Jebel Shams

YOUR FREE COPY
Volume 6 - 2006
Jebel Shams
Call of the mountains
Thiruvananthapuram - Steering tradition
Bahla - Moulding culture and craft
Wadi Dayqah - Picturesque
Habta souq - Keeping tradition alive
www.omanair.aero
Dear Passenger,
Together in success
The Wings of Oman has completed, rather celebrated, yet another extremely
successful year. Through its pages with colourful pictures, it celebrates an entire
culture and its ways of life. In its colourful pages, you will see rich visual delights:
the vast vistas of the great country, the beauty of wadis and the mountains,
offbeat destinations. Also, it reflects the deep-rooted cultural heritage of Oman.
The magazine encompasses a range of subjects right from travel, culture and
heritage to business, health and topics of a general nature. The Trivia Junction
section brings an element of humour for the traveller.
Every piece included in the volume is of archival value. We are delighted to know that the Wings
of Oman has received encomiums from many quarters and this has given a boost to further improve
the magazine. We promise to make the magazine yet better.
Good news awaits the passengers of Oman Air as it readies itself to start operations to Amman,
the capital of Jordan from December 2006. This new route highlights the carrier’s well thought of
expansion plans and further demonstrates market demand for convenient travel. Oman Air has a
history of planning well for its new destinations to reach new markets, and give its valued customers
the opportunity to connect to more destinations.
The year-end edition of Wings of Oman takes readers to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.
On the local front, the highest peak in the country, Jabal Shams beckons tourists and inspires awe in
its splendour. It is a plethora of colour and sheer, unadulterated picture postcard scenery. It is the hot
new destination for tourists. Our hideaway section focuses its lenses on Wadi Dayqah, a picturesque
valley with breathtaking gorges, rugged trekking trails and cool refreshing turquoise pools all year
round.
On the cultural domain, the habta (pre-Eid open market) is featured. The habta souq serves as a
melting pot of cultures as it exudes old charm redolent of the Arabian bazaar of folklore. Besides, the
issue contains insightful write-ups on business, health, etc. If you find that the articles are informative
and have served your inquisitive appetite, then there are reasons for us to feel content at having
accomplished a job well, as was expected from us.
I do wish you a pleasurable flight with friends.
Sincerely,
Ziad Karim Al Haremi
Chief Executive Officer
03
Cover Story
12
Jebel Shams - Call of the mountains
In Oman nature abounds in places where one can
retire and rejuvenate.
12
26
26
Bahla - Moulding culture and craft
Among the regions that are rich in the tradition of
pottery in Oman, Bahla occupies a pride of place.
18
18
Thiruvananthapuram - Steering tradition
Thiruvananthapuram isn't just the state capital and main
commercial centre, but also an interesting mix of religion,
history, heritage and modern bustle.
32
32
Wadi Dayqah - Picturesque
Wadi Dayqah is a picturesque valley with
breathtaking gorges, rugged trekking trails and cool
refreshing turquoise pools all year round.
04
TRIVIA
JUNCTION
42
42
Trivia Junction
34
Facts, humour and other interesting anecdotes.
34
Habta souq: Keeping tradition alive
The habta souq (open-air pre-eid market) serves as a
melting pot of cultures as it exudes charm redolent of the
Arabian bazaars of folklore.
44
44
Kiddies’ Corner
The Frogs and the Well.
36
36
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In a good sitting posture, the spine and head are erect and
the three natural back curves are maintained.
Oman Air’s inflight magazine is issued by the
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For regional/international advertising enquiries contact:
38
38
Making the Move to Electronic Ticketing
For those of you that may have already purchased a paper
ticket for your next flight, we respectfully offer two pieces of
advice.
06
Media Score Services
Dubai Media City,
P.O. Box 502023, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +971 4 3908030, Fax: +971 4 3908031
E-mail: kazansc@cyberia.com.lb
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.
News
Amman, Oman Air's
New Destination
As part of its never ending commitment to
grow and expand its operations and services,
Oman Air, the flag carrier of the Sultanate of
Oman is to launch a service from its hub in
Muscat, across the Middle East to a new
destination Amman, the Jordanian capital.
Mr. Ziad bin Karim Al Haremi, Oman Air's Chief
Executive Officer stated "This is a momentous
occasion for our team. We are pleased to
expand our services to meet the needs of our
valued customers within this growing industry.
We thank the Directorate General of Civil
Aviation and Meteorology in Oman, and the
Jordanian Civil Aviation Authorities for granting
us rights to fly to Amman whereby, considering
the mutual benefits of both, our residents in the
Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Jordan,
as well as other travellers desiring to visit the
Jordanian capital Amman. This will consequently
result in boosting our economic and tourism
industries in both our brotherly nations.”
Oman Air successfully
renews IATA Operational
Safety Audit (IOSA)
Registration
The existing image of Oman Air, the national
carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has received a
boost with the successful completion of renewing
its IOSA Registration in September 2006. The airline
had earlier on 20th January 2005 achieved the
distinction of being the 24th airline worldwide, and
the 3rd in the Arab world to be registered with
IOSA (www.iata.org/registry). This itself is a matter
of pride for Oman Air's management and staff,
particularly creditable considering the fact that IATA
represents some 260 airlines comprising 94% of
international scheduled air traffic, all of which are
required to undergo the IOSA audit by 2007 in
order to maintain their membership.
IOSA has been developed through the
cooperation of the leading national and
international civil aviation authorities. It is
considered the top industry assessment because it
is the only recognised global airline standard that
08
scrutinizes eight operational and safety disciplines.
IOSA Registration lasts for two years, after which a
recurrent audit is required to ensure ongoing
compliance with IATA Standards. This reinforces
the pledge of IATA's Members to Safety, and
makes IATA Membership a precursor of distinction.
The audit was carried out over a one-week
period using internationally recognised quality
audit principles by a team of six auditors from
Wake QA, an IATA-accredited IOSA audit
organization based in the UK. The eight
operational areas of the airline subjected to the
audit were Corporate Organization & Management
System, Flight Operation, Flight Dispatch, Aircraft
Engineering & Maintenance, Cabin Operations,
Aircraft Ground Handling, Cargo Operations, and
Operational Security. The audit team expressed its
appreciation for the high standards of flight and
ground safety achieved by Oman Air.
News
Airlines gather in Muscat to
discuss travel of the future
Oman Air, the flag carrier of the Sultanate of
Oman, co-hosted the second annual eConference
in Muscat, Oman on 8th and 9th November.
eConference is organized by the US-based Airline
Information and German consulting firm Airline
Solutions.
Imagine: paying for your airfare on your
favourite airline's website and simultaneously
booking your hotel, rental car and event tickets in
your destination city - all in a single ticketless and
paperless transaction; receiving a text message on
10
your mobile telephone that your flight is delayed
for bad weather before using the same mobile to
pre-check-in for your flight; printing your own
boarding passes and satellite-tracked RFID
baggage tags from a curbside self-check-in kiosk at
the airport; surfing the web onboard the aircraft;
verifying that your bags made each flight
connection; and receiving a special offer on your
PDA during your trip for discount concert tickets in
your destination city.
The organizers of this year's eConference hosted
over 100 delegates from dozens of airlines from
around the world and the major IT providers to
airlines. The presenters at the eConference
included the CEO of Oman Air, the Secretary
General of the Arab Air Carriers Association, other
senior executives from Royal Jordanian, Etihad
Airways, Gulf Air, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines,
Qatar Airways, along with key technology suppliers
to the airline industry.
Jebel Shams
Call of the mountains
With work pressure getting the better of city-dwellers, the urge to escape from
the monotony is growing. People are fed up of visiting the same places over
and over again and always look for some exciting adventure. An adventure that
can become a lifetime experience.
ON TOP: The Jebel Shams
12
Cover Story
In Oman, nature abounds in places where
one can retire and rejuvenate.
At Jebel Shams (Mountain of the Sun) nature
finds abundant expression in its vertiginous
cliffs, contrasted with areas of high plateau. A
journey
to
Jebel
Shams
refreshes
and
revitalises every tired nerve. Though the
journey is a bit tough, the beauty that lies at
the end of the drive is just the right impetus for
tourists and that is exactly what drives tourists
to Oman's highest peak.
Part of the western Hajar Mountains and
Jebel Akhdar range, Jebel Shams at over 3,000
metres is known as the 'grand canyon of
Oman'.
Cosy cottages with basic
facilities are available for
tourists.
Though Jebel Akhdar is the most sought after
mountain getaway because of its green vista
and horticultural orchards, Jebel Shams too is
catching up fast with tourists, its high altitude
being the prime attraction.
Little wonder then, that Jebel Shams is full of
surprises. In the summer, while the sun burns
down, Jebel Shams can be pleasant at 25oC.
During
winter,
temperatures
approach
freezing levels and sometimes a light snowfall
enhances the beauty of the place.
13
EN ROUTE: A child spins yarn
Awesome views come into your frame as you drive
Cosy cottages with basic facilities are available for
up and up. Camping on this mountain under the stars
tourists. Also, one can erect tents at suitable points or
has its own charm. So, does trekking.
just relax under the sky. Tour operators can arrange
your entire trip to the
place.
You
can
geological
learn
from
history
that
long, long ago this place
was once under water. As
waters receded, unusual
peaks and troughs were
formed.
To this day, a glance at a
chart of the area off the
Gulf of Oman will show a
vast
drop-off
down
to
thousands of metres only a
few kilometres offshore.
ADVENTURE: Camping is highly recommended
14
SOOTHING: A tranquil pool at Jebel Shams
Jebel Shams is about 240 kms from Muscat and can
The area around Jebel Shams is home to bounteous
be reached by driving through Wadi Ghul. A fence has
farms, date plantations, deep valleys and water pools.
been created at the edge of the peak near Al Khateem
The wadi down below has its own charm.
village, beside a spectacular deep canyon that drops
Jebel Shams is a place from where you can enjoy
to 1900 metres to the wadi bed. Jebel Shams is not
sunrise and sunset. Watching the sun rising up slowly
just about the enchanting views it offers but is also a
making the horizon glow is a feast for the eyes. And
treasure-trove for those interested in knowing more
the sunset from Jebel Shams is mesmerising. The sight
about people’s traditions and culture. It offers a peek
of the sun's rays slowly blazing a trail through the sky,
into the different strands of the mountain people. It is
the soft golden light, for a fleeting moment, brushing
interesting to see people in the eight villages of Jebel
the peaks before they finally disappear from view, is
Shams earn their livelihood. Villagers raising sheep
breathtaking. Jebel Shams, which is enveloped by
and goats, making rugs and handicrafts and extracting
serenity, is a perfect place to unwind and de-stress
herbal oils present a fascinating sight for the tourists.
your mind. Now, what are you waiting for? Just get
These items are also available for sale.
going.
16
Destination
S T E E R I N G
T R A D I T I O N :
Thiruvananthapuram
"Spicy. Yes? You want spicy?
His name was Pillai and he ran a mid-sized family
restaurant that prided itself on its authenticity. "Yes, I want
it spicy" I told him, and within four minutes flat was
served what turned out to be the meal of the week for
me. It was a large slice of fish resting on a bed of robust
coconut curry, garnished shredded ginger and served on
LANDMARK: A heritage building
banana leaf accompanied by a mound of steamed rice.
It was piping hot, and it was delicious.
In many ways, this one single meal had put things in
perspective for me. After all, I was in the land of spices,
partaking of the sea's generosity. Indeed, spices and the
sea have played a pivotal role in the region's history and
in its contemporary life, and nothing illustrates this better
than the food you get to eat everyday.
Article by Inder Raj Ahluwalia
Perched on undulating terrain of low coastal hills near
the southern edge of the Indian mainland, straddling
Kerala's southern edge, Thiruvananthapuram isn't just the
state capital and main commercial centre, but also an
interesting mix of religion, history, heritage and modern
bustle.
Named after Anantha, the thousand-headed
serpent of mythology, this is an ancient city with
trading links dating back to 1000 BC. The city's a major
entry point into India, and an excellent base to
explore the interiors of Kerala.
Part of the former princely state of Travancore, the
city's dotted with several museums, stately historical
buildings, and spacious avenues. Providing greenery
and lushness are several parks that are immensely
popular with the locals.
The local showpiece is the Padmanabhaswami
temple which has a dress code and is open only to
Hindus.
Your sightseeing tour must include the Napier
Museum that contains a fine collection of Kerala
bronzes housed in an interesting building. Then move
on to the Sri Chithra Art Gallery with its impressive
collection of miniature paintings and a collection of
paintings by celebrated artist Raja Ravi Varma.
TRADITION: Folk dancing
20
If you're interested in architecture, the entire city
becomes centre-stage. Just free-wheel by hopping
onto an auto rickshaw and driving around the city to
see the old palaces of the erstwhile rulers of
Travancore, which now mostly house government
offices. While there are several impressive structures,
my pick would be the Legislative Chamber; the
Secretariat; the Victoria Jubilee Town Hall; and the
University Buildings, all of which have a distinct
character.
Take a break for some greenery and fresh air, and
head for the Public Park that exemplifies the city's
verdant aspect, and houses institutions like India's
second oldest Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, and
Observatory Hill.
Take in a performance of Kathakali, a dance drama
based on the ancient epics that features male actors
in make-up cavorting on stage, and women staging
their own dance form, the Mohiniattam. Also
interesting is a performance of Kalaripayattu, a martial
arts form that originated in Kerala's temples and marks
the most ancient form of self-defence in the world.
There's good news for gourmet eaters. This is a
region with exciting culinary options. A generous dose
of spices flavour local cuisine, giving it a sharp
pungency, further heightened with tamarind.
SUNSWEPT: The world famous Kovalam beach
Absorbing some of the tongue-teasing pepper hot
flavour, coconut gives the food its richness and also
mellows it down. The bounties of the sea have been
well harnessed, and there's an abundance of seafood,
with prawn curries being exceptionally relishing.
If shopping's on your agenda, you could be in for a
busy time because of the relatively low prices. History
and tradition have shaped the cottage industries of
the region and spawned a variety of goods.
Concentrate on items of rosewood and teak, papiermache masks, coir products, hand-woven cottons,
temple lamps and brass containers. The main
shopping areas are the stretch of M.G. Road between
East Fort and Palayam; Chalai Bazar; Connemara
Market and Palayam. Several resorts in and around the
city have spas.
The city's a major entry point into
India, and an excellent base to
explore the interiors of Kerala.
If the city's a charming mix of heritage and
contemporary urban existence, its immediate
surroundings present nature at its prettiest, and are
22
definitely worth seeing. A long stretch of clean sand,
Sankumukham Beach provides a pleasant outing.
Situated on a sheltered lagoon is Veli Tourist Village, a
large recreational centre with landscaped
gardens and water sports facilities. Accessible
from the city is the former palace of
Padmanabhapuram,
an
elegant,
distinctive building built hundreds of
years ago.
But the hot spot, and one of
Thiruvananthapuram's claims to tourist
fame is the famed Kovalam
beach, just 15 kms from
the city. Half an
hour's drive
took me to
the beach
that's become
a world-famous holiday
rendezvous. A strong
breeze greeted me as I
set foot on the sand, and
typically,
there
were
tourists everywhere.
EXOTIC SENSES: Medical tourism is fast catching up.
This is true holiday turf. With golden
sand, swaying coconut palms, and the
bluest of waters washing it, the
crescent-shaped beach that girdles a
sheltered bay, offers sheer indulgence
and obliges one into lazing around,
sipping endlessly on coconut water, and
listening to the waves hammering the
rocks, producing high sprays. There's
plenty to do. If energy levels allow, you
can indulge in yachting, scuba diving,
and snorkelling, and for still more
adventure, take a fishing catamaran
ride out to sea.
ROOTED IN TRADITION: A kathakali artiste
TRAVEL FACTS
Thiruvananthapuram is connected by air with several
cities in the Gulf, and beyond. The airport's just 6 kms
from the downtown area, and taxis are available.
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation runs several
coach sightseeing tours covering the city and its
surroundings, and bookings can be done on the spot.
The accommodation network is fairly vast with
standard and budget hotels.
Tourist Information Offices are located at the Airport;
Railway Station; Bus Station; and in the city centre.
• Abu Dhabi: +971 2 6266800 • Al Aain: +971 3 7669943 • Bahrain: +973 17 225383 / 225282 • Beirut: +961 1 485076 / 511786
• Cairo: +202 5759797 / 5789393 • Chennai: +91 44 52147676 • Dammam: +966 3 8961412 • Delhi: +91 11 2332 4097 / 2332 4087
• Doha: +974 4424579 / 4320509 • Dubai: +971 4 3521777 • Hyderabad: +91 40 23245500 • Jeddah: +966 2 6456893
• Khasab: +968 26731592 • Kochi: +91 484 2358185 • Kuwait: +965 2412284 / 2452796, Ext.103/104/105 • Mumbai: +91 22 22819180
• Muscat: +968 24765129 • Salalah: +968 23292777 • Sharjah: +971 6 5748212 • Thiruvananthapuram: +91 471 2728127 / 2728137
45
Bahla
Moulding culture and craft
Heritage
It is believed that the art of pottery is as old as
mankind. Some say, evidence of the art was present
even before 2500 B.C. in different parts of the world.
Whatever the actual dates, the invention of the potter's
wheel has greatly influenced the progress of a
country's culture and civilisation. So much so that
ancient pottery today is considered to be an important
relic in the studies of archaeology and social
anthropology.
Among the regions that are rich in the tradition of
pottery in Oman, Bahla occupies pride of place.
There is an aura of history
about Bahla. Wadi Bahla is
one of the areas in the Gulf
where evidence of important
human occupation, between
the third and first millennia
BC, has been discovered.
Today, pottery is not confined to utility and
economic purposes alone, rather it has developed into
an aesthetic and quintessential art form. While it is no
doubt a humble art, more within the realm of a craft
and not as elevated as the fine arts, it is fashionable,
deeply creative and fulfilling, with an aesthetic
tradition all its own.
A visit to Bahla will unravel the world of pottery.
A little more than 30 kms west of Nizwa, the
ARTISTRY: Bahla potters are known for fine craftsmanship
headquarters of the Dahira region, deep in the lovely
heartland of Oman, lies the ancient town of Bahla. The
Bahla valley is part of the central plateau that slopes
southwards from the base of the Jebel Akhdar (Green
Mountains).
Bahla town and the surrounding villages have always
been considered a stronghold of the Omani cottage
industry. Their wares adorn the best of homes. The clay
comes from the wadi bed and it is labouriously
trampled upon to make it pliable and then worked
upon the wheels.
CRAFT: Bahla is famous for pottery
The clay is then transformed as the potter's hand
seems to weave patterns and the result is the varied
shapes and sizes. At the entrance to the town is a
modern pottery works while the souq is a delightful
place to buy pottery and other craft items.
Bahla town and the
surrounding villages have
always been considered a
stronghold of Omani cottage
industry. Their wares adorn
the best of homes.
Much of Oman's tumultuous history is written in the
stone, stucco, and mud-brick dialects of its defensive
architecture.
28
The craggy countryside bristles so naturally with
among spectacular natural and cultural
fortifications that it is difficult to imagine the
sites of "exceptional universal value
landscape
... which should remain intact for
without
watchtowers
them,
perched
from
along
the
strategic
chains
of
mountain
future generations." Its unique
passes, to the great bastions guarding the coast and
feature is its two wind towers.
the historic capitals of the interior.
The grandiose fort provided the
There is an aura of history about Bahla. Wadi Bahla
main defence for the walled town
is one of the areas in the Gulf where evidence of
of Bahla. Defensive turrets, which
important human occupation, between the third and
are towers built into the walls, occur at
first millennia BC, has been discovered. A monument
frequent intervals.
that announces your arrival at Bahla is a fort standing
The surrounding stark bare rock mountains stand in
majestically on the main road. The fort stands on an
dramatic contrast to the cultivated land and date
enormous sandstone outcrop dominating the plains.
palms within the wall.
It is a large sturdy fort which is listed on UNESCO's
world heritage sites. The UNESCO act places Bahla
SENTINEL: The Bahla fort is a world heritage site
30
If you need to feel the pulse of old Oman, a visit to
Bahla can make it happen.
Hideaway
Picturesque
Wadi Dayqah
Oman is a place blessed with wadis. A wadi is a dried
up riverbed found in the mountain valleys. Wadis come
to life after heavy rains, when the rivers start running
again and the vegetation is restored. However, some
wadis have year-round running water, with deep, cool
pools in which it is quite safe to swim if the currents are
slow as in Wadi Bani Khalid (A'Sharqiyah). On the whole,
wadis are accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, as
the terrain can be extremely bumpy. Wadis are green,
lush oases of palm trees, grasses, and flowering shrubs.
The villagers often take their cars down for washing and
groups of people have great fun splashing around in the
clean water. Or, they go to the wadi for picnics. It is
always safest to visit wadis in a group or with a tour
guide. Although they are beautiful places, they are often
remote and car breakdowns can happen to anyone.
This time we take you to Wadi Dayqah in Quriyat,
which is an extension of some wadis in the Sharqiyah
region. There are about 120 other wadis flowing into
this wadi from Dima Wa Al Taen Wilayat to the mouth
and into the sea in Quriyat. This wadi in Quriyat forms
a natural park in the area.
Meaning 'narrow torrent' in Arabic, the wadi is also
known as Wadi Al Mazara. Wadi Dayqah is not far from
Quriyat. The wadi runs through a narrow winding
vertical-sided canyon, which appears as if the mountain
has been split in two. Wadi Dayqah is a picturesque
valley with breathtaking gorges, rugged trekking trails
and cool refreshing turquoise pools all year round. The
walls of the wadi soar to 1,700 metres and at places
close in as much as 12 metres. The scenery is
breathtaking and is an ideal spot for exploring nature.
To reach the wadi, take the Quriyat Road from Wadi
Hatat roundabout for about 80 kms right up to the
turn off that leads to Hail Al Ghaf. 5 kms down this
road, a right turn puts you in the direction of Al Misfah
village. Two kilometres down this road, turn left to
follow the road for about 15 kms to Al Mazara village.
A signboard says you are in Al Mazara village. At the
village outskirts, a right turn will take you to Wadi
Dayqah.
Green environs, complemented by the azure water
and framed by the copper-coloured mountain, make
Wadi Dayqah a delightful place.
Tourists can laze around, relax under the tree
shades or take thrills in clambering over the large
rocks. There are opportunities for long treks in the
wadi. In Al Mazara village, aflaj in the vicinity attest to
the abundance of water.
On the western side of the wadi are panoramic
views of Al Mazara with old mud houses along the
fringes of the wadi. So, get set for the adventure!
Habta souq:
Keeping tradition alive
GRAND MARKET: A goat being bargained for
34
Culture
Eid in Oman encompasses different strands of culture.
Shuwa, sablas and habta souqs are some of the
characteristics which form the fabric of Omani culture.
The habta souq (open-air pre-Eid market) serves as a
melting pot of cultures as it exudes charm redolent of the
Arabian bazaars of folklore.
These souqs provide the outlet for local produce and
products. Inside a constant buzz pervades the air; the
sound of the auction, children gambolling, shoppers
haggling and bantering. The result is an animated din
spicing up the souq.
As Eids approach every year, Habtas spring up in many
parts of the country. The open-air markets usually attract
huge crowds looking for the best bargains in things
ranging from cattle and goats (Al Udhiyah) for the Eid
table to household knick-knacks on offer.
What once started out in antiquity as an outdoor
bazaar for country-bred livestock has since become a
teeming pre-Eid tradition that features a wide spread
of merchandise, including foodstuff, dried fruits and
nuts, agricultural and farming produce, spices,
traditional items such as rose water, honey and
vinegar, and children's toys and trinkets. Women also
participate at the habta selling skewer sticks, shuwa
baskets and food mats made of date palm branches,
groceries, sweets and toys.
The highlight of the habta is the cattle and goat
auction, conducted in traditional style complete with
auctioneers whose only professional forte is to be
voluble enough to be heard above the surrounding
din. As is done at livestock auctions, the animals are
paraded in a circle around which stand prospective
buyers who shout their bids for the goat, sheep, cow
or bull of their choice.
Habta is thus a microcosm of Oman's rural tableau.
HUSTLE - BUSTLE: The habta teeming with shoppers
Habta is generally rotated through several villages
and towns of different regions in Oman such as Fanja,
Nafa'a Nizwa, Seeb and other Wilayats.
Sarur's Habta is one of the largest and most vibrant
open-air markets held before Eid in the wilayat of
Samayl in Al Dakhiliyah region. It is held under the
canopy of date palm trees.
The Sarur fair is typical of the traditional open-air souq
that has characterised rural life in the Sultanate over the
ages. Then, as now, it used to draw citizens from
villages and towns as far afield as Al Jabal Al Akhdar, as
well as the Batinah, Sharqiyah and Interior regions.
Get the
right
sitting
posture
In a good sitting posture, the spine and head are erect
and the three natural back curves are maintained.
Correct posture while sitting, standing and walking
makes a huge difference for those with several health
problems. Wrong posture, even temporarily assumed,
can strain the joints and bring on episodes of pain.
Equal distribution of body weight on the legs is a must
to avoid backache and neck pain.
Posture is a physical attitude we assume in our dayto-day life - at home, at work, during travel and even
while we rest. Little do we realise that our daily,
innocuous postures make a lot of difference to our
well-being.
Is posture just the way we stand, sit and carry
ourselves, or is there something more to it? To find
out, all you need to make is a little conscious effort.
The rest will be taken care of by your subconscious
mind.
To begin with, each one of us has 206 bones and
more than 600 muscles in our bodies. It is impossible
for us to be conscious all the time about how best to
maintain the right posture for each one of them. Only
the subconscious mind can accomplish this difficult
task. And for that to happen, we need to understand
postures.
We spend 50-60 per cent of our lives sitting, in one
way or the other. As society becomes modern, we
36
spend more time sitting. But are we doing it right, as
we read and write, watch TV, use the computer, drive,
watch a movie, or sit in classrooms?
Sitting postures fall into two major groups - static
and dynamic.
Static sitting is when there is little or no change in
the posture.
Dynamic, or active sitting, means frequent change
of the posture, using the whole seat surface.
Sitting commonly falls into three forms - forward
sitting (writing, dentistry), reclined sitting (resting),
and upright sitting (computing, eating or driving).
Whatever the sitting posture, the entire body weight
- that is, of the head, shoulders, chest and arms - gets
transmitted via the spine to the buttock region. While
sitting, the legs have minimal or no work. So there is
no load on the lower limb joints.
The spine, for effective weight transmission, is not
straight but curved at various places - at the neck,
upper and lower back - forming an `S' shape, which
not only transmits minimal force on the supporting
structures to maintain the correct posture, but also
supports the internal organs. So, understanding the
role of the spine in maintaining a correct posture is
crucial.
Sitting looks pretty much like a harmless activity. But
sitting wrong can be more stressful than any other
restful posture. Initially, when people sit to perform an
activity, such as watching TV or working on the
computer, they assume an erect posture, but as the
activity prolongs, they tend to slouch. This affects the
spine so badly that its ideal shape is disturbed and it
assumes a curve that is directed entirely backward,
taking a `C' shape. This leads to an abnormal
transmission of weight on the vertebrae, which is not
supposed to take the load. Over time, this may lead to
serious health problems.
Sitting itself is tough on the back but slouching is
one of the most damaging strains on the spine. If we
are not conscious about slouching, the brain will
interpret this as a normal posture and over time it will
be recorded in the subconscious mind tending to drive
us to that posture.
Some of the ill-effects of poor sitting postures
include:
• Weakened muscles of the back and neck as they are
stretched for long periods.
• Passively contracted abdomen leading to weakness
and paunch.
• Decreased potency of the internal organs such as
digestive and respiratory systems.
• Lowered volume of lungs leading to less
oxygenation of the blood resulting in more impure
blood in the body.
• Headache and general fatigue.
• Pooling of tissue fluids in the lower limbs causing
swelling or oedema.
• Low-back and neck pain because of the abnormal
load on the spine and discs (the structure between
two vertebrae).
All these affect the concentration of the individual
leading to a decline in productivity. These problems
not only affect the person's health but also the
productivity of the organisation. Most of us suffer from
headache, neck pain or back problems after a day's
work and we mechanically turn to pain-killers for
temporary relief. This can be harmful, and is quite
unnecessary when simple correction of postures can
do the trick.
Though there is no ideal or perfect sitting posture, there
are some basic principles that can considerably reduce the
stress and strains of daily life - at home, work or play.
General
Some of the key rules to get the sitting posture and the
environment right are:
• Maintain the curves of the spine as far as possible - that
is, be aware of good sitting postures. For example, it is
ideal to sit on a chair with reclined back-rest that makes
an angle of 110-120 degrees with the hip and trunk.
This can do wonders for those whose work requires
them to sit long hours.
• Avoid long hours in the same posture by practising
dynamic sitting. This can be done by taking a short
break every 30-40 minutes. A break does not
necessarily mean rest from work but from the use of a
particular set of muscles that has been doing most of
the work.
• Keep the muscles of the back and neck in proper
strength by supporting the lower back and shoulder
blades without compromising the spinal curves while
sitting.
• Practise spinal mobility and breathing exercises
regularly, even while at work.
• Choose the right table and chair for every activity. For
example, a chair too low will create pressure on the
thighs from the front edge of the seat and a high table
may lead to slouching.
• Check the ergonomic aspects such as the height of the
chair vis-à-vis the table/armrest, room lighting, distance
between the table and the chair and so on. The ideal
distance between the table and chair is when the arms
rest comfortably on the table. Too much of a distance
between the table and the chair, or the chair and the
gadgets one commonly uses at work (such as the
mouse for a computer professional or telephone for a
call centre operator) would lead to craning of the neck,
straining of the eye and slouching.
Don't you feel it is essential to handle the situation
yourself by being conscious about the way you sit? So
start right now!
Business Traveller
Making the Move to
Electronic Ticketing
For those of you that may have already purchased a
paper ticket for your next flight, we respectfully offer two
pieces of advice.
is leading an initiative to convert the industry to 100%
electronic ticketing by the end of 2007.
Second, the next time you fly be sure to use an electronic
ticket. You won't regret your
decision. Electronic ticketing is
by far the more convenient
option. Electronic tickets cannot
be lost and make last minute
changes to travel itineraries
quicker and easier.
Electronic Tickets
Some 65% of tickets sold by
travel agents around the world
in
September
2006
are
electronic. By the end of this
year that number will rise to
70%. And by the end of 2007,
paper tickets will disappear
Dr Majdi Sabri, Regional Vice President - MENA, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
completely.
However, in the Middle East,
First, keep the ticket receipt coupon. One day it may be
a valuable museum piece. The days of the paper ticket
are numbered. IATA, at the request of its Board of
Directors and the CEOs of its over 260 airline members,
38
electronic ticketing progress has been slow.
Only 18% of the tickets sold in
the region are electronic. There
are a number of reasons for this.
Some airlines have had to make significant changes
IATA is promoting it where it makes sense. Thus far,
to their computer systems. Others are concerned
40 airports offer this service and the number is
about consumers' reaction to the change and are
growing quickly. In the Middle East alone, common
rolling out ET cautiously. Regardless, the pace will pick
use self-service check-in is either planned or being
up as the deadline approaches.
implemented in 12 airports.
It's completely natural that some passengers feel
Particularly daunting is the prospect of travelling
Bar-coded boarding passes is yet
another
without a paper ticket. However, most people don't
The use of bar coded boarding passes is growing as
realise that electronic tickets come with a printed
consumers increasingly recognise the convenience of
receipt and itinerary that serves the same purpose!
at-home or at-office check-in via the internet. Web
There are also some common misconceptions that are
check-in gives passengers the ability to print their own
holding passengers back. The most widely held myth
boarding passes at home and avoid check-in queues
is that internet access is needed to purchase an
at the airport. Bar coded boarding passes use IATA
electronic ticket. Not true. An electronic ticket can be
industry standard 2D bar codes that enable their use
purchased the same way as a paper ticket - by phone
on interline journeys and global web check-in.
uncomfortable with the move to electronic ticketing.
or at an airline ticket office or travel agent location.
IATA's Board of Governors recently set a deadline of
Electronic tickets offer the additional advantage of
31 December 2010 for airlines to implement bar
being available for on-line purchase as well.
coded boarding passes across the globe.
Usually it just takes just one trip to convince a
Travel is changing dramatically. But it is changing
passenger that a piece of paper is more of a burden
for the better. Electronic ticketing is an idea whose
than an advantage. Customer acceptance has actually
time has come. Now it is time to make the change.
pushed the rapid adoption of electronic ticketing.
ET also lays the foundation for numerous other
passenger conveniences - many of which are
elements of an IATA programme called Simplifying the
Business. Simplifying the Business is designed to
make air travel easier for passengers and more
efficient for airlines.
Common-use self-service check-in is
one such convenience
Much like ATM cash machines, common-use selfservice check-in allows passengers with electronic
tickets to check in on a number of airlines from one
kiosk. By using common use kiosks, passengers avoid
queues at airline check-in counters and, according to
research conducted by IATA, reduce their check-in
times by more than 30%.
40
Humour
A motorist, driving by a Texas ranch, hit and killed a
calf that was crossing the road. The driver went to
the owner of the calf and explained what had
happened. He then asked what the animal
was worth.
"Oh, about $200 today," said the
rancher. "But in six years it would
have been worth $900.
So $900 is what I want."
The motorist sat down and wrote out
a cheque and handed it to the farmer.
"Here," he said, "is the cheque for $900. It's
post-dated six years from now."
A giraffe can go longer without water than a camel.
The wild panda's diet consist 99% of bamboo.
No two zebras have stripes that are exactly
alike
TRIVIA
JUNCTION
Our speaker needs no introduction. What he needs
is a conclusion.
Only one mammal can't jump - the
elephant.
A kangaroo can jump 45
feet!
There are no snakes in New
Zealand.
The King Cobra has enough venom
in its bite that it can kill up to 13 adults.
Cheetahs are the fastest land animal and can
reach speeds up to 72mph.
A dentist, after completing work on a patient, came to him
begging.
Dentist: Could you help me? Could you give out a few of
your loudest, most painful screams?
Patient: Why Doctor? It wasn't all that bad this time.
Dentist: There are so many people in the waiting room right
now, and I don't want to miss the four o'clock football game.
Liz: I get so nervous and frightened during driving tests!
Doctor: Don't worry about it. You'll pass eventually.
Liz: I'm the examiner!
Animal facts
A starfish doesn't have a brain.
The largest dog in the world is the Irish Wolfhound.
Why does hair turn
grey?
Grey (or white) is merely the base "colour" of hair.
Pigment cells located at the base of each follicle produce
the natural dominant colour of our youth. However, as a
person reaches middle age, more
and more of these pigment cells
die and colour is lost from hairs.
42
The process may take between 10 and 20 years. The
Fun Corner
colour enhancing cells often speed up pigment
production as we age, so hair sometimes darkens
temporarily before the pigment dies.
Knowledge Bank
What is honey? How do honey bees make honey?
Honey is a sweet, thick sugary solution made by bees. The
composition of honey consists of varying proportions of
fructose, glucose, water, oil and special enzymes produced
by bees. (Glucose and fructose are types of sugar).
The first step in making honey begins when field bees
fly from flower to flower collecting the sweet juices or
nectar that a flower provides. With their tongues, the field
These house bees are assigned the job of adding
enzymes from their bodies to the nectar.
bees suck out the nectar and store it in sacs within their
The enzymes cause the water in the nectar to
bodies. After filling their sacs with these sweet juices, the
evaporate, thereby turning the nectar into honey. Lastly,
field bees fly back to their bee hive and regurgitate the
the nectar is stored in a cell of a honeycomb. Over time,
stored nectar into the mouths of house bees.
the nectar ripens and becomes honey.
43
Kiddies’ Corner
Two Frogs lived together in a
marsh. But one hot summer the
marsh dried up, and they left it to
look for another place to live in: for
frogs like damp places if they can
get them. By and by they came to a
deep well, and one of them looked down into it, and said to
the other, “This looks a nice cool place. Let us jump in and
settle here.”
But the other, who had a wiser head on his
shoulders, replied, “Not so fast, my friend.
Supposing this well dried up like the marsh,
how should we get out again?”
“Look before you leap.”
“Look before
you leap.”
44
Welcome aboard
Oman Air’s constant endeavour is to make your journey
safe, comfortable and enjoyable. We provide below the
details of the amenities that are provided on board for your
convenience. Should you require anything not listed here,
or have any queries, please contact our cabin crew. They
will be delighted to be of assistance. If you have any suggestions to improve our service, please convey them to our
cabin crew.
Safety Regulations
HAND BAGGAGE: To ensure comfort to all the passengers,
hand baggage in the cabin is limited to bags smaller than
24 cm x 41 cm x 51 cm. These must be stored either in the
overhead baggage lockers or under the seat in front of you.
Please do not leave any baggage in the aisle, galley or in a
way that obstructs the emergency exits. Doing so could
cause inconvenience and impede evacuation in an emergency.
SAFETY ON BOARD: Your safety is our prime concern. You
can find a safety card in the seat pocket in front of you. This
card gives you the details of the safety features of the aircraft. Kindly study it carefully, note the emergency exits and
pay close attention to the crew’s demonstration of the
emergency drill. When the captain turns on the “Fasten
seatbelts” sign due to any emergency or bad weather,
please return to your seat immediately and fasten your seatbelt. For your own safety, we also recommend keeping your
seatbelt loosely fastened when seated during the flight.
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: Portable electronic items such as
personal computers and handheld games may not be used
during take-off and landings as they could interfere with the
aircraft’s equipment. Pocket calculators, hearing aids and
heart pacemakers are exempt. Use of radios and mobile
phones are prohibited on board at all times.
FACILITIES AVAILABLE ON BOARD
IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT: For your enjoyment we are
pleased to provide programmes in Arabic, English and
Hindi; we also show Tamil and Malayalam films in certain
sectors. To listen to the programme you wish to enjoy, just
plug in the headset and press the channel of your choice
on the control unit.
READING AND WRITING MATERIAL: A wide selection of
newspapers and magazines in English and Arabic, both
national and international, are available on board. Should
you require aerogrammes or stationery, our crew will make
them available to you.
TO FRESHEN UP: A selection of deodorants, perfumes,
soaps, tissues and towels are available in the lavatories; also
available are electric sockets for electric shavers.
Toothbrushes, toothpaste and combs are available on
request.
FIRST AID: Should you require any medical attention due to
any pain or discomfort, please contact the cabin crew
immediately. They are trained in first aid procedures and
emergency care. A first aid kit is available on board.
DUTY FREE SHOPPING: A wide range of products are available
on board in the Duty Free Shopping facility; and you can find
the details of these in the accompanying literature. Please
contact the cabin crew if you wish to make any purchase.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS: If your child aged between 7
and 12 is flying unaccompanied, please inform us while
making the reservation. Our staff will be assigned to take
care of your child’s requirements, safeguarding their passport, immigration and medical cards.
DISABLED PASSENGERS: Our ground and cabin crew will be
happy to assist disabled or injured passengers in every way
possible. Kindly inform us of the nature of the disability in
advance while making the flight reservation to help us
make the necessary arrangements.
INFANTS ON BOARD: We have a limited selection of baby
food on board, plus bottles, teats, talcum powder and diapers. Should you have special requirements for your child,
please inform us while making your flight reservation and
we will endeavour to make arrangements. Our cabin staff
will be happy to warm your baby feeding bottles for you.
Our aircraft are fitted with baby bassinets which should be
requested while making your reservation. If you are carrying
a child on your lap, please ask the cabin crew for a child’s
seat belt before take off.
45
Oman Air flies three NG B737-800 aircraft on international routes and to Salalah. This aircraft carries 154
passengers (12 in Business Class and 142 in Economy) and is operated by two pilots and six cabin attendants.
Maximum range of this aircraft is 5,940 km, with an average cruising speed of 818 kilometres per hour.
Oman Air flies three NG B737-700 aircraft on international routes and to Salalah. This aircraft carries 114
passengers (12 in Business Class and 102 in Economy) and is operated by two pilots and six cabin attendants.
Maximum range of this aircraft is 4,190 km, with an average cruising speed of 818 kilometres per hour.
Oman Air flies four ATR 42-500 aircraft. They carry 46 passengers and are operated by two Pratt & Whitney
Canada PW 127 turboprop engines. Maximum range is 774 km, and normal cruising speed is 525 kilometres
per hour.
46