2 - QVI Club

navigat r
ISSUE 05 DECEMBER 2010
Yummy
Festive Goodies
Vs.
Willpower
Christmas Dinner
with a
Dinner
Difference!
T LC V
LC
at
the
‘Tis the season
to be jolly!

FROM THE COCKPIT
MD’s Message
2010 has come and gone in the blink of an eye. With
the economy picking up, we can certainly celebrate the
conclusion of the year with great food, great company and
great holidays!
In this issue, we take you around the world to see how
various cultures celebrate this time of year. We have
also come up with some delightfully tasty and healthy
alternatives to your usual Christmas dinners of turkey and
ham, so do enjoy the recipes. And with festive goodies
tempting you everywhere you turn, we have also included
a handy guide on how to keep tabs on your calorie intake
and avoid festive weight gain.
In our centrefold is a pullout calendar for 2011 with major
regional holidays indicated so as to help you start planning
for your next vacation. Consider unusual destinations such
as Ireland and the Dominican Republic, which we have
covered in this issue. Or plan your time off to coincide
with the thrilling annual sailing Regatta in Koh Samui from
30th May to 4th June 2011.
I am looking forward to an exciting 2011 when we will be
bringing you more exciting products, services and updates,
more articles on off-the-beaten-track travel destinations,
and more recipes, health tips and travel advice. Till the next
issue, I wish you happy holidays!
Joachim K Steffen | Managing Director

Editorial
Mayen Fok
Xanthe Chan
Sheena Tay
Nalinee Barrett
Design
Jay Valentine
Jeffrey Boyle
Navigator is published 4 times a year by
Quest Vacation International Pte Ltd in Singapore.
15 Hoe Chiang Road, #08-01/02/03 Tower 15,Singapore 089316
Tel: +65 6491 0900
Fax: +65 6491 0899
Email: customercare@qviclub.com
Website: www.qviclub.com
We welcome your feedback.
If there are topics you would like to see in the coming issues of
Navigator or you have suggestions or comments about the articles that
you would like to share, talk to us at customercare@qviclub.com
Copyright ©
Quest Vacation International Pte Ltd 2010.
All rights reserved.
Copyrights and / or other intellectual property rights on all designs, products,
logos, images, photos, texts, trade names, trademarks, etc., in this publication
are reserved. The reproduction, transmission, or modification of any part of the
contents of this publication is strictly prohibited.
Any views or opinions presented in this magazine are solely those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent those of Quest Vacation International Pte Ltd.
Any content published in this magazine should not be relied on for medical
advices, personal, financial or business decisions.
Quest Vacation International Pte Ltd provides all content in this magazine as is
without warranty of any kind to the extent allowed by applicable law, including
without limitation, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular
purpose and non infringement of intellectual property.

Contents
04 Baggage Claim
07 Arrivals
08 Destination : Bonvo
Samui Regatta 2011
10 Passport: The Medieval Charms of Kilkenny, Ireland
12 Destination : VLC
TLC at the VLC
17 Transit Lounge
Catching up with Dr. Rudy Susanto
18 On The Runway
‘Tis the season to be jolly!
22 The Viewing Gallery
Yummy Festive Goodies Vs. Willpower
25 Destination : Prana
Christmas Dinner with a difference
26 Destination : QVI
Dominican Republic, Cultural Capital of the Americas
28 The Viewing Gallery
Wellness at work

BAGGAGE CLAIM
/ 04
Citadines Bangkok
- Bangkok
Sukhumvit 8,
Bangkok, Thailand
Prana Resorts &
Spa – Koh Samui,
Thailand
I am extremely happy to express
my delight and gratitude towards
QVI. I made all my arrangements
through Ms Habibah of the QVI Club
Customer Care team. She helped me
with planning my trip, and even during
this peak season, I was able to make
my booking with prior notice of only
15 days. It was the smoothest travel
arrangement I have experienced so
far. My special thanks to Ms. Habibah.
We stayed 4 nights at Citadines
Bangkok, a spacious, fully furnished
service apartment. The reception staff
members were very courteous and
helpful. Citadines is located in the
center of the city where the majority
of Indian restaurants is, and where
there are lots of shopping options.
We also stayed at Prana for 3 nights
and we were actually thrilled and
rejuvenated by staying at our own
QVI resort. The hospitality was
7-star quality. They took the same
degree of care toward their guests
as what I have experienced only in
7-star resorts. Beautifully designed
villas with Thai accents, a spacious
bedroom, and a really big bathroom
with an al fresco garden shower, all
added to the wonderful ambience and
sense of privacy. Our Suite had a huge
pool deck with a panoramic view of
the ocean just 30 feet from us. It was
a great experience.
Thank you QVI for a wonderful
vacation.
- Shital Vyas (India)
Sunset Beach Club
- Fethiye, Turkey
Greetings from Turkey!
First of all as an IR of QNet and
a member of QVI Club, I want to
thank you for providing us with such
a unique, comfortable and joyful
vacation. We also send our thanks to
Mr Mehmet Eren Aktop for his help
and genuine interest in booking this
holiday.
I want to start with sending my
thanks and appreciation to the staff
of Sunset Beach Club. My cousin,
his wife, their kids and I had an
unforgettable vacation there. As a
family, we enjoyed every moment
of our time as we started each day
with a nice breakfast on our balcony
overlooking the swimming pool.
The fantastic beach of Fethiye was
only 50 metres away on which all
kinds of colourful entertainment
and shows would be held each
night. Furthermore, we had a great
opportunity to meet a lot of QVI
members from all around the world.
Our vacation also included visits to
the historical sights of Turkey such
as the Stone Graves, ancient Greek
villages and the Dead Sea. We will
always have the most wonderful
memories of these unforgettable
beauties.
We had such a lovely vacation
experience that I strongly recommend
Sunset Beach Club to everyone.
- Eren Tatar
(Turkey)

Cambay Palm
Lagoon - Kollam,
Kerala, India
In August, we stayed in Cambay
Palm Lagoon, Kollam, Kerala, India. In
fact it was a plan quickly made and
the support of Sherin from the QVI
customer support team in booking
and arranging everything was so
wonderful.
It is a serene lake resort on the banks
of Lake Ashtamudi , which I strongly
recommend for people who want an
escape from their tedious day to day
life to relax, rejuvenate and refresh
themselves. In fact we split my week
into 4 nights and 3 nights with my
partner Gimmi from Saudi Arabia who
came with his family, and we shared
some good family time together on
the same days. The resort arranged
a lake cruise with food which was
worth remembering. All the rooms
are lake facing, they are clean and
the service and food were good. Good
indeed for serene holidaying !!
Thanks!
-Radhakrishnan
(India)
Royal Heights
Resort - Bodrum,
Turkey
Hello,
First of all I want to thank Mr. Mehmet
Eren Aktop for paying such genuine
interest to us during the reservation
process as well as during our
vacation.
The resort apartment we stayed in
was simply wonderful, especially the
amazing scenery. And the breakfasts
on the balcony were unforgettable.
Moreover, we were happy with the
helpful staff at the resort and their
interest in our needs. I checked into
the resort with my best friend, but
after realizing the beauty of the resort
and the area, we called another friend
to join us as we did not want him to
miss such a great vacation chance.
Three of us had a lot of fun and the
unique scenery of the beautiful
Aegean Sea and the activities at the
beach were some of the things that
made our vacation even more fun. I
strongly recommend all my friends
to have a vacation at Royal Heights,
Bodrum in Turkey!
Thank you QVI for everything.
- Muhammet Bilal
Yilmaz (Turkey)
Cliff Top Club
- Auli, India
First and foremost, many thanks to
Ms Habibah of the QVI Club Customer
Care team for recommending the
Cliff Top Club for our honeymoon
and for handling the reservations so
well. Auli is stunningly beautiful; the
contrast of cultures and landscapes
is fascinating and the people are very
friendly. It exceeded our expectations.
The accommodation and the hotel
service were excellent, and we had
a wonderful range of experiences.
During a trek we discovered mini
Switzerland there! The breathtaking
view of its snowy mountains,
greenery and pleasant weather made
it real. The ropeway journey to the
resort was just exhilarating. We just
fell in love with this heaven on earth!
Thank you again for your help booking
this memorable trip. We would be
happy to recommend QVI to our
friends and family.
- Dr & Mrs Md.
Sabir Hussain
(New Delhi, India)

QVI CLUB NOW WELCOMES YOU IN
INDIA!
QVI Club has opened a new office in Mumbai, represented by Vanamala Hotels Travel and Tourism Services, so
as to bring greater convenience to QVI Club members in India!
Here, you can make enquiries about your membership, book your travel packages, obtain information, shop for
QVI Club merchandise, or simply find out new and exciting ways to explore your world through more than 2,000
resorts we have across the globe!
You can also pick up the QVI/XchangeWorld Directory at the office, pay your exchange fees, or pick up marketing
collateral for your sales activities.
Come over for tea or coffee, and have a friendly chat with QVI Club’s friendly Customer Care Representatives.
We’re ready to help you with your enquiries, and look forward to welcoming you at our Mumbai office!
VANAMALA HOTELS TRAVEL AND TOURISM SERVICES PTE. LTD.
A.N. Chambers First Floor #101 & 102 Turner Road Bandra (W) Mumbai 400 050, Maharashtra INDIA
Telephone: +91 22 2640 5850 Fax: +91 22 2640 6117
Website: www.vanamala-india.com

News
Gallery
A R R I V A L S
/07
Party at Prana
On 22 October, Prana Resorts & Spa hosted
another one of their eagerly-awaited
parties, serving up tapas, specialty drinks
and cocktails amid chill-out music. Koh
Samui experienced a spate of rainy spells
for the few days leading up to the party,
but the evening was blessed with clear
skies and a cool breeze which offered
attendees the perfect weather to party in.
This event saw the attendance of nearly
a hundred guests, comprising in-house
guests, friends and business partners of
the resort.
Everyone had great fun catching up with
friends and making new ones!
Opening
Ceremony of
Bonvo’s New
Office
On 27 September, Dato’ Vijay Eswaran
officiated the opening of Bonvo Travel’s
new office by unveiling Bonvo’s signage
at its reception area amidst cheers from
the staff who attended the ceremony.
This gesture signifies new beginnings,
and great encouragement, for the Bonvo
team to continue setting their sights on
greater achievements.
Other members of the Board of Directors
were also in attendance – Group
Managing Director Mr Joseph Bismark,
Ms Donna Imson, Mr Zaheer Merchant
and Mr Joachim Steffen graced this
joyous occasion with their presence.
“Now that you’ve come this far with a
new office, what I’m envisioning next
is Bonvo Tower. Or even Bonvo Airlines!”
said Dato’, who, in this simple but
powerful statement, showed his belief in
the people behind Bonvo, and the heights
to which this company can climb.
Do You Know?
Bonvo eVouchers are your
virtual cash!
It is the cashless way to pay for travel
services booked with Bonvo without
additional charges such as credit card
surcharges.
You only need 10 QNet Cycle Product
Voucher points to exchange for 1 Bonvo
eVoucher, so start travelling the world
with Bonvo eVouchers now!
To find out more, go to
http://www.bonvo.com/ir/evouchers.html,
call Bonvo at +65 6491 0898 or
email customercare@bonvo.com.
Members’ Lounge
Where in the World is This?
QVI Club monthly contest winners
If you’ve been participating in QVI Club’s monthly contest, log on to www.qviclub.com
now to find out if you’re one of the lucky winners! We’ve announced the winners for
September to November.
The contest ends on 31st December, so don’t miss the opportunity to make your
guess on the last Mystery Destination!

Samui
Regatta
30 May to 4 June
2011
Join us for days of fun and partying on the stunning
tropical island of Koh Samui, with some of the best
racing yachts in Asia. The Samui Regatta is now in
its 10th race year, and slated to be bigger and better,
with more intense competition!
In support of this prestigious event, Bonvo Travel
(Singapore) has prepared an exclusive tropical
experience for you. Make a date with us for an
unforgettable summer adventure!
Get up close and personal with some of the best racing yachts in Asia
Asia’s best racing yachts will gather at this international sporting event, so don’t miss the
opportunity to witness all the excitement! Who knows, you may get a chance to pick up
a tip or two on yachting from the skippers.
Grab the best seat in the house - on a Spectator Boat!
There’s no better way to catch the action than in a chasing speed boat! With food and
drinks served on board, this is your first class VIP seat to view the regatta and be at the
forefront of the action! Availability is limited, so be sure to book early.
A tropical adventure awaits you
Indulge in days of fun in the tropics, watch the regatta on board your spectator boat,
go snorkelling or island-hopping, or get a gorgeous tan on the idyllic beaches of Samui.
Alternatively, embark on the special interest programmes that Bonvo has prepared for
you. When the sun sets, head out for a wild night of partying! With so much to do, there’ll
never be a dull moment!
The sun, the sea, pristine white sands, events and parties, catching up with old friends and
making new ones – isn’t this the perfect combination for a memorable summer holiday?

Destination Bonvo
THE VIEWING GALLERY /09
Are you game for an Extraordinary Summer Experience?
Seats on spectator boats are running out fast. Reserve your spot NOW!
Simply gather your family, friends or colleagues to embark on this adventure
together – and leave the rest to us! Groups of 10 and above enjoy special rates.
Call +65 6491 0847 or email mice@bonvo.com for reservations.
Early Bird Promotion is valid from now until 31st March 2011.
Regatta Facts – At a Glance
The regatta started back in 2001 as a smallscale
competition, with just 11 participating
boats. The event grew yearly, and by the third
year, it had attained international status, and
begun to attract participants from all over
Asia Pacific, including Hong Kong, Singapore
and Australia.
Through the years, the regatta has grown and
cemented its importance to the Asian yachting
scene by being the last regatta in the Asian
Yachting Grand Prix series.
Regatta 2010 attracted more than 300
participants, and close to 2000 attendees from
around the globe.

Passport
/10
The
Medieval Charms
Kilkenny, Ireland
of
If you enjoy architecture and history vacations, then you mustn’t miss out on a trip back to medieval
times by visiting Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most historical counties.
Sprawled over both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster in the south-east of Ireland, Kilkenny is
home to numerous monuments, castles and abbeys from the Middle Ages of the 6th to 16th centuries. It had
its beginnings in an ecclesiastical foundation with the building and dedication of a church to St Canice. The
name Kilkenny can be traced back to the Irish Cill Chainnigh meaning ‘Church of Canice’. Following the Norman
invasion in the 12th century, the town was divided into the Irish stronghold around the Cathedral of St Canice,
and the Anglo-Norman borough beyond the town walls built to protect the wealthy merchants who lived within
them. In 1609, King James l of England granted Kilkenny a Royal Charter, thus giving it city status.
Nowadays, Kilkenny is a popular tourist destination, well known for its medieval architecture, highly regarded
for its culture with craft and design workshops, the Watergate Theatre, public gardens and museums. Annual
events include Kilkenny Arts Week, the Cat Laughs comedy festival, music at the Rhythm and Roots festival and
the Source concert. It is a popular base to explore the surrounding towns, villages and countryside.

Kilkenny’s Must - Visit List
St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower
These two iconic monuments have been an essential part of
Kilkenny’s rich heritage since it was founded as a site for Christian
worship in the 6th century. Named after St.Canice, this present
cathedral dates from the 13th century and is the second longest
in Ireland.
The cathedral has been preserved through the years in its original
Early Gothic style and form, with its many stained glass windows
and limestone construction. Kilkenny’s oldest standing structure, the
Round Tower, was built in the 9th century and stands stoically beside
the cathedral. It is one of only two Round Towers in Ireland that can
be climbed to the top. Ascend this one to admire the magnificent
views of Kilkenny City, the river, and the surrounding countryside.
Kilkenny Castle
One of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle was
the venue for the meeting of the General Assembly, or parliament,
of the Confederate Ireland government in the 1640s. The castle was
sold to the local Castle Restoration Committee in the mid 20th
Century for £50. Shortly after, it was handed over to the State and
opened to visitors after refurbishment. Since then, it has become
one of Ireland’s most popular tourist sites, with ornamental
gardens on the city side of the castle, an expanse of land and
gardens at the front, and part of the National Art Gallery on display
in the castle.
The Irish love a
great festival! Be it
religious or secular
in nature, festivals
in Ireland are
greatly celebrated
affairs with lots of
music, dancing, food
and drink.
Jerpoint Abbey
For a glimpse of romantic ruins with Romanesque details and
unique stone carvings, visit Jerpoint Abbey, a Cistercian abbey near
Thomastown, about 20km south of Kilkenny city.
The abbey was built around 1160 by the King of Ossory, Donal
MacGillapatrick, for the Benedictine monks. In 1180 it was taken
over by Cistercian monks from Baltinglass Abbey. The Cistercian
order was founded in 1098 in Citeaux. The monastery was selfcontained,
and included its own gardens, watermills, infirmary,
cemetery, kitchens, granary, stables and other outbuildings.
This national monument has been under the care of the Office
of Public Works since 1880. While you’re there, be sure to drop by
Newtown Jerpoint, where the ruins of a church still remain. Local
legend has it that the grave of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) lies within!
Dunmore Cave
The name of Dunmore Cave is derived from the Irish words Dún
Mór, which means ‘great fort’. It is a limestone cave located in
Ballyfoyle, containing some of the finest calcite formations found
in any Irish cave. Famous for being the site of a Viking massacre in
928 A.D, the numerous human bones found in the cave are believed
to be the victims’ remains. Till today, artefacts from this horrific
event can still be found in the cave.
Kilkenny’s Must - Do List
Love Festivals – Like the Irish Do
The Irish love a great festival! Be it religious or secular in nature,
festivals in Ireland are greatly celebrated affairs with lots of music,
dancing, food and drink. Most festivals and events are held during
the summer months – the icing on the cake for tourists who flock
to the city during this peak travel season!
If you are planning a holiday to Kilkenny during this period, don’t
miss the Smithwicks Rhythm and Roots Music Festival (late April),
the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival (May), the Ballykeeffe Midsummer
event (July), and the Kilkenny Arts Festival (August), which is also
one of the city’s principal events.
Shopping & Eating
To explore the city at leisure, shop at MacDonagh Junction shopping
centre, or indulge in a gastronomic feast at one of Kilkenny’s fine
restaurants and bars. Kilkenny City has a vibrant nightlife, so don’t
let the night slip away without partying at the local pubs!
Live the Irish Life
The medieval charm of this city beckons, so bask in the full glory of
its idyllic beauty by traipsing along walking trails, going horse-riding
in the countryside, or angling in River Nore, famous for its high trout
and salmon population! Those who favour a taste of Irish sporting
activities can go golfing, watch greyhound racing, and try carting.
QVI Club, through XchangeWorld, offers you a wide selection of
resorts throughout Ireland. The graceful 19th century 8-suite
Knocktopher Abbey and its adjacent 7 Mews Cottages are located
between Kilkenny and Waterford in beautiful countryside. To plan
a holiday in Ireland, do contact QVI Club at +65 6491 0900 or at
customercare@qviclub.com.

31 New Year’s Eve Thailand, Philippines
01 All Saints’ Day Philippines
6-9 Festival of Sacrifice Turkey
06 Festival of Sacrifice India, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia
06 Hari Raya Haji Malaysia, Singapore
07 Hari Raya Haji Malaysia
10 Guru Nanak’s Birthday India
14 Eid-e Ghadir Khom Iran
26 Islamic New Year Iran
27 Islamic New Year Indonesia, Malaysia
30 Bonifacio Day Philippines
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
Q Lifestyle’s Head of Marketing, Ms Mayen Fok,
made a recent trip to Manila where she visited the Vital
Life Center. This is a physician-supervised wellness
facility dedicated to promoting health and preventing
illness, relying on the power of information to give people
the power of prevention. Through its Health and Wellness
Education, and its Preventive Screening Programme, the
center helps people achieve and maintain total wellness
for the long term.
What was the purpose of this trip to the Vital Life Centre in the
Philippines?
As part of the team that provides marketing support to the Vital
Life Center, it was necessary for me to undergo the entire health
screening procedure to understand the various processes – what
they analysed, and how they interpreted the analyses – as well as to
experience for myself what a member would typically experience.
I could then provide valuable feedback to the team at VLC on ways
to enhance or improve the experience.
Tell us about your experience. What did you do there?
Probably the toughest part of the screening process was having to
fast overnight! Fasting is required to ensure that the saliva, urine
and blood samples taken the next day would be unaffected by food
or drink, and that the results would more accurately reflect the
true state of your health. I was even told not to brush my teeth in
the morning so that my saliva would not be affected by chemicals
from toothpaste or mouth rinse. So, I had my last meal by 8.30pm
and mentally prepared myself to expect my next meal or drink only
around 10am the next morning.
04 Tassoua Iran
05 Ashura Iran
05 H.M. King’s Birthday Thailand
05 Al-Hijra / Muharram India
10 Constitution Day Thailand
12 Subsitute holiday for Constitution Day Thailand
25 Christmas Day Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, Philippines
26 Subsitute holiday for Christmas Day Australia
26 Shared Holiday by Government Decree Indonesia
26 Day of Goodwill South Africa
26 Boxing Da Victoria, Tasmania (Australia)
27 Boxing Day Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory,
Australia Capital Territory, South Australia
30 Rizal Day Philippines
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Upon arriving at VLC, I was asked to fill out a comprehensive
questionnaire about my health and lifestyle habits. Then I changed
into a gown and had my height and weight measured, followed by
providing them with saliva, urine and blood samples. Toothbrushes
and toothpaste were available so I could brush my teeth after that.
Next, I was ushered into the lounge for breakfast which comprised
a fruit platter, oatmeal cookies and a choice of organic teas.
After a short rest, I met Dr Jerry Esguerra who carried out a
computerized Chinese meridian test on me by placing a special
metal probe on 12 different points on my wrists and ankles to get
their readings. These 12 points are meridians which, in Traditional
Chinese Medicine practice, correspond to 12 specific organs in the
body. The readings are compared to a baseline, and the degree
of variation above and below the baseline indicates the state of
health of that particular organ.
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
s m t w t f s
1 2 3 4 5
s m t w t f s
November
December
23 Saudi National Day Saudi Arabia
24 Heritage Day South Africa
30Aug -1 Ramazan Bayrami Turkey
1-2 Shared Holiday by Government Decree Indonesia
16 Malaysia Day Malaysia
23 Martyrdom of Imam Jafar Sadegh Iran
02 Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday India
03 Labour Day Australia Capital Territory
04 Labour Day South Australia, New South Wales
06 Dussehra (Way Dashmi) India
23 Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day) Thailand
24 Substitute holiday for Chulalongkorn Day Thailand
26 Deepavali India, Malaysia, Singapore
28-29 Republic Day Turkey
/ 12
I had never experienced Cupping before, so I was most curious
to try it out. Lying facedown on a bed, 12 pairs of glass cups were
attached by suction to my bare back, from the shoulders to the
base of my spine. There was only a little bit of discomfort from
the stretched skin around my shoulders, but otherwise, the cool,
darkened room lulled me into a snooze for the 15 minutes that
the procedure took. Once the cups were released, the nurse took
close up photos of the marks left behind by the cups. Some areas
showed a pinkish purple discolouration, indicating certain health
issues or stress with the organ that the area corresponded with.
The final screening step was with Dr Philip Chia who conducted
a live blood analysis by taking a pinprick of blood from my finger
and placing it on a slide under a high-powered microscope. The
slide sample was viewed against a black light and a white light,
with different characteristics showing up more clearly in either
light. I was able to view all of this on a large LCD screen while Dr
Chia explained what I was seeing – from the shape and rate of
movement of the blood cells, to the presence of uric acid crystals
or cholesterol, and so on. It was fascinating!
Back in Dr Esguerra’s room, he took me through the results of
each of the screening processes, identifying areas of my body,
health or emotional state that showed stress or weakness, and
recommended ways I could improve my health. It seems I could
do with more quality sleep (who doesn’t?!), need to drink more
water, and exercise more regularly. Work was causing some stress,
so I was encouraged to find ways to relax (a long beach holiday is
definitely in order!), but generally, my emotional state was fairly
calm and happy.
Which part of the visit did you enjoy most?
The entire visit was wonderful, from arriving at the restful, elegant,
spa-like atmosphere of the VLC, to the friendly staff who explained
all procedures clearly and guided me through all the steps, and
the refreshingly healthy breakfast they served me once they had
obtained all my fluid samples.
What can our members expect if they visit the VLC?
Members can expect highly professional doctors and nurses who
are warm, understanding and who immediately put you at ease by
patiently talking you through all the analyses and results. At the
end of the screening, you will be given recommendations on ways
to improve your state of health and well-being, from exercise to
diet, from taking supplements to finding ways to avoid or minimise
stress. A visit to VLC can literally be a life-changing experience!
The Vital Life Centre
7/F Rockwell Business Centre
Meralco Compound, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
Tel: +632 626 2200
Destination VLC
THE VIEWING
GALLERY
A visit to VLC can literally be a life-changing experience!
TLC at the VLC
The Vital Life Center takes one
on a journey to a better lifestyle
30 31
25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

July
s m t w t f s
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
01 Mid Year’s Closing Day Thailand
15 Asarnha Bucha Day Thailand
16 Subsitute holiday for Asarnha Bucha Day Thailand
16 Birthday of Imam Mahdi Iran
September
s m t w t f s
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
August
s m t w t f s
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
09 National Day Singapore
09 National Women’s Day South Africa
12 H.M. The Queen’s Birthday Thailand
13 Raksha Bandhan India
15 Independence Day India
17 Indonesian National Independence Day Indonesia
21 Martyrdom of Imam Ali Iran
21 Ninoy Aquino Day Philippines
29 Shared Holiday by Government Decree Indonesia
29 National Heroes’ Day Philippines
30 Victory Day Turkey
30 Eid-e Fitr (end of Ramadan) India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia
31 Eid-e Fitr (end of Ramadan) Malaysia, Iran, Philippines
31 National Day Malaysia
October
s m t w t f s
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22

2011
Navigator wishes everyone Happy Holidays! And to ensure you continue to have enjoyable holidays
next year, we have created this pull-out calendar for you, with public holidays of various countries
indicated on it. This will help you in planning for your next QVI Club vacation! To enquire about resort
availability, or to book your holiday, contact us at customercare@qviclub.com.
January
s m t w t f s
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
February
s m t w t f s
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28
30 31
01 New Year’s Day
03 Subsitute holiday for New Year’s Day Thailand, Australia
24 Arbaeen Iran
26 Republic Day India / Australia Day Australia
01 Demise of Prophet Mohammad Iran
02 Martyrdom of Imam Reza Iran
03 Chinese New Year Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia
04 Chinese New Year (2nd day) Malaysia, Singapore
11 Victory of Islamic Revolution Iran
15 Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad Malaysia, Indonesia
18 Makha Bucha Day Thailand
20 Milad un Nabi (Shia) Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad India, Iran
25 People Power Day Philippines
March
s m t w t f s
April
s m t w t f s

1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
05 Bali’s official day of Silence – Hindu New Year 1933 India
07 Labour Day Western Australia
14 Labour Day Victoria (Australia)
20 Nationalisation of Oil Industry Day Iran
21 Navruz Iran
21 Human Rights Day South Africa
May
s m t w t f s
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
01 Labour Day Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, Malaysia
02 Subsitute holiday for Labour Day Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Philippines
05 Coronation Day Thailand
17 Vesak Day Thailand, Malaysia, India, Singapore, Indonesia
19 Commemoration of Atatürk and Youth and Sports Day Turkey
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
06 Chakri Day Thailand
09 Bataan and Corregidor Day (“Day of Valour”) Philippines
13 - 15 Songkran Festival Thailand
16 Mahavir Jayanti India
21 Maundy Thursday Philippines
22 Good Friday India, Singapore, Australia, Philippines
23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day Turkey
26 Easter Monday Australia
26 Subsitute holiday for Anzac Day which is on 25 Apr Australia
June
s m t w t f s
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
02 The Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven Indonesia
04 Agong’s birthday Malaysia
12 Independence Day Philippines
13 Subsitute holiday for Independence Day Philippines
13 Queen’s Birthday Australia
15 Birthday Imam Ali Iran
16 Youth Day South Africa
29 Ascension of The Prophet Muhammad Iran, Indonesia

25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
30Aug -1 Ramazan Bayrami Turkey
1-2 Shared Holiday by Government Decree Indonesia
16 Malaysia Day Malaysia
23 Martyrdom of Imam Jafar Sadegh Iran
23 Saudi National Day Saudi Arabia
24 Heritage Day South Africa
02 Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday India
03 Labour Day Australia Capital Territory
04 Labour Day South Australia, New South Wales
06 Dussehra (Way Dashmi) India
23 Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day) Thailand
24 Substitute holiday for Chulalongkorn Day Thailand
26 Deepavali India, Malaysia, Singapore
28-29 Republic Day Turkey
November
s m t w t f s
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
December
s m t w t f s
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
01 All Saints’ Day Philippines
6-9 Festival of Sacrifice Turkey
06 Festival of Sacrifice India, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia
06 Hari Raya Haji Malaysia, Singapore
07 Hari Raya Haji Malaysia
10 Guru Nanak’s Birthday India
14 Eid-e Ghadir Khom Iran
26 Islamic New Year Iran
27 Islamic New Year Indonesia, Malaysia
30 Bonifacio Day Philippines
04 Tassoua Iran
05 Ashura Iran
05 H.M. King’s Birthday Thailand
05 Al-Hijra / Muharram India
10 Constitution Day Thailand
12 Subsitute holiday for Constitution Day Thailand
25 Christmas Day Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, Philippines
26 Subsitute holiday for Christmas Day Australia
26 Shared Holiday by Government Decree Indonesia
26 Day of Goodwill South Africa
26 Boxing Da Victoria, Tasmania (Australia)
27 Boxing Day Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory,
Australia Capital Territory, South Australia
30 Rizal Day Philippines
31 New Year’s Eve Thailand, Philippines

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Navigator
catches up with
Dr. Rudy Susanto,
a well-travelled
QVI Club Platinum
member since
2002, who
shares his
holiday
experiences.
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
s m t w t f s
1 2 3
TRANSIT LOUNGE
/17
September
•Turning vacation savings into
future assets
If I decide to place this savings of
US$800 in investment instruments
such as the equity fund market or
in a mutual fund company in the
emerging countries (eg. Asia), and
with a ROI-NAV of 20%, my QVI
Club Platinum membership cost of
US$8,150 will be 100% recouped
within 10 years. And that’s 20 years
before I even finish using up my 30
weeks of vacation time!
Now, if I were to top up this
investment to US$1,000 every time
I reserve a week of vacation, my
investment will grow even faster.
QVI turns my vacation cost savings
into future assets which could
become my pension fund at the end
of my 30 year membership!
•Network marketing and direct
selling opportunity
For me, QVI Club is more than just
regular annual family vacations with
great cost savings and an annual
investing opportunity - QVI Club
means business! As a satisfied
Platinum member who absolutely
loves vacationing, QVI is my
business of choice.
My vision is to increase the
awareness of people to the
importance of taking regular annual
vacations for their well-being, health
and quality of life. Vacationing
benefits the body (to be healthy),
mind (to be happy), and soul (to
have peace). My mission is to make
people all over the world become
happy and healthy by taking annual
vacations and visiting their dream
exotic destinations with family,
friends, and loved ones, all through
QVI Club, and being proud QVI
Club members.
01 Mid Year’s Closing Day Thailand
15 Asarnha Bucha Day Thailand
16 Subsitute holiday for Asarnha Bucha Day Thailand
16 Birthday of Imam Mahdi Iran
During my one week there, I was
able to play five rounds of 18-hole
golf at five gorgeous golf courses,
one of which was the Banff Springs
Golf Club, the world’s most scenic
and challenging golf course.
31
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
To relax and rejuvenate, I went
for pampering spa sessions at
the Fairmont and Radium hot
spring pools.
On my way back to Calgary
International Airport, I saw some
of the world’s most spectacular
scenery - a scenic rocky mountain
paradise! This was a memorable
holiday experience which left me
with beautiful lifetime memories.
How about your worst holiday
experience?
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Sorry, I’ve no ‘worst holiday’ story to
tell. With QVI Club, every vacation
is a good vacation!
What do you think makes a perfect
holiday?
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
My idea of a perfect holiday would
be to spend it with the right people
(loved ones, family and friends), at
the right place (in exotic or dream
destinations), at the right time
(free from the stress of work, and
when the kids are on their school
holidays), and at the right price
(affordable and value-for-money).
Most importantly, I need to have the
QVI Club card and the QNET debit
card with me - then I’m all set for
the perfect vacation!
s m t w t f s
1 2
Among all the countries you’ve
visited, which one has left the
deepest impression on you?
British Columbia, Canada.
July
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
What attracted you to take up the
QVI Club Membership?
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1
s m t w t f s
I was attracted to the QVI Club
Membership for several reasons:
•The ability to plan for annual
vacations with peace of mind
With the QVI Club membership,
I can plan for my annual one- or
two-week vacations on a regular
basis. Knowing there are available
units at locations of my choice,
with guaranteed check-in options,
leaves me with peace of mind.
•Great savings from smart
vacation expenses
Most of the exotic resorts that I
have ever stayed in have a rack
rate of US$150 to US$300 per
night. As a QVI Club member I
only pay a Usage Fee of US$150
for a full week (7N/8D) with my
family (4 persons) at QVI’s Home
Resorts & Limited Collection
Resorts. If I choose to stay at one
of XchangeWorld’s resorts, I pay
just an additional Xchange Fee of
US$99 on top of the US$150, for a
total of US$249 per week.
Why should I pay upwards of
US$1,050 (US$150 x 7 nights) per
week at the same quality of resort
and location if through QVI Club I
only pay US$249 per week? I save
76% in accommodation cost which
works out to about US$800! QVI
Club is a smart and better way to
spend on my yearly vacations.
October
•Tangible and valuable assets for
gifts and rewards
15 Independence Day India
17 Indonesian National Independence Day Indonesia
21 Martyrdom of Imam Ali Iran
21 Ninoy Aquino Day Philippines
29 Shared Holiday by Government Decree Indonesia
29 National Heroes’ Day Philippines
30 Victory Day Turkey
30 Eid-e Fitr (end of Ramadan) India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia
31 Eid-e Fitr (end of Ramadan) Malaysia, Iran, Philippines
31 National Day Malaysia
I can easily reserve the guaranteed
check-in resorts and other available
resorts listed in XchangeWorld and
have the confirmation vouchers
issued to my friends and guests
as anniversary or birthday gifts or
business rewards.
Tell us about your most memorable
holiday experience
It was during my golf vacation at
QVI Club’s Rocky Mountain Resorts
at Panorama Mountain Village,
British Columbia, located just a
few hours away from the town of
Banff, and Kootenay National Park,
Alberta, Canada.
On my way to the resort from
the airport, as we were passing
Banff National Park, an elk (the
largest deer in the world) emerged
from the dark, crossed the road,
stopped in front of my car, and
stared at me for a few minutes.
Displaying its enormous flattened
male antlers, it felt like it was
welcoming me to British Columbia.
After this ‘welcome gesture’, it
walked away and disappeared
into the dark. It was my first close
encounter with this large mammal,
and it felt so surreal!
My resort was in the middle of the
forest, accessible through a narrow
valley and surrounded by ski terrain
and the widely-acclaimed Grey
Wolf Golf Club, which is among the
top ten in Canada. From my room,
I could see the beautiful city of
Invermere, surrounded by amazing
lakes and mountains.
09 National Day Singapore
09 National Women’s Day South Africa
12 H.M. The Queen’s Birthday Thailand
13 Raksha Bandhan India
28 29 30 31
What do you like to do most when
on vacation?
I’d say it’s simply to have fun and
spend quality time with my family.
During the day, I would play golf
with fellow QVI Club members
while my wife and children shop
in the town nearby. At night, we’d
look for a place which serves good
food for dinner.
What are your favourite
destinations?
Here are some of my favourite
places in the various continents:
Asia - Bali and Thailand
USA - Hawaii (Waikiki Beach),
California (Palm Springs & Los
Angeles), Florida (Walt Disney
World), Canada (Niagara Falls &
British Columbia)
Europe - France and Spain
Africa - South Africa
Australia - Sydney and Perth
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
“Sorry, I’ve no ‘worst
holiday’ story to tell.
With QVI Club, every
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1 2 3 4 5 6
s m t w t f s
vacation is a good
vacation!”
Name 3 essential items you can’t
live without on your vacation.
1. My golf bag, which contains my
golf shoes, golf balls, golf shirts
and other sports equipment.
2. My backpack, which carries my
wallet, money, bank cards, ID,
some shirts and trousers, and
water.
3. Motivational books and a map
for directions to local places of
interest.
If you were to be exiled to a
deserted island, and could only
take one personal item with you,
what would you select?
August
My backpack, or at least a bottle
of water.

As the year closes and a new one arrives, there
is much to celebrate – wrapping up a successful
year, looking forward to fresh beginnings, marking
a religious event, heralding the winter, or simply
discovering the perfect season and reason to gather
with family and friends. Various cultures around the
world celebrate this time of year in their own unique
ways, so here, we take you globetrotting from one
festivity to another!
‘Tis the season

America
African Americans celebrate the week-long Kwanzaa from 26 December to 1
January. This festival that celebrates ideals such as family life and unity was
first created by Maulana Karenga in 1966 to help African Americans reconnect
with their cultural and historical roots. The word Kwanzaa derives from the
Swahili phrase ‘matunda ya kwanza’, meaning ‘first fruits of the harvest’, and
is based on ancient African harvest festivals. During this spiritual holiday,
millions of African Americans dress in special clothes, decorate their homes
with colourful African fabrics, fruits and vegetables, and light a candleholder
called a ‘kinara’. The festival culminates in a feast and gift-giving.
to be jolly!
Central and South America
Holiday customs in this part of the world still reflect the historical
and deeply Catholic traditions inherited from Spain. The birth of
Jesus Christ is celebrated widely, with the manger or presepio -
the lowly makeshift bed that Jesus was born in - being the primary
focus of the holiday. Sometimes an entire room in a household is
elaborately decorated with shepherds, angels, and the Wise Men
surrounding the manger to pay homage to Jesus. On 6 January, the
three Wise Men bring gifts to children.
China
The Chinese New Year is usually celebrated sometime in January or February by millions of
Chinese around the world, from Taiwan to Singapore, from Toronto to Sydney. The Chinese follow
a lunar calendar, and the exact date of the New Year depends on the phases of the moon. To
usher in the New Year, households will embark on a thorough spring-cleaning to signify a fresh,
positive start. Old furniture, clothes and possessions are replaced with new ones, and lights are
left on throughout the eve to brighten the home. Families and friends visit each other, bringing
with them pairs of mandarin oranges to represent good fortune, and small red envelopes of
cash to give to children.

Ecuador
An interesting ritual takes place on 31 December in Ecuador. Elaborate effigies, called Años
Viejos (Old Years), are created out of straw, newspaper and old clothes, with papier-mâché
masks, to represent people and events from the past year. For the disgruntled, these straw
figures could represent political characters or leaders that they may have disagreed with!
Often, these effigies are also stuffed with fire crackers. At midnight, the effigies are set on fire
to symbolize burning away of the past year and welcoming of the New Year. The origin of this
ritual can be traced back to pagan Roman and pre-Roman Spanish traditions still celebrated
in Europe, and which were brought to many Latin-American countries in colonial times.
To ensure health, wealth, prosperity and protection in the New Year, other quirky customs are
observed, such as eating twelve grapes before midnight, making a wish with each grape. Or
walking around the block with one’s suitcase so that the journey of their dreams will come
true, or even wearing yellow underwear to attract positive energies!
Denmark
Christmas Eve dinner is a big cause
for celebration in Denmark. The most
anticipated part of the meal is the
traditional rice pudding, baked with a single
almond inside. Whichever guest gets the
almond in his pudding is guaranteed good
luck for the coming year. Later, before going
to bed, children leave out glasses of milk
for the Juulnisse, which are elves that live
in peoples’ homes, and for Julemanden, the
Danish version of Santa Claus.
Germany
Germany is credited with the popularity of
the Christmas tree. The tradition of having a
decorated Christmas tree has its roots in the
past when part of the holiday celebrations
of Germans included a pageant about Adam
and Eve. In the play, a tree would be adorned
with red apples to represent the forbidden
fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good
and Evil in the Garden of Eden.
Italy
In Italian lore, Befana is an old woman
who travels through Italy leaving gifts for
children on Epiphany Eve, the night of 5
January. Befana was considered the best
housekeeper in her village and had the most
pleasant home. One evening, a few days
before the birth of Christ, the three magi, or
wise men, stopped at her home to ask for
directions to where the Son of God was, as
they had seen his star in the sky. Although
she did not know, they invited her to join
them on the journey to find the baby Jesus.
She declined as she was too busy with her
housework. Later, Befana had a change of
heart and tried to find the astrologers and
Jesus, but failed. To this day, she continues
to search for the little baby, leaving all the
good children toys, candy or fruit, while the
bad children get coal, onions or garlic.

Greece
The Greeks believe that the Killantzaroi,
mischievous goblins, emerge from the
centre of the earth and enter homes through
the chimneys during the twelve days after
Christmas. So between 25 December and
6 January, hearth fires are left burning for
days, and a sprig of basil is wrapped around
a wooden cross suspended over a shallow
wooden bowl of water to ward off these
unwanted spirits. On Christmas Eve, young
boys go from home to home singing songs
and beating drums and triangles to chase
away the Killantzaroi, receiving treats from
the residents in return. Unlike with many
other cultures, Greeks exchange gifts on
New Year’s Day, which is also St Basil’s Day.
Poland
Christmas Eve, or Wigilia as it is called in
Poland, is a day of both fasting and feasting.
Food is not consumed until the sighting of
the very first star of the evening, which
everyone avidly scans the night sky for.
Once this star, Gwiazdka, meaning ‘little
star’, is seen, the feasting can begin.
Dinner usually consists of an odd number
of dishes for good luck, with beet soup,
prune dumplings, carp, herring and poppy
seed cake being very typical fare. No meat,
except fish, is served at this Christmas
Eve meal. Other traditions accompany
this family dinner, such as having an even
number of people seated around the table,
as well as symbolically leaving an empty
place setting for any wanderer who may be
in need of a meal.
Scandinavia
Many Scandinavian holiday traditions are
rich reflections of the pagan celebrations of
long ago in which they have their roots. In
pre-Christian Scandinavia, ‘Jul’ or ‘Yule’ was
an observation of the winter solstice. It was
a mid-winter celebration of the transition
from the dark winter to spring and the
time to celebrate harvest, fertility and birth.
December is the darkest month of the year
but it is also when the sun turns and the
days start to get longer again.
The Yuletide season begins with the St Lucia
Festival dedicated to Lucia, or the Queen of
Light, that falls on the night between the
12th and 13th of December. She was an
Italian saint from the island of Syracuse
who brought food to the poor Christians
hiding in the catacombs of Rome from the
religious persecution of Emperor Diocletian.
To keep her hands free to hand out food
she wore a wreath in her hair carrying
candles to light her way in the darkness.
These days, a Lucia is traditionally chosen
in every village, town and school, then
crowned with candles in the town square
before leading a procession with her whiteclad
followers singing traditional Christmas
songs. Curiously, St Lucia is celebrated
more enthusiastically in Scandinavia than
anywhere else in the world, even Italy.
Scotland
The New Year’s Eve celebration of Hogmanay is the main holiday in Scotland, with
festivities typically spilling over into the first couple of days of January. The origin of
the word is obscure, but the most satisfying explanation is that it derives from the
Northern French dialect word for ‘a New Year’s gift’. The early Hogmanay celebrations
were originally brought to Scotland by the invading and occupying Norse who continued
their observations of the winter solstice.
The most widely practiced custom of Hogmanay is that of ‘first-footing’, which starts
immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold
of the home of a friend or neighbour, and bringing symbolic gifts such as salt, coal,
shortbread, whisky, and black bun (a rich fruit cake), intended to bring different kinds of
luck to the householder. Food and drink are then given to the guests. This joyous housevisiting
may go on throughout the early hours of the morning and well into the next day.
The first-foot is supposed to set the luck for the rest of the year, and traditionally, tall dark
men are preferred as the first-foot. This belief stems from the time when a red- or blondehaired
stranger was probably an invading Norseman!
‘Tis the season to be jolly
ON THE RUNWAY /21

THE
/ VIEWING
GALLERY
22
Yummy
Festive Goodies
Yes, it’s often a losing battle against the temptations of
decadent pleasures! Try these tips to keep the calories at bay.
An pple a day….
Tomatoes decrease the risk of breast
cancer, head and neck cancers and
might be strongly protective against
neurodegenerative diseases. They also
contain lycopene, one of the most powerful
natural antioxidants.
Broccoli is high in vitamins C, K, and A,
as well as dietary fiber. It also contains
multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer
properties.
Beetroots are a rich source of potent
antioxidants and nutrients, including
magnesium, sodium, potassium and
vitamin C, and betaine, which is important
for cardiovascular health.
Asparagus is a low-calorie source of
folate and potassium. Its stalks are high in
antioxidants. It contains substances that
act as a diuretic, neutralize ammonia that
makes us tired, and protect small blood
vessels from rupturing. Its fibre content
makes it a laxative too.
Apples may reduce the risk of colon
cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer.
They may also help with heart disease,
weight loss, and controlling cholesterol.

Vs.
Willpower
It’s the season of merry-making! Hearty meals with family
and friends, festive goodies received as gifts, holiday
sweets on sale everywhere – it takes lots of self-discipline
and determination not to overindulge! Before you know
it, you may have piled on extra pounds even before the
holiday season is over.
Here’s a handy guide on how to keep tabs on your intake, and
avoid holiday weight gain.
Start the day with a healthy breakfast
Research has shown that those who start the day with a healthy breakfast
typically take fewer calories throughout the day. Eat a hearty bowl of oatmeal or
cereals with low-fat milk and fresh fruit toppings; wholewheat toast with lowfat
margarine; or make a smoothie by blending low-fat milk, yogurt, strawberries
and half a banana, with some organic honey to taste.
Eat small, frequent meals
Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day would prevent overeating when
you attend a dinner party. For such an occasion, avoid skipping meals to ‘save
space in your stomach’! Remember, the hungrier you are, the higher would be
the tendency to overeat.
Limit your food portions
Yes, festive parties and dinner gatherings during the holidays are the perfect
time to eat the food and snacks that are only available during that time of year.
Although the temptation is great, consume these foods in moderation. Limit your
serving portions of fatty foods and calorie-laden snacks. If you feel your selfrestraint
waning, take regular sips of water, so you’ll fill up faster.
Load up on fibre-rich foods
Fibre-rich foods keep you feeling full for longer periods of time, so they make
ideal appetizer choices.
Starting your meal with salads and vegetables will help you eat less during
your meals. Be mindful of the salad dressing (go easy on the creamy ones and
choose fat-free dressings), and ideally, take blanched vegetables. For your main
dish, fill up your plate with vegetable side dishes instead of starchy or meatbased
alternatives.
Take cues from your body
Your body would send signals to your brain to ‘inform’ you that you’ve eaten
enough. Instead of eating till you feel stuffed, stop eating once you no longer
feel hungry!
In addition, chew your food slowly and take sips of water in between bites so
you’ll feel full faster. Otherwise, chatting with your dining companions during the
meal also helps to pace your food intake.
Exercise to get back in shape
For those who fight a losing battle against their willpower throughout the
holidays, fret not. If you find yourself overindulging, just maintain or increase the
intensity of your exercise regime after the holiday season to get back in shape!
Pcontinued to next page

Holiday Dinner
Calories Fat Sodium Cholesterol Sugar Carbs
Main Course
Turkey 450 0g 0mg 0mg 0g 0g
Baked Ham 70 2g 620mg 23mg 4g 2g
Vegetarian Turkey (Wheat Gluten) 182 1g 9mg 0mg 0g 6g
Side Dishes
Stuffing (Bread w/Meat Drippings) 410 29g 1090mg 0mg 0g 31g
Roast Potatoes 300 4g 0mg 0mg 4g 36g
Turkey Gravy 99 7.18g 70.54mg 20.12mg 0g 7.25g
Cranberry Sauce (Jellied) 110 0g 10mg 0mg 21g 25g
Waldorf Salad 180 9g 320mg 20mg 14g 18g
Mashed Potatoes 124 2.9g 53mg 0.2mg 0g 22.2g
Green Bean Casserole 876 31.19g 2385.19mg 1.23mg 0g 9.8g
Candied Sweet Potatoes 148 3g 45mg 0mg 3g 30g
Deviled Eggs 58 4.3g 167mg 140mg 0.6g 1.5g
Buttered Carrots 398 18.7g 3547.6mg 48.6mg 4.2g 50.5g
Corn 80 1.2g 78mg 0mg 0g 41.2g
Spinach with Toasted Pinenuts 197 19.1g 311.7mg 0mg 0.1g 4.6g
Beverages
Eggnog (Canned) 170 5g 100mg 60mg 14g 17g
Mulled Wine 96 0.6g 0mg 0mg 3.6g 5.9g
Hot Buttered Rum 105 4g 29mg 11mg 0g 0g
Desserts & Snacks
Chocolate Log Cake 235 10g 214mg 27mg 31g 38g
Christmas Pudding (W/Rum Sauce) 415 14.47g 323.06mg 96.34mg 50g 60.52g
Mince Pie 368 25g 426mg 121mg 6g 8g
Trifle (cream/jelly/spongecake) 437 23.1g 581mg 45mg 45.6g 53g
Cheesecake (NY Style) (Mrs. Smith’s) 829 58.5g 536.25mg 251.88mg 45.5g 65g
Pumpkin Pie (Mrs. Smith’s) 228 10.36g 307.38mg 21.8mg 15.11g 29.76g
Pecan Pie (Mrs. Smith’s) 410 22g 230mg 70mg 22g 52g
Apple Pie (Mrs. Smith’s) 340 16g 380mg 0mg 20g 45g
Walnut Fudge 129 7g 25mg 7mg 16g 17g
Chocolate Chip Cookie (Toll House) 180 9g 170mg 10mg 15g 26g
Gingerbread Man (5 cookies) 140 5g 110mg 0mg 7g 21g
Candy Cane 45 0g 0g 0g 8g 11g
Mixed Nuts (Planters) 430 38g 275mg 0g 2.5g 13g
Average Christmas Dinner
Turkey (2 servings), Ham, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce,
Candied Sweet Potatoes, Deviled Eggs(3), Buttered Carrots,
Corn, Green Bean Casserole, Eggnog, Pumpkin Pie
3564
Calories
113.35g
Fat
8684.17
Sodium
574.63
Cholesterol
240.76
Carbs
US Recommended
Daily Allowances
Calories 2000
Fat 65g
Sodium 2400mg
Cholesterol 300mg
Carbs 300mg
That is 1564 Calories above the daily recommended or 78.2% more,
almost 2 days worth of calories! 48.35 more grammes of fat than
recommended, or 74.38% more, also almost 2 days worth of fat!
6284.17mg more sodium (salts) than recommended, or 261.84%, a
whopping 3.6 days worth! 274.63mg above the daily cholesterol amount,
or 91.54% worth more, again, almost 2 full days worth! and surprisingly,
59.24g less carbs than the maximum recommended.
Even if adhering to a strictly vegan holiday meal, you only cut out 682
calories, still putting you 882 calories over the top. You cut out 18.9g of
fat, but are still over the top by 29.45g. Sodium is cut by 1230mg, but thats
still a whopping 5072.17mg above the allowed.
Cholesterol gets cut way down to 71.69mg, which,
congratulations, is way below the limit, and finally
carbs get cut even lower to 223.26g.
What can you do? Try cutting down to
1 portion, smaller amounts, and forgo desserts
and snacks if possible, while your intake may
still be slightly more than average, it is still better
than almost the two days worth that the average
person is eating now.
Nutritional Information by:
www.livestrong.com & www.fitclick.com

Mille Feuille of Asparagus and Artichoke
with Mulled Wine Butter Sauce
Ingredients
For the pastry
• 170g puff pastry
• Egg wash
For the filling
• 10ml olive oil
• 1 small shallot sliced
• 1 clove garlic finely chopped
• 6 asparagus spears peeled,
boiled and cut into 12cm pieces
• ½ tin artichoke hearts cut into
quarters
For the sauce
• ½ glass red wine
• 1 star anise
• 1 small piece cinnamon
• 1 clove (crushed)
• 1tsp orange zest
• 1tsp dill (chopped)
• 1dsp cream
• 60g very cold butter cut into
small cubes
For garnish and seasoning
• Malden salt
• Cracked black pepper
• Olive oil
Method
Pastry
1. Roll the puff pastry to 3mm
thick and cut into a rectangle
shape 12cm x 6cm, flute the
edges and brush with the
egg wash, place on a greased
baking tray and allow to rest
in the fridge for 1 hour.
2. Bake in a pre-heated oven at
gas mark 6 or 180ºC for 10
minutes or until risen and
golden brown. Remove from
oven and place on a cooling
wire. When cool, cut in half
horizontally.
Sauce
Put the red wine, star anise,
cinnamon, clove and orange
zest in a small sauce pan and
reduce the wine to 2dsp. Add
the cream and bring to boil and
pass through a sieve. Slowly
whisk in the butter. Add dill &
season with salt and pepper. Put
to one side and keep warm.
Filling
In a sauté pan gently heat the
olive oil and add the onions
and garlic and cook until they
are soft but not brown, add the
artichokes and asparagus and
heat through. Season with salt
and pepper to taste.
Pour a little of the sauce onto
the centre of the plate and place
the bottom half of the puff
pastry over it, then place the
filling on top of the pastry and
drizzle with ½ the sauce. Place
the top half of puff pastry on top
and drizzle the rest of the sauce
around the plate. Garnish with
some asparagus spears, olive oil
and cracked black pepper.
Christmas Dinner with a Difference!
For a more health-conscious alternative to typical rich holiday fare such as stuffed turkey, roast beef and
ham, why not consider a vegetarian spread? You can still be festive with superb ingredients such as chestnuts,
sprouts, asparagus, squash, beetroot, mushrooms, sugar snap peas, mulled wine and mince pies.
Chef Jonny from Prana Resorts & Spa, Koh Samui, Thailand, shares with you two special recipes for a vegetarian
festive dinner, as well as some interesting vegetarian trivia. This soup and starter are quite easy to make and will
make a pleasant change.
Ingredients
For the soup
• 500g butternut squash
(peeled and roughly diced)
• 100g chestnuts
• 200g sliced white onion
• 5 cloves garlic, sliced
• 30g ginger
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 15ml vegetable oil
(soya or rapeseed)
• 1 litre vegetable stock
For garnish and seasoning
• 50g sugar snap peas cut in strips
• 50g chestnuts roughly chopped
• 100ml whipping cream
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp chopped oregano
• Malden salt
• Cracked black pepper
• Sourdough bread cut in flutes
and grilled with olive oil
Method
Soup
1. Heat the oil in a large pan, add
the onions and cook slowly
until soft and transparent.
Add the squash, ginger, garlic,
chestnuts and vegetable stock.
2. Bring to the boil and simmer
for 30 minutes until the
squash is soft. Allow to cool.
3. Put the soup into a blender
and blend until smooth, adjust
consistency and season with
salt and pepper.
Serving
4. Whip the cream softly and
when it starts to thicken add
the lemon juice.
5. Warm the soup gently in a
saucepan. Add the chopped
oregano.
6. In the soup bowls add the
sugar snap peas, then ladle
the soup over the peas and
garnish with the chestnuts
and sour cream.
7. Serve with sourdough flutes.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
with Chestnuts, Baby Peas and Sour Cream
Destination Prana
THE VIEWING
GALLERY
/ 25

DOMINICAN
The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean nation on the eastern side of the island of Hispaniola,
Haiti taking up the remaining third. It is a Spanish-speaking country with a population of around
10 million people. Inhabited by the indigenous Taínos since the 7th century, it became the site of
the first permanent European settlement in the Americas after Christopher Columbus first made
landfall in 1492, on his voyages of exploration in search of a route to Asia. Santo Domingo, the
country’s capital, was also Spain’s first capital in the New World. It also claims other firsts in the
Americas – the first university, the first cathedral and the first castle, the latter two in the UNESCO
World Heritage Site of Ciudad Colonial.

REPUBLIC
Cultural Capital of the Americas
Over the centuries, the Dominican Republic
has come under the rule of the Spanish,
the French, and the Haitians, and even
experienced 8 years of US occupation in
the early 20th century. The influence of
these colonialists, blended with that of the
native Indians, has created a unique identity
in every aspect of their lives, from food to
music, art, sports and religion.
Some say that Santo Domingo is the
Caribbean New York, being the city that
never sleeps. Santo Domingo is a mecca of
nightlife with trendy drinking establishments,
bars and restaurants which stay open till
two in the morning on weekends. Try the
locally produced Dominican rum which they
are well-known for!
The short occupation of the US has also
resulted in baseball being the national sport
- or national obsession - of the Dominican
Republic. Even more amazingly, the
Dominicans make up a larger percentage of
players in Major League Baseball than any
country outside North America. If you are
visiting this baseball-loving nation between
October and January, be sure to catch the
Dominican Winter League Baseball season.
It is something definitely not to be missed,
even if you are not a fan!
With the mixing of indigenous Tainos,
Spanish and African workers who worked
in the sugar cane plantations, the cuisine
on the island has become an interesting
combination of influence and spices from
the different cultures. While Santo Domingo
has a large selection of both local and
international-style restaurants, the best
way to explore the gastronomy is through
the small mom-and-pop establishments. La
bandera, the national dish, is a combination
of white rice, red beans, fried plantains,
vegetables, and some meat, usually broiled,
grilled, or fried chicken. Do take time to
indulge in the mouth-watering local fare.
Shopping in the Dominican Republic is
exciting as you will be treated with great
finds such as handmade cigars, Dominican
coffee, rum and handmade jewellery. In
Santo Domingo, check out the El Mercado
Modela market stuffed with local crafts.
For a jewellery spree, visit the Southern
Coast where you will find some of the most
intricate hand-crafted jewelry made from
semi-precious stones. Best buys include
amber jewelry and decorative pieces.
These are a national specialty; some pieces
encase insects, leaves or dew drops within
the ancient fossilized pine resin. Above all,
remember to haggle with the street vendors
on your purchases to ensure you get the
best deal.
The country is all about fun and colours!
The Dominican Carnival is one of the most
dazzling and animated festivals whereby
the locals come together in the city streets
to dance, share and delight in a celebration
of joy. Costumes worn by those who join in
the carnival differ from region to region but
often mix elements of traditional African
and European styles and fabrics. However,
most participants come dressed in diablo
conjuelo, a brightly coloured layered suit
covered with small mirrors and bells and
worn with a devil mask, usually with many
horns and teeth. The Carnival takes place
every weekend in February and nothing can
match its intensity, enthusiasm and creativity
brought together by the Dominicans.
Everywhere you are in the country, you
will be surrounded by a constant infectious
rhythm that gets your hips moving and heart
racing. ‘Merengue’ is a fast-paced, rhythmic
dance music created by the people of
Dominican Republic and is an exotic mix of
native South American, Spanish and African
rhythms. Interestingly, merengue was
once slowed down to accommodate the
Americans who couldn’t dance the difficult
steps of the music.
Not only does the Dominican Republic
have the best beaches, resorts, beautiful
people and extraordinary attractions, it also
embodies the culture of various countries to
make this a truly unique place to visit.
Explore this fascinating island nation through XchangeWorld! Check out our resorts at http://www.xchangeworld.com/xplore.html

THE
/ VIEWING
GALLERY
28
Welln

Side neck stretches*
Gently lean your head to the right. Return to an upright
position. Lean your head left. Always return to an upright
position between stretches and never simply rotate the neck.
Shoulder stretch*
Shrug both shoulders up to your ears, rotate them backward,
and then lower them to their original position. Reverse
direction by rotating them forwards.
Arm-shoulder stretch*
Extend your arms to either side at shoulder height.
Rotate your arms in small circles, first clockwise and then
counterclockwise.
Arm strengtheners*
Hold a fairly thick book in one hand. Using one hand, lift the
book overhead and bring it down; extend it in front of you
(shoulder level) and then draw your arm back toward your
chest. Repeat with the other hand. As you get stronger, use
a heavier object.
Back stretch*
Lean forward and reach in turn for your knees, calves, ankles,
and the floor, holding each position for 1 to 2 seconds.
Hip flexor strengthener*
Stand and bring one knee as close to your chest as you
can. Repeat with the other knee. Alternate your legs as if you
were doing a high-stepping march.
Quadricep strengthener/ankle stretch*
Sitting with your back straight and both feet flat on the floor,
lift one leg from the knee so that it is parallel to the floor. Hold
the position, flex your foot, and rotate the ankle clockwise,
then counterclockwise. Repeat with the other leg.
Best of all, get up from your seat every hour or so, and walk!
Go get a drink of water, talk to the shy colleague in the corner
or admire the family photos of your cubicle neighbour before
returning to your desk. The little chat and the walk will revive
your senses, reconnect you to your fellow human beings and
most of all, give your eyes a well-deserved break from the
flickering screen.
ess@work
Escaping to a well-deserved spa treat in the middle of the work day is mostly a pipe dream for
many working adults. Long hours spent sitting at a desk, hunched over a computer or even clutching the
phone between your head and shoulder can take their toll on your sense of well being.
Fortunately, there are some stretches you can do to take the stiffness out of your body. Try these exercises,
repeating each 4 – 6 times and see what a difference they make to your physical and mental wellbeing.

Fly to your next holiday destination with
eVouchers
Planning your next vacation with QVI Club or XchangeWorld?
Use your Bonvo eVouchers to pay for your air tickets!
Bonvo eVouchers are virtual cash in hand!
They are the cashless way to pay for your air tickets without additional charges or credit card surcharges.
For details on how to use your Bonvo eVouchers, call Bonvo at +65 6491 0898*,
email customercare@bonvo.com, or visit www.bonvo.com/ir/evouchers.html
*Customer Care hotline operating hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm (Singapore time: GMT +8)