Our judges are all around town this month, biting into the choicest bits (we hope) and savouring the ambience and service – all for a good cause: to identify the winner across 11 categories of the Oman Today Restaurant Awards competition.

In complete contrast to the good life, we go into the vast emptiness of the desert, its starkness a lesson in survival, not easily forgotten. Amongst the desert sand, our deputy editor travels down the brand new blacktop from Ashkharah, which has reached the outskirts of Khuwaymiah. The romance of the off-road gives way to the practicality and benefit that this road will bring to those who live along this coast as well as spur tourist development. Grapevine continues with what you can do on Thesiger’s ‘perfect specimen of sand sea’ – we profile desert camps and tours, perfect for the weather in coming months. Later, with winches, sand tyres and differentials – we delve into the technology behind sand driving. For a complete change of pace to moisture and more moisture, check out facials in our beauty section.

Mohana Prabhakar
Managing Editor