0:00:02 > 0:00:04This programme contains some strong language.
0:00:04 > 0:00:08All over the world, there are remarkable hotels, born of bold vision and daring endeavour.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Wow. This is how I ought to live.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Whether it's one of the remotest hotels on earth,
0:00:14 > 0:00:15hidden on a Pacific island...
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Or a sumptuous resort on one of the highest mountains in the Middle East.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22What an incredible view.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28The people running these hotels strive to create the perfect sanctuary.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32But what does it take to offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences...
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Woo!
0:00:33 > 0:00:35..in stunning locations?
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Construction was a logistical nightmare.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42No water, no source of power.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45I'm a restaurant writer, newspaper columnist and critic.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47I have opinions on just about everything.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48He's not a very good driver, is he?
0:00:48 > 0:00:50HORN BLARES
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- Majnun.- Majnun!- Crazy!
0:00:52 > 0:00:53Majnun!
0:00:53 > 0:00:57And I'm a chef who's worked at the top end of the hospitality
0:00:57 > 0:00:59industry for well over 20 years.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01This is awesome, whoo!
0:01:01 > 0:01:03SHE LAUGHS
0:01:05 > 0:01:09We'll travel to amazing hotels in every corner of the world.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10HE LAUGHS
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Enjoy!
0:01:12 > 0:01:15We'll spend time getting to know the people working away behind the scenes.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18I polished Elton John's fruits.
0:01:18 > 0:01:19MONICA LAUGHS
0:01:19 > 0:01:22You've polished Elton John's fruits?
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Do you recall life under apartheid, has it changed for you?
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Nelson Mandela, the first black president,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31gave me more inspiration to achieve what I want in life.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32THEY LAUGH
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Join us as we venture inside...
0:01:37 > 0:01:40The world's most extraordinary hotels.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Oman. An oil-rich Muslim kingdom of four million people.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52It is renowned for its harsh beauty.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59On the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01it has become a magnet for high-end travellers.
0:02:03 > 0:02:09Nowhere more so than the 2,000-metre-high Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15The highest five-star resort in the Middle East, it opened only a year ago.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26It's unbelievable.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31Built to resemble an ancient Omani fort, it has a forbidding exterior.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34But once inside, its opulence is mind-blowing.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Wow! What an amazing place.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41The hotel treads a delicate line.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Striving to be authentically Omani...
0:02:44 > 0:02:47..whilst providing international levels of luxury.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54And it has one attraction that is unquestionably world-class -
0:02:54 > 0:02:55the breathtaking location.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Wow! What an incredible view.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04Oof!
0:03:04 > 0:03:05It's a long way down.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15We're going to be working in this mountainous resort...
0:03:16 > 0:03:19..getting to grips with the three restaurants,
0:03:19 > 0:03:23spa, 82 rooms, and 33 villas.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28And helping out the 250 staff who work on the six-acre site.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Double basket, please.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32But luxury at altitude isn't cheap.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Prices reach £6,000 a night for the best villa.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46The man in charge of this huge operation is former soldier Darren Darwin.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48I've always had an eye for detail,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51but it was definitely drilled into me in the Army.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53We really had to support and help each other,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55and it's the same principles here.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Good morning, Abdula, how are you?
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Darren was the hotel's first employee.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00I'm very emotionally attached to this place.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04I came here, it was bricks and mortar and scaffolding, and mud everywhere.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05And everything is going OK on the gate?
0:04:05 > 0:04:09I feel a pressure, because I try, I live up to my own expectations,
0:04:09 > 0:04:10which are very high.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16It's 8:00am at reception,
0:04:16 > 0:04:21and I'm kicking off my stint at the hotel with Darren as he does his daily inspection.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- Good morning!- Good morning, Monica, very pleased to meet you.- How are you, you well?- I'm good. Please.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Everywhere he goes,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31he is joined by staff noting down the tiniest of defects.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32This is the reception waiting area.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34So this is the first impression for the guests,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38so it's very important that everything's in its place, everything's perfect.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40So, the candle...
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Ah, the candle's fallen down, yeah.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I'm quite obsessed with symmetrics.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47So, if I stand in the middle, like,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I can see everything on the left the same as everything on the right?
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- You can see the umbrellas... - Yeah.- And they're pointed out.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54And here, they're pointing in.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Oh, I thought they were meant to be yin and yang.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00No, I would be thinking about that all day now.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03If you can see the candle stand...
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- Yes?- This one needs to be moved over to the left.- All right.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Oh, much better.- All is good in the world now.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Oh, yes. Everything is now Zen.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19And also, Capilla, see where there is finger marks on that middle glass?
0:05:21 > 0:05:23It's not just about the interiors.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Here, even the view has to be double checked.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Look at this, these are finger marks.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Oh, goodness, yeah. Wet, ugh, sweaty!
0:05:31 > 0:05:34That's not acceptable. The glass has to be perfectly clean,
0:05:34 > 0:05:35the decking has to be polished.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Then I can enjoy the view.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50The man tested with creating a hotel beautiful enough to rival the view was architect Lotfi Sidirahal.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55I've been designing more than 20 hotels in seven different countries.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59I dream about sequences, I dream about moments.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03It's not really about, I mean, the building itself.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06It can be wrong to think that a hotel is a building.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09A hotel, I think, it's life.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13It's a year since construction of the hotel finished,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15and Lotfi is back to check on its progress.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19It's an amazing place to build a hotel.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21I mean, who owns all this land?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23It's the military, actually.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27The hotel is owned by the Omani military pension fund.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30First time when we came here, we were hearing the shootings.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I mean, here before the opening of the hotel,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35we were still hearing the training and shooting each time we came here, so...
0:06:35 > 0:06:36- Really?- Yeah, yeah.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42It took over three years, 200 million,
0:06:42 > 0:06:47and 2,000 people to realise Lotfi's ambitious plans for the hotel.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56One of the biggest challenges he faced was the expectation of privacy.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57For many Omani women,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00it is unacceptable to be seen in public wearing a bathing suit.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Amazing, it's like a swimming pool in the middle of a cowboy western
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- movie, or something.- Yeah.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10There is one big communal pool,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14but the other 34 are all designed to provide complete concealment,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16despite some being open to the cliffs.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Privacy is at a premium.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22How do you stop people just walking past and looking in?
0:07:22 > 0:07:23What we did is that, actually...
0:07:25 > 0:07:26..it's not allowed to walk in,
0:07:26 > 0:07:31because there is no way you can get directly to the bed rocks on the cliff edge.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34The resort has been built to stop guests being able to access the
0:07:34 > 0:07:38cliffs without putting up any obvious barriers.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40If you were sort of walking up and down here naked,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43you might still be worried that someone was going to appear.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Yeah, well... Some goats may appear, actually.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Really.- Really?- Because, yeah...
0:07:48 > 0:07:53Well, I don't think they will take pictures of guests and send that on Instagram, so it's fine.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Today, Darren's mind is not solely on privacy,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01but also on making sure all of his staff look immaculate.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- Good morning, everybody.- Good morning!
0:08:03 > 0:08:06We are dropping in on a grooming inspection for the housekeeping team.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07How are you?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Very good, sir, and you?- Good, good.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Oh, actually, what happened here?
0:08:14 > 0:08:15You need to change this, yeah?
0:08:16 > 0:08:18We're trying to create perfection.
0:08:18 > 0:08:217 days a week, 24 hours a day.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- How are you?- Thank you, sir. - Yeah.- Good.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27What did we forget this morning?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- Yeah.- Polish, my friend. Your shoes, please.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33If you are not passionate to the core, you will fail.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36And that goes for not just me, but all of the team.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Good morning.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- Oh, he looks very good.- Perfect. - Yeah.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Guys, thank you very much. Very good, thank you.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44- Thank you.- Have a good day.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Poor guys.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- They're so nervous... - MONICA LAUGHS
0:08:53 > 0:08:56One of the reasons Darren demands such high standards is the number of
0:08:56 > 0:08:59high-profile guests the hotel attracts.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02When we go through the VIP list, it's so huge.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04I mean, it can be over 60% of our guests.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06But the reality of it is we love it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Is it challenging at times?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Very, but we've not had any complaints, touch wood.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Today, a guest is arriving to stay in the Royal Villa.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Every VIP gets an authentic Omani welcome.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23And I'm going to be helping Nasser al Sicuani.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27He's giving me a crash course on national greetings.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28- Your name?- Giles.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Giles.- Giles.- OK, I have problem...
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- I haven't got it, I should write it on a thing.- OK, OK. Giles. Giles. Giles.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- OK.- It's a very English name. - Yeah.- So, there's no Arabic equivalent, unfortunately.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Hills. Hih-ales. Yeah, but... Giles.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- OK.- This right here, for me.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I'm struggling with a dishdasha,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49they're worn by almost all Omani men.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51So, also, you have to close this.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54What do we do with that?
0:09:54 > 0:09:57So, first we do this.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00My headgear is a traditional turban known as a muzzar.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06It's quite Lawrence of Arabia.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08I look like a public school boy with all this get-up here.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12The uniform has a novel accessory, should any guest prove truculent.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- So, this is just ceremonial? - Yeah. Don't kill me.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Come on, look at that. He looks really, really cool.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Him, he can do my accounts.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28The welcome is not only about looking the part.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31We're giving our guest a full musical performance.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33So I'm going to tell you how to do the drum.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Honestly, I have no rhythm.
0:10:35 > 0:10:36GILES BEATS THE DRUM
0:10:36 > 0:10:37Yeah.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Just keep it the same.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42The same time.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43So you have space to drum.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46THEY DRUM
0:10:46 > 0:10:48It doesn't make a nice noise...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52More heavy, your hand makes it more heavy.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Despite my best efforts, Nasser concedes defeat.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58After we do this, we will start singing.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- Yalli-lalli.- Yalli-lalli?
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Yeah. # Yalli-lalli... #
0:11:02 > 0:11:08But if there's one thing I'm even worse at than drumming, it's singing.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10It's not my natural gift.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- Say lalli-lalli.- Lalli-lalli. - Yeah. Lalli-lalli...- Lalli-lalli...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24But I've forgotten the first bit now.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Nasser makes an executive decision.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36You will do drum, I will sing.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37- OK.- Right?- Perfect.- Let's start.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42Thankfully, I still have a couple of hours to practise before our guests arrive.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44NASSER SINGS AND DRUMS
0:11:47 > 0:11:52One man who has no need for practise is the unflappable Villa host, Fahad.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Villa host is a butler.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Normally, I am looking after a lot of VIPs.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01The jewel in the hotel's crown is the Royal Villa.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04It's one of the best villas in the Middle East.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Fahad is the Villa host to the Royal suite.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12And today, we are working together to make sure everything will be perfect for a new arrival.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Oh, wow. This is nice.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Not bad!
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- You know, wherever I go, I seem to just go straight to the view, you know?- Yeah.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- This is the place which attract our guest in the beginning.- Yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Temperatures can reach as high as 35 degrees in the day,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36and as low as freezing during winter nights.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40The pool is kept at a constant balmy 29.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44We have to check first the pool temperature.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- But the best way to know the temperature is to take a swim, Fahad.- Never.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51Towels, here.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54Nice.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58We are obviously in a Muslim country,
0:12:58 > 0:13:02is there anything especially different you need to organise for that?
0:13:02 > 0:13:06We have signage, which is right in the top.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- It's an arrow.- The arrow that points to Mecca?
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Exactly. And we also, we have for Muslim guests,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16we have a prayer mat and a Koran.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Our guest, he asked to remove alcohol, so we have to make sure...
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- OK. All of it?- All of it.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26As part of the service, Fahad bathes guests' feet.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30It's not a rude question to ask, you must get some good tips, though?
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Most of the time, you are getting a very nice tip from the guest.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36So, what's the biggest tip you've had?
0:13:36 > 0:13:41It was 950 Omani rial, from one of...
0:13:41 > 0:13:43That's almost £2,000!
0:13:43 > 0:13:44Exactly.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50The Royal Villa is ready.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Which is lucky, because our guest is only moments away.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55You have to be in one line.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01There is a palpable sense of tension.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Even Darren is here for the grand welcome.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08The car has been spotted.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10SINGING
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Fahad, worried I might embarrass our guests,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16has some last-minute advice for me.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20Shake hands for man, as you, as a lady, no.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21- Yes?- For me, it's OK.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23For you, for ladies, you can't.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27So you shake hands with only the same gender?
0:14:27 > 0:14:28He may shake your hand.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Yes. If he offers his hand, then I'll take it.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Or give him the choice... - Absolutely, OK.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44And after all my practice, I'm not even sure they noticed me.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Hi, Monica, how are you? - Hi!- How are you, how is things? Excellent.- Pleasure to meet you.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53The pleasure is mine!
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- Get the luggage.- The heat is on to get those bags.- Yeah.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Whilst Fahad and Monica are checking the guests in,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04we've got to get their luggage to the Villa.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07It's unacceptable for the guest to arrive before their bags,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10or even to see us moving them.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Right, I'll drive, sir. - Yeah, OK.
0:15:19 > 0:15:20Yeah, yeah.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22THEY LAUGH
0:15:25 > 0:15:28It's all feeling so Ocean's Eleven until we hit a problem.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33We need to go inside, but we don't have key.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35You don't have a key?
0:15:35 > 0:15:36We've got no key.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42We have a coffee shop, they're open from 10:30 to 7:30.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44It's part of the villa host's job
0:15:44 > 0:15:47to give their guests a tour of the hotel.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50And we have Al Maisan, which is the main restaurant, buffet restaurant,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56And we have a shisha lounge right here.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00It's time to panic - the main door is locked, too.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02We got to this villa, and we didn't have a master key,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05so we couldn't put the stuff in, and they're nearly here, so...
0:16:05 > 0:16:07This chap himself may have a key.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- Have you got a key?- Yep.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13But it turns out it's still not simple even when we have a key.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- Does this key not open this? - No, this is for the Wi-Fi.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- OK, that key doesn't open that?- No.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Luckily, Monica and Fahad are taking the scenic route.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27I will take it, you take one.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- OK.- I will take it. OK.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34Eventually, someone manages to find a key that works.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- Where shall I put these? - In the luggage room.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- Yeah, I guess you really need a sweater.- Yeah.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48And Fahad and I managed to deliver our guest
0:16:48 > 0:16:49to their secluded luxury...
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- Welcome home. - ..none the wiser.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Well, that was a close one, wasn't it?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- We finish.- Let's blow this joint.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02One last job remains - to wash our guests' feet.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Slowly, slowly.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08Oh! Shit.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- It's no problem, it's OK. - Is that OK?- The car is OK, fine.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- All of us, we can do this. - Really? Have you ever done that?
0:17:19 > 0:17:20Yeah, before, two times before.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- One day, I broke one of the lights here.- Oh, yeah?- Yeah.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Nobody knows about this.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28HE LAUGHS
0:17:41 > 0:17:45The man who has to cater for all guests, VIP or otherwise,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47is executive chef Sam Greco.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50If I didn't make people happy with my food,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52I might as well hang up my hat and stop cooking.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Canadian-Italian,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Sam has been working in the Middle East for the last 14 years.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59To keep the Omani guests happy
0:17:59 > 0:18:02requires that they have a lot of food,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05an abundance of food at the table, but that the food has to be amazing,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07it has to taste amazing.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10I'm joining Sam on the breakfast shift.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14The hotel tries to cater for all tastes - of dim sum,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17French pastries and local delicacies.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20So, what do the Omani like to have for breakfast?
0:18:20 > 0:18:27So, Omanis basically love ful medames, which is a fava bean dish.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29If you're looking for an English breakfast,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Sam has some interesting variations.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- Veal sausages and...- Beef bacon? - ..obviously beef and turkey.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36There is a lot of Muslims come here,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38and obviously pork is out of the question,
0:18:38 > 0:18:39so we don't really feature it.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44We do have pork, but we keep it sort of hush-hush.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46In order to serve pork,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50the hotel has a special licence and uses entirely different utensils.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56A much more traditional element of the breakfast is the bread station,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58manned by Egyptian chef Mahmoud.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I hear you make something quite special.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Yeah. This is actually the saj bread, we're doing saj bread.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08This comes from all Arab countries.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Saj is an unleavened flatbread, similar to pitta.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16So I start just opening... slowly, slowly.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21The dough is made overnight, then it's a case of kneading, rolling
0:19:21 > 0:19:23and throwing.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24Slowly, slowly.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28From right to left. Again, right to left.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36The specially designed saj dough heats up to 220 degrees.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42Mahmoud! Mahmoud! Wow, that is just so awesome.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Absolutely love it. Clearly, Mahmoud's a master.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48I'm like a little kid when I'm learning something new.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52When things get hectic, Mahmoud can make 250 in a shift.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56After the cheese, I'm going to bake again, to melt the cheese.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Look at that!
0:19:58 > 0:20:02The hotel serves a saj with cheese, or the more traditional za'atar,
0:20:02 > 0:20:07a blend of thyme, oregano, marjoram and toasted sesame seeds.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09So, I will just get the cheese melted nicely.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- Yeah.- Roll it...
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Shall I roll this one?
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Just be careful, because the olive oil's still hot.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20So, you want to try now?
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Well, if I must, yes.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23Sure.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- Look at the cheese now. - Look at that.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- How is it?- It's so good. Oh...- Good.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36This has got to be the most fun I've ever had on a breakfast shift.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Not only that, it is delicious.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43For me, it beats an English breakfast hands down any day!
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Oman has not always been open to luxury tourism.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53For much of the 20th century,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56an all-powerful sultan took a feudal and isolationist approach
0:20:56 > 0:21:00to running the country. As late as the 1960s,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04most Omanis lived without running water or electricity.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07There were only three schools and six miles of paved roads
0:21:07 > 0:21:09in the whole country.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14But in 1970, Sultan Qaboos grabbed power from his father,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17and ushered in a period of oil-funded rapid modernisation.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Schools, roads and whole new towns shot up.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25The changes have been dramatic
0:21:25 > 0:21:28for people like the hotel's mountain guru, Maher.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Just when I wake up early morning to see the sunrise,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35to look to this mountain, I really feel happy,
0:21:35 > 0:21:39I feel like this is my home, this is my heaven.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Maher leads walking tours of the mountain.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Today, we are guiding the Knight-Jeppesen family from Denmark.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Then I want to introduce my friend and the new guide, Giles.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Right, I'll look after you, don't worry.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57I may not have an in-depth knowledge of local culture,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00but I am well equipped with caution.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Mind your step, it's quite rocky.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Don't bang your head or fall off the side.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08If you fall, the phone goes!
0:22:09 > 0:22:14OK, Giles. I want you to guess which tree is this.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Ooh! That's delicious. I assume it's pomegranate?
0:22:17 > 0:22:19No, no, jasmine leaf.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22So, because the man, he spends all the day working in the farm,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25we take the leaves,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29we put it in the hat right here, we close it.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33So when you go back to your wife, at least you have good smell.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35THEY LAUGH
0:22:35 > 0:22:38In English, "al jabal akhdar" means the green mountain.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42But in recent years, it has lost its colour.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45There are tiers of dried-up, disused terraces
0:22:45 > 0:22:49and, indeed, the ancient villages here are deserted.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Why did they leave? - For two main reasons, actually.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55The houses were really small for a big family.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Omani family, they have, like, three generations live in one house,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and the water starts to get dry from the irrigation system,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03so we don't have any more water.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07OK, guys, so this is where the water used to start
0:23:07 > 0:23:09for the irrigation system.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11It springs from the ground.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12So the water was flowing here,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14so this was like a big river right here.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- When that new village came up... - They took the water away,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20they pumped the water from here to the new village?
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- That's what's happened. - And killed all these...
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- All these terraces are gone now. - That's so sad.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30So, that's Shirayjah village.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- And that's where we're going to finish the walk?- Exactly.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35With the guests heading for home,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Maher invites me to see where he grew up.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40This is my old house.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49I miss the life in this village.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50So, what has to happen
0:23:50 > 0:23:52for you to move back?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54If the water comes back to the irrigation system,
0:23:54 > 0:23:56I will be the first one back who will come back to this village.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59And is that a possibility, might that happen?
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Yeah, the government is now working to bring the water from the sea
0:24:02 > 0:24:06- after the distillery...- It's a desalination plant?- Exactly.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It's a big problem, yeah, because less raining here.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Maher hopes that the hotel's presence may speed up
0:24:12 > 0:24:14plans to pipe water to the terraces.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17When we want to bring a lot of guests to Oman,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20they want to see all of these terraces green, not dry.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23So, they must put a lot of water right here.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25And what would you do if that happened?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- Would you still work at the hotel? - No, no, no.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Maybe I will retire, I will come back and work!
0:24:31 > 0:24:33What started out today as a tragic story, Maher was saying,
0:24:33 > 0:24:35I thought it was the end of the village,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38turned round to him saying it's all going to come back,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41the water's going to come back, the people are going to come back.
0:24:41 > 0:24:42It's a lovely vision of the future.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46He seems very confident in it, and I hope he's right.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Despite the water shortages,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53the Green Mountain is still renowned for its pomegranates.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57The hotel uses them in molasses, and as a garnish with meat.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01They get through 30 kilos of them in a week.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Sheikh Abdullah is one of the local suppliers,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06his orchards sit just two kilometres away.
0:25:06 > 0:25:12- Salaam alaikum.- Alaikum salaam.- OK.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14- Can I help?- Yeah, OK.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15- OK?- Yes.- Yes.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Pomegranates sell for as much as £2 a fruit.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22So, you can't just pull it off, you've actually got to...
0:25:22 > 0:25:24..break it gently.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25- OK.- Yeah.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26- You need...- Yeah.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28- Tear like this?- There you are. - Uh-huh.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- How do I know which one is good and which one is not?- Wait.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Mm-hm.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46- OK.- Yeah, yeah.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49- OK? OK?- Mm!
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Oh, so sweet!
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Sweet. Yeah.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- It's so good!- OK.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59It's nothing... Nothing like a pomegranate we get back in the UK.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Working with Abdullah,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05it feels like we are in a completely different world from the VIPs and
0:26:05 > 0:26:07extravagance of the hotel.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Do you worry that foreigners coming here would have a change on some of
0:26:10 > 0:26:12your culture?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Here we go.
0:26:30 > 0:26:31- Yeah.- OK.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- Got it?- Yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38The hotel has found another and ingenious way to use the local pomegranates...
0:26:38 > 0:26:39Hi, Gina.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41..in the spa.
0:26:41 > 0:26:42- How are you?- How are you? Are you well?
0:26:42 > 0:26:45I'm working with manager Gina Da Costa.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48In order to respect Omani sensibilities,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51the spa is split according to gender.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53There are private pools,
0:26:53 > 0:26:57saunas, a hammam, and five treatment rooms.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Unusually, the spa also has a kitchen, where Gina and Maria -
0:27:04 > 0:27:07one of the therapists - make an unusual scrub.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12You're going to blend all this lovely pomegranate for the scrub?
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Yeah. It's very tasty.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15Sweet...
0:27:17 > 0:27:19The flesh and the husks are blended with salt.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24What a gorgeous colour!
0:27:24 > 0:27:25It's so natural, isn't it?
0:27:25 > 0:27:27I can make this at home.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Blitzing done, it's my chance to try out my massage skills.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34- Do you feel uncomfortable?- No.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36- You're not comfortable? - Very comfortable.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38- Oh, OK. - LAUGHTER
0:27:38 > 0:27:42The scrub is designed to remove dead skin cells and to leave the skin
0:27:42 > 0:27:43positively glowing.
0:27:43 > 0:27:48Is this not too much? It's perfect. I've never done a salt scrub on a
0:27:48 > 0:27:50woman before,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53or anyone, for that matter.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56I have put a salt rub on pork.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58This is my first human being.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01She does feel much nicer to rub,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04put a salt rub on, than on a piece of meat or fish.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06RINGS
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Your treatment is finished. How do you feel?
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Great. Thank you.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22The hotel accommodates a cosmopolitan clientele, and for the Omani staff,
0:28:22 > 0:28:26life at work can be radically different from the lives they're used to.
0:28:30 > 0:28:35I'm back with Nasser for a daily ceremonial lighting of the fire pits.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Our own little ceremony. Well done.
0:28:43 > 0:28:44Thank you.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50I'm interested in how he feels about the hotel's Western ways.
0:28:50 > 0:28:51What do your family think?
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Do they think it's a good job?
0:28:53 > 0:28:58Sometimes my mother, she is worried about me because, you know,
0:28:58 > 0:29:00the hotel is serving alcohol.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Does she ask you, "Have you had a drink?"
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- Yeah.- She does? - Yeah.- And what do you say?
0:29:05 > 0:29:07I say, "I will not drink."
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Because, in our religion, it's wrong.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Does she worry about you mixing with people who are not Omani?
0:29:15 > 0:29:17No, she is not worried about this.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Instead of that, she is encouraging me
0:29:20 > 0:29:22to learn about the other cultures.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26And supposing they give you a job in the hotel group in another country?
0:29:26 > 0:29:27- Uh-huh.- Would you leave Oman?
0:29:29 > 0:29:33I don't think so. Because my home is here,
0:29:33 > 0:29:35so I see my future is here in Oman.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39And my future now appears to involve more singing.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Three, two, one...
0:29:41 > 0:29:43THEY CHANT IN OWN LANGUAGE
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It's easy to worry that something is being diluted,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14something's being destroyed about the local culture,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16that the locals are being made to compromise working here.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19So it's interesting to hear Nasser say that he loves Oman,
0:30:19 > 0:30:23and that he appreciates his job, he's giving away nothing of himself,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25he's remaining true to his Omani culture.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32It may not be terribly Omani,
0:30:32 > 0:30:37but the hotel has recently found a new way to attract guests.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41It was just one picture in a magazine that just showed...
0:30:42 > 0:30:44..a shoot of two people doing yoga.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46And I just said, "I just want to do that."
0:30:46 > 0:30:48It was just that picture.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Kelvin and Katrina are from Essex.
0:30:51 > 0:30:56I said to my wife, "We've got to go there because I want to do the yoga!"
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Before coming to Oman, they had never done yoga.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04My God, you feel so small when you look out there
0:31:04 > 0:31:06and you see all of those mountains.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09It's a good leveller.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Darren's plans to capitalise on the hotel's extraordinary location go
0:31:13 > 0:31:15well beyond picturesque stretching.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18We don't want people just to relax and see the mountain,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20we want people to really experience it.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22And a big part...
0:31:22 > 0:31:25To really do that, it has to be driven on an adventure.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29He's opening a 200-metre climbing route on the sheer cliff face
0:31:29 > 0:31:31immediately beneath the hotel.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33I haven't tried it yet.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35I got to be honest with you, it looks terrifying.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Mountain guru Maher needs to practise taking people on the route
0:31:39 > 0:31:41before it opens to the public.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43And we're going to be his guinea pigs.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45Have you done any climbing before?
0:31:45 > 0:31:48I used to do it at school, but it was to separate the men from the boys,
0:31:48 > 0:31:50and the weaker kids just fell off and died,
0:31:50 > 0:31:52and you're left with the strong ones.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54- Hi, there.- Hello.- Hi, how are you guys?
0:31:54 > 0:31:59Very well. So, you haven't done it with any real clients yet?
0:31:59 > 0:32:01With real clients, no, not yet.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03I'm going to practise on you guys.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04It's really safe, yeah.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08It's really safe, you assume, having never done it before with clients,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- though?- Yeah, yeah.- And if it's not, we'll find out?
0:32:10 > 0:32:12Yeah.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16The route begins just metres away from the viewpoint.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18- You nervous?- What?
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- No.- No!- Come on, how hard could it be?
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Do you think you're on?
0:32:25 > 0:32:26It's flashing.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36- Oh!- It's fine.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Now we are safe.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44We all connect to the cable.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Climbers are attached to a steel cable throughout the climb.
0:32:53 > 0:32:54So, you just hold on to this...
0:32:56 > 0:32:59It starts with a descent down a crevasse,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01with a 30-metre drop beneath.
0:33:05 > 0:33:06Oh, God, don't look down.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08Oh...
0:33:08 > 0:33:10- You can do it, come on. - It's really scary.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Ooh!
0:33:14 > 0:33:17What are you meant to hold on to? Are you meant to hold on to the rope or the rock?
0:33:17 > 0:33:18The rock, the rock, go for the rock.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24And is this some sort of deliberate comedy ladder?
0:33:24 > 0:33:25- OK...- Almost there.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Almost there. Almost there, Giles, keep going.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Step back. Good...
0:33:35 > 0:33:37There we are.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Knees still trembling, I've at last found a shelf wide enough to stand on.
0:33:41 > 0:33:42Wow, look at that.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49With the adrenaline pumping and tethered only by a rope,
0:33:49 > 0:33:52the view is even more awe-inspiring.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55The view is exactly the same as the view from my swimming pool,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58where I sat and had a cup of coffee this morning in literally no
0:33:58 > 0:34:00percentage danger of death.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03The fun is not over.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07The route stretches over another 180 metres of spiralling cliffs and
0:34:07 > 0:34:08terrifying drops.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13OK... OK.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15- What do you hold on to?- Under here.
0:34:15 > 0:34:16Oh, no, another step.
0:34:21 > 0:34:22Well done.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24What am I meant to be holding on to?
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Underneath the... Underneath where you were, underneath there.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29- Cool, yeah. Keep going.- What,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31and I just step across to that?
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Yeah. Keep your legs straight...
0:34:33 > 0:34:36But then, where does my right leg go?
0:34:36 > 0:34:38The same place with your left leg.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Oh, I just want to get this shit over with.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48So, Monica and Giles, how's it going?
0:34:48 > 0:34:50I haven't hyperventilated so much since I gave birth.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52I don't think I've breathed at all.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Now we get into the most challenging part.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Oh, no, what's that?
0:34:57 > 0:34:59And just when I thought it was almost over...
0:34:59 > 0:35:01The zip line.
0:35:01 > 0:35:02- What?- It's the zip line time, guys.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04You trust me all the way up there, right?
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- Yep.- You'll need to trust me on this one.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10OK. The zip line is 35 metres long, with a 30-metre drop.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14- I can't get a grip! Ah! - Three, two, one!
0:35:14 > 0:35:15SHE SHRIEKS
0:35:17 > 0:35:19And it's absolutely thrilling.
0:35:19 > 0:35:20SHE LAUGHS
0:35:20 > 0:35:21I can't do that.
0:35:23 > 0:35:24Fuck!
0:35:27 > 0:35:32There is nothing, nothing in my DNA that would ever allow me to do that.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36Luckily for me, the hotel has designed escape routes for exactly
0:35:36 > 0:35:37these moments.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Wait, and then I can climb back and up this thing?
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- Yeah.- Giles is taking the escape route out.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47He has a fear of heights, and he's done so well to get this far.
0:35:47 > 0:35:48I don't want him to be afraid.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50But that was pretty awesome!
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Up I go, I'm getting out of here.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57Obviously, my appearance of fear was a cunning ruse to give Maher some
0:35:57 > 0:36:00practise with easily scared guests.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02I just think it's important to test the escape routes for them!
0:36:10 > 0:36:12HE LAUGHS
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Soon, I was joining Giles back at the top.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Oh, get me away from the edge.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Well done, wherever we go, you have to do the brave stuff.
0:36:19 > 0:36:20Oh, you did amazing!
0:36:20 > 0:36:22I did half an amazing...
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- You did amazing.- You do the brave stuff...
0:36:25 > 0:36:26Good job, guys, well done.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Oh, my goodness, I need to sit down.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Of course, before guests can risk life and limb on the cliffs,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36they need to ascend 2,000 metres to get there.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41It's driver Mubarek's job to make sure they do.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44I'm born in the mountain, my heart's in the mountain.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47I need the mountain, I love the mountain.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51The hotel has a fleet of five four-wheel-drive cars.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54Mubarek is going to give me a lesson in mountain driving.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57The drivers are very important, because we are high up a mountain,
0:36:57 > 0:36:59a long way from the airport.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Now, my driving is fine, but it's not amazing,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05and I'm not known for my politeness and hospitality,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07so I'm thinking it may be a bit of a struggle.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12Welcome, my name is Mubarek Mohammed...
0:37:12 > 0:37:14- Giles Coren. - Welcome.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16OK.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21After the regrettable golf buggy incident, I'm eager to prove myself.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Which side of the road do you drive on in this...?
0:37:24 > 0:37:25You take it right here.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27- I'll take a right?- Yeah.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29Mubarek has some strict rules.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30Before the drive...
0:37:30 > 0:37:33- Yeah?- ..you can't keep your phone...
0:37:33 > 0:37:39Silence, no need using your phone, and no need using it for WhatsApp.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Am I doing the right speed?
0:37:41 > 0:37:43I'm driving at about...70, is it too slow?
0:37:43 > 0:37:46No, they have only 60.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48- Should I be going slower?- 60, OK, 60.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49You're using your phone?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Yes, my wife is...
0:37:51 > 0:37:54Oh, is that different? The rules are off if it's your wife?
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Fine. If my wife phones, I'll... No, that's fine, carry on!
0:37:56 > 0:37:58I am done to drive, you drive now!
0:37:58 > 0:38:00If I drive, I cannot...
0:38:00 > 0:38:03You chat to the wife, Mubarek, I'll drive, that's fine, you chat.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05- Say hello from me.- No, no problem.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Because the road to the hotel is a relentless descent,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12you're legally obliged to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16A normal car runs the risk of dangerously overheating brakes.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Oh...
0:38:18 > 0:38:20- Too fast?- Not need fast.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- OK.- Because fast like that's not good to you.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25- No?- Yeah, the guest with you...
0:38:25 > 0:38:27- Oh, of course, the guest.- Right!
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Safety.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31OK. I will, OK...
0:38:33 > 0:38:34With my driving not impressing,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37I thought maybe I should learn some Arabic.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39What do I need to learn to say to the guests?
0:38:39 > 0:38:43How do I say, "Hello, and welcome to the hotel"?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45HE SPEAKS IN ARABIC
0:38:45 > 0:38:47HE REPEATS
0:38:47 > 0:38:49- Yes.- We're going to stop, so... Don't...
0:38:49 > 0:38:52You see, he's not a very good driver, is he? HORN HONKS
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Should we wind down the window? What?
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- Majnun.- Majnun!
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Crazy!
0:38:58 > 0:39:00MAJNUN!
0:39:00 > 0:39:02LAUGHTER
0:39:02 > 0:39:05He's a complete majnun!
0:39:05 > 0:39:10To avoid our road rage escalating, Mubarek suggests we take a break.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12And that's the hotel?
0:39:12 > 0:39:16Yes, you can see nice, that's the Anantara Hotel in the nice view.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19In the hotel, where the men and women work together?
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- Yeah.- That didn't used to happen in Oman?
0:39:22 > 0:39:26No, that's OK now, because all think now, that's needed,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29jobs for men and women, that's OK.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33- Is that OK?- Yeah.- What if your daughter wanted to work in there?
0:39:33 > 0:39:35My daughter, that's maybe, leave it, no need.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37- Why not?- No need, that's...
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Nothing, that's no need.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47In Oman, fathers and husbands are legally considered to be the heads
0:39:47 > 0:39:49of household.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Only in 2003 were all women allowed to vote.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56The hotel employs 46 expat women,
0:39:56 > 0:40:00but it also has a small number of Omanis.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03We are six Omani women who work at the hotel.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06With a degree in chemical engineering,
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Marshaal is in charge of food hygiene and determined to break the mould.
0:40:10 > 0:40:16The women can do anything, and they can even be better than the men.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Marshaal's very feisty, she's not scared to say what she thinks.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25It's her first managerial role, and she's an Omani lady,
0:40:25 > 0:40:29you can imagine... It wasn't embraced with open arms
0:40:29 > 0:40:30with a lot of the guys at the resort.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32She goes and tells them herself, and they do it.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38Every morning, she checks the chefs are maintaining standards of hygiene.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40I just want to have a look at your nails.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44- Yes.- There are four kitchens and 38 employees to monitor.
0:40:45 > 0:40:46Almost all of whom are men.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48You didn't shave today.
0:40:48 > 0:40:53It's like they're our standard, I have to send him back to shave,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55and to come back to the kitchen.
0:40:55 > 0:40:56OK.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00One of Marshaal's pioneering Omani colleagues is Amal.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02She teaches staff English.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06I advise Omani ladies to work in tourism.
0:41:07 > 0:41:14I want to advise those families who restrict their ladies.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18I want to tell them it's good, let her to see her life.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21She will work, she will be strong, she will be a leader,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23she'll protect herself,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26and don't worry.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30In Oman, industries like hospitality, where women mix with men,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32are traditionally frowned upon.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34Over coffee and dates,
0:41:34 > 0:41:38I've got a chance to find out how Marshaal and Amal feel about working
0:41:38 > 0:41:39in the hotel.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42What do the locals or the people in your community think of you
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- working here?- My family, actually, they're totally fine,
0:41:46 > 0:41:48and they always supported me.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Especially my father.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55I have to be honest, I can't say that they love
0:41:55 > 0:42:00a woman who is working in hospitality.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04They cannot accept a woman who is dealing with guys too much.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09- You understand me?- Yeah.- But I think for me, I have to ignore it,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12because I'm doing just my duty, and then I'm leaving.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16How do you think the hotel has changed women's lives here?
0:42:16 > 0:42:21I mean, women come here and they see that there is Arab ladies or Omani
0:42:21 > 0:42:27ladies working here, and they feel that Oman has changed.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32Could you imagine one day having an Omani woman as a general manager here?
0:42:32 > 0:42:34I want to be a general manager.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37- Well, you can.- Yes, maybe I'll be the first Omani.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Yes! Right there.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Yeah, really, I'm working on it.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46For me, it's still surprising to come to a place where women working
0:42:46 > 0:42:49alongside men is seen as novel.
0:42:49 > 0:42:50But there is much to celebrate.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53These women want more, they want their independence,
0:42:53 > 0:42:57and they're working for it. And to see that happen, for me, is...
0:42:57 > 0:42:59..something to rejoice in.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01It's empowering.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07In some hotels, housekeeping can traditionally be seen as women's work.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09But here, they have an almost-exclusively male team.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14Yes, I like things in spick-and-span,
0:43:14 > 0:43:16and has to be perfect for the guests.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20Ateev Shah is executive housekeeper.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22And a man who takes his job personally.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26I'm not married. Yeah, you can say that housekeeping is my girlfriend.
0:43:28 > 0:43:32We're preparing one of the 82 standard rooms.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35For Ateev, it's about more than just keeping the rooms clean.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37He demands creativity from his team.
0:43:39 > 0:43:44We have to fold it, and then we start rolling it.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47Today, we're using towels to make elephants.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49They also make monkeys and swans.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Wow, look at that!
0:43:51 > 0:43:53- Look at his little head!- And then...
0:43:53 > 0:43:54..we fold it from the centre.
0:43:56 > 0:43:58And there's an elephant!
0:43:58 > 0:44:00- So, you want to try it?- Yeah!
0:44:00 > 0:44:03COMICAL MUSIC
0:44:03 > 0:44:06So, we basically want the legs to be the sort of same size, don't we?
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Mm.
0:44:09 > 0:44:10OK, and then...
0:44:12 > 0:44:13Flip it like that?
0:44:15 > 0:44:19Which actually looks like...
0:44:19 > 0:44:22A snowman, naked, bending down.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25The pressure to impress Ateev is beginning to tell.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32Is this definitely the only way you can do it?
0:44:32 > 0:44:33Oh!
0:44:33 > 0:44:35- OK, let me help you.- No!
0:44:35 > 0:44:37When people doesn't do their attention to detail,
0:44:37 > 0:44:40it's a pinch in my heart.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42No, leave my elephant legs alone!
0:44:46 > 0:44:49OK, and then, you turn him around like that?
0:44:49 > 0:44:54And then, don't come undone, don't come undone...
0:44:54 > 0:44:55There we are!
0:44:55 > 0:44:57It's looking like a baby elephant.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Thank you! A baby elephant after a difficult birth.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02Yes, yes, yes. It's something unique.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04So what's that amazing smell?
0:45:04 > 0:45:08Yeah, it's rose water, which we use in our guest rooms.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10We do it on the curtains.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14Rose water is traditionally used in the Middle East to make houses,
0:45:14 > 0:45:16and people, smell good.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19And then we do it in bathroom, shower area and the main bathroom,
0:45:19 > 0:45:22- and it's finished.- So how much more do I need, lots?
0:45:22 > 0:45:24No, no, it's enough, enough, enough.
0:45:25 > 0:45:29The area around the hotel is famous for its rose water,
0:45:29 > 0:45:32and Sheikh Abdullah, along with growing pomegranates,
0:45:32 > 0:45:34uses age-old methods to produce it in his workshop.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36THEY SPEAK ARABIC
0:45:40 > 0:45:42Oh, my word!
0:45:42 > 0:45:46I'm going to help Abdullah make a batch of his potent perfume.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48Oh, you can smell them.
0:45:48 > 0:45:52Wow. How many roses does it take to make a bottle?
0:45:57 > 0:46:01Over several hours, the fire heats the roses.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03The steam from the petals condenses on the plate above,
0:46:03 > 0:46:05and drips down into the bowl.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08You put water on there?
0:46:08 > 0:46:10Rose water has a host of uses.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27The rose-infused water has already begun to condense.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30- Look at that!- Yeah.
0:46:30 > 0:46:31- Wow!- OK?
0:46:31 > 0:46:33That is amazing.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36Once the cooking process is over,
0:46:36 > 0:46:39the liquid is strained and left to settle for two and a half months,
0:46:39 > 0:46:41before being decanted.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45A bottle of this precious solution costs £12.
0:46:47 > 0:46:48- Omani.- Yeah.
0:46:50 > 0:46:51- Yeah?- OK!
0:46:53 > 0:46:55Oh, smells quite smoky, yeah?
0:46:55 > 0:46:56Yes, OK, OK.
0:46:56 > 0:46:58Smells smoky. That's beautiful.
0:46:58 > 0:47:00- Yeah.- It's fantastic.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02What a great way to refresh yourself, as well.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18Using rose water to keep the hotel smelling fragrant is only one of
0:47:18 > 0:47:20housekeeper Ateev's responsibilities.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24It's also down to him to keep everything looking immaculate.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27This hotel is positively brimming with ornate ceilings and beautiful
0:47:27 > 0:47:30chandeliers, which is obviously lovely, on paper, if you're an architect,
0:47:30 > 0:47:32and beautiful to look at if you're a guest.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34Not so much fun if you have to clean them.
0:47:35 > 0:47:39So these are the lights, which we're going to clean today.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41And you saved this job until I was available to help you?
0:47:41 > 0:47:44- Yes, definitely.- Someone thought I might be handy.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47Yes. Before we start, you can have gloves.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49- Do I need gloves?- Yes.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53The chandelier hangs across two floors,
0:47:53 > 0:47:56connecting the cocktail bar and the Al Baha restaurant.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58It's made up of 53 different lights.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02It's like polishing Christmas decorations.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04It's like Christmas every day.
0:48:08 > 0:48:13Some of the areas, still dust is there, OK, but not bad.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17Quite fun, getting these.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19As you spend time in the hotel,
0:48:19 > 0:48:21it becomes obvious that not all the staff are Omani.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23You're not from around here, are you?
0:48:23 > 0:48:25I'm from India, basically.
0:48:25 > 0:48:26What's the place that most are from?
0:48:26 > 0:48:30Like, we can say Indians are there, then you can take Sri Lankans,
0:48:30 > 0:48:34there are from Pakistan, there are from, like, UK,
0:48:34 > 0:48:36then you can say Philippines.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39But why are there so many foreigners working in the hotel?
0:48:39 > 0:48:42There are lots of Omanis also working in our companies,
0:48:42 > 0:48:45but they are not comfortable with cleaning up the rooms.
0:48:46 > 0:48:50With its oil wealth, Oman has become accustomed to relying on
0:48:50 > 0:48:53foreign workers, the rights of whom have at times been under the spotlight.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57Although the place feels quite Omani,
0:48:57 > 0:49:00and when you arrive you are greeted by Omanis,
0:49:00 > 0:49:03and the whole vibe here is designed to be local,
0:49:03 > 0:49:06it has become very clear from talking to Ateev that to keep it
0:49:06 > 0:49:09actually running, they are dependent on hundreds of people who are not
0:49:09 > 0:49:10Omani, who are expats.
0:49:12 > 0:49:17Of the hotel's 260 staff, 190 are from overseas.
0:49:17 > 0:49:20Keeping them happy whilst living and working on a remote desert mountain
0:49:20 > 0:49:22is a challenge for Darren.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27We have over 30 nationalities here, from various cultures,
0:49:27 > 0:49:30all continents of the globe.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33The community is very much ingrained within us.
0:49:33 > 0:49:36I think a lot of it is, we all live together, we're a family.
0:49:36 > 0:49:40I know it's a cliche, but we literally live, breathe, sleep together.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43Maybe not sleep together!
0:49:43 > 0:49:47When I was in the Army, one thing that brought us all together was sport.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50In the shadow of the staff accommodation block
0:49:50 > 0:49:52sits the most unlikely of
0:49:52 > 0:49:56sporting venues - a cricket pitch, hewn from the rock.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58Got quite a good crowd today.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02It's a long wicket for a game with a tennis ball, isn't it?
0:50:02 > 0:50:04- You want to see them play.- Are they really good?
0:50:04 > 0:50:05Really good, really good.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08Well, they'll have fun bowling out an Englishman, won't they?
0:50:08 > 0:50:12I've been picked to play for Housekeeping against the might of Food and Beverage.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14I'm playing alongside Ateev.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16- Is it important that we win?- Yes, definitely.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18One has to win, so that is the most...
0:50:18 > 0:50:21And does Housekeeping normally win, do we generally...?
0:50:21 > 0:50:23- Yes, yes.- Darren is umpiring today.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26Make sure you get this guy out, first ball.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30Go on!
0:50:34 > 0:50:35Yes!
0:50:39 > 0:50:40CHEERING
0:50:42 > 0:50:44Ah...
0:50:50 > 0:50:52Do you get the Omanis playing cricket with you, or not?
0:50:52 > 0:50:57Yes, sometimes some of the Omanis are also keen to play various games.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00They are also taking part in playing cricket with us.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03So we are also giving them a chance to play,
0:51:03 > 0:51:04and then they are also learning.
0:51:06 > 0:51:11With a total of 70 on the board, it's Food and Beverage's turn to bat.
0:51:11 > 0:51:12CHEERING
0:51:12 > 0:51:14It doesn't start well for them.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20I never thought I'd play cricket in the Middle East.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22I've played in Malaysia, I've played in Yorkshire,
0:51:22 > 0:51:25never played in the Middle East before.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27Very exciting, and I actually took a catch.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31It's easy to see why cricket is so important for Ateev and the others.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35I'm a long way from home, but only for a week or so,
0:51:35 > 0:51:38and it's already making me feel lifted and excited and happy about
0:51:38 > 0:51:40being here, and working in the hotel,
0:51:40 > 0:51:43but to get out and have a game of cricket in this kind of surroundings,
0:51:43 > 0:51:45who couldn't feel enlivened?
0:51:45 > 0:51:47Oh...
0:51:47 > 0:51:49CHEERING
0:51:51 > 0:51:53It's a big win for Housekeeping,
0:51:53 > 0:51:56but our victory is not the only cause for celebration.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59The hotel is about to have its first birthday.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01The first-year anniversary is a huge milestone.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04We want the anniversary party to be as local as possible.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08And you can't have an Omani party without a goat.
0:52:10 > 0:52:13I've headed down the mountain to stock up for the festivities.
0:52:13 > 0:52:18I have never bought a live goat before, and I have no idea where to start.
0:52:18 > 0:52:23Luckily, I'm with chef Ibrahim and mountain guide Maher,
0:52:23 > 0:52:26who has been buying and selling goats here since he was a child.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29- Busy, no?- Always busy.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32Farmers employ salesmen from the market to parade the animals in
0:52:32 > 0:52:35front of potential buyers.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37Oh, little baby.
0:52:37 > 0:52:41The baby is for family, not for cooking.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43- OK.- So we keep it for family. - Ah, OK.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46A top breeding goat sells for as much as £1,000,
0:52:46 > 0:52:49but normal prices are about £100.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51If I choose, I want to take it home!
0:52:52 > 0:52:54Here, you try before you buy,
0:52:54 > 0:52:57and each goat must be inspected before we make an offer.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59So we'll check the teeth.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02- Yeah.- To be sure that it's really young.
0:53:02 > 0:53:07- Yep.- See the teeth?- That is the same, yeah.- Six to eight months, the age of this goat.
0:53:07 > 0:53:08So we'll take this one.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11- We take this one?- We're going to take this one.
0:53:11 > 0:53:13THEY SPEAK ARABIC
0:53:14 > 0:53:16Before we go, I want to talk to the seller.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18So, does he have a big herd?
0:53:27 > 0:53:30- He have almost, like, 70 goats.- 70?
0:53:30 > 0:53:32- Yeah.- Oh, my goodness.- Yeah, he love to be with the goats.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35He loves his goats.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47Back at the hotel, Ibrahim and I are reunited with the goat.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50Now, this kind of salt rubbing I'm familiar with.
0:53:50 > 0:53:51Yes.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55No pomegranates this time.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57We are using a blend of Omani spices.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00That smells fantastic.
0:54:00 > 0:54:02The goat will be the centrepiece of the party.
0:54:02 > 0:54:06Executive chef Sam is cooking it using a traditional Omani method.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09So if you tell an Omani that they've got goat for dinner,
0:54:09 > 0:54:11the immediate thing that they think about is shuwa.
0:54:11 > 0:54:14What do you do, do you toothpick it together, or...?
0:54:14 > 0:54:19Basically, what it involves is cooking a goat in a pit with embers,
0:54:19 > 0:54:21and it's cooked for 24 hours.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24It's used in celebrations, it's used in weddings,
0:54:24 > 0:54:28so this is the first thing they think about goat.
0:54:28 > 0:54:30Having wrapped the meat in local banana leaves,
0:54:30 > 0:54:34we head to the hotel's own shuwa in the garden.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37The shuwa both cooks and smokes the meat.
0:54:37 > 0:54:38Do we close it now?
0:54:38 > 0:54:40Yep, perfect.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42How long will it cook for?
0:54:42 > 0:54:43It's going to cook until tomorrow.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46- Really, that long?- Yeah, we're going to leave it in there all night,
0:54:46 > 0:54:47- for 24 hours.- Wow.
0:54:52 > 0:54:56It's the morning of the first-year anniversary party,
0:54:56 > 0:54:58a chance for Darren to say thank you to his staff.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01I am very proud when I look at my team.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03I don't know if I'll ever have a team as good as this.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06All right, mate, I'm here to help, don't worry, it'll all be fine.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09Just under two hours until we start.
0:55:09 > 0:55:12I'm already nervous, because it's the one-year anniversary, I've got my speech,
0:55:12 > 0:55:15it's quite emotional for me, when I think back to the journey,
0:55:15 > 0:55:16where this all started.
0:55:16 > 0:55:20Along with the team, there will be hotel guests, media, the owners,
0:55:20 > 0:55:23and an alarming number of men with guns.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26We've got high profile VIPs from the owner's party,
0:55:26 > 0:55:28so there will be security.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31The band has arrived, and is practising.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33It turns out, even they're packing heat.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36An interesting musical instrument this fellow's got.
0:55:36 > 0:55:37The M16?!
0:55:37 > 0:55:39LAUGHTER
0:55:39 > 0:55:42Just behind the courtyard, we're back at Sam's goat pit.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44Oh, absolutely, it smells amazing from here.
0:55:44 > 0:55:45It's been a while now, hasn't it?
0:55:47 > 0:55:49The goat has been cooking for the last 24 hours.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51Shall we open it up?
0:55:51 > 0:55:53Oh, look at this.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57It melts like butter.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59You have that little bit of a charred taste,
0:55:59 > 0:56:02but you can also taste all the spices, and a little bit of the
0:56:02 > 0:56:05infusion and the smell from the banana leaf.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07- It's delicious.- I could eat all of this now, actually.
0:56:07 > 0:56:11You got a nice big chunk there. We're not going to have anything left for our anniversary.
0:56:11 > 0:56:12Oh, my God.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16We're turning the distinctly Omani-tasting goat into something
0:56:16 > 0:56:19more international - canapes.
0:56:23 > 0:56:28Before any of the party guests can eat, it's Darren's big moment.
0:56:28 > 0:56:33Good morning, everybody. I'd like to thank the team.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36We have the most amazing team in this resort.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39I feel proud and humble to lead you,
0:56:39 > 0:56:41I feel proud and humble to know you,
0:56:41 > 0:56:45and I feel proud and humble to have you with me on this exciting journey.
0:56:45 > 0:56:49So I would like to ask everybody to thank the amazing team that work
0:56:49 > 0:56:51here at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53Thank you.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59I need a cigarette!
0:56:59 > 0:57:03With the speeches over, it's time to serve our smoky goat canapes.
0:57:03 > 0:57:05Would you like to try one?
0:57:05 > 0:57:07- Sure.- It's good?- Good.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10Yes! Thank you, enjoy!
0:57:10 > 0:57:12CHEERING
0:57:17 > 0:57:20And it turns out that even though it's 11 in the morning,
0:57:20 > 0:57:23and there isn't a drink in sight, it's time to dance.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26CHANTING AND SINGING
0:57:39 > 0:57:42Seeing Darren and his team celebrate together,
0:57:42 > 0:57:46you're reminded how different it is here to the world outside,
0:57:46 > 0:57:49but also how well it seems to work.
0:57:49 > 0:57:51It is a great event.
0:57:51 > 0:57:54There was an amount of stress beforehand, Darren was all worried.
0:57:54 > 0:57:55I thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:57:55 > 0:57:58I thought it would just be the men standing there, just clapping.
0:57:58 > 0:58:01And there were all the kind of Indians and Sri Lankans and Pakistanis were
0:58:01 > 0:58:04all there, in amongst the Omanis, and there was, sort of, yeah,
0:58:04 > 0:58:08they sort of made a new thing out of all the different constituent parts.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11And with its inclusivity,
0:58:11 > 0:58:14the celebrations really capture the ethos of the hotel itself.
0:58:14 > 0:58:17Yeah, I mean, they haven't got 100% authentic Omani here,
0:58:17 > 0:58:21but what they do have is very distinctive, and special.