11-November_2012

AIRASIA INFLIGHT MAGAZINE

Vietnam

HAUTE IN HOI AN Indonesia

BANGKA & BELITUNG Australia

THE LARRIKINS OF THE

SURF China

OUT OF THE HEARTLAND Touchdown

KATHMANDU, NEPAL HELP SAVE THE EARTH. READ THE MAGAZINE ONLINE AND STOP STEALING ME! www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

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CHECK-IN Contents November 2012

NAVIGATOR

70

LOVE IS IN THE AIR Love Destinations with AirAsia

74

THE LARRIKINS OF THE SURF Surf Life Saving, Australia

82

HAUTE IN HOI AN Vietnam

90

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED Bangka & Belitung, Indonesia

98

OUT OF THE HEARTLAND Beaume Trans-Asia 3 2012 Driving Expedition

108

ILLUMINATION Deepavali, the Festival of Lights

112

PILOT’S PERSPECTIVE Coast Huggers & Curved Routes

82

118

TRAVEL LOG My Travels with Airasia

126

74

STYLE FILE BOARDING CALL

122 OFF THE RACK

06 CAPTAIN’S ADDRESS

126 VANITY FARE

In Air, On Time

A Class Above

Loving the Luxe

130 JETSETTER

08 INBOX

Paul Ogata

The Buzz from our Guests

IN FLIGHT

10 RED FORT

136 PLANE FUN

News from AirAsia

160 MY AIRASIA Season of Light

FLIGHT PLAN

Puzzles & Games

138 PICTURE PERFECT Photos Taken by AirAsia Guests

Joy of Flying

Stuff you’d Love to Know

PORT OF CALL

22 HOT DATES

142 ROUTE MAP

26 COMPASS Smart & Smooth Travels

30 QUICK BITES ITES

90

140 GET COMFY

16 SPOTLIGHT

November Events to Keep a Lookout for

98

156 AIRASIA SALES OFFICES & STATIONS 158 TOUCHDOWN Katmandu, Nepal

Spice of Life

34 PAGE TURNER RNER

16

Word Worthy

38 MONEY MAKER Planning to Win

40 PRESCRIPTION IPTION Honest to Goodness odness

42 SCORE BOARD Getting Physical cal

46 HYPER TECH Wired for the Future

50 SLEEP INNS NNS Stars of the Garden City

60 HIT LISTT Land Of The Morning Calm m

134 KIDS SPACE PACE Get Crafty!

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PUBLISHER MANAGING EDITOR ART DIRECTOR WRITERS PHOTOJOURNALIST EDITORIAL ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER CONTRIBUTORS ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun

AIRASIA INFLIGHT MAGAZINE

R. Rajendra Kan Seak Hong Beverly Rodrigues Chitra S

Vietnam

HAUTE IN HOI AN

Adam Lee

Indonesia

Fazlina Bee Binti Abdul Rashid

BANGKA & BELITUNG

Fadillah Kamarudin Alice Yong, Captain Lim Khoy Hing, Efi Hamzah, Maria Visconti, Mike Larder, Pete King, Shantini Suntharajah, Zain HD Spencer Lee (AirAsia Berhad) spencerlee@airasia.com Indran Balavishnu (Malaysia) indran.balavishnu@pharpartnerships.com Senthuran Mohan (Malaysia) sen.mohan@pharpartnerships.com Mairianne Reardon (Singapore, UK and International Markets) m.reardon@pharpartnerships.com Paragorn Petchnaree (Thailand) paragorn.p@pharpartnerships.com

Australia

THE LARRIKINS OF THE

SURF China

OUT OF THE HEARTLAND Touchdown

KATHMANDU, NEPAL HELP SAVE THE EARTH. READ THE MAGAZINE ONLINE AND STOP STEALING ME!

11

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

ON THE COVER Surf Life Saving, Australia Cover Image: Corbis

Vikhram Radhakishnan (Indonesia) vikhram.r@pharpartnerships.com Frances Barsana (Philippines) frances.barsana@pharpartnerships.com Tel: +6 03-7966 8655 (Phar Partnerships Malaysia) E-mail: sales-T360@airasia.com Travel 3Sixty° wishes to thank Lovatts Crosswords & Puzzles, MPH, Pansing Marketing, Advantage Quest Publications EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES PUBLISHED BY

PRINTING

PRE-PRESS SERVICES

travel3sixty@airasia.com Travel 3Sixty° c/o AirAsia Berhad

LCC Terminal, Jalan KLIA S3, Southern Support Zone, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 64000 Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel: 603-8660 4333

Percetakan Zanders Sdn. Bhd.

No. 16, Jalan BK 1/11, Bandar Kinrara, 47180 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.Tel: 603-5623 9393

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No 1A Jalan SS25/34, Mayang Light Industrial Park, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚ DIGITAL TEAM CONTENT WEBMASTER WEB DEVELOPERS WEB DESIGNER

Matthew Mok, Ellyse Ng, Irvin Hanni, Haze Jalalludin, Vini Balan, Abby Yao, Ari Fajar Iyan Yudhiana Jason Phoon, Mohd Sufian Angie Lew

All rights reserved. The opinions and statements of contributors in Travel 3Sixty° do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or AirAsia Berhad. Travel 3Sixty° and AirAsia Berhad are not responsible or liable in anyway for the contents of the advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained in this publication. We reasonably assume that all articles are factual and not plagiarised or intentionally libellous. The editorial team reserves the right to edit and / or re-write all materials according to the needs of the publication upon usage. Reproduction of material from Travel 3Sixty° in any form is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by sufficient return postage. All information correct at the time of printing.

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airasia.com/ask Have a question regarding travelling with AirAsia?

Get your answers here at airasia.com/ask! We’ll help you out via chat, twitter.com/askairasia or E-mail if you need further assistance AirAsia on Twitter for information & assistance on simple requests: www.twitter.com/AskAirAsia For exciting news, bytes and tweets from AirAsia: www.twitter.com/airasia AirAsia on Facebook: www. facebook.com/AirAsia. For AirAsia promotional updates, travel stories & news: www.facebook.com/airasia AirAsia blog to share travel experiences and stories: http://blog.airasia.com Find us on Weibo at http://t.sina.com.cn/airasia Folow us on RenRen at http://page.renren.com/airasia

12 112 CAPTAIN’S ADDRESS 2011 201

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operations such as airport infrastructure and airport slots, preferred timings, duration of flights, availability of adequate frequencies, turnaround of an aircraft and, all on-ground work related to an aircraft prior to departure such as crewing, fueling, catering, ramp, engineering and guests activities. Upon assessment, the unit works out a schedule that determines the time of departure for the said aircraft and how many routes the aircraft will be operating on a daily basis based on the available airport slots.

UNDERSTANDING SLOTS AND SLOTS MANAGEMENT

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Isaac How, Hazrul Masri, Iswara Kamaleswaran, Gideon Ding, Kulenthiran Balakrishnan.

IN AIR, ON TIME

Ever wondered how flights are scheduled and who manages all matters pertaining to them? In this month’s Captain’s Address, the rocking boys from AirAsia’s Schedule and Operational Planning unit invite you to better understand what goes on from the moment an aircraft enters the AirAsia family right up to the moment it arrives at a destination.

AirAsia’s Schedule and Operational Planning unit is responsible for managing the entire Airbus 320 fleet for the AirAsia group that includes Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Japan. Currently we manage the fleet schedule of 110 aircraft from 15 hubs with 4,994 weekly flights in total. The work revolves around a very dynamic and challenging environment, which also reflects the dynamic nature of AirAsia’s flight scheduling.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE Flight Schedule is what you see on the FIDS (Flight Information Display System) 6

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when you walk into an airport to check departures and arrivals or, when you logon to www.airasia.com to book tickets. It contains Flight Designators such as AK, FD, QZ, PQ and JW, which are issued and managed by IATA (International Air Transport Association).

The designator is followed by flight numbers, departure and arrival airport (i.e. from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta), departure and arrival times, and the duration of the flight.

THE SCHEDULING PROCESS The unit is tasked with scheduling an aircraft the moment it enters into AirAsia’s service.

We first assess various elements pertaining to

Slots refer to landing and departure (turnaround) of a plane in an airport. Airport slots are managed on seasonality: Winter season (October to March) and summer season (March to October). This is practised worldwide where airline flight schedules vary between the seasons due to airport traffic movement and slot availability. Sometimes, this is the reason why you’ll find timing changes on particular flights. Normally, winter sees growth in traffic from Europe to Asia, while summer witnesses growth in traffic within Europe and from Asia. Slots acquisition is the primary factor in securing flights based on seasonality and, for new flights that AirAsia is planning for. Upon securing the slots and having fulfilled all the prerequisite approvals, the flights are now ready to be listed into the reservation system.

MANAGING SCHEDULES Managing flight schedules falls into the operational section of the unit where we manage time adjustments of flights taking into consideration the issues that may impact operations due to a variety of reasons. Changes in flight schedules are mainly caused by lack of airport slots on a seasonal basis, airport closures due to work associated with airport expansion and runway maintenance, political strife and natural disasters. Most importantly, air traffic congestion can change the original landing time, thus extending the duration of flight time. This in turn, impacts the slots at the airport, which inevitably impacts the aircraft schedules.

We hope this goes a long way in helping you understand what AirAsia’s Schedule and Operational Planning unit does in enabling you to fly to your destination.

Iswara Kamaleswaran Manager, Schedule & Operational Planning

11 INBOX

2012

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Travel 3Sixty° listed several tips on how to travel in an eco-friendly manner in the Compass (Sept 2012) section. I wish to add three of my own tips. Firstly, ask yourself these questions before making any purchase: (a) Will you be using the item frequently? (b) Is the item durable? (c) Was the item manufactured ethically and with minimum impact to the environment? Secondly, the environmentally-conscious traveller should travel with his/her green ‘tool chest’ close at hand.

For example, instead of using disposable plastic utensils, carry your own pair of chopsticks and a steel spoon. I usually pack a Swiss army knife to help me peel fruits. Also, always bring along a LETTER reusable canvas grocery bag. In summary, the eco-traveller OF THE buys things for life and travels well-prepared. The earth will MONTH! thank you for it. ~ Gavin Bong, via email

LETTER OF THE MONTH WINS: Winter apparels worth RM947

by Universal Traveller 2ND & 3RD LETTER WIN: RM100 voucher each

by Luggage Empire *T&C apply.

On an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, I chanced upon the article on Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Asia Tour (Sept 2012) in Travel 3Sixty°. I totally enjoyed looking at all the pictures of the team on the pitch, meeting fans and simply having a good time during the tour. But one picture had me jumping with joy: Picture of Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes taking time to meet thousands of fans who had turned up to watch the match between QPR and the Sabah team at Stadium Likas in Kota Kinabalu. I was actually one of the fans in the stadium and was totally overjoyed to see Tony and the later, the QPR team in action. For me, QPR is the best team ever! ~ Junaidi Mohd Saleh, Sabah

On a flight to Sydney last August, I spent time reading Travel 3Sixty° and thought the story on the CEOs of AirAsia Malaysia and Philippines (Aug 2012) totally rocked. I was quite surprised that both of them are women! I surmised, reading the articles, that they are brilliant career women but tough cookies too! But, as women, I know they will extend the warmth and sincerity in making AirAsia’s customers feel truly special. But that wasn’t the end of it. At further reading, I was even more surprised at the female workforce in AirAsia. From back office managers to tough airport ground staff, AirAsia has some very capable women running the show. Beyonce’s Who Run The World? Girls! song kept playing in my head. ~ Novy Handoko, via email

HERE’S THE BUZZ ON AIRASIA’S FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND WEIBO PAGES Thanks again Air Asia! Got another good deal to Bali for next year :) I love your airline and will continue to fly with you. You have taken me to London for half the price of a full service airline and to Bali a few times. I wish you would bring back the KL to London and Paris flights.

Natalie Mitrovic

Just wanted to compliment you on the lovely helpful young man Ace B. Santos who was cabin crew on my flight today from Clark to KL flight PQ7455 I love flying Airasia because of people like him. He went above and beyond to make sure my flight was comfortable.

Thank you Ace and AirAsia.

Kym Evans

Thank you @AirAsia for making flight cheaper even at the very last minute for OOL-KL. Seeing family is priceless.

Christopher Ooi @fatttychris

Feel good flying AirAsia for the first time. Not only they have leather seats but they exercise sufficient safety control and, their flight attendants are cool too!

Rita

Great Hot Meal new packaging.

Pls consider the Ayam Masak Merah as part of the main menu.

Its delicious!Kudos @AirAsia.

Rugie R.S @rugie8

I got a fast & accurate reply when I dropped a query to @AirAsia and @KAT. I am impressed with how they value their guest’s opinion.

I will always fly with you!

JanJan

Excellent on-time departure on @ AirAsia flight AK5342 LGK-SIN, despite full load and 25min turnaround – arrived ahead of schedule too!

Timothy Ouyang @timothyouyang

I like the style of AirAsia flight attendants. They can wear different hairstyles and are really pretty.

Moon

Like what you read in Travel 3Sixty°? Share your thoughts with us in English! To show you how much we appreciate your feedback, we’ll give the best letter of the month winter apparels worth RM947 by Universal Traveller and the other two letters will receive a RM100 gift voucher each from Luggage Empire. Email your feedback to travel3sixty@airasia.com. Travel 3Sixty° reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length, and only letters regarding articles published in Travel 3Sixty° will stand to win a prize.

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11 RED FORT

2012

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TRAVEL MADE PERFECT

At AirAsia, we want you to experience air travel in the most memorable way so that you leave the airport and arrive at your destination feeling rested and refreshed. Here are some tips and pointers that will ensure your journey starts and ends on a wonderful note!

TRAVEL WISE

CHECK-IN BAGGAGE Don’t get caught having to pay excess baggage fees at the airport counter.

Avoid the hassle by purchasing your checkin baggage allowance online and stand to save up to 66% in savings!

Moreover, AirAsia’s online baggage upgrade feature is available up to 4 (four) hours before scheduled time of departure.

HOT SEATS & PICKA-SEAT If you prefer a particular seat in the front of the aircraft, select a Hot Seat, or if you’d rather have a window or an aisle seat, select Pick-A-Seat when booking your flight or ‘Manage My Booking’ to make changes to your booking. This enables you to sit together with friends or family in the flight.

MEALS ONBOARD Nobody likes to travel hungry or get disappointed when Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak runs out. Solve this problem by purchasing meals online up to 24 hours before the flight and save up to 15%! The best thing is that you will be guaranteed a meal and served first in the flight.

www.airasia.com

SELF CHECK-IN Keep your travel experience easy and breezy by using the Self Check-in service.

This way, you can reduce the time spent queuing up to check-in. AirAsia makes it easy for you with a variety of ways: X Online check in at www.airasia.com* X Mobile apps check in. Download the AirAsia mobile apps for iPhone and Android online.* X Self Check-in kiosks at the airport.* X Once you have checked-in via any of the abovementioned, convenient and quick ways, proceed to the Baggage Drop. Baggage Drop counters close up to 45 minutes before flight. *These services are available up to 1 (one) hour before flight. If you are unable to check-in using these services, please proceed to the Check-in counters.

AIRPORT TAX 10

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TIMING IS EVERYTHING

DOs

If you’re on time, we’re on time. AirAsia’s Baggage Drop and Check-in counters are open 2 (two) hours before flight and close 45 minutes before flight. We urge you not to be late because the Departure Gates shut 20 minutes before flight. So, be early and get ready to leave for your destination on time!

X Arrive at the airport early, at least 3 hours before your flight (do factor in the possibility of traffic jams along the way).

X Check in online, at the kiosk or via the AirAsia mobile apps.

X Drop your bags off early at the counters.

X Clear Immigration and Security screening.

X Listen to the announcements made on the Public Announcement System.

X Check your Departure Gate number against your Boarding Pass.

DON’Ts X Spend so much time at the Duty Free Shopping Areas or restaurants that you forget to get to your Departure Gate on time.

Most times, the airport tax has already been included in your airfare. However, if you are flying out of Philippines and Indonesia, you will have to settle the tax before leaving the country.

Please ensure you have enough local currency to settle the tax.

NEW GQ ICON

In October, Tan Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO was named GQ India’s ‘International Businessman of the Year’ at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2012 in Mumbai. The award is bestowed on the world’s most stylish personalities and high achievers. Past winners include notable personalities such as Barack Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio and Gordon Ramsay.

Tony is well-known for the way he has shaped the aviation industry, and Che Kurrien, Editor of GQ India remarked, “By running a successful airline, Formula 1 team and English Premiership football club, Tony has shown the power of dreaming big. I can’t think of anyone more fitting for GQ’s International Businessman Award.”

BAGGIN’ THE BUDGIE$

COMPILED BY: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

On September 12, AirAsia X took home the award for ‘Best New Route Launch – Haneda’ at the 2012 Budgie$ & Travel Awards in London.

The award was conferred based on the profitability of the new route, as well as the unique and innovative approach to partnerships and negotiations. Celebrating the leadership, efforts, accomplishments and the ingenuity of the low cost aviation industry and the Asian travel industry, the Budgie$ honours the industry’s innovators, forward thinkers and revolutionaries.

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“Haneda is a big breakthrough for the Low Cost Carrier model, showing that it is not always about lowest cost airports in inconvenient secondary locations. We are still able to deliver the world’s lowest unit cost low cost carrier model, while offering convenient airports, and more importantly, catalyzing the awakening of the low cost carrier market in Japan.” ~ Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

COUP FOR CARGO

Logan Velaitham, AirAsia Singapore CEO (3rd from left) and Sathis Manoharen, AirAsia Regional Head of Cargo (5th from right) with the AirAsia Cargo Team at the Payload Asia Awards 2012 in Singapore.

In September, AirAsia Cargo bagged the ‘Rising Star Carrier of the Year’ at the Payload Asia Awards 2012 for its exceptional network growth and development strategy, operational performance in year 2011, customer service and product innovations, and its market responsiveness and adaptability. Although a relative newcomer to the cargo industry, AirAsia has become a leader of innovation and the award is testament to the strength of the airline’s brand.

“Our award proves that as a LCC, we are not only able to generate excellent revenue but change the face of the cargo industry as well.” ~ Sathis Manoharen, Regional Head of Cargo for AirAsia and AirAsia X

Dan Lynn, CEO, AAE Travel at the launch of Expedia.com.my

EXPEDIA FOR MALAYSIA In September, Expedia.com.my launched its full-service offerings giving Malaysians even greater travel options.

With over 400 airlines, 150,000 hotels worldwide and value-for-money holiday packages, Expedia.com.my is the new one-stop shop for travel. The user-friendly website offers simple booking tools, fully localised service, detailed property overviews, virtual hotel tours, independent and verified traveller reviews and dedicated phone support to help travellers plan, book and create affordable holiday packages. All these packages are backed by Expedia’s signature ‘Best Price Guarantee’, which ensures that should travellers find a better price online for the exact same trip or standalone hotel deal, Expedia.com.my will match that rate, and give customers a travel voucher worth RM150 for future bookings!

CONQUERING CHINA

ON THE MOVE To celebrate Thai AirAsia’s big move to its new home in Don Mueang Airport, the airline is organising the AirAsia Big Move, Big Rally – a casual walk and run rally on November 4. This rally will begin from the old base via the Air Rail Link and BTS Sky Train to the Chatuchak Train Yard, where participants begin the 13kms marathon to Don Mueang Airport. Open to 300 teams consisting of three participants each, this fun rally will include loads of activities along the course, offering contestants the opportunity to win fabulous prizes like cash and AirAsia flight tickets. For details, visit www. facebook.com/AirAsiaThailand

Increasing its foothold in China, AirAsia will begin flying between Kuala Lumpur and Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on December 11 with three direct flights weekly. This latest route is the AirAsia Group’s 22nd route to China, and increases connectivity between Asean and China. Thai AirAsia launched flights between Bangkok and Wuhan in October, and will wing its way to Xi’an, home of the terracotta warrior on November 16.

“We are seeing a greater demand between both ends especially for business travel, and we hope to showcase what Nanning has to offer to our guests who fly through our network every year, as well as for the Chinese to use our Kuala Lumpur hub to connect to more than 75 destinations that AirAsia flies to.” ~ Kathleen Tan, AirAsia’s Group Head of Commercial

Tassapon Bijleveld (center), CEO of Thai AirAsia, alongside star presenters (from left to right) Bobby-Robert Poonpipat, NoomamSuriwipa Kultangwattana, Kalamare-Patcharasri Benjamas and Sena Ling-Somkiat Chanbhram.

ERRATA

CELEBRITY AMBASSADOR Fans of Farah Quinn and lovers of Indonesian cuisine will be delighted to learn that AirAsia Indonesia has invited the celebrity chef onboard to create special dishes for its in-flight menu. A qualified pastry chef who’s created special desserts for former US First Lady Laura Bush, and hosted cooking shows like Ala Chef on Trans TV, Farah is a household name in Indonesia. This month, Chef Farah’s Nasi Minyak Palembang will be featured on AirAsia Indonesia’s menu with delicious new additions introduced every quarter. Her signature dishes will be available for purchase onboard all AirAsia Indonesia flights, as well as for pre-booking online.

“We are continuously striving to give our guests the best flying experience with AirAsia. Besides safety and security, creating a pleasant journey for our guests is our priority. By having Farah Quinn as our in-flight meal ambassador, not only do we hope to offer our guests the joy of flying but also the ultimate luxurious experience at affordable prices.” ~ Dharmadi, President Director of AirAsia Indonesia 14

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In the Rangers in the Sky (Travel 3Sixty, Sept 2012) article on page 44, we unintentionally missed a very important name in a photo caption.

For this oversight, we apologise profusely, and would like to clarify that the gentleman on the extreme right together with other AirAsia and QPR top management is not just an avid QPR fan, but AirAsia Berhad’s very own Independent Non-Executive Director: Dato’ Fam Lee Ee. The oversight is deeply regretted.

11 SPOTLIGHT

2012

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THE BEST IN MUSIC, SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY AIRASIA REDTIX. Get your tickets at redtix.airasia.com

The Trees & The Wild

Yuna

URBANSCAPES 2012 NOV 24 & 25 Klang Valley’s one and only creative arts festival – Urbanscapes – celebrates its 10th anniversary this year at Padang Astaka, Petaling Jaya, featuring great entertainment that includes live performances by Icelandic sensation Sigur Rós, Malaysia’s Yuna and Indonesian alt-folk band, The Trees and The Wild. The event also offers fi lm screenings, art installations, good food and lots of fun activities all under one banner. Don’t miss the excitement, the camaraderie and the chance to do your bit for a good cause as a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be channeled to community causes.

COMPILED BY: CHITRA S

Be our fan on FaceBook.com/AirAsiaRedTix, follow us on Twitter.com/RedTix and purchase your tickets for the abovementioned events at AirAsiaRedTix.com

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CARTOON NETWORK’S BEN 10 LIVE: TIME MACHINE IS COMING TO KL NOV 9 - 11 Catch your favourite characters from Cartoon Network’s Ben 10, Ben 10 Alien Force and Ben 10 Ultimate Alien in an action packed show featuring cool stunts, acrobatics and cutting-edge digital effects at Menara MCA in Kuala Lumpur.

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TRAX ON TRACK 2012 NOV 17 The grid heats up again for a drift event that pits top-billed professional drifters from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand against each other. Trax on Track also features an exclusive display of modified cars and, music by local and international DJs. Watch the action unfold at the Sepang International Circuit.

SPICE TRAIL TALES Malaysian gamelan ensemble, Rhythm in Bronze, teams up with children’s theatre group Jumping Jellybeans for the musical theatre extravaganza Bites of Delights featuring a cast of talented youngsters. The show takes the audience on a journey that traces the Spice Trail through fascinating Asian folktales accompanied by music and dance. The performance will be staged from November 15 to 23, 2012 at the Temple of Fine Arts, Kuala Lumpur. www.bitesofdelight.com

JOLIN MYSELF WORLD TOUR 2012 NOV 16 Party the night away with Taiwanese singer-dancer Jolin Tsai at the Malaysian leg of her Myself World Tour! The award-winning entertainer is set to captivate fans with an action-packed performance showcasing her vocal prowess and dance moves at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands.

SINGLE LAUGHS To be or not to be… MARRIED? Director Hossan Leong attempts to answer this eternal question in the laugh-a-minute comedy Company. The Tony award-winning musical with a Stephen Sondheim score explores the ups and downs of singlehood, as the protagonist Robert is persuaded to get hitched.

The play opens on November 1 at the Drama Centre Theatre, Singapore. www.sistic.com.sg

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JUICY TRAVELS Whether you’re heading on a cross-country road trip with your chums, or on a weekend self-drive vacay with the family, JUCY RENTALS Australia has a campervan for you. The company recently unveiled JUCY Condos – a line of luxury campervans ideal for road trips with friends or family. Each spacious condo sleeps four and includes cooking facilities and a cassette toilet. www.jucy.com.au

ISLAND TRANSFERS Beginning October 15, Thai AirAsia will launch convenient island transfers to five of its most popular south sea islands – Samui, Phangan, Phi Phi, Lanta and Lipe Islands – as part of its new service: Thailand’s Easy Island Transfers.

Once guests select one of the five islands online, the booking system will automatically select the nearest airstrip to the island. The service will arrange for a pickup at the airport and transport guests to the appropriate pier for a ferry trip to the island of their choice. www.airasia.com

LEO KU AMAZING WORLD LIVE IN MALAYSIA NOV 24 Hong Kong’s King of Love Songs whose hits includes Love Coming Home, Belated Love and Monica, will enchant you with his repertoire of lovey-dovey tunes in a fairy-tale inspired concert at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands.

BUSINESS OR LEISURE An hour south of Kuala Lumpur, A’Famosa Resort boasts a resort hotel, villas, condotel, championship 27-hole golf course, theme parks, conference and meeting facilities and much more. At the resort, be sure to enjoy the golf course – rated among the Top 10 in Malaysia, the water theme park with adrenalin-pumping slides and rides and, Cowboy Town, which features cowboys, ‘Red Indians’ and daily fireworks displays. www.afamosa.com

HANDS UP! CULINARY ESCAPE The Margaret River Gourmet Escape featuring turing renowned chefs like Heston Blumenthal, Matt Moran, an, Neil Perry and Denmark’s Rene Redzepi debuts in Southwest Australia’s Margaret River Wine Region from November 22 to 25, 2012. The Gourmet Village based sed at the Leeuwin Estate Winery will host masterclasses, lasses, pop-up restaurants, cooking demos and live music, sic, while other food and wine-related activities can be enjoyed across the region. www.gourmetescape.com.au GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies daily to Perth from Kuala Lumpur.

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Hands Percussion continues their 15th anniversary celebrations with The Next...

Trending Percussive Music – a concert that combines the group’s signature sound with movement. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this acclaimed group in action as they drum up a storm! From November 1 to 11, 2012 at Pentas 1, KL Performing Arts Centre. www.facebook. com/handspercussion

11 HOT DATES

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NOVEMBER 2012

HONG KONG

THE NUTCRACKER ON ICE NOV 6 - 18 The sensational

Imperial Ice Stars bring one of the world’s most beloved tales to life at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with championship skaters, extravagant sets and Tchaikovsky’s magical score.

SINGAPORE

JERSEY BOYS NOV 22 This smash-hit musical, which runs for 14 weeks at the Sands Theater at Marina Bay Sands, chronicles the rise of four poverty-line kids to become one of the greatest successes in pop history: The Four Seasons fronted by Frankie Valli. www.MarinaBaySands.com

THAILAND

LOI KRATHONG NOV 28 On the night of the full moon, Thais float lotus-shaped offerings called krathong down rivers and canals to pay tribute to the goddess of water. Candles are lit on these drifting receptacles, their flames signifying longevity, fulfilment of wishes and release from sins. www.tourismthailand.org

INDONESIA

OWL CITY MIDSUMMER STATION WORLD TOUR

COMPILED BY: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

NOV 14 Multi-instrumentalist Adam Young performs hits from his fourth studio album The Midsummer Station at Tennis Indoor Senayan in Jakarta.

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www.javamusikindo.com

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MACAU

59TH MACAU GRAND PRIX

NOV 15-18 Macau’s

hottest motor racing event fills the Guia street circuit with adrenalinepumping action and the roar of fast cars and bikes. www.macautourism.gov.mo

JAPAN

KARATSU KUNCHI FEST NOV 2 – 4 One of Kyushu’s most important events, this autumn fest, dating back some 400 years, revolves around gigantic lacquered floats artistically designed with images like lions and flying dragons. The highlight of the festival – the Otabisho Shinko – involves hauling 14 floats along the sandy Nishinohama Beach. www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

AUSTRALIA

ALEXANDER THE GREAT: 2000 YEARS OF TREASURES NOV 24 – APR 28, 2013 The Australian

Museum in Sydney showcases a collection of over 400 objects of classical antiquity from a period that spans some 2,500 years.

Highlights include a legendary Gonzaga cameo and the black basalt statue of Cleopatra VII. www.alexandersydney.com.au

THAILAND

2012 PHIMAI FESTIVAL NOV 7 – 11 This annual event takes place at Phimai Historical Park and Chakkarat River in Nakhon Ratchasima. The highlight is Dances beyond the Mun River, a light and sound presentation that tells the story of King Jayavarman VII’s glorious reign. www.tourismthailand.org/nakhonratchasima MALAYSIA

PENANG ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL NOV 29 – DEC 2 The ninth edition of this beachside jazz fest serves up fun workshops and concerts in an outdoor setting with acts such as Martin Taylor, Kekko Fornarelli Trio featuring Ruso Sala and TheArtOfFusion. www.penangjazz.com

ELSEWHERE… • MALAYSIA NOV 10 – JAN 1,

2013 Malaysia Year End Sale www.tourism.gov.my

PHILIPPINES

VILLAGE PEOPLE NOV 17 The Village People, who fuelled the discocrazy 70s and 80s with hits like Macho Man, YMCA and Go West, bring their catchy tunes and cheesy costumes of American cultural stereotypes to Manila’s SMX Convention Center. www.ticketworld.com.ph 24

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• INDONESIA NOV 10 Hari

Pahlawan/National Heroes Day www.indonesia.travel • AUSTRALIA NOV 15 – 18

Taste of Melbourne www.visitvictoria.com • MACAU NOV 9 – 25

12th Macau Food Festival www.macautourism.gov.mo

11 Asean COMPASS 2012

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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SMART AND SMOOTH TRAVELS From visiting splendorous Vietnam to minding your manners in South Korea, and even going for a vacation knowing that your house is safe and protected, Asean Compass this issue is fi lled with travel tips and ideas that will pave the way for fun, fuss-free travels!

WHAT NOT TO DO IN INDONESIA

IMAGE: INMAGINE

Indonesia is a country with cultural traditions that stretch back centuries. The largely Muslim population has a long list of customs and beliefs. While visitors are not expected to know or understand all of them, it’s still a good idea to find out as much as you can so you don’t end up inadvertently offending the locals.

Boracay island,Philippines

The Philippines is known for its diverse and fascinating culture and history, as well as its stunning beaches and natural landscape. Here are five essential reasons you should book that flight to Philippines:

NO LANGUAGE BARRIER

WORDS: SHANTINI SUNTHARAJAH

There’s no need to fumble through a ‘How to Speak Tagalog for Dummies’ book. English is taught alongside native languages so nearly everyone in the country speaks it.

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MOUTH-WATERING DELICACIES Be it traditional cuisine, like mango and kalderetang kambing (goat stew), to the exotic balut, (boiled, pre-hatched chicken or duck eggs) — food is a delicious way of life here!

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POCKET-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY

BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPE

If you’re running on a tight budget, Philippines is definitely the place to go. Whether it’s food, clothes, entertainment or souvenirs, you won’t have to worry about overspending because everything is affordable including tourist-related activities and accommodation.

MEDICAL VACATION Philippines is also the destination of choice for those who seek medical attention. Dental surgery and aesthetic dental work tops the list of popular treatments. One of the key reasons is because dental work, including anything from an implant to a simple filling, is far more affordable here than almost anywhere else.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Clark (Manila) from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Macau and Hong Kong AirAsia Philippines files daily to Kalibo, Davao and Puerto Princesa. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

food, point, receive or touch anyone with your left hand. This is considered a major sign of disrespect.

TOUCHING HEADS

IMAGE: www.visitph.net

HEAD TO THE PHILIPPINES!

USING THE LEFT HAND Never touch

Some of the most amazing natural landscapes can be viewed at Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River National Park in Philippines. Here, you’ll find a beautiful lagoon about 50kms north of the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan island. If you’re an avid trekker, don’t miss going up Taal Volcano in Luzon. It is the smallest active volcano in the world. www.puerto-undergroundriver.com and www.taalvolcano.net

Indonesians believe the human head is sacred. Touching someone’s head is the ultimate no-no, so avoid doing this at all costs.

POINTING YOUR FEET If you don’t want to appear rude while seated, avoid slouching and make sure you keep both feet on the ground.

You should also ensure that the bottoms of your feet don’t face or point toward another person.

FESTIVALS IN JAPAN Planning a vacation to the Land of the Rising Sun? Check out these must-see festivals.

AOMORI NEBUTA FESTIVAL This Japanese Summer Festival in Aomori, features a parade of lantern floats in rainbow colours. Flanked by huge taiko drums, musicians and dancers, the floats attract millions of visitors annually. If your itinerary permits, stick around for the final day of the festival when a large toro or lantern is put out to the sea. The e symbolic release of the toro signifies the removal of evil spirits.

Aomori Nebuta is celebrated every year from August ugust 2 to 7. www.nebuta.or.jp/english

When it comes to travelling in style during winter, less is always more. First off, invest in a few pairs of thermal underwear.

These will allow you to put on fewer layers of clothing without feeling cold.You should also aim to wear warmer, thicker clothes — cashmere, wool or synthetic thermal material is best. Don’t forget to pack a scarf or two so you can protect your neck from the cold.

Lastly, choose a winter coat that fits right. A coat that’s too small will reveal bulges while one that’s too large will make you appear heavier than you are.

Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

SAVING ON SOUVENIRS Although souvenirs are a great way to tell your friends and family: “I didn’t forget you while I was away,” it’s easy to overspend and end up returning home to a mountain of bills! To avoid this fate, plan ahead and set aside an amount of money for souvenirs. This will go a long way in helping you hold on to your cash while buying mementos at the gift shop. You should also make up a list of people you think would appreciate keepsakes from your travels. Another way to save is to visit flea markets.

Here, you can get all sorts of interesting souvenirs for a fraction of the cost.

SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL If you visit Japan during winter, check out the Sapporo Snow Festival. For seven days in February, ice sculptures are built around Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino sukino in Sapporo. This festival is one of Japan’s largest and most distinct winter events. With the beautiful crystal-like l-like ice and whiter than white snow, you’ll find yourself immersed in a gorgeous winter dreamland straight out of the pages of a fairytale! www.japan-guide.com

B BECOME A BETTER PERSON: TRAVEL MORE! P

The festival of the Yasaka Shrine, also known ass the Gion Matsuri, is undeniably the most famous us of all festivals in Japan. Held in Kyoto, it is also one of the largest and most historical events in Japan an and takes place throughout the month of July. Gion Matsuri originated as a purification ceremony to appease se the gods that were thought to be the cause of fires, earthquakes hquakes and floods. One of the major highlights of the festival estival is the long line of show-stopping floats that make their way through the streets of Kyoto. The festival is also o a great time to sample authentic Japanese cuisine! www.kyotoguide.com GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies to Tokyo and Osaka from Kuala Lumpur. mpur. AirAsia Japan flies to Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa from Narita Airport, Tokyo. o. Go to www. airasia.com for details.

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IMAGE: UNIVERSAL TRAVELLER

GION MATSURI FESTIVAL

According to experts, frequent flyers also make better friends. Studies show the more you immerse yourself in foreign cultures, the more likely you are to accept differences in others.

This trait will go a long way towards helping you T to tolerate and even enjoy differing opinions among friends. Travelling also encourages patience. Just fr think of those long waits at tourist spots and it’s th ea easy to understand why! Travel is also a great way to b brush up on your communication skills, particularly when you’re dealing with a language barrier. In w ccountries where you don’t speak the local language, yo you will be forced to listen and try to understand aanother person without making assumptions. Good ccommunication certainly paves the way for better b bonds with friends.

IMAGE: ADAM LEE

IMAGE: IPEKYOTO2012.WORDPRESS.COM

STYLE TIPS FOR WINTER HOLIDAYS

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SPICE OF LIFE

Life may be no picnic but it’s definitely one big moveable feast. From the tried-and-tested to the downright weird, variety is truly the spice of life. When it comes to food, the whole world’s your oyster.

SWEET CELEBRATION Known as the Festival of Lights, Deepavali or Diwali is widely celebrated in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries with sizeable Hindu communities. It is customary to fete family and friends on this joyous occasion with mithai or sweets such as halwa (gelatinous pudding-like sweets made from flour, grated carrot or pumpkin cooked with sugar and ghee), gulab jamun (spongy, sweet deep-fried milk balls in scented syrup), nei urundhai (green pea flour, sugar and ghee balls), athirasam (rice flour, brown sugar and cardamom scented doughnuts) and jalebi (deep-fried rosettes of fermented flour batter soaked in scented syrup).

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia from various destinations. Go to www.airasia.com for details

HEALTHIER SARDINES Sardines are an excellent source of natural Omega 3, protein and calcium. Packed in an oblong can with a pull tab, Ayam Brand’s latest Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil is ready-to-eat, straight from the can.

Mash it up as a wholesome dip for chips, healthy topping for salads, rice or porridge, and as a filling for sandwiches. More recipes using sardines at www.ayam-brand.com.my

GINGER STEAMED SARDINES (SERVES 2) INGREDIENTS 1 can sardines in extra virgin olive oil 2cm fresh young ginger, grated 1 stalk spring onion, sliced 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (use the oil from the canned sardines) 2 tbsp oil 3 tbsp water 2 tbsp light soya sauce Sugar to taste

METHOD X Halve sardines and arrange on a heat-proof dish.

X Mix grated ginger and extra virgin olive oil (from can) to form a paste.

X Heat oil and lightly sauté the paste in a pan until fragrant.

X Pour mixture on top of sardines and steam for 5 minutes.

MOUTH WATERING MACAU

WORDS: ALICE YONG

The best souvenir from Macau has to be its almond cookies from Koi Kei Bakery. Step into any of its 14 stores and you’ll have a hard time deciding what to buy as Koi Kei offers over 300 products to tempt you from delicate egg rolls and crunchy peanut candy to beef jerky and preserved fruits. Free samplings of these treats are available too! www.koikei.com

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GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Macau from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Clark (Manila). Go to www.airasia.com for details.

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X Using the same pan, heat soya sauce and water. Stir in sugar to taste.

X Once sardines are ready, pour soya sauce mixture over and serve hot.

IMAGE: MURRAY FREDERICKS

IMAGE: BONNIE SAVAGE

TOP IN RESTAURANT DESIGN Momofuku Seibo (Sydney) and Chasing Kitsune (Melbourne) are just two of the nominees in the running for the inaugural Eat-Drink-Design Awards 2012 – a new awards programme that celebrates the best hospitality and food-related retail design in Australia and New Zealand. Total prize money of AUD9,000 awaits winners as entrants from high-end dining rooms and nightclubs to hole-in-the-wall cafes and pop-up bars battle it out for ‘Best Bar Design’, ‘Best Restaurant Design’, ‘Best Cafe Design’, ‘Best Temporary Design’, ‘Best Retail Design’, and ‘Best Visual Identity Design’. www.eat-drink-design.com GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies to Sydney and Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

THAI TANTALISER “The most unique dish I’ve ever eaten is chor ladda, a unique blue-tinted appetizer from Rama V Thai restaurant (5 Jalan U Thant, Kuala Lumpur. T:+603 21432663).

The slightly chewy skin is tinted blue using the butterfly pea flower whilst the sweetsavoury filling is a combination of crushed peanuts and minced chicken. Rama V’s elegant setting also makes me feel as if I’m dining in a royal abode as the restaurant has several private dining ‘villas’ set amidst a lush garden complete with a lotus pond.” ~ Chris Wan, executive secretary, food blogger and Air Asia’s guest

TASTE OF MELBOURNE Billed as one of the hottest culinary and social events in the Aussie foodie calendar, the fifth edition of ‘Taste of Melbourne’ (November 15 - 18) will feature the city’s stellar restaurants such as The Point and MoVida.

Learn how to eat and live ‘green’ with Matt Wilkinson’s celebrated pop-up ventures, Bishop of Ostia & Pope Joan. Other attractions include cooking demonstrations and top chef tutorials, wine tastings and cocktail-making masterclasses. www.tasteofmelbourne.com.au 32

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ACTION STATIONS Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur has revamped its Chatz Brasserie by introducing a hawker-style, a-la minute cooking concept. Diners can enjoy freshly prepared hawker favourites like chicken rice, nasi lemak, char kuey teow, fried noodles and roti canai, in addition to delectable blinis with premium fish roe from the Caviar Bar and prime roast lamb leg, rib eye and chicken roulade from the Carvery Station. There are also oven-fresh pizza and breads from the Bakery and a ‘make your own dessert’ section. www.parkroyalhotels.com

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WORD WORTHY This month, we celebrate the gift of writing with cool literary events and award-winning titles.

NOVEL UNDERTAKING Have you ever been blown away by a book, and found yourself in awe of a writer? Do you secretly harbour hopes that one day you’ll write a book that’s even a quarter as good as your favourite novel?

Well, if you’re an aspiring writer, then November is the best time to start putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.

November marks the beginning of the National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo, an annual internet-based creative writing project that’s been challenging and inspiring writers since 1999.

When it first began, NaNoWriMo attracted just 21 participants; today, over 250,000 writers take part each year.

From November 1 till 30, participants from around the world write a 50,000-word novel from scratch, and exchange advice and writing tips with other budding writers on the NaNoWriMo website, and via group write-ins at coffeeshops and libraries worldwide – all in the hope of supporting each other in the mission to create a novel.

If you manage to complete your novel by November 30, upload it to www.nanowrimo.org for official verification. Besides being featured on the NaNoWriMO Winner’s Page, you’ll have the satisfaction of accomplishing what you set out to do in an incredibly short period of time, and perhaps have your novel published – every aspiring writer’s dream!

AWARDWINNING WRITERS X Kazuo Ishiguro has won numerous awards including the Whitbread Prize for An Artist of the Floating World in 1986, and the Man Booker Prize for The Remains of the Day in 1989.

WORDS: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

X Among Salman Rushdie’s many awards is the Man Booker Prize for Midnight’s Children.

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X Gabriel Garcia Márquez, author of One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982 for his novels and short stories in which “the fantastic and the realistic are combined in a richly composed world of imagination, reflecting a continent’s life and conflicts.”

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X Arundhati Roy won the 1997 Man Booker Prize for her debut novel The God of Small Things that talks about how small actions affect our behaviour and ultimately, our lives.

X Contemporary Chinese poet Duo Duo was awarded the 2010 Neustadt International Prize for Literature. His works include the essay-like Lessons that deals with China’s ‘lost generation’.

X Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer – whose works include novels, short stories, polemics and histories of his homeland and people – has garnered numerous awards including the 2004 Norwegian Authors’ Union award for his contributions towards world literature and advancing the right to freedom of expression.

GREAT BOOKS CRAFTED DURING NANOWRIMO Water for Elephants Sara Gruen’s 2006 historical romance novel explores themes like depression, morality and, illusion versus reality. The book was adapted into a film starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.

The Night Circus Erin Morgenstern’s 2011 debut novel is a dark fairytale that revolves around a fantastical circus, which opens from sunset to sunrise.

The God Patent Ranson Stephens’ thought-provoking story explores quantum physics, artificial intelligence, faith and free will.

Losing Faith Denise Jaden’s book delves into a teenager’s tragic death that is soon revealed to be connected to a twisted religious cult.

WISDOM FROM THE GREATS “I can’t imagine what the first sentence is, I can’t imagine where I want the reader to enter the story, if I don’t know where the reader is going to leave the story. So once I know what the last thing the reader hears is, I can work my way backward, like following a roadmap in reverse.” ~ John Irving “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” ~ Ernest Hemingway “Write what should not be forgotten.”~ Isabel Allende “Don’t say it was delightful; make us say delightful when we’ve read the description.

You see, all those words (horrifying, wonderful, hideous, exquisite) are only like saying to your readers Please will you do the job for me.” ~ C.S. Lewis

CARNIVAL OF SOULS Melissa Marr From the author of the Wicked Lovely series comes an urban fantasy about witches, daimons (demons), secrets, love and destiny.

GHOST KNIGHT Cornelia Funke The latest in Funke’s collection of magical books for young readers is a tale about two children who encounter vengeful ghosts in a boarding school, and summon the spirit of the knight, Longspee, for protection. The only trouble is, Longspee might not be the guardian they initially envisioned.

YOU CAN’T LIE TO ME Janine Driver Learn how to fine tune your ‘BS barometer’ to detect lies with this step-by-step guide that shows you how to gather info, study nonverbal facial faux pas for suspicious variations from baseline behaviour, decode the body’s micro movements and ask carefully crafted questions READ to zero in on the truth.

OF THE MONTH!

JAIPONG DANCER Patrick Sweeting Fleeing a forced marriage, Yahyu, a young Javanese dancer endures sexual slavery and the horrors of Sumatra’s turbulent quest for independence.

100% OFFICIAL JUSTIN BIEBER – JUST GETTING STARTED IMAGES: ADAM LEE

Justin Bieber

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‘Beliebers’ out there will love Bieber’s intimate tales from on and off the road, as well as his message that if you believe in yourself, anything is possible.

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TALKIN’ VINO Having begun his wine education in the Clare Valley in Australia at the age of 16, Rob Geddes is one of very few Aussies to be awarded the celebrated Master of Wine. He tastes over 3,000 wines a year, and recently compiled the 30th edition of the Australian Wine Vintages.

MUST-SAMPLE AUSSIE WINES Australia has more world-class wines than any country except France and then that’s a moot point.

Our greatest wines are shiraz. Semillon needs acquaintance; you will make it a firm friend by the third bottle if you start with wines from Hunter Valley.

Chardonnay is like shiraz: Excellent across many regions and prices. Coonawarra and Margaret River cabernet sauvignon are world class. Riesling is dry, distinct and amazing; try Clare and Eden Valley’s.

Tasmania Pinot noir and sparkling wines are delicious.

Try Mornington Peninsular for pinot gris, pinot noir and chardonnay, Canberra for temparnillo, Margaret River Semillon sauvignon blanc, New England gewürztraminer, Rutherglen Muscat and topaque.

OLD VS. NEW WORLD The old world is expensive, possessing natural elegance and a strong sense of place while the new world is more affordable with a powerful range of ripe flavours and an emerging sense of place. In terms of reputation in the old world, the quality of the vineyard constitutes greatness while the new world has a more personal approach with the role of winemakers as scientist poets interpreting the vineyard.

TIPS FOR NOVICES Wine is a life journey and your tastes change as you travel. Find a region you like, and taste more from that place until you are familiar with it. By then, you will know which varieties you like.

IF YOU COULD SHARE A DRINK WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE, AND WHAT WOULD YOU DRINK? Thomas Jefferson with the current release Chateaux Margaux. They bottled Bordeaux after up to five years in oak in those days so the wine would have been ready to drink. As for the company, Jefferson is simply one of the greatest thinkers and drinkers of all time.

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PLANNING TO WIN

Planning is everything! So goes the saying in business. With 2013 just around the corner, now is a good time to start exploring new business ideas for the coming year, and reviewing ever-changing consumer trends.

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billion USD is the amount of money experts predict will be spent by consumers online in 2013.

USD2.2 billion was spent in 2009. www.mashable.com

IMAGE: INMAGINE

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BE A PLAYER In any given industry, your options are endless when you start a business, or look at providing support service within that industry. Here are some ideas:

and other mobility equipment have grown exponentially.

Providing repair services for both manual and electrical wheelchairs will be a much sought after trade.

SENIOR CARE The first baby boomers are in their 60s now. There is a growing market in senior-care that will explode further in the coming years, especially in areas such as products supply and franchises that include companion care, medical care, assisted-living placement and transportation.

RESALE SHOPS Consumers are looking for ways to stretch their dollar further in a struggling global economy.

With that in mind, it’s a good time to look into scouring and sourcing for items, refurbishing them and reselling them at a reasonable and affordable price. Think Cash Converters! Put your own special stamp on it by focusing on fashion, appliances, or vintage furniture.

WHEELCHAIR REPAIR With the average age of the

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH

global population growing older, the need for wheelchairs

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GET SAVVY ON CONSUMER TRENDS We have entered the realm of global hyperconsumption. This, in turn, has spawned endless changes in marketing trends. Here are some consumer trends you can act on now to ensure business positioning.

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billion was spent by militaries worldwide and its related industries in 2011, while it takes only USD6 billion to provide basic education for all the people in developing nations.

Worldwatch Institute, 2011

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trillion USD is the combined wealth of the 225 richest people in the world, equivalent to the total annual income of 2.5 billion of the world’s poorest people.

Worldwatch Institute, 2011

More ideas on www.businessnewsdaily.com and www.entrepreneur.com

CUSTOWNERS are consumers who have become investors in a product or service they have been using loyally. This is a branch from crowdfunding where business-savvy audiences look for a combination of making money from the brands they have been loyal to over the years. Leon Bonds restaurant in London is a good example where customers are also owners. www.leonrestaurants.co.uk

TASKSUMERS are consumers who make money from carrying out small tasks for individuals or corporations by offering their skilled services. Example: ShortTask, which is based on the idea that not all online jobs can be done by technology (www.shorttask.com), or Amazon’s Mechanical Turks, which is a virtual marketplace for jobseekers and those wanting information or results (www.mturk.com)

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HONEST TO GOODNESS

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There is an endless list of health-boosting foods used traditionally for centuries.

Many have made a big comeback with greater impact, as further studies have given us a breakdown of their specific uses. and proteins; detoxifies and eliminates waste. HOW TO EAT Sprinkle on salads, cereals, yoghurt; or mix one tablespoon into warm water and watch it expand, add lemon juice for a refreshing drink.

Amaranth FUNCTIONS naturally low in carbs; high in protein; good for blood circulation; slows down glucose absorption and effective in weight loss. HOW TO EAT Cook with 2 cups water to 1 cup amaranth; or as an addition in baking breads; can popped like popcorn and used to bread fish or chicken.

IMAGE: INMAGINE

Spelt

Quinoa,fresh fruit and dried fruit salad.

GRAND GRAINS

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH

Millet

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FUNCTIONS Eliminates yeast build-up (candida); is a natural prebiotic; boosts serotonin to calm and soothe nerves; hydrates colon to keep regular bowel movements; neutralises stomach acids and promotes healthy digestion. HOW TO EAT Clean to remove grit and soak for a minimum of 8 hours before cooking.

Cook with 3 cups of water to 1 cup of millet.

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Quinoa

(pronounced key-nuah) FUNCTIONS Protects against migraines and headaches; relaxes blood vessels and reduces hypertension, arrhythmias and ischemic heart diseases; detoxifies and promotes healthy digestive tract. HOW TO EAT Cook with 2 cups water to 1 cup quinoa; use it as an addition to salads or as the ‘pasta’ replacement in minestrone soups.

Freekeh

(pronounced free-ka) FUNCTIONS Great for weight loss; naturally low

in carbs; low Glycemic Index (GI); improves focus and concentration; naturally high in protein; protects and improves blood circulation; detoxifies and promotes healthy digestion. HOW TO EAT Cook with 2 cups water to 1 cup freekeh; use it in soups, as a savoury oat replacement, or as a grain cereal.

Chia seeds FUNCTIONS Stabilises blood sugars; supports heart health; assists in weight loss; has anti-inflammatory properties; high in fibre

FUNCTIONS Exactly the same as quinoa, freekeh and millet combined but with the added bonus of having both simple and complex carbs, and is totally gluten-free making it great for those with allergies and gluten intolerance; lowers bad cholesterol while reducing gallstone formation HOW TO EAT Use as flour in baking, or as a whole grain cereal option.

Source: about.com &www.webmd.com

HEALTHY MORNING HABITS

percent of women (globally) between the ages 15-49 years wanting to avoid unwanted pregnancies do not have access to, or are not using effective contraceptive methods.

Source: www.who.int

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tsp per day is the average amount of sugar consumed by an adult. The general health recommendation for one person is no more than 9.5 tsp per day.

Source: www. livestrong.com

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inches is the average hip measurement of a normal, healthy woman today, as opposed to 34 inches back in the 1950s. This is largely due to changes in diet and nutrition. The average woman’s height is at 5’4” today compared to 5”2” back then.

Source: www.cnn.com

X Stretch out your limbs, do neck rolls, swing your arms about and walk in place first thing when you roll out of bed.

X Drink two glasses of water first thing in the morning before breakfast to flush out toxins.

X After your toilet visit, shower and dressing up, make sure you have your breakfast! It is the most important meal of the day to jumpstart your system. Source: www.welness-health-tips.com

NOTE: ALWAYS CONSULT A DOCTOR BEFORE YOU EMBARK ON ANY ALTERNATIVE THERAPY OR EXERCISE REGIME.

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GETTING PHYSICAL

Any kind of physical activity that helps you break out in sweat not only gives you better overall health, it also helps the participant build self worth and an improved positive outlook in life. The best part? Even non competitive activities have the same effect.

SPORTS BUSINESS BITES

145.3 billion USD is the estimated average amount that will be spent on advertising by the year 2015 in the global sports industry. Source:

IMAGE: INMAGINE

PricewaterhouseCoopers International Ltd, 2012

PLUS POINTS IN GETTING PHYSICAL Getting children and youngsters interested in outdoor physical activity, not sports per se, but getting out of the house to fly a kite or even to play catch has become increasingly difficult. The advent of computer games and the Internet doesn’t help either. Here are some pertinent reasons why you need to motivate and encourage your children to go out and get healthy.

X Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance while helping build healthy bones and muscles, control weight and reduce anxiety and stress. As they grow older, it helps improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH

X Medical research has proven that lack of physical activity from an early age contributes to poor lifestyle choices as children grown older, making them more susceptible to chronic ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure.

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X Having 60 minutes a day set aside for moderate and fun outdoor physical activity with your children from age two onwards will help with their overall emotional well-being as it balances out their hormones and improves their mental development. It also promotes self-esteem and an overall positive feeling.

Source: www.buzzle.com

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THE TOUGHEST GAME! Of all the sporting activities in the world, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and wrestling earn top ranking as the toughest activities that require an 8 in muscular power and strength, a 10 in speed, an 8 in cardiovascular endurance and a 10 in overall durability (out of a perfect 10 in each category) clocking in a grand total of 36 points. Football ranks second at 35 points and Rugby at 33. Source: www.askmen.com

ODDITIES OF PAST OLYMPICS X In 1908, the London Olympics lasted 187 days. It started in April and ended in October.

X The last, pure solid gold medals awarded at the Olympics were in 1912. Only gold-plated silver medals have been given out since.

X The 1900 Olympics in France awarded winners paintings instead of gold medals because they felt paintings were more valuable. Gold, silver and bronze medals weren’t given out until 1904 at the third modern Olympics. Source: www.11points.com

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million is the number of jobs occupied in the sports industry in the US alone, with over 1.3 million more posts, if Europe and Asia are included.

Source: pinterest.com

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percent of sports fans use smartphones to follow their favourite sporting events; 56% of which own the iPhone and 32% of which own an Android device. Source: www. plunkettresearch.com

PREPOSTEROUS PASSION The World Cup Soccer playoffs in 1969 caused a brief but bloody battle between Honduras and El Salvador where gunfire was exchanged for about 30 minutes because El Salvador beat Honduras at the playoffs that year – owing to the already rough relations between the two countries. Source: www.weirdfacts.com

AIRASIA WORLD OF SPORTS AirAsia winners from Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia were all overjoyed with the opportunity and had this to say about their experience.

QPR LOFTUS ROAD EXPERIENCE

Daim and Alex Yoong (in the simulator) at the roadshow at Bugis+.

SINGAPORE GP ROADSHOW The Singapore GP Roadshow at Bugis+ on September 1, 2012, saw young driver Daim Hishamuddin and his mentor Alex Yoong from the AirAsia Caterham Driver Development Program meeting fans and pitting skills against each other and fans at the simulator challenge. Two lucky fans who tried their skills in the simulator clocked in an impressive 1:07 at the AirAsia GP Experience Simulator Challenge and walked away with a pair of Singapore GP Grandstand tickets and an exclusive Caterham F1 Team paddock tour.

AirAsia R’s winners recently enjoyed an unforgettable experience watching a Premier League match live at Loftus Road Stadium in UK on September 15, 2012, between QPR and Chelsea. The AirAsia R’s Social Media Contest winners were the top five picks of the best commentary video submissions from around the region. For the winners, it was their first trip to London and first time at witnessing a premier league match.

The lucky winners were treated to an exclusive Loftus Road Stadium Tour before the match against Chelsea. For these diehard fans, an inside view of the Super Store, locker room and stadium tunnel, as well as a visit to the pitch was a once in a lifetime affair.

“I never thought that I would watch a Premier League game Live. Thank you AirAsia for making it happen,” Kelvin Balloo

“I’m super excited to watch a premier league game live,” Chooi Kim Lan

“Love the weather here, atmosphere in the stadium is amazing, great to be here to witness it,” Amir

NEW SIGN-UPS QPR PR recently signed d Spanish panish midfielder Esteban Granero from om Real Madrid to boost up centremidfield.

Aire Omar, CEO of Malaysia AirAsia (4th from left) and Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia, Aireen Jason Jaso Lim, the AirAsia Allstar behind the AABA with aspiring badminton players at the launch of the academy.

A AIRASIA BADMINTON ACADEMY A

WORDS: CHENG YIK HOONG

A AirAsia took the development of badminton a notch higher by launching the AirAsia Badminton Academy (AABA) in Petaling Jaya on September 26, 2012. Together with partners Hai-O, FlexPro and isotonic drink 100 Plus, the AABA will offer programmes designed to nurture a new generation of badminton players and create world-class champions whilst advancing the development of the sport in Malaysia. Three academies have been set up in Malaysia located in Petaling Jaya, Klang and Kepong. www.facebook.com/airasiabadmintonacademy Ke

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PLAYER OF THE MONTH Vote for your AirAsia Player of the Month at facebook.com/OFFICIALQPRFC

02 11 HYPER TECH 2012 2012

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WIRED FOR THE FUTURE

From wireless applications turning on light bulbs to batteries that are getting slimmer and even self-charging, technology continues evolving at warp speed in bringing the most advanced to humankind.

CHOCOLATEY PICTURES

BLUETOOTH BULB The inventors of the Bluetooth Bulb figured that since users carry their phones 24/7, why not use it to switch on and off, brighten or dim, set a timer, and even change the colour tone of the light remotely? The resulting product is the Bluetooth Bulb that works simply by installing an app on the handphone and pairing it with the selected Bluetooth Bulb. http://bluetoothbulb.com

WORDS: PETE KING

TIMELY TIPS

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Ever wanted to transform your pictures into edible mementos? Simply scan the images or use Instagram or Hipstamatic and send to cocoagraph. com. Cocoa Fairies (that’s what they call the workers here!) will then use the best chocolate from a family operated chocolatier in Santa Barbara in California to transform your snapshot into sumptuous edibles! http://cocoagraph.com

Everyone needs laptops nowadays! Here are some quick tips on how to shop for these indispensable gadgets.

X BATTERY Check how many hours the battery will last with just one recharge.

X PROCESSOR Single, double or quad core? The more the core the faster the programmes run.

X DISPLAY Get a screen with higher resolution if you intend to watch videos and play games.

X DISK SPACE Purchase more if you plan to store large files like movies.

X SOLID STATE (SSD) OR HARD DISK (HDD) DRIVE?

With no moving parts, SSD loads faster.

X VIDEO CARD Get a better quality card if you intend to play games.

X COMPUTER MEMORY OR RAM The bigger the RAM, the faster the laptop runs.

X SOUND CARD Test how loud or clear the speakers are. Or you may just want to use the earphone jack.

X MODEM, DEM, WIFI, NETWORK RK CARD You will not need ed modem or card if using g WiFi.

COMBINING PAPER & DIGITAL

SOAP BUBBLE DISPLAY

This paper notebook

by Moleskin enables users to jot down notes on paper, then use Evernote to record and modify the said material digitally. The notebook also comes with a set of Smart Stickers that add digital tags to your notes. Additionally, the Page Camera function in Evernote on the iPhone or iPad enables users to import notes into their Evernote Digital memory. http://evernote.com

Yoichi Ochiai and team from University of Tokyo have invented the world’s thinnest screen – not from plastic or glass – but from soap bubbles! This thin transparent soapy screen can display flat, textured and even 3D images! The display will come in handy for artists and exhibitors, giving their products a more realistic, suspended-in-thin-air look and feel. www.newscientist.com

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“If you don’t know anything about computers, just remember that they are machines that do exactly what you tell them but often surprise you in the result.” ~ Richard Dawkins, from The Blind Watchmaker (1986), Oxford zoologist, author, media commentator.

PLANET OF THE APPS THIRST: TWITTER WITH VISUALS Made up of text and pictures, Thirst for Twitter uses a natural language processor to filter and organise Tweets into grids with large images from other websites. It also has extra sections like ‘Newspaper’ for popular and interesting news, ‘Trending’ for trending topics, and ‘Featured’ for topics currently talked about.

TOP OF THE DESKTOPS These desktop monitors for computers are as good as television sets or even HD TV, with vivid colours, high resolutions and other awesome features.

DELL ULTRASHARP U2711 Having wide-quad HD, this 27inch monitor is even better than a full HD! At the back of the unit are many connectors and ports such as the HDMI, DVI, USB, memory card reader to a rare DisplayPort.

Users control the monitor by lightly touching the buttons, but most probably need not calibrate as the screen displays near perfect colours. http://accessories.ap.dell.com

ASUS PB278Q The 27-inch monitor can adjust backlight luminance for more contrast, brightness and sharpness with the deepest black tones and brightest whites. With a wide 178° viewing angle – both horizontally and vertically – colours will not shift even when viewing from extreme angles. www.asus.com

OS: iOS & Android Price: Free

PIATTO: DIETING USING PORTION CONTROL Piatto helps you diet by controlling the food portions you eat. Instead of calories, choose from photos of real food. Piatto checks your progress towards your ideal weight from meal habits entered into a food diary. It also tracks daily activities like exercises with a dashboard showing how an activity relates to daily food choices. OS: iOS Price: USD0.99

HOWSTUFFWORKS: FUN LEARNING ABOUT HOW THINGS WORK From websites to Discovery channel series, HowStuffWorks offers over 30,000 articles, blogs, videos and podcasts about how things work. Listeners can chat with its podcasters and also tweet back. They can also check out Facebook and Twitter feeds of the video shows and get links to related stories. OS: iOS and Android Price: Free

SAMSUNG S27A350H This Samsung monitor is environmentally friendly, consuming 40% less energy while remaining cool to the touch even after running several hours. It uses LED technology to display 1080p HD videos in high quality. Users can watch the display from any angle without distortion by selecting any of the four monitor angle settings. www.samsung.com

HP DREAMCOLOR LP2480ZX This monitor measures 24 inches in size but uses a 30-bit LCD panel technology to display over one billion active colours – 64 times more than the normal LCD. It offers the best in colour depth with RGB LED backlighting. The screen also supports various industry colour specs such as RGB, Adobe RGB and SMPTE-C. www8.hp.com

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www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

STARS OF THE GARDEN CITY Kuala Lumpur is also known as the Garden City of Lights. In this garden, these hotels shine bright like jewels in the sky.

WORDS: CHITRA S

A JEWEL BECKONS

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I knew I was in for a treat the instant I stepped through InterContinental Kuala Lumpur’s grand entrance. The jewel-inspired decor in its expansive lobby – a massive sparkly crystal chandelier and floor-toceiling diamond-patterned wall panels – merely hinted at the treasures waiting to be enjoyed within. The InterContinental arrival experience was further enhanced with black granite and stainless steel columns, adding to its contemporary chic lustre. The premier brand in the InterContinental Hotels Group, this hotel has long been a household name among discerning travellers who expect nothing but the best in attention to detail and service. The InterContinental Kuala Lumpur certainly delivers on both counts.

After a brisk check-in and an introduction to InterContinental service, I was whisked away to my room – the Grand Premier. The hotel has a total of 473 rooms and suites to accommodate every traveller’s needs from Deluxe, Premier and Club InterContinental rooms to Executive, Ambassador, Presidential and Royal suites. The jewel theme is subtly echoed in the newly-refurbished Grand Premier rooms from the glint of the light fixtures to the rhombus patterns on the carpeting and wall panels. Neutral tones complemented by plush fabrics and furnishes lend the 42sqm room a timeless elegance.

The first thing that caught my eye was the extra-wide king size bed.

I swear it is large enough to sleep three adults with ease! Business travellers will love the glass work desk and ergonomic chair that makes even work seem pleasurable. Another feature at these recently upgraded rooms is its spacious bathrooms – a must in my book. The marbled bathroom boasts a separate shower with Bagno rain-shower TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

fittings and a large bathtub, perfect for a leisurely soak while watching TV. Yes, you read it right. The room’s flat screen TV can be swivelled to face the bathtub, strategically positioned behind a glass wall that separates the bed from the bath.

A special mention must be made of the Concierge Lounge.

Travellers who want to explore the city and beyond need only approach the Concierge Lounge for assistance. The hotel prides itself on its ‘In the Know’ service and well-informed concierge staff who are trained to help guests navigate the streets of KL with information like good eats and bargain buys to tailoring exclusive tour packages. Whether guests have just an hour to spare or an entire week, the hotel’s friendly concierge team will help organise all touring needs.

Of course, there is no reason to venture far for good eats when it’s possible to dine like a king within the hotel premises. For lunch, I chose Serena Brasserie and was pleasantly surprised by its buffet spread of local and international dishes. When hunger pangs struck at dinner time, the hotel’s award-winning Tatsu Japanese Restaurant, was my next destination. I indulged in Tatsu’s 88 Splendid Dishes menu, which like its name, lets diners partake in a selection of 88 items, from sushi to sashimi, and tempura to teppanyaki at just

SPA AWAY WITH EXPEDIA Indulgent and relaxing, spas are calming sanctuaries that pamper and rejuvenate body, mind and soul. Expedia has specially selected these hotels in Singapore that offer some of the best spa facilities for anyone in need of a pick-me-up or a recharge of the senses.

W Singapore The new kid on the block, the AWAY Spa at W Singapore offers spa rooms and suites within the spa floor for a 24/7 spa journey experience quite unlike others. Guests are greeted by the spa’s rainforest inspired decor and sculptural pieces that welcome them into a world that reflects the exotic tropical gardens of Singapore.

Pan Pacific Singapore Be lured into a world of holistic wellness and beauty at the St Gregory spa at Pan Pacific Singapore. Choose from signature treatments or step back in time and discover traditional therapies such as Thai and Chinese massages. More than just for pampering, St. Gregory is fully dedicated to promoting good health and inner beauty with its therapies, massages and beauty rituals.

RM98++. After a sumptuous dinner at Tatsu, and with just enough room to squeeze in a tipple or two, I headed to Bentley’s Pub, for a pint of fresh-from-the-tap Kilkenny. Bentley’s is a cosy little nook to unwind over a beer or two with your buddies.

After a day of indulgent treats, or traipsing around the city centre, a bit of pampering is a must. Within minutes of walking into The Sompoton Spa on Level 5, I was enveloped in a sense of calm, courtesy of its soothing traditional music and aromatic oils.

The extensive spa menu includes quick facials to slow-and-easy luxurious body treatments. Mango passion body wrap? Age-defying caviar mask? Balinese, Shiatsu, Swedish massage? Check. Check.

And check. I tried the Pamper package that included a luscious, rose sea salt body scrub, gentle massage and ear candling therapy.

The masseuse’s gentle kneading of my sore muscles lulled me into a deep sleep, and I awakened refreshed, rejuvenated and glowing like a new diamond – a befitting end to my stay in a hotel that is truly a jewel in the city.

INTERCONTINENTAL KUALA LUMPUR

Swissôtel Merchant Court Singapore Journey into an oasis of pure relaxation and indulge your senses at Amrita Spa & Wellness that offers picturesque views of the Singapore River.

Enjoy the restorative benefits of Swissôtel‘s holistic wellness and beauty offerings that aim to care for body, mind and soul.

Book these awesome hotels on Expedia online with confidence because prices are backed by a ‘Best Price Guarantee’. If a customer finds a better price online for the exact same trip, Expedia will match the lower rate, and will also give that customer a travel voucher for future bookings.

165 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur +603 2161 1111 www.intercontinental-kl.com.my

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SIMPLY THE BEST In July, the four-star Best Western Premier Dua Sentral opened its doors just minutes from Kuala Lumpur’s atmospheric Brickfields area. While the flagship hotel of Best Western in Malaysia was just finding its rhythm, the service from the members of the Best Western family was exemplary.

Strategically located near attractions like Mid Valley MegaMall, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to this shopping hotspot as well as KL Sentral and KLCC. Accommodation here ranges from deluxe units to two-bedroom suites. I had the privilege of experiencing a one bedroom club suite with a living room area, basic kitchenette and views of KL Sentral – the city’s impressive transportation hub. My spacious suite featured cosy wooden flooring, a comfy sofa, and elegant earth-toned décor, and came with complimentary Wi-Fi connection, interactive LCD TV with a DVD player and iPod dock, as well as a ‘door-less’ bathroom with both shower and long bath.

To get guests into vacation mode, Best Western offers an infinity pool, well-equipped gym and its own premier spa brand, Bhuvana Spa Luxe. While the aromatherapy massage and stone therapy sounded amazing, I opted for the Bhuvana Signature Massage, which is designed to work on sore muscles – perfect for guests suffering from jetlag.

Using a combination of Thai massage, foot reflexology and long strokes, my masseuse applied massage oil with pandan, jasmine and sunflower extracts

wagyu beef on toast, while the chef who has trained with greats like Marco Pierre White, recommended a light and healthy grilled ocean trout with fennel and onion salad for my main course. Served slightly pinkish with a light, crispy skin, the salmon was perfect.

Good people, great food and a spot of relaxation. What more could one ask for?

WORDS: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

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along my energy lines to promote happiness and mindfulness. The result was pure bliss!

To please the palate, Best Western has the all-day-dining Kembali Kitchen, with tantalising local and western delicacies, and the Mediterranean and Asian fusion restaurant, Hugo’s on 6 ,with specialty cocktails like the chocolatey Fire Me Hugo’s, a concoction of rum infused with bird’s eye chilli, and Chi Chi, prepared with vodka, almond liqueur, pineapple juice and topped with milk froth. Bestselling tapas here include chicken cooked in creamy garlic and paprika sauce, prawns sautéed in dried chilli and smoked paprika, and lamb meatballs in a rich tomato coulis – perfect for a night of gourmet goodness.

If you’re craving grilled seafood or steak, head over to Grill 582 where Executive Chef Jaffery Othman has created a sophisticated menu. For my amuse-bouche, I had a comforting bolognaise-style

BEST WESTERN PREMIER DUA SENTRAL 8, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Kuala Lumpur

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DREAM STAY

WORDS: R. RAJENDRA

The Impiana KLCC Hotel, situated right smack in the city with fantastic views of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, is one of those hotels that holds a special place in the hearts of local and visiting guests. The building itself used to house one of the first hotels in KL and was subsequently taken over by the current management and re-opened as Impiana KLCC Hotel. Recently, a brand new, 25-storey Club Tower was added to the existing structure, offering guests bespoke accommodation in a brand new setting. The hotel is also connected via an air-conditioned pedestrian walkway that starts from the main shopping thoroughfare in Bukit Bintang and stretches all the way to KLCC. It is also located opposite the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, a prime venue for international and domestic conventions and conferences. Business travellers will find the hotel particularly suited for their needs.

The new Club Tower is the main attraction at Impiana KLCC Hotel.

Comprising 188 units of aesthetically designed club rooms and suites, including the grand two-bedroom Impiana Suite, the new extension offers a world of luxury with a touch of contemporary chic. These rooms that range from Superior, Deluxe

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Twin, Deluxe King to suites in both the Main Tower and Club Tower exude warmth with their stylish timber flooring and five-star bathroom amenities.

F&B options too are aplenty at Impiana KLCC Hotel. The Main Tower houses the 24-hour Tonka Bean, a firm favourite with locals for its wonderful buffet and a la carte options with regular themed TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

dinners. The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer beautiful views of the sparkling Twin Towers while guests enjoy their dinner.

Guests can also kickback and enjoy their tipples at Oswego Bar while Bohemia will appeal to cigar aficionados. If it is just a simple cup of coffee or a late night cocktail you are looking for, head to the Lobby Lounge. At the Club Tower, a roof top restaurant and chill-out bar on the 15th floor known as CEDAR ON 15 is scheduled to open later this month.

The preferred choice of accommodation offering superior service that’s friendly, warm and heartfelt, Impiana KLCC Hotel has been awarded many accolades such as The HotelCheck Award 2012 by HotelCheck.com, a leading German travel website; a 5-Star standard recognition for the hotel’s Swasana Spa by the Ministry of Tourism,

Malaysia; and the Ron Brooks Award 2011 for the hotel’s Executive Chef Helmut Lamberger by the Chainne de Rotisseur Committee, in recognition of his dedication, commitment and insightful leadership, amongst others.

IMPIANA KLCC HOTEL 13 Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur

WORLD OF LUXURY Ideally located at the corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang, overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower, the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel that’s perfect for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel features two towers, with 400 beautifully appointed rooms at the West Wing and, 521 rooms at the East Wing. The hotel’s newly refurbished LifeStyle rooms on the upper floors in the East Wing present a new experience in hospitality.

Contemporary in design, the LifeStyle rooms are furnished with plush beddings, while the exquisite interior radiates a feeling of warmth. Extravagant touches and up-to-date conveniences coupled with high speed technology makes it complete for business travellers to conduct their work. For F&B, the hotel has an abundance of choices. Vogue Café is an all-day dining restaurant where East and West cuisines have been masterfully designed and served in an elegant setting. Tantalizing Japanese flavours can be savoured at Sagano Restaurant with delightful offerings of sushi, sashimi or a la carte choice of bento, kaiseki and teppanyaki. The best in Cantonese food can be had at Dynasty Restaurant (non-halal), while TEMPTations serves a plethora of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Western and Middle Eastern dishes – amongst others.

RENAISSANCE KUALA LUMPUR HOTEL

Corner of Jln Sultan Ismail and Jln Ampang Kuala Lumpur

CHIC IN CHINATOWN Swiss-Inn Kuala Lumpur is an international hip hotel nestled in the heart of colourful Chinatown, which sells just about everything from trinkets to souvenirs.

With 151 rooms offering cozy and comfortable accommodation that features LCD television, modern amenities and friendly services, this hip hotel is ideal for travellers who seek a unique and authentic experience in the heart of the historical but commercially thriving part of Kuala Lumpur. Standard features include individually controlled air conditioning, colour TV, inhouse movie selection, mini bar in the Deluxe Rooms, electronic door lock, IDD telephone and many more. Do visit the stylish Café Petaling that has been done up in a blend of contemporary and colonial designs, making it the place to unwind amidst the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. Linear lines and, a modern and hip design at the outlet add a dash of charm and welcome guests to while their time away while enjoying the delightful Malaysian hawker food and international cuisine available with the outlet’s newly re-designed menu.

SWISS-INN KUALA LUMPUR

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62, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur

11 HIT LIST

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LAND OF THE MORNING CALM

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH IMAGES: KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION

South Korea is one of the highest digitally connected and technologically advanced countries in the world, yet it has struck a profound balance between modernity and cultural heritage.

From age-old traditions that continue to thrive to a pop phenomenon called Gangnam-style that is sweeping the world, South Korea is a wild and wonderful world of contrasts.

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KOREAN CUISINE

The globally recognised dish from South Korea is the nutritious and flavourful kimchi. This is a fermented cabbage / radish dish in a SWEET, SOUR, sourish, spicy base made SPICY & GOOD with a mix of garlic, chilli, FOR YOU! salt, vinegar and spices.

Kimchi is not only eaten as an appetiser but also used to enhance the taste in other dishes such as soups, stir-fries and even as toppings. Kimchi gained world recognition as a super food when it was discovered that a healthy bacteria called lactobacilli was present in it, aiding digestion and preventing yeast infection. Kimchi is also loaded with Vitamins A, B and C. Other famous dishes include bibimbap, a stir-fried beef dish served with rice, kimchi and a cabbage soup and bulgogi; the Korean version of a barbecue where the meat is coated in a soy, garlic, sugar and sesame oil marinade. The meat is then brought to the table where diners grill it on a hotplate.

GUT

One of the many rituals that remains strong today in South Korea is gut, a shamanistic rite performed RITES AND for exorcism or, delivering the RITUALS troubled spirit of a deceased person so they may rest in peace. It is a ritual where shamans invoke Pyolsang (similar to spirits of saints and angels in other religions), whom they channel for assistance.

The gut is an intricate ceremony with a variety of props required like altars, paper flowers, food offerings and costumes befitting the spirit that the shaman hopes to invoke or channel. There are three main gut performed throughout Korea, all of which require the shaman to sing and dance when calling on the Pyolsang – Naerim-gut, Dodang-gut and Sitgim-gut. The shaman assumes the role of the mediator between the spirit and the people who are asking for help, and delivers the message on how to alleviate their difficult situations.

Naerim-gut is a ritual performed to help someone who is possessed by a spirit, and suffers from ‘spirit sickness’, which includes loss of appetite, insomnia, and hallucinations. The Dodang-gut is an annual ritual performed in spring or autumn, seeking blessings and good fortune. Sitgim-gut is a spirit-cleansing ritual for the dead that prepares them for the afterlife.

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K-POP

Korean pop, or K-Pop, doesn’t have a long history; its contemporary origins only began in the 1990s. The popularity, however, is massive and just about every teenager in the world knows about the hottest male and female K-pop stars.

THE KOREAN It started when top artistes began incorporating Western pop styles into their music from WAVE two-step beats to hip hop and techno. This garnered a huge following in their homeland. The group Seo Tai-ji & Boys made its debut with music infused with rap and techno flavours and became a soaring hit in 1992, taking K-pop to the world music stage. Then came hip hop duo Deux, who exploded in their local charts, paving the way for a musical movement now known as the ‘Korean Wave’ or Hallyu, as K-pop planted its roots in the international music scene.

In Asia, K-Pop has become so famous that there are TV channels dedicated to playing K-pop music videos daily, featuring hit girl and boy bands like Girl’s Generation, Big Bang, JYJ, PSY, SHINee, 2PM and the girl band miss A. But let’s not forget the South Korean super sensation, Rain, whose concert tours worldwide sold out within days. This singer, dancer, actor, model and designer took the world by storm and made headlines in Hollywood with acting stints in movies like Speed Racer and Ninja Assassin.

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Boy band 2PM and girl band miss A

TAEKWONDO

The earliest record of martial arts practice FOOT & FIST in Korea dates back to around 50 BC. The earlier version was known as taek kyon, which focused on high kicks. It was a prerequisite for the rulers of the land to be masters in this martial art, which later evolved to include defence techniques and sporting abilities.

Tae means ‘foot’, kwon means ‘fist’, and do means ‘the way of’: The way of the foot and fist. The art itself is best known for its structured defence positions rather than for its offence stances. However, the name taekwondo was not used until 1955. In 2000, this martial art was officially recognised as a skilled sport, making its debut as an official Olympic sport.

Taekwondo is an art unto itself that requires discipline, agility and focus. Inherently, taekwondo and karate share similarities. However, taekwondo emphasises on perfected kicks as its main weapon, more so than the hands. www.wtf.org

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FASHION TRENDS

The worldwide Korean hit song, Gangnam Style by South Korean rapper PSY, gives insight into the current social trends in South Korea, covering both the fashion style and attitudes of its younger generation. You can catch a glimpse of these fashion styles by visiting Sinsa-dong in Gangnam-gu, South Korea’s chic central business district. Garuso-gil (in Sinsa-dong) which SUPER GANGNAM is packed with trendy shops, cafes and galleries is the spot where the youth of this generation socialise, eat and shop.

STYLE The fashion of Korea is heavily steeped in Kawaii culture where young girls dress up like dolls and young boys look pretty. It’s all about the make-up, hair and outfits of asymmetrical candy-coloured pieces and layering techniques. Do be specific when visiting Sinsa-dong in Gangnam-gu, as there are three places in Seoul called Sinsadong, and only one of them offers the bewildering sights of South Korea’s flashy fashion trends.

BOJAGI

Bojagi is a patchwork or SILKEN STITCH quilting technique that is unique to Korea, where the seams are triple-stitched in a way that results in a reversible work of art, be it for framing or wear. This stitch is often used in fine silk, linens, ramies and hemp materials.

Originally, bojagi was considered a simple Korean housewife handicraft, but has become an important part of authentic Korean culture that is recognised worldwide, known as ‘art fabric’. A well-stitched bojagi in high quality silk can mimic the look of stained glass, where the sheer, gleaming fabric reflects light much like window art would. Today, bojagi is a highly-prized skill that has resulted in various prestigious art institutes like the Rhode Island School of Design offering bojagi classes in its curriculum.

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HANBOK & JEOGORI TAILORED FOR TRADITION

IMAGE: INMAGINE

The hanbok is a traditional Korean dress worn by women. It comprises a form-fitting wrap-around blouse of silk or cotton called jeogori that is covered from the upper chest-line with a big, billowy skirt of satins or silks, all the way down to the ankles with layers and layers of underskirts called sokchima.

In the past, only women from higher echelons of society wore brightly coloured hanbok with jeogori made of ramie (a lightweight, high grade cotton), while commoners wore white except on special occasions like weddings.

The earliest reference to the hanbok was found on wall paintings in tombs that date back to the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC – 668 AD). Today, wearing the traditional hanbok is a simpler task, with the dress readily sewn in one piece.

The outfit is generally ornamented with beads and embroidery.

Jewellery and hair adornments are a must for special occasions.

Men wear jeogori, which is originally the upper part of the hanbok garment, with a loose pair of pants called paji. The difference in women’s jeogori is that the cuff of the sleeves may be sewn with a different coloured material, while men’s cuffs are usually sewn with the same material. However, fashion trends have evolved and this no longer applies as different takes and versions of men’s jeogori have been created since.

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PANSORI

Pansori is a traditional Korean lyrical opera that is quiet, yet epic in proportions when presented by trained and enigmatic performers. A sole singer narrates a long descriptive story with animated sounds (sori), expressive gestures (ballim), while singing the story A LYRICAL LILT (aniri), backed by one drummer (gosu). Dramatic, feverish but rhythmic as well, the singer presents a pansori through controlled escalation of her singing pitch that lilts back and forth from slow beats to an urgent pace, with the rolling and shaking of the head.

The story in a pansori varies from themes of love, history and even something as simple as the changing of the seasons.

Some of the pansori greats in South Korea include Park Hwasun, whose students from Hwa Sun Gukak Academy are now pansori greats themselves - Lim Myeongja, Lim Haengnim, Park Haenghui, Choi Hyejeong and Park Jeongji.

JOSEON BAEKJA

Pottery in Korea began during the Neolithic age, but Korea PURE PERFECTION has since developed its unique ceramic culture through the creation of the Bisaek celadon – the widely coveted, clear and highly transparent jade-green porcelain considered to be the finest in the world, and the simple but stunning, white porcelain.

Baekja specifically refers to the white porcelain of Korea, characterised by the beauty of its simple lines and unpretentious forms, reflecting the ideals of Korean Confucian belief.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Korean elites and members of the royal court preferred undecorated white ware for ceremonial dinners as it reflected class and simplicity.

GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies to Seoul daily from Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia Japan flies to Seoul from Narita Airport, Tokyo and will commence flights to Busan on Nov 28, 2012. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

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11 FEATURE

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

With destinations that range from romantic islands to historical and cultural getaways, AirAsia offers newlyweds, couples and just about anyone bitten by the travel bug the chance to explore these wonderful locations together with their loved ones. Recently, AirAsia invited Malaysian celebrity couples to explore these amazing places and fall in love all over again with Destinasi Cinta Bersama AirAsia (Love Destinations with AirAsia).

Raja Farah and Megat at a Kathakali performance in Kochi.

KOCHI, INDIA Raja Farah & Megat Having started modeling at the age of 13, Raja Farah Binti Raja Aziz is also a successful TV actress and has appeared in many shows. Her acting career took off in 2003 with the sitcom Ah Ha with comedians Harith Iskandar and Afdlin Shauki. Farah next ventured into hosting and became a compere on TV programmes like MangoTV, Game Time, VoiceOut and Suara Emas Bintang RTM 2007. Raja Farah is married to Megat.

“We loved the romantic dinner we had together on a houseboat and of course, the beautiful scenery in Munnar with its huge 70

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tea gardens. The weather was also lovely!

Oh, did we mention the fantastic shopping!” ~ Raja Farah & Megat

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED… “The locals were super nice to us. They’re very kind and ever ready to help. What really surprised me, however, was the way they drove – a little scary but they ensured we got to our destination safely and on time. I enjoyed Kochi and plan to take my whole family there soon!” ~ Raja Farah GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Kochi from Kuala Lumpur.

Go to www.airasia.com for details.

Sazzy and Nazril having a night out in Macau.

MACAU

The couple on a gondola ride in the Venetian in Macau.

Sazzy Falak & Nazril Idrus Sazlini Shamsul Falak is a Malaysian actress and TV host. She has acted in films and in TV, including the hugely popular Gol & Gincu the Series. Sazzy married financial coach Nazril Idrus, who is a celebrity in his own right, having appeared in advertisements, dramas and films. Sazzy and Nazril appeared together in a TV series called Ada Apa Dengan Cinta and in the reality TV dancing competition Sehati Berdansa, clinching the runners up place in the grand finals. In July 2010, they received EH! Magazine’s Pasangan Selebriti Paling Di Minati (Favourite Celebrity Couple) award, voted by the public. Sazzy and Nazril are parents to twin girls named Iman Lilly and Tiara Rose.

“Jumping off the Macau Tower (the highest bungee jump in the world at 233 metres) was definitely the highlight of our trip to Macau. In fact, we have a friend who took a day trip on an AirAsia flight to Macau and back just to try the bungee jump. It is definitely the craziest thing we’ve done as a couple since we have NEVER ever bungee jumped before. We always push each other because we love life and live it to the fullest.

We have a motto: ‘If we can do it, so can you!’ Hopefully it inspires others too. I think we really have taken AirAsia’s tagline ‘Now Everyone Can Fly’ literally!” ~ Sazzy & Nazril

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED… “Macau has so many attractions other than casinos. There are high-end shows, the Butterfly Pavilion, bungee jumping, museums, awesome shopping experiences, the Fortresses and the authentic Macanese food. Really, you will be spoilt for choice.”

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Macau from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Clark (Manila).

Go to www.airasia.com for details.

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LANG TENGAH, TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA Natasha Hudson & Carleed Khaza Natasha Liana Hudson is a model, actress, writer and singer. She is an award-winning actress who has appeared in numerous TV commercials, films and TV series in Malaysia and Indonesia. She took home the ‘Most Promising Actress’ award at the 2007 Malaysian Film Festival for her role as Nasrin in the movie Chermin. Natasha married Carleed, a composer and a singer on April 15, 2012. The husband and wife duo recorded the song ‘Jika ku boleh ubah dunia’ (If I can change the world).

“Both of us found the diving and candat sotong (squid fishing) a wonderfully exhilarating experience. We have never done this before and truly enjoyed it.”~ Natasha & Carleed

Enjoying the warm sea breeze in Lang Tengah Island.

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED… “I was overwhelmed by the untouched beauty of the beaches on Lang Tengah. While others choose to fly off to faraway exotic islands like Maldives, this island off the coast of Terengganu is simply amazing!” ~ Natasha GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur.

Go to www.airasia.com for details.

Norman and Memey at Lake Toba.

MEDAN, INDONESIA Norman Hakim & Memey Popular actor Mohamed Nurhakim Zaidon aka Norman Hakim wed actress Memey Suhaiza on September 24, 2011. Their wedding goes down in Malaysian celebrity history as one of the most expensive ever, costing some RM12 million!

“Our most memorable moment during the trip was the surprise first wedding anniversary celebration at 30,000 ft above sea level with the rest of the passengers and AirAsia crew onboard!” ~ Norman Hakim & Memey

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED… “I was blown away by the history of Lake Toba. It is amazing to learn that the lake has been part of an active volcano for the past 75,000 thousand years.” ~ Norman Hakim GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Medan from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bandung, Surabaya, Penang and Bangkok.

Go to www.airasia.com for details.

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DESTINASI CINTA BERSAMA AIRASIA IS A 13-EPISODE TRAVEL PROGRAMME THAT FEATURES 12 DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS, WHILE THE FINAL EPISODE WILL BE A ROUND-UP OF THE ‘BEST OF’ EACH EPISODE. THE SHOW BEGAN AIRING ON OCTOBER 17, 2012 AT 10PM ON ASTRO RIA (CHANNEL 104), WITH REPEATS EVERY SUNDAY AT 7.30PM. A REPEAT OF THE SERIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

YOGYAKARTA & SEMARANG, INDONESIA Irma Hasmie & Redza Syah Irma Hasmie is of mixed parentage (Pakistani and Chinese) and is a well known Malaysian actress. She first appeared in the movie Cinta Fotokopi, followed by Mainmain Cinta, both produced by Metrowealth International Group (MIG). She married Redza Syah Azmeer, a businessman on June 29, 2012. The couple met in Makkah while performing the Umrah in February 2012.

“The journey was exciting and a new experience for us as we had just gotten married two weeks before we started shooting the programme. We enjoyed touring Prambanan and Borobudur and the surprise

Share your best AirAsia I AM HERE! snapshots with us.

Check out www. airasia.com/ travel3sixty/ photoblog to submit and view more I AM HERE! photos.

royal dinner with a musical performance staged at the Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel. But what really touched us was the opportunity to distribute food and gifts to the children of Indoshelter in Semarang. The shelter helps keep children off the streets and from begging and being exploited. The kids even put up a little performance for us!

They were adorable!” ~ Irma & Redza

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED… “By the super cheap shopping at Jalan Malioboro in Yogyakarta; I am definitely going there again! ~ Irma GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Yogyakarta and Semarang from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bali. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

Irma and Redza posing for pictures in front of Prambanan in Yogyakarta.

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11 FEATURE • Australia

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

THE LARRIKINS OF THE

SU RF Each year, thousands of swimmers and surfers are pulled out of the raging ocean to safety by members of Surf Life Saving Australia, one of the largest volunteer service organisations in the world.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKE LARDER

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Legend has it that in 1903 the rector of St Mary’s Church in Waverley, a beach side suburb of Sydney, dropped his cassock on the sand and took a refreshing dip in the Bondi surf, arguably Australia’s most famous surf beach. This ‘wicked’ act from a godly man caused outrage and much hysteria from swooning ladies of a genteel nature because he did it in broad daylight. Hitherto, baring a pink and wrinkled and possibly quite smelly body to the elements and the

gaze of shocked onlookers was considered immoral. But instead of incurring the wrath of the Almighty, the racy rector unwittingly started a fad for public bathing, ultimately resulting in the formation of one of the largest volunteer movements in the world: Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA).

Some 44,000 men, women and children (known as Nippers) patrol many of Australia’s popular beaches during the summer months with a current membership

totalling over 160,000. Since the inception of the SLSA in 1907, a staggering total of 600,000 people have been rescued alive.

Last year 14,436 rescues were successfully carried out during 1,300,000 patrol hours.

SWEPT OUT TO SEA Back in coy Edwardian times this public method of having a bath was known as surf bathing. Australians, however, took to public, semi nakedness and the resulting healthful effects of communal bathing with joyful enthusiasm, discarding their constricting clothes with alacrity. They soon realised that many who entered the ocean never made it back to the shore as very few people knew how to swim. Suddenly, alarmed experimental surf bathers found themselves being swept out to sea dragged under the swollen weight of their voluminous bathing attire.

These were the days when women protected their modesty by enshrouding themselves in bathing dresses, shoes, hats

LEFT: After rowing out to sea, the crew retrieves their boat to drier grounds on the beach.

ABOVE: The forceful slamming of the boat against the wave creates wing-like splashes.

OPPOSITE PAGE: A female crew keeps watch on the competition as her team mates row out to sea PRECEDING PAGE: The crew from Yamba Surf Lifesaving Club, the oldest surf club on the far north coast of New South Wales, hurdle though a wave.

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and gloves so as not to display a titillating glimpse of an alluring ankle or a naughty bit of seductive neck. Men protected their manliness and wobbly bits with a woolen sack like costume except that, after a swim, the material sagged revealingly in the region where the legs joined their bodies. That’s the reason why men and women had to bathe separately, so the men’s wobbly bits didn’t come into visual or, physical contact with the women’s bouncy bits. Moreover, the women’s swimming apparel became so waterlogged each time they stepped into the water that the girls simply sank into the water, requiring them to be dragged out spluttering and choking.

SAVINGS IN THE BEGINNING The first Australian Surf Bathing Life Saving Club in Australia was formed at the Royal Hotel, Bondi Junction in 1907. In the

ABOVE: A lifesaving crew battle raging waters in clearing the breakers.

RIGHT: Various lifesaving crews row out to sea in a test of strength and endurance.

OPPOSITE PAGE: After a gruelling race, members of the Wauchope Bonny Hills SLSC wind down with high fives.

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following years ‘surf bathing’ was dropped in favour of ‘surf lifesaving’. Friendly, sometimes even heated debates, still persist as to whether Bronte or Bondi was the first official surf lifesaving club.

Initially, the stronger swimmers saved the weaker by forming human chains.

Later, an innovative chap called Lyster Ormsby invented the surf line and belt that allowed a rescuer who was attached to a line and drum reel to swim out and grab a sinking victim and then, be dragged

back to the beach whilst clutching and resuscitating the victim. It was only relatively recently, in 1994, that the surf reel and the hefty wooden 8-metre surfboat was superseded in favour of the swift and infinitely more maneuverable Inshore Rescue Boat – the IRB aka The Rubber Ducky.

The early surf rescue boats were hefty wooden craft similar to whaling skiffs. Club members would load up the boats with all the necessities of survival – sandwiches, a

thermos of tea, deck of cards, portable radio and the racing guide. Once, having negotiated the incoming breakers, they simply sat, roasting in the sun while waiting for someone to rescue. Returning to shore on a heavy surf day took some considerable skill, as it still does today, even with lighter molded boats.

THE SPORT OF SAVING LIVES Inevitably the clubs turned the serious act of saving human life into a hotly contested sport, and a dangerous one. Surf boat racing is an elite knock’em down, drag’em out sport that is not for the fainthearted. Brute force, technique, super fitness and blind faith are required just to bludgeon the boats through the incoming breakers that frequently send the boats airborne. Those that are not swamped, scull out to sea, round a buoy and then pull hard for the beach where mayhem usually

ensues, as the thundering Pacific dumpers extinguish themselves.

The boats are notoriously difficult to control as they have no keel and rear, and buck like startled stallions. The standing oarsman or, the ‘Sweep’, balancing precariously at the rear, steers the boat with an oar extended from the stern... in theory. In practice, they are more likely to be catapulted into the tumbling surf, leaving the four crew members hanging on when the boat rolls, cartwheels or rams another boat. More often than not, they are thrown from the boats into a maelstrom of surf and flailing oars. Ironically, the rescuers become the rescued, having been knocked senseless by uncontrolled oars or tumbling boats.

Women have increasingly embraced the iconic sport, adding a certain glamour and grit to the competition. The women crews, as with the men, take an equal battering.

Typically, the competition takes place from November through to March culminating in national titles; a kind of seaside Olympics that includes competitive adaptations of a surf lifesaver’s expertise in saving lives. This comprises Iron Man events such as kayaking, board riding, surf-ski beach athletics and champion lifesaver competitions. These events are also part of the Coolangatta Gold Iron Man Surf carnival that’s held in October, providing a spectacular exhibition of the serious business of Australians at play.

Surf life saving is an Australian invention and is the largest volunteer organisation of its kind in the world and is now a global movement. There are over 310 clubs around the edges of the country that patrol over 400 beaches.

WEBSITES: • Australian Surf Rowers League: www.asrl.com.au • Ocean Thunder! Pro Surf Boat Series (televised events): www.oceanthunder.com.au • Surf Life Saving Australia: www.sls.com.au

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ABOVE: A boatman goes tumbling into the waters upon contact with a thundering breaker.

STAYING ALIVE RESCUED BY LIFE SAVERS You are out at sea when suddenly, you realise that you’re in trouble. You have been sucked out too far by the treacherous grip of a ‘rip’.

That last massive wave dumped tons of surf onto your back, bashing the oxygen from your gasping lungs and forcing you under. Caught in the vortex, you are disorientated; your chest is aching for oxygen.Terror tightens your throat. You are drowning!

Then you are caught in a vice like hug and you are suddenly on the surface… breathing sweet salty air. You look up into the face of a spotty faced youth and a freckle faced girl whose teeth braces flash 80

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in the sun. Both are wearing comically coloured red and yellow caps. Those two young people, both hardly 16, have just helped save your life and yet, are still not allowed to drive a car, vote, drink or stay out too late and, need to finish their homework.

You owe your life, in part, to two kids who you wouldn’t take a second look at in the street. They are surf life-savers and dedicated members of a tribal, fiercely proud and honourable Australian institution.

They expect no reward except the eternal thanks of the thousands of Australians and international visitors who would never have seen another sunrise had it not been for their eagle eyed ‘Vigilance and Service’ – Surf Life Saving Australia’s motto.

X Many drowning deaths are caused by being sucked out to sea by unseen under currents known as ‘rips’. Fighting the swift undertow results in rapid exhaustion. When caught in a rip, survival often means not panicking but going with the flow. A rip dissipates beyond the wave breaks. Drift with the flow then swim ashore further down the beach.

X Always swim between the red and yellow flags on a patrolled beach. Life-savers can read the rips and ocean currents and place flags accordingly.

X Australia has one of the highest skin cancer (melanoma) prevalence in the world. Use plenty of 30+ sunscreen, wear a broad brimmed hat and a long sleeved shirt. Skin begins to burn after 10 minutes of exposure in the sun.

GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies to Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

11 FEATURE • Vietnam

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

HAUTE IN HOI AN

The World Heritage city of Hoi An is far from a relic. This living, breathing city spoils, surprises and seduces the hedonist in you.

WORDS: BEVERLY RODRIGUES PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM LEE

IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES

The ancient city of Hoi An in Quang Nam Province on the South Central coast of Vietnam may be famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but a visit here does not necessarily entail hours spent pretending to be interested in crusty old buildings. I must admit when I first heard I was to visit this city, I imagined trailing behind a guide pointing out architectural details in old assembly halls, explaining the history behind the dusty artefacts there.

Hoi An was once a famous trading port in Southeast Asia. It thrived from the 15th century till the end of the 18th century when Da Nang took over as the new centre for trade, leaving Hoi An to fall into a deep slumber that’d span centuries.

But, when I arrived at this charming little city, I was pleasantly surprised. The declaration of Hoi An as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 has revitalised this sleepy city, and today, it is one of the bestpreserved examples of a Southeast Asian trading port, and tourist dollars are pouring in. Its quaint shophouses set out in neat little rows along the Hoai River, offer an alluring blend of the old and new. While some spill with funky fashion and artwork, others have been converted into trendy cafés, restaurants and bars – all begging to be explored.

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Whether you’re after a cultural escape, tantalising Vietnamese cuisine or just a spot of retail therapy, Hoi An has enough to keep you coming back for more.

INSTANT CHEF Hoi An is full of atmospheric dining venues and one of my favourite spots is a lovely restaurant called Morning Glory. This restaurant serves up some of the best Vietnamese cuisine in town, and also lets guests in on invaluable kitchen secrets through its comprehensive cooking classes – a great experience for travellers who’re keen on learning about the local food culture.

I was extremely impressed by how easy and enjoyable the process was. Guided by the restaurant’s vivacious third generation chef and founder, Trinh Diem Vy, my class made shrimp mousse-filled cabbage leaf parcels in a wonderfully light vegetable broth, seared fillets of mackerel in a rich caramel sauce, and sautéed crunchy morning glory leaves with garlic. By far the best dish we cooked was the light and flavoursome salad tossed with Vietnamese pickled cucumber, mint, chilli, roasted peanuts and the requisite splash of fish sauce.

Though there were over 12 of us in the class, it couldn’t have run more smoothly. Everything was arranged neatly, and assistants whizzed around clearing saucepans, whisking away our cooked dishes, and setting out fresh ingredients for our next course. I only experienced mild confusion when the teacher instructed the class to pour ‘penis’ oil into our pan! To my relief, it turned out to be harmless peanut oil! Overall, the class, which was conducted in English, was easy to follow, and a fun learning experience.

TAILOR-MADE & TRENDY Shopping in Hoi An is inevitable. No matter how great your resolve, you’ll end up ripping open your wallet, and regretting not having brought enough Vietnamese Dong! Tailoring is big business here with streets lined with boutiques showcasing cocktail dresses going for only USD20 to USD35. Elegant tuxedoes with silk lining cost just around USD100.

I’d barely made it past the first row of shops, when I spotted a turquoise chiffon dress draped elegantly on a mannequin.

Popping into the boutique, I was told that the dress could be produced in any colour I desired – long or short, with or without straps – basically, any way I wanted. As if by

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Locals are generally warm and friendly; Hoi An retains its old world charm and architecture; fragrant incense coils reflect a Chinese influence; in Hoi An, a dress or suit can be tailored in a matter of hours.

OPPOSITE PAGE: A building with distinct Chinese architectural features.

PRECEEDING PAGE, LEFT: Hoi An is famous for its colourful silk lanterns.

PRECEEDING PAGE, RIGHT: Two ladies clad in the ao dai, traditional Vietnamese attire for women that comprises a tightfitting tunic over pantaloons.

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COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Vietnamese art and creative reproductions are found throughout this historic city; whether you choose a cosy cafĂŠ or street side dining, Hoi An serves up delicious Vietnamese fare; cooking class with Chef Trinh Diem Vy at Morning Glory; Vietnamese spring rolls are a popular delicacy; An everyday scene along the serene Hoai River; silk worms spin cocoons of fine raw silk, which are then boiled and used in silk products.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Scenic Hoi An.

magic, a colour palette materialised and as I browsed the myriad shades available, a measuring tape snaked over my waist, subtly taking my measurements. The process was ridiculously fast, and before I knew it, I’d ordered three cocktail dresses.

All three were to be delivered to my hotel room the following afternoon at 12.00pm.

The next day on the dot, the tailor’s assistant arrived with my dresses, and I was pleased to note that the tailoring was neat, and the fit, perfect. Had my dresses required minor alterations, they would have been done in just a matter of hours. I was over the moon to have found a reliable tailor who was able to reproduce any design to my exact measurements in a short period of time.

However, it must be said that not all the tailors in Hoi An offer the same exemplary service. The streets are lined with hundreds of boutiques offering tailor-made dresses, so it can be tricky. So, a few tips for those interested in tailor-made goods: Test the tailor; don’t get over-excited and place orders for a whole new wardrobe before checking on workmanship and reliability.

Be sure to obtain the tailor’s business card and mobile number, and agree on time and method of delivery. Lastly, only pay in full once you are satisfied.

PRETTY PICTURES For art lovers, Hoi An offers a wealth of beautiful artwork, and undoubtedly one of its most stunning offerings is its handmade embroidery. Requiring millions of intricate stitches so fine a normal person would surely go blind attempting them, these masterpieces are labours of intense focus and precision, yet possess a depth and fluidity that bring each rural landscape and portrait to life. Some appear almost three dimensional!

At XQ Viet Nam Hand Embroidery in Hoi An ( 23, Nguyen Thai Hoc; +84 0510 3911872), embroiderers from the Dalat highlands create shimmering canvases swimming with natural silk or cotton. Here, you can watch the entire process from the design and stencil stage to the actual embroidery.

For a whole range of art forms under one roof, check out Thong Loi Fine Arts-Handicraft Company ( 92, Phan Chu Trinh; +84 0510 3864610). Not only will you be able to observe how they breed silkworms and spin silk here, you’ll also be treated to matweaving, lantern-making and woodcarving demonstrations. Among the goodies to be purchased here are traditional garments, lanterns, hand-embroidered pictures and elaborate wood carvings.

At Reaching Out ( 103, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street; 84 0510 3910168), you’ll find fair trade products of extremely high quality. Reaching Out trains and works with disabled craftspeople throughout Vietnam, with each artisan making approximately 35 percent more than other producers of the same product. By working with artisans who reside in remote areas, speak limited English or are illiterate and live with disabilities, Reaching Out protects these artistes from exploitation by middlemen. Fair trade products here include clothing and accessories, jewellery, ceramics, lacquer ware, stationary, toys and embroidery.

Vietnam is also known for its exquisite lacquer paintings. This art form can be traced as far back as the fourth century BC, with lacquered items discovered in ancient tombs. Over the centuries, master craftsmen have refined their art form and added creative materials to the mix. Today, lacquer paintings derive their brilliance from layers of mother of pearl, crushed egg shells, gold leaf and silver dust. In Hoi An, lacquer paintings spill out of art galleries onto the streets, so, you won’t find it difficult to get your hands on these coveted souvenirs.

Good places to check out include Hung Long Art Gallery ( 105 Nguyen Thai Hoc

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Dusk settles over Hoi An.

Street; +84 0510 3861 524) known for its fine lacquer works by artist Nguyen Trung Viet and Linh Hai Gallery ( 57-76 Tran Phu; +84 0510 861 743) for its high quality lacquer ware and oil paintings.

LUNAR LIGHTS Possibly one of the loveliest things about Hoi An is the ancient town’s observance of the full moon festival every month. As dusk falls, the town closes its streets to motorised vehicles, and the little lanes are lit with beautiful silk and paper lanterns. Locals congregate near the riverbanks to place lotus-shaped votives on the water. This is said to bring love, luck and happiness. You can watch the magical scene unfold from the riverbank or hop on a river boat for a cruise down the candlelit waterway. This just costs about 100,000 Vietnamese Dong (approximately USD5)!

Amid the gentle chaos of shoppers haggling over multicoloured silk lanterns and souvenirs at the local market, you’ll spot locals playing Chinese chess by candlelight, performing traditional music, reading poetry in groups and enjoying colourful opera performances in this achingly beautiful city.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Danang, Vietnam, four times weekly from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

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HOT TIP! The local currency

is Vietnam Dong (VND) but US Dollars are widely accepted. Be sure to bring ample US Dollars, as not all currencies are accepted.

DAY TRIPPING AROUND HOI AN X Hoi An Motorbike Adventures takes you off the beaten track to explore the ‘real’ Vietnam. Choose from a Soviet-era Minsk, which is a classic dirt bike, or fully automatic modern scooter for the less experienced. There’s even the option of riding pillion! www.motorbiketours-hoian.com X Cham Island Diving Center in Hoi An offers daily boat and speedboat tours for diving and snorkelling excursions. www.chamislanddiving.com X My Son, just 55kms from Hoi An, is a temple complex constructed by the Champa kingdom between the 7th and 13th centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the Champa kingdom’s most important historical relics.

X China Beach or My Khe in the nearby coastal city of Da Nang is a popular backpacker spot that offers beautiful stretches of beach.

X The Marble Mountains are five mountains and limestone hills in Ngu Hanh Son, each named after an element – metal, water, wood, fire and earth.

Buddhist sanctuaries are scattered throughout the mountains, making this a popular tourist spot.

MUST TRY IN HOI AN! A must-try in Vietnam is iced coffee or ca phe da. This rich and fragrant indulgence is worth every guilty twinge.

Brewed in a small filter called phin, which sits on top of a glass, it is served alongside a glass of crushed ice, and topped with sweetened condensed milk.

EATING AROUND HOI AN X Morning Glory offers guided street food tours, herb garden cycling tours, market tours, cooking classes and, gourmet classes for professionals or more experienced cooks. Prices range from USD25 to USD55 per person.

MORNING GLORY, 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An +84 0510 2241 556 www.restaurant-hoian.com

X Hai Café serves up traditional Hoi An dishes and grilled seafood. Guests can choose to dine in a relaxed indoor area or breezy courtyard. Evening cooking classes here teach students specialties like spring rolls, beef salad and grilled fish in banana leaves.

HAI CAFÉ, BAR & GRILL, 98 Nguyen Thai Hoc St & 111 Tran Phu St, Hoi An +84 0510 3863210 www.visithoian.com

11 FEATURE • Indonesia

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

THE

ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Bangka and Belitung are two parcels of land along the Sumatran coast that are literally unheard of and untouched by crass commercialism. With a proud seafaring heritage, the local islanders and only the occasional tourist enjoy these gems that speak of the simpler pleasures of life.

WORDS: MARIA VISCONTI PHOTOGRAPHY: CAMERON COPE

There are names that roll off the tongue and instantly evoke exotic places, mystery and a longing for adventure. When I first read about Madripoor Principality (madri meaning mother and pura meaning city), many years ago, it captured my imagination with tales of 14th-century corsairs, the Orang Laut (the Sea People) and the fabled laskar. Many, many years later, here I was realising a dream and sailing the azure waters around Belitung Island (off the southeast corner of Sumatra) with Rusty at the helm.

ROCKS ALIVE These were the same waters that the mighty corsairs patrolled and, spice-carrying Dutch, Portuguese and British vessels traversed in fear of attacks. Rusty was very much a descendant of the famous seafarers of the region. Wiry, strong and with a profound knowledge of the sea, he seemed to ‘sense’ his way around treacherous, submerged rocks by simply glancing from the back of the boat. His only navigational instruments were

his eyes. Alert, barefoot and with his trademark bandana around his head, Rusty steered his boat around astonishing granite boulders jutting out of the ocean; Burung Island, Lengkuas Island and a myriad of uninhabited atolls. Some resembled giant birds, others phantasmagorical shapes skirted by the whitest sands I’d seen. The extraordinary granite boulders that dot the beaches and stick out of the ocean all around Belitung were also the backdrop to the biggest Indonesian box office hit, Laskar

ABOVE: The pristine beach on one of the many offshore islands in Belitung.

LEFT: Fresh fish caught off the shores of Bangka Island for sale at a local fishmonger.

LEFT ABOVE: Though a small and laidback town, the markets at Sungailiat in Bangka are filled with local produce and fruits.

PRECEDING PAGES: A lone motorcyclist on an early morning commute on Belitung Island.

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Pelangi (Rainbow Warriors) that told the story of a group of underprivileged local children who fought the odds to get an education.

DESERTED DELIGHT We left behind the palm-fringed shores of Belitung Island, which was our base, to start a pleasurable island-hopping trip.

With palm trees swaying in the slight breeze and sea as calm as a milk pond, Rusty and I alighted to explore the surrounds. I spotted a Javanese family nearby holidaying while the children squealed with delight over a starfish the size of a motorbike.

“Better than Bali!” they shouted

out to us with the proudest grins, giving us the thumbs up sign.

They had a point, I surmised.

There were no crowds here.

The Riau-Lingga archipelago comprised more than a thousand islands at last count and the best thing was that the islands were a mere hop and skip away from Palembang in Sumatra.

So accessible yet so remote.

CHEQUERED PAST In the mid and late 14th century, fleets of Madripoor corsairs rallied their combined forces to help Palembang stay independent of the expanding Javanese empire.

Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia and was capital

of the ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Srivijaya that controlled what is most of present day Indonesia, Malaysia and southern Thailand in the 7th century. During the 16th century, the area became the centre of the fabled spice trade, attracting the attention of the Dutch, Spanish and British traders who settled here and tried eliminating the corsairs who opposed them with little success.

The stand off culminated in an assault by the British navy in 1857. The sea battle resulted in a very expensive draw and a treaty was inked between Britain and Madripoor, acknowledging Madripoor’s control of the RiauLingga Archipelago and its claims

over Bangka and Belitung islands over which the Dutch Trading Company had also laid claim.

Independent for centuries, both islands became, in the year 2000, the 31st province of Indonesia and part of Sumatra Province.

LIVING IN THE PRESENT Today, this former piratical haven attracts honeymooners and vacationing families who come to enjoy the islands’ fishing, snorkelling and food. Rusty himself runs a warung makan (food stall) on the beach not far from where I was staying at Tinggi Beach.

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There are 69 culturally diverse villages in Belitung including a Balinese village (Kampung Bali), complete with traditional temples and candi besar (Balinese gates) established by Balinese migrants. There are also many Malay kampong (villages) with pastel coloured houses and innumerable Chinese settlements that date centuries back when Chinese labourers came to mine the tin in this area. It is not difficult to visit the length and breadth of the island, as it is only 73kms long and 71kms wide.

Palm oil, pepper and pineapples are the main crops here.

HUNTING FOR BANGKA Bangka is perhaps even lesser known than Belitung and the locals realising this, have humorously designed a T-shirt that asks: “Where is Bangka?”

I caught a three-hour ferry ride from Belitung (or a 20-minute flight) to this little known gem and sought out the town of Sungailiat on the northeast corner of the island. This little

town became my home for a few days, and although I was on Parai Beach, one of the most beautiful on the island, I decided to go exploring to get a better look and feel of the real Bangka.

After an early visit to the Sungailiat market, my guide Toto suggested we eat breakfast at the oldest kopitiam (coffeeshop) in town: Tung Tau, which you can find a few steps from the market. It is not difficult to find this place. Simply let your nose be your guide as the aroma of coffee beans being roasted and ground permeated the air.

The irresistible aroma drew me towards the small coffeeshop and I promptly ordered kopi susu (coffee with milk), which is strong and sweet thanks to lashings of condensed milk. Toto and I asked for a selection of sweet pastries filled with sesame seeds, pineapple, chocolate and strawberry. Seated outdoors and enjoying the delicious breads and the sweet coffee, we spotted a jamu seller passing by. We flagged her down and each of us chose a refreshing herbal tonic from her many multicoloured bottles. Jamu, the ultimate

BELOW: Hundreds of kilometres away from the big cities in Indonesia, the local children find ways to keep themselves amused with bicycles rides.

RIGHT: A fisherman proudly presents his first catch of the day on Belitung Island.

Indonesian energy concoctions, are freshly made each morning from plants, spices and fruits juiced and pulped together according to ancient recipes handed down from herbalist to herbalist. The doe-eyed jamu seller lowered her basket and settled down next to our table.

Once she had meticulously cleaned the glass tumblers she carried in her basket, she poured out her potions and handed them to us according to the aspect of our health we

wanted to boost. When she stood up, she looked tiny, her pretty scarf setting off her oval face like a fresh, gift-wrapped flower.

She thanked us with a smile and walked away gracefully dwarfed by the heavy basket.

RESTORING BANGKA As for the scars left by the tin mining industry, there is an extraordinary project going on at the moment at the Bangka Botanical Gardens.

A group of enlightened exmining entrepreneurs turned conservationists have devised a way to slowly restore the degraded soil. So far they have reclaimed 150 hectares of land where crops flourish despite the predictions that the soil will be barren forever. The recovered land is now home to 2000 species of flora and 200 fauna including crocodiles that have now returned to their natural habitat. Edi Sukaedi from the Bangka Botanical Gardens

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GETTING THERE PALEMBANG - BANGKA (jetfoil) Palembang - Bangka Departure: 07.00 WIB and 12.00 Bangka - Palembang Departure: 10.00 and 16.00 BANGKA - BELITUNG (both ways) Tanjung Pandan - Pangkalan Balam Departure: 07.00 Pangkalan Balam - Tanjung Pandan Departure: 13.00

THINGS TO DO ON BANGKA AND BELITUNG Snorkelling, fishing, swimming, island hopping and eating are the main activities. However, if you pull away from the beach, a visit to the markets is a must, including touring inland and visiting the many kampongs of different ethnic origin.

ACCOMMODATION Hotels are limited on both islands with a few simple beachside cottages.

BANGKA: Istana Pool Villas and Spa is an upmarket complex of 35 waterfront pool villas at affordable prices. +62 717 92888 BELITUNG: Lor in Beach Resort Make sure you request the renovated villas with upgraded +62 719 furniture and fittings.

24100 www.lorinbelitung.com

EATING IN BANGKA Eat & Eat

ABOVE: A martabak manis (pancake with sweet fillings) seller in Sungailiat market in Bangka Island.

TOP: Fresh chillies for sale at a produce seller’s shop in Bangka Island.

explained how they do it: “First, we need to replenish the land by spreading dolomite and cow manure.” To this effect, now four hundred cows are part of the project. Djohan Riduan Hasan, another member of the team added: “People thought we were crazy but now the farm supports itself. Every crop we grow is for the benefit of the 96

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island. The cows are fed with grass grown in the garden, and the milk they produce is given free to local school children”.

Warring ancient kingdoms, large-scale mining, piratical activity and the greed of foreign interests didn’t succeed in ruining these beautiful islands in the past. The question now is will mass tourism do? Before

that happens, shoulder a small bag and head out to explore these hidden gems.

You can bet your friends will invariably ask you: “Where on earth is Bangka?”

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Palembang, Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur.

Go to www.airasia.com for details.

From Palembang, there are jetfoil services to Bangka and from Bangka to Belitung.

is an open-air food court in Sungailiat, Bangka, whose name is derived from the Malay word makan-makan. A visit to these islands is never complete until you do a Martabak Trek. This means following the locals in the evening to the many martabak (sweet pastries) street stalls found mainly around food courts such as Eat & Eat. They look the same but are different.

EATING IN BELITUNG Tanjung

Pandan is a sizeable town and worth a visit. For a seafood banquet Chinese style go to Mutiara. You might be witness the arrival of the trepang (sea cucumber) sellers who descend on diners, offering the delicacy in various forms. Manggar town is said to have a thousand coffee shops. Try a cuppa and mingle with the locals.

www.visit-indonesia.com.au

11 FEATURE • China

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Outof the Heartland WORDS: ZAIN HD PHOTOGRAPHY: YONG WAI HOON

It is practically impossible to fully experience China even with repeated visits due to the vastness of this country. Participants of the Beaume TransAsia 3 2012 Driving Expedition, however, managed to sample exotic locations and unique cultural experiences on their 30-day travel from Kashgar in the west to Tianjin on the eastern seaboard of China.

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RIGHT: The central cupola and prayer hall of Russian Orthodox Church of St Sofia. The church was off limits for worship during the Cultural Revolution of China.

RIGHT, BELOW: The market in Kashgar sits on the crossroads of the Silk Route and sells just about everything under the sky.

PRECEDING PAGES: The expedition breaks for the night at the banks of Karakule Lake in Xinjiang province.

The ‘Made in China’ label is an ubiquitous one that is just about anywhere and everywhere. Not only is this a big country, just about anything you touch seems to have been manufactured in the Middle Kingdom.

But little did I expect that when my time came to visit this massive nation, I would end up traversing half the country, not just one or two cities as other are inclined to do.

I was part of the Beaume Trans-Asia 3 2012 driving expedition that started from West Asia, cutting through Russia, Central Asia, the Silk Road, Mongolia, Manchuria and finally ending in Tianjin, China.

My journey started midway in the expedition from the west to east. The westernmost point on the Chinese mainland is a city called Kashgar in Xinjiang Province and on the other end of the trip, right where you could throw stones across a river on trees belonging to Russia, is Wusuli in the Heilongjiang Province – also known as Manchuria. From end to end, the journey covered almost 12,000kms ending in Tianjin, a city near Beijing, to ship the expedition cars back to Malaysia.

This distance had to be completed within 30 days, partly because travel to China is limited to 30 days per visit.

COMING TO KASHGAR The expedition comprised of 10 4WDs with over 30 participants. Some were fresh faces trying out this manner of exploring a country for the first time while others in the expedition had been doing it for years in North America, Africa and Europe. As we were picking up from where the first leg of the expedition had ended, the team members flew in early to Kashgar to spend

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some time ‘setting-up’ the cars. This also gave us some time to explore this ancient town that is the administrative centre of Kashgar Prefecture in Xinjiang Province.

Largely populated by Muslims, this autonomous region has a very interesting mix of people and cultures as it borders Central Asia and was once part of the Silk Route.

One of the key attractions in Kashgar is the old Id Kah mosque, which has a large compound and many prayer areas, separated by walkways and gardens. The other well-visited attraction is the world famous Kashi market that is laid out in a neat, grid-like pattern, making navigating it a cinch. Just about anything can be bought at this huge market.

KARAKULE COLD Once the cars were ready, we bid farewell to civilization and made our way to the stunningly beautiful Karakule Lake located 3,500 metres above sea level. But if beauty comes at a cost, we paid for it with the weather that night. I’ve experienced chilly evenings before on such trips but little did I expect the wind that accompanied the 2° Celsius weather to turn all nasty when we were tucked in our tents that night. Though fully covered, the icy cold wind turned me into a pathetically shivering creature totally at the mercy of the elements. The sad part? There was nothing I could do about it. The following day I found out I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t leave the tent for fear of turning into

a human popsicle. My travel companions too were tormented throughout the night by the bitingly cold wind.

SAND MONSTERS After Karakule Lake, the serious driving began. We started with the endless horizon looming ahead of us across the 337,000km square Taklamakan Desert that seemed to harbour no forms of life whatsoever.

Though quite spectacular, after a few hours of driving, fatigue began to set in and the team members started to get restless. The question on everyone’s mind was “How much longer is this going to take?”

Thankfully the highways in the second largest shifting sand desert in the world

“ As we arrived in the easternmost region of the country, Heilongjiang Province, it was evident that while the many regions of China have a lot of similarities, in some areas the difference was just downright stark.” made the drive quicker. While no vicious sandstorms brewed and slapped us around, furiously fast mini sand tornados popped up every 10 minutes. We even drove through one! Although the 4WD didn’t rattle too much when it was hit by the storm, the car was pushed off tangent a few feet onto the opposite lane.

BELOW: As if on cue, the pigeons fly in circles everyday around the Russian Orthodox Church of St Sofia in Harbin.

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RIGHT: Although the weather was bitingly cold at Crystal Lake, Qinghai province, the night view with millions of stars was just too attractive to stay cooped up in the tent.

RIGHT, BELOW: A copper utensil maker near the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, Xinjiang Province.

YAK & YUCK Though we stayed in hotels on certain legs of the journey, I craved the excitement of camping in the open in a tent. This time around, we pitched our tents at Qinghai Lake that is some 3,200 metres high above sea level. Here we camped by a stream in a sheep and yak farm owned by a Tibetan man.

I’ll start with the bad news. This meant that animal droppings were just about everywhere. Though, it wasn’t smelly, poo is poo. Period! Fortunately, Tibetan hospitality saved the day. Despite the language barrier, whenever we popped into the owner’s yurt, we were served Tibetan tea, which tasted like melted, diluted butter. It was an acquired taste but soon became bearable when consumed by dipping in freshly bread that was cooked on the hearth in front of us.

CELEBRATING IN THE WILD On August 19, we arrived in Yong Jing, Gansu Province. It was also the day Muslims the world over celebrated Eid-ulFitr, the celebration after the month-long fasting in Ramadan. Being a Muslim, I dashed out of my hotel room and ran after the convoy of cars taking the townsfolk to the mosque for prayers. But not having had a chance to explore the town or getting my bearings right the night before, I wasn’t too sure which way to go. On top of it, I didn’t speak the local lingo and was clad in clothes the locals had never seen, 102

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having packed traditional clothes Malaysian Muslim men wear for the celebration.

After some animated hand gestures, a kind security guard instructed me on how to get to the mosque. After 20 minutes of going in circles, an increase in Muslim restaurant signage led me to the elusive mosque. It looked like nothing I’d seen before, looking more like a pagoda than the mosques I was accustomed to. I honestly thought it was a community centre or a temple. If it wasn’t for the friendly congregation at the mosque, I would have simply walked past.

LAND OF CONTRASTS One province in the northern part of China is called Inner Mongolia (not to be confused with the country Mongolia). This was where

“At every turn, a new experience awaited me – experiences that were sometimes so different from the preceding one, I wondered if I was still in China or had moved on to another country altogether. ”

we camped on the Mongolian grassland, which offered breathtaking views that were beyond words. Largely farmland, I discovered that if the farm grounds were hilly and had trees growing all over it, the land there was more valuable and had higher tax rates imposed on it because it meant that natural water flowed in that area.

ABOVE: The convoy of cars making their way across the barren plains of Qinghai.

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“ After Karakule Lake, the serious driving began. We started with the endless horizon looming ahead of us across the 337,000-km square Taklamakan Desert that seemed to harbour no forms of life whatsoever.”

BELOW: The never-ending Taklamakan Desert was calm one moment and whipped by sudden sandstorms the next.

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As we arrived in the easternmost region of the country, Heilongjiang Province, it was evident that while the many regions of China have a lot of similarities, in some areas the difference was just downright stark. For example, in the western parts, you’d have flavoured rice cooked with copious amounts of oil. In the eastern part, generally you’d

only find white rice though fresh noodles are favoured there. Secondly, in the east, as a non-Mandarin speaker, I noticed the dialect was deeper and had a pronounced slurring to it. Even the Mandarin speakers had trouble understanding it. That said, nothing beats the western part of China where the locals speak a totally different language, like Uyghur for instance. This is a good place to practise basic communication with exaggerated facial expressions and hand gestures.

SINO-RUSSIAN OUTLOOK Heilongjiang is most peculiar for two things.

Firstly, numerous wars took place here, mostly with defeat as the outcome as China lacked military strength during those times.

LEFT: A participant of the expedition at Crystal Lake in Qinghai, with locals from Tibet.

LEFT, BELOW: A waitress dressed in a Central Asia traditional outfit in Kashgar.

Secondly, there is a pronounced Russian influence that is evident in the language and architecture. The former Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sophia in Harbin City is one such example. Looking out of place in the Orient, the church was once totally forgotten due to the Cultural Revolution of the mid 60s. It has been since restored with a European-style square constructed around the cathedral with a fountain as its focal point.

That evening we camped at Wusuli River. This marks the easternmost point on mainland China and from my tent, I could see the trees that grew on Russian soil with Vladivostok just 460kms away. Our journey eastwards too ended at this point and the next day, we turned southwards and drove towards Tianjin. This was the final destination for the Beaume Trans-Asia 3 2012 Expedition before the vehicles were packed off to Malaysia.

This was the China that I got to experience in 30 days, having travelled across a huge swath of land from west to east. And even then, it was just a mere glimpse of the vastness, and the cultural and social diversity of this huge country.

At every turn, a new experience awaited me – experiences that were sometimes so different from the preceding one, I wondered if I was still in China or had moved on to another country altogether.

That is the beauty of the Middle Kingdom.

GETTING THERE AirAsia and AirAsia X flies to various cities in China. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

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Comforting & Fulfilling E

x

p

e

r

i

e

n

c

e

Delightfully varied, from elegantly appointed to simple and efficient accommodation, each hotel is strategically located. Be it business, leisure or combination of both, the choice is endless.

THE GARDENS HOTEL & RESIDENCES, KL

BOULEVARD HOTEL, KL

CITITEL MID VALLEY, KL

CITITEL PENANG

F o r S u pe r Ho t D ea l s , l o g o n t o

MICASA ALL SUITE HOTEL, KL

MICASA HOTEL APARTMENTS, YANGON

ST. GILES MAKATI, MANILA

PANGKOR ISLAND BEACH RESORT

w w w. c h m - h o t e l s . c o m

KUALA LUMPUR : Cititel Mid Valley, Boulevard Hotel, The Gardens Hotel & Residences, MiCasa All Suite Hotel, Cititel Express PENANG : Cititel Penang PANGKOR : Pangkor Island Beach Resort KOTA KINABALU : Cititel Express YANGON : MiCasa Hotel Apartments MANILA : St Giles Makati ASSOCIATES : LONDON NEW YORK -

11 FEATURE

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

ILLUMINATION As Hindus of the world celebrate the Festival of Lights or Deepavali/Diwali this month, we take a look at the significance and symbolism of lamps and lights in different cultures.

WORDS: CHITRA S

LIGHT OVER DARKNESS It’s time for Diwali when Hindus across the globe light small clay lamps to signify the triumph of good over evil. In India, Diwali or Deepavali, which means ‘rows of lamps’, is celebrated on a grand scale and is one of the most important festivals of the year. The oil or ghee-filled clay lamps or diya that illuminate households throughout India during this festival are not only a pretty sight, they also symbolise the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Spiritually, light is seen as the attainment of knowledge that dispels ignorance, bringing about awareness, joy and peace. In Hindu folklore, Diwali is associated with two popular tales. According to legend, ghee lamps were lit to celebrate the return of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile after having defeated the demon king Ravana in Lanka. On his return, the people of Ayodhya lit rows of lamps in celebration of his victory and homecoming. The other legend revolves around the tale of Lord Krishna and his victory in battle against the demon Narakasura. In a similar vein, lamps were lit to celebrate the occasion. The lighting of lamps during Diwali is also observed by other Indian communities for different reasons.

For the Sikhs, it celebrates the return of their sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, from captivity.

For the Jains, it marks Lord Mahavira’s attainment of nirvana.

IMAGE: INMAGINE IMAGE: ADAM LEE

LIGHT A CANDLE, SAY A PRAYER In Catholic churches, votive or prayer candles are often lit as an accompaniment to prayer.

Vigil lights – rows of these votive candles – lit by worshippers who are praying or offering a prayer on behalf of someone else, such as praying for the speedy recovery of someone who is ill, are a common sight in churches. During Easter, the lighting of the Paschal candle is symbolic of the risen Christ. All other candles in a church (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican) are lit from this one candle on the night of Holy Saturday, in a ritual believed to date back to the 4th century AD. Worshippers in Orthodox and other churches also practise lighting candles.

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RAISE THE RED LANTERN

IMAGE: INMAGINE

Although lanterns today are seen more as decorative items, there was a time when these light fixtures served a very important purpose.

Dating back to 250 BC, the lantern came about as an improvement over light from an open flame. The shade protected the flame from being snuffed out in windy weather. Over time, the paper lantern became a symbol of hope and good tidings.

Lanterns inscribed with positive sayings were hung outside homes, and the Chinese also released such lanterns into the sky as a means of delivering messages to the heavens.

Today, red lanterns are still hung outside Chinese homes, symbolising good luck and prosperity. In China, the 15th day of the first lunar month is celebrated as the Lantern Festival. In Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, this day is referred to as Chap Goh Mei while in Vietnam, it is Têt Nguyên Tiêu. The lanterns during this season signify the return of light, of spring and the fostering of relationship between people, nature and the universe. Lanterns are also the main feature during the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated during the eighth month of the lunar calendar when parades of colourful lanterns are held.

LET THERE BE LIGHT X In Ancient Rome, oil lamps were placed on altars in homes in reverence of Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth, home and family in Roman religion.

X Small brass lamps are lit in Tibetan Buddhist temples to help worshippers focus and meditate. The light from these lamps also symbolise transformation in the quest for enlightenment.

IMAGE: INMAGINE

Lotus-shaped receptacles with candles in it are released in rivers, ponds and canals to celebrate Loi Krathong – for good luck and in honour of the Water Goddess – in Thailand, Laos and parts of Myanmar.

In Northern Thailand, khom loi (sky lanterns) are set aloft during Yi Peng, a Lanna merit-making festival, which coincides with Loi Krathong.

LIGHTING THE WAY In Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, pelita or oil lamps are traditionally lit outside Muslim homes during the days leading up to Eid ul-Fitr. A practice that may have stemmed from the days before electricity, these pelita lit the way to the mosque, which enabled worshippers to perform their evening and tarawih prayers (evening prayers during the fasting month of Ramadan). The lights, however, have no religious significance and only serve to light paths and enliven the atmosphere.

Despite the advent of electricity, the lights remain a common feature, symbolising the impending festivities and, nowhere is it more magical than in the villages where rows of pelita are lit.

During Bon Obon or the Festival of the Dead in midAugust, the Japanese hang lanterns outside their homes to welcome and guide spirits said to visit their families at this time of year.

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11 PILOT’S PERSPECTIVE www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

IMAGE: CORBIS

2012

COAST HUGGERS & CURVED ROUTES

If the shortest distance between two cities is a straight line, why don’t airlines fly point-to-point directly without hugging the coast or in a curved route? Capt. Lim Khoy Hing explains the reason behind this practice and shares other insights into air travel.

A curious traveller recently asked me the following questions, which I will answer in this month’s article: #1. Is it true that most planes fly close to land so that, in case of an emergency, there is always somewhere nearby to land? #2. If so, is this the reason why the route from Tokyo to LA is curved, i.e. following the coast rather than in a straight line? #3. Finally, can a life jacket be used like a car airbag in case of a crash landing?

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COAST HUGGERS Let’s start with #1. This was true in the early days of commercial aviation where planes needed to stay close to land. This was because early planes had piston engines (similar to those found in motorcars) that were not as reliable as jet engines.

About 90 years ago, the first Trans-Atlantic crossing was made on a twin-engine piston plane that lasted 16 hours. Due to the unreliability of twin-engine

planes at that time, flying long distance across the ocean was considered to be very risky.

Hence, the airline industry surmised, for safety reasons, that any planes attempting to perform a similar feat must have at least two engines or more.

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) then introduced the 60-minute rule for all 2-engine aircraft. This rule states that the flight of a twinengine aircraft should not be more than 60 minutes of flying time from an adequate airport.

As such, two-engine planes had to fly a route close to the land in order to satisfy the regulations.

On a long flight, say from London to New York or Tokyo to Los Angeles, the route would appear to follow a curved line, as they would have to fly within an hour’s flight from an airport.

This, however, was not economical and the obvious question was: “Why not fly in a straight line?” Yes, the aircraft could fly ‘straight’ but only if it satisfied the ETOPS (extended twin-engine operations) regulations. This regulation demands that the twin-engine plane be capable of flying safely on the remaining engine in case of engine failure and divert to a suitable airport that may be more than 60 minutes away.

LONGER TRANSOCEANIC CROSSINGS As modern commercial airliners are gradually equipped with

more reliable jet engines, the original 60-minute rule has become too restrictive for oceanic crossings. As a result, the airline industry recognised that a properly designed twinengine jet plane can perform intercontinental transoceanic flights safely without any major problems and, deliver approved flights beyond 60 minutes. Over the years, twin-engine extended operations were increased progressively from 60 to 90, 120, 180, 240 and up to 330 minutes to date.

In 1985, a TWA Boeing 767 was the first service to be approved for a twin-engine airliner to fly from St Louis in USA to Frankfurt in Germany based on the 120 minutes ETOPS. It was historical, as the breakthrough had enabled twinengine planes to fly direct routes.

Airlines too were pleased with this development as it helped them offer cost effective services.

ETOPS were gradually increased to 240 minutes (four hours). Prior to this, several commercial airline routes were

still economically off-limits to the two-engine planes such as Sydney to Santiago, Cape Town to São Paulo or, Perth to Johannesburg.

On December 12, 2011, Boeing received ETOPS approval from FAA for up to 330 minutes (imagine flying for five hours and 30 minutes on only one engine!) for its latest Boeing 777 fleet, making it more competitive to fly on any route that used to be the domain of four-engine planes such as the Boeing 747s or Airbus A380s.

There are a few important procedures in getting the ETOPS type approval. Amongst others, the plane and engine must satisfy the basic ETOPS requirements after being rolled out of the factory. The certification includes shutting down an engine and flying the remaining one during the ‘diversion’. Often such tests are performed in the middle of the ocean where it must be shown that, during the emergency process, the crew is not duly taxed by extra workload and the probability of the remaining engine failing is extremely remote. So, in order to be granted a 240-minute approval, the plane must be capable of flying for four hours on one engine with a load full of passengers and cargo!

IMAGE: CORBIS

“Why not fly in a straight line?” Yes, the aircraft could fly ‘straight’ but only if it satisfied the ETOPS (extended twin-engine operations) regulations. This regulation demands that the twin-engine plane be capable of flying safely on the remaining engine in case of engine failure...”

GRANTING ETOPS TYPE APPROVAL

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IMAGE: INMAGINE

passenger’s chances of surviving the impact of the crash? This was another question posed to me recently.

Well, the main purpose of a life-jacket is to keep a passenger afloat in the event of a water landing. It is not meant to be a cushioning device like an airbag in a car.

During the pre-flight briefing, all passengers are advised to inflate their life jackets ONLY at the exit prior to a ditching and, NOT inside the cabin. Inflating them earlier would hamper the evacuation process.

Normally there is not much time available for an unplanned crash unless you have the presence of mind to put them on yourself immediately. Whether an inflated life jacket used as an air bag would improve your survival during a crash impact is hard to say as it is not designed specifically for that purpose.

In 1996, an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767 was hijacked but was forced to crash into the sea. It was reported that many inflated their life jackets

Many have expressed concern about engine failure in mid-ocean on a twin-engine plane. Lest that worries you, do remember that if you are flying on a 240-minute ETOPS rated plane such as the latest Boeing 777, most airports around the world are safely within your reach during an emergency.

CURVED ROUTES Why are most routes depicted on route maps curved instead of in straight lines? Some assume that the plane is trying to remain as close as possible to land in case of an emergency. Actually, it has nothing to do with that. It’s simply the shortest distance.

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A curve is observed because the route map is generally distorted but appears to be flat on paper. If the map is representative of the globe, then it would be a straight line and hence, the shortest distance. Additionally, on AirAsia’s route map page (pg 142), the lines are drawn curved simply to prevent them from overlapping and making it difficult to trace.

LIFE JACKETS AS IMPACT CUSHIONS In the unlikely event of an aircraft having to make an emergency crash landing, would putting on and inflating the life jacket increase a

prior to impact, which probably hampered the evacuation process. That sadly led to the loss of lives, which could have been avoided.

CONCLUSION Believe it or not but one publication erroneously explained that ETOPS stood for ‘Engines Turn Or Passenger Swims’! The publisher had to make an embarrassing correction when it was pointed out that ETOPS stood for ‘extended twin engine operations.’

But seriously, the latest ETOPS regulations have made the world smaller with twinengine planes. Hopefully you are now also convinced that curved routes are in fact the shortest distance on a flat map and, life jackets are designed to keep you afloat in water and not as a cushioning device. Remember, as instructed during the preflight briefing – only inflate your life jackets at the exit in the event of a water landing!

Captain Lim Khoy Hing is a former AirAsia Airbus A320 and AirAsia X A330/A340 pilot who also used to fly the Boeing 777. He has logged a total of more than 25,500 flying hours and is now a Simulator Flight Instructor with Air Asia X. In his spare time, he shares his opinion on aviation issues with others. For more air travel and aviation stories, check out his website, ‘Just Aboutt Flying’ at www.askcaptainlim.com. nlim.com.

11 TRAVEL LOG

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

MY TRAVELS WITH AIRASIA

Three-year-old Noah Andrej Glavan of Bali, Indonesia, has taken numerous trips with his parents to many destinations in Southeast Asia within AirAsia’s route network. Noah (through his dad, Peter Glavan, shares some of the interesting places he has visited and experienced.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Noah with young monks at Angkor Wat; the golden spire at Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai; walking along the old bridge lane in Hoi An.

I took my first AirAsia flight with my parents to Bangkok in 2009 when I was only four months old. Though I was too small to really understand what was happening, I totally enjoyed the colourful Chatuchak market. There were so many colourful things being sold there, I couldn’t get my eyes off them! The shopping centres in Bangkok were great too. My 118

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parents bought nice clothes and many toys for me.

When I was one-year-old, my next trip on AirAsia took me to Yogyakarta on Java island, Indonesia. I visited the great temples of Borobudur and Prambanan there. I also enjoyed touring the kraton and sultan’s palace where I watched a very entertaining puppet show.

Last year, when I was two, I travelled to Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand.

In Chiang Mai, my dad took me on a motorbike ride and we rode all the way up to Doi Suthep temple and visited a tribal village high up in the mountains. For lunch, I had the most delicious pad thai noodle dish at the Chiang Mai University campus.

The next day, we went to Borsang village

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Dad carying me on his back in Prambanan, Yogyakarta; Mum and me at one of the many temples we visited in Chiang Mai; something interesting in the river caught my eyes at the Japanese Bridge in Hanoi.

where I made friends with the pretty ladies who made hand painted umbrellas. We also visited many temples as there are more than 300 such buildings in Chiang Mai. I was really tired when we came back home. But all that disappeared in an instante when mum and dad took me to the swimming pool at our hotel. I had a splashing good time!

Earlier this year in May, I celebrated my third birthday with a trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Bangkok was fun!

We took a boat ride on the huge Chao Phraya river, stopping for some delicious street food.

In Cambodia, we toured Siem Reap. I was amazed at the temples in Angkor Wat; they were huge and filled with amazing carvings of elephants and horses. But this time, I didn’t get tired as dad booked a tuk tuk to take us around. Thanks, dad!

In Vietnam, we visited Ho Chi Minh City where I played in a nice children’s park. I also tasted pho here. Though I have eaten this noodle dish elsewhere, I thought they made the best ever pho in Ho Chi Minh City! The water puppets show that we watched there was amazing too. How do the puppets dance on water without any help from the puppeteer?

Mum insisted we also visit Hoi An. The lights at night in Hoi An city were magical.

Later, we made a day trip to the ancient city of Hue. I liked watching the colourful boats on the Perfume River in this town.

I’m lucky to live in Bali because I get to travel with AirAsia to many different places around Southeast Asia.

I hope my dad takes me to Myanmar next year. Then, I wish to go to Singapore as I just can’t wait to go to the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park there.

Dad... are you reading this?

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Got an interesting tale to share from your travels with AirAsia? Email it to us at travel3sixty@airasia.com along with your story (around 800 words) and images (high res minimum1MB in size and fully captioned).

Published submissions will receive a RM250 voucher courtesy of Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel. Travel 3Sixty˚ reserves the right to edit the article for clarity and length or change the value of the prize to another gift of similar value. Prize voucher cannot be exchanged for cash and the Editorial’s decision is final. Entries must include name, address, e-mail address and telephone number.

Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel proudly unveils its latest facility in meeting spaces – the R-Studios, a new LifeStyle venue in the heart of the city. Located on Level 2 @West Wing of the hotel, the R-Studios provide a new way to connect, making it ideal for inspirational business meetings or grand social get-togethers. The facility comprises R-Studio 1 and R-Studio 2, and boasts an Open-Air Terrace.

R-Studio 1 can accommodate 250 persons in a theatre-style seating or 150 persons for a banquet or reception. It can also be set for classroom, U-shape or boardroom style seating. When combined, the two facilities become a Grand Studio accommodating up to 300 persons for a cocktail reception or, 250 for a banquet. The Open-Air Terrace provides a relaxed ambience where guests can chat over cigars while enjoying the evening cityscape. In addition to the R-Studios, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel also features more than 32,000 square feet of total event and exhibition space comprising an extravagant pillar-less Grand Ballroom and more than 20 other additional meeting rooms. http://renaissance-hotels.com

11 OFF THE RACK

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

A CLASS ABOVE

Classy, classic and sexy are the key words to remember this season. Update your look with the hottest Fall/Winter trends fresh off the runway, and see what else is in store in the world of fashion this season.

IT’S A SHOE-IN! A favourite from ALDO this season is its range of edgy and bold footwear that features spike heels, animal prints and stud detailing. Sexy and alluring, the pre-fall line appeals to those who dare to be bold. Turn heads in a pair of zebra print heels or, dazzle in studded spikeheeled booties. www.aldoshoes.com

SUIT IN STYLE Massimo Dutti’s latest men’s line combines classic European design with clean style inspired by New York City. Key looks include the moleskin coat and twisted yarn pullover, which takes its cues from NYC’s Meatpacking District and, Wall Street style tailored suits in tweed and flannel. www.massimodutti.com

WORDS: CHITRA S

HEY GIRL

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REDValentino’s Fall/Winter line-up exudes femininity with delicate and romantic pieces that are playful and demure. Pretty y bows, puffed sleeves, floral motifs and lace detailing add to the line’s feminine allure. Fall/Winter is traditionally a time for darker ker shades but REDValentino’s combination of pastels and darker tones makes for an interesting colour palette. www.valentino.com TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

SMALL WONDER Flowers, dots and stripes juxtaposed against colours like deep red, fuchsia, hydrangea blue and wild rose pink catch the eye and accentuate Kenzo Kids’ line of urban gypsy-themed clothing. Highlights include floral printed velour and poplin skirts for girls and trendy corduroy and jacquard sweaters for boys. www.kenzo.com

IN THE BAG Queensland-based EnviroTrend’s PAKItToMe™ Backpacks can be folded into a compact size no bigger than a snack size pack of chips when not in use. The generously sized backpack has adjustable straps, two side pockets for your phone and drink bottle, and a front pocket with a keychain inside to hook your keys. www.envirotrend.com.au

TRENDSPOTTING TING

Appliqué

Ornate detailing Belt IMAGE: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Peplum

The Herita Heritage Collection from designer R Roslan Wilkinson’s Rawshirts brand uses traditional Rawshirt hand han crafted batik block prints p to create exclusive shirts for formal and casual wear. The 100% cotton shirts are individually tailor-made and look great paired with black pants or white linen trousers.

The line also features a range of printed shirts and shorts for casual weekends. www.roslanwilkinson.com

BELT UP Who says you can’t pair a belt with a gown? Skinny, broad, tied like a bow... belts are probably the easiest to incorporate into your style routine.

Make a statement and try pairing a chunky chained belt over a princess gown.

LEATHER Leather is edgy and stylish! Update your look with a jacket, inseason baggy leather pants or, a leather mini. Don’t restrict yourself to just black leather; experiment with colours!

GO LUXE Brocades, ornate baroque detailing and appliqué are all the rage this season in tops and dresses. Go full force with rich, tapestry-inspired designs or take it easy with delicate appliqué.

ALL ABOUT THE HIPS If you think a padded skirt or flouncy peplum top will add pounds to your hip, think again. The contrast will make your waist appear cinched in and lend you an hourglass figure.

PULL & BEAR

HERITAGE CHARM HER

URBAN COWGIRL Pair a simple top with denim cut-off shorts a la Daisy Duke or a cowgirl-inspired shirt with plain coloured pants and stay trendy without looking like a hillbilly.

IMAGE: PERTHFASHIONFOCUSED.BLOGSPOT.COM/ / BREATHLESS

Work some of the season’s top womenswear trends into your wardrobe with these suggestions.

11 VANITY FARE

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

LOVING THE LUXE

Pamper yourself from head to toe with luxury bath products, anti-ageing skincare and timeless fragrances that will keep you fresh and fabulous every day.

WHIPPED CREAM Flawless looking skin is yours for keeps with ColorStay Whipped™ Crème Makeup foundation – a silky smooth formula that leaves a soft matte finish. This long-wear crème foundation incorporates time-release technology for makeup that won’t cake or flake for up to 24 hours. www.revlon.com

MYSTIC MAGIC

WORDS: CHITRA S

A blend of frankincense essence, black pepper, rose berry and frankincense resinoid steeped in spices and warmed with balsam fir, Encens Flamboyant by Annick Goutal pays homage to the age-old art of perfumery with its bold and sensual notes. Fresh, woody and spicy, this unisex fragrance is a treat for the senses and light enough for everyday wear. www.annickgoutal.com

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YOUTH IN A BOTTLE L’Occitane’s Immortelle Precious Serum is enriched with essential oil derived from 1,001 Immortelle flowers.

Each bottle also contains organic Immortelle cell extracts that visibly smoothes and restores skin’s firmness for everlasting beauty. www.loccitane.com

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EYE OPENER

LIP SERVICE Avène Cold Cream Lip Cream repairs and protects dry, cracked and chapped lips with its ultra rich formula enriched with thermal spring water.

This lip cream contains sucralfate, an agent that stimulates tissue repair and aides the healing of chapped skin. www.eau-thermale-avene.com

Accentuate those peepers with KATE’s Super Sharp Liner that sports a fine brush tip for precise and easy eyeliner application. The line’s limited edition Spider Liner features liners with 0.03mm tips that are available in jet black, deep red and navy. www.kanebo-my.net

ULTRA FEMININE The third fragrance in Coach’s Poppy collection, Poppy Blossom, is a fresh and floral scent that combines sparkling lychee and Mara strawberry with notes of freesia and mandarin. Heart notes of rose centifolia, tuberose and gardenia add to its romantic allure. www.coach.com

JUST PEACHY! Luxuriate in the goodness of peaches with The Body Shop’s special edition Vineyard Peaches range of bath and body products. For peachy soft skin, exfoliate with the Vineyard Peach Body Scrub and follow with the Body Lotion. Vineyard Peach Body Butter and Shower Gel complete the collection. www.thebodyshop.com.my

FOREVER YOUNG Lab Series for Men’s MAX LS antiaging skincare regimen now includes the Daily Renewing Cleanser and Skin Recharging Water Lotion that are ideal for tired-looking skin. The cleanser and toner duo is enhanced with patented Aquatron Water Technology that optimises the benefits of the formula’s key ingredients.www.labseries.com 128

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11 JETSETTER

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

PAUL OGATA

While kids of his age in his neighbourhood were out playing, Paul Ogata stayed indoors, listening to comedy records and fine-tuning his humour. In 2007, Ogata’s hard work paid off when he won the 32nd Annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition, an honour previously bestowed onto comedians like Dana Carvey, Sinbad and Jake Johannsen.

A familiar face on the comedy circuit in Asia and the US, Ogata’s tongue-in-cheek commentaries and on-stage banter has won him fans from LA to KL. The Hawaiian funnyman tells us what it takes to be a comedian, what to do when people don’t react to a joke and who makes him laugh.

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU DECIDED TO BECOME A STAND-UP COMIC?

COMPILED BY: CHITRA S

I was 20 when I first tried my hand at stand-up. But in reality, I’ve been performing in one capacity or another from a very young age. Throughout school, I’ve always been the class clown, or the joker in the family. It was in college, however, that I decided to try to be funny for strangers.

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WERE YOU ALWAYS MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH? My mother has kept a journal of the funny things I said as a kid; mostly silly things and puns.

Over time, I’ve refined my craft TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

and now deliver naughtier and sillier puns.

CAN FUNNY BE TAUGHT OR DOES IT NEED TO BE IN YOUR GENES? It’s more of a time issue rather than being born with it. You can teach someone to tell a joke or coach stage presence.

But this is a delicate art with subtle nuances that takes years of failure, emotional beatings and broken relationships to master. Otherwise, it rings false.

DO YOU GET THE NERVES BEFORE YOU GET ON STAGE? I get butterflies in the tummy every time. It’s not as bad

as when I first started doing comedy, but the nerves are still there. I hope they never go away. They’re a sign that this is still an adventure to me, rather than a job.

YOUR FAMILY’S REACTION WHEN YOU ANNOUNCED YOU WERE GOING INTO COMEDY? I was actually enrolled in the college of Electrical Engineering at the University of Hawaii. Not surprisingly, the curriculum revealed that I was more of an intuitive right-brained person, instead of the analytical leftbrained type. Even after I’d switched majors to Speech, my mother suggested I use my

loquacious nature in the field of law and arranged for me to take the law school admissions test. I don’t think as a parent, especially an Asian parent, you want to see your child become a starving artist, but as I became better at what I did and more successful, my folks became my biggest fans.

ARE YOUR ROUTINES PRE-WRITTEN OR DO YOU IMPROVISE ON STAGE? Audiences are under the impression that a comedian is saying his lines for the first time, when in reality, he’s said them thousands of times. But I tend to stray from my prepared material to make things exciting. After

out in Asia. If you are coming to a comedy show, check your silly rules at the door! Buttons will be pushed, fun will be had.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AUDIENCES DON’T LAUGH? Silence can be your friend too.

It teaches you which jokes to work on. You take note, then quickly change course.

Sometimes the best back-up plan is telling the crowd your original plan sucked. That can instantly deflate the tension.

THE THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOU ARE...

There was a pain reliever back in the early 1990s called Nuprin. Its slogan was: “Little.

Yellow. Different.” I like that!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE JOKE?

Paul Ogata will be performing at the Jakarta International Fringe Festival from November 7-9 and The Comedy Store in Sydney from November 29 to December 1 and December 6-8, 2012. Go to www.paulogata.com for details. shows, when someone says it was a great set, I can never take the credit. I always say: “That was a great crowd!”

WESTERN AUDIENCES PROBABLY FIND THE ASIANCENTRIC JOKES REALLY FUNNY BUT WHAT IS THE RESPONSE TO ASIAN JOKES IN ASIA? Sometimes audiences in the West stop themselves from laughing at some of the humour. You’ll get a laugh, followed quickly by an “Ohhh,” as they suddenly remember their societal programming.

Is it Western Guilt? Political correctness? Whatever it is, I find there’s much less of that

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This is my own: ‘When I was a kid I wanted to be just like Batman. Now as an adult, I work nights and mostly nobody knows who I am. So, sometimes dreams do come true’.

WHAT DON’T PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT PAUL OGATA? I’m a quiet guy off stage. When I meet strangers and they find out what I do, the first thing they say is, “Oh? You’re so quiet. You don’t act like a comedian.” Ah, because I’m off the clock. I’ve learned to sit back and listen when I’m not up there. I take it all in, and the hour I’m on stage is fuelled by the other 23 hours.

IF YOU WEREN’T A COMIC, YOU WOULD’VE BEEN A ...

Video game designer. I coded my own game at 13!

WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH? My wife. After 10 years of marriage, we still make each other laugh all the time.

11 KIDS SPACE

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

GET CRAFTY!

Kids! The next time you’re stuck indoors, put on your thinking cap and get creative! Here are some cool craft projects that are super fun and as easy as A-B-C.

USE YOUR NOODLE Don’t you just love pasta? Not only can you eat it, pasta in its various forms can be turned into cute little accessories and works of art with just a little creativity.

PASTA PENCIL HOLDER X Cut a milk carton in half and give it a coat or two of paint using poster paints.

SKYRIDER R SPECIALS

X Once the paint dries, stick the pasta of your choice onto the carton using craft glue.

X Be creative and create your own fun pasta patterns using different pasta shapes for a unique pencil holder you can call your own.

Here’s your chance e to own a e hoodie limited edition Ace blanket and neck pillow. The super soft fleece blanket and neck pillow for comfortable flying are available on all AirAsia flights. Get yours today!

EGGS-TRAORDINARY ART All it takes is a bit of ingenuity to transform empty cardboard egg cartons into delightful sea creatures.

Here’s how: EGG CARTON SEA CREATURES

X To make an egg carton jelly fish, cut out one egg cup from the carton.

X Glue on a pair of googly eyes (which can be found at craft stores) or draw them on.

X Then, attach long strips of tissue or coloured paper onto the insides of the egg carton cup.

And voila, you’re done!

X To make an egg carton clam, simply attach two egg cups together with a bit of sticky tape for the body. Then, use a glitter pen to create stripes on the ‘clam shells’ for a sparkly little clam.

SOURCE: WWW.PARENTS.COM

X Paint the bottoms of the egg cartons with acrylic or poster paints. Let them dry.

ARTY-CRAFTY CLASSES

PASSPORT AROUND ASIA Embark on a journey across Asia and learn about the different cultures with Nickelodeon and Ace the SkyRider on Passport Around Asia. Log on to www.nickasia/passport and stand a chance to win attractive prizes!

WORDS: CHITRA S

SKYRIDERPLAY

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At Royal Selangor’s School of Hard Knocks in Kuala Lumpur, experienced instructors will show you how to create your very own pewter bowl using simple tools like a hammer, wooden mould and scraper in an hour-long workshop.

The best part is you get to keep your handiwork as a memento! www.royalselangor.com TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

Sydney’s The Art Studio offers kids aged five to 12 the chance to create their own masterpieces in a real artist’s studio environment via its Creative Kids art classes. The hands-on art classes inspire imagination and encourage self expression through a variety of art projects such as drawing, painting, making paper collages and sculpting. www.theartstudio.net.au

Ace is happy to announce AirAsia SkyRider’s very own online multiplayer game on GraalOnline.

You and your friends can join guilds, take over forts, build houses and explore worlds. http://airasia. skyriderplay.com

11 PLANE FUN

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

RIDDLES 1. Can you work out what proverb is described here?

An avian creature situated in the player’s cards is the value of a duet in the hedge.

2. Jerry is five times as old as Hannah.

In two years, he’ll be three times as old, and in six years he’ll only be twice as old. How old will Jerry be in six years’ time?

3. What occurs in centuries, seasons, seconds, minutes and moments but not in decades, years or days?

QUICK QUIZ 1

Which animal, classified as a vulnerable species, is called ‘nanook’ by the local inhabitants?

5

What Italian phrase, commonly used when referring to pasta, means ‘to the tooth’?

2

What is the name of the rover that landed on Mars in August?

6

3

Who wrote the Millennium trilogy of novels featuring Lisbeth Salander as the protagonist?

Which corporation is currently facing a legal battle regarding US patents with Apple Inc?

7

Name the Greek goddess of victory featured on the 2012 London Olympics medals?

8

Julian Assange is the founder of which website?

9

What type of plant is a saguaro?

4

The Te Mãri Craters on Mount Tongariro recently erupted after being dormant for over a century. In which country is the volcano located?

10 In which American state was President Barack Obama born?

PLAY ON WORDS 1

2

3

4

SUDOKU To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: • Each of the nine vertical columns • Each of the nine horizontal rows • Each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes Remember no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

3

7 8 7 8 2 9 3 5 4 7 6 1 9 7 8 1 2 4 6 9 6 3 8 9 8 5 9 6 4

• QUICK QUIZ 1 Polar bear 2 Curiosity 3 Stieg Larsson 4 New Zealand 5 Al dente 6 Samsung 7 Nike 8 WikiLeaks 9 Cactus 10 Hawaii • RIDDLES 1 A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush 2 Jerry will be 16 in 6 years 3 The letter N 4 i.Three points on a triangle ii. The Three Little Pigs iii. Fifty-two cards in a pack 5 My grandson • PLAY ON WORDS 1 Wet your whistle 2 Get cold feet 3 Kill two birds with one stone 4 Bad egg

2 3 5 9 4 1 6 8 7

4 9 7 8 6 2 1 5 3

6 1 8 3 5 7 2 4 9

7 2 4 5 1 8 3 9 6

8 5 1 6 9 3 7 2 4

9 6 3 2 7 4 5 1 8

3 4 9 1 2 6 8 7 5

1 7 6 4 8 5 9 3 2

5 8 2 7 3 9 4 6 1

TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

5. Who is this man?

Brothers and sisters have I none, but this man’s father is my son.

8

GAOL

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4. If 5 F on your H equals five fingers on your hand what are these? i. 3 P on a T ii. The 3 LP ii. 52 C in a P

6 3

PUZZLES ARE COURTESY OF LOVATTS CROSSWORDS & PUZZLES

11 PICTURE PERFECT

2012

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PIX OF THE MONTH

Just snapped a cool picture?

Send it to travel3sixty@ airasia.com with Snapshot in the subject line.

SECOND PRIZE WINS A 3D/2N stay in a 1-bedroom apartment at Bintang Fairlane Residences inclusive of Continental breakfast for two worth RM1,200 nett!

WINNER

A lavish boutique entrance welcomes you to a world of excitement at Bintang Fairlane Residences.

Located in the heart of the entertainment, shopping and business district in Kuala Lumpur, the hotel’s suites and apartments are well appointed to cocoon you in modern elegance and luxury. A rooftop swimming pool and garden take fine living to greater heights, allowing guests to totally immerse themselves in a modern and much coveted lifestyle. The hotel is also equipped with a spa, gym and children’s play area.

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Nick Kembel, New Taipei City, Taiwan

BEST PICTURE WINS A 3D/2N stay in a Deluxe room at Hotel Capitol Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur for two inclusive of breakfast worth RM1,253 nett!

Winner of numerous travel and hospitality awards, Hotel Capitol is a smart and chic hotel located in the centre of Kuala Lumpur’s shopping, dining and entertainment hub. The hotel offers a choice of 235 comfortable guestrooms with modern conveniences including spacious, corner rooms that offer dazzling views of the city’s skyline. For added luxury, opt for the 10Rooms that occupy the 19th and 20th floors of the hotel. The hotel also offers great dining options at Be Be’s Kitchen & Bar and Café Rasa. Be Be’s Kitchen & Bar offers local and innovative cuisine for breakfast, weekend Hi-Tea and dinner. Alternatively, Café Rasa, is the spot to enjoy a glass of wine, sip a cup of cappuccino or latte, enjoy a delightful Executive Express lunch or savour a delicious BBQ buffet dinner.

RUNNER-UP

Seagulls hunting for food, Perth, Australia Thian Boon Shin, Sarawak, Malaysia

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Readers may submit images that are 300dpi and 1MB in size (minimum half A4 paper size) • Each entry must include name, address, phone number and caption • Readers must own the rights to the picture submitted • Judges’ decision is final • Entries are automatically disqualified if they do not meet our criteria. • Winner will be notified via e-mail when the prize is ready to be sent out. • Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.

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10 GET COMFY

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Joy of flying

Whether on a short or long-haul journey, flying can be a pleasant experience if you are well-prepared. Here are some steps to ensure you have a safe, smooth and comfortable flight.

h2o To The rescue

shoulDer lifTs

Knee lifTs

fooT pumps

Gently lift your right shoulder and lower the left one simultaneously. Repeat the movement five times by alternating both shoulders.

Lift knee up toward your chest and hold the position for 10 seconds. Gently lower knee and repeat with the other leg. Repeat the exercise as desired.

Keeping both heels on the floor, point feet upwards as high as you can. Return feet to earlier position.

Then, lift heels while keeping the balls of your feet on the floor.

Repeat the exercise as desired.

Keep yourself hydrated during your flight. Airplane cabins are extremely dry and dehydration can occur easily. Drink lots of water and continue drinking water once you reach your destination. Try to minimise consumption of alcohol or caffeine onboard; both are diuretics, which can further dehydrate.

beaT The lag

compiled by: chiTra s illustrations: Tim lai

To counter the effects of jetlag, get as much sleep as possible when flying west to east. When flying in the reverse direction, try and stay awake as much as you can.

The AirAsia Comfort Kit comes complete with eye shade, neck pillow and blanket to help you sleep. If you need to stay awake, the neck pillow allows you to get comfy while reading a book or listening to music.

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Deep Vein Thrombosis

To preVenT DVT

DVT can occur when a blood clot forms in the large veins of the legs or arms, partially or completely blocking blood circulation. Sitting still and moving very little during long flights may lead to the occurrence of DVT. If you are flying long-distance, ensure you perform in-flight exercises such as those listed here as a precaution against developing DVT. When possible and permissible, stretch your legs and walk along the aisle. Be aware of early symptoms such as pain or swelling in the legs, which can happen even after you disembark. Seek medical treatment immediately if this occurs.

Anti-DVT socks are on sale on board all AirAsia and AirAsia X flights. Also called compression socks, they help blood circulation. The socks come in Small (USA 3-6/Europe 35-39), Medium (USA 6-9/Europe 39-43) and Large (USA 9-12/Europe 43-47).

travel 3sixty˚

popping ears Changes in air pressure or altitude cause our ears to ‘pop’ and sometimes ache during take-offs and landings.

For a comfortable flying experience, suck on sweets or mimic the act of chewing and swallowing if you do not have any with you. This will relieve the discomfort and help stabilise the pressure in the ear canals. Pacifiers will work just as well for toddlers and, if you have a cold, use a nasal decongestant to clear your nasal passage and alleviate the ache.

10 Route Map • AirAsia Malaysia

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Tehran Tehran

IRAN IRAN

INDIAINDIA

ChennaiChennai Bangalore Bangalore Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli Kochi Kochi

SRI LANKA SRI LANKA ColomboColombo

airasia malaysia DomesTic rouTes Langkawi

Alor Setar

Penang

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Bharu Kuala Terengganu

Labuan

MALAYSIA

Miri

Kuala Lumpur

Bintulu Sibu Johor Bahru

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Sandakan

Kuching

Tawau

Beijing Beijing Seoul Seoul

SOUTH SOUTH KOREA KOREA JAPAN JAPAN

Tokyo Tokyo Osaka Osaka

Shanghai Shanghai Hangzhou Hangzhou

Chengdu Chengdu

NEPALNEPAL

CHINACHINA

Kathmandu Kathmandu

Guilin Guilin Taipei Taipei Guangzhou Guangzhou TAIWAN TAIWAN Shenzhen Shenzhen KolkataKolkata Macau Macau Hong Kong Hong Kong Hanoi Hanoi MYANMAR MYANMAR Haikou Haikou LAOSLAOS Chiang Chiang Mai Mai Vientiane Vientiane Yangon Yangon THAILAND THAILAND Da NangDa Nang Clark Clark Siem Reap BangkokBangkok Siem Reap

CAMBODIA CAMBODIA VIETNAM VIETNAM

Phnom Phnom Penh Penh Ho Chi Minh Ho ChiCity Minh City

WorlD’s besT loW-cosT airline 2009, 2010 & 2011

PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES

Krabi Krabi Phuket Phuket Hat Yai Hat Yai Langkawi Langkawi Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu Banda Banda PenangPenang Aceh Aceh BRUNEI BRUNEI Kuala MALAYSIA Medan Medan Kuala MALAYSIA Miri Miri LumpurLumpur Johor Bharu Johor Bharu Kuching Kuching Pekanbaru Pekanbaru SINGAPORE SINGAPORE PadangPadang Balikpapan Balikpapan

PACIFIC PACIFIC OCEAN OCEAN

Palembang Palembang

INDONESIA INDONESIA Makassar Makassar JakartaJakarta Semarang Semarang Bandung Bandung Surabaya Surabaya Solo Solo Yogyakarta Yogyakarta LombokLombok Bali Bali

INDIAN INDIAN OCEAN OCEAN

AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA

airasia hubs in malaysia Kuala Lumpur International Airport Kota Kinabalu International Airport Penang International Airport Johor Bharu International Airport Kuching International Airport

Gold Coast Gold Coast Perth Perth Sydney Sydney

SOUTHERN SOUTHERN OCEAN OCEAN

Melbourne Melbourne

travel 3sixty˚

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10 Route Map • AirAsia Thailand

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

CHINA Chongqing

INDIA

Kolkata

MYANMAR

Guangzhou Macau

Mandalay

Shenzhen Hong Kong

Hanoi Chiang Rai Chiang Mai Yangon

Udon Thani Nakhon Phanom

THAILAND Bangkok

Chennai

Ubon Ratchathani

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh City Surat Thani Nakhon Si Thammarat Krabi Phuket Trang Hat Yai Narathiwat Penang

Colombo

Medan

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE

INDIAN OCEAN

INDONESIA Jakarta

Surabaya Bali

airasia hubs in ThailanD Suvarnabhumi Int. Airport, Bangkok Phuket Int. Airport Chiang Mai Int. Airport International Route Domestic Route

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10 Route Map • AirAsia Indonesia

2012

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PACIFIC OCEAN

THAILAND Bangkok

VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh City Phuket Banda Aceh Medan

Kota Kinabalu

Penang Kuala Lumpur

Johor Bharu Pekanbaru

MALAYSIA SINGAPORE

Padang

Balikpapan

Palembang

INDONESIA

Makassar

Jakarta Semarang Bandung Surabaya Solo Yogyakarta Bali

INDIAN OCEAN

AUSTRALIA

airasia hubs in inDonesia Soekarno Hatta Int. Airport, Jakarta Ngurah Rai Int. Airport, Bali Husein Sastranegara Int. Airport, Bandung Juanda Int. Airport, Surabaya Polonia Int. Airport, Medan International Route Domestic Route

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Perth

10 ROuTE Map

2012

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Sapporo

JAPAN Osaka

Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo

Fukuoka

Okinawa

ROuTE Map AirAsia Japan International Route Domestic Route

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA

ROuTE Map AirAsia Philippines Clark International Airport International Route Domestic Route

Clark

Kalibo Puerto Princesa

PHILIPPINES

Kota Kinabalu Kuala Lumpur

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MALAYSIA

Davao

11 DESTINATIONS

2012

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LCCT, KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur skyline

Malaysia

KUCHING, SARAWAK Indigenous woman

QUICK FACTS

• Capital city of Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia • Kuching means ‘cat’ in the local language • Around 980 kms from Kuala Lumpur by air • Home to the longest river in Malaysia – the Rajang River (563 kms) that originates from the interiors of Borneo • The local ethnic groups are made up of Dayak and many other smaller tribes • Kuching has fantastic museums that showcase its historical and tribal past along the Waterfront area.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

AirAsia flies to various from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Johor Bahru, Penang and Singapore.

KOTA KINABALU, SABAH

Malaysia

Mt. Kinabalu

QUICK FACTS • Capital of Malaysia • Popularly known as KL • Home to the Petronas Twin Towers • Local currency is Ringgit (MYR) • English is widely spoken with Bahasa Malaysia being the official language • Mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese ethnic groups • Food paradise for cheap and delicious meals especially hawker fare • Climate is hot and humid with temperatures around 32° Celcius on average.

AirAsia flies to various destinations from Kuala Lumpur. Refer to route map on page 142 for more info.

PENANG

Malaysia

Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang

QUICK FACTS • Capital city of Sabah in East Malaysia on Borneo island • Popularly known as KK • Around 1623 kms from Kuala Lumpur by air • Local indigenous people include the Kadazandusun people apart from local Malay, Chinese and other ethnic groups • Jumping off point to many of Sabah’s attractions such as Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan Island and Danum Valley • Tuanku Abdul Rahman marine park is located just opposite the city in the South China Sea. AirAsia flies from KK to from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Miri, Tawau, Sandakan, Johor Bahru, Penang, Singapore, Jakarta, Clark (Manila), Taipei, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

JOHOR BHARU, JOHOR Legoland in Johor Bahru.

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Malaysia

QUICK FACTS

QUICK FACTS • Penang island is located up north on the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia • Around 369 kms from KL • Popularly known as ‘Pearl of the Orient’ • Its capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage City • Great beaches along Feringgi and Tanjung Bungah • Also known as the food paradise of Malaysia for cheap and delicious eats.

• Gateway to the south part of Peninsula Malaysia with easy access to Singapore via the Causeway • around 368 kms from KL • Lots of city shopping with Legoland slated to open in late 2012 • Danga Bay in the city area is filled with lifestyle and leisure attractions • Nearby beaches on the east coast such as Desaru are good for surfing and seaside activities.

AirAsia flies from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Johor Bahru, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Medan, Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya.

AirAsia flies from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri, Sibu and Penang.

TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

Thailand

BANGKOK

CLARK (MANILA)

Reclining Buddha statue in Bangkok.

QUICK FACTS • Capital city of Thailand • Locally know as ‘Krung Thep’ • Shopping paradise with hundreds of malls and streets markets • Local currency is baht (THB) • Great dining, clubbing and shopping options at Sukhumvit and Silom streets • Chatuchak Weekend market 18 kms outside the city is a must visit for a great shopping experience • Take a riverboat ride down the Chao Phraya River • Travel in the city is easy with the BTS and MRT • Thai food is cheap and delicious in Bangkok!

AirAsia flies to various destinations from Bangkok. Refer to route map on page 144 for more info.

Thailand

PHUKET Stunning islands in Phuket.

Phillipines

Manila Cathedral

QUICK FACTS • About the size of Singapore, Clark is located in the Philippines’ Luzon island • Clark is one of the fastest growing commercial centres in Philippines and is well connected by air and road to many parts of the country • AirAsia Philippines connects to Davao, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa from Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport • Visit The Salakot, a structure that resembles a farmer’s hat, symbolising Philippine sovereignty • Go for horse rides at El Kabayo Riding Stables • Nayong Pilipino is a theme park that showcases replicas of Ifugao and Muslim houses, Aeta village and other attractions • Puning Hot Springs has 13 hot springs for your swimming pleasure • There are many army base attractions as Clark used to be an American army air base.

AirAsia flies from Clark (Manila) to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.

AirAsia Philippines flies to Kalibo, Davao and Puerto Princesa from Clark.

QUICK FACTS

• Island paradise on the south-western part of Thailand • Sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and sunny tropical climate makes the island the perfect beach destination • Many beaches on Phuket are literally deserted • Patong Beach is the most popular but Karon, Bang Tao, Kamala, Kata and Surin are good alternatives • The Andaman Sea off Phuket can be rough, so pay attention to warnings.

TOKYO

Japan

AirAsia flies from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Hong Kong, Bali and Jakarta.

Thailand

CHIANG MAI

152

QUICK FACTS

• The second largest city up north in Thailand • Popularly known as the ‘Rose of the North’ • Climate is cool and very pleasant • Local culture is called ‘Lanna’ and is unique to the northern region of Thailand • The ‘Walking Market’ on Sundays in the Walled City is a wonderful market to explore and buy local goods • ‘Khantoke’ meals are popular in this city • City is very popular for spas and wellness centres.

QUICK FACTS • Megalopolis of over 13mil people • Local currency is Yen ( ¥ ) • Home to the world’s largest fish market – Tsukiji Fish Market • Temperatures average 27.5° C in summer and 6° C in winter • Has the most extensive urban railway network in the world • Tokyo has around 88,000 restaurants and more Michelin stars than any other city in the world. • Vending machines all over the city offer everything from soups to umbrellas.• Check out the hip crowd at Harajuku’s Takeshita-Dori.

AirAsia flies from Chiang Mai to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Ubon Ratchathani, Phuket, Hat Yai and Macau.

AirAsia X flies from Tokyo to Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia Japan flies to Fukuoka, Okinawa and Sapporo from Tokyo.

Mulberry paper parasols

TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

Mt. Fuji on Honshu Island.

JAKARTA

Indonesia

Jakarta skyline

MEDAN Traditional custom of Nias island.

Indonesia

QUICK FACTS

• The fourth largest city in Indonesia, Medan is located on the east coast of Sumatra Island • The city is a lively place and the jumping off point to Lake Toba and Bukit Tinggi – 2 of Sumatra’s natural attractions • Nias and Mentawai Islands are accessible from Medan and are great surfing spots • “kek lapis’ or layered cake is a very popular food item from Medan.

AirAsia flies from Medan to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Surabaya and Bandung.

QUICK FACTS • The capital city of Jakarta is a huge metropolis with a population of around 10 million people • Local currency is Ruppiah (IDR) • Stay in the city centre to avoid the notorious Jakarta traffic • Shopping and leisure activities abound at Kuningan and Kemang area • Great shopping is available at Plaza Senayan and Plaza Indonesia • Visit historical sites and museums at Kota Tua • Ancol is a water theme park north of the city • Pulau Seribu is another attraction with literally untouched islands just 45 kms away from Jakarta.

SURABAYA

Indonesia

Bullrace in Surabaya.

AirAsia flies to various destinations from Jakarta. Refer to route map on page 146 for more info.

BALI

Indonesia

Island of the Gods

QUICK FACTS • Dubbed the ‘City of Heroes’ for the role the people of Surabaya played in the struggle for independence • Surabaya means ‘shark and crocodile’, derived from a legend about a battle between a shark and crocodile • It is the second largest city in Indonesia • Mount Bromo is a stunning volcanic mountain and a place for many ritual practices AirAsia flies from Surabaya to Kuala Lumpur, Medan, Bandung and Bali.

BANDUNG numerous temples and shrines on the island • Bali is predominantly Hindu while the rest of Indonesia is predominantly Muslim • Bali is famous for its beautiful beaches and highland retreats • Kuta is famous for its beach culture • Seminyak and Legian are hip leisure activity enclaves with great dining, clubbing and hotel options • Go further inland to Ubud for cooler climate or to less visited areas like Padang Padang for great surfing opportunities • You may spot dolphins at Lovina • Make sure you visit Tanah Lot and Mount Besakih temples to experience the spiritual side of Bali.

QUICK FACTS • Located in West Java, Bandung is the third largest city in Indonesia and about 146 kms from Jakarta • Bandung is known as the Paris of Java • Bandung is famous for its shopping with numerous factory outlets all around the city • Enjoy the distinctively Dutch colonial architecture here • Visit the areas with volcanic activity such as the Tangkuban Perahu area • The mountainous landscape offers a cool and wet climate, enabling some of the best tea and coffee to be grown in Bandung.

AirAsia flies from Bali to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Phuket, Bangkok, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Bandung and Perth.

AirAsia flies from Bandung to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Medan, Pekanbaru, Surabaya and Bali.

QUICK FACTS • Known as the ‘Island of Gods’ for the

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Indonesia

TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

Tangkuban Perahu crater

10 salEs OFFiCEs & sTaTiOns

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

camboDia PHNOM PENH Phnom Penh Airport Office, 17 Mezzanine Floor of Arrival Domestic Terminal, Phnom Penh Airport, Phnom Penh

Sarinah Plaza Jl. Mh Thamrin, No. 11 (LG level) Jakarta Pusat MAKASSAR Departure Terminal, Sultan Hasanuddin, International Airport, Makassar, South Sulawesi

179, Street Sisowath, Sangkat Phsar Kandal 1, Khan Daun Penh, 12204 Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.

Mall Panakukang, Carrefour Panakukang, 3rd Floor, Jl. Adyaksa Baru No.1, Makassar, South Sulawesi

china

MANADO

MACAU Office 20, Mezzanine Level Passenger Terminal, Macau International Airport Taipa, Macau GUANG DONG

Sam Ratulangi International Airport Jalan A.A. Maramis, Manado 95374 MEDAN Bandara PoloniaTerminal Keberangkatan Internasional, Medan 20157 Sumatra

Century Holiday International Travel Service (Shenzhen) Co.Ltd., XY-10 Junting Hotel, 3085 Eastern Road, Luo Hu, Shenzhen

Garuda Plaza Hotel, Jl. Sisingamangaraja, No.18 Medan-20213

Century Holiday International Travel Service (Guang Zhou) Co Ltd., First Floor, No 8 Zhong Shan 3 Road, Guang Zhou

Minangkabau International Airport, Padang, West Sumatra

Zhuhai Sun Star International Travel Agency Co Ltd., 1151, South of Yingbin Road, Zhuhai BEIJING Century Holiday International Travel Service (Beijing) Co Ltd.,No 163A Floor Of Yi No 6, Chaowai Street Of Chao Yang District Beijing China, 100022 Beijing CHENGDU Century Holiday International Travel (ChengDu) CO.LTD, No. 172 Binjang East Road, Jinjang District, Chengdu

inDonesia BANDA ACEH Bandara Sultan Iskandar Muda, Blang Bintang, Aceh DENPASAR, BALI Bandara I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Terminal Keberangkatan International Bali 80361 Jl. Legian Kaja no. 455 Kuta, Bali BANDUNG Ruangan Nombor 34 Bandara Husein Sastranegara Jalan Pajajaran No 156 Bandung Jawa Barat Lobby Grand Serela Hotel Jl. L.L. R.E Martadinata (Riau) No 56 Telp. (022) 426 1636 JAKARTA Terminal 3, Departure Hall Airlines Offices, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Cengkareng Jl. Boulevard Raya, Blok LA 4, No. 10 Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara Komp Rukan Dharmawangsa, Jl. Dharmawangsa VI No.43, Jakarta Selatan

PADANG

PALEMBANG Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport Palembang, South Sumatra PEKANBARU

No 7, Jalan Bestari 1/5, Taman Nusa Bestari, 79100, Bandar Nusajaya, Johor.

FL4, 1st Floor, Tawau Airport Building, Jalan Apas-Balung, 91100 Tawau

No 75, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, 80150, Johor Bharu, Johor

TB228, Lot 5, Ground Floor, Istana Monaco, Jalan Bunga, Fajar Complex 91000 Tawau

GK 01, Ground Floor, Kluang Mall, Jalan Rambutan, Bandar Kluang, 86000 Kluang, Johor.

KEDAH Lot 20, Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Halim, 06200 Kepala Batas, Alor Star Langkawi International Airport 07100 Padang Mat Sirat, Langkawi No. 68-B Ground Floor, Jalan Ibrahim, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah Darul Aman KUALA LUMPUR Lot 4, Level 2, Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, 50470 Lot G027B, Ground Floor, Podium Block, Plaza Berjaya,12 Jalan Imbi,55100 Kuala Lumpur No 71 Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 1 Taman Usahawan Kepong 52100 Kuala Lumpur

Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport, Jalan Perhubungan Udara Simpang Tiga, Pekanbaru, Sumatra

No. 4 Jalan 3/116B, Kuchai Lama Entrepreneur Park, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 582000 Kuala Lumpur.

SEMARANG

Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra, 16100 Pengkalan Chepa Kota Bharu

Carrefour DP (Duta Pertiwi) MALL, Jl. Pemuda No. 150, 1st Floor, Semarang 50132 Komplek Pertokoan Simpang Lima, Blok C No. 1 SOLO

KELANTAN

3183G, Jalan Sultan Ibrahim (Opp. KB Mall), 15050 Kota Bharu.

PERAK

Adi Soemarmo International Airport, Solo, Central Java

Tune Hotel, No.2, Ground Floor, The Host, Jalan Veerasamy, 30000 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan.

SURABAYA

TERENGGANU

Lobby International Terminal Juanda International Airport Jalan Raya Juanda Surabaya Jawa Timur

Level 1, Terminal Building, Sultan Mahmud Airport, 21300 Kuala Terengganu

Grand Circle Tunjungan Plaza 3 Lantai 1, (Lobby Condominium Regency), Jln. Basuki Rahmat 8-12, Surabaya

Level 1, Labuan Airport Terminal 87008 Wilayah Persekutuan

YOGYAKARTA Adisutjipto International Airport Jln. Solo km.9, Yogyakarta, 55282 Melia Purosani Hotel, Jl Suryotomo No.31, Yogyakarta

LABUAN

MELAKA No 32, Jalan Melaka Raya 23, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka PENANG Penang International Airport 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang

Lot G24, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah, Jln. Tun Razak, 88000, Kota Kinabalu TGround Floor, Terminal 2 Kota Kinabalu Int. Airport, Old Airport Road,Tanjung Aru 88100, Kota Kinabalu SARAWAK GL02, Ground Floor, Bintulu Airport, 97000 Bintulu Ground Floor, Miri Airport, 98000 Miri Lot 946, Jalan Parry, 98000 Miri Departure Level, Kuching International Airport, 93756 Kuching GFLO1, Departure Area, Ground Floor, Sibu Airport, 96000 Sibu Ground Floor, No. 36 Jalan Keranji, 96000 Sibu Grd Flr, Lot 4034, Jln Tun Ahmad Zaidi, Parkcity Commercial Sq, Phase 5, 97000 Bintulu Ground Floor, 192H Al-Idrus Commercial Centre, Jalan Satok, 93400 Kuching SL11 Ground Floor, Lot 2541 Lee Ling Heights Phase 2, Mile 6.5 Jalan Penrissen, P.O. Box 2044, 93250 Kuching Lot 6813, Ground Floor Synergy Square, (Matang Jaya Commercial Centre), Jalan Matang Jaya, 93050 Kuching SELANGOR Ground Floor, Terminal 3, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport 47200 Subang, Selangor Jalan KLIA S3, Southern Support Zone, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 64000 Sepang, Selangor Lot-35 Mydin Mall USJ 1 B-G-3A, IOI Boulevard, Jalan Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong Jaya 47170 Puchong Selangor Lot S141, 2nd Floor, Plaza Metro Kajang, Section 7, Jalan Tun Abdul Aziz, 43000 Kajang No 1, Jln PJS 3/48, Taman Sri Manja, 46000 Petaling Jaya

malaysia

Ground Floor, Kim Mansion 332, Chulia Street, 10200 Penang

JOHOR

No 723 L-G, Jln Sungai Dua 11700 Pulau Pinang

No 10, Jalan Bandar Rawang 11, Bandar Baru Rawang, 48000 Rawang, Selangor.

A-G-07, Jalan Todak 4, Sunway Business Park, 13700 Seberang Perai Penang.

Ground Floor, Curve NX, 18 Jalan PJU 7/5, Mutiara Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

SABAH

No. 1, Jalan PJS 3/48, Taman Sri Manja, 46000 Petaling Jaya.

Tune Hotels.com Danga Bay, Lot PTB 22819, Jalan Skudai, Mukim Bandar, 80200 Johor Bahru GL 13 Senai International Airport 81250 Johor Bahru No. 26 Jalan Meriam, 84000 Muar, Johor

Lot 1 & 2, 1st Floor, Terminal Building, Sandakan Airport, 90719 Sandakan

myanmar YANGON Yangon International Airport Office Unit# 01-L, Parkroyal Yangon, Myanmar

philippines CLARK Diosdado Macapagal International Airport Clark Civil Aviation Complex Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines 2023 MANILA Wintrex Travel Corporation, Unit 108 SM City North Edsa – The Block SM City Complex, North Edsa, Pag-Asa 1, Quezon City, Manila Wintrex Travel Corporation, Unit 126 South Parking Building, SM Mall of Asia Complex, J.W Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City DAvAO 4th Level, Gaisano Mall of Davao, J.P Laurel Avenue, Bajada Davao City, Philippines.

singapore Row: 13 & 14, Departure level 2 Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1, Singapore

sri lanKa COLOMBO Setmil Aviation (Pvt) Ltd., Ground Floor, Setmil Maritime Centre, 256, Srimath Ramanathan Mawatha, Colombo 15, Sri Lanka

ThailanD BANGKOK 127 Tanao Road, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok 10200

Suvarnabhumi International Airport Room A1-062 Ground Floor, Concourse A, Bangna-Trad Road, Racha Teva, Bang Pli, Samutprakarn 10540 Tesco Lotus – Bangkapi, 2nd Floor, 3109 Ladpro Road, Bangkapi, Bangkok, 10240 Tesco Lotus – Rama1, 3rd Floor, 831 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok,10330 Tesco Lotus – Rangsit, 2nd Floor, 392/4, Moo2, Phaholyothin Road, Thanyaburi, Pathumthani, 12130 Tesco Lotus - Sukhumvit 50, 1st floor, 1710, Sukhumvit Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok, 10110

NARATHIWAT Narathiwat Airport 330 Moo 5 , Tambol Kok-Kian, Amphur Muang, Narathiwat 96000 PHUKET Phuket International Airport 312, 3rd Floor, Tumbol Maikao, Amphur Thalang, Phuket 83110 Unit 9, Laflora Patong Area, No. 39, 39/1, Thaveewong Rd., Patong, Kratoo, Phuket Tesco Lotus – Phuket, 2nd Floor, 104, Chalermprakiat Road, Rasada Sub District, Muang District, Phuket, 83000 SURAT THANI

Tesco Lotus - Lad Prao, 2nd Floor, 1190, Phahonyothin Road, Jompol, Jatujak, Bangkok, 1090

Surat Thani International Airport 73 Moo 3 Tambol Huatuey, Amphur Punpin, Suratthani

CHIANG MAI

UBON RATCHATHANI

Chiangmai International Airport 60, 1st Floor, Tambol Sutep, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50200

Ubon Ratchathani Airport 297 Ubon Ratchathani Airport, Thepyotee Road, Amphur Nai Muang, Ubon Ratchathani 34000

416 Thaphae Road, Chiang Mai Tesco Lotus - Chiang Mai Kamtieng, 2nd Floor, 19, Kamtieng Road, Patan Sub District, Muang District, Chiang Mai, 50340

UDON THANI Udon Thani International Airport 224 Moo 1, Tambol Makkhang, Amphur Muang, Udon Thani 41000

CHIANG RAI

VieTnam

Chiang Rai International Airport 2305/2 404 Moo 10, Tambol Bandu, Amphur Muang, Chiang Rai 57100

HANOI

HAT YAI Hat Yai International Airport 125 Hadyai International Airport, Moo 3 Klongla, Klonghoikong, Songkhla 90115 Tesco Lotus - Hat Yai, 1st Floor, 1142, Kanchanawit Road, Hat Yai, Songkla, 90115

Noibai International Airport Lobby A, 3rd Floor, Hanoi 223, De Tham Pham Ngu Lao Ward District 1, Ho Chi Minh City No. 9, Hang Manh Str., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi 16, Nguyen Van Linh, Hai Chau District, Da Nang

KRABI 133 Moo 5 Petchkasem Road, Tambol Nuakrong, Amphur Nuakrong, Krabi 81130

Call Centre Numbers ausTralia china france inDia

1300 760 330 +86 20 2281 7666 +33(0)1 7048 0722 1860 500 8000 +91 44 4294 8300

inDonesia Japan hong Kong

+62 21 2927 0999 0120 963 516 +852 3112 3222

(calling from Mumbai and New Delhi only)

macau neW ZealanD paris philippines souTh Korea TaiWan ThailanD VieTnam The uK

0800912 0800 45 25 66 +33170480722 +63 2 588 9999 00798 1420 69940 008 0185 3031 +66 2 515 9999 +84 8 3838 9811/ 9812 0845 605 3333

11 TOUCHDOWN

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

KATHMANDU, NEPAL Gateway to the majestic Himalayan Range, Kathmandu draws visitors in with its heady mix of myth and mystique, nature and adventure.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

The allure of Kathmandu lies in its raw beauty – ancient shrines and medieval squares that have weathered the passage of time dot this city. Kathmandu Valley, which includes the city centre, and neighbouring Patan and Bhaktapur, is home to a rich legacy of cultural and architectural wonders and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Once closed off from the rest of the world, Kathmandu began welcoming travellers in the 1950s, and is now a mecca for adventure seekers, history buffs and culture vultures.

WORDS: CHITRA S IMAGE: ADAM LEE

MUST-SEE/DO

158

KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE & KUMARI GHAR One of three durbar (public) squares in Kathmandu Valley, this ancient plaza with its spectacular architecture built by Newar artisans houses quaint courtyards, temples and the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex – the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century. The Kumari Ghar is also located here. Built in 1757 by King Jaya Prakash Malla, this is the home of the Living Goddess, believed to be a reincarnation of the Hindu goddess Durga. A young girl with divinely ordained traits is chosen to become TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

the goddess and reigns until she comes of age. www.sacred-destinations.com/nepal/kathmandukumari-ghar, www.nepal.saarctourism.org

BOUDHANATH STUPA This stupa situated along the ancient Nepal-Tibet trade route is considered among the holiest Buddhist sites in the country. Those planning a visit to this site should remember to walk around the stupa only in a clockwise direction. www.nepal and beyond.com

BHAKTAPUR Rich in heritage, art and culture, Bhaktapur is an amazingly well-preserved ancient city. Landmarks include the city’s Durbar Square, Buddhist monuments and, Hindu shrines including the pagoda-style Nyatapola, Dattatraya and Changu Narayan temples.

PATAN Also known as Lalitpur, this city is home to more than 1,200 Buddhist monuments. Patan’s durbar square is among the UNESCO monument zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site. The city is also renowned for traditional handicraft, and has produced the most artists and craftsmen specialising in Nepali art.

THAMEL The commercial heart of Kathmandu, Thamel is lined with stores selling thangka paintings, brass and copper statues, prayer beads, ethnic, silver and

semi-precious jewellery, hippie-esque clothing and more. Take note though, religious paraphernalia, statues and trinkets are generally more expensive in Thamel as it is a commercial district and tourists are expected to bargain hard. Similar goods are slightly cheaper at makeshift stalls outside sacred sites. www.tourismthamel.com

EAT MOMO These ubiquitous dumplings can be enjoyed steamed or fried, with fillings that range from vegetables to buffalo meat.

DAL BHAT TARKARI Comprising bhat (boiled rice or other grains), dal (a lentil broth cooked with spices) and tarkari (vegetable curry), this meal usually served on a thali (stainless steel plate) is standard fare all over Nepal.

SLEEP HYATT REGENCY KATHMANDU Taragaon Boudha, Kathmandu 44601 RADISSON HOTEL KATHMANDU Ward Number 2 Lazimpat, Kathmandu 44601 HOTEL YAK & YETI Durbar Marg, Kathmandu For more hotel options, visit www.airasiago.com GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies three times a week to Kathmandu from Kuala Lumpur.

11 MY AIRASIA

2012

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

SEASON OF LIGHT

MATHAVI VASUDEVAN

Officer, Government & Middle East Business Development, Malaysia

AllStars from across the AirAsia network talk about how they celebrate Deepavali/Diwali – the festival of lights that falls on November 13 this year.

“Deepavali is the festival of lights.

Hindus observe it in recognition of the triumph of good over evil.

Thanksgiving prayers and cleansing rituals take place at temple and household altars throughout the country. Homes are lit with bright oil lamps and kolam (auspicious floor drawings) patterns are painted on the floor. On Deepavali morning, family members wake up before sunrise for the ritual oil bath to remove impurities externally and, to receive positive energy.”

SURIAMURTHI PILLAI

Customer Experience, Malaysia

Rangoli

DEBLINA RAMACHANDRAN

V. SATISH BABU

“I’m from Kolkata, the cultural capital of India. We celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights in a unique way by worshipping Goddess Kali. She is believed to be the destroyer of all evil. The festival is marked by lighting oil diyas (lamps), making colourful rangoli (floor drawings) and offering puja to the deity. Fireworks keep the night sky dazzling. People in traditional dress rejoice with special sweets like laddu and rasgullas. Diwali symbolizes togetherness and hope. Merge with the light of lights and enjoy this wonderful festival.

Happy Diwali!”

“Deepavali is certainly the biggest and the brightest festival in India. It is called the ‘Festival of Lights’.

Deepavali means the coming of light to illuminate our homes and hearts, moving from darkness into light, which empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds and, brings us closer to the divinity. My day starts with an oil bath, wearing new clothes and visiting the temple with my family. Then, it’s back home for a family puja (prayer) followed by a sumptuous lunch. As the sun sets, we light oil lamps and set off firecrackers with family and friends – a finale to this festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil.”

COMPILED BY: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

Station Head, Kolkata, India

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TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

Station Manager, Bangalore, India

“In the midst of today’s busy lifestyle, Deepavali gives us the opportunity to pause and be grateful for what we have, to create special memories with family and friends, to laugh and enjoy what life offers us. Over time, Deepavali may have undergone numerous changes, yet customs and traditions remain the same”.

DHARSHINI A/P BALAN Executive, Culture, Malaysia

“The best part of Diwali is mum’s special red chicken curry! To wake up on the morning of Diwali and know there will be that dish with thosai (South Indian crepes) for breakfast all ready to be devoured is simply divine and something I look forward to every year. And of course, not to mention stuffing myself silly with murukku (savoury snack)!”