jetstar MAGAZINE
JAN–FEB 2018
MAGAZINE
PENANG I HONG KONG I HO CHI MINH CITY
The art of discovery 12 GREAT WAYS TO LEARN AND EXPLORE IN SINGAPORE
JAN–FEB 2018
Perfect perks Earn free hotel stays at more than 8,100 properties, plus get late checkout with the Wyndham Rewards hotel loyalty program
This page: Redeem your Wyndham Rewards for a yoga retreat at the scenic Wyndham Tamansari Jivva Resort Bali Opposite: Enjoy a massage in a beachside hut at the Wyndham Tamansari Jivva Resort Bali
ADVERTORIAL
Rest and relax with your Wyndham Rewards points
I
f you sign up for a hotel loyalty membership, what would you want to redeem most? A free night’s stay, of course. This is the idea behind Wyndham Rewards, offered by one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Hotel Group. And it’s available at more than 8,100 hotel locations in popular destinations like Bali, Shanghai, New York and more.
How to redeem points Wyndham Rewards is the first global program to offer a flat redemption rate at this scale. For instance, under the ‘Go Free’ scheme, you can redeem 15,000 points for a free night at any Wyndham Rewards hotel, home or condo participating in the program. All you
have to do is visit WyndhamRewards.com/ Redeem and follow the instructions on the page. Under the ‘Go Fast’ scheme, you can use 3,000 points to redeem a night’s stay at participating hotels with a cash top-up.
How to earn points So how do you earn your loyalty points? Every qualified stay will earn you 10 points per US dollar spent or 1,000 points (whichever is more). So, for example, if you spend US$50 (S$68), you will earn 1,000 points. The Wyndham Rewards’ Member Levels also have the most attainable entry-level status in the market. After five nights, you unlock Gold level, which entitles you to late checkout. You can also use your points to redeem local gift vouchers and more.
Sign up now at WyndhamRewards.com
One of the hotels where you can redeem exciting experiences with your Wyndham Rewards points is the Wyndham Tamansari Jivva Resort Bali. Located in one of Bali’s most important former kingdoms, Klungkung, this sprawling beachfront resort is surrounded by lush nature. At Tirta Spa and Wellness Centre, enjoy a massage in one of eight beachside garden huts, each with a rain shower, bath and private terrace. Plenty of on-site activities are available, including yoga classes or an authentic Indonesian cooking class. The resort’s in-house Bumbu Restaurant serves local cuisine made with the freshest seafood and also offers gourmet lunchboxes for a day out at sea. And Jivva Beach Club has colourful parasols and beanbags for guests to lounge around and serves delicious Indonesian food.
AN EXHIBITION FOR EVERY FANCY At ArtScience Museum, there’s something to see and do (and be awed by) whether you like street art, natural history or digital wizardry
If you’re a street art aficionado There’s no better place to be than at the Art from the Streets exhibition from 13 January to 3 June, 2018. Why? This first major retrospective of street art in Southeast Asia will trace 40 years of the urban art movement. Be wowed by nearly 200 works such as on-site projects, paintings, installations, videos, archives and sketches from some of the world’s most well-known street artists including Shepard Fairey (aka Obey), Futura, Invader, JR, Blek le Rat, Swoon and Vhils. Plus, there will be a focus on emerging Southeast Asian street artists. You’ll also get to see how new technologies have given artists fresh ways of expressing themselves.
If you are in love with history You’ll probably know of the famous Natural History Museum in London – it showcases one of the most scientifically significant natural history collections in the world, including relics and artefacts from bygone eras of nature. Can’t get there in person?
The museum is coming to you in the form of the Treasures of the Natural World exhibition at ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. Until 29 April, go on a discovery trail and get up close and personal with animals, insects, art, gems (including one mysterious cursed amethyst!), minerals, books and more. These were hand-picked from more than 80 million specimens and mark the first time that the Natural History Museum’s prized treasures have made their way to Southeast Asia. Some of the manuscripts and collections on display even belonged to prominent scientists such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. Look out for highlights of the exhibition, including preserved remnants and bodies, such as the Emperor Penguin chick skin, the model dodo and the sabre-toothed cat; and see a Martian meteorite, consisting of Nakhlite, recovered in Egypt. Young children will love the hands-on activities that include various treasure stops where they can role-play as explorers and set sail on a boat, find famed explorer Wallace and craft paper artwork.
ADVERTORIAL
If you love digital magic You’ll marvel at how high-tech interactive artworks and cutting-edge digital installations can create new worlds… in a room. A collaboration with renowned Japanese interdisciplinary art collective teamLab, the ongoing permanent Future World: Where Art Meets Science exhibition will keep you and your young ones busy. The exhibition makes clever use of interactive digital installations to display incredible shows of colour. Be sure to stop by the highly Instagramable Crystal Universe. This is a ‘forest’ of more than 170,000 LED lights that give the illusion of stars moving in space. Swipe from smart devices within the installation and witness planets, galaxies and gravitational waves being formed. Also, stand in the centre of this ‘universe’ and watch how the light and body of installation respond to your mass and movements. At Sketch Town, doodle something and watch it come to life – you can even take home a 3D version of your work. This area is inspired by a fictitious town in Singapore and includes landmarks such as the Merlion, the Singapore Flyer and, yes, ArtScience Museum. Young visitors can use the provided crayons and paper to draw a building or a vehicle and watch them come to life on the digital screen. It’s interactive, too, and if you touch a car illustration, for example, it could accelerate or change its course.
Visit marinabaysands.com/artsciencemuseum for information on upcoming guided tours, workshops and events.
Top to bottom: Eastern Skies mural by Faile. Image courtesy of Danysz Gallery; be captivated by Crystal Universe; model of a dodo from the Museum of Natural History, London
contents
Fun shopping in Hat Yai
62
JAN–FEB 2018
16
54 05
22
24 INSIDER
䱲程僤됮
12 I THE HOT LIST
22 I 5 OF THE BEST
44 I SWEET STUFF
66 I ❇崍倝僱㣐♶ず
Events not to miss, from Bond songs to emerging artists
Hong Kong restaurants dishing up nostalgic favourites
The next ice age of desserts
68 I 〵⻌鸔遳馰
24 I IN PROFILE
49 I UNDERWORLD WONDERS
14 I ON THE RADAR New spots worth a visit
15 I WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE? Packing hacks from a seasoned writer and traveller COVER ARTWORK CHARIS TSEVIS
36
16 I 24 HOURS Hidden hangouts in Saigon
18 I INSTAGRAMABLE Top shots in Brisbane
20 I POSTCODE George Town gems include vintage shopping and street art
Myanmar’s pop princess on choosing music over medicine
26I BEAUTY ON THE FLY
Incredible caves in Vietnam
54 I TRAVEL TREND
Fresh scents
Boisterous Philippines festivals
27 I SHOP IT
58 I WELLNESS
We have contemporary travel style sorted
28 I 12 NEW DISCOVERIES IN SINGAPORE
Do these weird treatments really work?
62 I AT THE MARKET
Learn, explore and play with these fun activities
Hat Yai’s lively markets
36 I PHOTO ESSAY
Travelling with colleagues? Beware of these pitfalls
Japan’s beautiful Kamakura
88 I TRAVEL TALES
INFLIGHT 72 I Jetstar news 74 I #StarJourneys winners
75 I Where am I? 76 I Where we fly 82 I Destinations
Welcome I From the CEO
EDITORIAL For all editorial enquiries, please email Jetstarasia@hardiegrant.com.au Publisher Tiffany Sayers Group Editor Justine Costigan Managing Editor Sophie Hull Commissioning Editor Pearlyn Tham Art Director Dan Morley Senior Designer Sue Morony Publishing Executive Alana Young
Welcome aboard JAN–FEB 2018
ADVERTISING Managed by Phar Partnerships Pte Ltd. One George Street, 10-01, Singapore 049145 Singapore Kenneth Pinlac kenneth.pinlac@pharpartnerships.com +65 9027 1090 Malaysia Senthuran Mohan sen.mohan@pharpartnerships.com +60 16 972 7995; +603 2242 1230 Indonesia Vikhram Radhakrishnan vikhram.r@pharpartnerships.com +62 8131 5814 690; +65 932 058 30
HARDIE GRANT MEDIA Managing Director Nick Hardie Grant 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 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.
Happy New Year!
W
e are so pleased to welcome you on board this New Year and take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy New Year. 2017 was a remarkable year for us as we carried a new record number of customers throughout the Jetstar Asia network. In 2017, we know that many of you choose to fly Jetstar throughout the year and we thank you for your support. To make your travel more rewarding in 2018, sign up for our new membership programme called Club Jetstar to gain access to sales, exclusive fares and discounts on bags and seat selection. With our brand new destinations in Okinawa, Clark and Hat Yai, you have more to look forward to across our 28 destinations this year. To kick off the new year, we re-introduced the ‘Jetstar Long Weekend Flight Package’ where over seven public holiday weekends, customers
could book seven return flights to seven amazing destinations for just S$2,018 per person this year. Throughout the year, we will also endeavour to roll out great promotions to bring you to your favourite cities, beaches and destinations to enjoy the culinary delights, urban city appeal or just soak in the sun, sand and sea. As we enter the busy Chinese New Year season, you can look forward to more flights to popular destinations in Malaysia and Indonesia. On this note, welcome back to Jetstar this year and be assured that you are not only flying on the only five-star rated airline for punctuality but our teams will do their best to live up to their reputation in safety and service excellence. Welcome on board and have a great and safe flight.
Barathan Pasupathi CEO, Jetstar Asia Airways
07
Welcome I Group CEO note
JAN–FEB HIGHLIGHTS
Happy New Year
08
I saw firsthand the effort of our people to make this happen, and was really proud
I
n just a few months as Jetstar Group CEO, I have been touched by the passion of our team members to go above and beyond for our customers. In November, we experienced a significant disruption to flights in and out of Bali when Mount Agung erupted. Across Australia and Asia, our teams worked around the clock to minimise the impact to people’s travel plans as much as possible. Relief flights were scheduled during every window of opportunity, and within a few days Jetstar and Qantas were able to bring 8,000 passengers out of Bali and into Australia and Singapore.
Here are just some of the things we love in this month’s issue – enjoy!
I saw firsthand the effort of our people to make this happen, and was really proud when so many customers contacted us to express their personal thanks to our crew. To celebrate the holiday season, each and every Jetstar team member across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan has a Jetstar gift voucher to give to somebody of their choice throughout December and January. It’s an annual program called ‘Gift of Giving’ and each year there are incredible stories to be told. One story from last year was of an 88-year-old vision-impaired woman who was flying for the first time to visit some loved ones. She had planned on taking the bus home, but with the help of our crew’s Gift of Giving vouchers, she was able to fly home. I hope you enjoy your flight with us today and I encourage you to get to know your crew on board.
Cool treats p44
Are you game to try this? Treatment trends p58
Gareth Evans Jetstar Group CEO
Catch a parade p12
Share your Jetstar journey with us
FOLLOW: @jetst
arasia
Hong Kong shopping
Insider travel tips p82
MDIS Business School • • • • • Ranked among the Top 2% of Global Higher Education Institutions in the World – The Times Higher Education World University 2015-2016 Top 15 UK University for Student Experience – The Times and Sunday Times League Table 2016
#
Master of Business Administration in Banking and Finance Master of Business Administration in International Marketing Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting and Finance# Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Banking and Finance# Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business Studies and Finance
Accredited by ACCA. Students upon completing the programme will get ACCA exemptions.
Awarded by Bangor University, UK
• • • • •
Master of Business Administration Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Accounting and Financial Management (Top-up) Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Business and Marketing (Top-up) Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Business Management (Top-up) Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Business and Management (Top-up)
Awarded by the University of Sunderland, UK
Best in the North East for satisfaction with teaching including Management and Marketing (The Guardian University Guide 2017) Ranked 4th in The Guardian University Guide 2018: League Table for Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism
School of Tourism and Hospitality • •
Master of Science Tourism and Hospitality Bachelor of Science (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-up)
Awarded by the University of Sunderland, UK
2018 Intakes Now Open for Admission SMS MBSJS <space> Name <space> Email address to 9753 9522 for more details MDIS values your privacy and we are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2012. By providing your contact details to us, you hereby agree that MDIS may use your personal data that you have provided to us to contact you by mail, email, text messages or telephone calls for marketing purposes.
THINK SUCCESS. THINK MDIS. (+65) 6247 9111 / 6372 1000 (For Local Students) (+65) 6796 7660 (For International Students) SINGAPORE
etc@mdis.edu.sg (For Local Students) ib@mdis.edu.sg (For International Students) www.mdis.edu.sg
RANDY ADRIANSYAH ADR Student (2016)
BE APPRECIATED FOR EMPOWERING LIVES THROUGH SCIENCE. BE A MONUMENTAL SUCCESS
MDIS SCHOOL OF HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCES Science enhances our quality of life. Gain practical experience in our well-equipped laboratories as you hatch discoveries to improve and protect lives. Ranked 55th in The Complete University Guide 2017 for the University Subject Tables for Biological Sciences
ENROLLMENT FOR 2018 NOW OPEN!
Ranked 32nd in The Guardian University Guide 2017 for the League Table for Health Professions
Master of Science in Health Sciences (Management) (Full-time / Part-time)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biomedical Science† (Full-time) †
Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) in the UK
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biotechnology (Full-time) Awarded by Northumbria University, UK
Contact us, or visit our website today for more information about our programmes.
International Foundation Diploma in Biomedical Sciences (Full-time / Part-time) Awarded by MDIS
THINK SUCCESS. THINK MDIS. (+65) 6247 9111 / 6372 1000 etc@mdis.edu.sg
SINGAPORE OHSAS 18001
CERT NO.: OHS-2010-0307 BS OHSAS 18001 : 2007
www.mdis.edu.sg
THAIPUSAM FESTIVAL An annual temple festival celebrated by Hindus in Singapore, Thaipusam falls between 14 January and 14 February. It is a day of prayers and penance, when devotees carry fruit, flowers, pots of milk or the kavadi, a wooden religious structure decorated with peacock feathers. This year, Thaipusam falls on 31 January but the festival, which includes a long street procession, will be cut short by a few hours, due to a lunar eclipse – considered inauspicious in Hinduism.
PHOTO GETTY IMAGES
11
HONG KONG DINING 22 I ANOTHER SIDE TO SINGAPORE 28 I SANTO NIÑO 54
The hot list Watch a lively street parade, meet cute Australian animals and become the proud new owner of Filipino artworks
Cultural celebration 23–24 Feb
At the Chingay Parade, celebrate Singapore’s lively multicultural society with costumes and traditions from the many cultures that call the Lion City home. Expect vibrant floats, lion puppets and traditional dancers in this parade and street performance. F1 Pit Building, Singapore; chingay.org.sg
Music in the fast lane
Travelers: Stepping into the unknown 21 Jan–6 May Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Osaka’s National Museum of Art at this special exhibition examining local history and culture. Works by more than 40 Japanese and international artists examine society in Osaka. The National Museum of Art, Osaka, nmao.go.jp
Be a dance music warrior
Start your art collection now
17 Mar Transmission isn’t your ordinary music festival. Electronic dance music by some of the world’s hottest acts will be performed amid incredible light and laser shows, fireworks, fire effects, and short films that explore this year’s festival theme: the spirit of the warrior. BITEC B-Square, Bangkok, transmission.events
1–4 Mar Fill the blank space on your walls with new artworks from talented artists at the Art Fair Philippines. Some of the best local artists will be giving a snapshot of the Southeast Asian art landscape, across 28 contemporary galleries and seven solo exhibitions. The Link Ayala Centre, Makati; artfairphilippines.com
The line-up for this year’s St Jerome’s Laneway Festival at Gardens by the Bay is one of the most hyped in Laneway Singapore history. Don’t miss performances by Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals, who have become one of the most exciting live acts around with their high-energy funk fusion. Other hot performances will include teenage superstar Billie Eilish and Australian indie favourite Amy Shark (pictured above). The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, singapore. lanewayfestival.com
WORDS ALANA YOUNG PHOTOS LANEWAY FESTIVAL SINGAPORE
27 Jan
12
Insider I EVENTS
going Meet sailors world around the
Twilight at Taronga
3 The number of James Bond theme songs sung by Shirley Bassey – more than any other artist. Hear these classic hits and many more from the movie franchise performed by a 28-piece band at Marina Bay Sands from 19 to 20 January.
2 Feb–17 Mar Make the most of the Australian summer at this outdoor concert series. Enjoy a picturesque sunset to the sounds of indie hard-hitters The Jezabels, homegrown icons Neil and Liam Finn, and alt-rockers The Preatures. Think you’re a music expert? Test your music trivia knowledge at RocKwiz Live, or meet the animals – every Twilight at Taronga ticket includes free same-day zoo entry and free public transport. Adult tickets start at AUD$77 (S$79) and all proceeds go towards Taronga Zoo’s ongoing conservation work. Taronga Zoo, Sydney; twilightattaronga.org.au
entertainment. marinabaysands. com/allevents
Muriel’s Wedding the Musical Until 27 Jan Muriel Heslop’s dream wedding is perfectly planned out. There’s just one thing missing: the groom. With the film’s beloved soundtrack of ABBA hits performed by a live band and an updated script by the original writer, this is a quintessential Australian musical based on the iconic 1994 film. With creative sets, colourful costumes and both emotional and laugh-out-loud moments, you’ll want to get in quickly before it closes. Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney, sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on
Don’t miss the boats 17–31 Jan
Hong Kong hosts the finish line of the fifth leg of the incredible eight-month roundthe-world sailing competition, The Volvo Ocean Race. Cheer on the competitors during this festival that has everything from interactive games and 3D cinemas to plenty of food and drink. Entry is free and you can get up close and personal with the super-tall (think 10 storeys high!) yachts. Kai Tak Runway Park, Hong Kong; volvooceanracehk.com
13
Insider I NEWS
On the radar
Soak up the stars in the desert, have a day out in Bali and rediscover a Hong Kong icon
14
The Ancient Religions collection is the new permanent exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. Learn how Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism travelled across the Asian continent. Some of Southeast Asia’s most valuable religious treasures are on display here too, including a stone carving depicting Buddha’s descent from heaven.
50,000 lights and you Don’t miss your last chance to see the award-winning Field of Light exhibition at Uluru before it wraps up on 31 March. Every night the Australian desert is illuminated with more than 50,000 colourful lights with the majestic Uluru in the background. Step through the glowing pathways, but don’t forget to look up. The stars are very bright at Uluru and some tours include an expert talk about the southern hemisphere night sky. This is the ultimate way to experience Australia’s spiritual heartland. ayersrockresort.com.au/events
Asian Civilisations Museum, acm.org.sg
Why not make a day of it?
A historic Hong Kong stay
On the go Muslim millennials
Have time to spare between an early checkout and a late flight? Or just fancy a relaxing day by an infinity pool overlooking the ocean? Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort’s day-use package lets you enjoy the resort’s grounds and facilities including the pool and spa, bars and restaurants, wifi access and luggage storage. Packages start at IDR$475,000 (S$48). sheratonbalikuta.com
The Murray Hotel, in one of Hong Kong’s most iconic buildings, has been restored. Stay here to experience Cantonese cuisine and delicious cocktails in a rooftop bar with panoramic views. And it’s just a few minutes’ walk away from Hong Kong Park and the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. marcopolohotels.com/en/ niccolo/hotels
A recent study estimates that Muslim millennials, aged 18–36, will be spending more than US$100 billion (S$135 billion) on travel by 2025. The study, conducted by Mastercard and HalalTrip, found that Muslim millennials have a strong desire to explore the world. Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and Thailand are among the top 10 most-visited locations for this demographic.
WORDS ALANA YOUNG IMAGES BRUCE MUNRO’S FIELD OF LIGHT ULURU. PHOTO BY MARK PICKTHALL
Learn about ancient religions
Insider I WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE?
Doh Kin never travels without his camera
15
The write stuff
PHOTO ROGER CHUA STYLING JONATHAN CHIA
Ling Doh Kin quit his public relations job in 2009 and now sees the world for a living as the founder of a travel website
Ling Doh Kin Author and founder of Bigfoottraveller.com @lingdohkin
ONCE EVERY TWO MONTHS, I take short trips to nearby cities for work or pleasure, and every year, I go on three personal trips that last about three weeks each. I backpack in Myanmar, China, Cuba or Tunisia, or I do a road trip in Europe. In 2010, I founded Bigfoottraveller.com when I saw there was a gap for travel information in Chinese. As a travel writer, a photographer
and an author, my travel and work are inseparable. My favourite overnighter is this handstitched leather bag from Morocco. I always have my Canon 60D to capture inspiring moments. When I travel, I collect scarves, tote bags, home and décor accessories, and paintings as they remind me of my holidays on a daily basis. Some packing tips that I can share: never
put your house keys in the checked-in luggage in case it gets lost, save space by putting thick winter clothing in vacuum-pack bags, and take versatile basics that you can layer to suit the climate. As my trips involve hiking in the day and fine dining in the evening, I mix and match monotone basics, and elevate them for evening events with a jacket and leather loafers.
24 HOURS IN
Hide and seek Saigon’s best-kept secrets are tucked away in alleyways and arcades, hidden above staircases and concealed on rooftops
9AM Breakfast like a local Start the day with a local secret: nondescript Bánh Cuân Hai Nam restaurant. This simple flat-roofed concrete eatery on a suburban street does one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best banh cuon, a traditional steamed rice-paper pancake dish stuffed with pork, mushroom and shrimp, and garnished with fried Asian garlic and shallots. Where: 11A Duong Cao Thang D2, +84 38 393 394
16
Mockingbird Cafe is a relaxed pitstop with a view
Find your way up a musty staircase in an old building and you’ll stumble upon this boho chic hangout with a labyrinth of floors where you’ll browse vintage boutiques and indie clothing shops. On the fourth floor, Mockingbird Cafe is a student hangout with windows overlooking the heritage buildings of the old town (the part of the city the French built; also known as District 1). If you like your java strong and laden with condensed milk, order a Vietnamese coffee. Where: 4/14, Duong Ton That Dam, D1, +84 97 323 7029
WORDS PENNY WATSON PHOTOS MOCKINGBIRD CAFE
10.30AM Coffee with soul
Insider I DAY TRIPPER
Top to bottom: Swanky Social Club Rooftop Bar; craft beer from Pasteur Brewing; fusion food from L’Usine
4.30PM The heights of creativity The Café Apartment is on Walking Street, the city’s main promenade, but most people would walk right past this old apartment building that has been converted into a creative hub. Head through the alley and up the lift (for a small fee) to access coffee shops, teahouses, artists’ studios and local designer shops with an arty feel. Where: 42 Nguyen Hue St, D1
7PM Colonial charm
12.30PM Where
the cool kids go L’Usine is a cosmopolitan café and shop bringing contemporary Saigon to the people. Browse a curated collection of Vietnamese clothing labels and quality giftware. The eatery’s Viet-fusion menu includes favourites such as corianderand-cucumber-stuffed bánh mì (bread rolls) and fresh juices. Where: 151/5 Dong Khoi, D1, lusinespace.com
3PM Views and brews After lunch, keep strolling. Saigon’s old town has some gems including the historic Opera House and Hotel Continental. When you’ve worked up a thirst, head to Pasteur Street Brewing Co, located down an alley and up a flight of wooden stairs. Its interesting draft beers combine American craftbrewing techniques with fresh Vietnamese ingredients. Where: 144 Pasteur St, D1, pasteurstreet.com
Tucked away in a corner of District 1, Cuc Gach Quan is in a converted old French colonial villa designed by Vietnamese architect Tran Binh. It’s a rustic charmer, with nostalgic Indochine décor and lush gardens that create heavenly spaces for dining on Vietnamese fare. Where: 10 Dang Tat, D1, cucgachquan. restaurantsnapshot.com
9PM The city lights Nightcaps and night lights are the highlight at Social Club Rooftop Bar, located above the restaurant at the gorgeous Hôtel Des Arts Saigon. It has the city’s highest swimming pool, which is lit up at night, plus DJ sets, and a cocktail concierge who matches drinks to your tastes. Where: Rooftop, 76–78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3, hoteldesartssaigon.com
Travel Info Singapore HCMC four flights daily. jetstar.com
17
RIVER ADVENTURE
@jarryd23
Just because you’re in the heart of the city, it doesn’t mean you can’t get close to nature. If you’re looking for something relaxing, why not rent a kayak and paddle along the Brisbane River?
BRISBANE’S TOP INSTAGRAM SHOTS The capital of Queensland, Australia, is where creativity and adventure meet. At its heart is the Brisbane River, but you’ll also find mountains, wildlife and wide-open spaces
@merylouche
TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN Mount Beerwah is about an hour’s drive from Brisbane. The site, which is spiritually significant to Australia’s Aboriginal people, has a few walking tracks that will take you to the summit. @courtlalala
18
@timcarey86
MEET THE WILDLIFE A 15-minute drive from the city, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to more than 130 of the sometimes grumpy but always gorgeous marsupials, plus kangaroos and wombats.
WORK OF ART Keep an eye out for quirky art, like this steel ball in Brisbane Square. Made from recycled steamers welded onto a metal plate, the sphere makes for an striking, creative photo.
SKY HIGH
@michalio83
The Brisbane River, with its little boats, verdant parks and gardens, gives a sense of calm to this panoramic city scene. A helicopter ride is the best way to experience such a beautiful view.
@ngairenaran
Insider I INSTAGRAMABLE
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT Brisbane’s Story Bridge is illuminated at dusk, giving the city a fun, festive vibe. The colours vary according to the day and occasion, but one thing’s for sure – it’s hard to miss this iconic landmark.
MARKET STYLE
@oxlade_heart
The Jan Powers Farmers Markets is a Brisbane shopping highlight. You’ll find plenty of colourful and fashionable bags and accessories, along with fresh produce, baked goods and hot food. 19
@erica_clydsdale
WORDS SASHA GONZALES
ROUND & ROUND WE GO There’s no way you can miss the Wheel of Brisbane, a 60m-high observation wheel with 360-degree views of the city and beyond. Afraid of heights? The Wheel also makes for a pretty picture from the ground.
@thetravelwizz
HIDDEN GEM Heritage-listed Enoggera Reservoir dates back to the 1860s. Tucked away in a leafy suburb called The Gap, it’s a lovely spot to swim, kayak or stand-up paddle. Check out the walking track and picnic areas.
@clarisse.daily
TAG US Don’t forget to tag us @jetstarasia #jetstarasia when you’re sharing your travel snaps.
BIKE AROUND BRISBANE It’s a workout with a view. Rent a bike and cycle your way around the city while getting some fresh air, sunshine and exercise and soaking up some amazing CBD and river views.
20
A dose of culture Penang’s George Town World Heritage Site is abuzz with the old and the new, where street art and modern cafés sit side by side with pre-war heritage buildings
Join the queue in the sweltering heat along Lebuh Keng Kwee for a bowl of delicious cendol – a shaved-ice dessert topped with coconut milk, palm sugar, kidney beans and rice-flour jelly. A family-run business that started in 1936, this cendol stall now has 22 franchises all over Malaysia, but this is the original booth started by founder Tan Teik Fuang. 27 and 29 Lebuh Keng Kwee, chendul.my
Insider I POSTCODE
A restaurant, live music venue, bakery and art gallery all rolled into one – ChinaHouse is a 16,000sq-ft hybrid space made up of three heritage houses. Sip wine in the private dining area, browse through the library or dine in the alfresco Chinese courtyard, but don’t leave without trying one of the decadent homemade cakes. 153 and 155 Beach St (Lebuh Pantai), chinahouse.com.my
A beautifully-restored mansion turned museum, the Pinang Peranakan Museum houses more than 1,000 antiques belonging to the Peranakans in Penang. Known locally as the Baba Nyonya, the Peranakans or Straits Chinese were a prominent community that adopted the ways of the local Malays and the colonial British. An entry fee of MYR20 (S$6.50) gets you a guided tour of the 19th-century home and its artefacts. 29 Lebuh Gereja, pinangperanakanmansion.com.my
21 025
WORDS WAN PHING LIM ILLUSTRATION BODIL JANE - FOLIO ART
Open only for lunch, Sri Weld is a one-stop shop that serves up delicious Penang hawker fare like char koay teow and Hokkien mee. A favourite with the banking crowd along Beach Street, it’s particularly famous for its nasi lemak – rice steamed in coconut milk with anchovies, eggs and spicy sambal, and beef koay teow soup – a hearty bowl of noodles cooked in beef broth, and served with a choice of beef balls, lean meat or offal. 21 Beach St
Over the years, George Town has earned a reputation for its street art, largely thanks to artist Ernest Zacharevic, who was commissioned to paint six murals during the 2012 George Town Festival. Kungfu Girl is one of the original six and the larger of Zacharevic’s works. Don’t miss this beautiful piece – the girl in blue looms over the Chinese Goldsmiths Association. 47 Jalan Muntri, ernestzacharevic.com
Kenangan Silam, Malay for ‘memories gone by’, is a treasure trove packed to the brim with vintage clocks, telephones, watches, door knobs, light fittings and silverware. It’s a little tricky to find due to its fading signboard, but once you do, you’ll spend hours exploring it. The store is open in the afternoons and run by the friendly owner, Haji Din. 35 and 37 Lebuh Carnarvon, +60 124 300 717
A unique Chinese settlement that has survived since the 19th century, the six Clan Jetties are a glimpse into an untouched way of life peculiar to Penang. These water villages are organised according to Chinese surnames and the houses on stilts are still functioning today as local homes. Chew Jetty is the most popular strip; the Lee and Tan jetties running parallel to it are also worth a visit. 47 Pengkalan Weld
5
OF THE BEST
Retro restaurants HK Slick interiors and hipster food might be everywhere, but we’re loving these fantastic venues celebrating old Hong Kong with a hint – or more – of nostalgia 1. 70s THROWBACK
22
May Chow, of Little Bao fame, was voted Asia’s Best Female Chef in this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list so it stands to reason that her latest venture, Happy Paradise, is just as crowd-pleasing. The futuristic, neon-pink eatery is tucked away down a narrow corridor in Soho and decked out in cha chaan teng vintage in the form of metal diner chairs, lurid tiles and bar mirrors. The menu offers twists on old-style comfort food fused with traditional Cantonese dishes. Try the teasmoked pigeon, slow-cooked chicken with glutinous rice and Shaoxing wine, and dim sum favourite cheong fan, a rice roll that Chow pimps with scallops. Where: 52-56 Staunton St, Central, facebook.com/ happyparadisehk
2. EAST-MEETS-WEST COMFORT FOOD “Soy sauce Western” is how Loyal Dining cheekily describes its nostalgia-focused cuisine inspired by menus of the 60s and 70s. Recently reopened in Wan Chai, the eatery boasts a downstairs bar serving childhood-themed cocktails (try the Ovaltine Fizz, with Baileys, Kahlua and, of course, Ovaltine) alongside
Happy Paradise’s delicious take on char siu
Insider I 5 OF THE BEST
bar snacks including deepfried prawn toast. Upstairs, green leather banquettes, chandeliers, plaid wallpaper and colourful crockery set the scene for sepia-toned supping on old-school East-meetsWest favourites. Where: 1/F, 5 Tonnochy Rd, Wan Chai, loyaldining.com.hk
3. A SECRET STOMPING GROUND Riffing off the mise-en-scène in the cult classics by filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai, Mrs Pound does retro cool with a healthy dose of humour in its interior design. This Sheung Wan speakeasy is located on a sloping cobbled residential street, with its door secreted behind the façade of an old stamp shop. Once inside (press the secret stamp for entry), embrace the glamorous décor: old-school bar stools, a long, tiled bar, pink-leather bench seats and neon-lit gymnast-hoop lights. The menu tends towards modern with a ChineseMalaysian fusion theme. Where: 6 Pound Ln, Sheung Wan, mrspound.com
Top to bottom: Roasted lobster tail at Lee Lo Mei; relax in Mrs Pound’s playful interior design
23
WORDS PENNY WATSON
4. STREET FOOD WITH A MODERN MAKEOVER Hong Kong nostalgia has exploded onto the walls, menus and plates of Lee Lo Mei. Hong Kong icons, including red taxis, birdcages, postboxes and mahjong pieces, are graffitied on the walls while the furniture and fittings – stools, coloured chopsticks and striped awnings – are a throwback to the city’s near-extinct street eateries known as dai pai dongs and bing sutts. Here, you’ll find street eats fashioned with quality ingredients and contemporary cooking techniques. Shrimp roe noodles come with sea scallops and prosciutto, and
taro dumplings are made with duck confit. Where: 8 Lyndhurst Tce, Central, leelomei.hk
5. WHEN NEW MEETS OLD The quirky name of this Hong Kong-style diner, Mr S.Y. Punti, hints at its location in Sai Ying Pun, one of the city’s earliest neighbourhoods. Today it’s a cool hangout, where wet markets, Chinese medicine
shops and noodle stalls sit alongside boutiques, craft beverage bars and eateries. Located in an old tong lau (shophouse) terrace, it lovingly melds old and new by serving cha chaan teng-style food with seasonal ingredients sourced locally. This Hong Kong version of Western cuisine, which emerged in the 50s, includes French toast, fry-ups and milk tea. The fit-out similarly reflects a bygone era, with bench seating, tiled floors and
a long counter with aluminium pendant lights. The espresso coffee machine, however, has its feet firmly planted in the modern world. Where: No. 4 David Ln, Sai Ying Pun, mrsypunti.com
Travel Info Singapore Hong Kong up to twice daily. jetstar.com
MYANMAR’S PRINCESS OF POP
PHYU PHYU KYAW THEIN, ALSO KNOWN TO HER FANS AS K PHU PHU, IS A QUALIFIED DOCTOR WHO GAVE UP HER MEDICAL CAREER TO BECOME THE COUNTRY’S LADY GAGA
24
P
hyu Phyu Kyaw Thein is one of Myanmar’s biggest pop stars and she’s been thrilling audiences with her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence since 2003. She has a legion of fans outside Myanmar as well, with a slew of tours in Australia, the United States, Europe and the rest of Asia. The international press has dubbed her ‘Myanmar’s Lady Gaga’ due to her outlandish costumes, which are part of her distinctive sense of style. The 30-something-year-old recently appeared as a judge on the TV talent show series Galaxy Star Myanmar 2017 and is a UNICEF celebrity ambassador.
Insider I IN PROFILE
How did you get your foot into Myanmar’s music industry? When I was 22, my parents let me record an album. They saw it as just letting me quench my thirst and thought that would be that. But while I was at the recording studio I was discovered by a famous rock band called Iron Cross. They gave me the chance to be the opening act at their concert. I never imagined that I would become hugely popular, or that it would happen so suddenly. It was a dream come true.
INTERVIEW JESSICA MUDDITT
You are also a qualified doctor. Were your parents disappointed that you wanted to pursue music instead of medicine? I didn’t work as a doctor after graduating because it wasn’t compatible (with what I was doing). When I was an intern, people were starting to recognise me from my performances. My parents came from a well-educated background, and pursuing a career in music didn’t seem very respectable to them. But I wouldn’t say they were disappointed. They just didn’t want me to have any regrets in life. They knew I would pursue music with the same determination I had shown for my studies. So I had a lot of support to choose a different path in life. How many costumes do you have, and which is the most memorable? I have hundreds of costumes. They are all in my wardrobe [laughs]. My sister comes up with the ideas – some are outlandish, whereas others are quite normal. What I like about my costumes is that every single one
When my fans saw Lady Gaga... they said, ‘America now has their K Phu Phu’ carries a message for my fans. One of the most memorable was a blackand-white traditional dress that I wore on International Day of Peace in 2014. Unlike most of my costumes, this one wasn’t glittery or strange. The dress represented the people of Myanmar. I sang a song called “War”, which is about the civil war in my country. I didn’t do my hair. That was to give the message that when people are running for their lives, they don’t have time to do their makeup or hair. How do you feel about being called ‘Myanmar’s Lady Gaga’? I’m very flattered. I’m from a poor country and am really no comparison
to Lady Gaga. Or perhaps you could say I’m the small-scale version. This might sound funny to people outside Myanmar, but when my fans saw Lady Gaga for the first time, five years after they had me, they told me, “America now has their Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein. She’s doing all the crazy things you have been doing.” I had to find out who this Lady Gaga was. Myanmar was closed off to the world until 2010. During those years, our people felt that we were left behind in just about everything. So they felt empowered to have had something before the world did. To have me, even before America had Lady Gaga. It was very touching.
25
Insider I BEAUTY COMMODITY Whiskey EDP, S$146. A warm and spicy unisex scent inspired by bourbon casks and Irish whiskies.
MIU MIU EDP, S$147. Fun fact: the bottle adopts the textured look of the brand’s famous Matelasse leather bags.
NE’EMAH Pour Homme EDP, S$115. A woody fragrance brightened by top notes of lemon and orange. SOLINOTES
Musc EDT, S$26.
Musk, blackberry, vanilla and coconut blend for this fruity perfume. NE’EMAH LAYA EDP, $S115. Wear the delicious scent of vanilla, with a hint of musk.
26
SOLINOTES Vanille EDT, S$26. This has an almost ice creamish quality to it.
WARNING: THESE SCENTS WILL ALSO MAKE YOU WANT ICE CREAM, CARAMEL AND SUNDAY BRUNCH
COMMODITY Mimosa EDP, S$146. Inspired by Sunday brunch and packed with citrus fruits plus yummy tonka bean.
PRADA Candy Florale EDT, S$173. Citrus, florals and caramel, anyone?
STYLING KARIN TAN PHOTOGRAPHY JASPER YU WORDS PEARLYN THAM All from Sephora, #B2-09 Ion Orchard.
A fresh-scented start
Insider I SHOP IT
2
3
1
14
15
4
13 5
12
16 17
STYLING KARIN TAN PHOTOGRAPHY JASPER YU WORDS PEARLYN THAM
11 18 6 10
19
9 8
Slick travel style THERE’S NO NEED TO GET SLOPPY JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE ON HOLIDAY
7
1. TIMBUK2 Canvas sling pouch, S$79, from Tangs at Tangs Plaza, 310 Orchard Rd. 2. BALLY Backpack, S$1,190, from Bally, #B1-77A/78 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. 3. URBANLITE Luggage, S$263, from Universal Traveller, #03-25 Tampines 1. 4. UNIVERSAL TRAVELLER Acrylic-blend scarf, S$30. 5. LACOSTE Cotton dress, S$249, from #02-14/15 Wisma Atria. 6. BALLY Patent leather mules, S$990. 7. UNIVERSAL TRAVELLER Wool-blend bomber jacket, S$159. 8. MULBERRY Leather clutch with chain, POA, from Mulberry, #01-41/42 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. 9. HERSCHEL Wallet, S$129, from Tangs. 10. HERSCHEL Raincoat, S$119, from Tangs. 11. SEVENFRIDAY Q2/03 watch, S$1,850, from Krasnaya The Watch Art Gallery, #B3-03 Ion Orchard. 12. BALLY Leather ziparound wallet, S$860. 13. BALLY Cotton-blend cap, S$390. 14. BALLY Printed leather flat clutch, S$560. 15. LACOSTE Cotton sweater, S$249. 16. CARRERA Sunglasses, S$197, from DH.sunglasses, #02-04 Orchard Gateway @ Somerset. 17. HERSCHEL SUPPLY X Keith Haring travel kit, S$59, from Tangs. 18. GENTLE MONSTER Acetate and metal sunglasses, S$328, from Gentle Monster, #01-13 Ion Orchard. 19. STATUS ANXIETY Leather zipped pouch, $109, from TANGS.
27
28
w e n 2 1 DISCOVERIES IN e r o p a g n i S mps, catch a a w s e v o r g den man a rare Kayak in hid 940s Shanghai, sail on or f 1 murderer in more, with one activity tall ship and nth of the new year every mo words mia
chenyze an
d pe arlyn
tham
FUN ACTIVITIES I SINGAPORE
PHOTO ITCHY FINGERS
29
FUN ACTIVITIES I SINGAPORE
For a crafty good time Join the DIY movement by doing a craft workshop. Locations like Itchy Fingers, where it’s all about keeping the spirit of craftsmanship alive, offer classes in painting, stamping, and making textiles, terraria, jewellery and more. Make natural soaps, cast metal jewellery, dye fabric, fashion miniature snacks and desserts from clay, carve wooden utensils, arrange bouquets... the list goes on. Workshops are all conducted by local artisans, and class sizes are kept small. The Little Happyshop is another crafty-class location, where you can learn to embroider, write calligraphy or arrange bouquets of flowers. Lessons at both locations are beginnerfriendly, with the necessary materials on hand for you to access.
Check into the countryside To explore a different side of Singapore, head north. The heart of Singapore’s agricultural industry, the Kranji Countryside is a lush cluster of crop and aquaculture farms. To soak up the experience, book a farmstay at Gardenasia. Set within a horticultural garden, the spacious villas are inspired by colonial-era bungalows, and built with upcycled materials; there’s also a swimming pool. To get around, hop onto the neighbourhood shuttle, the Kranji Countryside Express. Set off bright and early for Hay Dairies to see goats be milked, then let the little ones feed animals at Farmart. At Bollywood Veggies, wander through fruit trees and shrubs, such as banana trees, sweet potato plants and horseradish trees. Leave some time for the Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, a sanctuary encompassing mangroves, mud flats, ponds and forests. The walking trails will have you sighting mudskippers, crabs, monitor lizards, otters and more.
PHOTO GARDENASIA, OUE SOCIAL KITCHEN
30
BECAUSE HAIR.ÂŽ THINK HAIR. THINK DR. HAROLD. For all your hair loss concerns â&#x20AC;&#x201D; FUE. ARTAS 3K Robotic Hair Transplant. Do you feel you look years older because of your hair loss? Do you wish you had a full head of hair? Have you always wanted facial hair / beard? If this sounds familiar, it is time to consider our range of hair restoration surgery, one of the most effective means to restore your hairline. Many men and women suffer from hair loss. Most common causes are genetic, hormonal, nutritional, stress and aging. Left untreated, hair loss could be permanent, leaving you looking aged and sickly. We have a complete UDQJH RI VROXWLRQV WR PHHW \RXU VSHFLĆ&#x201C;F QHHGV
What is Hair Transplant? Our safe and effective hair transplant procedure involves moving hair from healthy scalp to thinning areas on the head or face, allowing hair to grow in a natural and permanent way. At Freia, our most popular procedures are the manual Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique and the upgraded ARTAS 3K Robotic Hair Transplant System, known to increase graft quality and yield.
Speak to us S tod about Hair today Rest Restoration. Start looking younger, look PRUH FRQĆ&#x201C;GHQW PR and rejuvenated with a thicker hairline
What makes our hair restoration uniquely Freia? â&#x20AC;˘ Dr Harold Ma is an established Singapore hair transplant doctor; performing numerous hair transplant procedures since 2008, including revisional transplant patients. â&#x20AC;˘ Every graft is personally harvested and every site is designed/personally made by Dr Ma. â&#x20AC;˘ Our procedure yields are consistently above 95%. â&#x20AC;˘ Backed up by a strong highly competent team of in-house hair technicians, all trained by Dr Ma in the strictest Freia protocols.
About Dr Harold Ma â&#x20AC;˘ Passionate about restoring a natural hairline for patients of all ages and ethnicities â&#x20AC;˘ Sees regional and global patients â&#x20AC;˘ Routinely performs 2 techniques of hair transplant: FUE and since 2013, the ARTAS robotic hair transplant â&#x20AC;˘ Member of the International Society
of Hair Restoration Surgeons, FUE Europe and Asian Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons Other Services: â&#x20AC;˘ In-clinic and home maintenance Laser Hair Growth Systems â&#x20AC;˘ Bespoke Scalp treatments â&#x20AC;˘ Laser and Hybrid permanent hair removal â&#x20AC;˘ (NEW!) Original Zeltiq Cool Advantage Dual Sculpting â&#x20AC;&#x201D; body and double chin contouring in half the usual treatment time. Treat 2 areas at the same time â&#x20AC;˘ Medlite Depigmentation Laser â&#x20AC;˘ Ulthera Skin Tightening Treatment â&#x20AC;˘ Botox and Fillers â&#x20AC;˘ Dual-yellow laser for total skin rejuvenation â&#x20AC;˘ Full range of Clinical Rejuvenating facials
As featured on National TV, Radio and The London Times
2UFKDUG 5RDG :LVPD $WULD 2IĆ&#x201C;FH 7RZHU 6LQJDSRUH 7HO +RWOLQH info@freia.com.sg freia.sg facebook.com/freia.sg instagram.com/freia.sg
Stressed? Now you can smash things without even having to clean up the mess
Unleash the Hulk You know when you are so stressed, you just want to smash something? Well, now you can, without even having to clean up the mess. For S$38, you get 30 minutes of rage time at The Fragment Room, including a baseball bat and a crate of breakables, as well as safety gear. You could spend your half hour smashing plates, wine glasses, television sets or vases, and if you want to bring your own goods to whack for your catharsis, that can be arranged for an extra S$15. Think of it as an opportunity vent your anger or stress on something other than your colleagues, friends or family. Pro tip: placing the objects on the floor and bringing your bat crashing down onto them gives maximum impact.
Bond over (your own) good food
Be an avatar in a virtual reality game Shift your perception of reality at Virtual Room in Chinatown, which offers virtual-reality adventures to groups of two to four. You’ll step into separate rooms, don virtual reality headgear equipped with microphones and hold a pair of controllers which act as hands, allowing you to wave at each other, slam-dunk rocks, unlock treasure chests and catapult fire-tipped arrows at a larger-than-life dinosaur. There are five realistic scenes altogether – and you’ll really duck when your friend ‘passes’
PHOTO THE FRAGMENT ROOM
32
Forget about obstacle courses and motivational talks. Taking a cue from the millennial obsession with food, OUE Social Kitchen lets you and your colleagues or friends bond over the rituals of preparing food together. Kitchen stations can be booked for $48 per hour (good for four people; halal stations also available) and are fully equipped with modern appliances, basic condiments, and all the utensils you’ll need. Most crucially, they’ll take care of the cleaning up so all you need to do is plan your meal and shop for ingredients. There’s also a chef and kitchen staff on standby to help you along if you need some advice. When you’re done, just move over to the communal tables to feast on your meal. (Psst… there’s also a bar.)
FUN ACTIVITIES I SINGAPORE
Where to find Airbnb Airbnb.com.sg ArtScience Museum Marina Bay Sands 6 Bayfront Ave, marinabaysands.com Bollywood Veggies 100 Neo Tiew Rd, bollywoodveggies.com Farmart 67 Sungei Tengah Road, farmart.com.sg Gardenasia 240 Neo Tiew Cres, gardenasia.com Hay Dairies 3 Lim Chuang Kang Ln 4, haydairies.com.sg Itchy Fingers 157A Jalan Besar, itchyfingers.sg something to you. Priced from S$44 each, this 45-minute-long game has game masters stationed at the control deck outside to monitor every room so you never feel like you’re all alone.
Nab a murderer in oldworld Shanghai Go back in time with Shanghai 1943, an interactive role-playing investigation game at escape-room chain Xcape. The goal here is not to find your way out of a locked room but to find out who killed Red Rose, the fictional cabaret singer at The Paramount. Round up five or six friends and choose from roles including a detective, a reporter, the young marshal and the boss of the nightclub, dressed in vintage-style costumes. Then, in a large, wellfurnished space, collect evidence that will prove your innocence and let you accuse your friends. At the end of the 150-minute game, costing S$48 each, even if you don’t manage to solve the crime, staff will reveal the predetermined murderer among you.
Set sail into the sunset If you are bored with the usual dinner-and-movie weekend plans, book the Sunset Sail Saturday at Resorts World Sentosa (S$195 per adult/S$145 per child). For 2.5 hours you get to sail around the Singaporean coastline on Royal Albatross, a tall ship with four high masts and 22 sails. There are only 150 such ships in the world and during this evening cruise, you’ll enjoy a welcome drink, dinner and entertainment.
Embark on a suburban heritage trail Discover the massive Tampines suburbs with the Tampines Heritage Trail by the National Heritage Board. Three routes will tour iconic sites in the area, from a 90-minute busand-walk one that covers religious institutions and their distinct architecture to a 60-minute cycling one that lets you discover where old kampong (villages) were once located.
Kayakasia 59C Temple St, kayakasia.org The Little Happyshop 19 Lorong Kilat, Tan Quee Swee Building, #01-05 Basement Studio, thelittlehappyshop.com OUE Social Kitchen 6A Shenton Way Downtown Gallery, #03-02/03, downtowngallery.com.sg Royal Albatross, 8 Sentosa Gateway, rwsentosa.com Singapore Island Cruise 01-04 Marina South Pier, islandcruise.com.sg Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve nparks.gov.sg Tampines Heritage Trail roots.sg The Fragment Room 3 Balestier Rd, thefragmentroom.com Virtual Room B3 Lucky Chinatown, 211 New Bridge Rd, singapore.virtual-room. com Xcape RPG 154B Rochor Rd, Bugis Village, xcape.sg
33
FUN ACTIVITIES I SINGAPORE
Even if you grew up in Singapore, you may not have heard of the city’s mangrove tunnel or pink lagoon
Kayak around Singapore 34
Even if you grew up in SG, you may not have heard of the city’s mangrove tunnel, pink lagoon or Sonneratia flooded forest. These are some of the under-the-radar places accessible only by kayak and Kayakasia, which has been in the business for 17 years, will take you there. Pick from six half-day trails (from S$75) which are suitable even for those without kayaking experience. Before the trip starts you get a brief paddling lesson and guides will help you along the way.
Marvel at artefacts from the 18th century For the first time, ancient treasures from London’s famous Natural History Museum have come to Southeast Asia. Handpicked from more than 80 million artefacts and specimens, more than 200 of these will be on display at the ArtScience Museum’s Treasures of the Natural World exhibition. There are five themed galleries where you’ll see a dodo bird model, a ‘cursed’ amethyst stone, a handwritten page from
Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and a sabre-toothed cat from the Ice Age. Tickets start from S$9.60.
Go island hopping There’s more to Singapore than the mainland or Sentosa. Visit Kusu Island and its Da Bo Gong Chinese temple, fish and camp at the former quarantine station on St John’s Island, or have a picnic on Sisters’ Island. To get there, book a seat on a Singapore Island Cruise ferry (S$18 per adult for a return trip).
All about henna Learn something new with Airbnb’s Experiences; activities curated and hosted by local experts who want to share their interests and skills. Try the Henna Art experience with host Ashvari who has loved henna art since she was a teenager. She will share about the history of henna and show you how to create designs, which you can take home. Other Airbnb Experiences include making pottery in Singapore’s oldest dragon kiln and a tour of a Taoist deity shop.
Photographer Mark Parren Taylor explores this surprising seaside city, just over an hour south of Tokyo
KAMAKURA
36
KAMAKURA I JAPAN
37
Hokokuji Temple, Kamakura, is famed for its bamboo grove of 2,000 plants.
38
This page Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine, Kamakura. Opposite, clockwise from top left Shirasu jyuu lunchtime set with chameshi rice topped with poached baby sardine whitebait, Saryo Inoue; Enoshima Island â&#x20AC;&#x201C; topped by the Enoshima Sea Candle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is reached by a 600m-long causeway; Hase-dera temple is renowned for its picturesque surrounds; the temple contains a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
KAMAKURA I JAPAN
39
40
KAMAKURA I JAPAN
41
Kotokoin temple’s Great Buddha – or Daibutsu – is the third biggest in all Japan.
KAMAKURA I JAPAN
Sights to behold Mark Parren Taylor, who shot these images of Kamakura in Japan, tells us why he loves the photogenic city and its beaches, shrines and baby sardines near Enoshima Island. The discreet Saryo Inoue restaurant is close to the Kamakura rail station. Every day, it serves just 20 sets of the lunch box which includes teaflavoured rice topped with the miniature sardines.
Kamakura is truly an allyear-round destination… The cherry blossoms in spring and the red leaves in fall are major draws. This is when the temples are stunning, and the walking trails in the hills offer opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the woodlands. In the summer months, relax on the beaches near Enoshima Island. In winter, what could be better than pottering around boutique shops, cafés and izakaya bars in Kamakura and warming up with some street food or a sip of hot sake?
Londoner Mark Parren Taylor once worked as an illustrator and also a book designer but gave up the nine-to-five routine and started doing what he loved as a teenager: taking photos. “Someone told me everyone has three careers in their lives. They were so convincing that I thought if it’s a rule, I’d better follow it.”
A stunning work of art is the… Kōtoku-in Temple’s Great Buddha, a reminder of the strength of faith, and the power of nature (it was originally housed in a hall that was washed away by a tsunami in 1498). The bamboo grove
About the photographer
I prefer to explore after sunset or in the early morning at Hokoku-ji Temple is supremely Instagramable and its teahouse is a special spot for traditional tea and cake. Each April and September, the main shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, hosts a yabusame horseback archery festival. Riders
in traditional dress fire arrows at targets from atop galloping horses – without using reins. Enoshima Island has plenty of attractions, good cafés, a botanical garden and an observation tower known as the Sea Candle with views of Mount Fuji. Sailing competitions will arrentaylor llow: @markp be held in the surrounding Fo waters for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Baby sardine whitebait is the central element of many dishes… Served poached or deep fried, shirasu is fished from
Travel Info Singapore Tokyo via Okinawa or Osaka daily. jetstar.com
INTERVIEW PEARLYN THAM
42
I’m always on the lookout for… Places within easy reach of Tokyo. Kamakura fits the bill: a short journey to somewhere with plenty of things to do. You can reach Kamakura easily – it’s a bit over an hour direct from Tokyo Station. Most visitors go for a day but I prefer to explore after sunset or in the early morning before the crowds arrive.
Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest free-flight walk-in aviary
+603-2272 1010
www.facebook.com/klbirdpark
www.klbirdpark.com
klbirdparkmalaysia
Hornbill Restaurant @ KL Bird Park +603â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2693 8086
Like your sandwiches sweet? Try an ice cream sandwich from Elephant Grounds
44
THE NEXT ICE AGE Look out for Asia’s #Instafriendly cold treats that have been tempting those with a sweet tooth
S
ummer is a year-long affair in much of Asia, which explains why the quest for the next big icy treat is a serious undertaking. Every year brings with it new hits, the more Insta-worthy the better – think variations of time-honoured shaved-ice desserts, milkshakes in every flavour and inventive soft serve. Thanks to social media, these trendy desserts rapidly make their way around the region. Here’s a list of the hottest desserts for cooling off in Asia.
Melon moments When the creator of the cronut does something new, foodies take notice. New York import Dominique Ansel Bakery continues to launch incredible creations at its two
FOOD TREND I COOL TREATS
Tokyo stores that look as amazing as they taste. If ation, you missed last year’s sensation, the limited-edition What-A-Melon Soft Serve ‘sandwich’, don’t despair. You can still nibble on the muchhyped Frozen S’more, with vanilla ice cream, chocolate flakes and honey marshmallow. If you aren’t on enough of a sugar high after that, try the Blossoming Hot Chocolate – where a closed marshmallow ‘bud’ magically opens when it hits the rich hot chocolate.
Botanical gelato Dessert trends have the lifespan of a gnat in food-obsessed Singapore, but one iced treat that continues to rise above any craze is the botanical gelato from boutique purveyor Birds Of Paradise. The intoxicating fragrance of its freshly made thymescented ice cream cones attracts the queue that snakes around its entrance each evening. Inside and triumphant, the crowds choose from light-as-sorbet gelati infused with herbs, fruit and flowers in deliciously delicate flavours such as strawberry basil, white chocolate chrysanthemum and pandan.
45
WORDS ANNETTE TAN, ADDITIONAL WORDS SOPHIE HULL
Durian rules In Bangkok, the young and sweettoothed are embracing the Asian king of fruit in all its ice-cold glory. At IceDea, durian ice cream is shaped to resemble the fruit, complete with edible shell and seeds. The popular After You Durian offers a durian slushy, durian ice cream on a stick, and honey toast filled with sticky rice and topped with scoops of delectably pungent durian ice cream.
Bingsu bonanza Like most Asian shaved-ice desserts, bingsu traditionally comprises finely shaved ice topped with sweet treats such as fruit, fruit syrups, condensed
Top to bottom: A Frozen S’more from Dominique Ansel; a mammoth egg waffle from Oddies; the enchanting Blooming Hot Chocolate from Dominique Ansel
FOOD TREND I COOL TREATS
46
milk, jelly and rice cakes. Having originated as a treat for Korea’s nobility and wealthy, bingsu experienced a popularity reboot when culinary arts student Jeong Sun-hee started Sulbing Korean Dessert Cafe in 2013 in Busan. Having successfully bridged the traditional Korean dessert with the modern taste for variety, Sulbing now boasts almost 500 outlets throughout South Korea, China and Japan. It also spawned the bingsu craze that now stretches across just about every developed city in Asia. These days, bingsu comes in innumerable flavour combinations – think traditional patbingsu (topped with sweetened red beans), chocolate bingsu (dusted with cocoa powder, chocolate chunks and ice cream), yoghurt bingsu (with yoghurt-flavoured shaved ice and a sprinkling of yoghurt powder) and even cheese bingsu (crowned with a slice of cheesecake and drizzled with cheese syrup).
Dessert trends have the lifespan of a gnat in food-obsessed Singapore
Ice cream meets carbs Hong Kongers have made a thing of stuffing ice cream into buns, waffles, cookies and cakes. Palmsized ice cream burgers featuring green tea or salted caramel ice cream
Top to bottom: Green tea ice cream burgers from Little Bao in Hong Kong; gelato at Birds of Paradise, renowned for botanical flavours
between deep-fried buns are all the rage at Little Bao, while the everchanging roster of ice cream cookie sandwiches draws an eager crowd at the hipster Elephant Grounds. Ice cream between donuts is popular at Munchies in Sheung Wan and the popular street snack of gai daan jai (egg waffles shaped like bubble wrap) gets wrapped around a cupful of low-fat gelato, with additions such as brownie pieces and passionfruit pannacotta, at Oddies Foodies.
CAVES I VIETNAM
underworld wonders Journey underground to discover Vietnam’s myriad caves. They’ll take your breath away
PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK
words georgie torr
49
50
T
he little engine cuts out and our blue dragon boat drifts towards the dark maw at the base of the limestone cliff. Its monotonous putt-putt is replaced by the gentle lapping of the Son River and the occasional clunk of the oars being operated by our two-person crew. As Phong Nha Cave’s ceiling glides over us, the crew pause from their efforts to slide back the boat’s roof, allowing us unfettered views of the wonders enveloping us. A droplet of water splashes on my neck and tiny bats flutter erratically overhead, but my attention is focused on the huge globular stalagmites rising from the river’s edge. As we float deeper underground, each twist and turn in the narrow cavern reveals another striking
CAVES I VIETNAM
The entrance to Hang Son Doong cave, the largest in the world. Right: Approaching Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park’s caves by boat. Below: Surprise Cave, Ha Long Bay
vista crowded with stalactites and stalagmites. At the 1.5km mark, the crew turns the boat around and we head back towards the entrance while marvelling at an eerily lit column in an adjoining cavern. Just before we emerge into daylight, the boat pulls over to a small landing area and we disembark for a short walk through Court Cave, so named because the formations resemble those in a royal court. Vietnam’s impressive collection of caves has only come to travellers’ attention fairly recently, but it’s beginning to generate a significant buzz. Much of the country’s north is built on a layer of 200 to 400-millionyear-old limestone that has been pushed, pulled and folded by tectonic forces into mountains and hills, which have eroded away to form the iconic marine pillars of Ha Long Bay. Rainwater has slowly dissolved the limestone to create a complex maze of caverns that includes several of the world’s largest.
The tour includes a swim in a subterranean river, a wallow in a mud pool and an over-water obstacle course
Awe-inspiring adventure The epicentre for Vietnamese caving is in World Heritage-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, about 60km north-west of the beach-side city of Dong Hoi, itself an overnight train ride from Hanoi or a flight from Ho Chi Minh City. The 343,000-hectare park boasts sheer limestone cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, rugged river gorges, thick jungle, endangered wildlife and a bewildering array of caves and grottoes – at least 300 recorded so far with a total length of more than 125km.
51
52
With so much on offer, it’s no surprise that visitors have a range of options, from sedate self-guided tours to adventurous multi-night expeditions. For the former, top of the list is Paradise Cave, discovered by a local in 2005 and opened to the public in 2010. The cave’s modest entrance belies the wonders within. A sturdy wooden staircase descends into an enormous cathedral-like space decorated with glittering stalactites and stalagmites before joining a kilometre-long fenced boardwalk that snakes through the cavern. Solid curtains of limestone hang from the ceiling; multi-tiered wedding cakes sprout from the floor, their sides dripping with limestone icing; and glistening waves of limestone cascade down like frozen waterfalls. In keeping with the cathedral theme, there’s a wall of limestone columns that resembles an enormous pipe organ. As impressive as these formations are, it’s the cavern itself that takes the breath away – in places, it’s more than 70m high and 150m wide. Among the most popular of the park’s other caves is Hang Toi, or Dark Cave. As the name suggests, this 6km cavern is unlit and the day-long guided tour has been designed to eke out as much adventure as possible: Vietnam’s longest zipwire provides an exciting way to get there and the tour
PHOTOGRAPHY GEORDIE TORR
It’s the cavern itself that takes the breath away – in places, it’s more than 70m high and 150m wide
CAVES I VIETNAM
Five more caves to explore NGUOM NGAO: Created by an underground river, Nguom Ngao in Cao Bang province is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular cave systems.
1
Top to bottom: Long stalactites hang like elegant curtains from the cave ceiling; an illuminated stalagmite reveals its complexity
2
HA LONG BAY: Ha Long Bay’s archipelago of almost 2,000 islands contains many caves, the more famous of which include Hang Trinh Nu, Hang Sung Sot and Hang Thien Cung.
3 includes a swim in a subterranean river, a wallow in a mud pool, kayaking and an over-water obstacle course. There are also several options for overnight treks, including Hang En, the world’s third-largest cave, and the more technical Hang Va, which boasts a spectacular partly submerged stalagmite field.
Get in quick All of these experiences lead to the pinnacle: Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave. It is big enough to fly a Boeing 747 through or accommodate a New York City block, complete with 40-storey buildings. However, it’s tricky to visit; the only available tour costs US$3,000
(S$4,058) and the 500 spots available each year sell out well in advance. Phong Nha-Ke Bang’s caves still qualify as hidden gems, but for how much longer? Tourism in the region is rapidly ramping up; there’s even talk of building a cable car to ferry visitors to the mouth of Hang Son Doong. Now’s the time to explore these subterranean sights.
Travel Info Singapore HCMC four flights daily, with domestic connections to 15 cities. jetstar.com
HOSPITAL CAVE: Located on Cat Ba Island, this remarkable cave contains a three-storey complex that served as a secret hospital and safe house for leaders of the North Vietnamese army during the Vietnam War. AM PHU: This huge cave in the Marble Mountains on the outskirts of Da Nang contains a lurid depiction of a Buddhist hell created by local artists.
4
HANG PAC BO: History buffs may want to check out Hang Pac Bo, the cave in which Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh spent a few weeks in 1941 after re-entering Vietnam from China.
5
53
feel
THE
54
BEAT
The month of January kicks oďŹ&#x20AC; another year of festivals for the party-loving Filipinos. Lester V. Ledesma shows us three of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; biggest, noisiest, happiest celebrations
CELEBRATION I PHILIPPINES
W
hile the rest of the world trudges back to work after the long December holidays, the Philippines is happily gearing up for yet another round of festivities. Throughout the country all Christmas décor is stowed away – then quickly replaced by drums, native costumes and face paint. January is regarded as the month of the Santo Niño (or Child Christ), and Filipinos eagerly take this as an excuse to party on. The centre of the action is in the Visayas region, where devotion to the young Jesus is most fervent. In this cluster of islands, three raucous, showstopping spectacles take place. On the third weekend of the month (19–21 January this year), make your way to the town of Kalibo, on the island of Panay, around 500km south of Manila, to see the culmination of the fiesta that started it all. The weeklong Ati-Atihan (which means to be like Ati people, the native population) festival was first held more than eight centuries ago to celebrate a peace pact between Malay settlers and the Atis. Spanish missionaries turned it into a Christian event in the 1500s, and
55
Below: The Dinagyang Festival is famous for incredible dances Other images: Spectacular Ati-Atahan costumes
56
since then, it has inspired countless other Santo Niño festivals all over the Philippines. Don’t mistake this for a pious party, as the Ati-Atihan is quite the opposite; the locals will be out in full force, clad in tribal warrior attire with their bodies painted black to mimic the Atis’ darker skin tones. For three days they’ll be playing drums and brandishing the image of the Santo Niño – and dancing non-stop through the streets of Kalibo.
Much to celebrate Two islands east of Cebu, the Sinulog Festival also happens around the same time. In contrast to the rugged brand of Ati-Atihan revelry, the Cebuano version is a little more refined. The locals wear intricate costumes inspired by both the Spanish colonial era and the country’s numerous ethnic groups. For the grand parade, held on the third Sunday of the month, they groove in unison to the
CELEBRATION I PHILIPPINES
steps of the ancient sinulog dance as a way of honouring the almost-500-yearold statue of Santo Niño de Ceb – an early Spanish gift to the natives when they converted to Catholicism.
Get ready to dance The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo (also on Panay island) offers its own take on the tradition. Held on the following weekend (26–28 January), the Dinagyang mirrors the Kalibo version with its furious drumbeats and blackened ‘Ati warrior’ revellers. However, the dances are carefully choreographed and painstakingly rehearsed, resulting in a truly immersive and heart-pounding visual treat. If the music makes you want to jump in with the crowd, go with it. Like all other fiestas in the Philippines, everyone is welcome to join the fun – all you need is a big smile, some face paint and your own set of dance moves.
57
58
Do these weird wellness treatments work? Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a whole new-age world of relaxation out there: surround yourself with salt, hop into a sub-zero temperature chamber or ďŹ&#x201A;oat in a soundproof pod
WELLNESS I NEW THERAPIES Relax in a salt cave at Breathya for sinus problems and general health
WORDS EVELINE GAN
The crystal-clear claims of salt therapy We’ve always been told that too much salt is bad for us. But regulars at this 17-month-old salt therapy spa in Singapore embrace the reported health benefits of salt by sitting in a room coated with Himalayan rock salt crystals and pharmaceutical-grade sodium chloride, which are believed to have anti-bacterial properties. Proponents of salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, claim that it clears clogged sinuses, helps them sleep better and improves their skin as well as general wellbeing. Breathya’s founder Krishna Bagaria says it’s a misconception that the body takes in large amounts of salt during the therapy. The fact? Your body absorbs just 9mg after an hour’s session. The recommended salt intake per day is not more than 5g or 5,000mg, or one teaspoon, according to the Health Promotion Board in Singapore. Halotherapy is said to date all the way back to the mid-1800s when miners working in the salt mines and caves of Europe and Russia appeared to have good health, according to the Salt Therapy Association, a non-profit organisation. The salt rooms at Breathya mimic the natural salt cave environment through a halogenerator, which fills the air with a dry salt mist made up of fine particles ranging from one to five microns in size. Before you step into one of the two salt rooms, you’ll have to put on disposable socks and a shower cap. Then, settle into
a chair and spend about an hour in the temperature- and humiditycontrolled room. If you have a blocked nose or a phlegmy throat, expect some slight nose and throat irritation at your first session. Your clothing may also be peppered with fine salt particles at the end of the session but you can dust these off easily. According to Bagaria, the salt rooms are also safe for children and pregnant women but may not be suitable for those with health issues including heart and kidney conditions, cancer and infectious diseases.
The ‘cool’ way to relieve body aches Hanging out in sub-zero temperatures isn’t anyone’s conventional idea of a rejuvenating post-workout treat. But the world’s top athletes apparently do just that using a treatment known as whole body cryotherapy. It involves hopping into a chamber known as a cryosauna. Using liquid nitrogen, this is cooled to a freezing -150°C and you immerse yourself in it for around three minutes – and yes, wearing minimal clothing. Discovered in the 1970s by Japanese rheumatologist Toshima Yamaguchi to help arthritic patients manage pain levels, the treatment is now so popular among athletes and Hollywood celebrities that some, such as footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, reportedly have cryosaunas at home. For those of us with slightly smaller pay cheques, you can check out Evolve Mixed Martial Art’s (MMA) Cryo Fit’s
59
The cryosauna helps to rev up the body’s recovery mode
60
suite. According to Evolve MMA’s general manager Jason Petlueng, those three minutes in the cryosauna help to rev up the body’s recovery mode, stimulate tissue repair and regenerate sore muscles. “When you exit the cryosauna, the oxygenated and enriched blood is flushed back through the body, stimulating tissue repair and muscle regeneration,” he explains. The subsequent endorphin rush boosts your energy and helps you feel more refreshed and less achy and sore, Petlueng adds. Apparently, it can also boost collagen production and trigger your metabolism to burn an additional 400 to 800 calories in the next couple of hours. For the uninitiated, the treatment may sound intimidating but Petlueng shares that the brief exposure to subzero temperatures in the cryosauna is only “skin-deep”. “It doesn’t affect your core body temperature, because the air in the cryosauna has zero
moisture so you won’t experience the chills you get from being wet and cold,” he says. Cryotherapy can work for you even if your aches and pains are caused by prolonged sitting, for instance. While the majority of Cryo Fit’s clients are exercise enthusiasts, there are also a couple of deskbound workers who pop in for a quick fix during lunch hours. But it is not suitable for those with blood circulation disorders, who have high blood pressure or a pacemaker, or who are pregnant. Check with your doctor before undergoing the treatment, especially if you have a chronic disease.
Float your way to Zen To de-stress, why should anyone pay S$90 to float around instead of getting a massage? That un-Zen-like question, posed by me before my first floatation session, did not faze Palm Ave Float Club’s
Where to find Breathya #03-09 Parkway Centre; breathya.com Price: A 60-minute trial session (for first-time customers) is S$60. Cryo Fit at Evolve Mixed Martial Art (Far East Square), 26 China St, #01-01; evolvemma.com Price: A single three-minute session of Cryotherapy is priced at S$225. Palm Ave Float Club (Lavender) 66 Kampong Bugis, #05-01; palmavefloatclub.com Price: 60-minute and 90-minute float sessions are priced at S$90 and S$110 respectively.
WELLNESS I NEW THERAPIES
founder Derrick Foo. The 29-year-old said he introduced floatation therapy to Singapore four years ago after he tried it overseas and got hooked. “Most of our regulars do this for the mental recovery. It’s essentially a bullet train to the theta state (the barely-conscious, dreamlike relaxed state of mind that occurs just before entering deep sleep),” says Foo. To do this, you get naked or wear your own swimsuit and step into a pod the size of a single bed that is big enough to allow the average person to stretch out comfortably. It is filled with sterile, skin-temperature water 25cm deep. The water temperature is maintained at a comfortable 35°C; anything too warm or cool may be distracting. In this, you float in utter darkness and silence for 60 or 90 minutes. You won’t sink because the water has been treated with 600kg of Epsom salts to make you extremely buoyant.
Left: Chill out in sub-zero temperatures to boost your metabolism at Cryo Fit at Evolve MMA This page: Find a whole new level of calm at Palm Ave Float Club
Deprived of light, sound and even gravity, your mind enters a deeply meditative state. The Epsom salts are said to be also good for muscle recovery after workouts as they supposedly replenish magnesium levels. For someone with a hyperactive mind, the initial experience of sensory deprivation can be rather unnerving, even frightening. But push on, and you’ll be rewarded with a startling sense of mental clarity and calmness that can probably never be achieved with a regular massage. If claustrophobia is a concern, rest assured that there are no latches on the lid of the pod so you may step out any time you want. There’s also a panic button that alerts the staff in case you freak out or feel unwell during the treatment.
61
62
The best markets on offer in the Thai city of Hat Yai
Bob on a canal To make any trip to Thailand memorable, you must experience a floating market. Bangkok is famous for being the ‘Venice of the East’ but Hat Yai’s Khlong Hae Floating Market offers a similar experience; here vendors jostle with eager tourists
WORDS JOSEPH LIM PHOTOS JACK KURTZ, PHILIP LATTIMORE
Street I appeal
f you’re the type of traveller who prefers things less structured – away from malls or man-made attractions, for example – then you should enjoy Kim Yong Market in Hat Yai, Thailand. You can buy just about anything your heart or tongue desires in its meandering, narrow alleyways. Those with a penchant for snacks will find their heaven at Kim Yong, open from 6am to 6pm, which stocks an array of nibbles such as savoury nuts, cut fruit, crackers and sweet Thai treats. In addition, there are stalls selling clothes, bags, shoes, makeup and perfumes, and your nose will be led by wonderful aromas from outdoor hawker food stalls. In the early mornings, Kim Yong Market is a busy bazaar filled with hawkers selling fresh produce and dried goods.
MARKETS I HAT YAI
as they haggle over prices. The boat vendors are moored to the side of a walkway so it’s easy to browse and, even if you don’t intend to buy food, you get a canal view. Open from Friday to Sunday, the markets’ assortment of food is staggering: fish cakes, tom yam soup, barbecued seafood, traditional Thai foods and desserts, including fluffy coconut pancakes and mango sticky rice. Aside from food, there are boats displaying wares such as clothes, souvenirs and home décor items.
A nightly buzz Officially it’s the Asean Trade Market, but this bazaar is also known as Asean Night Market. The cavernous, industrial-style structure houses vendors on two floors. People throng into the shops just before dinner but the hustle and bustle increases from around 7pm to 8pm. If you love a bona fide market haggle, there are shops selling clothes, shoes and bags to test your skills. Catering well for the many Muslim tourists, this market offers eats such as halal sushi decked up beautifully under the deft hands of their Thai creators. You can also enjoy a satisfying meal such as Thai stewed duck with rice or crab fried rice. The stalls selling aromatic grilled food such as chicken and seafood often attract the largest crowds. Refreshing items to be savoured include crunchy papaya salad or thirst-quenching fruit juices made a la minute. This is a night bazaar that packs a lively atmosphere yet lets you feel relaxed.
63
Young and restless Greenway Night Market has a relaxed vibe and is popular with young people due to its proximity to Central Festival Mall, which is considered one of Hat Yai’s popular shopping venues. Many Greenway stallholders display their wares like a flea market, and you’ll find plenty of secondhand goods such as clothes, accessories and bags. In fact, you can find the odd vintage item like an old 1960s telephone or working vinyl. Of course, when the hunger pangs strike, you can head to Greenway Food Station – a zone housing numerous shops selling eye-catching sweet treats, delectable Thai foods and moreish snacks. There are also a handful of pet shops selling wild rabbits, snakes and marmots (a type of squirrel). Nevertheless, Greenway Night Market’s main draw is the wide variety of second-hand goods where preloved items are in hot demand.
Travel info Singapore Hat Yai four flights weekly. jetstar.com
Clockwise from main: Locals sourcing their food from Hat Yai markets; the markets cater for many backgrounds; merchants sell their wares from their boats
度倝僱 嫦鸪ⱚ⾎倝䎃 껺度䚪⠔峕形崽 崽涸倝僱孞䜂կ ꤑ✫㹻㹻䨪䨪⠔ 饿鵯傞鸔䎃㹸䋑㖞餝✈䎃餗嫦 鸪䎃♲⼧♶㼱➃⛲⠔翸꧋㖈랕 㣐➲䏈䋞劅腊㖈㣐䎃ⴲ♧傞 䫟ⵌ㣢껺⚹勻䎃䌄勻㥩鵘կ 倝 僱饋끩⛲僽雽㢴度➃掚邪涸崞 ⸓䋞劅⽇䖤♧끩䔲⯓涸㥩䕙 㣢կ 姼㢪ⱚ⾎䎃荈搬⛲㼱♶✫ 莺륫莺束կ ➢ⱚ勠莺륫僽⚹ ✫父宠굥靈ꨍ곡ծ ❀靽⚪佐կ 罜 ➚屠鄆✫鵯⚡⠛絡涸⛴⤺鷳鵂 ꆄ륫鷶棟ծ 굷艗騥駟瘝䕎䒭崞峁 涸邍怵父宠䱹♴勻涸傈㶩䎂㸝 ㄤ곡ⵄկ
PHOTO HONG KONG TOURISM
65
䱲筻儘랓 66 I ❇崍倝僱㣐♶ず I 68 〵⻌鸔遳馰
66
❇崍倝僱㣐♶ず 嫦鸪倝僱⢕蒜ぐ㖑⼶➃鿪⠔⟄♶ず涸倰䒭勻 䎧餪կ 饿满勻⚰涸僱蒜䧴雽〳⟄罌贊ⵌ♶ず 涸㖑倰䠭「♸⠍♶ず涸ⱚ⾎倝䎃կ
䱲程僤됮 䊩荛〸 岲㕂➃㖈僱蒜劍ꢂ⛲ ⠔ⵌ㼈䏈♳껺父宠勻䎃䎂 㸝 馊⽂➃鵂僱蒜傞♧㹁銳 く♳⠛絡涸倰䕎䧴䕎礳㶩
ⱚ⾎倝䎃⿶獦⚹倝僱♧湬 ⟄勻鿪僽⼶➃剒ꅾ銳涸⠛絡 蒜傈կ 嫦♧䎃Ⰼ⚆歲ぐ㖑涸 ⼶➃鿪⠔⟄䔲㖑杝剣涸倰 䒭䎧牝鵯⚡暵ⵆ涸傈㶩կ ⚥㕂⻌倰剣く껛㶩ծ寖㕐涸 ⛴⤺껺度絶㢴ⵄ❇度嫦䎃 鿪剣餪㿨掆蔄宨怵倝끩㖑 ⼓⛲剣莺束ㄤ䯿됎欰瘝䎧 餪崞⸓կ 㖈❇崍⫸僽岲㕂ծ馊⽂ ㄤ傈劥瘝㖑⛲剣雽㢴♸⠍ ♶ず涸䎧牝倰䒭鵓䱹鵯⚡ ♧䎃♧䏞涸㣐傈㶩կ ➚䎃涸 ⱚ⾎倝䎃衅㖈 剢 傈 蕯 僽䟝銳䭆剣♶ず涸⡤낉䧴 雽〳罌贊ⵌⰦ㸐㕂㹻䠭 「䨔搬♶ず涸倝僱孞䜂կ 67
削靽鵂䎃♶䩧捜
WORDS MEIZ PHOTOS ISTOCK
岲㕂僽嵳㢪⼶➃剒㢴涸㕂 㹻⛓♧⡎ⱚ⾎倝䎃䎇ꬋ䔲 㖑涸Ⱆ㹁⧺傈♶㼱⼶➃㖑 ⼓㖈ⱚ⾎倝䎃劍ꢂ㽠䩧捜 ⠅䜂⡎岲㕂涸雽㢴㉁䏅⣜ 傊撑䌢蠒⚌կ 削靽➃遳 :BPXBSBU㖈鵂䎃劍ꢂ㽍Ⱖ 掚ꢇ㣐遳㼭䋀鿪㖈䶓⽁䎾 蒜涸굹暟ծ邆剪ㄤ抧껑♧ⵌ 䎃♲⼧儻䖎㢴䏅㹻鿪⠔䒓㨤 佞ꮆ挩雮假㹐⟌剣劼⠔䠭 「崽崽涸倝僱孞䜂կ 姼㢪嫦 䎃倝䎃劍ꢂ岲㕂Ⱆ⚺霜楧鸑 ⛲⠔勻ⵌ➃遳ぢ⼶➃牝 餪鵘孞㥩涸霢⛲腊♧漾Ⱆ ⚺涸굥ꅷկ 蕯僽錣䖤➃遳 㣖䭆䮥⛲〳⟄ⵌ僻䬝羴屎 ꣡鵛涸랫僈㼈♳껺父宠勻 䎃䎂㸝կ
馊⽂僱蒜く倰䕎礳 馊⽂僱蒜獦⚹5FU /HVZFO %BO⛲㽠僽⯋傉蒜 皍獦 ⚹5FU僽䔲㖑➃剒ꅾ銳涸蒜 䎧կ 馊⽂➃鵂僱蒜傞♧㹁銳 く♳⠛絡涸倰䕎礳㶩㣐㼭 鳅㣐㹻擿䜪涸♲錭礳㣐䖎
㢴ꤑ✫枽聘껦俱㢪剣涸鵮 醙♳綁鞝尪կ 嫦䎃鵂蒜脋䘋僈䋑涸ꣁ 䢴蔄遳鿪⠔⚿⸅僱蒜蔄䋑 㽍Ⱖ⟄呠蔄ծꆄ渭蔄ծꆄ命剒 「妅鵓ꬋ䌢掚ꢇկ 馊⽂➃♸ ⚥㕂➃♧呋剣㸛㿨涸⛴⤺ ꤑ㢧㢹䖎㢴䎃鲽㥎欰鵮⠔瑬 ♳⠛絡涸馊⽂偫郐 㤵럄 ♳ 遳⚹僱蒜欰蒀♶㼱կ 〥♧⚡ 剣馰涸⛴⤺獦⚹YPOH UFU ⛲㽠僽Ȿ䎃ծ Ȿ㋐涸䠑 䙼կ 䰘霹ⴲ♧ⲳ兑痦♧⡙ⵌ 霄涸㹐➃⠔䕧ㆇ㹻䏭䱹♴ 勻♧䎃涸鵘⸷㔔姼剣❈➃ ⠔곫⯓霧굥宐䋗溏溏➊ ⛎欰聰涸➃Ȿ䎃剒剣ⵄ⛓ たⱄ䲿곫紨կ
Ȿ絵䎧牝枽姻剢 赡搬傈劥㣐鿈ⴔ㙹䋑♶ⱄ䎧 牝ⱚ⾎䎃⡎Ȿ絵厤❈㖑⼓ 㥵䫡䋑ծ禴弬䋑ծ猌䀙➠傊 ⥂殆妅䎧ⱚ⾎倝䎃涸⛴⤺կ
歋✵ⱚ⾎倝䎃䎇ꬋⰖ㹁⧺ 傈䖎㢴䎧牝崞⸓鿪⠔䲿傍 ⵌワ劣鵳遤㔔姼僱蒜劍ꢂ 僱蒜ⵌⱾ絵假康㣐㢴侨㉁ 䏅鵮僽⠔㥵䌢蠒⚌կ 僱蒜劍 ꢂ涸㣔孞⛲ꬋ䌢军ㄤ⸈♳ ⿶僽餿둊㷍蒜䎋鵘涸霢鵮 腊妇餿ⵌ傈劥剒傍渿䒓涸埒 蔄㔔姼嫦䎃鿪エ䒸♶㼱康 㹐䖃կ ♸䖎㢴⼶➃㖑⼓♧呋Ȿ 絵涸ⱚ⾎劍ꢂⰌ㹻鿪⠔룅
翸♧㛔♧ず特䬺牏⯓ㄤく 㔙㕐껎կ Ȿ絵涸⠛絡䎃蝲㣐 㢴⟄枽聘⚹⚺⫸僽♲卐聘 ♲㽻聘ծ⚥实枽勇寖ծ 枽骢瘝㔔姼Ȿ絵➃⛲㼜ⱚ ⾎䎃獦⚹枽姻剢կ 姼㢪 鳊⟌⛲⠔絛㷛㶩⟌⾓㿨 ֶ 䎃桪 ⡎䎇ꬋ鄳㖈♧菚涸紤 ⺫⚥罜僽⽪剣㋐䎧㕃呋涸 傈䒭⥌㼓կ 罜䧭䎃涸㶩㥎ⴭ ⠔絛鳊䖵䎃餪 䔲⡲䠭 靧Ⱞ肫⛓䛸կ
68
〵⻌鸔遳馰 〵⻌⚎⼓➢⥌⛐㉁㕕䒁⠽荛䘞㷁⚎騟僽㙹⚥剒惐 剒挠涸㖑媯կ ꤑ✫衼ぜ㖑叻〵⻌ 鵮剣ぐⰨ暵蒀 涸涰餗㉁㖞♸俒㔩⼓⟄♶ず⚺곿エ䒸ぐ荈ぢ 涸偛纈⯎忘鸔遳⛙馰կ
䱲程僤됮
넞괃⧩欫挿 㖈〵⻌⥌⛐⼓鸔遳⯎忘馰 䚍❭倝곽涸餝暟㉁㖞ꅽ ♶僽⼪眜♧䖒涸㕂꣢ㅷ晥 罜僽ぐⰨ暵蒀涸鸔遳⡤낉կ ꛏ㼆䎃鲽偛纈涸"55 '6/僽絾ざ✫暵蒀귬껏ծ㣐㘗 㢹䏅ծ崨遤傞㼿ㅷ晥瘝瘝涸 㣐㘗㬛⛙㉁㖞⛕溏♸Ⱖ➭ ㉁㖞尵剣➊⛎⚙呋勻ⵌ㉁ 㖞 嚁涸欫蹓桬㕂欫ㅷ䱽♸ 昶䬝偛鿪銳䞞㋐㼺〭 侮⚡嚁㽻꧋ざ✫⼧㢴㹻귬 껏ぜ䏅䲿⣘鵛⼪猫欫挿⢕ 肮䩧鸣Ⰼ〵錞垷剒㣐涸欫 挿⛙㔩կ ぐ㹻귬껧♶〫欫挿 〡⠍㢴罜⚂⽁湱綦紹霶 ➃鵓ざ䩛劼掚䬝惐崨կ 嚁㽻霃雦⛲䩧鸣唀䎑留 霢⚺곿⟄昶⚽⚏唀康➲㞯 涸佦✲䌄⸓կ 欫蹓桬㕂ⴔ䧭 涯儏♸랱㢹涯儏⛓㕂蒀䕙 僈䘯⟄綦紹欫挿絆䧭留霢 ⛙㔩 랱㢹⛓㕂霃剣껺圶㝜 䒭㌂屮䩧鸣⼯㢹崣㼆涸孞 孧 牟猽嵠恟կ
WORDS MEIZ PHOTOS ALAMY, ISTOCK
挠ⴀ倝猰䪮 猰䪮昶㥩罏♧㹁銳ⵌ♲侨 ⡙欰崞㔩⼓䨾剣ꃎ挠倝됮 涸猰䪮欽ㅷ痦♧傞ꢂ㽠腊 㢿㖈鵯ꅽ䪪ⵌկ ♲㹁⡙⚹〵⻌涸猧〽 ⾲⡙✵⾎〷䝐⛉涸⯕⼶ ㉁㖞ꥬ㠗⠛絡♳㽠僽〵⻌ 歏㶩欽ㅷ涸➿邍䚍㖑挿կ ⠛ 絡歏㶩⽁㖞⟄㸔歑⚹㼆韌 䕎韌倝곽涸♲⽲饥㹻䏭 騟絁♶銳䖎䥡猰䪮⛲腊 ⛙㖈Ⱖ⚥鵓ざ歏㶩⻊欰崞 馋⸷կ ♲⟄涰餗Ⱆ涸垷䒭勻 絑蠒歏㶩❡ㅷ嫦⚡嚁㽻ぐ 剣♶ず⚺곿㥵侨⡙惐崨ծ䕧 ⫸❡ㅷծ歏梖⸓恟ծ❵㶩㬛⛙ 瘝瘝կ ぐ嚁㽻ꤑ✫㈒⽁❡ㅷ ⛲岤ꅾ⡤낉康䧬〳⟄霚梖ծ 갉ㆇ〳⟄霚ゑ❵㶩嚁㽻刿 剣ぐ䒭ぐ呋涸倝㣼梖Ⱘկ ぐ 㣐ㅷ晥涸嚋䙁䏅霃雦䖤剣㥵
ㅷ晥㾝㖞♧呋霃縨⡤낉錭 衅雮곥㹐梖餿剒倝猰䪮鵮 劢䋑涸嚋䙁❡ㅷ⛲⠔㖈姼 㾝爙雮猰䪮鶴⯓漾⚹䘯կ
俒ꫬ劊㖁㖑 ♲涸㼆㽠僽⼶㿋 俒 ⻊䠑❡⚌㔩⼓ 魧⚹䒊 ✵ 䎃涸ꂊ⾊ 㥵➚僽䠑 ⡲ㅷ㾝爙⚥䗱կ 㔩⼓ⰻ♧䎃 ⵌ㣢⚺⸅ぐ고暵蒀㾝錢㉁ 䏅⛲礵䕙剣馰կ Ⱖ⚥㥵㼭㐼欰崞瑟ꢂ 絕ざ傈䒭欰崞勇餗♸〵弩⾲ 䊨蒌㉁ㅷ ꫬ뚁⛼䏅㖈 㸌涸 嚁瑟ꢂ䩧鸣靬ꢓ 靀涸孧㔵 䀘⯕ꫬ僱ⱚ蒌끸 䨾⚺䩧〵弩蔄⼰宐卓絕ざ 礵荝霃雦⺫鄳կ ♶㺂ꝡ鵂涸 鵮剣杝Ⱘㅷ涸㥩呋䙼絶 嚁僽㹔ⰻ蔄㔩귬⾍ 嚁 僽⛼䏅ꤑ✫⛼硂⛲剣ぐ䒭 欰崞㐼Ⱘծ罈暟⟝ծ霃雦ㅷ瘝 瘝⟁➃昶♶ꅺ䩛կ ♸⼶㿋嚋䙁湱⡃涸僽匠 㿋俒㔩⼓魧⚹ 䎃 涸匠㿋掆⾊㥵➚鲮㘗⚹俒 㔩⼓䌢䎃⚺⸅ぐ고蒌俒 㾝錢ծ俒崞⸓瘝瘝կ 罈䒊瘰 劥魧䊺絑䖎剣暵蒀䨪㢪鵮 剣掆⾊殆♴涸蔄㔩ծ㌂屮ծ欰 䙖寑ծ覄覄龏龏涸吆加կ 匠㿋㔩⼓⟄㾝錢⚹⚺㉁ 䏅鳅㼱⡎䊨⾊䒊瘰倾鴝㽠
69
僽梡➿䠭涸〵⻌俒㣐嚁 歋衼ぜ䒊瘰䋗⟻⚎⚪꧆霃 雦絕ざ✫霟ㅷ俒假껧♸ ㉁㖞կ ㉁㖞ꅽ〳⟄䪪ⵌ雽㢴 〵弩ㅷ晥鵮䲀ⴀぐ猫俒 䩛⡲⡤낉㥵荈ⵖꜾ䧯ծ 加䊨 ⵖ⡲ծ オ梯槴瘝瘝鸔㉁㖞♶ 〫僽餝暟鵮〳⟄侫侫䩧䩧 ❵魧⡤낉䩛⡲䊨蒌涸눂⸂կ
➢䊩⣩곡傞ꛏ 〵⻌㣐遳㼭䋀ꢂ惐䏅卌用⯎ 忘鸔遳馰 ♲侨⡙欰崞㔩 ⼓㹁⡙⚹〵⻌涸猧〽⾲ ꫬ 僱峕形涸"55 '6/կ
Lim Yong Fah and Ang Tong Explore I INTERVIEW Cher shot their long-awaited wedding photos in Okinawa, wearing the Ryusou traditional Okinawa costume. Lim Yong Fah is the winner of a Jetstar social media contest, in which she and her husband got to renew their wedding vows on board Jetstar’s first flight to Okinawa. Read the full story on page 72.
71 71
JETSTAR NEWS 72 I WHERE AM I? 75 I MAPS 76
Inflight I JETSTAR NEWS
72
IN SEPTEMBER 2017, we ran a competition on social media, asking married couples why they’d want to renew their wedding vows if given a chance. We received more than 200 entries from both young and senior couples in Singapore, sharing with us their heartwarming stories. Lim Yong Fah touched us with her entry, and two months later, she and her husband Ang Tong Cher renewed their marriage vows on board our inaugural flight from Singapore to Okinawa on 17 November 2017. The couple read out their wedding vows in Mandarin, witnessed by their four daughters, two sons-in-law, two grandchildren, relatives and 160 passengers and cabin crew. The Ang family of 12 also enjoyed a four-day, three-night all-inclusive holiday in Okinawa, courtesy of the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hotel Nikko Alivila, ANA Intercontinental Manza Beach Resort, Premium Rentacar and Sky Rent-A-Car. While in Okinawa, Mr and Mrs Ang also took the opportunity to dress up in Ryusou (traditional Okinawan costume) and take photos at Bise Fukugi Tree Street and Koki Beach in Nago City. With its pristine beaches, emeraldgreen waters, clear blue skies and romantic backdrops, it is little wonder that Okinawa is one of the top wedding spots in Asia. Jetstar is the only airline flying regularly between Singapore and Okinawa. Flights are on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, from as low as S$159 one way. Book at jetstar.com.
PHOTOS NIK VOON OF MULTIFOLDS
A MEMORABLE FLIGHT FOR THE ANG FAMILY
73
FOLLOW US FOR TRAVEL, INSPIRATION AND MORE JetstarAsiaAirways @jetstarasia @Jetstar_Asia
Inflight I STAR JOURNEYS
#StarJourneys
74
1
2
3
4
1. Vijay Kumar Patil @Sgtrek “It’s the people who make the trip fun.” Krakatoa, Indonesia 2. Tan Cheng Gee @jingyichen “[W for] A warm welcome to paradise! Loving the clear and blue waters.” Phi Phi Island, Thailand 3. Randolph Irwin V. Vitales @Randyvitales “The best adventures are the one you learn more about the world around you.” Longshan Temple, Taiwan 4. Sim Ping Ting @ping.ting “I never knew I was scared of fishes until I came to this place. But it was so worth it.” Erawan National Park, Thailand
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.
Taken some great snaps during your recent Jetstar holiday? Post them on social media, tag us at #StarJourneys on Instagram @jetstarasia, Twitter @Jetstar_Asia or Facebook @Jetstar Asia, include a simple caption – and if we feature your picture you will win a S$100 Jetstar voucher!
Inflight I PUZZLE
Where am I?
ANSWERS 1_ Hosier Lane, Melbourne 2_ Haji Lane, Singapore 3_ Tank Lane, Tai Ping Shan, Hong Kong 4_ Kalijodo Park, Jakarta PHOTOS ISTOCK, ALAMY
Can you guess the location based on these photos? All spots this issue feature colourful and stunning street-art, in cities around the network
Fun fact: One of these pieces is the largest mural in Jakarta.
75 1 Clue: This laneway was painted over in 2013 so that new street art pieces could be created.
3 Clue: This staircase connects Square and Bridges streets. Nearby are artworks of Bruce Lee and a multi-coloured fox.
2 Clue: This wall belongs to a shop in the narrowest laneways in an area considered one of the trendiest retail and food areas in the city.
4 Clue: This mural, titled “Gores Sejarah Kita,” or “Inscribe Our History”, is in a park in that also features four pieces of the Berlin Wall.
Route maps I WHERE WE FLY
INTERNATIONAL Operated by Jetstar Airways Operated by Jetstar Asia Operated by Jetstar PaciďŹ c Operated by Jetstar Japan
Tokyo (Narita)
Zhengzhou
Nagoya (Chubu)
Osaka (Kansai)
Shanghai (Pudong)
Guangzhou Hanoi Dong Hoi
Chiang Mai
Yangon Bangkok
76
Shantou
Okinawa Taipei
Hong Kong Haikou
Da Nang Clark Siem Reap Phnom Penh
Hawaii (Honolulu)
Manila
Ho Chi Minh City
Phuket Hat Yai Penang Medan
Kuala Lumpur
Pekanbaru
Singapore
Palembang Jakarta Surabaya Bali (Denpasar)
Darwin Fiji (Nadi)
Cairns Townsville
Cook Islands (Rarotonga)
Brisbane Gold Coast Perth Adelaide
Sydney Melbourne (Tullamarine)
Auckland Wellington Christchurch
Queenstown
DOMESTIC VIETNAM
DOMESTIC JAPAN
Hanoi Hai Phong
Sapporo
Tha nh Hoa V inh Dong Hoi Hue Da Nang Chu Lai Pleiku Quy Nhon
Phu Quoc
Tokyo (Narita) Nagoya (Chubu)
Tuy Hoa Buon Ma Thuot
Matsuyama Osaka (Kansai) Fukuoka Takamatsu Oita Kumamoto
Nha Trang Da Lat
Kagoshima
Miyazaki
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 (Avalon)
Melbourne (Tullamarine)
Launceston Operated by Jetstar Airways
Hobart
Auckland
Wellington Christchurch Queenstown
77
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, 2018.
SINGAPORE – HAIKOU / HAIKOU – SINGAPORE 3 hours 30 minutes (GMT+7)
JETSTAR ASIA SINGAPORE – BANGKOK / BANGKOK – SINGAPORE
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
06:15
HAK
09:45
SIN
07:30
HAK
11:10
HAK
10:45
SIN
14:25
HAK
12:15
SIN
15:55
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
07:10
BKK
08:35
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
09:00
BKK
10:25
SIN
18:15
HDY
18:45
SIN
11:25
BKK
12:50
SIN
19:30
HDY
19:55
SIN
12:40
BKK
14:00
SIN
20:35
HDY
21:05
SIN
18:30
BKK
19:55
HDY
19:35
SIN
22:05
SIN
19:10
BKK
20:35
HDY
20:35
SIN
23:15
BKK
09:15
SIN
12:50
HDY
21:50
SIN
00:25
15:20
M
T
W
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
W
T
F
S
S
T
F
S
S
W
T
F
S
S
W
T
F
S
S
SINGAPORE – HATYAI / HATYAI – SINGAPORE
2 hours 30 minutes (GMT+7) T
F
S
S
1 hour 30 minutes (GMT+7) M
T
BKK
11:45
SIN
BKK
13:30
SIN
17:05
BKK
14:55
SIN
18:30
SINGAPORE – HONG KONG / HONG KONG – SINGAPORE
BKK
20:55
SIN
00:25
3 hours 55 minutes (GMT+8)
BKK
21:20
SIN
00:50
SINGAPORE – JAKARTA / JAKARTA – SINGAPORE 1 hour 45 minutes (GMT+7)
78
Departure
Departure
Time
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
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
09:35
HKG
13:40
SIN*
15:40
HKG
19:45
HKG
14:20
SIN
18:20
HKG*
2025
SIN
0025
M
T
W
* No Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday service from 9 Jan - 8 Feb
SINGAPORE – PHUKET / PHUKET – SINGAPORE 1 hour 45 minutes (GMT+7) Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
08:00
HKT
08:50
SIN
08:25
HKT
09:20
SIN
14:40
HKT
15:35
SIN
20:30
HKT
21:15
HKT
09:40
SIN
12:35
HKT
10:00
SIN
12:55
HKT
16:15
SIN
19:10
HKT
21:55
SIN
00:50
M
T
* No Wednesday service from 9 Jan - 8 Feb
SINGAPORE – DANANG / DANANG – SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE – MEDAN / MEDAN – SINGAPORE
2 hours 30 minutes (GMT+7)
1 hour 25 minutes (GMT+7)
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
18:30
DAD
20:10
SIN
08:10
KNO
08:45
DAD
20:50
SIN
00:40
SIN
10:35
KNO
11:05
SIN
15:15
KNO
15:45
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
SIN
20:00
KNO
20:35
SINGAPORE – CLARK / CLARK – SINGAPORE
KNO
09:25
SIN
11:55
3 hours 40 minutes (GMT+8)
KNO
11:45
SIN
14:15
KNO
16:25
SIN
18:50
KNO
21:15
SIN
23:45
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
02:20
CRK
06:00
CRK
07:00
SIN
10:40
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
SINGAPORE – KUALA LUMPUR / KUALA LUMPUR – SINGAPORE SINGAPORE – DENPASAR / DENPASAR– SINGAPORE
1 hour 5 minutes (GMT+8) Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
07:20
KUL
08:25
09:55
SIN
09:30
KUL
10:30
13:25
SIN*
12:55
KUL
13:55
SIN
18:05
KUL
19:05 20:45
2 hours 45 minutes (GMT+8) Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
07:05
DPS
DPS
10:45
SIN
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
SIN
19:45
KUL
SINGAPORE – DARWIN / DARWIN – SINGAPORE
KUL
09:05
SIN
10:10
4 hours 30 minutes (GMT+9.5)
KUL
11:20
SIN
12:25
KUL*
14:35
SIN
15:40
KUL
19:50
SIN
20:55
KUL
21:25
SIN
22:30
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN*
23:05
DRW
05:20
06:00
SIN
#
DRW
* No Monday, Tuesday and Thursday service from 9 Jan - 8 Feb
M
T
W
T
09:00 #
No Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday service from 10 Jan - 9 Feb
F
S
S
* No Friday service from 9 Jan - 8 Feb
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
SINGAPORE – OKINAWA / OKINAWA – SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE – PHNOM PENH / PHNOM PENH – SINGAPORE
5 hours 10 minutes (GMT+9)
2 hours (GMT+7)
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
01:50
OKA
08:00
SIN*
06:20
PNH
07:20
OKA
08:55
SIN
13:15
SIN
13:25
PNH
14:25
SIN
18:30
PNH
19:30
PNH*
08:15
SIN
11:20
PNH
15:10
SIN
18:15
PNH
20:15
SIN
23:20
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
SINGAPORE – MANILA / MANILA – SINGAPORE 3 hours 35 minutes (GMT+8)
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
T
F
S
S
T
F
S
S
S
S
* No Friday service from 9 Jan - 8 Feb
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
06:25
MNL
10:00
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
SIN
16:35
MNL
20:10
SINGAPORE – SIEM REAP / SIEM REAP – SINGAPORE
SIN*
16:55
MNL
20:30
2 hours 10 minutes (GMT+7)
MNL
10:40
SIN
14:20
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
MNL
20:50
SIN
00:30
SIN
14:40
REP
15:15
MNL*
21:15
SIN
00:55
REP
16:00
SIN
19:25
M
T
W
* No Friday service from 9 Jan - 8 Feb
SINGAPORE – MANILA – OSAKA / OSAKA – MANILA – SINGAPORE 3 hours 35 minutes (from SIN to MNL); 3 hours 55 minutes (from MNL to KIX) (GMT+8/GMT+9) Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
SINGAPORE – YANGON / YANGON – SINGAPORE 2 hours 55 minutes (GMT+6.5) Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
09:10
RGN
10:35
SIN
02:20
MNL
05:55
SIN
17:30
RGN
18:55
MNL
06:55
KIX
11:35
RGN
11:30
SIN
16:05
KIX
13:20
MNL
16:40
RGN
19:35
SIN
00:10
MNL
17:40
SIN
21:20
M
T
W
SINGAPORE – PALEMBANG / PALEMBANG – SINGAPORE SINGAPORE – PENANG / PENANG – SINGAPORE
1 hour 05 minutes (GMT+7)
1 hour 20 minutes (GMT+8) Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
10:40
PEN
12:05
SIN
15:10
PEN
16:35 21:15
SIN
19:50
PEN
PEN
12:45
SIN
14:10
PEN
17:15
SIN
18:40
PEN
21:55
SIN
23:20
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
Time
Arrival
Time
07:10
SGN
08:15
SIN
14:00
SGN
15:05
SIN
19:20
SGN
20:30
SGN
08:55
SIN
12:00
SGN
15:45
SIN
18:50
SGN
21:10
SIN
00:10
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
Arrival
Time
SIN
09:25
PKU
09:30
SIN
13:50
PKU
13:55
PKU
10:10
SIN
12:05
PKU
15:10
SIN
17:15
13:40
PLM
14:20
SIN
16:30
M
T
W
T
F
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN*
01:20
TPE
05:55
SIN
01:20
TPE
06:00
SIN
07:10
TPE
11:50
TPE*
06:55
KIX
10:25
TPE
07:00
KIX
10:25
TPE
12:45
KIX
16:10
KIX*
11:35
TPE
13:50 19:25
KIX
17:10
TPE
TPE*
14:50
SIN
19:35
TPE
20:20
SIN
01:05
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
W
T
F
S
S
F
S
S
SINGAPORE – PERTH / PERTH – SINGAPORE 5 hours 25 minutes (GMT+8)
1 hour (GMT+7) Time
Time
PLM
* No Monday service from 9 Jan - 8 Feb
SINGAPORE – PEKANBARU / PEKANBARU - SINGAPORE Departure
Arrival
13:25
4 hours 45 minutes (from SIN to TPE); 2 hours 40 minutes (from TPE to KIX) (GMT+8/GMT+9)
2 hours (GMT+7) SIN
Time
SIN
SINGAPORE – TAIPEI – OSAKA / OSAKA – TAIPEI – SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE – HO CHI MINH CITY / HO CHI MINH CITY – SINGAPORE Departure
Departure
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
Departure
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
17:55
PER
23:10
PER
00:10
SIN
05:20
M
T
SINGAPORE – SURABAYA / SURABAYA – SINGAPORE 2 hours 15 minutes (GMT+7)
SINGAPORE – SHANTOU / SHANTOU – SINGAPORE 4 hours 5 minutes (GMT+8) Departure
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 20:20
Time
Arrival
Time
SIN
11:50
SWA
15:50
SIN
18:55
SUN
SIN
13:45
SWA
17:50
SUB
14:05
SIN
17:30
SWA
16:50
SIN
21:00
SUB
15:05
SIN
18:30
SWA
18:50
SIN
23:00
SUB
21:00
SIN
00:25
M
T
W
T
79
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
11:10
SIN
16:50
SGN
07:10
SIN
10:10
SIN
21:00
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
17:50
DPS
21:25
DPS
22:15
SIN
01:00
SIN
05:00
DPS
07:40
DPS
08:30
PER
12:10
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 80
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.
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
from the lower legs. During your flight, move your legs and feet three or four minutes per hour, and move about.
Cabin pressure
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.
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.
Inflight I DESTINATIONS
82
Singapore RURIKO TANAKA Front office manager, Hilton Garden Inn Singapore, singaporeserangoon.hgi.com The best freebie a visitor can get in my city is… Explore a local wet market such as Tekka Market. The best place for a selfie is… Some of the best photo spots are in hidden alleyways, such as the Jasmine of the City or
Cattleland 2.0 murals at Chander Road and Buffalo Road respectively. A secret place that I love going to in my city is… Bar Stories along Haji Lane. The mixologists here will create a unique cocktail for you. The most scenic spot in the city is… Our hotel pool deck (open to the public) overlooks the beating heart of the city, with traditional shophouses against a backdrop of towering skyscrapers. The best attraction or local hangout to take a guest to is… Non Entrée Dessert
Café, along Rangoon Road. Everyone knows Singaporeans love to eat – and this quiet café is home to some of the wackiest and most ingenious desserts I’ve ever seen. The best place for a drink or meal with a view? Southbridge Bar and Mad Men Attic Bar offer good views of the skyline with
tasty food and drinks. It’s a little different from the usual scene that tourists already know. What’s a good souvenir to buy and where do I get it? There’s a rich cultural story to be told about every sari. Nalli, along Buffalo Road, has an amazing collection.
Inflight I DESTINATIONS
83
Siem Reap
PHOTOS ISTOCK
HERMAN KEMP General Manager, Park Hyatt Siem Reap, siemreap.park.hyatt.com The best place to go shopping in my city is… Old Market. You can find all locally handmade products to take home for your loved ones. If you would like to have more luxurious souvenirs, you can visit ateliers such as Theam’s
CAMBODIA
House or Artisans Angkor. For fashion, a visit to Eric Raisina Couture House will blow your mind. What’s a good souvenir to buy and where do I get it? Wood carvings, silver and silk products, which you can find in the Old Market or in the boutiques in the main area of town. If you’re only there for a day, what’s one must-do? Angkor Wat, of course. Talk to our concierge team and we can tailor-make a tour for you which includes the lesser-known temples that are in the middle of the forest.
The best freebie a visitor can get in my city is… If you are a runner, run down the riverside at 5.30am and you will have a chance of catching the glorious sunrise. The best attraction or local hangout to take a guest to is… Pub Street. There are some quaint and cosy
streets just off the main street with a few unique cocktail bars. A secret place that I love going to in my city is… The countryside is so beautiful, especially during and after the rainy season (between July and October). The best place for local eats is… The Dining Room of Park Hyatt Siem Reap offers authentic Khmer cuisine along with live cultural performances.
Inflight I DESTINATIONS
84
Bali
INDONESIA
MARCUS BOYLE General manager, Ulu Cliffhouse, ulucliffhouse.com If you’re there only for a day, what’s one must-do? If you have never surfed before, get a longboard lesson from one of the local instructors at Padang Padang or jump on a stand-up paddleboard and explore the stunning coast.
The best place for local eats is… Dig your feet in the sand for sunset surrounded by glowing rockpools under the moonlight at Bingin Beach. It’s an international crowd but the grill serves a delicious local-style seafood BBQ.
The best place for a drink or meal with a view? The views on the Bukit are unparalleled, but for a great meal and drinks, Kiln in Seminyak serves brilliant fire-cooked food from the Eastern Med and killer cocktails on tap. The best attraction or local hangout to take a guest to is… Ulu Cliffhouse. The sheer cliff drop to the vast view of the Indian Ocean is nothing but breathtaking.
Just nature itself is enough to impress any guest in Uluwatu. A secret place that I love going to in my city is… Not far from the Uluwatu temple, down a little dirt road, is Malini Agro Park, the first organic farm on the Bukit. The view is incredible and there is a strong energy from the ocean and the surrounding wilderness. It’s the perfect place to clear your head and sip on a green Malini juice; there will also be yoga and meditation classes there soon.
Inflight I DESTINATIONS
85
Taipei DAVID SU General manager, citizenM Taipei North Gate, citizenm.com What’s a good souvenir to buy and where do I get it? Oolong tea. Nicely packaged tea can be found in tea shops such as Wang De Chuan Tea House and the historic wooden Wistaria Tea House, in the Da’an District.
TA I WA N
The best place for a drink or meal with a view is… Shin Yeh Taipei 101, on the 85th floor of the landmark skyscraper in Xinyi District. It offers local Taiwanese food served Western-style. The best place to go shopping in my city is… Xinyi District. It has numerous
department stores, Eslite Bookstore and the Taipei 101 shopping centre. The best place for local eats is… The night markets. Shilin is the largest and most famous, where you can find a huge variety of local snacks. If you’re only there for a day, what’s one must-do? The hop-on/hop off doubledecker bus that visits all the key landmarks. The best attraction or local hangout to take a guest to is… Jiufen. Originally an isolated mountain village, the town was built during the gold-rush
era at the time of the Japanese occupation in 1893. Narrow alleyways, old theatres and beautiful tea houses make it an enchanting town. The best place for a selfie is… Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – the pseudo-classical Chinesestyle architecture and the green city garden make it a perfect photo background.
Inflight I DESTINATIONS
86
Hong Kong SHANE PATEMAN Managing director, Cordis, Hong Kong, cordishotels.com/en/ hong-kong The best place to go shopping in my city is… PMQ, where you can wander for hours in a beautiful old colonial building, through shop after shop, all selling the most unique arts, crafts and design goodies.
A secret place that I love going to in my city is… Any of the hiking trails on Lantau Island for some peace and quiet, and also some of the best scenery one could hope for. Hong Kong’s best-kept secret is its outdoors. If you’re only there for a day, what’s one must-do? Take a relaxing quick trip on the nostalgic Star Ferry, and see both sides of the harbour. The most scenic spot in the city is… If it’s a clear day, it has to be Big Buddha on Lantau Island which you get to on the Ngong
CHINA
Ping Cable Car – the journey offers views of Hong Kong’s mountains and sea, which are breathtaking. The best freebie a visitor can get in my city is… A stroll through Kowloon Park very early in the morning. The best attraction or local hangout to take a guest to is… It has to be The Garage Bar at Cordis Hotel – outdoor food trucks, four floors above the street,
serving cool five-star street food and the best craft beers that Hong Kong has to offer. The best place for local eats is… Tai Ping Koon in Jordan where you are taken back in time with the service, food and environment.
87
Phuket PAUL JORDAAN General Manager, The Slate Phuket, theslatephuket.com The most scenic spot in the city is… With its sheltered sands and lovely coral reef, Nai Yang is a nice change of pace from Phuket’s busier beaches. The best place for a drink or meal with a view? If sunset cocktails are your thing,
THAILAND
The Slate’s Shore Thing beach club overlooks Nai Yang Beach. The best attraction or local hangout to take a guest to is… Phang Nga Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient limestone karsts and caves, living mangrove
forests, the floating Sea Gypsy village of Koh Panyee, and Ko Ta Pu island. Skip the speedboat tours and hire a long tail boat. A secret place I love going to in my city is… On a hill between Ya Nui and Nai Harn beaches you’ll find the peaceful Windmill Viewpoint, set beneath a decades-old wind turbine. If you’re only there for a day, what’s one must-do? Explore the Old Town. You can take in quite a bit of history just by walking down the streets – many shopfronts,
bars and restaurants showcase family antiques. Anyone looking to discover more about the island’s past should visit the Thalang National Museum, with exhibits detailing the story of the two heroine sisters, Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon, who successfully defended Phuket during the Burmese-Siamese War.
Inflight I TRAVEL TALES
The naked truth The ‘bare’ facts when it comes to travelling with colleagues words christine retschlag
Imagine her delight when she heard another woman’s voice on the end of the line, and the ensuing argument when he got home. There’s bad manners and then there’s bed manners. And it’s not just with colleagues that confusion occurs. Last year, on a work trip that my sister joined me on, I was organised enough to ask for a room with twin
Travelling with colleagues is rife with the potential for misunderstandings beds in advance. But we arrived on an exotic island at 3am, only to discover one double bed. Their explanation? Because we shared the same surname, they assumed my sister was my husband.
With so many mix ups, I’ve grown to accept that travelling with someone involves intimacy, and if it doesn’t bring us closer together, I’ll at least give them something to laugh about (sigh).
ILLUSTRATION KURT PARTON
88
WORK TRIPS CAN BE fraught with chaos and confusion. For one, there’s the unexpected nudity. There’s a startling moment of truth when you’ve been invited into a hammam or onsen only to realise you have to actually get naked… in front of your colleagues. This actually happened to me last year, and I spent a good hour tussling with the towel in a steaming hot hammam in a bid to retain the last shreds of my clothing and dignity. Needless to say, the hammam won. Pay raise, anyone? Another time, I once indulged in a delicious mud massage, where, again buck naked, I was smothered from head to toe in silky silt. The only problem: the next day the same masseuse sat in the front row of a conference which I was presenting at, while images of my indecent exposure flashed through my murky mind. Travelling with colleagues is also rife with the potential for misunderstandings. A hotel in which I was recently staying mistakenly placed a phone call from my colleague’s wife through to my room.