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VOLUME - 3 MAY 2012
A celebration
www.givenchy.com The new fragrance
TRAVEL
CONTENTS
EVENTS
4 - 10
PEOPLE
12 - 34
SHOW
38 - 43
IN PICTURES
44 - 49
ICONS
50 - 55
AUTOMOBILES
56 - 71
FOOD
72 - 75
ARCHITECTURE
76 - 81
TECHNOLOGY
82 - 87
EDIT NOTE
Everything is a luxury in life, starting with being in this world. At Signature
we have a lot to celebrate. And, sometimes, pictures in black and white can
speak a thousand words too.
For it’s the larger picture that really matters. They can be as vivid, striking
and defining without different shades or hues. Black & White is all about
nostalgia, playful contrasts, resilience, symbols and strong characters. And
that’s why this issue is a tribute to different aspects that have changed the
way we look at life…
Prominent men and women celebrate the stunning and resilient bounty
that is Bahrain and talk about what the land means to them. We have
events that have shaped the course of the future, technology that will be
the ‘present’ someday soon; buildings that have shaped the regional skyline,
cultural icons who have defined the way we think… It’s all here.
How can a celebration be complete without talking about the Spring of
Culture and the Grand Prix? We bring you some out-of-these world images
of both the events that are a triumph of the never-say-die spirit that is the
Kingdom of Bahrain. These are the only pages in colour, for they stand out in
the black and white of life. They denote the hues of a nation's soul.
Join us in our celebrations of good and bad, Bahrain and life. Walk with us
through this visual and literary canvas as we revel in extraordinary living in
an amazingly magnificent life…..
Team Signature
Editor’s Note: Images in the magazine have been converted to black and white to add aesthetic value to our special edition.
IN BLACK&WHITE
EDITORIAL BOARDMAYANK SINGHDEEPA RAJAN
INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTSLondon: KATE MORRIS
New York: JEFFREY HERMANDubai: MICHELLE WALCH, JOLANTA
Sydney: PATRICK RIFIELDParis: ALAYNA MOREL
EDITORS-AT-LARGE FREDERIQUE. B, JED BARRETT,
MIRANDA HOWELL, NATASHA LUNN,JILLIAN PALMER, BRUCE STEWART,
PAUL VILES, JESSICA VU,REBECCA WOODS
EDITORIAL FREELANCERSKALA NAMBOODRINADIA MUIJRERS
Sr. ART DIRECTORSANDESH S. RANGNEKAR
DESIGNERSLISA KAMPS
STEPHEN FISHER
PHOTOGRAPHYZACH HOLZ
BULB MEDIA GROUPPRODUCTION MANAGER
GOVINDRAJ RAMESHSALES & MARKETING
REGIONAL MANAGER - VINOD THANGOORBUSINESS MANAGER - ROLAND KHOURY
CORPORATECHIEF EXECUTIVE - SANDEEP SEHGAL
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT - ALPANA ROY
PRINTED BY UNION PRESS WLL (BAHRAIN)
DISTRIBUTED BYMAIN DISTRIBUTOR: MEMO EXPRESS
RETAIL DISTRIBUTOR: AL HILAL CORPORATION
Signature is a United Media Services LLC presentation, publishedmonthly and released in the first week of every month. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without thewritten permission of the publisher. The publisher does not accept
responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person or organisationacting or refraining as a result of material in this publication.Signature accepts no responsibility for advertising content.
Correspondence should be addressed to
SignatureUnited Media Services
Suite 1, Area 340, Bldg 597, Road 4012, Kingdom Of Bahrain
Tel : 00973 36616062vinod@umsbahrain.com
Copyright © 2012 United Media Services LLC
44
FIVE EVENTS IN THE MODERN AGE THAT WE THINK HAVE MADE A CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ON OUR LIVES
EVENTS
DATELINE
1991
Wor
ldW
ideW
eb
is b
orn
Very few of us are really aware that at 2:56:20 pm,
August 6, 1991, our world changed in a way that is
still very difficult to quantify. It was at this moment
in time that the computer of British scientist Tim
Berners-Lee, logged onto the world’s first ever
website (http://info.cern.ch), beginning the process
of evolution to where we find ourselves today.
Berners-Lee created the possibility of a system
where information was available for everyone, where
we didn’t have to be scientists or programmers to
get the rewards. Perhaps more than any invention
in the history of mankind, the ‘world wide web’ gives
something to everyone. It has gone onto change
how we think, do business, entertain ourselves,
and live. The Internet would likely not be the same
entity we have today, were it not for Berners-Lee’s
and other scientists work at CERN more than two
decades ago.
6
2001
These tragic attacks in September
2001 changed many things. In a
literal sense, it wiped out nearly
three thousand people at the
World Trade Centre in New York,
the Pentagon and in Shanksville,
Pennsylvania. The iconic skyline of
the great American city was similarly
scarred. It was however what it
spawned that affected us more as
two horrific wars in Afghanistan and
Iraq began; and terrorist attacks in
Madrid, London, Mumbai, Bali and
elsewhere shattered any illusion of
safety and security. Civil liberties
have been eroded, monitoring of
citizens' communications and a
Big Brother society have become
commonplace. Words have been
created to justify actions, such as
‘rendition’ and ‘black sites’, and two
cultures who had spent centuries
coming closer together since the
middle ages, fell further apart.
9/11
Tra
gedy
This massive project began in 1990, aimed
at mapping out the human sequencing of
human genes that make up our DNA. This
is basically a formula, or schematic, of how
we are made and potentially, a wealth of
insights into how mankind might tackle a
range of diseases that continue to afflict
the species. By the end of 2003, scientists
from around the world had determined that
there were about 23,000 genes in human
beings, which is around the same number
as the total found in the common mouse.
With specific genes now identified, doctors
and medical researchers can now be much
more specific in tackling degenerative
conditions and diseases, often to the
point of specifying exactly which gene the
problem is in. Although very much in the
early stages in compiling all the data, this
medical breakthrough looks set to change
our view of care for generations to come.
Mapping of the Human Genome
2003
8
A great presumption befell most
developed economies during the early
stages of the 21st century, a paradigm of
economic thought that says where there
is a boom, there will be a bust. Perhaps
caught up in superiority complex of fiscal
gambling, people, banks, hedge funds
and governments all played with fire,
fully expectant that they would not be
the ones to get burned. Then someone,
somewhere, began to call in the debts,
and everyone suddenly realized that
they didn’t have the money to pay. This
collapse in lending confidence brought
about the Global Financial Crisis, a
disaster with no parallel in its reach,
thanks to the interconnected nature of
the world’s markets. As we moved into
2012, many countries are still feeling
the effects, with productivity down, high
unemployment and austerity drives
forcing living standards back to where
they were a decade ago.
Credit Crunch
2007
-200
8
10
2011 After the first anniversary of what is known as the Great Tohoku earthquake, but commonly referred to as the Japanese
Tsunami, a few facts outside of the human suffering have the capacity to remind us exactly how small and vulnerable
we are. Despite our advances, our first faltering steps into space, our great science and intellect, humans are still at
the whim of nature. The earthquake shortened the day by 1.8 microseconds. It also shifted the Earth's axis by about
6.5 inches and appears to have moved the main island of Japan by 8ft (2.4m).
Japanese Tsunami
Photography Exhibition
from the book “BetweenTwoSeas”
by
Andrew Weaver
12
With a positive attitude, you can weather any storm that life throws
your way. What better example of this than our own Kingdom
of Bahrain. No where have we seen an affirmation so strong of
a positive attitude and we believe that Bahrain's future is on an
upswing. Hence, we decided to Celebrate Bahrain in all its glory
and quiz some residents of the Kingdom on all things favourite about
their nation….
PEOPLE
CELEBRATING BAHRAIN
Bahrain through your eyes…
Bahrain is the most beautiful country in the world. I would never choose to live
anywhere else. What I love about Bahrain is the friendliness of the people, the
easy life and leisure that can be enjoyed. When we visit other countries in the
world we realise how lucky we are to be Bahrainis.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
Bahrain Fort and the museum next to it. We get to see Bahrain's old
history and culture.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
The Formula 1 is the best project for Bahrain’s economy.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Café Italia
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The Dilmun Seal
Bahrain stands apart because….
It welcomes people and make foreigners feel at home.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
To be united under the national Bahraini flag.
MONA YOUSEF ALMOAYYEDMANAGING DIRECTOR OF Y.K.ALMOAYYED AND SONS
14
Bahrain through your eyes…
I see Bahrain as a colourful abstract expressionist piece of art that
needs some efforts and thoughts to understand and appreciate.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
I love the random architecture and plans of the old narrow streets
of Manama. It has its own niche and uniqueness. The simplicity,
the minimalism, and material from local environment give it an
exceptional atmosphere.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited/want to visit
My favourite thing to do is walking around in the old Manama
Souq and eating in its popular hangouts. There are many old
authentic restaurants and old cafés that I love to eat and drink
from while visiting the souq, among them Aallo Basheer, Kabab
Mandaly, Baqlawat Halwachi, Haji café and Saboosat Alawi.
There are also some characters in the souq that I love to visit
or chat with; like the famous shoemaker Yaddulla.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
My favourite dining spot is Al Riwaq Art Space Café in
Adliya. I love to sit in this Café and have my meal or coffee
while looking at all the artworks exhibited around me.
The atmosphere of the place is very friendly, cozy and
contemporary.
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
I love the Dilmun Bull’s Head. It’s a great bronze sculpture.
Although it’s an ancient piece, it was designed in a very
contemporary form of art. As an artist, I have been
inspired by this antiquated work and have done many
artworks reflecting the symbol.
Bahrain stands apart because….
The island stands apart because of its kind, simple
and generous people.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
I would like to see Bahrain with more urban
public arts and sculptures. It’s my dream to see
contemporary art sculptures in the old streets of
Manama or Muharraq, blending tradition with
modernisation.
ADEL AL-ABBASI ARTIST AND HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT ARAB BANKING
CORPORATION (ABC)
ALIA ALMOAYED NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST, AUTHOR, HEALTH SPEAKER
Bahrain through your eyes…
Bahrain is home to me. I am from Bahrain; I was born and
raised here and I'm now raising my own kids in this beautiful
country.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
The wind towers in old Bahraini houses.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want
to visit
Pearl diving experience (never tried it but would like to one day)
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Monsoon restaurant and Lanterns restaurant
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The palm tree
Bahrain stands apart because….
It is a melting pot of people from different backgrounds, nationalities,
religious beliefs, and this adds richness to the culture.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
To see Bahrain rise up to the challenge and evolve for the better as it has
always done.
Bahrain through your eyes…
Bahrain is Home.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
I find myself less and less appreciative of architecture and more and more in love with nature, whether our current
environment or what can be coaxed into growing here with a little gentle influence. I have to say, driving around in
the Hamala area and seeing what man and nature can accomplish when we work together is much better than
seeing what we can accomplish when we force nature to our will!
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
We have in Bahrain a huge "hotspot" for adventure in our sea. There is a lot to do at sea in Bahrain. We should
protect our sea and treasure it for ourselves and for future generations.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
I am simply in love with the whole Adliya area, with its ability to always satisfy no matter what I am
craving, and to provide an environment like no other.
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The Palm tree. It is a tree that is perfectly happy to grow in the middle of the desert with just a little bit
of water. To me, it symbolises perseverance.
Bahrain stands apart because….
Bahrain stands apart because of its people. Bahrainis are defined by their extremely diverse
collection of origins and religions, yet we all share a common culture of hospitality and kindness.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
I want Bahrain to remain our Home - To remain the place we feel safest and most secure.
ALI AL-KHALIFAMANAGING DIRECTOR, GOOD FOOD AND OWNER,
ORGANIC FOODS AND CAFE - BAHRAIN
16
Bahrain through your eyes…
A beautiful and safe country. In spite of the recent difficulties it has been going through, it
remains the best to me.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
Beit Al Quran, the Bahrain Financial Harbour, and the Formula 1/Bahrain International
Circuit.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
I’m not very adventurous!
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Coco’s in Adliya.
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The country’s leadership; the King, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Bahrain stands apart because….
Bahrain is small in size, which makes it easy to get around.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future
My dream is for Bahrain to remain a safe country, and for it to continue to develop
politically, culturally and in sports.
Your first impressions of Bahrain…
Crowded, hot (I arrived mid August), smiles, majestic (the drive from the airport with the World
Trade Centre and Financial Harbour Towers silhouetted against the setting sun), crazy drivers
with their hands seemly permanently glued to the horn for no reason!
The most striking architectural feature of the country
The twin towers of the iconic World Trade Centre, with their wind turbines lazily rotating,
as if not a care in the world.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
I want to spend an hour or two on a Triumph Rocket III at the Bahrain International
Circuit on their open day. I'll be passed by everything and everyone, including my
mother on her 50cc scooter, but it'll be great fun!
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Loads of brilliant restaurants in Bahrain, but I really do like sitting outside Café Lilou
with a ice-cream covered Brownie and a cup of Earl Grey – nothing like it!
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The flag; everyone loves the Bahrain flag and it is positioned with pride on
government buildings and private businesses, on cars, in houses and wrapped
around its citizens in an endearing symbol of unification.
Bahrain stands apart because….
The subtle, gentle beauty of the island. Its way of life and the friendliness and
compassion, openness and warmth of its people.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
To recover from its current turmoil, and to return to being the country at
it's heart it knows it really is... wonderful!
ISMAIL ABDULLATIFISMAIL HASAN FOOTBALL PLAYER, BAHRAIN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM; MUHARRAQ FOOTBALL CLUB
ROBIN BARRATTWRITER AND AUTHOR OF MY BEAUTIFUL BAHRAIN
T H E G I F T O F K I N G SW W W. A M O UAG E . C O M
18
Bahrain through your eyes…
At the moment, dusty with a chance of rain. But in general, I feel that Bahrain is a melting pot of
culture and nationality. On each corner stands another interpretation of stories passed down from
the days of old.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
In my opinion the most striking features of Bahrain lay in its old towns and cities. Take a drive
through old Muharraq, you begin to get a very realistic idea of Bahrain’s history, and how far we
have come as a country in such a short time.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
My favourite adventure hotspots, as I feel may be the case with most Bahrainis, breaks down
into two; summer hot spots and winter hotspots. In the summer, one need not look further
than the country’s surroundings as the sea is home to many an activity. We fish, we ski, we
wakeboard, we dive, and as the sun goes down, we BBQ our catch of the day. During the
winter, we turn our eyes inland to the desert. A nice cup of “karak” by the fire is just what is
needed after a day of motoring through the dunes on bikes and cars.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
As a child, my mother would pick my siblings and I up from school and drive to my
father’s restaurant. We would sit as a family for lunch every day. I vaguely remember
looking around and seeing other families doing the same. As time has passed I now
see those same children that sat with their families now bringing their children and
having their lunch. So this is where I eat every day and bear witness to the unfolding
of generations in Bahrain.
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The history of Bahrain has seen many different civilisations each blessed in their
own times. It was seen through historical eyes as an island paradise, the closest
place to heaven, blessed with natural springs and an abundance of greenery.
Another civilisation was blessed with pearls and trade. This made Bahrain's
streets a bustling hotspot of people from all over the world. I also feel that this
point in time is where our national identity was created. Bahrain being a port
and hub for trade made us a very welcoming culture, and this is something that
has been passed down in the generations. To welcome all that come here.
Bahrain stands apart because…
In my opinion Bahrain stands apart because it's still, in some cases, in the
growth and development stage. You still have the ability to leave your mark
in the country’s framework or even foundations. There is still room for the
establishment of new concepts and businesses. Yet we still have a grasp
our traditions and values.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
My dreams for Bahrain's future... I may be biased, but since we are
allowed to be dreamers, I would like to see more Bahrainis making
films. The way to make Bahrain a film hub/hotspot in the Middle East
is not through huge investment or international attention. It begins
with the average Bahraini picking up a camera and looking for a
place to show his footage. But then again, I, being a film maker am
totally biased, and such are my dreams.
KHALIFA FAIQ ALZAYANI CREATIVE DIRECTOR, FAZCO WLL
20
Your first impressions of Bahrain
I arrived in August nearly five years ago and my first impression was the
intense heat and the bright sunshine and the freezing cold A/C inside the
buildings.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
The area where all the market gardens are around the Fort and the
Museum near Seef – I love the architecture of the Museum and the
terrace that overlooks the sea.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to
visit
I want to venture out to the clubs I hear about and for someone
who knows their way around the various clubs to recommend the
best DJs.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
There are so many to choose from – I love to hang out at Al
Riwaq Gallery in Adliya – to have coffee, read the papers and
resist the cakes. I also love a trip to Café Italia –I think the
staff are lovely and the food is always good.
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
This truly is the Island of smiles – even during these
difficult times. I think that the way people greet each
other, the handshakes, the willingness to learn your
story and to tell theirs – this warmth, connection and
curiosity is what keeps me here.
Bahrain stands apart because….
It is both traditional and open to new ideas. It is
somewhere where people are willing to hear your
ideas, to help you to be successful.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
That the young people here are able to reach
their potential – education is valued here
and both young men and women have
extraordinary opportunities. They have the
energy, the tenacity and the confidence to
do this – they now need the opportunity to
shine and contribute their gifts in building
their future together.
JILL BOGGISSMANAGING DIRECTOR, INSIDE CHANGE CONSULTANCY
22
YAGNA DAMANI OPERATIONS MANAGER, TRENDS HAUS
Bahrain through your eyes…
Poignant, politicised, promising and inexplicably forever
protected.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
La Fontaine. It perfectly encapsulates the Bahrain that was,
the Bahrain that is, and the Bahrain we want to be.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want
to visit:
I’ve been meaning to take my car out to the BIC track to really put
it to the test. It’s on the agenda so it’s just a matter of when.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Would have to be Mirai! I’m a huge fan of Japanese cuisine and
Mirai always seems to do it right. Even when I’m abroad, I crave
their Hamour Usuzukuri!
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
I love the crest/coat of arms. It’s just so chic and menacing!
Bahrain stands apart because…
It’s home.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future
Greenery. I would love to see an open expansive space that you
can truly get lost in.
TO ADVERTISE CALL: (+973) 17 564250 - (+973) 39 477727
24
Bahrain through your eyes...
Land of Great potential and opportunities.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
The World Trade Center is quite an interesting structure.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
I must say the BIC.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Trader Vic’s
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
I would say the UNIF1ED tagline used for the F1 promotion. That was
brilliant.
Bahrain stands apart because….
Of the warm welcome of its people and the sense of belonging you
get when you blend in the culture.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future
A prosperous Bahrain, unified and strong.
ZAID I. HAMED GROUP MARKETING & COMMUNICATION MANAGER , EBRAHIM K. KANOO B.S.C.
Your first impressions of Bahrain
Strangely, I felt like I was coming home. As a kid growing up I had a natural
feeling for the Gulf so it was no surprise I ended up in the best of the Gulf
countries, Bahrain. Instantly I felt at home. So I can only surmise I was here in
my last life.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
In Turkey, the most striking architectural feature for me was the Blue Mosque
and remains for me one of the world’s most endearing architectural feats. So
it’s by no means of a surprise that my most striking architectural feature here
in Bahrain is the Al – Fateh Mosque also known as the Al – Fateh Islamic
Center and the Grand Mosque which is one of the largest mosques in the
world, capable of accommodating over 7,000 worshippers at a time, lit up,
the mosque is a place of beauty and spirituality.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
It’s got to be Amwaj, it’s a floating miracle and the vision behind Saud
Kanoo’s island is what makes Bahrain a Disneyland for adults and children
with eclectic tastes, and he hasn’t finished.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Luigi’s Pizza and Organic Foods and Cafe in Seef Mall are just a few,
but because of my hectic lifestyle I like to pull up to one of those villages
to watch them bake me bread in those oval cement ovens at over 100
degrees with these guys baking in that searing heat and hand me a
perfect appetizer. Awesome!
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
For me, my most endearing Bahraini symbol is when everybody packs
their tents and heads into the desert. Families, friends and colleagues
share a togetherness I’ve never witnessed before, one that’s filled with
music, food and genuine friendships.
Bahrain stands apart because….
Recently I have been tuning into Bahrain TV and begun watching
its historical series, which I have to say has been amazing. From
thousands of ships descending to the seas like an armada to catch
pearls to proving to the world the construction of the F1 track, which
was brought forward six months to the horror of all those involved
and still built on time. Also, the artistry of Abbas Almosawi's Arabic
art to the building of Bahrain’s financial district as the hub of the
banking world in the Gulf. There is so much more I could write
but the reason I think Bahrain stands apart is because I feel the
country is one big extended family where friendship is at its very
core.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
Seriously, to travel in an open Double Decker bus along the
streets of all Bahrain so that 1,360,000 Bahraini people can
cheer their very own Wimbledon Champion in my lifetime. Also,
to empower more women to take up the sport of tennis.
JOSEPH HENRIQUES CO-FOUNDER OF BAHRAIN BASED JC’S TENNIS ACADEMY
AND CAFES, THE WORLD’S FIRST THEMED TENNIS ACADEMIES
26
Bahrain through your eyes…
I see Bahrain as my home, a mother who nurtures me, encourages my
dreams and a sweetheart who showers me with love. Bahrain is the breath
I cannot live without. I get homesick for Bahrain when I travel – it is my
base and it gives me a strong sense of identity and purpose. Bahrain has
liberal values and a mature and progressive outlook which lets every
citizen, regardless of gender, follow their dreams. These achievements
are recognised and celebrated. We are a small community so we take
pride in each other’s success.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
Beit Al Qura’an, Bahrain National Museum, Arad Fort, Bahrain
Financial Harbour, The Formula One Race track in Sakhir which
was carved out of the desert, the King Faisal Bahrain-Saudi
Causeway…and I’m really looking forward to the state-of-the-
art National Theatre in the museum complex which is nearing
completion.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want
to visit
I think I would love to go go-karting at BIC or maybe
snorkeling off Bahrain’s coastline
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Most restaurants in block 338 especially Café Lilou
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
There are two: the flag and the Bahraini pearl.
Bahrain stands apart because….
We stand apart because we are a country that has a
heart for humanity and a mind that is open enough
to listen to the world.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
A Bahrain that will be prosperous, united and
where every heart will beat as one for love of
the nation!
SAMYA HUSSAINCORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER – ZAIN BAHRAIN
28
HUSSAIN KADHEM CO-FOUNDER OF BAHRAIN BASED JC’S TENNIS ACADEMY AND CAFES,
THE WORLD’S FIRST THEMED TENNIS ACADEMIES.
Bahrain through your eyes...
In a nutshell, it’s a developing nation in all aspects. However,
what I love the most about this place is that it's unique in its
very own way. A very laid-back and friendly island with a deep-
rooted culture of love and togetherness.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
There are many extraordinary sites in Bahrain due to its
4,000 years of settlement. My favourite though, has to be the
traditional houses in Muharraq.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to
visit
My favourite spot on this island has to be Fasht Al Khour off the
coast of Manama. A strip of golden sand no bigger than a tennis
court in size, and only visible when it's low tide. Surrounded by
beautiful clear blue waters and its only inhabitants, seagulls.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
As a Bahraini, I have to admit, there's nothing like home-made
traditional food. So my favourite dining spot would be at my
grandmother's house in the village.
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The most endearing Bahraini symbol to me is how Bahraini's make
time to be with and around their family and friends. There aren’t
many places where family and friends get together the way we do
here in Bahrain. It’s a wonderful tradition that is probably lost in many
countries around the world.
Bahrain stands apart because….
Bahrain's tradition and its people. It’s amazing how, if you look
around, there are still many of its traditions alive today, and it’s no
coincidence that Bahrain's people are ranked first as the world's
friendliest people.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
I share my partner's dream, which is to in the very near future, celebrate
our very own Bahraini Tennis Champion. He put it this way: To travel
in an open Double Decker bus along the streets of all Bahrain so
that 1,360,000 Bahraini people can cheer their very own Wimbledon
Champion in my lifetime. Furthermore, I'd like to see the country produce
more tennis players to compete on the world's stage.
VOLUME-3 APRIL 2012
BUSHIDO& PHILOSOPHY OF FOOD
UNIF1ED WE STAND SHAIKH SALMAN BIN
ISA AL KHALIFA
TRAVELVISTAEXPLORE . DREAM . DISCOVER
30
SONIK KAPURMARKETING DIRECTOR & CARDS BUSINESS HEAD, CITIBANK
Your Impressions of Bahrain...
Bahrain is an amalgam of tradition and modernity. A country
which welcomes all with open arms.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
Contemporary: Bahrain International Circuit; Cultural: Bait Al-
Qur’an; Religious: Al Fateh Mosque; Historic: Bahrain Fort
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want
to visit
Pearl diving is something I would love to experience.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Trader Vic’s
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
World Trade Centre
Bahrain stands apart because….
Of the warmth and hospitality of Bahrainis, the fact that
Bahrain embraces an open and friendly culture.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
A country on a path of rapid economic development, a
regional / global hub for various business houses.
GHADA OTHMAN KHUNJIPHOTOGRAPHER
Bahrain through your eyes…
The perfect shade of black and white, and everyone in between.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
Manama Souq, although it is being restructured much to my
dismay. Also, the old homes with their charming wind towers
that our Culture Minister, Sheikha Mai, has brought back to life.
Hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
Block 338 in Adliya where rising contemporary local artists
share their vision...I especially appreciate the "Grafitti Wall".
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Deliciously different is The Fish Market at The Bandar Resort;
definitely worth the trek. For a BD and a half, one can indulge
in some Abul Tikka...but to top all lists my favourite is still
some home cooked food...
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
Without a doubt... the Pearl.
Bahrain stands apart because….
Of its people and its layers of different civilisations. After
all, it's been claimed to have been The Garden of Eden.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
Unification above all, we are as rare and precious as our
unique pearls and we can't take that for granted.
MALA KUMARWIFE OF INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
Your first impressions of Bahrain...
I remember the day I landed in Bahrain and driving
from the airport to our residence. It was love at first
sight! Here was a lovely, small place, so cosy, so
unassuming with warm, friendly people. Within days I
felt very much at home. Also, the fantastic welcome by
the vast Indian community truly overwhelmed me.
The most striking architectural feature of the
country
Some of my favourite spots in Bahrain are the forts-
both Arad Fort and the Bahrain Fort with its museum. I
also like wandering around the old houses in Muharraq
which speak volumes about the history and people of
Bahrain. Another favourite is La Fontaine.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or
want to visit
I would like to do the Al Dar and Hawar islands for some
Dolphin watching and go camping in the desert. I hope to
do them in good weather and soon.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
For a tiny island, Bahrain is flooded with restaurants
catering to all cuisines and tastes. Being a vegetarian
limits my choices to a certain extent but I enjoy going to the
Italian restaurants here like Bice, Trader Vic’s or Bushido
for its ambience and the cafes like Cafe Lilou or the small
places in the malls.
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
I don’t know if I can talk about Formula 1 as an endearing
symbol, but Bahrain has been associated with the Grand
Prix and I was quite excited about watching my first race. The
other symbol that is very close to my heart is the recently-
concluded Spring of Culture. It is an amazing venture to
expose Bahrainis and others to art, music and dance from
other cultures and I always look forward to the various shows
and concerts.
Bahrain stands apart because…
Of its people - warm, hospitable and open minded. The
country’s tolerance, recognition and appreciation of other
religions and cultures is indeed remarkable. For a small island,
there is a lot happening in terms of cultural events from across
the world.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
I hope one day Bahrain is recognised as a real pearl in the
ocean which it is due to the qualities I mentioned above. It has
great potential and will hopefully get the recognition it deserves.
I dream of a Bahrain free from all the problems it is facing right
now, emerge as the peaceful island it was once known as.
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BERT PLAS GENERAL MANAGER, SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA AND SPA
Bahrain through your eyes...
An oasis famous for its legendary hospitality
The most striking architectural feature of the country
Our hotel and the BIC
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to
visit
I would like to go pearl diving one day.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
La Mer in Sofitel Bahrain
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The pearl
Bahrain stands apart because….
Of the great people of Bahrain, famous for their friendliness
and hospitality.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
A peaceful and prosperous nation where all nationalities
live together.
WAFA ALOBAIDAT EDITOR OF SKETCHBOOK MAGAZINE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT PR AND DESIGN AGENCY OBAI AND HILL, PR DIRECTOR AT ORGANICS FOOD AND CAFE
Bahrain through your eyes…
Bahrain is its people. We are kind and we are friendly. I will always have that outlook on
Bahrain. That and good Safi.
The most striking architectural feature of the country
Albareh Gallery is a haven for me, to meet and greet artists and I enjoy the positive
atmosphere of the space. Recently opened is the Abbas Al Mosawi gallery in Qarraya.
It is a contemporary independently run gallery with a huge garden space for outdoor
events and sculpture pieces, the art work changes on a daily basis, and it has a roof with
stunning views of the different deconstructed layers of the space. I also like my office
space at the Bahrain Financial Harbour and consider it to have cool furniture and a
modern sleek vibe.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to visit
Middle of the sea on a boat with friends, it is the best spot to enjoy the weather and
have access to the sea.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Organic Food and Cafe for lunch, Al Riwaq cafe for weekends!
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The sea
Bahrain stands apart because….
We are known to be one of the kindest nations on earth.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
Global and established companies should develop local talent. More investment
in art and design industry in Bahrain. A space where the youth can gather, meet,
work, network, and showcase their art work.
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SAMA YATEEM OWNER AND FOUNDER OF PLAY
Bahrain through your eyes...
A juxtaposition of old and new.
The most striking architectural feature of the
country
The Yateem mosque in the the souq that is reflected
in the mirrored Batelco building. I feel it is a wonderful
representation of east meets west.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited
or want to visit
The desert because it is a part of our natural
habitat.
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Masso
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
Bab Al Bahrain
Bahrain stands apart because…
Of the kindness of its people.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future
A society that promotes tolerances and respect.
A day when all children will have access to quality
education.
WEAM ZABAR FOUNDER OF NAMASTE BAHRAIN
Bahrain through your eyes...
Bahrain is home. It's the lap of a mother. I can be enchanted by many a
countries but my heart is buried deep into its soil. Bahrain is a beautiful
woman in her thirties. She's mature enough but she kept her soul, she
hasn't had any plastic surgeries yet!
The most striking architectural feature of the country
The skyline of the diplomatic area at nighttime. It looks stunning
across the sea.
Adventure hotspot in Bahrain you have visited or want to
visit
I know Bahrain is amazing for scuba diving, but I still need to work
through my fears!
Your favourite dining spot in Bahrain
Coco's. I've been going there for about 14 years now. The food is
great, it's real, hearty yet healthy. I can't get enough.
Most endearing Bahraini symbol
The Dalla (coffee pot), to me it's a symbol of welcoming,
hospitality and warmth of the Bahraini people.
Bahrain stands apart because….
It's small, yet big. It has everything you need, it's abundant. Yet
it's not overwhelming, it's very easy to live in.
Your dreams for Bahrain’s future …
I dream of a Bahrain where the youth would go outside the
norm, step out of the box and follow their dreams. I see
many entrepreneurs today and I wish for that to continue.
I dream of the day where there are experts of the Bahraini
national in every field.
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38
Culture springs anew!Spring of Culture Festival 2012 was a cultural canvas of various artistic hues says Kala Namboodri
SHOW
40
They came, sang, danced and performed their way into people's hearts and the culture vultures were left craving for more. For two months, starting in March, Bahrain was
where you had to be, as the country played host to some of the best musicians, singers, dancers, theatre actors, puppeteers, poets, artists and intellectuals. It was the Spring of Culture Festival 2012 and judging by the standards,
worldwide appeal, sheer professionalism and variation of the performing arts, this was by far the very best 'Spring of Culture' festival...
AMAZING ARRAYIf you have Latin music legend Julio Iglesias kicking off the extravaganza and 'the man with the guitar' George Benson bringing the curtain down on the two-month long celebration, with opera legend Andrea Bocelli, Angelique Kidjo, Nigerian songstress Asa, Osiris, Knuffle Bunny, Dan Zanes and Friends, Japanese Taiko Legend Eitetsu Hayashi, Princess Bari from Korea, The
Greatest Street from Egypt, Shaolin Temple from China, Jody Sperling, Riham Abdul Hakim, Ghada Ghanem, Imane Homsy, Susana Baca, Souad Massi, Samih Al Qassim, Mustafa AlFiqi, Mohammad Ali Farahat and Ibrahim Jaber keeping the entertainment alive along the way, what you have is a matchless range and variety of performing arts!
ODE TO BAHRAINIt truly was a celebration of Bahrain - its unique cosmopolitan culture that makes everyone feel at home instantly and 'lets a thousand flowers
SHOW
bloom' to borrow a quote from Chairman Mao. This was not the first time Bahrain acted as a platform for intercultural communications, every year the Island hosts annual cultural festvities with a wide range of colourful performances, but after last year, it was important to affirm that culture springs eternal. Bahrain is recovering and moving on at full speed and what could be better than shared cultural experiences to show that.
CULTURE FESTThe Kingdom is the Arab Capital of Culture this
year, culture as seen through the families, the people as much as through the magic of poetry, music, theatre, and more; this is what unites us and also makes us different. A powerful human tool for survival, it is a fragile phenomenon. It is constantly changing and easily lost because it exists only in our minds. This was a wonderful way of showing how important it is to preserve it. More importantly, culture can also be a very effective force of economic change!Dan Zanes and Friends (a bit of personal bias here) came all the way from New York with their wild sounds of electric guitar, fiddle, drums
and trumpet. A little bit of hip-hop with lots of acrobats in an astounding mash-up of gravity-defying manoeuvres.
UNFORGETTABLE EVENINGS For the the first time in the Gulf, Julio Iglesias brought romance to Arad Fort in two unforgettable evenings, there was a wonderful tribute performance to the Arab world's legendary singer Umm Kulthum, by Egyptian diva Riham Abdul Hakim accompanied by maestro Selim Sahab and the Arab Music Ensemble. The MozART Group blended classical
42
music and comedy in a manner that was a refreshing change from the stuffy formality of great concert halls.
In their own words, "We exist despite the boredom of classical musicians' life, despite fanatic lovers of classical music, despite fans of rock, rap or pop who are afraid of classical music. We treat our Muse with a humorous irony and we're sure, she will have nothing against it!"
LIGHT PLAYJody Sperling mesmerised the audience with a unique fabric-and-light dance spectacle after the style of Loie Fuller (1862-1928). In an homage to Ms. Fuller, as the year marks her
150th birthday, Ms. Sperling's Time Lapse Dance was both reverential and interpretive. One of the acts, 'Turbulence', finessed gusts of wind into hypnotic rhythmic patterns and another "Roman Skeches" kaleidoscopically reflected the iridescent rippling costumes of the dancers.
FOR EVERYONEWith more than 35 events, over one-third of which were aimed at families, there was something for toddlers, teenagers, mothers and yuppies. Tap Dogs, one of the hottest tap dancing troupes, rocked Arad Fort turning it into a construction site. Tom Tom Crew from Australia had the hearts of teens pumping with their high energy hiphop moves. The Kennedy
Center's Knuffle Bunny brought laughter and fun to the little ones. Walls and Bridges puppetry provided many-a thrill to the young audiences and Play_Please! gave kids an ultimate multi-media experience.
In an amazing, opulent production with embroidered and colourful costumes, skilled dancers and musicians, led by Korea's most exciting contemporary choreographer, Eun-Me Ahn, Princess Bari was finally told the truth of her identity. As I never tire of saying, Japanese drumming legend Eitetsu Hayashi gave a truly uplifting performance.
For the Martial Arts afficionados, the Chan
SHOW
Shaolin Temple Group which has performed many shows around the world, combined KungFu, Wushu and Chan Zen in a harmonious way for a grand spectacle. The energetic yet serene monks demonstrated a series of unique styles of Kung Fu that all encapsulate the essence of Shaolin Kung Fu. The group's members are masters of traditional Chinese medicine, no injury worries for them!
HERITAGE WALKArad Fort, Bahrain National Museum, Cultural Hall, Al Zayed House, Shaikh Ebrahim Centre, House of Poetry, Bin Matar House in Muharraq, Albareh Art Gallery, The Park and Al Riwaq Art Space - the venues for the events were all
chosen as much for their heritage value as for convenience.
All in all, the event was a rich and diverse platform for experiences, both cultural and otherwise. The one word that can sum up the festival well is joy. The pure joy it brought to thousands of Bahrainis and Arabs, not to mention the great artistes. We are sure the entire nation feels the same!
The Spring of Culture 2012 was organised by the Bahrain
Economic Development Board, with the participation of
Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture
and Research, Ministry of Culture, Albareh Art Gallery, and
Al Riwaq Art Gallery.
44
IN PICTURES
Racing Times
The 2012 Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix lived upto its reputation as one of the most entertaining races; both on and off track. We bring you glimpses of a thrilling event…
46
THE RACE Defending champions Red Bull reaffirmed their supremacy – thanks to a thundering drive by double World Champion Sebastian Vettel that marked the return of Formula One racing to Bahrain International Circuit ‘the home of motorsport in the middle east’. Beginning in pole position, he was not troubled at all by Lewis Hamilton who started on the grid beside him.
The McLaren Mercedes star finished a disappointing eighth after two disastrous pitstops in which he lost vital seconds.Vettel came home ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 champion, and the Finn's Lotus team-mate Romain Grosjean. Coming home fourth was Red Bull driver Mark Webber with Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) rounding out the top five finishers.
SUPPORT ACTIONThe support races also kept the crowd on their toes, as a build up to the F1 finale. Davide Valsecchi won a dramatic race in GP2 Series while Ramez Azzam won race two of the WGA Supercars Middle East Championship. Norbert Siedler sealed victory in the 2nd event of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. All three series were being held in support of this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
The crowd (which numbered around 80,000 over the race weekend) was treated to a variety of entertainment in the F1 Village vending area. The public were given access to their F1 favourite stars like Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg and Mark Webber among others at the autograph signing
48
sessions.
A TASTE OF FUNThe whole place bore a festive atmosphere with plenty of entertainment activities for the whole family. The crowds swayed to the beats of several music bands including the Michael Jackson Tribute group which proved to be a crowd favourite. Different tents had been setup – just like a buffet meal - with their own unique attractions to cater to people having different tastes; they included Kid's circus tent, Arts and Craft tent and Kid's theatre tent.
There was something for everyone and shop-o-holics were not left out. They had plenty of F1 accessories and memoriblia to buy from the Welcome Centre as well as the individual tents set up in the vendor area.
Last but not the least, the roaming acts prepped up everyone's mood with an amazing doze of humour and entertainment. They included comedians, special performers, Bombay Baja Brass Band and the roaming magician Ian Kendall. With the successful hosting of the 2012 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the country has again proved to the world that ‘Bahrain is the place to be, whether it be motorsport, business or pure pleasure.’
50
ICONS
INSPIRATIONAL INDEED
THEY HAVE INSPIRED US, ENTERTAINED US AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR SOCIAL GROWTH.
SIGNATURE PICKS ITS LIST OF GENIUSES TO LOOK UPTO…
He is a beloved and admired figure
around the world. He has received the
Nobel Peace prize, is a powerful orator,
a published author, a professor and a
humanitarian. To exclude Tenzin Gyatso,
the 14th Dalai Lama from out list of cultural
icons would be a crime. He is known for
his lifelong advocacy for Tibetans and his
speeches on peace, environment, religious
harmony and women’s rights. Like so many
before him, The Dalai Lama will surely be
remembered for his dedication towards
making the world a better place.
The Dalai Lama
Considered by many as the best-selling
Arab recording artist of all time, Amr Diab is
continuously breaking new ground with his
fresh beats. In fact, he has completely
revolutionised Arab music by popularising
‘Mediterranean music’ - a combination of
Western and Egyptian beats! We would take
a chance and say that Diab can be considered
as the face of Arab music.
Amr Diab
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He’s directed crime films, horror films, war films and incredible
action thrillers. In fact the only thing his films
have in common at all is that all of them
are completely out of the ordinary! With
his unique individual style coupled with his
curiosity and willingness to experiment, Tarantino
has a gift when it comes to depicting pop culture
in USA. His ability to write captivating scripts
and create even better movies is definitely
enough to make him one of the most iconic
American film directors of modern times.
Quentin Tarantino
This magical author is known for single-
handedly bringing the art of fantasy fiction
writing into modern mainstream culture. Her
brilliant magical saga, filled as it is with witches
and wizards, spells and enchantments,
transports the reader into another world.
What’s amazing is that with only 7 books, J K
Rowling has become a household name;
creating an entire generation of 'Harry
Potters' everywhere!
J K Rowling
Alexander McQueen was one of the few
designers who managed to create real
emotions though his collection - his ability
to represent strength or vulnerability though
his fashion shows are legendary. He
founded the Alexander McQueen luxury brand
that recently created the breathtaking gown
for Kate Middleton (a pity he was not alive
to revel in the glory). McQueen had a certain
je nes se quoi that will always put him in a
class apart, as designer who brought drama
and extravagance to the catwalk.
Alexander McQueen
Popularly considered the ‘Picasso of India’
MF Husain was a revolutionary figure
when it came to art. His paintings were
unique – sometimes funny and sometimes
sombre. Topics ranged from Mother Teresa to
the Mahabharata. His works, like him, were
brilliant, creative and sadly misunderstood.
Although he may be a highly unappreciated
artist of his time, Husain continues to live on
though his thought-provoking, vivid art.
MF Husain
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She’s worn wreaths and horns, wigs and dresses
made of meat. Is there any wonder why Lady
Gaga’s fashion sense always leaves the world
stunned? This is one singer who has made
strange and impossible outfits look like the
next big fashion trend. Whether she has us in
awe or shell shocked this style icon has
definitely revolutionised the way we see fashion!
Think about the craziest outfit you can imagine
and who knows - she might be wearing it
soon!
Lady Gaga
Leonard Cohen is often considered an
icon when it comes to music. A poet, musician,
novelist, monk, and actor all rolled into one,
Cohen has impressed generations with his
talent. But it’s really his deep soulful music
that sets him apart. His songs like ‘Hallelujah’
and ‘Suzanne’ are considered instant
classics - songs that will truly be remembered
forever.
Leonard Cohen
One of the most beloved cartoon characters of all
time, Homer Simpson has been a favourite
amongst children and adults alike. His love for
food (did someone say donuts?), bright yellow
skin, short attention span and tempestuous
relationship with his skateboarding
son Bart will always leave audiences well
entertained. Be it his no brainer dialogues
or his rare thought provoking one liners,
Homer Simpson is one of the most talked about
cartoon characters.
Homer Simpson
It’s absolutely impossible to imagine a
world without the Oprah Winfrey show. Her
bold and comfortable style of talking has
helped housewives and husbands, teenagers
and children alike. What’s more, Oprah
became the first woman in history to produce her
own talk show, making her the richest African
American woman in the world. With her open
curiosity, robust humour and empathy, this
influential woman has changed the way the
world views television and more.
Oprah Winfrey
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WHEELS FOR EVERY MOOD, SEASON AND TERRAIN…
AUTOMOBILES
TOP MARQUES
The all-new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé is the first four-door Coupé in the history of the brand. Expected
to go on sale in the Middle East later this year, the third model in the BMW 6 Series range comes with
elegant and powerful looks. Venturing into a new vehicle segment once again, BMW channels athletic
elegance, powerful engines and sophisticated chassis technology to make the new BMW 6 Series Gran
Coupé a handsome addition to its 6 Series range. The latest model also makes its mark with exclusive
equipment features and a level of practicality unmatched by its premium four-door Coupé rivals.
Following in the tracks of the BMW 6 Series Convertible and Coupé that was launched last year, the new
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé is set to establish a new benchmark in the top-class premium segment in
terms of aesthetics, emotionality and modernity.
BMW range is available with Euro Motors Bahrain. For more details log on to www.euromotors.com.bh
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé
5858
MINI is pushing ahead with the rigorous expansion of its model family, with the launch
of its sixth model addition – the MINI Roadster, the first open-top two-seater MINI in
the brand’s illustrious history. The Roadster embodies sportiness and open-air driving
fun under the open sky. Even with the roof closed, it displays an elegant, sweeping
silhouette, with the transition from soft-top to rear end, highlighting its characteristic
three-box design particularly clearly. At the same time, the new model wears its
brand identity on its sleeve thanks to unmistakable design features like the hexagonal
contours of its radiator grille, chrome trim strips and surrounds, large circular
headlights, vertically stacked rear lights positioned on the outer extremes of the rear
end, and the eye-catching surrounds of the side indicators on the front side panels.
MINI range is available with Euro Motors Bahrain. For more details log on to www.
euromotors.com.bh
MINI Roadster
Reflecting the new world in which we live, the Rolls-Royce Phantom family has been thoughtfully updated
with a modern yet timeless design that frames the introduction of cutting-edge technologies, significant
enhancements to drive-train, ease-of-use and connectivity – introducing the Phantom Series II. The word
waftability has long been part of the Rolls-Royce lexicon, while models past and present are famed for their
magic carpet ride. The Phantom Series II reinforces the company’s reputation for both. Every part of the
Phantom experience should be effortless, so new driver assistance technologies and a modern user interface
with a re-designed multi-media controller have been introduced for the Phantom Series II. The new satellite
navigation system, for example, has been fully updated with functions that include 3D maps with landscape
topography, guided tours and enhanced points of interest, as well as composite route planning.
Rolls-Royce range is available with Euro Motors Bahrain. For more details log on to www.euromotors.com.bh
Rolls-Royce
Phantom Series II
6060
Now in its third generation, Audi A8 is an impressive combination of high performance
and high technology with trademark quattro all-wheel drive. High technology in the forms
of onboard navigation and voice commands or by a laptop computer-like touch pad are
embedded in the centre console next to a shift lever modeled after the throttle control for
high-end yachts. The limousine-like A8L features spacious reclining rear seats a powered
footrest, real leather trim and upholstery, a Bang & Olufsen surround system with 19 speakers
and a 1,400-watt amplifier, ventilatedmassaging seats, rearview camera, sports suspension,
heated steering wheel and a rear seat entertainment centre with a pair of 10-inch LCD screens
and individual audio controls. High performance in the form of a luxury sedan powered by a 372
horsepower, the 4.2-litre V8 is capable of hitting 0-100km/h from a dead stop under six seconds or
comfortably cruising for hours on end at speeds well in excess of 160km/h.
Audi range available with Behbehani Brothers. For more details log on to www.behbehani.com.bh
Audi A8
This remarkable line-up from Bentley Motors gets a performance upgrade in the form of downsizing without compromise in
performance. The latest addition is the V8 engine in the model series which delivers 500bhp at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 660Nm
across virtually the entire rev range from 1,700 to 5,000. With a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission it translates into a
sub-5 second acceleration time for the 0-100 km/h sprint and a top speed of over 290 km/h. That’s not all -- the new V8 engine features
variable displacement ensuring a seamless and imperceptible transition from V8 to V4 mode under light throttle load. The arrival of the
new V8 Continental models fulfils Bentley's environmental commitment to car as it delivers a 40 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency
and CO2 emissions. The V8 car is now capable of travelling 800km on one tank of fuel.
Bentley range available with Ahmed Zayani & Sons. For more details log on to www.ahmedzayani.com
Bentley CGT
6262
Designed to be the most luxurious and fuel-efficient Chrysler flagship sedan ever, the
2012 Chrysler 300 luxury Executive Series combines premium luxury features and
performance in one package. Dressed with the highest grade Italian Poltrona Frau
leather and finished with hand sanded real wood found only in exotic cars - all to deliver
a luxurious combination of high end craftsmanship and style. The 300C is loaded with
exceptional electronics and technology and offers three options of powertrains, the
base variant being the Pentastar V6 engine, paddle shifting eight-speed transmission,
the high end variant with its powerful 363 horsepower 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine with Fuel
Saver Technology and the top-of-the-range being the SRT version. The 2012 Chrysler
300 SRT8 adds high-performance hardware to the elegant proportions and head
turning design of the model to provide the ultimate combination of world-class luxury,
power and handling. With an estimated 465 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, the
300 SRT8 is targeted at drivers that seek heart pounding, adrenaline filled excitement,
but don't want to sacrifice comfort and innovative features to get it. Chrysler 300's AWD
system (both V6 and V8 engines) features a segment-exclusive active transfer case
and front-axle-disconnect system to improve real-world fuel economy.
Chrysler range available with Ahmed Zayani & Sons. For more details log on to
www.ahmedzayani.com
Chrysler 300C
The Jaguar XJ makes a statement of dynamism and
sporting character with its wide stance, muscular wheel
arches and taut waistline. To the XJ’s striking signature
styling cues are added stunning touches such as the
panoramic roof and the cat’s claw rear light clusters.
Settling into the glove-soft leather, surrounded by the
stylish curved sweep of the warm wood veneer, the XJ’s
luxurious interior has been fashioned to delight the senses.
At heart, every XJ is a true sports saloon. Jaguar offers a
huge range of enhancements, stylistic choices and models
that enhance the XJ further to match the unique taste and
singular desires of its owners. The XJ Luxury, XJ Premium
Luxury, XJ Portfolio and the XJ Supersport models
combine the ultimate in luxury with a simply awe inspiring,
heart thumping, breath taking performance.
Jaguar range available with Mohammed Jalal & Sons. For
more details log on to www.jalal.com
Jaguar XJ
6464
The Range Rover Evoque is a quantum leap in the evolution of
Range Rover. It provides an engaging blend of dynamic and sporty
handling with impressive refinement. The lightweight, compact
footprint of the vehicle and the low centre of gravity facilitate both
quick responses and extraordinary agility. And with the availability
of Adaptive Dynamics with advanced Magnaride™ dampers there
is an optimum balance between confident, nimble handling and a
supple, controlled ride. Available in two distinct body styles, Range
Rover Evoque and Range Rover Evoque Coupe. Bold assertive
design that is also available in three distinct derivatives; Pure,
Prestige & Dynamic- each one offering a tempting array of choices
& technology.
Range Rover Evoque masters all surfaces and all weathers, using
legendary Land Rover all-terrain technologies. It is a smaller, lighter-
the most efficient Range Rover…ever.
Range Rover range is available with Euro Motors Bahrain. For more
details log on to www.euromotors.com.bh
Range Rover Evoque
The GS has a remarkable front face with LEDs posing as eye liners
below the blazing headlamps. The overall look is smooth and curvy
with refreshingly bold crease lines along the body. The side profile looks
cool and we just love the back with those chrome tipped exhausts,
curvy bumper with integrated lights. The interiors are beautiful as well.
The splashes of wood veneer over the dashboard, door panels and
rest of the cabin makes it look very lively at the outset. The leather seats
come in a wide choice of colours and enhance the interior according
to the owner’s tastebuds. The dash is tastefully designed and studded
with a LCD screen, leather covered arm rests at the sides and shift
lever in a leather ‘evening gown’ with contrasting stitch add to the
sophistication. The new GS is available four grades and two engines
for catering to a broader range of Lexus enthusiasts. The GS250 is
powered by a 2.5L V6 that pumps out 207hp@6400rpm. The GS350 is
fitted with a 3.5L V6 that belts out 312hp@6400 and available in three
levels, basic, luxury and F Sport.
Lexus range is available at the Ebrahim K. Kanoo showroom, Sitra.
For more details log on to http://www.lexus.com.bh
Lexus GS
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Infiniti MThe Infiniti M is a showcase for Infiniti's advanced,
user-focused technologies, carrying on the tradition
of the previous generation M. Technologies include:
Infiniti Drive Mode Selector, Active Noise Control,
Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention™
(BSI), a world first; Forest Air™ system, Enhanced
Intelligent Key among many other features. The
Infiniti M is offered in M37 and M56 (featured here)
model designations. The Infiniti M37 features a
refined, powerful and efficient 328hp 3.7L V6 engine
and a range-topping 402hp 5.6L V8. Both the Infiniti
M37 and M56 engines feature Infiniti's advanced
VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) system and all
models are equipped with a standard 7-speed
automatic transmission. The M56 engine also utilises
Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) technology. The
Infiniti M37 and M56 sedans come in rear-wheel
drive configuration and in a choice of grade levels.
The Infiniti M37 can be specified in three different
grades - Excellence, Luxury and Sport - while the
M56 is available in two grades - Luxury and Sport.
Infiniti range available with Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons. For more details log on to www.almoayyed.com
The third generation of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class sets
new benchmarks in the SUV world with its leading-edge
automotive technology. The new M-Class boasts optimum
energy efficiency burning 25 per cent less fuel than its
predecessor; leading standards of both passive and active
safety features and assistance systems including lane
keeping assist and blind spot assist which once a driver
experiences these features they will wonder how they ever
drove a car without them! The new M Class will be offered
in three variants, the ML350 and the ML500 with the ML63
AMG following shortly. There are high expectations for the
car in Oman as early reactions have been incredibly positive,
in particular to the spacious redesigned cabin, the use of
top quality materials and its bold styling.
Mercedes range is available with Al Haddad Motors. For more details log on to www.alhaddad-mercedesbenz.com
Mercedes M-Class
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The DBS Carbon Edition features 10-spoke gloss black diamond turned wheels with a reversed
diamond turned or full gloss black finish as an option. Complementing the wheels, black brake
calipers will be delivered as standard with yellow, orange, red or grey as an option. Harmonising
with the exterior finish is a warm black grille, carbon fibre mirror heads, carbon rear lamp in-fills and
smoked rear lights creating a DBS specification like never before. The interior of a DBS Carbon Edition
will take in excess of 70 man hours to hand stitch and finish. Each DBS will undergo Aston Martin’s
unique paint process receiving seven layers of paint together with a 25 hour hand flat-and-polish finish
resulting in a glass veneer, normally the reserve of jewellery production. A first for Aston Martin is the
option to specify a satin lacquer paint finish, creating a silk-like texture. The DBS Carbon Edition in
available in Carbon Black at the Aston Martin showroom and is priced at Rials 119,000.
Aston Martin range is available with Montana Motors. For more details log on to http://astonmartin.
montanamotors.com/
Aston Martin DBS Carbon
The F12berlinetta ushers in a new generation
of Ferrari 12-cylinders in the form of a car
that delivers unprecedented performance
from an exceptional new engine, combined
with innovative design that redefines classic
themes along with extreme aerodynamics.
Ferrari’s traditional transaxle layout has been
revolutionised to match the more extreme
performance of the car. The wheelbase has
been shortened and the engine, dashboard
and seats have been lowered in the chassis
while the new layout of the rear suspension and
gearbox enabled Ferrari’s engineers to make
the rear volume of the car smaller. The overall
result is a very compact car with a lower centre
of gravity that is further back in the chassis, and
a level of aerodynamic efficiency that sets new
standards. The F12berlinetta’s 6262cc 65° V12
engine delivers unprecedented performance.
Its maximum power output is 740 CV which
translates to a specific output of 118 CV/l.
Torque reaches a peak of 690 Nm, 80 per cent
of which is already available at just 2,500 rpm,
and which provides an unrelenting surge of
acceleration all the way to the 8,700 rpm limit.
Ferrari F12berlinetta
Ferrari range is available with Euro Motors Bahrain. For more details log on to www.euromotors.com.bh
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With a history spanning five decades, the new 911 unmistakably remains
Porsche’s iconic sports car. The new 911 Carrera now features a flatter, stretched
silhouette, exciting contours and precisely designed details. Its wheelbase is
now 100mm longer, sits lower to the ground and consequently offers even
better handling dynamics for the enhanced driving pleasure. At the same time
there are performance improvements in both models. The 911 Carrera S with
PDK manages to accelerate from nought to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.3 seconds.
Pressing the Sport Plus button on the optional Sport Chrono package cuts that to
4.1 seconds. The 911 Carrera with PDK needs only 4.6 seconds (Sport Plus 4.4
seconds) to sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h (62 mph). Depending on the
model, there are other standard or optional active control systems available as
well that further enhance the driving dynamics.
Porsche range available with Behbehani Brothers. For more details log on to
www.behbehani.com.bh
Porsche 911
Reminiscent of Cadillac’s Sixteen concept car, the CTS
is characterised by sculpted fenders and signature
external attributes such as horizontal split lines, oriented
light pipes and dihedral-shaped hood. The interiors
emphasise technical precision with elegant, hand-
crafted details. Technologically, the CTS comes with
the latest high-tech assortments, including rear-vision
camera system, integrated iPod/MP3 capability, 40 GB
hard drive-based audio system, navigation system,
adaptive forward lighting system, ultrasonic park assist,
keyless access and smart remote start and a state of the
art Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround™ audio system. A 3.0L SIDI
V-6 direct injection engine delivering 270 horsepower
@ 7000 rpm and 302 Nm of torque is the CTS’s
standard engine. Also available is a 3.6L DI V-6 engine
that produces 354 horsepower @6600 rpm and 369
Nm of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission
backing both engines. CTS – V comes with a 6.2L VVT
V8 Supercharged engine with 556 (net) hp @ 6100 rpm
& torque of 793Nm. CTS & CTS-V are also available as a
Coupe with 3.6L & 6.2L engines respectively.
Cadillac range is available with National Motor
Company. For more details log on to www.nmc.com.bh
CADILLAC CTS
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FAVOURITE FLAVOURS
PAUL MERCER ON FIVE OF HIS FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS IN BAHRAIN
FOOD
Paul Mercer is a long time Bahrain resident,
international lawyer and food critic. Paul has
travelled the globe and has sampled some of the
world's best cuisines. Paul will be combining his two
great passions, writing and food, to provide us
with his view on Bahrain's best restaurants.
Soie – Sheraton Bahrain HotelFor good quality Chinese cuisine set in a relaxing and cozy surroundings my suggestion would be Soie Chinese restaurant located in the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel. With subtle
lighting, a red colour scheme against dark wooden floors and fixtures and fittings together with a centre canopy and flowing red drapes, a warm and comfortable ambience is
created. The service is fabulous and is only bettered by the delectable dishes. The menu offers a typical range of classic traditional Chinese dishes and my stand out items are the
tom yum prawn soup, the butterfly prawns with sweet chilli sauce, the lobster cooked in two styles and the sizzling beef. Whenever I have visited Soie each dish I have sampled has
been cooked to perfection. Highly recommended and I will certainly be visiting again soon.
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Primavera – Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa
Badawi, Al Hoora
Primavera is probably my favourite restaurant in Bahrain and is certainly the one I visit the most. Located in the Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa with a stylish and fresh décor
overlooking the Arabian Gulf, this ever popular restaurant offers a fresh and exciting menu of contemporary Italian cuisine. I have probably tried every item on the menu and would
like to share with you my favourites. For starters, I would recommend the Angus beef carpaccio with rucola, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese and for the
main course, I would choose either the Filetto Di Manzo (pan fried beef tenderloin in balsamic sauce with potatoes and sautéed spinach) or the Filetto Di Vitello Da Latte In Padella,
Mascarpone, (pan fried US milk fed veal tenderloin, mascarpone & truffle sauce with tomatoes and sautéed potatoes) or the Risotto All Astice (Omani lobster risotto). Each dish
is exquisite and will not disappoint. For dessert you cannot go wrong with the Tortino Al Cioccolato, Gelato Alla Vaniglia, (warm chocolate, molten cake, vanilla bean ice cream,
raspberry ginger compote). The perfect location for fine dining with friends, business acquaintances or that special someone in your life.
Located in Al Hoora behind Exhibition Avenue, the restaurant is cozy and gives a homely feel. The waiting staff are extremely friendly, helpful and responsive. When you visit expect
a warm welcome. Each day Badawi serve three special dishes for the day – the special dishes are decided on the day depending on the availability of local produce that morning.
When I last visited the specials were fasooliya (white beans) with meat and rice, freekeh (green wheat) chicken and mudardura (lentils and rice). Each special dish comes with soup
and a salad and for BD3 all in this represents exceptional value. My favourite dish is fasooliya. Fresh succulent pieces of meat that melted in your mouth with a rich and flavoursome
sauce. The mudaradura was also a hit. We also tried the restaurant’s signature dish, chicken liver with fresh bread and houmous – wonderful – washed down with fresh lemon juice
with mint. Each of my experiences at Badawi was first class and I would strongly recommend anyone who likes Lebanese cuisine to try this wonderful little restaurant. Great food,
great service and great value.
Café Lilou, AdliyaIf you are looking for a trendy location but also want top quality dining with a casual and relaxed ambience then you must pay a visit to Café Lilou. With a French inspired décor,
highly efficient waiting staff and fantastic cuisine your visit to Café Lilou should be a good one. The menu offers a variety of milkshakes, fresh fruit juices, soups, sandwiches, salads,
main courses and desserts and I can promise you that each item has been designed to tantalise your taste buds. My favourites include onion soup, prawn risotto (heavenly) and
the melt in your mouth mini burgers with crisp and tasty curly fries. When you leave Café Lilou your final (pleasant) surprise will be the bill – tremendous value!
Maki, Bahrain World Trade CentreFor great fusion Japanse cuisine I would strongly recommend Maki, located in the heart of Manama in the Bahrain World Trade Centre. Set in stylish and elegant surroundings, Maki
is ideal for a fine dining experience in downtown Manama. With an extensive menu which fuses Japanese ingredients and cooking methods with French, Italian and Mediterranean
styles, you are spoilt for choice with a vast range of Japanese dishes such as sashimi, sushi, tepanyaki and tempura dishes (just to name a few), each with a contemporary twist.
The service is top notch and I would suggest that you seek the assistance of your waiter when you make your order so that your combination of dishes complements each other.
In terms of value, I would say that Maki is reasonable considering that they offer dishes of the highest quality but you should also be aware of the 'Executive Lunch Special' which
offers a variety of fabulous Bento boxes ranging from BD8 to BD5 – truly fantastic value for exquisite food. Definitely worth a visit.
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SHAPING SKYLINES
Andre C Meyerhans picks his favourites among the iconic structures that have shaped the skyline of the Middle East…
The other day, I was asked which five buildings changed the skyline of the Middle East
in modern times? In an instant, I had numerous buildings in my mind which seemed to
deserve to top this list. In the following discussion the question turned out to be much
more complex. What does it mean to change the skyline? Is it just a building that visually
dominates the urban ensemble or is it a building powerful enough to convey a cultural
statement to others?
We had this conversation in Dubai and debated about whether Burj Al Arab or Burj
Khalifa influenced the skyline of Dubai more. Undoubtedly, the world’s tallest building
peaks much further into the clouds than any other building in town, and yes, it hosts the
most elevated restaurant and viewing platform in the world.
Yet, I am not convinced to attest it to have changed the skyline of Dubai the most. In
a nutshell, it is because A) Any superlative today is average tomorrow – or do any of
the readers know the currently third tallest building in the world? B) The architectural
design bears little information about the Middle East. The desert flower “hymenocallis”
(according to the Internet, endemic in South America!) supposedly inspired the layout
of the tower, yet only few visitors will be able to see that or any other connection to the
region and C) The name – and especially to those who know the tower’s original name
– unveils a different story about Dubai than the structure itself would like to tell...
Burj Al Arab, on the other hand, A) Defines itself over class or quality rather than over
superlative and quantity and is therefore less vulnerable to the ravages of time B) Affiliates
with the region in terms of design: the building looks like a sail of an old dhow filled with
wind and the opulent interior with its vibrant colours reflects the taste of the local culture
and C) (which is the most important point) it represents, in an iconographic way, all what
Dubai wanted to stand for: superior technology, luxury, vision and invention, … Burj Al
Arab was a visual synonym for Dubai. The building served efficiently as a marketing
tool to promote Dubai in the world. While the bellied tower might not receive as much
attention these days as it did in earlier years, it surely had the most significant impact
for Dubai in most recent history.
Of course, having said that, my personal favourite to top the list of buildings that shaped
Dubai is Dubai World Trade Center.
And here are the buildings that top the list of other Middle Eastern countries according
to my judgment...
ARCHITECTURE
André C. Meyerhans is a Swiss architect who lives and works in Dubai, UAE. His creations range from 250’000m2-urban plans and one-billion-US-dollar mixed use developments to furniture-like objects, art and jewellery. André has also written for various trade magazines and held lectures in numerous institutions on architecture and design. He is also a regular guest critique at the Architectural Department of the American University in Sharjah. For more details you can visit www.acmeyerhans.com
OMANThe Chedi Muscat: It successfully merges the charm of Omani architecture with the elegance of
international styles on a top level.
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BAHRAIN The Bahrain World Trade Center: It visually addresses sustainable architecture in a visionary way.
SAUDI ARABIA Kingdom Center in Riyadh: It visually dominates as an urban structure and indicates the country's aspirations.
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QATARThe Museum of Islamic Art: It uses a contemporary, Islamic design language that plays with light and the geometry of regional patterns in three dimensions.
IRAN Milad Tower, Tehran: It reaches to the stars like so many young people there.
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A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY WE SEE AROUND US TODAY THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED WON’T
BE AROUND FOR TOO LONG. THE WORLD IS ADVANCING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS EVERY
DAY. TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS WIRED INTERNET CONNECTIONS, DEDICATED CAMERAS AND
CAMCORDERS, LANDLINE PHONES AND OPTICAL MEDIA; THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED TODAY
WON’T EVER BE USED, OR MAYBE EVEN SEEN, BY OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.
HOWEVER, ALL NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS ITS STEPPING STONES AND WITH A LITTLE BIT OF
PATIENCE AND RESEARCH YOU CAN CATCH A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IS IN STORE FOR US IN THE
NEAR AND FAR FUTURE...
HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT TECHNOLOGY THAT IS ALREADY IN DEVELOPMENT AND SHOULD
SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY SOONER THAN LATER
TECHNOLOGY
BACK TO
FUTURE
Augmented reality is already in its infancy and is making a appearance in many aspects of our lives. Many GPS apps,
game consoles, mobiles and more take advantage of the tech to augment their already impressive features and to
better integrate themselves into the daily lives of their users. But the true potential of augmented reality has only just
been truly explored with the advent of ‘Project Glass‘. It is programme developed by Google to prototype and build
an augmented reality head-mounted display that will perfectly integrate itself with your daily life. There is even an
impressive video of what life would be like with these glasses equipped. As dorky as it may look, if it is any indication of
what the final product will be capable off, it could quite possibly be the next evolution of our ‘clunky’ smartphones.
Augmented Reality
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Most, if not all, of us are familiar with the barcode system currently in use to identify products. RFID, radio frequency
identification, is to be its replacement and is already in use at a number of locations. It has one primary purpose, that
is to identify products wirelessly, but its actual uses are innumerable. Just imagine going to the grocery store, filling up
your cart and walking right out the door. Once in place, it will rid the pains of staying in long lines at grocery stores and
that is just the start. Once you pass the checkout, the RFID tags will be used to detect every item in the cart almost
instantly and will then send information on your products to the retailer and product manufacturers for inventory and
marketing purposes. Furthermore, the amount of the bill will be instantly deducted from your account. And this is just
the start of what the technology is capable of.
RFID
Some time ago this seemed like a far-fetched idea but it seems that soon this could actually be a reality. A lot of
independent developers and companies have already tried their hand at making this dream a reality, but only one
has truly come close to production – Terrafugia. To be perfectly honest; their vehicle, named ‘Transition’, is more of a
street-legal light aircraft than an actual flying car. It even looks more like a squashed aeroplane than an actual car. But
then again the Wright Brothers Flyer 1 didn’t exactly look like the Concorde, but look where commercial aviation has
reached today. Moreover, taking into account that there are 100 pre-orders already placed for the vehicle and the fact
that it has completed its first successful test flight on March 23, 2012; it definitely looks like we are witnessing advent
of the personal flying car.
Flying cars
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As the world of personal computing gets smaller and more efficient, we could soon see a world where no desktop
computers actually exist. A lot of what makes a desktop computer worthwhile is being taken over by other devices.
Laptops and tablet PCs are becoming increasingly popular, cost effective and powerful; personal handsets are
getting smarter and also more powerful; touch interfaces everywhere will soon eliminate keyboards and maybe even
mice; hard disk drives and optical media are on the verge of extinction due to the advent of solid state media; and
furthermore current game consoles have pretty much endangered PC gaming as we know it. We can’t even imagine
what the Next Gen systems (which are due out as early as 2013) will do to the PC gaming industry. Regardless, it isn’t
one single piece but rather a collection of new tech that may eventually bring about the end of desktop computing as
we know it.
Death of desktop computing
The race to make commercial travel more efficient and cost effective is an on-going struggle, especially so with the
constantly rising costs of fuel. One of the leading projects in next-gen commercial aviation is the D8 concept. It is
a "double-bubble" configuration concept, currently being developed by a research team at MIT in conjunction with
NASA and is designed to maximise fuel efficiency. The MIT-led team developed the twin-aisle "double-bubble" D8
configuration during the NASA-funded N+3 studies completed in 2010. The D8 could reduce fuel burn by as much
as 70 per cent relative to today's 737-800. And of that saving, 49 per cent comes from the configuration alone with its
wide lifting-body fuselage, almost-unswept wing and reduced cruise Mach number, and rear-mounted engines. If all
goes well, the D8 could be your flight of choice in and around 2035.
Future Flight
NISSAN
MURANO
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