Airasia2014 10

AIRASIA INFLIGHT MAGAZINE

Traversing Myanmar Magic of the Last Frontier

GLAD I’VE BEEN A DELIGHT. BUT DO LEAVE ME IN SIGHT FOR THE NEXT FLIGHT. READ ME ONLINE. www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

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CHECK-IN Contents October 2014

NAVIGATOR

74

UNLEASHING THE SPIRIT HORSE Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Thailand

82

SHADOW IN THE LIGHT Wayang kulit, Indonesia

90

HUNTING SPOOKS Melbourne, Australia

98

ACROSS MYANMAR Magic of the Last Frontier

106

TOY TRAIN TO DARJEELING West Bengal, India

114

PILOT’S PERSPECTIVE Weathering Obstacles

120

TRAVEL LOG Travel Partners for Life

66 74

128

54

106

STYLE FILE 124 OFF THE RACK Fashion Flash

BOARDING CALL

128 VANITY FARE

06 CAPTAIN’S ADDRESS

132 JETSETTER

X to the Fore!

08 INBOX

Autumnal Pleasures

HanZhen

IN FLIGHT

The Buzz from our Guests

138 PICTURE PERFECT

12 RED FORT

Photos Taken by AirAsia Guests

News from AirAsia

160 MY AIRASIA Daring Eats

FLIGHT PLAN 18 SPOTLIGHT

140 GET COMFY Joy of Flying

PORT OF CALL 142 ROUTE MAP

Stuff you’d Love to Know

150 DESTINATIONS

28 HOT DATES

156 AIRASIA SALES OFFICES & STATIONS

October Events to Keep a Lookout for

32 ASEAN COMPASS

28

158 TOUCHDOWN Gold Coast, Australia

Asian Tapestries

36 QUICK BITES Mood for Food

124

36

44 PAGE TURNER Beasts in Books

48 MONEY MAKER Online & Onwards

50 PRESCRIPTION Better Than Cure

52 SCORE BOARD The Starting Point

54 HYPER TECH Classroom of the Future

60 SLEEP INNS Blooms of Bengaluru

66 HIT LIST Weirdly Wonderful

136 KIDS SPACE Discovering Dinosaurs

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PUBLISHER GROUP HEAD, BRANDS & COMM. MANAGING EDITOR DEPUTY EDITOR ART DIRECTOR WRITERS

Datuk Kamarudin Meranun

R. Rajendra Beverly Rodrigues Kan Seak Hong Chitra Santhinathan Adli Syahril

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Adam Lee

PHOTOGRAPHER

Ariff Shah

GRAPHIC DESIGNER EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CONTRIBUTORS

AIRASIA INFLIGHT MAGAZINE

Jenny Wakana

Traversing Myanmar Magic of the Last Frontier

Fadillah Kamarudin Fazlina Bee Binti Abdul Rashid Anupam Chanda, Captain Lim Khoy Hing, David Longstreath, Efi Eqbal, Keeta Brennan, Marius Stankiewicz, Potpot Pinili, Ril Rahman, Stephanie Sta. Maria

TRAVEL 3SIXTY˚ DIGITAL TEAM CONTENT

GLAD I’VE BEEN A DELIGHT. BUT DO LEAVE ME IN SIGHT FOR THE NEXT FLIGHT. READ ME ONLINE.

Matthew Mok, Irvin Hanni, Abby Yao, Ari Fajar, Piper Loo, Danny Lau

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www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

WEBMASTER

Iyan Yudhiana, Hakma Juhari

WEB DEVELOPERS

Mohd Sufian, Zulasyraf Razak

WEB DESIGNER

Angie Lew

Buddhist novice at the Hsinbyume Pagoda in Mandalay, Myanmar.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Indran Balavishnu (Malaysia) indran.balavishnu@pharpartnerships.com Senthuran Mohan (Malaysia) sen.mohan@pharpartnerships.com May Aung (Singapore) may.aung@pharpartnerships.com Panda Pochjanart (Thailand) panda@pharpartnerships.com

Ivan Riyansah (Indonesia) ivan.riyansah@pharpartnerships.com Frances Barsana (Philippines) frances.barsana@pharpartnerships.com Nick Lockwood (Singapore, UK & International) nick.lockwood@pharpartnerships.com

Travel 3Sixty° wishes to thank MPH, Pansing, Quikmark Media

PUBLISHED BY

PRINTING

PRE-PRESS SERVICES

Cover image: Getty

Vikhram Radhakishnan (Indonesia) vikhram.r@pharpartnerships.com

Tel: +6 03-2242 0990 / 2242 0330 (Phar Partnerships Malaysia)

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

ON THE COVER

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

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

Percetakan Zanders Sdn. Bhd.

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

Handprint.com

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

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.

PP15075/07/2013(032403)

Find us at www.facebook.com/travel3sixty www.twitter.com/travel3sixty

FOR QUERIES, ASSISTANCE AND FEEDBACK, YOU CAN REACH US HERE: ask

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Have a question regarding travelling with AirAsia?

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

43 CAPTAIN’S ADDRESS 10 0 2014 www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Azran at the celebration of AirAsia X’s inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Xi’an.

Premium sleepers on AirAsia X’s Business Class.

TO THE FORE!

It has been over a year since we took AirAsia X public in July 2013 – a significant achievement that I am extremely proud of, having been part of AirAsia X’s journey, which started with a single aircraft flying to Gold Coast in 2007. We successfully raised the capital we sought to fuel our growth plans: To fund the acquisition of new aircraft that would see us having one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleets and the largest fleet in the long-haul low-cost carrier (LCC) market and, to invest and launch new long-haul AirAsia X hubs in Thailand and soon, in Indonesia.

As it turns out, we were incredibly fortunate.

We had to wait for the completion of Malaysia’s General Elections in 2013 before we could execute our IPO, and in a short period after we completed it, the regional equity capital markets started turning bearish. Had we been late by a few weeks, we would have missed this brief window of opportunity and been ‘financially grounded’. Currencies that we earn our revenues in across Asia, such as the Malaysian Ringgit, Indonesian Rupiah, Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen, all weakened against the US Dollar. This hurt all airlines, as a majority of costs, especially fuel, aircraft and engineering, are traded in US Dollars.

Faced with these unforeseen pressures and under the new glare of the spotlight of being a new public-listed company, we had to 6

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make a tough decision. If we were to meet the short-term earnings expectations of investors, the best way would be to cut capacity, halt our expansion and ‘hunker down’. Several airlines in the region have taken this conservative approach. The other option was to continue our expansion plans, realising that the best time to leapfrog over other competitors is when times are tough and others slow down. For the long-run, this is turning out to be a golden strategic opportunity to transform ourselves from being a small start-up ‘niche’ airline, into a major industry leader. The price to pay, though, is incurring short-term losses arising from the new capacity expansion.

Since the start of AirAsia X in 2007, and indeed, ingrained in the AirAsia Group DNA, we have never backed away from adversity, and never retreated from the challenge of competition. We have always opted for the road less travelled. We have forged ahead by more than doubling our total fleet size from 11 aircraft in 2012 to 26 aircraft by the end of 2014. This year, we are now the undisputed global leader among long-haul LCC players, and the leader among all airlines in terms of passengers carried from Malaysia to our five core markets in Australia, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.

We continue to focus our expansion in these core markets, adding more frequencies

to existing routes to provide more convenient timing options and better connecting transfer times for our customers. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo go from oncea-day to twice-a-day services, while we’ve increased our Chengdu and Osaka flights from four times weekly to seven times weekly. We’ve also added more destinations in these core markets, like Shanghai, Xi’an, and Chongqing in China; Busan in South Korea; Nagoya in Japan; and Adelaide in Australia.

Our move from our base at the LCC Terminal to the new klia2 terminal also gives us the space we needed for this expansion. The larger space, which comes with aerobridges

Azran with the AirAsia X team.

and a direct ERL train link, also provides a more comfortable experience for transit guests who are taking connecting flights using our ‘Fly-Thru’ service. Over 50 per cent of our AirAsia X guests are transiting, and in particular, we have seen a big growth in guests connecting between Australia and North Asia, thanks to the increase in flight frequencies.

We have now re-branded our premium flatbeds to Business Class, upgraded our on-board service, and are launching our new Premium lounge at klia2. We believe there is a large and growing segment of leisure and business travellers who want more comfort and value. They seek ‘affordable luxury’ and we aim to delight.

We will continue our growth plans with more destinations and frequencies, and keep improving and innovating our services to keep on being the World’s Best. Thank you for your continued faith in us.

Azran Osman-Rani CEO, AirAsia X

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The Safer in the Sky article (Aug 2014) was an informative and enjoyable read. After the recent spate of unfortunate incidents in the aviation industry, many have become nervous about flying. Thanks to travel 3Sixty°, the article

by Captain Lim Khoy Hing reassured me and gave me confidence that flying is still one of the safest modes of transport. It is indeed true that vehicles on the road do not have any anti-collision system in place similar to aircraft, and are not subject to stringent regulations and meticulous maintenance. This is one reason why road accidents are more common. Thank you AirAsia and travel 3Sixty° for providing such an insightful read! I sincerely hope more passengers will get a chance to read this article so that they too will understand aviation better and not be afraid to fly. I also hope that fliers who may have had their fears exacerbated by recent events take comfort in reading this article, rticle, trust the captain and continue flying. ~ William Yeoh, via email

HERE’S THE BUZZ ON AIRASIA’S SOCIAL MEDIA Because of AirAsia, I can travel and see places, which was impossible for me to do in the past! Thanks a million, and yes... the flight crew was wonderful!

LETTER OF THE MONTH!

On my flight from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur during the Lebaran week, I read the Captain’s Address (Aug 2014) article on the AirAsia culture of putting people first in all that they do. I must admit, I responded to this story with a cynical smile. However, upon flipping through the pages and reading the feature article on AirAsia’s Skytrax win and how the airline gives back to the society at large, I was pleasantly surprised.

Sections in that feature such as Inspiring Children, Red Rescue and Mother’s Day on the Frontline really touched me. AirAsia will always be the world’s best as long you keep giving back and touching so many people’s hearts. Now, I do agree that AirAsia is a ‘people’s company’.

To the founding fathers of AirAsia, keep up the good work and may the younger generation in the company also inherit your values. ~ Azmi Uzairi, Malaysia

Jerry Gerald Choong

Thanks AirAsia X for a comfortable flight bound for Kuala Lumpur from Perth on 31/6/2014 and back on 9/7/2014!

Very smooth and happy flight!

Definitely will fly again to Denpasar soon with AirAsia!

Congrats for the World’s Best Low Cost Airline, Skytrax Award 2014.

Declan Hogan

Smooth flight and friendly flight attendants. Great time with AirAsia AK 53 to Bangalore just now. @nadirahbabji

As soon as my plane started to taxi for takeoff, two babies started to cry. Their parents couldn’t do anything to stop them from wailing. Some passengers and flight attendants tried their best to comfort the babies with toys and phones, but to no avail. I was frustrated, thinking that the whole flight to Phuket would be ruined. Just as I was about to resign myself to my fate, I pulled out the May issue of travel 3Sixty° and started flipping through the pages. As I love to travel, I was really hooked on articles such as Absolutely Everybody, Manmade Marvels, A Tourist At Home and Let It Snow. I was so engrossed with these articles that I didn’t even notice when the babies stopped crying. I am sincerely grateful to AirAsia for having travel 3Sixty° on board. It kept me occupied and informed, and diverted my attention from a possibly frustrating journey. ~ Alisa Heng, Malaysia

Birthday celebration, singing stewardess & chatty flight attendants on AirAsia AK6443.

Sure was entertaining. @AbsoluteAm

Thank you AirAsia for the hospitality and efficient work.

Can’t wait to fly with you again in the future :) @StarryRaine

THE RENAISSANCE KUALA LUMPUR HOTEL The Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel is located mere steps from the Petronas Twin Towers and minutes from the city’s top attractions including Little India, Aquaria KLCC, KL Bird Park, Central Market and Chinatown. Accommodation, divided between East and West wings, features free WiFi, sofa, LCD TV, mini fridge, coffee/tea service and 24-hour in-room dining. While amenities are the same, the aesthetics differ at both wings: The West Wing rooms feature a classic European design with elegant accents, while the East Wing rooms are done up in a contemporary style and have a soft colour palette. Opportunities for indulgence abound, whether at the Mandara Spa or at any of the seven dining venues. Enjoy lavish buffets at TEMPTationS and Vogue Café; authentic Chinese dishes and the city’s best Peking duck at Dynasty Restaurant; and hibachi and sushi at Sagano Restaurant. After indulging, head to the Fitness Centre, the Olympic-size pool or tennis courts to work up a sweat. renaissance-hotels.marriott.com

LETTER OF THE MONTH WINS: 3D/2N stay in a Deluxe room at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel inclusive of breakfast for two worth approx USD700 nett!

OTHER PUBLISHED LETTERS EACH WIN: One F&B voucher worth approx USD30 to be redeemed at any F&B outlet at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel.

Like what you read in travel 3Sixty°? Share your thoughts with us in English! To show you how much we appreciate your feedback, we’ll give the best Letter of the Month and two other published letters attractive prizes. Email your feedback to travel3sixty@airasia.com. travel 3Sixty° reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length, and only letters regarding articles published in travel 3Sixty° will stand to win a prize.

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Touched down with AK5116 and so happy to see all the ground staff working so hard despite the Raya holidays. Hats off to all of you @ AirAsia. @jofannabridal

Flew from Chiang Mai to Hong Kong. Thumbs up AirAsia for the cheap fare!

Neal

Booked flight from Chongqing to Kuala Lumpur. Thanks AirAsia!

Looking forward to the trip!

Nag

Wow, I finally can fly directly to Boracay! Thank you for the launch of this route!

Peter Chou

10 RED FORT

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HOT NEW COURIER

(Left to right): Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of Malaysia AirAsia X; Aireen Omar, CEO of Malaysia AirAsia; Capt. Chin Nyok San, Head of Cargo, Malaysia AirAsia; YB Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Minister of Communication and Multimedia; Tan Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia; Randy Ong, CEO of R Box Asia; and Victor Lim, Executive Chairman of R Box Asia.

On August 14, AirAsia launched Redbox, a low cost courier service, at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. Redbox is designed by the airline to offer valuefor-money express courier and parcel delivery throughout AirAsia’s extensive

route network. With Redbox, customers can save up to 50 per cent on courier services. This service has operations in six Asian countries and 31 towns in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Nepal. In the

future, Redbox will expand to other countries including Australia, Japan, China and Hong Kong. To enjoy this service, customers may walk-in to any of its service centres, or for more info, visit http://redbox.airasia.com.

“Redbox enables more commerce opportunities for local businesses, providing exclusive reach to various destinations not connected by other airlines” ~ Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia

SEAMLESS TRAVEL AirAsia launched the Premium Flex service in Kuala Lumpur on August 11. This new service offers travel flexibility, convenience and comfort for guests, especially business travellers. With Premium Flex, guests are able to change their flights twice without incurring a change fee, enjoy complimentary 20kgs baggage allowance, priority boarding and Premium Seats, which was previously known as Hot Seats, at no extra charge. The launch was attended by Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia; Aireen Omar, CEO of Malaysia AirAsia; and Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of Malaysia AirAsia X.

(Second from left): Spencer Lee, Le Yan Nguyen, Tran Chi Cuong, Nguyen Thanh Vu, and Nguyen Xuan Binh flanked by flight attendants.

HELLO, DA NANG!

(Left to right): Andrew Littledale, CFO of Malaysia AirAsia; Aireen Omar; Tony Fernandes; Azran Osman-Rani; Kenny Wong, Group Head of Ancillary, AirAsia; Benyamin Ismail, Group Head of Investors Relations, Corporate Development & Implementation, AirAsia; and Ramani Balan, Head of Inflight Retail, Malaysia AirAsia.

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On August 29, AirAsia marked its return to Da Nang, Vietnam, with a special reception for its inaugural flight at Da Nang International Airport. Upon arrival, the aircraft was given a grand welcome with a water salute. The ceremony was attended by Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Director of Culture-Sport and Tourism Department of Da Nang; Nguyen Xuan Binh, Director of Da Nang Center for Tourism Promotion; Le Yan Nguyen, President of Middle Airport Corporation; Nguyen Ba Quan, Vice President of Da Nang International Airport; Nguyen Thanh Vu, Vice President of Da Nang Terminal Operation and Spencer Lee, Head of Commercial, Malaysia AirAsia. AirAsia is the only airline to operate direct flights connecting Kuala Lumpur and Da Nang. To celebrate the occasion, the airline offered promotional fares from approximately USD30 one way.

Tassapon Bijleveld (left) and Nadda Buranasiri flanked by flight attendants.

TO THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN! On September 1, Thailand AirAsia X celebrated inaugural flights from Bangkok to Tokyo and Osaka at Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok. Guests on board the inaugural flight to Tokyo included Nadda Buranasiri, CEO of Thailand AirAsia X and Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thailand AirAsia. To commemorate the joyous celebration, the first person to check-in for the inaugural flight to Tokyo was given a pair of roundtrip tickets to Osaka from Bangkok. The airline flies daily to Tokyo and five times a week to Osaka from Bangkok, and will increase frequencies to twice daily and daily flights, respectively, starting March 26, 2015.

Santisuk Klongchaiya (second from left) and Somrudee Chanchai flanked by flight attendants.

BOOSTING AIRASIA’S NETWORK In July, anticipating an increase in travel at the end of the year, AirAsia announced the launch of two daily flights to Sakon Nakhon, Thailand, from Bangkok. The launch of this new route in October will strengthen the airline’s network in north-eastern Thailand, allowing guests to experience the charms of this region. Attending the launch announcement were Santisuk Klongchaiya, Commercial Director of Thai AirAsia and Somrudee Chanchai, Executive Director, Northeastern, Tourism Authority of Thailand. To celebrate the launch, AirAsia offered promotional fares from approximately USD12 per way.

“Our flights have been well received and we are confident that the demand for low-fare travel between the two countries will continue to increase.” ~ Nadda Buranasiri, CEO of Thai AirAsia X

A BIG WIN On August 14, AirAsia BIG Loyalty Programme bagged two awards at the prestigious Marketing Loyalty & Engagement Awards 2014 in Singapore. The awards received were Gold for the Loyalty Programme of the Year category and Bronze for the Best Regional Loyalty Marketing Campaign category. The entrants were judged based on business performance, contributions to the industry and community, and creativity. AirAsia BIG was selected for its recent rebranding exercise that created a stronger engagement between BIG and its members. BIG has reached out to almost 28 million people via print, radio and social media, and acquired 30,000 new members.

(Left to right): Danny Leow, Head of Partnership and New Business, Singapore, AirAsia BIG; Evert De Boer, General Manager Global Business Development – Travel, AIMIA; Cecilia Poh, Commercial Manager, AirAsia BIG; Mawarni Adam, Head of Marketing, AirAsia BIG; Spencer Lee, Head of Commercial, Malaysia AirAsia; Alice Goh, CEO of AirAsia BIG; Nathan Kitchner, Director – Asia, Power2Motivate; Loh Wai Meng, CFO of AirAsia BIG; Carmen Wong, CCO of AirAsia BIG; Phua Pui Geok, Manager, Strategic Partnership, AirAsia BIG.

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CONNECTED ON BOARD AirAsia has introduced Wi-Fi service on board to offer guests affordable Internet connectivity in the air. From now till end of October 2014, this brand new service is available for free trial on selected flights. Guests can enjoy the service that will allow them to chat via LINE, WhatsApp and WeChat. In accordance to safety and security standards, the on-board Wi-Fi service is not available while the aircraft is taxing, taking-off or landing, or when flying below 10,000 feet. E-mails and content streaming will be made available gradually on Malaysia AirAsia flights, and will be introduced throughout all flights progressively.

“We encourage guests to test the service and we look forward to receiving their valuable feedback on the on-board Wi-Fi experience,” ~ Kenny Wong, Group Head of Ancillary, AirAsia.

PRETTY IN RED

IMAGE: INMAGINE

Min-Pichaya Wattanamontri flanked by AirAsia flight attendants.

Orang utan at Samboja Lestari

Thailand AirAsia has collaborated with Mistine – one of the leading cosmetic brands in Thailand – to create the stunning Angel Red colour for the Mistine Joops!! Color Rich Lip Tube lipstick collection. This limited edition lipstick, which is based on AirAsia’s signature red, was launched in Bangkok in August and is now available exclusively on board Thailand AirAsia flights for only THB200. The Angel Red launch was attended by Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thailand AirAsia; Danai Derojanawong, President of Better Way (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; Surapon Derojanawong, Director & General Manager of Better Way (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; Min-Pichaya Wattanamontri, Thai celebrity and Brand Ambassador of Mistine Joops!!

Color Rich Lip Tube; and Rattapoom Toekongsap, Thai singer and TV star.

GEMS OF BALIKPAPAN Starting October 16, AirAsia increases its flight frequency to Balikpapan, Indonesia, from Kuala Lumpur, from three weekly flights to daily. Visit these stunning attractions when you’re at this seaport city.

SAMBOJA LESTARI Get out of the city and see orang utans and sun bears in the wild at Samboja Lestari. Visitors can stay overnight at the Samboja Ecolodge and join conservation activities like tree planting, helping to clean orang utan and sun bear enclosures, as well as learning about organic farming.

BUKIT BANGKIRAI NATIONAL PARK Bukit Bangkirai, situated about 50kms from Balikpapan city, is a wildlife sanctuary blooming with over 45 species of wild orchids. A popular attraction here is a 30-metre-high canopy bridge that allows visitors to experience the Bornean rainforest from above.

TANJUNG PURA MUSEUM This military museum, which is located 30 minutes away from the city, boasts an amazing collection of WWII relics such as rifles, missiles, Japanese trumpets and cannons.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Balikpapan, Indonesia, from Kuala Lumpur. www.airasia.com

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Danai Derojanawong (left) and Tassapon Bijleveld

10 SPOTLIGHT www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

I

MY ISLANDS *

Living under sunny skies 365 days a year, travel 3Sixty° Digital Photojournalist Irvin Hanni has much love for Malaysia’s gorgeous islands.

If there’s one thing I look forward to, it’s an island holiday! As a beach lover and scuba diver, Malaysia’s sun-kissed beaches, clear blue waters and diverse underwater life take my breath away. There are many great places to snorkel and dive, and there’s an island for everyone, even for those who aren’t in love with the sea and sand (yet)!

PULAU PERHENTIAN KECIL, TERENGGANU This is my favourite island for rest and relaxation. Long Beach is the place to go as there are plenty of cheap accommodation options, a pristine beach, and a good backpacker vibe, which beckons me to return to this little gem almost every year.

Couples seeking a quiet honeymoon can head to Coral Bay, which has the best sunset view!

IMAGE: GETTY

2014

PULAU LANGKAWI, KEDAH One for the family! Lots of attractions like the KILIM Geoforest Park, as well as the Langkawi Skybridge, in addition to the usual beach activities like parasailing or yachting. But my favourite part has to be the duty-free shopping!

PULAU MABUL, SABAH A very chilled out island that is easily accessible from Tawau. Here, you can get to know the

Bajau Laut people who live in houses on stilts or, dive nearby Sipadan, one of the world’s top dive spots.

PULAU MANUKAN, SABAH Just a 20-minute boat ride away from Kota Kinabalu city centre, Pulau Manukan offers a fabulous beach getaway. Manukan is part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park that includes Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sulug,

Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sapi.

PULAU TIOMAN, PAHANG With its amazing beaches and plenty of resort options, Pulau Tioman has been a perennial favourite for family vacations since the 1970s, when it was named one of the world’s most beautiful islands by TIME. PULAU REDANG, TERENGGANU This is a heavenly island just

off the coast of Kuala Terengganu with beautiful water and lots of chic resorts.

PULAU PANGKOR, PERAK Just three hours away from KL city centre, Pulau Pangkor is great for a quick island getaway from the capital city.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to various destinations in Malaysia. www.airasia.com www.tourism.gov.my * MY is an acronym for Malaysia

Pulau Perhentian

PHOTO CREDIT: WWF-MALAYSIA / ENGELBERT DAUSIP

mammals are forced into more frequent contact with people, causing an increase in human-elephant conflict in the region. Forest conversions resulting in loss of habitat and killing by humans are two primary threats to long-term elephant survival.

These endemic Borneo Pygmy Elephants are dying and losing their homes and families.

With about 1,500 of them left in the wilds of Borneo, urgent and continuous actions need to be taken in order to protect these gentle giants.

Borneo Pygmy Elephant

CONSERVATION EFFORTS Recognised as unique to Borneo, and with the small remaining population, albeit in a fragmented range, WWF-Malaysia sees the urgency in protecting the endangered Borneo Pygmy Elephants.These efforts include massive amounts of teamwork and constant funding for continuous research and advocacy. WWFMalaysia’s conservation efforts in Sabah include: The establishment of wildlife corridors to connect fragmented habitats.

Promoting a harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife.

SAVE OUR ELEPHANTS WWF-Malaysia sets out to protect Borneo Pygmy Elephants from the escalating conflicts that threaten the long-term survival of this species.

A 2003 DNA analysis carried out by Columbia University in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia (World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia), found that Borneo elephants are genetically distinct from other Asian elephants, thereby recognising it as a likely new subspecies. The DNA evidence suggests that these elephants were isolated from their cousins on mainland Asia and Sumatra about 300,000 years ago.

Their smaller body size compared to Asian elephants in other parts of the range has given them their world renowned name: Borneo Pygmy Elephants. As the name suggests, they can only be found in Borneo, particularly in the state of Sabah, Malaysia, and northern parts of Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The elephants usually travel in herds of around six to 20 individuals. These groups are usually led by females and occasionally, merge with other groups in open feeding grounds, particularly on river banks. As the male pygmy elephants reach sexual maturity, they become more solitary, sometimes travelling in groups of two or three. From time to time, they follow the herds for mating.

KEEPING FORESTS HEALTHY Known to be the largest forest herbivore, one adult pygmy elephant can consume about 150 20

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kilograms of vegetation per day. Their diet mostly consists of species of palms, grasses and forest fruits, and sometimes, wild bananas.

Their required minerals come from salt licks or clay-rich soils. Their diet includes forest fruits, making them good seed dispersers that carry seeds across long distances through the forests, so that these seeds can germinate and take root, thereby helping the spread of plants and forests that will serve as food and shelter for other wildlife in the area. Elephants are an umbrella species – protecting more of their habitat will mean protecting habitats of many other species, as well as the overall biodiversity of the rich tropical rainforests.

As with most wildlife, elephants rely on forests to survive. Lush forests are not only important for wildlife but also to mankind – it is nature’s gift to us to slow down climate change, provide freshwater and reduce flash floods, supplying fresh air and creating a healthy ecosystem.

THREATS & CONFLICTS Continuous loss of lowland and valley forests is threatening the lives of these gentle giants. Large mammals such as the Borneo Pygmy Elephant require abundant space to roam, mate and feed.

With a continuously shrinking habitat, these

Elephant satellite collaring to identify their key space requirements and to reduce future conflict.

Various collaborations with government and non-government agencies on wildlife surveys, research and building capacities of protected area management.

TO SUPPORT WWF-MALAYSIA’S CONSERVATION EFFORTS, VISIT

wwf.org.my/elephants

WWF-MALAYSIA WWF-Malaysia (World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia), the national conservation trust, currently runs more than 90 projects covering a diverse range of environmental protection work. Since 1972, WWF-Malaysia has worked on important conservation projects, from saving endangered species such as tigers and turtles, to protecting highland forests, rivers and seas. WWF also undertakes environmental education and advocacy work to achieve conservation goals. By conserving natural resources, WWFMalaysia is helping to protect livelihoods, food and water supply, thus securing a good quality of life and a brighter future. +603-7450 3773 wwf.org.my www.facebook.com/wwfmy

CHEERS, MATE! The Sydney Craft Beer Week returns with barrels of fun from October 18 till 26! In its fourth year, this weeklong beer fest features more than 100 exciting events including music gigs and festivals, dinner parties serving local and international brews and the very first Craft Beer Awards to honour the makers of Australia’s best craft beer. Beer enthusiasts can also follow the Craft Pub Crawl to sample different types of beers on a seven-day beer journey. For the full programme, visit www.sydneycraftbeerweek.com

POWERFUL SCULPTURES One of the largest outdoor sculpture exhibitions in Australia and the world, Sculpture by the Sea returns to Sydney’s stunning coastline from October 23 till November 9. This unique exhibition transforms the two-kilometre long Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk into a spectacular sculpture park. This year’s event showcases mind-blowing artworks of over 37 new local and international exhibitors. www.sculpturebythesea.com

BE VERY, VERY AFRAID Sentosa Spooktacular returns to spook Singapore from October 11 to November 1. Dubbed as ‘Asia’s scariest fun’, the annual Halloween event features only Asian ghosts and ghouls. This year, the event has partnered with Thai horror moviemaker, GTH, to transform Fort Siloso in Sentosa into Laddaland, a haunted village based on GTH’s horror flicks like Laddaland, Alone, Countdown and The Swimmers.

For an entry fee of approximately USD54, you can experience the dark side of Asian folklore, if you dare. www.spooktacular.com.sg 22

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MUSIC OF THE PEOPLE Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the non-profit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, has re-released albums from the UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music. This eclectic 127-album collection features traditional music from 70 nations, and includes Portuguese fado, French bagpipes and Canadian Inuit music, as well as the diverse musical traditions of India, which alone, fill seven albums! This collection has been a resource for academic research and also an influence on popular musicians including Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger. The albums are available as on-demand CDs, for digital download and via online streaming. www.folkways.si.edu

THE RAVE CRUISE

SUPER SCIENCE STUNTS Extreme stunt scientist Dr. Bunhead from TV shows Brainiac and Blue Peter performs cool experiments at a spectacular science show called Try This At Home Live on Stage, from October 9 till 12. Held at the Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, this 70-minute show showcases unusual experiments that you won’t learn at school. Some of these experiments include making rainbow volcano lava, liquid magnets and the Guinness World Record chip bazooka. Tickets are available from approximately USD25 to USD56.

Party hard at It’s the Ship music festival on board the Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, from November 21 till 25. This five-day music festival will depart from Singapore and dock at the tropical island of Langkawi in Malaysia for a beach party before returning to the Lion City. Music acts like Belgian nu disco DJ Aeroplane, Scottish electronic band Chvrches, Italian house DJ Crookers and American rapper Lil’ Jon will keep the music pumping throughout the cruise. Tickets to the festival inclusive of four nights’ stay on the cruise ship range from USD430 to USD4,000 per person. www.itstheship.com

Chvrches

www.hkticketing.com

PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWDOWN History™ has introduced a brand new TV series, Photo Face-Off, which airs every Tuesday. This show is a six-part reality TV series that features Justin Mott, an American professional photographer, travelling across Southeast Asia with stops in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to compete with local photographers. This TV series aims to increase the public’s knowledge on photographic techniques, advanced camera features and the intricacies of photography. In each episode, participants are given nine hours to complete three photography challenges and send their photographs to a panel of judges. www.historyasia.com

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SBCR of The Bloody Beetroots

10 HOT DATES

2014

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OCTOBER 2014

THAILAND

BARNEY’S BIRTHDAY BASH INDONESIA

UBUD WRITERS & READERS FESTIVAL OCT 1-5 This annual arts and literary festival brings renowned international and local authors, poets, artists and performers to various venues in Ubud, Bali, for workshops, film screenings, art exhibitions, book launches, poetry slams, street parties and panel discussions. This year’s line-up includes award-winning authors Sir VS Naipaul, Hassan Blasim and Eimear McBride.

OCT 17-19 Celebrate Barney’s birthday with Baby Bop, BJ and Riff as they perform songs like Dino Dance, Baby Bop Hop and Rock ‘n Roll Star at an interactive concert at Fashion Island, Bangkok. www.thaiticketmajor.com

Ferry Corsten

COMPILED BY: ADLI SYAHRIL

www.ubudwritersfestival.com

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HONG KONG

PHILIPPINES

THE HONG KONG CLASSIC CAR & VINTAGE FESTIVAL

NEVERLAND MANILA

OCT 10-12 Over 100 classic cars and 50 motorbikes, many rare and privately owned, will be put on display at New Central Harbourfront Event Space in Hong Kong. The vintage theme of the festival offers wonderful trips down memory lane and newfound appreciation for these beauties. Lots of activities await guests including an automotive art gallery. www.hkclassiccars.com

OCT 3 Lovers of dance music will be treated to

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electrifying DJ performances by some of the world’s top dance acts like Axwell Ingrosso, Knife Party, Ferry Corsten and Afrojack at Manila’s SM Mall of Asia Concert Ground. www.neverland.com

HONG KONG

MAMMA MIA! OCT 1-26 This much-loved musical about a bride-to-be who invites men from her mother’s past to her wedding in order to discover the identity of her father, incorporates classics of Swedish pop group, ABBA, and will be staged at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. www.mamma-mia.com

ONE FC: ROAR OF TIGERS OCT 17 Witness Malaysia MMA fighters like Peter Davis, Gianni Subba, Saiful Merican and Nik Harris battle international champions at this action-packed event.

VENUE: Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur

SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE JEWELFEST 2014 OCT 17-26 Over 90 new and established jewellery brands and designers like Mouwad, Annamaria Cammili Ann and Studio Tara exhibit their exh rarest and finest rare collections at coll Ngee Ann City.www.

Nge singaporejewelfest.com singa

TO KNOW MALAYSIA IS TO LAUGH, MALAYSIA OCT 29 Harith Iskander, the

INDIA

MARWAR FESTIVAL OCT 7-8 In Jodhpur, the Marwar Festival is celebrated to honour Rajasthan’s bygone heroes. During this vibrant festival, folk artistes perform songs about Rajasthan’s past rulers, while traditional dancers entertain the crowd.

Other festivities include a camel tattoo and polo matches on camel-back. www.rajasthantourism.gov.in

godfather of Malaysian stand-up comedy, tickles your funny bone with hilarious stories about Malaysians.

VENUE: Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur

AUSTRALIA

SOULFEST OCT 18, 19 & 25

Some of the finest contemporary neo-soul, jazz and hip-hop acts like Maxwell, D’Angelo, Aloe Blacc and Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def perform at this music festival in Sydney’s Victoria Park, Melbourne’s Yarra Park and Brisbane’s The Riverstage.

MALAYSIA

WWE LIVE OCT 10 & 11 Head over to Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur to catch your favourite WWE wrestling superstars like John Cena, The Shield and Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt Family in action! www.ticketpro.com.my 30

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Aloe Blacc

www.soulfest.com.au

BE OUR FAN ON FACEBOOK. COM/AIRASIAREDTIX, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.COM/REDTIX AND PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS FOR THE ABOVEMENTIONED EVENTS AT AIRASIAREDTIX.COM

ELSEWHERE… MALAYSIA Mariah Carey The Elusive Chanteuse Show Tour 2014 Live in Kuala Lumpur, concert OCT 22 www.ticketcharge. com.my SINGAPORE Kings & Queen of Comedy Asia 5, stand-up comedy show OCT 10 & 11 www. sistic.com.sg INDONESIA Stomp, musical OCT 1-6 www.ismaya.com SOUTH KOREA 12th Daegu International Opera Festival OCT 31-NOV 1 http://ticket.interpark.com

AUSTRALIA Elmo’s World Tour, theatre OCT 4 & 25

www.ticketmaster.com.au

10014 ASEAN COMPASS

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ASIAN TAPESTRIES Experience Asia’s diverse landscape of history, arts and culture, and learn how to mingle with the locals.

National Museum, Jakarta

TRAVEL HACKS Travel prep is essential for a fuss-free holiday.

Make a list of everything you intend to bring, to save time when packing.

Check on the most reputable spots to exchange currency.

It might be wiser to exchange currency in your home country to avoid bad exchange rates at airports and unscrupulous money changers.

IMAGE: GETTY

Check out travel forums for the latest information on places to visit.

GEMS OF JAKARTA Immerse yourself in Jakarta’s cultural and arts scene.

NATIONAL MUSEUM, JL MERDEKA BARAT 12 JAKARTA A visit to the National Museum (known to locals as the ‘elephant museum’) offers a good introduction to Indonesia’s historical and ethnological past. Opened in 1868, the museum houses over 61,000 prehistoric and anthropological artefacts, from ancient Hindu-Buddhist statues to treasures such as a gilded Balinese kris (ceremonial dagger) encrusted with precious stones. www.museumnasional.or.id

WORDS: KEETA BRENNAN

ART:1, JL. RAJAWALI SELATAN RAYA NO. 3, JAKARTA PUSAT For an immersive art experience,

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Art:1 is the place to go. Its Art:1 New Museum houses three floors of artworks by prominent Indonesian masters such as Heri Dono and Srihadi Soedarsono, while Artspace:1 is dedicated to both local and international emerging artists, with a diverse range of exhibits including installations, video art and photography. www.mondecor.com

TIM, JALAN CIKINI RAYA NO.73, JAKARTA PUSAT Taman Ismail Marzuki (better known as TIM) is an arts and culture centre that houses theatres for performing arts, an exhibition hall, art gallery, cinema travel 3Sixty˚

and open-air pavilion for experimental theatre and poetry readings. With a year-round calendar of events, as well as regular screenings of independent and art-house films, TIM is the central vein of Jakarta’s performing arts scene. http://tamanismailmarzuki.co.id

CAFE MONDO, JL. KEMANG RAYA NO. 72 BANGKA MAMPANG PRAPATAN JAKARTA SELATAN Cafe Mondo is worth checking out for its cool, eclectic vibe, yummy food and rare vinyl selection.

Pictures of Indonesian pop stars and retro bands adorn its walls, while the menu is a quirky mix of western and Japanese comfort food. In the basement, regular music nights play host to DJs from across Southeast Asia and Europe, as well as experimental music gigs. www.facebook.com/CafeMondoJkt

BHARATA THEATRE, JL. KALILIO 15 CENTRAL JAKARTA Bharata Theatre holds daily Javanese theatre performances in Javanese or Indonesian.

Although you may not understand the language, you will be mesmerised by the intricate costumes, graceful dance moves and hypnotic gamelan music. Among its most popular shows are the ketoprak, which is based on Javanese legends and the wayang orang, which is inspired by Hindu mythology. www.facebook.com/wobharata/

Scan your passport, itinerary and other important documents and email them to yourself before travelling as a handy back up plan.

Roll clothes to save luggage space and organise cables in a pouch so you don’t have to unpack everything to find them.

Buy travel-sized toiletries on arrival to save luggage space.

Learn words like ‘Thank you’ and ‘how much’ in the local language to get better deals when shopping.

If it’s your anniversary, birthday or honeymoon, be sure to inform your hotel when booking.

Some hotels will give you freebies like room upgrades, cakes and flowers.

Check taxi fare calculators online before travelling to countries where public transport is unreliable. It might work out cheaper (and be less of a hassle!) to hire a car.

Make a list of people you want to buy souvenirs for and stick to it to avoid overbuying.

MARKET ROUND-UP Don’t miss these hot and happening markets in Southeast Asia.

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET, BANGKOK, THAILAND With over 15,000 booths selling goods from all over Thailand, Chatuchak is one of the world’s largest weekend markets. Here, antiques, silks and Buddhist statues jostle for space alongside cheap fashion, knock-off handbags, quirky souvenirs and even pets!

LUANG PRABANG NIGHT MARKET, LUANG PRABANG, LAOS It is not a large

market but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality. Local vendors sell genuine Lao handicrafts, traditional clothing, paintings and authentic Lao street food. Prices are cheap and buying truly helps the locals.

UBUD ART MARKET, UBUD, BALI Although it has become increasingly touristy, this market is still a great choice for locally produced artworks, carvings and handicrafts. Paintings are cheap if you haggle well, and some of the best scrubs and massage oils are sold at a fraction of what you’d pay at a spa boutique.

Small, independent boutiques have also popped up, offering trendy local designer wear.

LANTERN NIGHT MARKET, HOI AN, VIETNAM As the sun sets, paper lanterns are lit, giving this nightly market a magical atmosphere. Good buys here include local paintings, souvenirs, ceramics and of course, lanterns. Prices vary from shop to shop so survey prices before buying.

JONKER STREET NIGHT MARKET, MELAKA, MALAYSIA By day, Jonker Street has an average Chinatown vibe, but it truly comes alive on weekend nights. From delicious street food to cheap electronics and traditional elixirs, the night market is a wonderful mishmash of sights, smells and sounds.

Jonker Street Night Market, Melaka

Lantern Night Market, Hoi An

TRAVEL, EAT, SHARE The best way to immerse yourself in a foreign destination is by experiencing it with the locals.

DID YOU KNOW? According to the Expedia 2014 Flip Flop Report, 85 per cent of Malaysians surveyed believe speedos are suitable beach attire!

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WITHLOCALS.COM

MEALSHARING.COM

PLATECULTURE.COM

Opt to eat or do fun activities with local hosts around Asia, for a fee.

Options range from a homecooked Vietnamese meal in Ho Chi Minh City, to a music lesson in Kuala Lumpur or, a bike ride around Borobudur with passionate locals. Expect enthusiastic hosts whose hospitality is well worth the money.

Meet lively locals and form longlasting friendships while learning about different cultures, over a meal. Guests bring gifts, while hosts are encouraged to prepare their specialties, even if their dishes aren’t exactly authentic local fare.

Check out Plate Culture for a taste of authentic traditional cuisine, served by local hosts. Menus are diverse, from three-course Indian dinners to hearty open-air Brazilian barbeques. It’s even possible to enjoy an authentic Lithuanian meal with a Lithuanian host in Bangkok!

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10 QUICK BITES

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

MOOD FOR FOOD

Year-end festivities are upon us again. Let’s kick-start the season with the Hindu festival of Deepavali, which sees a plethora of festive sweetmeats and savouries made especially to celebrate this joyous occasion.

KISS OF THE COBRA If you’re craving a sexy, tropical cocktail with complex flavours, try the King Cobra served at Angsana Laguna Phuket’s über stylish beach club Xana or, make the drink yourself. Mango and lime provide the base flavours for this cocktail that’s sweet and sour, while red chillies give it a surprising zing.

Gulab jamun

DEEPAVALI DESSERTS Hindus around the world celebrate Deepavali/Diwali, one of the grandest festivals in the Hindu calendar, on October 22 or 23. Sweets are a must during this celebration, especially in north India as it denotes sweetness and joy in life. Expect to be served ultra-sweet cakes such as besan laddoo (sweet chick pea flour balls), jalebi (deep-fried cakes in saffroninfused sugar syrup) and all types of milk-based goodies like gulab jamun, rasagullah and peda. In the south, savoury Peda munchies like murukku (deep-fried, rice and lentil snack), omapodi (fried gram flour snack) and kara seva (spiced flour munchies) are offered alongside sweetmeats like Mysore pakk (besan flour cake) and paal kova (solidified milk candy).

THE KING COBRA

LADIES’ FINGERS Ladies’ Fingers (okra/bhendi) feature prominently in Middle Eastern, Indian, Caribbean and Southern United States cuisines. The okra may not be your favourite vegetable due to its slimy or mucilaginous texture when cooked, but it sure is delicious and comes packed with nutrients. In Indian dishes, the vegetable is stir-fried with spices while in other cuisines, it is thrown into stews and gumbos. In the Nyonya (Straits Chinese) cuisine of Melaka, Penang and Singapore, the vegetable is simply steamed and served slathered with spicy sambal (chilli condiment). Elsewhere in Malaysia, one component of yong tau foo (a mix of fish and soy bean cakes eaten with chilli dip) is the okra stuffed with fish paste. To get rid of the slimy substance, Indian cooks add lemon juice, vinegar, buttermilk or yoghurt into the dish while cooking. Okra is also said to have many medicinal qualities including reducing cholesterol and preventing the onset of diabetes.

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INGREDIENTS 3/4 of a red chilli, sliced 2 kaffir lime leaves, crushed 3 oz mango puree 1 oz mango juice 1.5 oz vodka 1 oz coconut-flavoured rum

METHOD Mix the chilli, kaffir lime leaves, mango puree and juice together before adding the vodka and rum.

Shake the mix with plenty of ice, then strain into a martini glass. Rim the martini glass with a chilli for an extra fiery bite. Garnish with a kaffir lime leaf. www.angsana.com/en/phuket

Roti Prata

Layer cake

LION CITY EATS The best place to enjoy Singaporean food is at ION Orchard where visitors can savour the island state’s multi-ethnic cuisines with the ION Orchard Local Food Trail.

Visitors get to sample a diverse range of ethnic cuisines including Roti Prata (Indian flat bread), Teh Tarik (a frothy, sweet, milk tea) and even the iconic Singapore Chili Crab. Besides food tasting, guests can also watch how these dishes are prepared. The ION Orchard Local Food Trail runs daily from Monday to Friday from 11.00am, with each session taking about 45 minutes to one hour, and capped at 10 adults. The best part is that this experience is totally free and guests need only register via e-mail at customercare@ionorchard.com.sg or at the Concierge desk at ION Orchard!

Yu tiao Hainanese chicken rice

IMAGE: INMAGINE

www.ionorchard.com

NATURALLY GOOD Processed sugar can be harmful to your overall health but here’s an alternative that’ll satisfy your cravings. Well Naturally has launched a new range of ‘No Sugar Added Chocolate’ family share bars in both dark and milk varieties. The bars are available in Dark Chocolate (Mint Crisp, Rich Dark and Acai Berry), and Milk Chocolate (Creamy Milk and Fruit & Nuts). Well Naturally products are available in Woolworths, Coles, independent grocers, pharmacies and health food stores in Australia. www.wellnaturally.com.au

Salt plain

A SEA OF SALT The white granules you sprinkle onto your food aren’t the only type of salt available.

Salt comes in many, many varieties!

SEA SALT/ROCK SALT Sea salt is obtained by evaporating sea water, leaving behind salt particles in a coarse form. This type of salt has many trace minerals and elements intact and may be slightly grey in colour.

FLEUR DE SEL As salt water evaporates, leaving behind salt particles, the top layer blooms with salt crystals.

This hand-harvested salt is irregularly shaped, high in minerals and extremely fragile, and needs the perfect conditions to form, hence, the high price tag.

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BLACK SALT Harvested from volcanic rocks in parts of Northern India and the Mediterranean, this salt is actually pinkish to grey in colour with a distinct sulphurous flavour, and contains less sodium.

MOUNTAIN SALT Pink in colour, this salt is mined from the mountainsides of the Himalayas. It has a high mineral and iron content and is often called the purest form of salt.

KOSHER-STYLE SALT The texture and shape of this salt is lighter and more delicate compared to table salt. The flavour is also more subtle and the grains have a distinct crunch when sprinkled over food.

THE THAI FOOD KINGDOM! Eathai, a dedicated food arena in the City of Angels’ latest premium shopping mall, Central Embassy on Sukhumvit Road, is perhaps the best place to get acquainted with the culinary offerings of the country.

Taking up the entire lower ground floor of the luxury mall that houses some of the most iconic designer brands, this food arena is a Thai food kingdom that requires many, many repeat visits to enjoy the different types of food and foodie experiences available there.

and sai eua (savoury sausages) are yours to try at the North Thai section. The Esan provinces are divided into north and south; Esan North comes with a touch of Vietnamese influence in foods such as nham nueng (fried pork spring rolls) and pho (beef/chicken noodle soup), while South Esan is renowned for its spicy dishes such as som tam (green papaya salad) and kay yang (grilled chicken). Go further south to enjoy bold and palate tingling flavours that marry Thai and Malay styles of cooking

and the crunch of the vegetables gave it body and texture. Accompanied by a plate of freshly prepared som tam, this was heaven on a plate.

And even more amazing were the prices, comparable to what you would pay in normal, run-of-the-mill food courts.

STREET FOOD This section allows you to savour street-style food in the cool comfort of a luxury mall, minus the hefty price tags!

Stalls operate out of food carts and run the gamut from hor mok (steamed fish mousse) to tod mun pla (fish cakes) and yes… pad Thai!

Street-style desserts such as thab thim krob (ruby red water chestnuts in coconut milk), sticky rice with mango or durian flesh, and banana fritters are available too.

THAI SUPERMARKET

Talad Eathai is the food arena’s general store, which carries a huge selection of local produce, food ingredients, Thai snacks, and even spa products and souvenir items. This is a great spot to purchase a little piece of Thailand for your loved ones back home.

ISSAYA COOKING STUDIO FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

One section of Eathai named Krua 4 Pak features cuisines from various regions of the country.

From the Central region, the fertile Chao Phraya plains offer up classic favourites like yum pla salid (salted gourami with spicy Thai salad) and the all-time favourite tom yum goong. Dishes with a distinct Lanna influence such as kao soi (egg noodles in curry gravy)

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with kao yum (rice and herb salad) and kang lueng nor mai dong pla sum lee (bamboo shoots in yellow curry). Dedicated outlets for seafood and Thai vegetarian cuisines are also available, with future plans for a halal section.

I sampled the crab curry kanom chin (rice noodles with assorted chopped vegetables and condiments) and loved every bit of it. The thick curry was packed with chunks of crab meat

Why stop at just tasting Thai food when you can sign up for classes to learn the art of Thai cooking? With a state-of-the-art kitchen, guests can learn various dishes under the supervision of acclaimed chef/restaurateur Ian Chalermkittichai or, his stable of chefs. Classes run daily with lessons ranging from basic to classical, molecular and professional levels.

Best of all, even walk-in guests can sign up when visiting Eathai! www.centralembassy.com/eathai

10 PAGE TURNER

2014

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BEASTS IN BOOKS

WORDS: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

In celebration of all creatures fearsome and horrifying, this Halloween, travel 3Sixty˚ takes a look at some scream-worthy beasts in popular literature.

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Godzilla is one of the most iconic monsters of popular culture, and one that keeps reappearing in film adaptations and books.

This monster or daikaiju (giant beast) as the Japanese say, actually sprung out of a series of tokusatsu films (live action films with special effects) by Toho Studios, alongside other monsters like Mothra, Rodan and Anguirus, who have been portrayed as Godzilla’s nemeses, as well as allies, at different junctures.

Godzilla, often described as a sort of gorilla-whale hybrid, was conceived as an amphibious reptilian monster, and has been seen as a metaphor for nuclear weapons, his skin often reflecting the keloid scars seen on survivors of Hiroshima. Portrayed as both a hero and a destructive force, and likened to the Shinto ‘god of destruction’ who obliterates everything before rebirth can begin, Godzilla is neither good nor bad.

Since its inception in the 50s, the popularity of Godzilla has seen this beast appear in Japanese manga, as well as comics published by big names like Marvel Comics, where he takes on Marvel characters like Ice Man, Hercules and The Fantastic Four, and Dark Horse Comics’ trade paperbacks and comic books.

Another fearsome literary monster that has appeared in travel 3Sixty˚

many a child’s nightmare is the Jabberwock from Lewis Carroll’s novel Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. Early on in the novel, Alice finds a book written in indecipherable language, and realises that the verses are

written in mirror-writing. Holding a mirror, she reads the reflected verse of a nonsense poem called Jabberwocky, in which the reader is cautioned about ‘the jaws that bite’ and ‘the claws that catch’.

In 1871, John Tenniel illustrated Carroll’s classic, providing readers

Illustration of the Jabberwock by John Tenniel.

DID YOU KNOW?

The word ‘monster’ comes from the Latin word monstrum meaning portent and monere meaning to warn. It is thought to refer to an omen, supernatural being or object that warns of the will of the gods, alluding to an aberrant occurrence that signifies something wrong with the natural order.

with a definitive image of this creature – a large winged chimera with a dragon-like body, insectlike antennae and talons on its arms and wings.

In Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein, a passionate scientist inadvertently creates a grotesque creature in a science experiment gone wrong. Initially hoping to create the perfect human being out of body parts from deceased criminals, Victor Frankenstein instead creates a monster gifted with superhuman strength and speed. Standing eight feet tall, this creature is said to be revolting with yellow eyes and skin that shows its muscle tissue and blood vessels underneath. Abandoned by its creator, the monster begins killing off Victor Frankenstein’s loved ones in a fit of vengeance.

Although referred to as ‘fiend’ and ‘wretch’, the monster reminds Victor Frankenstein “remember, that I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel”, asserting that it is his creator who is responsible for his heinous acts.

Other horrifying beasts include the Giant Squid from Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; the Balrog, a menacing creature of fire and shadow from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings; and Grendel, a man-eating demon from the epic poem Beowulf.

ARCHIE® 1000 PAGE COMICS EXPLOSION Archie® Comics

Follow America’s favourite carrot-top, Archie, and the gang from Riverdale through the joys and tribulations of teenage-hood in this compilation of classic stories from the muchloved comic strip.

MEN ON THE MENU – 75 DELICIOUS AFFAIRS AROUND THE WORLD Bambi Smyth

22 countries, 81 days, 294 meals and 75 blind dates! Combining her love for food, travel and men, Smyth embarks on a whirlwind trip across continents in pursuit of her passions.

NOWHERE TO GOA Doug E. Jones Dou

In this travel adventure novel, Scott, a bookish sophomore S ttravels to India to bring his troublemaker of a twin brother home after his release b from jail. What is meant to be fr a tthree-day affair turns into an e epic journey of discovery, as Scott immerses himself in Southeast Asia’s backpacker scene, and embarks on a search for knowledge, purpose and love.

READ OF THE MONTH!

ENDGAME: THE CALLING

James Frey & Nils Johnson Shelten Thousands of years ago, 12 ancient civilisations were chosen to represent humanity in a global game to decide the fate of mankind. When 12 meteorites strike Earth with a message for each player, Endgame begins and there can be only one winner.

THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LOST HER NAME David Cadji-Newby

A little girl who loses her name sets out on a journey to find it and discovers a host of interesting characters who each offer up a letter, helping her recover her missing name! Get a personalised book with your child’s name at www.lostmy.name

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TALKING ABOUT STALKING Poet and author Tracy Ryan talks about the darkness that lurks beneath her latest novel Claustrophobia, in which a housewife gets tangled in a world of lies and obsessive attachment.

INSPIRATION Certainly it was partly influenced by things I read in the news over the years, the general sense that people can be quite other than how they appear. Anyone might be suspicious or obsessed, but very few become stalkers or let their feelings take over their lives. I’m interested in what makes characters cross that line, so I wanted to explore it in my own writing. There are probably lots of reasons, but lack of trust, social isolation and loss of perspective are among them.

THE WRITING PROCESS I started with a ‘what if’ and made quite a few outlines including character details. But during the writing – which took a few years – there were changes and surprises along the way. It was a combination of plotting and following where the characters went, even when I didn’t expect it!

MY GREATEST OBSESSION Language – my own and learning foreign ones. I can never have enough of it. Also, as my husband points out, vegan chocolate! But that’s harder to justify!

FAVOURITE POEM I especially like an Emily Dickinson poem that begins, “A loss of something ever felt I” – because of its overwhelming sense of longing. The poem is very controlled and formal, so the sense of longing, the emotional and philosophical side of it, come across strongly. I also love the sound patterning in it – “I find myself still softly searching/ For my delinquent palaces…”

RESPECTED WRITERS Among suspense writers, Georges Simenon, Ruth Rendell, Patricia Highsmith. I love their matter-of-fact way of dealing with the darker side of the world. They are good at making you dread something and you’re not even sure what it is going to be. From previous centuries, I love Stendhal, because he is so witty, compassionate, super-intelligent and ahead of his time. The Brontës and Thomas Hardy for the vivid worlds they create with intense passion. More recently, the wonderful Carson McCullers, again for her compassion, and her intricate understanding of people’s goodness, as well as their shortcomings.

And, the contemporary novelist Glen Duncan, for his stylistic gift and ability to ask big questions.

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IMAGE: INMAGINE

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ONLINE & ONWARDS

DESIGNING YOUR OWN DESTINY If you’ve always dreamt of owning your own business, start small and consider setting up an online business. Here are the pros and cons of getting on board with e-Commerce.

PROS

CONS

SPEED & FLEXIBILITY You can run it from just about anywhere – home or even while on the go via your mobile phone and tablet, at your own pace.

TIME TO GAIN CONSUMER TRUST Being new means that it takes longer for consumers to trust your brand and business. So you need to get it right each time and fulfil all your promises for positive feedback and referrals.

ALWAYS OPEN Because the Internet never sleeps, neither does your business. The platform reaches millions of prospective customers worldwide at varying time differences – all to your advantage. You may just wake up to a new customer!

www. digitalinformationworld.com

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Advancements in technology have enabled budding entrepreneurs to create businesses without the need for big bucks, and for homemakers to make extra income too.

LOW START-UP COSTS It used to cost an arm and a leg to start up a business, but the Internet has now made it easier and cheaper through competitive prices offered by online service providers.

% more time is spent by online consumers on websites with videos; and three out of five online consumers will spend at least two minutes watching a video that educates them on the products they desire to buy.

HEAVY COMPETITION Your biggest challenge is to set yourself apart from others. The access and avenues offered over the Internet will see millions of other entrepreneurs selling the same product as you.

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS Building your e-Commerce site or store with online payment facilities puts you at the mercy of technology. Website crashes may occur and require time to fix, which will negatively impact your sales.

billion USD is the estimated amount that marketers would have spent on digital marketing collateral worldwide for the year 2014, based on a projection of USD531 billion of global online ad spending. media.dmnews.com

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% of social media marketers manage an online audience of up to 5,000 individuals worldwide on a daily basis, based on a survey of over 1,300 of such marketers worldwide. www.

BUILD A VIRTUAL STORE Simple steps to start an online venture.

WORDS: EFI EQBAL

DEFINE YOUR PRODUCT Find your niche and create a unique product that fills the gap in what consumers need.

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GET REGISTERED Decide on a name for your business and get registered according to the business laws of your country.

REGISTER YOUR DOMAIN travel 3Sixty˚

NAME Think of something catchy and memorable that you can also use to brand your products.

FIND A WINNING WEB HOSTING SERVICE You can start by using a free hosting service; but for long term business plans, consider paying for one, as you’re less likely to have unresolved technical issues.

CREATE YOUR WEBSITE Design a stylish and professional website according to your

products or services, as this will give potential customers insights into the quality you offer.

DON’T FORGET E-COMMERCE SOFTWARE Include software that allows customers to easily input their information and view products or services on your website with a sense of security; this will definitely influence their decision whether or not to buy from you.

SET UP A MERCHANT ACCOUNT There are many

payment gateways to choose from, for example PayPal, Google Checkout and MoneyBookers. It all depends on your products and target customers. You can also offer cash on delivery payment terms to customers within your business locale, as some may prefer cash payments.

Remember to keep updating your content with interesting information that’s relevant to your business and get on to the online social circuit for greater exposure!

Source: smallbusiness.chron.com; businesstoday.intoday.in

digitalinformationworld.com

10 PRESCRIPTION

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

BETTER THAN CURE

19.8

Take precautions to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and boost your immunity to reduce the risk of contagion.

% was the adult mortality rate per every 100 people in the world population, as recorded in 1990, but this percentage has since declined to 15.6% in 2012. www.who.int

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% of mental health problems emerge before the age of 25 years.

While many diseases are treatable, a few remain unresolved. The common cold, flu and strep throat are but some that fall under the category of contagious diseases and are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.

COMMON COLD This is produced through 110 viral agents and is highly contagious.

It is contracted by inhalation of expelled mucous cold germs in the air and by transfer of the germs from any surface to the eyes or nose.

INFLUENZA This respiratory illness is highly contagious and

includes symptoms like fever, fatigue, cough, runny nose, aching muscles and possibly, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

STREP THROAT This throat infection is caused by streptococcus bacteria.

Symptoms include sore throat, nausea, fever and chills that manifest two to five days from time of exposure to airborne droplets or through sharing food or drinks with an infected person.

RINGWORM This skin infection is highly contagious and appears as ring-shaped patches on the face, body and even scalp. You can contract it just

by close contact with an infected person.

GIARDASIS This intestinal parasitic infection is extremely contagious and is generally water-borne. You can get this from unhygienic swimming pools and spas, sexual or skin contact with an infected person, or by sharing food with him or her.

PREVENTIVE CONTAMINATION Wash your hands often.

Clean surface areas where you and others work frequently.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.

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% more blood flow occurs when laughing heartily.

Usana Health Sciences

Don’t share food or beverages with others.

Never share your towel, shaving razor, toothbrush, nail clipper, etc.

Immediately place used tissues in a waste basket so the germs don’t come in contact with surface areas.

Avoid close contact with people suffering from contagious ailments and, stay home if you are sick.

Eat well, exercise adequately and get ample sleep for a healthy immune system that’ll help you recover quickly should you fall sick.

Source: www.livestrong.com

WORD FROM WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WORDS: EFI EQBAL

While the recent Ebola virus outbreak has caused panic as there is no cure for this disease, WHO has stated: ‘The risk of a tourist or a business traveller becoming infected with Ebola virus during a visit to the affected areas and developing the disease after returning is extremely low, even if the visit included travel to the local areas from which primary cases have been reported. Transmission requires direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected living or dead persons or animals – all unlikely exposures for the average traveller.’ This information is also being disseminated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through its website.

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Source: www.who.int; www.icao.int

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

IMAGE: INMAGINE

headspace.org.au

10 SCORE BOARD

2014

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53,644, 737,765, 488,792, 839,237, 440,000

THE STARTING POINT

is the possible number of ways in which the card game, Bridge, can be dealt.

www.allfunandgames.ca

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IMAGE: INMAGINE

Here’s a look at popular sports and their origins… sometimes, worlds away.

BACK TO BEGINNINGS Cultural exchange has introduced new sports to far off places. Here’s a brief history of sports that have become popular, a long distance from their country of origin.

WORDS: EFI EQBAL

CRICKET ORIGINS England MADE POPULAR

BY India POPULAR IN England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc. HISTORY Cricket became big in India with the development of the British Raj through the East India Company. The first mention of cricket being played in India was in the 1700s and involved English sailors of the East India Company in Cambay. By 1864, a firstclass match was set up between teams in Madras and Calcutta, and this was said to be the start of professional cricket matches in India.

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BADMINTON ORIGINS India, and further developed by the British. POPULAR travel 3Sixty˚

IN Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Singapore HISTORY This game was originally all about using paddles to keep a cork with feathers from hitting the ground. British army officers posted in Poona (now Pune) in India, refined it and brought it back to Britain where it was further developed in Gloucestershire at the Duke of Beaufort’s ancestral home called Badminton House – hence, the name of the game today.

The International Badminton Federation (IBF) headquarters was moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2005 – a testament to the sport’s popularity in Malaysia. Over the years, China has picked up gold medals in various international tournaments, demonstrating their passion for the sport.

TENNIS ORIGINS France MADE POPULAR BY Spain POPULAR IN Spain, USA, Australia, France,

Argentina etc. HISTORY Historians believe that tennis evolved from a 12th century French game called jeu de paume (game of the palm), in which a ball was hit back and forth using the palms of the hands. The racket was invented in the 16th century and the game was mostly played indoors in England and France.

While the exclusive Davis Cup began as early as 1900, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the game became ‘open’ to everyone – hence, the term ‘tennis opens’.

FOOTBALL ORIGINS China MADE POPULAR

BY England and South America POPULAR IN South America, England, France, Italy, Germany etc. HISTORY According to historians, the earliest form of football dates back to the 2nd and 3rd century BC in China.

It was called tsu chu and was played as a form of exercise for military recruits during

the Han Dynasty. While the transfer remains vague, it’s believed that in the mid 1800s, rules were embedded into the game as a competition in England. Over the years, the remarkable spread of the game across the world has made it one of the most watched and followed sport in history.

Source: www.athleticscholarships. net; www.iloveindia.com; www. badminton-information.com; www. topendsports.com; www.fifa.com; bleacherreport.com

million USD was what Ukrainian heavyweight professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko raised for underprivileged Ukrainian children by auctioning his 1996 Olympic gold medal. The buyer immediately returned the medal to Klitschko as he wanted it to remain in the Klitschko family. www.funfactz.com

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is the average number of times it takes for a major league baseball to rotate as it leaves a pitcher’s hand before the batter hits it. www.funfactz.com

TRENDING ON INDIE EXERCISE

Oasis

Statistics have shown that compared to fans of other music genres, lovers of alternative music are the least interested in exercise in the United Kingdom. So, a local gym in Manchester has created a special gym exercise programme to keep Indie fans fit by bouncing along to upbeat tunes by alternative bands such as Happy Mondays, New Order and Oasis. Source: www.springwise.com

10 HYPER TECH

2014

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CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE Data-driven and always connected, the new way of teaching and learning leaves paper in its dust.

MICROSOFT SURFACE The Surface combines the simplicity of a tablet with the power of a Windows environment. While it runs tablet-specific apps, it also comes with a full suite of Office productivity tools such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint. www.microsoft.com/surface

The last vestiges of traditional learning are fast leaving the classroom as teachers and students go digital. No longer are students limited to old encyclopaedias – now, thanks to the Internet, the sky’s the limit.

Tablets, laptops and even smartphones are becoming de rigueur for students from primary up to tertiary levels, as schools guide their charges forward into the Digital Age. Even school curriculums are evolving and adapting, with the use of data becoming even more important in classrooms today. This means that the level of personalised and adaptive learning can be unique for each student, as the focus of each individual is still a key indicator of progress.

Thus, a good monitoring system is needed to keep track of the progress of each student, at any given time.

SO, WHAT ARE CLASSROOMS USING INSTEAD OF PEN AND PAPER TODAY?

CHROMEBOOK A platform created by Google, Chromebook combines the usability of a clamshell notebook form-factor, with the power of the cloud. Users need only log into their Google account to load their information on any Chromebook. This allows teachers to remotely monitor students via a handy dashboard on the web, from their own Chromebook. www.google.com/chromebook

WORDS: RIL RAHMAN

iPAD

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With a high resolution screen, plenty of education apps in the ecosystem, great support from third party companies for accessories, and a robust iOS operating system, the iPad certainly fits the bill when it comes to a device fit for education. Many schools have adopted the iPad as a learning tool. www.apple.com travel 3Sixty˚

PROTECT YOUR PHONE Smartphones have become a lifeline of sorts, keeping us connected and offering info at our fingertips. Protect your smartphone with these handy tips.

COMMUNICATE IN STYLE Stay connected and in trend with the newest phones in the market.

CASE IT Most phones are made out of plastic, which makes them susceptible to breakage, especially when you go all butter fingers while taking a call. Look for waterproof and shockproof casings that offer an extra layer of protection.

SAFEGUARD YOUR SCREEN While higher end phones may have stronger, scratch-proof screens, the rest are usually made of glass that is easily damaged.

Secure your phone with a screen protector, which ranges from simple plastic overlays, all the way to stick-on, scratch-proof glass.

INSURE IT Pick up a smartphone insurance plan and check if it covers common woes such as screen cracks, accidental water ingestion and damage due to falling.

PLANET OF THE APPS Tweak photos with these amazing image editor apps before you share them via your social media networks.

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP EXPRESS From the master of photo manipulation comes a fabulous software for editing on the go. It has RAW file support (i.e. DSLR image files), filters, one-touch adjustment, and enables sharing pictures via your favourite social network at a single touch. OS: Android, Windows, iOS, Windows Phone 8 Price: Free (in-app

HTC BUTTERFLY 2 The next big phone from HTC has slimmed down, from a six inch to a five inch screen! It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, the fastest processor on the market, as well as a 13 megapixel camera with a secondary camera for depth information, and is supported by worldwide 4G LTE connectivity. Its polycarbonate body comes in a colourful range. www.htc.com

XIAOMI REDMI NOTE While it’s not a phone with the highest specs in the market, the fact that the phone has a sticker price of just USD160 makes this a great value buy.

It has an eight-core processor, a large 5.5 inch screen, a 13 megapixel camera and dual SIM card capability. www.mi.com

purchases available)

PHOTO EDITOR BY AVIARY With an easy-to-use interface, Photo Editor by Aviary offers one touch filters, smart colour selector and a powerful cropping tool to resize photos on the fly.

OS: Android, iOS Price: Free

PIXLR EXPRESS Pixlr Express

by Autodesk is designed for your mobile device and allows you to edit, touch up and jazz up your photos with 600 different effects.

It even comes with a built-in collage maker. OS: Android, iOS Price: Free

MICROSOFT LUMIA 930 Lumia 930 is the best Windows Phone money can buy and features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, scratch resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and a cool metal body. With 32 GBs, you can easily store all the photos taken with the excellent 20 megapixel PureView camera. It runs on the latest Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, codenamed Cyan. www.windowsphone.com

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10 SLEEP INNS

2014

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BLOOMS OF BENGALURU

WORDS: R. RAJENDRA

With two prominent monikers: Garden City of India and Silicone Valley of India, Bangalore or officially known as Bengaluru, is a bustling metropolis. The city owes its prosperity to its burgeoning IT industry and in its wake, some of the finest hotels have taken root here.

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GARDEN OF DELIGHTS

Responsible Luxury – a phrase that sounds like an oxymoron. At the ITC Gardenia Bengaluru, this is a flourishing concept and one that’s been embraced with much gusto. The location of the hotel – mere minutes from the lush Cubbon Park – certainly helps but locality alone isn’t the main pull. What makes the ITC Gardenia unflinchingly unique is its deep commitment to environmental friendly policies and ecologically sound practices.

Green hotels are dime a dozen but ITC Gardenia trumps the competition with initiatives such as 100 per cent usage of renewable

during the day while the wall-free structure ventilates it adequately.

Vegetation is grown on the rooftop, which cools the space below – a further nod to harnessing natural resources for a truly Green experience.

At night, the soft glow that lights up the outlet transforms the Lotus Pavilion into a magical spot.

Accommodation at the ITC Gardenia ranges from suites – the Peacock, Flamingo and Pelican Suites – and other offerings called the Tower Rooms, ITC One Suites and ITC One rooms. Female guests can opt to stay on the Eva floor, a dedicated level for women with amenities

wind energy in its operations, energy efficient light fittings, wood furnishing from Forest Stewardship Council Certified sources, and double glazed windows to reduce the sun’s heat in rooms, thus reducing air conditioning loads, amongst others. Suffice to say, when you stay here, you directly help the greening of the Earth.

As I walked into the main lobby, natural light and a steady breeze welcomed me into the airy space. The lobby cleaved the main entrance, relegating the reception and the hotel’s bar to the sides, producing a clean, unencumbered space that was sparsely occupied by a water feature, daybeds and a few carved chairs. Opposite the lobby, a wallless structure surrounded by a small moat called the Lotus Pavilion, welcomed guests to partake in afternoon tea or stiffer drinks in the evening. Built in the style of the legendary Tipu Sultan’s summer palace and surrounded by ancient trees, this spot too employs natural light

such as a round-the-clock female security officer, in-room checkins, walk-in closets and large make-up mirrors. Each floor at the ITC Gardenia is designed after an element from nature with a corresponding colour. My floor was Water & Blue while other levels boasted design elements/colour schemes such as Stone & Magenta, Wood & Green, Animals & Orange and Foliage & Green.

My Tower room lodging had bold splashes of green and citron including a full length picture of swaying coconut palm trees in the bath.

But as I settled in, I began to notice little thoughtful touches that I had never seen in other hotels. First, there was a framed note welcoming me to the ITC Gardenia with my picture on it. The hotel had gone the extra mile with my LinkedIn account for the image, which then allowed them to personalise their welcome message. I began to hunt for other unique touches and rightfully enough, in the drawer by the bedside table, I

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found a little booklet on the subject of sleep – why it is important, tips on getting a good night’s rest, how jet lag can affect sleep and even a small note offering a list of drinks like warm milk, cocoa or Horlicks to help you rest well. The main reason why most folks go to a hotel is to eventually sleep well and here was a hotel that took its guests’ welfare very seriously, going all out to ensure they got a good rest.

Food at ITC Gardenia, apart from the fantastic array of local and international offerings, also highlighted Green and sustainable practices such as the locavore approach that creates relationships with local famers and producers in sourcing for locally-grown and seasonal produce. You not only eat healthy meals that are made with fresh ingredients, you also help local businesses while cutting down on Food Miles and your carbon food print.

But banish the thought of eating healthy yet cardboard-like food at ITC Gardenia. During my stay, the Cubbon Pavilion, the hotel’s all-day dining venue held a Kashmiri Food Promotion, a cuisine so rare, not many local Indians have heard of it! Even the breakfast menu served rare and often forgotten dishes such as the Railway Chutney, while idli (South Indian steamed, lentil and rice cakes) came in rice, tomato and mung bean flavours. Apart from the rice version, these I had never tasted before. But if guests found all the food on the buffet spread just too bland for their jaded palate, a separate menu offered healthier options such as muesli and blueberry brulée, finger millet (ragi) and almond meal pancakes and Moroccan egg tagine – all made-to-order.

For variety and sheer diversity of Indian cuisine, K&K (Kurry & Kebab) is an amazing journey into the cuisine of northern Indian dishes served in a resplendent setting reminiscent of ancient forts. Edo is the hotel’s salute to Japanese food that showcases izakaya-style of dining alongside a good selection of fresh sushi, sashimi and grilled dishes. For lovers of Italian nosh, Ottimo – Cucina Italiana brings a select range of

SHERATON BANGALORE Sheraton Bangalore at Brigade Gateway combines Indian hospitality with international service standards. The hotel is located in an upscale lifestyle enclave at Brigade Gateway with skyway access to the World Trade Center, the city’s largest shopping mall. Designed for comfort, the 230 spacious guestrooms and suites offer panoramic views of either the infinity pool or the man-made lake. With over 1,950 sq m of event space comprising 11 venues, and six restaurants and lounges that offer casual or fine dining, guests can also stay rejuvenated at the 24-hour Sheraton Fitness, infinity pool or the extravagant Shine Spa for Sheraton. The business fraternity in particular will appreciate the hotel’s Link@SheratonSM that provides an environment to work effectively and efficiently, 24/7. 26/1, Dr. Rajkumar Road, Malleswaram-Rajajinagar, Bengaluru

+91 80 4252 1000

STERLINGS MAC HOTEL

modern Italian cuisine with pizzas and artisanal pastas and cheeses with emphasis on healthy dining. And after a visit to any of these outlets, you most certainly want to visit Highland Nectar, the hotel’s hip whisky bar that also serves lots of classic tipples and funky modern mixes. The city’s Who’s Who often hang out here, and during the country’s IPL cricket season, the bar is the place to watch the games and rejoice with the winning teams when they are in town. Who knows, you may even find yourself celebrating with a Bollywood star or two here!

As the city’s only high rise with a helipad, the ITC Gardenia, apart from ensuring your total comfort when lodging with them, will also ensure you leave with a warm glow for having done your part for the Earth. Responsible luxury isn’t an oxymoron after all.

ITC GARDENIA

Inspired by Indo-Asian architecture, Sterlings Mac Hotel is a fivestar luxury hotel with 145 guestrooms. Considered an architectural marvel, the hotel is a tribute to the unique architectural heritage of Indonesia, Cambodia, Japan, India and the Middle East. Well placed to cater for both leisure and business travellers, facilities here include a 24-hour business centre, translator services on request, IP enabled television, babysitting services and a fitness centre, amongst others. F&B options include 20 Char, Wat Bar and Shebestan that serves Arabic cuisine. Situated within close proximity to many businesses and the city, the hotel is just 40kms away from Bengaluru’s international and domestic airports.

134, Hal Airport Road, Kodihalli, Bengaluru

+91 080 4249 4949

1 Residency Road, Bengaluru

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WORDS: R. RAJENDRA

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LUXURY REDEFINED

The fact that the Ritz-Carlton’s first foray into India took place in Bengaluru and not in the other Indian cities says a lot about the charm and green appeal of the city. Future plans are afoot for expansion but at the moment, Bengaluru and Bengaluru alone can bask in the glory of having such a bespoke brand in its midst.

Residency Road is an awfully busy street and the honking of traffic can send you around the bend but The Ritz here is such an oasis of tranquillity, you’d think there’s some kind of force field in place to shield guests from the racket of the city.

I arrived late one night just as the hotel was winding down for the day by extinguishing the fire-lit cauldrons set in a reflecting pond at the main entrance of the hotel. The flames were part of the five elements of nature – earth, fire, water, air and space – a key design concept of the hotel that seeks to cocoon its guests in equilibrium upon stepping into its premises.

I spotted an old man sitting quietly by the porch in a rocking chair, staring into oblivion, ignoring incoming and outgoing guests. Strange, I thought, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a life-like statue

and mahals (mansions and palaces), where it shielded the palace residents from the outside world. The same feature doubles up as sliding screens for guestroom windows, providing privacy while keeping prying eyes out. Having rested on the deliciously plush bed with 400-thread count linens that provided me with the best rest I’ve ever experienced, I was awakened in the morning by gentle shafts of sunlight entering through the jaali window screen and forming delicate patterns on my bed. The closest I can describe this magical experience was like having the sun plant Good Morning kisses on your body.

Done up in tones of muted gold and warm, vibrant reds and saffron (a nod to the country’s favourite hues), the rooms are all spacious and come with a variety of amenities not many other hotels offer such as inroom iPad, a large walk-in closet with a laptop-size safe box, Tivoli radio, Dean & Deluca Honor Bar items and Nespresso Coffee machine. The bath demands a special mention with a large His and Hers vanity area, shower stall with marble bench and a full-size tub. Topping it all are the indulgent Asprey bath amenities and plush terry towel robes and towels.

You can practically live in the bathroom!

of Pablo Picasso by artist Robert St. Croix. This and over 1,280 pieces of painstakingly curated art and art installations from local and international artists dot the hotel, virtually transforming it into an art gallery. Much of my time here was spent admiring the splendid collection.

The Ritz-Carlton is renowned for its sterling service and nothing less is expected of the Bengaluru edition. From waiting staff who address you by your name to anticipating all your needs, it goes without saying that when you lodge with the Ritz, you will be treated like royalty. This royal treatment was further enhanced by the design of the hotel. I couldn’t get enough of the jaali (lattice screen) feature that embellished many parts of the hotel. This intricately carved wooden screens with floral and geometric lace-like screens were a common feature in Mughal havelis

Some of the city’s best F&B outlets are located at The Ritz-Carlton.

Under the guidance of Exec. Chef Anupam Banerjee, who had served in Michelin star restaurants prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, dining here is a true gourmet experience. A visit without dining at The Lantern is tantamount to sacrilege! This restaurant is both visually exciting to the senses as it is to the palate, dressed with lanterns, coloured glass bottles and a wall full of traditional Indian, blue-and-white pottery. My introduction to the food scene here was a dim sum lunch.

For crying out loud, I was in India and Chinese food wasn’t exactly what I was expecting to impress my finicky taste buds. But boy was I wrong as I devoured basket after basket of dim sum, which were amazingly authentic and done to exacting standards. The har kau came steaming

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with the most pearly, translucent skin and the siew mai was firm and meaty without being gloopy.

I lapped up the buffet breakfast at The Market, the hotel’s all-day dining venue, which includes a Chef’s Table, located right smack in the kitchen! But do opt to stay at the hotel’s Club level that allows you access to the Club Lounge on the 15th floor, a private dining area with lots of complimentary amenities and fantastic views of the city. Other F&B outlets include Riwaz, the hotel’s fine dining Indian restaurant that features Northwest Indian dishes, The Lantern Bar for drinks and the soon-to-be-opened rooftop bar called Bang. A must-visit is the lobby level Ganache, which serves gourmet patisseries and a selection of coffees that are brewed the traditional way.

My very short trip to The Ritz ended with a visit to the hotel’s ESPA, a 17,000 square foot wellness sanctuary that is so indulgent, you’d find it excruciatingly painful to exit this facility, not that you need to leave pronto once your treatment is over. The waiting area, a dimly lit space with fluttering, diaphanous fabric set the ambience, almost instantaneously reducing my stress levels. After having finished my deep

THE PAUL BANGALORE The Paul Bangalore, an all-suite hotel, offers a variety of suite options and each of the 57 suites – Studio, Executive, Premier and Club – comes dressed in the finest of aesthetics. All suites offer LCD and Plasma TVs with satellite TV channels and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet, massage showers with temperature control panels and, complimentary bottled drinking water and, newspapers.

The Paul’s selection of F&B outlets includes Vembanad – Coastal Cuisine Restaurant, an award-winning restaurant serving cuisine of the southern coasts of India. Sidewalk Café & Bar recreates the ambience of a European bistro and offers an array of cuisines including Italian, Chinese and American, while Masala Dani offers royal Mughal cuisine. The latest is an Irish Pub and microbrewery called Murphy’s Brewhouse that welcomes patrons to enjoy freshly-brewed beer alongside sumptuous food while being entertained by an in-house DJ and a large screen featuring sports events. 8139/28 Domlur Road, Opp Embassy Golf Links, Off Intermediate Ring Road, Bengaluru

+91 80 4047 7777

THE CHANCERY PAVILION

tissue massage performed most excellently by a petite Thai lass who effectively removed the knotted kinks from my calves, I was asked to just chill in the state-of-the-art Thermal Pool that comes with body massage water jets and water curtains. The swirling water, dimly lit environment and light dancing off the water surface are guaranteed to put body and mind into such a profound state of calm, your only care would be to ponder if it’d be a cocktail, wine or, a glass of the best scotch at The Lantern Bar. Me? I walked to my room in a half dazed state, crashed onto the bed and waited for the sun to shower me with more kisses through the jaali windows.

THE RITZ-CARLTON, BANGALORE

Overlooking the lush Bangalore Club, The Chancery Pavilion is a 225-room, five-star luxury hotel set in the heart of the city’s CBD. Guestrooms and suites are categorised into the First Citizen Suite, Executive Suite, Club Pavilion Rooms, Deluxe Room and Superior Rooms, while an entire floor has been dedicated to the discerning female traveller, complete with unique services and amenities.

Additionally, smokers have a dedicated floor. F&B facilities include Ithaca, an all-day dining outlet and Amnesia, the hotel’s hip and happening chill out lounge. Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, swimming pool, fully equipped gym, a health spa and over 20,000 sq. ft. of banqueting and conferencing space round up the offerings at The Chancery Pavilion. 135, Residency Road, Bengaluru +91-080-41-41-41-41

99, Residency Road, Bengaluru +9 80 4914 8000

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WORDS: BEVERLY RODRIGUES

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A ROYAL RETREAT

All of us – even the most pragmatic and unromantic of our species – have, at some time or another, harboured fantasies of being waited upon hand and foot. If that fantasy is still alive, make your way to The Leela Palace Bangalore, and enjoy an indulgent retreat in an abode fit for royalty.

Spread out over seven acres – half of which has been dedicated to green landscaping, with lush gardens and cascading waterfalls – The Leela Palace was actually modelled after Karnataka’s magnificent Mysore Palace, a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture constructed in the late 19th century. Inspired by this splendid palace, which once was home to the Maharajas of Mysore, The Leela Palace is replete with copper domes, elaborate arches, ornate ceilings, sandstone colonnades, as well as hand-woven carpets, precious antiques and priceless artworks sourced from museums and art galleries around the world.

As I passed bejewelled, sepia-toned paintings, I pretended that the moustachioed maharajas in them were my royal ancestors – an easy delusion to maintain, since everyone – from the welcome staff who dotted my forehead with vermillion powder to wait staff – helped perpetuate this fantasy with service that went above and beyond the call of duty.

(deep-fried cauliflower tossed with yoghurt) from South India, and a lamb shank in bone marrow gravy dish from Hyderabad.

For more oriental treats, Zen offers Pan Asian favourites like dim sum, Korean barbeque delights and Japanese specialties. Not to be missed is Citrus’ special local food promo with dishes from across Karnataka including Mangalore saoutekai majjiige huli (curry cucumber cooked in curd gravy) and bisi bele bath (rice cooked with lentils) with spicy potato wafers. For Sunday brunch, Citrus pulls out all the stops with a live band creating a party-like atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Library Bar transports you back in time to colonial days with its martinis, single malts and cigars amid valuable collector’s books and antiques.

Accommodation at The Leela Palace ranges from elegant Deluxe Rooms to the lavish 3,500 sq ft Maharaja Suite fitted with security features including bullet-proof glass and a dedicated security observation room.

The Turret Suite with a spacious encircling balcony, powder room and pantry, as well as butler service is a favourite among long-staying guests.

My spacious Executive Suite offered a separate living and dining area, as well as a luxurious Italian marble bathroom, and was done up in earthy shades and furnished with teak fixtures, ornate rugs and artworks that

While breakfasting at the all-day dining restaurant, Citrus, a waiter materialised by my side, assuring me that the bottle of cultured milk I was scrutinising was still consumable. I wondered if criteria to make it as a wait staff here included being born with eyes at the back of your head and looks to rival Bollywood stars! As I left the restaurant, this super waiter ran after me, proffering bottles of the dairy drink, “I know you like this,” he said. What a great ambassador for the hotel. Warm, thoughtful and efficient – just the way I like my subjects!

For decadent dining, nothing beats Jamavar, the hotel’s signature Indian restaurant that brings to the table the diverse cuisines of India in one opulent venue. Named for a weaving pattern, originally hand-woven with fibres from the underside of a mountain sheep, Jamavar boasts two large jamavar wall hangings that once belonged to the 18th century ruler, Tipu Sultan. Such a masterpiece would have been executed by different artistes working in tandem over a year or more! With this gorgeous artwork as a backdrop, I feasted on dal takda (yellow lentils with cumin, red chillies and tomatoes) from Punjab, murgh methi malai (chicken with fenugreek and cream) from Uttar Pradesh, cauliflower kempu bezule

reflected its royal heritage. Equipped with DVD player, flat screen TV and high-speed Internet access, the suite struck the right balance of old world charm and modern comforts.

For the ultimate in pampering, a visit to The Spa is a must. Here, guests can enjoy holistic western therapies, as well as traditional Ayurvedic treatments administered by specialists from Kerala.

After being lathered in a blend of frankincense and rosemary oils, I headed to my favourite spot in the hotel: the Peacock Lounge overlooking emerald gardens and fed by soft breezes that swept through its sandstone pillars. It was the perfect spot to while away an afternoon feeling like royalty and dreaming of a happily ever after.

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THE LEELA PALACE BANGALORE

#23, Kodihalli, Old Airport Road, Bengaluruv +91 124 4425 444

10 HIT LIST

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UFO MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER Roswell, New Mexico USA The alleged 1974 UFO crash in Roswell is still one of the world’s most interesting conspiracies and the UFO Museum in Roswell is the place to explore its mystery. UFO enthusiasts and fans of all things extraterrestrial will enjoy this museum, which even has a film of an ‘official’ autopsy done on alien bodies that were supposedly found at the crash site.

It also houses all news articles and stories related to the crash, as well as freaky life-sized displays of aliens and the alien autopsy room. Curious ‘artifacts’ such as UFO debris and dioramas of how the crash site looked are also on display. A little bit cheesy, a little bit old-fashioned, but a whole lot of fun!

WORDS: KEETA BRENNAN

www.roswellufomuseum.com

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WEIRDLY WONDERFUL

If you’re looking for something a little quirky and out there, check out this list of museums that ranges from unique to downright strange!

MUSEUM OF BAD ART (MOBA) Massachusetts, USA

IAMGE: CORBIS

MOBA’s mission is simply ‘to bring the worst of art to the widest of audiences’ and this museum offers a hilarious satirical take on modern art. Mainly collected from trash bins, yard sales and untalented people, MOBA’s collection of extremely bad art has grown to around 400 pieces. Only a few dozen are on display at any one time, given the space limitations (the ‘museum’ is located in the basement of a theatre, near the toilets), so the exhibition changes regularly.

The collection is so bad that it’s almost good, although the museum doesn’t accept any art that ‘looks like it was deliberately done badly’ because well, what would be the point? Entry is free and there is usually no one around to give you a guided tour. www.museumofbadart.org

CAT MUSEUM Billed as ‘the world’s first cat museum’, this museum is devoted to all things feline. The museum is not focused on historical information about cats; instead, it houses a large collection of cat paintings, porcelain cat dolls, gigantic cat statues and other cat-themed knick-knacks.

It also features pictures of local celebrities and politicians with their furry pets, as well as a taxidermy collection showcasing dead felines that’s both scary and sweet.

IAMGE: GETTY

Sarawak, Malaysia

http://sarawak.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Cat-Musuem.php

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PARIS SEWER MUSEUM Paris, France The Paris sewer museum is an actual sewer, so be prepared for less than pleasant smells. There are more than 2,100kms of sewer tunnels beneath the city of Paris, although only a small section of it is open to the public. Learn about the engineering that went into building Paris’ sophisticated sewage system, with exhibitions of past and present sewer-maintenance equipment, the huge wooden balls used to clean the tunnels and information on the history and design of the Paris sewer network, since its beginnings in the 13th century. www.parispass.com/paris-attractions/Museum-of-the-Sewers-of-Paris.html

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SULABH INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOILETS New Delhi, India

IAMGE: GETTY

Do toilets fascinate you? Probably not, but if you’re even remotely curious, then, head to New Delhi’s Museum of Toilets! From chamber pots to ornate bidets, this museum takes you through the history of toilets and sanitation from 2500 BC to the present day. Although the display of actual toilets is not extensive, there are a lot of interesting pictures and loads of information on the evolution of the toilet. The museum also serves a more serious purpose: To help sanitation experts solve future sanitation issues by learning from the past, and teach students about the historical trends in toilet development. It’s all about the potty, seriously. www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org

INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM

IAMGE: GETTY

Washington DC, USA Ever wondered what it would be like to be a spy? The International Spy Museum provides fun, interactive exhibitions such as the ‘School for Spies’ where you can examine more than 200 spy gadgets and then test your spy skills at interactive stations. Learn about how wars were won using spy intelligence, and how to break spy codes. The museum also includes an extensive collection of espionage-related artefacts in its permanent exhibition. Another highlight is the spy museum store, with cool gadgets for sale like camera watches, listening devices and even a BBQ set concealed in a briefcase!

You can even pick up a bunch of spy party favours for your next themed party. www.spymuseumstore.org travel 3Sixty˚

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Hit these museums and you’ll have plenty of stories to tell the folks back home.

MUSEUM OF HUMAN DISEASE Sydney, Australia Home to 2,000 specimens of diseased human tissue, this is Australia’s only publicly accessible medical pathology collection. It also offers fun activities such as the ‘Surviving a zombie apocalypse’ workshop. http://medicalsciences.med.unsw. edu.au/community/museumhuman-disease/home

THE ICELANDIC PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM Reykjavik, Iceland A museum with over 200 penises and penile-parts belonging to almost all land and sea mammals found in Iceland. Think polar bears, whales, seals and even Homo sapiens! www.phallus.is

GELATO MUSEUM CARPIGIANI Bologna, Italy An entire museum dedicated to the history, culture and technology of delicious gelato ice cream. The interactive guided tour offers a look at the evolution of gelato from 12,000 BC to the present day. Reservations are required. http:// gelatomuseum.com

THE SIRIRAJ MUSEUM Bangkok, Thailand Nicknamed the ‘museum of death’, this museum exhibits the mummified remains of Thailand’s first serial killer, as well as displays of skulls and various body parts, often belonging to murder victims. www.si.mahidol. ac.th/en/

MEGURO PARASITOLOGICAL MUSEUM Tokyo, Japan See some of the most gruesome parasites here, including the world’s longest tapeworm measuring 8.8 metres in length. There’s even a rope of the same size for you to ‘get a feel’ of its dimensions! www.kiseichu.org

MUSEUM OF MEDIEVAL TORTURE INSTRUMENTS Amsterdam, Holland Get up close and personal with horrifying torture tools such as the doubleedged ‘heretic’s fork’, and the immobilising ‘iron cage’. www. tortureamsterdam.com

THE ASIA EROS MUSEUM Seoul, South Korea This museum offers insight into Asian sex culture. The exhibits feature erotica-themed paintings, carvings and decorative items dating back to the Stone Age.

http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr

ROAST DUCK MUSEUM Beijing, China Created by Quanjude, one of Beijing’s most famous roast duck restaurants, this museum has 150 years worth of roast duck memorabilia – from 1901 ‘Duck Sale’ coupons, to photographs of Mao Zedong indulging in a fatty slice of heaven. www. quanjude.com.au/about.html

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QUEER, CREEPY & CUTE

MOMOFUKU ANDO INSTANT RAMEN MUSEUM

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Osaka, Japan

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The Japanese sure do love their instant noodles, so much so, that they created a museum in honour of it! The museum is dedicated to the creation of instant cup noodles, and its creator Momofuku Ando. The display begins with the history of instant noodles, and continues with exhibits such as an exact replica of Ando’s shed where he first created ‘Chicken Ramen’ to the evolution of cup noodles from past to present. The exhibit is also peppered with Ando Aphorisms and words of wisdom. The museum has an instant noodle factory too, where visitors get to assemble their own instant cup noodles from a list of pre-made ingredients, for a small fee. Guaranteed to change your perception of instant noodles forever! www.instantramen-museum.jp

AVANOS HAIR MUSEUM Avanos, Turkey At a pottery centre and guesthouse in the small Turkish town of Avanos is a display of over 16,000 locks of female hair, acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest collection. It all began when a local potter asked a friend for a farewell gift and she gifted him a lock of her hair. The potter displayed the lock of hair in his shop and over time, female visitors who liked the story left their own locks of hair to be displayed. The locks are hung in a pottery storage area and visitors are welcome to add their own locks to the collection. Every once or twice a year, the ‘best’ locks of hair are chosen, and the winners get to stay at the guesthouse and attend pottery classes with a master-potter. www.odditycentral.com/pics/the-hair-museum-of-avanos.html travel 3Sixty˚

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10 FEATURE • Thailand

2014

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As a young boy growing up in the United States’ Southwest, summertime meant piling into the family car, an aging pink and white 1955 Crown Victoria Ford, and heading off to the outdoor drive-in movies. Pre-feature grainy news reels were a favourite and Mondo Bizarro was the best of them. There, in all that movie footage, were snake charmers from India and elephants from Africa, but the rituals of Southeast Asia were what truly captured my attention. Munching salty popcorn and sipping a cold cola, these pre-movie clips kept me curious. Eventually, my mother, in her Southern drawl, would offer, “those people are weird’’. But for me, it was pure magic.

My love of unique festivals and exotic events has never dimmed. Having travelled the world as a photographer for over 40 years, I’ve worked in more than 50 countries. Finding the next best festival has always been a quest.

Devotees walk across hot coals during the annual Vegetarian Festival in Phuket.

UNIQUE & UNFORGETTABLE Although I’ve witnessed the Phuket Vegetarian Festival numerous times, it keeps drawing me back, time and again. I have photographed this unique festival in Thailand for the past 15 years. I’ve watched devotees to the Chinese Emperor Gods walk on hot coals, go into

shing UNlea theSPIRIT WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID LONGSTREATH

During the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, the gods ‘ride’ the bodies of the faithful, performing incredible feats and bestowing good fortune upon the deeply spiritual community.

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trances and pierce their faces with swords and knives. It always strikes me as an incredible and dramatic display of faith and spirituality.

Following the Chinese lunar calendar, this festival is always held during the ninth lunar month, usually in late September or early October. It is a riot of sounds and colours.

MY FIRST TASTE In 1997, as the new Southeast Asia chief photographer for the Associated Press, this festival had been on my ‘to shoot’ list for quite some time. It would be my first experience of the many unusual rituals of the region.

Snaking its way through Phuket Town, the daily street procession – thousands of

devotees dressed in white – walked along the eight km-long route. Most had their cheeks pierced with daggers, swords or steel rods.

It was visually overwhelming. All around, fireworks exploded and men carried wooden sedan chairs bearing statues of the Chinese Emperor Gods. Smoke from exploding gun powder wrapped around the devotees, making them look like ghosts in a pyrotechnic mist. Time and again devotees subjected themselves to the explosions of numerous strings of firecrackers, held aloft by 10-foot bamboo poles. This ritual was to welcome the gods and gain merit. A single strand could be as long as a modern minivan and could take as long as two minutes for all the crackers to explode.

Moving in close on several occasions to photograph, my face and back were burned by fireworks. Drums and gongs pounded out a constant din, all piped in over loud speakers. I found myself going back to my hotel each day covered in gun powder and sweat. I’ve since added protective goggles and a damp towel to my street procession photography kit. Ear plugs as well!

CHINESE NINE EMPEROR GODS My first Vegetarian Festival back in 1997 was done in a rush, having just returned to Thailand from a news assignment. Once in Phuket, the lack of preparation was apparent.

“THE NINE EMPEROR GODS ARE PART OF THE TAOIST RELIGION OF ANCIENT CHINA, AND IN THE SKIES, THEY ARE REPRESENTED

BY THE SEVEN STARS THAT MAKE UP THE BIG DIPPER CONSTELLATION PLUS ANOTHER TWO UNSEEN STARS. ACCORDING TO SCHOLARS, THE CELEBRATION OF THE NINE EMPEROR GODS DATES BACK TO THE QIN (221-201 BC) AND HAN DYNASTY (206 BC - 220 AD)... ”

Events were happening at Chinese shrines, but which ones should I photograph? There are more than 40 Chinese shrines in the Phuket area. I was at a loss. The study of religion, like math, has never been one of my best subjects. However, in order to understand the festival and what to photograph, I had to hit the books and ask a lot of questions.

Essentially, the festival is observed by paying respect to the Nine Chinese Emperor Gods, practising sacred rites and taking on ritual vegetarianism for the duration of the nine day festival.

The Nine Emperor Gods are part of the Taoist religion of ancient China, and in the skies, they are represented by the seven stars that make up the Big Dipper constellation plus another two unseen stars. According to scholars, the celebration of the Nine Emperor Gods dates back to the Qin (221-201 BC) and Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), though some say the practice predates even this.

EARLY ORIGINS There are many stories surrounding the festival and its origins. Historians claim Chinese coolies working in Singapore brought the festival to the region, while locals in Phuket

ABOVE: Body piercings are a ritualistic part of this festival where devotees work themselves into a trance and go into an other-worldly state before skewers and sharp objects are pierced through their bodies.

TOP: During the festival, portable shrines housing the important deities associated with the festival are carried through the streets.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Apart for strict vegetarianism and austerity, mental focus is equally important for these devotees who will walk over hot coals.

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believe that it all began in the early 1800s when a touring troupe of Chinese actors, who had been entertaining local tin miners in Phuket, fell ill. Phuket was mostly jungle back then and rife with ailments.

The Chinese troupe decided to abstain from eating meat, out of respect for the Chinese Emperor Gods. Soon, they were all well again. Local people were amazed and asked how this had been accomplished.

The answer was ritual vegetarianism and the worship of the Nine Emperor Gods. Pranee

Devotees throw rice on the hot coals during a blessing ceremony before the fire walking ceremony.

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Sakulpipatana, Assistant Professor at Phuket Community Foundation notes that although the festival has changed since 1825, with more people attending now and bigger street processions, the core thinking of the Vegetarian Festival is ‘giving’.

According to the professor, “Lots of animals are freed during this 10-day festival. We give mercy, we give food to the people for 10 days – 20 free meals, not small meals but big ones.

During this 10-day ceremony, the people of Phuket are especially well behaved.”

SPIRIT HORSES I can still vividly recall details of my first Vegetarian Festival back in 1997. I remember arriving early, around 5.00am, to witness the devotees of the Chinese shrine of Kathu prepare themselves for that morning’s grand procession.

At that hour, the streets of Phuket town were slowly waking as deliveries of fresh vegetables and fish arrived at the local market.

Outside the shrine, devotees dressed all in white were gathering. The parking lot was

filled with empty wooden sedan chairs that would carry the statues of the gods during this day’s procession. With red leather cushions and polished wood, they harken back to a time when the rich and powerful were carried.

I was dressed in the required white shirt and trousers and shoes that could be easily slipped off. To enter all Chinese shrines at the festival you must be barefoot. All around, the sound of prayers being chanted filled the air and mingled with incense and cedar smoke. Asking permission first, with a smile,

I moved into position beside the main altar and waited. The ma song or ‘spirit horses’ were coming.

The ma song are devotees who turn their bodies over to the gods to be used or ridden, much like a horse. It is said that while in this trance-like state, they feel no pain. As they enter into trance, each presents a unique face as the spirits take over their bodies. Devotees will tell you that no one chooses to be a ma song. You are chosen and almost always for the whole nine days.

I was shocked to see entranced devotees rush towards the sacred altars, their eyes rolling back in their heads. While calling to the colourful array of ancient wood and ceramic gods that overlooked the altar, the devotees were fitted with ceremonial aprons with Taoist religious symbols such as the black and white yin and yang and ba kua, which represents the creation of the universe. They soon began to calm. Shaking their heads back and forth in a trance-like state, they were led by attendants to the piercing zone.

The local community gathers along the streets to witness the procession while waving flags that indicate temples and clans they belong to.

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BELOW: A priest is summoned to bless and calm the devotees before bringing them out of the trance.

BOTTOM: Devotees receive blessings from a ma song following a fire walking ceremony.

OPPOSITE PAGE: The annual Vegetarian Festival in Phuket sees many devotees perform incredible acts that defy belief such as piercing without any bodily harm.

At first, it appeared very clinical with attendants in white, wearing surgical gloves, but I knew, none of this would be accomplished without a deep connection with the divine. As always, hordes of photographers, both local and foreign, pushed their way in for a better look and to photograph the piercings.

The metal spike that is used by many devotees to pierce their cheeks looks scary.

Highly machined steel, grey in colour, it looks like a medieval weapon that could be used to slay a dragon. The first time I witnessed one of these spikes, as I call them, shoved through the cheeks of a young man, I thought I was going to pass out. The devotee did not even flinch! Religious scholars point out that ritual mortification, as practised at the Vegetarian Festival, may have been adopted from the festival of Thaipusam, which is generally observed by Tamil Hindus to commemorate the victory of Lord Murugan over the demon Soorapadman.

It is believed that devotees, who pierce themselves, bring good fortune to the community. Amazingly, there is little or no

“ALL AROUND, FIREWORKS EXPLODED AND MEN CARRIED WOODEN SEDAN CHAIRS BEARING STATUES OF THE CHINESE EMPEROR GODS. SMOKE FROM EXPLODING GUN POWDER WRAPPED AROUND THE DEVOTEES, MAKING THEM LOOK LIKE GHOSTS IN A PYROTECHNIC MIST. TIME AND AGAIN DEVOTEES SUBJECTED THEMSELVES TO THE EXPLOSIONS OF NUMEROUS STRINGS OF FIRECRACKERS, HELD ALOFT BY 10-FOOT BAMBOO POLES. THIS RITUAL WAS TO WELCOME THE GODS AND GAIN MERIT.” blood, and days later, devotees can be seen wearing only a small plaster to cover their wounds. However, what has gained attention recently is not so much the piercing ritual, but what devotees have decided to put through their cheeks. A devotee with a pump shotgun through his cheeks is a powerful image. Other ma song have chosen items like desk lamps, ceremonial swords, a stuffed Marlin sailfish, hand guns and the steering column of a Honda motorcycle! Devotees believe that piercing themselves with unique items will bring much sought good fortune to the community and remove or atone for the year’s sins.

The mixing of Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism in immigrant communities in Southeast Asia has evolved into many similar

festivals. Navarathri, which means nine nights, is a Hindu festival dedicated to the female divinity, which appears on Earth in nine manifestations. Just as in Thailand’s Vegetarian Festival, Hindus fast for nine days, refraining from meat and alcohol to cleanse themselves spiritually.

EXPERIENCING OTHER CULTURES This festival is a cultural event that has many unique aspects. In addition to the street procession, devotees gather at night for fire walking ceremonies on the sixth day of the festival. Devotees believe fire overcomes impurity and repels evil spirits, and that only

those who are pure will not be harmed by the blazing coals.

I was once told by a professor at Syracuse University that the key ingredient to being a good photojournalist was curiosity. What others experience, believe and test in rituals of faith have always been of keen interest to me. Those seeds of curiosity were planted more than 50 years ago and continue to grow. Each year when I attend the festival, I make arrangements to attend a ritual or event I have yet to photograph. The festival is like an onion to me, every layer revealing a new experience.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Phuket from various destinations. www.airasia.com

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10 FEATURE • Indonesia

2014

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SHADOW IN THE LIGHT Wayang kulit, Indonesian shadow puppet theatre, with its complex play of light and darkness brings to life centuries’ old tales and demonstrates the art form’s evolution, as well as the challenges it faces in modern day Java.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: MARIUS STANKIEWICZ

A completed Arjuna wayang puppet together with the artist’s manual with diagrams and descriptions.

On the outskirts of Surakarta, Central Java, the house of dalang (master puppeteer) Ki Purbo Asmoro will soon be humming with the sounds of the gamelan, a traditional Javanese ensemble consisting of drums, metallophones, and a wide assortment of gongs – an integral part of the evening’s entertainment. Many have gathered to witness the premiere of Drupaudi from the Mahabharata, an ancient Sanskrit epic that forms the basis for Indonesian shadow puppet theatre or wayang kulit.

Dalang Ki Purbo sits cross-legged on a rattan mat between a flickering lamp called a blencong and a kelir, a wide sheet of linen set in a lavishly decorated frame. Running along the lower edge of this improvised screen are two banana trunks that the ‘on stage’ puppets will be stuck on. To the dalang’s immediate left sits the puppet chest called a kotak. Not only is it used as an armrest during traditional performances that usually run into the wee hours of the morning, but also as a sound box to be knocked repeatedly to signal tempo change. No body part is left free from work in the dramatic shadow puppet theatre; the dalang even strikes a small bronze sheet called a kepyak, which hangs off the puppet chest, with a mallet wedged between the big and index toes of his right foot!

The puppets of the Pandhawa and Kurawa families are already laid out beside Ki Purbo.

When he reaches for puppets from both clans, their limbs snag each other, refusing to let go as he pulls them apart – prophetic of the dangerous feuding to come on screen!

The dalang’s assistant, who sits directly behind him, is entrusted with the task of preventing tangling, as well as organising the puppets in order of the progression of the narrative. Unlike the dalang whose aura radiates even with his back to the audience, his assistant appears demure, no different than Drupaudi herself, the heroine of the story, with her sad, downward gaze – nothing like the part priest-puppeteer, part popular thespian.

Then, like a conductor whose baton lets fly the first few notes in an orchestra with the flick of his wrist, Ki Purbo begins twirling the spade-shaped kayon puppets meant to mark scene change, emotional turbulence or, the forces of nature. The hypnotic tones of the gamelan cease abruptly and a moment of quiet ensues for a prologue in Old Javanese. Ki Purbo then gently manipulates Drupaudi’s hand rods, giving her graceful, humanlike gestures. The story of her struggle

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Dalang Ki Purbo Asmoro, one of Indonesia’s most celebrated wayang puppet masters, in the middle of narrating the story of Drupadi at his home in Solo, Central Java. Ki Purbo’s goal with each performance is “to speak of human conflict, human emotions and struggles, and to make the audience think.”

In Javanese, the word wayang means, ‘performance’ and kulit, ‘leather/skin’.

Before a piece of leather is turned into a puppet, it is first carved and painted, often by experienced craftsmen such as Giyanto, 60, and Edi Suwinto, 57, shown here at their workshop in Yogyakarta.

Gamelan music, also known as Karawitan, is used to accompany traditional performances such as wayang kulit.

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begins, and a translation appears on the screen: “A flower bud opening, aromatic perfume is overtaking the entire kingdom of Pancala…”

AN ANCIENT ART FORM Wayang kulit is one of the oldest traditions of story-telling in the world.

A highly sophisticated art form, it has been influenced by Javanese animism, Islamic teachings and Hindu mythology. Though much debate surrounds its origins, scholars believe it arrived in Indonesia from India during the early period of the lucrative spice trade. For traders, it was a way of sharing the rich culture of India, while for Hindu priests, it was a method of spreading the Hindu faith Though some rudimentary form of shadow theatre was already present in Asia in the early Christian era, it wasn’t until the 9th century that wayang officially appeared in royal Javanese charters, inscribed on copper plates. From then on, puppet theatre flourished, taking on a special role in royal courts. Regular performances were held for the nobility to display their wealth, spread faith, impart moral teachings, as well as publicise royal decrees. Such times mark the highest appreciation of this art form, interwoven into the complex tapestry of the Javanese identity and philosophy on life.

Nowadays, if a production is not performed at least once a year to ward off evil spirits, it is then saved for bigger events such as weddings and house-warming parties. This is because performances are rather costly, requiring fundraising efforts by all those involved.

THE WORLD OF WAYANG Apart from portraying iconic literary characters, wayang puppets are used to sell everything from cough medicine to street food. Javanese children are sometimes nicknamed after servant clowns, and during political debates, it is not uncommon for a politician to be referred to as a wayang character.

Naturally, for Ki Purbo, wayang is a lifelong commitment. His duties abound in number and degree of difficulty, requiring a great deal of effort and concentration. Through meticulous practice, he brings his theatre to life by giving each and every character a unique voice, perfecting their manner of movement and conveying the poetic and, at times, anachronistic language. He also employs humour and builds suspense, and if that’s not enough, he sings, conducts the gamelan and employs a great deal of sound effects too!

Even with a family lineage of dalangs dating back seven generations and several years of training at an institute of the performing arts, a

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classically innovative Ki Purbo performance, such as the one I am attending, may still prove to be a daunting task. “It doesn’t get easier,” he says, “but more difficult with each year. Movement techniques can perhaps be mastered in a year or two, but the interpretation of characters and storylines, and the examination of conflict between characters are extremely complex. Writing poetry for the narrative and arranging the seven-hour musical accompaniment, juxtaposition of scenes and transition between parts – there’s no end to improving yourself and no end to the ideas that flow.” Ki Purbo tells me.

Dalang Bambang performing the opening scenes of the Abduction of Shinta from the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana at the Sonobudoyo Museum in Yogyakarta, accompanied by a full gamelan orchestra.

ENTERTAINING EDUCATION Mysterious and ancient, the world of wayang is not only meant to entertain but to instruct society on how to be good, something that, according to the Indian epics, is known as practising dharma. “It plays a dual role: Social responsibility and pure performing arts,” the dalang says. In fact, students of wayang are taught to adhere to the notion of tuntunan, meaning ‘to guide the audience by showing examples of virtuous, desirable behaviour and teaching them lessons of history, literature and thought’. Equally important is tontonan, the ‘entertainment and visual attraction’.

Wayang performances once featured subjects such as agriculture, fertility and death in the pre-Hindu era, and later on, complex themes taken from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as the exploits of Amir Hamzah, the uncle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Through this all, the dalang encourages society to contemplate the stories and the values of virtue and truth found within their storylines.

To my surprise, the wayang is an informal event. Drinks and snacks are often sold at performances, people come and go as they please, and one can always spot a few people either deep in conversation or fast asleep, snoring soundly.

In the past, audience members could choose to watch the performance from either side of the screen. The shadow side, which is nowadays video recorded and projected on a screen next to the dalang, is the side that commands the audience’s attention, with the puppet’s finely carved outline against the whiteness of the screen. To see into the inner workings of the divine narrative, one can choose the opposite side, the dalang’s side. In Western theatre, this would be equivalent to having a backstage seat. As Ki Purbo has reached international fame, performing all over the world – from Bolivia to Greece in well over 15 years – it’s not surprising that the dalang side receives more viewers.

PUPPETS AND THEIR CREATORS A collection of over 200 puppets fans outwards from Ki Purbo’s screen on both sides, ascending in size – from small and noble alas characters with refined and dainty bodies to kasar villains with large and uncouth features. Such unrealistic and highly-stylised characteristics date back to the arrival of Islam in Indonesia. In Islam, it is considered haram (a forbidden act) to represent the human form in the arts, thus this proscription led to a new aesthetic. Early craftsmen took to the task with tremendous care and precision to ensure the endurance of the art form, which would secure their profession in the courts.

At the performance, I meet Wintala, a wayang craftsmen based in Yogyakarta, who runs a workshop that employs over 20 expert artisans. From wayang golek (wooden puppets), wayang beber (scroll-painted representations), wayang topeng (masks used in traditional dances) to even the rudimentary wayang klitik (flat and simple wooden puppets), the fact that such a variety of art forms are still made at his workshop is proof that wayang continues to hold strong. “But, not without changing our business strategy,” explains Wintala. “We’ve had to make puppets available not only for performances but to sell to tourists too!”

Asked whether he’d like to be a dalang for a day, he says that it simply isn’t his calling. “To be a dalang, you must have the soul of a dalang or, of course, grow up in a family of dalangs.”

Whatever changes the art form may undergo, what Wintala can vouch for is the centuries-preserved tradition of crafting high quality wayang puppets. “Nothing has changed in wayang puppet making since about the 16th century. The same steps are taken. We stencil the buffalo hide – the best quality skin because it is durable and weatherresistant – then, carve and make holes by 88

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hammering it. The puppet’s face, particularly the eyes, are made last because they show the character’s true nature. Then, we have experts who paint the puppets. Making a puppet usually takes one week; a cheaper quality puppet is done in a day. Sometimes, we customise a puppet for a dalang, but usually they have their own techniques and their own personal craftsmen.”

PRESERVING THE ART FORM The preservation of tradition faces many challenges all over the world, but in Indonesia, and for wayang in particular, the responsibility seems to rest on the shoulders of the dalang, the craftsmen and the governing body responsible for arts and culture. One thing is for sure: The tradition has been on a decline and competing with other forms of entertainment has proven difficult.

For Wintala, the decline of wayang is due to its waning presence in the school system. He suggests having teachers trained to teach students about this art form. For Ki Purbo, the problem lies in the art form’s lack of relevance to modern day language usage. “Wayang uses a specific form of Javanese that is a blend of archaic Javanese, descriptive and metaphoric Javanese, modern literary Javanese and everyday Javanese,” says Ki Purbo. “The younger generation really only understand the latter.

Our number one concern is how to bring an audience along in clever ways to help them through the language complexity.”

Another problem is the view that Indonesian shadow theatre is outdated and a part of bygone days. For this, Ki Purbo has created performances such as Drupadi to reach out to the younger audiences.

It also doesn’t hurt to use more contemporary puppets such as current

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: The pesindhèn are solo female vocalists from the gamelan orchestra. Apart from the dalang they perform using a wide range of vocal styles.

Specialised tools are used for carving puppets made from cow hide or high quality water buffalo skin, the latter preferred for its strength and low absorption of humidity. After stenciling and carving out the puppet’s body, the artist paints the puppets, the very same way they have been painted the last half millennium.

Wayang golek puppets are more 3-D in nature and are carved out of wood, painted, and affixed with wooden rods.

Like wayang kulit performances, wayang golek is also used to teach the important life lessons, as well as literature, culture and history.

for no other reason than to celebrate life.

Nowadays, a material purchase, such as a TV set or a motorbike, is considered more rewarding. Performances made commercially available on DVD or via social media sites also pose a threat to the future of wayang as they substitute seeing a real wayang experience with something that is less interactive and one-dimensional.

EVOLUTION OF WAYANG

political and pop culture figures. More topical perhaps would be the recent use of a President Barack Obama puppet by Ki Purbo when on tour in the US. Usage of this puppet was meant to show the changing nature of wayang, to address a decline in the popularity of the arts worldwide, and to suggest that governments should spend less on wars and more on the preservation of art and culture.

For other dalangs it’s a matter of introducing modern instruments like the keyboard and guitar into the ensemble, as well as computer generated sound effects, or perhaps, entertaining a young sci-fi loving crowd with pop culture wayang puppets like those crafted by Malaysian designer Tintoy Chuo and dalang, Muhammad Dain Othman, for a special Stars Wars wayang tribute in Kuala Lumpur on May 4, the official Star Wars Day. In the village, it is a question of economic priority and practicality.

In the heyday of wayang, a wealthy family would put on a performance

What was once an intangible souvenir gifted by traders and Hindu missionaries during the heyday of the spice trade has grown to be one of Indonesia’s greatest cultural commodities.

Despite all the potential threats to its existence, the art form has survived because of a strong and uninterrupted tradition of dalangs and craftsmen bestowing their knowledge and experience upon younger generations. To a naïve observer, a wayang performance may merely be the manipulation of a pretty leather puppet, but to the local Javanese, wayang kulit will always be a magical realm offering a pictorial representation of Indonesia’s mythological past and tumultuous history spanning centuries, as well as continents.

Wayang kulit is not a static art form frozen in the ice block of time, but an ever-changing cultural entity. Though detractors might think its future bleak, I believe it will survive and prove every obstacle to be a mere hiccup in its evolution.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Solo, Semarang and Yogyakarta in central Java, Indonesia from various destinations. www.airasia.com

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10 FEATURE • Australia

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Ann Chadwick promises a chilling and eerie tour to some of the spookiest sites in Williamstown.

If you’re in Melbourne this October, summon up your courage and celebrate Halloween by tracking down spooks at some of the city’s ghostly haunts.

WORDS: STEPHANIE STA MARIA PHOTOGRAPHY: SANJEEV SINGH

The Princess Theatre once offered 100 pounds to any member of the public willing to spend a night there, but there are no records of anyone taking up the offer.

The Titanic Theatre Restaurant is one of the oldest hotels and public buildings in Williamstown with a dark and haunting past.

Ann Chadwick stopped just after Nelson Place, turned to us and serenely said, “This is what we call the point of no return.”

“Back there, all the good people in 19th century Williamstown would go about their business. They wouldn’t cross this line because down here were all the sailors, the gamblers, the sinners.”

Behind the invisible threshold, warm lights burned bright in restaurants, bars and suburban homes. Ahead, the empty street was bathed in the cold glow of sparsely erected streetlamps.

We had started walking a good 15 minutes ago but it was at this point that the Ghosts of the Old City Williamstown tour really began.

THE DARK SIDE OF WILLIAMSTOWN Williamstown is a coastal city, the distance of a five-song drive from Melbourne’s central

business district (CBD). Its earliest residents were Aboriginal people whose presence there slowly faded in the face of maritime activities, industrial development, land segregation and a typhoid epidemic.

The first vessels began unloading their cargo at what is now known as Port Gellibrand in 1835, and Williamstown’s seaport status almost clinched it the title of Victoria’s capital before Melbourne trumped it with its freshwater supply.

An explosion of infrastructure development followed the 1850s Victorian gold rush and Williamstown soon boasted of having Australia’s first telegraph and railway lines, a botanic garden and a private yacht club.

The maritime village was awarded city status in 1919.

It’s easy to warm up to this pretty city.

Heritage buildings stand alongside cafés and restaurants that look out to the yachts and boats docked at the shoreline. Names can be put to most faces if you’ve lived there long

enough, and it almost seems to be unscathed by misfortune.

Yet, according to Chadwick, Williamstown has among the most hauntings in Victoria.

“The bluestone and water hold spirit energy,” she explained. “Much has happened here and everyone has a story to tell.

Williamstown isn’t somewhere you pass through. It’s like the edge of the world.”

Three years ago, Chadwick, a former Williamstown resident, spotted an advertisement by Lantern Ghost Tours for guides and decided that scaring people on late night walks would be enormous fun.

“I love the stories, the buildings’ energies and the guests,” she enthused. “We have lots of fun and often, some powerful experiences.”

Indeed, the tour description mentioned a high level of paranormal activity. Chadwick smiled when I brought it up.

“You’ll see when we go to the boat shed, lighthouse and old morgue,” was her only reply.

A HAUNTED DRINKING FOUNTAIN The 90-minute tour officially began at the Wilkinson Memorial Drinking Fountain, in front of the Hobson Bay Visitor Centre.

The cast-iron fountain was commissioned

by Reverend George Wilkinson in 1872 to provide the town’s avid boozers with an alternative to liquor. The fountain was built and shipped from Glasgow but the Reverend died before its unveiling.

“Hundreds of intoxicated people showed up at the event and the reverend wasn’t happy,” Chadwick said. “Sometimes, people who walk past the fountain feel a splash of water on their faces, but we always ask if they’ve already had a drink or two!”

A more intriguing story about the fountain involves a grey-haired lady in a red jacket who turned up at Chadwick’s tour. The lady wasn’t a paid guest and Chadwick was prepared to gently shoo her away, but she vanished when the group moved on.

A week later, another guide, who had led the tour the night before Chadwick’s tour, spoke of the exact same incident.

“We found out that she had worked at the Visitor Centre and loved our tours, and had passed away around that time,” Chadwick said.

LADY IN THE CASTLE Hauntings, Chadwick explained, fall into three categories. The first are memories held in certain spaces that evoke great comfort or discomfort for those living within or passing through. The second happens when spirits linger after a sudden death to complete unfinished business or because they don’t realise they’re dead. The third occurs when spirits are too attached to their former living space or loved ones to leave.

This is Tina’s story.

On the corner of Nelson Place and Thompson Street is a castle-like building that John Harker Craig commissioned for his wife, Tina, in 1886. They called it Craigandtina’s.

“Tina was very happy there, but then, she died in a horse riding accident,” Chadwick said. “She’s often seen as a lady in white sitting in the front room upstairs, on the couch or, as a white face staring out the window.”

We ran our eyes across all the windows but Tina wasn’t there that night.

AN EERIE BOAT SHED When Lantern Ghost Tours researches its chosen locations, it doesn’t just stop at historical manuscripts, news articles and

The Haunted Bookshop opened its doors on Halloween in 1997, an auspicious year for occultism.

interviews with local residents; it also engages psychics and mediums.

Chadwick recently took 10 mediums on a tour. They informed her that the boat shed housed a spirit in each of its corners. The boat shed is one of many in an industrial area now known as Seaworks and is located just after the ‘point of no return’.

Before Chadwick unlocked the large, wooden door, she lit the lamp in her hand and offered it to me to lead the way.

I stepped into the blackness with a tiny lump in my throat. We climbed the stairs to the upper floor where a hanging had taken place and many guests had experienced dizziness or a falling sensation.

I glanced around and involuntarily shivered. The weak streetlight coming through the small windows cast too many shadows in the cavernous space and a strange air of melancholy hung like a heavy curtain. It wasn’t a place anyone would want to wander into after twilight.

The shed now functions as a film location for an opium den set. Many camera crew have struggled with unexplained malfunctioning equipment, and tour guests have also complained of sudden flat camera batteries and black screens.

Here, Chadwick pulled out a pair of divining rods, showed me how to hold them and summoned the spirits to cross the rods if they wished to communicate. I was surprised at my disappointment when the rods remained motionless.

WHERE THE DEAD LIVE The route to the lighthouse took us past The Royal Hotel and The Prince of Wales Hotel.

The former was completed in 1893 and dubbed the Crown Casino of its century.

Once frequented by visiting sea captains and politicians, the three-storey building is now haunted by the ghost of a man named Ross who jumped to his death after wagering and losing his entire family at a gaming table.

THE HAUNTED BOOKSHOP On McKillop Street, a quiet laneway off Melbourne’s busy Bourke Street, sits The Haunted Bookshop, home of the Haunted Melbourne Ghost Tour, one of the city’s oldest ghost tours. Founder, Drew Stinton, opened the doors of The Haunted Bookshop on Halloween 1997 to commemorate the death of the founder of the Church of Satan, Anton Lavey, and the 100th anniversary of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel, Dracula. This 70s styled bookshop packed with books on mysticism and the supernatural was the first of its kind in Melbourne, and the tours that sprung from it began when Stinton started giving short talks to test out stories for a book he was going to write about Melbourne’s supernatural side. Through his tours, Stinton hopes to preserve the stories and legends associated with the city’s many old buildings.

Drew Stinton fashioned his bookshop around his childhood dream of visiting one exactly like it.

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SCARY SITES Don’t miss these spooky Melbourne institutions.

OLD MELBOURNE GAOL Famous Australian outlaw, Ned Kelly, was among the 133 notorious criminals hanged here between 1842 and 1929. The gaol has since been converted into a museum that offers night tours.

PRINCESS THEATRE Italian baritone, Federici, died of a heart attack while performing at the Princess in 1888, but his spectre was seen taking his place at curtain call. Federici is Melbourne’s most famous ghost and for decades, the Princess kept an empty seat for his spirit at every opening night!

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET Melbourne’s most popular market officially opened in 1878 on the site of the city’s first and former cemetery – above 9,000 bodies! Those deemed unworthy to rest on consecrated ground were buried outside the fence that ran around the cemetery; this included three outlaws who are sometimes spotted at the fruit and vegetable or flower sections.

Curl up to this list of some of the scariest books, or watch these movies and have the heebiejeebies frightened out of you!

SCARY READS THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

by Thomas Harris NIGHT SHIFT

by Stephen King THE HAUNTING ON HILL HOUSE

by Shirley Jackson HELL HOUSE

by Richard Matheson GHOST STORY

by Peter Straub

SCARY MOVIES THE CONJURING Based on real incidents, this story follows paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, who try to help a family terrorised by an evil presence.

SHUTTER A Thai horror movie that tells the tale of a photographer and his girlfriend discovering a mysterious presence in their photographs after a tragic accident.

THE EXORCIST Still one of the scariest movies ever made, this tale of a possessed teenager and the desperate exorcism to cast the evil out is still spine-chilling.

RINGU Watching a video at a certain time of the night wreaks havoc in this Japanese new-age horror tale.

THE EVIL DEAD A low budget gore fest with a healthy dose of humour, where a flesh-eating demon hunts down five friends.

The Old Melbourne Gaol is reputed to be a place of great sorrow and misery.

His spirit is seen as a full-bodied apparition entering the front door and also as a light that falls from the roof.

The Prince of Wales Hotel, now renamed the Titanic Theatre Restaurant, was the last place a sailor could get a drink before heading back to the docks. Some sailors who overstayed their visit would find the dinghy gone and many drowned while attempting to swim back to their ship.

The scent of lavender that often permeates the narrow laneway beside the restaurant signals the presence of Annabelle, Lynette and Bethany, the spirits of three working girls, who occasionally try to seduce the men in the tour groups.

As Chadwick began walking ahead, my notebook fell out of my back pocket and I turned around to retrieve it. When I straightened up, I was looking straight down

the strip of darkness that was Lavender Lane.

It almost felt like the laneway was looking back at me, silent and waiting.

A LONELY LIGHTHOUSE The lighthouse was built in 1855 by convict labour and was eventually turned into a timeball tower. Everyday at 1.00pm, the large ball would be lowered and captains at sea would set their chronometers accordingly.

“The last custodian was Richard Vaughn who died of pneumonia in 1925,” Chadwick said. “His body was only discovered after 10 days when someone noticed that the ball wasn’t lowered. It was decided that the timeball was clearly unnecessary since no one had noticed that it hadn’t moved for 10 days. The tower was retired and this made Vaughn’s spirit extremely distressed.”

After squeezing into the tower’s tiny room, Chadwick once again pulled out the divining rods. And once again, they remained motionless.

As we exited the tower, a strong winter wind barrelled across the open field. I pulled my coat a little tighter around me, partly because of the unwelcome chill but mostly because the makeshift graveyard of yore lay just a few hundred metres away.

AN ENCOUNTER AT THE MORGUE The last stop was the old morgue on Ann Street. Built in 1859, the morgue was Victoria’s first, and originally sat beside Gem Pier, making it the first sight that greeted arriving ships. It was thus relocated.

“The morgue would have been quite full back then, and many deaths would have been at the hands of the port doctor, Edward Garland Figg,” Chadwick began after shutting the door behind us. “He was an accomplished surgeon with a passion for experimenting in anaesthetics. Most of his patients never woke up!”

The grounds of the Queen Victoria market bustles with nightime revellers who are unaware of what lies beneath.

“You also visited Dr. Figg if you were expecting a child but already had too many or, if you were a working girl. During his time, a number of badly mutilated female bodies were found and believed to be a result of his botched operations.”

The morgue is also home to the many spirits of children whose parents drowned them to save them from a life of hardship.

The first autopsy to have taken place there was for a child named Gladys.

Chadwick suggested turning off the lamp for a minute to see if Gladys would touch our hands or tug at our bags as she usually does.

The morgue was swallowed by darkness, save for the tiny red light on my recorder. No small hands reached out for us but a sudden gentle breeze moved though the morgue.

Chadwick smiled and admitted that she had felt an earlier biting chill in a corner of the morgue where one particular spirit resided.

She then handed me the divining rods for the last time and as I held them, she remarked how ‘dead’ the spirit energy was that night.

Then, as if to rebut her, the left rod shifted outwards. We stared at it uncertainly.

“Did you do that?” Chadwick asked.

I hadn’t. My eyes scanned the room half expecting to sense movement somewhere.

“Don’t swing the rods out!” Chadwick chided the unseen beings. “We want you to cross them instead if you wish to communicate with us. Cross them.”

In response, the left rod slowly but very steadily swung out in a half-circle.

“If the rod swings towards your arm, it means that the energy is right beside you,” Chadwick calmly said as we all watched the rod lightly bump against me. My travel partner, photographer Sanjeev Singh, and I stared at the space between us. I held my breath as we waited for it to move again but it didn’t.

“That’s very unusual though, to have the rods move that way,” Chadwick mused.

After several attempts at coaxing the spirits to communicate further, she decided that that was all the contact they wanted that evening. It was time to leave.

Back outside, Sanjeev snapped a final shot of Chadwick and then examined his camera with a frown. The settings were way off! “Ah, so they’ve had some fun with your camera too!” Chadwick laughed.

As we walked back to the car, we agreed that while the paranormal activity that evening wasn’t as intense as experienced by Chadwick’s other guests, the tour still bore a stamp of fascinating eeriness.

We reviewed the photos and recording in bright daylight just in case we had unwittingly captured any peculiarities but as it turned out, we hadn’t taken any spirit energies back with us.

A VISIT TO REMEMBER One month on, I can still vividly recall each site and its surrounding spirit energy, and am in fact contemplating revisiting the tour in the hope of a more intense experience.

The ghosts of old Williamstown may not have shown themselves to us that night but the harbour city made sure we didn’t easily forget our time there.

GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies to Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur daily. www.airasia.com

10 FEATURE • Myanmar www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

ACROSS MYANMAR One of Asia’s most mysterious gems awakens, welcoming visitors to explore its long hidden pagodas and vivid landscapes, and bask in its old-world charm.

WORDS: POTPOT PINILI

IMAGE: ADAM LEE

2014

Kakusandha or the Standing Buddha at Ananda Phaya Temple, which dates back to the 11th century.

IMAGE: POTPOT PINILI

Hand-painted parasols are a popular Myanmarese souvenir.

For more than half a century, Myanmar kept its doors closed to the frenzied tourism circuit of Southeast Asia. But in 2012, it reopened them to international travellers, revealing a spectacular world of rich and exotic delights.

Myanmar was the most anticipated destination on my seven-month solo backpacking adventure around Southeast Asia. Nothing could match the excitement and awe of stepping into a country that I’d learned about only through history classes and guidebooks.

Myanmar is a feast for the senses. Breath-taking panoramas of ancient temples, warring scents of spices and incense, palate-tickling cuisine, quiet spaces, smooth silk, intense jade and stuccoed walls await the intrepid traveller.

GLITTERING TEMPLES

Unscathed by mass tourism, Myanmar’s mist-shrouded mountains, pristine lakes, murmuring rivers and crashing waterfalls provide an idyllic escape. Adrenaline junkies will find a trekking haven in Kalaw and Hsipaw in the north. Many trek for days, combing the lush emerald mountains of Shan State and swimming in blue lagoons.

Travelling with two English ladies I’d met in Yangon, I had a trip of endless chuckles over how their forefathers’ railway legacy on the city had become so antiquated, yet still managed to run efficiently along a rickety track. Traversing the verdant Shan Hills, the slow train ride from Mandalay to Taunggyi took us almost two days. It was a scenic journey with views of vast rice fields, vineyards and tourmaline waterfalls, as we snaked along the mountain at 4,800 feet above sea level.

Inle Lake is the major tourist MONEY MATTERS d r a w in the Shan State of Burmese Kyat is the official currency of Myanmar. ATM machines that allow Myanmar. Here, you’ll find the withdrawals using international cards Intha people, a self-sufficient are widely available across Myanmar.

However, if you are bringing in USD water community that coexists to fund your trip, make sure you have with the indigenous Padaung crisp, new, fold-free and unstained notes. Euros and Singapore Dollars tribe and their beautiful longare also accepted. Credit cards may necked women. only be used in big establishments like high-end hotels and boutiques. Often, The hyacinth-filled Inle Lake mid-range hotels do not have credit card facilities. is a labyrinth of floating vegetable gardens, teakwood monasteries, lotus-weaving homes, umbrellamaking workshops and cheroot cigar factories. But, one of its OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Golden Rock in Mt. main attractions is the unique way Kyaiktiyo, 210kms from Yangon, is one of locals row with an oar using one Myanmar’s most popular pilgrimage sites; this long-necked woman belongs to the leg, carefully balancing on the Padaung tribe; the Intha fishermen of Inle stern of a long dugout boat, and Lake use their legs to row and balance their boats; novices at the Shwe Yan Pyay Kyaung scoop fish using a conical basket.

The most iconic of all Myanmar’s temples is the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, prominently nestled at the summit of Singuttara Hill, overlooking the city of Yangon.

No trip to Myanmar would be complete without visiting this more than 2,000 year-old pagoda – the most sacred Buddhist shrine in the country. Visitors who wait for sunset will be rewarded with a spectacle of lights, as a soft glow illuminates its golden domes and spires.

Another popular landmark is the Sule Pagoda that sits at a roundabout at the heart of downtown Yangon. Its arterial roads lead to other heritage sites and glittery temples like the Botahtaung Pagoda. Further north, on the central plains of Bagan, monastery at Inle Lake. are ancient Buddhist temples that date as far back as the 9th century.

Meanwhile, the Golden Rock, perched on the pinnacle of Mt. Kyaiktiyo, draws faithful pilgrims from all over the Buddhist world. Coated with gold leaf, this huge boulder is said to have been naturally suspended on the cliff’s edge for centuries, held by a strand of Buddha’s hair.

The incredible pagodas in Myanmar are not only grand expressions of faith but also massive showcases of ancient engineering – testament to Myanmar’s once mighty kingdoms.

COLONIAL RELICS Yangon is also home to a myriad Art Deco buildings that reflect its colonial past. The British left in 1948, but many of these buildings still stand. Among the classic structures to be seen are the striking High Court, Minister’s Building, Strand Hotel, City Hall and Customs and Port Authority Building.

A city with one of the highest numbers of colonial structures still intact, Yangon with its decades’ old heritage buildings is a magnet for architecture lovers, as well as history buffs.

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REFRESHING AND DRAMATIC

DISTINCTIVE BEAUTY Fortunately, blind to the foray of contemporary fashion, the ageless tradition of wearing the tubular sarong-like attire called longyi for men and htamein for women continues to this day. Locals wear this to the office, school and even to parties! Although this is a very Southeast Asian practice, only in Myanmar it is worn this frequently and for such a wide spectrum of occasions.

Traditional beautifying treatments are still popular here, and you can see women and children walking around, their faces painted with yellowish-white powdered thanaka – a natural sunscreen made from pounding the bark of the thanaka tree.

The Burmese are typically conservative in dressing so forget about bringing your skimpy shorts and spaghettistrapped tank tops or, parading your abs anywhere. Blending with the locals in longyi or htamein is a nice gesture that shows cultural appreciation.

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IMAGE : POTPOT PINILI

IMAGE: ADAM LEE

IMAGE: POTPOT PINILI

IMAGE: POTPOT PINILI

IMAGE : ADAM LEE

Thousands of temples dot the plains of central Myanmar in Bagan.

IMAGE : POTPOT PINILI

IMAGE : ADAM LEE

IMAGE: ADAM LEE

IMAGE: POTPOT PINILI

DELICIOUS CUISINE

Beyond its smorgasbord of attractions, the real charm of today’s Myanmar lies in its people – cheerful and sincere.

No one goes hungry in Myanmar; you can find food stalls Despite the language barrier, the locals are very patient with selling barbequed pork, noodles, fruits and fried snacks foreigners, and even help by conversing in English; this just about anywhere. Myanmar’s culinary landscape is as often ends in good humoured titters all around. Getting your diverse as its people – a fusion of Southeast Asian influences. message across is not really a stressful challenge here, but Generally, fragrant rice and fish are staples, and fish sauce it’s always a good idea to learn some local words. is used liberally.

Travelling across Myanmar is as easy as flying into its A must-try in Myanmar is mohinga, one of the country’s many domestic airports or hopping on one of its comfortable most popular breakfast dishes. It consists of fish and rice tourist buses. You may also choose to travel by train or noodles in a rich broth of fish paste, lemongrass, ginger and by boat along the famous Ayeyarwady River. In terms of garlic. Another must-try is laphet or fermented tea leaf salad. public transport, you’ll be hard put to find more honest and Yes, tea leaves here are eaten! courteous taxi drivers. Even if they drive without meters, The locals are extremely gracious hosts. It is common to rest assured, you will be quoted a fair price. The absence be served snacks when visiting their homes, and to be invited of aggressive street hawkers makes it a relief to experience to share their meals. the country without constantly being hassled to buy touristy trinkets or being followed by pushy souvenir pedlars. Having said that, do be sure to purchase extra luggage weight for your return flight as Myanmar Theravada Buddhism is deeply boasts exquisite handicrafts. The ingrained in the hearts of locals, colourful hand-painted parasols of and the best time to visit would Bagan are among the most loved be when the country celebrates souvenirs, and complex patterned some of its most important festivals. tapestries, hand-woven textiles and BURMA Common to predominantly Buddhist stone sculptures are everywhere, OR MYANMAR? countries, the timing of cultural especially in Mandalay.

The country was once called Union of festivals is determined by the Burma but in 1989, the name changed With their warm, friendly smiles, to Union of Myanmar and later, to the phases of the moon. The biggest the people of this Instagram-perfect Republic of the Union of Myanmar. celebration falls in mid-April when country make for incredible photo Myanmar celebrates the New Year subjects. They’re usually quite called Thingyan. It is observed by willing too, but always ask politely paying respect to elders, monks OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM first and make conversation. The TOP LEFT: Painting thanaka on the face and teachers and to Buddha in a locals are friendlier than Facebook is more than just applying sunscreen but tradition called gadaw, whereby an ageless tradition; Inle Lake is home to and far more engaging than tweets. the Intha tribe who lives in stilt-houses and students and children kneel before farms on the floating gardens across the their teachers and elders, bowing vast lake; the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is the most sacred Buddhist temple in with their hands clasped, to show Myanmar; Bogyoke Market is a good place gratitude and reverence, and to ask For the longest time, Yangon was to find Myanmarese art and souvenirs. for forgiveness. This festival also the administrative capital city of involves gift-giving and the sprinkling Myanmar, but in 2005, the capital of water to symbolically wash away moved to Nay Pyi Taw. In its new sins – an act that has morphed into central location, a modern cityscape fun water fights akin to the Thai Songkran celebrations. has taken shape with residential areas, commercial districts Another important festival is Dhammasekya Day, which is and government offices, as well as entertainment and sports celebrated on the full moon of July, marking the beginning of hubs organised into zones.

Buddhist lent and the first sermon of Buddha’s Four Noble Nay Pyi Taw boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a fusion Truths. This day is observed with offerings of new robes of contemporary and traditional buildings. Parks, shopping to monks and the Shinbyu ceremony, where young boys malls, cinemas and the huge Uppatasanti Pagoda are its dedicate themselve’s to monasteries as novices. major attractions. The 2013 Southeast Asian Games was From regattas to bonfires and light parades, there’s hosted by Nay Pyi Taw and in recent years, many national something interesting happening in Myanmar all year round. events like the Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards Check the moon’s phase on your calendar find the festival have been held here. that suits your fancy!

I can honestly say that there was never a dull moment

FESTIVALS & FAITH

THE NEW CAPITAL CITY

TOURIST-FRIENDLY NATION Myanmar is not all about old world charm. Today, sleek towers are everywhere, sitting cheek by jowl with the country’s heritage buildings. Myanmar may not have huge malls, international fast-food chains or high-speed Internet yet, but they do have modest modern day conveniences. There’s no shortage of accommodations, especially in major travel destinations like Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake.

on my trip; every day, something new was revealed – be it a new pagoda, a delectable dish, a fun ride, a tongue-twisting word or even wearing the longyi! Here, it is easy to make new friends with fellow travellers, as you tread the same trails and share a common happiness at discovering the many facets of the gem that is Myanmar.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Yangon and Mandalay from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. www.airasia.com

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10 FEATURE • India

2014

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TOY TRAIN TO

DAR JEE LING Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, the quaint town of Darjeeling, perched about 7,000 feet above sea level, is best reached by a scenic Toy Train ride.

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: ANUPAM CHANDA

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THIS PAGE: The original, British built steam engine still pulls the Toy Train that cuts through hills and vales of Darjeeling.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Students at Lareto College.

The first thing that caught my eye as I prepared to board the train was that the coach had just one door. Passengers, who are used to two entrances to an Indian Railway coach, looked for the other non-existent exit, as the crowd piled up in front of the only entrance to board the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or, the ‘Toy Train’ as it is fondly called due to its two-feet narrow gauge tracks, toy-like coaches and little steam engine that tows it along.

The magnificent Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which was built between 1879 and 1881, was included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1999 – only the second railway in the world to be given this distinction.

Inside, the coach was elaborately designed with dragon and floral motifs in rich, dark colours, and its highbacked seats and large glass windows served well for a scenic ride. This was the more touristy first class coach; the second class coach offered less elaborate décor but more seating – 108

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ABOVE: A vibrant and busy produce market near the bus stand in Kurseong where farmers from nearby villages sell their wares each morning.

much more practical to accommodate the many travellers who come to experience the journey to Darjeeling.

EMBARKING ON AN ADVENTURE Boarding proceeded in its own unique way. Like elsewhere in the world, you get many latecomers, and these latecomers always carry an inordinate amount of baggage. Now, we Indians are not renowned for travelling light, especially when travelling up to a hill station from the plains. But the loads some carry defy belief!

After the stationmaster blew his whistle and waved his green flag, the train driver waved in reply, whistled and started off. Just then, a woman arrived, running alongside the coach carrying a baby, with two older children and their nanny trailing behind her. I felt a sudden jolt as the driver abruptly applied the brakes, stopping the train with a screech. The desperate

latecomers came on board with their 14 bags. Later, I discovered that her escort had actually jumped on the moving train and pulled the emergency chain, bringing us to an immediate halt.

The activity, which had geared up from frantic to manic, normalised within a few minutes, as there was an almighty whistle from the guard and a frenzy of flag waving by all concerned.

Soon, the small train chugged out of the New Jalpaiguri station in Siliguri, West Bengal and started its 78-km journey to Darjeeling.

SUMMER REMEMBRANCES As the little train pulled out and through the backyard of Siliguri town, heading towards the Mahanadi Bridge, I became aware of cool, dark smoke clouds from the engine, the scent of freshly plucked tea leaves in the air and the gush of the river alongside the tracks.

LEFT: The pine forests in Darjeeling literally touch the clouds.

BELOW: Modern diesel engines operate most of the scheduled services but the daily KurseongDarjeeling return service and the daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghoom are still operated with B Class steam locomotives.

from the train are almost impossible.

Blue mountains greeted me as the train quickly rose from the plain, passing through tea gardens and forests of teak and sal trees.

Inside, the coach conductor offered commentary on how the British engineers had designed a series of loops and reverses to negotiate the ascent, which is why the railroad sometimes leaves the ordinary road altogether and meets it again sometime later. The loop helps the track circle around and pass over itself by means of a bridge, thereby attaining a higher elevation and better alignment. In the reverse, the same objective is attained by running the track back diagonally up the hill side for a short distance, and then, resuming an alignment parallel to the original but higher up the side of the mountain.

Cameras clicked furiously inside the coach as every turn brought a new scene to the fore: A house lined with brightly coloured flowers; an old couple soaking up the sun on the steps of their home; a woman washing clothes, oblivious to the passing train; clothes drying on a string; a semi-circle of colourful chortens (Buddhist shrines); a game of football played on a small flat patch in a jungle; and children waving

The journey brought back a lot of old memories. This used to be a route I travelled with my family every year in summer, from the time I was a toddler – like standard Bengali families from the plains of Bengal. I looked forward to spending a few days in a different place, soaking up as much nature as I could.

NAVIGATING THE TRACK The train stopped at Sukna, a military cantonment with lush tea gardens, where the train would be prepared for its ascent. It made me think of my dad’s standard narration every time we made this journey. He would tell my family about how once the train had to wait for hours on this narrow track in the Sukna jungle, as a tigress and her cubs blocked the tracks.

Sukna, around the late 70s and early 80s, was densely forested and was the habitat of tigers and leopards.

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DARJEELING DELIGHTS Enjoy an English breakfast at the rooftop cafe of Keventers. 9, Nehru Road, Darjeeling Head to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute for interesting essays on Himalayan expeditions, including the first attempt to reach the peak of Everest by George Mallory in 1924 and subsequent conquests by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. www.hmi-darjeeling.com Try authentic dumplings and thukpa (Tibetan clear noodle soup prepared with vegetables and meat) at local joints along Mall Road.

Enjoy an afternoon at Darjeeling Mall (an open air arena with eateries, shops and hotels) overlooking the Kanchenjunga range while enjoying music by local street musicians.

View breath-taking sunrises at Tiger Hill (a half hour drive from Darjeeling) and visit Ghoom Monastery on your way back.

Visit Happy Valley and Glenburn Tea Estates for a hands-on experience of tea production. www.glenburnteaestate.com

WAY TO GO Fly from Kolkata to Bagdogra Airport, 16kms west of the city of Siliguri in the Darjeeling district of northern West Bengal. The New Jalpaiguri Rail Station is about a 20-minute drive from Bagdogra Airport. Tickets for the Toy Train can be purchased at the station and the journey to Darjeeling takes approximately five hours. Alternatively, take a bus or drive from New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri.

The trip should take about three hours.

at the train with gleeful smiles – the most common sight of all and one that can make you instantly happy.

LIFE IN DARJEELING The tiny engine put in its best effort, puffing thick smoke as it hauled the coaches up the hill. Bhutia and Lepcha women, with babies strapped across their backs, strode across the tracks, heavy silver trinkets oxidised by the air, and costumes bright as a peacock’s tail, adding even more colour to the scenery.

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ABOVE: A sweeping view of Darjeeling town from Jalapahar.

The range on which Darjeeling is located is Y-shaped with the base resting at Katapahar and Jalapahar, and two arms diverging north of the observatory hill.

Incessantly whistling, the train wound through valleys, woods and tea gardens. The panorama of the mountain ranges opened up on one side while the track twisted and turned alongside the road to Darjeeling. It kept on changing sides, hugging the hillside for a few kilometres and then, crossing the road to follow the edge for a short distance.

The vehicles on the road timed their run according to the speed of the train, stopping to let it cross the road and then, moving alongside it.

My train soon reached Kurseong, a small thriving hill town at 4,864 feet, with a small market right by the train tracks. Here, a workshop attached to the station with a few old engines was a reminder of a bygone era.

I had just enough time to step outside the coach and breathe in the fresh, cold air before the journey resumed. The train reversed onto a busy crossing before taking the onward track through the narrow bazaar of Kurseong.

The pavement vendors had their wares placed right beside the track,

but even when the train passed, this did not disturb their goods. Upon hearing the piercing whistle of the train, the vendors immediately jumped back, leaving their shops open and unattended for a few seconds – a pretty well calculated move with not much time wasted, as they get right back to business as soon as the coaches pass.

The passing of the trains is an integral part of daily life in these hills of West Bengal, and it’s as if the train is an intimate friend. On other train journeys, I have felt like an outsider passing

through a place, but travelling on this slow train offers a strong local flavour.

Sometimes, I feel like one of the village folk moving from one room of a house to another!

A VIEW TO BEHOLD As the train turned, it slowed down and a few people jumped off in front of their houses while a few others jumped on to travel up to the next station. Soon, the train passed through a cloud of mist, and the road beside it

disappeared as the train chugged into a forest of maple, chestnut, pear, cherry, Japanese cedar and cardamom plants.

Tung was the next station, and offered an excellent view of the Kurseong ridge, especially on a clear day. My train passed one station after another, and as I gazed out the window, I wondered what it must have taken to build this incredible rail road in the clouds of Darjeeling.

But the best was yet to come.

After crossing Jorebunglow, the train reached Ghoom at 7,407 feet, the travel 3SixtyËš

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highest point of the journey. After a short rest, it started its descent towards Darjeeling. On its way, the train passed through the biggest of the loops called the Batasia Loop, which is a memorial park dedicated to Gorkha soldiers. Here, I was rewarded with a spectacular view of Darjeeling town with Kanchenjunga – the third highest peak in the world – as its backdrop.

After a few minutes, the train pulled into the Darjeeling station.

RIGHT: The Toy Train meanders through populated areas of the valley and is part and parcel of daily life; children often go to school following the rail line.

BELOW: A famous photo studio in a local bazaar that sells images of old Darjeeling, especially during the construction of the Toy Train tracks.

DAWN IN DARJEELING Having arrived at Darjeeling at dawn, I hopped into a cab and headed for Tiger Hill to see the majestic Kanchenjunga change colour as the sun rose. This is probably the most-visited place in Darjeeling and the best time to visit is early in the morning when the first rays of sun turn the mountain a sublime hue. On clear days, you can even see Mount Everest!

In the early days, explorers used Darjeeling as a base camp for trekking in the Himalayas. Many of the greats started here: George Mallory, Sir Edmund Hillary and more recently, Jon Krakauer. As a result, Nepalese, Sherpa and Tibetan people

– all experienced with the Himalayan altitude and terrain – gradually settled here to provide services as guides, porters and hoteliers.

English traditions are still very prominent here. Almost everybody speaks English, which is taught as per the colonial method, and people come from as far as Nepal and Bangladesh to learn the language. This little town on the hills even boasts two English language dailies!

COLONIAL RELICS Darjeeling is also home to countless colonial buildings. Amongst the most popular, the Darjeeling Club (better known as the Planter’s Club) with its lavish suites. The Darjeeling Club was a British institution, which used to house British explorers. They’d relax in the snooker hall, celebrate in the dining hall, and choose their porters and guides by leaning over the 112

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balcony overlooking the Sherpas below, deciding who looked the fittest.

As I entered the Planter’s Club, which had been given a facelift to accommodate modern luxuries, I felt ghosts of the past and imagined the celebrations that must have been held in its hall.

Most of the former residences in Darjeeling are now hotels, allowing tourists to experience living like a British lord. With Keventers right opposite the club, you can feast on their specialty breakfast spreads and excellent quality tea in an open air terrace restaurant.

Glenary’s, a well-stocked bakery on Nehru Road, offers a variety of delicacies, while a live music bar downstairs offers an awesome view of the blue misty valley as a bonus. But the best place to eat, shop, stroll or, just hang around, would be Mall Road.

Darjeeling boasts a large and trendy mall, and the entire town is centred

around this marketplace, which sells Tibetan handicrafts and souvenirs, Himalayan artefacts, antiques, books and a large number of curios. Lovely walkways start from here, making it the best place to begin a tour.

SAVOURING DARJEELING TEA I couldn’t leave Darjeeling without sampling its tea. There are many shops to choose from and a wide variety of flavours, but if you are keen on experiencing the real thing, Darjeeling is surrounded by many renowned tea gardens, all within a short drive.

Since the 19th century, the area has been producing one of the most delicious teas in the world: Darjeeling Tea. Nowadays, all, save a few, Darjeeling gardens belong to multinational companies.

Darjeeling tea is not just an industry; it’s a specialised art that requires years

ABOVE: St. Joseph’s School is an all-boys school that was established after the jurisdiction over the Catholic community in Darjeeling was transferred from the Bishop of Patna to the Archbishop of Calcutta in 1887.

of expertise to produce one of the most expensive teas in the world. Some gardens like Glenburn and Makaibari also promote tea tourism, with wellmanaged accommodation, making for a unique holiday experience.

A TRIP TO REMEMBER This cosy little town transported me to a different time for a few days as I soaked in the goodness of nature.

But then, a day came when the fog cleared momentarily, giving way to a cloud of steam as the Toy Train whistled, signalling its return journey to the plains of Siliguri. As I boarded the train, I thought to myself, there’s still so much more to do and I must come back again soon.

GETTING THERE AirAsia flies to Kolkata from Kuala Lumpur daily. www.airasia.com

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

IMAGE: INMAGINE

2014

WEATHERING OBSTACLES

Pilots are trained to read weather patterns and manoeuvre around meteorological hazards for safe and smooth flights.Capt. Lim Khoy Hing discusses how pilots and the aviation industry handle inclemental weather.

Flying a plane has come a long way since the Wright brothers first flew the Kitty Hawk more than 100 years ago. Many issues on weather that once affected flight safety have since been understood and addressed.

Aircraft are much better equipped and good flying techniques are constantly being introduced to ensure that passengers travel in the utmost safety and comfort.

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Pilots take great pains to plan every flight, as carefully as if their very own families were on board. Prior to every departure, the captain and his first officer run through a series of briefings, especially on how to manage threats or deal with errors with regards to weather for the day.

When I was flying, I would first check if my flight would encounter turbulence or

thunder clouds (cumulonimbus), or whether there would be any rain or poor visibility, which may potentially hamper my landing.

HANDLING TURBULENCE Turbulence is a common topic discussed by air travellers. A plane flying in the air is just like an ocean liner at sea. When the

sea is rough, the ship will rock.

Similarly, a plane will shake on encountering turbulent air.

There is nothing for passengers to worry about, as long as they have their seat belts securely fastened. In fact, the captain would already know in advance that he would be approaching an unavoidable patch of irregular air mass.

Visually, he would know that the rocky ride would soon affect his plane and he’d try his best to manoeuvre away from the turbulent air.

A pilot can also check the smoothness of his journey by reviewing the route forecast on the paper flight plan, as every segment of his flight would have an indication (shear rate) as regards to the severity of turbulence to be encountered.

Passengers are advised to keep their seat belts fastened throughout the flight even if the seat belt sign has been switched off.

Shear rate is a measurement ranging from a figure of zero to 20. Anything rated five upwards is a warning to the captain to be on his toes. Depending on the ride, he may caution passengers by switching on the seat belt sign as a precaution.

Prior to encountering the socalled ‘roller coaster ride’, he would reduce his speed just like a motorist when approaching a speed bump on the road.

Consequently, this causes a reduction in noise experienced within the cabin as the engine power is decreased, which may, at times, cause some passengers to feel anxious.

After a short period, the power would resume to normal as the automatic thrust gradually sets in to maintain the selected lower speed. When the turbulence has passed, the seat-belt sign would be switched off and passengers would once again be free to move around the cabin.

Turbulence is normal. It may, at times, cause the wing tips of the aircraft to flex a little, 116

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IMAGE: GETTY

Capt. Lim’s first book, LIFE IN THE SKIES is now available for purchase onboard all AirAsia flights (AirAsia X, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia) or online at AirAsia Megastore at www.airasiamegastore. com/life-in-the-skies. html It is also available at all major book stores in Malaysia and Singapore.

Enjoy the great collection of articles, anecdotal stories and observations of this veteran aviator in this book.

“PILOTS TAKE GREAT PAINS TO PLAN EVERY FLIGHT, AS CAREFULLY AS IF THEIR VERY OWN FAMILIES WERE ON BOARD. PRIOR TO EVERY DEPARTURE, THE CAPTAIN AND HIS FIRST OFFICER RUN THROUGH A SERIES OF BRIEFINGS, ESPECIALLY ON HOW TO MANAGE THREATS OR, DEAL WITH ERRORS WITH REGARDS TO WEATHER FOR THE DAY.”

but they are designed to do so. Structurally, the wings of most modern planes are very strong. They are constructed to withstand about 150 per cent of the strongest force that the plane can encounter in flight!

AVOIDING THUNDERSTORMS Thunder clouds are shown on the radar screen of the plane as red and pilots avoid them like the plague! Flying in their vicinity would make for a choppy ride

and lightning strikes become a possibility.

Depending on the height of the plane and the clouds, the captain may request deviation of around 20 nautical miles in order to stay clear of turbulence associated with this cloud.

smooth a landing will fool the computer into believing that the plane has not landed and the anti-skid system operation may not kick in. Advanced avionics and computerisation have made it possible to land in low visibility without much fuss.

A pilot can also check the smoothness of his journey by reviewing the route forecast on the paper flight plan.

IMAGE: INMAGINE

COOL IN THE COCKPIT

However, lightning in the vicinity of a thunderstorm, though fearsome, is generally not dangerous to the airplane or passengers. Even if there is a direct strike, it will not penetrate the cabin. Modern airliners are built to absorb over eight times the energy carried by a bolt of lightning. When an airplane is struck, the electrical charges just traverse the length of the aircraft and exit through the static dischargers at the trailing edges of the flaps or tailplane.

I have personally experienced lightning strikes on my plane when flying and treated it as a routine occurrence. I merely reported the encounter to the engineer upon landing.

NAVIGATING WITH POOR VISIBILITY Poor visibility is a factor to be considered for safe landing. A well-trained flight crew will be able to land an aircraft even in very poor visibility of 100 metres, using the Instrument Landing System (ILS) – a highly accurate and dependable system that is fully capable of guiding an 118

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airplane to a runway in poor weather conditions. For airports without the ILS, then, visibility has to be good in order for a pilot to attempt landing.

There is conventional wisdom amongst pilots that they should not attempt a third landing once they have already tried twice to land in poor visibility without the aid of the ILS. Instead, they should divert to another airport. Statistics have proven doing otherwise to be ill-advised.

FLYING IN THE RAIN Rain may reduce visibility during take-off or landing. Commercial airliners have strict rules about weather conditions, including minimum visibility. There are operational limitations. For instance, I have refused to take off in the rain with cross winds during an approaching typhoon – a decision that incurred the ire of some passengers. Such actions are taken with the safety of passengers in mind.

Passengers are quite delighted when a landing is smooth. That usually happens

on a good day when the runway is dry. However, landing smoothly is not necessarily desirable all the time. When the runway is wet, a firm, positive touchdown or landing is necessary, in order to prevent aquaplaning. Too

While you might imagine that the cockpit crew are working furiously when encountering turbulence, the truth is that your pilot is probably wondering if there are any passengers that may have forgotten to buckle up when the seat belt sign is switched on. To the flight crew, turbulence is a normal part of flying.

Wings and the body structure of a plane are incredibly strong and can withstand very strong pressure exerted on them. Even in very poor visibility, autolanding will safely deliver you to your destination.

As such, rest assured that your captain is well equipped to fly you to your destination as safely and as comfortably as 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 a total of more than 25,500 flying hours and is now a Simulator Flight Instructor with AirAsia X. In hiss spare time, he shares ares his opinion on aviation issues with others. For more air travel and aviation stories, ries, check out his website, ‘Just About Flying’ g’ at www.askcaptainlim.com.

10 TRAVEL LOG

2014

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TRAVEL PARTNERS FOR LIFE

Visiting Nami Island in South Korea

Since getting hitched, Lim Lee Sah and her hubby, Ray, have been travelling the world together, one country at a time.

“You guys have really been travelling like crazy!” This was a friend’s comment when Ray and I told her that we were in Taiwan in early January this year. It was our seventh overseas trip with AirAsia since getting married in March 2012.

Ray and I have known each other since 2011, through my blog. I was in Melaka and he was in Selangor. We became friends very soon. I was glad to learn that this man shared the same hobbies: He liked reading and travelling. During our courtship, he drove me to Tasik Biru in Sungai Buloh and I was his tour guide in Melaka old town. Once, he brought me to Cameron Highlands, my favourite spot in Malaysia.

We were looking forward to travelling together to other Asian countries as a married couple. We booked air tickets to Ho Chi Minh

At the purification pool of Tirta Empul Temple in Bali.

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City even before deciding on the date for our wedding ceremony. Thus, the Vietnam trip became our first honeymoon in May 2012, as suggested by Ray. Interestingly, before I met him, I was already longing to explore French Indochina, but had never taken any action.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, was a lovely city and all the food we ate there greatly

satisfied our taste buds. We also signed up for a one-day Mekong Delta tour, which included a donkey ride and a rowing boat ride! It was definitely memorable.

Three months later, we flew to Macau and crossed the Pearl River to Hong Kong by ferry. A fan of Hong Kong movies and dramas, Ray was thrilled to speak Cantonese with the locals. As he couldn’t understand the Chinese characters and I couldn’t speak the dialect, his mouth spoke for us while my eyes read on our behalf.

Lodging in Kowloon, we were amused to hear the song Kowloon Hong Kong by Hong Kong pop group The Reynettes playing at the large theme park, Ocean Park.

In Macau, we visited several casinos but gambling wasn’t our cup of tea. We were impressed by the architecture of this historic city, once a Portuguese colony. While Ray was busy shooting pictures in the city, I enjoyed sampling almond cookies offered generously by some shops. We even bought a few packets to take home.

When there was another AirAsia promotion during the same year, we couldn’t resist yet another adventure. This time, we chose Cambodia and landed in the capital, Phnom Penh. Sitting in a tuk tuk was a wonderful experience. We even befriended a Cambodian couple who was selling Vietnamese dishes in a morning market. We both found the city very charming. From Phnom Penh, we took a bus to Siem Reap, where the beauty of

0.352 in

tofu was irresistible and the hospitality of the Taiwanese was unforgettable.

When I was single, I used to blog about my solo trips or travels with my family members. Being a married person, I’m blessed with an enthusiastic life partner to travel with. Our couple photos fill all our travel blog posts. When people see us, they like to A stone bridge at Shimen Arch, Taiwan.

Entrance of Kowloon Park in Hong Kong.

sunrise over Angkor Wat was simply stunning.

We flew to Laos in January last year. Ray was having back pain and we had a limited budget. Therefore, we gave up the idea of travelling about 10 hours to Luang Prabang by bus. We were content with sightseeing around Vientiane. One day, we rented two bicycles and cycled for more than six hours, covering over 50kms!

Our appetite to explore Asia has been increasing. Before the first half of 2013 was over, we had left our footprints in Seoul and Busan. It was the second time I’d been to South Korea and the first time for Ray. Holding hands with my hubby in Nami Island was definitely much more romantic than with my mum during my previous trip there!

Two months after we’d eaten kimchi for one whole week, we packed our luggage again to head to Bali. Having heard so much about this popular tourist destination, we were impressed by its attractive mountain and coastal areas, diverse art forms and pura (Hindu temples). Another memory of this heavenly island was the morning calls of roosters, as early as 3.00am!

We had our 2014 New Year countdown at Taipei 101. I was able to meet up with a Taiwanese friend whom I’d not seen for over 10 years. What a joy! Besides the city of Taipei, Ray and I also went to Jiufen, Keelung and other nearby towns. Every night, we tasted a variety of street food at a different night market. The smell of stinky

The Ruins of St Paul’s in Macau.

ask, “What is your next destination?” I guess, among our friends who tied the knot during the same period, we are the most frequent couple travellers. Thanks to AirAsia, now RayLeeSah can fly, often!

Got an interesting tale about your travels with AirAsia? Email your story (around 800 words) and images (high res min 1MB in size and clearly captioned) to us at travel3sixty@ airasia.com. Published submissions will receive a complimentary stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru. travel 3Sixty˚ reserves the right to edit the article for clarity and length or change the value of the prize to another gift of similar value. Prize vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash and the Editorial’s decision is final. Entries must include name, address, e-mail address and telephone number.

WINNER OF THE MONTH!

A 4D/3N stay in a King Guestroom at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru iinclusive of breakfast for two at Makan Kitchen worth approx. USD675!

*Value is based on currency rates during publication and may fluctuate.

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Set on the edge of Johor Bahru’s CBD and within walking distance to the Persada Convention Center, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru welcomes guests to unwind in a spacious guestroom that offers views of the city or straits, right after enjoying a warm chocolate chip cookie upon checking-in. The rooms here come equipped with a large desk, a 40” HDTV and WiFi access, while guests who upgrade to a Deluxe Suite will have kitchenettes and laundry facilities, as well as exclusive access to the Executive Lounge. For guests who require meeting space for events or functions, the hotel offers up to 13,993 sq. ft. of event space that includes two magnificent ballrooms, six meeting rooms and an outdoor terrace.

Added services available include a Business Centre and a Wedding Centre that will assist happy couples plan their special day. Guests can also dine in style at the hotel’s all-day dining venue, Makan Kitchen. If it’s Italian food you’re craving, head to Tosca, while Food Store sells gourmet snacks. Easily accessible from Changi International Airport, Singapore and Senai International Airport, Johor, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru is also a great base for shopping and sightseeing with City Square, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque and other attractions nearby.

J12 Jalan Ngee Heng, Johor Bahru, 80000, Malaysia +607 2686 868 doubletree3.hilton.com

10 OFF THE RACK

2014

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URBAN CHIC True to its principle of embracing curves, Flow’s 2014 Fall collection promises outfits designed to flatter the figure. From elegant wrap dresses to edgy tartan print shorts, the line celebrates the sexy and confident woman. A must-have for the season is the mini structured flare dress with stud detailing. www.flowclothing.com

FASHION FLASH

Read all about our fashion picks for the month, which include baubles that benefit charity and outfits that celebrate a woman’s curves.

WORDS: CHITRA SANTHINATHAN

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Tumi debuts its Mission collection, inspired by the colourful and eclectic vibe of San Francisco’s Mission District. Bags in the range, which include the Harrison Brief and York Tote, are constructed from natural grain leather.

Available in Iron, Navy, Tan and Chocolate Suede. www.tumi.com

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IN THE PINK Bespoke jewellery brand EMMA & ROE launches its Pink Hope capsule collection this month with a five-year commitment to donate AUD1.1 million to the Pink Hope Charity. This charity helps empower women and their families to take control of their hereditary breast and ovarian health through education, prevention and support. The Pink Hope capsule collection features the Pink Hope butterfly symbol on special pink charms, beads and bracelets. www.emmaandroe.com.au www.pinkhope.org.au

GRUNGE GIRL

TAKE COVER

M Missoni’s womenswear collection for the season derives inspiration from the grunge scene of the 1990s, with influences such as tartan stealing the show. The pattern appears on standout pieces like the sporty high-belted zip jacket. The line also features a mix of shapes including the inverted tulip skirt. www.missoni.com

Ease into the colder months with a jacket that protects you from the elements, yet proclaims high style!

TAILORMADE Put those

Canali AW14

EASY RHYDER

SWEET PEA

Coach’s Rhyder bag combines style with functionality and features the brand’s signatures such as the turn lock, hangtag and oversized zipper.

Besides bold hardware that hints at the brand’s heritage, the Rhyder bag showcases textures from shearling to panels of saddle-coloured suede. www.coach.com

Miami Vice linen summer suits back in the closet and go for tailored alternatives that will keep you warm as the weather gets colder. Woolblends that are combined with cotton or cashmere are a great option. Make a statement in a chequered jacket – top on the trend list this season.

Reiss AW14

The contemporary pea coat is an updated version of the overcoats once worn by sailors to keep warm during sea voyages.

Constructed from lighter materials, the modern pea coat is both stylish and comfortable.

Coats in earthy autumnal shades are excellent choices for the season.

MAN IN UNIFORM

La Martina AW14

Look smart and in charge in a militaryinspired blazer with detailing like epaulettes and high collar.

Whatever your choice – traditional navy blazer or camel-hued jacket – militaryflavoured choices add a touch of elegance and power.

WATCH IT Swiss Watch Gallery, the premier Malaysian-owned luxury watch retailer, stocks a coveted line of Swiss watch brands including Oris and Maurice Lacroix. Newly unveiled timepieces include Alpina’s Alpiner 4 GMT models and Frederique Constant’s Heart Beat Manufacture 10 Years that features a delicately-engraved dial. www.swisswatchgallery.com.my

Alpina

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Frederique Constant

10 VANITY FARE

2014

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AUTUMNAL PLEASURES

The changing seasons bring beauty treats that include a whipped cream-inspired fragrance and a range of revitalising essential oils for your home spa.

SMOKIN’ HOT Bobbi Brown’s Smokey Nudes eye palette promises a smoky eye look that takes you from day to night. A fresh take on the sultry, dark eye, the Smokey Nudes palette includes soft and standout shades that can be layered according to the intensity you desire. www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com

WORDS: CHITRA SANTHINATHAN

OH, SO SEXY!

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A luscious scent punctuated with notes of bergamot, paradise apple and Chantilly cream, Eau So Sexy is Victoria’s Secret’s first fragrance of the season. The fragrance is a flirty mix of crisp, vibrant florals balanced with musky warmth. www.victoriassecret.com

IT’S MY LIFE Designed for the independent woman, BOSS Parfums’ new fragrance MA VIE is a scent with a difference. Top notes of cactus blossom add freshness while a heart of pink freesia, jasmine and delicate rosebuds lends a hint of elegance. A cedar wood base adds depth and warmth. www. fragrances.hugoboss.com

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WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER CHUBBY LIPPY Sexy, pouty lips are at your fingertips with Clinique’s new Chubby Stick Baby Tint Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm. Infused with Vitamin C, shea butter and jojoba seed oil, the formula delivers moisture leaving lips soft and supple. The collection comes in four sheer shades ranging from orange to violet.

While October has become synonymous with breast cancer awareness, being aware of our health – whether you’re a man or woman – should be a year round effort. This month, as we remember the people who have lost their lives to this disease, the brave souls who are in the midst of battling it and those who have survived, we celebrate a campaign that supports awareness and research initiatives.

www.clinique.com

TO THE RESCUE Unveil younger-looking skin with Lab Series Age Rescue Water-Charged d Gel Cream PLUS GINSENG, a refreshing hing gel cream that delivers hydration for up to 24 hours. The formulation on helps combat the first visible signs ns of aging skin in men, resulting in skin kin that feels and looks firmer and more ore youthful. www.labseries.com

In 1992, the Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign was founded with the launch of the Pink Ribbon, the universal symbol for breast health. Devoted to the mission of defeating breast cancer through education and medical research, the BCA Campaign has raised more than USD53 million to support global research, education and medical services, with nearly USD42 million funding 166 Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF) research projects worldwide.

This year’s BCA Campaign, We’re Stronger Together is committed to raising USD5 million for potentially life-saving breast cancer research through BCRF. The 2014 BCA Campaign will feature documentary-style videos that communicate the personal stories of four breast cancer survivors and their families.

Consumers can also share their own stories at www.bcacampaign.com and make a donation to support breast cancer research. In addition to private donations, funds are also raised through the sale of Pink Ribbon products.

SPA ESSENTIALS L’Occitane’s latest Aromachologie collection consists of two lines of bath and body care products ideal for the spa-at-home experience.

The range includes bath salts, body cream, massage body oil and a relaxing pillow mist made from a combination of all-natural essential oils such as grapefruit, rosemary and mint. www.loccitane.com 130

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Estée Lauder’s Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Pink Collection

10 JETSETTER

2014

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HANZHEN

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a toddler, Hanzhen learnt to recognise words by illustrating everyday objects with the help of his architect parents. It wasn’t long before his parents discovered that their son was able to sketch whatever he saw in incredible detail. The 16-year-old autistic savant* from Malaysia has since won an award and several commissions for his work. Hanzhen shares his aspirations and passion for art with travel 3sixty°.

NOTE: Hanzhen’s (H) answers are followed by notes by his parents (P), Yap Yew Peng and Yvonne Yap.

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU BEGAN SKETCHING? H: I began drawing in a sketchbook when I was about 11 years old and later, moved on to sketching on art paper.

P: Hanzhen didn’t speak until he was about three and a half years old and even then, he couldn’t express himself clearly. We discovered he responded to visuals, and so, we began sketching objects around the house, relating each sketch to a word to help him remember everyday items. At first they were just simple thumbnail sketches but slowly, Hanzhen insisted on adding details. This ‘vocabulary’ training became a routine

with Hanzhen sketching several objects a day. When he ran out of things around the house, he began sketching things he saw outside.

DID DRAWING COME NATURALLY TO YOU? H: Mom taught me how to draw trees and all the things in the garden. I practised drawing in the sketchbook with Pa. We drew all the things in the house.

Then, I began drawing people, family and things I saw in books – my favourites were pictures from Sesame Street’s Big Bird’s Story Time.

P: As architects, we always had sketches lying around the house and Hanzhen was used to seeing them.

However, Hanzhen himself is gifted with a visual memory that allows him to draw with amazing accuracy. For example, we found he could sketch pictures from a book he had read a year prior with accurate detail. Also, he could draw a scene, flip the page over and continue the drawing without referring to the already completed side, and both pages would match perfectly!

DO YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DRAW? H: I draw everything I see. For buildings, I start from the left. If not, my right hand will be dirty and all black!

P: He has excellent attention to detail, seeing things in his own way. From the way he draws, he appears not to have a preconceived idea how an object would appear in the end. He sees things that we do not see like half shadows of objects he sketches.

Basically, he draws what he sees.

WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR MIND WHEN YOU SKETCH? H: I think about the many details. I think about my series and my collections.

P: Hanzhen has overcome many of the challenges of an autistic person (e.g. difficulties in maintaining eye contact and basic communication skills). He is now able to lead a life rather similar to a ‘normal’ person. However, he is

COMPILED BY: CHITRA SANTHINATHAN

Meiji Jingu, Tokyo, Japan

still obsessed with repetitive behaviours and routines. It does appear like the obsessive compulsive trait is more prominent than other aspects of his autism. Completing a series of drawings replete with a numbering list (he keeps very detailed records) gives him much pleasure and satisfaction.

Wat Pathum Wanaram, Bangkok, Thailand

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECT TO DRAW? H: Buildings, because I like buildings! My favourite is Cheng Hoon Teng (Chinese temple in Melaka, Malaysia). It’s beautiful.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO PRODUCE A SKETCH? H: A dog – easy, 30 minutes; a rhino – a day; Cheng Hoon Teng temple – one week; Johor Bahru skyline – one and a half weeks.

P: Hanzhen remembers exactly how long he took to draw each of his drawings, and that’s a mammoth task, considering he has a total of 391 drawings!

DO YOU HAVE OTHER TALENTS AS WELL? H: I like to play the piano. I’m also good at mathematics and remembering calendar dates.

P: Hanzhen can play more than 10 songs continuously on the piano without the need to refer to music scores. He also has a good memory when it comes to calendar dates and days. When given

any date in the past or in the future, he would be able to tell what day of the week it is.

DO YOU FACE CHALLENGES AT SCHOOL?

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR PEERS?

H: It is difficult when I don’t know something. Sometimes, I call (telephone) Mom for help.

H: Yes, I am different from my friends.

P: Hanzhen has been told he’s autistic but he is not able to grasp why he is different. However, even before he was told, he appeared to be conscious of being different. Often, when in public or during functions, we see him looking at his brother for cues on how to act.

Temple in Xiaozhou village, Guangzhou, China

P: Hanzhen started school in 2005 with age-group peers in a mainstream private school that has an international section.

He is now in Year 9 of the international school. The school’s greatest gift is the support and acceptance given to him by his circle of friends and teachers.

They have looked beyond disability and are able to recognise individual talents. His academic performance is varied. While languages are tough for him, mathematics is a ‘language’ he understands and is at ease with, thus earning him respect from his classmates, despite his quirky social skills.

Hanzhen’s sketch of Cheng Hoon Teng was among the winning entries in the 2013 Asia ParaArt Tokyo competition.

His artworks have been exhibited in his hometown of Johor Bahru (Malaysia), Singapore and Tokyo, Japan. He has also recently completed commissions for the Consul-General of Singapore in Johor Bahru and Double Tree by Hilton, Johor Bahru.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL? H: Stephen Wiltshire (autistic savant and artist).

He draws skylines.

P: Hanzhen had the opportunity to watch Wiltshire draw the Singapore skyline when the artist was in the city state in July.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A ROLE MODEL FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN?

H: I am 16 years old. I am an artist and a student.

H: Yes, follow me to draw and play the piano. It’s easy.

P: Many autistic individuals excel in pastimes they enjoy as they like the routine. As they say, practice makes perfect. Hanzhen sketches and plays the piano every day without fail. He enjoys the routine and frets when he can’t follow it.

P: While Hanzhen’s answer is honest, autism is a spectrum disorder and its severity varies greatly. However, statistically, it is believed that 10 per cent of all autistic kids will turn out to be a savant in one way or another.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE YOUR ART RECOGNISED? H: It feels nice…and (I feel) clever.

P: Although Hanzhen is not very good at expressing himself, he brims with pride when he is praised for his work.

WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION? H: I would like to go to university, become an artist and go places.

P: Upon completing his O-levels, Hanzhen hopes to get a placement at the reputable Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore to further his art education at the tertiary level.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HANZHEN AND TO VIEW AN ONLINE GALLERY OF HIS WORK, VISIT www.hanzhen.org *Autistic savant refers to individuals with autism who have extraordinary skills not exhibited by most persons. There are many forms of savant abilities. The most common forms involve mathematical calculations, memory feats, as well as artistic and musical abilities. www.autism.com

10 KIDS SPACE

2014

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DISCOVERING DINOSAURS pointed tail provided balance and allowed quick turns while running.

This carnivore could eat up to 230kgs of meat and bones in a single bite!

BRACHIOSAURUS Part of the sauropod family, the Brachiosaurus is known for its incredible size, reaching 85 feet in length, from head to tail. This four-legged herbivore had an extremely long neck (about 30 feet long) and could easily reach for food on high trees. Unlike other dinosaurs, the front legs of the Brachiosaurus were longer than its back legs. The average life span of this plant-eating dinosaur was about 100 years.

THE PREHISTORIC ANIMALS

WORDS: ADLI SYAHRIL

About 200 million years ago, dinosaurs walked Earth, but these prehistoric giants disappeared 65 million years ago.

Scientists have yet to determine the cause of their extinction, but there are two popular theories: Disasters caused by an asteroid or comet strike or, massive volcanic eruptions. In the 19th century, fossils were discovered in several locations and English palaeontologist Richard Owen coined the term ‘dinosaur’, which is derived from the Greek words deinos (terrible or fearfully great) and sauros (lizard).

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the most interesting ones palaeontologists have unearthed.

TYRANNOSAURUS REX This massive creature, famously known as T. Rex, was one of the largest carnivores of its time. This fierce predator had a huge head and two fingers on both arms, and walked on two legs. The T. Rex had sharp teeth that were continually being replaced. Its

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TRICERATOPS This dinosaur had distinctive features: Three horns on its face and large bony frills on its back. The triceratops moved very slowly on its four short legs and only ate low-lying plants with its parrot-like beak.

When threatened by predators, the herbivore used its horns to defend itself much like a rhinoceros does.

LEARN MORE

MEET THE DINOSAURS Did you know that the US Geological Survey has identified approximately 700 dinosaur species? Here are some of

STEGOSAURUS The Stegosaurus had plates along its back and an arrangement of spikes on its tail called a thagomizer, which may have been used as a weapon.

Although this plant-eating dinosaur was huge, it had a brain the size of a walnut. Because this dinosaur had a toothless beak, it swallowed small rocks to mash up vegetation in its enormous stomach.

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Japan

RIDDLES 1. What can you catch

but not throw?

2. Five girls can bake five

cookies in five minutes.

At this rate, how many girls can bake 500 cookies in 500 minutes?

3. I am tall but I am also

short. I am always with you but you can never catch me. Who am I? 4. Joe was driving a

black car and his lights were switched off. The moon was nowhere to be seen. A cat suddenly dashed across the road but Joe stopped in time.

How did he know to avoid the cat?

5. Why can’t a T-Rex scratch its back?

6. What was Tigger looking for in the toilet bowl?

7. Why did the man throw the clock out of the window?

8. What type of train

chews gum?

9. What did the table say to the chair?

10. How did the mime artiste get help when he was trapped in a burning house?

ANSWER 1 A cold 2 Five girls 3 Your shadow 4 It was a bright, sunny day. 5 Because it is extinct 6 Pooh 7 He wanted to see time fly 8 A choo choo train 9 Nothing. Tables don’t talk 10 He shouted for help.

Mime artists can talk, you know!

IMAGE: INMAGINE

Although dinosaurs went extinct millions of years ago, there is still much interest in these prehistoric creatures.

In this issue, travel 3Sixty° introduces you to some of the coolest dinosaurs to have roamed the planet.

There are many museums and exhibitions where you can check out dinosaur replicas and fossils. In Japan, Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp) showcases geological and paleontological exhibits, as well as dinosaur fossils. Dinoscovery (www. discoveria.com.my) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is an interactive dinosaur exhibition that has 22 dinosaur animatronics and games where kids can learn about these prehistoric creatures. Go to the National Dinosaur Museum (www.nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au) in Canberra, Australia, which houses exhibits on prehistoric specimens and the evolution of life on Earth, with a focus on dinosaurs.

10 PICTURE PERFECT

2014

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PIX OF THE MONTH

Just snapped a cool picture?

Send it to travel3sixty@ airasia.com with ‘Picture Perfect’ in the subject line.

SECOND PRIZE WINS A 3D/2N stay in Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur’s Deluxe Room, inclusive of buffet breakfast for two, worth approx. USD356!

Chinese Opera performer getting ready during Hungry Ghost Festival, Penang.

Philippe Durant, Penang, Malaysia

BEST PICTURE WINS A 3D/2N stay in Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort’s Deluxe Room, inclusive of daily breakfast for two worth approx. USD1,210!

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, a luxurious resort located in the heart of the famed Kuta Beach, offers a unique Play@Sheraton Family Package with amenities tailored to meet the needs of young travellers. Featuring ‘edutainment’ programmes for children up to 12 years old, the package encourages young ones to discover talents in playful ways, and offers complimentary access to the new Play@Sheraton Kids Club, spa services, kid-friendly food and beverages, and more. There’s even an outdoor wet area with a cascading water feature and a sand pit where kids can build sand castles. The resort’s Colour Your Mini Plate menu is a dining option that inspires little ones to enjoy healthy eating. Room rates for the Play@Sheraton Family Package begin from USD200++ per room per night, with a minimum stay of two nights required.

Terms & conditions apply.

SHERATON BALI KUTA RESORT

Jalan Pantai Kuta, Kuta, IDB 80361, Indonesia www.sheratonbalikuta.com

Whether it’s shopping in Bukit Bintang or exploring the historical sites of Kuala Lumpur (the capital and largest city of Malaysia), Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur is the ultimate hotel for a city holiday for the whole family. Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur is conveniently located just 33 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) by rail. Exploring famed sites of the city is easy as the hotel is strategically situated just across Kuala Lumpur Sentral, the nation’s main transportation hub with integrated rail connections. It takes eight minutes by monorail to the Golden Triangle with its myriad entertainment and shopping options. If you’d just like to relax, take a dip in the hotel’s free-form swimming pool or enjoy award-winning cuisine at its stylish dining venues.

The Family Package (valid till December 2014) offers daily buffet breakfast and dinner at Latest Recipe, free parking, free Wi-Fi and late check-out until 5.00pm for approx.

USD205++ per night onwards. Terms & conditions apply.

LE MÉRIDIEN KUALA LUMPUR

Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, 50470, Malaysia www.lemeridienkualalumpur.com

White Beach, Boracay.

Emerson Malan, Philippines

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Readers may submit images that are 300dpi and 1MB in size (minimum half A4 paper size) • Each entry must include name, address, phone number and complete 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 and stated T&C. • Winners will be notified via e-mail when the prize is ready to be sent out.

• Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.

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10 GET COMFY

2014

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JOY OF FLYING

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

Nick Harris, Human Performance Specialist and HPE (Human Performance Engineering) founder has worked with a broad range of clients from Formula 1 World Champions, London 2012 Olympic medalists and Grand Slam-winning tennis players to rock legends AC/DC during their world tour. Here, Harris shares tips on how to stay fit and healthy whilst travelling:

DRINK WATER SHOULDER LIFTS Gently lift your right shoulder and lower the left one simultaneously.

Repeat the movement five times by alternating both shoulders.

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

FOOT PUMPS Keeping both heels on the floor, point feet upwards as high as you can. Return feet to earlier position.Then, lift heels while keeping the balls of your feet on the floor.Repeat the exercise as desired.

Drink lots of water throughout the flight and continue keeping your body hydrated even upon reaching your destination.

Airplane cabins are extremely dry and dehydration can occur easily. Drink at regular intervals but do not attempt to drink too much water at one sitting, as the sudden increase of fluids will act as a diuretic and the body will try to expel the water with frequent trips to the toilet.

Also, keep the consumption of coffee, tea and alcohol to a minimum.

A NATURAL HIGH If you are looking for an energy drink that is packed with natural goodness, try the new EQ8 Orange & Passion Fruit! Made from natural ingredients such as green tea, guarana and just a nip of natural caffeine from green coffee beans, EQ8 is lightly sparkling and is best enjoyed chilled. Grab one today and put that spring back in your step. Priced at only MYR6, EQ8 is available on board Malaysia AirAsia flights.

COMPILED BY: CHITRA SANTHINATHAN

BEAT THE LAG

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

The AirAsia Comfort Kit comes complete with eye shade, neck pillow and blanket to help you sleep. If you need to stay awake, the neck pillow allows you to get comfy while reading a book or listening to music. The AirAsia Comfort Kit can be purchased onboard or pre-booked online at www.airasia.com travel 3SixtyËš

COMPRESSION CLOTHING Wearing compression clothing alleviates fatigue and muscle soreness because the fabric increases oxygenation, resulting in improved and regulated blood flow to the muscles. It also decreases muscle oscillation that helps reduce the severity of fatigue and normalises pressure.

Made from climate control FRESHFITÂŽ fabric, HPE compression wear helps to keep you cool and dry, as the specially constructed yarn reacts as skin temperature rises, drawing heat away from the body to cool you down. Additionally, the silver technology protects you against harmful bacteria, enabling you to arrive at your destination feeling fresh and in good health. The compression outfits are worn

by AirAsia Flight Attendants and are now available for purchase to AirAsia guests via www.airasiamegastore.com.

10 ROUTE MAP • Malaysia AirAsia

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Chandigarh Jaipur

Jeddah

Goa

BENGALURU

Chennai

Tiruchirappalli Kochi Colombo

MALAYSIA AIRASIA DOMESTIC ROUTES Langkawi Alor Setar

KOTA KINABALU

Kota Bharu

PENANG

Sandakan

Labuan

Kuala Terengganu Miri

KUALA LUMPUR

Tawau

Bintulu Sibu

JOHOR BAHRU

KUCHING

Maps not to scale and are just a graphic representation. Maps do not reflect the opinion of the publisher with regards to the legal or geographical status of any country/territory depicted. Maps as at October 1, 2014.

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Beijing Seoul

ASIA

Busan

Xi’an Chengdu

Hangzhou

Osaka

Tokyo Nagoya

Shanghai

Kathmandu Kunming Nanning

Kolkata

Hanoi Chiang Mai Yangon

Guilin Guangzhou Shenzhen Macau Hong Kong

Taipei

Vientiane Da Nang

Bangkok

Pekanbaru Padang

Kalibo Cebu

Ho Chi Minh City

Phuket Krabi Hat Yai Langkawi Kota Bharu Banda PENANG Kuala Terengganu Aceh Medan

KUALA LUMPUR

Manila/Clark

Siem Reap

Phnom Penh

JOHOR BAHRU Singapore

SKYTRAX WORLD’S BEST LOW-COST AIRLINE 2009 – 2014

PACIFIC OCEAN

KOTA KINABALU

Bandar Seri Begawan Miri

KUCHING Balikpapan

Palembang Makassar Jakarta Semarang Bandung Surabaya Yogyakarta Solo Lombok Bali

INDIAN OCEAN

AUSTRALIA

AIRASIA HUBS IN MALAYSIA Kuala Lumpur International Airport Kota Kinabalu International Airport Penang International Airport Johor Bahru International Airport Kuching International Airport AirAsia Malaysia Route AirAsia X Route India AirAsia Route

Gold Coast Perth Adelaide

SOUTHERN OCEAN

Sydney Melbourne

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10 ROUTE MAP • Thailand AirAsia

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Seoul

Tokyo

Xi’an

Osaka

ASIA Chongqing

Wuhan Changsha

Kunming Guangzhou Macau

Mandalay

Shenzhen Hong Kong

Hanoi Chiang Rai

CHIANG MAI Yangon

Phitsanulok

BANGKOK

Chennai

Udon Thani Nakhon Phanom Sakhon Nakhon Khon Kaen Ubon Ratchathani

PACIFIC OCEAN

Siem Reap Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh City

Surat Thani Krabi

PHUKET

Trang

Nakhon Si Thammarat Hat Yai Narathiwat Penang Kuala Lumpur Singapore

INDIAN OCEAN Jakarta

Surabaya Bali

AIRASIA HUBS IN THAILAND Don Mueang Int. Airport, Bangkok Phuket Int. Airport Chiang Mai Int. Airport International Route Domestic Route Thailand AirAsia X Route

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10 ROUTE MAP • Indonesia AirAsia

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Bangkok

Phuket Banda Aceh

MEDAN

Kota Kinabalu

Penang Kuala Lumpur

PACIFIC OCEAN

Johor Bharu Singapore Pekanbaru Padang

Balikpapan

Palembang

JAKARTA BANDUNG

Yogyakarta

Semarang Solo

SURABAYA BALI

Darwin

INDIAN OCEAN

AUSTRALIA

AIRASIA HUBS IN INDONESIA Soekarno Hatta Int. Airport, Jakarta Ngurah Rai Int. Airport, Bali Husein Sastranegara Int. Airport, Bandung Juanda Int. Airport, Surabaya Kualanamu Int. Airport, Medan International Route Domestic Route

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Perth

10 ROUTE MAP • Philippines AirAsia

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

Seoul Busan

Shanghai

Macau

MANILA Kalibo Puerto Princesa

Tagbilaran

Kota Kinabalu Kuala Lumpur

AIRASIA HUBS IN PHILIPPINES Ninoy Aquino International Airport Mactan Cebu International Airport International Routes Domestic Routes *All flights from Manila are operated by AirAsia Zest.

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Tacloban

CEBU

10 DESTINATIONS

2014

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur skyline

Malaysia

KUCHING, SARAWAK Indigenous woman

QUICK FACTS

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

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

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

KOTA KINABALU, SABAH

Malaysia

Mt. Kinabalu

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

AirAsia flies to various destinations from Kuala Lumpur.

Refer to route map on page 142 for more info.

PENANG

Malaysia

Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang

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

JOHOR BAHRU, JOHOR Legoland in Johor Bahru.

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

AirAsia flies from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri, Johor Bahru, Bangkok, Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya and Singapore.

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Malaysia

QUICK FACTS

• Gateway to the south part of Peninsula Malaysia with easy access to Singapore via the Causeway • around 368 kms from KL • Lots of city shopping such as Johor Premium Outlets and theme parks such as Legoland and Puteri Harbour family theme park • Nearby beaches on the east coast such as Desaru are good for surfing and seaside activities.

AirAsia flies from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Penang, Tawau, Lombok, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Bandung and Ho Chi Minh City.

Thailand

BANGKOK

MANILA

Reclining Buddha statue in Bangkok.

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

AirAsia flies to various destinations from Bangkok.

Refer to route map on page 144 for more info.

Thailand

PHUKET Stunning islands in Phuket.

Philippines

Manila Cathedral

QUICK FACTS • The capital of Philippines is located on the Eastern shore of Manila Bay • Also known as the Pearl of the Orient • Home to more than 12 million people • The business hubs of Makati and Taguig are also the city’s restaurant and nightlife centres • Visit the walled city Intramuros, a fortress erected by Spanish colonialist Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1571 • Shop at the bargain haven Greenhills and the bayside Mall of Asia complex, both popular with tourists • The most pleasant months to visit are from December to February • Flights out of the city’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport offers both domestic and international connectivity.

Philippines AirAsia (PQ) and AirAsia Zest (Z2) fly to various destinations from Manila. Refer to route map on page 148 for more info.

QUICK FACTS

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

TOKYO

Japan

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

CHIANG MAI

Thailand

QUICK FACTS

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

Mulberry paper parasols

AirAsia flies from Chiang Mai to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phuket, Hat Yai, Krabi, Hangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau.

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Mt. Fuji on Honshu Island.

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

AA X & TAA X fly from Kuala Lumpur & Bangkok to Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.

JAKARTA

Indonesia

Jakarta skyline

MEDAN Traditional custom of Nias island.

Indonesia

QUICK FACTS

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

AirAsia flies from Medan to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Bangkok, Singapore, Palembang, Yogyakarta and Jakarta.

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

SURABAYA

Indonesia

Bullrace in Surabaya.

AirAsia flies to various destinations from Jakarta.

Refer to route map on page 146 for more info.

BALI

Indonesia

Island of the Gods

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

AirAsia flies from Surabaya to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang, Singapore, Bandung, Jakarta and Bali.

BANDUNG

Indonesia

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

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

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

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

Tangkuban Perahu crater

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

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10 SALES OFFICES & STATIONS

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN ULot 122, 2nd Floor, Mezzanine Level of Terminal Complex, Brunei International Airport BSB, Brunei Darussalam

CAMBODIA PHNOM PENH Phnom Penh Airport Office, 17 Mezzanine Floor of Arrival Domestic Terminal, Phnom Penh Airport, Phnom Penh 179, Street Sisowath, Sangkat Phsar Kandal 1, Khan Daun Penh, 12204 Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. Telp. (855) 23 983 777

CHINA MACAU

KUALA LUMPUR

Sarinah Plaza Jl. Mh Thamrin, No. 11 (LG level) Jakarta Pusat MAKASSAR

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

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

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

Jl. Boulevard Ruko Ruby no.

R28 Panakukkang Mas MEDAN

Lot UG-003, UG-003A & UG0038, Upper Ground Floor , Plaza Low Yat, 7 Jalan 1/77 , 55100 Kuala Lumpur

Kualanamu International Airport, Ticketing Lounge International Arrival 1st floor, Deli Serdang Garuda Plaza Hotel, Jl. Sisingamangaraja, No.18 Medan-20213

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

Railink Station, Jl. Stasium No.1 Zona A Room No.A-7, 2nd Floor, City Railway Station (CRS) Medan 20111 PADANG

Century Holiday International Travel Service(Shenzhen), Co.Ltd, XY-10 Junting Hotel,2085 Eastern Road, Luo Hu, Shenzhen 518001

Minangkabau International Airport, Padang, West Sumatra PALEMBANG

Century Holiday International Travel Service(Guang Zhou), Co.Ltd, First Floor, No 8 Zhong Shan 3 Road,Guang Zhou 510000 1151,South Of YingBin Road Of Zhuhai,Zhuhai 519000 Guang Dong BEIJING Century Holiday International Travel Service (Beijing) Co Ltd., No 163A Floor Of Yi No 6, Chaowai Street Of Chao Yang District Beijing China, 100022 Beijing CHENGDU Century Holiday International Travel Service(ChengDu) Co.Ltd, No 172-5 Binjang East Road, Jinjang District, ChengDu SHANGHAI Century Holiday International Travel Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, No.739,Changde Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai HANGZHOU Hangzhou Nota Air Service Co.,Ltd, Room 201, Huaxing Century Building, No.317 Wantang Road, Hangzhou China.

INDONESIA BANDA ACEH Bandara Sultan Iskandar Muda, Blang Bintang, Aceh DENPASAR, BALI Bandara I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Terminal Keberangkatan International Bali 80361 Sunset Boutique Hotel, Jl. Sunset Road, No. 23 Kuta, Badung, Denpasar, Bali BANDUNG Ruangan Nombor 34, Bandara Husein Sastranegara, Jalan Pajajaran No 156 Bandung, Jawa Barat Lobby Grand Serela Hotel Jl. L.L. R.E Martadinata (Riau) No 56, Telp. (022) 426 1636 JAKARTA AirAsia Indonesia Head Office, Jl. Marsekal Suryadharma (M1) Tangerang, Cengkareng-Banten Terminal 3, Departure Hall Airlines Offices, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Cengkareng Jl. Boulevard Raya, Blok LA 4, No. 10 Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara

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Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport Palembang, South Sumatra PEKANBARU Sultan Syarif Kasim II, Int. Airport, Jalan Perhubungan Udara Simpang, Tiga, Pekanbaru, Sumatra SOLO Adi Soemarmo International Airport, Solo, Central Java SURABAYA Lobby International Terminal, Juanda International Airport, Jalan Raya Juanda Surabaya, Jawa Timur

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

Wisma Paradise, Ground Floor, No. 63 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur KELANTAN Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra, 16100 Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu PERAK Tune Hotel, No.2, Ground Floor, The Host, Jalan Veerasamy, 30000 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan.

TERENGGANU Level 1, Terminal Building, Sultan Mahmud Airport, 21300 Kuala Terengganu LABUAN Level 1, Labuan Airport, Terminal, 87008 Wilayah Persekutuan MELAKA

Lot 6813, Ground Floor Synergy Square, (Matang Jaya Commercial Centre), Jalan Matang Jaya, 93050 Kuching

Skyliner Services Corp - 3rd Floor Service Lane, Elizabeth Mall N. Bacalso Ave. Cebu City BORACAY

PHUKET

Lot L1L C15, Ground Floor, Arrival Level, Kuching International Airport, Kuching, Sarawak SELANGOR

Boracay Ticket Office - Phase IV D’Mall Brgy. Balabag Boracay Island Malay Aklan CAGAYAN DE ORO

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

Ground Floor, Terminal 3, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, 47200 Subang, Selangor

Jet Aviation and Shipping Services - Laguindingan International Airport, Brgy. Moog, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental

Tesco Lotus – Phuket, 2nd Floor, 104, Chalermprakiat Road, Rasada Sub District, Muang District, Phuket, 83000 SURAT THANI

Summit World Philippines, Inc. - DIMDI,J.R. Borja st., Cagayan de Oro City PAMPANGA

Surat Thani International Airport, 73 Moo 3 Tambol Huatuey, Amphur Punpin, Suratthani UBON RATCHATHANI

Ties That Travel Incorporation, Ground Floor Tune Hotel, Don Juico Avenue, Malabanias, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines.

Ubon Ratchathani Airport 297 Ubon Ratchathani Airport, Thepyotee Road, Amphur Nai Muang, Ubon Ratchathani 34000 UDON THANI

Jalan KLIA S3, Southern Support Zone, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 64000 Sepang, Selangor Lot-35 Mydin Mall USJ 1 B-G-3A, IOI Boulevard, Jalan Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong Jaya 47170 Puchong Selangor Lot S141, 2nd Floor, Plaza Metro Kajang, Section 7, Jalan Tun Abdul Aziz, 43000 Kajang No 10, Jalan Bandar Rawang 11, Bandar Baru Rawang, 48000 Rawang, Selangor.

Lot 3B Ground Floor, Wisma Thrifty, No19, Jalan Barat 46200 Petaling Jaya, (Opposite PJ Hilton) Selangor.

MYANMAR YANGON Yangon International Airport

No 32, Jalan Melaka Raya 23, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka PENANG

Office Unit# 01-L, Parkroyal Yangon, Myanmar MANDALAY

Penang International Airport 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang

No.3, 26 (B), Road (between 78th x 79th Street), Mandalay.

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

PHILIPPINES

No 723 L-G, Jln Sungai Dua 11700 Pulau Pinang A-G-07, Jalan Todak 4, Sunway Business Park, 13700 Seberang Perai Penang.

SABAH

MANILA Express Ticket Office – Terminal 4 Domestic Road Pasay City Wintrex Travel Corporation – Unit 108 SM City North Edsa – The Block, SM City Complex, North Edsa, Pag-Asa 1, Quezon City

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

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

THAILAND BANGKOK 127 Tanao Road, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok 10200 Suvarnabhumi Int. Airport Room A1-062 Ground Floor, Concourse A, Bangna-Trad Road, Racha Teva, Bang Pli, Samutprakarn 10540

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

Udon Thani International Airport, 224 Moo 1, Tambol Makkhang, Amphur Muang, Udon Thani 41000 PATTAYA Tesco Lotus South Pattaya, 2 Floor 408/2 Moo 12, South Pattaya, Sukhumvit Rd., Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150

VIETNAM HANOI Lobby A,3rd floor, Noi Bai International Airport.

HO CHI MINH Room # 1.4.19,Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Tesco Lotus – Bangkapi, 2nd Floor, 3109 Ladpro Road, Bangkapi, Bangkok, 10240 Tesco Lotus – Rama1, 3rd Floor, 831 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok,10330

CALL CENTRE NUMBERS

Wintrex Travel Corporation Unit 126 South Parking Building, SM Mall Of Asia Complex, J.w Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City.

Tesco Lotus – Rangsit, 2nd Floor, 392/4, Moo2, Phaholyothin Road, Thanyaburi, Pathumthani, 12130

AUSTRALIA 1300 760 330

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

Supersonic Services Inc - G/F Colonnande Residences 132 C. Palanca Stree Legaspi Village Makati City 1229 DAVAO

Tesco Lotus - Sukhumvit 50, 1st floor, 1710, Sukhumvit Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok, 10110

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

North Star Shipping & Aviation Services Inc - 4F Gaisano Mall Of Davao, J.P Laurel Avenue, Bajada

Ground Floor, Terminal 2, Kota Kinabalu Int. Airport, Old Airport Road,Tanjung Aru 88100, Kota Kinabalu

John Gold Travel and Tour Services, Inc. (DVO Airport) Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Buhangin

Tune Hotels.com Danga Bay, Lot PTB 22819, Jalan Skudai, Mukim Bandar, 80200 Johor Bahru

Lot G67, Ground Floor, Oneplace Mall, Putatan, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah SARAWAK

John Gold Travel and Tour Services, Inc. - 2/L Victoria Plaza, J.P. Laurel Avenue TAGBILARAN

GL 13 Senai International Airport, 81250 Johor Bahru

GL02, Ground Floor, Bintulu Airport, 97000 Bintulu

No. 26 Jalan Meriam, 84000 Muar, Johor

Ground Floor, Miri Airport, 98000 Miri

Lydia’s Ticketing Outlet Talibon Commercial Center 1, Talibon, Bohol Philippines

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

Lot 946, Jalan Parry, 98000 Miri

Juanda International Airport, Terminal 1 Ticketing Keberangkatan Domestik SidoarjoJatim 61253 Grand Circle Tunjungan Plaza 3 Lantai 1, (Lobby Condominium Regency), Jln. Basuki Rahmat 8-12, Surabaya YOGYAKARTA Adisutjipto Int. Airport, Jln. Solo km.9, Yogyakarta, 55282 Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto No.119 C Yogyakarta LOMBOK Bandara International Lombok (BIL), By Pass tanak Awu Pujut Lombok

MALAYSIA JOHOR

Lot GK-01, Ground floor, Kluang Mall, Jalan Rambutan, 86000 Kluang, Johor KEDAH Lot 20, Lapangan Terbang, Sultan Abdul Halim, 06200, Kepala Batas, Alor Star Langkawi International Airport 07100 Padang Mat Sirat, Langkawi No. 68-B Ground Floor, Jalan Ibrahim, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah Darul Aman

Lot 1 & 2, 1st Floor, Terminal Building, Sandakan Airport, 90719 Sandakan FL4, 1st Floor, Tawau Airport Building, Jalan Apas-Balung, 91100 Tawau

Wisma Ho Ho Lim, 291 Sub Lot 4,Ground Floor, Jalan Abell, 93100 Kuching GFLO1, Departure Area, Ground Floor, Sibu Airport, 96000 Sibu Ground Floor, No. 36 Jalan Keranji, 96000 Sibu Grd Flr, Lot 4034, Jln Tun Ahmad Zaidi, Parkcity Commercial Sq, Phase 5, 97000 Bintulu SL11 Ground Floor, Lot 2541 Lee Ling Heights Phase 2, Mile 6.5 Jalan Penrissen, P.O. Box 2044, 93250 Kuching

Tarsier Tours and Travel Services - 2nd Floor Airport Bldg. Airport Road, Tagbilaran City, Bohol PUERTO PRINCESA Hagedorn Travel and Tour Inc. - Bgy Bancao-Bancao, Airport Compound, Pto. Prin. City, Pal. TACLOBAN Summit World Tacloban Inc DZR Airport, San Jose Tacloban City CEBU Cebu Ticket Office - Mactan Cebu International Airport, West Wing Domestic Pre-Departure Area, Airport Road, Lapu-lapu City

Tesco Lotus - Lad Prao, 2nd Floor, 1190, Phahonyothin Road, Jompol, Jatujak, Bangkok, 1090 CHIANG MAI Chiangmai Int. Airport 60, 1st Floor, Tambol Sutep, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50200 416 Thaphae Road, Chiang Mai Tesco Lotus - Chiang Mai Kamtieng, 2nd Floor, 19, Kamtieng Road, Patan Sub District, Muang District, Chiang Mai, 50340 CHIANG RAI Chiang Rai Int. Airport 2305/2 404 Moo 10, Tambol Bandu, Amphur Muang, Chiang Rai 57100 HAT YAI Hat Yai International Airport, 125 Hadyai International Airport, Moo 3 Klongla, Klonghoikong, Songkhla 90115 Tesco Lotus - Hat Yai, 1st Floor, 1142, Kanchanawit Road, Hat Yai, Songkla, 90115 KRABI

CHINA +86 20 2281 7666 INDIA 1860 500 8000 INDONESIA 08 04 1 333 333 (Call Center National) +62 21 2927 0999 (Call Center Local) JAPAN 0120 963 516 JEDDAH +966 8008449458 +966 8008500001 (For Guests using Zain as their Telco service provider) HONG KONG +852 3112 3222 MACAU 0800912 MALAYSIA 600 85 8888 (AirAsia X Premium Line) chargeable at RM1.95 per minute PHILIPPINES +63 2 742 2742 SINGAPORE +65 6307 7688 (AirAsia X Premium Line)

133 Moo 5 Petchkasem Road, Tambol Nuakrong, Amphur Nuakrong, Krabi 81130 NARATHIWAT

SOUTH KOREA 00798 1420 69940

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

THAILAND +66 2 515 9999

TAIWAN 008 0185 3031

10 TOUCHDOWN www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA Australia’s capital of fun enchants with its sweeping coastline, pristine wilderness and endless entertainment possibilities.

MUST SEE/ DO SURFERS PARADISE Famed for its golden sands, this seafront paradise was once a sleepy coastal town. It wasn’t until the early 1930s that a name change transformed it; development boomed and the area swiftly became a magnet for holidaymakers and surfers. Besides the surf and sand and yearround glorious weather, Surfers Paradise boasts an array of cafés, restaurants and a buzzing nightlife. For a unique gift to bring home, stalls at Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets offer everything from artwork to household wares. Also, keep an eye out for Surfers Paradise Meter Maids – bikini-clad women who feed coins into parking meters

to save absent-minded holidaymakers from being fined! www.surfersparadise.com THEME PARK TRAIL Australia’s theme park capital, Gold Coast offers something for the kid in everyone. On the top of the list is Warner Bros. Movie World where visitors can experience the thrill of world-class rides like the Green Lantern Coaster that boasts one of the steepest drops in the world and the adrenalin-pumping Superman Escape.

Another must-see is Sea World where large underwater viewing windows allow visitors to watch polar bears swim. Other equally fun theme parks include Dreamworld and Wet’n’Wild. www.themeparkcapital.com.au MT TAMBORINE Sometimes referred to as ‘the green behind the gold’, Mt Tamborine is part of the Gold Coast Hinterland, just about an hour’s drive from Surfers Paradise.

Tamborine National Park boasts breathtaking views, abundant wildlife, scenic spots such as Witches Falls and Cedar Creek, as well as several bush walking tracks. Explore the mountain on your own or sign up for a tour such as the 1.5kms-long Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk or Tamborine Mountain Trail Rides, a horseback journey through bushland. www.discovertamborine.com.au WHALE WATCHING A 10-minute boat ride off the coast, during the annual migration from June to November, will put you in the middle of ‘Humpback Highway’ where whale watchers often spot humpback and killer whales on their migration to the warmer

Michael Ward of Tamborine Mountain Distillery

waters of the Pacific for breeding and calving. www.visitgoldcoast.com

EAT/ DRINK TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY This award-winning boutique distillery produces liqueurs, schnapps, eaux de vie and delectable liqueur-filled chocolates – all made from the mountain’s abundant fruit. www.tamborinemountaindistillery.com

SLEEP • SOUL SURFERS PARADISE 8, The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, Queensland 4217• SHERATON MIRAGE RESORT & SPA GOLD COAST Sea World Drive, Main Beach, Queensland 4217• CAMELOT COTTAGES 322 Main Western Road, North Tamborine, Queensland 4272 For more hotel options, visit www.airasiago.com GETTING THERE AirAsia X flies daily to Gold Coast from Kuala Lumpur. www.airasia.com

IMAGE: www.eatlocalweek.com.au

The promise of surf, sand and sunshine has long drawn tourists to Queensland’s Gold Coast. Among Australia’s fastest growing cities, spanning miles of stunning coastline and bordered by lush hinterland, Gold Coast’s natural beauty is its biggest draw.

With a relaxed lifestyle, friendly locals and year-round pleasant weather, there’s no wonder this beautiful city attracts more than 10 million visitors annually!

Home to some of the country’s best beaches, Gold Coast offers plenty of on-water action including surfing, jet boating, kite boarding and whale watching. But that’s not all – from thrilling theme parks to lush forest reserves, award-winning restaurants to boutique wineries, Gold Coast promises hours, if not days, of endless fun.

WORDS: CHITRA SANTHINATHAN

2014

10 MY AIRASIA

2014

www.airasia.com/travel3sixty

DARING EATS

KIM MINCHUL

Translator MALAYSIA AIRASIA

Sannakji (live octopus) is one of the most unusual dishes I’ve ever had. Sannakji is basically sliced live octopus served with sesame oil. Even when sliced, it still moves on the plate! When I was young, I saw grown-ups indulging in this dish but didn’t dare try it, not until I turned 30. When I had it, its tentacles got stuck in my teeth!

Each country has its own unique foods that may seem strange to outsiders. In this issue, AirAsia Allstars talk about their most adventurous meals.

LEE KAI LING

Marketing Executive SINGAPORE AIRASIA

During a trip to Bangkok, my girlfriends dared me to eat the insects sold at Chatuchak Weekend Market because they knew that I was afraid of bugs. I accepted the challenge, and had the fried mealworms! This exotic dish was surprisingly good, and the insides of the worms were quite creamy. I’d love to try eating scorpions on my next visit.

NGUYEN THUY NHU QUYNH

IMAGE: INMAGINE

Online Marketing Executive HO CHI MINH CITY OFFICE, AIRASIA

DORIN POH

Marketing Executive TAIPEI OFFICE, AIRASIA COMPILED BY: ADLI SYAHRIL

If you are an adventurous foodie, you must check out the Taiwan night market scene and sample its quirky grub, especially braised duck tongue. The duck tongue is prepared with soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil and basil. When I ate it, the texture was like eating a cuttlefish, and it was so good!

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I had my first hot vit lon (baby duck embryo), which is also known as balut in Philippines, when I was three years old. At first, I did not dare look at the tiny unborn duck inside the egg, but forced myself to try it and, surprisingly, I liked it! In Vietnam, we have many ways to cook it, such as boiled or stir-fried with tamarind.

SIMON HUW VALLANCE-OWEN

Fuel Manager MALAYSIA AIRASIA

The most interesting food I have tried so far is sea urchin at Koh Samui, Thailand. It was slimy, and tasted slightly like shellfish. It was also disconcerting that they were still moving!

It’s great to try new things but I would say that sea urchin is something I’ll not be trying again anytime soon, especially when there’s so much great food in the region!