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ISSUE 105 OCT 31 - NOV 06, 2014
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want some sugar from sharapova?
who will resolve the manchester DERBY?
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WK105A/MCI(P)119/08/2014
October 31 - november 6, 2014
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Entertainment
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top 5 events this weekend
FREE! ION Art Photography Series 2014: ‘Body of Work’ – Tan Ngiap Heng Until 2 Nov To celebrate ION Orchard’s 5th anniversary, ION Art launches its new annual signature event, the ION Art Photography Series, supporting and recognising the work of mid-career and established Singaporean photographers. For the inaugural exhibition to the Series, ION Art is pleased to showcase Body of Work, a solo exhibition by leading Singaporean performing arts photographer Tan Ngiap Heng. ION Art Gallery, 2 Orchard Turn, www.ionorchard.com/en/
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Queen – It’s A Kinda Magic 1 Nov, 8pm, $55 The much loved, long-running tribute show and full concert experience, Queen – It’s A Kinda Magic, will perform for one night only! Painstaking detail has been paid to all the music and with state-ofthe-art sound and lighting and an explosive international cast, this is as close as you’ll ever get to the real thing! Mastercard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands, www.sistic.com.sg
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Space for Singapore Exhibition 1-30 Nov, 10am-7pm, from $38 As part of the country’s 50th birthday in 2015, IN.Genius will be sending the first Singaporean into space. Come discover the Space Capsule that will be propelling Singapore into the new frontier of the Space Era and meet the brave candidates for the “Space for Singapore” programme. S.E.A. Aquarium, Resorts World Sentosa, www.rwsentosa.com
NEW! FREE! Yoga Beat @ Orchard Road 1 Nov, 7pm-10pm Singapore’s biggest Hip Hop Yoga block party is happening! Practice with lululemon ambassadors and jam with our most talented local musicians. Bring your friends, bring your funk and bring your mat! Register to reserve your spot now! Orchard Road, yogabeat.eventbrite.com
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NEW! FREE! We Tech Care Open House 1 Nov, 9.30am-5.30pm Come join us in a day of funfilled activities, including a variety of IT-related workshops, games, clinics, exhibitions and activities for everyone, in support of the President’s Challenge’s fundraising activities. Microsoft Singapore, One Marina Boulevard, Levels 21 & 22, microsoft.com/Singapore/wetechcare
one small step to ginormous fun! Transformers 30th Anniversary Exhibition 1 Nov-1 Mar, 10am-6pm, various prices Celebrating 30 years of the much beloved Transformers series, the exhibition is filled with activities such as the challenging laser maze, Transformer movie screenings, photo opportunities, dynamic exhibits as well as a handson zone which will keep the whole family entertained and occupied! The Annexe, Science Centre Singapore, www.science.edu.sg/
NEW! The Carnival PopUp Class 15 Nov, 10am-5pm, $10 The Carnival is a pop-up class curated by Jan & Elly to bring a splash of fun to English in Singapore. Designed especially for
5-6 year olds, The Carnival is the perfect opportunity for both parents and kids to find out more about Phonics in an outdoor setting. Labrador Seafood Restaurant, No. 8 Port Road, www.jan-elly.com The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson 19, 27, 29 Nov & 3, 6, 11, 13, 17, 20 Dec, 10.30am12pm, $60 for parent & child This newly initiated parentand-child workshop will help nurture a precious bond and bring little ones on an adventure around the world as they are introduced to a snail with big dreams and a humpback whale who fulfils them. ACT 3 Drama Academy, 126 Cairnhill Road, ONE-TWOSIX Cairnhill Arts Centre Santa Run for Wishes 29 Nov, 4pm-10pm, Make this Christmas extraordinary and celebrate the spirit of giving. Participate and help bring smiles to the beneficiaries of Make-A-Wish Foundation
music
Singapore! The Promontory@ Marina Bay, www. santarunforwishes.sg Hi-5 House Hits 2014 5-6 Dec, 11am, 3pm & 7pm, from $45 Hi-5 returns to Singapore for a spectacular show – Hi-5 House Hits 2014! The children’s musical group promises a dazzling singand-dance extravaganza that can be enjoyed by children and parents alike. The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, www.sistic.com.sg
family
LEE MIN HO GLOBAL TOUR 2014 <RE:MINHO> SINGAPORE 9 Nov, 7pm, $208-$278 K-Drama Prince Lee Min Ho is back in Singapore! Travelling with him for this tour as his guest performer is a three-member rock band – Royal Pirates. Singapore Indoor Stadium, www.sportshub.com.sg Skechers Sundown
Don’t miss the fun and action from Hi-5!
Festival 22 Nov, 4-11pm, from $118 Skechers Sundown Festival 2014 will be featuring artistes from 11 countries, showcasing the best local artiste from each country. Relish popular street food from the different Asian countries at the food stalls set-up on the festival grounds. Marina Promenade, www.sundownfestival.sg ZoukOut 2014
12-13 Dec, from $118 The best beach festival in Asia returns this year! With acts like trance trio Above & Beyond, Swedish EDM staple Steve Angello, Dutchman Nicky Romero as well as superstar DJ Steve Aoki, be sure not to miss this epic dance music festival. Siloso Beach, 51 Imbiah Walk, zoukout.com
International A Cappella Festival 31 Oct, 7.30pm, from $35 A choir dedicated to pop and rock music, the Urban Rock Choir will paint the town red with its first official concert debut this October, as it sings charttoppers and beautiful ballads while exploring its passion for great songs and friendship. Under the baton of Angelina Choo, the choir will serenade you with songs from Sister Act’s “I Will Follow Him”, Sting’s “Every Breath You Take” and other popular hits by Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, Coldplay and more! They will be joined by The Noteables, Singapore’s only Men’s Barbershop Ensemble. Discount for Weekender Readers in 5 easy steps! 1. Go to http://peatix. com/user/349328 to purchase your tickets 2. Select the event(s) that you would like to go for 3. Click “Get Ticket” 4. Enter quantity e.g. “2” 5. Key in the promotional code “Weekender”, and enjoy $5 discount off the ticket TAS@AAC, 28 Aliwal Street, Aliwal Arts Centre, #03-03, www.a-cappella. org.sg
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sports FINA/MASTBANK SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2014 1-2 Nov, 9am-8pm, $30-$200 Witness the crowning of the overall champions and watch the biggest names in swimming as international stars such as Chad Le Clos, Katinka Hosszu, Daiya Seto and Singapore swimmers Tao Li, Amanda Lim and Danny Yeo, compete for a prize purse of US$102,000. OCBC Aquatic Centre, Singapore Sports Hub, www.sportshub.com.sg ONE FC: Battle of Lions 7 Nov, 7pm, from $38 The greatest sporting spectacle in Asia returns to Singapore with another blockbuster Fight Night by ONE Fighting Championship. Get ready for the biggest fight card ever seen for a battle of unprecedented proportions. Singapore Indoor Stadium, www.sportshub.com.sg
For more interesting weekend ideas and entertainment stories, like & follow us at www.facebook.com/ weekendersgp
theatre
MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands, www.sistic.com.sg
others
Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story 27 Nov–20 Jan, 8pm (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri), 3pm & 8pm (Sat & Sun), from $58 A lingering memory of the childhood in adults and a memory to be made for every child, it’s time to watch the classic JM Barrie tale come to life in this theatrical spectacular brimming with high-flying action, thrilling swordplay, magical fairy dust and well-known pop songs. Resorts World Theatre, www.sistic.com.sg
Cats 9 Jan, 8pm (Tues-Fri), 2pm & 8pm (Sat), 1pm & 6pm (Sun), from $65 One of the greatest and most adored musicals the world has ever known is returning to Singapore! With a magnificent musical score composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber and a phenomenal cast from the UK, you’ll be sure not to miss the show.
Singapore Writer’s Festival 31 Oct–9 Nov The Singapore Writer’s Festival, one of Asia’s premier literary events, presents the world’s major literary talents to Singaporeans while shining a spotlight on homegrown creative talents. Come meet acclaimed authors and attend the events as part of the festival. Singapore Management University’s Campus Green, singaporewritersfestival.com
New! Free! MusicFest @ SGH 31 Oct, 10am-5pm Come down for a day of free music performances from a range of genres. The day will end with a Finale concert featuring Sebastian Tan (Broadway Beng) and a tribute to Abba by Cat Ong & Friends. Singapore General Hospital, www.sgh.com.sg
Canon PhotoMarathon Singapore 1 Nov, $15 Calling all fans of PhotoMarathon Asia: the region’s largest photo competition is back! Be one of the many to join this photo competition that challenges participants to create photographic masterpieces in line with assigned themes – under time pressure. Stretch your creativity and endurance in this full-day event and you could emerge as a winner in your participating country, to win an unforgettable all-expenses paid photo-clinic trip to Central Japan. Walk-in registration is available from 7am to 10am. Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 401-402
Running Man: Race Start Season 2 29 Nov, 7.30pm-11pm, from $148 Following the success of Race Start: Running Man Fan Meet last year, the members are going to have to put on an even bigger show for their adoring fans this year! The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, www.sistic.com.sg
angela
Anime Festival Asia
5-7 Dec, 8am-5pm This year, music lovers can once again look forward to three days of adrenalinepumping performances of theme songs of the region’s latest and hottest anime titles. The festival includes a mix of returning ani-song veterans as well as up-andcoming artistes, for an aural and visual extravaganza. Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre Level 4, www.animefestival.asia
Longines Singapore Gold Cup 16 Nov Singapore Turf Club is committed to do its part for charity at the Longines Singapore Gold Cup 2014, which falls on its Annual Charity Race Day. A total sum of $1.5 million will be donated to 25 selected charitable organisations. Racegoers can purchase a special package to the Singapore Racecourse at $108 for ladies and $128 for gentlemen. You’ll get the opportunity to enjoy the afternoon at the marquee close to the racing action, and tuck into a sumptuous buffet lunch paired with free flow beer, wine, soft drinks and juices. Each will also receive a Longines Singapore Gold Cup cap. You can also participate in the Best Dressed contest with attractive prizes to be won. Singapore Racecourse, 1 Turf Club Avenue
October 31 - november 6, 2014
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Entertainment
RED CARD FOOTBALL FEVER
Juicy reviews & tips on the EPL & the best of world football
Manchester madness Robin van Persie celebrates the injury time goal against Chelsea. Could we see similar scenes at the Etihad Stadium this weekend?
Can a derby get any bigger than the Manchester one? Will the Reds go marching on, or will the Blue Moon keep rising? Ah, Manchester. A place known for the best football talents over the years. Now, one club is on its way to create a dynasty, while the other is struggling to maintain its own. Will Manchester be Blue or Red this weekend?
Manchester City vs Manchester Utd (2 Nov, Sun, 9.30pm) It seems that both City and United have a common enemy this season: Chelsea. They both needed a late goal to secure a point at home against the league leaders, with United needing Robin van Persie’s 94th minute equaliser to even the score just last week. This weekend, however, sees sworn enemies battle it out once again. The Red Devils are still struggling while the Citizens are smarting from a shock defeat last week. Neither team can afford losing even more ground to Chelsea. But something’s gotta give, and City’s squad seems too strong to ignore. United might be improving, yes, but City will have a point to prove and to return to winning ways after its shock defeat to West Ham. Seeing how the Red Devils have lost four out of their last five appearances at the Etihad, all signs point to a City victory. Sorry, United fans. Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester Utd
Newcastle vs Liverpool (1 Nov, Sat, 8.45pm) Newcastle’s victory over Spurs last week must have been a pleasant surprise for their fans but surely expecting another good result against Liverpool would be pushing it a little.
Yes, the Reds are not at their best at the moment, as exemplified by the enigmatic Mario Balotelli. But he only needs one goal to turn things around, and it could very well be against the Magpies. Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Chelsea vs Queens Park Rangers (1 Nov, Sat, 11pm) Did someone say top versus bottom? Yup, this could very well be one of the most one-sided games we’ll see. Stock up your Chelsea players in your Fantasy team and put Diego Costa as your Captain (that is, if he is playing)! Heck, I’m going to bet all my life savings on it being a walk in the park. Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 QPR By Ahmad Khan Log on to the all-new www.RedCardConnect.com for exclusive articles, interviews, radio shows & videos of the Premier League, Singapore & the world of sports.
About Ahmad Khan
Ahmad Khan (@AhmadKhan12) is a presenter for #RedCardConnect. He has the potty idea that football makes the world go round and is convinced that the beautiful game forges greater bonds than the United Nations. Call 6281 1898 and join him in his rant about football every weekday from 6pm-8pm, on #RedCardDRIVETIME, and every weekend just before the EPL matches on #RedCardLIVE.
Superstars dazzle in 1st WTA Finals in S’pore Serena Williams and other superstars put in rousing performances
Singapore has been graced with tennis superstars as the 1st WTA Finals here took place over the past two weeks October was an exciting month for tennis fans in Singapore. With top names like Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki arriving on our shores, there was not a moment to waste in catching up with them!
Sugarpova’s IN TOWN When it comes to happiness, Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova means serious business – and gummy treats are on the top of her list. She personally graced the launch of her colourful candy collection, Sugarpova, here on Oct 15. Read more about the launch of her Sugarpova candy line in our Foodmania section.
Tight matches for Sharapova But not everything was sugar-sweet for
Sharapova at WTA. The crowd favourite faced a flurry of fierce matches – starting with Danish powerhouse Caroline Wozniacki. Sharapova kept her defences tight in the first two sets, evening the score at 7-6, 6-7; however, Wozniacki felled the Russian champion in the final set with a score of 6-2. Sharapova was again stretched by Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. Kvitova ultimately claimed victory in sets of 6-3, 6-2.
Quick Recovery for Serena Williams A four-time Olympic gold medallist with 63 WTA titles and 18 Grand Slam Singles crowns, Serena Williams experienced her worst defeat in 16 years right here. Williams was surprisingly trumped by Romanian rising star Simona Halep, 6-0, 6-2. It was a bitter reflection of Williams’ defeat in 1998, when she was crushed by South African player Joannette Kruger in Oklahoma City. She woefully remarked to reporters, “My forehand was off today again. I guess it went on an early vacation.” But she was quick to get back on her feet. In the final match on Oct 26, she avenged her loss by smashing Halep 6-3, 6-0, claiming the WTA Championship 2014 crown. It was an exciting and dazzling first outing for Singapore.
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GoGoVan’s courier service saves you time, money and hassle!
How to Use GoGoVan in 3 Easy Steps:
Highly affordable, convenient and reliable, GoGoVan is the go-to app when you require courier services Picture this: Your office is in Tai Seng and your girlfriend is working at Marina Bay Sands. During lunch hour, you stopped by a florist and picked out roses to delight her. Sadly, the florist doesn’t offer instant delivery.
Courier within Minutes At times like this, GoGoVan is a godsend. With just a few clicks, you can contact a registered courier near you. The friendly professional is sure to deliver your roses on time. If you haven’t heard of the handy GoGoVan mobile app, it’s time you download it and
experience the convenience of its services. In this age when time is money, you save yourself much hassle by outsourcing the delivery of items – from roses for your girlfriend to contracts or parcels for clients.
Lighten Your Load: ChoosE Only the Best GoGoVan stands above traditional courier services because it’s fast, user-friendly and efficient. If you have an item that urgently needs to be sent to a client, do your company a favour by choosing GoGoVan. With an extensive fleet of 3,000 drivers island-wide, you can expect an instant response when you book a courier service via GoGoVan.
GoGoVan’s affordable courier rates start from just $7. That’s cheaper than parking fees, fuel cost and ERP charges if you make the trip yourself! And, until Nov 30, using the promo code “GGV20” will give you $20 off your first booking. This means a free trial, and possibly even further savings!
Courier Services That You Know You Can Trust Besides being value-for-money, GoGoVan’s top-notch courier service gives you peace of mind. Each professional courier will deliver your item right to the doorstep. GoGoVan customises orders for SMEs for even greater value-added help. Audit firms can also greatly benefit from its services. On top of that, GoGoVan offers you assurance for item loss and damages. GoGoVan is clearly the go-to app for all your courier needs.
You can easily download this FREE GoGoVan app from the App Store (iPhone users) or Google Play (Android users). Step 1 — Select the service and key in the route (the fee will be reflected) Step 2 — Set the date and time Step 3 — Enter your information and place the order instantly Why download the GoGoVan App now? Download the GoGoVan app now and enjoy up to $20 discount for your first booking by using the promo code “GGV20”. The promotion ends 30 Nov. What are you waiting for? Get your hands on this handy dandy mobile app now!
ONGOING GOGOVAN Promotions: - *$20 off in the month of November 2014 - 10% discount until December 2014 *$20 is only applicable for 1 time & $20 is not valid for 10% discount.
October 31 - november 6, 2014
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Entertainment
PEt Family photos
Submit your Pet Family Photo and get a chance to be published! Are your pooches or kitties your family’s pride and joy? Then whip out those cameras now! Send us the very best photos of you with your beloved pets. The cutest PET FAMILY PHOTO will receive an exclusive AVA umbrella! Don’t miss this chance to show off your pets. Send your best photos to: general@weekender.com.sg with your Pet Name, Your Name, Date of Birth, Tel No., NRIC & Postal Code.
Advice on caring for your pet
How to pick up a pet rabbit correctly
Winners will be contacted directly on the collection. Submit for the next one!
Caring for your rabbit Thinking of getting a rabbit? Make sure you read these important tips first!
Weekender presents the PET FAMILY PHOTOS contest. Here are our readers’ cutest snapshots! This week’s best photo wins a special AVA umbrella worth $40!
Rabbits are ground-loving animals and would prefer not to be carried. They think they are being attacked by predators when lifted. They are bottom-heavy and have very strong hind legs for hopping. So, if you do not handle a rabbit properly, he might accidentally injure his spine when he kicks hard. Tip 1: Simple 3-step way to pick up rabbits Step 1: Before you pick up your bunny, give him a gentle pet to make him feel relaxed and calm. Step 2: Carefully place one hand underneath your rabbit’s arms and with the other hand cup its butt to support its bottom.
Alinah Clayton’s kitty, Bobby, snuggling up :)
Real joy and pride: Tien Tien lights up Wendy Chan’s family!
Step 3: Bring the rabbit as close as possible to your chest and cradle it in your arms with its belly facing upwards. If you’re new to this, it’s best to carry your bunny while seated. Should he jump off your chest, he will not be injured. Tip 2: Putting it down safely Always kneel down and lower the rabbit to the floor. Don’t do it standing! Tip 3: Never carry by the ears! Never pick up your rabbit by his ears like in those silly cartoons. Remember, they are bottom heavy so it will seriously injure your rabbit. To find out more about responsible pet ownership, visit: www.petsforlife.com.sg
Margaret Yeoh’s mummy dearest & Milo. They are as young as each other, in their 70s.
Casper the friendly dog: Charlotte Fu and her little angel Lucky star: Yanling & her oh-soadorbz doggie, Lucky!
Tips from Fluffy, the rescued pooch, on caring for your furry friends and being a responsible pet owner
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yak & crow
Yak about local issues or crow about your opinions on trending topics in Singapore. See more at www.weekender.com.sg/category/yak-crow/
Student hogs table in Starbucks, then complains on Facebook about staff
Student hogs table at Starbucks, leaves the premises for 30 minutes, then later complains on social media that the staff removed her belongings. On Oct 26, Huixin Yap, a student posted a complaint on the Starbucks Singapore Facebook page that she had bought drinks but left the premises for 30 minutes, and the Starbucks staff removed her belongings that she had left behind. She admitted to hogging the table in her post
Have your say!
but was upset that her belongings where removed from the table. “Touching our belongings without permission is rude…” she posted. She went on to question, “What right does he (the manager) have to lecture us?” Huixin’s post also said that her friend had asked for a new drink to replace the one the staff threw away but was upset that the staff would only replace half a cup of coffee. Now she demands satisfaction! Huixin posted her complaint thinking that the public would back her plight. Unfortunately for her, it backfired. Did she really believe that no one would remove their belongings when they’d been gone for 30 minutes? What’s worse, she knew that she and her friends were hogging the table! Obviously, they didn’t think that other people would wanted to use the table. What’s even more hilarious is that she felt insulted that the Starbucks staff lectured them about their behaviour. I really hope the next generation will be more considerate, and smarter!
Mothership.sg covers current affairs, lifestyle topics as well as soon-to-trend issues. It is read by more than 700,000 Singaporeans monthly.
Mat & Minah dating app targets Muslim singles – small number of users discourages casual hookups The video for the app is funny. Muslim singles, here’s a dating app catered just for you:
Join in the discussion at Weekender’s Yak & Crow forum, on the hottest social issues in Singapore. Head to www.weekender.com.sg/category/yak-crow/
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W We have been doing a lot of armchair traveling again! Remember our Canon photo contest? Our readers sure go to some pretty places. Here are some of our most stunning entries.
karin@weekender.sg erwin@weekender.sg jon.go@weekender.sg syarila@weekender.com.sg
Jonathan Soh
It is amazing how beautiful lake houses are.
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Events Arwhin Harie
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The app is called Mat & Minah, a colloquial slang for Malay men and women. It is currently available for iPhone users. The Android version will be out next month. Launched in September 2014, there are about 200 active users and some 300 downloads for the app. It is by a local company, Skimly, and produced for $20,000. Compared to other local dating apps, Mat & Minah has a comparatively small user base. Another local dating app, Paktor, launched in June last year, has a seven-figure membership base. How the app works is simple: It is similar to the Tinder app, where users sign up for an account by syncing it with their Facebook profile. Users can like or dislike the person by swiping the screen left or right. How the app monetises its services is simpler: It allows users to pay to find out which user “liked” them even though there is no match. The app’s niche market is attractive, especially for those into serious relationships: The small number of users helps deter casual hookups. And there appears to be an increasing need for non-traditional matchmaking services in modern Singapore. According to the Department of Statistics Singapore, the proportion of singles among ethnic Malays has been on the rise. For ethnic Malay men aged 25 to 29, the percentage of singles jumped from 53.4 per cent in 2000 to 66.6 per cent in 2010. For women, 27 per cent in 2000 were single compared to 45.1 per cent in 2010. For older ethnic Malay men aged 30 to 34, the percentage of singles rose from 24.4 per cent in 2000 to 30.5 per cent in 2010. For older women, the number increased from 12.7 per cent in 2000 to 18.2 per cent in 2010.
by Belmont Lay
October 31 - november 6, 2014
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Entertainment m o v ie p re v ie w
Daniel Radcliffe gets horny in Horns In this thriller, Harry Potter’s popular boy wizard grows a pair
W Ignatius Perrish (Daniel Radcliffe) wakes up to find horns sprouting from his head
hen photos of Daniel Radcliffe with horns first came out, I thought, “He may have been ‘The Boy Who Lived’ but his career certainly didn’t.” Radcliffe stars in Horns as Ignatius Perrish, a young man accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend. Ostracised by his own community, he wakes up one day with ram-like horns sprouting from his head. Unlike popular (and my) belief, Horns is not just some trashy film that mockingly casts Radcliffe as a devil figure who has fallen from grace. Here’s why.
King of Horror This movie is based on the gothic cult novel Horns, written by awardwinning writer Joe Hill. Now, that may not mean anything to us – not yet. Joe Hill is, in fact, the pen name of Joseph Hillstrom King. That’s right – the book Horns is written by the son of Stephen King, the father of horror stories. It seems like talent runs in this family. Similar to his father’s penchant for sardonic dark comedy, Hill employs “dark humour to expose a different kind of horror… (that of) our modern addictions and contradictions,” said director Alexandre Aja. This tidbit sheds light on this movie adaptation, and now we’re expecting more instead of less.
Beyond HARRY POTTER
Ignatius Perrish (Daniel Radcliffe) and his girlfriend Merrin Williams (Juno Temple), before she is raped and murdered
A L S O I N T H E AT R E S Mourning Grave [NC16] In-Soo has that third eye – he is able to see ghosts. However, because of this, he is often isolated and ostracised. As a result, he transfers to a high school in a rural area outside of Seoul. There, In-Soo meets a female ghost at the high school and forms a friendship with her. Meanwhile, his classmates disappear one by one. STARRING: Kang Ha-neul & Kim So-eun GENRE: Horror RELEASE: 30 Oct
Radcliffe’s role as Ignatius illustrates the actor’s talent beyond casting spells out of a wand. Ignatius is a tough character to portray: Radcliffe must convey the conflicting sides of goodness and temptation warring within him, while maintaining a certain manipulative charm.
Love, Rosie [NC16] Can best friends fall in love? Rosie and Alex have been best friends since they were five, so they couldn’t possibly be right for one another… or could they? With one awkward turn at 18, one missed opportunity, life sends them hurling in different directions. Will they find their way back to one another, or will it be too late? STARRING: Lily Collins, Sam Claflin, Suki Waterhouse, Christian Cooke & Tamsin Egerton GENRE: Comedy, Romance RELEASE: 30 Oct
For the director, Radcliffe was “an obvious choice” for the part, and not just because the actor is a big fan of the original novel. “Ig’s character was an iconic role to play with an extreme emotional arc,” said Aja. “(It) gave Daniel an opportunity to spotlight a side few had seen from him.” We agree – it seems that Horns will continue to pull Radcliffe out of his wizard typecast from the Harry Potter saga.
Radcliffe’s Hits & Misses But how successful can the actor get outside of that magical series? Unlike his fellow wizard actors Emma Watson and Robert Pattinson – who play Harry Potter’s classmates Hermione Granger and Cedric Diggory – Radcliffe’s other movies have only gained critical but not commercial success. We still think Horns is worth a go, if only to see what else Radcliffe is capable of besides wand fights. We have the utmost confidence in his talented acting, so even if Horns turns out to be a bust, we won’t point fingers at He Who Must Not Be Blamed.
Merrin is later found dead and her boyfriend Ignatius is blamed
Horns [M18] Director: Starring: Genre: Run Length: Release:
Alexandre Aja Daniel Radcliffe, Max Minghella & Juno Temple Horror, Thriller 119 min 30 Oct
SXTape [R21] Adam, a filmmaker, and Jill, an aspiring painter, attempt to spice up their relationship by recording a sex tape. Adam is still recording when they find an abandoned hospital. Soon, Adam unwillingly documents is a twist of events. It quickly becomes apparent that they’re not alone. Soon, the couple realises that some sex tapes should never be made as their kinky adventure turns into a desperate fight for survival. STARRING: Caitlyn Folley & Ian Duncan GENRE: Horror RELEASE: 30 Oct
What have the other Harry Potter stars been up to? Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) Watson has been a very busy woman. Besides modelling for luxury fashion houses, she has starred in successful films such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), This is the End (2013), and Noah (2014). Recently, her United Nations speech on gender equality made waves worldwide. Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) Although not as successful as his Potter co-stars, Grint has had his fair share of projects on his plate. He starred in the 2013 movie CBGB alongside Alan Rickman (Severus Snape in Harry Potter), and made his Broadway debut in It’s Only a Play this month. Last we heard, in typical Weasley fashion, he bought himself an ice cream truck. Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) He may have played a cold villain in Harry Potter, but Felton has been able to shake off any bad rep. He’s since appeared in many movies, such as James Franco’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011). He recently wrapped up war film Ghosts of the Pacific, and is working on horror film Fangs of War with veteran actor Christopher Walken. Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) After playing Potter’s dorky bucktoothed friend with an unfortunate surname, Lewis shocked the world with his amazing physical transformation. It’s like he underwent metamorphosis and emerged as a tall and lanky model. That’s about it, really – he’s been modelling for magazines and brands, living off of his dashing good looks.
Fury [NC16] Fury depicts an American tank crew – called “Fury” – thrust into enemy lines during World War II. Brad Pitt plays hardened commander Don “Wardaddy” Collier, who must deal with the fact that his new private Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman) is more trained for typewriting than battling and surviving. STARRING: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman & Michael Pena GENRE: War, Action RELEASE: 23 Oct
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weekender.com.sg
s ta r o f t h e w e e k
Photo: a-nation Singapore
Photo: Lenne Chai
Yummy Ayumi Hamasaki Just before her a-nation Singapore performance, Ayumi opened up about her school days, competition from K-Pop idols, and her future plans. Dressed in a glittering black-and-gold dress, Ayumi Hamasaki looked like a model fresh off a Givenchy runway. It’s a fitting look for the international superstar, who has often been labelled the “Empress of Pop”. The singer was recently in town for Japan’s largest and most explosive summer festival, a-nation. This was a-nation’s debut in Singapore, and Ayumi’s first appearance here in 12 years. At the concert, Ayumi delivered a stellar performance of new songs from her latest album, Colours, as well as older favourites. She showed that she still has not lost her seductiveness or energy. The grinning superstar started off the conference on a high note – though not literally – with a friendly shout-out to her adoring fans. “I’m so glad to be here! Actually this is not the first time for me (being in Singapore). It was 12 years ago… A lot of places have changed, and I’m really enjoying my stay (so far)!” the Empress enthused. Seeing the 2,000-strong turnout at
movie preview
The Book of Life: A colourful family treat This entertaining animation is a mustwatch for its unique art style and vibrant settings
After all these years, Ayumi Hamasaki can still put in a sultry and electrifying performance
a-nation Singapore, it seems like her followers really enjoyed her stay here too!
Do you have a message for your adoring fans in Singapore? Can fans look forward to your solo concert in Singapore soon? Thank you for waiting for me (for) so long! Of course, I would love to (have a solo concert in Singapore) – I hope we can make it happen!
You have a very strong sense of artistic style. How do you balance staying true to your own style, and keeping up with the evolving J-Pop and K-Pop scene? I always get inspiration about how I want to be in my lyrics and my image. So I don’t really care if it’s trendy or not. That’s my style.
What was Ayumi Hamasaki like in her school days? Can you share tidbits from your school life? I wasn’t a girly girl. I was – I am! – a tomboy. Also, I kind of liked to be alone. I don’t know if you guys know this but I quit high school early, and that is really one of the regrets of mine. I want to say to all students out there to just enjoy and to not give up.
Have you ever thought of quitting the music industry? Quit? Well… If I really wanted to quit, then I would have already done it! That’s my character… I just can’t picture the life without the music!
Which Western artistes would you
The Book of Life follows the fictional Mexican lore of a love triangle between three friends. Joaquin (Channing Tatum) is the vengeful son of a murdered soldier, and Manolo (Diego Luna) is a born-and-bred bullfighter with a secret passion for music. They both fall in love with their friend Maria (Zoë Saldana) and, through a twisted Romeo and Julietesque tale, they must tame their pride
love to collaborate with? [This question was initially skipped but Ayumi happily piped up.] I would like to try new things… Whatever, if it’s fun or interesting, I’ll do it!
What are your plans for the future? I will release a winter ballad in December, and I just announced my live countdown, which we will do (for) three days as usual. It’ll be fantastic! After that, we’ll see! By Pamela Chow Ayumi Hamasaki performed at a-nation Singapore 2014 along with other stars including m-flo, Sonar Pocket, Generations from Exile Tribe, Wagakki Band, Aaron Yan (Taiwan) and Stella Seah (Singapore). Look out for a-nation Singapore 2015.
ol’ fluffy demigod? Just imagining them prancing around on the vivid fantastical sets has me chuckling. And if you’ve watched the 2004 movie The Terminal, you’ll be rooting for the romance between Diego Luna and Zoë Saldana’s characters – after all, they portrayed similar affection in the earlier movie as well.
The gods Xibalba (left) and La Muerte make a bet that changes lives
Channing Tatum wants a ‘stache
The Book of Life tells a tale of friendship, love, sacrifice, and forgiveness
It’s hard for a cartoon film to stand out these days. With so many animated films released every year, they all start to blend into one giant colourful reel. But The Book of Life sets itself apart exactly because of its special cartoonish quality. The character design is insanely exaggerated: giant sombreros that flail about; large, funky hairdos; and flamboyant costumes that make you want to dress up even after Halloween’s over.
Journey to the ends of the Earth
Ayumi remains the “Empress of Pop”
and prove their worth to their village. Two Mexican gods, La Muerte (Kate del Castillo) and Xibalba (Ron Perlman, of Hellboy), pick up on this affair and wager on who will win Maria’s love. Because the gods are immortal and highly carefree, they lay their leadership of Earth on the line for the bet. But it looks like the gods aren’t all that honest after all – we expected more from you guys! – so it’s up to Joaquin and Manolo to set things right.
Clown cast Although the comedy in the movie may be a little bland, the movie’s carnival of crazy colours will easily arrest your attention. More so when you find out who voices these characters – then it’s a fun ride of imagining your favourite actors as hilarious caricatures! Who would have expected actor, sexy model and frat boy hunk Channing Tatum to play a comical Mexican town hero? Or hardcore rapper Ice Cube voicing a big
When asked about the role of Joaquin, Tatum admitted that he was envious of the character. He said, “I think he looks amazing; I wish I had Joaquin’s jaw and moustache. Joaquin is very proud of his ‘stache – wouldn’t you be?” Interestingly, Manolo is the only character in the whole film of masculine moustaches who doesn’t sport any facial hair. But we don’t think Luna has any problems of jealousy with his character. He astounded the movie crew when he recorded Manolo’s serenade, thrilling them with his resounding voice. He was “very, very happy” after the recording, and called director Jorge R Gutierrez to gush, “Jorge, I can sing!” Actually, I retract my earlier statement. You should definitely catch this for the awesome remakes of popular songs as well. I’d give anything to see a cartoon music video of “Creep” – wouldn’t you?
The Book of Life [PG] Director: Jorge R. Gutierrez Starring: Channing Tatum, Diego Luna, Zoë Saldana, & Christina Applegate Genre: Fantasy Run Length: 96 min Release: 30 Oct
October 31 - november 6, 2014
Entertainment
Swiss army knife, or your torchlight, or your grandmother’s secret prawn paste sauce. Better take them all, just in case. (But why are you taking so much money? No one will have much use for paper currency anymore.)
Photo: val lawless / Shutterstock.com
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3. Locate the nearest Community Centre / Residents’ committee
Left: What if the zombie apocalypse reaches our void decks, hawker centres and parks? Top: The authorities can’t protect you all the time
1. Locate the lightest and deadliest weapon-like item near you
How to survive a Zombie Apocalypse in Singapore Hollywood only shows us how to survive when zombies invade the USA. But what if we’re stuck in Singapore?
Every zombie movie conveniently has guns, crossbows, chainsaws or swords lying around. Or at least that’s what Hollywood shows us. In Singapore, we’d be lucky to even get our hands on a butter knife that can slice through butter slabs smoothly. So, it goes to say that all those Hollywood flicks aren’t much help for when the undead overrun our void decks and hawker centres. In the spirit of Halloween, here’s a short checklist of what to do if a zombie outbreak erupts in our heartlands. Don’t take these tips too seriously – so I can outlast you!
As mentioned, we don’t have the blessing of finding guns on tables or in boxes. Most of us have never even used a kitchen knife. But this can work in our favour. It’s survival of the most creative weapon – finally, we can put our years of education in science to good use. For example, we could try mixing bleach and vinegar to create noxious fumes that may slow down the zombies, to make a quick getaway. Sadly, you still won’t have much use for algebra. If chemistry is not your forte, your best bet might be a kitchen knife or carving a spear from a tree branch.
2. Don’t leave your belongings behind We are a very kiasu bunch. We refuse to abandon our valuables, even when our lives are being threatened. And maybe it’s for good reason – you never know when you may need your
If anyone knows what they’re doing, it’s the leaders of the community. They should be setting up a quarantine zone at the CC or RC, so head there with your belongings (and your family members, of course). If they’re not there, there should be signs or graffiti (for once) stating where survivors should gather. If there is no sign of life in the CC, raid it! Just hoard anything that you might find there that’s of value or of use. This is a war (with the undead); it’s a question of survival.
4. Grab a bicycle With the nation’s latest campaign for bike riding, bicycles are fairly easy to find. They are a fast, efficient, and environmentallyfriendly way of getting around, and you won’t have to worry about running out of gas. And with all the traffic stalled, safety on the roads isn’t an issue anymore.
5. Cross the border It’s the apocalypse. Nobody’s going to stop you from swimming to Johor! If you followed the second tip, though, good luck staying afloat. By Pamela Chow
f e at u r e d e v e n t
Sentosa Spooktacular: The fear-fest so scary, you could lose your soul Photo: Pamela Chow
ghouls who once lived there, and could still be lingering around. Photo: Sentosa Spooktacular
The Spooktacular sets were personally designed by renowned Thai horror movie directors
Alone: Fatal Separation, Eternal Vengeance
The new haunted village, Laddaland, at Fort Siloso, is all set to scare the wits out of even the bravest among you The creepy historical battleground of Fort Siloso has been integrated into the design of Laddaland’s dark houses, gardens and pools. You will cross paths with ghosts and
Like other haunted zones, the spooky house of Alone’s Pim and Ploy, are based on renowned horror flicks of Thai studio GTH. Siamese twins Pim and Ploy are expecting you at the labyrinthine basement. Ploy, who tragically died during the separation surgery, returns vengefully to haunt her surviving twin sister, Pim. Did someone ask how to find Ploy? Just follow the bloody trail to reel yourself towards the gore galore.
Photo: Sentosa Spooktacular
Photo: Sentosa Spooktacular
This trail in the Countdown horror house will make you giddy with excitement - literally
Attention to detail sees the dresser in the Alone house reproduced from the movie
Mad House of Countdown Spares No One
Nothing But the Most Spinechilling is Promised
The thin line between reality and psychedelic fun is gone. Expect to question your own sanity as you explore the crazilywinding paths and hidden scares. Oh, is that wall closing in on you? I don’t know. You’ve gotta experience it for yourself. Good luck in finding your way out of the mad house – soul intact or otherwise!
Hold on to your palpitating hearts. Spooktacular, jointly presented by Sentosa and GTH, has clinched Silver in the Grand Pinnacle category of 2014 International Festival & Events Association/Haas and Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards. With such high standards at this spookfest, you can be assured that you’re in for the most petrifying experience of your life. Are you ready to scream your lungs out?
Swimmingly Scary From Pool to Death The Swimmers takes you through the intensely horrifying journey of Ice, a swimmer’s girlfriend who got knocked up before getting her life knocked out for good. No, I won’t divulge if it’s murder or suicide. Listen to the whispers. Endure the screams (are they all yours?) and dive into the deepest end of your fear threshold. You’ll need all the guts you can muster. Take a deep breath, for you know not if it’s gonna be your last. The bigger a hydrophobe you are, the more bang you get for your buck. Life jackets not included.
For more information, check out the Sentosa Spooktacular website www.spooktacular.com.sg and Facebook page www.facebook.com/ sentosaspooktacular. Tickets from $66.60 can be purchased from the Spooktacular website www.spooktacular.com.sg or from Sentosa ticketing counters. Don’t miss Spooktacular on 31 Oct or 1 Nov.
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weekender.com.sg
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
8 Scariest places in Singapore as told by taxi drivers
We asked 8 taxi drivers for the scariest places in Singapore – you might sleep with the lights on tonight Are you ready? Let’s start with the lightest story:
But when he turned around, the man was gone. In his place was a small pile of leaves. He did not know what to do with them and decided to put them in the boot of the taxi, for fear that something bad would happen if he discarded them. And, as it turned out, he started having spectacular luck in picking up passengers, for the rest of the month of the incident. Still, he never went back to Old Tampines Road after that.
The one with the runover
Bustling in the day, and at night in a spooky way
The one that’s a pun Driver Krishna was on the way home after a full dinner with his friends and decided he couldn’t be bothered to drive by the safety rules. It was one of the days in the Chinese 7th month, around midnight. He was speeding along Tyrwhitt Road (leading to Lavender Street) and scanning for passengers when he gave up and thought to himself, in Hokkien: “Aiyah just use the right lane lah, since the road so empty. Plus, so late already, zai gui [ferrying ghost] ah?” Indeed, further down the road, he saw a Caucasian person flagging for a cab. He smiled to himself that he actually did manage to pick up an “ang moh gui” [redhaired devil/ghost], a joke he wisely kept to himself. OK, so this one’s not about a real ghost but we’re just warming up.
The one with the mount Driver Hock Huat was picking up a student from NUS. The student was heading to Ang Mo Kio. He decided to take the usual route, which is a drive along the PIE to Thomson. He was going to take a turn at Mount Pleasant when the student said, “Please take another way, I am not comfortable with Mount Pleasant.” He did not think much of it and just told the student that that way was faster and there is no point making a turn. And that was when the student then touched him on the shoulder. In shock from the touch, he immediately turned backwards and realised that there was no one left in the taxi. Scared and confused, he turned back to the road and mistook a tree’s shadow for a man and swerved to avoid him. He never went back to Mount Pleasant after that day.
The one with the leaves Driver Jaffar was driving at night along Old Tampines Road when he saw a man in red flagging his taxi. He was rushing home, tired from a long day at work so he intended to roll down his window and ask if he was heading to the same area. Upon driving up close, he realised the man was a lot older than he thought, as if he had aged 10 years in the 10 seconds he took to drive closer to him. He decided not to comment and to just take him anyway as he did not want to leave a poor old man stranded all alone. The old man said he was going to Changi, which was just a short distance away. He was yawning and turning up the radio as he was getting sleepy. When they went through a tunnel, the radio sounds distorted so he turned it off and started to chat with his passenger to keep awake.
Driver Harry was driving along the Jalan Toa Payoh highway, entering Potong Pasir. His passenger was chatting to him about a new restaurant that was opening and Harry was distracted listening to his story and the radio both at once. Suddenly, he saw the car in front of him swerve into the right lane and a red, bloody mess lay ahead of the road in front of him. Too late to stop, he ran over the figure. With his heart pumping, he tried looking back and trying to see what exactly did he run over. The passenger was worried and asked what was wrong but, not to alert him in case he did commit a crime, Harry decided to say nothing. He dropped the passenger off and took a smoke to calm his nerves. But he caught the scent of something else coming from his front bumper. He went to check and fell backwards when he saw the feint but brilliantly fresh blood stains across his bumper. He quickly got a cloth and splashed the remaining water in his bottle onto the stains before haphazardly rubbing it away. His mind was running wild and he vehemently decided he must head back to see what exactly he hit. All these occurred within the time frame of 20 minutes and yet when he went back, there was nothing. No mess, no blood, nothing at all. No trace that anything ever happened. How could anyone have cleaned up the mess so quickly and, if they did, why didn’t the radio report it? He never went back to Potong Pasir.
With a dark wartime past and a prison, Changi is an area that’s notorious for hauntings
The one with the suicide Driver Kokpha was cruising along Choa Chu Kang. He particularly disliked driving along Brickland Road because of the strange three-storey park structure along the highway. So, he was grumbling when his passenger asked to go to Commonwealth via that way. He did a small turn into Brickland Road and, as usual, he turned up to look at the “stupid park structure” out of habit. But, tonight, something was different. For a minute, he swore he saw a man on the roof of the structure weeping and plunging a small knife into his own collarbone. Horrified, he brought the cab to a screeching halt and quietly asked his passenger if he saw it too. The passenger, alert and slightly panicked, turned to look too and assured him that there was nothing there and urged him to just drive on. He never went back to Brickland Road.
The one with the uninvited Driver Seng was on his way to his usual waiting spot at Jurong West at around 2am. He saw a teenager flagging a cab. He seemed drunk and tipsy so Seng, being a father himself, wanted to make sure the passenger got home safe. The passenger was very quiet throughout the trip. He made no noise and there were none of the usual beeps from the passenger’s iPhone. Seng finally arrived at Joo Koon and the passenger sobered up immediately, passing him $10 in each hand. Seng thought it was strange at first until the passenger got off. He swore on his life that only one passenger came in. But two passengers exited his cab. He never went back to Joo Koon.
The one with the curse Driver Ravisatham was heading back from Sime Road after sending home a drunk partygoer. Tired and disgusted by the puke left in his taxi by the passenger, he thanked his lucky stars that the shift was ending. He saw an old lady with surprisingly long grey hair in a white dress flagging his taxi. In that instance, he felt goosebumps and, call it driver’s instinct, he decided to drive past. In the long, single moment that followed after, the stench in the taxi changed from the nauseating smell of puke to a heavy scent of jasmine leaves. He thought nothing of it and decided to just move on with life. But strangely, for the rest of the month, every toddler who entered his taxi would start crying hysterically. Every child who sat in his taxi would end up quietening down immediately. And, every other day, he would find new aches in his arms, legs and body. Eventually, he consulted a “master” and was told that there had been a dead woman and her child sitting in his taxi for the past month. After saying the relevant prayers, the master managed to chain the spirits to a tree and, immediately, he felt his aches reducing. He never went back to Sime Road again.
Cab drivers often have the scariest tales
The one with the running I’ll let Driver Jackson take over from here: “I was driving along Changi after dropping off a Caucasian couple. I saw these two teenagers in the distance flagging my cab so I decided they would be my last passengers of the day. Just nice they were heading to Yishun too so I thought, okay, I’ll end my shift after them. They were very quiet throughout the whole trip and I think they were texting each other instead of talking to each other, so I thought maybe they had a quarrel or something. It was none of my business so I just drove faster and finally we reached Yishun. The minute my cab stopped, one idiot ran out of the right door and the other idiot ran out of the left door screaming ‘KUAI DIAN!’ (“hurry” in Chinese) and I can tell you, girl, they run faster than ghosts! Scariest passenger award goes to them already.” Now we know: Ghosts are not the scariest thing - non-paying customers are!
October 31 - november 6, 2014
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Foodmania
new menu
Getting spooky at Silver Shell Cafe We heard of the spooky terrors at Silver Shell Cafe and decided to have a look for ourselves – what we saw was... terrifyingly tasty
I
have never fancied the idea of Halloween. I am easily scared and turning every corner during this season guarantees the next fright of my life. But food is impossible to hate, so I found myself at Rasa Sentosa’s Silver Shell Cafe, checking out its Halloween menu.
Get ready to be frightened Pumpkin is the ultimate symbolic food for Halloween. It is no surprise
Dare you have a taste of this?
Pumpkin soup for the soul
Everybody loves cupcakes, even spooky ones
that this dish is the starter. I would’ve been supremely impressed if the pumpkin was edible, but it was a prop. The pumpkin soup was ordinary and nothing outstanding. I did not try the shots but the carved tomato was a quaint touch!
of curry. The devil curry is made of chicken cooked in chilli and tomato sauce, capsicum and black pepper. Its colours are menacing enough and the taste of peppered curry comes through powerfully. This is a dish I would want among their regular offerings.
The Halloween special will be available for one day, Oct 31, at Silver Shell Cafe, Rasa Sentosa.
One healthy fruit serving The poached pear looks suspiciously like a stylised liver. It gave me chills slicing a part of this to try. It felt like I was performing a surgical operation. The poached pear is soft and chewy, with the chocolate wig providing it a much-needed crunch.
Can you stomach this? This dish is so hardcore, the carved teeth poked me as I scooped up a bite
n e w S WEE T S
Are you ready for Maria’s Sugarpova?
Are you ready for some sugar? Maria Sharapova proves that she is not just a pretty tennis star! Not content with being the darling of tennis, Maria Sharapova is venturing into the world of confectionery. Her first stop is the sugary world of sweets! Sharapova herself recently came to Singapore to launch Sugarpova, in nine flavours. Each of them reflects a personality trait of hers that has led so many men to a renewed interest in tennis.
our favourite four “Flirty” boasts chewy goodness in the form of lips-shaped gummies! Are they shaped after Sharapova’s famous smile? Flavour doesn’t matter when you imagine these to be little Sharapova
Silver Shell Cafe, Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, 101 Siloso Road, Singapore 098970
Tasty treats for the tongue
By Nicole Lee
It is hard to get spooked by a cupcake when it looks so delicious. The Halloween cupcakes are small mouthfuls and rightfully so, seeing that they have quite a large selection of mini Halloween treats to offer. The RIP cupcake comprises of a tasty tart base and decadent chocolate filling.
kisses, does it? Now go treat yourself to some sugar love! “Chic” is the most adorable of them all, being a peek into the shopaholic side of Sharapova. I’m still wondering if I could bear to eat these little handbags and heels! It’s such a classy little treat. “Splashy” is just in time for Halloween. I almost mistook the starfish for a spider! I think the turtle is the cutest of the lot, followed by the dolphins. This will be a hit with the little ones! “Smitten Sour” is a nice touch, catering to those of us without a sweet tooth. It feels like I’m chewing on a mini, sour rainbow. However, it looks pretty much like something you can find at any candy shop. Sugarpova is available at Robinson’s the Heeren at $7.50 per pack. By Nicole Lee
Sharapova herself came to Singapore to launch her first Sugarpova store
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weekender.com.sg
Recipes and tips from local chef Violet Oon! Red Snapper or Sea Bass fillets are both delicious when pan fried. I use a small amount of oil to achieve a crispy brown colour and texture. It is heartening to know that Red Snapper and Sea Bass are some types of fish which are also bred and supplied by our local fish farms. Local farms certified under the GAP-FF scheme adhere to stringent farming guidelines and provide you with greater quality assurance.
Ikan Masak Kicap
Ingredients • 400g • 1/2 tsp • 1/8 tsp • 2 tbsp
fillet of red snapper (Ikan Merah) or sea bass fine salt turmeric powder vegetable oil
Method
1
Sauce & Garnish
• 1 • 3 • 3 • 2 tbsp • 1 stick • 1 whole • 3 pods • 10g (2 cm) • 5 cloves • 1 tsp • 4 tbsp • 3 tbsp • 3 tbsp • 3 tbsp • 1/8 tsp
large red onion red chillies, sliced green chillies, sliced vegetable oil cinnamon star anise cardamom, smashed to open pods ginger, peeled and cut in thin strips garlic, peeled and sliced tamarind pulp water dark soya sauce tomato ketchup honey salt, or to taste
For the Freshest, Go Local Choose locally farmed fish supplied from farms that are certified under the Good Aquaculture Practice for Fish Farming (GAP-FF) Scheme. Look out for the GAP-FF quality assurance logo and be assured of buying the best.
Food safety tips When buying fish, choose those that are shiny, bright, and with scales intact. Fresh fish should have bright, clear and full eyes and firm flesh. Fish gills should be red to liver-red and free from slime.
2
3
4
1. Rub fish with salt, wash it well, and cut it into 2 large or 4 small pieces. Pat dry and coat fish with turmeric powder (Pic 1). Heat oil in a flat bottomed frying pan. When hot, pan fry the fish for about 3 to 4 min on each side till golden brown and cooked (Pic 2). Set aside. 2. Peel and slice the large red onion, fry with green and red chillies in 2 tbsp of hot oil, till lightly browned. Set aside 3 tbsp of this mixture for garnish. 3. Add cinnamon stick, star anise, cardamom (Pic 3), ginger and garlic, and stir fry over medium high heat for about 3 to 4 min (Pic 4) till fragrant. 4. Meanwhile, mix the tamarind pulp with water and extract the juice, discarding the seeds. 5. Add tamarind water, dark soya sauce, tomato ketchup, honey and salt into the onion mixture. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 to 3 min till the sauce is thick. 6. If desired, you can place the fish in the sauce to simmer for 1 min. 7. Alternatively, serve the fish topped with the sauce and garnish. 8. Ready to serve. Brought to you by:
October 31 - november 6, 2014
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Foodmania
weekender.com.sg
EXCLUSIVE Whisky EVENT
Live the whisky aficionado’s dream Don’t miss Weekender’s second exclusive tasting event! Imagine lounging by a plush bar with a dram of aged Scotch, looking as smooth as the malt in your glass. A light honey musk wafts from the drink, a result of years of maturation in a sherry oak cask. With the rising popularity of single malt whisky among Asia’s most influential circles, it’s essential to stay on top of the trend. But the best Scotches don’t always come easy – until now.
A taste of the best Join us for a classy treat of award-winning single malts, casked and distilled in the highlands of Scotland. The first of our monthly whisky series, Weekender’s Whisky Night will feature a premium collection from a distinguished Scottish distillery. This series features single malts aged up to 21 years and the 105 cask strength, exclusively brought to you by Whisky Vault. Each dram is valued between $25 and $50 – but you can enjoy them at half the price, at our exclusive event.
A touch of sophistication This exclusive function will be guided by a whisky expert, who will show you the
best ways of enjoying a dram of good malt. Master the art of appreciating premium Scotch, from identifying the oak cask to sniffing out the distinctive flavour notes in each whisky. With these whisky appreciation tips, Weekender Whisky Night is perfect for aficionados or beginners.
A night of Classy indulgence The evening will be held in the ritzy Black Swan, one of the most exclusive venues of the Lo & Behold group. Clink glasses with your party in Black Swan’s swanky Powder Room, and tuck into tasty tapas and canapes. Seats are limited, so secure your place now. Tickets are priced at $75 for four premiumlabel drams and savoury hors d’oeuvres. Groups of 5 enjoy a discounted rate of 10% off. Register at http://weekender.com.sg/ whiskynight01 Weekender Whisky Night 12 Nov, Wed, 6.30pm-9pm $75 per person, drinks & food included 10% off for group of 5 The Black Swan, 19 Cecil St
n e w r e s ta u r a n t
Whole&Hearty is more than just breakfast toppings on offer. My colleagues enjoyed eating the toppings alone but I personally liked them mixed with the yoghurt.
Probiotics and more
We love their Lucky Charms and Freeze Dry Yoghurt toppings!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it better be a wholesome and hearty one! With no lack of breakfast bars around, it is hard to find one that balances wholesome with heartiness. Serving up an open-concept, takeaway breakfast spread coupled with a homemade yoghurt bar, the newly opened Whole&Hearty at Icon Village in Tanjong Pajar brings a wholesome range of breakfast options to those looking for a delicious yet healthy start to the day.
Start the day right
Whole&Hearty’s offerings include fresh, homemade yoghurt made from a variety of heirloom cultures and base milks. We enjoyed their starter yoghurt best, It was slightly chilled and intensely sour but it was a tingly combination with the
Whole&Hearty also offers a selection of Christine believes in health and well-being water kefirs. I tried from the inside-out their water kefir + cold brew coffee and it was quite a startling taste for me. It tasted surprisingly all right despite the heavy, healthy content. The water kefir concentrate was more suited to my taste. It tastes like a cross between honey and vinegar. What a supremely healthy drink!
Top me up, please!
Here comes the part I am the most excited about. The Freeze Dry Yoghurt toppings, exclusive to Whole&Hearty, are imported from the USA. They were sweet and colourful, plus the crunch made it radically different from the usual yoghurt we’re familiar with. The Lucky Charms marshmallows were a hit too; I couldn’t keep my hands off them! Whole&Hearty, 12 Gopeng Street, #01-84, Singapore 078877, Tel: 9855 4290
By Nicole Lee
Lounge in a plush room with a dram of quality Scotch in hand. Savour a variety of award-winning single malts from a distinguished Scottish distillery. Enjoy these golden nectars as you’re guided by a whisky expert. This series features single malts aged up to 21 years and the 105 cask strength, exclusively brought to you by Whisky Vault. The evening will be held in The Black Swan, one of the classiest and most exclusive venues of the Lo & Behold group. Seats are limited, so secure your place now. Tickets are priced at $75 for four Event Organiser
premium-label drams and savoury hors d’oeuvres. Register early to secure your place at http://weekender.com. sg/whiskynight01
Weekender Whisky Night 12 Nov 2014 Wed, 6.30pm-9pm $75 per person, drinks & food included 10% off for group of 5 The Black Swan 19 Cecil St Singapore 049704
Whisky Partner
Ve n u e P a r t n e r
October 31 - november 6, 2014
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SHOPsavvy
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Beauty In Brief
Prettiest nail polishes in Singapore We round up some of the prettiest nail polishes in Singapore. Are you ready for pretty fingers? Read on!
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Blues
The holiday season is upon us and it is time to prettify ourselves, head to toe! Or, in this case, head to fingertips. We check out some of the pretty polish offerings from the biggest names in the nail biz and we are delighted with what we‘ve found! Get your purse ready.
Ciate Candy Cane House Set
Etude House Disney Princess Collection - Belle Nail Kit
Nails Inc The Holiday Edit
Soft Hands, Warm Kisses in Strawberry, Mango and Shea
Ciate Candy Cane House
Etude House
Nails Inc
The Body Shop
Holiday season means you can go shamelessly glittery and no one would judge you (openly)! Ciate has its game on, with a packaging so irresistible I had to get a set for myself! I would’ve preferred some classic colours mixed with the glittery ones though. My pick has to be the gold with blue combination - it does not get more festive than that!
Etude House has out-done itself this year, collaborating with Disney to bring us themed nail polish pastels this holiday season. I spent a long time choosing and decided on the warm, mature colors of its Belle Nail Kit. Is there any colour flirtier than this? My pick has to be the purple rose. It looks very regal and romantic at the same time.
Nails Inc rolls out another classic collection, with a standard colour palette similar to their usual one. I would say one of the differences in this collection is that it has introduced a gel effect series, similar to what Sally Hansen is doing. My pick would be the glittery pink polish; it truly is girlish meets glitzy!
Don’t forget about your hands! I spend a lot of time in air conditioned places because I am allergic to the sun (no, really) and it leads to very dry palms. Nothing fixes dry hands quite as quickly as hand creams. Be sure to finish off your pretty nails with baby-soft hands.
3 pairs of tickets to the
Big Wine Review worth $45
to be won! it will feature more than 100 wine labels from 60 famous wineries. There will also be a lucky draw in which 10 lucky winners will have a chance to win a bottle of wine autographed by the winemakers. Win a pair of tickets to the Big Wine Review for yourself now! THREE EASY WAYS TO ENTER: Look for pinned post on our Facebook page:
facebook.com/weekendersgp
and follow the instructions
weekender.com.sg/bigwinereview
Visit contest page to enter contest:
Wine Discovery, a weekend of artisanal wine experiences, will present more than 100 artisanal wines from more than 60 wineries, from Nov 14 (Fri) to Nov 16 (Sun). Organised by Ewineasia.com, a long-time advocate of quality artisanal wines, in celebration of its 10th anniversary, Wine Discovery boasts curated wine events based on the philosophy of bringing the highest quality wines, focusing on finesse, terroir and the passion of winemaking. As part of Wine Discovery, Ewineasia.com’s annual wine tasting event The Big Wine Review features more than 100 wines. Wine amateurs and connoisseurs alike will enjoy The Big Wine Review, which will take place at APS Lifestyle Gallery, a lifestyle studio, on Nov 15, from 1pm to 5pm. Priced at $45 nett (including a $20 voucher redeemable for wine purchase),
Sally Hansen releases its grandest collection yet, this time even working on the classics we love! Introducing a two-step gel manicure system, its Miracle Gel series does not require LED light but is instead cured with natural light over time to give you up to 14 days of colour and shine. It sounds like these nail polishes are good even for heavy duty hands. My pick has to be the gorgeously gold, royal Game of Chromes what a fitting name indeed!
SMS to 85026567
CODE: Big Wine Review, your Name, Age, Gender, NRIC, Address, Postal Code, E-mail ONLY 1 ENTRY PER PERSON, PLEASE. CLOSING DATE: 9 Nov 2014 Good Luck!
No charge for SMS. Please check our Promotional & Contest Rules at weekender.com.sg for details.
By Nicole Lee
October 31 - november 6, 2014
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SHOPsavvy
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Combining lifestyle activities, choice units and an up-and-coming postal code, Lake Life is an invaluable investment
Lake Life is the exciting new executive condominium that offers a resort lifestyle and a high investment value The recently-launched Lake Life executive condominium nestled in the Jurong Lake District is set to redefine EC living with its unique combination of location, healthy lifestyle activities and attractive investment prospects. Over its e-application period, Lake Life garnered strong interest from 1,853 applicants, a record number to date and more than thrice its number of units.
Rejuvenation of the Jurong Lake District Once a swampland and now an industrial town, the Jurong area has indeed come a long way. Set to undergo a fresh round of rejuvenation and transformation, Jurong is poised to be one of the hottest postal codes in Singapore. Besides Jurong Lake District being designated as a test bed for Singapore’s initiative to become the world’s first smart city, Jurong Lake Gardens was recently touted as a garden for the community, combining the existing Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden and Jurong Lake Park. At the National Day Rally this year, PM Lee announced ambitious plans to revitalise the area, with major updates including a revamped Science Centre and the possibility of a high-speed rail linking Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Over the past two years, new shopping malls such as JEM and Westgate have sprung up in the vicinity, providing convenience literally at one’s doorstep. With Lake Life being situated in the Jurong Lake District, homeowners of the condominium will be able to own a residence in one of the most vibrant areas in Singapore.
Lake Life in Jurong: A glimpse into the future Residents of the neighbourhood of tomorrow, Jurong Lake District, can expect to experience a lifestyle of a whole new level, with Jurong being revamped into a smart enclave. For one, they will be able to enjoy a cleaner environment following the installation of an automated video and sensing system that can determine the cleanliness of public areas. This will enable the management to deploy cleaners to the dirtiest places first.
With a holistic approach to EC living, Lake Life stands out in many ways
Live in the heart of Jurong Lake District — the next hottest address in Singapore In addition, there may even be a navigation application, which will inform pedestrians how to get from one place to another without getting drenched on a rainy day. Embracing the smart city initiative as well are the developers of Lake Life, who have sought to provide residents with the infrastructure and features of tomorrow. For example, anticipating a future where electrical cars will be the norm, Lake Life will be offering charging stations within the residents’ car park. All common areas within the condominium will also be equipped with free Wi-Fi. The developer is even exploring the possibility of a driver-less shuttle service to nearby transportation nodes, subject to LTA’s approval.
Bespoke Condo Design Offers Stunning Views Ensconced in lush greenery, Lake Life’s residents will be treated to picturesque views right from the comfort of their homes. Inner blocks have even been angled for a better view of the lake, and units facing away from the lake and pool have views of the roof gardens from a long balcony or from their bedrooms. Such views also extend beyond their homes; the Sky Gym, Sky Dining and Show Kitchen, which are located on the 20th storey, offer stunning bird’s eye views of Jurong Lake and the upcoming Jurong Lake Destination Park, both just beyond a glistening 65m pool. In fact, the layout of Lake Life’s facilities, like its pool and green areas, was designed with the intention of being a continuation from the facing lake and gardens. This is an example of the purposeful and thoughtful design that the developer has put into the project. Such design philosophy extends to wide
frontages that allow natural light to flood into residents’ homes, and strategically placed non-structural walls within the units to allow future residents flexibility in interior configuration.
Lake Life offers state-of-the-art amenities and activities for a healthy lifestyle
Activities, Not Just Facilities, For Premium Living At Lake Life, state of the art amenities go hand in hand with lifestyle activities, that promote an active and healthy lifestyle. This will go towards fostering the muchmissed “kampong” community spirit of bonding and fortifying relationships through shared activity. The other highlights of the condominium include partnerships with various businesses, to offer residents health, home and harmony within close reach. Lake Life is the first condominium to have collaborated with international fitness chain True Fitness, and its topnotch gymnasium is stocked with top-end equipment from leading brand Precor to help gym buffs stay fit. Dance, swimming, tennis and yoga classes will also be conducted by professionals, right within the condominium compounds.
Lake Life: A True Asset Now & In Future Mr Mohd Ismail, CEO of PropNex Realty, advises consumers to buy with the future in mind. As the unit allocations are balloted, many will be disappointed at not getting their preferred units. He says that this is still a fantastic opportunity to gain a foothold in the property market in Singapore as consumers are essentially buying a private property at a discount of about 20 to 30 per cent as compared to other mass market condos at the entry level. At attractive indicative prices, Lake Life will present buyers an
Thoughtful design and affordable prices make medium-sized units an attractive option
opportunity to upgrade to bigger unit types at minimal top up, and reap the future rewards. In addition, HDB upgraders do not have to pay a resale levy — which means even greater savings for the buyer. By using this golden opportunity to upgrade, buyers can capitalise on the future capital appreciation of ECs. Beyond being a home that offers resort lifestyle facilities and activities, Lake Life is clearly a valuable investment opportunity. The writing is on the wall. Lake Life is an opportunity not to be missed. For sales enquiries, please call 6221 8080 or visit lakelife.sg for more information. Open for walk-ins on 9 Nov. Show flat located on Lakeside Drive, next to Lakeside MRT.
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October 31 - november 6, 2014
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Okinawa: Japan yet not quite – 8 Must-sees
Cultural Restoration: The Ryukyu Palace destroyed by the US Army during World War II has been rebuilt to withstand the armies of tourists
Experience a part of Japan that appears distinctively ‘un-Japanese’ The Okinawans, I’ve been told, are different from the mainland Japanese. They are shorter, darker and speak a different language. All this time, I thought Japan was culturally homogenous, and the Japanese are all cut from the same cloth. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Fascinating History Believe it or not, when Sir Stamford Raffles landed in Singapore, Okinawa was an independent country known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. For 400 years, it had its own language, culture, kings, and way of life. But things change. Slightly over 100 years ago, Japan, as part of its expansionist strategy, annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom, imposed imperial Japanese culture, and officially changed its name to Okinawa.
Birthplace of Karate The Ryukyuans are a peaceful and proud lot. When the Japanese annexed the kingdom, there was very little resistance. The Ryukyuans were not allowed to carry weapons, so they refined their “emptyhand” martial art, or karate, for self-defence – their greatest contribution to humanity.
MELTING POT of Cultures Okinawa, which means “rope in the open sea”, is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. It comprises hundreds of islands stretching from the main islands of Japan towards Taiwan. The island of Yunaguni, for instance, is slightly more than 100km from Taiwan. For most of Ryukyu’s history, China was the greatest influence. No doubt, China meddled in its politics. Nonetheless, they had a very amicable, peaceful, and prosperous relationship with trade and cultural exchanges for hundreds of years. This accounts for the very strong Chinese cultural influences in Ryukyu culture. The fascinating part is the mix of old Chinese culture with newer Japanese culture superimposed upon it.
Here are 8 reasons why you must visit Okinawa
1
the beaches and islands
Okinawa overlaps the sub-tropical and tropical zones and, with the hundreds of islands, it has some of the best and most underrated beaches in the world. I’ve been to many beaches around the world. But the beaches and pristine waters off Okinawan islands are breathtaking. I would have never expected Japan to have beautiful beaches on par with the Maldives! The locals don’t go to the beach much except for the occasional barbecue. It could be the reason why it’s so pristine!
2
Their secret to longevity
Goya, or bitter gourd, is the favourite food of Okinawans. They have it on almost everything. It is rich in vitamins, easy to grow, readily available, and serves as a staple in their diet. Which leads to their longevity! Or so we are told.
3
The longevity village
The Okinawans are renowned for their longevity. One of the areas worth visiting is the Longevity Village, with a large population of people in their 80s and 90s still working and playing! Tours to the village usually include a sample meal that the locals eat.
4
Ryukyu Culture
The Ryukyu Kingdom stood for over 400 years. Much of its castles and cultural relics have been destroyed or pillaged during World War II. Okinawa was the site of intense battle between Japan and the United States, where a third of the civilian population perished. There is intense effort to restore many
of the cultural icons including Shuri Castle, the palace of the last Ryukyu king. Many of the traditional wooden homes dating back hundreds of years have also been rescued, restored, and placed in cultural theme parks for tourists and locals.
5
Pose with 8.2M whale Sharks
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Must See! Must Buy! Ashibinaa Factory Outlet
A modern day attraction is the Churaumi Aquarium. Sure, Singapore may have a larger aquarium but Churami Aquarium trumps them all with not one but three huge whale sharks! Enormous and graceful, they swim peacefully with manta rays and other denizens of the local sea. It’s a rare sight indeed.
Singapore is starved of good factory outlets. Sure, there’s one in Johor but Ashibinaa is in a different league. It has top name brands and the place is huge. It’s truly worth the visit. If you’re shopping for premium branded goods, you’ll easily recoup the cost of travel to Okinawa from the savings alone! The tour package to Okinawa will usually include this place in the itinerary. Shop fast and efficiently – there are many shops to cover in a short period.
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and the underwater guides will bring starfishes and sea cucumbers for you to touch. It’s fun and very safe, and anyone can do it.
8
Direct Charter flights make it easy
For many people, when it comes to visiting Japan, Okinawa seldom comes to mind. Part of the reason is flights. For most of the year, Okinawa is only accessible via a stopover in other cities in Japan or in Taiwan. For the next few months, however, there are direct charter flights from Singapore to Okinawa on SilkAir and Jetstar Asia. The flight duration is five hours, and it’s certainly more convenient than stopping over at somewhere else. For first-timers, it’s probably easier to go with a package tour such as the “Okinawa Omotenashi Tour” offered by Dynasty Travel, where you’ll get to see the best of Okinawa in five days, and stay in very comfortable accommodations with private onsens, and fly on board SilkAir. These are more than enough great reasons to visit Okinawa. By Frank Young The author would like to thank Dynasty Travel for making this trip possible.
Waterbirding
I’ve been told that there are only two places in the whole world for waterbirding, and one of them is Okinawa. Basically, it’s shallow scuba diving. However, you’re sitting on a submersible pontoon anchored a kilometre from the shore. When the pontoon descends, you submerge with it. You can feed the fish with breadcrumbs
The author beside an Okinawan dressed in Ryukyu garb from times of yore
ENTER the Americans As if it wasn’t complicated enough, after the surrender of Japan to the USA in World War II, Okinawa became a territory of the United States from 1952 to 1972. This was yet another layer of cultural influence upon the peaceful and (un)fortunate Ryukyuans.
No Padi, no problem: Only in two places in the world can you experience water birding
Pristine waters and clean white sand beaches make Okinawa a tropical paradise
Ashibinaa Factory Outlet, it’s a wonderland of branded goods
Preserving unique Ryukyu culture for the next generation
PAGE 19
weekender.com.sg
Have you ever flipped through a fairy tale book and wished you could visit Cinderella’s castle, tour a house made of sweets, or stretch out beneath the boughs of giant oak trees? Realise your childhood dreams at the charming Kulturinsel Einsiedel (“Culture Island of Einsiedel”), in Saxony, Germany. This 5-hectare hotel park has sprawling grounds with lodgings straight out of a storybook. Indeed, just like in those tales, staying here is an absolute adventure. It’s like entering an entirely new universe that you can wander through for discoveries at every turn.
Happy Forest houses Kulturinsel is most loved for its Baumhaushotel (“Treehouse Hotel”), where quirky houses are tucked up in treetops more than 10m off the ground. There are many other lodgings to try out here too. From luxury shacks to teepee villages, each ‘room’ in Kulturinsel is unique, with its own name and even a resident fairy tale character. One writer, Loz Blain, shares on GizMag.com that his “Castle in the Air” belongs to a fairy named Fiona. His guide explained: “(She) likes buttons. We ask guests to leave a button as a gift when they stay.”
Some of the treehouse rooms offer stunning views of the German-Polish border
in Kulturinsel. But it’s not just word of mouth, because the Germans love to show and tell. If you visit early in September you can be part of the wonderful Folklorum Festival, where folk music and funny activities are blended together in a giant bash.
Bizarre & FUN FEATURES
FROLICKING FOREST PARTY
Kulturinsel does a great job of making visitors feel enchanted. Outside the charming houses lie pathways leading into nooks and crannies with hidden delights. Take a soothing outdoor bath heated with firewood in a giant cauldron called “The Cannibal Pot”, or zoom underground in a tube slide from a crooked purple tower called the Zauberschloss (“Enchanted Castle”). You can also venture to the far end to find a traditional German restaurant built from stone and wood. Every weekend, Fiona the fairy and Kulturinsel’s other magical folk perform on stage here. If you’re lucky, you can even catch the “roof llama” that lives on top of this restaurant!
A world of fantasy & Folklore What’s a quaint storybook village without some fascinating folklore? Tales of traders peddling rare treasures and dwarves wandering in these lands are passed around
traditions. When the Portuguese took over in 1511, many Western food, festivals, and practices were infused into Melaka’s existing Asian culture, creating an exciting and flamboyant mix. Look out for the iconic red Stadthuys in the Dutch Square and the A Famosa Fort buildings, which are remnants of the city’s colonial heyday. Visitors absolutely must give Melaka’s food a try as well. Most notable are the Peranakan dishes “Sambal Petai Prawn” – a spicy chilli dish – and “Tempoyak Omelette”, a savoury mix of eggs and durian. Travel here in June to enjoy the extravagant San Juang and San Pedro’s Fiesta, when fishing boats are beautifully decorated and spicy “Curry Devil” is served. Or attend the Intrudo Festival, held before Lent, to witness the ritual cleansing conducted by the settlers.
Just a stone’s throw from Singapore, these southern regions of Malaysia hold many exciting treasures to uncover
Lying closest to the Causeway is the state of Johor, which receives many visitors from Singapore and the rest of Asia. However, not many know everything about the best that Johor has to offer. The state’s newest addition, Legoland Malaysia, is the first of its kind in the whole of Asia. Its main attraction is Miniland, which features miniature Lego replicas of Asia’s popular landmarks – made out of 30 million Lego bricks! Johor is also home to the first Hello Kitty theme park outside Japan. A big draw with kids and adults, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town includes the bright and cheery Kitty House, an iconic mansion stocked top to bottom with all things Hello Kitty. But Johor’s offerings encompass more than just fun theme
Over three days, the park will house 13 zones of bazaars, celebrations, and zany events. Last year, musicians performed while suspended from trees, and a free rope slide was given to anyone daring enough to go nude. Next year is the best time to visit, because Kulturinsel will hold the Turisedischen Festival – for only the second time in 1,000 years! This festival celebrates the culture of the ancient Slavic people of Turisede, and will erupt in a throng of exciting displays including human pyramids, poet limerick battles, and mystical consecration games. Even if you’re not into the wacky party scene, a stay in Kulturinsel will definitely be an experience to remember. Finally, you can live in your very own happy ending!
Southern Malaysia is full of interesting sites for tourists to discover, including the Sultanate Museum
Discover the Southern Sapphires of Malaysia
Johor’s modern luxuries
Like a magical forest, Kulturinsel hides many secret houses like the Enchanted Castle
The ‘castle’ – actually a cosy little treehouse – has a balcony with a spectacular view of the German-Polish border. There are nine treehouses throughout Kulturinsel, all connected by quaint ramps and wooden walkways snaking through the trees.
SPOT L I GH T O N M AL AY S I A
Do you know where to go for the best sambal prawns in Malaysia? Or which states hold exciting festivals around the year? You may be surprised to find out how close to Singapore these Malaysian gems are! Just a short trip beyond the Causeway can take you to Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan. These states are located on the southern tip of Malaysia, and each of them boasts unique specialties that can be enjoyed by all.
Photo: Loz Blain for GizMag
The treehouse suites at this hotel park and other fun and quirky things make it a truly magical retreat
Exceptional ideas to experience in your lifetime
Photo: Loz Blain for GizMag
Live happily ever after at this fairy tale forest getaway
Bucket List
Beach retreats in Negeri Sembilan The intricate artwork in the Baba & Nyonya Museum in Melaka is not to be missed
parks. Shoppers find their calling at the Johor Premium Outlet, Asia’s very first luxury brand outlet. Danga Bay is another place to be – this belt of high-end retail and fine dining comes packaged with all the glitz and glamour of modern indulgence. Meanwhile, nature lovers can head to the Endau-Rompin National Park, where lush greenery and diverse species of animals stretch throughout a whopping 80,000 hectares. Food-hunters can turn to a favourite local dish, “Laksa Johor”. It’s a sumptuous mix of spaghetti and curried fish paste gravy, guaranteed to keep you coming back for another bowl, and another, and another!
The magic of Melaka Named after an Indian gooseberry tree, Melaka is a cultural hub known for its eclectic blend of Eastern and Western
You don’t have to travel across the globe for a beautiful resort getaway. Negeri Sembilan, meaning “Land of Nine States”, boasts 18km of glorious white-sand beaches and sparkling shores. This stretch is located in the town of Port Dickson. The names of its beaches are highly indicative of just how gorgeous they are; “Blue Lagoon” and “Light Beach State” are just some examples to be seduced by. As with all Malaysian states, you don’t want to pass up the fabulous bites in Negeri Sembilan! The locals love their food hot and spicy, with the most famous dish being “Masak Lemak”. It’s a thick, creamy gravy made with turmeric, coconut milk, and chilli, and poured generously over rice. Malaysia is a giant peninsular with many attractions tucked away in every nook and cranny – and these are just three states in the southern region! Plan your vacation across the Causeway, and discover the best of what Malaysia has to offer. For more information or enquiries, please contact Visit Malaysia Year 2014 Secretariat at +6010388917000, or log on to www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my
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