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YOUR FREE COPYVolume 6 - 2006

� Thiruvananthapuram - Steering tradition� Bahla - Moulding culture and craft� Wadi Dayqah - Picturesque� Habta souq - Keeping tradition alive

Jeebbeell SShhaammssC a l l o f t h e m o u n t a i n s

Jeebbeell SShhaammssC a l l o f t h e m o u n t a i n s

Dear Passenger,

TTooggeetthheerr iinn ssuucccceessssThe Wings of Oman has completed, rather celebrated, yet another extremely

successful year. Through its pages with colourful pictures, it celebrates an entireculture and its ways of life. In its colourful pages, you will see rich visual delights:the vast vistas of the great country, the beauty of wadis and the mountains,offbeat destinations. Also, it reflects the deep-rooted cultural heritage of Oman.

The magazine encompasses a range of subjects right from travel, culture andheritage to business, health and topics of a general nature. The Trivia Junctionsection brings an element of humour for the traveller.

Every piece included in the volume is of archival value. We are delighted to know that the Wingsof Oman has received encomiums from many quarters and this has given a boost to further improvethe magazine. We promise to make the magazine yet better.

Good news awaits the passengers of Oman Air as it readies itself to start operations to Amman,the capital of Jordan from December 2006. This new route highlights the carrier’s well thought ofexpansion plans and further demonstrates market demand for convenient travel. Oman Air has ahistory of planning well for its new destinations to reach new markets, and give its valued customersthe opportunity to connect to more destinations.

The year-end edition of Wings of Oman takes readers to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.On the local front, the highest peak in the country, Jabal Shams beckons tourists and inspires awe inits splendour. It is a plethora of colour and sheer, unadulterated picture postcard scenery. It is the hotnew destination for tourists. Our hideaway section focuses its lenses on Wadi Dayqah, a picturesquevalley with breathtaking gorges, rugged trekking trails and cool refreshing turquoise pools all yearround.

On the cultural domain, the habta (pre-Eid open market) is featured. The habta souq serves as amelting pot of cultures as it exudes old charm redolent of the Arabian bazaar of folklore. Besides, theissue contains insightful write-ups on business, health, etc. If you find that the articles are informativeand have served your inquisitive appetite, then there are reasons for us to feel content at havingaccomplished a job well, as was expected from us.

I do wish you a pleasurable flight with friends.

Sincerely,

ZZiiaadd KKaarriimm AAll HHaarreemmiiChief Executive Officer

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Cover Story

12Jebel Shams - Call of the mountains In Oman nature abounds in places where one canretire and rejuvenate.

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32Wadi Dayqah - PicturesqueWadi Dayqah is a picturesque valley withbreathtaking gorges, rugged trekking trails and coolrefreshing turquoise pools all year round.

18Thiruvananthapuram - Steering tradition Thiruvananthapuram isn't just the state capital and maincommercial centre, but also an interesting mix of religion,history, heritage and modern bustle.

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26Bahla - Moulding culture and craftAmong the regions that are rich in the tradition ofpottery in Oman, Bahla occupies a pride of place.

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Oman Air’s inflight magazine is issued by the Corporate Communications & Media Department, Oman Air.P.O. Box: 2526, Seeb Airport, Postal Code 111Muscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24519616, Fax: +968 24510771E-mail: wings@oas.com.om Website: www.omanair.aero

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissionscontained 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 reproducedwithout our written permission.

For Oman 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

For regional/international advertising enquiries contact:

Media Score ServicesDubai Media City,P.O. Box 502023, Dubai, UAE.Tel: +971 4 3908030, Fax: +971 4 3908031E-mail: kazansc@cyberia.com.lb

TRIVIAJUNCTION

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42

36Get the right sitting postureIn a good sitting posture, the spine and head are erect andthe three natural back curves are maintained.

42Trivia JunctionFacts, humour and other interesting anecdotes.

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44Kiddies’ CornerThe Frogs and the Well.

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38Making the Move to Electronic TicketingFor those of you that may have already purchased a paperticket for your next flight, we respectfully offer two pieces ofadvice.

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34Habta souq: Keeping tradition aliveThe habta souq (open-air pre-eid market) serves as amelting pot of cultures as it exudes charm redolent of theArabian bazaars of folklore.

News

08

Amman, Oman Air'sNew Destination

As part of its never ending commitment togrow and expand its operations and services,Oman Air, the flag carrier of the Sultanate ofOman is to launch a service from its hub inMuscat, across the Middle East to a newdestination Amman, the Jordanian capital.

Mr. Ziad bin Karim Al Haremi, Oman Air's ChiefExecutive Officer stated "This is a momentousoccasion for our team. We are pleased toexpand our services to meet the needs of ourvalued customers within this growing industry.

We thank the Directorate General of CivilAviation and Meteorology in Oman, and theJordanian Civil Aviation Authorities for grantingus rights to fly to Amman whereby, consideringthe mutual benefits of both, our residents in theSultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Jordan,as well as other travellers desiring to visit theJordanian capital Amman. This will consequentlyresult in boosting our economic and tourismindustries in both our brotherly nations.”

Oman Air successfullyrenews IATA OperationalSafety Audit (IOSA)Registration

The existing image of Oman Air, the nationalcarrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has received aboost with the successful completion of renewingits IOSA Registration in September 2006. The airlinehad earlier on 20th January 2005 achieved thedistinction of being the 24th airline worldwide, andthe 3rd in the Arab world to be registered withIOSA (www.iata.org/registry). This itself is a matterof pride for Oman Air's management and staff,particularly creditable considering the fact that IATArepresents some 260 airlines comprising 94% ofinternational scheduled air traffic, all of which arerequired to undergo the IOSA audit by 2007 inorder to maintain their membership.

IOSA has been developed through thecooperation of the leading national andinternational civil aviation authorities. It isconsidered the top industry assessment because itis the only recognised global airline standard that

scrutinizes eight operational and safety disciplines.IOSA Registration lasts for two years, after which arecurrent audit is required to ensure ongoingcompliance with IATA Standards. This reinforcesthe pledge of IATA's Members to Safety, andmakes IATA Membership a precursor of distinction.

The audit was carried out over a one-weekperiod using internationally recognised qualityaudit principles by a team of six auditors fromWake QA, an IATA-accredited IOSA auditorganization based in the UK. The eightoperational areas of the airline subjected to theaudit were Corporate Organization & ManagementSystem, Flight Operation, Flight Dispatch, AircraftEngineering & Maintenance, Cabin Operations,Aircraft Ground Handling, Cargo Operations, andOperational Security. The audit team expressed itsappreciation for the high standards of flight andground safety achieved by Oman Air.

News

10

Airlines gather in Muscat todiscuss travel of the future

Oman Air, the flag carrier of the Sultanate ofOman, co-hosted the second annual eConferencein Muscat, Oman on 8th and 9th November.eConference is organized by the US-based AirlineInformation and German consulting firm AirlineSolutions.

Imagine: paying for your airfare on yourfavourite airline's website and simultaneouslybooking your hotel, rental car and event tickets inyour destination city - all in a single ticketless andpaperless transaction; receiving a text message on

your mobile telephone that your flight is delayedfor bad weather before using the same mobile topre-check-in for your flight; printing your ownboarding passes and satellite-tracked RFIDbaggage tags from a curbside self-check-in kiosk atthe airport; surfing the web onboard the aircraft;verifying that your bags made each flightconnection; and receiving a special offer on yourPDA during your trip for discount concert tickets inyour destination city.

The organizers of this year's eConference hostedover 100 delegates from dozens of airlines fromaround the world and the major IT providers toairlines. The presenters at the eConferenceincluded the CEO of Oman Air, the SecretaryGeneral of the Arab Air Carriers Association, othersenior executives from Royal Jordanian, EtihadAirways, Gulf Air, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines,Qatar Airways, along with key technology suppliersto the airline industry.

C a l l o f t h e m o u n t a i n s

ON TOP: The Jebel Shams

With work pressure getting the better of city-dwellers, the urge to escape fromthe monotony is growing. People are fed up of visiting the same places overand over again and always look for some exciting adventure. An adventure thatcan become a lifetime experience.

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Jebel Shams

Cover Story

In Oman, nature abounds in places where

one can retire and rejuvenate.

At Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun) nature

finds abundant expression in its vertiginous

cliffs, contrasted with areas of high plateau. A

journey to Jebel Shams refreshes and

revitalises every tired nerve. Though the

journey is a bit tough, the beauty that lies at

the end of the drive is just the right impetus for

tourists and that is exactly what drives tourists

to Oman's highest peak.

Part of the western Hajar Mountains and

Jebel Akhdar range, Jebel Shams at over 3,000

metres is known as the 'grand canyon of

Oman'.

Though Jebel Akhdar is the most sought after

mountain getaway because of its green vista

and horticultural orchards, Jebel Shams too is

catching up fast with tourists, its high altitude

being the prime attraction.

Little wonder then, that Jebel Shams is full of

surprises. In the summer, while the sun burns

down, Jebel Shams can be pleasant at 25oC.

During winter, temperatures approach

freezing levels and sometimes a light snowfall

enhances the beauty of the place.

Cosy cottages with basicfacilities are available fortourists.

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Awesome views come into your frame as you drive

up and up. Camping on this mountain under the stars

has its own charm. So, does trekking.

Cosy cottages with basic facilities are available for

tourists. Also, one can erect tents at suitable points or

just relax under the sky. Tour operators can arrange

your entire trip to the

place.

You can learn from

geological history that

long, long ago this place

was once under water. As

waters receded, unusual

peaks and troughs were

formed.

To this day, a glance at a

chart of the area off the

Gulf of Oman will show a

vast drop-off down to

thousands of metres only a

few kilometres offshore.

EN ROUTE: A child spins yarn

ADVENTURE: Camping is highly recommended

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Jebel Shams is about 240 kms from Muscat and can

be reached by driving through Wadi Ghul. A fence has

been created at the edge of the peak near Al Khateem

village, beside a spectacular deep canyon that drops

to 1900 metres to the wadi bed. Jebel Shams is not

just about the enchanting views it offers but is also a

treasure-trove for those interested in knowing more

about people’s traditions and culture. It offers a peek

into the different strands of the mountain people. It is

interesting to see people in the eight villages of Jebel

Shams earn their livelihood. Villagers raising sheep

and goats, making rugs and handicrafts and extracting

herbal oils present a fascinating sight for the tourists.

These items are also available for sale.

The area around Jebel Shams is home to bounteous

farms, date plantations, deep valleys and water pools.

The wadi down below has its own charm.

Jebel Shams is a place from where you can enjoy

sunrise and sunset. Watching the sun rising up slowly

making the horizon glow is a feast for the eyes. And

the sunset from Jebel Shams is mesmerising. The sight

of the sun's rays slowly blazing a trail through the sky,

the soft golden light, for a fleeting moment, brushing

the peaks before they finally disappear from view, is

breathtaking. Jebel Shams, which is enveloped by

serenity, is a perfect place to unwind and de-stress

your mind. Now, what are you waiting for? Just get

going.

SOOTHING: A tranquil pool at Jebel Shams

"Spicy. Yes? You want spicy?His name was Pillai and he ran a mid-sized family

restaurant that prided itself on its authenticity. "Yes, I wantit spicy" I told him, and within four minutes flat wasserved what turned out to be the meal of the week forme. It was a large slice of fish resting on a bed of robustcoconut curry, garnished shredded ginger and served on

banana leaf accompanied by a mound of steamed rice.It was piping hot, and it was delicious.

In many ways, this one single meal had put things inperspective for me. After all, I was in the land of spices,partaking of the sea's generosity. Indeed, spices and thesea have played a pivotal role in the region's history andin its contemporary life, and nothing illustrates this betterthan the food you get to eat everyday.

S T E E R I N G T R A D I T I O N :

Thiruvananthapuram

LANDMARK: A heritage building

Destination

Article by Inder Raj Ahluwalia

Perched on undulating terrain of low coastal hills nearthe southern edge of the Indian mainland, straddlingKerala's southern edge, Thiruvananthapuram isn't just thestate capital and main commercial centre, but also aninteresting mix of religion, history, heritage and modernbustle.

Named after Anantha, the thousand-headedserpent of mythology, this is an ancient city withtrading links dating back to 1000 BC. The city's a majorentry point into India, and an excellent base toexplore the interiors of Kerala.

Part of the former princely state of Travancore, thecity's dotted with several museums, stately historicalbuildings, and spacious avenues. Providing greeneryand lushness are several parks that are immenselypopular with the locals.

The local showpiece is the Padmanabhaswamitemple which has a dress code and is open only toHindus.

Your sightseeing tour must include the NapierMuseum that contains a fine collection of Keralabronzes housed in an interesting building. Then moveon to the Sri Chithra Art Gallery with its impressivecollection of miniature paintings and a collection ofpaintings by celebrated artist Raja Ravi Varma.

If you're interested in architecture, the entire citybecomes centre-stage. Just free-wheel by hoppingonto an auto rickshaw and driving around the city tosee the old palaces of the erstwhile rulers ofTravancore, which now mostly house governmentoffices. While there are several impressive structures,my pick would be the Legislative Chamber; theSecretariat; the Victoria Jubilee Town Hall; and theUniversity Buildings, all of which have a distinctcharacter.

Take a break for some greenery and fresh air, andhead for the Public Park that exemplifies the city'sverdant aspect, and houses institutions like India'ssecond oldest Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, andObservatory Hill.

Take in a performance of Kathakali, a dance dramabased on the ancient epics that features male actorsin make-up cavorting on stage, and women stagingtheir own dance form, the Mohiniattam. Alsointeresting is a performance of Kalaripayattu, a martialarts form that originated in Kerala's temples and marksthe most ancient form of self-defence in the world.

There's good news for gourmet eaters. This is aregion with exciting culinary options. A generous doseof spices flavour local cuisine, giving it a sharppungency, further heightened with tamarind.

TRADITION: Folk dancing

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Absorbing some of the tongue-teasing pepper hotflavour, coconut gives the food its richness and alsomellows it down. The bounties of the sea have beenwell harnessed, and there's an abundance of seafood,with prawn curries being exceptionally relishing.

If shopping's on your agenda, you could be in for abusy time because of the relatively low prices. Historyand tradition have shaped the cottage industries ofthe region and spawned a variety of goods.Concentrate on items of rosewood and teak, papier-mache masks, coir products, hand-woven cottons,temple lamps and brass containers. The mainshopping areas are the stretch of M.G. Road betweenEast Fort and Palayam; Chalai Bazar; ConnemaraMarket and Palayam. Several resorts in and around thecity have spas.

If the city's a charming mix of heritage andcontemporary urban existence, its immediatesurroundings present nature at its prettiest, and are

definitely worth seeing. A long stretch of clean sand,Sankumukham Beach provides a pleasant outing.Situated on a sheltered lagoon is Veli Tourist Village, alarge recreational centre with landscapedgardens and water sports facilities. Accessiblefrom the city is the former palace ofPadmanabhapuram, an elegant,distinctive building built hundreds ofyears ago.

But the hot spot, and one ofThiruvananthapuram's claims to touristfame is the famed Kovalambeach, just 15 kms fromthe city. Half anhour's drivetook me tothe beachthat's becomea world-famous holidayrendezvous. A strongbreeze greeted me as Iset foot on the sand, andtypically, there weretourists everywhere.

The city's a major entry point intoIndia, and an excellent base toexplore the interiors of Kerala.

SUNSWEPT: The world famous Kovalam beach

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This is true holiday turf. With goldensand, swaying coconut palms, and thebluest of waters washing it, thecrescent-shaped beach that girdles asheltered bay, offers sheer indulgenceand obliges one into lazing around,sipping endlessly on coconut water, andlistening to the waves hammering therocks, producing high sprays. There'splenty to do. If energy levels allow, youcan indulge in yachting, scuba diving,and snorkelling, and for still moreadventure, take a fishing catamaranride out to sea.

EXOTIC SENSES: Medical tourism is fast catching up. ROOTED IN TRADITION: A kathakali artiste

TRAVEL FACTSThiruvananthapuram is connected by air with several

cities in the Gulf, and beyond. The airport's just 6 kmsfrom the downtown area, and taxis are available.

Kerala Tourism Development Corporation runs severalcoach sightseeing tours covering the city and itssurroundings, and bookings can be done on the spot.

The accommodation network is fairly vast withstandard and budget hotels.

Tourist Information Offices are located at the Airport;Railway Station; Bus Station; and in the city centre.

Moulding culture and craftBahla

It is believed that the art of pottery is as old as

mankind. Some say, evidence of the art was present

even before 2500 B.C. in different parts of the world.

Whatever the actual dates, the invention of the potter's

wheel has greatly influenced the progress of a

country's culture and civilisation. So much so that

ancient pottery today is considered to be an important

relic in the studies of archaeology and social

anthropology.

Among the regions that are rich in the tradition of

pottery in Oman, Bahla occupies pride of place.

Today, pottery is not confined to utility and

economic purposes alone, rather it has developed into

an aesthetic and quintessential art form. While it is no

doubt a humble art, more within the realm of a craft

and not as elevated as the fine arts, it is fashionable,

deeply creative and fulfilling, with an aesthetic

tradition all its own.

A visit to Bahla will unravel the world of pottery.

A little more than 30 kms west of Nizwa, the

headquarters of the Dahira region, deep in the lovely

heartland of Oman, lies the ancient town of Bahla. The

Bahla valley is part of the central plateau that slopes

southwards from the base of the Jebel Akhdar (Green

Mountains).

Bahla town and the surrounding villages have always

been considered a stronghold of the Omani cottage

industry. Their wares adorn the best of homes. The clay

comes from the wadi bed and it is labouriously

trampled upon to make it pliable and then worked

upon the wheels.

Heritage

There is an aura of historyabout Bahla. Wadi Bahla isone of the areas in the Gulfwhere evidence of importanthuman occupation, betweenthe third and first millenniaBC, has been discovered.

ARTISTRY: Bahla potters are known for fine craftsmanship

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The clay is then transformed as the potter's hand

seems to weave patterns and the result is the varied

shapes and sizes. At the entrance to the town is a

modern pottery works while the souq is a delightful

place to buy pottery and other craft items.

Much of Oman's tumultuous history is written in the

stone, stucco, and mud-brick dialects of its defensive

architecture.

CRAFT: Bahla is famous for pottery

Bahla town and thesurrounding villages havealways been considered astronghold of Omani cottageindustry. Their wares adornthe best of homes.

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SENTINEL: The Bahla fort is a world heritage site

The craggy countryside bristles so naturally with

fortifications that it is difficult to imagine the

landscape without them, from the chains of

watchtowers perched along strategic mountain

passes, to the great bastions guarding the coast and

the historic capitals of the interior.

There is an aura of history about Bahla. Wadi Bahla

is one of the areas in the Gulf where evidence of

important human occupation, between the third and

first millennia BC, has been discovered. A monument

that announces your arrival at Bahla is a fort standing

majestically on the main road. The fort stands on an

enormous sandstone outcrop dominating the plains.

It is a large sturdy fort which is listed on UNESCO's

world heritage sites. The UNESCO act places Bahla

among spectacular natural and cultural

sites of "exceptional universal value

... which should remain intact for

future generations." Its unique

feature is its two wind towers.

The grandiose fort provided the

main defence for the walled town

of Bahla. Defensive turrets, which

are towers built into the walls, occur at

frequent intervals.

The surrounding stark bare rock mountains stand in

dramatic contrast to the cultivated land and date

palms within the wall.

If you need to feel the pulse of old Oman, a visit to

Bahla can make it happen.

Wadi DayqahPicturesque

Wadi DayqahPicturesque

Oman is a place blessed with wadis. A wadi is a driedup riverbed found in the mountain valleys. Wadis cometo life after heavy rains, when the rivers start runningagain and the vegetation is restored. However, somewadis have year-round running water, with deep, coolpools in which it is quite safe to swim if the currents areslow as in Wadi Bani Khalid (A'Sharqiyah). On the whole,wadis are accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, as

the terrain can be extremely bumpy. Wadis are green,lush oases of palm trees, grasses, and flowering shrubs.The villagers often take their cars down for washing andgroups of people have great fun splashing around in theclean water. Or, they go to the wadi for picnics. It isalways safest to visit wadis in a group or with a tourguide. Although they are beautiful places, they are oftenremote and car breakdowns can happen to anyone.

Hideaway

This time we take you to Wadi Dayqah in Quriyat,

which is an extension of some wadis in the Sharqiyah

region. There are about 120 other wadis flowing into

this wadi from Dima Wa Al Taen Wilayat to the mouth

and into the sea in Quriyat. This wadi in Quriyat forms

a natural park in the area.

Meaning 'narrow torrent' in Arabic, the wadi is also

known as Wadi Al Mazara. Wadi Dayqah is not far from

Quriyat. The wadi runs through a narrow winding

vertical-sided canyon, which appears as if the mountain

has been split in two. Wadi Dayqah is a picturesque

valley with breathtaking gorges, rugged trekking trails

and cool refreshing turquoise pools all year round. The

walls of the wadi soar to 1,700 metres and at places

close in as much as 12 metres. The scenery is

breathtaking and is an ideal spot for exploring nature.

To reach the wadi, take the Quriyat Road from Wadi

Hatat roundabout for about 80 kms right up to the

turn off that leads to Hail Al Ghaf. 5 kms down this

road, a right turn puts you in the direction of Al Misfah

village. Two kilometres down this road, turn left to

follow the road for about 15 kms to Al Mazara village.

A signboard says you are in Al Mazara village. At the

village outskirts, a right turn will take you to Wadi

Dayqah.

Green environs, complemented by the azure water

and framed by the copper-coloured mountain, make

Wadi Dayqah a delightful place.

Tourists can laze around, relax under the tree

shades or take thrills in clambering over the large

rocks. There are opportunities for long treks in the

wadi. In Al Mazara village, aflaj in the vicinity attest to

the abundance of water.

On the western side of the wadi are panoramic

views of Al Mazara with old mud houses along the

fringes of the wadi. So, get set for the adventure!

Keeping tradition aliveHabta souq: Habta souq: Keeping tradition alive

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GRAND MARKET: A goat being bargained for

Eid in Oman encompasses different strands of culture.Shuwa, sablas and habta souqs are some of thecharacteristics which form the fabric of Omani culture.The habta souq (open-air pre-Eid market) serves as amelting pot of cultures as it exudes charm redolent of theArabian bazaars of folklore.

These souqs provide the outlet for local produce andproducts. Inside a constant buzz pervades the air; thesound of the auction, children gambolling, shoppershaggling and bantering. The result is an animated dinspicing up the souq.

As Eids approach every year, Habtas spring up in manyparts of the country. The open-air markets usually attracthuge crowds looking for the best bargains in thingsranging from cattle and goats (Al Udhiyah) for the Eidtable to household knick-knacks on offer.

Habta is generally rotated through several villagesand towns of different regions in Oman such as Fanja,Nafa'a Nizwa, Seeb and other Wilayats.

Sarur's Habta is one of the largest and most vibrantopen-air markets held before Eid in the wilayat ofSamayl in Al Dakhiliyah region. It is held under thecanopy of date palm trees.

The Sarur fair is typical of the traditional open-air souqthat has characterised rural life in the Sultanate over theages. Then, as now, it used to draw citizens fromvillages and towns as far afield as Al Jabal Al Akhdar, aswell as the Batinah, Sharqiyah and Interior regions.

What once started out in antiquity as an outdoorbazaar for country-bred livestock has since become ateeming pre-Eid tradition that features a wide spreadof merchandise, including foodstuff, dried fruits andnuts, agricultural and farming produce, spices,traditional items such as rose water, honey andvinegar, and children's toys and trinkets. Women alsoparticipate at the habta selling skewer sticks, shuwabaskets and food mats made of date palm branches,groceries, sweets and toys.

The highlight of the habta is the cattle and goatauction, conducted in traditional style complete withauctioneers whose only professional forte is to bevoluble enough to be heard above the surroundingdin. As is done at livestock auctions, the animals areparaded in a circle around which stand prospectivebuyers who shout their bids for the goat, sheep, cowor bull of their choice.

Habta is thus a microcosm of Oman's rural tableau.

Culture

HUSTLE - BUSTLE: The habta teeming with shoppers

36

Get theright

sittingposture

Correct posture while sitting, standing and walking

makes a huge difference for those with several health

problems. Wrong posture, even temporarily assumed,

can strain the joints and bring on episodes of pain.

Equal distribution of body weight on the legs is a must

to avoid backache and neck pain.

Posture is a physical attitude we assume in our day-

to-day life - at home, at work, during travel and even

while we rest. Little do we realise that our daily,

innocuous postures make a lot of difference to our

well-being.

Is posture just the way we stand, sit and carry

ourselves, or is there something more to it? To find

out, all you need to make is a little conscious effort.

The rest will be taken care of by your subconscious

mind.

To begin with, each one of us has 206 bones and

more than 600 muscles in our bodies. It is impossible

for us to be conscious all the time about how best to

maintain the right posture for each one of them. Only

the subconscious mind can accomplish this difficult

task. And for that to happen, we need to understand

postures.

We spend 50-60 per cent of our lives sitting, in one

way or the other. As society becomes modern, we

spend more time sitting. But are we doing it right, as

we read and write, watch TV, use the computer, drive,

watch a movie, or sit in classrooms?

Sitting postures fall into two major groups - static

and dynamic.

Static sitting is when there is little or no change in

the posture.

Dynamic, or active sitting, means frequent change

of the posture, using the whole seat surface.

Sitting commonly falls into three forms - forward

sitting (writing, dentistry), reclined sitting (resting),

and upright sitting (computing, eating or driving).

Whatever the sitting posture, the entire body weight

- that is, of the head, shoulders, chest and arms - gets

transmitted via the spine to the buttock region. While

sitting, the legs have minimal or no work. So there is

no load on the lower limb joints.

The spine, for effective weight transmission, is not

straight but curved at various places - at the neck,

upper and lower back - forming an `S' shape, which

not only transmits minimal force on the supporting

structures to maintain the correct posture, but also

supports the internal organs. So, understanding the

role of the spine in maintaining a correct posture is

crucial.

IInn aa ggoooodd ssiittttiinngg ppoossttuurree,, tthhee ssppiinnee aanndd hheeaadd aarree eerreeccttaanndd tthhee tthhrreeee nnaattuurraall bbaacckk ccuurrvveess aarree mmaaiinnttaaiinneedd..

Sitting looks pretty much like a harmless activity. But

sitting wrong can be more stressful than any other

restful posture. Initially, when people sit to perform an

activity, such as watching TV or working on the

computer, they assume an erect posture, but as the

activity prolongs, they tend to slouch. This affects the

spine so badly that its ideal shape is disturbed and it

assumes a curve that is directed entirely backward,

taking a `C' shape. This leads to an abnormal

transmission of weight on the vertebrae, which is not

supposed to take the load. Over time, this may lead to

serious health problems.

Sitting itself is tough on the back but slouching is

one of the most damaging strains on the spine. If we

are not conscious about slouching, the brain will

interpret this as a normal posture and over time it will

be recorded in the subconscious mind tending to drive

us to that posture. SSoommee ooff tthhee iillll--eeffffeeccttss ooff ppoooorr ssiittttiinngg ppoossttuurreess

iinncclluuddee::

• Weakened muscles of the back and neck as they are

stretched for long periods.

• Passively contracted abdomen leading to weakness

and paunch.

• Decreased potency of the internal organs such as

digestive and respiratory systems.

• Lowered volume of lungs leading to less

oxygenation of the blood resulting in more impure

blood in the body.

• Headache and general fatigue.

• Pooling of tissue fluids in the lower limbs causing

swelling or oedema.

• Low-back and neck pain because of the abnormal

load on the spine and discs (the structure between

two vertebrae).

All these affect the concentration of the individual

leading to a decline in productivity. These problems

not only affect the person's health but also the

productivity of the organisation. Most of us suffer from

headache, neck pain or back problems after a day's

work and we mechanically turn to pain-killers for

temporary relief. This can be harmful, and is quite

unnecessary when simple correction of postures can

do the trick.

Though there is no ideal or perfect sitting posture, there

are some basic principles that can considerably reduce the

stress and strains of daily life - at home, work or play.

Some of the key rules to get the sitting posture and theenvironment right are:

• Maintain the curves of the spine as far as possible - thatis, be aware of good sitting postures. For example, it isideal to sit on a chair with reclined back-rest that makesan angle of 110-120 degrees with the hip and trunk.This can do wonders for those whose work requiresthem to sit long hours.

• Avoid long hours in the same posture by practisingdynamic sitting. This can be done by taking a shortbreak every 30-40 minutes. A break does notnecessarily mean rest from work but from the use of aparticular set of muscles that has been doing most ofthe work.

• Keep the muscles of the back and neck in properstrength by supporting the lower back and shoulderblades without compromising the spinal curves whilesitting.

• Practise spinal mobility and breathing exercisesregularly, even while at work.

• Choose the right table and chair for every activity. Forexample, a chair too low will create pressure on thethighs from the front edge of the seat and a high tablemay lead to slouching.

• Check the ergonomic aspects such as the height of thechair vis-à-vis the table/armrest, room lighting, distancebetween the table and the chair and so on. The idealdistance between the table and chair is when the armsrest comfortably on the table. Too much of a distancebetween the table and the chair, or the chair and thegadgets one commonly uses at work (such as themouse for a computer professional or telephone for acall centre operator) would lead to craning of the neck,straining of the eye and slouching.

Don't you feel it is essential to handle the situationyourself by being conscious about the way you sit? Sostart right now!

General

For those of you that may have already purchased a

paper ticket for your next flight, we respectfully offer two

pieces of advice.

First, keep the ticket receipt coupon. One day it may be

a valuable museum piece. The days of the paper ticket

are numbered. IATA, at the request of its Board of

Directors and the CEOs of its over 260 airline members,

is leading an initiative to convert the industry to 100%

electronic ticketing by the end of 2007.

Second, the next time you fly be sure to use an electronic

ticket. You won't regret your

decision. Electronic ticketing is

by far the more convenient

option. Electronic tickets cannot

be lost and make last minute

changes to travel itineraries

quicker and easier.

Electronic TicketsSome 65% of tickets sold by

travel agents around the world

in September 2006 are

electronic. By the end of this

year that number will rise to

70%. And by the end of 2007,

paper tickets will disappear

completely.

However, in the Middle East,

electronic ticketing progress has been slow.

Only 18% of the tickets sold in

the region are electronic. There

are a number of reasons for this.

Making the Move toElectronic Ticketing

Business Traveller

DDrr MMaajjddii SSaabbrrii,, RReeggiioonnaall VViiccee PPrreessiiddeenntt -- MMEENNAA,, IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall AAiirr TTrraannssppoorrtt AAssssoocciiaattiioonn ((IIAATTAA))

38

Some airlines have had to make significant changes

to their computer systems. Others are concerned

about consumers' reaction to the change and are

rolling out ET cautiously. Regardless, the pace will pick

up as the deadline approaches.

It's completely natural that some passengers feel

uncomfortable with the move to electronic ticketing.

Particularly daunting is the prospect of travelling

without a paper ticket. However, most people don't

realise that electronic tickets come with a printed

receipt and itinerary that serves the same purpose!

There are also some common misconceptions that are

holding passengers back. The most widely held myth

is that internet access is needed to purchase an

electronic ticket. Not true. An electronic ticket can be

purchased the same way as a paper ticket - by phone

or at an airline ticket office or travel agent location.

Electronic tickets offer the additional advantage of

being available for on-line purchase as well.

Usually it just takes just one trip to convince a

passenger that a piece of paper is more of a burden

than an advantage. Customer acceptance has actually

pushed the rapid adoption of electronic ticketing.

ET also lays the foundation for numerous other

passenger conveniences - many of which are

elements of an IATA programme called Simplifying the

Business. Simplifying the Business is designed to

make air travel easier for passengers and more

efficient for airlines.

Common-use self-service check-in isone such convenience

Much like ATM cash machines, common-use self-

service check-in allows passengers with electronic

tickets to check in on a number of airlines from one

kiosk. By using common use kiosks, passengers avoid

queues at airline check-in counters and, according to

research conducted by IATA, reduce their check-in

times by more than 30%.

IATA is promoting it where it makes sense. Thus far,

40 airports offer this service and the number is

growing quickly. In the Middle East alone, common

use self-service check-in is either planned or being

implemented in 12 airports.

Bar-coded boarding passes is yetanother

The use of bar coded boarding passes is growing as

consumers increasingly recognise the convenience of

at-home or at-office check-in via the internet. Web

check-in gives passengers the ability to print their own

boarding passes at home and avoid check-in queues

at the airport. Bar coded boarding passes use IATA

industry standard 2D bar codes that enable their use

on interline journeys and global web check-in.

IATA's Board of Governors recently set a deadline of

31 December 2010 for airlines to implement bar

coded boarding passes across the globe.

Travel is changing dramatically. But it is changing

for the better. Electronic ticketing is an idea whose

time has come. Now it is time to make the change.

40

HumourA motorist, driving by a Texas ranch, hit and killed a

calf that was crossing the road. The driver went to

the owner of the calf and explained what had

happened. He then asked what the animal

was worth.

"Oh, about $200 today," said the

rancher. "But in six years it would

have been worth $900.

So $900 is what I want."

The motorist sat down and wrote out

a cheque and handed it to the farmer.

"Here," he said, "is the cheque for $900. It's

post-dated six years from now."

OOuurr ssppeeaakkeerr nneeeeddss nnoo iinnttrroodduuccttiioonn.. WWhhaatt hhee nneeeeddss

iiss aa ccoonncclluussiioonn..

A dentist, after completing work on a patient, came to him

begging.

Dentist: Could you help me? Could you give out a few of

your loudest, most painful screams?

Patient: Why Doctor? It wasn't all that bad this time.

Dentist: There are so many people in the waiting room right

now, and I don't want to miss the four o'clock football game.

LLiizz:: II ggeett ssoo nneerrvvoouuss aanndd ffrriigghhtteenneedd dduurriinngg ddrriivviinngg tteessttss!!

DDooccttoorr:: DDoonn''tt wwoorrrryy aabboouutt iitt.. YYoouu''llll ppaassss eevveennttuuaallllyy..

LLiizz:: II''mm tthhee eexxaammiinneerr!!

Animal factsA starfish doesn't have a brain.The largest dog in the world is the Irish Wolfhound.

A giraffe can go longer without water than a camel.The wild panda's diet consist 99% of bamboo.

No two zebras have stripes that are exactlyalike

Only one mammal can't jump - the

elephant.

A kangaroo can jump 45feet!

There are no snakes in New

Zealand.

The King Cobra has enough venomin its bite that it can kill up to 13 adults.

Cheetahs are the fastest land animal and can

reach speeds up to 72mph.

Why does hair turngrey?

Grey (or white) is merely the base "colour" of hair.

Pigment cells located at the base of each follicle produce

the natural dominant colour of our youth. However, as a

person reaches middle age, more

and more of these pigment cells

die and colour is lost from hairs.

TRIVIAJUNCTION

42

The process may take between 10 and 20 years. The

colour enhancing cells often speed up pigment

production as we age, so hair sometimes darkens

temporarily before the pigment dies.

Knowledge BankWhat is honey? How do honey bees make honey?

Honey is a sweet, thick sugary solution made by bees. The

composition of honey consists of varying proportions of

fructose, glucose, water, oil and special enzymes produced

by bees. (Glucose and fructose are types of sugar).

The first step in making honey begins when field bees

fly from flower to flower collecting the sweet juices or

nectar that a flower provides. With their tongues, the field

bees suck out the nectar and store it in sacs within their

bodies. After filling their sacs with these sweet juices, the

field bees fly back to their bee hive and regurgitate the

stored nectar into the mouths of house bees.

These house bees are assigned the job of adding

enzymes from their bodies to the nectar.

The enzymes cause the water in the nectar to

evaporate, thereby turning the nectar into honey. Lastly,

the nectar is stored in a cell of a honeycomb. Over time,

the nectar ripens and becomes honey.

Fun Corner

43

44

Two Frogs lived together in amarsh. But one hot summer themarsh dried up, and they left it tolook for another place to live in: forfrogs like damp places if they canget them. By and by they came to a

deep well, and one of them looked down into it, and said tothe other, “This looks a nice cool place. Let us jump in andsettle here.”

But the other, who had a wiser head on hisshoulders, replied, “Not so fast, my friend.Supposing this well dried up like the marsh,how should we get out again?”

“Look before you leap.”

Kiddies’ Corner

“Look before you leap.”

Welcome aboardWelcome aboardOman Air’s constant endeavour is to make your journeysafe, comfortable and enjoyable. We provide below thedetails of the amenities that are provided on board for yourconvenience. Should you require anything not listed here,or have any queries, please contact our cabin crew. Theywill be delighted to be of assistance. If you have any sug-gestions to improve our service, please convey them to ourcabin crew.

Safety RegulationsHHAANNDD BBAAGGGGAAGGEE:: To ensure comfort to all the passengers,hand baggage in the cabin is limited to bags smaller than24 cm x 41 cm x 51 cm. These must be stored either in theoverhead baggage lockers or under the seat in front of you.Please do not leave any baggage in the aisle, galley or in away that obstructs the emergency exits. Doing so couldcause inconvenience and impede evacuation in an emer-gency.SSAAFFEETTYY OONN BBOOAARRDD:: Your safety is our prime concern. Youcan find a safety card in the seat pocket in front of you. Thiscard gives you the details of the safety features of the air-craft. Kindly study it carefully, note the emergency exits andpay close attention to the crew’s demonstration of theemergency drill. When the captain turns on the “Fastenseatbelts” sign due to any emergency or bad weather,please return to your seat immediately and fasten your seat-belt. For your own safety, we also recommend keeping yourseatbelt loosely fastened when seated during the flight.EELLEECCTTRROONNIICC EEQQUUIIPPMMEENNTT:: Portable electronic items such aspersonal computers and handheld games may not be usedduring take-off and landings as they could interfere with theaircraft’s equipment. Pocket calculators, hearing aids andheart pacemakers are exempt. Use of radios and mobilephones are prohibited on board at all times.

FACILITIES AVAILABLE ON BOARDIINN--FFLLIIGGHHTT EENNTTEERRTTAAIINNMMEENNTT:: For your enjoyment we arepleased to provide programmes in Arabic, English andHindi; we also show Tamil and Malayalam films in certainsectors. To listen to the programme you wish to enjoy, justplug in the headset and press the channel of your choiceon the control unit.

RREEAADDIINNGG AANNDD WWRRIITTIINNGG MMAATTEERRIIAALL:: A wide selection ofnewspapers and magazines in English and Arabic, bothnational and international, are available on board. Shouldyou require aerogrammes or stationery, our crew will makethem available to you.TTOO FFRREESSHHEENN UUPP:: A selection of deodorants, perfumes,soaps, tissues and towels are available in the lavatories; alsoavailable are electric sockets for electric shavers.Toothbrushes, toothpaste and combs are available onrequest.FFIIRRSSTT AAIIDD:: Should you require any medical attention due toany pain or discomfort, please contact the cabin crewimmediately. They are trained in first aid procedures andemergency care. A first aid kit is available on board.DDUUTTYY FFRREEEE SSHHOOPPPPIINNGG:: A wide range of products are availableon board in the Duty Free Shopping facility; and you can findthe details of these in the accompanying literature. Pleasecontact the cabin crew if you wish to make any purchase.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTSUUNNAACCCCOOMMPPAANNIIEEDD MMIINNOORRSS:: If your child aged between 7and 12 is flying unaccompanied, please inform us whilemaking the reservation. Our staff will be assigned to takecare of your child’s requirements, safeguarding their pass-port, immigration and medical cards.DDIISSAABBLLEEDD PPAASSSSEENNGGEERRSS:: Our ground and cabin crew will behappy to assist disabled or injured passengers in every waypossible. Kindly inform us of the nature of the disability inadvance while making the flight reservation to help usmake the necessary arrangements.IINNFFAANNTTSS OONN BBOOAARRDD:: We have a limited selection of babyfood on board, plus bottles, teats, talcum powder and dia-pers. Should you have special requirements for your child,please inform us while making your flight reservation andwe will endeavour to make arrangements. Our cabin staffwill be happy to warm your baby feeding bottles for you.Our aircraft are fitted with baby bassinets which should berequested while making your reservation. If you are carryinga child on your lap, please ask the cabin crew for a child’sseat belt before take off.

45

� Oman Air flies three NG B737-800 aircraft on international routes and to Salalah. This aircraft carries 154passengers (12 in Business Class and 142 in Economy) and is operated by two pilots and six cabin attendants.Maximum range of this aircraft is 5,940 km, with an average cruising speed of 818 kilometres per hour.

� Oman Air flies three NG B737-700 aircraft on international routes and to Salalah. This aircraft carries 114passengers (12 in Business Class and 102 in Economy) and is operated by two pilots and six cabin attendants.Maximum range of this aircraft is 4,190 km, with an average cruising speed of 818 kilometres per hour.

� Oman Air flies four ATR 42-500 aircraft. They carry 46 passengers and are operated by two Pratt & WhitneyCanada PW 127 turboprop engines. Maximum range is 774 km, and normal cruising speed is 525 kilometresper hour.

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