Weekendin Singapore | Jan '14 | Issue 10

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Weekend in Seven days a weekend | adventissue

S i n g a p o r e

Chinese New Year Dining Jessica Amornkuldilok

Winner of Asia’s Next Top Model

Cat Cora

Iron Chef America

New Travels Around the Globe

New Beginnings

Something to do, someone to love and something to hope for

Discover something new and special

Rolls-Royce Wraith

Pushing the boundaries of technology

Visit Malaysia Year - 2014

Sublime destinations of Malaysia

intheBUZZ 8 26 28

News | Events | Promos Apple page Latest tech gadgets

intheSTAY 31

intheBUZZ

The Latest Buzz

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News, events, promotions and new gadgets

34

intheTASTE 38 39 40 42 44 46

Roundhouse, Vernetta & food Reunion dinner this Lunar New Year Cherry Garden Hilton Singapore Wan Hao Oriental feasting - promotions

WeekendinFEATURE 54 55 56 57 58 60 62

intheSTAY

Industrial Chic

Industrial Inspiration The new Centara Grand Modus Resort Pattaya Staycation packages from city hotels to island resorts

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Old world elegance in Pattaya

New beginnings Something to do, someone to love & something to hope for Shaking up your morning routine Organising and redecorating your home Watch a concert or performance Lend a helping hand Maintaining good relationships 5 city adventures Travel with Zuji

intheLOOK 66 68 70 72

Digital Fashion Week Barbara Wilson Fashion Advisor of UK Trade & Investment Jaime Perlman Creative Director of Vogue Devyn Abdullah International model Jessica Amornkuldilok Winner of Asia’s Next Top Model

intheHOME 74 78

intheTASTE

Chinese New Year Fare

38

Reunion dinner choices

Seeing red Decking the home with outstanding pieces in red Baking up a blast Baking supplies and cake decorations at Spotlight

intheLIFESTYLE 82 84 86 87

Iron Chef America Cat Cora at the helm of Ocean Restaurant Pushing the boundaries of gaming Tino Soelberg and Technology Kids talk Daisy Boyle and Annika Nicole Isabel Yamada’s essay called Late Night: Taken Captive

intheLIFESTYLE (Entertainment) 88 89

Movies for January Top reads of the month

90 91

Marina at Keppel Bay ONE°15 Marina Club

ontheWATER intheART 92

intheHOME

Baking up a Blast

Baking supplies at Spotlight

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94 96

Whispers of the past Learning Singapore’s history at the National Museum Once upon a shining light A musical at RWS Singapore Silk Screened at John Erdos’ home

10|01:14 Adventissue on the cover

Runwell Bicycle from Shinola

(Image courtesy of Shinola) Published monthly by:

Beyondotcom Pte Ltd 04-06 Hudson Technocentre 16 New Industrial Road | Singapore 536204 info@expatweekend.net

inthePINK 98 99 100

intheLIFESTYLE

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Iron Chef America Meet Cat Cora

Editor’s pick: Best anti-ageing facial Look youthful with PhysioAesthetics The Age Management Program Optimagenics Staying healthy at Curtis Medical Laser Clinic Say no to discomfort Remedy your pain with Lenovo Yoga Tablet

intheCHILL 102

The best of both worlds Combining Polo and Royal Salute

intheDRIVE 104

An opulent and regal ride Rolls-Royce Wraith

intheKNOW 180

Experience, perform and record at the School of Music

intheSHOP 110

Shop Style Luxury leisure shopping

intheACTION 112

intheDRIVE

Pushing the Boundaries

104

Shape up with Kickboxing

intheTRAVEL 114

New adventures around the globe

acrosstheSTRAITS 134

Visit Malaysia Year - 2014 The jewel of Kedah

Wraith - the most potent and technologically advanced Rolls-Royce in history

WeekendinFEATURE

acrosstheSTRAITS

Visit Malaysia Year - 2014

134

Check out the sublime destinations of Malaysia

Weekend in Publisher Joseph Lim joseph@expatweekend.net Consulting Partner Adam Sullivan adam@weekendin.com.sg Group Editor Avril Sullivan avril@expatweekend.net ISSN: 19053878

New Beginnings in 2014

54

Something to do, someone to love and something to hope for

Editor Editorial print | digital | film Melanie Brett (Thailand) Jo Jewel melanie@weekendin.com.sg joyin@weekendin.com.sg Carol Misson Editorial Consultant carol@weekendin.com.sg June Ng Lianne Choo june@weekendin.com.sg lianne@weekendin.com.sg Sub-Editor Keisha Srinivasan John Howe (Thailand) keisha@weekendin.com.sg john@expatweekend.net Arianna James arianna@weekendin.com.sg Sub-Editor Fidella Low Melissa Wong melissa@expatweekend.net fidella@weekendin.com.sg

Contributors Louise Barker Tanya Micallef Heidi Hudson Ian McKellar Stephan Lai Rebeka Bek Jeannette Lim Alastair Carthew Leong Kai Yan Jeanie Li

Production Lim Li En Creative

Charlotte Chia

Designers

Jaruwan Satornlug Darlene Dana Pairat Thamma

Photographers

Maximilian de Kruiff Andy Sim John Tan Narongsak Phromsen Kosit Sriratanobhas

Business Development Samuel Gomes samuel@expatweekend.net Penny Jarusatree (Thailand) penny@weekendin.com.sg Cecilia Regalado cecilia@weekendin.com.sg Palinee Narongwongwattana palinee@weekendin.com.sg Sam Cassar sam.cassar@weekendin.com.sg All Enquiries info@expatweekend.net

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of Beyondotcom Pte Ltd. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information herein, neither the publisher, editor, their employees and agents can be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies or omission in whatever way caused. The views and opinions expressed or implied in Weekendin are those of the authors, contributors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

editor’s note

E

Another year, another beginning Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page, said American clergyman Henry Ward Beecher who is recognised for his role in the abolition of slavery. Well, except for those who were born on 1st January, we can’t possibly reincarnate ourselves but we can certainly start with a fresh page at the beginning of a new year.

I am sure all of us have our own bucket list of to-dos before our body becomes too constraint to do them. Why not let 2014 be the year that you begin emptying out that bucket. Our feature on New Beginnings in Weekendin’s January issue provides some ideas for you to kick off that journey.

Another Lunar New Year is upon us (from 31st January), and the month of January will be buzzing as homes get refreshed and stocked up for an important 2 weeks in the Chinese calendar. For those who are celebrating the all-important reunion dinner, we have three restaurants featured in Weekendin’s intheTASTE section for you to ponder over.

If part of your dream list includes owning a super luxury car, you’ll be thrilled with our four-page coverage of the new Rolls-Royce Wraith in our intheDRIVE pages.

Don’t forget to check out Vernetta’s feature on All Things New and Beautiful. It’s a column I personally enjoy everytime I get the chance to read Weekendin leisurely.

2014 is also Visit Malaysia Year so stay tuned to our section on acrosstheSTRAITS to discover new experiences and ascertain why Malaysia remains the most visited destination for people who live in Singapore So, enjoy another month of delightful dining and help yourself to the assortment of treats that only avails this time of the year. Afterall, they say it’s okay to indulge as this only happens once a year (well... you’ll probably have to factor in the other celebrations that also occurs once a year. hahaha...). Have a wonderful month ahead!

avril Sullivan Yours Truly

Editor

intheBUZZ

Porsche’s New LMP1 Race Car Porsche concludes its 2013 test programme with the new LMP1 race car on the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimão, Portugal.

development at Porsche greatly. On the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team gave Mark Webber the opportunity to conduct the initial tests. From 1st Jan 2014, Mark Webber officially joins the Porsche factory team as a works driver. To work towards making further improvements of the entire hybrid technology on their production cars, Porsche will be constantly finding new approaches in the development, implementation and application of leading edge efficiency technologies.

To create the all-new LMP1 race car, which has a highly efficient, high-performance hybrid drive, Porsche’s engineers developed a hybrid system consisting of a four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection and two energy recuperation systems. The recovered energy is stored in a battery until retrieved by the driver.

A powerful electric motor then provides additional drive to the front axle. As such, the development of such a highly- For more information, visit www.porsche. efficient drive will benefit the production com/mission2014

Keepers X The latest Keepers X showcased a spectacle of crafts from a select group of artisans worldwide adhering to the Christmas theme; hence the name Christmas From Around The World. Carrie K, Keepers strives to bring forth like-minded emerging designers, independent artisans and artists with a focus on good design and craftsmanship. On top of supporting and giving independent artists and artisans a place to showcase their work, it also provides an opportunity for people to have a fulfilling engagement with the artists as they learn more about their craft. Keepers works towards developing a community of KEEPERS people who crave better, and value the time taken to do and make things well, in order to grow an appreciation for quality over quantity.

Where Art Meets Architecture Pushing the boundaries of styling, design, formation, and structure, Museum Homes brings interior designing to greater heights where its distinctiveness lies in its out-of-the-box and one-of-a-kind ideas.

Encompassing the world of Pop Art, the main themes are based on the ideas that flourished during the 1950s-1970s: celebrity, mass production, social issues, media, and technology. To complement its theme, Museum Homes have brought in Andre Tan, a known pop art artist to incorporate a twist into contemporary architecture. A talented pop artist, Andre Tan has been transforming any form of

structure from art pieces into pop art where they eventually find residence into posh homes and condominiums. With an edgy and individualistic approach, Museum Homes sets itself apart from the rest with its concept of Art and Architecture. Collaborating with notable names like Bultlerís Pantry, A.Muse, Chalk and Gaggenau, clients get to enjoy different styles of interior designing with a different mix of art and interior.

For more information, visit http://www.carriekrocks. com/CarrieK/Default.aspx

Cath Kidston Opens New Stores

For more info, visit: www.museumhomes.com

London-born global lifestyle brand, Cath Kidston first made its entrance into Singapore at ION Orchard.

Recently, a new store was established at the newly revamped TANGS Orchard showcasing a selection of the brand’s modern vintage wares. Last December, Cath Kidston opened yet another store at Great World City, bringing the total count to three stores within three months of the brand’s launch in Singapore. To continue making its presence known in Southeast Asia, Cath Kidston is also proud to announce the opening of its very first store in Malaysia, at Midvalley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur.

Weekendin 8

intheBUZZ

Hope for the Philippines

Community Service Responsibility by Peninsula Hotels

Omega Takes the Stage with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney Renowned for its excellence, innovation and precision, OMEGA, continues its legacy by starring in the recently screened Gravity.

Oscar winner and OMEGA brand ambassador George Clooney wore an OMEGA Speedmaster Professional—the only watch to have been qualified for every NASA piloted flight since 1965 in the heartpounding thriller.

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity stars Clooney and Sandra Bullock as astronauts who survive the destruction of the Space Shuttle and attempt to return to Earth.

In support of the recovery from the devastation that Super Typhoon Haiyan had left behind, The Peninsula Hotels have jumped onto the bandwagon by raising funds to aid the victims in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. Titled Hope for the Philippines, the luxury hotel group will donate US$5 per room night of each guest’s stay from now till 31st Jan 2014, while guests wishing to make an additional contribution may simply request to have the amount added to their credit card upon check-out. Also, 100% of the retail price of each Peninsula Afternoon Tea set as well as the iconic Philippine dessert, Halo Halo served at The Peninsula Manila’s lobby will be donated. www.peninsula.com

A New Purpose For Scrap In line with global efforts in ensuring environmental sustainability, Domicil has started an initiative to upcycle its leather hides from previous collections.

The range will include home and personal accessories such as tote bags and footstools.

Using the same materials as Domicil’s leather sofas and recliners, quality is not compromised as these upcycled products as made with the same premium grade and top-grain hides. This renders the accessories a soft hand-feel and plushness that is unique to upholstery leather. Mr Phua Bowen, Retail Manager of Domicil said, Every time a new collection is launched, there will be a small quantity of these hides remaining from the previous collection that tend to go to waste. This range of upcycled accessories is part of Domicil’s commitment to reduce waste and conserve environmental resources.

Footstools are priced between S$58-S$68, tote bags priced at S$38.

Domicil | 56 Tanglin Road #02-01/02 | T: 6735 0511

Till Death Do Us Part

13 - 23 February 2014 | Drama Centre Theatre (No performances on Mondays) Ticket Prices: $69, $59, $49 (Excludes $3 ticket charge) Till Death Do Us Part is Toy Factory Productions’ latest play that celebrates a modern take of the evergreen drama by Shakespeare—Romeo & Juliet.

Director Nell Ng brings to stage a performance helmed by a vivacious and young lineup of cast and creatives. The star-studded cast starring Benjamin Kheng and Theresa Wee-Yenko as the leads gives this revamped version a vibrant and contemporary flair that will surely please the audience. Expect a smouldering and gutsy performance full of eye-popping designs, merciless combat scenes as Toy Factory brings this story to life with an audacious young team.

Tickets available from: SISTIC/ 6348 5555/ www.sistic.com.sg

9 Weekendin

Nothing beats a

bake sale

We’ve got all your baking needs covered. From cake decorating tools and ingredients, cupcake supplies, baking pans and so much more - the sky is the limit. Come discover your new creative passion with us.

Plaza Singapura Level 5, 68 Orchard Road (Located at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT) (65) 6733 9808

intheBUZZ

Shinola Debuts in Asia First store opens in Robinsons Orchard

Staying true to its American roots, Shinola brings to Singapore its collection of modern handcrafted timepieces, bicycles, leather goods and journals in its store that is designed to create the same atmosphere of the Shinola Detroit flagship store and personifies their design ethos of being stylish, modern and timeless.

We are very excited to bring Shinola to Asia and Singapore is the ideal launch pad. We are confident in offering the consumers a unique mix of quality, style and tradition with the beautiful handmade products, said Daniel Caudill, Creative Director of Shinola.

Shinola is located at Robinsons Orchard, Level 4.

Robinsons Orchard 4th level

Weekendin 12

intheBUZZ

klapsons & Kirin Celebrate Christmas

Friends and business associates of klapsons and Kirin Beer recently showed why it’s the season to be jolly by revelling at the hotel’s rooftop bar—Fabrica.

The group editor of Weekendin, Avril Sullivan, made merry with old and new acquaintances, revelling in the delightful ambience of Fabrica.

Weekendin’s group editor Avril & brand manager Jo Yin with friends from Mango PR

Dallas Cuddy from Prime Society and Sttephanie Cuddy

Edris, Joachim and Aaron

Guests at the event Weekendin 14

Huiqi and Dave

intheBUZZ

Buon Appetito!

Zealous fans of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine can now revel in Chef Lino Sauroís new gastronomic venture, Morsi & Sorsi that is run by a young dynamic team trained at Gattopardo, serving a myriad of traditional Italian street food favourites which is known as Stuzzichini, Italian sandwiches and other Italian fare in a relaxed casual atmosphere that cater to the business crowd. The Stuzzichini include dishes like Don Bocarte Anchovies served on a thin slice of toasted Frittata bread and the Fish in Carpione which consists of lightly cooked snapper served in brine and onions in a fushion of sweet and sour flavours.

You will definitely adore the Panelle which is a concoction of deep fried chick peas fritters served with lemon and the Piadina, a fond reminder of Chef Linoís childhood memories consisting of unleavened Italian bread wrap with parma ham, rucola, tomato and mozerella cheese. For those who are constantly on the go, the restaurant serves up an assortment of fresh sandwiches for takeout constituting of ingredients like shrimp, scrambled eggs and buffalo mozzarella.

Morsi & Sorsi | 51 Telok Ayer Street | #01-02 | T: 6222 7530

Romance at the Regent Regent Singapore provides the opportunity to treat your other half to a romantic night out at Basilico for an intimate Basilissimo Valentine’s Dinner.

Diners are treated to a luxurious dinner, comprising of two buffets and a main course, while a violinist serenades table side. The restaurant will be offering signature dishes such as Whole Baked Lobster Gratin with Roasted Baby Vegetables and Pan-seared Foie Gras with Roasted Figs in Amarone Wine among others. Those with a sweet tooth can delight in luscious desserts featuring Pannacotta with Strawberries and Pistachio, Cannoli filled with White Chocolate and Saffron, and Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Macaroons. To top off the evening, each couple will receive a surprise from the chefs.

For those who prefer to dodge the evening crowd, the hotel offers their Three-Tier English Afternoon Tea set. The tea package includes a glass of Bellusi Prosecco and heart-shaped Passion Fruit Macaroons and a fine selection of premium teas, finger sandwiches, freshly baked pastries and scones. To up the ante, diners can savour Dolcetto’s San Valentino Sfera, along with a 750ml bottle of Bottega Pink Prosecco.

For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com

Beautiful Memories to Last

The Mustard Incident

For those wanting to seek privacy and seclusion this Valentine’s Day, The Sentosa promises to create memories with your loved one. This package includes a 7-course Valentine’s Dinner at The Cliff with champagne and a rose for the lady and a Rose Paradise spa treatment for two at Spa Botanica. Guests are invited to get their hands dirty in the kitchen with Executive Chef Garry Edson as he shares some of his skills with a cooking class to prepare the perfect fourcourse delight. Get your adrenaline pumping by trying out their Tango lessons.

Join in the gastronomic experience by indulging in the latest and funkiest gourmet hot dog concept that has opened its doors in Singapore. Influenced by American, Mexican and South East Asian flavours, the store offers a uniquely appetising menu for ardent lovers of hot dogs.

Sugar For Your Love

For those who fancy a quiet time in a tranquil sanctuary together, Spa Botanica offers an indulgent 3-hour spa session to soothe and nourish the skin amidst resounding cascading waterfalls, mud pools, meditative labyrinths and tea garden.

Gourmet Carousel promises to pamper your loved one this Valentine’s Day with their indulging range of sweet temptations.

Diners can relish in their luscious Valrhona Soft Chocolate Cake that is embellished with rose and berries or savour Pâtissier Choo Eng Tat’s Valentine-themed artisan cupcakes For more information, visit www.thesentosa. in Raspberry and White Chocolate, Double com Chocolate Fudge or Red Velvet.

The restaurant will hold a contest for the best dressed lady in red where one of five lucky couples stand to win a one-night weekend stay in Royal Plaza on Scotts’ Executive Suite, with a complimentary bottle of champagne, breakfast and dinner for two to go.

Roses will be given to all ladies during Carousel’s dinner service on Valentine’s Day. For more enquiries, visit www.royalplaza.com.sg Weekendin 16

Each one of the sausages are tweaked to certain specifications by The Mustard Incident and processed at one of Singaporeís top butcheries with quality cuts of beef and pork with the buns being made at a local artisanal bakery.

Take a quaff off their selection of international artisanal beers from the US such as Brewdog Dead Pony ale, Green Goblin cider from the UK and St Bernardus Witbier from Belgium.

Expect seasonal flavours to take its place on the menu as Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day approaches.

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A ROOM WITH A YOU-GOTTA-SEE-THIS-VIEW. Millennium Hilton Bangkok is an award winning stunning ultra-contemporary hotel, with 533 guest rooms that blend welcoming warmth, sheer contemporary cool and absolute river views from every room. The hotel features four stunning restaurants, rooftop bar, a standalone spa and attractions like the Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha, Temple of Dawn and Asiatique Riverfront are just a short boat ride away.

For room reservations please visit bangkok.hilton.com or call 66-2-442-2000 STAY HILTON. GO EVERYWHERE.

123 Charoennakorn Road | Klongsan | Bangkok | Thailand 10600 | | | THAILAND Š2013 Hilton Worldwide

Aging happens to all of us. We lose the freshness and glow that comes with youth. No matter what costly creams and serums we may layer on, aging goes on. Cellular communication slows down. We lose collagen and elastin that gives our skin firmness. How do we stimulate the cellular communication that is needed for skin elasticity and firmness? We have that technology now, here at PhysioAesthetics.

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Face Lift Without Surgery Face Rejuvenation Reduction of Wrinkles Natural Age Reversal Retrain Facial Muscles Reduce and Eliminate Eye Bags

Reprogram your face & body for beauty

Muscle retraining for your face & body to the frequency of youth and vitality

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Tummy Reduction Inch Loss Body Toning Post-Natal Firming Fat Loss For Men - Muscle Building

1 Orchard Boulevard #04-06 Camden Medical Centre Singapore 248649

Tel: (65) 68367731 Fax:(65) 68361022 Email: enquiries@physioaesthetics.com Website: www.physioaesthetics.com

intheBUZZ

Ushering in Chinese New Year in Rustic Charm at Tamarind Hill Restaurant Popular dining haven in the enervating city of Kuala Lumpur offers a delightfully charming option to celebrate Chinese New Year. For those who are in the know, Tamarind Hill restaurant is one of the first contemporary Thai and Burmese restaurants in the Malaysian dining scene, established 12 years ago. The winner of the industry accolade for Best Asian Cuisine by The Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards for 2003-2004, today Tamarind Hill is set on one of the most spectacular and exclusive private hill top properties in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

A stand-alone historic colonial house, diners can walk up an appetite along a flight of stairs lit by flickering oil lamps at night.

The design concept of the restaurant maintains Tamarind’s trademarked rustic-luxury dining experience within a green ambience, against the spectacular backdrop of the modern business building landscape, including the landmark Petronas Twin Towers. A great escapade, Tamarind Hill allows diners to retreat to an oasis within the city. Natural elements like water and fire are used to create a subtle, understated drama in a contemporary Asian setting inspired by the hill tribes of Indochina, with extraordinary effect.

There are two Chinese New Year packages—RM68++ and RM88++—for diners to choose from.

For more information, visit www.samadhiretreats.com.

A Prosperous Lunar New Year at Tao To usher in the Lunar New Year, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur’s Master Chef Wong Lian You creates a menu of modern yet classic must-have dishes prepared with premium ingredients. The menu features a selection of dishes including the steamed garoupa, double-boiled abalone with dried scallop and fish maw, and poached chicken with cordyceps flowers. There are various set menus to choose from depending on your personal preference.

Each dish is specially designed to bring forth an authentic and memorable dining experiences through the revival of cooking techniques. The restaurant houses six elegant private rooms all named after the dynasties in China—Han, Song, Tang, Yuan, Ming, and Qin. For more information and enquiries, visit www.intercontinental-kl. com.my

Chinese New Year at Hilton Singapore | 30 Jan ‘14 - 14 Feb ‘14 Hilton Singapore offers traditional delicacies and flavours for diners to usher in the year of the horse this Chinese New Year. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, the hotel invites diners to sate their appetites in a Harmonious Reunion Feast at Checkers Brasserie. Hilton Singapore will be concocting New Year delicacies such as Stewed Pork Knuckles and Poached Live Prawns in Brandy, Chinese Herbs and Enoki Miso Soup for the occasion. Diners can toss to a prosperous year ahead with their exquisite Triumph to Success Yusheng which packs generous portions of fresh salmon, tuna and two-head abalone alongside truffle oil and gold flakes. Unlike the traditional sweet plum sauce, the Chinese Culinary Team have incorporated their own creation of premium Italian caviar and a special Yuzu sauce to give a sweet and zesty aftertaste in every bite. This delicate Yusheng is available throughout the celebration period.

For more information, visit http://www3.hilton.com

Celebrating The Year of The Horse at RoundHouse: Pizza Bar & Grill What more appropriate and auspicious to welcome in the Year of the Horse than at HorseCity. RoundHouse will be an excellent choice with their special Yu Sheng Celebration.

With sashimi grade salmon and all the essential prosperous ingredients, RoundHouse Lo-Hei it up with generous condiments and all the symbols of abundance, prosperity and vigour to welcome the Chinese New Year!

So toss out the old, and Lo-Hei in the New Year with lots of auspicious fish, good luck and prosperity at RoundHouse: Pizza, Bar & Grill!

Celebrate The Year of The Horse Weekendin 20

Reservations at 6466 0966 | Email enquiries@roundhouse.com. sg | www.roundhouse.com.sg

CHECK IN… ...IT’S ALL THE FASHION

Swissotel Stamford AD

We are in the heart of Pratunam, Bangkok’s fashion district, and our hotel is part of the Watergate Pavillion fashion mall. Stay with us, and you are within walking distance of great shopping. And if you are already in Bangkok, and simply out shopping, drop in and relax at one of our restaurants or bars. Or enjoy a rejuvenating massage or luxurious treatment at Cense by Spa Cenvaree

T: +66 (0) 2 625 1234 • E: reservations@chr.co.th centarahotelsresorts • mycentara WWW.CENTARAHOTELSRESORTS.COM

intheBUZZ

Ritz Kids Ritz-Carlton recently launched the exclusive Ritz Kids children’s programme aged from four to 12, in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. Designed to give kids an enjoyable time, the experience in Singapore begins with a welcoming reception at check-in with an arrival folder comprising of an activity book, stickers and crayons. This is to encourage them to explore the sights and sounds of the hotel and its environment while instilling a love of discovery and sense of curiosity. The experiences are based on four key pillars: Water, Land, Environmental Responsibility and Culture. Guests staying with children under four years of age will receive a mini canvas tote bag with a baby bib, rubber duck, bath amenities, as well as diapers and baby crib set up in the room.

For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com

Enlivening True Love in a Winter Haven A cool Valentine’s Day getaway | 12 - 19 Feb ‘14

New Centara Resort in Mauritius An Oasis of Calm within a Pulsating Paradise

Another 5-star resort has been opened at Azuri oceanfront village complex.

Centara Grand Azuri Resort & Spa Mauritius is the latest addition to this oasis of peace. The 420-acre development is home to luxury residences, retail outlets and sports and marine services. Leisure facilities include two swimming pools, while non-motorised water sports are offered at no cost. The resort even has an adventure centre with complimentary access to a plethora of facilities including trampolines, zip-lines and fly fishing lessons. Recline in the comfort of Spa Cenvaree which offers a menu of therapeutic treatments including Ayurvedic applications. A variety of dining options is also available.

For more information, visit http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cgam

Treat your other half to a romantic trip in winter paradise this Valentine’s Day in Japan. Club Med Sahoro flaunts a scenic view of the island of Hokkaido where powdery white snow across the terrain forms the backdrop.

Dining takes on a new atmospheric height with authentic Japanese cuisine savoured in cultural-inspired rooms (by renowned designer, Delphine Leon) in the breathtaking surrounds of snowcapped mountains, lush forests and waterfalls. Visitors can merry in a fun-filled day of skiing and enjoy soaking in the outdoor Ofuro hot tub. Whether it’s satiating your appetites in traditional Japanese hot pot or getting your adrenaline pumping in winter sports, Sahoro provides the pleasures and magic for couples. Club Med Spa’s wellness packages and nightly entertainment events are other activities you can enjoy during your stay.

Perhaps this Valentine’s Day provides an opportune time to escape the city’s hustle and bustle and dodge towering skyscrapers.

For more information, visit www.clubmed.com.sg

A Heavenly Retreat Perfect for Valentine’s Day Getaway

Set in within the pristine private beach, endless ocean views and a lush rainforest, the island already evokes a sense of intimacy. Just a boat ride away from Singapore, the Banyan Tree Bintan is a haven for couples and makes a lovely escapade this Valentine’s Day. As part of the Valentine’s Retreat package, couples will be ushered in the ferry terminal with VIP clearance. Upon arrival, a revitalising 120-minute spa session awaits. The highlight of the stay will be a private dinner on the beach, where the ambience is accentuated by the soothing splash of the waves and the cool breeze.

The Valentine’s Retreat package is valid for a minimum stay of two consecutive nights at Banyan Tree Bintan. Bookings are open from now till 14 Feb 2014.

For more information, visit www.banyantree.com Weekendin 22

Our quest is to spoil your sometimes finicky, always worthy skin with the most pure, eco-conscious products possible. After all, you may obsess over what you put in your body, but think about what you put on it.

baby spf 50 face spf 30 unscented moisturiser cucumber matte finish

sport spf 35 citrus mimosa

Protect with this ultra nourishing SPF 35 mineral sunscreen featuring a natural, refreshing Citrus Mimosa scent. Offering broad-spectrum UVA/UVB plus environmental protection, this formula delivers 80 minutes of sweat and water resistance, naturally boosted with organic Beeswax.

Infused with Omega-3 and 6-rich organic oils like Hawaii’s prized Kukui, along with Safflower and Linseed to soothe skin and balance moisture.

• • • • •

98% Natural Hypoallergenic Paraben Free Ultra Water Resistant (80 minutes) No nano-sized particles

Give your little one a 100% natural environmental shield that will safeguard him/ her from both the sun’s harmful rays and pollutants like smog and dust. Designed especially for baby’s delicate skin, this mineral SPF 50 with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection contains absolutely no chemicals or preservatives. Organic Shea Butter, Sesame Seed, and Avocado Oils keep baby soft as…well, a baby’s bottom.

Naturally shield and nourish skin everyday with this antioxidant-infused, mineral matte SPF 30 sunscreen. Made with organic Rose Hip Oil, rich in free radical fighting Vitamin C; and organic calming Evening Primrose and Flax Seed Oils, delivering abundant Omega-3 and Gamma-Linolenic Acid to improve elasticity and help skin retain moisture.

• • • • •

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100% Natural Paraben Free Preservative Free Ultra Water Resistant (80 minutes) No nano-sized particles

Ideal for normal or oily skin Natural Cucumber Scent Preservative Free Formula Infused with Certified Organic Ingredients Water Resistant (40 minutes) No nano-sized particles

Available at Physio Aesthetics located at Camden Medical Centre Orchard Blvd, Singapore 248649, 6836 7731, www.physioaesthetics.com

intheBUZZ

Panorama If you are planning to have a meeting in Indonesia, consider Hilton Bandung’s newest addition—Panorama, a multi-purpose integrated rooftop zone set amidst the refreshing hill-station atmosphere against the backdrop of the arresting surroundings.

Hilton Bandung is evidently pulling out all the stops to provide a wonderful travel experience for its guests.

Just a two-hour drive away from the capital city, cruise along the picturesque mountains via a train ride which can be arranged by the hotel. Hilton strives to ensure that all your corporate needs will not just be met but with added gratification as Panorama encompasses an outdoor Fresco restaurant that is sited next to a capacious and sophisticated 181 square metre indoor meeting room. Its contemporary floor-to-ceiling glass interiors front the tranquil pool that will undoubtedly create a peaceful ambience while everyone is deep in discussions.

A Stylish Retreat Unwind in the comfort of a seven layer bedding in 400 thread-count Egyptian Cotton equipped with designer furnishings, premium bath amenities from organic New York brand Malin + Goetz, complimentary high-speed WiFi, Apple TV’s AirPlay Mirroring as well as a complimentary well-stocked minibar. Awake refreshed as the Parisian soundproofed room seals out the noises arising from the bustle of the city. The hotel’s brand new all-day dining restaurant, Table by Rang Mahal, extends a holistic dining experience that their chains of restaurants are known for. Its menu presents a diverse range of modern cuisine with Indian influence. Start of the day with a breakfast concoction unique to Naumi Hotel, which stars a selection of healthy drink choices like fresh fruit juice and vegetable juice shots with beauty benefits such as collagen. If you wish for just a quiet retreat after a laborious day, soak in Cloud 9—the infinity pool overlooking the stunning magnificence of the city skyline.

Apart from Panorama, the establishment plays host to a variety of team bonding games which are set against the lush Bandung woodlands. Bolstered by a team of fastidious and gracious staff, Hilton Bandung is a great choice for MICE programmes, providing a seamless corporate experience for all.

For more information, visit www.bandung.hilton.com

For more information, visit www.naumihotel.com

Love Is In the Air This Valentine’s Day, The Okura Prestige Bangkok prepares to up the ante with a choice of dining options, new signature cocktails created by guests, sweet sensations at La Pâtisserie and a Limited Edition Valentine’s Hamper.

Cook It Yourself at Avista Unveil the joys of authentic Thai cooking at Avista Phuket Resort & Spa, Kata Beach with its new hands-on culinary classes hosted by the experts. Avista’s acclaimed chefs will be offering guests a crash course to traditionally source and buy Thai ingredients to create some of the best-loved dishes Thailand is known for. Participants will embark on a guided trip into Phuket’s traditional fresh produce market. The cooking classes comprises of elaborate instructions on the creation of one of three mouth-watering menus. Some of the dishes include the famous Green Curry with Chicken, Tom Yam Goong and the classic Massaman beef curry. To conclude the classes, you will get to take home recipe sheets, nutritional information, an Avista logo apron, a certificate of completion, a complimentary glass of wine for adults and a framed photo of each guest with the chef.

For more information, visit www.katabeach.avistahotelsandresorts.com Weekendin 24

The hotel’s dining choices at Yamazato includes a serving of grilled lobster and Japanese beef sirloin.

Elements restaurant presents a five-course set dinner created by new Chef de Cuisine Henry Jordan.

From 10 to 17 February, bring along your loved one to Up & Above Bar, where you can create your own signature love cocktails by choosing from a tray of ingredients and mixing with Prosecco or Champagne. The best cocktail created on Valentine’s Day wins a dining voucher for two. La Pâtisserie, the hotel’s retail outlet offers a tempting selection of themed items including their indulgent red velvet Valentine’s cake. The hotel’s limited edition Valentine’s Hamper—filled with a selection of exquisite treats like sparkling wine, caviar, pralines and macaroons—will be worth taking another look.

For more information, visit www.okurabangkok.com

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Discover Paradise Welcome 2014 with a Getaway to your own Private Haven

Discover Paradise Promotion Sari Pacifica Beach Resort & Spa Sibu Island, Johor 2 Nights, 3 Days @ SGD360 nett (Valid from 1st March 2014 to 30th April 2014) Package includes: Garden View for 2 pax Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for 2 pax Return boat transfer for 2 pax.

Luxury Boutique Island Resorts Elegance | Beauty | Peace | Tranquility SARI PACIFICA HOTELS & RESORTS MANAGEMENT SDN BHD

Level 7, Block A, Sazean Group, Mines Waterfront Business Park | No.3, Jalan Tasik, Mines Resort City, 43300 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia | Tel: +603 8942 8882, Fax: +603 8941 8887 Website: www.saripacifica.com | Email: reservations@saripacifica.com 3 Weekendin

New Year

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New Sounds for your

Apple for the

Revolutionising Your Listening Pleasure with Geneva

As the New Year falls on you, you might want to revamp your home sound system to enhance those stay-at-home moments. For most of us, it is a pretty basic procedure with the key priorities in check – convenience, great sound, and let’s be honest, good looks. Finding a superlative sound system with the ease of installation isn’t too tall an order when it comes to Geneva.

Ingeniously engineered inside one simple cabinet, Geneva Sound Systems provide everything you find in conventional stereo. The system above has a pair of full-range stereo speakers. From CD player, an FM radio, to external source inputs, Geneva has them all. What’s more: there’s an iPod/iPhone dock, stereo subwoofers, and a digital amplifier drawing 80% less energy than conventional Hi-Fi. Allin-One. One box. One plug.

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Geneva Model M (Bluetooth) +CD, $ 799

iPod/iPhone, CD, FM, Speakers, Amplifier. All-in-One The Geneva Sound System Model M +CD is a complete bookshelf sized stereo system crafted in a single cabinet made out of piano-lacquered wood. The compact system houses two separate Hi-Fi speakers and uses patented technology to deliver true stereo imaging. Driven by a powerful digital amplifier, it delivers an audio performance that competes with much larger conventional Hi-Fi systems.

An iPod/iPhone Universal Dock, a digital radio tuner with presets, a line-in jack, and a slot-loading CD player.

Each speaker is individually powered and chambered for accurate acoustics.

Geneva Model L (Bluetooth), $1,999

iPod/iPhone, CD, FM, Speakers, Amplifier. All-in-One The first in the world to fuse an iPod/iPhone connector to a high-end system, the Model L has two full-sized speakers, a premium amplifier, radio, and CD player, to make a true Hi-Fi multi-functional sound system.

Despite its compact design, Model L is engineered in a way similar to traditional studio speakers, which ensures exceptional sound delivery from the deepest bass to crystal clear highs.

Geneva Model XS, $299

Geneva Model XL (Bluetooth), $3,399

iPod/iPhone, CD, FM, Speakers, Amplifier. All-in-One The Geneva Sound System Model XL is a reference system found in legendary recording studios, as well as in the homes and studios of leading product designers, fashion creators, architects, artists, and art collectors.

Thanks to its six powerful digital amplifiers, it can deliver the sort of sound performance normally expected from a much more expensive stereo system, powering four speakers and two 8-inch subwoofers.

Model XL is housed in a handcrafted wood cabinet and uses a patented technology to reproduce true stereo sound from the left and right speaker chambers.

Bluetooth, FM, Alarm Clock, Speakers, Amplifier. All-in-One The Geneva Sound System Model XS is the world’s first portable audio system with true Hi-Fi sound. Inspired by the classic travel clock, it comes in a sturdy leather-like clamshell case that flips open to deliver rich and detailed sound. Closed, it’s a stylish accessory small enough to slip into any briefcase.

Never before has a Hi-Fi system been integrated into a case designed for a travel lifestyle.

Geneva Sound System Model XS solves this problem with simplicity and elegance. It hides the speakers, amplifiers, radio, and alarm clock inside the case, covered in a choice of Geneva’s trademark red, white or black finishes.

Geneva Model XXL, $4,599

Airplay, Bluetooth, FM, DAB/DAB+, DMB, HDMI, Speakers, Amplifier. All-in-One The Geneva Sound System Model XXL combines stunning looks with advanced acoustics to produce a powerful home theatre and high-fidelity music system contained inside an elegant furniture-grade wood cabinet finished in a choice of white, black, or red piano-lacquer.

Model XXL features Apple Airplay and Bluetooth for wireless music streaming, along with a built-in FM, DAB/DAB+, and DMB radio receiver with RDS. Designed to hold up to a 65-inch flat screen placed on top, connection to a television is made using HDMI. State of the art digital amplifiers power six speakers and an 8-inch subwoofer. Each speaker is individually powered and housed in its own chamber for accurate and balanced acoustics.

Product images courtesy of Geneva

Geneva Model S (Bluetooth), $429

iPod/iPhone, FM, Speakers, Amplifier. All-in-One Geneva Sound System Model S offers superb musical fidelity and the most versatility in its class. It introduces innovations that make HiFi easier and more eye pleasing: TouchLight controls, a PowerDock connector for iPod/ iPhone, and a digital clock radio. TouchLights brighten on contact, giving extensive iPod menu control no competitor provides.

Geneva Sound System Model S is the smallest tabletop Hi-Fi system in the Geneva family, yet with full-sized high fidelity. With its patented technology for true stereo imaging, wide frequency range, and exceptional audio qualities, many independent reviewers around the world have given the Model S the highest marks in its class.

All products exclusively at Multimedia Integrated Pte Ltd (Apple Premium Reseller) 05-06/07/08 Funan DigitaLife Mall | T 6336 9929 www.mi.com.sg 27 Weekendin

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Samsung Galaxy Round

Take a look at Galaxy Round, the world’s first curved display smartphone. Galaxy Round blends the latest smartphone screen innovations with unique design features. The sleek and thin Samsung Galaxy Round which equipped with a 5.7” Full HD Super AMOLED with 7.9mm thick and weighs 154g offers a comfortable hand grip feeling to user, and exclusive experiences of curved display.

As a result of its unique curved design, users can take advantage of round integration experiences like the Roll Effect that enables user to check information such as date, time, missed call and battery easily when home screen is off, and the Gravity Effect for creating visual interaction with the screen by tilting the device. For music, the Bounce UX enables users to control their music. When the Galaxy Round’s display is off while the music player is running, a short press to the left of the device will play the previous track while a short press to the right will play the next track. For pictures and videos, the Side Mirror feature enables users to gain access to list of the album content with a left and right tilt.

The large screen size of the Galaxy Round provides additional benefits to users. Useful One-Hand Operation features bring a user’s most desired controls closer to a preferred side of the screen. The device enables enhanced multitasking capabilities that allow users to fully utilise the larger screen through Multi Window, a feature that enables users to open more than one application on the screen, run simultaneous multiple instances of the same application or to easily share content between applications. www.samsung.com

Sony PRS-T3

Open up to a smarter, more satisfying reading experience. Slim, light and a pleasure to hold, the new Reader™ from Sony re-writes the book on eReading. Pencil-thin and the size of a small paperback, it’s the only e-Reader that includes its own protective snap cover. Don’t fiddle with power buttons or menus: just open the cover and instantly carry on reading from where you left off. With its integrated cover, n e w Reader™ is perfectly balanced for comfortable one-handed reading when you’re standing in a crowded rush-hour train.

The paper-like E-ink screen is sharper and clearer than ever, with crisp text that’s wonderfully easy to read. Every page turn is beautifully smooth, too. Thanks to advanced page refresh technology by Sony, you can stay focused on the story with an unprecedented 4 hours of flicker-free page turns. Press forward/back page turn buttons or simply swipe the touchscreen to read on—it’s wonderfully intuitive.

When you’re done, close the cover to save power and protect the screen until you’re ready to read on.

Feel the need to read but don’t have time to hang around? Fully charged, the battery lasts for two whole months of regular reading—plenty for the longest, laziest holiday.

Built-in Wi-Fi® enriches your reading experience whenever you’re near a hotspot. Google the author’s name or update your Facebook page with memorable quotes. Easily scribble handwritten notes or underline key passages on the touchscreen: Evernote saves your comments and highlighted passages for future reference. www.sony.com

Sony SmartWatch 2

Sony SmartWatch 2 is a second screen for your Android smartphone that, as well as enhancing existing phone functionality, offers unique new benefits.

Combining form and function in a sleek design, it serves as a multi-functional watch, notifier, Android app interface and phone remote control, all-in-one.

App expandability is key to Sony SmartWatch 2. It can be personalised with more dedicated apps to seamlessly suit your needs, whether you are on the go, keeping active, in business meetings or simply at home.

Download a host of SmartWatch apps and experience a range of unique functions—many of which can even be enjoyed without ever needing to reach for your phone: • Handle your calls by a simple touch of your wrist • Take a photo remotely from your SmartWatch, using a smart camera app • Control your presentations remotely using Presentation Pal • Taking a run or on the bike? Select a mapping app on SmartWatch to check your route with a quick glance at your wrist • Read previously downloaded e-mails when not connected to your phone • Use lifestyle apps like Runtastic to map and instantly track your fitness activities on the go • Quickly and easily adjust the tracks and volume on your music player, without ever taking your phone from your pocket SmartWatch 2 is also both sleek and reassuringly robust thanks to its water and dust resistant design, giving you the freedom to enjoy it on the beach or simply on the go—come rain or shine.

It’s easy and convenient to access notifications from your wrist such as messages, calls, email, Facebook/Twitter, Calendar, or use it as a remote for your Walkman or other digital media player. www.sony.com Weekendin 28

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Nokia Asha 500 | 502 | 503

The newest additions to the Asha Platform family of devices—the Nokia Asha 500, Asha 502 and Asha 503—join the Asha 501 in affordable smartphone innovation. All three handsets build on Nokia’s design and feature a new crystal-clear look; a fusion of ice-like transparency and bold inner colour encases each phone to make it both elegant and more durable. Support for 3G is available on the Asha 503, which also includes a 5MP camera and comes with a Dual SIM option.

The Nokia Asha 500, Asha 502 and Asha 503 include new enhancements to the Asha Platform for even more intuitive navigation. The new Asha user interface enables faster and easier sharing of images on social networks, with one easy swipe to access the camera and one touch to post. Fastlane gives people a second home screen for quick access to frequently used apps and deeper integration with their favourite social networks. Knowing how important free messaging is to people, WhatsApp will be available for the Nokia Asha 501.

The Nokia Asha 500, Asha 502 and Asha 503 is available in bright red, bright green, yellow, cyan, white and black. The Nokia Asha 500 features a 2.8-inch screen, 2MP camera and comes in single SIM and Easy Swap Dual SIM variants. It is expected to be sold at an estimated price of USD69.

People can get the most from Nokia’s latest Lumia portfolio through a new selection of applications including: • Nokia Video Director - create, edit and share customised videos direct from the Lumia 2520.

• Nokia Beamer - share experiences and ideas easily and instantly with friends or colleagues by projecting your phone screen to any HTML5 enabled screen; this includes documents, maps, location details, or even the camera viewfinder.

• Nokia Storyteller - automatically integrates your pictures from your phone with HERE location information and collates a chronological picture journey on a map.

• DreamWorks Animation’s Dragons Adventure - an exclusive experience for the Lumia 2520 which keeps the whole family entertained.

• Instagram - the photo and video sharing community.

• Papyrus and InNote - handwriting note-taking apps.

• Vine - a popular video service. www.nokia.com

Yoga Tablet

One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to tablets. Lenovo designers and engineers identified three challenges tablet users face: fatigue when holding and using the tablet; no self-supporting mechanism when laid on a flat surface; and an inadequate viewing angle when set on a table. These scenarios inspired Lenovo to break the mold on the sea of sameness design and to create Yoga Tablet’s unique modes.

With its exclusive cylindrical handle, hold mode is designed to fit an individual’s hand, so the Yoga Tablet is easier to hold and offers more control over the device whereas other tablets require two hands. Hold mode makes reading, checking social media and browsing the web easy and parallels how people hold magazines when reading.

To convert the Yoga Tablet into stand mode, simply rotate the side cylinder 90° so that the tablet stand deploys, allowing the tablet to stand by itself on a desk or table. Users can change the viewing angle to fit what’s comfortable for them from 110° to 135°. Stand mode makes it easy for users to comfortably watch movies, place video calls and interact with the ten-finger touchscreen without having to rely on addon accessories.

Users can lay the Yoga Tablet down in tilt mode to type directly on the tablet, play games and just surf the Internet with a better viewing angle.

To further enhance the rich content and multimode tablet experience, users can enable the tablet’s auto-detection software that automatically brings up frequently used apps in hold and stand modes. www.lenovo.com 29 Weekendin

STRONG FOUNDATIONS, SECURE FUTURES

WORDPLUS TRAINING SERVICES

From nursery to secondary school aged children

Give your child a headstart by enrolling him in a Wordplus programme. The Wordplus approach to learning is to begin stimulation and instruction early so as to maximise on your child’s formative years. The methods used have been proven successful with both local and Asian expatriate children. Let your child experience the fun of learning through our selection of courses designed to cater to every stage of your child’s development and growth.

All courses include the following features: • • • • •

Small classes for closer monitoring Lessons structured to cater to a child’s short attention span Creative approach to training of essential skills Exposure to a wide selection of books Games to make learning enjoyable

Bukit Timah Centre | 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road | #05-54 | Bukit Timah Shopping Centre | Tel: 6463 6536 | www.wordplus.com.sg Ad_84_Wordplus.indd 1

21/3/13 1:45 PM

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Dazzling Charm,Industrial Chic at Centara Grand Modus Resort Pattaya The striking and eclectic dĂŠcor used throughout the resort combines industrial chic with elements exuding old world charm, using vintage furnishings, antique art, and bold colours and concepts to create a dazzling and memorable visual environment that sets a new hospitality benchmark in the all-action city of Pattaya.

31 Weekendin

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Finding your way to the Centara Grand Modus Resort Pattaya might be mind-boggling – especially with the multitude of sois to maneuver through – but upon arriving at this brand new resort set on the sands of quiet Wong Amat Beach, all worries vanish instantly.

Once you spot the Sanctuary of Truth – a tourist site – you know you are approaching the resort, which is just around the corner. Within the vicinity, there are other quaint accommodations and restaurants worth exploring as well.

Set on its own beach in northern Pattaya, the resort is an exclusive destination for couples and families alike. The private beach provides a private setting for guests, and the calm sea is ideal for water sports. Features like both the rooms with direct pool access and family suites with special sleeping areas with children and self-catering facilities, strongly demonstrate how the resort is designed specially to meet the needs of couples and families.

Family-friendly in concept, the resort offers a selection of rooms with

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the choice of a king bed or two double beds, for the comfort of families sharing the same room. There is also a choice of interconnecting rooms and the option of rooms with direct pool access.

Designed in an elegant, lofty fashion, the suites and family residences offer all the comforts of home-from-home retreats with generous living space, a kitchenette and stunning ocean views. Deluxe Family Residences span over 104 square metres and include a separate children’s area equipped with bunk beds.

The striking and eclectic décor used throughout the resort combines industrial chic with elements exuding old world charm, using vintage furnishings, antique art, and bold colours and concepts to create a dazzling and memorable visual environment that sets a new hospitality benchmark in the all-action city of Pattaya.

Walking to the room, you realise that raw materials bedeck every nook and cranny of the hotel. The floors are made out of raw cement and piping is in full view, while the usage of textures like wood, metal and

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leather are predominant. Likewise, the 231 rooms and suites are defined traditional trattoria fare with wines to pair, or enjoy a wide selection of by the blend of industrial chic and old world elegance. dishes inspired by international and Asian cuisines and served from open kitchens. The beachside restaurant and bar, Breeze Beach Club, is perfect It was a delight as I found my way to the expansive balcony, where a to enjoy uncomplicated meals with a view during the day and becomes large cushioned seating avails for utmost relaxation. I was fortunate to a beach club that specialises in seafood in the evenings. Twilight is a sohave one facing the ocean and I enjoyed sipping a cup of tea there to phisticated rooftop restaurant and lounge celebrating modern bistro the gentle sounds of waves. fare and offering tapas and cocktails along with stunning ocean vistas.

Ripples pool bar and Lobby Lounge complete the range of dining venIf you want to raise the comforts and privileges of the trip, opt to stay in ues on offer. designated rooms and suites to enjoy exclusive benefits including access to the Club Lounge where five meal presentations are served daily, Newly opened in December, the resort is as new as it can get. Guests private check-in and checkout, concierge service and two hours’ meeting can rest assured that Centara Grand Modus Resort is a destination with a room use per day. The Club Lounge spans magnificent vistas of the calm unique industrial concept that can rarely be found elsewhere. ocean that can be thoroughly enjoyed while having a meal or reading the newspaper.

Centara Grand Modus Resort Pattaya 381 Naklua Soi 12, Pattaya 20150, Thailand | T +66 (0) 33 007 888 With the resort located right at the beachfront, it is the perfect beach F +66 (0) 33 007 887 | cgmp@chr.co.th destination. Soft sands lapped by calm waters and an extensive swimming pool with children’s pool and pool bar make the beachfront the perfect place to relax. There are two more swimming pools set steps away from the guestrooms and with ocean views. Water sport activities include sailing, catamaran, windsurfing and kayaking, and snorkel equipment is easily available on request.

Should you want to seize the opportunity to spend some me-time or spend the day alone with your partner, you can entrust your kids with the reliable staff at the Kids’ Club. Your kids will be well taken care of with a children’s pool on the beach and a host of activities at the professionally supervised Kids’ Club, with its Camp Safari for those up to nine years old.

The E-Zone, an entertainment area for teenagers, is also a great option to keep them occupied.

Free of the responsibilities of looking after your kids, you can then wander down to the spa for some well deserved pampering or visit the gym for that long overdue workout. Designed to resemble a Roman Bath, SPA Cenvaree is an oasis of calm offering absolute pampering along with a choice of treatments aimed to relax and rejuvenate, while the fitness centre completes the holistic resort experience.

With a whole host of dining options at the resort, you can satiate your hunger pangs in-house rather than having to go out to search for food.

The resort’s all-day dining restaurant, Modus Bistro, presents a dual concept offering guests the option to dine on authentic Italian cuisine and

Terrace Room 33 Weekendin

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Sheraton Towers From S$295++

When 2 Become 1 Valid until 31 December 2013 for Friday to Sunday only For those who yearn for some private moments with your beloved, enjoy an exclusive romantic package which includes: American Buffet Breakfast for 2 (In-room service or The Dining Room) Welcome amenity of a bottle of sparkling wine and fruit basket.

Sheraton Towers Singapore | 39 Scotts Road | Singapore 228230 | T 6737 6888 www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton

Ascott Raffles Place From S$298 As an individual who expects no less than the highest standards of service combined with exclusive and luxurious living, you’ll find a ready welcome at Ascott The Residence.

The Weekends Away package includes: Daily breakfast for two persons Daily housekeeping service Wired and wireless internet access 20% discount at The Royal Mail (valid on a-la carte food orders for dinner on Fri and Sat only) 2 Finlayson Green | Singapore 049247 | T 6577 1688 | F 6577 1668 www.the-ascott.com

Carlton City Hotel From S$288++ | All-inclusive Weekend Festive Staycation | From 1 Dec ‘13 to 5 Jan ‘14 The newest upscale business hotel in town, experience a Carlton City Christmas and New Year with a fresh take on international buffets, all things festive and a countdown party.

Package includes: Buffet breakfast for two Two flutes of Chandon sparkling at Graffiti Sky Bar A pair of movie tickets Unlimited WiFi access & local calls Late check-out up to 4pm (subject to availability) Terms & conditions apply.

1 Gopeng Street | Singapore 078862 | T 6632 8999 | F 6632 8800 reservations@carltoncity.sg | www.the-ascott.com

Summer Staycation at Raffles Singapore From S$550++ Valid only during the Weekends from 1 September 2013 onwards.

Suite package includes: - Children below the age of 12 stay (using existing beddings) and dine for free with their parents at Hotel-operated restaurants - Welcome Singapore Slings and fruit upon arrival, while children will enjoy fruit smoothies and cookies - Complimentary breakfast at Tiffin Room on the first morning - Complimentary Buffet Dinner at Bar & Billiard Room or Tiffin Room - Complimentary in-suite internet access - 24-hour Butler Service - Complimentary S$500 Raffles Hotel Arcade Shopping Discount Vouchers - Complimentary late check-out until 6pm - Complimentary parking Raffles Hotel | 1 Beach Road | 189673 | T 6337 1886 | www.raffles.com Weekendin 34

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Relax and Unwind Unwind with a special weekend getaway.

With leisure activities included and a gift at turn down, you can relax, work out, socialise or simply indulge yourself.

This package includes: Accommodation in a suite Daily buffet breakfast in the Tiffin Room Use of health and fitness facilities 1 Singapore Sling each in the Long Bar Raffles Hotel | 1 Beach Road | 189673 | T 6337 1886 | www.raffles.com

From S$228 | Until 30 December 2013 Overnight luxurious accommodation in the Shophouse Room or Suite, including Club InterContinental access and benefits, entrance to the Peranakan Museum for two guests and an exclusive Peranakan gft.

Club InterContinental access and benefits include Club breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails with canapes and all-day refreshments.

Regent From S$259++ | Until 29 December 2013 The Weekend Indulgence promotion for a Superior Room applies only for arrivals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Package includes: Welcome Champagne upon arrival Breakfast for two in Basilico Complimentary Internet Access Complimentary upgrade of room (for min. 2-night stay) 10% off Perfect Picnic, a customised basket of Italian picnic treats from Dolcetto by Basilico (starts from $30 per pax and advance notice is required) Please quote the promotional code: INDULGE Regent Singapore| 1 Cuscaden Road | T +65 6725 3088 | email: reservation.rsn@fourseasons.com.

Pan Pacific From S$318++ | Until 30 December 2013 Indulge yourself in a 5-star staycation at Pan Pacific Singapore.

Package includes: Breakfast at Edge for two Complimentary Internet access Two complimentary parking coupons daily Includes S$40 hotel credit Complimentary late check out until 3:00pm

Pan Pacific Singapore | 7 Raffles Boulevard | Marina Square T +65 6336 8111 | www.panpacific.com 35 Weekendin

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This package includes: Free entry to Sentosa Island Free Sentosa Express tickets Free buffet breakfast at Silver Shell Cafe Free buffet dinner at Silver Shell Cafe Complimentary lunch and dinner for children registered with Cool Zone’s full day programme Three free swings on The Flying Trapeze per stay Free broadband Internet access in guestrooms and around the resort One complimentary sofa bed for the child

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concrete concrete concrete concrete

countertops furniture sinks interiors

concretejungledesign.com

Vernetta&Roundhouse

All Things New and Beautiful New years are always full of hope and cheer! Don’t be afraid to make resolutions; let’s wipe the slate clean and look toward the new horizon! And why not?! It’s like a brand new notebook with fresh, crisp paper—you just want to get that first page right. You don’t want to mess it up. Oh let’s not count the ways. Cynics can kiss my adage!

So what kind of horizon awaits us? A world of new experiences to stimulate the mind and exhilarate the body!

Singapore has an almost underground jazz scene, which is about to be propelled into the viewfinder of mainstreamers. Its debutante ball is the inaugural Singapore International Jazz Festival starting end February! I was on a Natalie Cole Jazz binge back in the 90s and to have her and other jazz greats live on stage is going to be phenomenal!

I’m a casual art appreciator so I’m looking forward to Singapore’s first-ever specially curated tour of the city’s premier art galleries that begins this month. Art in Motion will inspire you with a focused view of Singapore’s own art districts. From the Bugis precinct to the Tanjong Pagar Distripark, expect art enclaves and pop-up installations to bowl you over.

Celebrate The Year of The Horse

And I love a fun run, especially the type where you get to dress up, be silly and win loads of cash! The Mediacorp Hong Bao Run 2014 is Mediacorp’s first running event during the Lunar New Year! I guess it’s only fitting that the runners will be gunning towards a rather hefty ang pao prize of $88,888! That’s a lot of good luck that can inspire anyone to move those little legs as fast as possible towards the finishing line!

And at Roundhouse: Pizza Bar & Grill, we auspiciously start 2014 with excellent menu additions and plenty of promotions to make every week of the year entertaining! And I mean, every day of the week!

Monday is quiet and romantic; perfect for date night, so we’ve matched it with our Steak & Wine Evening. Two rib eye steaks and a bottle of premium wine to share. Perfect, with a perfect price tag of just $120++.

Get over the Tuesday blues. Yes, I find the second work day of the week the most depressing. So we cheer you up with a treat - Happy Hour, All Night!

This is only one day of the week so take advantage of it!

We challenge your trivia prowess every Wednesday night with our weekly Quiz Night challenge. That’s coupled with a $200 discount off your tab; if your team wins, that is!

And Thursday is when we rev up your chances of getting some. Some iron, I mean. How does a dozen oysters and bottle of premium wine at just $79++ sound to you?

And as for Friday, well it’s part of our daily weekday steal; $18++ for 2 martinis, all night long, Mondays to Fridays!

Weekends are when we Brunch it up and Sundays are our proudest day where we feature a traditional Sunday Roast with all the trimmings that make it oh-so-gravy-good!

Art and music; food and fun. Here’s to a delicious, inspiring, creative, exhilarating, silly 2014! Don’t mess it up. But if you do, don’t count the ways either!

For more on Roundhouse, visit www.roundhouse.com.sg or head over to : Roundhouse Pizza, bar & Grill 100 Turf City | Singapore 287992 | T 6466 0966

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Reunion Dinner

intheTASTE

It’s that time of year when families gather, long-lost relatives pop up at your door for a round of visits, and the reunion dinner plays a big part at the dining table again. In short, it is Chinese New Year, a time to celebrate the arrival of spring and all things new, red and rowdy. The reunion meal on Chinese New Year Eve arguably ranks top in every Chinese family’s to-do list during this festive period. It signifies the cohesiveness of a closely-knit family as every member congregates to eat, drink and talk about anything under the sun.

A fine meal though is not just about the togetherness, but is also synonymous with good food. The feast that’s held on the eve of the New Year is always well prepared and sumptuous. Essentials of the feast include fish (representing an abundant year), abalone (representing good fortune), shallot (representing wisdom), mixed vegetable (representing family harmony) and duck (representing fertility).

Too lazy to painstakingly prepare your reunion meal at home and simply hankering for a fine restaurant to dine in?

It is now often that families still gather together but do not eat at home. Many restaurants offer a Reunion Dinner package inclusive of the tossing of Yu Sheng for prosperity.

We scour the island of Chinese restaurants and found the best ones for you to enjoy your Chinese New Year dining with your family.

The Fullerton Hotel SIngapore - Fullerton Jade, Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng

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Cherry Garden The typical Chinese Garden is meant to express harmony between man and nature, and is also said to inspire creativity in the individual. In the instance of Cherry Garden at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, they have managed to create harmony between man and his food. Creatively designed to look like a Chinese pagoda, the restaurant has plenty of greenery to give it a natural feel, despite being located on the fifth floor of a hotel in the ever-buzzing Raffles Avenue.

While many Chinese restaurants tend to feel enclosed and crowded, Cherry Garden is well structured and spacious therefore allowing it to retain a level of its zen-like serenity, even during peak lunch time hours. Upon walking in to the restaurant, I was greeted by the soft sound of guzheng music and immediately I felt a sense of calm wash over me; a feeling I rarely associate with the frenzy of Chinese New Year dinners.

The General Manager of the restaurant greeted us warmly and showed us to our seats. As with all Chinese New Year dinners, we started the meal with the Yusheng or the Prosperity Toss that is meant to be a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigour. When mixed with the sauces such as the spring onion oil and sweet plum sauce, the salmon, shredded vegetables and crispy fish skin created a crunchy yet highly flavourful dish; almost like an addictive salad I just could not get enough of. The highlight of the Yusheng is the tossing process as it mixes the ingredients together, and it is believed that the higher the toss, the better one’s prosperity outlook. Our table was left in a mess after, but the restaurant’s manager explained that this was a good sign as it symbolises an overflowing of prosperity and a sharing of the good fortune with others.

Another must-have auspicious dish at Chinese New Year reunion dinners is the Pen Cai (or Treasure Pot) that consists of a large variety of premium ingredients in a flavoured broth. This year, Cherry Garden has taken this family dish to a whole new level, by creating one of the largest Pen Cai pots available in Singapore. Imagine a ‘basin dish’, 25kg in weight and 45cm in diameter, filled with superior ingredients such as abalones, fresh scallops, prawns, vegetables, sea cucumber, roasted duck, crispy pork belly, and topped off with fresh lobster. This massive yet highly scrumptious dish can easily feed (and fill) 10 people and thus is perfect for those holding company or large family reunion dinners.

Another new item on their list is the Steamed Silver Pomfret with Preserved Vegetables and Waxed Meat, a simple yet extremely tasty dish that was cooked to perfection. The fish was soft and had absorbed just enough of the sauce to give it a salty tinge that leaves you wanting more. Served shortly after this was the glutinous rice with waxed meat and Chinese sausage. The dish was perfectly cooked and the waxed meat gave it a sweet taste that made it almost addictive.

For dessert, we had the refreshing Almonds and Snow Fungus in Red Dates Soup, that was served chilled for a refreshingly cool effect; the perfect way to end any meal. Cherry Garden is also offering an assortment of sweet and savoury delights that can be bought and shared with those at home. The miniature Green Tea Mochi Balls is stuffed with sweet lotus paste filling and macadamia nuts, and The Red Date Nian Gao is a must-try for red-bean lovers. Be sure to try the Golden Piglet Shortcakes which are filled with lotus paste and come in the form of adorable piglets; undoubtedly a hit with the children!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the Cherry Garden. The General Manger who hosted us was full of nuggets of information and hence gave us a better understanding on Chinese New Year traditions, as well as the symbolism behind the dishes and their ingredients.

With polite staff who are swift in their service, this is the perfect place to be if you are looking for a easy-going Chinese New Year reunion dinner or if you simply want to experience traditional Chinese culture at its finest.

Cherry Garden Mandarin Oriental Hotel | 6 Raffles Boulevard Singapore 039797 | T 6885 3500 www.mandarinoriental.com

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Hilton Singapore As the once resounding melodies of Christmas carols start to make its exit from the streets and malls, a chorus of Chinese New Year songs begin to set in; ushering in the year of the horse. This little enclave set in the heart of Orchard Road, the country’s most prominent shopping and dining district, will play host to one of the most exquisite Chinese New Year menus. Having a reunion dinner this Lunar New Year at Hilton Singapore will be a lavish affair, one not to be forgotten by the whole family.

As I approached the towering floor to ceiling glass doors, I was greeted by the staff into the hotel’s lobby which already seem to evoke a sense of warmth by its radiating glow. I soon took my place in the Vista as I awaited the commencement of tossing the highly-anticipated Yusheng. Before I knew it, a massive and sophisticated display of the Triumph to Success Yusheng stood before me, a dish which requires two hours to prepare and the ability to feed thirty people. Unlike the conventional scatter of ingredients onto a single plate, the chefs had ingeniously crafted the dish such that it seemed more artisanal than traditional. Generous portions of fresh pink salmon, tuna and two-head abalone were added, followed by an ample dose of truffle oil and gold flakes. As a fervent lover of cooked meat, the raw salmon seemed daunting for me. The initial hesitation that I had was soon put to rest as I found the fish extremely palatable and fresh, almost melting upon the bite. I was intrigued when the chef complemented the Yusheng with a unique addition of premium Italian caviar and a special Yuzu sauce soon after. I soon realised the rationale of adding the final ingredients. The eventual result proved to be the game-winner for the chefs at Hilton Singapore. Each bite came with a delightful crunch and was accompanied by a sweet and zesty aftertaste in every bite.

A portion of Stewed Pork Knuckles with Mantou ensued. The Mantou was not overly oily, with a golden crisp exterior and a soft puffy centre on the inside. This complemented extremely well with the Stewed Pork Knuckles – a moist and fragrant concoction with a tad herbal taste. The skin was thoroughly cooked to perfection such that each bite brought forth a pleasant nostalgic feeling to add on to the Chinese New Year spirit.

I was soon served the Poached Live Prawns with Brandy, Chinese Herbs and Enoki Miso Soup. As I took a bite of this particular dish, I found it truly refreshing and fresh. The supposedly overpowering taste of the brandy was cleverly eased by blending in the flavours of Chinese Herbs and Enoki Miso Soup, giving it a mild yet flavoursome taste.

Not long later, the server presented me with the Braised Duck with Mushrooms and Roasted

Pork. A far cry from many of the braised ducks that I have tasted, this dish is neither dry nor reeks with the odours of the duck. On the contrary, the meat was extremely moist and soft and taking a bite made me momentarily forget how tough duck’s meat is by nature. The slices of Roasted Pork that came with the Braised Duck was exceptionally savoury and was a toothsome try for me.

As I stopped for a breather by sipping some De Sousa champagne, my taste buds were stimulated once again when I was served the Sze Chuan Kong Po Chicken. The bite-sized pieces of chicken exuded a sweet and sour taste, a combination which made me reminiscent about the good old days as a child. Soon after, the Baked Whole Sea Bass with Lemongrass Sambal Sauce took to the stage. Tweaking the classic Chinese New Year dish, the Lemongrass Sambal Sauce accentuated the flavours to the already flavourful fish. The cooking technique was so well applied that the meat was soft to the touch and easy to pick.

The much anticipated desserts soon arrived, starting with Homemade Red Bean Paste with Glutinous Rice Balls, alongside a slice of the Pan-fried Traditional Coconut Milk Nian Gao with Eggs. As I took a scoop of the Red bean paste, a tinge of the zesty dried orange peel radiated through my mouth, a mixture that made me hunger for more. The consistency of the paste was flawless and the Glutinous Rice Ball was an impeccable treat as the black sesame paste glistened at the first bite. To conclude the hearty meal, I dug in to the Persimmon Cheese Cake and marveled at the creamy mix and crusty base that the chef had shrewdly conceived. The subtle taste of the persimmon had distinguished itself from many of the other cheesecakes that I have tried.

It will be a heart-warming reunion and one not to be forgotten at Hilton Singapore as each dish will satisfy your palate to the fullest. The festive menus will be available from the Eve to the 15th day of Chinese New Year, where orders must be made at least three days in advance. .

Hilton Singapore 581 Orchard Road | Singapore 238883 T: 6730 3390 | www3.hilton.com 43 Weekendin

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Wan Hao

Looking for a place to hold your Chinese New Year reunion dinner? Marriott Hotel, Singapore has the most delectable gatherings this Spring Festival with new and signature treats. Enjoy delectable and heart-warming gatherings this reunion season with fuss-free takeaways prepared by their team of Chinese master chefs.

For an impeccable dining experience, have your gatherings within the resplendence of Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, where Chinese Executive Chef Raymond Lai has crafted special set menus suitable for 1 to 10 diners. Look out for the scrumptious Nan Ru style Barbecued Whole Boneless Suckling Pig, or the newly introduced Double-boiled Supreme Bird’s Nest in Whole Chicken – a mouth-watering delicacy laced with rich, premium ingredients.

To grace the table with the ultimate centrepiece, the Barbecued Whole Suckling Pig is a traditional favourite, with premium suckling pigs imported from Hunan and roasted to perfection. The end result is a faultless combination of crispy, juicy skin and tender, fragrant meat that will have everyone going for seconds. If you are looking for something less extravagant, the Signature Roasted Duck will tantalise your taste buds with its burst of flavour and incredibly crisp skin.

A popular festive choice, the Wan Hao Deluxe Abalone Pen Cai consists of premium ingredients such as 5-headed South African abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw and more, while the Wan Hao Premium Vegetarian Pen Cai is a nonmeat alternative that is just as delectable. Not to forget the customary Lo Hei as you toss to an auspicious year with the variety of yu sheng, boasting an abundance of salmon, ikan parang and abalone.

The best part about home visiting during the season is being able to enjoy the different goodies at each house. Put a sweet touch to your Lunar New Year gatherings with signature festive goodies. Indulge your guests with our widelyloved Bak-Kwah Cornflake Cookies, a perennial festive favourite amongst young and old alike.

Packing a satisfying crunch in every bite, the addictive combination of savoury Bak-Kwah and golden cornflakes will have everyone reaching for more. Also popular with the crowd are the delightful Signature Pineapple Tarts – freshly baked and topped with generous helpings of delectable pineapple jam.

For the adventurous palate, the new Durian Chocolate Cake promises a treat like no other.

Inspired by locals’ love for the king of fruits, this new creation is handcrafted with rich, luscious durian paste and enhanced by velvety soft chocolate mousse – a creative blend of flavours that the innovative new Executive Pastry Chef John Evans calls “Uniquely Singaporean!” For a traditional propitious pick, be sure to go for our signature Eight Treasures Cake – named after its auspicious significance made from a selection of 8 different ingredients. Moist and flavourful, each bite is pure bliss.

For something more elaborate, kick start your festivities with a lavish reunion dinner within the plush interiors of our refurbished Grand Ballroom on 30 January 2013, a grand affair not to be missed. Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant is a winning place to enjoy a warm and healthy dinner and celebrate the Lunar New Year festivities as one big family in the community.

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant Marriott Hotel, Singapore | 320 Orchard Road Singapore 238865 | T 6831 4605 www.singaporemarriott.com/CNY 45 Weekendin

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Capella Singapore

Sheraton Towers Hotel

Cassia Capella Singapore’s fine-dining Chinese restaurant Cassia is welcoming the Year of the Wood Horse with four unique menus as well as a festive a la carte menu. Guests can choose from 4 set menus: Spring (only available for lunch), whereas Prosperity, Wealth and Fortune are available for both lunch and dinner. Look forward to delicacies such as Spare Ribs with Tangerine Peels, Double-boiled Duo of Scallops with Fish Maw and Bamboo Pith in Thick Chicken Broth and Cassia’s Signature Lou Hei.

Li Bai Beckon a flourishing year ahead with a stellar line up of gourmet feasts at the Sheraton Towers Singapore. Expect an extravagant feast of Braised 3-head Whole Abalone with Spiked Sea Cucumber, Imperial Chicken with Conpoy, Steamed Whole Marbled Goby with Golden Lily Bulbs and Black Fungus, Barbequed Pi Pa Duck and many more. For large groups, choose from 5 set menus that cater to groups of 8 to 10 persons. Set menus are also available for smaller groups. Choose from The Prosperity Delights Set Menu A, B, C, and D.

Price 27 Jan to 14 Feb Spring Set Menu: $69++ per person Prosperity Set Menu: $119++ per person Wealth Set Menu: $159++ per person Fortune Set Menu: $209 ++ per person

Capella Singapore | 1 The Knolls | Singapore 098297 | T 6591 5045 | www.capellahotels.com Weekendin 46

Price 17 Jan to 24 Feb 2014 Set Menus: From $898 to $3988 Prosperity Delights Set Menu A: $138 per person (minimum 2) Prosperity Delights Set Menu B: $148 per person (minimum 2) Prosperity Delights Set Menu C: $388 for 4 persons Prosperity Delights Set Menu D: $588 for 6 persons

Sheraton Towers Hotel | 39 Scotts Road | Singapore 228230 | T 6839 5623 | www.sheratonsingapore.com

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The Fullerton Hotel

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

Jade Restaurant With a flair for elegance and sophistication, Master Chef Leong Chee Yeng and the talented culinary team at The Fullerton Hotel’s Jade restaurant will present new and traditional creations along with luxurious feasts for the Lunar New Year of the Horse. Toss to an auspicious year with their signature Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng with Champagne Jelly, Salmon, Olive Oil and Apple Plum Dressing, and indulge in the lavish Eight Treasures Signature Pen Cai, which comprises of South African Whole Abalones surrounded by layers of premium seafood, meat and vegetables. Set menus are also available at Jade Restaurant this festive season.

Shang Palace At Shang Palace, indulge in six special Set Menus (including a vegetarian set menu) featuring popular dishes of the season. Each menu begins with a celebratory tossing of Yu Sheng, followed by specialties such as Braised Baby Abalone with Pork and Sautéed Lobster with Crispy Fried Prawn and Hawthorn and more. Festive goodies such as Wealth Fortune Fish Nian Gao and Wealth Fortune Hamper are also available at the hotel’s lobby from 7-29 January 2014.

Price 20 Jan to 14 Feb Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng: $78 for 6 persons Eight Treasures Signature Pen Cai: $118+ for large serving

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore | Lobby Level | 1 Fullerton Square | Singapore 049178 | T 6877 8188 | www.fullertonhotel.com

Price 30 Jan to 14 Feb 2014 Set Menu: from $138++ per person (minimum of 4 persons) Wealth Fortune Fish Nian Gao: $72.80+ Wealth Fortune Hamper: $638+

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore | 22 Orange Grove Road | Singapore 258350 | T 213 4473 | www.shangri-la.com/

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Restaurant Home

Four Seasons Hotel

Restaurant Home Chef Tan Yong Hua, the winner of the Iron Chef Thailand Challenge presents a delectable array of dishes to celebrate the Year of the Horse at Restaurant HOME. Diners get to choose from 5 Lunar New Year Set Menus that include both familiar Cantonese dishes as well as lesserseen heritage dishes. These 5 set menus are: Prosperous Horse, Auspicious Gathering, Fortune and Prosperity, Wealth and Blessing and Happiness and Blessing. The traditional tossing of Yu Sheng comes with some of Chef Tan’s signature favourites such as Lychee Wood Barbecued Duck with Chef’s Special Sauce, Homemade Egg Bean Curd with Shrimp paste, and Crabmeat & Roe in Pi Pa Style.

Jiang-Nan Chun As families and business associates gather to celebrate the Year of the Horse, Lunar New Year reunion feasts and banquet menus by Jiang-Nan Chun Chinese Chef Alan Chan pave another year of prosperity and longevity starting January 8, 2014. Reunion dishes such as steamed soon hock with soy sauce, braised bean curd with dried oyster and stir-fried glutinous rice with preserved sausages are just some of the highlights.

Diners can also opt for their set menus, which are available from the 8 of January to 14 of February 2014.

Price 15 Jan to 24 Feb 2014 Prosperous Horse: $198+ for 4 persons Auspicious Gathering: $398+ for 4 persons Fortune and Prosperity: from $498+ for 8 persons Wealth and Blessing: from $558+ for 8 persons Happiness and Blessing: from $718 for 8 persons

Restaurant Home | 392 Upper Bukit Timah Road | The Rail Mall | Singapore 678046 | T 6465 1698 | www.restauranthome.com.sg Weekendin 48

Price 8 Jan to 14 Feb Reunion Feasts Set Menus: $108++ per person for six-course, $988++ per table of 10 persons for eight-course.

Four Seasons Hotel | 2nd Floor | 190 Orchard Blvd | Singapore 248646 | T 6831 7220 | www.fourseasons.com

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Orchard Hotel Singapore

Paradise Pavillion

Hua Ting Ring in the year of the Horse at Hua Ting, an exquisite Chinese Restaurant serving Cantonese cusine that is recognised for its extraordinary dining experience featuring high quality ethnic cuisine and other provincial specialties by Masterchef Lap Fai and his talented culinary team.

Indulge in the Prosperity Menus available, and add an interesting twist to the traditional Yu Sheng with ingredients such as Hamachi and fresh toro.

Paradise Pavillion Ring in the Year of the Horse at Paradise Pavilion, located in the heart of Singapore’s new finance hub – Marina Bay Financial Centre. Set menus are available for both small and large groups. With a minimum of 2 persons, choose from the Prosperity, Wealth or Fortune set menus.

For groups of 10 people, set menus are also available. Besides the set menus, the Ala-Carte dishes such as the Paradise Pavilion Fortune Pot ($268 for 5 persons) and Abalone Yu Sheng ($98 for regular).

Price 3 Jan to 14 Feb 2014 Set Menus: $98 per person (minimum 2 persons) to $5888 for 10 persons

Price 16 Jan to 14 Feb Wealth Set Menu: $138 per person Fortune Set Menu: $188 per person Set menus for groups of 10 people: $1088 to $3388 Paradise Pavilion Fortune Pot: $268 for 5 persons

Orchard Hotel Singapore | 442 Orchard Rd | Level 2 Orchard Hotel | Singapore 238879 | T 6739 6666 | www.millenniumhotels.com.sg/orchardhotelsingapore

Paradise Pavillion | 8A Marina Boulevard | #02-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre | Singapore 018984 | T 6509 9308 | www.paradisegroup.com.sg

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The Regent, Singapore

The Sentosa, A Beaufort Hotel

Summer Palace This Chinese New Year, celebrate the Year of the Horse with a delectable feast of award-winning Cantonese cuisine at Regent Singapore’s Summer Palace. Diners get to choose from ten specially crafted menus

by Summer Palace Chinese Executive Chef Liu Ching Hai. Other special Chinese New Year dishes include Peach Blossoms in the Snow and the Barbecued Truffle Suckling Pig Trio. To usher in the new year, try Chef Liu’s Prosperity Truffle Duck with Fresh Fruit Yu Sheng, a refreshing combination of truffle roast duck with finely shredded mango, honeydew, rock melon and pomelo, dressed in aromatic truffle oil and a tangy lemon plum sauce.

The Sentosa, A Beaufort Hotel Enjoy celebrating the year of the Horse with an array of prosperous gastronomic treats from The Sentosa, A Beaufort Hotel. For your Lunar New Year feast, indulge in The Sentosa’s Festive Takeaway Goodies, such as the Golden Treasure Pot, traditionally prepared with the best ingredients available. Expect luxurious twelve-head abalone, springy sea cucumbers, fish maw, premium dried oysters, conpoy and Chinese mushrooms. Complete your reunion dinner with the Prosperity Yusheng, with ingredients such as salmon or abalone. To mark the festive occasion, The Terrace offers a hearty buffet selection of Asian flavours from the 31st to 2nd of January.

Price 23 Jan to 15 Feb 2014 Set Menus: From $888++ to $2,988++ Prosperity Truffle Duck with Fresh Fruit Yu Sheng: $118++ Barbecued Truffle Suckling Pig Trio: $338++ for whole

Price 31 Jan to 2nd Feb 2014 Golden Treasure Pot: $288++ for 6 persons Buffet Dinner: $68++ (adult), $38++ (child)

The Regent, Singapore | 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 3 | Singapore 249715 The Sentosa, A Beaufort Hotel | 2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa, | Singapore 099891 | T 6275 0331| www.thesentosa.com | T 6725 3288 | www.regenthotels.com Weekendin50 50 Weekendin

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St Regis Singapore

Carlton Hotel

Yan Ting Welcome a flourishing year of the Horse at Yan Ting, the St. Regis Singapore’s award-winning Cantonese restaurant this Chinese New Year.

Michelin-Starred chef Mak Kip Fu and his team of masterchefs bring exquisite yet hearty oriental delicacies to discerning gastronomes.

Yan Ting presents 8 festive dine-in set menus, ideal for intimate pairs or for hosting reunion meals in large groups. Diners can choose from the following set menus: Bountiful 6-Course, Success 6-Course, Affluent 6-Course, Prosperity 6-Course and Vegetarian 8-Course.

Wah Lok Renew bonds and strengthen relations as you celebrate the Lunar New Year with prosperous treats at Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant in Carlton Hotel. The restaurant’s resplendent varieties of signature Lunar New Year premium delicacies include Hamachi Yu Sheng Shunde Style, Longevity Poon Choi and Roasted Whole Boneless Suckling Pig. Set menus are available for the festive occasion, for 4 to 10 persons. A must have for every Lunar New Year feast -the Poon Choi, or Big Bowl Feast, is also available at Wah Lok. Indulge in the elaborate three-layer dish with an assortment of premium ingredients such as Baby Abalone, Sea Cucumber, Scallops and Dried Oysters.

Price 2nd Jan to 14th Feb 2014 Bountiful: $108++ per person Success: $138++ per person Affluent: $168++ per person Prosperity: $198++ per person Vegetarian: 108++ per person

Price 20 Jan to 14 Feb 2014 Big Bowl Feast: $388++ for 6 persons Set Menus: $388++ for 4 persons, $522++ for 6 persons, $788++ for 8 persons, $988++ for 10 persons

St. Regis Singapore | Level 1U | 29 Tanglin Road | Singapore 247911 | T Carlton Hotel | 76 Bras Basah Road | Singapore 189558 | T 6311 8188 | 6506 6887 | www.yantingrestaurant.com www.carltonhotel.sg 51 Weekendin

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Mountain biking on Whistler in the summer

Le Restaurant & Bar

Marina Mandarin Singapore

Le Restaurant & Bar Located at Suntec City Mall, Le Restaurant & Bar is part of the Paradise Group’s latest venture. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with an array of dishes and specialty menus especially created for the season. The Longevity set menu features dishes such as Hokkaido Scallop Yu Sheng, Braised Sliced Mexican abalone with sea cucumber in supreme oyster sauce and Pan seared cod in butter mushroom sauce. Set menus are also available for larger groups. Diners can choose from the following: Success, Harmony, Fortune, Treasure and Prosperity.

Peach Blossoms To reign in the Year of the Horse, Peach Blossoms prepared a traditional line-up of spring lunar dishes and auspicious Yu Sheng. This year, Marina Mandarin introduces Peach Blossoms Organic Fruits Yu Sheng to usher in a healthy and fruitful year ahead. Tastefully enhanced with fresh organic strawberry, mango, rock melon, papaya and kiwi, this colourful dish enhances the prosperity toss novelty and is symbolic with a bountiful year. Other sumptuous signature New Year dishes include the Supreme Braised Buddha Jumps Over The Wall and the Double-boiled Fish Maw Soup with Morel and Flower Mushroom.

Price 20 Jan to 14 Feb 2014 Longevity Set Menu: $138 per person Success Set Menu: $788 for 10 persons Harmony Set Menu: $988 for 10 persons Fortune Set Menu: $1388 for 10 persons Treasure Set Menu: $1688 for 10 persons Prosperity Set Menu: $2088 for 10 persons

Price 24 Jan to 14 Feb 2014 Peach Blossoms Organic Fruits Yu Sheng: $108++ for 10 persons Supreme Braised Buddha Jumps Over The Wall: $888 for 10 persons Double Boiled Fish Maw Soup with Morel and Flower Mushroom: $42 per person

Le Restaurant & Bar | 3 Temasek Boulevard | Suntec City Mall #02-314 | Singapore 038983 |T 6338 8775 | www.paradisegroup.com.sg

Marina Mandarin Singapore | 6 Raffles Boulevard Level 5 | Marina Square | Singapore 039594 | T 6845 1118 | www.meritushotels.com | www.peachblossoms.com.sg

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CELEBRATIONS

City-seeing tours available in Joburg

Crockfords Tower

Equarius Hotel

Feng Shui Inn Usher in the Year of the Horse with a variety of unique and delicious Lo Hei options, celebratory reunion menus and scrumptious takeaway goodies at Feng Shui Inn at Crockfords Tower in Resorts World Sentosa.

A must try is the Yu Sheng, meticulously plated to resemble the shape of a horse, this new creation symbolises ‘galloping’ towards a bright future and features a medley of refreshingly sharp flavours with fresh salmon cubes, crispy-skinned mackerel and silver fish as well as strips of bak gwa. A luxurious 8-course spread is available for a table of 6 persons and 10 persons.

Forest Celebrate the year of the Horse at Forest, helmed by famous local celebrity chef Sam Leong. Forest will also be introducing two 5-course reunion set lunch showcasing contemporary Chinese cuisine with a premium touch— Double boiled pork shank soup with snow fungus, conpoy and herbs, perennial favourite Japanese Fragrant rice with XO sausages and pan-seared foie gras served in steamed yellow pumpkin; and Braised Four Treasures Soup filled with fish maw, sea cucumber, crabmeat and conpoy (all set lunch includes Salmon Fruit Vegetables Yu Sheng). For dinner, guests can choose between three 6-course set dinner menus.

Price 20 Jan to 14 Feb 2014 Salmon and Mackerel Lo Hei: $128 per order 8-course menu: from $1118++ for 6 persons and from $1688++ for 10 persons

Price 18 Jan to 14 Feb 2014 5 course Reunion Set Lunch: from $68++ to $88++ per person 6 course Set Dinner Menu: from $178++ per person to $388++ per person

Crockfords Tower | 39 Artillery Avenue | Crockfords Tower Level G2 | Resorts World Sentosa | T 6577 6688 | www.rwsentosa.com

Equarius Hotel | 8 Sentosa Gateway | Resorts World Sentosa | T 6577 7788 | www.rwsentosa.com 53 Weekendin

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NEW BEGINNINGS

Something to Do . Someone to Love . Something to Hope for

As said by L.M Montgomery, Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet? Perhaps this is why the start of not just a new day but a new year, invokes a sense of hope and inspiration in most people. The New Year has become synonymous with the word change, and people tend look at it as a time to either create a new beginning or take their current lives to an even higher level.

But this sense of inspiration gets lost as time passes. This year’s goals get pushed to the following year, and what used to be an absolute must-do suddenly becomes an ideal that seems impossible to achieve. It is no wonder that a sense of gloom starts to creep up on us by the middle of the year!

According to legendary German philosopher Immanuel Kant, there are 3 rules to happiness: Having “‘Something to do, Someone to love, and Something to hope for”. We here at Weekendin are in full agreement with this quote, and hence have come up with a list of ideas to help you fulfil these three concepts. We have listed out ways to not just start the year afresh, but also to help you plan your year, so that your 2014 will be one of the most fulfilling and memorable years yet!

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Something to Do

They say an idle mind is a dangerous mind. But even those with full time jobs (both at home and in the office) might find themselves stagnating due to the mundaneness of everyday life. Hence the only thing more important than having something to do at any given moment, is doing something new and refreshing to awaken both the mind and the spirit.

Here’s a list of things you might want to consider, to shake up your 2014!

Someone to Love

Whether you regard yourself to be an introvert or an extrovert, there is one truth that we all cannot escape from - that human beings are social creatures. We depend on other humans in many ways, whether it is for work and economic reasons, or for more intangible reasons such as love and support. To help you develop good relationships with people, here is a list of 9 habits you can practice.

Something to Hope for

There’s nothing that motivates us through challenging times more than the anticipation of a more positive and exciting prospect. This is why at any one point in our life we need something to hope for, or better yet, something concrete to look forward to! Even if it’s just working towards that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing all year, each of us have that special something that cheers us up simply by the thought of it.

WeekendinFEATURE

Shake up your morning routine Since human beings are all creatures of habit, it is not surprising that many of us have routines we are completely comfortable with.

You probably make your morning coffee with the same brand of coffee powder, eat the same breakfast and take the same route to the office that you have being taking for the past decade or so. Since it is the New Year, try something new by making a few adjustments to break out of your monotonous morning routine.

Making a few tweaks to how you start your day can bring about a difference in how the rest of your day turns out. To start off, write down how your usual morning routine looks like and slowly make adjustments from there.

Something to Do Wake up earlier than usual

If you like to hit the snooze button and sleep in a little longer, try to change this habit by going to sleep earlier the night before, so that you can in turn wake up earlier. Depending on your personal preferences, you can try from anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour. According to research, successful people such as Margaret Thatcher, CEO of AOL Tim Armstrong and Barack Obama are all practitioners of waking up early in the morning.

There are many things one can do with that little bit of extra time in the morning, such as squeezing in a workout, reading the papers or mapping out the events for the day to ensure productivity. You might even be able to take a walk outside to enjoy the fresh air. By taking some alone time in the morning, it helps you to clear your mind and strategise how you are going to spend the rest of the day ahead.

Change up your breakfast meals

Here are two recipes you might want to try out in the morning!

Superfoods recipe •Scramble 2 eggs in a cup •Add olive oil and egg into pan •Add in two to three shreds of kale in the pan and mix •Salt and pepper to taste Watermelon chia fresca •6 cups cubed watermelon •1 sprig of mint leaves •1/2 lime, skin removed •1 heaping tablespoon of chia seeds Directions: Run the watermelon, mint and lime through a good home juicer.

Another thing you could try to change in your morning routine is to have a good and healthy breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it gives you your first boost of energy. Instead of always having the same thing every morning, change things up by going to the supermarket to get a variety of foods for the week ahead. Keep your breakfast options interesting instead of sticking to the same old coffee and toast. Give yourself an energy boost by including superfoods in your breakfast choices. Superfoods are nutrient rich foods that are extremely beneficial to your health and well-being, with some examples being avocados, chia seeds and kale.

Start by making a cup of juice using ingredients such as kale, coconut water, one banana and a teaspoon of chia seeds to keep you energised for the rest of the morning. Another option is to prepare a nutritious bowl of oats with anything you fancy, such as dried cranberries or blueberries, and a teaspoon of chia seeds for a dose of Omega-3.

Try different routes to get to work

With the extra time you have now, try to switch things up even as you leave the house, by taking a different route to work. This may not seem like much, but it actually challenges your brain to get creative and do something it is not accustomed to. You do not need to be spontaneous; in fact you could plan ahead. The purpose of taking a different route to work is to try something new, and in the process it may expand our minds and fuel our creative juices. With a different route, you would encounter different stimuli as opposed to the route you usually take. The new landmarks and sights could inspire you as you challenge yourself out of your comfort zone, and you may even find your new route to be better than the old one.

Place the juice into a pitcher and stir in the chia seeds.

Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the chia seeds to absorb some of the juice and plump up.

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Redecorate your home If you do not have the time to consult an interior designer or to think of a new look for your entire house or room, consider doing small changes that can still have an impact on the overall look. This can be done over the weekend or better yet, within a day!

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As the years pass by, we accumulate more and more items from sales, holiday trips and gifts. However, a cluttered home is often indicative of a cluttered mind. This 2014, start the year on a clean note by organising and de-cluttering your home. Having a good system and fewer things in the home helps one stay focused on important matters, and this increased efficiency is sure to make an impact on everything that you do. And while you’re at it, spice up your home this 2014 by doing small redecorations that can turn it into a whole new living environment! Revive that sense of excitement as you come back to a new and improved home at the end of every day.

How to organise your home

Step 1: Get rid of unnecessary items

As you go through the various items in your home, ask yourself the following question: Should I keep it? Donate it? Or throw it away? Often we are overcome with a sense of nostalgia and sentimentalism when doing this, so be sure to think critically about the ‘keep’ items - Think about the last time you used them and if you actually need them. Donate items that you can no longer use but that others can benefit from. Throw away those that are completely useless to everyone.

Step 2: Separate items by room and function

Decide what the primary function of each ‘keep’ item is. Like items should be grouped together so that you can decide how best to store them.

Next, think about where best to locate them so that they can be efficiently reached and used. Think twice about multiple purpose items such as towels, and be sure to store them in a location that benefits both of its functions, like in between the bathroom and kitchen.

Step 3: Use storage solutions

Set a home for every item; or a place where that item should be at all times. This includes items such as your keys, phone, and wallet. A good way to do this is to stand in the room and pick up every visible item that is lying around. Find a suitable compartment or location where it can be kept at all times when it is not in use. Also, store your items in a way that minimises the amount of space used. Instead of just throwing small items into a drawer, use small tins or metal sheets to create separate compartments.

Step 4: Develop good habits

Perhaps the most difficult step of all is maintaining your newly organised home in its current state. Get into the habit of putting things away when you are done using them, and the results will be remarkable! A good habit to develop is to analyse each new item you buy; think twice about how much you really need it. Another practice is to throw out something old every time you acquire something new, so that the number of items in your home do not accumulate, leading to a repeat of this entire process in 2015.

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Paint the Walls : If you have a large piece of artwork or a vibrant rug in the room, choose a colour from the pattern and use that as your guide.

If you are looking for something less contrasting, look to the pattern’s whites and beiges to decide on your wall colour.

Find Statement Pieces such as a painting, a graphic quilt or even a bright and vibrant coloured rug or couch that will stand out.

Change the Linens : Curtains, pillow covers and bedsheets play an important role in the overall look of the room, and can make a difference when changed, especially if they all are of a certain colour theme or motif.

Move your furniture around: Exchange the couches in two of your rooms, or pick a highlight of the room that will serve as the focal point of the room (Eg The Bed or TV set). Then move your furniture in relation to this.

Something to Do Organise and Redecorate your House

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Here are some of the concert highlights lined up for the year 2014!

Singaporean International Jazz Festival 2014

Description: Music Festival Tickets Sale: Available now on Sistic Ticket Pricing: $90 - $330 Event Date: 27 Feb – 2 Mar 2014

Michael Learns to Rock – Live in Singapore 2014 Description: Music Concert Ticket Sale: Available now on Sistic Ticket Pricing: $78 - $158 Event Date: 22 Feb 2014

Shakespeare in the Park – The Merchant of Venice

Description: Drama Tickets Sale: Available now on Sistic Ticket Pricing: Advance ticket $45 (Prior to Event Day), Standard ticket $55 (Event Day) Event Date: 30 Apr – 25 May 2014

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Description: Music Concert Tickets Sale: Available now on Sistic Ticket Pricing: $98 - $198 Event Date: 24 Jan 2014

St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival Description: Music Festival Tickets Sale: Available now on Sistic Ticket Pricing: $150 Event Date: 25 Jan 2014

Eric Clapton Live in Singapore

Something to Do Go to a Concert or Performance We all know the saying that art is food for the soul and that laughter is the best medicine,. but few of us truly understand its impact on our overall well-being and state of happiness. Whether it’s watching a controversial play or simply gazing at an oil painting in a museum, art sometimes forces us to reflect on issues on a personal and social level, and therefore confront dilemmas and emotions we often try to ignore.

But not all art goes down to the deep intri-

cacies of existentialism. Some of the most unforgettable moments in life are when you simply take a step back and witness something beautiful and powerful. Whether it’s watching a legendary superstar live in action, doubling up with laughter at a comedy club, being struck with awe at the beauty and grace of a ballet performance, or tearing up at a play that resonates with you, going for concerts and performances is one of the best ways to remind you about what it feels like to be alive!

Description: Music Concert Tickets Sale : Available now on sportshub.com.sg Ticket Pricing : $108-$298 Event Date: 4 Mar 2014

M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2014 Description: Series of Theatre Performances Tickets Sale: Available now on Sistic Ticket Pricing: $19 Event Date: 8 – 19 Jan 2014

Rising Son

Description: Theatre Tickets Sale: Available now on Sistic Ticket Pricing: $35- $55 Event Date: 27 Mar – 12 Apr 2014

Happy Ever Laughter

Description: Standup Comedy Ticket Sale: Available now on sistic Event Date: 16 - 27 Apr 2014

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It is only normal for us to get caught up in our own lives. Food needs to be put on the table, and our children vie for our attention at every chance they get. At the end of a gruelling day, we want nothing more than to relax or treat ourselves to something indulgent. But one of the best ways to rejuvenate yourself or simply to feel happy, is to do an act of kindness for someone else.

When helping someone out, it gives you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, especially when you realise that you have made a difference in that person’s life. Even if it is as small as uttering a word of encouragement, an act of kindness can spark off a chain of events that you never even saw coming. It can change someone else’s outlook on life to a more positive one or better yet, spur others to do the same.

Random act of kindness

Something to Do Encourage someone

Every once in a while, we all need a level of assurance and positivity by someone close to us. Even a simple gesture such as thanking a person for being there can brighten another person’s mood and day. You can start encouraging someone in the form of gifts, hugs, or just through positive words on one of the many social networking sites. By encouraging someone, it can boost their self esteem and confidence, and can even strengthen your relationship with each other.

Write a letter

People from all walks of life will definitely have their moments of loneliness and self-doubt. The perfect remedy for this is a handwritten letter.

In a world where information can be transmitted within seconds across the globe - there’s nothing quite like receiving a piece of paper filled with words of encouragement, painstakingly hand-written by the sender. The dying art of the letter shows that effort was put into this action, and reaffirms the person that they are worth your time and energy.

Give generous compliments

Travelling to your destination on public transport can be an awkwardly silent experience when you are surrounded by strangers. However, instead of looking down on the floorboard, muster some courage and give the person next to you a compliment. Not only will he or she feel good at this pleasant surprise, but you might even receive a compliment back and this might serve as an ice breaker for a much longer conversation.

Smile at others

There are many reasons to smile each day. A meaningful and sincere smile has a message of its own and people can often tell when it is coming from a genuine place. Smiling at others lightens their spirit and leaves a lasting impression of you to others. It is believed that smiling is contagious and just the act of smiling makes one feel happier, so this is the perfect way to spread the joy for everyone including yourself!

Always practice good manners in public

Good manners come with practice and the willingness to learn. Being polite is one of the most important practises in any civilised society, as it shows that you have mutual respect for those around you. There are a few ways to practice good manners such as not littering, not using offensive language, or offering your seat to those who need it. Such acts may seem small, but it could serve to be a memorable moment for those on the receiving end.

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Helping out others also allows you to explore the little things in life that you may previously have been blind to. You will learn to appreciate what you have, and also be inspired by people who overcome difficulties on a daily basis. Surrounding yourself with people who also carry out such acts of kindness can serve as a constant reminder that there is some good in the world, and that there is beauty and hope even in the darkest of moments.

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Organisations to help Singapore Council of Women Organisation (SCWO)

This organisation was set up to help women with various accounts. They are well known for services such as providing temporary refuge and aid to those who are poor, require IT skills, legal consultations and assist women who are unable to afford basic legal advices. You can help these women by showing care and concern or even giving encouragement and advice to help them stay strong. Volunteers are always welcome to join them and lend a helping hand to a unity of women. The next step to volunteering is to identify your strengths and join specific sectors of the organisation.

All information can be found on their personalised website. - www.scwo. org.sg

Children Cancer Foundation (CCF)

This is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve the lives of cancer children and their families by providing support to help them battle this life-threatening illness. To help ease them through the process and to give them things to look forward to in life, many classes and activities are organised by the foundation to teach them basic social skills and knowledge that can be applied as they grow up. There are many aspects of volunteering such as tutoring or even just spending quality time with them. - www. ccf.org.sg

Society for the Physically Disabled

This organisation works hand in hand with people who are disabled, and helps them reach their fullest potential so that they can become self reliant and independent. Patience is the key to helping them improve their condition. The organisation’s vision is to create an inclusive community, whereby everyone can play a part in helping the young and old who have disabilities. - www.spd.org.sg

The Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADEAF)

The SADEAF is an organisation under the National Council of social services and is affiliated with many other government organisations in Singapore. They believe that with care, patience and moral support, the hearing impaired can learn life-changing skills and hence contribute to society.

You can help the association by joining as a volunteer or by simply creating public awareness about their efforts. - www.sadeaf.org.sg

The Breadline Group

Many people face financial difficulties because of the growth of urbanisation. Through the help of this organisation, besides assisting the old and needy, many volunteers pay monthly visits to families ‘adopted’ by the organisation. This is to ensure that they are able to cope with changes while offering moral support to encourage them. You can touch lives by visiting families who are facing their darkest hour and require as much support as possible. - www.breadlinegroup.org.sg

Down Syndrome Association Singapore

This association aims to to create awareness and to educate the public about Down Syndrome. Volunteers get together to help Down Syndrome individuals reach their greatest potential, by teaching them skills that help them make an impact on society at large. Applicants with a joyful and enthusiastic personality should not hesitate to apply and be a volunteer. www.downsyndrome-singapore.org

Handicaps Welfare Association

Many services have been created and are in need of volunteers who are sincere and passionate to help those who are in need. With services such as personal care, rehabilitation and social welfare, many patients have improved tremendously with the love and support shown by volunteers.

Everyone can make a difference as long as you believe you can. Volunteers express a form of ultimate motivation and cultivate positive thoughts to people on their own accord. Thus every effort counts in lifting spirits and brightening one’s day. One can help by organising events, making deliveries and participating in events with them. - www.hwa.org.sg

The Spastic Children’s Association Of Singapore

Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore Cerebral Palsy is a description term for disorders that cause physical disability in human development, and usually occurs at the time of birth or at a very young age. Many services and programmes have been introduced to help children with cerebral palsy go through a pleasant childhood and to also help them improve their speaking, reading and natural abilities.

Volunteers who have a passion for teaching young children can read up more on their website. - www.spastic.org.sg

The Tabitha Foundation

This foundation was created to specifically help the underprivileged people in Cambodia who are in need of basic necessities such as food, drinking water and shelter. Volunteers can help these people by building houses, schools, wells and ponds. You can also help by the simple act of purchasing pigs and silk; two resources that are a great source of income for residents there. All donations go directly to Tabitha Cambodia, which takes great effort to fight the battle of poverty. - www.tabithasingapore. com

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Someone to Love

Whether they are your parents, grandparents, spouse, children or pets, Immanuel Kant suggests we need someone to love at any one point in time. Not only does this keep us in touch with our human side, but these relationships remind us of the non-material factors that make life worth living. But developing and maintaining good relationships are no easy feat. Often, we get distracted by personal goals and problems, resulting in us neglecting those around us. Communication is key to any relationship, but it is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Establishing good relationships with those whom we are not as close to, such as our neighbours, colleagues or even the cashier at the grocery store, is just as important because it determines the type of person we are and choose to become.

Apologise

When we are in the wrong, it goes without saying that we must apologise for our wrongdoings. Most of us apologise when our actions or words are called into question, but very few of us do so before anyone else notices the error. Responsibility is a key building block of a great relationship, so showing that you are willing to highlight and explain your mistakes shows that you are able to learn from your wrongdoings and move on.

This paints you as an individual who can be trusted and depended on.

Take the hit once in a while: Accept undeserved criticism

Whether it is a client who takes it out on us for someone else’s doings, or receiving flak for someone else’s miscommunication, we’ve all been blamed for something that was not our fault. While the immediate response might be on the defensive side, the ability to take the hit shows that you are able to accept and handle the criticism. Often times, better than the person who is actually at fault. While this is not to say that one should always allow themselves to become a scapegoat, moments of selfless acts such as taking the undeserved hit sometimes helps to cement relationships.

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Be aware of your surroundings: Step in without being asked

Whether it is a colleague struggling with a task, or perhaps your spouse who is staying up late into the night to finish a report, stepping in to help someone builds a better relationship because it shows that you care. Pay close attention to what they may be struggling with and offer to help, but not just in a general is-there-something-I-can-help-you-with way. Instead, come up with specific ways that you can help so that they can push past the reflexive No, I’m okay objections. They will be grateful for your help and will also be drawn to the fact that you care enough to notice them.

Answer the question that is not asked

An employee might ask about his performance or perhaps your child might ask about a situation their “friend” is facing. Often, the questions people ask us are not at all what they seem to be. Instead they are surface level questions that hide their true worries and concerns. Your employee may actually be unsure about his position or ability in the field, and your child may be feeling too embarrassed to admit that he or she is facing a problem. People who build great relationships go beyond the surface question, and instead tackle the larger question at hand. If you are careful enough with how you frame your words, you can give them the answer they are seeking while encouraging them.

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Know when to assume what role

Charismatic and extroverted people often seem to be loved by all due to their loud personalities and seeming ability to sweet talk just about anybody. However, one must always know when to assume the appropriate role and demeanour - when to be fun, and when to be serious. If someone at home is talking in a grave tone, or perhaps a stressful situation at work pops up, cracking jokes to lighten the situation can sometimes cause the other to think that you are not taking it seriously. Similarly, a colleague who is angry at his or her boss sometimes wants you to be a sounding board rather than an advice giver. Learn to identify the situation so that you can act in a manner that the person would appreciate the most.

selves at times), smart people strip away the framing that comes with the source and instead focus on the merits of the information. Treat everyone with respect and show that you are listening and valuing their message and advice, even if you ultimately choose to go down a different course of action. Actions like this remind us to stay humble and to respect every individual.

Let go of the need to be right

In that same vein, let go of the need to be right. It feels good to be right but nobody likes to be told what to do, especially if they had not asked for explicit advice. Even when you think you’re right, understand that everyone has different circumstances and opinions. This means that what worked for you may not work out for someone else despite the similarities Prove that you think of others When things are at a constant or occurring in a repetitive cycle, we often in the situations. forget about the value of things that once got our attention. We forget to compliment our other half on their cooking or appearance, or we stop Start small conversations that stay small commending employees who have done their work consistently well. Every relationship, however minor, has value. Even if it’s a conversation Yet we all love it when someone says something nice to us. Start the ball with the cashier at the supermarket you frequent, these small conversarolling by doing or saying something nice to someone else. Unexpected tions can benefit both parties even if it is to the smallest degree. A light praise is the easiest way to help others feel better about themselves and conversation topic such as your favourite sports team might build a bond also lets them know you’re thinking about them. and may cause them to remember you every time you walk in. As a result he or she might even start throwing in tips or favours, though you should not go in expecting this. These small conversations also help us feel more Value the message by always valuing the messenger It doesn’t matter if it’s your boss or your gardener, people who build great connected to the bigger world out there, particularly with our fellow hurelationships never automatically discount the message simply because man beings. It also serves as practice for the bigger and more important they discount the messenger. While it is tempting for us to place greater relationships we develop along the way. emphasis on people with a better power position or fame (including our61 Weekendin

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City

Adventures

There is nothing that motivates us through challenging times more than the anticipation of a more positive and exciting prospect. This is why at any one point in our life we need something to hope for, or better yet, something concrete to look forward to! Even if its just working towards that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing all year, each of us have that special something that cheers us up simply by the thought of it.

While this may sound far-fetched, it has been said that nearly a quarter of Singapore based travellers who had a holiday romance ended up marrying the same individual! This finding was discovered by ZUJI, one of the region’s most reputable online travel agencies. The agency provides a quarterly travel insight report that profiles the habits and preferences of Singapore-based travellers.

Based on the number of bookings, ZUJI has revealed the top travel destinations chosen by residents in Singapore. These include Sydney (Australia), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Xi’an (China), Salzburg (Austria) and Dublin (Ireland). We discover why these destinations are so popular with Singapore-based travellers, and have provided some information that can help you decide if this is where your next holiday adventure should be! Should you need help planning this, ZUJI provides a variety of Dynamic Packages to ensure that this holiday becomes a reality, giving you something to look forward to all year.

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Something to Hope for

Perhaps one of the best ways to get you re-charged and excited for the next few months is to plan a holiday for the middle or end of the year. Travel vacations are exciting because it involves displacing yourself into a whole new world, where just about anything can happen. You might pick up a new cultural practice, discover something new about yourself or better yet, meet the love of your life!

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About ZUJI ZUJI is one of the region’s most reputable online travel agencies. Pioneering online travel in Asia Pacific since 2002, ZUJI has enabled over 3.5 million trips around the world for travellers. Users can gain access to over 60 million real time flight and hotel deals on the ZUJI website, as well as car hire, travel insurance and other inspirational travel offers.

Above all, ZUJI believes in creating a memorable journey for all travellers – starting with the commitment to provide honest travel value. Value offerings include 24/7 customer support and Dynamic Packaging that gives travellers the freedom to make bespoke travel arrangements and enjoy additional savings. Recently acquired by the Webjet Internet-based travel agency group, ZUJI operates travel websites in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, as well as many Travel Partner Network sites throughout Asia Pacific. For more information, visit ZUJI at www.zuji.com.sg.

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Dublin Ireland

A city with a whole lot of personality, a trip to Dublin in Ireland is sure to form good memories that will be remembered for years. At the heart of this vibrant city are its people, the Dubliners, who aren’t afraid to be garrulous and witty.

Yet they make the best hosts as they welcome you into their city with open hearts and maybe even a drink in hand! A home to writers such as James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde, Dublin undoubtedly has a rich literary heritage.

One of the best ways to experience this history and to discover what inspired these equally inspirational writers is to attend the literary pub crawl through the city. An absolute must for fans of the Guinness drink is to visit the Gravediggers Pub (or Kavanagh’s) which has earned a name as one of Ireland’s most classic pubs, as well as a visit to the Guinness Storehouse.

Flights

Emirates Air Etihad Airways 63 Weekendin

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Sydney Australia

The elegantly designed Sydney Opera House is an iconic structure that people all over the world can instantly recognise. The capital of the state of New South Wales, Sydney has the buzz and excitement that all international cities have, yet still possesses the laidback and seductive outdoor lifestyle that Australia is so famous for! Perhaps this is why it is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful and liveable cities. Go surfing at Bondi Beach or one of their 70 other beaches, head to the markets, or chill out at the cafÊ and pubs of Paddington. For an epic view of the layout of the city head up to the Sydney Tower Eye observatory. Head out of the city and take a scenic drive out to the Blue Mountains or better yet, drive up to another city. Drive north to Brisbane and stop by places such as Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and Byron Bay. Alternatively, you can head south to Melbourne and marvel at the pure white beaches of Jervis Bay. Flights

Singapore Airlines Qantas Airlines Emirates Weekendin 64

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Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon, embodies the excitement and charm of Asia. From the motorbikes that whizz by on the streets, to the serene pagodas full of history, Saigon is a high-octane city that has both an old and new world charm. It is no wonder Singapore residents are choosing to visit this vibrant city. Must-see sights include the Mekong Delta, where you get to witness how the simple but friendly locals sustain their life along this watery landscape of green fields. To immerse yourself further in the local life, visit the Ben Thanh market which is the most central of all the markets, and showcases everything eaten, worn or used by the Saigonese. The spectacularly atmospheric Jade Emperor Pagoda and the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral are other famous sights. History buffs might be interested in checking out museums such as the War Remnants Museum, which gives a controversial yet highly interesting perspective of the atrocities that occurred in the 1950s and 60s.

Flights

Vietnam Airlines Singapore Airlines

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Xi’an City China

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Salzburg Austria

Shanghai and Beijing may be China’s top-notch cities, but the ever-mystical Xi’an remains as one of the most popular Chinese cities being visited. Also known as the eternal city, this now vibrant and modern city is also the birthplace of the ancient civilisation in the Yellow River Basin area of the country. One of their most famous sights include the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which is one of the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Other historical sights include the Banpo Museum, the Xi’an City Wall, the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and the Forest of Stone Steles Museum which was once the site of the Temple of Confucius. Except the colder winter, any season is suitable for travelling, and visitors are often enthralled by the mystery and richness of this cultural paradise that is on par with Athens, Cairo and Rome as a major ancient civilisation capital.

With its green hills, romantic gardens, and beautifully preserved ancient architecture, it’s no wonder Salzburg is one of the busiest places in Europe all year round. In fact, the tourist-per-capita ratio for Salzburg is higher than Venice or Florence. The fourth-largest city in Austria, it is especially famous for two particular reasons; as the birthplace of the legendary Mozart, and also the setting for the classic movie The Sound of Music. A must do for most tourists is to tour the magnificent Hohensalzburg fortress and Salzach River, as well as to visit Mozart’s residence and birth place. However there is so much more to this city than these two selling points. Take a walk around the Alstadt (or Old City), which is one of the best-preserved city centres in the German speaking world, and soak in the nostalgia as you look at the breathtaking baroque architecture all around you. Krimml Waterfalls, Hermann Maier, Giant Ice Caves, and the Salzburg Festival are other highlights that people flock to.

Flights

Flight

China Eastern Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways

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intheLOOK

Barbara Wilson Fashion Advisor of UK Trade & Investment

Barbara Wilson, the Fashion Advisor of UK Trade & Investment, focused on raising the profile of fashion within UKTI throughout her 10 years there. Her job requires her to be in touch with luxury designer brands and lesser-known ones likewise. Here, Barbara shares more about Digital Fashion Week and the brands she fancy.

Q: How do you find Singapore?

A: I love Singapore. It’s my third visit; my first time was when I was 22, so it has changed a bit.

It’s an exciting city, and it’s very fashionable so I love it. I’m very happy to be here.

Q: Any cuisine that has captured your fancy here?

A: I like chilli crab and prawns, Chinese fried prawns, and lots of other dishes. There are a lot of different cuisines and it’s very exciting. The food is wonderful.

Q: What shows have you watched so far at DFW? A: Yesterday I saw Thomas Wee and Topshop and I thought they were both great. And I saw Max Tan who is very striking, so I actually saw quite a lot of clothes that I would like to order though I’m not sure if sizes in Singapore are good for Western people. I might be doing some shopping for the next few days!

Q: Any shows you’re looking forward to watch?

A: Yes, I’m looking forward to Nokia today, and I’m very much looking forward to Holly Fulton because I know her and I watched her develop and it’s great to have her in Singapore. I think we will love to watch her work and she’ll also feel our support.

Q: What do you think of digital fashion?

A: I think it’s very interesting because digital fashion reaches a much wider audience all around the world and it also reaches a much younger audience. London Fashion Week is now streaming live around the world so it’s something we’re all going to do and we’d like to make fashion more global—it’s exciting.

Far right: Barbara Wilson Photo by: DFW Creative PR

Q: As a Fashion Trade Advisor, what is your scope of work?

A: I work with the government to decide how we should support fashion. I look at various initiatives around the world and recommend how we advocate our market. I work with British Fashion Council and also with the UK Fashion

Textiles. We give grants to the companies who are going to trade with us. I work very hard to get as much money as I can for the fashion industry. That’s very important.

Q: What is your favourite part of the job?

A: I think my favourite part is meeting designers and developing new markets overseas. Looking into which markets are suitable can also be interesting.

Q: How do you spend your weekends?

A: I like to get up later; about an hour and a half later, not too long. I go to the gym on Saturday mornings and sometimes I go shopping on Saturday afternoons. If I’m lucky, my husband takes me out for dinner. If I’m not lucky then I cook dinner. I cook some stirfrys, which is Asian style. I also cook roast dinners, English style.

Q: Where do you like to shop?

A: I like to shop at boutiques, something a little interesting. We don’t have many shopping malls in England, we have more streets and boutiques.

I used to work for Selfridges and I love Selfridges.

Q: Could you run us through your weekday routine?

A: I get up early and look at my emails from Asia, because I can still reply to them. I do that, and then I usually have breakfast after. Then I go to my office or I attend meetings—I have a lot of meetings outside my office. I have meetings with British Fashion Council, with the trade association, and with various designers. Then I have a quick lunch in the afternoon before working on emails, reports, or sometimes have a meeting with a designer. I love designers. I keep In touch with about 30 brands and people like Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Mary Katrantzou, or lesser known brands. It’s a very exciting job and I’m lucky to have it.

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Jaime Perlman with friend William Photo by: DFW Creative PR Weekendin 68

intheLOOK

Jaime Perlman Creative Director of Vogue

Working for Vogue is every fashionista’s dream. For Jaime Perlman, Creative Director of British Vogue, it is a job she had her eye on all her life and a dream come true. She tells us what her job entails and shares valuable advice on how to make it as a designer in the fashion industry. She also believes that the future of fashion lies in digital technology.

Q: How do you like Singapore?

A: Singapore is amazing but the weather hasn’t been too great since I‘ve been here. That’s okay because it’s still really beautiful and at least it’s hot. Unfortunately I brought the London rain with me. I went to one of the local markets with a friend of mine today who lives here and she gave me all this authentic Singaporean food. I don’t really know what it was called but it was rice balls with a kind of radish chutney on top, apparently you can get that everywhere. Then I had chicken rice, which was really good. I love the chilli that was super hot.

Q: What shows have you watched so far?

What do you think of the local designers?

A: I think the local designers are really great. I thought Zen Chi’s show was really fantastic. I really liked the designer, Carrie K. There is another designer today whom I’m really looking forward to—Mae Pang.

Q: What would you like to see on the runway?

A: I guess I would be interested in seeing something different. Maybe something that feels different to what you’re seeing in the European collections and something distinct. I think what I’ve seen so far has been really gorgeous. It’d be nice to see something that you can really see people in London wearing, something that transcends geographical boundaires.

Q: What is your favourite brand in general?

A: I don’t have a favourite brand. I love a lot of British designers and I think they are doing really exciting things, especially Christopher Kane, J.W. Anderson and Richard Nicoll. I think they’re really fantastic. Phoebe Philo is a genius and what she has done with Céline is great.

the magazine, layouts and things.

Q: Any advice to give young designers who want to be noticed?

A: I think it’s really important these days to be digital; to be able to promote yourself via social media and to get your work up online by having a great website. And to just really make sure you contact, look at the stylist you admire, publications that you’d like to see your clothes in and work towards building those relationships.

Q: How is it like growing up reading Vogue and now becoming one of the key decision makers in Vogue?

A: Well, yeah, you know what? I feel really lucky.

It’s always been a dream of mine having the job I got. Everyday I thank my lucky stars that it happened. Obviousy I worked really hard for it but I think that I’m still really lucky.

Q: As a Creative Director, what do you oversee?

A: For a Creative Director, I oversee the whole look and feel of the magazine. I work with the editor-in-chief so that everything from the design, layouts and all the photography are in optimal condition. I work with the fashion editors and help to make the aesthetics sort of all work within the decided aesthetic of the magazine.

Q: So what do you do over the weekend?

How do you unwind?

A: Usually I go to this local market near my house called Broadway Market in London. I enjoy the local food there and then usually go to a gallery and see some art and probably end up having dinner with friends or going to the pub.

Q: Can you run through with us a normal day in your shoes?

A: It depends if I have a shoot. If I’m on set, it could be in a studio or on location. That could be a really long day. Usually I go on cover shoots and the main fashion shoots. Otherwise, I spend the day in the office overseeing the design of 69 Weekendin

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Devyn Abdullah International Model

Single mother Devyn Abdullah is the winner of The Face, Naomi Campbell’s modeling competition. She took Digital Fashion Week (DFW) 2013 by storm by ripping the runway. Strong and resilient, Devyn stands firmly by her beliefs and is not affected by what people think about her. She also tells Weekendin of how her two-year-old daughter is her foundation and pulls her through hard times.

Q: What are your impressions of Singapore?

A: I love it. It’s a whole culture shock for me. Being from New York, I’m used to everything being fast-paced. I’m used to nothing but buildings, nothing but taxis, just everything being fastpaced and packed and it’s the complete opposite here so it’s quite refreshing. I’m loving the weather; it’s cold in New York right now so I love the fact that I can wear all my summer clothes again. And I’m just having a great time in Digital Fashion Week.

Q: What shows have you walked in during DFW 2013?

A: I walked in Thomas Wee yesterday and he’s amazing. The whole collection was personally my favourite. It’s great what he does and he’s known really well in Asia for his designs and he has been in the industry for so long, so for him to tell me that he thinks I’m a warm soul and he thinks that I’ll go far, was great. I had a great time. And I’m going to be walking for a couple more designers during DFW, so it’s not over yet.

Q: What outfits will you be wearing?

A: I’ll be wearing a lot of the collections from designers here. I think it’s very important for me to support them while I’m here. There are 32 designers so I’ve been seeing a lot of things that I like. Personally, I like prints so I have been wearing a lot of prints lately. I have worn Rayson Tan; it’s one of my favourites as well.

Yesterday, I wore my own clothing line called American Outcast that I’m working on. I have been running that for the last two years. It has been a really great buzz in New York where we started off at and I’m proud of it, so I decided to show it off to Singapore and get some Singaporean fans. Google American Outcast!

Q: Seen anything you will like to buy?

A: I don’t know about buying, but I would wear the designs. As I said I love prints and there’s a lot of designers here who do really funky, cool prints. A lot of them are casual clothes and also red carpet clothes. I do tons of events so I definitely plan on making friends with the designWeekendin 70

ers. It’s not the last Singapore is going to see of that point. So I took a break off, had my daughme. That’s what I’m here for—Fashion. ter and I had another 2 years off. Then I decided okay I’m ready for it now, I’m ready to focus on it Q: What do you think of DFW? and be determind and take it seriously. I went for A: I love the whole Digital Fashion Week con- The Face and here I am. cept. Honestly, I feel like the internet is something that’s an asset now that a lot of people in Q: Tell us about your daughter. the fashion industry didn’t have before. In the A: My little girl is 2 right now, and her name is 80s and 90s, you literally had to go to these cor- Bryse. I just skyped her right before this interporations and have a lookbook and it was all view. She’s getting so big and she has so much about who you know. I feel like in terms of the personality and so much love. She’s a Sagittarius internet, there’s iPad and the handphone so you that’s why, and I’m Aquarius so we’re the comcan literally watch DFW on the move—that’s plete opposite, but at the same time she’s fire insane! It’s amazing for the designers because and I’m water so I can calm her down. But I love they are going to be reaching out to so many how she is, I embrace it and I just want her to be people and really expanding themselves and successful with whatever she wants to do in life. not just becoming a designer in Singapore and That’s why I went on The Face in order to change known for being in singapore but worldwide. I my life to give her that opportunity. That’s my think it’s a great concept and I’m excited for next baby. year; it’s only the 2nd year! It’s big already, Naomi Campbell was here which is insane. It was so Q: How is it like being a model and a mother? nice seeing her again and being reunited with A: As a mother, a responsible mother I would her. So i’m excited to see what DFW is going to say it’s very difficult because people judge a lot come up with next year. Keeps us on our toes. and I don’t care, I really don’t. It’s one of those situations where being a mother is a part of me Q: Prior to modeling, what kind of jobs did so you’re going to accept it or not. Sometimes, I you do as a single mother? don’t have anybody to watch her, or I just don’t A: I worked in retail, in catering and in restau- feel like getting a babysitter for someone to raunts. watch her and I take her to photoshoots and castings, and she loves it and I love it but some Q: Was that where you got spotted? people aren’t too fond of it. Sometimes it works A: I was always noticed in every job. It was crazy to my advantage; it just depends whom I’m dealbecause I was good at all my jobs. People would ing with. There’s been plenty of times I’ve been literaly walk into the restaurant, or walk into the to photoshoots and meetings and people fall store and say, Oh, what are you doing here? You absolutely in love with her and it winds up being should be a model. a meeting where they want to shoot her too. So we do a photoshoot with her or we do a motherQ: Why not (go into modelling) earlier? daughter shoot so it just really matters that me A: I did actually. I started when I was 16. I was being a proud mother is never going to change. signed to Elite Model Management. I was at a It is what it is, I’m a model mommy. gas station with my mom and a scout came over to me and told me to go to Elite and they’ll gave me a contract right there on the spot.

Yeah, it was great but being young and still in highschool, it was hard balancing out the two.

Around my senior year, I just wanted to be a senior, I just wanted to be a kid. I felt like the modelling industry was too serious for me at

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Jessica Amornkuldilok Winner of Asia’s next top model

Winner of Asia’s Next Top Model, Jessica Amornkuldilok looks stunning even off screen. This half-Thai/half-German international model has a warm disposition and it is difficult not to adore her. Jessica runs speaks with Weekendin about her modelling career, and shares with our readers her interests and aspirations.

Q: How’s the Singapore weather and the cuisine?

A: The food is amazing, especially chicken rice. I love the weather here.

It’s not too hot unlike Thailand. Everywhere in Singapore is so cold—the airconditioning is extremely cold in the hotel. It’s good because I love cold weather and I’m not an outside person. I always stay inside, that is why I have a pale complexion. I take an umbrella to shield me from the sun when I’m out; the sun is very strong in Asia.

Q: Which brand are you walking for today?

A: Today I will walking for In Good Company, a Singaporean designer. I will be opening the show and closing the show.

Q: What are you looking forward to?

A: I’m looking forward to the makeup, getting dressed and looking cool in the outfits that the designer has prepared for me. The walk is going to be an amazing moment.

Q: How do you feel when you are walking?

A: I feel like I’m not me. I feel like I’m that star that the designer wants me to be—that girl who walks in that outfit and looks cool and fierce.

Actually, I have a shy but when I walk, people say, this is Jessica - she is not normally like this, but when she walks, she is fierce.

Q: How much preparation was needed for the show?

A: Sometimes the designer wants me to do the fitting a week before, sometimes on the day of the show. For DFW, the fitting is on the day.

If the designer finds the fitting too big for me, I can work with another designer. It is like that.

Q: What do you think of DFW? A: I think it’s so professional. It is amazing. Everything is so organised and awesome here. Singapore is perfect for DFW. Q: What encouraged you to apply for Asia’s Next Top Model?

A: I’m actually still in school and don’t model the entire time. All my life I’ve no plans to work other than being a model. I wanted to model professionally, internationally if possible, to do photoshoots and be on the cover of magazines. And that’s why I applied for Asia’s Next Top Model—I knew that it would give me that opportunity. Joining the competition has changed my life, it has been my dream come true. People in Asia know me and that is what I want. It is amazing to be travelling around Asia to work and meet amazing people.

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Q: What do you think makes you stand out?

A: I always put in 100% in what I do. I just work so hard and really focus when I work. I’m not a person who is only beautiful just from the outside; a model has to be beautiful from the inside, has to be nice and has to be kind. I think my work and my personality and what I have inside of me has made me stand out.

Q: After winning, has it impacted you? Do you feel that it changed you?

A: Winning Asia’s Next Top Model has comletely changed my life. Everything amazing has come to me, like what I want to do and work professionally. I want to travel to work with professionals in Europe and I plan to go to New York as well. I’ve been to London and have met a lot of amazing people there. It’s like my dream come true. I’ve never travelled further than Asia and Asia’s Next Top Model just brought me so many things and what I wanted from modelling. I want to be successful, to get people all around the world and all around Asia to help me.

Q: What was your dream job as a little girl?

A: When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher. I don’t know why.

When I grew up, everything changed. I first wanted to be a president, then an engineer, but it’s not me. Then I wanted to be a model because people always told me that I had to be a model. When I was in the Elite Modeling Thailand competition, I got the second runner-up award; that was the moment that shaped me. From then, I wanted to work as a model my whole life.

Q: How do you relax when you are not modelling?

A: When I am not modelling, I sleep all day. I sleep for so many hours. It makes me fresh and more relaxed. I eat good food, go out and go shopping.

Q: What do you like to do with your friends?

A: I like to travel. I love going to the beach and hanging out with my friends. I love to go shopping and watch movies with my boyfriend. My favourite shopping mall in Thailand is Central World—there are so many designer brands there, so many brands from everywhere and it’s easy to find the stuff there.

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Photo by: DFW Creative PR 73 Weekendin

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Clockwise from top: Calabash Pendant, Danish Designs, SGD376-978 Plumen Poppy, Fred Lives Here, Price unavailable Cloth Side Table, Fred Lives Here, Price unavailable Red Sofa, Shophouse, Price unavailable Nagasaki Stool, Danish Designs, SGD565 Opposite Page: Fausto, Fred Lives Here, Price unavailable A La Carte Side Table, Fred Lives Here Price unavailable

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Red with Passion

In many cultures, red is seen as the colour of energy, passion and action. For the Chinese, the colour red represents happiness, beauty, success and good fortune. Red is used extensively in everyday life in China; red lanterns adorn businesses and residences, and it is tradition for people to don this vibrant colour to weddings, festivals and other celebratory events.

This Western and Chinese New Year, consider going for something bold and red to add both excitement and a sense of abundance to your home. Given its vibrancy, a single red item can change the whole look of the room. Even if everything else remains constant, this one item can add a wave of energy and excitement you never knew your home could have.

It is said that being surrounded by too much of the colour red can make one irritated, or ultimately angry, so it is best to use this loud colour sparingly if you are unsure.

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Block Sofa by Danish Designs

Clockwise from top: Red Lacquer Sedan Chair by Just Anthony

Those looking for more oriental furniture and designs in the home can look to Just Anthony. Some of their items include vibrant red cabinets with oriental designs as well as a weathered chair to give it that much more character. Red Lacquer Sedan Chair, SGD1300 and Red Lacquer Table with 4 Drawers, SGD900

Kids LC1 Side by Fred Lives Here

Red Lacquer Table with 4 Drawers by Just Anthony Weekendin 76

Red Couch or Chair: Particularly in the living room, chairs are the highlight that draw people’s attention. Imagine what a single red couch or chair can do, especially in a plain and simple room! Danish Designs, Block Sofa, SGD2177 and Fred Lives Here, Kids LC1 Side Chair, price unavailable.

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Aerodome Table Lamp,

by Danish Design

De’Longhi Icona Vintage Toaster from Tangs , SGD149

Brick Cushion,

by Danish Design

Red Scrunched Bin

by Fred Lives Here

Elisee by Fred Lives Here

Lamps are a perfect and easy addition to any room, because of their functionality as well as their aesthetic appeal. Whether it’s a standing lamp such as the Aerodome Table Lamp, SGD 878, from Danish Design, or Fred Lives Here’s, Plumen Poppy design (see page 64), which hangs from the wall, a red lamp does wonders at brightening up the room.

If your couch is a neutral colour, consider a red cushion to brighten it up. Throwing some life into the room is as easy as throwing on a few pillows! Danish Designs, Brick Cushion, SGD129 Red Statement Piece: Statement pieces are a popular way to add a touch of excitement and creativity to your room, but why not go one step further by choosing a piece that’s a striking red! Fred Lives Here is one place where you can find a variety of edgy and cool products such as the Red Scrunched Bin, A La Carte Side Table, or even the Elisee desk with drawers.

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Baking up a Blast

Clockwise from top: Floral cupcake case 100pk, $6.95 Centrepiece fluffy flower bright pink, $12.95 Floral cupcake box 2pk - holds 4, $6.95 Special thanks to Taine Sullivan and Anastasia Weekendin 78

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For each and every baker all over the world, having key baking supplies is really critical for success so that it is possible to develop masterpieces together with your baking skills. Whether or not you like to bake cookies, cupcakes and pies, complete baking supplies – equipment, recipe and ingredients – allow you to make baking comparatively easy and convenient.

Cake decorations need to be attractive enough to create an appeal for onlookers. While cake decorating is regarded as a beautiful art, you need to make sure that you possess the right equipment to prepare a fabulous looking cake for the party for whatever occasion it might be. Whether you are an expert in cake decorating, or you just want to make impression on your family and friends, you require finding the resource to high quality cake supplies to ensure the best looking cake to attract all eyes.

Old-fashioned cakes are things of the past. Today, the major secret to creating the best wedding or party cake is the use of innovative cake supplies at hand. Professional cake designers should grasp the most useful cake decorating kits, which they require in creating some beautiful designs.

Cake supplies should be sufficiently vibrant and dynamic and must follow a flow of style in cake decorations. If you wish to enter into the cake and pastry making business, then you would need information regarding essential cake supplies and how you would get them easily enough.

Clockwise from top: Floral 3-tier cake stand, $12.95 Summer glass margarita green, 355ml, $5.95 Luau summer margarita glass, $5.95 Dline paper doyleys, 18 assorted sizes, $9.99 Centrepiece fluffy flower bright pink, $12.95 Mode tablecloth, 150x300cm teal, $10.49

Remember different types of baked goodies require different kinds of supplies. If you wish to decorate wedding cakes or birthday party cakes or any other unique cake designs, for the major part you would need to choose baking supplies at the first place. The cake supplies that you might require include items like measuring cups, baking pans, rolling pains, spoons.

Food is an important part of any event and a pretty little cake is often the centre of attraction. While homemade cakes are often very delicious it often lacks the glamorous look of a professionally made cake. That is often because people usually do not have access to good cake decorations. Cupcake decorations like edible glitter, edible toppers are perfect to make gorgeous looking delicious cakes. While icing has always been an all-time favourite for bakers to decorate cakes, there are many other options as well like sugar pearls, sparkling sugars, cake sprinkles, edible stars, colour mist spray, cake luster powder and cake luster spray.

With the help of some special cake supplies, you can bake delicious stylish cakes in the comfort of your own home and also at a fraction of the cost. Good looking cakes usually have a fairly exorbitant price tag as well which few of us can afford but the delicious gorgeous looking cakes are something almost all of us want irrespective of the occasion. Cakes are often the cynosure at baby showers, birthday’s engagements as well as during wedding receptions.

Apart from these, there are also diverse cake stands, pegs and pillars for the multi-tiered cakes. You may also require different types of tips for the pastry bags. Some of the tips are usually made for making straight lines and for some, writing words. With certain tips, you may make delicate flowers while with the others you can make leaves.

Centrepiece fluffy flower bright pink, $12.95 Floral cupcake case 100pk, $6.95 Floral cupcake box 2pk - holds 4, $6.95

Kids love having their names inscribed on almost everything especially on cakes. There are a large number of things that one can do with icing and if you do not have enough time then you can even purchase ready to use icing. A lot of decorations can be done with ready to use icing but if you find ready to use icing messy and prefer to use something simpler, opt for edible food pens. One can write on cakes with edible food pens as easily as they write on paper. Edible pens are safe to eat and not at all harmful. If you are rustling up an entire feast including cake then ready to use icing or edible pens is a real blessing as it enables you to get your work done real quickly and simply.

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Owl 2-tier cupcake stand, $12.95 Cupcake wrap & pix jungle pals 12pk, $12.95

Ferris wheel cupcake stand – holds 8, $32.95 Floral cupcake case 100pk, $6.95 Centrepiece fluffy flower bright pink, $12.95

Centrepiece fluffy flower bright pink, $12.95 Floral cupcake case 100pk, $6.95 Floral cupcake box 2pk - holds 4, $6.95

Princess bright 2-tier cake stand, $12.95 Floral cupcake case 100pk, $6.95 Mode tablecloth, 150x300cm teal, $10.49 Centrepiece fluffy flower bright pink, $12.95

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Photo courtesy of Wilton

Photo courtesy of Wilton

Baking is not only for adults but for your little younglings as well. Everyone benefits from a back-to-school bake sale: Kids get to make yummy treats with their parents then have the fun of acting as vendor. These tasty treats are perfect for a bake sale; they’re kid-size and easy to eat anywhere. Many are also peanut-free to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction.

Homemade items sell faster and baking at home offers opportunities for kids to help. Parents are always busy, so be sure to welcome store-bought goods as well. If you want to ensure a tasty palette of choices, plan general categories. Be sure to include nut-free and gluten-free options for customers with food allergies and healthy choices for those avoiding sweets. Besides cakes, you can make delicious cute little cupcakes with the help of cupcake decorations. Cupcake decorations are usually in great demand for parties and will fly off the tray at a bake sale.

Photo courtesy of Wilton

Ferris wheel cupcake stand – holds 8, $32.95 Cake pan ladybug, 33x28x5cm, $49.95 Cake pop mould, $19.95 Cake pan ballerina bear, 36x25x5cm, $35.00 Satin Ice – white/vanilla 1kg, $19.00 Cake pan set choo choo train, 25x15x10cm, $35.00

Bake-sale veterans agree that chocolate-chip cookies and pretty cupcakes are the best sellers, followed by brownies, blondies, rice krispies, and breads. Cookies can be sold three to a bag or by the dozen, breads by the slice or the loaf. Next is of course dressing the booth up to make it look eye catching and as enticing as it can be. Bright colours and prints will do the trick. At your next bake sale, cover the table with these mini pastries and stunning decorations, and we promise you will sell out!

To make a beautiful cake you don’t need to be a pastry chef, as long as you know-how, you practice and you have the right tools you can have it. Shop for high quality cake decorating equipment and tools, such as decorating bags, baking accessories, stencils, icings, sprinkles and more. Spotlight has all the cake stands and cake decorating accessories you need for your special project.

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The Iron Chef

Known for her role as an Iron Chef on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America, Cat Cora is a professional chef, television host, and parent all in one. She joins the list of elite chefs in Resorts World Sentosa with the opening of Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora that is located in the colossal S.E.A Aquarium. We spoke to Cat Cora to find out about her path that led her to becoming a gastronomy extraordinaire, as well as her dreams for Iron Chef America.

Q: At what age did your love for cooking start? Any hint that one day you’ll be a professional chef known by many?

A: I nurtured the love for cooking as I watched my mother cook when I was about 5 to 6 years old. Not known by many people but by 15 years, I knew I wanted to open a restaurant of my own.

Q: How did you get yourself into the F&B scene?

A: I started in restaurants and followed by enrolling myself into cooking schools. I apprenticed at George’s Blanc in Vonnas and Roger Verge’ in Cannes/ Moulin.

Q:Tell us more about your role as Iron Chef on the television show Iron Chef America?

A: I got invited to participate in Iron Chef in 2005 and now in 2013, we are still filming one of the most popular shows on TV. The energy, adrenaline rush of battling and competing is always fun. I have always dreamed about all the American Iron Chefs going up against the Iron Chefs from the original Japanese version.

Q: You have been very active in the entertainment and food & beverage industry for over a decade. Please share with us your ups and downs in your career?

A: I have had a lot of great success which I am grateful for and there were also disappointments along the way which are valuable learning experiences to me.

Q: What has been the most evident paradigm shift for you during the past 10 years?

A: From purely chef to chef/lifestyle entrepreneur.

Q: The Ocean Restaurant is your first restaurant opened out of the US. What inspired you to open a restaurant in Singapore?

A: The idea was presented by RWS and we shared a common vision for Ocean Restaurant and a dedication to making sure that the food Weekendin 82

remains fresh, simple and light, and most importantly provide a great experience for all our guests. Naturally, I jumped on the chance to be in Singapore because I love the city so much.

Q: Are there any differences in managing a restaurant in the US and in Singapore?

A: Not exactly. There are several culture differences but these are very minor issues. Otherwise, the same highest standard of quality and service must be applied throughout my restaurants in US and in Singapore.

Q: You seem really busy with work. How do you manage to spend time with your family and kids?

A: There are priorities at all costs. But I also have to go out and make the bacon as we say in America. As the sole breadwinner back at home, I must work hard. I love what I do so it’s a balancing act every day.

Q: What is the most challenging dish you’ve ever had to make?

A: Every dish on Iron Chef was the most challenging especially so when we are pressurised by timings.

Q: What is your own favourite dish and why?

A: It depends on the season, the day of the week, the mood of the day, cold/sunny/rainy. I guess the bottom line is that we as chefs have different favourite dishes every other day.

Q: Give us an example of what an ordinary Sunday would be like?

A: We take our kids to Hebrew school. Then we have soccer games, we will go to the beach, have a grilling/bbq session and I like to whip up a big spread for dinner.

Q: Any hindsight?

A: No, I have very few regrets and I like to look forward and not dwell in the past. Unless it’s something very memorable and sentimental.

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Q: Tell our readers a little about SteelSeries, as well as your role (and path) in the company.

A: We’re a Danish company, we were founded in Copenhagen in 2001.

We came from a background of doing computer gaming equipment.

Some very basic stuff in the very beginning, but then we progressed into other categories – headsets, keyboards, mice. I do technology and product development.

Q: What would you say is the company’s main mission?

A: Create great products that enhance people’s lives!

Q: SteelSeries prides itself on its close relationship with its users. Is there an example of how feedback from a gamer aided in the development of a product?

A: All the time! We have pro gamers in the offices (Chicago and Copenhagen) every few weeks. We also do lots of focus group polling with a large number of fans, everything from how functions are valued to which colour is preferred.

Q: What is one of your favourite SteelSeries products, or perhaps one that you are most proud of?

A: Having worked on basically every single product, I’m proud of all of them. I think that we have been very good at breaking grounds on many occasions such as basically inventing the gaming mousepad, bringing large over-the-ear ear cups to computer gaming, doing revolutionary work in mice with exotic sensor types and very powerful processors. And all those times, basically change the complete level for a category - those are the products that are most exciting of course. It’s very hard to single one out individually, but its always more interesting to work on something truly groundbreaking.

Q: When did your interest in electronics and product development begin?

A: Like many boys, I was always the type of kid that took my toys apart (sometimes I even managed to put them back together). Then in ‘84 my dad got me my first computer and I got really intrigued by all the things that were suddenly possible. I started programming and a within a few years, I started hacking together the first bits and pieces. Was mainly stuff that I felt I needed - like a super fast switching system for scratch DJs. From there on, I just dug deeper into electronics and programming and really the design part came a little later.

Technology and Tino Soelberg Gamers construct and live in a world of their own, and no one knows this better than Tino Soelberg.

As Chief Technology Officer of SteelSeries, a manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, Tino and his team consistently work towards pushing the boundaries of this field so that gamers can immerse themselves in this world down to the smallest detail. On his recent trip to Singapore to promote the new Siberia Elite headset, we discovered that Tino was also the DJ of a top Danish hip hop group in the 90’s, and sees a little of himself in Star Trek’s William Riker.

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Q: You worked with the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art’s School of Design in 1998, where you and your students worked on some interesting projects. Can you tell us more about this?

A: It was a fun experience working there - most of the students were my own age, so really it was more like hanging out with friends. They were really sharp on the design side of things and I was good at providing the technology side to their projects. People worked on strange things like interiors of a space station, giant robotic underground parking lot systems and I even worked with a guy that took it upon himself to draw everything in the world. We ended up doing a special scanner setup and a really advanced database system and he did nothing but draw 10 x 10 cm drawings for three months straight. At the end of the project he pretty much had covered everything.

Q: You have also been involved in music production and DJ-ing. Tell us more about that. When did this interest begin? What have you produced?

A: We were a bunch of kids that were heavily into the whole hip-hop scene back in the late 80’s and it was just one of those things that happened. I bought some turntables and a mixer, we formed a band, got pretty good - formed another and got even better. Finally in the early 90’s I was a part of a pretty successful and highly influential band in Denmark, where we ended up being the supporting act for some of our heroes back then for example Queen Latifah and A Tribe Called Quest. I went

intheLIFESTYLE

on to producing for various Danish bands, and I still do music - but it has always just been a hobby.

Q: Walk us through a day in your life A: I tend to travel a lot, so it’s hard to define a typical day, but when I’m at home it’s a little different. This is going to sound strange, but I live and work at the same place - not that I work from home, rather that my home is in the same building as our Copenhagen office. I tend to start days a little late because of time-zone differences with the US, but when I get up I normally check in with the R&D team in Taipei on any issues or reports. Then I typically get cracking with whatever I have set off the day to do - I have many many meetings both internally and externally, mostly conference calls. Some days or rather periods I’ll dig myself in really deep in something that could potentially end up in a product, and other times can be very almost administrative with roadmap planning, etc. I love to work with our design and software teams, and we always have great discussions on products. My afternoons typically end with a nice walk in Copenhagen and evenings are a mix of playing games, working and hanging out with my kids and girlfriend. To be honest, the line between work and spare time is a little blurred to me; something I hack at for “myself” might very well end up in a product and vice versa.

Q: Are you also a gamer?

A: I play games, yes! I think that there is a gamer in everyone, and that is also why we are successful as a company. I am not a pro gamer by any means, not even heavily engaged, so I play games probably three nights a week, and when I do it’s kind of casual. My biggest opponent at the moment is my 10 year old son, who’s now at a point where he beats me in everything FPS game related!

our success, because it meant that when we had to develop a product, we didn’t just rely on the needs or meanings of a mediocre gamer (me). I actually had to go talk to the guys that spent almost all their time gaming - and this is where you get the real valuable input!

Q: What is the one device or gadget you cannot live without?

A: Well, smartphone and computer obviously. Next on the list is headphones - developing things, sometimes takes constructing this little whole little world inside your mind, and the slightest external disturbing factor can break that whole world down immediately, and then you have to start from scratch. So some days I end up wearing headphones for almost the entire day.

Q: What would be your idea holiday/day of relaxation?

A: I used to be really bad at taking vacations, but the last couple of years I’ve become better. So this summer, we took the kids to Yucatan in Mexico which was a perfect blend of living on the beach, but being able to drive off and visit Maya ruins and stuff that was equally interesting for me and my kids. Both my weekends and holidays are really centred around doing stuff that satisfies both grown ups as well as the kids.

Q: If there is one individual you could spend the day with (Dead/ Alive/Fictional), who would it be and why?

A: William Riker from Star Trek The Next Generation; he kind of reminds me of myself, and seems like a nice guy to hang out with - also we would have to spend the day at The Enterprise!

Q: Any future plans for yourself?

A: Keep hacking on interesting stuff, and thereby hopefully enhance someone’s life.

BUT! I think that the fact that I am not a heavy gamer has been a key to 85 Weekendin

intheLIFESTYLE

Daisy Boyle 10 years old

Annika Nicole Carrera Kelly

Q: What is the first thing you would like to do in the New Year?

A: In the New Year I would like to see my friends again back at school.

9-year-old Annika Nicole Carrera Kelly is a professional actress and model.

Annika is on more than 6 TV & Cinema commercials, guest spots on the Golf Channel, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, countless print advertisements and one starring role in a short film that played at the New York film festival. She attends St Anthony’s Canossian Primary School in Bedok. She loves singing, dancing and playing with her friends in the playground.

Q: What is your wish for 2014?

A: I love gymnastics and I would like to get into the competitive gymnastics group instead of just doing it for fun.

Q: What is your favourite movie?

A: My favourite movie is called Monte Carlo. Selena Gomez is in it.

Q: If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?

A: I would be a giraffe because then I can reach stuff easily! I am the smallest in my class!!

Q: Who is your best friend? Tell me about him/her?

A: My best friend is Emilia. She lives in England and I’ve known her since I was born.

Q: What is your favourite toy or game?

A: It’s a craft game where you design clothes and make them with scraps of material, ribbons, etc.

Q: What do you like to do on the weekend?

A: On the weekend, I like to spend time with my family. I like to go to a friend’s house for a sleepover and I love my gymnastics lessons.

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Q: What is your favourite colour?

A: My favourite colour is turquoise.

Q: Is there anything your Dad or Mom does that makes you laugh?

A: My Mom and Dad really make me laugh by tickling me.

Q: Is there anything you have done to make your Dad and Mom laugh?

A: They say I have a very vivid imagination and I make them laugh with my stories and outrageous ideas.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: When I grow up I want to be an actress and a model.

Q: If you had one special power what would it be? And what would you do with it?

A: My special power would be to turn into a Mermaid. Then I would dive in the sea and swim with dolphins.

Q: What would you do if you had 1 million dollars?

A: If I had a million dollars I would give half to people who don’t have any money and I would buy myself a car and some gymnastics equipment. I would probably need a chauffeur to drive my car and a mansion to put my gym stuff in!!

Oh yes, I’d like my mansion to be in Hollywood!

Q: Who is your role model and why?

A: My daddy, because he told me never to give up on anything.

Q: What are you most proud of achieving?

A: My Class Leader badge, because I’ve never been Class Leader before.

Q:What is your absolute favourite food?

A: STEAK!!! I love steak...

Q: If you could change one rule that your family has, what would you change?

A: Hmmmmmm... Rollerblading in the house. My mom won’t let me rollerblade in the house.

Q: Would you cheat in a test if you knew you would not get caught? Why or why not?

A: Yes I would because tests are hard! But if it was an easy test, I don’t think so!

Q: What is the hardest thing about being a kid?

A: You can never fight back to your

parents, you will always lose.

Q: If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

A: I would sneak onto stage and watch the bands…

Q: What five words do you think most describe you?

A: Hmmm kind, helpful, respectful, nice, fun, hyper... How many was that?

Q: When was a time that you felt blessed?

A: When my Momma and Daddy praised me.

Q: What do you do on the weekend?

A: Go to church with Mom, Orchard to eat, lots of stuff.

Q: Where is your favourite place in the world?

A: New Zealand!!!

Q: What are you most thankful about your parents?

A: My parents always help me, and they teach me right from wrong.

intheLIFESTYLE

Gradually, he dozed off into a deep slumber. I muttered, “This is indeed a good chance to strut my stuff to escape.’’

Isabel Yamada Late Night: Taken Captive

Under the dim orange light, I spotted a cigarette lighter lying not far off.

I managed to loosen the nylon string and grabbed hold of the lighter. I burnt the rope used to tie my hands. Alas! I was free! By then it was dusk already and I headed for the nearest bus stop. The people filed in the bus and it was packed to capacity.

It was past midnight. I took a short- cut across the field to get home swiftly.

As I trudged home from my friend, Bess’s birthday party, I heard footsteps behind my back. A shiver ran down my spine and I quickened my pace.

However, the pair of men continued to trail me. “What were they up to?’’

I glanced back. A quick glimpse revealed two burly men with disheveled appearances.

The wail of sirens pierced the air as I practically jogged on the pavement.

The police had received the news of me being missing. They recognised me by the face and waved a thick wad of newspaper below my nose. The cover page read in bolded letters “Missing Child: Madison Crew” I cupped my mouth and gasped deeply, “ Oh! I’ve even been reported on the newspaper!” How are my parents now? What’s going to become of me? Bad thoughts clouded my mind. I reported the incident to the police and I At that moment, the two men leapt at me and gagged me with a rugged made my statement. I included the clue of the cloak and how the kidnapcloth. That was the last thing I saw before darkness engulfed me completeper smoked. ly. The picture of a hut and meadow fields were getting dimmer. I blacked out after that. They carried me to a jeep and laid me down in the boot.

The kidnappers were caught and sentenced to jail. I swore to myself never to come home late again. Despite my frightening experience, I still got When I regained my consciousness, I found that I was in a creepy hut. A berated severely for not listening to my mother’s warnings and had to be pungent smell filled my nose. It was barely furnished and there were cobgrounded. webs dangling at every corner. On the cracked yellow walls hung paintings “Oh man…” that were all in dark shades and I suspected they were all stolen. There was a cloak on a cloak hanger and I scanned it carefully and etched it in About the Author my mind as a clue – if I ever would get out of here. I knew I was far from Isabel is 9 years old and attends Singapore Chinese Girls School. During home and it was really dull without entertainment and I missed my parents her free time she loves to dance, swim, act, read, write and go on thrilling despite my teen age. Surveying the area, I realised I was tied firmly to a rides! She can’t decide on what she wants to be when she grows up, but wooden chair and it was impossible to escape. However I was determined her bucket list consists of becoming an engineer, scientist, pastor, dancer, to have a narrow escape. author, or a journalist. Her favourite quote is “Great dancers are not good because of their dancing but because of their passion”, and role model is AlSuddenly, the door flew open. The taller kidnapper had come to bring me bert Einstein. my food. I was starved! Even plain boiled egg looked most inviting. He freed me a little while to satisfy my hunger. Unfortunately, as the goldenWe’re looking for young aspiring writers to be featured here in our yellow egg yolk smothered down my throat, my taste buds vanished and it tasted awful. “Yucks! What kind of food is this!” I cursed. However I was monthly column. If your child has what it takes, please send a sample famished. Anxious to stay alive, I gulped down my food before the miscre- of his or her work to kids@weekendin.com.sg. ant tied me up again. He then nestled down in an armchair and smoked.

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ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

NEXT CHANGE

MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR IN JANUARY MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM 27 Feb ‘14 Cast: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge Director: Justin Chadwick

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, is based on the 1994 autobiography by Nelson Mandela, a South African antiapartheid revolutionary and politician. The film chronicles Mandela’s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

ROBOCOP | 30 Jan ‘14

Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Laurie Director: José Padilha It is 2028, multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the centre of robot technology, winning American wars around the globe. Alex Murphy is a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit. After he is critically injured in the line of duty, OmniCorp utilises their remarkable science of robotics to save Alex’s life. He returns to the streets of his beloved city with amazing new abilities, but with issues a regular man has never had to face before.

THE BOOK THIEF | 6 Feb‘14

SAVING MR. BANKS | 27 Feb‘14

THE DELIVERY MAN | 1 Jan ‘14

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB | 23 Jan ‘14

Cast: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson Director: Brian Percival The Book Thief centres on Liesel Meminger, a spirited young girl who witnesses the horrors of Nazi Germany while in the care of foster parents. The girl arrives with a stolen book and begins collecting other tomes, learning to read while her stepparents harbour a Jewish refugee under the stairs.

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Cobie Smulders, Chris Pratt Director: Ken Scott The story of affable underachiever David Wozniak, whose mundane life is turned upside down when he finds out that he fathered 533 children through sperm donations he made twenty years earlier. In debt to the mob, rejected by his pregnant girlfriend, things couldn’t look worse for David when he is hit with a lawsuit from 142 of the 533 twenty-somethings who want to know the identity of the donor.

As David struggles to decide whether or not he should reveal his true identity, he embarks on a journey that leads him to discover not only his true self but the father he could become as well.

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Cast: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, B. J. Novak, Ruth Wilson Director: John Lee Hancock A biographical drama film about the production of the popular Walt Disney Studios film Mary Poppins, starring Tom Hanks as filmmaker Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as author P.L. Travers. The film centres on the life of Travers, shifting between her childhood in Queensland, Australia, to the negotiations with Walt Disney and the making of Mary Poppins in the 1960s. to power over a nation whose innocence was forever altered.

Cast: Matthew Mcconaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner Director: Jean-Marc Vallée In 1985, Ron Woodroof, a drug taking, women loving, homophobic man was diagnosed with full blown HIV/AIDS and given thirty days to live. He started taking AZT, the only legal drug available in the U.S, which brought him to the brink of death.

To survive, he smuggled non-toxic, anti-viral medications from all over the world, which still remained illegal in the U.S. Other AIDS patients sought out his medications forgoing hospitals, doctors and AZT. With the help of his doctor, Eve Saks and a fellow patient, Rayon, Ron unintentionally created the Dallas Buyers Club, the first of dozens which would form around the country, providing its paying members with these alternative treatments. The clubs, growing in numbers and clientele, were brought to the attention of the FDA and pharmaceutical companies, which waged an all out war on Ron.

onthePAGE

The Light Between Oceans by M.L Stedman

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia with his wife Isabel, and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom wants to report the man and infant immediately, but Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy.

Only years later do they discover the devastating consequences of the decision they made that day - as the baby’s real story unfolds…

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

Sage Singer is a baker, a loner, until she befriends an old man who’s particularly beloved in her community. Josef Weber is everyone’s favourite retired teacher and Little League coach. One day he asks Sage for a favour: to kill him. Shocked, Sage refuses—and then he confesses his darkest secret – he deserves to die because he had been a Nazi SS guard. And Sage’s grandmother is a Holocaust survivor. How do you react to evil living next door? Can someone who’s committed truly heinous acts ever atone with subsequent good behaviour?

Should you offer forgiveness to someone if you aren’t the party who was wronged? And, if Sage even considers the request, is it revenge…or justice?

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. Even though her condition improved, Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. Enter Augustus Waters, a kid at the cancer kid support group. Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and to her surprise, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

It is 1866, and Walter Moody has come to make his fortune upon the New Zealand goldfields. On the stormy night of his arrival, he stumbles across a tense gathering of twelve local men who have met in secret to discuss a series of unexplained events: A wealthy man has disappeared, a prostitute has tried to end her life, and an enormous fortune has been discovered in the home of a luckless drunk. Moody is soon drawn into the mystery: a network of fates and fortunes that is as complex and exquisitely ornate as the night sky.

The Cuckoo’s Calling by J.K Rowling

Written by J.K Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo’s Calling is a crime fiction novel that follows crime detective Cormoran Strike and his investigation efforts in the case of Lula Landry’s death. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

The story begins in 1962. On a rocky patch of the sun-drenched Italian coastline, a young innkeeper looks out over the radiant waters of the Ligurian Sea and spies an apparition: a tall, thin woman, a vision in white, approaching him on a boat. She is an actress, he soon learns, an American starlet, and she is dying.

And the story begins again today, half a world away, when an elderly Italian man shows up on a movie studio’s back lot, on a search for the mysterious woman he last saw at his hotel decades earlier.

The above books are available at major bookstores.

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ontheWATER

Marina at Keppel Bay

L

ooking for a getaway trip is indeed challenging where one can enjoy a fabulous weekend on the waters. Introducing the Marina at Keppel Bay club, this is the perfect chance to live the life of the rich and famous with elegance and class. This is the ultimate place to seek sereneness and unwind under the glistening sun with a magnificent city view of Singapore.

Within the docks of Keppel bay, there are a variety of yachts to choose from before setting sail. Accurate information such as dimensions and features of each specific yacht are given before making an ideal decision.

Yacht owners or guest can apply for associate membership starting from S$138.

The marina features a world-class tangible system that is well organised when it comes to parking and sail timings for yacht owners. Keppel Bay Sailing Academy (KBSA) provides first hand experience on sailing courses for keen amateurs who are interested in taking up sailing as a hobby or sport. UK-based Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accredits all courses. Its vision is to strive for the best and developed this industry into a safe and friendly sport by taking extreme precautions. Thus, parents who are contemplating of sending their children for sailing lessons are guaranteed of excellent productivity and valuable skills.

Beneath the waters is filled with a sanctuary of marine life that lives within the clear waters. It has transformed into a city reef that carries more than 40 varieties of aquatic marine species. The clear waters makes visuals extremely clear to view colourful corals and reefs that breathes beneath tranquilising waters. Yacht owners can look forward to an array of marine natures and wonders while sailing.

Food is an essential element of enjoyment and habitual living. Amidst the marina clubhouse lies three fantastic restaurants, the Wine Glass, Privé, Weekendin 90

Takumi Restaurant and The Connoisseur Concerto (TCC) by the Bay. The extravagance of sipping wine and dining while admiring the explosion array of sea views before you.

One of the favourites among visitors is Privé. It is inspired by the Australian food culture that is divided into three different dining concepts. It consists of a restaurant, café and bar. The Privé café is a chilled place with a casual atmosphere, serving award winning hearty and generous brunches with a variety of exceptional in house breads and pastries for a settled afternoon. The Waterfront bar is located between both dining places as a pit stop to sit and catch up with friends over a wide selection of alcoholic cocktails to mocktails and freshly squeezed fruit juices.

With many award winnings that are recognisable, it has continuously upheld its reputation of providing the most efficient services to customers with supreme yachts, fine dining and scenery. One of its most popular service would be corporate and leisure sailing. In this category, business is mixed with pleasure. Thus, businessmen can consider this option when dealing with top-notch international clients with a change of working environment, involving team work, respect, communication and great opportunities to expand one’s networking and leadership developments while entertaining clients. Leisure sailing is available with packages based on hourly time frames. However, customisation is acceptable on a caseto-case basis. It is unquestionably the best place to hold gatherings or birthday parties with the sunset cruise.

The beautiful architectures and intrigued designs makes Marina at Keppel Bay unique and outstanding, alongside with so many eye-catching facilities that is not to be missed out. The day has arrived for you to sit back, relaxed and enjoy this bewitching view that reaches out to sea. Tranquilise and take a breather from all your troubles because it indeed is most worthy of all. - www.marinakeppelbay.com

ontheWATER

T

he pit start of a brand new year is essential and many are anticipating to a series of water activities such as yachting and sailing. Yacht owners and novices of such water sports can simply indulge in a line up of fun and spectacular activities within the country clubs. Over the past few years, due to the high demand of yachts, several marine clubs began rising and seize the opportunity in building its reputation.

There are two attractive and eye-catching spots one should definitely visit be it for relaxing or sailing purposes. One of the most outstanding yacht clubs would be the ONE째15 Marina Club. It is an award-winning club based at Sentosa cove, alongside with its fascinating scenery and clear waters that are absolutely mind blowing. Sitting by the pool with such a magical view is such a splendid way to spend your weekends.

On the other hand, One15 luxury yachting is an affiliation to ONE째15 Marina Club which is mainly dedicated to yacht owners who are bound to snip a taste of classiness and casual laid back experience on sea. With excellent services provided, owners are enhanced to plan ahead of ideal locations such as Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand to luxuriate in.

With such entrancing scenery, there are affordable yacht packages available for tours and special events. One highlight would be the voyage of discovery on the X-cat. This package is ideal for corporate and social events, with a maximum number of 62 people costing from $3,300+ onwards.

ONE째15

Marina Club

Besides sailing, one can expect to look forward to enchanting facilities such as spa treatments to simmer down after a day of strenuous activities.

It is a tranquil and peaceful sanctuary to simply revitalise and rejuvenate.

With such a captivating view, it is a special place to indulge in delicious food and beverages with family and friends with a variety of restaurants and bars to select from. Premium food and unique creative versions of cocktails is the perfect way to end a night out filled with joy and laughter.

The 4th Singapore yacht show will be held at the ONE째15 Marina Club from the 10th to 13th April 2014. Yacht owners and guest are expected to view a vast display of first class yachts from all over the world. The companion of extravagant parties, yachts and distinctive entertainment ranging from supercars to beautiful handcrafted jewelry are the main highlights of the event. This event is a prestigious global platform especially for invited guests to have a chance to meet professional sports drivers and yacht owners while enjoying a breathtaking vista. - www.one15marina.com 91 Weekendin

intheART

Jalan Bukit Merah Blk 106, by Ong Kim Seng. 1972.

Construction of Sheares Bridge by Lai Kui Fang. 1967.

Whispers of the Past The voice from the past of Singapore’s most twisted and torturous path that leads back to the horrors and mixed emotions of World War II, when the Japanese invaded Singapore and took complete control over the city. This heartening art exhibition showcases over 120 different paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures from the National collection. It consists of impersonations by the artists’ thoughts and feelings during this traumatic occurrence.

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Drying Planks by Chua Tiag Ming. 1960s.

intheART

Riot by Lim Hak Tai. 1955

It depicts a story of how Singapore’s growth has impacted the economy, politics, and society and gathered Singaporeans as a whole with such innovative art works one can ever imagine. Each individual art piece has a story to tell on its own, like one said, a picture tells a thousand words. Everyone has his or her different perceptions on how a picture depicts it meaning to one. What makes it special are the similarities between you and your life experiences while deeply understanding what the artist is trying to portray to people who has an eye for art.

A changed world expresses the expeditious developments of the country, throughout the years of 1950 to 1970; with a series of life changing developments on the landscape right after the war has ended. Many artists envision the past by placing themselves in the shoes of all those innocent people who had to suffer so much. With such an in depth vision of the past, the artists combine heart felt emotions and history of the war, making this exhibition an incredible success. The abstracts and essence of these art works carry a strong message to everyone that be it skin colour, race, religion or genetics, everyone is equal and has a freedom of speech.

Taking you back to the horrors of Singapore’s history is truly inspiring and life changing just by admiring art works created by talented artists that have placed themselves in the shoes of others. The combination of one’s feelings and self-consciousness, this exhibition is the ultimate modern generation that uses pictorial works to express Singapore’s post war history to this current generation. People tend to have a deeper connection with pictures, alongside with the appreciation of the wonders of beautiful paint brushing strokes and a variety of colours that make it wholesome and alive again.

Rewinding time, endless sufferings, growth and developments that Singapore has effortlessly worked and built deserves more than a round of applause. Artists have their moments of going back to the corner of darkness while searching for inspirations. This exhibition is truly not to be missed with so many secrets waiting to be discovered and to be explored with your own imagination.

Location: National Museum of Singapore Exhibition Gallery 2 | Basement | 93 Stamford Road | Singapore 178897 T 6332 3659 Admission Free 10am-7pm (Last entry at 6.30pm) Opening October 25 2013 – March 16 2014 93 Weekendin

intheART

Once upon a shining light The glorious wonders of a magical world filled with fantasy brings about a story of a general going on a alluring journey seeking for an extremely beholding power that gives the emperor the dominant control of the entire world.

This journey leads him to Nova, chancing upon a girl who has the ability to create and source this extraordinary light. With the intentions of capturing her, he soon realised that he is incapable of controlling her due to her overpowering strength and hidden secret power. This mighty light can either be useful or threatening to the world if it is not used with caution.

This action-packed musical is compressed with a mixture of fantasy, sci-fi and contemporary art that is rarely seen in musical threatres globally. The characters and plot have intrigued a special identity that makes this musical stands out from the crowd. This approach is completely different and is moving to a fresh narrative while leaving a clichĂŠ metaphorical tale of Weekendin 94

intheART

values. What goes beyond this story is the shadow of inner personalities that could transform any episode of life.

Every musical is created differently with many inspirations that could trigger a sense of surprise to the audience. By taking a risk of going towards the direction against a clichÊ musical plot, they have gathered the cast from all around the world to create this magical performance. It is to create awareness to the audience that musicals have started shaping into something more modern with a variety of genres that can be reinvented. Musical and arts appreciators can look forward to a spectacular time of their lives while watching the producer’s imagination and creativity that is simply applied.

Each individual character was created specifically with different personalities that make this musical special and unique, making it one of its kinds in the arts and performing industry. Scifi does not only have to be seen in books but it can be interpreted and transformed into live characters that carry moral values and life learning lessons that is simply applicable to your daily lives. Each beautiful creation speaks a thousand words if you truly understand and go in-depth.

With a twist and twirl of events, the performance will be accompanied with scores written by the famous songwriter Dick Lee, starring an international cast of West End performers. Local musicals have begun making its way up to the peak with such newfangled story lines. This

musical is filled with exciting action, remarkable stunts, challenging battles and a provocative thrill that will truly be a musical that will never be a regrettable experience.

Location Resorts World Sentosa Theatre | 8 Sentosa Gateway | Singapore 098269 | T 6577 8899 Admission Premium: S$148 Standard: S$98, S$88, S$78 Restricted view: S$48 Opening Thu, 28 Nov 2013-Sun, 23 Mar 2014 Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri: 8pm Sat & Sun: 3pm & 8pm

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Singapore Silk Screened at John Erdos Home Singapore Silk Screened at John Erdos home in November was such a huge success that the exhibition had to be extended. Artist, Deborah McKellar, took guests on a visual stroll down Singapore Lane discovering old Singapore.

The exhibition is a mix-media exploration of Singapore’s cultural and aesthetic landscape, providing the viewer with a greater appreciatetion for the exotic topography of the East.

“Through this body of work, I aim to take my viewer on a visual and tactile journey as they take a close-up view of Singapore Silk Screened, a collection of artworks that is inspired by Singapore’s multi-cultural society.”

- Deborah McKellar

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intheART

97 Weekendin

inthePINK

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Ageing happens to all of us – it is an inevitable process we all have to go through. We lose the freshness and glow that comes with youth. Even if we invest our time and money on applying expensive creams and serum, cellular communication slows down. Collagen and elastin that gives our skin firmness is lost with age. At PhysioAesthetics, the technology to stimulate the cellular communication that is needed for skin elasticity and firmness is now available.

IEllios is anti-ageing technology in its most advanced form. It rejuvenates by amplifying and reinforcing signal transduction pathways to reinstate self-reparative mechanisms that have deteriorated with age. Representing a genuine anti-ageing anti-inflammatory technology, it reduces inflammation which is one of the most prominent causes of ageing and disease. It revives cellular networking, increases protein content such as collagen and elastin, and produces permanent changes that will help you look 12 to 15 years younger. Instant, dramatic skin firming and retexturing becomes permanent with 4 to 6 treatments. IEllios detoxes, oxygenates, refreshes, builds new tissue, leaving the face lifted, radiant and youthful.

This technology has evolved from more than 10 years of scientific research into Cellular Signalling by Mr Gerry Pollock (a Nobel prize winning Weekendin 98

scientist and creator of the pacemaker). This unique highly sophisticated technology produces over 5,500 signals, compatible with the body’s own signaling within our cells.

The Nano-pico rejuvenating system used at PhysioAesthetics makes use of the above technology to painlessly and safely reverse some of the obvious signs of ageing. One treatment is all you need to regain the freshness of your skin. With further treatments, your cheeks will be better defined, your eyebrows and eyes lifted, and your lines reduced. Better yet, the treatment delivers instant and noticeable results with no downtime.

This innovative, scientific Nano-technology treatment is simply amazing.

It is safe, natural and completely painless. It can lift, reshape and remodel the face and neck, rebuilding collagen and elastin, reducing lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. Your skin will glow with radiance and luminosity.

Great Promotions for 2014 Pico Ultra Eye Lift This treatment is targeted at the eye zone where the first sign of ageing appears. - 30 mins $88 (usual $180) Smoothing Neck Lines Firming and smoothing rough skin on your neck, this treatment reduces the appearance of fatty tissue under the chin and neck to create firmer, smoother and younger-looking skin. - 30 mins $88 (usual $180) Combination Program for Face and Body While on the Body Toning System, you will receive the Radiance Express Facial. Ideal for people with limited time to spare, both needs are taken care of simultaneously. - 75mins $250 (usual $478) PhysioAesthetics | #04-06 Camden Medical Centre | Singapore 248649 | T 6836 7731| www.physioaesthetics.com

inthePINK

Optimagenics

Optimagenics is devoted to the practice of Age Management Medicine, helping patients to get and stay healthy through a personalised program of nutrition, exercise, hormonal optimisation and nutritional supplementation and improvement in mindset. utis Medical Laser Clinic, an aesthetic clinic in Singapore, is based on the fundamentals of scientifically proven evidence-based aesthetic treatments. In November 2013, Cutis Medical Laser Clinic added a new form of treatment – the Age Management Program Optimagenics. The clinic specialises in treatments such as Botox, facial fillers, skin tightening, skin rejuvenation, body shaping and contouring and many more. As one ages, the effects on the body are significant and at times obvious, such as age spots, sagging and drying skin, wrinkles, having low vitality and a lack of focus. Chronic diseases are also associated with increase in age. To target these problems, the program is based on the latest body of scientific knowledge diverse disciplines such as exercise, nutrition, hormones, general medicine and hypnosis which have shown to decrease the risk of agerelated diseases, increase physical and sexual vitality, improve sleep quality, increase muscle tone, decrease body fat, sharpen mental acuity and improve self-esteem. Components of the program include prescription medicine (when clinically indicated), hormone optimisation (when clinically indicated), physician-grade nutritional supplements, low-glycemic or anti-inflammatory nutrition program, an exercise program, fitness and life coaching session and disease risk management.

The goals of Optimagenics are to decrease the risk of age-related diseases, increase physical and sexual vitality, increase overall mood and well-being, decrease body fat, increase muscle tone, improve sleep quality and sharpen mental acuity. Core elements of the program include a customised exercise program, individualised nutrition program and medical grade nutraceuticals, personalised hormone optimisation and an improvement in the individuals’ mindset. Exercising is the most powerful pill ever with many benefits, such as improving neurogenesis, releasing endorphins and preventing osteoporosis. The low glycemic nutrition program is required

to manage caloric intake and regulate blood sugar for a healthier lifestyle.

The program’s use of medical grade nutraceuticals enhances biological function, and many of them are used in Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine.

Hormones decline slowly as human age, and we adapt to living with a poor hormone environment. The program personalises hormone optimisation and restores whatever that is necessary to each individual. Lastly, the program also tries to improve the individual’s mindset by introducing self-hypnosis. It is an exercise program for the brain helps to enable the subconscious mind to live healthy.

Leading the clinic is Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, the Medical and Scientific Director of Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore and has over 20 years’ experience in aesthetic medicine, chronic disease prevention and management both in the United States and internationally. Today, while serving as the Medical and Scientific Director of Cutis, she is also the Medical Director in Asia Pacific of one of the largest dialysis companies in the world with a role of improving quality of care in centres across the 5 countries of Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, India and China. She has recently completed a specialised Physician Training and Certification in Age Management Medicine, jointly sponsored by Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation (CERF) and the Foundation for Care Management (FCM), USA and has been certified in Age Management Medicine by the Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation (AMMERF), USA. 9 Scotts Road | #03-06 Pacific Plaza | Singapore 228210 | T 6664 8185 | E hello@cutislaserclinics.com | www.cutislaserclinics.com

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Remedy Your Pain with the Lenovo Yoga Tablet

The fact that tablets have established a foothold in the gadget industry is no less of a strange phenomenon to many. Rooted within the walls of cafes, buses and trains, you will see people glued to the screens of their tablets whilst the ear phones are firmly wedged in their ears. The conventional cookie cutter design has invariably inflicted much discomfort to users worldwide. But first, here is an insight to what the Yoga Tablet features.

Prior to the birth of the Yoga Tablet and through rigorous observations and research, product designers and engineers of Lenovo established three flaws of the classic tablet – weariness when holding and using the tablet; no self-supporting mechanism when laid on a flat surface; and an inadequate viewing angle when set on a table. In an effort to break the mold, the features of the Yoga Tablet started to materialise.

The blend of the intricately designed cylindrical handle into the slim body of the tablet is what catches the eyes of many. Unlike other tablets, the hold mode minimises the strain on your wrist as the device comfortably sits in the palm of your hand rendering it easier to hold and control, which is akin to holding a magazine when reading. In tilt mode, the viewing angle is enhanced unlike the traditional flat-lying tablet. For your viewing pleasure, rotate the Yoga Tablet into stand mode, enabling users a hasslefree experience when watching videos or even making video calls. On a side note, not only does the multimode design provide a greater usability experience, it is equipped with a staggering 18 hours of battery life. Within the prominent figure of the cylindrical handle lie dynamic dual batteries to power up the tablet for extended periods of time. Do not belittle its petite and featherweight frame as the Yoga Tablet boasts a formidable surround sound system that booms through its in-built speakers.

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Just like how the prolonged usage of desktops result in the deterioration of one’s eyesight, tablets have their fair share of risks as well. To counter this, research has been conducted by numerous industry and health professionals by delving deeper into the hazards that these devices impose on people. It is not uncommon for people to develop pains in the wrists and neck when using their tablets for extensive periods of time. With an aim towards purposeful innovation, Lenovo examined the way people use their devices. As a result, they have now successfully improved the user’s ergonomic experience by devising the Yoga Tablet.

Gone are the days where aches and pains plague your already weary body and embrace the comforting user experience that the Yoga Tablet has in store for you.

The table below shows the adverse effects that a typical tablet has on your posture and how the Yoga Tablet is able to minimise these impacts:

Pain Points

The Cause

The Cure

The Wonder

• •

How do you usually hold your tablet?

1.

Due to the weight (0.7 kg on average), many people like to place the tablet flat, which is a bad position for the neck.

2.

Hold it at a 30 degree angle when you’re typing or using the touch screen.

Move around, shift your position often and take multiple breaks.

Use Yoga Tablet’s HOLD mode for reading, online shopping and social networking.

• The unique design of the battery cylinder provides a comfortable grip, by eliminating the twisting force.

• It features a unique re-balanced weight distribution, which makes it lighter and more comfortable to hold for long durations.

As you type or use the touch screen, be sure to keep your wrists straight, while keeping your arms and fingers loose and relaxed.

Invest in a Bluetooth keyboard.

In the TILT mode, the Yoga Tablet’s battery cylinder provides the perfect angle for web browsing, playing games and typing.

Sync the tablet with a computer monitor to improve neck posture and increase screen size.

Increase the font size of the characters displayed on your tablet.

Adjust the brightness settings of your tablet display.

Blink your eyes!

Yoga Tablet’s unique kickstand enables it to STAND, a mode which helps users enjoy the comfort of a hands-free viewing experience when watching movies, browsing music and video chatting.

Neck Shoulders

Alternatively, holding it completely perpendicular will add pressure on the shoulders, which is equally as harmful.

• • •

Fingers Wrist Forearm

Many people have a tendency to tap the touch screen keyboard unnecessarily hard because they’re so used to receiving the tactile feedback from laptops/desktops.

1.

2.

However, doing so over time will eventually strain the muscles and tendons of the forearms, wrists, and fingers, causing microscopic tears and carpal tunnel syndrome.

•

Eyes

Small display characters, unclear images and screen glare are common causes of eye-related ailments such as headaches, doublevision, blurred vision and soreness/ redness.

1.

2.

3.

4.

It also comes with an optional keyboard-cover, which makes typing more comfortable.

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Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute A combination taste of the finest chocolates and cinnamon with a sweet fragrance of sun ripened plums, leaving you a smoky and nutty aftertaste.

Whisk you Away

The Royal Salute is one of the most prestigious companies that have effortlessly upheld its name in the whiskey industry today. They are absolutely renowned because each individual bottle of whiskey is carefully preserved for a minimum age of 21 years, giving whiskey lovers the finest aftertaste of refreshing and premium liquor. It is created to suit and align the perfect combination for a smooth yet suave blend.

Originating from Strathisla in the highlands of Scotland, Strathisla has one of the largest whiskey inventories ever to store prime whiskeys before sale. Not long after, they specially created a profound blend of whiskey in the glorification of Queen Elizabeth II. Weekendin 102

Tribute to Honour It was created to pay tribute to her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, winning many globally renowned awards. This immense golden liquor is scented with rich and aromatic smell of flowers and fruits. It is perfect for someone with a sweet tooth, while being blown away by a lingering aftertaste.

intheCHILL

From there on, they were well known and ventured into the city and other parts of the world.

The master blender, Colin Scott, whom has absorbed many valuable skills and responsibilities from previous generations that have been passed down, creates all flavours. Having such a lusty passion in whiskey, his attention and dedication towards Royal Salute soared to great heights.

The majestic life of the Royal Salute surrounds itself with a vision of honour and integrity. They are the most prominent supporters of Polo, the king of sports and the sport of kings. The game of Polo is seen as strong and active, thus the collaboration is applied. Being a major supporter of Polo internationally, they have constantly been present in many Polo games in continents such as Europe and South-East Asia.

Beauty can be found in every bottle’s exterior.

The elegance and classiness of taste, smell and appearance will give you an unforgettable experience. Pairing memories with loved ones with the companion of royal salute’s whiskey is astoundingly great. With such achievements and accomplishments, these establishments have set bookmarks to rise and empower the whiskey industry.

Combining the elegance of Polo and exquisite whiskey, it is the perfect remedy to enjoying life to the fullest. Professionals give the product an outstanding brand on its own individually handcraft each bottle, selecting the most exceptional French porcelain. People from all walks of life have gathered to sip and savour such enriching aged whiskey. Purity is the essence of the soul and you will truly be speechless with the languid feel of the five elements of senses.

On the local front, Royal Salute is one of the official sponsors of the Singapore Polo Club.

Having been founded in 1886, this is one of the oldest sporting and social clubs in Singapore.

Till today, the club continues to provide members with the facilities to enjoy polo, but has also grown to include other equestrian, sporting and recreational activities such as fencing, mixed martial arts and dance.

Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute DFS Galleria | 25 Scotts Road | Singapore 228220 | T 6229 8100

Those interested in learning this majestic sport can sign up for lessons with the club. Both morning and evening classes are available, and even children above the age of 7 can learn to ride. Professionals are there to teach you the fundamentals, but all riders must be physically fit. As such those with back problems, allergies to horse hair/dust, or other medical conditions should consult a doctor before commencing lessons. To have a deeper understanding of the sport, students are encouraged to participate in horse and stable management sessions that in-

cludes how to take care of the horse, grooming, feeding, first aid knowledge.

To combine the worlds of both Polo and the Royal Salute drink, head over to Singapore Polo Club’s Polo Bar, a full service bar where members meet for a weekly social night. Polo is played on Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from approximately 5pm, and many polo enthusiasts come down to watch this “power and pace” game before heading over to the Polo Bar to sit back with a glass of this refined drink.

Singapore Polo Club | 80 Mount Pleasant Road | Singapore 298334 | T 6854 3999 | www.singaporepoloclub.org 103 Weekendin

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intheDRIVE

ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH

Opulent and regal, the Wraith is all the things you’d expect from a Rolls-Royce The Rolls-Royce Wraith will present its unique character, defined by power, style and drama, through a series of stops at dealerships throughout the US. Allowing customers to get behind the wheel at these ride-and-drive events, drivers will experience Rolls-Royce’s hallmark attributes of luxury, refinement and hand-craftsmanship.

Launched at the New York Auto Show in March 2013, Wraith is the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce ever to bear the famous Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. Featuring a dramatic, yet elegant fastback design, the new model is expected to bring new customers to Rolls-Royce, helping redefine a brand with a rich 109 year history.

Wraith’s sweeping fastback gives the car its unique character. Bold lines, tension in the panels and a raked rear screen evoke the image of an athlete poised in the starting blocks. Further expression of dynamic intent can be seen in Wraith’s deeply recessed grill and wide rear track.

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Coach doors open to reveal a sumptuous interior complete with softest Phantom-grade leathers and expanses of wood. Named after the famous cove in the South of France where Sir Henry Royce and his design and engineering teams spent their winters, the Canadel finish sweeps through the contemporary interior, cosseting four occupants in a space bathed in light and warmth.

The interior ambience is complemented by Starlight Headliner, a bespoke feature available beyond Phantom family cars for the first time.

1,340 fibre optic lamps are hand-woven into the roof lining to give the impression of a glittering, starry night sky.

A twin-turbocharged V12 engine married to 8-speed automatic ZF transmission ensure that power delivery is effortless, but dramatic. 624 bhp is available to the driver while the 0-60 mph sprint is achieved in 4.4 seconds, compared with 563 bhp and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds for Ghost.

From 1,500 rpm 590 ft lbs of torque available, a wide rear track, shorter wheelbase and lower roof height further underwrite the Wraith as the most powerful, involved driving experience of any Rolls-Royce in history. Performance delivers as the car’s suspension has been tuned to minimise body roll and discreetly amplify feedback when cornering; while steering weight is heavier at high speeds and lighter at low speeds to give a more polished and spirited drive.

However, Wraith is no GT bruiser. Agility improvements have been achieved with absolutely no compromise to the sensation of riding on a bed of air. Furthermore, the debut of Satellite Aided Transmission technology takes the powertrain to a new level of effortless delivery, one that perfectly suits the Rolls-Royce brand.

Satellite Aided Transmission uses GPS data to read the road ahead. It sees beyond what the driver sees; anticipates his next move based Weekendin 106

on location and current driving style, then selects the most appropriate gear for the terrain ahead. Corners, motorway junctions and roundabouts are all anticipated meaning Wraith is constantly poised to deliver on its promise of performance.

A more polished, effortless driving experience and even better response brings a new even more dynamic dimension to the famous Rolls-Royce trait, waftability.

For over a century a Rolls-Royce motor car has featured technologies designed to support occupants discreetly, delivering a peerless driving experience epitomised by the term effortlessness. In every RollsRoyce these assist the driver when called upon, but are prepared to return without fuss to the background when no longer required.

Advances in mechanical and electrical technology deliver systems like head-up display, adaptive headlights and Wraith’s keyless opening boot. But improvements in connectivity have taken the humanmachine interface to a new level of sophistication, a suite of aids that could be likened to a contemporary on-board valet.

Voice activation commands, for example, come with a one-touch call button located on the steering wheel. A destination no longer requires manual input from a navigation menu and route assistance begins immediately, on-screen and via audio guidance following a voice command such as navigate to 5th Avenue in New York City.

Additional improvements in communications come in the design and functionality of the elegant Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller.

This allows navigation through on-screen functions using a touch pad that features pinch and pull functionality to echo smart phone usage. Letters can also be ‘drawn’ onto the pad by hand rather than by scrolling through a series of available characters on-screen.

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intheKNOW

Experience, Perform and Record at the School of Music For many, the words music school connotes images of violins, pianos and guitars. While this still holds true, the world of music today also involves more than just the playing of musical instruments. Music production involves a tedious process of song writing, music education, technique, and recording. If music production is something you or your child has an interest in, perhaps a good place to turn to is the School of Music, one of the few schools in Singapore where you are able to achieve all these things under one roof.

Covering Classical, Rock and even Hip Hop music, School of Music aims to provide students with both a holistic music education, as well as experiences that can give them insight and opportunities in the music industry. Lead by veterans in Singapore’s entertainment industry, Sheikh Haikel and Annabelle Francis, this multi-talented husband and wife team has created an avenue for children to not just learn about The Arts, but also build social skills, creativity, and self-confidence.

Sheikh Haikel is an award winning local artiste, and is affectionately termed Singapore’s Godfather of Hip Hop. He has played a critical role in the development of Hip Hop in both Singapore and Asia, and continues to produce music till today. His wife Annabelle Francis is an actress-hostsinger, and herself comes from a family of musicians. She has worked with her husband on countless occasions but has produced her own singles and worked with a variety of regional artistes. The teachers at the school are chosen based on their experience in the music industry.

Some names include William Lim, drummer of popular local band Electrico and DJ Rattle, one of Singapore’s top turntablists.

Together with their list of industry professionals, the couple believe that Music is who we are. Music is what we need. Music is necessary. Music is Life.

Faculties There are many faculties provided within this one school; The Faculty of Classical, The Faculty of Rock, and The Faculty of Hip Hop. The Faculty of Classical Music covers, piano, violin and cello, and the school offers Grade examinations by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), an examinations board based in the UK. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Rock includes drum, electric guitar, bass and vocal lessons.

Students work towards certificates accredited by Rockschool UK, the top rock music exam board in Europe.

Under the Faculty of Hip Hop, they cover Rap, DJ Turntabilism, Breakdance and Graffiti. Annabelle admits that many parents are often skeptical about the value of teaching music styles such as Hip Hop to children, as it is often associated with gangs and other negative images. However she urges people to see it as more of a “tool for learning”. For her, rap is seen as a way to educate people on the English language – learning creative writing, word play, similes and the like. It’s an interesting way to learn about song writing. Even Graffiti is taught in a way that stresses the value of art history and expression. Children are taught about the evolution of art from the Master Artists of the Renaissance to the vibrant works of street artists today.

The School of Music also has a Faculty of Dance which covers up to 20 dance styles, ranging from ballet and salsa to jazz and hip hop. Starting this year, the SOM Dance Program will commence an all-inclusive dance programme where students learn classical ballet, street jazz and various hip hop dance forms, over a period of 12 months (in a 4 term cycle). The students gradually progress to higher levels and work towards a certification at the end.

Recordings and Experiences Apart from ensuring that each student learns the foundations and basics of every art form that they do, the school also pays great emphasis on ensuring that the students have the opportunity to perform and record their music. As such, the school has its own recording studio that houses a team of music makers and producers. While it is also open to anyone who wants to record their own music, the students of School of Music get to create their own singles and record their own songs using top-grade equipment and with the help of industry professionals.

The school is not just focused on children. Current students at School of Music range from a 9 year old turntablist to a 50 year old drummer! Open classes are available for adults who want to try their hand at these different musical forms. There are plenty of performance opportunities regardless of your faculty, and the school also has a recital every 6 months so that students can showcase their talents to family and friends.

School of Music | 271 Bukit Timah Road | Balmoral Plaza | #02-16G | Singapore 259708 | T 6462 8000 | www.schoolofmusicsg.com

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SHOP

Luxur y Leisure Shopping 24 purse-emptying reasons why retail therapy is important

La Prairie Cellular Serum SGD657.20, available at www.bluefly.com

Versace Medusa Red 6 Tea Cups Set SGD1726.20, available at www.livingbox.co.uk

TAD R1MK2 Speakers SGD99,999, available at www.pioneer.com.sg

Alexa Chung IT Book SGD30.20, available at www.bookdespository.com

Shinola Runwell Watch SGD752.80, available at www.shinola.com

Bond No.9 New York Central Park West Candle SGD148.50, available at www.nordstrom.com

Hermes Collier De Chien Cognac Bracelet, SGD1460.30, available at www.room06.com

Ipad Air 32G SGD548, available at www.courts.com.sg

Prada Crystal-Encrusted Cat-Eye Sunglasses, SGD580.30, available at www.neimanmarcus.com

Furla Ipad Case SGD139.70, available at www.oneworldavenue.com

Pioneer MJ532 Headphones Proenza Schouler Satchel Bag SGD59, available at SGD2287.60, available at www.pioneer.com.sg www.neimanmarcus.com article by Frances Fuller Founder of Rainbow Healing System and Certified Aromotherapist

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intheShop

Bread Bin Loafer Price unavailable available at www.shopabout.sg

5 Couleurs’ Eyeshadow Palette, SGD80.98, available at www.nordstrom.com

Canon 60D Kit www.courts.com.sg

Breville One Touch Tea maker, SGD406.66, available at www.chefscatalog.com

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Perfume, SGD143.73, available at www.sephora.com

Elliptical Coffee Table, SGD521, available at www.fredliveshere.com

Anolon Nouvelle Hard Anodised 9-Piece Cooking Set, SGD695.80, available at www1.bloomingdales.com

William Yeoward Country Dakota 11” Vase, SGD256.70, available at www1.bloomingdales.com

MontBlanc Meisterstuck 149 Fountain Pen, SGD1230.20, available at www.saksfifthavenue.com

Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bag, SGD243.90, available at www.shopbop.com

Shourouk Apolonia Capucine Necklace, SGD1588.30, available at www.forwardforward.com

Ninja Mega Kitchen System SGD374.12, available at www.chefscatalog.com

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Kickboxing

Shape Up by Shedding those Kilos An ingenious admixture of moves developed from Karate, Muay Thai and Western boxing, Kickboxing is becoming a popular alternative to learning self-defense or a hobby to maintain one’s general fitness. Practitioners of this sport are reputed to be among the best conditioned athletes in terms of coordination, agility, balance and muscle strength.

The dynamism of kickboxing will undoubtedly burn off those calories that you have accumulated over the Christmas as well the upcoming Chinese New Year as workouts can get intense with the fancy footwork and arm coordination. Historically regarded as a hybrid martial art derived from a combination of elements of various traditional styles, kickboxing has ventured beyond the borders of its birthplace in Japan and has contributed significantly to the emergence of mixed martial arts through further hybridisation with techniques incorporated from Jujutsu and Folk wrestling.

Tatsuo Yamada, a Japanese karateka first established an outline of the sport that combined Karate and Muay Thai in the 1950s. The further exploration of the above sporting competitions eventually led to the modifications of rules until the first legitimate kickboxing events were held in Osaka, Japan in 1966. Since then, the sport gained considerable recognition to the extent that it was practiced in North America and Europe by the 1980s. In spite of its recognition worldwide, poor ratings in the 1980s led to infrequent television coverage in Japan which put an end to the kickboxing fad. It was until the year 1993 which saw the revival of the sport in Japan when the K-1 – a kickboxing platform and a renowned martial arts brand for its heavyweight division fights, came to life.

For those who are unfamiliar of the sport, kickboxing is characterised by a number of techniques involved. It encompasses a range of moves which includes punches, kicks, blocks and evasive maneuvers that demands a Weekendin 112

significant amount of agility. As of other contact sports, precaution is also taken by donning on various protective gears to ensure a safe fight among fighters. Mouth-guard, hand-wraps, boxing gloves, groin guard, shin pads and kick-boots are a definite must in American kickboxing where clinch fighting, throws and sweeps are banned. Amateur fighters are to abide by a separate set of rules, known as the semi-contact rule which requires them to be equipped with a protective helmet with the use of force is regulated. On the other hand, Oriental rules, otherwise known as Japanese kickboxing allows a limited amount of clinch fighting but forbids the use of head butts, throws and sweeps. When in Thailand, kickboxing is taken to a whole new level as many abide to a rigorous training regime. More widely known as Muay Thai, a Thai national sport, also referred to as the Art of Eight Limbs, fighters engage in a full body combat which involves the use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes and clinches, thus using eight points of contact. This is unlike the more regulated kickboxing where only punches and kicks are allowed.

For the less competitive who simply want to draw out those body contours, you might want to consider taking up cardio kickboxing. Primarily aimed to build up one’s resistance and improve cardiovascular health, participants engage in rigorous one-hour workouts using the conventional heavy bags and training pads. Beginning with light stretches and a cardio warm up, participants will be take through a series of repetitive punches, hand strikes, kicks as well as a number of other self-defense moves.

One reason for you to love cardio kickboxing is that you will get to lose from an average 500 calories in an hour of workout without having to face the brunt of the scorching sun. Requiring a considerable amount of hand-eye coordination, core control leading to improved posture and cathartic moves and targeting areas which includes the arms, shoulders, abs

intheACTION

and thighs, this all-inclusive workout will be a perfect formula to achieve your dream figure. Its fast-paced routines will leave you sweating buckets in minutes. Your finesse and alertness will improve by leaps and bounds as this high intensity sport demands a considerable amount of concentration and quickness in coordinating your movements. Cardio burn is intense during bouts of punches and kicks. Thereafter, you will be taken through the recovery period which lowers your heart rate as you slow down to catch your breath before going at full swing again. Legs are the main focus in many classes where lunges and squats become the focal points of the training session. Apart from these conspicuous benefits, kickboxing is an excellent stress reliever which helps you let off steam that you have been bottling up throughout the day. A more putative effect after a strenuous exercise like this is that it triggers your body to release endorphins – hormones which contribute to feelings of euphoria and boosting your confidence level. With frequent engagement in the sport, your overall flexibility will gradually increase over time, reducing the likelihood of a sports-induced injury in the future.

Your Kickboxing Guide

It is common for beginners to feel a little uncoordinated during the first session but you will be surprised that the routine gets easier with each lesson, leaving you seemingly flawless after a few classes. For those who want to whipped up in shape after a season of feasting, take a look at some of the kickboxing centres in vicinity to live up with your new year resolution of staying fit and healthy.

At Amore Fitness, you will constantly be driven to give your best by your supportive instructor. Having been professionally trained, they are conscientious in ensuring that no one is left out by tweaking the routines to suit students of various fitness and flexibility. Be prepared for a highintensity workout through a series of kicks and punches. With more than twenty years of experience and strength as a comprehensive fitness and wellness provider, Amore Fitness and Boutique Spa has created a niche in providing a holistic wellness experience for its patrons and is capable of increasing your training efficiency while minimising the risks of injuries.

- www.amorefitness.com

There are a number of fitness centres in Singapore that conducts professional full combat training or cardio kickboxing just for you to stay in shape. Regardless of your fitness competency and hectic schedule, there is bound to be something tailored to suit your preference.

Active Red

With an intention to inject a novel approach fitness training, Active Red, a Singapore Representative for WAKO Kickboxing, has introduced a noncombative kickboxing training to Singapore. Taught by highly-qualified and experienced instructors, be rest assured that your inexperience will be taken care off as they will show you the ropes to cardio kickboxing.

Classes are conducted in pairs to ensure that the fullest attention is given to each student. Do not fret of you do not have a partner as the instructors will make the necessary arrangements to pair you up with someone else. Active Red is a superb place to work tone those muscles and to meet new people. - Active Red | Active Life Centre | 545 Orchard Road | #16-10 | Far East Shopping Centre | Singapore 238882 | www.activered.sg

Amore Fitness

Fitness First

Regardless of your individual schedule and lifestyle, Fitness First is able to accommodate to all of your needs with the range of membership options. Do not fret about letting your membership application got to waste when you are out of town as their Passport membership allows you to gain access to all the clubs in Singapore as well as over 300 other clubs worldwide. Each one of their certified instructors will guarantee that you will get the most out of each lesson with qualified First Aiders to attend to you in times of need. - www.fitnessfirst.com.sg

Juggernaut Fight Club

For those who want to experiment with kickboxing at a higher intensity, try embarking on a journey at Juggernaut Fight Club. Situated in the central business hub of Singapore along the Boat Quay bank, the 2900 square feet facility is rigged with everything a fighter would require to flourish in his discipline. Their Muay Thai programme developed with Ole Iron Fist Laursen’s Legacy Gym, and demands much resilience. Over a span of one year, Juggernaut Fight Club has seen the emergence of National Team boxers, wrestlers and Muay Thai fighters so be rest assured that the trainers are resolved to bring the best out of you. - Juggernaut Fight Club | 50B Boat Quay | Singapore 049839 | T 6535 2501 | www.juggernautfightclub.com

Edge of Fitness

For an atypical yet personalised experience in learning kickboxing, try Edge of Fitness, Singapore’s pioneering private gym that designing and executing fitness regimes that are tailored to suit each individual. Therefore, be sure to book your appointment before heading down. Located in the accessible Clarke Quay district, they aim to bring forth flexibility and convenience in order to reduce travelling time for those on the go. With competent and adept fitness trainers by your side, these professionals will fuel your passion and willpower to achieve the best that you possibly can.

Edge of Fitness is an excellent way to abandon your sedentary lifestyle without the scrutiny of other gym goers. - Edge of Fitness Singapore | 12 Eu Tong Sen Street | #04-170 Soho 2 @ Clarke Quay Central | Singapore 059819 | www.edgeoffitness.com.sg 113 Weekendin

New intheTRAVEL

adventures

dotting the globe

True travelling is all about stepping outside your boundaries and experiencing something new and different. Not only is it about exploring and understanding an unfamiliar country, but also about discovering yourself. Nothing excites genuine travellers more than the accomplishment of something new, delving into another culture and learning something about yourself in a foreign land.

Weekendin aims to take you to some of the most interesting and unique regions of the world, areas that still offer something very special to the curious traveller. Escape from the crowds into a world where the experiences are truly authentic, and where you have the opportunity to take yourself just that little bit further out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in the real nature of a country. Rediscover the meaning of travel; explore remote lands, gaze in wonder at little seen sights, and learn from and interact with some of the world’s most intriguing people. Take your next travel experience to a new dimension.

It is increasingly difficult to surprise intrepid travellers who are looking for new adventures in which to test all their senses.

For those who dream of crossing the seven seas in search of something different, whether your particular brand of travel involves hiking, paddling, or sampling fine foods from another culture, this year’s new crop of adventures is sure to get your heart racing. From exploring the secret side of Italy to horseback riding in Patagonia to taking in a whole new experience staying in a igloo hotel, 2014 has a lot of new travel adventures to offer.

The year is still young. Get packing!

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Switzerland’s

secret Valais region

A new tour of Switzerland’s off-the-beaten-path Valais region will not fail to enthrall you. Troy Haines, owner and lead guide for Swiss hiking specialists Alpinehikers, knows the Alps inside and out. This seven-day, sixnight guided hiking tour reveals wonderful hidden gems like Riederalp, a tiny village at the edge of the largest glacier in the Alps; Val d’Anniviers, a highlight of Switzerland’s famous Haute Route; and car-free Saas Fee, a quieter alternate to Zermatt and surrounded by a giant cirque of glaciers and jagged peaks.

The Valais (called Wallis in German) is a large mountainous area that stretches the Rhone river valley, from the shores of Lake Geneva to the headwaters of the Grimsel pass, and contains some of the highest mountains in the Alps. Forming much of the Swiss-Italian border, exploring the Valais also reveals numerous beautiful side-valleys. While lesser-known than places like Verbier and Zermatt, these hidden gems can be even more enjoyable. If you think you’ve seen it all in Switzerland, think again!

This tour highlights the surprising depth of some of the lesser-known stops in the Swiss Alps.

While being able to witness the beauty of the Alps, your comfort is taken into consideration as well. A typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at the hotel, where delicious fresh baked bread and croissants, local meats and cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice gives you the energy needed for the upcoming tours. Soon after, you’ll be out on the trail where you’ll get to choose either an easier walk or more strenuous hike for the day. Each morning, you’ll be handed a delightful lunchbox to carry, and at a mid-point along the way, a beautiful spot will be chosen where you can stop and enjoy your picnic.

This is a great opportunity to explore a different side of Switzerland the way the country should be explored: with your hiking boots on.

Offered By: Alpinehikers Length: 7 days with the support Price: $2,995; $250 single supplement

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Picturesque scenery of Valais Alps

Livestock in Zermatt

Hiking in Rechy, Valais

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Bite-Size

Galicia Take a bite out of Galicia, an autonomous community in the northwest corner of Spain where you’ll discover a whole new world of gastronomical treats. With stunning architecture, a fascinating history and a distinct cuisine, Galicia is one of Spain’s most authentic and beautiful areas. Visit artisan food producers and traditional taverns in Santiago de Compostela, taste the freshest of Galician produce in San Sebastian’s Abastos Market, sample the region’s fiery liquor that has been distilled for centuries, feel like you’ve stepped back in time in the Old Town of Allariz, meet local food producers and savour regional dishes that are hard to find elsewhere in Spain.

Galicia’s food is far from the Mediterranean cuisine of the rest of the country. It’s not surprising that potatoes are the vegetable par excellence and pork is the meat of choice, while beef from the native Rubia Gallega cattle is highly prized. It’s also not surprising, given the long, indented coast of the region bordering rich Atlantic waters, that seafood of all kinds is important in the diet and the economy. Indeed the seafood selection is spectacular—from scallops (vieiras) with their coral-coloured roes attached, to lobsters and langostinos (Dublin Bay prawns), big spider crabs and swimming crabs, to humbler but no less delicious monkfish, grouper, and squid. Galicia’s fishing fleet is the largest in Spain and one of the largest in Europe.

If you’re after a trip to a lesser-known but remarkable part of Spain, this delicious bite-size break is for you. Buen apetito!

Offered By: Intrepid Travel Length: 5 days with the Price: $1,260 Weekendin 118

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Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Hilly landscape and coastline of Galicia

Galician seafood

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Horseback

riding in

wild Patagonia Imagine galloping over a 100,000 square miles where the landscape of blue, green and silver, of granite spires, glaciers, lakes, mountains and daisy-filled meadows, robs you of words. Revel in a healthy, bracing climate where you are safe from the persecutions of fevers, friends, savage tribes, obnoxious animals, telegrams, letters and every other nuisance.

The only lodge of its type at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, Explora Patagonia’s upscale Hotel Salto Chico is your base for four days and five nights of unique exploration in this dramatic UNESCO Biosphere Reserve park. Whether you’re fording the Chinas River on horseback or ascending the gentle slopes around Lake Toro, there is nothing else that will get you to the heart of this dramatic wilderness quite like these new guided horseback treks led by Explora Patagonia’s guides and native gauchos.

An essential element in the life of a gaucho, the horse has been the traditional way of covering the vast distances in Patagonia, among other things making it possible for the few inhabitants on remote estancias in the pampa to stay in touch with one another.

The horses have been specially trained for explorations by explora. The rides start at the stables or the quincho and are always accompanied by both a guide and a gaucho. Horses, equipment and routes suitable for those who are new to riding as well as children and expert riders are provided. Only the highest quality of equipment is used: Chilean saddles hand-made by a master craftsman, British saddles, Argentine leather chaps, and helmets. If you are new to horseback riding, they also offer a basic course for those who wish to learn how to ride horseback.

Offered By: Explora Patagonia with the support Length: 5 days Price: $3,800 to $6,240 Weekendin 120

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Views worth stopping to admire

Patagonia’s panoramic sights

Horseback riding on Chimborazo mountain

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Scotland Arisaig hike

& Great Glen Canoe Trail This unique trip pairs two great outdoor pursuits – hiking and canoeing – with the expertise of one of Scotland’s most respected adventure outfitters. From lonely lochs to solitary mountains to historic castles, you’ll weave your way along the Great Glen Canoe Trail while taking in the sheer raw scenery of northern Scotland.

Water dominates the Scottish landscape and has shaped its history and culture. This new holiday aims to highlight this by combining walking on the beautiful west coast and canoeing the Great Glen Canoe Trail, making for a great week of adventure.

The holiday starts on the stunningly beautiful west coast of Scotland. The seascapes are spectacular, with the views extending out to the Small Isles and the island of Skye. From the base, you will take the boat to Eigg and hike to the summit of An Sgurr, with the views extending to the Ardmurchan Peninsula.

Another walk takes you along the north shore of Loch Morar, Scotland’s deepest freshwater loch. From Tarbet you return by boat up Loch Nevis through the wild lands of Knoydart. No trip to this area would be complete without exploring the beautiful white sand beaches of Morar, made famous in the film Local Hero. A scenic walk along Loch Moidart will take you to Castle Tioram; perfectly located on its own tidal island.

The Great Glen Canoe Trail is one of Scotland’s classic canoe journeys. It runs from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east and is a natural fault line, which once extended to America. Later it was carved out by the great ice sheets that once covered Scotland, leaving the trail of lochs they have today.

Offered By: North-West Frontiers Length: 8 days with the support Price: £895 (about $1,471 USD) Weekendin 122

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Take a scenic walk along Loch Maoidart to Castle Tioram

Lunga Island inhabited only by puffins and seabirds

Spot a stag

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Mongolian

nomadic local living

Long after the reign of Genghis Khan, nomadism remains a way of life in modern Mongolia. With so much to see and do there, it is only natural that people would want to move about and explore. This adventure taps into the nomadic lifestyle embraced by almost 40% of the local population, travelling through ruggedly beautiful gorges and sandstone mountains in search of golden eagles, desert gazelles and the Mongolian horse. When you’re not moving, you’ll experience local customs up close, exploring rural villages and sleeping in traditional yurt tents.

It was from Mongolia that Ghengis Khan set forth to conquer the world.

This unique adventure is your chance to visit this heartland and let its people and scenery capture your heart. Leave Ulaanbaatar and the modern world behind and travel by horseback or oxcart to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park for life with nomadic families. You’ll live in a yurt, take tea with your neighbours, ride horses, and learn archery and garment-making skills. It’s fourteen days like you never imagined. Living with nomadic host families and experiencing a time-honoured way of life that’s wholly unlike your own is what real adventure travel is all about.

Offered By: G Adventures with the Length: 14 days Price: $2,499 Weekendin 124

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An interior of a Mongolian yurt

Horseriding in Mongolia

Mongolian yurt in Steppe Family portrait of Mongolian nomads

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Walking

in Puglia & Basilicata

Think you’ve seen all of Italy? Think again. This trip takes you on a walking holiday through Puglia and Basilicata, two lesser-known regions of this postcard-perfect country. You’ll hike along the rugged Adriatic Coast, explore inland valleys and olive groves, and visit a charming hill town built around a Benedictine abbey. Better yet, you’ll experience a secret side of Italy that’s still relatively unaffected by tourism.

Discover two of Italy’s most beautiful and uncongested regions. The heel of the boot, Puglia (often called Apulia) offers the best of Southern Italy from delicious cuisine and wine to its rich and unique culture. The neighbouring province of Basilicata offers the dramatic cave-city of Matera as well as the surprising alpine scenery of the Dolomiti Lucane.

Highlights include Bari’s historic medieval port, the cliffs of Polignano a Mare, UNESCO World Heritage site of Alberobello, famous for its trulli houses, and unbelievable Matera, carved from a limestone gorge over the centuries. The unexpected alpine scenery of the Basilicata’s Lucane region, and the fabulous, genuine welcome from Maria and Peppino!

In the heart of the Mediterranean lies Puglia and Basilicata, two unique regions sandwiched between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas. The itinerary explores the very best walks in these captivating and still relatively unknown regions in Southern Italy. From the stunning white city of Ostuni, perched high on a hill overlooking the Adriatic, you walk towards the idyllic coastline. As you move inland, you explore the lush Itria Valley, dotted by thousands of ancient olive trees and the fairytale Trulli houses, still standing after 5000 years. The remainder of the journey takes you to Montescaglioso, a charming hilltop village built around a Benedictine Abbey in the undiscovered region of Basilicata. Following the bed of a canyon and walking past rock churches and caves, you reach the fascinating city of Matera, famous for its Sassi houses carved out of the rock and inhabited since the Prehistoric times.

Offered By: Adventure Centre Length: 8 days with the support Price: $1, 835 CAD (1,730 USD) Weekendin 126

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Rural landscape of Basilicata, near Acerenza

Block Sofa by Danish Designs

A captivating and idyllic coastline A charming hilltop village

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Walking &

hiking

in Myanmar Rare is the 21st century destination that can grant travellers a genuine feeling of revelation and discovery. Myanmar is no ordinary place. If travel is about the thrill of the undiscovered, Myanmar is the ultimate destination after years of isolation from the outside world. A journey there is the very definition of time travel, like opening a creaky door to an ancient and mysterious realm long-concealed from the outside world. Unspoiled, utterly authentic and home to some of the most welcoming people on earth, it’s not the easiest place to travel but it’s one of the more magical places known. Before it finds its way onto the tourist map, visit the ancient temples and pagodas—2,000 of them in the city of Bagan—and marvel at the floating gardens, villages built on stilts above Inle Lake, and a unique culture still largely unknown to the rest of the world. Witness firsthand the exciting changes unfolding in Myanmar

Offered By: Backroads Length: 8 days Price: $4,598 Weekendin 128

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Floating garden and village on Inle Lake

The city of Bagan

The Burmese countryside

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Cruise the Svalbard Archipelago

on board the

National Geographic Explorer It is a privilege to visit the Arctic, one of the planet’s most pristine places, and to this privilege, National Geographic Explorer adds the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.

Svalbard is the best place on the planet to see polar bears—wild, majestic, in their native habitat: the sea ice. And see them you do—during the season in Svalbard, you observe all manner of behaviour from hunting for seals amid the floes to frolicking cubs—all viewable from the proximity and safety of the ship’s deck rail.

Over the past 30+ years, their ace spotters have given guests multiple opportunities to experience close sightings. In 2009, they had a seasonal record of 105 bears in Svalbard. In 2010 they observed a staggering total of 229 bears. And in 2011 and 2012, they saw seasonal totals of 156 and 210, respectively. But it’s not the number of bear sightings that count, it’s the quality, and the fact that you can count on them to deliver this extraordinary experience. In addition to the bears, you will have the opportunity to see and observe walrus, fascinating creatures and wonderful photo subjects. Herds of reindeer, elusive arctic foxes, fur seals, and a glory of birds—they’ll nose up to rock wall rookeries teeming with thousands of birds, see pelagic birds from the ship’s rail when you’re underway, and Zodiac cruise near a cloud of feeding Arctic terns.

With scenery of almost inexpressible beauty, and the possibility of an once-in-a-lifetime wildlife, scenic or portrait photo op at any moment, the Arctic is a magnet for the world’s top photographers and photo enthusiasts of every stripe. You’re able to get remarkably close to polar animals and iconic landscapes, and you’ll have the benefit of top professionals as travelling companions. The deck of National Geographic Explorer makes a great platform for up-close whale viewing in the Arctic or up-close sights of a polar bar as it cruises the Svalbard Archipelago, all in the comfort of a cruise ship.

Offered By: Lindblad-National Geographic Length: 11 days Price: From $8,990 to $16,630 Weekendin 130

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See upclose a polar bear looking for food

The grand National Geographic Explorer

The view from the deck of the ship

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across the Straits In this issue: Special features 2014 Visit Malaysia Year Well known for its alluring realm of scenic landscapes and luscious delicacies to soothe the palate, the ever-blossoming vibrant economy of Malaysia is home to a land of sensory bewilderment. Having ranked as the fourthbest shopping city in the world by CNN for two consecutive years, Kuala Lumpur has evolved from a modest and shrouded settlement to a bustling city it is today. The cultural and ethnic diversity of the country has made it one of the prime travel destinations in the world today. With the intention to distinguish itself from the rest of the world, Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) was first put in motion in the year 1990 with the theme Fascinating Malaysia, Year of Festivals, where they appointed the Orang Utan—a member of the imperiled community of animals who holds residence in the East of Malaysia, to be the mascot that year. The launch was a tremendous success with Malaysia raking up 7.4 million in visitors that year in comparison to 4.8 million in the previous year. VMY 2014 will see the assignment of the Proboscis Monkey as the mascot—another mammal that is on the brink of extinction in the dewy tropics of East Malaysia. It epitomises the abundance of wildlife, biodiversity and preservation efforts that are entrenched within the Malaysian community. It is the nation’s most momentous and glorious tourism celebration in line with the nation’s boundless spectacles of year-round events, festivals and activities. To kick off VMY 2014 on January 4th, the skylines will be illuminated with incandescent firework displays followed by a medley of cultural musical performances.

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2014 is Visit

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Multicultural Malaysia

Patronas Towers

A country of thirteen states and three federal territories, Malaysia has emerged from its humble beginnings to achieve its dynamic world economic status that it is today. Its strategic location for trade and commerce gave rise to its prominence in Southeast Asia during the end of the 16th century. Its richness in history from the archaic times of Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic civilisations to the days of colonial imperialism and independence has contributed significantly to the cultural splendour of places of worship, precolonial shophouses and Moorish architectural wonders of heritage buildings. Around 3000BC, Malaysia’s humid climate and abundance of natural resources had lured in indigenous tribes, better known as Orang Asli who are known to originate from Tibet and China in the South.

Despite their influx, it was the Malay Sultanate Kingdom in Melaka during the 15th century that transformed the country into a business hub that attracted many from all over the world. Simultaneously, it was a period when Islamic influence was rampant that the Sultans and the Malays started to embrace Islam as their religion.

During the period of colonial imperialism, Melaka’s reputation as a booming trading and economic hub had propagated far and wide and had enticed many Europeans and especially the Portuguese, to enter the region. They acquired Melaka in 1511 but the Dutch eventually gained Weekendin 136

sovereignty over the land in 1641. The disposed Malay rulers sought refuge in the South where they established a new Sultanate. Malaysia endured a series of trials and tribulations soon after en route to gaining independence on 31 August 1957 where Tunku Abdul Rahman was appointed as the nation’s first Prime Minister. Despite the social and economic turmoil that Malaysia had faced, it managed to blossom into the diversified economy it is today under the outstanding leadership of then Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for a duration of 22 years. He was able to tap on its vast fertile land, plenitude of natural resources and its rich biodiversity to achieve a self-sustainable economy. With two thirds of the country blanketed in herbage, the territory is home to a macrocosm of flora and fauna – a feature which has made significant contribution to Malaysia’s tourism industry. The inter-marriage of Malaysia’s cultural heritage, nature’s work of art, gastronomic adventures and shopping havens creates a beguiling fusion that will charm visitors from all walks of life. Although industrialisation has led to the construction of towering skyscrapers cities brimming with modern-day activities, Malaysia is able to retain all of its Asian nuances and natural wonders. However, the natural habitats are threatened by logging and cultivation practices, causing environmental degradation. To date, over 80 per cent of Sarawak’s lush

Homestay in Malaysia

landscape has been cleared to pave the way for agrology. Apart from this, unlicensed fishing is another prevalent issue plaguing the ecosystem. The commonly-spotted Leatherback turtle in the coastal waters have been decreasing at an alarming rate since the 1950s. In their efforts to abrogate this negative phenomenon, the government has been implementing environmental education programmes and campaigns to raise public awareness. Given that the tourism sector made significant contribution to the Gross National Income in 2012 with a sum of RM47 billion, it is a palpable truth that the abovementioned sector is the vital backbone in the bid to become a high-income nation by the year 2020. In addition, it had undergone an impressive growth to metamorphose into one of the country’s rapidly growing economic sectors with 25.03 million tourist arrivals in 2012. In order to boost these figures, the government has been a strong advocate of Visit Malaysia Year, making 2014 the fourth event of its kind.

Year-round Events & Festivals Following the launch of VMY 2014, the Royal Langkawi will see more than 50 yachts taking to the stage in nine adrenaline-pumping racing classes from the 13th to 18th January. Alongside this, the Pesta Air Langkawi (Langkawi Water Fest)

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Annual Kite Festival

will give prominence to several events including a Jet Ski Stunt Contest as well as a Beach Buskers Party from the 17th to 18th January. Go down to Pasir Gudang, Johor for the World Kite Festival featuring participants from thirty countries as hundreds of whimsical kites grace the skies for a brilliant multicoloured spectacle. In conjunction with Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit, Selengor, get into a shopping frenzy during the 1Malaysia GP Sale where shopping malls and departmental stores that speck the country hold massive discounts and huge bargains. Fervent sports enthusiasts can participate the Ipoh International Run at Perak in June and pitch yourself against the best from around the region. In conjunction with VMY 2014, brace yourself for a revivifying run alongside thousands of others from the around the region. From 20th to 22nd June, get pumped up for a display of songs and euphonic tunes as the Rainforest World Music Festival returns with a bang. During this time of the year, Kampung Budaya Sarawak will showcase world renowned and aboriginal musicians that reside within the borders of Borneo. Apart from exhibiting Sarawak’s role in environmental preservation and conservation, the festival also brings forth the cultures, nature and adventures that are exclusive to Sarawak. For those with a fondness for au courant music, get your tickets for the Future Music Festival Asia at Sepang International Circuit, Selangor where thirty international artiste bring to you a playlist of varying music genres.

Fanatical runners who want to bring running up a notch can participate in Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon-Adventure Series. Unlike your regular tarmac road, you will embark on a 23km long route through the awe-inspiring terrain of Layang-Layang where vistas of summit peaks and river valleys embellish the surrounding tropical montane greenery.

An aerial view of Male, Maldive. The capital of Maldives.

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Fried Kway Teow

Harmonious Living

The slogan, Malaysia Truly Asia captures the essence of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual community. Places of worship lie in juxtaposition to each other, highlighting the peaceful coexistence of various races and religions living together. The residents are humble beings with a tolerant and kindred spirit, and are highly respectable towards another’s racial and religion background. Malays take up a large proportion of the social structure followed by the Chinese, Indians and the aborigines such as Iban, Kadazan, Peranakan and Eurasian. Despite the major developmental changes through the decades, the cultural practices and traditions of these ethnic groups still remain deeply rooted in their veins. Many still observe traditional rituals that have been imparted for centuries. At the same time, the assimilation of other cultures has resulted in a kaleidoscope of languages and customs entrenched within people of another race. It will be an intriguing sight for travellers to see a Chinese donning a Baju Kurung (Malay dress) or an Indian speaking in Chinese Hokkien dialect. Like Singapore, the streets of Malaysia often portray sights of religious traditions in company with modern technological advances.

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line the city streets, monumental structures amalgamation of spices and pungent roots with and landmarks such as temples, mosques and conventional Chinese ingredients, the Peranakan menu is worth exploring. You must not miss churches are still preserved in situ. out on the ethnic Borneo cuisine – encompassing ingenious dishes that are meticulously conceived by the Sabah and Sarawak natives. DrawCuisines A cultural melting pot, Malaysia has an affluent ing on its abundance of wild plants, herbs and spread of cuisines originating from its multi-eth- fruits from the thicket of herbage, it is an intricate nic communities. The vast diversity of dishes that stroke of genius on the part of these inhabitants Malaysia has to offer has rendered it a foodie’s to create these culinary delights. The manifeshaven, ranging from Malay, Chinese, Peranakan tation of freshwater fish in the meandering rivand Eurasian cuisines to dishes that are endemic ers and marine life along the coastlines allows to the Borneo community. In traditional Malay these indigenous groups to whip up delectably fare, coconut milk and an assortment of spices fresh and fragrant seafood. Some of their betterare used extensively in the preparation of food. known dishes include Jaruk (wild boar or fish Those with a fiery palate can delight in the volu- cooked with rice in bamboo shoots) and Hinava minous spicy selection of Malay dishes. Chinese (fermented dish of fish, ginger, shallots, chillies cuisine differs with respect to the various ethnic cooked in lime juice). groups, but it retains its distinctiveness from the use of local ingredients and cooking styles.

Where to Eat? When in Malaysia, be sure to have a taste of their If you and your family are stopping by Johor variety of stir-fried, deep-fried- steamed, sauBahru for a trip to Legoland Malaysia, consider téed and soup-based menu. The most revered satiating your hunger afterwards at Qing Palace dishes include Wanton Mee (egg noodles), Char Chinese Restaurant – which has been voted one Kway Teow (fried noodles) and the Penang Asof the Best Restaurants in Malaysia by Malaysia sam Laksa (fish mackerel noodles), just to name Tatler for 15 consecutive years to date (1999a few. If you fancy a fusion of both Chinese and 2013). The award-winning diner is illuminated by Malay cooking styles – featuring the perfect warm lights complemented by opulent interiors

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Lot 10 Shopping Mall

Legoland Malaysia

that resemble the grandeur of an ancient imperial dining hall where the walls of the interior are adorned with authentic Oriental antique furnishing, paintings, carvings and even silk lanterns.

Luxuriate in their in-house favourites such as the Szechuan Hot and Sour Soup and tea Smoked Duck while topping off the meal with a hearty dose of Oni (yam puree) and Mua Ji (peanut balls). Further up north in Melaka, reminiscence in the quaint setting of Restoran Nancy’s Kitchen in the heart of Jonker Street and gratify your taste buds with authentic servings of traditional Peranakan dishes. It will be a real pity if you were to give the highly-rated Nyonya kuehs a miss Having been recognised as having the Best Street Food in Asia by Time Magazine in 2004, Penang is indisputably the food capital of Malaysia. Do not be fooled by the humble appearance of the street enclave as many have vouched that the food here is exceptional at astonishingly low prices. The prominent dishes that have been raved about by many include the Curry Noodles, Wanton Noodles and the Hokkien-style Fried Noodles, all at an affordable price. The smoky heady aroma of the grilled Hainanese Satay will leave you drooling even at a distance away, and drawing you close to smoking display of grilled marinated meat over a charcoal fire. The above-

Flea Market

mentioned eateries are just few of the many ers, fragrances and other synonymous objects. places that are worthy of mention around the ABC markets – where ABC stands for Arts, Bric-afood paradise of Malaysia.

Brac and Crafts, primarily showcases a collection of Malaysian arts and crafts as well as household items every Sunday from 10am till 6pm at Plaza Flea Markets Mont’Kiara. Within the vicinity of the affluent Those with a fetish for antiques and knickknacks, residential suburb of Bangsar lies Bangsar Baru the flea market is the place for you. Take a step Pasar Malam which is held every Sunday night back from the plush opulence of high-end boufeaturing a vast lineup of fresh food to electritiques and megamalls when in Selangor, and cal gadgets. This market is the optimal place to pay a visit to Amcorp Mall which hosts the best get your fresh produce, from locally produced to flea market in Malaysia. If you want to own a imported fruits and vegetables. Get rid of your piece of history, this is the place to go during the hunger pangs by treating yourself to their local weekend for antique troves. Delve into counters delicacies such as Assam Laksa and Char Kway upon counters of old records, collectibles, old Teow. and new toys and even homemade food. Aficionados of traditional textiles can take an evening jaunt along Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman for a Premier Shopping Experience vibrant display of factory clothes, silks, traditional Be a part of Kuala Lumpur’s modish and conMalay clothing such as Baju Kurung (loose dress- temporary shopping experience in 2014 with es) and Baju Kebaya (blouses) as well as local the emergence of new malls. Young urbanites snacks. A popular spot among expatriates is the can relish at Fahrenheit 88, the city’s newest Mont Kiara Markets in Kuala Lumpur, consisting and most iconic addition to the shopping disof two markets residing towards the northwest trict. It is home to over 250 retail stores spanof the city centre – the Fiesta Night and ABC ning over seven floors of shopping space. If you (Sunday Markets) targets the upper middle class desire for an all-inclusive shopping experience, and high-end shoppers. In Fiesta Night, hun- saunter around the locality of LOT 10. Beneath dreds of stalls take to the stage on Thursday eve- the façade of a typical shopping mall, the fadnings to sell a massive array of food, fruits, flow- dish basement-level food court hosts a collec139 Weekendin

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Mabul Island

Spread of Malaysian Food

tion of some of Malaysia’s best street food with entertainment sites to revel in at the rooftop. A highly recommended mall to visit would be the Sungei Wang Plaza. It is a considerable shopping area housing more than 800 retail outlets with ample parking space, and public transportations at your disposal. A shopaholic’s haven, delve into chains upon chains of retail stores in Berjaya Times Square with cinemas, accommodation, business facilities and restaurants at your disposal. This colossal 7.5 million square feet superstructure is hard to miss when you are within the proximity of Jalan Imbi, located right in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. Venture further away from the mainland into Langkawi, which is renowned for its duty-free goods. Within the serenity of the tranquil crystalline waters, perfume stores, cigar shops and wine boutiques are a commonplace and will set you on a shopping frenzy with their incredibly affordable prices. If diving in this lucent sea is on your itinerary, do not let slip the opportunity to cruise through the major duty-free outlets that dot the island.

Places like Saga Shopping Centre will ignite your senses, setting you on a shopping rampage. While awaiting your departure from the island, drop by Jetty Point Duty Free Complex for some high time shopping for chocolates,

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liquor and apparel or wolf down a quick meal.

Pay patronage to some of their souvenir shops and take home a piece of this mystical land.

Royal Selangor in Kuala Lumpur boasts over 250 skilled craftsmen and 40-strong in-house design team. Since its establishment in 1885, it has been exploring the use of pewter and using the material to create intricate designs ranging from personal accessories to children’s gifts while retaining their heritage of craftsmanship.

The Central Market in Kuala Lumpur is a tourist’s haven for trinkets and handicrafts. Spanning over an area of 100,000 square feet of retail space, the Central Market is the ideal shopping getaway for those who adore local crafts, featuring a wide array of cultural souvenirs from every state in Malaysia.

Best Times to Shop

A major crowd puller will be the shopping fever.

In the light of VMY 2014, Tourism Malaysia will be organising three mega sales throughout the year. 1Malaysia GP sale will take place in March till April in addition to the Formula One Grand Prix. As the year progresses to between June and September, a sweeping range of discounts and incentives will pervade across the country

Homestay in Malaysia

during the 1Malaysia Mega Sale. 2014 will conclude with a smash with the 1Malaysia Year-End Sale – the nation’s grandest shopping event will see a compelling lineup of fashion-related events, and numerous entertainment and shopping promotions. Malaysia’s diverse racial and religious cultural background has rendered it one of the few countries in the world with the highest number of public holidays in view of the many national festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. As sales tend to be held in concurrence with these national festivals, this would be a splendid opportunity to shop for gifts for friends and relatives.

Stimulate Your Senses

VMY 2014 promises to imprint long-lasting memories to last a lifetime. Each day is jampacked with ceaseless fun and adventures. To start off your holiday on a riveting note, escape from the booming metropolis into the placidity of some of the world’s most magnificent diving locations. Sipadan Island, which places fifth in world rankings by Lonely Planet, offer the most intimate of diving experiences that will leave you spellbound. Mabul lsland is the superb spot for muck and macro diving with its voluminous array

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Local Crafts

of marine life such as pigmy seahorse, leaf fish, frog fish and corals. For wreck diving, the undersea surroundings in several of the islands namely Labuan, Aur Islandand Lankayan Island is a striking resemblance to the original Titanic wreck site found off the coast of Newfoundland. Brimming with schools of hammerhead sharks, barracudas and leatherback turtles, there is always something intriguing lurking beneath the vastness of the ocean. If you are seeking refuge from the constant jangle of the booming urban metropolis, Homestay will be an excellent option to learn more about Malaysia’s cultural way of life. Living in the kampongs or villages will be an edifying rewind into the lifestyles of the past. This is the ideal opportunity to live and mingle with the locals so as to get to get an authentic taste of Malaysia’s folkways. Participating villages of the Homestay programme are rooted along the beaches to the outskirts within the natural settings of the lush forests or countryside. A lineup of activities awaits you at the villages which include homecooking lessons, harvesting of local fruits, playing traditional games and sports as well as tasting of a delectable spread of Malaysian cuisines.

Recommended places of visit include Homestay Felda Semenchu and Kampung Pelegong Homestay. Let loose yourself in the balmy wilderness of Malaysia’s precarious terrains in Kinabalu National Park, Sabah. Take a step out of your comfort zone and scale Southeast Asia’s tallest peak, Mount Kinabalu, which is one of the most manageable climbs in the world. Adrenaline seekers can surmount Mount Torq via ferrata – a route equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders and the world’s highest suspension bridges.

The numbers of wellness and spas centres are legion across the nation. Reinvigorate your weary bodies at some of the world’s leading spa and wellness centres with many of them situated on hills and beach resorts against the backdrop of magnificent all-encompassing view of the lush

and pristine surroundings. As a cultural and racial melting pot, Malaysia plays host to a myriad of traditional spa treatments which are native to the Javanese, Indonesian, Chinese, Malay and Indian community. Century-old Javanese beauty and wellness regimens, ancient Ayurvedic treatments reflexology, acupuncture and Shiatsu practices are among the many that are worthy of a visit. Unlike the western concoctions of serums and facial masks, the treatments here comprise of herbs and fragrances that are handed down for generations and are performed under the skillfully meticulous hands of the masseuse. If you are anticipating some merry-making with your family, take a trip across the Causeway into Nusajaya, Johor for a weekend frolic at Legoland Malaysia. Rigged with more than forty interactive rides, shows and attractions,this first establishment in Asia is the stamping ground for many visiting families from the neighbouring Singapore. One of the main attractions is the Miniland, where over thirty million lego bricks are used in the construction of iconic monuments like the Petronas Twin Towers, The Merlion Statue and the Taj Mahal, among many others. What is fascinating is that this interactive world comes to life at the touch of a button, an enchanting scene for many of the little ones.

The fast-approaching VMY 2014 will be the biggest and glorious ever tourism celebration with an incessant list of events, festivals, and hideouts to explore. Make Malaysia the key destination to visit this year and experience the warmth and hospitality that the inhabitants have to offer. A land of infatuating beauty and sapid cuisines, you will not regret making Malaysia your destination choice. The events that VMY 2014 has in store will only add on to the already overwhelming list of attractions that this ever-progressing nation has to offer.

Capturing Turtles in Sabah

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