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LEARN THE LINGO

GIFT GUIDE

BLING IT ON 18 32 22

PL

US

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Feature Fashion Special

Your top guide to the best of oman, everY week DEC 12 - 18 • ISSUE 298 • WEEKLY

40 GET CRAFTY: TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES TREND IN MUSCAT

FESTIVE FOOD: Recipes for December 25

Free Gifts & Cool Cutbacks

Free!EVERY THURSDAY

NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

HEALTH REVOLUTION: Oman’s First Stem Cell Op

IBRI / FEMALE EMPOWERMENT / FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA/ FRANKINCENSE / NAWRAS CEO DESTINATION SAN DIEGO / HOME SHOW OPENS

SEASONAL SAVINGS

Celebrate with Y’s hip guide to the holidaYs

SANTA’S COMING TO TOWN

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Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing &

Advertising LLC /Y is a SABCO Media product.

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

enquiries, please email info@y-oman.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

Fast forward

Welcome to the new look 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 EDITORPenny Fray

SECTIONS EDITORKate Ginn

PHOTOGRAPHER Jerzy Wierzbicki

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Feroz Khan

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

@ytabloid facebook.com/ytabloid www.y-oman.comFO L L O W U S O N :

Penny Fray MANAGING EDITOR

editor@y-oman.com

Gorging on turkey, wearing naff festive jumpers and singing ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ with Mary Poppins – I’m a sucker for the festive season (I’m even wearing reindeer antlers as I write). As far as I’m concerned, C-Day is one big excuse to eat, shop and torture people with bad carol singing, not to mention getting lots of lovely presents. In this issue, our experts help you get into the festive groove with their top tips and seasonal secrets. And for those of you on a budget, we’ve even compiled a list of cut-price presents and craft ideas for you to buy and try. Feast on five-star food and start sparkling as the party invitations flood in. We can’t wait! Elsewhere, we discover why Oman has become the destination for linguists. English may be widely used here but to enrich your experience and get under the skin of the country, knowing some Arabic is essential and there is no better place to learn the lingo than here.

Here’s wishing you all a very happy holiday.

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

Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go at y-oman.com/current-issue

Ways to get your Y fix

GOING UP BULLS IN BARKA

The editor went to Barka on Friday to watch the bullfighting with her

friend Azza and was overwhelmed by people’s kindness. Check out

this historic picture from the 1950s. Brilliant!

DUVET DAYS The number of us who claim to feel

tired all the time has reached epidemic levels, according to new figures. Maybe

it’s time for a big weekend lie-in.

GOING DOWN PARTY PAUNCH

The protruding belly that stops you from wearing your LWD (long white

dress), lest people start asking you how many months you’ve gone. Er, it’s not a

baby but Brussels sprout bloat.

FOOD WASTEGiant turkey? Check. Mountains of

mince pies? Check. Enough room in the freezer? Probably not. Be more frugal

with your food on December 25 or invite friends without family over for a festive feast. After all, it’s the season

of goodwill.

THIS WEEK We’ve been working like demons, turning

down great sounding party invitations and shopping online making the most of free

international shipping deals.

TREND BAROMETER

contentsD E C E M B E R 1 2 2 0 1 3

12Fo o d & D r i n k28 Trend Festive Feasting31 Food Review Grill House

T h i s We e k16 This Week Girl Power 17 17 Movie Listings Tarzan

H e a l t h & B e a u t y32 Fashion Gleam On 34 Style Counsel Barbra Young

31

Fe at u r e s18 Live & Learn Arabic In Oman22 Christmas Gift Guide For Him, Her and Home24 Merry Crunchmas Festive Savings

TOP BUSINESS TOMES WINTER WHITES EATING OUT FOR C-DAY gOINg TO gOA SANTA POPS

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE...

44

32

C a r s & O u t d o o r s37 Destination Ibri 40 Outdoors Getting Crafty 42 Postcard From San Diego 44 Y-Fi Festive Finds46 Car of the Week Hyundai Tucson

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Yo u r O m a n06 The Big Interview Greg Young 08 Your Oman Sayyida Mayya Al Said 1 0 News Mourning for Mandela12 Oman in 43 Objects Frankincense14 Gallery Al Mara Fashion Show 22

CLEAR SIGNALWords: Penny Fray Photos: Jerzy Wierzbicki

G R E G Y o U n G , C E O O F N A W R A S O M A N

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YOUR OMAN

N e w s G a l l e r y I N T E R V I E W

Run through your career in 60 seconds or less: Having graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in electronics, I quickly found my way into the telecoms industry, first as a software engineer, followed quickly by technical sales, product management, product development, marketing and a multitude of commercial management roles.I was fortunate enough to work in large multinational companies with global exposure and consider myself lucky to have been directly involved with every mobile technology over the past 29 years, including two-way radio and manual mobile telephony, then onto 1G and every generation through to 4G. I’ve been directly involved in helping shape telecommunications in four countries before Oman and have enjoyed every moment of the telecommunications revolution. What fascinated you about the telecommunications market in particular? The ability to instantly communicate whether it is locally or across the world, in real time. I remember when I first started working for a global company with a head office in Europe, each day we would use a telex machine to send brief messages to our head office, and then await an overnight response, which slowed our planning and decision making. When we had to send documents, it would typically be via courier – which took many days. Then, of course, facsimile changed this and became more immediate, but still not real time. Today we have a truly ‘live’ and rich interactive communication through a myriad of technologies – including pictures and video content. The world of business has changed forever. If you weren’t CEO of Nawras – what else would you like to be? At one point in time during my early education I had set my mind to be involved in architecture, technical design and drafting. I always liked the idea of creating something from scratch and realising this from paper to reality. But I was fortunate to stumble upon electronics through part-time holiday jobs. What are the highlights and lowlights of being a CEO? I get a strong sense of achievement and satisfaction from high quality delivery – it’s always a highlight for me when we achieve against objectives and particularly under time pressured and difficult situations. Often the CEO is required to make difficult decisions and implement changes that can impact peoples’ lives and careers. I always strive to do this in a sensitive and respectful manner, and at all times remember that before I was a CEO, how I would have wished to be treated. How does stepping into Ross’s shoes feel – after all, he headed up the business from the very beginning? Ross led the company and shaped it into the very successful entity it is today, much loved by our customers and staff, with fantastic loyalty and recognition. I’m fortunate and honoured to be taking over leadership of the company at this time. Companies have different needs at different stages in their lifecycle and maturity. My style is no doubt different but a good fit for where we are at today and, importantly, where we plan to take the company in the future.

We know that the company prides itself on its customer service and coverage – but what’s your personal USP? I have a strong attention to detail and a passion for delivery of service at the highest level. I always put our customers at the heart of every decision we make. After all, our customers are the reason we exist, and we should never forget this. What’s your main aim for Nawras and how are you going to achieve this in a few simple components? We must understand each and every customer’s specific needs and ensure our solutions are tailored to them. We continue to see divergence in needs between different segments, indicative of these changing and more demanding customer personalisation expectations.The Nawras company vision speaks amply of my aim and is as true today as it was when conceived more than seven years ago: “Our vision is to enrich the lives of people in Oman through better communication services”, along with “Our mission is to be the communications provider and employer of choice in Oman.” You’ve just landed in Oman, what excites you about the country thus far?Without a doubt, Oman is the warmest, most welcoming and friendly country that I have lived and worked in. Everyone I have met has been generous with offers of assistance, helpful advice and this has made my family and I feel very welcome. Already, I’ve had opportunities to visit coastal areas and the inland and desert regions. I’ve been captivated by the beauty and diversity of the landscape, the rich cultural heritage, strong social structure and, of course, the cuisine. What are your hobbies?I’ve always had a passion for technology and can often be found immersed in a new HiFi system, rebuilding my home automation system or tinkering with some new gadget. Coming from Australia with a strong coastal influence, I’ve always been involved with watersports, including sailing, boating and waterskiing. I always enjoy getting out on the water, but usually on the surface, not underneath.How would you describe your personality in one sentence? Friendly, a good communicator, driven to succeed with a balance of patience and persistence, attention to detail, with a level of pragmatism, but I don’t like to lose very often.

OMN_4164_BMW_M_Tactical_Y_Mag_24x34cm_En.indd 1 12/10/13 1:01 PM

with money, clothes or food. When I see any poor person, my heart goes out to them and I try to help. I think Allah has given us enough to lead a happy life so why not try to bring happiness to others? I am busy 24/7. As a housewife, doing things for others is my priority. But this time, I hope my family come up with some surprises for me, adding to my wealth of happiness.

SHYAM KARANI I will try to be more patient and understanding and give a full hearing to those who wish to share their thoughts and feelings. I will also attempt to keep silent rather than making inane comments.

ILLEGAL & INHUMANE

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correspondencethe voice of oman sayyida mayya al said prepares herself for a more positive new year

SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / @ytabloid / /ytabloid. Impress us and the winning correspondent will receive a Grand Hyatt voucher. Guests may redeem gift vouchers from the hotel’s reception. For the rest of the terms and conditions see voucher. Contact person katrina.pulusan@hyatt.com.

WRITE To US AnD WIn A VoUCHER

Dear Editor,

In relation to the story ‘Shame On Beach’ (Y Issue 297), I sincerely congratulate your staff on their incredible photographs and coverage. I don’t understand why the dead turtle was cut apart and the meat taken away. To the best of my knowledge Islam prohibits it. I am

NExt WEEK: ROSIE IN tHE DESERt tAlKS ABOUt CElEBRAtING FEStIvItIES IN OMAN

confident that with the help of Y’s photos, the relevant authorities will find the law violators and take them to task. These individuals deserve severe punishment.

RegardsMohammad Osama Rawat

It’s hard to believe that in less than a month we will be starting a brand new year. Where has the time gone?

While others start considering their resolutions for the year ahead, I tend to reflect on the past. Did I accomplish my goals? What did 2013 teach me and how can I prepare for what’s coming? This is the ideal time to start considering these things in earnest.

Firstly, we should be thankful to be alive, as many of us have lost friends and family during the course of the year. No matter what is going on in our lives we are blessed by simply being with our loved ones for yet another day.

Life tests each of us in so many different ways. However, as hard as it may be, do not let it bring you down. Start 2014 with a positive outlook and try to surround yourself with people who make you happy and read the biographies of people who inspire you. Find the positive in every situation (yes, even the bad ones). As the philosopher William James once said: “If you can change your mind, you can change your life.”

Life is surrounded with negativity and very few people stay positive. We all have a choice on how to lead our lives so make the best choice, one that will ultimately bring you joy. As we all know, life is sometimes cut short – so make the best of it. My best wishes to you all for 2014. May it be a positive one for us all.

This Week’s Debate: Since the death of Nelson Mandela,

the world has lost a hero and peacemaker. Who has inspired you in history and why? Tell us on Facebook

and Twitter

Afternoon Tea for Two

at the Sirj Tea Lounge

Check out our latest offers at

/GrandHyattMuscat

We askeD: ‘What will you be doing for your fellow wo/man during this season of good will? ’

SHYlA IvAN This is the season meant for distributing gifts, clothing and goods for the orphaned and needy. It’s also the perfect time to offer my better half a surprise gift wrapped with lots of love as well as enjoying a special dinner with friends and family.

PIYUSH vORA The season of goodwill has always been a time for reflection as well as talking, laughing and sharing precious moments with one another.

IBElINA HUSSAIN My resolution will be to forgive and forget. Other than that, Y magazine’s article on the silent killer AIDS and the taboo attached to it has touched me very deeply. Therefore, I will be talking to a few friends about how to raise awareness about it in society. Nobody deserves to be shunned and everybody has the right to live, whatever illness they may have.

SADIA SHAMS I always feel content when helping needy people

DEBATE OF THE WEEk

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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

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

dreaMiNg oF a better worldYou may well have seen something a

little unusual on the streets of Muscat this week as young people walked around the Muttrah souq area wearing strange masks and carrying posters with the message ‘The World We All Want’.

The colourful posters enlivened the Muttrah Corniche as activists sparked conversations with tourists and locals about HIV/AIDS, its transmission and how to prevent it.

These and other activities by schoolchildren in the Al Buraimi region were proof enough that the spirit of civic activism is alive and well among the young people of Oman.

The students were taking part in ten days of activities organised by the international Y-PEER network, involving activists in 40 countries worldwide.

The theme of the awareness-raising campaign, which began on World AIDS Day, was ‘The World We All Want’, focusing on the dreams of today’s youth for a better future.

Locals and tourists alike appeared delighted at the spectacle and efforts of the young participants to raise awareness around vital issues of health and social inclusion.

Students of Zainab Bint Khuzzaimah Secondary School in Al Buraimi took part in role-plays and discussions to highlight the issue of discrimination

against HIV/AIDS sufferers, using the activities to break down common misconceptions held about the disease.

Over the ten days, volunteers headed out to other schools in Al Buraimi where they invited schoolchildren to ‘Fill in the Blank’ on a paper template to describe the world they wanted to see.

“This campaign has given an incredible opportunity for the volunteers to reach out to the public and raise awareness,” said Dharanya Karan, the programme and communications assistant of UNFPA’s sub-regional office

in Muscat. “This clearly proved

that the future of Oman is indeed in the hands of bright, smart and civic engaged youth.”

Y-PEER is the volunteer network of the United Nations Population Fund and the activities were organised in 40 different countries starting on December 1.

The network’s Ten Days of Action (10DOA) campaign started in 2010 and has continued each year under a different theme.

We’ve always had it, right? Yes. It recently caused devastation in the Philippines and a number of deaths in Oman. It’s dangerous stuff. Indeed, but there’s something going on apparently. What? Scientists believe they have discovered the cause of recent extreme weather hitting the Middle East. Interesting. Yes. Scientists at the Centre for Prototype Climate Modelling at New York University in Abu Dhabi have identified a number of weather anomalies, including unusual jet stream patterns, strong monsoons and intense snowfall over the US and Europe. I see - but what’s the connection? The scientists wanted to get behind the recent rains we’ve seen here. Did they find one? Yup. Southern Europe suffered a rare cyclone called Cleopatra – which was followed by an anticyclone of high pressure cold air. Meanwhile an unusually strong Indian monsoon left a lot of moisture over the Arabian Sea. The cold air from the anticyclone eventually bumped into the warm air from the Arabian Sea and Africa, dumping heavy rains on the Gulf. Right, but is this extreme weather anything to do with climate change? We don’t know. The head scientist said it was too early to say whether these weather events had anything to do with climate change. The models they use don’t show that. So we’re none the wiser then? Well, there is some evidence that global warming has caused an increase in very heavy rain events -- the kind most responsible for major floods. But it’s a tricky area. Do say: ‘Rain, rain, go away.’Don’t say: “Come back another day.’

B i t e S i z e dOur new weekly slot takes a lighthearted look at a news issue of the week.

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

More than 90 heads of state flew to South Africa for the funeral of Nelson Mandela, the former ANC leader and the country’s first democratically elected president, on Tuesday. Mandela, who died last week aged 95, spent 27 years in prison after leading a campaign against the apartheid regime. Four US presidents – President Obama, Jimmy Carter, George W Bush and Bill Clinton – were due to attend. A memorial service was held at the FNB stadium in Soweto, attended by 80,000 people.

HEADLINING STORIES FROM OMAN AND BEYOND

Oman’s natural gas production will surge by 10 per cent next year to reach 113 million cubic meters, a senior official of the Ministry of Oil and Gas told the Gas Arabia Summit in Muscat on Monday.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved parliament and called a general election after mass protests in Bangkok.

A team of specialists at Muscat’s Royal Hospital carried out the country’s first stem cell bone marrow transplant, marking a breakthrough in the country’s medical expertise.

sTOP PRess: Jumeirah Group of Dubai will run the saraya Bandar Jissah resort in Muscat. It is due to

open in 2017.

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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

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

Oman opposes Gulf union plan

Oman has said it is opposed to plans to move the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) toward a six-nation union during the IISS Manama Dialogue Forum in Bahrain.

Oman’s Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, declared at the summit that the Sultanate is against the union and will not be part of it if it goes ahead.

“We will not prevent a union, but if it happens we will not be part of it,” Alawi told the AFP newswire on the sidelines of the event.

If the other GCC members — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar — decide to form a union, “we will simply withdraw” from the new body, he said.

The union was due to be discussed at a GCC summit in Kuwait on Tuesday.The minister’s statement came at a politically sensitive moment following the

Sultanate’s key role in facilitating talks between the US and Iran, leading to the recent historic nuclear deal between the West and Tehran.

Oman has previously expressed its opposition to the Saudi plan when it was first proposed in 2011.

The GCC was formed in 1981 as a buffer against Iran. Together its members sit on around 40 percent of proven global crude oil reserves and around 25 percent of natural gas deposits.

FRANKINCENSEThis fabulous and fragrant resin has been traded in the Arabian Peninsula for more than 5,000 years. It was said to adorn the temple walls of the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut, who died circa 1458 BC, and is synonymous with the festive season due to the fact it was one of the three gifts given to Jesus in the Christian faith. While westerners may know it better as frankincense, the resin is also accepted as olibanum, or in Arabic al-luban, roughly translated as something that’s been milked, a reference to the milky sap taken from the Boswellia tree. Unless you’ve been living under one of these said trunks, you’ll know that Oman is home to the world’s finest frankincense and you can follow the historical tracks of its heritage in Dhofar. In fact, Wadi Dawkah, with its resident frankincense trees is now a Unesco site and well worth a visit.

OMAN IN 43 OBJECTS

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said gave an audience on Sunday to British Foreign Secretary William Hague at Bait Al Barakah.

His Majesty and Hague discussed bilateral cooperation between the close allies, in addition to a number of issues of mutual interest.

The Foreign Secretary described the UK’s relationship with Oman as one of “unique importance”. It was Hague’s third visit to Oman, the last being three years ago when he accompanied the Queen on her state visit to Oman.

On his regional trip, Hague also visited Kuwait and Bahrain, where he took part in talks on regional security, the Manama Dialogue, which was also attended by US Secretary of State Chuck Hagel.

hague Meets sultaN Qaboos

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YOUR OMAN A L M A R A F A S H I O N S H O W An evening of elegance,

entertainment and awards

G A L L E R Y I n t e r v i e w N e w s

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Design yourown environment

Fashion a warm, inviting place to break bread with family and friends. In a stylish, theme-set dining room from Dogtas. With smart, modern, Turkish designs that nourish both body and soul.

www.dogtas.com.trView the online catalogue at

M O R E O P E N I N G Second outlet opens in city

H O M E S H O W Annual trade event returns

HE Eng. Saif bin Amur al Shaqsi (centre)

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MATCH, POINT

T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

Fancy a few carols by candlelight? There will be community singing, festive nibbles and mulled beverages at The Club House in Muscat Hills from 6.30pm-7.30pm.Expect a cash bar, club menu and plenty of festive cheer.

THIS WEEKD E C E M B E R

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

It’s the show of the season and the Y girls are already forming a not so orderly queue to attend the Women Expo at the Oman International Exhibition Centre. Expect everything from fashion and fitness to beauty and kiddie products.

Lousy forehand, ineffectual net play, laughable serves? Chances are you won’t be participating in Al Nahda Resort’s Open Tennis Tournament, then. Oman’s amateur answer to Wimbledon is open to all Roger Federer wannabes. Registration fee is RO5 per event. For more information, contact Fethi Ghouli on 99416391

15Dec

NOT SO SILENT NIGHT

HE’S BEHIND YOU

DEC17 - 19

GIRL POWeR

Princes, shoes and pumpkin carriages – what else could a girl possibly want for Christmas? The festive season just wouldn’t be the same without a panto, so we’re super excited that Cinderella will be playing at the Ras Al Hamra Recreation Centre Cinema Hall on Dec 12 (19.30pm), Dec 13 (14.30pm/19.30pm) and Dec 14 (14.30pm). Tickets cost RO5-7 and are available at the RAHRC Front Office.

DEC12 - 14

aNGeLIC VOICesSomeone wise once said that music washes away the dust of everyday life from the soul. So, if you’re feeling a bit dusty, a New Day Dawns for you. The Winter Concert presented by the Muscat Singers and Muscat Brass will take place at TAISM’s Bosch Center for Performing Arts at 6.30pm. Tickets cost RO3 and can be purchased in advance at TAISM’s main office.

14Dec

DEC12 - 14

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

Y’s Christmas Cracker

THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

For more information and times, go to:

City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net

Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net

Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

The English Teacher

This inspiring comedy tells the story of Linda Sinclair, a 40-year-old unmarried English teacher whose greatest relationships are with her favourite authors and stories. When a disheartened former student moves back into town after failing to make it as a playwright in New York, Linda decides to step out of her comfort zone and mount his

MOVIES MOVIESWEEKTHIS

play with the help of the high school drama teacher. This low-key film has a great cast that comprises of the ever wonderful Julianne Moore, Lily Collins and Greg Kinnear. Great for those who like considered stories over dimwitted blockbusters.

Old Boy

Remaking the ultra violent and uniquely moody Korean classic Old Boy was inherently risky and arguably pointless. Spike Lee directs Josh Brolin as the father who suddenly finds himself locked in a cell for no reason with only a telly for company. Released without explanation 20 years later, he is like a bearded animal hell-bent on revenge. Where the original’s extremity came with a dash of black comedy, this is just violence without any real dramatic impact.

FROZEN Frozen has taken more than half a century to reach the screen but the wait for Disney’s release is well worth it. Adapted loosely from The Snow Queen story, it features the fearless and adventurous Anna, as she sets off on an epic journey. Teaming up with rugged mountaineer Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven, she tries to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering uphill battles, mystical trolls and a comic snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. With real heart and wit, this animated fairytale can stand up to the Disney favourites of old and is an instant classic.

Edgar Rice Burroughs’s lord of the jungle has been through many incarnations in print and on screen during the last 100 years. Now, it’s been adapted again into an all singing, all dancing 3D animation by none other than Walt Disney Pictures. As such, expectations are understandably high and fortunately, for fans of the Edwardian eco hunk, it doesn’t disappoint.

With music by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Phil Collins and an inspired cast of vocal talents, this well told tale comes alive for a whole new generation. If you don’t know the story, it’s about a human baby who is orphaned in the African jungle and lovingly raised

by a family of apes. But Tarzan’s peaceful world is shattered when a mercenary group of humans arrive at his home. The orphan is forced to acknowledge that he’s more human than ape and inevitably falls in love with the beautiful Jane. And if things weren’t hormonal and complicated enough, he also discovers that a trusted member of his own species is plotting to harm the apes. With new technological breakthroughs and spectacular visuals, this adventure film succeeds in keeping audiences riveted. In short, literature comes to life in a modern and exciting new way – a great movie for all the family.

Review by Penny Fray

For those of you who saw the original BBC series, you’ll know this cinematic adaptation is going to be stunning – especially in 3D. Drawing accurately on the latest palaeontology discoveries, the movie tells the captivating story of a young Pachyrhinosaurus on his way to adulthood when his world is suddenly turned upside down. Separated from his family, he has no choice but to lead his herd in their search for a new home. Will a perilous showdown in the Arctic lead to triumph or disaster? Walking With Dinosaurs is a visual feast that will captivate the entire family, especially young ones with a thirst for natural history.

tarZaN

WAlKING WItH DINOSAURS

PREVIEW

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The Arab Spring may have led to a reduction in the number of viable destinations for studying Arabic but Oman is proving to be an increasingly attractive alternative, writes Tom Robertson

With Damascus pummelled by the effects of a violent civil war and many governments jittery about sending language scholars to Cairo, two major study destinations have effectively been removed from the list of cities in which

foreign students can learn Arabic.Founded in Seeb in 2008, the Center for International Learning is one

school reaping the benefits from an increasing number of students now looking to study in a more stable destination, unaffected by the impact of a tumultuous Arab Spring.

“When CIL started, we had about 120 students per year. We now have more than 300,” explains Larry Brown, the centre’s director. The students are arriving from all over the world but typically 70 per cent of them come from the US, while many of the remainder travel from European Union countries.

Along with the variety of nationalities studying at the school comes a plethora of reasons for wishing to learn Arabic. Some students are sent by their national diplomatic service in preparation for a Middle East posting while others are involved in academia, such as PhD students needing to learn Arabic in order to carry out their research on Islamic culture.

Others among the current intake are

undergraduate students of Arabic wishing to bolster

their knowledge with a short intense burst of

tuition. “Most of our students are highly serious about learning

Arabic,” insists Brown. “They come not to learn a few words of

conversation but to fully learn the language for use in their lives and

professions.” But there are also those who don’t

harbour such lofty ambitions, instead opting to learn Arabic for a number of

reasons wholly unrelated to their career. “There isn’t really one clear reason,”

says Stephan, from Switzerland. “I first became curious about the language during my

childhood. For example, when I used to see the Arabic text written on the side of cereal packets,

I wanted one day to be able to read it. Similarly, when my family and I used to holiday in Spain we

would hear Moroccan radio stations and I wondered how it could ever be possible to understand Arabic. “More recently I’ve wanted to learn a language with

a totally different script from the five languages I already know. Adding Arabic to that list would also allow me to

communicate with a far greater number of people in the world.” The system of teaching in the school can be intense but

>

LIVE &LEARN

I’ve wanted to learn a language with a totally different script from the five languages I already

know, adding Arabic to that list would also allow me to communicate with a far greater number of people in the world

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one that most students find to be entirely manageable, thanks in part to a smattering of tea breaks as well as a catered lunch for those that want it. Starting at 8.30am, the four morning sessions are divided into a series of classes that focus on grammar, conversation, reading/writing and media.

Conversely, the afternoon then takes a less formal approach with a ‘Peer Facilitator’ allocated to every one or two students. Typically young, university-educated Omanis fluent in English, they offer students the opportunity to iron out any issues of particular confusion, be it a complex grammar rule or something as simple as checking the way that a word is pronounced. It’s also a useful time in which to focus upon any particular areas of weakness among the four key competencies of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

And it’s this kind of comprehensive approach that’s required if the student is to gain a respectable level of proficiency. Studies have found that Arabic is ranked among the top five most difficult languages to acquire as a second language and demands a staggering 2200 hours of classroom study in order to reach fluency. Added to the apparent difficulty of learning the language is also the problem of differing regional dialects. While Fusha – or Modern

Standard Arabic – is taught predominantly at the school, tuition in Omani dialect is also available to help students adapt to the prevailing local language and its colloquialisms.

But the challenges of learning Arabic aren’t just linguistic. Students choosing to study in a Middle Eastern or North African country

often find themselves in a culture of which they have had little to no experience before. Oman presents no exception and some students are surprised by the extent to which religion exerts an influence in daily Omani life, compared to the secularism often found within the culture of

their home nation. But the school’s director admits that while

these cultural issues, such as the very distinct separation of gender roles, can be challenging for students to understand at times, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of a study-abroad experience.

“Our biggest joy is opening the eyes of students from the west, who come to Oman and begin to lose their biases and stereotypes. Promoting understanding across cultural, gender and religious lines is one of our key goals at CIL, so it’s most rewarding when our students return home realising that, for example, Arab and Muslim families are much like their own.”

Speaking to the students, it seems that Oman has proved, for nearly all of them, to be an ideal country in which to pursue their studies.

“I’ve found it to be an extremely hospitable country’, says Imran, from London. “It seems so culturally rich. There have been loads of things to see and do. That said, I’ve really appreciated a more relaxed pace of life away from the frenetic pace of life in London. I’ve enjoyed it so much that while I came with an enthusiasm for the language, I actually leave with a much greater enthusiasm for the country.”

Arabic is ranked among the top five most difficult languages to

acquire as a second language and demands a staggering 2200 hours of classroom study in order to reach fluency

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There are a few options for the foreign language student wishing to learn Arabic in Oman

Polyglot Institute, Muscat

Founded in 1975, the Polyglot Institute located in Al Wuttayah and Al Hail offers eight levels of Arabic from basic conversation skills in level 1 to the advanced vocabulary of specialist topics in level eight. General classes run in the evenings (5-7pm or 7-9pm) on alternate evenings each week with each level taking 40 hours / 8 weeks to complete. Fees for 1 level are RO140. A sixty-hour group course costs RO160.

www.polyglot.org enquiry@polyglot.org Tel 24 666 666

Oman’s Language Schools

1. Salaam Alaikum / Peace be upon you

2. Kef halik/halish? How are you?

3. Bekheir, shukran / Fine, thank you

4. Haltt’kallam I Inglizi? Do you speak English?

5. Ismi…/ My name is…

6. Shukran / Thank you

7. Afwan / You’re welcome

8. Ma’asalaama / Goodbye

9. Saa kam? What time is it

10. Yasaar & Yameen / Left & right

10 MUST LEARN PHRASES

Noor Majan Training Institute

For the language student keen to venture further afield than Muscat, try the Noor Majan Training Institute in Ibri. Monthly 80-hour courses inclusive of tuition, materials, accommodation, excursions, local transportation, and lunches start at RO670.

www.noormajan-institute.com info@noormajan-institute.com Tel 968 93946379

Sultan Qaboos college for teaching Arabic to Non-native speakers

Located in Manah and founded in cooperation with the The Sultan Qaboos Centre for Islamic Culture, the school offers Modern Standard Arabic lessons, in addition to Omani dialect and cultural workshops. Each term consists of 160-hours offered over an eight-week period.

www.sqca.edu.om s.q.college@gmail.com Tel 968 252122044

Our biggest joy is opening the eyes of students from the west,

who come to Oman and begin to lose their biases and stereotypes

ARABIC ALPHABET

PENNY FRAY CURATES THE UlTIMATE lIST OF PERFECT

PRESENTS FOR HIM, HER AND THE HOME

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8 0 2 2

Y’S GORGEOUS

GIFTGUIDE

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8 0 2 3

GIFTGUIDE

FOR HER

STYlISH WOMEN WIll lOVE OUR SElECTION OF

COlOURFUl TREATS

Red clutch, from RO14 at Next

Candles from Amouage’s Midnight Flower Range – RO35 each

She’ll feel like Little Red Riding Hood in these super hip heeled booties from Zara. RO50

In a beautiful new bottle designed by Jade Jagger, Guerlain’s Shalimar exudes timeless elegance. From RO29

A must have tote from Victoria Beckham, from RO542. It’s not cheap but she’s worth it

A red textured-leather cover and signature gold-trimmed pages make Smythson’s ‘Superstar’ notebook the perfect gift. Available online from RO30

Mirrored lenses are the hottest eyewear trend right now and they don’t get better than a pair from Ray Ban. From RO83This red necklace

is guaranteed to ‘wow’. Get it from H&M from RO8

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8 0 24

FOR HIMIS gETTINg A gIFT FOR THE MAN IN YOUR lIFE TRICKY?

THESE QUIRKY ClASSICS ARE gUARANTEED TO PlEASE

Whether they’re travelling or heaving heavy files to work, this holdall from Zara looks the business. RO39.90

Dapper gents will love this designer tuxedo from Matalan’s latest collection – from RO51

Dapper cologne, from RO10, Marks & Spencer

Stylish and simple, these, Saint Laurent sunglasses really hit the mark. RO175 from Mr Porter

Everyone likes a man who can make them laugh – this joke book will help with the job. RO5.5 from Asos.com

Every man deserves a bit of designer cashmere. Theory sweater from RO29 at Brands For Less, Markaz al Bahja

He’ll be snap happy with this Pentax K30 SLR camera. From RO315 at Amazon

Useful and chic - Alexander McQueen Belt, RO213

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8 0 2 5

FOR HOME

FINDINg SOMETHINg SPECIAl FOR FAMIlY AND

FRIENDS IS THE HOlY gRAIl OF gIFT gIVINg

It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas with this snow room spray from Matalan. From RO2.5

Matalan has a great selection of festive decorations

Don’t forget a box of Chrimbo treats – ChoconChoc is super chic and available from selected Al Fair stores. From RO6

Gourmands will love The Big Fat Duck Cookbook. Available from Amazon from RO94

This furry cushion from Zara is both fun and fabulous for the festive season. RO3.33

Fauchon’s French fancies are sure to make any family smile. Available from RO10 at The Opera Galleria

When it comes to classy candles, your first stop should be The White Company in Muscat City Centre. Large Blanc, from RO45

For the family who has everything, send a bouquet of white roses. Available from The Flower Shop at The SABCO Centre

The only thing I love more than chocolate is shopping. I adore it so much that I actively look for people to give gifts to. After all, the festive season is a time for giving – and preferably from Chanel’s beauty counter. But the days of just wanting

something and buying it regardless of the cost or consequences are all but over. Fiscal recklessness is as passé as marble-wash jeans. Oman’s finances may be relatively healthy but the global economic hangover is still raging, making frugality fashionable again. So, how do you save money during one of the costliest time of year without morphing into Scrooge? I ask some of Muscat’s budgetistas for their favourite rial saving tips:

① Set a realistic budget and stick to it. If you are rubbish with numbers, use an online holiday calculator – and remember, even the smallest purchases like gift tags and sweets soon add up.

② Generate some extra spending money and space by selling unwanted items in a yard sale or via classified ads. There are also several online sites that will buy everything from old CDs to books.

③ Start shopping early. This spreads the cost throughout the year and allows you to avoid pricey panic purchases. Even better – hit the shops during the sales season and create a gift drawer. Alternatively, make as many presents as possible (we have a great selection of crafts on p40-41). Play to your strengths. If you love cooking, bake a cake or make homemade chutneys. Otherwise give the gift of time with a babysitting, chauffeuring or language voucher. One of my best festive gifts was a vintage cup that a friend had found in an antique shop and turned into a candle with my preferred aromatherapy oil. It was personal and far more thoughtful than a boring box of chocolates (not that I’m knocking the sweet stuff).

④ Do you have a large family or need to buy gifts for your entire office? Instead of buying individual presents, set up a secret Santa scheme where you anonymously purchase a present for just one person and put it under the tree. A festive lottery also works well.

⑤ Don’t be a shop snob. You can buy virtually the same products in a supermarket or souq stall as you can in an expensive gift shop or boutique. The difference often lies in the packaging and location. For instance, a friend bought a wool pashmina in a gift shop in Seeb for a quarter of the price of its equivalent in the touristic end of Shatti. Ironed and placed in tissue, you wouldn’t know the difference.

Our most beloved bargain stops include: Daiso in MGM, The United Gift Market in Seeb, H&M in Muscat City Centre and Brands 4 Less in Markaz Al Bahja. If you can recommend more, Facebook or Tweet us.

⑥ Be green and lean by using old boxes and recycled wrapping paper – you can even use this edition of Y magazine if you like. Tied with a beautiful ribbon, even old paper looks pretty.

⑦ Eating out can sometimes be much cheaper than dining in, especially if you make the most of discounts found in The Entertainer or websites like Groupon.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AN EBENEzER TO MAKE ClEVER CUTBACKS,

DISCOVERS PENNY FRAY

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8 0 2 6

Words: Kate Ginn Photographs: Jerzy Wierzbicki

MERRY CRUNCHMAS

KHANJAR MAGNET (RO1) I found this terrific little trinket near the supermarket counter. It can be used on the fridge door or placed on a clutch, turning a boring high street accessory into something a bit more bespoke and local.

SALALAH FRANKiNCENSE (RO2) Frankincense has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula for ages and makes an excellent gift for those living both in and outside Oman. Another supermarket sweep, this cost much less than the ones found in certain tourist gift shops. If you want to make it look a bit more special, decant it into a bejeweled box.

SAFFRON (From RO2.5) This spice is like gold in the west in that it costs a small fortune, so when I spotted some in the local souk for less than RO3 I snapped it up for my curry loving friends back home. Saffron gives a luminous yellow-orange glow to foods and is widely used in Indian, Persian and Arabic cuisines.

SCARF (RO1.5) Soft, stylish and on sale, I couldn’t

resist this pashmina from The

United Gift Market for only RO1.5. Once you

take the tatty label off and wrap it in tissue, it looks much more expensive than it is.

BRACELET (RO2.5) I absolutely adore this faux emerald bracelet from Fancy World. I saw something similar in a Parisian boutique for nearly ten times the price. I used the 500 baisa change to put it into a velvet pouch, adding that extra touch of luxe to the package.

great loCal giFts For ro3 or less

Y’s shopaholic editor was given an hour to get

five stocking fillers in Seeb with an RO10 note. Here’s what she found:

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FOOD

DRINKAND

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

TWINkLING TABLEDecorate with lots of unscented candles – warm, white lights

give a magical glow to any room.

FESTIVE FEAST

Anyone who knows anything about the holiday season knows it’s not just about the bird. Supporting stars have their day, too. Penny Fray persuades the chefs at the

grand Hyatt Muscat to lend their best recipes and tips for a tasty dinner

N e w sT R E N D N e w R e s t a u r a n t

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8 0 2 9

Ingredients:• 1.5kg pumpkin • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper• 1 bulb garlic, cut in half horizontally• Handful of rosemary sprigs• 1½ tbsp olive oil• 2 onions, peeled and chopped• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg • 30g grated parmesan cheese (or a small block of parmesan rind)• 800ml chicken stock• 100ml double cream• 15g butter

Method In a large cooking pot sweat off the onions, carrots and garlic until soft and the onions are translucent. Then add the chopped pumpkin and continue to sauté together. Once the pumpkin has a nice golden colour, add the nutmeg and chicken stock and boil for 25 minutes. Add cream and boil for a further minute. Next blend all the ingredients in the pan and add butter until a rich velvety consistency has formed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve into a large soup bowl and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg, parmesan cheese and olive oil.

Pumpkin Soup

STARTERMAIN

DESSERTRoast Breast of Turkey & Roulade of Thigh

Hedgerow Berries with Fizz Zabaglione

RECIPE

Ingredients:• 250g/9oz pack unsalted

butter, softened• 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only

• Sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped leaves only • 2 tbsp fresh parsley leaves, chopped• 5-6kg/11-13lb medium-sized turkey

• Salt & PepperFor the stuffing

• 125g/4½oz butter• 1 onion, finely chopped

• Large sprig of thyme and rosemary, chopped leaves only• 200g/7oz white breadcrumbs

• 6 fresh sage leaves• 1 lemon, zest only• 50g/2oz pine nuts

• 1 tsp sea salt• Freshly ground black pepper• 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For the gravy• 1 onion or large shallot, chopped

• 2 tbsp olive oil• 125ml/4fl oz dry house white

• 1 sprig fresh thyme• 1 bay leaf

• 500ml/17fl oz chicken stock• 200ml/7fl oz double cream

• pan juices from roasting• sea salt & black pepper

Method Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 Mix herbs and butter together to form a paste, season and chill. To remove turkey legs, cut through the skin and pull joint firmly away from body then cut through ball and socket joints. Cut away the 'oyster' on the back of the turkey so leg and thigh comes away cleanly. With a thin, sharp knife, bone both legs and stuff with sausage meat. Wrap tightly in tin foil and chill to set the shape. Prepare the crown, cut off wing tips and, for easier carving, take out the wishbone and cut away the backbone with poultry shears. Lift up the breast skin with your fingers and separate it from the flesh. Season well, place in a roasting tin and cover loosely with butter paper or foil. Cook the turkey - put the foil-wrapped legs in a roasting pan and cook at 180C/350F/Gas4 for 45 minutes. Reduce temperature to 160C/320F/Gas 2 and cook for a further 15 minutes then remove foil and cook for a further 30 minutes, straining off any juices for the gravy. Cook the crown for 1-1½ hours at 180C/350F/Gas 4 until juices run clear and let the bird rest for 30 minutes before carving. Make the stuffing; melt butter in a large frying pan and gently sauté onion for five minutes until soft. Stir in the herbs for one minute then add breadcrumbs to absorb butter. Mix in zest, pine nuts and seasoning and cook over medium heat for about seven minutes until crumbs start to brown and crisp. Take off the heat, mix in the parsley and serve warm. Make the gravy, sauté the onion in the olive oil for about five minutes. Pour in the house white, add the thyme and bay and boil until reduced right down. Add stock and boil until reduced by half then add cream and boil for further five minutes. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat, cool for ten minutes and strain. Add turkey pan juices, boil for two minutes, season with salt and strain.

Ingredients:Zabaglione • 1 cup dry bubbly• 3/4 cup powdered sugar• 5 large egg yolks• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup• 6 tablespoons chilled whipping creamHedgerow Berries• 150g blackberries• 150g raspberries• 150g blueberries• 150g redcurrants• 200g strawberries

Method In a bowl wash the berries under and cold water and allow to drain. In a pan sauté the berries in butter for 2 minutes until slightly soft. Do not use a spoon as this will break the berries and cause them to puree. Add a warm spirit and flambé the berries; once flame has died remove from heat. Serve into dessert bowls and spoon the zabaglione over them, gratin-ate under a hot grill or with a blowtorch. For the zabaglione, whisk the sparkling beverage, sugar, yolks and corn syrup in large metal bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Whisk constantly until mixture has tripled in volume and candy thermometer registers 160°F. Remove from over water and using electric mixer, beat the zabaglione until completely cool. Beat cream to soft peaks in medium bowl. Fold cream into cooled zabaglione. Chill until ready to use.

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 80 3 0

FOOD

DRINKAND

Few phrases strike fear into a foodie’s heart like an international menu that reads like War & Peace but grill House hits the spot if you’re on a budget, says Sura al Bayaty

GLOBAL GRUB

R E V I E W ST r e n d N e w R e s t a u r a n tInfo Box

GRILL HOuSe ReSTAuRANT (opposite Muscat International airport)

Tel: 24511337Opening hours 11am to 4pm / 6pm to

12:30amOn Friday 1pm to 4pm / 6pm to 12:30pm

Meal for two: RO16

verdict:

Fast, fuss-free food that you can definitely call a bargain

7 10

The Grill House, near the airport on Exhibition Road, is so popular, its fame has spread by word of mouth. But people flock there for low-cost global grub rather than

Michelin-worthy food. The location, behind KFC’s drive-

through, isn’t exactly upmarket and I doubt anyone who wants to stay married would take their spouse there for an anniversary dinner, but it does exactly what it says on the tin. Okay, sort of. It’s not really a grill house in the traditional sense of the word but unlike similar places where you just get rice with meat, this place has a bit of everything – Chinese, Indian, Thai, Arab and continental dishes aplenty.

After hearing endless recommendations (its notoriety being the result of having so many branches in the city rather than culinary excellence), my family and I decided to try it out.

The décor was a bit blah and the private compartment setting was very modest with soft lighting. All the waitresses were welcoming although their basic grasp of Arabic and English didn’t make for great conversation (so don’t ask loads of questions because they’ll just smile and nod at you.)

My brother and I spent a long time ordering because the menu was large and very diverse – which certain gourmands will always raise a suspicious eyebrow at.

After all, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that a restaurant with a big, unwieldy menu isn’t taking that much care with the food.

Anyway, curious about the international meals on

the menu, my brother and I opted for the smaller dishes so we could sample what was on offer tapas style.

I started with a chicken noodle soup, and a dal soup for my brother. Both were served right away, fresh, hot

and delicious. Then we had small plates of chicken biryani, reshmi kebab, chicken butter, with

Greek salad and paratha as side dishes.The food didn’t take a long time to be

served and it was piping hot but not exactly flavoursome. In fact, most of the dishes were woefully lacking in the complexity of spices you’d expect. This was basic fare, a few notches up from a microwave meal or takeaway.

The biryani and butter chicken, whilst appetising in their appearance,

were disappointingly bland. On the other hand the reshmi kebab dish, which

is basically chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, was really tender and mouth-

wateringly good. The Greek salad wasn’t bad either and complemented the mains beautifully.

For dessert, we ordered an Indian traditional sweet called gulab jamun. If you don’t know what it

is, let me enlighten you. It’s a fried dough ball soaked in sugar syrup. Sweet and

exotic, I loved it.All in all, this wasn’t a bad

experience. For the price, the food is decent enough and the surroundings are acceptable. I guess it’s one of those places you visit when you can’t be bothered to cook but don’t

want to splash out on fine dining. (And because they deliver, I know that

a lot of the residents in nearby Muscat Hills order takeouts from there). Plus, it’s

a particularly good place for families because of the diversity of dishes and the fact the bill won’t bankrupt you.

Will I come back? Well, with so many branches dotted around the city, it’s almost an inevitability.

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

pick up the Jotun Lady design book at your nearest Jotun shop. to find out more visit facebook.com/jotunarabia or jotun.com/me

cHanGe tO BriLLiant desiGnscHanGe tO tHe nO. 1 in paints

GIVE YOUR WALLS AN INSpIRING NEW LOOkinspiring

Bring new life into your home with Lady Design from Jotun. Choose from our brilliant new collections to create stylish wall designs—each paired to a range of décor options by interior designer Mona Hussein.

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 80 3 2

TWINkLE TWINkLE Can’t get away from

your shift safety net? Up the stakes with some

showstopping sparkle – sprinkle on accessories too. If you’re uncomfortable with too

much glamour, play things down with a pair of flats and

no jewels.This dress is from Hobbs

HEALTH&BEAUTY

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

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8 0 3 3

1 Create contrast by paring something uber glam like a sequined cardigan with something as casual as a pair of distressed jeans. Ditto a crisp white shirt tucked into an embellished skirt. 2 Since it’s the party season, what better way to add instant glamour to your outfit than with a statement party shoe? Whether you want to go full-on sparkle and wear with an embellished dress or add a welcome pop of colour to your little black dress, glimmering shoes are guaranteed to add some much-needed glamour.

Penny’s tips to blinging it on:

Sequins, glitter and supersized gems – anything goes so long as it dazzles, says Penny Fray

GLEAM on

GLITTER-A-GO

Party season is upon us, so prepare to be dazzled as designers take cocktail dresses and evening gowns to magical new heights.

The likes of Marc Jacobs and Valentino demonstrated fashion’s power to transport you to a world where everything is just that little bit more special with a sprinkling of sparkles.

Bags, shoes and jewellery were also given a scattering of fairy dust in the hands of Anya Hindmarch, Alexander McQueen and Sergio Rossi.

Despite usually being a minimalist miss, at this time of year, j’adore a bit of bling. Like a human magpie, I’m drawn to sequins, metallics and anything that glistens. In fact, I’ve just bought a traditional Omani two-piece to take to the UK with me for the festive season. The bright yellow colour and excessive amount of gems have me transfixed. For a more low-key party look though, you can’t beat the black beaded dress. It’s an investment buy that can be brought out year after year. I bought mine from Jaeger years ago and it’s still going strong.

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to wait until dark to wear party fabric. You can sparkle during the daytime too with a few strategically worn pieces. Sequined trousers are de rigueur at the moment when played down with a plain top or a baggy boyfriend sweater à la Elle Macpherson. Alternatively, wear a statement necklace over a t-shirt and jeans to lift an otherwise overly casual look. The secret is in the balance.

How can you not feel like Cinderella in these beautifully beaded evening shoes by Jimmy Choo? From RO710

This clutch from Next whispers Gothic luxe – great for those who don’t like blatant bling. From RO15

I frequent the Fancy World store in Markaz Al Bahja so often that staff now know my name. I love their more subtle pieces but there’s a lot to be said for their ‘look at me’ jewels too. Prices vary but you can dazzle from as little as RO3 up

Daytime sparkle is so easy with this Zara sweater. RO19.90

Equal parts relaxed and glamorous, Giambattista Valli’s sequin-embellished pants are a chic choice for day or night. This track-style pair has a silk-satin back and ribbed wool cuffs. Contrast textures with a mohair sweater and sleek pumps. Available from Net-a-Porter from RO413. Don’t worry if this is a bit beyond your budget because chain stores like M&S and Splash have something similar for a fraction of the price

Masked balls are big news in Oman this season, so make sure you get your sequined disguise from Accessorize. Prices start at RO3

street stYLe NAME:

MONIQUE HELOU OCCUPATION: OWNER OF VIVID

BOUTIQUE WEARING: ZARA DRESS, ECCO SHOES & EARRINGS FROM VIVID BOUTIQUE

STYLE: TODAY, I’M CLASSIC BUT MY USUAL STYLE IS EDGY & COLOURFUL

SPOTTED AT: BAREEQ AL SHATTI

STYLE COUNSELBARBRA YOUNG ANSWERS YOUR FASHION QUESTIONS

Dear Barbra, The invitations are starting to pour in for various

functions. They vary from formal to smart casual. My wife says I’m a sartorial disaster and usually helps me with what goes with what (and has banned me from wearing my vintage Hawaiian shirt). But she’s going home to the States soon for a vacation so I can’t rely on her for advice (and I think she’d divorce me if I asked her to set everything out valet style). Will, Muscat.

Dear Will,While the two most terrifying words on an invitation for a woman are ‘pool party’, for men

it’s usually ‘smart casual’. Getting the suit and tie look right isn’t too hard. Most men can manage it (even the sartorially inept). All you need to do is buy a decent dark suit, a few crisp shirts, matched with a silk tie (no cartoon characters please), a pair of black polished shoes and you are done. Cufflinks are great too but I don’t want you to run before you can walk. Smart casual, however, can be a minefield for the uninitiated. Italian men seem to be the only ones who get it spot on - the rest struggle. The past couple of weekends have inflicted sights on me that should belong to a horror movie not a mall or restaurant.

Said offenders wore t-shirts that were way too tight over a paunch with oversized cargo shorts as well as long white socks with sport shoes (unless you are playing tennis or are a billionaire rap star, it’s a no-no.) Current catwalk trends dictate that

you wear a basketball jacket with camouflage cargo pants. It’s a difficult look to pull off even if you are American and under 38. No, take my advice and stick to the male version of the LBD – a pair of chinos with a shirt and a single button blazer. I love this slim fit, unstructured silk blend number by Boglioli (ro413 from Mr Porter). Not only does the silk impart a subtle lustre but it is smooth and breathable as well. The soft jersey knit and unstructured design ensures that, although the fit is slim, this piece is never restricting. Team the light grey hue (very fashionable right now) with a bright white shirt (this one’s from Andre Linen but M&S do great quality ones for those on a budget), dark chinos (Loro Piano, but again if you prefer

chain store, go for Gap) and suede loafers (John Lobb, cheaper versions can be found in Clarks) for a balanced

look. If you opt for a t-shirt instead, you could add a cotton scarf to give a dash of designer insouciance to the overall look – but probably best to keep things simple.

Do you have a question for Barbra? Email info@y-oman.com

Q

Barbra Young, a former designer and retailer

TIME MACHINE

A

Following this week’s opening of the Panerai Boutique at Opera Galleria, Penny Fray chooses her top three timepieces for men (available online and in various jewellery and specialist stores in Muscat):

0 3 4

HEALTH&BEAUTY

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

D E C 1 2 – 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8

Watchmaker: Cartier

Model: Calibre de Cartier Chronograph

Functions: Oh how I love this legendary brand’s watches. Not only is this particular model elegant

but it also features Cartier’s first in-house chronograph

movement. The power reserve is 48 hours.

Watchmaker: Officine Panerai

Model: Radiomir Ten Days GMT – 47mm

Functions: This special edition to Muscat features an elegant cushion case in polished steel and black

sandwich dial, ten-day power reserve and vintage leather strap. If you ask me, it’s one of Panerai’s classiest looking

designs to date – and it’s exclusive because only 15 units

have been made.

Watchmaker: Audemars Piguet

Model: Royal Oak Offshore Diver

Functions: The first Royal Oak Offshore Diver with a

ceramic case, middle and bezel. It’s harder than Superman (ceramic being seven-times

harder than steel) and can be handled underwater. Cool.

glitzy hair jewels are the new way to shine, discovers Penny Fray

BARNET BLING

Penny Fray shows you how to get groomed and glamorous for the fashion season.

At the end of the day, it’s really about the size of your rock. But it doesn’t have to be the one on your finger we’re talking about.

The massive head jewels found on Manish Arora’s models were way more dramatic than any Cartier engagement ring. So, if the catwalk shows of Blugirl and Dolce & Gabbana are anything to go by, December parties are no place for grubby rubber bands or last season’s scrunchies. Instead, get your head right with crowns, tiaras and eastern style headpieces because hair dazzlers are now hotter than hell.

Celebrities who have worn the glistening adornments include Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. But how do they translate from red carpet to real life? Can you really wear a gilded crown to the office party? Well, the simple answer is yes. But it takes the kind of fashion lunacy that only the late, great Isabella Blow could pull off with aplomb. Fortunately, the teeka or traditional Omani headpiece is far easier to wear and readily available in most boutiques and jewellery stores across the Sultanate. For a more modern twist on the traditional headpiece, head for the mall. Both Zara and Accessorize are fully stocked with a variety of uber cool chained hairbands, while Asos’ collection is extensive to say the least.

Remember, a well-chosen hair accessory is designed to elevate your hair from a simple style to a clever conversation piece.

You tried it once hoping to channel Marilyn Monroe or Greta Garbo. Unfortunately, you ended up looking more drag than fab. We are of course talking about old school glamour. Some say it’s a

matter of attitude but I say it’s all about vamping it up 21st century style. So forget about the less is more approach. This season’s fashion forward look means breaking the ultimate beauty rule of wearing smoky

eyes with dramatic lips. Just keep skin fresh and flawless with the sheerest of coverage. Eyebrows need to be groomed and arched before sweeping a metallic shadow across the lid. If you’re feeling brave, continue to layer

colour to intensify the look. Blend well before adding eyeliner along both the upper and lower lash lines. If you’re anything like me you’ll need a steady hand, so go slowly. Better still, buy a precision pen. If you prefer a softer, smokier effect, smudge the line somewhere between the liner and shadow. Then for staying power, use a liner brush to sweep a layer of shadow over the liner.

Next apply a single coat of black mascara. You don’t want to overdo it. For added intrigue you could always add a lace mask a la Chanel. Lips need to be luscious, so apply a deep berry lipstick straight

from the tube before finishing with a slash of matching gloss. Nail wise, forget last year’s neon shades. Instead, experiment with a metallic marble effect or go for colour with a bit of glisten. And there

you have it – the ultimate festive look.

0 3 50 3 5D E C 1 2 – 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8

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

Celebrated designer Manish Arora helps elevate Asian headwear into a hot new trend with his latest fashion collection.

Party Perfect

Kate Moss does the cosmic look for Rimmel

Jennifer Behr’s handmade gold-tone headpiece sits elegantly along your parting and finishes with a beautiful filigree drop. It’s the perfect way to give your look an elegant talking point. From RO75 at Net-a-Porter

Accessorize brings this season’s hottest hairpieces to the mall. From RO10

This season’s most talked about accessory trend was championed by Dolce & Gabbana’s intricate Medieval-style crowns. From RO817

Singer Alicia Keys champions the traditional teeka in a New York bash.

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 8 0 3 7

M y H o o d C a r s W i - F i O u t d o o r s

CARS ANDOUTDOORS

TURNING BACk THE CLOCk

Ibri used to be an important stopping point for merchants travelling through the Arab

Peninsula. Today, the historic town still bustles

with business as traders haggle over

auction prices.

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CARS ANDOUTDOORS

M y H o o d C a r s W i - F i O u t d o o r sCARS ANDOUTDOORS

Destination

A TRIP INTO THE AD DHAHIRAH REgION IN THE NORTH-WEST OF OMAN CAN BE A CUlTURAllY RICH JOURNEY BACK INTO

ONE OF THE OlDEST INHABITED PARTS OF THE COUNTRY – AS WEll AS AN IDEAl OPPORTUNITY FOR A SPOT OF AFTERNOON

PHOTOgRAPHY, WRITES JERzY WIERzBICKI

IBRI

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Having grown wealthy during the Bronze Age by trading copper with Mesopotamia, the

ruins now found in the Ad Dhahirah region offer a glimpse into the fascinating lives of its former inhabitants. From the crumbling houses of Ibri to the imposing structure of the town’s fort, it’s easy to see that this is an area in which trade thrived and its residents developed a rich social culture. Evidence of these customs, and in particular of those relating to burial rites, can be found in the small village of Al Ayn where it’s still possible to admire a massive conglomeration of stony tombs spread atop the dark brown hills (see Y issue 226).

But today, it is the town of Ibri, located approximately half way between Nizwa and Oman’s border with the UAE, that is the region’s residential hub. With only a modest population of nearly 100,000, it’s not a sprawling metropolis but it is the area’s most important town for trade and education.

Y designer Matthew and myself went to Ibri armed with a camera to uncover more about this area and to explore the old town.

Our journey started from the industrial coastal town of Sohar and pushed up into the mountains, which we traversed and then descended down into the heart of Ad Dhahirah.

Following the recent heavy rains, it soon became apparent that we would be forced to cross wadis still flooded with water, relentless in its descent to lower ground. It’s a tiring and sometimes dangerous business to cross wadis, depending upon the velocity and volume of the flow, so it was with some relief that we found a small stony valley near Yangul in which to rest after the first leg of our journey.

Reaching Ibri soon after lunch, it became immediately apparent that this is a town in which the pace of life is considerably slower. A stillness hung in the air; most of the shops were closed and few of the town’s inhabitants moved about the streets. Visitors should be aware of this if they come looking for the hustle and bustle. Mornings are a better time to visit. Little life stirred in the afternoon heat when we arrived, conjuring up memories of a distant time when I visited a desolate town in Iraq.

Although the weather was uncharacteristically hot for this time of year, we headed to Ibri’s fort, scoping out photographic opportunities. Such efforts can sew dividends in a climate where the

payoff for enduring the sun’s fierce rays throughout the day comes when the temperatures cool and the sun starts to dip.

Orange hues of fading sunlight can bathe beautiful old buildings such as the fort in a soft light ideal for photography.

The fort itself is indeed an impressive and imposing structure, with thick outer walls constructed for defensive purposes. But it’s also noticeable that the hefty mud-brick walls were needed to insulate inner rooms from the oppressive heat outside. Even in the multitude of ruined houses without roofs that lay scattered around the fort, the temperature was perceptibly cooler within the confines of the crumbling walls.

Finding a high house that stood taller than its mud brick peers, Matt and I set up a camera and tripod and snapped away at a scene typical of the towns and villages in the Dhahirah region; flat rooftops stretch away before meeting a surrounding vista of date palms and, further afield, mountains.

With the afternoon light fading and evening rapidly approaching, we decamped from our lookout to a different part of Ibri where small narrow streets meandered between palm plantations. Bougainvillea flowers grew stubbornly in small gardens creating a tranquil setting that brought a certain peace to the little houses spread around us.

Only a few minutes remained before sunset, but it was in those few minutes before darkness fell that I had time to venture into a near-collapsing abode where I was met by walls covered in an intense Omani green and windows painted a strange shade of light red. Like any avid photographer, I felt that there was a chance for one last shot before walking away puzzled as to how the paints could have lasted for so long using what must have been natural ingredients.

Ibri and its surrounding villages are an ideal location for a journey into the past to explore ruined houses and ancient tombs. In doing so, visitors will find a multitude of fantastic opportunities to set up their camera and snap that perfect moment of by-gone times.

It’s not necessary to have a 4x4 vehicle to visit the town of Ibri. However, a 4x4 is recommended if you want to explore some of the more remote villages in the region. The distance from Muscat to Ibri is around 270km. Although there are a number of different possible routes from Muscat, the best is the scenic old mountain road (21) from Nizwah via Bahla.

GPS location of Ibri old town: 23°14’34.64”N 56°30’23.65”ETR

AVEL

GUI

DE

M y H o o d C a r s W i - F i I N D O O R S

Shop all you want but nothing makes a holiday home shine brighter than decorations or presents with a personal touch, says Penny Fray

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CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDOUTDOORS

GETTInG CRAFTY

The last time you tried origami, your graceful crane ended up looking like a dying dog. Equally disastrous were your attempts at sewing and painting (hello, Jackson Pollock on the floor). Let’s just say arts and crafts isn’t your strong suit. But it

should be, because handmade is now hipper than ever in Muscat. More and more groups are springing up all over the city (check out Crafty in Oman and Must Quilt Guild on Facebook) and chic shops are now charging extra for that personal, slightly imperfect touch. Why? Well, it’s partly about giving the gift of time (it comes at a premium these days) and secondly, it’s about individualism (because bespoke is obviously best). Add a sprinkling of sociability and savings on top and you have the perfect indoor activity.

Like it or not, consumption, conspicuous or otherwise, has become somewhat crass. Even logo-strewn bags have lost their lure. But that doesn’t mean handmade isn’t chic. We’ve come a long way from the days of baggy jumpers and monstrous macramé bags.

Of course, not everyone is a stitch ‘bitch’ or budding baker. But everyone has some sort of skill. It’s just about turning that talent into a treat for someone else. Besides, making things with your own hands is unexpectedly relaxing and rewarding. Unfortunately, homemade presents can look a little lumpen without some chic wrapping. It just

takes a trip to a posh shop to realise the importance of a box, some bows and brilliant branding in making DIY items look super desirable.

“Start off by creating your own brand,” says cool crafter Jane Lloyd from Muscat Hills. “Some of the most sophisticated stores in the Opera Galleria and MGM offer a unique combination of colour, typeface and imagery. Think of Tiffany & Co. You only need to see a turquoise box and a white ribbon to recognise its origins. Ditto Chanel with its monochrome desirability.

“To create your own brand, just think of three words that best describe you. Then add an associate colour, image or typeface.”

If you want to embrace the craft movement without committing time or effort to the pursuit of the personal, then you’ll find a wealth of fairs, souqs and charity events selling handcrafted goods in and around Muscat.

And don’t forget, crafts have been a source of trade for centuries here, with locals making everything from hand-woven carpets and exquisite embroidered pieces to uniquely crafted silver jewellery and earthenware. Follow the country’s heritage of handicrafts at the Omani Heritage Gallery in Qurum. The Handicraft Centre in Ruwi, near Sultan Qaboos Mosque, is also worth a visit in that it offers a wide range of handmade pottery, terracotta, ceramics and more.

M y H o o d C a r s W i - F i I N D O O R S

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BUNNY BOOChildren will love this super cute character filled with love

What you’ll need:Bunny templateAn old knitted sweater Polyester stuffingPom-pomTailor’s chalkNeedle & thread

To make: Draw a bunny outline and use as a template for the chosen material. Here, we’ve gone super simple to save on time. Cut at least 1.5cm outside the chalk line.

Sew all the way around the chalk line until you reach the base of the right ear. Carefully turn the bunny right side out and fill with stuffing. use a pencil to help get into all the nooks and crannies. Hand sew the remaining opening and add the pom pom as a tail. using wool or embroidery thread, add the face, using small, freehand stitches. Give with an adoptive certificate for that extra personal touch.

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Let us make a wish for a happy and successful new year.

Let us spread seasonal cheer with that bubbly feeling.

Let us imagine a feast that’s soothingly nostalgic or decidedly not.

Let us create a new holiday tradition that Àlls you with joy.

The most memorable year-end celebration takes place atAl Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel with enchanting momentsamid beautiful surroundings evoking the best and brightest of theseason. For reservations please call 968-2476-4000 or emailBoxOce.AlBustan@ritzcarlton.com.

©2013 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

D E C 1 2 - 1 8 / I S S U E 2 9 80 4 2

CARS ANDOUTDOORS

CALIFORNIAN DREAMING

San Diego, the largest coastal city in California, is renowned for its ideal

climate, impressive beaches and glut of high-profile tourist attractions including SeaWorld and

Legoland.

1. SeaWorld2. San Diego Zoo3. Balboa Park4. La Jolla5. Coronado Beach

Top 5 Places To Visit:

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

Sea World

C a r s W i - F i O u t d o o r s

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la Jolla

BalBoa Park

My Favourite Place: If you fancy four miles of meandering on cobblestone pathways bordered by ponds, lakes, fountains and lush landscaping, then there’s no better place to visit than Sea Port Village. I love this place not only for its scenic walks but also the fact that this waterfront complex, adjacent to San Diego Bay, offers everything from interesting boutiques to a wide range of restaurants. Highlights: La Jolla is another amazing hangout. It offers immaculately landscaped parks, white-sand coves, upscale boutiques and cliffs above deep, clear blue waters. It’s a pretty sophisticated spot and the best place to eat thanks to its glut of upmarket restaurants.Meanwhile, history buffs will adore Old Town State Historic Park, with its excellent museum, bookstores and bijou buildings along San Diego Avenue. It’s a real eye opener. Oh, and don’t forget to stop at the restored Casa de Estudillo – it’s filled with authentic period furniture. Other buildings around the plaza include a ‘smithy’, print shop and a candle-dipping store. Lowlights: Traffic. It’s busy; public transportation here isn’t the best and using the highways can get complicated. Also the beaches get really, really crowded on the weekends.

Souvenirs: If you want something a little more interesting than the usual magnet and mug combo or a stuffed dolphin from SeaWorld, buy some Mexican handmade clay pots from the old town. Alternatively, if you have some cash to flash and love art and vintage artifacts, visit Adams Avenue, San Diego’s antique row.

Where to stay: The most obvious place is the Hotel del Coronado. With its iconic red turrets piercing an azure California skyline, this colonial-style resort radiates a kind of splendour that is without equal. It was featured in the film Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe and has hosted a ‘who’s who’ of presidents and princes. There’s even speculation that it was here that Mrs Simpson met Edward Windsor. If you prefer something more boutique and unique (and I do), then let me introduce you to Hotel La Jolla, an elegant urban hideaway just a stone’s throw from the beach. Bliss.

SAN DIEGOWelcome to San diego, an underrated american city, which I have called home for many years. It’s a pretty sophisticated place thanks to its elegant harbour, miles of beautiful beaches, top-notch restaurants and historic sites. Plus, it has family friendly attractions galore, the most famous being SeaWorld. It’s one of California’s most popular theme parks because it features live dolphin shows and a journey to atlantis. It may seem horribly commercial to some but the place still manages to do its share for animal conservation, rescue, rehabilitation, breeding and research. Talking of animals, Sand diego also has an awesome zoo situated in Balboa Park, the largest urban park in the US. It includes a number of gardens (the park, not the zoo), reflecting different horticultural styles and environments, including alcazar, a formal, Spanish-style garden and Palm Canyon, with more than 50 species of palms. of course, you can’t come to San diego with young kids without taking a trip to legoland. Compared with some of the bigger, flashier theme parks such as Disneyland and SeaWorld, this place is rather low-key and far less commercial – though there are plenty of opportunities to buy those little coloured plastic blocks from denmark.last but not least is the beach scene. It is concentrated in a slender strip of land between the ocean and Mission Bay. If people watching rather than topping up your tan is your thing, the boardwalk that connects the two main beaches of Mission and Pacific is always crowded with skaters, cyclists and joggers. When the hordes get too much for you, head for Crystal Pier, at the ocean end of Garnet avenue. Here you’ll find a chilled out spot to gaze out to sea.

Vivian Daboul recommends:

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ACTION ADVENTUREWhether you’re parachuting at 8,000 feet or duck diving your way to catch the perfect wave, the Polaroid XS100 waterproof action camera will be there to capture any adrenaline-packed moments. Ideal for the action adventurer who loves to snap.www.amazon.com ro61

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

EDIToR’S PICK

Festive FindsThey say Christmas shopping sparks our primal fight or flight modes. Matt Herbst goes hunting and gathering for the greatest festive gifts

W I - F IP o s t c a r d s f r o m C a r s O u t d o o r s

PAPERLIGHTIDESIGN’S BLANK CANVAS DIGITAL WATCH IS MADE FROM TYVEK, A TEAR-RESISTANT PAPER-LIKE MATERIAL. IT CAN BE ANY STYLE YOU WANT - YOU DECORATE IT YOURSELF WITH PEN AND PENCIL, MARKERS, PAINT, OR GLITTER. YOU CAN GIVE THE PERSONALISED GIFT TO A FRIEND TO WEAR. OR BUY A FEW AND CHANGE YOUR STYLE EVERYDAY. IT ISN’T WATERPROOF BUT CERTAINLY IS STURDY WITH A LONG-LIFE BATTERY ro4.70. WWW.SUCk.Uk.COM

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MY INGREDIENTSSlugs and snails and puppy dogs’ tails, That’s what little boys are made of. And girls? Sugar and spice and all things nice. Well, that’s what they say. The truth is revealed with this fun Human Ingredients T-Shirt that looks like something one of the nerds on The Big Bang Theory would wear. Lo and behold, it shows we are clearly made of the same stuff. Makes for fascinating reading. Made from cotton, it also comes in black and white.ro10 from www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk

GIMME JUICEYour teen occupies every single plug around the house. Solution? This mother of all chargers. Compact and tough, it will keep your BlackBerry, Apple, Samsung or HTC devices juiced up and ready to go. It comes in three flavours for your choice of gadget. ro9.40 from www.johnlewis.com

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NEW! MUVI ATOMThe Muvi Atom measures less than two inches high, making it one of the smallest camcorders in the world. Yet, despite being so dinky, it will capture high-quality footage. ro50 www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk

the MuVi™ atom’s tiny size does not compromise quality, recording at 640x480 @ 30 frames per second, using Frame rate enhancement technology. it also introduces the ability to take photo snapshots at 1280x960 and comes bundled with the 2gb micro sd card and sports mounting kit.

Only 1.75 inches high x 0.75 inch wide x 0.75 inch deep, it can record up to 90 minutes footage, and includes a rechargeable battery for up to 45 minutes continuous operation. The standby mode comes with noise activation.

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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APP OF THE WEEk With Arthur Christmas being the holiday hit film to watch, it makes sense to help him and the elves with their mission this season. As an elf you have to deliver gifts to children around the world before sunrise or you’re busted. It’s not just about climbing down chimneys – you have to leap, dive and crawl as quietly and quickly as you can without crashing into anything or waking up the children (and feed the pets so they don’t make noises) or else you fail. Check out Arthur Christmas: Elf Run Premium ro0.76 at www.itunes.com..

THE GIRLY GADGET Emma Bridgewater has unveiled a dashing portable DAB+/FM radio, complete with a built-in iPhone/iPod dock. The viewquest hearts radio sampler is her first-ever collection of audio products, that will, of course, make the ideal gift for the ladies. Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen, relaxing in your living room or even – thanks to its 15-hour battery life and carry handle – camping in the great outdoors, this retro DAB+ radio with a variety of different and colourful designs can keep you company. ro89 at www.amazon.com

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BRRRRA polar bear that lives in your freezer? I am sure you have had weirder things live in there before. The Black and Blum Brrrrr Ice Tray is simple to fill, easy to load into your freezer and decants individual cubes without having to touch the ice. It’s cool. www.amazon.com ro9.60

There was always something reassuringly familiar about slipping behind the wheel of a

Tucson, a sense of coming home. So what to make of the news

that the men at Hyundai were planning to make some changes?

It turns out there was no need to worry. We weren’t talking about any major revisions that would make the model unrecognisable or spoil it. Indeed, the alterations are subtle and enhance rather than take away.

This compact crossover is already the best-selling SUV from Hyundai in the region in recent years, so there was a good platform to build on. All the old, loved features are still there but with some new improvements thrown in to capture an even bigger slice of the Middle East’s young parent market that the Tucson is clearly pitching for.

There’s more practicality, safety and family-friendly touches.

Regulars of the model will notice the upgraded engine (now a meaty 2.4 litre), extra interior features and a style reboot.

One of the big things that the Hyundai men (and women) have been talking about it is the ‘Fluidic sculpture’. To the uninitiated, such

as myself, this may sound like the latest trend in post-modern art or some such. Actually, it’s the curvaceous, flowing design that gives the car a standout look over competitors on the road. This refresh continues with LED accent lights and rear LED tail lights.

Looks, of course, are not everything. Cars need to perform too and those with a liking for a turn of speed won’t be let down, with a silky transmission and healthy acceleration. It might not be quite so full throated at higher speeds though; it’s happiest when not being pushed too hard.

For those who like figures, fuel consumption is 12.4 litres per 100km. To save you checking, I can tell you that it’s more fuel efficient than the old model.

Space is also high on the ‘wish list’ for mums and dads wanting to keep the little ones happy. There’s plenty of room up front but the rear seats may be a touch on the small side. However, Tucson has an answer. Reclining rear seats allow for a veritable multitude of seat arrangements, giving additional room when needed.

Safety is well covered with anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction and stability controls, active front head restraints and numerous

airbags – the depowered airbags on the driver and passenger side deploy at reduced force to prevent possible injury.

I really like the idea of the Hyundai Flex Steer system, available on the model for the first time, which allows the driver to choose from three different driving modes – normal, comfort and sport – depending on the environment.

Two levels of trim are offered, GL and GLS versions, with either 17” or 18” alloy wheels, both equally eye-catching. It’s inside that the Tucson’s changes are noticeable too. The upholstery is higher quality, giving it a distinctly upmarket feel, and the shiny chrome instrument cluster comes with the option of a very nice 4.2-inch colour LCD display. Those who want to smell and feel a touch of luxe can choose leather seats. Rear A/C vents would have been nice – those Middle East summers can be brutal – but this is reflected in the price.

Should you go for the new Hyundai Tucson? Well, there maybe be higher spec and faster SUVs out there but for budget-conscious buyers with an eye on style, it might just be what you’re looking for.

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It’s had a makeover with a sleek design and upgrade, giving the Hyundai Tucson instant kerb appeal, says Kate ginn

Car of the Week

2014 Hyundai TucsonEngine: 2.4 litre

Horsepower: 174hpTransmission: Six-speed

automatic0-100 km/h in 10 seconds

Price: From RO7, 500

CARS ANDOUTDOORS

C A R SP o s t c a r d s f r o m W i - F i O u t d o o r s

check this out

lED lights Alloy wheels Side and curtain airbags Front or all-wheel drive Bluetooth connectivity Remote keyless entry Steering wheel mounted

audio controls Brake assist Electronic Stability Six-speaker stereo with CD

They say: ‘An exhilarating exercise

in design.’

We say: ‘‘Family favourite gets

even better.’

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