starexpress_full by kelvinneno84

COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Deluxe Service & Entertainment with Transtar! Aug~Dec07

Catch X-Men:

The Last Stand and other new blockbusters!

Travel in style with Transtar

The hottest spas in Kuala Lumpur

Relax Rejuvenate

Located all over Malaysia, Mandara Spa is a haven for the body and soul, and will make your road trip more enjoyable and comfortable.

Mandara Spa offers 300 different treatments throughout the world, but the menu at each spa is tailored to each spa’s theme, design and clientele. The spa menu is made up of Balinese treatments; traditional and classic techniques from Europe or Asia; and indigenous treatments native to the land in which the spas are located. The result is a uniquely indulgent and exotic experience with an East-West ﬂavor.

SPECIAL DEALS!

Mention this ad to enjoy the following promotions on body and face treatments. a 50-minute Balinese 1. Book massage and receive a

complimentary refresher facial. Expires on 31st December 2007

Buy one treatment and receive one complimentary treatment of equal or lesser value. Valid from 10am to 1pm; Mondays to Thursdays only. Expires on 31st December 2007

Early Bird Special enjoy 40% 3. off any spa service. Valid from 10am to 1pm; Mondays to Thursdays only.

Expires on 31st December 2007

Buy one gift voucher and receive 4. one complimentary Gift Voucher of equal or lesser value.

Expires on 31st December 2007

Call Mandara Spa today and make your advanced reservations with any of the following branches throughout Malaysia. Prince and Residence Hotel (Kuala Lumpur) Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa (Kuala Lumpur) Soﬁtel Palm Resort (Senai, Johor) The Magellan Sutera Harbour (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) The Paciﬁc Sutera Hotel (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) Miri Marriott (Sarawak)

+603 2170 8888 +603 7495 2080 +607 599 6000 +6088 308 720 +6088 303 680 +6085 421 121

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elcome to the new and improved Star Express! Your onboard magazine has undergone a makeover. Turn the pages and you’ll see bigger, better pictures; cleaner, dynamic layouts; and more interesting reads. In short, Star Express is your must-have travel guide on Transtar.

We give you plenty of reasons to travel with Transtar. For one, we’ve introduced new columns and sections. In Road Trip, visit the fascinating cities along our routes. In this re-launch issue, we take an in-depth look at historic Malacca and introduce you to the best spas in KL for a little indulgent pampering. If it’s shopping and entertainment you’re after, then look no further than Quick Escape and Shop Stop, where we explore the best of Genting Highlands and uncover Singapore’s shopping havens.

WelcomeAboard!

We would also like to take this opportunity to update you on the latest developments in Transtar coach services. Passenger comfort has always been our top priority. This issue, we unveil our luxury travel lounges, designed for passengers to relax and unwind in, even before their journey starts. Then get acquainted with the state-of-the-art features and amenities on both our First Class and Premium luxury coaches in Hot Wheels.

On your trip, catch the latest blockbusters and movies onboard – as always, Transtar offers a great range of entertainment to keep you happily occupied. Adding a touch of fun is the trivia quiz in Time Out, plus we offer practical tips for parents travelling with kids in Travel Smart. Happy reading and have a great trip!

Tajarul Yusmi Bin Mohd Yusup Operations Director

Contents

Spa Struck

Latest Blockbusters

Pleasant Ville

Quick Escape

4 ROAD TRIP

16 HOT WHEELS

30 TRAVEL SAFE

Pleasant Ville

Luxury On The Move

Coach safety features

Explore the quaint charm of Malaysia’s heritage town, Malacca.

Transtar’s First Class and Premium range of coaches will have you travelling in comfort and style.

32 TIME OUT

22 RELAX

Think you know Malaysia? Take this test to ﬁnd out.

Spa Struck Relax and rejuvenate in some of the best city spas KL has to offer.

8 QUICK ESCAPE Highland Thrills For a fun weekend getaway, head to Genting where the entertainment never ends.

12 SHOP STOP Treasure Island Check out Singapore’s best-kept shopping secrets.

Travel In Comfort

Did You Know...?

Kick back and enjoy Transtar’s new travel lounges.

34 HOT DEALS

24 SHOW TIME

Great Transtar promotions not to be missed.

Enjoy a wide selection of the latest blockbusters, international movies and music on Transtar.

28 FAST TRACK Coach schedules and rates

Take A Break!

36 TRAVEL SMART Handy tips for travelling with kids.

Congratulations! In January this year, we ran a survey to gather demographics of Transtar passengers. A lucky draw was held for participants and the ﬁve lucky winners picked won $100 each. They are: 1> 2> 3> 4> 5>

Hen Li Mui from Malaysia Eric Chu from Hong Kong David D Wong from Singapore Heriati Raﬁqi from Australia Lai Chung Kwei from Malaysia

All winners will be notiﬁed by email or phone. We would like to thank everyone who participated for their time, especially winner Heriati Raﬁqi from Australia for her generosity. She wrote:

“If I do win, please donate the money to my beloved Ah Meng from the Singapore Zoo.”

EDITORIAL ADVISOR: SEBASTIAN C.S. YAP (TRANSTAR TRAVEL). FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES, CALL MS SARAH NG AT 6297-7771. PUBLISHING AGENT: SPAFAX AIRLINE NETWORK PTE LTD EDITORIAL AND DESIGN: PAPERCLIP COMMUNICATIONS PTE LTD MANAGING DIRECTOR: ALVIN GAN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: MING RODRIGUES ART DIRECTOR: LESLIE NEO PROJECT EDITOR: KEVIN KWANG SENIOR EDITOR: LALITHA NAIDU ASSOCIATE EDITOR: SAKINAH MANAFF SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: JUNE WANG, TAN GEK CHENG ALL EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES TO KEVIN KWANG, PAPERCLIP COMMUNICATIONS PTE LTD, 50 PLAYFAIR ROAD, #02-04 NOEL BUILDING, SINGAPORE 367995 TELEPHONE: (65) 6289 4822 ■ FAX: (65) 6289 4833 EMAIL: kevin@paperclip.com.sg ALL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES TO RACHEL FAM, SPAFAX AIRLINE NETWORK PTE LTD, 69A BOAT QUAY, SINGAPORE 049857 TELEPHONE: (65) 6536 1146 ■ FAX: (65) 6536 1148 ■ www.spafaxsingapore.com EMAIL: rachel@spafax.com or sales@spafax.com PRINTER: UTOPIA PRESS (TBC)

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In its heyday, Malacca was a major port of call attracting traders, missionaries and conquerors. Today, its rich heritage and old world charm draw visitors year-round. By Sakinah Manaff

Pleasant Ville s most cities in Asia build skyscrapers and reinvent themselves with the march of progress, its past is inevitably, and sometimes irrevocably, erased. In this respect, Malacca, one of Malaysia’s most famous heritage towns, stands out for proudly holding onto its colourful legacy. Here, history is everywhere. Visitors are reminded of the city’s glorious multi-cultural heritage when they walk past the town square, where mosques sit cheek-by-jowl beside Dutch colonial buildings and Portuguese churches. Once an unknown settlement frequented by sea gypsies and pirates, Malacca’s fate took an unexpected turn when a Javanese prince, fleeing Indonesia, landed on its shores in the 14th Century, marking the city’s steady rise from obscure fishing village to powerful empire. It did not take long before Malacca became prosperous and dominant in the East-West trade. But its popularity and wealth also meant that it attracted conquerors. The Portuguese were the first to arrive in 1511, followed by the Dutch and later, the English, and each colonial

Above Christ Church. Right Walk through the picturesque streets of Malacca and discover its heritage.

empire left its legacy in the form of architecture, food and culture. Today, this charming town is littered with so many monuments and relics that it feels like a walk through a museum. Every building tells its own story of conquest, valour and victory.

Colonial Ambitions

The most prominent landmark that overlooks Malacca is the Porta de Santiago (A’Famosa) at the foot of St Paul’s Hill. It’s a fortress built by Portuguese admiral, Alfonso d’Albuquerque, in 1511, but was badly damaged when the Dutch invaded in 1641.

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oa R Today, all that remains is the fortress gate, which is the oldest surviving European architectural ruin in Asia.

The diversity in religion also meant a plethora of places of worship – each with its own distinctive architecture.

Around St Paul’s Hill are buildings characteristic of Dutch architecture during that period. The most distinctive building you will come across is the Stadthuys. Built in 1650, it was the official residence of Dutch governors and their officers. Today, it houses the Museum of History and Ethnography. Originally white, it was given a striking salmon-red colour to match the nearby Christ Church - the oldest surviving Dutch church found outside the Netherlands.

At 150 years old, the Tengkera Mosque was inspired by Sumatran architecture, characterised by its pyramid-shaped roof. Within its grounds is the tomb of Sultan Hussain of Johor, who signed Singapore over to Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.

At the top of St Paul’s Hill lies St Paul’s Church, the church built by the Portuguese in 1521. The building became dilapidated when it turned into a fort under the Dutch, and later, a storage area under the British. Although it’s an empty shell today, the ruins are still worth exploring for the beautiful scenery from the hill and the ancient funerary stone slabs.

One of the oldest mosques in the country is the Kampong Kling Mosque, which has East-West architectural details such as a three-tiered, pyramid–shaped roof and a pagoda-like minaret. It is also the site of the Mandi Safar, or bathing festival, celebrated by Indian Muslims during the Islamic month of Safar.

Melting Pot

One of the fascinating aspects of Malacca is that, historically, it was a melting pot of people, religions and cultures from all over the world. Gujarati Muslim traders did business with Chinese businessmen; Catholic Portuguese worked alongside Dutch Protestants; and Eurasians mingled with wealthy Chitty merchants from South India. The Peranakan culture, a hybrid between Chinese ethnic and religious traditions and Malay language and culture, is still very much alive in Malacca as well.

Above Tengkera Mosque. Left Be enthralled by the statuesque ruins of A’Famosa.

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Right Jonker Street. Below Cheng Hoon Tong Temple.

Visit Malaysia 2007 The Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 is the third such event to be held after more than a decade. There are various events and festivals held throughout the year like Bazaar Ramadhan, Malaysia International Aerospace Adventure, and Rainforest World Music Festival, amongst others. What makes VMY 2007 more significant is that it coincides with Malaysia’s 50 years of independence. So log onto www.tourism.gov.my for more information.

Calendar of Events (Aug-Dec 2007) Built in 1646, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. Reflective of Southern Chinese architecture, it features mythical figures, animals, birds and flowers of porcelain and glass. The temple also has an inscription commemorating the first visit of Admiral Cheng Ho, the Ming emperor’s emissary to Malacca. The Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple, built in 1781 on the site of the Chitty’s first settlement, was dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant god. Today, the temple is still in use, serving as a venue for weddings and festivals.

Treasure Trove

Being so steeped in history, Malacca, naturally, has an amazing variety of antique shops. You can find most of them on Jonker Street (also known as Jalan Hang Jebat) and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock. Don’t be fooled by the exterior - these musty old shops are a treasure trove for antique furniture, porcelain, old coins, oil lamps, relics, arts and crafts. Jonker Street also has stores selling interesting gemstones, jewellery and trinkets. You can also shop for material to make traditional Straits Chinese costumes. Those who love antique currency can find old notes and coins on sale, while ceramics are popular as well and there are also a few shops selling fine China and porcelain ware. For traditional pottery and handicrafts, drop by the Karyaneka Handicrafts Emporium on Laksamana Street. Also available are lacquer ware, brassware and various items made of rattan. A visit to Malacca is a trip back in time. So soak up its history by lingering in its many ruins and monuments, and don’t miss out on the amazing array of souvenirs and local products while you’re there.

Malaysia International Fireworks Competition 18 August - 2 September, Putrajaya, KL The competition will feature various countries vying to create brilliant displays to transform the sky into a grand theatre of pyrotechnics. www.globalcomm.com.my Penang International Lantern Festival 15 September - 14 October The Lantern Festival, also known as the MidAutumn Festival, marks the successful rebellion against the Mongol rulers of the Yuan Dynasty in 14th Century China. Children and adults rejoice by walking around at night with lanterns in various colours. www.tourismpenang.gov.my Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 27 October - 31 October Featuring a dazzling display of high fashion, the 4th KL International Fashion Week is a mecca for fashion designers, models and fashionistas. See what local designers have to offer as they compete for the top awards. www.kualalumpurfashionweek.com Terengganu Monsoon Cup 2007 28 November - 2 December Pulau Duyong, famed for its traditional boat building industry, is the host for the international boat racing event under the Swedish Match Tour. Various other events are held in conjunction with the Monsoon Cup to showcase Terengganu’s rich arts and cultural heritage. www.monsooncup.com.my

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Tired from shopping and sightseeing in KL? Rest your weary body and come out refreshed at one of the many spas that dot the city. By Sakinah Manaff

Pictures by Angsana

Spa Trek

Here are some of KL’s top city spas.

Spa Struck

hen you think of Malaysia’s capital city, spas are not the first thing that come to mind. Indeed, KL is not usually associated with extravagant body treatments like other destinations in Asia, such as Bali and Phuket.

However, the city has a variety of spas to cater to any budget and expectation. These tend to fall into two categories: those affiliated with five-star hotels or those stand-alone establishments within a mall or commercial space. Starhill Gallery’s top level is a good example of the latter, with a luxurious collection of spas whose treatments range from all-day packages to quickie lunch-time facials. In the past few years, the city has slowly witnessed the advent of a spa

lifestyle. As people grow more affluent and become more conscious of their well-being, spas and health clubs have started to offer holistic experiences. In other words, you can have a massage, then indulge in healthy cuisine or work out in the gym or relax in the private lounge that is located within the premises of the spa or health centre. This underone-roof spa and health club is usually found in hotels and is great for spending the whole day in. Now, there are also exotic body treatments such as Hungarian Bath, Moor Mud Body Wrap and Chamomile Body Scrub – which promise to detoxify the body, and relax the spirit. The bigger and more luxurious spas even have state-of-the-art facilities like RainMist rooms for wet and steam treatments.

Angsana Spa The largest in KL with 22 treatment rooms, this spa at the Crown Plaza Mutiara Hotel has two RainMist facilities and outdoor spa pavilions complete with baths. Tel: +603 2141 4321 The Spa at Mandarin Oriental This spa is the perfect urban escape as it’s located right in the heart of the city at Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Apart from the various exotic treatments (try the Borneo Rainforest), it boasts a relaxation lounge, spa cuisine and infinity-edged pool. Tel: +603 2179 8772 Starhill Spa at JW Marriott With exotic treatments and comprehensive spa and fitness facilities, this spa also houses a full-size swimming pool, tennis court and jogging track. Tel: +603 2715 9000

After a busy day of shopping, eating and sight-seeing your way around KL, what better way to relax than to nip into one of the city spas? It’s a surefire way to rejuvenate your body and soul.

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Highland Thrills At 1,800 metres above sea level, Genting serves up RM40 million worth of fun and entertainment in a fully integrated family resort.

Genting offers a host of accomodation options.

With over 50 adrenalin-pumping rides and attractions, the fun never ends at Genting Theme Park.

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enting City of Entertainment is more than just casinos and high stakes. Here’s everything you wanted to know about Genting but never knew to ask: Go Figure: 18 million visitors – domestic and foreign – descend on Genting each year. Talk about hitting the jackpot. Coming Of Age: Established in 1971, Genting is 36 years old, which places it in the prime of its existence. And with that, the promise of better things to come. Sky-High Club: Hurtling at six metres per second, Genting Skyway Cable Cars is the world’s fastest cable car system. And did we mention it can carry 2,000 passengers (eight in a gondola) per hour, each way? Life on the fast track will never be the same again. Eco Watch: Did you know that despite the sheer entertainment extravaganza that is Genting, 96 per cent of Genting Highlands is still unexplored virgin forest? This is largely in keeping with the nature-loving spirit of its founder Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong. Be Cool: Year-round temperatures hover at a cool 22 degrees Celsius. So have all the fun you want, without breaking a sweat. Room Service, Anyone? With 10,000 guest rooms and suites across six hotels and two serviced apartments available, Genting brings a whole new meaning to the word “accommodating”. It’s A Knock-Out: Genting’s First World Hotel is, well, exactly that. It bagged the “largest hotel in the world” spot in the Guinness World Records, trouncing previous title holder, the world-famous MGM Grand Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. What’s more, in June 2006, First World was named the “World’s Largest Hotel” in the TV series, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not .

Be amazed by the interesting history of Genting Highlands and its founder at the Visitor’s Galleria, Genting Hotel

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It’s Showtime! International dance and music shows. Check. Magic acts and New Age circus. Check. If it’s entertainment you want, Genting offers a year-round buffet of heady attractions. The buzz happens in three venues: the 6,000-seat Arena of Stars, the Genting International Showroom at Genting Hotel and the Pavilion at First World Plaza. There’s more. Movie buffs can shuttle between two cineplexes, American Idol wannabes can bring the roof down at the ﬁve-room Be a Star Karaoke centre, and if that isn’t enough, six new entertainment hostpots have sprung up, including the newly opened Safari Fun Pub, which is a disco, pub and sports bar all rolled into one sleek setting. Smells Like Theme Spirit: Adrenalin junkies have the pleasure of picking from over 50 rides and attractions at a dizzying variety of indoor and outdoor theme parks. Genting Theme Park is the ﬁrst theme park in Malaysia with ISO 9001:2000

After sunset, it’s curtains up with a string of international dance and music acts.

Relax and rejuvenate at M Spa & Fitness.

ap e Q ui ck Es c Enjoy a leisurely gondola cruise in Little Venice at First World Plaza.

Genting Theme Park

Sky Venture

quality certiﬁcation, plus it clinched the “Best Family Resort” title at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2005-2006. And with good reason. For those who get a kick out of that heart-inmouth feeling, take the plunge in any of the ﬁve roller coasters; then pretend you’re free-falling in the skydiving simulator Sky Venture; or just make believe anything you want from over 500 computer-generated game simulators. Alternatively, get snowed under at the largest indoor snow house. The fun never ends.

Genting WorldCard members and invited guests. And if you’ve joined the ranks of a premium or valued guest, you may enter the newly launched Maxim room, where six private gaming suites and highly personalised one-to-one dealer service and hospitality (including butler service) await. If slot machines send you into a tailspin, then step right up to the new generation of futuristically designed machines kitted in neon lights and rich virtual graphics in StarWorld. Watch Lady Luck deal out her surreal best.

Show Me The Money: Who needs Macau or Las Vegas when there is Casino de Genting, right at our doorstep. It’s where big money beckons 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The game plan is to go on a winning streak through the glitzy glamour of Hollywood before moving on to the Big Top excitement of Circus Palace, and ending up in stylish Monte Carlo – just three of the casino’s thematic gaming rooms. Doors to the International Room/VIP Room open exclusively for

Deal Or No Deal: Shop till you drop – or your card maxes out – whichever comes ﬁrst, at First World Plaza. It houses more than 80 retail stores set within six destination theme areas – so it feels like you’re shopping around the world while soaking in the sights at the same time. Here, you can gawp at London’s Big Ben, New York’s Times Square and Statue of Liberty, Venice and its canals and even the Swiss Alps. Now that’s what we call a real bargain.

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Cho Lon

From stylish furniture to hard to find book titles, you can find all these, and more, in the cosy enclave known as Holland Village.

Treasure Island

Who says shopping in Singapore is dull and predictable? Check out these havens that are changing the local shopping landscape. ant to satisfy your urge for a spot of retail therapy but put off by the thought of teeming crowds in Orchard Road, City Hall and Suntec City? You would be glad to know that Singapore’s shopping scene has developed beyond these major shopping belts. Thanks to the rising rental costs in these areas, young, ambitious entrepreneurs and designers are increasingly looking for off-beat and quirky locations to set up shop. This allows them the time and flexibility to build up a loyal client base without having to

worry about crippling rental fees on top of other expenses. In fact, many avant-garde boutique outlets featuring designer labels, hip furniture and lifestyle accessories can now be found in the unlikeliest of places. After all, with French fashion house, Commes des Garçon, triggering the search for unique retail spaces by setting up its ‘guerrilla store’ in the heartland neighbourhood of Bukit Merah it’s no wonder more and more outlets are following in its footsteps.

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Holland Village

Previously a relaxed, quiet, chill-out enclave that boasts a few pleasant cafés and restaurants, Holland Village has evolved over the years into the now buzzing and hip community loved by expats and locals alike. And shops are mushrooming to tap on this consumer base, with Lim’s Arts and Living at Holland Road Shopping Centre one of the retail success stories in the area. Also in the neighbourhood are Anthropology Homeware and Cho Lon. The former stocks exclusive furniture pieces and accessories from cult brands such as Australian label Corban & Blair and G.O.D. from Hong Kong; while the latter’s a stylish lifestyle concept store. Cho Lon’s sprawling interior holds anything and everything, from antique furniture to quirky coffee tables to hard-to-find book titles, an ideal place for gift-hunters. The Holland V Shopping Mall is also a recent addition to the retail mix, featuring an eclectic range of shops such as an art gallery to small fashion boutiques. And catering to the heartland crowd are several factory outlet stores offering bargains galore in fashion apparel and accessories, such as F.O.S and This Fashion.

Arab Street and Haji Lane

Arab Street is well-known for the Sultan Mosque, the principal mosque and one that symbolises the unity and solidarity of the cosmopolitan Muslim community in Singapore. Besides that,

House of Japan is a treasure trove of vintage clothings for the bargain shopper.

the unique and exotic atmosphere in this quaint area evokes the bazaar-style shopping of the Middle Eastern souks. With its high quality silk, batik and other textile products – goods synonymous with Arab Street – as well as the assorted crafts, jewellery, lacquer ware, and carpets that are piled from floor to ceiling, Arab Street has much to offer to satisfy anyone’s shopping itch. Hidden in a back alley of Arab Street is Haji Lane, an increasingly popular shopping destination that has been attracting the young and creative types. You might feel lost initially trying to locate it but it’d be well worth the wait; its hodge-podge of quirky interiors selling designer streetwear and furniture ensures that. Walk through the narrow, windy street flanked by brightly coloured shophouses and you’d find shops such as Pluck that offer vintage fabrics, wallpaper and other kitschy items. Fans of vintage clothing would also relish the racks of classic togs on offer in House of Japan while music lovers can head to Straits Records, which stocks a wide array of indie and hip hop music by various independent music labels.

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Venue

And not to be missed… 28 July – October 2007 “Friday Late Night Shopping” Shopping in Orchard Road will never be the same again with the launch of “Friday Late Night Shopping”. This four-month pilot project, in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), involves 52 selected retailers extending their opening hours to midnight on every last Friday of the month. With retailers such as AppleCentre@Orchard, Borders, and Kiehl’s participating, shopaholics can look forward to more retail therapy. For more information, visit http://app.stb.com. sg/asp/new/new03a.asp?id=5523

Modern furniture and fashionable togs sit comfortably with old shophouse aesthetics in Club Street and Ann Siang Hill.

Club Street and Ann Siang Hill

Straddling the financial hub in Raffles Place and the Chinatown district, and exuding an air of nonchalant old-world charm, are the cutting-edge fashion boutiques and lifestyle shops that have mushroomed on both Club Street and Ann Siang Hill – two places to still offer a slice of ‘old’ Singapore. This melding of old and new is one of the reasons why more fashion and design houses are relocating to this part of town. With Style:Nordic offering the best of Nordic art, fashion and furniture, and Venue, featuring über cool designer labels such as Raf Simons and PUMA by Starck footwear leading the way, you can see why this part of Singapore is quickly gaining cult status among local yuppies, fashionistas and celebrities. While situating a retail outlet in hard-to-find places might baffle some, it is the oneof-a-kind location and surroundings that many retailers seeking to carve a niche find alluring. So if you’re in the vicinity, why not spend some time there? It could satisfy your retail craving in more ways than one.

5 – 8 October 2007 ARTSingapore – The Contemporary Asian Art Fair Cutting-edge, contemporary Asian art pieces will be on show during ARTSingapore, where 74 galleries from 14 countries will be converging here, displaying the best the region has to offer. Visitors can also participate in the many art appreciation talks, fringe activities, and even parties to be held during the fair. So pick up an art piece and prepare to party away! For details, please visit http://www.artsingapore. net/index-as.html 25 – 27 October Wine For Asia 2007 With 500 exhibitors showcasing their labels and wines, Wine For Asia 2007 is the perfect haunt for wine connoisseurs. Other highlights also include activities such as wine appreciation courses, and more. To get more details on this event, visit www. wineforasia.com/2007/index.htm 29 November – 2 December SITEX 2007 The infocommunications event of the year, consumers can expect innovative technologies in computer hardware and software, digital products, wireless applications and solutions from renowned brands from over 500 exhibitors. And also, visitors stand to win one of the 50 sets of mystery gifts each day. Certainly an event not to be missed! Visit the event website www.sitex.com.sg to learn more.

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Luxury

On The Move

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Everyone can attest to having experienced an uncomfortable road trip at least once in their lives, but with Transtar’s First Class and Premium range of coaches, travelling on the road is nothing short of pleasurable.

Premium Coach

y going to great lengths to provide luxurious service and amenities onboard, Transtar has certainly given travellers a mode of transport that’s a class of its own. The thought put into catering to passengers’ wide-ranging needs means that a coach ride no longer amounts to just getting to one’s destination; the holiday begins with the pampering received the minute you step onboard.

Travel in comfort with the ergonomic seats found in Transtar’s Premium Coaches.

Take Transtar’s Premium Coach for instance. The spacious double-decker coach is equipped with top-of-theline technology and amenities, truly epitomising travel comfort and luxury. Inside, the 37 ergonomically designed seats, with a fully electronic controlled seat system, allow passengers to relax and stretch out during the journey, with extended footrests for weary legs. Armed with a built-in massage simulator, the seats turn into a spa-like experience at a push of the button; the simulator comes with four different modes for the upper and lower back as well as the calves.

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H ot W he The bottom deck of the Premium Coach is equipped for meetings or acts as a space for friends to gather.

Be entertained by the 10 channels featuring a wide variety of programmes on Transtar’s Premium Coach entertainment system.

Besides seating comfort, the coach has a fully electronic air suspension system that constantly monitors the bus height and adjusts the air pressure to correspond with its passenger load. Further, the double-decker coach chassis with a three-axle conﬁguration provides the coach with added stability – an essential when travelling on highways. All these features contribute to making the journey a dream ride. Passengers will also be blown away by the array of entertainment facilities found onboard the Premium Coach. A personal 7.4-inch LCD screen accompanies each seat and this allows access to 10 channels offering a variety of movies, concert performances, music videos in English, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean, documentaries and even kid’s programmes. With personal earphones provided, passengers can enjoy the programmes without disturbing other passengers or be distracted by their surroundings.

Similarly double-decked, the First Class Coach boasts a lower deck that offers a meeting room with karaoke facilities, providing an ideal venue for impromptu corporate meetings or entertainment for those wanting to belt out their favourite songs while on the road. The upper deck comes with 16 seats, each occupying a spacious 1.15 sq m, compared to the usual 1.1 sq m found on the other coaches. It’s also equipped with all the accompanying luxuries found on the Premium Coach.

Transtar’s friendly service crew is well trained to meet the needs of passengers.

Another key feature of the First Class Coach is its enhanced entertainment system. Besides offering state-of-theart LCD screens for each seat, the

els H ot W he If all these sound too good to be true, you haven’t heard all of it yet. Transtar has upped the ante by unveiling its First Class Third Generation Coach. In addition to the technology and equipment mentioned, the Coach provides even more creature comforts for passengers.

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First Class Third Generation Coach

els H ot W he Have all your travel needs met without even leaving your seat on the First Class Coach.

Coach’s system now accommodates a mind-boggling 170 channels for passengers to choose from, with movies taking up more than half the allotted channels. The company has also taken passengers’ feedback seriously, by adding edu-tainment programmes and documentaries to its programme line-up. Both coaches have friendly onboard service crew to assist passengers, with light meals and refreshments also available. For wheelchair-bound passengers, Transtar has seen to it that its coaches are made handicap-friendly with various features such as the low ﬂoor design and boarding ramps to make travelling even more convenient. Safety is not compromised either, with three-point seatbelts that keeps passengers secure without limiting their range of movement. The coaches also come equipped with Scania’s advanced braking technology for added safety and comfort. All in, Transtar’s offering of both First Class and Premium coaches has exceeded conventional notions of travelling on the road. Excellent amenities and a capable, friendly service crew meet the needs of modern day travelling and take the pain out of long-haul road trips permanently.

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Travel In Comfort Transtar continues to pump up the luxury quotient with new travel lounges packed to the max with creature comforts.

ravelling to Malaysia by coach some 40 years ago wasn’t as smooth as it is today. “Interstate coach travelling has come a long way,” says Sebastian Yap, Executive Director of Transtar. “Back then, the roads were bumpy and it could take about 10 to 12 hours just to get to Kuala Lumpur.” These days, the journey takes about five hours, and with Transtar’s suite of luxury buses, you can be assured of travelling in absolute comfort. But Transtar isn’t riding easy. It is going all out to re-invent the entire coach-travelling experience – right from the time you arrive at your designated pick-up point. Welcome to Transtar’s cosy travel lounges, where passengers can rest and relax before their journey. “Usually, passengers tend to mill around the roadside while waiting for the bus to arrive,” explains Yap. “It is neither very pleasant nor comfortable for them and we wanted to change that.”

There are two lounges in all â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lavender Lounge at Hock Seng Building and Genting Lounge at Genting Hotel. Open to all Transtar customers, they are designed with passenger comfort in mind. The general ambience is stylish, yet relaxing, with cosy groupings of comfortable chairs. A range of magazines and newspapers are available to while away time, and passengers can also catch up on the latest news and happenings on strategically positioned plasma televisions. Feeling peckish? You may help yourself to free light refreshments like coffee and tea. Needless to say, the lounges are a great hit with both holidaymakers and corporate travellers. In fact, many customers turn up well before departure time to chill at the lounges. Next on the card is the Solitaire Lounge, which comes complete with Osim massage chairs to rev you up for the great journey ahead. Sit back and enjoy.

Opposite Lavender Lounge at Hock Seng Building This page Genting Lounge at Genting Hotel

Sa fe Tr av el The company is taking its cue from air travel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our long term objective is to compete with the airlines. We want passengers to realise that travelling by Transtar coaches is an equally, if not more, comfortable and viable option,â&#x20AC;? he says. In fact, the company has seen some 30 per cent of passengers switch from travelling to Malaysia by air to coaches.

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All good things come in threes, like the latest blockbusters on Transtar.

X-Men: The Last Stand

To be a mutant or not to be – that’s the question in X-Men: The Last Stand, the latest and third installment of the X-Men movie series. When a private laboratory, funded by the government finds a cure for the mutants using the DNA of a boy, the mutants have the option of giving up their powers and becoming human. Unfortunately, they are divided on the issue: Magneto (played by Ian McKellen) opposes and decides to join the Brotherhood, a malevolent force that’s out to fight the government and kill the mutant boy. Professor Charles Xavier (played by Patrick Stewart), the founder and leader of X-men, believes that the mutants must learn to integrate with humans. Hence, the battle lines are drawn. Expect to see all the stars of the first two X-Men films like Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Halle Berry as Storm and Anna Paquin as Rogue and more. Meanwhile, to complicate matters, Jean Grey (played by Famke Janssen), who died in the second installment, is resurrected as the Dark Phoenix with cosmic powers that can destroy herself, her mutant friends and the entire planet. She kills her beloved ex-fiance, Cyclops (played by James Marsden), and Professor Xavier, and allies with the evil forces of Magneto, making them almost invincible. The only way to stave off this imminent threat to humanity is the Cure, which can be used to treat and ultimately eliminate genetic mutations once and for all. Which could mean the end of the X-Men. The idea that people who are different can be cured is the underlying theme of the movie. Halle Berry, whose on-screen character, Storm, can manipulate all forms of weather, rightly says, “The Cure is the real villain of the story.” The Cure galvanises Magneto, allowing him to surface from hiding, amass an army and start a mutant revolution. In the movie, he says, “Nobody is going to cure us; we are the cure!” Tune in now to X-Men: The Last Stand on English Movies.

As the battle builds up, expect explosive ﬁghting sequences and amazing stunts.

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of Three

Pirates of t Caribbean:he At World’s End At the end of

Pirates of the Caribb Dead Men’s ean: Chest, Cap tain Jack S (played by parrow Johnny De pp) is trapp land of the ed in the living dead and conde to the terr mned ible fate o f remaining Jones’ loc in Dav y ker for etern ity. In POTC: At World’s End, Eliza (played b beth y Keira K n ig h tley) and (played by Will Orlando Blo om), togeth Captain B er with arbossa (p layed by G Rush), wh eoffrey o has be e n summone the dead, d from and the m ysterious T (played by ia Dalma Naomie H arris), sail edge of the off the map to loo k for Jack. In quest, the their y must tr avel to Sin to enlist g a p ore the help of the de Chinese p spicable irate, Sao Feng (playe Chow Yun d by Fatt). Meanwhile , the terrify ing ghost sh Flying Dutc ip, The hman, and Dav y Jone the contro s, under l of Lord C utler Becke the East In tt and dia Trading Company, havoc acro wreak ss the Seve n Seas. Na through tr vigating eachery, b etrayal an waters, E d wild lizabeth a nd gang the nine summon pirate Cap tains to g the Brethre ather in n Court w ith the inte releasing th ntion of e goddess Calypso fr human bo o m he r dy of Tia D alma, in th that she will e hope help them ﬁght against and Becke Jones tt. But Da lma is also damned lo Jones’ ver, so the plot thicke ns. Each must ultimately c hoose a si ﬁnal, titanic de in a battle, as n ot only the and fortun ir lives es – but th e entire futu freedom-lo re of the ving pirate way of life – the balanc hang in e.

Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End on English Movies.

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First Class Video-On-Demand Aug ~ Dec 2007

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Premium Multi-Channel Broadcast

Aug ~ Dec 2007

Channel 1

Channel 2

Channel 3

Channel 4

Channel 5

Channel 6

Channel 7

Channel 8

(English)

(Kids)

(English)

(Chinese)

(Foreign language)

(Infotainment)

Shows will not be broadcast in any sequence

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Road Maps Highlands Hotel, Genting Highlands Pasarakyat, KL Jalan Ampang/Gombak Tol

Senawang Pedas Linggi

Jejantas Ayer Keroh

Yong Peng Machap Simpang Rengam Departure / Arrival Hot food & beverage served Toilet break

Second Link

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore

Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore

Singapore to Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands to Singapore

First Class (335km, 5hr 15mins)

Premium (335km, 5hr 15mins)

First Class (395km, 6hr 15mins)

• Golden Mile, Singapore

• Pasarakyat, KL

15km

• Second Link

• Simpang Rengam

• Jejantas Ayer Keroh Toilet break

86km

• Pasarakyat, KL

• Golden Mile, Singapore

Sungei Besi

Hot food & beverages seved

15km

• Golden Mile, Singapore

• Senawang Toilet break

86km

• Pasarakyat, KL

Sungei Besi

Hot food & beverages seved

• Golden Mile, Singapore

155km

15km

• Golden Mile, Singapore

• Jejantas Ayer Keroh Toilet break

• Jalan Ampang/ Gombak Tol Snacks to be served

50km

• Batu Cave

Snacks to be served

100km

• Pedas Linggi Toilet break

160km

125km

65km

• Second Link

Hot food & beverages seved

• Simpang Rengam

Toilet break

55km

• Second Link 50km

• Pedas Linggi

• Machap

• Highlands Hotel, Genting Highlands

15km

160km

Toilet break

141km

65km

• Yong Peng

• Machap

Toilet break

95km

• Second Link

93km

Toilet break

• Second Link

• Pasarakyat, KL

15km

• Pedas Linggi 160km

Toilet break

141km

95km

Hot food & beverages seved

93km

Golden Mile, S’pore

• Machap

Toilet break

Pagoh

Hot food & beverages seved

65km

• Second Link Toilet break

15km

• Highlands Hotel, • Golden Mile, Genting Highlands Singapore

Genting Highlands

TranStar FIRST CLASS (16-seater)

SIN – KUL 0730hrs 0930hrs 1130hrs $60 1630hrs 1830hrs 2100hrs

1430hrs 2230hrs

SIN – GEN 0700hrs 0715hrs 0800hrs $70 $77 $80 $85 $100

KUL – SIN 0800hrs 1000hrs 1100hrs $41 1600hrs 1800hrs 2100hrs

1400hrs 2230hrs

GEN – SIN 1130hrs 1500hrs 1600hrs $48 $56 $58 $68 $83

Low

Shoulder

Peak

Weekend

Super Peak

TranStar PREMIUM

SIN – KUL 0830hrs 1530hrs 2300hrs $47

SIN – GEN 0645hrs 0700hrs 2300hrs $47 $55 $57 $62 $77

KUL – SIN 0900hrs 1530hrs 2300hrs $35

GEN – SIN 1230hrs 1400hrs 1430hrs $31 $38 $41 $51 $66

TranStar SVIP (26-seater)

Low

SIN – KUL 0730hrs 0800hrs 1730hrs $27 $32 $47

2330hrs

KUL – SIN 0830hrs 1500hrs 1600hrs $23 $28 $38

2330hrs

Low Season

Peak Season

Super Peak Season

Shoulder

Peak

Weekend

Super Peak

SIN – GEN 0730hrs 2230hrs $42 $50 $52 $57

$72

GEN – SIN 1200hrs 1530hrs $26 $33 $36 $46

$61

Low

Super Peak Season

Shoulder

Low

Shoulder

Peak

Weekend

Super Peak

TranStar Solitaire (Begins operation in Oct 2007)

SIN – KUL 0830hrs Price To Be Advised

SIN – GEN 0700hrs 2330hrs Price To Be Advised

KUL – SIN 1500hrs Price To Be Advised

GEN – SIN 1330hrs 1430hrs Price To Be Advised

TranStar Z CLUB (Begins operation in Oct 2007)

SIN – KUL 1030hrs Price To Be Advised

SIN – GEN 0730hrs 2300hrs Price To Be Advised

KUL – SIN 1900hrs Price To Be Advised

GEN – SIN 1300hrs 1530hrs Price To Be Advised

Other Destinations

Ticketing Offices

TranStar SVIP (26-seater)

S’PORE – IPOH S’PORE – CHEMOR S’PORE – SG SIPUT S’PORE – K. KANGSAR S’PORE – KAMUNTING S’PORE – MALACCA S’PORE – TAIPING S’PORE – BAGAN SERAI S’PORE – BUTTERWORTH S’PORE – PENANG MALACCA – S’PORE PENANG – S’PORE TAIPING – S’PORE

Low Peak Super Peak Season Season Season

2100hrs $34 2100hrs $35 2100hrs $35 2100hrs $35 2100hrs $35 0830hrs $20 2100hrs $35 2100hrs $37 2100hrs $37 2100hrs $38 1500hrs $15 2100hrs To Be 2100hrs To Be

$39 $44 $40 $45 $40 $45 $40 $45 $40 $45 $25 $35 $40 $45 $42 $47 $42 $47 $43 $48 $18 $25 Advised Advised

* Not valid for Chinese New Year. Prices and schedule subject to change without prior notice.

SINGAPORE Transtar Travel Golden Mile Complex 5001 Beach Rd #01-15 Tel: +65 6299 9009 Fax: +65 6296 1011 Transtar Travel Express Terminal Hock Seng Building 114 Lavender St #01-01/02 Tel: +65 6295 9009 Fax: +65 6292 3133 Boon Lay Savoy Theatre 90 Boon Lay Place Savoy Theatre Tel: +65 6258 2221 Fax: +65 6262 3760 Regent Star Travel • Blk 809 French Rd #01-192 Kitchener Complex • 50 Kallang Rd #B1-01 Lavender MRT Station Tel: +65 6292 9009 Fax: +65 6294 1432

GENTING HIGHLANDS First World Hotel Bus Terminal Tel: +603 6436 2088 Genting Hotel 1st Class Lounge Tel: +603 6101 1771 JOHOR BAHRU JB Transliner & Tours G38 Merlin Tower Jalan Meldrum, Johor Tel: +607 276 8991 malacca Malacca Sentral Bus Terminal Counter 19 Tel: +606 288 3771 Taiping Taiping Simpang Station Lot 26 Medan Simpang Jln Simpang Tel: +605 848 3530

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Kuala Lumpur

Coach Schedules/Rates

Kuala Lumpur Pasarakyat Bus Terminal No. 10 Pasarakyat Bus Terminal, Jalan Melati Off Jln Imbi/Jln Tun Razak Tel: +603 2141 1771 Puduraya Bus Terminal Counter ticket no. 99 Tingkat bawah hentian puduraya, Jln Pudu 55100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: + 603 2070 2771 Kuala kangsar F6 Station Bus Baru Jln Bendahara Tel: +605 776 5236 penang Newsia Tours And Travel B2-01-36 Ground Floor Komtar, Off Jln Ria Tel: +604 261 5558

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Coach Safety Features When you travel with Transtar, you can be assured of the following safety features.

1 3 5

Reinforced coach chassis, including the latest approved three-axle doubledecker chassis, from Scania.

Latest brake retarders, ABS, and braking equipment.

Powerful Euro-3 standard engine built from the latest technology by Scania. This ensures a higher level of reliability and coach safety.

Low floor feature designed for improved passenger convenience. Passengers will find boarding and alighting faster and easier.

Innovative headlamp system with high-quality fog lamps and an additional high-beam headlamp provide optimum visibility on the road.

Full electronic air suspension system provides excellent ride comfort for passengers. The electronically controlled suspension system constantly monitors bus height and adjusts air pressure to match the passenger load, thus achieving superb road holding and high stability.

Wheelchair-friendly facilities installed on all Premium Coaches.

Safety Belts. Three-point safety belts are installed in every seat, providing optimal comfort and security to the passenger. This is more effective than conventional two-point safety belts found on most coaches.

Entertainment With The ‘X’ Factor More than a racecourse, the Singapore Turf Club reinvents itself as an exciting entertainment hub. When the Singapore Turf Club moved to its current Kranji premises in 1999, it aimed to be an attractive venue for corporate entertainment. Seven years on, the Club has realised its vision. Last year, it welcomed two million visitors.

CLASSY ENVIRONS

Built by the international partnership comprising Ewing Cole Cherry Brott Consultants and PWD Consultants, the Club is spread across 81.2 hectares of lush greenery located strategically next to the Kranji MRT station. The grandstand boasts four storeys. On the Club Level, owners and their guests have exclusive access to the spacious and well-appointed Owners’ Lounge, which has the only full-service bar in the club. Adjacent to the Owners’ Lounge, the casual dining restaurant oﬀers value-for-money ala carte menus every race day. The @Hibiscus, located at the Club level, provides a casualchic setting for yuppies. Every quarterly, there is a special Ladies’ Night event at the @Hibiscus targeted at young and urban female professionals. On those evenings, ladies can look forward to good food, fashion and special prizes.

For visitors looking for action closer to the race tracks, the Lotus Room on the Lower Grandstand is an ideal choice. The elegant glass-enclosed room located right next to the track is frequently used for seminars on non racedays. Corporate packages for the Committee, Casuarina, Bukit, Orchid and Lotus boxes start from $50 per person and include a special buﬀet menu, a race book and admission.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

“We go the extra mile to meet special requests from guests for their events – from having ice sculpture displays to tailoring a special menu to suit certain diet preferences. We are compatible to the ﬁve-star hotels in Orchard Road. Our rooms are beautiful, tastefully decorated and elegant while providing that unforgettable experience of viewing live horse-racing in urban Singapore,” added Mr Simon Leong, Marketing and Facilities Manager. “Even for guests who do not place bets, it is a novel experience.”

The Committee Level on the fourth ﬂoor has four large function rooms, each with their own galleries for guests to observe the races in a luxurious setting. The Casuarina Room is regularly rented out for corporate functions. For more privacy, guests can book the Corporate Boxes, which accommodate 16 to 20 guests. Prices start from $700 per day. For large functions, the Committee and Casuarina Boxes can be combined to accommodate up to 300 guests.

CALL (65) 6879 1715/18 NOW FOR A 10% DISCOUNT ON CORPORATE PACKAGES Valid from 1 Aug 2007 to 31 Jan 2008.

For information on rates and facilities, please contact: Marketing and Facilities Department Singapore Turf Club Tel: (65) 6879 1711 • Fax: (65) 6879 1730 • Email: Marketing@turfclub.com.sg

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Did You Know…? 1. Which city

Find out how much you know about Malaysia with this quiz.

‘The Town that Tin Built’?

known as

2. Which is the

largest city in Malaysia?

3. Where can you ﬁnd the A’Famosa,

original Portuguese Fort?

the

4. Where can

5. Which state

Petronas Twin Towers?

‘Island of the Betel Nut Tree’?

you ﬁnd the

is known as the

1. Ipoh. Its location in the rich tin-bearing valley of the Kinta River made it a booming tin-mining town in the 1920s and 1930s. 2. Kuala Lumpur. It is also the capital of Malaysia.

4. Kuala Lumpur. It is found between Jalan Ampang and Jalan Raja Chulan. It is also next to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and opposite The Ascott. They were the tallest buildings in the world until 2004. 5. Penang. The name “Penang” comes from the Malay name “Pulau Pinang”, which actually means island of the betel nut tree. 6. Genting Highlands. Known as Genting Skyway, it stretches a whole 3.38 km. 7. Four. It shares its borders with neighbouring countries Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei. 8. The Sarawak Chamber in the Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak is the largest cave in the world.

which country’s ﬂag most closely?

national ﬂag resembles

9. “Mud”. Kuala Lumpur means “muddy conﬂuence”, and it was founded in 1857 by a group of tin prospectors/miners.

largest in the world?

Malaysian cave is the

3. Malacca. The Portuguese colonised Malacca from 1511 to 1641 and one of the ﬁrst things they did was to build this fort overlooking the river.

›› Answers 10. Malaysia’s

10. United States of America. Only the yellow 14-pointed star, the crescent and an extra stripe on the Malaysian ﬂag differentiates them.

has been Malaysia’s capital since independence. “Kuala” means “conﬂuence of rivers”. What does “Lumpur” mean?

Kuala Lumpur

8. Which

countries?

borders with how many shares its

7. Malaysia in Southeast Asia?

longest cable car you ﬁnd the

6. Where can 33

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Take A Enjoy these exclusive deals (valid until September 2007) when you next visit Malaysia.

Break! COACH PACKAGES: 2D1N Genting Highlands Resort by Transtar First Class 16-seater Coach

Fr $145

2D1N Genting Highlands Resort by Premium 24 or 37-seater Coach

Fr $93

2D1N Genting Highlands Resort by Super VIP 26-seater Coach

Fr $83

3D2N Genting & Kuala Lumpur by SVIP coach – Cost Saver Package

Fr $113

Genting & Kuala Lumpur by SVIP coach

Fr $145

Genting & Berjaya Times Square by SVIP coach

Fr $158

Genting & Sunway Lagoon by SVIP coach

Fr $178

Genting & Berjaya Hills-Colmar Tropicale by SVIP coach

Fr $160

Genting & Malacca by SVIP coach

Fr $158

2D1N Kuala Lumpur by SVIP coach

Fr $88

3D2N Kuala Lumpur & Sunway Lagoon by SVIP coach (July – August)

Fr $178

3D2N Kuala Lumpur & Sunway Lagoon by SVIP coach (September)

Fr $153

3D2N Kuala Lumpur & Berjaya Hills-Colmar Tropicale by SVIP coach

Fr $148

3D2N Sunway Lagoon by SVIP coach (July – August)

Fr $190

3D2N Sunway Lagoon by SVIP coach (September)

Fr $165

2D1N Berjaya Times Square by SVIP coach

Fr $108

3D2N Berjaya Times Square With Indoor Theme Park by SVIP coach

Fr $168

2D1N Berjaya Hills - Colmar Tropicale Resort by SVIP coach

Fr $128

2D1N Palace of Golden Horses by SVIP coach

Fr $135

3D2N Palace of Golden Horses With Water Taxi by SVIP coach

Fr $208

2D1N Cameron Highlands by SVIP coach

Fr $133

4D2N Cameron Highlands & Kuala Lumpur by SVIP coach

Fr $158

4D2N Cameron Highlands & Genting Highlands by SVIP coach

Fr $158

2D1N Malacca Free & Easy by SVIP coach

Fr $78

3D2N Malacca & Kuala Lumpur by SVIP coach

Fr $128

2D1N A Famosa Resort by SVIP coach

Fr $93

2D1N Penang Free & Easy by SVIP coach

Fr $108

2D1N Pulai Desaru Beach Resort by Ferry

Fr $98

2D1N Desaru Golden Beach Resort by Ferry

Fr $92

2D1N Sebana Cove Free & Easy by Ferry

Fr $93

AIR PACKAGES: 3D2N MASPRO Penang by Malaysia Airlines (MH)

Fr $199

3D2N MASPRO Langkawi by Malaysia Airlines (MH)

Fr $219

3D2N MASPRO Kota Kinabalu by Malaysia Airlines (MH)

Fr $299

3D2N MASPRO Kuching by Malaysia Airlines (MH)

Fr $249

3D2N Silkair Slipaways Langkawi (MI)

Fr $199

3D2N Silkair Slipaways Kota Kinabalu (MI)

Fr $309

3D2N Silkair Slipaways Kuching (MI)

Fr $239

3D2N Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort by Berjaya Air

Fr $389

3D2N Berjaya Redang Beach Resort by Berjaya Air

Fr $484

BEACH PACKAGES BY COACH & FERRY: 4D2N Pangkor Island Beach Resort

Fr $228

3D2N Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort

Fr $218

3D2N Berjaya Tioman Suites

Fr $188

3D2N Paya Beach Spa & Dive Resort

Fr $135

3D2N Tioman Paya Resort With Full Board

Fr $188

4N3D Berjaya Redang Beach Resort

Fr $288

4N3D Laguna Redang Island Beach Resort

Fr $318

4N3D Redang Beach Resort

Fr $278

4N3D Redang Bay Resort

Fr $258

4N3D Redang Kalong Resort

Fr $248

4N3D Redang Lang Island Resort

Fr $258

4N3D Awana Kijal Golf & Beach Resort

Fr $188

4N3D Swiss Garden Resort & Spa Kuantan

Fr $208

4N3D Cherating Legend Resort

Fr $178

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FERRY PACKAGE:

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Fuss-Free Travelling With Children Take the pain out of travelling with the children on your next vacation.

ravelling with children does not have to be daunting. Just know that they have short attention spans, so it’s important to keep them occupied and happy during the journey. Here are a few handy pointers to take the stress out of travelling with kids.

Adopt the right attitude Travelling with children can be a harrowing experience for any parent, but instead of dreading the trip, start by

changing your mindset. Think of it as an opportunity for the family to bond. Have conversations with your children. Don’t just hear them, but listen to them. Talk with them, rather than at them.

When to depart If your journey is going to be more than four hours, arrange to leave at night to coincide with your kids’ bedtime, and to avoid having to explain – for the umpteenth time – to a five-year-old why ‘we’re not there yet’ when they start getting restless.

Activity ideas Always bring along games or activity packs because you don’t want to be stuck with a bored or hyper-active child. Channel their energies into drawing, playing cards, counting or alphabet games (where players shout out the names of objects they see with letters starting from A to Z).

Food supplies Bring a small Eski cooler with small containers of milk, juices and favourite foods. Also, pack non-messy food like crackers, cookies, granola bars or fruits like grapes, tangerines, berries and bananas, for quick healthy snacks. You can never be too sure what will be available along the way. Don’t forget some plastic cutlery and dishes, and some wet wipes to clean up with after.

Comfort factor Pack a change of clothes so that your children can freshen up after meals. To make him or her really comfy, bring along their personal pillow, blanket and a favourite stuffed toy.

Sleep Encourage your kids to sleep in the bus for as long as they can. If any are prone to motion sickness, consult your doctor about medication, and give it to them before you leave. – Sakinah Manaff