GOASIAPLUS March 2019
Embrace the sun on your skin by the beaches in Hong Kong. Our March issue highlight the island's coasts as the new attraction for travellers. Also, learn to live sustainably by swtiching to bamboo products for daily use in our shopping article. See our take on the age-old bakeries in Malaysia, the hottest K-drama filming location in South Korea and Antaboga in Indonesia.
Embrace the sun on your skin by the beaches in Hong Kong. Our March issue highlight the island's coasts as the new attraction for travellers. Also, learn to live sustainably by swtiching to bamboo products for daily use in our shopping article. See our take on the age-old bakeries in Malaysia, the hottest K-drama filming location in South Korea and Antaboga in Indonesia.
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MARCH <strong>2019</strong> | ISSUE 34<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM<br />
SANDY BAYS IN<br />
HONG KONG<br />
SONGDO, SOUTH KOREA<br />
OLD BAKERIES
CONTENTS<br />
4 ON THE RADAR<br />
8 OUT & ABOUT<br />
16<br />
10 TRAVEL<br />
Spotted in Asia:<br />
Songdo, South Korea<br />
12 TRAVEL<br />
Beach, Bay and Beyond<br />
16 TRAVEL<br />
Davao, Philippines<br />
18 TRAVEL<br />
Heaven in the Forest<br />
20 SHOP<br />
Time to Rethink Bamboo<br />
22 FOOD<br />
Buns for the Long Run<br />
24 TALES ON TRACK<br />
Lost & Found<br />
22<br />
COVER BY<br />
GETTY IMAGES<br />
EDITORIAL TEAM<br />
GROUP HEAD & BRANDS<br />
JOHN SO<br />
GRAPHIC DESIGNER<br />
JAMIE SOO-HOO<br />
SENIOR WRITER<br />
JESSY WONG<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER<br />
RICK CHEAH<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
FRANCIS YIP & NG SHEN LEE<br />
DIGITAL TEAM<br />
4<br />
WEB CONTENT<br />
JESSY WONG<br />
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES<br />
EDITORIAL@PCOMASIA.COM<br />
SENIOR MANAGER<br />
SALES & MARKETING<br />
YONG WANG CHING<br />
YONG@PCOMASIA.COM<br />
20<br />
COMMERCIAL & PARTNERSHIP<br />
JOHN SO<br />
JOHNSO@PCOMASIA.COM<br />
PUBLISHED BY<br />
PUBLISHCOM ASIA SDN. BHD.<br />
NO. 83–1, JALAN MEDANG SERAI, BUKIT BANDARAYA,<br />
59100 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.<br />
+603–20118983 WWW.PCOMASIA.COM<br />
PRINTED BY<br />
PERCETAKAN TURBO SDN. BHD.<br />
NO. 8, JALAN SEKINCAN 26/9,<br />
SECTION 26, SHAH ALAM 40000, MALAYSIA.<br />
The views expressed in the articles published are not necessarily those<br />
of Publishcom Asia Sdn Bhd (963236–P). While every reasonable care is<br />
taken in compiling the magazine, the publisher shall not be held liable for<br />
any omission, error or inaccuracy. Please notify the publisher in writing of<br />
any such omission, error or inaccuracy. Editorial contributions are welcome,<br />
but unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender’s risk. The publisher<br />
cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage. All rights reserved by<br />
Publishcom Asia Sdn Bhd (963236–P). No part of this publication may be<br />
reproduced in any form without the publisher’s permission in writing.<br />
KDN PP 19019/05/2016 (034482)<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 1
EDITOR’S<br />
NOTE<br />
John So<br />
Publisher<br />
<strong>March</strong> arrives like a gust of warm wind after the two months of<br />
low-key break and festivity since the beginning of the year. This<br />
warm wind might be expectant to some but it blows at crosspurposes<br />
with others.<br />
I believe that life will always bring us somewhere. Despite the<br />
wariness in the unknown horizons and distant future, it is inevitable for<br />
us explore. Gear up because we will never know what we can discover by<br />
believing and working hard.<br />
So when the chance arrives, dare to explore different things. Hong<br />
Kong has always been one of my favourite destinations–be it business<br />
or leisure trips. The yum cha sessions and food kept many desirous of<br />
returning but how many explored the other sunny and sandy side of<br />
Hong Kong?<br />
From our ‘Beach, Bay, and Beyond’ (page 12), I hope you will be<br />
enticed by their coasts and have a different holiday approach for your<br />
next Hong Kong trip. For embracing new things, the old ones will always<br />
keep me in balance.<br />
On page 22, check out our take with three old bakeries in Malaysia.<br />
Each notable for their own offerings, I wish the roti and buns will take<br />
you for a bite back to revisit your childhood days.<br />
BRINGING<br />
THE BAGS<br />
Photo ADOBE STOCK<br />
Go around anyone’s house and you will find me stashed<br />
away with tens of my other cousins. All thanks to my<br />
popularity. For the good reasons.<br />
For the longest period, I am introduced to the world<br />
as a battle against my fated sworn enemy–known as the<br />
plastics. Born and recycled with good blessings, many of you<br />
supported me by giving me a platform to grow my influence.<br />
Supermarkets are my biggest ally in the reformation and<br />
it wasn’t long until I was put to work as giveaway bags in<br />
events and promotions. Brands started using me as an easily<br />
available tote to advertise their businesses. Useful on one<br />
day then stashed away for the eternity.<br />
Now, I exist in an abundance of quantity but not fully<br />
utilised to my initial purpose.<br />
While I’m readily available in their homes, people would<br />
still rather pay the minimal amount for plastic carriers at<br />
their own convenience in disregard to the environment.<br />
Take a look around and you’ll find only one out of ten<br />
shoppers diligently bring me around on their errands.<br />
So, please don’t leave me at home. Always keep me in<br />
your car storage or bag and allow me to do what I am made<br />
for. Afterall, I’m of a better quality than the plastics!<br />
Often neglected,<br />
Reusable bags<br />
PICK-UP POINTS<br />
Read our magazine exclusively in Aerobus airport shuttles or bring home a copy of <strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong> with you at these pick-up points below:<br />
GATEWAY@KLIA2<br />
AIRPORT SHOPPING MALL<br />
KLIA EKSPRES<br />
KL SENTRAL<br />
KLIA<br />
INFORMATION COUNTER AT<br />
DEPARTURE MAIN TERMINAL<br />
& SATELLITE BUILDING<br />
KLIA2<br />
INFORMATION COUNTER,<br />
SATELLITE BUILDING &<br />
INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL<br />
2 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
NEWS<br />
ON THE RADAR<br />
GET UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST HAPPENINGS ON<br />
TRAVEL, HOTEL OPENINGS, FOOD OFFERS AND<br />
TRENDING FASHION AROUND SOUTHEAST ASIA<br />
SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND<br />
The theme of Swarovski’s<br />
bright new Spring/Summer <strong>2019</strong><br />
collection, Sunshine, catches its<br />
gleam across the Mediterranean in<br />
celebrating radiance and brilliance<br />
for women. The Royal Goddess line<br />
takes inspiration from the Hamsa<br />
and the Eye of Providence in a<br />
vibrant palette of gold, cherry red<br />
and turquoise blue.<br />
Available at Swarovski outlets<br />
nationwide<br />
A SILVER JUBILEE FOR PANTAI HOSPITAL<br />
CHERAS<br />
Cheras’ pioneering hospital celebrates their 25-year<br />
anniversary to mark the medical milestones achieved<br />
since 1994. Pantai Hospital Cheras specialises in various<br />
expertise including general surgery, neurosurgery,<br />
ophthalmology, orthopaedics and paediatrics.<br />
To commemorate the occasion, Pantai Hospital<br />
Cheras is offering a comprehensive health screening<br />
package that tests diabetes, nose cancer and liver<br />
function (valued at RM250) for senior citizens at just<br />
RM25. It is open to residents of Cheras aged 60 years<br />
and above. Be the first 500 participants to register<br />
before 30 June <strong>2019</strong> to enjoy this screening package.<br />
www.pantai.com.my/cheras<br />
LIGHTEST CANON EOS MODEL<br />
The EOS RP, second addition to Canon’s new EOS R<br />
range, weighs only at 485grams for an interchangeablelens<br />
mirrorless camera. One of the main feature of this<br />
model is its smooth and fast autofocus speed even in<br />
poorly lit conditions. Using DIGIC 8 image processor,<br />
Canon EOS RP is perfect for new users to full-frame<br />
cameras to achieve superb image quality.<br />
www.canon.com.my<br />
SHERATON ARRIVES AT PHILIPPINES<br />
The new Sheraton hotel is set to attract guests<br />
to the capital of Philippines with its dynamic<br />
location. Close to the main airport, Sheraton<br />
Manila boasts of 390 rooms including two-level<br />
lofts accomodation for a multigenerational travel.<br />
Sheraton Manila is also the first to introduce “The<br />
ColLab”, a co-working space in a hotel.<br />
www.sheratonmanila.com<br />
4 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
NEWS<br />
RECORD-BREAKING SUCCESS FOR 8TV CNY GRAND BAZAAR<br />
For the entire 19-day event, the one and<br />
only 8TV CNY Grand Bazaar has welcomed<br />
over 400,000 visitors at Bukit Jalil Sports<br />
City. Garnering a massive number of festive<br />
shoppers and weekend strollers, Malaysia’s<br />
biggest Chinese New Year bazaar ended with<br />
a bang on 31 January <strong>2019</strong>.<br />
The mainstream national channel 8TV<br />
organised the bazaar in collaboration with<br />
Build Up Resources (BUR) and AirAsia Berhad<br />
for a fun-filled festival. Besides meeting 8TV<br />
personalities and celebrities, visitors were<br />
engaged with various programme like cooking<br />
demonstrations, cultural music performances<br />
and interactive games throughout the days.<br />
AirAsia BIG even took a spot in the<br />
Malaysia Book of Records for the ‘Most<br />
Number of Lions’ in a lion dance performance<br />
during the event launch with 388 dancing<br />
lions. For those who missed the performance<br />
have excitedly gathered for AirAsia BIG<br />
King of the Lions Championship to catch<br />
contestants all over Asia put on a thrilling<br />
set of moves with Lien Huu Dragon & Lion<br />
Dance from Vietnam emerging as the new<br />
champion.<br />
The 8TV CNY Grand Bazaar saw more<br />
than 300 merchants in both indoor and<br />
outdoor shopping areas, food street, and the<br />
flower market. While one is spoilt for choice<br />
at the bazaar, the projection mapping of<br />
thousands of flowers at Blossom Wonderland<br />
became their highlight attraction.<br />
The closing ceremony is joined by<br />
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and an<br />
adrenaline-pumping lion dance performance<br />
by world-champion winner Kun Seng Keng<br />
Lion and Dragon Dance Association.<br />
GO TRAVEL IN ONE STOP SOLUTION<br />
Get all your bookings done from flights, hotels,<br />
tour packages and attractions on Go Travel–<br />
homegrown travel e-portal and mobile app.<br />
Introduced by Gofay Group, the e-portal and<br />
mobile app features plenty of travel packages<br />
and needs for leisure travellers, business trips<br />
and even wholesale partners.<br />
Gofay Group is known in the Malaysia<br />
travel market for offering personalised travel<br />
services and global chartered flights. With this<br />
new launch, travel and business booking are<br />
made easy and efficient through digital space.<br />
Go Travel mobile app is now available for<br />
download on Google Play and Apple Store.<br />
www.gofaytravel.com<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 5
ADVERTORIAL<br />
Basic Toolkit<br />
for<br />
Travel<br />
Journaling<br />
F Canon Mini Photo<br />
Printer (model<br />
number PV-123)<br />
F Unlined notebook<br />
F Coloured pens<br />
F Washi tapes<br />
F Travel stubs<br />
KEEPING UP WITH<br />
TRAVEL JOURNALING<br />
CALL IT A TRAVEL DIARY OR SCRAPBOOKING, THE COLLECTION OF ADVENTURES AND<br />
MEMENTOS FROM YOUR TRIP CAN BE A WONDERFUL MEMOIR IN YEARS TO COME. THE NEW<br />
CANON MINI PHOTO PRINTER MAKES KEEPING A TRAVEL JOURNAL EFFORTLESS WITH ITS<br />
PORTABLE AND EXPRESSIVE WAYS TO RECORD MEMORIES.<br />
The creative way of making<br />
a log of travels extends<br />
beyond the sentimental and<br />
artsy community in perfecting<br />
their visual diary. Travel<br />
journaling has become a trending<br />
hobby because the satisfaction<br />
of gathering tangible objects and<br />
assembling it into an experience<br />
and memory is irreplaceable.<br />
Now, up your game with<br />
Canon Mini Photo Printer to<br />
enjoy the freedom and excitement<br />
in imagining your travel journal.<br />
After all, travel journaling is all<br />
about capturing vivid visits and<br />
Canon’s mini portable printer just<br />
refashioned the ways of creating<br />
a travel journal at anywhere and<br />
anytime you want.<br />
SNAP AND PRINT<br />
Enjoy a wireless printing with<br />
Canon Mini Photo Printer just<br />
by pairing it to a smartphone via<br />
Bluetooth. The lightweight and<br />
compact mini printer has a builtin<br />
battery for easy mobility<br />
during travels.<br />
PERSONALISED PHOTOS<br />
Canon Mini Photo Printer mobile<br />
app has an extensive library of<br />
photo-editing tools from filters,<br />
photo frames, creative stamps and<br />
textbox to draw on artworks to<br />
enhance photos before printing.<br />
GLOSSY PRINTS<br />
The ZINK Zero Ink Technology<br />
enables dry-printing in full colour<br />
without having to use any ink<br />
catridges in the mini printer.<br />
SCRAPBOOK MATERIAL<br />
Put your glue away for these<br />
mess-free glossy photos! Printed<br />
photos from Canon Mini Photo<br />
Printer have a peel-and-stick<br />
reverse side for scrapbooking in<br />
a jiffy.<br />
ENLARGING MEMENTOS<br />
Blow it up if the standard 2x3-<br />
inch image does not give the<br />
photograph its justice. Canon<br />
Mini Photo Printer has a “tiling”<br />
function for you to enlarge a<br />
photo by printing in tiles to<br />
create a bigger photo made up of<br />
multiple collage prints.<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 7
EVENTS<br />
OUT & ABOUT<br />
LOOK OUT FOR THE MOST ANTICIPATED EVENTS OF<br />
THE MONTH IN MALAYSIA AND BEYOND<br />
DESCENDANTS OF THE<br />
DRAGON 2060 WORLD TOUR<br />
16 MARCH<br />
Wang Leehom is returning to<br />
Malaysia for a prodigious concert<br />
since his last visit 5 years ago. His<br />
Malaysian fan group, Homaniacs,<br />
are in treat for a sci-fi themed stage<br />
and performance of Leehom’s hit<br />
songs such as ‘Forever Love’, ‘The<br />
Only One’ and ‘You’re Not Here’.<br />
Stadium Merdeka,<br />
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia<br />
www.ticketcharge.com.my<br />
RAPTOR WATCH <strong>2019</strong><br />
9-10 MARCH<br />
For the 20th anniversary of Raptor<br />
Watch, Malaysian Nature Society are<br />
extending the annual event to 2 days<br />
for bird watchers and enthusiasts to<br />
welcome the return of migratory birds<br />
to their breeding grounds. Guests can<br />
participate in the guided walks, join craft<br />
activities and games besides watching<br />
raptors at this special event.<br />
Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve,<br />
Melaka, Malaysia<br />
www.mnsraptorwatch.wordpress.com<br />
MALAYA RELIVED: THE FALL OF<br />
SINGAPORE<br />
22-24 MARCH<br />
This new musical–The Fall of Singapore–is<br />
the first of the Malaya Relived series which<br />
explores the foundations of Malayan<br />
cultural identity. The three-act musical<br />
surrounds the story of a young family with<br />
Bugis ancestry living in Singapore under<br />
the British empire in the 1940s of Malaya.<br />
GMBB Gallery, No 2 Jalan Robertson<br />
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia<br />
www.liverandlung.com<br />
MAROON 5 RED PILL BLUES TOUR<br />
LIVE IN SINGAPORE<br />
7 MARCH<br />
The band is set to play their largest<br />
show in Singapore in accordance to<br />
their successful sixth studio album ‘Red<br />
Pill Blues’ that has more than a million<br />
sales. This tour is a first for Sam Farrar<br />
to debut as an official member of the<br />
Grammy-winning Maroon 5 as a multiinstrumentalist<br />
in the band.<br />
National Stadium, Singapore<br />
www.sistic.com.sg<br />
RITA ORA PHOENIX <strong>2019</strong> LIVE IN TAIPEI<br />
16 MARCH<br />
Embarking on her first solo tour in Asia, Rita Ora<br />
will be performing in support of her second studio<br />
album ‘Phoenix’. Despite the long wait since her<br />
debut studio album, Rita Ora remains the first<br />
British solo artist to have 13 top 10 songs in UK<br />
with singles like ‘Your Song’ and ‘Anywhere’.<br />
Legacy Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan<br />
www.livenation.com.tw<br />
8 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
TRAVEL<br />
SPOTTED: ASIA IN FILMS<br />
SONGDO, SOUTH KOREA<br />
Text NG SHEN LEE<br />
Photos ADOBE STOCK & FREEVECTORMAPS.COM<br />
By the waterfront of Incheon in South<br />
Korea lies Songdo. Dubbed as the<br />
country’s “smartest” city, it’s been<br />
built from the ground up to become the<br />
ultramodern city it is today–a wonder of<br />
technology bringing the term “eco-friendly”<br />
to a whole other level.<br />
Think built-in computers in every<br />
building and street, as well as garbage<br />
chutes which suck waste underground.<br />
But Songdo’s claim to fame doesn’t stop<br />
there. It’s modern utopia-like surroundings<br />
has made it popular among filmmakers as a<br />
filming location for multiple dramas, movies<br />
and even music videos.<br />
Among them include “Descendants of<br />
the Sun”, where the Songdo G-Tower made<br />
an appearance. The rooftop of the 33-floor<br />
skyscraper is also accessible to members of<br />
the public looking for a panoramic view of<br />
the city.<br />
Not too far away, also in Songdo Central<br />
Park is the Northeast Asia Trade Tower.<br />
Filming for “Goblin”, another household<br />
name for fans of Korean dramas was held<br />
here as well.<br />
In the romantic fantasy “My Love<br />
From The Stars”, the character Do Min-<br />
Joon heroically saves Cheon Song-Yi from<br />
falling down the cliff. This setting was made<br />
possible at the Incheon Songdo Mountain,<br />
an abandoned quarry. The same male lead<br />
also played the role of a university professor<br />
at the Songdo campus of Incheon University<br />
in the drama.<br />
And surely many can recall the infamous<br />
music video of PSY’s “Gangnam Style”<br />
which took the world by storm at the time<br />
of its release in 2012. The underground<br />
parking lot? That was the parking lot of a<br />
building in Songdo. And that bawdy scene<br />
where an actor dances on top of PSY as he’s<br />
on all fours? Filmed in an elevator of the<br />
same building too!<br />
So, if one weren’t in the know, they’d<br />
probably say that Songdo is the “Tomorrow<br />
City” it boasts itself to be, flocked day and<br />
night by tourists. But what if that wasn’t so?<br />
Even with a slew of triumphs behind its<br />
back, the city hasn’t been seeing nearly as<br />
much tourism as it should have as a result<br />
of being host to so many filming locations.<br />
To the extent of being called a No Man’s<br />
Land, the unsettling emptiness of the city<br />
has even been compared to the desolation<br />
of Chernobyl.<br />
We can only hope that the pristine<br />
metropolitan will be able to spike tourism<br />
with the help of more and more established<br />
film projects in the area.<br />
In Songdo, there<br />
are no trash<br />
cans or garbage<br />
trucks!<br />
FUN<br />
FACTS<br />
An impressive<br />
40% of the city is<br />
to be made up of<br />
green parkland.<br />
10 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
TRAVEL<br />
BEACH, BAY AND BEYOND<br />
A WALK TO THE SIDELINES OF URBAN HONG KONG IS AN ABSOLUTE WONDER FOR ONE TO<br />
UNCOVER ITS LESSER-KNOWN COASTAL TREASURES ON THE ISLAND.<br />
Text JESSY WONG Photos HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD, ADOBE STOCK & GETTY IMAGES<br />
1<br />
1 The resort-like Repulse Bay on Hong Kong island 2 Big Wave<br />
Bay for surfers 3 Cheung Sha Beach of Lantau island 4 A surfer<br />
playing against the tides 5 Paddleboarding competition for the<br />
locals 6 BBQ pit by the beach 7 A rocky Hung Shing Yeh beach<br />
8 Windsurfers casually parked on the sandy beach<br />
12 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
TRAVEL<br />
Why pack your swimming attire for a trip to Hong Kong if you are only going to use it at<br />
the hotel’s pool? Bring along your sun hat as not many know that hidden beneath the<br />
shadows of a world-class metropolitan city are its secret scenic beaches.<br />
Beyond the fascinating buildings, vibrant nightlife and lip-smacking food, it is commonly<br />
forgotten that Hong Kong is afterall, made up of several islands. Situated in the southeast of<br />
China, Hong Kong’s beaches are a perfect escape from the fast-paced city life and play hosts to all<br />
sunbathers and outdoor buffs with summer recreations on the waters.<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 13
TRAVEL<br />
BIG WAVE BAY BEACH<br />
The surfer’s paradise in Hong Kong is one of the<br />
best-equipped beaches for a family picnic or beach<br />
gathering. Besides the readily available beautiful<br />
location with public BBQ pits, equipments like<br />
parasols, beachmats, surfboard and wetsuit are up for<br />
rents. Living up to its namesake, Big Wave Bay Beach<br />
is a remote surfing spot enveloped by green hills. For<br />
interested amateurs, you can even take up surfing<br />
lessons at the beach from the professionals. Another<br />
nearby attraction is a large prehistoric rock carving<br />
with geometric designs and animals.<br />
Popular for<br />
Surfing<br />
Location<br />
North of Shek O,<br />
Hong Kong island<br />
2<br />
How To Get There<br />
Taking a direct cab from Central to Shek O would take<br />
30 minutes. For cheaper alternative, public transport like<br />
the MTR or buses go to Chai Wan and you can enjoy the<br />
short scenic hike from Chai Wan to Big Wave Bay.<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
CHEUNG SHA BEACH<br />
Known as the longest beach in the country, Cheung Sha beach is an ideal escapade<br />
from the urban capital. In the absence of high-rise buildings, it certainly makes<br />
one hard to believe that the serene beach is part of Hong Kong as the beach<br />
overlooks an endless horizon of the blue sea ringed by nature and adjacent<br />
hills. The beachfront of lower Cheung Sha beach is populated with cafes and<br />
restaurants besides a water-sports center that rents out kayaks, paddle-board and<br />
surfing equipments. Other than sunbathing in the day, there is also a camping<br />
ground for a campfire night at the beach.<br />
Popular for<br />
Windsurfing from November till <strong>March</strong><br />
Location<br />
South coast of Lantau island<br />
How To Get There<br />
From Central Ferry Pier, take a ferry ride to Mui Wo. Once arrived, take bus number<br />
1 or 2 to Cheung Sha Ha Tsuen. The beach would be walking distance from the stop. If<br />
you’re driving, do take note that parking is limited by the beach.<br />
14 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
TRAVEL<br />
6<br />
HUNG SHING YEH BEACH<br />
Hung Shing Yeh beach is a commercial site on Lamma<br />
island with a long line of eateries, shops and street vendors<br />
heading to the sandy area. Compared to other beaches in<br />
Hong Kong, this beach is notable with rocks decked by the<br />
coast. Hung Shing Yeh beach is a sunny calling for a breezy<br />
relaxation for locals and tourists so do expect large crowds<br />
on weekends and Hong Kong’s public holiday. Close by,<br />
Lamma Power Station beach is a small, less crowded seaside<br />
bank overlooking Lamma power plants if you want to escape<br />
the crowd.<br />
Popular for<br />
Sunset BBQ<br />
Location<br />
North of Lamma island<br />
7<br />
How To Get There<br />
Take a short ferry trip from Central Ferry Pier heading to Yung<br />
Shue Wan Pier. Once arrived, the beach is only a 20-30 minutes<br />
walk on the main road from Yung Shue Wan Pier with road signs<br />
to the beach.<br />
8<br />
TUNG WAN BEACH<br />
Don’t be surprised if you catch couples taking wedding photos on the<br />
beach. Tung Wan beach has one of the best picturesque views in Hong<br />
Kong with the country’s longest suspension bridge, Tsing Ma Bridge, and<br />
clear blue sky in the backdrop. Fitted with shark net and lifeguards on<br />
duty, the beach is safe for swimming, windsurfing, canoeing and surfing<br />
if the wave permits. Tung Wan beach is a scenic spot to go for a fun<br />
weekend. Furthermore, the nearby Noah’s Ark Theme Park could be an<br />
optional stop when the weather turns awry.<br />
Popular for<br />
Windsurfing<br />
Location<br />
Cheung Chau island<br />
How To Get There<br />
It takes a 30 minutes ferry ride from the Central Ferry Pier to Cheung Chau<br />
and it is only a 10 minutes walk to the beach from the pier. You can rely on sign<br />
posts along Tung Wan Road while making your way to the beach.<br />
ALSO CHECK OUT<br />
SHAM WAN BEACH<br />
This coast at Lamma<br />
island is unique to green<br />
turtles as it is their only<br />
nesting site in the whole<br />
South China Sea. Due to<br />
its ecological importance,<br />
authorities closed the<br />
site from early June till end of<br />
October every year to allow turtles to breed.<br />
After the nesting period, the beautiful beach<br />
is reopened to public. The only way to get to<br />
the remote beach is through a 3 kilometres<br />
hike through Mo Tat Wan New Village.<br />
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TRAVEL<br />
ROAD LESS TRAVELLED<br />
DAVAO, PHILIPPINES<br />
THE HIGHLY URBANISED CITY ON THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO<br />
NICKNAMED “KING CITY OF THE SOUTH” IS A LAND OF DELIGHT FOR<br />
NATURE ENTHUSIASTS AND ANIMAL LOVERS.<br />
Text JESSY WONG • Photos ADOBE STOCK & RED PLANET HOTELS<br />
HOW TO GET THERE<br />
Located 2 hours south from the main capital of<br />
Manila, easily get to Francisco Bangoy International<br />
Airport via domestic flights. International airlines<br />
like Singapore Airlines and AirAsia have direct flights<br />
to Davao. Besides travelling on road, one may also<br />
travel by sea to Davao on ferry rides from Manila.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Red Planet Davao is a budget hotel strategically<br />
located close to shopping hotspots. Perfect for<br />
business and leisure travellers, the hotel is also<br />
equipped with wheelchair-friendly facilities.<br />
Alongside, Bahay Ni Tuding is a homely inn in<br />
the city with minimal accents of Filipino decor.<br />
This inexpensive inn is also walking distance to<br />
Davao River.<br />
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WHERE TO EAT<br />
Dine at Kaonanan sa Tribu K’Mindawan Davao<br />
to taste authentic Mindanao cultural food and<br />
tribal inspired meals. The Palosebo meal is<br />
a vegan food to try made of banana blossom<br />
cooked in coconut milk. For a good range of<br />
Spanish and Filipino cuisine, go to Tiny Kitchen<br />
& Dulce Vida restaurant.<br />
WHAT TO DO<br />
Bird lovers can spend their day at Philippine<br />
Eagle Centre, home to the largest eagle species<br />
in the world. The conservation center is also a<br />
breeding facility for the critically endangered<br />
Philippine eagles. Afterwards, head to People’s<br />
Park to see life-sized sculptures of the native<br />
peoples of Mindanao.<br />
Take a quick ferry ride to neighbouring Samal<br />
Island and spend a day there by visiting the cave<br />
of Monfort Bat Sanctuary, play in giant slide at<br />
Maxima Aqua Fun and dip in Hagimit Falls. For<br />
the adventurous spirit, try whitewater rafting in<br />
Davao river and ziplining at Asia’s longest and<br />
fastest zipline at Outland Adventure.<br />
GOOD<br />
to<br />
KNOW<br />
Davao is home to<br />
the highest peak in<br />
Philippines, Mount<br />
Apo, a dormant<br />
volcano near 2,954m<br />
in height.<br />
Durian, the “King<br />
of Fruits” is amply<br />
grown in Mindanao<br />
and can be found<br />
almost everywhere in<br />
Davao.<br />
Kadayawan Festival<br />
is Davao’s biggest<br />
annual festival in<br />
celebration of life and<br />
thanksgiving for good<br />
harvest held on every<br />
third week of August.
TRAVEL<br />
1<br />
2<br />
HEAVEN IN<br />
THE FOREST<br />
PURA ANANTHA BOGA IS A SACRED FOREST<br />
IN INDONESIA KEPT BEAUTIFULLY WITH<br />
SCULPTURES OF MOTHER MARY, JESUS<br />
CHRIST, GODDESS OF MERCY, SHIVA, GANESHA<br />
ALONGSIDE A MUSLIM SURAU.<br />
Text & photos FRANCIS YIP<br />
In Malaysia, we have streets of harmony with churches, mosques<br />
and temples side by side. But did you know in Indonesia, there is<br />
a sacred forest site displaying a similar rare show of unity?<br />
Welcome to Pura Anantha Boga or aptly known as Anta Boga<br />
in Banyuwangi, Indonesia. I call it “Heaven in the Forest” because<br />
the sacred site exudes an aura of peace and serenity captured in the<br />
beautiful verdant profile of the forest.<br />
Nestled on the slopes of Raung Mountain in Glenmore District,<br />
Banyuwangi, Anantha Boga is sprawled over an area of 300 acres of<br />
forest. The people of Bali and the surrounding villagers believe that<br />
the legend Rsi Markendeya meditated in this forest and received<br />
God’s calling to build a temple in the next island now known as<br />
Bali. The temple is named Besakih, mother temple of Bali.<br />
Anantha Boga is then transformed into a sacred forest site with<br />
the belief that all religions are good and could co-exist in harmony.<br />
The site was built by the local community to reflect East Java's rich<br />
culture and tolerance to all religions. It has since attracted locals<br />
and tourists alike from all faiths.<br />
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TRAVEL<br />
4<br />
“All religions<br />
are good and<br />
could co-exist<br />
in harmony.”<br />
5<br />
3<br />
1 Hindu God Ganeshan overlooking the holy river 2 A<br />
portrayal of Lord Shiva among the greens 3 This holy<br />
river's water is believed to have healing powers 4 A<br />
statue of Jesus in the forest 5 An altar of Mother Mary<br />
with flower offerings<br />
BEHIND THE LEGACY<br />
Anantha Boga is the name of one of the Sang Hyang Naga Tiga; namely<br />
Sang Hyang Naga Ananthaboga (symbolising earth), Sang Hyang Naga<br />
Basuki (symbolising water) and Sang Hyang Naga Taksaka (symbolising<br />
air). The three are believed to form the island of Bali. Etymologically,<br />
Anantha Boga means food that will not run out.<br />
It is believed that Pura Anantha Boga takes on the Tri Hita Karana<br />
concept, which is the harmonisation between God (parahyangan), humans<br />
(pawongan), and nature (palemahan).<br />
There are various kinds of symbols that represent the existence of<br />
the oldest religion Hinduism, such as lingga-yoni and Ganesha statues.<br />
Lingga-yoni is an object used for the means of worshiping Shiva and<br />
Parvati, while Ganesha is known as the god of knowledge and son of Shiva<br />
and Parvati.<br />
Today, the Tourism Board of Indonesia is dynamically promoting Pura<br />
Anantha Boga as one of the key tourist destinations in East Java. Garuda<br />
Indonesia’s low-cost airline, Citilink has also recently opened the Kuala<br />
Lumpur-Banyuwangi direct round-trip route.<br />
Getting There<br />
From Airport Belimbing Sari, approximately 40-45km<br />
From nearest Hotel Pinus, appoximately 10-15km<br />
From the Genteng Subdistrict, about 6km to the west<br />
(Glenmore). Turn right after finding a signboard (to<br />
the north) then cross the railroad tracks. Then walk<br />
straight for 6 km to the Anantha Boga secretariat, the<br />
Sandya Dharma Temple in Selorejo Hamlet.<br />
Good To Know<br />
Cover your body<br />
appropriately when<br />
entering the site. If you<br />
want to purify your<br />
body in the holy spring<br />
water, you may change<br />
into a sarong.<br />
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SHOP<br />
TIME TO RETHINK<br />
BAMBOO<br />
MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE<br />
WITH BAMBOO-MADE CONSUMER PRODUCTS<br />
THAT ARE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY<br />
AND SAFE FOR OUR PLANET IN THE LONG RUN.<br />
Text JESSY WONG • Photos THE USUK INITIATIVE, THE HIVE & JESSY WONG<br />
Ride in the current wave of sustainability<br />
to reduce plastic usage in our daily lives.<br />
Plastic is extensively used everywhere and<br />
the non-biodegradable material is damaging to<br />
the planet. When thrown on land, it reduces soil<br />
fertility. When disposed in sea, it harms marine<br />
life and pollutes the ocean.<br />
Therefore, naturally-sourced materials that are<br />
composable are better for the planet in a long run.<br />
Bamboo has proven its versatility in many ways<br />
and today, it is used in popular productions like<br />
furniture, flooring and clothes.<br />
This is because bamboo is one of fastest<br />
growing plants on Earth and it can be harvested<br />
frequently in a year. Also, the root is not damaged<br />
when harvested so it doesn’t need to be replanted.<br />
Besides being the panda’s favourite snack, bamboo<br />
also absorbs a higher amount of carbon dioxide<br />
than most other plants.<br />
However, due to the strong nature of raw<br />
bamboo, the process of manufacturing it into<br />
fabric puts the ‘green’ product into question. Even<br />
that, the possibilities and benefits of bamboomade<br />
products still outweigh the mass production<br />
materials like plastic and cotton.<br />
Take a small step to rescue the environment<br />
by reinventing your daily choices and usage. Like<br />
the late Stan Lee has put it, one person can really<br />
make a difference. So even if you failed all your<br />
previous resolutions, take a momentous turn this<br />
year by switching to bamboo-made products for a<br />
good change.<br />
STRAW<br />
Malaysia has called a nationwide ban on plastic<br />
straws starting <strong>2019</strong> so be equipped with<br />
your own straw for your next dining outside.<br />
Bamboo straws can be soaked in boiled vinegar<br />
water then scrub it with coconut fibre cleaning<br />
brushes for a more thorough clean!<br />
GET IT AT G<br />
The Usuk Initiative<br />
www.theusukinitiative.org<br />
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SHOP<br />
COTTON SWAB<br />
Reduce your daily toiletries waste with<br />
these compostable bamboo sticks cotton<br />
swabs for everyday use.<br />
GET IT AT G<br />
The Hive Bulk Foods<br />
92A, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar Park,<br />
Kuala Lumpur<br />
GOOD<br />
to<br />
KNOW<br />
All eco-friendly products could be reuse and<br />
disposed. In its entire life cycle, a sustainable<br />
product can help to reduce the waste in our<br />
landfills from the process of making, consumer<br />
usage and till the final disposal. The products can<br />
be infinitely recycled as raw materials or fully<br />
composted back to Earth.<br />
TOOTHBRUSH<br />
Biodegradable bamboo handles makes<br />
an ethical change for toothbrush<br />
replacement in every 3 months.<br />
GET IT AT G<br />
The Hive Bulk Foods<br />
92A, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar Park,<br />
Kuala Lumpur<br />
PAIR it WITH<br />
FRANGIPANI BULK SOLID<br />
TOOTHPASTE<br />
Made with natural and organic ingredients,<br />
the toothpaste comes in a reusable stainless<br />
steel mini box. This handmade toothpaste<br />
is also refillable for a zero waste initiative.<br />
GET IT AT G<br />
The Linc KL, 360, Jalan Tun Razak,<br />
Kuala Lumpur<br />
www.frangipani-shop.com<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 21
FOOD<br />
BUNS FOR THE<br />
LONG RUN<br />
THE MORNING STAPLE FOR MOST<br />
MALAYSIANS IS PROUDLY A GENERATIONAL<br />
BUSINESS FOR THESE ONE-OF-A-KIND<br />
BAKERIES IN WEST MALAYSIA.<br />
Text & photos JESSY WONG<br />
Steeped in Malaysia’s multicultural community,<br />
bread is among the major bedrock to our<br />
identity and history. One that represents our<br />
ancestor’s culture that steams mantou, another<br />
kneaded and baked over hot iron griddle that forms<br />
roti and the English’s introduction of brown outercrust<br />
white loaves to Malaya.<br />
Be it if you pair with the spicy curry, sweet<br />
kaya or fragrant butter, bread is a universal love for<br />
Malaysians. Conceivably, the popularity of bread<br />
sees many independent operated bakeries serve the<br />
local demands for decades and some has held certain<br />
irreplaceable trademark products. All tried and<br />
tested, here are the places I found that may fix your<br />
cravings for good buns.<br />
CONTINENTAL BAKERY<br />
Since 1980s<br />
The retro set-up of the bakery is a spell of age and<br />
esteem to the locals in Penang. As the star of Nagore<br />
Street, Continental Bakery is known for baking fresh<br />
and hearty buns for the longest time. The bakery’s<br />
best well-known recipe belongs to Multi Grain<br />
Walnuts and Dates bread, a comforting healthy bread<br />
for the health-conscious consumers. Find a wide<br />
variety of Western baked goods like wholewheat<br />
English muffin, cream puffs and cakes. The bakery<br />
also has a small eating area for dine-in to pair their<br />
buns with mushroom soup and spaghetti bolognese.<br />
Personal pick<br />
French Butter Croissant. The<br />
croissant is unbelievably soft with<br />
a well-baked savoury crust. Larger<br />
than the size of my palm, each<br />
bite of the handmade croissant<br />
brings a dough buttery finesse to<br />
the tastebuds.<br />
33, Jalan Nagore, 10050,<br />
Georgetown, Penang<br />
+604-228 3814<br />
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FOOD<br />
“A spell of age<br />
and esteem to<br />
the locals.”<br />
HIAP JOO BAKERY & BISCUIT FACTORY<br />
Since 1919<br />
This four generational bakery takes pride<br />
in their long commitment of providing<br />
the finest buns to the locals. Using only<br />
one large brick-made woodfire oven,<br />
Hiap Joo Bakery is filled with the aroma<br />
of freshly baked buns daily. Besides plain<br />
buns, their round bread comes in nine<br />
variety of fillings from coconut, red bean,<br />
peanut, curry potato, sardine and etc.<br />
Also, the good thing about this age-old<br />
bakery is that no preservatives are used<br />
in baking so all their cakes and breads<br />
are best consumed within 3 days to<br />
maintain its freshness.<br />
Personal pick<br />
Banana Cake.<br />
Underneath the slightly<br />
charred top is an<br />
irresistibly spongy and<br />
moist banana cake with a<br />
light smoky flavour. This<br />
crowd-magnet is sold in<br />
two sizes; big with ten<br />
sliced pieces or small<br />
with five slices.<br />
13, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee,<br />
Johor Bahru, Johor<br />
+607-223 1703<br />
SALAHUDDIN BAKERY<br />
Since 1937<br />
The beige front and pastel green interior is a<br />
familiar sight to many in this town. Salahuddin<br />
Bakery was a start-up dream for this family.<br />
For four generations, it remains as a charm to<br />
Malaysians with their original soft bread baked<br />
in coal-fired oven till this day. From the wee<br />
hours of morning, fifty over kinds of baked goods<br />
are slowly put on display like the olden times.<br />
One may be spoiled for choice with all kinds of<br />
pastries, breads and muffins but their best-seller<br />
remain to be the large triangular Indian curry<br />
puffs with potato fillings.<br />
Personal pick<br />
Bengali bread with the bakery’s<br />
kaya spread. Bengali bread is a<br />
local term for common white<br />
bread with brown crusts. The<br />
bread from this bakery is a gem<br />
because it is difficult to find an<br />
authentic Bengali bread with<br />
coal-fired fragrant.<br />
26, Jalan Dhoby,<br />
Johor Bahru, Johor<br />
+607-2273736<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 23
TALES ON TRACK<br />
LOST & FOUND<br />
ADVOLUTION<br />
Text & photos FRANCIS YIP<br />
mee, fast to cook,<br />
good to eat.” “Milo, grow<br />
“Maggi<br />
like a champion grow.”<br />
“Energizer. Keep going and going.” I grew<br />
up watching these TV commercials in<br />
the 80s. And I didn’t expect years later<br />
in 1993, I joined the advertising world as<br />
a copywriter. Some friends thought my<br />
job was literally “copying” information or<br />
dealing with copyright law! Well, welcome<br />
to the unexpected world of advertising.<br />
THE EARLY DAYS<br />
The history of advertising in Malaysia<br />
can be traced back in the early days of<br />
independence. There were only a few<br />
advertising agencies in Kuala Lumpur,<br />
namely Cathay, Grant. Benson, Young,<br />
Fortune, Masters, Millington, MarkLin and<br />
the famous local agency, Union 45.<br />
The advertising industry in that era<br />
was dominated by foreign agencies but<br />
the landscape started to change in the<br />
80s and 90s with the set up of more<br />
local agencies. In 1971, the Association of<br />
Accredited Advertising Agents of Malaysia<br />
was established to represent the voice of<br />
advertising agencies in Malaysia.<br />
In those days, if children told their<br />
parents they would be joining advertising,<br />
the first impression in mind was they<br />
would be drawing bus signages, cinema<br />
posters and billboards. Thankfully, this<br />
stereotype perception had gradually faded<br />
over time with the emergence of new art<br />
colleges in Malaysia like Lim Kok Wing<br />
Institute of Creative Technology, One<br />
Academy and more.<br />
LIFE AS AN AD MAN<br />
Many people think advertising is full of<br />
glitz and glam. Believe me, agency life is<br />
not a bed of roses. We rack our brains and<br />
even stay overnight in the office to meet<br />
deadlines. It is even more of a torture<br />
when there is an advertising pitch.<br />
But if you get used to it, you will love<br />
your job. I have been saying I wanted to<br />
quit advertising probably more than ten<br />
times in my entire career. Guess what? I<br />
am still doing copywriting today.<br />
Looking back at how I first started my<br />
career can be quite amusing. Back then,<br />
there was no internet. So art directors<br />
would do scamps and the visualisers have<br />
to hand-draw or airbrush the ads and<br />
storyboards.<br />
Photoshop and other Adobe software<br />
were still not extensively used. Corel Draw<br />
was used instead. Video editing was done<br />
manually by cutting and pasting the back<br />
of the films with Scotch tape. A tedious<br />
process compared to video editing using<br />
computer today.<br />
I have also worked in an agency<br />
which didn’t believe in investing in<br />
technology. Hence, copywriters had to<br />
use the complicated Wordstar software<br />
instead of Microsoft Word. Well, not all is<br />
bitter. Advertising people also have their<br />
taste of glory. We have our own Oscar<br />
in advertising known as Kancil Awards<br />
and later, more awards like Putra Brand<br />
Awards and Effie Awards came into play.<br />
Afterall, all work and no play makes Jack a<br />
dull boy.<br />
THE DIGITAL WORLD<br />
Today 87.4 percent of Malaysians use the<br />
internet. Digital marketing has become<br />
more important and clients channel<br />
more budget in digital than traditional<br />
media. Out-of-home media such as<br />
digital billboards, transit and wallscape<br />
advertising are also growing in demand.<br />
The landscape of advertising has<br />
changed but the good old wisdom of the<br />
business stays.<br />
Above all, “I’m lovin’ it” in spite of my<br />
love-hate relationship with the industry.<br />
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FRANCIS YIP always loses himself but somehow, finds his way back with lots of juicy stories to share. Forgive him if he sparks a debate.<br />
Love him if he unlocks hidden jewels. So heavenly, so travelicious with him!<br />
www.franciswriter.com franciswriterAd franciswriter