Archive for December, 2004
Record 19-Race Schedule For 2005
Record 19-race schedule for 2005
MONTE CARLO,
DEC. 12.
A record 19-race calendar has been approved for the 2005 Formula One season. The final schedule, ratified by governing body FIA, includes one new race — the Turkish Grand Prix, to be held on August 21.
The British, French and San Marino GPs, which had all been threatened with cancellation, remain on the calendar.
March 6: Australian GP; March 20: Malaysian GP; April 3: Bahrain; April 24: San Marino GP; May 8: Spanish GP; May 22: Monaco GP; May 29: European GP at Nuerburgring; June 12: Canadian GP; June 19: United States GP at Indianapolis; July 3: French GP; July 10: British GP; July 24: German GP; July 31: Hungarian GP; August 21: Turkish GP; Sept. 4: Italian GP; Sept. 11: Belgian GP; Sept. 25: Brazilian GP; Oct. 9: Japanese GP and Oct. 16: Chinese GP. — AP
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Silhouettes In Sand
Silhouettes in sand
Oman is slowly emerging from its hermit shell, revealing a land of friendly people and dramatic natural beauty, says NEELAM MATHEWS.
GAMMA
Prehistoric tombs on Mt. Bat in the majestic Al Jabal al Akhdar mountains.
MY visit to the Oman embassy is with a certain amount of trepidation despite a quiet telephonic voice that tells me to meet him at 11 a.m. sharp.
Expecting to be faced with crowds of workforce that one hears are queuing up by the score to travel to WestAsia, I find a lone guard who directs me to a vast majestic building and then into the room of the first secretary, Afzali, my solo introduction to Oman and its people.
I am not disappointed. Afzali is a gentle sounding person, an attribute I am to find later in the people of Muscat and Manama. Also a trait that will dispel any prejudices one may have on the region — they being one with every person on the road with a grenade clutched in his hand.
My visa is easy in coming and I am soon seated in an understated spacious first class section of Gulf Air, led by ex-Ansett chief, James Hogan, who has managed to breakeven in three years (even appearing on top ratings of world airline surveys for its check-ins, food and service). The perfectionism is everywhere — a hand pops out from nowhere and vanishes with equal ease as I show initial signs of struggle to pull my personal video screen — the three-hour flight passes with incredible ease.
Three colourfully turbaned immigration officers manage to find my stamped visa in the bulky passport and I am within 15 minutes — almost like Singapore (!) — out and whisked away by young Saaid, a handsome Omani who I find handles the wheel of his slick Mercedes speeding at 100 miles while talking on his mobile simultaneously, with equal ease.
The highway is empty and the landscape flat. I am struck by the colours of this land of Sinbad the sailor with shades of beige and a turquoise sea in the background that occasionally comes into view.
Oman is little visited
Traditional splendour with a gun and the silver khandjar or dagger.
Within 20 minutes, popping out as if from the sand dunes, is The Chedi hotel, my lodging for three days. This is Oman’s first modern minimalist hotel and a new reason for design enthusiasts to visit the region’s most scenic, architecturally authentic, and yet little-visited country. Created by architect Jean-Michel Gathy (also responsible for India’s Aman-i-Khas), reflecting pools, fountain courtyards, and elements of traditional Omani forts and houses are incorporated with artistic ease.
One generally needs to travel pretty far to find a destination out of the global reach of a McDonald’s or Pepsis. Here at The Chedi, I find that haven. In the 121 rooms and 36 suites, wood-louvered windows, black-stone floors, and beige-and-white textiles that create a Middle-Eastern Zen ambience. Sitting furthest away from the lobby, my villa, the Club Suite has a dome-shaped ceiling with the luxury of a sitting room and a bedroom facing tranquil ponds. And as my courteous Indian waiter brings in a tray of my exotic dinner with a local dish sprinkled generously with olive oil, I know I am experiencing a page out of the Arabian Nights.
A safe haven
For those looking for a modern Dubai — this is definitely not your cuppa. Muscat is an unexplored gem on the tourism map having opened only in 1987. Untainted by overdevelopement and ruled by a respected Sultan, this kingdom offers great beaches, rocky mountains, a classic desert, forts and friendly, tolerant locals. And it is safe!
Muscat, the capital, is an intriguing mix of the old and the new. Its three core districts, comprise Muscat or the old port area, steeped in history bordered by gated walls, which form an enclosure around the port, the Sultan’s Palace and the harbour, Mutrah, the main trading and residential area, has made its name as a haven for souvenir shoppers. Ruwi is the thriving commercial district, with amenities that can be found in any modern city.
Kalyan, an ex-IT professional, my guide, points out the 16th-Century Portuguese occupation of Muscat, Jalali, Miran and Mutrah Forts, that stand as silent sentinels to history. At the Old Mutrah Souq (market), there is an ample supply of pistas, almonds and saffron from the region and even cashewnuts from Goa! A little haggling can go a long way though without it too, the prices seem reasonable.
I am constantly reminded as I walk around the souq that the Omani frankincense is genuine. And who am I to argue as I am even presented with a certificate of guarantee that the trees are chemical-free?
At the end of the day, I have driven across the length and breadth of Muscat, seen the diving sites and the new 600-room Shangri La hotel that ends up in the sea surrounded by rocky hills — expected to escalate tourism figures of this exotic little island. The hospitality is infectious as Kalyan introduces me to his wife and the deputy ambassador of the Indian embassy, Manjeev Puri who treats me to a dosai lunch. I end up with a day that has left me energised.
In Bahrain
An hour’s flight and I am in Manama, Bahrain — smaller in size than Muscat with signs of prosperity apparent from the number of high-rise buildings that are coming up. Even my hotel Movenpick, a blend of Swiss and Arabic elements, has only recently opened.
Suzan, a tall Saudi woman with streaked blonde hair is my lifeline for the next two days. This superwoman has managed to fix interviews in high places, answers questions that would make a sailor blush with alacrity while making sure that she is not bullied on the roads as she drives her luxury car constantly making her point clear as she gesticulates and lets an unsuspecting driver changing lanes without warning know her intentions in Arabic in her rather husky voice. I look helplessly waiting to be thrown behind bars as another myth of mine is shattered - that women have no voice in the Middle East.
In a day I cover the natural history museum where I discover the main island of Bahrain (33 islands in all) first stepped onto the stage of history some 3,000 years B.C., was the civilisation of Dilmun during the Bronze Age linking Mesopotamia (southern Iraq) with the Indus Valley. A visit to Beit Al Qur’an (House of the Qur’an) and the Grand Mosque are wonderfully informative and uplifting experiences. As my guide and I try to find answers to problems of an insecure world, time seems to stand still and I could well be in suspended in a state of weightlessness. The highlight of my trip is the Bahrain Formula One Race track that Suzan drives me to in 20 minutes past the stables where thoroughbreds of the Sultan are bred. The circuit, with a capacity for 60,000 incorporates distinctive spectacular tent-like roof structures — in rhythm with the desert setting
Locals will beam with pride as they tell you Bahrain is the first Middle East country to get Formula One. As the second Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix roars into action on April 1, 2, 3, 2005, a significant increase in overseas visitors is expected, says Hogan. Tickets for enthusiasts are already on sale and a large number of Indians are expected to attend he says.
“Within the Middle East region, the growth of circuits and motorsport events not only in Bahrain, but also in Qatar and Dubai, created an expanding regional motorsport fan base,” says Bahrain International Circuit general manager Martin Whitaker.
There is a constriction in my throat as I bid farewell to Suzan — a rare happening for a toughened travel journo. I know I have memories that will not be easy to erase for a long time.
The experience only gets better. In Muscat, where I transit, I struggle for small change at the duty free. “Ma’am, don’t you have Indian rupees?” asks a polite voice. I have some and the issue is sorted. Little wonder then as I look around me, the airport’s commodities are vast depleting by my own nationwallas.
Interesting to see that a country so far away has more respect for Indian currency than India does itself.
* * *
Activities
Oman: A 4-WD self drive is the way to see Oman efficiently.
Climbing/Hiking: very rocky, with stunning views, remote villages and secret oases.
Wadi Bashing: travel dried river beds on foot, hoof or tyres. Some wadis are very pretty and there’s plenty of choice. Wadi Bani Awf is a favourite.
Wahiba Bashing: camping out in the Wahiba desert’s rolling dunes.
Watersports: most beachside hotels offer a good range of beach equipment, from sailing to scuba
Turtles nest at Ras el Jinz and on Dimaaniyat Islands Reserve (permits required), while many species of whale and dolphin also swim these rich waters. Whale watching is a growing attraction.
Scuba diving: plenty of underwater action, especially around the Dimaaniyat Islands.
Factfile
First Class Skybed will be introduced from March 2005 on routes to London, Frankfurt and Paris. The full programme will be complete by July 2005. It will offer a private “cabin” space for each passenger, which transforms into a fully functional bed, while the Business Class Skybed offers an exclusive lounge-bed sleeper position.
Best time to visit: November through March.
Indians need to apply for a visa when visiting Oman. When applying for a visa, visitors should also ensure that their passports have at least a six-month validity period. A hotel can be a sponsor. Send the hotel a fax at least three weeks prior to the date you wish to arrive and include all your passport data as well as arrival and departure times and the purpose of your visit (tourism is acceptable).
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Taguchi In Lead
Taguchi in lead
By Nandakumar Marar
PUNE,
DEC. 4
. MRF Tyres driver Katsuhiko Taguchi (co-driver Mark Stacey) leads Team Proton Pert Malaysia’s Karamjit Singh (Allen Oh) by 13 seconds after stage 11 in the first leg of the MRF India Rally for Asia Pacific Rally Championship. The Malaysian, already assured of the overall drivers title prior to the sixth leg at Pune, surged ahead on the second stage at Bhutonde before the Japanese caught up.
MRF Tyres’ Armin Kremer (Timo Gottshalk), trailing the leader, is out of the reckoning after his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO8 went off course at Bhutonde. Eight teams remain in APRC for the second leg at Tahir on Sunday, with Naren Kumar (D. Ramkumar) in fourth position overall behind Geoff Argyle. The only Indian driver in the fray, third behind Taguchi and Karamjit after stage one at Saswad, lost time at stage five.
Taguchi had opened up a 4.8s lead over the leader after Friday’s super special stage, then excelled on stages four, five, seven and nine and won the second super special in 1:27:20, followed by Karamjit (1:27:31). In the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), Vikram Mathias (MRF Tyres) was leading overall after four stages, clocking 31.03 minutes, followed by teammate Karandip Singh 41s behind. Lohit Urs, Arjun Balu occupy the next two slots.
An eventful day
Armin Kremer’s Mitsubishi Lancer EVO8 veered off track during the first leg (stage two). The incident set off a chain of events, culminating in cancellation of stage three after the elite teams, MRF Tyres and Proton Pert, called up Simo Lampinen, the Clerk of the Course, of the India leg.
According to Lampinen, Mark Stacey (co-driver for Katsuhiko Taguchi) and title leader Karamjit Singh contacted him prior to stage three (Bhutonde). “I had to go by the information from them. For safety’s sake, I had to take the decision to cancel stage three,” said the rally legend from Finland, camping in Pune over the last two months fine-tuning preparations.
The drivers were critical about the gravel/tarmac sections on stage three, pointing out the danger to the tyres. Lampinen, when asked about the reason for clearing such a risky terrain, clarified that his decision was based on clearance from Nazir Hoosein, chairman of Himalayan Rally Association, the APRC organiser and also the vice-president of FIA.
Karamjit (Proton Pert) was leading at stage two, followed by Taguchi (MRF Tyres) and Naren Kumar in next two positions of APRC. The second leg on Sunday will be held over six stages (109.9 kms) at Tahir.
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