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Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing &

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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 indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has

to offer.

EDITOR IN CHIEFSayyida Iman bint Hamad

bin Hamood Al Busaidi

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Eihab Abutaha

MANAGING EDITORFelicity Glover

SECTIONS EDITORKate Ginn

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

PHOTOGRAPHER Jerzy Wierzbicki

INTERNS Deeba Hasan

Siddharth SeshanEsmee Brunton

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Feroz Khan

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Fast forwardThere must surely be very few of us who can fail to be moved by the plight of those

caught up in the raging malestrom of death and destruction that is Gaza City at the moment. A bombardment is raining down, killing indiscriminately; men,

women, children, the rockets don’t care. Images of destroyed lives and a flood of refugees fleeing their ruined homes are heartbreaking. Oman is not just standing by watching. A call to aid has began. A humanitarian effort has been launched to raise funds to send food and medicines to Gaza. You can do your own bit to help.

In a change of mood, we look at the top catwalk trends for men in Fashion, visit the beautiful city of Kyoto for our Postcard and return to the desert in Destination.

We head to Retro in Qurum to try some “super” burgers for Taste Test, explore the gluten-free movement that has taken the world by storm in our food feature and sit down to Iftar with an Omani family.

Have a wonderful week!

editor@y-oman.com

Team Y has been learning how to stay calm after a massive spider caught a free ride

on the windscreen of our car,

unpacking a sea of boxes and heading off into the

desert.

THIS WEEK…

THE BAROMETER

Congratulations to all our competition winners this week. To see the full list, go to P24-25, where you will also find a host of other Ramadan giveaways – including another chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4.

GOING UPSAFER DRIVING

The Ministry of Higher Education’s plan to introduce safe driving awareness

into the curriculum of government and private colleges next year. Aimed at youth to reduce the country’s high death count

on our roads, we say the younger, the better.

SLEEP The number of hours we are getting now that the World Cup is over and

we no longer have to be awake into the wee hours of the morning to catch our

favourite teams in action.

GOING DOWNEXPATS

The number of expats working in the Sultanate’s private sector. The National

Centre for Statistics and Information says 82,000 expats left their jobs between

January 2013 and May this year as the country continues its Omanisation drive.

WINNERS

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Yo u r O m a n06 My Iftar Deeba Hasan

08 Voice of Oman Felicity Glover

10 News Child Beggars

14 Gallery Qaranqasho Time

Fo o d a n d D r i n k28 Food Feature Gluten-free

30 Food Review Retro

T h i s w e e k16 Movie Listings And So It Goes

18 This Week Fashion Forward

C a r s a n d A d v e n t u r e s38 Destination Southern Al Huqf

40 Outdoors Feel The Burn

42 Postcard From Kyoto

44 Y-Fi Watch It

46 Car of the Week Lincoln MKX

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Fe at u r e20 Human Catastrophe Gaza Strip In Crisis

H e a l t h a n d B e a u t y32 Fashion Men A La Mode

35 Style Counsel Barbra Young

RAMADAN AROUND THE WORLD / RENAISSANCE DAY / HOME TECH / WADI TIWI / KIDCITEMENT / USA GIRLS

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DURANGO RAMADAN-Y-240x340.pdf 1 6/19/14 10:45 AM

DURANGO RAMADAN-Y-240x340.pdf 1 6/19/14 10:45 AM

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My IftarIN THE THIRD PART OF HER SPECIAL RAMADAN SERIES, DEEBA HASAN SAMPlES SOME OMANI HOSPITAlITY

This week, I visited the home of Sameera al Mahrooqi, a young Omani fashion designer

and make-up artist, who invited me to her house in Mabela to sample a traditional Omani Iftar.

After a 35-kilometre drive, I arrived at the petrol station meeting point, where I was met by Sameera and her two children, Sundus, eight, and Mohammed, two, who were dressed in exquisite outfits for that night’s Qaranqasho event.

They led me to their house nearby and the first thing I noticed once inside was the rich aroma of bukhoor (frankincense), which filled the living room and majlis.

As there was still about 40 minutes before Adhaan, Sameera had not arranged the food. She asked me if I would prefer to eat on the floor (Omani style) or at the dining table. I found myself saying, “On the floor” without giving the question much thought. To be honest, I had come to experience an authentic Omani Iftar and it wouldn’t have been fair to request to sit at a table. Besides, I’d already experienced Iftar on the floor with many of my Omani friends, so it wasn’t a problem for me.

Sameera quickly laid the Iftar out in the majlis with the help of Sundus, while I looked around for the best place to take some photographs. While setting up, Sameera told me that they had moved to their new house only a month ago and with no

housemaid, she was finding it difficult to manage. Her husband, Suleiman al Jabri, works as a manager at Weatherford Oman (an oil and gas company) and is required to work two weeks on site in the desert. He spends the other two weeks of the month with his family. The two weeks he’s away can be hard for Sameera, with no one at home to take care of the children while she is busy working.

When her husband is absent Sameera prefers to have Iftar with relatives, who live nearby.

“I love making things at home for Iftar, but when my husband is not in I don’t know who to make Iftar for because me and my daughter don’t eat much and there is no company, so we go out to our relatives’ place,” she said.

As Iftar time neared, I saw that the mat was elaborately laid out with a sumptuous spread. Many of the items were the usual dishes you would see on an Omani Iftar table, but quite a few looked new – to me, at least. I saw what looked to be chicken sambosas, kachoris, cutlets, kebabs, cheese rolls, mini pizzas, luqaimat (round sweet dumplings), basboosa and, of course, dates.

The delicious and juicy sambosas were made with boiled chicken breast mixed with black pepper, lemon, salt, carrot and noodles. Drinks were Omani coffee, laban, orange juice and Vimto.

As we devoured the feast, Sameera told me that luqaimat, sambosas, dates, Omani coffee, laban, Vimto and water were basics for any Omani Iftar and could be found in both rich and poor households. She also said that a dish called masoorah was

made with fish mixed with lemon and onion. This, she added, was made at her house every day because it was a family favourite.

According to Sameera, Ramadan is a month of enlightenment in which you learn to avoid wrongdoings, control your temper, realise the sufferings of the poor and become one with them, to read God’s word and learn from it. “It is also a month of giving and forgiving, where we help other people to seek rewards from the Almighty,” she re,akred.

Even though her daughter is only eight years old, Sameera makes her fast on some days during the month. She also makes her wear clothes that cover her completely when they go out. “I want to teach my daughter about the significance of the Holy Month from this tender age, so that she is able to appreciate it in her later life.”

Sameera said she had finished her Ramadan and Eid shopping before the start of the Holy Month as she wanted to keep this time free for prayers and contemplation rather than spending it shopping and on other activities.

This Ramadan, like previous ones, Sameera has decorated a corner of her home in a traditional style, in contrast to the contemporary black-and-white look of the rest of the house. She said some people decorated their homes only for Eid but, for her, Ramadan had greater significance.

Like many others, Sameera believes that Ramadan encourages family

bonding. “It’s a special time for families as they get together more often than usual. We invite friends and relatives and also go over to their houses and have Iftar together. It is a beautiful feeling because you share something in common with millions of other people across the globe.”

Sameera said that even teenage boys, who are normally out all day, make a point of going home for Iftar, even if they can’t make Suhoor.

I had a wonderful time celebrating Iftar with Sameera’s family. Next week, we feature another Iftar from another family’s home in Muscat, the last one in my series. I am looking forward to sharing it with you.

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We asked: “should long-term expats be granted Omani citizenship?”

RASu JoHn Expats (inclusive of their offsprings) for whom Oman has been home for more than 25 years and who have served the community with the utmost dedication, do deserve to be granted Omani citizenship, provided they have a good level of employment and no criminal record, financial debts or security risks. They should also have adequate knowledge about the country, its people, rich culture, pleasant hospitality, religion etc. In fact, this

DEBATE OF THE WEEK

BEGGARS BELIEF

correspondencethe voice of oman Felicity Glover on the vagaries of moving

nExt WEEK: MAyyA Al SAID

step will be a big-time boon for Oman as there will be more investment in many fields and also a hike in population. Many of those who have been here from childhood know that there is no place like HOME (Oman) and the thought of leaving Oman is a nightmare. Fingers crossed that this thought becomes a reality.

KHuSHBoo uDESHI Yes. I was born and brought up in Oman. I have hardly been to India in my 28 years. In fact, my dad was also born and brought up here. I have done my schooling, graduation and post graduation here and I am working here. It’s like home for me, it’s my birth country. My son, too, was born here. It’s like three generations. You still think I don’t deserve citizenship?

BADER Al lAWAtI Yes. Some people have made this their home for longer than I have been around. However, there should also be an additional option for those who want to make this home without giving up their passports. A system of

The crackdown on beggars by the Ministry of Social Development during Ramadan is a welcome move. During Ramadan, the number of beggars always escalates –and certainly not all are local. I have come across many women with babies in their laps posing as Palestinians roaming around from building to building in the Muttrah and Darsait areas, asking for financial support in their fluent Arabic. There are some ladies and men who can be seen every now and then at masajids (mosques) during other months, too. It is also very important that the authorities look into a solution of the problems of the genuine ones. However, such crackdowns should be done throughout the year on a regular basis and the genuine beggars must be looked after at the state’s expense.

Mohammad Osama Rawat, Ruwi

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You could say that I’m a sucker for punishment.

Just 17 months ago, I was standing in a sea of boxes in our new home in Copenhagen trying to decide where the sofa – and a whole lot of other furniture, for that matter – should go.

At the time, I clearly remember thinking that this was one of the most difficult country moves we’d made so far – and I was in no hurry to do it again anytime soon.

Famous last words, as they say.Fast-forward 17 months and I am

having a serious déjà vu moment, only it is reality and not an eerie feeling of perhaps being somewhere before.

That’s right, I am standing in yet another sea of boxes, this time more than when we moved to Copenhagen, and again scratching my head over the sofa puzzle.

Sorry, that should be puzzles plural. Rather than the one sofa we took to Copenhagen, we have returned to the GCC, this time Muscat, with three.

I am juggling the move with a busy new job, just like I did in Copenhagen. So finding the time to work out a place for everything in the house is something that I occasionally feel guilty about, but put it down as one of the vagaries of moving.

Of course, our new kitten, Ally, thinks it’s all great fun. And will be the only one disappointed when the boxes finally go.

The relocation company has promised to come back and finish the job (I had to be at work on the day they moved us in, which meant they had to leave early).

And I will be taking them up on that. Perhaps next week – if I can schedule them in.

In the meantime, we won’t be moving anywhere anytime soon. Honest.

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permanent residency could be a great halfway, where the authorities can keep some measures like government positions and land grants to Omanis, but expats get to call Oman home.

ADnAn GABol BAlocH Well, if they live in Oman for 25 to 30 years they should get it and if the parents are Omani, they should get it. I know families whose parents are Omani and the children don’t have citizenship. Where would they go?

GHADA Al HARtHy There are many expats who have been getting nationalised. But this is rightly limited to those who really make a sincere contribution to Oman, its society and its growth. I see many people claiming they deserve it because Oman is their second home. I don’t see why Oman should consider making you its first citizen when you consider it your second home. We need patriotic citizens, not people who want a hassle-free residence for their “second home”.

ARJun tARRA No. Expats who have stayed here a long time must return back to their home countries because they must give a chance to the Omanis. If the expats become Omanis, then where will the actual Omanis go? Expats are serving the country, but in return they are being paid. Nothing is done for free, so long-term expats who have earned a lot in this country must go back to their home countries and give a chance to others.

toFEEq Butt As the population of the Sultanate is just four million (55 per cent of them are locals), this step will be beneficial. Yes, they should provide nationality.

SuMAyA Al MAWAly Well, if they have served the country for the required years and have no bad criminal records, have no financial problems and know everything about the country, I strongly recommend they get the Omani nationality.

MAnAl KHAlIq RAzA Yes, it should be given because expats have given their youth to this country. Many of them have given their golden years to Muscat and some have been here for more then 30 to 35 years. Then why not, and what’s the point behind not giving it? They should be granted opportunities as they have served this nation for their whole life.

FARHAn HuSSAIn SAIt Yes. You serve the country for 20 to 30 years and all your health is gone. You need a retired life and the country must be willing enough to reward you by giving you citizenship.

SAuD Al lAMKI Five years, not 25, is good enough.

RABIyA nABEEl I think they should as they have invested their lifetime in making our country’s economy good.

EFFy PAcHIyAnnAKIS Being Omani is knowing the culture and being part of history. I don’t think most expats, even if they lived here for 30 years, can integrate with a true Omani from the regions outside Muscat. If passports are being given out so easily, you can lose the roots of Oman. Just because other countries do it, I don’t think Oman has to, or needs to, follow. But I suggest easier long-term visas for expats who have lived here for a long time and call it their home.

SHAFqAt SHAH Definitely a yes. Granting citizenship is a win-win situation for the both the person being naturalised as well the Omani economy. The skills gap would be filled, which, in turn, would further boost the economy. As a rapidly developing nation that already has a rich cultural mix with different races living in harmony, I don’t think granting citizenship to people of various races/nations should be damaging to the culture of Oman in any way in the long run. Expats who have been here for a long time have a very good understanding about the cultural sensitivities and other norms and they respect it.

VIJI MAlI What is the use of getting citizenship here? Do we get rights, government benefits like Omanis, by having citizenship here?

MoHAMMED El KHIDER Well the rules here say: stay 20 years and you can apply for citizenship. I know many who have got citizenship that way.

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N E W SYOUR OMAN

Millenium Eid Ad 91x256mm - V4.pdf 1 7/9/14 2:39 PM

Children aged below 12 years are being exploited by their families to beg

for money on the streets during Ramadan.

Y reported last week that more than 30 beggars, some carrying knives, were arrested during the first 10 days of the Holy Month. Many were foreigners who travel to Oman specifically to make money begging.

Twenty children aged under 12 and 38 children aged over 12 were arrested in a Ramadan beggar crackdown last year, according to

figures from the Ministry of Social Development released this week.

Special centres have been set up in Buraimi, Sohar and Salalah to deal with people arrested for begging in the Sultanate.

CHILD BEGGARSWords: Kate Ginn

If you want to spoil your newborn bundle of joy, how about giving them sweet dreams on a bed of gold?

You’ll need to shell out a staggering US$16.3 million (RO6.27 million). That’s how much the world’s most expensive solid gold crib is going to set you back.

Suommo, a luxury furniture company for babies and children from Spain, has just revealed plans to open a boutique in Dubai. Among the products on sale will be the Dodo Bassinet cot, a limited-edition 24-carat creation with silk and gold yarn bedding.

For an extra RO46,963, you can have it inscribed with a diamond and white-gold insignia. Custom diamond wheels are also available.

If you’re on a budget, there are cheaper versions in silver, white and rose gold.

Oh, and don’t forget the matching 18-carat gold and diamond dummy for RO52,366.

MILLION-DOLLAR BABY

SAVE A LIFEIt’s the time of year for giving and

helping those in need. You can make a difference in all sorts of

ways, including giving blood. Stocks in hospitals and clinics are running out and more donors have been urged to come forward.

Supplies are needed to ensure there is enough for victims of road accidents and other emergencies. Patients suffering from major injuries can need as much as 40 units in transfusions.

The Central Blood Bank must have at least 200 units of blood at any one time. During summer and Ramadan, with many people in the country fasting, these can be quickly depleted.

Highest demand is for O positive and A positive blood types. Restocking rare blood groups, such as AB negative, is also a challenge. To do your bit, attend one of the Blood Bank’s mobile donor sessions in Muscat. The next one will be held on July 26 from 8pm on Muttrah Corniche.

Shahry Keys YTabloid 24x34 E.indd 1 22/06/2014 13:31

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

US Secretary of State John Kerry holds “very tough” talks with Iran just six days before deadline for historic nuclear deal

HEADLINING STORIES FROM OMAN AND BEYOND

12 people die and hundreds injured after a metro train packed with commuters derails in Moscow

Thousands flee coastal areas as Philippines braces for first major storm of the season, Tropical Storm Rammasun, expected to hit late Tuesday (July 15)

Women bishops are to be allowed in the UK for the first time in 500 years after historic vote by the Church of England

The international airline Swiss Air has restarted its flights from Muscat after a temporary

suspension due to maintenance work on runways in Dubai.There has not been any Swiss Air service since May 1, when runway upgrading began at Dubai International Airport. Daily flights to and from Muscat will resume from Sunday (July 20).The airline’s Airbus A330-300 flies to Zurich via Dubai.

SWISS AIR FLIES AGAIN

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It seems the forts and castles of Oman have been receiving some unwelcome invaders – termites.

An infestation of the pests will force 18 forts and castles across the country to shut down so exterminator teams can get rid of the insects, which are trying to take a bite out of our heritage. Termites – which have an estimated 4,000 species – chomp their way through wood and can cause serious structural damage to buildings, as well as crops and forests.

Oman is now fighting back with pest controls being called in to protect our historic sites.

All monuments will welcome visitors once again when the work is done. Worry not, for each fort and castle will only be closed for a day, allowing you to fill your plate of cultural knowledge, minus the side of termites.

TERMITE ARMY INvADES OuR fORTS AND CASTLES Words: Esmee Brunton

Did you know these weird termite facts?• When termite soldiers feel under threat, they create warning signals

by banging their heads on the gallery walls, alerting the rest of the colony.

• A female queen lays one egg every 15 seconds, resulting in 30,000 eggs a day.

• One colony of termites can eat 1,000 pounds of wood a year.• An infested home may contain three to four termite colonies, each

containing one million termites.• Some termites can enter your house through a gap as small as a

50-baisa coin. Let’s hope you don’t have too many cracks!• Termites release more than 150 million tonnes of methane gas a year.

Maybe we can try to blame the termites for global warming?

* Al Mintarib Castle, Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan Castle and Bilad Sur Castle were closed from July 13 to July 16.

* Ras Al Hadd Castle, Bait Al Raeeda and Nizwa Fort are each closed July 20 and July 21 respectively.

* Ibri Castle, Barka Castle, Nakhal Fort Al Hazam Castle and Rustaq Fort will be closed for a day between August 3 and August 7.

* Last for the removal treatment is Al Suwaiq Castle, Al Khandaq Castle and Al Hillah Castle, with closures from August 10 to August 12.

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q A R A N q A S H O T I M E LITTLE KIDS – AND BIG ONES – ENjOYED FUN WITH MUSIC, FACE PAINTING AND STAGE GAMES AT CITY CENTRE MUSCAT MALL. BUT THE BIGGEST HITS WERE BARNEY THE DINOSAUR AND THE SMURFS

G A L L E R Y

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EnEMIES cloSER Tom Everett Scott and Orlando Jones play a couple of ex-Navy divers with a score to settle on the lakeside. But the real fun starts when they encounter Jean-Claude Van Damme, who is cast hilariously against type as a psychotic drug kingpin moving a shipment on the US-Canadian border. Van Damme enjoys himself no end, sporting bouffant hair and hamming it up like an over-the-top comic book villain, as he and his henchman hunt down Scott and Jones. Never mind the action, watch the eyebrows.

Bollywatch

The Quiet Ones

From the revived Hammer Film Productions, famed for its low-budget British horrors of the 1950s and 1960s, comes this new supernatural shocker.

And So It Goes

MOVIES MOVIESJared Harris plays a paranormal expert who takes an apparently possessed girl to an old manor house to conduct a series of experiments with three game students, one with a 16mm camera in tow. The 1970s setting helps add to the atmosphere and there are plenty of shocks and surprises for those who love this kind of movie.

Plush

Emily Browning plays a Goth rock goddess who is one half of a successful brother-sister act in this psychological thriller set in the Los Angeles music scene. Browning suffers a tragedy and a new guitarist joins the band who wants to drag her to the dark side – the black eyeliner is a sure sign that this one is up to no good. The gigs, the fans and the debauchery just don’t feel real, which is perhaps surprising from the director of Twilight, Catherine Hardwicke.

PIzzA This is a Bollywood remake of a 2012 Tamil horror movie of the same name. With his blue eyes and pretty boy good looks, Akshay Oberoi doesn’t look like your typical pizza delivery guy. His mundane existence takes a terrifying twist when he takes an order to a beautiful women’s apartment only to discover something horrible lurking within. Directed by Akshay Akkineni, expect some

Exorcist-like moments of scary special effects that might even put you off your fast food.

Michael Douglas has slipped easily into playing grouchy and badly behaved older men in his silver years. In this feel-good comedy, he’s a misanthropic real estate developer who lives next door to a lonely lounge singer played by Diane Keaton. We get a pretty clear idea of Douglas’s character when he complains about his dead wife being buried on a steep hill and later shoots a dog with a paint gun to stop it leaving a mess on his lawn. In the hands of Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner, who also has a cameo role as a toupee-wearing musician, there is plenty to enjoy as

he and Keaton get off to a bad start until the inevitable older person romance blossoms. But it’s the arrival of Douglas’s granddaughter, the result of his son’s tryst with a maid, which sees him gradually revealed as a super-fun granddad who even manages to deliver a guest’s baby on the sofa. Predictably for this kind of movie, he goes from being a hateful snob to rediscovering the important things in life, like family and love. Although he’s not Jack Nicholson, Douglas makes the most of his misanthropic lines and slapstick scenes.

Review by Joe Gill

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GIRLS’ GANGPut a note in your diary to ensure you don’t miss out on this chance to join the Women’s Guild Oman. A pre-registration and coffee morning is being held at the Golden Tulip Seeb Hotel, where there will be an opportunity to chat to existing members. From 10am-12 noon. Yearly membership fee is just RO10, which entitles you to discounts on Guild partners. Details at www.womensguildoman.com

If it’s time to spruce up your look or splurge on some new clothes or accessories, then you need to head to the Beauty & Fashion show at the Sohar branch of the Oman International Exhibition Centre. Held over two days, there’ll be plenty to keep you and your credit card occupied. www.omanexhibitions.com

THIS WEEK

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

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CELEBRATE COMMUNITYExperience the unique spirit of Ramadan and meet new people from all over the world at the InterNations Iftar get together at The Tent at the Oman Automobile Association in Muscat. Buffet food and soft drinks. Cost is RO9 for basic InterNations members and RO4 for Albatross members. Dress code is smart/business casual/National Dress. For more information, or to join, visit www.internations.org/muscat-expats/forum

24JUlY

FasHION FORWaRd

Special programmes are running during Ramadan to train maids in all aspects of safety in the home, including childcare, education and first aid. Cost is RO100 for 10 days, two hours a day. There’s also an English summer program for two hours, two days a week for RO80 a month. Location is Al Khuwair near Safeer Continental Hotel Muscat. Call +968 97887898 for full details and more information.

08

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Maid To Help

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Oman answers the call to help brothers and sisters of Gaza as airstrikes leave a

city in chaosC

ATA

STR

OP

HE

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No one who has seen the images coming out from the Gaza Strip could fail to be moved. Children’s lifeless bodies pulled from the rubble of destroyed buildings, families being ripped apart in seconds, thousands

fleeing from their homes, tears from those who have lost fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers.

Gaza has become a ghost town and a city of orphans and displaced people.

Humanitarian efforts are now swinging into action across Oman to send emergency aid to Palestinians under siege as the fierce bombardment continues. Money is pouring in after a nationwide public donation campaign was launched this week to raise funds to send food and medicines to Gaza.

Organised by the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO), the Sultanate’s largest and official humanitarian assistance body, called on nationals and residents to contribute to their effort, dubbed “Food and Medicine to Gaza”.

It is believed charity body Dar al Atta’a is also gearing up to start a fundraising campaign in the country.

Urgent help is needed as the situation in the Gaza Strip, home to a population of more than 1.5 million people including1.2 million Palestine refugees, becomes desperate. At least 192 people have died and hundreds more have been seriously injured in rocket attacks as the crisis deepens. Many of the victims have been women and children.

In one case a pregnant mother’s body was found close to that of her dead one-year-old daughter, whose leg had been blown off in the blast.

A brief respite on Tuesday morning with a ceasefire didn’t last long as Israel ended the truce.

Medical facilities are stretched to breaking point.“We have used all our medications and we were

planning to buy more from outside. When war broke out, we started using our reserve,” said an official from one Gaza hospital.

“Right now, we are using our reserve. If the war extends more than a week or two, we will be out of all medications for our patients.”

Oman’s aid initiative comes as the Arab League calls on the international community to help end Israel airstrikes, which began on July 7.

The Embassy of Palestine in Muscat said: “We appreciate the efforts of OCO for launching a campaign to organise medical and food supplies.

“Corporates, banks and individuals can also extend ideas for campaigns or help in cooperation with the embassy. Art, sports and cultural activity can be used to unite for the cause.”

* How to Help:Donate at Oman Arab Bank (main branch), Bank Muscat (main branch) and Bank Dhofar (Al Khuwair branch). Or directly at the OCO’s office in Al Khuwair 33. Phone: 2448 7998/2448 8755/2448 6727. Email: oconet@omantel.net.om

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HERE ESmEE BRunTOn givES A BRiEf HiSTORy ABOuT THE TROuBlEd gAzA STRiP

Gaza is a region on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea bordering Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north.

The Gaza Strip is home to more than 1.5 million people, including 1.2 million Palestine refugees. The largest enclave in the territory is Gaza City.

By 1994 Gaza was granted self-governance by Israel. Prior to this Gaza was under military occupation by Israel (1967-1994) and Egypt (1958-1967).

Eighty per cent of the population depend on international assistance and the unemployment rate in Gaza is 40 per cent, rising to 58 per cent among young people.

More than half of Gaza’s population are children under 16 years of age – 10 per cent of whom have stunted growth due to prolonged malnutrition.

Half a million Palestinian refugees live in the eight Palestine refugee camps, holding the highest population density in the world.

The only possible route through to Israel for Palestinians is though Erez checkpoint at the northern tip of the Gaza Strip.

OMN_5366_MINI_Cooper_Ramadan_Y_Magazine_24x34cm_Eng.indd 1 6/18/14 6:18 PM

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The spirit of RamadanY has another Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8GB up for grabs!

MORE CHANCES TO WIN WITH OUR FANTASTIC GIVEAWAYS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLY MONTH

You didn’t win our last selfie competition? Don’t fret because here’s another opportunity to try with our second fantastic Galaxy Tab 4 prize. It’s got a seven-inch screen and will keep you connected on the move. To enter, all you have to do is take your best selfie that includes an Oman landmark in the background. It can be just you, with friends and family, or even your pet. Remember it’s a selfie so you have to take the picture of yourself. Simply post your selfie on our Facebook page, tweet it to us or email to editor@y-oman.com by July 28. The winner will be announced after Eid. Good luck!

The Millennium Resort in Mussanah is the place for an ultimate getaway with a sandy beach, swimming pools, great restaurants and exclusive spa. You can try

it for yourself. The hotel, which is currently running summer offers, is offering one night in a deluxe room for two persons (room only). To be the winner, answer the question: “What is the name of the spa at the Millennium Resort in Mussanah?” Send your answer, with contact details, to editor@y-oman.com by July 21. (Prize valid until September 30 2014).

Luxury Stay

Dr Brown’s baby bottlesThere are five more gift sets up for grabs from Dr Brown’s. To win, answer the following question: “What year was the Dr Brown’s bottle first designed?” Send your answer, with contact details, to editor@y-oman.com by July 21. Terms & conditions apply. Please visit our website for full details.

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The spirit of RamadanMORE CHANCES TO WIN WITH OUR FANTASTIC GIVEAWAYS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLY MONTH

Last week’s winnersCongratulations to the

following winners!

GranD HYatt MUsCat: Jonitha D’Cruz (photo below)

Dr BrOwn’s GiFt set: sudhir shetty, Heena Dipak, Madhuri

senthil Murugan, Yash Mathradas and Paresh Mauny, all of whom said that the record for the most children born by one

woman is 69.

Cake GaLLerY: Fatma al raisi, who correctly answered that mascarpone is the cheese used in

the making of tiramisu.

WINNERS B • O • x

We don't just do chocolate

Al Ghubrah, Al Marafah Street, Mirbat Tower 1, Muscat, Oman

Tel: +968 24499922Follow us on:thechocolateroomoman&

65C 5M 28Y 0K Pantone 3262C

0C 30M 100Y 10K Pantone 144C

Cake Gallery is giving away a RO10 voucher to spend at its new Mawaleh café and bakery. To win, all you have to do is answer the following question: “What two bakery items is a Cronut a cross between?” Send your answer, with contact details, to editor@y-oman.com by July 21.

Sweet prize Winner

Enjoy a marvellous meal for two at the Browniz Restaurant & Coffee House, which has a prime beachfront location in Shatti al Qurum. The cheeseburgers are amazing! To win, answer the following question: “Apart from Muscat, where else in Oman does Browniz have a restaurant?” Send your answer, with contact details, to editor@y-oman.com by July 21.

Continental Cuisine

The Grand Hyatt Muscat is this week giving away an Iftar for two at either Sirj Lounge,

Mokha Café or Majan Lounge. To enter, post your best Iftar food picture on our social-media sites while you are dining at the Grand Hyatt Muscat. Send your entries by July 21 to editor@y-oman.com, post your entry on our Facebook or Twitter pages or send us a picture on Instagram, but make sure you follow and tag ytabloid.

Celebrate IftarGet a taste of Ramadan at Beirut Restaurant and Café located near

City Centre Qurum, which serves up delicious Lebanese and Arabic cuisine. We are offering one lucky reader Iftar for two. To win, answer the following question: “What is the main ingredient for traditional Lebanese flatbreads?” Send your answer, with contact details, to editor@y-oman.com by July 21.

Fine Feast

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B R O U G H T T O Y O U B Y

IT’S OVER BUT NOT FORGOTTENIT’S OVER BUT NOT FORGOTTENTHE WORLD CUP FINISHES WITH A WIN FOR GERMANY – AND ACCOLADES FOR BRAZIL FOR BEING GREAT HOSTS. SIDDHARTH SESHAN REVIEWS HOW FOOTBALL’S BIGGEST SHOW ENDED

There have been numerous claims that the 2014 World Cup was by far one of the best to have taken place and, quite honestly, very few would disagree.

The twists and turns, tears, cheers and drama that unfolded on and off the pitch during the month-long fest of 64 matches, left no stone unturned. There were draws, one-sided performances, total domination, last-minute goals, extra-time winners, penalty shoot-outs and a series of upsets. From a football fan’s point of view, the World Cup was the complete package with an astonishing total of 171 goals, including some of the best strikes to have graced this famous tournament.

Some of the world’s top analysts were disintegrated by the likes of Spain, Italy, England and Portugal being booted out in the group stages. Our hearts were won over by underdogs Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia and Algeria.

But the most precious moments of all were the everlasting love and

support given by the tireless Brazilian fans to create such a mesmerising atmosphere. Their commitment and passion for the game was evident with the array of emotions displayed, along

with the entire country coming to a halt for a month.

The Semi-Final Carnage

It was incredible drama and made for even more incredible television. Millions of viewers around the globe witnessed one of the most amazing matches and results in the history of the World Cup. Who would have predicted that 7-1 scoreline? Brazil was shell-shocked as the team were brutally massacred by the efficient killing football machine that is

Germany, suffering the worst defeat in their history.

The game was one-sided from the moment the first goal hit the back of the net in the 11th minute of the game. By the 29th minute, Germany were up by

five goals, having scored four in six crazy minutes. At this point the Brazilians were in shambles and many of the fans were in tears. Even the consolation goal scored by Oscar in the 90th minute could not offer any comfort.

The Brazilian team were visibly handicapped without their star player Neymar. But the suspension of their

reliable captain Thiago Silva, leading the yellow and green defensive wall, clearly hurt them far more. By half-time, quite a few Brazilian supporters called it quits,

unable to watch any more humiliation, and were seen walking out of the stadium. Who could blame them? It was certainly

painful to watch even for an impartial observer. There was to be no let up – the Deutschland superstars were

absolutely unstoppable in their attack with five of their players finding the back of the net. Miroslav Klose added to his World Cup

tally with his 16th goal, making him the highest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. How ironic that the former record holder from Brazil, Ronaldo, sat helplessly in the television booth working for a local network, watching his record and team fall.

It was a hard act to follow and the second semi-final couldn’t match the drama. Close to the point of suffocation with a goalless 120 minutes between Argentina and Netherlands, the game went to a penalty shoot-out. This time, however, South America would conquer Europe. Argentina’s Sergio Romero pulled off a couple of brilliant saves to take the boys from Buenos Aires to their first final in 24 years.

The Final A blue and white flood poured over the border to Brazil. German

supporters set up a camp with a sea of white, black, red and yellow. The entire world was watching. And all eyes were on the magician Lionel Messi, Javier Macherano, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos.

Messi weaved the occasional spell and had chances to win it. Incredibly, his usually surefire feet let him down. Germany found a gap only to be denied by a post. Extra time came and penalties loomed. Until the appearance of substitute Mario Gotze, a 22 year old, who came off the bench to score an outstanding volley in the 113th minute. And that was enough. The Germans were crowned champions of the 2014 World Cup, the first European team to win the tournament in South America.

The Winners The German team, of course, celebrated long into the night with

their girlfriends and wives, along with the golden World Cup trophy. They received an incredible and well-deserved welcome home from hundreds of thousands of Germans in Berlin on Tuesday.

Superstar singer Rhianna managed to get her hands on the World Cup at the after-match party, breaking the rule that states only winners of the tournament and heads of state can touch the trophy.

It wasn’t all bad news for Lionel Messi. The mini maestro was awarded the Golden Ball, while Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was deservingly handed the Golden Glove. Holland scooped third place with a 3-0 victory over Brazil, heaping more misery on the hosts.

Then there was Luis Suarez. Despite exiting the World Cup in disgrace after the biting incident, the Uruguay striker clinched a £75 million (RO49.3 million) move from Liverpool to Barcelona on a reputed £10million-a-year (RO65.7 million) salary.

The Losers

There was no surprise when Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari “resigned” at the end of the tournament following THAT result.

The End

So that concludes one of the biggest world events. Few would argue that the best team won in the end, as it should be. It’s sad to see it all come to an end. It was an exhilarating experience and well worth the lack of sleep to watch all the games on Oman time. We were entertained to the fullest and are already looking ahead to the next World Cup in Russia 2018. Bring it on!

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I was in Brazil for a few weeks and experienced five World Cup matches. Every match was a different experience because each

team had different supporters. The atmosphere in the stadium for all the games, however, was constantly electric. During a match, the sound of the chanting fans filled the entire stadium, reaching as far as the concession stands to right down on the pitch. Everybody watched nervously as their team was bound to either triumph or fail. When a goal was scored, nothing but roars of happiness could be heard from the supporters of the scoring team. Attending World Cup matches was one of the most unique experiences of my life and I really wish I can do it again one day.

RISHAB BHARDWAJ, A STUDENT, ATTENDED THE WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL AND GIVES HIS VIEW FROM THE GROUND ON THE SPORTING SPECTACULAR

So the World Cup has ended with Germany becoming weltmeisters, and they deserved it. The best normally come away with the top prize and Germany proved over the course of the month

that they were the best. In their semi-final, Germany beat Brazil, breaking

hearts and records on the way. Who would have predicted a score of 7-1 between two of most powerful football nations on earth?

I was in Sur for the second semi-final and experienced how football can affect our Ramadan habits. Sur, a marine city, has always stood out in terms of football. It is home to the most famous football derby in Oman, a match between rivals Sur and Oruba. While this game is being played the city embraces the football rhythm, colouring it blue and green along the way.

During that semi between Netherlands and Argentina, the spirit of the derby was there. People’s passion for the game was brought to life. They were jumping, screaming, shouting and even feeling sad when a player missed a chance. That is what football does to people.

Back home, Yonus, my 12 year old nephew, was very upset when Sepp Blater crowned “Die Mannschaft” with the golden cup in Brazil. He still believed in Latin football, so he did not expect Germany to raise the “Copa du Mundo” in Rio De Janeiro on Sunday with more than 200 million Brazilians watching on. My nephew could not control himself and started crying, as most Brazilians did that night, and the Argentinenas a few days later.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Brazil head coach, will be another “Barbosa” in Brazil. Moacir Barbosa was the goalkeeper who let Uruguay score twice in the 1950 final in the Maracana and he died with this guilt. Scolari’s guilt was such that he resigned not long after his team were beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands in the play-off match.

So it’s farewell Brazil and time for us to return to our normal daily schedules. I will find peace of mind during my holiday in August. This World Cup challenged a lot of our habits and routines – in or out of Ramadan – but it was a nice experience that improved my skills in English by writing football articles in another language other than Arabic.

The World Cup offered a great opportunity for all of us. I wrote, they played, we captured, they saw, you read – and we were all proud. This was what it was all about.

FIRST-HAND VIEW

PoochyPoochyB r o u g h t t o y o u b y

IT’S BACK TO NORMAL, SAYS KOOOORA’S FAHAD AL TAMIMI

FAREWEll

BRAzIl

It was a nice finish to the World Cup for our furry oracle, having put her paws

on Germany to scoop the ultimate prize. Poochy’s World Cup has had its fair share of ups and downs, just like the action on the pitch. She started with a mis-hit, wrongly predicting Croatia to beat Brazil, a cat-astrophic error for the puss. As substitution beckoned, the cat clairvoyant sharpened her

instinct and claws and went on a roll, quickly chalking up five in a row, just like Germany did to Brazil. There was more joy when she forecast Costa Rica would draw with England, but she had a cat nap for the quarters. However, she bounced back and finished with a flourish and some nifty predicting footwork. Next stop, Russia 2018. Miaow!

FANS SUFFER THE ECSTASY AND AGONY OF THE WORLD CUP FINAL IN THE MARjAN LOUNGE AT THE GRAND HYATT MUSCAT HOTEL

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There’s a lot to be said about fad diets. Some work, many don’t. But what we do know for sure is that there’s a diet bandwagon that millions of people

jump on every year, many believing that they’ve found the Holy Grail to losing weight or living longer.

I remember quite a few of them: the Grapefruit Diet, Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet, Paleo Diet … the list is endless, but none possibly more uninspiring than the raw food diet.

One of the biggest trends of late has been the gluten-free diet. Like its organic counterpart, going gluten-free has morphed into a global phenomenon that has seen food conglomerates cash in on a multibillion-dollar industry that is forecast to double to US$16 billion by 2016.

But according to a recent study, the millions of people who have embraced the gluten-free way of life are doing it for all the wrong reasons. In fact, researchers have found that there are no significant health benefits to going gluten-free – unless, of course, you have been diagnosed as gluten intolerant.

Also known as coeliac disease, it is estimated that about one per cent of the world’s population has been diagnosed as gluten-intolerant.

For many sufferers, it is a painful condition that can take a frustratingly long time to diagnose. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include the likes of stomach cramps, diarrhoea, weight loss, vomiting in children, loss of appetite and bloating.

While many sufferers of coeliac disease in the West have a range of support groups, nutritionists and medical care to help them manage their day-to-day lives, it is more difficult in the Middle East, says one Muscat-based mother of three.

Gabriela Delassandro, an Australian expat who moved to Muscat with her family six months ago, says Oman is proving to be the most difficult country to source gluten-free foods for her five-year-old daughter, Lucia.

“My daughter has coeliac, is dairy intolerant and allergic to many preservatives they use in the food, especially in the preservative-packed gluten-free stuff available here,” she says.

“We have lived in the Middle East for 10 years and have found Oman the most difficult to find things for her. Luckily, I’m a chef and I make everything for her from scratch.

“But I have to import flours and bring most of the cheeses from Australia or the UK.”

Lucia’s condition is so severe that she can’t use Play-Doh, while even a small breadcrumb could make her sick, Gabriela says.

“She triples up in pain, has a sore stomach, sometimes a headache and is very tired.”

From having four fridges and freezers to using two toasters and separate baking goods for Lucia, as well as making two different family meals every night, the Delassandro family has found a way to cope. But others are not so lucky.

“I feel sorry for people who have gluten intolerance here,” says Gabriela.

Hard to stomach WHIlE SOME PEOPlE CHOOSE TO EMBRACE THE GlUTEN-FREE DIET, OTHERS ARE NOT SO lUCKY, WRITES FElICITY GlOVER

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

DRINKAND T R E N D

FLOuRLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE Serves 10

Ingredients • 200g high-quality plain chocolate

• 125g butter, softened • 125g caster sugar • 4 eggs, separated

• 200g peeled and finely ground almonds

Method• Break the chocolate into pieces in a bowl and set the bowl over simmering water to melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally. • Cream the butter and sugar until light

and fluffy. Separate the eggs and add the yolks to the butter mixture together with

the ground almonds and melted chocolate. Mix well to combine.

• Whisk the egg whites until stiff and add to the batter, mixing gently.

• Put the batter into a 20cm round tin and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for

about 20 minutes or until done. • Cool in the tin for about 15 minutes before

turning on to a plate. Source: allrecipes.co.uk

WHAT IS GLuTEN? According to glutenfreeuae.com, a helpful website in Dubai that also offers support to coeliac sufferers, gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. The site warns that gluten can be a hidden ingredient in many foods (think ice cream and tomato sauce, for instance) and is not just found in the usual suspects, such as pasta, bread and cakes. “Gluten can probably be found in over half of the stuff in your cupboards and fridge,” it says. “The best and easiest way to find out if something has gluten in it is to Google it. Don’t forget the E numbers [and] food additives.”

1. Wheat 2. Rye 3. Barley 4. Flour 5. Bread 6. Pasta 7. Cakes 8. Cookies 9. Biscuits 10. Malt 11. Spelt 12. Kamut 13. Bulgar 14. Couscous 15. Semolina 16. Pancakes 17. Soy sauce

PRODuCTS CONTAINING GLuTEN

Recipe

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17

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It’s not often you get served a burger in a red bun with the Superman logo branded on top of it. But then dining at Retro

is, as you’ve probably gathered, not exactly run of the mill.

With dishes such as the Olivia Newton and Hulk (a green burger if you haven’t already guessed), it offers something a little out of the ordinary.

I liked the idea. Sometimes eating the same type of food in similar surroundings can become a little mundane after a while and it’s good to break out. Retro offers you the usual American diner experience complete with bright red sofas, but throws in the added ingredient of a theme. Hence, the red-coloured burger bans.

First off, the ambience works well. There’s a wall filled with various items from different eras with images of Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Grease and Marilyn Monroe, which is a nice distraction while you’re waiting for your food. For my parents, it was quite a trip down memory lane. You certainly can’t miss the life-size Beetle car hung up on the wall right across from the entrance.

With music such as ABBA’s Dancing Queen or Duran Duran’s

hit numbers pounding out, the restaurant gave me a feeling that I was sitting in the same diner in the famous scene of John Travolta and Uma Thurman dancing away in the film Pulp Fiction.

The menu has a nice touch to it, having being styled as a book of LP discs containing an assortment of choices in appetisers, burgers, steaks, chicken dishes and various mocktails along with desserts. Dishes were named after famous celebrities, musicians and comic characters.

After a prolonged family debate, we decided on our choices. For appetisers, we settled on sharing a plate of “Rock N Roll”, grilled chicken skewers served with an outstanding peanut butter dip, and a plate of Popeye, which, as the name would suggest, has spinach in it, wrapped around cheese and topped with vermicelli.

The starters were a good portion size for a group of three, enough to get a good taste without filling us up too much. The word on the street is that the Atomic Fries are Retro’s best appetiser.

Being a big fan of the “Man of Steel”, I went for the Superman Burger, which was an interesting

mix of a beef and chicken patty along with roast beef, jalapenos and cheddar cheese. When I was served the burger, which comes with a side of fries, I was pleasantly surprised and amused to see that the buns were in fact red and had the Superman emblem branded on the top bun. The patties were cooked

to the right level of juiciness and the melted cheese seeped into the meat layers.

But curiosity can be a dangerous virtue and I could not help but wonder what the Hulk burger would look like?.Thankfully, my mother put her foot down and reminded me of my increasing waist size and that,

quite frankly, the Superman was more than enough.

My parents shared two dishes, trying the 7 Leaves Lamb Chops and the Olivia Newton. The lamb chops were topped

with a spicy chilli garlic sauce and came with tossed

vegetables and a choice of potato. Choosing mashed potatoes, the best part of the 7 Leaves was the sauce, giving the lamb chops a mouthwatering flavour. However, the level of spiciness was lacking in the sauce, despite what it said in the description.

Olivia Newton, as you are no doubt wondering, was a grilled chicken breast stuffed with olives and cheese, topped with a white sauce they call the “Olivia” sauce and served with sautéed vegetables and mashed potatoes. Even though the sauce seemed to contain a few unwelcome teaspoons of salt, the chicken was very tender and the stuffing added a bit of bite.

My main was washed down with

a very tasty mocktail called the Jamaican Jammer, which had a fresh banana balanced on the glass and was a blend of strawberry and raspberry syrup, orange juice and pineapple juice that transported me from a restaurant in Muscat to lying on a beach chair, enjoying the cool sea breeze and bright sunshine.

We decided to end our meal with a simple walnut brownie served with ice cream. Even though I am not a big fan of walnuts, the brownie turned out to be quite tasty with a nice hit of hot chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

Another appealing dessert seemed to be the Lava Cake, but we were informed it would take 15 minutes to prepare. It was getting late and my father seemed ready to snuggle in his bed with a heavy stomach and we decided against it.

Still, there’s always next time. I am definitely going back – I’ve got my eye on the Hulk Burger.

verdict:

Great ambience and

innovative dishes

7 10

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

Info BoxRETRO

Qurum Garden Complex, Shop #13, opposite Qurum Rose Garden Park,

Muscat. Email: comments@omaralkhayyam.com

Tel: 2457 1334Timings: 11am-11pm

Meal for three RO22.4

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

RETRO STYLEIF YOU ARE BIG FAN OF THE TYPICAl AMERICAN DINER OR SIMPlY lOVE A GOOD GOURMET BURGER, STEAK AND FRIES, THEN lOOK NO FURTHER, SAYS SIDDHARTH SESHAN

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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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TOP OF THE CROPS

Boys, it’s time to work out those calf muscles for September

as cropped trousers and long shorts make a comeback for autumn. Sixties-style slacks

are also trending, but this time they’re worn with bigger, bulkier

layers for a more modern silhouette.

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MEN À LA MODEFrom faux fur and foils to monochrome and manklets. Penny Fray brings you the top trends in men’s fashion to emerge from the new season shows

1. From Men In Black to the catwalk, the power pairing of black and white will never diminish. Make sure you wear yours less formally with stripes and patterned sweaters. 2. In fact, the humble stripe is the perfect trans-seasonal print – especially when it’s Regatta rather than Breton. 3. The collision of sportswear and fashion continues with quilted jackets, sweatpants and shorts.

SEPTEMBER STYLING

Be prepared to move into the new season with sass:

F ashion may be a fickle creature, but some trends take a little longer to get relegated to the rubbish bin than others – especially in menswear. So

for those of you who invested in last year’s baseball jackets, check suits and grey sweaters, congratulations! A lot of these pieces are still going strong for autumn.

Among the survivors is the humble jogging bottom. Seen everywhere from Marni to Bottega Veneta, loungewear was suddenly elevated to something altogether smarter thanks to tailoring and double-faced wool cashmere with leather.

Eager to move on from last year’s must-haves? We hear you. Consider swapping your baseball jacket for a biker. Black leather may be timeless, but green and suede are hipper. In fact, for those of you tired of playing it safe with classic neutrals, try combining interesting pastels such as robin’s egg with dusty pink à la Gucci or Bottega Veneta’s sergeant blue with mist water. And be sure to try texture, mixing fur, foil and other “out there” fabrics with traditional tweed and jersey.

Finally, when it comes to accessories, invest in a man blanket, as seen on the runways of both Burberry and Sibling. Crowns were also spotted at Dolce & Gabbana – but that may be taking things a little too far.

THE ROLL NECK These sweaters are on every stylish man’s radar thanks to their air of old-school panache. This dark grey John Smedley version has been knitted in lightweight merino wool, making it an easy layer whatever the weather. From RO85.

6 MuST BuYS

THE BIKER JACKETA clever combination of soft, smooth faux leather and motocross quilted details makes this RO53 Zara biker jacket a classic investment. It reminds me of Balmain’s biker, just without the eye-watering price tag.

SWEATPANTS The sports luxe trend is still hot, so step up your off-duty roster with H&M’s refined sweatpants. Detailed with tailored touches, this grey pair will keep you looking slick on your downtime. From RO20.

THE BIG BAGStill carrying your work stuff in a carrier bag? Tut-tut. It’s time to get a man tote like this one from Alexander McQueen. With its folded magnetic corners, this bag is sleek and discreet, but opens up for easy access to everything you’ve stowed in its spacious compartments. The supple leather will age elegantly with every season. From RO590.

A BRIGHT SCARFIf you have to inject colour into your autumn wardrobe, make sure it’s orange. The citrus hue was seen everywhere on this season’s catwalks. That’s why we love this cashmere scarf from Mr Porter. Sourced from traditionally herded Mongolian Hircus goats, it oozes craftsmanship. The additional silk threads create an unbeatable lustre that just about justifies the RO360 price tag. For much cheaper alternatives, hit the souk.

SLIP-ON SNEAKERSThese were once the only permissible footwear for skaters, but leave it to Balmain to inject them with a luxurious touch. This pair is made from monochrome black leather with white rubber soles and is ideal for wearing with a sweatshirt and jeans for a city-meets-street outfit. Ideal for Muscat’s warm autumn. From RO283 but you can get cheaper versions in mall stores like Splash and Call It Spring.

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HEALTH&BEAUTY

Smartphone

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

So if you’re anything like me, your smartphone is your right-hand man, your saviour in countless sticky situations and your enabler to many a lazy Google afternoon. But did you

know this wonder of technology has the ability to give you food poisoning, a collection of extra chins and a new type of social anxiety ... all from a tiny little screen? No? Me neither.

Not that it’ll stop me from cradling mine like my own child.

However, I will bear in mind that there is medical proof that many physical ailments - some new - have been blamed on smartphone usage. These include a phenomenon called “smartphone thumb” or “text claw”, repetitive strain injury to the big digit caused by all that texting and surfing, leading to tendonitis. There’s also carpal tunnel from bad wrist positions and tingling and numbness in ring and pinkie fingers from bent elbows.

The neck, back and shoulders are large sufferers of the strains caused by new phone addictions. We have a tendency to tilt our 4.5 kilo heads towards our screens, increasing the pressure on our neck and shoulders. This can lead to muscle spasm and general aches. In the long run it can even induce cervical spondylitis. This looming position has even been known to have unexpected facial effects. The strain shortens the muscles of the neck, pulling down on the jowl area thus creating drooping jawlines and lines around the mouth.

The eyes are subject to even more of a battering. The abrupt changes in graphics, brightness and detail create strain. Chronic dry-eye syndrome, headaches and blurred vision tend to occur from over-usage.

There’s worse. Heat produced from smartphone screens provides a comfortable environment for bacteria to grow.

Issues that arise from these bacteria include acne, facial dermatitis and illness.

A study by Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey found that 94.5 per cent of phones swabbed held bacterial contamination. Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium responsible for food poisoning, was isolated in over half of phones.

I’m the first to admit I have a bad habit – using my phone in bed. There’s a large temptation to just

check texts, then before you know it you’re refreshing Twitter and wondering why it’s 1am.

The problem is that a blue light emitted from the phone screen has a shorter wavelength than light we’re accustomed to. This wavelength disrupts our sleeping pattern by supressing melatonin production, a chemical responsible for sleep regulation. So while a few texts may seem harmless you could be unknowingly giving yourself disturbed sleep, and even insomnia.

Ten years ago it would be considered normal to know a few telephone numbers, addresses and birthdays by heart. This declarative memory is being reduced by smartphones. There is no longer any need to consciously recall this information as we store it all in our phones. If we don’t use this memory, we lose it.

A more recent issue created from smartphones is known as cyberchondria. With the ability to Google any kind of unwell feeling, a new kind of health anxiety is born. The advice given on forums and non-accredited sites is often lacking in any kind of medical knowledge and only causes unnecessary angst.

A frequent use of smartphones is music. We are able to play music directly to our ears; however, if at too high a volume, hearing loss can occur. Pedestrians also can create more problems for themselves by texting as they cross roads. According to the University of Washington, a texting pedestrian is four times more likely to ignore lights or to not look both ways on the road.

Phone usage by drivers creates habitual road accidents. Studies from Carnegie Mellon University have shown that listening to someone else talk when driving reduces brain activity by 37 per cent. We’ve all seen drivers on Oman’s roads weaving across lanes while trying to text or make calls.

Our smartphones have moved into our daily life so easily, we rarely even think about any negative connotations. But don’t fear, measures such as cleaning our phone screens and switching to silent moade through the night can be quick fixes.

There’s no need to scrap smartphones all together. Just a few tweaks and you can go back to your Facebook stalking like there was never an issue. Just stop and think before you next reach for your phone.

Warning

So how can you limit these effects? Bacteria Keep your screen clean with regular use of non-alcohol based disinfectant wipes. To go one step further, buy a UV wand to kill 90 per cent of bacteria and viruses on first contact. For the times in between your new cleaning regime, a headphone set is advised to minimise your facial contact.Aches and Pains If your constant screen tapping has started to make your wrists sore; place your hands together like you’re praying, fingers facing your stomach, and push down. If it’s your eyes that are starting to struggle, make the font size larger to minimise strain. Keep your phone 16 inches away from your face for minimal discomfort. If you find that you’re in pain for longer than a week, see your doctor. Road awareness Use Bluetooth or speakerphone in the car to minimise risk of accidents.

Having your mobile glued to your ear or hands might not be such a smart idea after all, finds Esmee Brunton

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

STYLE COUNSEL

Barbra Young, a former designer and retailer

BARBRA YOUNG ANSWERS YOUR FASHION QUESTIONS

Dear Jane,Of course it is. In your longer letter, you said you like the idea of wearing

shirts, but are worried about looking frumpy. They only look matronly if they’re buttoned to the top and are made from stiff, unflattering cotton. Go for something with a looser fit with a pair of slim trousers. DKNY have some amazing silk shirts with requisite stretch (photographed).Made to measure is another option. There are a lot of online companies doing this, while Muscat has a wealth of good-value tailors. Last, but not least, don’t forget to invest in proper underpinnings. Get professionally measured and you’ll look amazing. Good luck with your new job.

If you have any fashion questions for Barbra, email

info@y-oman.com or tweet #style

@ytabloid

I’m 49 and all of my adult life I’ve been big up top, which I hate. I’m starting a new job in September

and want to look sleek rather than matronly. Is that possible at my age? I’m a size 12. Jane, Muscat.

Q.

A.

TOO LATE? DON’T WORRY. GET Y INSTANTLY ONLINE USING YOUR MOBILE DEVICES & PCVisit www.y-oman.com/current-issue/

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J U LY 1 7 - 2 3 / I S S U E 3 2 9 0 3 7

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

CARS ANDADVENTURES

GEOLOGIST’S PARADISEMultilayers of rocks built up over time give clues to the

history of the Al Huqf region and chronicle

the changing landscape.

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CARS ANDOUTDOORS

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

Destination

SOUTHERN AL HUqFBack in familiar territory, Jerzy Wierzbicki checks

out the unique landscape of the desert in Al Wusta, encountering camels while he’s there

The gauge on my car was reading an outside temperature of 47°C and the sun was blindingly

strong through the windscreen. All around was barren scenery of sand and craggy outcrops stretching as far as the eye could see. There was no sign of any civilisation. I was in my element. Regular readers will know how much I love the desert. And the Al Wusta region, with its unique terrain and geological phenomenon, is one of the most interesting.

Some of you may be wondering why I’m visiting the desert during the summer, when the sun is at its most ferocious. I’m either slightly crazy or the weather has peaked and is beginning the slow climb down. Perhaps it’s a little bit of both.

I am thorough with my preparation, though. Before I go anywhere, I research the weather and conditions I can expect. With this trip, I checked maps and spoke to some of my friends working in the oil industry, who told me Al Huqf was one of the best locations for geologists.

It was my 29th trip to the region, but this time I wanted spend two nights somewhere off the beaten track. As it’s still summer, we made sure to pack extra water as we set off on Route 32 by Sinaw to Mahout, where we hit a small sandstorm. Visibility was very limited and the temperature was past 40°C. In Mahout, we refuelled and continued on to our destination, a long valley called Wadi Shital.

About 60km before the wadi, I decided on a change of plan and turned into the desert very close to Jebel Aswad. The wind was still strong, so we camped behind the shelter of a high rock that was shaped like a pyramid and settled down for the night.

The next morning, we got an early start and headed south

towards Wadi Shital. Before the wadi’s entrance, we refuelled again. The main adventure was about to start. From here on in, we would be off-road. A sandy track, cutting straight through the middle of the valley, led to a huge and almost flat stony desert called Jiddat al Harasis. At the end of the wadi, we turned north and explored the southern part of Al Huqf.

The environment there is very complex. I always say to my friends that in Al Huqf, you can experience every type of desert environment in Oman in one place.

There is everything. Sand dunes of different colours and shapes, old and weathered rocks, small and natural oases, flat sandy plateaus and salty basins called sabkah.

We were ready to explore all of these and more. About 5km after leaving Wadi Shital, we pulled our cars over next to a lonely 20m-high rock that was partly covered by a sand dune. Investigating with my camera, I soon found out why Al Huqf is called a “geologist’s paradise”. What looked like a massive plain monolith from a distance, had a whole new perspective up close. The rock was made up of thousands of tiny thin layers, some intensely brown, giving it the appearance of a chocolate wafer. Time had left its mark with cracks and jagged edges.

We drove slowly on the sandy tracks and sometimes on the small sand dunes. After 15km, we reached a wide gap, where the sand was slightly softer and between the dunes we noticed a lot of small trees. Looking through my camera lens, I noticed something green in the distance, near another rock structure. A further 2km on, we found a small oasis with young palm trees. Their source of life is water dripping slowly from the rock. In the middle of the day, it was very hot, with the temperature hitting 47°C,

but I wanted to move on. I had a plan to reach another formation several kilometres away and one of the few locations for a night camp. On the way, we stopped near a well close to the track, which may feed the small trees dotted around the landscape.

Further on, the formations looked like the remains of the bottom of a shallow sea.

By early evening, the conditions were stunning, with a gentle breeze blowing and temperatures of 30°C. We found a great location to set up our camp and root out wood for our campfire. At night, the desert shone in the reflection of the moonlight.

Al Huqf is fascinating place with many secrets. Even after almost 30 trips there, I realise how little I know about this place.

J U LY 1 7 - 2 3 / I S S U E 3 2 9 0 3 9

HOW TO GET THEREAl Huqf is an almost uninhabited part of Oman. There are a few small Bedouin settlements and nothing more. The desert can be unpredictable and dangerous. A 4x4 car is compulsory. Do not travel there alone. Prepare yourself properly before you set off. Be sure that you have enough fuel, water and food. There is no mobile phone reception in the desert.

GPS location of the rock formation in the story:  20° 6’32.61”N 57°34’1.83”E

The Buah formation and our night camp:  20°21’15.68” N 57°41’25.53”ETR

AVEL

GUI

DE

0 4 0

CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDADVENTURES

Squealing brakes, the roar of exhausts and smell of scorching rubber. It’s all part of the Ramadan Motorsports Festival in Muscat

J U LY 1 7 - 2 3 / I S S U E 3 2 9

J U LY 1 7 - 2 3 / I S S U E 3 2 9 0 4 1

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

As dusk falls and the day moves towards its end, the action is only just beginning at the

Oman Automobile Association (OAA) tracks.

It’s when night really sets in that things start to come to life here. From a few kilometres away, carried on the wind, you can hear the sounds of revving engines, the throaty growls of acceleration and vibration of music.

It can only be the Ramadan Motorsports Festival. During the Holy Month, the Association’s track in Seeb is playing host to all sorts of action-packed events, from drifting to karting to buggy challenges and rally stages.

What makes it even more exciting, and gives it that extra edge, is that everything takes place under the cover of darkness after Iftar.

Thousands of motorsport fans from Oman and neighbouring GCC countries have either been taking part in the event or spectating.

You don’t necessarily need to go just for the cars or karts either.

“Ramadan Motorsports Festival is not just for the sports lovers. It is a social event where anyone can make use of our facility during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Food and beverages are served inside the

huge tent, which is an ideal place to spend time with friends and family members,” says an OAA official.

Off the track, there’s plenty to keep crowds amused. Not that it’s needed, as the drama unfolding on the tarmac has been more than enough to keep everyone entertained.

Watching the country’s first all-female karting team take part in kart racing has been one of the highlights.

Shatha al Zadjali, who works for Oman Oil, Halima al Kindi, an Omran employee, and Maryam al Moosa – who make up up the OAA’s women team – have proven that girls are just as capable as their male counterparts when it comes to the rough and ready sport.

“Karting is for anyone who loves cars and racing. Besides, I firmly believe that there is no place for gender discrimination in motorsports,” says Maryam, who works for the Bank of Beirut.

The thrills on the karting track – which has been renamed Muscat Speedway – continue.

Other adrenalin-fuelled events at the site have seen competitors battling it out in sprints, motorcross, endurance and rally stages in all sorts of vehicles, ranging from Dodge cars to buggies.

CATCH THE ACTIONRAMADAN SWS KARTING CHALLENGE Thurs, July 17. Starts at 9pm

RAMADAN TIME ATTACK CHALLENGEFri, July 18. Starts 10pm

RAMADAN T3 CHALLENGE Fri, July 18. Starts 10pm

Find out more

/omanautomobileassociation

@OAA_omanauto Info@omanauto.org

J U L 1 7 - 2 3 / I S S U E 3 2 90 4 2

TOP 5 PLACES TO VISIT:1. Gion (geisha district)2. kiyomizu-dera temple3. kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion)4. Ryoan-ji rock garden5. Toei kyoto studio Park

SACRED SHRINE Some 10,000 small torii (shrine gates) guard the

entrance to the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Japan.

It takes two hours to walk the whole trail, but you’ll be rewarded with great views over the city of Kyoto. Go at dusk and it’s a magical

experience.

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 C a r s

My favourite place It’s not for nothing that one of the nicknames for Kyoto is the City of Ten Thousand Shrines. There are roughly 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in the area, one of the most famous being Kiyomizu-dera, a magnificent wooden temple supported by pillars on the edge of a mountain in eastern Kyoto. Not a single nail was used in the entire structure and it takes its name from the waterfall within the complex. Also worth a visit is Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), overlooking a lake, which, as its name suggests, is decorated on two storeys with pure gold leaf. There’s a Temple of the Silver Pavilion, too, but it’s nowhere near as spectacular.

Highlights You can’t leave Kyoto without visiting the old part of the city. Wander down the narrow backstreets of Ponto-cho and you might just catch a fleeting glance of a geisha sitting inside the ancient doorways. Geishas, or geiko and maiko (apprentice gieko), are traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses and perform dance and tea rituals. Kyoto has the only geishas left in Japan and Gion is the city’s most famous geisha district. Geisha come alive with their white-painted faces, classic Japanese hairstyles and fabulous kimonos. If you have a chance to meet one, it will definitely be the highlight of your trip to Japan. Take a short walk from here to Shijokawaramachi, where you will find the dizzying sights and sounds of modern Kyoto with garish electrical shops and huge department stores, sitting side-by-side with dusty old bookshops and antique stores. At dusk, traditional lanterns light up the night. End your day with a performance at Gion Corner, the famous stage for olden arts, where there are twice-daily shows, followed by kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. Lowlights Japan can be crushingly expensive and Kyoto is famously so. It’s packed with once-in-a-lifetime attractions at once-in-a-lifetime prices. Be careful to budget wisely or you could find yourself nursing a huge credit-card bill by the end. Souvenirs Kyoto is probably the best place in Japan to buy authentic Japanese goods, so make the most of it. Top of your shopping list should be yukata (light cotton robes), green tea, traditional Japanese paper washi – get the shop to put in a cardboard tube for safe transport home – lacquerware and woodblock prints. If you want to go down the usual tourist route, there’s always a kimono.

Where to stay You won’t be stuck for a place to lay your head, with everything from dirt-cheap guesthouses to five-star international hotels. Kyoto is also packed with ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). My personal favourite is Kyoto Hotel Okura, affordable luxury with big rooms and right by the subway. On a budget? Try the excellent Tour Club guesthouse. Tourism is well geared up for travellers from the Middle East, with a dedicated website highlighting Kyoto’s Halal and Muslim-friendly restaurants and hotels (www.kyoto.travel).

KYOTO Gion (Geisha district)

KinKaKu-ji (temple of the

Golden pavilion)

Paul Oxley recommends

Kiyomizu-dera temple Gate

K onnich iwa” and “yokoso ” (he l l o and we lcome) to Kyoto i n japan, wh ich has , co i nc identa l l y , j ust been named the word ’s best c i ty to v is i t i n a po l l by the u .s magaz ine trave l + le isure . i ’m not surpr ised . i ’ ve been l i v i ng i n japan for more than 24 years , but i ’m st i l l b l own away by the beauty

and cu l t ura l her i tage of th is c i ty , the anc ient imper ia l cap i ta l . i en j oy the stark contrast w ith my home c i ty , tokyo , wh ich i s a fast , thrust ing and dynam ic metropo l i s that never s leeps .

not that Kyoto i s s leepy , far from i t . rather , i t g i ves v is i t ors a doorway to peek at the japanese trad it i ons of the past , from the fasc inat ing ge ishas to centur ies-o ld temp les and shr ines .

there are an i ncred ib le 17 unesco Wor ld her i tage sites here , each one embody ing the era in wh ich i t was constructed .

add to th is wonderfu l g ourmet cu is ine , trad it i ona l hand icrafts and the renowned japanese hosp i ta l i ty , and i t ’ s l i tt l e wonder that a record 5 1 m i l l i on t our ists made the i r way to Kyoto last year . i was one of them.

located in the centra l part of the i s land of honshu , the c i ty i s one of the most we l l preserved in japan, hav ing been spared much of the destruct i on of Wor ld War i i . W ith h i gh-speed ra i l l i nks , an a i rport and a great pub l i c transport system, i t ’ s easy to reach and nav igate around , a l though i prefer the s imp ler , and more trad it i ona l , way of s i ghtsee ing - on a b i cyc le .

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

EDITO

R’S P

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Y - F IP o s t c a r d s f r o m C a r s I n d o o r s

SMART RETRO

The Martian Victory Smartwatch stands out as one of the more elegant smartwatches currently on the market. However, its retro style wouldn’t look out of place on Draper’s wrist in Mad Men. It offers hands-free voice commands, messages and alerts display, and a smartphone camera control. A sophisticated, stylish watch combined with smart features makes the Martian Victory the ideal choice for anyone not looking to carry a computer around on their wrist. Best priced at amazon.com for RO90. Look out for the Martian Notifier in the near future for a more classic look.

WATCH ITOur lives and events are run by time itself. Many of us,

however, find that wearing a watch sometimes has more to do with status and art, says Matthew Herbst

IN SPACE”ORBITING EARTH IN MY SPACESHIP, I SAW HOW BEAUTIFUL OUR PLANET IS. LET US

PRESERVE THIS BEAUTY, NOT DESTROY IT!” – YURI GAGARIN. IN APRIL 1961, RUSSIA’S GAGARIN WAS THE FIRST MAN TO JOURNEY INTO OUTER SPACE WHEN HIS VOSTOK

SPACECRAFT COMPLETED AN ORBIT OF THE EARTH. IN 2011, TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS HISTORICAL EVENT, THE GERMAN WATCHMAKER BERNHARD LEDERER, FOUNDER OF THE BLU (BERNHARD LEDERER UNIVERSE) WATCH BRAND,

CREATED THE GAGARIN TOURBILLON, AN INCREDIBLE 50-PIECE LIMITED-EDITION WATCH. IT FEATURES A 60-SECOND FLYING ORBITAL TOURBILLON THAT ROTATES

COUNTERCLOCKWISE AROUND THE DIAL IN 108 MINUTES, THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME IT TOOK GAGARIN TO ORBIT THE EARTH. NOW, BERNHARD LEDERER GOES EVEN FURTHER

WITH A NEW VERSION OF THE TIMEPIECE BY INTRODUCING A STUNNING GOLD DIAL ENGRAVED WITH A MAP OF THE WORLD. AVAILABLE IN EITHER GALVANIC BLUE OR BLACK,

THE OUTER DIAL, REPRESENTING THE SPACE, IS MADE FROM SYNTHETIC DIAMOND. YOURS FOR

RO112,304 FROM WWW.THEGAGARINTOURBILLON.COM

WATCH ‘N GO

The Cookoo watch is a striking yet androgynous design that sports a circular analog face on a black digital background. Measuring 1.75 inches in circumference and 0.6 inches thick, it features small splashes of blue on the hour and minute hands, as well as on each line denoting the hour. There are four buttons on each side of the watch: a black connect and light button on the left and a black command button and a blue-mode button on the right. Also on the right, between the two buttons, is the dial to adjust the time. To connect via your smartphone, just switch on bluetooth and it’s all systems go in a matter of seconds. It supports notifications for incoming calls, missed calls, Facebook posts, WhatsApp messages and calendar reminders. A no-frills, easy-to-use watch. www.cookoowatch.com from RO49.60 and RO95.80 for the limited-edition Cookoo watches.

BOX OFFICE

The name Hyetis Crossbow is inspired by the Greek word meaning “leader”. This Swiss-made timepiece boasts top-notch specs, combining an automatic analogue movement with the latest smartwatch technology, and sports a high-definition LCD dial with an anti-reflective sapphire

crystal-touch screen. Its main feature is the 41MP camera with optical zoom and noise-cancelling microphone for shooting movies. The Hyetis also includes a depth gauge for scuba diving,

rated to 15,000 metres. Communication can be accomplished over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, while power is sourced via

twin battery packs integrated into the band attachment mechanism, which last for 48 hours. It is an all rounder

with iOS, Android and Windows 8 compatibility. www.hyetis.com for

RO462.

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NEW Want to be able to control time at will? Well, while you can’t actually alter time itself, but the Hublot MP-02 “Key Of Time” offers a feature that could be considered the next best thing. The second creation in the Hublot Masterpiece collection - some may even call it a work of art - allows the wearer to adjust time through the use of a dial, which sets the speed at which time will flow. There are three settings in total. The first allows you to slow down the speed of the watch, which will make it run four times slower than a standard hour. The second is a standard time setting, while the third lets you to increase the speed of the watch four times faster than a standard hour. The “Key Of Time” is available in titanium and king gold, both of which look suitably expensive, but are durable. The watch is limited to 50 pieces worldwide and costs RO128,385 from www.hublot.com

THE HUBLOT MP-02

FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, seconds, time-speed indicator, power-reserve indicator, tourbillon

NuMBER Of RuBIES: 74

NUMBER OF COMPONENTS: 512

MAINPLATE AND BRIDGES: Beveled with drawn rims, circular grained recesses, nickel-black coating

F I N D O U T W H A T ’ S H I P & H A P P E N I N G I N G A D G E T S

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CLOCKWORK ORANGE

The MVT01/D01 by 4N, or four numbers, is exquisitely handcrafted by François Quentin and made from 520 components. The watch’s movement is based on an intelligent configuration of intermittent rotating discs, Watching time delicately rotate over layers of discs is in stark contrast to its sturdy design. Three subgroups of discs, kept in cage structures, light up to reveal the time according to a jumping display as the minutes pass (four discs for the hour, five for the minutes and one for 10 minutes). The large orange numbers are set on black background with a carbon-fibre case that is both modern and distinctly masculine. To create such perfection, Quentin had to overcome myriad of technical hurdles and it took four years to produce just 16 watches, which are sold to selected clients from around the world. Rumour has it that Quentin also hand-delivers the watch to whoever buys one, wherever they may be. www.4nparis.com for RO78,603

App of the week

TELLING TIMEWherever you are in the world, this app will make sure you aren’t running late. The World Clock Gold-Time zones is known for its accurate local times for thousands of cities around the world. This Gold version offers extra features, including an interactive Time Zone Map and Daylight Saving Time (DST). Available for iPhone and iPad. Around RO0.77

ONE FOR THE GIRLSIf you like everything to colour coordinate in your wardrobe, darling, this is an absolute “must buy”. Remix Watches are the ultimate accessory with 11 bands allowing over 100 colour combinations to match every outfit and shoes. With LED illuminated faces and flexible silicone bands, these desirable timepieces are also water resistant. For bling, go for Swarovski-crystal faces. Around RO15 from www.amazon.com Check out www.remixwatches.com

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Power and precision wrapped in a perfect package. The Lincoln MKX will win you over with its finishes and finesse, says Kate Ginn

Lincoln MKX Specifications

Engine: 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 Horsepower: 305

280lb-ft of net torque Transmission: Six-speed SelectShift with Paddle

Activation All Wheel Drive (AWD)

It was a sweltering afternoon and I’d left my access card to get past the security road barrier to my residential block in my flat.

Without it, there was no way of getting home.

Curses. It meant a trek to retrieve my card and a trudge back to my parked car, as the sun blazed down. I wasn’t amused. Until, that is, I reached the top of a grassy mound, a good 400 metres from my vehicle, but with an uninterrupted view. Four presses on the remote and the air conditioning in the car sprung to life like magic. How cool is that? Very cool, I found out, as I arrived red-faced and sweating to climb into an interior already beautifully chilled, blasting out soothing icy air. What bliss!

This remote start is just one of the many little tricks that make the Lincoln MKX so special. Buy this elegant number and no more will you have to suffer sitting in cars hotter than ovens waiting for the air con to kick in. Believe me, it makes life a lot more comfortable.

It’s a pretty powerful cooling system as well, with dual zone electronic automatic temperature control. To change the temperature, you simply slide your finger along the control and hey presto. Lights trace your finger as you adjust the climate. You can set it up differently for the driver and passenger sides, so both can have their own personal

preference; in my case, the sort of cold that would make a polar bear feel at home.

Let’s go outside of the car. It’s a good-looking vehicle with a split grille and short snub of a bonnet with chic lights. The smooth lines carry up and over the roof – equipped with a very snazzy panoramic sunroof – along undulating contours to the back. Chrome-clad wheels give it an air of luxury, which continues with the chrome door handles and twin exhausts. Boy, I just knew that I was going to enjoy driving the Lincoln MKX.

Some of you might not know that Lincoln is the luxury side of Ford. You get the reliability and top-notch engineering of the make with added refinement and opulence that comes with a lavish brand.

The MKX is packed to the gills with high-end bits and pieces, from the premium Bridge of Weir finest Scottish leather seats with tuxedo stripes and piping to the 14-speaker THX audio system (which has a simply awesome sound quality). Money buys quality and it shows.

The odd flash of chrome scattered around the interior complements varnished wood trims (available in olive ash and walnut swirl). Everything looks and feels reassuringly expensive.

As I sped down the Sultan Qaboos highway (sticking within the speed limit, might I add in case

Ford Oman is reading this) with the glittering sea on one side and the chocolate-brown mountains on the other, I pushed a button to roll back the sunroof and let the wind and sun stream into the cabin, cranked up Coldplay on the stereo and felt like the luckiest girl on earth. Experiences like that are priceless.

The drive is as excellent as you would expect, a slightly heavier but very responsive steering backed up by a burst of power when needed.

If you have children, the Lincoln MKX will make nightmare car journeys a thing of the past. The rear has two DVD players, each one a separate unit so your little angels can watch different movies. No more fighting and a headache free drive for mummy or daddy. The parents have their own big eight-inch screen to play with.

I loved the automatic boot opening, which also closes with the push of a button.

Safety features are superb – airbags, including side impact and curtain for the second row, roll stability control and crash-alert system – and there’s all sorts of goodies like rear-view camera, reverse sensing system and a sat nav, which can take you all over the GCC. With All Wheel Drive, you can happily tackle most terrains on the way. You’ll need it. This is the sort of car that you want to just keep driving and driving for the sheer pleasure of it.

CARS ANDADVENTURES

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

CAR OF THE WEEK

check this out

20” chrome-clad wheels Dual exhausts with

chrome tips Panoramic vista sunroof Push button start Remote start ABS with Brake Assist 8” lCD Touch Screen Two 4.2” lCD DVD screens

in rear GCC navigation system Premium leather seats

They say: “The perfect

combination.” We say:

“Affordable luxury.”