Posts, pics, video and motivation on Travel Lifestyle, countries around the world! Addicted to adventure travel and photography, I'm on a mission to inspire your next journey with entertaining stories, beautiful images, fun travel videos, and useful tips.
今时今日,粮食已成为政治课题。从食物的可持续性到食品危机,透过各类题材,倡导人们关注食品生态系统中所存在的重要议题,带来正面的改变。 To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com SEE ALSO: 堤摩西·柴勒梅德谈好莱坞,工作期望 This article was originally published in the January 2020 issue of SilverKris magazine
With four distinct types of residential suites which include: Beverly Suites, Icon Suites, Royal Suite and Presidential Suite, the residencies at Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills are available for nightly as well as providing monthly short term to ...
This nicely chilled city in southern India has seen the light. Grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast in Kerala, Kochi has become a shining example in renewable energy in recent years, launching the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, which snagged it a UN Champions of the Earth award. But that’s just tip-of-the-iceberg stuff. With boho cafes, intimate homestays hidden away in lazy, colonial-era backstreets, and a raft of forward-thinking galleries, this city keeps a tight grip on its heritage while wholeheartedly embracing its newfound cool. In 2020, street art comes to the fore at Kochi-Muziris Biennale, putting India firmly on the contemporary arts festival map.
How to get there: Kochi International Airport, the main point of arrival, is 30km north of mainland Ernakulam. Alternatively, you can reach Kochi by train from Trivandrum (4½ hours), Kerala’s capital. Regular ferries connect Ernakulam and historic Fort Kochi.
Make the best use of your three days in Kochi so you do not miss out the following activities:
1-Make a pilgrimage to India’s oldest European church, St Francis, built in 1503, where intrepid Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was originally buried.
“Flying with SQ gives you huge exposure to different cultures,” Karin Choo explains. “It’s great that we get to interact with passengers, I always want to learn more.”
Indeed, a specific interest in arts and culture has been something she has been able to pursue during the nine years Karin has been flying with SIA. That’s especially true on her regular trips to New York en she was an operating crew of the A340-500 aircraft.
One of her favourite spots to frequent in the Big Apple is the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). ter a busy flight, I prefer to have some ‘me time’ and the museum gives me the space for that,” says the 31-year-old. “It provides a place of respite – filling my mind with art, and learning how people are translating and sharing their thoughts through this avenue.”
That open mindset clearly placed her in good stead for her Discover Singapore journey, which saw her travelling around Singapore with fellow cabin crew Haikal Tan and award-winning playwright Haresh Sharma to meet people from the different creative fields of music, art and theatre. Along the way she took part in improv routines, art workshops and sound recording sessions. She also got to put together her own performance at the end of the experience.
“Breaking down the senses in this journey really helped me be more sensitive towards the needs of others and better predict their needs,” says Karin of the workshops she took part in. Karin adds that she also saw a different side to the island. “It really surprised me that there were so many independent art centres and all these inspiring independent artists in Singapore,” she admits.
Karin is also part of a group of cabin crew members that represents SIA at different events. She loves how this gives her a chance to interact with colleagues working on the ground and helps her develop a deeper insight into other departments operate and their areas of expertise.
She points to an assignment trip to Cape Town as a great example of this. “I didn’t know the city very well, but the company of local SIA colleagues helped ease me into the culture and acquainted me with the new environment.”
It’s also clearly a great source of pride to Karin that she gets to be an ambassador for the brand, and to don the famous sarong kebaya. “For me it symbolises Singapore. Even when I am thousands of miles from home, my uniform identifies me with my home country and becomes a constant reminder of my representation of her,” she says, smiling broadly. Click here to watch the video which follows Karin’s journey and features her final performance. SEE ALSO: Cabin crew: Embracing diversity To go back to the Discover Singapore homepage, visit here. To find out more about Singapore’s arts scene, go here.
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Whether it’s singing along to musicals or visiting historic sites, Haikal Tan has always had a love for arts and culture. They’re areas of interest that he has been lucky enough to pursue during his nine years with Singapore Airlines (SIA) as a member of the cabin crew.
The 33-year-old Singaporean lists Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera as two of the most memorable musicals he has had the opportunity to watch while overseas, and he still vividly remembers his first trip to London with SIA.
Besides catching shows at the West End, he visited museums – he considers the Natural History Museum and the British Museum among the highlights. “It was such an incredible experience,” he shares. “They have things from ancient Egyptian and Roman eras.”
Haikal was also part of the Discover Singapore journey alongside fellow cabin crew Karin Choo and award-winning playwright Haresh Sharma. Haikal welcomed the chance it gave him to reconnect with his creative side as he was tasked with putting together a final performance inspired by what he had experienced on his journey.
“I was actually excited to take up the challenge,” he says. “Yes, I was a little stressed at first, but I was confident I would be able to pull it off.” Haikal attributed that confidence to his time working as a cabin crew.
“Whenever I am at work and in my uniform it’s like being on stage,” he explains, while flashing his trademark grin. “I have to put on my professional persona in the way I speak and carry myself.”
Having taken part in the same experiences alongside Karin, including improv workshops with theatre group The Necessary Stage, an opportunity to chat with community-focused artist Alecia Neo, the entire journey was an eye-opening – and even life-changing – adventure for him.
“I never knew I would be so comfortable acting and performing and that I would enjoy the process so much,” he shares. He was also deeply moved by Safuan Johari and Rizman Putra of NADA, who blend contemporary dance, striking vocals and Southeast Asian music from bygone decades with electronic sampling.
“Meeting NADA is something I will remember for life,” Haikal admits. “I have always been into music but this really exposed me to a brand new dimension of artistry that I hadn’t come across before.”
Celebrating diversity ended up as the theme of his final performance, which took place at The Necessary Stage’s black box. It incorporated snatches of traditional Malay music, found sounds, movement and both singing and spoken word elements.
The inspiration behind his compelling performance was clear: “Coming from a multiracial background, I would like our next generation to be more involved in getting to know and understand the many cultures and religions around the world.”
Presented in front of friends and family, including his two-year-old daughter, the performance made for a fitting end to his time with Haresh and Karin. Click here to watch the video which follows Haikal’s journey and features his final performance. SEE ALSO: Cabin crew: Positive reflection To go back to the Discover Singapore homepage, visit here. To find out more about Singapore’s arts scene, go here.
The post Cabin crew: Embracing diversity appeared first on SilverKris.
Number of steps runners will have to scale in the Great Wall Marathon (16 May), said to be one of the world’s most challenging. The race takes place in Tianjin municipality, southeast of Beijing.
>£1 billion
Total amount raised by runners at the Virgin Money London Marathon (26 April) since its inception in 1981. It’s gone towards charitable causes, including Action Against Cancer.
80 AD
When the Colosseum, the start and end point for Run Rome the Marathon (29 March), opened. The race also passes by other notable Roman landmarks, such as the St Peter’s Basilica and Castel Sant’Angelo.
€190
Price of the “My Paris Experience” package for the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (5 April). It includes a Seine cruise, a bus tour, a two-day bus pass and, of course, entry to the race.
6 hours
The maximum running time permitted at the ASICS Stockholm Marathon (30 May), in accordance with instructions from local police. This means participants will need to maintain an average pace of at least 8:53/km. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com SEE ALSO: By the numbers: The Standard Charted Singapore Marathon This article was originally published in the January 2020 issue of SilverKris magazine
The video follows Tan Kheng Hua and Singapore Airlines cabin crew Beth Soh and Nicolas Greguor as they explore Singapore’s vibrant fashion and retail scene in search of the perfect red carpet outfit. Along the way they speak with local designers and get a better sense of the challenges and rewards behind the work they do.
“NADA, comprising two gifted artists, perform old Malay songs with a contemporary edge through sampling. The effect, at once mesmerising and nostalgic, is not to be missed, if you get the chance to see them. They are, the real deal: gifted, giving and gritty.” — Haresh Sharma, playwright
The duo, comprising Safuan Johari and Rizman Putra, does more than just contemporary takes of traditional Malay music. “We are a visual arts and sound project specialising in conjuring lost eras through music, particularly the golden period of Malay and Southeast Asian traditional and popular music from the 1950s to the 1980s,” explains Rizman.
In 2019, they performed with artists Kiat and Deborah Emmanuel from audio-visual collective Syndicate, at the ArtScience Museum. Titled Beyond the Silver Glow, the performance took place beneath famed art piece, Museum of the Moon by British artist Luke Jerram, and was a sonic and movement-based presentation that surveyed the cultural, scientific and spiritual relations different societies have with the Moon. Check this link for upcoming performances: bandwagon.asia/artists/nada
“Multi-genre music festival Hydeout takes place in April at Gardens by the Bay” — Karin Choo, Leading Flight Stewardess
“This family-run record shop located in Tai Seng, an industrial area, has lots of old Singapore and Southeast Asian vinyls. The knowledgeable owner Mr Ong always has great recommendations!”
“We’ve been visiting this store since we were teenagers! Before the internet, it carried demo cassettes from local bands. It was the place you went to check out new Singapore music.”
“Housed in an industrial building in Geylang, this music production studio and performance art theatre is an inclusive space for all music genres and subcultures in Singapore.”
Where to go for live…
Comedy
The Merry Lion, a comedy club at Circular Road, prides itself on providing a platform for local comic talent such as Jinx Yeo and Sharul Channa.
Music
The charmingly ramshackle Crazy Elephant bar in Clarke Quay is a top venue for live acoustic and blues music. Bands play from 9pm every night.
S.E.A Focus: This showcase of contemporary art from Southeast Asia – led by workshop and gallery STPI – usually takes place each January.
After writing my first play in 1989, I never looked back. I was in university and part of The Necessary Stage, which Alvin Tan had started two years earlier. I am now The Necessary Stage’s resident playwright. The theatre scene was relatively young back then, and we picked up skills mostly by attending workshops by international artists.
The Substation, which the late Kuo Pao Kun started in 1990, became a pivotal conflux of artists; theatre practitioners, visual artists, musicians and friends would hang out at the Substation Garden – and later at the nearby S11 coffee shop along Stamford Road.
I watched a Tang Da Wu performance, chatted with Tan Swie Hian, listened to architect Tay Kheng Soon, laughed with arts critic TK Sabapathy, interviewed Brother Joseph McNally and felt so much respect for these artists and intellectuals who had contributed chunks of their life to promote the arts. As a young playwright starting out, the bar was set high by these amazing voices and influences.
“[I] felt so much respect for these artists and intellectuals who had contributed chunks of their life to promote the arts.”
The artists I have chosen for this guide embody an ethos that inspires me today. Brian Gothong Tan is a dear friend whom I have worked with for more than 15 years. He continues to create the unimaginable with his multimedia designs. Drama Box is like a sister company to The Necessary Stage. They turn 30 in 2020 and are still as relevant today. NADA, Alecia Neo and Ruby Jayaseelan are all impressive young artists making waves with their innovative approaches to art.
I hope you’ll enjoy my selection of artists and the recommendations of the two Singapore Airlines flight crew who have come with me on this journey of exploration into the Singapore arts scene: from the majestic museums and theatres to the alternative nooks and crannies – spaces pulsating with energy, spirit and life.
Occupying two national monuments, the former Supreme Court and City Hall, the National Gallery is home to the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art.
This museum traces the historical connections between Asia’s myriad of cultures through thematically organised galleries: Trade, Faith and Belief, and Materials and Design.
“Photo buffs will like Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film” — Karin Choo, Leading Flight Stewardess
The likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dali and Vincent van Gogh have all had their works showcased here, while science-related exhibitions explore everything from particle physics to marine biology and big data.
This Empress Place building’s storied history dates back to 1827. Designed by architect George Coleman, it was leased to the government for use as a Court House. Several government entities have passed through its doors over the decades, and became the Parliament House after Singapore’s independence. In 2004, five years after Parliament moved to a nearby building, The Arts House, a multi-disciplinary arts venue, officially opened.
Two kids-friendly arts spaces:
1. The Artground
An indoor play space for children aged 12 and under, The Artground at Goodman Arts Centre has interactive art installations kids can climb through and over, or go under. A plethora of weekend art activities spanning music, dance and drama also gives families ample opportunities to bond.
2. National Museum of Singapore
Along with storytelling sessions and craft workshops, there are exhibitions at the National Museum of Singapore that would appeal to the young (and the young at heart), including Growing Up, which offers a glimpse into what it was like growing up in Singapore during the 1950s and ’60s.
Three more companies with compelling productions
1. W!LD Rice
Big, bold and glitzy are some words commonly used to describe productions by W!LD Rice. Last year, the theatre group upped its game by unveiling a new venue at Funan Mall, spread over three floors. Its main space, the Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, boasts Singapore’s only thrust stage.
2. Pangdemonium!
This 10-year-old theatre company has a diverse range, staging dramatic plays, theatre classics and musicals, often within the same calendar year. Whether it’s a drama or comedy, you can always count on Pangdemonium!‘s productions to be both thought-provoking and full of heart.
3. The Necessary Stage
Founded in 1987 by artistic director Alvin Tan, The Necessary Stage‘s aim has always been to offer a platform for original local plays. With over 100 plays under its belt, the company has tackled topics such as mental health and politics, while their latest work, The Year of No Return focuses on the impact of climate change.
M1 Singapore Fringe Festival: Curated by The Necessary Stage, this annual festival is based on a different theme every year. Held in January, it brings cutting-edge and socially engaged works to a local audience.
The first novel by prolific poet Cyril Wong is about how a student’s traumatic story changes a teacher’s life forever.
2. The Goddess in the Living Room
Translated from Tamil to English, Latha’s short stories address feminist issues and what it’s like to be a woman in Singapore.
3. Tender Delirium
Writer and visual artist Tania De Rozario’s first collection of poetry and short prose comprises confessional work written over a decade.
“In the past, people used to lament the dearth of Singapore literature. Today, the scene is vibrant and diverse, with publishers such as Epigram, Math Paper Press and Ethos paving the way and collectively investing in hundreds of Singapore writers.” — Haresh Sharma, playwright
4. The Law of Second Marriages
These powerful prose poems touch on themes like power, memory and the mother-daughter relationship.
5. Four Plays
Written by one of Singapore’s best-known playwrights, Chong Tze Chien, these plays explore some thorny issues facing Singapore society.
6. Inheritance
The story of a Punjabi family grappling with mental health issues, this is internationally acclaimed writer Balli Kaur Jaswal’s debut novel.
Over 30 seasoned and up-and-coming artists have covered the walls of back alleys in Muscat Street, Kampong Glam, which is billed as the first outdoor art gallery in Asia. Signs accompany each work, giving more information about the artist behind it.
Follow the newly unveiled murals at Katong Joo Chiat to find out about the history of this vibrant heritage neighbourhood.
This community museum weaves a fascinating story of the area where the first Housing Development Board flats were built, back in the 1950s. The collection of artefacts, which includes 2,000 photographs, took nine years to compile.
Peranakan treasures like beaded slippers and ornamental sideboards fill this two-storey shophouse in Joo Chiat. The collection belongs to proud Peranakan Alvin Yapp, who’s eager to share his knowledge of his culture and heritage. Visits are by appointment only.
The books stocked here are all about Singapore, written by Singaporeans or Singaporean residents, or published here. A collaboration between a local coffee chain and publisher, it also has an author/artist-in-residence programme, where a writer or artist is on-site during opening hours to work and interact with customers.
There is a small but well-curated selection of books at this bookstore and café on Chinatown’s Mosque Street. At least half of its titles are by women authors, with a focus on minority groups. Upstairs, you’ll find a warm and cosy event space that hosts poetry nights, art exhibitions, book clubs, theatre productions and even cat adoption drives.
Established in 2005, BooksActually is probably Singapore’s longest running independent bookstore. After several moves, it now calls Tiong Bahru – one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates turned hip hangout – home. BooksActually has long championed local literature, and publishes poetry, novels and essays under its own imprint, Math Paper Press.
“The Singapore Writers Festival held in November is one of the few multilingual literary festivals in the world” — Karin Choo, Leading Flight Stewardess
“I was moved the first time I saw Ruby perform during an audition for one of The Necessary Stage’s interdisciplinary productions. She’s one of those rare artists adept at both traditional and contemporary dance, and her performances often incorporate these elements beautifully. She continues to go from strength to strength as an artist and a creative collaborator.” — Haresh Sharma, playwright
While Ruby Jayaseelan‘s background may be in Bharatanatyam (an Indian classical dance combining footwork with complex sign vocabulary, using the hands, eyes and face), her personal movement methodology “uses Eastern philosophies and practices, and Western experimental and somatic thinking”.
This has manifested in performances like Move Along, a collaboration with Australian artists for Singapore Design Week 2019, where participants walked through underutilised spaces in Bugis, wearing headphones playing soundtracks formed using sounds in Singapore. “It gave them new perspectives of places they had encountered multiple times before,” she says.
Ruby Jayaseelan recommends…
A creative day out in Singapore
12pm
“The vibe of Gillman Barracks is different depending on the time of the day you visit. By night, it’s a lively space for performances and installations, as well as a top haunt for local art enthusiasts. But it’s also a great daytime spot, especially if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. There are over 10 art galleries here, most of which have rotating exhibitions showcasing the work of local, regional and international artists.”
3pm
“Arab Street is a feast for the senses with its many textile stores, colourful murals covering the walls, and the sound of azan (Islamic call to prayer) punctuating the air several times a day. Aliwal Arts Centre is also worth a visit as there are often performances taking place in and around the building. I also like the art park next to Malay Heritage Centre for its old-school swings and avant-garde installations.”
“Acquaint yourself with Singapore’s diverse cultures at the Singapore Heritage Festival, which takes place in March and April annually” — Karin Choo, Leading Flight Stewardess
5pm
“From Arab Street, it’s a 10-minute walk to Golden Mile Tower, home to indie cinema The Projector, where you can catch arthouse films that aren’t screened at mainstream cinemas. In 2017, I was a part of Aimless, a pop-up performance at Golden Mile Tower’s open-air carpark where audience members could take in views of the Singapore city centre while experiencing subtle sound, movement and imagery.”
8pm
“Ride the MRT two stops from Nicoll Highway station to Esplanade station. There are often performances happening along Esplanade’s waterfront. The venue is inspired: close to a body of water with a view of the skyline. Some of the performances held here are part of themed festivals. My favourite has to be A Tapestry of Sacred Music (usually held in April), which celebrates spiritual music and movement from around the world.”
By the numbers: Quick facts about the Esplanade
2002
The year Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay officially opened
3,000
Number of performances it presents yearly
550
Number of people Esplanade’s mid-sized Waterfront Theatre will be able to seat when it opens in 2021
28,000,000
Approximate number of people who have visited Esplanade since its opening
Other traditional dances in Singapore
Lion Dance
This routine – where two performers in a lion’s costume dance and perform acrobatic tricks to drums and cymbals – is usually performed during major Chinese festivals to usher in good fortune. You’re sure to catch a performance in Chinatown during Chinese New Year.
Joget
Both a music and dance form, joget is commonly performed at Malay weddings. The dance – which was developed across colonial Malaya during the early 20th century – is performed by couples as an expression of courtship. You might catch it at Esplanade’s annual Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts.
Love dance? Esplanade’s da:ns festival takes place every October, and boasts a lineup of contemporary and traditional dance performances.
Kheng Hua says: “I always wear Singapore designers on the red carpet”
“I dress casually in my everyday life but clean up well for formal events. To get ready for these, I take a collaborative approach – I have help from my glam squad, which includes labels like Stolen, accessories from theKANG and hair and makeup from Prep and Aiyi of Makeup Entourage. Even when I dress up, though, comfort is a top priority as these events can go on for a long time!
I always wear Singapore designers on the red carpet and the reactions are always amazing. People always comment on how great the outfit looks; it sparks their curiosity about Singapore brands.
The Singapore high-end design scene is becoming more prolific, fertile and invigorated, thanks to talented fashion designers who are challenging themselves to make clothes that not only make people look good, but are also infused with a Singaporean DNA. I won’t be surprised if more Singapore design stars soon become international fashion names.”
This label is best known for its avant-garde take on traditional Asian garments. For instance, designer Priscilla Ong Shunmugam might bring together batik and lace to create a peplum kebaya. You can also expect cheongsam-inspired crop tops in eye-catching prints.
Inspired by architectural elements, Stolen’s designs blur the lines between art and fashion. The label brings together its design hallmark of an exposed back with a neutral colour palette, creating pieces that epitomise understated elegance. “Stolen is a label I wear often on the red carpet,” says Kheng Hua.
This year marks their 10th in the business – no small feat for any fashion label. Its aesthetic leans towards the androgynous, balancing out voluminous silhouettes with precise tailoring and intriguing details.
The mother-and-daughter team behind YeoMama sources handmade batik from around Indonesia, creating maxi dresses, jumpsuits and cheongsams that have become popular among the younger set.
Started in 2007 by Frenchman François Driard, this cheese producer offers about 30 varieties, all made with pasteurised milk and vegetarian rennet. In addition to French-style cow cheeses, it also produces yak cheese. The terroir of wild grass and flowers between 3,000–5,000m above sea level in the mountains of Ramechhap district has generated delights such as yak cheddar and the semi-soft yak tomme. Must-try: Yak blue, an award-winning cheese that debuted in June 2019, and Old Sherpa, a hard, nutty cheese made with full-cream yak milk.
Olive Puentespina’s enterprise makes cheeses with milk from regional farmers and its own dairy farm. Many offerings star local flavourings such as the Mango Sublime and pineapple ricotta, made with fruits, herbs and spices grown on the farm. Must-try: Rosita, made from cow’s milk and aged for three months, is aromatic and nutty, while the goat-milk Capriccio is aged in dark beer.
“I saw an increasing demand for natural cheese in Indonesia, but a limited supply of local products,” says founder Ayu Linggih. Here, employees are local women trained to become professional cheesemakers, creating products with local riffs. Must-try: The Black & White is a cow-milk cheese coated with an activated charcoal made from coconut shells.
Touting itself as the first plant-based artisan cashew cheese in the Lion City, Kroodi’s completely vegan selection is made with cashews and prepared at low temperatures to retain nutritional content. It offers three regular cheeses and seasonal selections. Must-try: Truffi exudes the intense aroma of truffles. Basilicato has a crunchy bite and a light basil flavour.
Bangalore is a city conducive to cheesemaking since it sits almost 1,000m above sea level and has a cool climate. All cheeses are made with responsibly sourced milk and include buttery bel paese, tangy feta and nutty manchego. Must-try: The soft, rich double-cream brie with a white velvety rind, as well as the truffle-infused variation, are hugely popular. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com SEE ALSO: Making fresh buffalo cheese in Luang Prabang This article was originally published in the January 2020 issue of Silkwinds magazine
预计于2020年3月开幕,位于纽约哈德逊广场第100层楼的Edge,将会是西半球最高的观景台。 Singapore Airlines flies to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport four times daily and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport daily. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com SEE ALSO: 与大自然共生: 安通海洋国家公园
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