Jetstar Asia April 2016 by HGM

jetstar MAGAZINE

APRIL 2016

MAGAZINE

SINGAPORE I HONG KONG I CYCLING ADVENTURES

TWO WHEELS, THREE CITIES Be inspired by the epic journeys of three adventurers

APRIL 2016

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contents APRIL 2016

april

Cover story

49 Hong Kong’s coolest spots

INSIDER 9 I IN PROFILE

COVER CONCEPT DAN MORLEY DESIGN ASHLEIGH CASSIDY

Meet Bali’s first sarong concierge

12 I THE HOT LIST Events across the network

14 I NEWS

56 20 I INSTAGRAMABLE

62 I THE 2016 LUXE LIST Treat yourself and stay at one of these super plush resorts

24 I FOODIE FOCUS

84 I THE LAST WORD

Discover Fukuoka’s secret to warmth from within

28 I TRADITION TALKS The origins of Qingming Festival

31 I DAY TRIPPER Work your way through the Swan Valley’s culinary delights

16 I POSTCODE

34 I 5 OF THE BEST

19 I WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE? Take a peek inside the suitcase of E! News Asia host Yvette King

Snap some envy-inducing travel pics in Surabaya

What’s hot and happening this month Check out Bangkok’s hip and happening Banglamphu

See Blue Man Group perform in Singapore

INSPIRE 42 I PUBLIC SERVICE Why the Lion City has become a standout location for outdoor art

69 I Jetstar news

Beaches in Hainan

49 I TWO WHEEL TOURISM

70 I Winners –

37 I SHOP IT

Travel through three unique destinations on two wheels

Bags to carry now

39 I BEAUTY ON THE FLY The best travel packs

56 I PHOTO ESSAY Step into Hong Kong’s hippest new enclaves

INFLIGHT

#StarJourneys

71 I A day in the life 72 I Where we fly

Fresh flowers have

Amazing powers

“Top 10 Indoor Gardens of the World"

“World’s 10 most beautiful sky gardens"

— FoxNews.com

— CNN.com

Rediscover your

Sense of wonder

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

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

Welcome I From the CEO

EDITORIAL For all editorial enquiries, please email Jetstarasia@hardiegrant.com.au Publisher Christine Dixon Managing editor Chloe de Ridder Editor (Acting) Vanessa Mulquiney Art director Dan Morley Senior designer Sue Morony Sub Editors Nikki Wallman, Sarah Friggieri

Welcome aboard APRIL 2016

HARDIE GRANT MEDIA Managing Director Jeff Trounce

ADVERTISING +65 6337 6996 [Singapore] +852 2850 4017 [Hong Kong] or email joseph@asianimedia.com Asian Integrated Media Limited Managing Director Peter Jeffery Executive Director Brendan Inns Director of Advertising SEA Joseph Yap Director of Advertising SEA Soh Liang Liang Jetstar Asia magazine is published for Jetstar Asia Airways by Hardie Grant Media Level 7, 45 Jones Street, Ultimo, New South Wales, 2007 Australia +61 02 9857 3700 Website hardiegrant.com.au

For reservations, call the 24-hour Jetstar contact centre below (please only call the number of the country you’re dialling from):

Singapore +65 6499 9702 Australia +61 (3) 9645 5999 / 131 538 China 4001 201 260 Hong Kong +852 3192 7451 Indonesia 001 8036 1691 Japan 0570 550 538 Malaysia 1800 813 090 Myanmar +95 9 42111 6662 Philippines 1800 1611 0280 Thailand 001 800 611 2957 Vietnam (Jetstar Paciﬁc Airlines) +84 839 550 550 All Other Countries +613 9645 5999

PHOTO LESTER LEDESMA

For hotel bookings and holiday packages call Jetstar Holidays on one of the above reservation numbers and follow the prompts, or visit jetstar.com/hotels

© Hardie Grant Media. All material in JETSTAR ASIA magazine is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. Every care has been taken in compiling the contents of this magazine, but we assume no responsiblity for the effects arising therefrom. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or Jetstar Asia Airways. All information is correct at press time. MCI (P) 061/11/2015 Jetstar Asia Magazine is printed by Times Printers Private Limited.

We’re heating things up this month...

pril is expected to be the warmest time of the year in Singapore and if you’re looking for a great way to cool down, visit Bangkok and Phuket for the annual Songkran festival, the traditional Thai New Year which is marked by the throwing and sprinkling of water. Similarly, in Yangon, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the festival is observed locally – so get ready to get wet! It’s also a hot month for us as we’re turning up the heat with our hot meal options in our new menu. Do try the new selections and remember to place an order to secure your meal when you book your flight. This month, we also received

a great travel tip from our customers who shared with us how they love giving our travel vouchers to friends and loved ones for their birthdays or anniversaries. The vouchers are about giving your loved ones the gift of travel. Even though the voucher may only make up part of a full airfare for some destinations, they’re telling us a little goes a long way! You can find out more about our gift vouchers on Jetstar.com. We hope you enjoy our service and we wish you a safe flight.

Barathan Pasupathi CEO, Jetstar Asia Airways

Welcome I Group CEO note

Helping you beat the queues

Whether it’s out the front of a restaurant, in a supermarket checkout or in an airport – nobody likes a long queue

t’s why we’re always looking for new ways to reduce your queuing time, so you can get on with your holiday and enjoy a more relaxing travel experience. And we’ve made good ground on this in recent years, with the introduction of straight-to-gate boarding procedures across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. For anyone who’s flying without checked baggage, it’s the simplest way to travel.

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS Here are just some of the things we love in this month’s issue – enjoy!

You just check-in online, bring your own printed or mobile boarding pass to the airport and head straight through security to the boarding gate. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re not alone. Our booking data shows around one in three Jetstar passengers line up in a check-in queue when they don’t have to. I encourage you to give it a try the next time you fly. We’re also rolling out do-ityourself bag drop systems for customers across the network. This new technology will nearly eliminate any need to stand in a queue. Our new bag drop facilities are up and running smoothly in some of our biggest ports such as Singapore, Melbourne and Brisbane – and we’re working to upgrade other major hubs soon. It’s all about making the travel experience more seamless than ever before, and setting the standard for great low-fares travel. Thanks for flying Jetstar,

Singapore’s art scene An arty city p42

Ultimate luxury p62

Fukuoka’s got soul!

Fukuoka’s foodie scene p24

Jayne Hrdlicka Jetstar Group CEO

Share your Jetstar journey with us! FOLLOW: @jetst

arasia

Qingming Festival p28

Splashing out at the Thingyan New Year celebrations (otherwise known as the Water Festival) in Yangon, Myanmar, p12.

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insider WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOT? 12 I DAY TRIPPING 31 I FOOD THAILAND 48 I MALAYSIA 57 ITREND JAPAN2468I SHOPPING 37

M A R L B O R O U G H C O L L E G E M A L AY S I A

A Great British Education

Located in 90 acres of South-East Asia Pupils are taught a British curriculum from British educators who know the value of heritage and tradition. For over 170 years Marlborough College has been synonymous with a ﬁrst-class British education. Now in 90 acres of South-East Asia we

oﬀer our pupils the same opportunity to learn and to grow from the wisdom of those who have gone before them. We are a co-educational Preparatory and Senior School oﬀering an outstanding education for pupils aged 4-18.

Visit: w w w . m a r l b o r o u g h c o l l e g e . m y

Insider I IN PROFILE

THE SARONG STORY

Want to learn how to tie a sarong and walk with the grace of a Balinese royal? Tresna Dewi, The Ritz-Carlton Bali’s sarong concierge, shows you how

A sarong concierge isn’t a role you see everywhere. What led you down this path? I was the first born in a Balinese family of three children. Since I was young, I’ve had an interest in exploring the richness of Balinese culture: dance, learning about religious rituals, and giving offerings as part of daily life. When I was asked to be the resort’s sarong concierge, I was so thrilled, as it gives me the opportunity to explore and showcase Balinese culture through clothing and artwork.

INTERVIEW VANESSA MULQUINEY

How do Balinese sarongs differ from others? Textile traditions in Indonesia are incredibly rich, and Bali is no exception. Sarongs (or kamen in Balinese) are part of the traditional outfit. In every Balinese Hindu household, every day a family member will make offerings to the gods. To do this, they must wear – at a minimum – a sarong and sash that is wrapped around their waist. There are various Balinese sarongs – they differ in fabrics, the methods of making them, areas of origin, and the like.

Insider I IN PROFILE

How to put on a sarong

g Stunninin sarongs ng! ki the ma

For women, it has to be well-fitted to the body, but with enough space to allow you to walk properly. Cross your right leg in front of your left and stand straight. Spread the sarong and fold the upper right hand corner. Wrap it down slowly and make sure it ends in the middle. Tuck it in and lock it in your waist.

• • • •

What types of sarongs will visitors to Bali come across?

There are four different types of sarong: Endek was first introduced in the late 19th century, in the northern part of the Balinese kingdom of Buleleng, and predominantly features a geometric design. Endek is a woven, tie-dyed textile, and very popular with most Balinese as it’s a very versatile cloth that can be worn for both daily use and ceremonial purposes. Batik is the national cloth of Indonesia, and is worn for some official events as well as traditional gatherings. Songket is a brocaded silk with interweaving patterns of silver and gold thread, and is usually worn for very important occasions, such as weddings. Gringsing is one of the rarest weaving techniques practised, and is only found in the traditional village of Tenganan in east Bali. Gringsing is also known as ‘flame cloth’, and in this elaborate dyeing process, both the warp and weft threads are carefully bound before dyeing. This creates numerous patterns that, once finished, seemingly fit together perfectly. There are only a handful

of women left in Tenganan who know this practice of weaving. A piece of gringsing takes up to three days to weave, but the finished product is superb. The gringsing is considered sacred throughout Bali and has always been very rare and expensive.

Visitors on your tour will experience the production of the capital’s official cloth, endek. Why is this fabric so significant to Bali? Endek is the Balinese name for cotton or silk woven fabric, or weft. In the past it was exclusively worn by the nobility during ceremonial events and usually worn as waistcloths or breast coverings. In the past, the textile was made by hand using traditional blackstrap looms by women in places like Nusa Penida in the Klungkung Regency, and Singaraja in the Buleleng Regency. Fast-forward to today and endek is produced all across Bali and used for various purposes, including daily attire, furniture upholstery, curtains, bedsheets and other

decorative items. Endek contains designs featuring figurative representations, such as animals, puppets, flowers and figures taken from Balinese mythology. The textile uses natural colours, like soga, indigo, dark green, maroon and black. The best-quality endek is handmade and uses natural dyes from various plants. All regencies in Bali have their own trademark endek designs and patterns.

What else can guests expect to do on your half-day tour? Prior to the tour, guests will be introduced to various kinds of Balinese sarong, and I talk about the four kinds of fabric that are used to make them. This will include seeing samples of textiles and learning about their distinct characteristics. The group will then visit the artisan workshop in the Gianyar Regency – renowned for arts and crafts – to see the behindthe-scenes production process of endek, from threading, spinning and dying to the weaving process. I demonstrate how to wear a Balinese sarong and walk elegantly, like a Balinese royal. From there, we visit a Balinese Hindu Temple in our sarongs, just like the locals.

Insider I EVENTS

The hot list

Get your sea legs in Singapore this month!

From the contemplative Maha Songkran in Cambodia to the festive and watery spirit of Thailand’s Songkran, April is the time to ring in the New Year across South-East Asia. Meanwhile, Singapore celebrates all things nautical…

Welcoming the New Year in traditional style April 13–15

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This month, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar are ringing in the New Year. Thailand has Songkran, Cambodia observes Maha Songkran and Myanmar celebrates Thingyan. Many locals return to their home towns for the celebrations, but travellers can revel in the fun in most major cities – just don’t forget your super soakers, water balloons and a change of clothes.

Ahoy there! April 7–10

Tickets available online; S$25 for single-day entry or S$40 for a weekend pass. ONE°15 Marina Club, Sentosa Cove.

Good sports Tokyo 2020 Olympics news Japan has proposed five new sports to be added to the Olympic line-up ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Softball and baseball (both of which have a nationwide fan base in Japan) take the lead, followed by karate, surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing. The International Olympic Committee will make a decision about the potential additions later this year.

Hue International Cuisine Festival April 28 – May 2 The culinary spotlight is on Vietnam this month, which is busy preparing to host the Hue International Cuisine Festival, with the aim of fostering cultural exchange with other countries. Stop by Hue’s Phu Xuan Park to enter a multicultural world featuring performances, art and craft, and some of the best foods from across the world.

Some of the world’s most prestigious yachts will sail into Sentosa Cove this month as part of the sixth Singapore Yacht Show. Discover the latest superyachts, as well as other luxurious items including timepieces and jewellery. There’s a gala dinner to attend on the Saturday night, and you can also watch a live cooking demonstration by MasterChef Asia judge Audra Morrice. singaporeyachtshow.com

Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest free-flight walk-in aviary

Come and discover this

exciting world of feathered friends and enthralling sights for yourself!

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www.klbirdpark.com For enquiries: KL

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920, Jalan Cenderawasih, Taman Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: +603-2272 1010 Fax: +603-2273 5428 Email: info@klbirdpark.com Opening Hours: 9.00am to 6.00pm daily For reservations & enquiries:

Hornbill Restaurant @ KL Bird Park

Tel: +603-2693 8086 Fax: +603-2604 0620 Opening Hours: 9.00am to 8.00pm daily

On the radar

The Thai capital gets the top spot

Be inspired for your next adventure with everything new and noteworthy across the Jetstar Asia network.

BALI’S MANDAPA MAKES THE ‘IT’ LIST Bali’s locally inspired and luxurious resort Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has been named one of the world’s best new resorts in Travel + Leisure’s 11th annual ‘It’ list. Mandapa, which opened in late 2015, invites guests to immerse themselves in a traditional Balinese village, surrounded by the rice terraces and temples for which Ubud is well known.

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Artistic flair Cambodian sculptor Sareth Svay has been crowned Overall Best Emerging Artist at the 2016 Prudential Eye Awards. The annual awards seek to highlight the range and diversity of work from emerging Asian artists creating contemporary pieces in mediums such as digital and video, installation, photography and painting.

Singapore’s Traders Hotel rebranded

Traders Hotel is now Hotel Jen Tanglin, following an extensive S$45 million makeover to transform it into a fresh, contemporary space. The hotel’s 565 rooms have been decorated with four contemporary wallpaper designs that reflect Singapore’s street scene. It also houses a Heart Map: a unique hand-drawn map where staff members and guests share their tips and recommendations on the best places to explore in the ever-developing city.

Bangkok takes gold in Destinations Index

MasterCard has released its findings from the 2015 Asia Pacific Destinations Index – and Bangkok has secured its spot as the region’s most popular destination. For the first time, Bangkok hosted more than 20 million international overnight visitors. Of 167 destinations, Singapore came in second and Tokyo third, while Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Hong Kong, Bali and Osaka also placed in the top 10.

Thailand’s new tourism drawcard The Thai government has announced the launch of 148 local tourism stores across the country. The Pracharath Sookjai shops will combine services for tourists with local products, with the aim of spreading the benefits of tourism outside traditional hotspots like Bangkok and Phuket. The stores will be located at PTT petrol stations across the country, with some starting to operate as early as this month.

Insider I NEWS

SAVE ROOM FOR BRUNCH!

Chef David Myers wows with his culinary offerings at Adrift

WEEKENDS ARE FOR CATCHING UP WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND ENJOYING THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE – AND WE’VE FOUND THE PERFECT SPOT FOR BOTH When it comes to experimenting with – and perfecting – the tastes of the world, well-travelled American chef David Myers is one of the best. With a career spanning almost two decades, Myers consistently proves it’s possible to capture cultural authenticity on a plate. Now based at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, he’s drawing on flavours and memories of his travels through South-East Asia and Japan for his latest culinary offering, Adrift. “Adrift is a personal ode to the vibrant

experiences I’ve encountered in my many travels,” says Myers. “It’s a colourful food-culture mash-up from both sides of the Pacific; a merging of old and new… a modern way of dining.” And what’s more modern than brunch? Marina Bay Sands’ Adrift – what some would call a modern take on an izakaya (a Japanese gastro pub) – is a beautiful spot for a leisurely weekend meal. The diverse set menu complements a buffet of chilled seafood, salads, tropical fruit, pastries,

cheese and charcuterie. Brunch mains include the signature Adrift Benedict (grilled rice cakes with dashi bacon, onsen eggs and miso hollandaise); ricotta pancakes with yuzu honey, vanilla persimmons and azukibean ice-cream; and a fun take on American fried chicken that’s served with sweet-potato waffles and maple-umeboshi syrup. Coconut parfait and caramel French toast are popular for dessert. And, for anyone wanting to truly indulge, there’s the option of freeflowing champagne, beer, wine and cocktails.

The details Weekend brunch at Adrift takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 3pm. Standard brunch is priced from S$88 per person. With a free-flowing drinks package, brunch starts at S$158 per person. For a full menu, visit marinabaysands. com/restaurants/ celebrity-chefs/ adrift.

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From old to new in Banglamphu Bangkok’s lively area of Banglamphu is an evolving testament to how Thailand’s ancient past and cosmopolitan trends coexist. We check out seven spots that make it well worth a visit

Sala Rattanakosin

Few places in Bangkok can match the views afforded by Sala Rattanakosin, which is set on the banks of the mighty Chao Phraya river. It’s established itself as one of the premier culinary destinations in the city, with tasty dishes including lamb shank massaman kha gae. Head to the rooftop at dusk to see the sun slip over Wat Arun. Bookings are advised. 39 Maharat Rd, Tha Thien, So, +66 2 622 1388; salaresorts.com/rattanakosin

Editions Bookshop

The riverside pavilion of Tha Maharaj has more than 50 eateries and many fashion outlets – along with this cosy bookstore. Set across two shops, Editions is brimming with maps, prints, photographs and books. The store encourages exploration and is crammed full of culture: snap up something from the range of Thai art and souvenirs. Tha Maharaj Unit P1-01 1/11 Trok Mahathat, Maharaj Rd, Phra Nakorn, +66 2 248 1566; fb.com/editionsbkk

Insider I POSTCODE

The quaint shophouse has only five tables but packs in a whole lot of character ” 5

Superflow City Beach Club

With its heady mix of budget accommodation, loud music and affordable drinks, Khao San Road is a requisite stop for budget-conscious travellers. Superflow City Beach Club is the latest addition to nightlife on the street. The open-air lounge and club delivers a fun beach buzz in the heart of the city: expect sandy toes, DJs and late nights. 9 Khao San Rd, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, +66 86 088 0129; superflowbeachclub.com

Mitramit Teahouse

WORDS & PHOTOS LUKE JAMES ILLUSTRATION GRACE LEE

Bangkok National Museum

Looking for a culture fix? Set on the sprawling grounds of the 18th-century Wang Na Palace, the Bangkok National Museum features the largest collection of Thai art and artefacts in the country. Step back in time to explore Thailand’s cultural heritage and wander through the museum’s impressive – albeit occasionally dusty – exhibitions. 4 Na Phra That, Bangkok, Phra Nakhon, +66 2 224 1333; finearts.go.th/museumbangkok

An oasis away from the frenetic pace of Bangkok, this quaint shophouse has only five tables but packs in a whole lot of character. The teahouse is staffed by volunteers, with all proceeds going towards supporting the nearby Mayarith Theatre. Twenty-eight varieties of Chinese tea are on offer here. 32 Phra Sumen Rd, Chana Songkhram, Phra Nakhon, +66 2 126 6567; facebook.com/ mitramitteahouse

Jazz Happens

The popular Phra Athit Road has firmly established itself as Banglamphu’s hipster enclave. The narrow strip brims with live music venues, restaurants and bohemian bars – and Jazz Happens is one of the best. This candle-illuminated spot features nightly jazz performances from well-established musicians, as well as students and alumni from Silpakorn Jazz Faculty. 62 Phra Athit Rd, Phra Nakhon, +66 2 282 9934; jazzhappens.org

Adhere the 13th Blues Bar

Offering a range of affordable drinks alongside a rotating roster of top-notch musicians performing every night, Adhere the 13th Blues Bar has become a favourite with locals and visitors alike. If you’re keen to pay a visit, make sure you get in early if you want to secure a seat: by 10pm, this place is absolutely packed. 13 Samsen Rd, Wat Sam Phraya, Phra Nakhon; facebook.com/ adhere13thbluesbar

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Insider I WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE?

Can’t go without my Make Up For Ever brushes!

Bags of style

PHOTO ROGER CHUA STYLING GRACE LIM

The uber chic host of E! News Asia, Yvette ‘Vetty’ King, opens up her carry-on and shows us she’s got packing down to a fine art

Yvette King E! News Asia host yvetteking.com

This case is a vintage Louis Vuitton – I really love a mix of old and new. As I’m constantly travelling around the region, I’ve got packing everything into carry-on down to a fine art. Who has time for baggage carousel delays? Pro tip: I always leave a little room for new purchases, too! Working in the TV industry has turned me into a beauty junkie. I usually do my own

makeup for filming, so I can’t go without Chanel foundation, Urban Decay eyeshadow and Make Up For Ever makeup brushes and handy travel kits. To keep my skin hydrated I use Clé de Peau Beauté’s La Creme. If you don’t take a picture it didn’t happen, right? Well, luckily I’m always attached to my DSLR camera and iPhone 6s Plus. I’ve always loved photography and

I’m a beauty junkie and love Chanel foundation

documenting my travels. The Asia-Pacific region has so many stunning locations, it’s pretty easy to just point and shoot! I also love practical and stylish flats – espadrilles or sneakers. My latest obsession? These blush Axel Arigato shoes. I bought this YSL clutch and these Miu Miu shades in Italy – these guys are frequent flyers. And my denim shorts are my off-duty uniform.

SANGGAR AGUNG TEMPLE The ocean-side gates to this temple are ideal Insta material. Ask someone to take a picture of you standing between the two vast dragons, or try to capture the setting sun between their jaws. @fahrultr14

THE TOP 10 INSTAGRAM SPOTS IN SURABAYA Indonesia’s second-largest city is a melting pot of Dutch Colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers and hidden pockets of lush greenery – perfect for snapping an impressive #instagood shot

@dianrika

KEBUN BIBIT WONOREJO Looking for that perfect #followmeto location? The end of this pier at Kebun Bibit Wonorejo is a stunning and serene setting for one of our favourite Instagram photography trends. @nielltewe

@budipriyatna

TAMAN SAKURA This metropolitan garden filled with flowers is an oasis of calm, and is particularly stunning at night when it glows with thousands of fairy lights. Now to decide which flowery pic to post…

SURABAYA INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL Plan to visit in September, when the city’s colourful annual kite festival takes place. You and your followers will be in for a real visual treat when the sky fills with these rainbow-bright creations.

SKYLINE TOWERS

@dettapriyandika

An impressive cityscape is always great Instagram fodder – and this skyline is no different. Head to JI. Mayjend Sungkono for a closer perspective of the architectural masterpiece.

@rannyfitriani

Insider I INSTAGRAMABLE

KOFFEE + ROOF BAR This fun rooftop bar in the G-Suites Hotel is stylish and packed with photo fodder. The best feature? The inflatable duck in the pool – where better to take a shot of yourself enjoying a cocktail 11 floors up?

SURABAYA STATUE 21

@nonixnath

Legend has it that Surabaya was founded on the site of a battle between a shark (sura) and a crocodile (baya) in the 1200s. A pic-worthy statue depicting the fight stands near the city’s zoo.

WORDS SOPHIE COUGHLAN

@eric_kyd

@ryanticute

SURAMADU BRIDGE Connecting Java and Madura Island is the longest bridge in Indonesia, studded with LED lighting fixtures. Capture it at night to see the vibrant colours, inspired by the tail of a peacock.

@sidiahsari

TAG US Don’t forget to tag us @jetstarasia #jetstarasia when you’re sharing your travel snaps.

WISATA MANGROVE GUNUNG ANYAR Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? This is a perfect spot to zen out and snap some gorgeous #nofilter nature shots. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot monkeys and tropical birds, too.

MASJID AL AKBAR Recognisable for its blue domes, this mosque is one of the largest in Indonesia. In the right light, the exterior stuns with bright turquoise and rich whites, and the brightly coloured ceilings on the inside are another sight to behold.

Experience I ADVERTSIING PROMOTION

CHOOSE YOUR OWN

ADVENTURE Adventure travel gives you the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But it does come with risks. By taking a few simple precautions, you can have all the adventure with none of the angst

Insider I ADVERTISER PROMOTION

OPPOSITE PAGE: Powder snow and a steep run is a sure-fire adrenaline rush. CLOCKWISE: Some of the best surf beaches are the hardest to get to. Get up close to marine life in a sea kaayak. A long hike is worth the effort when you reach the top.

PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

*Please note, travel policies may exclude a number of potentially hazardous activities.

Don’t look down!

On the radar

Stay in touch

Blue skies one moment, a blizzard the next. Soaring mountain views at midday, a cloud of fog at 1pm. Never knowing what to expect is part of thrill of conquering the Alps. And if you’re prepared for all weather you’ll be able to enjoy every moment. Always keep an eye on the local weather report, and pack for every eventuality, from a surprise snowstorm to an impromptu dip in a mountain lake.

Do you dream of leaving the bitumen behind and striking off into the wilds? When going off the beaten track, ensure someone knows your plans. For national parks, have entry and camping permits arranged, and notify rangers if you plan to go off-road. If taking off overseas, make sure your family knows about your travel plans in advance, and register with your national travel authority. If you’re in Singapore, visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore (mfa.gov.sg) or register at eregister.mfa.gov.sg. It could save your loved ones sleepless nights in an emergency.

Be prepared If you find the walk to your local shops a little taxing, it’s possibly not the best idea to commit to a five-day trek through a Cambodian jungle with no training. Do your research. What clothes should you pack? Do you need any vaccinations? Does this activity demand the stamina of an ironman? You’ll have a much better time and get more out of your adventure if you know what you are in for.

Gearing up What’s a snow-capped mountain without a snowboard, or a wave without a surfboard? Adventure travel goes hand-in-hand with equipment. Make sure you have the right gear in good working order;

cutting corners with safety equipment is a no-go. And whatever you take along, whether it’s a lightweight tent, GoPro, or your skis, keep a close eye on them and make sure they are covered by your travel insurer.

Taking it to extremes For some travellers, a simple snorkel in waistdeep water is enough of a rush. But if jumping out of a plane or scaling a glacier is your idea of a thrill, always read your travel insurance policy

and product disclosure statement closely before purchasing to see if the insurance is right for you – and what is and isn’t covered.*

Just do it Whether it’s surfing in the Philippines or riding a motorbike through Vietnam, a world of adventure awaits. Do your homework and be prepared, but don’t be scared to try something new. You may wind up creating a memory you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Wherever you travel, travel safe. For a travel insurance quote, select insurance with your booking at jetstar.com or add insurance through Manage Booking. Providers of Jetstar Travel Insurance

Jetstar Travel Insurance is underwritten in Singapore by AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd., in Vietnam by AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited and in Indonesia by PT AIG Insurance Indonesia. PT AIG Insurance Indonesia is an insurance company registered and surpervised by The Financial Services Authority (OJK). Full details of benefits, terms, conditions and exclusions that may apply to Jetstar Travel Insurance are specified in the policy wording.

FUKUOKA’S SOUL FOOD FROM THE ICONIC NOODLE SOUPS FAMOUS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, TO A BELOVED OFFAL-BASED HOTPOT AND CRISPY PAN-FRIED DUMPLINGS, FUKUOKA IS HOME TO SOME OF JAPAN’S MOST WELL-KNOWN AND SATISFYING DISHES – THE CITY’S SECRET TO WARMTH FROM WITHIN

I The locals' warming secret weapon!

n Fukuoka, most liquor-fuelled evenings end with a steaming bowl of ramen: tonkotsu ramen to be specific, hakata ramen to be precise. Full of rich fats and so comfortingly warm, this silky, porkladen soup is the local cure for too many drinks and next-day sore heads. “We always eat ramen after we go drinking,” says Momoko Matsufuji, a former chef, now translator, born and raised in Fukuoka.

“It’s just like going to Burger King and eating junk food.” The seaside city, also called Hakata, is located in the Fukuoka prefecture on Japan’s southern island Kyushu and is known for its regional dishes that are craved around the country. For ramen worshippers, it’s a virtual mecca. First created in Kurume, a 50-minute train trip from Fukuoka, tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen is now an iconic dish throughout the

WORDS ELOISE BASUKI PHOTOS LEIGH GRIFFITHS

Insider I FOODIE FOCUS

prefecture and beyond. The hakata version is the city’s own – tonkotsu broth topped with sliced pork, green onion and slivers of beni shoga (pickled ginger). You won’t have to look hard to find it, either. Whether it’s a bowl from one of the cosy yatai (street food stalls) that pop up on the banks of the Naka River as twilight falls, or bought via vending machine in one of the city’s many self-service ramen restaurants, you only have to follow your nose. As the cracked pork bones are slowly cooked – dissolving fat and calcium, marrow and other proteins – a cloudy, creamy, intoxicating and rich soup results. The consequential steam is notoriously stinky, billowing out of exhaust fans and onto the streets like an unpleasant – yet somehow enticing – trail. At Ichiran, one of Fukuoka’s most popular ramen chains, they’ve refined the recipe to tone down the infamous stench. “After years of research, we applied a two-stage cooking method to remove the extra aroma so Ichiran ramen doesn’t have that peculiar pork smell,” explains Yukari Shibayama, Ichiran’s public relations manager. And that’s not all Ichiran is missing – waiters are purposefully few and far between. Blinking lights direct you

The fear of fugu FOR FUKUOKA’S DEADLIEST DISH, thrill-seekers can dine on one of the more high-end delicacies, fugu (blowfish). The organs of the fish carry a poison called tetrodotoxin: up to 1,200 times more toxic than cyanide, just a drop results in complete paralysis before death. Eating fugu is less dangerous than it sounds, however, as expert chefs undergo years of training for a licence, and once skilfully sliced and the deadly organs are removed, the flesh is harmless. It’s usually served in translucent slivers, but at Kaji Fugu, in Nakasu, they also offer a ten-course set menu including fugu sake, sashimi, porridge and more.

to a private one-person booth and a pair of hands poking out from behind a shutter take your order form and produce your chosen bowl. With just you and your chopsticks, there’s nothing to do but focus on the dish. The tonkotsu broth is smooth with a satisfying depth of flavour, and warm spice from a dollop of their original blazing red sauce. “Our secret sauce is made from red peppers

The much-loved udon dish (above) and the hearty and comforting motsunabe, which is a regional specialty (below)

and 30 other ingredients, aged for several days and nights,” says Shibayama. It’s all she can divulge on the matter – only three of Ichiran’s chefs know the recipe, so all outposts across the nation (and the world) are supplied by Fukuoka’s original branch.

Winter warmers Ramen isn’t the only prizewinner here. Udon noodles – known in

With just you and your chopsticks, there's nothing to do but focus on the dish...” Fukuoka for their flatter shape and softer texture – are also favoured. They’re usually served in a light dashi broth and, in the preferred style of this region, topped with tempura-fried burdock root – a crisp and saltysweet addition. Burdock root is an ancient Chinese medicinal ingredient and is thought to add a nutritious element to the dish: this style of udon is a common pick-me-up when sick. “While ramen is the dish you eat when you’re drinking, udon is what you eat when you’ve got a cold,” says Matsufuji. Takayasu Uryu is now

Insider I FOODIE FOCUS

the fourth owner of Karo no Uron, which was first opened in 1882 by his grandmother and is now one of the oldest udon shops in Fukuoka. Once the doors open at 11am each day, the lines form as customers wait for their fix. “It gets cold in winter in Fukuoka, we even have snow sometimes, so people want to warm their body with warm foods,” explains Uryu of his store’s popularity. “As soon as you enter, you can feel the steam coming from the udon pot. I think that’s comforting for the customers.” 26

Local comforts The ultimate local weapon for comfort and a full bill of health is a bubbling cauldron of the region’s specialty, motsunabe. The inexpensive, cook-ityourself hotpot is filled with a clear soy-based stock, piled high with a mountain of cabbage, Chinese chives and – most importantly – a glistening bowl of cow intestines. Rakutenchi is a local restaurant that has been making motsunabe for more than 38 years, proclaiming its secret recipe restores health and cures fatigue. You'll have your own private gas burner on the table and a waiter brings you a pot of the soup to cook yourself. The dish is best

Tasty eats at Ichiran – one of Fukuoka's most popular ramen chains.

Time to eat? ICHIRAN Step in line, fill out the order form and pay at the vending machine. This self-service icon serves rich, spicy hakata ramen in your own private booth. ichiran.co.jp

You can't help but get a sense of warmth as the burner is lit... and the soup simmers” served with an ice-cold beer and you can’t help but feel a sense of warmth as the burner is lit, the motsu (offal) is thrown in and the soup simmers away. Another popular beer snack (and one of Fukuoka’s most addictive claims to fame) are gyoza, pan-fried pork dumplings. These bite-size morsels are said to have been introduced to Japan via Fukuoka, by soldiers returning from war in China during WWII. The Japanese version features a thinner skin and smoky, charred bottom as it’s fried in a cast-iron pan rather than steamed.

Starting out in 1963 as a tiny yatai in front of Fukuoka’s bustling Hakata Station, Tetsunabe Gyoza is a favourite go-to spot with city dwellers to satisfy dumpling cravings. The stall has since developed into three brick-andmortar restaurants where the beer is cold, '80s tunes are humming and gyoza are served still sizzling on the pan. While Tokyo is revered for its many Michelinstarred restaurants (560 in total), and Osaka is celebrated for its latenight eating and drinking playground of Dōtonbori, Fukuoka is the lesserknown champion of Japan’s foodie tourism and is also well-loved across the country for its ample dining choices. The medicinal qualities of the region’s famous dishes may be debatable, but there’s no arguing their ability to warm the soul, one bite at a time.

KARO NO URON One of the oldest udon restaurants still serving in Fukuoka, the light dashi (broth) and salty-sweet potato chip-like gobo are almost addictive. 2-1 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, +81 92 291 6465 RAKUTENCHI Sit down on the traditional tatami mat floors and cook the motsunabe pot yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for more of their magical stock to heat a serve of champon (noodles). rakutenti.com TETSUNABE It’ll be hard to stop at one plate of Tetsunabe’s crispy, juicy gyoza (dumplings), but you can always buy a pack of their frozen dumplings to take home, for whenever the mood strikes. tetsunabe.jp YATAI (VARIOUS) Of the roughly 150 yatai still operating in Fukuoka, most congregate around the Naka river in Nakasu, Fukuoka’s entertainment district. Squeeze into the tiny eight-seater stalls and try ramen, gyoza, yakitori (chicken skewers) and more. Nakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka

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REMEMBERING OUR ANCESTORS China’s 2,700 year-old Qingming Festival – which honours the dead and marks the coming of spring – has evolved over time to the important event it is today

ith ancestor worship occupying a central role in Chinese religion and culture, the age-old Qingming (or Tomb Sweeping) Festival remains a hugely important annual event. Literally translating as ‘Bright and Clear Festival’, Qingming is a national holiday for people to pay their respects to their ancestors by clearing their graves, making offerings and also to celebrate the coming of spring. Held on the 15th day after the spring equinox on the Chinese lunar calendar, Qingming falls on April 4 this year in the western calendar. Since 2008 the festival has been a national holiday

in mainland China, allowing families to visit the tombs of their ancestors. It is also celebrated by the Chinese diaspora in south east Asia, especially in Singapore and Malaysia where many traditions are still followed closely. Traditionally, family members will sweep the graves or tombs and make offerings to their ancestors – usually in the form of fruit, wine or sweets placed on the grave. Often, they will also burn paper money, with the aim of enabling the deceased to use it in the afterlife. It’s seen as very important to not only make these offerings to pay respect to deceased loved ones, but also to keep away evil or unwanted spirits who bring bad luck to the living. Although the festival

It's a chance for families to get together...” revolves around remembering the dead, it is also a chance for families to congregate, celebrate and feast together while they pay their respects to their revered ancestors. The origins of Qingming The origins of the Qingming Festival date back to China’s Spring and Autumn Period (c.770BC – 476BC) – specifically, the 7th century BC. This was when the Hanshi (‘Cold Food’) Festival was established by a prince named

Insider I TRADITION TALKS

WORDS TOM PATTINSON PHOTOS GETTY, TOM PATTTINSON, SHUTTERSTOCK

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: The practice of burning paper money for ancestors; a woman tends to the grave of a family member; shop owner Zhang Zhonghua; tea picking time; a woman sweeps the tomb of a deceased family member

Chong’er, who eventually became Duke Wen of Jin. Amidst a time of civil war Chong’er was forced into exile for 19 years, during which time he had a servant named Jie Zitui who was very loyal to him. In one particularly extreme (and gruesome) example of his loyalty, Jie is even said to have cut the flesh from his own thigh to keep Chong’er from starving. However, when Chong’er was eventually made Duke Wen of Jin and decided to reward his loyal staff, he forgot Jie – who by that time had moved into the forest to look after his elderly mother. Wracked with guilt, the Duke searched the forests for Jie and, failing to find him, ordered the burning of the forest to smoke out Jie so that he could at last be rewarded. However, his plan backfired: Jie was eventually found burned to death, with his mother on his back. As a sign of his remorse, the Duke banned fire for three days to commemorate Jie. As no fires could be used, only cold food was eaten and the Hanshi Festival was established. A year later, when the Duke returned to

Traditions in practice during Qingming 29

the place Jie died, he found a bright white willow growing, which he named ‘Pure Bright’ or qingming. And so the Hanshi Festival was renamed as the Qingming Festival. More than a thousand years later, Tang Dynasty emperor Tang Xuanzong was frustrated by the constant ceremonies held by wealthy families to honour their ancestors, so he declared respects could only formally be held once a year during Qingming Festival. A major point in the Chinese lunar calendar, Qingming also signifies a shift, when the weather gets warmer and more rain starts to fall; and it’s often marked as the start of planting season for farmers. It’s

also now an important date in the tea growing industry: tea leaves that are ready to be picked before Qingming are given the title “preQingming tea.” Modern celebrations In a nod to past traditions, many people put willow branches above their doors or twigs on their heads to ward off evil spirits during Qingming; and sweep the tombs or graves of their ancestors, leaving offerings to use in the afterlife. Today, however, many people find it harder to return to their ancestral home every year; and, as cremations have become more common (as opposed to burial),

Insider I TRADITION TALKS

Top to bottom: Vendors sell incense and Joss papers (paper money) during Qingming; incense burning.

some have to find other ways to commemorate their ancestors. Many homes have a family shrine, where extra incense sticks will be burned and offerings made, while others make offerings at public squares that are home to memorials to fallen martyrs. More recently, it’s become common to see people commemorating their families on city street corners. “My family home is in Anhui [in China’s east] so I don’t have the time off work to return to my home province from Beijing,” says Zhang Zhonghua, a street-side shop owner. “Therefore I will burn

my offerings below the ring road beside the canal.” Zhang says he usually burns paper money and some old clothes that he no longer needs, and mainly honours his late wife. According to the laws of feng shui, a spot should, ideally, be found near water and where paths cross. Today in big cities, many families can be seen crouching on street corners, where they draw a chalk circle in which to then burn paper money. The special fivecolour, fake bank notes often have a ‘value’ of billions of dollars. If vast sums of money aren’t deemed enough to entertain their ancestors in the afterlife, people are now burning DVD players, credit cards, iPhones and even fake Ferraris – all made from 3D models of cardboard and paper. According to the China Daily, it’s estimated that 10 billion RMB (S$2.1 billion) is spent on offerings, and that around 100 tonnes of paper is burned during the evenings of Qingming.

The main purpose of Qingming hasn’t changed...” Ms Qiu sells objects for burning from her shop opposite the Lama Temple in Beijing. “Many peoples’ relatives never had the chance to enjoy the things we have today, so many people want to give them these things to experience in the afterlife,” she says. Ms Qiu says the top seller is the fake money. While Chinese society has evolved since the advent of the festival, the main purpose of Qingming hasn’t changed: remembering, honouring and paying respect to one’s ancestors. Whether that’s done by burning a fake iPhone or staying true to the most traditional practices of the festival, it’s a fascinating insight into China’s history that promises to live long into the future.

Insider I DAY TRIPPER

Retreat to the serenity of the Swan Valley

24 HOURS IN

SWAN VALLEY Twenty-five minutes from Perth’s CBD (and just 10 minutes from Perth Airport), this gourmet food and wine region offers a day filled with culinary delights and indulgent moments

11AM CHOCOLATE FIX Right next door, you’ll find The Margaret River Chocolate Company. With equal enthusiasm, the folks here dish out free chocolate and have a huge selection for sale, including nut clusters, truffles and nougat. There’s a window for watching the chocolate makers, and real foodies can sign up for the chocolate and wine-pairing class held at Providore. Address: 5123 West Swan Rd, West Swan Contact: +61 8 9250 1588; chocolatefactory.com.au

WORDS AND PHOTOS PENNY WATSON

9AM ENJOY BREAKFAST IN GUILDFORD The colonial town of Guildford, settled in 1829, is the gateway to Swan Valley and the perfect first stop. Enjoy breakfast at Little Guildford, a cute café with tiled walls, bentwood chairs and vases of flowers. Here, the OJ is served fresh, the eggs are perfectly poached and the brekkie burritos are right on the money. Afterwards, take a self-guided heritage walk – nearby James Street is great for antiques. Address: 104 Swan St, Guildford Contact: +61 8 9378 2223; facebook.com/little.guildford

10.30AM A LITTLE FOODIE FOR THOUGHT On our visit plump figs, sweet melons and juicy strawberries were being sold at little roadside stalls throughout the Swan Valley. For artisan groceries such as olive oils, pickles and preserves, stop by the historic Providore. The staff at its food-tasting counters are more than happy to talk food, recipes and how to use unusual ingredients for the best dining experience. Address: 5123 West Swan Rd, West Swan Contact: +61 8 6274 4040; providore.com.au/ swan-valley-store DID YOU KNOW? In 2014, Swan Valley was crowned the first Humane Food Region in Australia, with more than 30 restaurants signing up to be animal welfare friendly.

Truffles, drops, bars – you'll discover all of these delights at The Margaret River Chocolate Company

Insider I DAY TRIPPER

Hot tip The Food and Wine Trail is a well-signed 32km touring loop along the region. It features 150 venues.

1PM LUNCH AMONG THE VINES

Manicured green lawns and lush vines abound at Mandoon Estate. Settle on the deck for an à la carte lunch and a glass of wine, or claim an outdoor table near the bar and deli to dine on pizza and meat rolls carved straight from the spit. Picnicstyle options include cheese boards, charcuterie platters and quiche. Address: 10 Harris Rd, Caversham Contact: +61 8 6279 0500; mandoonestate.com.au DID YOU KNOW? Viticulture emerged in the Swan Valley more than 180 years ago, making it the oldest wine region in Western Australia and one of Australia’s oldest, too.

Grab a paddle!

3PM COFFEE MEETS ART

At Mandoon Estate, there are plenty of places to eat and play

Head to family run Taylor’s Art & Coffee House for the locals’ favourite afternoon snack: a ‘long mac, three quarters’ and a piece of cake. Corrugated iron buildings, wine barrels, shady trees and pergola vines give this busy place a lovely rustic feel. Be sure to visit the outhouse studios for Jude Taylor’s beautiful WA wildflower fabrics, as well as silverware and jewellery created by fourth-generation WA silversmith Bethamy Linton. Address: 510 Great Northern Hwy, Middle Swan Contact: +61 447 441 223; taylorscafe.com.au

4PM TIME FOR A BEER Swan Valley boasts two distilleries and six craft-beer breweries, one of which is outback-pub lookalike Feral Brewing Company. Tasting paddles here include the popular Hop Hog American IPA and the more adventurous Watermelon Warhead, a light, sour German beer. There’s also an on-site beer garden with a barbecue food truck if you fancy an early dinner. Address: 152 Haddrill Rd, Baskerville Contact: +61 8 9207 8899; feralbrewing.com.au MORE INFO Swan Valley Visitor Centre, Guildford Courthouse, Cnr Meadow & Swan Sts, Guildford, +61 8 9379 9400; swanvalley.com.au

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You’ll all sleep soundly after a huge day of fun at the beach

OF THE BEST

Postcard from Hainan

Known as the Hawaii of Asia, this island offers some of the world’s finest tropical weather, white-sand beaches and five-star resorts 34

hina’s island of Hainan has become a major holiday destination for adventurous surfers, families and honeymooners alike. The south side of the island is home to the white-sand beaches and five-star resorts of Sanya Bay and Yalong Bay, and incredible conditions can also be found north near Haikou, the island’s capital. Here are five of the best spots for sun, sand and picturesque views.

1. HOLIDAY BEACH

within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of downtown Haikou. If you visit on a weekend, expect the 6km-long beach to be packed with families strolling along the promenade by day and barbecuing at sunset. Water sports, including sailboarding, kayaking and jetskiing, are readily accessible, and for landlubbers there’s a roller-skating park. With Water World nearby, you can watch water-ballet and diving shows to your heart’s content. Expect a busy day out at the island’s liveliest beach.

The most famous of the northern beaches, Holiday Beach boasts one of the best locations; it’s

The smaller Xixiu Beach, which is just 2km from the

2. XIXIU BEACH

1 2

Insider I 5 OF THE BEST

3 city centre, may see fewer visitors than Holiday Beach – but there’s still plenty to do. Xixiu is the training ground for China’s national sailing and windsurfing teams; you won’t just see impressive pro action on the waves, you can even take part yourself. Plenty of shops rent out windsurfing equipment, but why not go all out and sign up for a sailing class? You’ll find some of Asia’s best instructors here. If that doesn’t float your boat, take an evening stroll instead; Xixiu is known for its gorgeous sunsets.

there’s not much need for public facilities. Come early June, however, you’ll have to share the beach with the 300,000-odd people who visit the island for the three-day Duanwu Festival, also known as Dragon Boat Festival. Duanwu commences on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar (falling on June 9 this year). It’s believed poet Qu Yuan drowned in these waters and became a dragon more than 2,000 years ago – so now locals bathe in the ‘dragon water’ during the festival to keep themselves safe and healthy throughout the year.

4 Guilinyang Beach boasts calm, clear waters and a rich history

WORDS TOM PATTINSON PHOTOS CORBIS, INSTAGRAM, WWW.SUNNYSANYA.COM

3. BAISHAMEN BEACH Tucked away on the northernmost part of the coast, this 1km stretch of sand is the quietest in the area and arguably the most picturesque. The lack of crowds for most of the year means you’ll likely have the beach all to yourself, but it also means

4. GUILINYANG BEACH A 20-minute car journey east of Haikou lies Guilinyang Beach, which offers white sand and clear water combined with a lack of reefs and a sloping coastline, making it the ideal spot for swimming. There are

Baishamen Beach is quiet and peaceful, except for when the Duanwu Festival takes place in June!

also areas to play beach volleyball, and plenty of BBQ pits for public use. The nearby Mangrove Natural Reserve is a great place to get to know the ecology of the area, and history buffs will enjoy learning about the 72 villages of Guilinyang that were swallowed by the sea after a devastating earthquake during the Ming Dynasty.

5. SHIMEI BAY Shimei Bay is worth every minute of the three-hour drive from Haikou.

Together, Shimei Bay and its neighbouring Riyue Bay (Sun and Moon Bay) are paradise for surfers, with the waves consistently serving up plenty of height and energy. Many parts of Shimei Bay are relatively untouched, and you can still see the local Li people working from their traditional fishing houses. With the hallmark clear waters and white sands of Hainan’s southern coast, it’s no surprise Shimei Bay has also become a new hotspot for resorts.

Insider I SHOP IT

A modern take on a classic black bag

Your accessories are a way of telling people who you are, without having to say a word

Sleek white leather never goes out of style

It’s in the bag We’d be constantly caught with our hands full without this essential fashion accessory

5 Team this with an all-black outfit to make it really pop!

1.ARMANI EXCHANGE Nappa leather backpack, US$300 (S$418), armaniexchange.com 2.MIU MIU top-handle bag, US$1590 (S$2842), miumiu.com 3.PRADA Arcade bag, US$2750 (S$3831), prada.com 4.THE DAILY EDITED mini cross-body bag, A$129.95 (S$129), thedailyedited.com 5.GINGER & SMART Ignite bucket bag, A$499 (S$495), gingerandsmart.com 6.DIOR Mini Lady Dior bag, S$10,000, dior.com

Shopping Street, Terminal 3

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wine companion js asia.indd 1

11/03/2016 4:09 pm

Insider I BEAUTY ON THE FLY

GROWN ALCHEMIST TRAVEL KIT, S$69

You little beauty

WORDS AIMÉE LEABON ILLUSTRATION GRACE LEE

Maximise the space in your bag and look polished at every destination with these pint-size travel packs

Whether you’re scooting away for a long weekend or spending a week beachside in Phuket, finding room for your beauty products can be challenging. Packing efficiently and smartly is paramount – especially when it comes to your favourite skin-softening serum or can’t-survivewithout cream bronzer. Cue travel beauty kits. These pick-upand-go bags boast miniature sizes of the essentials you need to stay groomed on-thego. Better yet, you can stash them in your carry-on – most contain products under 100ml (the maximum amount of fluid you can take onboard). Make more space for souvenirs by selecting sets that contain basics such as shampoo and conditioner, facial cleanser and moisturiser. Multi-purpose products work double-duty to ensure you always look camera-ready – so if you need to pack less make-up, opt for a palette that houses several lip and cheek shades, eyeshadows that can be blended for day-to-night looks, and liner for creating classic feline flicks or smoky eyes.

Encased in this chic nylon pouch is shampoo and conditioner (50ml each), facial cleanser (50ml), day cream (12ml), body cleanser (50ml), body cream (50ml) and lip balm (12ml) – it’s your hair and skin saviour! Visit grownalchemist.com

REVLON BEAUTY TOOLS MANICURE ESSENTIALS KIT, S$20 Keep your nails neat with this clever kit. Shape cuticles sans nicks with the dual-ended cuticle trimmer; trim length with the nail clipper, shape and file in seconds with the compact emery board; and create a jellybean-shine finish with the buffer. Available at Revlon counters 39

MOLTON BROWN MEN’S TRAVELLER, S$136 One for the gents, this luxe kit houses everything he needs in the specialty skincare department. Included are two body washes (100ml each), face wash (30ml), shaving cream (30ml), facial hydrator (15ml) and cologne (5ml). Buy yours at lazada.sg

SEPHORA COLLECTION BLOCKBUSTER PALETTE, S$69 Pack this Rolls-Royce of makeup palettes in your carry-on to create both statement looks and something more understated for daytime. With 72 eyeshadows, 32 lip shades, 18 cream eyeliners and eight blushes, you won’t need anything else. Available at sephora.sg

Green-fingered herbalist Gary Tse stands outside Herboland’s humble shop and café, which is in a prime beachside position on Hong Kong’s Lamma island (Hong Kong photo essay, p56)

41 088

inspire SINGAPORE 42 I CYCLING 49 I HONG KONG 56

The distinctive mural on Haji Lane.

SINGAPORE I ART WORLD

public

service The Lion City has become one of the best places in Asia to experience art out in the open, free for all to see WORDS SANJAY SURANA

eptember 2012 saw the re-launch of Gillman Barracks as a series of contemporary galleries. The event signified Singapore’s growing stature as a leading Asian art hub; since then, the Lion City has welcomed the Indian Heritage Centre, the newly revamped National Museum of Singapore and Asian Civilisations Museum, the recently opened National Gallery Singapore, and the Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris. Art, without a doubt, has become an important – even vital – part of the city’s DNA. Even Singapore’s leader, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, agrees this is the case: “Our nation would not be complete without an appreciation of arts and culture, and without Singaporeans who create artistic and cultural works” – which he fittingly declared during a tour of Lasalle College of the Arts. Alongside the many new museums and galleries that have opened, Singapore is actively pursuing the expansion of public art – pieces that are displayed in the open, free to view, accessible to all. In 2014, the National Arts Council – the government body that “aims

The perfect visual representation of carefree joy

to nurture the arts in Singapore, and to make it an integral part of the lives of all Singaporeans” – set up the Public Art Trust (PAT), with S$10 million in seed money. PAT’s mission is to give artists (particularly local artists) a new platform for their work, and make art part of the city’s urban spaces to bring it closer to Singaporeans. It also offers incentives, such as tax deductions, to private donors who commission public art.

Raising the bar

PAT’s most high-profile initiative to date was the open call to Singaporean artists to create three bold artworks to be displayed in high-traffic sites along the Jubilee Walk, an 8km heritage trail unveiled in November last year. The winning entries (currently on display) were 24 Hours in Singapore, an audio sculpture installation, by Baet Yeok Kuan; The Rising Moon, an interpretation of the stars and moon on Singapore’s flag, by Han Sai Por and Kum Chee Kiong; and Cloud Nine: Raining, a raining cloud that appears to float above the Singapore River, by Tan Wee Lit. “Public artworks add colour and vibrancy to our city’s landscape and add uniqueness to Singapore,” Grace Fu, Minister for Culture,

Community and Youth, said at the unveiling ceremony in January. “[The art] provides much enjoyment for Singaporeans and visitors to our city. These installations tell a story about who we are, and bind us through the Singapore story that they tell.”

It sneaks up on you

Public art is intrinsically tied to its environment; it requires community involvement and collaboration and, just like a park, art beautifies neighbourhoods. It can appear when you least expect it, offering a different experience from the passivity of museums. This type of art is also a reflection of society at a particular time and place, a snapshot of the zeitgeist; and can take many forms, from sculpture to statue, monument to mural, even as buildings. Who

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Passing of Knowledge by Victor Tan Wee Tar at Singapore Botanic Gardens; Girl on a Bicycle by Sydney Harpley at Singapore Botanic Gardens; The Flight of Swans sculpture at Singapore Botanic Gardens; 24 Hours in Singapore.

SINGAPORE I ART WORLD

WHAT THE LOCALS LOVE

Muhammad Idham

hotel duty manager “The bright aluminum figures directly in front of ION Orchard [Urban People by Kurt Laurenz Metzler]. They symbolise the everyday life of people and friends working around the Orchard area, and also define the many colours of Singaporeans living together harmoniously.”

Chong Fah Cheong sculptor

“I like the work of French artist Bernar Venet, especially his piece at Scotts Square [Three Indeterminate Lines]. There are always interesting stories behind his work.”

Kathrynn Koh public relations director

“There’s one of a girl on a bicycle at the Botanic Gardens [Girl on a Bicycle by Sydney Harpley], her feet off the pedals, and she is just enjoying the breeze in her hair. It’s a picture of carefree abandonment – one that makes you smile. I love the realism these sculptures bring to the Gardens.”

Diana Chen teacher

Juliana Lee

restaurant owner “There was one of a large pug outside ION on Orchard Road. As for why: because it is a pug – how can anyone resist?”

“The pigeon sculpture outside UOB Plaza on Boat Quay [Bird by Fernando Botero]. I hung out at Boat Quay a lot when I was a teenager, and I remember sitting next to it with friends and just chatting. The area holds a lot of nostalgia for me.”

hasn’t stopped to admire Paris’ Eiffel Tower, New York’s Chrysler Building or Hong Kong’s Bank of China building? “Countries often express themselves in writing, film and sculpture – these are all expressions, and they will accumulate in history; they will document the thinking of a people. So art is important and relevant, whether it is public or private,” says Chong Fah Cheong, whose sculpture First Generation, of boys jumping into the Singapore River, is one of the city’s most beloved examples of public art. “It’s sometimes said a picture is worth a thousand words. I’d suggest that when you see a sculpture, you are confronted with as much and more,” explains Chong. “No matter how realistic a painting [is], it is still an illusion, whereas a sculpture is real.” Local Instagrammer Ivan Kuek (@phonenomenon), who has more than 40,000 followers, agrees. “I believe art should be shared publicly and not confined within

Public art here is … often rooted in history and celebrating everyday life” four walls. A good art piece should be shown to as many people as possible to inspire, provoke or change one’s perspective,” he declares. “I enjoy photographing events like i Light Marina Bay Festival; the interaction of the public with these art installations and with Marina Bay as the backdrop is such a beautiful sight.” The majority of public art here is the product of homegrown artists and artists who have made Singapore their home, their works often rooted in history and celebrating everyday life. Singapore River, a hub for trading in the early days of the island, is rife with imagery that gives a nod to the past. Chong was born in Singapore just after World War II and was inspired by local boys who jumped

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Ju Ming’s bronze 12 Gentlemen at Metropolis; Nutmeg and Mace by Kumari Nahappan, at ION Orchard; Saga by Kumari Nahappan, at Changi Airport; Chang Kuda by Chong Fah Cheong, at Singapore Botanic Gardens.

SINGAPORE I ART WORLD

off the Anderson Bridge, which is what prompted him to create First Generation. Malcolm Koh’s A Great Emporium, displayed outside the Asian Civilisations Museum, recreates a scene involving a British merchant, a Chinese trader, and Chinese and Indian labourers. From Chettiars to Financiers, by Chem Lian Shen, explores the evolution of Singapore’s moneylenders, while The River Merchants, by Aw Tee Hong, presents the various races of Singapore. Meanwhile, at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, another work by Cheong, Chang Kuda (Malay for ‘piggyback on a horse’), depicts a game children played in the 1950s and ’60s. “We will continue to work with artists to bring the arts to the Gardens,” says Dr Nigel Taylor, director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Snippets of the world

Public art is everywhere, sometimes in little clusters like those described on Singapore Tourism Board’s YourSingapore (yoursingapore. com), which has compiled three walkable art trails – Civic District, Orchard Road and Marina Bay – that are packed with public art. The Marina Bay stroll takes in sights such as the giant bronze ring Abundance III by Singapore-based sculptor Sun Yu-Li; the Fountain of Wealth (above) and the surrounding depictions of animals in the Chinese zodiac by local artist Han Sai Por (more of her pieces appear later in the trail), and the vibrant, Christmas-tree-esque, 18m-tall Momentum by David Gerstein – an upbeat homage to the people who’ve helped shape Singapore.

An expression of joy

Yet another reason to visit Terminal 3 at Changi Airport

Some of the public art here is less imbued with symbolism, and can instead be categorised as joyous expressions designed to entertain. One of the most distinctive is the giant mural of Mayan faces on Haji Lane, on the side of Mexican restaurant Piedra Negra. In the city’s outer reaches – the heartlands – governmentbuilt housing blocks are enlivened with murals of kites (Block 838, Yishun Street 81) and a giant rainbow (Block 316, Hougang Avenue 7). And Marc Quinn’s Planet, a colossus white baby that seems to hover above the ground at Gardens by the Bay, may explore the connection between nature and humanity. But it’s also perplexing, whimsical and simply fun – all wonderful reasons for us to encourage and appreciate this type of egalitarian artistic endeavour.

Four Singapore-based organisations - Nusantara Development Initiatives (NDI), Culture Kitchen, Children of Cambodia and Project Give Pray Love - are proud recipients of the Jetstar Flying Start grant of $20,000 (cash and flights). Since 2014, Jetstar has been supporting these groups in reaching out to more beneficiaries, and enhancing the lives of people they are helping.

2016

NDIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mothers of Light Empowering women in rural Indonesia to become solar lamp entrepreneurs.

Culture Kitchen Encouraging dialogue and cultural exchange between migrant workers and locals in Singapore through food.

Project Give Pray Love Mother and daughter team enhancing lives of communities in southern Vietnam, ensuring children stay in school longer.

2015

Children of Cambodia

2014

Young doctors making a difference to lives of children in Cambodia through starting various programmes at Angkor Hospital.

Judging Panel If you also have a Singapore-based group that can do with Jetstarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flying Start grant of $10,000 cash and $10,000 flights, we welcome you to apply for next grant. The next selection takes place in July 2016.

Barathan Pasupathi

Jeffrey Pang

Elim Chew

Emily Teng

Jetstar Asia Pilot

Social Entrepreneur

Social Enterprise champion

Jetstar Asia CEO

Apply now at jetstar.com/sg/en/flyingstart

COVER STORY I CYCLING

Three adventure-seekers, three cities, six wheels

n exotic land, one bike and a map in your hand (or on your smartphone) are all the ingredients you need for an epic adventure. Cycling is a brilliant way to get up close and personal with your destination. With the wind in your hair, the local sights will envelop you as you cruise through your chosen terrain – whether that’s the temple-strewn plains of Myanmar, the ancient architectural gems of Fujian in southern China, or the heart-pumping climb through Taiwan’s Taroko Gorge. Here are three exciting cycling journeys sure to inspire.

ADVENTURES

TWOWHEELED

Steve Thomas sets off on one of the longest – and most spectacular – climbs in the world, through Taiwan’s Taroko Gorge

TAROKO ON TWO WHEELS

PHOTOS STEVE THOMAS

here may be higher climbs than the Hualien-Wuling, but they usually start at a reasonable altitude. There are even a couple of longer climbs – but there’s nothing quite like this twisted, tormented stretch of cycling nirvana. The ride in question takes you through Taiwan’s Taroko Gorge, a narrow ravine with a road carved right through it to create a trans-island route – and one of central Taiwan’s most popular tourist attractions. The ride clambers from the town of Hualien, at sea level on Taiwan’s mountainous east coast, up to 3,275m high over a gruelling 105km. The scene that greets anyone determined enough to conquer Wuling mountain is spectacular: the road, the highest in Taiwan, is surrounded by wide-open, lush green mountain vistas. Just a couple of days after my solo ride of the climb, several hundred pro and amateur riders will line up at dawn to face the very same gruelling journey – only they’ll be racing as part of the annual Taiwan KOM (King of the Mountain) Challenge, the longest one-way uphill race in the world.

My ride is to be one of solace and contemplation”

Me? I’m lucky enough to be photographing the event, which precludes me from actually racing it. My ride is to be one of solace and contemplation, laced with a few scenic stop-offs, a couple of coffees and snapping a whole lot of photos. Setting off from Hualien, it’s all hunky-dory to start with. Following a short but sweet and flat ride, the road turns a hard left into Taroko Gorge. The road thins down here and climbs gently through the steep-sided, craggy marble-studded gorge. It really is quite an amazing place, and the road twists and carves its way right through it, occasionally blacking out through

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Taiwan KOM riders cross a Swiss-built bridge just out of Taroko Gorge; a KOM competitor battles the gradient just below the summit; writer Steve Thomas riding through the clouds before the final dip and sharp climb to the summit.

COVER STORY I CYCLING

Getting there Jetstar flies up to twice daily from Singapore to Taipei. To book, visit JETSTAR.COM

tunnels and crouching beneath rocky overhangs. Before too long I find my gears clicking down and my breathing intensifying. As the gorge veers to the left, an old iron bridge takes me off on a right split. This is where the action really starts – that famous opening section that is so popular with tourists would hardly count towards ticking off vertical metres. Just after the main gorge ends, the road forces me out of the saddle for the first real blow of this bout. It’s a harsh wake-up swipe that comes close to ruining my morale. As the road gets steeper, then steeper again, I grasp at my handlebars and strain around a

couple of long hairpin bends. Climbing ever higher, the road slowly carves its way along the side of the densely forested, green and craggy valley. The afternoon clouds begin setting in and the temperature drops towards a faint chill, leaving my sweat-soaked jersey smouldering with evaporating sweat and camouflaged with white salt marks. Mist turns to drizzle, my clothes become sodden and then – eventually – the storm whirls around before thinning out. A short few minutes’ worth of descending breaks the final dragon’s tail, which only serves to lure on cramp and fatigue even more, hurling you at the final climb with lead-like legs and throbbing arms. The views may well be mindblowing, but that last 2km or so will test your mettle and still has to be conquered to seal the deal on your rite of passage over Wuling. Avoid the rainy September season. If you plan to go without support, break up the ride, as it’s a challenge even for an elite cyclist.

TOUR DE CHINA Untouched for centuries, rural Fujian is the home of rice paddies, tea plantations and ancient mud-brick buildings. Tom Pattinson discovers the perfect setting for an adventurous ride PHOTOS BRUCE FOREMAN AND TOM PATTINSON

he thought of a 110km weekend bike trek through the mountains of Fujian is somewhat intimidating to my mid-thirties body – but my curiosity trumps my lack of fitness, so off I go. Before getting onto a bike I feel like my adventure has already began. I’m met by my Australian guide Bruce Foreman at Shantou Airport, and then after a beautiful 3.5 hour drive through the mountains and valleys of southern China’s lush green tea plantations we arrive at a group of ancient buildings known as the Hukeng Tulou Cluster. Here I gain my first glimpse of the famous tulou – enormous, round, ancient buildings that were built to house and protect entire villages. Tulou translates as ‘earth building’ (named after the materials from which they are made), and are unique to this small part of south-east China. We are spending our first night in Fu Yu Tulou (fuyulou.com), a majestic 18th-century, threestorey tulou featuring a series of connecting internal courtyards with narrow corridors that lead to the old wooden rooms where we’ll

be sleeping. Our host, Stephen Lin, a sixth-generation landlord, and his family were instrumental in ensuring the village achieved UNESCO status in 2008, which guarantees this unique cluster of buildings is protected from the cement and glass construction that often springs up across China’s developing regions. Hongkeng straddles a narrow river, with an ancient bridge crossing at its middle allowing us to visit the old tulous on both sides. Next morning, we set off for the town of Meilin on our rented bikes.

The rural pace

Passing old temples and farmers drying corn, the going is steady, a pace that allows us to enjoy our environment. Even in some of the most rural parts of China, the roads are well paved, making riding a bit easier. It’s not long before we cycle

into Meilin, in time for our lunch of greens, chicken and rice. The afternoon takes us to the Nanxi Valley, through steep hills packed with rice paddies. From high up on the long, winding roads, we enjoy breathtaking views of a scattering of yellow, rammed-earth fortresses among green fields. The onward journey takes us further up the winding hills with views of rice paddies as far as the eye can see. It seems as though I’ve spent hours struggling up the steep mountain, but the reward is worth it. I let my feet leave the pedals and coast down the mountain, speeding up for more than 2km of free sailing.

A step back in time

We stop for a break in the hills of Nanxi at a vast tulou (first created in the 12th century) that once housed more than 40 families;

COVER STORY I CYCLING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: The long clear roads are perfect for cycling; stopping for tea inside the ancient Tulou buildings.

Getting there Jetstar flies thrice weekly from Singapore to Shantou. To book, visit JETSTAR.COM

Hakka emigrants fleeing wars hundreds of kilometres away. One old tulou we visit retains two portraits of Mao flanking the main doorway – a rarely visible reminder of China’s recent colourful past. This evening we’re staying at the well-preserved circular Yanxiang Lou – known as the Scholars Tulou – where we are hosted by Mr Su. Accommodation here is basic, but staying in Mr Su’s clan home is a true honour and after cycling 60km, a clean bed and a full belly is all I need to fall into a deep sleep. Before setting off the next morning, we see remnants of one tulou that has been reclaimed by the jungle. Marked with bullet holes and scorched by fire, it was attacked by Taiping Rebels who swept through the area a century ago.

Onward journey

Back on our bikes, the sun rises higher in the sky as we negotiate small pathways through tiny villages. We stop at the town of

Day tripping in Shantou Extend your Shantou adventure at these must-see attractions: BEACH FUN Just a 45-minute ferry ride away from Shantou, Nan’ao Island is a beautiful island resort with plenty of water activities in the summer to keep the kids entertained, and plenty of cafés for the adults to relax in. A TOUCH OF HISTORY The former residence of Chen Ci Hong is about an hour away by bus and worth a visit to witness its grandeur (it is said the mansion is so big a servant had to spend an entire day opening and closing the windows). Chen made his fortune in Thailand in the 19th century and has decked out his 500plus room mansion with beautiful Asian and Western motifs throughout. GET BACK TO NATURE China has amazing parks – and Zhongshan Park is no exception. Located by the old city centre, Zhongshan provides respite to local folks looking for a bit of peace and quiet. The park also has a skating rink, amusement park and there are paddle boats for hire.

Shuyang and the locals come out, pouring fresh green tea – the local crop. The hospitality of these locals is even more refreshing than the tea they offer us. The other side of the valley is tea country. Everywhere we look, tea fields rise six feet high, and pickers, threshers and fermenters are all busy at work. As we move on, the tea gives way to the Aoyao tobacco fields, with racks of the long leaf drying beside the roadside as we struggle on to our final destination. With 110km of riding over two days under our belts, we enjoy a stunning lunch at Qingxing Lou, one of the last tulou to be built in the traditional style in 1959. By visiting Fujian on bike, we’ve skipped the hordes of tourists on buses and, in fact, haven’t laid eyes on another tourist all weekend. We’ve been given a rare insight into a place and culture that feels like it’s been untouched for centuries. Bruce Foreman of Bike Aways (bikeaways.com) designed this trip for The Hutong (thehutong.com). Bruce will pick up visitors from Shantou Airport; please mention this upon booking.

Taking some time out in the tulou

Watching the sun set with a cocktail in hand and lounging by the pool can be part of your cycling adventure, writes Tatyana Leonov

CYCLING MYANMAR

PHOTOS TATYANA LEONOV

lthough the days on the bike trail start melting into one happy memory, most of the cyclists in my group rate the track from Mount Popa to Bagan as one of the best. It’s our second to last day in the saddle on the 14-day Burma Adventure tour, run by SpiceRoads Cycle Tours (spiceroads. com/tours/mandalay). We’ve cycled undulating hills bordered by sprawling sunflower fields in the Shan Plateau, rocketed across long flats while soaking up dreamy views of Inle Lake, leisurely pedalled along the banks of the Irrawaddy River, clambered up Kalaw’s epic mountains (our guide Myo calls them hills), and then whizzed down them. Nearing the end of the tour, our two nights at Popa Mountain Resort (myanmartreasureresorts.com) offer a welcome slice of divinity. I spend my afternoons lazing by the infinity pool and, come dusk, join my travelling companions for sunset drinks. Both the infinity pool and the wooden deck where guests assemble to watch the sun do its

end-of-day dance look out on to Popa Taung Kalat monastery, one of the most sacred sites in Myanmar. The view is unsurpassed – gleaming gold stupa, shrine and monastery domes sit atop a rocky outcrop. We eventually have to leave Popa Mountain Resort, but the cycle to Bagan – an ancient city high on visitors’ hit lists for its stunning temple-strewn plains and laidback ‘old Myanmar’ feel – is worth it. We cycle through arid land, spotting little vegetation except for toddy palm trees that soar skyward

We’ve cycled undulating hills... rocketed along long flats”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Ancient pagodas line the bike trail; Sulamani Temple; writer Tatyana bids farewell to her trusty companion; the buddha statue inside Dhammayangyi Temple.

COVER STORY I CYCLING

Getting there Jetstar flies up to twice daily from Singapore to Yangon. To book, visit JETSTAR.COM

and low-lying shrub. We pedal through villages made up of just a few small huts; and residents run out to wave as we zoom past.

The start of the jaggery making process

Local delights

Snack stops transpire frequently, but today our stop at a small toddy palm farm on the outskirts of Bagan is special. The toddy palm plays an important role in Myanmar’s culture. The locals construct roofs out of the leaves of the tree; use the stems for building furniture; and if a palm is more than 150 years old, the trunk can be used as a pillar. Locals also collect toddy sap from the trees for numerous uses, but Myo can’t stop raving about a dessert they make out of it called jaggery – coarse, ugly, brown, sweet lumps. The few of us who ate more than we should claim it’s fuel for the one hour of cycling we have to endure to reach Bagan. We arrive in time for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool at Thazin Garden Hotel (thazingarden.com) before heading to Ananda Temple, considered by many to be the most architecturally beautiful temple in Bagan.

Ancient wonders

Bagan was once home to more than 4,000 temples and stupas built by the kings of Bagan between the 9th and 13th centuries, but almost half of the structures were destroyed during the devastating earthquake of 1975. Still, more than 2,200 remain, and exploring on bike is the best way to cover ground. First we cycle to Seinnyet Sister Temples, where we climb up the

Jetstar’s bike policy

stairs to the second level of Seinnyet Ama Temple (the elder sister) and gape at the ethereal temple silhouettes scattered around the landscape. Next we cycle to Shwesandaw Pagoda, one of the tallest in the country, where we climb to the top and breathe in the stunning panorama. Then it’s off to Dhammayangyi Temple, the largest in all of Bagan; before, sadly, our very last stop at Sulamani Temple. Perhaps because we know we have to part with our bikes soon, we cycle a little slower to enjoy our last ride, the enchanting surrounds and each other’s company. The next day we’re on a flight back to Yangon, where the group first met each other almost two weeks ago. We spend our day seeing the city’s many sights and then laugh into the night as we recollect our best biking moments.

The combined weight of your bags and bulky items, such as a bicycle, must be within your baggage allowance. No single item can weigh more than 32kg. Bicycles must be packed in a bike bag or bike box; Jetstar does not provide boxes or bags. The bike must have deflated tyres, detached pedals, handle bars fixed parallel to the frame and a detached front wheel if the bike is longer than 180cm, fix alongside rear wheel. Fold-up bikes don’t need to travel in a bike pack. If the bike pack counts as excess baggage, charges will apply. Check for any public-transport bike restrictions at your destination.

Stairs lead up from Hollywood Road to PoHo, an up-andcoming quarter of hipster cafĂŠs, indie food shops and quirky boutiques.

CHINA I HONG KONG

Hot in the â&#x20AC;&#x2122;hoods Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newer neighbourhoods have become the perfect places for yupsters and yindies to settle in photos mark parren taylor

CHINA I HONG KONG

Left Fish School is part of the Sai Ying Pun (or SYP) area’s new wave of eateries. Chef David Lai hand-picks the very best seafood at the market each day to create dishes like monkfish liver and foie gras pressé with aged tangerine peel. Middle PoHo’s mishmash of side streets and back lanes are an ad-hoc gallery for Hong Kong’s street artists. Look out for yarn bombing, wheatpastes and stickers. Right Another SYP hotspot, Ping Pong refers to itself as a ‘gintonería’ – a Spanish gin-tonic speakeasy that elegantly occupies a former table-tennis hall.

Crossing Hollywood Road, Peel Street is another hub of on-themoney restaurants and drinking holes. A few strides away, on Hollywood Road, Quinary (voted one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best bars in 2015) serves heavenly cocktails.

A little way up Peel Street is Ch么m Ch么m, a Vietnamese eatery serving bang-on dishes such as VFC (Vietnamese fried chicken) wings.

CHINA I HONG KONG TOKYO I ASAKUSA

THE

LUXE LIST

THE

READY TO TREAT YOURSELF TO THE EXTREME ON YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY? SOAK IN YOUR OWN NATURAL HOT SPRING, SLEEP ON 600 THREADCOUNT SILK SHEETS OR CHOOSE TO TRAVEL IN A ROLLS-ROYCE LIMO AT THIS YEAR’S HOTTEST PLUSH RESORTS WORDS ALESSANDRA BERGAMIN

LUXURY I PLUSH RESORTS

e all know Asia is renowned for its natural, spiritual and cultural beauty. Here, inner peace can be found simply by watching the golden sun rise over the stupa of a temple, or a walk along the serene sands of a deserted beach. But other times – when 24-hour butler service, pillow menus and exclusively curated art are on offer – more is definitely more. From a modern art sanctuary in Hong Kong to a traditional Balinese village turned luxe, we check out six of Asia’s most lavish resorts for you to check into in 2016.

Bali’s slice of paradise

PRICES ARE QUOTED PER NIGHT.

Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ubud What better place to recharge than Ubud, Bali’s spiritual heart? Imagined by renowned interior designer Jeffrey Wilkes, Mandapa’s 35 suites and 25 private pool villas have been designed to embrace the surrounding tropical landscape. Natural and neutral furnishings – sustainably sourced, of course – create a mood that is both ecofriendly and ultra luxe. While Mandapa offers four restaurants, including authentic Balinese at Sawah Terrace and a detox selection at the Pool Bar, ‘Dining Beyond’ is aimed at ‘collectors of unique experiences’. The programme offers five one-of-a-kind culinary experiences: the intimate dinner in the private cocoons of Kubu restaurant with the Ayung River as the backdrop is a must. Yogis will be in their element with classes at 7am and 5pm daily and when you’re ready to truly relax, book a treatment at the on-site Mandapa Spa.

ABOVE and BELOW: Tradition meets modern luxury at Phum Baitang

A Parisian salon in Singapore Hotel Vagabond, Singapore

Singapore’s first experience-driven luxury hotel, Hotel Vagabond, will transport you back to 17th-century France. Designed to embody the concept of a salon, the Vagabond aims to immerse guests in the theatre of art, food, drink and conversation. The 42-room hotel, featuring interiors by French designer Jacques Garcia, runs a palette of deep red velvet, gold trimmings and floral accents. But its heart lies in the Vagabond Salon, a modern interpretation of the cultural, intellectual and social hubs that characterised 17thcentury French society.

Here, you can watch an independent film, listen to a jazz quartet or mingle with the hotel’s artist in residence. All this conversation will require some fuel, so luckily the salon doubles as a bar and five-star restaurant. Award-winning chef Andrew Nocente creates flavoursome masterpieces with options such as rumcured pork belly.

An art sanctuary in a city Hotel Stage, Hong Kong

Kowloon’s newest addition, Hotel Stage incorporates the old, romantic flavour of the Yau Ma Tei district with the neighbourhood’s vibrant, contemporary atmosphere. The hotel’s 97 guestrooms and suites have been designed to reflect both a sense of place and space: oversized windows provide natural light and sweeping views of local heritage sites, while modern touches include in-room

Nespresso machines and remote-controlled lighting. The hotel’s in-house art initiative, Art Bridge, curates local and international works to connect guests to the neighbourhood’s history and culture. The permanent collection includes charcoal and watercolour work focused on street life by artist Kwong Man Chun; an art installation that reimagines the city’s skylines by Angela Yuen Ka Yee; and Halley Cheng’s acrylic and wood ode to the neighbourhood’s trees. Or check out Hotel Stage’s dedicated gallery space, Spotlight at the Muse, which showcases temporary exhibitions and performances.

Traditional Cambodian appeal meets luxury living

Phum Baitang, Siem Reap You don’t just stay at Phum Baitang, you embark on a visceral journey that will transport you to a Cambodian village far from the frenetic pace of Siem Reap. Just a 10-minute drive from UNESCO World Heritage-listed site Angkor, this five-star resort offers 45 villas, each designed to replicate a traditional Cambodian Hotel Stage’s sleek interiors provide a sense of space

home but with modern, luxurious perks: think private plunge pools, ambient lighting and a palette of natural colours and textures set against sweeping views of lemongrass plantations. Come sunset, head to the Cigar & Cocktail Lounge, where you can sip a location-inspired drink (a lychee chilli martini made with smashed lychee and chilli, peach schnapps and rum) while watching an orange sun sink behind the clear-blue infinity pool.

The relaxation resort Amanemu, Japan

Set in the forests of IseShima National Park and overlooking Japan’s Ago Bay, the recently opened Amanemu is all about relaxation. The second Japanese venture of ultraluxe resort brand Aman, Amanemu embraces the centuries-old Japanese tradition of onsen (natural mineral hot-springs) that are common in the region. The resort’s spa offers two onsen bath pavilions, a watsu pool for private water treatments, and a menu of

LUXURY I PLUSH RESORTS therapeutic spa ‘journeys’, including massages as well as manicures and pedicures in a dedicated studio. Exclusivity is also an Aman special: the resort offers just 24 suites and four two-bedroom villas, each with either garden or bay views and interiors that invoke the simple elegance of Japanese design. And who knows who you’ll bump into there: the likes of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are said to be fans of Aman’s luxury hideaways.

Where highrollers feel most at home Louis XIII, Macau

Soon to be Macau’s newest ultra-luxury resort, Louis XIII is designed for the world’s most affluent guests. The hotel – reported to have cost a staggering US$1.5 billion (S$2.1 billion) – is due to open later this year. Located on the Cotai Strip, the hotel will offer 238 multi-level suites with direct elevator access, including a US$130,000 (S$182,260) per night, 1,860sqm villa. The butlers, who are on call 24 hours a day, have been trained in Paris to meet the world’s highest standards. Meanwhile, L’Atelier De L’Ambroisie is an invitation-only retail centre offering couture and limited-edition luxury goods. And forget the shuttle – Louis XIII offers the world’s largest fleet (30) of custom RollsRoyce Phantoms for guest transport.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The richly coloured interiors at Hotel Vagabond; gourmet delights at Louis XIII; a warm welcome at Phum Baitang; poolside perfection at Mandapa; true opulence at Louis XIII

RATES & DETAILS Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ubud Suites (include breakfast, wi-fi and 24-hour butler service) from IDR5,850,000 (S$611); villas (include private pool, breakfast, wi-fi and 24-hour butler service) from IDR8,850,000 (S$925). Jalan Kedewatan, Banjar Kedewatan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia, +62 361 479 2777; mandapareserve. com Hotel Vagabond, Singapore Classic rooms start from S$209, suites start from S$315. 39 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore, +65 6291 6677; hotelvagabond singapore.com Hotel Stage, Hong Kong Rooms are priced from HKD1261 (S$228); suites from HKD2904 (S$525). 1 Chi Wo Street, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 3953 2222; hotelstage.com

Phum Baitang, Siem Reap Terrace villa (includes breakfast and taxes) from KHR2,260,000 (S$794); pool villa (includes breakfast and private plunge pool) from KHR2,520,800 (S$885). Phum Svaydangkum, Sangkat Svaydangkum, Siem Reap, Cambodia, +855 6396 1111; phumbaitang.com Amanemu, Japan Suites start at JPY124,481 (S$1,554); villas start at JPY427,140 (S$5,333). 2165 Hazako Hamajima-cho, Shima-shi, Mie, Japan, +65 6715 8855; aman.com/ resorts/amanemu Louis XIII, Macau lxiii.com

151mmw x 104mmH

Oxford Hotel is a favourite choice among tourists and business travelers. Simply because it is located in the heart of the city, right within the central business district and close to major tourist attractions This charming boutique hotel was recently refurbished to sports a vibrant colourful and modern look, reflecting Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s steady development as the first -choice holiday destination! What remains un-changed is its friendly, personalized service which makes guests feel right at home.

Explore Explore I INTERVIEW I BIRDS EYE

Cambodian villagers ride their ox carts during a race on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. The race welcomes Khmer New Year, April 13â&#x20AC;&#x201C;16, 2016, when tens of thousands of people leave the city to visit their home provinces.

in f light JETSTAR NEWS 69 I STAR JOURNEYS 70 I MAPS 72

Inflight I BRAIN TEASERS

QUICK QUIZ Get set to test your travel knowledge with this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quiz 1. What special flower blooms every spring in Japan?

10. About how long does it take Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest shinkansen (bullet train) to travel 550km between Tokyo and Osaka? A) 52 minutes B) 1 hour and 25 minutes C) 2 hours and 22 minutes

2. True or false: Honda is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest manufacturer of motorcycles. 3. What country was named in honour of Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s King Philip II?

11. What nationality is humanrights campaigner and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi?

4. Which former James Bond starred in the 1975 action film The Man From Hong Kong?

12. In what country was socialite Rose Porteous born?

5. What British novelist wrote Burmese Days in 1934?

13. British new-wave band The Vapors had a hit in 1980 with Turning ...

6. In what modern-day country is the famous Bridge over River Kwai located?

8. The design of Tokyo Tower takes its cues from what French monument?

14. One of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest buddhas, the Tian Tan Buddha on Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lantau Island, is made fromâ&#x20AC;Ś A) Bronze B) Marble C) Wood

9. True or false: The World Toilet Organization was founded in Singapore in 2001.

15. The Nikkei 225 stockmarket index is based in what country?

7. Tagalog is a major language spoken in what Asian country?

CODEWORD & SUDOKU

SOLUTIONS: see p77

EASY

Inflight I JETSTARPuzzles NEWS

Tan Jiawei, lucky winner of the first #FridayFREEFlights instant weekend getway

#FRIDAYFREEFLIGHTS STILL ON You still have two more weekends to win a much desired, all-inclusive weekend getaway or free flights to Singapore! The next competition will take place on Friday April 29 and Friday May 27. Follow us on social media so you don’t miss the start of the competition, and the announcement of the winners. Good luck!

Fuel up with our new menu Don’t go hungry when you’re flying with us! Satisfy any hunger pangs with our new hot meals: fettucine with roasted chicken, nasi lemak (chicken), sweet and sour fish or Thai green curry with rice. We’ve also introduced a blueberry muffin for in-between meal snacks. Check out the menu and see how else we can keep your tummy full!

Konnichiwa Japan! Jetstar Japan’s first flight from Manila to Tokyo took off on March 16, flying 180 passengers to the capital. Each passenger was given a goodie bag, containing a Jetstar selfie stick, an exquisitely-designed textile purse and a tourist guide brochure courtesy of the Japan National Tourism Office. The new daily, non-stop service has an early morning departure from Manila and late evening departure from Narita.

… and Nagoya too Our new Nagoya service took off on April 2, connecting Manila directly to Chubu, or central Japan, where Mount Fuji is located. Follow us on social media where we’ll be featuring this lesser-known region – which is home to one of the most awe-inspiring attractions, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

VISIT US AND SAY HELLO ON SOCIAL MEDIA! facebook.com/JetstarAsiaAirways @jetstarasia @Jetstar_Asia

Inflight I STAR JOURNEYS WINNERS

#StarJourneys Taken some great snaps during your recent Jetstar holiday? Post them on social media, tag us at #StarJourneys, @jetstarasia (Instagram) or @Jetstar_Asia (Twitter) or @Jetstar Asia (Facebook), include a simple caption – and if we feature your picture you will win a S$100 Jetstar voucher!

Kylie Stock, @_kylieanne_ “Just gotta keep paddling on...” Phi Phi Island, Thailand

Raymond Marquez, @pandam0nster “Plum orchard + snow = happy anniversary!” Kyoto, Japan

Vea Gaygon, @veagee “Thank you Jetstar Asia for a safe flight; I was able to join the Marina Bay Run with my friends!” Singapore

about #StarJourneys

Akma Adilah, @akmaadilah “The 3rd class train with so called 90-degrees seats really taught me a lot..!” Da Nang, Vietnam

SHARE YOUR GREAT TRAVEL SNAPS WITH US AND STAND TO WIN S$100 JETSTAR VOUCHERS! Simply tag @jetstarasia (Instagram), @Jetstar_Asia (Twitter) or @Jetstar Asia (Facebook) and include #StarJourneys in your photo caption. If your picture is featured in the magazine, you’ll win a S$100 Jetstar voucher that can be redeemed on Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Pacific and Jetstar Airways flights. We reserve the right to repost these photos on Jetstar Asia’s social media accounts.

Inflight I INTERVIEW

What are the highlights of your job?

Wendy’s winning spirit pays off!

A day in the life

Passenger services manager Wendy Lim gets to work in her favourite airport in the world – not to mention meet celebs like George Clooney. She tells us more about her job.

ince 2012, Wendy Lim has worked with Jetstar Asia as a passenger services manager. At the recent Annual Airport Celebration 2016 organised by the Changi Airport Group (CAG), she collected her third “Outstanding Service Team of the Year 2015” award. Here’s how she maintains her winning spirit.

What’s a typical day of work for you? We work two shifts, morning at 5.30am (wake up at 4am – urgh!) and afternoon at 3pm. My day starts by checking on the flights’ status during my shift to look out for overbooking, payload restrictions, mandatory crew rest seats on certain flights and other

details – like where passengers who require wheelchairs are seated. I then check emails. Next, I take a walk around to look at counters and kiosks management, have a quick chat with the ground handlers, before going to the gates. Our responsibility lies in counter and gate operations (to ensure on-time performance or OTP without compromising safety), manage flight disruptions repatriation of inadmissible passengers in Singapore and outports, supporting our ground handlers in Singapore and outports, and maintaining a healthy relationship with our airport and airline partners. Meals may not be regular but I try to have them on time.

I always find tremendous joy and satisfaction whenever I send off a flight with happy and smiling passengers and crew. The recent highlight is when I was awarded the “Outstanding Service Team of the Year 2015” at the recent Annual Airport Celebration 2016 held at Marina Bay Sands. This is my third award from CAG and I am honoured to represent Jetstar Asia.

What were some of the most memorable moments of your career? I have too many of them, both happy and sad. Happy memories include the ones when I was lucky to meet the many beautiful women from all over the world (when Singapore was the host of Miss Universe 1987), meeting stars like George Clooney, Hall and Oates, Anita Mui, Chow Yun Fatt and the best of all was Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1989. She was so beautiful!

What advice would you give to those keen to take on the role of a PSM? Stay on top of things, take pride and ownership and stay positive.

What’s your favourite destination? Osaka! I loved the place the first time I was there because of the shopping, the scenery, the culture and definitely the food! The wide array of desserts is unbelievable.

What’s your favourite airport? Changi Airport of course. It’s clean, safe and efficient!

Inflight I WHERE WE FLY

INTERNATIONAL Operated by Jetstar Airways Operated by Jetstar Asia Operated by Jetstar PaciďŹ c Operated by Jetstar Japan

Flights are operated by Jetstar Japan and commence 1 April (Nagoya-Manila) and 7 April (Osaka-Manila), subject to regulatory approval

Tokyo (Narita) Fukuoka

Guiyang

Osaka (Kansai)

Wuhan

Shantou Hong Kong Hanoi Macau Yangon Haikou Da Nang Siem Reap Bangkok Phnom Penh

Nagoya (Chubu)

Taipei Hawaii (Honolulu)

Manila

Ho Chi Minh City

Phuket Penang Medan

Kuala Lumpur

Pekanbaru

Singapore

Palembang Jakarta Surabaya Bali (Denpasar)

Darwin Fiji (Nadi)

Cairns Townsville

Cook Islands (Rarotonga)

Brisbane Gold Coast Perth Adelaide

Sydney Melbourne (Tullamarine)

Auckland Wellington Christchurch

Queenstown

DOMESTIC VIETNAM

DOMESTIC JAPAN

Hanoi

Sapporo

Hai Phong Thanh Hoa Vinh Dong Hoi Hue Da Nang Chu Lai Pleiku Quy Nhon

Tokyo (Narita) Nagoya (Chubu) Matsuyama Osaka (Kansai) Fukuoka Takamatsu Oita Kumamoto

Tuy Hoa Buon Ma Thuot

Kagoshima

Nha Trang Da Lat

Ho Chi Minh City

Phu Quoc

Okinawa

Operated by Jetstar PaciďŹ c

Operated by Jetstar Japan

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Auckland New Plymouth Nelson

Darwin

Cairns Townsville Hamilton Island Whitsunday Coast Mackay

Queenstown

Napier Palmerston North Wellington Christchurch Dunedin

Operated by Jetstar Airways Operated by Eastern Australia Airlines for Jetstar Airways

Sunshine Coast

Ayers Rock (Uluru)

Brisbane

Gold Coast

Ballina Byron Perth

Newcastle

Sydney

Adelaide Melbourne (Avalon)

Melbourne (Tullamarine)

Wellington Christchurch

Launceston Operated by Jetstar Airways

Hobart

Auckland

Queenstown

Inflight I WHEN WE FLY

SINGAPORE – DARWIN / DARWIN – SINGAPORE

Jetstar Asia, together with Jetstar, operates more than 600 ﬂights per week throughout Asia. Schedule is valid to April 30, 2016.

4 hours 30 minutes (GMT+9.5) Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN*

23:05

DRW

05:10

DRW

06:00

SIN

09:05

* No Mon, Tues & Thurs flight from 11 Apr - 30 Apr #No Tues, Wed & Fri flight from 12 Apr - 30 Apr

JETSTAR ASIA

SINGAPORE – HAIKOU / HAIKOU – SINGAPORE 3 hours 30 minutes (GMT+8) Time Departure

SINGAPORE – BANGKOK / BANGKOK – SINGAPORE 2 hours 30 minutes (GMT+7) Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN