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DESTINATIONTANUF 3832 44

JUN 02 - 08 2016 / ISSUE 423 • WEEKLY

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J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 3 0 3

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EDITOR IN CHIEFSayyida Iman bint Hamad

bin Hamood Al Busaidi

MANAGING EDITOR

Felicity Glover

DEPUTY EDITORKate Ginn

ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

REPORTER Alvin Thomas

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Feroz Khan

,

Team Y enjoyed watching Real Madrid win the Champions League in

a thrilling penalty shootout, cooled off in the swimming pool and caught

up with friends over dinner.

THIS WEEK…

This is our last issue before the start of the Holy Month, which is expected to be June

6 or 7. It’s a time for the whole country to join in the spirit of

Ramadan and engage with its true meaning.

GOING UPTHE POPULATION

Oman’s population figures are increasing, hitting 4,428,946 at the end

of April, up 2.6 per cent on the same period last year. For the first time, the

number of expats has surpassed two million.

GOING DOWNOUTDOOR FUN

All 19 Indian schools in Oman have been directed to restrict outdoor

activities to protect pupils from the summer heat before the end of term.

With the temperatures hitting 46 degrees Celsius this week, it

sounds wise.

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

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

Ways to get your Y fix

THE BAROMETERWelcome to Y

Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.

There’s no doubt that Oman has offered many expatriates a stable place to call home and a good standard of living for many years. Expats raise children here, make lifelong friends and contribute to the country’s economy, carving out a life far away from their own countries, and are grateful for the opportunities the Sultanate has given them.

Times are changing, however. In our cover story this week, we investigate the growing tide of expats who are leaving the country as the economic slowdown starts to bite. With hundreds of jobs being shed in a variety of sectors and many contract renewals coming up, the exodus is likely to increase in the summer. The knock-on effect can be seen in falling car sales, a decline in the residential rental market and a revenue drop in the hospitality sector. We speak to expats about their experiences; those who have been forced to leave and some who have chosen to go, finding better opportunities in other GCC countries. Others are caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to secure a No Objection Certificate to move jobs within Oman and left with the stressful option of uprooting their families and going elsewhere. This sense of uncertainty is spreading beyond expats. Our investigation makes for sobering reading. We hope it adds to the debate on the way Oman is moving forward.

Fast forward

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contentsJ U N E 0 2 - 0 8 2 0 1 6

Yo u r O m a n06 Coffee With Y Laura Eggleton

08 Voice Of Oman Alvin Thomas

10 News New Beauty Spots

11 Gallery Champions League

12 News OCA Chess Fest

14 Gallery Family Shopping Expo Crepe Café

15 Hyundai – Driven To Success Faiza Al Mazroui

T h i s We e k

16 Movies Pelé: Birth of a Legend

18 This Week Swimming For Kids

H e a l t h a n d B e a u t y32 Fashion Petal Power

34 Beauty Fantastic Facial

35 Health Weight Loss Surgery

10

33

Fe at u r e s19 Ramadan Car Guide Mid Level Sedan

24 Expat Exodus Is The Dream Over?

C a r s a n d A d v e n t u r e s38 Destination Tanuf

40 Stars Of The Track The Winners Revealed

42 Indoors In The Ring

44 Y-Fi Office Tech

46 Faces Of Oman Photo Portrait

44

RAMADAN CAR GUIDE / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION

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18Fo o d a n d D r i n k30 Taste Of The Med Mediterranean Cooking

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J U N E 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 30 6

For my meeting with the general

manager of the Holiday Inn in

Seeb, I am taken into the inner

sanctum behind the scenes usually

reserved for staff.

I’m led inside to an unpretentious

office where the boss comes out from

behind the desk. Smartly dressed in

black trousers and a patterned shirt,

Laura Eggleton smiles and offers me

her hand, the heavy bracelets clinking

away on her wrist.

“Firm but fair” is how Laura

describes her style of management.

I can tell straight away that she’s

quite a formidable character – a

characteristic that must in very handy

in her position as the only female

general manager in her hotel group in

the Middle East and Africa region.

She’s also extremely down-to-earth

and very likeable, a combination that

has seen her scale up the career ladder

at a rapid rate. When she arrived in

Muscat last May, she was only the

second female hotel GM (general

manager) in Oman and just 28.

But Laura seems to have taken it all

in her stride.“People say that women in this

part of the world are at a competitive

disadvantage but I couldn’t agree any

less,” she says.“I think that I’m at an advantage

because it’s such a unique thing;

a young girl running a business in

Oman. People are like: ‘Who is this?

We want to see, we want to talk, we

want to find out what’s going on.’

“I have had no trouble. Everyone

told me that it was going to be

really tough and people would have

difficulty respecting me. I’ve had no

bad experiences whatsoever.”

I think that Laura probably makes

it very clear, in a disarmingly nice

way of course, that any such nonsense

wouldn’t be tolerated. She must be a

tough cookie to accept the challenge

of moving to the Middle East – a

place she had never visited before – as

a young, single, blonde-haired and

blue-eyed woman, in the Sultanate’s

male-dominated hospitality industry.

Laura started in the hotel business

at the tender age of 13 when she and

a friend got waitressing jobs at a small

local hotel in a village in the county of

Sussex, UK, where she grew up.

“We only went into the hotel to

shelter from the rain because we had

to wait for the bus and didn’t want

to get our hair wet,” says Laura.

“We pretended that we wanted a

job and the owner said he had some

waitressing work and we could start

on Friday. I’ve worked in a hotel ever

since.”Her next job was in a hotel near

Gatwick Airport, where she worked

all the way through her studies.

After finishing a degree in

International Tourism Management

at the University of Brighton, in 2008,

Laura informed the hotel manager

that it was time for her to leave.

Reluctant to let go of his ‘star’, he

offered her the general manager job

at his other hotel, the Holiday Inn

Express Slough, which was struggling.

“I was only 21,” says Laura.

“Everyone was saying: ‘Oh, she won’t

be able to do it, what’s he thinking?

What a fool giving a girl that age that

job’.”“To be honest, it was the hardest

thing that I’ve ever done and a huge

learning curve. I ended up living in

the hotel. I gave my heart and soul to

it. I look back now and can’t believe

how hard I worked.”

It certainly paid off. In 2009, the

hotel won ‘Hotel of the Year’ for the

company in the region.

Laura ended up managing two

hotels for the owner, before moving

to the flagship Holiday Inn London

Heathrow Ariel.

“I was always the youngest in the

room,” says Laura, smiling.

When a manger from the

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)

suggested she would make a great

GM in the Middle East, Laura was

intrigued. She was put forward for

several roles but turned down because

the owners wouldn’t accept a woman

in the job, when the Muscat job came

calling.“I love it,” says Laura simply when

asked how she has settled in.

“I love Oman and I love the

Omanis. I have an incredible team

who are a bit fascinated by me

because I do things so differently to

how they’re used to.

“I’m completely different. And I

think they like it.

“There is nothing pretentious about

me. I do my own thing.”

It’s clear that the staff adore her.

Showing me out later, one of the

female members of the team talks

admiringly about how Laura has

transformed the hotel.

Their young manager has

introduced some new ways. Very

active on social media (she’s a regular

on Twitter), she brought in an internal

Facebook group and banned staff

from sending long emails to each

other.She’s a bundle of energy, constantly

on the move, tapping away on two

mobile phones and her computer

while we’re talking.

“I just take big risks, if I’m honest,”

says Laura, when asked about her

strategy for success.

She’s being modest. The hotel,

which caters for mostly business

travellers, is doing extremely well

under her leadership.

“It’s worked out perfectly. I

genuinely can’t grumble,” says Laura.

“My job is never boring. No two

days are ever the same. I like the fact

that it’s inconsistent. You don’t know

what’s going to happen from one day

to the next.“I’m quite lucky. I always say that

my job is like a hobby. I have bad days

– don’t we all – but I’m a very positive

person.”Away from the hotel, Laura enjoys

the gym and travelling. She’s booked

to go to Salalah in August and on her

list to visit before she leaves the region,

is Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

But despite all her career success,

Laura, who turns 30 in October, says

she would give it up for children.

“I absolutely want a family in the

future. That’s hugely on the cards. I’m

not so career-minded. I love my job

but I would give it all up.”

Somehow, I can’t see Laura sitting

still for long if that happens. I think

she’d end up organising the mother

and toddler group and turning it into

the most successful in the area.

Have you got a unique story to tell or do you

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At 21, Laura Eggleton ran a hotel in the UK. Eight years on and she’s the

general manager of the Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb, overseeing a successful

multimillion rial business. Kate Ginn meets her

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J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 30 8

THE VOICE OF OMAN HEATHER DUNCAN ON EMBRACING THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN

NEXT WEEK: FAHMY AL MA’AWALI

The holy month of Ramadan is almost upon us and while it’s a joyous occasion for many Muslims celebrating it, it is also a

time of questions and uncertainty for others.

This year will mark my fourth Ramadan as a non-Muslim in Oman and I have found that, with the right attitude, Ramadan is no longer something to be nervous of. Joining in and embracing the festive occasion can be very fulfilling.

Last year, I was invited to several Iftar (the evening meal that breaks the fast at sunset) meals by Omani friends and neighbours. While I was nervous – mostly because I didn’t understand the etiquette of the occasion – once I got into the swing of it, I relaxed and had a brilliant time, as well as feeling so flattered to be included. Those Iftar nights are now some of my most treasured memories of living in the Sultanate.

Of course, there are certain rules that you must observe in this time of heightened spirituality but if you educate yourself a little to the do’s and don’ts it can make the occasion less nerve- wracking, leaving you free to embrace it.

If you find yourself being invited to an Iftar meal then I would highly recommend that you gladly accept the invitation and join in the fun and sample some of the world-famous Omani hospitality.

Ramadan Mubarak!

associated with using technology for too long. Technology offers an attractive and impressive way of learning but it is not an effective mode of study and cannot replace learning from books.

AKSHATHA PUDKETHOOR The place of textbooks in schools is facing a growing challenge from tablets. The biggest advantages of tablets is that they can hold many learning materials in one place including textbooks, homework, quizzes, dictionaries etc. The other benefit of tablets is that they are cost-effective, light in weight and can be updated easily.The disadvantage of using tablets is that they have been related to health issues. Heavy usage of tablets is believed to cause computer vision syndrome, which includes headaches, eyestrain, and blurred vision. The other drawback of tablets is that many digitally connected students tend to have shorter attention spans than those who use textbooks. So it is important to look at both sides of the coin before moving forward.

correspondence

DEBATE OF THE WEEK

WE ASKED: “Should tablets replace textbooks in schools?”

KAMAL GANATRA Textbooks should not be replaced by tablets. Too much technology is harmful for children who are not sensible enough to avoid the distractions that come with tablets. Addictive games, social networking sites and other distractive elements would occupy most of their time when they are supposed to be studying. Health problems such as Computer Vision Syndrome, along with eyestrain, headache and blurred vision, are commonly

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

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Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

/GoldenTulipSeebHotel

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PRIVATISE TOURISMDear Editor,

The cover story on tourism (Issue 422) provided a very insightful read. This industry may be going through confusing times right now but could benefit from the introduction of privatisation. For example, outsourcing the maintenance of tourist hotspots to private entities in exchange for concessions and perks in various business undertakings will not only solve the problem of dirty surroundings but will also attract investment, resulting in economic growth. After all, Oman is trying to reduce its dependency on oil-generated income so care must be taken that the focus is not just on a single industry.

Another very important fact about privatisation is that it should lead to home-grown competition for the tourism market and the end result would be better affordability in sync with above-standard facilities.This will result in an influx of tourists, with large numbers of people arriving in this beautiful homeland of ours.These visitors will definitely give Oman

its place on the map alongside other international heavyweights such as Thailand, France and Greece etc.

Sincerely, Mona Aman, Muscat

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J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 3 0 9

Iftar buffet for your family and friends to enjoy the spirit of Ramadan at 10 OMR* for early bird bookings*Early bird bookings will be accepted until the 1st day of Ramadhan

We will be serving our à la carte menu from 9pm to 12am For corporate and group bookings, and more about our products and offering during the summer months call us on: 2471 1842 or 9457 9457

reservations@baitalluban.comwww.baitalluban.com

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MARIANNA PEREIRA The benefits of using tablets in place of text books far outweigh the disadvantages of not doing so. The way to the future and keeping up to date is for children to gradually switch to tablets because more textbooks can be stored on a single tablet. A tablet has more features to engage students for longer periods than do text books and can be updated easily. They are also current and relevant to today’s fast-changing world and make learning fun and relatively easy.

RASU JOHN It would take preparation and a huge effort

for tablets to be used instead of text books. It would require a lot of guidance from parents and teachers to ensure pupils were not distracted by time-wasting elements and harmful content. Using tablets over textbooks would be more affordable for parents, when calculating the amount spent by parents on the purchase of textbooks every single year. Tablets are handy and can be updated easily. Taking notes on tablets would also save paper. Reducing the weight of books on children’s school bags is important as there are relevant health issues. However, the practice of handwriting and spelling would lose their significance.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT The use of tablets in place of text books would certainly be handy in reducing the weight of school bags but then it will lead to an era in which the next generation will not at all be aware of books. They may even forget how to use notebooks and write with a pen. Tablets should not be used in place of textbooks in schools but in colleges… yes.

BEENA SHIBU MATHEW Totally support the tablets. People must have reacted with similar apprehensions when paper was first introduced. So glad our ancestors didn’t stick to animal hides, rocks, tree leaves etc. We have to move on. I enjoy reading on a tablet just as I love reading from a book. It’s just another medium.

PRACHI SHARMA When we learn from textbooks we remember it well for longer period of time. It’s good to use technology but we should do so in moderation. Let’s not be addicted to it . When children use tablets more it can affect their eye health. I would strongly recommend textbooks in schools .The excitement of getting new books each new session is a wonderful feeling and one that a child will miss if tablets take over.

SHEILA DSOUZA Printed media is the best media over electronic media so tablets should not be totally replaced by textbooks. There

are advantages and disadvantages to both. Textbooks have been used by children until now with ease and have not given any side effects on the body or mind. However, carrying weighty books in a bag generally will not harm the body but tablets can certainly harm the eyes, due to radiation. The learning process is far more effective with textbooks than with tablets.

SYEDA FATIMA WARSI SAIKIA Tablets will slowly decay the growth in development in children due to its effects on health, particularly with vision. They are not an overall replacement for books but they have their uses.

HUDA KHAN Our young people deserve to be taken care of and so tablets should never be allowed to replace text books. Smart gadgets like these have been proven to be the cause of many muscular-skeletal painful disorders, posture problems and vision-related degeneration; all of which are the result of restricted movement of spine and body. Youngsters these days are already burdened by a digital lifestyle so why not give them a well-deserved chance of being gadget-free at school? Let’s not forget that the good old textbook is more student-friendly in comparison to the tablet because it is more academically-focused and subject-specific. However, the tablet will always be able to divert the students’ attention towards social media, games apps etc, the list goes on!

New Debate:“In light of the low oil prices, what are the biggest issues

that Oman is facing today?”

Tell us on Facebook or Twitter and be in with a chance of winning dinner

for two.

J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 30 1 0

N E W SYOUR OMAN

G a l l e r y I n t e r v i e w

Passengers can rejoice, as travelling around the Sultanate is set to get easier and safer, as the Ministry of Tourism announced its plans to implement a new taxi management system

service. Ingenuity Technologies LLC, solutions provider

based in Oman, will be partnering with the Ministry of Tourism to launch the service soon.

The system will bring all the taxi services under one umbrella, using a 24-hour call centre and monitoring room to track all the vehicles, thus providing a safe and secure environment for everyone to use the taxi services for their commutes.

The highlight of the service will be an application that will be available at your fingertips.

With the app, you can call for a taxi from anywhere, and at any time. Users can download the dedicated app for Android or iOS devices, or simply use the website or call-centre facility.

The applications will provide passengers and drivers with their locations on Google maps along with the routes to the destinations.

Passengers can also opt for prepayment of the taxi fares.

Furthermore, the app will offer drivers alternative routes [shorter routes] using the GPS system, thereby helping to reduce fuel consumption.

The drivers will also be given customer service and language training, following which they will receive a certification from the International Road Transport Union (IRU). The service will initially be made available at select star hotels and the Sultan Qaboos Port, and should benefit the passengers following longstanding issues such as overcharging

by taxi drivers in Oman. Meanwhile, Mwasalat is also planning to launch a

new route to Al Khoudh, connecting Sultan Qaboos University and Burj Al Sahwa Roundabout, this July.

“Preliminary studies suggest opening new routes will be successful as they will serve a large segment of citizens and residents in the Sultanate,” Salim bin Mohammed al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Transport and Chairman of Mwasalat Board, was quoted as saying to the local media.

The frequency of buses to Sohar, Salalah and Nizwa will also be increased during the months of Ramadan.the

“There will be eight and five buses a day both to and from Sohar and Nizwa, respectively, in addition to increase in the number of buses to Salalah during

khareef season.“This is being done to facilitate

those wishing to travel to these destinations and spend more time with their families during the holy month,” he said.

A “one-bus-a-day” service from Muscat to Duqm is also expected by the third quarter of the year. The frequency of the route will be increased in later stages.

According to Al Nuaimi, the company has already chalked out a master plan for the next 20 years, which

will be unveiled, this October.

As a part of the Sultanate’s 2020 vision that aims to attract more

than five million annual visitors to the country, 14 locations within the nation have been elected to represent tourism in Oman, as the Ministry of Tourism strengthens its efforts to establish the country as a major player in the tourism sector in the GCC.

According to an official from the Ministry of Tourism, the coastal lands in Musandam governorate, the old cultural areas in Muscat, the forts and mountainous villages in Al Dakhiliya governorate, the coastal areas in North Al Sharqiyah governorate and the frankincense route in Dhofar are the hotspots that will be included in the

HOTSPOTS ELECTED TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN OMAN

OMAN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS TO RECEIVE OVERHAULING

The hunt for the next top business brains in Oman is over after Saif al Manji was

announced the winner of the Entrepreneur’s Conclave 2016.

Saif, 24, beat off stiff competition from the eight shortlisted candidates in a tense finale on Monday (May 30) night at which he had to give a presentation in front of a panel of judges.

Saif, who began working in human resources for an oil company, set up Engineering For Kids, which brings maths, science, technology and engineering alive for youngsters in a fun environment in Panorama Mall in Muscat, in 2015.

In its third year, the Entrepreneur’s Conclave aims to help aspiring young entrepreneurs get a helping hand in business.

SABCO Media is one of the conclave’s partners and has offered RO10,000 worth of media packages to Saif as part of his prize.

YOUNG TYCOON

suggested cluster.The proposed sites have been

included in a draft for the ministry’s 2016-2020 master plan.

According to the plan, the ministry will also develop the Bedouin areas in North Al Sharqiyah, Masirah Island, and parts of South Al Batinah governorate during that period.

In 2015, the number of inbound visitors stood at 2,617,269 - up by 17.7 percent compared to 2014, according to statistics published by the Ministry of Tourism.

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Tel.: 2439 8718 / 9770 7550 Email:infooman@semsom.comBEIRUT | JEDDAH | RIYADH | KUWAIT | MUSCAT | DUBAI | NEW YORK

G A L L E R YHA

LA M

ADRID

!

FOOTBALL FANS GATHERED TOGETHER IN MUSCAT TO WATCH THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL, WHICH SAW REAL MADRID TAKING ON ATLÉTICO MADRID. THE SCREENING WAS PARTLY ORGANISED BY THE REAL MADRID SUPPORTER’S CLUB IN OMAN AT THE CITY CINEMA, IN SHATTI.

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YOUR OMAN

What’s this about?It’s about a grandmother, or rather, an overzealous grandmother. So what’s actually going on?From the looks of it, Carmen Baugh, 66, from North Carolina has redecorated her house with pictures of her grandchildren. She is apparently vying for the title of “World’s Proudest Grandma,” having decorated her home with wallpaper, curtains, pillows and tablecloths printed with photos of her grandchildren. Seems a little over the top?Absolutely! She has clothes as well as shower curtains made of pictures of her grandchildren. There are more than 30 photos now covering 158 square feet of wall space in her living room. She calls it her “Sistine Chapel”. Maybe she’s an interior designer?Nope. She really isn’t. What does she say?“When I stand against the wall, my husband says that I just blend in and disappear. All you can see is my head.”How did her grandkids respond?Carmen claims that her grandchildren love it and have fun picking out their own photos. What are other people saying?I think she needs a cat or two to give her something else to do!Don’t say: Get a cat!Do say: “Great wall of grandma”

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

LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.

GRAND DECOR

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

The trial of five-time footballer World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi, on tax fraud charges has begun. The Barcelona star and his father Jorge are accused of defrauding more than €4m (RO1.73) between 2007 and 2009. Messi is expected to appear in court on Spain this week

HEADLINING STORIES FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND

David Warner’s Sunrisers’ Hyderabad (SRH) lift the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy for the first time, after beating the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by eight runs

The White House was placed on a temporary lockdown on Monday with President Obama inside after a woman threw a suspicious “metal object” over the north fence. After a security sweep of the grounds, the offical residence of the American president returned to normal

Militants from the so-called Islamic State launch a dawn counter-attack as Iraqi government troops push into the city of Falluja on Tuesday. More than 50,000 civilians are said to be trapped in the city as the miltiary attempts to break throught into the heart of the city

The Oman Cancer Association organised the Chess Fest 2016 last week [Saturday] in an effort to raise funds for their Mobile

Mammography Unit (MMU). The event was inaugurated by OCA

president and chairperson Dr Wahid Ali Said al Kharusi.

Around 108 participants from all age groups took part over nine rounds of chess, at the Al Barza Hall in Muscat College, Bawshar. The Chess Fest 2016 was organised by four interns studying in various colleges both in the capital and abroad.

Mohammed Al Mamri, Faham Al Maqboli and Sidvanika Eugenio were declared the first, second and third prize winners, respectively.

Established in 2009, the Oman Cancer Association’s MMU is the only successful mobile unit in the GCC and has covered all corners of Oman at least twice a year offering women screening for breast cancer.

“It’s very hard to maintain the MMU and we thought this Chess Fest would be a fun way to help raise money for the cause,” said an OCA media intern.

CHECK MATE

Every Tuesday, Friday & Monday

Every Thursday & Saturday

Every Wednesday & Sunday

14 th night of Ramadan

13th June – 3rd July Date to be

announced soon!

.com

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G A L L E R YYOUR OMAN

SHOP

PING E

XPO

EAGER BUYERS HAVE BEEN SNAPPING UP SOME BARGAINS AT THE FAMILY SHOPPING EXHIBITION AT THE OMAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE IN SEEB. THERE’’S STILL TWO DAYS LEFT TO GRAB SOME RETAIL THERAPY WITH THE EVENT ON UNTIL JUNE 4 FROM 10AM-1PM AND 5PM-10PM.

GREA

T CRE

PEARTISTS, DESIGNERS AND TELEVISION PRESENTERS JOINED A SOCIAL EVENT DISCUSSING MARKETING AT THE CREPE CAFÉ IN GHUBRA ON SATURDAY.

Photos: Adil Al Balushi

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

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Starting her career at Bank Muscat, Faiza al Mazroui moved to Oman Oil Marketing Company, where she stayed for nearly eight years, ending up as head of Corporate and Customer Services. With a dream to start her own business, she opened up a small fashion boutique, Fizziz, in Muscat. In February this year, Faiza launched Savannah BBQ, a restaurant serving traditional African cuisine, at Panorama Mall in Ghubra

IT IS DYNAMIC TO DRIVE, SPACIOUS ON THE

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DRIVEN TOSUCCESS

Q: What drives you to success?The desire to be a meaningful human

being and wanting to add value to whatever I do always drives me to think differently and propels me to work harder. I’m also a very creative person. I find creativity is a big motivator for me, too.

Q: Who or what has been your inspiration?

People who dream big and work hard to

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

In 10 years, I will be working towards having several branches (of Savannah BBQ) in the GCC market. I also want to have a branch in London.

Q: What do you like about the Genesis, the premium series of Hyundai Motor Company?This was my first experience with the Genesis and I am amazed with the car. It is dynamic to drive, spacious on the inside and has all the accessories that one expects from luxury cars. I love its powerful AC , which is a must, given our temperatures. I also like the quality of the ride, which really makes it glide on the roads. The Genesis is good-looking and has a great engine under the hood. All in all, a very luxurious package.

achieve their goals; overlooking criticism and believing that everything is possible, always inspire me, as these people create something out of nothing. You can see examples of these people in every walk of life.

Q: What is your biggest career success to date?

Opening my restaurant Savannah BBQ is my biggest at the moment. It has been my dream for the past five years and finally it is a reality. It took me two years to resign from Oman Oil Marketing. It was a hard decision as I loved my job but I wanted my own business and to be an entrepreneur. It’s in my blood. I’m very happy and only wish that I had made the decision earlier. I am very grateful to Oman Oil for the expertise that it gave me. The training I received in different aspects of business really helped when it came to a business plan and feasibility studies.

Q: What are your career goals?My goal is to focus on building a strong

brand with high standards and a great dining experience, which is driving the brand to international markets. I want to franchise Savannah BBQ and build a brand that will be recognised worldwide.

Pelé is the legend who changed football forever. So any biopic about the Brazilian icon has to be worth a look, especially considering where this year’s Olympics will be held. In this, his extraordinary life is brought to the screen and it’s a rhapsody of action, colour and raw emotion. Pelé fought his way out of the slums of Sao Paulo to lead Brazil to its first World Cup victory in 1958 at just 17. The film kicks off with that moment when the great man (played by Kevin de Paula) strides out onto the pitch and into history. From there, the film flashes back to his impoverished childhood in which

he and his friends steal peanuts to buy footballs. After being talent-spotted in the street, Pele has fresh battles ahead with officials who find his wildly creative style of playing a little hard to fathom. With vibrant cinematography and slick camera work, Pele’s incredible journey (and goal-scoring genius) makes for a highly uplifting film that also has something to say about life chances, community and aspiration. Directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist, with a foot-tapping soundtrack score from A.R. Rahman. Review by Nikita Lobo

Bollywatch

Money Monster

Financial TV host Lee Gates (George Clooney) and his producer Patty Fenn (Julia Roberts) find their studio at the mercy of an irate investor who has lost his life savings thanks to one of Gates’s tip-offs. Kyle (Jack O’

Pelé: Birth of a Legend

MOVIES MOVIES

Connell) is sporting an explosive-backed vest not to mention a serious grudge, and takes the whole television crew hostage. The sheer box-office wattage of the leads and the director (Jodie Foster) make this a film that packs a punch, and even more so in these uncertain times in the West.

Warcraft

The tranquil realm of Azeroth is on the brink of war as its civilisation faces a fearsome race of invaders, namely orc warriors fleeing their dying home to take over another. Two heroes, one from each side, are set to battle against one another; the result of which will decide the fate of their families, their people, and their home. It’s a likeable adventure movie, in 3D, and directed by Duncan Jones.

KING LIAR (COMEDY) Sathya Narayanan (Dileep) is an impulsive conman who has fallen in love with Anjali (Madonna Sebastian), an aspiring fashion model. Using all the most devious tricks in the book, he tries to get her work with one of India’s top fashion houses. Some of the situations are so mind-boggingly silly and so obviously played for laughs, you’ll either split your sides or cringe, so this is a (long) comedy that you will either love or hate. However, Dileep fans will love it. The film marks a comeback (after 22 years) by director duo Siddique and Lal but it’s a disappointing one. In Malayalam, with subtitles.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO:

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

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

BORN TO DANCE

Tu Kaea (Tia Maipi) is a teenaged boy from Auckland, New Zealand, with a very dull summer job at a recycling centre. He’s a bit nifty on his feet though and dreams of being a professional hip-hop dancer despite the protestations of his disapproving military dad John Tui (Zack). A charming coming-of-age movie even though the aspiring dancer in straightened circumstances theme has rather been done to death, and this is certainly no Billy Elliott. Directed by Tammy Davis.PR

EVIE

W

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and contact information.

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

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONIn which part of Brazil did Pelé grow up?

LAST WEEK'S WINNERSanora Samson

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Mark Evans is a British explorer who recently crossed the Empty Quarter as part of an Omani expedition. He will recount his incredible journey, in an evening at the British School Muscat (BSM). Hear about his 49-day 1,300km trek on foot and camel across the biggest sand desert on earth. Mark will share stories, images and video clips. The cost is RO10 per ticket. All proceeds will go to Muscat Dog Adoption. Tickets are available from BSM, Royal Flight School and Muscat Vets Azaiba Clinic. The evening runs from 7pm-9pm in the Main Hall at BSM. Doors open at 6.30pm and tea and coffee will be served. Note that tickets are limited.

08June

THIS WEEKJ U N E

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

Keeping the younger ones busy (and happy) during the hot summer months can be hard. Little Fingers Nursery in Madinat Al Ilam is holding summer school classes for two sessions of four weeks each, with a programme of arts and crafts, music and movement, cooking lessons, swimming, trips outside, exploration play and more, based on a theme of “Around The World In 8 Weeks”. Sessions start on June 19. The cost is RO50 per week per child. Places are limited on a first-come, first-served basis. To register or find out more, contact the nursery on 9779 0288/2469 7738 or email info@little-fingers.org

IN AT THE DEEP END

What child doesn’t like splashing around in the pool? Enrol them on a Summer Swimming Camp to learn how to do it properly in a safe, fun environment, with eight classes twice a week. The venue is the Hotel Al Madinah Holiday in Ghala, and the camp runs from June 12 to July 5. Sessions are from 4.45pm-5.30pm and 5.30pm-6.15pm. For beginners and intermediates, children aged two years and older. Price is RO70. For more information and bookings, contact 9234 7007.

LITTLE ONES 12JUNE

19JUN

Desert Ta

les

Tickets for the new season at the Royal Opera House Muscat are now on sale. With so many expected to sell out fast, book ahead and be sure not to miss your favourites. Some of the big names for 2016/7 season are expected to be tenor Placido Domingo; Wagner’s great romantic operatic epic, Lohengrin, and the classic ballet Anna Karenina. The first show of the season is Romeo Et Juliette by Opera de Monte-Carlo on September 29-October 1. Get your tickets now, priced from RO10, at rohmuscat.org

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

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Y’S MUST-READ GUIDE TO

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

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Volkswagen revealed its first generation Jetta in 1979. Since then, the brand has streamlined the sedan by adding more modern and stylish design elements and features. It offers customers a remarkable vehicle with supreme comfort and sportiness. The current generation Jetta also sports

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It was just another ordinary morning for Mathew*; nothing to mark it out as different from his daily routine of coffee and cereal with the news running in the

background on the television.A marketing analyst for a leading

international airline company operating in Oman, he loved his job of six years.

“It was just another day for me at work,” he recounts.

“I had paperwork pending from my recent clients and a few booking offices from around Muscat. It was going to be a normal working day.”

Only this wasn’t going to be a regular day.Walking into his office, Mathew remembers

seeing his colleagues were a bit disturbed and when he reached his desk, he realised why. Waiting for him was a memo, the contents of which were going to shatter his life in a matter of seconds.

The memo announced that following a discussion with board members and a review of staff, he was being let go.

Mathew was given one month to search for a new job before he had to clear out his desk and his company agreed to provide him with No Objection Certificate (NOC).

His whole life flashed before his eyes. Everything – from his first day in the company to his first day in Oman – sprung to mind. He

thought of his wife and two children, aged 11 and seven.

“I moved to Oman after my marriage to Nita* [his wife, who was already working in the country] in 2010,” Mathew tells Y.

“I came here on a family visa and spent more than two months searching for a job before getting hired. I understand the value of a job because I spent months looking for one.”

Back at home, his wife, a nurse, was preparing for an evening shift at the hospital in Muscat where she had worked for 16 years, unaware of what had happened to her husband.

When he returned home and saw his wife getting their two children ready for school the next day before heading out to work, Mathew couldn’t bring himself to break the news.

“Watching Nita work so hard, I realised that it wouldn’t be fair to give her a share of my tensions,” he says. “I had to stoop as low as

EXPAT

AS THE FISCAL SQUEEZE TIGHTENS IN OMAN, THE DREAM IS TURNING SOUR FOR SOME WHO HAVE MADE THE COUNTRY HOME, WITH MANY FORCED TO LEAVE OR CHOOSING TO GO. IN A SPECIAL Y INVESTIGATION, ALVIN THOMAS AND KATE GINN REPORT

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EXODUSTH

E

Watching Nita work so hard, I realised that it

wouldn’t be fair to give her a share of my tensions

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hiding my problems away from my trusting wife.”

Over the next few weeks, Mathew began to search for jobs, keeping up the façade that everything was fine to his unsuspecting wife. He sent his CV out to 40 travel-related companies in two weeks with no luck.

With time running out and just a week before his leaving date at work, Mathew had to confess to his wife.

“There was no way out of it and I had to tell Nita everything. It was embarrassing and at the same time very shameful,” he says.

“Hearing everything that had happened, she was shocked and also very angry; after all, I did keep sensitive information from her.

“Things cooled down very soon and she was very supportive. She even called up her friends to ask for vacancies.”

If that wasn’t bad enough, two days before Mathew was due to finish work, his wife lost her job at the hospital.

Nita says: “The management decided to let go of staff who had been working here for more than 10 years and I was on that list.”

“Certain members of the staff also had

I’m an Omani. I was born and brought up in this country and I love it, but I’m currently applying for jobs away from Oman.

“I don’t want to and it makes me very sad to even think about leaving but I feel that I don’t have a choice. The restrictions and rules are making it very difficult for me to live here. My wife cannot get a job; she’s not allowed to work on a spouse visa (she’s not Omani) even though we’re married. We’ve been clearly instructed that she cannot work if she’s on my visa. In the beginning, when we started the application, that wasn’t the case but they’ve told us the rules have now changed. It makes it very difficult for us as a couple to live here.

“This is the first time there’s a sense of restriction in Oman, not just for my wife and other expats.

“I know three different families who are leaving this month. These are people that are part of my life; people who I have grown up with and they are leaving Oman. They are packing up right now.

“My in-laws have both had their contracts terminated with no reason or explanation. Both are top experts in their fields and funnily enough, have been teaching up-and-coming Omanis.

“There is no growth in my field of work. Our industry really needs that right now but we cannot grow it. We can’t get any new visas to hire people.

“Even if my wife wasn’t an expat, I would still be leaving. I don’t think that I fit in here.

“One of my friends in human resources has quit his job today because he found it too much. They are saying to people: ‘Book a flight, your contract is terminated.’

“People have been here six years or more and they get two months’ notice to go. They’re devastated to lose their jobs and their life here. Some have been here for 20 odd years; to them Oman is home.

“We need Omanis who are capable and trained to take on these jobs.

“One idea is to have a mandate that anyone coming to Oman to work has to teach an Omani; it’s the simplest way of increasing the skill set of Omanis and make it competitive.

“I’m applying for jobs this week in other countries

“It’s a devastating feeling; that you don’t belong in your own country. If you’re an expat and come here and it doesn’t work out, you can always go home but if it’s not working out for me where can I go? I’m kind of lost.

“I would like to stay in the region; I’m looking at Dubai. My wife can work there legally because I’m a citizen of the GCC.

“I’ve really tried to make it work. I’ve given a lot and I don’t feel that I’m getting anything back.

“I’ve worked very hard for the last five or six years and now I have to pack it all in and start all over again. It is not any easy decision. It’s quite scary for me but I don’t see any other option.

“If I go, this move will be permanent. I cannot see myself coming back to Oman unless there are major changes.”

IT’S NOT JUST EXPATS WHO ARE LEAVING OMAN. HERE, IN A VERY CANDID ARTICLE, A YOUNG, MODERN OMANI, WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, EXPLAINS WHY HE IS LEAVING THE SULTANATE

nationalities to gain a sense of the mood on the ground among people who have made Oman their home.

What we’ve found is a general feeling of anxiety and insecurity about jobs and futures. This, in turn, is leading to tightening of the personal purse strings, with many reluctant to spend their

disposable incomes and saving it instead.

“I thought a while back that I might be let go because our business was down but in the end my colleague was cut instead of me. He’ll probably go in August,” says one expat.

We’ve heard of one worker in the oil and gas industry who was called in and told to accept a large pay cut or leave. There is talk of up to 1,500 jobs being lost in that sector over the next two or three years alone.

Tonia Gray, the general manager of Muscat-based recruitment services company Competence HR, says a trend has emerged for expats to be replaced by cheaper expatriate resources.

“There is a possibility that someone from

Holland will be replaced by someone from Russia, or an Indian with a Filipino, because he or she will work for less,” says Tonia.

“This also explains the increase in the number of expats that are coming into Oman.

“However, I don’t think you can easily replace the experienced workforce with inexperienced staff.”

The issue of NOCs is also in the mix. Anyone who wants to leave their job in Oman but can’t obtain an NOC from their employer has no alternative but to leave the country for two years.

On Monday (May 30), the Ministry of Manpower announced that a temporary ban on issuing new visas for certain job categories – including sales, marketing, construction and cleaning workers – will be extended for another six months from June 1. Industry insiders say that businesses, already struggling from a drop in trade, are going to be further hit by the ban.

In the meantime, families are being torn apart. We spoke to one Indian family in Muscat who has decided to take their children out of school here and send them back home with their mother to a more secure, stable environment. The husband will remain here alone for as long as his job lasts.

Mathew and Nita (both of who

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their contracts terminated,” she adds. “They began replacing a portion of the experienced Indian staff with nurses from Philippines with lower starting salaries.”

Within a month, their lives had been turned upside down. And they’re not the only ones. As the economic downturn due to the falling oil price starts to bite in the Sultanate, more and more expatriates are either losing their jobs or choosing to leave the country for better prospects elsewhere in the region.

The domino effect of this – think of it like a falling domino setting off a cumulative chain reaction – is rippling out across Oman in an unstoppable tide. It makes for grim reading: car sales have dropped by up to 29 per cent leaving automobile dealers pinning their hopes on Ramadan promotions to boost figures; the residential renting market is in a slump with a new report this week forecasting a five to 10 per cent drop in rents across Muscat; revenue in the hospitality sector (including hotels) is down and some international schools are bracing for a larger drop in pupil numbers than usual after the summer break.

Redundancies in key sectors are set to continue, with the oil and gas sector shedding jobs, exacerbated by the slowdown, and government departments are having to introduce austerity measures, slashing some staff benefits and perks, as the country tries to claw back some of the 4.5 billion budget deficit.

No one is calling it a crisis, of course, but the outlook is gloomy, with some saying that even if the economy picks up towards the end of this year, as is predicted, it won’t be until the end of 2017 or early 2018 before this is reflected in Oman.

Value Added Tax (VAT) will implemented next year and next up will be income tax.

“The bubble has burst, it’s time to leave,” one expat who has lived in Oman for 18 years tells Y.

“I’ll be leaving when my contract ends next September.”

In our investigation, Y has spoken to many expatriates of different

over the short to medium term, it is our expectation that the rate of job generation and therefore demand for rented accommodation will continue to fall over the next six to 12 months, putting rents under further downward pressure,” says the report.

It’s bad timing for all the new apartment blocks and villa compounds that have sprung up across the capital over the past year, which owners are now struggling in fill. Y visited one smart apartment block in Azaiba and found whole floors with just one or two tenants, giving it the air of a ghost town.

Trawling local internet forums, we also found leaving expat families selling off the entire contents of their homes, offering some as “job lots” with televisions, fridges and ovens packaged up.

Some expats are also leaving their pets behind, the desperate ones simply dumping them on the streets.

“I live in The Wave [Al Mouj Muscat] and have noticed there are abandoned animals, mostly cats,” says Dr Svetlana, a veterinary surgeon at PetCare Veterinary Centre in Al Mouj Muscat.

“Contracts will finish this summer and the schools at the end of June, so we will see more abandoned.

“Mostly, the problem is money. When they find out the cost to take the pet with them when they leave [upto R900 for a cat with tests, paperwork and flights), they don’t want to pay.

“More people are leaving,

our customers are mostly Wave residents and a lot of expats have gone. Our majority of customers now are Omani.

“We also have a big problem trying to rehome cats. Before there was a demand, people were waiting for our kittens, but now no one wants them and there are less expats willing to adopt. All our cages are full.”

According to Tonia Gray, the majority of expats leaving the country are from professional backgrounds – managers,

engineers, nurses and more. “My impression is that

there is a definite increase in the number of

expats leaving Oman,” says

Tonia. “There is also the issue of

finding

are now in India) had to dismantle their life here and ship it back to Kerala, India. What couldn’t be transported was sold. But they have been unable to sell their two new cars, both bought on a finance deal, despite advertising on internet sites and in newspapers.

“We are still paying the EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) for one of the vehicles,” Mathew says.

“We were able to cover the shipping cost for our household items as well as finish the EMI of one of our cars using the money from my gratuity.

“Unfortunately, OLX (online classified ads) is flooded with ads from leaving expats.”

A quick investigation on OLX reveals that there are more than 400 live ads with the tag: “Expat leaving”.

Y also followed up with some of the ads, enquiring why they were leaving the country.

One of the advertisers in the household section of the website was Alessandro*, an expatriate from Italy, who was selling furniture.

Speaking to him about why he is leaving Oman, he says: “I relocated to Oman six months ago for a contracting company from Spain that was undertaking a major government project in the Sultanate.

“I was in the project management team that comprised of 140 staff.

However, three months back, the project was cancelled.

“And since I was only linked to the company for as long as the project was active, I was asked to leave.

“I received a three-month notice period, following which I have to leave Oman.

“I am a bit disappointed. I grew fond of Oman in the short time I was here.”

However, Alessandro says that a French construction company contracting for the government in Saudi Arabia hired him.

“Job instability is a major problem; not just in Oman, but various other parts of the GCC.

“I am not very comfortable moving to Saudi Arabia with my daughter. Oman is a very tolerant country and it is also culturally diverse. My daughter and I just fit in.”

“I wouldn’t mind coming back to Oman,” adds Alessandro. “However, the price of oil in the coming years is a major factor.

“More than 50 of us lost our jobs after this contract and more will lose their jobs in the coming few months.

“This will leave a huge gap in the various sectors of the society.

“The real estate and renting sector is going to suffer heavily if more expats have to depart from here.”

Indeed, the effects are already being felt.According to a quarterly report by

international real estate consultant Cluttons, released this week, the residential property market has registered a fall in rentals for the third consecutive quarter. Average rents fell by 5.9 per cent in the first quarter of this year, while there’s been a 12.7 per cent drop compared with the same period last year.

“With an economic turnaround unlikely

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I thought a while back that I might be let go

because our business was down but in the end my

colleague was cut instead of me. He’ll probably

go in August

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2016 (end of April)

EXPATS IN OMAN

YEAR TOTAL OMANIS EXPATS2007 2,743,499 1,922,697 820,8022008 2,867,428 1,967,180 900,2482009 3,173,917 2,017,559 1,156,3582010 2,773,479 1,957,336 816,1432011 3,295,298 2,013,158 1,282,1402012 3,622,997 2,092,560 1,530,4372013 3,855,206 2,172,002 1,683,2042014 3,992,893 2,260,705 1,732,1882015 4,293,875 2,365,937 1,927,938

4,428,946 2,414,598 2,014,348

after he was offered the position of project manager in a major civil engineering firm with a monthly salary of RO2,300, RO600 more than his employer is currently paying him.

However, Tonia believes that it is very difficult to state that expats are moving in droves to other countries in the GCC.

“We cannot compare the life one has in Oman with, let’s say, the life in Qatar, Saudi or the UAE because your life in Oman [cost of living, safety and lifestyle] makes up for it.

“I think one of the main reasons people leave is because they feel unsettled at their jobs and if they have to change their jobs within Oman, the NOC becomes a factor.

“I know of not many people who would trade in their lives here [Oman], with a more expensive and brash lifestyle like that of UAE or Qatar.”

Some might argue, however, that Oman is beginning to lose its allure for many expatriates who are finding life here is not the enviable idyll it once was.

another job, especially with all the constraints surrounding the NOC.

“Many people feel that they are tied to their employer. Of course, most employers are honourable and treat their employees well, but there are employers who take the opportunity and mistreat their employees.

“I had a chat with someone from a logistics contractor and they said that they are shipping out at the very least one expatriate every day.”

Y spoke to the sales manager of another leading logistics company in the Sultanate, who told us: “We have had over 1,000 enquiries this month alone. However, very few go through with it after hearing the price. The average price for transporting goods to India is RO800.”

Meanwhile, the advent of the new two-year ban and the NOC means a lot more expatriates are opting to leave Oman in search of better jobs in other parts of the GCC.

An Indian expat engineer, who did not want to be named, says that he is relocating with his family to Saudi Arabia in the coming months after being offered a higher pay scale than in Oman.

“I was earning a total of RO2,500 in a petroleum engineering firm here in Oman.

“Aramco [the Saudi Arabian oil company] offered me a pay of RO5,500 and I gladly opted for it. There are a lot of restrictions for people looking to switch jobs here in Oman.”

Another Mauritian expat in Oman says he will be moving to Qatar in three months

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EXPATS IN OMAN END APRIL 2016:

1,763,710 workers Increase 1 per cent1,564,532 males and 199,178 females61,495 (39,638 female and 21,857 male) in public sector1,430,975 (32,412 female and 1,398,553 male) in private sector271,250 (144,909 female and 126,341 male) in familySectors:Construction: 652,439 workers Wholesale and retail trade: 221,307 workers Manufacturing: 199,725 workers

Nationalities:Indian: 630,433 (38,392 female and 649,200 male) Increase 1 per cent (on March 2015)

Bangladeshi: 590,170 (1,227 female and 225,112 male) Increase 3.5 per cent

Pakistani: 225,112 (1,227 female and 223,885 male) Increase 1.1 per cent

Ethiopian: 21,221 (21,013 female and 208 male) Decrease 5.6 per cent

Indonesian: 28,323 (27,681 female and 642 male) Filipino: 36,570 (24,403 female and 12,167 male)

Egyptian: 24,937 (5,776 female and 19,161 male) Decrease 0.9 per cent

Nepalese: 14,000 (4,176 female and 9,824 male)

Sri Lankan: 16,885 (9,830 female and 7,055 male) Increase 3.3

per centOther nationalities: 78,637

Increase 3.9 per cent

● Source: National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI)

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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

FOOD FEASTEnjoy an authentic

Mediterranean meal with linguine pasta

and chicken cooked in extra virgin

olive oil.

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Prep Time: 20 minutesCook Time: 1 hour 40 minutesWill serve: four

Ingredients: Chicken § Crisco® Olive Oil No-Stick Cooking Spray§ 1 tbsp Crisco® Pure Olive Oil or § Crisco® Light Tasting Olive Oil§ 1/2 tsp oregano§ 1 tsp minced garlic§ 1 (1.5kg-2kg) whole chicken with neck and giblets removed§ Salt and pepper

Gravy§ 1/2 cup cold water§ 1/4 cup milk§ 1 (24g to 34g) package chicken § gravy mix § 1/2 tsp oregano§ 1 tsp minced garlic§ 1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Method:§ Heat the oven to 200°C. Spray a shallow roasting pan (with rack) with no-stick cooking spray.§ Mix the oil, oregano and garlic. Brush the mixture over the entire chicken. Season the chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Place it in a prepared pan, breast side down; and let it stand for 30 minutes. Turn the chicken breast side up.

§ Roast for 65 to 70 minutes, basting occasionally. The chicken is done when the meat thermometer registers 76°C or when juices run clear as the thickest part of the thigh is pricked. Transfer the chicken to a carving board and cover with aluminium foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. § Skim the grease from the pan drippings. Place 1/4 cup skimmed pan drippings into a small saucepan. Add the water, milk, gravy mix, oregano, garlic and lemon juice to pan. Cook, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens. § Carve the chicken. Place on a serving platter. Serve with warm lemon-garlic gravy.

Roasted Lemon-Garlic Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 15 minutesWill serve: eight

Ingredients: § 1 450g box linguine pasta§ 1 tbsp salt, or to taste§ 1/2 cup Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil§ 1 litre of grape tomatoes (4 cups), cut in half§ 1 tbsp minced garlic§ 2 tbsp red wine vinegar§ 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes§ Salt and pepper to taste§ 18 to 20 basil leaves, cut into thin strips§ 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish

Method:§ Heat and bring to the boil 5.6 litres of water. Add the pasta and salt. Cook for the minimum recommended time on as directed on the packet. While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce.§ Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on a medium heat. Add the tomatoes and garlic. Cook and stir for two minutes or until the tomatoes are soft. Remove from the heat. Stir in the vinegar and pepper flakes. § Drain the cooked pasta. Add to the frying pan. Cook and stir for one minute or until the pasta is coated and hot. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the basil and cheese. Serve with additional cheese, if desired.

Mediterranean Linguine with Basil and Tomatoes

Ripe vegetables, fresh herbs and fragrant spices all lend vibrant, bold flavours to mouthwatering meals that are worth lingering over with friends. This is what Mediterranean cooking is all about.

Add some Mediterranean inspiration to your everyday meals with these recipes using Crisco olive oils to help you turn an ordinary meal into a memorable one.

Use extra virgin olive oil to add a full-bodied flavour to salads, vegetables and meats. Pure olive oil offers a mild, subtle olive flavour with a hint of fruit to sautés and stir-fries. Light-tasting olive oil is ideal as an all-purpose cooking oil that can be used for sautéing, roasting vegetables or in baked goods like muffins, cakes and brownies. For more recipes, visit www.crisco.com.

* Family Features

Mediterranean cooking is all about fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flavour

TRANSPORTED BY TASTE

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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

PETAL POWERFun, floral prints are

everywhere this summer, as designers look to the

beauty of the great outdoors for inspiration. From bold

statements in strong colours to delicate, pastel prints, such as this look from Wallis, you’ll

be sure to find a style that suits.

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Get The Look

From the high end to the high street,

Felicity Glover helps you to get the look

J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 3 0 3 3

This pink, floral “Bardot” midi-dress from New Look features another popular style this summer – the off-the-shoulder look. From RO14

Add a touch of glamour to your outfit with this 3D floral clutch from New Look. From RO11.2

Take a bold step in the great outdoors in this mint-green floral maxi dress from New Look. From RO12.9

You’ll be as fresh as a daisy in this summery print wrap dress, also from New Look. From RO8.4

These elegant sandals from Dune not only come in a range of

colours but are also a nod to the “gladiator” look currently doing the rounds. From

RO45

There’s no shortage of the floral look when it comes to accessories, with this cute flower ring from Accessorize and 3D daisy wayfarer-style sunglasses adding a fun touch to any look. From RO3.3

J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 30 3 4

As I have been in training to trek up Mount Kilimanjaro next month, I’ve done a lot of walking recently. So when it came to a trip to the salon for some pampering, I didn’t really fancy another trek across town in

the heat. Therefore, I chose the convenient option and booked into the new ladies’ beauty salon, Body and Sole, which can be found in Oman Avenues Mall. It’s easy to reach, there is plenty of parking, and I can get lots of errands done in one place.

At first, I was a little dubious of how relaxing a beauty treatment in a mall could really be. However, as I walked through the main doors I was transported from a bright, brash, noisy shopping area to a different world, with low lighting, beautiful scents and the feel of an opulent boudoir.

Warmly greeted by Joanna, she led me to the treatment room and got me ready for my first of two treatments, the “Eminence Bright Skin” facial.

Living in this dusty, humid climate can play havoc with your complexion and mine especially needed something a little more than my very basic home skin care routine. I was hoping that the brightening facial was going to live up to its name.

As I lay down and the facial began, I felt relaxed, and in good hands with Joanna and her relaxing aura. She worked quickly and gently without fumbling. The soothing music and tranquil salon made it easy to zone out and enjoy the time spent being cossetted.

I was pleased to hear that all the ingredients used were natural without any nasty chemicals and were combined for cleaning, hydrating and brightening. Even the active ingredient used to remove dead skin cells comes from pineapple.

As the active ingredient works its magic it’s normal to feel a little itchy .To distract myself from that I was treated to a shoulder and arm massage, which was a wonderful and unexpected part of the treatment for ultimate relaxation. The whole experience lasted around 50 minutes and I didn’t want it to end. I could have stayed there all afternoon quite happily.

Immediately after the treatment my skin felt clean, clear and rejuvenated and during the following days it was noticeably blemish-free and youthful-looking. This is definitely something I need to add to my beauty regime more often.

As the name of the salon suggests, it focuses on every aspect of the body. For the next treatment I popped across into the open seating space to treat my weary feet to a pedicure. My tootsies have been enclosed in hiking boots and sneakers and have traipsed up every hiking trail in the area. It was time to rest them up and give them a little bit of care.

Once they were treated to a soak and a buff I started to recognise my own feet again. With a little more attention to the finer details and finishing off with a coat of bright red polish I was soon ready to rock, and am no longer embarrassed to wear open-toed shoes.

As I settled the bill and said goodbye to the girls they chorused: “Bye Madam, see you again soon!” and I’m confident that they will. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and what is even better, I could do this again guilt-free as I leave my husband and son to roam the shops and food court while I enjoy some pampering.

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

In need of some TLC, Heather Duncan checks out the latest beauty salon in town

Eminence Bright Skin facial: RO41 Pedicure: RO9Contact details:Phone: 2201 0101 Email: info@bodyandsoul.om Web: bodyandsoul.om

J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 3 0 3 5

WEIGHTING TIMEObesity has become a significant

national health issue, and morbid obesity is closely linked with a myriad of serious health conditions

that severely undermine the health of seriously overweight patients. These include heart disease, diabetes and chronic pain which, when added to the burden of weight, can make daily life very stressful.

It is a frustrating cycle for morbidly obese people who want to shed the burden they carry each day but can’t because exercise and eating habits seem difficult, if not impossible, to change. However, there is hope for the morbidly obese who have had difficulty losing weight through traditional diet and exercise: weight loss surgery, according to one Oman-based doctor.

Dr Szabolcs I Papp, Sr, Consultant Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon, Aster Al Raffah Hospital in Ghubra, says: “Bariatric surgery, when performed correctly, can help obese patients manage these conditions.”

Immediately after surgery, life will not be easy but you would begin to notice a significant improvement, says Dr Papp. Everything you’ll need to succeed is in one place: pre-surgical counselling, diet and exercise instruction (the success Mantra), state-of-the-art surgical and post-surgical facilities, peer support, and resources to help you maintain your healthier lifestyle.

“Our outcomes, including weight and complication rates, are very good and we

attribute our success to the outstanding care of patients before, during and after surgery.

“Most patients are extremely pleased with their weight-loss results. They feel as though they have gained new lives,” says Dr Papp.

A variety of surgical options are available to patients at Aster, including gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve

gastrectomyLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a weight-

loss procedure that is usually performed by keyhole surgery and is a permanent, irreversible surgical treatment with very effective results. Patients can lose 60 per cent of excess weight in one year with a special diet. Patients lose their appetite and, along with limiting their food intake, can start shedding vast amounts of weight.

Who is the ideal candidate for sleeve gastrectomy?

● not extremely obese patients with BMI over 55● mild diabetics undergoing oral anti-

diabetic treatment● no sweet eaters● no patients with reflux disease Roux Y gastric bypassThis is a weight-loss surgical procedure

for the treatment of morbid obesity. A small stomach pouch (25 cc) is created to limit

food intake and a Y-shaped part of the small intestine is attached to the pouch, which leads to the artificial malabsorption of nutrients, thereby reducing calorie intake.

Usually performed as keyhole surgery, this is one of the most effective types of bariatric surgical procedure. Patients can lose 70-75 per cent of excess weight in one year.

Who is the ideal candidate for gastric bypass surgery?

● patients with very high BMI● sweet eaters● patients with low commitment● patients with unstable diabetes● patients with reflux disease

After the surgery, which is performed as a keyhole procedure, patients spend three to four days in hospital on a special diet, which should be followed for one month.

Mini gastric bypass (loop gastric bypass)

In the first part of this MGBP surgery, the stomach is divided and a small tube is created from the stomach as a pouch. This means a restriction on food intake and a very small amount of food can be taken at any one time.

“If excess weight is limiting your life, weight loss surgery may be right for you. Healthy isn’t a goal. It’s a way of living, and today is the chance to change yourself for the better.” says Dr Papp.

Surgery can help those for whom exercise or diet have failed. Here, a

leading expert runs through the options

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

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GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS…Capital RegionAzaiba• Amara

Dermatology Clinic• Audi showroom• Bentley showroom• Costa Coffee• Al Fair• Jaguar Showroom • Jeep Showroom• Al Maha Petrol

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Showroom• Oman Arab Bank• Oman Oil Petrol

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showroom• Volvo Showroom• Yamaha ShowroomBawshar• College of Banking

and Financial Studies

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International Hospital

• Al Maya Hypermarket

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University• British Council • Costa Coffee• D’Arcy’s Kitchen• Hana’s Slimming &

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& Deli• Mood Café• Oman Oil Petrol

Station• Papa John’s Pizza

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Salon• StarbucksAl Murtafa’a• Bank Muscat• KFC• Muscat Hills Golf &

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Commercial Complex

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Muscat -1• Knowledge Oasis

Muscat -2• Knowledge Oasis

Muscat -3

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• Middle East College

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Economics and

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Office

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J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 3 0 3 7

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

CARS ANDADVENTURES MEN OF STEEL

Fighters go head-to-head in the second season of the Oman Fighting Championship (OFC) held in Muscat, last

weekend.

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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 C a r sCARS ANDADVENTURES

TANUFWITH RUINS, POOLS AND TREKKING TRAILS, TANUF IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE, FINDS SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI

Destination

TANUF

If you’re a regular reader then you’ll have followed my last two adventures to Moquzeh and Daris Falaj. This week’s Destination is the third part of the series,

which all took place over one intrepid and packed day.

Tanuf was actually the second place on our list, after Moquzeh, and we arrived around 8am. By then, our group – “Head Man”, “New Guy” and “Thumbs Up” – was ravenous and in need of some sustenance before embarking on our explorations.

Round and round we drove but every shop was closed; the shutters firmly locked up. Our stomachs were rumbling in protest and it looked like our luck was out when we suddenly stumbled on the only shop in the village that appeared to be open. What a relief. It was like finding gold! We feasted on biscuits, crisps, chocolate and drinks until our hunger was finally sated and we felt human again.

We were ready to start on the next leg of the journey. Driving into Tanuf you can’t miss the ruins almost straight ahead: a sprawl of dilapidated mud brick houses; in various stages of falling down, long since abandoned and left to crumble away. The roofs and windows had gone, leaving the interiors open to the elements and the baking Omani sun. You can also see the remains of a much taller structure than the rest, a tower of some kind, slowly eroding away.

We wandered around for some time, walking where the area would once have bustled with noise and life but is now reduced to a “ghost village” of sorts although the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. I captured some nice shots of the buildings.

If you stand directly in front of the ruins, the factory where Tanuf water is bottled at source can be found. We were in the mood for more outdoor pursuits

Fuelled by the food in our bellies and bursting with energy, we wandered into the wadi on the other side of the ruins. You’ll see a falaj running along up on your left and then the water.

I was surprised by how verdant it was, bursting with green trees and shrubs. While my friends did their own thing, I got some interesting close-ups of the abundant flora. My favourite photo of the day was a delicate pale yellow and white flower, the centre protected from greedy bees and other insects by large protruding thorns.

I also caught an intricate spider’s web, woven between two plants, glistening in the sunlight, before clambering up some rocks to capture a view with a different angle.

We splashed through the shallow water, which looked so pure and refreshing, and enjoyed just the feeling of being present and at one with nature.

In my view, it’s best to come to

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Tanuf early in the morning to catch the sunlight reflecting off the rocks and water.

Farther down the wadi, the water deepens and

you can swim in the pools, washing away the dust and

cooling the heat on your skin after the walk to get there.We spent three hours or so there

but you could easily make it a day trip here. It would be a great place for anyone new

to the country to get a taste of Oman. I call it the “complete package” because I think it gives a glimpse into the many facets of Oman; from the heritage of the ruins to the wild landscape of rocks, the wadi pools and the indigenous plants. You can swim, trek, enjoy the ruins, exercise and have a picnic or simply chill under the shade of a handy tree.

The walk is gentle and not too taxing, suiting all ages.

I’m not sure it’s the best place for young kids, however, as it could be too tiring.

Whatever you choose to do at Tanuf, you’ll leave feeling relaxed and fulfilled. My only tip is: bring your own food in case you’re not as lucky as us and can’t find a shop open!

HOW TO GET THEREFrom Muscat, take the main Route 15. Pass Nizwa, and Tanuf will be signposted. Follow the signs and you’ll see the ruins as you reach the area. You can park up by the ruins and explore

before heading to the wadi on foot or by car.

GPS location of the dirt track: N23° 01’ 31.8” E57° 52’02.5”TR

AVEL

GUI

DE

We reveal the winners of the OAA’s

Stars of the Track competitionCongratulations!Congratulations!

Y has been inundated with entries to the

Oman Automobile Association’s (OAA) Stars of the Track selfie competition. We’ve seen some fantastic creativity, with some entrants using fun filters and even one who managed to create a gif of his selfie with a rain cloud above his head (nice work, Kumar!).

It was a difficult task to judge, but there can only be three winners of our cash prizes.

Congratulations to:

First prize – RO100Fatima AkhtarWe loved your fun selfie that played

with colour and black and white tones.

Second prize – RO75Jinny WadhwaniThe OAA’s Muscat Speedway is all

about family fun – and that’s exactly what you portrayed in your selfie.

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Congratulations!Congratulations!

Third prize – RO50Aish MasoodFun and colourful, and we loved

the smile.

Weekly go-karting session for four people:

Kumar Vembu.

Well done to our winners! You will be awarded your cash prizes at a special ceremony at the OAA at a date to be confirmed.

The Muscat Speedway go-karting track is open from 6pm-12 midnight on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 6pm-10pm on Wednesday and is closed on Sundays.

To take part in a go-karting session, you have to be over the age of eight and 135cm in height. A registration fee of RO1 will be charged for the ID. An eight-minute session of karting costs RO5 for children and RO7 for adults in a 270cc Dino go-kart for a 15-minute session.

For further enquiries, contact the OAA on 2451 0239 or 9659 0300.

Thank you to everybody who entered our great competition!

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CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDADVENTURES

J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 30 4 2

The Oman Fighting Championship (OFC) sees a new generation of mixed martial art fighters break into the international arena, in a night filled with blood, sweat and tears. Alvin Thomas and Shaquel al Balushi catch the action

Fast forward to the final fight: Staring at each other menacingly, Sami Ali and Vinod Kumar, the two finallists contesting the

OFC lightweight championship title have already started toying with each other’s emotions. With sweat dripping from their foreheads and adrenaline gushing through, the only person standing in their way is the match referee.

And boy, they are impressing the audience.

Bells away, and the referee at a distance, it is clear that this is more than just a title match. This is a war of two nations; a war for the pride of two families and the pride of two premier boxing clubs in the Sultanate.

Sami, with his powerful jabs and swinging kicks takes the early lead from Vinod. However, a minute into the match, Vinod drops his defensive tactics and unleashes his surprise – his swinging power kick.

Black Stallions’ Sami is left clueless and, much to everyone’s dismay, has no answer.

Round two quickly becomes a recap of round one as Vinod whips Sami with swift jabs and kicks, as the audience looks on in shock.

Needless, to say, there’s no round three, and Sami concedes defeat (unwillingly).

The Muscat crowd roars for Vinod, as his title song Started From The Bottom by Drake plays in the background. The underdog has broken the shackles and lifted the belt.

Vinod Kumar, the 28-year-old Punjabi boy, is the new lightweight champion.

By now his opponent Sami is an emotional wreck.

However, all teary-eyed Vinod can say is: “I want to thank my coach and my brothers (colleagues) who supported me throughout the ordeal”.

Working in the CCC construction company in Muscat, Vinod started fighting

professionally during his school days in Jalandhar,

Punjab, before making a move to kickboxing and mixed-martial

arts. He is currently training with the Oman Kickboxing Club.Meanwhile, Ayman al Khaldy, the

brother of former OFC champion Nageeb Abdul Rauff, is also in the running

for the middleweight championship title. Stepping into the shoes of his injured younger

brother, Ayman has only one mission: to destroy his opponent Hussain Jahjah.

J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 3 0 4 3

“I am very excited,

calm and relaxed,” says

Ayman, before the fight.

“I have been training

for five months, during

which my weight has

dropped from 95 to 76.5

kgs.” Ayman, 33, began

karate when he was only

eight, and Tae Kwon Do

from the age of 11.

“Ayman has grown

so much since his early

years,” says his coach

Mohammed Jeifar.

“His hand speed is

phenomenal now and I

am sure that his enemies will not see the

punches coming.

“This guy could fight anywhere in the

world. He and his brother; they could take

on even the best fighters in the world.”

Ayman feels he is stepping up to the plate

after his brother suffered a disappointment.

He says: “My brother was in the last

competition and he won. Unfortunately, he

suffered a ligament tear this season.

“So this time it’s my turn. He’s

disappointed that he can’t fight today but I

will step into the arena and cover for that.

“Inshallah, I will take the title for my

family.” Ayman starts his fight against Lebanese

fighter Hussain Jahjah on a high, keeping

his opponent

locked in

defence for the first

three rounds of

the fight, making

swift punches and

kicks and sending

the audience into

a roar. However, six

minutes into the

match, a kick

from Jahjah dents

Ayman’s hopes of

winning the title.

Jahjah had

struck Ayman on

his left foot, and he

has to forfeit the

match as a result, leaving him to be carried out

by his coach and brother, as the audience looks

on in dismay.

Further adding the surprise element is

18-year-old Saffat Aziz, from Bangladesh, a

professional tae kwon do fighter since the age

of 10. “I’ve been training MMA for over a year, but

this competition focuses on K1 rules, which is

kickboxing.

“I have had to undergo many forms of stress

exercises like underwater resistance training and

mountain climbing.

“I don’t think I will have any problem facing

my opponent today. I am going to knock my

opponent out.”

Saffat, nicknamed the “Thunderbolt”, proves

himself as, just moments later, he strikes out his

24-year-old opponent Saif al Farai.

The championship is a starting platform for

young fighters.

OFC organiser Jessica Hern says: “The OFC

gives youngsters a chance to express their talent

on a local level.”

The contest also happens to be the final event

in Oman for Sensei (master) Jonathan, Oman’s

oldest martial arts trainer.

Saying goodbye after 22 years of serving

young students in Oman through his Black

Stallion Martial Arts School, he says: “If you

ask me where MMA started in Oman, I will say

it started here, with me,” the sensei says proudly.

Despite his disappointment in Sami’s title

loss, the sensei says: “He [Sami Ali] is like my

own son. Since he was small he was training

with me. We have been training and fighting

internationally, in countries like UAE and

Turkey. “I am sure that Ali will break from the local to

the international scene one day.”

In total, the second season of the OFC saw

nine fights, including two title fights.

Talking about the success of OFC since its

inception, Jessica says: “Since the last OFC, I

think one or two new fight clubs have opened

up in Oman.

“This year we also have a middleweight and

lightweight title fight, as opposed to one title

fight. And it is also held at the Al Bahja Hall in

Qurum- a good spot for a sequel event.

“Before OFC, our fighters have been going

to Dubai and other parts of the GCC in order

to fight. Hopefully, we will have an inter-gulf

tournament, where the Omani fighters from

here will be fighting UAE and other countries.

Talking of the prospects of Omani fighters in

the international scene, Chris Negro, an MMA

coach says: “If you look at the history of Oman,

they have been fighting for centuries. They

began fighting when they pushed the Portuguese

to the borders of Africa.

“I’m really thinking about starting up a camp

for Omanis to train here.”

How to take part in OFC?To take part in the coming

season of the OFC, you will

have to join a mixed-martial

arts fight club (eg: Rolling

Gym, Saham Blue Sharks, RX

Fitness) in Oman. The best

fighters from the club are

chosen to represent the clubs

for title fights.

P o s t c a r d s f r o m Y - F i C a r s I N D O O R S

J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 30 4 4

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

HOT ’N COLDThe Yecup is a definite investment at work. It is a high-quality smart mug, which is controlled from your smartphone! It is a vacuum flask that will heat up or cool down your drink to your exact specifications via its app. You can also check the battery status of the cup via the app, including charging your phone with the help of a built-in battery charger. Plus there’s an additional feature that takes selfies with a special Selfie Button on the cup. Nifty. Pre-order at yecup.org from RO61.20

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

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

OFFICE GEARThe days of boring office stationary are long gone. In these times, it's all about the

high-tech workplace. Matthew Herbst gives you the lowdown

JUST PRINT ITIf you’re an artist or designer you may want to take your creativity to heights you couldn’t imagine possible through printing. What if you could make whatever you wanted out of almost any kind of material or improve the visual quality of things that you already have with little more work than having an idea? Well, now you can with the GlowForge 3D Laser Printer. It comes at a steep price but we think it’s worth it. Pre-order yours at glowforge.com from RO1,845.63

EDITO

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SMALL SPACES THIS GADGET IS AIMED AT THE MORE TECHNICALLY MINDED SUCH AS ENGINEERS, MECHANICS AND ARCHEOLOGISTS ETC WHO USUALLY HAVE TO DECIPHER PROBLEMS BY LOOKING CLOSELY INTO TINY SPACES OR FIND BROKEN CONNECTIONS AROUND OTHER MECHANICAL BITS AND PIECES. BACK IN THE DAY YOU WOULD WHIP OUT A TORCH AND TRY TO FORM A CLEARER PICTURE OF WHAT’S GOING ON AND FIGURE IT OUT. THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY AND THE ANDROID BLUEFIRE ENDOSCOPE, THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE. IT IS A WATERPROOF USB INSPECTION SNAKE TUBE CAMERA THAT PLUGS INTO YOUR SMARTPHONE AND SHOWS YOU WHAT’S BROKEN, BY GIVING YOU A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK. AT AMAZON.COM FROM RO10.77

SMART PRESENTATIONThe MiLi Power HI-P60 Pico Projector is simplifying the way we make presentations in business meetings. Since smartphones can be used to take pictures and record videos, you can now also use them as presentation tools at work. All you need is this digital multimedia Pico Projector, which comes with a hands-free stand that makes it easier to use. The HI-P60 Pico Projector is compatible with iPhone, iPod and iPad. At amazon.com from RO130.48

J U LY 0 3 - 0 9 / I S S U E 3 2 7 0 4 5J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 3 0 4 5

App of the Week

NEWTHE RECORDERGEAR RECORDING DEVICE

OFFICE FOR ANDROIDThis Office app was developed by Microsoft especially for working on the go. Its familiar Office experience has also been adapted and designed for Android phones. Now you can read, review, edit, and share your documents on the go and no longer be tied down to your desk. What’s good is that you have easy access to all your documents in the cloud whenever you need them instead of smothering your phone memory. Free at products.office.com

SENSESSimply rest your phone on top of the Touch Speaker and the sound will instantly be amplified. Best of all, no wires or pairing is needed. This wireless speaker is ideal for gentle office tunes and outdoor parties thanks to the built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge! Check it out at www.iwantoneofthose.com from RO8.43.

DIGITAL WRITER Finally, Moleskine has joined the race in digital technology and now brings written text to the digital world. Meet the Moleskine Smart Writing Set that is sure to set a new theme to your writing skills by watching your ideas move from paper to screen in an instant. Now you can explore with the tools you love – pen and paper– and smoothly digitise your notes, making it fast and simple to edit. Store and share things on your phone or laptop. At store.moleskine.com from RO112.02

You could be a busy journalist chasing so many calls everyday that it’s hard to keep track of all your notes and interviews. Being human, you can only take so many notes as best you can but when human error steps in, you better have safeguards in place. So why not invest in the RecorderGear Recording Device? Now you can recall every phone interview with complete clarity. It wirelessly Records mobile phone calls with 4GB Memory and holds 144hrs of Audio. It works with Bluetooth capable phones amongst other brilliant features. At www.recordergear.com from RO45.80

J U N 0 2 - 0 8 / I S S U E 4 2 30 4 6Photo: Shaquel al Balushi

Welcome to Y’s weekly photo series that profiles the diverse characters who call the Sultanate home

Name: Mohsin al Balushi Age: 41From: OmanOccupation: Security manager and free diver for over 26 years

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OMN_9852_BMW_Ramadan_Campaign_YMagazine_Sedan_Range_24x34cm_Eng.indd 1 5/29/16 11:14 AM