March 2016

MARCH

2016 SEE ASIA AND BEYOND WITH SILKAIR

WILD ENCOUNTERS IN ASIA CHENGDU’S CRAFT TRADITIONS FOREST BATHING

BACK ON THE KATHMANDU TRAIL

24 GETTING ON WITH LIFE Post earthquake, Nepal stands tall

42 WEIRD & WONDERFUL Eye-popping wildlife right at our doorstep

30 INTO THE WOODS Take a healing walk in nature

50 雨林交响曲 马来西亚的塔曼尼加拉国家公 园生态资源独特奇伟，俨然是 大自然的冒险乐园

RAINFOREST SYMPHONY Get adventurous in Taman Negara National Park

36 STORIED LEGACY Chengdu’s history is revealed in its ancient crafts

123RF.COM

03.2016

A Haven of Hospitality and Heritage The Ramada and Days Hotels Singapore At Zhongshan Park are located within the Novena vicinity, just along the fringe of the city and are part of the Zhongshan Park Integrated Development which includes a shopping mall, office tower and Zhongshan Park with a variety of wine and dine options.

The two hotels offer quality four-star and three-star accommodation totalling almost 800 rooms with free WiFi, complimentary shuttle services to the Novena MRT Station and Orchard Road for guests’ convenience as well as facilities such as a restaurant serving modern local cuisine and a halal-certified restaurant. Travellers can break away from the city’s bustle, explore the cultural and historical gems along the Balestier Heritage Trail, and yet are just 10 minutes away from the city.

Discover our hotels in this unique destination and enjoy our Advance Purchase discount of 30% off* our Best Available Rates when you book your stay a month ahead.

For reservations, please visit www.ramada-dayshotelssingapore.com or email reservations@ramada-dayshotelssingapore.com. *Terms and conditions apply.

THE BEST MID-RANGE HOTEL

(Ramada Singapore At Zhongshan Park)

Independently owned by HH Properties Pte. Ltd. and operated under a management agreement with Wyndham Hotel Group Asia Pacific Co. Ltd.

18

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/SilkAir twitter.com/SilkAir instagram.com/SilkAir Take home this copy of Silkwinds and share it with your friends and family! Past issues are also available online at silkair.com LATEST AWARDS Travel Media of the Year (Merit), Media Publishers Association Singapore (MPAS) Awards 2014 Best Feature on Asian Travel (Excellence) Best Wellness Feature (Excellence), Asian Publishing Awards 2014

Silkwinds is published exclusively for SilkAir by Publicitas Publishing E-mail: PP.Asia@publicitas.com publicitas.com/publishingasia

20

14

MANAGING DIRECTOR Joui Ong GENERAL MANAGER Betty Liswanty RELATIONSHIP MANAGER Serene Lee EDITORIAL EXECUTIVE CONTENT DIRECTOR Rod Mackenzie MANAGING EDITOR Ming Rodrigues DEPUTY EDITOR Nelissa Hernandez DESIGN DIRECTOR Fredrik Dittlau SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Ginny Gay SENIOR DESIGNER Benjamin Cheh

6 THE BIG PICTURE

Bathing elephants, Chiang Rai 8 HOT PICKS

Trends and items to covet 14 4 QUESTIONS WITH...

Explorer Mandip Singh Soin

18

2 PERFECT DAYS IN KOTA KINABALU Jungle trekking, survival skills camp, nasi kerabu biru and a folklore festival

20 FOOD SNAPSHOT

Sichuan cumin beef 22 TRAVEL TIPS

How to walk on Asian streets 52 热门精选 到凯恩斯享果宴、在世界最大鸟 雕肚子里鸟瞰胜景或簦京那巴 鲁山，各种精彩等着你！ 4 | SILKWINDS

68 WELCOME ABOARD 54 SILKAIR EXPERIENCE 56 NEWS FROM THE DECK 58 OFFICES 59 FLEET & FLIGHT TIMES 60 ROUTE MAP 61 POSTCARDS 68 SILKAIR STUDIO Stream movies, TV shows and music onboard

C0VER PHOTO: EWEN BELL; IRA DE REUVER

16 WHAT’S ON

Things to do this month

ADVERTISING MEDIA SPECIALIST Mey Leong Tel: +65 6735 8681 ext 331 E-mail: mey.leong@publicitas.com

The views and opinions expressed or implied in Silkwinds do not necessarily reflect those of SilkAir or Publicitas Publishing. No responsibility is accepted for the claims made in advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained in this publication. Unsolicited material will not be returned. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of SilkAir and Publicitas Publishing. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2016 by SilkAir (Singapore) Private Limited. All information correct at time of printing. Printed in Singapore by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd. MCI (P) 046/11/2015

Hotel Tugu Malang . Hotel Tugu Bali . Hotel Tugu Blitar Dapur Babah Elite & Tao Bar . Lara Djonggrang & La Bihzad Bar . Samarra Shanghai Blue 1920 .

Tugu Kunstkring Paleis

www.tuguhotels.com

SIDETRACK THE BIG PICTURE

6 | SILKWINDS

Mahouts in Chiang Rai, about three hours from Chiang Mai, Thailand bring their elephants to bathe in the river every morning before their jungle trek. This ritual is also a chance for the pachyderms to enjoy some play time with local children.

Rarindra Prakarsa

SILKAIR.COM | 7

SIDETRACK / HOT PICKS

Planning a birthday for a loved one? Why not whisk them away for a surprise party with the gang at Montigo Resorts, Nongsa in Batam, Indonesia.

With a minimum of 30 people, you get a choice of a Western or Indonesian menu for the adult package, or a buffet spread for

8 | SILKWINDS

the kid’s birthday package, plus birthday cake, entertainment and activities, among other offerings, at a specially decorated venue on the resort. Better yet, make it a birthday getaway when you stay in the luxury resort’s three- or four-bedroom en-suite residences that accommodate six and eight, respectively. Spanning more than 6,000sqft, these sprawling properties come complete with private infinity pools and cabanas set in spacious terraces – those in the four-room residence also enjoy their very own lawn. Each residence has a living and dining room and kitchen, along with top-of-the-line amenities, free WiFi and mini bar snacks and beverages. montigoresorts.com

POCKET PROTECTOR

Whether you’re a deal hunter or sports enthusiast, you should make it a point to check out Decathlon’s flagship store at Technopark@Chai Chee the next time you visit Singapore.

Packing your camera, glasses and electronic gear in your suitcase no longer has to be an act of faith. Built like a tank, the stainless steel Pelican Micro Case is designed to withstand all kinds of stress and is also airtight and waterproof, making it a handy accessory for rugged adventures. Another plus: its compact size, which means you can easily slip it into your luggage, carry-on or pocket. pelican.com

Spanning 35,000sqft, this is the sports retailer’s largest store in Southeast Asia (we hear it carries over 90,000 in-house products).

Prices here are also 20 to 40 per cent lower than what you’d find elsewhere. If that isn’t enough, the megastore also offers a bicycle repair workshop, a public basketball court and testing zones for visitors to try their hand at games such as mini golf and table tennis. facebook.com/ DecathlonSingapore

ASIAN PRIDE

An antithesis to fast fashion brands, Singaporean label Matter eschews copying runway trends in favour of honouring the traditions and practices of textile artists the world over. Their collection of pants and scarves, Then&There, pays tribute to Asia’s multicultural landscape via the works of four designers from Singapore, India, the Philippines and Indonesia. For example, Mumbaibased Botto design studio’s kaleidoscopic prints are a reflection of India’s diversity, while Filipino social enterprise Anthill Fabric Gallery has created one that draws inspiration from their national flag. The result? Striking wardrobe staples that double up as cultural statements. matterprints.com SILKAIR.COM | 9

SIDETRACK / HOT PICKS

GRANT A WISH

Located just 10 minutes away from the Angkor Wat, the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort is a sprawling 238-room ode to a bygone era. Oozing with Old World charm, the resort is a marriage of French and Khmer architecture and ensconced in lush, manicured gardens, it’s not hard to see why it made Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List

of the world’s best places to stay last year. This being the Sofitel, it goes without saying that rooms are appointed with luxury furnishings and amenities such as fine silk throws. Need to unwind after a long, dusty day in the city? Why not take a dip in the gorgeous free-form pool and enjoy a cocktail at the swim-up Serpent Bar? And if you play golf, don’t miss the chance to practise your swing at the resort-managed Phokeethra Country Club, one of the country’s most beautiful courses and the former venue of the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open. sofitel.com

There are many ways to give back when you’re on vacation and for those who don’t have a lot of time, non-profit organisation Globe Drop helps connect travellers with charities at their destination so they can peruse their wish list and donate items that they need. Instead of bringing the donations with them in their luggage, donors are asked to buy them from the community. Not only does this give the donor a chance to explore the neighbourhood, it helps support the local economy at the same time. globedrop.org

WHEELING AROUND TOWN

Exploring the waterfront of the Cairns CBD has gotten a lot easier, thanks to the arrival of the region’s first Spinway bicycle station. Located at the entrance of the Rydges Esplanade Hotel, the solar-powered bicycle station lets guests rent rides any time of the day with just their credit card. Rates are AUD33 for 24 hours or AUD22 for four hours. interbike.com.au 10 | SILKWINDS

It’s a bird – and a pretty huge one at that. Seven years in the making, the stone sculpture of the mythical bird Jatayu from the Sanskrit epic Ramayana is the crowning masterpiece of Kerala’s newly opened Jatayu Nature Park.

Designed by famed filmmaker and sculptor Rajiv Anchal, it measures 200ft long and has a floor area of 15,000sqft, making it the world’s largest bird statue. If that isn’t enough, it also houses a museum, theatre and viewing deck. The 65-acre park is located in the Kollam district, and highlights include an adventure park where

visitors can play games such as paintball and laser tag, a heli-taxi service, as well as a cable car ride and Ayurvedic cave resort, which are currently in the works. jatayunaturepark.com

If you are a high performer who thrives under pressure, all that stress, left unchecked, is bound to take its toll eventually. From 1 May to 31 October 2016, Cambodian private island luxury resort Song Saa will offer a series of three-, five- and seven-day wellness retreats designed to help guests de-stress and reconnect with themselves. Conducted in collaboration with luxury organic skincare and spa brand ila, the programme incorporates yoga, massage and meditation sessions, as well as daily spa treatments. songsaa.com

HEALING RETREATS

SILKAIR.COM | 11

SIDETRACK / HOT PICKS

If you ask us, there’s never a good reason not to go on a beach vacation, especially when your flight is on the house. Guests who book one of Samujana Koh Samui’s hilltop villas for a seven-night stay will not only get

their return flights reimbursed, they’ll also enjoy complimentary return airport transfers and daily breakfast. This promotion is valid for flights departing from Singapore’s Changi Airport. samujana.com

For anyone who’s ever wished they had a bottle-opener or screwdriver while on the road, here’s help: the Leatherman Tread.

What looks like a bracelet designed for a motorcycle gang member is actually a wearable tool whose links and clasp cleverly conceal up to three tools each, meaning that you will always have all the wrenches and screwdrivers you need at hand.

leatherman.com 12 | SILKWINDS

TEXT: LISA-ANN LEE

WORK IT

SIDETRACK / 4 QUESTIONS WITH...

What are some examples of your work that led to the Explorers Club citation?

I did a lot of first ascents and expeditions, however, the citation was not just for mountaineering. It was also for contributions to the cause of mountaineering in India, first by getting involved in pushing the technical levels of climbing, then by making the sport popular by having the first artificial climbing walls built in Delhi.

I also kick-started the creation of a mountain rescue system under the Himalayan Evacuation and Lifesaving Project (HELP).

With his expeditions in six continents spanning 40 years, Mandip Singh Soin embodies the spirit of adventure

What is the biggest challenge in the tourism industry and how do you address it?

To get the industry to become more responsible, both in India and around the globe. I believe tourism is a very powerful tool to do good, which can help communities, the environment and cultures. As with every journey, it starts with a humble, single step. We took those steps and created the Ecotourism Society of India in 2008. Since then, it has conducted over 12 national workshops on Best Practices in Tourism, among other things.

WORDS KRISTEN GILL

E

“

xploration is the innate human quality of wanting to know what lies around the corner,” says Indian mountaineer and explorer Mandip “Mandy” Singh Soin. He should know; after all, he is the recipient of the prestigious Citation of Merit 2015 from the Explorers Club in New York. He helped develop the mountain rescue system in the Indian Himalayas, and is the founder of the Ecotourism Society of India. He and his wife also run Ibex Expeditions, one of the first companies to bring adventure travel to India.

mountaineer who had attempted to summit Everest. Also, my dad was an army colonel who was a para-jumper. I’ve always loved the physical and mental challenges of expeditions – I’m now 58 years old, and I still think of the next big place to travel to!

How did you first get involved in mountaineering and exploration?

When I was 14, I was inspired by my school principal who was a

How do you envision the future of tourism?

I would like to see a growing community of people who love the great outdoors and want to protect it. Through these experiences in nature, we can all become more balanced human beings. I believe tourism can be an agent of change.

INDIA’S BEST Soin’s top three places for great explorations: Ladakh and Zanskar are great for trekking, climbing, rafting and jeep safaris through the dramatic landscapes and deep river gorges.

1

14 | SILKWINDS

Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India have indigenous tribes and strong local cultures. Some places in these states are so rarely visited that you can easily imagine

2

yourself as a modernday Indiana Jones with all of the mountains to climb, rivers to cruise, and forests to explore.

Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks in

3

Madhya Pradesh provide amazing sightings of wild tigers from the back of a jeep or an elephant. Travellers can also stay in wildlife lodges and visit the local communities for ecotourism experiences.

SIDETRACK / WHAT’S ON will take place at the Darwin Entertainment Centre and the winner will proceed to compete in the grand finals in Melbourne on 10 April. comedyfestival.com.au CHENNAI

21 MAR Arubathimoovar Festival An architectural and religious landmark in Chennai, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple will be attracting devotees from far and wide as the Arubathimoovar Festival gets underway. In honour of the 63 saints who dedicated their lives to Lord Shiva, the celebration offers lots of fanfare as temple chariots, each bearing a statue of one of the saints, make their way from the temple through the streets of Mylapore.

PENANG

26-27 MAR

11-12 MAR The Iconic Film Scores of John Williams: Star Wars and Beyond Name a blockbuster from the last 30 years and chances are, the movie’s soundtrack was scored by celebrated American composer John Williams. Held at the Marina Bay Sands and led

by British conductor Anthony Inglis, this concert will be accompanied by specially designed lighting effects that will take listeners on a journey spanning Williams’ most iconic works, including music from Star Wars, E.T., Jaws and Harry Potter. sistic.com.sg

SINGAPORE

4-6 MAR Craft Singapore Given the growing craft beer scene in the country, it was only a matter of time before someone came up with a festival dedicated to craft brews.

Taking place along the Marina Bay Waterfront, this inaugural event will showcase more than 25 local and international brewers, and gourmet food vendors. Highlights include 16 | SILKWINDS

masterclasses on brewing techniques, live music and games such as beer pong. craftsingapore. com

of Cairns. This 10-day affair includes food trails, a bush poetry breakfast with Aussie poet Marco Gliori, Picnic in the Park and fruit tastings. feastofthesenses.com.au DARWIN

CAIRNS

11-20 MAR Feast of the Senses You’d never guess it, but durian and Buddha’s Hand are some of the exotic fruits that can be found growing in North Queensland. To celebrate the region’s rich bounty of tropical fruits, the annual Feast of the Senses is held in Innisfail, 88km south

12 MAR RAW Comedy 2016 Australia’s stand-up comics will be going mic-to-mic as they compete in a survival of the funniest in Raw Comedy. The country’s most prestigious stand-up comedy competition, it has launched the careers of stars such as Ronny Chieng and Hannah Gadsby. The NT State Final

Disney on Ice: Magical Ice Festival Beat the heat and join Elsa, Anna, Olaf and the rest of the gang as they recreate the magical moments from the hit movie Frozen live at the Spice Arena. This being Disney on Ice, also expect performances from other beloved characters by The Little Mermaid and Tangled. prworldwidelive.com DENPASAR

29 MAR-3 APR Bali Spirit Festival Spirituality seekers, make your way to the Bhanuswari Resort and Spa and ARMA Museum and Resort in Ubud for the ninth edition of this annual showcase, which features some of the world’s best yoga instructors, musicians and spiritual leaders. This year’s headliners include Australia’s The Opiuo Band, yogi to the stars Danny Paradise and Sachcha guru Sri Prem Baba. balispiritfestival.com

TEXT: LISA-ANN LEE

SINGAPORE

Preferred Seat Selection Get the space you need to enjoy every flight with SilkAir’s Preferred Seat Selection.

Now available for booking on Singapore Airlines connecting flights.

30kg Bag Allowance

SilkAir Studio

Inflight Meal

Through Check-in

SIDETRACK / 2 PERFECT DAYS

Foodies, jungle explorers and culture vultures will easily feel at home in Sabah’s youthful capital

WORDS LISA-ANN LEE

W

hen the British North Borneo Chartered Company founded Kota Kinabalu (or KK as it is popularly known) in 1882,

little did they know that the small fishing village would eventually grow to become a vibrant city.

Located on the northern coast of Borneo, KK offers easy access to some of the region’s most spectacular natural attractions. It is also a melting pot of cultures – Sabah is home to more than a dozen ethnic tribes – making it a young city with an old soul.

WILDERNESS PRO Fancy putting your selfpreservation skills to the

18 | SILKWINDS

test? Jungle specialist L.O.S.T. Borneo offers a 2D/1N jungle trekking and survival skills camp that takes you back to basics (read: without cellphone and WiFi access). While you won’t become Bear Grylls overnight, you’ll probably be surprised by how much you can accomplish with just your bare hands.

CULTURE CREW Check out KK’s thriving art and craft scene at The B Side, a minimalist café located at the Lido Plaza in

GETTY IMAGES; YTL HOTELS

Penampang. A stylish hangout that’s been packing in the crowds with its third wave java brews, it also doubles up as a creative space for performance groups and up-and-coming artists to showcase their work. If you’re a keen crafter, check out the monthly roofless art market that takes place outside the café.

RICE SURPRISE What started out as a catering hobby for the husband-and-wife duo behind Uncle Garry Nasi Kerabu Biru Sabah has since expanded into a private kitchen located in the residential enclave of Dah Yeh Villa. Its claim to fame is its colourful nasi kerabu biru, which features blue rice infused with the juice of the butterfly pea flower, a choice of either fried fish or chicken, and an array of accompaniments such as fish crackers, salted egg and acar. The private kitchen doesn’t accept walkins as yet so reservations are in order. Looking for a gift for a foodie friend back home?

Be sure to grab a bottle of their sambal or acar on your way out.

WORKING OUT THE KINKS You’ve roughed it out in the jungles and mountains, and your body is now in need of some TLC. Check into Gaya Island Resort’s award-winning Spa Village. Ask for the Tadau Kaamatan, a signature treatment for couples that includes a body scrub, hair mask and facial, or the Urutan Pribumi, a deep indigenous massage based on the restorative treatment once used by ancient warriors and farmers.

DANCING UP A STORM Every August, the Sabah Cultural Centre comes alive with the sights and sounds of

ethnic folk dances as troupes from as far as Turkey and Russia fly into KK for the Sabah International Folklore Festival. This celebration of cultural diversity also includes activities such as workshops and art exhibitions, so if you’re looking to pick up some new dance moves, you know where to go.

SilkAir flies daily between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu SILKAIR.COM | 19

SIDETRACK / FOOD SNAPSHOT

Cumin – an unusual ingredient in Chinese cooking – mixed with Sichuan spices creates an umami bomb of flavours WORDS & PHOTO IRA DE REUVER

The ancient Silk Road trading network brought a variety of goods and commodities to China, including cumin. Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a natural aphrodisiac, this pungent spice also made its way into the local cuisine.

These days, Chinese home cooks combine the deep, earthy aroma of cumin with the ma la sensation of Sichuan cuisine in a dish called zi xiang niu rou (Sichuan cumin beef). Ma la, or mouth-numbing sensation, comes from the spiciness (la) of red chillies, and the copious use of locally grown peppercorn called hua jiao, which results in a numbing feeling (ma).

Sichuan cumin beef is a favourite among home cooks as it’s not complicated to prepare.

Pieces of prime cut beef tenderloin are marinated in rice wine, salt, chilli, hua jiao powder and ginger-infused water for at least an hour. The marinated meat is then stir-fried in a wok with a fragrant blend of ginger, garlic, fresh and dried chillies, hua jiao and cumin. Served with a dash of sesame oil and crisp, freshly cut scallions, this sizzling beef dish is guaranteed to waken jaded taste buds.

It also goes by the name of zhu ba niu rou as it is sometimes piled on a bamboo vessel that looks like zhu ba, a bamboo gardening tool.

Try it at: Shuangnan Da Rong He Resturant, #46, Qixia Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu

HUNAN CUMIN RIBS The southern Chinese province of Hunan also whips up its own cumin-flavoured delicacy – xiang la zi ran pai gu, a crunchy cumin-spiced pork rib dish where the flavour of the cumin complements the zing of the chillies.

The ribs are boiled in a tasty stock, marinated in a sauce similar to that used in Sichuan cumin beef, and deep-fried on a very high flame – a technique called wok hei (literally the “breath of the wok”). A final coating of cumin seeds, red chillies and chopped scallions is added before serving.

Try it at: He Shi Pai Gu, #313, Middle Renmin Road, Furong District, Changsha

20 | SILKWINDS

SIDETRACK / TRAVEL TIPS

Crossing the streets and walking on sidewalks in Southeast Asia can be tricky, sometimes even treacherous, for newcomers. Here are some hacks to become a ‘streetsmart’ pedestrian WORDS JOHANNA READ

T

raffic conditions when you travel are never the same as those at home. Letting a taxi or tuk-tuk drive you around is ideal, and so is relying on your feet. But walking the streets of Asia is not as simple as putting one foot in front of the other – it can be a calculated move, depending on where you are.

HOW TO CROSS THE ROAD Most travellers have heard stories about tourists navigating Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi.

Newcomers congregate at corners of busy intersections, waiting for

22 | SILKWINDS

breaks in traffic so they can cross the street; those breaks never come.

After nervously watching endless streams of cyclos and motorcycles, the brave ones finally make it to the other side by shadowing a local crossing the street.

With lanes and rules often ignored, Asia’s traffic may seem chaotic to you. The key is to be consistent wherever you walk.

Cross streets at a steady pace.

Don’t run. Don’t stop. Don’t turn back. Be confident and don’t hesitate. Drivers will simply

weave around you as if you are a rock in a swiftly moving stream of water.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED Stay on sidewalks, assuming they exist. But you will also need to circumnavigate parked motorcycles, signs advertising excursions, food carts with lines of hungry customers, and fellow tourists hogging the sidewalk.

When you do, don’t forget the most important rule of walking in Asia: never step off a curb without triple checking that it is safe.

Particularly in Cambodia, where drivers of two-wheeled vehicles like to create an extra lane next to the curb, usually going the opposite direction of traffic on that side of the street.

BEWARE OF OTHER HAZARDS l Rain gutters – often uncovered – line the streets of many cities, such as Malaysia’s Georgetown.

Sidewalks are popular for motorcycle parking; you’re often forced to walk on the road.

Exercise caution to make sure you don’t step into a water-filled ditch two feet below street level. l Be especially careful when

walking in the evenings, as streetlights may be non-existent.

I once took an evening stroll along the river in Siem Reap, Cambodia after a day exploring the Angkor temples. In the dim light, I almost didn’t notice that the sidewalk ended in a 10-foot drop into the river. The car bridge didn’t extend to the sidewalk, and there was no light, sign or barrier preventing unobservant pedestrians from a serious fall.

jump on you to steal it. The worst offenders are in Bali’s Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

NOT JUST ABOUT SAFETY

l A major sidewalk obstacle is

street touts soliciting your tour, hotel and restaurant business.

They can be annoying and will likely overcharge you. To show you’re not interested, don’t worry about being rude, just keep walking and don’t make eye contact.

l You can also protect others

when walking. Yield the way to

monks; it shows respect. Women in particular should be cautious to never touch a monk’s robes. Keep arm-swinging to a minimum in crowded markets. l Don’t forget that local people

are trying to go about their business while crowds of tourists are leisurely shopping and snapping photos. Be mindful of others around you. Leave room on the sidewalk for people to pass you. If you must stop for a photo or to check your phone, step to the side to avoid creating a pedestrian traffic jam.

GETTY IMAGES

l In tourist areas, most dogs will

ignore you. But you’ll be of great interest to monkeys who know that tourists often carry food in their bags and pockets, and they’ll SILKAIR.COM | 23

ESCAPE / NEPAL

A boy sells curd by bicycle at Boudhanath, the Tibetan quarter of Kathmandu 24 | SILKWINDS

Almost a year after the earthquake that rocked Nepal, Nepalis are back on their feet rebuilding their homes and livelihoods, with tourism back in business. Fiona Harper hits the trekking trail and is struck by the upbeat spirit of the locals

I

EWEN BELL

“

was in the lobby of a hotel when there was a loud roar, the floor started rocking and a large vase crashed to the floor. I ran outside and kept on running but it was hard as the road was rippling like a wave,� recalls Ganga Thapa, his eyes sad as he relived the terror of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on 25 April 2015. A respected leading tour guide and co-founder of Nepal Hiking Team (nepalhikingteam. com), Ganga talks softly about the day when Kathmandu moved three metres southwards.

SILKAIR.COM | 25

ESCAPE / NEPAL

Top: A local sundry store

26 | SILKWINDS

As I look over Ganga’s shoulder, the snow-clad summit of Mount Everest pokes above Mount Nuptse. Against a cobalt blue sky, a cloud of snow forms wispy tendrils blowing off the upper peak. Having seen so many photographs of this famed mountain over the years – known as Sagarmatha by Nepalis and Chomolungma by Tibetans – tears well in my eyes the first time I catch sight of it. Nothing prepares me for seeing it in the flesh. It is majestic. The craggy twin peaks of Ama Dablam, which Ganga affectionately calls the “beautiful mountain”, dominates

the foreground. At 3,440m above sea level, the air is crisp and clear.

Though it’s a few weeks into winter, the sun on my face is as warm as toast. Multi-coloured Buddhist prayer flags flutter softly. As we pause during our chat to admire the stunning mountain landscape, the silence is absolute.

DAY OF RECKONING That fateful day remains fresh in Ganga’s memory. He estimates the “earth was moving” for about two minutes. He describes the road rising of its own accord beneath his feet, making it

difficult to run down it as he searched for a clear space.

All around him in downtown Kathmandu, buildings were cracking and toppling. Almost 10,000 people died. Millions were left homeless. Historic Durbar Square, where royal palaces have stood since the third century and which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979, was in ruins.

Yet, against the odds, by mid-June, almost two months after the quake struck, the Nepali government had reopened six of the seven damaged World Heritage monuments

FIONA HARPER; GETTY IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCK

I readjust my stride, stepping over the remains of a hotel, unable to imagine the terror that must have ensued as it came down

in Kathmandu Valley. The spiritual heart of the former Kathmandu kingdom, these sites are living museums and a significant part of day-to-day life for Nepalis. Here, now, ancient walls are propped up with timber struts. Many people still live in makeshift shelters battered by monsoon rains and buffeted by winter storms.

A fuel crisis makes matters worse with Indian border blockages preventing fuel deliveries into landlocked Nepal.

Black-market prices for fuel have skyrocketed. Driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, we take a

detour down a back street to the home of a privateer to fill our tank. While the men syphon fuel from jerry cans, the fuel seller’s wife offers me tea and fried cheese as she prepares dinner. Black-market sales like this are common, and my guide says fuel now costs around three times more than it did before the blockage. One woman I later speak to says she has been trying for one week to purchase a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottle so that she can cook for her family. Taxi drivers are hit hard, unable to solicit rides while they wait at petrol stations that may or

not have fuel to sell. Everywhere, there are lines of vehicles at petrol stations stretching for kilometres. Resigned Nepalis shrug their shoulders and wait patiently for as long as they need to.

Later, as I walk down a lane on the way to dinner in Kathmandu, the bitumen ends abruptly in a cavernous hole. I peer down and see the foundations of a building that once stood there. A new path has been forged over rubble. I readjust my stride as I step over all that remains of a hotel, unable to imagine the terror that must have ensued as it came down.

Clockwise from top left: UNESCO Buddhist temple Swayambhunath, post earthquake; Nepali jewellery on sale; a farmer’s stone house outside Dingboche village is deserted in winter; draped in prayer flags, the cairn at Everest Base Camp is the destination for hikers walking from Lukla

SILKAIR.COM | 27

ESCAPE / NEPAL

Despite it all, Nepalis are resilient, finding plenty to be grateful for. Ganga says he is thankful that the earthquake struck on a Saturday, the only day of the week when schools are closed. With approximately 7,000 schools destroyed or significantly damaged, he says many more lives could have been lost.

STARTING OVER We’re sitting outside a teahouse at the top of the ridge overlooking the village of Namche Bazaar.

Nearby, a bronze statue of Tenzing Norgay, his ice pick raised skyward, commemorates the legendary sherpa who grew up in the Khumbu Valley and was one of the first two known persons to summit Mount Everest. He is especially revered in these parts.

Three days into a 12-day hike to Everest Base Camp, we’re taking the opportunity for an acclimatisation day and to absorb the sight of the Himalayan mountains bathed in winter sun.

Nepal sits at the juncture of two volatile tectonic plates. The mountain range is the result of a collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasian continental plate some 40 million years ago.

In the wake of the quake – triggered by regular movement of the fault line along the country’s southern border – the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) took excursions to assess trekking trail damage. It has been actively involved in ensuring trails are open and safe for trekkers.

TAAN’s president Ramesh Prasad Dhama revealed that the association has been “building community trails by involving tourism workers who had become jobless after the earthquake.”

During the recovery effort, NGOs like the Red Cross offered training programmes in 28 | SILKWINDS

earthquake-resistant building techniques, with training in carpentry and masonry in high demand. These skills are helping people to not only rebuild their homes but also enable them to find work helping others rebuild theirs.

In Ganga’s village, 45 homes, including his and his brother Balaram’s, were completely razed.

His neighbour, the mother of a childhood friend, perished. The entrepreneurial brothers, who set up Nepal Hiking Team back in 2007, were instrumental in getting their village back on its feet. They quickly sourced supplies of rice and lentils for distribution amongst villagers who hadn’t eaten in the days following the disaster. With their trekking business temporarily

Clockwise from top: Preparing a meal of dal bhat with lots of chillies and vegetable curry; yaks transporting goods along the trails; Newari women of Bhaktapur gather in the squares to work on traditional crafts; a suspension bridge in the Annapurnas near the village of Muktinath

EWEN BELL

shut down as tourists cancelled bookings en masse, they returned to their village to help. Despite their own heavy financial losses, they helped rebuild roads, basic infrastructure and 45 new homes, which have become semi-permanent dwellings for the villagers.

AGAINST THE ODDS This year, trekkers who postponed their trips are making plans to return as word gets out that trails, teahouses and hotels are open for business. Khem Dahal, general manager of the new Hotel City Inn Pokhara, says it was very quiet after the quake.

As the hotel is located smack in the ‘adventure capital’ of Nepal, he’s looking forward to seeing the lakeside promenade buzzing with travellers once more.

As we progress towards Everest Base Camp, we occasionally see fragments of collapsed homes. At these high elevations, buildings are traditionally constructed using rocks secured with a mortar of mud and yak dung. External walls are rendered in the same mix hardened by the sun. Villagers wealthy enough to afford modern materials are building replacement homes out of plywood and corrugated iron sheets.

With no roads, men and mules

physically carry all materials up the steep slopes. Porters are paid by the weight they can carry – the heavier the load, the more they earn.

I pass a 16-year-old boy resting on the trail; he tells me the load of corrugated iron sheets on his back weighs 91kg. He will earn the equivalent of USD57.

He says he is happy to have the work. Nimble-footed and lean, he will return down the mountain to pick up similar loads for as long as there is a need for raw materials higher up the mountain.

His fortitude makes me feel rather pathetic as I gasp to catch my breath in the thin mountain air. Stopping regularly as the trail ascends higher, I savour our constant companions – the mountains. Their snow-clad peaks give way to native pine forests clinging to near vertical slopes.

Man and mule teeter on swing bridges strung across gorges carved by glacial rivers.

Tenzing Norgay once said that when he was growing up here, the word Chomolungma meant “the mountain so high no bird can fly over it”. With tourists returning and people steadily picking up the pieces, the same could be said for the soaring Nepali spirit.

SilkAir flies four times weekly between Singapore and Kathmandu SILKAIR.COM | 29

WELLNESS / ASIA

INTO THE WOODS Human evolution has come a long way. Quality of life has risen for the critical mass, and we’re more connected than ever. But let’s face it, modern advancement and 24/7 connectivity have also conspired to make life more stressful and hectic.

Fortunately, Mother Nature seems to be extending us a branch. Erica Wong explores the restorative power of ‘forest bathing’

30 | SILKWINDS

SILKAIR.COM | 31

Reboot with yoga and meditation amid the ruins of Angkor

32 | SILKWINDS

WELLNESS / ASIA

L

NAVUTU DREAMS RESORT & SPA

ife in the 21st century: mass urbanisation, zombified commutes, countless hours staring at screens big and small, inaudible blaring on social media, suboptimal sleep cocooned in micro-, radio-, and infrared waves – all in the pursuit of ‘the good life’. To relax, we’re bombarded by a flurry of activities ranging from couchsurfing, web-surfing and picture-snapping, to mall-cruising and gaming. There’s an occasional run or walk in the park, but that usually involves headphones and a determination to get to our destination so that we can move on to the next activity. As Betsy Isroelit, Senior Director at Spafinder Wellness, the leading British spa and wellness authority, aptly puts it, “humans are in the throes of a forestdeprivation crisis.”

SENSORY OVERLOAD For many, keeping up with the aspirational lifestyle has become too much, and there’s been a conscious distancing from the ‘chase’. Herein, we witness the rise of the organic, the preventative, the meditative, the mindful and the chemical-free. No longer are these merely fluffy ideas spun by free-spirited new-age junkies. A wider population has picked up on these lifestyle choices too: Oprah has been advocating wellness and “living our best lives” for years, the late Steve Jobs diligently practiced Zen mindfulness

meditation, and actress and ecoactivist Jessica Alba’s business, The Honest Company, is dedicated to providing safe, natural products for the home. In short, there’s a return to a more fundamental

A WALK IN THE FOREST CAN LOWER TENSION, DEPRESSION AND STRESS

Opening spread: A stroll amid greenery can lift your mood and erase stress This page, from top: Dwarika’s Resort Dhulikhel’s Himalayan Salt Room; Yakushima Island, Japan – the heart of forest bathing

state of mind, and to nature, and there’s nothing more rudimentary than the practice of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku in Japanese.

Despite the term only being coined in 1982 (for marketing purposes by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), the concept itself is rooted in ancient Buddhist and Shintoist philosophies. The idea is simple: be in a natural area, preferably under a canopy of trees, and breathe it, smell it, see it, feel it. Straightforward enough, right? But that then begs the question, why aren’t we doing it more? Science and research certainly give us reason to.

SILKAIR.COM | 33

WELLNESS / ASIA

TUNING OUT Hotels and resorts around the region have started including elements of forest bathing into their offerings. Commune with nature at: Navutu Dreams Resort & Spa – Siem Reap, Cambodia Minutes from UNESCOprotected Angkor Archaeological Park, Navutu Dreams offers sunrise yoga and pranayama meditation on the historic temple grounds.

Experts accompany guests on forest bathing walks along selected paths, and lead guided meditations amongst the trees. navutudreams.com

34 | SILKWINDS

started running studies on the subject and are in the process of building their own forest bathing trails.

In Asia, where mass deforestation is all too familiar, our forests are especially precious. We may not all have 7,200-year-old trees, but we do have protected jungles and forests that provide us clean air, an undeniable uplift and innumerable health benefits. So next time, instead of the gym, head to a nearby park and go take a hike.

SilkAir flies to Siem Reap, Kathmandu and Penang. For flight schedules, see SilkAir Postcards on page 61.

From top: Take a therapeutic walk in an outdoor meditation maze; a peaceful aura settles in the open yoga hall at Shreyas Yoga Retreat in Bangalore, India

Malihom – Penang, Malaysia Perched on a hillock in Balik Pulau, a 45-minute drive from Georgetown, the property is home to fruit trees and a natural spring (the resort’s water source), and is a sanctuary for birds. Two barns offer outdoor bathtubs and every barn has hammocks or loungers set up for unobstructed views of the forest. malihom.com Sankara – Yakushima, Japan You can’t mention forest bathing without including Yakushima Island, where the concept first took root. With 28 airy rooms and villas, and quick access to Japan’s most heralded forests, The Sankara Hotel & Spa sits at the cross-point between mountains, ancient cedars and the East China Sea. sankarahotel-spa.com/en

GETTY IMAGES

GREEN THERAPY A 1990 study conducted by Dr Yoshifumi Miyazaki on the island of Yakushima, Japan, where the oldest cedar dates back 7,200 years, reported that a 40-minute walk in a forest (versus in a laboratory setting with simulated temperature and humidity levels) lowered tension, depression, anger, fatigue and confusion. In particular, stress hormones, commonly associated with immuno-related issues such as lupus, psoriasis and alopecia areata, were significantly reduced. Meanwhile, the score for vigour was increased. Similarly, in 2010, Dr Li Qing from the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo reported that forest bathing increases the levels of Natural Killer (NK) cells, which were shown to release anticancer proteins, thereby nixing tumour cells.

Empirical data aside, let’s not forget that innate sense of tranquillity that nature inspires – and it’s not just a happy coincidence. At least the Japanese government doesn’t seem to think so; to date, it has developed a network of 60 official Forest Therapy trails, with the intention of building a total of 100 in the years to come. Following suit are the USA, Canada, South Korea, and the Nordic countries, which have

Dwarika’s Resort Dhulikhel – Kathmandu, Nepal Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, the resort lets you take solace in the indigenous flora and fauna. Or experience the resort’s Himalayan Salt Room, Meditation Maze, or Chakra Sound Chambers to soothe the soul and lift the spirit. dwarikas-dhulikhel.com

Advertorial

A Rewarding Transit With more than 200 retail, service and food and beverage outlets in the transit areas as well as facilities such as movie theatres and themed gardens, travellers have much to experience when transiting through the awardwinning Singapore Changi Airport.

Here’s another sweetener: save on your shopping and dining with the Changi Transit Programme!

From now till 31 March 2016, passengers who transit through Changi Airport on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir can redeem Changi Dollar Vouchers during their layover.

These can be used at selected outlets across all three terminals of Changi Airport. The vouchers can also be redeemed for one-time access to the Ambassador Transit Lounge at Terminals 2 and 3.

To claim your Changi Dollar Vouchers, simply produce your passport, e-ticket and boarding passes at the iShopChangi Collection Centres in the transit areas of Terminals 2 and 3.

E-ticket numbers must begin with 618, 629 or 086.

Terms and Conditions apply.

For more information, please refer to www.singaporeair.com

Nature beckons The gateway to the Garden City of Singapore, Changi Airport offers a tranquil setting with thematic gardens.

Butterfly Garden - Terminal 3

The world’s first Butterfly Garden in an airport houses more than 1000 tropical butterflies from as many as 40 species. Immerse yourself in this lush habitat for a rejuvenating transit.

Sunflower Garden - Terminal 2

The 500 bright yellow flowers never fail to bring cheer to the weary traveller. A good photo spot, the rooftop sunflower garden leaves visitors in awe of the view of the runway and aircraft parking bays nearby.

Orchid Garden - Terminal 2

Standing out in its abundance of colours, this garden exhibits rare orchids and their hybrids, including the seasonal display of Singapore’s national flower - the Vanda Miss Joaquim.

To find out more about our gardens, visit www.changiairport.com

ART / CHENGDU

Shu embroidery portrait of a graceful young woman by Yang Dequan 36 | SILKWINDS

STORIED LEGACY

Chengdu may be the flourishing capital of China’s Sichuan province, but while it wears the shine of an upcoming metropolis, it continues to hold its ancient craft traditions close to heart

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY IRA DE REUVER

n ancient cultural thread runs through Chengdu’s craft traditions, its artisans proud guardians of a skills heritage passed down through generations. From bamboo and lacquerware to embroidery, each piece is a storyboard of astounding craftsmanship.

A

BAMBOO OVER PORCELAIN Known as citaizhubian, the craft dates back to the late Qing dynasty when the delicate art of weaving bamboo over wooden and tin containers for the Emperor Guangxu was introduced by Chinese craftsmen. Since then, the custom has thrived.

Thanks to a robust tea culture in Chengdu, tea sets have become vessels to showcase this intricate art that combines bamboo and porcelain. The technique has also been applied on vases, pen canisters and bowls, to name a few. To become a citaizhubian craftsman takes about three years of study and practice.

In China, the ideal climate for growing ci bamboo (Sinocalamus affinis), the variety best suited to citaizhubian, can be found in Sichuan. When harvested at two years old, the bamboo has three qualities in its favour: flexibility, superior colour and long sections between joints. However, only the midsection of each stem is long enough to be utilised.

Tan Daiming is one of a few craftswomen still producing these

Bamboo-overporcelain teapot using earthy and natural colours, designed by Liu Jiang, owner of Liu Shi Art

SILKAIR.COM | 37

ART / CHENGDU

From top: This delicate Buddhist ebony sculpture took one year to craft; the original shape of this ebony orchid sculpture was left intact

38 | SILKWINDS

works of art. Daiming started at the Chengdu Bamboo Weaving Craft Factory in the ‘70s. After it closed in 2003, she opened her own shop in the Song Xian Qiao Antique Market, located in the west of the city.

There are 10 painstaking steps in the process of preparing

the bamboo for weaving. After selecting the bamboo, the outer green layer is scraped off before a section is divvied into a few narrow strips, which are then soaked and two more layers of skin are peeled off. The strips – which are either bleached or dyed depending on the design – are then trimmed into filaments of appropriate size.

For every 50kg of bamboo, only 400g is left once the prep is completed. Post-processing, the bamboo is as thin as wool thread and shiny and smooth as silk. The citaizhubian craftsman then takes over, skilfully weaving layer after layer of the filaments over the porcelain till the design is completed, “without any visible joints between the filaments,” says Daiming, who sells about 10 such items a month. Ranging from USD150-USD3,000, these bamboo-over-porcelain handicrafts are especially popular

in three-coloured weaving, and with panda and flower patterns.

“Even after 30 years as a bamboo-over-porcelain craftswoman, it is still very rewarding to finish a piece,” admits Daiming.

EBONY WOOD Besides bamboo, lush forests once flourished in the Sichuan Basin too, thanks to its climate and geographic location. It is said that 8,000 years ago, big trees crashed down and were buried as a result of earthquakes and floods. Over time, they carbonised, creating the valuable ornamental ebony wood.

In China, ebony is called wu mu and it has a long history with varying legends behind its origins.

Lu Shichang, the Taiwanese owner of Sichuan Ba Shu Shen Mu Art, saw the value of ebony when he set up shop in Chengdu after the devastating earthquake in 2008 uncovered long-buried ebony wood.

Black ebony, formed by the evergreen nan mu tree, is considered the most valuable grade of wood, says Lu. Other carbonised trees acquired their distinctive features and colours that vary from red, white, yellow

and green, to purple. “Its value depends on the tree’s texture, degree of carbonation and shape,” says Lu. Ebony has a particular fragrance similar to sandalwood as well as the ability to detoxify the air. On top of that, it does not rot and is pest-proof. Its extremely fine texture allows the craftsmen to polish and wax the pieces to a high shine.

Frequently, the shape of the wood will determine the finished piece. Adds Lu, “If the ebony piece is aesthetically refined, we only make small adjustments, or merely polish it with wax. We call this process the rebirth of ebony.”

Designs often include cultural themes depicting Buddhist statues, landscapes, historical figures or mythological animals.

It takes four to six months to complete a mid-sized sculpture, with prices tagged from USD150 to USD5,000.

Wu mu products are in high demand among politicians, businessmen and collectors, but the longevity of ebony wood is

hanging on the balance as it is a non-renewable resource. Lu predicts that a decade from now, the wood deposits in Sichuan will be depleted. A pity as “its true value lies in it being a blueprint of Sichuan’s geological and human legacy.”

SHU EMBROIDERY It is said that around 2640 BC, Empress Leizu was gazing at

cocoons spun by tiny worms on the palace garden’s mulberry trees. After unwinding one of the cocoons, she discovered it was one long strand of shiny material.

She collected more of these intriguing threads, spinning and weaving them into an exquisite piece of cloth to make a robe for then-emperor Huang-Di. While we may never know for certain who really discovered silk,

Clockwise from top: Yang Dequan working on a shu embroidery masterpiece depicting lotus flowers; cocoons spun by silkworms; the smallest of details are enhanced by the closeness of the stitches

SILKAIR.COM | 39

ART / CHENGDU

it is clear that the ancient Chinese unearthed the silkworm’s secret.

And silk is at the core of shu xiu.

This traditional embroidery is renowned for its superb workmanship and vibrancy of colours, and is particularly characterised by very close stitching, which allows the embroiderers to highlight miniscule detailing. One square metre can include hundreds of thousands of stitches in a single figure and take weeks or even months to complete.

Chinese heritage designs are based on thangka-style images, derived from Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism.

The embroidery is two-sided, using different images and colours. Dyeing of the silk is done by hand with herbal colourants.

Various traditional stitches are used, and some of the stitches are of the same colour but in different directions, to create shadows and highlights.

Connecting colours is done by interweaving threads of hues, so that the whole embroidery is a tapestry of rich gradations and smooth colour transitions. The weaving and stitching techniques, textile and images come together, reflecting the personal style and artistry of the embroidery master.

One such shu xiu master is award-winning Yang Dequan, who 40 | SILKWINDS

Left: An unfinished lacquerware plate with craquele effects Right: Wall decoration with a vividly detailed peacock design Bottom; Looking almost like a painting, this stunning shu embroidery piece demands highly skilled hands

Song Xiping, who was part of the first generation of lacquerware craft students in the ‘70s, applying a layer of silver on a lacquerware

started embroidering at 17 at the Shu Xiu Factory in Chengdu.

Today, more than 40 years later, many of her works are exhibited in museums and public buildings across China. Nowadays, shu xiu comes in the form of artistic pieces and practical everyday objects such as pillowcases, wedding dresses and quilts.

In 2009, UNESCO acknowledged the craft as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. “The only way for shu xiu to survive is as an art,” says Yang. “Otherwise, it will become extinct. Its real value is the cultural heritage it carries”.

LACQUERWARE Chengdu is also the birthplace of qi qi or lacquerware. In 1972, the Mawangdui Han dynasty tombs in Hunan province were uncovered, and along with it, a haul of exquisite lacquerware pieces believed to have been buried for about 2,200 years.

Chengdu lacquerware is renowned for its ability to resist ageing as well as for its unique gloss. This durability is no accident.

Explains lacquerware master Song Xiping, “All materials come from nature; there are no synthetic chemicals added.” Da qi or tu qi, which means natural lacquer, is harvested from the lacquer tree, which grows at an altitude

of 1,000m to 2,000m above sea level in the mountains of Sichuan.

“Its sap forms a hard film when it comes in contact with oxygen; that hard film protects the lacquerware indefinitely from corrosion.”

The complicated process of producing lacquerware has remained nearly unchanged to this day. “No piece is finished until all 72 steps are completed,” reveals Song.

Using brushes made of wood and human hair, a base powder is spread over the wood. What follows is layer upon layer of lacquer. After each layer, the piece is dried and polished. Then come the carving and colouring, the most outstanding feature of Chengdu lacquerware.

Song, as with the other masters, remains positive about the future of Chengdu’s traditional crafts. While original pieces are mainly appreciated by an older audience, diversifying to producing affordable products for everyday use has won over young customers. Tan Daiming herself is hopeful that one day she will find a pupil to continue producing exquisite bambooover-porcelain pieces, long after she is gone.

SilkAir flies 10 times weekly between Singapore and Chengdu SILKAIR.COM | 41

ESCAPE / SOUTHEAST ASIA

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY CH’IEN C. LEE

Ask someone to describe the wildlife of Southeast Asia and chances are tigers, elephants, even orangutans will be mentioned. Yet, the region's amazing forests are home to myriad other strange creatures and plants, which often go unnoticed and yet are equally vital to the ecosystem.

Although covering barely one per cent of the planet’s surface, these tropical rainforests are rich in flora and fauna.

Its biodiversity is partly due to its age – parts of the forests have existed almost unchanged for over 70 million years.

Today, with over 600 million people competing for land and relentless hunting driving many species towards extinction, the conservation of nature in Southeast Asia has never been more pressing.

This year’s theme for World Wildlife Day on 3 March – “The future of wildlife is in our hands” – reminds us that our actions in the coming years have the power to determine the fate of the world’s biodiversity. Now more than ever, we should appreciate the incredible variety of plants and animals that share the planet with us.

42 | SILKWINDS

In Sabah, a lone emergent Mengaris tree (Koompassia excelsa) towers above the shrouded forest canopy to bask in the morning sunlight.

This is one of the tallest tropical tree species with recorded heights of over 85m

SILKAIR.COM | 43

ESCAPE / SOUTHEAST ASIA

This page, clockwise from top left: Camouflage is an essential adaptation for both predators and prey alike. This short-tailed python, found nowhere else except in Borneo, conceals itself among leaf litter; almost indistinguishable from the mossy branch on which it rests, this stick insect spends a large part of its day completely motionless; when disturbed, the pallid monkey moth goes completely limp and drops to the ground like a falling leaf, blending perfectly with the forest floor Facing page: The nearly invisible lichen huntsman spider in West Papua, Indonesia, is superbly adapted for life on the side of a tree trunk.

It has no need for a web and relies instead on its speed and reflexes to catch prey 44 | SILKWINDS

SILKAIR.COM | 45

46 | SILKWINDS

ESCAPE / SOUTHEAST ASIA

Facing page: The unique Wilson’s bird-of-paradise, found on a few forested islands off the western coast of Papua in Indonesia, performs elaborate courtship displays to win the affections of a female. Here, it meticulously clears a private dancing ground on the forest floor This page, clockwise from top: Thanks to its oversized webbed feet, the Wallace’s flying frog can cover considerable distances and is capable of executing turns in mid-air; most caterpillars make a nutritious snack for predators, but this slug moth caterpillar bears a formidable armament of weaponised bristles. Each spine acts as a poison-filled hypodermic needle, delivering a severe sting to any predator; the small, nocturnal Sunda stink-badger is the region’s only member of the skunk family. As its name suggests, it repels enemies by squirting a noxious-smelling fluid SILKAIR.COM | 47

48 | SILKWINDS

ESCAPE / SOUTHEAST ASIA

Clockwise from top left: The bright red body of these newly hatched red stink bugs warns would-be predators of their nasty taste. They remain in tight groups even after birth so that their colour is amplified, doubling their protection; seeking safety in numbers, a group of subadult leaf-footed bugs cluster together on a fern frond. Each is capable of squirting a foul-smelling fluid as a chemical defense; nightfall is a magical time in the rainforest, bringing forth many things that remain hidden during the day. Deep in the Bornean rainforest, the onset of darkness reveals the luminescent quality of a clutch of mushrooms growing on a decomposing log

SilkAir flies to Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Balikpapan.

For flight frequencies, see SilkAir Postcards on page 61 SILKAIR.COM | 49

偷闲 / 吉隆坡

雨林交响曲

文 黎 有 玲

偌大的塔曼尼加拉国家公园是马来西亚最大的自然保 护区，存活了过亿年的珍贵动植物不受岁月和尘世侵 蚀，为这个茂密雨林谱写一阕和谐的大自然乐章

马

来西亚位处热带地区， 气候炎热潮湿，正好孕 育了多元而丰富的生 态资源，是全球生物多 样性最高的国家之一。位于马来半 岛中央腹地、距离吉隆坡约四小时 车程的塔曼尼加拉国家公园幅员广 袤，面积达4,343平方公里，横跨吉 兰丹、彭亨和丁加奴三州，是马来西 亚第一个、也是面积最大的国家公 园，早于1938年已被列为受保护的 自然绿带。 这个被誉为是马来西亚“绿色心 脏”的国家公园，无疑是世界上最古 老的热带雨林之一，估计已经历了 1亿3,000万年的悠悠岁月，比刚果和 亚马逊森林更古老，堪称原始世界 的“老祖宗”。公园不但造就了全球

50 | SILKWINDS

最复杂缤纷的生态系统，同时也是 当地原住民的家园，体现了人类与自 然共存的难得和谐。 雨林的足迹 公园内约1,300平方公里的热带雨林 一直未被破坏，保持了亿年以上的原 始面貌，是大自然不可多得的瑰宝。 林内共有2,000多种树木、5,000余 种开花植物、15万种昆虫，同时也是 200种哺乳类动物和643种鸟类的栖 息地，树插云霄，鸟鸣啁啾，兽走林 幽，难怪经常吸引不少探险家亲临 感受大自然的奥妙。 要近距离观看原始的自然生态， 便千万别错过参加别具趣味的树冠 漫步。吊桥以坚韧的绳索系在参天 巨树间，长530米、离地约高45米，

RAINFOREST SYMPHONY

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: JOYCE ONG Y.T. ; GETTY IMAGES; 123RF.COM

麂、马来貘及野猪的踪影。再不然， 可到精心选址、高高架起于丛林间 的隐蔽茅屋中，化身动物学家，静静 守候及观察野生动物的一举一动。

是全球最长的树冠吊桥，一边漫行， 一边从居高临下的角度俯看茂密的 幽林和花卉，更可以了解居于树冠上 的动物生态，甚至远眺远处的河流， 雨林奇观，尽收眼底。 动物大观园 塔曼尼加拉国家公园居住了不少原 始的珍稀动物，如马来西亚野牛、 食蟹猴、老虎、苏门答腊犀牛及亚 洲象等。当中有些更已濒临绝种，弥 足珍贵。 旅客可参加公园探险团安排的 夜探雨林(tamannegara.asia)，跟随 专业导游一睹这些珍贵动物的庐山 真面目。到了晚上，日间隐居不出户 的动物和昆虫纷纷活跃过来，如果 运气好，便会在盐沼地一带看到赤

阿凡达精灵 在公园内除了可以展开自然生态之 旅外，还可以探访世世代代深居林 内部落的原住民。他们一直沿河聚 居于以茅草搭建的房舍，或因为猎 物减少而迁徙，过着游牧民族的流 居生活。原住民们皮肤黝黑，不常 与外界接触，在树林内以狩猎、水 果和山药维生，彷佛是隐居于密林 的阿凡达。 他们会向旅客示范削竹箭，以 及制造打猎用的箭镖，镖头抹上具 麻醉作用的树液，然后放于竹管内 吹出，是他们野居打猎时的重要工 具。这些居住民不谙外语，但亲切 友善，旅客也要尊重他们的传统文 化，拍照时记得先要取得他们同意， 彼此互谅互敬。

对页：踏足悬于 半空的树冠吊桥， 一步一惊心 上：原住民以长长 的吹箭狩猎，尽显 原始的智慧 右上小图：野牛

Indulge your adventurous spirit with a trip into a 130-millionyear-old tropical rainforest in the heart of Peninsular Malaysia.

Taman Negara is Malaysia’s first and largest national park, spread across 4,343sqkm and about four hours by car from Kuala Lumpur. A treasure trove of ancient flora and endangered fauna, it’s said to be one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world.

Jungle trekking is a popular activity in the national park, which is populated by a wide variety of wildlife species such as Malayan gaurs, tigers, leopards and Sumatran rhinos. The jungle is especially lively after sunset, so consider joining a guided night trek. If you’re lucky, you may spot nocturnal creatures such as tapirs and wild boars going about their daily activities.

For stunning rainforest views, stroll along the world’s longest canopy walkway. At 530m long and 45m above ground, it offers a rare chance to observe the rich, diverse canopy ecosystem at the treetops.

Visit a secluded indigenous settlement accompanied by a guide. The Orang Asli (indigenous people) have called Taman Negara home for generations, and still live a hunter-gatherer lifestyle today. Learn how these gentle forest people make and use weapons like bamboo blowpipes — the darts are coated with tree sap that have natural anaesthetic properties.

SilkAir flies 54 times weekly between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur

胜安航空每星期有54班航班从 新加坡直飞吉隆坡 SILKAIR.COM | 51

快讯 / 热门精选

哥打京那巴鲁

凯恩斯

3月11-20日

位

于婆罗洲西北部的哥打京那 巴鲁(简称KK）坐拥自然胜景、 多姿人文资产和数个古民族部落，时 髦市容和悠远文化相辅相成。

好者留连，也吸引艺术团体和新近 画家前来表演和展示作品。咖啡 座每月还在店外举办工艺美术跳 蚤市场。

美味天堂

舒缓胫骨 跋山涉水后，到加雅岛度假村的获 奖spa village宠一宠自己。来一个 Tadau Kamaatan配套，让全身磨砂、 脸和发膜一一助你脱胎换骨，或以 深层按摩Urutan Pribumi恢复体力。

Uncle Garry Nasi Kerabu Biru Sabah 私家厨房的nasi kerabu biru风靡当

地和各国老饕。碧蓝的饭用蝴蝶花 汁染色，配炸鱼或鸡块和炸鱼饼、 咸蛋、acar腌菜等。想尝美食，敬请 预约。 户外探险 想挑战极限，森林探险专家L.O.S.T. Borneo的两天一夜森林远足和野外 求生营等着你！ 艺术之家 位于兵南邦(Penampang) Lido广场 的The B-Side咖啡座不仅让咖啡爱

大快‘果’颐

你知道吗？昆士兰北部 盛产奇异水果如榴莲和 佛手柑。这个在因尼斯 费尔镇(Innisfail)举行的 10天盛宴，各区热带水 果荟萃，精彩项目包括 农场观光、与著名澳大 利亚诗人Marco Gliori的 丛林早餐、公园野餐，以 及甜滋滋的水果飨宴。

舞出精彩 每逢八月，来自各国（如土耳其或俄 罗斯）的民俗舞蹈团都会风尘仆仆 来到沙巴文化中心，为沙巴国际民俗 节助阵。想为舞技加分，一定要参加 该节日的舞蹈研习班。

feastofthesenses.com.au

胜安航空每日从新加坡飞往 哥打京那巴鲁

经七年精雕细琢，这座《罗摩 衍那》史诗里的庞然鸟石雕 终于在印度南部奎隆(Kollam) 的Jatayu自然公园与参观者见 面。号称世界最大鸟雕，雄伟 身影长达200英尺，占地一万五 千平方英尺，里头还设博物馆、戏 院和望远镜观景台。园内其他好玩特色 包括冒险乐园、直升机观景服务和阿育吠陀静养 洞穴设施。jatayunaturepark.com

52 | SILKWINDS

YTL HOTELS

天马行 空之作

A JOY TO FLY Welcome aboard! As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir brings you unique travel experiences in Asia-Pacific’s most exciting destinations

54 SILKAIR EXPERIENCE 56 NEWS FROM THE DECK 58 OFFICES 59 FLEET & FLIGHT TIMES 60 ROUTE MAP 61 POSTCARDS 68 SILKAIR STUDIO Stream movies, TV shows and music onboard

SILKAIR.COM | 53

SILKAIR EXPERIENCE

WE TAKE CARE OF YOU It’s the little touches that make a big difference. Discover the joy of flying with us, and experience our friendly inflight service with a warm Asian touch.

Your journey begins the moment you step on board

54 | SILKWINDS

THE REGIONAL WING OF SINGAPORE AIRLINES

We know you want the best that Asia has to offer. A full-service, award-winning airline, SilkAir now flies to 49 destinations across 13 countries and is the regional wing of Singapore Airlines (SIA). Together with SIA, we offer a combined network of 105 destinations in 37 countries.

Along with SIA Cargo and our codeshare partners, our network extends to 280 destinations in 76 countries, giving you more connections to the rest of the world.

SILKAIR CABINS

We understand that a flight is much more than getting to your destination – it is the start of your holiday or business travel.

Whether for business or pleasure, you can relax, work and rest well in our Business and Economy Class cabins.

In Business Class, enjoy enhanced personal space and comfort with luxurious leather-upholstered seats fitted on several aircraft.

The ergonomically designed 40-inch seats offer optimised legroom too. Before your flight, enjoy complimentary hot or cold snacks and refreshments in one of our lounges. On board, enjoy delectable food, wine and personalised service from our award-winning cabin crew.

In Economy Class, our friendly cabin crew will welcome you with a refreshing drink and reading material. Relaxing on board is easy in our spacious, ergonomically designed seats with adjustable headrest and ample legroom.

DINING

Start your journey with a complimentary welcome drink.

When it is time to dine, savour local favourites like Hainanese chicken rice and laksa, as well as a wide variety of Malay, Indian and Chinese dishes. To accompany your meal, enjoy a glass from our carefully curated collection of wines and nonalcoholic beverages.

At SilkAir, we keep our passengers’ best interests at heart. Be sure to let us know if you have any special dietary requirements at least 24 hours before your flight, and we will do our best to meet your needs.

CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED SEAT

Economy Class passengers can now select a Preferred Seat, which are located in exit rows.

Offering more legroom, the seats are available for a fee of USD40 for flights to and from China, India, Australia and Nepal, and USD20 for flights to and from all other SilkAir destinations. When you make an online booking on silkair.com, you may purchase the seats during the seat selection stage, and at any time before check-in opens by retrieving your booking.

AMENITIES

We offer several inflight amenities to make your journey more comfortable, from pillows and blankets, to amenity kits and sockettes.

For little ones, we have a variety of toys such as plushies and SpongeBob SquarePants board game kits to keep them entertained. Please ask our cabin crew.

ENTERTAINMENT

With our compliments, enjoy SilkAir Studio (pictured above), our wireless inflight entertainment system.

Complementing our existing overhead drop-down screens, you

PERKS & PRIVILEGES BOARDING PASS PRIVILEGES Save your SilkAir boarding pass to enjoy an assortment of privileges, including exclusive discounts on accommodation, dining and shopping, as well as discounted rates for the SIA Hop-On Bus.

can watch up to 20 Hollywood and international movies and 26 TV programmes, and listen to 100 chart-topping music albums via wireless streaming directly on your personal mobile devices. For flights over two hours, Business Class passengers will get Lenovo tablets on loan to enjoy SilkAir Studio. Catch up on the latest news with our wide range of complimentary newspapers and browse through our diverse selection of magazines covering business, fashion, lifestyle and sports.

IN-SEAT POWER SUPPLY

For your convenience, selected aircraft are now fitted with in-seat power supply so you can charge your personal electronic devices while on board.

KRISFLYER MILES Earn and redeem KrisFlyer miles when you fly with SilkAir. The more frequently you fly with SilkAir or Singapore Airlines, the sooner you qualify for KrisFlyer Elite Silver or Elite Gold membership. Each level of membership comes with additional rewards, privileges and benefits.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES PPS CLUB The PPS Club is reserved for those who travel frequently on Singapore Airlines’ and SilkAir’s premium classes. Accrue PPS value when you travel Business Class on SilkAir, which will count towards PPS Club member qualification and renewal.

PPS Club members enjoy personalised benefits and a greater level of preferential treatment.

SKYSHOP TREATS

From designer fragrances to classic liquors, SilkAir’s SkyShop brings a wide selection of products right to your seat.

Browse through the SkyShop catalogue in your seat pocket, or pre-order products online at silkairdutyfree.com and have them delivered to you on your next SilkAir flight.

SILKAIR.COM | 55

SILKAIR NEWS FROM THE DECK

Cairns

SEE THE MALDIVES

with Jinly Gan, flight stewardess

Any dining recommendations?

Muraka Restaurant in Mirihi, South Ari Atoll offers great seafood options such as green-tea smoked marlin and Whole Fish Delight, where the staff will prepare a whole fish and filet it before your eyes.

Child’s Dream Foundation is SilkAir’s official adopted charity partner under a three-year Memorandum of Understanding, signed last January. Child’s Dream is a nonprofit organisation committed to helping marginalised kids and youth in the Greater Mekong Subregion, which covers Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. Established in

Top travel tips?

Do your research before flying.

Remember that the Maldives comprises 26 atolls, so check if your hotel booking includes island transfers to and from Malé airport.

DISCOUNTED RATES FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE

56 | SILKWINDS

2003, the foundation works with local communities to grow educational opportunities and boost health conditions for minors and youth. Activities include health interventions to reduce child mortality, construction of facilities for basic education, setting up of youth employment centres, and provision of high school and university scholarships.

Commenting on the partnership, SilkAir Chief Executive Leslie Thng says: “It has always been SilkAir’s goal to reach out to the communities in the Southeast Asian destinations we serve, and we are thrilled to support Child’s Dream’s good work.” childsdream.org

To save time and money and give you a smoother check-in experience, SilkAir passengers can now enjoy a 20 per cent discount with pre-purchase of excess baggage allowance online. All passengers with a SilkAir-issued ticket can pre-purchase blocks of 5kg, with a maximum 100kg per passenger, on all flights operated

by SilkAir at least 48 hours before departure. Simply log in to Manage Bookings on the SilkAir website to make the purchase. This offer is currently not available for flights departing from India and Myanmar. silkair.com

GETTY IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCK

What’s a must-try activity for first-time visitors to the Maldives?

Dive and see the MV British Loyalty shipwreck off Addu Atoll. The ship was torpedoed by the Japanese forces in WWII, and is now home to black corals and populated by clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish and turtles.

Join the SilkAir-MasterCard Priceless Rewards lucky draw SilkAir, in partnership with MasterCard and Resorts World Sentosa, presents the exciting Priceless Rewards monthly lucky draw.

Passengers who have flown or will fly with SilkAir on flights departing from Singapore, and purchased their tickets using MasterCard from 1 November 2015 till 31 March 2016 are eligible for the lucky draws.

The monthly winners will receive the Singapore Package, which includes a two-night stay at RWS’ Ocean Suite that has an underwater view of more than 40,000 marine life; a VIP tour of Universal Studios Singapore for two adults and two children; and one-day admission passes to the S.E.A. Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark

for two adults and two children.

Only passengers with SilkAir ticket numbers that start with “629” are eligible.

To enter the lucky draw, visit silkair.com

Thanks to Booking.com, hotel stays just get more rewarding! KrisFlyer members can now earn 250 KrisFlyer miles per completed hotel stay that’s reserved through the website. With more than 800,000 properties listed worldwide, the website gives KrisFlyer members unlimited hotel options and plenty of opportunities to earn miles while at it. Simply enter your KrisFlyer membership number upon booking, and the miles will be credited to your account after your stay. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information, visit booking.com/silkair

THE WESTIN SINGAPORE

2015 Ranked among the Top 10 Airlines for Best Cabin Service Worldwide 2015

by Hong Kong-based online travel magazine, Smart Travel Asia 2014 Ranked among the Top 10 Airlines for Best Cabin Service Worldwide 2014,

1989 February Tradewinds takes to the skies on leased McDonnell Douglas MD87 aircraft with flights to Hat Yai, Pattaya, Phuket, Kuantan and Tioman 1992 April & July Tradewinds is renamed SilkAir. Business Class is introduced

EARN 250 KRISFLYER MILES THROUGH BOOKING.COM

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Milestones

2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 by Smart Travel Asia Regional Airline of the Year 2014 by airlineratings.com, leading airline safety and review website

Changi Airline Awards 2012 2011 Best Regional Airline 2011, Centre for Aviation (CAPA)

2013 Regional Airline of the Year 2013 Air Transport News (ATN) awards

2010 Inducted into TTG Asia’s Travel Hall of Fame following its 10th win as Best Regional Airline at the TTG Travel Awards 2009

2012 Ranked 3rd, Top 10 Airlines

by Passenger Carriage,

2009 Wins Best Regional Airline: Southeast Asia by Skytrax

1994 February New Balenciaga-designed cabin crew uniform is revealed 1998 September Unveils A320 with seating capacity of up to 150 1999 February SilkAir celebrates its 10th anniversary 2002 July Online bookings are made available on the official SilkAir website 2004 August Cabin crew wear the new wrap dress uniform 2009 February SilkAir celebrates its 20th anniversary 2012 August Announces its largest fleet order – up to 68 Boeing aircraft, and launches revamped website 2014 February SilkAir celebrates its 25th anniversary, and receives its first Boeing 737-800 aircraft 2015 April Unveils new cabin crew uniforms designed

by Singaporean Alexandria Chen

SILKAIR.COM | 57

SILKAIR OFFICES SINGAPORE 101 Thomson Road, #10-03 United Square, Singapore 307591 Tel: +65 6223 8888 AUSTRALIA CAIRNS (CNS) Level 2, AAC Building, Cairns Airport Cairns, QLD 4870 Tel: +61 7 4034 9100 24-hour reservations hotline (local calls only): 1310 11 DARWIN (DRW) Darwin International Airport, Terminal Suite 9, Henry Wrigley Drive, PO Box 41725, Casuarina, Darwin, NT 0811 Tel: +61 8 8927 8336 24-hour reservations hotline: 1310 11 (for local calls only) CAMBODIA PHNOM PENH (PNH) Unit 2-4A, Regency C, Samdech Monireth Blvd (St 217), SK. Tomnoub Tuk, KH. ChamkarMorn, Phnom Penh Tel: +855 23 988 629 SIEM REAP (REP) Office No. G10-G11 Airlines Office Building, Siem Reap International Airport Tel: +855 63 964 993 CHINA CHANGSHA (CSX) Room 61002, Huatian Hotel, VIP Tower, 10th Floor, 300 East Jie Fang Road, Changsha, Hunan Tel: +86 731 8997 7861/3 CHENGDU (CTU) #09-04 Tower 2, Raffles City Chengdu, No.3, Section 4, South Renmin Road Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Tel: +86 28 8652 8626 CHONGQING (CKG) Unit 19-6, RongHeng Times Square, No 2 Guan Yin Qiao Street, Jiangbei District, Chongqing Tel: +86 23 6787 8891/2 KUNMING (KMG) 2002, 20th Floor, Building B, Yinhai SOHO International Apartment Building, 612 Beijing Road, Kunming Tel: +86 871 6313 2334 SHENZHEN (SZX) Room 3H030-2, New Terminal Baoan International Airport, Shenzhen Tel: +86 0755 2345 9346/49 WUHAN (WUH) Unit 16-16, 16th Floor, Tower

58 | SILKWINDS

MUST EXPERIENCE: KUNMING “How much is a kilo of rose?” may not be a typical question, but that’s a common query at the Dounan Flower Market. Visitors here are spoilt for choice with over 500 florists selling 200 types of blooms. For local food, head to Qiao Xiangyuan restaurant for its rice noodles in a hot soup made from chicken broth and oil, and topped with meats and vegetables.

MYANMAR MANDALAY (MDL) Room 2018, 1st Floor, Mandalay International Airport, Tada-Oo Township, Mandalay Tel: +95 227 096 YANGON (RGN) 0202 Sakura Tower, No 339, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada, 11182 Yangon Tel: +95 1 25 5288

Winne Xiao Wei SilkAir Senior Sales and Reservation Officer 1, New World International Trade Tower, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan 430000 Tel: +86 278 555 7648/748 XIAMEN (XMN) 15th Floor, Unit H, International Plaza, No 8, Lujiang Road, Xiamen 361001 Tel: +86 592 205 3257/80 INDIA BANGALORE (BLR) Park View, 17 Curve Road, Near Queens Circle, Tasker Town, Bangalore 560051 Tel: +91 80 2286 7870/2 CHENNAI (MAA) The Westminster, 1st Floor 108, Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600004 Tel: +91 44 4592 1921 COIMBATORE (CJB) 229A, ITI Centre, 2nd Floor, Sir Shanmugham Chettiar Road, Coimbatore 641002, Tel: +91 422 437 0271/61/81 HYDERABAD (HYD) 6-3-1192/1/1, 104 1st Floor White House, Block A, Kundan Bagh, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016 Tel: +91 40 4036 9000 KOCHI (COK) Aisha Manzil, Ravipuram, M.G. Road, Kochi 682 016, Kerala Tel: +91 484 401 0410 KOLKATA (CCU) Millenium City IT Park, Tower II, 9th Floor, Unit 9A, DN-62, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091 Tel: +91 033 2367 5422/3 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (TRV) Ground Floor, Vivanta By Taj C V Raman Pillai Road, Thycaud

Trivandrum 695014 Tel: +91 471 2324144/5144 VISAKHAPATNAM (VTZ) Door No. 9-14-2, 2nd floor, Tanishq Show Room, VIP Road, Visakhapatnam -530003.

Tel: +91 891 297 1001/2 INDONESIA BALIKPAPAN (BPN) BRI Tower, 6th Floor Suite 606 Jalan Jendral Sudirman No 37, Balikpapan 76122, East Kalimantan Tel: +62 542 73 0800 BANDUNG (BDO) Wisma Bumiputera, Level 2, Suite #207, Jalan Asia Afrika 141-149, Bandung 40112 Tel: +62 22 424 1251 DENPASAR (DPS) 2nd floor GOI Building Ngurah Rai International Airport Denpasar, Bali 80361 Tel: +62 361 9368 388/89 LOMBOK (LOP) Lombok Raya Hotel, Jalan Panca Usaha No 11 Mataram 83231, Lombok Nusa Tenggara Barat Tel: +62 370 62 8254/5 MAKASSAR (UPG) Unit F & G, 10th Floor, Menara Bosowa, Jalan Jendral Sudirman No 5, Makassar Tel: +62 411 368 1017 MANADO (MDC) Ground Floor, Jalan Sarapung 5 Manado 95111, North Sulawesi Tel: +62 431 86 3744/844 MEDAN (KNO) 2nd Floor, Hotel Polonia, Jalan Jendral Sudirman No 14, Medan 20152 Tel: +62 61 453 7744 PALEMBANG (PLM) Ground Floor, Sandjaja Hotel

PENANG (PEN) Suite 12-08, 12th Floor MWE Plaza, No 8 Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang Tel: +60 4 263 3201

Jalan Kapt. A. Rivai 6193 Palembang 30129 Tel: +62 711 35 6473/537 PEKANBARU (PKU) 4th Floor (Lantai 3A), Surya Dumai Group Building, Jalan Jend Sudirman No 395, Pekanbaru 28116, Riau Tel: +62 761 83 9979/89 SEMARANG (SRG) Menara Suara Merdeka, Jalan Pandanaran No 30, Unit 6-04, Semarang 50134, Jawa Tengah Tel: +62 24 7692 8838 SURABAYA (SUB) Menara Mandiri, 10th Floor, Plaza Tunjungan 2, Jalan Basuki Rahmat 8-12, Surabaya 60261 Tel: +62 31 531 9215/16 YOGYAKARTA (JOG) Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel, Arcade 8-9, Jalan Laksda Adisucipto 81, Yogyakarta Tel: +62 274 446 9092/93

MALAYSIA KOTA KINABALU (BKI) Block L, Lot 69-5, KK Times Square, Off Costal Highway 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Tel: +60 88 485 450/1/2 KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 10th Floor, Menara MultiPurpose, Capital Square 8 Jalan Munshi Abdullah, 50100, Kuala Lumpur Tel: +60 3 2692 3122 KUCHING (KCH) 07-1A, Gateway Kuching, Jalan Bukit Mata, Kuching Tel: +60 82 25 6772/3 LANGKAWI (LGK) Langkawi International Airport, Mezzanine Floor, 2nd Level, Padang Mat Sirat Langkawi, Kedah Darulaman Tel: +60 4 955 9771

NEPAL KATHMANDU (KTM) 399 Kamaladi Street, 1st Floor, PO Box 482, Kathmandu Tel: +977 1 422 0759 PHILIPPINES CEBU (CEB) Unit 7D, Pioneer Building, Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000 Tel: +63 32 505 7871 DAVAO (DVO) Suite 056, Pryce Tower, JP Laurel Avenue, Pryce Business Park, Davao City 8000 Tel: +63 82 227 5301 KALIBO (KLO) 2nd Floor, Casa Felicidad Alba, Archbishop Reyes Street, Kalibo Tel: +63 36 500 7226 THAILAND CHIANG MAI (CNX) Duangtawan Hotel , 132 Loykroh Road, T.Changklan A.Muang District, Chiang Mai Tel: +66 53 90 4985/6 KOH SAMUI (USM) Samui Park Avenue Building Unit No C-2, 99/9 Moo 4, Tambol Bopud, Amphur Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 77 60 1172/3 PHUKET (HKT) 101/17 Moo 1, Tambol Kathu, Amphur Kathu, Phuket 83120 Tel: +66 76 30 4018/19/20 VIETNAM DANANG (DAD) 8th Floor, Suite 802, One Opera Danang Hotel, 115 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Danang Tel : +84 511 3562708/9 HANOI (HAN) G02 – International Centre 17 Ngo Quyen Street, Hanoi Tel: +84 4 3826 8888

SILKAIR FLEET & FLIGHT TIMES

SilkAir flies one of the youngest fleets in the Asian region, with an average age of 3 years 10 months. We currently operate 29 aircraft, comprising 11 Airbus A320-200, 4 Airbus A319-100 and 14 Boeing B737-800 aircraft

Boeing 737-800 NO OF AIRCRAFT 14 IN FLEET NO OF SEATS 12 BUSINESS CLASS 150 ECONOMY CLASS

Length 39.5m Wingspan 35.8m Height 12.5m Typical cruise speed 0.785 Mach

Airbus 320-200 NO OF AIRCRAFT 11 IN FLEET NO OF SEATS 12 BUSINESS CLASS 138 ECONOMY CLASS

Length 37.57m Wingspan 35.8m Height 11.76m Maximum speed 0.82 Mach

Airbus 319-100 AIRCRAFT IMAGES: JUERGEN BAUMBUSCH

NO OF AIRCRAFT 4 IN FLEET NO OF SEATS 8 BUSINESS CLASS 120 ECONOMY CLASS

Length 33.84m Wingspan 35.8m Height 11.76m Maximum speed 0.82 Mach

Destination

Flight Airport duration to city

AUSTRALIA Cairns Darwin

6:40hrs 4:40hrs

5.8km 13km

CAMBODIA Phnom Penh Siem Reap

2hrs 2:10hrs

11km 7km

CHINA Changsha Chengdu Chongqing Kunming Shenzhen Wuhan Xiamen

4:45hrs 4:35hrs 4:30hrs 4hrs 4:05hrs 5:05hrs 4:05hrs

20km 18km 21km 25km 32km 26km 20km

INDIA Bangalore Chennai Coimbatore Hyderabad Kochi Kolkata Thiruvananthapuram Visakhapatnam

4:20hrs 4:20hrs 4:25hrs 4:35hrs 4:30hrs 4:20hrs 4:25hrs 4:20hrs

40km 20km 10km 38km 32km 20km 6km 15km

INDONESIA Balikpapan Bandung Denpasar Lombok Makassar Manado Medan Palembang Pekanbaru Semarang Surabaya Yogyakarta

2:25hrs 1:50hrs 2:40hrs 2:45hrs 3hrs 3:40hrs 1:15hrs 1:05hrs 1:05hrs 2:15hrs 2:20hrs 2:20hrs

12km 4km 13km 30km 17km 15km 42km 20km 10km 6km 22km 8km

MALAYSIA Kota Kinabalu Kuala Lumpur Kuching Langkawi Penang

2:30hrs 55min 1:25hrs 1:25hrs 1:25hrs

10km 80km 10km 18km 21km

MALDIVES Male

4:35hrs

2km

MYANMAR Mandalay Yangon

3:35hrs 2:55hrs

45km 16km

NEPAL Kathmandu

5:10hrs

5km

PHILIPPINES Cebu Davao Kalibo

3:40hrs 3:50hrs 3:40hrs

14km 12km 3km

THAILAND Chiang Mai Koh Samui Phuket

2:55hrs 1:45hrs 1:45hrs

5km 17km 31km

VIETNAM Danang Hanoi

2:45hrs 3:20hrs

3km 45km

SILKAIR.COM | 59

SILKAIR ROUTE MAP

Flights operated by SilkAir SilkAir and Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines

Chongqing Kunming New Delhi

Guangzhou

Kathmandu INDIA

Mumbai Hyderabad

Kolkata Visakhapatnam

Bangalore Chennai Coimbatore Kochi Thiruvananthapuram

Changsha

CHINA

NEPAL

Shenzhen

Ahmedabad Mandalay MYANMAR

Yangon

Shanghai

Wuhan

Chengdu

Xiamen

Hong Kong

Hanoi PHILIPPINES

VIETNAM

Manila

Chiang Mai THAILAND

Bangkok

Danang

Kalibo Cebu

CAMBODIA

Siem Reap Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh City Koh Samui Phuket

Medan

Davao Kota Kinabalu

Manado

Langkawi MALAYSIA Penang Kuala Lumpur

Male

SINGAPORE

Pekanbaru

Kuching

Balikpapan Makassar

Palembang

INDONESIA

Semarang Surabaya Jakarta Lombok Bandung Denpasar Yogyakarta

Dili

TIMOR-LESTE

Darwin

Cairns

AUSTRALIA

60 | SILKWINDS

POSTCARDS A quick guide to our 49 destinations

SILKAIR RECOMMENDS

SHUTTERSTOCK

Soak in the Top End’s tour de force – Aboriginal culture, nature’s bounty (crocodiles included) and laid-back vibe

Litchfield Park, about 90km from Darwin, is home to magnetic termite mounds. The insects build these mounds – which rise as high 2m – with north-south orientation to prevent too much sun exposure.

SEE

Didgeridoo Hut & Art Gallery (by appointment only; call +61 08 8988 4457) is the place to visit for all things didgeridoo.

Learn the stories behind the beautiful art on these musical instruments or ask the staff for tips on how to play it.

DO

Thanks to its secluded DRINK spot on the Adelaide River, Casey’s Bar on

Goat Island attracts pubgoers and anglers alike. Kai, the owner, also entertains his patrons with tales of Casey, the resident crocodile.

Join tours to Aboriginal communities and try bush tucker. Besides billy tea and damper, you can also taste green ants.

Grab one from a tree, bite its abdomen and suck the citrusy juice, which is an Aboriginal source of Vitamin C. EAT

The Tiwi Islands Annual Football Art Sale (20 March) is the only day in the year when you can visit Bathurst Island without a permit, watch a footy finals and buy authentic Tiwi art and crafts.

SHOP

SILKAIR.COM | 61

SILKAIR POSTCARDS

AUSTRALIA CAIRNS Besides being close to the Great Barrier Reef, this city in Queensland boasts pristine rainforests with unique flora and fauna, bustling farmers’ markets and breathtaking beaches and islands.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Thu and Sat) Climate Rainy (Nov-May), dry (May-Oct) DARWIN The capital of the Northern Territory is the gateway to Kakadu National Park, with abundant wildlife, waterfalls and aboriginal rock art.

In the city, Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct buzzes with open-air dining, bars and trendy boutiques.

Frequency 5 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sun) Climate Rainy (Nov-May), dry (May-Oct) CAMBODIA PHNOM PENH Stop by the grand Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda within the grounds. Enjoy a stroll along Sisowath Quay, a three-kilometre strip along the west bank of Tonlé Sap river that’s lined with bars, restaurants, cafés and shops.

Frequency 21 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct)

Cairns CHENGDU Stroll along the city’s old bridge, which, when lit, is stunning by night. The capital of Sichuan province also houses the giant panda breeding and research centre, and serves as the gateway to Mount Emei, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains.

Frequency 10 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (Oct-Nov), winter (Dec-Feb)

Phnom Penh

CHONGQING Marvel at the towering skyscrapers at Jiefangbei district, or visit Wulong National Geology Park for its karst stone bridges and deep mountain valleys.

Frequency 5 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat and and Sun) Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (Oct-Nov), winter (Dec-Feb)

SIEM REAP Discover the splendid architecture and bas-relief sculptures of Angkor Wat, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Near Tonlé Sap Lake, the charming floating villages are a fascinating sight.

Frequency 11 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct)

KUNMING The largest city in Yunnan province is famed for its natural and historical attractions, like its many colourful and ornate temples, the Yunnan Nationalities Village and karst caves in Jiuxiang.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu, Fri and Sun) Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (Oct-Nov), winter (Dec-Feb)

CHINA CHANGSHA Surrounded by three rivers, the capital of Hunan offers attractions like the Aiwan Pavilion in scenic Mount Yuelu. A major port, it is also one of China’s top 20 economically advanced cities.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu and Sat) Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (Oct-Nov), winter (Dec-Feb)

SHENZHEN This city in the Pearl River Delta region has something for everyone, from shopping, dining, art, to theme parks. Soak in the vibrant energy of the city centre and marvel at its cutting-edge architecture and modern skyscrapers.

Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (Oct-Nov), winter (Dec-Feb)

62 | SILKWINDS

Changsha

WUHAN With a history spanning more than 3,500 years, Wuhan offers plenty of sights and experiences for history lovers. Visit Hubei Provincial Museum and marvel at its more than 140,000 artefacts, including ancient weapons and musical instruments.

Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (Oct-Nov), winter (Dec-Feb)

XIAMEN Explore the rounded communal fortresses known as tulou of Xiamen’s Hakka people. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, they stand as lone castles up to five storeys high.

A trip here will also acquaint you with Fujian’s stunning countryside.

Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (Oct-Nov), winter (Dec-Feb)

Hyderabad

Bangalore

Shenzhen

Siem Reap

Chennai

Wuhan INDIA BANGALORE While it may be known as India’s Silicon Valley, Bangalore lures with its vibrant arts, music, dining and café scene, as well as cultural landmarks such as the Bangalore Palace.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Fri, Sat and Sun) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)

CHENNAI Admire colourful deities and intricate carvings at temples like Kapaleeshwar in this city steeped in Tamil and Hindu cultures.

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai offers diverse attractions, from classical dance shows to its famed Marina Beach.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Fri, Sat and Sun) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)

COIMBATORE Known fondly as the Manchester of South India for its thriving textile industry, Coimbatore also leaves tourists spellbound with its colourful temples, wall art, picturesque wildlife parks and hill stations.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)

HYDERABAD The capital of Telangana in southern India is one of the country’s most important IT cities.

Despite its modern trappings, timeless tradition and iconic landmarks like the Chowmahalla Palace reflect the city’s storied past.

Frequency 9 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)

SILKAIR.COM | 63

SILKAIR POSTCARDS KOCHI This seaport town has a slew of activities for nature and culture lovers. Learn about the cheena vala or Chinese fishing nets unique to the area, explore Portuguesebuilt churches and forts or the backwaters with its flora and fauna.

Frequency 9 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)

Thiruvananthapuram

KOLKATA Ethnically and religiously diverse, the capital of West Bengal boasts an established tradition in the arts.

Another must-experience is riding the city’s hand-pulled rickshaws.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Wed, Thu and Sun) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)

Balikpapan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is one of Kerala’s most picturesque cities. To see the bucolic corners of Kerala, hop on a houseboat that cruises the state’s backwaters.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb) VISAKHAPATNAM Vizag is the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh. It offers natural and cultural attractions such as Kailasagiri Park with its striking Hindu god statues, Kanker Palace and Rishikonda Beach.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Wed, Fri and Sun) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)

Denpasar

INDONESIA BALIKPAPAN This seaport city is a melting pot of cultures such as the Bugis and Javanese. Take a scenic boat ride down Mahakam river or shop for gemstones and handicrafts in town.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep) BANDUNG A green enclave, Bandung bears traces of its colonial past, like tea plantations opened by the Dutch in the mid-19th century. It’s also known for its stunning landscapes, like the crater lake Kawah Putih.

Frequency 5 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Thu, Fri , Sat and Sun) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

64 | SILKWINDS

Kochi DENPASAR Denpasar is the capital of Bali, dubbed the Island of the Gods and is one of the world’s most popular destinations. Bali boasts pristine beaches, lush rice terraces and a unique form of Hinduism where locals observe vibrant religious and cultural rituals.

Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

LOMBOK One of the islands of West Nusa Tenggara province, Lombok may be famous for its beaches and Mount Rinjani, but its other natural attractions like towering waterfalls, lush rice fields and the three Gilis are worth a visit.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

MAKASSAR South Sulawesi’s capital has beautiful snorkelling and diving sites, as well as stunning mosques and jaw-dropping sunsets.

It is also the gateway to Tana Toraja highlands, famous for its lush vistas and elaborate cultural rituals.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed and Sat) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

Lombok

Makassar

Pekanbaru MANADO This city in North Sulawesi is the gateway to Tomohon and its unique Vihara Buddhayana Buddhist temple complex. Manado is also famous for its dive spots, including Bunaken National Park in the Coral Triangle, which boasts some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed and Sat) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

MEDAN Home to the picturesque Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake, Medan is also a culinary mecca. Merdeka Walk offers a mouth-watering selection of local dishes, from spicy Minangkabau specialities to sweet Javanese food.

Frequency 14 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

Kuala Lumpur

PALEMBANG The capital of South Sumatra owes much of its charm to its architecture and historical landmarks. Must-sees include Kuto Besak Fort, once the centre of the Palembang sultanate, and Ampera Bridge.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed and Sat) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

YOGYAKARTA This Central Javanese city is home to batik makers and wayang golek stick puppet artisans who preserve Indonesia’s traditions. Arts aside, Yogyakarta is also known as the site of the majestic Borobudur temples.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu, Fri and Sun) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

PEKANBARU Once a sleepy port on Sumatra’s Siak River, Pekanbaru has been transformed into a bustling modern city. As Indonesia’s centre of Malay culture, it is home to interesting sites, including the An-Nur Mosque and Sang Nila Utama Museum.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed and Fri) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

MALAYSIA KOTA KINABALU Kota Kinabalu or “KK” is home to pristine beaches and iconic landmarks like the beautiful floating City Mosque. A major entry point to Sabah and Borneo, KK’s diverse ecology presents many opportunities for forest trekking.

Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Rainy (Nov-Feb), dry (Mar-Oct)

SEMARANG Nestled in the heart of Java island, Semarang boasts a variety of fascinating architecture, like the Sam Poo Kong Temple, built to honour 15th-century Chinese explorer Zheng He, and the Grand Mosque of Central Java, which has Arabic-style arches.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed and Fri) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

KUALA LUMPUR The Malaysian capital boasts a sophisticated urban charm rooted in old-world culture – think stately colonial architecture alongside modern marvels like Petronas Towers, and natural wonders like Batu Caves.

Frequency 54 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Rainy (Apr-Sep), dry (Oct-Mar)

SURABAYA Hailed as the City of Heroes for its role in the nation’s struggle for independence, this East Javanese city is also the gateway to Mount Bromo, the country’s most famous volcano.

Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)

KUCHING Explore Kuching’s ethnic richness and eco-diversity. Stay at a longhouse, see the proboscis monkeys at Bako National Park and Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, or get up close with Gunung Gading National Park’s giant Rafflesia blooms.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu, Fri and Sun) Climate Rainy (Nov-Feb), dry (Mar-Oct)

SILKAIR.COM | 65

SILKAIR POSTCARDS

Penang

Langkawi LANGKAWI Marvel at the wonders of nature in Langkawi, a string of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast that’s home to mountains, caves and rock formations and beautiful beaches.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Wed, Fri and Sun) Climate Rainy (May-Sep), dry (Oct-Apr) PENANG Explore Penang’s historic architecture – Chinatown’s clan houses and Kek Lok Si Temple – and don’t miss the street art, including clever murals and sculptures.

Frequency 32 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Rainy (May-Sep), dry (Oct-Apr) MALDIVES MALÉ The Maldives charms with plenty of opportunities for snorkelling, diving, and simply having fun in the sun. If you don’t feel like getting wet, hop aboard a passenger submarine that can go as deep as 40m.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu) Climate Dry (Jan-Mar), rainy (May-Nov) MYANMAR MANDALAY The last royal capital of Burma, Mandalay is the gateway to Bagan, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites, and the iconic U Bein Bridge, said to be the longest teakwood bridge in the world.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu and Sat) Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct)

66 | SILKWINDS

YANGON The former capital of Myanmar brims with fascinating sites, including the 2,500-year-old Shwedagon Pagoda, regarded as the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in the country.

Frequency 13 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct) NEPAL KATHMANDU A must-see for extreme adventurers, Kathmandu is also a dream destination for its rich cultural and spiritual offerings.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun) Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Aug), autumn (Sep-Nov), winter (Dec-Feb) PHILIPPINES CEBU This tropical paradise is known as the Island of Festivals for its many colourful annual celebrations. But it is probably best known for its spectacular dive spots with pristine marine life.

Frequency 12 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct) DAVAO Whet your appetite for nature and adventure in Davao, home to attractions like Eden Nature Park, Philippine Eagle Nature Centre and immaculate forests and trails perfect for hiking and biking.

Frequency 9 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct)

Mandalay

Kathmandu KALIBO Besides being the gateway to the stunning beaches of Boracay, Kalibo, capital of Aklan province, is also home to the “Mother of All Philippine Festivals” – the AtiAtihan Festival and its colourful street parades.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu and Sun) Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct)

SINGAPORE A cosmopolitan island city, Singapore draws you in with its myriad cultural sights, shopping malls, dining and entertainment options. Explore Gardens by the Bay – 101 hectares of lovely waterfront gardens – and visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in historic Chinatown.

Climate Cool (Dec-Feb), hot (May-Oct), rainy (Nov-Jan)

Davao

Malé

Phuket

TIMOR-LESTE DILI Timor-Leste’s seaside capital brims with activities. Relax along Cristo Rei Beach or the pristine beaches of Jaco Island, climb Mount Ramelau or simply admire the scenic vista of rice paddies.

Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu and Sat).

Flights are chartered by Air Timor (air-timor.com) Climate Rainy (Dec-May), dry (Jun-Nov)

Chiang Mai THAILAND CHIANG MAI The Rose of the North charms with its lush countryside, intriguing hill tribes and tantalising Northern Thai food, like curried egg noodles and sai oua sausages.

Frequency 5 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun) Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-Jun), rainy (Jul-Oct)

KOH SAMUI A beach lover’s paradise, Koh Samui is home to 42 stunning islands within the Mu Ko Angthong National Marine Park. Fun in the sun aside, visitors can explore famous temples like Wat Plai Laem, which houses a White Buddha with 18 hands.

Frequency 12 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-Jun), rainy (Jul-Oct)

PHUKET Fantastic beaches, good food, bargain shopping and friendly locals – all these and more make Phuket a true Jewel of the Andaman Sea. Popular beaches include Kamala, Karon, Kata, Nai Harn and Patong.

Frequency 35 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-Jun), rainy (Jul-Oct)

HANOI Scenic and peaceful, enjoy a day at Hoan Kiem Lake in the historical heart of Vietnam’s capital. Cross to Jade Island in the centre of the lake via the famous wooden Huc Bridge with its eye-catching red hue.

Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu, Fri and Sun) Climate Rainy (May-Sep), dry (Oct-Apr)

SILKAIR.COM | 67

GETTY IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCK

VIETNAM DANANG Vietnam’s fourth largest city boasts old-world charm and attractions like stunning Non Nuoc Beach and Marble Mountains, a popular pilgrimage site, and Khai Dinh Royal Tomb in Hue, just off Danang.

Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Rainy (Aug-Dec), dry (Jan-Jul)

SILKAIR STUDIO

Wireless inflight entertainment guide movies

HOLLYWOOD MOVIES

together to save a boy from the evil Snakehead. When Eddie dies in an accident, he is brought back to life by a mysterious medallion as an immortal fighter with superhuman powers.

After The Ball COMEDY Director: Sean Garrity; Cast: Portia Doubleday, MarcAndré Grondin, Chris Noth PG 101 mins

Shaun The Sheep

No one will employ recent fashion school graduate, Kate Castle. Even with a talent and flair for forward fashion, she soon learns that being the daughter of Larry Castle, the man who produces cheap imitations of the designers she wants to work for, won’t get her very far.

FAMILY/ANIMATION Director: Mark Burton, Richard Starzak; Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Omid Djalili PG 81 mins

Shaun gets more action than he bargained for when he takes the day off to have some fun. It’s up to Shaun to return everyone home safely after a mix up with the farmer, a caravan and an extremely steep hill unexpectedly leads them all to the Big City.

Best Man Down DRAMA/COMEDY Director: Ted Koland; Cast: Justin Long, Jess Weixler, Tyler Labine PG-13 86 mins

When their obnoxious best man, Lumpy, unexpectedly dies at their wedding, Kristen and Scott are forced to cancel their honeymoon and fly home to arrange his funeral. Getting Lumpy’s body home is just the start of an adventure that leads them to question who the real Lumpy was.

Clouds Of Sils Maria DRAMA Director: Olivier Assayas; Cast: Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, Chloë Grace Moretz PG-13 123 mins

Maria Enders is at the height of her cosmopolitan career when she’s asked to be part of a revival of the play that bought her fame 20 years earlier. This time however, she must step into the role of the older Helena rather than the seductive, younger Sigrid.

Million Dollar Baby Director: Clint Eastwood; Cast: Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman PG-13 132 mins DRAMA

Maggie seeks the help of the 68 | SILKWINDS

INTERNATIONAL MOVIES Goodbye Mr Loser 夏洛特烦恼 Song Of The Sea

COMEDY Director: Da-Mo Peng, Fei Yan; Cast: Allen Ai, Yuan Chang, Li-Chun Lee PG-13 104 mins

Director: Tomm Moore; Cast: David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Lisa Hannigan PG 93 mins ANIMATION/FAMILY

On a mission to free creatures who find themselves trapped in the present-day world, young Irish lad, Ben and his younger sister, Saoirse set out on an adventure. Saoirse is a selkie, a person who can turn into a seal, which is based in both Irish and Scottish folklore.

gruff and reluctant trainer, Frankie Dunn, to help her become a professional boxer.

Painfully estranged from his daughter, Frankie is unwilling to let anyone get close to him until Maggie walks into his life.

weapon into space, the US. Government recruits Machete for his most dangerous mission yet. He must fight his way through Mexico and put an end to the plot.

Machete Kills

ACTION/DRAMA Director: Gordon Chan; Cast: Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Claire Forlani PG-13 88 mins

Director: Robert Rodriguez; Cast: Danny Trejo, Alexa PenaVega, Mel Gibson R 99 mins ACTION/THRILLER

After discovering that an arms dealer is plotting to launch a

The Medallion

Charming Interpol agent, Nicole and Hong Kong detective, Eddie must work

During the wedding of Xia Luo’s first love, he gets into a drunken quarrel with his wife (Li) and ends up getting sent back to his teenage body. This time round though, equipped with the wisdom of adulthood, Xia Luo becomes popular and wins over the prettiest girl in school. 夏洛在初恋情人的婚礼上喝 醉酒与妻子吵架后，竟然穿越 时光返回时中学时期少年的自 己。这一回仗着成年人的机智， 夏洛成了学校里的热门人物，并 赢得校花的芳心。 20 Once Again 重返二十岁 COMEDY/DRAMA Director: Leste Chen; Cast: Yang Zishan, Grace Guei, Chen Bolin PG-13 131 mins

Upon learning of her family’s Limited earpieces are available upon request

Wireless streaming instructions are available in your seat pocket

plans to place her in a nursing home, 70-year-old Meng Jun wanders into the night streets. Lured into a photography studio claiming to be able to capture her youth, Meng Jun soon discovers that she has transformed back to her 20-year-old self. 年届七旬的梦君知悉家人欲将 她迁入养老院。当她在街头游 荡时，被宣称能够留住青春的 摄影室吸引上门，发现自己居然 回到了20岁的时光。 Monster Hunt 捉妖记 COMEDY/FANTASY Director: Raman Hui; Cast: Bai Baihe, Jing Boran, Eric Tsang PG 110 mins

In an ancient world based on medieval China, heroes and monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Cute baby monster and future King, Huba is the child of a human father and a monster queen.

When enemies threaten to capture him, Huba fights to survive. 古老的中国世界里有形形色色 的英雄和妖怪。可爱的小妖兼 未来妖王胡巴的父亲是人类， 母亲是妖后。敌人誓要捕捉胡 巴，他只好为生存而奋斗。 The Merger 我们停战吧 Director: Jimmy Luk; Cast: Frankie Lam, Patrick Tam, Rachel Lam PG-13 99 mins DRAMA/ROMANCE

Ga-Ga, a teenager, incites a demonstration opposing the demolition of the school library. Failing to prevent the demolition, she turns her focus to the preservation of its valuable books and she unexpectedly uncovers the truth of her birth parents’ love story. 热血少女家家发起示威抗议学 校图书馆的拆卸。阻止拆卸失 败后，家家一心一意要保留图书 馆的珍贵书籍，无意中发现亲 生父母的爱情真相。

The Crossing II 太平轮（下）：惊涛挚爱 ROMANCE/DRAMA Director: John Woo; Cast: Frank M. Ahearn, Shan Cong, Takeshi Kaneshiro PG-13 126 mins

Set in the 40s, this epic sees the passengers on the steamer, Taiping, sent helplessly into icy waters after it capsizes. Connections between passengers begin to emerge as we learn how they came to be on the fateful ship. 故事背景设于四十年代，邮轮‘ 太平轮’倾覆，乘客们在冰冷的 海中漂流。他们之间的关系随 着故事讲述各人乘船的来由而 开始变得明朗。

to find he’s assumed a new identity. An old man, little boy, a lady and a foreigner make up the list of his supernatural identities.

Gangnam Blues ACTION/DRAMA Director: Yoo Ha; Cast: Lee Min-ho, Kim Rae-won, Jung Jin-young PG-13 129 mins

In 1970s South Korea, two poor friends are desperate for cash. They’re separated after being recruited to be involved in a violent political clash. Years later, the two are pitted against each other as criminal gangs fight for control of lands in Gangnam.

Gabbar Is Back ACTION/DRAMA Director: Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi; Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Sunil Grover PG-13 120 mins

The Crossing II

Wild City 谜城 Director: Ringo Lam; Cast: Louis Koo, Shawn Yue, Liya Tong PG-13 100 mins ACTION/DRAMA

Ex-cop and bar owner, T Man becomes friends with a drunken lady, Yun, after she is involved in a car accident.

Soon, these two are targeted

by Yun’s previous lover, the high-flying Hong Kong lawyer, George and his band of thugs. 前警探天民是酒馆东主，认识 了一名醉酒出车祸的女郎小云。 俩人被小云的香港著名律师前 男友乔治以及手下一班流氓 缠上了。 Beauty Inside ROMANCE/FANTASY Director: JongYeol Baek; Cast: Hyo-ju Han, Seo Joon Park, Juri Ueno PG-13 127 mins

Furniture designer Woo-jin wakes up every morning

Limited earpieces are available upon request

and the other a petty thief.

When a pair of magical rings are discovered, they find themselves switching bodies.

Taking matters into his own hands, a man plagued by misery seeks revenge on corrupt public servants. As a drastic action, he starts to kidnap and murder them.

Khoobsurat COMEDY/ROMANCE Director: Shashanka Ghosh; Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Ratna Pathak PG 122 mins

When physiotherapist Mrinalini ‘Milli’ Chakravarty is recruited to work for the King, she meets a handsome young Rajput prince. She discovers that her prince is the complete opposite of her and is engaged to marry someone else.

Ithihasa DRAMA Director: Binu S.; Cast: Anusree, Shine Tom Chacko PG 119 mins

A tale of two strangers, one a conservative professional

Thani Oruvan

Thani Oruvan ACTION/THRILLER Director: M. Raja; Cast: Jeyam Ravi, Nayanthara, Arvind Swamy R 120 mins

Mithran is on a dangerous mission to bring down the deceitful industrialists and politicians who continue to deny the nation of medicine.

He goes against Siddharth Abhimanyu, a corrupt and merciless scientist.

RATING INFORMATION NR

Not Rated 无分级

G General Audience: Suitable for audiences of all ages. 大众:适合各年 龄观众观看。 PG Parental Guidance Suggested: Some material may not be suitable for children. 建议家长辅导:一些内容可 能不适合儿童观看。 PG-13 Parents Strongly Cautioned: Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. 强烈警 告家长:一些内容可能不适 宜13岁以下儿童观看。 R Restricted: Viewers under 17 years of age should be accompanied by a parent or an adult. 限制:17岁以下观众必须由家 长或成人陪同观看。

SILKAIR.COM | 69

SILKAIR STUDIO

tv

Mr. Bean Animated Series, Ep 11 & 12 (Episode 12 will also be screened on overhead monitor) COMEDY 30 mins per episode

In episode 11, Mr Bean feigns an injury in an effort to score a stay in a luxurious hospital.

He ends up with real injuries when he falls into a broken elevator. In the next episode, he thinks his cat, Scrapper, has been accidentally put out with the trash. When he finds a look-alike in an SOS cat home, he sets all the cats free to distract the owner so he can steal the fake ‘Scrapper’.

The Noose, S8 Ep 4 COMEDY

30 mins

The Noose delves into the local party scene to see if the new alcohol consumption restrictions have affected it.

It also discloses why a local footballer is suing his own club on grounds of discrimination.

Phua Chu Kang, S8 Ep 2 COMEDY

30 mins

After building a dunk tank for a charity fun fair, Chu Kang comes across a very unhappy former client. With the help of Chu Beng, he attempts to cheat his former client at the dunking booth. However, not all goes according to plan.

Pop Corn TV, Ep 11 & 12 (Episode 11 will also be screened on overhead monitor) COMEDY 30 mins per episode

A family-friendly, laugh-outloud compilation show of non-dialogue clips, pranks and hidden cameras.

Unbeatable Banzuke – Ep 3 & 4 (Episode 3 will also be screened on overhead monitor) COMEDY 30 mins per episode

This Japanese game show pits competitors against 70 | SILKWINDS

My Little Pony – It Ain't Easy Being Breezies

each other in difficult and entertaining challenges, where athletes push their bodies and minds to the limit.

In Episode 4, the competitors go head to head in the treacherous ‘Hand Walk’, the gruelling ‘Quick Muscle’, and the impossible balancing act, ‘Daruma 7’.

Wipe Out, S6 Ep 12 parts 1 & 2 (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) COMEDY 30 mins per episode

This show offers a truck load of thrills and spills and boasts the title of having the world’s largest obstacle course. Join the brave contestants as they negotiate their way through the barriers, snags and complications in an effort to win a cash prize.

Beauty & The Beast, S2 Ep 3 DRAMA

60 mins

Together, Catherine and Vincent are on the trail of a strange beast. But they each have a secret agenda as to why they are tracking the creature in what quickly escalates to become a game of cat-and-mouse.

Elementary, S3 Ep 1 DRAMA

60 mins

CHILDREN

Under The Dome, S1 Ep 8

Madam Secretary, S1 Ep 3 DRAMA

60 mins

When Henry’s wife uses his job to influence a deal with Pakistan, Henry becomes embroiled in an international negotiation.

Meanwhile, an aggressive reporter threatens to publish classified documents leaked from the State Department.

Transformers Rescue Bots – Spellbound

60 mins

CHILDREN

Norrie is grieving the death of her mother while Big Jim learns that Ollie has seized control of food and water.

Big Jim makes plans to blow up Ollie’s well so that water will return to the other wells. Meanwhile, Joe tells Julia about the minidome.

CHILDREN

Tree Fu Tom – Toms Fan Club CHILDREN

Cuddlestown descends into panic when Bernard gives a message to the Bananas to pass on but the Bananas get the message muddled up. Only the Bananas can clear up the confusion and put an end to the hysteria.

Rio: City Of Sport, Ep 5 – The Forest (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) SPORTS 30 mins

Hi-5 – Learn Something New 30 mins

Join the Hi-5 gang as they pack a truckload of energy into their show. Get ready for some singing and dancing action as the group performs.

CHILDREN

30 mins

After running out of paint, Kate sets out to find more, only to discover that all of the colours have been disappearing in Mimiloo, including Tack’s colourful personality. Kate embarks on a journey to return colour to the town and her friend.

30 mins

While Tom is preoccupied by a group who worships him as their champion, he fails to look out for his friends. Finding themselves in deep trouble with some bouncy Springbeetle eggs, havoc arises when the baby Springbeetles hatch.

30 mins

Kate & Mim Mim – Colour Me Happy

30 mins

When the Bots and the Burnses fall into mysterious mind-controlled trances, Cody must quickly find a way to wake them before he too is affected.

Bananas In Pyjamas, S2 – The Rainmakers & The Snippys Are Coming

CHILDREN

Joan offers an olive branch upon learning the truth about Kitty’s past. Sherlock helps a mathematical genius when he uncovers a murder while taking part in a math competition.

With her friends by her side, book-loving unicorn, Twilight Sparkle is sent by her guide, Princess Celestia to Ponyville.

There, she must learn about the charm and magic of true friendship.

Under the Dome

DRAMA

30 mins

The Tijuca Forest is the largest urban forest in the world.

Many extreme sports continue to thrive there. This episode features downhill mountain biking, downhill skateboarding, rock-climbing, paragliding and hang-gliding.

Luxe Asia – Chengdu (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) LIFESTYLE/SPORTS 30 mins

Anita Kapoor takes us roving throughout the beautiful and incredibly diverse Asian continent.

Looking for the latest in luxury options, Anita explores China in this episode.

Limited earpieces are available upon request

Wireless streaming instructions are available in your seat pocket Explorers: Annelie Pompe in Deep Everest (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) LIFESTYLE/SPORTS 30 mins

people. Together, they create a relief organisation and do everything they can to aid children in Southeast Asia.

Annelie Pompe is a master mountaineer and diver. In this episode, she sets out to attain the double accolade of being the first person to summit the world’s highest peak (Mt Everest) and make the world’s deepest dive.

Amur–Asia's Amazon

Photo Face-Off 2 Singapore, Penang, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Bali & Cebu episodes LIFESTYLE/SPORTS

60 mins per episode

Three local amateur photographers go head to head every episode in order to be named the Photo Face-Off champion.

Each episode highlights one city, where photographers encounter different subjects such as mixed martial arts and street fashion to mountain biking in Singapore; street art, weddings and extreme sports in Penang; creepy crawly food in Chiang Mai; Vietnam’s City of Lakes; and the beautiful islands of Cebu and Bali.

City Time Traveller, Ep 1 – Singapore, The Colonial Past (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) LIFESTYLE/SPORTS 30 mins

Jason travels to colonialera Singapore where he’s captivated by architectural marvels and futuristic complexes alike. He uncovers a rich tapestry of colours and shapes, revealing a fascinating story unique to the city.

Child’s Dream DOCUMENTARY

60 mins

This show follows two young bankers who decide to leave behind their careers and devote themselves to helping

Amur – Asia's Amazon DOCUMENTARY

House Hunters, Ep 3 60 mins

Animals are architects.

From clay nests to wooden dams, ecologist and conservationist, Chris Morgan showcases some of the most elaborate structures of the animal kingdom, and uncovers surprising facts and findings about these animal homes.

Battle For Taste 2, Ep 7 斗味第2季 CHINESE

60 mins

The battle brings the best chefs together from two of China’s food capitals – Hangzhou and Xi'an. This taste tussle sees 12 chefs showcase their skills to take the ultimate taste title. 来自中国两大美食之都—— 杭州和西安的最优秀厨师 大比拼。十二名大厨师在比 赛中大显身手争夺终极 烹饪宝座。

Limited earpieces are available upon request

CHINESE

60 mins

This Taiwanese variety show, hosted by Dee Hsu and Kevin Tsai, offers a fast-paced, light-hearted collection of celebrity interviews. Actors, musicians and politicians come together to talk about everything from current affairs to gossip. This episode features Leo Ku. 由徐熙娣和蔡康永主持的台 湾综艺节目呈献紧凑但轻松有 趣的名人访问。艺人、音乐家 和政治人物聚集一处与活泼的 主持人谈论从时事到八卦新闻 的天下事。这一集的嘉宾是古 巨基。

60 mins

The Amur or Heilongjiang is one of the most powerful rivers on earth. This epic three-part series looks at the natural world, diverse wildlife and the native people who live in and around this incredible body of water.

DOCUMENTARY

Kang Xi Is Coming – Leo Ku 康熙来了 - 古巨基

Mysteries of the 30th Parallel – Egypt 纬度30度的奥秘 - 埃及 CHINESE

60 mins

This documentary highlights the people and places located along the 30th parallel. Uncovering the mysteries of this region and discovering new wonders, the audience is led through an extraordinary world. 这部纪录片通过背包旅客的观 点来描述纬度30度各地的风土 人情。它发掘这一带的精彩奥 妙之处，带领观众进入一个神 奇的世界。 Stylish Man – The Chef 型男大主厨 CHINESE

60 mins

Each guest has 10 minutes to cook up a storm, using materials in keeping with the allotted theme. Originality is the name of the game as the results are rated by a professional chef. 每名嘉宾必须在10分钟内按主 题使用材料精心制作好菜。竞 赛的精髓是必须富创作性，比 赛结果由专业厨师评审。 Inkigayo (The Music Trend), – Oct 24th KOREAN

70 mins

This long-running South

Korean music programme features the country’s best and brightest artists. This episode follows the return of Tei with “Good Old Days”, Topp Dogg with “The Beat” and N.Flying with “Lonely”.

Running Man – Nov 8th KOREAN

60 mins

This popular South Korean variety show has gathered a loyal audience in its long run. It features regulars who compete in a variety of games at different landmarks.

Coke Studio, S7 Ep 3 INDIAN

30 mins

This Pakistani series showcases the country’s diverse range of artists and genres. This episode features live studio performances from Abida Parveen, Sajjad Ali, Fariha Pervez, Meesha Shafi, Jimmy Khan and Rahma Ali. Movie Magic – Rudramani INDIAN

42 mins

This notable Ayudha Pooja programme presents a delightful and dynamic interview with Rana Daggubati and Anushka Shetty – the two leads in the new release bilingual historic movie, Rudhramadevi.

My Trip My Adventure – Makassar BAHASA

30 mins

Vicky and Hamish travel far and wide on well-worn roads and go off the beaten track to discover everything they can about the beautiful and diverse nation of Indonesia.

Wisata Kuliner – Lombok BAHASA

30 mins

Join food fanatic and exjournalist, Bondan Winaro as he journeys across Indonesia and the greater globe on the trail of the best food.

SILKAIR.COM | 71

SILKAIR STUDIO

music

Wireless streaming instructions are available in your seat pocket

POP

Breathe In. Breathe Out.

MANDARIN – ALL TIME FAVOURITES

Beyond 101 CD 3 & 4

Aska Yang 杨宗纬/Universal Music

KOREAN

Beyond/Universal Music

Pure 原色

Hilary Duff/Sony Music Entertainment

Mobile Orchestra

Ordinary

Owl City/Universal

Diva 花旦

The Bright Side

Emil Wakin Chau 周华健/Rock Records

Beast/Universal

What Is Troubling You 你在烦恼什么

Who Are You - School 2015 (OST)

Lenka/Sony Music Entertainment

Forever Alesso/Universal

American Beauty/American Psycho

Various Artists/Warner Music

Sodagreen 苏打绿/Universal Music

Complete

The Greatest Mandopop Duets 巨星金曲合唱篇

BTOB/Universal

In The Mood For Love Pt. 1

Various Artists/Sony Music

Fall Out Boy/Universal

BTS/Universal

Fiction 大小说家

Piece By Piece

Crazy

Kelly Clarkson/Sony Music Entertainment

Yoga Lin/HIM International

4minute/Universal

1989

MANDARIN – OLDIES

Real Talk

Angus Tung 童安格/Universal Music

Time

Taylor Swift/Universal

Uptown Special (Clean Version) Mark Ronson/Universal

EASY LISTENING Before This World

James Taylor/Universal

Into Colour Rumer/Warner

Stages Josh Groban/Warner

Van Morrison Duets Van Morrison/Sony Music Entertainment

Classics She & Him/Sony

Shadows In The Night Bob Dylan/Sony

Tomorrow Is My Turn Rhiannon Giddens/Nonesuch

The Big Picture Kat Edmonson/Sony

R&B / JAZZ Wildheart

Miguel/Sony

Jackie Ciara/Sony

A Twist Of Rit Lee Ritenour/Universal

Made In Brazil

Led Zeppelin IV (Re-Issue) Led Zeppelin/Warner

25 Michael Learns To Rock/Warner

The Roxbox! - A Collection of Roxette’s Greatest Songs Roxette/Warner

CLASSICAL

Summer Night Concert 2015

CANTONESE

Celloverse

Eason Chan 陈奕迅/Universal Music

2Cellos/Sony Classical

Schumann’s Piano Concerto And The “Kinderszenen” Martin Stadtfeld/Sony Classical

Keys To Mozart Daria van den Bercken/Sony Classical

Paris, Mon Amour Sonya Yoncheva/Sony Classical

The Salzburg Recital Grigory Sokolov/Deutsche Grammophon

MANDARIN – NEW HITS

Jamie Cullum/Island Records

Guilt 罪恶感

Cheek To Cheek

A-Lin 黄丽玲/Sony Music

On The Way To The Stars 数星星的人 Kenji Wu 吴克群/Warner Music

Lee Hom XX - Best & More 力宏二十 二十周年唯一精选 Lee Hom 王力宏/Sony Music

Various Artists/Universal

Genesis 新世界

The Singles

JJ Lin/Warner Music

The Story: The Very Best Of Spandau Ballet

2014 S/S Play

Aiyo, Not Bad 哎哟，不错哦 Jay Chou/Sony Music

Lion Roar Show Luo/Warner Music

MALAY / INDO

Fei Yu Qing/EQ Music

The Chopin Project

Hu Xia 胡夏/Sony Music

Mariah Carey/Sony Music Entertainment

Akdong Musician/Warner

Olafur Arnalds & Alice Sara Ott/Universal

Interlude

#1 To Infinity

Chyi Chin 齐秦/EQ Music

Tsai Chin/EQ Music

Love Odyssey 替我照顾她

Savage Garden/Universal

Winner/Warner

Rudolf Buchbinder/Sony Classical

Da Mouth 大嘴巴/Universal Music

The Best Of The Best

A Beautiful Mind With China Philharmonic Orchestra 美丽境界

Best Of Tsai Chin 钻石系列：蔡琴

Diana Krall/Universal

OLD FAVOURITES

Super Junior/SM Entertainment

Bach

Wallflower

Mary J. Blige/Universal

The 7th Album ‘MAMACITA’

Tiger Huang 黄小琥/EQ Music

Best Of Fei Yu Qing 钻石系列：费玉清

Back To The Future 有事吗？

The London Sessions

Beast/Universal

Best Of Tiger Huang 钻石系列：黄小琥

The Vienna Philharmonic with Zubin Mehta & Rudolf Buchbinder/ Sony Classical

Elaine Elias/Universal

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga/Universal

Boys Republic/Universal

Greatest Hits 童乐会

Getting Ready 准备中 Reality Game 现实游戏 Mr./Universal Music

Forever Stars - The Eternal: Leslie Cheung 世纪10星 永恒篇: 张国荣

Unplugged

Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza/Universal

Nada Mojo/KRU Music

Fique Taufik Batisah/Universal

Mozaik Ungu/SRC Records

Terjemahan Hati ST12/Universal

Didi Astillah

Leslie Cheung 张国荣/Universal Music

Didi Astillah/Warner

Grasshopper 101 CD 1 & 2 草蜢音乐大全101 CD 1 & 2

Malam Ini Kita Punya

Grasshopper 草蜢/Universal Music

Fragmen

Forever Stars - The Eternal: Faye Wong 世纪10星 - 永恒篇: 王菲 Faye Wong 王菲/Universal Music

Fu Ai 抚爱 Pong Nan/Universal Music

By Heart Priscilla Chan/Universal Music

True Legend CD 3 & 4

Bunkface/Sony Music Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza/Universal

Hati & Cinta Judika/Sony Music

Live To Love Afgan/Trinity Optima Production

TAMIL / HINDI Dil Dhadakne Do Various/T-Series

Sammi Cheng/Warner Music

Ek Paheli Leela

Leon Lai 101 CD 1 & 2 黎明音乐大全101 CD 1 & 2

Baby

Leon Lai/Universal Music

Various/T-Series Various/T-Series

Dolly Ki Doli Various/T-Series

Baahubali - The Beginning Various/T-Series

Kochadaiiyaan Various/Sony Music

Maan Karate Various/Sony Music

Kill Dil Various/Sony Music

Spandau Ballet/Warner

Action Bii

Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performance

Bii/Universal Music

Happy New Year

A Tale Of Two Rainie 双丞戏

Khoobsurat

Whitney Houston/ Sony Music Entertainment

72 | SILKWINDS

Rainie Yang/Universal Music

Various/T-Series Various/T-Series Limited earpieces are available upon request

Fresh flowers have

Amazing powers

“Top 10 Indoor Gardens of the World"

“World’s 10 most beautiful sky gardens"

— FoxNews.com

— CNN.com

Rediscover your

Sense of wonder

Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay – Featuring over 1 million plants from 5,000 species Showcasing the best of horticulture, sustainability and architectural design, Gardens by the Bay has blossomed into a must-see destination that’s among the world’s top 20 most checked-in places on Facebook. Journey across the Flower Dome to discover 9 different gardens from Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Marvel at the 35-metre tall indoor waterfall in Cloud Forest and be amazed as you stroll along the mist-filled Cloud Walk and Tree Top Walk.

Come, be inspired by nature where wonder blooms.

10% off standard admission to both Conservatories with your SilkAir or Singapore Airlines Boarding Pass!

@gardensbythebay gardensbythebay.com.sg 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953

International Class, Indonesian Taste.

Enjoy your Perfect Mix.

www.sariincofood.co.id