Maxx-M April May 2012 edition

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360o:

Burmese Dreaming Exotic New Delhi At a Glance Luxury On The Sea

Check-In:

A Galaxy Of Privilege Weekend Escape In The City

Asian Inspiration: Exotic Asia Adrenaline Rush Relax & Enjoy Destination Food

“Can’t Get Enough of ASIA” APRIL - MAY 2012

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Editorial Department maximillian@maxx-m.com

Exciting Asia W

henever I travel, I like to go places where I can simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. I also love destinations that are rich in culture and history. I have a weakness for old towns and museums, but sometimes I prefer the country to big cities and the mountains to beaches. And most of all, I like to travel during the winter because I simply adore cold weather. Now here’s another thing to add to the list … I love places without cellphone coverage, where people cannot call me and my gadgets simply won’t work. Only then can I really relax and enjoy myself.

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We all have our preferences when it comes to travel. I have had experiences where I tried to plan a trip with friends and we ended up not going anywhere because we all wanted different things.

The holiday season is approaching, which means trips and more trips.

To help you plan your getaway we have discovered the best of Asia just for you. And because everyone has a different idea of a dream vacation, we profile destinations to suit every taste.

Fasten your seat belt, we are embarking on a journey around exciting Asia. “Destination: Food” takes you and your taste buds on a culinary tour of Asia, from street food to fine dining. Discover why Asia has become the hottest destination for gourmands. If you like adventure, test your limits with “Adrenaline Rush.” All you culture vultures, get ready for some of the best cultural sights in Asia as you enrich your soul and expand your horizons in “Exotic Asia.” And finally, restore your balance and

Editor In Chief Melani Semuel (melani@ptmaximillian.com) Managing Editor Astrid Natasastra (astrid@ptmaximillian.com) Editor Secretary Christina Siregar (secretary@ptmaximillian.com) Fashion & Beauty Editor Esmiralda Dewi Dame (dame@ptmaximillian.com) Senior Writer Grace Solarbesain (grace@ptmaximillian.com) Anissa Jembar Langit (anissa@ptmaximillian.com) Art Director Stephanus Joe Ell Marketing Department advertising@ptmaximillian.com Advertising & Marketing Meidy Hendrianus Lesmana (hendrik@ptmaximillian.com) Helen (helen@ptmaximillian.com) Business Development Department info@ptmaximillian.com

find your inner peace as you “Relax and Enjoy.”

Our journey is not finished just yet.

We go cruising along the meandering Irrawaddy River on the OrientExpress’ Road to Mandalay, blending luxury with discovery in “Burmese Touted as the first Dreaming.” eco-friendly sea-hotel in the world, Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa provides a haven of peace, adventure and family fun in “Luxury on the Sea.” Our last destination takes us to chaotic and colourful India. It truly is Incredible India in “Exotic New Delhi at a Glance.”

So what are you waiting for, start packing and enjoy the never-ending adventure of exciting Asia.

Regards,

Melani Semuel Editor in Chief

Photo by For Each Love Photography | Location: The Dharmawangsa Jakarta Make up & Hair by Qiqi Franky

Carolina Wattimena (carolina@ptmaximillian.com) Achmad Basuki Soekardjo Maxx Media is published monthly by P.T. Maximillian (www.ptmaximillian.com)

President Director Raynaldo Semuel Managing Director Melani Semuel General Manager Arisudana Gunawan INDONESIA OFFICE Jl. Batu Jajar No. 35A Central Jakarta 10120 Indonesia Ph: +62 21 352 4526 Fax: +62 21 344 7203 www.maxx-m.com LEGAL CONSULTANT Boyke Semuel, SH Semuel & Associates Jl. Batu Jajar No. 35A Jakarta Pusat 10120 Ph: +62 21 344 7235 MAXX-Media is distributed in major cities in Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore at retail price. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and as such, the Publisher does not accept responsibility of the contents thereof. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. All trademark and rights to the name of MAXX-Media are reserved by Melani Semuel, SH., LL.M, MBusSys ©2006

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360o AROUND THE GLOBE Journey around the world with stopovers in the most beautiful destination in Asia such as : Burma, New Delhi and stay Golden Palm Tree to discover luxury above the sea level.

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COVER STORY There are many activities you can do in Asia, from adrenalin rush to test your courage, immersing in the culture, exotic food adventures or getting pampered like a king.

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PROFILE Meet the people behind the most prestigious properties in the world.

From Resident Manager to General Manager, they are at the top of their career. Find out what makes them tick.

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WELL-BEING Sun in The City Pump up the volume Color your life Summer time with Bottega Veneta TAG Heuer’s Racer smartphone

ET CETERA

Resto Review The Chef Catch of the Day At Your Service What’s Happening Soiree

Photo Cover courtesy of Golden Palm Tree

Dear MAXX-M,

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Dear MAXX-M,

Dear MAXX-M,

I was introduced to MAXX-M on my first day in the hospitality industry in Jakarta. Since then it has been my favourite guide to exciting destinations and restaurants. Most of the information in every edition is up to date, specially about luxury accommodation. I just wonder if you could some secret recipes from some Chef but the food would have to be something easy for us to try at homeď Š.

MAXX-M at offers is very impressive and wide-ranging articles indeed.

Be well, Titin

My suggestion is to please explore more new places, not only Bali, and promote each city and their unique arts and culture, from dance, music, textiles, people and food.

We live in Indonesia and we must proud and promote our country be through your magazine.

You always offer a big theme for readers to explore. The magazine is very well put together and is a valuable resource for readers.

Whether you are new to the world of travel, or you have been around for a while, I think you should take the time to read a travel magazine.

Whether you are a travel, lifestyle or food lover, believe me, MAXX-M will not waste your time. I read all the advertorials and articles because they are really suitable for my vacation.

I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I enjoy reading your magazine. You guys are doing a fabulous job! Your journey starts from here‌.

With kind regards, ImuthiaYanindra

Thanks, Fransiska Kansil

Letter of The Month APRIL - MAY 2012 Edition will WIN A complimentary one-night stay in a Superior Poolside including breakfast for 2 (two) persons, coutesy of Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort.

Please email your comment to: maximillian@maxx-m.com

Nicholas Walton, writer

KUN SOO, make up artist Arino Mangan, Photographer

Nick Walton first rode the OrientExpress as a 21-year-old and it was love at first sight. Since then, he has travelled the world as a professional travel writer, including a two-year stint as the travel editor of the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, and is always seeking to discover the same magic he experienced on that first Venice Simplon adventure across the Alps. He currently resides in Hong Kong.

Arino Mangan is a self-taught photographer with a design background who developed his skills while working in London for two years. Now he’s back in Jakarta and ready to make his name in the photography scene. Arino manages his own studio and contributes photos to a number of popular magazines.

During 6 years as a make up artist, Kun Soo has won many national make up competition. His other hobby is reading, and one of his favourite book is “Make-up Like A Star” by Lauren Luke. A lover of jazz music, his signature make up look is simple, healthy and glamor.

Kun Soo always give totality in his work and believes that the right make-up and hair-do can give more confidence for anyone.

Billy Beta Buana, Photographer

travelwithoutborders, writer

Ardy Setiawan, Photographer

Two of my great passions in life are fishing and photography. I believe that fishing broadens my patience and persistence in life. Through my photographs, i seek to capture the emotions i felt at the moment I tripped the cameras shutter. I loved it when my photographs are sensitively composed, fully-charged with emotion, and captured at just the right moment, feels like having a marlin on my bait.

Travelwithoutborders is a guy-nextdoor named Alex Budiman, who adores beautiful landscape, enjoys good food and appreciates great friends and exotic trips. For him, life is too short to look back on the previous chapter. He shares his view of the world with his fellow readers via his blog. Hopefully he can inspire people through his writing, his pictures and, of course, his life.

“Ardy Setiawan started taking pictures since 2005. His main interest are people, beauty & fashion. It all began from just a hobby, where he later developed his photography skill and have been doing a lot of commercial photography from wedding, corporate to fashion. After gaining valuable experience from different vendors, he decided to join Little Collins Pictures as their trusted & respected photographer.”

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Sun in The City

High Recharge Biotherm Homme has now come up with another anti-fatigue invention, also intended for the eye area, named High Recharge Eye Shot. The Caffeine, Sericoside and Manganese in it perform together to prevent eye bags and dark circles, while refreshing eye contours simultaneously. It works by giving the eye area an active massage and instant cold effect. Other than being easy to use, High Recharge Eye Shot is also comes in the form of a gel that feels cool against the skin, soothing the eye area when applied in the morning or night.

While we can’t change the weather, Guerlain has always been the master of creating a summer sun effect on your complexion.

New Terracotta Sun in the City is the closest thing to sweep a ray of sunlight across your face.

A radiant, metallic powder and sun catcher for face and body, enriched with gold mother-of-pearl to capture and reflect light for a golden, luminous finish. Textured to mimic the sun’s rays, Terracotta Sun in the City is available in one universal shade to highlight and warm up for all skin tones.

SHAPE UP!

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Almonds are more than just a tasty treat. L’OCCITANE has harnessed the firming and elastic properties of the Almond to create a natural body care line of beauty products.

The collection of products help to fight the appearance of cellulite, reshape the silhouette, and smooth and tone the skin. This new collection includes: Almond Shaping Delight, Almond Beautiful Shape, Almond Shower Scrub, and Almond Smooth Hands.

The Damage Eraser The tremendous success of Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector has fueled greater global interest, especially among savvy Asian consumers. To meet this demand, Clinique is introducing Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector in Asia to give consumers what they want; a highly effective yet gentle skin tone correcting product that is appropriate for year round use. The powerful formula effectively helps fade the appearance of dark spots, age spots and discolorations due to aging, years of accumulated sun damage, environmental assaults, and past blemish marks, to reveal a more uniformly radiant complexion.

Balenciaga Balenciaga 2012 Spring and Summer series feature different use of color and style that is refreshing. Sexy colors, snake pattern, stitching leather canvas fabric selection resulting casual backpack, envelope bags and other avant-garde style collection. “Longer than usual, and with more volume” are the motto of this resort collection. Sharp angles are softened to make the hottest style elements like shorts and jackets more flattering and sensual.

Bottega Veneta Men’s Spring-Summer 2012 season of Bottega Veneta show at Milan Fashion week was totally superb.

Overprinted seersuckers, shirt checks, stripes, printed Japanese denim, prints are delightful. The palette is quiet and warm, starting from dark shades, chocolate, indigo, blue and ending with light colors like Sahara and beige.

For the summer season brand offers a wide range of cardigans, rectangularneck sweaters, casual jackets, biker jackets and pants. Check out the design of suits, they are narrow, neat, close to the body streamlined with tapered pants, fitted sleeves, narrow shoulders and a band or mandarin collar. Every suit was buttoned all the way up to neck.

Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master

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Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual YachtMaster, a sailors’ watch introduced in 1992, undergoes a major facelift this year in both its design and technology. The new model, which has an Oyster case made of a patented alloy called Rolesium, and a cool, blue dial with brushed sunray pattern, made its debut at the Baselworld watch fair this month. Rolesium, a material developed by Rolex and used here in the new Yacht-Master’s 40-mm diameter Oyster case, is an alloy of 904L stainless steel and platinum. The bezel, which rotates in both directions and now has a notched ring with 120 gradations, is made entirely of 950 platinum. The hour markers on the nautical-looking blue dial are made of 18k white gold and filled with a luminescent material called Chromalight, which gives off a strong, blue-tinted glow in the dark.

YSL Yves Saint Laurent spring 2012 collection at the Paris Fashion Week impressed us once again with their elegance yet modern collection that is luxurious, easy to wear, and simple. Elegant ensembles were the main focus of the style that made the outfits stand out. Stefano Pilati, the designer used versatile pieces immensely that raised the bar in terms of elegance. Deep V necklines, oversized jackets, sexy jumpsuits, fitted skirts and contrasts are the main style trends in the latest line.

Hues green, rich purple and blue tones, fuchsia, pink or gold tones add the fabulous touch to the styles.

MP3 DJ Doorbell

Logitech UE Air Speaker Dressed in stylish design with refined curved, and finished in blackpiano color, this new speaker shows a premium look in any angle viewing. For extending the audio contents of your Apple’s thing, the UE Air speaker depends on two tweeters and a woofer. According to Logitech, the two tweeters and woofer boosts clear and enough-loud sound to your ears, whether through Wi-Fi by utilizing the AirPlay technology or docking your iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch into the pop open Apple dock connector.

Swann has unveiled a new customizable doorbell that will play any music you want when the button is pressed. The doorbell is called the MP3 DJ doorbell.

You get to music on the doorbell of putting your SD card into a slot. Apparently, you put multiple tracks of polyphonic tones on the card and it will choose between them each time the button is pressed. The button has a 330foot range from the base and the system is designed for DIY installers. It also connect the base station to computer via a USB port and uses mass storage device for moving tracks to and from the ST card you put inside.

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TAG Heuer’s Racer Smartphone Previous endeavors in the stratospheric and ultra-high end phone market have resulted in fanciful hardware made out of exotic materials, often marred by perplexingly outdated innards. If you believe TAG Heuer’s latest marketing hyperbole, that’s set to change with its upcoming Racer smartphone. Just like its bespoke contemporaries, there’s a flashy (and arguably gaudy) carbon fibre and titanium exterior, but underneath that veil is a “high speed” processor and the “latest Android software.”

MINI goes camping A sumptuously appointed caravan with two sleeping bays and a roof-top tent (also designed for two) in the classic John Cooper Works colour scheme will whet the appetite for do-it-yourself summer holidays peppered with spur-of-the-moment detours along the way. The British premium car maker is very literally inviting us all to dream, while reinforcing its status as a universal supplier of stylish mobility solutions.

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fter five days of work it’s time to have a little fun. I turn my vehicle towards Bluegrass Bar & Grill, the hottest new spot in the Epicentrum complex in South Jakarta. It’s not hard to spot Bluegrass as there’s a big sign outside announcing its presence, with a modern minimalist facade that is visible from the front of the building.

Texas Beef Ribs / The Big Daddy

Walking towards the restaurant, I was taken by the robust main door, which is made from iron and is said to weigh 1.2 tons. Another remarkable feature of the restaurant is the long bar, made from stainless steel. It is said to measure 22 metres, the longest bar in Jakarta.

Brie puff pastry with blueberry sauce

Bluegrass is a perfect combination of restaurant and bar, with design elements of wood, stone, glass and steel giving it a rustic, country ambience. Big windows adorn the spacious rooms, making the place airy and grand. An open kitchen lets guests witness all the cooking action. To further bring out the country atmosphere, the wood ceiling matches the brown tiled floor. And in the corners, hanging lamps provide a warm touch.

The Longest bar with a collectio of premium wines

Plank Salmon

The Longest Bar in Town A rustic bar and restaurant in downtown Jakarta provides a fun escape for young executives

Text by Anissa Jembar Langit Photos by Stephanus Joe Ell

Aside from being a nice place to hang out, Bluegrass is also known for its good food. I started with the Brie Puff Pastry with Blueberry Sauce. The crispy pastry combined with the sweetness of the blueberry sauce for a refreshing coffee time or dessert treat.

Try some of Bluegrass’ fun appetizers that are great for sharing with friends, like the Nachos Supreme and Buffalo Wings. The Nachos Supreme are tortilla chips smothered in cheese, meat, onions and jalapenos. The Buffalo Wings come in mild, hot, killer or barbeque. For the main course, there are many mouth-watering selections like the Texas Beef Ribs or the Big Daddy, which is one kilogram of ribs meant to be shared with friends. For fans of seafood, there is the Plank Salmon with sliced potatoes and grilled vegetables, served on a plank of wood.

And don’t forget the cocktails or mocktails, created by renowned mixologist Tim Adams. The Blueberry Collins is a refreshing mixture of gin, crushed blueberries, fresh lemon juice and lemongrass syrup, shaken and topped with soda. When I looked at my watch, three hours had flown by. You know what they say about having fun. Before I headed home, I took time to sip another cocktail, the Bluegrass Sunrise, a unique flavour mix of lychee and fresh orange juice. Now my weekend had finally started.

Bluegrass Bar & Grill

Komplek Rasuna Epicentrum Jl. H.R Rasuna Said Jakarta – Indonesia Reservations. +62 21 2994 1660 Rustic and country-style interior

Adventures In Malay Cuisine Something delicious is cooking in Jakarta, and it’s Peranakan cuisine Text by Anissa Jembar Langit Photos by Stephanus Joe Ell

A comfortable peranakan home atmosphere

Traditional Teapot

Curry Fish Head

Rustic and country-style interior

Ambula Juice & Teh Tarik

Interior of Ah Tuan Ee

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s you approach Ah Tuan Ee on the fourth floor of Pacific Place mall in South Jakarta, the aroma wafting out of the restaurant lets you know that you are on to something delicious. Ah Tuan Ee specializes in Peranakan food with a touch of Burmese, Portuguese and Dutch flavour. The restaurant is an adventure in authentic Malay cuisine, with traditional delicacies like Nasi Lemak and Curry Fish Head. Nasi Lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk, served with eggs, cucumber slices, fish, chicken and sauce. Malaysians generally eat Nasi Lemak for breakfast, and it is similar to Indonesia’s Nasi Uduk in taste.

The Curry Fish Head comes with eggplant, tomatoes, spring onions, ladyfingers and fried tofu, all served in a spicy sauce. The sauce is delicious and the fish a real head turner. One of the prominent

characteristics of Malaysian cuisine is that it includes many spices such as ginger, turmeric, ginger, pepper, nutmeg, coriander and more, resulting in some very powerful flavours. All that spice left me needing something cool to drink, and I chose Ah Tuan Ee’s fresh Ambula Juice. It is made from kedondong fruit, which has a pineapple-mango taste, and is fresh and addicting to the last sip. Other popular drinks at the restaurant include fresh Es Kacang (Red Bean Ice) and traditional Teh Tarik.

Sitting down to eat in Ah Tuan Ee, I felt like I was in a traditional village restaurant. It has the atmosphere of a typical Malay restaurant, with lots of wooden chairs and tables, creating a comfortable Peranakan home atmosphere. It has charming details like ornate lamps in the shape of a birdcage, black-and-white photos of the founder of the restaurant and

large windows like you would find in a traditional Malay house.

Lim Chye, who was known as Ibu Ah Tuan Ee, was the culinary inspiration behind the restaurant. She was by all accounts a formidable chef, and her son, Frankie Cheah, inherited her skills. By 2000, Frankie had opened the first Ah Tuan Ee restaurant, in Kuala Lumpur, and now there are branches in Britain, the Middle East, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia. And foodies in Jakarta don’t have to travel far to enjoy authentic Peranakan cuisine.

Ah Tuan Ee

Pacific Place Lt. 4 Unit 48 Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52 - 53 Lot 3 & 5, Sudirman Jakarta – Indonesia Reservations. +62 21 57973364

Hidden Paradise Experience a whole new level of Chinese dining at Taste Paradise

Text by Astrid Natasastra | Photos courtesy of Taste Paradise

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Char-Grilled Spare Ribs with Sweet Plum Sauce

Baked Fillet of Cod with Chef Miso Sauce

ine dining is associated with meticulously prepared dishes, plated just so and served with the finest tableware and linen. Each dish is like a work of art that is meant to be admired and savoured bite after slow bite. On the other end of the scale, Chinese dining conjures up images of steaming hot dishes, heaping plates of food being tossed around, with a lot of action and excitement. So when I heard about a new fine-dining Cantonese restaurant in town called Taste Paradise, I was intrigued.

This is actually the second branch of Taste Paradise, after the flagship branch at Ion Orchard in Singapore.

Taste Paradise is known for its exquisite modern Chinese cuisine, elegant ambience and refined hospitality. Now you don’t have to travel all the way to Singapore to enjoy this unique dining experience, as Taste Paradise has been open on the fourth floor of Plaza Indonesia since February. This will be the only branch in Indonesia because, as Daniel Marathon, co-owner of Taste Paradise, explained, “We want to concentrate on one venue exclusively to offer the best quality Cantonese cuisine.”

Each item on the Taste Paradise menu

Classic Superior Shark’s Fin

Pan-seared Foie Gras accompanied with Caramel Apple1

is exquisitely presented, with a touch of Oriental sophistication. Some of the dishes include Classic Shark’s Fin in Supreme Broth accompanied by a Crispy Spring Roll served in Japanese Stone Pot, which sets a new benchmark for shark’s fin dishes. Just imagine 12 superior ingredients such as dried scallops, Mexican clams and shark’s fin simmered in a broth for 12 hours until it is bursting with flavour. The Pan-Seared Foie Gras With Caramelized Apple is a perfect example of traditional Cantonese cuisine infused with a modern twist.

A special dish available exclusively at Taste Paradise is the Pan-Fried Kurobuta Pork with Danggui Sauce.

Kurobuta pork is the most highly prized pork in Japan, similar to wagyu beef, and comes from an ancient breed of pig known as Black Berkshire. The taste is a combination of sweet, rich flavours, with a delicate texture and an unbelievable level of juiciness.

Another creation that is pleasing to the eye and the palate is the Crispy Fried Prawns in Wasabi Mayonnaise Dressing and Mango Dressing.

Served elegantly in a cocktail glass, each prawn is a delightful burst of flavour. The Baked Fillet of Cod with Chef Miso Sauce is melt in your mouth tender. Taste Paradise

also serves classic Cantonese dim sum, with specialty items like the Steamed Xiao Long Bao with Foie Gras filling and Steamed Shark’s Fin Dumpling in Supreme Soup. Finish off the meal with one of Taste Paradise’s best-selling desserts: Black Truffle Sesame Mochi with Durian or Coffee Mochi served warm with coffee powder.

With a total capacity of 265 persons and eight private rooms, Taste Paradise evokes a sense of Oriental charm wrapped in a contemporary flavour. Designed by Metaphor, the same company that designed the Singapore branch, the elegant interior invites guests to enjoy Chinese cuisine in luxurious privacy, with partitions separating most of the tables. Natural elements marble and intricate details on the walls provide a warm ambience to the venue such as carved wood, while the neutral colour combination of brown, offwhite and duck-egg blue whispers elegance. It is certainly a delight to discover a new dining paradise in the city.

Taste Paradise

Plaza Indonesia, South Gate L4 #01 Jl M.H. Thamrin Kav 28-30 Jakarta – Indonesia Reservations. +62 21 2992 3838

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THE KITCHEN

Small Package, Big Taste Chef Wong Pak Khay is a dim sum master who practices his delicious trade at Xin Hwa restaurant at Jakarta’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel. He takes MAXX-M readers on an exclusive behind-thescenes tour of his kitchen.

Text by Grace Solarbesain | Photos by Little Collins Picture

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ho isn’t familiar with dim sum? This Chinese specialty is prepared in individual portions, or bite-sized pieces. Originally a Cantonese custom, dim sum is inextricably linked to the Chinese tradition of “yum cha,” or drinking tea. Teahouses sprung up to accommodate weary travellers journeying along the famous Silk Road. Farmers, exhausted after long hours working in the fields, would also head to their local teahouse for an afternoon of tea and relaxing conversation.

At one time it was considered inappropriate to combine tea with food; a famous third-century Imperial physician claimed this would lead to excessive weight gain. But as tea’s ability to aid in digestion and cleanse the palate became known, teahouse proprietors began adding a variety of snacks to the menu, and the tradition of dim sum was born.

Today, dim sum (literally meaning point of the heart) is a staple of Chinese dining, especially in Hong Kong, where people say you can find the best Cantonese dim sum chefs.

But this delicious food is certainly not confined to Hong Kong and mainland China, having found fans around the world, including in Indonesia.

Xin Hwa restaurant at the Mandarin

Oriental Hotel is one of the best dim sum restaurants in Jakarta. Xin Hwa ensures the highest standards of food and service, creating a unique and unforgettable dining experience. So sit back and enjoy the heavenly dim sum creations of Xin Hwa’s Chef Wong Pak Khay.

Specialising in dim sum delicacies, Chef Wong brings more than 14 years of experience in fine-dining and five-star hotel restaurants.

He trained early in his career at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur as a dim sum cook and has dedicated himself to mastering this culinary art in various countries, including Malaysia and Singapore. The good chef says he got his first taste of dim sum as a child and it was love at first bite, and he was soon making dim sum for himself.

It was an honour to be given the opportunity to meet one of the top dim sum masters in Jakarta and watch him work his magic in the kitchen. I have eaten at Xin Hwa on numerous occasions, and am well aware that the dim sum here is delicious. When I met Chef Wong he told me there were a number of ways dim sum could be prepared, including frying and steaming. The portions are individual sized and are typically served with four pieces, all in one basket or on one small plate.

For MAXX-M’s visit, Chef Wong

announced he would be preparing xiao long bao.

Xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, come from eastern China, especially Shanghai. It takes about two hours to prepare the dish because you have to wait for the soup to coagulate and form a kind of jelly.

Chef Wong said that to make the xiao long bao, we would need ginger, onion, wheat flour and chicken thighs. The flour used to make the xiao long bao skins and the chicken were waiting for us on the counter.

Chef Wong stood behind the counter and dusted everything with flour and then started to divide the xiao long bao skins into four equal pieces, rolling them out until the skins became thinner and thinner.

With his left hand, he made a C with his thumb and forefinger and fitted the thin skins inside. Then he filled them with the chicken and gelatine chicken broth. With the thumb and forefinger of his right hand he carefully gathered the edges of the skin, making folds and holding on to them till fully gathered. He explained that traditionally there were 16 folds.

After that he put the xiao long bao in bamboo baskets and steamed them for about five minutes. And the xiao long bao were ready to be enjoyed, fresh and delicious.

Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali Ikan Restaurant Mongolian Barbeque May 2012

Borobudur Hotel Jakarta Pendopo Lounge Asian Afternoon Tea May 2012

Contemporary design, elegant and true indulgence of new renovated Pendopo Lounge.

Everyday between 3-7 pm Pendopo Lounge serves up a High tea, featuring dozens of different tea collections from black to green teas with traditional and western snacks for you to enjoy while listening to the entertainers and looking out at the breathtaking lush green view of one of the largest hotel garden in Jakarta.

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Eat well this season with something completely out of the ordinary.

Culinary team will be pleasing palates with flavoursome stir-fried meat and vegetable dishes during our Mongolian Barbeque. This unique dining experience is available at Ikan Restaurant from Tuesday until Friday from 7pm to 10.30pm for IDR 300,000++ per person.

Coffee Craze May 2012

Using premium quality ingredients, the carefully crafted menu of coffee blends includes Espresso Macchiato, Chocolate Wave, Ice Latte Macchiato, Vodka Espresso, Viennese, Jamaican and many more. Whether you like your coffee strong, mild or with a dash of alcohol, the resort has everything to please your palate. Indulge in the ultimate coffee experience whilst relaxing in any of dining outlets located poolside or by the beach.

For further information and reservations, please call Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali at : +62 36 177 1906

Mandarin Oriental Jakarta Hotel

For further information and reservations, please call Borobudur Hotel Jakarta at : +62 21 380 5555

Lyon Restaurant Black Truffle “White of Provence” May-August 2012

Four Season Jakarta The Deli Bagels, Bagels, Bagels 1 – 30 May 2012

This May, join us at The Deli and try our invented bagel recipe using different grains, flavours and unusual topping – you will not be dissapointed. Choose your favorite for your enjoyment or share it with your friends because with every purhase of 6 bagels, you will get a house cream cheese spread with our compliments. Selection of The Deli bagel sandwiches are also available for your enjoyment. The price from Rp. 35.000 per piece and from Rp. 109.000 per dish for bagel sandwich and is subject to applicable service charge and government tax.

The Cellar Bordeaux Wine Flight 7 – 16 May 2012

Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures.

This month, join us at our mystique yet cozy cellar and enjoy the gift of nature from Bordeaux – a land known for some of the greatest wines in the world, and some exceptional non classified wines. A specials by the glass of Petite Chateau, Cru Bourgeois and Grand Cru is on the menu. Enjoy them with our finest French cheeses, airflown weekly from Paris or with Cellar snacks from our new food menu. Suyanto, Master Sommelier will be sure to amaze you with some of his anecdotes. Price starts from Rp. 158.000 per glass and is subject to applicable service charge and government tax.

For further information and reservation, please contact Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta at : +62 21 252 3456

Renowned for its unique and lavish French cuisine, Lyon Restaurant presents the “White of Provence”, first truffle which can be harvested from May until late August. The black truffle is distinguished mainly by a lighter flesh, white or beige colour. Raw in salads or pasta but also as an appetizer drizzled with olive oil and sea salt. Simple and it’s a treat! Black Truffle Delights is priced at IDR 425,000++ per person.

Xin Hwa Flavours of the Sea May 2012

Discover the astonishing flavours of the sea at Xin Hwa. Our talented Chinese chefs will prepare lavish dishes cooked to your liking and taste using only the freshest ingredients and live seafood ranging from lobster, scallops, razor clams and crab. Recipes are based on classics from Hong Kong, Szechuan and Shanghai.

At Home at InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza Michael Janssen has spent 20 years in the hotel industry, 12 of them at some of the most distinguished InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) properties in the world, including InterContinental Berlin, InterContinental Warsaw, InterContinental Dubai, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake and InterContinental Shanghai Pudong. Now as the new Resident Manager of InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza, the German-born Janssen brings his wealth of experience to one of the crown jewels of Jakarta’s hospitality scene.

Text by Grace Solarbesain | Photos by Stephanus Joe Ell What is the first thing you do when you arrive at a new place?

When I come to a new place, I am very keen to explore the neighbourhood and try to understand the culture, although in a short period of time.

I like to learn as much as possible about the people, history, habits , lifestyle and what’s happening in the city. All of that makes my life and work much easier.

What is your opinion of Jakarta after having explored the city?

Jakarta is very warm. I like and enjoy living in Jakarta. I am overwhelmed

by the friendliness of the people; everyone has been very welcoming.

Wherever I go I meet people who smile at me first, or when I smile I get a smile back. That’s what I enjoy so much here, and so far my impression of the city is very good.

What is your philosophy towards work?

My philosophy is to give my dedication to my work. This is a very important thing when you work, and I am trying to do my best using my knowledge, making the best from my resources and time. Because

every place is different and you can’t change everything according to where you go.

Can you tell us your plans for InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza?

As our mid- term plan, we would like to reposition this hotel as one of the preferred meeting places in Jakarta, for domestic and international guests. We recently renovated our Lower Ground meeting rooms. For the big plan, we would like to make InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza one of the best hotels in Jakarta.

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Who has been the most inspiring person in your career and why?

Muhammad Ali. He was not just a great boxer and fighter. He is actually more than a leader; he is an inspiring person. He always stood up for his beliefs, and he has changed many people’s lives.

Until today, he is still a symbol for freedom and passion, from coming from nowhere into becoming one of the best athletes in the world. For that I have a lot of respect for him, for his leadership..

How did you see yourself twenty years ago and how do you see yourself now?

Twenty years ago I was a young person who had entered the hospitality business and who had a dream that one day I could go abroad and work in some of the best hotels around the world. Now I can look back and say that my dream has come true.

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Why do you like the hospitality industry?

Even though I didn’t have enough

experience yet twenty years ago, I always knew one thing and it’s still true today, that I like working with people. Being surrounded by people at all times, your colleagues, your guests, and the ability to make the guests happy. I am fortunate that I chose to work in the hospitality industry back then, and I feel lucky that I chose the right job.

that everything related to my career is an opportunity. I am working in an industry that is rapidly growing.

Almost every week we open a new IHG property somewhere in the world,, so there are a lot of opportunities out there in terms of career and room to grow.. Besides that, people are getting wealthier, people travel more and there’s always a need for hotels, which means there are many opportunities as well.

What is your area of greatest proficiency?

Basically it is a combination of my experiences. I started my hotel career in the Food and Beverage Department so I had the experience of being a waiter, being a chef, even working in the back of house in the hotel. I have covered almost every area in operations. And I spent some years afterwards in sales and marketingTherefore, not only do I know how to sell, but I also know how to operate a hotel. I think that is a very good combination in today’s very competitive hotel market, so. instead of just having one skill, I have two.

What is your mission in life?

When I can make our guests happy Because when they are happy then the we, as the hotel will also be happy . Although I know it is a very difficult task, I want the guests to leave the hotel with a smile on their faces and saying that this hotel is a home away from home.

That is the biggest compliment and satisfaction for me..

In 2006, I attended a Seven Habits of Highly Effective People workshop in New York. One of the exercises was writing a mission statement for life, so since that year I have had my own mission statement. It is divided into two parts; the first for career aspirations, what I would like to accomplish in my professional life.

And the other is for my personal life, how you would like to be remembered after you are gone. So I believe that’s how you are supposed to live your life. My motto in life is to live your life to the fullest and have no regrets. Do not be afraid of making mistakes, because the more mistakes you make, the more you’ll learn. Even successful people make mistakes, but they always come back.

What do you see as the big challenges ahead for your career?

I saw on your CV that you like to cook!

I do not think of it as challenges, but

I have a passion for cooking, because

What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your job at the end of the day?

it is a great way to release stress.

Cooking with friends, or cooking for friends, is really fun. If you cook food by yourself, it gives a different taste. B, besides that, cooking also reminds me of home. I usually cook in my leisure time; it is my favourite activity for having a good time.

What is your favourite food to cook?

I like to cook Italian food. It, is easy to make, quick and healthy because I always use fresh ingredients.

However, basicallyBut basically I cook everything, trying a variety of dishes and sometimes trying new recipes, like Indonesian recipes.

What do you think about the restaurants in InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza?

Well, I think they are all very good, especially our Italian Restaurant Scusa. It is a signature restaurant, giving good quality, providing fresh food, and is also always consistent.

That is the secret to being a successful restaurant, and Scusa has been able to do it. My favourite dish there is Spinach Ravioli with Lemon Butter Sauce, which I have at least once a week. That was actually the first dish I tasted when I first arrived here and I really liked it. And the dessert, Chocolate Mousse, is very good too, very soft and delicious. It also has good service, making dining there a great experience.

Any hobbies besides cooking?

The gym and photographyy. I like to photograph people and their expressions. One day I would like to have my own exhibition to show many faces of people from around the world with their expressions, to tell a story from every face.

What are your favourite things to do with your family?

We like to explore the country where we are living, having wine and dining together, going to the gym, going to the cinema and travelling.

Hospitality Is My Calling Tom Meyer is the new General Manager of InterContinental Bali resort and the area General manager for IHG Bali. His work has taken him all around the world, but there’s no place he would rather be than the Island of the Gods. Meyer explains that he pours all of his passion into the hospitality industry, because hospitality is his calling.

How long have you been in the hospitality industry?

Almost 30 years.

Where did you start your career in hospitality?

My first job in hospitality was at InterContinental in Hamburg.

Can you tell experience?

us

about

your

It all started in Hamburg, then on to the InterContinental Sydney where I was the Director of Food and Beverage then to Singapore and Manila. I was then the Hotel Manager at the InterContinental Hotel Hong Kong before moving on to be the General Manager at InterContinental Dubai and Area GM for Dubai.

So, have you always been at InterContinental?

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No, I left at one point in the early 90’s, but I realized that I made a mistake and I came back to the InterContinental family. I do think it is important and good to see different businesses in different parts of the world, to see how people work and what they do; it will enrich your experience. Now, I realise that leaving InterContinental made me understand how strong they are and how good the company is.

Who has been the most inspiring person in your career?

In every step and every position I have held, I have worked with so many people who have influenced and inspired me. I am so blessed to have worked with amazing leaders.

As a company we are truly blessed with a great leadership team that is focussed on support and giving you room to grow What made you decide to do what you are doing right now?

I had the good fortune of going to an English boarding school. In my class we had 20 kids from some 20 different countries, different races,

different religions and everything.

I grew to love connecting internationally. Because of that I decided to travel. I wanted to see the world; I wanted to discover more about great cultures, countries and getting lots of experiences. I started to work at InterContinental Hamburg in 1982 but I was supposed to return to England and start my studies after a year. From the start I knew I had found my calling in the hospitality business and never left. I am very fortunate because I love my job and I discovered that I loved it on the first day of my first job.

What makes the InterContinental brand special from other hotels?

I think we have amazing leadership in IHG (InterContinental Hotel Group). We have so many hotels around the world and yet we all have a simple mission that we convey to our colleagues every day, we are on a journey to “Great Hotels Guests Love.” This simple message of intent, combined with really great international talent, makes for a potent combination that sets InterContinental apart from our competitors How is the InterContinental Bali different from other Resorts on the Island?

In one word: Space. Nowadays many properties are built on a small area, we have more than 30 hectares here. It really is an incredible space. In Bali, we have a big established garden, we have almost one kilometre of beachfront, five different pools spread around the resort gardens. Our garden was created almost 20 years ago, so it is mature now. When you walk through our grounds you will feel space, lots of it. You will start to relax, your blood pressure will drop, your heart rate drops, you will feel so close with nature, so calm. Wherever you are here in our Resort you will hear the waves and see beautiful Jimbaran Bay. It is a wonderful experience

which culminates at the end of the day when you see the beautiful sunset right infront of our resort.

What is your opinion of Bali?

Twenty years ago, I walked down Jimbaran beach with my wife and there was a sign that said, “Opening soon InterContinental Bali.” I said to my wife that one day I am going to work here. 20 years later, here I am! Bali is one of the places that I always wanted to work because of the amazing people and the great local culture. I think it is a fascinating destination, you can discover so many new things, so many unique ceremonies, and there are many parts of the island that most people have never seen before. It is a truly complex and invigorating environment.

What do you see as the big challenges ahead for your career?

Every day is a challenge. You can never go home and say ‘I am done’.

Every day you wake up and say, “How can I do better job for our colleagues and for our guests? We are constantly looking to improve everything we do, this is our daily challenge!

What is your area of greatest proficiency?

I believe that I am good at inspiring people and teams to achieve great results.I look for the things that make a team work better together, and like to help our leaders to move forward on their personal journey.The goal is to support our great team here to achieve things that sometimes even they did not think they could.

You have a huge passion for hospitality, and I can see that hospitality is your calling. Where do you get the motivation for your work?

The biggest motivator for me is seeing my team do the great things they do every day.

ADVERTORIAL

A Toast to Montes If you are a wine lover, you must try Montes Premium wines. Here’s a short history of one of the best wines in the world.

Text by Grace Solarbesain | Photos courtesy of Montes

M

ontes was founded in 1988 by four partners with many years of experience in the art of winemaking and the wine trade, with the firm belief that there was a niche for Chilean premium wines. The company’s philosophy was, from day one, to produce premium quality wines from Chile.

The result was the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 1987, the first real Chilean premium wine.

Then came the discovery of Montes’ terroir on the slopes of Apalta, which became the company’s home and provided superior quality grapes. That inspired the Montes Alpha “M” 1996, the first Chilean wine in that class quality and surprising palates around the world. Further innovations followed as Montes discovered the potential of Syrah on the slopes of the estate in the Apalta Valley. First came the Montes Alpha Syrah and afterwards the “crazy” Montes Folly, a pure Syrah of superb concentration and structure that confirmed how well this variety feels in that terroir. However, another surprise would follow: Purple Angel, Montes’ Carmenere, which rapidly became the best example of the “Jurassic” variety.

In 2001, Aurelio Montes, one of the

founders, felt a special attraction on the other side of the Andes Mountains: great viticulture potential, passion and lots of fun! Montes’ first vintage of Kaiken wines from Mendoza came out in 2002. With Aurelio’s finesse in winemaking and exciting wines, Montes has been recognised by wine critics around the world.

Unsurprisingly, Malbec is getting most of the attention in the Kaiken range, although lesser-known grapes have been incorporated as well, as Aurelio understands the potential for diversity in Mendoza. Grapes like Bonarda and Petit Verdot offer extra spices, different “ingredients for a more complex dish,” as Aurelio would describe it. A dry style but structured rosé of Malbec and the recent launch of a sparkling wine, Kaiken Brut, made of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, have complemented the Kaiken family of wines.

But that isn’t all! Aurelio’s hunger for innovation and new challenges brought him to the Northern Hemisphere, and a place he considers one of the best corners for Cabernet Sauvignon: the Napa Valley. In 2008, Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray were in New York launching

the first vintage of the Napa Angel wines, a name that couldn’t have come more naturally, being a Montes venture. Two more wines would join the Montes USA family soon after.

Aurelio’s success with Syrah in Chile – especially through the Montes Folly – brought him to the charming area of Paso Robles in California, were he discovered the incredible quality and style this grape was expressing in this terroir.

Montes has provided Chile with enormous gratification and is considered a clear benchmark in winemaking and viticulture, and Montes’ reputation as a premium winemaker has continued to grow. The success of Montes has been studied by many universities (Harvard, the Kellogg School of Management and the Thunderbird School of Global Management, amongst others), all agreeing that Montes has become a milestone in Chilean wine history, by opening the doors for quality wines in international markets. Many producers would follow the Montes path. Twenty-four years ago, only 14 wineries were exporting from Chile; today that number stretches to more than 200 registered wine exporters, and Chile has gained the respect of the world as a quality producer.

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The Sweetest Day Light blue shirt with a curved line and details on the front, with straight boot-cut jeans by Ted Baker. Dark blue velvet shoes by Jeffry Tan and a Tod’s shopping bag in elegant Daino leather without stitching for urban professionals seeking function and good looks.

Photographer Billy Buana Lightroom Photography (+62 31 741 6959) | Stylist A.J. Makeup and hair Kun Soo (+62 815 518 2802) | Models Damien (SnapINC), Indah Yuniastri Location and sponsored by Sam Poo Kong & Lawang Sewu, Semarang

A. Damien is wearing Jeffry Tan light tan cropped pants and jacket with Chinese collar detailing, with a dark brown sling leather bag and shoes by Tod’s.

B. A short-sleeve white shirt is perfect for a casual urban look, and pairs great with straight boot-cut blue jeans by Ted Baker.

C. Besides white, Damien also goes for Ted Baker’s new long-sleeve plaid shirt.

A

A long-sleeve dark blue shirt and cotton shorts in navy by Ted Baker, along with the simple, clean lines of a soft leather baseball jacket, highlighted by Bally’s Trainspotting signature stripe in ribbed knit collar and cuffs.

Brown leather shoes by Tod’s.

B

C

White and dark grey striped cotton loose dress with an edgy cutting, a rope style

A pair of cropped high-waisted pants and classic bolero jacket

necklace with dipped enamel and knot

in stunning red by Mel Ahyar Happa. Combined with Sapto

details by Mel Ahyar Happa, and peep-toe

Djojokartiko’s black top, with its whimsical detailing and flowing

silver glitter pumps by Christian Louboutin.

silhouette, it is bound to be a seasonal favourite. Add a feminine touch to your ensemble with a chunky pearl necklace from SHILL.

Indah is wearing broken white trousers by

Long-sleeve shirt in pure silk and light gold with a

Mel Ahyar Happa with an elastic waistband,

classically slim cut by Rudy Chandra. The elegant,

two slit pockets on the sides, pleats at the

feminine silhouette is accented with a round

front and back waist and rope belt; a red

pearl necklace by SHILL along with a large tote

and

bag from Tod’s with fringe details, and nude mini

dark

brown

striped

bolero jacket,

cropped style with a curved cutting; and dark brown and nude bangles by Heliopolis.

Tan leather peep-toe cork wedge heels by Mel Ahyar Happa.

glitters peep-toe shoes by Christian Louboutin.

Damien wears a dark navy shirt from Verde and a pair of straight light grey pants from Jeffry Tan, while Indah wears a black lace top with cream cropped pants.

Damien wears a Jeffry Tan short-sleeve light green shirt and a pair of fisherman-style slightly high-waisted pants. Indah wears a light cream bolero cropped jacket with cropped high-waisted pants by Mel Ahyar Happa and pearl accessories by SHILL.

Indah wears a black lace transparent top and loose light grey cropped pants by Sapto Djojokartiko. A chain necklace is by SHILL and nude mini glitters peep-toe shoes

by Christian Louboutin. Damien wears a dark blue long-sleeve shirt by Verde.

Burmese Dreaming Nick Walton cruises the meandering Irrawaddy River on the Orient-Express’ Road to Mandalay, blending luxury with discovery

Photos by Nick Walton

I

t’s midday, and on the banks of the mighty Irrawaddy, women and children from the nearby village of Taung Be wash clothes and bathe in the river’s swirling waters. They wave and smile as we approach and clamber aboard a rickety longboat, its paint faded from countless Burmese summers, for the quick passage out to the ship. Across the river, the sun glistens off the tips of countless gilded stupas and the air is alive with insects and birdsong.

The Road to Mandalay, the OrientExpress’ unique river journey through Myanmar, is by far the best way to explore this once closed and still rather backward country. From the temples of Bagan to the monasteries and markets of Mandalay, passengers on the Road to Mandalay are exposed to a stunning cross-section of Burma’s past and present, while contributing to its ever-hopeful future.

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Myanmar, formerly Burma, is a truly unique destination; it’s yet to welcome mass tourism and seems, in many ways, blessedly trapped in the past. But with the recent release from house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s best-known political figure, and the first elections in two decades (as dubious as they might have been), Myanmar is taking tentative steps towards modernity.

We had flown into Bagan from Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, after a night at the OrientExpress’ Governor’s Residence, a charming, colonial-esque boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the city’s leafy embassy district. Once landed, we quickly made our way by bus to the riverside. O&E’s team look after everything, from getting through Myanmar’s rather bureaucratic immigration process to money changing (once the bane of every Burma-bound traveller) and paying the countless little fees at every stop along the route. They have a long relationship with the country and its people, and it’s now paying dividends.

The river’s silty waters swirl around the ship; in low season the current is a steady three knots, which gives the impression the Road to Mandalay is sailing at full pelt upstream. The captain later tells me that in the height of the rainy season, that current can increase to a torrential six knots.

Our stateroom, one of the ship’s newlook Governor’s Suites, is spacious and bathed in sunlight from two double-height windows. The Road to Mandalay was substantially damaged in a hurricane in late 2008, and after a year in dry dock has emerged better than ever, with spacious cabins and lounges, a formal dining room and a sun-drenched pool deck.

Bagan is an ancient capital situated on the dry central plains of Myanmar, some 90 kilometres north of Mandalay, and is best known for its fields of temples, more than 2,500 of them. Flying into Bagan, the ground is ablaze with flashes of gold as the sunlight strikes the more modern gold-leafed temples, but it’s not until you’re on the ground, driving down dirt tracks and past lines of saffronrobed monks holding black lacquer alms bowls, that you realise just how many shrines there really are.

The horizon is dotted with temple tips, from gold leaf to a reddish hue, fashioned from local clay bricks and glazed by countless summers under the hot Burmese sun.

We make the most of our time in Bagan and visit the acclaimed Ananda Temple, a Buddhist sanctuary built in 1105AD. One of four remaining ancient temples in Bagan (we quickly learn the subtle differences between stupa, pagoda and temple), it’s laid out in the form of a cruciform, with a small, circular pagoda on top, covered in an umbrella-like hti.

The four towering gold Buddha statues within are astounding; each beaming statue was crafted from a single piece of teak and is a staggering nine metres tall. The statues seem to glow, their golden

exteriors reflecting the little light that seeps into the interior of the temple.

Children play hide and seek in the shrine’s nooks and crannies, their giggles cascading off ancient whitewashed walls studded with smaller, more modest shrines.

Down dirt paths and through tiny villages where children play in the long grass and men lead carts pulled by white bullocks, we come to an emerald green field of maize and temple tops. Following a well-worn path that winds through the shade of sun-bleached trees, we discover the base of a crumbling, box-shaped monastery dating from the 12th century. It’s easy to see the poverty that monks endured for their faith; tiny stone rooms branch off a main hallway with such a low ceiling that it’s impossible to stand up straight.

Following the flashlight beam of our trilingual guide Kit, we clamber up through incredibly narrow staircases to the rooftop, from which the true majesty of Bagan can be seen. For as far as the eye can cast, there are the spires of temples, pagodas and stupas, some standing proud, others slowly being reclaimed by the earth.

Shwezignon Pagoda

After watching the sunset from nearby Shwesandaw Paya, also known as the Sunset Pagoda, we encounter a village celebrating its “temple day,” an annual festival that includes efforts to clean and mend the local pagodas, as well as plenty of loud music, performances and even fireworks. We walk through the village, snacking on ceremonial cookies made from caramelized brown sugar and rice, and watch young novice monks scurry behind trucks carrying performers to the stage. In front of the temple, hundreds of wooden beds are laid out – this is an all-night affair and the party is only just getting started as day turns to night.

Back on the ship, it’s time for cold towels, cocktails on the pool deck before a quick change and dinner in the main dining room.

Ananda Temple

Buddha at Ananda Temple

It’s this contrast that makes the Road to Mandalay such a popular option; you can explore temples all day, like a regular Indiana Jones, and yet dine like you’re in one of the best restaurants back home, complete with an extensive wine list and cigars afterward, under a canopy of stars.

The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast, Kit leads us to the Shwezignon Pagoda, certainly one of Bagan’s most spectacular. Aglow in early morning light, its 98-metre golden stupa is stunningly beautiful, and the scene is set with the chants of young monks learning Buddha’s scripture by heart. In the shade of the temple’s buildings, old women chuff away on massive homemade cigars made from Say Ywat Kyi leaves, while others chew betel nut and laugh with ghoulish red smiles.

View from the deck

Young monks on the street

In the local markets of Nyaung Oo, women sit on sackcloths and sell freshly picked vegetables. There are exotic fruits and strange roots, handmade puppets and hand-crafted longi sarongs. An old man shades himself under a tree and plays a saung, an ancient harp-like instrument, its delicate notes drifting over the commerce below.

We’re sailing north towards Mandalay by noon. Guests migrate to the sundrenched pool deck for al fresco lunches, cooking demonstrations and dips in the deep swimming pool. Beyond, river life slips by; fishermen look up from their nets and wave as the ship passes, and on the dusty riverbanks, lines of village women, fresh produce balanced on their heads, can be seen walking to market. The glowing tips of temples can be spied many kilometres before we pass them.

We spend the next day steaming down river, watching bridges and highways grow on both sides of the river and waving to villages assembled on the riverbanks, arriving just outside Mandalay, at the ship’s home port of Shwe Kyet Yet, in the afternoon. The ship passes under

Village greenery

Roomkey an map

two towering bridges, from which children wave, and then docks under a hilltop encrusted with pagodas dressed in ivory and gold.

In nearby Amarapura, another of Burma’s former royal capitals, we watch women, their faces coated in thanaka, a yellowish paste made from the bark of the wood apple tree, produce brightly coloured fabric on ancient timber looms. In the marble carving area, spotless white Buddhas are born, chiselled by the men and then delicately bathed by the women. We watch shirtless teenage boys use hammers and durable bamboo paper to beat gold nuggets into leaf, while women sit in a cool room beyond nimbly portioning out the wafer-thin pieces for purchase by Buddhist pilgrims.

At the Kuthodaw Pagoda a local television company is filming a romance story among the temple’s 792 kyauksa gu, little white shrines, each housing a marble slab inscribed with text from the Tipitaka, Buddhist scripture. Elderly monks ignore the crowds coming to see some of Burma’s most famous stars. Instead they focus on their prayers as the sun grows heavy in the sky.

We finish the day with sunset at U Pein, a mile-long Burmese teak bridge that’s popular with both tourists and villagers walking across Lake Taungthaman. As the sun finally settles into the water everything goes still; there is a hush across the landscape, the boatmen’s yells subside, children are hushed by their mothers and silence blankets the lake. It’s a magical experience.

The monks file by in order of importance, and the line of crimsonrobed holy men soon snakes down the dirt road towards the river. Tiny, inquisitive faces peer at us from the end of the line; the youngest of the monks must come last, but there is plenty to eat and they leave with their black alms bowls filled with more than enough rice. Anything the monks can’t eat will be passed on to the believers who call the temple home; nothing is wasted.

We spend the afternoon on Sagaing, a holy mountain across the river from Shwe Kyet Yet covered with more than 600 temples and monasteries. After crawling to the highest point to visit the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda and to revel in the spectacular views down to the Inwa Bridge and the Irrawaddy River, we visit the Zeyar Theingi Nunnery, another beneficiary of the Road to Mandalay’s charitable works.

Here young nuns dressed in delicate pink robes chant scripture by heart in preparation for an examination.

Strangers are still rare and groups of girls leave their studies to watch us shyly from the upper windows.

Evening falls and guests on the ship make the most of their last night aboard as the sun sets behind the temple tops. In the waters below, fisherman cast their nets wide by hand, still curious about this beautiful ship and its foreign passengers. Burma is on the cusp of a new chapter, and with any hope, tourists and sustainable tourism operators won’t be a novelty for too much longer.

--------------------

Early the next morning we make our way to the village of Shwe Kyet Yet to offer alms to the monks of the local temple. Road to Mandalay has a long history in the village and finances one of the local nursery schools. As day breaks over the village, roadside cafes bustle with men drinking strong coffee with condensed milk and watching football highlights, while in the markets, stallholders prepare for another day’s trading.

HOW TO GET THERE The Road to Mandalay is operated by Orient-Express www.orient-express.com WHERE TO STAY The capital’s most iconic hotel remains the Governor’s Residence www.governorsresidence.com

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Exotic New Delhi At a Glance Amazing architecture meets impressive local culture and exuberant scenery in this buzzing Indian city

Text & Photos by travelwithoutborders

The Local and the tourist

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I

t was a full midnight flight from Hong Kong to New Delhi.

My heart was beating fast as I imagined the country of 1.2 billion people. I’d had close encounters with Little India in Singapore and Indian Village in Indonesia, but now I was about to get up close and personal with my native land. After landing I rushed to my humble abode, the Taj Palace Hotel, for a quick checkin. Turbaned guards with thick moustaches welcomed us and a beautiful sari-clad woman escorted us into the hotel for check-in. The lobby was impeccably furnished with local touches, and that was just a preview for what was waiting for me upstairs in my room.

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The day dawned cloudless and sunny.

For the first-timer in Delhi, the city can be overwhelming. There is the traffic and the crowds, a non-stop whirl of activity. Car horns blare, rickshaws go speeding by and there is a haze of dust and pollution. It truly is another world. I found the rickshaws a blessing for getting around the city. They were a tight fit, but I didn’t have anything to complain about; you could see families of six climbing out of some rickshaws.

The side mirrors seemed to be littleused accessories, and switching lanes was little more than a leap of faith and some sixth sense. The bus, on the other hand, came with its own deal. The driver was oblivious of my presence. I wasn’t even asked for a penny as I stepped down at my destination. Was I invisible? Did they sense a language barrier?

I had heard a lot about Delhi’s amazing architecture and was suitably awed. One of the most impressive buildings is Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Presidential House, the biggest residence of any head of state. Plans for Rashtrapati Bhawan began when it was decided that the capital of India would be moved from Calcutta to Delhi. I overheard the tour guide next to me gushing to his group that the lavish complex was closed

to the public, unless you happened to known someone prominent inside the government. I, unfortunately, did not, so I could only guess what was behind the magnificent façade of the four-floor mansion and its 340 rooms, which took 19 years to complete. Thankfully, the North and South Secretariat buildings came to the rescue. Located in front of Rashtrapati Bhawan, the architecture is equally impressive and the North block is open for visits.

Before my trip, I had once mistaken a photograph of India Gate for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The resemblance is not a coincidence, as India Gate was inspired by the icon in Paris. Built in memory of the Indian soldiers who died in World War I, India Gate is a bit smaller than the Arc de Triomphe and it certainly draws a crowd. There was a girl offering henna tattoos, a boy selling traditional snacks, kids on school trips and families on picnics.

The weather can be a challenge in Delhi. During the summer, the mercury can hit a stifling 45 degrees Celsius. So make sure you bring plenty of water and a small towel to keep the sweat out of your eyes.

I headed to Birla Temple where I could feel the cool of the marble and instantly sat down to escape the heat.

The hustle and bustle of Delhi is perfectly captured in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. The exuberance and rawness of Delhi are on full display here, with the market’s distinctive smells, random noises and colourful sights. Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, is best enjoyed at dusk. I savoured my barefoot walk in the courtyard, watching the birds flying back home, dazzled by the reds of the setting sun on the architecture. I ended my Chandni Chowk chapter in a red sandstone castle, Red Fort, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal. Red

Fort is an intimate escape with its mix of Indian, European and Persian forms. To the surprise of nobody, Red Fort was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2007.

Not as historic as Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place is a blend of antique and contemporary charm. It is one of the most vibrant commercial and business districts in town and a onestop solution for errands, with banks, markets, cinemas, travel agencies, gift shops and restaurants. If hygiene is an issue for the local food in Chandni Chowk, it’s no worry in the more upscale Connaught Place.

Despite all the charm of Delhi, I found the poverty mentally agonizing.

The wealth gap is so wide, with the poorest of the poor begging on the street. My heart ached seeing children on the street selling pens and pencils to make enough to eat that day.

The poverty and desperation are part of daily life in Delhi. According to the United Nations Development Programme, 37.2 per cent of the population lives below the national poverty line. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

India Gate

It is difficult to fully explore a city like Delhi in one visit. The diversity of sights and neighbourhoods needs at least a couple of more trips to digest. Then there are the nearby cities that demand attention. Jaipur and Agra, for example. These three cities form the famous Golden Triangle, and it only takes three hours by train from Delhi to reach Agra and four hours to Jaipur. And who can resist the romance that is the Taj Mahal in Agra or the dramatic Rajput Fort Palace in Jaipur? One avid traveller said it would take months to conquer India.

You need a certain mind-set to enjoy India to the fullest. You can see India as chaotic or colourful and diverse. The choice is yours. It truly is Incredible India.

View from outside of Rakab Ganj

Inside Rakab Ganj

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North Secretariat Building

Local Food

Jama Masjid

Warm smile from the local

Rashtrapati Bhawan

Arranged Marriage Ad

Travel Tips 1.Don’t display too much flesh. New Delhi still very much honours its Eastern culture. Though it can get very hot in the summer, try to avoid wearing spaghetti straps.

2.Do explore the city the way the locals do. I couldn’t be more in love with the rickshaw. It’s cheap, fast and easy to find.

3.Bargaining is a must. You need to sharpen your bargaining skills if you want the best deals.

4.If you can do something yourself, do it. The people of New Delhi are friendly, but you have to be wary of tourist scams.

5.Take part in religious routines even if you aren’t a believer. I enjoyed the way they guided me through their rituals even though I’m not Hindi or Muslim.

6.Be ultra cautious when in a crowd. Pickpockets are everywhere, especially in touristy areas. Hold on to your belongings or keep them in a hidden pocket.

7.Some smells can either be nice or nauseating depending on your tolerance level. I like the flowery smells of India but am not very keen on the wet market.

8.The food is not for everybody. Be careful about where you eat to avoid stomach problems. This is one of the biggest issues for most travellers in India.

9.Don’t laugh and stare at the bromance! Holding hands is normal for guys; it is just a gesture of affection.

10.Tourist spots can be more expensive for foreigners. Example, 10 rupees for locals and 250 rupees for foreigners for entrance to the Red Fort.

11.Matchmaking is pretty common too. I could even spot the hotline graffiti! Quite a number of Indians never even meet their partners before the wedding. And their divorce rate is quite low too!

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Luxury On The Sea Touted as the first eco-friendly sea-hotel in the world, Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa provides a haven of peace, adventure and family fun Text by Astrid Natasastra | Photos Courtesy of Golden Palm Tree & Astrid Natasastra

A bird’s-eye view of the palm tree-shaped resort

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used to think that your travel companion was more important than the destination itself. A recent trip to Malaysia made me realize that travelling with good friends is fun; but travelling with good friends to an unbelievably gorgeous destination is the recipe for the getaway of a lifetime.

To celebrate a friend’s birthday, four of us headed to Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa in Penang.

The four of us flying all the way to Malaysia for a birthday celebration could mean only one thing: this place must be spectacular. And it really is. Stretching out from the coastline almost a kilometre into the sheltered waters of the Strait of Malacca, Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa houses 392 luxuriously appointed sea villas that are laid out in the shape of a giant palm tree.

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The first of Sepang GoldCoast investment properties, Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa is conveniently close the country’s administrative centre–Putrajaya, the nerve centre of Malaysia’s Multumedia Super Corridor– Cyberjaya, the Sepang International Circuit, home to Malaysian’s F1 race, Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

Touted as the first eco-friendly seahotel in the world, Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa is a fivestar haven of peace and tranquillity.

It is the recipient of two CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards 2008.

Entries were judged by a panel of professionals whose collective knowledge of the property industry is second to none and unsurpassed by any other property awards. The television channel’s annual award was presided over by a panel of leading experts in the real property industry, including real estate media stalwarts and developers from the Asia Pacific, Britain, Australia and France.

Upon arriving at the airport, we were picked up by one of the resort’s cars and spent around 40 minutes on the road, passing through villages and lush landscape. Within

easy proximity of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa reveals the soul of its destination with the warmth of a Malaysian welcome and a sophistication of service showcasing culinary arts and authentic local delicacies.

It was high noon and the weather was dry and hot, and we almost drifted off to sleep until in the distance we spotted what seemed like an oasis.

It was the resort, luxurious, spacious and with a welcoming fusion of tradition and modernity.

The resort is huge, with an array of restaurants and water activities.

Suddenly we realized that a two –day stay would not be enough to enjoy everything. The resort is lush, with meandering paths and plenty to enjoy, but if you are in a hurry to get somewhere carts are available that you can hop on and off.

First we checked out our Canary Palm Villa. It has two bedrooms, a roomy living room filled with amenities and a private balcony overlooking the strait. It is ideal for friends or a small family. But if you need more space, you can try the Royale Palm Villa. Perched at the tip of the Golden Palm Tree, the Royale Palm Villa measure 232 square metres and has three bedrooms, a spacious terrace and a view of the ocean. But if it is privacy that you are after, say for honeymooners or just a couple of people who want to feel like they are on their honeymoon, try the Premier Travellers Palm Villa.

It is 52 square metres, has one bedroom, an exposed alang-alang thatched roof and a romantic fourposter king-sized bed. A private terrace provides a perfect setting for enjoying romantic sunsets.

All of the villas come with flat-screen TV with multiple satellite channels, IDD telephone and voice messaging, video-on-demand library, high-speed broadband internet service, safe deposit box, hair dryer, coffee and tea-making facilities, fully stocked mini-bar, 24-hour in-room dining,

iron and ironing board. Such high standards of hospitality and service helped the Golden Palm Tree win the CNBC Best Property Award and Best Interior Award.

Although far from the city, there is no need to venture from the resort for local and international cuisine. Golden Palm Tree has an array of fantastic restaurants serving everything from authentic Malaystyle barbeque fish and Chinese-style seafood to authentic Sichuan cuisine and Western dishes.

Our first culinary adventure was the dim sum at Hai Sang Lou, an authentic Cantonese restaurant.

The name means “above the sea” in Mandarin, and the restaurant conjures a mystical aura of natural elements that come together in buoyant elegance. Besides offering a wide selection of fried and steamed dim sum, they also have popular Sichuan dishes.

However, if Malaysian cooking is what you are after then head to Sepoi-Sepoi, a beachfront cafe with a large cabana and thatched roofing.

Its minimalistic and chic look is accentuated by a four-tiered shell chandelier hanging low in the centre of the room, chiming to the gentle nudges of the sea breeze. Small, cosy tables tastefully scattered about the cafe give it an airy feel. The SepoiSepoi menu imitates a traditional Malaysian-Chinese coffee shop and boasts authentic flavours that attest to the traditional style of preparation.

Or try the a la carte menu with a wide variety of Malaysian snacks, noodle dishes, sandwiches and a list of coffee brews.

A tropical paradise above sea level

For dinner, we headed to Stimbot restaurant. Stimbot is a Chinese version of fondue where slices of seafood are skewered and dipped in stock, kept simmering on a hot plate at the centre of the table, perfect for sharing. If dining by spectacular sunset is what you are looking for, then head to Perahu where you can dine on the deck while enjoying a gentle sea breeze. Perahu serves a wide selection of MalayInfinity pool with breathtaking view over the strait

“The panoramic views of the resorts ensure a unique wedding ceremony with an exotic touch amidst a heavenly sunset backdrop.” style barbeque and grilled seafood, specialising in local marinades.

The seafood is served in a banana leaf or other local wrap, keeping it succulent and giving it an added flavour. What makes this place more special is the live band that provides entertainment every evening.

Delicious dimsumat Hai Sang Lou

Sepoi-Sepoi beach front cafe

No resort vacation would be complete without sipping some colourful cocktails. That’s why we ended the night at Buloh Bar, a poolside bar with an extensive range of beverages, snacks and an a la carte menu that includes local and continental food. There is also live entertainment that accompanies the setting sun.

From the comforts of your water accommodations, enjoy the sounds of calm strait-sea waves lapping against the stilts as local or migratory birds announce the start of a new day. You can sleep in and leave the planning to the resort’s Escapade team. All activities at the Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa are managed by a passionate team of professionals from all over the world, each with decades of handson knowledge. The Escapade team will complete your exotic holiday by putting together a complete itinerary of activities, provide advice on local

Canary Palm Villa

beauty spots and book day trips.

Golden Pam Tree has activities to suit every need and interest. For the adventurer, explore an extensive stretch of mangrove forest by canoe or trek through the hinterlands and take a canopy walk. If you want something a bit more relaxed, spend the day on the resort’s Sailboat 14.6, a spacious sloop that offers hasslefree, stable and dry sailing, great for singles, couples or the entire family.

There is also a modern land yacht, a three-wheeled craft with a wing mast that offers a safer option to sailing, especially for those who are not keen on getting wet. You can also go windsurfing on the strait.

If you are keen on catching your own dinner, you can charter a boat for the day for some deep-sea fishing or even learn to cast a net in shallow waters. Bird watchers will rejoice in the wide array of nearby birdlife, while the more adventurous can cycle down dirt paths or try their hand at archery.

And then there is the beach, the centre of the resort’s social life.

Try a game of beach football or volleyball, fly a kite, go for a swim or just lie in the sand and catch a tan. It’s all up to you. Golden Palm Tree is a huge playground for adults and kids alike.

Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa is also the place for enchanting wedding and romantic honeymoon packages. The panoramic views ofof the resort ensure a unique wedding ceremony with an exotic touch amidst a heavenly sunset backdrop.

And check out the tropical beachfront garden, elegantly manicured to suit custom-designed celebrations.

The 840-square-metre ballroom overlooks the water villas from the shore and can accommodate up to 1,400 people, perfect for business functions with a relaxing atmosphere. Your guests will be delighted to attend the event as it offers refreshing environment like no other place.

A great way to wind down is by relaxing under a beach umbrella as the sea breeze caresses your sunkissed skin. Or from the comfort of your above-water villa, enjoy the soothing sound of waves lapping against the stilts as birds announce the start of a new day. Surrounded by glorious views, exciting activities and luxurious comfort, Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa is a true tropical holiday paradise that will make you regret not discovering it sooner. But better late than never!

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C O V E R S T O RY

Asian Inspiration For upcoming holiday season, look no further than Asia for your traveling inspiration. The short distances make traveling more convenient, so you can have longer holidays. Here we compile destinations based on preferences; whether it is for culinary, adventure, relaxing or culture.

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Exotic Asia

Culture vultures, get ready to visit some of the most fascinating places in the world

Text by Anissa Jembar Langit | Photos courtesy of Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources Negara Brunei Darussalam, Indonesian Tourism Ministry

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ulture is what makes a nation great. It is its beliefs, politics, customs, languages, buildings and artworks, accumulated and cultivated over the ages. Here are some of the best cultural sights in Asia to enrich your soul and expand your horizons.

1. Indonesia Indonesia is home to hundreds of tribes that inhabit thousands of islands from east to west. Muaro Jambi is a Buddhist temple complex in Jambi province, on the island of Sumatra. The temples, which date between the 4th and 13th centuries, are stretched out along the Batang Hari River. Eight of the temples have been excavated, but there are many more sites yet to be explored in a conservation area that is still largely covered by thick forest. The three most significant temples are known as the High Temple, Gumpung Temple and Kedaton Temple.

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Yogyakarta, in central Java, is home to the famous Borobudur and Prambanan temples. As a centre of Javanese culture, Yogyakarta has many other historical sites such as the Kraton, or Sultan’s Palace. It is currently the residence of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. There is also Taman Sari, the Water Palace, which in the past was a recreation spot for the sultans and their families, as well as a fort during times of war.

Of course, Javanese society is a complex mix of ancient traditions, customs and ceremonies. These include the Sekaten ceremony that celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Other big ceremonies are the Grebeg Syawal and Numplak Wajik ceremonies. Java is also steeped in arts like karawitan, which involves singing in groups accompanied by Javanese instruments like gamelan.

Ketoprak and wayang kulit are two of the most popular traditional performing arts in Javanese society.

Traditional Javanese dances are noted for their gentle movements, with dances like Bedhaya Sang Amurwabhumi, Bedhaya Sapta and Bedhaya Sabda Aji. It’s different

from traditional Balinese dances like Pendet and Legong dance, which are more dynamic and involve the whole body. While the Javanese have batik textiles, Bali is renowned for painting, sculpture and woodcarving.

Bali is blessed with many temples like Tanah Lot, Bedugul, Uluwatu and more. Ubud is a centre of culture in Bali with destinations like Rudana Fine Art Gallery, Museum Puri Lukisan, Puri Agung Ubud, Wanara Wana and Museum Blanco. Bali also has the Ngaben, the famous cremation ceremony, and the Ogoh-Ogoh festival the day before the New Year on the Balinese Hindu calendar.

2. Brunei Darussalam Brunei Darussalam is a small point on the map but big on culture.

Essentially, Brunei’s culture is rooted in Malay culture and influenced by Islam. Tombstones of P’u Kung Chih Mu, Rokayah binti Sultan Abdul Majid ibni Hasan ibni Muhammad Shah Al-Sultan and Sayid Alwi BaFaqih (Mufaqih) are evidence of Islam’s arrival in Brunei.

Istana Nurul Iman palace dominates the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Situated on the top of a hill overlooking the city, the palace is a symbol of Brunei’s enduring monarchy and the seat of the nation’s government. The golden spires adorning Istana Nurul Iman, home of the nation’s monarch, form a striking backdrop for the typically spectacular Brunei sunset. The lavish residence has achieved legendary status as the largest palace in the world and features a unique blend of contemporary and traditional Islamic architecture.

Gulintang is a traditional orchestra in Brunei that use instruments like gulintangan, canang, tawak-tawak, gong and gendang labik. Orchestras usually play on auspicious occasions like the city’s anniversary or for a big wedding. Adai-Adai is traditional dance that tells the story of some fishermen who go out to sea while their wives look after their catch. The dance involves four

men and four women in traditional costumes.

3. India India is a country rich in culture, from historical monuments like the Taj Mahal to the ancient relics of the Indus River Valley. It is also the birthplace of the Ramayana and Mahabharataepics. Indian society holds onto its cultural values, as seen from the traditional saris that are frequently worn by women and the traditional dhoti and lungi garments worn by men. Music and dance are important parts of the culture, and traditional instruments include the sitar, sarod, tambura, tabla and vina. Classical dances like the Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Kuchipudi and Manipuri are widely performed as part of rituals or just for entertainment.

4. Nepal Located in the Himalayas, Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia bordering China to the north and India to the west, east and south. Kathmandu is the capital and an important cultural centre.

There are temples, courtyards and palaces that tell the tale of Nepal’s cultural history, and the influence of Hinduism, Buddhism and Tantrism.

Nepal’s culture is also reflected in rural houses located in the lowland.

These houses have bamboo frames and the walls are made from a mud and cow-dung mix. They remain cool in summer and retain warmth in winter. Houses in the hills are usually made of unbaked bricks with thatch or tile roofing.

At high elevations construction changes to stone masonry and slate may be used on roofs. A typical Nepalese meal is dal-bhat-tarkari, a spicy lentil soup served over boiled rice. It is usually accompanied by curried vegetables together with pickles or chutney. Nepal’s culture is not limited to buildings. It also has traditional music, with percussion instruments and flutes, and nonmasked and masked dances, of which the most popular is the Lakhey dance.

Adrenaline Rush Test your courage and explore your limits on your next holiday in Asia

Text by Text by Grace Solarbesain | Photos courtesy of www.haloindo.com, www.macau.ajhackett.com, www.lakwatseradeprimera.com, www.kee2.org, Bali Adventure Tours, Indonesian Tourism Ministry

1. Air Adventure Who says you can’t have a holiday in the air? Here are some exciting activities in the air that promise fantastic fun. To fly like an eagle and enjoy the scenery from a bird’s-eye view, try paragliding in one of the best sites in the world, Matantimali. Located in Sigi regency in Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province, approximately 30 minutes southwest of Palu, the provincial capital, this is one adventure that combines beauty and courage.

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If you are seeking a more challenging sport, bungee jumping will give you a few seconds of ecstatic excitement that you will never forget. Macau Tower Bungee Jumping is the place to have the jump of your life, because it is the world’s highest at 233 meters! There is no other bungee jumping in the world that can compare to this, and the technology that went into putting it all together was well worth the effort, with specially designed cords, amazing views of Macau and South China, and the fact that you will be coming within about thirty metres of the ground before rebounding back up into the heavens.

Bagan is an ancient city located in the Mandalay region of Myanmar and one of the most spectacular temple sites in Asia. You can visit Bagan all year round as there is no actual rainy season like in the lower parts of Myanmar. Marco Polo described this place as “one of the finest sights in the world.”

One activity not to be missed here is the hot air balloon ride, which will let you explore this ancient city from a unique vantage point. Hot air ballooning will also be indelibly imprinted in your memory as one of the best and most memorable adventures that you have ever experienced. The dry plains of Bagan, which are bordered by the Irrawaddy River, are renowned for their spectacular

sunrises and sunsets. Looking out from the hot air balloon basket over the temple-dotted plain is enchantingly spellbinding. Usually taking off at dawn, the balloon flight lasts for around 45 minutes and is without a doubt, from your elevated vantage point, the best way to get an overview of this incredible panorama.

2. Water Adventure Are you interested in swimming with the fish or exploring the underwater landscape? If so, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi Indonesia’s province is the destination for you.

Wakatobi promises a remoteness and tranquillity rarely found anywhere else on the planet. This is home to the world’s most pristine reefs, and offers what many claim to be the “best diving spot in the world.”

Bali Adventure Rafting is the only Bali rafting company that offers fivestar service from start to finish. It offers a fully computerized reception centre coupled with fast walk-through equipment outfitting and easy access to the river via safe, engineered steps, complete with handrails and scenic viewing platforms. Grab your oars and get ready to rage with this exhilarating rafting adventure on the spectacular Ayung River. Whether you are 5 or 65, a natural or a novice, this white-water rafting ride is safe, fun and a breathtaking experience to be enjoyed by the whole family.

The Philippines is a hotbed for water sports. Anchor Bay Water Sports offers great Hobie Cat Sailing for boating and sailing enthusiasts, while Jetscape Adventures in Cebu provides a jet ski tour package that allows riders to travel as far as Pandanon Island in Bohol. Or try kayaking at some of the popular tourist destinations like Lake Taal, Caramoan Peninsula, Siargao and Samar. Windsurfing can be done at Lake Caliraya, Subic Bay, Boracay, Anchor Bay Water

Sports, Anilao and Pagudpud. If you want to try surfing or skimboarding, head to Balerand Infanta in Quezon province or Daet in Camarines Norte, which offer large waves for surfing enthusiasts. Skimboarding is a form of surfing where the rider glides across the short-break waves close to the shore. Tanauan in Leyte is considered the “Skimboarding Capital of the Philippines.” For outdoor waterskiing behind a boat, Anchor Bay Water Sports offers great waterskiing around the calm waters of Romblon.

3. Land Adventure Experience true off-road adventure, traversing Mongolia from south to north. You’ll travel overland through the best parts of this amazing country, across the steppe, deserts and mountains, following the fossil trails of dinosaurs and stopping to explore the breathtaking beauty of nature, temples and the ruins of ancient cities.

To satisfy your climbing itch in Asia, head to Krabi, Thailand. The vertical limestone crags that rise directly out of the Andaman Sea are some of the finest tropical climbs in the world.

Check out Rai Leh Beach for several world-class routes. Another fantastic Unesco World Heritage climbing spot in Southeast Asia is Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, with the limestone pillars rising directly out of the Gulf of Tonkin.

Other favourite climbing destinations include China, which has been voted the number one rock climbing destination with more than 200 bolted routes and numerous tour operators offering climbs. Kuala Lumpur, specifically around the limestone outpost of Batu, is Malaysia’s most popular climbing site. The north of the country and Borneo are just starting to be explored, so expect the sport to grow here tremendously in the near future.

Relax & Enjoy

Asia promises many destinations for a memorable relaxing journey. Here are some recommendations for restoring your balance.

Text by Anissa Jembar Langit | Photos Courtesy of Decleor, Bamboo Spa by L’Occitane Club Med Bintan Island, Indonesian Tourism Ministry, Nanny Budiman, Rahai Pangun Jungle River Boat

1. Back to Nature Barocay Island is a popular tourist destination in the Philippines.

Barocay offers astounding natural beauty, a powdery white sand beach and dazzling underwater treasures, making you feel that you are indeed in heaven. And when you get tired of lounging on the beach (if that’s possible), you can go kite surfing, parasailing, banana boating, waterskiing and scuba diving.

Phuket, in southern Thailand, is famous for its beautiful beaches, small islands and a variety of entertainment every evening. You might recognise Maya Beach as the paradise that Leonardo DiCaprio escaped to in the movie “The Beach,” while Phang Nga Bay was used as a location for a James Bond movie.

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Another paradise island is Lombok, with it gorgeous beaches, towering mountains and crystal-clear waters.

Senggigi, on the west coast of Lombok, is the main tourist strip on the island. It has great beaches, stunning sea views and the perfect waters for snorkelling. Kuta, on the southern shore of Lombok, is quieter but no less beautiful.

Imagine deserted tropical beaches, dazzling blue water and palm trees everywhere. Or try the famous Gili islands of Trawangan, Meno and Air for an unforgettable escape.

For something completely different, head away from the coast to the Dieng Mountains in Central Java. The air here is cool and fresh, the views lush and green, and there is a lake in the shades of red, green, blue, white and violet. The Dieng plateau is in Wonosobo district, and is also home to several ancient Hindu sites, including Gatotkaca Temple, Bhima

Temple and Arjuna Temple. There is also the Dieng Volcanic Theatre, where you can witness the grandeur and power of volcanic activity.

2. Cruising and Sightseeing Guangzhou, located in the south of China, close to the South China Sea, is renowned as the Flower City because it has a pleasant climate all year round. During the annual Spring Festival almost every street in the city blooms to life with millions of flowers. Guangzhou is famous for the kapok tree, the flowers of which are regarded as magic because they have no green leaves when they bloom in the spring.

Every year the Musi River in Palembang, the capital of Indonesia’s South Sumatra province, plays host to a festival that features traditional boat races, decorative boats, culinary offerings and crafts from around the archipelago.

Hit the links at Club Med Bintan.

Located on Bintan Island, just south of Singapore in Indonesia’s Riau archipelago, this is some of the best golf action around, for beginners or experienced players. Shoot a round at the 27-hole championship Gary Player Bintan Island Golf Course, and then unwind over a drink and a meal at the resort.

Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan Indonesia’s province, is a pioneer of tourism in Borneo. Cruise down winding rivers, past villages and through the darkest jungle in the Rahai Pangun Jungle River Cruise Boat, operated

by Kalimantan Tour Destinations.

You will explore the Kahayan River, getting an intimate look at the life of the Dayak tribe, and a chance to get

up close with wildlife like orangutans, hornbills and kingfishers.

3. Tranquillity of Soul Tibet offers an escape from the world and the opportunity to see ancient cultural and spiritual sites. Meet with spiritual masters in remote villages untouched by modernisation and witness the remnants of an ancient spiritual civilization. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Renowned for its deep spiritual faith and culture of healing arts, Balinese Hinduism is based on the belief that spirits reside in all animate objects, and the devotion of the Balinese to their faith gives the island a magical air. No visit to Bali would be complete without an exploration of its spiritual offerings, ancient rituals, insightful healers and retreats.

Bathhouses are a popular weekend getaway for many Koreans. The bathhouses, or jjimjilbangs, are gender-segregated, furnished with hot tubs, showers, Finnish-style saunas and massage tables. However, in other areas of the building or on other floors there are unisex areas, usually with a snack bar, ondolheated floor for lounging and sleeping, wide-screen TVs, exercise rooms, ice rooms, heated salt rooms and sleeping quarters with either bunk beds or sleeping mats.

A deliciously unique spa experience is where someone will find a sensual combination of sights, sounds and touches. There are three such sanctuaries; Holiday Inn Resort Baruna with Decleor Spa treatments, Bamboo Spa by L’Occitane and Karma Spa and Wellness.

Destination Food From sweet to savoury, from street food to fine dining, Asia provides endless culinary adventures to suit any taste bud

Text by Grace Solarbesain | Photos Courtesy of Stephanus Joe Ell, Arino Mangan, Aqua, Banyan Tree Ungasan, Ryokan Myojinkan, The Dharmawangsa Jakarta

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Street Food Seeker 1. Jakarta Great street food can be found just about everywhere you turn in Jakarta, with each corner of the city having its own unique offerings. Some areas for great and unique street food are Kelapa Gading, Muara Karang-Pluit, Jalan Jaksa, Jalan Agus Salim, Jalan Wahid Hasyim, Jalan Pecenongan and Kemang. Most food stalls are open from early morning until late at night, selling everything from noodles to seafood, satay and toast with cheese and chocolate. The options are endless! And if you want to come in off the street, head to Kemang in South Jakarta. You will find restaurants and cafes offering world-class cuisine from across the globe, including Turkish, Arabian, Indian, French, Italian, Japanese and Mexican, along with plenty of wine lounges and clubs.

its delicious street foods. Almost every district has rows of street food stalls tucked away somewhere. Whether you are shopping in Hong-dae, sightseeing at Gyeongbok or hanging out in Myeongdong, there’ll be rows of food stalls to tantalise your taste buds. Namdaemun Market is the best place to try street seafood, and the area surrounding Konkuk University also has a nice spread of typical street food. The food alley is well known for Tteokpokki, which is made from rice cake and is always accompanied by sliced fish cakes, carrots, onions and spicy sauce. There is also Jeongjadong Café Street. The cafes along this street boast delicious food as well as a chic atmosphere. Reminiscent of street cafes in Europe, Jeongja-dong Café Street has become a popular attraction among visitors who enjoy reading or just hanging out. It is also a wonderful place for couples.

2. Bangkok Bangkok provides many street foods that will tickle your fancy. You can have three meals a day and never try the same thing twice. There are plenty of neighbourhoods in Bangkok that serve excellent street food but Chinatown is one place that you should visit to get a good taste of what the city has to offer. Chinatown is a food haven for new-generation gourmands who flock here after sunset to explore the vibrant streetside cuisine. What is surprising about Chinatown is that some of the best stuff isn’t Chinese, but traditional Thai and Thai-Chinese. Yawolat, the main road, gets packed at night and is a great place to find seafood, but stick to the side streets for a broader selection of everything from Isan-style fried chicken to fried noodles.

4. Penang Penang in Malaysia is one of the world’s top dining destinations. And street food, or hawker food, as it’s locally known, is the city’s big draw. If you have never been to Penang, you will be astounded by the variety and quality of food. What’s more you can expect to enjoy your meal at low-cost street venues. You can enjoy the amazing variety of cooking styles, which draw on the different backgrounds of the people of Penang, and also centuries of unique development of a distinctive Penang style. Penang hawker food reflects the multicultural makeup of the town itself, which boasts citizens of Chinese, Malay and Indian descent.

One thing that unites Penangites of all backgrounds is their love of good food. The streets are lined with hawker stalls, coffee shops and hawker centres where multiple vendors offer their specialties. One of the most famous streets for daytime food in Penang is Lorong Selamat in Georgetown.

3. Seoul Tteokbokki, oden, mandu, gimbap, boiled silkworm pupa, river snail, fried squid, fried shrimp and chicken skewers are among the street foods you can find in the South Korean capital. The city has more than enough traditional and modern restaurants to satisfy everyone, but some people say the best way to experience real South Korean cuisine is by venturing out on the streets of Seoul and trying

Fine-Dining Lover 1. Dubai Dubai has recently exploded onto the world as a top tourist and business destination, attracting to its shores thousands of visitors every day from all corners of the world. These visitors will not be disappointed with

the city’s culinary offerings. The best restaurants in Dubai are known for their unique and sumptuous gastronomic delights, with a wide range of international cuisines and tempting local specialities. Many of the restaurants are highly detailed and themed to further highlight the cuisines they present. Some of the best restaurants, however, can be found in the beautiful luxury hotels dotted throughout Dubai.

2. Singapore Situated just south of the Malaysian state of Johor, Singapore is a country widely known for its thriving economy and multicultural society. Singapore fine dining has earned a worldwide reputation for being absolutely delightful. The country enjoys a love of food, mostly due to the wonderful cultural diversity. A rich array of local flavours can be found just about anywhere on the island.

3. Tokyo Here’s an amazing fact: In 2010, Tokyo surpassed Paris as the city with the most Michelin star-rated restaurants, the peak of restaurant awards in the culinary world. Japan is one of the world’s most food-obsessed nations, where diners are willing to wait in long lines and pay high prices. So if you are a true gourmand, you must make a pilgrimage to Japan and indulge your appetite. Michelinstarred restaurants feature every kind of dish from yakitori, teppanyaki and kushiage to izakaya style.

4. Hong Kong A visit to Hong Kong would not be complete without a copy of the 2011 Best of the Best Culinary Guide on hand. The book covers winning dishes and restaurants, and is published by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. It is recognised as a must for visiting and local foodies and an indispensible guide to the best Chinese cuisine in Hong Kong.

Or get yourself a copy of the fourth edition of the Hong Kong and Macau Michelin Guide, which includes sections on two additional cuisines – Singaporean and Xinjiang.

New weekend Leisure Room

Weekend

Escape

In the City Want to get away without having to go away? The Dharmawangsa is the perfect city escape.

Text by Grace Solarbesain Photos courtesy of The Dharmawangsa Jakarta

Swimming Pool The Dharmawangsa Jakarta

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“All guests at The Dharmawangsa have at their service a personal butler, a master of the Javanese art of gracious hospitality.”

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very day is a blessing, but the weekend is more of a blessing than the workweek. It is a time to rest and relax, have some fun and spend time with loved ones.

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Whenever the weekend rolls around, fun plans dance in my mind. Like last weekend. I was so excited to have a few days of quiet after all the stress of deadlines that I decided to spend the weekend at one of my favourite hotels in Jakarta, The Dharmawangsa.

With timeless, elegant architecture, the hotel is an oasis of peaceful tranquillity and luxury in the heart of the city.

The Dharmawangsa Jakarta is a fivestar residential-style hotel located in the heart of Kebayoran Baru, an upscale residential area in South Jakarta. Located strategically on Jalan Brawijaya Raya, the hotel is renowned for its unique Indonesian charm and character, its personalised care and a 24-hour butler service.

Adding to its appeal, the hotel is just minutes from the famous Kemang neighbourhood, with its restaurants, clubs and antique furniture boutiques.

There are 64 rooms and 36 suites at the elegantly and luxuriously designed Dharmawangsa. Every guestroom and suite is generously capacious and opens onto a large

private balcony, the perfect place to slowly unwind after a long day. All the rooms and suites are decorated with traditional materials according to one of five thematic schemes: Java, Pesisiran (North Java), Bali, South Sumatra and East Indonesia.

The interior design of the hotel is a tribute to the extraordinary artistic achievements of the mighty Majapahit kingdom. The decorative wall lights and ceiling fixtures reinterpret Surya Majapahit, or the Sun of Majapahit, a recurring theme used by virtually every tribe in the archipelago. It reappears in the shape of the successive yellow marble disks inserted in the floor to reflect the progress of the Surya across the sky and more subtly in the design of carpets, furnishings and decorations.

All guests at The Dharmawangsa have at their service a personal butler, a master of the Javanese art of gracious hospitality. Exquisite ethnic fabrics and art pieces adorn the rooms, appealing to the senses, while a dual-line telephone, data port, high-speed internet access, briefcase-sized safe, fax machine and multimedia entertainment centre reassure business travellers.

Leisure rooms. I love the name, as it promises the relaxation I am looking for. The Weekend Leisure Room Offer is a special room programme created specially for those who want to escape their daily routine on the weekend. It’s a chance to unwind after a busy week and escape to The Dharmawangsa Jakarta for an incomparably luxurious weekend of pampering and relaxation.

Martini at the Majapahit Lounge

Garden Barbecue

Spa Ingredients

A tray of colorful macaroons

Revel in the spacious comfort of a room overlooking the lush garden, with the soothing sound of chirping birds and the fresh morning air. A stay in the Weekend Leisure room will earn you special privileges such as breakfast for two at Jakarta Restaurant, food and beverage credits worth Rp 300,000 per night and free access to the Bimasena Health Club and the indoor and outdoor pool. This programme is valid every weekend (Friday to Sunday). So if you are in need of a weekend escape, The Dharmawangsa Hotel is the place for you.

The Dharmawangsa Jakarta

Jl. Brawijaya Raya No. 26 Kebayoran Baru Jakarta – Indonesia Phone. +62 21 725 8181 www.the-dharmawangsa.com

In my weekend at The Dharmawangsa, I stayed in one of the new Weekend

A Galaxy Of Privilege With elegant surroundings and the finest in Asian hospitality, Galaxy Macau is an oasis in the heart of the city for those who appreciate only the best that life has to offer

Text by Annisa Jembar Langit | Photos courtesy of Galaxy Macau Hotel

Galaxy Macau main lobby

“There is a special treasure in the lobby of the Galaxy Macau that beautifully sums up this magnificent hotel, a mammoth diamond that merges with a dazzling waterfall.”

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hen I was planning a holiday in Macau last year, my thoughts immediately turned to Galaxy Hotel.

This sumptuous hotel is famed for its luxury and impeccable service, the perfect combination for a truly indulgent getaway. The hotel is located in the heart of Cotai, and I arrived by a 15-minute helicopter hop from Hong Kong. Galaxy Macau was definitely built to dazzle, its graceful lines inspired by real-life palaces and gold leaf cupolas.

and opulent details befitting its Royal title. A floor-to-ceiling window affords giddy views over Cotai, but best of all was the majestic bed with 100 per cent Egyptian cotton linen.

Dining Galaxy Macau offers 50 restaurants and bars, with everything from Chinese and Pan-Asian cuisine to luxurious Indian dining and Korean barbecue.

Galaxy Macau is strategically located off the southern coast of China and is integrated with the ultra-exclusive Banyan Tree Macau and Japan’s legendary Hotel Okura Macau. There is a special treasure in the lobby of the Galaxy Macau that beautifully sums up this magnificent hotel, a mammoth “diamond” that merges with a dazzling waterfall. It’s definitely one of those “wow” moments. The “diamond” was created by designer Jeremy Railton and symbolises wealth, luck and love.

I checked out Belon Oyster Bar & Grill, a signature restaurant featuring award-winning Chef Matias Martinez. Belon is under Banyan Tree Macau and was named after the famous delicacy of Brittany. It has been designed to evoke an aquatic environment, with the luxuriously immersive experience beginning the moment you arrive. I began with a Caesar salad and continued with the grilled steak and oyster carpetbag, baby potatoes and pearl onions. Everything was delectable, especially the dessert, lemon pie with lemon cream, almond tart and lemon ice cream.

Stay Galaxy Macau has 1,500 rooms and suites, and represents an evolution of resort accommodation in Macau.

I checked into the Royal Suite for a luxurious two-night stay. As I opened the door, I was greeted by a living room lined with plush green carpet.

The living room is large, about 77 square meters, with a stone foyer

Leisure I spent my second day in Macau pampering myself at the Banyan Tree Spa, giving myself over to the expert hands of the trained therapist, feeling the tightness drain out of my body as all my worries dreamily drifted out of my mind. The spa was designed with a contemporary Asian theme, with a bamboo-motif

reception, a tranquil water court and a bamboo courtyard with skylight. It was a million miles from the bright lights and action of Macau.

Galaxy Macau also has the Grand Resort Deck, a tropical holiday with the world’s largest skytop pool with waves as high as 1.5 metres.

There are five additional individually designed swimming pools across the three hotels, including a kids’ pool, Jacuzzis and indoor pool facilities.

Lush tropical gardens in Galaxy Macau are also ideal for outdoor relaxing, especially when you want to refresh your senses with the greenery of the Japanese garden and lawn area.

Galaxy Hotel ballroom

Entertainment A stay at the Galaxy Macau would not be complete without visiting the ultimate in luxury and sophistication, the members-only club China Rouge.

The ultra-exclusive Chine Rouge is Macau’s ultimate pleasure chamber.

The club combines the decadent elegance of Shanghai in the 1930s with the best of 21st-century technology, with ornate interiors by Hong Kong designer Alan Chan.

Galaxy Macau Hotel

Estrada da Baia de nossa Senhorra da esperenca, Cotai Macau – China Phone. +853 2888 0888 www.galaxymacau.com

Gaming Hall

Banyan Cabanas

ur service o y at 95

At Your Service offers the latest products from dream rides to travel bags, designer clothes and makeup for your busy lifestyle.

So get ready to step up in style.

Time for Bentley Style 96

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Pedal Power

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he 2012 BMW Enduro mountain bike doesn’t make compromises. Cycle paths and single tracks will be more vibrant this summer thanks to the fresh colour combinations of BMW’s 2012 bikes. The BMW Cruise Bike and Enduro have hip new designs with exciting colour accents. Alongside the Touring bike, the Cross-Country mountain bike and the BMW M Carbon Racer bike, the new BMW bikes promise plenty of fun for any

kind of rider. A technical update guarantees the premium quality of a genuine BMW. BMW engineers gave the off-road bikes an improved frame, and that’s another thing that makes BMW bikes special, the frame doesn’t use any mass-produced components; everything on it is developed in-house. Great handling and customisable settings give every climb and descent maximum comfort and superlative safety, proved by independent testing facilities that

subject BMW bikes to tests that go way beyond the usual standards. The new colour combinations of pure silver and fresh green, and luscious berry and radiant orange give the bikes a distinctive look. All BMW bikes benefit from a 60-year tradition of BMW engineers applying their automotive expertise to bicycles.

BMW bikes are built by people who love roads and woodland trails.

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o celebrate the launch of the new Bentley Continental GT V8, Breitling has created the Bentley GMT chronograph featuring a second time-zone display. Its most distinctive feature is its metallic red inner bezel bearing the names of 24 cities. The original and daring design of the steel case, characterised

by asymmetrical lugs, is teamed with a bracelet or a rubber strap reserved exclusively for this model.

The case is made in stainless steel and measures 49 millimetres. It has an AR-coated sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 100 metres.

Movement is the Swiss automatic Breitling calibre 47B with 39 jewels,

28,800 vph and a power reserve of 48 hours. It is COSC-certified as a chronometer. Functions are 1/8th second chronograph, 6-hour, 15minute and 30-second totalizers and a 24-hour second time-zone display.

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Light My Fire

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.T. Dupont is introducing the Dragon limited edition in celebration of the Chinese New Year. The Premium Collection comprises a neo-classique large pen and the iconic Line 2 lighter engraved with a pale gold dragon on black Chinese lacquer. Each pen and lighter is numbered

in this edition of 888 pieces each. The Prestige Collection is limited to 88 pieces, each item (neo-classique President fountain pen, Line 2 lighter, matching solid bronze ashtray) created in collaboration with French artist Philippe Tournaire. Red rubies light up the dragon ’s eyes. There are

just six pieces each in the Dragon Diamond Collection of pens and accessories, all embellished with diamonds and rubies. Tournaire hand-sculpted the pen base and the ashtray, which comes as a set with the Line 2 lighter.

Burberry Beautiful

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urberry Beauty cosmetics meet the English summer with soft warm colours in this new collection. The concept of makeup artist Wendy Rowe, Burberry Beauty is straightforward and a sure winner: bright colours and moist lip gloss, a natural palette for the eyes and

glowing skin with natural accents.

However, adding a little brightness is not forbidden. For example, use a muffled lipstick shade at first and then take a more vivid colour and apply it to the centre of the lips, to intensify the colour.

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The Great Exhibitionist

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ed Baker’s menswear collection is like a self-portrait, capturing all the elements of his personality. Larger than life, it’s bursting with vivid colour and detail, offering a bright and breezy take on Riviera dressing. Chinos in slim and classic fits come in a rainbow of bright colours and earthy shades such as burnt orange, forest green and rustic red. Pastel and checked chino shorts are worn with nautical stripe tees and polos with slim collars. Prints

come through in the form of subtle polka dots and paisley trims on shirts and polos. Layer up with ribbed and fine weave summer knits. Outerwear continues the seafaring theme with canvas and wax-coated lightweight jackets appearing in colour blocked brights or navy. Rope buttonholes and loops, wooden toggles and rustic coconut buttons add further texture. For a fresh take on summer tailoring, double-breasted and singlebreasted cotton blazers are worn

with matching slim-fit cotton trousers and deckchair stripe shirts. The collection is finished with canvas duffle bags and shoppers, paisley and spotty neckerchiefs and bright suede deck shoes or brogues. Ted’s new collection features exceptional quality and distinctive detailing that make each item a masterpiece of both style and substance and sure to be a sensation worldwide. Because, after all, Ted’s always been the Great Exhibitionist.

The Fast Look

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hile the anticipation of spring drags through endless winter months, summer seems to sprint by. As we decade-skip through the minimalism of the ‘90’s and into the future, there is something intoxicating about that sense of speed. This is the Fast Look for Raoul. There are colours to keep you cool: white, vanilla, citron, highlighter-summer green, cobalt and deep blue, and colours to compete

with the scorching heat: dusty rose, sesame, pumpkin and neon-hot pink.

But there is more to this summer sport than the perforated leather tanks, handcrafted weaved macrames, broad stripes and splash prints. Then comes the abstracted navy and white zebra print crossing kaftans, column skirts and sharp shirting. There is a long white sleeveless and button-less coat in linen canvas, while a longsleeved version snaps shut with two

easy locks. Signature sharp shirts and shirt dresses are all there; in classic white and navy as well as in refreshing new combinations: vanilla with summer green, citrus lemon with sorbet white, and cobalt blue with white or cocoa brown. Beyond the clarity and uniformity of the blue or white, there should be humour and daring in this speed traveller’s simplified wardrobe.

Eco-Fabulous Bags 102

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gainst the backdrop of Milan Fashion Week, MINI launched the limited-edition Carmina Campus bags. Under the style-assured guidance of Ilaria Venturini Fendi, colour samples, material off-cuts and other leftovers from the production of the new MINI Roadster were turned into designer bags made by Italian craftsmen, in the true spirit of the Carmina Campus philosophy that employs only re-used or recycled materials in the creation of fashion

accessories. The special edition is made up of travel and city bags for men and women, as well as a number of unisex models. Only 50 individual pieces will be made, all of which are unique, and the diverse range of materials used in producing the MINI Roadster prototypes provided the designer with a broad spectrum of possibilities. There is canvas from the convertible roofs rejected after tests or small metal plates obtained from scraps of the

car body. There are bags for any occasion here, from practical business bags and functional laptop cases to trendy totes for daytime use. One particular eye-catcher is the unusual Handle Clutch bag with a handle taken from the interior of the MINI Roadster. The exclusive nature of the collection is further accentuated by the embroidered numbering from 1-50 inside each bag.

Eforea Spa at Hilton Enters China Global Spa Concept

W Hotels Worldwide to Open W Singapore Sentosa Cove

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W Hotels Worldwide has unveiled a unique design concept for the highly anticipated opening of W Singapore Sentosa Cove. Slated to open in August 2012, W Singapore Sentosa Cove has been designed by New York-based Rockwell Group, an internationally renowned design company known for iconic projects including the recently opened W Paris. W Singapore Sentosa Cove is located on a pristine Sentosa island and only minutes away from Singapore’s Central Business District.

It will be an integral part of the vision of a tropical marina-oriented lifestyle hub in Sentosa Cove. The hotel will be at the heart of Quayside Isle, which includes the adjoining The Residences at W Singapore Sentosa Cove as well as a unique specialty retail component, featuring intimate waterfront restaurants and shops.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts presents Eforea Spa at Hilton Guangzhou, an innovative global spa concept in China. The spa is situated in the Tianhe district of China’s third-largest city, and is the first of two Eforea spas at Hilton locations scheduled to open in China this year. Eforea Spa at Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe will feature some of the world’s finest spa brands on both the treatment menu and in the retail area.

Eforea Spa at Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe features an 9,000-squarefoot area with eight treatment rooms and an outdoor infinityedge swimming pool.

Mr. Ban Ki Moon Visits Gran Melia Jakarta

Newest Luxury Collection Hotel To Open In Jakarta

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce that The Keraton at The Plaza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, will open to the world in late April 2012.

Located in the heart of Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta, The Keraton at The Plaza is an iconic oasis of quiet luxury on Jalan Thamrin, one of Jakarta’s most prestigious streets.

With its unique modern ambience reflective of Jakarta’s rich indigenous culture, a luxury spa and a full suite of distinctive amenities and epicurean experiences, The Keraton at the Plaza is an inimitable focal point for distinguished business and leisure travellers.

Accor Hotels in Bali-Lombok Offer ‘Bali Lombok Escape Promotion‘ Accor Hotels in Bali–Lombok has announced a unique and great experience, the “Bali–Lombok Escape Deal” for domestic and international travellers.

The offer, starting from Rp 382,000++* per room per night, provides the perfect reason to spend an affordable break in Bali or Lombok. The offer includes stylish accommodation with saving of up to 10 per cent on the total room rate, daily buffet breakfast for two people and 20per cent off the total room cost for F&B or spa upon arrival. Booking period starts from early February to 31 May 2012.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, was welcomed by Mr. David Perry, General Manager of Gran Melia Jakarta, and his team. The Secretary General recently visited Indonesia to attend the International Peace and Security Center and attended JIDD II (the Second Jakarta International Defence Dialogue). Mr. Moon was the honourable guest of the “United Nations Town Hall Meeting” held at Mutiara Ballroom, Gran Melia Jakarta. The meeting was attended by more than 230 people from different divisions of the United Nations, namely from UNAIDS (United Nations HIV and AIDS Programme), UNICEF (United Nations Emergency Children’s Fund), OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), WHO (World Health Organization), UNODC (United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime), amongst others.

M. Kiki Sulistianto, New Director Sales and Marketing At JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta

InterContinental Bali Resort Appoints Christian Knerr as Executive Chef

JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta recently welcomes Muhammad Kiki Sulistianto as the new Director of Sales and Marketing, replacing Harry M. Suryadharma, who has taken up his new post at The RitzCarlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan.

With more than a decade of experience, M. Kiki Sulistianto, also known as Kiki, has worked in various functions in different Industries, including major international hotel chains, top multinational companies and local banks. Kiki joined the JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta as Assistant Director of Sales in November 2008 and was promoted to Director of Sales in 2010. Kiki graduated from the Bandung Institute of Tourism in 2001 with a diploma in Hotel Management majoring in Room Division Management.

InterContinental Bali Resort is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Mr. Christian Knerr as Executive Chef. He was born and educated in Germany. He brings over 20 years of experience and has worked extensively in Europe and the Middle East in kitchens alongside multi-cultural teams.

During his career Chef Christian spent time developing his skills in no less than three different Michelin star-rated kitchens in Switzerland and Germany. Chef Christian is no stranger to the InterContinental brand and has enjoyed culinary success since 2004 at several properties in Dubai. He comes to Bali direct from a four-year stint as Executive Chef for InterContinental Hotels Group Dubai Festival City.

Swissotel Hotels and Resorts Starts Vitality Programme Swissôtel Hotels and Resorts’ new activity programme stays true to its belief in vitality. Following the launch of the new Pürovel Spa & Sport brand last year, a greater focus is being placed on the natural vitality and healthy lifestyles of Swissôtel guests. This includes a whole range of activities that guests can do either in their room, in the gym or outdoors, whenever it is convenient for them. The Vitality Programme is being implemented in several stages over the course of 2012. A particular highlight gives guests the opportunity to order gym equipment to be set up in their room. Provided with instructions, guests can use a Swiss ball, Aero Step, yoga mats, Thera-Bands or Pilates rings to aid balance and coordination, increase flexibility and strengthen muscles.

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FEATURE

Satu Hati Pakuwon Golf & Family Club, managed by Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, organised a charity event to raise money for victims of breast cancer and human trafficking.

Text by Melani Semuel | Photos by Prima Yurie py.rs associated photographers

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akuwon Golf & Family Club (PGFC), managed by Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, gets involved in charity events on a regular basis for a very simple reason, because “Life is better when shared.” PGFC does about four charity events a year, and regularly raises money for vulnerable children. “Every August, we hold a dinner with 800 foster children from 10 orphanages and enjoy an edutainment show with them. We also serve as foster parents to provide a better education for less-fortunate children from some elementary schools near us,” said Alamsyah Jo, the Hotel Manager of Sheraton Surabaya Hotels & Towers.

The name “Satu Hati,” or “One Heart,” was chosen to express the idea that we are all one, and need to look after each other. PGFC chose to support breast cancer and human trafficking survivors in its latest charity endeavour because “there are survivors of breast cancer and human trafficking all around us.

Breast cancer is the number one killer of women in the world. That fact

encouraged us to support programs involved in breast cancer awareness,” Alamsyah explained. “Reach to Recovery Surabaya, a community of breast cancer survivors, offers a lot of programs, so we decided to hold a charity night to support them.

We also wanted to raise awareness of human trafficking. East Java, where our company is located, is one of the provinces in Indonesia where a large number of women and children are victims of human trafficking, including increasing numbers children and young women being forced into prostitution. We are doing awareness programs with the Indonesian Women’s Coalition, such as visiting potential victims and arranging seminars, exhibitions and a website. We also raise funds to support programs that raise awareness of human trafficking.”

MAXX-M talked with Ika Damajanti, a breast cancer survivor who is also an activist at Reach to Recovery Surabaya (RRS), which was established in May 2005 by Dr. Ario Djatmiko, an oncologist in Surabaya.

RRS is a breast cancer support group

run by volunteers, all breast cancer survivors themselves. RRS strives to be the best resource on breast cancer for patients, survivors, their families, friends and caregivers who want information, counselling and technical support.

How long have you been cancerfree?

I have survived breast cancer for more than 11 years. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, when I was 28 years old.

How did you first find out that you had breast cancer?

Well, actually I never thought that a lump on my breast was cancer. I thought it was just a normal lump that would eventually just disappear on its own. One day in October 2000, I felt a pain in my breast and when I touched it, the lump was bigger. So I went to an oncologist. A few days later I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I know the road to recovery was not easy. Can you tell us about it?

Yes, it was so hard. When I heard

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the diagnosis, I refused to believe it and I thought the doctor had made a mistake. Besides, I didn’t have a history of cancer in my family. Why me? That question was always in my head. I was so angry, frustrated and deeply sad. I was thinking, “I’m going to die soon.” One thing that I knew was how quickly the lump had grown from small to big, from not being painful to being painful. Then I realised that I didn’t have much time to think. I had to make a decision as soon as possible. My husband and my family gave me the best support.

Finally, I had breast cancer surgery on 1 November 2000. A couple of weeks after the operation, I started six rounds of chemotherapy (once every three weeks), followed by 32 rounds of radiotherapy.

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From your experience, what was the most difficult thing when you were struggling with cancer?

The most difficult thing was to balance my emotions, especially dealing with the big changes in my body as a woman after having surgery and chemotherapy. I lost my breasts and then I lost my hair.

I felt like everything had suddenly changed, become uncertain.

What kind of services/support does Reach to Recovery Surabaya provide women with breast cancer?

RRS provides one-to-one support.

It provides the right information and hotline services; improves the knowledge and skill of volunteers; promotes breast cancer awareness campaigns in the community, schools and other institutions; and much more.

What kind of support do you think women with breast cancer need the most?

Definitely they need support from their family, motivation and the right information about breast cancer.

Now, I’m so blessed that I have experienced living with cancer.

I got an early warning from God to be aware of my body and now I have a second chance in life to be more useful for my family and others. I cannot buy happiness, but by helping others, I can feel real happiness We also talked to Wiwik Afifah of Koalisasi Perempuan Indonesia (KPI) about human trafficking. Human trafficking is an issue many of us are not aware of but it happens around us every day.

Human trafficking is a crime against humanity. It involves the illegal trade of humans for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor or a modern-day form of slavery. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad.

Victims of human trafficking are not permitted to leave once they arrive at their destination. They are held against their will through coercion and forced to work or provide services to the trafficker or others.

The work or services may include anything from bonded or forced labour to commercialised sexual exploitation. The arrangement may be structured as a work contract, but with no or low payment or on terms that are highly exploitative.

Sometimes the arrangement is structured as debt bondage, with the victim not being permitted or able to pay off the debt.

Indonesia is a source, transit and destination country for women, children and men trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour. The greatest threat of trafficking facing

Indonesian men and women is that posed by conditions of forced labour and debt bondage in more developed Asian countries and the Middle East.

The Indonesian government was placed in Tier 2 in the 2011 U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report for not fully complying with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but making significant efforts to do so.

-------------------What we can do to help fight human trafficking: •-Be informed! Educate yourself about human trafficking by reading about it. Follow events in the news. Keep your eyes open – human trafficking is happening all around us.

•-Raise awareness! Talk to friends, family and colleagues. You could even start talking to your local politicians and authorities.

•-Get involved! Participate in an antitrafficking movement in your area and get involved in its activities and campaigns (e.g. hold events, distribute posters, leaflets, etc.) in your neighbourhood and in schools.

•-Encourage businesses!

Be a responsible consumer!

Inform yourself on the labour policies of companies to ensure their products are free from slave labour and other forms of exploitation. If possible, buy fair trade products.

•-Seek support! If you suspect that someone has been trafficked report it to the institutions or assistance facilities dealing with human trafficking in your area.

An Evening Of Love

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o celebrate its nine years of success and thank its loyal readers, MAXX-Media held a party on Friday, 23 February 2012. With a theme like “That’s Amour” the party couldn’t help but be a lovefest. The whole MAXX-Media family, including top clientele and loyal readers, gathered in the Nusantara Ballroom at The Dharmawangsa Hotel Jakarta. The dress code was a touch of gold, and all the guests mingled and enjoyed fun activities such as a fortune teller, nail art and a walk of fame.

Sponsored by:

The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism

By Olivia Fox Cabane If you are interested in improving your ability to be charismatic, this book will give you the skills. Olivia Fox Cabane presents information in an entertaining writing style that is easy to understand so readers can gain knowledge of how to develop themselves and not forget the messages being conveyed by the author. This book effectively integrates a story based on research, strategies, applications, techniques and practices.

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Charisma, according to Fox Cabane, consists of three aspects; including the presence, power and warmth.

She also explores eight ways to neutralize the negative things that can change a person’s self-image.

Another interesting aspect of this book is its look at four charismatic people who have changed the world.

Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, the Dalai Lama and Colin Powell. This book can also increase your knowledge about how to speak professionally and how to display signs of status and self-confidence.

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The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

By Charles Duhigg Starting from his experience as a newspaper reporter in Baghdad eight years ago, Charles Duhigg began to feel drawn to habits.

He tried to figure out what make people do what they do.

In relation to the business world, he discovered how companies are using the science of habit formation to study the habits of individuals who become customers and influence what they will need.

Companies studying the habits of individuals collect all types of data, including occupation, income, shopping habits and more. So in essence, the author wants to give the reader an overview of the events that are always preceded by habit.

Imagine: How Creativity Works

By Jonah Lehrer This book look the habits of some famous people who were able to enhance their creativity through imagination. Jonah Lehrer made a splash with this book that discusses the new science of creativity. Here he takes a picture of figures such as Bob Dylan, a Manhattan bartender who thinks like a chemist and an autistic surfer who invented an entirely new surfing move. He also explores why Elizabeth England experienced a creative explosion, and how the Pixar office space was designed to spark the next big leap in animation.

For Lehrer, creativity is not a single gift possessed by only a few lucky people, but is something people can get through the thought process and learn to use more effectively. Lehrer also reveals the importance of embracing helpful habits, thinking like a child, daydreaming and adopting the perspective of an outsider. He introduces the optimal mix of old and new partners in creative collaboration, and explains why criticism is essential to the process.

Then he zooms out to show how we can make our environment more lively, our company more productive and our schools more effective.

TAURUS Ace of Pentacles Direct your energy in establishing a new project, career or any endeavor which will give you more financial benefit.

You need to manage your resources. Leisure time for you will be to beautify your home and make it a relaxing and rejuvenating place where your could have your mental and spiritual growth.

receptive to this messages and you will learn more wisdom to keep you stay on top.

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ARIES Knight of Swords Go to the distance. Move. Change with the change itself. Follow the wind. Ride on your fate. Never hesitate. Your journey has just begun. You need to get out of your box and let go of your safety net. It is out there you will find solace and make peace with your inner turmoil.

Never let stagnation burns you out to ashes. Soar high.

GEMINI Ace of Wands What? New directions? Yeah, you embrace whatever comes your way.

You are so eager to try everything new. Go to places you’ve never been and seen. You will never settle in one place if it suits you. Create this mental image of your largerthan-life philosophy and live your life to the fullest. Think big.

CANCER Four of Wands You are surrounded by energy which gives you more sense of balance as you are now entering a period of contentment. What is best to do other than maintaining everything is just to enjoy and remember that fun is right on the corner. Contact your friends, your old friends and your family. Share the positive vibe.

LEO High Priestess This year you are presented with many chances to be introspective.

You need to step out of the spotlight which always shines on you to be able to see what is on the other side.

Somehow life has its mysterious way to tell you what you need to do. Be

VIRGO Eight of Pentacles Life goes on and this time you are wondering whether you miss something. You have your career and work as you center yourself on it, but even in this solid foundation you have built, you still need some spices to add. Wondering about it doesn’t help if you don’t spare your energy to explore the unpredictability.

Whatever that is, you will always do it in a measured way.

LIBRA Two of Disks A smart person like you knows that there is always the need to save some for rainy days. Do not exhaust your energy and money. Keep them flow smoothly then you need not worry for some immediate future. The project you have in mind lately could be carried out soon, so act on the first step of the plan and remember to implement your working ethic.

SCORPIO Ten of Wands Another challenge to make you grow. Another hardship you need to endure. You would have so many on your plate that you will get impatient over some tiny mistakes people make. The demand on you makes you harsher in dealing with anything. Unexpectedly helping hand will be there. Open up and don’t carry the burden yourself even though you are able to do so.

SAGITARIUS The Emperor It is time to organize your life if you’ve been so care-free all this

time. Set your goal, set some rules, set some boundaries so that you will see where you are heading more clearly. No matter how flexible you are, your hardest challenge is to follow through the initial plan.

You might so used to jump into any conclusion, but learn to wait and learn everything first.

CAPRICORN The Hanged Man You might the most ambitious sign, but this time you need to slow down, even slower so that you can see the bigger picture. Try to listen to some suggestions. You don’t have to accept them all. At least you would understand what options you do have. You might even need to try a very different approach when what you usually do meets a dead end.

AQUARIUS Ace of Cups Spare your curiosity in another aspect of your life which you usually neglect. Do enjoy that every small things in life has its own merit.

Spend your time with your loved ones. Plan a picnic or even a short time vacation where you can deepen your bond. Another good news is that your career might run smooth under this influence.

PISCES Seven of Cups Be a little cautious that what you see right now might not be what it really is. Some offer in any aspect life may present themselves to you.

Do not rush to try everythihng at once. Take more time to digest.

Some offers are good, some you would want to forget. Reflect on what you really need. A quite time is a a gift you give yourself.