YTL

Issue T hi r t y

T h e

Y T L

L u x u r y

M a g a z i n e

T h e
Y T L
L u x u r y
M a g a z i n e

Graceof Ages

Touched by
Terengganu's Turtles

RivieraRevelry

Summer inSaint-Tropez
PP 15585/10/2012(031264)

Watch ThisSpace

The Best of
Baselworld 2015

Highland Golf • Sunset Cruising • Chapman's Legacy

Contents
26Life Events

10 A round up of parties and events inthe world of YTL.

Life Bites

16
replica of it. This is only possible
at Pangkor Laut Resort, where thesunset cruise is fuelled by wine,
food and gorgeous Mother Nature.

14 Hot happenings at YTL Hotels.

Life on the Cover

16 History, elegance and colonial-era
refinement all come together in stylewhen one dines at The Majestic
Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Life Feature

22 If you ever find yourself craving
sumptuous Japanese cuisine while
in Kota Kinabalu, be sure to securea reservation at Omakase, thelatest luxury dining experience at
YTL Hotels’ Gaya Island Resort.
26 It is not every day that one getsto watch the sunset on board
an ancient Chinese junk, albeit a

30 The much-anticipated opening of
The Gainsborough Bath Spa, YTL
Hotels’ latest classic property, thissummer only means one thing: time
to pack and head for the shining
jewel of England’s West Country.
34 Cameron Highlands is just the tonic
for tired city souls. All the better ifthey are golfing enthusiasts.
38 YTL Life speaks to Chris Spencer
Chapman, youngest son of British
Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman,
after whom the iconic Chapman’s
Bar in Pangkor Laut Resort’s
Emerald Bay is named.
Summer in Niseko is all about the

42 outdoors – embracing nature,
getting active and delighting in
the warmth of the sun.
46 The culture of the Peranakan
or Straits Chinese is still amajor, and very colourful,element contributing to thecharm of Malacca today.
52 Balinese home compounds
are built following a fascinating
set of rules laid down bytradition and religion.
58 For celebrity presenter andbusinesswoman, Lexie
Rodriguez, spa sessions help
her recharge and reboot while
juggling a hectic professional
as well as social life.

76
76

It has been a tumultuous year
for horology. The dawn of thesmartwatch is nigh, the Swiss
Franc hit a record high in January,and luxury market hotspots appear
to be cooling around the world.
Despite this, Swiss horologers
remained undeterred as they
showed up at Baselworld in
grand fashion to display thisyear’s novelties.

82

While there used to be more turtles
on the beaches of Terengganu,
conservation efforts are helping toprotect the ones that remain.

86

The MUSE Saint Tropez welcomesa new Executive Chef, who puts
the chic into French Riviera cuisine.

60

Beautiful Life

Summer may be fading away, but
it’s never too late to keep it freshin mind (and body) with thesesensory and beautifying delights.

62 Play up your feminine sideand drape yourself with theseexquisite jewellery and deluxe
timepieces.
64 Searing summers call for equally
high-temperature looks. Take
the body-conscious approachwith these versatile yet
wearable designs.
92 Deck yourself in these latest
fashion pieces to remain
effortless chic, always!

Life Cuisine

90 If ever a tart were to beaccorded royal status, chances
are it would go to the legendary
Maids of Honour tarts by
the celebrated and historical
Newens Tea House near
London’s Kew Gardens.

64
Spa Life

94 Let Spa Village Kuala
Lumpur weave its uniquebrand of healing magic onyou, with its assortmentof restorative treatments
inspired by the cultures.

Life Guide

98 Sabah has always provenenchanting. From themajestic Mount Kinabalu tolush rainforest and all thetreasures of the underwater
realm, it’s the perfectyear-round destination.
Here, Kirinjit Singh, HotelManager of Gaya Island
Resort, shares his favourite
things about this tropicalwonderland.

Portfolio of Life106 Explore the world of
YTL Hotels.

Editorial Team
Editorial Director
Tracy Khee
Editor-in-Chief
Diana Khoo
Associate Editors
Christy Yoong
Sub Editors
George Wong      

Art
T h e

Y T L

L u x u r y

M a g a z i n e

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55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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A Note fromTan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh
Sometimes, the best tonic in life is as simple as a rejuvenative
getaway. So, we’ve ensured this issue of YTL Life covers all bases,from beach retreats to highland hideaways. YTL Hotels’ flagshipproperty of Pangkor Laut Resort showcases the sybaritic charmsof a sunset cruise, while Niseko Village in Hokkaido, Japan, gears
up to celebrate its equally famous ‘Green Season’, with a plethoraof outdoor events and activities. For those whose idea of a holiday
isn’t quite complete without a set of clubs, perhaps it’s time toconsider heading for the hills – to Cameron Highlands, to be exact– for a long weekend of golf, spa and wholesome cuisine. Flip to
page 34 to find out more about a golf getaway in what is longacknowledged as Malaysia’s premier hill station.

Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh
Managing Director,
YTL Corporation

We are also excited with the opening of YTL Hotels’ muchanticipated Classic Hotel, The Gainsborough Bath Spa in thehistorical city of Bath, England, happening this summer. And, if
you happen to be in London, don’t miss the charm and cuisineof Newens Tea House, a historical little gem just outside Kew
Gardens. If you have yet to try it, you might be interested
to know this quaint tea room has just opened its second
outlet – and first outside London – right in the heart of Kuala
Lumpur at Starhill Gallery, offering guests the chance to try
its acclaimed Maids of Honour tarts, a delicacy that dates
back to the Tudor era, with inextricable links to Henry VIII
and the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. And, given Starhill Gallery’s
reputation as one of the best places in the world to buy
timepieces, don’t miss our special report on what’s
new and what’s hot from Baselworld 2015, the world’s
greatest watch and jewellery fair. It’s all on page 76.
Until then, God bless and enjoy the issue.

2
1

2

Green Goodness
The GreenTech Awards event
was held to recognise and honour
Malaysia’s Top 30 Green Catalysts
for 2014, comprising individuals
and organisations that have hadsignificant impact in expanding
the country’s green technology
sector. Selangor Crown Prince,
HRH Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan
Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj was
the guest of honour. GreenTech
M a l a y s i a ’s C h i e f E x e c u t i v e
Officer (Ir) Ahmad Hadri Haris
gave an inspired speech to over
500 guests on the growth andpotential of the green technology
sector. Throughout the event,
guests were treated to soulful
music from Poova Plachciak, an

3enchanting classical performanceby Datuk Ramli Ibrahim and theSutra Dance Theatre, as well asa beautiful soprano performanceby Syafinaz Selamat. Amongthe eight individual recipientsof the awards were Gurmit
Singh (CETDEM), Ruth Yeoh Pei
Cheen (YTL Corporation), Tan Sri
Datuk Eddy Chen (MKH Berhad)
and Tan Cheng Li (The Star).
Companies and organisations thatwere also recognised included,
among others, the police force,
Malakoff, Penjana Bebas, Majlis
Perbandaran Subang Jaya, Tan
Chong Motor Holdings, Bandar
Eco-Setia, Maybank Berhad andPanasonic Malaysia.

1. Puan Sri To’ Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil receiving her award from HRH
Tengku Amir Shah. 2. Dance performance by Datuk Ramli Ibrahim and the Sutra Dance
Theatre. 3. Ruth Yeoh Pei Cheen receiving her award. 4. Ahmad Hadri Haris and Maya
Karin. 5. Patricia Tan, Marco Winter, Dato’ Paduka Prof (Dr) Ir Hj Keizrul Abdullah, Datuk
Loo Took Gee and Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui. 6. Dato’ Syed Muhammad Tun Syed
Nasir; Puan Sri To’ Puan Datuk Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil and Tan Sri Syed Yusof
Tun Syed Nasir. 7. Jamiah Jaafa receiving her award. 8.Syafinaz Selamat.

4

5

6

1

Starry Night
Precious stones took the spotlightduring an exclusive dinner hosted
by Gübelin for readers of The Peak.

88

Jeweller extraordinaire Gübelin celebrated the recent launchof its new boutique in Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur by hosting
an exclusive dinner for readers of The Peak magazine. Sara
Gübelin, a member of the sixth generation of the family to leadthe firm, and Hanspeter Pieth, Managing Director of Gübelin,
were present to welcome the guests, who enjoyed an insight
into the world of precious stones, a fashion show as well asa memorable dinner specially prepared by Matthew Ona,
Executive Chef of YTL Hotels and Feast Village.

34

1. Gübelin’s greatly expanded new boutique, which measures over
1,800 sq ft. 2. Pauline Gan and Christine Cheah. 3. Datin Dr Kalpna Maghji.
4. Christina Brand and Yves Brand. 5. Datin Winnie Loo and Dato’ Richard Teo.
6. Dato’ Eric Ong and Datin Kate Ong. 7. Hanspeter Pieth, Sara Gübelin and
Tan Sri Francis Yeoh. 8. Mei Low and Datin Sri Joey Tor.

5
7

7

6

1
2

Turn Down
for Earth2

YTL Hotels honoured Mother Earth by hosting a myriad of activities
across its properties for Earth Hour 2015 on 28 March. At thestroke of 8.30pm, the Tanjong Jara Resort gong rang loud andclear, signalling the start of Earth Hour. Guests at the resort spent a
culturally enriched hour with lanterns and a wayang kulit (traditional
shadow puppet) show. Gaya Island Resort, meanwhile, geeked
it up with a Scientific Night Expedition and its Fisherman’s Coverestaurant served a low-energy menu.
At The Majestic Malacca, the faces of guests were aglow inflickering candlelight that spelled out ‘Earth Hour’. Spirits were kept
high with a sing-along session at The Mansion with the resident
pianist. Guests were also surprised with a pandan rose attachedwith ‘thank you’ notes in their rooms and enjoyed an Earth Hourmenu as they dined in candlelight. There was a special restaurant
setting around the frog pool and lanterns in the courtyard as lights
were dimmed at the Pangkor Laut Resort. A raw menu wasfeatured at the courtyard, while a barbeque was held at Emerald
Bay.
House guests gamely lit tea candles to form the figures ‘60’ at
the main entrance of the Cameron Highlands Resort. Its Dining
Room and Gonbei restaurants featured Earth Hour mocktails
and an Earth Hour menu. The resort took it a step further byswitching off all back-of-house lights and computers by 6pm.

4

Style forthe Stars

1

3
1
Candles were lit in the lobby and walkways of the Vistana hotels
in Penang, Kuantan and Kuala Lumpur. Guests were treated tocomplimentary canapés and a special Earth Hour-themed drink
served from Barista, the hotels’ café.
Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali turned magical with walkways
and common areas aglow with tea lights. There was also a
special Earth Hour barbeque dinner menu and candlelight dining
at the poolside. The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur joined in byswitching off all outlet lights. Overall, it was a truly meaningful andmemorable Earth Hour for guests at all the YTL Hotels.
1.Tea candles lit by guests at The Majestic Malacca inhonour of Earth Hour. 2. Guests on the Scientific Night
Expedition at Gaya Island Resort. 3. Guests posing withtraditionally dressed locals at Spa Village Resort Tembok,
Bali. 4. A magical beachside candlelight dinner at
Pangkor Laut Resort. 5.Candles lit to form the numbers‘60’ at Pangkor Laut Resort.

5

It was a glittery night indeed at the spectacular launch of Starhill Gallery’s
Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015, as celebrities, fashion designers
and style icons enjoyed the opening party for the four-day event. The
glitzy event saw the biggest brand names in the fashion industry taking
to the catwalk with stylishly breathtaking garments, contemporary trends
and the most up-to-date accessories. These were followed by infectious
DJ beats and an array of handcrafted sushi and a carvery preparedexclusively for the event by Shook! restaurant’s Executive Chef Matthew
Ona. As the guests sipped on GH Mumm champagne and Absolut Vodka
cocktails, Starhill Gallery pulled out all stops to pamper the party-goers
with luxurious pop-up carts, with exquisite chocolate sampling by Armani/
Dolci and Fragrance du Bois’ interactive display of the world’s rarest elixirs
proving extremely popular. A complimentary nail service, which included
a hand massage, manicure and nail art design, by BMIC Nail Spa Saloncompleted the VIP treatment, while delighted guests got creative at the VIPphoto booths.

3

1. Malaysia Airlines crew flank Kohinoor Kaur, Carey Ng and Sugeeta Chandran.
2. Sarah Lian. 3. Jimmy Koay, Corinna Tan and Magdalene Yee. 4. Zamri Zailani andLeslie Variyan.

2

4

life bites //

04

01

03

02

01

02

W ith The Gainsborough Bath Spa
opening any time now, there's every
reason to visit Bath all-year round asoften as you want. Summer 2015 looks
set to be particularly exciting, with theinternationally renowned Iford Arts Festival
taking place nearby in the exquisite
Peto Garden of Iford Manor. Classicalmusic fans will rejoice. For those who
prefer more action and colour, the Rioinspired Bath Carnival is also a summer
extravaganza, with samba music, dancers
and a whole host of activities for the family
and community to enjoy. Check it out! Oh,
don't forget to mark September down inyour calendar for the Jane Austen Festival
as well.

You are what you eat and you can't go wrong
with organic! Come along to Cameron
Highlands Resort as it takes you on anorganic culinary journey to nourish bodyand soul. In a world where safety of foodis doubtful, take some time to appreciate
the labour and love put into nurturing eachcrop by hardworking farmers. It's about time
we learn where our food comes from withthe chef and farmers sharing the detailsof organic farming as you wander throughundulating plots of vegetable beds. A live
cooking demonstration by the chef will
leave your senses tingling with the natural
sweetness of freshly harvested vegetables.
You’ll be sure to kick-start a healthfuljourney in good taste. While you’re at it,
why not rejuvenate yourself with a selectionof massages by Spa Village Cameron
Highlands to celebrate the new lifestyle?

All Eyes On Bath14

THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE

Organic Eats

03

04

Complimentary afternoon tea is a favourite
among The Surin's guests. After all,swimming and sunbathing can work up
quite an appetite. So, it's delightful to beable to just sashay over to the poolside
for tea-time treats. Served several times
weekly (check with your butler for details),
there's usually a hot Thai dish as well asa selection of tropical fruit, freshly baked
pastries and tempting cakes. Hot coffee
and tea are also available, making yourday out under the warm Phuket sun asperfect as possible. Attention to detailand a gracious touch? What else did you
expect from The Surin?

The village life has always been associatedwith the simple life. Now, Niseko Village
is adding the green life to that notion. The
resort is the perfect escape for nature
lovers who long to lie in the lap of luxury.
For what better way to escape the hustle
and bustle of life but being pampered in
the peaceful embrace of nature? The Pure
Zip Line Guided Tour and mountain biking
activities are sure to satisfy the hearts ofadrenaline junkies. There’s a saying: thefamily that plays together stays together,so play along with your rambunctious little
ones with Niseko Village’s Pure Action andPure Adventure activities. Animal lovers
can rejoice with horseback riding and a
dog run so man’s best friend can join in
the fun too! Activities at Niseko Village areavailable daily until October 2015.

An Exotic Tea

06

05

Naturally Green05

06

Hankering for hawker fare? Malacca's Lot
10 Hutong is guaranteed to make yourmouth water with its authentic heritage
meals. The food court houses 19 street
food stalls, starring a myriad of hawker
fares such as “Pin Qian Klang Bak KutTeh”, “Imbi Road Original Pork Noodle”,“Soong Kee Beef Noodle”, “Hon Kee
Porridge” and “Kim Lian Kee Hokkien
Mee”. Each stall is hand-picked by YTLCorp Bhd group managing director Tan Sri
Francis Yeoh with the intent to preserve
their culinary arts for the enjoyment of
future generations. The food court canseat up to 700 people, so anyone who
feasts there will walk away with bellies fullof Chinese cuisine legacy. Look for it at
The Shore Shopping Gallery in Malacca.

If you have a super dad, treat him to a
Father's Day Hi-Tea buffet at Newens Tea
House at Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur.
Priced at only RM75 per person, dear
dad will be all smiles with free-flow Irish
Whisky Cream tea, pastries and desserts.
Newens Tea House also has a new starwith chef John Burton-Race as the newly
appointed chef-in-residence who owns
The New Angel in Notting Hill, London.
He will titillate your taste buds with the
Newens Collection retailing at RM25,
where each month highlights a tasty treat.
Nibble on Westmorland Tart and Scots
Pie in June, savour Lemon Meringue andTorbock's Pie in July and bite into Chelsea
Buns and Partan Bree Tart in August.
Good eats indeed!

Decades Of Delicacy

For more information on YTL Hotels’ events and promotions, go to www.ytlhotels.com

Daddy’s Day Out

THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE

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life on the cover //life on the cover //Be transported back to theglory of the colonial era
whenever you sit down to ameal at The Majestic Hotel
Kuala Lumpur.

TIME’STABLESHistory, elegance and colonial-era refinement
all come together in style when one dines at
The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Over 80 years old and still turning heads, The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is hailed
as one of the grande dames of Malaysian hospitality with ample good reason. Ever
since it was established in 1932, the elegant property, perched atop a little hillock in
the heart of ‘olde KL’, has always been a bastion of colonial elegance. Designed by
the Dutch architect Van Leangeanderg of Messrs Keys & Dowdeswell, the Art DecoNeo Renaissance structure has been given an extensive facelift by YTL Hotels andexhaustively restored, before reopening in all its former glory in December 2012.
Today, aside from being a grand historical property, it is also one of the most elegant
dining venues in town. Its afternoon teas, accompanied always by the music ofrenowned resident pianist Ooi Eow Jin, are practically a hallowed city institution, while

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life on the cover //“The Majestic Hotel
Kuala Lumpur’s team isrenowned for its attention
to detail and all-out effort
to ensure every guest
leaves happy.”
WHAT A MARVELLOUS IDEA!
Here are some ideas to create your uniquely unforgettable‘Majestic’ moment.
• The hotel’s iconic Orchid Conservatory is a favourite venue forsmall events. With its comfortably cool temperature of between
22°C to 24°C (said to be ideal for the flowers), it is also bathed innatural light by day and romantically dim by night – illuminatedonly by as much candlelight as you wish. It is a favourite, naturally,among ladies, who take over the entire space for private birthday
luncheons or teas. But don’t let your imagination stop there.
Consider the space for a baby shower, perhaps? Innovative guests
have also chosen to pop the all-important question, on bended
knee and with diamond ring in hand, of course, at the Conservatory,complete with hundreds of roses, which vie for attention among thebeautiful orchids, and in situ violinist.

the Sunday Curry Tiffin Lunch, held at the Colonial Cafe, is fast becoming the best
way to end the week for well-to-do Malaysian and expatriate families. But, what’s
fast making waves on the local culinary scene is also the hotel’s bespoke dining
experiences.
“The hotel started to make a name for itself in offering bespoke dining experiences
when we began to showcase our inspired menus, each created by our master chefs,
paired with great names in our wine and whisky collections,” notes Jeffrey Mong,
General Manager of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, a YTL Classic Hotel. Offering
its knowing clientele an out-of-the-ordinary dining experience, guests can expect tobe thrilled by culinary creativity that may range from a specially crafted menu paired
only with the finest single malt whiskies to, perhaps, a dinner to remember in the
hotel’s glass-enclosed wine cellar at the Contango restaurant matched with different
vintages of Opus One, quite possibly the United States’ most celebrated wine.

• Contango at the Tower Wing undeniably serves up one of
Kuala Lumpur’s most popular buffets but, did you know, just by
its entrance, is a beautiful glass-walled walk-in wine cellar that’s
perfect for an intimate private dinner? Like we said, the only limit isyour imagination.
• For a slightly more clubby effect, there’s the ever-popular Smoke
House. Ideal for more interactive, inclusive dining experiences, it
has seen several whisky dinners held in its premises, including aparticularly popular master class dinner hosted by Ian McWilliam
of Glenfarclas. Its set-up, complete with bar and enough space forpre-dinner cocktails is, but of course, a bonus.

“These bespoke dining experiences only serve to enhance and complement thetastes of our discerning customers, who appreciate these unique choices and who
keep coming back for more,” adds Mong. “This year alone, we have had customers
who returned on three separate occasions to enjoy distinctively different dining
experiences. In fact, one guest is in the midst of planning a fourth event – which is his
daughter’s birthday meal to be held in our beautiful Orchid Conservatory.”
As the old adage goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating and The Majestic
Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s team is renowned for its attention to detail and all-out effort
to ensure every guest leaves happy. Already, any dining experience set amidst thehotel’s refined historical atmosphere proves memorable enough but, with the additionof a bespoke menu and unique set-up, the event would, undoubtedly, be even moreunforgettable. “Who doesn’t love something special?” asks Mong. “But every event for18

THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE

From garden parties
to pre-prandialpick-me-ups andblossoming brunches,
there's always a fun
and novel way to
indulge here.

• Always look up, as the saying goes. The Majestic Hotel Kuala
Lumpur’s contemporary rooftop garden is a great venue if you
want to blend old and new. Its modern setting overlooks thehistorical old railway station and its dreamy, Moorish-style minarets,
while its reflective pools and spacious gazebo is great for anything,from intimate soirees to al fresco parties.

THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE

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life on the cover //life on the cover //us is always memorable as this is our raison d’être and what we are trained for. And
nothing pleases the team more than attaining perfect customer satisfaction each andevery time. We also have truly special locations that are exclusive to the hotel. Our
iconic Orchid Conservatory, with its hundreds of pots of blossoming Phalaenopsis
orchids is one, as well as our expansive contemporary rooftop garden, which
overlooks the minarets of Kuala Lumpur’s historical old railway station. The hotel also
has numerous other intimate nooks and corners that our team is more than happy totransform into something astounding, depending on the event or the effect you wantto achieve.”
For something with a slightly more masculine feel, there is The Smoke House, which
is modelled after the gentlemen’s clubs of London’s West End in the 18th century– then the preferred haunt of aristocrats and the peerage. For those who enjoy theoccasional (or regular) Cohiba, it would be pleasing to note, then, that The Smoke
House is just as its name suggests and guests are welcome to light up, preferablywith a snifter of something amber-hued and warming by one’s side. Here, aside fromall the gentlemanly distractions of bar, pool table and even a barbershop, operated
by London’s Truefitt & Hill, guests can also rely upon the services of a chef-on-call tocreate private dining experiences in any of the spaces within The Smoke House.

From high note afternoon teas to curry
tiffin lunches, every meal is memorable
at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

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So, with a wealth of spaces and places to choose from within The Majestic Hotel
Kuala Lumpur, it would seem the sky’s the limit when it comes to enjoying bespoke
experiences. Go ahead and play. Let its hallowed hallways, which have borne witness
to some of Kuala Lumpur’s landmark moments, to its shiny, contemporary new Tower
Wing, which is a gleaming addition to the city skyline, be your imagination’s playgroundfor your next occasion to remember. After all, as the modern-day oracle Oprah Winfrey
once remarked: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life
to celebrate.” Let The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur help you celebrate more moments
in life from here on.

THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE

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life feature //FoodieParadiseIf you ever find yourself craving
sumptuous Japanese cuisine while
in Kota Kinabalu, be sure to securea reservation at Omakase, the latest
luxury dining experience at
YTL Hotels’ Gaya Island Resort.
Text Maya Michael Photography Edmund Lee

Ask any Sabahan what he misses mostwhile abroad and, chances are, he will
say the fresh seafood of his birthplace.
Located at the northern part of Borneo
Island, this geographical location is home
to a thriving ecosystem replete withmarine life. This is especially good news
for the local fishermen who supply the
local markets with fresh seafood.
Also known as the "Land Below The
Wind", the term for Sabah was initiallybestowed by seafarers in the past to
describe the lands located south of thetyphoon belt. Fast forward to today,
notice how the state is making waves
among foodies who can appreciate thesimple pleasures of indulging in a lipsmacking seafood spread.
As for those in search of a more
distinctive dining experience, areservation at Omakase would be a greatplace to start the culinary journey.

Delightful Dishes

As the latest dining addition to the
exclusive Gaya Island Resort, Omakase

Opposite: Be entertained by
Omakase's skillful chefs.
This page: Crunchy tempurawith marinated seaweed,
crab and crabstick roll;Succulent teppanyaki beef
with bell peppers.

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life feature //opens daily for dinner from 7pm to10.30pm. For those curious about thename of the restaurant, it stems from aJapanese phrase, which means “I’ll leaveit to you.

Clockwise, frombelow: Indulge in
the incredible viewsof the surrounding
Malohom Bay;
delightful appetisers
to tantalise yourtastebuds; fresh
ingredients used
for nabe.

In staying true to this philosophy, diners
at this two-storey restaurant will get toexperience teppanyaki, shabu-shabu or
nabe. From there, the itamae (chefs) willthen demonstrate their various artistic
and culinary skills to create sublime
Japanese dishes using only the freshest
ingredients combined with the catch of
the day. This, in a way, ensures that notwo dining experiences at Omakase isever quite the same.
To cater to these preferences, therestaurant has been divided into

“The name of therestaurant stems froma Japanese phrase thatmeans ‘I'll leave it to you”.

As for the final dining room, this houses
the perennial Asian delight known as
nabe. A traditional Japanese soup thatis savoured during the colder months,
this meal consists of a variety of fresh
vegetables, seafood, meats and noodles
cooked in a fragrant chicken broth andserved with a variety of dipping sauces.

three sections for a personalised andunique dining experience. There is the“teppanyaki room”, which offers diners
a choice between a seafood or meatbased main course prepared on theteppan (iron plate), and is paired withscrumptious appetisers, fragrant garlicfried rice and delightful desserts.

While Sabah is famous for its seafood
restaurants, what sets Omakase apartfrom the rest would have to be its natural
surroundings. Perched on a hillsidesurrounded by ancient rainforest, diners
will appreciate its strategic location, while
taking in spectacular views of Malohom
Bay and Mount Kinabalu. Diners whoare especially observant might even geta chance to stumble upon some of thewilder inhabitants that call this island
home. For example, a majestic eagle
was spotted circling near the premises
during this writer’s visit.

For those hankering for heartier dishes,
a visit the “tatami room” to indulge inshabu-shabu would more than satisfy
their cravings. Diners are first offereda superb selection of freshly cut sushi
and sashimi. Here’s a fun fact about
shabu-shabu : the name stems from aJapanese onomatopoeia, which literallymeans “swish, swish”, and is based on
the motion of the chopsticks swishingaround in the simmering pot of beefbroth, while cooking fresh ingredients
including seafood, cooked meats,
vegetables and udon noodles.

Scenic Surprises

Of course, fine cuisine is not the only
attraction at Gaya Island Resort. Guests
can indulge in various activities suchas water sports, jungle excursions andspa sessions at the award-winning
Spa Village. With so many things toexperience and explore, you’ll definitely
whip up an appetite in no time!

TASTE OF THE HIGH SEAS

Feast your eyes on these tantalising dishes
at Omakase.

• Garlic egg fried rice.
• Sushi and sashimi platter.
• Tempura with marinated seaweed, crab andcrabstick roll.
• A combination of prawn tobikko mayo,
marinated baby octopus, deep-fried crabstick
and marinated seaweed cucumber.
• Seaweed gelée and seared unagi paired withcreamy pumpkin sauce.
• Teppanyaki beef with bell peppers.
• Teppanyaki chicken with mushroom.
• Teppanyaki tuna and prawn.

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life feature //Sailing Into
the Sunset

It is not every day that one gets to watch thesunset on board an ancient Chinese junk,albeit a replica of it. This is only possible
at Pangkor Laut Resort where the sunset
cruise is fuelled by wine, food and Mother
Nature in all her glory.
Text Brian Cheong Photography Law Soo Phye

The sunset cruise is one of themost popular activities among theguests at Pangkor Laut Resort.

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life feature //When you are staying on an island
as idyllic as Pangkor Laut, one of thebest ways to spend the evening before
dinnertime is to take a boat ride out to sea
to watch the sun bid goodbye to anotherwonderful day. The amber glow of thesetting sun is said to cast surreal shadows
around the landscape to create postcardworthy scenery that is best enjoyed out inthe open water.
It is no wonder that the sunset cruise
at Pangkor Laut Resort is one of its
most popular activities, especially withhoneymooners – in fact, I wouldn’t be
surprised to see a marriage proposal on
board, such is the romantic setting that
this excursion inevitably conjures. It is alsoa well-known fact that the sunset cruise isa favourite item on wedding itineraries at
Pangkor Laut Resort.
Located a few minutes away from thecoast of Perak state along the Straits ofMalacca, Pangkor Laut is a lush private
island with its own ancient rainforest anda number of hidden coves. One of thesehouses the Estates, a super luxurious
collection of abodes shielded from prying
eyes. It was during a recent stay at Estate
One, a two-villa beachfront property
complete with its own infinity pool, that I
took the opportunity to check out the viewof the magical sunset that I have heard somuch about from the boat. And it is no
ordinary boat either. Built in the shape ofa Chinese junk, it exudes a rustic charmwith its teakwood construction – the only
thing missing from the motorised vessel
are the sails.
A soft knock on the door of my villa alerts
me that it is time to head down to the jetty.
A short drive later and I am welcomedby the captain and his friendly crew. The
mid-sized boat comfortably seats up to 12
people and, as expected, it is full housethat evening. Although there are benches
next to open windows on the lower deck,

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27

life feature //life feature //Enjoy wine and canapés like mini chicken
pies as you sail into the sunset.

our instincts are to head up to the upper
deck for an uninterrupted view.
The back of the upper deck is lined withcushions and soft mats and most of theguests make this their viewing station
for the rest of the evening. I choose to
wander around a bit, settling first at the tipof the boat, feeling the gentle force of thesalty evening breeze in my face and hair.
I had expected the junk to sail further
out to sea. As it turns out, it is merely
circling Pangkor Laut, thus affording
us the pleasure of “inspecting” ourliving spaces for the next few days. The
lush greener y becomes even more
apparent from this point of view, making
it even harder to resist taking up
my Estate butler’s recommendation ofgoing on a guided nature walk throughthe jungle.
Built in the shape of a Chinese junk,the boat exudes a rustic charm with its
teakwood construction.

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I move back to the upper deck, settlingin the front part, resting my body against

the wooden barrier with my legs dangling
off the sides. By now, the sun is hovering
just above the horizon, the magicalmoment when day gives way to night.
Stars are beginning to appear in thesky, too. I am not quite sure where topoint the camera of my smartphone,
the distant sea with its majestic sceneof the setting sun or the island where
the treetops are being embraced bygolden rays.
A member of the crew turns up to offer me
a glass of wine. The choice of beverage
includes beer and soft drinks, but there
is really no better companion in my bookthan a glass of chilled white wine to enjoy
the sunset in this balmy weather.
I decide that the view is too good to be
spent updating Instagram posts. I put away
the smartphone and sit back to enjoy thecruise, sipping wine along the way. Just as
the stomach starts to grumble, the crew
member appears again to serve canapés.

The selection is decidedly local, with fried
banana balls and vadai (a popular South
Indian doughnut-shaped snack) thrown into
the mix that also includes mini chicken pies.
After the boat passes the villas of theEstates – which are suitably hidden fromview by shady trees – it makes a final turnfor the main jetty. And it is here when itgets more interesting. This part of the ride
includes navigating between a couple oflarge rock formations in the water. By
now, the sun has melted into the horizon,
but there is still enough light for somegorgeous shadow effects. Needless tosay, the smartphone is out again.
As darkness descends all around us, it isheartening to see the lights of the resort
in the near distance. I look up only to
discover a sky full of twinkling stars, a raresight for an urbanite like me. And so I lie
back on the cool, white deck floor to enjoy
these last precious moments of pleasantsolitude before we dock.

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life feature //It’s Bath Time!

The much-anticipated opening of The Gainsborough Bath Spa,YTL Hotels’ latest classic property, in the UK this summer onlymeans one thing: time to pack one’s bags and head to theshining jewel of England’s West Country.

Beautiful, historical and rich in culture,
there are a million and one reasons tovisit Bath already. But, with this summer’smuch-anticipated opening of The
Gainsborough Bath Spa, the latest jewel
in YTL Hotels’ portfolio, it really is Bathtime right now.
Located in picturesque Somerset, Bath’s
history is shrouded in myth and legend.
Ancient lore says Bath was founded by
the mythical king, Bladud. Although not
an immediately familiar name, fans of
the great bard Shakespeare would know
him as the father of King Lear. In myth,
Bladud, the son of King Ludhudibras,

Immerse yourself
in all the curativepleasures of Bath's
famous waters of
Spa Village Bath at
The GainsboroughBath Spa.

was said to have been cast out of theroyal court after contracting leprosy.
Left to fend for himself and wander theland, he eventually became a swineherd.
It was during one cold morning that henoticed his herd of pigs emerging freefrom scabs and lesions after a lengthy
wallow in a steaming swamp. Deciding
to try it out for himself, he found himself
cured and wasted no time returning to
his father’s kingdom to reclaim his rightful
position. In thanks and in the hope that
others may benefit likewise, he went on
to build the city of Bath around the nowfamous hot springs.
Today, Bath remains the only place inthe UK where natural hot springs exist.
A natural phenomenon unique to the city,
there are three main springs: the King’s
Spring, which feeds the famous Roman
Baths and was considered sacred; theCross Spring, which feeds the Cross
Bath; and the Hetling Spring, whichfeeds the waters of The GainsboroughBath Spa. Naturally, no visit to Bathis complete without bathing in its
renowned waters, which have long been
associated with healing and wellness.
After all, the word ‘spa’ is derived fromthe Latin acronym – Salus per Aquam(health through water).

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life feature //The opening of The Gainsborough BathSpa now makes it even easier (not tomention, comfortable and luxurious) to
explore Bath and its surrounds. Locatedin the heart of the thriving city, all thesights, sounds and experiences of Bathare just steps away from the hotel. The
magnificent Bath Abbey is a mere stroll
while, if it’s a wellness break you’reafter, simply to walk down from yourbeautifully-appointed room to the spa.

Bath is a city thatis best exploredon foot (clockwisefrom below): Grand
Parade and Pulteney
Bridge over theRiver Avon; thefamous Sally Lunn's;
Bath Abbey.

Spread out over two levels, the 1,300
sq m Spa Village Bath, designed by
the award-winning Champalimaud
Design, looks set to be the ultimate spa
destination in the country. Offering directaccess to Bath’s celebrated thermal
waters through three therapeutic pools,
it is a destination in itself. After all, noother hotel in the UK can lay claim tohaving a natural thermal spa right on its
property! Exuding the spirit of the city’s
Roman past, the design of Spa Village
Bath revolves around a beautiful, light-

flooded atrium. From here, guests may
retreat to the pools or treatment rooms
to enjoy sessions of watsu , pampering
facials or massages, or simply to soakup the essence of the water. Given YTLHotels’ international portfolio, naturally,
global touches of luxe may be also be
detected – from the world-class spa
team to Japanese-style overflowing tubs
that bring a touch of onsen culture to theWest Country.

“As much as Bath is about
its waters, one mustn’t
forget to venture out either.
Bath is a famously historicaland cultural city.”

As much as Bath is about its waters, one
mustn’t forget to venture out either. Bathis a famously historical and cultural city,with just about something happening
every week. There are dozens of wellappointed museums and galleries, while
the entire city is considered to be aliving, breathing open-air museum, much
like Rome itself. Stroll from the Abbey tothe magnificence of the Royal Crescent;spend a day in one of its verdant parks
with an ice cream and book in hand.

of Jane Austen’s most famous novels,
Persuasion and Northanger Abbey ,are set. If you are a fan, don’t missstopping by Gravel Walk – the scene ofAnne Elliot and Captain Wentworth of
Persuasion ’s happy denouement – orvisit in September, when the city’s annual
Jane Austen Festival is held.

Make time fortea... and a Bathbun or two.

Whiling away an afternoon by the
picturesque weir is certainly pleasantand, of course, there’s the history,
grandeur and splendour of the Roman
Baths, one of the most complete ancientsites in the world. Sit down to tea to try
the city’s famous Bath buns or spend
hours in the beautiful bookshops that
dot the city, all the while not forgettingthat Bath is also the city in which two

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Exploring the city on foot is, undoubtedly,
the best way to enjoy Bath. Fans ofarchitecture would enjoy the city’s
dominant Georgian look and feel,much of which was designed by thefather and son duo of John Wood theElder and John Wood the Younger,
the latter of whom is the talent behind
the awe-inspiring Royal Crescent, one
of Bath’s premier addresses as well as
one of the world’s most recognisablebuildings. Fans of the famous play,
the Scarlet Pimpernel , set during the
French Revolution, would do well tonote that No 15 at the Royal Crescent
was purportedly the home of Sir Percy
Blakeney, according to Baroness Orczy.
Whatever your fancy, it’s undeniable that
there’s something for everyone at Bath.
From culture to the arts, food and wine
to the great escape of your life, Bath isa multi-faceted destination that captures
your heart and soul with its heady mixof past and present in one perfect jewel
box of a city. Bath time? Yes, please!

The Gainsborough Bath Spa is locatedat Beau Street, Bath BA1 1QU, England.

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life feature //life feature //The original clubhouse has since been rebuilt and modernisedwith improved facilities and renamed Kelab Golf Sultan Ahmad
Shah (SAS) Cameron Highlands after the Sultan of Pahang.
The 18-hole course, which is open to the public, is managed
by the state district council and remains the only golf course in
Cameron Highlands.
The 18 holes is made up of the old nine, while a second nine wasdesigned by Australian architect, Nigel Douglas. The renovation of
the course was a federal project under the Tourism Ministry. Workson the second nine started in October 2013 and the course was
re-opened by the Sultan of Pahang in February 2015.
Golfers can stay at the adjacent Cameron Highlands Resort.
This YTL Classic Hotel exudes a colonial heritage that can be felt
the moment you walk through its main entrance. The 56 rooms
and suites boast tall French doors, timber-beamed ceilings andplantation shutters to evoke a colonial charm. Grand poster beds
ensure a good night’s rest, while a wood fireplace keeps the bodywarm on cold nights. The family can relax in the Jim Thompson Tea
Room, and for leisurely activities, indulge in visits to the Boh Tea
Plantation, jungle walks or strawberry picking.

The rebuilt Kelab Golf Sultan Ahmad
Shah in Cameron Highlands allows you
to tee off in cool comfort.

HighlandBliss

Cameron Highlands is just the tonic
for tired city souls. All the better ifthey are golfing enthusiasts.
Text Patrick Ho

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Pete Dye once said: “The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest
if somebody put a flagstick on top.” The quote certainly describes
the hardcore golfer who would travel anywhere in the world insearch of some of the game’s finest courses.
In most cities, golfers often seek respite from the daily grind by
travelling to a far off location to feed their craving. And the family
gets to tag along for some R&R. There are some 200 golf courses
in Malaysia. But where would one go to enjoy golfing in cool
comfort in a tropical country? Enter Cameron Highlands.
First discovered in 1885 by surveyor Sir William Cameron,
Cameron Highlands in Pahang was chosen by the British
as their outpost – a weekend retreat from mining tin, farming
and military duties. The highlands is made up of Ringlet,
Tanah Rata and Ulu Telom. There are eight sub-districts
comprising Ringlet, Brinchang, Bertam Valley, Kea Farm, Tringkap,

Avid golfers can leave their cars at the hotel’s parking lot and walkover to the golf club, which takes less than five minutes. Mostdays, the course is pretty quiet and a quick nine or a pleasurable
18 holes is an enjoyable way to pass the time in a cool setting.
The caddies include orang asli and trained caddies from a Kuala
Lumpur caddy academy. As it is a walking course, one can playa round before retreating to the hotel’s Spa Village to soothe theKuala Terla, Kampung Raja and Tanah Rata, which serves as
the administrative centre. These areas are located at elevationsof 1,100m to 1,600m above sea level. Being on the Titiwangsa
Range, the annual temperature of the retreat is about 18°C. During
the day, the temperature seldom rises above 25°C. At night, it
rarely drops below 9°C, unless you travel to a higher plateau.
The cool weather was ideal for planting tea and to set up nurseries
and farmlands, and so the British colonial masters did. They also
found out it was perfect for playing golf, with a course establishedin 1935. The Cameron Highlands Golf Course heralded in a newsocial scene in the highlands, as the game was only played by thewealthy at the time. Records revealed that during the early daysof the club in Brinchang, golfers would find tiger paw prints in the
bunkers as they set out to search for their best round under par.
Shortly before World War II, the six-hole course was upgraded intoa nine-hole facility.

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life feature //life feature //“Golfers can walkover from the adjacent
Cameron Highlands
Resort in under fiveminutes.”

body aches away. What’s more, the highlands has become apopular destination for foreigners, with many Japanese visitors,
for example, returning yearly in January to enjoy the cool andcalm of the hill station.

Stay at YTL Hotels
Cameron Highlands Resort,which exudes a colonial
heritage and offers all thepampering you need.

Playing The Course

The par 71 SAS course is not a long one but it presents golferswith challenges in the form of narrow tree-lined fairways, severe
elevation changes, elevated greens and strategically placed
bunkers. From the blue tees, the Brinchang Nine measures
2,881m, while the new Tanah Rata Nine plays 2,720m for a total
yardage of 5,601m.
One must remember before teeing off that the course is locatedin a valley 5,000ft above sea level. At this altitude, the ball does
travel farther and it is a must for long-hitters to take note. One
wouldn’t want to hit the ball out of bounds into a charmingcolonial house next to the golf course!
While the course may not be as pristine due to the damp
weather, it does have character and demands skilful shotmaking. The opening hole is an Index 9 par-5 test, measuring467m. Tee shots should ideally find the right side of thewide, downhill fairway to set up a possible two-on chance forlong hitters. It is a pleasant opening hole that calls for a slight
uphill approach to a small green guarded by a few bunkers.
The fun on the first nine actually begins on Hole 5, a short par-4
playing to 236m. Play a draw with a 5-wood on your tee shot

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and you’re merely left with a short iron into the green. One would
notice a Chinese and Indian temple behind the perimeter fence
right next to the green.
The next hole presents a tough uphill test. Not that it plays
tough, but the fact that golfers have to trek up an elevation ofat least 50m to the green. From there, they have toclimb up to the next tee box located at least 20m uphill.
The 7th hole is a par-5 with a severe dogleg that would suit
players that naturally draw their shots. Making par here would
boost one’s confidence before facing the course’s longest par-3
at 195m.
The 9th is a severe dogleg right finishing hole that demands tee
shots to take a 'tiger-line' over a tree line on the right. Long hitters
may try to go for it and possibly convert an eagle. The second
nine does not present severe heart pumping climbs up hills but
presents water hazards that require good club selection.

Golfers will find the greens smaller on the back nine, while thefairways are as narrow as the land accords it. There are also three
par-3 holes on this nine (12th, 15th & 17th), while the first nine
has two. The longest par-5 of the course presents itself on Hole
13. This hole looks simple enough but its narrow characteristic
will severely punish wayward shots from the tee to green. It
certainly has a much more open feel to it and is akin to common
parkland courses. Once you play here often enough, you would
even know how strong the winds will blow.

Getting there
The drive up to Cameron Highlands is a great way to see thecountry. Holiday-makers can get here from Kuala Lumpur
by road via Tapah, Simpang Pulai, Gua Musang or Sungai
Koyan. Tapah and Simpang Pulai are the two approaches
from Perak. Gua Musang and Sungai Koyan are the roads
from Kelantan and Pahang respectively.
Green Fees: MYR101.12 (Weekday)
MYR161.81 (Weekend & public holidays)
Caddy Fee: MYR30
Golf Equipment Rental: MYR40
Golf Shoe Rental: MYR10
Course rating: 132 (Blue)
Slope rating: 69.4 (Blue)

Contact
Kelab Golf Sultan Ahmad Shah
39000 Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia.
Tel: +60 5 491 1126

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life feature //Being an unsung hero was something
adventurer and naturalist Freddy Spencer
Chapman didn’t plan on becoming. Bornin 1907, fate dealt him a harsh blow at
the age of two when he was orphaned.
His mother died of blood poisoning andhis father left England because of debts
and to escape bailiffs. His father was later
killed in the Battle of Ypres in Belgium in
1916. As a result, little Chapman was
sent off to live with a clergyman relative inthe Lake District.

The Jungle’s
Unsung HeroYTL Life speaks to Chris Spencer Chapman, youngest son of
British Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman, after whom the iconic
Chapman’s Bar in Pangkor Laut Resort’s Emerald Bay is named.
Text Ong Chin Huat

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But Chapman didn’t just lose both hisparents in the unfortunate turn of events;
he also lost interest in life. But a strong
character proved to be his redeeming
feature and he bit his stiff upper lip andsoldiered on. Growing up in the Lake
District, Chapman got his first taste of
the wild, and his entrepreneurial spirit
also emerged – he earned extra pocket
money poaching rabbits in the forest.
Eager to prove his mettle, both physicallyand mentally, Chapman once asked his
fellow students to hit him on the head as
hard as they could, just to see if he could
endure the pain.
This trait, of pushing the limits of his
own endurance and pain threshold,seemed to be a recurring theme in hislife. At Cambridge, where he obtained
a geography degree, he climbed a lotof spires. He was later attached to thelegendary Gino Watkins’s British Arctic
Air-Route Expedition and a subsequentGreenland Expedition, where he learned
to survive in extreme conditions. Losing
a few fingers and toe nails as a result,
he managed to survive more than 20hours in a sealskin kayak during a hugestorm at sea. He scaled the mountains
in the Himalayas where he got caught
in a blizzard and had to assist his“Blowing up trains, bridges andenemy soldiers were all in a
day’s work for Chapman, who
also had to endure a bout ofmalaria, survive starvation andrecover from a coma, all thewhile taking copious notes on
the wildlife and natural flora andfauna of the Malayan jungle!”
Sherpa to safety, stopping off in Tibet
where he became one of the first
Europeans allowed to watch the New
Year celebrations at the Potala Palace.
He returned safely home to Englandwith 500 plant specimens for the
Kew Gardens.
With such a daredevil and adventurous
streak running in his veins, it seemed
like everything he did prior to World War
II breaking out was just a preparation ofsorts for him. Serving as a fieldcraft trainerin Scotland, Chapman was deployedto Singapore in 1941 and charged withpreparing 'left-behind' parties of soldiers
who could mount insurgent attacks
in the event of Singapore falling to theJapanese. As a special operations
officer, Chapman had set out from Kuala
Lumpur in January 1942 on a mission tosabotage Japanese supply lines.
But Singapore’s subsequent surrendercaused Chapman to seek refuge in thejungles of Malaya as a result. Hunted by

Freddy Spencer
Chapman's legacy lives
on in those whose lives
he saved.

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life feature //life feature //me and my twoolder brothers,”
Chris says,
while sippingbeer.

Chris Spencer Chapman

Born in 1950, Chris Chapman is the
youngest son of British Colonel Freddy
Spencer Chapman who spent over three
years in the jungles of Malaya living in
hiding from the Japanese. Blowing up
trains, bridges and enemy soldiers were
all in a day’s work for Chapman, who also
had to endure a bout of malaria, survive
starvation and recover from a coma, all
the while taking copious notes on the
wildlife and natural flora and fauna of the
Malayan jungle!
In January 2015, Chris made his maiden
visit to the Pangkor Laut Resort, locatedone and a half kilometres (one nauticalmile) to the south-east of the main island of
Pangkor, off the west coast of Peninsular
Malaysia. Visiting this idyllic resort together
with his wife Sue and his nephew Neil,
Chris tells YTL Life over drinks at the
popular Chapman’s Bar – named after
his father – that he has had numerous
memories of his father. “Wherever wewere, my father enthusiastically imparted
his love of nature, wildlife, art and history to

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Although Chris
says he doesn’t
have
any
memory of his
father relating
any particularincident to him,
he does recall
all the stories
his father told
him about thetime he spentin the junglesof Malaya. “Hisstories about
his time in thejungles havealways been very familiar to me and I do
remember a scar on his arm from when hewas wounded during a Japanese attack.”
Chris says his favourite moment with hisfather was one when he was 13 years old.
“It is difficult to single out one particularmemory but I do remember when I was
about 13, my father took me (my two otherbrothers were elsewhere) duck shooting in
Sussex. We sat by the edge of a reservoir,
talking whilst watching the wildlife as the
sun went down. We didn’t shoot any
ducks as, after his wartime experiences,
he didn’t like to kill anything.” Chris says
he also remembers family skiing holidays,
as his father enjoyed the physical activity
in the mountains and being surroundedby nature.
Coincidentally, Chris met someone who
remembered his father when he was
rescued on that fateful day back in May
1945. “My father only spent 36 hours on
Pangkor Laut but I have no recollectionof him speaking about it. But by an
extraordinary coincidence, about 30 years

4,000 Japanese soldiers, the conditions
which Chapman and two other British
soldiers had to endure were deplorable tosay the least. Hungry, infected with malaria
and sore from leech bites, Chapman andhis gang braved the conditions in thejungle and managed to blow up railway
bridges, derail trains and attack military
vehicles using homemade bombs,
causing over 1,000 enemy casualties.

ago, I met a gentleman who had been on
the submarine, which rescued my father –this gentleman remembers ‘a thin, yellowskinned European coming aboard’.”
Chris says he has read his father’s book
The Jungle is Neutral – about the time
Freddy Chapman spent in the jungle in
Malaya – many times. “The book was
first published in 1949 and although I firstread it in my younger years and manytimes since, as I get older and read it inmore detail, I began to appreciate theterrain and vegetation and with the helpof my father’s maps, it has resulted in mythinking his time in the jungle was evenmore incredible.”
When asked how he felt visiting Pangkor
Laut Resort and seeing a bar named after
his father, Chris said it was special. “It was
my first visit – although I was fully aware of
it as my mother often talked about her visit
to Pangkor Laut. My daughter, Hazel, also
made a brief visit while travelling during
her gap year.” Chris was also suitably
impressed with the resort, saying it was
luxurious, combined with natural beauty
and an unspoilt jungle. He singles out
the warm welcome given to him and hiswife during their stay as one of their morememorable moments.
As Chris retraced his father’s footsteps
in Pangkor Laut, we asked him whatmight have gone through his father’s
head when he arrived there after hidingin the jungle for over three years. “While
we walked to Emerald Bay through thejungle, I tried to envisage the sudden relief
he must have experienced on arriving on
an idyllic, tropical beach with open sky,sea and freshwater after spending three
and a half gruelling years in the jungle,
combined with the fear of being spottedby enemy aircraft and the anticipation of
being rescued the following night.” And
what would be his reaction if he saw the
Pangkor Laut Resort today? “Astonished!”came Chris’s reply.

Always keeping a few steps ahead of
the Japanese, Chapman taught fieldcraft
to Chinese guerrillas in jungle camps
when he wasn’t in a coma or sufferingfrom high fever. Once he was capturedby the Japanese but managed to charmand talk his way out of immediate tortureby telling the Japanese soldier that aJapanese prince was a good buddy of
his at Cambridge, with both sharing akeen interest in bird-watching. He soon
managed to escape in the dead of night.
Left: Chris Spencer Chapman
with Ross Sanders, General
Manager of Pangkor Laut Resort.
Below: The charming Chapman's
Bar, located in Pangkor LautResort's Emerald Bay.

According to a biography of Chapman
by Brian Moynahan, what kept him going
during those three and a half years in thejungle was his love of nature and wildlife.
For Chapman, everything was in the mind.

He believed that nothing was either good or
bad – it is our own thinking which makes it soand, hence, the title of his book chronicling
his adventures in the Malaysian jungle
was aptly named The Jungle is Neutral.
Finally, in May 1945, Chapman managed tomake his way to Emerald Bay on the islandof Pangkor Laut, where he stayed for 36
hours before escaping by submarine backto England. Even though his sojourn on thismagical island was only just over a day, its
beauty and tranquillity must have made alasting impression on Chapman. Certainly,
the tranquil charms of Emerald Bay proveda world apart from the sweltering difficultyof life in the dense jungle. Moreover, itmarked the end of war for Chapman at last
– no more a fugitive and a new beginningto look forward to.
He got married after his return to Englandand had three children, one of whom,
Chris, recently visited Pangkor Laut for the
first time. After the war, Chapman worked
for Outward Bound initially before being
appointed the first headmaster of a British
Forces School in Germany where hestayed for a number of years. Although he
was féted and decorated upon his return(both Earl Wavell and Lord Mountbatten
thought Chapman should have beenhonoured with the Victoria Cross Award),
Chapman was plagued with depression –an ailment he suffered since his student
days at Cambridge.
Add to that the post-traumatic stressdisorder from those years spent runningand hiding from the Japanese in thejungles of Malaya. It all proved too muchfor Chapman; he committed suicide aged
64. Heroic, courageous and exhibiting
tremendous fortitude, Chapman may not
be a household name in the pantheon ofcelebrated war heroes but his legacy lives
on in the minds and spirits of those whom
he touched and the lives he helped save.

Chapman’s Bar, named in his honour, islocated on Emerald Bay at Pangkor LautResort, Pangkor Laut Island, 32200 Lumut,
Perak, Malaysia.

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life feature //life feature //This little Japanese destination, located in its northernmost island of
Hokkaido and a good three hours’ drive from the New Chitose airport,
is tiny but mighty. Impossibly wonderland-like in winter, it can be equallymagical in the warmer months, but with a distinctively more varied colour
palette. Summer in magical Niseko is all about the outdoors: embracing
nature, getting active, shedding off
layers and delighting in the warmthof the sun. Surrounded by pristine
countryside, guests who cometo Niseko in summer luxuriate inits soft, warm light. Idyllic in itself,
the only possible problems are
deciding how to do it all during
one’s stay here.

Summer Sun,
Something’s
Begun

The minute the snow melts,
boards and skis are quickly tradedfor a variety of summer staples,
including bicycles, hiking shoes
and clubs. No secret among the
golfing community, the upmarket
destination of Niseko Village, which
includes Hilton Niseko Village, The
Green Leaf Niseko Village andKasara Niseko Village Townhouse– all part of YTL Hotels – boasts
several golf courses but theundisputed favourite is, of course,
Niseko Golf Course. World-classin every aspect, golfing here isalso a more relaxed affair, withnone of that snobbery or stiffness associated with some of the other golf
destinations in the world. The Arnold Palmer-designed Niseko Golf Course
is a Par 72, 6,805-yard course and is as picturesque as they come,surrounded by silver birch trees and bushy sasa bamboo – a magnet for
wayward golf balls, may we add. Views of Mount Yotei, a dead-ringer for
Fuji, are a welcome bonus.

So sang John Travolta and Olivia NewtonJohn in Grease. But for a summer getaway
that’s less all-American and, instead,wholesomely Japanese, now might be thetime to look north to Niseko, young man.

As Niseko welcomes
the warmer months,
its famous produce
explodes in a riot of
taste and colour.

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life feature //With an abundance of virgin forest, crystal-clear streams andwell-marked trails, Niseko is heaven for the active tree-hugger.
Trekking is one of the most popular pastimes although mountainbikers are fast becoming addicted to the steep slopes andchallenging trails of the surrounding terrain. If your idea ofactivity is better done with four legs, do know that horseback
riding is equally popular with a well-run stable just a short driveaway from Niseko Village.
If your Niseko summer is a family affair, there’s always
something exciting planned for the precious knee-high set, be
it a variety of bouncing castles, fun maze or activity centre.
All you need to do is ask your concierge what’s planned forthe week. Certainly, Summer 2015 at Niseko Village promisesa flurry of activities. The second Niseko Village Golf Cup will
be making a return for its second year, as well as the globally
popular International Cow Parade coming to town. The Hilton
Niseko Village also turns seven and connoisseurs in the vicinity
should not miss the property’s gala dinner, which promises
a world-class culinary event, complete with top guest chefs“With an abundanceof virgin forest, crystalclear streams and wellmarked trails, Niseko
Village is heaven for theactive tree-hugger.”and even on the curbs of main streets. It is during this season
that foodies should make their way to Niseko as few otherdestinations can boast of such fresh and delicious produce.
5

and sommeliers. There will also be daily activities taking placethroughout summer, including the setting up of a Japanesestyle beer garden, seafood-serving street stalls and a curry fest
at Niseko Village’s popular Two Sticks bar. The eighth monthwill see a two-day Japanese summer festival known as Natsu
Matsuri – a colourful coming-together of street stalls, cultural
performances and firework displays.
Come harvest time, Niseko is at its most charming, with theentire population giving thanks for a bountiful year. At suchtimes, it is common to see bright, cheerful pumpkins displayed
everywhere from the steps of homes to public planter boxes

Once the snow melts,
visitors to Niseko
Village quickly trade
sticks and boardsfor golf clubs, hiking
shoes and jodhpurs.

6

Certainly, the seafood is renowned throughout the world, but
Hokkaido also boasts of amazing fruit of the earth, including
several varieties of tasty potatoes, the sweetest melons, pearllike corn that tastes amazing eaten raw and, of course, sweetand earthy pumpkins. If you are staying at the Hilton, don’t
miss the amazing buffet spreads where you can try a little ofeverything. If you happen to be lodging at the Kasara Niseko
Village Townhouse, make it a point to visit the local farmers
market so you can whip up memorable meals in the comfort ofyour own home away from home.
It’s a good thing that summers at Niseko balance up anabundance of meals with full, active days. Summer days
might drift away to summer nights but few places do it in suchwholesome style than at Niseko Village. Get ready for a whole lotof summer fun. Or, as the locals say it, tanoshinde kudasai !
7

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1life feature //life feature //Peranakan culture
has made a colourful
impact on the Malaccathat we know today.

The word Peranakan conjures up exotic images of anothertime; of cultures entwined; of religions, languages and customs
intermingled; of culinary recipes combining the best of several
worlds; of ceremonies, feasts and festivals that belong to aformer time but still echo down to us through the centuries today.
Peranakan is a Malay word meaning “descendants” and the root of
the term is anak, the Malay word for child. The Peranakan heritage
dates back 600 years to a time when the body of water that we
now call the Straits of Malacca, the sea road linking China to India,
was a major trading crossroads. The ports along the strait, ofwhich Malacca was the most important, attracted Chinese andIndian traders, many of whom settled down and took local wives.
Their descendants were the ancestors of the Peranakan.

History Lesson

Malacca’s
Peranakan
LegacyThe culture of the Peranakan or Straits
Chinese is still a major, and very
colourful, element contributing to thecharm of Malacca today.
Text Simon Pridmore

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According to the 17th century Sejarah Melayu (History of the
Malays,) Parameswara, a prince who claimed descent from
Buddhist kings of the ancient state of Srivijaya across the sea
in Sumatra, founded Malacca. He picked the perfect spot tobuild his capital. The city was ideally located midway along thestrait, it grew rapidly and by the 15th century, was a prosperous
commercial hub and the seat of one of the most powerful
Sultanates in South-East Asia.
During this time, Gujarati traders introduced Islam to the Malay
Peninsula from western India and by the 1430s, the rulers of
Malacca were Muslim. During the same period, the seven great
Chinese trade expeditions led by Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho)came a-calling: 200 ships and 27,000 sailors, soldiers, merchantsand envoys straining Malacca’s resources to the limit. The port
was an international centre for the trade of Eastern treasures –silk and porcelain from China, textiles from India, spices from the
Moluccas, gold from Sumatra, camphor from Borneo, sandalwood
from Timor and tin from west Malaya. These, together with its
important strategic position from a military point of view, madeMalacca an attractive target for European sea powers spreading
their tentacles eastwards. In 1511, the Portuguese arrived andthus began a European colonial presence in Malacca that was tolast for the next 450 years, with the Portuguese followed by the
Dutch and then by the British.

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life feature //life feature //Peranakan Ascendance

The early foreign traders, who settled in Malacca and married into
Malay families, were ideally placed through their cosmopolitan
connections to profit from the trade between nations and theywent on to found Peranakan dynasties that thrived through thecolonial centuries in Malacca and other Straits settlements,
including Singapore, Penang and Semarang. The major groups
were the Chinese Peranakan, mostly of Hokkien (Fujian Province)
ancestry, and the Chitty Malaccans and Jawi Peranakans ofIndian descent.
The largest group, and therefore the one that had the mostinfluence, was the Chinese Peranakan community. They cameto be referred to as the Baba-Nyonya. The term was derived
from bapak, the Malay word for father or Sir, and nyonya, anhonorific Javanese word used for foreign, married ladies.
The nomenclature reflected the position they held in society,which could best be described as moneyed and upper middle
class. Their hereditar y qualities of entrepreneurial skill andadaptability led them to take on a commercial management rolein 19th century Malaya, supporting the British administrators andgoverning local workers.

the right place. Over time, the long dress was replaced by the
kebaya, the nyonya version of which was a short, tight-fitting
sheer fabric blouse, worn over a camisole, paired with a batik
sarong and decorated with embroidered motifs. Embroidery andbeadwork were two distinctive features of Peranakan fashion andyoung ladies were expected to excel in both.

Food

The Baba men often received English education, enabling them tospeak impeccable English, and they adopted Western customs,
overlaying their already complex cultural heritage. It was during
the British colonial era that they also became known as the Straits
Chinese, a term designed to clarify their elevated social status.

The Nyonya were also taught to perform wonders in the kitchen
and the Peranakan cuisine passed down through the generations
could be said to be the most enduring aspect of the BabaNyonya legacy. Many Nyonya dishes are staples of regional
diets; they blend the best of Chinese and Malay cooking, they
are often labour-intensive to prepare but are heavenly to taste.

CultureTraditionally, the Baba-Nyonya embraced a mix of Taoism,
ancestral worship and folk beliefs. Altars at home were dedicatedto gods, ancestors and both good and evil spirits, and rites andofferings were enacted to gain favour with or pacify these spiritualforces. Banners in Chinese characters quoting aphorisms tobring good fortune adorned the walls, although only few could
read them. The lingua franca among the community in Malacca
was not Chinese; it was Baba Malay, a variety of the local tongue
incorporating Hokkien words. Eventually, as the Baba-Nyonya
became more integrated into the British colonial regime, many
adopted Christianity and those of the customs of their old worldthat did not sit well with the new religion fell into disuse.

AttireThe Baba-Nyonya were distinguished as much by their clothing as
by their language. This was heavily influenced by Malay customs,
particularly the styles affected by the Nyonya. They would wear
a long dress (baju panjang) , a decorative wrap-around cloth(batik sarong,) beaded slippers (kasut manik) and a set of threebrooches (kerongsang) instead of buttons to keep everything in48

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Beaded slippers
or kasut manik
were de rigeuer for
stylish Nyonyas.

“Banners in Chinesecharacters quoting
aphorisms to bring good
fortune adorned thewalls, although only few
could read them.”

It is difficult to spend much time in South-East Asia without
coming across laksa, possibly the most famous Nyonya dish,which consists of rice-noodles cooked in prawn and chicken
curry gravy. Typically spicy and flavourful, connoisseurs often
add a generous helping of prawn paste chilli (belacan) to give
their laksa even more zest! Coconut is a frequently foundingredient in Nyonya cooking and colourful sweet rice cakeswith coconut toppings (kueh) appeal to both the eyes andthe stomach.

Way of Life

Being among the more affluent citizens of Malacca, many BabaNyonya lived in large homes near the waterfront, originally built
by the Dutch and vacated when the British arrived. These werelong terraced buildings with no windows in the walls along thesides. Instead, sunshine came in via skylights set in open interior
courtyards. The style of the hardwood furniture was Chinese,
decorated with intricate motifs, the most elaborate work reserved
for the four-poster bed in the family bridal chamber.

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life feature //life feature //“Walk throughMalacca’s old town
today and you would
be transported backthrough the centuries
to the heyday of
the Peranakan.”

Second only to Baba-Nyonya cuisine in terms of the visible
legacy of this culture in the modern world is the porcelain typicalto Peranakan households. Completely different from Chinese
porcelain ware, the pieces have intricate motifs of flowers,
butterflies and phoenixes in bright yellow and rose pink andother pastel shades.

Down and Up

With the end of the colonial era and the rise of modern statesin the region, the Peranakan communities initially found it
difficult to retain their identity. However, UNESCO-recognised
restoration and conservation projects in Malacca and Penang
have raised awareness of this unique culture, and associations
and museums have been established to ensure the traditions
are not forgotten.
The legacy lives on today in family scrapbooks and stories
passed down over the centuries to today’s Peranakan
descendants, now scattered all over the world, although manyremain in the cities along the Straits of Malacca, predominantlyin Singapore. Many famous names in South-East Asian
commerce, public affairs and politics are descended from the
Peranakan, pre-eminent of whom the late founder of Singapore,
Lee Kuan Yew, whose mother was a hardworking, resourcefulthird-generation Hokkien Peranakan.

The Legacy

Walk through Malacca’s old town today and you would betransported back through the centuries to the heyday of the
Peranakan. Their homes are now hotels, furniture stores, privatehouses and in one case a little museum where time stopped ahundred years ago. Wander along narrow lanes, where cafes
and restaurants serve up exotic dishes that were first concoctedin these very streets. In Jalan Tukang Emas, along a 50m stretchof pavement, you will find the variety and tolerance of the olddays reflected in the presence of the oldest mosque on the
Malay Peninsula, side-by-side with major Chinese and Hindu
temples. This lane is also known as Harmony Street!

Typically refined Nyonya touches
include ornate ceramics, symbolic
sweets and culture interwoven into
every aspect of daily life.

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Wander up the Malacca river, past colourful old shop houses anddecorative bridges and you will come to a beautifully restored
mansion that is a homage to the city’s Peranakan past. This
is The Majestic Malacca. The hotel’s teakwood fittings, original
porcelain flooring and antiques whisk you back in time. Details
like huge glass jars of small biscuits and candy evoke memoriesof childhood in older visitors who grew up in South-East Asia
in the middle of the last century and, as you might expect, therestaurant specialises in Nyonya cuisine. Even the spa massage
menu features Peranakan elements with treatments involving
nutmeg, pandan, coconut and Malacca palm sugar!

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life feature //life feature //Home of theBalinese Soul

Balinese home compounds are built following a fascinating set ofrules laid down by tradition and religion.
Text Simon Pridmore

Take a turn off the main roads in Central
Bali, following byways where there are
no street signs, no stores selling bric-abrac, bamboo furniture, paintings, silver
jewellery or wooden giraffes, no tempting
little eateries or coffee shops and you willfind yourself passing through the villages
that are Bali’s cultural heartland.
What you will notice first are the stone
walls, punctuated by narrow doorways
and, on one side of the road only, whatlooks like an endless series of temples,with their tell-tale pagodas and dark
thatch roofs. Actually, behind the walls
on both sides of the road lie private
residences, family compounds calledkarang, that are the traditional homes of
the Balinese, sometimes housing several
generations at the same time.
The Balinese people you meet in thecity and in resor ts around the island
may not all live in homes like these ona daily basis but they were all born insuch compounds and these are where52

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they return for ceremonies and otherimportant events. Much of the traffic on
Bali’s increasingly busy roads consistsof people commu ting bet ween themodern world and the old world to fulfil
their obligations to their extended family
and ancestors. Home may be where theheart is but the family karang is where theBalinese keep in touch with their soul.
Of course, there are karang in Denpasar,
Kuta, Legian, Sanur and other tourist
areas, too. Af ter all, these were all
traditional villages before the hotels,
villas, convenience stores and surfwear
shops arrived. They may be hard to spot,
though, tucked away as they are in backalleys and behind high walls.

Behind the Walls

There are no windows in the walls.
Balinese homes look inward, not outward.
There is a single narrow entrance on thestreet side called the angkul-angkul .
The design of this gateway represents
a compromise, reflecting the Balinesea m b i va l e n c e towa rd s e nt r a n c e s i n
general. On the one hand, they allow
re s i d e nts a n d g u e s ts to e nte r t h ecompound, which is good. On the other
hand, they can also allow evil spirits
to get in, which is something that must
be prevented. So, inside the entrance,
they build a short wall, called an alingaling, extending across the doorway. As
evil spirits are handicapped by being
unable to travel other than in straight lines,
this device denies them access. Just to
make sure, shrines called apit lawang areplaced outside the gateway to confuse
and distract any evil spirits thinking about
trying to get in. The aling-aling also gives
people in the compound some privacy,
concealing them from pr ying eyes inthe street.

Two Worlds

As you may have already guessed,
the karang are built according to rules
dictated by both the spirit and physicalworlds. The design owes everything to
religious needs entwined with traditional

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life feature //laws and customs or adat. Once throughthe door way, you will find yourself ina rectangular compound consisting of agarden courtyard with several pavilions
or balé. These are mounted on raisedpedestals to keep them off the ground,
where the evil spirits reside. Some ofthe pavilions are entirely open, someare par tially closed of f and others,
these days, are closed completely andair-conditioned.
When someone wants to build a new
karang, he must take advice from a holy
man who will choose good dates on
the Balinese calendar to buy the landand star t work. He will also consult amaster builder, an undagi, who will takea selection of body measurements fromthe man of the house and determine thesize of the karang based on these. The
Balinese believe that the karang is related
to the human body and that the layout of
the compound and its buildings need toconform to the physical characteristics ofthe owner.

Balinese Compass Points

There are other crucial factors that govern
the design of the karang. One of theseis Agung, Bali’s highest volcano and its
most sacred mountain. Mount Agung hasenormous religious significance. As well
as being a source of spiritual energy, it
is a physical fount of strength as thecourses of water that pour down its
slopes nourish the massed banks of riceterraces at its base, giving sustenance tothe island’s people.

life feature //in Bali the direction facing Mount Agungis kaja and this is the most sacred andpure point on the compass. Generally
speaking, if you live in the south kaja isnortheast: if you live in the north, kaja issoutheast. The opposite and most impure
direction is kelod ; that is facing awayfrom Mount Agung and, always on Bali,
towards the sea. Kangin means facing therising sun that evokes birth and beginning.
Kauh is the direction looking west towards
the set ting sun, a symbol of ending
and death.

Three’s Magic

The karang is divided into three sections.
Returning to the concept that the designreflects the human body, the area at
the kaja end represents the head andis the most important. This is where themost important elements are located.
The family temple, a collection of small
shrines placed on high pedestals
dedicated to the ancestors and specific
Hindu god or gods, is always placed in
the corner where kaja and kangin coincide,
as these are the most sacred directions.
This is why, as you walk through thevillages, one side of the street seems toconsist of temple after temple. Also on
the kaja side, but less kangin, is the balédaja, the pavilion where the head of thehousehold sleeps.

The Balinese believe evil spirits can only travel in straight lines. So,
homes are built with a short wall called aling-aling, which extends
across the doorway, to deny them access.

In the middle of the compound, pavilions
o n b ot h s i d e s f l a n k a n o p e n a re a
representing the navel. The balé duah or
guest quarters are on the kauh side andthe balé dangin or ceremonial pavilion is
on the kangin side. These represent the
body’s arms. Although secular rooms forguests and less important family members
may be located on the less auspicious
side of the compound, nevertheless great

In Bali, people do not talk of north, south,
east and west. They refer instead to kaja,
kelod, kangin and kauh. Wherever you are54

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life feature //life feature //care is taken to position all beds with thehead towards kaja , to benefit from thebeneficial forces emanating from Agungand the feet towards kelod. Otherwise,
nobody will ever sleep well!
The third section of the karang at the
kelod end represents the legs and feetand this is where you find the lumbung,the rice barn and the paon or kitchen as
well as vegetable gardens, fruit trees andthe well. Facilities such as toilets, rubbish
dumps and pig pens are situated on thisunclean side of the compound too, if
possible beyond the compound wall. Thismeans, of course, that the most impureareas of one’s karang are adjacent to themost pure elements of the neighbours’
karang but this irony is consideredinevitable and therefore ignored.
Make time to explore the area surrounding Spa Village Resort Tembok,
Bali. Who knows? A friendly local might just let you have a peek inside
his karang or traditional family compound.

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The buildings inside the compound areusually plain and functional. There is noliving room or dining room as, with Bali’s

benign climate, living and eating takeplace on smaller open-sided pavilions
looking out into the garden. The mostdecorative elements of the karang are thedoors, which are panelled and elaborately
carved. They are made from expensive
teak or jackfruit tree wood and brightly
painted. In homes belonging to wealthy or
high-caste families, they may even havegilt applied. Gates sealing the narrow
entrances will also be highly ornamental
and often feature the shark-toothed headof Bhoma, child of Vishnu and killer andconsumer of evil spirits.

Extended Families

In traditional families when the youngest
boy in the family gets married, a newpavilion is constructed for the couple inthe boy’s family karang. Their duty is tolook after members of the older generation
as they age. This means that it is very
common for three or four generations to
be living together in the same compound.

One of theunsungjoys of a stay at
the Spa Village
Resort in rural
Tembok on thenorth coast is
the opportunity
to chat with theBalinese people
who live andbreathe culture
and tradition.
This has a number of advantages, one ofwhich is that babies never lack someone
to hold them. This is essential, as during
the first 210 days of life, a child must nottouch the ground. Why? Because that iswhere the evil spirits dwell, remember?

Spa Village Resort
Tembok, Bali
T h e u n i q u e a n d c o m p lex cu sto m ssurrounding Balinese home design are justa small part of the rich tapestry of life on theisland. One of the unsung joys of a stay at
the Spa Village Resort in rural Tembok on
the north coast is the opportunity to chatwith the Balinese people who work there
and hear about their culture and traditions.
There are a number of ancient villages on
the mountain slopes close to Tembok,
where you can see homes built in thestyle I describe here and maybe, if you are
fortunate, some friendly local folk might justallow you to have a peek inside!

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spa life //spa life //For celeb-about-town
Lexie Rodriguez, spendingtime in Donna Spa offersa peaceful and relaxing
escape in the heart ofKuala Lumpur.

Urban Utopia
Lexie Rodriguez is a famous faceabout-town. For the celebrity
presenter, sought-after emcee
and businesswoman, spa
sessions are sometimes needed
to recharge and reboot while
juggling a hectic professional aswell as social life.

“It’s my first time at Donna Spa,” says Lexie Rodriguez. “And mypersonal rule of thumb in gauging the quality of an Asian spa is by
how good their ginger tea is.” Sipping a hot cup of it, while waiting
to start her spa session, she smiles and says: “Donna Spa’s packs
a punch.”Most Malaysians would be familiar with the half-Spanish, halfFilipina stunner who used to be based in London, working as aprofessional dancer and performing alongside top acts such as
Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and Lady Gaga. It was during a holiday
to Kuala Lumpur that another door opened and Rodriguez soon
found herself hosting a radio show. One opportunity led to another
and, today, she is much sought-after as a presenter, emcee andfashion personality. Ever-enterprising, Rodriguez is also the cofounder of a drinks company called Cocktail Solutions.
Understandably, life can get pretty hectic and, as Rodriguez
points out: “Spa sessions are always, always welcomed! If I
could, I would say I need a massage every day,” she laughs. “It’s
hard to find time to get to a spa usually but I try to make time,
definitely. It’s tough when you’re in the city and you get caught
up with work, friends and a million other things. But, wheneverI am on holiday, I can tell you that spa sessions are staples on
the itinerary.”
Located on the Pamper Floor of Kuala Lumpur’s luxurious Starhill
Gallery, Donna Spa offers six treatment rooms as well as two for58

THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE“Relaxation andunwinding all at once.
If anyone is looking
for a quick escape in
the heart of KL, this is
the place!”
couples, each named after flowers like Lavender and Jasmine.
Rodriguez’s experience begins with a floral foot bath, whereby her
therapist, Ann, gently scrubs her feet with sea salt before rinsing
them with chrysanthemum water. An invitation to soak in a Seven
Flower Bath follows – a traditional cleansing ritual designed to relax
and help get you into the spa frame of mind.
Asians believe it also purifies the body and helps cleanse away
negative energy. Donna Spa’s version is indeed a sight forsore eyes, using a painter’s palette of petals: multi-coloured
chrysanthemum blossoms, jasmine, rose petals as well as
nubbly kaffir limes. As a treat, a glass of chilled juice and slices ofwatermelon are also prepared so you can soak, sip and nibble thetime away. Donna Spa’s well-known Avocado Scrub comes next,
as well as a lengthy deep-tissue massage using sweet almond oilwith notes of citrus, lavender and cedar wood.
Says Rodriguez: “Ann, my Balinese therapist, was absolutely
amazing and to end my spa day out with more ginger tea as well ashomemade banana bread is peace, relaxation and unwinding all at
once. If anyone is looking for a quick escape in the heart of KL, this is
the place!”

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beautiful life //beautiful life //Skin & Scents
Summer may be fading away, but it’s never too late to keep it freshin mind (and body) with these sensory and beautifying delights.

Tinted Benefits

La Mer’s new Reparative Skin Tint SPF 30 is bound to delight fans who swear by
the brand. Boasting a weightless formula using translucent pigments, skin is instantly
evened and perfected. Deep-Sea Red Algae and Translucensea Ferment power
the protecting and repairing effects, while the patented cell-renewing Miracle Brothimmerses the skin in the healing powers of the sea, infusing it with energy to focus on
natural repair and renewal.

Lime Fresh

Enhance your shaving experience with
Truefitt & Hill’s West Indian Limes
collection. The refreshing and zesty
citrus blend will be sure to invigorate yoursenses as you go about your grooming
needs. The blend comes with top notesof Citrus, Litsea Cubeba, Lemon, Orangeand Lime enveloping a floral heart ofOrange Blossom, Lilac and Rose, finishingon a bed of Oakmoss.

Diffusing Delight

Treat your olfactory senses with Un Air de Diptyque electric diffuser. The elegantly
designed room perfumer offers a contemporary approach to the art of home fragrance.
Using the patented cold diffusion system for its capsules, the most faithful fragrances are
generated, promising 40 hours of perfumed bliss. The perfumer Olivier Pescheux has
worked with Diptyque to create two new fragrances: ginger and orange blossom flower.

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Genie’s Wish

It’s never too soon to protect your skin. Thank goodness, Cosme Decorte is herewith it’s latest offering, the Cellgenie anti-ageing formula. The ealy anti-ageing skincare
aims to prevent sagging and oxidation, keeping your skin supple and resilient.
Andrographis Paniculata provides the magical touch that makes this product so
effective in keeping that youthful glow. Prevention is better than cure, we always say.

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beautiful life //Lavish Luxuries
Play up your feminine side and drape yourself with theseexquisite jewellery and deluxe timepieces.

Memories of a Rose

Christian Dior has released a new jewellery line inspired by the founder’s childhood
in a villa overlooking the sea. The Rose des Vents collection by Victoire de Castellane,creative director of Dior Joaillerie, brings together Dior’s penchant for lucky charms,
roses and voyages. The delicate jewels are available in yellow gold and mother-ofpearl, lapis lazuli or turquoise, or rose gold with pink opal. The twisted chain of gold
encircling the medallion is an echo of the ocean and the ship rigging used to navigate it.

Tune Of TimeThe Rendez-Vous Ivy Minute Repeater
is the first minute repeater to makeits entrance in a feminine JaegerLeCoultre collection. The 18-carat
white gold timepiece took 10 years todevelop and is adorned with an ivy motif.
Two rows of diamonds on the bezel
and push piece further showcases thejewellery craftsmanship. Presented on asatin bracelet, it is water resistant to 30m
and meets all the exacting requirementsthat make the Grande Maison a major
exponent in the art of fine watchmaking.

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Love & Beauty

French Regality

Breguet’s Plume Collection is inspiredby the story of Queen Marie-Antoinette
of France who had during her lifetime
never stopped writing with a quill toher husband, King Louis XVI, and herfamily in Austria. The newest addition
to this collection, Rêve de Plume, is amasterpiece in rose or white gold. The
sides of this jewellery watch are finely
engraved with feathers embedded withbrilliant-cut diamonds of varying sizes
and set with diamonds on the bezel andthe flange while the crown is surmounted
by a briolette-cut diamond. Diamondsof over 4 carats adorn this watch fittedwith the self-winding calibre 586, a
movement with a silicon balance-spring.
The satin strap with a folding clasp set
with 26 brilliant-cut diamonds adds tothe imperial feel of this timepiece.

The rosette or rose symbol, a source of inspiration since time immemorial, has appearedin art, architecture, fashion and jewellery. Now, Mouawad's Rosette Collection exalts
the romance of the rose and brings it to life. Featuring rose-cut stones set in 18K whitegold, the Rosette pieces are easy to wear day and night. This collection sparkles with acolourful array of Mouawad diamonds, rubies and sapphires available in heart lockets,earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets (as shown above).

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E E
H P
T A
S
H F G
S O N
I
H
T
Searing summers call for equally
high-temperature looks. Take
the body-conscious approachwith these versatile yet
wearable designs.
Styling Calvin Cheong Photography Chuan Looi / Yipieyaya
Assistant TK Teo / Yipieyaya Model Ola Korytowska / Icon
Models Hair & Makeup Cat Yong / Chanel Makeup
Location The Surin Phuket

Asymmetrical kaftan
with embroidered bird
motif, Khoon Hooi.
Leather gladiators,
Giuseppe Zanotti.

One shoulder
bodycon tube
dress, Versace.
Raw silk ruchedsleeve top andleather judo
trousers, Loewe.

Cardigan,
M Missoni.
Pumps withacrylic heels,
Versace.

Chevron knit bolero
wrap, M Missoni.

Mesh shirt withmonogram
embroidery, Kenzo.
Sunglasses, Rayban.

Oatmeal ribbed
knitted halter dress
with linen skirt,
Loewe.

Floral print
denim button up
dress, Kenzo.

Stripe-printed
lace top andlace pants,
Michael Kors.

Pendant necklace,fringe knitted top
and structured flared
pants, Celine.
Acrylic-heeledpumps, Versace.
Pink flare pants,
Khoon Hooi.
Mesh sweater withembroidery, Kenzo.

life time //Time
Will Tell

It’s been a tumultuous year for horology.
The dawn of the smartwatch is nigh, theSwiss franc hit a record high in January
and luxury market hotspots appear to
be cooling around the world. Despite
the tenuous outlook, Swiss horologers
remained undeterred as they showed up
at Baselworld in grand fashion to display
this year’s novelties.
Text Weng Sheng Thong & Maya Michael

Breguet Tradition
Chronographe
Indépendant 7077
Breguet’s new Tradition Chronographe
Indépendant 7077 continues its proud
legacy of making the impossible a reality.
With this timepiece, you’re actually getting
two movements, one for timekeeping andthe other for the chronograph, under one
roof. Beating within the 44mm 18K whitegold case are two independent gear
trains that allow the chronograph to be
activated without adversely affecting thetimekeeper’s chronometric performance.
The chronograph also comes with a flexed
blade spring that winds it to its maximum
energy levels each time the chronographis reset. Viewed upon the dial are tworegulating silicon balance springs at 6
o’clock, the hours and minutes on the76

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guilloché finished sub-dial at 12 o’clock,the 50-hour power reserve indicator at 2
o’clock and the chronograph’s 20-minutecounter at 10 o’clock.

Glashütte Original
PanoMaticLunar
There are few horological entities that can
execute dials as well as Glashütte Original,
thanks to the brand’s own dial manufactoryin Pforzheim, and no timepiece shows
off the Saxon watchmaker’s masteryof this fine art better than the new
PanoMaticLunar. Presented in a 40mm
stainless steel case, the PanoMaticLunarcertainly sets itself apart with its deep
midnight blue dial that has been laid out
according to the Golden Ratio, a law thatdefines perfect aesthetic harmony.

Omega Seamaster Aqua
Terra ‘James Bond’
Even as James Bond prepares to dobattle with the forces of evil for Queen andcountry in the upcoming Spectre, Omega
is doing its part to ensure the superspy
is suitably prepared for whatever dangers
may befall him with an aptly named
Seamaster Aqua Terra 'James Bond'.
Proudly displayed upon the 41.5mm
stainless steel case is the Bond’s familycoat of arms, presented in an interlocking
pattern across the blue dial. To ensure
this timepiece will overcome whatever
dastardly schemes Agent 007’s nemeses
have in store, Omega has outfitted the
Seamaster Aqua Terra 'James Bond' with
the new Master Co-Axial Calibre 8507,
a movement that is not only resistant tomagnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, butalso features a silicon balance spring for
improved chronometric performance andresilience to physical shocks.

Corum Heritage Bubble

After a hiatus of 15 years, Corum’s
Heritage Bubble is back and crazier thanever. Playful in nature yet packing serious
horological prowess, the Heritage Bubble
is bigger than its predecessor, with a casesize of 47mm, compared to 44mm, andoffers its iconic bubble-shaped sapphire
crystal inspired by experimental deep-sea
diving watches of the 1960s. The bubble
is one of the largest sapphire crystals
known to horology – it clocks in with aheight of 8mm – and serves to distort thedial in such a cartoonishly fun manner that
we’ll just have to forgive it for making timereading extremely impractical under mostcircumstances. The Heritage Bubble isavailable in three versions: skeletonised,black DLC and a bronze-tone PVD coatingthat happens to be our favourite.

Chronoswiss Sirius Artist
Régulateur Jumping HourHarkening back to a time when mechanicaltimepieces were used as scientifictiming instruments, the new Sirius Artist
Régulateur Jumping Hour offers thehours and minutes on separate sub dials.
This timepiece ensures the hands will
never be ‘hidden’ behind one another for
optimum chronometric clarity. As a nod
to its vintage heritage, the Sirius Artist
Régulateur Jumping Hour is presented
in a classically sized 40mm case, withan oversized onion-style crown fittedwith a semi-fluted bezel. Viewed on
the dial is a rich blue enamel coating
hand-finished with a guilloché pattern.

Girard-Perregaux MinuteRepeater Tourbillon With
Gold Bridges
Half-musicalinstrument,
half-kinetic
sculpture, Girard Perregaux’s latest
beautifully highlights the various intricate
details that go into creating the charming
chime of a minute repeater. Housed inside
the 45mm pink gold case is an orchestraof components that have been thoughtfully
assembled to produce a clearer, stronger
chime. Instead of the usual caseback
placement, the hammer and gongs of theminute repeater mechanism have now
been transported to face the inner side of
the hour circle on the dial. This seemingly
minute detail actually allows for the acoustic
waves to reverberate without being

James Bond will wield the
Seamaster Aqua Terra 'James Bond'
into battle in the upcoming Spectre.

“On the case of the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra'James Bond' is the Bond family coat of arms, presented
in an interlocking pattern across the blue dial.”
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life time //confined by the proximity of the wearer’sskin, resulting in a delightful timepiece thatentertains both the ears and the eyes.

Louis Vuitton Escale
Worldtime Minute Repeater
Bold yet beautiful, this latest incredible
watchmaking effort from the La Fabriquedu Temps Louis Vuitton Manufacture
combines two complications – a minuterepeater and time-zone function –into a single timepiece. Similar to its
predecessor, the dial of the 44mm
case showcases a colourful array ofhand-painted motifs, which represent
time zones in 24 major cities. An arrow
located on the winding crown is used to
set the time zone, while a bolt, disguised
as the lower-left lug of the watch, causes
the mechanism to chime when pushed.
The lovely sound is further enhanced byusing titanium for the central portion of the
timepiece, as it offers a higher degree ofresonance and clarity than denser metals
like gold or steel.

Chopard Happy Fish

“To achieve this captivating
effect, the artisans at
Chopard painstakingly
applied mother-of-pearl andgold leaf to the body of thefish, before topping it off witha single red jasper eye.”78

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Inspired by the ethereal wonders thatlie beneath the sea, this charming
addition to the Happy Sport collection –launched in 1993 by Caroline Scheufele– features a glittering 18K rose goldcase paired with a shimmering white
alligator strap. The highlight would be thesurreal tropical fish design on dial, which
illuminates under UV light. To achieve thiscaptivating effect, the artisans at Chopard
painstakingly applied mother-of-pearl andgold leaf to the body of the fish, before
topping it off with a single red jasper eye.
In keeping with the collection’s signature
trademark, seven setting-free diamonds,
representing bubbles, float about against
the turquoise background, which
was created using different shades ofblue sapphires.

Concord C1 Tourbillon

Concord raises the tempo with the
C1 Tourbillon, a timepiece that brings
together the best of classical horological

craftsmanship with sleek 21st century
design. Viewed upon its sleek black
47mm PVD-finished titanium casefashioned in the C1’s signature eight-block
construction is a dial featuring a uniquebrick pattern meant to symbolise thebuilding blocks of Concord’s horologicalexpertise that has slowly but steadily
been established over the centuries.

Patek Philippe Ref 5524
Calatrava Pilot Travel TimeThe horological world has irrevocably
been split into two camps following thereveal of this surprising pilot’s watch.
This masculine timepiece was inspiredby old aviation instruments made in thepast by Patek Phillippe. Powering theCalatrava Pilot Travel Time is the Calibre
324 SC FUS, a self-winding mechanicalmovement that includes a date function
and fully adjustable GMT hand for tracking
a second time zone. This is easily adjusted
using the pushers located on the left sideof the 42mm case made in white goldand paired with a black, hand-stitchedalligator strap. This travel complication
might appear an odd model for Patek
Philippe, but it certainly showcases the
175-year-old brand’s ability to continuallykeep its competitors on their toes.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Italia
Independent
Designed in collaboration with Italia
Independent, the newest iteration of theiconic Big Bang Unico features a new
exclusive alloy known as Texalium. Despite
the formidable heft of the 45mm case, thetimepiece remains both light and durable.
Another benefit of this aluminium-coatedcarbon fibre material is its ability to display
colours with remarkable brilliance. Currently
available in grey and blue, with a matching
studded strap, each timepiece will also
include a stylish customised display caseand a matching pair of sunglasses crafted
using the same alloy.

Hermès Slim de Hermès
Perpetual Calendar
Simplicity has never looked so sleek.
Considered the highlight of the new Slimd’Hermès collection, the Slim de Hermès
Perpetual Calendar attempts to portray theart of telling time in its purest form. At theheart of its 39.5mm case is the ManufactureHermès H1950, an ultra-thin mechanicalself-winding movement that measures at
an almost unbelievable 2.6mm. Despite
the multitude of complications on display– which includes a perpetual calendar,

Patek Phillippe's Calatrava Pilot Travel Timeis a masculine timepiece inspired by oldaviation instruments.

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life time //a moon phase and dual-time display– the overall look remains clean, further
emphasised by the unique, original
typeface created by graphic designer
Philippe Apeloig.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Yacht-Master

This latest addition to the Yacht-Master range
from Rolex features a new black dial pairedwith a ceramic bezel.

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There’s a bit of a running joke that Rolex
never changes, because why mess withwhat isn’t broken? It turns out, however,that 2015 is the year that Rolex is shaking
things up a little with its sporty new Oyster
Perpetual Yacht-Master. This latest
addition to the Rolex family is the first ever
Yacht-Master to feature a black dial andceramic bezel, which strikes that perfectsense of contrast with the warm hues of
the 18K Everose gold case and bezel. The
dial is treated with Chromalight appliqués
for low-lighting illumination, befitting its
status as a sporty diving piece. Anothernew feature is the Oysterflex bracelet,
a new patented design, comprising of
an ultra-strong thin metal blade overmoulded with high performance, flexible

black elastomer that is more durable andresistant than rubber strap. This model
comes in either 37mm or 40mm variants
and is waterproof up to 100m.

Hautlence Invictus 01

The daring independent Hautlence, also
affectionately known as the ‘gentlemen
rebels’, continues its fine tradition ofdefying conformity with the new Invictus
01. Elegant yet sporty, the Invictus 01 sees
the return of the independent’s signature
1970s television screen-inspired caseforged of 18K red gold, which housesa skeletonised chronograph movement
within. Also sharing this space on the dial is
Hautlence’s emblematic honeycomb motif
and 3D indexes, set in such a way that they
appear to be suspended in thin air.

Rado Limited Edition
HyperChrome Automatic
Diamonds
Diamonds have never looked sodelectable. Inspired by the masterchocolatiers who made Switzerland

synonymous with delicious chocolate, thenewest additions to Rado’s HyperChrome
family present a dazzling display of
timepieces in rich brown ceramic. The
decision to combine the brown hue withthe ceramic material also results in aninteresting effect that consistently changes
throughout the day depending on lighting
conditions. As for the highlight of this sweet
collection, it would have to be the automaticchronograph model, paired with classicrose gold detailing and topped off with 56
Top Wesselton diamonds.

TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01

TAG Heuer made waves at Baselworld
2015 with the announcement of a newline-up of young social-media savvy
ambassadors, its own smartwatch andthe new Carrera Heuer 01, a rare beastof a timepiece that features an in-housechronograph movement for a competitive
price tag of less than CHF5,000. One
of TAG Heuer’s more complex-looking
pieces, the motorsports-inspired Carrera
Heuer 01 has already earned the moniker‘Hublot-Lite’, for its resemblance to the Big

Bang models (no doubt influenced by its
CEO’s time at Hublot), and presents itself
in a masculine 45mm stainless steel casewith a skeletonised dial that shows off thecolumn-wheel chronograph movement in
all its mechanical glory.

Ulysse Nardin Hannibal
Minute Repeater
A limited edition of 30 timepieces, theHannibal Minute Repeater pays tributeto the crossing of the Alps by the great
Carthaginian general, Hannibal Barca, in his
attempt to crush the Roman republic once
and for all. This brutal expedition is portrayedby four jaquemarts amidst a mountainous
backdrop, which were meticulously handcarved from 18K white gold before being
mounted on granite sourced from theAlps. When the repeater is activated, four
gongs linked to the jacquemarts bring
the battlefield to life, depicting Roman
legionnaires fighting for their lives against
Hannibal’s war elephants. At the heart of
the watch lies a calibre UN-78 one-minutetourbillion, located at 6 o’clock.

The newest member of Rado’s
HyperChrome family is a delectable
timepiece set with 56 dazzling diamonds.

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life feature //life feature //The Turtlesof Terengganu
Turtles were once abundant on the beaches ofTerengganu but inceasing natural as well as manmade obstacles are driving them to extinction.
Conservation efforts now hope to protect theones that remain.
Text Simon Pridmore

The female green sea turtle emerged from the sea and dragged herself up and across thebeach until her nose touched the strip of foliage where the sand meets the forest. She
patiently dug out a pit with her fore and aft flippers and laid her eggs as we watched from a
distance. As soon as she was done, the rangers scooped the eggs up to move them to a
sanctuary, tagged the turtle in her left foreleg and measured her. Then they left: their work
done for the night.

Pantai Kerteh offers aprotected beach whereturtles may find a safe
haven for their eggs,

Some would be back, one day, with luck. At least, some of the females among them might
be back if they were able to survive to produce offspring of their own. Their instinctive GPS
system would guide them to return to the beach where they were born to lay their own eggs.
Sadly, it is this predictable behaviour that has partly led to the turtle's downfall.

We stayed. The turtle was bogged down in wet sand and seemed exhausted, flapping
her flippers but making no progress. She was just digging herself into the pit. We watcheduselessly for 10 minutes then finally thought we should do something to help. We hadseen the rangers induce the turtle to turn by tapping on one side of the shell so we did
the same to try and direct her out of her ever-deepening hole. It worked. She finally foundsome traction and started moving ponderously back towards the sea. She moved in shortbursts, each of which seemed to demand huge effort and left her exhausted for a few
minutes. After almost an hour, she finally reached the edge of the pounding surf, then alarge wave engulfed her and when it drew away again, she was gone.

Where Dinosaurs Once Roamed

Release From Sanctuary

However, in recent decades, the turtles have encountered new threats to their survival
and these lie not in the ocean but on land. In Terengganu, as in other parts of South-East
Asia, turtle eggs have been consumed as a delicacy for centuries. But, in the past, rural
populations were small and the number of eggs available was large. With the expansionof the road system in the area and better transportation, local entrepreneurs found new,more distant and more substantial markets for leatherback turtle eggs. They became a
trade-able commodity and a lucrative source of income for impoverished villagers. A
rapidly developing fishing industry along the coast meant that leatherback turtles were also
increasingly being caught in nets as they made for their home beaches. By 1965, only 3,000
clutches of leatherback turtle eggs were found and conservationists and the state beganefforts to protect the leatherbacks. Opinions differ as to whether these conservation efforts
were too late, insufficient, insincere, ineffective, poorly managed and/or poorly enforced.
Whatever the reasons, they did not work.

The next day, we visited the turtle sanctuary and were invited to help in the release of abatch of hatchings that were born a few days earlier. The eggs are removed from the nests
as the conservation teams do not have the resources to protect them from either humanor animal predators when they are left in their original nests along the beach. The tiny baby
turtles were carried in a small bucket to the beach, where we were invited to dip our hands
in, grab a handful and place them gently onto the sand.
As soon as we let go, no matter which way they were originally pointing, the hatchlings
turned and headed for the waves that were lapping on the sand about 20m away. Their four
flippers flailed away wildly as they scurried instinctively towards the sea and when they arrived
at the water’s edge, the action that looked so awkward on land became a graceful swimmingstroke. They dived into the spume of the next little wave and were soon out of sight.

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Terengganu, located in the eastern Malay peninsula, used to be known as the “Land of
Turtles”. The stars were the giant leatherback turtles, magnificent creatures that could
measure up to 3m in length, weigh up to 900kg and could trace their history to the timeof the dinosaurs. In 1956, more than 10,000 leatherbacks were reportedly nesting on thebeaches of Terengganu. They became a major tourist attraction in the area from the 1960s to
the 1980s. The survival chances for turtle hatchlings are very slim as many marine predators
lie in wait. However, this is an age-old problem that turtles have evolved to deal with byproducing large quantities of eggs, sometimes up to 1,000 eggs per breeding season.

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life feature //In 2002, only three (yes, not a misprint) leatherback turtles were sighted. Now, despite thefact that leatherback turtle spotting trips are still touted by unscrupulous operators in the area,
there are none to see. One lone leatherback turned up in 2010. Experts agree that, while
they would love to hope that the leatherback population might somehow recover, all signs arethat the species is “locally extinct”. Once a population of breeding turtles has disappeared, it
is gone forever. With no females being born, there are none out there to return.

Let History Not Be RepeatedTanjong jara resort
Embodying the essence of Malay
culture and tradition, Tanjong Jara
Resort on the East Coast of Peninsular
Malaysia offers the perfect experienceof Malay hospitality. Fronted by theSouth China Sea and surroundedby the lush green beauty of the local
countryside, Tanjong Jara offers you
an experience of Malaysia like noother. www.tanjongjararesort.com“Near Tanjong Jara Resortin Dungun, Terengganu, is a
protected beach where, between
May and September, green
turtles come ashore to lay eggs.”

It may be too late to save the leatherbacks of Terengganu but there is still a chance otherspecies could be saved from a similar fate. One species that is still around is the green turtle,
although it is already listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN)Red List as an endangered animal. Near the Tanjong Jara Resort in Dungun, Terengganu,
is a protected beach where, between May and September, green turtles come ashore tolay eggs. The warm, grainy sands and the gentle slope make it relatively easy for them tonegotiate their way across. To keep the eggs from harm, they are retrieved from the nest andreburied in warm sand in a safe, guarded hatchery.
Burying the eggs in sand of the correct temperature is crucial, as it is believed that warm
sand produces more females, while cooler sand favours males. The greater need is forfemale hatchlings. The protection is necessary because it remains legal to eat turtle eggs
and they are still much in demand. In fact, you may even see them on sale at roadsidestalls; they look like ping pong balls. If you are staying at the Tanjong Jara Resort, you may
have a chance to visit the beach where you can watch a green sea turtle laying her eggs
and you may also be able to start some of the young hatchlings on their journey in life.
Then, by sharing the experience with friends, you could pass on your newfound knowledgeof how fragile the existence of turtles is and perhaps expanding awareness will ensure they
have a future.

If you want to know how you can do more to help protect turtles in Terengganu, go to theWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia website wrf.org.my.

Between the monthsof May to September,
Tanjong Jara Resort
offers the rare treat ofturtle-watching.

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Sea turtles are a
glorious and gracefulsight to behold
underwater.

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life feature //

M for
Magic
The MUSE Saint Tropez welcomesa new Executive Chef, who puts thechic into French RIVIERA cuisine.
Text Natasha Kraal

As much as its jet-set legend holds from the day Brigitte Bardot
brought her brand of va-va-voom to the provincial town in the1956 Roger Vadim film And God Created Woman, to Beyoncé
and Jay-Z superyachting in some serious celeb-kaching today,
Saint-Tropez is also a gastronomic hotspot for anyone seeking
sybaritic pleasures in the South of France. After all, the holiday
hotspot boasts about 60 Michelin-starred restaurants that serveup culinary expertise worth the helicopter ride in, be it for theorganic-chic cuisine at La Voile or the Mediterranean-rich threestarred treats at La Vague d’Or.
And yet, dinner doesn’t have to come all that fancy. You can alsodine heartily on the freshest catch of the day, prepared Provençal
style at Auberge des Maures; delight in a double scoop ofpistachio ice-cream at Maison Barbarac; or fork into that famous
cream-suffused La Tarte Tropezienne while watching the boats
and babes go by.
On Saturdays, the open-air market at Place des Lices invites both
locals and tourists to enjoy fresh local produce, from homemade
duck sausages to divine artisanal cheeses and artichoke salads.

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THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE“The open-air market atPlace des Lices invites
both locals and tourists toenjoy fresh local produce.”
Every day is a perfect day to pack a pique-nique picnic to enjoy by
the waterfront, before shopping for more truly Tropezienne sandals
by K Jacques. It was here that we sighted the resident chef at
MUSE Saint Tropez – where we were staying for a blissful fivenights – hand-pick menu ingredients, and so, decided to cancel
the reservation at the two-star Le Girelier to head “home” for a
special dinner.
Megawatt glamour aside,
Saint-Tropez is also a
serious foodie's idea ofheaven.

The MUSE is YTL Hotels' gem in the South of France that gives asparkling experience of the Riviera chic lifestyle. We stayed at theLauren suite that came with its own library of Assouline books toread by our private plunge pool, or in the spacious lounge tastefully
appointed with cream linen, beige marble, and scented candles.
Pure pleasure, and then some more when it was time to dine. And
well, we did.
M is the moniker of the restaurant overlooking the pretty poolsidethat serves up classic continental breakfasts, easy-breezy lunches,and culinary creations for dinner. This summer, Emilie Myotte
joins the resort as Executive Chef, bringing with her invaluable
experience, garnered at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Megève.
The menu takes inspiration from the spirit of Saint-Tropez, with its
perfect balance of light vs luxe, with the freshest produce fromthe area. There’s much respect for original flavours and textures,
where Chef Emilie works her magic in combining both, with the
sparkle of her signature effervescent sauces. Think succulent lambsaddle served with crisp Mediterranean vegetables, and the divine
duck breast drizzled with balsamic and paired with polenta andtomatoes. Her favourites are the two fish dishes – “They're truly
a reflection of Saint-Tropez,” she says – slow-cooked sea bass
beautifully delivered with fennel and rosemary; and a delightfully
crispy monkfish fillet flavoured up with chorizo and fresh garden
vegetables. A touch of mango and passion fruit millefeuille, or two
scoops of sorbet from Maison Barbarac – where else? – make theperfect meal for the perfect summer’s day.

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life feature //life feature //Describe your cooking style.
Mediterranean and minimalist.
Your idea of the perfect holiday breakfast?
As we're in France, freshly baked bread is really important,as well as the eggs with a thyme flavour, pancakes and our
home-made smoked organic salmon. We can also prepare
meals that cater to all special needs, including gluten-free andother allergies.

A Moment with Emilie Myotte

How would you best describe the cuisine at M?
The food at M is Mediterranean. It is also a little bit like beinga private chef, recommending the best of local produce, be it
fresh fish, the best cheeses and seasonal vegetables, every
day to our guests.

What are your other culinary recommendations in SaintTropez?
Authentic bouillabaisse , lunch at the beach and artichautbarigoule, which is one of the specialities from the South ofFrance.
What would be a perfect day for you at Saint-Tropez?
Start early with a tour of the fresh fish market, stop at thefromagerie Place aux Herbes to taste the best cheeses in
town, coffee or fresh juice on the harbour, lunch at Club 55
and dinner at Muse!

How are they reflective of Saint-Tropez, and the spiritof MUSE?
The spirit of Muse and of YTL Hotels in general is to craft
experiences – the cuisine here at Muse can be custommade for our guests, and for any meal.

The Muse Saint Tropez's
pool is the perfect place
to plunge into, in-between
Riviera-chic feasting
sessions.

What are your favourite creations on the menu?
All the fish dishes because they're truly a reflection of theSaint-Tropez area.
What are your signature or favourite ingredients –and why?
I don't have a signature ingredient but I have many favourite
suppliers that produce only in small quantities for us and few
other restaurants.
What's sparking your imagination now?
The summer menu! We have three different menus throughout
the season which always includes seasonal produce.

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From artisanalproduce to fruits
de mer that
Neptune himself
would covet, forget
the diet whenholidaying at SaintTropez.

“The Muse Saint Tropez
is YTL Hotels' gem in
the South of France
that gives a sparklingexperience of the Riviera
chic lifestyle. ”
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life feature //The Queenof Tarts
If ever a tart were to be accorded royalstatus, chances are it would go to thelegendary Maids of Honour tarts by thecelebrated and historical Newens Tea Housenear London’s Kew Gardens.
The old nursery rhyme may have gone “The Queen of Hearts she
made some tarts, all on a summer’s day” but it’s clear it certainly
wasn’t Her Majesty but, instead, a very clever cook with thelightest of hands who was responsible for dreaming up the Maidsof Honour tart. Certainly, its origins are steeped in royal history.
Legend has it that Henry VIII chanced upon Anne Boleyn eating
one of the delectable tartlets. At that time married to Catherineof Aragon, his first wife, but already in love with Boleyn, then the
Queen’s maid of honour and lady-in-waiting, he immediately
declared the tarts to be for his tasting pleasure alone.
The story also goes that the King went on further to seize the recipe,
ordering it to be kept under lock and key in Richmond Palace.
Whether true or false, it’s safe to say few pastries have such a taleto tell. Over the course of time, the recipe was discovered and its
contents leaked to a nearby bakery. Today, the historical Newens
Tea House in Kew is said to be the only one baking the Maids ofHonour tarts according to the original recipe. Certainly, if you’ve evertasted the tart, a light crisp puff pastry filled with cheese curds, you’dprobably do a King Henry and want them all to yourself as well.
Thankfully, though, there are now two places in the world in which
you may indulge all you wish: first, the original Newens Tea House in
London and, second, its latest outpost in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Opened in December 2014, the Newens Tea House at Starhill
Gallery is an elegant space at which the city’s privileged set may
indulge in fine teas paired with delicious treats. Afternoon tea ishugely popular here, with the Original Maids of Honour Afternoon

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Tea for 2 set proving to be the unanimous favourite. Here, guests
may enjoy two of the famous tarts as well as two scones, servedwith clotted cream and strawberry preserves, and a pot of tea.
To keep things interesting and guests’ palates consistently
intrigued and delighted, Newens Tea House’s chef-in-residence,John Burton-Race, has also ensured two promotional items to befeatured on the menu every month – one sweet, one savoury – withthe most recent being Cullen Skink tarts and hot cross buns. The
de rigueur drink, of course, is tea. And diners should make it a point
to ask for the Starhill Jewel blend, created just for Newens’ Kuala
Lumpur salon, with a green tea base and notes of mango and citrus.
However, in tribute to its second, exotic outpost, Newens at Starhill
also ensures the locals can enjoy afternoon tea with their drink ofchoice, thoughtfully providing for hot Milo and teh tarik, a local sweetand sticky brewed tea, on the menu. Purists, however, may choose
from a mind-boggling tea menu, offering everything from Earl Greyand Darjeeling, while the hedonists need only ask for Laurent-Perrier.
If your cup of cha runs more to the tune of fancy Japanese green
or smoky Pu-Erh from Yunnan, it might be a good idea to ask for
the Oriental Afternoon Tea set, which comes with dainty dim sum
and steamed lotus buns – a better match for the tea, if we dosay so ourselves. Whatever you order, don’t forget the Maids ofHonour; after all, you’d have to brave a 13-hour flight to find them,
if not. Whether in London or in Kuala Lumpur, you’d find thesedelicious little tarts worth the time, trouble and travelling for just to
taste them.

Clockwise, from top left: A myriad of fineteas is offered, each a perfect match forsomething sweet or savoury at Newens Tea
House; refuel in style after a luxe sessionof retail therapy at Starhill Gallery Kuala
Lumpur; the legendary Maids of Honour tart,
with its historical links to Anne Boleyn.

Ashkan Malekpour of
Truefitt & Hill preparesto give Bruno Vanin a
Traditional Hot Towel
Wet Shave.

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beautiful life //Dress To Impress
Deck yourself in these latest fashion pieces to remain
effortlessly chic, always!

Retro Space

Micro Mini

Seventies style with an intergalactic twist. That’s the aura of Louis Vuitton’s 2015
Spring/Summer collection. In-house designer Nicolas Ghesquière outdid himself with acohesive set showcasing state-of-the-art construction techniques and modern fabrics.
The collection features fitted 'mixed media' dresses and tops, woven together withan array of knitting techniques to create a textural eye-catching design, a selection of
stripy eel pieces and some playful items covered in print that feature floating householdobjects. It’s truly for the bold woman who brings her past to the future.

Embracing the connotations of kawaii('cute' in Japanese), the Micro Lady
Dior bags from the Pre-Fall 2015 Esprit
Dior Tokyo collection by the house ofDior are a must-have for the fun andadventurous fashionista. Available inblack, white, and metallic leather withembroidery, sequins and appliquédetails, but with much thicker straps,
the micro bags are a futuristic take on
the classic handbags. The metallic
Micro Lady Dior also comes with amicro Cannage motif that seems toresemble mesh details from afar.

Super Shiatzy!

Shiatzy Chen’s ready-to-wear Fall/Winter 2015 collection is one for a glamorous
goddess who leads a global life with a Parisian sense of style. The collection boasts
a mélange of silhouettes that marries intricate handiwork with contemporary cuts. The
pieces consist of a pink chromed leather mini-skirt, a simple red dress belted with alength of leather, to even a black cape coat with a fur collar. Ranging from youthful toelegant, Shiatzy Chen promises style for every occasion.

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Miss Mex

Frida Kahlo was the muse of Missoni’s Summer 2015 Accessories Collection, where
her talent and Mexican spirit permeated throughout. The colourful zip handbags present
fresh and inviting basket-weave stripes. Fine raffia elements, pom-pom trims, wooden
detailing painted with fruit-flower designs also show up randomly on all kinds of shoesin the collection, capturing an upbeat and carefree mood. A widish belt also makes for abold statement in clear Plexiglas squares with raffia edging, leather ribbons and laces.

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spa life //Oasis ofThe Orient
Let Spa Village Kuala Lumpur weave its uniquebrand of healing magic on you, with its assortmentof restorative treatments inspired by the cultures ofAsia – all conveniently available in the heart of one ofSouth-East Asia’s most diverse and dynamic cities.
Photography Jason Lee & YTL Hotels

It is fitting that one of Spa Village Kuala
Lumpur’s most distinctive treatments
reflects the city’s multi-faceted past.
Founded in the late 1800s “by accident” –the happy result of the discovery of tin by
Chinese prospectors at the meeting pointof the Klang and Gombak Rivers, whothen proceeded to set up camp – Kuala
Lumpur takes its name, literally, from the
Malay word for “muddy confluence”.
Today, the Malaysian capital is the
picture-perfect reflection of the country’s
multi-racial diversity and is also,
undoubtedly, its most dynamic city. Here,Spa Village Kuala Lumpur pays tributeto this chapter of its history with theunique Chinese Peranakan Treatment, acombined nod to its origins as well as
Malaysia’s unique Peranakan, or Straits
Chinese culture.

Find tranquillity in the heartof the city at Spa Village
Kuala Lumpur.

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The environment in which we live
constantly reminds us to strive for
perfection – to do more with less, toconstantly power up, to take on more athome and at work and, in short, to haveit all. Thankfully, the rise of spa culture in
daily life gives the driven individual little

pockets of respite. It is in therapeutic
journeys like the Chinese Peranakan
Treatment that we can retreat from theworld for a good three hours in order toseek respite, soothe soul and body andemerge, chrysalis-like, rejuvenated to
face the world once more.
Those who are familiar with Spa Village
Kuala Lumpur would know that theapproach to its doors alone helps slow
down the heartbeat and deepen thebreath a little. Surrounded by tealcoloured pools and lush greenery, it’seasy to forget you’re in the heart of thecity’s famous “Golden Triangle” – anarea chock-a-block with world-classdining and retail, comparable to Ginza inTokyo and, closer to home, Singapore’s
Orchard Road.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed witha cold towel and something to drink
before being led away by your assigned
therapist to change. If you’re feelingparticularly harried, it would be ideal
to precede your Chinese Peranakan
Treatment with the spa’s signature
Sensory Exploration. Performed in a

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spa life //darkened, quiet room, your therapist acts
as a guide, leading you through a seriesof exercises, including meditation as wellas an in-depth process designed to reawaken as well as heighten awareness.
Medical reports have long lauded
the mental and health benefits ofreconnecting with one’s five senses andmany of Spa Village’s clients have sungthe praises of this unusual but effective
therapy. This treatment ends, on amore familiar note, with a scalp, neck,shoulder and foot massage, designed tocalm and relax you while ensuring you
are in the ideal state of mind for your spa
experience ahead.
By now, you should be almost floating
towards your private outdoor sunken bathas your therapist hands you a sarong tochange into. The Chinese Peranakan
Treatment begins, most decadently, witha languorous soak in an outdoor, flowerstrewn tub. As you luxuriate like a SinoCleopatra in the milk and sandalwoodinfused water, designed to soften skin,lower blood pressure and calm nerves– the perfect first step in any spa journey,
we say – your therapist will prepare atrove of treasures with which to pamper
you, including boiled eggs (yes, you readthat right), rice powder and precious
jade. After a quick rinse and a change
into loose pants and shirt, a facial, using
a mixture of crushed rice and pearl
powder, will be applied to the face – anancient beauty ritual favoured by theladies of the Imperial Chinese court.

“The spa’s
signature
Sensory
Exploration,
performed ina darkened,
quiet room.”
Clockwise, from left:
The Sensory Exploration
session is a great primer
for treatments; the ancient
Chinese art of tiao da fa isadministered with bundlesof rattan sticks; hard boiled
eggs and jade rollers are partof the exotic accoutrements
used in the Chinese
Peranakan Treatment.

From yang to yin, the warmth of the eggs
gives way to cooling jade rollers. These
are gently rolled over the face to lift andtone facial muscles. Jade is significant inmany ancient cultures, from the Mayanto the Maori, as a healing stone. It isparticularly revered by the Chinese who
believe the stone represents harmony,
growth and tranquility. In fact, many
Chinese wear jade as a protective
amulet as well as for its metaphysicalqualities. Bodywork follows, in the formof, first, a unique treatment called tiao
da fa. Believed to have originated 1,500
years ago from China, tiao da fa isadministered by lightly beating the bodywith bundles of rattan sticks – an ancienthealing ritual believed to remove “wind”
and chills from the body while boosting
metabolism and blood circulation.
Once the physique has been prepared,
the therapist will then administer traditional
tui na massage. Chinese for “pushing”
and “grasping”, this treatment is focusedon unblocking energy channels within the
body in order for chi, the Chinese belief inlife force, to flow more freely through themeridians. As its name suggests, tui na
isn’t about sweeping strokes as much as
it is about deft and firm thumb-work (na)and concerted pushing with the palms(tui ). Nevertheless, it is still deeply relaxing
and you’d find yourself quickly in a spa
state of mind, deliciously slipping in andout of consciousness.
The Chinese Peranakan Treatment lasts
for three hours but, in a clear case oftime flying when you’re having fun, you’dfind yourself ushered, once again, to therelaxation lounge. Every treatment at Spa
Village Kuala Lumpur ends with a pot of
hot ginger tea, sweetened with honeyand perked up with lemon. It’s nowhere
near comparable to a massage but you’dfind yourself greatly welcoming this small
but sweet gesture as it really does help in
easing the transition, sip by warming sip,from therapeutic cocoon to real world.
Spa Village Kuala Lumpur is located at The
Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur and is open daily
from 10am-10pm.

If you’d undergone the Sensory Exploration
session, you would immediately pick up aslight sulphuric scent next as your therapist
quickly shells two hard boiled eggs andthen proceeds to gently rub them all overyour face and forehead – a process that is
as soothing as it is nourishing and calming
to the skin. This most unusual facial was
once common practice among Straits
Chinese bibiks (ladies) to restore glow andvitality to their complexion.

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BLISS IN
BORNEO
life’s moments //Sabah has always proven enchanting. From the majestic Mount
Kinabalu to lush rainforest and all the treasures of the underwater
realm, it’s the perfect year-round destination. Here, Kirinjit Singh,
Resort Manager of Gaya Island Resort, shares his favourite things
about this tropical wonderland.

BUSY IS GOOD

I admit our swimming pools are tempting but do go
on a nature walk with Justin Juhun, our resident
naturalist. I always enjoy a morning trek with him,
where, depending on the time, season and aspot of luck, you can spot proboscis monkeys,
macaques, species of wild bamboo and orchids.

Discoverthe beautyof nature at
Gaya Island
Resort.

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It’s a sin to come to Gaya Island and not check out theamazing corals just off the resort. The waters are also
home to colourful coral fish and turtles. If you are lucky,
you can see baby sharks. Snorkelling here is goodenough as you don’t need to venture far or deep to see
all these marine marvels.

DIVE DEEPI’m not a diver yet but our resident marine
biologist, Scott Mayback, has several dive sites torecommend off Gaya Island as well as Sapi Island
nearby, like Ron’s Reef, Agill Reef, Police Bay andMerangis Reef. Turtles can be found all-year round
but if you visit around July and August, whale
sharks have been spotted as well as dolphins.

MEET ME AT THE BAY

Tavajun Bay at Gaya Island Resort offers a near-perfect patch of beach – it’s long and covered in fine whitesand. The waters surrounding it are crystal clear and it’s the perfect place to spend a relaxing day in thesun. Don’t leave your room without a few good books to read, cold cans of beer and a packed picnic,
which our team is only too happy to prepare for you.

MANGROVE MARVEL

Separating Gaya Island from the sea are some marvellous mangroves. One of my top recommendations
to guests is to hop onto a kayak and explore the mangroves. It’s relaxing and gives you a great chance
to immerse yourself in nature. I really enjoy doing this. Simply head to the area behind the Spa Village andyou’ll be kayaking among the mangroves in no time.

RAW PLEASURE

If you’re dining at Fisherman’s Cove, I highly recommend the ceviche – fresh snapper marinatedwith lime. And if you enjoy a bit of curry, like I do, don’t miss the oven-baked red snapper withcurried leek. It’s simply the best!

COME DINE WITH ME

Those who like to dine á deux should definitely checkout Gaya Island Resort’s private dining experiences
like the Bajau Laut and the Kadazan BBQ. The
former is set on the beach with a personal chef andbutler. It’s luxury dining but on powder-soft sandand live music in the form of lapping waves. The
Kadazan BBQ is more rustic – you sit on logs andbanana leaves are used in lieu of a table cloth.

TO MARKET, TO MARKETOne of my favourite activities when I head to Kota Kinabalu would be to explore the colourful
local markets. The tamu (market) at Donggongon in Penampang is great, while on Sunday
mornings, the only place to head to would be the tamu at Gaya Street. There’s also a craft
market and the Mari Mari Cultural Village to check out while you’re in the vicinity.

Explore another side of
Kota Kinabalu when you
visit its colourful local
markets.

Treat yourself to apampering session
with treatments
inspired by the local
culture at Gaya Island
Resort’s Spa Village.

SOUL-SOOTHING

The Spa Village at Gaya Island Resort has
many interesting treatments to try and I try
to fit in a treatment at least once every twomonths, schedule permitting. My treatmentof choice? The Papakang, one of its
signature experiences.

ROOMS WITH A VIEWOne of the highlights of staying at Gaya Island Resort would be its unbeatable location. Depending on yourroom, you can ask for one with a view of majestic Mount Kinabalu – South-East Asia’s highest. The best
way to enjoy this, in my opinion, is to wake up really early. Make a cup of coffee, sit on the sala and watch
the sun slowly illuminate the mountain. It’s a sight for sore eyes! Suites 801-801 have great vantage points,
as do suites 833, 825-828 and 852-854.

Kirinjit Singh is the
Resort Manager of Gaya
Island Resort, Sabah.