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NOV 19 - 25 2015 / ISSUE 395 • WEEKLY

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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.

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FO L L O W U S O N :

As the nation gathers this week to celebrate the 45th National Day of Oman, Team Y has been busy with our own event to mark this historic occasion celebrating the wise and inspiring leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said.

Over the past two weekends, Y has covered a lot of kilometres and met hundreds of children and their parents as we travelled between Sohar, Sur, Nizwa and Salalah, and then on to Muscat, for our Portrait By A Nation competition.

Designed to give the children of Oman an artistic opportunity to create their very own lasting tributes to His Majesty, the second Portrait By A Nation attracted record numbers and was an incredible success.

Culminating in a special ceremony last night at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel, we crowned our winners and congratulated our 45 finalists. Turn to page 20 for our special coverage of Portrait By A Nation and to meet our winners and finalists.

Thank you for your fantastic support of this remarkable grassroots event that has helped some incredibly talented children realise their potential – regardless of whether they won or not. In our eyes, everybody is a winner!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the National Day celebrations.

Fast forward

editor@y-oman.com

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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

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Team Y had a great time at our Portrait By A Nation event at Al Mouj Muscat last weekend, enjoyed taking the 2016 Audi Q7 out for a test drive

and spiced it up at a hot chicken wing eating competition.

THIS WEEK…

Are you a first-year college student and have a hidden

talent you’d like to show the world? Then you

should enter Y’s Coolest Fresher talent competition! Turn to P12 for details.

GOING UPNATIONAL PRIDE

The pride of the Sultanate was on show in all its glory this week as the

country united to celebrate its historic 45th National Day. From the beautiful lights and flags lining Sultan Qaboos highway to special ceremonies and

firework displays, it really was a celebration to remember.

GOING DOWNSTRIKING WORKERS

Great news that the oil and gas sector unions have cancelled a planned strike

later this month, saying they were already seeing results from the ongoing

talks with the ministerial panel overseeing the industry’s concerns.

C O M P E T I T I O N

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contentsN O V E M B E R 1 9 - 2 5 2 0 1 5

Yo u r O m a n06 Coffee With Deeba Arafat Al Hinai And Badriya Al Rahbi

08 Voice Of Oman Felicity Glover

10 News National Day Events

12 Y’s Coolest Fresher Join The Talent Hunt

15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Khalid Al Hoqani

T h i s We e k

17 Movie Listings Strangerland

18 This Week Old Skool Tunes

H e a l t h a n d B e a u t y32 Fashion National Pride

34 Beauty Perfect Skin

16

33

Fe at u r e s20 Portrait By A Nation Winners Revealed

C a r s a n d A d v e n t u r e s38 Destination Bulls At Barka

40 Indoors King Of Wings

42 Postcard From São Paulo, Brazil

44 Y-Fi Kitchen Whizz

46 Car Of The Week Ford Figo

44

FEATURES / COFFEE WITH DEEBA / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / FOOD / DESTINATION / HEALTH / BEAUTY

NEXT ISSUE...

19

20

J U LY 0 3 - 0 9 / I S S U E 3 2 70 6

Arafat al Hinai and Badriya al Rahbi are

both perfect examples of

the progress Oman has

made in the last 45 years.

From humble beginnings, they

worked hard to achieve their

dreams and career goals, buidling

a stable home and future for their

families.Similar stories can be told

across Oman. But what makes

Arafa and Badriya diffferent

is that they are telling theirs

to a wider audience as stars

of a new documentary series

“Proud to be Omani” by the

Khimji Ramdas Group, which

is shining a spotlight on Omani

achievements as part of National

Day celebrations.Arafat, 40, and Badriya, 36, who

both work for Khimji Ramdas,

both had to overcome tough

circumstances to succeed.

“When I was 18, my father

retired and the responsibility of

the family’s finances fell on me.

I’d just graduated from school

and moved to college, but I could

only be there for three days as I

had to take care of the situation

back home,” says Arafat.

He eventually left college to

support his family and had to

find work. “I came to Muscat and

there were some very tough times.

I remember walking from Al

Khuwair to Wadi Adai one day in

July in 1997 because I didn’t have

any money to pay for transport.”

Arafat says that his daily

expenses were 300 baisas, which

bought him a soft drink and a

piece of cake, with the remainder

spent on a newspaper to look for

a job. His first job was a store

cleaner for a company in Ghala.

“My income was RO120 and

my expenses included unpleasant

shared accommodation, daily

essentials and food. I would send

some back home to make sure

To celebrate National Day, Deeba Hasan meets Arafat al Hinai and

Badriya al Rahbi, both of whom rose from humble beginnings to heights

that they could never have imagined

my family was surviving in my

hometown of Bahla.”For Badriya, life was difficult in

a different way. “My father died

when I was nine years old and I

had four brothers,” she says. “I

remember making tea, eggs and

other food for them because my

mother needed help.”The young Badriya was the

first girl in her family to go

school, attending afternoon

sessions that would run until

4pm. When she got home

she would make supper and

then dinner for her brothers.

Sometimes there was no

electricity at home and they

would have to study by the light

of an oil lantern.Despite these hardships,

Badriya later studied and

graduated in business from the

Higher College of Technology,

getting married in her final year.

“After marriage, I worked as a

customer service agent, cashier,

saleswoman and secretary, but

these were low paid, with a salary

between RO60 and RO100. I

was looking for something that

would satisfy my career and

I landed with a job at Khimji

Ramdas in 2007.”The year before this, though,

Badriya and her husband split

up. Suddenly, she was a single

mother with two boys to support,

while juggling work.When she joined Khimji

Ramdas, Badriya rented a flat

in Al Khoudh with her salary of

RO250. “I had to put my kids

into babysitting in the mornings

and go to work. With many

expenses and little income, we

sometimes didn’t have even one

rial to buy dinner,” she recalls.

However, Badriya worked her

way to senior sales engineer and

managed to buy land in Nakhal

and build her dream house.

When asked if she sees herself

as a role model to other Omanis,

Badriya answers very modestly.

“There are people who have

had more problems than me,

so I don’t know if I am a role

model, but I would definitely

want my children to learn from

my experience. I want to tell

everyone who is facing problems

that it’s not the end of the world,

you need to move on and face the

situation.”Today, Arafat is a senior HR

manager and hopes that his four

children will one day rise

to top positions and

make him proud. “The

oldest is my 16-year-

old daughter and she

wants to become a doctor. My wife and

parents have supported

me immensely through

the journey and I wish

for a bright future for my

family,” he says.Similarly, Badriya wants

her boys, who are now 11

and 12, to do their best in

their school life and careers.

Both Badriya and Arafat

are grateful for the support

of their current employer

and are full of praise for His

Majesty. “He has developed

everything for us from scratch,”

says Badriya. “I love him so

much, he is like a father to me.”

“I think His Majesty has

transformed the nation and I am

so proud that everyone in my

family could go to college and

are now working in very good

positions,” Arafat says.

“I think in the next 45 years,

Oman will be among the top

nations of the world.”

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

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 50 6

LEMAN RedCaran d’Ache. Swiss Made excellence since 1915.

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Khimji’s Watches, Al Ufouq Building, Ground 2, Building # 2825, Way # 3036,

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N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 50 8

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I know I’m not the only mum who struggles with the work-life balance. Juggling our

commitments at work and at home keeps us on our toes and when I think about it, we are literally on call 24/7.

Not that I am complaining. I have an incredible life and am very grateful for all that I have been able to achieve for my daughter and I. As a single parent, it can be tough at times, especially when you need to work late and your alarm is set every morning to go off at 5.15. But it’s all worth it.

However, that all came crashing down a couple of weekends ago when a stomach virus took hold and put me out for the count.

Of course, it was only then that I realised that I can’t always be the strongest one with the broadest shoulders. Something had to give and I had to allow myself to be taken care of for once.

And that’s when my 12-year-old daughter rose to the occasion by helping me to keep my temperature down with cool face cloths, making sure I was warm when I started to shiver and even preparing her own meals. She was quiet when I was finally able to sleep and there for me when I awoke.

Her care and love helped me through the weekend, as they always do. But it was her sense of responsibility that gave me a true insight into the beautiful, caring young woman she will eventually be – and for that, I am truly grateful. Thank you, sweetheart!

DEBATE OF THE WEEK

WE ASKED: “If you could only take one of your material belongings into the desert with you, what would it be and why?”

SALEH AROON I would take my iPhone for sure. Firstly, I am addicted to it and secondly, I could play games when I got bored of the

Dear Editor,

The journey Amour al Wahaibi, Mohammed al Zadjali and Mark Evans will undertake to cross the Rub Al Khali [Issue 394] may only seem a commemorative undertaking facilitated by modern technology and provisions to many, but it is also an experimental journey that has the scope for studying evolving human nature and needs.

Thomas Bertram, Sheikh Saleh al Kathiri and their team might have been short on technology and modern provisions, yet they were better equipped to cross the Empty Quarter because of their psychological superiority when compared to their present day counterparts.

When they stepped into the Rub Al Khali 85 years ago, they expected to fend for themselves, even in the most dire of situations, seeing as it was impossible expect help in the middle of the desert. The capability of Thomas Bertram and his companions to survive and cope with calamities was not hindered by any kind of dependency; they were fully in sync with their inner selves and

natural environment.Unfortunately, this instinctive human

behavior has been disparaged by dependency on technological advancement and the resultant human needs. Today, if any team decides to cross the Empty Quarter with equipment on par to what was available in 1930, they would be prevented from successfully crossing the sands for obvious reasons.

With the advent of satellite and wireless technology and other scientific advancements, the human race may be at its height of progress but it has certainly evolved into a race limited by its own creations.

Let us face the reality; we can’t even travel to a nearby department store without being connected with our friends and family through smartphones. Technology has made our lives better, but not without its shortcomings. Our yesteryear counterparts enjoyed freedom from side effects of urbanisation and hence excelled more than us.

Regards,Mona Aman, Muscat

plain desert. Finally, I would need maps and directions to see which way to go and I could call for help when I wanted to be rescued.

SHIBHANGI GHOSE If given the chance to take only one material belonging into the desert, I would take my Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone. Not that I am addicted to it, but simply because I could accomplish a number of tasks with it. I could communicate with my friends, navigate my way around, capture beautiful moments and make my way out in just one swipe! I would like to take my smart phone with me simply because it’s smart.

FARI MAHMOOD I would take a satellite phone with me. That way I could navigate myself anywhere using the GPS contained within it, find water or food from nearby camps if needed and even be able to find my way back.

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 5 0 9

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FAISAL CHUGHTAI My wife. She knows everything!

SYEDA KABIR I would take my four-wheel drive along so that I could drive back without being tired or too thirsty.

DAHLIA C CASTANEDA My coffee and camping kit including my kettle, charcoal and a lighter to make my coffee.

WAFAA EL ANANY A Big Pot. Surviving in the desert includes finding fresh water. If you do not have water within a few days, you will definitely croak. Once you find a fresh water supply, you will want a large pot to boil it in. This would also be handy when cooking any other meat you acquired.

ARUNA RAMACHANDRAN If you had asked me what I would take into the desert a couple of years earlier, I would’ve said water or food. However, in present times, when technology has developed in leaps and bounds, I would choose to take only the latest mobile phone with me. With one such device in my hand, I can call a wide range of people for help, have a location map to know where I am and can get anything under the sun with just a few taps of my fingers.

RONNEIL SALES VALIENTE I would take my hiking backpack because I always take it whenever my friends and I go for overnight camping and fishing trips. Inside my backpack would be two litres of drinking water, a compass, a box of matches, a small gas burner, a torch, two or three small cans of tuna and a first aid kit. In my opinion, a mobile phone would be useless because the desert would not have good signal.

GVK DURGA RAVI My phone, what else? Wherever I am, be it in the desert or at home, I am connected to the world. I could take pictures where I was marooned for my memory, listen to songs, note down memorable points and use torchlight if required. Last but not least, if I got signal I could be connected to make calls.

NAZEER M THAHA I doubt I’m right, but I can offer a different type of answer. My one item would be a GPS phone. It may not give you food or water, but it’ll give you hope. And hope can get you through a lot.

SYED BOKHARI Because there is no water in the desert, I would certainly prefer to take a can of water with me that could quench my thirst as long as I’m there. Taking anything else with me would be a secondary choice.

JANE VAN LIENDEN DIETERS A photo of my family!

YUSUF AL SALAMI I would take my mobile phone because it contains maps so that I would know where I am and how to get back home. Secondly, in case of emergency I could contact the emergency services, even in the absence of service, just by dialing 112.

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 50 1 0

It’s the proudest time of the year for Oman, a time when you’ll see red, green and white overshadowing all other colours in the Sultanate. But this year, National Day is all the more special as residents and

citizens alike come together to celebrate 45 years of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said’s rule.

Last year, His Majesty was out of country due to illness, but addressed the nation from Germany on the occasion of the 44th National Day. This year however, His Majesty the Sultan will be presiding over a military parade in Manah, near Nizwa, on November 18. He also delivered a speech at the opening of the 6th session of the Council of Oman, during which he expressed pride over the achievements Oman has made and praised the efforts of the council.

From fireworks and horse parades to light displays and decorated cars and homes, the 45th National Day was celebrated with passion and pride, and the festivities are set to stretch on into the weekend and next week.

Almouj Marina is hosting its first National Day Boat Decorating Competition, while visitors to The Walk will be treated to a special National Day concert today (Nov 19), showcasing the talents of young Omani musicians from 7.30pm-10.30pm.

As part of its celebrations for the 45th National Day, the National Bank of Oman is organising the “NBO National Parade” that will be accompanied by a live band. The parade will include floats and trucks, street performances, traditional dance, jugglers and giveaways for children.

City Centre Qurum and City Centre Muscat will also join in the fun, with international performers, choreographed gymnasts performing stunts and drumming recitals today.

On November 20, music lovers will have the chance to see and hear Omani singer Nasr al Sulaimi at City Centre Muscat, along with local artists, who will perform the country’s national anthem, as well as other well-loved hits.

OMAN CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY

IN STYLE

YOUR OMAN

In commemoration of the historic 45th National Day, the Central Bank of Oman issued a new commemorative RO1 banknote that came into circulation from Wednesday. The front side of the note includes a portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said and Al Alam Palace, while the back of the note features the 45th National Day logo, Sultan Qaboos University and desert white butterflies, which are native to Oman.

MARKING THE OCCASION

Phot

os: O

man

New

s Age

ncy

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 5 0 1 1

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Friday Brunch at Beach PavilionFrom 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Relish a premium gastronomic experience in a beautiful andtrendy atmosphere complete with views of the sparkling

Sea of Oman and a brisk beachside setting.

For reservations, call 2476 4000 or email BoxOffice.Albustan@ritzcarlton.com

©2015 T

he R

itz-C

arlto

n H

otel

Com

pany

, L.L

.C.

Measuring up to 12 metres long with a horny beak and hundreds of teeth in the sides of their jaws, the duck-billed dinosaur must have been quite an impressive sight roaming the

land more than 70 million years ago.Now it turns out that the creatures lived in Oman after a

team of researchers discovered some remarkable fossils in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains.

Digging in the area, the team (with French, Omani and Dutch members) found remains from a hadrosaurian dinosaur – so-called duck-billed dinosaurs – providing the first evidence that these giant animals were in Arabia, after previously being thought to have been limited to North America, Europe and Asia.

“Several elements of the hind leg were discovered, as well as vertebrae,” said Mohammed al Kindi, a geologist and co-author of a study of the find, which was presented in the scientific journal PLoS ONE.

While the Hajar region is now an arid and mostly barren mountainous area, it would have been a lush delta back then, providing fertile feeding grounds for the herbivore duck-billed dinosaur.

Hadrosaurids (which means bulky lizards) were the most common dinosaurs and had a distinctive head shaped like a modern duck, hence their name, and a paddle-shaped bony crest.

The mystery to solve now is how they managed to make it to the Sultanate. At the end of the Cretaceous Period when these hadrosaurs lived, the Afro-Arabian continent was separated from the northern continents by

the wide Tethys Ocean. “How these dinosaurs managed to cross this barrier is the

interesting question this discovery provides us with,” said Alex Hartman, a geologist and member of the team in Oman.

The answer may lie with a string of islands that were once in the Tethys Ocean.“These islands may have provided the necessary ‘stepping-stones’ for the

hadrosaurs to make their way from Eurasia to Oman,” added Hartman.

Presents

In Association with

Are You Cool Enough?If you attend any of the following

colleges and want to get involved in

Y’s Coolest Fresher, pick up a

registration form, fill in your details

and leave it in one of the drop boxes

on site at your college.

1) Waljat College of Applied Sciences

2) Middle East College

3) Oman Tourism College

4) College of Banking and

Financial Studies

5) Modern College of Business

& Science

6) GUtech

7) International College of Engineering

and Management

8) Mazoon University College

9) National Hospitality Institute

10) Oman College of Management

and Technology

The auditions will be held from

December 2 to December 23

The Grand Finale will be held at

a special venue on January 6, 2016

For more information, call 9405 1770

Mr and Miss Coolest Fresher

(overall): RO250 cash each

Male and female Fashion Icon (overall):

RO250 Splash voucher each

Mr and Miss Coolest Fresher

(college level):

RO100 Splash voucher each

The coolest freshers in Muscat are getting ready to prove

that they are the king or queen of college cool to win a share

of RO3,000 worth of prizesTH

E PRIZ

ES

We’re about to discover who has

got what it takes to be a star

as the hunt for the Coolest

Fresher in Muscat’s colleges

is about to begin.

Y is trawling 10 colleges in the capital in

a bid to uncover hidden talents among first-

year students, who will be rewarded with

great cash prizes or a spot on the catwalk of

a special fashion show.

We’re expecting the standard to be high

and the judges are hoping to see some great

acts from the boys and girls taking part.

Entrants will be performing in front of an

audience, so it’s about impressing their peers as well.

Presented by Splash, the Middle East’s largest fashion

retailer and part of the Landmark Group, powered

by Ford and in association with NESCAFE 3 in 1, Y’s

Coolest Fresher will be visiting 10 colleges during the

month of December for the auditions.

We’re looking for the most gifted freshers the city

has to offer. Whether it’s a star turn in singing, dancing,

football freestyles or some other exceptional talent,

we hope to see an array of skills.

Those who impress our judging panel and

show they have the Y Factor could win cash or be

selected to take part in a super cool fashion show

at the Grand Finale.

Auditions will be held at all 10 colleges, so if

you attend one of them, come and support your

fellow students in the spotlight and cheer them on

to reach the Grand Finale.

Only two can ultimately win, though. By the

end of the competition, the best boy and girl will

be crowned the coolest freshers in Muscat and

become the talk of the town.

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 50 1 2

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 50 1 4

G A L L E R YYOUR OMAN

CITY C

ENTR

E EXP

ANDS

MOH/304/2015

95961234

sundentalghubra@hotmail.com

www.sundentalmuscat.com

facebook.com/sundentalcentre

ADDRESS: AL KHUWAIR PLAZA, NEXT TO MCDONALDS,

NEAR SHELL GAS STATION,AL KHUWAIR MAIN ROAD,

MUSCATDr. Shivananda V.

BDS, MDS, MOrth (UK)Spcialist Orthodentist

CITY CENTRE MUSCAT CELEBRATED ITS RO35 MILLION EXPANSION WITH A SPECIAL CEREMONY FOR THE MEDIA AND A HOST OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS. THE MALL NOW OFFERS A RANGE OF DINING AND RETAIL OPTIONS, MAKING IT THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE LIFESTYLE DESTINATION IN OMAN. OF THE 60 NEW OUTLETS, 12 ARE MAKING THEIR DEBUT IN THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING VIRGIN MEGASTORE, AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS AND LUSH

In association with Genesis

DRIVEN TOSUCCESS

THE CAR DRIVES SO SMOOTHLY; YOU FEEL

THE CONTROL AND FEEL THE

RESPONSIVENESS, YET IT’S SO QUIET

Q: What drives you to success?I am driven by challenges to contribute

to the advancement of human beings in any way I can. Helping to establish a new Islamic bank in itself is a way of contributing to the country. This goes very well with my ambition to help people achieve and contribute to society and humanity in general.

Q: Who or what has been your inspiration in your career?

My previous workplace had a lot of leaders who inspired me. Saying that, I would say my current boss, the CEO of Alizz Islamic Bank, Mr Salaam al Shaksy, is my mentor. He has won many leadership awards, which is a testimony to his amazing personality. He is a walking book of leadership and you really learn a lot just by working with him, he is a very supportive person. Besides that, I am inspired by a lot of well-known global leaders, such as Steve Jobs and Richard Branson.

Q: What is your biggest career success to date?

For me, it’s been the establishment of Alizz Islamic Bank from scratch, despite

being a really small team. We worked with a lot of synergy and had an energetic attitude towards whatever we did. As a team, we were able to offer services beyond what was available in the current market from day one as the bank has some of the most talented individuals in the industry.

Q: What are your goals?I see myself advancing and doing something

of my own. I want to do something that will create a big impact and help contribute to the advancement of the country and humanity in general.

Q: Career-wise, where do you plan to be in 10 years’ time?

I want to start my own company to fulfill [the] gaps in the country that are currently not being addressed by the existing companies and services available.

Q: What do you like about the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company?

It’s amazing; they have done a great job creating an ultra-luxury car. I’m pretty sure they have pushed the competition limits and have taken the benchmark to new heights. The car drives so smoothly; you feel the control and feel the responsiveness, yet it’s so quiet. The interiors are beautiful, and the finishing is very well done. I love the touch of wood, which just gives that luxury and warm feeling. The seats are well done and I think it is very well designed; the engineers kept the little details in mind and crafted a masterpiece.

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 5 0 1 5

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 50 1 6

PAINTED WITH LOVEYOUR OMANMeasuring 3.1 by 2.1 metres, this giant portrait of

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is a striking tribute to the leader of their country by pupils at The Sultan’s School.

Look a little closer, however, and you’ll see that the painting is actually a mosaic made up of nearly 2,000 squares, placed meticulously in order to create the large picture. And on the back of each square is a message for the Sultan written by each pupil (and some teachers) who took part.

The mammoth project, which took almost three months to complete, was unveiled on the 45th National Day as part of the school’s celebrations.

Our amazing aerial image by Y photographer Shaquel al Balushi from a cherry picker (elevated platform) shows how

the spectacular piece comes together from a distance, with each of the 10cm by 5cm squares forming the big picture.

“We say that it’s a painting of love,” said Heather Ford, primary art coordinator at The Sultan’s School and the inspiration behind the whole project.

“Each student wrote a hidden message of thanks and love to His Majesty on the back of the squares they painted, so it’s a painting full of gratitude and love.”

Heather got the idea for the tribute after working on her own oil painting of His Majesty and was overwhelmed by the response, with pupils from KG to Year 13 becoming involved. The children would work on their square during free periods or their lunch hour.

“Pupils have been very excited to be involved in something like this,” said Anisa Dawood al Raisi, 16, one of the Year 13 pupils involved.

“As teenagers, we sometimes feel that we have lost our culture and this has been a way of bringing back the Oman culture into our lives. With the 45th National Day, it’s a beautiful time to get back our heritage and reconnect.”

The project was certainly a labour of love and time consuming, as the portrait had to be divided up and each square individually numbered. There were times they weren’t even sure if they would finish, but the result, as you can see, has been worth all the effort.

“The painting has the heart and soul of the children and staff of The Sultan’s School,” said Heather, who is originally from the UK.

“For me, Oman has changed my life in such a way, it’s given me freedom and confidence and this has been my way of giving back and saying thank you.”

British School Muscat (BSM) became a sea of red, white and green, as teachers, students and special guests came together to

celebrate Oman’s 45th National Day. The event was kicked off with the band

of the Royal Guard of Oman playing pipes and drums to get everyone in a patriotic mood. Teachers and pupils came to school wearing colours that resembled the Omani flag in celebration of the special day. A number of additional activities were held, including dancing, music and crafts.

“We had local participants, as well, and there were pupils from a school in Yiti called Musab Bin Al Zubair, who took part together with our students,” said Marion James, communications officer at BSM. Local food and Omani crafts were also on display.

Students also got a first hand experience of different traditions practiced in Oman, including copper making, weaving baskets, making clay Khanjars, Omani jewellery, bread and sweets. There were also sessions on decorating dishdashas and becoming a tourist guide, where children were taught to use a geographic information system to plan and map key routes through Oman.

“The children were very happy to learn about these beautiful traditions and they liked the smell of the frankincense,” added Marion.

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 5 0 1 7

LARRY GAYE:

RENEGADE

MALE FLIGHT

ATTENDANT

When an airline company threatens to cut its cabin crew members as a cost-saving measure, it falls to Larry Gaye (Mark Feuerstein) the self-appointed best flight attendant in the business to make things right. Needless to say, the film’s metaphorical tongue is firmly in its cheek in what looks and feels like a spiritual successor or modern take on the 1980s Airplane series.

Bollywatch

Unconscious

When a man (Wes Bentley) wakes up from a car accident, a woman who claims to be his wife (Kate Bosworth) tells him that he is suffering from amnesia. As she attentively nurses him back to health, Bentley’s character (unnamed throughout the film) starts to feel like a captive and suspects that all is not as it seems. Bosworth strikes an unsettling balance between Strangerland

MOVIES MOVIES

innocence and menace (look out for the fur-coat wearing, chainsaw-wielding scene), but apart from that, the concept for Unconscious stretches a bit too thin.

Hatched: Chicks Gone Wild

What are the chances of a spaceship crashing into a farmhouse? Implausibility aside, that’s exactly what happens in Hatched, which precipitates the titular animals to go off on a merry adventure. Beyond the amusing character names (Cluck Norris and Angelina Poultrie anybody?), there really isn’t anything of real substance here, with poor CGI and weak scripting. While it may just about hold the attention of little ones, adults will most likely be pulling their feathers out.

BAJIRAO MASTANI This historical romance tells the story of one of the past’s greatest unsung heroes, Bajirao I (Ranveer Singh), the second Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. The leader protected his kingdom over 47 long wars, but the film focuses on the unforgettable love story between him and his second wife, Mastani (Deepika Padukone), which went on to inspire his nation for years to come.

Catherine and Matthew Parker (Nicole Kidman and Joseph Fiennes) have lost their two children, which, apart from being incredibly careless, is a big deal in the small Australian desert town they’ve just moved to.

When a huge dust storm hits, the desperate couple find themselves in a race against time to find their teenage son and daughter, whose chance of surviving diminishes with each passing hour.

While the townspeople initially join the search, suspicions begin to rise as Detective David Rae (Hugo Weaving) delves deeper into the mystery and

fishes through the Parker family’s murky past.

Kidman may frequently scream hysterically into the bleak and dark desert that she wants her children back, but her spouse seems altogether disinterested for large parts of the film. In fact, a rock could probably draw more empathy from an audience.

Director Kim Farrant’s debut feature is a tad heavy handed at times and the overall effect is an emotional distance in the film that’s almost as vast as the Australian desert it’s set in.

Review by Matt Blackwell

PREV

IEW

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN,just answer a question based on the week’s

cinema reviews and send your answer to

info@y-oman.com, along with your name

and contact information.

Tickets must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the

terms and conditions, see voucher.

GRAB YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

FOUR CITY CINEMA TICKETS

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FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO:

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

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 50 1 8

OLD SKOOL TUNES

THIS WEEKN O V - D E C

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

NO

V25

Are you new to Oman and want to meet some friendly faces over a cuppa? If the answer’s yes, then here’s a perfect opportunity for you to mingle with ladies from the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO) at one of their renowned coffee mornings. Sip coffee or tea over some lighthearted conversations at the Hormuz Grand Hotel in Seeb from 10am to 12pm. Bring friends along to make it an event to remember. It’s RO3 per person and for details, visit womensguildoman.com

T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

Get ready to party old-school style with a night of your favourite R&B and hip-hop from the 90s onwards. If you love dancing to those grooves, you cannot miss this party. DJ Fawaz and DJ Nawras will be keeping the music flowing into the early hours. It all starts at 10pm at On the Rocks Restaurant and Lounge. Tickets for men are RO10, while women are free. For more information and tickets, call 2461 5560 or search for Titan Events & Entertainment on Facebook.

This is a chance to see some of the Arab world’s leading oud players bring their finest compositions to Muscat in two unmissable concerts. Plucking the strings at the Royal Opera House Muscat will be Naseer Shamma, Trio Joubran, Abadi al Jawher and Safwan Bahlawan. The performances begin at 7pm on both days, with prices from just RO5. For seating plans, further information and bookings, visit rohmuscat.org.om

Enjoy the Hindi comedy blockbuster play Raja Raju Ram Aur Main at the Oman Auditorium at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Featuring Sharman Joshi of 3 Idiots fame, who takes on all four lookalike roles, the production is written and directed by Sri Kedhar Shinde. Tickets are priced from RO10-RO35. Play runs from 4.30pm-7.30pm. For details, call 9171 5396 or 2422 9749, or search for Raju Raja Ram Aur Main on Facebook.

20NOV

Latte & LaughterBOLLY COM

20Nov

Unmissable Oud

03Dec & 05

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 5 0 1 9

Last weekend, the Royal Opera House in Muscat became a Hungarian music hall. We were transported into a smokey, sleazy cabaret in the heart of Budapest during the height of the First World War. Lush folds of warm red velvet drapes made for a

seductive and supremely Hungarian setting for the operetta and I wanted to be Hungarian for a brief three hours.

After Vienna, Budapest is the greatest capital of operetta and this is in part thanks to the highly prolific composer, Emmerich Kálmán, whose melodies are lyrical yet passionate and rhythmic – and above all, superbly memorable. You will dance home, lilting his captivating tunes.

The csárdás is a tavern or folk-dance used in all celebrations in Transylvania, together with waltzes and foxtrots, and Kálmán has created a unique blend of music, popular with audiences worldwide.

You have to be a good dancer if you want to be in the Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre (BOMT) company. Although there was a 13-strong corps de ballet along with the 24 chorus members visiting the Opera House, everyone dances all the time, which is what made the spectacle so compelling and enchanting.

Szilvi Szendy played a cocquettish Countess Stasi, a young soubrette rather than fully fledged opera singer, but her dancing was agile and fluid, as was her love interest, the effete Count Boni. The two leads were the stunning Anita Lukács playing Sylva, the Diva of the Cabaret, and her constant unswerving beloved, Prince Edwin by Zsolt Vadász, a most engaging, lyrical tenor. The whole cast was Hungarian born and trained and were supported by the powerful Orchestra of the BOMT under the meticulous baton of László Makláry.

The second acts were staged in the regal palace of Edwin’s father, Prince Leopold Maria Lippert-Weilersheim, yet it seems the nobility – which was being parodied in this operetta – are no less capable of flamboyant dance numbers than the bohemian music hall.

Kálmán gave a dramatic profundity to the plot line and the Csárdás Princess is arguably his most successful work. The icing on the cake was

the privilege and opportunity to meet and hear Yvonne Kálmán talk about her father’s life and legacy at the pre-performance talk.

For details of forthcoming

performances at the Royal Opera House Muscat, visit rohmuscat.org.om

G a l l e r y M o v i e s

Georgina Benison enjoys a night in Hungary without leaving Muscat at the opera

THE CSÁRDÁS PRINCESS

MuscArt gallery has come up with another exciting workshop for children aged between six and nine, and this time it’s all about painting like Andy Warhol, the iconic American pop artist. Sessions will be divided into understanding pop art, pop art portraits, painting cats and pop art landscape, all inspired by Warhol’s distinctive style. Minimum class size is five and the maximum is 12. Classes will be conducted in English on Wednesdays from 3.30pm to 5pm at the MuscArt gallery in Ghubra. Workshop fee is RO80 and cost of materials is included. For more information, call 2449 3912 or visit muscart.net

Paint

like W

arhol

25N

ov-

16D

ecTake to the open sea and join Paddle the Rock, an annual paddling race that welcomes novices and veterans. You’ll be kayaking around Al Fahal Island (or Shark Island), around 4km from the mainland, on an 18km route that finishes down the beach from Shatti. There’s also a shorter race of 5.7km. The fun starts at 1pm. Early entry fee is RO15, while each paddler will receive a medal and goodie bag on the day, along with other exciting prizes to be won. You will need your own kayak. For more information, search for Paddle The Rock on Facebook or email paddletherockrace@gmail.com. The Instagram hashtag for the event is #PTRMuscat.

Rock Around The Rock 27Nov

AS THE COUNTRY CAME TOGETHER TO MARK A MILESTONE 45 YEARS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY, Y MAGAZINE LED THE CELEBRATIONS WITH THE SECOND EDITION OF OUR

GROUNDBREAKING ART COMPETITION

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 50 2 0

0 2 1

From the immense success of last year’s inaugural Portrait By A Nation event, which saw hundreds of the Sultanate’s children come together to create a lasting

tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said using only a canvas and their creativity, it was clear that the art competition had to return to celebrate Oman’s 45-year milestone.

The first Portrait By A Nation showed us just how much pride and love the children of Oman had for their leader, but the second event, which culminated in two days of painting held at The Walk at Al Mouj Muscat last weekend (Nov 13-14), took things to another level. The drop boxes and online registration system bulged with more than 1,200 entries – more than double the amount of children who eventually took part in 2014.

Building on the first event, Portrait By A Nation 2015 promised to be bigger and better in all ways, and it certainly delivered on this pledge. A third age category was introduced to widen the appeal and level the playing field and the total prize pot was bumped up to RO2,550, with first, second and third place in each of the three age groups receiving RO500, RO250 and RO100 respectively.

National Day is a special time in Oman when citizens and expats alike come together and join hands to commemorate the years of Renaissance

experienced under His Majesty, who continues to lead the country on a steady journey of progress and prosperity. This year was all the more important with the country celebrating its milestone 45th year.

The foundations of Portrait By A Nation were laid weeks ago, when Y Magazine once more

put a call out to young artists across the country, inviting them to showcase their talent in this second

historic art competition, and one of the largest celebrations of National Day. To ensure as many children as possible would have the opportunity to express their love and devotion, the competition was opened up to the Interiors, with events scheduled to take place in Nizwa, Sohar, and Sur, and as far afield as Salalah in the south of the country.

The initial registration period had to be extended to cope with an overwhelming

demand that showed no sign of abating, as children rushed to make their contribution to the celebrations of this historic year. Once every entrant was registered, however, things got serious.

Murtadha al Lawati, head of corporate communications at Al Mouj Muscat, one of Portrait By A Nation’s sponsors, says he was prepared for such a huge response from day one.

“It was an overwhelming response, but then I don’t think you will find a leader like His Majesty anywhere else in the world, so we expected to have as many kids coming.

“What I am surprised about is the quality of these paintings. Some of them are amazing.

“It’s a really good idea, not just to celebrate National Day, but also to show the talents that exist in the country. I think it’s one of the best

ways to celebrate 45 years of what His Majesty has done for the country.”

No matter which city the children had selected to participate in, the rules were the same. Depending on their age, the young participants were given one of three different pre-printed canvases, with those in

the five to seven category getting the smallest and most basic, while the 14-17 year olds got the largest and most intricate portrait. After this, the talented amateur artists were given free rein, with two hours to complete their entry in any way they wished.

Children knew that the judges, who dropped

Powered by In Association with

It’s a really good idea, not just to celebrate

National Day, but also to show the talents that

exist in the country

N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 5

Venue Partner

in on various sessions in secret, would be on the lookout for flair and creativity in the entries and raised their game accordingly. Just some of the materials and techniques used to complete the portraits included shading with pencil and biro pen, glitter, ribbon, velvet, acrylic colours, finger painting and collage.

Nandita Sen, a student at Bangladesh School Muscat, was taking part in Portrait By A Nation for the first time and spoke to Y of her excitement as she nervously waited for her fellow contestants to register and their session to start.

“I feel this is a very prestigious competition and it helps me to bring out my talent and display it in front of a large audience,” she says. “I love art and there is a chance for me to win a very good prize.

“I’m going to use colour pencils to fill in the portrait and fill the background with symbols and pictures in the colour of the Omani flag.”

True to her vision, Nandita creates a neatly coloured-in portrait, dotted with butterflies decked out in the national colours of red, white and green.

As the first session in Muscat comes to a close, Shanel George proudly poses for a photo with his portrait, surrounded by his family, before telling Y that last year’s competition was an inspiration for him.

“I used pointillism to complete my portrait last year, filling it with dots, but I decided to change this time around and opted for acrylic paint instead.

“I am passionate about art and practice it often. I think my portrait came out well and I am hopeful that I will be able to make it through to the final 45,” he says.

Dropping in to see how the competition was going on its second day, Leena al Bastaki, owner of Gloria Jean’s Coffees in Oman comments: “I think it’s a great opportunity for children and adults at the same time to creatively celebrate the 45th National Day of Oman.

“It’s amazing to see the children well prepared, all waiting to start the competition excitedly and it’s pleasing to see so many more participants than last year.”

With such a great deal of prize money on offer, it’s no wonder that parents felt the need to encourage and help their children throughout their designated session, but their input was strictly limited, with parents running the risk of having their children disqualified if they offered too much guidance. Thankfully, this extreme measure did not have to be employed at any point, largely down to the mentors, who had given up their free time to offer advice to any children who found themselves struggling.

Heather Ford, head of primary art at The Sultan’s School and one of the Portrait By A Nation mentors was amazed to see so many children taking part and putting brilliant ideas down on their canvases.

“I became aware of this project about two weeks ago, when I picked up a leaflet at IDdesign. I was interested and promoted the project in my school, so some of the children that I teach signed up.

“I just came this morning out of interest and was only supposed to stay for half an hour, and now four hours later I am still here helping out! It is a wonderful feeling, the children are extremely creative, the atmosphere is very relaxed and it’s very well organised.

“At the end of the day we are celebrating 45 glorious years of this nation under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said and as an art teacher, I am very passionate about promoting such an event.”

Sharing Heather’s sentiment is Ronnie Pascual, a sketching, drawing and painting teacher, who returned to mentor in Portrait By A Nation for the second year in a row.

“Of course, it is important to promote art to children. There is a saying that goes: when words are not enough, we express ourselves with colour.

“It’s a good initiative by Y Magazine and the sponsors. Here in Oman, there aren’t that many activities that gather people together for one purpose. This is a good event for art and a good way to celebrate National Day in honour of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.”

The quality of work produced by the child artists taking part was seriously impressive and in some opinions, even better than the previous year.

“I have been very impressed,” says Ronnie. “The children have been using a wide variety of materials and techniques. From what I have seen, there are some participants whose work looks better than last year, which means the standard is improving.”

The rise in quality was also something noted by one of the competition’s judges, celebrated local artist Ibrahim Gailani. “It was a far greater standard this year, especially with the seniors,” he says as he walks between row upon row of portraits with his score sheet in hand during the secret judging session. “A lot of different techniques were used this year. The children were taking more risks and were being more experimental, such as using collage, abstract and 3D effects.

“The backgrounds of the portraits were also interesting. The children took a lot of liberty with that, which gave a lot of individuality to each portrait.”

The weekend before Portrait By A Nation hit the capital, representatives of Y Magazine took to the road to host events in different governorates, including Dhofar, where the competition was held at the Salalah Mariott Resort, one of the event’s associate sponsors. It was during this session that one of the prize-winning entries for the 14-17 age

group was submitted, an Impressionist take on His Majesty, not dissimilar in style to the work of the great Vincent van Gogh.

Back in the capital, Prayag, 13, gets creative with

his canvas, using crayons to bring the background to life with an interpretation of the Grand Mosque and the Omani flag, as his father Brashant beams down

proudly.“I actually heard about this competition through my

son. I have not given him any advice; it was all his own creativity,” he says.

“This type of activity is an absolutely wonderful idea. It raises awareness not just for children, but also for all those who live in Oman about His Majesty and how to celebrate this special National Day.”

Dr Moza al Kalbani, a parent who had accompanied her young daughter to the competition, had nothing but praise for Portrait By A Nation. “My little daughter, Hadeel, took part in the competition and I think she really enjoyed painting a portrait of His Majesty the Sultan to celebrate the 45th National Day,” she says.

“At the same time, it was also very nice to see other

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The backgrounds of the portraits were also

interesting. The children took a lot of liberty with

that, which gave a lot of individuality to each

portrait

children who were so immersed in their artworks, some of them had really good ideas. I think if His Majesty sees these portraits, he will be really happy.”

After the paint had dried on hundreds of portraits came the difficult part – the judging. Y Magazine’s managing editor, Felicity Glover, Ibrahim Gailani and representatives from Al Mouj Muscat and IDdesign, two of the event’s sponsors, had a tough task on their hands

whittling down the entries to just 45 finalists. From these 45 (15 from each age category), three winners would then be chosen from each age group.

“I was shocked when I found out the number of children who took part and when I saw the pictures I just thought ‘wow’,” says Marios Stylianides,

general manager of IDdesign. “There are some amazing drawings. I thought they were

created by adult artists, I was not expecting this quality from children.”

Locked in a room at Al Mouj Muscat, the judges made their

rounds, casting an eye over each of the portraits in turn and scribbling notes on their sheets

as they assessed the entries for creativity,

technique and visual impact.

After hours of

deliberation, they emerged clutching a piece of paper

that would make the dreams

of nine young artists come true.

The announcement would have to wait

until National Day itself though and a special

ceremony held in The Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel’s Afrah

Ballroom, to which all 45 finalists were invited.

To rapturous applause and the flash of dozens of cameras, Martina Babu, 15, Chrysel

Ann Delos Santos and Christine Daang, both 17, were invited to the stage to collect first, second

and third prize respectively for the 14-17 age group.

Long before she knew she was a winner, Martina spoke to Y as she clutched her freshly completed portrait, which

she finished with mere moments to spare. “It’s been amazing. It’s given a great opportunity for kids to just express their talent,” she says, “my inspiration to draw is just seeing the happiness it gives to everybody and anyone can do the same too. I would like to thank Y Magazine for this experience.”

Munir al Hooti, 12, claimed first place in the 10-13 category, with Ardra Jayakrishnan, 13, and Sarah al Harthy, 12, placing second and third, while for the five to nines, it was Mannat Ajmani, nine, who emerged on top, with

Fathima Tamanna, six, in second and Bhadra Jayakrishnan, nine, joining her elder sister on the podium in third place.

“This year’s Portrait By A Nation event was incredibly successful and it was fantastic to see hundreds of budding young artists participate,” says Felicity.

“While there can only be nine winners, everyone who took part in this year’s event is a winner in our eyes.”

All 45 of the finalists had their portraits arranged onto a larger canvas, acting as a collage of the many faces of His Majesty, as seen through the eyes of the children of his

nation. This giant piece of art will be on display in Qurum for the duration of the country’s National Day celebrations.

Each of the 45 final portraits will also be on display at Al Mouj Muscat until December 5. Open to the public, the artwork will be available to buy, with the proceeds of the sales going to the respective child artist.

“I think it’s very important to realise that you can make money as an artist and the last piece of my feedback to parents last year was that they should invest in their children,” says Gailani. “Art is a business today and it’s only a matter of time before Oman takes that route.”

As the celebrations to mark the occasion of the 45th National Day stretch on, Y Magazine is proud to have led the way, with a unique initiative and one of the biggest nationwide events.

As Felicity says: “Portrait By A Nation 2015 will be a hard act to follow, but we are looking forward to next year’s event already.”

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Kanishka Talwar

Rishin R Sajith

Abhinand Abhilash

Ishan Malik

Samar al Lawati

Harshini Mahendran

Mariyah Lorainne Lora

Wania Khan

Beril Bino

Mohammed Hatem

Soha Khan

Rahaf Faisal

45 YEARS, 45 FINALISTS

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5-9 YEARSFirst Place Second Place Third Place

Mannat Ajmani Fathima Tamanna Bhadra Jayakrishnan

Congratulations to the following 45 participants who made it through to the final:

John Sherry

Esha Jain

Avigyan Bhattacharya

Rishima Mathur

Chiranthana AN

Pooja Dharmasa

Riyam Sultan al Riyami

J Shravan

Keya Jayesh Tanna

Aryan Kanchan Shere

Aliza Imran

Magandha Dinesh

10-13 YEARSFirst Place Second Place Third Place

Munir al Hooti Ardra Jayakrishnan Sarah al Harthy

Sarah al Harthy

Nataly Ayman Kais

Vaidehee Thakur

Tamanna Yasmin

Shiysta Pandey

Sneha Roy

Shruthi Sathyan

Arzu Begum

Anika Mariam Joshi

Christy Sebastian

Nufeila Sherin

Eihad Chahhoud

Joseph Ryan Duldulao

14-17 YEARSFirst Place Second Place Third Place

Martina Babu Chrysel Delos Santos Christine Daang

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Portrait By A Nation 2015 will be a hard act to

follow, but we are looking forward

to next year’s event already

HH Azzan Barghash Al Said, Chief Executive Officer

DISCERNING VISION, EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIPAs the nation celebrates its 45th National Day, it is a great

honour to congratulate His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, whose discerning vision and exceptional leadership transformed Oman into a prosperous country with a promising future.

I pray to Allah, the Almighty, to guide and protect His Majesty, grant him good health and long life and for the return of this occasion for many years to come and for our beloved country to continuously prosper under His Majesty’s wise leadership.

On behalf of Al-Rahba Integrated Projects, I undertake to contribute to His Majesty’s 2020 vision for Oman of Omanisation, privatisation and

diversification. Being solely an Omani company, we make it our mission towards

the Sultanate not only to provide excellent value of products and exceptional services, but also to create employment opportunities for our local workforce.

We also support His Majesty’s vision on diversification, which aims for the economy not to be dependent on oil and gas, but should also be driven by other economic activities. As an FMCG company, we intend to play a bigger role in the economy by developing competitive Omani products and providing world-class services to our customers.

Improvement and development is still a work in progress for our country. But looking back over the past 45 years, the future looks brighter now. It is now up to the people of Oman to make the best out of the opportunities at hand and lead our nation to a greater tomorrow.

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REALISING A GREAT NATION’S VISIONThe past 45 years have seen His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said continue to lead the way to the prosperity of the Sultanate of Oman and its people. Throughout His reign, HM Sultan Qaboos has focused on the progression of the Omani nation, strategically developing Vision 2020, a future

focused strategy for economic diversification.The opening of the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in 2016 is one of the pillar projects destined to act as a catalyst to achieve further economic

diversification and growth. With an objective of firmly placing Oman in the global spotlight as one of the world’s emerging conventions, exhibitions, meetings and special events destinations, the OCEC will generate a diverse range of employment opportunities and empower SME development.Attracting thousands of global visitors, the OCEC, with its surrounding precinct, will have contributed RO140-170 million to GDP and created up to 24,000 direct and indirect jobs in a wide variety of sub-industries including print, graphic design, IT, logistics and security by 2030. As it prepares to welcome the world, the OCEC is committed to developing, training and marketing local talent.The OCEC will continue to build on the momentum of a fast-growing nation, facilitating a thriving business community and a flourishing entrepreneurial culture. Above all, the Centre will present Omanis with an oasis of opportunities within the business tourism industry, leading to a prosperous present and an enduring

future.

0 2 1N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 5

Raed Haddadin Chief Executive Officer, Renna Mobile

In the 45 years since he came to power, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said has been the architect of Oman’s growth and progress. It is His Majesty’s vision that has seen the country blossom and develop into the vibrant 21st century hub we know today. By setting out and adhering to a selection of national goals, achieved over a series of five year plans, Sultan Qaboos oversaw

a comprehensive programme that has transformed Oman, bringing it into the modern era, while remaining faithful to its traditions, heritage and historical identity.

In all stages of the country’s long-term development strategy, top priority has been accorded towards the development of the telecom sector in the Sultanate. Oman was the first country in the whole Middle East and Africa region to introduce the MVNO concept.

Being an MVNO, our role is to provide and support the mobile internet availability in the Sultanate. With the growing smartphone penetration, mobile internet is becoming crucial and important to stay connected with the world. In the

near future, with m-governance in place, mobile operators’ roles will be essential to support and provide high speed, affordable mobile internet and quality

service to the majority in the country.

Lastly, heartiest congratulations and warmest felicitations to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and the people of Oman on the 45th National Day Celebrations.

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A PROMISE, A COMMITMENTForty-five years have seen His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said continue to guide the Sultanate of Oman and its people with prosperity. Under his able leadership the nation and the people of Oman have progressed and the economy diversified in accordance

with his Oman Vision 2020.With the aim to diversify the nation’s economy, encourage local talent and

promote entrepreneurial culture, Al Malaak Trading has continually worked in line with our great leader’s vision for Oman.

From a single store at Bareeq Al Shatti, Muscat, to the fourth store in Safeer Mall, Sohar, Al Malaak Trading – the parent company of Tips & Toes Nail

Spa & Beauty Lounge – is today a fast growing brand introducing a range of beauty services, treatments and products to Oman. Our latest and biggest store is opening on the 45th National day at City Centre Muscat, offering a range of series from basic beauty to the most extravagant therapies in an environment that is relaxed and with service that aims to go beyond expectation.

Al Malaak Trading will continue to build on the momentum of our great nation under the capable leadership of His Majesty, scaling new heights and making Tips & Toes a power Omani brand. This 45th National Day we reaffirm our commitment to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said and to the people of Oman, promising to strive hard in nation building, community development;

leading to a prosperous present and an enduring future.

0 2 1N O V 1 9 - 2 5 / I S S U E 3 9 5

Zahra Shahid Hussain Rizvi, Managing Director, Al Malaak Trading

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Get The Look

HEALTH&BEAUTY

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

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NATIONAL PRIDEIn a fix about what to wear to

the numerous 45th National Day celebrations being held around the Sultanate over the coming weeks? Why not try the stunning colours of our national flag to help you

celebrate this historic occasion in style? You will certainly stand out

in the crowd in this red La Redoute Laura Clément dress.

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Get The Look

From the high end to the high street,

Felicity Glover helps you to get the look

Ankle-strap heels are bang on trend and this glamorous gold pair from Steve Madden is a

perfect fit for our red, white and green

theme. From RO30.7

1. If you’re not confident enough to wear strong colours, then tone them down with some muted pastels and add cream as a background. 2. Too much of one colour can be overkill, so try to break it up with a hue that complements the outfit. Gold is great with red, while cream with green is also a good match. 3. If red, white and green are not your favourite hues, then try limiting them to accessories, such as a scarf, belt or pashmina.

Red, white and green:HOW TO WEAR

Stash your National Day flag in this red suede mini saddle bag by Dune. The gold chain strap adds to the elegant design, while it’s small enough to remain subtle. From RO40.3

This vintage-style Dolce Vita Swing Dress by The House of Foxy makes for a playful silhouette. Pair the green floral

print dress with some elegant accessories

and voila, you will stand out from any National Day

crowd regardless of your plans. From RO75.9

No outfit is complete without some elegant accessories and these red and green teardrop-shaped drop earrings by What’s About Town? are perfect for an evening soirée marking our 45 years. From RO8.15

Pull out all the stops in this super glamorous AX Paris Women’s embellished waist chiffon maxi dress in red. Elegant and chic, it’s perfect for a more formal National Day celebration. From RO23.35 at getthelabel.com

This gorgeous Monsoon Buda floral dress takes its cue from the 1950s, while the muted pastel hues in red, white and green are a stunning wardrobe option to take our historic 45th National Day celebrations to the next level. From RO63.7

When it comes to taking care of ourselves, we all know the importance of exercise, a smart diet and good sleep. But there’s one aspect of wellness that not enough

people pay attention to: skin health. What is skin health? On a functional level, it means

your skin is working properly. It means it’s sufficiently hydrated and therefore able to protect you from environmental damage. When your skin is well cared for, you’re free from dryness. Healthy skin feels comfortable and looks beautiful.Healthy skin is your first line of defence:

Skin is your body’s largest organ, and its most important functions are keeping moisture in and keeping bad stuff out. The top layer of skin cells – also known as the stratum corneum – protect against infection-causing microbes and bacteria. However, the stratum corneum is also highly susceptible to dryness and damage. If dryness penetrates too deeply, it affects skin cells, leaving them too weak

and underdeveloped to protect you from the outside world.It’s health that you can see:

Skin’s surface reflects what’s going on underneath. If skin cells are tight and stiff, your skin will feel itchy and uncomfortable at the surface. Skin damage can begin days before you see any signs of dryness. If dryness

penetrates the skin’s layers too deeply, it can lead to visible damage like flaky or irritated skin.

Skin is your lifelong companion:Due to natural renewal processes, the top layer of your

skin today isn’t the same you had when you were

five years old, or even a month ago. Skin changes as you grow. From soft, sensitive baby skin to adolescent oiliness to the drier skin of later years, your skin is there to protect you through it all.

Just like exercising and watching what you eat, caring

for your skin is a major factor in

maintaining overall health. Keep skin

healthy by using a healing moisturiser

regularly, such as the total moisture range from Vaseline,

which provides 24-hour nourishment for soft, smooth and

great-looking skin.

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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

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

PERFECT

When it comes to being healthy, there’s often one thing that many of us overlook

SKIN

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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 I n d o o r s CARS ANDADVENTURES

Destination

URBAN COWBOYSA trip to Barka finds Shaquel al Balushi getting a little too close and personal with some very

big competitors in a bullfight

Peering through my viewfinder, I was concentrating intensely on the two huge bulls grappling with each other in a contest of strength. So intent was I on

getting a spectacular action shot that I didn’t realise quite how close the animals were getting until I took the camera away from my face and saw two gargantuan prize bulls bearing down at some speed, charging straight at me. Needless to say, I made a hasty retreat and continued to shoot the remainder of the afternoon’s proceedings from a safe distance.

Bullfighting is a traditional Omani spectacle, passed down through the generations, taking place almost every other Friday in various places around the country, and I opted for the closest venue to Muscat – Barka.

Bullfighting, or bull butting Omani-style is a far cry from the Spanish equivalent. There aren’t any matadors and the Omani version is bloodless with little or no injury to the bulls. The battle comes to an end when one of the heavyweights backs down and flees the fight.

These bullfights are often impromptu and not advertised, so finding the exact location can be a challenge if you’re not in the know. Arriving at the site in Barka in the morning, I found a small dusty ring with sporadic concrete seating and no one else in sight. It turned out that I was way too early. The crowds started arriving in the afternoon, some bringing their own camping chairs to sit and watch the action.

As the owners were busy preparing their bulls for the fight, I turned my lens on the spectators. I was struck by a young local boy wearing a crisp white dishdasha with a pair of Aviator-style sunglasses that were slightly too large for his face, making him look like an Omani urban cowboy.

He had nerves of steel. He stood right next to one of the bulls as calm as you like, showing not the slightest fear of the powerful beast next to him who could have killed him with his giant

horns or huge hooves. Brahmin bulls used in fighting can weigh up to 1,100kg and are rippling with muscles, so you can imagine the result of being trampled by one.

It turned out that the bull was owned by the youngster’s father, which perhaps explains why the boy and beast were so comfortable in each other’s company, having grown up together. Some of the fighting bulls are pampered family pets.

Dozens of fights take place throughout the day. Each one only lasts a couple of minutes, but there’s a great deal of pride at stake for the owners. The losing bull and his owner usually go home with a bruised ego.

Watching two powerful animals lock horns in a standoff of strength is an exhilarating experience. Such a show of physical power gets your own adrenaline flowing.

There was a great atmosphere, with the shouts of spectators, the grunting and heavy exhaling of the bulls, with clumps of mud flying into the air every time they charged at each other and locked horns. It was the first time I had seen the action live and managed to capture some superb images.

Meanwhile, a master of ceremonies was pacing the arena commentating on proceedings and cracking the occasional joke, keeping everyone entertained.

When the fight is on, handlers stand close by to supervise and keep the bulls under close supervision with a rope round one of the animal’s legs to ensure that they can’t break loose and run into the crowd. The system is not foolproof and occasionally the bulls are able to escape as I found! Thankfully, I was unscathed from my close encounter with a bull and the animal was safely rounded up.

We left in the late afternoon and the fights were still in full flow. If you want an authentic Omani experience, book your seat at the next Barka bullfight.

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HOW TO GET THEREFrom Muscat, take the road to Barka. At the main roundabout in Barka, turn right towards the fort (it should be signposted) and follow the single road until it ends. Take a left and drive straight. Keep following the road and you’ll see the bullring. It’s best arrive around 2pm in the winter time. There’s no charge to watch.

GPS location of the arena:N23º 42’ 46.619” E57º 51’ 25.846”

TRAV

EL G

UIDE

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Those who like it hot descended on Nando’s in Oman Avenues Mall to find out who would be crowned the champion of their chicken wing eating competition. Matt Blackwell cranked up the heat for Team Y

Sweat dripping from foreheads and intense looks of concentration on their faces, seven contestants relentlessly

gnash down on a bowl of extra hot chicken wings; their pile of clean bones rising as they attempt to consume as many as possible, while a panel of judges watches on with keen interest.

As a bell rings to announce that three minutes has passed, the first round of the second Nando’s Chicken Wing Eating Competition comes to an end. More than 40 plucky participants deemed their heat tolerance high enough to tackle the challenge of eating as many spicy wings as possible in just three minutes.

The Nando’s chefs made the task

devilishly difficult by coating each chicken wing in an additional layer of PERi-PERi seasoning before smothering it in Extra Hot sauce to really bring on the burn.

As the enthusiastic crowd calmed down following the first round of excitement, each bowl of bones was transported to the panel of five judges, which included Chris Fisher from Merge 104.8, for expert assessment. The winner from each of the six rounds would be put forward to a grand final, where the heat would be cranked up even higher, with the wings drenched in Extra Extra Hot sauce.

Dany Saliba waits nervously with a tingling tongue; eager to hear the result of the round he participated in.

I N D O O R S

“It was spicy, I can still feel the burn on my lips,” he says. “I think I ate seven or eight pieces. I’ve done this kind of thing before and I lost, but it was still good fun. No matter what the outcome is, I’m definitely going to be here next year when I will do my best and aim for even more wings.”

Ultimately though, he was bested in the preliminary round by Samir Ahmed Fayaz, who was as surprised as anyone to learn he had qualified.

“To be frank, I was not at all confident. I was quite worried actually. I am very happy to be through to the final, but I think it was a fluke.

“My technique was to eat through the heat and suck the bones clean. It was extremely spicy, I now feel like my oesophagus has been burnt out,” he says, laughing as he wipes away the beads of perspiration that have formed on his brow. “There should be wet towels on hand for the final because I may catch fire.”

And then before I know it, it is my turn in the hot seat (quite literally). I have a love for spicy food that borders on addiction and a successful track record in eating competitions (I took on the Reggae Bar 800g triple decker burger challenge in Thailand and won back in 2012), so my confidence was high.

When the bell rang to start my three minutes I dived into my bowl with both hands, man and chicken wing blurring together in frenzied motion. The heat was tolerable, but the judges had specified that only intact bones would be counted, which was to prove the difficult part and become my undoing.

Focusing on speed over finesse and shunning both drinks and napkins, I guzzled down as much as possible, the downside being that the bones would often separate from each other in my haste. My attempt was a valiant one, but when the bones were counted up, I had little over four.

The competition drew an equal mix of men and women of all ages, with Indians, Filipinos and Omanis making up a vastly varied field of fellow contestants.

At 62, Mohammad Osama was the eldest competitor and managed to polish

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off an impressive nine chicken wings in his heat to get through to the final. “I’m not a big eater of hot food, but chicken wings are one of my favourite foods,” Mohammad confessed before the final. “We don’t eat a lot of hot food in my family. I’m going to suffer tomorrow.

“I wanted to enter to see how I would do. I’ve enjoyed it and the challenge.”

The final took things to another level with contestants asked to replicate the form of the qualifying rounds in the

face of even hotter wings. After a tense wait, the judges passed their decision on to the host of the evening and it was announced that Samir had once again surpassed expectations to claim the overall title of king of the wings.

“The pain has almost disappeared because I can’t feel anything inside my mouth anymore,” he says moments after his win. “It was tough because it was really spicy. I’d say it was five times worse than the first round.

“Before eating I had a bit of a cold and a blocked nose, but that’s all gone now!”

His secret to success was a relatively simple one though: “Just to eat and eat, that’s it!”

Hani Mirza, partner and managing director of Bin Mirza International, the company responsible for bringing Nando’s to Oman, and a judge on the night was impressed with the contestants, whom he says were better than in the previous competition.

He tells me that the judging was a difficult task and often a close call. But could he handle the heat himself ? No, he confides, he’s more of a medium kind of guy.

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TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO:1. Take a historical city tour2. Dance the night away in Vila Madalena3. Indulge yourself with some luxury shopping on Oscar Freire street4. Watch a local football match5. Hire a bike and discover São Paulo on your own terms

HIGH-RISE HEAVENPaulista Avenue

stretches for 2.8km through the heart of São Paulo’s urban jungle, with many

financial, cultural and retail buildings rising

around it.

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P O S T C A R D S F R O M

My favourite place History and culture vultures will feel right at home in São Paulo. While it is difficult to whittle down the sights to one particular favourite, a historical city tour comes highly recommended. The Igreja de São Francisco de Assis is a fine example of Portuguese baroque, built in the 17th and 18th centuries; Estação Júlio Prestes is a historic train station that doubles up as a cultural arts centre with its own performance space, the 1500-seater Sala São Paulo, while the Museu de Arte Sacra houses an eclectic mix of collections from the 17th century onwards, set in the 18th century Luz Monastery.

Highlights As the unofficial home of football, it is fair to say that Brazilians have a fiery passion for the beautiful game. I was lucky enough to be there during last year’s World Cup, when the atmosphere was truly buzzing, but the local derbies between the city’s three main teams (Corinthians, Palmeiras and São Paulo FC) are well worth a watch. Not only do you get to see some of the most flamboyant football being played today; the dancing, chanting crowd is like a spectacle unto itself. For the night owls, a trip to Vila Madalena is a must. This funky bohemian neighbourhood is full of small, dimly-lit bars and clubs, where the celebrations often spill out onto the streets, shutting local traffic down as revellers dance the night away to a driving samba rhythm. If you’re looking to sample a bit of everything São Paulo has to offer, hiring a bike is a great option. There are dedicated bike lanes with five different circuits that take in some of the most popular tourist spots, including Paulista Avenue, the main artery of the city; Estação da Luz, the historic train station and the Japanese neighbourhood of Liberdade.

Lowlights During my trip, I was genuinely surprised at how few people spoke English, so would wholeheartedly recommend learning a few basic phrases in Portuguese before you arrive. The extra effort will be appreciated and can lead to some spontaneous friendships with knowledgeable locals. Pollution, overcrowding and a vast rift between rich and poor are among the city’s other drawbacks.

Souvenirs Oscar Freire is the most fashionable street in the city and home to many of the world’s leading brands. If you’re a dedicated follower of fashion, be prepared to empty your wallet as you get kitted out with clothes, shoes, accessories and luxury items that reflect the latest trends. If you after something a little more rustic and less material, head over to Praça Benedito Calixto’s Saturday market where you can rifle through second hand stores, listen to live music and taste some typical regional dishes.

Where to stay São Paulo was once voted the 25th-most expensive city on the planet, but thankfully this doesn’t always apply to the hotels and hostels if you shop around. Budget accommodation can be picked up for around RO10 per night, while RO30 will normally get you a decent amount of luxury. The west side of the city is probably the most vibrant, with accommodation options ranging from the upmarket Grand Hyatt and Hotel Unique right down to the Vila Madalena Hostel.

SÃO PAULO, BRAZILMatt Blackwell recommends

To c a l l S ã o P a u l o s p r a w l i n g w o u l d b e a n u n d e r s t a t e m e n t . W i t h 2 0 m i l l i o n p e o p l e l i v i n g i n t h e g r e a t e r m e t r o p o l i t a n a r e a , m a k i n g i t t h e m o s t p o p u l o u s c i t y i n t h e S o u t h e r n H e m i s p h e r e , i t c a n

b e m o r e t h a n a l i tt l e d a u n t i n g a t f i r s t g l a n c e . S c r a t c h b e n e a t h t h e s u r f a c e o f t h i s u r b a n j u n g l e , t h o u g h , a n d y o u ’ l l f i n d t h a t S ã o P a u l o i s m a d e u p o f a p a t c h w o r k o f d i ff e r e n t n a t i o n a l i t i e s - i t h a s t h e l a r g e s t c o m m u n i t y o f p e o p l e o f J a p a n e s e d e s c e n t o u t s i d e J a p a n , a s w e l l s i z a b l e A r a b , G r e e k , P o l i s h a n d K o r e a n c o m m u n i t i e s - e a c h a d d i n g i t s o w n d i s t i n c t f l a v o u r t o t h i s B r a z i l i a n m e l t i n g p o t . W i t h a l i tt l e b i t o f e x p l o r i n g - i t h e l p s t o b e f r i e n d a l o c a l i f y o u c a n - y o u ’ l l u n c o v e r a w o n d e r fu l w o r l d o f a r t h o u s e c i n e m a s , a t h r i v i n g c u l t u r a l s c e n e a n d s o m e o f t h e b e s t g a s t r o n o m i c a l d e l i g h t s t h a t S o u t h A m e r i c a h a s t o o ff e r , a l l w r a p p e d u p i n t o a b u s t l i n g c o s m o p o l i t a n p a c k a g e .

G e tt i n g a r o u n d t h i s m o n s t e r o f a c i t y i s r e l a t i v e l y s t r a i g h t fo r w a r d , t h a n k s t o a n e a s y - t o - n a v i g a t e s u b w a y s y s t e m ; j u s t m a k e s u r e y o u k e e p a n u m b r e l l a i n y o u r b a g a t a l l t i m e s , a s S ã o P a u l o i s p r o n e t o t h e o d d s h o w e r , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e a f t e r n o o n s .

IGREJA DE SÃO FRANCISCO DE ASSIS

STREET PARTIES IN VILA

MADALENA

LUXURY SHOPPING ON OSCAR FREIRE

D e s t i n a t i o n I n d o o r s Y - F i C a r s

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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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KITCHEN WHIZZ

EDITO

R’S PI

CK IN A DASH IF YOU’RE A FAN OF PROTEIN AND RELY HEAVILY ON GETTING YOUR EGG FIX EACH MORNING, THIS IS FOR YOU. SURE, MAKING HARDBOILED EGGS THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY IS EASY ENOUGH, BUT THE DASH GO RAPID EGG COOKER SPEEDS EVERYTHING UP SO HEALTHY EATING CAN FIT INTO YOUR BUSY LIFESTYLE. IT CAN BOIL SIX EGGS IN JUST 12 MINUTES AND ALSO COOKS INDIVIDUAL OMLETTES, AS WELL AS POACHED AND SCRAMBLED EGGS. AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM FROM RO5.75.

Bring your cooking into the 21st century with this selection of smart kitchen gadgets, says Matthew Herbst

PAN-TASTICThis smart pan was specially developed with foodies in mind. The Pantelligent has a central temperature gauge that monitors the entire cooking experience, telling you the ideal temperature for however you like your meat or fish cooked, including reminders through the accompanying app when it is time to flip the food. Sync your phone to the pan and the perfect meal is only a few steps away. Available at pantelligent.com from RO76.57.

SMART CHEFIf you’re in the market for a precise cooking partner, Cinder could well be it. This clever bit of kit is able to cook food to an exact temperature and then hold it there without continuing to cook until you are ready to eat your meal. It can also sear, caramelise and sauté. Health-conscious chefs will be relieved to know that it nearly eliminates the grease splatters and smoke you often get when cooking fatty meats. Available next year at cindercooks.com from RO95.81.

TEA TIMEGone are the days of painstakingly brewing and whisking Japanese matcha tea. The ancient craft has been given a 21st-century update in the form of the Tea-Ceré, which brews and whisks your favourite drink to an ideal froth. All you have to worry about is which cup to serve it in. Available at sharpusa.com from RO115.5o.

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App of the Week

FOODUCATE – HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS, FOOD SCANNER & DIET TRACKERWhen you’re busy at work, the gym can sometimes take a back seat, meaning that your focus has to fall on healthy eating. Fooducate helps you lose weight through progress tracking and adds motivation on your off days through a community of people united by the same goal. The app teaches you more about the food you’re buying by letting you scan a product’s barcode to see a personalised nutrition grade, find out the pros and cons of that item and choose healthier alternatives if necessary. Free for iOS and Android.

OODLES OF NOODLES This Japanese gizmo is primarily aimed at young chefs, but is easily one of the coolest noodle-making machines on the market. The name is O-Uchi de Ramenya, which translates to “ramen restaurant in your home”. The process is similar to other noodle machines, but with vibrant colours and a cool handle, this one is oodles more fun. Available at amazon.com from RO19.50.

If you fancy yourself as something of a budding barista artist, why not go the extra mile and make 3D coffee creations. The LATTE ART MAKER AWA TACCINO turns all types of milk super frothy, allowing you to build impressive foam sculptures on top of your hot and cold drinks. It features a dispenser that looks

a bit like a gun to provide excellent control over the amount of froth that lands on your target,

allowing artists to build 3D shapes that would otherwise be difficult using less-

specialised milk-frothers, toothpicks or spoons. Scoop one up at japantrendshop.com from RO22.31.

NEW

CALORIE BURNERIce cream is hard to resist, especially in sunny countries like Oman, but the calories can be a worry for those who like to watch their waistline. There may be a solution though – enter the Kickball Ice Cream Maker, which ensures you burn a few calories before consuming them. Thanks to a soft rubber exterior, it works just like a regular ball, meaning you can kick it around and build up a sweat, with the constant movement churning and turning the contents, eventually resulting in frozen goodness. Available at hammacher.com from RO13.50.

3D LATTE ART MAKER AWA TACCINO

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The Ford Figo is a cool drive at a great price, so if you’re in the market for a first car or a decent runaround to add to the garage, give it a try, says Kate Ginn

My first car was a Ford, a battered old pale blue Escort with a black vinyl roof that

valiantly did its job for eight months before being retired to the big car park in the sky.

Fast forward (quite) a few years and young people on the hunt for their first starter car have a rather more elegant option to choose from than I ever did. Enter the Ford Figo, a new saloon for Oman.

It’s a brave step for the automotive company, trying to muscle in on the notoriously tough entry-level market, but Ford believes it’s offering something to beat their rivals in the race for customers.

First off, I loved the colour of my test drive car, a burnished gold, which sort of shimmered in the glare of the Omani sun and made me stand out in a sea of white and grey cars on the Sultan Qaboos highway. Depending on the trim, the Figo is available in seven colours, so you can still opt for the conventional white, black or silver if you prefer.

I also like the name. Figo is a colloquial Italian word meaning “cool” apparently, so it should appeal to the younger generation who want to impress their peers with their choice of wheels and make a statement about their individuality. Up against models like the Toyota Yaris in the same segment, the Figo certainly scores well in the looks department, with modern styling (the top two trims have smart alloy

wheels) and kerb appeal.I read that the Figo was based on

a later model of the European Ford Fiesta hatchback and I could see flashes of my old friend the Fiesta (I used to own a black 1.4S) in the design, but the rest was all Figo, with its own distinctive feel.

Inside, it’s neat and functional – don’t expect any bells and whistles – but perfectly adequate for the job and Ford has incorporated some nice touches with a nod to the target customer. MyFord Dock is a very neat unique feature, allowing the driver (and passenger) to stay connected while on the move. You simply slot your smartphone into the dock at the top of the dashboard and the device is integrated into the car’s entertainment system, giving access to music, messages and satellite navigation while the phone is mounted in front of the driver. It also charges the phone at the same time. When not in use, the dock can be shut away out of sight.

Bizarrely, this feature is only available in the basic trim, the entry-level Ambiente. It’s a bit puzzling as to why it was missed off the mid-level Trend and top-of-the-line Titanium as it’s a great selling point for younger drivers.

What you certainly won’t be hard pushed to find on the Figo is somewhere to put things. I’m told the car has more than 20 storage places and, while I didn’t count every one, there are endless little nooks and crannies everywhere,

cleverly designed for your phone, sunglasses, cups or loose change.

When it comes to the ride, the Figo passed my expectations. The 1.5-litre engine under the bonnet has pretentions to be a sports car and is extremely responsive, producing a very punchy ride, making it great fun to drive.

Fuel economy is excellent; another plus point for young customers with a more modest budget, such as college students.

The power steering makes for the lightest of touches and made for easy parking wherever I went.

Safety isn’t compromised either. The Figo feels like a sturdy machine, thanks to a strong body structure crafted from high-strength steel, whereas some cars in this class can feel a little flimsy. Two airbags – driver and passenger side – are standard, while options can take this up to six, a first for a compact saloon. Drivers will also love the Hill Launch Assist feature, another segment first, which holds the vehicle for up to three seconds as the driver’s foot moves from the brake to the accelerator – whether uphill or downhill – giving young motorists with less experience a sense of security and control.

Its attractive pricing makes the Ford Figo great value for money. By the end of our day together, I felt like I had made a new friend and was reluctant to hand the keys back. This just proves that the Figo is a very cool car, indeed.

Space for five adults 430 litres cargo volume SYNC voice-activated

communication and entertainment system

Trendy colours Electronic Stability Control Hill Launch Assist Alloy wheels (Trend/

Titanium trim) Air con Power steering Accessory power socket AM/FM/MP3/Aux in stereo with

4 speakers

They say: “It’s got a big story

to tell”

We say: “Great starter car

with style”

Ford FigoSpecifications:

Engine: 1.5L Ti-VCTTransmission: 6-speed

PowerShiftHorsepower: 105

Price: Starting from RO5,150

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