Jetstar Asia February 2017

MAGAZINE jetstar MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2017

PHNOM PENH I GUIYANG I BANGKOK

FEBRUARY 2017

Asia Pacific’s best wine regions

february

contents

Find a lush love nest

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FEBRUARY 2017

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17 01

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Discover new wines INSIDER 06 I THE HOT LIST Events across the network

08 I NEWS What’s happening this month

11 I IN PROFILE The unstoppable chef Haikal Johari of Alma by Juan Amador

COVER ILLUSTRATION ROSS MURRAY

14 I ICE, ICE BABY

22 I INSTAGRAMABLE

INSPIRE

Creative markets, Miao culture and natural beauty in Guiyang and surrounds

36 I GRAPE EXPECTATIONS

25 I ROMANTIC STAYS Loved up? Head to these luxe Singapore hotels

28 I TRADITION TALKS

A wine holiday is the ultimate gourmet travel experience. Here are some of our favourite up-andcoming destinations

42 I PHOTO-WORTHY FOOD Where to find the quirkiest themed cafés in Asia

17 I 24 HOURS

We meet some of the local tradesmen who are keeping George Town’s old ways alive

Discover the rich cultural history of Phnom Penh

31 I SHOP IT

Rare moments of tradition and peace in Shinjuku

Sweet shaved ice creations all over Asia

21 I WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE? The colourful, crafty contents of artist Ros Lee’s luggage

50 I PHOTO ESSAY Sweet as sugar must buys

32 I BEAUTY ON THE FLY Amorous scents

73 I TRAVEL TALES Even the best-laid romantic plans can go awry

⚥俒ⰻ㺂 47 I 礵䕙崞⸓ 48 I ⧩䖤䬝撑涸倝됮繠굹⡤낉

INFLIGHT 58 I Jetstar news 59 I Quiz 61 I #StarJourneys winners

62 I Where we fly 67 I Destinations

Welcome I From the CEO

EDITORIAL For all editorial enquiries, please email Jetstarasia@hardiegrant.com.au Publisher Christine Dixon Managing Editor Justine Costigan Editor Pearlyn Tham Associate Editor Sophie Hull Art Director Dan Morley Senior Designer Sue Morony Editorial and Advertising Assistant Alana Young

Welcome aboard

FEBRUARY 2017

HARDIE GRANT MEDIA Managing Director Fiona Hardie

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 responsibility 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.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

M

any of you would have ushered in the Year of the Rooster with your family and loved ones. We, at Jetstar Asia, recognise the importance of putting family first during this season so much so that we made the news when we announced the waiver of change fares and fare differences for customers who decide to stay home for reunion dinner. Over the years, we had noticed a trend of more and more people flying on Chinese New Year’s Eve, skipping their family reunion dinners, to make the most of their time off. We are not discouraging customers from flying, but recommend that they travel only after the eve or first day of Chinese New Year. Our faith in our Singapore customers has not been misplaced as our

03 customers have their hearts in the right place.

We are also proud to share with you that Jetstar Asia has been listed as one of the top 10 safest low-cost carriers in 2017.

According to AirlineRatings. com, the airlines’ safety track record, safety audits and registry in the International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. Jetstar Asia has been on the registry since 2012 and continues to focus on safety for our crew and passengers as our top priority.

Thank you for flying Jetstar!

Barathan Pasupathi CEO, Jetstar Asia Airways

Welcome I Group CEO note

The gift of travel

04

It has never been easier... to take a break

F

or Jetstar, our busiest time starts when your holidays begin.

Over the past two months, we’ve carried more than three million customers to around 80 destinations across our ever-expanding network.

We’ve reunited families for Christmas, taken travellers on long-awaited holidays, carried thousands across Asia to celebrate Chinese New Year, and flown sports fans around Australia to enjoy the summer of cricket.

A record number of flights have operated to holiday destinations, with additional services to Bali, Thailand, Hawaii, Malaysia, Myanmar and Australian coastal hotspots.

In part thanks to our low fares, it’s never been easier for families and travellers to take a break.

Perhaps you booked your flight courtesy of one of our new

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

gift cards. In recent months, more than 10,000 gift cards have been purchased to give a loved one the ‘gift of travel’. And it hasn’t taken long for people to make the most of redeeming them.

With more than 22 million flights offered for under $100 last year, a Jetstar gift card can go a long way.

With this in mind, each and every Jetstar employee has also been getting into the ‘gift of giving’. To celebrate the holiday season, 5,000 Jetstar team members have each given away a $50 voucher to a passenger they felt was especially deserving. And we’ve heard some extraordinarily heart-warming stories at Jetstar about the impact our $50 travel vouchers have made.

Are you one of those lucky 5,000 people? If so, thank you for making our holiday season special.

I hope you enjoy your flight with us today and we look forward to having you on board throughout 2017.

Jayne Hrdlicka Jetstar Group CEO

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

Incredible theme cafés p42

Cute buys Sweet stuff you need p31

Asia’s diverse shaved ice p14

Share your Jetstar journey with us

FOLLOW: @jetst

arasia

February events p06

Start your own art collection

Woo your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, February 14. If in Sydney, make the most of summer with a romantic picnic.

PHOTO GETTY IMAGES

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WHAT’S HOT? 06 I CHEF HAIKAL JOHARI 11 I PHNOM PENH 17

Insider I EVENTS

The hot list

See Matilda, everyone’s favourite child prodigy

This February, enjoy an award-winning musical in Perth or art in Manila; be sporty in Kuala Lumpur or get outdoors in Hong Kong

Until April 10

6 06

Check out birds of every kind at Hong Kong Wetland Park’s signature winter event. Visitors are also invited to participate in various programmes, from bird identification classes to exhibitions that display endangered species and guided tours through the wetland reserve. Park entry HK$15 (S$2.75). Bird tours are free.

Matilda the Musical February 28–May 7 Based on the 1988 children’s novel by Roald Dahl, this captivating stage musical by the Royal Shakespeare Company revels in the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. It stars Marika Aubrey as Mrs Wormwood and Elise McCann as Miss Honey. At Crown Theatre, Perth. au.matildathemusical.com

wetlandpark.gov.hk

Get a bird’seye view of wetlands World-class golf February 9–12 Watch top golfers tee off in the Maybank Championship Malaysia 2017 at Saujana Golf & Country Club as they compete for the US$3 million (S$4.2 million) prize purse. Off-course, you can enjoy fringe activities such as yoga, games and food tastings courtesy of Michelinstar chef Anton Mosimann. maybankchampionship. com.my

Strawberry picking

Art Fair Philippines

Until June 18

February 16–19 This annual fair features the best in contemporary Filipino visual art. Held on the roof deck of The Link Carpark at Ayala Center in Makati City, it showcases works from galleries such as Archivo 1984, J Studio, Nunu Fine Art, Blanc and more. Entry fees start at PHP50 (S$1.43). artfairphilippines.com

Make your way to Kishiwada Kankounouen Farm in Kishiwada, Osaka, where you can pick delicious Nyoho strawberries. This juicy variety is the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Open weekends and public holidays only. Entry starts from 800¥ (S$10) for children. kishiwada-f.jp

PHOTOS HONG KONG WETLAND PARK OF THE AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT; MATILDA: MANUEL HARLAN

Bird-watching festival

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Insider I NEWS

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

Win big at S ento this month sa

JAKARTA’S MUST-EATS

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If you adore spicy food, make your way to the restaurant Attarine in the SenopatiGunawarman area of South Jakarta. Signature dishes on the menu include lambshoulder chops and woodfired whole fish infused with chilli, tamarind and coriander.

Non-meat lovers will find plenty to celebrate in the extensive vegetable and grain offerings.

Jalan Gunawarman, No. 11A, +62 21 22771256, attarine.com

Get lucky... for sure

Tuck into Michelinstarred ramen Tokyo’s famous ramen restaurant Tsuta has opened its second branch, at Pacific Plaza in Singapore. The only ramen eatery in the world with a Michelin star, it is known for its springy noodles and three soup bases: shoyu soba, with black truffle oil; shio soba, with a chicken-seafood blend, rock salt, red wine and rosemary infusions; and miso soba. Each bowl comes topped with slices of char-siu (barbecued pork).

Haitang Bay’s resort paradise

Sky high in Bangkok

Enjoy gorgeous ocean views from any room at The Sanya Edition, Hainan Island’s newest beachfront resort. The chic, horseshoe-shaped property has 512 guest rooms, 17 hotel villas nestled in the terraced hillside, two pools, an ocean-level dining space and an outdoor barbecue restaurant. editionhotels.com

Enjoy glorious views of the city skyline and Lake Ratchada from your table at Sky On 20, Bangkok’s newest rooftop bar.

Located on the 26th floor of Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, the bar serves modern Mexican dishes, plus an extensive range of cocktails, wines and imported and craft beers. novotel.com

This Lunar New Year, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore is giving away prizes worth more than S$3 million. Until February 12, every S$100 spent in a single receipt at RWS will let you redeem surewin prizes including Canon products, flight tickets and SPC fuel vouchers. There are also two grand draws in which you stand a chance to win S$88,000 in cash, a Citroën C4 Hatch, jewellery and more.

Terms and conditions apply. rwsentosa.com/cny

Available at Singapore Cambodia Myanmar Vietnam

: Sprint-Cass (Changi Airport), Outdoor Sports Travel (Sports Hub), Harvey Norman, Challenger and Courts (All Stores) : Sombok IT Store, Nojima Store (Phonom Penh), Thmei Photoshop & Studio (Siem Reap) : 8-Ray, DCM World (Yangon) : Nguyen Kim, E-Mart, HT Camera (Ho Chi Minh City), Hong Van, Digiworld (Hanoi)

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Insider I IN PROFILE

AGAINST ALL ODDS Chef Haikal Johari has bounced back from a devastating accident to helm the one-Michelinstarred Alma by Juan Amador – from his wheelchair

INTERVIEW SASHA GONZALES

A ve fine This is creatis best dining at it

motorcycle accident two years ago left chef Haikal Johari paralysed from the neck down, but the 39-year-old refused to let his disability prevent him doing what he loves most: cooking. In March last year, he even landed a plum role as executive chef at Alma by Juan Amador at the Goodwood Park Hotel in Singapore, becoming part of the team that helped the Asian-influenced Spanish-European restaurant score its first Michelin star just four months later.

The journey hasn’t been without its challenges, of course. Since the accident, Haikal has undergone extensive physiotherapy to learn how to be mobile again. But, thankfully, he doesn’t give up easily.

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Insider I IN PROFILE

How did you end up working at Alma by Juan Amador?

After graduation, I worked at Raffles Grill in the famous Raffles Hotel, the now-defunct Fig Leaf, Coriander Leaf, and a few other restaurants before heading to Bangkok, where I was the founding chef of the Water Library.

Following my motorcycle accident, which left me in a wheelchair, I returned to Singapore, where I took on executive chef duties at Alma by Juan Amador.

Clockwise from left: Alma

by Juan Amador; Angel Hair Pasta with Boston Lobster; Crispy Tofu with Wild Mushroom

Q

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How did the accident change your approach to life?

Before the accident, work was my main priority and I didn’t spend much time with my wife and kids. Post-accident, I promised myself that I’d dedicate more time to my family. Life definitely has more meaning for me now because I survived something so tragic.

Q

What helped get your life back on track?

It was a tough time, both physically and emotionally, as I realised that I might never walk

Q

properly again. But my wife and kids were my rock, and I received plenty of support and encouragement from my boss at the Water Library in Bangkok and from chef Juan Amador.

How do you manage Alma by Juan Amador despite being wheelchair-bound?

While I’m beginning to walk with assistance, I still can’t use my hands or my arms, so cooking is out of the question. But I can still manage the restaurant, plan and teach from my wheelchair. Our chef de cuisine, chef Sufian Zaini, who worked with me at the Water Library, assists me with everything. I’ve known Sufian for many

Q

years and he’s also one of my closest friends.

I’ve definitely had to learn how to communicate more effectively. Most of the cooking techniques we use at the restaurant are complex, so I’ve had to be patient and detailed when teaching and directing the team.

What do you think the industry can do to help train and employ aspiring chefs who are handicapped?

Restaurant owners and employers first need to understand that just because a chef is handicapped, it doesn’t mean that he or she can’t manage a kitchen and create amazing cuisine.

Q

They need to be more open and understanding and to select their chefs based on merit, experience and skill.

But the chefs who are handicapped must also believe in their own abilities and be mentally strong enough to follow their dream despite the challenges they face.

Tell us about your experience at Alma

by Juan Amador so far.

I’ve had many opportunities to implement different concepts and have fun with Asian ingredients.

For instance, I took one of our signature Australian wagyu beef dishes and added one of my favourite ingredients, yuzu koshō to it. This is a Japanese condiment made from fermented chillies, salt, and the zest of a Japanese citrus fruit, yuzu. The result is simply delicious.

Q

What are your favourite dishes at the restaurant?

I love the Crispy Tofu with Wild Mushroom, Black Garlic and Foie Gras Emulsion. It’s the perfect blend of East and West.

Q

Nunsongyee’s cool creations

ICE, ICE, BABY

FROM KOREAN PATBINGSU TO TAIWANESE BAOBING, THERE’S A SHAVED ICE DESSERT FOR EVERY TASTE ACROSS ASIA

32 14

W

hen the temperature’s rising and you want something lighter than a gelato or a soft serve, you’ll be glad that you are in Asia. Why? Shaved ice desserts are all the rage in this region and make a cooling year-round treat.

The first shaved ice concoction was said to date back to China in the 7th century and was reported to be manually shaved ice topped with fruit and syrup.

These days, almost every Asian country has come up with its own version of the icy treat. In the Philippines, there’s halo-halo; the Koreans have Instagram-perfect patbingsu; ice kacang is eaten in Singapore and Malaysia; and the Japanese love their sweet kakigori.

What defines an Asian shaved ice dessert, then? Most creations are, save for a drizzle of condensed or evaporated milk, dairy-free – though recently, patbingsu have been crowned with dollops of ice cream. Other ingredients can include sweet azuki beans, mochi cubes, fruit and chocolate.

Insider I FOODIE FOCUS

Find the nice ice BINGSU Wicked Snow

Clockwise from left: a Shari Shari cone; Wicked Snow’s exotic take; another towering treat from Shari Shari

Bingsu Nunsongyee is Singapore’s answer to bingsu round the clock. The name of the 24-hour dessert café means ‘snow flake’ in Korean. Milk-infused ice blocks are shaved to create a creamier texture.

Bangkok’s Wicked Snow serves up a choice of milk or chocolate base flavours and lets you pile on the toppings. And Hong Kong’s Hanbing is popular for its fruitflavoured shaved ice, from mango to watermelon.

WORDS JULIANA LOH

Kakigori In Japan, Saboukirara in Kanagawa, an hour by train from Tokyo, is well worth the pilgrimage if you want a taste of its finely shaved ice that has green tea syrup and red bean paste. The balance is delicate: think the bitterness of matcha tea with the sweetness of syrup.

At Shari Shari in Hong Kong, kakigori is done with a modern twist in the form of the Mixed Berries Yoghurt which has panna

delicate ribbon-like sheets.

Think of it as a fruit sorbet but with a different texture. In Singapore, Mei Heong Yuen Dessert gives its xue hua bing a tropical twist with durian and soursop sauce. cotta hidden (surprise!) within the snow cone.

Then, a light and not cloyingly sweet berry sauce and yoghurt syrup are drizzled on top.

For a marriage of cultures, head to After You Dessert Café in Bangkok for its seasonal Mango Sticky Rice Kakigori, a hit with locals and tourists alike. Why? The generously sized shaved ice is served with sides of mango puree and coconut cream.

Baobing and xue hua bing In Taiwan, shaved ice comes in different forms.

The classic original is baobing, topped with black sugar syrup or mango cubes – as sold at Ice Monster Taipei. Then there’s xue hua bing: ice that has been shaven into

Ice kacang This is one of the most famous desserts eaten across Singapore and Malaysia all year round.

Ice kacang is typically served with coloured syrup or gula melaka syrup, and also with crushed peanuts, evaporated or condensed milk, chewy atap chee (palm seeds) and agar agar jellies. Annie’s Peanut Ice Kacang in Tanjong Pagar Market has been serving the dessert for more than a decade.

In Kuala Lumpur, visit Ah Keong’s Ais Kacang stall in Brickfields. Order the best-selling ABC (air batu campur – meaning ‘mixed ice’ in Malay), which is adorned with evaporated milk, as well as jelly cubes, creamed corn, rose syrup and gula melaka.

353 I’m Park Chula Building, SoiChula Soi9, Bangkok, Thailand, +66 2 214 4231; thewickedsnow.com/en

Nunsongyee Bugis 534 North Bridge Rd, Singapore, nunsongyee.sg

Hanbing Shop 1005B, 9/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3622 1310; hanbing.kr

KAKIGORI Shari Shari 14 Haven St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong,+852 2529 1223

Saboukirara 16-7 Onarimachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan, +81-467-24-9741

After You Dessert Café Siam Square Soi 7, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand, +66 2 115 1949; afteryoudessertcafe.com

BAOBING/ XUEHUABING Ice Monster No. 297 Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, +886 2 8771 3263

Mei Heong Yuen Dessert 63-67 Temple St, Chinatown, Singapore, +65 6221 1156

ICE KACANG Annie’s Peanut Ice Kacang Blk 6, Tanjong Pagar Rd, #02-36, Tanjong Pagar Market and Food Centre, Singapore

Ah Keong’s Ais Kacang Stall In front of 7-Eleven, Opposite YMCA, Jalan Padang Belia, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

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Insider I 24 HOURS

The graceful Apsarad dance is often performe at ceremonies

24 HOURS IN

WORDS YUEN YI YING PHOTOS ALAMY; DEZALB/PIXABAY; GETTY IMAGES; PHOCEAMEKONG; SHARONANG/PIXABAY; TOURISMCAMBODIA

PHNOM PENH With breathtaking architecture, waterside attractions and unique traditions, this Cambodian city offers an unforgettable immersion into a rich cultural history

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12PM LUNCH WITH A DOSE OF ART Boat races are held on Sisowath Quay during the Water Festival in October or November

10AM VISIT THE ROYAL PALACE

9AM STROLL ALONG SISOWATH QUAY Centrally located where the Mekong, Tonlé Sap and Bassac Rivers meet, Phnom Penh is a constant flow of activity. After a leisurely breakfast, get a glimpse of life in Cambodia’s capital by traipsing along the Tonlé

Sap river, where you can catch locals doing morning exercises and snacking on street food, or opt for a scenic cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle) ride. If you can get here early enough, set up in front of the Royal Palace to watch a stunning sunrise.

Where: From St 104 to the Royal Palace

This is where the royal family has stayed since the 1860s, and parts of the estate are open to the public for an entry fee of KHR25,000 (S$8.90). The 59m-tall Throne Hall, designed to host royal functions and receive dignitaries, beautifully exemplifies Cambodian architecture, but just nearby, the Silver Pagoda almost steals the show with its Italian marble steps and floors paved with solid silver tiles.

Adding to the grandeur of the locale, an emerald-hued crystal Buddha figure sits serenely inside, by another standing Buddha sculpture studded with diamonds.

Where: Sothearos Blvd

Have lunch at Plantation, an award-winning hotel that used to be a French administration villa.

Afterwards, walk around the lotus pond to admire artworks by international and local artists along the corridors. You could also pop into the funky gift shop for trinkets and clothes made by Cambodian artisans.

Where: 28 St 184, +855 2321 5151; theplantation.asia

Try the popular fish amok, a softly steamed curry

Insider I 24 HOURS

ything Browse for ever s to from souvenir local eats

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly used as a prison by the Khmer Rouge regime

3.30PM EXPERIENCE A GRIM MOMENT IN HISTORY

18

The Art Deco Central Market et (Phsar Thmei))

Around 15 minutes away by car, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was the site where the Khmer Rouge carried out countless atrocities. An estimated 17,000 people came through the doors of this former high school, but only seven were known to survive.

Largely unaltered since 1979, the former prison now pays

Travel Info Jetstar flies up to twice daily from Singapore to Phnom Penh.

To book, visit JETSTAR.COM

2PM SOUVENIR SHOPPING Cambodia was once a French colony, and remnants of its European past can still be seen in many of its structures, such as the cross-shaped Phsar Thmei (Central Market), lined with stalls selling food and sundries. Located by the 15th-century Wat Ounalom monastery and near the riverside, the building also serves as an informal terminal – at the northwest wing, it’s easy to hitch a taxi to cities such as Battambang, Siem Reap and Kampong Cham.

a sobering tribute to its past inmates. Admission is US$2 (S$2.85), or US$6 (S$8.55) for a guided tour.

The Choeung Ek Killing Fields, located a 30-minute ride away, reveal more about this dark period that occurred only four decades ago.

Where: Corner of St 113 and St 350, +855 9338 8988; tuolslenggenocide museum.com

5.30PM CATCH A SUNSET CRUISE Once you’ve had time to process the solemn museum, shake off the gloomy haze and admire how far the city has come with a relaxing sunset cruise. Phoceamekong Cruises is one of the more popular operators and offers several options. For the full works, which includes a leisurely barbecue dinner, go for the two-and-a-half-hour Sunset Cocktail Dinner Cruise at US$28 (S$40) per person.

Where: Sisowath Quay (in front of St 104), +855 7730 3266; phoceamekong.com

Admire how far the city has come with a relaxing sunset cruise

World’s Largest free-flight walk-in aviary

Come a nd discover this

exciting world of feathered friends and enthralling sights for yourself!

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9.30am - 5.30pm Bird Photography

10.00am - 5.00pm Ostrich Feeding

11.30am Hornbill Feeding

2.30pm Eagle Feeding

10.00am - 5.00pm Lory Feeding

10.30am Free Flying Birds Feeding

12.30pm & 3.30pm Bird Show

4.00pm Milky Stork Feeding

* All activities are subject to change due to uncertain weather conditions.

www.facebook.com/klbirdpark

* Ostrich feeding: while vegetable stocks last.

www.klbirdpark.com

For enquiries: KL Bird Park

For reservations & enquiries:

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

Hornbill Restaurant @ KL Bird Park Tel: +603–2693 8086 Email: hornbillrestaurant@klbirdpark.com Opening Hours: 9.00am to 8.00pm daily

Insider I WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE?

Ros packs colourful essentials that make her happy

Heart and crafts

PHOTO ROGER CHUA STYLING JONATHAN CHIA

Artist Ros Lee is known for her whimsical ceramic pieces – cue happy-faced, polka-dotted vases – and her travel essentials are just as fun too

Ros Lee Artist Instagram: @polkaros; polkaros.com

I USUALLY PACK COLOURFUL, ‘HAPPY’ CLOTHES as I like to bring colours with me wherever I go. For the plane, I have an animalshaped pillow and if I am travelling alone, I have a plush doll to keep me company. I also take along some of the products that I have designed as they remind me of home.

One of the most important things, though,

is my Puggy’s Best High Stationer notebook from Japan. It has no lines which makes it easy for me to draw in; drawing and writing are part of the joy of travelling for me. I like to check out the local craft scene in other countries and I usually buy at least one locally made item.

You’ll also find a Tenugui Japanese cloth in my luggage. I use it as a face towel as I’m quite

careful with what I use on my face; it also dries quickly and is light to pack. I like packing bedroom slippers as they are easy and comfortable to slip into on the plane. They are also a lifesaver when I am staying in a hotel without slippers and it’s winter! If I could, I would love to make comfortable bedroom slippers that look like stylish loafers.

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LOCAL MARKET DELIGHTS Guizhou’s vibrant ethnic markets are famous for their local foods, such as bright-red sausages and pig-blood curd, also known as ‘blood tofu’. @hongkong_newyork

GUIYANG’S TOP 10 INSTAGRAM SHOTS

@sockpeng

MIAO STYLE Guizhou’s Miao people are known for their intricately embroidered fabrics, which are used in these earrings. @hoki.handicrafts

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@holybeng

WATER WORLD Don’t miss Huangguoshu Waterfall, just 128km from Guiyang. It’s composed of several smaller waterfalls, all of which flow into a deep karst canyon with glittering plunge pools.

The capital of Guizhou Province is home to pagoda-style structures and markets selling distinctive food and handmade Miao crafts.

Venture out of the city and you’ll come across underground caves, waterfalls and rice fields

HIT THE STREETS Neon signs light up this narrow city walkway, which is flanked by street food stalls.

NOT JUST FOR A RAINY DAY

GOING GREEN The terraced rice fields of Xijiang Miao village look amazing from afar.

Located in Leigongshan National Park, they are surrounded by hills, which are perfect for hiking.

@anjulie_k

Colourful parasols lined up above a street in Guiyang don’t just offer muchneeded shade from the sun – they also make a pretty picture. Buy one from the markets for a fun selfie.

@britpoplover

Insider I INSTAGRAMABLE

UNDERGROUND WONDER

@rhealiu

Zhijin Cave – China’s largest cave – features interesting stalactite and stalagmite forms. The mood lighting gives it a photo-worthy ‘rainbow’ effect perfect for a unique travel shot.

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WORDS SASHA GONZALES

@my.leung

@goboldlyabroad

SLURP IT UP Tuck into a bowl of Guiyang-style beef noodles, which you can find anywhere in the city. This delicious dish comprises a spicy red broth filled with slippery rice noodles, beef slices and fresh herbs.

@mrtnbtz

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

STUNNING LOCAL EMBROIDERY Birds symbolise happiness for the Miao people. Embroidered silk cloths like this are traditionally used to decorate living room walls to bring joy to the family.

TOWER OF POWER The ancient three-storey Jiaxiu Tower is where intellectuals once gathered to read, drink tea and discuss profound topics. The green tiles and red pillars make for a striking historical image.

Insider I ADVERTORIAL

CRACK THE DATING CODE If you’re yet to find success on the dating scene, these top tips from expert Anisa Hassan of Singapore matchmaking service It’s Just Lunch will help guide you on the road to romance

Planning Choose a central, reasonably priced, pleasant location where you’ll be able to talk. (And don’t forget to make a reservation!)

MEET THE EXPERT

BE ATTENTIVE Focus in on your date, it’s not all about you.

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LOOK GOOD

A nicely dressed date always makes a good impression.

A LIGHT

TOUCH

Keep anecdotes general and fun. (Avoid politics, religion and past relationships.)

MANNERS

A thank-you for the date is always appreciated.

Timing Don’t keep your date waiting.

BE YOURSELF There’s nothing more attractive than someone who’s comfortable in their own skin.

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE A positive person who treats people nicely is the kind of person people want to spend time with.

(Remember to smile!)

Singapore: (+65) 6536 0100

Anisa Hassan is the essence of a very modern matchmaker. The successful entrepreneur, author, former news presenter and Managing Director of It’s Just Lunch (IJL) Asia has spent the past 12 years helping busy professionals of all ages connect, organising hundreds of thousands of first dates in the process.

It’s Just Lunch will even book the restaurant for your date for you. It’s all about reducing stress and keeping it simple. After all, ‘it’s just lunch’, it couldn’t be more straightforward than that.

Ms Anisa says matching people comes naturally.

“The matchmaking blood I got from my mom, I grew up seeing how she match-made a lot of my relatives.”

Since starting the Singapore franchise of the US business in 2004, Ms Anisa estimates the service has been responsible for more than 1000 marriages and long-term relationships. Her clients comprise local and expatriate singles who are also divorced and widowed.

Ms Anisa believes a face-toface connection is the key to establishing chemistry and is the best way to get to know someone. “It’s all about making real, lasting connections,” she says.

www.itsjustlunchsingapore.com

Insider I 5 OF THE BEST

1 2. AN INTIMATE IN-ROOM DINNER

Have a date night you’ll never forget

5

OF THE BEST

In the mood for love Need some jazz in your romantic life? Singapore’s top oohla-la hotel packages are designed to up the amore factor for locals and visitors alike

WORDS EVELINE GAN PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

1. ROMANTIC PICNIC IN THE PARK Where: Hotel Fort Canning, 11 Canning Walk, +6559 6769; hfcsingapore.com Price: The Weekend Indulgence Package is priced from $850++ for a two-night stay in a Deluxe Room.

Take your other half on an old-school picnic date. Hotel Fort Canning’s Weekend Indulgence package includes a basket of delightful teatime nibbles such as mini macarons and Swiss rolls, chicken-avocado wraps, salmon finger sandwiches,

bacon-wrapped cocktail sausages and a selection of fine TWG teas.

The picnic basket, which comes with a cute picnic mat, can be enjoyed in the privacy of your room but we recommend taking it outdoors for a leisurely rendezvous at Fort Canning Park, Singapore’s iconic hilltop landmark.

Besides a two-night stay, the package also includes a luxurious four-course set dinner at The Salon, breakfast for two and drinks and canapés at the Private Lounge at 6–7pm.

2 Top to bottom: Hotel Fort Canning’s elegant Deluxe Room; a hands-on couple’s treat at the Shangri La

Where: Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Rd, +65 6737 3644; shangrila.com/singapore/shangrila Price: Garden Wing Couple’s Retreat package starts from S$550 per night.

Every room in Shangri-La Hotel’s Garden Wing, which underwent a S$68 million revamp in 2012, boasts a private balcony. This is where – if you book the Garden Wing Couple’s Retreat package – a romantic in-room dinner is served. On the menu are dishes such as lobster bisque, barley risotto and pulut hitam (black glutinous rice) with vanilla ice cream.

But first, whet your appetite for the night ahead with a bottle of champagne and chocolates, as well as a 60-minute couple’s massage at CHI, The Spa, which are included in the package.

Then wake up to breakfast for two at The Line.

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Insider I 5 OF THE BEST

3 Single?

Show yourself some love with these fun hotels.

GIRLS’ PARTY TIME

3. MASSAGES AND MOVIES

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Where: Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Rd, Sentosa, +65 6708 8310; sofitelsingapore-sentosa.com.

Price: So Relaxing package rates start from S$600++ per night. Additional charges apply for Movie by the Pool.

There’s nothing like a soothing massage to get you feeling all relaxed. Cue Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa’s So Relaxing package, which features a 60-minute massage for two at So SPA. The state-of-theart spa boasts float pools with cascading waterfalls, Rhassoul clay mud pools and a 22m lap pool.

On Friday and Saturday nights, you can enjoy an outdoor movie by the spa’s pool, complete with gourmet popcorn and tapas.

4. MAKE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES OR ART Where: The Quincy Hotel, 22 Mount Elizabeth; +65 6881 8888; stayfareast.com/en/ hotels/the-quincy-hotel Price: Qool Weekend package starts from S$278++ per night.

Bond with your other half by getting creative together with The Quincy Hotel’s Qool Weekend package.

Couples get to experience either a Chocolate Truffle Making class or a Couple Art Jamming session, depending

Take a relaxing postmassage dip

Leaving The Quincy, you’ll take lasting memories plus an artwork you’ve made with your partner

Organise a sleepover party at Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore. The Girls’ Party Staycation package (from S$700++ per night) includes an Executive Suite stay, mixers, a summery watermelon cocktail, beer pong setup, canapés and a nail polish set. You also get free use of a GoPro camera to capture all the fun. The deal allows up to eight people in the suite till 11pm and four overnight guests.

Where: 1A Cuscaden Rd, +65 6738 2222; hoteljen.com

ULTIMATE DAY OFF

4 on their check-in day. The best part? You can take your artwork or chocolate truffles home.

The package includes a onenight stay in the Studio Room, buffet breakfast, evening cocktails and complimentary use of the in-room mini bar.

5. A SENSUAL STAY Where: The Scarlet Singapore, 33 Erskine Rd; +65 6511 3333; thescarlethotels.com Price: The Scarlet Fling package starts from S$568++ per night.

Couples hankering after an uninhibited experience will feel right at home in this eclectic boutique hotel nestled

within the vibrant Club Street enclave of wine bars, art galleries and cafés.

The fun, however, truly starts upon check-in with The Scarlet Fling package – pop a complimentary bottle of bubbly and choose between a ‘Naughty’ and ‘Nice’ add-on. We say, give the ‘Nice’ chocolate-coated strawberries a miss and go with the hotel’s Lover’s Amenities Kit. Rumour has it that it features racy items such as feathers and blindfolds.

Oh, and go for the Passion suite, featuring dramatic python and leopard prints and a private outdoor Jacuzzi.

Naumi Hotel’s Weekend Staycation package (from $226++ per night) is perfect for a pick-me-up. Unwind with free-flow liquor shots from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

Then hit the town with free entry to various activities, such as Zouk club and shows at The Comedy Club, as well as dining discounts.

Where: 41 Seah St,

+65 6403 6000; naumihotel.com

5 The Scarlet is the perfect place for a romantic getaway

The Return of an Authentic Eucalyptus Brand QUALITY TRUSTED SINCE 1896 27

GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN AS PENANG’S CAPITAL, GEORGE TOWN, UNDERGOES GRADUAL GENTRIFICATION, THE CITY’S TRADITIONAL LIVELIHOODS HAVE HAD TO ADAPT. WE MEET SOME OF THE LOCAL TRADESMEN WHO ARE KEEPING THE OLD WAYS ALIVE

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T

hese are the same antique shophouses, the same historic avenues, the same timehonoured city of more than 700,000 people. But in just over a decade, George Town seems to have undergone a massive change of character.

The city’s conservation area, once an enclave of traditional arts and trades, now feels more like a hipster town with a slew of new reggae bars, funky cafés and boutique hotels moving into its heritage buildings. I land here expecting the nostalgia of the George Town I visited 10 years back and am totally surprised by its new, gentrified air.

Founded in 1786, George Town began as a small British trading post on Penang

Get a glimpse of disappearing crafts

Insider I TRADITION TALKS

WORDS & PHOTOS LESTER V. LEDESMA

Clockwise from left: craftsman Kok Ah Wah; George Town; Seang Hin Leong rattan shop; The Kok Ying Chow Chinese sign workshop

island, off the west coast of Malaysia. It eventually grew to become one of the region’s most important port cities, attracting tradesmen, workers and entrepreneurs from all over Asia. These new arrivals mingled with English settlers and the native Malays, giving this city its distinct multicultural character.

Today, it is the colourful backgrounds of these early migrants – and their descendants – that keep the soul of this city alive.

Wishing to experience the timeless side of George Town, I set out to find some of the traditional tradesmen who have given so much character to this city.

One such individual is Sim Buck Teik, a master rattan weaver who owns Seang Hin Leong, one of the last surviving wicker shops in town. He learned his skills from his father, an immigrant from China’s Teochew district. Business is rather slow these days, and he remembers the busier bygone years when the store would be swamped with orders for giant handmade baskets.

“Those were very strong and durable and people used them to carry fruit, bicycles and even sewing machines,” the 87-year-old Sim recalls. “Everyone now uses plastic to carry everything.”

These days, the rattan shop, which lies at the edge of the heritage area, sells handcrafted decor and furniture items, mostly to tourists.

Where to find Enduring signs Closer to the heart of downtown, I find another cluster of streets that throb to the rhythm of a slower era. Situated amid a row of Indian flower garland vendors and spice merchants, the Kok Ying Chow workshop has produced exquisite lacquered Chinese signboards for close to a century. The resident carver, 72-year-old Kok Ah Wah, also inherited his skills and the business from his immigrant father. Despite the fact that he is the last fulltime signboard maker in Penang, he reports, quite happily, that business is good.

“Traditional signboards are still preferred by the older Chinese businesses,” notes Kok, “The problem is finding new people who are interested in this craft.

Young ones don’t have the

Seang Hin Leong Rattan Shop 393 Lebuh Pantai, +604 261 3748

Kok Ying Chow Signboards 41 Lebuh Queen, +604 262 9754

Kanganam Trading 41 Market St, +604 261 8550

Hameediyah Nasi Kandar 164A Campbell St, +604 261 1095 patience to do this kind of work.”

Looking at the process involved – a succession of carving, sanding, painting and lacquering that can take up to a month – it does look like a patience-requiring task.

Luckily, his 32-year-old son is keen on taking over the business – not that Kok is planning to let go of his chisels anytime soon. “My hands still have a few years left in them.

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Insider I TRADITION TALKS Top to bottom: religious items at Kanganam Trading; Ahmad Kadir Rawther serves up everpopular nasi kandar

I’ll keep making signs for as long as I can.”

Changing values

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Just a corner away from Kok Ying Chow, I walk into another establishment that’s struggling to keep up with the times. Inside, I am greeted by incense smoke, plastic flowers and rows of Hindu deity images.

Shopkeeper D. Munusamy runs Kanganam Trading – a pooja or religious items store, a common sight around temples in his grandfather’s native India. In Penang, it is one of a mere handful.

He first opened the doors in 1962 and has kept operating through lean and prosperous times. His current outlook is not so optimistic, though.

“The ringgit is not doing well and it’s getting expensive to import goods from India,” he says. With a candid smile, he laments the import of cheap mass-produced products into Penang – low-quality competition that he doesn’t want to match. To Munusamy, it comes down to whether

or not he can keep the business going – the time may come when he is forced to close his doors.

Local staple still a success It seems modernity hasn’t done much good for most of George Town’s traditional trades.

However, there are a few instances where an age-old business has thrived because of it. One big success story is that of Hameediyah Restaurant, a century-old purveyor of one of this city’s favourite eats. Nasi kandar –

My hands have a few years left in them. I’ll keep making signs for as long as I can a platter of steamed rice and various fiery curries – is a staple that was originally introduced by immigrants from across the Bay of Bengal.

“The term means ‘rice carried on one’s shoulders’,” explains Ahmad Kadir Rawther, one of the kitchen managers. “Vendors used to carry food around on shoulder poles, selling this all over the city.”

In 1907, his greatgranduncle abandoned the poles and instead built a restaurant on this very spot. It is now the oldest such restaurant in Malaysia.

The 68-year-old Ahmad has worked in the family business for more than 40 years. “I grew up around this kitchen. You could say

I was born into this job.”

With its newlyrenovated, airconditioned interiors, Hameediyah disclaims the popular notion of the dark, poorly ventilated nasi kandar eatery. One might even say that it could fit into this city’s gentrified streetscape.

Perhaps this is what Ahmad’s family planned all along – to evolve with this city, and in the process ensure that their legacy will endure.

Indeed, George Town’s character may have been permanently changed, but it’s good to know that – despite the hipster cafés, the reggae bars and the boutique hotels – its traditional tradesmen are still very much around.

Insider I SHOP IT

No calories added Our favourite guilt-free sweet treats, from donut floats to ice-cream aprons ns

1

Share some sugar with these candy-themed products from popular Singapore stores

3 This nourishes skin with aloe vera )tract

2

WORDS PEARLYN THAM

Sweeten up your couch with this cu cute te cushion

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5

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1. WOOUF! ice-cream print apron, S$41, from naiise.com 2. CANDYLICIOUS A5 notebook with jellybear print, S$5, from #02-41, VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Wlk 3. CANDYLICIOUS tie-dye pink lollipop plush, S$29, from #02-41, VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Wlk 4. CANDYLICIOUS ice cream cone plush, S$19, from #02-41, VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Wlk 5. WATSONS Sweet Scent Mini Wet Wipes, S$1.80, from all Watsons stores 6. BIGMOUTH INC chocolate donut-shaped float, S$42.90, from naiise.com

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H A P P Y VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY

15% OFF FOR ALL EXCLUSIVELY JETSTAR, FASHION PIECES AND DELIGHTFUL GIFTS PRODUC TS! FROM NOW TILL FEB 2017.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? PICK UP A COPY OF JETSHOP FROM THE SEAT POCKET IN FRONT OF YOU AND START SHOPPING NOW!

Insider I BEAUTY ON THE FLY

Love is in the air And you can smell it, too, with these romantic scents

1

This uses hand-picked roses for a fresh scent

3

2 Cat lovers will swoon over these feline ears

WORDS PEARLYN THAM

4

WE LOVE

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1. ELIE SAAB Le Parfum L’Eau Couture EDT, S$83, from Tangs at Tang Plaza, 310 Orchard Rd 2. COMMES DES GARCONS Grace by Grace Coddington, from S$156, from Escentials at #03-02/05 Paragon 3. THE BODY SHOP British Rose Eau de Toilette, S$28.90, from The Body Shop stores 4. RALPH LAUREN Tender Romance, from S$116, at Ralph Lauren counters 5. MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN Amyris Femme EDP, S$215, from Escentials at #03-02/05 Paragon

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More legroom to be yourself.

Because you can.

Enjoy extra legroom* on our first and emergency row seats for a more comfortable flight!

Rows 1, 12 and 13 at SGD32 or equivalent per seat.

*Please approach our cabin crew should you wish to upgrade your seat. Jetstar Asia Airways Pte Ltd BRN:200403570D.

Kabukicho in Tokyo’s Shinjuku comes alive at night when the neon glows and its cafés, host bars, karaoke parlours and izakaya get busy with off-duty office workers and funseekers.

PHOTO MARK PARREN TAYLOR

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WINE REGIONS 36 I PHOTO-WORTHY FOOD 42 I SHINJUKU 50

Katsunuma Winery in Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture, which is known as the centre of Japan’s wine industry

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COVER STORY I WINE REGIONS

grape expectations With gourmet food, beautiful scenery and plenty of fine vino, a wine holiday is the ultimate travel experience. Here are some of our favourites WORDS KAREN TEE

rom Napa Valley in California to the Bordeaux region in France, many of the world’s top wine regions are in far-flung locations that require longhaul flights to get to. But did you know that there are actually many wine-growing regions within the Asia Pacific that are also worth visiting? There is the popular

Margaret River region in Perth as well as off-thebeaten-track destinations such as Khao Yai near Bangkok and the Yamanashi prefecture in Osaka, where unique drops are available for adventurous palates.

Besides cellar doors, many of these regions also offer rustic cottage stays, gourmet restaurants and a chance to commune with nature.

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RIVER, 1 MARGARET AUSTRALIA Nearest Jetstar destination: Perth

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A three-hour drive from Perth, the Margaret River region has long been famed for its excellent wine, particularly its award-winning cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and sauvignon blanc varietals. Some of the most popular wineries to visit include Cape Mentelle, Vasse Felix and Leeuwin Estate, where visitors can taste a range of excellent wines offered at their cellar doors – and take a few bottles home as souvenirs. Many of the larger wineries also have excellent restaurants on their premises, but do make a reservation as they can get busy at lunch.

Foodies will love the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, held every November, when the wineries collaborate with the best regional and international chefs to showcase gourmet wine and food pairings.

And stay at Llewellin’s Guest House, a charming family-run bed and breakfast in the heart of the wine region. Be sure to wake up for the delicious breakfast made with locally sourced ingredients such as sausages and freshly baked muffins.

If you need to stretch your legs after tasting, take a half-day detour to visit the stunning limestone caves featuring natural wonders, such as crystalline stalactites at Jewel Cave and an underground lake at Lake Cave.

2 YAMANASHI PREFECTURE, JAPAN Nearest Jetstar destination: Tokyo

Japan may be more famous for its sake and whisky production, but oenophiles know that the Yamanashi Prefecture is the centre of the country’s wine industry.

Located at the base of Mt Fuji,

The region has long been famed for its award-winning cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and sauvignon blanc varietals

COVER STORY I WINE REGIONS

WHERE TO FIND Clockwise from left: Vasse Felix; meet the producers; go behind the scenes at GranMonte; wine tasting at Voyager Estate

the prefecture boasts about 80 vineyards that produce wine from the local koshu grape varietal, grown here for more than 12 centuries.

The resulting wine has a fresh, clean flavour that pairs well with Japanese cuisine such as sushi and tempura.

Take a two-hour train journey from Tokyo to the JR Katsunumabudokyo Station, where you can visit the awardwinning Katsunuma Winery, which offers tours of its vineyards, cellars and factory as well as wine tasting.

Another interesting experience is Budo

no Oka, which means Grape Hill. It features an underground wine cellar with more than 150 types of local drops available for tasting and purchase.

There is also a restaurant, and traditional Japanese bath and hotel on the premises, so you have the option of enjoying Japanese hospitality in this quaint town instead of making the trip back to Tokyo at the end of the day.

3

ASOKE VALLEY, THAILAND

Nearest Jetstar destination: Bangkok Also known as the Khao Yai region, this is one of the few wine-producing regions in Asia that has wines held in high regard and can hold its own against other top producers around the world. A two-hour road trip from Bangkok will take you through the

✪ MARGARET RIVER Llewellin’s Guest House 64 Yates Rd, +61 8 9757 9516; llewellinsguesthouse. com.au Cape Mentelle 331 Wallcliffe Rd, +61 8 9757 0888; capementelle.com.au Vasse Felix Caves Rd (corner of Tom Cullity Dr), +61 8 9756 5000; vassefelix.com.au Leeuwin Estate Stevens Rd, +61 8 9759 0000; leeuwinestate. com.au

✪ YAMANASHI Katsunuma Winery 371 Shimo-Iwasaki, +81 553 44 0069; katsunumawinery.com/english Budo no Oka 5093 Hishiyama, +81 553 44 2111; budounooka.com

✪ ASOKE VALLEY PB Valley Khao Yai Winery 102 Moo 5, Phaya Yen, +66 81733 8783; khaoyaiwinery.com GranMonte Winery 52 MOO 9, Payayen, Pansuk-Kudkla St, +66 044 009 543; granmonte.com

✪ NINH THUAN Ladora Winery 31 Ngo Van So, Phuong 9, +63 3 822 437; ladorawinery.vn

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The chenin blanc and viognier wines embody the tropical climate of the country

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scenic Thai countryside, with pastoral views of rolling hills, farms and wide, open fields.

The PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, which is right at the edge of the beautiful Khao Yai National Park, is the first winery to open in this region and its wines have been served to heads of state. The winery offers guided tours and there is also an onsite restaurant that offers diverse dishes to pair with the local reds and whites.

Do not miss GranMonte Estate, which has won more than 100 awards over the past few years. Its syrahs are a popular favourite, while the chenin blanc and viognier wines are said to embody the tropical climate of the country. Besides wine, there is also a selection of jams, dips, cookies and sauces available for sale at the cellar door.

Both wineries also offer guesthouse lodging for those who wish to wake up to the stunning mountain views.

The nearby national park, which boasts 2,168 sq km of lush rainforests, valleys and waterfalls, is a stunning spot for hiking and biking.

COVER STORY I WINE REGIONS

The quick drop No time to take an extended trip out of the city to explore the wine regions? Here’s how you can enjoy a sip closer to the city.

✪ PHUKET Clockwise from far left: Tour the PB Valley Khao Yai Winery; see grape picking in action; the winery’s scenic setting

NINH THUAN PROVINCE, 4VIETNAM Nearest Jetstar destination: Dalat Vietnam’s wine industry is still in its fledgling stage, with most wineries having popped up in the 2000s or beyond.

But oenophiles who are curious about the country’s developing viticulture scene should head to the Ninh Thuan Province, with wineries located close to Dalat.

One of the more prominent wineries is the Ladora Winery – commonly called Vang Dalat by the locals – which makes wines using

European technology.

Other wineries in the area include the Dalat Beco Winery and My Hoa Winery. To visit, sign up for a tour with a local agency such as Vietnam Wine Tours (vietnamwinetours.com).

The town of Dalat, which has a pleasant temperate climate, is a lovely place to spend a day or two sightseeing.

The iconic Bao Dai Summer Palace is an Art Deco masterpiece, while the atmospheric Dalat Night Market offers a treasure trove of local street food, which you can wash down with a local drop.

At the Anantara Phuket Layan resort, the in-house wine gurus can curate a VIP wine-tasting experience.

Held in a private room, the personalised tasting session – the wines are picked to suit your preferences – is conducted by a wine expert, who provides the background behind each wine, along with fascinating insights from the countries the wines are made in.

Included in the line-up are local Thai wines as well as international picks. A selection of perfectly paired canapés completes the experience, making this an ideal pre-dinner activity. phuket-layan.anantara. com/wine-guru-a-passionfor-wine

✪ PERTH If nobody wants to be the designated driver when exploring the wines of Western Australia, why not hop on a relaxing cruise instead? There are many operators offering cruises along the Swan River to Swan Valley, the oldest wine

region in Western Australia, where you get to taste wines on the cruise and even make a few stops at Swan Valley wineries. Most cruises offer a lunch stopover at a winery so you can disembark to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery before hopping back on board to get back to the city. Check out Gray Line or Captain Cook Cruises for more information. captaincookcruises.com. au/wine-cruises grayline.com/tours/perth/ perth-s-famous-swan-riverwine-cruise-5926_55

✪ NINGXIA Most of China’s best wines are produced in the Ningxia region and to truly understand how the industry is developing in the country, sign up for a vineyard tour with China Wine Tours. This agency conducts high-end tours ranging from one to three days of some of the most promising wineries in the region and will share insider knowledge of the tipple as well as give recommendations on food and wine pairings. For a truly local experience, the tours include a daily farmhouse lunch where you can savour local specialities with your chosen wine of the day. chinawinetours.com

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The fairytale-themed Café Reverie serves a touch of magic with its fancy fusion food

Photo-worthy FOOD IMAGINE BEING SERVED BY WAIT STAFF IN HOSPITAL GARB, DIGGING INTO UNICORN BURGERS AND GETTING MASSIVE DOSES OF YOUR FAVE CARTOON CHARACTERS. TIME TO WHIP OUT YOUR PHONES FOR THESE INSTAGRAMABLE CAFÉS

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N These cakes are fit for a fairytale princess

early everything goes onto social media these days.

Which is why – yes, admit it – most of us now choose our dining or coffeedrinking spots based on how Instagramable they will be and how many likes our photos will get.

And these eight quirky cafés across Asia will surely fit the bill. After all, they are themed, from the décor to the menu, and attract both kids and adults (or kidults).

You can expect everything from dishes that look like your favourite cartoon characters to ones that do not look like food at all (pastel pasta, anyone?).

QUIRKY EATS I TRAVEL TREND

EXPERIENCE FAIRYTALE MAGIC

WORDS SASHA GONZALES PHOTO MISS GUNNER, INSTAGRAM: @MISS_GUNNER

Café Reverie

This café is, in a word, enchanting. Owned by Thai singing sensation ‘Lydia’ Sarunrat Deane and her sister, ‘Ducky’ Sarunporn, it carries a fairytale theme throughout, from the red, book-cover-shaped front door to Snow White’s ‘magic’ mirror in the bathroom.

With Lydia being a graduate of the famed culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, you can expect the food to be amazing – and it is. The menu is mostly Thai fusion, with dishes such as Shrimp Tom Yum Spaghetti, and Peter Pandan, a French pastry dessert made with pandan extract and coconut.

REST AND RECUPERATE

Hospitalis Restaurant & Bar This hospital-themed café might sound inauspicious or even

Eat here Café Reverie 23/1, Thanon Sukhonthasawat, Lat Phrao, Bangkok, +66 2 932 9388; facebook.com/cafereverie

Hospitalis Restaurant & Bar Jl Ahmad Dahlan No. 31 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, +62 21 9782 6123; hospitalisjkt.com

Squirt tomato sauce from a plastic syringe, or drink from a beaker décor, grab a table, get settled in your very own chair – sorry, wheelchair – and tuck into dishes such as pizza, lasagne, sushi and chocolate brownies.

PS Bu Bu Restaurant No. 1, Lane 140, Section 7, Zhongshan N Rd, Shilin District, Taipei

Owl Family Café 1-10-13 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka, +81 6 6360 6205; owlfamily.co.jp

dreadful to some. But you may get in the spirit with wait staff dressed as doctors and nurses and hospital-inspired food. Squirt tomato sauce from a plastic syringe, for instance, or drink from a glass beaker.

The walls feature eyecatching murals of nurses and a pharmacy; when you’re done taking in the

STEP BACK IN TIME

PS Bu Bu Restaurant If you love old cars – or anything to do with automobiles, really – you’ll enjoy spending time in this funky café, which is adorned with fuel stations, parking meters, guide posts, car licence plates and classic cars that have been converted to accommodate diner-style seating. The cakes, waffles and pancakes are just a few dishes to look forward to.

the owls, which range in size from tiny to enormous. All the owls are tethered so you don’t have to worry about them flying around and perching on you. During each timed visit, you are free to pet these adorable feathered creatures, as well as take selfies with them or ask questions about them. The café

MEET AN OWL

Owl Family Café Pop in here for a coffee and spend an hour with

Clockwise from top left: Hospitalis Restaurant & Bar; PS Bu Bu Restaurant; Café Reverie treats

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QUIRKY EATS I TRAVEL TREND

Clockwise from left: Pirates Bay Bali; Moomin Café; Pompompurin Café

Retriever character created by Japanese toy company Sanrio. And at this café you will find him everywhere, from the décor to the menu. A large Pompompurin figurine greets you at the door; you’ll even notice mugs shaped like him.

Dishes are mostly Western – pasta, pancakes

ck Dine on de

only has a drinks menu as food would distract the birds.

44

CHANNEL YOUR INNER PIRATE

and beef stroganoff, to name a few. Don’t miss the macarons, shaped and decorated to resemble you know who.

Pirates Bay Bali

The beachfront Pirates Bay Bali gives you a taste of what it’s like to be a pirate castaway, with its massive replica pirate ship right on the sand, bamboo treehouses, thatched-roof huts and paddle boats.

Buccaneers will love the varied menu, with favourites including the Pirates Basket, which is a combination of grilled and fried seafood items, burgers, salads and Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice).

COMIC STRIP COMES TO LIFE

Moomin Bakery & Café The Moomins are hippopotamus-like characters from the books and comic strip by Tove

ALL UNICORNS AND RAINBOWS

Eat here Pirates Bay Bali ITDC area, Lot C-0, Nusa Dua, Bali, +62 361 894 8200; thebaybali.com

Moomin Bakery & Café LCX, Level 3, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2730 0963

Pompompurin Café #04-08 Orchard Central, Singapore +65 6509 8672; facebook.com/ Pompompurincafesg

Unicorn Café Soi Sathorn 8, Bangkok, +66 86 397 9262; facebook.com/unicornbrand

Unicorn Café Jansson, a Swedishspeaking Finnish writer and illustrator. Whether or not you’re a fan, you’ll find this café super-cute, with Moomin plush toys dotted all over plus a sizeable merchandise section.

The food is standard café fare – burgers, cheesecakes and matcha lattes – but creatively plated to reflect the theme.

FOR EVERYTHING POMPOMPURIN Pompompurin Café

Pompompurin is the beret-wearing Golden

This cosy café is decked out in sweet pastel shades and rainbow motifs, and filled with unicorn plush toys and My Little Pony figurines that you can snuggle up to. Even the ceiling and floor are covered in psychedelichued artwork and carpeting respectively.

On the menu you’ll find dishes such as Rainbow Spaghetti Carbonara made with pastel-toned spaghetti, candy-coloured waffles and drinks, and Unicorn burgers, which have a unicorn ‘horn’ stuck in each.

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⚆歲紩넞㼷㣗 饋

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NBZCBOLDIBNQJPOTIJQ DPN NZ

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BUUBSJOF DPN

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Pompompurin Café

⧩䖤䬝撑涸倝됮繠굹⡤낉 䟝韌♧♴魧满⼕ꤎⵖ剪涸剪⸉プծ杝錭ⰰ宪㜃ծ㣐ꆀ⡹剒昶涸 ⽓鸑Ⱆ➫կ 鵯❈ㄳ㉰껧㣖⧩䖤䬝撑ⴔ❧✫鵮♶饮䘯䭭ⴀ䩛劼

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Pirates Bay Bali

雮䩛劼⯓く껎涸⨞岁湱 ⥌㣐㹻䎇♶꣫欰կ 繠굹䔲⵸ ♧㹁䖤⯓䬝⚙䓎〄ⵌ爢❜ 㯮⡤䩞腊㣐䘯劳곷կ 鵯ꅽ 銳➝絏涸Ⱃ㹻⚺곿귬⾍♶ ⡎腊雮⡹䩛劼くⵌ껒〄 ♳緸涸撑晙⛲肤㹁腊饒䖤 馄㢴饎կ ➭⟌➢鄳惂ⵌ蝲⽀ 鿪剣倝㣼〢䚓涸⚺곿䚍罈 㼱ㅨ㹆կ

⡤낉牟㣼留霢 $BG¨ 3FWFSJF ㄳ㉰껧 鵯⚡ㄳ㉰껧♧⚡㶶鶴➃ Ⱖ⚌⚺⚹岲㕂僈僤姐䩛⚽ 鶓❇ 4BSVOSBU %FBOFㄤ㥟 涸㨰㧵 㼭뚏4BSVOQPSOկ ➢⛼朐紤蒀㣐꡶ⵌ峤䩛ꢂꅽ 涸涯ꨓⰖ⚺눥Ꞥ㸐ꅽꅽ㢪 㢪⯎忘牟霢蒀䕙կ ⚽鶓❇嫳⚌✵衼ぜ掱껋㷖 吥-F $PSEPO #MFV䨾⟄♶ 盗⡹剣㢴넞涸劍劅鵯ꅽ涸 蝲挿鿪雮⡹㣟劅կ 蝲⽀涸㣐 鿈ⴔ僽岲銯輑ざ䒭嫱㥵Ⱶ ꣊赢䠑꬗ㄤ䕹䖤˙悭⚸ˋ欽 껺Ⱎ〽⿺嗵㶩⨞涸岁㕂ꂬ 淼挿䗱կ Pirates Bay Bali

⠅ꢀ⯎歏 )PTQJUBMJT 귬⾍ꂊゅ 剣❈➃〳腊錣䖤ㄳ㉰껧⟄⼕ ꤎ⚹⚺곿ゑ饰勻♶牬欨荛〳 䙲⡎僽䩧䪏䧭⼕欰ㄤ䫡㡦 涸剪⸉プ⿺⼕ꤎ굥呔涸굹暟 ⠔⟁⡹♧䮷կ ⡹〳⟄❧欽➢ 㝕俱岤㼘㐼㌂ⴀ涸殣薷ꃁ ⛲〳欽梯槴掔匉㋒껏俱կ 㟖㠗♳鄳껑满䫡㡦ㄤ蚋䨻涸 㠗歘ꬋ䌢ꄀ湡կ 妇餿㸤た 䪪䓎呱㶩ㄤ喱㶩㗂♴ˋ㐱㼆 ✫僽鲰喱㆛剣嫱蠖ծ掐㺈 䠑꬗ծ㼑぀ㄤ䊫⯘⸂䋒剽㽲 瘝蝲肮⣘⡹鷥䭊կ

傞⯕ꦍ麤 14 #V #V ꆄ㾋诡鮦 㥵卓⡹僽导鲨鶴⡹肤㹁⠔ ㋐妅㖈鵯⚡剣馰涸ㄳ㉰껧ꅽ 嶊熋傞⯕կ Ⱖ鄳껑⺫䭍⸈屘 畀ծ⨢鲨佐餩邍ծ騟叻ծ㢕〢 鲨晥撑⟄⿺歋絑Ⱙ导鲨佖鄳 涸귬⡙կ 㥵卓⡹僽导鲨鶴 跗 祧ծ⼶㣗껝ㄤ摚껝瘝⚪㺢涸 繠굹⟁➃劍䖉կ

⚥俒ⰻ㺂

귬⾍㖑㖧 Café Reverie

Pompompurin Café

ㄳ㉰껧削靽 23/1, Thanon Sukhonthasawat, Lat Phrao, Bangkok, +66 2 932 9388; facebook.com/ cafereverie

Café Reverie

Hospitalis

⡹㥩枾㣢뛒 0XM 'BNJMZ $BG¨ 枾㣢뛒㹻䏭ㄳ㉰껧 勻鵯ꅽ⡹〳⟄♧鴝㋒ㄳ㉰ ♧鴝騈㣐㣐㼭㼭涸枾㣢뛒⟌ ❜䖃♧㼭傞կ ⵆ䢂䨾剣涸枾 㣢뛒鿪剣勲Ꝇ䨾⟄♶⠔굷 勻굷⿡衅ⵌ⡹魧♳կ 嫦妃㹁 傞霄꡼劍ꢂ⡹〳⟄㽴䞔梖 餿鵯❈〳昶涸뚁㹍騈➭⟌ 勻䓎ざ䕧䧴ㅐ霧剣Ⱒ㸐⟌ 涸꡼곿կ 㔔⚹굹暟⠔ⴔ侔㸐 ⟌涸岤䠑⸂姼ㄳ㉰껧〫䲿 ⣘껏俱կ

嵳游䞔絕 1JSBUFT #BZ #BMJ 嵳游弩䊼⾦ 銳䟝⡤낉黨ꦼ嵳游僽➊⛎ 呋涸䠭「㽠勻嵳忡1JSBUFT #BZ #BMJկ 尪忢♳⨢ꬑ满䊭㣐 涸嵳游菺渷剣畾䵨吆㾋ծ薹 虊㼭㾋鵮剣ⴢ咙菺կ ㅷ猫⚪㺢涸蝲肮僽嵳游⟌涸 剒昶Ⱖ⚥剣嵳游睲 ⺫縄 ✫掔掐ㄤ屘挽嵳됮ծ宪㜃ծ尪 䬘ㄤ拯껎瘝⽪㽲蝲կ

恟歘䧭溫 .PPNJO㨖僈ㄳ㉰䏅 屎끩Ⱆ➫㨖僈ⴀ荈蓷Ⱎ涸 榰Ⱙ露⡲㹻ㄤ䳃歘㹻5PWF +BOTTPO涸⡲ㅷկ ♶盗僽♶僽 磋⚏⡹鿪⠔錣䖤鵯⚡ㄳ㉰

귬⾍ꂊゅ꧈⸈鴪 jL Ahmad Dahlan No. 31 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, +62 21 9782 6123; hospitalisjkt.com

PS Bu Bu ꆄ㾋诡鮦 〵⻌䋑㡦卌⼥⚥㿋⻌騟 ♫媯 140 䋀 1 贪

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Owl Family Café 枾㣢뛒㹻䏭ㄳ㉰⾍ 傈劥㣐ꢼ䋑⻌⼓㣔牟堀 1-10-13, +81 6 6360 6205; owlfamily.co.jp

Pirates Bay Bali 嵳游弩䊼⾦ ITDC area, Lot C-0, Nusa Dua, Bali, +62 361 894 8200; thebaybali.com

Moomin Bakery & Café 㨖僈꬗⺫ㄳ㉰䏅 껺度㼺尪ㄔ嵳度㙹嵳麋 㣐䐟 LCX 3 垛 +852 2730 0963

Pompompurin Café 倝⸈㗗䋒♨权ㄳ㉰껧 #04-08 Orchard Central, +65 6509 8672; facebook. com/Pompompurincafesg

Unicorn Café 削靽杝錭ⰰㄳ㉰⾍ Soi Sathorn 8, Bangkok, +66 86 397 9262; facebook.com/unicornbrand

PS Bu Bu

껧蟟ⵌ✫匧挿կ .PPNJO嬁絔 Ⱆ➫偽㢅♶㖈ⱄ⸈♳♧⚡ 湱䔲㣐涸㈒⽁鿈կ 鵯ꅽ涸굹ㅷ剣宪㜃ծ蓏㡦跗 祧ㄤ䬀蘡䭭꜈瘝赡搬僽ㄳ ㉰䏅涸叻ꂁ⡎僽絑⴯䠑ッ 梡⛲瑲ⴀ✫귬⾍涸⚺곿կ

䋒♨权⚆歲 1PNQPNQVSJO $BG¨䋒♨权ㄳ㉰껧 瑬满餍ꨭ䌨涸ꆄ蒀枏朄䋒 ♨权僽傈劥♲⚽妍梖ⰨⰖ ぀⴯鸣涸կ 㖈鵯㹻䋒♨权ㄳ ㉰껧➢鄳껑ⵌ蝲⽀➭偽 䨾♶㖈կ 넞㣐涸䋒♨权㖈꡶ 〡妅鵓⡹鵶匉㶩⛲㼱♶✫㸐 涸魧䕧կ

鵯ꅽ涸繠굹㣐㢴僽銯귬䠑 ꬗ծ摚껝ㄤ⤜縄倛ꃑ㥗暋聘 瘝կ 㼆✫⼪♰ⵆꝡ鵂岁䒭欫 挿끩⽓륫➊⛎呋㶩♶霹⡹ ⛲枣䖤ⵌկ

䕙赙杝錭ⰰ 6OJDPSO $BG¨ 杝錭ⰰ ㄳ㉰⾍

鵯㹻ㄳ㉰껧歋欫繠涸厫ㄤ蒀 靈ㄤ䕙赙㕃呩鄳惂䖤匧⚹莞 鷓忘僽杝錭ⰰ嬁絔Ⱆ➫ㄤ 㼭끩㹈蛁雮⡹䭆䫵կ 鵶㣔蔄 匣ㄤ㖑嬝⛲鿪蒀䕙鶴䎑կ 㖈 蝲⽀♳⡹⠔〄梡欽磋䕙䠑 㣐ⵄ꬗⨞涸䕙赙㛆呏跗䠑 ꬗ծ祪卓蒀⼶㣗껝ㄤ껏俱⟄ ⿺Ɤ錭涸杝錭ⰰ宪㜃կ

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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is an escape from the city’s busy crowds and boisterous bars.

It is an inspiring, beautiful park with traditional Japanese settings that sit alongside formal French and English landscaped areas.

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SHINJUKU I JAPAN

Secret Shinjuku This Tokyo ward is famed for bustle and bright lights. But you can still ďŹ nd moments of peace, tradition and sweet music photos mark parren taylor

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SHINJUKU I JAPAN

Soak up the local energy and spirit

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Left A bride and groom in traditional Shinto wedding attire make their way to Juniso Kumano Jinja shrine’s main hall or haiden.

Middle Mejiro Teien, a small traditional ‘stroll garden’. In the autumn, peeled kaki (Japanese persimmon) is hung to dry.

Right The annual Shinjuku Grand Parade.

Decorations at Hanazono Shrine.

Local shrines are the heart of Shinto devotion and ritual.

The folded paper streamer is known as a ‘shide’

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SHINJUKU I JAPAN

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Kabuto, an izakaya on what is known as Piss Alley (Shonben Yokocho) by locals, which specialises in eel dishes.

The Craft of Good Wine

Handcrafted wines supporting inspiring individuals. kooks.com.au

Head to Hong Kong for the colourfulILantern Festival, Explore INTERVIEW

a tradition more than 2,000 years old, held this year on February 11.

PHOTO ALAMY

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JETSTAR NEWS 58 I STAR JOURNEYS 61 I MAPS 62

Inflight I JETSTAR NEWS

Stay home for Lunar New Year It sounds odd that we were asking people to stay home and not travel, but we did. As part of our Lunar New Year celebrations, we carried out a social experiment, asking young travellers if they would accept free flight tickets for travel over the festive period. After hearing what their parents said about the tradition of reunion, all wanted to stay home to be with their loved ones. This emotional video attracted much attention on social media, and we hope this would remind viewers the importance of family during festive seasons. We’re also glad that some customers changed their minds about flying over the eve and the first day of Lunar New Year, took up on our free flight change promotion and postponed their flights to stay home.

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PARTY ON BOARD Customers who flew with us during Christmas and New Year certainly had a great time in the air!

Our brilliant crew organised games, gave away prizes and made merry on many flights. Here’s what many of us missed!

WORLD’S SAFEST LCC We’re really pleased to be named one of the top 10 safest low-cost carriers (LCC) for 2017 by Airlineratings.com. This makes us the only Singapore-based LCC, and the only low-cost airline in Southeast Asia to be awarded this rating. Safety is our utmost priority, so thank you to Airlineratings.com for the recognition!

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

Inflight I QUIZ

QUIZ TIME Get set to test your travel knowledge with this month’s quiz 1. Out of the 6,800 islands that make up Japan, approximately how many are inhabited?

A: 550 B: 150 C: 430

5

3

2. How many storeys high are the Petronas Twin Towers?

3. True or false: Muay Thai Boxing is also called the art of eight limbs.

4. In Japan, what summer fruit is grown in a box to produce a cube-like shape?

5. What is the name of the world’s largest blooming flower, native to Indonesia?

6. Which energy drink has its roots in Thailand?

2 11

7. Which famous Malaysian actress starred in the films Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Tomorrow Never Dies?

8. Nutmeg is derived from trees native to which country?

10

9. What unusual colour of sand might you find on some of Bali’s beaches?

10. True or false: famous shoe designer Jimmy Choo was born in Penang.

12. How many days are there in the Pawukon Balinese calendar?

A: 300 B: 210 C: 150 13. In which part of Indonesia would you find the corpse flower growing?

14. Which Hayao Miyazaki film has won an Oscar?

15. The longyi is traditional dress for which country?

16. Which famous Chinese children’s author won the prestigious 2016 Hans Christian Anderson Award?

17. True or false: Taiwanese director Ang Lee has won three Oscars.

18. Which Singapore shopping centre is home to the world’s largest fountain?

19. How many animals call Singapore Zoo home?

A: 1,750 B: 2,800 C: 3,200 20. In Manila, the height of Quezon Memorial Shrine’s three pylons is based on President Quezon’s age when he died. How high are these pylons?

11. What is the name of the paste-like cosmetic worn by women and children in Myanmar?

8

59

QUIZ ANSWERS 1_ C) 450 2_ 88 3_ True 4_ Watermelon 5_ Rafflesia arnoldii 6_ Red Bull 7_ Michelle Yeoh 8_ Indonesia 9_ Black 10_ True 11_ Thanaka 12_ B) 210 13_ Sumatra 14_ Spirited Away 15_ Myanmar 16_ Cao Wenxuan 17_ False 18_ Suntec City 19_ B: 2800 20_ 66 metres

Inflight I BUSINESS TRAVEL

Work trips made easier Yes, it’s possible with Jetstar’s new FlexiBiz package. Psst… we’re also giving away $250 worth of vouchers

Your chance to win 60

Jetstar understands business travel

Congratulations to all five winners of our January quiz. The answers were FlexiBiz; no fees for date, time and name change and credit vouchers for flight cancellation.

To be one of five lucky winners to each win a S$50 Jetstar voucher in February, answer these questions correctly.

1) How much is the FlexiBiz bundle?

2) Can you bring an extra carry-on for free if you do not wish to check in your luggage?

F

rom just $32, you can enjoy a whole suite of features that will make your next business trip smoother. All you have to do is sign up for Jetstar’s new FlexiBiz bundle in the Business Hub at jetstar.com/sg/ en/business.

With FlexiBiz, you can catch an earlier flight home on the same day for free (subject to seat availability) as there aren’t fees for date, time and name changes (fare differences may apply).

You can also cancel your flight for free and get Jetstar credit vouchers, which can be

used on another flight over the next six months.

And more perks await: you can take a second small under-seat item such as small backpack without checking it in.

This means no more waiting at the conveyor belt for your baggage, so you can just get straight down to business.

3) If you wish to return home early, how much does it cost to get on an earlier flight?

Email your answers, including your full name and contact number, with the title ‘Jetstar FlexiBiz Contest’ to jetstarasiamarketing@ jetstar.com by Feb 28, 2017.

Winners will be contacted via email in March. Terms and conditions apply.

Inflight I STAR JOURNEYS WINNERS

#StarJourneys

Kok Meili, @ meili_10 “A perfect jump shot at the lover’s bridge.”

Taichung, Taiwan

Taken some great snaps during your recent Jetstar holiday? Post them on social media, tag (Instagram) 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!

Cika Dewitri, @cikadewi “Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind, fills your life with stories to tell.”

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Alfian Safwan, @alfiansfwn “I’m really glad to meet good people along the way.”

East Java, Indonesia

about #StarJourneys Myke Celis, @myke_it_is “Meet my new friend who decided to join me in my stroll at Nara Park.”

Nara (near Osaka), Japan

SHARE YOUR GREAT TRAVEL SNAPS WITH US AND STAND TO WIN S$100 JETSTAR VOUCHERS. 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.

61

Inflight I WHERE WE FLY

INTERNATIONAL Operated by Jetstar Airways Operated by Jetstar Asia Operated by Jetstar Pacific

Flights are operated

by Jetstar Airways and commence 4 April 2017, subject to regulatory approval

Operated by Jetstar Japan

Tokyo (Narita) Nagoya (Chubu)

Osaka (Kansai) Guiyang Shantou Guangzhou

Taipei

Hanoi Hong Kong Haikou Yangon Sanya Da Nang Siem Reap Manila Bangkok Phnom Penh

62

Hawaii (Honolulu)

Ho Chi Minh City

Phuket Penang Medan

Kuala Lumpur

Pekanbaru

Singapore

Palembang Jakarta Surabaya Bali (Denpasar) Darwin Fiji (Nadi)

Cairns Townsville Proserpine

Cook Islands (Rarotonga)

Brisbane Gold Coast Perth Adelaide

Sydney Auckland Melbourne (Tullamarine) 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

Phu Quoc

Kagoshima

Nha Trang Da Lat

Ho Chi Minh City Okinawa Operated by Jetstar Japan

Operated by Jetstar PaciďŹ c

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 (Tullamarine)

Auckland

Melbourne (Avalon) Wellington Christchurch

Launceston Operated by Jetstar Airways

Hobart Queenstown

63

Inflight I WHEN WE FLY

Jetstar Asia, together with Jetstar, operates more than 600 flights per week throughout Asia. Schedule is valid to February 28, 2017.

SINGAPORE – HONG KONG / HONG KONG – SINGAPORE 3 hours 55 minutes (GMT+8)

JETSTAR ASIA SINGAPORE – BANGKOK / BANGKOK – SINGAPORE

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

09:40

HKG

13:40

SIN

15:45

HKG

19:45

HKG

14:20

SIN

18:20

HKG

20:25

SIN

00:25

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

SINGAPORE – HAIKOU / HAIKOU – SINGAPORE

2 hours 30 minutes (GMT+7)

3 hours 30 minutes (GMT+8)

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

07:10

BKK

08:35

SIN

07:30

HAK

11:10

SIN

09:00

BKK

10:25

HAK

12:15

SIN

15:55

SIN*

08:40

BKK

10:05

SIN

11:25

BKK

12:50

SIN#

12:40

BKK

14:00

SIN

18:30

BKK

19:55

SIN

19:10

BKK

20:35

BKK

09:15

SIN

12:45

BKK

11:45

SIN

15:15

BKK*

11:55

SIN

15:25

BKK

13:30

SIN

17:00

BKK#

14:40

SIN

18:15

BKK#

14:55

SIN

18:30

BKK

20:55

SIN

00:25

BKK

21:20

SIN

00:50

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

Arrival

Time

SIN

07:45

CGK

08:35

SIN

11:00

CGK

11:55

SIN

13:05

CGK

13:55

SIN

15:05

CGK

15:55

SIN

19:15

CGK

20:05

SIN

20:30

CGK

21:15

CGK

09:15

SIN

12:05

CGK

12:35

SIN

15:25

CGK

14:35

SIN

17:30

CGK

16:35

SIN

19:25

CGK

20:45

SIN

23:35

CGK

21:55

SIN

00:45

W

M

T

W

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

08:00

HKT

08:45

SIN

08:25

HKT

09:20

SIN

14:40

HKT

15:35

SIN

20:30

HKT

21:20

HKT

09:30

SIN

12:30

HKT

10:00

SIN

12:50

HKT

16:15

SIN

19:05

HKT

22:00

SIN

00:50

M

T

SINGAPORE – MEDAN / MEDAN – SINGAPORE 1 hour 25 minutes (GMT+7)

1 hour 45 minutes (GMT+7) Time

T

1 hour 45 minutes (GMT+7)

SINGAPORE – JAKARTA / JAKARTA – SINGAPORE Departure

M

SINGAPORE – PHUKET / PHUKET – SINGAPORE

* Service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb # Thursday & Sunday service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb

64

Departure

T

F

S

S

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

08:10

KNO

08:45

SIN

10:30

KNO

11:05

SIN

15:10

KNO

15:45

SIN

19:30

KNO

20:05

SIN

20:00

KNO

20:35

KNO

09:25

SIN

11:55

KNO

11:45

SIN

14:15

KNO

16:25

SIN

18:55

KNO

20:45

SIN

23:15

KNO

21:15

SIN

23:45

M

T

SINGAPORE – KUALA LUMPUR / KUALA LUMPUR – SINGAPORE 1 hour 5 minutes (GMT+8)

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

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

18:30

DAD

20:05

SIN

17:55

DAD

19:35

DAD

20:45

SIN

DAD

20:15

SIN

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

07:15

KUL

08:25 10:35

SIN

09:30

KUL

SIN*

12:50

KUL

13:55

#

SIN

17:40

KUL

18:40

00:35

SIN

18:00

KUL

19:05

00:05

SIN

19:40

KUL

20:45

KUL

09:05

SIN

10:15

KUL

11:20

SIN

12:30

SINGAPORE – DENPASAR / DENPASAR– SINGAPORE 2 hours 45 minutes (GMT+8) Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

07:05

DPS

09:55

DPS

10:45

SIN

13:25

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

KUL*

14:35

SIN

15:45

KUL#

19:20

SIN

20:35

KUL

19:50

SIN

21:00

KUL

21:25

SIN

22:35

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

T

F

S

S

* Friday service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb # Service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb

SINGAPORE – DARWIN / DARWIN – SINGAPORE 4 hours 30 minutes (GMT+9.5)

SINGAPORE – GUIYANG / GUIYANG - SINGAPORE

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN*

23:05

DRW

05:20

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

DRW#

06:00

SIN

09:00

SIN

10:40

KWE

15:05

KWE

15:55

SIN

20:45

* Monday, Tuesday & Thursday services from 1 Feb - 5 Feb # Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday services from 1 Feb - 5 Feb

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

4 hours 20 minutes (GMT+8) M

T

W

SINGAPORE – MANILA / MANILA – SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE – PHNOM PENH / PHNOM PENH – SINGAPORE

3 hours 35 minutes (GMT+8)

2 hours (GMT+7)

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

06:25

MNL

10:00

SIN*

06:55

PNH

07:55

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

SIN*

16:35

MNL

20:10

SIN

13:25

PNH

14:25

MNL

10:40

SIN

14:20

SIN

18:30

PNH

19:30

MNL*

20:50

SIN

00:30

PNH*

08:45

SIN

11:50

PNH

15:10

SIN

18:15

PNH

20:15

SIN

23:20

* Friday service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb

SINGAPORE – MANILA – OSAKA / OSAKA – MANILA – SINGAPORE

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

T

F

S

S

T

F

S

S

* Service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb

3 hours 35 minutes (from SIN to MNL); 3 hours 55 minutes (from MNL to KIX) (GMT+8/GMT+9) Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

02:20

MNL

05:55

SIN

02:15

MNL

05:50

MNL

06:55

KIX

11:35

MNL

06:50

KIX

11:30

KIX

13:05

MNL

16:40

KIX

12:45

MNL

16:20

MNL

17:40

SIN

21:20

MNL

18:30

SIN

22:10

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

SINGAPORE – SIEM REAP / SIEM REAP – SINGAPORE 2 hours 10 minutes (GMT+7) Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

12:50

REP

14:05 15:15

SIN

14:00

REP

REP

14:55

SIN

18:15

REP

16:00

SIN

19:25

M

T

W

SINGAPORE – YANGON / YANGON – SINGAPORE 2 hours 55 minutes (GMT+6.5)

SINGAPORE – PENANG / PENANG – SINGAPORE 1 hour 20 minutes (GMT+8)

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN*

09:10

RGN

10:40

#

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

17:30

RGN

19:00

SIN

10:40

PEN

12:05

SIN^

19:15

RGN

20:45

SIN

15:10

PEN

16:35

RGN*

11:35

SIN

16:05

SIN

19:45

PEN

21:15

RGN#

19:40

SIN

00:10

PEN

12:50

SIN

14:15

RGN^

21:25

SIN

01:55

PEN

17:15

SIN

18:40

PEN

21:55

SIN

23:20

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

W

* Tuesday service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb # Monday service from 6 Feb - 25 Mar ^ Service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb

65

SINGAPORE – PALEMBANG / PALEMBANG – SINGAPORE SINGAPORE – PERTH / PERTH – SINGAPORE

1 hour 05 minutes (GMT+7)

5 hours 25 minutes (GMT+8) Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN*

17:55

PER

23:10

SIN

02:20

PER

07:40

SIN

02:10

PER

07:30

PER #

00:10

SIN

05:25

PER

08:30

SIN

13:45

PER

08:20

SIN

13:35

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

13:25

PLM

13:40

PLM

14:20

SIN

16:25

2 hours (GMT+7)

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

07:10

TPE

11:55

TPE

12:45

KIX

16:15

SIN*

01:15

TPE

06:00

TPE

06:55

KIX

10:30

TPE*

07:00

KIX

10:30 19:30

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

KIX

17:10

TPE

SIN

07:10

SGN

08:15

TPE

20:20

SIN

01:15

SIN

14:00

SGN

15:05

KIX*

11:30

TPE

13:50

TPE*

14:50

SIN

19:45

19:20

SGN

20:30

08:55

SIN

12:00

SGN

15:45

SIN

18:50

SGN

21:10

SIN

00:15

W

T

F

S

S

4 hours 45 minutes (from SIN to TPE); 2 hours 40 minutes (from TPE to KIX) (GMT+8/GMT+9)

SINGAPORE – HO CHI MINH CITY / HO CHI MINH CITY – SINGAPORE

SIN

T

SINGAPORE – TAIPEI – OSAKA / OSAKA – TAIPEI – SINGAPORE

* Service operated by JQ from 1 Feb - 15 Feb # Services operated by JQ from 2 Feb - 16 Feb

SGN

M

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

* Monday service from 1 Feb - 5 Feb

SINGAPORE – SURABAYA / SURABAYA – SINGAPORE 2 hours 15 minutes (GMT+7)

SINGAPORE – PEKANBARU / PEKANBARU - SINGAPORE 1 hour (GMT+7) Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

09:25

PKU

09:30

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

11:55

SUB

13:25

SIN

12:55

SUB

14:25

SIN

18:40

SUB

20:10

SUB

14:05

SIN

17:30

SIN

13:25

PKU

13:30

SUB

15:05

SIN

18:30

PKU

10:10

SIN

12:05

SUB

21:00

SIN

00:25

PKU

14:10

SIN

16:05

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

SINGAPORE – SANYA / SANYA – SINGAPORE SINGAPORE – SHANTOU / SHANTOU – SINGAPORE

3 hours (from SIN to SYX) ; 3 hours 10 minutes (from SYX to SIN) (GMT+8)

4 hours 5 minutes (GMT+8) Time

Arrival

SIN

13:45

SWA

SWA

18:30

SIN

Departure

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

SIN

07:00

SYX

09:55

17:50

SYX

10:50

SIN

14:10

22:40

SYX

12:00

SIN

15:10

Time

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

Inflight I WHEN WE FLY

JETSTAR

JETSTAR PACIFIC

MELBOURNE – SINGAPORE / SINGAPORE– MELBOURNE

HO CHI MINH CITY – SINGAPORE / SINGAPORE – HO CHI MINH CITY

7 hours 45 minutes (GMT+11)

2 hours (GMT+7)

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

MEL

12:00

SIN

16:50

SGN

07:10

SIN

10:10

SIN

20:00

MEL

06:20

SIN

11:00

SGN

12:05

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

PERTH – DENPASAR – SINGAPORE / SINGAPORE – DENPASAR – PERTH 2 hours 35 minutes (from SIN to DPS); 3 hours 45 minutes (from DPS to PER) (GMT+8/GMT+8) Departure

Time

Arrival

Time

PER

17:35

DPS

21:15

DPS

22:45

SIN

01:25

SIN

05:20

DPS

08:00

DPS

08:50

PER

13:20

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

Flight durations are estimates only, departing from Singapore. Information correct at press time.

Operated by Jetstar Asia Airways Operated by Jetstar Airways Operated by Jetstar Pacific Airlines

66

SAFETY, SECURITY & COMFORT Carry-on baggage Liquids, aerosols or gels (LAGs) must be in containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml each. Containers must be placed in a transparent resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre.

Safety first Please ask the cabin crew for an infant seatbelt if your child is under two years old.

Return the infant seatbelt to our cabin crew upon disembarkation. Sleeping on the aircraft floor is not permitted. Please read the safety instruction card in your seat pocket, noting emergency exits and location of life jackets.

Please watch the safety

demonstration prior to take-off. In an emergency, the crew will give specific instructions. They may speak assertively and will require your cooperation.

from the lower legs.

During your flight, move your legs and feet three or four minutes per hour, and move about.

Cabin pressure Smoking Government regulations prohibit smoking on all flights. There are smoke detectors in all toilets and penalties for regulation breaches.

The importance of blood circulation and muscle relaxation during flights Compression stockings can assist in preventing swelling of the ankles and feet, and they may improve the blood return to the body

To “clear” your ears, try swallowing and/or yawning.

When you are flying with an infant, give them a dummy or feed them during the aircraft’s descent. Sucking and swallowing will help the infant equalise the pressure in their ears.

Cabin humidity / dehydration Low humidity in the aircraft cabin can cause drying of the nose, throat and eyes, and can irritate wearers of contact lenses.

Do: • Drink water frequently.

• Drink coffee, tea and alcohol only in moderation.

• Remove contact lenses if your eyes are irritated.

• Use a moisturiser to refresh skin.

Jetstar security policy Jetstar has a strict policy on denying boarding to any passengers who are inappropriate in flight or on ground in comments or behaviour. Jetstar does not accept any inappropriate comments as “jokes”.

All matters are referred to relevant authorities for prosecution. Jetstar will seek to recover all costs incurred as a result of inflight incidents from those involved.

Inflight I DESTINATIONS

67

Danang MATHEW PRYKE Head PGA professional at Ba Na Hills Golf Club; banahillsgolf.com A must-do if you’re only there for a day... Ba Na Hills Mountain Resort is a must-do as it offers beautiful views 2,500m above Danang. If you are a golfer, Ba Na Hills Golf Club is the most

VIETNAM

picturesque golf course in central Vietnam, with vast landscapes and beautiful views of Ba Na Mountain.

The best place for a drink or meal with a view…

Nautica Beach Club at Premier Village Resort. It overlooks an infinity pool, palm trees and the ocean – truly beautiful.

The most scenic spot…

Head to the top of Monkey Mountain, overlooking the city. You can ride a motorbike up the mountain.

The best place for a selfie…

On Bach Dang Street, in front of the Dragon Bridge, especially on a weekend at around 9pm, when the dragon starts its fire-breathing show.

The best place to go shopping… Vincom shopping centre if you are looking for new, upmarket goods. Hoi An is the best spot for local

items and souvenirs.

My favourite street… Duong Vo Nguyen Giap as it runs along the beach and has a number of bars and restaurants.

The best place for local eats…

Draft Beer offers great local food and beer at reasonable prices.

A good souvenir...

Vietnamese lanterns in all sorts of colours and designs; the best ones can be purchased in Hoi An.

Inflight I DESTINATIONS

68

Hong Kong JON POON Assistant chief concierge at Dorsett Wanchai, Hong Kong; wanchai.dorsetthotels.com The best local hangout…

You haven’t been to Hong Kong if you haven’t been to Victoria Harbour.

A must-do if you’re only there for a day... Go on a daytime open-top bus tour to view the city’s tourist attractions.

CHINA

A place that visitors might not be aware of… The Ping Shan Heritage Trail offers an interesting glimpse into the other side of Hong Kong. The wellpreserved centuries-old ancestral village buildings remind me of the old stories my grandmother used to tell me.

The best place for local eats…

A 10-minute walk from the Dorsett Wanchai is Tin Lok Lane where you can find all kinds of shops selling food – noodles, street food, dim sum restaurants, traditional bakeries, and more.

The most scenic spot…

Sky Terrace 428. It is located at The Peak and stands 428m above sea level.

My favourite street…

Hollywood Road – an historical street that runs from Central and through Sheung Wan. This is

where you’ll find antique shops, nice cafés and the Man Mo Temple.

The best freebie… The permanent exhibitions at the Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence and Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum.

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Phuket CLAUDE SAUTER General manager at The Surin Phuket; thesurinphuket.com

The best place for a drink or meal with a view... The Beach Bar at The Surin Phuket, one of the first luxury resorts located on Pansea Beach. Go for the sunset, stay for the cocktails.

THAILAND

The best local hangout…

Take a long-tail boat to Promthep Cape to watch the sunset. The beach area can get crowded so it’s better to be on the Andaman Sea. A must-do if you’re only there for a day... Book a day trip with a sea kayak company, preferably

John Gray’s Sea Canoe, and visit the hong (caves) in the fabulous Phang Nga Bay. A place that visitors might not be aware of… A nice Thai dinner at Suay Restaurant in Phuket Town, followed by a drink (or more) at Ka Jok See. It’s probably the smallest club in Phuket but guaranteed fun.

The most scenic spot… The Cape Panwa viewpoint, overlooking the Chalong Pier, and the Coral and Phi Phi islands.

The best place to go shopping… For arts and crafts, it would have

to be Phuket Town. Be prepared to wander and you’ll discover interesting boutiques and local shops. You might want to go to the Naka Night Market during the weekend for clothing, accessories and gifts, too.

The best way to get around the city… Rent a car and head south, stopping for lunch in Rawai gypsy village, about a 40-minute drive from Phuket.

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Bali

INDONESIA

SAVITRI TALAHATU Wellness director at YTL Hotels; spavillageresort.com A place that visitors might not be aware of… Check out some live jazz at Griya Santrian in Sanur and Casa Luna in Ubud.

A must-do if you’re only there for a day... If you’re staying at Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali, take

a hike to Les Waterfall, then to Ponjok Batu cliff temple for melukat (a cleansing ritual), and to the Surya Indigo weaving cooperative.

The best local hangout…

Three Monkeys in Sanur and Ubud. I enjoy taking friends there for good food and conversation.

The place is intimate and unpretentious.

The best place to go shopping… My favourite street in Ubud between the airport and the resort is Jalan Gautama because of how charming this small street is. You can find restaurants with food from all over the world and even take up classes on jewellerymaking and cooking.

The best place for local eats… You have to try babi guling (pig roast), a Balinese delicacy. My favourite place to eat it is Ibu Oka in Ubud.

A good souvenir... A small carved wooden statue because it is not breakable, easy to carry and reasonably priced. Get a few at the Tegallalang Artist Village.

The best place for a drink or meal with a view...

Kintamani, just over an hour’s drive from Ubud. You can enjoy the heavenly views of Mt Batur and Mt Abang and Agung.

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Penang ERIC TEA Vice president at Vistana Hotels; vistanahotels.com The best place for a drink or meal with a view… David Brown’s at Penang Hill, a quintessential British colonial restaurant and tea terrace, which is also the highest restaurant in Penang. It’s hidden amid lush greenery with a

M A L AY S I A

spectacular view of every significant landmark.

A place in the city that visitors might not be aware of… Moody Cow’s Cafe.

It has a wide range of rich, dense and satisfying cheesecakes; the durian musang king cheesecake and the chempedak cheesecake are the highlights.

The best freebie… The Rapid Penang Central Area Transit, a free

shuttle bus service. Its route goes from Jetty to Penang Road and back and it makes 19 stops at strategic points of interest. The service runs from 6am to midnight.

The best place for a selfie or groufie is… China House, a compound of three heritage buildings that

has been converted into 14 uniquely designed areas.

The best place to go shopping… The largest shopping mall in Penang is Queensbay Mall, with more than 500 stores.

The best place for local eats…

Hawker centres such as the Super Tanker Food Court in Bayan Lepas serve a wide variety of inexpensive food.

A good souvenir... Nutmeg.

Penang has been cultivating it since colonial days. The older generation believes nutmeg oil serves many medicinal purposes.

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Singapore KENNY LEUNG Business development and project manager at Imperial Treasure; imperialtreasure.com The best local hangout…

The National Gallery.

It opened in 2015 and features numerous artworks in a stunning colonial architecture building – wander in it for hours.

SINGAPORE

A must-do if you’re only there for a day... You haven’t done Singapore if you haven’t gone on a food tour. Make sure you try our Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck – said to be the most authentic iteration of its signature dish, slow-roasted to perfection and sliced by Beijing chefs.

A place that visitors might not be aware of… Tamarind Hill Singapore in the lush Labrador Nature Reserve.

It serves contemporary and traditional Thai cuisine in an authentic black and white house.

The best place for a selfie or groufie… Marina Barrage or at the top of the Singapore Flyer. You get a panoramic view of Singapore, which has developed one of the most unique skylines in the world over the past few years.

The best place to go shopping… Marina Bay Sands (MBS). Its variety of shops ranges from local to high street and international designer brands. MBS is also home to a casino and hotel.

The best place for local eats…

Singapore is famous for its hawker stalls and East Coast Lagoon Food Village is arguably the most iconic and the only one by the beach.

Inflight I TRAVEL TALES

TRAVAILS WITH MY MAN

ILLUSTRATION ISTOCK

The exotic Balinese villa was supposed to be a dream honeymoon. But even the best-laid romantic plans go awry, says Marianne Wee-Slater WE WERE YOUNG, madly in love and had just spent a gruelling 10 months preparing for the Wedding of the Century, which had zipped by in a champagne-fuelled blur.

We thought the Dream Wedding hadn’t left much budget for us to plan the Dream Honeymoon. But then we counted the bills in that little mountain of ang baos after the postwedding hangover had passed, and realised that, lo and behold, we did indeed have enough cash to travel.

So we booked flights to Bali, fantasising about staying in an opulent villa and getting daily massages, away from the stresses of urban living.

I had my heart set on a boutique resort in Ubud that sounded adorably quirky (it served a Viennese high tea daily), exotic (the view from its hillside perch looked amazing) and, most importantly, had private outdoor Jacuzzis. On impulse, I made a booking for an eight-night stay in the pricey honeymoon villa, convinced that we were set for the romantic vacation of our lifetime.

Unfortunately, the villa appeared a lot more rustic than the images on the website did, with gaps between the thatched roof

ea This is not my id of romance!

and the bamboo walls.

The outdoor Jacuzzi looked green with moss and the Viennese high tea consisted of a CD player that played tinny symphonic music.

But the real disaster struck at night. We lay in bed, wide awake, listening to the very clear sounds of the other guests in the surrounding villas; snoring, coughing and, of course, a baby crying.

Then all around us, the jungle came to life with croaks, squeaks and rattling insect noises.

“I don’t know how we are going to sleep here for eight nights,” my husband

Ben whispered as I tried stoically to meditate myself into dreamland.

Just then, there was a loud thud on the wall, and something very large and emitting a deafening buzzing sound landed on my forehead. Naturally, I screamed and dove for the covers. It thankfully flew off my face and proceeded to buzz erratically around the room as we hid quivering in fear underneath the blanket.

After what seemed like an eternity, dawn finally arrived. We mustered up the courage to dash for the door, holding the

blanket over us to fend off further attacks from the mysterious giant tropical insect, and headed for the front desk to cancel the rest of our stay.

We had to forfeit the hefty deposit and spent the second day of our honeymoon hunting for last-minute budget accommodation while utterly exhausted.

“Never mind,” said Ben with a twinkle in his sleep-deprived eyes.

“This will make a hell of a story.”

Fast forward 15 years later and the story never fails to regale. And that is truly priceless.