Contentslifestyle with a difference

volume two 2008

sojourn 01 TakingItAway

06 OntheWater

12 TheColourofBusiness

18 DesperatelySeekingParadise

22 LuxuryScalesNewHeights

24 LuxeLivingattheRaintree

high life 28 BaleEquestrianand CountryClub

after hours 30 TresUnique

34 JourneyswithaHeart

38 LuxeBite

42 HongKongalaCarte

46 HavePasspotWillTravel

Lifestyle is a bi-annual magazine from Mulpha Land Bhd., published with the primary objective of keeping all

Mulpha privileged guests abreast with the latest lifestyle issues and the Group’s upcoming developments.

Copies of Lifestyle can be obtained from the Mulpha International Bhd. office. For enquiries, please call

(603) 7957 2233 or (603) 7955 1344 or contact Simone Pan at span@mulpha.com.my

CHAIRMANChung Tze Hien

CEOLai Meng

GENERAL MANAGERRonn Yong

EDITORFaridah Hanim

EDITORIAL BOARDSimone PanMulpha, Malaysia

Koh Boon TengMulpha Land, Malaysia

Terence LeeMulpha Land, Malaysia

Sally MorganMulpha, Australia & Hayman

Thomas ThangMulpha, Vietnam

Karen EvansBimbadgen Estate, Australia

Elizabeth MasselosInterContinental Sydney, Australia

Dush VelcekHilton Melbourne Airport, Australia

Lindsay WallaceSanctuary Cove, Australia

Karen EdwardsNorwest Land, Australia

Peter LewisThe Hotel School Sydney, Australia

Erin MillarHyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, Australia

ADVERTISING/SALES ENQUIRIESSimone Pan+603 – 7957 2233 ext 382span@mulpha.com.my

INTERIOR DESIGNDesign Development DepartmentMulpha Land & Property Sdn. Bhd.

PRINTINGLabel Plus Sdn. Bhd.

CONTACTSMulpha International Bhd.(603) 7957 2233Mulpha Australia Limited (Australia)(61-2) 9268 5000Mulpha Vietnam(Asian Fame Dev. Ltd.)(848) 930 4009

DISTRIBUTIONMulpha’s Lifestyle magazine is a free publication showcasing the quality of life with a controlled circulation of 2,000 copies, offered to an exclusive database through selected distribution channels.

• Mulpha Group of hotels -InterContinental Sydney -Hilton Melbourne Airport -Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove -Hayman Great Barrier Reef• Residents of Leisure Farm Resort & Residences, Johor• Lifestyle brand owners• Professionals

Mulpha International Bhd. is a diversified conglomerate and a component stock of the Bursa Malaysia Composite Index.Listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad since 1983, it has shareholders’ funds of about RM2.4 billion. The Group’s focus is on real estate and property-related services and financial services, with operations and investments in Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Australia.

Over the years, Mulpha has leveraged on its expertise abroad to become Malaysia’s largest real estate investor and developer in Australia, owning world-class assets that include Sanctuary Cove and Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove in Queensland, InterContinental Sydney, Hilton Melbourne Airport, Norwest Business Park Sydney, The Hotel School Sydney, Bimbadgen Estate in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley and the world-renowned and award-winning Hayman Great Barrier Reef.

the magazine volume two 2008

life

styl

eTaking It AwayIt wasn’t too long ago that catering services were only summoned for wedding parties. Today, it forms the backbone of almost every event, be it a VIP dinner party or a major sports meet.01

02

“Wedeliverthehoteltotheirdoorstep,”

declaresRosyRoslan,theDirectorofEvents

atGrandMillenniumKualaLumpur.This

mantraisthenucleusofthehotel’sapproach

tocreatingextraordinarydiningexperiences

fortheirclients.Andit’snotjustlipservice.

Rosyproudlysharesthattheyhaveyettoturn

downanoff-sitecateringrequest,regardless

ofthecomplexityoftheplace,locationor

menu.Infact,themoreoutlandish,thebetter.

HersentimentsaresharedbyDougZeif,VP

ofFood&BeverageforLXRLuxuryResorts

&Hotels,whoisknowntohavesaidthat

theythriveonclientswhoarehardtoplease.

AtLXR,theexperienceisn’tlimitedtotaste

butinsteadencompassesallthefivesenses.

Theobjective–tocoaxguestsintoletting

goofpreconceivednotionsandremoving

boundaries.

Foodbuildsbridges.Butfoodservedon

acanvasofshowbiz,flamboyanceand

personalisation,buildsconnections.Despite

thisbeingoldnews,however,off-sitecatering

onlytookoffinthe80sandboy,diditsoar!

“Peoplearemorediscerningandtheirtaste

isgettingmoredemanding,”explainedRosy.

“Theyareconstantlyseekingthenewand,

whenoff-sitecateringfirstreareditshead,

theyfellinlovewithit.”

0302

sojournTakingItAway

Theother–moreobvious–reasonbehind

catering’simmensepopularityisalsothe

factthatitallowshostsandhostessesto

planastunningpartyminustheheadacheof

executingit.Lifehaspickedupitspaceand

inKualaLumpur,especially,peoplehavetheir

footconstantlyontheaccelerator.Nosurprise

thenthattheyenjoythehassle-freeoptionthat

cateringoffers.High-levelcorporateparties

havebecomemoreexclusive,exoticand

elaborate,andit’salwaysdoublethefunif

someoneelsedoesthework!

WithF&Bexecutiveslookingatthedynamics

impactingtherestaurantcommunityand

potentialspilloverintotheirfoodservice

business,it’shelpfultoevaluatesomeof

thetrendsinoff-premiseorderswithinthe

restaurantcommunity.American-based

company,Technomic,recentlycompleteda

studyoncateringcalledLOOP(LargeOrders

OffPremise),anduncoveredsomeinteresting

findings.

Accordingtothem,nearly60percentof

cateredeventsoccuroff-site,usuallydueto

thesizeofthegroup,aneedforachangeof

scenery,oranincentivetoofferattendees.

03 04 05

01 TeamHiltonMelbourneAirport02 Beautyonaplate03-05 Cateringtakesthestressoutof

entertaining

Whilefoodoptionsarenotthemaindriverfor

movingameetingoff-site,onceavenueis

selected,foodselectionandqualitybecome

criticaltothesatisfactionoftheevent.

Italsodiscoveredthatmedical/

pharmaceuticalrepresentativesaremorelikely

tobefrequentusersofoff-premisecatering.

Personnelwithinthemedicalfieldarealso

moreconsistentusersofoff-premisecatered

events,hostingtheseeventsmoreevenly

throughouttheyear.Otherbusinessgroups,

suchasnonprofits,computerservices,

financialservices,andaccounting,tendtobe

moreseasonalinnature.

However,asmostofushaveexperienced,

anythingthatisdoneoutsidethecomfortof

yourbackyardholdsahigherriskofbeinga

victimofMurphy’sLaw.Manyacateringteam

haswatchedinhorrifieddismayasdoublethe

numberofexpectedguestsstrollthroughthe

doors.Or,theybearwitnesstoacarelesssoul

bumpingintotheironlytrayofchampagne

flutes.Ortheyliftthelidofthedessertdish

afteraparticularlylongspeechtofindthat

theirbeautifulice-creamcakehasturnedto

soup.

Rosyacknowledgesthesechallengeswith

alaugh.“Nothingmuchyoucandoexcept

tobeprepared.Wealwaysscourthevenue

beforehandtodetermineifourtrucksareable

todriverightuporifwewillbetransporting

foodandequipmentonfoot.Thenwemake

surewehavetherightteaminplace,the

rightequipmentandpropercoordination.But

despitethebestplanning,wehavehadto

placetheoccasionalSOScallstothehotel

formorefoodorequipment!Luckilyforus,

wehavenotbeencaughtunawarebefore.As

longastheshowgoesonandtheclientsees

flawlessexecutionoftheevent,that’sallthat

matters.”

01

02

helpedwithplannersusingwirelesslighting

whichallowsforeaseinwhichtocreate

specialeffects,soreally,thereisnoavenueto

lagbehindthecompetition.

Aswitheverythingelse,theF&Bindustryis

alsoconstantlyreinventingitself.Butthereis

nodangerinoff-sitecateringbeingyesterday’s

headlinesanytimesoon.Peoplearebecoming

moreaffluentandaslongasplannersareable

todeliverthatexperienceofaffluencetotheir

doorstep,theywillnevergooutofstyle.

DushVelcek,HiltonMelbourneAirport’s

MarketingandCommunicationsManager,

agrees.“Off-sitecateringisalwaysachallenge

andusuallyinvolvespeopleandsuppliersin

differentways.Sometimesthestaff,including

myself,getropedintohelp,whichcanbefun!

OnoneparticularcateringoccasionforLiving

Legendswefoundthatthecateringagency

didnotsendateamtocarrythefoodand

drinkstothe300oddguests.Soourchefs

cookedthefood,thenproceededtoservethe

foodanddrinks!”

HiltonMelbourneAirportisnostrangerto

off-sitecatering,havingarrangedvarious

functionsforgroupsfrom20to300pax.

Amongtheirmorenotableeventsarethe

launchofJetstarAirlines’Bangkokrouteand

ThriftyRentACarcelebrations.

“Theotherthingwefindistheenthusiasm

amongstourteammembers.Theyreally

enjoydoingsomethingdifferentandwould

sojournTakingItAway

0504

talkabouttheeventfordays!”Dush

acknowledged.

Thequestionthatnowbegstobeanswered

is,howdoesonestayaheadofthecurve

insuchacompetitiveindustry?ForGrand

Millennium,theansweristomaintaintheir

reputationforexcellentfoodandservice.For

LXR,Zeifleveragesonproductuseandthe

elementofsurprise.AtarecentHarleyParty

organisedbyLXR,guestswereonlytoldto

bringtheirjeans.Whilstsippingcocktails

andnibblingonhorsd’oeuvres,24bikers

showedupandsaid,“Followus.”Indoingso,

theguestsfindthemselvesinacompletely

differentenvironmentfilledwithtattooartists,

rattlesnakes,bikerchicksandicecarvings.

Themenuwasaperfectfitwithhamburgers

andrattlesnakechilli.

Plannersarealsofindingthatwhatwasonce

consideredoldisnowpopularagain,such

aswithicesculptures.Technologyhasalso

01 HiltonMelbourneAirport’schefsonduty

02 Diningwithaview03 Sushionthemenu04 Foodimitatesart05 Outdoordiningoption

03 04 05

life

styl

e

On the WaterWhen real estate and water meet, the ensuing mix is a heady combination; much to the delight of home owners.

Livingbythewaterisbecomingone

ofthefastesttrendstogrowinproperty

development.FromAustraliatoAmerica,

MalaysiatotheMiddleEast,moreandmore

peopleareoptingforwatersideresidences.It

couldbeahigh-risecompletewithamarina,

oravillathatoffersastunningvistaofthesea.

Whateverabodestyleonechooses,thereis

noescapingthelureofwaterdwellings.

AccordingtoaUKpsychologist,Donna

Dawson,people’spositiveresponsetoliving

nearwaterishardlysurprising.“Wateris

consideredbypsychologiststobeasymbol

oftheunconscious,andrepresentativeofour

emotionallife.It’salsoassociatedwithpurity

andcreationsoit’snotsurprisingthatliving

nearwatercanmakeusfeelmorerelaxedand

atpeacewithourselves.”

Sheadds:“Bodiesofwatercreatemore

ozone,anditfeelshealthiertowalkand

breathenearclear,movingwater.Allour

sensesareengagedandinvigorated.Thus,we

areabletocopebetterwithstressinourjobs

becausewegotoworkinacalmerframeof

mind,andweareabletolosestressquicker

whenwereturntoourwatersidedwelling.”

Forthehomedeveloper,livingbywater

createsauniquechallenge.Manytimesthis

involveschangingthemonoculturelookofa

typicalhometoonethatcelebratesthewater

andtheoutdoors.Residencesspeakinan

architecturallanguagethatinvolvesthenatural

elementsandthesurroundings.Doubleheight

ceilingsprovideanaturalplayofspace,floor-

to-ceilingwindowsofferunobstructedviews

oftheoutdoors.Balconiestoadmireromantic

sunsetsandplungepoolsmaybeover-the-

top,buttheseencompassanewtranquilityof

anurbanlifestyle.

Waterfronthomes’appealgoesacrossthe

board.Nolongeraretheyjustsecondor

summerhomesfortheoldergeneration,but

manyyoung,urbaniteshavealsowarmed

uptotheconcept.Thepeacefulwater

environmentoffersarelaxingambience,

especiallyforthosethathavelivedahurried

andstressedoutlife.Livinginawaterside

propertyalsoencouragesthemtohavea

healthierlifestyle,wherethesurroundsoffer

plentyofoptionsforwalking,swimming

andotherwateractivitiesinanon-polluted

environment.

Whateverthereasonsmaybe,livingonwater

allowsonetowakeuptotheever-changing

paintingofwater,cloudandskyasbackdrop.

Now,isn’tthatfoodforthought?Here,

wecheckoutsomeofthebestwaterfront

propertiesfoundworldwide.

sojournOntheWater

0706

01

02 03 04

01TheLakesbyYoo02 InteriorofTheLakesbyYoo03Astunningviewfromthebedroom

atMarinaBaySuites04 TheinvitingverandahatBayou

WaterVillage

SanctuaryCove’swaterfrontallotmentsoffer

anewstandardinprivatewaterfrontliving,

withasecludedyetaccessiblelifestylethat

istheepitomeoftruewaterfrontliving.The

Tristaniaprecinctofferswaterfrontblocksfor

saleandexistinghomesonnearbySchotia

Islandhavebeendesignedtotakeadvantage

oftheirlocation,eitherontheedgeofoneof

SanctuaryCove’sfourtranquilharboursoron

thebanksoftheCoomeraRiver.

Residentshaveaccesstotwochampionship

golfcourseswithintheSanctuaryCove

precinct,TheMarineVillage,arange

ofboutiqueshopsandstate-of-the-art

restaurantswhichareworldclass,andthe313

berthmarinaitself.Homesrangefromopen

Sanctuary Cove, Australia

plan,modernandcontemporarydesignsto

mansionsofgrandproportions.Theyallhave

outdoorlivingspacesand,insomecases,it

isdifficulttotellwheretheindoorareasstop

andtheoutdoorlivingbegins.Suchisthe

easytransitionoftenmadepossibleviabi-fold

doorsthatdisappeartoallowbothareasto

beasone.Residentsalsoliveinaprestigious

gatedcommunity,ensuringpeaceofmind

whileenjoyingalltheprecinct’sworld-class

amenities.

www.sanctuarycove.com

Marina Bay Suites, Singapore

sojournOntheWater

0908

Inner-citylivingisredefinedatMarinaBaySuites.Anatural

baybecomesthefocalpointforresidents,whilethecalm

greenoasisofGardensbytheBaynearbyenvelopsthesuites.

MarinaBaySuitesisSingapore’shighlyambitiousprojectto

turnthecity-stateintoatropicalgardencity.Residentsaccess

theirunitthroughtheirownprivateliftlobby.Therearethree

penthousesthathavetheirownswimmingpool.Uponthe

6thlevel,semi-outdoorspaloungesanda50-metrelappool

presenttheperfectplacetorestandrelax.Ifthat’snotenough,

therearetwoseparatelevelsthatofferSkyCabanas,atranquil

respitesetamidlushlandscapingandwaterfeatureswhere

residentscanenjoyahostoffacilities,includingyogaand

massageterraces.

www.marinabaysuites.com

Thesedesign-your-ownhomesfrontsixclearwater

lakesinover650acres,ofwhicharoundhalfwill

remainasanaturereserve.Homedesignsare

stunningglass-and-timberstructuresbuiltonyour

selectionofplot,withspacemouldedtoyourliking

and,ahomestylechosenfromthedesigntalents

ofthelikesofPhillipeStarck,JadeJaggerandTom

Bartlett.

LocatedbetweenthebeautifulCotswoldvillages

ofFairfordandLechlade,about90minutesfrom

London,TheLakesalsoboastsofaconciergeand

housekeepingservice.Thehousesthemselvesare

styledtocombinethegreatoutdoorswiththebest

ofcontemporarydesign.Everydetailpursuestoblur

thelinesbetweenoutdoorsandwithin.Trees

areusedtocreateanaturalshelter,parking

spacesbehindeachpropertyhavefoliage

screening,viewsofnatureareuninterrupted

throughdecksmadeofsustainabletimber

thatwillmellowandsilverwithage.Anopen

plandesigncreateshomesthatfeellargeyet

homelywhileaseatingareaallowsyouto

admirethelakeview.

www.thelakesbyyoo.com

The Lakes By Yoo, United Kingdom

11

sojournOntheWater

10

Bayou Water Village, Leisure Farm Resort, Malaysia

BayouWaterVillagecombinesboth

thenostalgiaofthetraditionalwiththe

convenienceofmodernliving.This

eco-friendly,17-acreenclaveoftropical-

themedhousesechoesthearchitecture

ofMalayvillageorkampunghomes.

Calmwaterssurroundthisvillageoffive

exclusivebungalows,46semi-detached

houses,162courtyardterracehomes,

and213two-storeyresidentialunits.

Thekampungfeelisfurtheraccentuated

bythedesignandarchitecturalfinishes

–withhousesbuiltonstiltsoverthe

waterorfrontingthewaterwaysinsmall

organicclusters.Homesbuiltinearthytones

havefloortoceilingwindows,deepoverhangs,

largelanai,andbalconiestocapturethe

naturalbreezes.Balconiesarelargeanddeep,

perchingoverthewaterwaysandgarden

parksbelow,invitingthesurroundinggreen

intotheprivatesanctuariesofeachhome.

Twenty-fourhourgatedsecuritythatsurrounds

BayouWaterVillagehomesfurthermakesthis

theidealhomefortoday’smodernliving.

www.leisurefarm.com.my

life

styl

e

The Colour of BusinessWhat does it mean to work, play and live – all in the same space?

1312

sojournTheColourofBusiness

Therewasatimewhenbringinghomethebacon

wasasolemnaffair.Mendonnedsobergarb,marched

tounimaginativeofficesandgravelysetaboutdoing

whattheywerepaidtodo.Coffeeandcigarette

breakswerekepttoaminimum,andoncetheclock

struckfive,theyeithertrottedstraighthomeortothe

hazy,cornerpubforapintandagameofpool.Back

then,workwasn’tconsideredpartoflife’sequation,

andtofurtherillustratethis,officesanditsimmediate

surroundingswereconfinedtoablackandwhite

world,whiletherestoflifeexistedinTechnicolour.

Thentheinevitablehappened.Peoplegrewtiredof

theneatlittlecompartmentsthatkeptworkandplay

frommerginganddecidedthattherulesneededto

bebent.Organisationsbeganallowingdabsofcolour

tocreepintotheirinterior.Menbeganwearingvivid

shirtsbeneaththeirsternsuits,whilewomenwrapped

vibrantscarvesaroundtheirnecksandtotedstriking

handbags.Itwasthedawnofanewera.

Asthecorporatestiffupperliprelaxed,

organisationscautiouslyintroducedwhimsical

elementsintotheworkenvironment.A

vendingmachine,artpiecesandevenawater

feature.ThenGoogleunveileditsheadquarters

andtheworldnoddedinamazedapproval.

Thesecretwasout–peoplewantedtheir

worktobecomepartoftheirlifestyle.

Theyyearnedforaplacethatspurredtheir

intellect,aswellasappealedtotheircreativity.

Aplacewherethecorporateimageandcafé

lifestylecouldco-exist,andwhereobtainingan

appropriateoutfittoalastminutedinnerevent

wasamatterofrunningtothegroundfloor

insteadofacrosstown.Moreimportantly,they

wantedaplacethatindulgedtheiryearningfor

acontemporarylifestylethatheldthepromise

ofspace,freedomandexpressionoftheirtrue

nature.Andso,theconceptofabusiness

parkwasborn.

Initsinfancy,abusinessparkwasanarea

oflandinwhichmanyofficebuildingswere

groupedtogether.Alloftheworkthatwenton

wascommercial,notindustrialorresidential.

Backthen,mostbusinessparkswere

constructedinsuburbanlocations,whereit

wascheapertodeveloplandbecauseoflower

landandbuildingcostsforbuildingwider,not

necessarilyhigher.Theseplacesarealsooften

locatednearmotorwaysormainroads.

Withtherapiddevelopmentoftheservice

sectorandsignificantgrowthinscienceand

technologybusinesses,anumberofbusiness

parksandscienceandtechnology‘clusters’

havebeenestablishedaroundtheworld.They

offerarangeofaffordableandwellappointed

space,withexcellentamenitiesforretail,light

industrial,IT,professional,commercialand

technologybusinesses.

Theparksaredesignedtoprovidemodern,

energy-efficientpropertyinlandscaped

surroundingswithgoodfacilitiesforparking

andareasforrelaxationduringlunchbreaks

andafterworkinghours.Toenablethe

latestandfasteste-businesstransactions,

allaccommodationiswellservedbyhigh

bandwidthtelecommunicationsfacilities,

particularlythroughcablenetworkson-site.

Today,forward-lookingorganisationsaimto

createworkingenvironmentsthatwilltruly

enhancebusinessperformance.Boththe

locationandthepropertyarevaluabletools

thatenableorganisationstomotivatestaff,

standoutfromthecrowdedmarketplace,

increaseefficiency,streamlineoperations,and

reactquicklytochangingmarketconditions.

Oneoftheseorganisationsisproperty

developerMulphaLand.EnterCirca,the

finaleintheworldclassNorwestBusiness

Parkstory.DeliveredinjointventurebyFKP

PropertyGroupandMulphaAustralia,itis

heraldedasthefutureofurbanbusiness

–avibrantprecinctinSydney,Australia,

wherebusinessandlifestyleconverge,

encompassing350,000sqmofthriving

commercial,retail,leisureandcommunity

quarters.Settoopeninmid2009,Circa

willcombinetheelementsofcosmopolitan,

lifestyleandbusinessculturestomakeita

destinationwithinitself.

Thefocalpointofthedevelopmentisa

centralpiazza,ameetingplaceforCirca’s

workforceandthesurroundingcommunityto

eat,meetandrelax.Therewillbeagrowers

marketofferingfreshfruitandvegetables,

open-aircinema,livemusicandsummertime

jazz.Agymnasiumandawiderangeof

cafesandrestaurantswillalsobeamong

Circa’sofferings,aswillbeaseriesofflexible,

forward-thinkingcommercialofficespaces

calledCircaWorks.

Thelive-workphilosophyatCircaalso

presentsastrategicopportunityfor

retailers.CircaRetail,thevibrantheartofthis

development,willbustlewithprofessionals

runningerrandsortakingtimeouttoshop

throughouttheworkingday.

01

1514

sojournTheColourofBusiness

01 Circa’sPiazzawillbethefocalpointforall02 EnjoytheoutdoorsatCirca’sUrbanPark03 Workandplayallinoneplace

03

02

17

AlocalAustralianpublicationhasalreadylaudedCirca

asacleverlydesignedparkthatoffersitsresidents

outstandingopportunitiestoworkandplaywithout

havingtoleavetheestate.Circaisexpectedtofurther

increasetheattractivenessofwhatisalreadyproving

tobethebestplaceinSydneytolive,workandplay.

InIndia,aformersmallfarmingvillagelocatedsouth

ofDelhihassincebeentransformedintooneof

themostimportantsatellitebusinesshubsofNorth

India.DLFCityinGurgaonisnowarealestate

phenomenonwithmanyDelhitespreferringthegreener

andnewlyplannedGurgaonoverthecongested

andheavilypollutedmetropolis.Tocapitaliseonthe

foreigninvestmentandnewbusinessopportunities,

numeroustallstructureswerebuiltaroundthecityto

accommodatetherapidgrowth.

TheheadquartersofGurgaon’slargestcompanies

andbanksarelocatedinthisarea,andthousands

ofprofessionalshaverecentlymadetheirhomein

apartmentsorinnewlyconstructedcoloniesand

condominiums.Themushroomingshoppingmallsalso

reflecttheretailers’recognitionoftheresidents’high

aspirationsanddeeppockets.

By2010,theIndianstategovernmenthopesto

completeaworldclassGoldenTriangleCityCentrewith

asmanyasfourskyscrapershigherthanTaipei101.

Closertohome,meanwhile,isSingapore’sChangi

BusinessPark(CBP).Representativeofthenewwork

environment,itislaidoutasanattractivelylandscaped

park,boastingamixofhightechnologybusiness,data

andsoftwareenterprises,researchanddevelopment

divisionsandknowledgeintensivefacilities.

Elsewhere,Britian’slargestbusinessparkisawaiting

itsdebut.TheLondonGatewayPortandParkwill

bebuiltontheformerShellHavenoilrefinerysite,a

607-hectaresitealongtheRiverThames,inThurrock,

Essex.

Thebusinessparkwillsitnexttoa2,300-metre

containerquay,bothpavingthewayfor16,500new

jobsonceitopensitsdoorsattheendofthisyear.

Theintensethirstfortheperfectwork-lifebalance

isunlikelytoabateanytimeinthenearfuture.This

essentiallymeansthatbusinessparkswillonlyget

moresophisticated.AsMulphaLandputsit,the

businessparksofthefuturewillinviteyoutodiscover

howyoucanturntheordinaryworkingdayinto

somethingextraordinary.

1716

sojournTheColourofBusiness

01 AnoverviewofCircaBusinessPark02 CircaRetailwillbringlotsofconvenience

toresidents

01 02

Themarinewaterbeckonswithagreen-blue-

milky-whiteopalescencepeculiartoreefshallows.

Thereisadifferentworldbeneaththewater’s

surface;it’samesmerisingreefscapeoflivingrock

andvibrantswimminglife.ThisisAustralia’sGreat

BarrierReef.

TheGreatBarrierReefisnothing,ifnotanamazing

featofnature.ListedasaUNESCOWorldHeritage

Site,itismadeupofroughly3,000individualcoral

reefsand900islands,stretchingover2,600km

offthenortheastcoastofQueensland,Australia.It

covers350,000sqkm,anareabiggerthanPoland.

Itisthelargestreefstructureandmarineparkinthe

world.Suchisitssizethatonecanevenseeitfrom

outerspace!Astronautsonthemoonhavedescribed

itasa“thinwhitelineofftheeastcoastofAustralia”.

Itisn’tanywonderthattheGreatBarrierReefisalso

oneoftheSevenWondersoftheWorld.

Formedsome18millionyearsago,theGreatBarrier

Reefhasenduredvariousgeologicalevents.These,

suchastheIceAgeandlowseawaterlevels,have

intermittentlyinterruptedreefgrowth.Thereefswe

seetodayhavegrownontopofolderreefplatforms

duringthelast8,000years.

ThecoralreefsthatmakeuptheGreatBarrier

Reefarevariousandvaried;dependingonwhere

life

styl

e

Desperately Seeking Paradise The Great Barrier Reef teems with life and underwater wonders; it’s up to us to play our role in preserving this marine marvel for generations to come.

itgrows,areefcanbeeitheraribbonreef

thatsitsonthecontinentalshelfedge,a

platformreefthatresidesontheshelf,ora

fringingreefwhichlivesalongthecontinental

islandsandmainland.Coralreefsformwhen

coloniesoftropicalmarineplantsandanimals

withlimestoneskeletonsriseatopearlier

generations.

DivingandswimmingintheGreatBarrierReef

isliketravellingtoanotherplanet;itsbeauty

isbeyonddescription.Thereefisriddledwith

cavernsandcrevicesandeachcoralfrond,

curlicueandfanissilhouettedintheocean’s

crystallinedepths.Cleanerfishnibblethe

parasitesfromthegillsandmouthsofmuch

largerfishes.Anemonefishhidewithinthe

wavingfrondsofitshost,enticingothersmall

fishesintotheanemone’strap.Sixofthe

world’ssevenspeciesofseaturtlesroamthe

underwaterplaygroundsoftheGreatBarrier

Reef.Withinthismarinewildernesstiger

sharks,grayreefsharks,bronzewhalersand

silvertipshuntinsmallpacks,comingrightup

todiversforacloserlook.

Itisanecosystemandauniverseofitsown,

servingashometomorespeciesofanimals

andplantsinacubicmetreofitspristine

watersthaninanyotherenvironmentinthe

world–includingtropicalrainforests.Infact,

somereefsintheGreatBarrierReefhave

moredifferentfishtypesthanintheentire

CaribbeanOcean!Hostingthehighestmarine

lifediversityintheworld,theGreatBarrier

Reefhouses450typesofcoral,1,500kindsof

fishand4,000typesofmolluscs.

TheGreatBarrierReefMarineParkAuthority

andQueenslandParksandWildlifeService

serveasprotectorsandmanagersoftheGreat

BarrierReef.Withthebillionsofinternational

divers,visitorsandresearchersdrawnto

thesurrealunderwaterbeautyoftheGreat

BarrierReef,theauthoritiesaretaskedwith

preventingmisuseofthereefaswellasto

monitortheimpactbythetourismindustry.

OtherchallengesfacingtheGreatBarrierReef

areclimatechange,shipping,overfishing,

waterqualityandcoastaldevelopment.

01 TheGreatBarrierReefseenfromabove02 ScubadivingattheGreatBarrierReef

canbedoneresponsibly03 Amagicalunderwaterworldawaitsyou

sojournDesperatelySeekingParadise

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TogetherwiththeGreatBarrierReefMarine

ParkAuthorityandtheQueenslandParks

andWildlifeService,variousotherbodies

areinvolvedincaringfortheGreatBarrier

Reef.Independentandvolunteergroupslend

theirresourcestochampionthewelfareof

theGreatBarrierReefanditsunderwater

denizens.Thevolunteergroup,theOrderof

UnderwaterCoralHeroes(O.U.C.H.),usetheir

divingexpertisetomaintainbuoys,cleanjunk

offthereef,helpwithresearchprojects,and

educatethepublic.

TheGreatBarrierReefFoundationis

Australia’spre-eminentindependentfundraiser

forcoralreefresearch.Itprovidesachannel

forprivateinvestmenttodevelopandfund

strategicprojectsthataddressthemajor

threatstotheGreatBarrierReef.

Researchshowsthattourismdoesn’texert

muchpressureontheGreatBarrierReef

becauseitisthinlyspreadinavastareaand,

touroperatorshaveavestedinterestinthe

healthofthereef,thusactingaswatchdogs.

Fishingiscarefullymanagedbythetwo

authorities.Itishumanactivitiesonlandthat

affecttheGreatBarrierReefthemost.

Landusersandgovernmentauthorities

arenowworkingtogethertoimprovethe

qualityofsedimentsandnutrients,fertilisers,

sewage,rubbishandoilthatrunintorivers

andoutintotheGreatBarrierReef.Increasing

temperaturesduetodeforestationandfossil

fuelburningalsoaffectsseatemperatures.A

riseofjust1or2degreesCelsiuscouldcause

coralbleachinganddeathonawidespread

scale.

01

02

03

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OnesuchprojectistheZooXFundwhich

assistsmarinescientiststofindwaysof

preservingAustralia’sgreatestnaturalwonder.

Thefundtakesitsnamefromzooxanthellae

–delicategoldenbrownorganismsthatlive

insidecoral,givingitbothlifeandcolour.

Whenthereefwatersbecometoowarm,

zooxanthellaeareexpelledordigestedbythe

coral,leavingawhitebleachedskeleton.The

coralwilldieunlessthezooxanthellaereturn

underoptimalconditions.

OneoftheinauguralpatronsoftheZooXFund

isMulphaAustraliaLimited,whichownsthe

acclaimedprivateislandresort,Hayman.This

famousdestinationisthenorthernmostof

the74islandsthatmakeuptheWhitsundays

whosecoastlinetheGreatBarrierReef

protectsfromhugeoceanswells.

Itseffortsinconservationandinpreserving

theGreatBarrierReefisaptasHaymanitself

isdesignatedawildlifesanctuaryteeming

withfloraasdiverseasPoplarGum,Port

JacksonFig,MoretonBayAsh,Mackay

Cedar,WhitsundayKurrajong,GrassTrees

andvariousWattles.Haymanisalsohometo

beautifultropicalfishand,swansandducks

thatresideintheresort’slagoons.Avastarray

ofbirdsandbutterfliescallthislushhaven

homeandtheendangeredProserpineRock

Wallabynowthrivesontheislandafterbeing

settledherein1999.Thefringingcoralreef

andsurroundingwatersofHaymanboast

anarrayofmarinelifeincludingtheEmperor

AngelfishandCoralCodaswellasschoolsof

Maoriwrasse,tuna,gropers,marlinandsea

turtles,andmigratingwhalesduringthewinter

months.

DiscoveringtheGreatBarrierReefisakinto

stumblinguponanunderwaterfantasia.The

flourishingfloraandfaunaofitssurrounding

islandsprovidesalusciousbackdroptoan

alreadymagnificentmarineworld.Ittook

millionsofyearstomaketheGreatBarrier

Reefwhatitistodayandtoensureitssurvival,

weeachshouldplayapartinmakingsure

thisoceanicmarvelhasmillionsmoreyearsto

thriveandflourish.

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04 05

01 Discovercolourfulcoralsandfishes02 TravelinstyletoseetheGreatBarrier

Reef03 Boatswaitingtobringvisitorstothe

vastseabeyond04 Facetofacewithadeepseagiant05 Akaleidoscopeofcoloursunderwater

sojournDesperatelySeekingParadise

Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland.

2008appearstobeabumperyearfor

MulphaInternationalBhd.Itslandmarkluxury

LeisureFarmResortResidencesbaggednot

onebuttworeveredpropertyawards:the

CNBCAsiaPacificPropertyAward2008and

theFIABCIPrixd’Excellence2008Award.

AstestimonytoLeisureFarm’soutstanding

architectureandexcellentquality,ittook

hometheCNBCAsiaPacificPropertyAward

forBestDevelopment–“Mind,Bodyand

Soul”.Entriesweregovernedbyapanelof

professionalsthatreadlikeaWho’sWholistof

thepropertyindustryand,Mulpha’scoveted

winplacesitalevelabovehundredsofentries

inthecategory,cappingtheirpositionasthe

leadingpropertyplayerintheregion.

Commentingonthewin,LeeSengHuang,

ExecutiveChairmanofMulphaInternational

Bhd.says,“Thisisanimportantaccolade

andcertainlyamajorcoupforus.Itisalways

gratifyingtobeacknowledgedbyourpeers

andclients.Toberecognisedbyjudgeswho

arerespectedveteransintheindustryadds

anotherfeathertoourcap.”

Thepropertygiantcancertainlyaddmore

thanonefeathertoitscapastheirPinggiran

BayouVillageHomesinLeisureFarmalso

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Luxury Scales New HeightsMalaysia’s largest real estate investor scores with two prestigious property awards with exclusive Leisure Farm Resort Residences combination; much to the delight of home owners.

recentlyclinchedtheprestigiousFIABCI

Prixd’Excellence2008AwardintheBest

Residentialcategory.Thisplacesthe

developmentonthesamepedestalaspast

categorywinnerssuchasNewYork’sTrump

WorldTower(2003),Australia’sTwinWaters

SunshineCoast(2004)andSingapore’s

CaribbeanBayatKeppel(2006).

“Winningtheawardjustifiesourgoalsand

effortsasoneofthefirstdevelopersinthe

regiontolookatthegreenarchitecture

concept.Thisconceptissomethingwe

willdefinitelyapplyinallourfutureproduct

developments.Theawardisalsoatestament

toourcommitmentasaresponsibledeveloper,”

saysMulphaInternational’sPropertyDivision

GeneralManager,RonnYong.

PinggiranBayouisthefirstinMalaysiato

adoptgreenarchitecture,andtheprojecthas

stayedtruetotheconceptofsustainability

andthegreenfactor.Mulphaaimstosetnew

benchmarksasmorecountriesstrivetobe

eco-friendlycities,andascustomersbecome

moreeco-conscious.

Mulpha’sPinggiranBayuVillageHomesbeat

CityDevelopment’sThePieratRobertson

(Singapore),CapitaLandResidential

01

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Singapore’sTheBotaniconLloyd(Singapore),

BenetonProperties’StonorPark(Malaysia),

andAxisArchitectsPlanners’TheBerthBythe

Cove(Singapore),whichsettledforrunners-up

inthesamecategory.

LeisureFarmwascreatedwithavisionin

mind–tohelpresidentsachieveharmony

betweenthemind,bodyandsoul.Assuchthe

masterplanwasdesignedwithsensitivityand

thoroughnesstopreservethearea’snatural

greenlandscapeasmuchaspossible.

BuiltatacostofoverRM2billion,Leisure

FarmResortinGelangPatah,Johor,isa

freeholdluxuryresidentialenclaveboastinga

sizeof1,765acres.Thegatedsanctuaryis

popularamongoverseasclients,especially

Singaporeans,as42percentofbuyerscome

fromtherepublic.

01 RonnYong,GeneralManager,PropertyDivisionofMulphaInternational,receivingtheawardfromCNBCPropertyAwardsChairman,Mr.StuartShield

02 BayouWaterVillageredefinestoday’smodernliving

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sojournLuxuryScalesNewHeights

01

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Luxe Living At The RaintreeIf you’re looking for a prime address to your city living, look no further than the strategically located Raintree Residence

Inrecentyears,peoplehavebeendrawnto

thecitylikemothstoaflame,choosingtolive

andworkwithintheKualaLumpur’scitylimits.

Andwhynot?Thelureofamodernlifestyle

–hipcafes,happeningbarsandashopping

meccarepletewithbrandediconsaswellas

eclecticbazaarsallbutastone’sthrowaway

–makecitylivingattractive.Plus,withchoice

picksofluxurycondominiumsthatgiveaccess

toalloflife’sbasicneeds(nottomention

littleluxuries)notonlymakecitylivingeasy,

butprovideresidentswithacovetedaddress

worthwhileoftoday’sglobalcitizen.

TheRaintreeResidenceepitomisesthetrend

ofcitylivingtoday.Ifexclusivityiswhatyou

areafter,thisdevelopmentisjustthethingfor

you.FrontingJalanWickhamandlocatedjust

acrossfromtheRaintreeClub,theRaintree

Residenceconsistsof12exclusivefreehold

units.Thislow-rise,5-storeydevelopment,

builtwithintheestablishedenvironsofKuala

Lumpurwithgreenfoliageandwell-built

roadnetworks,houseseight4-bedroom

apartmentsandfour5-bedroom,duplex

penthouses.

RaintreeResidenceisalsolocatedwithinthe

exclusiveAmpangHilirresidentialandU-Thant

diplomaticenclave.Nearbyamenitiesinclude

AmpangPark,GreatEasternMallandPlaza

sojournLuxeLivingAtTheRaintree

AmpangwhileKualaLumpurCityCentreis

just3kmaway.GleneaglesMedicalCentre

alsoservesthearea.Residentsarehoused

nearseveralforeignhighcommissionsand

rubshoulderswiththeirneighboursofother

exclusive,well-knowncondominiumssuchas

WickhamManor,VillaBlanca,ShahzanCourt,

andLeeGarden.OtherthantheRaintree

Club,TheRoyalSelangorPoloClubandRoyal

SelangorGolfClubareashortdistanceaway

providingtheperfecetalternativestorest,relax

andunwindaswellastocatertothesports

enthusiast.

Ownerprivacyisensuredwithnotone,but

twoliftsservicetoeachunitandtheyopen

ontoaprivatevestibule.Truetothetrend

ofmoderndaydevelopments,theRaintree

Residenceisgatedandguarded,witha

securityguardhouseandasingleentryaccess

point.Soothinglandscapedgardensenclose

thedevelopment,addingtothecalming

ambienceofthesurroundinggreenerylining

themanyroadsleadingtotheRaintree

Residence.Parkingposesnoproblemsas

standardunitsareallottedtwoparkingbays

eachandthepenthousecomeswithfour

allottedparkingbays.

24

01 RaintreeResidenceofferaprimecityaddress

02 Thenaturaloutdoorseasilyblendswiththeindoors

03 Naturallandscapeenvelopstheresidence

02

03

Luxefittingsandfully-fittedinteriorsinclude

homogenousmarbleliketilesandtimberwood

flooring.Sizeablewardrobesandevenwalk-in

closetswillsatisfyanyclotheshorsewitha

penchantforthelatestfashions.Tastefully

built-inkitchencabinetscompletewithkitchen

hood,gashob,ovenandadishwasherset

aresuretopleasetheinnergourmand.Allthe

trappingsofthehomesuchasinteriorlight

fittings,ceilingfans,air-conditionersandeven

anAstrocableareincludedineachunit.

Thespaciouslivingareablendsseamlessly

intothediningarea.Cookingupafeastis

apleasureinthewide,roomykitchen.The

bedroomsarefittedwithwoodenflooringand

areahavenafterahardday’swork.

TheRaintreeResidenceisn’tlocatedacross

fromtheRaintreeClubwithoutareason;each

condominiumcomeswithaRaintreeClub

membershipshouldownersneedtofindan

alternativetothecommonswimmingpool

withinthecondominiumcomplex.

Sweatyourcaresawaywithfriendsinthetwo

saunasorworkupasweatinthecommon

gymnasium.Thencooloffwitharefreshing

shower.Notuptoaswimbutwouldlikea

tan?Headtothesundeckandcatchsome

R&Runderthecitysun.Invitesomefriends

overandhavearousingbarbequeatthe

barbequedeck.Visitorstothecondominium

complexcanrelaxwhiletheywaitinthe

comfortablepublicloungesandwaitingareas.

Thestandardunitsspreadacross2,176sqft

andcarryapricetagofapproximatelyRM2.2

millionwhilethepenthouseunitsarea

sprawling3,863sqftandcostapproximately

RM4.6million.

TheRaintreeResidenceisdeveloped

bypublic-listedMulphaLandBerhad,

thepropertyarmoftheMulphaGroup

ofCompanies.Thegroup’sfocusison

realestatedevelopmentcuminvestment,

investmentholding,hotelscumresort

operationsandtrading,withoperationsand

01

02

27

investmentsspreadoutacrossMalaysia,

Vietnam,Singapore,thePeople’sRepublicof

China,AustraliaandHongKong.

Acommittedandresponsibledeveloper,one

ofMulpha’sflagshipdevelopments,Leisure

FarmResort,haswonnumerousproperty

awards,includingtwoFIABCIMalaysian

ChapterawardsandaCNBCAsiaProperty

Award.Mulphahasalsoleveragedits

expertisetobecomeMalaysia’slargestreal

estateinvestoranddeveloperinAustralia,

owningworld-classassetsthatinclude

SanctuaryCoveinQueensland,Norwest

BusinessParkandTheIntercontinentalHotel

inSydney,andtheworld-renownedand

award-winningHaymanIslandontheGreat

BarrierReef.

sojournLuxeLivingAtTheRaintree

26

01 Elegantfittingsandnaturalfinishstyletheinteriors02 Createyourownidealcornerforrelaxation03 Aninvitingandairydiningarea04 Aplayoflinesandspace05 Floortoceilingwindowsallowfornaturallighttocomein

03

04

05

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Bale Equestrian and Country ClubWeekends are best enjoyed with friends and family. Chilling out over drinks, or taking time to commune with nature. Your weekend does not really start until you head to Bale Equestrian and Country Club.

29

WeekendsattheFarmAdeliciousandwidespreadofbuffetbreakfastawaitsyouto

startyourday.Andcateringtolaterisers,ourbreakfastbegins

from9.00amto11.00am,everySaturdayandSunday.

HappyHoursUnwindandrelaxoverdrinkswithfriendsatspecialpricesevery

SaturdayandSunday,from5.00pmto8.00pm.Enjoythecool

breezeofthecountryclub’sspaciouslobbyasyouenjoyyour

drinkswithavarietyoffingerfood.

RidingSchoolWhetheryou’reafirsttimeroraseasonedrider,ourRiding

Schoolofferseveryopportunityforaleisurestrollorgreat

workoutonhorseback.Privateorgrouplessonsareavailableon

ponyortrailrides.LessonsstartfromaslowasRM65/perrider.

Contact:

BaleEquestrianandCountryClub

Tel:07 556 3360

high lifeBaleEquestrianandCountryClub

2928

Intheworldofspa,theadage“Beenthere,

donethat”seemstoholdtrueformostofus.

Butdoesit?Alookatrecentintroductions

madetospatreatmentsrevealthatwhenit

comestomaintainingyouth,awomanwillgo

toallextremesforthatelusiveelixir.

Whetherit’sadipinwinebathormilking

beauty’ssecretsfromabird’snestfacial,

today’sspatreatmentsseemtolurespagoers

withthewackyandzany.Butlookcloselyand

youwillseethattoday’snoveltreatmentsare

reallyyesterday’sbeautykitchenhelpers.

Considertheaforementionedbird’snest

facialfoundattheSpaVillageofTheMajestic

Malacca(www.spavillage.com)inMalaysia.

Malacca,therecentlydeclaredUNESCO

WorldHeritageSiteonPeninsularMalaysia,is

arichmélangeofDutch,Portuguese,Chinese,

IndianandMalayinfluences.Allthesecultures

mergetocreateafascinatingandunique

destination,unlikeanywhereelseontheglobe.

TheSpaVillageoffersavarietyoftherapies

thatdrawfromboththeMalayandChinese

heritage,particularlytheuniquePeranakan

(StraitsChinese)culture.

Thebird’snestfacialwithstarfruitmask

wasatreatmentoncereservedonlyforthe

Chineseimperialpalaces!Inthisfacialmask,

bird’snestwithitsanti-ageingproperties

iscombinedwiththevitamin-enrichedstar

fruittohydrateandcleanseeventhemost

sensitivecomplexions.Consideredthe‘Caviar

oftheEast’,bird’snestisthedriedsalivaof

aspeciesofswiftsfoundonlyinthecoastal

cavesofSouth-eastAsia.Thenutrientsfrom

theingredientsareeasilyabsorbedintothe

skin,leavingitsuppleandglowing.

“Spaculturehasmovedfrombasic

treatments,suchasuncomplicatedfacialsand

massages,toagrowthindustrywhere,looking

totraditionalhealingculturesthatadhereitself

totoday’smodernwomen,”explainsChik

LaiPingofSpaVillage.“Theingredientsmay

soundexoticornew,butifyouexaminethem

closely,you’llseethatthesearethekindsof

beautyremediesorhealingtreatmentsthat

generationsbeforeushaveused.We’rejust

onlynowre-discoveringthem.”

Takeforexamplethehealingpowerof

gold.Longknownforitsabilitytotreat

conditionsrangingfromrheumatoidarthritisto

Alzheimer’s,goldisalsoprizedforitsbeneficial

propertiesinimprovingtheconditionofthe

skin.Cleopatra,QueenoftheNile,sleptina

goldmasknightlytoactivatethepowerofgold

forayouthfulandfreshappearancefitfora

queen.TheQueenoftheChingDynastyhad

goldrolledonherfaceeveryday.

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Tres UniqueWild and wacky? Or novel and unique? From baths in hay to facials with bird poo (we kid you not!), beauty knows no boundaries when it comes to looking good.

01

Traditionalsecretsofgeishabeautyhavealso

beenunlockedatShizukaNewYorkDay

Spa(www.shizukany.com).Geishas,known

fortheiriconicporcelaincomplexionofclear,

unblemishedskin,usedtosmoothpowdered

nightingaledroppings(uguisu no fun)ontheir

faces.Thisingredientnotonlyremovedtheir

heavymakeupbutalsohelpedbrighten,heal

andre-texturisetheskinduetoitsnatural

enzymesandguanine.

Adaptingtheuniqueingredientto21st-century

beautyandhealthstandards,therapistsat

ShizukaNewYorkfirstsanitisethedroppings

viaultravioletlightbeforefinelymillingitto

powder.Thisisthenmixedwithdelicate

Japanesericebrantoenhanceitsinherent

exfoliatingandlighteningproperties.The

facialtreatmentiscompletedwitharefreshing

antioxidantGreenTeaCollagenMask.

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after hoursTresUnique

01 Cleopatra,QueenoftheNile,usedtosleepinagoldmask

02-04 Spasinviterelaxationandpampering05 SpaVillage’sbird’snestandstarfruit

mask

02 03 04

05

v

Mita(www.fourseasons.com/puntamita)takes

fulladvantageoftheresort’sculturaltraditions

andstunninglocation.Amongthenew

offeringsincludetheHakalisignaturemassage

namedfortheHuicholIndianwordforcactus.

ThemassageusestwoofMexico’smost

ancientingredients,NopalandPulque,torelax

andrejuvenatethebodywhileimprovingthe

skin’sappearance.Nopal,thepricklypear

cactus,ishighinvitaminCandisrecognised

forbothitsdetoxifyingandhydrating

properties.ThePulque,analcoholmade

fromtheagaveplantandapredecessorto

moderndaytequila,hasantisepticqualities

usefulincleansing,detoxifyingandsoothing

skinirritations.Thetreatmentisamassage

andbodywrapinoneandconsistsofan

applicationofahydratinganddetoxifying

Nopal-Pulquemeringuethroughaspecial

combinationofThai,LymphaticDrainage,

Myo-facialandReflexologymassage

techniques.

ElsewhereattheSpaatCharlestonPlacein

SouthCarolina,US(www.charlestonplace.

com),puregoldfacialsarebeingoffered

topamperthroughitsLuxe24KaratGold

Facial.Thislavishtreatmentcombines

Japanesetechnologywiththerich,natural

healingpropertiesofgoldtodeliverglowing,

radiantskin.Thetreatmentusesthepurest

goldavailablewiththelatestskincare

advancementsofGammaPGA,Negative

Ions&UltrasonicNanoMisttechnologyto

harnessanddeliverthepowerofgold.Skin

issaidtofeelfirmer,lighterandbrighterand,

theappearanceoffinelinesandwrinkles

diminished.Thegoldremainsintheskinfor

upto28daysaftertreatment,thusfightingoff

damagingfreeradicalstopreventpremature

ageing.

“Gonearethedayswherecoldcreamsanda

massageisgoodenoughforthespa-goer,”

saysanindustryinsider.“Anythingnaturalor

organichastheabilitytotransformanordinary

treatmentintoaluxurioustreat.Thebestpart

isthebenefitsareallthere.”

Equallyhealinghelpcanbefoundatthe

CaudalieVinotherapie®Spa(www.sources-

caudalie.com)setamidthelushvinesofthe

ChateauSmithHautLafittenearBordeaux,

France.Almostallitstreatmentsprominently

featuregrapeextractsandvineproducts

knownfortheircurativeandholisticproperties.

Researchhasconfirmedthatgrapeextracts

containhighconcentrationofpolyphenolssaid

tobe10,000moreeffectivethanvitaminEin

fightingfreeradicals.Atthespa,programmes

usinggrape-basedtreatmentslurewith

thepromiseofminimisingsignsofageing,

strengtheningbloodvesselsandenhancing

microcirculation.

GuestssoakintheGrapeMarcBathfilled

withfinely-crushedgrapeextractsfromthe

seed,skin,stalk,andpulpthatprovideamild

exfoliatingeffect.There’salsotheindulgent

HoneyandWineWrap,whiletheCrushed

CabernetScrub,whichusesanalmost

ediblemixofsalt,honey,grapeseeds,oil

andgrapevineflowers,promisestoleaveskin

feelingsupersmooth.

Evenspasat5-starresortsandhotelshaven’t

shiedawayfromincludingexclusiveyet

uniquetreatmentsintheirestablishments.The

ApuaneSpaatFourSeasonsResortPunta

01 02 03

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01-03 Grapeextractsandvineproductsareknownfortheircurativeandholisticproperties

04 Ahaybath,anyone?

Similarly,attheVigiliusMountain(www.vigilius.

it)resortintheSouthofTyrollookstothe

Tyroleanmountainsandthelushoutdoorsfor

itshealingtherapies.Guestsatthespacan

lookforwardtoadrysoakinitssignaturehay

bath.Lestyoucan’tkeepastraightfacewhile

beingenvelopedindriedgrass,considerthis:

hereinthemountainsthatdivideItalyfrom

Austria,hayisseriousbusiness.

Hay’sbenefitswerefirstdiscoveredintheearly

19thcenturywhenshepherdswhosleptin

haystackswerefoundtoberemarkablyfree

fromrheumaticachesandpains.Today,Italian

doctorscanprescribehayasatraditionalcure

forailmentsasdiverseasarthritis,celluliteand

obesity.Itsprepationisgovernedbyscience,

bothrigorousandmethodical.Onlygrass

harvestedoncertaindaysofthemonthata

certainaltitudeinacertainpartoftheTyrol

makesthegrade.Ahaybathisvaluedforits

restorativepowersanditscirculation-boosting

properties.

Bizarreorblissful,theseover-thetopspa

treatmentswillsuretobeanexperience.

Here’satiptoconsider:manytreatments

areinspiredbylocalhealingcultureswith

indigenousingredients.Ifyoufindthem

tooexotic,skipthenoveltyandstickwith

simplicity.Aspa,afterall,isallaboutbalance,

tranquilityandharmony.

Itwas3am.Armedwithaflashlightandanotepad,Emma

Armstrongsoonfoundherselflyingflatonherbelly,looking

downintoasandycrevice,ormoreimportantly,upthetailend

ofafemalegreenturtle,aseggaftersoft,leatheryeggcame

droppingdownintotheeggchamber.

Shewouldlayquiet,thrustingherflashlightawayfromthe

turtlesoasnottodisturbherwhileshenests.Itwouldtake

anhourandhalffortheturtletolayhereggsandinbetween

thattimeArmstrongwouldhelpanotherlocalvolunteertake

measurementsoftheturtleandmakeotherobservations

andnotedthemdowninhernotepad.Soonthefemaleturtle

begantofillbackhernestinghole,flickingsandvigorously

backwardswithherpowerfulflippersinanefforttoconcealher

nest.

Assoonastheturtlemadeherwaybacktosea,Armstrong

onceagainsprungintoaction.Thistime,shedugbackthe

nesttocountandcollecttheeggs,notingthenumberson

hernotepad.Theeggswerereassembledtobetransferredto

thenearbyturtlehatchery,keepingthemsafefromthemany

predatorsthatwouldotherwisefeedupontheeggs.

ThishasbeenArmstrong’snightlypursuitsinceshe

cametoMa’Daerah,asmallcoastalvillageinthe

stateofTerengganuontheeastcoastofPeninsular

Malaysia.ButArmstrongisneitheraturtleexpert

noraconservationist.SheisonvacationinMalaysia

butoptedtospendaweekvolunteeringattheMa’

DaerahTurtleSanctuaryCentre.Shesays,“Iwas

researchingonplacestogoandthingstodowhile

onmyonemonthjourneyinMalaysiaandstumbled

acrossthisturtleprogrammeonWWF-Malaysia’s

website.Ijumpedonthechancetodomybitforthe

environmentandhelpthelocalcommunityintheir

conservationefforts.”

Justyesterday,Armstronghelpedstaffvolunteers

releaseturtlehatchlingsintotheocean.Andwhen

she’snotpatrollingthebeachatnightlookingforturtle

nestings,shedrivesoutofthesanctuarytosunand

taninTerengganu’sothersandybeaches,meeting

thelocalsandlearningtheculture.“It’sbeenabrilliant

vacationsofar!”sheenthused.

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Journeys with a HeartVacationing and volunteering? ‘Voluntourism’ lets you to do more than just look.

WWF-Malaysia WWF-Malaysia/RahayuZulkifli WWF-Malaysia/RahayuZulkifli

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Armstrongjoinsmanyothervacationerstodayinatrend

knownas‘voluntourism’,whereonecombinesvolunteer

workwiththeirholidays.‘Voluntourists’saysuch

getawaysprovidethemwithamoremeaningfulaspect

totheirholidays,apartfromnewexperiencesthatwill

staywiththemforalifetime.

Thesephilanthropictravelsorvacationingwitha

purposecanrangeintime,fromthevoluntourist’sentire

vacationorjustadayortwofromit.Theactivitiestoo

arevariedinnature.Theycanbeassimpleascollecting

fielddata,likeArmstrong,onaspecificconservation

project,toteachingEnglishinanorphanageinwar-torn

countries.

ThreeyearsagoZukiNguyenvisitedBorneo.Anavid

diver,shespentoneweekatSipadanIslandoffthe

coastofSabahbuttooktimetovisitanorangutan

sanctuarywhereshe“fellinlovewiththematfirstsight!”

AssoonasshereachedhomeinFinland,shewasted

notimeinlookingforwaystoreturntoBorneotospend

timewiththeendangeredspecies.

HersearchbroughthertoWayOutExperience(WOX)

thatrunsafour-weekvolunteerprogrammeatMatang

WildlifeCentreinSarawak,Sabah’sneighbouringstate.

Nguyensays,”Itwasperfect.Icouldn’twaittostartand

waslookingforwardtotheadventure!”

NguyenreturnedtoBorneoearlierthisyear

fortheprogrammeandlovedeveryminuteof

hertimeinSarawak.“Alotofpeopleasked

meaboutatypicaldayatthecentrebut

honestly,therewasn’tany,”shelaughed.As

volunteers,shesays,theyperformedanimal

husbandryduties,includingcleaningthe

orangutan’snightdensanddistributingand

hidingtheirfoodintotheiroutdoorenclosures

toencouragethemtoforage–anatural

behaviour.

“Iwasabitapprehensiveinthebeginningof

theprogramme,sinceI’dhadnoexperience

whatsoeverinworkingwithanimals.Butas

volunteers,youarealwayssupervisedand

you’renotexpectedtodoanyoftheexperts’

work.We’rejustthereprovidingthecentre

withthe‘extrahands’astherewerejustso

manythingshappeningatthesanctuary.”

Jobswerealsorotatedsothateveryonegets

toexperienceandperformdifferentthings

eachday.

Nguyenalsohadtheopportunitytowork

insmallgroupsmonitoringorangutan

behaviour.Andasthecentrealsohoused

otherendangeredwildlife,suchassunbears,

bearcats,crocodiles,deers,andother

primatesthatarebeingrehabilitatedfrom

captivity,shegotthechancetoworkaround

them,too.

“Thehourscanbelongandtheworktiring,

buttherewardswereextremelysatisfying,”

saidNguyen.Apartfromherworkatthe

MatangWildlifeCentre,sheandother

volunteersalsohadtheopportunitytoteach

Englishandspeakonwildlifeconservationto

localcommunitiesinvolvedwiththecentre.

“Meetingthelocalswasthehighlightofmy

timethere.Itwasgreattobeabletointeract

withthemonapersonallevel,gettinginvolved

withtheircultureandlearningthehistoryof

thepeople.It’sgreattonotjustbeanobserver

whenyou’reinaforeigncountry.”

Thesetypeofdo-goodgetawaysare

aplenty.Asearchunder‘voluntourism’will

giveyouthousandsofhitsontheInternet,

andchoosingtherightonereallydepends

onyourinterestsandexpectations.There

areprogrammesofferedbybothnon-profit

organisationsandtravelcompanies,although

bewarnedthatsomevacationplacementsare

bynomeanscheap.Butaswithanybusiness

transaction,voluntouristsareencouragedto

askquestionsbeforetheysignuptofindout

whereexactlytheirmoneywillgotoandwhat

theprogrammewilloffertheminreturn.

Still,inseekingamoremeaningfulrelationship

withtheworld,sometimesallittakesisalittle

bitofingenuityandpre-planningonyourside

beforeyouheadofftothehorizon.ForCarolyn

Wong,volunteeringabroadwouldhavebeen

theultimatelifetimeexperience.Duetowork

commitmentsandfinancialconstraints,

however,shedecidedagainstseekinga

volunteerplacementandinsteaddecidedto

volunteerhertimetohelpothersinherown

way.

Lastmonth,whilevacationinginBangkok,she

gotintouchwithalocalsocialservicecentre

toaskforalistoforphanagesshecould

visitandperhapsofferhelp.Amongthelist

includedacentrefor200childrenrangingin

agesfromsixmonthstoeightyearsold.After

enquiringfromthecentre’sstaffoftheirneeds,

Wongpackedboxesofdiapers,milkpowder

andbabybottlesanddroppedthemofffor

theresidents.Oftheexperience,shesaid,“I

thinktherecomesatimeinyourlifewhereyou

starttore-evaluatethemeaningoflife,ortry

to,andthenrealisethatyou’dliketomake

adifferenceintheworld.Itrynottothinkof

theimpossiblethingsIcouldn’tdo.Itrytodo

whatIcanandhopethatwhatlittleIdocan

impactaperson’slifesomehow.”

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The Lure of

Chocolate

39

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Luxe BiteFrom ancient civilisation to modern day generation, nothing spells bliss more than chocolates.

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Mostpeople’sfirstmemoryofchocolateis

sweet.Whetherit’sacandybarorapraline,

chocolateshaveenteredourgastropsyche

aseasyasthebreadweeatforbreakfast.

Buthistorically,chocolateswerenotforthe

commonfolk.Itwasoncereservedforroyalty.

TheancientAmericancivilisationfirst

discoveredcocoa,butnotasthesweetdrink

weknowittoday.AmongtheMayansand

Aztecs,thecacaobeanwouldbegrounded

intoafinecocoapaste.Tothiswereadded

water,chillipeppers,cornmealandother

ingredients.Theearlycocoadrinkwasa

frothy,bitterbeverage.Onlytheeliteclass

drankthechocolatebeverage,including

warriors,assortofablessingbeforetheyset

forthontheirjourney.

Thecacaobeansusedtobeacurrency.

Infactitwasoneoftheearliestcounterfeit

efforts,whereonewouldtakeacacaobean

shellandfilleditwithmudorclay.Onecacao

beancouldgetyouatomato,anavocado

costthree.

TheEuropeanswerethefirsttomakecontact

withcocoa,duringSpain’sconquestof

Mexicoin1521.Becausecocoaremainedan

expensiveimport,onlynobleclassSpaniards

drankit.Francemadechocolateastate

monopoly.NoonebutmembersoftheFrench

aristocracywasallowedtodrinkit.When

London’sfirstchocolateshopopenedin1657,

thecocoabeveragebecameapopularhit,

butitwasn’tcheapeither.Thedrinkwasstill

reservedforLondon’supperclassandseenas

astatussymbol;sometimesdrunkfromornate

cupsmadeofpreciousmaterialsandcreated

byartisans.

Whilecocoahashadanillustrious3,000year

history,itwasonlyacenturyandahalfago

thatchocolateasweknowittodaycame

inabar.WiththeadventoftheIndustrial

Revolution,inventionofnewmachinesmade

itpossibletoturncocoaintoanediblecandy

bar.

DutchchemistCoenraadVanHouteninvented

thecocoapressin1828.Thisimportant

creationsqueezedoutcocoabutter(leaving

thepowderwecallcocoa)andmadecocoa

bothmoreconsistentandcheapertoproduce.

In1847,J.S.FryinBristolmadethefirst

chocolatebar.By1879,NestléinSwitzerland

wasmakingmilkchocolatebars.

03

In1893,PennsylvaniaconfectionerMiltonS.

Hersheydiscoveredchocolateprocessing

equipmentattheWorld’sColumbian

ExpositioninChicago.Heboughtthe

machinery,builtachocolatefactoryand

introducedtheHersheyMilkChocolatebar

in1900.In1906,Hersheyboughtthetown

inthehillsofsouthernPennsylvania,and

soonbecame“theHenryFordofchocolate

makers”.

AmericansoldiersintroducedtheJapanese

tochocolateduringWorldWarII,whereits

popularitycontinuestorisetoday.Chocolates

havealwaysbeenincludedinAmerican

andRussianspaceflights.TheChineseeat

onlyonebarofchocolateforevery1,000

consumedbytheBritish.Andwhilecountries

likeGhanaandIvoryCoastaretoday’sleading

cocoaproducingcountries,itspeoplerarely

eatchocolatebecauseitisworthmoreto

themasatradeproductthanasafood.

Technologymadechocolateaffordable

tothemasses.Notonlywerechocolate

barsintroduced,butthepubliccouldenjoy

chocolateinpastries,cakesandevencereals.

Interestingly,moderntechnologyhasalso

allowedchocolatemanufacturerstoturn

chocolateintoanartform.

Itusedtobethattherewereonlybittersweet,

milkandwhitechocolate.Nowadays,

chocolateshavegonethewayofwines,with

theirowndistinctflavour,quality,texture,and

cacaopercentage.Howmuchcacaothereis

inabardetermineshowsweetthechocolate

is.Thehigherthepercentage,themorebitter

(ordark)thechocolateis.However,chocolate

percentagedoesn’ttellyouhowgoodthe

chocolateis.Forthatyouneedtolookatthe

morepremiumchocolates,calledsingleorigin.

Singleoriginchocolatesaredarkchocolates

whoseoriginsarespecifictoaregionor

plantation.Qualitycandependuponthe

soil,climate,air,andmoisturethataffects

thegrowingconditionsofthecocoaina

plantation.Beansfromonecountry,oneregion

oronesingleestatearedifferentfromone

another.

41

ThePorcelanacacaofromsmallplantations

inVenezuelaaresaidtohavelowacidlevels

producingacomplex,full-flavouredchocolate.

TheAmelonadococoabeanfromthelower

basinsoftheAmazonhasamoremellow

flavour.Hencethisdifferenceincocoabeans

fromotherregions,suchasEcuador,Ghana

orTrinidad,willeachbringitsdistinctflavourto

thechocolate.

Proponentsandfansofsingleorigin

chocolatesoftensaytheycandetectthe

multi-layeredtastesofchocolatefromdifferent

regions.Wordslike“finish,”“snap”and

“sheen”areusedtodescribethedifferences

betweenchocolates,andtastersmaydiscern

berry,vanillaorcoffee“notes”inchocolates

fromdifferentregions.Ifthissoundsverymuch

likewinetastingterms,youwouldnotbe

wrongtoassumethis.Similartowinetasting,

thereisnowagrowingtrendforchocolate

tasting,andithasbecomeaprofitable

business.

Somechocolateconnoisseursareofthe

opinionthatsingleoriginchocolatesarebetter

thanblendedchocolates(onethatisproduced

bymixingavarietyofcocoabeans).While

blendedchocolatesallowchocolatiersto

controlflavour,nooneisbetterthantheother.

Infact,whatisbestiswhatyoulovethemost.

Today,chocolate’spopularityknowsno

boundaries.Chocolateloungeshave

mushroomedasmuchaschocolateshops,

offeringdelectableconcoctions,including

thespicedchocolatedrinkfavouredbythe

AztecsandMayansthatcanbefoundin

TheobromaChocolateLounge.Chocolates

havealsomadeitswayintomanyoftoday’s

modernspas.TheHersheySpa,inthetown

ofHershey,makeschocolateitsinspirationin

manyinnovativetreatmentssuchasWhipped

CocoaBathandChocolateBeanPolish.

Lusciouschocolatebuffetswithchocolate

fountainsforonetodipeverykindof

imaginablefruitarealsogainingpopularityin

hotels.AtSukhotaiBangkokHotel,guests

canindulgeinthisandallkindsofchocolate

creationsincludingValrhona’s“Mariage

deGrandsCrus”Abinao,arobustAfrican

blendthatis85percentcocoawithastrong

bitternessandpowerful,lingeringaftertaste.

Andifyou’renotsurewhatyourchocolate

make-upis,letChefLaurentGanguilletguide

you.ThisSwisschocolatier,withmorethan

25yearsofexperience,claimshecanmatch

chocolateflavourtoguests’personalities

saying:“Italktothemandfindoutthings

aboutthem,andthenblendthechocolateto

matchtheirmoodandcharacter.”

Andthelastwordonchocolate?It’salsogood

forhealth.Theobromine,achemicalfoundin

chocolate,enlargesbloodvesselsandisused

totreathighbloodpressure.Inaddition,the

fatcontentofchocolateisactuallysaturated

fat–stearicacid–auniquesaturatedfatthat

doesnotraisebloodcholesterol.Sohaveyour

chocolate–it’lldoyourbodygood.

40

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Hong Kong ala CarteThis modern metropolis still holds some surprises for the culture vulture.

HongKongiscalledtheNewYorkofAsiaforareason.It’sa

citythatneversleeps;bustlingduringthedaywithpower-suited

executivesandcomingaliveatnightwithfashionableparty-

goers.Itstoweringmonolithscreateaconcretecanopyoverthe

city,yetcomealiveatduskdressedinfestivelights–puttingthe

cityinapartymoodallyearround.

FamedforitsshoppinganditsreputationasAsia’sfinancial

powerhouse,HongKongistheperfectplaceforthemodern

travellerwhoseekstheexcitementofanurbanlifestyle.Yet,this

cityisalsoacityofcontrasts.OnceaBritishcolonial,HongKong

stillembracesits150yearoldcoloniallegacyalongwithitsdeep-

rootedChinesetraditions.Butforthosethatprefertoexplore

Chineseyum chacultureoverEnglishhighteaor,studytaichi

overSundayhorseracing,HongKonghasanumberofunique

Chineseexperiencescleverlydesignedfortheguesttoenjoy.

Whatmakestheseexperiencesinterestingisthatmostallow

gueststomeetsomeofHongKong’sculturalconnoisseurs;

professionalsintheirrespectivefieldsthathavevolunteeredto

extendHongKong’shospitalityandculturalunderstandingto

thosewhovisit.Theprogrammes,offeredunderHongKong

TourismBoard’sCulturalKaleidoscope–MeetthePeople

initiative(www.discoverhongkong.com),runsyear-round,withthe

majorityofitforfree!

01 HongKong’sfamousharbourskyline02 RidetheDukLingatsunset03 ExploreHongKongarchitectureforfree

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Throughtheinitiative,guestshavediscoveredtheotherside

ofHongKongthatisrarelyseenandexperienced;forinstance

theChineseTeaAppreciationClassofferedattheLockChaTea

Shop.LocatedatthenorthendofHongKongPark,atranquil

greenlungindowntownHongKongisland,thesurroundsprovide

theperfectbackdropforonetoexploretherichhistoryofChinese

teaculture.

Here,surroundedbywoodendrawersofallshapesandsizes

thatconcealtealeavesofeveryvaryingkind,LockChaTeaShop

ownerandteaconnoisseurMrIpWing-Chioffersfreetalkson

teaandperformstraditionalChineseteaceremony.Heintroduces

gueststoteasfavouredbytheChinese,fromoolongtopu-erhto

blacktea.Guestssamplethevariousteaspreparedthetraditional

Chineseway,aritualthatrequiresknowledgeandcontrolover

tealeaves,water,apparatus,temperatureandtime.Theoptimum

teaexperience,saysIp,isoftenabalanceofbitter,sweet,sour

andastringency,createdwithfocusedattentionwhileattuning

quantityandtime.IpconductshisteasessionseveryMondays,

WednesdaysandFridaysandtheyareprovidedfree.

ForthoseinterestedinOrientalmedicineandherbalism,they

canoptforafreeclassofferedattheEuYanSangMedicalHall

onQueen’sRoadCentral.ConductedbyEuYanSang

(HongKong)SeniorManagerKimWu,guestslearnthe

historyandbasicsoftraditionalChinesemedicine(TCM)

whilecomefacetofacewiththemanyherbsusedinthe

field,suchasginseng,angelicaroot,driedberriesand

driedcornsilk.

ItisanexcitingjourneyintotherealmofTCMwhere

onealsolearnstheconceptofyinandyanginChinese

therapies.Itisalsoagoodopportunitytodiscover

thevariousinitiativesthatgotowardmaintainingstrict

qualitycontroloverprescribingandpreparingthese

herbswithintheTCMpractice.

ActivetravellersmaywanttocheckouttheTaiChi

ClassconductedatthePromenadeinTsimShaTsuion

Kowloon.AgainstthefamousharbourskylineofHong

Kong,MasterWilliamNgleadshis‘students’through

aseriesofgracefulmovementsthatborderbetween

danceandself-defence.Taichi,alsoknownasshadow

boxing,isessentiallyarelaxedmovingmeditationthat

calmsthemindandbody,andistheperfectantidotefor

thehustleandbustlethatisHongKong.

Theoptimumteaexperience,saysIp,isoftenabalanceofbitter,sweet,sourandastringency,createdwithfocusedattentionwhileattuningquantityandtime.

FollowingMasterNgasheperfectsonetai

chiposeafteranother,hisstudentslearnthe

artoffitnessthat,unliketheWestern’sidea,

involvesslow,controlledmovementsthat

improveflexibility,musclestrength,balance

andhealth.Theseriesofmovementisalmost

hypnotic,andthesceneisrepeatedevery

Monday,Wednesday,ThursdayandFriday

mornings,muchtothedelightofbothlocals

andforeigners.

AnotherofHongKong’sfamoustraditionalart

ofself-defenceisalsoconductedinKowloon

Park.AKungFuClasstakesplaceinthis

open-airvenuedemonstratedbyvolunteers

fromtheLeisureandCulturalServices

Department.Everymovementisbothgraceful

yetaggressive,andwhentheyaretootiredto

doanythingelse,guestsareentertainedwith

kungfuperformancesthatincludeceremonial

drummingandaliondance.

OtherprogrammeslookintoHongKong’s

traditionalartsandarchitecture.The

CantoneseOperaAppreciationClassbrings

guestsbackstagetolearnaboutthisancient

stageperformance.Theyhavethechance

toobserveactorsputtingontheirmake-

upandcostumebeforeactuallycatching

aperformanceonstage.There’salsothe

opportunitytowalkaboutHongKong’s

modernskyscrapersandencounterold

buildingsthathaveplayedvitalrolesinHong

Konghistory.

DuringtheArchitectureWalkthroughHong

Kong’sCentraldistrict,visitorswillcometo

understandtheevolutionofthecitythroughits

buildings.TakinginsuchsightsastheCentral

PoliceStation,theFringeClubandtheformer

FrenchMissionbuilding,architecthostswill

pointoutthespecialcharacteristicsthatmake

eachstructureuniqueaswellasdiscussingits

relevanthistory.

AndwhatisavisittoHongKongwithout

takingintheviewofthefamedVictoria

Harbour?ForonlyHK$50perperson,youcan

boardtheDukLing,arestoredChinesejunk,

asitmakesitsone-hourjourneyaroundthe

harbour.RidingonthisHongKongiconisalso

atripintonostalgia,asitoncepliedthebusy

harbour,bringingopiumtradersandtaipansto

settleontheisland.

Theridetakesinthepanoramicviewof

bothHongKongandKowloon.OnHong

Kongisland,there’sthelandmarkHSBC

headquartersandtheiconicBankofChina

Tower.OverattheKowloonside,thecurved

buildingfaçadeoftheHongKongCultural

Centredominatestheskyline.Theridestake

placeeveryThursdaysandSaturdays,but

visitorsshouldtrytocatchthescheduled

twilightridewhentheharbourlightsupwith

theSymphonyofLightsperformance.

Theshowisaspectacularmultimedia

performancethatlasts15minutesandbegins

at8pmeverynight.Fourty-fourbuildingson

bothsidesofVictoriaHarbourarebathedin

lights,laserbeamsandsearchlightsthatmove

tosynchronisedmusic.Itoffersadazzling

viewofHongKongandyoufinallyunderstand

thebuzzthathasmadethecityacelebrity

amongtravellers.

TheCulturalKaleidoscopeprogramme

offersvisitorsthechancetogetclosertothe

heartbeatofHongKong.Meetingwiththe

localsandlearningfromtheirexpertiseletyou

experienceandseeHongKongasthelocals

do.That,perhaps,isthebestformoftravelling

foranyone.

01 TaichiatthePromenade02 Catchanoperaperformance

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Images courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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Besides being a ‘Travel Goddess’ (a title bestowed upon

you by an avid viewer of your show), what are some of

your other hobbies?

Biking,photographyandwinetasting.(No,I’mnotalush.Well

...OK,maybeIam.)

From which side of the family do you get your witty

humour? Have you ever thought about doing comedy

yourself?

Definitelyfrommyfather.Hehasanunbelievablydrysenseof

humour.MysistersandItrulyfeltlovedwhenhepickedonus.

WhenIwasaround12,ayoungboycalledmeandmydad

gotonthephoneandthankedhimforcallingbecauseIdidn’t

havemanyfriends.Ithoughtitwashysterical–theyoungboy

didnot.Ihaveneverseriouslyconsideredstand-upcomedy

becausemyhumourcomesoutofreactingoffotherthingsor

people.Idon’tthinkIcouldgenerateitmyself.

TravelhostSamanthaBrownistheenvyofmany.Herglobalescapadesinthe

Passport…seriesbeameddirectintoourlivingroomshaveleftusallyearning

forherjob,nottomentionawakenourtravelsenses.She’sbroughtusPassport

to Europe, Passport to Latin America, Passport to China–hostingitwithwit,

humourandlotsoftraveltips.Wecaughtherofftheroadtofindoutwhat

makeshertick.

What’s your favourite movie?

Cinema Paradiso.Ithasthebestendinginamovieever.

Do you sing in the shower? If so, what’s your favourite

band/performer or song?

YesIdo,andmyfavouritebandperformerisBarryManilow.

IfI’minagoodmood,it’sCan’t Smile Without YouandifI’m

feelingsappy,it’sWeekend in New England.

What’s the coolest extra-special touch you’ve

experienced at a hotel?

AttheGrandFloridianinDisneyWorld,housekeepingfolds

yourhandtowelsintolittleanimalslikeducksandbunnies.

Theythenputthingslikeyourtoothbrushandstylinggelin

them,sothatwhenyouwalkintoyourroomyouhaveallthese

cutecrittersgreetingyou.It’saveryheartwarmingtouch.

Have PassportWill Travel

If you could go back to Hawaii, what would you like to

do or see? (She once hosted Girl Meets Hawaii)

IwouldliketogobacktoMolokai.Wewerethereforonlya

fewdays,soIwasn’tabletotrulyexplore.It’samuchmore

intimateislandthantheothers,veryfewtourists.Thereare

onlyafewstreetlights,soatnightthestarsarespectacular.

AtMolokaiRanch,theyoffernightmountainbikingunderthe

stars.Iwouldlovetogetachancetodothat.

While at home or by yourself, away from the camera, do

you find that you still talk out loud?

No,I’mbynatureaveryquietpersonandoftengetquite

annoyedwithmyselfduringshootingbecauseIgetsosickof

hearingmyselftalk.SowhenIhaveabreak,duringshootingor

athome,Ijustliketochillout.

If you could travel back in time to any period in history,

when and where would it be?

TurnofthecenturyinNewYorkCity.NewYorkissuchan

unbelievablecity.Iwouldlovetogobackintimetowhenit

wasjustbeginningtoshowitstruegreatnessasaworld-class

town.

Do you eat pizza with your hands or with a knife and

fork?

Whywouldyoueatpizzawithaknifeandfork?

Do you like your Chinese food spicy or not spicy?

What city has better Chinese food, New York or San

Francisco?

Spicy.Ididn’thavethechancetoeatChineseinSanFran.

NewYorkChineseisOK,butyoureallyhavetoknowwhereto

go.TherearealotofbadChineserestaurantsoutthere.

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or

nonliving), who would you like at your table?

ChristianeAmanpour,theCNNwarcorrespondent,Stevie

Nicksandoneofmygirlfriends(sowecouldfreakouttogether

aboutwhowejusthaddinnerwith).

It appears that you have an affinity for nice hotel

bathrooms. Why do you love them so much, and what

would you find in the ideal hotel?

Agreatbathroomisessentialtoagreathotel.Lightingiskey.

Weneedlightingthatmakesuslookandfeelgood.Youdon’t

wanttostartthedaythinking,“Boy,Ilookterrible.”Inanideal

bathroom,Iwouldfindanextra-deepbathandalotofcounter

spaceforallthoseproductsandvitamins.Iloveitwhenhotels

incorporatedrawerspaceunderthesink;thenIcanstore

thingsinthemsothecounterremainsuncluttered,andIwon’t

beknockingthingsoverwhenIbrushmyteeth.Oneofmy

biggestdisappointmentsiswhenthebathroomhasaseparate

shower,butthereisnoshelftoputshampoo,razors,etc.,so

youhavetokeepbendingdowntopickthestuffup.Bythe

timeI’mdoneat6am,itfeelslikeI’vedoneaerobics.

Where would you build your dream vacation home?

What would be special or unique about it?

OnthecoastofMaine,inKennebunkportorKitteryPoint.It

wouldbeatraditionalseacoasthomewithabigporchthat

lookedoutovertheoceanoraninlet.Itwouldbeforfriendsto

comeandenjoyweekendstogether.Thefocuswouldbeabig

openkitchenwithalongkitchentableandfireplace.

If you were stranded on a tropical island, what three

items would you want to have with you?

Sunglasses,agoodcuttingknifeandmyboyfriend.

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As a frequent female traveller, what’s an important tip you

can offer to others?

I’monlongflightsalot,soIcarryasmalltravelcarekit.It

containslotionformyhands,facecream,aspirin,lipbalm,an

eyemaskandearplugs.Ihaveacarry-oncasethatIusetoprop

upmyfeetandcreatemyown“La-Z-Boy”recliningchair.And

Ialwaysbringafreshlymadesandwichfrommylocaldeli,soI

canavoidairplanefood.Whenitcomestoyourcarekit,have

twoofeverything.Tworazors,twoshampoos,twonailclippers,

etc.Keeponesetforhomeandtheotherfortravel,soyoudon’t

havetokeeppackingandunpackingit.

4948

I’m by nature a very quiet person and often get quite annoyed with myself during shooting because I get so sick of hearing myself talk.