Arabic Calligraphy:The art of literacy

28 32Laugh your way to good health

24Samayil:A slice of history

Your Free CopY Volume 5 - 2008

www.omanair.aero

Sailing to glory18Bangalore:

The happening place

From the Ceo’s desk:

Welcome on board this Oman Air flight today. We look forward to providing you with a comfortable and enjoyable

experience on this and every flight that you take with us.

Oman Air continues to record remarkable growth against a background of unfavourable economic conditions prevailing

in world markets. During the first six months of 2008, we carried nearly 1million passengers, an increase of 50% over the

same period last year.

With the addition of two Boeing 737NGs joining our fleet in the coming months, we plan to introduce new regional

routes and increase frequency to several existing destinations.

In order to provide round-the-clock service to our customers, we have recently opened a new Call Centre in Muscat,

located at Knowledge Oasis. Manned 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, this facility is equipped with state-of-the-art

communications capability, and will in future, provide our customers a full range of reservations and travel services when

calling from anywhere on our fast expanding network.

In this issue of “Wings of Oman”, we bring you articles featuring places to visit both home in Oman or overseas to one

of our latest destinations – Bangalore, a dynamic city at the heart of “New India’.

The Wings of Oman has been featuring the hidden gems of Oman and this time we focus on Al Ashkarah as the ideal

getaway for you. The area manifests a unique suffusion of the sea and the desert, the azure expanse of the Arabian Sea

skirting the spectacular Sharqiyah Sands, previously known as the Wahiba Sands.

The Samayil valley – our main Oman feature – with its beautiful landscape and water channels on the banks of which

lush green date palm gardens are situated, can be a dazzling spot for expeditions.

Laugh your way to good health, redefining management in the knowledge era, are only some of the many interesting

write-ups covered in this edition, besides the other regular columns.

On behalf of the entire Oman Air team, I thank you for choosing to fly with us.

MarhabaMarhaba

3

18 18

A dynamic city at the heart of the “new India”. Here the pace of change

is extraordinary

Bangalore: The happening place

28

From the beginning of the Islamic era (A.D. 622), calligraphy was considered to

be the most revered medium of artistic expression, because it was used to

transcribe the word of God

Arabic Calligraphy:The art of literacy

12Cover Story

24 The Samayil valley with its beautiful landscape and water channels on the banks of which lush green date palm gardens are situated can be agood spot for excursion

Samayil: A slice of history

Contents

28

24

Sailing to glory

4

Oman Air’s inflight magazine is issued by:Corporate Communications & Media Department - oman Air P.O. Box: 58, Muscat International Airport, Postal Code 111, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24519616, Fax: +968 24510771E-mail: wings@omanair.aero Website: www.omanair.aero

For Oman advertising enquiries contact: Publishers:

National publishing And Advertising LLC (NpA)P.O. Box: 3112, P.C. 112, RuwiMuscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24793098, Fax: +968 24708445E-mail: advertising@npaoman.comWebsite: www.npaoman.com

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

All copyrights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without our written permission.

For regional/international advertising enquiries contact:Media Score Services Dubai Media City,P.O. Box 502023, Dubai, UAE.Tel: +971 4 3908030, Fax: +971 4 3908031E-mail: kazansc@cyberia.com.lb

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36

44

30The coastal town of

Al Ashkarah is considered the jewel of the Sharqiyah region

Al Ashkarah: Quaint little fishing town

32

Laughter is a refreshing tonic that elevates the mood, gently releasing us from tensions and social constraints

Laugh your way to good health

36

44Fascinating facts

Fun Corner

Contents

30

Silk...the very word conjures up potent images of prestige and

luxury, sumptuousness and yet purity

Silk - a history of nature'sfinest weave

26

6

Mongolia

Afghanistan

AustriaBelgium

CongoEquatorial Guinea

Denmark

GeorgiaAlbania

Ireland

JamaicaHonduras

Panama

Malaysia

Mauritius

Singapore

Namibia

Liberia

Guinea

MauritaniaGambia

Chad NepalNicaragua

Norway

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

Uruguay

Maldives

FranceLuxembourg

CyprusGreece

Switzerland

Syria

Taiwan

SamoaPapua New Guinea

Croatia

Romania

UkraineSlovaniaSerbia

Lithuania Belarus

AzerbaijanKazakhstan

South Korea

Macau

Iraq

El Salvador

Dominican RepublicSt. Lucia

HaitiBarbados

Malawi

Bangladesh

Bermuda

Kenya

Cambodia

Brazil

Mali

AlgeriaBurkina Faso

Iceland

EthiopiaRwanda

Cameroon

Poland

Finland

HungaryNetherland

Niger

Uganda

Qatar

KuwaitBahrain

Sierra Leone

150 countries with more than 300 operators around the globe.

WingOfOman.indd 1 8/6/08 10:52:01 AM

News

Muscat International Airport took the fourth place (Best

Airport by Region Category) in the Middle East, with regard to its

level of service quality, according to the Airport Service Quality

(ASQ) Survey, conducted by the industry body Airports Council

International (ACI). The survey proclaimed the top performing

airports in Service Quality throughout 2007. This signifies the

efficiency and the successful strategies implemented by Oman

Air, the sole service provider for Muscat International Airport.

Furthermore, it confirms the excellent record of professional

and high quality service standards that have also been

recognised, by various international organisations worldwide.

The Corporate Communications and Media Department of

Oman Air highlighted that Airports Council International based

in Geneva, Switzerland is the only global trade representative

of the world’s airports. ACI was established in 1991 and counts

580 members operating over 1640 airports, which collectively

handle around 96% of the world's air passengers, in 175

countries and territories.

They notified that ACI represents airports interests with

Governments and international organisations such as ICAO,

develops standards, policies, recommended practices for

airports, and provides information and training opportunities

to raise standards around the world.

The survey which sensor customer service efforts made by

airports captured immediate appraisal of 34 airport service

factors, through 200,000 passengers at 99 world airports. The

factors included airport access / navigation and connectivity,

airport services / facilities, security and immigration, airport

environment, arrival services, value for money and overall

satisfaction with the airport and airline services.

Mr. Hamood Bin Mohammed Al Bahlani, Oman Air’s

Divisional Manager Service Delivery, stated that Oman Air has

been playing a significant role in ensuring that customers’

expectations using Muscat International Airport are met,

according to the highest international standards. He confirmed

the commitment towards continuing to improve performance

in this area. No doubt, this recognition reflects the efficiency

and commitment of the team, as well as the organisation

structure, which has been approved for the aim of upgrading

all company activities, he said. We are extremely pleased not

only to be recognised for our quality services, but also to be

once again internationally recognised for our customer service

efforts. This clearly vindicates every member of our staff's

ongoing commitment and endeavor to maintain the highest

level of services at Muscat International Airport. Al Bahlani

expressed the management’s gratitude to all employees at the

airport who worked very hard to provide the best service, and

assured that he, along with the employees would continue

efforts to retain this spot.

The Corporate Communications and Media Department of

Oman Air acknowledged that IATA has recognised Oman Air

as an accredited member of AHS 1000, for compliance with

IATA/AHM 804 measurement of service delivery standards.

It further noted that since 1997, the company was the first

ground handler in the Gulf region to achieve this recognition

and to uphold it to this day.

They explained that Airport Handling Standard 1000 (AHS

1000) is a dominant quality measurement and control system

introduced by experts of the airline industry, in compliance with

IATA AHM 804 for ground handling agents of airlines, adding

that AHS 1000, which not only is now the most extensively used

quality measurement and control system worldwide involving

handlers and carriers, but is also IATA AHM 804 compliant.

They concluded saying that at Muscat International Airport,

the Oman Air team takes pride in delivering quality airport

service and sees it as being part of the overall tourism value

progression, which is good for their airport and their nation.

That means that the commitment is given main concern

politically as well as operationally by the airport.

The hardworking and dedicated staff genuinely look to

create the uppermost quality of service environments across

the airport, for all out clients, on a day-to-day basis - this is a

reward that everyone working in the frontline services at the

airport can be proud of.

Muscat International Airport Among Top Me performing Airports

8

News

At Oman Air we believe that your journeys with us should be a rewarding experience, especially if you are a frequent flyer. Sindbad's unique offerings include more generous bonus miles per journey. Oman Air takes its Sindbad Frequent Flyer Programme even further by adding more partners worldwide.

Al Nahda resort & Spa oman

Al Nahda Resort & Spa is a holiday destination by itself. Set amidst exotic fruit trees and enhanced by ample lawns with flowering plants and exotic palms, Al Nahda Resort and Spa is in every sense of the phrase, sheer paradise. The 30-acre resort, which opened in December 2006, boasts over 100 villas.

A day or two or longer at the resort is a great way to get close to nature and make best use of the wellness treatments.

piyavate Hospital of Thailand

Piyavate International Hospital is a publicly owned health care services facility listed on the Securities Exchange of Thailand. Since it began serving patients in 1993, the 27-story hospital on Rama 9 Road in Bangkok has continually developed the expertise of its health facility, soon to reach 300 beds, and offers a range of specialized services. They have been ISO 9001:2000 certified since 2001 and are licensed by the Royal Thai Government’s Ministry of Public Health. Part of the Piyavate Hospital includes the TRIA

Integrative Wellness that is housed in a four-storey building and

combines medical technology with traditional healing therapies,

as well as nutrition and fitness programmes. The philosophy is

that all-round health requires the harmony of three components:

the elemental, structural and emotional.

Sultan Center LLC

Sultan Center LLC is a leading retail chain across the Middle

East with its presence in Oman, Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon. TSC

opened its first full-service store ‘TSC Sultan Center’ in Muscat,

Oman in 1999. The center also features an in-store restaurant,

Jeans Grill that serves a wide variety of cuisine from local dishes

to international favourites. TSC is Kuwait’s largest independent

retailer and a leading supplier of supermarket items, perishables,

and general merchandise in the Middle East.

TSC is a joint-stock company listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange

for more than 12 years. Furthermore, it has 30 years experience in

retail business. Sultan Center has 47 stores in Kuwait, Oman and

Jordan, and with their new acquisition in Lebanon recently, the

number of its stores will reach 53.

oman Air Sindbad FFp Tie-ups With More partners

Cover Story

Sailing to gloryoman Sail is an initiative to develop and train a core team of omani sailors who will represent the Sultanate both in europe and in oman at key sailing events and carry forth the victorious sailing legacy started by Shabab oman

The Arabs were not only master navigators, but also experienced meteorologists and geographers - true scientists of the sea. Their sea adventures have become legendary. For Oman, Sindbad the sailor is everyone’s hero. Sohar, a replica of a ninth-century Arab dhow which sailed from Oman to China in 1980 covering 9,600 kilometres retracing Sindbad’s trail is fresh in everyone’s memory.

The key to Oman’s maritime success, however, was the ancient secret of the monsoon winds: the fact that they could rely on prevailing winds to carry them eastward in winter and westward in summer across the Indian Ocean. So, it is no surprise if Omani sailors make waves in sailing competitions around the world.

Omani sailors are making waves around the world in sailing competitions

Image source : Kat Birtwistle Lloyd Images

12

Shabab Oman, the Royal Navy of Oman vessel, recently stood 13th at the Sailing Boats International Race held in July this year in which 35 sailing boats from various countries participated.

Shabab Oman is the consummation of a dream project envisioning a splendid tall ship that would serve as a striking symbol of the Sultanate’s ancient and glorious maritime heritage. She was built in Scotland in 1971 from solid oak and an assortment of other fine Scottish timber, and is ranked among the world’s tallest ships today. Little wonder then she has participated in scores of events worldwide winning admiration from maritime fans. Over the years, she has taken part in numerous international regattas and historic voyages, having visited over 30 countries and logging thousands of nautical miles.

Her maiden mission was a tour of GCC states as part of the Year of the Youth celebrations. Three years later, in 1986, Shabab Oman embarked on her first transoceanic voyage to the United States as a participant in the maritime show organised to celebrate the anniversary of the construction of the Statue of Liberty in New York.

France was next in her sights when the multi-masted,

ocean-going tall ship set sail on 1 April, 1989 to take part in the

celebrations marking the anniversary of the French Revolution and

the international declaration on human rights.

En route, she took part in a pageant of tall ships held in

Britain on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of

London's mayoralty.

In April 1992, Shabab Oman sailed

from Italy to join tall ships in the 500th

anniversary celebrations of Portuguese

explorer Christopher Columbus'

discovery of America in 1492. Two

years later, Shabab Oman again

sailed to France to participate in the

50th anniversary of the Normandy

landing during the Second World

War.

Following His Majesty's directives,

Shabab Oman sailed for St Petersburg in

Russia in 1996 to participate in the 300th

anniversary celebrations of the founding of

the Russian Navy.

Shabab Oman also took part in the international

Cutty Sark race for tall ships in Germany which concluded

at Copenhagen, Denmark.

Shabab Oman is the striking symbol of Oman’s glorious maritime heritage

14

Her participation won her a prestigious award — a silver shield for the best tall ship to travel the longest distance without penalty points.

In winning the silver shield, Shabab Oman became the first Arab tall ship to have bagged an award in Cutty Sark regattas, breaking a long tradition of awards hitherto being claimed exclusively by European ships.

In February 1997, it added another feather to her cap by winning a prize in the 1997 Cutty Sark regatta in Osaka.

Buoyed by Shabab’s phenomenal success, Oman is going full steam in the sailing arena.

Oman Sail Team has been set up under the guidance of Her Excellency, The Minister of Tourism, to develop and train a core team of Omani sailors who will represent the Sultanate both in Europe and in Oman at key sailing events.

One of the principle objectives of the Oman Sail Team is to reignite Oman’s maritime heritage and help promote the Sultanate as a world class sailing destination and a place for inward tourism and investment from Northern Europe. The project will also play a pivotal role in developing a Festival of the Sea as part of the 40th National Day Celebrations in 2010.

Keeping in tradition with its revered

maritime heritage, the Oman Sail Team has

gained world recognition by participating

in the iShares Cup Extreme 40 Series. The

Oman Sail team was in action with their Extreme

40 racing boat, Masirah, during the fourth leg of

the European iShares Cup from 29-31 August in

Kiel, Germany. The Omani team competed against

Olympic Gold Medallists and America’s Cup Winners.

In glorious sunshine, 10-15 knots of breeze had Oman

Sail’s Extreme 40s often powering off the start line

and soaring into the shore on one hull.

With the completion of the Kiel leg, Oman is now

placed fifth overall, as they head towards the last leg of

the competition in Amsterdam from 19-21 September.

The contest has so far completed the legs in Lugano,

(Switzerland), Hyeres (France), Cowes (England) and

Kiel (Germany).

The iShares Cup 2008 - a series of five events that

place in Europe – not only provides competitive close-

quarter racing with swift Extreme 40 catamarans but also thrilling

viewing to the public. Each three-day regatta hosts as many as 18

races with most lasting 15-20 minutes in duration.

The Oman Sail Team’s pre-selection was based on completing

gruelling land and sea assessments and intensive sail training. It

comprises talented members of The Royal Army of Oman, The

Royal Air Force of Oman, The Royal Navy of Oman, The Royal

Omani Police Force and The Sultan’s Special Forces, as well as an

exceptional crew of professional British sailors.

Omani nationals, Abdullah Al Busaidi and Ahmed Al Maamari

were the first of the Omani team aboard Masirah – skippered by

British yachtsman, Pete Cumming – to take part in the prestigious

iShares Cup competition recently at picturesque Lake Lugarno on

the Swiss-Italian border and also in Hyeres, France.

The Oman Sail Team had an excellent opportunity to rub

shoulders with some of the best professional sailors in the

world. Musandam, formerly Dame Ellen MacArthur’s world record

breaking B&Q/Castorama, is the Sultanate of Oman’s flagship

sailing boat. The second boat is the Masirah, a catamaran with

two hulls and a deck that is made from a trampoline-like netting

stretched between the hulls. This sailing machine, innovative in

design and cutting edge in racing ability, can reach exhilarating

speeds and yet still provide a great ride flying around on one hull

in light winds.

The key to oman’s maritime success, however, was the ancient secret of the monsoonwinds

Omani sailing team getting ready to venture into the sea

Team spirit to the fore in facing international competition

16

Bangalore software exports touched Rs. 700,000 million

(US $ 16,640 million) last fiscal year and still continue to lead in

the IT industry. Among the prominent ten software exporters are

Infosys, Wipro, TCS, Digital, I-Flex Solutions, Mphsasis BFL, Lucent

Technologies, Hewlett Packard, IBM Global Services and Philips

Software. Now, you can imagine the standing of Bangalore,

capital of Karnataka and known as the Silicon Valley of India, and

the attention it deserves worldwide.

Bangalore is certainly one of the most happening cities in

India. With all its natural beauty, pleasant climate and many tourist

attractions Bangalore is known as the ‘garden city of India.’

History: This multicultural, hi-tech city made its beginning

from a mud fort (near Victoria Hospital, City Market) in 1537.

Kempe Gowda, a visionary statesman, had laid the foundation

of the fort. The mud fort was later rebuilt and enlarged by one

of Karnataka’s greatest freedom fighters, Hyder Ali. Since its

foundation in 1537, Bangalore was ruled by several rulers, like

Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar of the Yadava dynasty, Hyder Ali and

his son, Tipu Sultan, known as the ‘Tiger of Mysore’. The British

came to play their role in 1799 by installing Krishnarajendra

Wodeyar III as the ruler of Mysore State of which Bangalore was the administrative capital. But in 1831 the British took over and continued to be at the helm till 1881. In 1882, the British-administered Cantonment became a separate unit. Bangalore was made into a Corporation in 1949.

From being a key centre in the manufacturing economy and

later as an information technology hub Bangalore has come a

long way. The public sector, in particular, are the most active

sectors because it is home to many heavy industries, industries of

telecommunications, aerospace industries, readymade garments

factories, many software companies and even a number of

defence establishments.

Bangalore:

The happening place

InternationalDestination

A dynamic city at the heart of the “new India”. Here the pace of change is extraordinary.

One of the many splendid temples that dot Bangalore

Kempe Gowda, a visionary statesman, had laid the foundation of the fort

Image source : Gallo Images/Getty Images Lonely Planet Images

18

Sight-seeing: Any tourist brochure of Bangalore cannot do

without a photo of Vidhana Soudha, housing the State Secretariat.

It is a marvel of modern architecture and is a fine amalgamation

of traditional Dravidian and modern styles. With four floors, it has

beautiful stone carvings, ornamental motifs and wood work. Its

annexe, the eight-storey Vikas Soudha, is another splendid edifice.

In the evenings tourists swarm the area for lazing around. On

Sundays and public holidays Vidhana Soudha is illuminated and

it becomes a visual spectacle. Just facing the Vidhana Soudha is

the High Court building (called Attara Kacheri), a red-brick colonial

structure that was originally the headquarters of the East India

Company. To the left is Bangalore’s cricket ground, Chinnaswamy

Stadium.

The entire area comes under Cubbon Park laid out in 1864 by

Sir Richard Sankey, the then Chief Engineer of Mysore. It is named

after Sir Mark Cubbon, Bangalore’s longest serving Commissioner.

Lawns with vibrant flower beds, shady bowers and flowering trees,

make this an ideal place for fitness freaks and the elderly to take

their morning jogs or evening walks.

Just a stone throw from the Chinnaswamy Stadium are the

Visvesvarayya Industrial and Technological Museum, Government

Museum and the Venkatappa Art Gallery (all lined next to each

other on Kasturba Road). The museum, developed as a tribute to

Sir M. Visvesvarayya, one of the architects of modern Bangalore,

showcases modern science and has a mobile science exhibition

that goes around the state throughout the year. The Government

Museum is a repository of art and artifacts made of pottery,

terracotta models, copper plates, etc. The Venkatappa Art Gallery

displays the personal collection of the artist Venkatappa. Adjacent

to these buildings is the octagonal-shaped aquarium, home to a

wide variety of fishes.

Yet another splendid edifice is the Bangalore Palace set amidst

over 430 acres and has Gothic windows, fortified towers, arches,

turreted parapets and carved woodwork. Some portions are open

to the public. The Fort and Tipu Sultan’s Palace is must-see sight

for those inclined towards history. The Tipu’s Summer Palace is

made mostly of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars

and arches. The two-storey structure, a replica of Daria Daulat Bagh

in Srirangpattana, served as a summer retreat of the great freedom

fighter, Tipu Sultan.

Among the jewels of Bangalore is the Lalbagh Botanical Garden,

one of the biggest lung spaces in the city, which contains more

than 2,000 species of trees spread over 240 acres. It was founded

in 1760 by Hyder Ali and later expanded by the British, who added

a glasshouse, a replica of Crystal Palace, to make themselves feel

at home. At the north side of the garden is a granite mound, at

the top of which is one of the watchtowers of the original city. The

tower itself is closed, but from the rock there is a view over the

rapidly developing city skyline.

The Cubbon Park, city’s green space

Lalit Mahal Palace Hotel in Mysore

A butterfly at the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens

The High Court building (called Attara Kacheri), a red-brick colonial structure was originally the headquarters of the east India Company

20

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Apart from being every photographer’s dream destination,

the Lalbagh flower show held every year on Republic Day

and Independence Day, organised by the Department of

Horticulture, attracts visitors from all over the State.

St Mark’s Cathedral on Mahatma Gandhi Road is the most

important of the many churches built in Bangalore by the British.

The Bull Temple is another important monument built by the city’s

founding father, Kempe Gowda. The Jumma Masjid in City Market

serves as a religious centre for the city’s Muslim population.

The ISKCON or Radha Krishna Temple on Chord Road houses

four gopurams, an amphitheatre, a library, a museum, etc.

Among other sights worth seeing are the Jawaharlal Nehru

Planetarium, Ulsoor Lake (boating is available), Indira Gandhi

Musical Fountain and the huge statue of Hindu deity Shiva on

Airport Road.

Just 22kms away from Bangalore is the Bannerghatta National

Park spread over 25, 000 acres and has a zoo, a butterfly park,

a museum and a sanctuary. Safari rides are available for tourists

where one can see tigers.

There is a plethora of sights for those interested in venturing

out of Bangalore: Mysore, Sriranpattana, Chamundi Hills, Nandi

Hills, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, etc.

Shopping: An area of shopping where Bangalore excels

is the silk. Sandalwood handicrafts are also widely available.

A profusion of silk shops can be found in the city’s major

shopping areas like Mahatma Gandhi Road, Commercial Street,

Brigade Road, Gandhinagar. Wander through the narrow streets

of the City Market district, where traders barter, carrying goods

in vast packages on their heads or pulled by buffalo carts. The

main market is now housed in purpose-built premises, where

colourful spices are piled high, and marigold flowers are sold.

The city boasts of scores of elegant malls where branded

items dazzle on its show windows. Some of the famous malls

include the Forum, Central, Garuda, Eva, Orion, etc.

Hotels and food: There are countless hotels, resorts and

guest houses in all parts of the city of Bangalore. If you are

looking for an expensive and luxurious stay, the five-star hotels

or five-star deluxe hotels in Bangalore are perfect for you. If you

do not want to put much pressure on your bag, you can stay in

cheap or budget hotels in Bangalore.

And for food buffs, there are restaurants/international fast

food joints to suit every palate.

So, if you want to be at a happening place, Bangalore is the

right destination.

How to fly: Oman Air flies 5 times a week.When to go: Throughout the year, though April-

May is slightly hotter. Time Zone: GMT + 5 ½ hrs.Currency: 100 Indian Rupees = US$ 2.33454

4,284 Indian Rupees = US$ 100Dialling Code: For India +91, for Bangalore (80)

The Daria Daulat Bagh in Srirangpattana

The Tipu Fort and Palace

22

The history of Oman would be incomplete without a mention

of Samayil. For, it was the place from where the rays of Islam

radiated throughout the country.

It was in Samayil, Oman’s first place of worship, ‘Masjid Al

Mudhmar’ (meaning a domain) was built by a resident of the

town after he returned from Madinah having been inspired by

a mosque there.

Geography: Samayil is the name given to twelve

connected, but unwalled villages which lie halfway along

wadi Samayil. The sixteen kilometres of palm orchards, fields,

watchtowers and large homes create a picturesque and luxuriant

settlement. The town is divided into two parts – Sufalat (upper)

Samayil and Alayat (lower) Samayil. Located in the Dakhiliyah

Region (Interior Region) of the Sultanate of Oman close to the

Samayil Gap, a break in the Hajar Mountains, Samayil covers a

land area of 3,500 sq. km. across 55 villages.

The broad wadi Samayil runs through a natural break in the mountains, between the limestone bulk of Jabal Akhdar to the west and the volcanic peaks of the eastern Hajar to the

southeast. Pools of water and running streams enliven the stony grey wadi floor, lined along its bank with palm plantations and villages. This fertile, accessible wadi has always been a key route, the link between the mountains and the coast.

Sights of interest: Of course, Masjid Al Mudhmar, being the first masjid of Oman, is a major place of attraction. Masjid Al Mudhmar was reopened after renovations were carried out on July 11, 1979. Further restoration work was carried out in 1990. The mosque at the far end of the town, set amidst lush plantations, attracts scores of visitors.

oman

Image source : Khamis Al Moharbi Abdullah Al Shuhi Yousuf Al Zadjali

The Samayil valley with its beautiful landscape and water channels on the banks of which lushgreen date palm gardens are situated can be a good spot for excursion

The town nestles amidst lush date plantations

Samayil:

A slice of history

Masjid Al Mudhmar, Oman’s first masjid

24

Overlooking the wadi in Upper Samayil is the Samayil fort standing on a precipitous cliff rising 90 metres above the wadi. It is an imposing structure, with a commanding position well suited to its two-fold purpose – to control the passage of the Samayil Gap and to protect the whole settlement. The plan of the fort follows the rise and fall of the surrounding rock. The massive barbican is on the lowest side of the fort and contained the garrison captain’s living quarters. The barbican is joined to the corner by low curtain walls of irregular shape and considerable length. Samayil Wilayat has a total of about 115 castles, forts and watchtowers. Suffice to say that Samayil offers an insight into the history of Oman.

Samayil is also famous for its date palm trees which envelope most of its area. The sight of lush date palms is a feast for the sore eyes. It produces some of the best varieties of dates in Oman. There are a number of date palm processing factories in the area.

The Samayil valley with its beautiful landscape and water channels on the banks of which lush green date palm gardens are situated can be a good spot for excursions. The springs, aflaj and green pockets also enhance the beauty of the wilayat’s verdant landscape. The wilayat is blessed with 194 aflaj and 15 springs.

Weaving is also a traditional craft still practiced by its inhabitants. The most important industries of Samayil are tanning, silver, leather products, jewellery and Omani Halwa.

Samayil abounds in folk culture. Songs like Razha, Azi, Qasifiyah, Nadabi, Masinia, Maradafa (Taghrud), Bushri, Dana, Rababa and Mizmar continue to enchant the people of this fertile wadi area.

Thus, Samayil combines culture and heritage with beauty that makes the place a must-see destination.

Samayil is famous for its date palm trees and the logo of this wilayatdepicts just that

How to get thereTake the Nizwa road and keep

driving until you get a left turn with a signboard marked Samayil. It is about 85 kms from Muscat.

Such bountiful date palms are seen everywhere

A beautiful, natural view

An old settlement

Lush date palms line every road in town

26

Though initially a means of expression, an efficient tool to convey language, in all its richness of flowing arabesque form and crisp geometric design, it became "spiritual pattern formed by worldly tools", as Islamic sources define it. And what has become a supreme art form is alive - contemporary calligraphic artists are continuing to push every creative and symbolic boundary forward, way beyond the confines of the Arab world, including some of Oman’s premier graphic artists, who use Arabic calligraphy in their mixed media work.

From the beginning of the Islamic era, calligraphy was considered to be the most revered medium of artistic expression, because it was used to transcribe the word of God. The stylised letterforms evolved as an art medium in order to give visual emphasis to the verses of the Qur'an. The reason why everyone finds Arabic calligraphy so inspiring and uplifting is that they are consciously or unconsciously responding to a numinous appeal. To this day, after arduous training, Arabic calligraphers strive to attain aesthetic perfection, a balance between beauty and meaning.

Calligraphy acquired both a divine and decorative significance never attained in European culture, or even in the Asian Pacific. Where it departs from sheer representation, is in its ability to

transcend figural limitations by placing the utmost emphasis on pattern, colour, texture and design, to the point of metaphysical abstraction.

The art of calligraphy wielded potent political power as the Arabic language evolved from a regional idiom to a lingua franca, the 'glue' that stuck varied people and an ever-expanding empire together. As early as the 10th century, words were used on objects as diverse as textiles, jewellery, steel and tile work, as well as buildings. Arabic calligraphy is exquisitely carved in stone at the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, as well as many other Omani mosques.

Arabic Calligraphy: The art of literacyArabic calligraphy is art imbued with spiritual dimension

Culture & Heritage

Image source : Mohammed Alsayegh

28

Early manuscripts were not heavily decorated for fear of allowing anything to intrude on the text. The arts of the Islamic book - calligraphy, illumination, illustration and binding came of age during the middle period. At first decoration was used within Qur'anic texts to indicate the division between verses or groups of verses. The earliest Qur'ans do not seem to have had titles at the beginning of each chapter, but decorated horizontal bands were used to fill out the last line of the chapters at a relatively early date. By the 9th century, illumination and calligraphic decorative elements entered Qur'anic art, and the letterforms began to be embellished to the point where they became decorative forms in themselves.

Arabic script is written from right to left, and has an alphabet of 28 letters, though their character may be altered according to their position in the sentence, making Arabic an infinitely rich and varied language. And there are apparently endless modifications available in each script type, according to the individual style of the calligrapher, with great masters of the art exercising profound effects.

The earliest copies of the Qur'an were written in the Jazm script, but within the first century of the Islamic era, it was replaced by a group of more angular scripts known as Kufic, after the city of Kufa in Iraq. From about the 12th century, the Kufic script began to be superseded by cursive scripts, of which Naskhi became the most important, although Kufic continued to be used for decorative purposes.

Each style of script required a different writing implement, the most common of which was a reed pen, the qalam. The raw reeds grew in swamps, of which the most prized came from the Persian Gulf, and became valued trade items, often beautifully decorated with ivory, bone or tortoiseshell. However, for some styles of the Naskhi script, the hard, black, thin branches of a Javanese tree were much favoured.

Although Arabic calligraphic designs may seem to be uninitiated like an abstract carpet or, in the later Ottoman evolution - a flurry of extravagant loops, they do in fact follow an inspired system, a symbolic interpretation of the order of the universe, in which the factor of change inevitably repeats its cycles. Continuity of life is represented by meandering lines; eternity by the circle; birth and maturity by rosettes and palmettes. For the goal of this unique art of literacy is to achieve a perfect balance between beauty and meaning, decoration and spirituality.

29

The coastal town of Al Ashkarah is considered the jewel of the Sharqiyah region. In the past, the place served as a landing point for merchant ships from Iran, Yemen and India.

Al Ashkarah manifests a unique suffusion of the sea and the desert, the azure expanse of the Arabian Sea skirting the spectacular Sharqiyah Sands.

The inhabitants live in the lap of nature and are closely associated with the sea for their livelihood. But the best part of Al Ashkarah is its nice weather. Even during the height of summer, when Oman is blazing, Al Ashkarah is really pleasant. Little wonder tourists and locals alike converge here to escape the heat elsewhere in the country.

The surreal scenery of the place is out of the world. As dawn approaches, the area gets bathed in pale moonlight, giving the sand a blue haze and the water a grey mass with silver ripples. And then, the scene changes — from being bathed in soft silver light to being covered in sharp golden rays — in a matter of minutes.

In the evening, a good crowd laze around the beach. As cool sea breeze rustles across, one can take a deep lungful of air, savouring the freshness.

The town is mainly known for fishing which mainly uses fibreglass boats for fishing activity. Nearby, you can visit Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, known for its traditional dhow building, halwa, khanjars, silk and for its 52-domed Jame Hamoda masjid.

Al Ashkarah: Quaintlittle fishing townVery few places in oman can be visited at any time of the year. For that, there should be one criterion that the temperatures in that place should be cool all year round. Most of us are aware about Jabal Shams and Jabal Akhdar but few people know about Al Ashkarah, a quaint little town in the Sharqiyah region. A cool all year round destination, Al Ashkarah can detox your stressed spirits.

Hideaway

How to go to Al Ashkarah

Take the Sur route and turn to Al Kamil at 221 kms from Sahwa roundabout. Follow the Jaalan Bani Bu Hasan and Jaalan Bani Bu Ali route and then to Al Ashkarah.

Image source : Khalil Al Zadjali

Sunset on Al Ashkarah coast

Birds at play at the Al Ashkarah beach

30

It is said that laughter is the best medicine. But, do we take this seriously? Perhaps we would if we know that even yoga when mixed with laughter can be a great combination to reduce stress. Here we focus on plain laughter and what it can do to promote your well-being and happiness.

Laughter is an affirmation of our humaneness, a face saving way to express our anxieties, fears and other hidden emotions to others. It breaks the ice, builds trust and draws us together into a common state of well-being.

Humour may be one of our best antidotes to stressful situations. When confronted with a threatening situation, animals have two situations: either they flee or they fight. We humans have a second alternative: to laugh. By seeing the

humour in stressful situations, we may be able to change our responses to the threat. When we laugh, we simply cannot be worrying deeply at the same time.

What research shows? If you hate to do a regular workout, laughter may be the

exercise programme you’ve been looking for! Laughter is called “inner jogging”. A robust laugh gives the muscles of your face, shoulders, diaphragm and abdomen a good workout. Heart rate and blood pressure temporarily rise, breathing becomes faster and deeper and oxygen surges through your bloodstream. Sometimes your muscles go limp and your blood pressure temporarily may fall, leaving you in a mellow euphoria. A good laugh can burn up as many calories per hour as brisk walking.

Health & Fitness

Laugh your way to good health

Laughter is a refreshing tonic that elevates the mood, gently releasingus from tensions and social constraints

Image source : Gallo Images/Getty Images

Laughter promotes well-being and happiness

32

During a good hearty laugh, your brain orchestrates hormonal rushes that rouse you to a high-level alertness and numb pain. Researchers speculate that laughter triggers the release of endomorphines, the brain's opiates. This may account for the pain relief that accompanies laughter.

It has been long recognised that stress weakens the immune system, thereby increasing the vulnerability to illnesses. Only in the mid 1980s, however, did researchers study the impact of humour and laughter on the immune system.

How to use humour: Here are some suggestions for repairing your sense of humour

and regaining healthy laughter.

expose yourself to humour: There is a lot of funny material around. Actively seek out things that make you laugh.

Hang out with happy people: Make sure that people around you are fun to be with. Certain people make you feel relaxed and happy. Others are too depressing, or relentlessly serious. Try to avoid getting bogged down by them. Spend more time with people who boost your mood.

put on a happy face: Research has shown that just changing your facial muscles can set off different physiological changes. It

can also trigger different thoughts that affect moods of sadness, happiness and anger. So when we put on a happy face in times of adversity, we are actually changing our neurohormone levels and they change our moods. So if you can’t laugh, smile.

Avoid negative humour: Not all humour is positive and healthy. Watch out for scorn, sarcasm, ridicule and contempt and inappropriate humour. And don’t joke about people’s names. They have to live with them. It is important to be sensitive to each occasion and know what humour really helps.

Tell a joke: Having a good sense of humour doesn’t mean you have to have a store of jokes or tell them perfectly. Do not worry about how well you are telling it. Sometimes messing up the delivery can create something that’s even funnier than the original joke.

Laugh at yourself: Focus on yourself rather than others. If you expect to do everything right all of the time, then you can’t afford to have a sense of humour. But if you can allow yourself the inevitable mistakes and stupidities then you can laugh at yourself. Those who can laugh at themselves have a much stronger sense of self worth and higher esteem than those who can’t.

Try humour instead of anxiety or anger: A stressful situation can sometimes be transformed into a bit of fun if you can see the humour in it. Next time you are livid about something try to make your point with humour instead of anger. Humour can also help reduce anxiety.

It’s reassuring in these days of deadly epidemics and sometimes painful, expensive medical treatments that laughter is cheap and effective. And the only side effect is pleasure.

Make sure that people around you are fun tobe with

Silk - a history of nature'sfinest weave

General

Travelling back in time to China some three thousand years, Neolithic black pottery has been unearthed, decorated with elaborate silkworm patterns. And around that time, during the reign of China's first Emperor, Fo Xi, silkworms were being raised, and mulberry trees cultivated to feed them. However, as is the way of the world and the stuff of legends - it was by a minor accident that happened to a fourteen year-old Empress, that the technique of reeling silk evolved. In 2640 BC, Hsi Ling-Shi, the teenage bride of the Yellow Emperor, was sitting beneath a mulberry tree, sipping tea. As she looked down into her cup, she noticed something bobbing about. It was the chrysalis of a silkworm, which had been eating the leaves above her. When the fibre was unravelled from this cocoon, it was found to be one continuous thread and was woven into a tapestry. One of nature's more extraordinary miracles had been discovered - silk.

From this accidental origin, sericulture became China's most valued product, dominating her trade for millennia. In early history, it was used as currency, and numerous works of art illustrate the vital role of silk in China's economy and cultural life. In the five thousand years or so that the cocoons of silkworms have been exploited, the science of actually extracting the silk has changed little. Today, even with improved strains of cocoon and more advanced processing techniques, six hundred silkworms are needed to produce 1.7 square metres of silk cloth.

When the silkworm hatches, it's about the size and shape of a grain of rice, and it takes about a month for it to become roughly as thick as a finger. When mature, the worm swings its head back and forth in a figure of eight movement, pushing two strands of silk out from the sides of its body.

These merge together with the aid of a gummy substance

called sericin, and the silkworm winds the strands round and round itself

to form a cocoon.

The next stage is the crucial one for obtaining usable silk for weaving into cloth. The silkworm changes into a chrysalis inside its cocoon and

presently breaks through the silk network to emerge as a moth. But this tearing of the cocoon

spoils the continuous silk thread. So selected breeding moths are allowed to hatch, but

the rest are prevented from doing so by a blast of steam heat. The cocoon is

then unravelled - or reeled - into a long silk filament between three and six hundred unbroken metres

in length. During the degumming process, the sericin gum is washed out,

and the yarn is dyed and then woven.

The first indication of the end of the Chinese monopoly on sericulture seems to have been in 140 BC, when a Chinese princess due to marry an Indian Maharajah hid silkworm eggs and mulberry seeds in her head-dress in order to take the ultimate refinement of silk with her.

Article by : Juliet HighetImage source : Juliet Highet Gallo Images/Getty Images

Silk...the very word conjures up potent images of prestige and luxury, sumptuousness and yet purity

Different varieties of silk

36

Silk reached Japan in 28 BC, and as in China, soon became an integral part of the culture. By the Heian period (785-1185) silk clothes were a significant indication of rank, and both men and women wore voluminous kimonos.

Silk was once as highly valued as gold - Julius Caesar ordered that only silk should be used for his togas (he favoured the colour purple); and Cleopatra is rumoured to have worn a red silk dress the day she met Mark Anthony.

By the time of the Persian Sassanian dynasty of the third century AD, the silk industry was flourishing not only there, but also in Egypt, Syria and Palestine. But it was not until the year AD 552 that the art of silk production really became established in the West.

Having moved his court to Constantinople, the Roman Emperor Justinian was determined that the cachet of silk production should be added to the grandeur of his Byzantine Empire. He dispatched a pair of Persian monks who had lived in China to return there to smuggle back silkworm eggs in their hollowed-out canes.

Silk entered Oman as a luxury import along with Chinese porcelain in return for frankincense exported from the Dhofar

region of the south, where the trees grow. With their skill in maritime navigation and in building ocean-going dhows, Omani sailors voyaged as far as China and Indonesia for its spices. When these precious commodities reached Oman, the majority was shipped onwards by camel to the north along the famous Frankincense Routes, in particular to the ancient Greek and Roman empires, where it was believed that the luxury products originated in

Oman. They called it Arabia Felix – Fortunate Arabia.

Nowadays, there are at least thirty-four types of silk available, from Tussah or wild silk with its distinctive slub and lovely natural oatmeal colour, to the sinuous silk crêpe favoured by Italian couturiers; from the heaviest, most densely embroidered Indian wedding saris, to fly-away organza as delicate as a butterfly's wing. And while silk will always retain its cachet of prestige and luxury, it is now within the reach of most of us. Down the millennia the uses of silk have been as diverse and fascinating as its history - to wrap corpses in ancient China, to fasten armour clasps for Japanese Samurai, for the construction of musical instruments and telescopes, wig-making and surgery. Whatever next? In 18th century Istanbul, a woman described her attire as, "My dress of rose silk damask brocaded with silver flowers matched my trousers and coat; my waistcoat was of white and gold damask silk with gold fringes and pearl buttons". What pleasure silk has brought the world.

Nowadays, there are at least thirty-four types ofsilk available

Silkworms form cocoons

Fascinating designs in silk

Silk is a symbol of prestige and luxury

38

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Management in the past was designed to deal with a totally

different set of circumstances than what the modern managers

encounter. Until the beginning of the last century, workers

were operating only in tiny industries; they were not familiar

with large organisations. Most of them did not have the benefit

of education and external pressure and sometimes even threat

were the only motivation for them to work.

Henry Ford articulated aptly and, also, in anguish the

summum bonum of the management philosophy prevalent at

that time: “What I want is a good pair of hands; unfortunately I

must take them with a person attached.”

Just as the proliferation of industrial workers in the old scheme

warranted the need for a professional management cadre, so

also the emergence of the knowledge workers has been a

challenge to the management in the new dispensation.

Since knowledge is an invisible asset that is more

metaphysical than physical or empirical, management can

no longer be done or defined as a function of control and

overview of employees. Further, because knowledge work can

and is being done both by managers and workers, the line

of distinction between the two has blurred, becoming almost

extinct.

redefining management in the knowledge era Knowledge-users are the people who apply and use such knowledge in their work

Business Traveller

Image source: Gallo Images/Getty Images

Knowledge-creators are those who create new ideas

40

P.O. Box: 436, PC : 130, Sultanate of Oman. Tel: +968 24504504, Fax: +968 24594747 • Baushar • Darsait • Sohar • Al Burj Complex • Barka • Salalah

Today, knowledge workers are paid premium salaries, they add the maximum economic credibility, and they are the key determinants of the commercial value and worth of those organisations that employ them.

It is difficult to define or describe knowledge workers, as they are not all of a piece. Every worker employs some knowledge to perform his job. Perhaps, the proportion of time invested may be a differentiating factor.

One obvious distinction, however, may be between knowledge-creators, and knowledge-users. Knowledge-creators are those who innovate new ideas and avenues for application by other employees in the organisation. This category may consist of research and development personnel, product development engineers, process designers, systems analysts, and so on.

Knowledge-users are the people who apply and use such knowledge in their work. A chartered accountant, or a dentist, or a garden-variety engineer is an example of such a professional, who uses and applies knowledge created by others.

Another criterion to identify knowledge workers is based on the types of ideas they work with. Knowledge workers invariably deal with big ideas, which dramatically and radically change people and organisations — ideas for new products, new services, business models, and strategic course corrections — as opposed to small ideas associated with incremental benefits, quality, upgradation and continuous improvement. The conventional view had been that big ideas were the exclusive domain of a select few. Workers were branded as mere users of ideas; innovation was out of bounds for them. Catalysts and change agents belonged to the elite cadre of management.

There has been a radical shift from this mindset in the current commercial climate, wherein success belongs to those organisations that make it every employee’s responsibility to propound new ideas.

Today, managers need to adapt their activities to the new dispensation of management, and the new scheme of things that they will encounter. Perhaps, a significant aspect characterising the future manager will be that he will have a lot more to do than merely “manage” in the conventional sense of that term. He must himself be a knowledge worker, a down-to-earth and hands-on executive, and not someone who sits in an ivory tower.

The working environment of knowledge workers does not offer them any scope for social interaction, and they seem to function as “autonomous free agents".

What with the constraint of longer working hours — thanks to the 24/7 doctrine — employees may suffer for want of social activity. Managers have a definite mandate to create a forum and fraternity for their employees to fulfil and satisfy this need for social communication.

A key component of management has always been the system of performance appraisal. In the domain of knowledge work, evaluating performance is not so simple. First, knowledge work activities are intellectual and therefore, not easily quantifiable, and this is what makes them difficult to evaluate.

Second, the gestation time for establishing the efficacy of an improvement process may be long and indefinite. Third, knowledge workers by nature and outlook are nonconformist and defiant: They may resent and resist any value judgement of their performance.

Another major task for the knowledge work manager is recruitment and retention of competent knowledge workers. Whereas opportunities to learn new skills will be incentive enough to compel knowledge workers to stay on in an organisation. In modern times, the skills required of a knowledge worker involve knowledge acquisition, analysis, and application. Managers must encourage employees to not only acquire relevant skills but also the teaching techniques to impart their knowledge to others. Knowledge work managers must build and construct such corporate cultures, which complement and correspond to the norms of the new age.

Knowledge workers are expected to keep pace with the rapidly-changing business environment. Flexibility is another virtue that a knowledge worker deems essential — companies must have adequate in-built competence to confront changes, which are critical to their success.

In modern times, the skills required of a knowledge worker involve knowledge acquisition, analysis, and application

Knowledge workers deal with big ideas which radically change people and organisations

42

KNoWLeDGe BANK King Fahd’s Fountain

The King Fahd’s Fountain (also called Jeddah Fountain) in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia is one of the most striking landmarks of the sprawling city. A riveting attraction, the Jeddah Fountain is a prominent feature of the city skyline.

Built to complement the magnificence of the Salam Palace, the Jeddah Fountain is a spectacle in the Arabian Gulf. Unlike most other fountains around the world, which operate on freshwaters, the Jeddah Fountain makes use of seawater.

The salinity and arenaceous qualities of seawater posed numerous hurdles in the construction of the Jeddah Fountain. The resistance of water flow could be best countered by using huge pumps and pipes close to the jet of the fountain. However, these pipes were not to be displayed to public, and hence came the idea of placing them under the water.

The Jeddah Fountain operates with the help of three centrifugal and 18 auxiliary pumps of 3.5 MW each. Every second, these 18 pumps deliver 625 litres of water each. Two of the main pumps jet the water at the same time, delivering 1,250 litres per second.

On a calm day, seawaters jet up to a height of 312 metres (1,024 feet approx.) from the Jeddah Fountain. The plume of this fountain is supposedly taller than the magnificent Eiffel Tower of Paris. This plume of water weighs more than 18,750 kilograms when hanging in the air for about 15 seconds.

Fun Corner

Wisdom Quotes• "Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less

than you need." - Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese poet and philosopher

• "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust, French novelist

• "To succeed, we must first believe that we can." - Michael Korda, author

• "When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace." - Dalai Lama, Tibetan leader

• "Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be." - Henry David Thoreau, US naturalist

• "Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love." - Jalal-ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, Persian poet

• "There is no happiness for people at the expense of other people." - Anwar Sadat, former Egyptian president

FASCINATING FACTS• Astronautsgettallerwhentheyare

in space

• A volcano has enough power toshoot ash as high as 50 kms into the atmosphere

• An olive tree can live up to 1500years

• Giraffe has the highest bloodpressure

• Allporcupinesfloatinwater

• Theonlymooninthesolarsystemwith a significant atmosphere is Saturn’s moon Titan

• ThelioncostumeinthefilmWizardofOzwasmadefromreallion

The olive tree A volcanoGiraffe

44

Sept 1 -7: Delhi Book Fair. The Delhi Book Fair brings together high-profile

works and new editions recently published in India. Proceedings take place

at the vast Pragati Maidan. As well as books, magazines, maps, teaching

aids and computer software are also on display. The fair is organised by the

India Trade Promotion Organisation, known as ITPO.

Sept 12: onam, Kerala. The annual Onam Festival transforms Kerala with

colourful processions, feasting, boat races, singing and dancing. The state

takes a ten-day holiday surrounding the event, so wherever you are, there

is sure to be noise and colour! The Vallamkali (boat race) is one of the main

attractions, and is best seen at Aranmulai and Kottayam.

Sept 20-23: Kerala Travel Mart, Cochin, Kerala, India. KTM has

become a synergy between the public and private sectors, promoting

tourism in the state.

Sept 25 - 28: Alexandria Film Festival, Alexandria. Organised by the

Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics, the Alexandria Film Festival

aims to broaden film culture and strengthen the relationships between film-

makers throughout the world.

oct 1: Horse racing in Bahrain. Bahrain’s love of all things equestrian

is evident in its splendid Sakhir Race Course, which has a grandstand for

3000 spectators. During the racing season, from October to March, you can

see beautiful Arabian purebreds and thoroughbreds hurdle and flat race

each Friday.

oct 1-8: Beirut International Film Festival, Beirut. The Beirut

International Film Festival aims to encourage interest in films and serve as a

platform for young talent from the Middle East.

oct 1-Nov 30: London Film Festival, London. Already firmly established

as Britain's biggest and best movie event, the London Film Festival is one of

the most popular events of its kind in the UK.

oct 1–30: Metro Ski and Snow Board Show, London. The largest

winter sports show in Europe, this event offers something for everyone,

from the most eager beginners to the hardiest enthusiasts.

oct 5-12: Abu Simbel Festival. Held at Abu Simbel Temple, egypt.

The combination of human endeavour and natural phenomena provide

what must be one of the most spectacular sights in the world.

oct 8-11: Beauty & Fitness exhibition, Cairo. Egypt’s annual Beauty &

Fitness Exhibition takes place at the Cairo International Conference Centre.

The world’s top cosmetic, health and beauty companies reveal their latest

products, and visitors can test lotions, potions, make-up and more.

oct 13, 14: Marwar Festival, Jodhpur, rajasthan. The popular Marwar

Festival is a celebration of traditional music and dance from the Marwar

region of Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

oct 14-19: ubud Writers and readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia.

Around 80 writers from 16 countries gather in beautiful Bali for the Ubud

Writers and Readers Festival, one of the premier literary events to be found

anywhere. Events during the festival range from seminars and talks to

dinners and workshops.

oct 24-31: Klaver-Tallinn’s International pianist Festival, estonia.

Pianists from all over the world work their musical magic at Klaver, Tallinn’s

International Pianist Festival, held at Estonia Concert Hall. The musicians

focus just as much on contemporary piano-playing trends as they do on

classic tunes from well-known composers.

oct 29-30: Travel Technology Congress, Dubai. Two days of networking

with an audience comprised of highly influential decision makers. It has

intensive workshops and one-to-one business meetings.

International events

The Deccan Festival, HyderabadThe Deccan Festival is celebrated in Hyderabad every year in February. This five-day long festival reflects the culture of the Deccan and highlights Hyderabad’s arts, crafts, culture and the popular Nawabi cuisine.

This festival brings the choicest talent from the field of Music, Song, Dance and Theatre. Ghazals, Mushairas, Qawwalis (poetry sessions), Classical Dances and Music which are typical of the city are the highlights of this festival. The festival reflects the love the Hyderabad always had for art and literature. The festival essentially mirrors the glorious Qutub Shahi epoch. The Deccan Festival is organised by the Andhra Pradesh tourism department.

The festival also comprises a Pearls and Bangles Fair displaying creations of lustrous pearls and multi-hued bangles that are local specialities and a food fair with items covering both Andhra and Hyderabadi cuisine. Cultural programmes, food stalls, arts and craft shops etc. are also organised.

The festival next year will be held from Feb 1, 2009 to Feb 28, 2009.

HuMourFather: Have you taken your maths test, son?Son: Taken already.Father: Did you get them all right?Son: Only five wrong.Father: Not bad! By the way, how many sums

altogether?Son: Five

Bus Inspector: Where’s your ticket?Traveller: I think I have lost it.Bus Inspector: Well, that’s not a good excuse.Traveller: All right. You suggest a better one.

Abdul: Dad, can you write in the dark?Dad: I think so. What do you want me to write? Abdul: Your name on this report card.

45

Tech Capsule

Nokia’s latest multimedia phonePartygoers rejoice! The Nokia N78, Nokia’s latest multimedia phone, has a built-in FM transmitter that allows you to share your favourite whale-call-based dance tracks with the group over the home stereo or car radio. Then, when your friends send you out, its integrated GPS mapping gets you home. The phone also plays back MP3s and includes an FM radio tuner and a system for streaming live radio from the Internet. It has a 3.2-megapixel camera that geotags photos with the help of the GPS, and another camera on the front for making video calls.

A tiny thumb drive with big capacity

The one-inch Imation Atom comes in sizes of one, two, four and eight gigabytes and is not much bigger than a paper clip. It works with Windows, Apple and Linux computers, and it lets users protect data with a password and split the storage space into multiple virtual “drives.” Most interestingly, these tiny drives support Windows Vista’s ReadyBoost technology.

Dell’s Studio line comes in seven colours and offers some impressive computing power inside.The laptops use Intel Core 2 Duo processors and have up to 320 gigabytes of hard drive space. Optional Blu-ray or DVD recording drives ensure you can watch a movie under your beach umbrella, while built-in Wi-Fi, cellular broadband and Bluetooth keep things connected.The Studio line comes in two sizes with 15- and 17-inch screens, and, like most Dell computers, the laptops can be modified and configured online at http://www.dell.com/. Dell also offers colour-coordinated accessories like bags and mice.

A laptop that stands out

Camera packs features at a less-hefty price

Nikon’s D700, packs the considerable abilities of the company’s flagship, the D3, into a more svelte 2.2-pound device. It uses the same 12.1-megapixel sensor and processing electronics, similar weather-resistant sealing and a magnesium frame. Both digital single-lens reflex cameras use “full frame” sensors the size of 35-millimetre film, letting a wide-angle lens really see a broad view. Larger sensors are also more sensitive. The cameras shoot low-grain, colourful, sharp pictures at a light sensitivity.

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The MilkmaidKiddies' Corner

A milkmaid was on her way to the market to sell some milk from her cow. As she carried the large jug of milk on top of her head, she began to dream of all the things she could do after selling the milk. 'With that money, I’ll buy a hundred chicks to rear in my backyard. When they are fully grown, I can sell them at a good price at the market.”As she walked on, she continued dreaming, “Then I’ll buy two young goats and rear them on the grass close by. When they are fully grown, I can sell them at an even better price!”Still dreaming, she said to herself, “Soon, I’ll be able to buy another cow, and I will have more milk to sell. Then I shall have even more money...”

With these happy thoughts, she began to skip and jump.Suddenly she tripped and fell. The jug broke and all the milk spilt onto the ground.No more dreaming now, she sat down and cried.Moral: Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

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Welcome to

oman

oMAN BeCKoNS We extend to you a warm welcome to Oman, a country where hospitality is legendary. The Sultanate of Oman is located on the south-eastern shores of Arabia and covers 309,500 sq. kms. Flanked to the north-west by the United Arab Emirates, to the West by Saudi Arabia, and to the south-west by the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, Oman is divided into 9 administrative regions: Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Al Sharqiyah, Al Dhahirah, Musandam, Dhofar and Al Buraimi. Mythical home of Sindbad the Sailor and dubbed as the Gulf’s favourite getaway, Oman delights with its blend of modern elegance and the historic charm of a sea-faring nation. A nation of warm people, Oman is emerging as a favourite haunt for tourists.

eCo-TourISM/WILDLIFe With eco-tourism catching up fast all over the world, Oman has its own share. The Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve is known for turtle nesting beaches while the oryx is found in its natural habitat at the Haylat Jaaluni. The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary was established in 1994 to help protect the oryx and to conserve desert habitat and threatened species. The Al Saleel Park is a nature reserve located in the town of Al Kamil wal-Wafi, in the interior of Oman, and was established to protect gazelles and plantations of Samr and Ghaf trees (Acacia tortilis and Cineraria). Beaches like Qantab, Shatti Qurum, Azaiba, Shatti Bahja and Sawadi beach offer quiet retreats.

HerITAGe Forts: Oman’s strikingly beautiful landscape is punctuated with several impressive forts, castles and watch towers. Dotted throughout Oman, these edifices add a picturesque element to the country’s landscape. Aflaj: It is the splendidly-engineered aflaj, the system of underground and surface canals, that have watered the country’s agriculture for millennia, which will astound visitors. These aflaj still course like arteries beneath the hills and plains of Oman, twisting along precipitous cliffs and threading villages and date-palm groves, bringing to the parched land water and coolness and life itself.

CuLTure The Omani culture has its roots firmly in the Islamic religion. Hospitality is legendary as any visitor to homes is offered kahwa and dates. The bukhoor which perfumes the house is usually burned in a mabkhara, traditional incense burner. It is traditional in Oman to pass bukhoor amongst the guests in the Majlis, this is done as a gesture of hospitality. Oman is permeated with frankincense. Government buildings are perfumed daily, even the elevators. The annual Muscat Festival, held during the early months of the year, is a celebration of the cultural heritage of Oman. Another period of festivity is the Salalah Tourism Festival, starting from the mid of July till the end of August. The National Day, celebrated on November 18, is also a day to rejoice.

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oMAN - AT A GLANCeCApITAL: MuscatAreA: 309,500 sq. kms.TIMe: GMT +4 hoursLANGuAGe: Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken.CurreNCY: OR = Omani Rialexchange rate: One US Dollar = 0.384 ORVISAS: Single entry visit visa, Multiple entry visa, Express visaeLeCTrICITY: 220/380 voltsHourS oF WorK/BuSINeSS: Government departments are open from 0730 – 1430 hrs and closed on Thursdays and Fridays.Private sector offices are open 0800 – 1300 and from 1600 – 1900 (except on Thursdays, till 1400 hrs), closed on Fridays.CLIMATe: The hottest months are May through August. The summer monsoon just touches the southern coast of Dhofar during these months bringing regular light rain to Salalah and reducing the average daytime highs to 25°C.The most pleasant months to visit Oman are mid October through March when daytime temperatures fall into the lower 30s and below.AIrporT: Muscat International Airport is the main airport. Salalah also has an international airport. There are domestic airports at Sur, Masirah Island and Khasab (Musandam).

INForMATIoNMinistry of Tourism, P.O. Box 200, P. C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24588700, Call Centre: +968 80077799Fax: +968 24588818Website: www.omantourism.gov.omE-mail: info@omantourism.gov.om

LeISure/eNTerTAINMeNT Shopping: Oman is a great place for shopping as it blends the new and the old. The snazziest shopping malls stand alongside the wonderfully quaint traditional markets like the Muttrah Souk, Nizwa Souk, Haffa Souk in Salalah and Sinaw Souk. Malls include Al Araimi Complex, Al Harthy Complex, Al Khamis Plaza, Al Masa Mall, Al Sarooj Complex, Al Wadi Commercial Centre, Capital Commercial Centre, Centrepoint, Jawaharat A’Shatti Mall - new, LuLu Hypermarket, Markaz Al Bahja, Muscat City Centre, Sabco Centre, among others.Hotels: Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Hotel, Muscat InterContinental Hotel, The Chedi, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, The Grand Hyatt, Hilton Salalah Resort, Al Nahda Resort & Spa, Crowne Plaza Resort – Salalah, Crowne Plaza Muscat, Corel Hotel Muscat, Radisson SAS, Ramee Guestline Hotel, Al Sawadi Beach Resort, Golden Tulip Hotel – Nizwa, Safeer International Hotel, Safeer Continental Hotel, Sur Plaza Hotel, Al Buraimi Hotel, Al Qurum Resort, Hotel Muscat Holiday, Majan Continental Hotel, Ruwi Hotel, Ramada Qurum Beach, Golden Tulip Hotel – Seeb, Golden Tulip Resort - Khasab, Sheraton Oman Hotel, Al Falaj Hotel, Sohar Beach Hotel. Museums: Bait Adam, Bait Al Baranda, Bait Al Muzna Gallery, Bait Al Zubair, Children’s Museum, Currency Museum, Frankincense Land Museum, Muscat Gate Museum, Nakhal Fort Museum, National Museum, Natural History Museum, Planetarium, Omani Heritage Museum, Oman – French Museum, Salalah Museum, Sayyid Faisal bin Ali Museum, Sultan Armed Forces MuseumCinemas: Al Nasr Cinema, Ruwi Cinema, Star Cinema, Al Shatti Cinema, Al Bahja Cinema, Al Wafi Plaza (Sur)Dive Centres: Oman Dive Centre, Bluezone Water Sports, Marina Bander Al Rowdha

VISAS For detailed information on visa requirements, log onto http://www.rop.gov.om/english/dg_passport_visas.asp

IMporTANT NuMBerSomantel enquiry 1318Talking pages 24600100emergency 9999Dialling Code +968

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