N O V E M B E R 24 / I S S U E 2 5 8 0 1

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

POSTCARD: Taste of Taiwan

News: FOUR CRUSHED TO DEATH IN DIGGER TRAGEDY10

FEATURE: Through the Lens of Shamsa al Mahrooqi

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SEP 17 - 23 2015 / ISSUE 387 • WEEKLY

Fit For ActionTEAM Y GOES FOR GLORY IN HORIZON CHALLENGE

OMANI OYSTERS ON THE MENUHome Made

Free!EVERY THURSDAY

NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

OPENING THE FLOODGATES

CAN OMAN WITHSTAND ANOTHER DOWNPOUR?

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Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing &

Advertising LLC / Y is a SABCO Media product.

CEO Eihab Abutaha

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

email info@y-oman.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

Welcome to Y Magazine – your top

guide to the best of Oman every week.

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

/ytabloid ymagazine

FO L L O W U S O N :

Fast forwardThere’s no doubt about it: the sight of rain in the Sultanate certainly draws a

crowd. I understand that the novelty factor of a downpour is just too hard to resist, especially when we have to endure long, hot, dusty summers. Rain brings cooler temperatures and a respite from the glaring sun.

But rain can also be deadly in the Sultanate, as we witnessed just a couple of weeks ago, when a torrential rainstorm hit the capital and other parts of the country. The flash flooding was violent and heavy – and in a matter minutes, many lives were in danger. In fact, six people lost their lives on September 4 and the days that followed due to the rain and flooding.

In our cover story this week, Y looks at the dangers that rain can bring and discovers that flash flooding will continue to be a problem because there is little, if any, proper drainage.

Elsewhere, we head to Taiwan in Postcard, discover a delightful wadi in Destination and check out the latest gadgets for pets in Y-Fi.

Have a wonderful week – and just a reminder that Y will not be published over the Eid Al Adha break.

Eid Mubarak!

editor@y-oman.com

Want to read Y on the go? Scan our digital issue here:Download any QR reader from iTunes or Google Play to read Y on the go

EDITOR IN CHIEFSayyida Iman bint Hamad

bin Hamood Al Busaidi

MANAGING EDITORFelicity Glover

DEPUTY EDITOR

Kate Ginn

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

SUB-EDITOR Matt Blackwell

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Feroz Khan

@ytabloid /ytabloid www.y-oman.com

/ymagazine

,

Team Y enjoyed a delicious dinner celebrating all things Italian at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel, went to

the gym for the first time in a couple of months and celebrated a young

friend’s birthday.

THIS WEEK…

Team Y will be putting our fitness skills to the test at

the Horizon Adventure Challenge on Saturday. Turn to P14 to meet

our team and find out where you can watch them in action.

GOING UPSCHOOL FEES

Oman’s private schools have hiked fees by up to 10 per cent every year since

2010, leaving many parents up in arms and struggling to cope financially.

GOING DOWNUNSAFE CARS

Kudos to the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, which has recalled 4,484 Honda Civic cars

(from 2004 to 2009 models) due to potentially faulty air bags.

ARE YOU READY?

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

Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go by scanning the QR code below

Ways to get your Y fix

THE BAROMETER

Got the OMAR App? Then hover your device over any pages marked with the OMAR symbol to see the video

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contentsS E P T 1 7 - 2 3 2 0 1 5

Yo u r O m a n06 Coffee With Deeba Yves Manghardt

08 Voice Of Oman Matt Blackwell

10 News Four Die In Digger Tragedy

14 Adventure Challenge Team Y Go For Glory

15 Gallery Al Roya Youth Award

16 Gallery Ithraa Ceremony

T h i s We e k

17 Movie Listings The Runner

18 This Week Happy Campers

H e a l t h a n d B e a u t y32 Fashion French Fancy

34 Beauty Cute Curls

35 Health Under Pressure

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Fo o d a n d D r i n k28 Food Feature Bake Like A Pro

30 Taste Test RazmAzaan

28

Fe at u r e s20 Nature’s Fury Flooding In Oman

24 Star Intern Shamsa al Mahrooqi

26 Oman’s Oysters Home Grown In Muscat

C a r s a n d A d v e n t u r e s38 Destination Wadi Bani Ghafir

40 Outdoors Audi Boy Racer

42 Postcard From Taiwan

44 Y-Fi Pet Tech

46 Photo Of The Week Sunset On Seeb

44

FEATURES / COFFEE WITH DEEBA / NEWS / FASHION / FOOD / MOVIES / Y-FI

NEXT ISSUE...

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Who better to have

coffee with than the

CEO and chairman

of a brand that has

given the world products like

Nescafé and Nespresso? I couldn’t

possibly pass up the opportunity

to sit down with Yves Manghardt

while he was in town to honour

graduates from the Nestlé

Centre of Excellence, which was

established in the Sultanate last

year. His career with Nestlé is into its

fourth decade and has seen Yves

live and work in more than 10

countries throughout Asia, Africa,

Europe and the Middle East, as

he witnessed firsthand the brand’s

growth. “The main evolution has

really been a stronger focus on

nutrition, health and wellness and

more about what we do in terms

of creating shared value,” he says.

For Yves, one of the best things

about working with a brand

like Nestlé, who’s history in the

Middle East can be traced back

to 1934, is the opportunity to

make life better for those who are

connected with it. “I think what

is important for me is to enhance

quality of life with good food and

beverages everywhere,” he tells

me. As part of their pledge to

enhance lives, Nestlé opened its

Centre of Excellence in 2012

in Saudi Arabia with a mission

to help bridge the skills gap

between the academic curriculum

and corporate expectations.

Expanding to Oman in 2014, the

centre collaborates closely with

Sultan Qaboos University, from

where 90 per cent of its trainees

are recruited.

“Today’s event shows that

beyond selling quality products,

we also enhance the lives of some

graduates who join the sales

academy as part of the Centre

Deeba Hasan sits down with Yves Manghardt, chairman and CEO

of Nestlé Middle East, who shares stories from his 30-plus-year

career with the world’s largest food company

of Excellence in order to prepare

them to enter professional life

after university,” Yves says.

Born in France, Yves enjoys

dual French-Swiss nationality

and graduated from the Faculty

of Business and Economics at

the University of Lausanne,

Switzerland, en route to

becoming CEO of Nestlé Middle

East. Although he can speak

fluent French and English, Yves

reveals he can only “speak a few

words in Arabic”.

It was revealed earlier this

year that Nestlé Middle East

aims to triple sales by 2020, but

when asked if the company

would be bringing in additional

products to its diverse portfolio,

which includes 8,000 brands,

Yves says that their focus now

is to strengthen the products

they currently have, rather than

bringing in new ones just because

they can. “Our prime focus is on further

building our existing brands

because they are very well-

known,” he says. “I think there is

still so much potential for brands

like KitKat, Nescafé, Nespresso

and Maggi and we want to

further strengthen them as

opposed to creating new brands

for the sake of having brands.”

According to Yves, Iraq, Syria

and Yemen are places where

Nestlé has lost a sizeable amount

of sales in recent years as stability

in these countries continues to

fluctuate. “Syria and Iraq used to

grow at rates into double digits, so

we have lost part of the business

and this has impacted our results.

We are still growing, but just not

as much as we used to before

2011,” he says.

“The loss of a factory in Syria

in 2013 was particularly painful.

We used to have 600 colleagues

there, but the factory was

destroyed and had to be closed

down. The current situation is of

great concern.”

Maggi noodles were banned in

India last month after the food

safety regulator accused Nestlé of

not complying with food safety

laws, but according to Yves, the

“unfortunate issue” is now being

resolved and “the products will

be back by the end of the year”,

after being declared safe by the

high court.

The fondest memories of

Yves’ long career have come

from watching his young

colleagues grow and develop.

“This is not only in the Middle

East, but everywhere I have

worked; seeing young colleagues

grow as individuals has been a

great source of satisfaction and

fulfillment,” he tells me.

Speaking of initiatives in

Oman, Yves says: “We have done

a lot to promote Omanisation.

Around 65 per cent of our

employees are Omani and for us,

it’s [the Centre of Excellence]

an additional way to help young

graduates.

“In the future, we will also

have nutrition in the business

and executive courses exclusively

for ladies to help us further

strengthen the gender balance in

the organisation.”

When asked what his favourite

Nestlé product is, he can’t help

but laugh. “It’s unfair to ask a

question like that,” he says. “It’s

like asking if I have a preferred

child. We eat Maggi and KitKat

and we drink Nespresso and

Nescafé everyday, as well as all the

other products, so they are all a

part of our lives.”

Have you got a unique story to tell

or do you know someone who has? Contact

us to have coffee with Deeba and be featured

in Y Magazine. Email: editor@y-oman.com

Yves Manghardt

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HOW TO HELP?

correspondenceTHE VOICE OF OMAN MATT BLACKWELL ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ROUTINE

NEXT WEEK: SAYYIDA MAYYA AL SAID

SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / @ytabloid / /ytabloid. Impress us and the winning correspondent will receive a voucher for dinner at the Golden Tulip. Vouchers must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions see voucher.

WRITE TO US AND WIN A VOUCHER

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

/GoldenTulipSeebHotel

@GoldenTulipSeeb

Horizon Fitness’ Adventure Challenge looms large on the, well, horizon, and for

better or for worse, I am committed to represent Y Magazine in our four-man team.

Fitness has been a big part of my life over the past 10 years and I have rarely been drastically out of shape during this time, but just recently, work commitments and spending time with friends and loved ones have caused that previously unfailing exercise regime to take a bit of a back seat. I’ve been forced to ask a question I haven’t had to consider for a long time: am I ready for this?

Getting back into the swing of things when you’re a little out of practice is difficult at the best of times, perhaps even more so when it involves gruelling physical exertion, and it’s easy to slip into the trap of thinking along the lines of “what’s the point? One gym session isn’t going to change anything.”

The important thing is walking through that door or lacing up those running shoes for the first time. One session down and half the battle is won.

One visit to the gym soon turns into several and within a week, you’ll find yourself riding high on a wave of endorphins that provide you with the motivation to keep going.

Change is a gradual process. You’re not going to get beach-worthy results from a single work out, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction. I re-entered the gym for the first time in two months earlier this week and while my muscles are aching as I type this, I find myself imbued with a renewed hunger to face whatever adventures lay round the corner.

DEBATE OF THE WEEK

WE ASKED: “If you found out you were going to die today, how would you spend your final 24 hours?”

DR RAJAN PHILIPS It would come as a startling discovery, but I would try to face it with courage and grim determination. I will promptly set things in order to make it easy for my spouse and kids to face tomorrow. I’ll fine-tune my will to provide them a fair share

Dear Editor,

With reference to your article in Y on construction site safety (Issue 385), there was one key piece of information missing – details of how a concerned citizen could contact the relevant authorities to report any abuses witnessed. I pass a small contractor house construction site on a daily basis and would estimate at least a dozen breaches of the relevant legislations are committed on a daily basis.

Your article has no doubt stimulated people to want to be more proactive in ensuring the safety of the workers, but did not give the all-important contact information required. This will leave some people thinking “good report, but how can I help?” Can you please gather and publish the contact details for the relevant ministries to ensure an English (or other foreign language) speaking person can be contacted confidentially to report potential breaches. That way, the people who need the help will get support and that could really start helping to make a difference.

Regards,Phil Leighton

* Editor’s note: Thank you for your letter. The Ministry of Manpower’s call centre for communication, suggestions and proposals can be reached on 800 77 000. From here, staff will coordinate with all the relevant departments of the Ministry. The Ministry’s Joint Labour Inspection Team for Muscat can also be contacted directly on +968 2476 6147. Online queries can be submitted via manpower.gov.om and the Ministry’s Twitter handle is @manpowergov.

New Debate:“What more can be

done in Oman to ensure we are well

prepared for extreme weather conditions such as flooding?” Tell us on Facebook or

Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner

for two.

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of what little I have saved. I’ll ensure that my spouse is well looked after in her old age and I’ll allot 10 per cent of my savings to charity. After this, I would sit back, relax with some soothing music and wait calmly for the inevitable.

HINA KAUSAR If I had 24 hours left to live I would do the following. Make sure I repent my sins and have a clean slate with God. Spend time with all my loved ones and cherish each moment I have with them. I would also make sure they know how much I love them. Create a lasting memory that will live on forever and be remembered by all. Drive around in a Rolls Royce. Help educate a poor kid by giving financial help from my assets. There are so many things you can do in 24 hours. You just need to know how to manage your time and select the things that are the most important.

NIKHIL RAINA Live your life before that, so the the answer would be “nothing”. Tell people you love them, help others, smile at children and experience every emotion in the dictionary so you know

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MOKS CALALANG was spotted with his favourite Y Magazine in Muscat

THIS IS YOUR PAGE! Just send us your picture

with the free Y magazine or pose with our photographer

and we will publish it on this page

Send it to:info@y-oman.com

that in the end, the only response to life is “thank you”. Don’t waste your life, enjoy being alive and find something to work for. These are things that take a whole life to do and not just 24 hours, but try to do it.

MEENAA AVODAI NAYAGAM I would write 30 letters to my daughter and my husband so that they can open one on each birthday. I would take lots of pictures with my family, have all my favourite food and go to the hospital and sign up for organ donation before spending my last hour with my husband at the beach.

MALINA GHOSH Life is not a purse that we change now and then, so my final moments would not alter me massively. I would give my belongings to my child and those who are needy and finally, pray for everyone who deserves their desires. That would give me a contented smile when I pass away.

VIBHA SIMHA Well this is a tricky situation, but instead of thinking I am going to die today, I would rather say I have 24 more beautiful hours to live. Yes, I would live life how it is supposed to be in my mother’s arms, with my father’s blessing, sister’s laughter and husband’s love. What more do you want in life?

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Good news for air travellers in the capital – the new terminal at Muscat International Airport is expected to be ready early next year.

Despite a number of delays that has put the RO1.85 billion project behind by up to two years, Anwar bin Abdullah al Raisi, the Director General for Regulation of Civil Aviation,

said this week that he hoped the airport would “open early next year”.“The new runway has been opened and the air traffic control building is over. The only thing left

is the terminal building,” al Raisi told local press, adding that the project had been a challenge since work started in 2011.

“When you build five domestic airports at the same time, it is not an easy task,” he was quoted as saying. “We’ve done it with Salalah, which is now open. Now we are focusing on Muscat airport.”

When completed, the new airport will be able to handle 12 million passengers a year, which will eventually rise to 48 million.

In May this year, the authorities arrested 1,000 expatriates who were working illegally on the construction of the new terminal.

While this caused a slight delay to the project, al Raisi said bringing in workers who had worked on the new Salalah airport solved the problem.

“We brought workers from Salalah to replace them to finish the work,” al Raisi told local media.

Four Bangladeshi workers were killed when a JCB machine overturned, crushing them in the bucket of the digger where they had been

sitting, in violation of health and safety rules.Three other labourers were injured in the

accident in Yiti on Sunday afternoon. Reports said an inexperienced driver was behind the

wheel of the digger when it toppled over, killing three of the workers instantly.

A Y investigation three weeks ago uncovered routine flouting of safety rules at construction sites around Muscat, with

workers not even using or being given basic safety equipment, putting their lives at risk daily.

This followed a spate of serious accidents putting the spotlight on the health and safety of Oman’s workers, including a labourer who died when the JCB

he was driving fell into a pit in Salalah.It prompted the Ministry of Manpower to announce it would be cracking down on construction sites, enforcing the law and fining violators.

In the latest case, four workers on a landscape project in Jebel Sifah were apparently travelling in the bucket of the JCB to go to

lunch in their camp when the machine fell over.Three were killed on the spot while the other

died from his injuries in the trauma centre at Khoula Hospital. All the workers were

employed by a third party subcontractor.“Efforts are on by the mission office to

confirm their identities, including their address in Bangladesh, repatriate the remains and seek compensation,” an official from the

Bangladesh embassy in Muscat told a local newspaper.

According to the official, there have been allegations that the men involved were working in Oman without official

documents.

N E W SYOUR OMAN

NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL TO OPEN EARLY 2016

The urban SUV with big ambition.There can be some unexpected bumps driving in any city. EcoSport can help – with 200mm ground clearance and 500mm of water-wading. Not to mention other great features like rear parking sensors and electronic stability control. And not only do you get all this, you get it starting at just RO 6,399. So why not stop by and test-drive one today?

HOW FORD IS THAT?

Perfect for a little

on-roading.

Ford EcoSport.Starting at RO 6,399

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G a l l e r y I n t e r v i e w N E W SYOUR OMAN

What’s this?Every parent’s nightmare: that moment when an older sibling throws down the gauntlet and issues a double dare to an impressionable younger brother or sister.I used to do that, too! We think many kids have done it at some stage – even certain members of Team Y who will remain unnamed! But this one is a classic and good enough to have made global headlines.It sounds like a doozy of a dare!It was. Basically, six-year-old Juliette Grimes was at a local pizza parlour and game arcade, near Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas, with her family when big sister Katy, eight, dared her to climb into one of the games to grab a prize. Never one to shirk a dare, Juliette climbed through the prize shoot and the rest, as they say, is history.Hilarious! What happened next?Poor Juliette got stuck and the photo of her sad little face pressed against the glass of the arcade game, surrounded by her laughing brothers and sisters, has gone viral. How did she get out?The local fire department came to the rescue. And managed to keep a straight face.What did her parents say?Unsurprisingly, both Juliette and Katy were grounded and also lost their TV privileges for a spell. Their mum, Cecelia, is adamant that it won’t be happening again.Don’t say: “I double dare you!” Do say: “Sorry, mum.”

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

LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

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

Egypt apologises after 12 people, including eight Mexican tourists, are mistakenly killed in an anti-terror operation by security forces in a remote area of the Western Desert

HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND

Hungary joins other European countries closing their land borders as the flood of thousands of Syrian and other refugees becomes overwhelming, in Europe’s worst migrant crisis in two decades

Australia gets a new Prime Minister, its fifth in eight years, as Tony Abbott (left) is ousted by his own Liberal Party following months of infighting. Malcolm Turnbull, a multi-millionaire former tech entrepreneur, takes over

A Chinese woman, 39, who allegedly tried to smuggle a stolen RO107,113 diamond out of Thailand by swallowing it appears in court after doctors operated to remove the gem from her gut

Shops around Muscat and Oman are stocking up already in preparation for Eid Al Adha, after

it was announced the first day of the Islamic festival would be September 24.

Traders in Muttrah Souq are getting extra supplies for the expected rush as people stock up for Eid, which is expected to see most private and public sectors give their staff the Wednesday (23) off as well.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Oman announced the start of Eid Al

Adha, also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice”, this week. Arafah Day, a Holy Day and climax of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, will be on September 23.

No official confirmation on the date Eid will end had been given when Y went to press.

With salaries likely to be paid early before Eid, shops can expect a trading bonanza as the spending begins.

“The fastest moving items are perfumes and dresses,” Navas Mohammed, who runs a shop in Muttrah Souq, told a local newspaper.

“Recent rains and flood had affected us badly. So we hope we can make up for our loss in the coming Eid sales.”

Customers can also expect bargains in the malls, as high street chains and large supermarkets slash prices and hold sales over Eid.

Tailors and dressmakers will also be working round the clock to deliver orders for Eid, making traditional Omani outfits, which can cost up to RO150.

Some shops stopped taking orders three months ago due to the demand.

GET READY FOR EID

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1. Soham Khimani

2. Niki Holgate-Smith Age: 24Job: Teacher and Y contributor Team nickname: Miss Fitness Weakness: Lack of explosive strengthStrengths: Good coordination and good communicatorWhat’s your best sporting achievement: Choreographing and performing a dance that came first in a competition held at the UK’s leading sports university What are you most looking forward to on Adventure Challenge Day: Seeing the finish

line on the horizon

3. Ankur Gupta Age: 29Job: Deputy Advertising Manager Team nickname: The TerminatorWeakness: Not so good with heightsStrengths: Go getter, good at analysing situationsWhat’s your best sporting achievement: Captained the under 12 school football team when I was 14What are you most looking forward to on Adventure Challenge Day: Lots of fun and adventure

4. Matt Blackwell

Age: 25Job: Sub Editor Team nickname: Flashy Weakness: Stubborn and don’t know when to give inStrengths: Will push my body to its absolute limitsWhat’s your best sporting achievement: Completing my first half marathon in one hour, 40 minutesWhat are you most looking forward to on Adventure Challenge Day: The competitive atmosphere

YOU’VE HEARD OF THE A-TEAM, NOW

MEET THE Y-TEAM, WHO WILL BE

COMPETING FOR THE TOP HONOURS IN

HORIZON’S ADVENTURE CHALLENGE,

TAKING PLACE THIS SATURDAY

● The challenge starts at 3pm at Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club and will finish at the same location.

● All the action from the challenges will be broad-

cast live on screens at Muscat Hills

● The spectator village will include food and beverages for sale● Post-race festivities will commence from around 6pm

Adventure-style racing is a craze that has swept the world over recent years and it’s coming to Oman for the first time this weekend, in the form of the Horizon Fitness Adventure Challenge.

The multi-stage timed event is set to put contestants – divided into teams of four – through their paces as they overcome obstacles and fitness challenges arranged at various points around the city, the exact location of which must be determined from a set of clues.

The nature of the tasks has been kept a strict secret and will only be revealed on the day, but Y has managed to learn that sand, mud, ice and even inflatable objects will all play a part in the race.

“We had great fun designing both the course and the challenges and

I think that this event will gain international exposure and become a ‘must-do’ on any adventure racer’s bucket-list. Our sponsors have been really good to us and we’re looking to put on one of Muscat’s premium events,” says Duncan D’Ewes, marketing manager at Horizon Fitness and one of the event’s organisers.

“The support from a participation as well as spectator perspective has been overwhelming and we are super excited for this weekend’s event. We’re expecting a great crowd to come and join us and we’ll be putting on great food, fun and entertainment for the whole family.”

Below, we offer you the chance to meet the team from Y Magazine, who will be stepping up to the plate and fighting for a place on the podium.

Age: 27Job: Assistant Advertising Manager Team nickname: Bolt Weakness: Swimming long distancesStrengths: High on stamina and adrenalineWhat’s your best sporting achievement: Captaining my university basketball team for a national tournamentWhat are you most looking forward to on Adventure Challenge Day: Winning ;-)

Cheer on Team Y:

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G A L L E R YYOUR OMAN

AWAR

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UNCH

THE ACTIVITIES OF THE

AL ROYA YOUTH AWARD

2015 WERE LAUNCHED

LAST WEEK UNDER THE

AUSPICES OF HE SHEIKH

RASHAD BIN AHMED AL

HINAI, UNDERSECRETARY

OF THE MINISTRY OF

SPORTS

Located at Al Sawadi Beach Resort

WEEKDAYS5 pm - 9 pm

WEEKENDS4 pm - 10 pm

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ALL THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN THE ITHRAA BIDAYA SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WERE HONOURED IN A CEREMONY THAT WAS ATTENDED BY Y'S MANAGING EDITOR, FELICITY GLOVER (BELOW), AMONG OTHERS

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PAWN SACRIFICE

This film tells the true story of Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire), the legendary chess master who challenged the Soviet Union and its greatest player, Borris Sapssky (Liev Schreiber), to a heavyweight showdown during the Cold War. For all his genius, Bobby flirts with madness and paranoia, raising questions about whether he can hold it together for the big match or whether he will crack under the pressure.

Bollywatch

Absolutely Anything

After decades of tinkering with the script, Absolutely Anything is here, bringing together a stellar comedy cast including all five of the surviving Monty Python actors and the late Robin Williams. Neil Clarke (Simon Pegg) is a school teacher imbued with the power to do absolutely anything he wishes by an alien council. The idea is that if he The Runner

MOVIES MOVIESuses his remarkable abilities for good, the Earth will be spared, and if he doesn’t, it will face destruction. Unfortunately, the humour is largely immature and even the legendary cast cannot save Absolutely Anything from absolute mediocrity.

American Ultra

After discovering he is, in fact, a sleeper agent with formidable combat skills, laid-back convenience store worker, Mike (Jesse Eisenberg) finds himself in the middle of a government operation that will require him to summon all the secrets of his past if he wants to get out alive. An amalgamation of Pineapple Express and the Jason Bourne films, American Ultra bags a few laughs here and there, but ultimately falls short of both. On the plus side, the awkward chemistry between Eisenberg and his live-in girlfriend (Kristen Stewart) is entertaining.

FRAUD SAIYAAN Arshad Warsi is the titular fraud in Sourabh Shrivastava’s light-hearted comedy about a man who struggles to juggle his 13 wives. The question is, will he be able to meet all their demands and keep them ignorant of his lies, or will he get caught up in his self-woven web of deception?

Set against the backdrop of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010, The Runner stars Nicholas Cage as Colin Pryce, a Louisiana congressman who rises to national fame after passionate pleas for federal assistance in helping to protect Louisiana’s delicate ecosystem and provide aid to the local business that are struggling in the wake of the tragedy.

However, Pryce is forced to reassess the direction his career is taking when incriminating footage of him is leaked anonymously, leading to a public scandal and a media firestorm that damage his ambitions to run for the Senate.

When you look at the outline of the plot and members of the cast – including a fantastic Peter Fonda as Pryce’s old-school father – this is a film that had huge potential. A shame then, that first-time director Austin Stark gets it all a bit muddled and presents everything in an uneven and largely lifeless fashion.

Nicholas Cage continues to search for the form that made him a great and well-respected actor, but sadly he hasn’t found it just yet, which makes The Runner just another run-of-the-mill political drama.

Review by Matt Blackwell

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Paul Varghese

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO:

City Cinema: citycinemaoman.netAl Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net

VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.comStar Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

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INTERNATIONS BUSINESS BREAKFAST T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

THIS WEEKS E P T - O C T

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

Talk business, and a bit more over the next busy breakfast held for InterNations members at the La Mer restaurant from 7am to 9am. Feel free to bring a friend or colleague, the more the merrier. For event details, visit internations.org

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Looking to have a great time during the upcoming Eid break? Then sign yourself up to join the family camping and hiking event happening on the third and fourth days of the holidays. Camping will take place on day one and will be open to families only. It includes a pleasant walk through the pomegranate plantations of Jebel Akhdar, bonfire and barbeque. Standard camping and trekking gear needs to be brought by participants. Day two is hiking only and will be open to all members. The hike is of intermediate level and suitable for adults only, standard hiking gear needs to be brought along. The date of the event is tentative and depends on the declaration of public holidays. For details, search “Adventure Oman” on Facebook.

Dancing queens are in for a treat, with a happening Friday night on the horizon in Muscat. Divas Night Out promises to shake up the floor at On The Rocks,

Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel from 10pm onwards, with a selection of local DJs providing a playlist guaranteed to set the dance floor alight. If you’re after a memorable night of dancing, then you won’t want to miss this one. It’s RO10 for the men, and ladies enter for free all night. For more details on the event, call +968 9798 3333 or +968 9470 5671, or search for Titan Events and Entertainment on Facebook.

If you’re looking for a soothing art session, make sure to attend the next Gailani Art Retreat that is happening at Left Bank, Qurum, from 8.30am. You don’t need to be a trained artist or have had painted before to join, all you need is the desire and willingness to explore the topic of the retreat and express it on canvas through any means you feel true to your journey on that particular subject. Facilitators will be on hand to assist you with the basics, but primarily the focus is on your own unique self-expression. To enroll, call +968 9760 9925.

ART RETREAT

19SEP

24SEP

SEP21

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PAINT LIKE A PRO

Enroll your tiny tots in this very interesting workshop, where they will learn about Henri Matisse, the multi-talented French artist whose colourful paintings and cut-outs made him a pioneer in modern abstract art. Under the guidance of Rebeca Nigrinis, a gifted painter and instructor herself, kids will create their own artwork inspired by works of Matisse over four sessions. Open to children aged between six and nine years old, the sessions will be conducted in English on Wednesdays between 3.30pm and 5pm at MuscArt in Ghubra. It’s RO80 per entry and all materials are included in the price. For details visit muscart.net or call +968 2449 3912.

EduTraC Oman will provide an ideal platform for leading local and foreign universities and training institutions to network with students, parents and working executives interested in education and training at all levels. The expo will also feature a pavilion for job seekers to meet HR personnel from different industry sectors, associations, government organisations and private sector companies who will promote on-the-job training and vacancies for prospective candidates. Register today online to enter a raffle draw to win an iPad. The venue is the Oman International Exhibition Centre from 10am to 9pm. Visit edutracoman.com for more details.

EDUTRAC 2015

12-14OCT

Enjoy the Eid holidays by spending some quality time with friends and family on a lovely sunset dhow cruise in the middle of the sea from 5pm to 7pm. Omani coffee, soft drinks, dates, and water will be served on board. Tickets prices are RO8 for adults and RO5 for children aged between five and 12 years old. For booking and details, call +968 9833 4141.

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sundentalghubra@hotmail.com

www.sundentalmuscat.com

facebook.com/sundentalcentre

ADDRESS: AL KHUWAIR PLAZA, NEXT TO MCDONALDS,

NEAR SHELL GAS STATION, AL KHUWAIR MAIN ROAD,

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PDO Tennis Camp: In last week’s issue of Y Magazine (Issue 386), we mentioned a tennis camp at the Ras Al Hamra Recreation Centre at PDO. Please note that it is open to PDO members only.

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FURYThe return of rain to Oman has brought with it doubts

over the Sultanate’s ability to cope with extreme weather conditions. Matt Blackwell looks at the measures in place and how you can protect yourself in emergencies

NATURE’S

>

As the muddy waters rose rapidly around his legs and debris shot by, blocking any attempt at escaping the swirling torrent, Khalfan underwent the stark realisation that he may be facing his death.

Only a few minutes earlier, Khalfan and two friends were playing in a wadi close to their homes in Amerat, enjoying a rare spell of rain, when the waters rushed towards them, seemingly out of nowhere and eventually swept Khalfan (who can swim) off his feet.

They had ignored the warnings that were sent out to alert all residents in their area, and instead chose to play in the downpour, relishing the reduced temperatures that came with a storm.

He is only alive to share his story with Y because of the quick thinking of one of his friends, who ran parallel to the fast-moving waters to a point where the flow was at its weakest, allowing him to wade in and pull Khalfan out after a brief struggle.

“I was nine years old and I thought I was going to die. By the grace of God and my friend’s quick actions, I was able to survive, but I don’t want to see any one else – kids or adults – in the same situation,” he says.

Sadly, stories like this are all too common in Oman and the reality is that stopping to enjoy the thrilling extremes of the Sultanate’s weather can be a deadly decision, brought sharply into focus over recent weeks.

Poised on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman looks out to the Arabian Sea on one side and hundreds of kilometres of desert on the other. While the combination of sea and sand, not to mention the stunning mountains in between, make for some amazing landscapes and have huge potential for outdoor adventures, there is also a darker side to nature, with the Sultanate vulnerable to extreme weather conditions ranging from sandstorms to tsunamis and flash flooding.

In June 2007, Cyclone Gonu, the most disastrous tropical cyclone ever recorded in Oman, made landfall, bringing with it 626mm of rainfall and Category 4 winds, which together claimed the lives of at least 49 people and caused RO1.5 billion of damage.

Three years later, Cyclone Phet struck, causing yet more widespread flooding, death and destruction.

Lessons were learned, with government bodies joining hands to be more careful in the planning and issuing of permits, flood protection dams were approved for construction, as well as calls for the inclusion of proper drainage systems in infrastructure projects. However, with Cyclone Ashobaa hitting the country in June of this year and the torrential rains at the beginning of September, which caused extensive damage and flash flooding, it goes to show that there is still some way to go before the Sultanate is truly stormproof.

Many parts of Muscat are carved out of mountains, which leave the low-lying areas susceptible to flooding, and this is part of the reason why the capital has been identified as one of the top three flood risk zones in the country – along with Rustaq and Sohar – by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMWR) due to poor drainage systems. Officials have drawn up flood risk maps, which are available to view at the Ministry.

Ahmed al Barwani, a water resources expert at the MRMWR, has highlighted the fact that these three cities make significant contributions to the economy of the Sultanate, but that inadequate drainage systems provide no outlets for water and make them prone to flooding and in some cases, loss of life.

On Friday, September 4, heavy rains fell in Muscat and other places around Oman, in some cases for no more than an hour. The results were landslides that made several sections of the Sultan Qaboos Highway impassable, damage ranging into the thousands of rials and widespread flash flooding that claimed the lives of six people. Two further people were still missing at the time of going to print.

In Muttrah Souq, floodwaters rose above two metres in

mere minutes and one shop owner has lodged an insurance claim of RO100,000. Also at the souq, footage was shot depicting a person being swept away as he desperately fought for something to cling onto. The video went viral on social media before the teenager’s body was found and identified a few days later.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the Royal Armed Forces of Oman joined the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance in their rescue efforts and helped to comb the worst affected areas. The ROP attended 19 rescue cases in Muscat alone and there is a consensus that the public, just like Khalfan and his friends, do not sufficiently heed the warnings, despite repeatedly witnessing the damage in the aftermath of storms and heavy rains.

According to the ROP, injuries often occur when people try to cross wadis in adverse weather conditions and warned in June that those found guilty of such behaviour would face strict legal action.

“People who are venturing into flood waters are not only risking their lives but also the lives of others. People who do this deliberatively should be penalised strictly,” Salim al Ghammari, Muscat Municipality Council Member, told the media in the wake of the recent rains.

Often, it can come down to a lack of knowledge and ignorance of the facts. Given that rain is largely a rare sight in Oman, some people are determined to head outdoors and revel when the heavens open when, in reality, they should be doing the opposite. Just because you are in a 4x4 it does not make you invincible.

During the rains that hit Oman at the beginning of the month, our photographer, Shaquel al Balushi, was out and about to document the effects of the storm and saw some worrying things along the way. Caught up in flooding close to

his home in Amerat, he witnessed several landslides, which could easily wipe cars and people away, while drivers in off-road vehicles crashed carelessly through deep waters, oblivious or indifferent to the danger.

But the blame cannot solely lie with the public and the state of the current infrastructure also has to be considered. In the hours after the most recent rains, cars could be seen on a service road close to Sultan Qaboos Highway that were up to their windows in flood water, leading to questions about drainange.

One engineer who is working on the Bidbid-Sur road project spoke to Y, saying

he believes that flooding is definitely a big problem for Oman, but that enough focus is being put on drainage in the newer construction projects.

“Due to the landscape of Oman, it’s not always possible for roads to bypass wadis and flood risk zones. In these situations, all we can do is to design the project so that it includes the required drainage systems,” he says.

The engineer recently opened a 12km stretch of road on his project, which includes drainage and diversion channels, ditches, box culverts and wadi bridges to minimise the effects of heavy rain and flash floods.

“When you look at other countries, of course their drainage systems are better, but it is not entirely fair to make this comparison because Oman is quite a young country. The main thing is that we are now aware of the problems and try to fix flood problems with new designs and the rehabilitation of old roads.”

Not everyone shares his optimism, though, and social media became a hotbed for debate in the wake of the storm, with some residents demanding change and questioning the priorities of the government after several videos of flooding and destruction went viral. “I know it doesn’t rain that often but when it does it causes damage in millions of rials, isn’t it time that Oman as a country that is building should invest in a drainage system?” commented one Facebook user.

The authorities have acknowledged that they have a key role to play when it comes to prevention and planning. The second Drainage Rehabilitation & Wastewater Management conference took place at the InterContinental Hotel Muscat from September 7-8. A timely meeting given the flooding

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PEOPLE WHO ARE VENTURING INTO FLOOD

WATERS ARE NOT ONLY RISKING THEIR LIVES BUT

ALSO THE LIVES OF OTHERS. PEOPLE WHO DO THIS

DELIBERATIVELY SHOULD BE PENALISED STRICTLY

>damage caused by the rain that fell just days before.

Among other things, the conference aimed to analyse the different technologies and solutions for rehabilitating the current drainage infrastructure in the Sultanate, as well as address the frequent flooding of the Al Nahda Hospital in Ruwi.

While presenting a paper on Flood Mitigation and Management to the conference, al Barwani announced that Oman would be getting a flash flood early warning system able to predict floods three to six hours before they occurred. “The model is expected to be ready in the next 12 months in cooperation with the meteorology department,” he was quoted as saying. According to al Barwani, the work has already been assigned to a consultant in the USA.

Oman already has a National Multi Hazard Early Warning System, which was launched in March this year with the technical support of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and is among the most modern of such systems in the world. As well as flash floods, it is also able to monitor for signs of other natural disasters including tsunamis and cyclones.

However, all the early warnings in the world aren’t going to prevent loss of life if people continue to flout warnings from authorities, so it seems that to move forward will require not only the latest hazard detection technology, but also an effort from the government when it comes to drainage planning for projects and common sense from the public, who need to realise just how frail human life is in the face of nature’s fury.

● Following rains, underground-recharging dams constructed across many wadis in Oman contain huge quantities of water. Rainwater also collects in deep holes and catchments. Many children go swimming, but are unaware of the drowning risks.● Never swim in water pockets, especially reservoirs, ponds and swamps.● Ensure that the water is free from whirlpools before you swim.

Outdoor Safety 101 ● Children should not be allowed to enter water without supervision.● Take all necessary items and equipment according to the weather conditions at your destination.● If camping, select a suitable site away from dangerous wadis or deep holes, and free from other hazards including fierce animals and poisonous insects.● Watch children closely and don’t let them wander too far on their own.

Source: ROP

● Candles● Flashlights● Medicine● First aid kit● Nonperishable food items● Drinking water● Cash● Gas cylinder● Matches

Emergency checklist:>

● Police/Fire/Ambulance: 9999● Marine and coastal radio service: 190● Weather state:

+968 24519110 (Arabic) +968 24519113 (English)● Telephone directory service: 1318

Emergency numbers in Oman:

>

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Event: 2010 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs

Boston Celtics

BASK

ETBAL

LBOXIN

GGOLF

OLYM

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Cost per ticket: RO22,310.75

Event: The Masters 2013

Cost per ticket: RO11,911.90

Cost per ticket: RO1,727.11

Cost per ticket: RO1,540

Cost per ticket: R01,289.75

Event: Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Canelo Alvarez

Event: London Olympics 2012 Opening Ceremony; Track and Field

Event: FIFA World Cup 2014 Final

S E P 1 7 - 2 3 / I S S U E 3 8 70 24

As part of our involvement in

– and discovered she can cut it with theShamsa al Mahrooqi spent a month with Team Y

Ithraa’s Bidaya Summer Internship Program,

best photographers in town

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She might be just 24, but third-year university student Shamsa al Mahrooqi has already had a life-changing experience.

Shamsa is the first to admit that she was filled with trepidation when she first walked into Team Y’s office in Seeb to start her month-long internship with us.

“I had no idea what I was going to do at Y when I first started,” says Shamsa, who is studying for her Bachelor’s degree in multimedia technology at Middle East College in Muscat. “And I had only ever seen Y Magazine once before. I didn’t know what to expect.”

It didn’t take Team Y long to realise that Shamsa’s talents lay in photography, so she was assigned to our photographer Shaquel al Balushi – and, as the saying goes, there was no looking back. Here, we showcase some of the fruits of her labours.

Felicity Glover, Y’s managing editor, believes Shamsa has a very promising future in media photography and hopes this will be an avenue she will explore for her career.

“Just from looking at Shamsa’s pictures, you can see she has already developed a great ‘eye’ for a shot – whether spontaneous or set up,” Felicity says.

“Shamsa did very well at Y and one day, I hope to see her as one of Oman’s best media photographers.”

From walking along the beach in Seeb to capture early morning life from behind the lens, to heading out on assignment for our popular Destination series and joining in the fray at press conferences, Shamsa says she loved every moment of her internship.

“I have always had an interest in photography. But I learned so much about taking photographs, photo editing and just how important colour is when a photo is published in the magazine.

“This experience has changed me,” she says. “Doing Destination was my favourite assignment, from the moment I got in my car and until I got back – it was an adventure!”

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Covered in hard shells and spread over a small part of the dock at the Almouj Marina, I see tonnes of fresh oysters before my eyes, just brought out of the

harvesting nets from the water. It might not sound like a groundbreaking event,

but in terms of the world’s oyster supply, which has seen a rapid decline over the past decade, it’s a huge step forward.

In just six months, the eco-experiment at the marina has grown viable-sized oysters from 100-metre-long lines – the longest ever used for such a project – anchored at the bottom of the sea.

Plans are now under way to have Almouj Marina’s oysters officially classified as the “Omani Oyster” and given protected status.

Overseeing the Sultanate’s Oyster Long-Lines project is Dr Olivier Guelorget, a French ecology expert and aquaculture adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (pictured far left).

He has been studying Omani waters for more than four years now and working in the industry

for the past 40. Dr Guelorget’s main worry before starting was the viability of the project because of Oman’s hot climate. “Oysters are known to grow in cold waters, so there was a concern about that part. I wanted to test if it was possible to produce oysters in good condition in Oman,” he says.

“The main producers of good-quality oysters are Japan, some countries in Europe and North America, but people have never tried to produce oysters in a very odd country before; this one is the first one.”

Under Dr Guelorget and his team’s care, the baby oysters have flourished with not a single one lost. This, in oyster terms, is remarkable. In juvenile oysters, the mortality rate is usually 25 per cent. “The importance of these developments cannot be understated,” says Dr Guelorget. “Our success could herald a new era for the global oyster industry by helping to rejuvenate its population.”

The doctor and his team use a technique know as oyster long-lines. A rope is anchored at the bottom of the sea at both ends, with the middle maintained

In a first of its kind project in the Middle East, oyster farming has been introduced at the Almouj Marina, and has been so successful it could change the world’s oyster industry, writes Deeba Hasan

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Oyster Facts:

at the surface of the water by buoys. The oysters are attached to “droppers” (a loop of line) from the surface line, allowing good water movement and facilitating growth. Lines have also been used to grow scallops and seaweed.

Once the young oysters are brought in, they’re placed into special nets at different levels and put in the water. “I put them in the marina when they were only three millimetres in size and exactly after 10 days when we looked at them, they were 20 millimetres; they grew very fast,” says Dr Guelorget. “To cut the story short, we reached commercial size in just six months, we would have reached this size elsewhere in Europe in about two-and-a-half years.”

When checked, the fully grown oysters were found to be safe for consumption with shells of a high quality. The real test was in the eating and Oman’s fledgling oysters passed with flying colours. When tested in several major hotels and restaurants in Muscat, the oysters were preferred over imported ones from France.

Before introducing the oysters into Omani waters, Dr Guelorget made a careful analysis of the sea, especially looking at the level of metals in the water, “There is an issue with heavy metal in the Omani waters, there is cadmium [a chemical element] in great quantities which is not good for oyster farming and when you analyse the shellfish along the coast, mainly in the Al Wusta governorate, you have a lot of cadmium inside, and if the level is too high, you cannot eat your oyster.”

Their research showed the waters at Almouj Marina were safe for oyster farming.

Initially launched in May last year, more than 10,000 baby oysters (spats) have since been introduced. The majority of these are grown for consumption, but there are also a few pearl oysters, with plans to increase farming of these next year.

Another side to the experiment is the positive impact it has had on surrounding waters, where researchers have recorded an increase in biodiversity. Additionally, oysters act as natural filters and this has left Almouj Marina free of

chemical and microbiological contamination. “Filtration rate for an adult oyster is around 15

litres per hour. If the place where oyster farming is carried out has lots of impurities, the oysters will consume it and clean the water until they die,” says Dr Guelorget.

Almouj Marina ventured into this interesting project to enhance the quality of water and to give back to the environment. “The success of this venture is a milestone moment for Almouj Marina. Preserving the environment is always our priority and we found this project to be beneficial in so many ways,” says Khalil Abu Jaber, the marina’s manager.

A lot of fish have been seen coming into the marina waters since the project started, he adds.

According to Dr Guelorget, oyster farming in Oman can also contribute to its eco-tourism and benefit the Sultanate’s fishing industry.

In the future, then, the humble oyster might well be putting Oman on the map. It’s not unfeasiable to imagine that in the not too distant future, diners in London or New York will be sitting down in restaurants and ordering oysters grown in Oman from their menus.

• Oysters are high in calcium, iron, and protein. • Humans around the world have enjoyed oysters, raw and cooked, for thousands of years.• There are two types of oysters: one produced for its meat and the other harvested for pearls. • They feed by extracting algae and other food particles from the water. • The average lifespan of an Oyster in captivity is up to 20 years.• Their size ranges from eight centimetres to 36cm.Source: animals.nationalgeographic.com

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FOOD

DRINKAND

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

BAKE WITH EASEBaking is renowned

for being a difficult art to master. However, with a few tips from the pros, anyone

can become a baked goods guru.

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Fancy yourself as something of a master baker? Follow these simple tips and you soon will be

When it comes to food and cooking, it seems everybody has become more adventurous and inspired to try new things. They buzz about the latest food trends with friends, share picture-worthy meals on their social

media feeds, binge on cooking shows and aspire to bring the unique dishes they eat in restaurants or see on TV to their own kitchens, recreating them for the entire family to enjoy.

And it’s not just the parents who have become swept up in this cooking revolution. An impressive 93 per cent of parents with children four to 17 years old report that their kids help out with food preparation at home, according to results of a survey conducted for appliance maker LG Electronics.

“One of my greatest passions is being able to cook with those I love and create warm memories together over food,” says Eva Longoria, celebrity restaurateur and author of Eva’s Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends. “It’s great to share that passion with those you love, but sometimes it’s not so easy to recreate what you see in restaurants or on TV. However, with the right equipment and a few tricks of the trade, the whole family can become home chefs and cook like the pros.”

Here are some tips to help achieve professional cooking and baking results at home:q Season smarter.

While the quality of your cooking skills and the dish ingredients are key, never underestimate the power that smarter seasoning can have on ensuring your dish is a real crowd pleaser. Any professional chef will tell you that it is essential to keep an extensive supply of fresh seasonings on hand, and not to be afraid to experiment to achieve new flavour combinations. The pros commonly add a little acid (think citrus or vinegar) to seasonings to help brighten food and take away the perception of some ingredients tasting bitter. You’ll also see them add woody herbs like rosemary, oregano, sage or thyme at the beginning of the cooking process, when they’re most effective at flavouring. Leafy herbs like parsley, chives, tarragon and basil do a better job of heightening flavours if you add them toward the end of the cooking process. q Upgrade your range/oven.

Does it seem like the food on restaurant menus and cooking shows gets more complex, perfectly executed and delicious every year? It probably does, and improved cooking technology plays a big part in producing these amazing results. While the cooking technology of bygone years was decidedly low-tech and made it difficult to achieve consistently great results, modern innovations like “ProBake” convection ranges from LG make it easier for home chefs to enjoy professional-style cooking at home. This new technology is a real game-changer for baking; the heating element is located at the back of the oven (rather than on the bottom), providing even heating on the top and bottom of every dish. Home chefs can take comfort in knowing that this kind of new professional baking technology means burnt cookie bottoms and unevenly cooked dishes are things of the past.q Bake better.

A great oven can inspire you to be bold with your baking. The more versatile you become in the kitchen, the better you will be at cooking those tried and true favourites, maybe even giving them a new spin. If you’ve always stuck to cookies, try your hand at pastry making. If cakes have always been your forte, experiment with bread. There are so many professional tips to help you make the plunge. One pro-level tip to achieve a crust on your yeast breads involves preheating your oven to a higher temperature than the recipe recommends. Then once you put the bread in the oven, lower the temperature back down to what the recipe specifies. Keep chocolate

BAKE LIKE A PRO

Pan de Polvo (Mexican shortbread cookies)

Ready to try your hand at baking like a pro at home? Here’s a palate-pleasing recipe from Longoria’s cookbook, Eva’s Kitchen, to get you started:Yield: About eight dozen cookies.

Ingredients:§ 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour§ 1 tsp ground cinnamon§ 1 cup shortening§ 1/4 cup sugarFor the sugar coating:§ 1 cup sugar§ 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Method:§ In a medium bowl, place the flour and cinnamon. Whisk together until thoroughly blended. Set aside.§ In the work bowl of an electric stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl with a handheld mixer, beat the shortening and sugar on medium-high speed until well blended and fluffy – about 20 minutes. Add 2 tbsp of water and beat until thoroughly combined. § Add the flour mixture and blend on medium-low just until completely blended. Press the dough into two equal disks. Place each disk between two sheets of wax paper. Use a rolling pin to roll out each disk to 1/8-inch thick, lifting and smoothing the top of wax paper if necessary. Slide the two sheets of rolled dough onto a baking sheet. Chill until firm, about 30

minutes in the refrigerator or 10 minutes in the freezer.§ Preheat the oven to 150ºC (300ºF).§ Place one rolled dough on the work surface. Lift off and replace the top sheet of wax paper. Flip the dough over and lift off and set aside the sheet of wax paper. Use a 1 1/2 -inch or smaller cookie cutter to cut into desired shapes. Transfer the cookies to an ungreased baking sheet, placing about 1 inch apart. Gather the scraps, reroll them between the sheets of wax paper, and refrigerate until firm. Repeat with the other sheet of dough.§ Bake until firm when gently touched (10 to 12 minutes). Let cool for 3 minutes on the cookie sheet. Use a thin spatula to transfer them to cooling racks to cool completely.§ To prepare the sugar coating, place the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Stir with a fork until completely combined. Roll the cooled cookies in the sugar and serve. Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.

baked goods moist and flavourful by removing them from the oven exactly on time; crumbs should be moist when you take chocolate items out of the oven. Bake cookies until the edges are just firm and they look the tiniest bit underbaked – when they cool, they’ll be soft and chewy.q Maximise your meats.

Roasting can be a healthy and flavourful way to prepare meats of all kinds, from beef roasts to whole chickens, turkeys and ducks. Most cuts of meat will taste better if marinated before cooking. To make the most of your marinade, remember to prick the meat or make shallow slashes with a knife so the marinade can soak into the meat. Always marinate meats, fish and fowl in the refrigerator. Most roasted meats will taste better if you allow them to “rest” outside the oven before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

*BPT

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Have you ever had one of those evenings when nothing turns out as planned? That is the story of my Taste Test this week.

All had started well as I set off from Seeb with a friend to try out a new Italian restaurant that someone had mentioned in Oman Avenues Mall.

I’m very partial to pasta, as is my friend, so by the time we arrived at the mall we were in a frenzy at the thought of creamy carbonara or spaghetti and meatballs.

Then it all went wrong. First, we couldn’t find the restaurant. We trooped around, upstairs and downstairs, and no one seemed to have heard of it until a friendly mall cleaner directed us back to the ground floor. There it was, right next to the Information Desk (which we had also been unable to find). It was also closed, due to open shortly.

Time for Plan B. Luckily, on our travels around the mall we had spotted an Indian restaurant open on the second floor.

So it was up the escalator (again) resetting our taste buds to expect Indian rather than Italian for dinner. A friendly waiter, wearing a light-blue branded t-shirt with the words ‘A new way to eat Indian’ on the back, welcomed us into RazmAzaan, which bills itself as an urban Indian canteen (whatever that may be).

It turns out the restaurant had only opened two days before with a soft launch, but word seemed to have spread already as it was bustling.

I liked the huge open kitchen behind windows, enabling you to see the chefs, all of whom are from India, busy with service.

RazmAzaan is the brainchild of an Omani sportsman who wanted to offer authentic food that tastes home cooked. There are some nice touches, such as offering a discount on the next visit if plates are returned empty to avoid food wastage.

While it’s not high end, it’s definitely a cut above the usual mall food court eaterie.

For drinks, we went for a cucumber ginger tango and classic mojito before browsing the menu, which is extensive but not too excessive to scare you off. Great to also see options on the

menu for gluten free, dairy free, vegan and heart healthy, not a common sight in Oman.

A mixed Indian platter, including onion bhajis and pakora, seemed a good start, followed by butter chicken with plain naan, malai kofta, and sikandari RazmAzaan raan, baby leg of lamb cooked in tandoor and a house special.

The sikandari was not available, a shame when it’s being promoted as one of the chef ’s prides, and our waiter instead suggested the Tandoor “e” RazmAzaan, pickled wild sea bass, quail, prawns and lamb kebab, a dish neither my friend or I had heard of before.

What the waiter didn’t tell us is that this dish is actually a starter. It turned up with the mixed

Indian platter. Confused, we ploughed on anyway. The drinks were late turning up, too, but proved to be excellent when they did, freshly made.

Our mixed platter was a bit dry and needed a dip to provide texture. But oh my, the dish we had never heard of, Tandoor “e”, turned out the best food of the night. It arrived to our table in a copper pot, with the meat and fish cooking on skewers from hot coals at the bottom. The fish and lamb were sublime, sweet and succulent and so tender, while the quail was a balance of delicate flavours. At RO8.5 for four or five skewers, it might be a little pricey for some. There was no sign of the butter naan that we ordered to go with it either.

In contrast, the butter chicken didn’t quite hit the same heights, being too sweet and heavy on the tomato, though the poultry was perfectly cooked.

Our malai kofta (gluten free), balls made of vegetable and cheese in a sauce of ground cashew nuts, got a thumbs up from both of us.

Our waiter – who kept going AWOL – mentioned desserts. We said give us “five” to let the main go down and he never came back. In fact, none of the waiting staff came near us. If someone had, the teacup phirni (rose-flavoured mousse with passionfruit pulp) or the homemade mango ice cream would have got the nod.

I feel that I have to be fair here and say that teething problems are only to be expected in the first few weeks of a restaurant opening (and this was only day three). There are clearly staffing issues to be sorted, but I am hopeful it will be smoothed out.

The main waiter, who brought the bill, did ask for our feedback and apologised, asking us to give them another try. I will, but not for at least a month or so.

So while we missed out on Italian food, we discovered an Indian restaurant that could, in time, be a bit of a gem. And that makes it a worthwhile trip in my eyes.

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

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

DRINKAND R E V I E W S

URBAN INDIAN

Info BoxRAZMAZAAN

2nd Floor, Oman Avenues Mall, Ghubra

Tel: +968 2450 3403Facebook.com/RazmazaanDinner and drinks for two:

RO24.88 (inc taxes)

Verdict :7 / 10 Service 7.5 / 10 Food

7 / 10 AmbienceService hit-and-miss but

decent food. Shows promiseY Magazine reviews anonymously

and pays for its meals

MID

MARKET

A NIGHT FULL OF SURPRISES LEADS TO A NEW RESTAURANT IN MUSCAT WITH A TWIST ON A FAVOURITE CUISINE, FINDS KATE GINN

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MY

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WCQ 2015 Vs Iran V2-PRESS.pdf 1 9/6/15 2:29 PM

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HEALTH&BEAUTY

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

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BIG MACA classic trench coat in a neutral hue offers the perfect balance of

practicality and style. Add some fun sunglasses and

heels for a little Arabic va-va-voom.

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FRENCH FANCYEmulate the sartorial secrets of Europe’s chicest women, says Penny Fray

1. Want the easy elegance of actresses Clémence Poésy or Lou Doillon? Try simple masculine silhouettes like an oversized shirt under a shrunken waistcoat with a selective scattering of bohemian accessories. 2. It’s all about polish. And we’re not just talking about a French manicure here. Parisians do not wear anything badly cut with creases or flaws. Instead they focus on the finer details - and as a result their whole look appears effortlessly sophisticated. 3. Make these three words your beauty mantra - “rich, red lipstick”. Gallic glamour gets easy.

It is a universally acknowledged truth that the French understand fashion like no one else. And little wonder. With muses like

Brigitte Bardot, Carine Roitfeld and Charlotte Gainsbourg, how can the rest of us not become style Francophiles? These women ooze effortless chic.

Keen to capture the cool je ne sais quoi of a perfectly poised Parisian? Start with Coco Chanel. The iconic designer revolutionised women’s clothing by having the audacity to pair exceptional fit with comfort, sparking a “less is more” philosophy. She knew that you could never go wrong with a little black dress, a string of pearls and a quilted bag.

French women love fashion but are never a slave to short-lived fads. For them, it’s all about timeless tailoring – snug jeans, blazers and cashmere sweaters. They also obsess over fabric – it has to feel expensive (even if it’s not).

For an edgier French look, try teaming breton stripes with leather skinnies rather than denim. And voila – you’ll never look a mess again.

We love this illustrated top by Clément Dezelus, exclusively available from Promod. Prices start from RO16

and other tips on

how to get it right:

Invest in a classic Breton top now and you’ll be wearing it for years to come. La Redoute’s version is cut from cotton-jersey and features a fun slogan for a modern twist. Style it with denim or leather. From RO21

These faux leather pants from Get The Label are a wardrobe essential. They’re racier than denim and can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion. A bargain online buy

from RO9

M&S’s classic trench coat is tailored for a flattering fit and finished with traditional features including a storm flap, buttoned epaulettes, and a belt. Layering for Muscat’s chillier nights has never been simpler.

From RO165

Isabel Marant’s “Patsha” ankle boots are immaculately crafted from soft black suede and will never go out of style. Elasticated inserts ensure a flexible, non-restricting fit and the sturdy block heel offers day-long comfort. The slim profile works well both with high hemlines or skinny pants. RO188

Add a sophisticated finish to your look with Eugenia Kim’s timeless black beret. Crafted from tactile wool-blend bouclé, it’s fitted with an internal grosgrain headband and is fully lined in satin so it sits smoothly. RO68 from Net-a-Porter

SPEND ON STAPLES

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

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

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

CRAZY CURLS

HOW TO KEEP THE FUN WITHOUT THE FRIZZ

Pack away that flat iron because curls are making a comeback. Trend watchers are praising curly hair as celebrities, politicians and even business leaders are starting to embrace

their curly tresses. Think Beyoncé, loud and proud of her big curls.

From runways and the big screen, to boardrooms and corporations, curls are taking centre stage and becoming all the rage.

Taming those twisty locks is not always easy, however. The sun and humidity can play havoc with wavy hair – as anyone living in Oman knows – so achieving that polished look takes a bit more effort.

A Dove Hair study found that 70 per cent of women with curly hair feel they need to regularly “tame” their curls, and only 10 per cent said they were proud of their curly hair.

“I work with many women who love their beautiful curls, but often struggle to manage them, and instead opt for flat irons or chemical straightening,” says celebrity stylist Cynthia Alvarez, a curl expert for Dove Hair. “But curls are having their moment. The secret to rediscovering a love of your curls is to keep them nourished so they are soft, smooth and defined.”

Curly hair may vary by texture and pattern, but the common denominators seem to be dryness, frizziness and lack of moisture. Women can achieve beautiful curls when they find the right products.

“No two curl patterns are the same, so it’s important that you find products specifically designed to nourish your curly hair,” Alvarez says. “I like Dove Hair’s new Quench Absolute collection. The products, with a blend of protein, nutrients and Brazilian Buriti Oil, improve manageability, quench dryness, and smooth,

strengthen and nourish curly hair.”Curls are definitely in the spotlight and with the

right cut, style, products and tips, women can achieve their full curl-potential and realise there is no need to straighten up.

Alvarez offers some tips for caring for your curly hair:

● Embrace your curls. Flat, straight hair isn’t for everyone. Celebrate your natural curls and focus on keeping them healthy-looking and beautiful.

● Choose products specifically designed to nourish and hydrate curly hair. Naturally wavy, curly hair needs nutrition and deep nourishment from within.

● Deep condition often with a product like Dove Quench Absolute Intensive Restoration Mask. The product envelops each curl to deliver intense nourishment for a smooth and shiny finish.

● Lose the terry cloth towel and switch to a micro-fibre towel that is gentler on hair and able to help dry hair faster without creating frizz.

● Try a leave-in treatment like Dove Quench Absolute Supreme Creme Serum, which adds an extra layer of moisture to help fight frizz.

“At the end of the day, whether your hair is curly and bouncy or straight and sleek, you should nurture the beautiful hair you were born with,” Alvarez says.

For more curly-hair tips and products, visit dove.us

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

Stress first aidDr Kenzelmann suggests some things you can do “in-the-

moment” when you’re feeling stressed:● Take three deep breaths: Deep

breathing can really help reduce stress symptoms or prepare for a situation that you know will be stressful, like a meeting with your boss. Be conscious of letting your belly expand and contract as you breathe. Roll your shoulders and rotate your neck gently.

● Make a daily break part of your workday: Working through lunch and for long hours has become routine for many of us. But it’s not a healthy habit and can even reduce your productivity. If you’re feeling stressed or know a stressful day is coming, schedule a short walk or bike ride, have lunch in a park, visit the gym or take a break with a co-worker at a local coffee shop. Write it into your schedule, so meetings can’t interfere.

● Seek optimism: How you think about and interpret events as they unfold can turn the dial up or down on your stress. When faced with a stressful day, allow yourself to take a moment to find the good: What makes you lucky to be there? What are you enjoying right now? Take a few moments to savour what’s good about your situation.

Stress preventionDr Kenzelmann recommends using these stress-

prevention techniques to help change the way you approach and think about certain situations:

● Value relationships: Positive connections with other people are a great remedy for life’s daily challenges. Each evening, think about the three best social connections of your day and how connected and in touch you felt. Doing this little “mental check-in” with yourself can increase positivity almost as effectively as doing regular meditation.

● Find and use your strengths: People who have the opportunity to act on their strengths and do what they do best every day are far more likely to be resilient and energised. Take some time to clearly understand your own strengths, and then make sure you have ways to use them in your daily life. The boost in positivity that comes from finding new ways to apply your strengths is significant and lasting.

● Practice mindfulness: This can take some practice for most people, but there are many short, easy guides and even mobile apps to walk you through the practice of mindfulness. When you are mindful, you are focusing on your thoughts, emotions and sensations at the very moment. If this all sounds too “new age-y” for you, don't knock it until you try it – mindfulness is a proven stress reducer!

For more information on the impact of stress on health and wellbeing, and tips for managing stress in your life, visit optum.com

*BPT

How to manage stress before it affects your health

Stress: it makes your heart race, your head pound and will set your stomach churning.

While a little stress can be a good thing and help motivate us when needed, too much stress can lead to negative health effects including

headaches, upset stomach, back pain, trouble sleeping and a weakened immune system. In fact, the American Institute of Stress reports that up to 90 per cent of visits to primary care physicians are due to stress-related health problems.

“Stress can seem unavoidable. Work demands, family obligations and financial pressures all contribute to our stress levels,” says Ruth Kenzelmann, PhD, a licensed psychologist and vice president of employee assistance programs and WorkLife Services for Optum. “But there are steps you can take to derail stress as it’s happening, and prevent it from interfering with your health and quality of life.”

Under pressure

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LONG ROAD TO RUSTAQThe area around Rustaq has some stunning natural

scenary, including the beautiful Wadi

Bani Ghafir.

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

CARS ANDADVENTURES

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Destination

WADI BANI GHAFIRNESTLED IN THE SHADOW OF MOUNTAINS, WADI

BANI GHAFIR IS A GREAT PLACE TO RELAX AND COOK UP SOME GREAT GRUB, FINDS SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI

CARS ANDOUTDOORS

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

Searching to escape a summer that seems to be lasting forever, I decided that my next Destination piece

would focus on a wadi. I enlisted the help of one of my friends who has a 4x4 and put in a call to some of my camping friends, asking for inspiration about a new place to visit.

Their response was Wadi Bani Ghafir, close to Rustaq and around 160km from Muscat, and so we set off on a Friday morning to see what it was all about.

Turning off Route 10 just after we passed Say, we made our way from blacktop road to dirt track before eventually entering the wadi. Luckily, we couldn’t have picked a more perfect day; the weather was beautiful. Although we had a 4x4, I wouldn’t say that it was an essential requirement. You could quite easily park your car at one of the multiple entry points and simply enjoy the walk.

This is not an extreme wadi that requires serious off-road driving skill; the water level was low throughout, barely rising above ankle level. Groups of friends and families populated the banks along the wadi as far as the eye could see and everyone seemed to be relaxed as they enjoyed the combination of cool water and great weather.

I saw people kicking back on camping chairs with rolled up jeans dipping their feet in the cool, cloudy water as they sipped on soft drinks. In other places, there were kids splashing about as they played with each other and I managed to get the perfect action shot of one young boy as he was poised to strike a football in mid-air.

Sometimes in wadis you see drivers in 4x4s acting like madmen, thrashing their cars about and occasionally drifting, but what I liked here was that the cars were driving very sensibly. There were kids around and people altered their habits and behaviour accordingly. It was a very family orientated

environment and atmosphere. Almost every group that dotted

the side of the wadi under the shade of the tall, green palm trees was cooking up some delicious food, either on a barbecue or a traditional campfire. Every person I photographed was incredibly friendly and invited me to sit and eat with them, but I had to politely decline in each case, as there was more work to be done.

It made a pleasant change to see that everyone was concerned with keeping the place clean and dilligently collected their rubbish up after they were done with it.

The majority of people at the wadi were Omani, but they were so laid-back and friendly that I’m sure anyone would be welcomed with open arms. One group had brought an oud and some drums and were having a bit of a jamming session as their food cooked. They sang classic Omani numbers with Arabic lyrics; not really my kind of music but it was nice to listen to nonetheless.

In my favourite picture of the day, I managed to capture a little bit of everything that made this wadi so special in my eyes. Holding my camera quite low to the ground I was able to get a shot that included the stones and pebbles, the flowing water, the shrubs and greenery, the jagged mountains and finally one of the most perfect blue skies I have ever seen, complete with a few wisps of fluffy white clouds.

We drove up the wadi, stopping to chat occasionally with friendly groups along the way and my friend and I must have had around 15 invitations to sit and dine. However, we had to pack up and ship out

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From Muscat, take Route 1 past Barka and join Route 11 at Muladdah. Turn on to Route 10 just before you get to Rustaq. The turning for the wadi is approximately 21km down this road.

GPS location of wadi: N23° 24’ 19.241” E57° 16’ 7.871”TRAV

EL G

UIDE

by mid-afternoon because I had two more destinations to conquer that day, but more on them in the coming weeks. Even when we exited the wadi to move on to our next location, a long line of cars and families could be seen on the other side of the bridge, stretching out for kilometre after kilometre, showing that while Wadi Bani Ghafir may not exactly be a hidden gem, it’s certainly popular for a reason.

HOW TO GET THERE

CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDADVENTURES

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SPEED DEMONS

Accelerating through corners and hurtling down home straights, it’s all in a day’s work for Audi R8s and TTs, writes Bryan Richards

to transport us to the circuit in style and comfort, the luxury you only dream about if you were a company executive.

Arriving at the circuit, we saw the vehicles we were going to drive that day: five Audi R8 V10s, all looking resplendent in their racing livery and colours, plus five Audi TTs.

Think back to your birthdays as a child, or your children’s birthday as they receive their presents, how totally excited you used to be or your children get, bouncing up and down with total anticipation of what’s to come.

That was me, one big kid, being allowed to play with big boys’ toys for the day.

Our playground, the Dubai Autodrome, a multi-purpose sports facility with an indoor track and 5.39km outdoor circuit, is one of the most challenging in the world, with high-speed straights and technical corners.

Safety first, though, so before we even got behind the wheel, we needed a briefing on what to expect. We were all introduced to the Audi driving experience team,

Up to this point in time, nothing I have ever done in my life could have prepared me for this.

I hit the accelerator and 530 wild and untamed horses were unleashed all at the same time in a

mind-blowing burst of speed that took me from a standing start to almost 100kph in just 3.3 seconds.

It was then that I knew the Audi R8 V10 was driving me, not the other way round.

As we roared down the straight at the Dubai Autodrome, I knew that this was going to be the ride of my life.

That’s how my day at this Audi experience started and it’s something I will never forget.

Arriving at Dubai set the tone for the day. Outside the airport were five very large and exquisite Audi limos waiting

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two racing drivers/instructors and their chief instructor, who did all the talking.

I sat there with baited breath, waiting to meet my vehicle. I got the go-faster red R8. I was in heaven.

The car, an Audi R8 V10 5.2L FSI quattro (a four-wheel drive) with 530 horsepower, has a top speed of 316kph, thanks to a seven-speed double clutch.

To ensure our safety we had walkie-talkie radios to receive verbal instructions from the instructor, who was driving the lead car.

After our warm up and familiarisation circuit, we were back in the pit lane and ready for the first proper lap. At the exit of the pit lane, I hit the gas, and the car rocketed in three shakes of a lamb’s tail to over 100kph and kept accelerating. I counted the speed, 100, now 130, now 170kph, in the time it has taken you to read this.

It might not have matched the performance of a Formula One car – 375kph top speed in those super machines – but I felt like Lewis Hamilton. Brake, brake, brake, go in a straight line, turn wide and aim for the apex of the bend, indicated with a very small yellow curve, accelerate out from the apex, not too close to the car in front, and not so far behind that the lead car couldn’t see you.

Driving through the corners at over 100kph is something you would never do normally, but this car honestly felt like it was on rails. No body roll, no drift, no screech of the tyres, just one very loud and powerful engine.

Driving down the straight at almost 200kph was another

mind-blowing experience, but the car was up to the job; it did what was asked of it and plenty more, all the while keeping me safe.

I thought the Audi TT might be a little tame after the R8 but boy, was I wrong. Our mission was to tackle a timed handling event, an obstacle circuit laid out from traffic cones, with various gates and a slalom in the middle.

Each driver was timed and to stop the clock, had to finish in the parking box. Any cones hit or displaced and the driver would incur a two-second penalty.

I thought the R8 was fantastic, but the new Audi TT – the 2015 model – has a longer wheelbase and wider chassis, giving it better road handling and

better control in the corners. My group was fiercely

competitive, clocking up exceptionally good times of less than 30 seconds, taking out more than a few cones in the process.

We hammered those cars; they took it and came back for more.

Sadly, it had to come to an end. After lunch, we were told the results of the timed event. I came in second with around 29 seconds, pipped to the chequered flag by another driver called Hassan.

My only question now is: When can I do it all again in the new R8?

Audiaudi-oman.com

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TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO:1. Release a sky lantern in Shifen2. Shop at a night market in Taipei3. Visit a traditional teahouse4. Check out the pandas at Taipei Zoo5. Try the street food

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITYThe skyline of central Taipei, the capital of

Taiwan, is dominated by the 509-metre tall Taipei 101, a bamboo-shaped

skyscraper.

CARS ANDADVENTURES

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P O S T C A R D S F R O MD e s t i n a t i o n O u t d o o r s Y - F i

My favourite place So many to choose from, but the standout was a visit to the town of Shifen, easily reached on a day trip from the capital. A small trek gets you to the stunning 40m-wide Shifen Waterfall, where water cascades down 20m. Cool, refreshing and surrounded by lush greenery, it reminded me of Wadi Darbat in Salalah during Khareef. Afterwards, we headed to Shifen Old Street and released sky lanterns. At one time, the lanterns were used as a signaling system for those living and working in rural areas to let loved ones know they were safe. Now, it’s a huge tourist attraction with visitors painting wishes on lanterns and releasing them into the sky in the hope their prayers will be answered. Shifen is an old gold rush town and has been restored with narrow, lantern-lined streets. Taking tea – a Taiwanese tradition with an elaborate making process – overlooking the East China Sea was magical.

Highlights A browse of the famous night markets in Taipei is an absolute must. You’ll find anything from clothes to tech, all at rock bottom prices. Most start at dusk and continue into the early hours. The largest is Shilin, where you should take time to sample some of the delicious street food. Vendors are everywhere, cooking up noodles or frying quails eggs. Some – such as eggs cooked in tea – are an acquired taste, but Taiwanese food, in general, is fantastic. Whether it’s a simple bowl of beef noodles or an elaborate feast (we had an outstanding nine-course meal at a restaurant, the Formosa Pearl, in Yilan, in the northeast of the country), it won’t disappoint. Picking the local Oolong tea at an organic plantation in Yilan was also a memorable moment. In Taipei, go shopping (huge Japanese store Mitsukoshi is fun) or discover Chinese imperial art at the National Palace Museum. Check out the view from Taipei 101, a 509m-tall bamboo-shaped skyscraper, which used to be the tallest building in the world, but is now dwarfed by Dubai’s 829m Burj Khalifa. A real thrill was seeing panda bear, Yuan Zai, at Taipei Zoo, the first panda cub born in Taiwan when she arrived on July 6, 2013. We also had a great morning at theme park Leofoo Village, a sort of Taiwanese Disney World, with its rides, safari trips and “Arabian Kingdom” zone. The Taiwanese hospitality is also legendary. Learn a few words and you’ll be rewarded with a huge smile.

Lowlights English is widely used in Taipei, but less so outside the cities. Make sure to carry a translation book or download an app on your smartphone. It’s friendly and safe to travel around, but sometimes a guide is advised to help navigate and translate. Souvenirs Textiles, fabric and artwork are good buys. I also loaded up with tea and pottery from the famous Yingge Ceramics Street.

Where to stay Accommodation ranges from exquisite high-end hotels to budget lodgings. In Taipei, we stayed at the five-star Palais De Chine, where you can have a bath looking out across the city, and the luxurious Regent Taipei, with stunning views from floor-to-ceiling windows. At the other end, you can find rooms for RO18 and dorms in hostels for RO4. If you want to try Taiwan’s famous hot springs, the Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi spa retreat in Yilan is excellent.

TAIWANKate Ginn recommends

F o r m e r l y k n o w n a s Fo r m o s a , T a i w a n i s a s m a l l i s l a n d n a t i o n 1 8 0 k m e a s t o f C h i n a k n o w n a s b e i n g o n e o f t h e m o s t d e n s e l y p o p u l a t e d c o u n t r i e s i n t h e w o r l d . T h e c o u n t r y h a s a c o l o u r fu l h i s t o r y a n d

f r a u g h t r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h i t s s u p e r p o w e r n e i g h b o u r . T a i w a n i s n o w g o v e r n e d b y t h e R e p u b l i c o f C h i n a , m a i n t a i n i n g i n d e p e n d e n c e f r o m , a n d n o t u n d e r t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f , t h e m a i n l a n d P e o p l e ’ s R e p u b l i c o f C h i n a .

W h i l e t h e p o l i t i c a l s t a t u s o f T a i w a n r e m a i n s a c o n t e n t i o u s i s s u e , t h e c o u n t r y h a s e s t a b l i s h e d i t s e l f a s a w o r l d p l a y e r i n i t s o w n r i g h t . T h e r e w a s a t i m e w h e n t h e u b i q u i t o u s “ M a d e i n T a i w a n ” l a b e l a p p e a r e d o n e v e r y t h i n g f r o m t o y s t o t e x t i l e s . C o m p e t i t i o n f r o m c h e a p e r C h i n e s e m a n u f a c t u r i n g fo r c e d a r e i n v e n t i o n a n d T a i w a n i s n o w a n a c k n o w l e d g e d l e a d e r i n t h e t e c h n o l o g y i n d u s t r y . A r o u n d 7 5 p e r c e n t o f t h e w o r l d ’ s p r o d u c t i o n o f P C s i s d o n e i n T a i w a n .

W h i l e t h e c o u n t r y h a s i t s f a i r s h a r e o f c o n t e m p o r a r y c i t i e s a n d m o d e r n s h o p p i n g m a l l s , i t o ff e r s , a s I d i s c o v e r e d , s o m u c h m o r e . T h i s i s a c o u n t r y o f c o n t r a s t s f r o m b u s t l i n g n i g h t m a r k e t s t o b e a u t i fu l c o u n t r y s i d e w i t h d r a m a t i c w a t e r f a l l s , m o u n t a i n s a n d h o t s p r i n g s .

E v e n b e tt e r , i t ’ s e a s y t o g e t t o f r o m O m a n , w i t h C a t h a y P a c i f i c o p e r a t i n g t w o d a i l y f l i g h t s f r o m D u b a i t o H o n g K o n g , w i t h a n e a s y c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e T a i w a n e s e c a p i t a l o f T a i p e i .

A f i v e - d a y s t a y d i d n ’ t d o i t j u s t i c e a n d I c a n ’ t w a i t fo r t h e n e x t o p p o r t u n i t y t o g o b a c k a n d e x p l o r e T a i w a n fu r t h e r .

TEA PLANTATION

TEA HOUSE

RELEASING A SKY LANTERN

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

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

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FOR PAWS

EDITO

R’S PI

CK MIND GAMESCLEVERPET IS A GAMING CONSOLE FOR YOUR PET THAT KEEPS THEM ENGAGED EVEN WHEN YOU'RE NOT AT HOME. IT ENCOURAGES INTERACTION THROUGH GAMES THAT WILL MAKE YOUR PUPPY HAPPY DURING THOSE LONG AND LONELY HOURS WHEN YOU’RE AT THE OFFICE. AVAILABLE AT GETCLEVERPET.COM, PRICE TO BE CONFIRMED LATER THIS YEAR.

We’re all up to date with the latest tech trends, so why shouldn’t our pets be as well? Matthew Herbst brings you the best wearables and gadgets for the furriest member of your family

BARKING FITFitBark is an activity monitor that helps you keep an eye on your pet's fitness regime. It also lets you compare to a baseline health rating for the same breed, so you can see how your four-legged friend compares to the rest of his or her kind. Available at fitbark.com from RO38.50, with the Wi-Fi base station costing RO30.80.

FETCHThe iFetch is an automatic ball launcher that throws mini tennis balls. It's an awesome purchase for energetic dogs and lazy dog owners alike. Train your pup to fetch balls and then return them back to the iFetch's ball deposit for an endless cycle of fun. Available at goifetch.com from RO79.50.

JUST EATSay hello to Petnet, the smart feeder that ensures your kitty or pup is well fed when you’re away from home. It allows you to control their feeding schedule and portion sizes through your smartphone and the Petnet app shows you how much of their daily intake they have consumed that day. You can even add multiple users and decide who is responsible for feeding time. Available at petnet.io from later on this year. Pre-orders start at RO76.50.

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App of the Week

PET FIRST AID BY AMERICAN RED CROSSTake care of your furry family member with veterinary advice for everyday emergencies in the palm of your hand. Be prepared to act when called upon with the help of videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice. It’s never been easier to learn pet first aid. Free for iOS and Android users.

STREAMLINEThe Motorola Scout 5000 has a GoPro-like video camera built into its GPS location tracking device. Connect to a live stream anytime on your phone for instant visual updates of what your pet is getting up to. Even better, the speaker also lets you talk to your pup! What’s more, it includes a handy bark detection feature that notifies you when your dog is being too loud. Available at amazon.com from RO34.26.

With Tagg GPS Plus, you can be assured that your pet will never go missing again. It also includes an ambient temperature sensor that will send you a notification if your pup is too hot or too cold if they get lost. A built-in activity tracker makes this pet wearable a great all-in-one gadget. Available at pettracker.com from RO30.50.

NEW TAGG GPS PLUS

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOUPetcube is essentially a baby monitor for your precious pet. It has a wide-angle camera that offers a 720p video feed and a speaker that enables you to talk to your companion from anywhere. You can also activate a remotely controlled laser that your pet can chase around the house. Available for pre-order at petcube.com from RO76.50.

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Sunset on Seeb: Y is lucky enough to have a beachside office, which leads to some fantastic sunsets set against the Seeb skyline.Photo by Felicity Glover

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P I C T U R E O F T H E W E E K

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