Going Places December 2017

December 2017 Interviews with MasterChef Australia 2017 winner Diana Chan and singer Shila Amzah

Dec 2017_cover OK.indd 2

MY Guide to London at Christmas, sailfishing in Pahang, Malaysia’s best eats in 2017

Stylish boutique shoes, the royal town of Pekan, saving Borneo’s waters and jungles, and more!

11/16/17 11:21 AM

LA_Nov_GP 2017-09-28T14:02:11+08:00

Contents

In This Issue

48

INSIDE

NAVIGATOR

MALAYSIA AIRLINES

79

NEWS

Updates and promotions

86

GUIDE

Information on check-in and the dos and don’ts while flying

90 WHERE WE FLY

Airline and oneworld network

6

GP ON THE WEB

8

EDITOR’S NOTE

12

THE MAIL ROOM

13

GIZMOS & GADGETS Cool gadgets to have

14

THREE TO WATCH Movie recommendations

15

ART & DESIGN Salvador Dali, Thomas Bock and more

19

TRAVEL CONCIERGE Dining, events and hospitality news and options from around the globe

29

FASHION & ACCESSORIES

Christmas gift guide for him and her

32

GLOBAL CITIZEN TV host Ian Wright recommends visiting Broadstairs in Kent and Yellowknife in Canada

34

WINDOW OR AISLE Kam Raslan muses on our allegiance to English football teams

goingplacesmagazine.com / 3 / December 2017

PHOTO JAKE HOUSMAN

December 2017

Contents

58

PHOTO CONRAD DY-LIACCO

PHOTO BLUE CICADA PHOTOGRAPHY

29

19

62

54

FEATURES

38

48

MY GUIDE

UNPLUGGED: TRAVEL

Christmas in London, England

Sailfishing in Malaysia’s Kuala Rompin

43

HOMEGROWN Songstress Shila Amzah, China’s Malaysian darling

46

TÊTE-À-TÊTE Izhan Hassan, Operations Director of Malaysia’s first ski and snowboard centre First Traxx

54

UNPLUGGED: GOURMET Malaysia’s best new restaurants of 2017

58

TRENDSPOTTING Boutique shoe brands are helping Malaysians put their best foot forward

62

CHEF’S CUT MasterChef Australia 2017 winner Diana Chan

66

GIVING BACK Organisations working to save Borneo’s waters and jungles

70

WARISAN Bandar Pekan di Pahang bakal menjadi destinasi hangat dalam peta pelancongan negara

76

MALAYSIAN ICONS Goalkeeping legend Datuk R. Arumugam

95

GP ENTERTAINMENT Your in-flight entertainment guide

104

SEEN + HEARD Events in Malaysia and around the world

GP On The Web

It’s the end of the year and that means it’s time to start planning for your year-end getaway. Whether it’s an escape with the family or an adventure you’re after, we’ve got you covered. Visit goingplacesmagazine.com / 6 / December 2017

goingplacesmagazine.com

for our online exclusive content.

A Very Disney Christmas Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is gearing up for its biggest Christmas celebration ever. Until 1 January

2018, the theme park will be transformed into a winter wonderland for guests to experience a fairy-tale white Christmas. Guests are invited to the Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball to join in singing Christmas songs with Mickey, Minnie and friends. The festive magic continues with other must-try Christmas moments, including A Holiday Wish-Come-True Tree Lighting Ceremony, A Magical Twilight Snowfall and A Holiday Kiss Goodnight.

Escape To Paradise

The World’s Longest Footbridge

Eating Local In New Zealand

Previously uninhabited, Bawah Island is now calling for guests to be the first to step onto the untouched archipelago. A marine conservation area, Bawah is now inviting its first explorers to discover its rare ecosystem in the heart of the Indonesian Anambas.

Just three hours from Singapore via a short ferry ride from Batam or a 75-minute private seaplane, it is the ultimate hideaway for a well-deserved vacation.

Designed to deliver thrills and an amazing view of the Swiss Alps, the new Europaweg Skywalk has been wowing visitors since it opened a few months ago. The new pedestrian bridge measures one-third of a mile long and dangles 28 storeys over a ravine, making it the world’s longest pedestrian-only suspension bridge.

Tour operators have already incorporated the Europaweg Skywalk into popular treks such as the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route.

New Zealand is famed for its food, and you

don’t have to go out of your way to experience astonishingly fresh and flavoursome fare.

From the gate to the plate, the sea to the pan, and the market stall to your salad bowl, the flavours of the country’s natural produce are an adventure in themselves. If you’re planning a trip soon, check out what we’ve uncovered to savour the quintessential taste of New Zealand.

Editor’s Note

Marilyn Monroe supposedly said, “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”

Whether she actually said it, no one knows, but one thing is for certain – the right pair of shoes can certainly boost a girl’s confidence, giving her the sense that she can take on any challenge thrown her way.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 8 / December 2017

Finding the right pair of shoes that fits comfortably yet does not compromise on style is hard though. And it’s harder for the ladies than for the gents. This is because we have a gazillion styles to choose from – flats, wedges, boots, platforms and the different variations of heels, from chunky to kitten – the choices are endless! And that’s why boutique shoe stores are gaining in popularity. They can custom-make the fit, the style, the colour and the material used.

Our Trendspotting story this month lists four of such artisans who can handcraft the perfect jewellery for your feet.

Julie Goh editor

Speaking of ornaments, do check out our Fashion and Accessories page to see if something catches your eye for that special someone. It is, after all, the season of giving. If your gift is a holiday to London during Christmas, we have a list of all the fun activities you should do to celebrate the festive season like a true Londoner. There are suggestions for carol singing, walking tours, window shopping, Christmas markets, and even a specially designed Finnish sauna to warm up your bones in the winter weather.

For more of English towns and quirks, read TV host Ian Wright’s travel tips for the coastal town of Broadstairs in Kent, and resident columnist Kam Raslan’s recount of his childhood growing up in a country obsessed with football.

To end the year, we once again sifted through the new restaurants that have opened up in Malaysia in 2017. In our Unplugged: Gourmet section, food influencer Sean Yoong presents his list of the best, saying the new eateries represented a melting pot of the world in one country.

In his list are French, Indian, Japanese, Italian and Asian cuisine. Turn to pages 56-59 to see how many of these restaurants you have visited.

Before I sign off the last issue of 2017, I hope you have enjoyed our amazing illustrated covers.

Our cover of London this month will be our last. We have illustrated cities and published them on our front covers for close to two years, and like all good things, they must come to an end. We are very proud of these covers. They have taken blood, sweat and tears to produce (figuratively speaking, of course!) but the end result has been deeply gratifying. If you have not noticed, here’s a tidbit. In each of the drawings, our logo, the wau, is inconspicuously drawn into the map. The fun part is in locating the wau. Go on, see if you can find it on the cover.

From all of us at Malaysia Airlines, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See you in 2018.

Cover Illustration DECEMBER 2017 Interviews with MasterChef Australia 2017 winner Diana Chan, Shila Amzah, TV host Ian Wright

Follow us: goingplacesmagazine.com

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@goingplacesmag

MY Guide to London at Christmas, sailfishing in Pahang, Malaysia’s best eats in 2017

Stylish boutique shoes, the royal town of Pekan, saving Borneo’s waters and jungles, and more!

Khairil Ameer Mat Desa

London is at its magical best during Christmas. Our tips on pg 38-41 will help you uncover its not-to-bemissed festivities.

11/16/17 11:34 AM

going places editorial

Vote in the 2017

Going Places Readers’ Choice Awards and win great prizes Simply register and vote for your favourite travel and lifestyle brands at www.goingplacesmagazine.com from now until 31 December 2017.

Editor Julie Goh julie.goh@spafax.com Senior writer Eris Choo eris.choo@spafax.com

Art Director Euric Liew euric.liew@spafax.com

Graphic Designer Nurfarahin Kamarudin nurfarahin.kamarudin@ spafax.com

contributors adlina azharuddin, Shamsul Khan @ K K Larkhan Mohd, py cheong, john lim, bernie lim, venetia de silva

Spafax malaysia business director Sue Loke sue.loke@spafax.com

Advertising & Media SALES manager Fawzana Fathy fawzana.fathy@spafax.com

Senior manager Wendy Tan wendy.tan@spafax.com manager Joel Khoo joel.khoo@spafax.com

Senior Executive Khairul Adzman khairul.adzman@spafax.com

Senior Executive Fatihah Jamil fatihah.jamil@spafax.com

Spafax Asia-Pacific

Spafax London

agnes law agnes.law@spafax.com

Tullia Vitturi tullia.vitturi@spafax.com

Spafax Canada

Spafax USA

Laura Maurice laura.maurice@spafax.com

Mary Rae Esposito maryrae.esposito@spafax.com

Spafax Chile (South America)

Spafax Dubai (Middle East)

Deborah Mogelberg deborah.mogelberg@spafax.com

Nicholas Hopkins nicholas.hopkins@spafax.com

SPAFAX Chief Executive Officer Niall McBain

Chief Operating Officer/ Chief Financial Officer Simon Ogden

Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Development Katrin Kopvillem

Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Geraldine Lee

publisher MALAYSIA AIRLINES BERHAD (1116944-X) Corporate Communications Faridah Hashim

Marketing Schrene goh

1st Floor, Administration Building, Southern Support Zone, KLIA, 64000 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Tel 1 300 88 3000

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Lot 10 & 12, Jalan Modal 23/2, Seksyen 23 Kawasan MIEL Phase 8, 40300 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Tel +603 5541 3695 Fax +603 5541 3712

Outlet Shopping

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Going Places is published monthly by Spafax Networks Sdn Bhd for Malaysia Airlines Berhad (1116944-X).

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of Malaysia Airlines.

All rights reserved. Copyright @ 2017 by Malaysia Airlines. Opinions expressed in Going Places are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed by Malaysia Airlines and/or Spafax Networks. They are not responsible or liable in any way for the contents in any of the advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained in this publication. Editorial inquiries and inquiries concerning advertising and circulation should be addressed to Spafax Networks. Malaysia Airlines and Spafax Networks accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photography, illustration and other editorial materials. The Editorial Team reserves the right to edit and/or re-write all materials according to the needs of the publication upon usage. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless they are accompanied by sufficient return postage.

11/17/17 5:17 PM

The Mail Room

I was on a flight to Borneo when I read the article ‘Seindah Irama Sape’ in your September issue, which was written entirely in Bahasa Malaysia – a rare sight for an in-flight magazine that goes to show how much we have forgotten our national language as well as our native culture. Everyone knows what a guitar, violin and piano are, but sape would have sounded unfamiliar to many. When a friend asked what I would do in Borneo, I said I would explore Malaysia’s rich culture through its food, music and art. I returned home to Kuala Lumpur at the end of my trip feeling contented and inspired because the article reminded me that we live in a harmonious and cultural land with endless wonders to discover. Kudos to the editorial team. The article was translated by an ethnic Chinese writer, portraying exactly how multilingual Malaysians are!

LOW SOOK HUEY, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

goingplacesmagazine.com / 10 / November 2017

I visit Kuala Lumpur regularly and am always amazed by how the city is transforming into a rich, developed place. By reading your magazine on the way back from Kuching, what was heartwarming, among all the interesting articles about the world, is that you did not forget to shed light on the people working tirelessly for the less privileged in the local society (‘Changing Lives’, August 2017). Thank you for reminding us of the plight of the less fortunate as well as to think of what we can do for our society.

KAORU SAITO, Singapore

This brave warrior is such an inspiration. I got goosebumps reading your article about Datuk Kanang anak Langkau (‘The Iban Warrior’, August 2017), especially the part about Operation Dragnet. Even with three gunshot wounds, he not only fought on but attempted to rescue his colleagues. Many young Malaysians can take inspiration from his courage and determination. He is one of the many heroes who have contributed to Malaysia’s peace. I only hope we can keep this peace for many more years to come CHUNG SING YEE, Sarawak, Malaysia

Although I was born in Kota Kinabalu and lived there until I was 14, I was at a loss as to where to go and what to do during a recent trip to visit my sons. I found your suggestions in ‘My Guide’ very practical and suitable for all ages. Upon arrival, I tried the seafood at Jesselton Point and other suggested restaurants. My son took me to Desa Dairy Farm in Kundasang, and we savoured fresh milk and gelato. I shopped for souvenirs at a local market for my friends and sister. I managed to buy woven baskets at a great bargain and tried local fruits like salak at Pekan Nabalu. I also went to Bukit Kokol in Menggatal and enjoyed grilled lokan. There is so much to explore and these have made my trip memorable. Ponsikou! (meaning “Thank you” in the Dusun dialect).

WAN ZUMUSNI WAN MUSTAPHA, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Going Places welcomes your comment and queries. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity and are published in the language in which they are written. Please include your full name, contact number and location.

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11/16/17 11:11 AM

1

Our pick of gadgets to have

/ Gizmos+Gadgets

2

4

1. Making A Return

5

Samsung’s Galaxy Note Fan Edition is a smartphone that has been engineered with unused components from the Note 7. It sports an affordable price tag, yet still offers the same productivity and entertainment features. These include an enhanced S Pen that boasts a tip of 0.7mm, a biometric authentication technology, the Bixby assistant and dust/water resistance to a maximum depth of five feet for up to 30 minutes. samsung.com/my

6

2. For Easy Reading The Amazon Kindle Oasis, an update from the 2016 model, now comes with an allmetal body and waterproof build. There are no built-in speakers, but users can stream audiobooks through Bluetooth to wireless speakers or Bluetooth headsets. Other features include physical page-turn buttons, microUSB for charging and built-in LED backlight for low-light reading. amazon.com/kindle

3. Sounds Like Work

For more gadget reviews and suggestions, visit goingplacesmagazine.com

Jabra has added a new pair of wireless earbuds to its Evolve range of headsets designed for professional use. The 75e includes signature features like wireless freedom, great sound, unified communications, active noise cancelling and busy light, but in a more compact form factor that affords mobility. jabra.com

4. Beauty & Brawn The HP ZBook X2 is designed for professionals. As a 2-in-1 detachable, it has a 14-inch 4K screen, as well as its own stylus with 4,096 levels of sensitivity. The tablet can be customised with up to an Intel Core i7-8560U Kaby Lake-R processor, NVIDIA Quadro M620, 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of solid state storage. hp.com/my

5. A Straight Shot The Kodak Printomatic is a point-andshoot instant print digital camera that uses inkless technology. By exposing embedded dye crystals to heat, it produces colour or black-and-white photos using a special paper without the need for ink cartridges. The camera also features a 10MP sensor, built-in lithium-ion battery and microSD slot. kodak.com

6. Relive Your Reality The GoPro Fusion is a new 360-degree camera that captures an immersive experience in 5.2K resolution and 30fps.

It has the OverCapture function, where a fixed perspective video can be created using spherical footage. This allows users to manually select an area of the film, follow a subject and pick out the best angles to be exported as a normal, non-360-degree 1,080p video. gopro.com

goingplacesmagazine.com / 13 / December 2017

3

Three To Watch /

Our pick of movies to watch in-flight this month

What Happened To Monday

Wait Until Dark

The Game Changer

In a not-so-distant future, overpopulation causes a worldwide crisis, resulting in a strict one-child policy enforced by the Child Allocation Bureau.

Terrence Settman decides to get around the government’s decree in a desperate attempt to hide his grandchildren, seven identical sisters.

The siblings named after each day of the week take turns impersonating their late mother, Karen Settman, going out into the world only on the corresponding days of the week of their name, sharing information with the rest of the siblings.

One day, one of them does not return home.

When Sam Hendrix carries a doll he innocently acquires across the Canadian-US border, he sets off a chain of events that leads to a terrifying ordeal for his recently blinded wife, Susy. Unbeknownst to Sam, the doll is stuffed with a fortune’s worth of smuggled heroin. A trio of criminals attempts to recover the doll by staging an elaborate scheme to get Sam out of town while they try to manipulate Susy into telling them where the doll is hidden.

Lin Zihao is a man bent on revenge against the crime lord Tang Hexuan, head of the Shanghai Bund underworld. After escaping from prison with the help of fellow prisoner Fang Jie, Lin discovers that Fang is actually the right-hand man of Tang. Lin is soon offered a position working alongside Fang as part of Tang’s gang, which he accepts to bring him closer to killing his nemesis. However, things become complicated when Tang’s daughter falls in love with Lin just as Lin’s lover from his early days in a rival gang reappears in his life.

NOOMI RAPACE, GLENN CLOSE, WILLEM DAFOE NR / 123 mins / Action, Adventure, Crime / E, G C+

AUDREY HEPBURN, ALAN ARKIN, RICHARD CRENNA NR / 108 mins / Horror, Thriller / E

JA-HYEON CHU, PETER HO, ZITAO HUANG NR / 140 mins / Action, Drama / M, E+

For more in-flight entertainment selections, please see pages 95–102 of our Going Places In-Flight Entertainment Guide.

Dec 2017_Three To Watch.indd 12

11/16/17 11:16 AM

1

Exhibitions, news + reviews

/ Art+Design

3 Australia

MARCEL DUCHAMP, BICYCLE WHEEL, 1913, 6TH VERSION 1964 BICYCLE FORK WITH WHEEL MOUNTED ON PAINTED WOODEN STOOL, 126 X 64 X 31.5 CM PHOTO © OTTAWA, NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA / © SUCCESSION MARCEL DUCHAMP/ ADAGP, PARIS AND DACS, LONDON 2017

SALVADOR DALÍ WITH THE COLLABORATION OF EDWARD JAMES, LOBSTER TELEPHONE, 1938 TELEPHONE, STEEL, PLASTER, RUBBER, RESIN AND PAPER, 18 X 30.5 X 12.5 CM WEST DEAN COLLEGE, PART OF EDWARD JAMES FOUNDATION © SALVADOR DALÍ, FUNDACIÓ GALA-SALVADOR DALÍ, DACS 2017

2. Art and Scenery

Malaysia

1. Modern Makeover The ILHAM Gallery in Kuala Lumpur explores the emergency of modernity through the eyes of several contemporary artists working during the late 1950s through to the early 1970s in its current exhibition, ‘Gerak Rupa Ubur Penyataan’. In 1967 Kuala Lumpur, the seven artists, Anthony Lau, Cheong Laitong, Ibrahim Hussein, Jolly Koh, Latiff Mohidin, Syed Ahmad Jamal and Yeoh Jin Leng, all participated in an influential exhibition entitled ‘GRUP’, which marked them as leading modernist visionaries. Now, the ILHAM Gallery explores how the modernist movement came about and the style and innovations of these artists that made them the forerunners of this movement. ilhamgallery.com

If you fancy a journey into the Wimmera Mallee region, Australia’s wild west that’s both cultural and connected to nature in equal parts, look no further than the Silo Art Trail. It’s a 200-kilometre trail with six completed large-scale projects and another in development. The trail connects several of the region’s smallest towns and features works from internationally recognised street artists: Julia Volchkova, Guido van Helten, Fintan Magee, Matt Adnate, Kaff-eine and Rone.

The silo trail is always open and is the largest outdoor museum in Australia. siloarttrail.com United Kingdom

3. Great Minds Think Alike This month, the Royal Academy of Arts in London sheds light on an unlikely friendship between the master of surrealism Salvador Dalí and the father of conceptual art, Marcel Duchamp. These two artists shared a passion for creativity, humour and eroticism, but most importantly, for questioning the norms of life. The ‘Dalí/Duchamp’ gathers 80 of the pair’s most celebrated works as well as private photographs and letters exchanged between them. The show itself plays out like a conversation between these two great minds and gives visitors an insight into their approach to creating their masterpieces. royalacademy.org.uk

goingplacesmagazine.com / 15 / December 2017

YEOH JIN LENG, SEBERANG TAKIR, 1964, OIL ON CANVAS, 80 X 60 CM

VV - FINTAN MAGEE - PATCHEWOLLOCK SILO ART, GRAMPIANS - COURTESY OF VISIT MELBOURNE

2

5

Exhibitions, news + reviews

6 THE COSTUME DESIGNER: EDITH HEAD AND HOLLYWOOD AT BENDIGO ART GALLERY.

Germany

4. Human Exchanges ‘Soul Mate’ at Berlin-based gallery 68projects is a show comprising work from two Iranian artists, Kimia Ferdowsi Kline and Farshad Farzankia, who currently reside in New York and Copenhagen respectively. Their work, though stylistically different, shares a common interest in the presentation of their body. In ‘Soul Mate’ Kline explores the question, “When do we feel at home in the other?” through several intimate and political compositions of bodies, while Farzankia looks at the bond between objects across borders.

All together, their collection of works sheds light on the potency of intimacy.

68projects.com United Kingdom

5. Portrait Of The Artist The IKON Gallery in Birmingham presents the first UK-based exhibition of Thomas Bock’s work from 6 December to March next year.

Known as the ‘convict artist’, Bock trained in the city of Birmingham as an engraver and miniature painter. However, in 1823 he was convicted of ‘administering certain herbs to cause miscarriage’ and sent to Australia for 14 years. Landing in what we now call Tasmania, Bock earned a name as a prestigious portrait painter, and many of his works depicting Tasmanian Aborigines are currently in the British Museum. The IKON exhibition features several of his portraits as well as sketches and photographs that demonstrate his skill for portraiture and other subject matters. ikon-gallery.org

Australia

6. Dressing Hollywood During cinema’s golden era, Edith Head was Hollywood’s go-to costume designer and won a record-breaking eight Academy Awards for her efforts. The Bendigo Art Gallery in Melbourne commemorates her 50-year career in the film industry with ‘Edith Head and Hollywood’, which comprises more than 70 costumes designed and created by Head.

These costumes have been worn by the likes of Shirley Temple, Gloria Swanson and Veronica Lake, and have rarely been seen outside the United States – but now is your chance! bendigoartgallery.com.au

THE COSTUME DESIGNER: EDITH HEAD AND HOLLYWOOD AT BENDIGO ART GALLERY.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 16 / December 2017

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND GALERIE KORNFELD, BERLIN

4

THOMAS BOCK, MATHINNA 1842 WATERCOLOUR. COLLECTION TASMANIAN MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, PRESENTED

BY J H CLARK, 1951 AG290

Art+Design /

Travel Concierge

PHOTO WESLEY LOH COURTESY OF ESPLANADE - THEATRES ON THE BAY

goingplacesmagazine.com / 19 / December 2017

The inside track on the best accommodations, dining options and calendar of events from Malaysia and around the world.

Singapore

NEW BEGINNINGS

USHER IN THE NEW YEAR with an epic night out at Singapore’s largest countdown event, the iconic Marina Bay Singapore Countdown. Visitors from all over the world are expected to gather in and around Marina Bay and the surrounding Civic District to catch a spectacular eight-minute fireworks display at the stroke of midnight, illuminating Singapore’s downtown skyline. Decorating the bay are more than 20,000 floating white orbs written with wishes, hopes and dreams for the year ahead, as part of the annual Wishing Sphere project. Celebrations begin early evening till past midnight, with live outdoor musical performances, carnivals and waterfront bazaars at various venues around the area. marinabaycountdown.sg

See /

Events + happenings

1

goingplacesmagazine.com / 20 / December 2017

CONRAD DY-LIACCO

JEFF EDEN, RBG KEW

2

3 United Kingdom

1. Wintry Wonderland

2. Timeless Classic

Hong Kong

Malaysia

Seasonal cheer comes to London’s Royal Botanic Gardens from now until the new year with Christmas at Kew, a magical experience that sees the grounds illuminated by more than one million twinkling lights. Now into its fifth year, highlights include an ethereal show of light and sound at Kew’s glistening lake, a mesmerising fire corridor, a show-stopping Palm House finale with crisscrossing laser beams and jumping jets of light, as well as a brand-new trail for visitors to explore. Journey past a path lit by hundreds of globes, and marvel at the enormous Sledge Tree made from 360 wooden sledges. Spot Santa and his elves performing along the trail and explore White Peaks festival fairground with its Victorian carousel. As the trail comes to an end, be greeted by the scent of minced pies and other festive food at the Victoria Plaza. kew.org

Embark on a grand adventure this holiday season with Hong Kong Ballet as they bring to audiences a perennial festive favourite, The Nutcracker, from 15 to 26 December at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Enter a wondrous world with Clara and Fritz as they venture into the dollhouse and up the larger-thanlife Christmas tree, meeting courageous toy soldiers and dolls along the way. In a battle of good versus evil, the heroic Nutcracker defeats the evil Rat King before reuniting with his true love, the Ballerina. Boasting elaborate sets, detailed costumes and a talented cast, the performance is set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic music with live accompaniment by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. hkballet.com

Tucked in a nondescript building in Petaling Jaya, The Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia has produced award-winning pastry chefs in world-class competitions such as the Asia Pastry Championship and the World Pastry Cup in France. Now, it is sharing its secrets with the public at the first-ever Academy Pastry Festival Malaysia 2017 to be held on 16 December.

Visitors will get to purchase and enjoy fine pastries and confectionery ranging from chocolates and cookies to travel cakes, petit gateaux and viennoiseries; explore professional pastry kitchens; and also participate in trial classes or learn more about the courses offered here. Proceeds from sales during the festival will go toward the Academy of Pastry Arts Scholarship Fund, which works closely with the Shelter Home for Children, Petaling Jaya. academyofpastryartsmalaysia.com

3. Cake and Pastry Festival

4

For more calendar happenings, visit goingplacesmagazine.com

5

6 DJ Snake

Indonesia

Malaysia

Malaysia

4. Party In Paradise

5. Land Before Time

6. Visual Spectacle

The inaugural Saga Music Festival promises two days of fun and entertainment on the island of Bali, from 28 until 29 December. Happening at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, a breathtaking venue under the stars surrounded by replicas of ancient Balinese statues and landscapes, the homegrown event features some of the biggest sounds in electronic music.

Among them are French musician FKJ, Grammy-nominated artist and producer DJ Snake, Russian DJ duo Drop Gun and Dutch electro mover-and-shaker Marc Benjamin. Don’t miss out on the culture, art and lifestyle attractions as well as a culinary bazaar. sagafestival.com

Catch a glimpse of a prehistoric world when giants roamed the earth at Dinosaurs Alive, happening at the Malaysia Tourism Centre Kuala Lumpur until 14 January. Featuring 40 life-sized, animatronic creatures that will roar, ‘breathe’ and stomp, the exhibition takes visitors through a journey that spans 200 million years. Perfect for families, the Jurassic-themed ‘forest’ has some of the era’s most infamous animals, including a fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex. The little ones can play-act as paleontologists by wearing special outfits and unearthing fossils over at the fossil dig zone. There are also fun activities such as sand crafting and bone assembly, as well as special dinosaur toys and merchandise. dinosaursalive.asia

There’s a new night attraction in Kuala Lumpur and it promises to be a stunning visual spectacle for locals and tourists alike. The Blue Pool Project, located next to the Masjid Jamek Mosque where the Klang and Gombak Rivers meet, sees a stretch of the confluence illuminated with hundreds of neon blue lights, alongside fog effects and a dancing symphony fountain. The recreational area has brightly lit pedestrian walkways, vantage points for photographs as well as a new bridge to connect the mosque with nearby attractions such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Merdeka Square. The attraction is part of the River of Life project initiated by the government to clean and beautify the capital city’s rivers and transform them into vibrant waterfronts. visitkl.gov.my

goingplacesmagazine.com / 21 / December 2017

FKJ

Dine /

Restaurant openings, news + reviews

2 1

goingplacesmagazine.com / 22 / December 2017

3

Malaysia

Malaysia

Malaysia

Aside from being one of the city’s more impressive grocery stores, Ben’s Independent Grocer in Mutiara Damansara also features a few eateries that are worth checking out while you shop. Among them are I Love Pho, one of Melbourne’s best pho shops that can be exclusively found in BIG; Taps Beer Bar, which brings a small selection of craft beers on tap and in bottles for shoppers wanting to take a breather; Inside Scoop, one of Malaysia’s most popular artisanal ice cream brands; and Tsukijiya, which serves a selection of the freshest sushi and sashimi. big.com.my

Joining the hi-tea trend is Trace, Element Kuala Lumpur’s restaurant and bar, which recently launched its Arteastry high tea set. Priced at USD20 (RM88) nett, the set made for two features a selection of sweet and savoury bites like Apple Duck in a savoury cone, Earl Grey tea-infused scones with clotted cream and jam, waffle with salmon and crème fraiche, and tomato and basil macarons. The piéce de resistance, however, is The Red Splash dessert, where over 30 elements including chocolate soil, meringue and raspberry confit are artistically arranged on a wax paper, anchored by a centrepiece of a white chocolate shell holding a tiramisu cake within. elementkualalumpur.com/dining

One of Klang Valley’s go-to places for pork steaks, Ante has decided to revamp its menu with a slew of radical new dishes that incorporate both Western and Eastern cooking techniques and ingredients. In place of familiar dishes like pork ribeye and pork striploin Dianestyle come fusion-inspired dishes like chermoula-spiced pork shoulder made with Tunisian and Moroccan spices; crispy-skin miso pork belly made with Yuzu Kosho paste; iberico baby ribs glazed with white shoyu honey; and green curry seared duck. ante.com.my

1. BIG appetites

2. Edible Art

3. Up The Ante

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Malaysia

Malaysia

Malaysia

Fuego by Troika Sky Dining has added exciting dishes to its menu, presenting a new range of South-American and Asian-inspired fare. Look for the Smoked Eel Guacamole, served with crunchy plantain, yam, sweet potato and lotus root chips for non-stop snacking, or the Prawn Ceviche with Habanero chilli, avocado salsa, cayenne dust baby corn and minus-20-degrees popcorn rocks. The Corned Beef Croquettes are deeply satisfying, comprising beef brisket that has been slowroasted for six hours and then deep-fried, while another contender is the braised Lamb Arepa. Vegetarians can look forward to the Grilled Zucchini or the surprisingly enjoyable grilled Cauliflower steak. troikaskydining.com

For those working around the Bukit Bintang area in Kuala Lumpur, a new lunch option has just opened up. The Chiu Chow Express Lunch at Pak Loh Chiu Chow restaurant at Feast Village, Starhill Gallery offers 25 rice and noodle dishes for busy executives.

The creation of Hong Kong-born Executive Chef Alex Au, the dishes are specially prepared for the lunch time rush hour, served from 12 pm to 3 pm on weekdays and comes with an appetiser and dessert in the set. Dishes to choose from include the Braised Pork Belly With Preserved Mui Choy Rice, Slow-Braised Goose Rice and Oyster Rice Porridge With Minced Pork.

Reservations are essential. feastvillage.com

October saw the opening of Nayuta Chocolatasia, a chocolate boutique shop specialising in bean-to-bar chocolate using beans from Southeast Asia. Made by Chef Shunsuke Saegusa, the man behind one of Japan’s most revered chocolateries, Palet D’Or, Nayuta Chocolatasia features a range of chocolates that include bars made with beans from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia that have 72 percent, 51 percent and 40 percent cacao content. There is also a range of chocolate bonbons in classic flavours such as strawberry, passion fruit and mango to the more Asian exotic flavours of sakura, yuzu and Sarawak pepper. nayuta.com.my

4. Latin Twist

5. Hong Kong Express

6. Loco For Choco

goingplacesmagazine.com / 23 / December 2017

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Wine & Dine Feature

Editor’s Pick

Our recommended food and drink experiences not to be missed.

Perfect Gathering Spot

Nestled in the heart of Penang’s UNESCO heritage area is the classy Georgetown Wines, a wine bar and restaurant offering wines from established and boutique labels paired with scrumptious modern European cuisine. The two–storey restaurant with contemporary styling was painstakingly restored, presenting a beautiful contrast against the old mews complex that evokes a bygone era quintessential to Penang. Oozing warmth and welcoming vibes, the restaurant is the perfect place to meet and eat with friends. Choose from popular starters such as clams in classic white wine sauce or toasties of Serrano Jamon, Manchego cheese, and truffle paste to share but order the signature Black Angus rib eye steak for yourself! Walk through the well-stocked wine cellar and choose from Old and New World wines. Better yet, ask the Sommelier to recommend a good bottle to drink in or to take away. Go on and hit up the wine star of Penang! facebook.com/georgetownwines goingplacesmagazine.com / 24 / December 2017

Retro Cool

Memorable Experience

For a romantic dining experience by the Melaka river, it’s hard to beat The River Grill. The versatile dining outlet in Casa del Rio Melaka, the five-star luxury boutique hotel located by the UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers delicious Western and Asian cuisine accompanied by impeccable service. Come on a Saturday night for its special Riverside Barbecue Buffet Dinner featuring a wide variety of freshly grilled seafood, chicken, beef and lamb. casadelrio-melaka.com

Three X Co is the latest edition to the speakeasy cocktail bar scene in Malaysia where its concept is inspired by blending oriental cultures with the Prohibition-styled speakeasies trending across the world today. Decked in stylish finishings within a warm cozy space in Bangsar Shopping Centre in the affluent Kuala Lumpur neighbourhood of Bangsar, Three X Co offers crafted spirits and elevated cocktails conceptualised by Mixologist David Hans, a world champion of the Giffard West Cup 2017 Competition held in Angers, France, and renowned for infusing Asian ingredients and elements into his cocktails. An evening at Three X Co promises the splendour and wonder a speakeasy bar has to offer. facebook.com/threexco

Hospitality news + reviews /

Stay

2 3 Singapore

Malaysia

Sri Lanka

Looking up from the airy atrium of the Fullerton, it's easy to imagine that the hotel's classic charm is timeless. However, the Fullerton Building's first vocation was far more pragmatic, housing administrations like the General Post Office and the exclusive Singapore Club. Later, the fifth floor became the Ministry of Finance of a newly independent Singapore. The successful transformation from functional to luxurious was only completed in 2001.

Now a listed historical building, the hotel highlights its past in a permanent exhibit on the ground floor and in places like the Post Bar. Fortunate guests will select one of the opulent, spacious suites that have hosted some of Singapore's most honoured visitors, while others can enjoy the exclusive spa or one of the Fullerton's best-kept secrets, The Rooftop Bar, with unobstructed views in every direction. fullertonhotels.com

Following a renovation to unveil its brandnew look, Dorsett Kuala Lumpur invites guests to experience its hospitality with its Family Chic package, covering a twonight stay in a Family Room with breakfast, welcome gift of the hotel’s signature ‘sugarfriendly’ Chocolate Chip Cookies, as well as an exclusive Dorsett Children Experience pack for the little ones with a Dorsett Teddy Bear, knapsack, toothbrush set and colouring book. Meanwhile, couples looking to spend romantic moments together can opt for the Sweet Romance package, which comes with a suite stay, complimentary cookies and teddy bear, and two slices of cake and hot coffee or tea at the hotel’s Window Lounge. Both packages are available until 31 March 2018. dorsetthotels.com/kualalumpur

Marriott Hotels marks its entry into Sri Lanka with the opening of The Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, a luxurious beachfront property with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. Located at the charming seaside fishing village of Weligama, the resort boasts more than 200 modern and comfortable rooms and suites, alongside top-notch facilities such as four speciality restaurants, a fitness centre and three outdoor swimming pools.

Bask on the beach with its soft white sand, or head into the water for some serious surfing. Return to indulge in relaxing Ayurvedic therapies at the Quan Spa, or if you’re a history buff, take a daytrip to the historic 16th-century Galle Fort nearby. marriott.com

1. Historic Enclave

2. Quality Time

3. Beachside Living

goingplacesmagazine.com / 25 / December 2017

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goingplacesmagazine.com / 26 / December 2017

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Thailand

Australia

China

Having undergone a complete transformation, Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel has now emerged as The Athenee Hotel Bangkok. Drawing inspiration from the life and travels of Princess Valaya Alongkorn, a daughter of 19th-century monarch King Chulalongkorn, the opulent hotel stands on the grounds of the princess’ former royal residence and blends Thai and colonial European architecture.

Guests entering the lobby will be greeted by a grand staircase and bespoke chandeliers, and there are several culinary options to tuck into, including a bar with neo-colonial decor. The hotel’s Spa Athenee provides gentle steam baths, fragrant body oil massages and unique treatments to unwind to after a long day. plazaatheneebangkok.com

Combining personalised service with the grand amenities of a luxury hotel, Skye Hotel Suites is newly opened in Parramatta, Sydney. The intimate establishment has 72 luxury studio, one- and two-bedroom suites overlooking the Sydney skyline, with access to a pool, saunas, fitness centre, business and conference room facilities, al fresco dining as well as a retail piazza.

Drinks are at a stylish bar on level 26 that sports a spacious open-air terrace with magnificent views of Harbour Bridge and the Blue Mountains. Food aficionados should make a beeline for celebrity chef Neil Perry’s popular Burger Project restaurant within the tower. skyehotels.com.au

Autumn is a beautiful season to spend at Alila Anji in Zhejiang. Surrounded by lush greenery, quaint bamboo groves and tea plantations, the hillside resort is the perfect place for weary travellers to unwind and disconnect from everyday worries. Relax and recharge to clean, clear mountain air and amazing views of greenery and a tranquil lake with the Autumn Escape package, which includes a two-night stay and scrumptious dinner for two. Guests can also enjoy facilities such as in-room dining and spa treatments. Complimentary shuttle services to the resort are available from Shanghai and Hangzhou on weekends. The package is valid for stays until 31 December. alilahotels.com/anji

4. Royal Connection

5. Urban Retreat

6. Fall Into Nature

Resorts Feature

Editor’s Pick

A transformation is underway at the awardwinning Four Seasons Resort Langkawi to elevate the tropical UNESCO beach haven to a new level of modern luxury and indulgence.

The new look is the work of cutting-edge designer Bill Bensley, and sees the signature colour scheme changed from earthen tones to a palette of bold and vibrant blues, amidst a backdrop of beaches, rainforest and cliffs provided by the surrounding Langkawi UNESCO Geopark. The effect is dramatic and vibrant, lending a contemporary twist to the resort’s popular Malaysian and Moorish themes.

At the centre of a frangipani-lined pond, complete with its own antique boat, is the Malay-style Welcome Pavilion. As guests journey to their rooms, intense midnight blues give way to shades of cobalt and powder blue. The resort’s 68 Malay-style Pavilions now reflect Bensley’s

Our top choice for a luxury getaway - Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

modern eclectic style, its airy rooms featuring bespoke artworks, revived teak floors and antique mirror inlays.

Three new Deluxe Family Beach Villas with Plunge Pool, and two Three-Bedroom Garden Villas with Pool have recently been unveiled. These standalone havens offer multi-generational groups and families the extended space and convenience they need.

The main pools also received a modern makeover, including the 55-metre Adult Quiet Pool with its incredible sea views, while the Family Pool, comprising several multi-tiered pools are seductively positioned amongst frangipani trees and red sealing wax palms.

The resort’s restaurants will benefit from Bensley’s unique treatment: Kelapa Grill, the

beach grill restaurant, and the Mediterranean restaurant, Serai, will both be refreshed, while the award-winning Malay restaurant, Ikan Ikan, will reveal a new look. The ever-popular Rhu Bar has been transformed with the addition of classy furniture, funky objets d-art and a new bar counter.

Finally, the addition of a floating jetty facilitates access to water sports and mangrove safari boats for guests of all ages.

The only property in Malaysia to make both the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards 2017 and the Condé Nast Traveller USA Readers’ Choice Awards 2017, the resort has been luring connoisseurs of style, solitude and scenery for more than a decade. The transformation will be stunning when it is completed in mid-2018. fourseasons.com/langkawi

/ Fashion+Accessories Our Christmas shopping guide for her

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1. Ice Queen The CH Carolina Herrera Sputnik brooch shares a name with the famous Russian satellite, but it may have been inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the snowy Siberian wilderness with a design that evokes snowflakes, ice, and cold, hard beauty. chcarolinaherrera.com

2. Simply Extraordinary Give the gift of a happy day to a loved one with the Schoeffel Happy Day pearl and diamond ring from Poh Kong. Anything but ordinary, the exquisite ring with scarlet cultured pearl and opulent diamond-encrusted band in 18-carat rose gold will delight any wearer as well as onlooker. pohkong.com.my

3. Majestic Minaudiere Sparkle and shine this season with the Judith Leiber Monarch clutch bag, fully encrusted in Austrian crystals that capture the butterfly’s detailed wings beautifully. Comes with a removable golden chain strap for swinging from your shoulder. In Malaysia, find this beauty at the Judith Leiber boutique at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping mall. judithleiber.com

4. Magical Charm Matching the feel of magic in the air during the holidays this season, the Bulgari Serpenti Forever bag is a vision in gold and silver with embossed stars laid in a different pattern for each one-of-a-kind bag, along with the goldplated enamel snakehead closure. bulgari.com

goingplacesmagazine.com / 29 / December 2017

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Fashion+Accessories / Our Christmas shopping guide for him

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design. This will definitely be a joy to hold and behold. omegawatches.com

7. Sporty Sophistication

8 5. On The Fast Track Scottish luggage company LAT 56 has teamed up with another British company, the acclaimed Formula One racing team McLaren, to create a collection of travel items and luggage that match the F1 company’s highly regarded performance and design, as well as the squad’s racing livery. It looks to be an exciting season ahead! lat56.com

6. New Classic It’s classic with a twist with the Omega Globetrotter Annual Calendar 41mm. It features a classic look in elegant muted colours, yet the beveled watchface in sunbrushed finishing and month indicators in cursive script add a fresh update to men’s watch

The Cole Haan GrandPro Spectator is sporty yet elegant with its leather body and streamlined design, making it perfect for the tennis court as well as for city jaunts or even an evening out – especially since it weighs about a third lighter than most sports footwear. Makes a wonderful gift for the athlete in your life. facebook.com/colehaan.my

8. Confident Charm Boss Bottled from Hugo Boss is for the man of today who’s out to achieve his goals and passions while staying true to his values, a character personified in the brand’s fragrance ambassador, actor Chris Hemsworth. The contemporary scent echoes the modern man, with a primarily woody scent that unfolds its different layers throughout the day. facebook.com/hugoboss

Global Citizen

Photography courtesy of Globe Trekker

Ian Wright Broadstairs, Kent, United Kingdom

Yellowknife, Canada

What do you love most about being in this town?

It’s like it’s caught in the 1950s. There is a lovely amusement park where you go on the dodgems or the big wheel and eat cotton candy or hot dogs or fish and chips. And being in the sea after the initial cold. I even like these places in winter, when the bed-and-breakfasts have their doors squeaking. It seems a bit bleak but it’s the British seaside and that’s what I love about it. These quaint little things make Broadstairs the iconic British seaside town.

One thing about the locals.

They are tough as boots and hard as nails, living in such a harsh environment – on the frozen lake and half the year is absolute darkness. And it makes them a little bit mad because they are frontier, pioneer people, and they have to kill a caribou to survive. I mean, I wouldn’t last five minutes there in the winter, but that’s not the point. I love going there in the summer.

Your favourite local dish from here and where might we find it?

In Britain, there’s only one dish that you must have when you’re down at the seaside, and you can’t really go away without eating it and that is the traditional fish and chips. Especially in Broadstairs, because they still have the fishing fleets that come in small boats, and if you get a fresh cod, then you are in heaven.

What can you find here that you can't find anywhere else?

There’s the house Charles Dickens stayed at where he wrote David Copperfield, so that’s something you can’t find anywhere else.

What’s the most surprising thing about this town?

It is not a surprise for me, but for other people they would say it’s the quaintness of Broadstairs. More than any other city it takes you back to the time when everyone used to go to the beach. You see these beautiful nostalgic pictures, and it’s like Broadstairs is still in a throwback.

A must-visit tourist spot.

The tacky amusement arcades near the beach, where you have to go on the grabber, where you can hook up prizes with the claw – you don’t win anything, it’s rubbish! But it has to be done when you’re at the seaside.

The perfect spot to unwind.

The nice thing about these seaside places is that there isn’t much to do. It’s about chilling out, just watching the sea and kids playing on the beach. You look through the shops, you have something to eat, sea-fishing on the piers.

The craziest thing you could do here is to have a round of miniature golf.

Where might we find you at 1 am in this city?

I’d be tucked up cosy in bed and snoring away! Nothing opens past ten here!

Malaysia Airlines operates twice daily flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Heathrow (LHR), London. From London, Broadstairs is two hours away by car.

What do you find most refreshing about this city?

It’s the fact that it’s so isolated that makes it quite refreshing.

It’s in the middle of nowhere but once you’re there it’s got a lovely community vibe.

What’s the most surprising thing about this city?

How crazy the people are! I was a judge at their ‘Ugly Dog and Truck Competition’, where the scratched-up truck had smashed windows and they start the truck with a screwdriver sort of thing, and the dogs have three legs or missing toes, and one guy didn’t have an ugly dog, but he had an ugly truck so he got his ten-year-old daughter, dressed her up as a dog, and they won third prize! That’s how crazy they are but I love that vibe!

Where would you take a first-timer to in this city?

Get on a bus. Go about five miles out of town to the middle of nowhere and just lie down on the ground and watch the Northern Lights. It is extraordinary and impossible to describe. It is the most amazing thing you’ll ever see in the sky. It’s like a cheesy episode of Star Trek – it feels like a bad effect because it’s so surreal.

What was the best culinary experience for you in this city?

There is always a good vibe at the Bullocks Bistro. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, and the fish and chips have an Arctic char from the ice and you can’t get it any fresher than that.

The taste of the flesh is just off the scale!

The one thing you must bring home.

The Inuit art, with its primitive carvings out of bone, whale’s tusk or tooth, or reindeer antler. They’re not cheap – making them takes ages so they shouldn’t be, but you have to take one home, definitely.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 33 / December 2017

The television travel show host takes time off from his adventures to share favourites from the coastal town of Broadstairs in England and Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Window or Aisle

Choosing Your Football Team

goingplacesmagazine.com / 34 / December 2017

It seems that every Malaysian must support an English Premier League team, but which one? Choosing your Malaysian football team is easy because it’s simply your home state but how do you choose an EPL team if you have no connection to any of the English towns? Obviously, you can’t support Chelsea because, well, you just can’t but that still leaves dozens of others to choose from.

I know from personal experience that it is a very difficult choice.

I moved to England from Malaysia in 1971 when I was five years old. I was confused by my new surroundings (they didn’t have Milo) and by the rowdiness of English kids. In Malaysia, I had attended a kindergarten called Tinker Bell and English kids did not behave like Tinker Bell alumni. On my first day at an English primary school, the first thing the English kids did was ask me which team I supported. I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. The second thing they did was to carry me to the top of a small hill and throw me off it. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. This kind of thing simply didn’t happen at Tinker Bell. I really needed a Milo to calm my nerves.

the sound of one even though I had no idea what or where it was: Arsenal.

The next time the English kids asked me which team I supported, I tentatively said Arsenal, hoping that this would make me safe for the day. But then they pointed out that I didn’t have an Arsenal shirt. So, they took me to the top of the hill and threw me off it. I wasn’t angry because I was beginning to see the logic of their argument and if you really think about it, you will too.

My mother took me to a shop and we asked the salesman for an Arsenal shirt. He was very helpful in expertly guiding us through our

had no choice but to take me to the top of the hill and throw me off it. To this day, I have never been to Wolverhampton and I have no idea where it is but I know I don’t like it.

I was an Arsenal fan for about a week when I was five years old and ever since then I have deliberately avoided being a fan of any team.

The nearest I have come to supporting a team is when I met some people from Newcastle who loved their town and their team. With their bizarre accent, they were extremely funny and very normal unlike, you know, Chelsea fans. I really enjoyed their enjoyment as they taught me about the intricacies of the game but it seemed ridiculous for me to call myself a Newcastle fan in the company of actual Geordies.

Malaysians have the freedom to ‘‘ choose teams unencumbered by tribal associations with a particular English town.‚‚

When I got home, I did some studying and discovered that there was a thing called football that was played by many different teams and I apparently needed to support one of them. Every Saturday night, a voice on TV would drone out all the football scores: “Norbiton Athletic one, Fulchester United two. Cholmondeley Rovers ten, Walmingtonon-Sea nil.” It went on for hours and I didn’t understand any of it. The voice said the name of every English town except the one I was living in. So, I chose a team at random. I liked

ignorance. But the shirt he brought out did not look quite right. Even I had a vague awareness that Arsenal shirts were red and white, while this shirt was orange-yellow. “It’s their away shirt,” he assured us. I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about but I had to admit that it was quite smart and entirely befitting of a Tinker Bell man.

When I was next confronted by the English kids, I knew I was safe because I was clothed in the impenetrable armour of an Arsenal shirt.

But they just laughed at me. It turned out that the salesman had hoodwinked me into buying not an Arsenal shirt but a Wolverhampton Wanderers shirt. I could only presume that he was a Wolves fan and thought it would be funny but it wasn’t funny because the kids

I developed a love for football when I returned to Malaysia in the early 1990s when the best thing on TV was broadcasts of English football. Being far away from the reality of English football fandom, I was finally free to enjoy the spectacle and drama of the game.

Malaysians have the freedom to choose teams unencumbered by tribal associations with a particular English town. Manchester United is hugely popular but I wonder how many Malaysian fans could accurately place Manchester on a blank map of England. I know I couldn’t. Some Malaysian football allegiances are family inheritances that are now well into their third generation and some are based on fanciful whims. So, choose whatever you want and choose often. But don’t choose a team that always wins because that way you’ll learn nothing about life. And don’t choose Chelsea, because, well, just trust me. You don’t want to choose Chelsea.

Kam Raslan is the author of Confessions of an Old Boy: The Dato’ Hamid Adventures. He is also a columnist, and a writer and director working in film, TV and theatre in Malaysia. He will one day make his own feature film. His column is written exclusively for Malaysia Airlines.

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goingplacesmagazine.com / 38 / December 2017

Enchanting Experience With twinkling lights and seasonal decorations, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year to be in London.

London, England

/ MY Guide

goingplacesmagazine.com / 39 / December 2017

Words Tracey Petherick Illustration Khairil Ameer Mat Desa Art Direction Euric Liew

MY Guide /

London, England

What To Do DICKENS’ CHRISTMAS London Walking Tours will take you back in time to explore the Victorian London of Ebenezer Scrooge on their Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol walk. You take in secret alleyways, hidden courtyards and a 17thcentury hostelry, all accompanied by a host in Victorian costume.

ICE POPS Combine skating with sight-seeing at one of the capital’s pop-up ice rinks. See the Natural History Museum’s incredible Whales: Beneath The Surface exhibition or explore Henry VIII’s historic home at Hampton Court Palace. Then get your skates on.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 40 / December 2017

GO CRACKERS If you’ve missed out on tickets to see Tchaikovsky’s fabulously festive ballet The Nutcracker at Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House, don’t worry, you can catch the show at a movie theatre. It will be broadcast live to cinemas all over London on 5 December.

SING, SING, SING! Carol singing will take place all over the city in the run-up to Christmas, with plenty of places where you can join in. Anyone can sing along with the choirs at Trafalgar Square from 4 pm to 8 pm on weekdays, or get tickets to

one of the many carol concerts at the Royal Albert Hall or St Paul’s Cathedral.

LONDON EYE DO Christmas Eve is the most popular day of the year to propose, and the London Eye is among the top places worldwide for it. The views are particularly stunning at Christmastime when the city sparkles below.

Just make sure you book a private capsule, unless you want 20 other tourists witnessing your proposal!

PICK A PANTO The theatrical wonder of the pantomime is a great British tradition and so it is a mustdo for visitors at Christmas. This year, the iconic London Palladium is showing Dick Whittington from 9 December, while Wembley Arena plays host to BMX riders, stuntmen and trapeze artists in its production of Peter Pan on 29-30 December.

SERPENTINE SWIM Fancy plunging into a lake of near-freezing water for a 100-yard Christmas Day swim?

No? That’s good, because only members of Hyde Park’s Serpentine Swimming Club are allowed to take part in this madcap event. It’s fun to watch, though.

FEELING HOT HOT HOT Warm up and wind down at a specially

designed Finnish sauna on the Queen Elizabeth Roof Terrace, just one of many pop-ups at the Southbank Centre’s fabulous Wintertime Festival. And if you can’t take the heat, cool off in the open air with exclusive views of the River Thames.

HOGWARTS IN THE SNOW Harry Potter World is just 30 kilometres outside London and easily accessible by train or bus. Hogwarts will have Christmas trees lining the Great Hall, and the Gryffindor common room is well-decorated for the season.

FESTIVI-TEA The quintessentially British afternoon tea gets a festive makeover at the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge with individual panettone, pear and chestnut yule log, and orange and winter spiced macarons. And just to be clear, it’s perfectly acceptable to drink Champagne with your afternoon tea.

WINDOW SHOPPING Going crazy for year-end sales is good and all, but you don’t need to spend a penny to enjoy London’s greatest stores at Christmas – the window displays are masterpieces in themselves. Iconic department stores Harrods and Selfridges are guaranteed to impress, but you should also seek out Liberty, Fortnum & Mason and the world-famous Hamleys toy store.

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HOT COCKTAILS Selfridges’ rooftop restaurant Il Tetto is serving up a slice of Italy this winter with wood-fired pizzas and hot cocktails like the Etna, a warming blend of white wine, Ratafia, brandy, roasted cardamom and honey. Now that’s Christmas spirit.

MARKET DAYS Winterville on Clapham Common is more than just a Christmas market. It’s a whole festive playground with comedy, film screenings and live music as well as treats from London’s street food pioneers Street Feast.

VILLAGE SHOPS Christmas gift shopping is all wrapped up at Bicester Village, just 46 minutes by train out of London. This purpose-built village is like Disneyland for shopaholics with up to 60 percent discounts on all the big brands.

New boutiques for 2017 include Joseph, Acne, Rapha and Villeroy & Boch.

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA Hyde Park’s annual Winter Wonderland is the ultimate festive treat. There are fairground rides, a huge ice rink, two circuses and endless market stalls selling food, drinks and gifts.

There’s also the Magical Ice Kingdom – a spectacular frozen world of mermaids and mythical sea creatures (and an Ice Bar for the grown-ups!).

Malaysia Airlines operates twice daily flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Heathrow (LHR), London

What To See LIGHT IT UP Decorating the streets with Christmas lights is a big deal in London. The main shopping areas of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street have big displays, but don’t miss the (slightly) smaller ones on Carnaby Street, Seven Dials and St Christopher’s Place.

TWINKLY TREES The huge Norwegian spruce that stands in Trafalgar Square every year is always breathtaking, but you can see beautiful Christmas trees twinkling away at other places. Try Covent Garden’s Piazza, St Pancras’ station concourse and the luxury Mayfair hotel Claridge’s.

SANTA’S SNOWFLAKE GROTTO The fabulous shopping centres at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City are taking their Santa’s Grotto to the next level.

The spellbinding Snowflake Factory has scented snow, crystal caves, mirrored icy corridors and interactive snow games. Don’t forget your Christmas wish list – it gets fired out of the Wish Cannon!

SANTA DASH! There is something immensely entertaining about watching thousands of people dressed up as Father Christmas run through the centre of London. Even better – it’s for a good cause. These charity fun runs take place at Clapham Common, Victoria Park, the City and Battersea Park from 3 until 10 December.

NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE Save some energy for London’s New Year’s Day parade when more than 10,000 musicians, cheerleaders and performers take to the streets to celebrate. The parade goes from Piccadilly to Parliament Square.

Print out a cool illustrated map from londonparade.co.uk.

Practical Tips

PEACE ON EARTH

If you’re lucky enough to be in central London on 25 December, you’re in for a treat. With no crowds and no traffic, it’s a haven of peace and serenity. Just remember there’s also no public transport, so wear comfy shoes.

BLACK CAB TOUR

London’s cabbies are well-known for their entertaining anecdotes and insider knowledge, so what better way to explore the capital than on a Black Taxi Tour?

Through December, most of them also offer Christmas-themed tours, but make sure you book ahead. There are several websites with info on this service, including londonblacktaxitours.com.

WALK THE TUBE

In central London, it’s often just as quick (if not quicker) to walk from A to B as it is to get the tube. Look at Transport For London’s awesome ‘walking tube’ map that gives travel times on foot between stations (tfl.gov.uk). Just remember to wrap up warm.

About the writer

Tracey has been writing and editing for 20 years, contributing to The Sunday Telegraph, The Sunday Express, London’s Metro and awardwinning kids’ magazine The Week Junior on topics ranging from ice hockey to tracing your family tree.

About the illustrator

Ameer has 15 years experience in the multimedia, graphic design and printing fields, and has won awards from Malaysia Design Council.

He enjoys good food, cooking and naturally, food photography.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 41 / December 2017

BABY, IT’S COOL OUTSIDE Plenty of London’s rooftop bars and terrace restaurants stay open all winter – with outdoor heaters and sheepskin rugs at hand.

Our favourite, Coppa Club, has a view of Tower Bridge, a scrumptious Christmas menu, and best of all, giant igloos to cosy up inside.

R1_Rakuten_Dec_GP 2017-10-24T17:02:10+08:00

Words Zurien Onn Photography courtesy of Shilala HK

Shila Amzah

/ Homegrown

China’s Darling Malaysian entertainer Shila Amzah climbs the ladder to success in China.

competitions, but now, 27-year-old Malaysian Shahila Amzah, better known as Shila, is being awarded accolades for success in the entertainment industry of the world’s most populous country.

Considering that Shila is neither an ethnic Chinese nor a citizen of China, her record is impressive. She is the first Malaysian artist of Malay descent to break through the Chinese music market in a big way.

Her wins have included awards for Most Popular Female Artist, Best Female Singer (Hong Kong and Taiwan) and Song of the Year (Hong Kong and Taiwan) for her single Goodbye at the 2016 Music Pioneer Awards and Most Popular Female Artist (Hong Kong and Taiwan) and Best Female Artist (Hong Kong and Taiwan) at the 2015 Guangzhou Music Awards.

Starting out as a child performer in Malaysia, encouraged by her father, ND Lala, a Malaysian pop singer popular in the 1980s and 1990s, Shila started performing when she was ten. She took second place in a reality singing programme, Bintang Kecil RTM, and won the award for Child Artist of the Year at the 2000 Anugerah Bintang Popular organised by local newspaper Berita Harian.

But as no recording company dared to sign on child artists back then, her first album was produced in 2000 using her father’s own money. She later signed with record label EMI and released her second album, ShaHila, in 2005. A natural performer with a uniquely husky voice, the album and her pop ballad Yang Teristimewa were well-received and boosted her popularity. However, she wasn’t yet in the league of contemporary Malaysian divas such as Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Dayang Nurfaizah or Jaclyn Victor.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 43 / December 2017

SHE STARTED HER CAREER IN CHINA by entering and winning singing

Homegrown /

Shila Amzah

In fact, there was a time when she suffered public backlash, a side effect of success among teenage pop artists, something that stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera endured during their early days. It wasn’t a deterrent for Shila, though she was affected by it.

“I think I am just a normal person and of course was a bit upset at first, but the feeling waned as I knew I didn’t do anything to hurt anyone,” she tells Going Places. “And when I truly looked into the situation, there were always positive and supportive comments more than disruptive ones.” She chose self-evaluation to try to be a better person.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 44 / December 2017

Joining the second season of reality singing competition One In A Million brought Shila back into the consciousness of Malaysian music lovers. She took second place in the show, proving that she had the fans to become a commercial success, and earning her a recording deal with Monkey Bone Records. Shila represented the new generation of Malaysian performers, joining vocal powerhouses Ning Baizura and Jaclyn Victor in a collaborative album, 3 Suara, which served up the hit song Beribu Sesalan. The release of her next single, Patah Seribu, which won Song of the Year at the 2012 Malaysian Music Industry Awards, cemented Shila’s position as one of the nation’s top artists. This was when she decided to start all over again, setting her sights on China.

Her foray into China started when her father submitted videos of her singing for the inaugural Asian Wave competition, a Chinese talent show held in Shanghai. She was invited to join, and subsequently won the competition as well as a six-year recording contract with Shanghai Media Group. This meant she had to leave Malaysia, quite a sacrifice for a 22-year-old who didn’t speak any Mandarin or Cantonese at the time.

In 2014, she joined another reality singing competition, I Am A Singer (Season 2), and it was after winning this show that her popularity soared, gaining her more than two million followers on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo.

“Going to China to develop my career has always been on my roadmap, as has been planned by my father since I was a kid,” she says. “When I was offered the opportunity, there was no reason to decline. It was the perfect opportunity for me to produce music while learning the language at the same time,” says Shila, who is based in Hong Kong for its close proximity to China as well as to Malaysia. Her career and management teams are also based there, making it easier to facilitate her work schedule.

“I started singing and performing since small, so at 22 I was already comfortable with the music industry, so that’s one hurdle out of the way,” says Shila, when asked to comment on adapting to living and working as an artist in a new country.

“If I really have to identify the hardest thing about living abroad, it would be access to halal food as restaurants are

limited. But I love cooking so I can always shop for ingredients and cook for the family, too.”

She also acknowledges another part about being a Muslim – her headscarf worn as a religious observance. No doubt, she creates curiosity due to it, but it is evident from the reaction of viewers watching her sing that her biggest strengths are her voice and performance skills.

One of the factors of her success is her versatility across genres, displaying her technique and range and different tones of voice. She downplays her success, though, choosing to focus on the process rather than the results.

“That’s my mantra to keep myself relaxed as I generally perform better without stress,” says Shila. “I am happy with the pace of my music career in China, and I guess what drives me to improve myself is to produce different kinds of music all the time. There are always new things to learn and I am excited about that.”

Commenting on her future plans and if it includes venturing into the Western entertainment industry, Shila says that Europe and North America are on the roadmap. In fact, she is already making inroads with Western audiences via YouTube.

Shila regularly uploads videos of herself singing covers of popular songs and is wowing viewers as well as reviewers with her rendition of Beyonce’s Listen, Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain and a slew of other hits, including Bollywood and K-Pop chart-toppers.

“2018 is definitely a year of exploration and a year for the next chapter of Shila Amzah. Watch this space!” she says.

Shila is the first Malaysian artist of Malay descent to break through the Chinese music market in a big way

Tête-à-Tête /

First Traxx

Interview Julie Goh Photography SooPhye

Hit The Slopes Learn or brush up skills at Malaysia’s first indoor ski and snowboard centre before your next winter holiday.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 46 / December 2017

SINCE ITS OPENING IN OCTOBER , First Traxx, located in the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Petaling Jaya, has welcomed a surprisingly high number of Malaysian snow enthusiasts to its indoor ski and snowboard centre. Its Operations Director Izhan Hassan says for beginners, taking lessons on an indoor ski slope will save precious time practising when in the mountains, while main slope-ready skiers and snowboarders can look forward to brushing up their skills in between trips.

What mooted the idea of building a ski centre in tropical Malaysia?

Firstly, we’d like to state that it is not a substitute for skiing or snowboarding on real snow! Our value proposition setting this up is to better prepare anyone interested in snow sports, in terms of technique and fitness, to fully enjoy a winter holiday. Ski and snowboard lessons are quite costly, so why waste time and money learning during the vacation when you can do so at First Traxx at your own convenience and pace and in conducive surroundings.

When you first told your friends that you were setting up an indoor ski and snowboard centre, did they tell you it was a crazy idea?

Yes! It was difficult to explain what it was at first. Most people would immediately think of the one in the shopping mall in Dubai. Snow sports is not something that’s on people’s mind being in a tropical country. Even after showing the many videos on YouTube, there was no substitute for seeing it for themselves once the slopes were installed, and better yet, after they gave it a go!

Where else in Asia are there indoor ski centres?

Every major Asian city with direct and easy flight connections to Hokkaido, which is a popular ski destination, has at least one, namely Bangkok, Hong Kong and many cities in China.

So we felt that it was a matter of time before Malaysia has one, so it might as well be us!

What kind of facilities do you offer?

The facility offers two large revolving slopes which operate like a giant treadmill. The surface of the slopes is covered by an AstroTurf-like material which mimics the experience on snow. Apart from practising and perfecting those turns,

our facility has all the amenities to cater for parties and group functions.

You’ve obviously done your research. What percentage of the Malaysian population ski or snowboard? Is the interest for snow sports picking up among Malaysians?

We estimate that at least 50,000 Malaysians make their way to a destination with snow for holidays a year. Out of which, we think that about 10 percent or 5,000 people would be skiers or snowboarders and this number is on an upward trend. Malaysia (through US-based Jeffrey Webb) has for the first time qualified for the alpine skiing event in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea (from 9-25 February), so we hope that this would also be a catalyst for more Malaysians to be interested in snow sports.

Izhan Hassan, First Traxx's Operations Director

Does one need to have at least some sort of skiing or snowboarding experience to take lessons at First Traxx?

None whatsoever. Complete beginners would learn 10 times faster than they would on snow. Our instructors would be able to give direct feedback and demonstration as they are always by your side. We offer lessons for all skill levels, including advanced skiiers who want to hone in on perfecting their techniques or to improve their fitness.

How many lessons does one need to become a confident skier?

This would depend on the individual, however, with a favourable ratio of one instructor to a maximum of three students at a time, the learning experience will be much faster as compared to lessons taken on snow, for which the ratio could be as high as one instructor per 10 students!

Is there an age limit to be accepted at First Traxx?

We take in students as young as five years old. There really is no maximum age as long as one is willing! It is for everyone and is one of the very few activities that the whole family can enjoy together.

Tell us about your instructors. How did you recruit them and where are they from?

Initially, we thought that getting ski and snowboard instructors to come and teach in Malaysia would be the most difficult hurdle. However, when we posted a simple ad on Facebook, we received an overwhelming response from instructors willing to come from as near as Hong Kong to as far as Chile! We think that apart from being involved in something new such as skiing in a tropical climate, the appeal of having the opportunity to come to Malaysia to work was a big factor.

Do you also offer packages to take groups of people or students to Japan or France for the real experience?

This is definitely on the cards and a natural next step for us given our access to international instructors and our captive client base.

The centre offers lessons for all skill levels and can cater for parties and group events

Where are some of the best places to ski in the world?

Japan has the best powder snow in the region and quite possibly the world. The resorts there are modern and convenient and the food is fabulous! Being an overnight flight away with only an hour time difference makes it a very convenient destination for people living in Malaysia.

Ski lingo to help you talk like a skier: APRES SKI: Apres ski is French for ‘after skiing’. It refers to the nightlife of larger ski resorts, which offer numerous club, bar and other apres-ski facilities.

DEATH COOKIES: Small, solid chunks of snow that sometimes form due to poor snowmaking or grooming. They are a hazard.

BACKCOUNTRY: Only for experts.

Backcountry is the area of a mountain not patrolled by the local resort.

FATTIES: A type of extra-wide ski, perfect for powder snow.

BLACK DIAMOND: One of the most challenging courses, denoted by a black diamond symbol.

BOMBER: An out-of-control skier going downhill at great speed.

BRAIN BUCKET: Your helmet.

CARVING: Using the edge of your skis to perform a series of turns, with little skidding or slipping.

CHAMPAGNE POWDER: Soft, light and reasonably dry snow that’s good to ski on, especially for beginners.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Clusters of rocks sticking out of the snow.

EAT WOOD: The term describing a skier who has just hit a tree.

FRESHIE: Snow that is untouched by other skiers.

GROOMING: Machines with rakes that help keep the snow in good condition.

MILK RUN: The inaugural run of the day.

MASHED POTATOES: Heavy, damp snow that is not pleasant to ski on.

OFF-PISTE: Similar to backcountry, it is the area outside the boundary of the resort.

PISTE: Piste refers to groomed or patrolled trails.

POW POW: Pow pow is short for ‘powder’, which is the ultimate type of snow: Fresh, fluffy and easy to carve through.

QUAD: A four-person chairlift.

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goingplacesmagazine.com / 48 / December 2017

Hook, Line

& Sinker

Malaysia’s Kuala Rompin is reeling in avid anglers.

Kuala Rompin, Pahang

/ Unplugged: Travel

PHOTO RICHARD AUGUSTIN

Words Richard Augustin Photography courtesy of SportFishin.Asia

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IT’S A HOT AND HUMID SUNDAY AFTERNOON in the tail end of September. The typical Malaysian weather is compounded by the fact that we’re sitting in a yacht, bobbing miles off the coast of Kuala Rompin, in the waters of the South China Sea.

Kuala Rompin seems like any regular quiet seaside town, but sport fishermen know it’s one of the best places to land a catch of a lifetime. Visitors access the town by road, a little over three hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur, located in Pahang state on the southeast coast of peninsular Malaysia.

We’re not the only vessel out to sea today as we spot several boats around us. Despite being in all shapes and sizes, there is a distinct similarity among them – the sight of fishing rods with lines cast into the waters below. They’re angling for the same thing, a precious bite from a sailfish, which Kuala Rompin’s seas are famous for.

“A lot of people don’t know this but Kuala Rompin is arguably one of the top five hotspots in the world when it comes to sailfishing,” says Ernest Ong, owner of Sea Urchin, the luxurious yacht we are on. The Sea Urchin is a liveaboard vessel that plies Kuala Rompin’s seas, ferrying and hosting avid fishermen who have travelled far and wide to these waters.

A Sea Of Sailfish

According to Ong, the seas around these parts are home to one of the largest aggregation of sailfish found anywhere in the world. Every year around September, these waters become the playground for the region’s best fishermen who turn up to compete in the Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge, to fish for these magnificent creatures.

“We have a few boats out fishing today,” Ong points out. “But during the competition, we had over 40 boats heading out from Kuala Rompin.” The fishing competition is important to not only promote tourism but to ensure a sustainable economy for the townspeople of Kuala Rompin. As such, all sport fishing in these waters is strictly for catch and release.

The act has paid dividends as several sailfish breach the surface as we make our way to a fishing area. Ong reveals that it is not uncommon to hook up to several sailfish in a day.

Baiting The Hook

Although these seas have a healthy number of sailfish, tracking them is largely down to technology. Like most fishing vessels that ply their trade out of Kuala Rompin, the Sea Urchin is equipped with a fish finder to help locate sailfish. Captain Radin, the man helming the vessel, also explains that sometimes the best tell is to look at the swarm of birds in the area.

“The moment you see several swooping down to the water, there is a good chance that there is a sailfish there,” he explains. “The sailfish chase swarms of little fish to feed, which sends them fishing upward, allowing the birds to fly down to capture them as well. It’s basically a natural team effort.”

1. Sailfish that are caught are always returned to sea 2. For a diehard fan, the fishing is never done even when the sun sets 3. The Sea Urchin is home to anglers during sailfish season

Fast Facts Sport fishing is not allowed during the

3.5 hours by car

Kuala Rompin is

northeast monsoon

from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore

Sailfishing season begins in March and ends in early November

The sailfish fishing area is approximately

25-30 metres deep

from mid-November to February.

There are

PAHANG

two main

Kuala Rompin

subspecies of sailfish – Atlantic and Indo-Pacific – off Kuala Rompin

goingplacesmagazine.com / 49 / December 2017

2

“The only thing we get to keep are the photos and the memories,” stresses Ong. “Once we capture the fish, we unhook it, snap a photo and it’s returned to the sea before it experiences exhaustion or injury. The conservative efforts to ensure the survivability of the species have paid off as the area is now a prominent and thriving sailfish hotspot.”

Unplugged: Travel /

Kuala Rompin, Pahang

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5 After The Fishing Is Done

As the lines are reeled in, Captain Radin sets a course for Pulau Tulai. This protected marine park is to be our home for the night before our journey back to Kuala Rompin, and it’s part of the overall experience provided by Ong and his crew, operating as Sport Fishing Asia. goingplacesmagazine.com / 50 / December 2017

4. Huge schools of sailfish began to appear in Kuala Rompin in 1998 5. One of Sea Urchin‘s comfortable and colourful cabins

As soon as the fish finder sends out a ping, Captain Radin brings the vessel to a halt, and the fishing starts. Deckhands begin baiting hooks with baitfish caught earlier and casting them out to sea with the aid of little balloons that act like buoys.

“The balloons are markers, allowing us to see where the baitfish swims to and where our lines are,” explains our captain. Kuala Rompin’s reputation as a sailfish hotspot is proven as one of the lines gets snapped up within minutes.

“Fish on!” yells the deckhand. He is convinced that we have hooked a sailfish, and he passes the rod over for the arduous task of reeling the fish in.

The Thrill Of The Battle

It takes minutes for us to come to grips with what is at the end of the line. With the sailfish breaching the surface, it is clear that it is a decent-sized creature. The deckhand instinctively springs into action, fetching a waist harness while Captain Radin expertly manoeuvres the vessel to ensure the line doesn’t get snagged or cut.

With the deckhand providing guidance, the task of bringing the fish in begins. We pull, bending the rod and tightening the line before giving it some slack to slowly reel in the fish.

The fight takes 30 minutes, with our backs and arms feeling worse for wear but the excitement not waning.

Malaysia Airlines flies 18 times weekly from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kuantan (KUA).

From Kuantan, Kuala Rompin is less than two hours by car.

Eventually the fish gives in. One of the seasoned deckhands masterfully unhooks the fish and lifts it into the boat for the momentous photo. It’s a five-footer, which undoubtedly makes for an Instagrammable picture. Cameras snap away for only a few seconds before the fish is returned to the sea, where it will live on to be caught and be a part of someone else’s memory of a lifetime.

By the end of the day, we hook seven fish and land four, proving what anglers and fishermen have known about Kuala Rompin all these years.

“We want to provide not just a fishing experience but also a leisurely escape for all our guests – even those who don’t fish!” jokes Ong. Part of the beauty of the Sea Urchin is that it provides the creature comforts people have grown accustomed to on land such as hot showers, air-conditioning and cosy beds. “We want to deliver an elevated experience for all our guests, whether it is fishing or just an excursion out to sea,” he says.

Certainly, the Sea Urchin with its well-appointed cabins and facilities is perfect for an adventure, which is why Ong invested in the vessel in the first place. “We started out two years ago and it was born out of personal interests,” he explains. “I like fishing and saw the potential of providing a service to help boost the sport fishing industry here in Kuala Rompin.”

Business is booming as the Sea Urchin is regularly booked for private excursions. “Our main clientele is mostly European and Japanese, and it costs about RM28,000 (USD6,610) for a three-day, two-night excursion for six. For that, they get the whole yacht, the crew and meals, and we hope, a truly unbelievable fishing experience.”

We set up anchor in one of Pulau Tulai’s coves, alongside traditional fishing boats that have also taken shelter from the open sea. Guests can snorkel in the pristine waters around this uninhabited paradise or just sit on deck and admire the view. As the sun sets, the Sea Urchin’s cook fires up the outdoor barbecue for a well-earned dinner.

The evening ends with revelry and grilled seafood and meat.

Stories of the day’s adventure are exchanged over good food, drinks and company as guests and crew recount their momentous catches and mull over the ones that got away.

The conversations go on long into the night, fuelled by the promise that tomorrow will bring a bigger catch or a sailfish that proves most difficult to land. Those, after all, make for the best fishing stories.

_GP Dec2017_Advertorial.pdf

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PHOTO BLUE CICADA PHOTOGRAPHY

goingplacesmagazine.com / 54 / December 2017

Top Tables Malaysia’s best new restaurants of 2017 bring out buoyant, borderless cuisine.

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/ Unplugged: Gourmet Malaysia's Best New Restaurants 2017

PHOTO CHIU'S

PHOTO BIRCH

Words Sean Yoong

1. Cocott' promises hearty, convivial spreads 2. Chiu's signature rice bowls reveal local roots 3. Shell out for smoked quail eggs at Birch

goingplacesmagazine.com / 55 / December 2017

2 FROM A BORNEO RESTAURANT that blends indigenous ingredients with international influences, to fresh hotspots for French, Indian and Italian cooking in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has embraced new eateries this year that represent a melting pot of the world in one country. Here are our favourite latest dining destinations nationwide, boiled down into one list.

Birch Fast becoming a magnet for brunch obsessives, Birch’s seductive setting is soaked in sunlight, saturated with greenhouse-inspired aesthetics and suffused with chirpy vibes in Kuala Lumpur’s Damansara City Mall. The restaurant begins its mornings bright and fresh, beckoning early birds for trendy favourites like the Birch Benedict, layered with luscious poached eggs, spiced pulled chicken and barbecue sauce on thick seven-grain sourdough toast. Once the sun sets, late owls will flock for Birch’s night menu, which includes smoked quail eggs, lamb leg skewers and seabream cooked in a Josper charcoal oven. birch.com.my

Chiu’s Eugene Chiu’s eponymous first restaurant heralds his return to his hometown of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state in Borneo. Chiu spent several years studying finance in London, where he absorbed gastronomic inspirations from Michelin-starred establishments as well as street food purveyors. He recently left his corporate career to launch a restaurant where he strives to work with farmers and food producers to spotlight domestic produce without being yoked to a specific cuisine. Specialities at Chiu’s, whose tagline is ‘The Modern Local’, include a beef rice bowl with components such as local hill brown rice, pickled papayas, and something that’s unique to Sabah: tuhau serunding, a wild ginger-based delicacy that’s cherished by Sabah’s Kadazan ethnic community. Chiu’s take on risotto also relies on mushrooms that are Borneo-

3 grown, while the beef rendang ravioli features a local ulam raja salad sprinkling. facebook.com/chius.my

Cocott’ Fans of feel-good communal feasting will favour Cocott', where everything from crusty house-baked bread to beef bourguignon is served in cast-iron cocottes. Rui-Yang Monico (an alumnus of the Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne school of hospitality) has teamed up with Lyon-raised Geoffroi Herin (who formerly cooked at Annecy-le-Vieux's two-Michelin-star Le Clos des Sens) to cultivate a casual sanctuary for soulful French roasts, stews and casseroles in Kuala Lumpur’s Taman Tun Dr Ismail suburban enclave. Cocott's oeuvre is an ode to rich, robust flavours and time-honoured, cooked-fromscratch techniques, typified by the sumptuousness of baked escargots, free-range chicken with Montpellier butter, or sliced rib-eye with red onions and mustard marmalade. The restaurant’s monthly raclette cheese dinners are colossally popular too. cocottkl.com

PHOTO ENFD

Unplugged: Gourmet / Malaysia's Best New Restaurants 2017

ENFD

4 PHOTO KIKUBARI

ENFD, an abbreviation of ‘enfold’, mainly offers customers the simple but satisfying experience of mixing and matching a main course with side dishes for its lunchtime meals, rooted in Asian flavours. The selection evolves regularly at this down-to-earth location in George Town, the capital of northern Penang island. Mains might comprise chicken braised with spicy fermented beans or fried with sticky ginger lime sauce, alongside accompaniments like aubergine with Chinese Teochew dressing, corn with curry leaves, or coleslaw with cumin yogurt. If you’d like to savour a different side of ENFD, reserve a private-kitchen dinner, which might yield temptations such as chilli-poached octopus, herb-cured duck carpaccio and smoked salted chocolate. enfd.co

Kikubari

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5 environmental activist parents, Wong eloquently advocates cooking without waste; seasonal specials might include prawn heads turned into an addictive indulgence, furnished with the umami of prawn-infused cream, sprinkled with seaweed and seaweed powder. Kikubari’s wines are exclusively European, in line with an emphasis on terroir, but it's also interesting to see how sake can buoy a tasting menu here from start to finish. kikubari-dc3.com

Nadodi

PHOTO NADODI

goingplacesmagazine.com / 56 / December 2017

Kikubari is a restaurant that strives to live up to its name, a reference to the Japanese philosophy of being mindful of the needs and comfort of people around you. Chef Jun Wong, back in Malaysia after five years abroad at Tokyo's Narisawa, Macau's Robuchon au Dome and Sydney's Sixpenny and Le Petit Flot, commands a kitchen that promises a perceptive blend of Japanese and French sensibilities. The setting in Kuala Lumpur’s Damansara City Mall is intimate, with a handful of tables spread out over a raked-sand zen garden sheltered by a raised glass floor, plus several coveted bar seats overlooking the open kitchen. The menu is neatly split into tapas-style offerings and five-to-eight-course tasting menus. Raised by

A meal at Nadodi is meant to be an odyssey, traversing the rice paddies of Tamil Nadu, the coastal fisheries of Kerala and the crop fields of the Jaffna Peninsula. This is a restaurant of ambition and adventure, named for the Malayalam word for 'wanderer,' rooted in an Indian and Sri Lankan heritage while restlessly forging a fresh path that has sparked a wave of culinary chatter in Kuala Lumpur. Guests can venture on a 15- or 17-Mile Journey, reflecting the number of courses showcased in a tasting menu by executive chef Johnson Ebenezer (formerly based in Chennai) and his team.

The many memorable possibilities include the signature Monsoon Ritual (tomato broth with spiced lentils, served with a striking flourish) and Silence Of Our Lamb (sous-vide lamb with curry leaf soot). nadodikl.com

4. ENFD conjures chocolate magic in the evening 5. Kikubari's small plates are big on beauty 6. Chef Ebenezer makes a major debut at Nadodi 7. Pizzas are Proof's passion

PHOTO PROOF

Proof Proof might be the pizzeria and wine bar of our dreams, offering intriguing wood-fired pizzas in an irresistible setting that's Tuscany by way of Tribeca. The pizzas convey deep reservoirs of flavour, with toppings like crab claw flesh, hickory-smoked bacon or ‘nduja salumi spread over a base that’s crisp but tender to the touch, airy to the bite – the result of fresh dough that's proofed for two days before being scorched in Italian-built ovens whose temperatures spiral to a high of 350°C. With vintage Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross playing on the soundtrack, the mood is exuberant – you might find yourself engaging in unexpected conversations with nearby tables and swapping slices of pizzas to sample at this venue in Kuala Lumpur’s Bangsar neighbourhood. facebook.com/proofpizzaAPW

About the writer

Sean was a political journalist for The Associated Press for 15 years before he found his mid-life calling to write about food. He founded Eat Drink KL, Malaysia’s top food and beverage review website, and has so far reviewed more than 3,000 restaurants in the greater Kuala Lumpur area and beyond. Sean was named Malaysia’s top food influencer

by Influence Asia in 2015. eatdrinkkl.com

ADV PNB PerdanaKL new.indd 1

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goingplacesmagazine.com / 58 / December 2017

Well-shod Put your best foot forward with these Malaysian boutique shoe brands.

Zeve Zaid Arif has an affinity for shoes, especially Italian shoes, which he collects. "I only own one pair of sneakers, and that's for sports," he says. It is only fitting that he should turn his passion into a vocation. Zaid started in the shoe business selling cheap, fashionable women's shoes, but a desire to make his mark meant that he was soon exploring different pastures.

"I did my research and found that the market for Italiandesigned shoes was underserved," says Zaid. Inspired, he closed the shoe store and started his brand of quality but affordable footwear for men called Zeve Shoes. Zeve is Aramaic for wolf.

The handcrafted leather shoes are positioned for the 25-to35 young professionals market with some but not too much cash to spare. Zaid designs the shoes, favouring classic styles such as tassel loafers, double monk straps, Oxford lace-ups and penny loafers, which he dresses up in bold colours and patterns.

Despite the wide variety of options, customers usually choose the more conservative styles. "Always black," Zaid

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Words Tan Lee Kuen Photography SooPhye

Boutique Shoes

/ Trendspotting

muses. However, he hasn't given up yet and when inspiration strikes, will introduce a fancy new idea, such as camouflagepatterned loafers, to complement his existing favourites.

He'll test the waters for new designs on social media, where his customers give valuable feedback.

Zaid walks the talk of his shoes, nattily suited up by his clothing partner that shares the same shop space as Zeve Shoes in the Etiqa Twins building. He prides himself on his shoes, and when asked what one can tell of a man from his choice of footwear, he answers, "Everything." zeveshoes.com

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XALF Design goingplacesmagazine.com / 59 / December 2017

TV sitcom Sex and the City is the inspiration behind custommade shoemaker XALF Design – "the cosmopolitan vibe, the energy, the empowered women, and of course, those Manolo Blahniks! It's feminism that does not require the stereotypical idea of bra-burning, but rather enjoying and celebrating womanhood. That is the essence of XALF," says Xavier Mah. Founded in 2013, XALF Design was set up by Alfred Hor and Mah to offer handcrafted shoes with an edge, suitable for the fashion-forward woman who knows her style. "I want to create unique footwear that complements the beauty of the woman wearing it instead of taking the attention away from her," says Hor, who has a degree in fashion design from RMIT Melbourne, Australia.

XALF Design shoes can be purchased online where customers can customise the shoes by choosing the styles they want, as well as leather and materials. Special requests such as mismatched pairs for different-sized feet can also be made while placing your order.

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5 For the best fit, customers based in the greater Kuala Lumpur area should visit XALF Design's showroom in Mont Kiara "We always encourage our customers to visit us in person because then we can educate them about the process of making a shoe and why some ideas might or might not work well," says Mah. Each pair of shoes is made to order to individual specifications in Kuala Lumpur. XALF employs traditional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, which is why its footwear has been spotted on the likes of Japanese model Ai Tominaga and Hong Kong actress Charmaine Sheh. xalfdesign.com

Nelissa Hilman Nelissa Hilman has an Italian connection. Founder Nelissa sought to satisfy her curiosity on how shoes are made by enrolling in the Polimoda Fashion Institute in Florence where she learnt the art from the best. Upon her return to Malaysia, she worked for a local shoe manufacturer to understand the way the local market worked before launching Nelissa Hilman in 2012, offering quality women's leather shoes online.

1. XALF shoes are made to order and have been spotted on international celebrities 2.–3. Zaid Arif started Zeve Shoes to serve young professionals 4.–5. Xavier Mah (right) and Alfred Hor (left) started XALF Design to create unique footwear that complements a woman's beauty

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Boutique Shoes

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9 been "organic," says Hilman, a little wryly. "For a long time, I just wanted to make good shoes." nelissahilman.com

6.–7. Nelissa Hilman shoes are a cult favourite in Malaysia and Southeast Asia 8.–9. The husband-andwife team of Alessandro Gan and Cheyenne Looi founded Kate Mosella after Looi failed to find the perfect pair of shoes for her wedding

Nelissa's interest in shoemaking came from looking for proper shoes for her own feet. "I have wide feet, and I love flats," she says. It was only natural that her first design was the chic Duma flats, which became one of the brand's signature shoes. Other best-sellers since include the Alya sandal, Norah mules and Sakura sliders. Her shoe designs are classic favourites spruced up in contemporary silhouettes, colours and embellishments.

The shoes are handmade in Malaysia by local craftspeople, under her watchful Italian-trained eye for optimal quality. "As well as supporting the local industry and for research and development, it is easier to work with local partners," she says. Hilman regularly collaborates with fashion designers, artists and design studios on collections and events.

Besides making shoes that women love to wear, Hilman is taking care of her ecological footprint by sourcing for materials locally as much as possible. Malaysia is not a leather-producing country, so she's had to buy stock leather directly from Italian tanneries. These could be overruns, tannery lots and sample stocks from seasons past, some of which are from top luxury brands.

This mindfulness combined with a dedication to quality has garnered Nelissa Hilman a loyal following that is likely to be strengthened with the opening of her brick-and-mortar shop in Bangsar Village. The rise of the Nelissa Hilman brand has

Kate Mosella Cheyenne Looi was frustrated. Three months to her wedding date and she was hunting for shoes that would make her look and feel like the queen of the day, as well as match her height up with her husband-to-be, Alessandro Gan. Failing to find a perfect match, she settled on a pair of store-bought shoes that pinched her feet.

Looi was determined that no bride should have to go through the same ordeal. Together with Gan, she launched Kate Mosella five years ago, working with a local shoemaker to produce custom-made bridal shoes.

At the showroom on the second floor of a shop-lot in the SS2 neighbourhood of Petaling Jaya in the state of Selangor, customers will enjoy personal consultation and their pick of styles, materials and accessories for their dream wedding shoes. Looi imports natural and printed lamb leather from China in a wide range of colours and patterns. "Brides should have their choice of colours," she says emphatically.

Kate Mosella offers a comprehensive range of styles, but customers are welcome to bring their own designs.

Customers should allow a delivery estimate of 30 to 45 days from the first consultation to the final shoe, including alterations. The wait will be worth it for the perfect fit to complete the fairy tale wedding. katemosella.com.my

PHOTO ADAM LEE

goingplacesmagazine.com / 62 / December 2017

Diana Chan /

Words Zurien Onn

Chef’s Cut

The Home Girl WHEN ACCOUNTANT DIANA CHAN TOOK A SHOT at getting a spot on the ninth season of MasterChef Australia, it was a now-or-never decision for her. Little did the Malaysian know she would be crowned the winner.

“I have been following the show since Season One, and the only thing that held me back was that each year it got harder and harder. So, I was afraid of how embarrassing it would be if I failed on national television,” admits Chan. “With a little push from family, friends and my partner, though, I decided ‘You know what? Why not?’ I’m at a time in my life where I’m not married yet and have no children, and it’s probably the only time for me to do it. So I did it!”

1. Steamed Fillet of Garoupa with Asam Pedas sauce (recipe on the next page)

The win was celebrated by Malaysians who follow the show – made sweeter by the fact that Chan is an actual Malaysian, not just one with a vague connection to relatives in the country. The Sitiawan-born, Johor Bahru-bred lass moved to Melbourne when she was 19 to study at Deakin University and has been a permanent resident there since securing a job at one of the top accounting firms in the world following her graduation.

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Chan is still proud of her Malaysian as well as Peranakan roots. Being Peranakan, also known as Baba Nyonya or Straits Chinese with their own unique culture and traditions, influenced her love of food and cooking. Cutting her teeth on her mother’s Peranakan cooking was how Chan learnt the fundamentals of cooking.

“Preparing Nyonya dishes takes a lot of care, a lot of love and a lot of time. That’s how I learned how to prepare ingredients properly,” says Chan, who adds that she grew up in a household where both parents are amazing cooks. “We were a typical Asian family, and the whole family would always be present for dinner and we’d talk about our day and our plans over an abundance of good food.”

Sounds like what it must have been like in the house she shared with the 23 other contestants from the show.

“The overall experience was incredible. It was beyond my expectations,” Chan says about being on MasterChef Australia. “You meet amazing chefs and get to cook in some of the world’s best restaurants and get training like no other.

It was seven months of intensive training – I’ll probably never get to have this experience again where I lived with 23 other crazy foodies and we eat, sleep and breathe food. The experience was out of this world.”

The show itself was a pressure cooker. “It’s a lot of stress when you’re cooking, and the camera’s in your face and you can’t hide. And the producers always catch you at the wrong time!” Diana had her own way of getting around this, especially when she made a mistake during cooking. “If I burn something, I quickly hide it,” she reveals. “Or you just swear! If you swear, they don’t film you, as they’ll need to beep out your language!”

She learned a lot on the show, which apparently was more serious than what goes on air, but also not as depressing as some scenes might seem. “The judges are pushy and can be in your face, and they don’t show the harshest feedback on TV,” Chan divulges. “Of course, it’s constructive and all good.

They also don’t show how the judges can be quite nurturing and will give you a pat on the back if you deserve it.”

goingplacesmagazine.com / 63 / December 2017

The Malaysian winner of the latest season of MasterChef Australia talks about being on the show and her collaboration with Malaysia Airlines.

Chef’s Cut /

Diana Chan

Business Class passengers can look forward to the Steamed Fillet of Garoupa with Asam Pedas sauce, specially curated by Diana Chan and Malaysia Airlines’ in-flight catering team, on selected flights from Kuala Lumpur to Australia and New Zealand.

Passengers on selected flights from Australia to Kuala Lumpur will be served the special Tarragon and Lemon Roast Chicken with quinoa, roasted vegetables and classic gravy.

Being on the show was also good for exploring alternatives in cooking and adapting to different situations. Says Chan, “It’s definitely not one of those shows where you go on to look pretty. They put you through some tough conditions like when we were in Japan and the challenge was on a rooftop – it was four degrees, and we were freezing.”

On the other side of the spectrum was when the contestants had to cook in rural Victoria: “We had to cook in the salt flats and you had to wear sunglasses because it was too bright, and it was hot and you were sweating.”

This was good, though extreme, training for Chan’s collaboration with Malaysia Airlines to create a dish for Malaysia’s national carrier. There are several challenges to preparing airline food, most notably how it tastes at high altitudes, how it looks, and the cost. goingplacesmagazine.com / 64 / December 2017

Chan plans to address these challenges by exploring her options. Her focus is in creating something flavourful that diners can make at home, so she is keeping it simple and utilising local, seasonal ingredients but without compromising taste.

“The challenge with in-flight food is that you need to create food that travels well. The taste has to be more enhanced so it has to be a food that is jam-packed with flavour,” she explains.

Of course, the dish would have a Malaysian twist. For this, Chan looked at some of her childhood favourites as part of her inspiration. “With some, like the jiu hu char (stir-fried jicama), I think that can be done as an alternative to salad.

Meanwhile, laksa (spicy noodle soup) may not travel well, but I can use the paste and use that flavour to create something else, like pair it with roast chicken. Just try to think outside the box, taking things that are true to your heart but just changing it a little bit to adapt to the situation.”

What does she think of Malaysia Airlines’ onboard hospitality and how does she plan to make it better? “The food is great – one of the best satays I’ve had in my life. And that’s a big call!”

Praising the excellent service, Chan does have a suggestion that calls for simplicity. “Sometimes, I think less is more – better to have two or three super-tasty items on a plate than having five items,” she suggests. This philosophy echoes her plans for her own restaurant someday – a philosophy we can look forward to when boarding a Malaysia Airlines flight when her dish is served.

“Number one for me is taste, followed on par by freshness, while keeping my eye on its nutritional values,” says Chan.

“Malaysians know when food doesn’t taste good, so you can’t serve them something that’s subpar. Thus, you can’t discount taste.”

Cook Like A MasterChef Learn how to make the Steamed Fillet of Garoupa with Asam Pedas sauce.

Ingredients: 6 100gms Garoupa fillet, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper

• For the sauce 1 tomato (cut into wedges) 4 kaffir lime leaves (torn) ½ teaspoon of turmeric 2 sprigs of Vietnamese mint ¼ cup of vegetable oil 2 tablespoons of brown sugar Salt to taste Juice of 1 lime

• Spice paste: 3 cloves of garlic 2 stalks of lemongrass (white part only) 4 shallots 10 dried chillies 2 fresh long red chillies 1 inch belacan (shrimp paste) 1 inch galangal

• Tamarind Juice: 1¼ cup of water 3 tablespoons of tamarind pulp (soaked in water) or use tamarind paste

Method: 1. To cook the Garoupa fillets, season the fillets with some salt, then steam for 8-10 minutes until the flesh has turned opaque.

Set aside.

2. Grind the spice paste in a food processor. Set aside.

3. Soak the tamarind pulp in warm water for 15 minutes.

Squeeze the tamarind pulp constantly to extract the flavour into the water. Drain the pulp and save the tamarind juice.

4. Heat oil and fry the spice paste for 2 minutes or until fragrant.

5. Add the juices of lime and tamarind and turmeric powder and bring to boil.

6. Add the tomato wedges, kaffir lime leaves and Vietnamese mint and bring to boil. Add salt, and brown sugar.

7. Add in 2 cups of water and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes or until thick and reduced.

8. When done, pass the liquid through a sieve and into serving jugs.

9. Pour onto the steamed fish to serve.

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PHOTO CHRISTIAN LOADER / SCUBAZOO.COM

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Protecting Borneo Borneo’s fabled waters and jungles are under threat, but thankfully, organisations are working to save them.

WITH A WAFT OF HIS FINS , Dave McCann makes his way from one patch

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Scuba Junkie’s Environmental Officer is not alone. On the reefs just off Mabul Island in Malaysia’s Borneo state of Sabah, he is joined by other Divemasters and guests, who clutch nappies, plastic bottles, sweet wrappers and even a washing machine, part of an estimated trillions of pieces of marine debris.

Worldwide, plastic production has increased twentyfold since 1964 and is expected to double in the next 20 years and quadruple by 2050. With much of this making its way into the sea, the effects on marine life are catastrophic. An estimated 270,000 tonnes of plastic float on the surface of the ocean, causing around 100,000 animals a year to die from ingestion and entanglement.

A report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation warns that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish. We are

PHOTO CHRISTIAN LOADER / SCUBAZOO.COM

of coral to the next, scouring it for signs of litter. Spotting yet another instant coffee sachet, he plucks it off a piece of table coral, before stuffing it into a large bin bag that bellows in the current. One down, 5.25 trillion to go.

Protecting Borneo

/ Giving Back

currently contemplating a planet with more trash than turtles, more wrappers than whales, more bottles than bottlenose dolphins.

Founded just over a decade ago, Scuba Junkie has grown from a one-man-band, based out of a small concrete office in Sabah, to one of Southeast Asia’s most successful dive operators. Scuba Junkie now has bases in Kota Kinabalu, Mabul and Semporna in Sabah, and Komodo and Derawan in Indonesia.

Its growth can, in part, be attributed to its emphasis on environmentalism. Along with regular reef and beach clean-ups, Scuba Junkie holds annual Turtle, Marine and Shark Weeks, which promote community engagement and education. It also has a turtle hatchery programme and has even formed its own environmental arm, SEAS.

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relentless and tomorrow more will need collecting. Yet if every dive operator showed the same commitment to conservation, it would be a significant step in the right direction.

Primates In Focus With rainforests that are home to elephants, sun bears, clouded leopards and more, the jungles of Borneo are some of the most ecologically rich on the planet. They are, however, among the most threatened. Only half of Borneo’s rainforests remain, down from 75 percent in the mid-1980s.

The primary driver behind this deforestation is the agriculture industry, particularly palm oil. Found in around 50 percent of products on supermarket shelves, palm oil is a highly versatile and ubiquitous vegetable oil. While it forms an important part of Malaysia’s economy, its profits don’t come without costs.

“Our customers have been very responsive to our green policies and love getting stuck in when they visit us. They know we can’t just keep pillaging from our oceans – we need to give back or there won’t be anything left for us to enjoy,” says co-founder Ric Owen, his views illustrating why Scuba Junkie offers a blueprint for the global dive industry.

The poster child of Bornean conservation is the critically endangered orangutan. As their habitat disappears, populations have plummeted. Bornean orangutan numbers are estimated to have fallen 50 percent over the past 60 years, and a whopping 25 percent in the last decade alone.

As Dave and his band of workers haul their bulging bags of trash back to the dive centre, the tourists appear quietly satisfied with their morning’s work. On a global scale, they have barely scraped the surface: the plastics machine is

Founded in 1964, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre offers a safe home for up to 80 confiscated orangutans that were victims of deforestation and the illegal pet trade. The facility also provides much-needed medical

1. Rangers for the Wildlife Rescue Unit tend to orphaned baby elephants in Sepilok 2. Scuba Junkie’s work to keep the reefs clean is a never-ending process 3. Elisa Panjang attaches a satellite collar to a pangolin 4. A protected hatchery for turtle eggs and hatchlings to increase their chances of survival 5. A tarsier gets a satellite collar for researchers to map its home range

goingplacesmagazine.com / 67 / December 2017

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PHOTO GIL WOOLLEY / SCUBAZOO.COM

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PHOTO AARON GEKOSKI / SCUBAZOO.COM

PHOTO AARON GEKOSKI / SCUBAZOO.COM

Words Aaron Gekoski Photography Scubazoo

Giving Back / Protecting Borneo

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PHOTO GIL WOOLLEY / SCUBAZOO.COM

are currently contemplating ‘‘aWe planet with more trash than turtles, more wrappers than whales, more bottles than bottlenose dolphins.

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care, while a rehabilitation programme teaches young orangutans how to forage and climb and other skills necessary to survive in the jungle.

In The Heart Of The Jungle While the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre offers a snapshot into conservation efforts, another institution offers opportunities for a more in-depth insight. With its headquarters on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) aids conservation through scientific research.

At this remote research centre, students converge to study Borneo’s unique blend of charismatic creatures. They use a mix of state-of-the-art gadgets combined with rough-andready field-developed tools to assess, track and observe animals in their natural habitat.

Local researcher Elisa Panjang is only the second person to have ever tagged a Sunda pangolin. Meg Evans spends her days laying traps for her beloved civets, while primatologist Danica Stark often waits for slow lorises to emerge out of trees at dusk to defecate.

Then there is reptile expert Richard Burger: he gets his kicks from jumping off moving boats on top of pythons, and then taking stool samples, which offer valuable insights into an animal’s diet, potential diseases and more. Other researchers spend their days analysing images from camera traps, preparing satellite tags, writing up reports, and more.

DGFC attracts both local and international volunteers with an interest in science and conservation. What DGFC lacks in luxuries, it makes up for in experiences: volunteers help scientists in their daily pursuits as they gain an intimate insight into Borneo’s wildlife and the threats they face.

“During their stay, volunteers will get a completely new perspective on the jungle,” says founder Dr. Benoit Goossens. “Where else can you experience these animals out

7 How You Can Help 1. Take part in Scuba Junkie’s conservation programmes by signing up for one of its scuba diving courses. scuba-junkie.com 2. Donate to Orangutan Appeal UK or adopt an orphaned orangutan at the Sepilok rehabilitation centre to help raise funds for existing projects. orangutan-appeal.org.uk

PHOTO JASON ISLEY / SCUBAZOO.COM

goingplacesmagazine.com / 68 / December 2017

On a strip of protected land on the edge of Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve, guests can traverse the forest to a viewing platform. Here, they can observe the animals in a semi-wild location, and even watch them being fed twice a day. It’s of little surprise that this is one of Borneo’s most popular tourist attractions.

6. The Wildlife Rescue Unit releases a rehabilitated orangutan back into the jungle 7. Turtle hatchlings make their way into the ocean

3. Be a volunteer at the Danau Girang Field Centre to assist in various projects. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of two months. cardiff.ac.uk/danau-girang-field-centre

in the wild and know that you’re contributing to science at the same time?”

Data produced by DGFC is helping to fill in the blanks surrounding Borneo’s wildlife and mitigate human-animal conflict. Dr Goossens and his team work closely with the government to create policies to protect wildlife. By visiting centres like DGFC, Scuba Junkie and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, guests are helping to secure a future for Borneo’s wildlife. They might also have the experience of a lifetime in the process.

To watch these organisations in action, visit scubazoo.tv.

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Warisan Diraja Bandar Diraja Pahang atau Pekan bakal menjadi destinasi terhangat dalam peta pelancongan negara. goingplacesmagazine.com / 70 / December 2017

Bandar Diraja Pahang /

Warisan

Teks Alexandra Wong Foto SooPhye Terjemahan Yeo Li Shian

2 1. Bangunan Muzium Masjid Sultan Abdullah kini mempamerkan artefak warisan Islam The Sultan Abdullah Mosque Museum now displays Islamic civilisation artefacts 2. Pintu gerbang ke kediaman rasmi Sultan Pahang The archway to the official residence of the Sultan of Pahang 3. Arca kuda kayu di perkarangan Muzium Sultan Abu Bakar Wooden horse sculptures dot the lawn of the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum

DI MANA SAHAJA ANDA BERADA DI BANDAR DIRAJA PAHANG , iaitu Pekan, istilah ‘diraja’ pastinya terpampang di depan mata.

Misalnya, Puding Raja dan penenun diraja. Malah, hotel pertama yang berstatus empat bintang di Pekan turut mengabadikan istilah tersebut pada namanya, Ancasa Royale Pekan.

Untuk memahami rasa kasih penduduk setempat terhadap kerabat diraja Pahang, mungkin perlu melihat kembali asalusul bandar Pekan. Seperti kebanyakan tamadun utama, Pekan menjadi pilihan sebagai kediaman kerabat diraja dahulu kala kerana lokasinya yang strategik. Bandar diraja Pahang itu terletak di tebing Sungai Pahang iaitu laluan air terpanjang di Semenanjung Malaysia.

Ketika kemuncak perkembangannya, Pekan pernah menjadi sebuah pelabuhan sibuk yang padat dengan aktiviti perdagangan kain sutera dan besi berharga. Menurut buku History of Ming, sesi kunjungan diplomasi antara Pahang dan China juga pernah direkodkan lebih daripada sekali. Ini termasuklah kunjungan laksamana terkemuka, Cheng Ho pada tahun 1412.

Berikutan kebangkitan Kesultanan Melaka, peranan penting Pekan sebagai pusat pentadbiran semakin merosot apabila kerajaan kolonial British mula mengalihkan kuasa pentadbirannya ke Kuala Lipis pada tahun 1981. Sejak itu, Pekan yang terletak kira-kira 40 kilometer dari ibu negeri Pahang, Kuantan kini menjadi laluan penghubung ke destinasi menarik lain seperti tasik air tawar terkemuka, Tasik Chini dan Taman Negara Endau Rompin. Walaupun menawarkan pemandangan kampung dan aura gaya hidup yang indah serta menenangkan, pengunjung biasanya cepat beralih ke destinasi lain. Ramai yang masih tidak menyedari keunikan kawasan bersejarah ini.

Malangnya, sesetengah daripada bangunan bersejarah ini sudah lama terbengkalai, semakin reput atau telah dirobohkan. Nasib Pekan bagaimanapun mula berubah selepas anak jatinya, YAB Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang keenam. Selain itu, sebuah badan kerajaan, Majlis Pembangunan Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECERDC) turut mengusahakan satu inisiatif besar untuk menghidupkan semula kawasan dermaga Pekan yang bersejarah itu. Proses pemulihan bermula dengan sesetengah destinasi penting di kawasan tersebut.

Pernah menjadi kediaman warga Britain, penempatan askar Jepun, istana diraja dan juga muzium, Muzium Sultan Abu Bakar menjadi bangunan kolonial lama pertama yang dipulihkan semula. Kerja-kerja menaiktaraf ini merangkumi aspek memperhalusi seni bina, landskap dan penambahan kemudahan teknologi moden bagi memberi pengunjung pengalaman berbeza. Keseluruhan projek pembaikpulihan ini menelan kos perbelanjaan bernilai RM16 juta dan akhirnya dirasmikan semula pada Oktober 2012.

Menariknya, muzium tersebut turut menerima Anugerah Emas (pengiktirafan pertama buat calon Malaysia) di Majlis

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goingplacesmagazine.com / 71 / December 2017

“Kerabat diraja yang pernah menetap dan mentadbir Pekan sejak berkurun-kurun lamanya sebelum ini telah meninggalkan banyak warisan bersejarah berharga.

Kebanyakan khazanah ini masih belum mendapat perhatian golongan penyelidik dan ahli akademik,” cerita anak jati Pekan, Muhamad Anas Aziz, seorang usahawan yang meninggalkan kerjaya lumayan di Kuala Lumpur untuk memerah keringatnya di kampung halaman sejak beberapa tahun lalu. Tambahnya lagi: “Kalau nak tahu, di sekitar kawasan dermaga atau persisiran sungai bersejarah itu pun ada sekurang-kurangnya tujuh buah istana. Inilah Pekan yang kaya dengan khazanah seni bina!”

Warisan / Bandar Diraja Pahang

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5 6 Hakikatnya, rakyat jelata begitu menyayangi kerabat diraja Pekan kerana kegigihan pucuk pimpinannya mempertahankan warisan pusaka Pekan yang tidak terhingga bilangannya. Misalnya, usaha untuk menghidupkan semula teknik tenunan sutera tradisional Pekan terkemuka yang rumit lagi unik, Tenun Pahang Diraja.

Perjuangan ini adalah usaha murni dan peranan penting Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar yang membawa kepada penobatan status ‘diraja’ teknik tenunan tersebut.

Aspek pelancongan di Pekan masih baharu. Namun, pelbagai usaha boleh dilakukan untuk menarik minat pengunjung.

Pada Oktober lalu, satu ekspedisi negara telah diadakan bagi memperingati Laluan Penarikan, iaitu sungai sepanjang 450 kilometer yang pernah diharungi oleh legenda terkemuka, Hang Tuah dalam usaha menjemput jelitawan Pekan, Tun Teja untuk menghadap Sultan Melaka.

Anugerah Rekaan Asia berprestij. Pengiktirafan ini sekali gus membantu meningkatkan rekod bilangan pengunjung ke Pekan daripada 16,000 (2009) sehingga 250,000 antara Oktober 2012 dan Februari 2015.

Daripada sisi perjuangan warisan pula, usaha ini telah memperbanyakkan inisiatif untuk memulihkan lebih banyak bangunan bersejarah dan terbiar lain seperti Masjid Muzium Sultan Abdullah. Usaha ini dilihat telah meningkatkan tahap kesedaran orang ramai tentang kepentingan memulihara khazanah dan warisan budaya. Tiada yang lebih bermakna selain mengabadikan semua pengalaman mewah ini pada simbol-simbol sejarah terkemuka seperti istana-istana lama dan seni kraftangannya, bukan?

Tidak jauh dari pusat pekan tersebut, sebuah Kompleks Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) Serambi Pekan yang menawarkan aneka jenis makanan dan seni turut menyajikan juadah kegemaran kerabat diraja Pekan, Puding Raja buat julung kalinya. Bukan setakat itu sahaja, demi memanfaatkan sejarah samudera Pekan, delta sungai Kuala Pahang kini turut dibangunkan sebagai destinasi tarikan pelancong selain pembangunan laluan pejalan kaki, Terokai Bandar Diraja.

Bagi penduduk tempatan seperti Anas, nilai sebenar Pekan terletak pada kisah-kisah dan khazanahnya yang masih belum diterokai. “Ramai antara kita yang baru mula menghargai warisan ini. Inilah masa terbaik untuk menerokai Pekan,� katanya.

4. Ruang solat di Masjid Sultan Abdullah kini mempamerkan artifak dunia Islam The former prayer space of the Sultan Abdullah Mosque now houses Islamic artefacts 5. Puding Raja Pahang yang mahsyur The famed Pahang Royal Pudding 6. Proses menghasilkan Tenun Pahang Diraja The process of weaving highquality silk

Warisan / Bandar Diraja Pahang

Royal

Renaissance Pahang’s royal town of Pekan could be the next big thing on the heritage tourism map.

Muzium Sultan Abu Bakar yang berciri Inggeris kolonial The Sultan Abu Bakar Museum featuring colonial British architecture

EVERYWHERE YOU TURN IN PEKAN, there’s no escaping royal references. goingplacesmagazine.com / 74 / December 2017

Pudding Raja, or Royal Pudding. Royal weavers. Even the town’s inaugural four-star hotel, Ancasa Royale Pekan, makes a nod to royalty in its name.

To understand the locals’ deep affection for their royal rulers, it pays to go back to Pekan’s origins. Like many great civilisations, Pekan was selected as a royal residence for the old kingdom of Pahang state because of its strategic location on the banks of the Pahang River, Peninsular Malaysia's longest waterway. At its peak, Pekan was a vibrant port that saw the trade of luxurious silks and precious metals. The History of Ming records more than one envoy exchange between Pahang and China, including a visit by legendary Admiral Zheng He in 1412.

Following the rise of the Malaccan Sultanate, Pekan’s importance as a power base dwindled, waning further when British colonials shifted Pahang’s administrative centre to Kuala Lipis in 1891. Since then, Pekan, which lies some 40 kilometres from Pahang’s capital of Kuantan, is treated as a gateway to other attractions such as the freshwater lake Tasik Chini and the Endau Rompin National Park. Despite heaping praise on its picturesque countryside and laidback vibe, visitors don’t stick around for long – not realising that they’re missing out on a major historical site.

“Multiple generations of royal families who lived and ruled here left behind a staggering legacy of historical monuments and intangible heritage, many of which have escaped the attention of researchers and scholars,” says Pekan native Muhamad Anas Aziz, an entrepreneur who left a lucrative job in Kuala Lumpur to serve his hometown several years ago. “To give you an idea of how architecturally rich Pekan is, there are at least seven palaces within striking distance of the historic waterfront!”

Unfortunately, some of these historical structures have been abandoned, left to rot away or worse, demolished.

Pekan's fortunes began to change shortly after YAB Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak – a Pekan native – became Malaysia’s Prime Minister in 2009. Government arm East Coast Economic Region Development Council embarked on an ambitious initiative to revive the historic Pekan waterfront, beginning with the restoration of some of its most important landmarks.

The first beneficiary was Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, a colonial building that fell into disrepair after serving variously as British residence, Japanese army barracks, royal palace and museum. Following a RM16 million (USD3.8 million) facelift that involved architectural refinements, landscaping rework and the introduction of modern technology to improve user experience, the museum reopened in October 2012 to critical acclaim – it scooped up a gold award at the prestigious Design for Asia Awards (a first for Malaysia). It is also credited for driving Pekan’s visitor count from 16,000 in 2009 to a whopping 250,000 between October 2012 and February 2015.

From a heritage standpoint, it paved the way for the restoration of other abandoned landmarks such as the Sultan Abdullah Museum Mosque but more significantly, it is generating greater awareness of the value of preserving cultural resources. And what better way than to build a “royal experience” around its most recognisable symbols such as its old palaces and heritage crafts?

In fact, one of the reasons that royalty is so beloved is the leadership in championing Pekan’s intangible heritage. For example, the revived interest in Tenun Pahang Diraja, a complex silk-weaving method unique to Pekan, is commonly attributed to Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, who was instrumental in getting it conferred royal status.

Tourism is still a new player in Pekan but there’s certainly more to do for the visitor these days. Last October, there was a national expedition to commemorate Laluan Penarikan, a 450-kilometre river trail that legendary warrior Hang Tuah took to capture Pekan beauty Tun Teja for the Sultan of Melaka. Just outside the town centre, there’s Serambi Pekan, a food and arts complex that showcases Pekan’s unique heirloom delicacies such as Puding Raja. Still to come: capitalising on the town’s maritime history, the Kuala Pahang river delta is being developed into an attraction point; a Journey Through The Royal Town walking trail is also in the pipeline.

For locals like Muhamad Anas, the true value of Pekan lies in its undiscovered treasures and stories. “Many of us are just starting to peel back the curtain on our heritage. There’s never been a more exciting time to be in Pekan than now.”

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goingplacesmagazine.com / 76 / December 2017

Malaysian Icon /

Datuk R. Arumugam

Words Siva Sithraputhran Photography The Star, Malaysia

Super Shot Stopper With his wide wingspan and instinctive goalkeeping, the late Datuk R. Arumugam was an integral part of Malaysian football history.

Arumugam keeping goal, supported by two other legendary national players Datuk Soh Chin Aun and Datuk Santokh Singh at the back. Together with the likes of Dato’ Mokhtar Dahari up front, they made up the multiracial face of Malaysian football at that time, as talented as it was diverse.

News reports from the time singled out Arumugam for high praise. “Arumugam was once again Malaysia's hero, bringing off super saves as he did against Iran,” Mansoor Rahman wrote in the New Straits Times on 13 September 1974 after Malaysia's goalless draw with a fancied Iraq side. Malaysia went on to win the bronze at the Tehran games, defeating North and South Korea en route, in a feat no Malaysian team has repeated.

“Arumugam's greatest strength lay in his positioning and ability to read the game. He also possessed big-match temperament,” read an obituary published in Singapore’s The Straits Times on 19 December 1988.

Arumugam's debut for Malaysia's national football team came in 1973. He cut his teeth in the World Cup qualifiers and the Southeast Asian Games. From there, his career grew, and at his peak, he was rated among Asia's best goalkeepers. He was blessed with the physique and agility that kept him the top choice for successive teams, earning him 196 caps for Malaysia and the moniker ‘Spiderman’, in a career that spanned two decades.

Arumugam was very much a part of the Golden Era of Malaysian football in the 1970s and 1980s. Malaysia's defence was solid with

The Alert Octopus

These strengths proved crucial when Malaysia qualified for the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow, only for the second time. In the qualifying rounds, the team conceded just three goals and in the final play-off for an Olympic spot, the The Straits Times commended the “alertness of the octopus” goalkeeper, Arumugam.

Sadly, though, the team did not get to compete in the Moscow Olympics as Malaysia joined a host of other nations to boycott the event in protest against the then Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

Malaysia has not qualified for another Olympics since.

The story of the national football team’s 1980 Olympics journey was made into a successful movie, Ola Bola, in 2016, with the character

based on Arumugam featuring prominently, replete with his distinctive mop of curly hair.

Arumugam's goalkeeping prowess also boosted his team in the domestic league, the Selangor FA. He played for the club from 1972 through 1988, helping Selangor remain the most successful club in the Malaysia League.

Arumugam's longevity made him the club's most capped player.

He also represented Malaysia at the biennial Southeast Asian Games seven times, winning golds in 1977 and 1979. Toward the end of his career with the national side, Arumugam captained Malaysia to victory at the Merdeka Cup, a tournament held annually to celebrate Malaysia's independence from Britain.

Arumugam died in a road accident in December 1988. He was 35. By then he had started his own club, Starbrite, in his hometown of Klang. He had also started coaching clinics at schools and had been scheduled to meet sports ministry officials to discuss promoting the game in rural Malaysia.

“He was a steadying influence on the younger generation. He had a lot more to offer,” former teammate, the late Dato' Mokhtar Dahari, told the New Straits Times after the goalkeeper's death.

The Movie Ola Bola is showing onboard.

Check your in-flight entertainment system for channel information.

“

Arumugam's debut for Malaysia's national football team came in 1973. He cut his teeth in the World Cup qualifiers and the Southeast Asian Games.

From there, his career grew, and at his peak, he was rated among Asia's best goalkeepers.

„

goingplacesmagazine.com / 77 / December 2017

THE 1974 ASIAN GAMES IN TEHRAN marked a coming-of-age moment for Malaysian goalkeeper R. Arumugam. Short on experience and pitted against sides with much greater pedigree, he was sorely tested. But save after spectacular save, the 21-year-old kept Malaysia in contention, cementing his place in the first 11 players of the national squad.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 79 / December 2017

Inside Malaysia Airlines

SURABAYA, CHONGQING, HERE WE COME! MALAYSIA AIRLINES ADDED TWO NEW ROUTES to its network in October, and is now offering flights to Surabaya, Indonesia and Chongqing, China from Kuala Lumpur. The airline celebrated the launch of its KL-Surabaya route with a welcome and send-off event at Juanda International Airport, which was graced by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, Indonesian heads of state, aviation officials and the airline’s top management. Passengers to Surabaya were treated to a colourful cultural performance and ribbon-cutting ceremony upon arrival, while passengers onboard the maiden flight to Chongqing were treated to goodie bags and a photo session to mark the occasion.

79 News & Updates From The Airline

82 oneworld Benefit Information

84 Our Fleet Of Aircraft

86 Safety & Service Information

88 Enrich Quick Facts & Guide

90 Our Network & Those Of Our oneworld Partners

Inside Malaysia Airlines

BRAND AND MARKETING EXCELLENCE AWARDS THE

AIRLINE

TOOK

HOME

SEVERAL

AWARDS

RECENTLY, earning praise from customers and

goingplacesmagazine.com / 80 / December 2017

senior marketers for the hard work put in by the team throughout this year. At the eighth Putra Brand Awards, it won Gold in the Transportation, Travel and Tourism category, besting its Silver placing the year before. Chief Commercial Officer Arved von Zur Muehlen said: “We are humbled by the recognition as MAS remains the top brand for Malaysians. The award recognises the hard work of our employees and will keep us striving to be our best.” At the Advertising + Marketing’s annual Marketing Excellence Awards 2017, the airline bagged eight awards, two of which were Gold for excellence in sponsorship activation and in loyalty marketing respectively.

POETS RECOGNISED MALAYSIA AIRLINES’ VERY OWN MH PANTUN TEAM wowed the judges at the Pertandingan Pantun 2017, clinching third prize to walk away with RM1,000 (USD236) in cash, tour vouchers, certificates and a trophy. The Malay language poetry contest, organised by the Malaysian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, aims to uplift the national heritage by recognising local oral customs and practices.

The MH team was represented by Ahmad Fairuz Mokti, Faizal Jon, Mohammad Zini Mohd Haris and Faridah Jon, who competed against 12 teams from various public agencies, private sectors and institutes of higher learning.

DATA CENTRE MIGRATION COMPLETED RELIEF MISSION

MALAYSIA AIRLINES HAS SUCCESSFULLY MIGRATED ITS DATA CENTRE to a fully hybrid-cloud model. The pioneering move,

MALAYSIA AIRLINES, WORKING ONCE AGAIN WITH MALAYSIA AIRPORTS HOLDINGS BERHAD and youth volunteer platform iM4U,

done in partnership with global IT services, consulting and business solutions organisation Tata Consultancy Services, makes the airline the world’s first full-service airline to completely replace its existing data centres and adopt fullscale cloud solutions for its entire range of applications that run mission critical commercial, operations and corporate systems.

coordinated its third relief mission in aid of Rohingya refugees at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. A total of 56.6 tonnes of food and basic necessities such as blankets, soaps and towels were delivered by MASkargo to the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, Bangladesh, where volunteers from iM4U assisted in its distribution to the refugees.

_GP Dec 2017_Sri Acmar.pdf

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082-83.pdf

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083_GP_ONEworld_pg2.pdf

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11/17/17

3:01 PM

Fleet Firefly

Firefly ATR 72-500 Range 15,400km

No. of aircraft 12

Passenger Seating 494

Maximum Fuel Capacity 84,600 US Gallons

Passenger Seating 72

Engine Rolls Royce Trent 970

Maximum Cruising Speed Mach 0.9 (1,102km/h)

Engine PW127M Maximum Fuel Capacity 841 US Gallons

A380-800

Height 24m

A380-800Wingspan 79m

Maximum Cruising Speed 510km/h

Firefly

Firefly Wingspan 27m

Firefly

ATR 72-500

ATR 72-500 ATR 72-500 ATR 72-500 ATR 72-500 Maswings ATR 72-500

A380-800 A380-800

Length 73m

Firefly

Length 27m

A380-800

A380-800

Firefly

Height 8m

A380-800 No. of aircraft 6

Maswings

ATR 72-500 Maswings

A380-800 ATR 72-500

Maximum Fuel Capacity 37,242 US Gallons

Engine Rolls Royce Trent XWB

Maximum Cruising Speed Mach 0.9 (944km/h) Wingspan 64.75m

B777-200

B777-200

No. of aircraft 10 Passenger Seating 68 Engine PW127M Maximum Fuel Capacity 841 US Gallons Maximum Cruising Speed 510km/h

Wingspan 27m

Maswings ATR 72-500

ATR 72-500 Length 27m

ATR 72-500 ATR 72-500

B777-200 B777-200

ATR 72-500

B777-200 Length 66.8m

Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter - Series 400

B777-200

No. of aircraft 6

ATR 72-500 Wingspan 20m

Passenger Seating 19 Engine PT6A-34

B777-200

Maximum Fuel Capacity 378 US Gallons

No. of aircraft 15

Range 10,000km

Passenger Seating 283

Maximum Fuel Capacity 25,770 US Gallons

Engine PW4170

Maximum Cruising Speed A330-300 Mach 0.8 (980km/h)

______________

______________ ______________

______________

______________

______________

______________

Wingspan 60m A350-900_RR_MALAYSIA_AIRLINES

Scale 1/200 Date : 23/08/17

A330-300 A330-300

Maximum Cruising Speed 337km/h Length 16m

Viking DHC-6 MasKargo Viking DHC-6

Viking DHC-6

Height 17m

______________

Viking DHC-6 MasKargo MasKargo

A330-300

Viking DHC-6 MasKargo A330 200f

Length 63m

No. of aircraft 3 Engine PW4000

A330-300Range 5,765km

Passenger Seating 160-166 Engine CFM56-7BE

A330-200F

A330-300

Range 13,400km

Maximum Fuel Capacity 6,875 US Gallons B737-800

Wingspan 34m

B737-800 B737-800

Length 40m

Viking DHC-6

MasKargo

A330 200f Maximum Fuel Capacity 25,765 US Gallons MasKargo Maximum Cruising Speed Mach 0.9 (1,102km/h) A330 200f

Maximum Cruising Speed Mach 0.7 (857km/h) A330-300

MasKargo Height 13m

B737-800 No. of aircraft 54

ATR 72-500 Viking DHC-6

B747 400f Wingspan 60m

A330 200f

Height 17m

A330-300

Height 8m

Passenger Seating 286

Maswings Maswings

Maswings

Height 6m

Range 15,000km

Height 17.05m

goingplacesmagazine.com / 84 / December 2017

A350-900 No. of aircraft 2

A330 200f

Length 58m400f B747

A330 200fB747 400f B737-800 Dec 2017_MH Fleet.indd 84

A330 200f 11/16/17 11:55 AM

ii

rapidKL

KL TravelPass

Explore the city with 2-day unlimited train rides.

KL TravelPass - The only travel card you need in Kuala Lumpur!

For all visitors to Kuala Lumpur, you can now travel easily with the KL TravelPass.

It's an integrated transport ticket which offers seamless travel experience in the city.

The card comes with a KUA Ekspres airport transfer (available one-way or return) and 2-day unlimited rides on LRT, MRT, and KL Monorail lines. Great for tourists looking to explore Kuala Lumpur using public transportation. Priced from RM70, the KL TravelPass is available at KUA Ekspres Ticket Counters in KUA, KUA2, and the Departure Hall, KL Sentral.

Safety & Service Info

ON-TIME PERFORMANCE

Our check-in counters close 60 minutes before departure. Please allow at least 45 minutes for immigration and security clearance. Boarding gate will close 20 minutes prior to departure and late passengers will not be accepted.

Cabin Luggage handling

goingplacesmagazine.com / 86 / December 2017

Passenger and crew safety onboard our flights is our highest priority. In compliance with the airline’s policy and in observing Occupational, Safety and Health Regulations requirements, cabin crew are no longer required to stow passengers’ hand luggages into the overhead stowage compartment. This is to minimise occupational hazard and ergonomic risks faced by cabin crew in the aircraft. Cabin crew on duty will, however, assist passengers travelling with infants, young passengers travelling alone, the elderly, and passengers with reduced mobility. Passengers who are fit and in good health must carry, stow and secure their own hand luggages on board. Hand luggage exceeding the 7kg weight limit is required to be checked in before boarding.

Portable Electronic Devices (PED)

For safety reasons and in line with the Department of Civil Aviation guidelines, mobile phones and all PEDs must be switched off once aircraft doors are closed.

Whilst cruising, devices placed in flight mode may be used. The devices must again be switched off during the approach for landing until the aircraft is parked at the terminal building. Devices transmitting strong signals must remain switched off throughout the flight, until disembarkation. The Captain may prohibit the use of devices that can interfere with the aircraft’s system.

Lithium batteries

Lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries for portable electronic devices (PEDs), including medical devices must not exceed 2g for lithium metal batteries and 100Wh for lithium ion batteries. All spare batteries, including lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries, for PEDs must be carried in passengers’ carry-on baggage only. These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits. For PEDs containing non-spillable batteries, they must be 12V or less or 100Wh or less. A maximum of two spare batteries may be carried. These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.

Electronic cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes must be carried on one’s person or in carry-on baggage only. Recharging of the device in-flight is not permitted.

Zero tolerance of abuse

We value courteousness. Any form of threat, verbal abuse or violence towards our staff will be taken seriously. We are committed to supporting anyone who has been the victim of an assault.

Dec 2017_MH Safety Guide.indd 86

BAGGAGE FOR TRANSIT PASSENGERS

We recommend that transit passengers in KLIA reconfirm their final baggage destination at the Transfer Desk to ensure they are identified and loaded accordingly.

Just show your baggage identification tag to the Transfer Desk officer.

Comfort and care

Personal care, baby paraphernalia and first aid treatment are available upon request.

In addition to airport check-In, here are other options:

Web: Check in online at malaysiaairlines.com. Print out the boarding pass yourself.

Entertainment

Movies, TV and Music On-Demand are available on selected flights.

Onboard connection

Laptop power points are fitted on First and Business Class seats.

Food and beverage

All food served is halal. Special meals can be prepared with 24-hour notice. First and Business Class guests may use Chefon-Call services to book meals 24 hours prior to departure on selected flights.

Alcoholic drinks are available on flights over three hours to passengers above the age of 18. Our cabin crew reserve the right to decline serving and selling alcohol to any passenger who appears intoxicated.

Consumption of personal alcoholic drinks is prohibited.

FRESH AND FROZEN SEAFOOD

Fresh and frozen seafood are strictly not permitted in check-in baggage. They may be accepted in cabin baggage, subject to the destination’s quarantine regulations, but they must be properly packed and meet the cabin baggage weight and size requirements. A maximum of 2.5 kg of dry ice per passenger is permissible if dry ice is used to carry these items. We reserve the right to refuse carriage if the items are not properly packed.

Web-to-mobile: Check in online. Your boarding pass will be sent to your mobile phone. The 2D barcode mobile boarding pass can be scanned at airport security and at the boarding gate.

MHmobile: Download and log onto flymas.mobi on your mobile phone and you will be sent a 2D barcode mobile boarding pass via SMS or email.

FastCheck self-service kiosk: Check in and print your boarding pass at these kiosks at the airport.

City centre counter Available at KL check-in: Sentral in Kuala Lumpur and in Hong Kong.

Special assistance

Wheelchairs and attendant services are available with 24-hour advance request.

Young passenger travelling alone (YPTA)

We provide assistance for children aged five to 14 years old travelling alone, with 24-hour advance request.

Exclusive check-in: Enrich Platinum/Gold Members and First/Business Class Passengers can check in at the premium front-end check-in lounge, or via telephone, arriving 30 minutes before take-off if you do not have check-in baggage.

No-smoking policy

Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is prohibited on all flights.

*Terms & conditions apply to the above, visit malaysiaairlines.com for more information.

11/16/17 12:16 PM

FA Setia MAS magazine ad 71117.pdf

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M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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Enrich Quick Facts

MISSING MILES What are missing miles?

Missing miles are miles you have earned but are not showing in your account. You can submit a missing miles claim within six months from the date of your activity. Here is how:

REDEEM MILES How to redeem miles for your travels: step 1: Login to your Enrich account.

step 2: Go to “Redeem Flights” or “Redeem Lifestyles” for Enrich MYR50 Voucher Redemption and Golden Lounge Access Vouchers.

Did you know?

step 1: Go to the Enrich login page. goingplacesmagazine.com / 88 / December 2017

You can redeem your flights with Malaysia Airlines for as little as 1,000 Enrich Miles with Miles + Cash.

Remember to update your profile for news on exclusive invitations and promotions.

step 2: Go to “My Miles” and click “Claim Missing Miles”.

Your Enrich Miles can be used to redeem flights with oneworld® member and Enrich partner airlines through the Malaysia Airlines Ticket Offices and call centres.

ENRICH SERVICES

step 3: Select from a list to fill in a claim form and attach proof of your activity (eg. e-ticket, boarding pass, receipt for non-air claims).

Click “Submit”.

step 4: Look out for an acknowledgement email from us once you have submitted your claim.

Enrich Extension Login to your Enrich account to extend your expired miles or miles to expire for another year from the month of expiry at MYR0.02 per mile.*

Enrich Miles Transfer Share your miles as a gift to your family and friends with “Enrich Transfer” at MYR0.04 per mile.*

*These online services are temporarily unavailable on Enrich Online until further notice. Please contact Malaysia Airlines Call Centre 1-300-88-3000 (within Malaysia) or +603-5562 6330 (outside Malaysia) or Malaysia Airlines Ticket Offices for the services. **Note: GST and administration fees may apply for Enrich Extension & Enrich Miles Transfer. Terms and conditions apply.

FORGOT PASSWORD How to login if you forgot your password: After five unsuccessful attempts, your account will be locked. Please contact our call centre at 1-300-88-3000 for assistance.

step 1: Go to the Enrich login page.

Dec 2017_Enrich Guide.indd 88

step 2: Click “Forgot Password”.

step 3: Enter your membership number and registered email address as provided in your Enrich account.

step 4: An email with a temporary password which is valid for 24 hours only will be sent to you.

step 5: Login using your temporary password.

step 6: Change to a new one by going to “My Account” and click “Change Password”.

step 7: Fill in your new password and click “Submit”.

11/16/17 12:14 PM

Ivalo Kittila

Norwegian

Our NetworkSea/ Malaysia

Kemi

Kuusamo Kajaani

Reykjavik Jyvaskyla

Inverness

Labrador Sea

Glasgow Belfast Shannon

tucket

ity Ponta Delgada (Azores)

Leeds Birmingham

Westerland Amsterdam

Visby

Gothenburg

Helsinki

St Petersburg

Tallinn Tartu Riga

Aarhus Gdansk Hamburg

Kaliningrad

Nizhny Novgorod

argasso Sea Langkawi

Langkawi

Vilnius

Samara

Warsaw

Berlin Leipzig

Cork

Guernsey

London Brussels

Caspian Sea

Jeddah

go

Kota Bharu Kota Bharu

Alor Setar Alor Setar

San Juan

a

Penang

Labuan

Dakar Kuala Terenggganu Kuala Terenggganu

Port of Spain

Ipoh

Abuja

Kuantan

KLIA KLIA Macapá (Kuala Lumpur) (Kuala Lumpur)

Bintulu

Limbang Mulu

Kuching

Mukah Sibu

ma

Rio de Janeiro

Asuncion

Comodoro Rivadavia

São Paulo

Bario

Semporna Semporna Tawau

Tawau

Long Akah Long Akah Long Lellang Long Lellang Entebbe Long Banga Long Banga Nairobi

Kilimanjaro Dar Es Salaam

Zanzibar

Luanda

Kuching

Johor Bahru Johor Bahru

Livingstone

SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Victoria Falls

Harare

Windhoek Maputo Johannesburg

Porto Alegre

Buenos Aires

Addis Ababa Ba’kelalan Ba’kelalan

Mukah

Durban

Legend

Rio Grande

Rosario

Salalah

Limbang

Mulu

Bario Marudi Long SeridanLong Seridan

Porto Seguro

Santa Cruz

Sandakan Sandakan

Lahad Datu Lahad Datu Djibouti

Lawas

Kigali

Gulf of Tanjung Manis Tanjung Manis Sibu Guinea

Maceió Aracaju

San Juan Mendoza

Miri Marudi

Malabo Bintulu

Natal João Pessoa

Salvador

Lagos

Kuantan

Subang Subang (Kuala Lumpur) (Kuala Lumpur) São Luís Fortaleza

Teresina

Miri

Abha Asmara

Labuan Khartoum Lawas

Ipoh

Accra Boa Vista

Taif

Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu

Penang

Tobago

Caracas

Kazan

Moscow

Mediterranean Sea

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Bermuda

o ingo

Newcastle

Billund

Turku

Black Sea

Halifax

tha's Vineyard

ciales

Aalborg

Aberdeen

Mariehamn

Oslo

Rotterdam Kiev Dusseldorf Prague Frankfurt Jersey Luxembourg Vienna Quimper Paris Basel Budapest Zurich Ljubljana Chisinau Astrakhan Geneva Simferopol Zagreb Bordeaux Milan Bucharest Venice Pula Chambery Belgrade Genoa Varna Toulouse Sochi Dubrovnik Marseille Leon Sofia Pisa Rimini Burgas Calvi Batumi Tivat Valladolid Tbilisi Barcelona Porto Bari Tirana Kavala Rome Olbia Yerevan Ankara Brindisi Baku Madrid Volos Cagliari Mytilini Palma De Lisbon Preveza Mallorca Palermo Athens Catania Erbil Almeria Antalya Thira Kalamata Oran Algiers Tunis Malta Tangier Larnaca Karpathos Chania Sulaymaniyah Tehran Melilla Paphos Beirut Baghdad Casablanca Tel Aviv Amman Marrakech Al Najaf Alexandria Agadir Shiraz Cairo Shárm el-Sheikh Gassim Hurghada Dammam Kudat Kudat Luxor Madinah Riyadh Marsa Alam Abu Dhabi

Celtic Sea

rtland

North Sea

Cape Town

Punta Del Este

Port Elizabeth

euquén Bahía Blanca

os Bariloche

MASwings flights operated by Royal Brunei

Scotia Sea Greenwich Meridian

Río Gallegos

oneworld destinations

Mount Pleasant

Ushuaia

Correct at the time of print / Destinations are subject to change.

Log on to malaysiaairlines.com or oneworld.com for the respective route/destination maps

Dec 2017_MAB Routemap.indd 82

11/16/17 5:31 PM

T

Du

Norilsk

Nizhnevartovsk Magadan

bu Dhabi

alalah

Novosibirsk

Omsk

Krasnoyarsk

Bratsk

Abakan Pavlodar

a

hiraz

Asia & Oceania

Novyj Urengoj Nadym

Irkutsk

Gorno-Altaysk Semey

Sea of Okhotsk

Okha

Chita

Ulan-Ude

Blagoveschensk

Petropavlovsk

Khabarovsk

Ust-Kamenogorsk

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Taraz

Bishkek

Urumqi

Almaty

Sea of Japan

Beijing

Osh Dushanbe

Tianjin

Kulob

Amritsar

Multan

New Delhi

Chengdu Chongqing

Kathmandu

Karachi Ahmedabad

Mumbai

Guangzhou

Kolkata

Nagpur

Hanoi Chiang Mai Yangon

Hyderabad

Bay of Goa Bengal Bengaluru Chennai Kozhikode Andaman Tiruchchirappalli Kochi Sea Trincomalee Thiruvananthapuram Colombo

Phuket

Hambantota

Medan

Busan

Aomori Akita Niigata

Komatsu

Izumo

East China Taipei Sea

Misawa Hanamaki Yamagata Tokyo

NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN

Okinawa

Kaohsiung

Hong Kong Haikou Sanya

South China Sea

Da Nang

Siem Reap Bangkok Phnom Penh

Angeles Manila

Philippine Sea

Guam

Cebu

Ho Chi Minh City Krabi

Kota Kinabalu

Banda Aceh

Male

Fuzhou Xiamen

Guilin

Kunming

Dhaka

Seoul

Qingdao

Memanbetsu

Obihiro Kushiro

Hiroshima Osaka Fukuoka Tokushima Jeju Nanjing Kochi Nagasaki Shanghai Miyazaki Hangzhou Kagoshima Ningbo Changsha Wenzhou

Islamabad

Faisalabad

Dalian

Zhengzhou

Xi’an Peshawar

Asahikawa

Vladivostok

Tashkent

Kuala Lumpur

Koror Bandar Seri Begawan Tarakan

Singapore Equator

Jakarta

Arafura Sea

Denpasar-Bali

Timor Sea

INDIAN OCEAN

Weipa

Karratha Exmouth Paraburdoo

Mount Isa

Port Hedland Newman

Coral Sea

Cairns

Broome

Alice Springs Ayers Rock

Geraldton Perth

Port Moresby

Horn Island

Darwin

Townsville Hamilton Island Mackay Moranbah Rockhampton Longreach Gladstone Emerald Blackall Hervey Bay Roma Charleville Brisbane Moree Cloncurry

Kalgoorlie Whyalla Port Lincoln

Mildura Adelaide

Coffs Harbour

Armidale Tamworth Dubbo Wagga Wagga

Albury

Port Macquarie Newcastle

Lord Howe Island

Sydney

Canberra

Melbourne Devonport

New Caledonia

Launceston

Tasman Sea

Auckland

Wellington

Hobart Queenstown

GMT +5

GMT +6

GMT +7

GMT +8

GMT +9

GMT +10

GMT +11

GMT +12

A member of

Dec 2017_MAB Routemap.indd 83

11/16/17 5:31 PM

Hudson Bay Labrador Sea

Americas & Canada Vancouver Seattle

Gulf of Alaska

Sacramento San Francisco

Québec

Marquette

Portland

Traverse City

Hayden Denver Aspen Colorado Springs Montrose Vail

Reno

Las Vegas Monterey Ontario Santa Barbara Palm Springs Phoenix Los Angeles San Diego

Milwaukee Chicago

St Louis

Brownsville Mazatlán San José del Cabo

Ixtapa

Tampa Sarasota

Gulf of Mexico

Halifax

Martha's Vineyard

Nantucket Philadelphia Salisbury-Ocean City

Hudson Bay

Ponta Delgada (Az

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Bermuda

Charleston Jacksonville

Sargasso Sea

West Palm Beach

Nassau Key West Miami George Town Havana Varadero Providenciales Cancún Cap-Haïtien Santiago Grand Cayman Merida

Mexico City

Gulf of Alaska

Tallahassee

Corpus Christi

Boston New York

Raleigh-Durham Charlotte New Bern Myrtle Beach Atlanta Savannah

New Orleans Houston

Montreal

Watertown Portland

Buffalo

Pittsburgh Washington Winston-Salem

Dallas San Antonio

Toronto Grand Rapids

Nashville

San Angelo

Ottawa

Puebla

Belize City

Montego Bay

Managua

Santa Marta

San Andrés Island

Liberia

San Juan

Caribbean Sea

San Pedro Sula

Guatemala City San Salvador

Port-au- Santo Prince Domingo

Kingston

San Jose

Tobago

Caracas

Port of Spain

Panama City Yopal

PACIFIC OCEAN Lihue Honolulu

Bogotá

Cali

San Cristóbal Island

Kahului

Sargasso Sea

Boa Vista

Baltra Island

Talara

Tumbes

Chiclayo

Macapá

Gulf of Mexico

Guayaquil

Equator

São Luís

Fortaleza Natal João Pessoa

Teresina

Cajamarca

Trujillo

Kailua Kona

Maceió Aracaju

Puerto Maldonado

Caribbean Sea

Salvador Porto Seguro

Santa Cruz

Tacna

Calama

SO ATL O

Rio de Janeiro

Asuncion

Antofagasta

São Paulo

Copiapó Easter Island

Chilean Sea

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

Comodoro Rivadavia

La Serena Santiago

San Juan Mendoza

Porto Alegre Rio Grande

Rosario Buenos Aires

Concepción Valdivia Puerto Montt

Punta Del Este

Neuquén Osorno

Bahía Blanca

San Carlos Bariloche

Castro

Legend

Scotia Sea

Balmaceda El Calafate

oneworld destinations

Río Gallegos

MH flights operated by Emirates

GMT -8

GMT -7

Punta Arenas

GMT -6

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

GMT -5

Chilean Sea Ushuaia

Mount Pleasant

GMT -4

GMT -3

GMT -2

Correct at the time of print / Destinations are subject to change.

Log on to malaysiaairlines.com or oneworld.com for the respective route/destination maps

Scotia Sea Dec 2017_MAB Routemap.indd 84

11/16/17 5:31 PM

Jyvaskyla

Inverness Glasgow

Aalborg

Aberdeen Newcastle

Belfast Shannon

North Sea

Leeds Birmingham

Mariehamn

Oslo

Billund Westerland Amsterdam

Turku

Visby

Gothenburg

Nizhnevartovsk

Helsinki Tallinn Tartu

St Petersburg

Riga

Aarhus Gdansk

Kazan

Berlin Leipzig

Kaliningrad

Moscow

Vilnius

Pavlodar

Samara

Warsaw

Krasnoyars Abakan

Europe, Middle East & Africa

Hamburg

Novosibirsk

Omsk

Nizhny Novgorod

Gorno-Altaysk

Semey Rotterdam Kiev Dusseldorf Ust-Kamenogorsk Prague Guernsey Frankfurt Ivalo Jersey Luxembourg Vienna Quimper Paris Basel Budapest Kittila Zurich Chisinau Ljubljana Astrakhan Geneva Simferopol Zagreb Bordeaux Milan Urumqi Bucharest Kemi Venice Pula Kuusamo Chambery Belgrade Almaty Taraz Genoa Varna Toulouse Bishkek Sochi Dubrovnik Rimini Marseille Kajaani Leon Sofia Pisa Burgas Calvi Batumi Tivat Tashkent Reykjavik Valladolid Tbilisi Barcelona Porto Bari Tirana Kavala Rome Olbia Jyvaskyla Yerevan Osh Ankara Brindisi Baku Madrid Volos Mytilini Cagliari Dushanbe Palma De Lisbon Preveza Helsinki Mallorca Oslo Palermo Athens Mariehamn Catania St Petersburg Turku Erbil Almeria Antalya Thira Stockholm Tallinn Kalamata Kulob Oran Algiers Tunis Malta Yekaterinburg Tangier Larnaca Karpathos Chania Sulaymaniyah Gothenburg Visby Tartu Tehran Inverness Melilla Paphos Aalborg Beirut Aberdeen RigaBaghdad Islamabad Casablanca Nizhny Novgorod Peshawar Aarhus Glasgow Billund Tel Aviv Kazan Gdansk Amman Marrakech Al Najaf Newcastle Alexandria Moscow Vilnius Faisalabad Copenhagen Amritsar Belfast Agadir Westerland Kaliningrad Leeds Samara Shiraz HamburgCairo Amsterdam Shannon Multan Shárm el-Sheikh New Delhi Warsaw Kathmandu Berlin Birmingham Gassim Hurghada Rotterdam Leipzig Cork Dammam Kiev London Brussels Dusseldorf Luxor Karachi Madinah Prague Guernsey Luxembourg Frankfurt Riyadh Dhaka Marsa Alam Jersey Ahmedabad Abu Dhabi Vienna Munich Quimper Kolkata Paris Basel Nagpur Budapest Jeddah Chisinau Zurich Ljubljana Taif Astrakhan Geneva Simferopol Zagreb Bordeaux Lyon Milan Abha Bucharest Venice Pula Mumbai Belgrade Chambery Hyderabad Varna Sochi Genoa Y Toulouse Dubrovnik Rimini Sofia Leon Pisa SalalahBatumi Marseille Nice Burgas Urgench Tivat Asmara Valladolid Calvi Khartoum Goa Tbilisi Porto Barcelona Kavala Tirana Rome Bari Bangalore Yerevan Ankara Olbia Brindisi Chennai Baku Madrid Volos Mytilini Ashgabat Palma De Lisbon Preveza Cagliari Djibouti Kozhikode Mallorca Palermo Athens Almeria Tiruchchirappalli Erbil Catania Antalya Kochi Thira Ponta Delgada (Azores) Kalamata Oran Tunis Malta Algiers Larnaca Tangier Trincomalee Abuja Karpathos Chania Mashhad Sulaymaniyah Tehran Thiruvananthapuram Ph Addis Ababa Melilla Colombo Beirut Paphos Baghdad Hambantota Casablanca Banda Aceh Lagos Accra Tel Aviv Amman Al Najaf Malabo Marrakech M Alexandria Agadir Shiraz Male Cairo Kuwait Entebbe Shárm el-Sheikh Gassim Dammam Hurghada Nairobi Luxor Dubai Madinah Bahrain Kigali Riyadh Kilimanjaro Marsa Alam Muscat Abu Dhabi

Celtic Sea

Cork

London Brussels

Norwegian Sea

Caspian Sea

Black Sea

North Sea Mediterranean Sea

Ponta Delgada (Azores)

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Celtic Sea

Black Sea

Dakar

Bay of Bengal Andam Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Gulf of Guinea

oa

Dar Es Salaam

Zanzibar

Jeddah

Taif

Luanda

Abha Asmara

Khartoum

Dakar

Salalah

INDIAN OCEAN

Djibouti

Livingstone Abuja

SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Lagos Windhoek Accra

Victoria Falls

Addis Ababa

Malabo

Maputo

Entebbe

Johannesburg

Equator

Gulf of Cape Town Guinea

Arabian Sea

Harare

Nairobi Kigali

Durban

INDIAN OCEAN

Kilimanjaro Dar Es Salaam

Port Elizabeth Luanda

Zanzibar

Lusaka

GMT -2

Victoria Falls

Mauritius

Maputo Johannesburg Durban Cape Town

GMT -1

Harare

Windhoek

Greenwich Meridian

Greenwich Meridian

SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Livingstone

GMT 0

GMT +1

Port Elizabeth

GMT +2

GMT +3

GMT +4

Dec 2017_MAB Routemap.indd 85

reenwich Meridian

A member of

11/16/17 5:31 PM

1147505_cel_gp 2017-05-08T19:12:21+08:00

Entertainment

96 movies

101 Radio and E-Learning

The Glass Castle, Lionsgate

goingplacesmagazine.com / 95 / December 2017

going places

98 TV 100 Audio on Demand

Dec 2017_GPE_Cover_confirmed.indd 95

102 Handset instructions

(How to use your system)

Languages:

Ratings: G

General audience. Suitable for all ages.

R Restricted. Not suitable for

under 17s.

PG Parental guidance suggested.

NR Not rated.

PG-13 Parental guidance strongly

Contains scenes or language that may be disturbing or offensive.

Viewer discretion is advised.

Programmes with Malaysian content.

Some material may not be suitable for children.

recommended. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

A ARABIC / D DAnish /E ENGLISH / ES SPANISH / F FRENCH / G GERMAN / H HINDI / I ITALIAN / IN INDONESIAN / J JAPANESE / K KOREAN / M MANDARIN / ML MALAY / T TAMIL / TA TAGALOG

Subtitles:

A+ ARABIC / C+ CHINESE / E+ ENGLISH / J+ Japanese

11/16/17 12:23 PM

Movies

movie highlights

Favourites

LATEST

including...

Shot Caller

goingplacesmagazine.com / 96 / December 2017

The Glass Castle As one of four children of an alcoholic father and free-spirited mother, Jeannette Walls learns to fend for herself and her siblings at a young age. Based on a memoir, the film explores how the children deal with living in poverty with their responsibility-averse parents, who inspire but inhibit them. Their father captures their imagination and teaches them to embrace life fearlessly when sober but is often destructive when he is not. Meanwhile, their mother shuns the idea of raising a family and is more interested in pursuing her dreams as an artist.

Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, Naomi Watts PG-13 / 127 mins / Biography, Drama / E, F, G, C+

IT When young children in Derry, Maine begins to mysteriously disappear, a group of seven young outcasts who form ‘The Losers Club’ must face their worst nightmare – an ancient shapeshifting evil that emerges from the sewer every 27 years to prey on the town's youths. Banding together over the course of one terrifying summer, the friends must overcome their own personal fears as they come face to face with what haunts them the most in the form of Pennywise, the Dancing Clown.

Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard R / / 135 mins / Drama, Horror / E, F, G, J, C+

Dec 2017_GPE 02.indd 96

Annabelle: Creation

NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU, LAKE BELL, JON BERNTHAL R / / 121 mins / Crime, Drama, Thriller / E, F, C+

MIRANDA OTTO, STEPHANIE SIGMAN, LULU WILSON R / / 109 mins / Horror, Mystery, Thriller / E, F, G, Es, C+

What Happened To Monday

A Family Man

NOOMI RAPACE, GLENN CLOSE, WILLEM DAFOE NR / 123 mins / Action, Adventure, Crime / E, G, C+

ALISON BRIE, WILLEM DAFOE, GERARD BUTLER R / / 108 mins / Biography, Drama, Music / E, F, G, C+

Step

Wonder Woman

PAULA DOFAT, BLESSIN GIRALDO, CORI GRAINGER PG / 83 mins / Documentary / E, C+

GAL GADOT, CHRIS PINE, ROBIN WRIGHT PG-13 / 137 mins / Action, Adventure, Drama / E

War For The Planet Of The Apes

The Journey Is the Destination

ANDY SERKIS, WOODY HARRELSON, STEVE ZAHN PG-13 / 139 mins / Action, Adventure, Drama / E

ELLA PURNELL, KELLY MACDONALD, MARIA BELLO R / / 123 mins / Drama / E, C+

A Ghost Story

Beatriz At Dinner

CASEY AFFLECK, ROONEY MARA, MCCOLM CEPHAS JR. R / / 92 mins / Drama, Fantasy, Romance / E, F, C+

• Viceroy's House • Everything, Everything • King Arthur • Alien: Covenant • My Cousin Rachel

SALMA HAYEK, JOHN LITHGOW, CONNIE BRITTON R / / 83 mins / Drama, Comedy / E, C+

• Bastille Day (The Take) • Snowden • The Edge Of Seventeen • Going In Style

• Colossal • American Wrestler: The Wizard • Power Rangers

• Kong: Skull Island • Gifted • This Beautiful Fantastic • A United Kingdom • The Shack • Carrie Pilby

• Argo • The Losers • The Town • Contagion • Avatar • Trumbo • Me Before You • Creed • Mr. Popper's Penguins • The Other Woman • 3 Days To Kill • The Beaver • Four Christmases • Unaccompanied Minors • Fred Claus • Wait Until Dark • Arsenic And Old Lace • Swing Time • Dirty Harry • Happy Feet • Dolphin Tale • Horton Hears A Who • Titan A.E. • Journey 2: The Mysterious Island • A Christmas Carol • Corpse Bride • Little Giants • Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs • Ice Age • Batman Begins • Spotlight • X-Men Origins: Wolverine • Source Code • Sicario • Now You See Me • The Legend Of Tarzan • Lights Out • Trouble With The Curve • Secret Life Of Bees • Ocean's Twelve • Mr. And Mrs. Smith • Gone Girl • Taxi • Batman And Harley Quinn • Rio 2 • The Peanuts Movie • The Impossible • 127 Hours • Escape Plan • The Bank Job • Ender's Game • Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom • The Phantom Of The Opera • The Lady • Divergent • 300: Rise Of An Empire • Ocean's Eleven • Draft Day • Dredd • Chef • We Bought A Zoo

11/16/17 12:25 PM

Movies

Malay

japanese

hindi

Lebuhraya Ke Neraka

家族はつらいよ2 / What

फि ल ्लौर ी / Phillauri

A Wonderful Family! 2

YÛ AOI, SATOSHI TSUMABUKI, KAZUKO YOSHIYUKI NR / 113 mins / Comedy / E+

はらはらなのか。/

Opening Night

NANOKA HARA, RENA MATSUI NR / / 112 mins / Drama, Musical / E+

Desolasi

SYAMSUL YUSOF, BELLA DALLY, JALALUDDIN HASSAN, Pekin Ibrahim PG-13 / 111 mins / Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi / E+

リライフ / ReLIFE TAISHI NAKAGAWA, YUNA TAIRA NR / 120 mins / Drama, Romance / E+

Korean

傲娇与偏见 / Mr. Pride vs Miss Prejudice

Dilraba Dilmurat, Kathy Chow, ZHANG YUNLONG, GAO WEIGUANG NR / 104 mins / Romance, Comedy / E+

绑架者 / The Missing BAI BAIHE, STANLEY HUANG, MING DAO NR / 95 mins / Action, Crime / E+

JIN-WOONG JO, SEONG-GYOON KIM, SUNG-MIN LEE NR / 115 mins / Comedy, Crime / E+

비정규직 특수요원 /

Part Time Spy

JO CHANG-GEUN, HYUN BAE DONG, CHAE-AH HAN NR / 117 mins / Action, Comedy / E+

보통사람 / Ordinary Person SON HYUN JOO, JANG HYEOK NR / / 121 mins / Drama / E+

IndonesiaN

YIHONG DUAN, XUAN HUANG, Yueting Lang, Jiadong Xing NR / 120 mins / Action, Crime / E+

JA-HYEON CHU, PETER HO, Zitao Huang, Coulee Nazha NR / 140 mins / Action, Drama / E+

麻煩家族 / What A

Wonderful Family

LEE LICHUN, ZHANG WEIXIN R / / 104 mins / Comedy, Drama / E+

Remember The Flavor

துருவங்கள் பதினாறு / 16 Extremes

RAHMAN, SHARATH KUMAR, PRAKASH VIJAYARAGHAVAN PG / 105 mins / Action, Crime, Drama / E+

Kimchi Untuk Awak Bella, a South Korean university student, is returning home to Malaysia during her semester break when she meets Danial Lee, a Malay-Korean, at Incheon International. Their first encounter leads to a series of misunderstandings that results in the pair disliking one another.

Unbeknownst to Bella, Danial is the president of her sister’s company, and they continue to bump into each other.

Things get out of hand when both their families decide to unite them despite their stark differences.

Aiman Hakim, Janna Nick, Emma Maembong NR / 120 mins / Romance, Comedy / M, E+

காற்று வெளியிட / Amidst The Air KARTHI, ADITI RAO HYDARI, SHRADDHA SRINATH NR / 146 mins / Romance / E+

மாநகரம் / Metropolis

SUNDEEP KISHAN, REGINA CASSANDRA, SRI NR / 137 mins / Action, Drama, Thriller / E+

பாஹுபலி / The One with Strong Arms

Crash Test Aglaé

INDIA HAIR, JULIE DEPARDIEU, YOLANDE MOREAU French / NR / / 85 mins / Comedy / F, E+

Salawaku

Fabio Volo, Silvio Orlando, Carlo Buccirosso Italian / NR / / 92 mins / Comedy / I, E+

KARINA SALIM, RAIHAANUN, JFLOW MATULESSY, ELKO KASTANYA NR / 82 mins / Drama / E+

TAgalog

神秘家族 / The Mysterious

Can’t Help Falling In Love

Dec 2017_GPE 02.indd 97

Tamil

TARRA BUDIMAN, SAHIRA ANJANI, FERRY SALIM, DJENAR MAESA AYU, ENCE BAGUS, VERDI SOLAIMAN, ANNISA PAGIH, ONY SETIAWAN NR / 92 mins / Romance / E+

NR / 97 mins / Comedy, Romance / E+

ARIEL LIN, JIANG WU, CHEN XIAO NR / 117 mins / Thriller, Suspense / E+

Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma NR / 120 mins / Romance, Drama / E+

european

美容针 / Special Encounter YAN NI, CALVIN TU

Family

ALIA BHATT, SHAH RUKH KHAN NR / 125 mins / Drama / E+

RANA DAGGUBATI, ANUSHKA SHETTY NR / 159 mins / Action, Adventure, Drama / E+

Mission

Changer

डि अर ज ़ि न ्दग ी / Dear Zindagi

VARUN DHAWAN, ALIA BHATT, SAHIL VAID NR / 139 mins / Comedy, Drama, Romance / E+

非凡任务 / Extraordinary

游戏规则 / The Game

RAJ ARJUN, SHUBHAM TUKARAM, SHUBHAM CHINTAMANI NR / 127 mins / Action, Crime, Drama / E+

बद ्र ीनाथ क ी द ल ु ह् नि या / Badrinath's Bride

보안관 / The Sheriff in Town

NR / 128 mins / Action, History / E+

रईस / Wealthy

ऐ दि ल ह ै म श ु ्कि ल / This Heart Is Complicated

chinese

蕩宼風雲 / God Of War WENZHUO ZHAO, SAMMO KAM-BO HUNG, YASUAKI KURATA, Regina Wan, Keisuke Koide

ANUSHKA SHARMA, DILJIT DOSANJH, SURAJ SHARMA NR / 130 mins / Comedy, Drama, Fantasy / E+

goingplacesmagazine.com / 97 / December 2017

AWIE, KHIR RAHMAN, SHAHZ JASZLE, Dazrin Kamarudin, Miera Leyana PG-13 / / 100 mins / Thriller, Horror / E+

Malay MOVIE highlights

DANIEL PADILLA, KATHRYN BERNARDO PG-13 / 119 mins / Romance / E+

Un Paese Quasi Perfetto / An Almost Perfect Town

Wilde Maus / Wild Mouse

JOSEF HADER, PIA HIERZEGGER German / NR / / 103 mins / Comedy, Crime / G, E+

Carpinteros / Woodpeckers

JEAN JEAN, JUDITH RODRÍGUEZ Spanish / NR / / 106 mins / Drama, Romance / ES, E+

Read about Malaysia's goalkeeping legend, the late Datuk R. Arumugam on pages 78-79

Ola Bola An unlikely group of young Malaysian footballers fight for a chance to compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The road to the Games will not be easy as the team must overcome their personal differences and individual struggles in order to have a shot at international success. Inspired by true events, this story celebrates the glory days of Malaysian football when the entire nation stood proudly behind its sports heroes.

J.C. Chee, Luqman Hafidz, Andy Darrel Gomes G / 109 mins / Drama, History, Sport / M, E+

11/16/17 12:25 PM

TV

TV highlights

comedy

drama

KIDS

The Grinder S1

Gotham S3

Prisoner Zero

ROB LOWE, FRED SAVAGE, MARY ELIZABETH ELLIS 5 Episodes / 30 mins each

goingplacesmagazine.com / 98 / December 2017

The Mick S1 A comedy series about an independent and hardliving woman who is forced to take care of her wealthy sister’s spoiled kids after their mom and dad flee the country to avoid criminal charges. Mickey struggles to be a role model for the children, the sassy 18-year-old Sabrina, the arrogant 13-year-old Chip, and seven-yearold Ben, who is a nerd.

BEN MCKENZIE, JADA PINKETT SMITH, DONAL LOGUE 16 Episodes / / 60 mins each

5 Episodes / 30 mins each

BoboiBoy S3

4 Episodes / 30 mins each

Last Man Standing S6 TIM ALLEN, NANCY TRAVIS, MOLLY EPHRAIM 5 Episodes / / 30 mins each

Lucifer S1/S2

TOM ELLIS, LAUREN GERMAN, KEVIN ALEJANDRO S1, 12 Episodes / S2, 5 Episodes / 60 mins each

KAITLIN OLSON, SOFIA BLACK-D'ELIA, CARLA JIMENEZ 5 Episodes / 30 mins each / Comedy / E

Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Production 3 Episodes / 30 mins each

Powerless S1

VANESSA HUDGENS, DANNY PUDI, CHRISTINA KIRK 4 Episodes / 30 mins each

Longmire S5

ROBERT TAYLOR, LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS, KATEE SACKHOFF 5 Episodes / / 60 mins each

Blindspot S2 8 Episodes /

/ 60 mins each

Lethal Weapon S1

Ejen Ali

3 Episodes / 30 mins each

5 Episodes / 60 mins each

Shots Fired S1 This series examines the dangerous aftermath of two racially charged shootings in a small Southern town, providing an explosive autopsy of America’s criminal justice system. In the season opener, a black police officer Joshua Beck shoots and kills an apparently unarmed white man during a routine traffic stop in a predominantly black neighbourhood. An investigation follows, uncovering a previous shooting of a black teenager in the same area, which was kept secret.

SANAA LATHAN, STEPHAN JAMES, STEPHEN MOYER 5 Episodes / 60 mins each / Drama / E

Empire S3 2 Broke Girls S6

Chance S1

The Big Bang Theory S10

5 Episodes / 60 mins each

18 Episodes / 30 mins each

Claws S1 10 Episodes /

New Girl S6 8 Episodes / 6 Episodes /

/ 30 mins each / 30 mins each

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia S11/S12 8 Episodes /

/ 30 mins each

Fresh Off The Boat S3 4 Episodes /

Mom S4 16 Episodes /

2 Episodes / 30 mins each / Kids / E

/ 30 mins each

/ 30 mins each

Hi-5

Star S1

Ep6 / 30 mins

Containment S1 Time After Time S1 5 Episodes / 60 mins each

Riverdale S1

5 Episodes / 60 mins each

Major Crimes S5 5 Episodes / 60 mins each

Sleepy Hollow S2 6 Episodes /

/ 60 mins each

Supernatural S11 7 Episodes /

Scream Queens S2

Trial & Error S1

Pretty Little Liars S7

7 Episodes / 5 Episodes / 5 Episodes /

The Garfield Show 2 Episodes / 30 mins each

/ 60 mins each

Modern Family S7 4 Episodes / 30 mins each

2 Episodes / 30 mins each

5 Episodes / 60 mins each

Arrow S5

8 Episodes / 30 mins each

Bobby And Bill

Legends Of Tomorrow S1

People Of Earth S1/S2

6 Episodes / 30 mins each

Dec 2017_GPE 02.indd 98

3 Episodes / 60 mins each

6 Episodes / 60 mins each / 30 mins each

Roadies S1

Ice Age A saber-toothed tiger, a sloth, a wooly mammoth and other mammals try to survive living in the Paleolithic ice age.

5 Episodes / 60 mins each

KAT DENNINGS, BETH BEHRS, GARRETT MORRIS 8 Episodes / / 30 mins each

/ 60 mins each / 60 mins each / 60 mins each

Linkers : Secret Codes 2 Episodes / 30 mins each

11/16/17 12:26 PM

TV

Hindi

malay

Chinese

LIFESTYLE

SOUNDSTAGE

Food Tripping: The Queen's Kitchen

Curi Curi Cuti

Well Being: Health Code

Trailblazers: Lang Lang & Beijing / Natalia Vodianova & Moscow

Vincent Boucher In Recital

Documentary (Culture): Whose Traditions City Story: Timeless Charm Of Anping

Yaar Mera Superstar S2: Akshay Kumar & Bhumi Pednekar Kuch Kisse Kuch Kahaniyan With RJ Anmol Waiting Lounge

Tamil

Extreme Roadtrip: Gua Musang , Kelantan

Japanese

Rachel Khoo's Cosmopolitan Cook Saturday Kitchen: Best Bites (Best Of)

Kembara Chef Wan S3: Darwin

Animal Conservatory In Malaysia: Malayan Tiger Century

Hi5: Song Of The Week 2017 ホクサイと飯さえあれば /

Enrich Brand Video

女くどき飯 / Wine, Dine And Woo Me

NATURAL WORLD

korean

Golf Getaway At Kauri Cliffs: The Front Nine

The Kingdom Of Manaslu

Jetlag: Food For Picnic

Wild Mexico

The Streets 2: Prague Mad Markets: Barcelona

3대천왕 / Nation’s Big 3

Globe Trekker South Atlantic

5 Rencah 5 Rasa: Leftovers

정글의 법칙 / Law Of The

IATA Awareness

Jungle

Festivals: Rai

travel

United For Wildlife

State Of Sport Ep8: Sapok Biki Sami Hyypiä: Liverpool Robbie Fowler: Liverpool

French

History

Mercantour National Park French Master Of Beer

Styleography Take A Break!

Singapore: Universal Studio, Arab Street, Marina Bay Sands Skypark

Celebrity Style Story: Kate Beckinsale Hollywood Rewind: Actors Working

Surabaya Satay With Rhys William

religious

Curious

Masterchef Poh

Jejak Rasul As-Salam

Challenge Tomorrow

MAVCOM

Ulama Nusantara

Dec 2017_GPE 02.indd 99

Total Italian Football (Serie A)

showbiz

Namma Ooru Connexion: Coimbatore Final

SCIENCE & TECH

Sports

The Meal With Hokusai

1, 2 Bakar: Kulim Kedah

கலக்க ப�ோவது யாரு / Kalakka Povadhu Yaaru: Too Funny To Handle

First Class: Hainan

Petting Zoos In Malaysia: The Sumatran Rhino Makan Angin S2

Adhu Idhu Yedhu: Dose Of Craziness / Attu Movie Team Visits

BUSINESS

Word Travels

Sepahtu Reunion S2: Misteri Volkswagen Merah

Inspirasi

Food Stories

goingplacesmagazine.com / 99 / December 2017

Chhote Miyan Dhaakad: The Game Changers Are Here!

Cities Of The World

The Kennedy Curse The JFK Assassination

arabic

Tough Trains Vietnam: The Reunification Express Empire Builders Moslem Empires: Ottomans, Mughals and Moors / Kings of Europe Part 1

Ahmed Dedat: Man With A Mission: Ep1

11/16/17 12:26 PM

Audio on demand

Audio HighlighTs

MEMORIES

The hits

Including... Andy Williams (above), Elvis Presley, Lauryn Hill, Jeff Beck, Michael Jackson, Bic Runga, The Manhattans, George Michael, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny Loggins, Carole King, Paul Simon, Barry Manilow

including... Fifth Harmony (above), Nothing But Thieves, LCD Soundsystem, Wyclef Jean, Foo Fighters, ODESZA, A$AP Mob, Pentatonix, Kesha, Skinny Living, Grizzly Bear, Gang Of Youths

KIDS

COUNTRY

Including... ABC Kids Christmas Vol. 2 (above), Little Feet Music, Roshan Treasuriwala, Annabelle Ferro, My Little Pony, The Wiggles, John Field, Bananas In Pyjamas, Jane Sheldon & Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Nay Nay, Emma, Rhys Muldoon

Including... Tammy Wynette (above), Luke Combs, Brad Paisley, Rodney Crowell, Nikki Lane, Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Ward Thomas, Dolly Parton, Jake Owen, The Highwaymen, Cam, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean

COMEDY

LIGHT & EASY

Including... Joan Rivers (above), Jonathan Winters, George Carlin, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Bob Elliott & Ray Goulding, Guy Noble, Bocey

Including... Cover Stories: Brandi Carlile Celebrates 10 Years of the Story (An Album to Benefit War Child) (above), Bob Dylan, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Mild High Club, Omar Kamal, The Fray, Cliff Richard, The Piano Guys, Barbra Streisand, Gimme Some Lovin', Vincent Niclo, Il Volo, Il Divo, Natalie Imbruglia, Van Morrison, Tom Odell, Susan Boyle, Acoustic Edition III, #Voices

The album, Journey, by At Adau, a traditional music band from East Malaysia, is playing onboard this month.

We catch up with them for a quick chat.

goingplacesmagazine.com / 100 / December 2017

How would you describe your music?

Music that heals – that is how we describe our music. Applies not only to our music but to all! Because we believe that music has the power to heal people! We combine traditional musical instruments from Borneo and those from around the world with modern day instruments to come up with our music. Our style of music is partly traditional and partly contemporary.

We officially describe our band as an “Experimental World Music Band”.

When and how was the band formed?

The band was formed in June 2014. “At Adau” comes from two different indigenous languages from Borneo. “At” means “root” in Bidayuh and “Adau” is the name of a special tree, from which the sambe (a string instrument) is made by the Kenyah people from the upper Baram region. Our band was formed randomly and it’s a surprise how far we have come! To be honest, most of us do not have any formal musical training. We barely even know how to read notes in scores!

We have learnt everything by heart.

Who are some of your musical influences?

We enjoy listening to indigenous folk music from around the world.

We believe that this kind of music reflects a sense of originality, uniqueness and authenticity. It’s rare for people to listen to this type of music, so we decided to go against

mainstream. We get influenced by a number of genres too such as rock, folk, Latin, afro, alternative and other indigenous and dance music.

From where do you get inspiration for your music?

We get inspiration from everywhere!

From taking nights out to remote villages or downtown just for a change of scene. We do believe perspective comes from different places and different humour. We also like to mix the musical styles and rhythms of the different parts of the world. We believe this will boost our creative process and enhance our listening sensitivities. Another way is by having a random jam while chilling out with friends.

What are you working on right now?

We are now working on our second album which will be released early next year. We have quite a number of gigs happening in Kuching and around Sarawak as well until the end of the year. We have also started on quite a number of songs for our third album. Stay tuned!

Any word of advice for your fans?

Be yourself. Be confident. Think out of the box. Don’t be scared to try new things. Being unique and different from others is beautiful.

Love one another. Be generous, be truthful.

Elvis Presley - Christmas With Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra This compilation album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from his previously released Christmas albums, re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Recorded at Abbey Roads Studio in London, the album includes Blue Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus, Merry Christmas Baby, Silent Night and a bonus four gospel hymns from In the Valley EP. This is the third album of orchestral re-workings of tracks performed by Elvis, following 2016’s Wonder of You and 2015’s If I Can Dream.

Dec 2017_GPE 02.indd 100

R&B

Including... Johnny Jenkins, Charlie Wilson, Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Tuxedo, Alicia Keys, Usher, Solange, Craig David, Izzy Bizzu, Prince Royce, Miguel, Ciara, Stan Walker, Jennifer Hudson

WORLD

RELAX

Including... Sleep Music, Music For The Mind: Classical Music For Your Well-Being, Into The Mist, Whispers From Silence, Music to Relax To

Including... At Adau, AkashA, Julio Iglesias, Quarter Street, Quantic & Nidia Gongora, Somi, Prince Royce, Lakuta, Alena Murang, Corciolli, Humood Alkhuder, Santana, Celtic Thunder

11/16/17 12:26 PM

Audio on demand + Radio Channels

Radio Channels JAZZ

MANDARIN

HINDI

chart toppers Hosted by Ben Loh

including... ZAYN feat. Sia, SZA, Bakermat & Kiesza, Kelly Clarkson, Superfruit, Grace VanderWaal, Sara Bareilles, Craig David, Alan Walker, NVOY, Karmin, Kelsea Ballerini, Boyz II Men feat. Jimmy Merchant, Tulecco, VAX feat. Teddy Sky, Tove Styrke, Hitimpulse feat. Bibi Bourelly

Including... Jian Cui (above), Jeff Chang, Joshua Jin, Jolin Tsai, Luo Tian Yi, Kiki, J.Sheon, Crispy, Kit Chan, Wei Jen Yuan, Xue Zhi Qian, Chris Wang, Victor Wong, Evan Yo, Ocean Ou, Eric Chou, Eve Ai, Coco Lee, Victor Lau

Including... Jab Harry Met Sejal (above), T-Series Mixtape, Dear Zindagi, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Yours Truly Pritam, Seeta Aur Geeta, Noor, To My Valentine (Punjabi Love Songs), Rangoon, Kaabil, Tum Bin 2

CLASSICAL

JAPANESE

TAMIL

MALAY favouriteS Hosted by suraya borhan

including... Tohpati/Glenn Fredly, A To Z, Alif Satar, Isyana Sarasvati feat. Gamaliel, Altimet, IAMNEETA, Pandora, Ning Baizura, Fade2Black, Aina, Aliff Aziz & Emma Suhaimi Royce Sa'ayan, Jaclyn Victor/Ning Baizura Hamzah/Shila Amzah, Maisarah, Manusia Putih

rock arena

Hosted by Jay Sheldon

Including... Yo-Yo Ma (above), Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, The Great Luciano Pavarotti, Olga Peretyatko, Khatia Buniatishvili, 2CELLOS, Amy Dickson, Francesco Grillo, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Asher Fisch, Nicole Car

MALAY

Including... MIREI, LiSA, Mika Nakashima, Kousuke Atari, ClariS, X JAPAN, Sekai No Owari

KOREAN

Including... Mersal (above), Kaatru Veliyidai, They've Got The Moves: Suriya, 20 Biggest Hits: Harris Jayaraj, Vol. 1, Summer Acoustic – Tamil, Dora, Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga, Tamil Beats, MS. Dhoni: The Untold Story

CLUB

including... Calibro 35, Repeat Repeat, Rainer Maria, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Big Brother & The Holding Company, MUTEMATH, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, The Belligerents, REO Speedwagon, Gang Of Youths, Nothing But Thieves, The Jeff Healey Band

golden era

Hosted by Richard La Faber

goingplacesmagazine.com / 101 / December 2017

Including... Cecile McLorin Salvant (above), Jack DeJohnette, Larry Grenadier, John Medeski & John Scofield, Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra, Julia Fordham, Cameron Graves, Gabin, Flabby

including... Gloria Estefan, Wham!, The Pointer Sisters, The Shirelles, Johnny Nash, Bic Runga, Cyndi Lauper, Journey, Steve Perry, The Manhattans, Fugees, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Anastacia, Survivor, Dead Or Alive

POP ASIA

Including... Malique (above), Altimet, iamNEETA, Ifa Raziah, Ziana Zain, Jacyln Victor, Wings, Alif Satar, Aishah, Aliff Aziz, Gerhana Ska Cinta, Klangit, Noh Salleh, Bunkface, Joe Flizzow, Loloq: A Tribute

SOUNDTRACKS

Including... War For The Planet Of The Apes, Tulip Fever, John Williams & Steven Spielberg: The Ultimate Collection, Veeram - Macbeth, A Street Cat Named Bob, The Girl On The Train, Trolls, Ghostbusters, Original Broadway Cast Recording Of 'On Your Feet! The Story Of Emilio And Gloria Estefan', Concussion, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Janis Joplin: Little Girl Blue, The Peanuts Movie, Annie

Dec 2017_GPE 02.indd 101

Including... Ahn Ye Eun (above), Be.A, Year7 Class1, J_ust, Flowing, Minzy, WA$$UP, Soo-Bong Shim, EXID, Jung Dongha & Oh Jun Sung, Crayon Pop

Including... Maya Jane Coles (above), Makoto, Bonobo, DJ Shadow, RAC, Nu:Logic, Leftfield, Roland Tings, Pote, Cosmic Gate, Lisa Stansfield, Lane 8, Shapeshifter NZ, Fred V & Grafix, Boom Jinx, Mirami, Kygo, Faithless, Hardwell, Calvin Harris

CANTONESE

Including... Sandy Lam, Danny Summer, Ashia, Lil Ashes, Edmond Tong, Phil Lam, Leon Lai, Cass Phang, Ekin Cheng, Jason Chan, Angela Pang, GEM Tang

INDONESIAN

Including... Rendy Pandugo, Isyana Sarasvati, Astrid, Gita Gutawa, Judika, Sheila On 7, Galih & Ratna (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

NASYID

Including... Mesut Kurtis, Gigi, Raef, Haddad Alwi, Hafiz Hamidun, Maher Zain, Ustaz Abdullah Fahmi, The Muhibbain, Nowseeheart, Inteam, Lah Ahmad, Harris J, Suhaimi Saad, The Mikraj, Brothers

including... End Of The World, Eric Chou, Sohyang, G.E.M., Jason Chan, MIREI, Princess Ai Tai, Joshua Jin, Kousuke Atari, Lee Chi, Phil Lam, Man With A Mission, MerryRound, Tamaru Yamada, The Barberettes feat. Harim, Valen Hsu, LISA

hindi rhythmS

including... Pritam, Jonita Gandhi, Mohd. Irfan, Cuca Roseta, Raftaar, Nindy Kaur, Arijit Singh, Pardeep Sran, TAZ, Dahek, Amit Trivedi, Tochi Raina, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Raman Mahadevan, Sachin Jigar, Divya Kumar, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani, Anushka Manchanda, Monty Sharma

Passengers with AVOD can enjoy a host of radio shows across a range of genres. Channel numbers depend on the aircraft. Check your aircraft type and then on your in-flight entertainment system to find out.

11/16/17 12:26 PM

HANDSET instructions

Getting started For passengers with a seatback personal screen, please refer to the following instructions for use of the remote control. 擁有個人屏幕的乘客請參照以下圖像和說明來使用您的遙控器. 個人スクリーンをお持ちのお客様はお手元のハンドセットを下の画像と合わせてから続けてお読みください.

All passengers B737-800 & A330

First & Business Class A380

Economy Class A380 12

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11 14

2

9 2

6 5

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goingplacesmagazine.com / 102 / December 2017

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On reverse

1. Control Paddle*

1. 控制板*

1. 上下左右ボタン*

2. Window Display

2. 顯示視窗

2. ウィンドウ表示

3. Mode

3. 模式

3. モード

4. Reading Light ON/OFF

4. 閱讀燈 ON/OFF

4. 読書用ライトON/OFF

5. Channel UP/DOWN

5. 頻道 UP/DOWN

5. チャンネルUP/DOWN

6. Volume UP/Down

6. 音量 UP/DOWN

6. 音声ボリュームUP/DOWN

7. Brightness UP/DOWN

7. 亮度 UP/DOWN

7. 明るさUP/DOWN

8. Button Disabled

8. 呼叫乘務員/取消

8. 乗務員呼び出し/取消

9. Select/Start*

9. 選擇/開始*

9. 選択/スタート*

10. Enter*

10. 確認*

10. 入力*

11. Game Controls*

11. 遊戲控制*

11. ゲームコントロール*

12. Audio/Video Controls To Rewind, Play/Pause, Forward and Stop for Audio/Video.

12.

12.

13. Back button To go to previous screen.

14. Screen ON/OFF button To switch the Interactive screen ON/OFF. 15. Home button Shortcut to go to Main Menu.

16. QWERTY keyboard - B738 / A333 17. Magnetic card reader

13.

14.

15.

16.

Dec 2017_GPE 02.indd 102

14.

15.

16.

17.

* Not on the Inseat System

13.

17.

11/16/17 12:26 PM

3136_MAB_17_Enrich Going Place-DeC_Rev9 OL_X3.ai 15/11/2017_4.30PM

CYAN

MAGENTA

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Seen + Heard / Events in Malaysia and around the world

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1. LUXE EXHIBIT Pearl necklaces, diamond earrings and exquisite gold bracelets were just some of the opulent pieces showcased at the recent Jewellery Asia 2017. The exclusive three-day event, held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, brought together jewellers, collectors and the who’s who in the local and international fashion and luxury industry.

2. NEW STORE

goingplacesmagazine.com / 104 / December 2017

Famed shoe label French Sole has opened a flagship store at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, offering Malaysian fans greater access to its handmade ballet flats, pointed shoes and kitten heels. Known for its delicate craftsmanship and design, the brand is the epitome of elegance, counting the late Princess Diana and British actress Emma Watson among its clientele.

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3. LIGHT COLLECTION Samsonite Malaysia general manager Satish Peerubandi, emcee and model Bernie Chan and Samsonite Malaysia country head Ambert Khoo were at the recent launch of Samsonite’s Lite Shock luggage bag, touted to be the company’s lightest hardside collection to-date. Guests were treated to an exclusive preview, graced by celebrities such as Dynas Mokhtar and Atilia Haron.

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4. WINTER COOL Melium Group president Dato’ Seri Dr Farah Khan (far right) with guests (from left) Hong Leong Investment Bank Chief Executive Officer Lim Jim Leng, Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad Executive Chairman Tan Sri Rozali Ismail and LANVIN Chief Commercial Officer Ursula Gandhi at the opening of LANVIN’s first menswear store in Malaysia. The glitzy night was graced by celebrities and showcased the French heritage brand’s current collections.

5. A KUL-INARY ADVENTURE Following last year’s success, Malaysia Airports once again launched its signature KULinary dining discovery campaign to celebrate delicious food and to connect foodies with culinary talents at the airport. Over 1,000 F&B options were showcased throughout the campaign. Diners also took part in weekly ‘Dine & Win’ contests, food samplings as well as the KULinary Dining Choice Award, which involved 25 participating restaurants.

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DV_Dec_GP 2017-10-20T12:48:27+08:00

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