/7-July_201

AIRASIA INFLIGHT MAGAZINE

Jakarta

BEAUTY OF BATAVIA Touchdown Myanmar

DOWN THE IRRAWADDY

BEIJING

Jaffna, Sri Lanka

BRIGHT NEW BEGINNINGS

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

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CHECK-IN Contents July 2012 76

NAVIGATOR

68

AIRASIA BRAIN Crowdsourcing in AirAsia

76

AWESOME ALL THE WAY! AirAsia Top 8 Beach Destinations

86

DOWN THE IRRAWADDY Myanmar’s Largest River

96

BEAUTY OF BATAVIA Jakarta, the Capital of Indonesia

104

BRIGHT NEW BEGINNINGS Jaffna, Sri Lanka

112

PILOT’S PERSPECTIVE The 10 Memory Items

118

TRAVEL LOG Hong Kong & Macau

86 50

STYLE FILE BOARDING CALL 06 CAPTAIN’S ADDRESS 8 Million Kilogrammes a Month!

08 INBOX The Buzz from our Guests

10 RED FORT News from AirAsia

152 MY AIRASIA

122 OFF THE RACK Looking Sharp

126 VANITY FARE Maximum Benefits

130 JETSETTER Tony Eusoff & Aaron Khaled

IN FLIGHT 136 PLANE FUN Puzzles & Games

138 PICTURE PERFECT

Advancing the Aviatrix

Photos Taken by AirAsia Guests

FLIGHT PLAN

140 GET COMFY

18 SPOTLIGHT

PORT OF CALL

Stuff you’d Love to Know

26 HOT DATES July Events to Keep a Lookout for

30 COMPASS Bitten by the Travel Bug

54

96

Joy of Flying

142 ROUTE MAP 148 AIRASIA SALES OFFICES & STATIONS 150 TOUCHDOWN Beijing, China

34 QUICK BITES Hunger Games

38 PAGE TURNER July High

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42 MONEY MAKER From Fiction to Fact

44 PRESCRIPTION Minding Male Health

46 SCORE BOARD Sporty Sizzles & Fizzles

50 HYPER TECH Brand New World

54 SLEEP INNS One Night in Bangkok

60 HIT LIST Be a Sport!

134 KIDS SPACE Let The Good Times Roll

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

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Kathleen Tan R. Rajendra Kan Seak Hong Beverly Rodrigues Chitra S Adam Lee Fazlina Bee Binti Abdul Rashid Fadillah Kamarudin Alice Yong, Captain Lim Khoy Hing, Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap, Efi Hamzah, Hannah Stuart-Leach, Michael Buckley, Pete King, Shantini Suntharajah, Shoba Pillai 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 Vikhram Radhakishnan (Indonesia) vikhram.r@pharpartnerships.com

ON THE COVER AirAsia Awesome Destinations Cover Image: Inmagine

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

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

Matthew Mok, Ellyse Ng, Irvin Hanni, Haze Jalalludin, Vini Balan, Abby Yao, Ari Fajar Iyan Yudhiana Ong Chin Han, Jason Phoon, Mohd Sufian Goh Wee Kee, Howard Choong

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 7 CAPTAIN’S ADDRESS 0 2012 2011

www.airasia.com/travel360

8 MILLION KILOGRAMMES A MONTH!

The AirAsia Cargo team

Up to eight million kilogrammes of cargo are carried monthly on AirAsia Cargo.

AirAsia Cargo was formed in 2007 to provide affordable cargo and freight services, and since its inception, this low-cost cargo service provider has chalked up numerous awards and accolades in the industry. In addition to awards, AirAsia Cargo is also a pioneer in innovative services, and is always on the lookout for new and improved methods to satisfy customer needs while keeping costs low and affordable. The monthly load for AirAsia Cargo registers approximately eight million kilogrammes, a clear testament to the reliability, efficiency and affordability of the services that have truly been embraced and endorsed by customers.

The accolades have been plentiful since we started. For one, AirAsia Cargo is the first major low-cost carrier to offer cargo services, serving 79 locations in 20 countries. It is also 6

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Colour coding enables a better delivery system.

the only major low-cost carrier to have a webbased cargo booking and tracking system that ensures efficient and improved service delivery.

Adding to these unique features is a colour coding system that enhances distribution and handling processes, resulting in a reduction of handling errors from 0.33% to 0.05% upon implementation. Additionally, a chat function embedded in the cargo booking system enables registered clients to communicate directly with AirAsia Cargo personnel, thus increasing the fluidity and speed of communication, while reducing the cost.

Consumers are also increasingly looking to AirAsia Cargo for their freight forwarding needs based on frequency of flight, speedy turnaround and extensive AirAsia network.

Customers who wish to send perishables like tropical flowers and food, in particular, prefer

to use AirAsia Cargo for this reason, as the goods are delivered within hours.

The world has taken notice of us at AirAsia Cargo and we have been receiving award after award. Within the short span of time of being in operation, AirAsia Cargo has won three world and two regional (Asia) awards.

The acknowledgement of the superiority of the work we do started rolling in with the Cargo Industry Newcomer Award for 2010 from Air Cargo Week. Next, we were awarded the Fastest Growing Foreign Airline for Cargo 2011 by the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Asia’s Best Low Cost Cargo Carrier 2011 from Aviation Award Asia. The sweetest win, however, was being awarded the World’s Best Customer Care award not once but twice for 2011 and 2012 by Air Cargo Week. We believe many more awards are just on the horizon.

Amazing, that within such a short span of time and with a staff strength of just 25 (30% of which are very able ladies working in a traditionally male dominated industry) we have managed to successfully deliver on our promise of making cargo delivery services efficient and affordable.

Although the industry average in cargo delivery efficiency is presently at 91%, AirAsia Cargo recorded an impressive 93% in 2011 and 94% in the first quarter of 2012! This consistently high performance alone should attest to our commitment and dedication in making AirAsia Cargo the preferred choice for all your freight and cargo needs.

Syed Abd Rahman Operation Executive, AirAsia Cargo

7 INBOX 0 2012

www.airasia.com/travel360

I wa was mesmerised by the In Full Bloom article (April 2012) in your magazine. Apart from the (Ap beautiful pictures of the cherry blossoms, I was bea intr intrigued to see how a simple tree could spark a na national craze. But I feel the most important essence of the story is that we should always ess take a moment to enjoy nature's wonder in the company of friends and family, because that's com the most important thing in life. Just like the ch cherry blossoms, though it blooms every year, it lasts la less than two weeks before being blown away ay by the wind. wind So, So take a step st back from your hectic life, and enjoy life's greatest gifts, whatever it may be before it disappears. ~ Joanne Teh Yit Choo, Kuala Lumpur

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.

Travelling by air for work or leisure indeed has been made affordable and available with the presence of AirAsia.

One major attraction for me when I travel is to hunt for local delicacies.

Reading Eating Asia (May 2012), I couldn’t agree more that food indeed is a big thing for travellers like me. It was indeed a ‘happy’ article for me, reading about the origins of the various delicacies, and most importantly, recommendations on where to find them. By the way, I wrote this letter on my AirAsia flight to Penang while grinning happily, imagining the Penang char kuey teow and laksa waiting for me there! ~ Solomon Teo, Melaka

LETTER OF THE MONTH!

My job requires me to travel abroad on a monthly basis, and I always take AirAsia flights from my hometown in Bandung to Kuala Lumpur before I continue my journey. I was thrilled to read the Food Etiquette From around The World article (May 2012).

However, it also embarrassed me a little as I have been doing the opposite during my travels to France, China, India and Japan. The people there must have been annoyed with my ‘bad manners’!

I wish I had come across this article sooner. ~ Putera Adrian, via email

HERE’S THE BUZZ ON AIRASIA’S FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND WEIBO PAGES

When I see AirAsia promo email in my inbox, I try hard not to click open and resist (try!) the urge to go travelling:P You guys have successfully made ‘Now everyone can fly’ come true. Well done!

Mel Yeoh

I booked my ticket to Bangkok. 30 mins to get all done: 3 pax for 1 booking and 6 pax for the second booking. Very smooth!

Rodney Ong

Had flown 4 time today frm Singapore - KL - Kota Bharu - KL, waiting for next flight KL - Singapore @AirAsia great service and connectivity.

Spotted AirAsia advertisement in Beijing World Trade Subway!

I LOVE AirAsia! Love low fares! @KathleenTan @AirAsia

Raaj Pradheep Dayuaner

I just got my problem solved via @AirAsia Live Chat in less than 3 mins! The service was awesome!

Congratulations @tonyfernandes.

Zafirahmajdiah

I grabbed Beijing-KL- Beijing AirAsia flight! 10 of us are going for the trip! Super excited! Thank you @AirAsia Maya

@ AirAsia It has been super awesome today. Just bought return ticket for 14pax JHR-KCH for just RM2k. Amazingly it took me only 30min to buy :) Dlylahlalala

Beijing – KL one way RMB499!!

This is awesome!! AirAsia is coming!! LOVE* @AirAsia LeftEye

Like what you read in Travel 3Sixty°? Share your thoughts with us! 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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7 RED FORT 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

RISING IN JAPAN

AirAsia Japan, the newest member of the AirAsia family, is all set to begin operations on August 1 with daily domestic flights to Fukuoka, Okinawa and Sapporo. To promote these new routes, the airline offered 10,000 seats from as low as ¥5 one way, as well as extremely affordable travel from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo, with fares dipping as low as ¥14,000 one way. For info on upcoming promotions, follow AirAsia on Facebook www.facebook.com/AirAsia.Japan and Twitter http://www.twitter.com/airasiajp

FOURTH FROM LEFT: AirAsia Regional Head of Business Development, Captain Chin Nyok San; AirAsia Chief of Operations and Planning, Bo Lingam; AirAsia Japan CEO, Kazuyuki Iwakata; AirAsia Group CEO, Tony Fernandes; AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan and AirAsia X CEO, Azran Osman-Rani at the launch of the promo fares.

“AirAsia Japan’s objective is to develop the LCC market in Japan, generating new demand with the aim of making affordable and quality travel available to all.” ~ Kazuyuki Iwakata, CEO of AirAsia Japan

Want to win hotel vouchers and free flights for a dream vacation? Enter the I AM HERE! photo contest. It’s fun and easy! All you have to do is download and print any one of the four cool I AM HERE! or WE ARE HERE! placard designs on an A4 paper. Next, snap a creative photo at an iconic landmark with the placard prominently displayed. You can also download the placard design on your tablet and pose with it as you snap your picture. The most creative entry will win exciting prizes. Send in your entries before August 31, 2012.

COMPILED BY: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

DREAM KICKOFF

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In May, two young Thai footballers, Wassawat Kerdsri and Keeratikorn Arunpoonsup, had their dreams come true when they were flown to UK to catch the Queens Park Rangers battle Stoke City in London. They were selected out of nearly 1,000 players recruited by nine clubs to take part in Thai AirAsia’s nine month-long ‘Fly to Your Dream’ project in September 2011. The project was overseen by legendary Thai footballer Piyapong Pew-on who mentored the players during special football clinics.

The two lucky winners not only had the opportunity to watch QPR live, they even met the team and acted as mascots during the match.

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Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO Thai AirAsia (centre) with officials and volleyball players.

DRIVIN’ VOLLEYBALL Always supportive of international and local level sports, Thai AirAsia has signed on as official sponsor of the Volleyball Association of Thailand, hoping to provide the funds and travel support needed for the team to rise as a world contender. The association’s games calendar sees the players competing in domestic and international matches, and AirAsia’s wide network offers the team the perfect travel solution.

TO BEIJING DIRECT In May, AirAsia X launched direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with four flights a week.

Come August 6, the airline will commence daily services to Beijing. Beijing is China’s second largest city by urban population, and a hub for culture, politics and education. Meanwhile, the China National Tourism Administration named Malaysia as a preferred destination for Chinese tourists. AirAsia is confident that its low fares will stimulate new travel demand and help boost tourism in both countries.

“China is a key market for AirAsia X, and our entry into Beijing is another major milestone for us, which supports the Malaysian Government Economic Transformation that seeks to enhance connectivity between Malaysia and Beijing.” ~ Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X

BIG GETS BIGGER Through strategic collaborations, BIG is bringing you even greater value for your BIG points.

BIG Gets 5x BIGGER at KL SOGO This new partnership with one of Malaysia’s largest department stores allows BIG Shots (BIG card holders) to earn five times the usual 1 BIG Point for every RM2 spent at KL SOGO! KL SOGO S Card members can convert their points into BIG Points online to redeem AirAsia and AirAsia X flights.

RHBInvest HOTTIES Reward Programme For every broking transaction RHB clients perform on RHB’s online share trading platform, this programme rewards them with loyalty points called HOTTIE points, redeemable for BIG Points. Every RM1.00 of brokerage earns 1 HOTTIE Point and every 1,000 HOTTIE Points can be converted into 500 BIG Points. BIG Points can be redeemed for AirAsia flights, and can be used to shop at over 1,500 associated partners and online merchants worldwide. To celebrate this partnership, RHBInvest clients who make at least one trade within the promotion period that runs from April 3 to July 3, will receive 500 HOTTIE Points. RHBInvest clients who open a BIG account during the promotion period will receive an additional 250 BIG Points.

AWESOME NEW LOOK! In May, AirAsia rolled out a stylish, new corporate identity in conjunction with the airline’s ’10 Awesome Years’ campaign. Among its rebranding initiatives – a TV commercial featuring the airline’s funky AirAsia AllStars; a sporty and sexy weekend uniform for flight attendants that takes its cue from the airline’s passion for sports; and awesome moves like abolishing counter check-in fees for international flights, reducing baggage fees for greater savings, and improving the in-flight menu that now offers a wider variety at even more affordable prices.

“After 10 awesome years of revolutionising air travel with low fares, incredible network and a unique ‘AllStars’ culture, it’s time to give our brand a fresh and rejuvenated look and, to continue to stay relevant. AirAsia’s branding has always embodied the spirit of being bold, innovative, dynamic and progressive in everything we do. We have gone from a Malaysian brand to a regional brand and now after 10 years, AirAsia is a global name not just in the aviation industry but one that is internationally recognisable.” ~ Kathleen Tan, AirAsia’s Regional Head of Commercial 12

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FROM LEFT: Jasmine Lee, Head of Commercial, Malaysia AirAsia; Peter Miller, CEO of Tune Money; Mike Chan, Officer-In-Charge of RHB Investment Bank and Azura Azman, Head of Equities Broking, RHB Investment Bank at the launch of RHBInvest HOTTIES Reward Programme.

“The AirAsia BIG Card is the one card that everyone should have. Not only does it give fantastic rewards like free AirAsia and AirAsia X flights, it also serves as a payment facility for both offline and online transactions with its Visa application.” ~ Peter Miller, Tune Money CEO

TEMPTING TRIO In June, Philippines AirAsia boosted flight frequencies between Kuala Lumpur, and Clark, Philippines to twice daily, making it even easier for guests to visit the airline’s three newest destinations: Davao in Mindanao, Kalibo in the Visayas and Puerto Princesa in Palawan. All three spots offer splendid opportunities to discover the beauty and abundance of nature.

IPO FOR THAI AIRASIA! In May, Asia Aviation PCL or AAV, the major shareholder of Thai AirAsia opened for trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, becoming the second company in the AirAsia group to go public listed after AirAsia Berhad. Thai AirAsia plans to channel part of its IPO proceeds towards doubling its Airbus A320 fleet to 48 aircrafts within the next five years, and in supporting its business operations.

RED HEARTS On April 3, as part of AirAsia’s Red Hearts outreach project, 11 AllStars from the Singapore office flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to share a little kindness with the underprivileged villagers of Kampong Plok. Transporting 55 boxes packed with clothes, toys, books and stationary, the AllStars were happy to bring joy to the villagers.

IMAGE: ROBERT YIN

“This is another crucial step that will stabilise Thai AirAsia’s financial status and allow the company to march forward to its planned goal. We aim to grow at least 20% to 25% from 2011, which will be supported by our new fleet, new route plans and flight frequency increase on potential routes.” ~ Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Asia Aviation PCL (AAV) and Thai AirAsia

Visit the Philippine Eagle Centre, Davao and learn everything about the county’s national bird, the endangered Philippine Eagle.

Malagos Garden Resort in Davao is the place to go for orchid lovers, or for anyone who loves exotic plants and tropical fruit trees.

Drop by Eden Nature Park, a man-made resort at the foot of Mount Talomo in Davao. Terraces were carved out of a barren mountain slope in the 70s and pine seedlings and bamboo were planted. Today, a secondary forest thrives here, offering the perfect spot for a hiking adventure.

The UNESCO world heritage listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan boasts an 8.2-kms navigable underground river that empties directly into the sea.

Cave dive at Barracuda Lake in Palawan, an unusual site that requires divers to climb a limestone mountain for about 15 minutes before descending to the lake.

“The trip was enlightening. It brought us a sense of global awareness. We meet people from so many countries, but rarely have the opportunity to interact with those whose lives are so different from ours. The experience has taught us to be more appreciative of what we have. We look forward to planning more of such trips in the future!” ~ Siti Alnuriah Binte Abdul, Customer Service, AirAsia 14

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Splash about in the spectacular Jawili Falls near Kalibo, a waterfall with seven basins filled with crystal clear water.

Boracay Island is possibly Kalibo’s most famous attraction. Not only is it a fabulous spot for snorkelling and scuba diving, Boracay also offers cool activities like kite boarding, cliff diving and windsurfing.

Book your flight at www.airasia.com or via mobile at mobile.airasia.com

7 SPOTLIGHT 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

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

FUTURE SOUND ASIA PRESENTS FATBOY SLIM

JULY 14 Dance the night away to the unique sounds of British DJ Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim, who is set to bring the house down with his brand of music at KL Live @ Life Centre.

ZEE AVI HOMECOMING CONCERT 2012 JULY 7 Malaysian singer-songwriter Zee Avi is back for a concert in her home state of Sarawak. The 25-year-old US-based former art student, who rose to fame after debuting a song she wrote on YouTube, will perform at the Miri Indoor Stadium. Fans can look forward to songs from her second album, ghostbird, including Swell Window and Siboh Kitak Nangis.

RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012 JULY 13- 15 The Rainforest World Music Festival brings together renowned musicians from all over the world for a series of truly unforgettable concerts at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, Sarawak. This year’s line-up features 12 international bands and six local acts, including indigenous musicians from the interiors of Borneo. Festival-goers can also catch ethno-musical lectures, jam sessions and mini concerts in the festival village before the nightly performances.

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KONSERT SALAAM SAMI YUSUF JULY 14 Hailed as ‘The Biggest name in Muslim Music – anywhere’ by The Independent, Sami Yusuf will be performing for the very first time in Malaysia. The 31-year-old singer-songwriter, composer, producer and accomplished musician will treat fans to songs from his latest album, Salaam. The concert at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam, will feature a duet between Sami and Malaysia’s Datuk Siti Nurhaliza.

BE OUR FAN ON FaceBook.com/AirAsiaRedTix, FOLLOW US ON Twitter.com/RedTix AND PURCHASE TICKETS TO THESE HOT EVENTS AT AirAsiaRedTix.com

DIM SUM MAGIC Forget dinosaur-age humidifiers; the Xoopar Dim Sum USB Humidifier is all you need to increase the moisture in the air and relieve dry throat and skin, especially if you’re stuck in an air-conditioned room all day. Cute, portable and lightweight at just 170g, you only need to plug it into a USB port to make it work its magic. www.airasiamegastore.com

CHECK THIS OUT!

IMAGE: INMAGINE

CAFFEINE FIX For fine brews and tasty treats, don’t miss The Rocks Aroma Festival in Sydney happening on July 29, 2012. Journey through the festival’s four zones – the Continent, Latin Quarter, Oasis, and Orient – and experience what each zone has to offer including espressos, Mayan coffee, baklava, spicy chai and dim sum. Aroma is Australia’s biggest coffee festival, with more than 100 stalls located throughout The Rocks. www.therocks.com

FREE E-GUIDES

The Malaysian and Indonesian e-guides can now be downloaded for free at These destination guides are packed with insider tips on what to do, see, eat and buy in cities across Malaysia and Indonesia. For quick information, suggestions from our Facebook and Twitter fans, and detailed itineraries (for selected locations) to help you plan your next trip, download these handy guides NOW! www.airasia.com/travel3sixty.

INSIDE INDONESIA

What’s the coolest spot to party the night away in Jakarta?

Which Indonesian island is the most popular with surfers? Where to find bebek betutu (roast duck)? Get the answers to all these and more in our Indonesian destination guide. With sections on Indonesian myths and legends, green getaways, and the evolution of Indonesian art, this e-guide is packed with information, fun facts and helpful suggestions. Download it at www.airasia.com/awesomeindonesia

MALAYSIA 101 From one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia to beautiful islands off the East Coast, the Malaysia destination guide presents the treasures the country has to offer. Discover heritage sites in Penang and Melaka, explore the diverse marine life at Malaysia’s hottest dive sites, eat like the locals do… it’s all here in the guide. The handy guide also features romantic getaways in Malaysia, adventure holidays and medical tourism, plus a section that lists useful phrases and local etiquette. Download it at www.airasia.com/awesomemalaysia 20

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PRE-BOOKED CONVENIENCE Don’t miss out on Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak on your next flight! Simply pre-book your meals online to ensure your preferred meal is available during your flight. Pre-booking offers guests more options and the chance to order up to two meals per flight.

BIG Card members will also earn 1 BIG point for every RM2 spent on pre-booked meals. Guests can also save up to 30% when they pre-book meals online and, get a bottle of mineral water free with every purchase. www.airasia.com

SULTANS OF SCIENCE An exhibition showcasing the scientific and technological advances of Islam’s Golden Age from the 7th to 17th century takes place at the Science Centre Singapore until July 16, 2012. Sultans of Science: Islamic Science Rediscovered features Islamic innovations that paved the way for modern technologies and inventions, including the work of mechanical engineer, Al-Jazari, and medical pioneer, Al-Nafis. www.science.edu.sg

ENCHANTING FOREST

INTERCONTINENTAL CHARM Conveniently located in the heart of the city’s business, shopping and entertainment districts, the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur is the ideal retreat for business and leisure travellers. With 473 spacious rooms, including 110 newly-refurbished Grand Premier Rooms, the hotel offers guests superlative comfort and luxury. Adding to the appeal of the Grand Premier rooms is its luxurious marble bathrooms, with Bagno Design rain showers and large bathtubs. Recreational facilities at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur include an outdoor swimming pool set amidst lush greenery and, a fitness centre. Guests can also pamper themselves at the hotel’s Sompoton Spa, which offers a range of spa and massage treatments. Dining options here include the Tatsu Japanese Restaurant, Toh Lee Chinese Restaurant, Serena Brasserie and Bentley’s Pub. The hotel also boasts eight meeting rooms and two conference venues. www.intercontinental-kl.com.my

Recently declared a National Heritage, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) is an ideal spot for quick getaways to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

FRIM sits on a 512ha site adjacent to a forest reserve, and is a mere 45-minute drive from the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

A 150m-long canopy walkway suspended between trees offers splendid views of the surroundings, with lots of opportunities for jungle trekking, bird-watching and picnicking on its grounds. www.frim.gov.my

IMAGE: BY PERMISSION OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM

ANCIENT WONDERS

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Melbourne Museum presents The Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia, an exhibition showcasing artefacts from one of the world’s greatest civilisations. More than 170 archeological treasures from massive carved stone reliefs depicting hunting and battle scenes to gold jewellery will be on display, giving visitors an insight into Mesopotamian culture. The exhibition, in collaboration with the British Museum, is divided into several themes, including religious beliefs and rituals, palaces and royal power, burial practices and royal tombs, and myths and legends from ancient Mesopotamia.

The exhibition is on until October 7, 2012. www.museumvictoria.com.au

SEE-FOOD FRENZY Explore Singapore’s culinary heritage and feast on the island’s best-loved seafood dishes. From spicy Indian Curry Fish Head to the popular Chilli Crab, it’s all here at the Singapore Food Festival! Themed the ‘Seafood Tales of Temasek’, the festival features the best of Singaporean cuisine through key and fringe events, including cooking workshops and culinary adventures.

The festival runs from July 13 to 22, 2012. www.singaporefoodfestival.com.sg

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For over 50 years, the Diethelm Travel Group has been offering full travel services in the region, and is now the largest inbound tour operator in Asia, operating in 13 countries. Whether you’re looking for a tailor-made adventure, culture or wellness tours or, VIP travel, Diethelm has the expertise to put together exciting itineraries for you. To book one of these special tours, visit www.diethelmtravel. com/laos

LIFE-CHANGING LAOS The next time you’re looking for a cool, life-changing travel experience, check out tours that literally change lives. Here are just a few options in Laos that’ll channel your tourist dollars to the right places, and ensure tourism has a positive impact on local communities and wildlife.

The Elephant Village, located just 15kms southeast of Luang Prabang in Xieng Lom village, is a sanctuary for former logging elephants. While previously thriving in Laos, elephants are an endangered species nowadays.

As the logging industry declines, many elephants are abandoned or neglected. Unable to assimilate into the wild, and living on the fringes of urban civilisation, these animals struggle to find nourishment. The Elephant Village rescues elephants from harsh and abusive environments, offering them a new life in lush surroundings. The elephants here give visitors rides and help to train humans to become mahouts. This way, people can learn about and interact with these noble creatures while sustaining their existence. The Elephant Village also has a fulltime vet to ensure round-the-clock medical attention, and employs local villagers as maintenance workers, cooks, guides and mahouts at the lodge to create jobs and support the development of the local community. Another organisation, Shangri Lao, organises amazing expeditions on elephant back with accommodation reminiscent of an old colonial-style camp.

To conserve the Laotian elephant’s habitat, proceeds from every tour booked with Shangri Lao or the Elephant Village are channelled towards purchasing pristine forest or deforested areas for replanting.

Opt for a one-of-a-kind cultural experience at the Fair Trek Cultural Lodge near Nong Khiaw, north of Luang Prabang. Initiated by Tiger Trail Outdoor Adventures, 24

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a pioneer in community engagement and sustainable tourism in Laos, the lodge is fully owned by the local community. All income derived from the homestay, sale of food and handicrafts, as well as donations, is invested in the community to improve healthcare, education and local infrastructure. During your visit, you’ll enjoy a scenic hike guided by a local specialist, stay in a cultural lodge, learn about hill tribes, savour delicious Lao cuisine with your host family, and bond with local villagers. For a truly meaningful visit, you can even volunteer to build schools for the local schoolchildren.

Take a trekking tour conducted by a local specialist through Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area just 90kms from Vientiane. This protected area, a habitat for tropical butterflies, sun bears, tigers and elephants, offers trails through dry evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, as well as waterfalls and rivers. The tour takes you to meet locals in a Lao village, and includes a long-tail boat ride and picnic lunch in the forest. For orchid lovers, there’s a wild orchid trek run by a French botanical specialist in cooperation with local villagers. All income derived from guided trekking, food and handicraft goes towards improving infrastructure and living standards for the villagers.

7 HOT DATES 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

JULY 2012

AUSTRALIA

CARRIE UNDERWOOD’S BLOWN AWAY TOUR JULY 2 & 3 Country music sensation, Carrie Underwood performs at the Sydney Opera House, the last stop on her Australian tour to promote her latest studio album, Blown Away, which debuted at number four on the ARIA charts. www.ticketek.com.au

PHILIPPINES

BANANA FESTIVAL JULY 1 – 10 Tagum, the capital of Davao del Norte, Mindanao celebrates its reputation as banana country with street dancing and a trade fair.

COMPILED BY: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

www.tourism.gov.ph

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HONG KONG

PICASSO – MASTERPIECES FROM MUSEE NATIONAL PICASSO, PARIS JULY 1 – 22 The Hong Kong Heritage Museum presents 55 masterpieces

by Picasso, reflecting the wealth of his creative genius during the Blue, Rose, Cubist and Neoclassical periods, as well as his primitive and Expressionist works. www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

INDONESIA

JAKARTA GREAT SALE 2012 JULY 1 - 14 Jakarta celebrates its 485th anniversary with an exciting sale that is hoped to generate up to US$1 billion in revenue! www.jakarta-tourism.go.id

THAILAND

INTERNATIONAL WAX SCULPTURE AND CANDLE PROCESSION FESTIVAL JULY 1 – 31 Catch Ubon Ratchathani’s procession of elaborate beeswax sculptures and Lenten candles carved by skilled artisans as merit-making offerings for the Buddhist Lent called Phansa. www.tourismthailand.org MALAYSIA

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CITY CELEBRATION JULY 7 Travel to George Town or Melaka to explore fabulous historic sites and, celebrate the fourth anniversary of these cities’ UNESCO World Heritage listing. www.tourism.gov.my INDIA

CHAMPAKULAM BOAT RACE JULY 3 The annual Champakulam Boat Race, one of the most popular boat races in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, starts off the boat racing season in ‘God’s Own Country’.

PHILIPPINES

DRUM TAO JULY 12 – 22 Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila plays host to one of Japan’s most explosive acts, which mixes martial arts with fiery drumming.

HONG KONG

INTERNATIONAL ARTS CARNIVAL JULY 6 – AUGUST 19 Besides acrobatics on ice,

www.ticketworld.com.ph

dance, drama and music, this festival offers Harmony, a touching tale about Earth’s fragile ecosystem told through spectacular multimedia puppetry. www.hkiac.gov.hk

www.keralatourism.org

AUSTRALIA AUS

DINOSAUR PETTING ZOO DIN JULY 2 – 22 Sophisticated design and electronics e bring dinosaur puppets pupp to life in a mega experiential theatre theatr performance, allowing visitors to pet and feed the prehistoric creatures creatu at the Western Australian Museum.

Muse New additions include the carnivorous carniv Australovenator, and the long-necked long n Titanosaur. museum.wa.gov.au

ELSEWHERE… MALAYSIA • JULY 13 – 15 Rainforest World Music Festival, http://rwmf.net THAILAND • JULY 18 Pink Panther Concert: 30th Anniversary, www.thaiticketmajor.com

AUSTRALIA • JULY14 Smash – Sydney Manga and Anime Show www.smash.org.au

INDONESIA • JULY 15 Jakarta Kite Festival www.jakarta-tourism.go.id

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7 COMPASS 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

BITTEN BY THE TRAVEL BUG

Read about it, get your interest piqued and book the next flight out to the destination of choice! Interest in seeing and experiencing the world often starts from having read about a distant place. Here’s a list of exciting things to do, see and understand that will whet your travel appetite.

NO JAPANESE? NO PROBLEM! What does a giant, reptilian movie monster, near-naked overweight fighter and raw fish have in common?

They’re all from Japan (That’s Godzilla, sumo and sushi… in that order). If you’re planning on visiting Japan, here are some common phrases that will help you get around.

Yes Hai (high) No Iie (EE-eh) Hello Konnichiwa (kon-neechee-WAH) How are you? O-genki desu ka? (oh-GEN-kee dess-KAH?) What is your name? O-namae wan nan desu ka? (oh-NAH-mah-eh wah NAHN dess-KAH?) My name is….. Watashi no namae wa….desu (wah-TAH-shee no nahmah-eh wa…..dess) Nice to meet you Hajimemashite (hah-jee-meh-MOSH-teh) Please Onegai shimasu (oh-neh-gigh shee-moss) Thank you Domo arigato (doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh) You’re welcome Do itashi mashite (doh EE-tah-shee mosh-teh) GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies four times a week to Osaka and daily to Tokyo from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for flight details.

TOUR TALK 101 SMALL GROUP TOURS This usually refers to tours that are designed and packaged for 20 people or less. The tour operator usually sets the itinerary and there is little to no flexibility involved.

South Korean wedding rites.

MUST-SEE IN SEOUL

WORDS: SHANTINI SUNTHARAJAH

Seoul is a city brimming with fascinating contradictions. Here are three attractions in Seoul you shouldn’t miss.

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GYEONGBOK PALACE Built in the 1300s, this is possibly South Korea’s most famous royal palace. Although it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, its beauty and architectural splendour remain intact. Stroll through peaceful pavilions and spacious halls within walled grounds here. www.royalpalace.go.kr BUKCHON VILLAGE Take a trip into the past at TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

Bukchon Village, a picturesque neighbourhood that is located next to Gyeongbok Palace. The village features the largest group of privately owned, traditional Korean wooden homes known as hanok. Enjoy a pleasant day walking through the small courtyards or taking in the decorative architectural features.

ITAEWON ITAEWON is an area brimming with trendy bars, chic clubs, top-notch restaurants and many shops selling everything from Korean furniture and pottery to jewellery. www.visitkorea.or.kr GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies daily Seoul, South Korea, from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for flight details.

CUSTOM TOURS These are generally high-end packages that are tailored to suit your specific needs. The tour operator will arrange a private journey along with special extras (like diving, bungee jumping, spa visits) that you might require.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL Your operator will probably look into booking hotels that observe environmentally-friendly practices. Sustainable travel packages also tend to focus on sightseeing trips that promote cultural conservation.

FIGHT FEAR OF FLYING If you’re terrified of takeoff, landing and everything in between, these tips will help you get a handle on those nerves.

CHOOSE YOUR SEAT When you book online, opt for a seat as close to the front of the cabin as possible.

Turbulence is usually more pronounced at the back of the aircraft. Book a ‘Hot Seat’ on AirAsia flights so that you can choose where you’d like to sit.

STAY DISTRACTED Read a book, watch and inflight movie, or work on a crossword puzzle. Anything that keeps your mind occupied will go a long way toward soothing your fears.

REMEMBER TO BREATHE Take deep, calming breaths as often as you can.

TELL THE CREW Don’t keep your anxiety to yourself.

The friendly AirAsia Flight Attendants can keep an eye on you and help make you feel comfortable if they know about your fear of flying.

HOT TRAVEL TREND: RIVER CRUISES River cruises are currently one of the hottest travel trends around and there’s no shortage of cruise options. One of the best and most luxurious riverboats in operation is the RV Mekong Sun in Laos. Cruisers get to enjoy more than 700 kilometres of gorgeous landscapes along the mighty Mekong, while relaxing in cabins furnished to emanate a distinctive colonial feel. The Mekong Sun’s journey also includes special detours to Luang Prabang, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. www.cruisemekong.com GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Vientiane, Laos from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for flight details

ARMCHAIR TRAVELLING Reading about the experiences of other wanderers isn’t the same as going on the road yourself but it certainly offers balm for the soul while you save up for your next adventure. Here are three travel books that will take you on exciting voyages with the writer.

GOLD COAST FOR KIDS Gold Coast in Australia is renowned for it’s beaches, world-class entertainment and adrenaline-pumping water activities, but did you know that it’s also the perfect holiday spot for kids?

Little ones will absolutely adore Surfer’s Paradise.

This 30 km-long stretch features kid-friendly rides and water adventures such as the Jet Boat Extreme, which is touted as the Gold Coast’s largest and most powerful adventure ride. There’s also ‘Ripley’s Believe or Not’ museum, which displays bizarre objects like shrunken heads and dinosaur eggs! www.surfersparadise.com GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies six times a week to Gold Coast, Australia from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for flight details.

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DOWN UNDER, BILL BRYSON Published with the title In A Sunburned Country in Canada and the United States, Bryson’s uniquely hilarious prose entertains as much as it informs the reader about Australia. The country that has some of the friendliest inhabitants, the most unusual and dangerous wildlife and the hottest, driest weather.

WRONG ABOUT JAPAN, PETER CAREY Peter Carey offers a no-holds-barred account about his personal, disorienting experiences in Japan. His inability to understand Japanese pop culture is in stark contrast with his companion’s unquestioning acceptance of it.

THE BEACH, ALEX GARLAND Although The Beach is a work of fiction, Garland’s book makes it to this list purely because of his ability to provide breathtakingly beautiful and accurate descriptions of the pristine beaches of Thailand. Published in 1996, The Beach was turned into a movie in 2000, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

7 QUICK BITES 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

HUNGER GAMES Faster, stronger, higher... just like the 2012 Olympics in London, we’re racing to clue you in on what’s the latest in the food and beverage scene around the world.

LATEST HAPPE-NING One of Malaysia’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ personalities, top chef and enterprising restaurateur Norman Musa is striving for greater culinary glory with the opening of his second Ning restaurant (12-13 Tower Street, York, YO1 9SA) in the city of York, England. Drawing inspiration from Malaysia’s rich, multi-cultural heritage, Norman aims to shine with Ning’s diverse menu of Malaysian dishes alongside selected Chinese classics. www.ningcatering.com/york

SWEET DISCOVERIES Sweet-toothed chefs and dessert lovers will appreciate The Best of Indonesian Desserts that showcases some of the finest sweets from the archipelago. Learn how to rustle up 130 types of luscious treats, from sweet cakes and typical tidbits to indulgent porridge and iced drinks. Available from leading bookstores or online: www.marshallcavendish.com

PRESERVING TRADITION Evoking the nostalgia of berbuka puasa (breaking of fast) at Grandma’s place, the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur will be serving up to 108 traditional dishes during the month of Ramadhan (July 15 to August 15 – dates TBC) at the Dari Dapur Nenda promotion.

Feast on assorted Malay dishes such as grilled fish, bamboo shoot curry with bird’s eye chilli, biryani and satay alongside other Malaysian fare at RM60.00++ per person at the Conference Centre and RM70.00++ per person at the Poolside. www.ytlhotels.com

WORDS: ALICE YONG

COOL GODDESS

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Nyonya lime curry from NING.

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Classic Coffee and Beverage’s mixologist Steven Heng pays tribute to the birthplace of the Olympic Games with this special mocktail named after the Greek goddess, Athena. To make this refreshing drink, mix 20 ml Monin n Wild Mint Syrup with freshly squeezed juice from a quarter lime in a high ball glass. Fill it with h ice and top up cola. Garnish with a mint sprig to serve.

FROM BARRISTER TO BARISTA Founded by ex-lawyer Danny Hyams, the Garage Cafe in Phuket sells exceptional Thai Arabica coffee with beans that are organically grown in northern Thailand and freshly ground before serving. His team of baristas are trained to produce espresso without any bitterness or excess acidity. Using state of the art equipment, the milk too is beautifully textured and heated to release the natural sugars. www.facebook.com/GarageCafeKamala

BEST EATS IN MELAKA INNOVATIVE CHAMPION Meet illy’s newest and sleekest coffee-making champion, the Y1.1 Touch iperEspresso Home.

Fitted with a highly innovative electronic board and intuitive one touch technology, this compact yet sturdy coffee machine comes with efficient, simple controls, a tempered glass cup holder, adjustable drip tray, power saving function and automatic ejection of used capsules into a side compartment. www.classicfinefoods.com.my

“The best thing I’ve eaten in Melaka is mee hoon kueh, slippery smooth flat noodles, crispy ikan bilis (fried whitebait) and vegetable in clear soup at Bunga Raya Porridge. The eatery is also known for its tasty porridge.

Look for the shop near the shophouses facing Menara Taming Sari (second lane) in Melaka Raya.” ~ Sharine Teo Siok Peng, AirAsia guest and Melaka-born event manager.

BEST OF THE BEST For the third consecutive year, Denmark’s Noma emerged numero uno at the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ Awards, sponsored

by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. Iggy’s in Singapore came in at # 26 while Narisawa and Nihonryori Ryugin (Tokyo), Waku Chin (Singapore), Amber (Hong Kong), and Nahm (Bangkok) all made the top 50 list. S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna will also be involved in the inaugural Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in Singapore come February 2013 to recognise the continent’s top chefs. www.theworlds50best.com 36

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RISING TO THE OCCASION Soursop, cream cheese and hazelnut proved to be a winning combination for Parkroyal Penang Resort’s pastry chef Eric Cheam when he clinched the Gold Award for his Praline Royal creation at the recent Fonterra Foodservices Cake Competition in Kuala Lumpur. The hotel’s junior sous chef Kuet Ean also grabbed a Bronze Award for her Season Mangosteen Delight, a confection made from mangosteen, cream cheese and pistachio sponge topped with purple glaze.

7 PAGE TURNER 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

JULY HIGH

This month, we celebrate aviation literature and bring you an interview with young adult paranormal romance writer, Amanda Hocking.

LEGENDS ARE BORN

GREAT AVIATION READS

Nathaniel Hawthorne, known best for his novel The Scarlet Letter, was born on July 4, 1804.

FLIGHT OF PASSAGE: A TRUE STORY is a zany travelogue by Rinker Buck that recounts Buck’s adventure across America with his brother in a restored Piper Club some 30 years ago, when the two were the youngest to fly across the country.

DON’T MISS!

SAMURAI! by Martin Caidin is based on the memoirs of fighter pilot, Saburo Sakai and interviews that journalist Fred Saito conducted with the combat aviator who emerged from WWII as Japan’s greatest flying ace.

THE WILD BLUE: THE MEN AND BOYS WHO FLEW THE B-24S OVER GERMANY 1944-45 by military historian Stephen Ambrose is a gripping story about the brave pilots who flew the B-24 bombers over Germany at the end of WWII.

TO CONQUER THE AIR: THE WRIGHT BROTHERS AND THE GREAT RACE FOR FLIGHT by awardwinning author James Tobin retraces a 10year race to conquer the skies.

HONG KONG BOOK FAIR JULY 18 – 24 Check out a wide range of books and publications for sale, and attend special seminars and literary activities at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. hkbookfair.com

Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winner Ernest Hemingway who wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea was born on July 21, 1899.

WORDS: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

AVIATION LEGEND

38

Amelia Earhart Day is celebrated on July 24th to honour an aviation pioneer and legend who has broken many aviation records. Earhart was the first woman to be awarded the US Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of her solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932 – the first by any aviatrix!

This aviation pioneer set numerous other records becoming the first person to cross the US in an autogyro and to fly solo nonstop from Mexico City, Mexico to Newark, New Jersey.

Earhart documented her flying exploits in bestselling books like 20 Hrs., 40 Min, which detailed her experience as the first female passenger on a transatlantic flight, as well as The Fun of It, a memoir on her flying experiences. She also served TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

as an aviation editor for Cosmopolitan magazine in the late 1920s, and penned many magazine articles, newspaper columns and essays on aviation.

In 1929, Earhart founded the Ninety Nines or 99s, an organisation dedicated to the support and advancement of female pilots. Her accomplishments ignited a passion for flying among women, and she is regarded by many as an early feminist icon.

During an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937, Earhart’s plane disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean. Neither Earhart nor her twinengine aircraft were ever found, giving rise to many conspiracy theories. Her disappearance remains one of aviation’s great mysteries.

Henry David Thoreau, author, poet and abolitionist, best known for his essay Civil Disobedience that advocated resistance to civil government in opposition to an unjust state, was born on July 12, 1817.

IN ONE PERSON John Irving From the brilliant mastermind behind A Prayer for Owen Meany and The Cider House Rules, comes a tale of a bisexual man’s quest for worthiness.

READ OF THE MONTH!

THE READING PROMISE Alice Ozma This book celebrates the love of reading and the relationship between a father and daughter. When Ozma was in fourth grade, she and her father made a pact to read together for 100 consecutive nights; their reading streak would last eight years!

THE FAMILY CORLEONE Ed Falco Falco’s book, based on a screenplay by Mario Puzo, serves up a prequel to The Godfather.

Here, as New York’s crime families ready for battle, Vito Corleone encourages his eldest son, Sonny, to pursue business, but Sonny wants in on the real family business!

SELF-PUBLISHING PHENOMENON Amanda Hocking wrote 17 books in her spare time and self-published them as e-books. Here, this self-publishing phenomenon talks about YA (Young Adult) fiction and her new Trylle trilogy.

YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE I started out writing books that were a lot darker but I realised that that’s not who I am. I’m actually a huge geek who loves fantasy and romance, so I started writing more of that. I really like everything by Judy Blume and Richelle Mead. Their stuff is great. I’m also a huge fan of J.L. Bryan. I think writing YA is fun because everything is so new to the characters – first loves, first fights etc.

SELF-PUBLISHING TO THE BIG LEAGUE I was working at a group home every day. So after work, I’d go up to my office and start writing. I usually wrote until about 9.00am, and then I’d go to bed, get up for work, and do it all over again. I still write at night today because there are fewer distractions. Being published and having millions of people read my work has always been a dream of mine, but I can’t say I ever actually expected it. Self-publishing my books was kind of a last resort, so to have it work out like this is really amazing.

THE APPEAL OF THE TRYLLE TRILOGY I think it’s a little bit different from things that are out there right now.

So, that appeals to people. I definitely tried to make it an entertaining story.

PICKING A WENDY & FINN FOR THE FILM VERSION OF THE TRYLLE TRILOGY That’s tricky.

If I actually had a say in casting (which I don’t) I would want someone like Olivia Thirlby to play Wendy. I think Thomas McDonell would be a good Finn.

UP NEXT I’m working on the Watersong series right

HOW TO WIN ANY ARGUMENT Robert Mayer

now, which is a four book series about two sisters who get involved with sirens. The first book, Wake, is coming out this summer. I’m also working on graphic novel adaptations for the Hollows series.

Learn how to manage emotions, reason and get other people to feel good about following your lead without raising your voice, getting angry or browbeating your opponents.

I’VE GOT YOUR NUMBER Sophie Kinsella IMAGES: ADAM LEE

After losing her expensive engagement ring and mobile phone during a party, Poppy fortuitously chances upon an abandoned phone that turns her life in a completely different direction.

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WIN! THE TRYLLE TRILOGY We are giving away 3 autographed W copies of Switched (the first book in the co Trylle trilogy) and a set of the Trylle trilogy to 4 lucky winners! Go to www.facebook. com/travel3sixty for contest details.

Contest ends on July 31, 2012, so hurry!

7 MONEY MAKER 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

FROM FICTION TO FACT Businesses are taking cues from the fantasy world of Hollywood, offering Bond movie-like facilities that promise greater security and faster service.

AWESOME TECHNOLOGY

(BlogHer.com, January 2012)

Biometrics is no longer just a fancy flash on the silver screen now; it’s sexy, but real and fully functional. Imagine cardless banking where you access your accounts by simply placing your palm on a scanner.

In Japan, this is no longer fiction. The Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank will roll out a line of ATMs at 10 of its branches in Nagoya in September 2012, where customers’ palms will be scanned without the need for a card. Customers have to register ahead of time at their local branches with their palm print and other relevant information. They only need to enter their birth date, a four-digit PIN and have their palm scanned each time to use the facility.

This is progressive banking at its height, and one that will shake up money institutions worldwide to adopt the facility in the near future. www.theregister.co.uk

3:5

is the ratio of global consumers who say they would rather skip social networks if staying online meant they could no longer watch TV; with the British population showing the strongest preference for TV at 77%. (Ipsos, April 2012)

DINING THE DIGITAL WAY Here are the top 8 benefits for restaurateurs to switch to digital menu boards based on a survey done in April 2012 by Networld Media Group.

Centralised control of menu board content (67.9%)

Better pricing flexibility (49.1%)

Lower costs in making menu changes (49.1%)

Increased customer satisfaction (47.2%)

Increased sales of promotional items (37.7%)

Improved operational efficiency (37.7%)

Higher billing averages (20.8%)

Increased sales of high margin items (18.9%)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH

SCREEN TAKES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

42

Take a closer look at Hollywood and you’ll find Social Media strategies that are worth implementing for your own business. Clue: the Box Office. It monitors how consumers interact with a movie’s Social Media and websites to help forecast ticket sales. This is the ultimate qualitative and quantitative TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

metrics exercise. Here’s how you can replicate the idea in a few simple steps: X Open a Facebook account for your business because there are over 900 million users as at April 2012.

X Use the Facebook account to cultivate followers (Start with your friends and family inviting their friends and family), and eventually create your Internet presence.

X Post updates and interact with your followers daily. Those who regularly interact with you are generally your most involved customers.

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percent of the BlogHer Internet population (women) are more likely to use advice from blogs than information or updates from a social network.

X Analyse their comments and needs, and augment your marketing and promotional efforts accordingly, so you may generate more positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

X The questions you need to ask as you make the analyses: • Are your followers making recommendations to others?

• Do your followers share your promotional messages with others?

• Are your followers befriending each other on your Facebook account?

2.8

billion is the number of social media profiles available online, representing about half of the global Internet users. (www.thesocialskinny.com, Feb 2012)

• Is there a difference between your followers on Facebook and your business’ target customers?

X How many followers does your Facebook account average a month?

There is no single online Social Media strategy that fits all businesses. However, the flexibility of online marketing offers creative uses for different businesses.

Whatever you do, you must monitor your customers’ online activities to ensure that your marketing efforts are effective.

7 PRESCRIPTION 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

MINDING MALE HEALTH

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

PROSTATE PROTECTION

44

Prostate problems begin surfacing in men from as early as in their 40s. According to specialists, this is largely due to imbalanced diet, stress and the general lifestyle changes. But with early care and caution, you can avoid complications.

WHAT IS THE PROSTATE? It’s a walnut-sized gland that sits in front of the male rectum, below the bladder.

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF A PROSTATE? Part of a man’s reproductive system, the prostate secretes a fluid that nourishes and protects the sperm. During ejaculation, surrounding muscles squeeze the prostate fluid into the urethra together with the sperm. This fluid is called semen.

WHAT ARE COMMON PROSTATE PROBLEMS? X Benign prostatic hyperplasia

or BPH (non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate).

X Prostatitis (swelling with

infection of the prostate gland).

X Prostate cancer.

X Enlargement of the prostate

will press on the urethra, TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

making urination difficult and weakening the bladder.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE PROBLEMS? The symptoms may vary in individuals. However, the common ones include: X Difficulty urinating and/or in

starting urination.

X Frequent urination (especially

at night).

X Unable to empty the bladder.

X Having urgent need to urinate

but only a dribble comes out.

X Burning sensation when

urinating.

X Uncontrolled dribbling after

urination (incontinence).

X Pain behind the scrotum

(lower abdomen into groin).

X Pain when ejaculating.

CAN I TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM WITHOUT GOING TO THE SPECIALIST? It can be an embarrassing complaint, but ignoring it isn’t a smart move. Left untreated medically, it can get progressively worse and lead to serious complications.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO AVOID PROSTATE PROBLEMS? ANNUAL PROSTATE EXAM Once you’ve hit 40, make it a point to have yearly prostate exams.

WORDS: INMAGINE

With age, health issues too inevitably crop up. For men in their 40s, it’s particularly important to keep tabs on problems such as prostate and heart health. Though medical science has improved tremendously over the years, preventive measures that include regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle is a nod in the right direction.

POINTS OF INTEREST Red-haired men and women need 20% more anaesthesia to be knocked out for surgery Source: health.howstuffworks.com

SAW PALMETTO Consuming this supplement daily from the age of 40 may help in preventing prostate problems.

Men are more than twice as likely to binge drink than women (21% occurrences in men, compared to 10% in women). Binge drinking is more common among Caucasians.

FISH Eat fish at least three servings a week. Tuna, mackerel and salmon all have high levels of Omega-3 oils that may prevent prostate cancer and tumour growth.

Male menopause or andropause is caused by low testosterone levels and may put one at risk for other health problems like heart disease and weakened bones.

SOY Soy-based foods contain phytoestrogens, which reduce testosterone production that promotes and aggravates prostate cancer growth.

Phytoestrogens limit the growth of blood capillaries that form around tumours of the prostate.

Source: www.greenfacts.org

TOP 4 HEALTH ISSUES IN MEN

PUMPKIN SEEDS The seeds are natural diuretics and high in zinc.

LIMIT ALCOHOL INTAKE Studies show that beer can raise prolactin levels in the body, which can eventually lead to prostate enlargement.

• Cardiovascular diseases (arthrosclerosis, stroke, angina) • Lung cancer (mainly caused by smoking) • Prostate cancer • Diabetes Source: www.webmd.com

7 SCORE BOARD 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

SPORTY SIZZLES & FIZZLES Gadgets that enhance your skills and sports news that celebrate the victorious are quite commonplace, but let’s take a look at the other side of the bleachers where some of the most bizarre inventions and incidents in sports sit.

ODD OVERTURES S

163.4 kilometres per hour is the fastest recorded tennis serve, held

by Australian Samuel Groth. The record was made at the Busan Open Challenger Tennis Competition in South Korea in May 2012.

Missed the putt on the golf greens yet again? Fear not for you can still get in that extra practice whilst answering nature’s call in the privacy of your bathroom with... the Potty Putter! It’s a hilarious invention bordering on the ridiculous. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp5FAbJvUEY&feature=youtu.be

THE iFIVE

NICE CUP IN A BRA

This is an invention for agoraphobes (people who fear crowds), but are sports fanatics nonetheless. Now, they can watch the game alone at home on their iPads or iPhones but continue cheering on the wining team. When their team scores, they can whip out the gadget and ‘high five’, ‘fist bump’, ‘thumbs up’ and ‘peace out’ with their e-buddy. itunes.apple.com/us/app/ifive/id288986346?mt=8

Created by lingerie brand Triumph, this corseted bra folds out into a putting mat while the bra cups serve as the putting holes. But wait, there’s more!

There is a skirt that you can take off and hoist onto a pole that doubles as a flag, a key pin to hold a golf ball, a little heart-shaped pocket to hold your tees, and a detachable flag pin that serves as a pencil to keep your scores. The only snag would be that you’d need to strip down to your panties before you can take a swing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbBP8Z_m8Nw

SPORTS KA-CHIIING! USD25,000 FOR A LUNCH BUFFET!

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH

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In 1999, comic book creator and music producer Todd McFarlane paid USD3 million for the 1998 record-breaking, 70th-home-run baseball by batter Mark McGwire. www.time.com

Manhattan’s Old Homestead Steakhouse in New York rolled out a special 2011 XLV Super Bowl Sunday Buffet costing USD25K for Kobe beef burgers and hot dogs with French fries, Maine lobster, Miami stone crabs, sirloin steaks with black truffle shavings on toasted baguettes, chicken wings with horseradish topped with Beluga caviar, as well as fillet mignon kebabs, all finished off with champagne. most-expensive.net

USD20,000 FOR A SPORTS BRA! Britney Spears paid USD20K for an 18-karat gold zipper with real diamond-eyed skulls hanging from it, and a bunch of hand-cut Swarovski crystal hearts. This 100% French silk bra was created by sportswear manufacturer Body Rock. www.thespoiledchild.com

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42.195 kilometres is the official distance required for a long haul competition to qualify as a marathon.

25 years is the longest standing long jump recorded, set by Jesse Owens at the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936 at 8.13 metres. The record was broken and held for 23 years

by Bob Beamon at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games with an 8.9-metre jump. Mike Powell broke it in 1991 at the Tokyo World Championships at 8.95 metres. He has held on to the record for 21 years now.

Source: www.sciencekidz. co.nz, www.bloomberg.com

Source: www.allfunandgames.ca, www.funfactz.com, www.quotegarden.com, xfinity.comcast.net

THE POTTY PUTTER

USD3 MILLION FOR A BASEBALL!

SPORTS BYTES

THE AIRASIA WORLD OF SPORTS

Official jerseys: Away shirt on Anton Ferdinand (left) and Home shirt on Jamie Mackie (right).

OFFICIAL KIT SPONSOR & MAIN CLUB PARTNER FOR 2012/13 BPL SEASON

Striker Jamie Mackie (right) celebrating the goal that took QPR temporarily into the lead versus Manchester City.

Match Highlight

QPR VS MANCHESTER CITY DATE: May 13, 2012 VENUE: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

QPR 2 – MANCHESTER CITY 3

WORDS: ANITA HADI

Watched by an estimated 160 million viewers, The Hoops survived staying in the Premier League on the final day of the season despite a defeat by champions Manchester City, thanks to Bolton’s 2-2 draw at Stoke. Manchester City scored twice in stoppage time to be crowned champions for the first time in 44 years as they beat Queen’s Park Rangers to win the Premier League.

Roberto Mancini’s side needed victory to clinch the prize that has eluded them since 1968 and took the lead through Pablo Zabaleta shortly before the interval.

Djibril Cisse levelled for QPR soon after the restart before the visitors lost Joey Barton when he was shown a red card for clashing with Carlos Tevez.

QPR shrugged off their numerical disadvantage to reduce the Etihad to stunned silence when Jamie Mackie gave them the lead with a far-post header in the 66th minute.

City set up permanent camp in QPR territory but appeared condemned to their worst nightmare as keeper Paddy Kenny rode his luck to produce a string of saves to ensure QPR held firm in the face of the onslaught.

Then, as the clock started to tick into those added minutes, City and their supporters were transported from the depths of despondency to the highest high in the space of two minutes.

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AirAsia recently announced that the airline has extended its partnership with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) for the 2012/13 Barclay’s Premier League (BPL) season. AirAsia is set to become the football club’s Official Playing Kit Sponsor and Main Club Partner, with the airline’s logo to appear on all QPR’s playing kit (Home, Away and Third) for the whole duration of the 2012/13 BPL season.

The partnership marks a renewed involvement in sports by the world’s best low cost carrier. As advocates of creative marketing strategies, this venture provides another strategic platform for the airline to further elevate its brand and achieve greater reach to consumers globally.

QPR COMES A-CALLING QPR embarks on the First Asia Tour to Thailand and Malaysia before the 2012/2013 Barclay’s Premier League Season this August. With friendly matches lined up, the pre-season tour kicks off on July 10 and runs up to July 22, 2012, visiting cities such as Bangkok in Thailand, and Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. For details on this exciting tour, go to www.qpr.co.uk

AirAsia and Dorna Sports, the rights holder of the MotoGP World Championship recently announced their continued partnership with the announcement of AirAsia as the title sponsor of the Japanese Grand Prix in 2012 and 2013, and the 2012 edition of the Australian Grand Prix.

AirAsia has been involved with MotoGP since 2009 with the AirAsia Malaysian Grand Prix Wildcard Program and was the title sponsor of the 2010 and 2011 edition of the British Grand Prix. Additionally, AirAsia also sponsors Team AirAsia-SIC-Ajo, which is competing in the Moto3 category with Zulfahmi Khairuddin as the rider.

02 7 HYPER TECH 0 2012 2012

www.airasia.com/travel360

BRAND NEW WORLD

PLANET OF THE APPS

With gadgets that look like simple sunglasses for Internet surfing at blazingly fast speeds and innovations like 3D music, a brand new world is just around the corner.

FUTURE OF COMICS Comic artists no longer need traditional pen and paper to bring to life super heroes and dastardly villains. With digital pens, they can draw comic panels with added details that readers can easily zoom in on their tablets. The very first issue of its kind, the Avengers VS X-Men #1 Infinite is available for purchase on the Marvel Comics app.

WUNDERLIST The Wunderlist is more than just a simple ‘to-do’ list application. First, get a free account so that you can sync your lists. If you forget to do any task, you'll get a push notification or an email. This app can also remind your friends by email when you share your checklists with them. OS: Android and iOs • Price: Free

http://marvel.com

"Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all." ~ John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the USA, quoted from Problem Solving With Computers by Greg W. Scragg

A MOVING EXPERIENCE Featuring a headset with micro-projection technology, the Epson Moverio is an Android-based see-through display that looks like a pair of sunglasses. Powered

by WiFi connectivity, the Moverio enables you to watch videos, music, check emails, play games and surf the Internet. With nearly six hours of rechargeable battery life and 1GB internal storage, this nifty gadget lets you enjoy movies, books, music and photos virtually anywhere at any time. www.epson.com

The word 'vook' is made up of 'video' and 'book' and a vook is a book that contains videos! Vook.com makes it easy for writers and publishers to add videos, pictures and audio into their eBook. Vook can also add web links inside the pages for the reader to browse. http://vook.com

WORDS: PETE KING

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WHAT THE VOOK!

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WATTPAD At Wattpad, a huge online store containing lots of free eBooks awaits you. Not all the latest may be available but a decent list of books ranging from novels to journals is available for free. It is being touted as the best place to read and discover stories. OS: iOS • Price: Free

FITNESS HD With over 700 exercises, 100 workouts and 50 Yoga steps, this app shows you how to work out while illustrating how the muscles are worked during each exercise. You can also record your exercise sessions and share them on Facebook and Twitter. OS: iOS • Price: Free

GOOGLE GLASS The Google Glass enables you to receive and answer calls, messages and emails, while the GPS function points out landmarks and objects around you.

At present, the gadget uses only a piece of glass for viewing but by the time the actual product rolls out later this year, it may look like normal spectacles – with two glasses. https://plus.google.com

GET SMART!

Watches that tell you more than just the time.

PEBBLE The Pebble can connect to the Internet to run apps you’ve downloaded to the watch. It can also use Bluetooth to connect to your iPhone or Android smartphone to answer calls, emails and messages. Using GPS, it can tell speed, distance and pace when you're running or cycling. It even plays music. www.getpebble.com

I'M WATCH BUILD IT BIG Want a website? Build your own at Tumblr, Blogspot and WordPress. But these sites work well only for text and photos. If you want audio and video, you’ll need some knowledge of HTML coding. Wix.com makes life easy, where you simply drag and drop videos and audio on to your webpage. Wix.com is free at present but for as little as USD4 to USD16 per month, a whole load of features will be made available for your websites. www.wix.com

With this watch, you can listen to music and the radio, look at photos and videos, read your emails and messages, update Facebook and Twitter status, read the news and browse the Internet.

You can also text or call out using the microphone. www.imwatch.it/my-en/

MOTOACTV

TIMELY TIPS

Suitable for fitness freaks, this watch tracks your performance during workouts, calculating calories burned and distance covered while running.

It's also sweat- and rain-proof, and scratch-resistant. You can even answer calls and texts, and listen to music and the radio. https://motoactv.com

AUTO UPLOAD TO DROPBOX

SONY SMARTWATCH

If you install the cloud server app Dropbox in your Android smartphone or tablet, you can upload and store your photos and videos automatically up into its cloud server. First, make sure the Camera Upload feature is enabled first. Then simply answer if you want this enabled over your data plan or only on Wifi. Next, upload all your photos and videos in the gallery.

You can connect this smart watch to your Android phone to read emails, texts and Facebook updates. Simply touch the glass on the watch face to answer calls or use it to read emails and update your Facebook status. Dust- and splashproof, the watch even becomes a remote gadget to shoot pictures from your phone. www.sonymobile.com

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7 SLEEP INNS 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK

Is never enough! The city with the longest name – Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit or simply Krung Thep in the local language, is a stunning city of arts, culture, food and never-ending shopping and entertainment. Here is our list of top stays in Bangkok.

EDITOR’S CHOICE!

WORDS: R. RAJENDRA

GRAND DELIGHT

The first thing that you need to know about the Grand Centara Ladprao is that it has a sister hotel in the city centre.

As my taxi driver politely argued that Lardprao was not in the city centre, I sheepishly pulled out the confirmation letter from the hotel only to discover I had mistakenly instructed him to go to Grand Centara at Central World.

The gracious man that he was, the taxi driver readily wove through the notorious Bangkok traffic and got me to my intended destination on Phahholyothin Road, some 18kms out of the city.

My initial reaction was one of despair. “Oh, this is so freakin’ far out of the city,” I muttered upon entering the spacious lobby. I imagined being marooned in the suburbs, not knowing how to get to the city centre and missing out on all the action Bangkok is famed for.

“You see the green area there? That is Chatuchak Park. That little staircase across the street down leads you to Phaholyothin MRT station, which takes you to the city in less than 15 minutes. The hotel building links directly to Central Plaza Lardprao, one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest shopping malls, and over there is Union Mall, a smaller version of MBK but mainly visited by the locals and hence, the cheaper

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prices.....,” rattled on Peggy, the affable PR Manager, as she pointed out all the attractions and amenities nearby from my room window.

Despondency quickly turned into delight as I realised, although the hotel was located away from the city centre, the Grand Centara Ladprao had a whole of lot of positives going for it. Most importantly, you needn’t jostle with other tourists for shopping, dining and entertainment space as this hotel, although off the beaten track, offers easy connectivity to most of the attractions.

Knackered from the earlier ordeal of circumnavigating Bangkok city, I was quickly dispatched to Cenvaree Spa, the bespoke massage

and wellness centre at the hotel. Clad in semi darkness, the spa shut the physical world out and welcomed me into the realm of total relaxation and rejuvenation. Oddly enough, the masseur prescribed a Balinese massage at the Thai spa but only after completing the session did I understand the reason. The Balinese massage sent me into deep slumber and almost trance-like state while a Thai massage would have been too stimulating for my fatigued state.

That night, Peggy, who turned out to be such good company, insisted I dine at the Italian restaurant Don Giovanni, instead of one of the Asian F&B outlets there. Again, I frowned, wondering why Continental when tantalising Thai would have been more appealing.

However, when the jumbo white asparagus, roasted lamb cutlets, pan-seared fish and ice-cream lollypops appeared at my table in quick succession, all washed down with a terribly fine Chianti, Peggy put on a big smile and commented, “We don’t do only Thai. Our Italian is one of the best in the city, you know.” I couldn’t agree more.

It most certainly was one of the best Italian meals I’d had and even local celebrities and Thai royalty regularly visit this restaurant for its good food and great ambience.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP WITH EXPEDIA Torn between a much needed holiday and some retail therapy?

Why not combine the two and book a shopping vacation with Expedia, the world’s largest online travel company!

With at least six regional sales happening around Asia from May all the way to September, travellers and shopaholics will be spoilt for choice on where to hunt down the best buys!

GREAT SINGAPORE SALE May 25 to July 22, 2012

1 MALAYSIA MEGA SALE June 15 to September 2, 2012

HONG KONG SUMMER SPECTACULAR June 22 to August 31, 2012

AMAZING THAILAND GRAND SALE June 15 to August 15, 2012

JAKARTA GREAT SALE June 17 to July 17, 2012

JAPAN SUMMER SALE But just to satisfy my curiosity, I checked out the other F&B outlets there and discovered that Grand Centara Ladprao has a Chinese restaurant named Dynasty for dim sum and Cantonese fare, Hagi for Japanese fare, Suan Bua for Thai food, Chatuchak Cafe for all day dining, Cappuccino Corner for coffee and cakes, Lobby Lounge for drinks and snacks and Le Danang, a delightful Vietnamese restaurant done up in chic French style. To literally top it all, Blue Sky on the 24th floor of the building is the spot to go for after hour drinks and romantic dinners with the whole of Bangkok city twinkling merrily at your feet.

The rooms at the hotel are stylishly appointed and contain all the creature comforts one would expect from a five-star property.

Ranging from Deluxe, Premium Deluxe, Club Deluxe and suites, the rooms are spacious, cosy and great value for money, keeping in mind that you’d pay double for similar accommodations in the city centre. My personal pleasure was the bathroom with sliding doors that enabled me to watch Thai TV (Thailand has some of the funniest and most creative advertisements!) while soaking in the super deep bathtub after all that traipsing around at Chatuchak. It really doesn’t get better than this!

GRAND CENTARA

Eight weeks of fabulous shopping to get more for less on just about everything.

Enticing promotions and late night shopping, dining and entertainment also await shoppers.

Shop, eat and celebrate! The Malaysian Sale Carnival is set to woo shoppers with promotions, tempting discounts, and even more bargains with the onset of the Eid festivities.

Hong Kong's unrivalled shopping, dining and nightlife come alive with its sizzling hot line-up of citywide summer sales, promotions and festivities.

If one’s hobby is shopping, Thailand is the place to visit, where international brands, Thai handicrafts and hand-woven fabrics will be on sale.

For one full month, Jakarta will become a mecca for shopaholics from the entire region, with unbelievable discounts at no-less than 68 shopping malls and over 50 retail corporations.

In July, Japanese departm departmental stores and sales. This is a great malls hold summer sales time to shop for trendy cl clothes, shoes and accessories at discounted prices

So, whether it is the Am Amazing Thailand Grand Sale or the Hong K Kong Summer Specta Spectacular, Expedia enables travellers to shop fo for enticing holiday packag packages, backed by a ‘Best P Price Guarantee’.

Book n now at Expedia to take advantage of unbeat unbeatable savings so that yo you can shop till you drop at the region’s top shoppi shopping hotspots!

Central World Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, 1695 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok +66 (0) 2 541 1234 www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cglb

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EASTERN SPLENDOUR Travellers to Bangkok, invariably want to stay only at either the Silom or Sukhumvit areas, imagining that these two districts are the only areas close to the shopping and entertainment districts. Sathorn, conversely, is practically a street away from Silom and skirts the main thoroughfare, enabling easy access from various points in the city.

Located at the lower end of Sathorn, the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok is a shiny new glass tower that is perfectly positioned to welcome both leisure and business travellers. Location is a prime selling point for this hotel as it is close to the business, shopping and party districts. But what really puts Eastin Grand head and shoulders above the competition is its direct link to the Surasak BTS Station via a Skybridge! The station, located on the Silom line, offers easy connectivity to the city where it links with the Sukhumvit line at Siam station and the MRT line at Silom/Saladaeng Stations. This means that you never need to step onto busy streets, weave through traffic, haggle over taxi fares or hold on to dear life while riding a maniacal tuk tuk!

The day I arrived at Eastin Grand, it was a mere baby of 10 days old.

Everything was spanking new and last minute touches were still being applied. Staff fussed over me as I was one of the first few guests to enter this brand new building. The glass tower sparkled in the Bangkok sun and light streamed in copious amounts from all angles, lighting up the building. The energy of the hotel was bright, cheery and plentiful, just the way I like hotels to be. Anyway, I was never partial to dark, gloomy hotels with heavy decor that reminded me more of crypts than a pleasant stay.

EDITOR’S CHOICE!

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When I enter any hotel room, a peculiar habit I have is to walk to the window and draw the drapes. The view that greeted me was mesmerising. I had a room that faced the Chao Phraya River, where I could see rice barges and longboats ferrying cargo and people. Floor to ceiling glass windows let in maximum light and I must have easily spent a solid hour staring out in to the distance, trying to figure out buildings, temples and landmarks.

The bath area too had the same glass walls, which necessitate guests to pull the blinds down before using the commode or the shower, lest you put on a show for the office workers at the block next door. But at night, slip into the bathtub with a drink in hand and watch the twinkling lights and streaking traffic from your bathroom. It is quite an experience.

Rooms at Eastin Grand are pretty nifty offerings. With 390 rooms and suites, guests get to experience a stylish stay in rooms that are done up in modern chic and go extremely well with its glass tower facade. The rooms are divided into four categories such as Superior,

Executive Superior, Executive Deluxe and Executive Suites. Spacious, airy and brand new (you will be one of the first to stay here if you book now!), another ingenious idea with the customer’s interest at heart is the hotel’s promise of ‘ready room guaranteed upon arrival’. Simply advise the hotel your arrival time 48 hours beforehand and the hotel guarantees your room will be ready for check-in, failing which they offer you a complimentary one night stay. How neat is that!?

The place also has some very unique attractions that you don’t get elsewhere. The Glass House restaurant on the fifth floor is open for breakfast from 6.00am to 11.30am! This is practically unheard off as most breakfast buffets are hastily cleared latest by 10.30am. You can saunter out of bed after all that clubbing and walk in for an espresso even with the sun literally in the middle of the sky! And if hunger strikes again, head to ChefMan for Chinese fare, Azure for Mediterranean inspired brasserie-styled food, or to Swizzles for coffee, afternoon tea, drinks and snacks.

ACHINGLY HIP

The showstopper for me was undoubtedly the infinity pool on the 14 floor overlooking the city and the Chao Phraya in the distance.

The pool has been cleverly angled to catch the full sunlight and oversized, bird nest-like deckchairs shade you from the sun while you watch the golden orb settle in the west. Though I didn’t get to swim in the pool or hang at the ledge as I was too busy gallivanting throughout Bangkok, I vowed to come back purely for this view alone the next time I visited the City of Angels.

EASTIN GRAND HOTEL SATHON

33/1 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok +66 (2) 210 8100 www.eastingrandsathorn.com

Located across some of the most exciting shopping spots in Bangkok, mainly MBK Mall, Siam Discovery Centre and Siam Paragon, the Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa is a hip boutique hotel that is often described as an urban art space in the heart of Bangkok. A very modern fusion of concrete, steel and wood is given a totally radical treatment with splashes of orange throughout the building, blending the traditional with the modern seamlessly and dramatically. With four room categories catering for all needs, the overall feel of the accommodation is one of spaciousness but with a touch of serenity. This vibrant hotel further ups the ante with a spectacular rooftop swimming pool on the 11th floor, seven F&B options and a spa on the 10th floor – all offering guests a memorable stay in the heart of Bangkok city.

SIAM@SIAM DESIGN HOTEL & SPA 865 Rama 1 Road, Wang Mai, Patumwan, Bangkok

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ORIENTAL CHIC Visitors to Bangkok can now experience old world Oriental glamour at the deliciously stylish Shanghai Mansion Bangkok, located in Bangkok’s historic Chinatown district. With rooms named after Chinese flowers, the hotel is as resplendent with history as it is with service and hospitality. One of the oldest high-rises in Bangkok’s Chinatown, the building was transformed into spacious suites and guestrooms that sweep guests into the style of yesteryear Shanghai, and come complete with all the creature comforts one can possibly ask for.

Visitors truly get to immerse themselves in luxury that honours them as noble guests when they stay at this little piece of heaven that artfully combines, culture, tradition, history and hospitality amidst a bustling environment in the city.

SHANGHAI MANSION BANGKOK

479- 481 Yaowaraj Road, Samphantawong, Bangkok

URBAN SANCTUARY The Anantara Bangkok Sathorn hotel provides the perfect respite for both leisure and business travellers to Bangkok. The impeccably designed, 38-floor, twin tower structure offers the finest in Bangkok hotel services with hotel rooms and suites that make the most of its fantastic location with panoramic views of the sprawling city.

From the beautiful studios to the spacious two-bedroom suites, every room is finished to the highest standard with contemporary furniture that blends stylish city living with Anantara’s unique attention to details. Guests can also relax in seclusion from the bustling city outside on the pool deck with the infinity edge swimming pool; dine on mouth-watering local and international cuisine at 100°East; and forget the day’s stresses with a full range of holistic treatments at Senses Spa.

ANANTARA BANGKOK SATHORN

36 Narathiwat-Ratchanakarin Road, Bangkok

QUIRKY BUT STYLISH Imm Fusion Sukhumvit belongs to the category of hotels that offers a new take on thematic accommodations that borders on the quirky.

Bright, bold designs that combine traditional elements with modern amenities evoke a whimsical stay without compromising on comfort that will surely appeal to the adventure seeker. All 168 rooms at the hotel are done up in unique designs and warm, welcoming shades, while the Orient is evoked through decorative items and objects d’art placed in the common areas. The best part about this wonderful mish-mash is that the hotel calls itself a ‘budget hotel living’ without stinging on the comfort level and the service. Location is another plus point as the property is mere minutes from BTS On Nut Station on Sukhumvit Street.

IMM FUSION SUKHUMVIT 1594/50 Sukhumvit Road, Phrakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok

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www.airasia.com/travel360

BE A SPORT! As the world congregates in London this month for the 30th Olympiad, we pay homage to sports, the history and the origins of some of the most popular games around the world.

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH IMAGES: INMAGINE

Over 300 countries with more than 11,000 athletes will congregate in London to compete in the world’s most prestigious sporting event this month – the Olympics. There will be 39 disciplines categorised under 26 sports held at The Smoke, a nickname that London earned in the late Victorian era when the ‘range’ cooker was invented and widely installed in the city homes.

But, with the domestic help not knowing how to operate it, they’d leave the fire on maximum heat, causing smoke to cover the city skyline. However, it will be the track and field infrastructure that’s been built to house the Olympic Park, and various other venues in London that will be smokin’ hot this month.

From time immemorial to the present day, nothing unites a nation like sports. It transcends countries, ethnicity, language, colour and creed and, its impact far outweighs any economic crises or human discord. Be it competitive or friendly, group or solo, participatory or spectator, no other human activity brings the masses together in a celebration of determination, willpower and perseverance quite like sports.

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EVOLUTION OF SPORTS IN GREAT BRITAIN HANOVERIAN PERIOD

TUDOR & STUART PERIOD

1485 - 1714 T

Puritanism greatly reduced the opportunities to play games.

T

After the restoration of King Charles II in 1660, traditional activities were revived.

T

Traditional folk games and activities ourished in Tudor times.

1714 - 1790 T

Sports were largely ignored by the government but the people continued enjoying these pastime activities.

T

Increase in industrialisation demanded regular working patterns, and protests were made to keep Sunday a rest day.

T

Large gatherings for sport meant social disorder at the time.

T

Introduction of organised, rule-governed sport on a national scale emerged.

CHANGING TIMES

1790 -1830 T

Traditional sport was lambasted as factory owners wanted longer working hours.

T

Property owners feared the damage caused by large crowds at sporting events.

T

Churches criticised idleness, drunkenness and lack of morality at sporting events.

T

Commercialisation of sports began, especially in horse racing, cricket and prize ďŹ ghting (boxing).

EDWARDIAN SPORT

1901 - 1918 T

Organised sporting involvement expanded rapidly across all classes, but the classes played their sports separately.

T

Public school athleticism still dominated sports.

T

Male working class influence increased, notably in football in England and rugby in Wales, but working class women were largely excluded.

T

Commercialisation of sports continued with large numbers of spectators and increased numbers of professionals in major sports.

VICTORIAN SPORT

1830 - 1901 T

Sport developed in the context of industrial capitalism and class inequality.

T

T

Sports became a matter of national interest.

BETWEEN THE WORLD WARS

1918 - 1940 T

Steady growth in sports continued for all social classes, but the working class were less in involved.

T

Most sports were still class orien orientated.

T

Sport became linked to a moral code defined by the middle classes – useful for character development and morality.

Football (in all its versions) continued to incr increase in popularity and by the 1930s, was the most popular sporting event.

T

There was little government involveme involvement in sport, apart from physical education in schools. s

T

Commercialisation of sport expande expanded rapidly, and became a national culture, now extended to the majority of the population.

Rules for competitive sports became more established.

Sports were to be played, not for reward, but for its own sake.

T T

BRITISH SPOR SPORT

1940 - Tod Today T

An improved standard of living eenabled greater participation in sport for most social groups.

T

Television coverage increased tthe importance sponso for sport and sponsors.

T

The definition of amateurism fo for competition was replaced by the concept of eligibility.

T

Physical education is est established in the national curriculu curriculum as a foundation subjec subject.

What sporting event do you think should be included in the Olympics and why? Share with us your suggestions at www. facebook.com/travel3sixty Source: Mackenzie, B. (2004), History of Sport and Games

ORIGINS OF SOME POPULAR GAMES GOLF This sport originated from the coast of Scotland in the 15th century, where golfers would hit a pebble around sand dunes using a wooden stick shaped like a club. Only after 1750 did golf evolve into the sport that you see today. In 1774, Edinburgh golfers wrote the first standardised rules for the game.

GYMNASTICS

CRICKET The first recorded cricket match was played in Kent in 1646.

By the late 1600s, fines were actually handed out for those who missed church to play cricket. In 1706, William Goldwyn published the first description of the game, where two teams were depicted carrying their bats to choose a pitching place and arguing over the rules. The rules were formally established in 1744.The cricket bat we see today was invented around 1853.

Gymnastics predates the ancient Olympics where acrobats used to entertain Egyptian nobility some 7,000 years ago. The Chinese, 2,000 years before the ancient Olympics, practised ritual mass gymnastic exercises as part of the art of Wushu. The term ‘gymnastics’ is derived from the Greek word for ‘naked’ or gymnos, as male athletes trained and competed in the nude then. Modern gymnastics surfaced with Johann Friedrich GutsMuths from Germany in the 1800s as part of his plan to develop an exercise programme to improve balance and flexibility through muscle strength.

SWIMMING Competitive swimming was first introduced in the early 1800s in Britain by the National Swimming Society.

The swimming contest became popular in England and led to the formation of the Amateur Swimming Association in 1880. The swimming strokes used at the time were the side stroke and breast stroke. In 1873, John Trudgen introduced the front crawl, which is known as the ‘freestyle’.

BADMINTON Originally called poona, as it was named after the city of Poona in South-east Mumbai, the game dates back to 18th century India. British military officers stationed there brought it over to England but the English were reluctant to play a racquet game called poona. The Duke of Beaufort who brought the game to the UK decided to call it badminton after his Badminton estate in Gloucestershire. The first game was played at his estate in 1873.

BASKETBALL The e first formal rules were devised sed in 1892 by Dr James Naismith. First played with a soccer ball, the players dribbled the ball in a court and scored by throwing the ball into a peach basket. Iron hoops with a netting basket like a hammock were introduced in 1893. Only a decade later er the netting basket was made without a bottom, prior to which players used a stick to poke the ball out of the e hoop after each score.

DIVING On a roof slab of a burial vault south outh of Naples, Italy, lies a painting of a young g man diving from a narrow platform. The discovery very of this Tomba Del Tuffatore e (The Tomb of the Diver) iver) indicates that the excitement and grace of diving from high places into water have lured people from at least 480 BC. Modern diving can be traced back to two places – Germany and Sweden. It was a traditional al speciality of the guild of salt boilers, called Halloren, en, to practise certain swimming and diving skills on a bridge over River Saale. In association with th the German gymnastics movement, the he world’s first diving association was formed in 1840.

BASEBALL The modern baseball field was created by Alexander Cartwright in 1845. He met with members of the New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and devised the first rules and regulations that were accepted for the modern game of baseball.

FOOTBALL / SOCCER The Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Ancient Greeks, Persian, Vikings and many more played the ball game long before the FA Cup. The Chinese played it as far back as 3,000 years ago and the Greeks and Romans used football games to train their legions for battle. But it was in England that football really took shape. In 1863, the first Football Association was founded in England; 11 London clubs and schools sent representatives to the Freemason’s Tavern in London to discuss and establish rules and regulations.

Eight years later, the Football Association had 50 members and the first football match was held – the FA Cup, preceding the League Championships by 17 years.

The first international match was held the following year in 1872 in Great Britain – England vs Scotland.

SEPAK TAKRAW

Earliest evidence of this game dates back to the 15th century Melaka Sultanate of the Malay Peninsula. Mentioned in the Malay historical text, Sejarah Melayu, there is a description of an incident where Sultan Mansur Shah’s son, Raja Muhammad, was accidentally hit with a rattan ball by the son of Tun Perak, in a game that was called sepak raga. The presence of the game in Thailand can be seen in the murals at Wat Phra Kaeo, built in 1785, depicting the Hindu god Hanuman playing the game in a ring with a troop of monkeys. In Thai language, it is called takraw, meaning ‘twine-kick’, as the ball was made of rattan twines. The game became popular throughout the Southeast Asia and in the 1940s, rules were established and the game became officially known as sepak takraw.

Source: inventors.about.com, www.athleticscholarship.net, library.thinkquest.org

SPORTS CRAZED CITIZENS

THE START OF SPORTS Early history of sports often involved the preparation and training for war or hunting, hence the inclusion of javelin and discus throwing, shot putting and boxing. Formal sporting events were eventually introduced in ancient Greece when the first Olympic Games was held in 776 B.C., which featured boxing, javelin and discus throwing, running, equestrian races, wrestling, jumping, pankration (combination of boxing and wrestling), and pentathlon (combination of five events – discus, javelin, long jump, running and wrestling).

SOCCER/FOOTBALL: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea BADMINTON: Malaysia, Indonesia, SEPAK TAKRAW: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia BASKETBALL: Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, China BASEBALL: Japan, China, South Korea CRICKET: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand RUGBY: Australia, New Zealand WATER SPORTS: Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand.

5 FASCINATING FACTS ON THE LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES 2012

7.7

million London 2012 Olympic Games tickets will be made available for spectators.

2,000 800 newts (yes, the lizards), have been relocated from the Olympic Park site to the Waterworks Nature Reserve.

thousand people are expected to use public transport to travel to the Games on its busiest day.

200

kilometres is the total length of cabling done for the underground power lines. That’s the distance from London to Nottingham.

260

thousand is the approximate number of loaves of bread expected to be consumed at the London Olympic Games 2012.

7 FEATURE 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

WORDS: CHITRA S

At AirAsia, we dare to be different and we are constantly pushing boundaries to improve our business and services. In February 2012, we launched the Big Red Awesome Idea Network (BRAIN), a crowdsourcing platform that offers AirAsia employees the opportunity to contribute, comment on and vote for ideas that can improve business related tasks and services. The initial phase of the project was conducted by Malaysia AirAsia from Feb 15 until May 9, 2012, attracting 195 entries from over 100 users. AA BRAIN has now gone company-wide, reaching out to AllStars (AirAsia employees). The project has been such a successful initiative that AirAsia will soon be extending it to the public too.

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HOW CROWDSOURCING WORKS

Q?

A:

When you need ideas, opinion and feedback from the crowd.

a:

a:

When you ask the crowd to help find a solution to a problem.

CROWDSOURCING

Source: www.crowdsourcing.org

The term ‘crowdsourcing’ is a combination of the words ‘crowd’ and ‘outsourcing’, and is believed to have been coined by writer Jeff Howe in the article The Rise of Crowdsourcing that appeared in the June 2006 issue of Wired magazine. The MerriamWebster online dictionary defines ‘crowdsourcing’ as the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people and especially, from the online community rather than from traditional employees or suppliers.

When knowledge exists but help is needed to find and organise it.

When you access an online workforce to help you complete tasks.

THE WISDOM OF CROWDS In recent years, many organisations have relied on crowdsourcing as a means of tapping into resources that are already available i.e. ideas from their employees or the public.

AA BRAIN is such a platform for AirAsia AllStars because every employee – from ramp staff to senior executives can identify aspects of their daily work that need improvement or can be altered for better efficacy. AA BRAIN is also not limited to AllStars only. When the platform goes public soon, it will allow AirAsia guests the opportunity to communicate directly to the airline their thoughts, suggestions and ideas on how AirAsia and its services can be improved. Instead of conducting a traditional market survey to gauge what products or services our guests prefer, AA BRAIN will enable users to vote for their favourite ideas.

THE MECHANICS OF THE BRAIN PROJECT WHAT MAKES A GOOD IDEA? A good idea is one that receives the most number of votes and positive comments by other AA BRAIN users. Ideas that do not work are filtered out and the most popular ideas are then presented to the relevant department heads and their teams, who in turn, evaluate the feasibility of each idea.

REWARDING ALLSTARS Deserving ideas should be rewarded!

As an incentive and reward for their ideas, AllStars with the best ideas stand to win passes to Universal Studios Singapore and free stays at Hard Rock Hotel, Sentosa in Singapore.

Those who contribute ideas will also receive an exclusive AA BRAIN lapel pin each, as recognition for their efforts. In fact, the ultimate reward for AllStars is having their ideas heard as employees will feel truly appreciated at being able to play a role in the betterment of the organisation.

ARUN VERMA The man behind AA BRAIN, Arun Verma, AirAsia’s Head of Technology and Innovation, holds a degree in Engineering Physics & Management from Canada’s McMaster University, and has a wide range of experiences that include working on rural development projects in South Africa, starting a medical technology business in Michigan, US, and managing the AsiaPacific platform for Research in Motion. While at Research in Motion, Arun met Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, AirAsia’s Group Chief Executive Officer.

The chance meeting was so inspiring that 30-yearold Arun decided to join the AirAsia team in Malaysia, to start up the Technology and Innovation department. The focus of the department is to drive innovation and to turn great business ideas into reality.

POPULAR CROWDSOURCING PLATFORMS

SUCCESS STORIES

CROWDSOURCED LABOUR: ODESK Businesses are no longer limited to local talent or traditional hiring cycles. With a thriving online workforce available on-demand, you can post a job for free, field applications and rapidly hire the best person for the job, regardless of where in the world they happen to be. www.odesk.com

PROCTER & GAMBLE In 2000 the company found itself struggling with rising Research & Development costs and, flat sales. The company survived the crisis by changing its R&D strategy with crowdsourcing, increasing externally sourced innovations from 15 to 50%. Six years later R&D productivity was up by 60%!

CROWDSOURCED ONLINE ADVERTISING: TRADA This is a community of certified online ad experts working together on advertisers’ paid search campaigns. This crowdsource approach makes paid search accessible to small and medium businesses, enterprise companies and channel partners by saving time and providing expertise. www.trada.com

DORITOS The ‘Crash the Super Bowl’ campaign by Doritos (tortilla chips) saw fans creating their own advertisements for the chance to win a trip to the game, USD25,000 cash and bragging rights of having created a Super Bowl advertisement. In 2011, four consumer-created ads for Doritos and Pepsi Max ranked among the Top 10 in the USA TODAY Ad Meter.

CROWDSOURCED PROBLEM-SOLVER: CHALLENGEPOST ChallengePost lets individuals and organisations challenge the public to solve problems and innovate. The public can post, solve, vote or rally around a collective goal. The platform has been used by the likes of Samsung, Mozilla and even the White House to innovate. http://challengepost.com

GOLDCORP The mining company was struggling financially and was unable to find gold on its land in Ontario. The new CEO put all its geological data online, asked for help on where the gold was located and put up USD500,000 in prize money for accurate suggestions. The result? They discovered USD3 billion worth of gold on the property based on crowd suggestions.

Source: www.anotherway.org

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THE FINAL SELECTION The pilot phase conducted in Malaysia resulted in 195 entries ntries from over 100 users. Here are the Top 2 winning ideas, other innovative suggestions flowed by the expert’s take on itss feasibility.

WINNER! Mohd Firdaus Rosli Duty Executive, Ramp, Kuala Lumpur

TOUCH AND GO CARD This touch and go card is a prepaid card that lets guests purchase and print tickets with just a swipe. The card will contain personal information, and guests can use it like a debit card against their flight ticket purchases. It will save guests time and the hassle of queuing up at ticket counters. Simply flash the card and go!

1234

Mohd TOUC H& GO ID

3456

Firda

78781

6789

us Ro

1008

- 007

sli

4321

A ARUN’S VERDICT This is a great idea because it aallows guests to purchase flight tickets quickly w without having to key in payment details.

Guests who do not have credit cards will also be Gue able to purchase their tickets on the spot.

WINNER! Royners Sing Guest Service Officer, Guest Services, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

GUEST SERVICE OFFICER OF THE MONTH Royners would like to see posters or cut-outs of the Guest Service Officer of the month displayed at every station. The best officer will be selected based on his or her quality of service and personal grooming. The recognition will encourage and motivate other AllStars to step up their performance at work and serve guests better. gue

st ! e B e h T Simply

72 72

A ARUN’S VERDICT This will encourage Allstars tto give their best to our guests. Public recognition will motivate AllStars to strive for re better service quality and ultimately, it will be bet our guests who will benefit from it.

Ridhwan Rosmin

Terence Au Soon Fui

Guest Service Controller, Guest Services, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Duty Executive, Guest Services, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

TABLE CALENDARS

KIDDIE MEAL COMBO + TOY

Ridhwan wants AirAsia to produce its very own annual table calendars which will contain information on all AirAsia stations and hubs, including emergency contact numbers, guidelines for guests and quick tips on AirAsia and AirAsia X destinations. The calendars can also showcase friendly AllStars, and will also make great souvenirs for guests.

A father of two young children, Terence knows first-hand how much kids love their toys. His idea to provide toys with every kid’s combo meal will not only keep children entertained during the flight, it will also encourage children to start their own collection of exclusive AirAsia toys.

ARUN’S VERDICT Nice one as guests will not ARUN’S oonly be able to collect these exclusive table ccalendars, but also refer to it for information relevant re levant to AirAsia.

ARUN’S VERDICT Our young guests will certainly appreciate getting a free toy with their meal.

Exclusive AirAsia toys make great collectibles too.

Lee Lay Chen Guest Service Assistant, Guest Services, Penang

Sherlinda Rabu Guest Service Assistant, Guest Services, Tawau, Sabah

BAGGAGE OFFICES FOR ALL STATIONS Sherlinda would like AirAsia to have baggage offices at the arrival halls of all stations to deal with cases of missing or mishandled luggage. At the Tawau station where Sherlinda is based, guests who wish to report missing luggage cannot do so at the arrival hall and instead, have to visit the AirAsia office to lodge a complaint.

ARUN’S VERDICT This is an idea that shows how AirAsia Allstars are always on the lookout to offer our guests the best in terms of service.

SIMPLYFYING THE EXCESS BAGGAGE PAYMENT PROCESS Each time a guest checks in excess baggage, front-liners at the check-in counters have to go through a process involving six steps before the baggage can be checked in, resulting in long queues.

This prompted Lay Chen to suggest the simplification of the current process and cut it down to just four easy steps by linking the Skyport and Skyspeed systems that are used at the check-in counters.

A ARUN’S VERDICT Any idea that simplifies processes and speeds up check-in time for our p gguests, especially those with excess baggage, is a ggreat one in our books.

7 FEATURE • Cover Story 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND This little nugget of an island on the Southeastern corner of Thailand is a haven for sun worshippers throughout the year. The island is legendary for its white sandy beaches and warm, shallow waters teeming with marine life and coral reefs. At night, Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach areas both have vibrant night spots while day time activities away from the beaches include trips to the Big Buddha Shrine and Secret Buddha Garden. Nearby Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are two equally stunning islands. www.kohsamui.org

With bright blue skies and azure waters coming together to create the most inviting seaside settings, a beach holiday is just the thing to put the zing back into your life. Planning to take one but don’t know where to head to? Simply book your next awesome destination with AirAsia and let your woes melt away at the region’s Top 8 beach destinations!

WORDS: SHOBA PILLAI

IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies twice daily from Bangkok and three times a week from Kuala Lumpur to Surat Thani. Go to www.airasia.com for details. To get to Koh Samui, catch a ferry from Donsak Jetty in Surat Thani town.

IMAGE: EUGENE LEE

BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

KARIMUNJAWA ISLAND, SEMARANG, INDONESIA Rather than head to Bali, Indonesia’s popular beach destination, why not break away from the trend and pick one of the other islands the country has to offer?

Karimunjawa Island, the biggest island in the Karimunjawa National Park, is one of 27 islands within this area. This tourist destination, just off Semarang, has many exciting activities to offer from wreck diving sites and swimming with reef sharks to bird watching. The islands here are also generally considered some of the most pristine in Indonesia, literally untouched by modernity. www.karimunjawa-islands.info

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Clark (Manila) from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. AirAsia Philippines flies daily to Kalibo from Clark to go to Boracay. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

IMAGE: INMAGINE

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Semarang from Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details. To get to Karimunjawa Island, catch a ferry or speedboat from Semarang or Jepara, which will take between 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

CANDOLIM, GOA Tucked away from other touristic beach spots in Goa, Candolim Village is an untouched paradise that has retained all the charm and appeal of a beach attraction that’s far, far away from the madding crowd. Accommodation is plenty while food and drinks are readily available at thatched kiosks dotted all over the beach. The pull here, however, is the near deserted beaches, shrub covered dunes and the rolling ocean.

Side activities include yoga classes at local yoga centres and shopping for Portuguese influenced local arts and craft. candolimgoa.com GETTING THERE AirAsia flies four times a week to Bangalore from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details. To get to Candolim, fly domestic to Goa.

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Boracay has established itself as the grand dame of islands within Asia and for good reason. This gem of an island topped the list on the 2012 Top 10 Beach Destinations in Asia and came in sixth in 2012 Top 25 Beach Destinations in the World in polls

by TripAdvisor.com. Recently, Travel + Leisure magazine also ranked Boracay second among Top Islands in Asia, and #4 among Top Islands Overall in its World’s Best Awards readers’ survey. Often called the crown jewel of Filipino tourism, Boracay boasts powdery white stretches of beach and tantalising aquamarine waters. For those who want to do more than just lounge on deck chairs by the beach, the destination also offers seaside activities like sailing, wind surfing, snorkelling, diving and jet skiing. www.boracayisland.org

IMAGE: INMAGINE

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Do you think your personal choice of AirAsia Awesome Destination is better than those listed here? Share with us your suggestions at www.facebook.com/travel3sixty

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HERON ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

IMAGE: INMAGINE

The tiny island, located within the Great Barrier Reef, is a haven for swimmers, snorkelers and divers alike as you need not take trips out to experience the stunning coral reef and diverse marine life. Located about 89kms off the coast of Queensland at Gladstone, the cay is surrounded by amazing coral gardens and sea creatures that flourish in abundance in its warm waters. July to November is the best time to spot humpback whales in these waters at Capricornia Bunker region. www.heronisland.com GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies four times a week to Gold Coast, Australia from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details. To get to Heron Island, catch a domestic flight from nearby Brisbane to Gladstone.

REDANG ISLAND, MALAYSIA The East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia boasts many beautiful beaches along its shoreline, and Redang Island in Terengganu is renowned for its white beaches, crystal clear waters and amazing marine life. About 45kms from the mainland, Redang Island comprises nine islands and is a marvelous playground for reef fishes and turtles. It goes without saying that snorkelling and scuba-diving are popular pastimes here. The islands have recorded over 500 unique live corals, and more than 3,000 species of fishes such as rays, sharks and other marine creatures. www.redang.org GETTING THERE AirAsia flies three times daily to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details. To get to Redang Island, catch a ferry from Shahbandar Jetty in Kuala Terengganu or Merang Jetty.

IMAGE: INMAGINE

DA NANG, VIETNAM This port city located between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is the latest addition to AirAsia’s routes in Vietnam. While it does have some unspoilt beaches that have hardly been touched by mass tourism, Da Nang is also the jumping off point to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Hoi An, Hue and My Son. A destination with sun, sand and heritage all wrapped in one is hard to come by, so make sure to include this city in your bucket list.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies four times a week to Da Nang from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

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OTHER AWESOME HOTSPOTS! Tiananmen Square

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies four times a week to Guilin from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

MACAU X Take a walk around the 61st floor of the Macau Tower by signing up for the Skywalk X activity by AJ Hackett.

X Tuck into Macau’s famed egg-custard tarts at Lord Stowe’s Café.

X Visit the ruins of the Church of St Paul, just off Senado Square.

X Take a gondola ride at the Venetian Macau.

IMAGE: ADAM LEE

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Macau from Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

X Climb the world famous Great Wall of China at Badaling.

AWESOME CHINA

GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies direct to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur.

Go to www.airasia.com for details.

CHENGDU

GUILIN

X Visit the four sacred Buddhist mountains: Mount Emei, Wutai Mountain, Jiuhua Mountain and Putong Mountain.

X Visit Lijiang Folk Customs Garden to learn more about the cultures and practices of the Guangzi, Miao, Yao, Dong and Zhuang nationalities.

X Learn more about Du Fu, one of China’s renowned poets by visiting his home that has been turned into a literature and commemorative museum.

X Hike up Mount Qingcheng and enjoy the experience at one of the country’s most important Taoist sites.

X See adorable pandas at the Panda Breeding and Research Centre.

GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies four times a week to Chengdu from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

BEIJING X Hop into a rowboat and float along the waters of Beihai Park.

X Check out one of the hutongs (back alleys) and discover the China of the past.

X Visit the Temple of Heaven, China’s largest place of worship. This attraction, located in Tiantan Park, is a World Heritage Site.

X Visit 798 Art district to witness the new direction of the local arts scene.

X Marvel at the Bird’s Nest, Water Cube and other Olympic attractions.

X Snap a picture at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

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X Get a glimpse of how royalty lived in the past at Jingjiang Royal Residence.

X Visit the natural Ludi Yan (Reed Flute Cave) and enjoy an hour of sailing through caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

X Marvel at the Li River karst formations that have been called the ‘most beautiful scenery under heaven’.

Lesser Three Gorges, Wushan Chongqing

CHONGQING X Fengdu Ghost City, about one and a half hour’s drive from Chongqing, is famed for its shrines and temples. However, some of these are submerged underwater due to the construction of the 3 Gorges Dam. X Xueyu Cave is located along the Yangtze Kiang and is called the most beautiful cave in China.

X Zhang Fei Temple has been reconstructed and relocated but remains a repository of literary, calligraphy and art works.

X Visit Eling Park to catch a glimpse of the city at night. The park, once one of the earliest private gardens in the city, was built in 1909.

X Cruise on the waters of the Lesser Three Gorges, in Wushan County (about 450 km from the city).

X Witness the amazing rock carvings at Dazu County.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Chongqing from Bangkok.

Go to www.airasia.com for details.

South Korea

AWESOME SOUTH KOREA

AWESOME INDIA

SEOUL

X Maidan Fort is to locals what Central Park is to New Yorkers. Stroll through the park and enjoy the local sights.

KOLKATA

X Changdeokgung, a World Heritage Site, offers visitors a glimpse into how the royals lived in the past.

X Victoria Memorial in Kolkata houses photos and effigies of important historical personalities.

X Insadong District is the place to go to explore the artistic side of Seoul with numerous antique store and art galleries offering genuine finds.

X Unleash your inner child at Lotte World.

X Namsangol Traditional Korean Village offers cultural insights into the various social levels of the Joseon Dynasty.

X The Marble Palace is an exquisite gallery with a treasure trove of arts, sculptures and oil paintings, including Reuben masterpieces.

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

X Hungry? Head to Nizam’s or Flury’s for a meal or coffee when in Kolkata.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies three times a week to Kolkata from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

BANGALORE

GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies four times a week to Seoul from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

X Step back in time when visiting Tipu Sultan’s Palace. The area surrounding the home of the ‘Tiger of Mysore’, who reigned during the 16th century, is dotted with attractions like the Krishnarajendra Market, Jama Masjid and Venkataraman Temple.

AWESOME JAPAN OSAKA

X Love tea? Then Cha Bar is the place for you. If sight-seeing is not your cup of tea, this may just be. Choose from over 20 types of tea.

X Have a fun day out at Universal Studios Japan.

X Kids will love a trip to Osaka Aquarium, just past Tempozan Marketplace.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies four times a week to Bangalore from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

X Osaka Castle is a treasure trove of more than 10,000 historical items.

X Learn more about Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warrior and general who built Osaka-jo castle after he unified Japan around 1580.

AWESOME SRI LANKA COLOMBO

GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies four times a week to Osaka from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

TOKYO X Check out Ameya-yokochõ for interesting souvenirs to bring home and for a taste of local culture.

X Higashi-gyõen is the only part of the Imperial Palace that tourists have access to. Once in, head over to the Museum of Imperial Artworks, to view stunning works of art.

X Edo Tokyo Museum offers a glimpse of everything you need to know about Tokyo’s history.

GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies daily to Tokyo from Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.com for details.

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Japanese girls in kimonos.

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

X Wolvendaal Church, built in 1749 by the Dutch, is a sight to behold thanks to the unique pews made from ebony. This building is one of the few remnants of the time when the Dutch ruled the country.

X Besides being home to elaborate gifts by well-wishers, Gangaramaya Temple houses a library and museum.

X Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is said to be the spot where Lord Buddha preached some 2,000 years ago. The temple houses an exquisite carving of a reclining Buddha.

X Pettah is Colombo’s leading bazaar that offers great bargains on clothes, footwear and even gemstones.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Colombo from Kuala Lumpur and three time a week from Bangkok. Go to www.airasia. com for details.

!

R E V T S E E B E H T T E G D ing in to LCCT

flights com able on ALL

Avail

except from

Singapore

I A P E R MOBILE P .

N W O T DEAL IN

Super IDD Rates:

Data:

5 sen/1MB

Australia RM0.16 China RM0.15 India RM0.14

Calls:

16 sen/min

SMS:

5 sen/sms Ask that nice looking flight attendant that you have been ‘admiring’ about our SIM cards. Definitely a valid reason (if you don’t already have one) to break the ice. Go ahead. Could be your lucky day. And if it is, you’d already have a mobile prepaid service you could use.

Cheap rates to make those calls too. Best deal? Definitely.

Also available at our kiosk at the International Arrival, LCCT.

/TuneTalk

@TuneTalk

www.tunetalk.com

7 FEATURE • Myanmar 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

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The Irrawaddy is Myanmar’s largest river and its most important waterway for trade and transport. Cruising the Irrawaddy is a great way to experience the backwaters of this nation – heading downstream from Bhamo to Bagan.

DOWN IRRAWADDY WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL BUCKLEY

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It has been a landmark year for Myanmar. The country has seen major reforms, sanctions lifted, debt waived and economy untethered. Hot on the heels of these reforms is tourism. The Myanmarese are not accustomed to large-scale tourism, but they are friendly and genuinely curious. The feeling is probably mutual with visitors too. What the locals regard as mundane is brimming with a sense of wonder to the foreign eye.

Take the game of chinlon for instance. The game is similar to volleyball but only the feet and head are used to hit the rattan ball. Foreign visitors, however, will be spellbound with the athleticism and vigour though the locals will be mainly amused seeing you fascinated.

There is no finer way to rub shoulders with the locals than to travel by boat. My plan was to fly to Bhamo 88

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in northern Myanmar and meander downstream for some 500 kilometres to the famed archeological site of Bagan – taking in village life, markets and riverine commerce along the way. Officially, the river is known as the Ayeyarwady but I could never get my tongue around that, let alone remember how to spell it. I simply use the old name: Irrawaddy.

BEGIN AT BHAMO Bhamo, my starting point, is a lively town. Close to the riverbank is a busy street market with vendors crouched over their displays of vegetables, fruit, flowers and fish.

The vendors were predominantly women with cheeks smeared with thanakha (a sandalwood-like paste, used

LEFT: Local pottery for sale in Shwegu BELOW: A fish vendor at a local market along the river.

PRECEDING PAGES: Passengers disembarking from a fast boat at Katha.

as moisturiser and sunblock). In the background, bicycle taxis waited, operated by men wearing longyi (sarong) with teeth turned garishly red from chewing betelnut.

I decided to take a submarine-shaped 'fast-boat' for the ride to Shwegu. The boat is packed to the rafters – every seat spoken for and every space packed with passengers sitting on the roof, along with their luggage.

On boarding, I quickly discovered two things: Firstly, even if the boat is packed, a seat will be cleared for you because you are a ‘VIP’. As a foreigner, you pay three times more than the locals and this entitled me to a decent VIP seat.

Secondly: You will not starve while on the boat. At every stop along the way, floating vendors stormed the boat like pirates, looking for a quick sale. They

enthusiastically shouted their wares, ranging from sticky rice, fresh pineapple and sweet drinks. Alongside the boat, a flotilla of small boats gathered, carrying a complex array of curry dishes and rice, all to be assembled and handed out in small containers to hungry passengers.

The boat made another stop but not for food this time.

This time of year, the tide was low. At one point, the vessel ran aground on a sandbar. Some passengers got down and tried pushing the boat but to no avail, while others alighted onto a narrow strip of sand to take the weight off.

Eventually another vessel towed my boat off the sandbar and the trip resumed, passing through narrow passes between high cliffs capped with thick jungle.

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ABOVE: Locals unloading vegetables transported by boat in Katha.

CYCLING IN BAGAN Bagan is best experienced on a bicycle. The place is best described as an archeological labyrinth, spread over a vast area. I quickly figured out that the best way to see this place is to hire a guide – also on a bicycle – to handle the navigation. The payoff? The guide took me to obscure spots that are normally not listed in many guidebooks.

Mysterious Bagan hosts a wondrous array of brick-andstucco temples in varying stages of ruin or reconstruction. From the 11th to 13th centuries, Bagan's rulers indulged in a temple-building spree, vying to out-do each other. Bagan is also a pilgrimage spot for the locals.

Among the holy places are Ananda Pahto that houses large teak Buddhas facing the cardinal directions; Sulamani Pahto that’s famed for its fine interior ornamental work and frescoes; Shwezigon Paya that qualifies as the most active temple of the region; and Dhammayazika Paya, with its delightful gardenenclosed design, affording excellent views of the region.

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PRECEDING PAGE, LEFT: An airborne chinlon player as he smashes a rattan ball over the net.

PRECEDING PAGE, RIGHT: A young woman in Bhamo with thanakha on her face prepares betel leaves.

SHWEGU AND KATHA Eventually, four hours behind schedule, we reached Shwegu, a sleepy town where the specialty is local pottery. The pottery from this region relies on boats to reach markets further south. In Shwegu, I made a trip to a nearby island that housed a crumbling collection of pagodas, most of which have been reclaimed by the encroaching jungle. Judging from the stares cast in my direction, not many foreigners got off the boat in Shwegu.

Another riverboat took me west to the town of Katha. The locals made good use of the river for bathing, washing clothes and cooking. Vessels plying the waters ranged from double-decked steamers to rafts made of bamboo lashed together. The latter is not really a boat; it is the cargo itself. Bamboo being floated downstream for sale becomes the vessel and the medium of transport. Docked right near my guesthouse in Katha was a refitted 16-berth riverboat, the RV Katha Pandaw, with teak floors and luxury features.

At the open-air markets in Katha I spotted a long line of orange-robed monks out collecting

Are there any places in Myanmar off the beaten track that should be included in a visitor’s travel itinerary?

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food, which is part of their daily routine. I followed them down backstreets and alleys on a delightful countryside ramble that took me along dusty, red earth tracks, where big-wheeled ox-carts were still in use. This was the real Myanmar that not many tourists were privy to.

MOORED AT MANDALAY Having gleefully followed the monks, I realised I needed to be on the boat to get to Mandalay.

Thankfully the fast-boat was still waiting for me as I made a madcap rush to it. It was going to be a long journey that would pass through stunning valleys dotted with gilded temple domes.

After sleepy villages thus far, Mandalay came as a shock. It was a big city with hectic traffic, but beneath the modern layers of mayhem lay an ancient resonance. Mandalay was once the capital of the region and its architecture spoke volumes of the fine craftsmanship of the local people. Wood was the main medium here, and teak palaces and temples once stood majestically over the plains. Most of these structures are long gone now but I was told

LEFT: Monks on their rounds in the early morning, collecting food from donors.

LEFT, BELOW: A floating vendor with food for sale.

TRAVEL TIPS RIVER BOATS X The best season to travel on the Irrawaddy is October to March, when water levels are higher. During the hot season, the water levels may be too low while travelling during the monsoon season may be quite unpleasant.

X On the upper Irrawaddy, the Myitkyina to Bhamo stretch is currently closed to foreigners.

Public vessels ply the waters between Bhamo and Mandalay.

Costs are low, although the Mandalay to Bagan section is pricier. Amara Cruise (www. amaragroup.net) uses teak boats built in traditional style for the six-night cruise from Bhamo to Bagan. Other service providers include Pandaw Cruises (www. pandaw.com) and Ayravata Cruises (www.ayravatacruises.com).

MONEY MATTERS

two still survived. I quickly hired a motorcycle guide and headed to Shwenandaw Kyaung, a small 19th century royal temple. The panels outside were once gilded and decorated, but have now been weathered down or removed. However, the interior panels were in excellent shape, attesting to the great skills of local wood-carvers. The second building was located to the southwest of Mandalay. Shwe In Bin Kyaung was a tiny temple but resplendent with exquisite woodcarving detailing on the doors and interior. Both temples undoubtedly were amazing relics from the past that continued to draw in the crowds with their stunning design and fine craftsmanship.

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Thinking I had visited all there was to be seen, my guide quickly proved me wrong by taking me to the U Bein Bridge, an elevated structure that rests on teak pillars. Sunset photos of U Bein with locals crossing are among the most iconic images of Myanmar.

From Mandalay, I hoped on a tourist boat bound for Bagan, at a hefty cost of USD45 for the passage.

The boat soon arrived in open water, which meant the potential for scenery was much reduced. After a long day on the water, I docked close to Bagan, site of the first Myanmar kingdom. The river trip ended and a new voyage on land began for me.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Yangon from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Go to www.airasia.com for flight details.

Because Myanmar has been cut off from the international banking system for so long, the only way to handle expenses in the country is with US dollars.

Bring lots of US dollars for your trip. The greenbacks must be in mint condition: No marks, minor tears or creases (banks there will reject such bills). Larger expenses like airfares and hotel bills can only be settled in US dollars cash, not in local kyat. Only a few, high-end hotels in Yangon accept credit cards, with a hefty commission charged. There are currently no ATMs in Burma that accept international cards. The best exchange rates for cash dollars to Burmese kyat are offered in Yangon and Mandalay. And take along a lot of small kyat bills too!

7 FEATURE • Jakarta 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

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Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and home to close to 10 million citizens, is a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures and traditions from years and years of migration to this amazing city. Though hurtling towards modernisation, the city continues to charm with its hidden gems and historical attractions.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: EDGAR ALAN ZETA-YAP

LEFT: A young street performer at Fatahillah Square.

‘Jakarta is the Big Durian – it’s not everyone's fruit of choice,’ a local friend Dody Cahyadi cautioned me with a grin as I made plans to visit the capital of Indonesia. His analogy failed to discourage me, however. For one thing, exploring often overlooked destinations has always excited me. Besides, I’ve always relished the luscious ‘King of Fruits’. In any case, I accepted my friend’s parting words: ‘Embrace the unexpected.’ The steamy megapolis – the most populous in Southeast Asia is, without a doubt, an acquired taste. The uninformed tourist would most probably skip this heaving mass of humanity and scoot off to the cultural heart of Yogyakarta or the shimmering water of Bali in a flash. But spare this city a second look – seen through the enlightened lenses of culture and history – and you will acquire rewarding perspectives, as I discovered while wandering its old-world quarters.

OLD IS GOLD Alighting from the northern terminus of the TransJakarta busway, my hunt for history led me straight to Kota Tua or Old Town, a 1.3 square kilometre area in northwest Jakarta, where Dutch colonisers – lured by the lucrative scent of spices – established a bustling outpost in the late 16th century. They named the settlement Batavia, after the ancient name of Holland – Insula Batavorumit (Island of Batavi).

Through the centuries, significant parts of the Old Town have been devoured by urban development, but a few surviving structures remain for visitors to discover.

Most of the action here centres around Taman Fatahillah, a cobblestone public square named after the Javanese general

who, on behalf of the rival Sultanate of Demak, recaptured the Portuguese-controlled trading post of Sunda Kelapa in 1526, and renamed it Jayakarta – meaning the ‘victorious city’ – which was later shortened in the 20th century to its present-day name, Jakarta. A quaint fountain, which once supplied water to the colony, sits in the middle of the square, providing a relaxing spot to observe the busy activities: Expats sipping coffee at a café; young couples touring on vintage bicycles; and street performers swallowing fire to the amazement of cheering onlookers.

Built in 1710, the Stadhuis (City Hall) of Batavia lords over the entire scene like the wealthy merchants of old. This was the administrative building of the Dutch colonial government. Prior to this, the Dutch East India Company or VOC (Vereenigde OostIndische Compagnie), a chartered company established in 1602 to profit from the Malukan spice trade occupied the building. Possessing governmental authority, the company expanded its colonial activities throughout Asia. So vast was its power and influence that the VOC is considered the first multi-national corporation in the world!

Today, the Stadhuis houses the Jakarta History Museum (currently closed for renovation), which chronicles the city’s past from its prehistory, colonisation and period of national independence. Circling the square, smaller structures complete the historical townscape. Located in a less conspicuous colonial structure to the right of the old city hall is the Wayang Museum, formerly a Dutch warehouse built in 1912. On display there is an extensive collection of Javanese wayang puppetry, as well as puppets from around Asia to as far as France and Surinam.

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VINTAGE BREW Besides visiting the museums at Kota Tua, a more immersive colonial experience one shouldn’t miss is soaking in the atmosphere at Café Batavia. “It’s expensive, but the vintage ambience, great service, and delicious food – especially the dumplings – are all worth the price tag,” enthused Kartini Tampubolon, another Jakartan friend. I couldn’t agree more.

Constructed from 1805 to 1850, the twostorey building opposite the Stadhuis is the second oldest in Taman Fatahillah. In 1993, it was converted to an elegant bistro with shuttered windows, teak floors, antiques and

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old photographs – a marvelous throwback to the heydays of the eponymous colony. I found the atmosphere all too inviting not to enjoy a moment’s respite over a glass of coffee at the upper salon, overlooking the square.

LOCAL DELICACIES If café culture is not your cup of tea, you can always go local with Jakarta’s savoury street food like nasi goreng ayam (fried chicken rice) or bakso (meatball soup) sold on sidewalk stalls and pushcarts. The former is best enjoyed with a generous dollop of sambal (chili paste). Along the edge of the square,

a traditional dish I particularly enjoyed – and one especially worth mentioning – is kerak telor; a spicy omelette made from glutinous rice and duck egg topped with shallots, shredded coconut and dried shrimp. This savoury dish is unique to the Jakarta region.

During colonial times, it was only served in big parties for government officials and wealthy natives of the colony. Today, this street food is fast losing its popularity and, sadly, getting harder to come by. So, if you spot some whilst exploring Kota Tua, don’t miss the opportunity to snack on this unique treat that may soon become extinct!

LEFT: Bicycles for rent at Fatahillah Square.

BELOW: The Jakarta History Museum.

OJEK TO THE RESCUE!

Worried about getting caught in traffic jams? Then, opt for ojek!

These motorcycle taxis are cheap, fast and will get you to just about any obscure spot in the city. You’ll find the ojek service riders hanging around in front of popular places in the city. Approach them, tell them your destination, agree on a price, insist on a helmet, hop on and have the ride of your life!

There is even a luxury ojek service that ferries you around on larger, safer motorbikes!

HARBOURING A PAST Beyond the public square, along the grand canal of Kali Besar that, in the past, ran through a prestigious residential district, are more intriguing sights. Spanning the waterway is Jembatan Kota Intan (also called the Chicken Market Bridge), a quaint 17th century Dutch drawbridge – the last of its kind in the city – through which merchant ships once sailed through to deliver highly prized loads of pepper, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon to the VOC warehouses. Today, some of these dilapidated warehouses have been

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BETAWI CULTURE

Unique to Jakarta, the Betawi culture is a hybrid culture that fuses the native elements of many ethnic communities who have made the city their home for centuries.

The city dwellers are predominantly from other parts of Java, Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Papua, and local Chinese and even foreigners. With intermarriage and cross cultural activities, a special group known as Orang Betawi emerged. At present, they represent one of the city’s major ethnic communities alongside the Javanese, Sundanese and Chinese. Interestingly, the Betawi Malay language is the favoured lingo amongst young Jakartans.

LEFT: A street vendor selling kerak telor.

ABOVE: Pinisi schooners at Sunda Kelapa port.

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rehabilitated to become maritime museums.

The retired drawbridge stood frozen in time, with a viscous sense of nostalgia clinging to its reddish ironworks.

But, in my opinion, no other place in the old-quarters recreates the past like the harbour of Sunda Kelapa, where East and West mingled and transacted. In the past, vessels from Europe, China, India and across Indonesia exchanged exotic goods here.

Presently, massive two-masted schooners called pinisi still lie moored before long voyages to other islands in the world’s largest archipelago, just as they have for centuries.

These magnificent sea crafts were patterned after the full-rigged pinnace developed by the Dutch in the early 1600s. Today, motorised

versions are used to transport commercial goods around the country. Long and narrow planks of wood support labourers who haul sacks of cement and other cargo into the waiting ships. I spent a couple of hours walking down the pier, and exploring the weathered boat decks, as the sky turned crimson behind the chaotic silhouette of masts and rope work. Sitting on a wooden crate aboard a pinisi, I found the Batavia of my imagination.

PUPPET PLAY Upon returning to Fatahillah square by nightfall, I saw the crowd thicken around a rowdy ondel-ondel, a traditional Betawi

folk dance that used giant puppets to represent ancestral guardians who protect villagers against evil spirits. As one of the few Indonesian folk dances that have survived modernisation, the ondel-ondel is performed today to enliven public events – in this case, a motorcycle owners' convention – and also to welcome guests of honour. The wideeyed, brightly dressed effigies swirled to the celebratory din of gamelan, delighting the spectators. And, as I witnessed the dervish reach a hypnotic crescendo, I mused that the quarters of Kota Tua would one day also enjoy a similar renaissance.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Jakarta from various destinations.

Go to www.airasia.com for flight details.

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NIGHTLIFE IN JAKARTA

The city is a pulsating swirl of clubs, discos, watering holes and restaurants. International acts frequently descend on Jakarta, and the vibe is fun, fun, fun!

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT is the place where city dwellers and ofďŹ ce workers congregate for after-hour fun. The areas around Plaza Senayan, Plaza Indonesia and Mega Kuningan are crowd favourites

KEMANG is located in South Jakarta and attracts expats and the local hip set. Great restaurants and lounges are found here.

BLOK M located in South Jakarta is packed with pubs, bars and clubs catering mostly for singles.

THE ANCOL area in North Jakarta has a more relaxed, beachside vibe.

Note: Most nightlife spots in Indonesia shut down for the whole of the fasting month of Ramadhan, or close shop for business at midnight daily.

LEFT: Ondel-ondel giant puppets.

JOY IN JAKARTA Jakarta is a

massive city and very metropolitan in nature. Though its traffic congestion often comes to mind, the city itself has a host of exciting and happening venues that rival some of the biggest cities in the world.

TAMAN MINI INDONESIA Experience the whole of Indonesia at this cultural park that recreates a microcosmic version of the

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archipelago. All 27 provinces of the country are represented in life-size replicas and architecture.

is a popular spot to buy all things related to the ocean.

GEDUNG KESENIAN JAKARTA Watch local

PULAU SERIBU Just 45kms from the city

cultural and visiting performances at this meticulously restored Rococo and NeoGrecian building. gedungkesenianjakarta.co.id

centre, this is a cluster of about 120 islands, cays and coral atolls scattered throughout Jakarta Bay. Locals make frequent getaways to enjoy the pristine waters and almost untouched islands here. The jumping off point to Pulau Seribu is from Ancol Marina.

MUSEUM BAHARI & FISH MARKET Located at the mouth of the Ciliwung River, the museum is a treasure trove of all things related to the maritime industry. The market

7 FEATURE • Sri Lanka 0 2012

NE W

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BRIGHT

BEGINNINGS

Located at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, the city of Jaffna is slowly but surely recovering from its war ravaged past. Armed with history and culture, the city’s greatest draw is the boundless energy, hospitality and positivity of its people.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: HANNAH STUART-LEACH

LEFT: An auto rickshaw parked in front of the candy striped Nallur temple with its ornately decorated gopura or entrance tower.

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RIGHT: An artisan from the Vishvakarma caste working on rebuilding the intricate carvings on temples.

OPPOSITE PAGE: A typically vibrant depiction of the Hindu deity Shiva inside Nallur temple.

“It’s important to understand what locals have been through in their recent history to understand their psyche, and to reimagine how the place must have appeared going right back to its medieval past as a kingdom.”

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“Come sister, sit down,” the jolly assistant in the music shop said, exuberantly grabbing a chair from behind the counter, which he placed between the impossibly cramped collection of Tamil movies and CDs. Dashing out the back, he emerged seconds later proudly producing Divine Hymns, its cover adorned with a kaleidoscopic depiction of Shiva – the Hindu deity known as both the destroyer and the restorer.

Having arrived in Jaffna that morning on an 11-hour night bus from Colombo, I was happy to take a break, and the cool of the shop was a welcome respite from the dusty, scorched streets. I had popped into the shop to buy Gayatri Mantra, the catchy and somehow soothing melody that I’d heard jauntily spilling out of shops and homes earlier. Revered in Hinduism, the 28:11 minute version on the CD I’d been given was rejuvenating. It was destined to be the soundtrack to my trip.

A CITY AT PEACE With spent bullets still studding the roads and once-glorious homes reduced to rubble,

the physical marks of Sri Lanka’s 26-year war were still evident. But despite much of the fighting having taken place in Jaffna Province and surrounding areas and only ending in 2009, I was struck immediately by the peaceful countenance and zest for life of its people.

Although not touristy in the typical sense, Jaffna is infinitely friendly to tourists. You won’t find it easy to get your hands on Western food, and comprehensive travel advice is scarce but locals are keen to help and English is widely spoken by the Tamils, who place great value on education. Frequently, I was greeted as ‘sister’, an endearing welcome considering I was a total stranger.

Maps weren’t available when I visited but a lovely lady in the library spent half an hour rifling through books to find the best alternative – a vastly over-scaled, hand drawing depicting the nearby islands – and photocopied it for me. The scant number of international visitors though meant hotel rooms were easy to come by and auto rickshaw drivers more likely to charge a reasonable fee than elsewhere in Sri Lanka, renowned for its inflated tourist charges.

TALES FROM THE PAST Behind every building in Jaffna lies a back story from the war. From the crumbling Portuguese Fort to the graffiti-daubed noblemen’s home, the war has hewn indelible marks on the physical landscape as much as it has on the people’s mind. It’s important to understand what locals have been through in their recent history to understand their psyche, and to reimagine how the place must have appeared going right back to its medieval past as a kingdom.

Where I stayed for instance, the Gnanams Hotel in the heart of the city on Clock Tower Road, was previously an army base, located as it was in the high-security zone. Although now cheerily staffed and bedecked with rainbow-woven lampshades and gaudy parrot ornaments, I could still picture its strife ridden past.

Other buildings in the city suffered a similar fate but have been given a new lease of life such as the Jaffna Library on Main Street. Although burned along with most of its books in the early 1980s when it was one of the biggest in Asia, it has been rebuilt and TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

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“As I settled onto the bus back to Colombo at around 10.00pm on my final evening, my bag stuffed full of bubblegum-bright candy and crimson and gold sari fabric, I couldn’t sleep.”

ABOVE: Colourful floral garlands for sale in front of a temple in Jaffna.

ABOVE, RIGHT: The Rio Ice Cream is a modest and cheap offering, but one that is most appreciated in the Tropics.

stands stronger as the city’s hub. To me, the magnificent white building with a proud statue of the goddess of learning, Saraswati, in its manicured gardens was a powerful metaphor for determination in the face of adversity.

SPIRITUAL CENTRES As well as education, faith is a huge part of the local culture. One of the most noticeable characteristics of Jaffna is the reliance on the Hindu temple, or kovil, where locals go not just to worship but to socialize as well. The ancient city reveals historic temples, churches and mosques to cater for all faiths, but the candy-striped kovil are where most of the action takes place given that the vast majority of Jaffna’s population is Hindu.

Don’t be afraid to wander in to one.

Whilst you may attract nervous smiles, the sensory experience is transfixing. Just before sundown, there are lively instrumentals amid 108

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plumes of intoxicating incense. There are no nightclubs or bars, so this is where leisure time is spent after the prayers are completed.

The main tourist spot is Nallur Temple, a 10-minute ride out of town. Grandiose and imposing, it is a captivating sight. I arrived to see a swami kneeling down to kiss the hot sandy ground before entering. The main temple was closed for his private meditation, away from tourist glare, explained the luxuriantly bearded attendant in one of the temple’s smaller buildings. Trying to explain the meaning of some of the 330 million Hindu deities to me, and the reason for the elaborate décor of the temples, which feature the deities in technicolour on the towers, he resolved simply, “In Hinduism, we have too much.”

Wide-eyed over the fantastical vibrancy of Jaffna, I stared in fascination.

I left Nallur past a bare-chested elderly man selling jaggery and grape juice, and took a stroll up Point Pedro Road. The leafy, sleepy

street came as a surprise after the city centre, where there was a perpetual buzz past its shops, as men bounded from painted JaffnaColombo trucks and unloaded crates of cola and other goodies.

Instead, a few people passed leisurely on rusty Singer bikes or chugged by in Morris Minors, enjoying the quiet birdsong and romantic magic of the place. I picked a jasmine flower and put it behind my ear as I’d seen others do. Its sweet and delicate perfume was just the right scent to match this sedate and charming rural side of Jaffna.

A DOSE OF COLOUR Jaffna is full of skilled craftsmanship and a real treat for lovers of the aesthetic. Even the markets were splashed in brighter colours than any others I’d seen before. The central market in town stood out like a beacon in canary yellow, with its speakers pumping the latest Tamil beats onto Hospital Road.

Amid the frenetic whir of traffic, human and bovine – the sacred cow is free to come and go as it pleases – you’ll see rows of giltedged saris hanging in shops, distinct from

ABOVE: Bicycles are a popular mode of transport in this city, where traffic is less noxious than in other Sri Lankan cities.

those worn in the rest of the country. Wedding shops here are also stimulating visual feasts with flower garlands and beads dripping from the ceilings, and rich, shimmering fabrics for temple offerings piled up high.

Find a local guide to take you out to the suburbs to see artisans in action too. You will likely be approached with a kindly offer.

But if not, just ask around – I found people were eager to show me their Jaffna. The bubbly photographer and Jaffna University art teacher Jethees, was my guide. He took me to see the Vishwakarma caste, the street of artists he was born into, and his family’s workshop. There I met his brother and other men drafted in from India to help rebuild all the wooden carved horses and carriages for which Jaffna is famed for. As the men worked tirelessly on the intricate carvings, Jethees took me to see his latest project – a temple he was building and painting from scratch.

If crafts isn’t your thing, head for the beaches and temples of two of the nearby islands – the biggest being Kayts and Delft.

The latter is where Jaffna’s wild horses roam, 110

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descendants of those abandoned after the Dutch invasion. But take a sick bag and expect a rickety, heaving boat, as Sri Lankans now flock to see what has become of a place they may never have had the opportunity to see until now.

As I settled onto the bus back to Colombo at around 10.00pm on my final evening, my bag stuffed full of bubblegum-bright candy and crimson and gold sari fabric, I couldn’t sleep. The intensity of heat seemed to be matched only by the intensity of the people’s positive spirit. I thought back to the words of a Sri Lankan friend of mine – an artist – who’d advised me before I left, “Just enjoy being there.” Thinking that was a cop-out at the time, I realised that was the best travel tip for such an enchanting place. Jaffna is not about visiting tourist sites or spectacular natural vistas – although both exist – it’s about being in the presence of a furiously dynamic community restoring what was once destroyed.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Colombo, Sri Lanka daily from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Go to www.airasia.con for flight details.

GET THE SCOOP As well as its spicy South Indian influenced food, Jaffna is known for its showy ice-cream sundaes.

You can get ice-cream from almost any restaurant – Hotel Rolex (hotel means café in Sri Lanka) - on 340 Hospital Road is a good spot for sweets and savouries. But to make more of an occasion of it, head to Rio Ice Cream on 448A Point Pedro Road.

It offers an indulgent selection with most items piled high with showers of fruit, chocolate and other sweet treats. The cheapest – an ample threescoop wonder overloaded with sauce and toppings – costs only 70 Sri Lankan rupees.

JOURNEY TO JAFFNA Bus services between Colombo and Jaffna are numerous, and although foreign nationals should expect to be charged more, you shouldn’t pay much in excess of LKR1,300. Although there are outlets all over the city, Galle Road in Wellawatta, Colombo 6, is a good place to find ticket booths.

Karuna Express (+94 (0) 7973287123) is a reliable operator too.

Don’t forget your passport. There are still military checkpoints entering the north. So foreigners should expect to be woken in the night during bus journeys and asked to provide ID and details of their trip.

7 PILOT’S PERSPECTIVE 0 2012

THE 10 MEMORY ITEMS

IMAGE: INMAGINE

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A PILOT HAS A LOT ON HIS PLATE WHEN HE STEPS INTO THE COCKPIT TO GET READY FOR A FLIGHT. IT’S QUITE DIFFERENT COMPARED TO WHAT A MOTORIST FACES WHEN INSIDE A CAR. AS THE PILOT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MANY LIVES IN A VERY EXPENSIVE FLYING MACHINE, HE IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST CHECKED, EVALUATED AND TESTED INDIVIDUALS ON EARTH.

although he need not memorise each and every one of the potential emergencies that can happen during a flight. However, there are critical events that require split second solutions and decisions, as the luxury of time is generally not available in averting a disaster.

Hence, there are the 10 mandatory Memory Items devised

by Airbus to cope with emergency situations.

MEMORY ITEM #1 & #2

HOW TO HANDLE WIND SHEAR BEFORE TAKE-OFF AND DURING FLIGHT Nowadays, many accidents can be avoided because the aircraft is installed with a system that predicts wind shear and, warns the pilot to either abort the take-off (Memory Item #1) or, if caught whilst taking off, to apply maximum thrust immediately (Memory Item #2).

In 1985, a Delta Airline TriStar in the USA crashed while landing at Dallas-Fort Worth airport due to wind shear that the pilot could not address in time.

MEMORY ITEM #3

WORDS: CAPT. LIM KHOY HING

HOW TO HANDLE POTENTIAL IMPACT WITH TERRAIN

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Firstly, there is a mandatory test called Base Check conducted every six months that covers all potential flight emergencies, which pilots have to undergo to ensure they are physically, mentally and emotionally capable of flying and safeguarding the welfare of their passengers. As such, an individual needs to be on top of his game from the day TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

he becomes a pilot right up to his retirement to be entrusted with flying a plane.

In this month's article, Capt.

Lim Khoy Hing shares how pilots fly their passengers safely in the air guided by the 10 Memory Items.

THE MAGIC BAG The many skills a pilot must have,

besides being able to fly adeptly, can be found in the brain – the 'magic bag' that contains the 10 most critical memory items.

Basically, memory items are the drills a pilot must recognise immediately without referring to any checklists when confronted with an emergency.

A pilot has many checklists that he needs to be familiar with

Currently, an enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) warns the pilot when the aircraft is dangerously close to a mountain.

The EGPWS uses the aircraft’s position, altitude, air speed and glide path, which along with its airport database, predict a potential conflict between the aircraft's flight path and the terrain. Even so, the pilot must memorise the immediate actions to be taken in case he is trapped in a high terrain area unexpectedly.

In December 1995, an American Airlines Boeing 757 was on a scheduled flight from Miami International Airport to Cali in Colombia but crashed into a mountain due to navigational error.

An aircraft does not ‘stall’ in midair like a car. However, all AirAsia pilots are meticulously trained to apply Memory Item #9 and #10 in such events in ensuring a safe flight.

Nine seconds before the plane hit the mountain, the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) sounded the alarm, announcing an imminent terrain collision. The captain attempted to climb clear of the mountain.

However, the spoilers (device used to increase the descent rate) that were deployed earlier to i t th d reduced d d assist the d descentt h had the climb rate. The aircraft, unfortunately, hit the mountain near its peak.

It was shown by researchers that had the pilot retracted the spoilers, (part of the memory drill on the Airbus), they would probably have cleared the terrain.

MEMORY ITEM #4

HOW TO AVOID ONCOMING AIR TRAFFIC Pilots are mindful of collision with any inadvertent traffic coming towards them. They get this information from the TCAS – Traffic Alert and Collision 114

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Avoidance System. The TCAS can warn pilots if their planes are on a collision course and, direct them to a different path. The pilot, on his part, must be able to swiftly follow the TCAS directions without taking too long to digest the information.

On July 2002, a Russian Tupolev 154 collided with a Boeing B i 757 over Zurich Z i h airspace i due to the erroneous action by the pilot. The TU154 crew followed the ATC (Air Traffic Control) instruction to descend and continued to do so even after the TCAS advised them to climb.

Pilots are now trained to follow the TCAS commands, which is a mandatory exercise during Base Checks. However, this may soon be scrapped as the technology is already in place for automatic traffic avoidance system.

There is a general rule that two pilots flying together should never eat the same food (especially seafood), and preferably should not eat at the same time either.

This may trigger food poisoning that may lead to the pilots being incapacitated.

Heart problems and fainting are generally the main causes i iincapacitation. it ti il t off serious A pilot incapacitated at a higher altitude is not as serious a situation compared to its onset during the landing phase. As such, a pilot must be healthy at all times and be able to react immediately to such situations without referring to any checklists or manuals.

MEMORY ITEM #5

Braking problems with the Airbus involving the loss of braking after touchdown is also a safety concern. As a result, Airbus

HOW TO DEAL WITH PILOT INCAPACITATION

MEMORY ITEM #6

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF LOSS OF BRAKING

has been requested to provide automated warning to the crew on the loss of braking effectiveness after a touchdown or a rejected take off take-off.

As this is a critical emergency situation, the memory drills are regularly practised by pilots.

MEMORY ITEM #7

WHAT TO DO WHEN FACED WITH UNRELIABLE AIRSPEED INDICATIONS A failure to promptly recognise and respond to unreliable airspeed indications can result in loss of control of the plane.

Briefly, airspeed is measured by comparing the difference between the air pressure sensed by the pitot head or probe and, the static pressure at static ports.

IMAGE: INMAGINE

Complete or partial blockage of pitot heads and static ports due to ice, as experienced by Air France AF447, can confuse an unprepared crew. Hence the memory item for this is crucial in such an emergency.

MEMORY ITEM #8

EMERGENCY DESCENT DUE TO LOSS OF PRESSURISATION At the first indication of a pressurisation problem, the flight crew must put on oxygen masks. At high cruising altitude, pilots can lose consciousness in less than one minute, so it is imperative that the flight crew swing into action immediately.

There is no time to look at the checklist. Hence, the drills must be memorised by all pilots.

Below are examples of two such incidents where the emergency descent drill was promptly carried out on the first case, but disregarded in the second instance due to wrong diagnosis by the crew.

In April 1988, a Boeing 737, operated by Aloha Airlines experienced an explosive depressurisation and structural failure at 24,000 feet. Part of the cabin structure became detached from the aircraft during the flight.

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As a result of the depressurisation, the flight crew performed a successful emergency descent with only one fatality.

In August 2005, a Boeing 737 belonging to Helios Airways crashed in Greece following the incapacitation of the crew due to hypoxia or, lack of oxygen. When the crew failed to detect the loss of pressurisation, the failure to perform an immediate emergency descent led to tragedy.

MEMORY ITEM #9 & #10

WHAT TO DO IF THE AIRPLANE STALLS DURING TAKE-OFF OR MID FLIGHT ‘Stalling’ can be quite a misleading and frightening term to the layman. Non pilots are familiar with what happens when a car engine stalls. Thus, the assumption is that when an aircraft ‘stalls’, the engine has quit and will be of no use for the rest of the flight. This, mercifully, is not true.

A ‘stall’, in aerodynamic terms, means that the wing has stopped producing lift because the critical angle of attack of the wings (the angle between the relative airflow and the axis of the wing) has been exceeded.

What this means is that, as the pilot slows down an aircraft deliberately during training or accidently due to a distraction in flight, the nose is raised and the angle of attack to sustain the necessary lift to maintain altitude is lost. If that angle of attack gets too high, the wing can no longer produce lift because the smooth flow of air over the wing is disrupted.

As the wing loses its lift, the nose would generally drop if its CG (Centre of Gravity) is forward.

The only way to resume normal flight is to reduce the angle of attack to re-establish proper lift.

The plane then resumes normal flight after recovery, unlike the dead engine of a stalled car!

So, a proper and fast technique (memory item) to recover from a ‘stall’ at take-off and during the cruise is crucial to prevent the plane from getting into trouble.

This ‘stall’ technique during cruise was not properly executed on Air France AF447, which resulted in the tragedy.

CONCLUSION A Captain and his First Officer’s responsibility is a very heavy one. They need to constantly have the 10 Memory Items at their fingertips, so as to react immediately should any of the above events crop up to ensure a safe flight.

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 About Flying’ at www.askcaptainlim.com.

7 TRAVEL LOG 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

HONG KONG & MACAU

A life-long dream of wanting to visit Disneyland comes through for 11-year-old Shreya when her parents whisk her off to Hong Kong and even throw in Macau for good measure!

I dreamt big in wanting to visit Hong Kong Disneyland and recently, the dream came true when my parents took me on a trip to Hong Kong and Macau. We took an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong and just within four hours, we were there!

Upon arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, we took a van to get to our hotel, which was located near Jordan MTR station in Kowloon. We decided to use the MTR for all our travels around Hong Kong as it was fast and convenient to get around. Of course, my first programme in Hong Kong was to visit Hong Kong Disneyland. I was really excited because my long-time dream to meet Mickey and Minnie was finally going to happen.

We bought train tickets that would take us all the way to Hong Kong Disneyland. The train journey was really fun! The windows in the train were designed to look like Mickey and there were many Disney figurines in the coaches. After a 10-minute ride in the Disneyland train, we finally arrived at Hong Kong Disneyland. We saw many statues of 118

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Mickey and his friends all over the park. I took lots of photos with Mickey and Minnie, Cinderella and Prince Charming and Tinker Bell. I also played games and enjoyed many exciting rides in the park. We stayed there until 8.00pm and had lots of fun. The main castle looked beautiful at night! I wished I could stay on there forever.

The next day, we took the MRT again to visit the Great Buddha, which is located near the Tung Chung Station. The statue was located high up on a hill, so we took a bus to reach it, as the cable car was undergoing maintenance. When we finally reached the Buddha statue, I started shivering as it was very cold up there. We took photos and walked around before having lunch at a nearby monastery.

Returning from the Great Buddha statue, we chose The Peak as our next destination.

The climb up to the summit was on a tram.

It was an exciting ride for me as I had never ridden a tram before. It was a little scary too and I dared not look down as the tram was

ABOVE: Shreya (right) with her brother at The Peak in Hong Kong.

BELOW: The siblings in front of the castle in Hong Kong Disneyland.

RIGHT: Shreya and he family with Mickey and Minnie.

RIGHT, BELOW: Visiting Fisherman’s Wharf in Macau.

going uphill. But once safely up, I was quite happy to have experienced the ride. At The Peak, there were many activities to do and enjoy. We first visited Madame Tussauds wax museum, where wax statues of famous personalities around the world are put on display. The statues looked so real!

The next day, we said ‘goodbye’ to Hong Kong and proceeded to Macau. We took the ferry from Hong Kong and the trip lasted about an hour. But once we arrived, we got stuck at the Immigration checkpoint as there were so many people wanting to visit Macau.

As we had lost precious time, my parents decided that we should quickly see the important landmarks of Macau on the ‘Hop On/Hop Off’ tour bus. We got to see Macau Tower, Science Museum, Fisherman’s Wharf and even the 5-star Galaxy Hotel. The inside of this hotel was decorated beautifully and we took lots of pictures there. Having enjoyed the beautiful hotel, we returned to the Ferry Terminal to catch a bus to our hotel.

In Macau, all hotels ply their buses to and fro the ferry terminals and they are free too!

We took advantage of this and the next day, decided to visit the Venetian, another beautiful hotel. The hotel was very nice from outside but the inside was totally awesome! It looked exactly like Venice in Italy!

I felt like I was in Italy, although I knew I was really in Macau. There was a big casino too, but I couldn’t go in as children were not allowed inside. Macau has many casinos and all around the city, you can see tall buildings lit up beautifully. Most of these hotels have their own casinos and although I didn’t enter any, I enjoyed the colourful neon lights there.

Soon, it was time to say goodbye to Macau.

We packed our stuff and headed to Macau Airport. The airport was centrally located and it takes less than 30 minutes from any part of the city to get to it. We hopped onto an AirAsia flight and headed back to Kuala Lumpur. I was all giddy with the fun and excitement I had in Hong Kong and Macau and couldn’t stop talking about it for days! But one thing I was certain: This was the best trip ever!

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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.

Take time out to treat your loved ones to a memorable dining experience at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, renowned for its delicious, value-formoney dining experience that is made even more special with true Malaysian hospitality. Savour Asian fusion buffets with a touch of Malaysian flavours at Temptations, dine on the freshest sashimi and sushi in town at Sagano, or enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine with the most succulent Peking Duck and BBQ dishes at Dynasty. After a scrumptious meal, simply book yourself into a modern LifeStyle room to enjoy the pleasures of life.

7 OFF THE RACK 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

LOOKING SHARP Whether you’re gearing up for a day at the beach, or a night on the town, stay trendy with the latest in apparel, eyewear and travel accessories.

GLAMOUR PUSS Sophisticated and oh-so-sexy, Silvian Imberg swimsuits channel glamour and high fashion. The collection features swimwear crafted from Italian fabrics, and includes matching outerwear such as caftans and tunics. Available exclusively at The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. www.silvianimberg.com

ROMANTIC APPEAL It’s all about romance this season at Valentino. Dresses and tops are sensuous and dreamy with fabrics like cotton macramé, lace, and chiffon. The collection features pastel-coloured embroidered blouses and ankle-length dresses with peek-a-boo geometric patterns. www.valentino.com ww.valentino.com

TRENDSETTING SUNNIES WORDS: CHITRA S

Why follow trends when you can set them? That’s designer Cari Zalloni’s philosophy when it comes to his creations for Cazal Eyewear. Amp up the glamour in a pair of Cazal sunglasses with bold frames, or stay cool in a sleek pair with clean lines and subtle details.

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www.cazal-eyewear.com

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THOX TIME If you love walking about in thong slippers, you’ll definitely love Thox – the perfect accompaniment for your favourite thongs. Durable and made from thick cotton, these thong socks are super comfortable and can be worn indoors or out. www.thox.com.au

PRETTY BETTY Made from recycled truck tarps, Freitag’s F61 Betty is an environmentally-friendly tote that does not skimp on looks and function. Roomy enough for all your essentials, the Betty comes attached with a zippered bag-in-bag for easy access to your cash or cards.

Available at Actually, Singapore. www.actually.com.sg

BRIT INVASION Malaysian brand Graffi Tee pays tribute to all things British in conjunction with the London Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Tees are emblazoned with quirky images celebrating British icons from fish and chips to the monarchy. www.graffitee.com.my

DROR INSPIRATION In collaboration with designer Dror Benshetrit, Dror for Tumi fuses functionality with design for luggage that is practical yet aesthetically appealing. The 11-piece collection includes backpacks, satchels and four-wheel cases that offer durability and multiple functions. www.tumi.com 124

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COOL SWEDE Light blazers, checked pants and cashmere knitwear dominate J.Lindeberg’s S/S 2012 Men’s collection, combining the brand’s Swedish cool with mod charm. Inspired by the island of Gotland, the collection’s holiday vibe is reflected in its colour palette of beiges, blues and greens. www.jlindeberg.com

Available at leading department stores in: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

7 VANITY FARE 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

MAXIMUM BENEFITS

Our beauty and fragrance picks for this month prove that twosomes and threesomes at two are better forr you and w way more exciting too!

KISS UP Pucker up with M Maybelline New York’s best-selling Baby Lips balms; now in 2 new flavours – Mango and Velvet Cherry. include shea butter and centella asiatica which Ingredients includ hydrates and d delivers plumpness. www.maybelline.com

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY Get perky peepers in three easy steps from Bobbi Brown: Line eyes with LongWear Eye Pencil available in six sultry shades, coat lashes with LongWear Mascara, and finish with the Gentle Curl Eyelash Curler for added sex appeal. www.bobbibrown.com

FLOWER POWER WORDS: CHITRA S

Combining the goodness of sunflower oil and apricot, Kiehl’s Sunflower Color Preserving shampoo, conditioner and mask for colour-treated hair will keep your locks looking lustrous and vibrant.

The range’s silicone- and paraben-free formulation contains a fortifying blend of B vitamins and a UV-protective filter. www.kiehls.com

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LIFT OFF The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift anti-ageing range keeps wrinkles at bay and helps skin appear youthful. The Dermalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day Cream SPF23/PA++ is an ultra-light moisturiser that firms and tightens skin, while the Firming Night Cream nourishes with its rich, creamy texture. www.youareworthit.com.my

JUST DELISH A blend of luscious fruit and florals, the Be Delicious Fresh Blossom travel pack from DKNY includes an EDP, shower gel and body lotion – perfect for gals on the go. www.dkny.com

LOVE ETC...

ACNE STRIKER Say goodbye to acne with the Pure & Matte Acno Striker range by L’Oréal Paris Men Expert. Get healthy, health hea lthy, y, flawle aawless wless ss ski skin n in in just just th three ree st step steps ep with wit h the the ran range’s range’ ge’ss puri p purifying urifyi fying ng foam, foa m, moi moistu moisturising sturis rising ing ge gell cream, cre am, an and d roll rroll-on. oll-on -on.. www.youareworthit.com.my www.youa www. youarewo reworthi rthit.co t.com.my m.my

Sun Kiss by The Body Shop is an EDT and Body Purée duo with a scent that evokes carefree summer flings, with notes of bergamot, nectarine, neroli jasmine, sandalwood and amber. www.thebodyshop.com

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT With notes of Siberian pine, citron, peppermint and sweet orange, Annick Goutal’s Nuit Etoilée is a fresh and aromatic fragrance that hints of the great outdoors and nights under the stars. Comes in ‘his and hers’ packaging. www.annickgoutal.com

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7 JETSETTER 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

TONY EUSOFF & AARON KHALED This month, we sit down with thespians Tony Eusoff (TE) and Aaron Khaled (AK) who play father and son in the Singaporean production of La Cage Aux Folles, one of Broadway’s best-loved hits.

This funny yet heartwarming tale of family bonds put to the test revolves around what happens when John (Khaled), introduces his fiancée and her conservative family to his father George (Eusoff), a gay man who runs the La Cage Aux Folles nightclub with his larger-than-life partner.

WHAT MAKES LA CAGE AUX FOLLES SUCH AN ENJOYABLE PLAY TO WATCH? TE: The play is a tongue-in-cheek comedy about unprejudiced love. With a heartwarming plot and great melodies, La Cage Aux Folles is a larger-than-life show that is nothing less than inspiring.

Expect glitz and glamour and high kicks that could put the Rockettes to shame!

LA CAGE HAS BEEN A STAGE SUCCESS FOR DECADES. HOW IS THE SHOW RELEVANT TO TODAY’S GENERATION?

COMPILED BY: CHITRA S

AK: I think it all goes back to the theme of the musical. It is essentially about family values, putting aside differences and treasuring relationships. Plus, it's such a funny and fabulous show!

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WILL THEATRE-GOERS APPRECIATE THE SETTING AND THEME OF THE PLAY? TE: There aren't many productions that deal with gay TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

or transgender subject matter.

And even if there are, not many succeed in earning such a heartwarming appeal as La Cage has. People should come with an open mind. There's so much to learn from and to be inspired by. The kind of love depicted in it can only be told adeptly in such a satire. As for those who have seen other productions of La Cage, I ask that you come and enjoy this version which has an Asian spin to it.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER THIS A DREAM ROLE AND WHY? AK: It is a dream come true to work with Ivan (Heng) who plays Albin, and the director Glen (Goei)! I know I would be very much inspired by their amazing talents and I'm certainly looking forward to learning all that I can from them.

Aux Folles with his partner Albin, who is a drag queen.

A ‘plain homosexual’ as he puts it, George has a grown up p son whom he and Albin love unconditionally. When George’s ’s son John comes to visit with fiancée and family in tow, that’s t’s when the fun begins.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LA CAGE AND PLAYING THE ROLE OF JOHN? AK: I love the family theme and the message it brings about how a family should stick together even in the oddest and toughest situations. I like how my character grows and finally grasps that no matter what, family is what matters most.

TELL US ABOUT THE ROLE OF GEORGE.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF BRINGING THE CHARACTER R OF GEORGE TO LIFE?

TE: George is a gay man who owns a club called La Cage

TE: This is my first time playing a gay man, and a

Aaron Khaled

Ivan Heng (left) & Tony Eusoff

man in his 50s. The challenge is obvious: How do I play a mature gay man convincingly?

How do I play him with honesty? There's simply no room for complacency with George’s character. But one thing is for certain, I'll definitely have the time of my life!

WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING WITH ONE OF THE REGION’S MOST TALENTED STAGE ACTORS - IVAN HENG? TE: Judging from the George and Albin pairing audition, Ivan is pure euphoria to work with.

He is such a giving soul and a strong spirit. To me, he already IS my lovely Albin. Oh, need I mention how extremely talented he is?

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO’D LIKE TO TRY THEIR HAND AT STAGE ACTING? AK: First and foremost, Love Your Art! Then, work really hard, don't give up and never let anyone bring you down!

Nothing good comes out of anything done without passion and determination.

WHAT MAKES PERFORMING ON STAGE SUCH A JOY? TE: This may sound like a cliché but it's really true – the stage is A LOT OF FUN! No wonder it's called a 'play'. But ultimately I enjoy the rush I get on stage. Oh, and of course, the admiration for a job well done.

Directed by Glen Goei and presented by W!ld Rice theatre company, La Cage Aux Folles will be staged at the Esplanade Theatre, Singapore from July 20 – August 4, 2012. For tickets, visit www.wildrice.com.sg GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Singapore from various destinations.

Go to www.airasia.com for flight details.

7 KIDS SPACE 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL Delve into the fascinating world of bugs, learn to dive, or go on a night safari! There is a lot of fun to be had this summer. And if you’re a kid flying alone, we’ve got that covered too. The newly-launched SkyRider Young Flyer service will make you feel like a VIP!

RED CARPET TREATMENT

WORDS: CHITRA S

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and Kuching, and can be purchased at AirAsia Travel Service Centres nationwide.

Become a SkyRider today for just RM30 (for a limited period only)! Sign up now for a chance to enjoy great offers including travel packages from AirAsiaGO, AirAsiaRedTix tickets and discounts on merchandise from AirAsiaMegastore.com.

Sign up at www.skyrider. airasia.com to get the latest updates, or follow SkyRider Club on Facebook at www. facebook.com/SkyRidersClub and Twitter at www.twitter. com/SkyRidersClub.

IMAGE: MUSEUM VICTORIA

IMAGE: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

SkyRider Club has unveiled a new service for members aged between 7 and 12 who are travelling unaccompanied. The SkyRider Young Flyer service includes Red Carpet check-in counters, priority tagging and loading of baggage, complimentary snacks on-board, and assistance and care from time of check-in until arrival for only RM85 one-way on top of the regular airfare.

An extension of AirAsia’s Red Carpet Service, the SkyRider Young Flyer service is available at all Malaysian hubs – Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

A BUG’S WORLD

INTO THE DEEP BLUE

A world of adventure awaits little explorers at the world’s first nocturnal zoo and one of the most popular attractions in Singapore – the Night Safari. Hop onboard a tram as dusk falls and get close to nocturnal creatures from different parts of the world, including wild goats of the Himalayan foothills, Malayan tapirs, cape giraffes from Equatorial Africa, and the park’s largest resident – Chawang – the majestic bull elephant. www.nightsafari.com.sg

Climb inside an ant’s nest, watch a spider weave a web and learn about the fascinating creatures that make up the insect world. Bugs Alive! is one of the most popular exhibitions at the Melbourne Museum, with interactive exhibits, and lots of cool, hands-on activities for kids. The exhibition has over 100 species of insects and spiders on display, from jumping jack ants to tarantulas. www.museum.vic.gov.au/bugs

Learn to dive with Kids Scuba, which offers PADI Seal Team certification for children aged between 8 and 12, and a Junior Open Water Diver Course for teenagers. Kids Scuba also organises scuba camps where kids can learn about marine conservation and put their diving skills to test. www.kidsscuba.com

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7 PLANE FUN 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

RIDDLES 1. Name four days of the week starting with the letter T? 2. What word has five letters but is pronounced as one letter?

3. Can you decipher this expression?

A canine creature is the favourite companion of a member of Homo sapiens.

QUICK QUIZ 1

‘Ti amo’ means ‘I love you’ in what language?

2

How many sides does a heptagon have?

3

What are the only two sports contested at the 2012 Olympics that are for women only?

4

Which pop star recently had a baby named Maxwell Drew?

5

Self-awareness is a trait only demonstrated in humans, apes, Bottlenose dolphins and what other mammals?

6

Which team did footballer David Beckham play for before transferring to LA Galaxy in 2007?

7

In relation to cars, what does SUV stand for?

8

Gangster Al Capone was sentenced to imprisonment in Alcatraz when he was convicted of what crime?

9

Name the monk who often accompanies Robin Hood in the famous legends.

10 What would you be doing if you were krumping?

PLAY ON WORDS 1

2

3

4

4. Complete the phrases and work out what Hollywood movie title is hidden here. i. Fortune favours the … ii. Wear my … on my sleeve 5. Can you work out these phrases? i. BUSINE… ii. JOANB ii. ENDSSDNE iv. GENER___ATION

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.

• QUICK QUIZ 1 Italian 2 Seven 3 Synchronised swimming & rhythmic gymnastics 4 Jessica Simpson 5 Elephants 6 Real Madrid 7 Sport utility vehicle 8 Tax evasion 9 Friar Tuck 10 Dancing • RIDDLES 1 Tuesday, Thursday, today and tomorrow 2 Queue 3 A dog is a man’s best friend! 4 Braveheart 5 i. Unfinished business ii. an inside job iii. making ends meet vi. generation gap • PLAY ON WORDS 1 Monkey business 2 To get the cold shoulder 3 Too many cooks spoil the broth 4 Cat got your tongue

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PUZZLES ARE COURTESY OF LOVATTS CROSSWORDS & PUZZLES

7 PICTURE PERFECT 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

PIX OFTHE MONTH

Just snapped a cool picture? Send it to travel3sixty@airasia.com with ‘Snapshot’ in the subject line.

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 finest 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.

WINNER

Mount Bromo, East Java, Indonesia.

Sapto Nugroho, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

SECOND PRIZE WINS A 3D/2N stay in a two-bedroom suite at One-Stop Serviced Residence & Office, Kuala Lumpur worth RM900 nett (room only)!

RUNNER-UP

Funeral Procession at Ubud, Bali Tom Bannister, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Situated in Fraser Business Park, One-Stop Serviced Residence & Office offers guests a choice of 175 apartment units that include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, office and kitchen space in each unit. In addition to these apartment units, the property also has 14 one-bedroom SOHO units that are fully furnished with modern amenities. Catering for working professionals, expatriate and families on holiday, the property is within easy reach of the city centre with daily shuttle service to Bukit Bintang shopping area, Pavilion and KLCC.

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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7 GET COMFY 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

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.

7 Route Map • AirAsia Malaysia 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

Tehran Tehran

IRAN IRAN

INDIA INDIA

airasia malaysia DomesTic rouTes Langkawi

Alor Setar

Penang

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Bharu Kuala Terengganu

Sandakan

Labuan

MALAYSIA

Miri

Tawau

Chennai Chennai BangaloreBangalore Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli Kochi Kochi

ColomboColombo

Kuala Lumpur

Bintulu Sibu Kuching

Johor Bahru

ROuTE Map AirAsia Philippines

Clark

Clark International Airport

Kalibo Puerto Princesa

PHILIPPINES

Kota Kinabalu Kuala Lumpur

142

travel 3sixty˚

MALAYSIA

SRI LANKA SRI LANKA

Davao

International Route Domestic Route

Beijing Beijing Seoul

Seoul

SOUTHSOUTH KOREAKOREA JAPANJAPAN Tokyo Osaka Osaka

Tokyo

ShanghaiShanghai HangzhouHangzhou

ChengduChengdu

CHINACHINA

Kolkata Kolkata Hanoi MYANMAR MYANMAR LAOS LAOS

Guilin Guilin Taipei Taipei Guangzhou Guangzhou TAIWAN TAIWAN ShenzhenShenzhen Macau Macau Hong Kong Hong Kong Hanoi Haikou Haikou

Chiang Mai Chiang Mai VientianeVientiane Yangon Yangon THAILAND THAILANDDa Nang Da Nang

Clark

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

Clark

Bangkok Bangkok Siem Reap Siem Reap

CAMBODIA CAMBODIA VIETNAM VIETNAM

Phnom Penh Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh

PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES

Krabi Krabi Phuket Phuket Hat Yai Hat Yai LangkawiLangkawi Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu Bandar Bandar Penang Penang Aceh Aceh BRUNEI BRUNEI Kuala MALAYSIA Medan Medan Kuala MALAYSIA Miri Miri Lumpur Lumpur Johor Bharu Johor Kuching Bharu Kuching Pekanbaru Pekanbaru SINGAPORE SINGAPORE Padang Padang Balikpapan Balikpapan

PACIFIC PACIFIC OCEAN OCEAN

Palembang Palembang

INDONESIA INDONESIA MakassarMakassar Jakarta Jakarta Semarang Semarang BandungBandung SurabayaSurabaya Solo Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Solo 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˚

143

7 Route Map • AirAsia Thailand 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

CHINA Chongqing

INDIA

Guangzhou Macau

Kolkata

MYANMAR

Shenzhen Hong Kong

Hanoi

Chiang Rai Chiang Mai Yangon

Udon Thani Nakhon Phanom

THAILAND Bangkok

Chennai

Ubon Ratchathani

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

Phnom Pehnh Ho Chi Minh 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 Airport, Bangkok Phuket Int. Airport Chiang Mai Int. Airport International Route Domestic Route

144

travel 3sixty˚

7 Route Map • AirAsia Indonesia 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

PACIFIC OCEAN

THAILAND Bangkok

VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh Phuket Bandar Aceh Medan

Kota Kinabalu

Penang Kuala Lumpur

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

146

travel 3sixty˚

Perth

7 SalES OFFiCES & STaTiOnS 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

camboDia PHNOM PENH Phnom Penh Airport Office, 17 Mezzanine Floor of Arrival Domestic Terminal, Phnom Penh Airport, Phnom Penh 179, Street Sisowath, Sangkat Phsar Kandal 1, Khan Daun Penh, 12204 Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.

china MACAU Office 20, Mezzanine Level Passenger Terminal, Macau International Airport Taipa, Macau GUANG DONG Century Holiday International Travel Service (Shenzhen) Co.Ltd., XY-10 Junting Hotel, 3085 Eastern Road, Luo Hu, Shenzhen Century Holiday International Travel Service (Guang Zhou) Co Ltd., First Floor, No 8 Zhong Shan 3 Road, Guang Zhou 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

MAKASSAR Departure Terminal, Sultan Hasanuddin, International Airport, Makassar, South Sulawesi Mall Panakukang, Carrefour Panakukang, 3rd Floor, Jl. Adyaksa Baru No.1, Makassar, South Sulawesi MANADO Sam Ratulangi International Airport Jalan A.A. Maramis, Manado 95374 MEDAN Bandara PoloniaTerminal Keberangkatan Internasional, Medan 20157 Sumatra Garuda Plaza Hotel, Jl. Sisingamangaraja, No.18 Medan-20213 PADANG Minangkabau International Airport, Padang, West Sumatra PALEMBANG Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport Palembang, South Sumatra PEKANBARU Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport, Jalan Perhubungan Udara Simpang Tiga, Pekanbaru, Sumatra

No 75, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, 80150, Johor Bharu, Johor No 20, Jalan Raya, 81000, Kulaijaya, Johor.

No 97, Jalan Rahmat, 83000, Batu Pahat, Johor GK 01, Ground Floor, Kluang Mall, Jalan Rambutan, Bandar Kluang, 86000 Kluang, Johor.

No 21,Jalan Dedap 21, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100, Johor Bharu 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

SEMARANG

No 71 Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 1 Taman Usahawan Kepong 52100 Kuala Lumpur

Carrefour DP (Duta Pertiwi) MALL, Jl. Pemuda No. 150, 1st Floor, Semarang 50132

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

Komplek Pertokoan Simpang Lima, Blok C No. 1

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

SOLO

KELANTAN

Adi Soemarmo International Airport, Solo, Central Java

Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra, 16100 Pengkalan Chepa Kota Bharu

SURABAYA Lobby International Terminal Juanda International Airport Jalan Raya Juanda Surabaya Jawa Timur Grand Circle Tunjungan Plaza 3 Lantai 1, (Lobby Condominium Regency), Jln. Basuki Rahmat 8-12, Surabaya YOGYAKARTA Adisutjipto International Airport Jln. Solo km.9, Yogyakarta, 55282 Melia Purosani Hotel, Jl Suryotomo No.31, Yogyakarta

malaysia jOHOR Tune Hotels.com Danga Bay, Lot PTB 22819, Jalan Skudai, Mukim Bandar, 80200 Johor Bahru GL 13 Senai International Airport 81250 Johor Bahru

Jl. Boulevard Raya, Blok LA 4, No. 10 Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara

No. 26 Jalan Meriam, 84000 Muar, Johor

Komp Rukan Dharmawangsa, Jl. Dharmawangsa VI No.43, Jakarta Selatan

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

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

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

TERENGGANU Level 1, Terminal Building, Sultan Mahmud Airport, 21300 Kuala Terengganu LABUAN Level 1, Labuan Airport Terminal 87008 Wilayah Persekutuan MELAKA No 32, Jalan Melaka Raya 23, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka PENANG Penang International Airport 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang Ground Floor, Kim Mansion 332, Chulia Street, 10200 Penang No 723 L-G, Jln Sungai Dua 11700 Pulau Pinang

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

SABAH Lot 1 & 2, 1st Floor, Terminal Building, Sandakan Airport, 90719 Sandakan FL4, 1st Floor, Tawau Airport Building, Jalan Apas-Balung, 91100 Tawau TB228, Lot 5, Ground Floor, Istana Monaco, Jalan Bunga, Fajar Complex 91000 Tawau 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 No 10, Jalan Bandar Rawang 11, Bandar Baru Rawang, 48000 Rawang, Selangor.

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

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 111 North Bridge Road #0136/37, Peninsula Plaza 179098,

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

ThailanD BANGKOK

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

127 Tanao Road, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok 10200

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

7 TOUCHDOWN 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

National Centre for the Performing Arts

BEIJING, CHINA

Think Beijing and images of the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square come to mind, but these aren’t the only attractions China’s capital city has to offer. Home to vast historical and cultural legacies, this sprawling megalopolis is also China’s capital of cool, with futuristic buildings that capture the imagination, a thriving art scene, and an energy that is youthful and vibrant.

WORDS: CHITRA S IMAGES: ADAM LEE

Once the seat of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Beijing remains the political, educational and cultural centre of China. With rapid modernisation, Beijing has undergone a massive facelift but still retains a charm that makes it the city to visit for a sampling of all things Chinese.

MUST SEE-DO THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA The Great Wall spans five provinces, from the Shanhaiguan Pass in the East to Jiayugan Pass in the West, and was constructed to keep invaders at bay. An hour from Beijing by train, the Badaling section of the Great Wall is the closest to the city, while the slightly further Jinshanling and Simatai sections offer awesome views. www.greatwall-of-china.com

THE FORBIDDEN CITY Situated in the heart of Beijing, this sprawling palace complex consists of 980 buildings and covers an area of 720,000 square metres. With its traditional Chinese palatial architecture and wealth of cultural artefacts, the Forbidden City is also known as the Palace Museum. www.chinahighlights.

WANGFUJING STREET Shop until you drop at one of the city’s most popular pedestrian shopping streets where you can find everything from BBQ-ed starfish on a stick to the latest street fashions. This is the place to shop for curios and antiques, or a souvenir from Beijing. www.beijingchina.net.cn

com/beijing/forbidden-city

HUTONGS The city’s ancient alleyways house buildings that go back centuries. Here, you’ll find traditional Beijing architecture that date back to the Yuan Dynasty (1266-1368) and beautiful courtyard homes, which were once occupied by the city’s aristocrats.

BEIJING NATIONAL STADIUM Site of the 2008 Summer Olympics, the stadium’s steel beams, which actually serve to hide supports for its retractable roof, give it a bird’s nest-like appearance, hence its nickname Bird’s Nest Stadium. www.chinese-architecture.info NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Also known as The Bird’s Egg, this titanium and glass-domed building surrounded by an artificial lake is a real stunner especially at night. Located near Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden Palace, the futuristic-looking building represents the changing face of Beijing. www.chncpa.org CHINA CENTRAL TELEVISION HEADQUARTERS The CCTV building is a 44-storey skyscraper in Beijing’s Central Business District. This eye-catching structure is locally known as dà kùchã or Big Boxer Shorts, thanks to its unique shape. www.cctv.com 798 ART DISTRICT What started off as a complex of studios, workshops and galleries at an abandoned electronics factory is now synonymous with Beijing’s burgeoning contemporary arts scene. No longer confined to No. 798, the Da Shan Zi Art District is the artistic home of contemporary Beijing, and the epitome of cool with its industrial chic.

AirAsia Flight Attendants at 798 Art District.

150

TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚

www.798space.com

EAT PEKING DUCK Considered one of China’s national foods, and definitely one of its bestloved exports, Peking Duck is a dish of crispy, aromatic roast duck, often eaten with delicate pancakes, finely sliced spring onions and hoisin sauce.

SLEEP TRADERS HOTEL BEIJING 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing, 100004 CN HUTONG INN ZAOYUANGJU HOTEL No. 17 Zhangwang Alley, Jiu Gulou Avenue, Beijing 100009 CN DAYS INN BUSINESS PLACE YINFENG BEIJING No. 6, Rainbow Road, Dashanzi Chaoyang, 100015 CN For attractive room rates at these hotels, log on to www.airasiago.com GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies direct to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur.

Go to www.airasia.com for details.

7 MY AIRASIA 0 2012 www.airasia.com/travel360

ADVANCING THE AVIATRIX

The AirAsia Group prides itself on driving dreams and offering equal opportunities to its capable AllStars.

Here, female pilots across the AirAsia network talk about pursuing and achieving their lofty dreams.

COMPILED BY: BEVERLY RODRIGUES PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM LEE

got me My parents to be a pilot. g rin pi ofessional as pr d grew up ademic or on, every ac travelling, an d en an th as part of ng a om yi si fl Fr th birthday.

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tion first e. The ambi was inevitabl t lo pi across the a lo g so in me, becom e pilot to fly e al m lik fe er t 's job’. ur rs fi nt e ve rhart, th not do a ‘man eker and ad on Amelia Ea omen could w ok six For a thrill se id bo a sa a si g ho irA in w A ed critics d! I joined me after read ith the skies I di and confound dawned on r W ip ue a. sh si nq rd ay co al ha d M e endured al airline in the skies, an r ci er ue m ese nq m Atlantic. Sh co Th co . would want to be mander of a lieved that I anything we female com ly be n on I strongly be e ca in e th ve w tly you belie strength, d am curren tisfaction if and mental years ago, an ccess and sa perseverance su e t, ev en hi itm ac m You will irAsia passion, com boundaries. , Malaysia A end gender orashikin Onn N t. ap C ~ values transc atter! mind over m yourself. It is