Check Out London Museums

Check In Daymaniyat Divingwww.facebook.com/omanair www.twitter.com/omanair

March 2014 Your copY To Keep

The inflighT Magazine of oMan airThe inflighT Magazine of oMan air

March 2014 Your copY To Keep

As we prepare to publish Oman Air’s annual report for 2013,

our review of the year’s activities has shown that the airline’s

success continues to gather momentum.

Last year, we carried 4,994,729 passengers - more than at

any time in our history and 16% more than in 2012. When this

is compared with a global increase in demand of just 5.2%,

and growth in the Middle East of 11.4%, it is clear that our

outstanding comfort and hospitality are leading air travellers

to choose Oman Air in preference to many other carriers.

These increases were the result not just of the percentage

of seats booked on each flight, but also of increased service

frequencies to many of the key destinations within our

expanding network, particularly those we unveiled in the

first quarter of 2013 to a range of destinations in India and

Pakistan. These resulted in passenger increases of between

20% and 97%, and showed that the more opportunities we

offer, the more people want to fly with Oman Air.

Throughout 2013, a significant proportion of our customers

flew with us to Oman, and that trend is continuing this year.

As the spring season unfolds and the days lengthen, an

increasing number of visitors are arriving in the Sultanate

to discover for themselves the

awe-inspiring beauty, inviting

hospitality and warm climate of

this unique nation. And, as you will

see from the pages of this issue

of Wings of Oman, our network

includes many other destinations

that perfectly complement Oman

for those wishing for an ideal twin-

centre break.

So, whatever your destination, sit

back, relax and enjoy your flight.

And we thank you for choosing to

fly with Oman Air.

From the CEO’s desk

Marhaba

Diving the Daymaniyats

The jewels in the crown of Oman diving are the Daymaniyat and Sawadi Island chains.

DiaryA wrap up of what festivals, events and sports are happening this month.

London: The world capital of museums? London, the ‘Capital City of the World’ really does have a lot to offer visitors. They’re certainly world leaders when it comes to museums.

Must See: OmanThe waters of Bimmah Sinkhole are so alluring, that you’ll want to visit this famous geographic landmark many times.

Brain Gain: Think better, for life!Who wouldn’t want to boost their brainpower? Did you know that there are some simple things you can do, on a regular basis, to build a better functioning brain?

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Navigation

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World View Life in all its forms from behind the photographer’s lens.

Business Mentoring: Does it matter?Maybe a mentor can help you and your business.

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

For advertising enquiries contact the publisher:National Publishing & Advertising LLCP.O. Box 3112, P.C. 112, RuwiMuscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: +968 24793098, Fax: +968 24708445Email: advertising@npaoman.com

EditorialEditorial HeadPaul Winterpaul.winter@npaoman.com

Mohammad Abu Al Majd

Client Servicing ExecutiveRuwayda Al Barwani

Designers Justin Das Sara Al Abri

Media Sales and Marketingadvertising@npaoman.com

Media Manager Advertising & MarketingAdnan Dupareadnan@npaoman.com

Photographic ContributersGettyImagesShutterStockExtra Divers WorldwideRed Bull

The publisher regrets 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 publisher.

Oman Air NewsOman Air’s news and events.

Navigation

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احتفظ بنسختك المجانية مـارس 2014

مجلة رحالت الطيران الُعمانيمجلة رحالت الطيران الُعماني

احتفظ بنسختك المجانية مـارس 2014

Check Out London Museums

Check In Daymaniyat Divingwww.facebook.com/omanair www.twitter.com/omanair

March 2014 Your copY T o Keep

The infl ighT Maga z ine of oMan ai rThe infl ighT Maga z ine of oMan ai r

March 2014 Your copY T o Keep

www.facebook.com/omanairwww.twitter.com/omanair اكتشف العالم

لندن عاصمة المتاحف زر ُعــمــان

الغوص في جزر الديمانيات

Jaipur Elephant Festival Where: Throughout Northern IndiaWhen: March 17What: The Jaipur Elephant Festival takes place on the Holi eve each year, usually in the early evening starting from 4:00pm to around 7:00pm. During the festival, colourfully decorated elephants are proudly paraded up and down the

International Yoga FestivalWhere: Rishikesh, IndiaWhen: March 1 – March 7 What: At the International Yoga Festival this month, participants will be taking part in over 70 hours worth of Yoga classes, run by world-class yoga teachers and some of India›s most respected spiritual leaders. There will also be cultural song and dance events, campfires and other activities on the go.

Las Fallas firework and sculpture festival (12 – 19 March, Valencia, Spain).

St Patrick’s Day festival (17 March, Ireland).

Mardi Gras festival (4 March, New Orleans, USA).

Paris Book FairWhere: Paris, France

When: March 2What: The Salon du Livre – Paris Book Fair

– brings dozens of authors and thousands of visitors together under one roof every year

to celebrate literature. Readers interested in anything from the latest bestsellers to

graphic novels, poetry, classic literature and non-fiction, will all find what they want.

streets of the Old City of Jaipur and the Chaugan Stadium. There are also elephant beauty contests on the go, folk dances, and tug-of-war competitions. In the evening, firework displays fill the sky with light and sounds.

Diary

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Luminale in Frankfurt Where: Frankfurt, GermanyWhen: March 30 – April 4What: Every two years, the Luminale biennial attracts around 140 000 visitors to Frankfurt city centre. During this time, spectacular and often interactive light installations are projected onto the streets, squares, skyscrapers, museums and galleries around the city. This is one of the best times to be in Frankfurt.

Dubai International Boat Show 2014Where: Dubai When: March 4 – March 8 What: This event will really float your boat! This month’s Dubai Boat Show will once again be a classic display of luxury yachts, boating equipment and supplies from local and international boat builders and suppliers, and will be a showcase for the latest innovations in the leisure marine industry.

ITB Berlin Travel ShowWhere: Berlin, GermanyWhen: March 5 – March 9What: This month, the ‘World’s leading travel trade show’ provides an excellent opportunity to meet and greet and do business with the who’s who of the travel trade. For non-business visitors, ITB Berlin organisers say the event is a chance to ‘discover the whole world within a few hours.’ Sounds very interesting!

World events:

Chichén Itzá Spring Sun Equinox (20 or 21 March, Chichén Itzá, Mexico).

Battle of the Oranges Day (2 – 4 March, Ivrea, Italy).

Pancake Day(4 March, London, England).

Diary

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www.omanairports.co.omOman Airports Management Company SAOC, PO Box 1707, PC 111 CPO, Sultanate of Oman.

Your Gateway to Oman

Oman Airports Management Company S.A.O.C (OAMC) is owned by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, OAMC is responsible for the management and operation of Muscat International, Salalah and Jaaluni Airports.

VISIONTo be a world class organization in airports management and related businesses, contributing to the prosperity of the Sultanate of Oman.MISSIONManage, maintain, operate airports and related businesses with a focus on Safety, Security and Profitability to deliver High Quality of Services to all Customers and Business Partners while fostering a culture of Innovation and valuing Human Resources.

Oman Airports

World Cup Speed SkatingMarch 7 – 9 This month in Inzell, which is just outside of Munich, Germany, the world’s best speed skaters will be racing around the Max Aicher Arena’s indoor track for top honours at the Speed Skating World Cup. Speed skating is a fast and exciting sport, with athletes skating at speeds of over 60 km/hour.

Malaysia Grand Prix March 28 – 30 Kuala Lumpur’s Sepang International Circuit will once again host the Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix this month. As always, F1 racing fans can experience some electrifyingly exciting racing – as well as a bunch of entertainment like live music and interactive F1 racing displays in the week leading up to the race. What makes the Malaysia Grand Prix extra thrilling is that the weather is often unpredictable – very hot one moment, thundershowers and rain the next moment – so drivers and their teams have to plan and race accordingly.

World Cup Twenty20 CricketMarch 16 – April 6The 2014 ICC World Twenty20, which is held every two years, is scheduled to be played in Bangladesh this month. In Twenty20 cricket, each team bats for a maximum of 20 overs or 100 minutes. The reigning champions are the West Indies, who beat Sri Lanka by 36 runs in 2012.

Sport around the world

• World Athletics Indoor Championships (7 – 9

March, Sopot, Poland).

• Winter Paralympics (7 – 16 March, Sochi, Russia).

• F1 Australian Grand Prix (13 – 16 March, Melbourne, Australia).

• Rowing World Cup (28 – 30 March, Sydney, Australia).

• Dubai World Cup horse racing (29 March, Dubai, UAE).

Diary

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Pottery: Oman is famous for its pottery, and Bahla, in the A’Dhahirah Governorate, is considered the traditional home of this highly regarded craft. Omani pots are made out of clay gathered from the floors of wadi river beds, and they are used to store water, dates, honey and other household items.

Kumah Caps: The Kumah is the traditional cotton cap worn by Omani men. Due to the intricate embroidery required in the design, and the length of time needed to produce each one, they are highly prized and can fetch very high prices. However, mass produced Kumah caps are commonly sold at lower prices from souqs and malls.

Khanjar Dagger: The Khanjar is the traditional dagger of Oman, and forms part of the Omani man’s formal dress. The blade of the dagger is curved, sharpened on both edges, and is carried in a handsomely decorated silver sheath worn around the waist. Khanjars are held in high esteem in Omani society, and a Khanjar appears on the flag of Oman, as part of the national emblem.

Omani

Souvenirs14

According to a recent survey, London now boasts close to 1 000

museums, 8 000 restaurants, 200 theatres, over 120 000 hotel

rooms for all budgets, and five international airports. The ‘Capital City of the World’ really does have a lot to offer. And they’re certainly

world leaders when it comes to that first statistic – museums.

LondonThe world capital of museums?

Check Out

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The Earth and Sky section at London’s Natural History Museum

More than once, the British Museum has been called the greatest attraction in London.

In fact, London could be called the World Capital of Museums as well. What sets London’s museums apart from the rest of the world’s offerings is firstly, the truly remarkable items that they contain – it is spectacular to know you’re looking at the actual Rosetta Stone, or an original Leonardo Da Vinci drawing, or a real Egyptian mummy, or the handcuffs used by the famous escape artist Harry Houdini.

The second is the way each museum’s contents are cared for and curated and presented in a way that makes them absolutely fascinating and relevant to our lives. And of course, everyone just loves the idea that entrance to most of the museums and galleries is free. People often think that museums are dusty, old, boring places, but London’s are the exact opposite.

Four museums – the British Museum, Victoria & Alfred Museum, Natural History Museum and the Science Museum – stand out in particular.

More than once, the British Museum has been called the greatest attraction in London. Its collection, which has been sourced from all over the world, is among the most comprehensive in existence, and illustrates the story of human culture from its early beginnings to the present day. If you only have a short time, make sure you see the Rosetta Stone, Assyrian Lion Hunt reliefs, Parthenon sculptures, Samurai armour and as much of the Egyptian department as you can.

The Victoria & Alfred Museum celebrates art and design with 3 000 years’ worth of extraordinary and noteworthy artifacts. Some 150 galleries on seven floors contain furniture, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, posters, jewellery, metalwork, glass, textiles, and much more. And no, these priceless treasures aren’t for sale – as much as you’d love to buy them!

WHERE TO GO

Some of London’s more quirky

museum offerings:

• Anaesthesia Heritage Centre: This museum contains 2 000 objects and historical accounts of everything related to pain relief – from 1774 to present day.

• Cartoon Museum: A small museum dedicated to preserving British cartoons, comics and animation .

• Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Here you can explore hundreds of artifacts that celebrate the beautiful and the bizarre.

• Sherlock Holmes Museum: This lodging house has been furnished as the apartment of the famous fictional detective and his friend Doctor Watson. The museum features waxworks, and a gift shop selling Sherlock Holmes memorabilia.

• Magic Circle Museum: Visitors to the Magic Circle can see some of the magic world’s most important objects – including handcuffs used by the famous escape artist, Harry Houdini.

Ancient Egyptian treasures at the British Museum

Sherlock Holmes Museum

17Check Out

As well as the impressive dinosaur exhibit, the Natural History Museum boasts a collection of the most spectacular and rarest animals in the world. Want to see a life-sized blue whale? Or a 40 million year-old spider? Or thousands of plant, animal, fossil and rock specimens? Then this is where you – and especially your kids – want to be.

The Science Museum features seven floors of educational and entertaining exhibits – all showcasing developments in contemporary science and technology. The highlights are the famous Apollo 10 space command module and a flight simulator, which are very popular with children.

These four London museums are reasons enough to travel to London and an entire lifetime could be dedicated to the study of each museum’s contents. If you are limited in time, each one has an expertly compiled website with suggestions and summaries of what specific items to see, and information on new and upcoming exhibits.

There are other museums, well worth spending a good deal of time at. Among the vehicles on display at the London Transport Museum is the first underground electric train which interestingly, had no windows because there was nothing to see underground.

The Imperial War Museum contains examples of the machinery and technology of war – as well as communications and spying equipment, war literature and other artifacts from conflicts of the twentieth century. Military history fanatics will also enjoy the National Maritime Museum, where one of the highlights is the famous Admiral Lord Nelson’s uniform from the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Design Museum features contemporary furniture design, graphics, architecture and industrial design concepts – and altogether tells the story of why good design is so important and relevant to the world right now.

The Museum of London is an entertaining education of the city’s history. It is packed with exhibitions that tell the story of prehistoric London, the city under Roman rule, and the grandeur of medieval London and other important stages in its history.

A prominent part of London’s museum culture is its art museums and galleries. The quality of the works permanently on display and on once-off exhibitions is spectacular.

London’s National Gallery is filled with works by great masters such as Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci. The gallery was founded in 1824 to display a collection of just 36 paintings, but today it is home to more than 2 000 works.

The popular Tate Britain gallery is referred to by the Tate institution as ‘The home of British art from 1500 to the present day’ and is not to be missed by serious art fans.

The Tate Modern gallery, another of the Tate institutions, is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the River Thames. Here you can see work by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Salvadore Dali, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol.

Other acclaimed galleries include the Barbican Art Gallery, Hayward Gallery, National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square, The Royal Academy of Arts (founded in 1768), and the small Serpentine Gallery, which sits in a beautiful spot in the middle of Hyde Park.

Recently, the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, lovingly exclaimed that his city is the ‘greatest big city on the planet’. Being the mayor, this is could be considered an unashamedly biased claim. But Mr Johnson isn’t the only chap who likes London. At the end of 2013, a survey revealed that a record number of travellers (possibly in the region of 16 million – they’re still counting the final quarter) made their way to London last year – many of them to the city’s brilliant museums. If you do too, you will not be disappointed!

Visit before you go?

British Museum: www.britishmuseum.org

Victoria & Alfred Museum: www.vam.ac.uk

Natural History Museum: www.nhm.ac.uk

Science Museum: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Check Out

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Travel Token: Keep Calm and Carry On…

London: City Facts

The ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ poster was a motivational placard produced by the British government in 1939, several months before the beginning of the Second World War. It was intended to raise the morale of the British public in the aftermath of widely predicted mass air attacks on major cities. It had only limited distribution with no public display, and thus was little known. It was rediscovered in 2000, and has been re-issued by a number of private companies, and used as the decorative theme for a range of products. If this isn’t for you, then most of London’s museums have well-stocked gift shops where you can purchase anything from replica Egyptian jewellery items; to Sherlock Holmes action figures; art and illustration prints; British flag memorabilia; and much more.

Oman Air flies seven times a week

between Muscat – London.

Visa Requirements: For more information on visa requirements for Britain and London, visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk or contact your local British embassy for details.

Languages spoken: The official language of London is English.

Currency: The currency of London and the UK is the pound sterling (£/GBP). Despite being a member of the European Union, the UK has not adopted the Euro. There are 100 pence (p) to the pound (£). Notes come in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50. Coins come in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2.

1 British Pound (GBP) = 0.64 Omani Rial (OMR)

(February 2014)

The Tate Modern art gallery

A dinosaur exhibit at the Natural History Museum

Check Out

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Diving the Daymaniyats:�

The Jewel in the crown of undersea Oman

One of the many colourful fish species of the Daymaniyats

Check In

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Oman and its people have a long and rich history with the sea. For thousands of years, Omani merchants and sailors have journeyed into the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean in search of trade and adventure.

In modern times, Oman has become well known for its spectacular diving potential. The jewel in the crown of Oman diving is the Daymaniyat and Sawadi Island chain, which is located about 75 kilometres east of Muscat, beginning just off the coastline at Barka.

While the Sawadi Islands are always worth seeing, the nine main islands that make up the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, which are further out to see, are the most impressive.

From Nabucco´s Al Sawadi Beach Resort to the uninhabited island group, it is just a 45 minute trip with the Extra Divers Worldwide dive boat. (The Extra Divers Al Sawadi centre forms the closest base from which to dive the Daymaniyats). The islands begin about 18 kilometres out sea, and are clustered together in three groups – often referred to as the Western, Central and Eastern (including the Southeastern islands) sections.

There are between 20 and 30 dive sites scattered around the area – all of which are accessed via boat. However, the nature of the undersea terrain means that at almost any point, there is a fascinating array of marine life to experience, and underwater features like caves, drop-offs, huge boulders and underwater swim-throughs to explore. During the trip out to the islands, dolphins are also often encountered.

Coral reefs with dozens of hard and soft coral species cover up to 70% of the dive sites. The marine life is prolific and there are all kinds of colourful reef fish and large pelagic fish in abundance.

Daymaniyats: Two of the best Aquarium: One of the most

popular dive sites of the Daymaniyats

is the Aquarium, where there is a huge

variety of reef and pelagic fish species,

and larger marine creatures like

stingrays, eagle rays, turtles, moray eels,

scorpion fish, various species of sharks,

and Whale Sharks at certain times of

the year.

Hayut: At the Hayut dive site,

which would suit more advanced divers,

there are coral coated walls – many of

which are overhanging – that drop down

to 25 to 28 metres in depth and contain

all kinds of marine creatures, including

large Moray Eels.

Check In

21

Turtles are often encountered by divers

During the trip out to the

islands, dolphins are often

encountered

The Daymaniyat Islands have been protected as a

nature reserve since 1996 and provide an important

nesting site for hawksbill and green turtles, as well

as a wide range of migratory birds – mostly during

the summer months. Given their protected status,

access to the Daymaniyats is restricted, and you’re not

allowed to land on the islands during certain months

during summer. During the rest of the year you’ll

require a permit, which can be arranged by your dive

centre or tour operator.

Various types of sharks and rays, and numerous other large and small marine creatures (including the much-loved seahorses) are all part of the experience.

Whale Sharks are also frequent visitors here during the summer months – from around July to September. ‘There is not much

in the world that can compare to an encounter with a whale shark,’ says Gerrit Schneider, from Extra Divers Worldwide. Turtles are common too, with many returning during the summer months to lay their eggs on the island’s white, sandy beaches.

Whale Sharks are regular visitors to the islands

Rays are often seen lying on the sand or on patches of gravel near the islands

Check In

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Diving conditions:

Water visibility is generally decent throughout the

year, but during the summer months it can be excellent – up to 15 to 20 metres and more at certain times. Water

temperatures are around 29 C° to 31 C° in summer

and 20 C° to 22 C° in winter. Most of the dive

sites are between 8 metres and 27 metres

deep.

If you aren’t a qualified scuba diver, you’ll still be able to experience the marine life and sea creatures by snorkeling. Typically, you’ll join a boat of divers heading out to the islands, and while they’re busy

underwater, you’ll be able to explore the shallower patches of coral reef in the area. Under the water, or at the surface, the Daymaniyats are not to be missed!

Water visibility around the Daymaniyats is usually a good 15 to 20 metres

Check In

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Moray eels are found in abundance here

Bimmah SinkholeThere are many sinkholes in Oman, but Bimmah is

the most impressive. Since it is only an hour’s drive from Muscat, it is also one of Oman’s most popular

tourist sites. It is well worth a visit.

Longitude: 23° 03’ 44.8” N Latitude: 59° 07’ 19.41” E

Bimmah Sinkhole has been attracting travellers and locals to its crystal clear waters for a long time. A walk down the stairs to the water’s edge – and even a swim in the Bimmah’s refreshing waters – is something too enticing to miss.

Bimmah Sinkhole was formed by the collapse of a large underground cave, due to natural erosion. Remnants of the cave

can be seen at the base of the hole.

Access to the sinkhole is free, and there

are picnic and toilet facilities available.

After a site-seeing trip to Bimmah, travellers often continue their

drive through to the coastal town of Sur, which is the traditional home of dhow

building in Oman.

Tiny fish can be found in the pool and

sometimes, they gently nibble on your toes.

The sinkhole is approximately 60 metres by 80 metres wide, and

about 25 metres down to the water level. The sinkhole is located

in Hawiyat Najm Park, which is about an hour’s

drive south-east of Muscat, and just off the

Muscat-Sur road.

Bimmah sinkhole is only about 600 metres away from the Sea of

Oman shoreline. A park and viewing

platform have been built around the sinkhole – as well as a stairway

that leads down to the water’s edge.

The natural lighting conditions at the sinkhole and the

iridescent blue-green colour of the water make for wonderful

photographs.

The sinkhole contains salt water that is crystal clear – with underwater visibility up to 20 metres

at certain times.

Must See:

Oman26

Brain Gain: Think better, for life!

Mental Stimulation Just as you keep your body fit with strengthening and stretching exercises, so you can keep your brain fit with mental exercises. To do this, experts suggest examples such as taking up a craft or hobby; travelling to new places; playing board games and doing puzzles; reading and writing on a daily basis; and of course, engaging in lifelong education. The fantastic news? Studies have shown that at any age in your life, these kinds of activities (which are complex, and stimulate a balanced variety of areas within your brain) will ‘strengthen’ your thinking and cognitive ability.

Who wouldn’t want to boost their brainpower? Did you know that there are some simple things you can do, on a regular basis, to build a better functioning brain? Increased mental stimulation, physical activity, correct nutrition and socialising are four of them.

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Physical Activity Staying active throughout your life is one of the biggest boosts you can give your brain. We’ve all experienced a clarity of mind and mental sharpness just after a gym session, run, or vigorous bout of exercise. But on a more permanent level the brain relies on a steady supply of nutrients and oxygen for optimal functioning, and research has shown that regular exercise helps to maintain and increase the performance of this system. Exercise also regulates the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine – which helps the signaling function in the brain.

Nutrition With good nutrition and a few healthy eating habits, you can improve your mental health and well being, and also reduce the risk of age-related ailments like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as you grow older. Nutritionists say that a diet rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids is especially useful for boosting your brain’s processing power. Examples are flax seeds, oily cold water fish like salmon, herring and sardines, leafy green vegetables, walnuts, and eggs.

Socialising Many studies have found that socialising has a posi-tive health effect on your brain. While that may seem obvious, it is worth noting what kind of positive effects these can be. Socialising forces us to engage our think-ing, feeling, sensing, reasoning and intuition – and it also boosts personal meaning and identity. One study even revealed that people who were more ‘socially engaged’ fared better at a series of mental tests to check their brainpower and memory. People who isolate or segregate themselves have been shown to be at greater risk of developing dementia than those who remain integrated into society.

Improve your memory?

Remember to remember

these memory tips!

Repeat it: Repetition seems to work for most people. Psychologists sometimes call this ‘over learning’.

Make associations: Memory can be stronger when we think about how two things are related.

Focus on it: We remember something better when we pay full attention to it.

Engage all your senses: When we can smell, touch, taste, hear and see something, we tend to remember it more exactly.

Break it down: Dividing a large amount of information into ‘bite size’ bits of information helps us remember it more easily.

Staying active throughout your life is one of the biggest boosts you can give your brain.

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Business

Mentoring:

Does it matter?

Business Mentor (definition): ‘A business mentor provides guidance, support and feedback to a business owner or an entrepreneur on the entrepreneur’s business…’

Face it – if you’re a first time business owner or entrepreneur, there are areas in your business that you’re unfamiliar with – and areas where you know you could improve.

What if you knew someone who would guide you through these areas, and point you in the right direction for growth? Well these people do exist. And they’re called business mentors.

Almost as a rule, the best entrepreneurs seek out the best mentors. A good mentor can provide:

• Detailed industry knowledge and contacts.

• Valuable business and life skills and appropriate behaviours.

• Greater vision and scope for your business.

• Lessons from their own success and failures.

• Valuable feedback and suggestions for problem solving – leading to business growth.

• Management of your talents (and your weaknesses).

• A source of confidence in taking big steps in your business.

• A standard of accountability for your actions and decisions.

• Assistance and development of your leadership skills.

• A source of motivation.

Golden rules for choosing a mentor

So what’s in it for the mentor? Commercial consultants who charge commercial rates for short, specific mentorship

interventions are widely available.

Business& Tech32

Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, and especially from an online community, rather than from traditional employees or suppliers. There are numerous crowdsourcing websites and online communities and experts say we’ll be seeing more and more crowdsourcing being implemented in all sectors of business in 2014. Need some advice for your business? Just ask the crowd…

The world is your mentor:

Crowdsourcing in 2014

• Be clear on what your desired outcomes are for the mentoring relationship.

• In some cases, it could be better to have a selection of ‘go-to’ mentors with expertise and experience in different areas.

But the more traditional type of mentor tends to be a (quite often retired) business person with years of knowledge and experience, who is genuinely passionate about assisting entrepreneurs, and being able to pass their wisdom down to the next generation. If you’re looking for a mentor, keep these points in mind…

• Be clear on what it is you’re looking for in a mentor. Why do you need one?

• If someone agrees to be your mentor, it is important to be clear about what is expected from both parties.

• Good mentors also tend to be excited about learning and continuing their own, personal development, as well as yours.

• The mentor exists to guide and give advice. But it is up to the business owner to do the implementing – the hard work!

Business& Tech34

Domino Disk

In Kefenrod, Germany, participants try to break the record for the

longest spiral-shaped wall of dominos in the world.

(Photo by Emily Wabitsch/AFP/Getty Images).

A four wheel drive vehicle drives through flood water

in Laleham, England. Housing near the river Thames

suffered a week of flooding after the river burst it’s

banks earlier this year. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images).

Festival-goers get up close to the waterfall fireworks at the

annual Yanshuei Beehive Rockets and Fireworks Festival in

Tainan, Taiwan.

(Photo by Ashley Pon/Getty Images).

Huge waves generated by Atlantic storms break

over the Newhaven Lighthouse on the south

coast of England. (Photo by David Goddard/Getty Images).

Wave Goodbye

Before the Fire

Waterworks Ahead

WorldView36

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Ocean inspired elegance Designer Vanessa G’s spring collection for this year makes use of bold, colourful prints with innovative selections of fabrics and materials combined into a striking and elegant ‘wearable art’ range. The collection is titled My Aquatic Divinity and the designer says it draws inspiration from ancient mythological tales about the ocean, and the beauty and strength of women. www.vanessag.co.uk

Fashion &Trends38

Classic English tailoringChester Barrie’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection takes its inspiration from the 1980s. Its vibrant colours and distinctive patterns from paisley to Bengal stripes give it a distinctly new Sloane Street style. The range mixes bold, sculpted silhouettes with flawless attention to detail and flamboyant styling. www.chesterbarrie.co.uk

Fashion &Trends40

Yousuf Al Nahwi‘Art is in my blood, I cannot remove it,’ says renowned Omani artist Yousuf Al Nahwi, who has exhibited locally and internationally numerous times, and is widely known for his artistic ability in the medium of paint. For centuries, artists have captured history with their paintbrushes, depicting the world around them during their time. Yousuf believes this is his responsibility – to depict and preserve the history and culture of Oman through his work. His highly distinctive paintings mediate his relationship with Omani subject matter and human experience. Yousuf is a people person and he paints very much for the people of Oman. His goal: capturing their hearts with his art. www.facebook.com/yousuf.alnahwi

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SavvyTraveller

The Sultanate of Oman is the third largest country located in the southeast coast of the Arabian peninsula. The Sultanate is bordered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the west, the United Arab Emirates in the northeast, the Republic of Yemen in the southwest, the Strait of Hormuz in the north and the Arabian Sea in the east.

Oman has a land area of approximately 3 09 500km2 and a 3 165km long coastline extending from the Strait of Hormuz in the north to the borders of the Republic of Yemen in the south.

Oman’s coast spans the three seas: the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea. A number of islands also are part of Oman including the famous islands of Masirah and Halaniyat (Kuria Muria). The country’s northernmost part, the Musandam peninsula, is Oman’s only coast on the Arabian Gulf and it is located across the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Fact SheetArea : 3 09 500km2.

Population (2014) : 3.96 million, including 1 744 347 expatriates.

Language : Arabic (official), English (widely spoken), German

& French (most hotel staff).

Capital : Muscat.

Local Time : GMT +4.

Currency : Omani Rial, which equates to US$ 2.58.

Shopping Hours : 09:00 - 13:00 then 16:30 - 22:00

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Currency The local currency is the Omani Rial (referred to as RO or OR or OMR). It is further divided into 1000 Baizas. Currency denominations are available in 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 Rial and 500 and 100 Baiza notes. Coins are available in 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 Baizas.

50 baiza

25 baiza

10 baiza

5 baiza

50 Rials

20 Rials

10 Rials

5 Rials

1 Rial

1/2 Rial

100 baiza

TravelGuide 45

In an upright position, leaning back into your chair, engage your abdominal and ‘core’ muscles and hold for several seconds.

In-flightExercises

While in an upright position with a straight back, gently move your head forward and backwards, and from side to side several times.

While flying, it is important to keep your muscles and body activated and moving.

Try these exercises from time to time during your flight.

While in an upright position with a straight back, move forwards and backwards in your seat.

Flex each individual knee and foot up and down alternatively.

Healthy Flying: Tips for a healthier,

happier flight

Before boarding:• Get a good night sleep before your

scheduled flight.

• Eat moderately. Flying with a full stomach can be uncomfortable.

• Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing should be worn.

• Sleeping pills should only be taken if recommended to you by a physician.

• Make sure to drink in enough fluids to stay hydrated in the hours leading up to your flight.

• Remember to include some in-flight entertainment in your hand luggage – books, magazines, and an e-reader, tablet or smartphone etc.

On board: • Flying across time zones disrupts your

body’s biological clock, and often causes jet lag. As soon as you’re on board, adjust the time on your watch to that of your destination. This will help you prepare mentally for the new time zone.

• Drink enough water to stay hydrated, and limit your intake of caffeine, which can cause dehydration.

• Get up out of your seat for a walk every hour to get your circulation going. Or do the light exercises recommended on this page.

• If you are suffering from nasal congestion or allergies, use a nasal decongestant 30 to 40 minutes before the descent to help open up your sinuses and ear passages. This will help you ‘equalise’ and clear the pressure in your ears as you descend.

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On our official blog www.omanairblog.net there are more interesting articles about Oman – as well as information on the destinations Oman Air flies to.

Welcome to Oman Air’s social pageWe love hearing about your travel and flying experiences with us. Next time you’re online, please post a comment on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/omanair or Tweet us at @omanair. Here are some updates and comments recently seen on our social pages…

Please also visit our YouTube channel where you can learn all about what Oman Air offers its passengers – as well as the things that make the Sultanate of Oman such a special destination. For example, ‘Magical Dhofar’ is a video that profiles some of the wonders of the Dhofar governate, which lies in the southern region of Oman. You can watch this and more movies at www.youtube.com/user/OmanAirCompany

And finally, please visit our official website www.omanair.com for everything you need to know about flying with the

Sultanate of Oman’s national carrier.

47Like

Oman Air’s 30-strong fleet, across all 43 destinations within its network, achieved an average of 90% on-time performance from March to December 2013, with the whole-year average coming in at a fraction under 90%.

Furthermore, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman was listed as the second best airline for on-time departures at London Heathrow in December 2013.

Oman Air’s support for sport is recognized at Sports Awards Gala

Oman Air’s substantial support for sporting achievement throughout 2013 has been recognized at a glittering ceremony in Muscat.

The airline was presented with Silver Award by Oman’s Minister of Sports Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed Al Mardhouf Al Saadi, at the annual Sports Awards Gala, which was held at the city’s prestigious Grand Hyatt hotel. Oman Air’s backing of Ahmad Al

Oman Air records best-ever times for flight punctuality

Analysis of 2013 data has shown

that Oman Air has recorded its best-ever

times for on-time performance.

Oman Air’s impressive on-time performance figures were achieved against a background of an increase in passenger figures of 16%, to around five million; a 30% increase in loads and an increase in seat factors to 76%.

Harthy’s remarkable motorsports career, of Oman Sail’s global challenges, and of the Omani national football team have been accompanied by support for local sporting endeavours, and it has been a source of pride for everyone at Oman Air to see the impact that their work has had.

Oman AirNews48

Oman Air Invests In Maintenance And

Engineering

Managing and motivating staff

Oman Air has selected Swiss-AS’ ‘AMOS’ MRO software solution to replace its legacy system. Following a thorough selection process, which included two tenders and a number of presentations, Oman Air found AMOS to be the optimum solution in replacing its legacy system.

AMOS fully meets Oman Air’s need to benefit from state-of-the-art developments and industry benchmarks in MRO software, to sustain and extend its competitive advantage. The national carrier has an open and flexible approach to re-engineering its processes in accordance with proven aviation best-practices, which will be implemented with AMOS. The goal of implementation is sustainable cost reduction, as well as an improvement of operational efficiency and the effectiveness of the airline’s engineering division.

AbdulMonem Al Abri currently wears the District Sales Manager badge for Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Al Abri started his career with Oman Air in 1993, when the airline was still in its fledgling stages. Starting off part of the

Reservation and Ticketing staff, he rose up the ladder to become a Reservation Supervisor, was then in charge of the call centre, a Sales Executive, and he attended a management training program before he came into his current designation. His hard-working nature and meticulous planning helped him reach the goals he set for himself to move up the

The implementation project in Muscat is expected to take approximately ten months and designated AMOS users will be made familiar with the new MRO software via e-learning and classic classroom training. Swiss-AS’ AMOS Operation Services (AOS) team will support Oman Air in terms of server and database operation. Prior to the official project start, Swiss-AS is teaming up with the Middle East airline to evaluate and size the required hardware for the operation of AMOS.

professional ladder. ‘Planning is important and so is the execution of the plan,’ he says.As the DSM in KSA, his responsibilities include setting sales targets for the staff, and ensuring that these are met. He also is responsible for planning and organising sales related functions and events, identifying market segments and corporate business opportunities, recommending suitable marketing plans, analysing market situations and setting strategies for these, monitoring competitors practices, and ensuring the Oman Air market share is retained, and that the seat factor, revenue and yield improvement is increased. ‘It is essential that for the staff to stay motivated, there should be a cordial working atmosphere, and the staff efforts are recognised and rewarded appropriately. I also prepare career development and training programs for staff and ensure our staff adhere to all management decisions,’ he adds.

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Earn & Spend Sindbad Miles Sindbad membership earns you Sindbad miles both in the air and on the ground. Fly with Oman Air, our partner airlines or transact with any of our global network Partners and earn Sindbad Miles. You can choose to spend your Sindbad Miles for free flights, flight upgrades, exciting raffles, promotions and more.

Benefits and Privileges• Complimentary First and Business Class Lounge Access

• Extra baggage allowance of up to 20 Kg

• Duty Free discounts of up to 10% discount on Oman Air In-flight Duty Free.

• Check-in at Business Class Counter

• Priority baggage handling

• Double miles on your first flight

• 500 bonus miles everytime you book on Omanair.com

• Bonus miles, discounts and special offers from Partners

• Buy, Gift and Share Miles

Earn miles for flights made up to 3 months prior to your enrolment !

Visit sindbad.omanair.com and enrol online today or ask your hostess for an enrolment form

Hello and welcome to Sindbad, the frequent flyer program of Oman Air. Whether you’re

travelling on business or going on a holiday, join Sindbad today

and make your journey with Oman Air even more rewarding.

Exclusive Privileges & BenefitsSindbad has three tiers to offer- Blue, Silver and Gold. The more you fly with Oman Air, the higher your Tier. As a Silver and Gold Member, you earn additional privileges designed exclusively for you.

Sindbad PartnersAs a Sindbad member, you have the added benefit of earning extra miles as well as special offers from our global network of partners which include Hotel, Leisure and Lifestyle, Car rental, telecommunication and Retail Partners.

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