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Your top guide to the best of oman, everY week

MONOCHROME FASHION

COOL GADGETS

THIRST QUENCHERSP

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JUN 26 - JUL 02 / ISSUE 326 • WEEKLY

32 28 44

DESTINATION: Salt FlatsINDOORS: Summer baking with Tom

News: BACHELOR BEACH BAN 10

POOCHY’S PICKS / WORLD CUP PREVIEWS / POSTCARD FROM THAILAND / BALLET GIRLS / OMAN’S SUN / RAMADAN TIMINGS

Graze & Glaze GET CREATIVE AT CAFÉ CÉRAMIQUE

Free!EVERY THURSDAY

NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR

THE HEAT IS ON

HOW TO STICK OUT AN OMANI SUMMER

,

CHRYSLER RAMADAN-Y-240x340.pdf 1 6/19/14 10:35 AM

J U N 2 6 - J U L 0 2 / I S S U E 3 2 6 0 3

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

Welcome to Y Magazine –

your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has

to offer.

EDITOR IN CHIEFSayyida Iman bint Hamad

bin Hamood Al Busaidi

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Eihab Abutaha

CONTRIBUTING EDITORFelicity Glover

SECTIONS EDITORKate Ginn

CONTRIBUTORTom Robertson

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

,

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

Fast forwardSummer’s here and for those of you not joining the annual exodus to cooler climes,

Team Y has put together a raft of brilliant ideas to keep you – and the children – entertained.

From fun summer camps to parasailing, dhow cruises and heading into the Hajar Mountains to enjoy the chill air, there are plenty of things to do over the next couple of months.

This year, the school summer holidays are coinciding with Ramadan, which starts on Sunday (June 29). In this week’s issue, we have put together a special package that features all the prayer times for the duration of the Holy Month.

Meanwhile, the World Cup continues and our very own Poochy the Pet Predictor has hit her stride, correctly calling eight winners in total. Can Germany beat the U.S? Poochy certainly hopes so – and in the process, better the record of Paul the Octopus.

In Fashion, we take the modernist approach to monochrome and find that it’s not all black and white.We also travel to Shennah’s salt flats in Destination and head into the kitchen to learn how to make sumptuous summer desserts. Ramadan Kareem!

TEAM Y editor@y-oman.com

We extend a warm welcome to our new intern, Deeba Hasan, and say a sad farewell to our resident adventure man and writer,

Tom Robertson, who is returning to the U.K.

THIS WEEK…

WINThere’s a new cake shop in town and it’s teamed up with Y to offer readers

a fabulous prize. Every week until the end of the year, Cake Gallery is

giving away a RO10 voucher to spend at its new Mawaleh café and bakery.

To win, answer the question: “In what year did the British government try

to reclassify Jaffa Cakes as biscuits?” Send your reply, with your name and

contact details, to editor@y-oman.com by June 30. Congratulations to last

week’s winner, Menaka Simpson, who correctly answered France.

GOiNG UPWINNERS

The winner of the final Reflection competition is Michelle Maxwell. Michelle wins a pair of daffodil-

coloured earrings and a bracelet with matching strap and decorative disc

with small gold skulls, a unique item from Italian boutique Reflection in

Mawaleh South. Correct answer: The national flower of Wales is the daffodil.

GOiNG DOWNTEMPS IN SALALAH

While Muscat and the rest

of the country swelter in the brutal heat of summer – Sur hit 47°C at the weekend – the Dhofar region

is enjoying tumbling temperatures as the khareef season kicks off with drizzle and a high of just 30°C so far.

Temperatures are set to fall further as the monsoon season takes hold.

contentsJ U N E 2 6 2 0 1 4

Yo u r O m a n06 The Big interview The Dried Lemon

08 Voice Of Oman Jane Jaffer

10 News Bachelor Ban

T h i s w e e k15 43 Objects Oman’s Sun

18 This Week Going For Gold

30

RAMADAN SPECiAL – THE ART OF GiViNG / MY iFTAR / DHL SURPRiSE / FAST FOODS / BOOT CAMP/ STAYiNG HEALTHY / DATE TiME / SCARVES

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE

44

20

H e a l t h & B e a u t y32 Fashion Monochrome And Red

10

32

18

Fe at u r e s20 Keep Your Cool Summer Activities

24 Ramadan Timings Prayer Times

26 Pet Predictor Poochy’s Picks

26 World Cup Review and Previews Top Matches

27 Fahad’s Footy

C a r s a n d A d v e n t u r e s37 Destination Salt Lake

40 indoors Seasonal Baking

42 Postcard from Thailand

44 Y-Fi Summer Gadgets

46 Car of the Week Peugeot 108

Fo o d a n d D r i n k28 Food Cool Drinks

30 Food Review Café Céramique

OMN_5170_Ramadan_Campaign_SedanRange_YMagazine_24x34cm_Eng.indd 1 6/18/14 5:02 PM

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Q. Tell us a little bit about yourselves. A: I’m not just a mum (to Noah, aged 15 months), I have a finance and accounting background and I help co-run The Dried Lemon with Salim.

S: I have a marketing background and a few years ago I decided that I didn’t want to work for anyone any more, I wanted to be my own boss. We mainly cater for birthdays, weddings, romantic dinners and parties, with a bit of corporate.

Q. How did you get the idea for The Dried Lemon? Presumably, you both enjoyed cooking. A: I’ve been cooking for a very long time. My mother used to have a business called Cinderella Sweets, which may ring a bell for a lot of people. I decided that since we do cook really well, we needed to come up with something that is local because we love Oman so much. Using shuwa, dates and all of that was very standard but nobody had really exposed the dried lemon as a spice. Usually, it is used in savoury dishes and we decided to incorporate it into desserts. The dried lemon is called Loomi Amani and it is used in international cuisines, as well as Omani.

S: I originally wanted The Blue Potato as a name. I wanted something different and I found out that you could get purple potatoes and blue potatoes and I was going to make a dish out of blue potatoes. The dried lemon is one of the oldest spices in the Gulf. It has travelled around the world. If you

were to go into a spice shop in London and ask for a Loomi Amani, they would have one.

Q. It’s been two years since you started the business, how has it gone? What have been the biggest ups and downs for you both? S: It has been a great two years for us and I don’t want to say that we’ve had ups and downs but rather it’s been little obstacles along the way. But our biggest challenge so far was our son Noah’s first birthday. We baked a cake (inset) that was two feet high and 55 kilos in weight. It was themed as the “March to Noah’s Ark”, so we had all the animals and the ark, with the mountains and ocean.

A: All the animals were made out of sugar and it took us 10 days just to make these, as we had two of each animal. In all, it took us 14 days to make.

Q. With Noah, how do you combine motherhood/fatherhood with having a business? A: I actually have an 8-5 job during the day. I go to work in the mornings and come back late afternoon and then I spend

whatever time I have with Salim and Noah. Then once Noah has had dinner and gone to bed, we go into The Dried Lemon workstation and we continue, maybe from 8.30 or 9 all the way up to midnight, sometimes two o’clock in the morning. If there’s a lot of work, as it’s just the two of us, we have a nanny who helps and a maid. And also the grandparents play a big role in this. If we can’t put Noah to bed, then my mother or father will come over and spend that time

with him.

Q. What’s it like living and

working together? Do

you fight and who is the boss? S: Well, I’m the boss (laughs).

Actually it’s quite easy (to

work together) as we already

know what we both like and don’t like so

when we are creating a new dish, it just comes naturally to us.

A: We are going to surprise you. We have never had a fight to date. We discuss our disagreements and agree to disagree most of the time.

Q. Tell us about some of the great food that you make? A: The main speciality comes from

our signature dishes, which are The Dried Lemon cookies, Dried Lemon cupcakes and The Dried Lemon cake. It took us 45 days and 500 cookies to perfect the taste. Dried lemon can be very bitter, so we had to find out how to remove this bitterness but keep the flavour. We also make a lot of our own ingredients, like our cheese. Our cheesecake will not taste like any other on the market.

Q. Any special plans for The Dried Lemon during Ramadan and in the future? A: It is going to be busy but we are actually planning to introduce a few new concepts. We try to take the ordinary and give it a twist. We don’t just do shuwa; we take the shuwa and make canapés with it. We are also looking at cooking classes in the future. We have more than 700 of our own recipes, all handwritten, so a recipe book is also a possibility.

YOUR OMAN

HUSbAnD AnD wifE, SAlim Al KAlbAni AnD AmAl Al KHAboRi,foUnDERS AnD ownERS of THE DRiED lEmon cATERing bUSinESS

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

5

CULINARYGENIUSES

WIN – A tAste of the DrIeD LemoN

one lucky reader is about to find out just how

good Amal and salim’s food really is with Y’s

competition. the prize is a selection of three canapés, savoury and

sweet. to win, just answer: “how long did it take Amal and salim to perfect the perfect Loomi Cookie?”

send your answer with your contact details to editor@y-

oman.com by June 30. www.thedriedlemon.com

PHOTOS: ANIA JAMES

PHOTOS: ANIA JAMES

J U N 2 6 - J U L 0 2 / I S S U E 3 2 60 8

We asked: “What will you be doing for Ramadan?”

KIARA PEREIRA I’m going to join the “I-Care” initiative. They’re doing a lot of good work in a positive way.

ANTHoNY CARLToN Give something back to society, to the country, to

DEBATE OF THE WEEK

RAMADAN MESSAGE

correspondencethe voice of oman it’s a time for contemplation and a bit of soul searching, says Jane Jaffer

my community, to people.

NEETHA KYALI PINTo As a non-Muslim, I would like to make simple sacrifices and help the needy with the money that I’m going to save. As my Muslim brothers and sisters fast for a whole month, I’d like to dedicate it to charities who help the hungry and poor, especially children who don’t even have a single meal to eat.

JoMARI SoMoNTINA SAGAL It’s a great chance to exercise and reduce weight.

SHAFQAT SHAH If Allah The Almighty blesses me with another

Dear Y,Sincere thanks

to Allah who was blessed me with one more month of Ramadan to rectify my shortcoming in fulfilling my duties towards my creator and His creations.

Fasting is one of the greatest means of helping a person to fulfil the commands of Islam. The real purpose of Ramadan is to clean or detoxify the soul from bad deeds and to feel the pain of hunger so that we get into the regular habit of feeding and helping the needy ones around us.

Happy Ramadan to all my brothers and sisters all over the world.

Once again I shall sincerely pray during

this month of Ramadan for eradication of poverty and a permanent solution of peace around the world, especially in the Middle East, which is sadly lacking in some of the countries in the region.

Mohammad Osama Rawat, Ruwi

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

wRiTE To US AnD win A VoUcHER

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

/GoldenTulipSeebHotel

@GoldenTulipSeeb

With the end of the aca-demic year, the holiday season fast approaching,

and the Holy Month of Ramadan upon us, it is a perfect time to take a break and enjoy a change of pace. Stepping back from our busy schedules gives us an opportunity to view the big picture. We all need time for reflection; a chance to take stock of our past achievements and make future plans. Reassessing life goals can be reveal-ing. By excavating the soul, delv-ing deep within, you can find your true passion and what really makes your heart sing. I believe that each one of us is here to make a contribution to the world by sharing our unique skills and talents. Discovering your life’s pur-pose is often a process of elimina-tion. Most of us only ever reach a fraction of our true potential. Self-exploration is the key. Start a new hobby, visit new places, make new friends, volunteer, look for a more interesting job, or go back to college. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but have never had the time or the courage? Maybe now is the time. Easier said than done, I know, as most of us have lives full of com-mitments and responsibilities. But being flexible and staying open to new challenges and possibilities will help you discover your true calling. Be creative.

NExT WEEK: SHuENA AL MAYAHI

J U N 2 6 - J U L 0 2 / I S S U E 3 2 6 0 9

L E T T E R S E - M A I L S F A C E B O O K T W I T T E RYOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US

Ramadan, Insha‘Allah I will try my best to cleanse myself spiritually by engaging in as much prayer as possible and to maintain myself and my manners as best as possible. At the end of the day, these are just my hopes – only Allah knows best what I can do and what I will do.

SAIFF HARuN Prayer, Quran, Zakat. No movies, no songs, no lying, even if it is hard.

ALI FAREED AL LAWATI Fasting, Trying to get closer to God, reduce my weight, and also be charitable.

SADIA SHAMS Well, this is the best time to detoxify our mind and soul. This is the month to forget and forgive the faults of others and try to work on our faults. Fasting with a pure heart is the most important thing this month and I will try to make this Ramadan an

opportunity to recuperate. Happy Ramadan to all.

MARIANNA PEREIRA Remember to thank God more often for all the blessings my family and I have received.

SYED BoKHARI The holy and sacred month of Ramadan comes every year, and blessed are the ones in whose life this month comes. By maintaining the fast and overcoming the shortcomings from the previous Ramadan, Allah Almighty has provided another great opportunity to benefit from this time. So this is what I’m definitely going to do during this Ramadan. May Allah Almighty enable me to do so.

RoDNEY WooDS Do charitable work, help in protecting the environment and join recycling projects.

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Let us enjoy a time of giving and receiving.

Let us bring family and friends together.

Let us offer you an authentic Ramadan experience.

Let us turn this Ramadan into a lasting memory.

OMR 18From sunset onwards, join friends, colleagues andfamily to break your fast in true Ritz-Carlton style.For reservations, call 968-2476-4000.

© 2014 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Price excludes tax and service charge. Shisha will be charged separately.

New debate:Should bachelors be banned from some beaches

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

dinner for two.

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win like achampion!

SHOP ‘N’ WINEVERYDAY

PRIZESSony Console,PSP & Football

Catch up on every match, hang out with friends, make

the most of the special offers and win prizes every

day at MGM! Drop in today and come alive to the

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Draw dates 14 & 28 July 2014

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For every 20 Rials you spend, get a raffle coupon to enter a daily prize and grand draw prize.

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N E W SYOUR OMAN

Single men will be banned from some of the Sultanate’s beaches under plans unveiled by Muscat Municipality.

The authorities are soon to start demarcating stretches of beaches on which only families will be allowed during certain times, such as weekends and public holidays.

Bachelor Beach Ban

This Ramadan, we’re launching a competition to find Oman’s top food photographers.

We’ll be giving away brilliant prizes courtesy of the Grand Hyatt Muscat

hotel. The prize to win this

week is a fantastic one-night weekend stay for two people, including Iftar at The Majlis (Sirj Lounge), which is valid during Ramadan.

All you have to do to for a chance to win this amazing prize is post your best food pictures on our social media sites while you are enjoying Iftar at any of the Grand Hyatt Muscat’s participating

outlets: Mokha Café and Sirj Lounge.

Marjan Lounge will also be participating and will be open every night from 8pm to 3am, when it will serve suhour, shisha and delicious Ramadan specialties and juices. Marjan Lounge will also be showcasing the FIFA World Cup games.

Send your entries by July 6 to editor@y-oman.com, post your entries on our Facebook and Twitter pages or send us a picture on Instagram of your fab food and make sure you follow and tag ytabloid.

Words: Tom Robertson

WiN!

The move comes amid concerns over privacy and the domination of some beaches by large games of football, which residents say makes it difficult for families to enjoy their time at the beach.

The rules will reportedly first come into force on beaches at Ghubra, followed by Azaiba. More areas will then follow after Muscat Municipality has completed further discussions with the concerned wilayats.

The implementation of the ruling will mean that football will be banned on the beaches intended for families, although there are allegedly plans to assign special areas for the game.

As well as the regulation of ball games, a Muscat Municipality member has reportedly confirmed that families will be requested to dress decently and that Royal Oman Police will patrol the beaches to monitor any offences.

Those arriving from other parts of the Gulf will already be familiar with similar legislation, such as in the UAE, where the phenomenon of restricted beaches according to sex and age is already established.

Dubai Municipality restricted access to women and children under the age of four at Jumeirah Beach Park on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Al Mamzar Beach Park on Sundays and Tuesdays in April last year. Abu Dhabi also opened a ladies-only beach just two weeks ago at Al Bateen. which is off limits to any male over the age of six.

win like achampion!

SHOP ‘N’ WINEVERYDAY

PRIZESSony Console,PSP & Football

Catch up on every match, hang out with friends, make

the most of the special offers and win prizes every

day at MGM! Drop in today and come alive to the

excitement of MGM World Cup Mania!

Draw dates 14 & 28 July 2014

Al Khuwair 2200 0000

For every 20 Rials you spend, get a raffle coupon to enter a daily prize and grand draw prize.

Carrefour, Homes R Us, R&B, City Cinema, Happy Land, Sharaf DG, Shoe Studio, US Polo & Garage.

win like a

J U N 2 6 - J U L 0 2 / I S S U E 3 2 60 1 2

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

This is a news section, not fantasy fiction. Indeed it is - but who said that elves couldn’t make the news? Because that’s exactly what happened in Iceland recently where elves actually halted construction of a road being built between the Alftanes peninsula and a Reykjavik suburb, Gardabaer.

How on earth did they stop a road being built? The planned road was due to pass through an area where campaigners say elves live. Surveys suggest that more than half the population in Iceland could believe in their existence, so that’s a lot of public goodwill on the side of the mischievous munchkins.

How was it resolved? Like all serious negotiations – why are you laughing? – a mediator was used. A local lady who claimed to know the elves personally carried out the discussions with both parties.

Can you describe these creatures? Don’t think little goblin type chappies running round in green costumes and pointy hats. The Huldufolk, as they’re called, are more akin to invisible human-sized people.

But elves don’t exist. Oh really? Then why is there an Icelandic Elf School, where you can actually study for a Diploma in Elfs and Hidden People.

Sounds a bit like gobbledygook. Maybe so, but even the workers at the Icelandic Highways Agency believe in them. Petur Matthiasson claimed that not believing was bad for his ‘elf. When he forgot to pay homage to the family fairy while camping he woke up unexplainably covered in sunburn blisters - despite overcast conditions the day before.

Sounds like they’re an expensive superstition. Indeed, the Elf Chapel (the four-metre-high lava rock where the elves live) will have to be moved to pacify the campaigners. At 70 tonnes, it’s going to be an expensive operation.

Shouldn’t the elves be paying? Unfortunately, the cost of magic dust has plummeted against the rial, dollar and euro recently, resulting in a collapse in the elven economy, Quite simply they don’t have the funds. They do, however, boost the economy with the local souvenirs, which are, in contrast, entirely real.

Do say: I see one!

Don’t say: Are all Icelanders mad?

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

LOOK AT A NEWS ISSUE OF THE WEEK.

Polyglot Institute Oman llcTel.: 24 66 66 66 | Fax: 24 66 66 00Email: enquiry@polyglot.om

www.polyglot.om

SPECIAL IT COURSES BOOT CAMP IN RAMADAN

Polyglot Institute is inviting registrations for the following Ramadan special courses:

> CCNA: 6 – 17 July 2014 (20 hrs.)

> SQL: 6 – 17 July 2014 (20 hrs.)

> Security+: 13 – 24 July 2014 (20 hrs.)

> Programming in C++: 6 – 24 July 2014 (30 hrs.)

> AutoCAD 2D: 6 – 17 July 2014 (20 hrs.)

PARTNERNETWORK

ElF TROUBlE

IT’S A HIGH FIVE AS MUSCAT TEAM SCORES A VICTORY

After a gruelling month of playing matches around the Sultanate,

Muscat’s very own team Shabab Takiya has scooped the top prize of RO2,000 in Oman’s inaugural Red Bull Winning 5 football tournament.

After seven qualifying stages took place across the country from Salalah to Muscat, the final was held on June 20 at the InterContinental Muscat hotel.

The Red Bull Winning 5 proved a huge success with local footballers as the teams grappled with the unique rules of the competition.

Each team had five players and matches took place on a reduced size pitch with smaller goals and no goalkeeper. When a team let in a goal, they had to lose a player until all players on one team were eliminated.

After winning the tournament, Shabab Takiya’s captain, Hifar al Balushi, praised his teammates and their approach to the game. “The team did really well and they played from their heart,” he said.

But even after winning the tournament, the challenge wasn’t over for Shabab Takiya as they then set about taking on a specially picked dream team from across the country.

But the team of talented footballers chosen by Oman TV football commentator Mohammed al Qanoobi couldn’t match the talent of Shabab Takiya as the Muscat boys once again vanquished the opposition.

“I was sure that my Dream Team would win, but it was Shabab Takiya who came out on top,” said Mohammed.

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

PrInce MeeTS The MInISTer – oMan anD The U.K. SeeK To BUIlD on TheIr hISTorIc TIeS

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The friendship between Oman and the United Kingdom stretches back hundreds of years.

It has led to extensive political and economic cooperation on a number of issues and that relationship was enhanced

recently when senior businessmen and leading dignitaries from both countries met in London.

Hosted by the Omani British Friendship Association (OBFA), the aim of the meeting was to boost business cooperation between Oman and the U.K.

Guests of honour at the reception included Britain's Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and HH Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Oman's Minister of Heritage and Culture.

The reception, held at the OBFA’s headquarters, is a highlight of the association's business calendar and launched an intensive two days of activities designed to help British businesses set up in Oman.

Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, the OBFA Oman chairman, underlined the need to enhance business ties to encourage investment at the networking event.

“We are building on historical ties of business and friendship between our two countries by bringing key decision-makers together to explore the potential for high-quality investment,” he said.

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, who was recently appointed to the post of chairman of the OBFA UK, said Oman was increasingly important as a key business destination for British commercial interests.

“Oman’s forward-thinking policy is based on the principle of sustainability and is attractive for any business looking to expand into the Middle East,” he said.

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OMAN IN 43 OBJECTS

OMAN'S SUN 31.

Shining for an average of 13 hours a day during June, Oman’s lands bask under the radiant glow of

an omnipresent sun. Even during the winter months of January and December, Muscat still receives nine to 10 hours of sunshine. But it comes at a cost, as temperatures soar into the high 40s during the summer months and can push the mercury up to the 50°C mark in the Interior. Think Oman, think blue skies and blazing insolation.

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RAMA

DAN M

EETING

S T H E W H AT ’ S O N G U I D E

escape the heat of summer by popping into the omani Spanish Friendship association in Shatti to see an exhibition of paintings by young omani artists. In a project aimed at uniting two cultures, the work by students from the Scientific college of Design features 20 large canvases reflecting the two countries. For more info, email osfra@live.com or call 2469 8981.

THIS WEEKJ U N E - J U L Y

WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO SEE.

WHAT TO HEAR.

If you’re staying in Muscat during the Holy Month, why not join the ladies from the Women’s Group Oman who are getting together every Wednesday throughout July. Enjoy company and a good chat from 10am to 12 noon in the Majlis al Shams in the lobby of the InterContinental Muscat Hotel. www.womensguildoman.com

dO YOUR BIT

29FromJune

To celebrate everything football, City Centre Muscat and Qurum is hosting their own competition. Spend RO15 for a chance to win one of six gold medals. Connect to free mall wi-fi and follow the mall on Facebook and Instagram to kick and win.

30HOLA AMIGOS!

It’s the time of year to think of others less fortunate and to give a helping hand. The Oman Charitable Organisation is starting this year’s Ramadan Iftar Meal Programme, which reaches out to needy families in the Sultanate. To offer donations and your help or for more information, email oconet@omantel.net.om or call 2448 7998/2448 7755. The Oman Charitable Organisation supports social welfare projects and programmes for children, families, orphans and the disabled. See www.oco.org.om

UntilJune

GOING FOR

GOLD

19UntilJuly

School is out and holidays are just round the corner. But for those of you staying in Oman to brave the heat, here are some ideas for keeping yourselves, the little ones and bigger girls and boys occupiedTom Robertson and Kate Ginn

COOLSUMMER

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Don’t let the heat drive you indoors the whole summer. There’s something for everyone over the coming months.

VISIT A FORTOman boasts some of the most stunning ancient architecture in the Arabian Penin-sula. When the walls of these aged build-ings measure up to a metre thick, visiting the cool inner sanc-tums of UNESCO listed sites such as Bahla make for temperate trips into Oman’s past.

GET ON THE WATERBeautiful sweeps of coastline and thriving abundant ma-rine life make the ideal summer playground for Oman’s residents and visitors alike. The active crew can parasail, learn to sail, dive, kiteboard, surf, jet ski and paddleboard, to name but a few. If it’s a more relaxed water-based jaunt you’re after, then take a dhow cruise at sunset or chase leap-ing dolphins on a marine wildlife tour.

CONQUER THE MOUNTAINSWith average temperatures a few degrees lower than on the coast and in the desert, the Hajar Mountains remain the place to be for anybody desperate to get out and into the wild. As well as the 4x4 trails, there’s also the numerous routes on foot for the more adventurous. Follow the “balco-ny walk” along the rim of Oman’s very own Grand Canyon or wander round the falaj of ancient villages, such as Misfat Al Abreyeen.

CATCH A SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERIf you’re looking for a total mental escape, then two hours in the hands of the world’s top film directors could be just the ticket. Going to the cinema may sound like pretty tame stuff, but with guaranteed cool climes, two new state-of-the-art VOX cinemas in Muscat with majestic sound systems and a wealth of Hollywood summer blockbusters on the menu, this could well be an easily accessible escape for just a few rials.

ESCAPE TO A MUSEUMThis is the perfect time to catch up on a wealth of info about the country you live in. A plethora of educational and entertaining exhibits abound. Take your pick from Muscat Gate museum, the Natural History Museum or the dhow yards of Sur for a modern peek into Oman’s mari-time past.

WADI WANDERINGThough a lot of the wadis dry up during the summer, a few colourful canyons retain turquoise waters to offer the perfect picnic spot. The pools of Wadi Shab remain a firm favourite, but can get crowded at times. If you’re after a quieter spot, then consider the more distant, but equally enchanting Wadi Bani Khalid in Al Sharqiyah.

ROMANTIC GETAWAYIf the children are at summer camp, it may well be time for mum and dad to have some time on their own. With some resorts offering special rates for residents, they are that much more attractive than the normally high rates. Especially when factoring in the total relaxation that comes from dipping into infinity pools and having sun-downers.

NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARNSummer courses for adults could be the perfect way to pick up a new hobby for the year ahead. Learn a language on a summer intensive programme or head to one of the hotels for a crash course in cooking international cuisine. If those do not tickle your fancy, there are also art history classes for learning your Rembrandt from your Renoir. Or get more active with everything from early morning tennis or golf lessons to a personal gym trainer.

DO NOTHINGPeople the world over have adjusted their seasonal activi-ties according to the weather, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t take it easy now. Grab that unopened best-selling book or DVD box set and take time to stay out the heat and truly unwind. There is absolutely no shame in that.

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TOP ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS

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Keeping the young ones amused during the long hot sum-mer is a tall order, but here are some ideas

SUMMER CAMPSAs parents run out of ideas to keep their children other-wise engaged, summer camps can be the answer. There are various programmes running in Muscat, giving access to a wide variety of activities such as sailing and music. One of the best is TLC Summer Camp in Azaiba for ages 18 months to 12 years old, with everything from art and craft to cooking and conversational Arabic, as well as weekly trips to places of interest and fun. Contact Veronika Monteith +968 9938 1458 or email info@tlcoman.com, www.tlcoman.com.

For something a little different, try the Melody Music Centre for practical classes in piano, keyboard, violin, guitar and drums, in two branches at Al Khuwair (Tel: 2448 6647) and Darsait (during the summer).

CHILDREN’S MUSEUMCheck out what goes on inside those futuristic domes that you can spot in Qurum from the Sultan Qaboos Highway. We guarantee your little angels will love this museum from the moment they walk through the door of the funky-looking building. Inside, you’ll find loads of interactive displays, which are fun and informative too. Your children won’t even know that they are learning at the same time.

ICE SKATINGKeep cool and look cool on blades down at the rink. You’ll find Oman’s only rink in the Fun Zone at Qurum Natural Park, where you can

flee from the scorching sun outside. There’s even an ice hockey team, recently rebranded as Oman Tim-berwolves, who play and practice there. Skates can be rented at the rink and there’s a viewing area or a couple

of cafes for the adults to relax in while the offspring whizz round.

BOWLINGIf being on the ice is not their thing how about 10-pin bowling? Located next to the ice rink in the Fun Zone at Qurum, there are 14 bowling lanes for your little ones to hone their skills. Smaller children won’t feel left out as they can enjoy kiddie rides in Adventure Land and burn off energy in a soft play area. It’s open until late, so perfect to wear them out before bedtime. Check it out www.funzoneoman.com

OMANI HERITAGE VILLAGEHelp your children gain an insight into the culture of the Sultanate at this unique village at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. A charming guide will takeyour family round and soon have the kids enchanted with tales of olden times and fascinating facts about how halwa is made. If you’re lucky, they may get their names written in Arabic calligraphy. Open daily 1pm-10pm.

PLANETARIUMLook to the stars for indoor entertainment that’s out of this world. Oman’s first planetarium was built by PDO in 2000 and has been teaching children the wonder of astronomy ever since. There’s a Full-Dome digital system with projectors to create a spectacular space show with thousands of stars, galaxies and comets. Your would-be space explorers can also book into the Astro Art Workshop with experiments, colouring and paint-ing for children aged six to 12. There are now evening shows during Ramadan. Contact 2467 5542 or plan-etarium.pdo.com.

MEET THE TURTLESIt may be too humid for most of us to bear but it’s nest-ing and hatching season for the Sultanate’s turtle popu-lation and visiting reptiles. June is the beginning of the hot season for the creatures to come ashore and lay their eggs on the beaches, before the fledglings hatch and head back to the sea. Ras al Jinz and Ras al Hadd are the places to go.

3D HEAVENThere’s bound to be a host of summer kiddie blockbust-ers hitting the screens, such as a remake of Annie and Pinocchio, Maleficent, Planes, Fire & Rescue, a sequel to Disney’s Planes, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now that Muscat moviegoers are spoilt for choice for cin-ema screens, thanks to VOX, City and Al Bahja, there’s bound to be a film on near you – morning, noon and night.

TOP ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

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ACTIVITY DAYSWhether it’s Magic Planet (be prepared for all those flashing lights and constant noise to give the adults a headache) or Happy Land at the malls or established centres such as Busy Bees in Madinat Qaboos, Little Town in Bareeq Al Shatti and the Kids Rest near The Wave, these are great ways to let the children run loose and (hopefully) burn off the sugar rush from the popcorn eaten at the movies earlier in the day.

THE GREAT ESCAPEIf you fancy an away day from Oman or can’t stand the heat of Muscat, then head off for day trips or mini breaks.

HEAD SOUTHA local phenomenon reported by travel shows worldwide, the Khareef in Dhofar is one of Oman’s must-see events. Imagine lush green vistas cloaking an otherwise parched landscape and you soon understand why this is a top destination during the monsoon season from June to early September. Travel down to the mountains around Salalah for an unforgettably verdant experience.

DUBAICross the border, 50 minutes by plane

or about five hours by road, and enjoy the huge pleasure park that is Dubai. There are water parks galore, the best being Wild Wadi and Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis on The Palm, where the terrifying Poiseidon’s Re-venge awaits those with nerves of steel. The little ones will probably prefer the Lazy River. Go see one of the world’s largest reptiles, King Croc, at Dubai Mall, take them skiing at Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates or give them a view they will never forget from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Or nip to Abu Dhabi for the fun of Fer-rari World on Yas Island, which also happens to have the world’s fastest roller coaster (accelerating up to 240kmh). Many hotels and resorts offer great deals for Ramadan and summer.

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Ramadan Prayer Times

26466 MB OmanRamadan YMagazine 44x8 E.indd 1 6/23/14 11:12 AM

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“Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwaa.” (Q2:183)

“And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.” (Q 2:184)

Source: The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.

“Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distin-guish from right and wrong).” (Q 2:183)

Prayer Times

“The most hon-ored by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa.” (Q 49:13)

26466 MB OmanRamadan YMagazine 44x8 E.indd 1 6/23/14 11:12 AM

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It’s been a simply astounding week in which Poochy correctly predicted seven out of nine matches and rocketed her overall soothsaying stats. She’s obviously been brushing up on her pre-match analysis and has looked at the teams’ forms. Given Germany’s

4-0 drubbing of Portugal, the uncanny cat has now plumped for the Germans to administer another defeat, but this time to America.

PoochyPoochyPoochy makes an astounding comeback to pick a string of correct results

The World Cup so far

England and Germany have always been traditional football rivals but Brazil 2014 couldn’t have been more different for the two sides as the second week brought more high drama.

While England’s young squad were crashing out of the World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay, Germany’s established team was powering their way into the next round. And not just content with drawing with Ghana, Germany’s substitute, Klose, steered the ball into the back of the net to become joint

record scorer in World Cup history. Meanwhile in Group F, Iran narrowly missed out against Argentina 1-0,

leaving them facing a group stage exit, courtesy of a 91st

minute heartbreaker from Lionel

Messi.

The World Cup so far

PooChY’s BLooPers WPortugal draws with the UsA.WCosta rica draws with england.

PUrrfeCt PreDICtIoNs W It’s winning result after winning result for psychic Poochy as she correctly called the following matches: Netherlands to beat Australia and spain, Chile to beat spain, Uruguay to beat england, Costa rica to beat Italy, france to beat switzerland, Argentina to beat Iran and Brazil to beat Cameroon.

USA vs Germany

This Week’s Pet Pick

AlgERIA vS RUSSIA (JUNE 26)

It’s a scrap to the finish for the two teams fighting for second place in Group H. Algeria have met with mixed success so far, suffering a defeat to Belgium and a win over South Korea. With the way the table stands at the moment, this crunch match will tell us which team has claimed the final qualifying spot in the last 16.

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

KeY MaTChes ThIs WeeKKeY MaTChes ThIs WeeKBRAzIl vS CHIlE

(JUNE 28) The pressure’s on as all the teams realise that there’s simply no room for error and, unlike the previous round, there will be no mercy. A loss means an instant exit from the tournament. The hosts are far from safe as they take on Chile, a side buoyed on by their victory over former champions Spain.

Congratulations to Mohammed Rayan, who wins the signed Paul Le Guen football following our competition in which we asked how many times Oman’s national coach had represented France in

international football. The answer was 17.

overALL Pet PreDICtIoN rAte

67 purr-cent!

‘We are beTTer Than argenTIna’People in Oman are still disappointed that the “Red Warriors” – AKA the Oman national team – failed to make it to Brazil for the World Cup, especially after seeing how some of the teams are playing.

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

I saw the match between Argentina and Iran in the home of one of my

old relatives, who was supporting the northern neighbours of Oman. The old man told me after the game: “We deserved to qualify for the World Cup. We beat Iran 3-0 in a friendly match in Muscat last February, meanwhile, Argentina could not score against them for almost 90 minutes.”The same thoughts were flashing across social media that night, as all Omanis shared the same feeling. It’s very depressing when you discover that you are away from the place where you belong.Our national team held Australia to a draw in Sydney – the same team who nearly beat the Netherlands. Our team also made Japan suffer in Muscat before losing only 2-1. The same Japan who are not disgracing themselves in Brazil. And we beat South Korea 3-1 in Muscat.All of these results made Omanis feel sad when they watched the World Cup at home without their

beloved national team taking part.Children, however, see it differently. “Lionel Messi is not the only one who plays well,” said my 12-year-old nephew. He added: “I think that Neymar of Brazil and Yaya Toure of the Ivory Coast could make a difference.”He spoke like an old man, analysing each match like a top pundit. That pushed me to ask him about his predictions for the remaining matches. Argentina won’t last, he said. The Germans, Uruguay, Belgium and Russia too. It goes to the Latinos only – and Brazil in particular.I was not surprised, because my nephew saw the things with his own beautiful eyes and a clear, childhood mind. No complicated calculations, no previous ideologies and, of course, no work pressure pushing him to rethink a hundred times before he writes anything.Next week, the city of Sur will be my destination. It’s a marine city with a large football following. I’m sure there will be much to write about.

Photo

: Fah

ad A

l Tam

imi

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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

COOL DOWNSummer can be a punishing time for our bodies. With a fierce and

unrelenting sun, it’s important to keep taking in liquids. Easier said than done with busy schedules and a fast-paced life. Drinking

just water can be a bit monotonous and soft drinks, packaged drinks and sodas can have a high sugar content. Instead, consider some of the options below for your daily liquid intake. You could make them at home – there are numerous recipes available online – or buy them from your nearest restaurant or juice parlours. Whatever works best for you.

infused watersInfused waters are always a more preferable option to plain water.

The best thing is that you can easily whip one up yourself using your favourite fruits and other ingredients, which help the body in various ways, including appetite control, hydration and a stronger immune system. The healthiest infused water is made by using plain water and adding lemon, mint, cucumber or ginger. It is best consumed early in the morning before eating anything else.

SmoothiesWith high fibre and water content, smoothies not only quench your

thirst, but also make a good “liquid” snack and are simply delicious. Most of them are made using basic ingredients that are easily available from your local supermarket: bananas, strawberries and even watermelons. You can choose what you like best.

fruits and SaladsFruits are wonderful to snack on at any time

of the day, and certainly very healthy. Fruits also have a very high-fibre content and can do wonders for your body. Salad items such as cucumber, lettuce

When the heat is on and the temperature has been turned right up, you need to keep refreshed. Deeba Hasan tells you how

and tomatoes also have a high-water content. Not only a tasty snack, they can help to keep you healthy and hydrated all day long.

ice pops Ice pops are a very refreshing alternative to cool drinks. Children love them

and they are a hit with parents as they can be made with fresh fruit and natural ingredients at home.

coconut waterPopular among sportsmen and women for its rich qualities, coconut

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potassium.

We don't just do chocolate

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Tel: +968 24499922Follow us on:thechocolateroomoman&

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Info BoxCAFÉ CÉRAMIQUE Bareeq al Shatti Mall

Shatti Muscat

Tel: 2494 6145 Timings: Daily 12-10pm

Two course meal plus one dessert for three people

including beverages and cost of ceramics: RO60

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

As anybody who knows me will attest, I’m not big on lunch. Or breakfast for that matter. I know, I know:

my lack of sustenance during the day is unhealthy and I can hear the nutritionists tsk-tsking from afar.

But a recent Saturday visit to Café Céramique, in Shatti, was a welcome respite from my usual “ladies who don’t lunch” mantra.

We arrived mid-afternoon and the café was quiet, possibly because it was past lunchtime. Cool, calm and inviting, there were a few tables taken and everybody was in serious creative mode – even the below fives who were sitting at a table in the corner with their mother. All were engrossed in painting ceramics, hence the name of the café, albeit in French.

Sitting down at our table, our first major decision was whether to graze first and then glaze, or the other way around. We decided we’d be more creative on full stomachs, so set about exploring the menu.

The menu is large and offers choices that range from breakfast to quick bites, salads, pastas and pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, desserts and, of course, a kids’ menu. All pretty standard fare for a café – except for the fact that it was overly large, the menu that is, and we found it hard to choose.

We settled on sharing a few starters between us: a triple play, buffalo blasts and the smothered

cheese fries. All three dishes came out at the same time as two of our drinks, a strawberry smoothie and a refreshingly delicious orange juice with basil. It took a while for the mocha frappe to arrive, but our dining companion assured us it was worth the wait. Topped with fresh whipped cream and chocolate shavings, it was a creamy concoction that also delivered on the coffee buzz.

The triple play was a combination of crispy chicken strips, onion rings and mozzarella sticks that was served with two pots of sauces, one honey mustard, the other a herb, tomato-laden marinara. The chicken lived up to its name and was a hit with the grown-ups, while the mild mozzarella sticks got the thumbs up from Miss 11. The onion rings were just that: deep-fried in a thin batter, there was nothing to complain about – or write home about.

I expected more from the buffalo blasts. The deep-fried chicken wings were glazed with a sweet chilli lime sauce and came with a blue cheese dip sauce. While sticky and tender, there was too much of the “jammy” chilli sauce and it was difficult to detect the blue cheese in the

dipping sauce. I have never been a fan of French

fries, but have to say the cheese element was slightly intriguing. Then again, I wondered if it was going to be a dish that took its creative licence from Quebec’s famous poutine (French fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds). Alas, no. But if you are a child, then a cheesy queasy topping on your fries may appeal.

The staff were friendly and asked if we would like to wait for our mains. We decided on a 15-minute break and used this time to choose the ceramics we wanted to paint. The time went quickly and before we knew it, our mains had arrived.

My original choice of haloumi crisp (a sesame pita toasted with haloumi, olive tapenade and tomatoes) wasn’t available, so I settled for the chicken parmesan pomodoro, while my companions ordered the smoked salmon bagel with herb cream cheese and capers, and mac ‘n’ cheese from the kids’ menu.

The portions were large and we had obviously been overly ambitious. We struggled to get even halfway through them before raising the white flag in defeat.

My chicken was a huge sandwich smothered in a tomato sauce and

topped with melted cheese. It was literally a chicken schnitzel, but on a bun. And the chicken tasted like the strips in the triple play. The mac ‘n’ cheese got the thumbs up (as always), while the salmon bagel came with a disappointingly thin spread of herb cream cheese, but with what appeared to be half a side of salmon – which was way too much.

We couldn’t think about dessert at this stage, so ordered our ceramics, picked up our paint brushes and got to work. Almost therapeutic, I could understand why it was so quiet in the café when we arrived.

So much so that we forgot about the time and realised nearly four hours after arriving that this was turning into one of our longest lunches on record.

We didn’t, however, forget about dessert. By this stage, there was only one choice left: the chocolate fondant. I gave it a pass, but everybody else loved it.

Oozing dark chocolate when you cut into it, the large scoop of ice cream helped to cut the richness.

It’s not about the food at Café Céramique. Instead, its appeal lies in the calm concept of being creative while chatting with friends over a coffee, or even spending quality time with your children as they mess about with designs and colours. And, for that reason alone, we have to say that it was one of our more enjoyable afternoons in Muscat so far.

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

A Taste For Art While the food was average, the idea behind Café Céramique is a winner, says Felicity Glover

FOOD

DRINKAND

verdict:

Casual dining with the usual café fare,

but lifted by the creative concept

7 10

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SIMPLY STYLISHTake the modernist approach to

monochrome with minimalist lines, unexpected layers, knife-sharp origami folds and a rigorously

pared-down aesthetic. Wide-leg trousers, like these from Wallis, are a key style this season and are surprisingly easy to wear. Complement the relaxed fit with

a simple silk camisole and statement cuff.

HEALTH&BEAUTY

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

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mono mAniA

GETTING1. Many of the catwalks embraced block panels of monochrome this season. If you’re fed up with print, try the sport luxe trend of crop tops, tapered trousers and sheer fabrics. 2. If the idea of going top-to-toe in neutrals leaves you pining for colour, then mix in some bright accessories to balance things out. But let the monochrome do the majority of the work. 3. Experiment with texture, opt for laser-cut leather, gauze and silk.

This Givenchy tote is what every woman should have. Neatly cut from supple leather, this monochrome bag, RO475, will coordinate with just about everything in your wardrobe.

Zara’s loose-fit camisole is almost as supple and lightweight as silk and is currently on sale online for RO6.5. The feminine detail of the cut means this piece looks just as chic worn alone as it does layered.

In a complicated world, there’s something reassuring about

clean, simple black and white. Penny shows you how to up-

mode monochrome:

Flat sandals are all the rage this summer. For added health benefits, try these ultra-hip pair from Fitflop. Prices start at RO58.

These cotton-blend trousers from Very.com feature a monochrome tribal print and are cut for a tapered fit. They’ll take you from summer to autumn with ease. Style yours with a white tee and heels. From RO14.5

House of Holland’s oversized “Peggy” shades will put a playful spin on every look. This handmade black and white striped acetate pair comes with a designer-stamped vinyl case. Available from RO98 at Net-a-Porter.

GRAPHIC

From corporate to casual attire, give your look a bite of modern graphics with Pierre Hardy’s statement cuff. Tessellated cubes multiply across this monochrome piece for a 3D effect. Available for RO193 from My Theresa.

Monochrome is usually seen as a little pedestrian. But not this season as designs run the whole gamut of pattern from

Diane von Furstenberg’s zebra stripes to checks at Rodarte.

Stylish and practical, black and white outfits are fashion’s holy grail as they are timeless and flattering. Thank heavens that all the main fashion houses have abandoned the Sixties influence for modern tailoring, geometrics and clever couture detailing. Design luminaries such as Alexander Wang, Victoria Beckham and Céline all performed their role to perfection by adding a surprise softness to strict monochrome designs.

Apart from Marc Jacobs’ dark florals, graphic geometrics find their clearest voice when played out in crisp black and white. Of course, you should never underestimate the power of classic separates like the white shirt, especially with this season’s innovative interpretations. I loved Victoria Beckham’s gossamer silk-organza version combined with a tailored black skirt for the ultimate power pairing of black and white.

The nautical trend has endured but this time, the emphasis is on the details: think elegant double-breasted jackets, sharp gold buttons and butter-soft white loafers – a grown-up take on the deck shoe. Designers also played with the Breton stripe with Altuzarra’s pencil skirt and Valentino’s haute sweater.

Finally, pre-autumn’s most stylish quick fix is monochrome jewellery. Pierre Hardy’s cuff gives a subtle nod to retro graphics – wear yours to lift a little black dress or jumpsuit. It’s the perfect way to move from one season to another.

Make a statement this season in black and white, says Penny Fray

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COMpETITION

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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 A ROSY OUTLOOk

A mound of salt is gathered and set to dry before being collected

from a pink-tinged expanse.

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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

SAlTY wilDERnESS The blinding expanse of salt flats near Shennah

in Sharqiyah South may look like a tempting excursion, but this is strictly a ‘look but don’t

touch’ affair, writes Jerzy Wierzbicki

Destination

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Blazing light was pouring in around the edges of my sunglasses as the sun’s rays glinted off the white expanse

that lay before me. It wasn’t the dreamy white of sub-tropical sands on the coast. It was a stark, blinding white that assaulted my eyes and caused me to squint, even behind the relative sanctuary of my shades.

But I’m not standing before a thousand raging suns. I’m on the edge of a salt lagoon on the long desolate approach to Shennah ferry harbour.

It was a blisteringly hot day as I made my way back from Masirah Island, my 12th visit to the 649-square kilometre land mass lying off the east coast of Oman.

It had been a challenging and arduous trip, due, in part, to the staggeringly high humidity that seeped its way into everything during the evening.

Not even a beachside campfire, that had been difficult to start in the damp conditions, could alleviate a feeling of being encumbered with a dewy sheen.

While the ferry back from Masirah Island should have signified the beginning of the end of the trip, it was, in fact, just the start of another adventure.

The road from Shennah winds through possibly one of the most inhospitable parts of the Sultanate.

This stretch of road from the harbour to the inland Route 32 scythes through a swathe of lagoon that shimmers from afar. At this

time of the year the waters have receded back to the shoreline, leaving salt flats shining bright white under the midday sun.

The panorama before us was cut in two, as the sky abruptly prevented the salty flats from racing away before us into infinity. But whereas horizons can sometimes be sharp, the worlds of heaven and earth blurrily merged together in the shimmering heat.

I grabbed my camera and coupled it with a long lens to see if I could capture the warm air, which was shaking above the ground and creating surreal forms.

Around us was the epitome of a mirage. In the drier parts of the terrain, where there wasn’t a drop of liquid, the horizon glimmered and the parched surface appeared to be covered in water.

In other parts, a brilliant white layer of thick salt covered the muddy surface of the lagoon and it’s that characteristic that makes it so unique.

During high tide and storm surges, some parts of the lagoon are flooded by warm and very shallow water that quickly evaporates and leaves a carpet of pure white salt. It creates an almost winter-like scene as the landscape becomes coated in a layer of snowy white.

I had problems trying to correct the white balance setting for my camera. But don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s a monochrome landscape. In some places, the ground had bluish or violet colours that contrasted beautifully with the salt.

In some parts, we found the effect of the chemical reaction between the salt and minerals from the ground, leaving a big reddish salty “puddle”. It was significant and completely different from anything we could see around us.

Yet, this is a landscape where people make their living. Local traders collect and refine the salt to sell it at the side of the road. And it’s not just small bags of salt that are being bought by the odd passing traveller. I witnessed one family loading up the back of a Toyota Hilux with sack after sack of the local produce.

With just a few ramshackle huts where the traders live alongside a huge white expanse, I found the desolation a little overwhelming.

The saline expanse near Shennah looks like nothing I have seen before in Oman. Even the salty basins of the Empty Quarter or Al Huqf Escarpment cannot compare with this kind of environment.

If you are looking for a unique location, then this is definitely a trip for you.

SAlTY wilDERnESS

HOW TO GET THERE

This is an adventure that’s to be enjoyed from the safety of the road. Do not attempt to venture on to the lagoon’s surface, whether in a car or by foot - no matter how dry and stable the surface looks, even if you see tyre tracks of others. Cars will quickly

break through the crusty surface or churn through the salty mud and become bogged down.

The trip is easy. Head to Sinaw and then continue on road 32 to Mahoot. In Mahoot turn left at the central roundabout and go straight to Shennah.

The salty lagoon is just a few kilometres before the ferry harbour. The distance from Muscat is about 400km.

The GPS location of the road near the salty lagoon: 20°44’22.12”N 58°40’36.40”E

TRAV

El g

UiDE

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CARS ANDOUTDOORSCARS ANDADVENTURES

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

Tom Robertson finds that sometimes the best way to beat the heat is by heading into the kitchen

Trying to escape the summer heat by heading into a kitchen could well be described as getting out of the frying pan only to jump into the fire.

But find yourself an air-conditioned scullery in which to whip up some sumptuous summer desserts and it may just prove a daring way to flip that old phrase on its head. I just needed someone to show me how to make something suitably summery.

Which is why, before I could blink, I had been signed up for a summer baking class at the Grand Hyatt Muscat hotel, where I now find myself patiently waiting for the arrival of the hotel’s pastry chef, Lionel Bonnaud.

I’m tinged with weariness, though. In the past, I’ve met with mixed success in the kitchen; recent new “creations” included a Victoria sponge that resembled a pancake and a carbonara that induced grunts of displeasure as overpowering garlic and onion singed eyes and tastebuds alike. These are just two of the recent wounds etched in my culinary psyche and I’m sure, given adequate counselling, I’d allow myself to unearth more kitchen mishaps buried deep down.

But I’m here to banish those memories. So when Lionel arrives, I enthusiastically follow him into the kitchen as though he’s got some kind of miracle cure for my kitchen cack-handiness.

Chef Lionel assesses the ability of the willing apprentices assembled before him with a few questions.

“What kind of food do you like to make? Have you spent much time

cooking? Have you tried making desserts?” The answers range from the erudite to the burbling, but the bottom line is that a few of us are, understandably, out of our depth and he clocks the disconcerted looks on our faces.

“Don’t worry,” he says in his strong southern French accent, which hints at the origin of the heavy use of herbs in his cuisine. “Cooking is just a matter of making mistakes and learning for the next time.”

“It’s not much fun having to eat those mistakes,” I say glumly, lowering my eyes and shuffling my feet.

But today, thankfully, we won’t have to. Because we’re watching and learning a master at work. Having cooked for more than 23 years and worked in India, Thailand and other Asian spots for 10 years, which influences his cooking style, we see the desserts demonstrated to us.

Opening up our little booklets, which serve as a guide to the lesson, I’m intrigued to see that the first dish we’re being shown how to make is a basil panna cotta with strawberry salad. At first I’m slightly aghast considering this is slightly akin to being thrown in at the deep end of a custard pool.

But there’s an ease, perhaps lulling us into a false sense of security, with which the chef runs us through the recipe. A slicing of strawberries here, a boiling of milk and cream there, a melting of gelatin sheets and it seems but a matter of moments before I’m staring at a beautifully presented and scrumptiously tasting summer dessert.

I’ve made notes, but they’re soon covered with splodges of strawberry

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compote and cream. A good day’s work so far. But the next two desserts plunge us into a whole other world of seasonal

delights. A peach and thyme crumble sees local peaches smothered in honey and flavoured with the herb before being covered in a homemade crumble. It’s a process, which, if I’m completely honest, leaves a greenhorn like me a little bamboozled. Still, I turn out to be good at the eating part.

But Lionel is coaxing us through all the stages as best as he can. He seems to understand that what might be de rigueur for him is just plain rigorous for us.

But after the crumble, there appears on the horizon that most beautifully sweet and cooling of summer treats: the parfait.

Combining simple ingredients of sugar, water, egg yolk, cream and a couple of others, the vanilla parfait is well, perfect for taking on Oman’s hottest season. What is just mind blowing, though, is the accuracy with which Lionel can place melting sugar between his fingers and tell us exactly what temperature it is, just by how the glucose goo behaves. I picture myself trying the same at home and then walking into casualty with second-degree burns.

But the best has been saved for last: homemade chocolate truffles. And in the preparation of this last dish, I’m almost squealing with delight as the inner child in me gets to rub melted chocolate all over my hands. Goo, glop and goop.

Now that’s more like it and one I can definitely do at home.

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

My favourite place When visiting Bangkok, my favourite stop is MBK Centre, a large eight-storey shopping mall home to about 2,000 shops, restaurants and service outlets, including a department store. MBK is the best place to get souvenirs, gifts, clothing, gadgets, DVDs and much, much more.I also love to visit Tiger Temple in western Thailand, where you will find the biggest, friendliest tigers. Close to the border with Myanmar, the temple is run by Buddhist monks who care for the animals. You can get your photograph taken with these sleepy big cats and even pat their soft fur.

Highlights A visit to Thailand is not complete without experiencing and admiring the breathtaking beautiful views and scenery in the rural areas and on the islands, such as Ko Samui, where the beaches are so clean and golden they leave you speechless. Samui, as it’s known to locals, is very much a free-spirited island – the famous Full Moon parties attract 15,000 visitors a month – but look beyond this and you’ll find street-side stalls, concealed Buddhist temples and traditional culture. Alternatively, head to Koh Phi Phi, the stunning backdrop for the 2000 film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio, where you can swim in crystal clear turquoise waters and laze on secluded beaches.Phuket, Thailand’s largest island connected to the mainland by two bridges, is another popular stop for holidaymakers. Thailand can be incredibly favourable for those on a budget, with the national currency, the Thai baht, going far. Lowlights The city of Bangkok is very polluted and the traffic is always jammed. However, you can escape this by using the Skytrain (Bangkok’s elevated rapid transport system) and even walking. Poverty is also a problem here and it can be upsetting to see children begging on the streets. Souvenirs Thailand is famous for its Buddhist temples and many visitors take home a small Buddha statue in their suitcase. These can be bought in a wide range of souvenir shops found in malls, on the streets and even at the airport. Bangkok’s floating markets are also popular destinations to buy souvenirs while floating on the water. The most famous floating market is Ratchaburi, known as Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Watch prices, though, as vendors can take advantage of naïve tourists.

Where to stay There’s an abundance of five-star hotels and resorts in Thailand to suit the high-end visitor. In Bangkok, my personal favourite would have to be the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, with beautiful rooms and a delicious breakfast buffet. It is located right next to the MBK shopping mall, which is very handy.You can also hop on the Skytrain from here. However, if you are searching for somewhere in a more tropical and exotic area, I would recommend Smile House Resort in Ko Samui, in the heart of Bophut Village, next to the blue sea and surrounded by coconut palms. All bungalows have air conditioning, TV, mini-bar, hot water and a private terrace. Two pools, spa facilities and a restaurant make for a relaxing and enjoyable stay. If your budget doesn’t stretch to this, there are plenty of low-cost hostels and cheaper-end hotels or simple hut accommodation on the islands.

THAILAND

Royal gRand palace in Bangkok

phi phi island

Lauren Withers recommends

Buddhist stupas at Wat chai WatthnaRam temple

g reet ings from the parad ise that i s tha i land . located in southeast as ia , th is wonderfu l c ountry i s h ome to beaut i fu l

i s lands , urban j ung les and cu l t ure . i t ’ s the perfect dest inat i on for a re lax ing , enr ich ing h o l i day , from i ts f i ve-star l uxury hote ls i n Bangkok to

so oth ing resorts on ko samu i and in phuket . those who prefer a spot of reta i l therapy won ’ t fee l l eft o ut . Bangkok has

mammoth shopp ing ma l l s t o max out cred it cards and your fam i l y ’ s pat ience . the great th ing about tha i land i s the range of attract i ons to cater for everyone ’s

i nterests , from a thr iv ing n i ght l i fe scene to ca lm ing beaches . Whether i t ’ s e lephant trekk ing i n ch iang mai or ch i l l i ng o ut i n an upmarket spa, the opt i ons are end less .

the cu is ine does not d isappo int e i ther , w i th great fo od at unbe l i evab ly cheap pr i ces , the fresh seafood i s extra spec ia l .

tha i cu l t ure has been shaped by many inf l uences , i nc l ud ing ind ian , lao , Burmese, cambod ian and ch inese , ev ident i n the exqu is i te temp les dotted around the country .

about f i ve hours f ly i ng t ime from oman, tha i land i s a popu lar h o l i day spot for tour ists l o ok ing for some downt ime . Wh i l e the country has recent ly had i ts fa i r share of troub les , the turb l uent t imes seem to be qu iet ing down w ith restr ict i ons l i fted and the we lcom ing arms of tha i land w ide open aga in .

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

EDiTo

R’S P

icK

cool nEw TEcH It may be hot outside, but this crop of gadget goodness will

help to keep you cool, whether at home, in the office or on the beach, says Tom Robertson

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

0 4 4 J U N 2 6 - J U L 0 2 / I S S U E 3 2 6

AqUATiC AUDiO TAKING A DIP WITH YOUR IPOD IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. THAT IS, OF COURSE, UNLESS YOU ORDER A SPECIALLY CUSTOMISED IPOD SHUFFLE FROM UNDERWATER AUDIO IN THE U.S. USING A STANDARD SHUFFLE, THE IPOD IS WATERPROOFED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND DESIGNED TO BE FULLY SUBMERGED. THE FULL RANGE OF FEATURES EXIST AS ON A STANDARD SHUFFLE, SUCH AS A 2GB MEMORY AND MAC AND PC COMPATIBILITY. RAVE REVIEWS SUGGEST THAT THIS IS THE ONLY CHOICE OF PERSONAL POOL PLAYER YOU’LL WANT. WATERPROOF HEADPHONES ALSO AVAILABLE. ro57.37 FROM WWW.UNDERWATERAUDiO.COM

PUCK ONE UP TODAY The problem with summer is that it’s not just a question of keeping yourself cool, it’s how to keep everything else chilled as well. Throw the chill Puck in the freezer, though, and you’re at least halfway to keeping your cans of drink cool. Just attach the frozen puck on to the bottom of your can and, voila, you have ice cool liquid to drink. RO3 from www.chillpuck.com

COOL CANS Desperate for a cool drink? Well, the last thing you want to be doing while halfway through your latest project on the computer, is to interrupt your creative flow. Now there’s no need to drag yourself off to the kitchen with this desktop retro-styled USB Fridge. Just plug it in to any USB port and slip any standard 330ml can in for a cool refresher during your work day. RO10 from www.iwantoneofthose.com

TOP OF THE POPSiCLES Keep a Zoku Duo Quick Pop Maker in your fridge and you’ll always be ready to make ice lollies in just seven minutes. All you have to do to make juice or yoghurt pops is to bring the Zoku out the freezer and pour in the mixture and flavourings of your choice. Leave it on the kitchen surface for a few minutes and, before you know it, you’ll be ready to extract the frozen goodies. RO24 from www.zokuhome.com

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If you prefer the personal touch with your choice of car, then the new Peugeot 108 offers the chance to mix and match, says Kate Ginn

cAR of THE wEEK

Peugeot 108Specifications

Engine: 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre VTI, three cylinders

Horsepower: 68/82Transmission: Five-speed

automatic

check this out

Personalisation scheme Large 7-inch touch screen AppinCar connectivity Reversing camera (optional) Automatic air conditioning

(optional) Keyless entry and starting

(optional) Leather trimmed seats

(optional) Six airbags Electric power steering

If the snazziest little car zips past you on the road one day, or nips through the traffic with

ease, you may well have just seen Peugeot’s newest creation in action.

Compact and naturally suited to urban living, the 108 is a cool city car that looks like a whole lot of fun to drive.

What really makes it stand out in the crowd, though, is that each owner can personalise their own car – from the colour, interior, number of doors and themes, making it unique.

It means every car has its own distinct personality.

It’s a great idea, which allows the imagination of owners to run riot - within reason - and design their ultimate vehicle.

To give you some idea of what I mean, one colour option would be Red Purple covered with diamond shaped motifs or Lipizan White bodywork with flowers.

If that sounds a bit too much, you could always opt for a two- tone paint effect, marrying Red Purple with Gallium Grey in a perfect union on the upper bodywork.

This is not, as you’ve probably guessed, a car for the man or women who’s preference is for the colour grey.

This vibrant car is for extrovert owners who want to be noticed on the roads.

It’s a very classy looking car, in my opinion, the sort I would have

definitely wanted to drive in my 20s or 30s when life was all about having fun.

That’s not to say that the 108 wouldn’t make a wonderful addition to a family as a second car or for those who like their cars to come in smaller packages.

Peugeot wants the 108 to be one of the lightest and most efficient cars in its class, with added kerb appeal. Weighing in at just 840kg in its tyres, it is certainly trim.

It comes in three-door and five-door hatchback versions and a 108 TOP! convertible model for those who want to feel the sun on their faces and the wind in their hair (in the winter in Oman, of course).

The 29-inch long electrically powered fabric rollback roof can be opened in stages and will reportedly add around RO655 to the price. (While the 108 has not made it to Oman’s shores quite yet, we hope it makes its debut sooner rather than later).

There’s a distinct sophistication to this little lion with the same “claw mark” rear light cluster as the bigger 308, as well as smart headlamps and grille.

As I’ve already mentioned, there are all sorts of colour combinations possible for the exterior, a theme which can then be carried on inside.

In fact, it’s the interior where the 108 gets really smart, in my view.

Those boffins at Peugeot have worked wonders to make the car the mirror of its user’s smartphone. How?

Well, it’s all thanks to the large touchscreen and Mirror Screen function, which includes AppinCar connectivity.

Basically, it allows the smartphone to be operated via the screen and give access to infotainment Apps.

Best of all, the system works with Android, Windows, Blackberry and Apple phones, so no one misses out.

It’s all about being connected on the move.

Peugeot is even offering its own Internet radio station.

There are three levels of trim to suit every taste, but standard features on all include six airbags and electric powering steering, along with 14in or 15in wheels.

The engine and response isn’t bad with the surprisingly nippy 1.0-litre or the more powerful 1.2-litre VTi getting you agilely through the wacky races of rush hour in Muscat.

Smaller engines means more economical and less emissions – so you’re greener and kinder to the environment and polar bears (whose ice floes are melting away).

All in all, there are plenty of reasons to go for the Peugeot 108, and with so many colour combinations you’ll probably never see another one like yours.

They say: ‘Unlimited expression!’

We say: ‘Fabulous French style.’

CARS ANDADVENTURES

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