Oman ‘feels like Switzerland’ as early snow draws crowds to mountains


Saleh Al Shaibany
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Related: Rarely seen ice on UAE's Jebel Jais after chilly weekend

Snow blanketed peaks in Oman’s Hajar mountains after temperatures dropped below zero this weekend.

Omanis and foreign residents of the capital, Muscat, flocked to see the snow-covered landscape despite temperatures as low as -3ºC on Jebel Akhdar.

“It is freezing up here. It feels like Switzerland, not Oman,” British resident Ian Phillips, 63, told The National.

“Snow everywhere, every square inch of the place is covered with it. It is completely different from the rest of the country.”

The average temperature in Oman as a whole hovered around 18ºC.

The sub-zero temperature on Jebel Akhdar came a month earlier than usual. Photo: Saleh Al-Shaibany for The National
The sub-zero temperature on Jebel Akhdar came a month earlier than usual. Photo: Saleh Al-Shaibany for The National

“It is a bit unusual for the temperature there to go down this much in January, because of the recent rains and floods. Normally, it goes to sub-zero in February,” Bader Al Rumhi, a retired director of Meteorological Office at the Civil Aviation Authority, told The National.

Jebel Akhdar, at an elevation of 3,000 metres, is one of the highest peaks in the Hajar range, along with Jebel Shams.

The snowfall there follows heavy rain across the country since New Year’s Eve.

The rain caused the worst flooding since Cyclone Shaheen hit the sultanate in October, but also revived picturesque waterfalls.

  • People take pictures at the Ansab Nature Reserve in Muscat, Oman after heavy rains hit the country. All photos: Tara Atkinson for The National
    People take pictures at the Ansab Nature Reserve in Muscat, Oman after heavy rains hit the country. All photos: Tara Atkinson for The National
  • Gardens at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat are filled with floodwater.
    Gardens at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat are filled with floodwater.
  • Cars partially submerged on a street in Gubrah, Muscat.
    Cars partially submerged on a street in Gubrah, Muscat.
  • People wade through floodwaters in the capital.
    People wade through floodwaters in the capital.
  • An area affected by floods in Gubrah.
    An area affected by floods in Gubrah.
  • Police temporarily block Sultan Qaboos Highway to allow municipal workers to pump water from the road.
    Police temporarily block Sultan Qaboos Highway to allow municipal workers to pump water from the road.
  • Dark skies over Ansab, Muscat.
    Dark skies over Ansab, Muscat.

Some visitors to Jebel Akhdar camped on a plateau to enjoy the scenery.

“The snow is fluffy and pure white here, just like in Europe. It snowed the whole night last night. All the trees below us are covered in white and the mountain tops are full of snow,” said Abdullah Al Hilali, a terminal duty officer at Muscat International Airport.

“The only drawback is that we cannot light up a fire because it is freezing up here.”

Restaurant owners in the area were delighted with the steady stream of visitors.

“Business is good this time around just because the snow fell a month earlier than usual,” said Adil Al Subhi, who runs a restaurant in the village of Hail Yaman.

“They keep coming all the time, and that’s good for us.”

______________________

Snow covers Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region on New Year’s Day

  • Snowfall on the heights of Jebel Al Lawz, in Tabuk. All photos: SPA
    Snowfall on the heights of Jebel Al Lawz, in Tabuk. All photos: SPA
  • In the Tabuk region, where Neom's Trojena development is planned, snow commonly falls in winter.
    In the Tabuk region, where Neom's Trojena development is planned, snow commonly falls in winter.
  • Jebel Al Lawz is a mountain in the north-west of Saudi Arabia.
    Jebel Al Lawz is a mountain in the north-west of Saudi Arabia.
  • The mountain is situated near the Jordanian border, about 200 kilometres north-west of the city of Tabuk.
    The mountain is situated near the Jordanian border, about 200 kilometres north-west of the city of Tabuk.
  • Snow has covered parts of the kingdom’s northern cities over the past few years.
    Snow has covered parts of the kingdom’s northern cities over the past few years.
  • The south-western Asir region, at the other end of the long Hejaz Mountains range to Trojena, was also carpeted in snow in 2018.
    The south-western Asir region, at the other end of the long Hejaz Mountains range to Trojena, was also carpeted in snow in 2018.
  • The kingdom is home to a range of geographies, including the mountain ranges where it snows.
    The kingdom is home to a range of geographies, including the mountain ranges where it snows.
  • Despite this mountain geography, there are currently no outdoor skiing resorts in Saudi Arabia.
    Despite this mountain geography, there are currently no outdoor skiing resorts in Saudi Arabia.
  • Heavy rain and snowfall in the province of Al Ahsa.
    Heavy rain and snowfall in the province of Al Ahsa.
  • Saudi Arabia does have regular snowfall, thanks to its many mountains above 2 500 metres.
    Saudi Arabia does have regular snowfall, thanks to its many mountains above 2 500 metres.
  • Snow carpets the ground in the province of Al Ahsa.
    Snow carpets the ground in the province of Al Ahsa.
  • Snow has been falling on Jebel Al Lawz in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia. Photo: SPA
    Snow has been falling on Jebel Al Lawz in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia. Photo: SPA
  • People have been visiting the area since Saturday, to see the snow. Photo: SPA
    People have been visiting the area since Saturday, to see the snow. Photo: SPA
  • More snow is expected to fall on Jebel Al Lawz as well as the mountain areas of Al Dhahr and Alqan. Photo: SPA
    More snow is expected to fall on Jebel Al Lawz as well as the mountain areas of Al Dhahr and Alqan. Photo: SPA
  • Thunderstorms accompanied by showers and hail are expected in Makkah, Al Bahah, Riyadh, Al Qassim and other areas of the kingdom. Photo: SPA
    Thunderstorms accompanied by showers and hail are expected in Makkah, Al Bahah, Riyadh, Al Qassim and other areas of the kingdom. Photo: SPA
  • People enjoy a moment in the snow in Tabuk. Photo: SPA
    People enjoy a moment in the snow in Tabuk. Photo: SPA
  • Vehicles line the road to Jebel Al Lawz as hundreds of people visit the area. Photo: SPA
    Vehicles line the road to Jebel Al Lawz as hundreds of people visit the area. Photo: SPA
  • The extreme weather led security forces to close the road leading to the area, reports said. Photo: SPA
    The extreme weather led security forces to close the road leading to the area, reports said. Photo: SPA
  • Women play in the snow. Photo: @Sebusher via Twitter
    Women play in the snow. Photo: @Sebusher via Twitter
Semi-final fixtures

Portugal v Chile, 7pm, today

Germany v Mexico, 7pm, tomorrow

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Barbie
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World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Full Party in the Park line-up

2pm – Andreah

3pm – Supernovas

4.30pm – The Boxtones

5.30pm – Lighthouse Family

7pm – Step On DJs

8pm – Richard Ashcroft

9.30pm – Chris Wright

10pm – Fatboy Slim

11pm – Hollaphonic

 

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Race card for Super Saturday

4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.

4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.

7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.

RESULTS

2.30pm Jaguar I-Pace – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt)
1,600m 

Winner Namrood, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
(trainer) 

3.05pm Land Rover Defender – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
1,400m 

Winner Shadzadi, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar 

3.40pm Jaguar F-Type – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m 

Winner Tahdeed, Fernando Jara, Nicholas Bachalard 

4.15pm New Range Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m 

Winner Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly 

4.50pm Land Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 2,400m 

Winner Autumn Pride, Bernardo Pinheiro, Helal Al Alawi 

5.25pm Al Tayer Motor – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000  T) 1,000m 

Winner Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi 

6pm Jaguar F-Pace SVR – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m 

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

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Three trading apps to try

Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:

  • For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
  • If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
  • Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
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The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

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How to turn your property into a holiday home
  1. Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
  2. Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
  3. Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
  4. Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
  5. Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
Updated: January 10, 2022, 6:02 AM