/8-August_2

2011 ISSUE 49

49 TRAVEL 3SIXTY AUGUST THE AIRASIA MAGAZINE

for voting AirAsia BEST for the third time!

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TRAVEL Pattaya, Thailand • Kolkata, India FOOD Rendang for Raya DESTINATION Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia SPECIAL FEATURE Barcelona, Spain PLUS AirAsia’s Third Consecutive Win 2011

RE SU .

A S E PL GER VE NG SEN EMO I AD AS R FT. RE R P NOT RA E H HE O IRC R TF OT SE D M A O F O EA O R PL F

contentsaugust NAVIGATOR Feature Stories

54 Hit List

Magic of Museums.

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60 Three times, baby!

AirAsia’s Third Win in a Row.

68 The Lure of Pattaya

Sun, sand and family fun in Thailand.

76 The City of Joy Kolkata, India.

82 The Royal Regatta

The Raja Muda Selangor Int. Regatta.

88 Sexy, Sultry Barcelona Hot in the Catalan Capital.

98 Travel Log

BOARDING CALL News, Announcements, Mail

Solo in Siem Reap.

08 Captain’s Address

100

FLIGHT PLAN

Travel 3Sixty°’s Super-cool Guide

30 Calendar

July events to keep a lookout for

10 Inbox

What our guests are saying about Travel 3Sixty°

12 Red Alert

Exciting News from AirAsia

22 Bulletin

Stuff you’d love to know

32 Cuisine

Rendang for Raya

36 Books

Exciting Reads to Pick Up

38 Biz Body

Effective & Efficient

40 Health Matters No Easy Feat!

42 Hot Rods

The Bigger, the Better

44 Guts & Glory

Fantasy & Fantastical

48 Tech-Talk

War of the Tablets

50 Sleep Inns

76

Cream of the Crop

94 Pilot’s Perspective

Aviation: Past, Present & the Future

contentsaugust

82

JET SET

Fashion, News, Celebs

100 Cool & Chic

Fashion from Around the World

PORT OF CALL 118 Destination

102 Go Get Gorgeous!

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Creating the Perfect Look

120 Route Map

104 Jetsetter Anthony Padilla

126 AirAsia Sales Offices & Stations

IN FLIGHT

MY AIRASIA

110 Junior Jet Club

128 Rose among the Thorns

KL-a-Calling

112 Plane Fun Puzzles & Games

114 Snapshot

Fab photos taken by AirAsia guests

116 Comfort

5 tips for a more enjoyable flight

88 48 68 4

travel3sixty august

for voting AirAsia BEST for the third time!

TRAVEL Pattaya, Thailand • Kolkata, India FOOD Rendang for Raya DESTINATION Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia SPECIAL FEATURE Barcelona, Spain PLUS AirAsia’s Third Consecutive Win 2011

Publisher Kathleen Tan Managing Editor R. Rajendra Art Director Kan Seak Hong Writers Beverly Rodrigues Editorial Assistant Fazlina Bee Binti Abdul Rashid Photojournalist Adam Lee Contributors Captain Lim Khoy Hing, Efi Hamzah, Daniel Fernandez, Jeff Harris, Shantini Suntharajah, Surani Ariff, Tim Skelton

RE SU EA S. PL ER E G ENG OV DIN SS REM .

EA PA T AFT E R ER NO CR TH TH DO AIR R O E FO OF EAS OM R PL F

on the cover

Thanking You for Our Success

PUBLISHED BY Travel 3Sixty° c/o AirAsia Berhad

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

PRINTING

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

PRE-PRESS SERVICES

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Advertising Enquiries Indran Balavishnu (Malaysia)

indran.balavishnu@pharpartnerships.com

Mairianne Reardon (Singapore)

For queries, assistance and feedback, you can reach us here:

m.reardon@pharpartnerships.com

Nick Lockwood (UK and International Markets) nick.lockwood@pharpartnerships.com

Charuphan Pojchanart (Thailand) charuphanp@airasia.com

Hendra Lapusa (Indonesia) hlapusa@baliplus.com

Tel: +6 03 7962 5813 (Phar Partnerships) E-mail: sales-T360@airasia.com Travel 3Sixty° Wishes to thank Lovatts Crosswords & Puzzles, MPH, Pansing Marketing Editorial enquiries travel3sixty@airasia.com 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

captain’s address

THE SUPER 6!

“Three times in a row as World’s Best Low-Cost Airline! A big pat on the back to all the AirAsia Allstars who are the pillar of AirAsia’s success. Look out for even more exciting and innovative products and services from us, and thank you to all our guests for the great support!” ~ Tan Sri Dr Tony

ILLUSTRATION: TIM LAI

Fernandes, Group CEO AirAsia

“We’d like to thank our guests for embracing the AirAsia experience along with our products and services. Winning the award is a great assurance for us as we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year. We remain committed to giving our best – greater route network, top quality products, incomparable service and an unforgettable AirAsia experience.”

~ Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial

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“We are extremely honored to be the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the third time. This award would not have been possible without our passionate and dedicated staff at AirAsia. We look forward to continue being the best and bringing more low fares and accessibility to everyone.” ~ Tassapon Bijleveld,

“We are honoured and humbled to win this award. Our success is attributed to our greatest asset, our people. We thank everyone for their continuous support and look forward to increasing our connectivity across the globe so that Everyone Can Fly AirAsia!” ~ Capt

“To change the global world of aviation with our pioneering long-haul model, this is what we all live and get up for every morning. To receive this accolade from our guests is a huge validation that we can deliver both X-traordinary low fares AND X-ceptional service. We are determined to keep improving and innovating. Big hugs!”~ Azran Osman-

“It is an honour for AirAsia to be chosen as the best low cost carrier for the third consecutive year. This is a testament to our company’s dedication to giving our guests the best service at affordable prices. We are very excited to extend the same quality of service to Filipinos through AirAsia Philippines.”

Dharmadi, CEO AirAsia Indonesia

CEO AirAsia Thailand

Rani, CEO AirAsia X

~ Marianne B. Hontiveros, CEO of AirAsia Philippines Inc.

inbox LETTER OF THE MONTH!

Here’s the buzz on AirAsia’s Twitter, Facebook and Weibo pages

BOARD TALES

I’m surprised I even read your article Travelling with the Board (June 2011) by Patrik Wallner. I admit I was a bit prejudiced against skateboarders as a whole; from a distance they all seemed intimidating. But I was completely surprised by Patrik. This young man has taken his passion in life and is living it up; doing something he loves.

To me that’s true success. I can accept I’m not cut out to follow suit as a skateboarder, but I do have my own (less ess physical) passions. As I embark on a lengthy time of travel away from my ‘real job’, I feel ready to keep my eyes open for opportunities to translate Patrik’s lifestyle to my own strengths.

I never imagined I’d be inspired by a skateboarder, but you have proved me wrong! ~ Kate Treloar, South Australia

HEARTFELT TRAVELS Whilst checking in online on AirAsia’s website, I learnt that Travel 3Sixty has gone digital. I must say that I am pleased that AirAsia has added this really good read online as the wide range of topics is really beneficial to travellers.

I particularly enjoyed reading Have Heart, Will Travel (July 2011). I think it is a great and fulfilling way to travel and contribute to the local communities at the same time. Thank you for this meaningful article which has got me thinking about my next trip and how I too can contribute while travelling. ~ Devinder Singh, via E-mail

BETTER LATE

LETTER OF THE MONTH WINS A RM918 VOUCHER TO BE REDEEMED AGAINST AN ATC 0906 28’’ LUGGAGE.* *T&C apply. *Luggage shown here for illustration purpose only. Colours may vary.

After reading the article Duly Delayed in Travel 3Sixty (July 2011), I have come to understand more about delays and that most delays occur because the airline is ensuring passenger safety. I love reading Capt. Lim’s articles that offer passengers a better understanding of the airline industry. It is technical sometimes but not too difficult to understand. I am always looking forward to read more articles in this section by Travel 3Sixty as it clears many doubts and fears of flying. ~ Franco Lim Fang Jeng, via iPhone

Now @AirAsia can handle my luggage for transit.

No more unnecessary drop box queuing. Nice improvement! Nukov Request sent & typo amendment done within 24 hrs. @AskAirAsia put a smile on my face in the very morning! Good job! Jo C. Me n hubby had wonderful vacation with AirAsia X Go Holiday Scenic South New Zealand package recently! Well done AirAsia!

Mastura Salleh

I travelled from Penang to LCCT, LCCT to Denpasar & vice versa last week. All 4 flights departed & arrived @ destinations timely. Well done AirAsia!

Lawrence Ng I always thought budget Airlines gave crap service but just back from a return journey to KL from Penang

by AirAsia and boy their service was awesome. Thanks for the great flying experience and exemplary service.

Kishin Sham Mahtani Browsing my photo album this morning – Australia, China, Indo China, Indonesia and East Malaysia – these photos would not have been possible without the low fares from AirAsia! 8 -) Lynette W Leong

My recent holiday consisted of 6 flights.

Both domestic flights in China were delayed but all 4 AirAsia flights were on-time! I was worrying if I would be able to connect my flight in 2 hours time.

Fortunately everything went smoothly and I even had some extra time! Virgo Tiger It has been awhile since I “follow” AirAsia Weibo. The friendly Flight and Cabin Crew make me feel very welcome! Another compliment – my 4-hour journey was on-time!

Miss Lillian

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 a fabulous prize and the other three letters will receive a RM 50 e-gift voucher each. Email your feedback to travel3sixty@airasia.com.

Travel 3Sixty° reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length, and only letters regarding articles will stand to win a prize.

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redalert

The Future of Asian Aviation To support the growth of commercial aviation in Asia, AirAsia has joined forces with flight training solutions leader CAE to establish the Asian Aviation Academy, a worldclass aviation training centre. This independently-managed academy trains pilots, flight attendants, engineers, ramp handlers, guest services staff and aviation management, and provides a pool of highly skilled and certified personnel

for AirAsia’s rapidly growing fleet and operations. The academy is based at the current AirAsia Academy in Malaysia, and makes use of the six existing CAE-built fullflight simulators for the Airbus A320, A330/1340 and Boeing 737 Classic. The first pilot training program began in July, while non-pilot training begins in October. For more info, visit www.airasia.com

Large & Legendary “In less than 10 years, AirAsia has established itself as one of the fastest-growing, innovative and most respected airlines in the business.” ~ Tom Enders, President and CEO of Airbus.

AirAsia made history when the airline placed orders for 200 Airbus A320neo aircraft worth US$18.5 billion at the Paris Air Show, becoming the world’s largest airline customer of Airbus. The order was both the biggest ever Airbus order by number of aircraft, and within the same A320 family.

This big order supports AirAsia’s rapid expansion plans in the Philippines, Vietnam and across Asia. With the additional range capability of this new-gen aircraft, guests can look forward to even more exciting routes.

The Airbus A320neo is also a more environmental choice that helps reduce AirAsia’s carbon footprint and lower operating costs to continue championing low cost

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Left to right: Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (Chairman of AirAsia X), Tom Enders (President and CEO of Airbus), John Leahy (COO – Customers, Airbus) at the signing ceremony in Paris.

“It’s a great feeling when an airline that is already a great customer, leader and innovator in the industry chooses to make you such an important part of its operations.” ~ Kevin McAllister, Vice President of Sales for CFM International.

travel. It delivers fuel savings of up to 15 percent, which translates to 3,600 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft per year and, a reduction in engine noise.

The delivery of the 200 A320neo aircraft is expected to start from year 2016 through 2026.

Clean Air, Healthy Allstars Allstars spend on average over nine hours in the office daily. Keeping that in mind, AirAsia has implemented a Corporate Clean Air Policy to protect the Allstar hive at LCCT. All departments have been equipped with premium air purifiers to ensure the very best indoor air quality. Filtering 99.97% of impurities in the air using high efficiency particulate air filtration, these air purifiers create a healthier working environment.

Not Another Manic Monday Turn your Mondays into fun days with AirAsia’s new weekly campaign, ‘Beat Your Monday Blues’.

Targeted at guests in Singapore, this campaign features different promos on exciting destinations across the AirAsia and AirAsia X network every Monday. Since its launch, ‘Beat Your Monday Blues’ has offered fabulous promos for beach holidays, culinary escapes and golf getaways.

Visit www.airasia.com, mobile.airasia.com or download free apps for Blackberry, iPhone or Android phones from Blackberry App World, iTunes App Store or Android Marketplace to book your vacation. Beat Your Monday Blues is available every Monday from 12am to 11.59pm.

“ “‘Beat Your Monday’ Blues’ B signifies our commitment c to live up to our tagline ‘Now Everyone Can Fly’ to Singaporeans. We will continue to work harder to provide more value to our guests, so keep a lookout for more targeted campaigns crafted for Singaporean tastes.” ~ Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial, AirAsia

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Discounts For Facebook Fans The one-stop online travel portal, AirAsiaGo, is rewarding fans with even greater discounts! To access these fabulous deals, drop by AirAsiaGo Thailand’s FB page and receive a free promotion code to be used when booking hotel rooms and tour packages. With some 70,000 hotels and over 5,000 fun activities to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Visit www.facebook.com/AirAsiaGoThailand

X Entertainment AirAsia X has commissioned Tune Box to develop an inflight entertainment solution that embraces the low cost model and offers innovative content to enhance guests’ in-flight experience. This new entertainment system will make use of the existing hardware on board and distribute content to passengers’ electronic devices using WiFi technology. The proposed system will be lighter than traditional in-seat systems, resulting in lower fuel consumption and efficient cost savings.

It Pays to be a Member Sign up as an AirAsia member and enjoy a smoother and quicker booking experience. The new ‘Family & Friends List’ allows you to save details for up to 10 family and friends, while ‘1-Click Card’ enables you to store credit card details securely, so you won’t need to keep filling up the same details time and again. Just visit www.airasia.com and click ‘Sign Up’ at the member login section.

Birthday Surprise

Transparent Tony

In June, Tan Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes was awarded the 2nd Asian Corporate Director Recognition Award by Corporate Governance Asia for his role in enchancing business ethics, transparency and corporate social responsibility in the running of AirAsia, and raising the standards of corporate governance practice in Malaysia. Commenting on this accolade, Fernandes said “We put a great deal of emphasis in ensuring utmost transparency and efficiency in AirAsia because this will help us to continue offering our low fares to all our guests.”

AirAsia’s Customer Experience team in Thailand is taking the airline’s fun and friendly service a step further by celebrating guests’ birthdays in style.

Working with check-in staff, the Customer Experience team in Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport arranges mini parties for birthday boys and girls at the check-in counter or boarding gate, complete with a cheerful birthday song and AirAsia goodie bags. So, if you’re flying on your birthday, be prepared for VIP treatment, AirAsia style.

5

Million and Counting

In July, AirAsia X reached an impressive milestone when the airline flew over 5 million guests. To celebrate this achivement, AirAsia X offered promotional fares across its network, which now includes 15 destinations. Guests snapped up tickets to Japan, Korea, and India from as low as RM255 one way, and to London and Paris from as low as RM605 one way! Pleased with the global support of Low Cost Carriers, Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X revealed that the airline expects guest numbers to multiply within the next couple of years once AirAsia X takes delivery of its five new Airbus A330s, which will fly to hotspots across Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

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Value for your Baht in

Pattaya The annual Pattaya Grand Sale is on till September 30, and AirAsia has teamed up with Thailand’s sunny city of Pattaya to support this event. Besides promoting the grand sale via fun games and acitivites on board, AirAsia is also attracting guests with its incredibly low air fares. The Pattaya Grand Sale offers fantastic discounts of up to 70 percent at p participating p g hotels, restaurants, spas, courses, shopping malls and other golf courses tourist attrac attractions.

“The beach city is one of the th most popular tourist tou destinations that th our guests visit a after Bangkok. Now ttravellers can enjoy good value for their plane tickets and stretch their baht ffor even more deals in Pattaya.” ~ Tassapon Bijleveld, Bi CEO of Thai AirAsia

Passage to Pattaya

Take advantage of AirAsia’s low fares to Bangkok and connect easily from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya. While the Roong Reuang Coach Co. Ltd. www.airportpattayabus.com offers direct connections to North Pattaya and Jomtien Beach Pattaya at THB124, the Bell Travel Service www. belltravelservice.com offers hotel drop-offs for just THB200. Read our feature on Pattaya on page 68.

Lil’ Miss Red wants your experience with AirAsia to be convenient, quick and easy. She understands that you may have many queries that you want clarified before, during and after your flight. Lil’ Miss Red also knows that you want simple o to answers that are precise and straight-to-the-point. Simply go d make http://airasia.com/ask to have your questions answered and all your travels with AirAsia fuss-free, fun and comfortable.

Lil’ Miss Red Explains the Basics Membership has its Benefits When you register to become a member of AirAsia, you can manage your flight bookings by logging onto http://www. airasia.com/my/en/myflights/ membermanagemybooking.page This convenient and quick service enables you to: • Change your flight dates or times.

• Purchase add-ons such as baggage, meals and comfort kits.

• Purchase insurance coverage for your flight.

• Choose a seat, update your contact details and many more.

Stay Protected If you wish to cancel your booking after it is confirmed, the payment you have made is not refundable.

However, you can protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances* with AirAsia Insure, our travel protection plan which provides flight cancellation benefits up to RM5,000. For more information and Terms & Conditions, log on to www. airasiainsure.com for details. *Subject to policy terms and conditions.

AirAsia Insure Travel Protection is underwritten by insurance companies from your respective departing countries.

Benefits offered are subject to the type of plan purchased.

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Lil’ Miss Red

Bag it Big You are allowed up to 2 pieces of baggage onboard. Approved cabin baggage comprises: • 1 item of baggage not exceeding size dimensions of 56cm X 36cm X 23cm, provided that it doesn’t weigh more than 7kgs.

• You can also bring an additional baggage of 1 laptop OR 1 handbag OR 1 musical instrument (a small musical instrument such as a violin, guitar or trumpet etc.) that is within the dimensions stated above.

Just a Tweet Away • If you have incorrectly filled in certain traveller’s details such as name spelling, passport number or D.O.B, simply send a tweet to @askairasia for assistance. We can easily make the required correction for you.

• If you wish to change the name of a passenger in the booking to another name, simply contact our nearest Call Centre / Sales Office for assistance.

And Much More • Smoking in any form, including electronic cigarettes are prohibited on all flights.

• Guns, weapons and all types of ammunition are not allowed on all flights.

• Pets and animals, including guide dogs, cannot be checked into all flights.

Lil’ Miss Red will be more than happy to answer many such travel related queries at http://airasia.com/ask Simply go to http://airasia.com/ ask, type your questions in the space provided and get clear, concise answers to your questions. It is as simple as that!

bulletin

Soaring Spirit

ZAIA is perhaps the most dazzling show ever staged in Asia! This new 90-minute mega-production brings together 75 high-calibre artists from all corners of the globe in a tale that presents the dream of a young girl who journeys into space on a strange, yet familiar voyage of self-discovery. As she travels, she encounters the beauty of humanity and eventually brings it back with her to share with the inhabitants of earth.

The show, which runs till September 30 at Cirque du Soleil, The Venetion @ Macau, is an amazing spectacle that employs dance, movement and aerial acrobatics Get your tickets at www.AirAsiaRedTix.com and book your ight to Macau at www.airasia.com

Direct to BKK

Since June 1, 2011 the Airport Rail Link in Bangkok has been operating the New SA Express train service from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Bangkok. This line extends all the way to Phaya Thai Station, while the SA Express Line terminates at Makassan Station, both making the commute to the airport fast and fuss-free. The New SA Express line reaches the airport approximately in 18 minutes and costs THB 90 for a single journey and THB150 for a return trip, valid till Dec 31, 2011. www.suvarnabhumiairport.com

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MORE UNESCO Sites

The UNESCO’s World Heritage committee has included nine more properties into the List of World Heritage. Four are located in Asia, namely the ancient villages of Northern Syria (Syrian Arab Republic), the Cultural Sites of Al Ain (United Arab Emirates), the Persian Garden (Iran), and Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (Vietnam). Three come from Europe: The cultural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana (Spain), Pile dwellings around the Alps (Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia) and Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex in Turkey. The remaining two are from Africa: Konso Cultural Landscape (Ethiopia), and Fort Jesus in Mombasa (Kenya). http://whc.unesco.org

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Ding Dang Ride

A great way to explore sections of Hong Kong that may generally be off the beaten path is by hopping onto a tram. Locally known as Ding Dang, these trams run from Kennedy Town on the island’s west to Shau Kei Wan on the east, travelling through bustling city areas to quieter suburbs.

Along the way, the island’s cultural, historical, culinary and everyday life play out as it has been for hundreds of years, allowing visitors an intimate view of the real Hong Kong; for a paltry HKD2! www.discoverhongkong. com/tramguide

Travel Essentials

Leather Passport Holder RM49

“Hands Off!” Leather Luggage Tag RM19

Skross Adapter RM79

Leather Travel Organizer RM109

megastore.com

Tag that bag, sleeve up your passports and never leave home without a travel adapter! How else will you charge that phone or laptop? Don’t say we didn’t warn you! These AirAsia travel musthaves are available onboard and at www.airasiamegastore.com

GOOD AS

GOLD Or maybe even better!

The GODIVA 2011 Summer Collection features a scrumptious assortment of delicious chocolates specially created for the season. Raspberry Star, Cinnamon Blush and Open Oyster are as exotic in name as in taste, and they come in these equally delightful gift boxes. Available in Godiva boutiques in Malaysia. www.godiva.com

Pewter Perfection Royal Selangor’s latest limited edition pewter plaque is a replica of a scene of the famed hand scroll painting Along the River during the Qingming Festival. The plaque is limited to 500 pieces worldwide and captures part of the middle segment of the 528cm-long hand scroll.

The pewter plate is edged with a gold Metalesce border and is mounted on a Nyatoh wood frame. Presented in specially-designed packaging, each plaque is serialised and accompanied with a certificate. www.royalselangor.com

Park it Here!

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, the brand new PARKROYAL Serviced Suites features 287 studio, one and two-bedroom suites which come complete with fully-equipped kitchens, state-of-the-art home entertainment systems and other creature comforts aimed at making your stay a pleasurable one. Additionally, the rooftop pool offers amazing views of the city skyline and is a wonderful spot to wind down after work or shopping at the nearby shopping belt of Bukit Bintang.

ParKROYAL Serviced Suites, Kuala Lumpur T +603 2084 1021 www.parkroyalhotels.com

calendar

AUGUST HONG KONG Ngong Ping 360 Shaolin Kung Fu Showcase 2011 Aug 1 – 31 Shaolin Kung Fu masters showcase their gravity defying martial arts and conduct special workshops at the Ngong Ping Village, Lantau Island. www.

np360.com.hk

INDIA

Athachamayam Aug 31 Catch the colourful folk arts of Kerala during Athachamayam at Thripunithura, which marks the beginning of the 10-day Onam festival in Kerala, India. www.keralatourism.org

AUSTRALIA

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Aug 12 – 19 Purchase aboriginal art from indigenous-owned art centres across Australia from the Torres Strait Islands, Arnhem Land, Central Australia, Victoria and the Kimberley Region. www. darwinaboriginalartfair.com.au

PARIS

Rock en Seine Aug 26 – 28 The Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, just outside Paris, will be the venue for three explosive nights with top international rockers like Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, The Kills, Deftones and My Chemical Romance and Keren Ann. www.rockenseine.com

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MALAYSIA

Bazaar Ramadhan Aug 1 – 31* Muslims worldwide observe the holy month of Ramadhan by abstaining from food and drinks between sunrise and sunset daily. In Malaysia, special stalls and bazaars are set up nationwide, offering food and cakes for the breaking of fast.

This is also a great time to sample some special dishes, many of which make their appearence only during the fasting month. The end of the fasting month is marked with Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Eid. www.tourism.gov.my *Actual date to be confirmed

THAILAND

The British singer-songwriter, best known for his pop hit You’re Beautiful, heads to Bangkok to promote his upbeat new album, Some Kind of Trouble. www.thaiticketmajor.com

CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

James Blunt Some Kind of Trouble Live in Bangkok Aug 9

NEW ZEALAND 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games Aug 13 – 28

JAPAN

Over 1,000 of the world’s best snow and ice sports athletes take to New Zealand’s Southern Alps for the biggest winter sports event in the southern hemisphere.

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Aug 2 – 7 During the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, giant papier-mâché warrior dolls are illuminated from within and paraded on floats and cars in Aomori City. www.jnto.go.jp

PHILIPPINES

Noli Me Tangere, the Musical Aug 5 – 28 To celebrate the enduring legacy of Filipino patriot, Jose Rizal, the Cultural Centre of the Philippines will be staging a musical based on his controversial novel Noli Me Tangere. www.ticketworld.com.ph

http://wintergamesnz.com

INDONESIA Paramore Live Aug 17 Paramore performs live at Bali’s Garuda Wisnu Kencana on August 17 before heading to Jakarta’s Pantai Karnival Ancol on August 19. www.my-ticketstation.com

Hot Dates!

■ THAILAND HM the Queen Sirikit’s Birthday & Mother’s Day Aug 12 www.tourismthailand. org ■ JAPAN Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony Aug 6 www.jnto.go.jp ■ HONG KONG Simple Plan Live in Hong Kong 2011 Aug 16 www.hkticketing.com ■ AUSTRALIA Broadbeach Jazz Festival Aug 19 – 21 www.broadbeachgc.com ■ SINGAPORE Just a Dream – The Green Play Aug 4 – Sept 10 www.srt.com.sg ■ NEW ZEALAND Christchurch Arts Festival Aug 4 - 21 www.artsfestival.co.nz

SINGAPORE

Jump 2011 Aug 12 – 14 Back by popular demand, this hillarious martial arts show from Korea combines Jackie Chan-style acrobatics with slapstick humour reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin. www.sistic.com.sg

cuisine

Rendang for Raya WORDS: LYRA DEANNA PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM LEE RECIPE: ROHANI JELANI OF BAYAN INDAH

One of the most complex and delicious dishes out of the Malay kitchen, the rendang is a true celebratory food.

Right: Rendang tok.

Below: Rohani Jelani.

Ensconced in the cool heart of cooking school and culinary retreat Bayan Indah, I am being teased by the heady, seductive aromas of rendang. Rohani Jelani, Bayan Indah’s owner, culinary teacher and fount of food knowledge, is preparing several types of rendang for a special Hari Raya cooking class. Hari Raya or Eid is celebrated by Muslim communities around the world to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadhan. In Malaysia, the celebration is known as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and the rendang is a special meat dish that is prepared by the Malay community in the country, “Rendang is basically a dry curry [but not made with curry powder or curry leaves]. There are many different versions, but they all have several things in common – chillies, lashings of coconut milk, lemongrass and shallots.

Most rendang also have kerisik (toasted and pounded coconut), which gives the dish depth and a fragrant nuttiness,” says Rohani.

This rich dish takes a very important place on the Malaysian Hari Raya table, usually served with lemang (compressed glutinous rice cakes cooked in bamboo) and

ketupat (compressed rice cooked in coconut frond casings) or nasi kunyit (turmeric rice). Deep and robust in its flavours and textures, it has a wonderfully rich aroma that acts like a homing beacon for guests at the festival.

The dish takes a while to cook, hence its status as a treat for special occasions. “When making a rendang, the meat is slow-cooked. You start with a lot of liquid and cook it down until it is almost dry,” says Rohani. The meat absorbs all the flavours of the other ingredients as it cooks. The initial boiling method turns into frying as the liquid dries up and the oil renders from the coconut milk and kerisik. In fact, the word rendang itself also means to ‘cook until dry’ – the dish can be cooked until it has just a little thick gravy, or until all the gravy has been absorbed by the meat.

In the different states of Malaysia, there is a focus on different ingredients, but there is also a generic sort of rendang that is commonly found in most.

“The generic version of rendang is the type most people are familiar with. It’s redolent of chilli, lemongrass, shallots, ginger, galangal, garlic, turmeric, loads of santan (coconut cream), kerisik, and asam keeping or asam jawa (tamarind),” says Rohani. The tang of the tamarind tempers the sharp heat of the chillies and balances the richness of the dish. Her mother is from the state of Pahang, and this is the kind of rendang she grew up with. august travel3sixty 33

Right: Lemang – compressed glutinous rice cakes cooked in bamboo.

Below: Serunding.

One example of a state-specific rendang is the herbaceous Negeri Sembilan chicken rendang. There are no dried chillies used here, just green cili padi (bird’s eye chilli), with turmeric leaf lending a dominant flavour. The state has a large Minangkabau community, which traces its origins to Sumatera. Also, in this particular version, the lemongrass is sliced rather than ground, adding a different kind of texture and fragrance.

She’s also made a dish of rendang tok from Perak, the only rendang which incorporates spices such as cardamom, cumin and cloves, as well as herbs and chunks of coconut flesh.

Its heat comes from dried chillies. “It’s almost always very chunky, with the meat cut into large pieces,” Rohani explains.

The last incarnation and my personal favourite is the shredded serunding. Its ingredients are similar to a generic rendang, but the meat is boiled first, then shredded by hand.

It takes hours to make this labour-intensive dish, but it’s also the one which keeps the longest. In a clean, dry, air-tight jar, it will happily stay fresh for months! It’s the preferred rendang in the east coast states, such as Kelantan and Terengganu.

“In Kelantan, they sprinkle crushed coriander seeds into the serunding,” says Rohani. The fine shreds of meat are usually eaten with lemang and the mild tasting yellow gravy of sayur lodeh.

It is said that rendang traces its origins to the Minangkabau clan of Indonesia, but it is a popular dish across Malaysia and Singapore too. Rohani believes that rendang is a dish born out of necessity.

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“In the villages, meat was not eaten often because it was expensive. It was only for special occasions, when the villagers might slaughter a cow or a water buffalo, and then there was this large amount of meat.. and no fridge to keep it,” she says. So the meat needed to be prepared in a way that would lengthen its life span and rendang was the ideal solution.

Even though there is coconut milk in the recipe, it’s fried for a long time and with the herbs and salt in it, it actually keeps quite well, even at room temperature,” says Rohani.

In addition to beef or buffalo meat, rendang is also made from chicken. In the villages, these were free-range birds and often fowls well past their prime, so that they really benefited from the slow cooking. In some states, such as Negeri Sembilan, rendang is also made with offal. Occasionally, mutton or duck too ends up cooked as rendang.

Regardless of the meat or version that you choose, the biggest draw is the tender meat imbued with wonderfully rich, complex flavours by the cooking method. It’s a dish that can be made your own with just a little tweaking, as long as you have the basic ingredients and the patience.

Try an inexpensive beef cut with a little fat marbling, or use an old chicken for your rendang – a young, tender bird will fall apart too fast.

Rendang Ayam

Negeri Sembilan For the paste

4 stalks lemongrass, sliced 50g green cili padi (bird’s eye chillies) 150g shallots 6 cloves garlic 4cm (40g) galangal root, sliced d 4cm (40g) ginger, sliced 2cm turmeric root, sliced ½ cup water 800ml thick coconut milk or cream ream 4 stalks lemongrass, finely sliced ced d 1.2 kg chicken, cut into 12 pieces cess kerisik 150g freshly grated coconut 2 fresh turmeric leaves, finely sliced sliced 2 slices asam keping * 1 ¼ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons sugar *Or substitute with 1 teaspoon tamarind, mixed with 2 tablespoons water.

Place all the ingredients for the paste in a food processor, add the water and blend to a fine paste.

Transfer mixture into a large pan.

Add the coconut milk and sliced lemongrass.

Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes before adding chicken. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring every now and then, until mixture is fairly thick – about 30 minutes.

Prepare the kerisik by toasting the grated coconut in a pan and cook on medium-low heat, stirring all the time, until coconut is crisp and browned. Cool and pound to a fine paste.

Add the coconut paste to the rendang mixture, together with the turmeric leaves, asam keping, salt and sugar. Continue cooking, stirring constantly until mixture is quite dry, and the oil surfaces. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. Serve with white rice.

Bayan Indah Culinary Retreat A 3343 Kampung Palimbayan Indah, Sungai Penchala, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T +603 7729 0122 E rohani@bayanindah.com www.bayanindah.com

books

SHAMINI FLINT ON INSPECTOR SINGH INSPIRATION

LEGACY OF HONOUR Zainah Anwar

A fascinating coffeetable book ok on one of Malaysia’s most illustrious political familes, Legacy of Honour highlights the struggles of Dato’ Onn Ja’afar, one of the countries first freedom fighters and his son, Tun Hussein Onn, who became the third prime minister of Malaysia.

INSPECTOR SINGH’S CHARACTER As a Malaysian of Indian and Sri Lankan origins, I was keen to have an Indian policeman, so I’d be able to tap from my own family experience to develop the character.

Inspector Singh is placidly heroic, short, fat and most of all, dedicated to pursuing justice for anyone in a tight spot. As he himself would say, ‘Pursuing justice is my only form of exercise.’

READ OF THE MONTH H

LAWYER TO WRITER BEST IPAD APPS – THE GUIDE FOR DISCRIMINATING DOWNLOADERS Peter Meyers Meyers recommends the best Apps for designing presentations and number crunching, as well as more fun stuff like making avatars, creating comic strips and even designing roller coaster rides.

THE DEVIL COLONY James Rollins

The Devil Colony offers a disturbing account of the founding of America.

When hundreds of mummified bodies are found deep in the Rocky Mountains and, an anthropologist burnt to ashes, Sigma Force’s director, Painter Crowe, goes in search of the truth.

WORDS: BEVERLY RODRIGUES IMAGES: ADAM LEE

I love crime fiction writers like PD James, Ruth Rendell, Ian Rankin and Agatha Christie, as well as their characters: Dalgliesh, Wexford, Poirot and Rebus. My absolute favourite is Reginald Hill’s Dalziel. He can make me laugh out loud while still dealing with real world crime.

As a lawyer, my interest in legal issues greatly influences my writing. For instance, in A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder, a strand of the story is about the custody battle between a couple, where one party – a Chinese timber tycoon, converts to Islam to get custody of his kids. In The Singapore School of Villainy, a motive for murder involves the drugs and homosexuality laws of that country. By fictionalising real life issues, I try to put a human face on the legal, political and cultural issues in Asia.

INSPECTOR INSP IN S EC SINGH’S N NE XT CASE NEXT In Inspector nsp s ecto Singh reluctantly agrees a ag rees tto attend a family wedding in Mumbai hoping that the spicy Indian curries sp will m make up for extended ex exposure to his wife’s relatives. Unfortunately, re tthe beautiful bride-tob be disappears on the eve of her wedding, and when a corpse is found, the inspector is dragged into a m murder investigation.

THE DISAPPEARING SPOON T Sam Kean Sa

Ke offers fascinating trivia and fun Kean scientific facts on each element of sc the periodic table, making chemistry th interesting even for those who dozed in off in science class. of

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ALL ABOUT THE WRITTEN WORD • Melbourne Writers Festival Aug 26 – Sept 4 www.mwf.com.au • Beijing International Book Fair Aug 31 Sept 4 www.bibf. net • Edinburgh International Book Festival Aug 13 – 29 www.edbookfest.co.uk • BBC Proms Literary Festival Aug 2 – Sept 10 www.bbc.co.uk/proms • Children’s Literature in the Centre Festival Aug 17 – 20 http://nt.cbca.org.au

there’s always something happening at hard rock

hardrock.com hotels

ho chi minh city

Abu Dhabi, 2013 • Bali • Biloxi • Chicago • Dubai, 2013 Hollywood, FL • Hungary, 2012 • Las Vegas • Macau Orlando • Panama Megapolis, 2011 • Pattaya • Penang Punta Cana • San Diego • Singapore • Tampa

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Biloxi • Hollywood, FL • Hungary, 2012 Las Vegas • Macau • Punta Cana • Tampa

cafes

United States Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Biloxi Boston Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Destin Detroit Foxwoods Gatlinburg Hollywood, CA on Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood, CA at Universal CityWalk Hollywood, FL Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Key West Lake Tahoe Las Vegas Las Vegas at Hard Rock Hotel Louisville Maui Memphis Miami Minneapolis Myrtle Beach Nashville New Orleans New York Niagara Falls Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego San Francisco Seattle St. Louis Tampa Washington, DC Yankee Stadium

Pacific Rim Fiji Guam Saipan Surfers Paradise Sydney Europe Amsterdam Athens Barcelona Berlin Bucharest Budapest, 2011 Cologne Copenhagen Dublin Florence Glyfada Gothenburg Hamburg Krakow Limassol, 2012 Lisbon Madrid Mallorca Malta Marbella Moscow Munich Nicosia, 2011 Oslo Paris Prague Rome Stockholm Venice Warsaw UK Edinburgh London Manchester Middle East Africa Bahrain Beirut Dubai, 2011 Hurghada Kuwait City Nabq, 2012 Sharm El Sheikh

Canada Niagara Falls Ottawa Toronto

pattaya

Asia Bali Bangkok Beijing Bengaluru Chennai, 2012 Colombo, 2012 Fukuoka Hanoi, 2011 Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Hyderabad Jakarta Kuala Lumpur Macau, 2011 Makati Melaka, 2012 Mumbai Narita New Delhi Osaka Osaka, Universal Pattaya Penang Phuket Pune Sentosa Singapore Singapore Changi Airport Tokyo Tokyo, Uyeno-Eki Yokohama

Mexico Central America Acapulco Cabo San Lucas Cancún Costa Maya Cozumel Mexico City Panama Puerto Vallarta Punta Langosta Caribbean Aruba Cayman Islands Nassau Punta Cana Santo Domingo St. Maarten

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South America Belo Horizonte Bogotá Buenos Aires Caracas Cartagena Margarita Island Medellin Rio de Janeiro Santiago, 2012 San José, 2012

live

Biloxi • Hollywood, FL Las Vegas: The Joint • Orlando

bizbody

EFFECTIVE & EFFICIENT Driving a good business into a great one is all about vision and global expansion; it’s not hard to do with today’s technological advancements.

FACING FACTS “Stop trying to get people to like you, instead care about THEM.”

~ Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone emphasises that good communication and interaction will ensure success in business.

“When a business has mojo you want to be associated with it.”

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH

~ Bo Burlingham, author of Small Giants: Companies That Choose To Be Great Instead of Big, likens business mojo to a person’s charisma. Having mojo makes your business attractive and desirable.

“The secret ingredient to success as an entrepreneur is having vision; being able to see what is coming, and how people will engage with that.” ~ Toby Barnes, managing director of Mudlark, digital media moghul.

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Fantastic Facilities Mobile Payment for Public Transport, Florence, Italy Azienda Trasporti Area Fiorentina (ATAF) is partnering with mobile payment firm, Bemoov, to give Florentine bus passengers the ease of buying bus tickets via SMS. HOW TO: Register with Bemoov to link credit card with phone and send text ‘ATAF’ to designated number. Seconds later, receive message with alphanumeric code to be submitted to the bus controller for verification.

60 BILLION

E-mails are sent daily, equalling to roughly 9.2 E-mails for every person on the planet (Telekom/ U.S. Census Bureau)

1.49 MILLION

people in the UK claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in May 2011, up by 19,600 individuals since April 2011 (UK Office for National Statistics)

65

PERCENT of the world’s top 100 companies have a twitter account (iStrategy2010.com)

Shared Expenses Made Easy, California, USA PayDivvy enables users to pay, send or share individual and group bills through an online mobile interface. HOW TO: Split any bill by creating a group on the free site and create a ‘divvy’ for each shared expense. The percentage can be adjusted and best of all, it keeps track of who’s paid and who hasn’t.

Payment can be made via credit cards and bank accounts.

Design your own skincare, French Codage, France French Codage lets customers choose the ingredients and their concentrations (up to 70%) in its skincare line. HOW TO: Customers follow an online, stepby-step diagnostic process based on skin type and lifestyle. Codage makes recommendations for key ingredients and concentrations. Choose what you like and click to order.

health matters

NO EASY FEAT! Source: World Health Organization (International Research)

Time to look good and feel good. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions for your overall health.

9

Heavenly Hot Bods Hea Love ‘em o or hate ‘em. These celebs put incredible effort into being camera-ready at all times. They are, after all, walking proof of their camera-re and sellable attractiveness. effective a

PERCENT increase from 1990 to 2009 was reported in global measles immunisation coverage for children between 12 o 23 months old.

Ryan R Reynolds. {Sexy six-pack} Protein bars and shakes with small smal eight to 10 meals a day. 500 to 1,000 sit-ups, weight lifts to continually burn fat all day long. continu Will Sm Smith. {Ready-for-action body} Works out five days a week, focusing on one or two parts of his body at a time. f

115

Fergie of Black Eyed pea. {Fergalicious hump Fer & bump) 15% incline treadmill sessions, push-ups, and 8-pound weights to tone her arms.

8

Hugh Jackman. {X-rated worthy physique} Six

MILLION

high-veggie and protein meals a day with one-hour workouts daily.

of children under five years old suffer from malnutrition; 30 million of which are in Africa.

Marisa Miller. {Victoria’s best kept M

secr secret} Surfing and spin classes get her body preppe prepped. She’s all about fun workouts.

10

HEAL REAL QUICK! H Ice is Nice

PERCENT

Put ssome ice on if the skin is not broken, as it minimises swelling and numbs the pain. Icing a bruise also constricts swel blood vessels and prevents more blood from seeping the b into tthe skin. Do this for 15 minutes each time; every two to thr three hours for the first 24 hours.

growth was reported in access to improved drinking water for the world’s population between 1990 to 2008.

Taking the Heat Tak IMAGE: WWW.SXC.HU WWW W.SXC.HU

MILLION

people out of about 7 billion global population lived in poverty and hunger in 2010; that’s 1 out of every 7 people living in hunger.

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travel3sixty august

IMAGE: CORBIS

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH

925

After 24 hours, add heat to the bruised area to dilate the blood vessels and get the blood circulating. This helps body’s natural mechanisms in removing the blood in the b the b bruise.

C is for Cure Some people bruise easily and that could be due to Vitamin C deficiency. Make sure you take a C supplement daily and more so when you bruise – at least 500mg three times a day.

hot rods

The Bigger the Better Riding big bikes may look like pure style but these beauties are bucking the trend, proving that there is more than meets the eyes.

WORDS: DANIEL FERNANDEZ

Honda VTX 1300R

Two wheels and a big engine between your thighs: This is what male wet dreams are made of. Most boys grow up wanting to ride a motorcycle; the bigger the better. They start with bicycles, graduate to small motorbikes and scooters, and finally rein in the big uns’ when they reach a certain station in life. This, in a nutshell, encapsulates the bond between men and motorbikes.

Middle-aged men zipping around on large motorbikes is not an uncommon sight in larger cities. This craze is catching on fast around the world but is most prevalent in Asian cities where large middle class populations have healthy disposable incomes. It’s this group that helps drive the sales of such bikes, having tasted the joy of owning and riding a large capacity motorcycle like a Moto Guzzi or Triumph, a stylish cruiser like a Harley Davidson or high-performance sports bike like a Ducati Multistrada 1200 or Aprilla RSV4R. As petrol prices continue to rise around the globe, consumers keep looking for fuel-friendly modes of transportation. Additionally, not all countries are blessed with efficient public transportation networks found in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Congested roads, lack of parking space and governmental restrictions on owning cars also add to this problem, forcing many to opt for motorbikes. The motorbike seems the most attractive option and if it’s big and sexy, the choice is obvious. Instead of just travelling

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on any old motorbike, why not straddle a sexy piece of chrome, metal and leather and tell the world that you have arrived – in style!

Motorcycles like the Triumph Speedmaster and the Harley Davidson Sporster 48 are more practical for inner city commute. For one, their compact sizes makes parking less of a hassle and outdoes even the smallest compact car.

It also consumes less petrol because it requires less power to operate. However, owning a large engine superbike or an easy rider might not exactly be cheaper in the long run, as spare parts, servicing and even tyres and battery can sometimes cost more than an average car.

This is also the reason why Japanese motorcycles tend to sell better over American and European models. Bikes like the Honda VTX 1300R and the Kawasaki Vulcan have enjoyed a strong following, as their maintenance tends to be lower and the spare parts cheaper. However, the sex appeal and attention grabbing aspect of the Asian versions tend to be a little less exciting than their Continental and American

Harley Davidson Sporster 48

counterparts. They also do not carry a large selection of after sales lifestyle accessories.

However, large, powerful motorcycles have become super sexy today and are a part of mainstream lifestyle.

With the growing number of models being released into the market, consumer demands gravitate towards the big, flashy beasts that are only matched by their performance.

Running concurrently with this is the demand for accessories that match the bikes. From shoes, shirts, T-shirts, jackets, watches and even jeans being hawked at brand speciality boutiques, the lifestyle element that comes with motorbikes is an equally flourishing market, perhaps even more lucrative than the motorbike itself. Not everyone can own a big bike but just about anyone can walk in and buy a Harley Jacket!

Whether the ‘big motorcycle’ craze is simply an expensive diversion for an aging consumer market or will continue to make inroads is yet to be seen. The growing awareness of climate change and the need to conserve energy have seemingly shifted consumer preferences to gadgets and vehicles with a lower carbon footprint. The fact that motorcycles can also lend a big hand in creating a cool and desirable lifestyle simply adds to its appeal.

No longer just an icon of rebelliousness or trademark of aging uncles with lots of money, the big bikes are finally becoming a lifestyle necessity that may very well change the way we move about.

Kawasaki Vulcan

guts & glory

FANTASY & FANTASTICAL

SPORTS FACTS Tug of War was an Olympic event between 1900 and 1920.

From fantasy games to sports personalities who earn fantastical amounts of money, the sports arena is alive and kicking with amazing facts and figures.

Fulfilling Fantasies There are an estimated 100 million players who are in the realm of fantasy sports, highest number of which are soccer ‘players’. This is where web fans can act as owners to build a team that competes against other fantasy teams. The game stats are produced by the individual players or teams members. Fantasy sports has become so sophisticated that some use computer modelling of actual games based on actual statistics, with the ability to trade, cut and sign up new players... just like the real deal.

It is a growing industry and media brands and sponsors are honing in for greater fan reach fan. Free or paid, these games are drawing traffic, meaning more advertising revenue.

uk.premiership.fantasysports.yahoo.com / www.cbssports.com/fantasy

Raking it in Big Time

The speediest serve in a game of tennis was in 1963 by Michael Sangster.

It clocked at 154 miles per hour!

If a horse wins a race ‘hands down’ it means the jockey never raised his whip during the race.

It’s fame, trophies and big money! Here are some of the sportsmen and women who made it to Forbes 50 Highest Earning Athletes 2011.

David Beckham

WORDS: EFI HAFIZAH HAMZAH IMAGES: WWW.SXC.HU

(football) Age: 36 years old Earnings from May 2010 – May 2011: US$40 million Estimated net worth: US$219 million

Steroids & Sports Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that can help muscles grow larger in the body. In sports, athletes take steroids to improve their ability and increase endurance. Use of steroids, however, can cause serious physical side effects such as reduced sperm count, impotence, development of breast and shrinkage of testicles in men, and facial hair growth, changes in menstrual cycle and deepening of voice in women. Acne, unexplained weight gain, liver damage, increased cholesterol levels and premature heart attacks and strokes are some of the other recorded repercussions.

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travel3sixty august

Roger Federer

(tennis) Age: 30 years old Earnings from May 2010 – May 2011: US$47 million Estimated net worth: Well... he has won the Grand Slam title 15 times!

Maria Sharapova

(tennis) Age: 23 years old Annual earnings: US$24.5 million, with Nike re-signing her for an eight-year endorsement deal worth US$70 million Estimated net worth: US$90 million

AIRASIA CARGO SPECIAL

FORWARD CAR’GO! Low Cost Carriers and Cargo may not be the best of bedfellows but AirAsia proves, once again, that tapping into the unconventional can be beneficial to both customers and service provider.

WORDS: SATHIS MANOHAREN, REGIONAL CARGO HEAD AIRASIA & AIRASIA X

cargo business quickly set forth to find ways to drive the business without compromising on quality.

AirAsia is the first major LCC to offer ccargo services. At present, AirAsia’s narrow body fleet (A320), can load and unload cargo anywhere between four to five tonnes within 22 minutes, while the wide body fleet (A330 & A340), can handle between 18 to 20 tonnes of cargo within 60 minutes. With a team of just 22 staff members, AirAsia Cargo has not only created a buzz in the world of LCC, it has also ffashioned a sizeable business model in terms of revenue stream. m Here are our 8 value propositions: p

~ PRICING POINTS

The AirAsia Cargo Tea

m.

Low Cost Carriers (LCC) and cargo services are seldom articulated in the same breath. In fact, a large number of LCCs quite intentionally shy away from cargo services simply due to the rapid turnaround time; just around 25 minutes! Analogically, engaging in cargo services at a passengerdriven LCC business is like asking a Manchester United fan to hug a Liverpool supporter. They simply don’t gel.

Challenging conventional wisdom, however, is one of the trademarks of Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes and the AirAsia team. With the culture of being receptive to new ideas firmly ingrained, the team in charge of the

We are on average 35% cheaper W th than the published rates of other ca carriers.

~ COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK N & CONNECTIVITY We have unrivalled connectivity, especially in the ASEAN region.

~ WEB BASED BOOKING AND TRACKING SYSTEM (cargo.airasia.com)

The cargo booking and tracking landscape has been dramatically revolutionised by the AirAsia Cargo system (AACS). The number of clicks required to execute bookings in AACS is significantly less than other booking systems used by other airlines.

~ EFFICIENCY MANAGEMENT We have a standard, simple and streamlined set of processes, which cultivates efficiency for loading and unloading cargo. This approach has garnered AirAsia two world awards and two Asian level awards in the last two years, with the latest being the World’s Best Cargo Customer Care in Munich. We have also been above industry average in ‘Flown as Booked’ cargo (a measure of cargo delivery efficiency). Our average is 92%.

~ AIRASIA COURIER (courier.airasia.com)

We are the first major LCC to engage in airport-to-airport courier service. It’s a value for money service, with bookings executed online.

~ CAPITALISING ON VALUE OPPORTUNITIES While others grieve that the cargo market is spiraling downwards, AirAsia has found ingenious ways to capitalise on opportunities.

~ WOMEN TO THE FORE Whilst in general, cargo is a male dominated industry, 30% of the team at AirAsia Cargo is made up of the fairer sex. The finance portfolio, leading the AirAsia Courier initiative, and our lead ground supervisor are women.

~ ATTITUDE We simply don’t give up as we continuously formulate new ways to develop the business.

tech-talk

War of the Tablets The Apple’s iPad may be the segment leader but a plethora of tablets are flooding the market with exciting features, apps, and prices. Find the one that’s best for you from this selection.

HTC Ectasy HT T HTC Flyer has a The 1.5 1 GHz processor for superfast browsing and s seamless multitasking, as s well as Wi-Fi printing for making prints of e-mails, documents or photos. www.htc.com

TAMING THE TABLET Want to get a tablet but don’t quite know which to buy or where to start? Fret not! Here’s a list of websites that will offer insights on how to tame the tablet ‘terror’. www.tabletpcbuzz. com – repository for all information about tablets, including forums, recommendations and price comparisons.

WORDS: NICOLETTE NG

http://reviews.cnet. com/tablets/ – reviews on tablets. http://mobileoffice. about.com/od/ tabletpcs – reviews, usage tips. www.alltouchtablet. com – reviews, news and comparisons.

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travel3sixty august

King of Aces Another Android 3.0 Honeycomb slate is the 7-inch Acer Iconia Tab A100, one of the few smallerthan-10-inch tablets with Tegra 250 Dual cortex A9 Processor.

Xoom Vroom The Motorola Xoom is an Android 3.0 Honeycomb slate that will delight you with its ease of use, speed and vivid graphics – all through its 10.1-inch HD widescreen display. www.motorola.com

True Tansformation Asus’ Eee Pad Transformer TF101 comes with a full QWERTY keyboard and touchpad input with Polaris® Office® for mobile productivity. www.asus.com

www.acericonia.com

Berry Good The BlackBerry Playbook has Adobe Flash support built-in to give you the full power of the Internet for surfing, streaming videos or online games. http:// worldwide.blackberry.com

sleep inns

Cream of the Crop

From chic city stays to island getaways, hotels keep upping the ante in providing sterling service and superior hospitality. Here are our hot favourites.

WORDS: R.RAJENDRA, BEVERLY RODRIGUES & NICOLETTE NG

Star of Shenzhen

When China turned Shenzhen into a Special Economic Zone in the late 70s, more the US$30 billion worth of foreign investment flowed into this area, turning it into southern China’s

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travel3sixty august

EDITOR’S CHOICE!

main financial hub and one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

In this city of skyscrapers, luxury malls and mega manufacturing plants, the Asta Hotel Shenzhen is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle outside. The hotel is located on the leafy Fumin Road in the commercial district of Futian with the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre just a hop away.

The hotel is also mere steps away from the Fu Min Metro station, while the Futian immigration checkpoint is just

one station away. This close proximity to the border offers great connectivity to guests who wish to travel to Hong Kong. In fact, due to the exorbitant prices of hotels in Hong Kong, visitors prefer to stay in Shenzhen but cross over to Hong Kong for shopping and business.

Perfect for both business and leisure travellers, the Asta Shenzhen is a warm, welcoming inn that takes pride in its friendly service. With high ceilings and modern glass chandeliers cascading down in the lobby, this oasis of calm is the perfect place to retire from a busy day of business negotiations, shopping or sight-seeing.

Bay of Plenty

A 28 Fumin Road, Futian District,

Shenzhen 518048 China T (86) 755 8256 9888

Visit www.airasiago.com for attractive room deals on this hotel.

If you’re looking for a convenient shopping and sightseeing base on the legendary Malaysian island of Langkawi, check out Bayview Hotel Langkawi, right in the heart of Kuah town. The hotel is situated within walking distance of some of the island’s best duty-free shops, and just a 10-minute drive from the tourist jetty where you can board island-hopping boats to Pulau Payar Marine Park, the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden and other tropical islands.

Bayview Hotel Langkawi is popular with guests in search of affordable

accomodation d i with i h iits spacious i superior, deluxe and executive rooms, all equipped with the modern conveniences you’ll need for a comfortable stay.

F&B outlets here include Flamingo Coffee House with its simple international and local grub, Phoenix Chinese Restaurant with authentic Chinese specialties, and the Woodpecker KTV Lounge where you can enjoy live music or sing your heart out at the karaoke machine, while sipping cocktails and night cappers.

After a long day of sightseeing, relax by the pool or drop by the Alun Alun Spa for the signature Jari Menari massage where two masseurs use the intense pressure of their ‘dancing fingers’ to sooth sore muscles.

A Jalan Pandak Mayah 1,

Pusat Bandar Kuah 07000 Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia T +604 966 1818

Visit www.airasiago.com for attractive room deals on this hotel.

august travel3sixty 51

PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM LEE

With 334 rooms on 17 floors, the hotel is an elegant retreat that has artfully combined style elements from China and Southeast Asia in its decor, creating an overall feel of modern sophistication without being overly opulent or achingly minimalist. Warm, wood tones dominate the overall design with subtle accents of green The Southeast Asian influence also continues in the MING lobby lounge and 5 Spice coffee house where dishes like nasi lemak (breakfast dish popular in Malaysia and Singapore) may be featured from time to time.

The Oriental Palace restaurant serves a great selection of Cantonese and regional cuisine and is particurlarly busy on weekends when the crowd jams up the place for dim sum.

Without a doubt, the rooms are the main pull here. Spacious and a far cry from the tiny hovels you get in Hong Kong for the same price, the beds are of genuine feather with goose down pillows and sumptuous linens. It is the perfect way to wind down while watching the busy crowd and sparkling neon lights on the street below.

C’est La Vie

If shopping is your only reason for living, than Bangkok is your perfect playground! When in the City of Angels, opt for VIE Hotel Bangkok for a great stay with easy access to the city’s choicest shopping areas. Located just a short walk from Ratchathewi BTS station, major shopping malls like Siam Square, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon and MBK Centre are mere minutes away. The BTS line also takes you to the Sukhumvit and Silom areas in a jiffy. The icing on the cake?

Chatuchak weekend market is on the same train line!

The hotel is a new breed of inns that is small enough to offer personalised service while

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maintaining the kind of high standards you’d expect in a big city hotel. With a total of 154 deluxe rooms, deluxe suites, two bedroom duplex suites and penthouse units, Vie Hotel Bangkok’s great location also includes stunning views of the city, a nearby park and the San Saeb Canal that leads to the older parts of the city and into Bangkok’s famous water way, the Chao Praya River.

The rooms are a tasteful blend of European design with a contemporary Thai twist. Rich, vibrant colours are used extensively to dress up the public areas while Asian design elements are creatively used to set a relaxing

and exotic ambiance in the rooms. Luxurious linens offer a comfortable rest after your raids on Bangkok’s malls and markets.

Perhaps one of the biggest attraction at the Vie is the bathroom.

Spacious, with separate shower, bathtub and double washbasins, one could easily live in it. The Etienne Aigner bath products make all trips to the water closet truly luxurious.

A 117/39-40 Phaya Thai Road,

Ratchathewi, 10400 Bangkok

T +66 2 3093939

M

WORDS: SURANI ARIFF

MS MUSEU

MA GIC

OF

One way to learn about a country is to visit its museums. Visitors can view the cultural legacy, art exhibits, architecture, food and costumes of the people who’ve created the country. Visiting a museum also takes a person back in time, and is a wonderful way to get acquainted with a nation’s history. However, if the normal arts, historical and cultural museums don’t really rock your boat, there are countless other museums that may pique your curiosity – from the quirky to the downright bizarre. Here’s a quick peek at some of the greatest and some of the weirdest.

IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES

hit list

and turn you into a walking encyclopaedia upon your visit. With over 126 million natural science specimens and cultural artifacts, the museum also houses a collection that includes 30 million insects, 4.5 million plant pressings in the museum’s herbarium, 7 million fish in liquid-filled jars, and 2 million cultural artifacts, including 400,000 photographs housed in the National Anthropological Archives. www.mnh.si.edu

The British Museum in London is a must-visit. It houses exhibits and galleries from the Egyptian era right up to modern times and, hosts special and seasonal exhibitions that attract millions. This museum is perfect for everyone, from history buff to the casual tourist. www.britishmuseum.org

ums e s u M ʼs Best d l r o W

Le Louvre Museum in Paris houses the most ancient of artifacts and paintings from prehistoric times. The museum was once the home of the French royalty until King Louis XIV moved the throne to the Palace of Versailles in 1682. This museum appeals particularly to history buffs and connoisseurs of fine art. www.louvre.fr Your jaw will hit rock bottom when you visit The Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This is a monument to the mythical, fantastical and yet very true history of Ancient Egypt. Relics of pharaohs, gods and goddesses, mummies and strange religious rites will astound you, apart from mesmerising you with their rich and refined legacy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

The Museum of Modern Art in New York is a treasure trove of art. It excites you with its photography, sculpture, media and performance art. But mostly come here to be floored by the art collection. www.moma.org

Egyptian_Museum

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC will enrich you

Left: Egyptian Mummy and Coffin 150 BC-50 AD, at the Smithsonian New York.

Far left: Polyfantastica, from the exhibition, ‘This IS Hawaii’, at the Smithsonian New York.

The Museum of Witchcraft, Cornwall, UK. Anything and everything about spells, Wicca, magic and witches! www.museumofwitchcraft.com

Top 5 Maca bre M useum s

The Torture Museum, Amsterdam.This museum is not for the fainthearted, as it is about all the torture rituals used around the world. www.torturemuseum.com The York Dungeon, UK. The York Dungeon tells visitor about the bubonic plague, which affected England in 1665. www.the-dungeons.co.uk/york/en

Museum of the Weird, Texas, USA. This museum is the National Enquirer – the magazine of the weirdest news on earth – come alive. Monsters from cupboards, alien husbands... you name it, they have it! www.museumoftheweird.com

Museum of Medical Oddities, Russia.

Mutant babies, strange growths on animals and humans; it’s like being on another planet at this museum and yet all these happened here on earth! www.kunstkamera.ru

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ums e s u M renʼs d l i h C Top 5

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Cumbria, England.

A museum dedicated to the memory of Beatrix Potter and the characters in her books. www.hop-skip-jump.com The Children’s Museum, Indianapolis, USA. A museum only for kids where they can play, learn, draw and have fun. www.childrensmuseum.org

The Jacque-Mart Andre Museum, Paris, France.

Parents wanting some time in romantic Paris can plonk their kids at this museum, which is all about fun, colours and playtime. Truly wonderful for kids. www.museejacquemart-andre.com/en

The Hiroshima Children’s Museum, Hiroshima, Japan. This planetarium is educational and yet allows the child to be creative. It’s all in Japanese, but a few hours here will definitely excite your child. www.pyonta.city.hiroshima.jp

Museum Pambata, Manila, Philippines. This has to be one of the best museums for kids in the world.

It is hands on, creative and your child leaves it with a head full of ideas. Worth a visit! www.museopambata.org

Clockwise from above: An exhibit of Peter Rabbit at The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction; Falling Star by Romare Bearden at the Smithsonian New York; The Children’s Museum, Indianapolis, USA.

The Ramen Museum, Shinyookohama, Japan.

Well, what do you know? A museum dedicated to the humble noodle. www.raumen.co.jp/ramen The Museum of Toilets, New Delhi, India.

One’s favourite room in the house has now been immortalised in a museum. Learn how flushes came about! www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org The Museum of Bad Art, Boston, USA. Anything resembling scribbles and awful paintings end up here. Come and be appalled! www.museumofbadart.org

**Depending on the museum, entrance fee is based on your age, student or senior citizen status, or donation!

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The Penis Museum, Iceland. The title says it all. Perhaps, not the best place to bring Mom and Dad when visiting Iceland. www.thepenismuseum.com

Top 5 Peculi ar Mu seums

The Kimchi Museum, Seoul, South Korea. Love Korean food? This is the place for you then! Learn everything you need to know about this addictive dish. www.kimchimuseum.co.kr

cover story

Three times, baby!

AirAsia has been named the World’s Best Low Cost Airline for the third year running at the World Airline Awards 2011. Now Everyone Can Fly… with the best in the world!

WORDS: SHANTINI SUNTHARAJAH

Right: Premium Flat Beds on AirAsia X flights allow guests to truly enjoy their flights and arrive at their destinations feeling rested.

Below: AirAsia Ramp Agents who handle baggage loading, amongst other duties, comprise both men and women.

It’s official! AirAsia has soared to the very top of the list of low cost carriers across the globe! Recently, AirAsia was named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, beating other well-known and established contenders such as Irish low cost carrier, Ryanair and, the popular EasyJet of the UK. AirAsia’s win this year is cause for extra special celebration because it’s a hat trick. This year’s triumph marks the 3rd consecutive win – AirAsia won the coveted title in both 2009 and 2010. As AirAsia approaches its 10th anniversary celebrations later this year, to win the much coveted award three times in a row points to only one thing: It wasn’t luck and it wasn’t a fluke; it was sheer grit, determination and hard work!

“As AirAsia approaches its 10th anniversary celebrations later this year, to win the much coveted award three times in a row points to only one thing: It wasn’t luck and it wasn’t a fluke; it was sheer grit, determination and hard work!”

Airline award is the aviation industry’s version of the Academy Award.

Conferred by the respected, Londonbased aviation consultants, Skytrax, this award is presented based on a strictly independent, in-depth survey that rigorously measures each airline’s products and services. The tribute is made even sweeter by the fact that the survey involves the opinions of almost 19 million travellers worldwide!

Detailed And Diverse

The Academy Awards of the Aviation Industry Skytrax’s annual World Airline Awards aren’t handed out easily and they’re certainly not easily earned. Since it began in 1999, this award programme

has garnered the respect of people inside and outside the aviation industry because it’s not a subscriber-based, profit-driven, self-interest programme like many other awards.

To gain some perspective of its true significance, the World’s Best Low-Cost

Skytrax is careful in setting itself apart from other travel awards by guaranteeing survey transparency and, by conducting global passenger surveys, which examine the performance of over 200 big and small airlines.

The survey, which takes 10 months to complete each year, is as detailed as it is diverse. Passenger feedback from all over the world is collected august travel3sixty 61

Skytrax reaches out to travellers through a variety of methods.

Passengers are interviewed online, on the phone, through corporate travel questionnaires and travel panels.

One of the key reasons World Airline Awards by Skytrax has gained a reputation as the most prestigious quality award an airline can receive is because the opinions of real travellers are the fundamental force that drives the entire award system. Skytrax is also esteemed for enforcing a severe ‘no sponsorship’ policy. Even the annual awards ceremony, which was held this year in Paris, is not paid for by outside parties and all survey costs are taken care of by Skytrax.

The Little Airline That Could and collated. The survey itself covers an exhaustive list of 38 different items of airline front-line products and services for each award category. It scrutinises all flight environments from check-in to boarding and dissects the tiniest details like onboard seat comfort and cabin temperature to the more common aspects of the flying experience like cabin crew service and in-flight dining.

While there’s no denying that being named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline is an immense honour, many globetrotters and industry insiders agree that it’s no great surprise that AirAsia keeps winning the award over and over again.

Helmed by the charismatic and savvy Group CEO Tan Sri Dr.Tony Fernandes, AirAsia, which started with just two aircraft covering six

Champs Again The significance of winning the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline award from Skytrax for the third time was not lost on AirAsia’s Group CEO, Tan Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes who credited the win to AirAsia’s staff, known within the company as the Allstars.

Fernandes shared: “We are very humbled by the support that our guests have given to us. The Allstars are the pillar of AirAsia’s success. We are turning 10 this year and I am sure they would be delighted to know that the passion, dedication, hard work, creativity and commitment that they invest in AirAsia everyday have resulted in the best present we could receive for AirAsia’s tenth birthday – being the world’s best for the third consecutive year.”

local routes in January 2002, has now become a global success story. At last count, the airline owns 104 aircrafts, which zig-zag through 78 worldwide destinations and cover 132 routes – 40 of which are offered by no other airline.

It is also one of the only truly ASEAN (The Association Of South East Asian Nations) airlines serving 600 million people in the region with 10 busy hubs in three different countries namely Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Along with its low-cost, long haul affiliate, AirAsia X, AirAsia regularly connects people travelling through three continents – Asia, Australia and Europe.

Keeping ‘The World’s Best’ Crown

Above: Safety is a major concern onboard and AirAsia Flight Attendants are well equipped to handle all possibilities.

Top: AirAsia pilots come from many nations around the world, making the airline a truly global company.

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In just one decade, AirAsia has proven its unparalleled popularity among travellers, which partly explains the reason behind the airline winning an award based on passenger feedback.

Low fares may grab consumer attention but it’s AirAsia’s carefully

Awards Galore ‘Award-winning’ could be AirAsia’s middle name. The airline has won numerous awards since in just under 10 years. Here’s a fraction of AirAsia’s recent wins’ • The Budgie World Low-Cost Airlines Asia Pacific’s Best Marketing Campaign of the Year 2010 • The Global ICT Award for 2010 in the private sector category from the World InformationTechnology and Service Alliance (WITSA) • World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) – excellence awards 2010 for private sector excellence thought out passenger services and innovations that keep millions boarding the red and white aircraft again and again.

There are a myriad reasons behind AirAsia’s ability to regularly top the popularity stakes among passengers, beating out other low cost airlines – some of which are far more established. AirAsia may be a low cost carrier but there’s nothing low about its standard of products and services.

AirAsia’s modern fleet, extensive flight network and high flight frequency are among the secrets to its ongoing success. Passengers appreciate the convenient booking systems, which allow personalised air travel that fits individual needs. AirAsia’s ChooseYour-Own meal, seats and baggage allowances make for a comfortable, affordable flight experience that is rarely matched by other airlines. The airline has kept itself fun and fresh by introducing the latest and best technologies for passenger services.

Travellers have wide and varied options at their fingertips when they choose to fly AirAsia. Services such as web and mobile bookings, web, mobile and kiosk check-in options and dynamic use of social media platforms like Facebook, Wei Bo and Twitter have kept AirAsia close to its customers, at the

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cutting edge of innovation and at the top of everyone’s favourite airline list.

It’s clear that the budget airline has come a long way since 2002 but when all is said and done, AirAsia values its passengers above all else. Fernandes put it best when he said: “This award is very special to all of us at AirAsia as it is voted by travellers and we are very proud to be the people’s champion once again.”

• One of the top 10 airlines in the passenger carriage category by Changi Airport Group (CAG) • The Air Cargo Industry Newcomer of the Year Award 2010 at ACW World Air Cargo Awards in Shanghai • The Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier for 2010 by TTG at the 21st Annual TTG travel Awards 2010

Above: The AirAsia ground crew at all stations are specially trained to attend to our guests’ needs and go all out to help passengers.

Top: Frequent checks and maintenance of aircraft ensure a safe journey onboard all AirAsia flights.

Allstars Rejoice It is a truly momentous win for AirAsia but even more so for our hard working staff. Without their passion, dedication, creativity and commitment, the award would have not come to the ‘Red Fort’ three times in a row. Here’s what the Allstars have to say about the win.

Chanawut Sawasdee Training Officer, People Department at Thailand AirAsia. One and a half years with AirAsia.

“The award means a lot to me and my fellow Allstars. This is not the result of one person’s performance alone but the hard work of everyone.

I’m so proud to be a part of one of the best companies in the world. But we still have a long to go. We must sustain the quality to keep earning better recognition in the coming years.”

Muhamad Asri Abas

My Commitment “I’m ready to meet new challenges because I believe in the capability of those who work for AirAsia.”

Ground Safety and ERP Executive with Malaysia AirAsia. Seven years with AirAsia.

“The award means a lot to me as it inspires me to strive even harder to ensure that we remain the world’s best for many years to come. I’m really proud to be a part of AirAsia, which is a cool, fun and friendly airline. And of course it’s an honour to be part of AirAsia’s huge family.”

My Commitment “Together with my colleagues in the AirAsia Safety Department, we will continue to give our best in maintaining guest safety on ground and in the air.”

Aloysius G. Jonathan Strategy, Airports and Planning Executive at Malaysia AirAsia. Three and half years with AirAsia.

“It’s an amazing feat winning the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline Award three times in a row. I am proud to be with a company that has come so far in a very short time.”

My Commitment “To maintain this feat every year and to continue striving for excellence in all of AirAsia’s aspirations.”

Safina Alfian Yusof Instructor at Malaysia AirAsia Academy. Three and a half years with AirAsia.

“This award recognises Allstars for their effort, blood, sweat and tears. It is the best gift for the Allstars. It was not an easy task but the passion in everyone has made it possible.”

My Commitment “My pledge for future achievements is simple: Passion and hard work in all that we do to ensure that we remain the best in the world.”

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Peter Chong ong Yaw Choong Team Leader off the Creative Unit at Malaysia a AirAsia. Four years plus with AirAsia. reative team, I feel “On behalf of my creative art of this winning truly proud to be a part streak, having bagged the Skytrax award for the third consecutive time.”

My Commitment “Ourr efforts in proving to the world d that we are top global brand and did not go to waste. We will go all out to show w how passionate we e are about bringing the e award back to AirAsia every year!”

Jackson Lau Lee Yung AirAsia Station Head in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Four years with AirAsia.

“The award is in recognition of our hard work and reflects directly on how far we have come in providing great service to our guests.”

My Commitment “To provide consistent and excellent service to our guests, ensuring that every experience they have flying with AirAsia is the best ever!”

Aris Wibowo AirAsia Indonesia Aircraft Technician (Cart) at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Jakarta. Five years with AirAsia.

“AirAsia winning the award is a very proud moment for me and my colleagues. All our hard work seems worthwhile when it is appreciated with such an award.”

My Commitment “It motivates me to keep giving the best in all areas, to be focused and disciplined in maintaining our position as the best low cost airline in the world.”

Khaisaeng Yongsawat Business & Process Analyst at Malaysia AirAsia. Seven years with AirAsia.

“My journey with AirAsia began in Bangkok with Thai AirAsia and these seven years have been the most amazing time of my life, as AirAsia had given me the opportunity to develop my career and work with people from all over the globe.

My Commitmentt “As an AirAsia ambassador, the Skytrax award means that the dedication of my unit is bearing fruit. We will work harder to better our services so that we can continue bagging this award for the fourth, fifth and sixth time too!

And some more.”

The

Lureof Pattaya

Is a party town any place for a family vacation?

Surprisingly the beachside city of Pattaya in Thailand has loads of exciting, wholesome activities that are equally fun-ďŹ lled for the perfect holiday.

WORDS: BEVERLY RODRIGUES PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM LEE

This page: A friendly food vendor at the Pattaya Floating Market.

Opposite page: Beautiful hardwood sculpture at the Sanctuary of Truth.

Garden Hop

Above: Muay Thai lesson at the Fairtex Sports & Racquet Club.

Top: The French Garden with brilliant white stupa-like structures offers a blend of European and Buddhist artistic elements.

Mention Pattaya, and you’ll probably get one of those sly, knowing smiles.

Since the 60s when the first batch of American servicemen dropped by for a little R&R during the Vietnam War, Pattaya’s reputation as a hotspot for hedonism has spread far and wide.

But, strange as it may seem, over the past couple of years, Pattaya has begun courting a new market: Families. And even stranger yet, it seems to be working!

The young and the restless can still have their fun but the city has also spruced up its image.

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Located just 150 kms south-east of Bangkok, the local council has had significant success in attracting vacationing families. The close proximity to Bangkok allows visitors, both local and foreign, to make quick weekend getaways for some sunand-sand, and to enjoy the alternative attractions available at Pattaya.

Here’s a quick round-up of the fun stuff in Pattaya – from cultural and adventure activities to foodie excursions and shopping sprees!

You don’t need to be a botany buff to enjoy the award-winning Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden. Even if you’re ‘botanically-challenged’ and wouldn’t know a Venus flytrap if it bit you, this tropical garden is sure to fascinate.

What began as a fantastical ornamental garden in the sprawling hills of Chonburi some three decades ago, has become one of the largest collections of living plants in Southeast Asia. Within the lush 652 acres here are 27 gardens that are constantly evolving in creativity and diversity.

While the mini Stonehenge Garden and European Garden with its gazebo, Greek sculptures and tropical hedge are definite highlights, the real star is the French Garden; inspired by the gardens of Versailles. Using tropical plants, it exemplifies the symmetry of French design with geometrical parterres and topiaries.

Moving away from Renaissancestyle gardens, take in the stark beauty of the Cactus Garden, where exotic golden barrel cacti, wire cacti, prickly pears and other strange-looking species twist and tangle. Cactus flowers bloom from January to May. www.nongnoochgarden.com Entrance: THB400/person

Clockwise from right: Silverlake Vineyard is a great spot for families; wine, raisins and grape cookies at Silverlake Vineyard; Mini Siam offers a quick introduction to Thailand’s most stunning sights; the Laser Buddha is possibly Pattaya’s most famous landmark.

Visit Buddha Mountain The Khao Chee Chan Buddha Mountain, fondly dubbed ‘Laser Buddha’is believed to be Thailand’s only image of Buddha carved by a laser beam on the face of a rock. Created in 1996 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne, this mega artwork portrays one of Buddhism’s most beloved images: Buddha subduing mara, and calling the earth to witness. Mara is perceived as either a demon or the realm of sense and desire, and the image depicts Buddha’s enlightenment and victory over temptation. While there’s speculation on whether laser beams were actually used to carve the rock, the Laser Buddha remains an iconic landmark.

Go Grapes!

Travel the World

Combining views and vino, Pattaya’s sprawling Silverlake Vineyard is a fun spot to sample grape products and, snap some great family pictures. A stroll through the vineyard, scattered with numerous art installations that range from cute to kitsch, will transport you to a technicolour wonderland.

Here, the Garden of Love, complete with statues of angels, multi-coloured snails, heart-shaped flower arches and bird houses, has become a popular spot for wedding photography. Once you’re done posing for photos, check out Silverlake’s range of table grapes, wines like chenin blanc, shiraz and rosé, as well as grape juice, jelly, pies and raisins.

Traverse the globe from the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris to the Egyptian rock temples of Abu Simbel in the time it takes to say ‘Pattaya’. Mini Siam with its detailed miniatures of some of the world’s most stunning structures offers an impressive round-theworld excursion. The park showcases masterpieces such as Wat Phra Kaeo that houses the Emerald Buddha, the historical park of Ayutthaya and the beautiful Temple of Dawn. In the Mini Europe area, you’ll see the onion-shaped domes of St. Basil’s in Moscow, London’s Tower Bridge and Michealangelo’s beautiful sculpture, Pietà. Angkor Wat and the Statue of Liberty complete the ‘world tour’. Visit at night to see Mini Siam all lit up.

www.silverlakethai.com FREE ENTRANCE!

www.minisiam.com Entrance: THB300 /adult; THB150/child

FREE ENTRANCE!

august travel3sixty 71

Ride & Splash

Search for Truth

Take a 45-minute ferry ride from Pattaya’s Tourist Port to the island of Koh Larn, a hotspot for snorkelling, diving and other water sports, just seven kms off the coast of Pattaya.

With aquamarine waters, this tropical island has something for the solitude seeker, as well as the energetic beach bunny. While lively Ta Waen Beach in the north is packed with holidaymakers splashing in the blue, and waiting for their turn to ride jetskis and banana boats, you’ll find a more tranquil setting at nearby Thong Lang, where you can opt for snorkelling or sea walking. On the west side, Samae Beach offers a 300-metre stretch of powdery white sand, as well as delicious local seafood on sale.

Rising from Rachvate Cape like an ancient temple, the Sanctuary of Truth is truly an awesome sight.

Carved entirely of teak, red and rose woods using traditional methods, its elaborate architecture is imbued with ancient Eastern philosophies.

The design reflects the cycle of life, and the belief that man cannot exist without the seven creators: Heaven, earth, father, mother, moon, sun and stars. Taking in the magnificent detail of the carvings and sculptures, you’ll be surprised to learn that construction only began 30 years ago. In fact, work is still going on, so you’ll be able to don a hardhat and witness a great heritage site in the making.

Ferry fare: THB30/person

Clockwise from left: The Sanctuary of Truth is a stunning architectural feat; try parasailing off a pontoon near the Pattaya Tourist Port; Koh Larn is surrounded by sparkling blue water.

www.sanctuaryoftruth.com Entrance fee: THB500/person

The whole of Pattaya is on sale! Enjoy up to 70% discount at participating hotels, restaurants, spas, golf resorts, shopping malls and tourist attractions during the sale, which runs till September 30. This is the best time to enjoy the beach city and to load up on great buys at fantastic prices! www.trip2pattaya.com

GETTING THERE Pattaya city is accessible by bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Roong Reuang Coach Co., Ltd. offers direct connections to Jomtien Pattaya at THB124, while Bell Travel Service includes hotel dropoffs for just THB200. Visit www. airportpattayabus.com and www. belltravelservice.com for more info.

Dine by the Sea

Catch a Cabaret Show Touted as Thailand’s original transgender cabaret show and the largest in the world, Tiffany’s Show has been running for 37 years! With extravagant sets, dramatic costumes and a mix of contemporary and traditional music and dance, Tiffany’s Show is so popular that it plays to a packed house three times a night.

Apart from the occasional ribaldry that may include performers with ‘mutant breasts’ randomly picking audience members to squish in their bosom, the show is pretty harmless.

After the show, be sure to get your camera ready. The mardi gras-like atmosphere is electric with families rushing to snap photos with their favourite cabaret stars. www.tiffany-show.co.th Entrance fee: THB500 to THB800/person

Throw a Punch Martial arts junkies must take a lesson or two in Muay Thai at the Fairtex Sports & Racquet Club, famous for its serious Thai kickboxing camps.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro looking to brush up on your craft, Fairtex gives you the skills and support you need. Most of the instructors here are champion fighters who used to

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battle it out in some of the country’s biggest rings, including Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. Your lesson will take place in a regulation size boxing ring to give you the feel of a real Muay Thai match. www.fairtexpattaya.com Class: THB800 THB/3 hour session

Shop on Water

For an atmospheric dinner, drop by The Glasshouse that just opened in June 2011. This beachside restaurant is built around a glasshouse with outdoor dining. The clean, white lines of the design, traveller’s palms and lapping waves create a lovely setting, and the restaurant offers some interesting dishes such as spicy larb salmon, a salad prepared with fish sauce, chilli and kaffir lime, as well as bestsellers like mango cheese cake and white chocolate fruit tart. www.glasshouse-pattaya.com

Shop for handicrafts, traditional snacks, fashion apparel, Thai silk and more at the Pattaya Floating Market.

Over 100 stalls sit on teak walkways that crisscross a manmade lake, and are divided into four regions – north, south, northeast and central Thailand.

This segmentation was more distinct when the market opened in 2008, but today the lines are blurred and you’ll find an exciting mishmash of cultural delights. For a truly Thai experience, sample local delicacies served from paddle boats that ply the waterway.

You’ll find everything from sweet traditional desserts to grilled crocodile meat. If you’re tired of shopping, get a foot massage, take a boatride or glide across a130-metre long cable over the lake at the Skywalker Sling Adventure. www.pattayafloatingmarket.com FREE ENTRANCE!

Above: Indoor lounge at The Glasshouse.

Top left: Colourful curtain call at the Tiffany’s Show.

AirAsia flies to Bangkok from various destinations. Visit www.airasia.com for the full flight schedule.

The

City of Joy The birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore, the ďŹ rst non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, Kolkata is a teeming city that is inviting as it is maddening.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: EDGAR ALAN ZETA-YAP

IMAGE: CORBIS

Lifeline. Free & Confidential”, the ad assured me.

It was 10.30am, and Kolkata, a late riser, had just woken from its stupor.

I’d barely spent a morning wandering around West Bengal’s state capital – the second largest city in India, with nearly 16 million people – and to say that I was overwhelmed was an understatement.

Magically Manic

Above: The bright hues of Mullik Ghat Flower Market.

Top: Kolkata is one of the last stronghold of hand-pulled rickshaws in India.

Opposite page: The streets of Kumartuli and other parts of the city are often decorated with religious images.

Preceding page: The Howrah Bridge across the Hooghly River in Kolkata.

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“Distressed? Depressed? Suicidal?” a helpline ad at Rabindra Sadan Metro station called out to me as I was helplessly swept out by a deluge of commuters onto the steamy streets of central Kolkata. It was well over 35 degrees, and the humidity instantly turned my sweat to soup. None of my senses were spared from the urban onslaught. In a maddening Morse code of blowing horns, the intersection coughed up a dizzying parade of cheddar-hued, vintage Ambassador taxis and shabby rickshaws handpulled by scrawny wallahs. “Call

Nonetheless, while stereotypical images of Kolkata conjures nothing but disorder and destitution, the intrepid traveller will be rewarded with colorful insights into Bengali culture and heritage that stand true to its moniker: ‘The City of Joy’. Even a day’s ramble through traditional enclaves of this former capital of British India will astound culture vultures and keeneyed shutterbugs.

The fascinating starting point of my photo walk was the southern riverside neighbourhood of Kalighat, which many believe gave the city its name. According to a Hindu legend, the demise of Sati – wife of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and transformation – created holy places of cosmic power across India. Enraged

by Sati’s death that was brought about by her father’s disapproval of her marriage, Shiva carried her body and began the Dance of Destruction across the universe. The other deities tried to stop his dance of terror and in the process, severed Sati’s body into numerous pieces. Her body parts rained all over the Indian subcontinent, forming sacred sites of Hindu worship.

The Kali temple here marks the site where the toes of her right foot fell.

The temple exteriors are modest but surrounding it are market stalls ablaze with brightly painted pictures, marigold and hibiscus garlands, and other items for puja (prayer) offerings. Women wrapped in glittering purple, pink and green saris browsed for bargains. Vendors lit up with

enthusiasm at the sight of my camera.

An old vendor, his face smeared red with the kumkum powder he was selling, asked for a portrait, which he scrutinised grinningly once I snapped his picture. Another man cajoled the vendor next to him, an elderly woman with a meek smile: “This is Mother Teresa – take photo please!“ Everybody brightened up, laughing.

Gods’ Workshop

At the northern side of Kolkata is Kumartuli, a quarter renowned for sculptors of giant effigies of Hindu gods. Like Sati’s macabre legend come to life, heads, torsos and limbs of gods and goddesses sculpted from clay and straw lay about the place. Interestingly, the local artisans here demonstrate their skills through Western-style creations as well. In one corner, Romanesque sculptures of whitewashed figures in delicate drapery were displayed, some of them embellishing Corinthian columns.

As I peered into the dusty workshops, bare-breasted bodies with half-painted faces glared back at me, awaiting their watery fate. This district is busiest in October during the annual Hindu festival of Durga Puja, a five-day holiday in West Bengal, where Mother Durga – goddess of victory of good over evil – is worshipped. The festivities culminate with the ritual immersion of the clay effigies in the Hooghly River, which cuts through the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah.

Bridge & Bounty

From the Bagbazar jetty at Kumartuli, ferries take passengers down the Hooghly River to Howrah train station.

The ferry ride offers leisurely, almost pastoral views of boatmen fishing from slender, wooden vessels and, wide-eyed children giggling and leaping into the muddy water from the crumbling bathing ghats along the riverbanks. Downriver, the scenery is soon dominated by the majestic feat of

engineering that is the Howrah Bridge, completed in 1943. The cantilever bridge, which carries the weight of 80,000 vehicles and over a million pedestrians everyday, is one of the finest in the world. From the ferry, I observed the constant stream of people marching across its steel webbing, many of them balancing large cloth bundles and bamboo baskets of vegetables and flowers on their heads.

Beneath the bridge, a flurry of crowds and produce sketched a lively scene near the train station. On the sidewalk were piles of fruits and vegetables; a palette bursting with mangoes, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, onions and bitter gourds sold by chatty vendors. Like their Kalighat counterparts, the Howrah vendors were not camera shy at all!

On the other side, by the eastern bank, is another epicenter of commercial activity, perhaps the most photographed market in Kolkata. Best viewed from the Howrah Bridge, the Mullik Ghat flower market is truly a

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Clockwise from Left: The locals still live in tight communal quarters around the city; a flower vendor playfully peeks through marigold garlands; cruise down the Hooghly River aboard weathered ferryboats.

shutterbug’s delight where nearly 2,000 flower growers sell their produce, mostly heaping piles of red and white rose petals and mounds upon mounds of marigold garlands in vivid yellows and oranges. Selling 6,500 tonnes of flowers each year, West Bengal is the third largest producer of flowers in India, after Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Lost in Kolkata

Indeed, Kolkata is a relentless force to be reckoned with even for the most jaded traveller; an assault to your senses and a hyperbolic juxtaposition of chaos and contemplation. Like most of India, Kolkata doesn’t always lend its beauty to visitors on a silver platter, because one has to somehow earn it with open-mindedness, tenacity and a dose of good humour. As a backpacker

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friend once said, “India takes before it gives.” Rather than absorbing the city as a distant observer, I realised that connecting with the warm and helpful Kolkatans coloured most of my day, resulting in photographs that turned out to be some of the best from my trip across North India.

Parting ways with the city was a challenge on its own. Having failed to book a train ticket amidst the pandemonium at Sealdah station, Philip, my travel companion, and I decided to take a bus from the Esplanade terminal instead. We thought we found the best deal, having bought the cheapest tickets for a non-AC sleeper. Our hearts sank when we boarded the bus to find ourselves squeezed into an upper bunk, which was designed for one but meant for two. We shifted sleeping

positions endlessly to find the least uncomfortable configuration. I stared blankly out the window, dreading the 15-hour journey ahead of us to Siliguri.

As soon as we left the terminal, the sardine can was stuck in the weeknight traffic jam, and the rain began to pour. I suddenly remembered the Metro station ad I saw earlier that day, and the offer regained its appeal. Fortunately, a cheeky bumper sign on a blue bus swerving through traffic cheered me up, banishing my woes. Hand-painted in white all-caps, beneath an artistic flourish of tangerine dolphins, it reminded everyone else to “OBAY THE TRAFICK RULLS.”

AirAsia flies to Kolkata from Kuala Lumpur three times a week. For flight schedules and bookings, visit www.airasia.com

THE ROYAL REGATTA

Into its 22nd year, the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta not only tames some of the most challenging stretches of the Straits of Malacca, it also gives the sailors a sampling of the tropical island gems that hug the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia.

WORDS: JEFF HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY: MIA GILLOW & GUY NOVELL

Competitive sailors from Asia and beyond come to Malaysia each year to participate in the the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta (RMSIR), alongside local challengers and historic vessels. The RMSIR is one of the region’s few offshore yacht races, along with the Sydney to Hobart and the Rolex China Sea Race, that is recognised by the prestigious London-based Royal Ocean Racing Club. Since its inception, the regatta has attracted a loyal band of followers who turn up year after year, often with bigger and better boats each

time. They come from Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and further aďŹ eld, with crews representing 24 nationalities. Teams are made up of both professional and non-professional sailors, the latter being the majority.

This year, for the 22nd consecutive year, the Royal Selangor Yacht Club (RSYC) in Malaysia is organising the latest edition of the regatta.

This challenging event consists of three overnight passage races; some 250kms in total up the Straits of Malacca, plus two days of short distance harbour racing. august travel3sixty 83

Left: The historic sailing vessel, the HV VEGA, will be used to transport the press and PR personnel during the regatta.

Below: A calm moment during the race.

CRUISE CONTROL

ISLAND HOPPING

Coastal conditions in the Straits of Malacca set this event apart. Strong tides, unpredictable winds, shallow mud banks, fishing nets strung out across the course and ‘Sumatran’ storms that appear from nowhere all contribute to making the three night passages races uniquely challenging.

Local knowledge certainly helps the navigator but it takes a combination of skill and luck to successfully decide if it’s best to hug the coast, sail out offshore or take a more or less straight line up the middle. Most skippers also have to deal with very light winds at some point and this is the time when concentration and stamina really come into play. On the upside, the sun shines regularly, the water is warm and shorts and T-Shirts are the order of the day.

No matter what the weather conditions, the overnight bases at Pangkor, Penang and Langkawi offer a tropical island experience to all who take part. Malaysian cuisine is world renowned, so for many crew members, the chance to sample spicy local delicacies like roti canai (unleavened bread), curry laksa (noodles in curry broth), satay and char kway teow (stir-fried flat noodles) is as important as the time spent on the water. In Penang, an intermediate prize-giving ceremony and dinner is organised at the magnificent Koo Kongsi, a Chinese clan temple, where the audience are treated to colourful cultural shows.

This year, the regatta will visit the brand new Straits Quay Marina in Tanjung Tokong on Penang Island for the first time. This facility includes serviced apartments, shops and many food and beverage outlets overlooking the water. A prime destination for visiting boaters, Straits Quay also

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HISTORY OF RMSIR

Above: The sailors have fun at the trishaw-race upon reaching Penang island.

offers visitors a range of exciting water-related activities, boat charters and excursions. The regatta sailors will also take part in fun-filled, land-based challenges around the marina; racing on trishaws instead!

PRIDE OF THE FLEET Internationally acclaimed sailors such as Frank Pong, Neil Pryde, Ray Roberts and Nick Burns are among former Raja Muda Cup winners who regularly enter their state-of-the-art racing yachts with professional crews to trim sails and grind winches. Dr Jon Wardill has lost count of the times he has competed in his Cassidy 55 Australian Maid, while there are Singapore- and Hong Kongbased sailors who claim close to 100% participation. A unique aspect of the RMSIR is that local crews represent a microcosm of Malaysian society, with the same ethnic mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and expat members.

This year, the owners of the historic sailing vessel VEGA have agreed to provide their magnificent vessel and crew to transport press and public relations personnel. Built in Norway

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in 1893-94, VEGA spent 100 years carrying the most difficult of cargos – bricks, building stones, pig iron and cement – through some of the world’s roughest oceans. Now, VEGA is dedicated to carrying medical and educational supplies, and whenever possible, local medical teams, to the isolated island communities of Papua and the Solomon Islands. Visitors to the final race day in Langkawi will see her proudly displaying full sails and signal flags.

Eight days of racing always end with an evening on the terrace of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, against a spectacular backdrop of the sun setting over surrounding islands. With speeches and prize giving out of the way, the real party starts on the dance floor. Crews banter about final results and taking each other on at the Kings Cup in Thailand, the next event in the Asian circuit. For long time competitors and first timers alike, taking part in the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta brings a true sense of achievement.

For further details on 2011 RMSIR, visit www.rmsir.com

Established in 1989 by HRH Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the ninth reigning Sultan of Selangor in Malaysia (above), the regatta gets its name from his royal title at that time - Crown Prince or, Raja Muda in Malay.

Tuanku, as he is known to his friends and subjects, has been an avid sailor since his student days in England. He played a major part in encouraging a new Malaysian-based, international sailing regatta. Ever since then, he has been actively involved in its organisation, including presenting the prizes at the closing ceremony in Langkawi.

HRH is the Regatta Patron, and Honorary Life Commodore of RSYC. Pewter trophies are awarded for the first, second and third place in each of the seven regatta classes, with a cup for the winner that is retained by RSYC and engraved with the name of the successful yacht and owner. The top boat in Class One wins the coveted Raja Muda Cup. There are no cash prizes.

SS y ex ,

y ultr arcelona

B

Romantic beachfronts, stylish restaurants, steamy nightclubs, über cool bars – few cities can match the glitz and youthful glamour of the Catalan capital that is guaranteed to get the pulse racing.

WORDS: TIM SKELTON/TCS PHOTOGRAPHY: BJOERN GOETTLICHER/TCS

Opposite page: Barceloneta Beach is a popular hangout for the young and beautiful.

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Barcelona crackles. Romance, love and sex hang in the air. You can almost see the hormones flying.

Sure, other great cities like New York and London have fabulous nightlife too, with fashionable bars, trendy eateries and hip nightclubs, but the proudly independent Catalan capital has a couple of trump cards up its sleeve that sets it apart from the rest.

The Mediterranean climate and close proximity to superb beaches bring people outside to enjoy themselves. It

also draws out young partygoers from near and far who are mesmerised by its magical ambiance. With this mix, the place can only sizzle.

Beach Beautiful During the day when the weather is grand, the place to hang out is the beach at Vila Olympica, in the shadow of the cutting-edge, work of the manof-the-moment architect, Frank O Gehry. Leaving the older generation to wonder what rat race is taking place

Left: Beach boys come to see and be seen at Playa Villa Olympica.

Below: Chilling out at icebarcelona.

behind the office doors, the young and beautiful gather here to splash about in the water, lie under the sun, maybe play a little beach volleyball, or just size up the finely-honed bodies.

As the sun begins its descent and lights up the seafront with an amber glow, the air becomes thick with romance. Young couples stroll along the beach, hands entwined, gazes locked; sometimes so enamoured with each other that they shut the world out, oblivious to the spectacular sunset and smiling passers-by.

Twilight Thrills For a romantic pre-dinner stroll, La Rambla has long been the spot where lovers of all generations gather to see and be seen. Barcelona’s most famous avenue is a wide tree-lined corridor packed with street performers,

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musicians and living statues. It’s a place to immerse yourself in sheer vivacity, although it’s a good idea to be a little cautious, as it is also the workshop for pickpockets and petty thieves. It’s nice to lose your heart here, not your wallet.

As night approaches, the city steps up the ante. Now is the time to eat, drink and party till the wee hours of the morning. Those in the know head first to Café Zurich at Plaza Catalunya, the number one meeting point in the city, where partygoers come to gossip, people-watch, and of course, catch up on what’s happening before heading into the city for a blistering night.

Time to Party The coolest place for an aperitif and the perfect way to unwind after a ‘tough’ day frolicking in the waves or

lying stretched out on a hot beach, has to be icebarcelona (Ramon Trias Fargas 2, at Villa Olympica Beach, www.icebcn.com). The walls, the bar – even the shot glasses containing the slug of warming vodka – is made from ice and kept at -5°C. Alternatively, if you want to impress new friends by taking them for cocktails, look no further than Dry Martini. Here, you’ll be served drinks of every colour and description, all prepared in front of you with that special cocktail flair.

Teatre 3, www.masimas.com/moog), a small techno and house club, which features live DJs and electronic music.

Or if your pockets are a little deeper, perhaps the most exclusive nightclub in the city, Up and Down (Carrer Numància 179), locally known as Pandow, will be up your moneyed alley.

Below: Mamaine Bar in the El Bon district is said to serve the best mojito in town.

Bottom right: One of the many markets in the city.

Trail of Tapas Of course, Barcelona isn’t just known for sexy clubs and sultry beaches.

There are hundreds of tapas bars that exude romance and old world charm, where you can whisper sweet nothings into your loved one’s ears. You may not find a cocktail in these bars, but the draught beer and vino tinto flow just as freely as the conversation. The old Gothic Quarter is a good place to sample the sedate life; a pace or two slower than the frenetic clubs, and a chance to catch your breath before hitting the dance floor one more time.

Bar-hopping is big in Barcelona and the city goes all out to make it easy for clubbers. The boundaries between restaurant, bar and nightclub are very vague and many über-cool restaurants/ clubs are located on the beachfront.

The cool and ultra-chic Bestial (Ramon Trias Fargas 2-4, www.grupotragaluz. com/rest-bestial.php), with a prime location along the beach, has been variously described as a restaurant, lounge bar, party venue and club. After the chic clientele finishes dining on the delicious Mediterranean fare, the lights

get dimmer and the music cranked up higher, transforming the venue into a sexy dance-drome. Shoko too (Paseig Maritim, www.shoko.biz), is another big and popular club close to the sand that doubles up with its own restaurant and lounge bar, like its neighbour, Opium Mar (Passeig Maritim 34, www.opiummar.com). The dance floor here is always packed with the young and beautiful enjoying the hedonistic delights of Barcelona.

For those with a penchant for heavier beats, head over to Moog (Arc del

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Below: Barcelona is full of hot and happening night spots that cater for all types of tastes.

Bottom right: Situated on the El Carmel hill in Barcelona, Parc Guell was designed by Gaudi, the city’s legendary architect.

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Hotels in Barcelona Grand Hotel Central Perfect for exploring the central Borne Quarter and Gothic Quarter 54 Barceloneta Close to La Rambla and the beach.

Aristol. Walking distance to the Sagrada Familia Church and major shopping venues, Granados 83 Cool and chic hotel built in the Art Deco style with major tourist attractions a metro-ride away.

Husa Avenida Palace Great location, just above La Rambla and Placa de Catalunya.

These and many other hotels at affordable prices at www.airasiago.com

If you are looking for tapas, why not seek out one of the best? Head to Bar Inopia (Tamarit 104 Eixample Esquerra, www.barinopia.com) in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood, run by the brother of Spain’s most famous chef, Ferran Adrià. Albert Adrià doubles as the pastry chef at his brother’s restaurant, El Bulli; acknowledged as one of the very best restaurants in the world, making this diner a cut above your average tapas bar. The place may not be intimate but the fact that the staff wear Hugo Boss outfits should alert you that this is not like the rest.

Neither are the prices.

Elsewhere, Bar Mut offers more down-to-earth tapas fresh from the market, with a very personalised service. At Bar Pinotxo, in the Mercado Boqueria, the owner always seems happy to see you, as he plies you with the freshest food and tastiest wines.

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Dash of Culture Not everyone spends their time in Barcelona eating, drinking and partying, though many come here to do exactly that. Some actually like to shop and absorb a little culture as well.

If that rocks your boat, seek out the Born Quarter, or El Born. This trendy, slightly old-fashioned neighbourhood is the place to hang out during the day. It’s packed with hip restaurants and bars, fashionable shops and fascinating museums. Chocolate lovers should go for a cocoa double-header here. Stop first at the Chocolate Museum (www.pastisseria.com) to see how the stuff is made, then taste, taste, and taste at Xocoa, which has numerous outlets across the city.

In Xocoa (www.xocoa-bcn.com), they know all about the association Above: Cervantes Monument, Playa de Barceloneta.

of food, love and sex. Some of the designs depict scenes from the Kama Sutra, with lovers entangled in complex erotic knots. But save some space for another serving of sweets as aficionados will tell you the legendary Granja M Viader (Granja M Viader, www.granjaviader.cat) in the Raval Quarter is really the shop for the absolute in top quality bonbons.

If erotic chocolate is just that little bit too tame for you, nothing will be left to the imagination at Bagdad. But be warned. In one of Europe’s hottest sex clubs, subtlety is not the order of the day and it may cost up to €90 to enter.

From young lovers to anyone with a zest for life, sexy Barcelona is the romantic centre of the world. Fall in love with each other, or just fall in love with the city, in the home of Gaudí and Picasso, those in the know do both.

AirAsia flies to 6 times a week to London and 4 times a week to Paris. There are many modes of transport that links Barcelona to these cities. Visit www.airasia.com for full flight schedule and details.

IMAGE: CORBIS

pilot’s perspective

AVIATION: PAST, PRESENT & THE FUTURE Captain Lim Khoy Hing chronicles the past, explains the present and welcomes you to a world of wonders just waiting to amaze passengers, as air travel gets more and more advanced.

Future Perfect Airbus recently came up with many new ideas about the future of air travel in a booklet titled The Future.

This little book is packed with loads of fascinating new innovations that are revolutionising the airline industry.

Amongst them, an aircraft that allows passengers unobstructed views of the cities and all the wonders of the world below through a transparent floor with a touch of a button. Materials of the future will also have the ability to become transparent, negating the need for windows.

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Passengers who complain of slow boarding would have planes with double doors for quicker and easier access to the cabin. There would be fewer complaints from residents who live near airports about noise pollution, as planes would come with megaquiet engines that burn less fuel and significantly reduce noxious gasses.

How would space congestion be solved? The booklet suggests that planes with vertical take-off capabilities is one way of gaining more space. Planes will also fly faster with ultra-thin wings to glide better

through the air. Hypersonic planes that fly above the atmosphere would take just two to three hours to fly from London to Melbourne.

Turnaround time would be faster, as headrests would be self-cleaning and can never be soiled. Passengers too would have comfortable seats that mould to their body shape and, can use holographic technology to turn the environment of their private cabins into different landscapes.

“So imagine, if you will, stepping into your pre-selected themed cabin, relaxing into a perfectly clean,

Left: Hypersonic planes would take just two to three hours to fly from London to Melbourne in the future.

(ADF) that were prone to errors.

Today, the Global Positioning System (GPS), similar to that in your car, is so accurate that a pilot can never get lost.

Present Matters: Computer Conundrums

ecologically-grown seat that changes shape to suit you and looking up through the transparent ceiling at the Milky Way in all its glory at an altitude of more than 10,000 meters,” so says Airbus in the booklet.

Past Perfected Whilst the future of air travel may seem far-fetched for now, this could definitely be a reality very soon. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the progress the aviation industry has made in the past 100 years.

Malaysia, which celebrated 100 years of civil aviation in June this year, records an Antoinette monoplane as the first aircraft to land here.

Incidentally, the plane touched down on a race course, which subsequently made way for the Petronas Twin Towers; one of the tallest buildings in the world.

The Antoinette had a maximum speed of only 44 mph (70 kph). Fast forward to the present, about 100 years later, the Boeing 777 and Airbus A340 cruise at more than 10 times the speed.

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It took 28 days and 22 refueling stops for a Twin Pioneer to fly from Scotland to Malaysia 50 years ago. Today, it takes just about 13 hours to fly almost the same distance without refueling on AirAsia X Airbus A340 from London to Kuala Lumpur.

Five Decades in the Making Flying 50 years ago was a real challenge. I remember that most planes had no autopilot, especially my first transport plane – the Twin Pioneers – where the co-pilot took the place of the autopilot. The captain normally handed over long, laborious and boring parts of the flying to the co-pilot who had the tough job of maintaining the heading and altitude. Today, the autopilot takes over as soon as the plane lifts off and, the auto-thrust handles the power.

In the past, some pilots got lost because of poor navigation aids whilst deviating from bad weather.

Navigation was aided by radio beacons using the automatic directional finder

Nowadays, the computer does about 95 percent of the flying. An air traveller once wrote to me saying that he never felt comfortable about flying in an airplane controlled by computers. His personal experience of a computer is something that stalls, crashes and is pretty unreliable.

In reality, the use of computers in technology has greatly benefited the aviation industry. The computer is fast, reliable and at times, more accurate than human reaction. However, human beings are still in overall control, and should any technical issues crop up, the pilots can still override the computers in flight. Most of the time, problems are quickly detected and always rectified before the plane gets airborne.

Electronic Flight Bag Compared to the past, computer technology on most commercial aircraft that assist pilots to navigate, plan and control the flights have made flying very safe. Additionally, the latest navigation gadget, the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) in some planes, has made flying even safer as pilots are able to obtain the latest data, such as weather, special notices to pilots and volcanic activity immediately or when required. This is a key element for quicker decision making and efficient flight management. In case of an emergency, a simple tap on the proposed diversion airport on the EFB screen reveals the information necessary for a safe landing.

Additionally, maintenance pro-activeness is increased with the same connected EFB alerting pilots to current faults or ‘unusual engine behavior’. Pilots can then communicate and seek recommendations or best actions without compromising safety.

As for computers that manage the plane, some travellers are skeptical about relying on a machine that may not be as smart as human beings. The fact is, a machine can operate with greater precision than any human ever could. For instance, if I were flying an Airbus A340 on a day when most airports are fogged up, I rely on computers to bring me down or else the passengers would end up in another destination. The auto landing will take me safely down in almost zero visibility. It is humanly impossible for a pilot to manually fly the plane safely to that kind of precision. Should the computers fail at anytime, only then will the pilot intervene and take over to abort the landing.

So you see, modern technology probably means better and faster travel, while more intelligent computers will change the landscape of the aviation world. At present, a passenger is simply transported to his destination safely and comfortably. In the future, however, air travel will be a fascinating experience with features we never thought possible.

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 more than 25,500 total flying hours and is now a Simulator Flight Instructor/Examiner. 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.

travel log

SOLO IN

SIEM

School children in rural Siem Reap.

REAP

Dina Zaman travels solo to Cambodia and sees a part of the country seldom seen by tourists... perched on a horse!

Married or single, solo travel has to be one of the most life enriching experiences one can have. It expands your mind, tests your limits and courage, and allows you the freedom to do whatever you wish.

I started travelling by myself when I was a student in England, and this year, I started again. If when I was a student, it was an accepted norm, now that I’m in my 40s, everyone thinks I’ve lost the plot. Women just do not travel alone. It was unsafe.

I’m infamous for not listening to advice, hence I found myself in Siem Reap in May 2011. I booked my hotel, Frangipani Villa – online – and purchased my ticket from AirAsia. I even found my guides on the Internet.

There were two things I wanted to do in Siem Reap: Go horseback riding and visit the temples of Angkor. And read Carl Sagan’s Demon Haunted World in peace.

The highlight of my trip was the horse riding trail.

Of course, I will never forget the temples and palaces I visited, but I had a mission. I was scared of horses.

Got an interesting travel tale to share? Then email it to us at travel3sixty@airasia.com along with your images and personal details. Published submissions will receive a RM250 e-gift voucher from us.

Travel 3Sixty° reserves the right to edit the article for length and clarity.

To find out how else AirAsia can enhance your travels, visit www.haveyouflownairasia.com.

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Ruins near Angkor Wat.

When I was young, a pony chewed my toe and I’ve had a morbid fear of them ever since. I checked www. thehappyranch.com (God... the name sounds so dubious, doesn’t it?) and begged them for a tame, safe horse.

I arrived at the ranch and was promptly introduced to my horse named Silver. My guide, Chek, and his horse would take us into the villages in Siem Reap for the next three hours. I had also read somewhere that horses knew when their riders were scared. So, the night before, I did a lot of calming exercises. I was determined to beat this phobia!

Silver and I got along very well. He was also a dustbin: At every plant, grass or shrub we passed, he’d stop for a snack. Our trip was held up by his appetite and my guide was quite impatient. “You too kind Miss. Just smack him!”

The ride into the countryside was breathtaking.

Because it was off the beaten track and there were hardly any tourists, I saw an untouched part Cambodia.

Of course, there was poverty, but here’s the thing: Isn’t that subjective? I observed many Cambodian houses which looked so much like Malay homes. Obviously we share quite a number of cultural traits.

I also saw many private temples along the way. It was heartening to see that, in spite of progress and modernity, religion plays a big part of the locals’ lives.

I was taken to a monastery and temple, called Temple of No Doors. It was what you’d call a ‘living temple’.

Behind it was a monastery and the day I visited. The priests and nuns were being feted by the villagers.

On my way back, Silver decided to canter. I held on for dear life while Chek laughed, “Go Silver! He wants to go fast, fast!” It was odd, but somehow, I began to relax. This was fun! Chek and his horse, Silver and I cantered all the way back. We passed cars and lorries, schoolchildren who waved back at us, and colourful houses.

I went back to my hotel, sore, and I was sore for the next three days. I didn’t think I could sit again!

Would I go on another horse trail?

Most certainly! I think I’ll do the whole day package next time in Siem Reap. I’m still not done with the temples and had only seen 14 when I was there.

I’ll be back!

fashion fab

Cool & Chic Live it up u with fashionably delightful clothes a and accessories that are not only imp impeccably styled and tailored, they also speak of your true sense of style – regardless of season.

Cool Cole

The women’s Air Tali boat shoe from Cole Haan is fun and flirty, taking the evergreen style and giving it a modern edge with funky colours, an innovative mix of material and creative styling. www.colehaan.com

Paris to a Tee

Say Bonjour to Paris with Graffi Tee’s n. collection of t-shirts and shorts for men. rk With iconic colours and catchy landmark designs, the tees celebrate the joie de vivre that the French are famous for. www.graffitee.com

WORDS: R.RAJENDRA

Elemental Effect

The Farah Khan 2.0 is an extension o off the label’s SS 2011 collection and draws aws ws inspiration from the four elements – earth, fire, water and wind. Colours, motifs, s, fabric texture and apparel length echo the elements, elements, bringing a decidedly feminine but fuss-free ss-free look. www.farahkhan.com

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Fringe Benets F

T baddest back-to-school backpack, The the F49 Fringe from Freitag incorporates th fast straps, butterfly pockets, a 270fa degree zipper and an up to 17” Macbook d compartment. Retails at ACTUALLY… at co SGD385. www.actually.com.sg S

Natural Selection

Sensuous Sparkle

Malaysian label Variante’s Diamonds Are Forever is an exhilarating collection of colours, exotic patterns and ornate adornments coming together on the softest of chiffons and silks. This collection pays homage to the life and influence of Elizabeth Taylor. Variante is located at Pavilion KL.

The ornaments return to the basics in form and texture in Yves Saint Laurent’s SS 2011 jewellery collection. Natural and semi precious stones with organic, unstructured designs and settings speak of an individual flair and elevated exoticism. http://ysl.com

Summer Luxe

The modernist approach in Alfred Dunhill’s SS 2011 line is well documented in the label’s shirting and knitwear. Cotton and silk feature prominently, while a blend of cotton and baby alpaca add texture and movement. www.dunhill.com

pure beauty

Go Get Gorgeous!

As the summer months begin to wind down and deeper, darker hues begin to lurk in the background, we wrap up the season’s best offerings in skincare and make-up.

Double the Lash

L’Oreal’s Double Extension Mascara Renewal Serum Inside incorporates a serum in its double-tipped formula – a serumrich base coat on one end and an intense black top coat. The base coat is enriched with arginine that boosts hair growth, while madecassoside stimulates collagen synthesis to prolong lash life. www.lorealparis.com

The Sephora Shine

After Singapore, Sephora is finally here in Kuala Lumpur! Located at Starhill Gallery, the one-stop centre houses hundreds of in-house and exclusive brands. Their Glossy Gloss lip tints come in 20 delicious shades and are combined with a unique gel formula for a mirror-shine that’s to die for. www.sephora.com

Two to the Rescue

Milky Change Warm Massage from Impress IC is a unique skincare product that combines the effects of a massage and a facial mask in one.

Simply leave the cream on the face after the massage for a facial mask. www.kanebo-cosmetics.co.jp

Colour Blast

RMK’s Summer 2011 colour palette is a splash of rainbow kissed shades for eyes and cheek. For the eyes, purples and greens deliver a fresh summer feel, while the cheeks glow with rosy hues that blend pearlescent pinks with sexy corals. www.rmkrmk.com

WORDS: R.RAJENDRA

Smooth Operator

The concentrated texture of Lab Series Skincare Maximum Comfort Shave Cream enables excellent razor glide, while the peptide driven combo of ingredients offer relief from irritation and stinging. www.labseries.com

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Flawless, Fearless

Revlon’s new PhotoReady™ Two Way Powder Foundation provides a poreless, airbrushed skin in any light!

With photo chromatic pigments that bend and reflect light, the formula gives complete coverage, while preventing sun damage with SPF 19. www.revlon.com

Nail it Now

Quick colour, shine and design for nails are yours in an instant with Salon Effects™ Real Nail Polish Strips, from Sally Hansen.

Each kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/buffer and instructions for easy application. www.sallyhansen.com

Scent’ sational

SOTHYS’ new line of Nourishing Body Elixirs contains natural ingredients such as flower and fruit essences and promises to nourish your skin. Available in Cherry Blossom & Lotus, Cinnamon & Ginger, Lemon & Petitgrain, Orange Blossom Cedar and Vanilla & Sandalwood. www.sothys.com

jetsetter

Anthony Padilla Amazed by the breathtaking details on the costumes for The Lion King, we went backstage to speak to the person responsible for the wonders.

in university. While studying, he chanced upon a local theatre company that was looking for dressers for their productions. There, he worked his way up to becoming a star dresser, dressing the leads. By the time he graduated, the company had shut down, and Anthony moved on to become a dresser for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). He has worked with numerous musicals, operas, and ballets before helming the wardrobe unit of The Lion King.

IMAGES: SIDUS HQ

Tell us about the costumes for The Lion King.

Being part of the world renowned musical, The Lion King, for more than seven years, 45-year-old Anthony Padilla, has been instrumental in creating more than 500 costumes, puppets, prosthetics and wigs. As Head of Wardrobe for the musical, Anthony’s main concern is maintaining the integrity of the designer’s vision for the show. Anthony’s fascination with making costumes began early in his life and he promptly enrolled in a costume design course

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The Lion King costumes range from those worn by leads to ensemble performers becoming part of the set such as the grasslands scene where some performers physically become the grass plains while others transform into animals such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wildebeests, rhinos, and elephants.

What materials are used for the costumes?

Most of the fabric used was created specifically for this show either by dyeing, printing, or were handmade. Some unusual material for the costumes included plastic, wood,

rope, water-grass, latex and lots of beads. The Lion King is grounded in Africa and that’s where the research for the show comes from; African tribal costumes for special events and clothing.

As the Wardrobe Head for The Lion King, what do you do?

My job is to maintain the integrity of the designer’s vision for The Lion King. Along with my crew of 18 people in the Wardrobe Department, we maintain the costumes.

What do the other crew members do?

The Head of Department runs the department with the deputy. A majority of the crew members, 14 of them to be exact, are dressers and we also have a swing dresser who knows all 14 plots.

Describe a typical day with The Lion King.

Let’s say the show starts at 7.30pm. On a typical day, a dresser comes in at 11am and they will do an eight-hour shift. They’ll first wash and clean the laundry – that’s anything that touches the actor’s body – undergarments, T-shirts, socks. Before each show we have one hour to

set-up. That set-up is to move the puppets where they need to go, lay out specific scene costumes, distribute laundry to performers, make shoe repair and do anything else that needs to be done before the show. Our goal is for the audience to see the show as fresh, clean and spectacular.

What is it like backstage?

In a live show there are two shows that are going on.

One show is what the audience sees and the second is the backstage choreography. When working backstage, there are many things going on that the audience does not get to see, from setting up scenes to props being put in place, to stage managers calling cues, to make-up being applied, to puppets being placed on performers and many, many more!

What’s the worst that can go wrong with the costumes during a show?

In a live show many things can go wrong. For example, zippers break, beads fall off corsets, costumes tear, or actors get injured, so a swing (understudy) goes on for them in mid show. Part of our job is to fix the problem so the audience never knows there’s a problem.

The show is going places. How do you transport the costumes?

The show is transported in very large mega bins. From Australia to Singapore, it took as many as 30 mega bins to fit all the costumes and props for the show. In the United States, we used 32 gondolas and seven hampers.

Who makes a good dresser?

Someone who’s organised. Detail is obviously one of those things you need. Patience is definitely a virtue.

When you’re working with a new dresser, it’s not their fault when they make a mistake because they don’t know the show. You just have to be patient.

The Lion King continues its run up to Sept 2011.

Book your tickets at www.AirAsiaRedTix.com

junior jet club

Suresh Rohan and the Flamingos of the KL Bird Park.

KL

-aCalling

10-year-old Rohan from New Delhi, India, experiences Kuala Lumpur and its major attractions.

During the March school holidays this year, my parents and I flew to Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia. It was a night flight and I was very tired, but the excitement of visiting Kuala Lumpur kept me awake.

We arrived at LCC Terminal and went to our hotel at KL Sentral.

We began our holiday by visiting KLCC, travelling on the LRT in its air conditioned coaches. We saw the shops and boutiques at The Mall, and enjoyed the dancing fountains at the foot of the Petronas Twin Towers. I wanted to visit the Petrosains Museum but by 2.30pm, the tickets were all sold out! Instead, we

Suresh Rohan and his mother at Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve.

took a pleasant walk around KLCC Park, saw the tall buildings around it and had our dinner in the food court before heading back to our hotel.

The next day we went to KLCC again, but this time to Aquaria. I was surprised at the size of the Arapaima fish from the Amazon forest. It was huge! Seeing electric eels, bamboo sharks, archer fish, mad barb, piranhas and other exotic species was a thrilling experience.

On the third day, we took the KL Monorail to the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve where we experienced a tropical rainforest right in the middle of the city. The snake warnings posted at the park scared me a little but my mother told me the chances of us coming across wild animals were slim.

Up close with the beautiful birds in KL Bird Park.

The KL Bird Park was our next stop.

It was lovely to see peacocks and flamingos at the park. I got to feed the Lori birds with milk, and some even perched on my father’s head.

Perhaps they thought his hair was grass or straw! The bird show in the amphitheatre was a fun activity. We saw birds doing mathematics and riding small bicycles.

We did a little shopping at Masjid India, before taking our flight back to New Delhi the next day. I truly enjoyed my trip to Kuala Lumpur and am glad my family decided on this city for our holiday.

S.Rohan, 10, India.

Would you like to be part of Travel 3Sixty°, share your AirAsia travels with other young adventurers and be rewarded with a Junior Jet Club prize? The Junior Jet Family loves travel tales and super hero adventures. So whether you have been riding tuk-tuks in Thailand, cuddling koalas in Australia or climbing the Great Wall of China; we want to hear your tale! Visit our online community juniorjetclub.airasia.com, register as a member (don’t forget you need your parent’s permission for this) and visit our Jet Setter Page.

Here you can see previous Junior Jet Setters of the month, share and submit your travel story and pictures. You can also email us at juniorjetclub@airasia.com. If we publish your article you will receive a Junior Jet Club t-shirt, cap and a year’s free membership! Your article will also appear on our website juniorjetclub.airasia.com and will be shared with all our members.

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plane fun

SPOT the

difference

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.

Cross out

1. Sun moved position, 2. Window missing, 3. Extra bird, 4. Snake has extra spots, 5. ‘MAIL’ missing, 6. Man’s tongue missing, 7. Extra flowers, 8.

Pattern on tie.

Puzzles are courtesy of Lovatts Crosswords & Puzzles

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Fill all the words listed into the grid.

We have given you a word to get started.

snapshot

Pix of the

month

Best picture wins a 3D/2N stay in the Executive Suite room at Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching Sarawak for 2 inclusive of breakfast worth

RM1200nett!

WINNER OF THE MONTH

Colourful fabric in Tiruchirappalli, India.

Simon G. Cervantes, Singapore

The Grand Margherita Hotel is located by the riverfront and commands unrivalled views of the picturesque Sarawak River and colourful Malay villages on the banks. Just 20 minutes from Kuching International Airport and surrounded by many tourist attractions, the Grand Margherita Hotel offers international class hospitality with well-appointed guests room and a multitude of luxury features to make your stay in Kuching the best ever. www.grandmargherita.com

Consolation prize:

A 3N/2D stay in the Business Suite Room at Riverside Majestic Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak, for 2 inclusive of breakfast worth

RM900nett!

Strategically located in the heart of Kuching’s business, entertainment, dining and shopping district, the Riverside Majestic Hotel is the ideal place for business, meetings and leisure. With 241 spacious and contemporary rooms and suites, the Riverside M Majestic Hotel offers both lo local and visitors to Kuching a sampling of Sarawakian h hospitality that is renowned ffor its genuine warmth. w www.riversidemajestic.com

Sunset at U Bein Bridge, Mandalay, Burma.

Alain Bottu, Thailand

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

Terms & conditions: Readers may submit images that are 300dpi and 1MB in size (minimum half a A4 paper size) • Each entry must be accompanied with 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 when the prize is ready to be sent out. • Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.

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comfort Deep Vein Thrombosis

Knee Curls • Sit straight and gently lean forward and raise one knee.

• Grasp the knee with both arms and gently pull the leg towards your chest as you lean back.

• Hold for 15 seconds, then release and gently lower the leg.

• Repeat with other leg.

DVT can occur when a blood clot forms in the large veins in the legs or the arms, leading to an either partially or completely blocked blood circulation. Sitting and moving very little during long flights may lead to the occurrence of DVT. If you are flying long distance, please ensure you perform onboard exercises such as the Knee Curls exercise to get the blood flowing to your leg. Or walk from your seat to the end of the aircraft (where permissible and when safe) and back to your seat to stretch your legs.

Have a Pleasant Flight Flying can be a drag when others are not considerate.

It can also be physically demanding, especially if you are on a long-haul flight. Here are some simple steps to help make your journey more enjoyable.

Be Kind, Be Considerate Rest Assured To counter jetlag, sleep as much as you can onboard when you are flying west to east. The AirAsia Comfort Kit comes complete with eye shade, neck pillow and blanket to get some shut eye.

When flying east to west, stay awake as much as possible. The neck pillow in Comfort Kit allows you to get comfy while reading a book or watching the clouds zoom by.

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• Do not kick or rock the seat in front of you.

• Try not to talk loudly, especially if there are other passengers asleep.

• Use a handkerchief to cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.

• Be careful when you open the overhead cabins.

• Do not switch seats without checking with the flight attendant.

Keep Hydrated The air in the aircraft is pretty dry and will leave you feeling sluggish.

To counter this, drinks lots of water, avoid alcoholic drinks and reduce consumption of caffeinated & carbonated drinks!

Dusun Tindal boy Murut lady

Kadazan man

Dumpas boy

Murut elder Dusun Lotud elder

Kadazan man

destination

Kota Kinabalu WORDS: NICOLETTE NG IMAGES: ADAM LEE

With the majestic Mount Kinabalu presiding over the city, the capital of Sabah in Borneo is a delightful confluence of cultures and traditions. Also big on adventure tourism, the sea, forest and highlands offer a myriad of activities to challenge the most daring of travellers.

With an indigenous population made up of more than 30 groups who speak more than 50 languages, Sabah is a huge cultural melting pot that showcases the best of Borneo.The capital city is Kota Kinabalu and is the main entry point into this Malaysian state that’s often referred to as the ‘Land Beneath the Wind’.

One of the most popular attractions in Kota Kinabalu is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. This marine park is made up of five tropical islands and is located just minutes away from the city. The islands offers white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, reefs in shallow waters, coral gardens and lowland rain forests. The marine park is also an excellent diving site, suitable for both experienced divers and beginners.

Kota Kinabalu, also known as KK, offers many other attractions too. The Mari Mari Cultural Village in Kionsom, about 25 minutes from the city, showcases Borneo through local architecture, ritual and traditional practices, arts, food and music. The village also offers visitors to experience the culture of the local tribes by inviting you into their reconstructed homes and villages.

About 90 minutes from the city is the famous Mount Kinabalu. Located in the protected Kinabalu National Park, the summit is the tallest peak in Borneo’s Crocker

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Range. Low´s Peak, at 4.095 metres on the mountain can be accessed by anyone who is basically fit and requires no special mountaineering equipment. Other peaks along the massif, however, require rock climbing skills. The Kinabalu National Park is definitely worth a visit, even if you’re not planning to conquer the mountain.

STAY HERE** Tune Hotel 1Borneo A G-803, One Borneo Jalan Sulaman, KK W www.tunehotels.com Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu A Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Sinsuran, KK Sutera Pacific at Sutera Harbour A 1 Sutera Harbour Blvd,Sutera Harbour, KK W www. margaretriverfarmstay.com Gaya Centre Hotel Kota Kinabalu A Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, KK GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Kota Kinabalu from destinations. For details and flight schedule, visit www.airasia.com ** These and many other hotels available at affordable prices at www.airasiago.com

WHAT A CLIMB! “Having heard so many great stories about Mount Kinabalu, I finally had a chance to do it and the experience was priceless! Despite the tiring climb, arriving at the top to catch the most beautiful sunrise made it worth the climb.” ~ Vriesia Ng, Malaysia via Travel 3Sixty° on Facebook

route map Uzbekistan Afghanistan

Tehran

United Kingdom

Ireland

London

Iran

Germany

Paris N.Korea

Beijing

France

Tianjin Seoul

Italy Spain

S.Korea

China Shanghai Hangzhou

Chengdu

New Delhi Nepal

Bhutan

Guilin Bangladesh

Kolkata Myanmar

Mumbai Yangon Bangalore Tiruchirappalli

Macau Hong Kong

Laos

Vientiane Chiang Mai Philippines

Thailand

Clark

Bangkok

Vietnam

Siem Reap

Chennai

Cambodia

Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh

Kochi Sri Lanka

Colombo

Indian Ocean

Krabi Phuket Hat Yai Narathiwat Langkawi Alor Setar Kota Bharu Banda Aceh Penang K.Terengganu Medan Kuala Malaysia Lumpur

Pekanbaru Padang Palembang Kuala Lumpur International Airport Kota Kinabalu International Airport Penang International Airport Kuching International Airport International Route Domestic Route

Taipei

Taiwan

Shenzhen

Hanoi

India

Guangzhou

Johor Bahru Singapore

Kota Kinabalu

Sandakan Labuan Miri Brunei Bintulu Tawau Sibu Kuching

Balikpapan Makassar

Indonesia

Jakarta Bandung Yogyakarta

Surabaya Bali Solo

AirAsia Hubs in Malaysia From Kuala Lumpur, you can fly direct to:

World’s Best Low-Cost Airline 2009, 2010 & 2011

Japan

Pacific Ocean

Tokyo

Alor Star, Bali, Balikpapan, Banda Aceh, Bandung, Bangalore, Bangkok, Bintulu, Brunei, Chengdu, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Christchurch, Clark, Colombo, Gold Coast, Guangzhou, Guilin, Had Yai, Hangzhou, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Johor Bahru, Kochi, Kolkata, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Krabi, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Labuan, Langkawi, London, Macau, Makassar, Medan, Melbourne, Miri, Mumbai, New Delhi, Padang, Palembang, Paris, Pekanbaru, Penang, Perth, Phuket, Phnom Penh, Sandakan, Seoul, Shenzhen, Sibu, Siem Reap, Singapore, Solo, Surabaya, Taipei, Tawau, Tehran, Tianjin, Tiruchirappalli, Vientiane, Yangon,Yogyakarta.

From Penang, you can fly direct to: Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Langkawi, Medan, Singapore, Surabaya.

From Kota Kinabalu, you can fly direct to: Clark, Jarkata, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Hong Kong, Miri, Penang, Sandakan, Shenzhen, Singapore, Taipei, Tawau.

From Kuching, you can fly direct to: Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Miri, Penang, Sibu, Singapore

From these destinations, you can fly direct to: Australia Gold Coast Perth Melbourne

New Zealand

Christchruch

Bintulu  Kuching Johor Bahru  Kuching, Medan, Miri, Sibu Kuching  Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Miri, Sibu, Singapore

Langkawi  Singapore Miri  Johor Bahru, Kuching, Singapore Sibu  Johor Bahru, Kuching

China

Bangladesh

Guangzhou Shenzhen

Hanoi

Macau

Myanmar

Taiwan Hong Kong

Laos

Chiang Rai Chiang Mai

Udon Thani

Yangon

New Delhi

India

Thailand

China

Bangkok

Ubon Ratchathani Vietnam Cambodia

Philippines

Phnom Penh

Kolkata

Ho Chi Minh

Surat Thani Nakhon Si Thammarat

Krabi

Phuket

Hat Yai Penang

Indian Ocean

Medan

Narathiwat Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Singapore

Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok Phuket Int. Airport Chiang Mai Int. Airport

Indonesia Jakarta Bali

International Route Domestic Route

AirAsia Hubs in Thailand From Bangkok, you can fly direct to:

Bali, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Hat Yai, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kolkata, Kota Kinabalu, Krabi, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Medan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, New Delhi, Penang, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Shenzhen, Singapore, Surabaya, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Yangon

From Phuket, you can fly direct to:

Bali, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ubon Ratchatani, Udon Thani

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From Chiang Mai, you can fly direct to: Bangkok, Hat Yai, Kuala

Lumpur, Phuket, Singapore

From these destinations, you can fly direct to: Chiang Mai  Kuala Lumpur Hat Yai  Kuala Lumpur Krabi  Kuala Lumpur

It's never too late to cover yourself You can still purchase your AirAsia INSURE even after you’ve bought your tickets via Manage My Booking and Web Check-In at AirAsia.com Terms and Conditions apply.

www.airasiainsure.com

Hong Kong

Myanmar

Laos

Thailand

Philippines

Bangkok

Vietnam Cambodia

Ho Chi Minh

Phuket

Darwin

Penang

Banda Aceh

Australia

Medan

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Perth

Singapore

Pekanbaru Padang

Indian Ocean Soekarno Hatta Int. Airport, Jakarta Ngurah Rai Int. Airport, Bali Husein Sastranegara Int. Airport, Bandung Juanda Int. Airport, Surabaya Polonia Int. Airport, Medan

Balikpapan Palembang Makassar Jakarta Bandung

Indonesia Surabaya

Solo Yogyakarta

Bali

International Route Domestic Route

AirAsia Hubs in Indonesia From Jakarta, you can fly direct to:

Bali, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Penang, Medan, Singapore, Yogyakarta

From Bali, you can fly direct to:

Bandung, Bangkok, Darwin, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Perth, Singapore

From Surabaya, you can fly direct to:

Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Medan, Penang, Singapore

From Bandung, you can fly direct to:

Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Medan, Singapore

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From Medan, you can fly direct to:

Bandung, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Surabaya

From these destinations, you can fly direct to:

Yogyakarta  Kuala Lumpur, Singapore Solo  Kuala Lumpur Makassar  Kuala Lumpur Padang  Kuala Lumpur Pekanbaru  Kuala Lumpur Banda Aceh  Kuala Lumpur Palembang  Kuala Lumpur Balikpapan  Kuala Lumpur

Rest

Assured Get yourself covered from as low as USD2.30* Terms and Conditions apply.

www.airasiainsure.com

AIRASIA SALES OFFICES AND STATIONS CAMBODIA PHNOM PENH

vPhnom Penh Airport Office, 17 Mezzanine Floor of Arrival Domestic Terminal, Phnom Penh Airport, Phnom Penh

CHINA MACAU

vOffice 20, Mezzanine Level

Passenger Terminal, Macau International Airport Taipa, Macau SHENZHEN

vJunting Hotel Shenzhen, XY-10, Shenzhen Eastern Road, Shenzhen

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

vSam Ratulangi International Airport Jalan A.A. Maramis, Manado 95374 MEDAN

vBandara PoloniaTerminal Keberangkatan Internasional, Medan 20157 Sumatra vGaruda Plaza Hotel, Jl.

Sisingamangaraja No.18 Medan-20213

vNo. 26 Jalan Meriam, 84000 Muar, Johor vNo 7, Jalan Bestari 1/5,

Taman Nusa Bestari, 79100, Bandar Nusajaya, Johor.

LABUAN

vLevel 1, Labuan Airport Terminal 87008 Wilayah Persekutuan PENANG

vNo 75, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa, 80150, Johor Bharu, Johor

vPenang International Airport 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang

vNo 20, Jalan Raya, 81000, Kulaijaya, Johor.

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

vNo 97, Jalan Rahmat, 83000, Batu Pahat, Johor

vNo 723 L-G, Jln Sungai Dua 11700 Pulau Pinang

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

SABAH

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

PADANG

vNo 21,Jalan Dedap 21, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100, Johor Bharu

INDONESIA

vHotel Hangtuah, Jl. Pemuda no.

1 Padang, Sumatra Barat, 25117

KEDAH

BANDA ACEH

PALEMBANG

vBandara Sultan Iskandar Muda, Blang Bintang, Aceh

vSultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport Palembang, South Sumatra

vLot 20, Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Halim, 06200 Kepala Batas, Alor Star

vTB228, Lot 5, Ground Floor, Istana Monaco, Jalan Bunga, Fajar Complex 91000 Tawau

DENPASAR, BALI

PEKANBARU

vLangkawi International Airport 07100 Padang Mat Sirat, Langkawi

vBandara I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Terminal Keberangkatan International Bali 80361

vSultan Syarif Kasim II

vLot G24, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah, Jln. Tun Razak, 88000, Kota Kinabalu

vJl. Legian Kaja no. 455 Kuta, Bali

International Airport, Jalan Perhubungan Udara Simpang Tiga, Pekanbaru, Sumatra

BANDUNG

SOLO

vRuangan Nombor 34 Bandara Husein Sastranegara Jalan Pajajaran No 156 Bandung Jawa Barat

vAdi Soemarmo International Airport, Solo, Central Java SURABAYA

vLobby Grand Serela Hotel Jl. L.L. R.E Martadinata (Riau) No 56 Telp. (022) 426 1636

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

JAKARTA

vGrand Circle Tunjungan Plaza

vNo. 68-B Ground Floor, Jalan Ibrahim, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah Darul Aman KUALA LUMPUR

vT2: Ground Floor, Terminal 2 Kota Kinabalu Int. Airport Old Airport Road,

vLot 4, Level 2, Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur, 50470

vTanjung Aru 88100, Kota Kinabalu

vLot G027B, Ground Floor, Podium Block, Plaza Berjaya,12 Jalan Imbi,55100 Kuala Lumpur

SARAWAK

vNo. 63, Ground Floor, Medan Bunus Off Jalan Masjid India, 50100 Kuala Lumpur. vNo 71 Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 1 Taman Usahawan Kepong 52100 Kuala Lumpur

vTerminal 3 & Terminal 2D Departure Hall Airlines Offices Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Cengkareng,

3 Lantai 1, (Lobby Condominium Regency), Jln. Basuki Rahmat 8-12, Surabaya YOGYAKARTA

vJl. Boulevard Raya, Blok LA 4,

Entrepreneur Park, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 582000 Kuala Lumpur.

vAdisutjipto International Airport

vNo. 1, Jalan PJS 3/48, Taman Sri

No. 10 Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara

vFL4, 1st Floor, Tawau Airport Building, Jalan Apas-Balung, 91100 Tawau

vNo. 4 Jalan 3/116B, Kuchai Lama

vLot GL.14, Public Concourse Terminal Building, Bintulu Airport 97000 Bintulu v1st Floor, Miri Airport, 98000 Miri vGF Lot 946, Block 9, Miri Concession Land District, 98000 Miri vGround Floor , Sublot 661B of Lot 354, Unity Centre Block 7 MCLD Jalan Miri Pujut 98000 Miri vGround Floor, Kuching International Airport, 93756 Kuching

Jln. Solo km.9, Yogyakarta, 55282

Manja, 46000 Petaling Jaya.

vJln. Panglima Polim, No. 105B Blok M, Jakarta Selatan

vMelia Purosani Hotel, Jl

Suryotomo No.31, Yogyakarta

KELANTAN

vLindeteves Trade Center Building,

MALAYSIA

vLapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra, 16100 Pengkalan Chepa Kota Bharu

v1st Floor, Main Terminal Building, Sibu Airport, 96000 Sibu

TERENGGANU

vGround Floor, No. 36 Jalan Keranji, 96000 Sibu

Jl. Hayam Wuruk No.127, Lantai GF2 Blok RA 49, Jakarta Pusat MAKASSAR

vDeparture Terminal, Sultan Hasanuddin, International Airport, Makassar, South Sulawesi

JOHOR

vTune Hotels.com Dangga Bay, Lot PTB 22819, Jalan Skudai, Mukim Bandar, 80200 Johor Bahru vGL 13 Sultan Ismail Airport 81250 Johor Bahru

vLot No. 15 & 17, Terminal Building, Sultan Mahmud Airport 21300 Kuala Terengganu

vWisma Ho Ho Lim, Ground Floor No. 291, Sub Lot 4, Jalan Abell 93100 Kuching

vGrd Flr, Lot 4034, Jln Tun Ahmad Zaidi, Parkcity Commercial Sq, Phase 5, 97000 Bintulu

vGround Floor, 192H Al-Idrus Commercial Centre, Jalan Satok, 93400 Kuching vSL11 Ground Floor, Lot 2541 Lee Ling Heights Phase 2, Mile 6.5 Jalan Penrissen, P.O. Box 2044, 93250 Kuching vLot 6813, Ground Floor Synergy

Square, (Matang Jaya Commercial Centre), Jalan Matang Jaya, 93050 Kuching SELANGOR

vGround Floor, Terminal 3, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport 47200 Subang, Selangor vJalan KLIA S3, Southern Support Zone, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 64000 Sepang, Selangor vLot-35 Mydin Mall USJ 1 vB-G-34, IOI Boulevard Jalan Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47170 Puchong Selangor vLot S141, 2nd Floor, Plaza Metro Kajang, Section 7, Jalan Tun Abdul Aziz, 43000 Kajang

SINGAPORE

KRABI

v133 Moo 5 Petchkasem Road, Tambol Nuakrong, Amphur Nuakrong, Krabi 81130

vRow No:11, Departure level 2 Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1, Singapore v111 North Bridge Road #01-36/37, Peninsula Plaza 179098,

330 Moo 5 , Tambol Kok-Kian, Amphur Muang, Narathiwat 96000

COLOMBO

PHUKET

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

vPhuket International Airport 312, 3rd Floor, Tumbol Maikao, Amphur Thalang, Phuket 83110

THAILAND

vUnit 9, Laflora Patong Area, No. 39, 39/1, Thaveewong Rd., Patong, Kratoo, Phuket

BANGKOK

SURAT THANI

vSuvarnabhumi International Airport Room A1-062 Ground Floor, Concourse A, BangnaTrad Road, Racha Teva, Bang Pli, Samutprakarn 10540

vSuratThani International Airport

v127 Tanao Road, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok 10200

vUbon Ratchathani Airport 297 Ubon Ratchathani Airport, Thepyotee Road, Amphur Nai Muang, Ubon Ratchathani 34000

73 Moo 3 Tambol Huatuey, Amphur Punpin, Suratthani UBON RATCHATHANI

CHIANG MAI SALES OFFICE

vChiangmai International Airport 60, 1st Floor, Tambol Sutep, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50200

vNo 1, Jln PJS 3/48, Taman Sri Manja, 46000 Petaling Jaya

v416 Thaphae Road, Chiang Mai

MYANMAR YANGON

vYangon International Airport vOffice Unit# 01-L, Parkroyal Yangon, Myanmar

PHILIPPINES vDiosdado Macapagal International Airport Clark Civil Aviation Complex Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines 2023

vNarathiwat Airport

SRI LANKA

vNo 1 (667-C), Wisma Y S Tan

Lorong Kepayang, 41300 Klang

NARATHIWAT

CHIANG RAI

vChiang Rai International Airport

vHat Yai International Airport

125 Hadyai International Airport, Moo 3 Klongla, Klonghoikong, Songkhla 90115

vUdon Thani International Airport 224 Moo 1, Tambol Makkhang, Amphur Muang, Udon Thani 41000

VIETNAM

2305/2 404 Moo 10, Tambol Bandu, Amphur Muang, Chiang Rai 57100 HAT YAI

UDON THANI

HANOI

vNoibai International Airport Lobby A, 3rd Floor, Hanoi vNo.30 Le Thai To Str., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi City v223, De Tham Pham Ngu Lao Ward District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

CALL CENTRE NUMBERS Australia China France India Indonesia Japan Hong Kong Macau Malaysia

1300 760 330 +86 20 2281 7666 +33(0)1 7048 0722 1860 500 8000 +62 21 2927 0999 0120 963 516 +852 3112 3222 0800912 600 85 9999

(Premium Customer Service line, chargeable at RM1.95 per minute.)

Myanmar New Zealand Paris Singapore South Korea Taiwan Thailand Vietnam The UK

+95 1 25 1885/1886 0800 45 25 66 +33170480722 +65 6307 7688 00798 1420 69940 008 0185 3031 +66 2 515 9999 +84 8 3838 9811/ 9812 0845 605 3333

TERMINATION OF MALAYSIA SELF HELP MENU LINE Please be informed that effective 1st May 2011, our Malaysia Self Help Menu service line at +603 2171 9333 will no longer be available.

For self-service options, kindly log onto askairasia.com.

RoseThorns

my airasia

among the

Watcharaporn Khonghiran is the only female in the ramp division, and she deals with 365 guys, 365 days a year.

My fears When I first joined AirAsia in October 2005, I was very nervous about my job as I knew that I would be the only female in the department. Many questions arose in my mind. How would the guys treat me? Could we work together? But, I didn’t need to worry at all. The guys are nice and polite to me, and offer their help willingly whenever I need it. It’s been six years now, and I find it fun and easy working with them.

My Job

IMAGE: ADAM LEE

I’m in charge of monitoring staff welfare and the ramp guys always come to me for advice on welfare

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travel3sixty august

issues. I love being able to help them.

Once, I didn’t realise a computer system error had occurred and my monthly OT report was not sent to our People Department. As a result, the boys didn’t get their money promptly. I apologised repeatedly for the oversight and the boys were really understanding.

Being the only girl I’m actually a shy person and I used to keep to myself. That was before working with AirAsia. Working in a male-dominated department, I learnt to speak up and express my views.

I had to learn to adapt to this new environment and work as a team. This responsibility really brought me out of my shell, and I love the change.

My ‘brothers’

Here at AirAsia, I’ve learnt that friendship, sincerity, teamwork and respect make our team a strong one.

We may disagree on certain workrelated issues, but at the end of the day, that’s not a big deal. We’re still one big family, and they are all my brothers!

What the boys don’t know At our parties, alcohol is served and the boys do enjoy their drinks. To join in the fun, I usually act drunk, but I really only drink cola!

In my free time When I’m not looking after my 365 boys, I play badminton and swim. I’ve recently started playing the ukulele.

It’s a fantastic instrument!