FEBRUARY
2015 SEE ASIA AND BEYOND WITH SILKAIR
TIWI ISLANDS WHERE BABY DINOSAURS ROAM SCENT TRAIL EXOTIC FRAGRANCES TUCK IN PENANG ASSAM LAKSA PLUS SET ADRIFT SEE BORNEO ON A HOUSEBOAT
LIGHTS OF ASIA Stunning landscapes by day and night
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THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TIWIS Meet the modern-day Aborigines in Australia’s Bathurst Island
30 LET’S GO ADRIFT See Borneo’s Mahakam River on a houseboat 34 SCENT BACK IN TIME Asia’s perfumery heritage
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THE BEAUTY OF LIGHT Stunning sun-drenched landscapes and surreal moon-lit settings
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岘港风情画 文化与逸乐兼备的南海乐土， 享受无极限 DANANG BECKONS Top things to do in one of 2015’s hottest destinations
GETTY IMAGES
02.2015
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
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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
16 6 THE BIG PICTURE Chengdu back alley 8 HOT PICKS Trends and items to covet 12 4 QUESTIONS WITH... Simran Lal, founder of Good Earth
MANAGING DIRECTOR Joui Ong COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Betty Liswanty RELATIONSHIP MANAGER Serene Lee
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14 FOOD SNAPSHOT Penang assam laksa 16 WHAT’S ON Things to do this month 18 2 PERFECT DAYS: BORACAY Check out the party island’s quirkier side 52 热门精选 细白沙滩、古老洞穴、劲爆 音乐任您挑
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
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Rod Mackenzie MANAGING EDITOR Ming Rodrigues DEPUTY EDITOR Nelissa Hernandez SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Fredrik Dittlau 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 © 2015 by SilkAir (S) Pte Ltd. All information correct at time of printing. Printed in Singapore by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd. MCI (P) 101/11/2014
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BALI’S HOTTEST NEW SEAFOOD AND MEAT GRILL Double-Six Luxury Hotel, Seminyak, Fourth Floor, No. 66 Double Six Beach, Bali reservations@plantationgrillbali.com +62 (0)361 734 300 www.plantationgrillbali.com
SIDETRACK THE BIG PICTURE
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‘‘Despite the last few years of transformation and modernisation, Chengdu still hides pockets of old China, when the back alleys gave a glimpse into daily life and where locals would while away their time. Here, a resident naps in winter sunlight outside the door of his back-alley abode, while a cat snuggles up for warmth.” Dave Hagerman
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SIDETRACK / HOT PICKS
GIMME MY JOE largest cave and reaches heights of more than 200m, roughly the equivalent of a 40-storey skyscraper with room to spare. More than two million years old, it is home to several previously undiscovered species of flora and fauna, and comprises a sprawling network of more than 150 individual caves. Reaching it is an adventure in itself and requires a trek through the surrounding jungle. Check out tour operator Oxalis’ six-day expedition. oxalis.com.vn
VILLAGE PEOPLE
Set up to help redress the imbalance in Thai tourism and provide local tribes with a sustainable income, social enterprise Local Alike immerses travellers in local communities and helps villagers preserve their culture and traditions while earning a decent wage. Past trips included visits to the Akha hill tribe in Chiang Rai and rice-harvesting experiences at an organic farm in Bangkok. localalike.com
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RYAN DEBOODT; SHUTTERSTOCK
Imagine a cave so large that it has its own jungle, river and climate. Hidden beneath the Annamite mountains in Central Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Hang Son Doong holds the honour of being the world’s
The minipresso is a portable hand-powered espresso machine that lets you enjoy caféquality shots wherever you are (minus the hipster barista attitude). It’s available in both coffee grind and Caffitaly models, all you do is add hot water to its chamber and pump to extract the coffee. You don’t even need a cup since its cap doubles up as one – how’s that for convenience? wacaco.com
A zipperless suitcase might not sound like a groundbreaking innovation but if you’ve ever had to get something out of your suitcase in a crowded area, you’ll probably wonder why no one thought of it sooner. Conceived by entrepreneurs Gaston Blanchet and Jesse Potash, the Trunkster features a sliding door that gives you quick and easy access to your belongings wherever you are. That’s not all. It also comes with a built-in digital scale (say goodbye to overpacking!); a USB charger that lets you recharge your devices on the go; and GPS so you can track your luggage even if it goes missing in action. bit.ly/trunkster
BOOK ‘EM
Download e-book service Bookmate for your smartphone or tablet – you don’t even need to buy an e-book reader – and you’ll get access to 500,000 titles in nine languages. You can save your books offline and transfer them from one device to another without losing your page. Words too small? Just change the typeface, font size, text or background colour. Previously available in countries like Russia, the US and UK, the service is now in Singapore, the first country in Asia to offer it via telco provider StarHub. bookmate.com
SIDETRACK / HOT PICKS
Upping the glamour quotient of Myanmar’s red-hot hotel scene is the Kempinski Hotel Nay Pyi Taw. Located next to the Myanmar International Convention Centre,
TO THE EDGE OF INFINITY
the stately property looks set to be a favourite with visiting dignitaries and VIPs, if its recent hosting of the ASEAN Summit and President Barack Obama is anything to go by. Key amenities include a 15,000sqm royal suite, the largest in the country, which comes with its own pool and fitness centre as well as a room for a bodyguard; and a fleet of BMWs that guests can use to tour the country’s historical attractions, such as the Bagan temple complex. kempinski.com
Making plans for the date of a lifetime? How about taking your partner on a trip to the Earth’s outer limits? Spanish company Zero2Infinity is offering “nearspace” flights onboard the Bloon, a hi-tech balloon pod. The five-hour journey begins in Spain and passengers will be taken 36km into the stratosphere, where they can view the Earth’s curvature against the backdrop of space. The pod can accommodate a maximum of four though those after a more intimate experience can book it for two. Trips cost EUR110,000 per person, inclusive of a two-night stay at the Bloon resort prior to the flight. countryholidays.com.hk/space 10 | SILKWINDS
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SIDETRACK / 4 QUESTIONS WITH...
is known as having pehchaan, or ‘identity’. We strive to educate and delight through storytelling and sustaining craft communities, and we are fortunate that we’ve found a global audience. Tell us about the craftsmanship behind your products. We worked with artisans from Kashmir to create papier-mâché painting with contemporary designs that referenced their craft tradition. Another is with the craftsmen from Orissa, where we helped revive their tradition of producing vessels made from copper and tin.
T Simran Lal, the driving force behind India’s first luxury lifestyle brand Good Earth, is committed to bridging the gap between craft and luxury WORDS SAKINAH MANAFF
here was a time in India when the word ‘cottage industry’ denoted inferior goods. However, in the last 13 years since Simran Lal joined Good Earth, she has elevated India’s artisanal crafts into luxurious home and fashion accessories, reviving some long-forgotten craft traditions and, in turn, creating sustainable livelihoods for local artisans. Is it possible to create a global sustainable luxury brand? Sustainable luxury is about discernment and responsible choices. A connoisseur has an understanding of the process and pedigree of a product; in India this
Any challenges you face working with craft-based communities? To flourish, young artisans need continual inspiration to evolve and find new expressions to suit modern tastes. We feel that it is our responsibility to collaborate with these artisans in further evolving the design vocabulary for a contemporary global audience. What’s your dream project? To design a boutique hotel. Last year, we did the interiors for the new Suján Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur, transforming it from a royal guesthouse to a luxury boutique hotel. But it would be so much fun to create a holistic customer experience encompassing all the facets of Good Earth lifestyle.
TAPPING ON ASIA’S RICH TAPESTRY Farah Baksh – Legacy of Gardens (2012) “We loved the Mughal gardens, lakes and flowers, and delighted in imagining their splendour in the pleasure gardens,” says Lal. This collection includes Kashmir’s hand-painted papier-mâché fashioned into decorative plates and bowls.
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Ratnakara – Gems of the Indian Ocean (2013) The beauty of the Indian Ocean’s tropical islands – from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, to Borneo and Bali – took centrestage, with flowers common in religious and cultural rituals being a dominant motif.
Samarqand – The Crossroads of the Silk Route (2014) Taking its cue from ancient trade routes, Good Earth explored the patterns and crafts that developed across Central Asia. The collection featured silk runners, jewelled votives, samovars and hand-blown glass vases.
SIDETRACK / FOOD SNAPSHOT
A This noodle dish best exemplifies the complexity and nuanced flavours of the Malaysian island
balance between its sweet and sour, spicy and sharp flavours as well as soft and crunchy textures. Try it at: The hawker stall next to Pasar Air Itam on Jalan Pasar in Penang SINGAPORE LAKSA Laksa generally comes in two varieties – tamarind-based and coconut-curry. With its moreish lemak (rich), spicy gravy flavoured with dried shrimp, the Singapore laksa, another Peranakan concoction, sits squarely in the latter group. Toppings include prawn, cockles, tau pok (fried beancurd puffs), sliced fishcake, finely julienned daun kesom (laksa leaf) and a dollop of sambal (chilli paste). Try it at: 328 Katong Laksa on 51 or 216 East Coast Road in Singapore. It won the most votes at a cook-off with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay in 2013.
DAVE HAGERMAN
WORDS SAKINAH MANAFF
speciality of the island’s Peranakan (Straits Chinese) community, Penang assam laksa is a riff on the Malaysian laksa – with Johor, Sarawak and Kelantan boasting their own versions – and is the spiciest of the lot, thanks to Penang’s proximity to Thailand. Penang assam laksa consists of thick round rice noodles in a piquant broth, thickened with fish flakes and topped with fresh ingredients, such as shredded cucumber and pineapple, sliced red chillies and onions, mint leaves, lettuce and bunga kantan (torch ginger flower). Typical accompaniments include a dollop of hae koh (black sweet shrimp paste) and kalamansi lime. What gives body to this iconic dish is the asam (sour) base from the asam keping (tamarind peel). The perfect assam laksa is a robust
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SIDETRACK / WHAT’S ON up scene shouldn’t miss Construkt, the country’s largest festival dedicated to entrepreneurship. Visit the offices of Bangalore’s start-ups; network and get the lowdown on what the country’s brightest minds are cooking up behind closed doors. This year’s edition takes place across five disciplines – tech, design, culinary, social and open innovation. construkt.me HYDERABAD
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KUCHING
7 FEBRUARY Miri Country Music Festival Love country music? Then throw on your denims and cowboy boots and head to the Parkcity Everly Hotel for an evening of rollicking good tunes supplied by the likes of popular Singaporean duo Mel and Joe, Indonesian country band Rani and Westom, and Czech quintet Country Sisters. miricountrymusic.com
SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, THAILAND AND MYANMAR
1-24 FEBRUARY The Road to Mandalay The Endurance Rally Association, organiser of such legendary motor races as the Pirelli Classic Marathon, has come up with another epic rally. Kicking off at Singapore’s iconic Raffles Hotel, the inaugural Road to Mandalay rally is a classic car endurance event that has participants navigating some of the region’s most iconic roads as they wend their way across Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar. endurorally.com 16 | SILKWINDS
DARWIN
5-8 FEBRUARY Travelling Film Festival The longest running festival of its kind in the country, the Travelling Film Festival brings local and international films, documentaries and shorts to regional areas with limited screening opportunities. Films this year include Folies Bergère (France); Of Horses and Men (Iceland); and 2014 Palme d’Or winner Winter Sleep (Turkey). www.ssf.org.au
annual festival. Head to Suan Buak Hat Park to find out why the province is known as the “Rose of the North”, and don’t miss the glorious parade of floral floats, undoubtedly the biggest highlight of this event. tourismthailand.org
CHIANG MAI
6-8 FEBRUARY Chiang Mai Flower Festival You know the winter season is coming to an end when the city pretties itself up for this
BANGALORE
23-28 FEBRUARY Construkt Festival Anyone with an interest in India’s bustling start-
Deccan Festival Relive the glory days of the Qutb Shahi dynasty as the city celebrates the rich cultural legacy left by its rulers. Highlights include performances by the country’s best Qawwali and Ghazal singers; the famous Pearls and Bangles Fair as well as a food fest serving Deccani and Hyderabadi specialities. incredibleindia.org
KATHMANDU
28 FEBRUARY Annapurna 100 Given that it’s a qualifying race for India’s The High and the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), it goes without saying that the Annapurna 100 is no walk in the mountains. However, as many will attest, the pain is worth it just for the gorgeous views alone. What’s more, which other marathons honour you with a tikka (forehead mark) as well as a khata (ceremonial scarf) when you complete the first 20km? annapurna100.com
SIDETRACK / 2 PERFECT DAYS
and basted with a spicy-sweet barbecue sauce, is a Boracay original. It got so popular that many restaurants have whipped up their own versions, but for the real deal, look for Merly’s Barbecue stall at Station 2, open from 4pm daily. When Boracay’s humid afternoons become too oppressive, cool down with a tall glass of thick Jonah’s fruit shakes found along White Beach.
The Philippine party island, consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world, also has its quirky side WORDS ESTAN CABIGAS
EAT LOCAL The savoury chori burger, filled with slices of chorizo (locally made pork sausage) grilled
PLAYING WITH FIRE Nights on the island are not complete without catching the island’s dazzling poi dancers. Marvel at the lithe performers nimbly twirling and swinging their flaming pois to music. Many beachfront hotels organise performances, but regular travellers swear by the entertaining stunts by dancers at Beach Bum Bar. SAIL INTO THE SUNSET Just before sundown, White Beach denizens go into a trance, staring into the horizon as the skies turn into fiery flames. But a better way of taking in the sunset is on a paraw, a native sailboat that can take you offshore for an hour. They are readily available along White Beach or book one with your resort. SilkAir flies three times weekly between Singapore and Kalibo
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SHUTTERSTOCK; ESTAN CABIGAS; ALEX DE VERA DIZON
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nce a backwater privy among backpackers in the 1980s, Boracay now joins the ranks of Bali and Phuket as Asia’s go-to beach party destinations. The 1,000-hectare island is dotted with resorts and restaurants, and its main star remains the powdery sands of the famous White Beach. While firsttimers are likely to favour basking in the sun, there are attractions beyond the beach that are bound to be great conversation icebreakers at your next party.
BE A MERMAID A first in the world, the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy lets you fulfil your fantasy of being a sea siren, complete with a monofin tail. The instructors are licensed divers and lifeguards, and students will go through swimming exercises and dolphin kick training. Everyone is welcome. The meeting point is at Fish Eye Dive shop at Station 2.
FUNKY DIVE Red Pirates Pub at Station 3 near Angol Point is a welcome change from the usual establishments found in the island. This funky shack has pirate-themed interiors, and the stools and tables are made from driftwood collected from the beach. Sample some of their heady cocktails, or have a chat with the affable owner, who goes by the name Captain Joey.
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ESCAPE /AUSTRALIA
THE T RU T H ABOUT THE
TIWIS Australia’s islands of smiles are home to the Tiwi people, whose culture fascinates with intriguing social norms and a strong arts tradition. Nelissa Hernandez meets these modern-day Aborigines in their native land PHOTOS EWEN BELL
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ESCAPE / AUSTRALIA
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here are two things my Tiwi tour guides, Ron, Romie and Brian, warned me against doing. As requested by the locals, we are not allowed to photograph the Tiwi children, whose infectious laughter punctuates the serene surrounds of the Nguiu community. That’s an easy task. The second request – and by writing this, I’m deliberately being guilty of ignoring such warning – is to not highlight the fact that in Bathurst island, I’d seen, in Brian’s words, “a baby dinosaur”. But what’s a travel writer to do when faced with such a rare piece of information? The baby dinosaur is actually a frilled-neck lizard, which resembles a tiny Triceratops. Endemic to northern Australia, this lizard got its name from the frill on its neck that unfurls when it’s frightened. Its brown body is well camouflaged in tree trunks, almost invisible to outsiders like me. But Ron and Romie, who used to hunt these when they were kids, can spot it from almost 5m away – even from our seat in the van! We were on a dirt road off
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Nguiu settlement, driving into the afternoon sun with wallabies hopping happily in our peripheral vision, when Brian suddenly stopped the car. Ron and Romie swiftly got out of the vehicle and took careful strides to a nearby tree, and returned with the lizard swinging like a pendulum with its tail suspended from Ron’s arm. “This is a baby dinosaur!” he grinned triumphantly. We all smiled back in awe. The islands of smiles proved to be living up to their name. CULTURAL IMMERSION The stories of the Tiwi people are as equally compelling, if not intriguing, as that lizard we’d encountered. Located 80km off the north coast of Darwin, the Tiwis, comprising Bathurst and Melville islands, are home to the modern-day Aborigines who bear the same name. The Nguiu settlement in southeastern Bathurst, where most travellers visit and the focal point of my day trip, lies at the mouth of the Apsley Strait, the pristine waters that dissect the two islands.
The Tiwi people have been isolated from mainland Australia since time immemorial, and their name, which translates to “we are one”, reflects the seclusion. Modernity came to these islands when the Catholic Mission arrived in 1911, and now, a supermarket, a Thai takeaway, a social club, healthcare facilities and art centres are some of the establishments that serve the 1,500-strong Bathurst population. Their Aboriginal cultural practices, however, continue to this day. “You’re not allowed to talk to your mother-in-law? Ever?” My fellow traveller Kath turned to our guides. “That’s a good thing, right?” I added, and everyone roared with laughter. We were about to start our quick visit to the Patakijiyali Museum – a treasure trove of Aboriginal carvings, tools and photos depicting their ancestral origins – when our indigenous guides thought a quick cultural introduction would be necessary. “The Tiwis have four skin groups: Sun, Pandanus, Rock
Opening spread: A Tiwi woman prepares some ironwood leaves for a smoking ceremony Facing page, from top: Travellers are smoldered with smoked leaves to rid them of evil spirits; a hidden billabong in Bathurst Island
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ESCAPE / AUSTRALIA
Facing page: The Tiwis’ burial poles, called pukumani, are painted using natural ochres, with the patterns representing the deceased person’s life This page, from top: One of the tour guides performs his yoyi, or dreaming dance inherited from his father; a Tiwi woman decorates a shell of a mud mussel
and Fish,” explained Ron. Nonrelated to skin colour, these tribal lineages are passed down matrilineally, and govern the rules of social interaction and marriage patterns. Anyone from the Sun and the Rock can only marry someone from Pandanus and Fish, and vice versa. Those who disregard this rule face penalty or punishment, which includes caning or pelting. The stringent practices also forbid speaking with one’s siblings and relatives of the opposite sex once they reach puberty, thus explaining the non-speaking terms with one’s mother-in-law for a male. While social interactions are determined matrilineally, the Tiwis’ song lines and dances are passed down from one’s father. The yoyi, or dreaming dance, represents the land where one’s father is from, and is performed in celebrations and mourning ceremonies. To better understand the beauty of the yoyi, we were treated to a lively demonstration of a smoking ceremony by our guides. We sat in a semicircle as our guides and two Tiwi ladies collected heaps of ironwood leaves for smoking, and proceeded to present their yoyi. The swift movement of a shark, the territorial stance of a water buffalo, and the quick mouthsnapping action of a crocodile – all these are characterised in their dances, which we watched
in admiration while the smell of burning leaves wafted in our midst. The ladies grabbed some of the branches and smoldered all of the travellers with those leaves to rid us of evil spirits. ART HAVENS Our Tiwi guides later serve a morning spread of freshly baked damper bread and tea brewed in a traditional black Billy tin. Once we had our fill, we took a quick drive around the community, which revealed the island’s thriving arts scene and strong art enterprises. We stopped by the workshop
of Ngaruwanajirri, the ceiling of which is filled with murals by indigenous artists. Established in 1994, it provides employment for Tiwi people with disability, and is a well-regarded centre that produced works previously selected for the National Aboriginal Art Awards. In the Church of St Therese, a longstanding reminder of the Catholic mission in the early 20th century, the interiors are decked in artwork that melds Catholic influences and Aboriginal art. A painting of a warrior wearing a loincloth and holding the Baby SILKAIR.COM | 25
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ESCAPE / TIWI GETTING THERE Travellers to the Tiwi islands require a permit, but tours can be arranged from Darwin city. AAT Kings offers a day trip to the Nguiu settlement, which includes visits to art centres and a burial site, and a chance to witness a smoking ceremony. Tours start from AUD375, with an additional fee for the 20-minute return flights from Skytour terminal (Mondays-Wednesdays) or the two-hour ferry (Fridays) from Cullen Bay. australiasoutback.com.sg; aatkings.com
Facing page, clockwise from top: The rugged coastline of northern Bathurst; Tiwi painters use natural ochres, sourced from cliffs 100km away from Nguiu; see the locals’ pandanus weaving tradition This page: A dirt road winds through the Tiwi bush SILKAIR.COM | 27
ESCAPE / AUSTRALIA
STAY Skycity Darwin, nestled in a 30-acre garden, is a good base for exploring the city. Its location by the Arafura Sea makes it a perfect spot for watching the sunset, and if you happen to stay on Thursday or Sunday night (from the last Thursday in April to October), the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market is right at your doorstep. Pick a Lagoon Room, which has direct access to the swimming pool. skycitydarwin.com.au
Jesus is at the centre of the altar, surrounded by depictions of mudcrabs, birds, butterflies, among other animals. But the most ubiquitous manifestation of the Tiwis’ creativity are the 2m-high pukumani burial poles. There are no boomerangs and didgeridoos present in these islands, instead the pukumani poles figure prominently in its artistic history. Legend has it that the first pukumani pole was created by the Tiwi ancestor Purukuparli for his child, and the locals followed his lead. Thus, despite the presence of Catholic crosses on the graves, the Tiwis still erect these poles to honour the dead. The geometric and abstract patterns painted using natural ochre on these ironwood poles are representative of the deceased person’s life, and are drawn by someone who knows the departed. It is believed that the soul of the dead reaches the spiritual land once these poles fall to the ground. TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD “Have you been on a dirt road?” asked Brian, but it was more of an 28 | SILKWINDS
announcement than a question, as the van we were in zoomed past the trees into the Tiwi bush later that day. We found ourselves at Tarntipi Beach at the southernmost edge of Bathurst. Save for the crashing waves, the beach is a quiet place, so clean we’d be forgiven for imagining that we were one of the first few who had stepped on it – apart from the infamous crocodiles, of course. The majestic cliffs in the distance and the stray shells on the shore provided a shot of colour against the blue breadth of the Arafura Sea. On our drive back to the airstrip at the end of the day,
Romie shared the stories of the Mission days, when the early Aborigines were just starting to learn English, and their undeniable penchant for rather hilarious names. “My Dad is called Teabag and my mom is Sugar!” Kath asked if it were a joke. “It’s true!” quipped Romie. “And Biscuit is my uncle!” Laughter filled the van. I then nudged the trio to give a name for themselves. “We are the Tiwi Cool,” said Ron, his shades glinting against the afternoon sun. I can’t help but agree. SilkAir flies four times weekly between Singapore and Darwin
Above: The ceiling of Ngaruwanajirri’s workshop highlights the stunning geometric patterns prevalent in Tiwi art
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ESCAPE / BORNEO
Dayak shamans, river dolphins, long-nosed monkeys, floating villages, and an ancient kingdom – a houseboat trip up Borneo’s Mahakam River makes for quite an adventure WORDS THEODORA SUTCLIFFE
CORBIS IMAGES
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he shaman’s bare feet pound the scalding sand; skulls and totems rattle against his muscled chest; he whirls, skirt billowing, at a speed that’s almost frightening. Dharmawan’s spirit is a leopard, which manifests itself when he dances into a trance – sometimes as a voice, sometimes as a vision, sometimes both. The Dayak Benuaq people of Mancong, a little creek-side village in Indonesian Borneo, converted to Catholicism three decades ago. Yet ranks of buffalo skulls attest to the strength of old beliefs. “When people marry or die, we have a Catholic ceremony,” Dharmawan says. “But when someone is sick, I’ll sacrifice a cow or a buffalo and ask the spirits for help.”
Our welcome ceremony to Mancong is one of the highlights of our trip up the Mahakam River, the vast waterway that unfurls in a wide brown ribbon through almost 1,000km of Borneo. Like all great rivers, the Mahakam is full of life, and our houseboat balcony is the perfect place to watch its ebb and flow. LO AND BEHOLD The two-storey houseboat run by Borneo specialists De’Gigant Tours (borneotourgigant.com) sleeps up to six guests, has a lower, open deck where the crew sleep, a dining area, a galley and two simple bathrooms, one with a shower. The upper deck has a covered sitting area with excellent views over the river, a bedroom, and a sun-friendly open roof at the
rear. The cook serves up breakfast, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack and dinner – expect good Indonesian home cooking. For the intrepid traveller, a houseboat cruise is hard to beat for catching the tapestry of a country’s backwaters, with all its nuanced threads. Like the hospital boat, complete with operating theatre, that plies these deep and turbid waters, bringing medicine and midwife services to remote forest settlements. Elsewhere, sturdy tugs tow pyramids of coal downstream to the Makassar Strait, while trading vessels ferry fish from the floating villages to big city markets. Along the vast rafts of timber, their boundaries illuminated with scarlet lights, barge-masters’ children play, as the candy-coloured sampans SILKAIR.COM | 31
This page, clockwise from top left: Zac learning the fine skills behind traditional blow darts; the Dayak Benuaq performing an elaborate cultural dance; go with the flow on a houseboat Facing page: Ancestral totems stand tall in front of a longhouse
known as ces cruise the tributaries like taxis on a city street. “Muara Muntai is a very typical Kutai village; traditionally, Kutai fishermen built their houses above the water,” explains our guide, Rahim, as I wobble, and my son, Zac, gallops along the narrow plank and slippery log that link our landing raft to shore. The occasional motorbike rattles along the high wooden boardwalks, which form Muara Muntai’s main streets, en route to farmland where fruit and coconuts grow. CALL OF NATURE Later, we clamber from our houseboat onto a ces and race down a narrow tributary, where banana plants and palms give
way to creeper-decked forest. Our boatman cuts the engine and hushes his three-year-old son. Over the steady chittering of myriad birds and insects, we hear the grunts and squeals of a troop of long-nosed proboscis monkeys playing in the trees, the gentle splash of paddle on water, and the beat of a hornbill’s wings. All around, blue and gold kingfishers dive, almost faster than the eye can see, in search of tiny prey; an eagle hovers overhead; and swiftlets, farmed here for their nests, flirt across the surface of the water. The forest gives way to grassland as the tributary opens up into the Jempang Lake, a birdwatcher’s paradise. Tree branches, many with a resident heron, mark our path through the mirror-smooth expanse where Kutai fishermen tend their submerged farms. AND LIFE FLOWS ON A slender creek, its waters so low that some of the raft houses slump angled on its banks, houses a little fishing village. Mothers, faces smeared with rice powder masks, go about their business on their floating front porches: they bathe children in the brown water, catch up on gossip, chop vegetables, or lay fish out to dry, ready for the trading boats.
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The families in the raft houses tend river gardens, farming fish and water vegetables in timberframed “beds”. In a system that has worked for many centuries, these gardens don’t just provide food: they clean up waste products from the floating bathrooms, so even at low water the creek has no smell at all. I gawp at a gigantic white heron, pacing a raft on his raffia leash. “The bird is tame,” explains Rahim. “They keep him there to scare the other birds away from the drying fish.” Later, back on our expedition of the mighty Mahakam, my son suddenly lets out a yell. “Dolphins!” And there they are, a pod of four, undulating through the coffee-coloured water in perfect harmony, feeding on a shoal of tiny fish. Four perfect, rare, endangered Irrawaddy dolphins – or perhaps, researchers believe, a new species, unique to this place. Our last stop? The mellow, cultured little city of Tenggarong, where Kutai kings ruled from as far back as 400 AD, and where the current sultan occupies a splendid palace built with newfound mineral wealth. The trip has been magical. “What do you think the best bit was?” I ask my son. “Sitting up there with a good book, watching the river flow,” he replies. Ditto. SilkAir flies six times weekly between Singapore and Balikpapan
THEODORA SUTCLIFFE
ESCAPE / BORNEO
ISLAND BLISS Off the coast of east Kalimantan, Borneo’s dazzling Derawan archipelago, home to amazing marine life from myriad green sea turtles to stingless jellyfish, makes an excellent conclusion to a river trip. Derawan Dive Lodge (derawandivelodge. com), on Pulau Derawan, has family rooms that can sleep three to four. Nabucco (nabuccoislandresort.com) is an idyllic private island resort: the beachfront and bungalows over water sleep two on each side.
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TRADITIONS / FRAGRANCE
Perfumery in Asia has had a long and illustrious history. Sakinah Manaff-Green traces its early uses, popular ingredients and current trends
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TRADITIONS / FRAGRANCE
GETTY IMAGES; CORBIS IMAGES
Opening spread, right: A souk stall holder fragrancing his shop with incense Facing page: Jewelled hues of fragrant oils seduce from crystal-cut bottles This page: Nature’s aphrodisiac – sandalwood and jasmine
sweet and heavily intoxicating aroma wafts through the market, meandering through the chaotic streets and beckoning passersby to its heady source: an old, ramshackle shop that, at first glance, looks like it peddles curios. Inside, rows of sparkling, ornate bottles and jewelled decanters line the walls, while the shop owner sits on a takht (long bench) with roll pillows neatly placed on either side waiting for customers. As soon as you comfortably settle down in front of him, he dabs a small drop from one of the bottles on the back of your hand and encourages you to take a long whiff. So begins an olfactory journey into the world of attars (fragrant oils) in the Old City of Hyderabad, India. Long before the advent of branded perfumes and deodorants, Indian perfumers known as gandhikas (scenters) travelled all over the subcontinent and plied their trade amid fragrant heaps of spices and herbs. They offered a wide range of attars, used either on their own or mixed with ground aromatics for powders and cosmetics. One of the world’s oldest forms of perfumes, attars are natural
perfume oils derived from botanical sources through water or steam distillation. They are alcohol-free, highly concentrated and traditionally packaged in small, decorative crystal-cut bottles. Attars were popularised in India by Arab merchants during the Mughal period in the 16th century. As well as trading in aromatics and spices like cloves, frankincense and myrrh, the Arabs were known to use scents in their beauty rituals and daily life. Incense was burned in homes, palaces and desert tents, and during ceremonies like births, weddings and funerals. Oils such as orange blossom and rose were used on the hair and skin, and even to flavour food. ANCIENT LANGUAGE OF DEVOTION, LOVE AND BEAUTY India’s love affair with fragrances, however, dates back even
further – in fact, it is as old as its civilisation. The Buddhists and Brahmins promoted frequent bathing and washings with fragrant oils, powders and pastes, while incense and scented offerings became a popular part of worship and rituals. Using fragrances was a way for people to achieve a deeper level of spirituality, connect with the gods and invoke their blessings. The power of fragrances also extended into the bedroom. The Kama Sutra, written in 400 AD, mentions scent in the erotic embrace, while a branch of Ayurvedic medicine known as vajikarana tantra (reproductive medicine) is dedicated to the use of aromatic oils in sexual healing. Sandalwood and jasmine oils were believed to whet sexual appetite, and rose oil was said to reduce performance anxiety. In ancient China, fragrant oils were used more to scent
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TRADITIONS / FRAGRANCE
This page, from top: A winning fragrance oil is a chemistry balance of natural ingredients; rose, prized for its sensual and beautyenhancing properties Facing page: The juniper tree’s berry-like fruits are popular aromatics and are often used as a spice
belongings and surroundings. Aristocratic women often perfumed their clothes by placing incense on special braziers and wearing sachets in the folds of their garments. During the Tang era, dance performances included throwing perfumed sachets at audiences. Panelling for elegant homes was made from nanmu (southern wood), which has a cedar-like scent. Camphor and juniper-seed oils were used in making ink so that when the ink stick was moistened for use, their scents were released.
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TOP ASIAN NOTES Asia has many ingredients that feature prominently in some of the world’s most enduring fragrances. The most popular is perhaps jasmine, dubbed the “king of flowers” because it combines well with other scents. Often woven into garlands for puja (devotional acts) and placed around the necks of statues and VIPs as a mark of respect, jasmine is a key ingredient in Chanel No. 5 and Lanvin’s Arpège. Long before it became a major note in Guerlain’s Samsara, the soft fragrance of sandalwood with a hint of rose was used in everyday health and beauty items in India. Sandalwood oil, which is extracted from the wood by distillation, is also mixed into a special paste Hindu women use to dot their foreheads between the eyes. Vetiver is a popular ingredient
in men’s colognes, a type of grass with a strong, ‘green’ smell that is very dry, crisp, and almost bracing. Indians believe it helps reduce heat and humidity. The fine roots of this plant were typically woven into fans and screens that were placed over the entrances of verandahs and dampened with water. As the breeze passed through the screens and into the temple or palace interiors, it was perfumed and cooled. Another favourite in orientaltype fragrances such as Estée Lauder’s Youth Dew and Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium is cloves. Originally cultivated in the Moluccas, the dried clove buds were exported from the Dutch East Indies to Europe via the Arab trade routes, and became essential in Renaissance pomanders and sachets. Just as they were in days of yore, the buds must still be picked by hand.
BREAKING THE CODE
GETTY IMAGES
In the last century, the perfume industry has been dominated by Europeans, but perfumers like Gauri Garodia (right), founder of Code Deco, a Singapore-based artisanal brand, are proving that Asians too, can tell compelling olfactory stories to a modern, global audience.
PERFUME OILS: THE NEXT BIG THING? Attars may have lost their fragrance these days but in a twist, perfume oils are trending, with beauty brands launching them, following the popularity of face and hair oils in the last few years. Oils are more cost effective than alcohol-based sprays as they last longer. Since alcohol dries out, alcohol-based scents may diminish more quickly than oilbased fragrances. The oil-based versions also linger on the skin much longer than eau de toilette. Muslims, who eschew alcohol in any products, will find it a welcome alternative. Whether these oil-based fragrances will take off remains to be seen, but what’s certain is that they are a result of a hallowed tradition that goes back centuries.
How would you describe your fragrances? They have a contemporary lightness of touch and transparency, as they are pared-down for the tropics. How do you conceptualise your collections? I always start with the base. For instance, the base for my jazz collection was inspired by John Coltrane’s “Violets for Your Furs”. It is a dark melancholic piece so I wanted to create a complex base with lots of depth. Eventually, I settled on an accord made of cedarwood, tobacco, leather, patchouli, and the pièce de résistance – vetiver from Haiti. This base is such a beauty that I decided to build an entire series around it, graduating from the dark, enigmatic ‘A Minor’ through to the sparkling bubbling ‘Happy Blu’.
What inspires you? My love of literature, travel, music and art gave birth to my 13-fragrance collection. For example, ‘George’ is based on the tomboy character in Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series, while ‘Thar in Pink’ is inspired by the pink city of Rajasthan. ‘Blanc One’ contains a very rare ginger flower from the Himalayas, it smells a little like tuberose. It’s never been used in Western commercial fragrances before. What notes will be big in 2015? Light, fruity florals will continue to be popular in the mid-segment market but deep, smoked woods like oud (agarwood) is something to look forward to in the premium market. codedeco.com.sg
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THE
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BEAUTY
ESCAPE / ASIA
Swiss expressionist painter Johannes Itten once claimed that light is the first phenomenon of the world. In his words, it “reveals to us the spirit and living soul of this world through colour.” Nowhere is it truer than in Asia’s
awe-inspiring landscapes and attractions – from sun-drenched fields to moonlit temples, glorious sunsets and dazzling breaks of dawn. Weerapong Chaipuck captures the drama of the region’s light-soaked vistas
OF LIGHT
Majestic rolling hills overlook the canola fields in Luoping county, located more than 200km from Kunming. Canola flowers are in full bloom during spring, and thousands of travellers visit Yunnan just to take in this stunning sight
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ESCAPE / ASIA
The moon beams over Buddhist monks in Nakhon Sawan province, Thailand A buffalo cart emerges from a village in Bagan, where this traditional mode of transport is still widely in use
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The Borobudur complex at golden hour, made more dramatic by the birds circling above the 9th-century stupas SILKAIR.COM | 43
ESCAPE / ASIA
Sunbeams slit the clouds over the terraced fields in Longshuba in Yunnan, China. The duckweed, also called “water lens�, that grow in these paddies make the water appear red and shiny
A flower vendor navigates around lily pads on the glistening waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, India
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The combustion of sulfuric gases creates these dazzling blue flames that glow in the dim light in Kawah Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia
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Sapa’s Tavan village is bathed in the afternoon sun. Some Black Hmong people wait by the roadside to sell souvenirs to tourists while others head home after a day of gathering twigs SilkAir flies to China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. For flight schedules, see SilkAir Postcards on page 61
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ESCAPE / ASIA
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偷闲 / 岘港
岘港风情画位
静伫一隅的岘港，从来也不是越南的闪亮明珠。然 而这个内敛而优美的阳光海湾，正开始散发自己的 亮丽光华，冒起成为新兴的度假天堂 文 黎有玲
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于越南中部的岘港 是国内第三大城市， 靠近被列为世界文化遗产的顺化皇 城遗迹、会安古城及美山圣地，是重 要的文化与教育中心，但其名气却与 举足轻重的地位完全不相符，一直备 受旅客忽略。 岘港刚被美国《纽约时报》评选 为“2015年的52个推荐旅游景点” 之一，其优美绵长的岘港海滩（旧称 中国海滩）亦被联合国教科文组织 位列世界六大顶级海滩，与悉尼、法 国蔚蓝海岸及夏威夷的海滩齐名，
晃荡其中，写意之情尽在不言中。这 里包罗精彩的吃喝玩乐，又兼备历 史胜景和瞩目建设，可沉溺於古文 明，亦可耽於时尚逸乐，只待您细 意体会。 巨龙的光辉 先来看看岘港的崭新形象。源起于 韩国的汉江贯穿市内，分隔了东西 两边，因此可见不少桥梁接驳两岸。 斥资约9,000万美元、花耗逾三年兴 建的龙桥刚于2013年3月底通车， 造型活灵活现，耀目生辉，以新奇
独特的设计轻易成为最新的地标， 吸引目光之余，亦点缀了幽静的河 岸风光。 大桥全长666米，共有六条车道， 两旁为人行步道，龙身有多个拱形 设计，横跨汉江上俨如闪烁的游龙 戏水，并装置了15,000个LED彩色灯 泡，晚上灯光亮起，色彩幻变，时而 青紫、时而金黄、绚烂迷人，配衬宁 静的江河，别有一番雅致。最特别是 龙头设有喷火及喷水的特别设计， 每晚入夜后约9时便见人群汇聚，欣 赏龙头吐出火焰，气势磅礴，每到特
别节日又会改为洒水，奇特非凡，难 怪美国CNN评为“不仅是独特的建 筑工程，也是岘港市的成功象征。” 走进文物宝库 再来探窥岘港的光辉印记。在越南 历史上，占族占了重要一席，曾在越 南中部建立强大的文明王国，现在 则是当地的少数民族。位于市中心 的占族雕塑博物馆 (chammuseum. danang.vn), 正好见证了占婆王朝的 盛衰，可进一步了解这颗昔日的法 国明珠。 SILKAIR.COM | 49
偷闲 / 岘港
前页：恢宏磅礴的 龙桥闪耀着绚丽 的色彩，令平静的 汉江俨如一帧缤 纷的水彩画。 右：岘港节奏缓 慢，街道自可感受 悠闲之意。 左下：学童踏着单 车边走边谈，是 岘港的一道流动 风景。 最下：以竹编成的 筲箕船，散发地道 的越式风情。 右下：蓝天绿树映 衬下的岘港海滩 被列为世界六大 顶级海滩。 小图：清淡可口的 越南春卷。
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外墙泛着微黄的博物馆古色古 香，以石雕发现的遗址分成四区，共 珍藏了300多件从公元7世纪至16世 纪的沙石及赤陶艺术雕塑，如舞娘、 石碑、神兽、瓦器、动物雕像等，都 是弥足珍贵的历史艺术出土文物， 游走其中，如走进历史的长河，探索 占婆的异域文化。 山中桃源 蓝天白云、澄澈海洋是岘港得天独 厚的条件，当然不能白白错过。独处 于山茶半岛的岘港新半岛洲际度假 酒店 (danang.intercontinental.com) 刚于2012年底开业，坐拥高山天地 和深湛的南海景致，俨如不沾人间 烟火的世外桃源。 带点中式亭楼和越南渔港风情 的临海别墅，背倚雨林保护区，同时 独揽清幽的Bai Bac私人沙滩，更别 具心思地以传统出海捕鱼的筲箕船 改装为连接山上和海滩的升降机，
感受一分钟的“渔民”体验。在这里 除了尽享与山海同眠之趣外，也可 别亏待自己的味蕾食欲。当中的La Maison 1888由越南首位米其林法籍 三星大厨Michael Roux 监督，他在 英国主理的餐厅已连续29年获米其 林三星殊荣，足证实力非凡，其法式 美馔保证是越南之最。而以越南斗 笠设计海景厢座的Citron则以辽阔 的海洋作配菜，无论视觉和味觉都 大感满足！ 水疗无极限 另一边厢，按摩水疗已不是泰国的 专利，越式按摩同样教人欲罢不能！ 来自荷兰的水疗度假村 Fusion Maia Resort (fusionmaiadanang.com) 进驻 水天一色的岘港海边，便深明度假 人士爱水疗的心，只要下榻酒店，便 可以保证每天免费享用两次水疗，让 您的肌肤得到全面舒缓，即使足不 出户也能尽驱身心疲累。
度假村内共有80多间独立别墅，还 设有瑜伽室、蒸汽或桑拿室，以及 16间环境清幽的护理房，每星期七 天呈奉各式各样的主题，如亲近自 然、敞开心灵等，还有为客人度身 设计的个人水疗疗程，香熏浴、能量 治疗、热压睡眠疗程，各适其适，每 天松一松，从肌肤到心灵也焕然重 新出发。 舌尖上的鲜味 来到以海洋为本的岘港，又怎少得 了品尝价廉物美、鲜甜滋味的海鲜 盛宴？Apsara (apsaradanang.com) 距 离机场只有10分钟车程，无论是刚 入境或打算离开时都可赶至大饱口 福。餐厅以传统的占婆文化装潢，发 思古之幽情，在开怀品尝肥美鲜蛤 蜊、龙虾及地道越南美食之际，每晚 约7时，还会有现场的民间乐器及舞 蹈表演，弦琴奏出悠悠的乐曲，舞蹈 员以传统服饰翩翩起舞，为色香味 俱全的飨宴锦上添花。
DANANG BECKONS
挑战高球圣殿 参观过、享受过、品味过，应该好好 活动筋骨，来一场上等的挥杆运动， 就到由澳大利亚高尔夫球名宿Greg Norman设计的岘港高尔夫俱乐部 (dananggolfclub.com) 一显身手吧！ 这个沙丘球场长7,160码，共有18洞 标准杆72杆，虽然没有湖水障碍，但 球道起伏不定，齐备沙坑、洼地、长 草及坑洞等挑战，球手必须凭个人 实力一一克服，享受当中的乐趣。其 中第16洞更是Greg的招牌设计，全 长148码的标准三杆洞前临优美的 南中国海，背靠岘港沙滩，还可远眺 占婆岛风光，但却以强风闻名，正是 表现过人球技的黄金机会。
GETTY IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCK
胜安航空每天从新加 坡直航岘港
The south central coastal city of Vietnam, with its beautiful beaches and laid-back tranquility is no longer just the humble gateway to the historic city of Hoi An. In fact, this hidden gem was recently inducted into the New York Times’ list of “52 places to go in 2015”. See the Dragon Bridge. The 666m-long bridge boasts six lanes for traffic and two sidewalks. By night, 2,500 LED lights illuminate the structure, and the dragon is capable of “breathing” fire or water. For a look at the unique Cham culture, head to the Cham Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Cham sculptures. For a luxury stay, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort boasts a stunning setting among the pristine beaches and unspoiled forests of Son Tra Peninsula, and two lauded restaurants, La Maison 1888, by three-star Michelin chef Michel Roux and Vietnamese restaurant, Citron. For local dining, head to Apsara for Cham-style décor, live music and Vietnamese seafood. Love spas? The Fusion Maia Resort is Asia’s first all-inclusive spa resort that bundles pampering treatments as part of your stay. Golfers should not miss out on the Greg Norman-designed, 7,160-yard, 18-hole Danang Golf Club. Check out the par-3 16th hole – back-dropped by traditional long-tail boats that trawl the warm coastal waters. SilkAir flies daily between Singapore and Danang
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快讯 / 热门精选
古晋
2月7日
米里 乡村音乐节
间变成传说中的海洋魅惑。学员们 在教练指导下进行游泳和海豚式打 水。活动老少咸宜，聚集点在Station 2的Fish Eye Dive shop(鱼目潜水店)。
当地美食大挑战 chori汉堡夹着香烤猪肉香chori， 配辛辣甜酱，令食客趋之若鹜。到 Station 2的Merly’s烧烤摊品尝这长 滩岛特色小吃。 当一尾美人鱼 世界首创的Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy(菲律宾美人鱼 游泳学院)让您穿上单片泳蛙鞋，瞬
玩火 绚丽的poi火炬舞蹈表演为长滩岛的 夜晚增添璀璨。内行人都极力推荐 Beach Bum酒吧的poi表演。 夕阳游船乐 想一睹非一般的夕阳美景，让传统 的paraw帆船载您畅游一小时。游船 活动可在White Beach或您下榻的旅 店安排。 胜安航空每星期3次从新加坡飞 往卡力波
投奔 深渊
有那么一个庞大的洞穴，里头有 一整片森林、河川，甚至是独特 的气候。问鼎世界之最的Hang Son Doong洞穴隐藏在越南中部 的Phong Nha-Ke Bang国家公园 Annamite山下，高达200多米，可媲美一栋40层楼的摩天 楼。幽幽洞穴已过200万岁高龄，由150多个各别洞穴组 成，里面还孕育着不少先前从未被发掘的动植物。想抵 达这古老洞穴，须穿越其周围的森林，跋涉过程也算是 一次冒险体验。随旅游公司Oxalis踏上六天的寻幽探奇 旅程。oxalis.com.vn
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RYAN DEBOODT; ESTAN CABIGAS
除了阳光与沙滩，这个热带天堂让您 尽情吃、喝、玩、乐的选择也不少。
热爱乡村音乐？赶紧穿上 牛仔裤和靴子，到Parkcity Everly旅店狂欢。让新加坡 的Mel和Joe、印尼乡村乐团 Rani and Westom和捷克 五重奏Country Sisters人 气乐团为您送上热情、 亲切的歌谣。 miricountrymusic.com
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 onboard
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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 48 destinations across 12 countries and is the regional wing of Singapore Airlines (SIA). Together with SIA, we offer a combined network of 100 destinations in 35 countries. Along with SIA Cargo and our code share partners, our network extends to 280 destinations in 67 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 or 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. Onboard, 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 onboard 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, blankets, amenity kits to sockettes. For little ones, we have a variety of toys such as plushies and 3D jigsaw puzzles to entertain them throughout the flight. Please ask our cabin crew.
ENTERTAINMENT
With our compliments, enjoy SilkAir Studio (pictured above), our new wireless inflight entertainment system. Complementing our existing overhead drop-down screens, you can watch up to 20 Hollywood and international movies, and 26 TV
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.
programmes, and listen to 100 chart-topping music albums via wireless streaming directly onto your personal mobile devices. For flights above 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 onboard.
KRISFLYER MILES Earn and redeem KrisFlyer miles when you fly on SilkAir. The more frequently you fly on 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 comprehensive SkyShop catalogue found in your seat pocket, or pre-order products from SilkAir’s SkyShop online at silkairdutyfree.com and have them delivered on your next SilkAir flight. SILKAIR.COM | 55
SILKAIR NEWS FROM THE DECK
Cairns
SEE CHIANG MAI
What’s Chiang Mai’s best-kept secret? The three-tiered Bua Tong Waterfall. Its water cascades 100m on white limestone boulders, which travellers can climb on. It’s also called “sticky falls” due to the non-slippery nature of the rocks. Any great eats? Seafood lovers who want to dine with a view should head to Palaad Tawanron restaurant, located at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain. Pick a seat by the terrace and sample their spicy fish cakes and tom yum with prawn while taking in the city lights. Your top travel tip? Always pack a pair of flip flops, especially if you’re going on nature walks. When shopping, bargain only when you are serious about purchasing an item.
56 | SILKWINDS
Come 30 May 2015, SilkAir will commence direct flights between Singapore and Cairns, in Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1876 as the port for inland goldfields, Cairns is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef in the world at 72km across at its widest point. The hub of Tropical North Queensland will be SilkAir’s
second Australian destination after Darwin, which was launched in March 2012. Commenting on the new route, SilkAir’s Chief Executive, Leslie Thng, says: “This is an exciting development for SilkAir, to be able to expand our presence in the Australian market. With the launch of Cairns, we, together with our parent company Singapore Airlines, will soon serve a total of seven points in Australia, namely Cairns, Darwin, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.” The new services will be operated on SilkAir’s latest Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring both Business and Economy class cabins. The airline will operate flights three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, through circular routings with Darwin. With Cairns, the number of destinations in SilkAir’s network will increase to 49 destinations in 12 countries. This new route has the longest duration among all SilkAir flights at 6 hours and 45 minutes. Passengers looking for greater comfort while travelling can select a Preferred Seat (which are located at exit rows) for a fee.
KELVIN CUFF; GETTY IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCK
with Zelly Rene Yusoff, senior flight stewardess
FIVE ICONIC DESTINATIONS, FIVE EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES In celebration of Singapore’s 50th anniversary, SilkAir and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts – two Singapore brands – will work together to craft five one-ofa-kind experiences for travellers in five destinations: Bali, Chongqing, Danang, Hangzhou and Phuket. Expect a travel journey unlike any other from the moment you step onto our SilkAir flight and continue on to an authentic, memorable experience with Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. Packages include SilkAir return flights, accommodation with daily breakfast, and may include in-villa dining experiences, guided tours, airport transfers,
1994 February New Balenciagadesigned cabin crew uniform is revealed spa treatments for two, and a variety of land or sea activities. silkair.com
SilkAir has adopted Child’s Dream Foundation as its official charity partner under a three-year Memorandum of Understanding, which commenced in January 2015. Child’s Dream is a nonprofit organisation committed to helping marginalised children and youth in the Greater Mekong Subregion, covering Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. Set up in 2003, Child’s Dream works with local communities to shore up educational opportunities and boost health conditions for kids and youths. Activities include health interventions to reduce child mortality, construction of facilities to provide basic education, setting up of youth employment centres, and provision of high school and university scholarships. childsdream.org
2014 Regional Airline of the Year 2014 by airlineratings.com, leading airline safety and review website Ranked among the Top 10 Airlines for Best Cabin Service Worldwide 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011,
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
Supporting kids and youths
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Milestones
2010 and 2009 by Hong Kong-based online travel magazine, Smart Travel Asia 2013 Regional Airline of the Year2013 Air Transport News (ATN) awards 2012 Ranked 3rd, Top 10 Airlines by Passenger Carriage, Changi Airline Awards 2012
2011 Best Regional Airline 2011, Centre for Aviation (CAPA) 2010 Inducted into TTG Asia’s Travel Hall of Fame following its 10th win as Best Regional Airline in the TTG Travel Awards 2009 2009 Wins Best Regional Airline: Southeast Asia by Skytrax
1998 September Unveiling of the Airbus A320, which offers wider, single-aisle cabins, larger overhead bins and seating capacity of up to 150 1999 February SilkAir celebrates its 10th anniversary 2002 July Online bookings are made available on the new official SilkAir website 2004 August Cabin crew wear the new wrap dress uniform 2009 February SilkAir celebrates its 20th anniversary 2012 August SilkAir announces its largest fleet order in history – up to 68 Boeing aircraft, and launches revamped website 2014 February SilkAir celebrates its 25th anniversary SilkAir receives its first Boeing 737-800 aircraft
SILKAIR.COM | 57
SILKAIR OFFICES
SINGAPORE 101 Thomson Road, #10-03 United Square, Singapore 307591 Tel: +65 6223 8888 AUSTRALIA 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 122 & 123, Siem Reap International Airport, Siem Reap Tel: +855 23 964 993 CHINA CHANGSHA (CSX) Room 61002, Huatian Hotel, 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 4m, South Renmin Road Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Tel: +86 28 8652 8626/36 CHONGQING (CKG) Unit 19-6, RongHeng Times Square, No 2 Guan Yin Qiao Street, Jiangbei District, Chongqing Tel: +86 23 6787 8891/2 HANGZHOU (HGH) Room 2032, Mezzanine Floor of Terminal 2, Arrival Hall, Xiaoshan International Airport Hangzhou 311207 KUNMING (KMG) 2002, 20th Floor, Building B, Yinhai SOHO International Apartment Building, 612 Beijing Road, Kunming, Yunnan Tel: +86 871 6313 2334 WUHAN (WUH) Unit 16-16, 16th Floor, Tower 1, New World International Trade Tower, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan 430000 Tel: +86 27 8555 7648/7748
58 | SILKWINDS
MUST EXPERIENCE: BALIKPAPAN Try crabs in black pepper sauce at Dandito, a cosy restaurant just 10 minutes from the airport. Another must-eat is fu yung hai, an omelette cooked with generous portions of fresh crabmeat. Balikpapan is also the gateway to Derawan, off the east coast of East Kalimantan. Avid divers come here to see the majestic manta rays and endless schools of barracudas, and swim with stingless jellyfish.
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
Chue Sai Seong SilkAir Manager, East Kalimantan, Balikpapan
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) 229 A, ITI Centre, 2nd Floor, Sir Shanmugham Chettiar Road, Coimbatore 641002, Tamil Nadu Tel: +91 422 437 0271/61/81 HYDERABAD (HYD) 6-3-1192/1/1, 104 First Floor White House, Block A, Kundan Bagh, Hyderabad 500016 Tel: +91 40 4036 9000/ +91 40 6660 5541/2/3 KOCHI (COK) Aisha Manzil, Ravipuram, M.G. Road, Kochi 682 016, Kerala Tel: +91 484 4010410 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) 2B, Relcon Plaza, Pattom Palace PO, Trivandrum 695004, Kerala Tel: +91 471 255 4144/5144
VISAKHAPATNAM (VTZ) Novotel Varun Beach, 15-3-22, Block 4, Nowroji Road, Visakhapatnam Tel: +91 891 274 0002/3
PEKANBARU (PKU) 4th Floor (Lantai 3A), Surya Dumai Group Building, Jalan Jend Sudirman No 395, Pekanbaru 28116, Riau Tel: +62 761 83 9979/89
INDONESIA BALIKPAPAN (BPN) BRI Tower, 6th Floor Suite 606 Jalan Jendral Sudirman No 37, Balikpapan 76122, East Kalimantan Tel: +62 542 73 0800
SEMARANG (SRG) Menara Suara Merdeka, Jalan Pandanaran No 30, Unit 6-04, Semarang 50134, Jawa Tengah Tel: +62 24 7692 8838
BANDUNG (BDO) Wisma Bumiputera, Lt2, Suite #207, Jalan Asia Afrika 141-149, Bandung 40112 Tel: +62 22 424 1251/2 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 No 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 Jalan Kapt. A. Rivai 6193 Palembang 30129 Tel: +62 711 35 6473/537
PENANG (PEN) Suite 12-08, 12th Floor Plaza MWE, No 8 Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang Tel: +60 4 263 3201
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 55281 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, 93100 Kuching Tel: +60 82 25 6772/3 LANGKAWI (LGK) Langkawi International Airport, Mezzanine Floor, 2nd Level, Padang Mat Sirat 07000 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, J P 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, A Muang District, Chiang Mai 50100 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, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) Plaza Hotel, 01 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Danang Tel: +84 511 356 2708/9 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 4 years 5 months. We currently operate 26 aircraft, comprising 13 Airbus A320-200, 5 Airbus A319-100 and 8 Boeing B737-800 aircraft
Boeing 737-800 NO OF AIRCRAFT 8 IN FLEET NO OF SEATS 12 BUSINESS CLASS 150 ECONOMY CLASS SEATS
Length 39.5m Wingspan 35.8m Height 12.5m Typical cruise speed 0.785 Mach
Airbus 320-200 NO OF AIRCRAFT 13 IN FLEET NO OF SEATS 12 BUSINESS CLASS 138 ECONOMY CLASS SEATS
Length 37.57m Wingspan 35.8m Height 11.76m Maximum speed 0.82 Mach
Airbus 319-100 AIRCRAFT IMAGES: JUERGEN BAUMBUSCH
NO OF AIRCRAFT 5 IN FLEET NO OF SEATS 8 BUSINESS CLASS 120 ECONOMY CLASS SEATS
Length 33.84m Wingspan 35.8m Height 11.76m Maximum speed 0.82 Mach
Destination
Flight Airport duration to city
AUSTRALIA Darwin
4:40hrs
13km
CAMBODIA Phnom Penh Siem Reap
2hrs 2:10hrs
11km 7km
CHINA Changsha Chengdu Chongqing Hangzhou Kunming Shenzhen Wuhan Xiamen
4:45hrs 4:35hrs 4:30hrs 5:20hrs 4hrs 4:05hrs 5:05hrs 4:05hrs
20km 18km 21km 30km 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
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
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SILKAIR ROUTE MAP
Flights operated by SilkAir SilkAir and Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines
Changsha
Chongqing Kunming New Delhi
CHINA
NEPAL
Guangzhou
Kathmandu
Shenzhen
Ahmedabad Mandalay Mumbai
Hyderabad
MYANMAR
Visakhapatnam
Yangon
Bangalore
Hong Kong
PHILIPPINES
VIETNAM
Manila
Chiang Mai THAILAND
Bangkok
Chennai Coimbatore Kochi Thiruvananthapuram
Xiamen
Hanoi
Kolkata
INDIA
Shanghai Hangzhou
Wuhan
Chengdu
Danang
Kalibo Cebu
CAMBODIA
Siem Reap Phnom Penh
Davao
Ho Chi Minh City
Koh Samui
Kota Kinabalu
Phuket
Medan
Manado
Langkawi Penang
MALAYSIA
Kuching
Kuala Lumpur SINGAPORE
Pekanbaru
Balikpapan Makassar
Palembang
INDONESIA
Jakarta Bandung
Dili Semarang Surabaya
Yogyakarta
TIMOR-LESTE
Lombok
Denpasar Darwin
AUSTRALIA
60 | SILKWINDS
POSTCARDS A quick guide to our 48 destinations
SILKAIR RECOMMENDS
GETTY IMAGES
Novelists Rudyard Kipling and George Orwell both succumbed to the charms of this ancient city, gateway to the famous Bagan temples
Watch a traditional puppet show, complete with background music from Burmese instruments such as the saung (16-string harp), at the Mandalay Marionettes Theatre. Daily performances include the tales of Jataka and Ramayana. DO
Marvel at the Kuthodaw Pagoda’s 729 marble slabs, each housed in its own stupa, collectively called “the world’s largest book”. The slabs contain inscriptions of Tripitaka, which explains the teachings of Buddhism. Another must-see is Mya Theindan Pagoda (above) in Sagaing, a white temple with terraces representing the peaks of Mount Meru. SEE
Myanmar is known for high-quality jade, and Mahar Aung Myay Gems Dealers’ Market is where these precious stones are cut and traded. SHOP
Frequented by locals, Too Too Restaurant on 27th Street serves authentic Burmese curry with mutton, prawn or lamb, and vegetable side dishes. EAT
Take a scenic drive DRINK to Red Mountain Estate, a vineyard and winery in Nyaung Shwe east of Inle Lake. Enjoy a Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc while watching the sun set on the sprawling landscape. SILKAIR.COM | 61
SILKAIR POSTCARDS
Hangzhou
Chongqing AUSTRALIA 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 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun) Climate Rainy (Nov-May), dry (May-Oct)
CHENGDU Stroll along the city’s old bridge, which, all lit up, 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 the four sacred Buddhist mountains. Frequency 10 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (OctNov), winter (Dec-Feb)
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 Tonle Sap River that’s lined with bars, restaurants, cafés and shops. Frequency 14 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct)
CHONGQING Natural wonders surround this modern city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Visit Wulong National Geology Park for its impressive karst stone bridges and deep mountain valleys. Frequency 5 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat and Sun) Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (OctNov), 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 Tonle Sap Lake, the charming floating villages are a fascinating sight. Frequency 11 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (MarMay), rainy (Jun-Oct)
HANGZHOU While the capital of Zhejiang province is renowned for its natural beauty and landscapes like the West Lake and Feilai Peak, the heart of Hangzhou with its stunning modern cityscape is worth exploring. Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun) Climate Spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Sep), autumn (OctNov), 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 (OctNov), winter (Dec-Feb)
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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 (OctNov), winter (Dec-Feb)
Kunming SHENZHEN This city in the Pearl River Delta region in southern China 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 (OctNov), winter (Dec-Feb)
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 (OctNov), winter (Dec-Feb)
Bangalore
Chengdu
Chennai
Darwin
Xiamen
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 (OctNov), winter (Dec-Feb)
Coimbatore
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 stunning cultural landmarks such as the Bangalore Palace. Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat) 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)
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SILKAIR POSTCARDS HYDERABAD The capital of Andhra Pradesh 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 Daily flights from Singapore Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)
Surabaya
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 Portuguese-built churches and forts, or the backwaters with its flora and fauna. Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)
Semarang
KOLKATA Ethnically and religiously diverse, the capital of West Bengal boasts an established and renowned tradition in the arts. Another mustexperience is riding the city’s iconic hand-pulled traditional rickshaws. Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Wed, Thu and Sun) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb)
Visakhapatnam
Hyderabad
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Sprinkled with tranquil beaches, Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is one of Kerala’s most picturesque cities. The port town of Vizhinjam is particularly famous for its beach resorts and Ayurvedic treatment centres. Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun ) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb) VISAKHAPATNAM Surrounded by verdant rolling hills, 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 Ramakrishna Mission Beach. Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Wed, Fri and Sun) Climate Summer (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct), winter (Nov-Feb) INDONESIA BALIKPAPAN This seaport city is a melting pot of cultures such as the Bugis, Javanese and Dayak. Take a scenic boat ride down Mahakam River or shop for gemstones and handicrafts in town. Frequency 6 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)
64 | SILKWINDS
Bandung BANDUNG A cool, green enclave, Bandung bears traces of its colonial past, like the tea plantations opened by the Dutch in the mid-19th century. The West Javanese capital is also known for its stunning landscape, like the striking crater lake, Kawah Putih. Frequency 5 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)
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 off the northwest coast are worth a visit. Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Thu, Sat and Sun) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)
Yogyakarta Kolkata
Kota Kinabalu MEDAN Home to Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake, Medan is also a culinary mecca. Kesawan Square and Merdeka Walk offer a mouth-watering selection of dishes, from sweet Javanese to spicy Minangkabau specialities. Frequency 17 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep) 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 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Thu and Sat) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)
Thiruvananthapuram 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)
MANADO This city at the northern tip of Sulawesi is blessed with breathtaking landscape and is famous for its dive spots. Its biggest drawcard is Bunaken National Park in the Coral Triangle, which boasts some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Frequency 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat) 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) SEMARANG Nestled in the heart of Java island, Semarang boasts a variety of natural and historical gems like the Sam Poo Kong Temple, built to honour 15thcentury Chinese explorer Zheng He. Once an entrepot of the spice trade, it is now one of Indonesia’s bustling regional port cities. Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Mon, Wed and Fri) Climate Rainy (Oct-May), dry (Jun-Sep)
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) 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 9th-century Borobudur temples. Frequency 3 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Fri and Sun) 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 10 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Rainy (Nov-Feb), dry (Mar-Oct) 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)
SILKAIR.COM | 65
SILKAIR POSTCARDS
Singapore Kuching KUCHING Explore Kuching’s ethnic richness and ecodiversity. 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) 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 4 flights weekly from Singapore (Tue, Fri, Sat and Sun) Climate Rainy (May-Sep), dry (Oct-Apr) PENANG Explore Penang’s historic architecture – Chinatown’s clan houses, shophouses and Kek Lok Si Temple – and don’t miss the street art, including clever murals and sculptures that decorate the walls. Frequency 32 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Rainy (May-Sep), dry (Oct-Apr) 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 1.2km-long 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 (MarMay), rainy (Jun-Oct)
66 | SILKWINDS
Penang 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 10 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (MarMay), 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)
Langkawi
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 11 flights weekly from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (MarMay), 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 Daily flights from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Oct)
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 the spectacular aquatic world at Marine Life Park and Gardens by the Bay, 101 hectares of lovely waterfront gardens. Climate Cool (Dec-Feb), hot (MayOct),rainy (Nov-Jan)
Koh Samui Yangon Cebu
Danang THAILAND CHIANG MAI Hailed as the Rose of the North, it charms with its lush countryside, intriguing hill tribes and tantalising Northern Thai food, like curried egg noodles, papaya salad and grilled sai oua sausages. Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (MarJun), 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 the White Buddha with 18 hands at Wat Plai Laem. Frequency Daily flights from Singapore Climate Cool (Nov-Feb), hot (MarJun), 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)
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) 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)
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ALL IMAGES ARE FROM GETTY IMAGES OR SHUTTERSTOCK
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)
SILKAIR STUDIO
Wireless inflight entertainment guide movies
HOLLYWOOD MOVIES
Runner Runner
Mr Popper’s Penguins COMEDY Director: Mark Waters; Cast: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury PG 94 mins
Runner Runner
Mr Popper is a divorced businessman with a family that can’t stand him. When his father leaves him a group of penguins in his will, Mr Popper tries to get rid of them, but his kids think the penguins are a gift and despite the obstacles of owning the animals, they enable the family to reconnect.
ACTION, DRAMA Director: Brad Furman; Cast: Justin Timberlake, Ben Affleck, Gemma Arterton R 90 mins
Richie is a student funding his university tuition through online gambling. When he loses his money to a cheat, he goes to confront the head of an online gambling empire who thanks him for the information and in return, offers him a job. However, Richie soon realises things aren’t as they seem. In Time
Rio 2
ACTION, THRILLER Director: Andrew Niccol; Cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy PG-13 108 mins
Rio 2 COMEDY Director: Carlos Saldanha; Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jemaine Clement G 104 mins
Jewel, Blu and their three children head to the Amazon to find more birds of their kind. Eventually they meet up with Jewel’s family and a hidden tribe of macaws, but trouble occurs when a former nemesis shows up looking for revenge and loggers try to destroy the forest.
The Monuments Men DRAMA, THRILLER Director: George Clooney; Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett PG-13 118 mins
In the middle of WWII, a group of seven museum directors, curators and art historians are assembled to help retrieve and protect the great artistic treasures stolen by the Nazis. This team must work to save as much art as they can, putting their lives on the line.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Right Kind Of Wrong
Director: Wes Anderson; Cast: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Almaric R 100 mins
ROMANCE Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik; Cast: Ryan Kwanten, Sara Canning, Catherine O’Hara R 87 mins
The Budapest is a famous hotel that thrived between the two world wars. This is the story of Gustave H, its legendary concierge, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The pair find themselves embroiled in a scandalous family secret.
Leo is a failed writer whose ex-wife wrote an incredibly successful blog about him. Just when Leo thinks nothing can go right, he meets the girl of his dreams – on the day she’s marrying the perfect guy. But Leo risks it all to show the world that he is the right guy for her.
COMEDY, DRAMA
Ruby Sparks COMEDY, DRAMA Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris; Cast: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Annette Bening R 102 mins
A novelist conjures up his dream girl by writing her character – only to subsequently meet her the following day. Soon, they have a beautiful relationship together – but is what they have real to begin with? 68 | SILKWINDS
In a post-apocalyptic world, humans are engineered to live for only 25 years. Those who have money can buy themselves immortality, for Will Salas, however, being poor is a death sentence. When he is accused of murder, he goes on the run with a hostage, who ultimately may help him fight the system. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty ACTION, ROMANCE Director: Ben Stiller; Cast: Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, Kristen Wiig PG 115 mins
An everyday dreamer is bored of his life at Life Magazine, when an unexpected journey presents itself. Propelled on a global adventure in order to secure both his and his co-workers jobs.
Wireless streaming will be progressively available on selected aircraft. Limited earpieces are available upon request
Wireless streaming instructions are available in your seat pocket
Saving Santa
Hasee Toh Phasee
FAMILY
Director: Dustin Rikert; Cast: Joey Lauren Adams, Illeana Douglas, Kevin Pollak G 90 mins
COMEDY, ROMANCE Director: Vinil Matthew; Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Parineeti Chopra PG 120 mins
After a wealthy politician decides he wants to end the myth of Santa Claus, he sparks a global movement, which causes Santa to lose his magical powers. Trapped in a small farming community, Santa seeks the help of two young children to save Christmas.
This is the story of Meeta and Nikhil, old acquaintances who are reunited after a decade, when Nikhil becomes engaged to Meeta’s sister. Despite the circumstances surrounding their reunion, they begin to realise their true feelings for one another.
INTERNATIONAL MOVIES Temporary Family COMEDY Director: Cheuk Wan Chi; Cast: Angelababy, Nick Cheung, Sammi Cheng, Oho PG-13 109 mins
Four Hong Kong citizens would do anything to become proud property owners. Together, they join forces to buy a luxury penthouse condominium to make money, however their plan falls through leaving the four of them as co-owners of a small flat, and all living together. Kiasu Director: Gwo Yunn Law; Cast: Chieh-Kai Shiou, Soya Tsai, Henry Thia, Bright Pu PG 93 mins COMEDY, DRAMA
Bored of his repetitive job as a dentist, and struggling to live under the same roof as his divorced mother, De Ming is inspired one day by a motivational workshop. Turning his life upside-down, he decides to pursue his childhood dream of acting. Aberdeen Director: Ho-Cheung Pang; Cast: Dada Chan, Louis Koo PG-13 98 mins DRAMA
Meet the Cheung family and their extended relatives,
The Great Hypnotist
whose household embodies a myriad of conflicting personalities, traditions and superstitions. This is the story of how they learn to look beyond the superficial in order to embrace each other’s differences.
him, she presents him with the greatest challenge of his career as she continues to claim that she can see dead people. She remains unreachable by his techniques and soon Xu finds himself falling for her tricks. Overheard 3 THRILLER Director: Felix Chong, Alan Mak; Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo, Daniel Wu PG-13 127 mins
As the Wind Blows
As the Wind Blows ROMANCE Director: Chen Yiwen; Cast: Matt Wu, Hsaio Man Chin, Shao Hua Long G 102 mins
When Michelle is sent to get her father to sign divorce papers, her life takes an unexpected turn. Forced to stay with her father for a few days when he injures his hand, it’s there she meets Yu. Prompting her to reconsider her life with her mother and boyfriend or something new with Yu. The Great Hypnotist THRILLER Director: Leste Chen; Cast: Xu Zheng, Karen Mok, Hu Jing PG-13 102 mins
Xu is a renowned hypnotherapist. When a new patient is brought to
Released from prison after serving time for a fatal car accident, a former chauffeur is out for revenge against those whom he feels were really responsible. Using audio surveillance, he uncovers his powerful former boss’ ultimate plan that may change Hong Kong forever.
Sathuranga Vettai COMEDY, THRILLER
Director: H. Vinoth; Cast: Natarahan Subramanian, Ishara Nair, Ponvannan PG 120 mins
A remorseless con man comes up with ingenious schemes to fool those greedy and dumb enough to fall for his tricks. He continually comes up with well-thoughtout scams until something goes wrong with one, and he ends up in the clutches of a gang who demand he come up with plans for them. Memories
Queen
Memories
COMEDY, DRAMA
Director: Vikas Bahl; Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, Lisa Haydon PG-13 117 mins
THRILLER Director: Jeethu Joseph; Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sreejith Ravi, Vijayaraghavan PG-13 120 mins
When Rani’s fiancé ends their relationship two days before their marriage, Rani decides to go on the honeymoon anyway and learn more about the outside world without her overprotective family around. On her journey, she meets incredible new people and discovers who she is.
A wayward police officer who has turned to alcohol to ease the pain of his lonely life becomes the main investigator into an unexplainable series of murders. After he discovers a major breakthrough, the mystery suddenly embroils him personally.
Wireless streaming will be progressively available on selected aircraft. Limited earpieces are available upon request
SILKAIR.COM | 69
SILKAIR STUDIO
tv
New Girl
undertakers take on some of the filthiest challenges the Wipe Out course has to offer. Glee: New New York DRAMA, MUSICAL
60 mins
Rachel, Kurt, Blaine, Artie and Sam are trying to make it in New York where the music and arts scene is more competitive than they imagined. Last Man Standing: Elfie DRAMA
Just For Laughs: Season 13 Episode 1 & 2 COMEDY
New Girl: Dance COMEDY
30 mins
60 mins
Just For Laughs will tickle everyone’s funny bone with its hilarious practical jokes, hidden camera pranks, and other creative hijinks. Mr Bean Animated
COMEDY
Jess is working through her breakup with Nick by focusing on throwing the middle school dance. Her colleagues are uncommitted so she enlists Cece and the roommates to help her chaperone on the big night. However, Jess becomes afraid that someone is trying to sabotage the dance. The Noose: Season 7 Episode 12 COMEDY
Mr Bean Animated: Episode 1 & 2 COMEDY
30 mins
In this animated spin-off of the popular slapstick feature, Rowan Atkinson returns to voice the mumbling, stumbling Mr Bean. Mr Bean Animated: Episode 3 & 4 (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) COMEDY 30 mins
See Mr Bean get up to his usual hijinks in this animated version of the live-action classic starring Rowan Atkinson. Watch as Bean flails through everyday life, making even the most simple of tasks seem much more complicated and funny than they should. 70 | SILKWINDS
Under One Roof: Season 7 Episode 1
30 mins
The Noose brings you all of Singapore’s breaking stories from their parody newsroom – witness all the stories, reactions and analysis that the island of Singapore has to offer. Wipe Out
30 mins
Under One Roof is the highly successful Singaporean sitcom that follows the owner of a mini-mart and his happy family. Together with their neighbours in their apartment building, they get up to all sorts of hijinks.
30 mins
Although normally selfabsorbed, Mandy dresses up as Santa and anonymously arranges a holiday surprise for Bianca, the Baxters’ housekeeper. Meanwhile Vanessa gives Boyd a “magical” elf doll, which Ryan refuses to believe in.
Wipe Out: Episode 8 Part 1/2 (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) COMEDY 60 mins
Watch as 24 contestants who’ve all previously had dirty jobs get down and dirty on the Wipe Out course! These former ranch hands, exterminators and
Moone Boy
Moone Boy: Season 2 Episode 1 DRAMA
30 mins
A series about the adventures of Martin, the youngest member of the raucous and loud Moone family living in Ireland. Martin’s unique perspective on life, plus his imaginary best friend Sean, gets the two of them into numerous shenanigans. Hi-5: Families CHILDREN
30 mins
Hi-5 is the long-running classic television programme for kids that is full of energy and helps kids learn through singing, dancing and doing activities. This episode is all about families. Wireless streaming will be progressively available on selected aircraft. Limited earpieces are available upon request
Wireless streaming instructions are available in your seat pocket My Little Pony: Castlemania CHILDREN
30 mins
extraordinary locations. In this episode, discover Thailand’s top dive spots.
Redbull Tops
The adventures of Twilight Sparkle and her friends continue. After a mysterious presence follows the young ponies in Princess Luna’s old castle, they work together to solve the mystery.
A Date With Luyu: Will Pan – Crown or Clown CHINESE
Will Pan was originally selected to be the host of a singing programme, but he has never given up on his dream of having a singing career. In this programme, he exhibits his songwriting talent.
Nine Dog Christmas: Part 1&2 CHILDREN
60 mins
The Reindeer flu has hit the North Pole and Santa’s team are grounded. The Elves don’t want to disappoint Santa, so they go hunting for replacements but when the Head Elf comes across nine stray dogs, will they be the ones to save Christmas? Nine Dog Christmas
Happy Camp: Episode 267 CHINESE
Redbull Tops: Wet n’ Wild SPORTS
30 mins
Count down the ultimate in moistness as Redbull Tops brings you the 10 best moments in water sports – from the wildest kayaking action to the most colossal waves.
Peppa Pig: Potato City Part 1/2 CHILDREN
60 mins
Peppa Pig and her family head off to Potato City, a theme park where children learn about how fun and great vegetables are. Daddy Pig ends up riding a rollercoaster with Peppa.
vertebrate and with wings that beat 50 times a second, hummingbirds have evolved into highly specialised creatures. Using high-speed cameras, see exactly what these tiny birds can do. Snowy Owl – Queen of the North
Lonely Planet 1000 Ultimate Experiences: Most Awe Inspiring Ancient Site (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) LIFESTYLE 30 mins
A series from Lonely Planet focused on real people and places around the world, in an attempt to compile the ultimate experiences that can be had around the globe.
Redbull Tops: Born to Board (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) SPORTS 30 mins
This series is focused on the most wild extreme-sport events and off-the-wall stunts. These sports often feature athletes who push past their limits for the sheer physical thrill. This episode follows snowboarders who don’t know when to quit.
30 mins
Hummingbirds – Jewelled Messenger
Hummingbirds – Jewelled Messenger DOCUMENTARY
60 mins
Discover what hummingbirds are capable of. With the highest metabolism of any
Snowy Owl – Queen of the North (Will also be screened on overhead monitor) DOCUMENTARY 60 mins
A documentary into the wonderful hidden world of the snowy owl that lives in the tundra. This film follows a pair of snowy owls as they breed in the cold and we learn more about these beautiful creatures. Top Dive Sites – Thailand DOCUMENTARY
30 mins
The world has a plethora of stunning underwater havens just waiting to be explored by adventurous divers. Visit the planet’s most beautiful waters and see what it is like to explore these
Wireless streaming will be progressively available on selected aircraft. Limited earpieces are available upon request
30 mins
One of China’s favourite shows, Happy Camp invites the most popular celebrities and guest stars from all over the Asian continent into the studio. There are interviews, performances and party games. Freaky Fridays with Devansh Pate: Alia Bhatt & Arjun Kapoor – 2 States INDIAN
23 mins
On this movie talk show with Bollywood stars, watch as Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt discuss a variety of different topics on this disjointed, hilarious and fun new chat show.
Freaky Fridays with Devansh Pate
Zooming in with Omar: Hasee Toh Phasee – Parineeti Chopra & Sidharth Malhotra INDIAN
30 mins
Meet the most well-known personalities from the Indian film industry as they get up close and personal with the show’s host – the charismatic and creative Omar Qureshi. SILKAIR.COM | 71
SILKAIR STUDIO
music
Wireless streaming instructions are available in your seat pocket
POP
KOREAN
Taylor Swift/Interscope
Cho Yong Pil
Grammy Nominees 2014
The Streets Go Disco
Various Artists/Atlantic
Crayon Pop
Prism
I Got A Boy
Katy Perry/Capitol
Girls Generation
Midnight Memories
One Spring Day
One Direction/Sony
2AM
5 Seconds Of Summer
Full Bloom
5 Seconds Of Summer/Capitol
Kara
X
Genesis Of 2PM
Ed Sheeran/Warner
2PM/Sony Music
In The Lonely Hour
The Heirs (OST)
Sam Smith/EMI
Various/Warner
YES!
Rain Effect
Jason Mraz/Warner Music
Rain/Loen Entertainment
Red
Hello
Good Luck
EASY LISTENING
Beast/Universal
To Be Loved
XOXO
Michael Buble/Reprise
All That Echoes
EXO/S. M Entertainment
Josh Groban/Reprise
Love Songs
The Diving Board
Tina Turner/Warner
Elton John/Mercury
Ministry of Sound Chillout Session Classics Various Artists/MoS
Best Of the Best Yiruma Yiruma/Sony Music
Best Of the Best Kenny G/Sony Music
Shine On Sarah McLachlan/Universal
Natalie Merchant Natalie Merchant/Nonesuch
R&B / JAZZ
Heroes + Misfits Kris Bowers/Blue Note
Beautiful Life Dianne Reeves/Concord
The Shocking Miss Emerald Caro Emerald/Grandmono
Rising Son Takuya Kuroda/Blue Note
Kin Pat Metheny Unity Group/Warner Music
Time’s Tales Jeff Ballard Trio/Sony
GIRL Pharrell Williams/Sony Music Entertainment
Food Kelis/Blue Note
OLD FAVOURITES Imagine
John Lennon/EMI
Nile Rodgers Presents: The Chic Organisation – Up All Night Various Artists/Rhino
Thriller Michael Jackson/Epic
The Complete Greatest Hits Eagles/Rhino
Best Of The Best Westlife/Sony Music Entertainment
The Complete Hits Of Air Supply Air Supply/Sony Music Entertainment
72 | SILKWINDS
Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 (Live) Various
CLASSICAL
Music to Relax To Various Artists/ABC Music
C.P.E Bach: Concertos & Symphonies Berliner Barock Solisten/Sony
Bravo! The Classical Album 2014 Various Artists/Grammophon
MANDARIN – ALL TIME FAVOURITES 2006 KTV Best Chinese Karaoke Hits Vol 1 Various/Warner Music
Favourites Listen To HIM Vol 1 Various/HIM International
Karaokie All Star – Vol 2 Various/Sony Music
West Side JJ Lin/Halo Music
Superman Gary Chaw/Rock Records
MALAY / INDO
Tiga Dekad Muzik, Cinta Dan Sanubari Anuar Zain/Universal
Penglipur Lara Hazama/Warner Music
Faizal Tahir Faizal Tahir/Universal
Shila Amzah Shila Amzah/Warner Music
Luahan Hati Anak Seni Hafiz/Astro Entertainment
#1
MANDARIN – OLDIES
Stacy/Astro Entertainment
Catch Me If You Can
Teresa Teng/Life Record
Sleeq/Warner Music
Amy Dickson/Sony Classical
The Very Best Of 70’s – Vol 2
Kotarayaku
Strauss – An Alpine Symphony
Various/EQ Music
Altimet/Sony Music
Daniel Harding/Decca
The Very Best Of 80’s – Vol 2
King Of Soundtrack
Domingo At The Met
Various/EQ Music
Nidji/Musica Studios
Placido Domingo/Sony Classical
Best Mandarin Golden Hits Vol 2
Luka, Cinta Dan Merdeka
I Love Classical Music
Various/EQ Music
Various/Sony Classical
Best Of Bobby Liu Wen Zheng
Mozart Concert Arias Rolando Villazon/Deutsche Grammophon
Legend Of The Wind
Bobby Liu Wen Zheng/EQ Music
MANDARIN – NEW HITS Better Life
FIR/Warner Music
CANTONESE Mr
Sleeq
Glenn Fredly And The Bakuucakar/ Royal Prima Musikindo
TAMIL / HINDI
Gori Tere Pyaar Mein Various/Sony Music
New Beginning/Universal
Raja Rani
Show Lo/Sony Music
Edmond Leung
Various/Lotus
Deng Deng
EdMOND/Gold Typhoon Music
Biriyani
Olivia Ong/HIM International
The Key
Various/Sony Music
Hello Goodbye
Eason Chan/Universal
Hasee Toh Phasee
David Tao/Universal
The Best Of 2008-2012
Various/Sony Music
Angel Wings
GEM Tang/Sony Music
Chennai Express
Rainie Yang
Pink Dahlia
Various/T-Series
Faces Of Paranoia – Only The Paranoid Survive
Hins Cheung/Universal
Highway
True Legend CD 1 & 2
Various/Sony Music
Lion Roar
A-Mei Chang/Universal Music
Sammi Cheng/Warner Music
Bewakoofiyaan
Kepler
Beyond 101 CD 1 & 2
Various/Yash Raj Films
Stefanie Sun/Universal Music
Beyond/Universal Music
Jai Ho
Perfect Friends
Re:Workz
Various/Sony Music
Jimmy Lin Yu Chun/Sony Music
Sandy Lam/Warner Music
Tenaliraman
The Best Of 1999-2013
8
Various/Sony Music
Mayday/Bin Music
Pakho/Warner Music
Yaan
Heaven/Cliff
Wannabe
Various/Sony Music
Jess Lee/Warner Music
Ella Koon/Warner Music
Wireless streaming will be progressively available on selected aircraft. Limited earpieces are available upon request
Indocafe Cappuccino
Numero Uno
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