roundabout to go to Yeti, further reduces time.

What to do: Camping, boating, snorkelling, scuba diving, picnicking.

Image source: Khamis Al Moharbi Yousuf Al Zadjali Creative Eye

Yoga - the new age medicine

32

Nearly every third person you stumble upon these days has had a brush with some form of fitness. The rising level of awareness to keep fit has fuelled a demand for newer ways of exercising. And yoga is the answer for a section of people who believe in it. Naomi Campbell, Ricky Martin, Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicholas Cage … these are just some of the Hollywood actors and actresses who have flirted with yoga in recent years. Yes, people, including some celebrities, are getting obsessed with yoga. Yoga has very much turned into an option for a section of people who believe that yoga helps in toning their bodies and in leading a peaceful life.

Today’s lifestyle causes stress and strains leading to a variety of ailments. As a result, people and even some corporate houses, turn to yoga experts seeking solutions for achieving mental peace and positive health.

The word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ meaning to yoke, join or unite. This implies joining or integrating all aspects of the individual – body with mind and mind with soul– to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life.

Yoga is considered as a popular fitness regimen. Though it is more popular in India, yoga is now travelling abroad. Little wonder then about 28 states in the US teach yoga in schools as part of their curriculum to beat stress and improve concentration.

Yoga is the process of restoring peace and happiness, which are basic to human nature. Yoga, in the modern-day world, is the best way to relax your body, mind and soul. The traditional fitness discipline is believed to have miraculous healing effects and is considered to be a source of knowledge, peace and well-being for human beings.

It is believed to heal and relieve modern-day stress while balancing the body, mind and spirit.

Yoga consists of a range of postures which combined with deep inhalation and exhalation process helps in correcting many internal disorders as well as healing, relaxing and bringing positive energy. Yoga practice consists of five key elements: proper breathing, proper exercise, proper relaxation, proper diet and positive thinking coupled with meditation.

For example one of the yoga practices, pranayama, aims at bringing the involuntary functions of the respiratory mechanism within human control. The term pranayama has been constituted by two words: Prana and Ayama. Prana is the vital life force which pervades the whole cosmos. Prana is more subtle than air and can be defined as the energy essence that is within everything in the universe and is the principle of development and sustenance both of the nervous and cellular tissues of the body and the mind. Ayama means restraint, control, regulation or expansion. So pranayama means controlled breathing, which is what it is.

Health & Fitness

Lotus pose: One of the yogic postures

Yoga: The new fitness regimen

Image source: Gallo Images / Getty Images

The rising level of awareness to keep fit has fuelled a demand for newer ways of exercising

The basic steps to starting a yoga practice are:

Learn how to breatheThe most important thing to do in yoga is to breathe, especially

when holding the postures. Learn Dirga and Ujjayi pranayama to use during yoga. Dirga pranayama is called the three part breath because you are actively breathing into three parts of your abdomen. The first position is the low belly (on top of or just below the navel), the second position is the low chest (lower half of the rib cage), and the third position is the low throat (just above the top of the sternum). The breath is continuous, inhaled and exhaled through the nose. Ujjayi pranayama is called the ocean sounding breath because you make an ocean sound by contracting the glottis with the inhalation and exhalation. This pranayama is done through the nose, but it is helpful to begin practising breathing through the mouth. To make the ocean sound, whisper the syllable ‘h,’ feeling the contraction in your throat. Keep this contraction engaged on the inhalation and exhalation. After a couple of breaths try to close the mouth, breathing through the nose while still making the ocean sound in your throat. Start and end with a brief meditation.

use basic and beginning posturesStart your tryst with yoga with basic yoga pose sequences that

has simple postures. It is always advisable to seek the help of a person who is conversant with yogic practices and procedures.

End with shavasana (relaxation Pose)Always end your yoga practice with Shavasana, (a yogic posture

of just lying down on your back, breathing normally, hands resting by your side and legs apart) and consciously relaxing your body for 5-15 minutes.

In spite of a huge following for yoga, there is still a section that looks at Yoga with a degree of scepticism. The neutral group, whereas, believes that yoga is indeed a complementary therapy and is best used in conjunction with conventional medicines as far as treating diseases is concerned.

Yoga is the process of restoring peace and happiness, which are basic to human nature

Holistic healing

Great rivers of the world

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Since olden days, rivers have played an important role in transportation and many cities were built on their shores. Rivers have given rise to great civilisations – they nourish us, inspire us and protect us. There are many instances where they have also turned into destructive force. Let's take a look at some of the major rivers of the world that have earned a name in human history. Some may not be big rivers but the very fact that thriving cities were built around have made them famous.

THE AMAZoN rIVEr: The Amazon River is the second longest river in the world, and the largest in terms of the size of its watershed, the number of tributaries and the volume of water discharged into the sea. No bridge crosses the river along its entire length. The Amazon and its tributaries flow through the countries of Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean, 6,437 kms from the Amazon's headwaters high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. This huge watershed includes the largest tropical rainforest in the world as well as areas of dry grassland, or savannah.

THE MISSISSIPPI: The mighty Mississippi River is the centre-piece of the second largest watershed in the world, covering over 1.2 million square miles and includes tributary rivers from 33 US states and two Canadian provinces. It begins as a tiny brook and 2,350 miles later empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Millions of people each year use the Mississippi River for recreation, but the Mississippi is, and always has been a working river. An average of 175 million tons of freight is shipped each year on the Upper Mississippi. The 29 lock and dams on the Upper Mississippi make that shipping possible, allowing for navigation from St. Louis, Missouri, to Saint Paul, Minnesota, a total distance

of 854 miles. There are records of human habitation along the Mississippi River that date back more than five thousand years.

rIVEr NILE: The Nile, as it flows gently through Egypt, may justly be considered the greatest river in the world. No river is longer than its nearly 6,700 kms, though some carry a larger volume of water. But the real greatness of the Nile is not in its vital statistics, but in the way it has shaped and fashioned Egypt, one of the cradles of civilisation and a prominent country today. Though it is a predominantly agricultural area, the population density of the Nile Valley is comparable with that of Greater London. Without the Nile, there would have been no Egypt. In turn, however, Egypt has shaped, fashioned and modified the Nile to a degree almost unparalleled elsewhere. This great symbiosis between a river and a race stretching back to more than 5000 years has indeed made it unique.

TIGrIS rIVEr: Rising in the mountains of southern Turkey, the Tigris flows southeast through Iraq, where in the southern part of that country it merges with the Euphrates to become the Shatt Al Arab, which then flows into the Gulf of Arabia. The river has numerous small tributaries running from its eastern bank and is 1,899 kms in length.

EuPHrATES rIVEr: Rising in the Caucasus Mountains of Armenia, it flows south-westerly across west-central Turkey, then generally southeast through Syria and Iraq, ending in the waters of the Gulf of Arabia. It joins with the Tigris in southern Iraq and from that junction continues on as the Shatt Al Arab. Overall it is 3,596 kms in length, and is certainly the longest river in the Middle East. Historically important in ancient history, the once great city of Babylon stood on its banks.

General

rivers are vital to a country's development. They have always been an essential part of human culture.

Amazon rainforest

Image source: Gallo Images / Getty Images

THE SHATT AL ArAB: The Shatt Al Arab river in southwest Asia, serves for about the second half of its course, as a boundary between Iraq and Iran. The waterway is 170 kms long and flows from the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in Iraq to the head of the Gulf of Arabia near Kuwait. The Karun River, which originates in Iran, is its major tributary. The area surrounding the Shatt Al Arab consists largely of alluvial lands and swamps. Besides Abadan major ports on the river include Basra in Iraq and Khorramshahr in Iran. The Shatt Al Arab is a vital strategic waterway, as it constitutes Iraq's only access to the sea and provides a transportation corridor for oil exports and commodity imports for both Iran and Iraq.

YELLoW rIVEr: The Yellow River is the second longest river in China. 3,398 miles in length, it is called the Yellow River because of the yellow silt known as Loess that continuously flows in the river and colours it. The Yellow River is known for flooding and for changing its course at least 26 times over the last 3,000 years.

AMu DArYA: This river flows from a high plateau in the Pamir mountains of central Asia, across southern Tajikistan, forming its border with Afghanistan, then northwest, forming parts of the borders between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and on into the Aral Sea. In ancient times the Amu Darya was called the Oxus. It was part of Persia and played a significant role in the military campaigns of Alexander the Great.

THE YANGTZE rIVEr: The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia. The headwaters of the Yangtze are situated at an elevation of about 16,000 feet in the Kunlun Mountains in the south-western section of Qinghai. It flows generally south through Sichuan into Yuanan, then northeast and east across central China through Sichuan, Hubei, Auhui, and Juangsu provinces to its mouth, 3,720 miles, in the East China Sea north of Shanghai. The river has over 700 tributaries. Waters of the Yangtze are often used for rice and wheat irrigation. It also has enormous and inexhaustible hydroelectric resources.

The Nile - One of the greatest rivers in the world

Flourishing cities thrive along rivers

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THAMES rIVEr: Starting as a small trickle in the Cotswolds in England, the River Thames travels over 210 miles through the heart of some of England's most picturesque towns, right into the centre of London and eventually, out into the North Sea. The Thames is the river at the heart of English and British history. The Thames is actually the combination of four rivers, the Isis, the Churn, the Coln and the Leach. But along its banks are many royal residences of past and present English kings, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle and Richmond Park. There are a series of locks up and down the Thames which made it an important highway for transporting goods up and down the river.

THE VoLGA rIVEr: The Volga River is the longest river in Europe. Its basin lies entirely within the Russian federation. It is often called Mother Volga by the Russians. It is thought of as the life blood of Russia. Over 40 per cent of Russia's people live near it and its tributaries and half of Russia's farmers live and farm near the Volga. Over half of Russia's industry is located within its drainage. Because of the building of dams for hydroelectric power, the Volga is navigable for most of its 2,293 kms length. The Volga rises or starts northwest of Moscow in the Valdei Hills. From there it flows north above Moscow and then south and southeast to the Caspian Sea.

THE CHAo PHrAYA rIVEr: The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial river plain marking the mainland of the country. It runs through Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The Chao Phraya begins at the confluence of the Ping and Nan river at Nakhon Sawan in the Nakhon Sawan province. It then flows from north to south for 372 kms from the central plains to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya is a major transportation artery for a vast network of ferries and water taxis, also known as long-tails.

THE MuSI rIVEr: The Musi River is a tributary of Krishna River in the Deccan Plateau region of Andhra Pradesh state in India. It flows through a major portion of Hyderabad and divides the historic old city with the new city. Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar are the two dams built on it which act as a source of water for Hyderabad. Hussain Sagar Lake, built to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city, was built on a tributary of the River Musi. The river originates in the Anantagiri Hills near Vikarabad, Rangareddi district, 90 kms to the west of Hyderabad and flows due east for almost all of its course. There are many bridges across the river in Hyderabad city.

Rivers have shaped civilisations

THE GANGES: The Ganges, popularly called Ganga, is one of the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent, flowing east through the Gangetic Plain of northern India into Bangladesh. The 2,510 km river rises in the western Himalayas in the Uttarakhand state of India, and drains into the Sunderbans delta in the Bay of Bengal. It has long been considered a holy river by Hindus. Ganga and its tributaries drain a 1,000,000-square-kilometre fertile basin that supports one of the world's highest densities of humans. The river, now heavily polluted, flows through 29 cities and about 48 towns.

SuTLEJ rIVEr: The Sutlej River is the longest of the five rivers that flow through the historic crossroad region of Punjab in India. The easternmost tributary of the Indus River the Sutlej is sourced from Lake Rakshastal in Tibet near Mount Kailas, and it flows generally west and southwest entering India through the Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It waters the ancient and historically important region of Greater Punjab. The Sutlej joins with the Beas River in Punjab and the largest modern industrial city along the Sutlej banks is Ludhiana.

rivers have given rise to great civilisations – they nourish us, inspire us and protect us

Rivers are vital for transportation

Good performersProven knowledge and skills are often necessary conditions for people to be high performers and to be successful

The success of a business organisation will largely depend on the performance of its employees. Little wonder then, employees of an organisation can make or mar that organisation.

So, what makes employees good performers? We all know that managers want to know what super qualities such performers possess and how are these performers different from under-achievers. As Kenneth Nowack, a celebrated psychologist says, “Proven knowledge and skills are often necessary conditions for people to be high performers and to be successful. But the will-do-attitude, motivation and the engagement facets really play a role in determining whether or not you will deploy what you are capable of doing.”

We sometimes come across people with least qualifications doing extremely well in their chosen professions. Ever wondered what makes them tick? What are those factors apart from education and skills that help such people succeed?

While a degree may be the qualifying ticket to get a job, the real factors that drive success is the way an individual does his

work and this is related to his behaviour. Behaviour refers to the interpersonal skills of the employee and also his organisational, time management and management skills. It is not only smartness but also an individual’s ability to translate that smartness into action that impacts his output, which determines his success.

The overall performance counts as some people when they join show a lot of promise but then their performance fizzles out as months pass. Then there are those who produce consistent results. The most common reason to get the pink slip is nonperformance.

Performance evaluation separates performers who need to be appreciated and below average performers who have to be looked at seriously. In functional areas, such as marketing, HR or production, with set standards for performance evaluation, it is easy. In other functional areas, such as finance, expectations have to be communicated to employees in advance to establish the clarity. When performance is below average and with low potential for improvement, organisations need to resort to firing.

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Business Traveller

Versatile employees ensure a successful organisation

Image source: Gallo Images / Getty Images

Successful individuals have a long-term perspective of work and career in mind, seek frank feedback, look for ways to improve and celebrate their success. Such people communicate better, speak with confidence, are quick to respond and are generally assertive.

Also certain traits are universal and can be used by organisations while training their employees. Experts have identified three such traits: self-awareness, versatility and interpersonal skills.

Self-awareness aids an employee to understand himself, know his strengths, his work methods and preferences. This knowledge will help him to organise his work more effectively. So efforts must be made to help employees get attuned to their strengths and weaknesses.

In order to succeed, employees must also learn to be versatile. If they have to take advantage of their self-awareness, they must be willing to change and for this adaptability is needed. When employees have to work with each other, it is important that they learn the best ways to adapt their work styles to match that of others and change one’s behaviour to suit the needs of others. Versatility means working with others in ways that they prefer.

This is especially true for managers who have to be flexible and adapt to the needs of the team. Research shows that versatile managers were 27 percent better while leading teams and 25 percent better at coaching others. But there is also a limit to the flexibility factor and the management

must ensure that they do not stretch an employee’s versatility nor have high expectations from employees who show little inclination for change.

Finally the importance of good interpersonal relations to make the workplace more productive cannot be denied. The workplace has become increasingly diverse and globalised and employees have to interact with colleagues from varied backgrounds, cultures and nationalities.

Also with the younger generation’s preference for using social networking sites to connect with co-workers in other parts of the globe, collaboration among team members has taken a whole new meaning.

In such a scenario, co-operating with others becomes imperative for which good interpersonal skills are essential. Employees have to get over their personal style difference and work amicably with each other for the company’s success.

Today an individual’s success factor is not determined only by his education but also by his ability to know himself, versatility to change and most importantly his interpersonal skills.

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Success of a business organisation will largely depend on the performance of its employees

Good communication translates into success

Ahmad could well pass off as a young entrepreneur with charming manners. While he is indeed a charmer with pleasing manners, he is also a formula racer and a name to reckon with at the Formula Renault BARC Championship. He ranked fifth out of thirty three top drivers in 2008, proudly taking with him the tag of being the first Omani in this league and first Arab to score championship points and stand on the winners podium. 27-year-old Ahmad is a member of Oman Racing Team and has signed to race with Hillspeed in the UK. He started the 2009 season with a bang when he finished third in the Chevrolet Supercars exhibition race during the Formula 1 weekend in Bahrain.

The Formula Renault BARC championship is one of the most respectable championships running in the UK. It is an entry level category that provides the learning ground to its sister championship Formula Renault UK, which has seen famous Formula 1 drivers graduate from its series such as Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, current McLaren F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and former Williams F1 driver Antonio Pizzonia.

Formula Racing is a developing sport in the Gulf, with many countries coming up with a signature event to call their own. Ahmad Al Harthy represents this sport as an icon not just from Oman but from the entire Gulf and Middle East region. The dangers associated with

the sport notwithstanding, Ahmad has been successfully participating in the Formula Racing for the past two years, with his performance ranking going up every time.

"While I was studying in school, although go-karting was one of my biggest hobbies, I had to focus on my education. I completed my degree in Finance Accounting and Management from the University of Nottingham, and later worked for Ernst & Young in Oman as an external Auditor for 3 years. In 2006, I was the first Formula Racer in Oman and represented my country in the Formula Ford Thunder Arabia Middle East Championship. Finishing second in that Championship is what prompted me to focus and devote a hundred percent of my time to racing. I turned professional in 2007."

Fast and Confident

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Sports

Article by: Raajeshwari AshokImage source: Asad Al Adawi Oman Racing Team

Ahmad Al Harthy and his speed machine

When Ahmad did turn to professional racing, there were many factors that he had to consider; number one was convincing his parents to accept his decision. "Although it was very hard, I managed to convince them. I think with time my family has realised how much this sport means to me and they support me for trying to achieve my goals."

Many people consider Formula Racing as a dangerous sport but the fact is the safety elements and measures such as Nomex flame resistant garments and HANS (Head And Neck Support) device as well as the car safety features ensure that this sport is indeed safe. "Motor sports is viewed as a dangerous sport; I had to explain to my family the safety elements and measures. We are strapped into the car with a six point seat belt, and since we race on a closed circuit all the safety measures are taken by the track to ensure we race in the safest environments,” Ahmad highlighted.

Ahmad, a huge Manchester United fan, dabbles with soccer whenever he finds time. He does not get to play very often as his fitness regimen and practice schedule take up the bulk of his time. He also has to avoid injuries. Ahmad prioritises his fitness as a lack of fitness would mean losing concentration and that reduces the ability to perform at the highest level. "As a Formula racer in the Formula Renault BARC championship, we experience high levels of G-force while driving. The levels are not as high as a fighter pilot but the difference is that it is continuous. In a general test day, we might have a track with 8 corners and that means we go through all angles of force but when you multiply them with 80 to 100 laps it becomes very challenging." While Ahmad enjoys other sports, he is limited to watching them on TV. "All I need is a sports channel on TV. I can watch and enjoy anything from Boxing to Golf,” he says. Ahmad’s favourite racing track is Silverstone in the UK. "I guess this is because it has so much history surrounding it. I also had some great racing moments in Silverstone."

Ahmad also expressed his gratitude to Hamed Al Wahaibi for his guidance and continued support. He also greatly values the support from the Ministry of Sports Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism, along with the special corporate partnership he has this year with Oman Air and Brand Oman.

Milestones of Ahmad• Ahmad Al Harthy is the first Arab driver to score

championships points at Formula Renault BARC (British Automobile Racing Club) Competition and the first Middle Eastern driver to stand on the winners' podium six times, finishing third in the BARC Winters Championships held in the UK. He is ranked fifth out of 33 top drivers in 2008 at the Formula Renault BARC Competition. • He is the first driver to officially partner with Oman Racing

Team initiative since its inception in 2006. Within a short span of time he shot from local racing scene to international racing scene.

• The spotlight fell on him in 2006 when he emerged as Oman's champion at the Thunder Arabia Middle East Series (TAME), racing at the Bahrain International Circuit and boasted eleven podium finishes.• Ahmad started the 2009 season with a bang when he

finished third in the Chevrolet Supercars Exhibition race at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain.• More recently he was on the winners' podium for the first

round of the 2009 Formula Renault BARC championship at the Oulton Park circuit in the United Kingdom, finishing 3rd.

Words from Ahmad's DictionaryBlack is bad (a black flag means you’re out of the race)

Happiness is free

oman is home

London is busy

Friends are important

Wife is my second half

Mother is my everything

Father is also my everything

TV is entertaining

Shopping is not fun

Football is my life after racing

Cricket is interesting

Quick quotes:Standing on the winners’ podium is my most

happy moment.

Losing control of my car at 50 kph (due to cold tyres and

brakes) was my most embarrassing moment.

BMW M5, is my favourite saloon car. Looking at it you

wouldn’t believe that this 4 door car has 507bhp and is

faster then many sports cars.

Before I started racing I did have many speeding tickets,

but now I drive within the speed limit and the traffic in

Muscat doesn’t allow you to speed anyway.

I love to relax by going out and spending time on our

boat in Bandar Al Khayran.

I wish to visit all the major racing tracks, but hopefully

not as a spectator but as a racer.

When I am travelling away from family, I miss my bed

(only because I can’t say family and to avoid issues with

my friends).

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FASCINATING FACTS• Honey is the only food that doesn't spoil• A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out • A snail can sleep for three years • All polar bears are left handed• Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different• Cyprus has a map on its flag• If all the ice in Antarctica melted, global sea level

would rise by about 200 feet

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Fun Corner

QuoTABLE QuoTES

• Common sense ain't common.

- Will rogers

• Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.

- Albert Einstein

•The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision. - Helen Keller

•Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.

- Anthony J. D'Angelo

•An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come. - Victor Hugo

FIFA u-20 World CupThe 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 17th tournament to be contested, will be hosted by Egypt from September 24 to October 16, in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said and Ismaïlia. The FIFA U-20 World Cup is not merely a highly prestigious tournament in its own right. It is more than that.

A suitably momentous sense of the past was infused during the final draw in April for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009, as the ceremony was set against the mystical and exotic surroundings of the Temple of Luxor. The final draw has thrown up six intriguing groups that will have interesting and exciting games.

The team taken from the draw conjured up a string of fascinating encounters at the group stage itself. European champions Germany must contend with USA, South American top team Brazil face the challenge posed by Czech Republic, and African champions Ghana will take on England. Hosts Egypt will meet

Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match on Thursday 24 September at the Egyptian Army Stadium in Alexandria.

The Official Emblem of the premium junior championship represents a harmonious fusion of Egypt’s glorious ancient civilization with today’s modern culture. The shape of the Sphinx represents the millenary essence of Egypt, while the golden colour symbolises the sun, the desert sand and the golden kingdom of the Nile.

In the last edition Argentina hoisted aloft the FIFA U-20 World Cup (2007) after a dazzling and record-breaking month of football in Canada.

JulyJuly 1-29: Bangkok International Film Festival, Bangkok, Thailand.

Delve into Thai and South East Asian life on the big screen in cinemas across the capital at the annual Bangkok International Film Festival. There are over 100 feature films and short films, some from further afield, squeezed into the programme.

July 2-16: International Istanbul Jazz Festival, Istanbul, Turkey. The International Istanbul Jazz Festival presents a remarkable variety of music, ranging from traditional and contemporary jazz to rock, electronic and world music. But, it’s jazz in particular that is performed by big names at venues all over the city.

July 9-12: Hyderabad Jewellery, Pearl & Gem Fair 2009, Hyderabad, India. An ideal event to promote and maximise sale for those in the jewellery and gemstone sector.

July 10-12: rainforest World Music Festival, Sarawak, Malaysia. The Rainforest World Music Festival, held at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching, is a three-day celebration of nature, music and indigenous culture. The festival has a formula of afternoon interactive workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts, followed by evening performances on the main stage.

July 15-Aug 31: Salalah Tourism Festival, Salalah, oman. To celebrate the Sultanate’s rich heritage, every summer Salalah hosts the Salalah Tourism Festival, a spectacular six-week long event encompassing folk music, traditional games, art shows, poetry, children’s contests, seminars, lectures, awareness campaigns, sporting events and much more.

July 25-Aug 1: Istanbul Cup, Istanbul, Turkey. Played on hard courts as a warm-up event for the US Open, the Istanbul Cup is one of the 53 tournaments of the WTA tour. US$220,000 prize money attracts players from the world’s top 20.

July 24-27: Automation World Show 2009, New Delhi, India. An interactive platform for meeting and conducting business in the robotics and automation sector.

July: KL Festival, Kula Lumpur, Malaysia. Both locals and tourists can enjoy the unique and unforgettable performances held around Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley. With many free events on the schedule of over 50 different programmes of performing and visual arts, heritage, traditional games, and language and literature, the festival boasts international exposure and takes place at the most prestigious venues - the Istana Budaya, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Central Market and KL Tower to name a few!

AugustAug 1-31: Arab Music Festival, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Opera House bursts

into life when the Arab Music Festival is in town. It attracts top instrumentalists, singers and established ensembles, and provides visitors with a great opportunity to enjoy music from the Arab world at its very best.

Aug 1-31: International Chess Festival, Abu Dhabi, uAE. Held annually at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi, the International Chess Festival features several FIDE-rated tournaments and a top prize of US$4000. The competition is open to all and includes a Masters Tournament (Fischer System), an Open Tournament (Swiss System) and a Children’s Tournament.

Aug 4-6: Lifestyle Expo 2009, oman International Exhibition Centre, Seeb, oman. It will showcase current trends in creating an ideal, modern home and the best of modern lifestyle.

Aug 13-16: Bangkok International Fashion & Leather Fair, Bangkok, Thailand. Buy the latest clothes, textiles and fashion accessories from Thailand, Hong Kong, China, India and elsewhere at the Bangkok International Fashion & Leather Fair. Held at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre, the first two days are for trade only.

International Events

CITY LANDMArKLocated in Riyadh city, the capital of Saudi Arabia is the Kingdom Centre, also called Burj Al-Mamlaka. At 302-metres it is the tallest building in Saudi Arabia. Its strategic location coupled with unmatched distant visibility distinguishes Kingdom Centre from any other building in the region.

As it shoots up in the Riyadh sky, it forms a ‘U’ with two towers on the top. An arch bridge connects the floors at the two edges of the ‘U’ - giving the impression that you are looking at a gigantic bottle opener.

It is also home to the highest masjid in the world. The Tower contains a total of 43 floors including the basement levels. The first 30 floors of the tower, house various offices. On the 31st floor is a viewing deck and above it are three floors of restaurants. The 100 meter long sky bridge atop the skyscraper contains a public observation deck and a view of the entire city of Riyadh.

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46

Tech Capsule

New Nintendo DSi systemNintendo is transforming the way people access, experience, create and share content with the new Nintendo DSi system, the third iteration of the world’s best-selling portable video game system. In the world of software, Nintendo DSi will be the platform for the most relevant and fun on-the-go games and applications. In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made specifically for the system and sold at retail. The system can also play most Nintendo DS™ games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles originally made for that system.

Samsung MemoirPhone T929

The Samsung Memoir has a handsome and slim design with a styling that makes it look like a camera. The Touch Wiz interface makes navigation a breeze and you can upload your photos directly to online sharing sites. The photo quality is top-notch and the overall feature set is very impressive. The only thing is that the Samsung Memoir lacks Wi-Fi.

Digital Persona Personal 4.0 is an easy-to-use identity protection suite which uses biometrics, letting people use their fingerprints to access online accounts - including email, banking, shopping and other websites - to provide a critical, additional layer of security against identity theft. The patent-pending software also provides optional protection for people's personal files, photographs, financial records and other sensitive information. Digital Persona Personal 4.0 supports swipe-style sensors built into notebook computers as well as add-on peripherals.

The pro audio/video-grade storage and backup solutions offer Mac and PC users universal connectivity with plug and play support for all four of the leading interfaces: USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and eSATA II (external Serial ATA II). With these connection options and the equivalent of 1000 Gigabytes of storage backed by Verbatim’s reputation for reliability, the new external drives are ideal for audio, video, digital photography and music professionals as well as graphics applications where capacity, performance and reliability are essential.

Carl Zeiss will be the first video eyewear to bear the “Works with iPhone” logo. Along with the existing Cinemizer’s “Made for iPod” certification; the Cinemizer Plus headset will come with adapters for both the original iPhone and iPhone 3G, together with video-capable iPods. The effect is equivalent to viewing a 45-inch display from six feet away. As with the Vuzix iWear, each lens of the Carl Zeiss Cinemizer Plus has individual dioptre focus adjustment; that means even glasses-wearers should be able to tweak the focus to suit. The battery is good for up to 4 hours runtime.

Digital PersonaPersonal 4.0 fingerprint scanner

Verbatim’s Professional Quad-Interface Hard Drive

Carl Zeiss Cinemizer Plus video headset

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Khalfan had a great liking for sightseeing and whenever time permitted from his busy business schedule, he used to pack off to interesting places inside and outside the country with his family. And his eight-year old son Said always looked forward to such trips. Geography was Said’s favourite subject and he used to show great interest in memorising names of places, monuments, history of the place, etc. He was always seen with maps and geography books. And thus when his father took him along to different places Said would act as a guide. His father was amazed at his knowledge of geography. After Said finished schooling, his father, realising his son’s potential in subjects like geography and history, enrolled him for a travel and tourism course which he passed in flying colours. During the duration of the course, Said had opportunities to visit many places. His inquisitiveness further enhanced. He planned several trips for kids from his town and for his relatives and enjoyed being their guide. Armed with good knowledge about places and a cheerful disposition with an ability to answer historical and geographical questions clearly, Said thought he would make a brilliant tourist guide. He joined the Ministry of Tourism’s training course for guides which was followed by a test after which he was a given a licence to function as a registered tourist guide. And within a year of joining a well-reputed tourism company, Said became the most sought-after tourist guide. His father was very happy to learn that Said has fulfilled his childhood ambition by working hard towards it.

Going placesKiddies' Corner

Welcome to

oman

oMAN BECKoNS We extend to you a warm welcome to Oman, a country where hospitality is legendary. The Sultanate of Oman is located on the south-eastern shores of Arabia and covers 309,500 sq. kms. Flanked to the north-west by the United Arab Emirates, to the West by Saudi Arabia, and to the south-west by the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, Oman is divided into 9 administrative regions: Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Al Sharqiyah, Al Dhahirah, Musandam, Dhofar and Al Buraimi. Mythical home of Sindbad the Sailor and dubbed as the Gulf’s favourite getaway, Oman delights with its blend of modern elegance and the historic charm of a sea-faring nation. A nation of warm people, Oman is emerging as a favourite haunt for tourists.

ECo-TourISM/WILDLIFE With eco-tourism catching up fast all over the world, Oman has its own share. The Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve is known for turtle nesting beaches while the oryx is found in its natural habitat at the Haylat Jaaluni. The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary was established in 1994 to help protect the oryx and to conserve desert habitat and threatened species. The Al Saleel Park is a nature reserve located in the town of Al Kamil wal-Wafi, in the interior of Oman, and was established to protect gazelles and plantations of Samr and Ghaf trees (Acacia tortilis and Cineraria). Beaches like Qantab, Shatti Qurum, Azaiba, Shatti Bahja and Sawadi beach offer quiet retreats.

HErITAGE Forts: Oman’s strikingly beautiful landscape is punctuated with several impressive forts, castles and watch towers. Dotted throughout Oman, these edifices add a picturesque element to the country’s landscape. Aflaj: It is the splendidly-engineered aflaj, the system of underground and surface canals, that have watered the country’s agriculture for millennia, which will astound visitors. These aflaj still course like arteries beneath the hills and plains of Oman, twisting along precipitous cliffs and threading villages and date-palm groves, bringing to the parched land water and coolness and life itself.

CuLTurE The Omani culture has its roots firmly in the Islamic religion. Hospitality is legendary as any visitor to homes is offered kahwa and dates. The bukhoor which perfumes the house is usually burned in a mabkhara, traditional incense burner. It is traditional in Oman to pass bukhoor amongst the guests in the Majlis, this is done as a gesture of hospitality. Oman is permeated with frankincense. Government buildings are perfumed daily, even the elevators. The annual Muscat Festival, held during the early months of the year, is a celebration of the cultural heritage of Oman. Another period of festivity is the Salalah Tourism Festival, starting from mid-July till the end of August. The National Day, celebrated on November 18, is also a day to rejoice.

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oMAN - AT A GLANCECAPITAL: MuscatArEA: 309,500 sq. kms.TIME: GMT +4 hoursLANGuAGE: Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken.CurrENCY: OR = Omani RialExchange rate: One US Dollar = 0.384 ORVISAS: Single entry visit visa, Multiple entry visa, Express visaELECTrICITY: 220/380 voltsHourS oF WorK/BuSINESS: Government departments are open from 0730 – 1430 hrs and closed on Thursdays and Fridays.Private sector offices are open 0800 – 1300 and from 1600 – 1900 (except on Thursdays, till 1400 hrs), closed on Fridays.CLIMATE: The hottest months are May through August. The summer monsoon just touches the southern coast of Dhofar during these months bringing regular light rain to Salalah and reducing the average daytime highs to 25°C.The most pleasant months to visit Oman are mid October through March when daytime temperatures fall into the lower 30s and below.AIrPorT: Muscat International Airport is the main airport. Salalah also has an international airport. There are domestic airports at Sur, Masirah Island and Khasab (Musandam).

INForMATIoNMinistry of Tourism, P.O. Box 200, P. C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24588700, Call Centre: +968 80077799Fax: +968 24588818Website: www.omantourism.gov.omE-mail: info@omantourism.gov.om

LEISurE/ENTErTAINMENT Shopping: Oman is a great place for shopping as it blends the new and the old. The snazziest shopping malls stand alongside the wonderfully quaint traditional markets like the Muttrah Souk, Nizwa Souk, Haffa Souk in Salalah and Sinaw Souk. Malls include Al Araimi Complex, Al Harthy Complex, Al Khamis Plaza, Al Masa Mall, Al Sarooj Complex, Al Wadi Commercial Centre, Capital Commercial Centre, Centrepoint, Jawaharat A’Shatti Mall - new, LuLu Hypermarket, Markaz Al Bahja, Muscat City Centre, Sabco Centre, among others.Hotels: Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Hotel, Muscat InterContinental Hotel, The Chedi, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, The Grand Hyatt, Hilton Salalah Resort, Al Nahda Resort & Spa, Crowne Plaza Resort – Salalah, Crowne Plaza Muscat, Corel Hotel Muscat, Radisson SAS, Ramee Guestline Hotel, Al Sawadi Beach Resort, Golden Tulip Hotel – Nizwa, Safeer International Hotel, Safeer Continental Hotel, Sur Plaza Hotel, Al Buraimi Hotel, Al Qurum Resort, Hotel Muscat Holiday, Majan Continental Hotel, Ruwi Hotel, Ramada Qurum Beach, Golden Tulip Hotel – Seeb, Golden Tulip Resort - Khasab, Sheraton Oman Hotel, Al Falaj Hotel, Sohar Beach Hotel, Park Inn Hotel. Museums: Bait Adam, Bait Al Baranda, Bait Al Muzna Gallery, Bait Al Zubair, Children’s Museum, Currency Museum, Frankincense Land Museum, Muscat Gate Museum, Nakhal Fort Museum, National Museum, Natural History Museum, Planetarium, Omani Heritage Museum, Oman – French Museum, Salalah Museum, Sayyid Faisal bin Ali Museum, Sultan Armed Forces MuseumCinemas: Al Nasr Cinema, Star Cinema, City Cinema, Al Bahja Cinema, Al Wafi Plaza (Sur)Dive Centres: Oman Dive Centre, Bluezone Water Sports, Marina Bandar Al Rowdha

VISAS For detailed information on visa requirements, log on to http://www.rop.gov.om/english/dg_passport_visas.asp

IMPorTANT NuMBErSomantel Enquiry 1318Talking pages 24600100Emergency 9999Dialling Code +968

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