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YTL
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issue 01

Eco-Friendly
LuxuryBecause Green is
the New Black

SnakesAlive

E&O
Express

Rail Romance

The Serpent
Slithers Backinto Vogue

Majestic
Malacca
Tembok Bali
Casual Luxe
arrives at thenewest Spa Village

Showing
History the
Way Forwardcontents
T H E Y T L L U X U RY M A G A Z I N EISSUE 136
Passageof Rites
The culture and traditionsof the Balinese people
have managed to withstandthe relentlessly intense
onslaught of tourism andis still thriving on thismagical little island in
East Indonesia.

20-57

FEATURES
20

rail romance
Rediscover the magic of thejourney aboard the charming andelegant Eastern & Orient Express.

26

History For Sale
Malacca’s urban heritage is under
severe threat. Unless something isdone soon, our future will no longer
have a past.

002

42 Green is the

NeW BlackIt’s now oh-so-easy to live afabulous life AND be eco-friendly
as well. And no, you don’t have to
go around hugging trees.

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TISSUE 01

ECO-FRIENDLY
LUXURY
9<:8LJ<>I<<E@J
K?<E<N9C8:B

SNAKES
ALIVE

E&O
EXPRESS

I8@CIFD8E:<

K?<J<IG<EK
JC@K?<IJ98:B
@EKFMF>L<MAJESTIC
MALACCATEMBOK BALIJ?FN@E>
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50 The Rebirth ofLiverpool

Forget The Beatles and Merseyside
football. In 2008, Liverpool will
launch the world’s biggest yearlong arts festival ever as it takes its
place as European Art Capital.

cover

Photography Christopher A.
@ Ditto Studio
Styling Jennifer Choo
Hair & makeup Taisu
Model wears dress and shoes from
Fendi; sunglasses from Celine
Shot on location at the Spa Village
Resort Tembok Bali

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

contents
T H E Y T L L U X U RY M A G A Z I N EISSUE 1

STYLE

58
58-87

84

A fetishistic nappa boot, the“French Flirt”, a Porsche jacket,
butterfly jewellery and acanine-inspired USB...
plus what’s new in the worldof horology.

STYLE
58

Welcome to
ParadiseHigh-end fashion meets down-toearth spa remedies at the glorious
wellness haven that is Tembok Bali.

78

Snakes Alive!
Slithery, sensuous, seductive. The
snake slinks back in style.

80 Cruise Control
This season’s Cruise Collections run
the gamut from flirty to flamboyant.
004
003

Retail Therapy

86

84

Personal Touch
Beauty gets personal with
MTM plus Radio Frequency
therapy, a bird’s nest spa
treatment, how to get
longer eyelashes,
Kanebo cosmetics
and exclusive Decleor
aromatherapy treatments.
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

contents
T H E Y T L L U X U RY M A G A Z I N E

REGULARS

94

08 Glory Box
10 Editor’s Note
12 The Buzz
120 Viva La Diva!

ISSUE 1DESIGN &ARCHITECTURE
The spectacular Phæno ScienceCentre, the Andoo Chair, massive
speakers, Japanese Modern andtwo really clever designers to lookout for this year.

98

104

DINING
Enjoy spectacular seafood cuisine
at Fisherman’s Cove where
freshness, scenic views and tasty
morsels are always the catch of
the day.

104 WINE
Almost extinct everywhere elsein the world except Chile, theCarmenère grape is providing thecountry’s winemakers a new
secret weapon.

108 ART
Meet the art world’s 13-year old
autistic Malaysian boy wonder. Plusother exhibitions not to be missed.

110 FILM
How a movie about a typeface isleaving great impressions all over
the world, and British movies geta shot in the arm.

98

88-111LIFESTYLE

94

88 BUSINESS
Private banking should do much
more for you than just boosting
your status.

90

MOTORING
Climb into a Mercedes-Benz E280
and discover the joys of civilised
Continental-style motoring.

92

TECHNOLOGY
Because getting away from it all is
becoming harder and harder thesedays. Plus the latest luxury gadgets
you simply have to get yourmittens on.

006
004

58
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

To celebrate the many faces of luxury andits attendant lifestyles, we are excited tolaunch YTL Life – The YTL Luxury Magazine.
A publication designed to be an engaging
reflection on luxury lifestyles in all theirguises from across the globe. Within YTLLife we will cover travel, fashion, trends andmore in a manner that is enlightening anduplifting – keeping you in touch with what ishappening in the world of luxury.

As a company, the YTL Corporation works
on many fronts to provide our customers
and guests outstanding opportunities toattain and enjoy a luxury lifestyle. Across the
spectrum there are an ever-expanding range
of YTL luxury products designed to add
value to life. Whether it is relaxation timein one of our world-class hotels or resorts
or a luxurious rail journey through South
East Asia. Enjoying unique treatments at
the Spa Villages or the purchase of a homein one of the luxurious YTL developments
being created across the region. Shopping at
Starhill Gallery, one of the world’s greatest
luxury retail spaces, or dining in one of
our top-class restaurants – YTL is creatinga palette of products that enhance every
luxury lifestyle.
Our new magazine, YTL Life, strives toencapsulate the luxurious lifestyle that goeswith this mix of offerings and we hope thatyou are going to enjoy the publication – itis our wish that it will become a quarterly
source of escape, discovery and pleasure foryou, introducing new opportunities to makethe most out of this great life.

pangkor laut resort photo ytl hotels

editor’s note

Luxury has many faces inour complex and frenetic
world today. For some it is
the ownership of beautiful
possessions… to go to
extraordinary places… tobe cared for and cosseted
in a fashion that makes
one feel very, very special.
To some it is opulence
and indulgence; whilst forothers the greatest luxury
is time: time to be withthose you love, time spentin quiet and meditative
thought, time to enjoy thegreat gifts that life makes available to us.
Luxury is all-encompassing, and no matter
what your personal definition may be, it ismost often a source of pleasure, pride, andmost of all, reward.

Sometimes, life’s little
luxuries turn up in thesimplest of places

010

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

the buzz @ KLPac

Of Charity, Coffee andCulture Starhill Gallery’s art domain –Muse Floor – is now home to a star-powered
enterprise. The Jackie Chan Café opened its
doors to much fanfare on October 27, 2007, asa throng of people flocked to one of the city’s
premier shopping centres to catch a glimpseof the famous kung-fu action hero. But morethan that, Jackie is also a philanthropist atheart, as exemplified by the very nature ofthis new café. Serving a selection of premium
coffees, juices, teas and pastries, the café will
donate a percentage of its revenue to charity.
This means every Ringgit you spend there willcontribute to a good cause – primarily thatof helping underprivileged children. Recently
voted one of Forbes’ ‘World’s Most Generous
Celebrities’, Chan - who rubs shoulders
with the likes of Angelina Jolie and Steven
Spielberg on that list – truly gives as good as
he gets. If not more.

Desert Bloom The prestigious Starhill Gallery
will soon spread its wings in foreign lands with Dubai in
the Middle East being the first destination lined up. The
Starhill Gallery Dubai will be part of the US$410 million(RM1.4 billion) Starhill Towers & Gallery complex being
developed by ETA Star, and will take up to 250,000ft2 ofretail space amongst state-of-the-art freehold offices anda 5-star hotel. This will all be housed within a twin towerwaterfront development in Dubai’s Business Bay, in thevicinity of The Burj Dubai, which will then be the world’s
tallest building. The high-end specialist retail mall will follow
the blueprint set by the KL example of housing exclusive
luxury brands and aims to set itself apart in Dubai as it hasdone so in Malaysia’s capital. The Dubai project is scheduled
for completion in 2010 while expansion plans for London,
Shanghai and Moscow are currently being looked into.

The Roar of Charity Two charities recently
benefited from the benevolence of YTL Corporation when
the corporation donated US$100,000 to each as part of its
continuing effort in environmental protection. The World
Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia will channel the funds into
its “Save our Tigers! Save our Crest! Save our Lungs!”
campaign, specifically to resolve the human-tiger conflict in
the Jeli district, Kelantan. Rare, a leading global conservationgroup based in the US, will match YTL’s donation 2:1. It willthen use those funds to establish three projects in Peninsula
Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, focusing on training local
partners to conduct unique social-marketing campaigns thatwork with local communities in order to educate them on theconservation of biodiversity.

Express Delivery YTL’s Express Rail Link

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Green Power YTL Power emerged as the table-topper in the‘Clean & Green’ ranking in the recent CLSA’s Corporate Governance Watch
2007 – a report which highlights attitudes to corporate governance inAsia. The company ranked No. 1 in Malaysia, scoring an impressive 55%
overall, with one of its businesses, UK’s Wessex Water, being one of themost proactive on this front. On top of that, points were scored for thefact that the group is in the process of obtaining ISO 14001 certification
for its power stations in Paka and Pasir Gudang in Malaysia whilemechanisms are also being implemented for the management of powerplant gaseous emissions, waste effluent, discharge-cooling water andindustrial scheduled waste. Isn’t it good to know that the companies thatare in the more polluting industries are going green?

tiger & flora photos corbis

established itself as the city’s premier venue for the
performing arts, but this most stylish of KL’s buildings
has also been scooping up awards for its design andarchitecture. Following the 2006 accolade presented
by the Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia for the adaptive
re-use category and for the building’s creative blendingof old and new architecture, 2007 sees KLPac being
honoured by the International Real Estate Federation(FIABCI) Malaysia in the Special Award for National
Contribution category. KLPac in Sentul West, along withthe redeveloped Sentul East, has changed the face andperception of an area once known as “the workshop
for KTM” or worse still, “da hood”, into a thriving
contemporary and cultural neighbourhood of beautiful
residences and artistic endeavour.

(ERL) will give users added incentive to use its service
as it launches a baggage check-out service at KL Sentral
in January 2008. Costing over RM100 million, this highspeed line will emancipate travellers who use the ERL
upon arriving in Malaysia of having to lug their bags onboard the train. Utilising a tray system capable of handlingbaggage five times faster than conventional conveyor
systems, this service will be the first of its kind in the world
and it is hoped it will encourage more people to get off
the roads when travelling from KLIA. The ERL is currently
in negotiations with MAS to conceive a pre-paid ticketingsystem for passengers who wish to check out their baggage
at KL Sentral.

klpac photo klpac luggage photo corbis

Leader of the Pac Not only has KLPac

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

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commitment to provide a creative avenue (andspace) for new talent in the performing arts with
‘Theatre Platform’. In 2008, actors and writers whowish to showcase their work in the fields of ‘Theatre’or ‘Drama’ in a ‘real’ environment are encouraged
to submit their unpublished/unperformed pieces
for staging consideration. This project will run for
between 6-12 months and will work as follows: eachmonth will see a number of participants (maximum6) presenting their work; at the end of each of these
events, one will be singled out with a view of staging
a collaboration under the guidance of KLPac at theend of the year. From January 7, 2008 @ KLPac; foraficionados: Richard Mille, a brand known for pushing theenvelope defined by creativity and technology in the world of
horology, has opened its first boutique in Kuala Lumpur! Now
fans of this remarkable watch brand can shop exclusively at
a stand-alone showroom, with an interior design that reflects
the very essence of the brand. One of the entrances will beflanked by a 3-dimensional 12mm tempered glass feature set
in a tonneau-shape sapphire crystal case and sandblasted toemulate the latest Richard Mille signature watch, the RM 012,
the world’s first ‘tubular network’ watch. Opened in December

2007 @ Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery, KL.

the buzz | klpac

the buzz | starhill

Open Drama KLPac is furthering its

It’s Mille Time! More great news for luxury watch

more information +603-4047 9000, +603-2094 9400 or
www.klpac.com.my

horologist in mind, Khronos-Unique Horlogerie will be a multibrand watch boutique that brings together various unique watch
brands under one roof. Aiming to be the place for enthusiasts
in search of something different – from new brands to watches
produced by independent watchmakers – each piece from thevarious brands under the Khronos banner will bear a distinctive
identity world’s away from mass produced timepieces. It will be thefirst retail venue in Asia to showcase these rare watches and is thefirst such store under holding company LuxuryConcepts. Opened

Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery, KL.

November 2007 @ Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery, KL.

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Panto Rock! Think of all the crazy stuff
Don’t Miss : KLPac’s 1st Open Day A communityoriented event, this Open Day will feature mini-performances allaround the venue including the outside lawn and deck areas. There
will be music, dance, physical theatre, drama, a photo/art exhibition
and film screenings from a host of yet unconfirmed local theatre
practitioners and those involved in the arts. Best of all, it’s free, andfamilies are encouraged to come and spend a day out enjoying thearts. There will also be plenty of activities for children and teenagers.

January 27, 2008 @ KLPac, from 10am to 2pm.
Stage photo corbis

Khronos Fever Conceptualised with the individualistic

Absolutely Fabi-lous More luxury
Italian fashion arrives in KL in the form of Fabi – aclassic brand dating back to 1965 which producessome of the finest leather goods, in particular,
shoes (for men and women), handbags andaccessories. What began as a family businessunder the guiding hand of the two Fabi brothers,
Enrico and Elisio, is now in the hands of a newgeneration and gaining accolades for the highquality goods it produces through its Barracuda,
Mare, Teck and Old Sail lines. Today it combines
age-old craftsmanship with modern technology
and is thrusting itself into the forefront offootwear fashion. Opened in December 2007 @that goes into a witches’ brew and you won’t be
far off from the ingredients that make up Aladdin,
the latest British-style panto coming our way thisYuletide season. Featuring an array of Malaysian
talent ranging from Comedy Court’s Indi Nadarajah
to Queen of the Lewd, Rude & Crude Joanne Kam
Poh Poh. Expect riotous audience participation, men
dressed as women, girls dressed as boys, suspicious
underwear, a Swinging 60s theme and fun-for-all
and all-for-fun in this psychedelic, schizophrenic andfrenetic production that should have you wetting
your pants in laughter. Dec 17, 2007 to Jan 6, 2008 @KLPac, +603-4047 9000, +603-2094 9400 or www.
klpac.com.my

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the buzz | eventswalkthe line

The Great Wall of China provided the most exotic of runways
for luxury fashion house Fendi. At sunset on October 19,
2007, in a Western nod towards Eastern superstitions, 88
models – 44 from China and 44 from the rest of the world– turned one of the wonders of the world into a giant 85m
catwalk for the unveiling of the label’s Spring/Summer 08
collection. Celebrities Zhang Zi Yi, Kate Bosworth, Thandie
Newton, and Fendi designers Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia
Fendi were historic witnesses, and later sipped Moët &Chandon at the after-party while lounging on Fendi Casa.

Stoned &Enchanted

The inspiration was Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; the stage, JWMarriot’s Grand Ballroom. Fine jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels celebrated the openingof its first boutique in Malaysia at the starhill gallery with a gala dinner on August29, 2007. Amongst a galaxy of high-profile guests, the true star of the evening – theVan Cleef & Arpels ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ collection – sparkled on the bodies
of models during the evening’s showcase, displaying a combination of beauty, purity,
delicacy and femininity. The enchantment of the evening was accented by live music
performed by a coloratura soprano and a mezzo-soprano.

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new
Nubeo

Another Swiss watch arrives in Malaysia in the
shape of Nubeo, a range of unique timepieces
inspired by the structure of natural organisms.
Held on September 7, 2007, the launch involved
beautiful young bodies around a swimming pool,thus echoing the brand’s call to “Unleash Your
Creativity” along with its approach of infusing
fresh, modern ideas with traditional technicalconcepts. The showpiece was the exclusive Doppel
Chronograph (limited edition 150 pieces) whichfeatured the brand’s distinctive rubber covered
stainless steel bezel and which was launched atthe 2007 Basel Fair. In Malaysia, the three Nubeo
ranges – Black Jellyfish (which underlines Nubeo’s
basic philosophy of starting from Nature’s simplest
shapes), Medusse and Kermaik-36 – are only
available at Cortina Watch @ Starhill Gallery.

Golden Art
Fifty years of Malaysia. Six artists. One work of art. These
numbers added up to a milestone event in Malaysian art history
when Yusof Ghani, Eric Quah, Jack Ting, Yusri Sulaiman,
Raduan Man and Fauzul Yusri came together and, in true
Malaysian fashion, formed one unique, harmonious vision on
canvas. Held at the atrium of Starhill Gallery on September
8, 2007, the six put on a ‘live art show’, choreographing
movements and art techniques in live motion on 6x3 feet
canvases while accompanied by music. These six pieces
were then later formed into one single gigantic artwork. This
momentous event marked the beginning of Starhill’s threeweek long Art Festival (ending Sept 30) which also saw the
showcasing of numerous local artists on the Muse floor – theGallery’s sanctuary for art lovers. The event was inaugurated
by YTL Group Managing Director, Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh
CBE, as part of the corporation’s effort to “give back tosociety in terms of enriching the human experience with thelittle joys of life, including the appreciation of the Arts.”

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019

rail
romance
Forget about thedestination. put themagic back into thejourney when you comeaboard the charming
and elegant Eastern &Orient express

photo e&o express

by Johnny McGeorge

EVER SINCE THE skies claimed the mostconvenient route around the globe, themain event of travelling has tended to lean towards
arriving at the destination rather than celebrating
the journey. Gone are the days of exploration andreflection, of perpetual transit through sprawlingvistas and warm breezes. What we have now arebustling airports, duty-free and movies on demand.
Today, the journey can sometimes be no more thanan impersonal means to an end, an inconvenience
almost; getting to where we want to go as quickly
as possible has deprived it0 of its magic.
In the days of my youth, I explored various pocketsof the world in alternative long-haul transits. By‘alternative’ I mean ‘budget’. Or better still, free. Be
it three days atop a cargo truck from a Peruvian
mountain to the Bolivian jungle or a week washing

As the glorious 24-carriage E&O Express pulls inwith the grace of an old-time locomotive, my palms
are clammy from pangs of excitement. From oneof the carriages steps a man in an immaculately
turned-out uniform; he brings his palms together
to greet me with a tenderness that somehow only
the Thais can muster.
The man is Woody, my round-the-clock
compartment steward for the next 50-odd hours,
who relieves me of my luggage and leads me
through the narrow marqueted corridor into thetrain. I am immediately awed – and humbled – by
the ambience that evokes an air of formal opulencefrom an era time has almost forgotten.
My ‘home’ for the next two nights is in a Pullman
compartment (there's also a choice of Presidential

today, The journey can sometimes be
no more than an impersonal means
to an end, an inconvenience almost

Since those heady days of wanderlust, fate (anda really good career) has been kind to me, andscented face towels, champagne and airport
Golden Lounges have become my regular travelcompanions. First class may be a world awayfrom the roof of a rickety truck laden with rugged
adventurers, but would you believe me if I said
something vital is missing from my travels? Could it
be that I have lost my lust for wanderlust?
ALL ABOARD And so I find myself on the platformof the spooky old Kuala Lumpur railway station, as
I await the arrival of the highly-reputed Eastern &Oriental Express – my ticket to the re-ignition of
my worn passion and, hopefully, the derailment of
my disillusionment (if you’ll pardon my choice ofphrases for a moment).
An astute choice, if I may add. For how can alanguid 3-day train journey to Bangkok, Thailand– including exotic island stopovers and famed
cuisine – not do the trick? Did I also mention thatthe whole trip was going to be in the lap of luxury?
022

or State suites), a teak-panelled room of the mostdecorative Baroque order. At first glance, flush
walls and gold trimmings adorning signaturegreen and cream decor deceive one into thinking
that there really should be more than meets theeye. Plush sofa. Check. Foldaway writing desk withornate table lamp. Check. Bookshelf with fruitbasket, Evian drinking water and reading material.
Check, check and check. But where’s my luggage?
And what about the basic amenities?
There is a knock at the door. It is Woody – beaming
as before – and ready to demonstrate once again
what impeccable service the E&O Express provides.
“Allow me to show you around,” he says, as if
acutely aware of my confusion. Pressing a wall
panel reveals a wardrobe which in turn reveals
my suitcase. Another panel pops open and I findbehind it a hall of mirrors that transforms into anen suite bathroom replete with Bvlgari gels, creams
and all manner of grooming aids. Yet another panel
unveils my bed for the night with a choice of either
sleeping on the top or lower bunk. Suffice to say,
I’m suitably impressed.
Slow food Dinner aboard the E&O Express isa fancy affair. After a quick pre-dinner turn in my'stealth' bathroom, I emerge somewhat dapper and
THE YTL LUXURY MAGA Z INE

wobble my way to the Piano Bar for a pre-dinner
gin and tonic. The bar is resplendent with pale ash
panelling, engraved mirrors and silk embroidery
accentuated by subtle lighting. It is also filled withguests dressed in their Sunday Best, or in thiscase, Thursday Night Best: couples in tuxedos andball gowns, an old war veteran with a beret andmedals and a stunning Nigerian lady whose vibrantregalia is topped by her magnificent but impossibly
elaborate ‘Gele’ headdress.

photos johnny mcgeorge

dishes on an oil tanker bound for Morocco, looking
back, it was always the adventure of the journeythat pushed my buttons; the destination was
ultimately just a bonus.

All aboard the E&O

As a lone traveller, I have been assigned asystematic seating schedule by the kind folks at
E&O: I will dine with different guests in each of the
3 dining carriages for all of the coming meals. Uponreaching the Singapura dining car, I have trouble
believing I am actually on a train! With every lastdetail buffed, varnished and strewn with decorativesilks and linens, the interior is reminiscent ofcolonial splendour expertly fused with accents ofAsian flair and inimitable craftsmanship.
At my table this evening is a pair of voluptuous
young Europeans in sparkly dresses. Before I can

THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZ INE

The Piano Bar023

even catch my breath, wine and water glasses arefilled and the conversation starts flowing. I listen
intently as the two try to convince me that they aremerchant bankers “backpacking” across Asia. This
then leads us inevitably to a philosophical debate
about “finding a delicate balance between journeyand destination”.

Upon return, I spend the next few hours alone in
my compartment, reflecting on the journey so far.
As dense jungle gives way to sprawling rice paddies
hemmed in by mystical limestone formations, I
am overcome by a sense of serenity and intense
satisfaction. This journey has proven to be redeeming
in and of itself, the exact tonic I was seeking.

After we raise a toast to that, our starter of panfried scallops in lemon and vanilla dressing arrives,and conversation promptly ceases. This firstcourse is immediate confirmation of the reputed
culinary genius of the E&O Express. I’ve had manya fancy meal in many a fancy place, but E&O’s
haute cuisine is, quite
simply,unrivalled.
And this high-quality
is consistently kept
up throughout the
coming days.

In the late afternoon, we make passage across toThailand without having to lift a finger – a raretreat for any Asian border crossing, as I’ve cometo understand. Come evening, and the Piano Bar isonce again the place to be, only this time it is filledwith passengers already acquainted and, in theplush surroundings, it
looks like they are readyto party like it it's 1939.
And because the E&O
Express is essentiallyThai,beforedinnertonight, we are treated
to an enchanting Thai
cultural performance.

024

Back in the train on the last leg to Bangkok, there isa palpable sense of sadness lingering in the air as
the journey nears its end. Echoing my thoughts areconversations about how travel these days is not

Gonna party like it’s 1939 My plan is to wakeup at 6am in order to catch the sunrise over Perak’s
Bukit Merah Lake from the observation carriage.
The quiet beauty of the scene puts me in fine fettle
for the day’s excursion to Penang, Malaysia’s Pearlof The Orient. Having alighted at Butterworth andmade the ferry crossing to the island, we enjoy atrishaw tour en masse through the city's quaintChinese and Indian quarters.

The revelry is in full swing, with a young
honeymooning couple belting out songs from
Baccharach to the Beatles. Graceful older ladies
dance with debonair elderly gentlemen and eventhe demure train staff are roped into the festivities.
Perhaps it’s the snug dimensions of the carriages,
or maybe the alcohol, but the bar has become aconvivial place to be in, regardless of age, ethnicity
or social standing. It is 2.30am before everyone

as much fun as it once was, and how the adventureexperienced aboard this train has been a more thanworthwhile investment.
Pulling into Bangkok, there is still an air of quiet
repose. Wandering back to my suite, I find Woody– still smiling – hauling out my luggage. Patting meon the back he wishes me good luck for the rest of
my journey. The journey, however, I think to myself,
is over. The prospect of wandering around thestreets of urban Bangkok suddenly seems lonelyand spiritless.

Walking the concourse, I bid fond farewells tomy new-found friends and a warming sense ofachievement engulfs me. My faith has been restored,

my passion rekindled, my wanderlust perhaps
even back with a vengeance. The extravagance,
splendour and mystique of the Eastern & Oriental
Express really must be experienced first hand to bebelieved – as much as the idea of being stuck twonights on a train may seem unappealing at first.
The journey is as charming, bewitching andenigmatic as the beauty of Asia itself. And in its
wake I feel complete, my inner cravings fulfilled. My
only regret is that I have a flight to catch the very
next day.

New E&O destinations

THE YTL LUXURY MAGA Z INE

photo johnny mcgeorge paddy field photo e&o express

It’s funny. It would seem that even a high-classcavalcade can shed their social protocol in thepresence of fine food and bubbly and the dinner
din is rich in enthusiasm and elevated decibels.
We linger with a selection of dangerous desserts
and flowing wine until, one by one, the dining car
empties and the Piano Bar refills.

Scenic view fromthe E&O Express

As dense jungle gives way to sprawling
rice paddies, I am overcome by a Sense of
serenity and intense satisfaction

Dinner sees me sittingwith a working-class
English couple. Theirstory is inspiring: they
are making a tour of theworld's finest eateries
that they saw on a BBC
television
programme.
They have yet to bedisappointed here, fortonight the seafood andlemongrass risotto isparticularly stunning.

Four courses and twobottles of wine later,
guests are usheredback into the Piano
Bar. People continue
drinking and start singing along with the lively
piano-playing. Soon enough, though, a communal
tiredness washes over everyone. Maybe it is the
motion of the train, maybe the tipple, but one by
one we make our way back to our abodes hopingthat our dreams tonight will live up to what wehave experienced so far today.

The Pullman suite

The following day, there is a scheduled stop at
the famous River Kwai in Kanchanaburi. Hopping
onto a barge, we float down the famous waters
while an elderly English gent relays a detailed andinformative lesson on the poignant history of therailway and bridge. It is a stark contrast to thetone and mood of the evening prior but a fun andvaluable experience nonetheless.

photo johnny mcgeorge

Everybody else appears
to be in agreement;
conversations
have
been
replacedbymurmurs of mmms
and ahhhs, and nota single guest is left
unimpressed by theflow of delectable andaesthetically pleasing
dishes and fine wines.

finally staggers back to their carriages and calls it
a night.

THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZ INE

The original route of the E&O Express
began in Singapore, ran throughPeninsula Malaysia and wound up in
Bangkok. A further two destinations
have recently been included. The first is
Chiang Mai, in the stunning northernhighlands of Thailand and the second isa crossing into Vientiene, the capital ofneighbouring Laos. Both destinations
serve to make the E&O experiencethat much more rewarding with anopportunity to witness more stunning
Thai culture and to provide access to
the largely unknown beauty of Laotian
scenery, culture and the unquestionable
warmth of her people.
For further details (schedules, itineraries andprices), visit www.orient-express.com

025

photo ©Lim huck chin & fernando jorge, 2005

HISTORY
FOR SALECan Malaysia’s most
historical city win
its bid for inclusion
in UNESCO’s list ofWorld Heritage Sites?
As Malacca bullets
into the future,questions remain
as to whether it’sleaving its past too
far behindby lena nG

with special thanks to lim huck chin & fernando jorge

This 1562 granite gravestone from
Portuguese Malacca is the oldest
Catholic tombstone in the country and,along with seven others, was used by
the Dutch to pave Christ Church

The five-foot way was created in shophouses
during the British colonial era to follow a rulingfor sheltered pedestrian walkways that would
unify the street front while allowing traders aplace to display their wares. As width of building
frontage was the earliest basis for tax, a long andnarrow plan evolved to house large families withseparate service areas to the rear. Courtyards werea design element from China that allowed naturallight and ventilation into the internal sequence of
spaces. Assimilation of different cultures in more
prosperous homes is evident in decorative features
such as carved screens, elaborate neo-classicalplasterwork or imported glazed tiles.
Like Georgetown in Penang, Malacca was establishedthrough its commercial centre. The areas formed by
Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Jalan Hang Jebat,
now known as Jonker Walk, are highlights in any
visit to the city, not least for the rows of Peranakan
town houses. Behind the ornately decorated
façades once owned by wealthy Straits Chinesemerchants, tiled courtyards and private quarters
extend back as far as 50 metres. Some of thesehomes date back to the time of Dutch occupationand formed the basis of the shophouse typology
found throughout Singapore and Malaysia.
The future is past Just as shop houses have
evolved using construction techniques and materials
from Chinese, Malay and European traditions, so
has Malacca evolved over the centuries. It is the
only place in Malaysia to have been ruled by threeWestern colonial powers, each of whom have left
their unique contribution to the urban fabric.

Now, however, the most pressing threat to the citycomes not from without – the usual suspects of
war or weather – but from within: the process ofmodernisation. In Malaysia, a headlong rush towards
development has meant that the preservation of oururban heritage has never been a priority, and that
historic areas often make way for new developments.
But the conservation of heritage buildings is important
for any country to understand its cultural past.
028

The World Heritage Fund (WHF) was created after
two world wars and after the boom of post-war
development. UNESCO published its “Convention
concerning the Protection of the World's Cultural
and Natural Heritage” in 1972 and listed its first
12 World Heritage sites six years later. The latest
list includes 851 properties with a cultural andnatural heritage of outstanding universal value.
Christian Manhart of the WHF explains that getting
on the list is not merely about prestige. "We want
the countries we put on the list to commit toconservation. We have a rolling programme: eachsite is checked every six years.”
For listed countries that have to maintain their sites,
this can be a colossal undertaking that includes
restoration and management. But inclusion on thelist also increases PR and brings about more tourism
and funding, making success for each monumenton the list dependent on a delicate balance. Angkor
Wat in Cambodia is one of the marvels of Asian
civilization for its remarkable temple structures
dating to the 14th century, and also for its survival
through extensive wars. The nearby town of Siem
Riep has seen a massive growth since the late 90s
when it became a tourist hub and source of major
income. Reckless development now encroaches on
the heritage zone surrounding the temple areas.
a lost voice Malaysia’s own World Heritage
sites are unique for their pristine condition andinclude Gunung Mulu National Park and Kinabalu
Park. These are considered sites of natural heritage
as they are home to rare or endangered animals
and plants – a living testament to the exceptional
biodiversity that once covered the whole continent.
The country also has a wealth of cultural heritage,
including historic buildings and town sites andarchaeological sites. In recognition of this, both
Malacca and Penang submitted applications to
be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in
September 2007. While applications had been
submitted and deferred in earlier attempts, thisyear’s application was sent back to the States forfurther clarification. Perhaps it is an act of hubris
to list a site as being of world-class heritage whenlocal policies have only helped time to degrade
historic areas of these cities through demolition or
poorly chosen development.
Where Malacca has sought to meet its projected
commercial ambitions, land reclamation projects
and modern structures have changed a great
deal of the cityscape. In his excellent book on
THE YTL LU XURY M AGAZIN E

photo corbis

S

TEP for a moment out of theburning midday sun and into theshadows of history, where you may
linger if you wish. Often shaded bybamboo blinds, the five-foot way of
the Malaccan traditional shophouseis only one aspect of the city’s history
and is a popular starting point for
exploring a uniquely built heritage.

Airwells, such as thisone, provide light andventilation to the deep
interiors typical of
Malaccan Nyonya houses

This goldsmith, foundedin the early 1900s, was a
Malaccan landmark until
2000 when commercialpressure closed thebusiness

From 1960 up
until 2004, thiswatchmaker ran his
business at No.38
First Cross Street

A typical residence
built during Malacca's
rubber boom at 182,
Tranquerah Road

the vanishing architecture and culture of thecity, Malacca: Voices from the Street, Lim Huck
Chin notes that a fundamental understanding of
heritage conservation is still acutely lacking, andthat the complexities of the city’s cultural heritage
are wildly misunderstood. “Despite the visible andwidespread damage, as well as the city’s World
Heritage listing aspirations, Malacca remains
lackadaisical about the need to properly conserve
its heritage,” he says.
Trade may be slow
these days, but Ng
Siong Seng (est.
1937), confectioners
on 10, Fourth Cross
Street, once thrived
and produced over 20
types of pastries daily

photo ©Lim huck chin & fernando jorge, 2005

All photos ©Lim huck chin & fernando jorge, 2005

The Tay Miang
Guan liquor shop
on Kampung Pantai
Road, set up in
1918, is one of the
few businesses still
surviving today

History in the making The city’s history
began with a hunting trip in the 14th century
when Parameswara, a Sumatran prince, stopped
at a river-mouth and named the site after thetree under which he was resting. The settlement
flourished into a trading hub until his death in 1424.
Indian, Arab, Chinese and Javanese merchants
were amongst those who came from around theregion with the products of several continents. The
small port was an ideal base – one that eventuallydrew the Portuguese to invade in 1511.
Thus began a long period of foreign administrationin Malacca – a legacy that changed Malaysia’s
history and also the city itself, with numerous
buildings that showcased the architectural heritageof the colonists. The Portuguese laid out the city
streets and converted Malacca into a Christianbastion with churches and forts. With the arrival of
the Dutch in 1641, parts of the port were destroyed
but eventually rebuilt with a distinctive Dutchcolonial style. The British East India Company
developed Malacca further after 1824.
Early colonial buildings that have been wellpreserved include the striking red-coloured

TH E YTL LU XURY M AGA Z IN E

Stadthuys and Christ Church. In the historic centre,
Chinese architectural styles are more apparent
although much of this is being threatened by urban
development. Many private properties have beenrenovated to serve different functions to their
original designs; others have been lost completely
to time or economic forces. In many places, only
their historic façades remain for boutique hotels,bars or shops. One of the best-preserved buildingsin Malacca is at 48-50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,once (and still) known as Heeren Street. This is now
the Baba-Nyonya Heritage House that showcasesa traditional Peranakan townhouse that was once
typical of many in the area. Its highly ornate style is
one that combines Chinese, Palladian and Baroquedesign elements.
Hope surpasses For the recent UNESCO bid,
the sites specified for inclusion were the 18th
Century historic centre of the city itself, the area of
St. Paul's Hill or Bukit Malacca, which was the royalabode and seat of power during the 15th and 16th
century, Kampung Belanda, Heeren Street, Jonker
Street and, of course, the Malacca River, which was
the lifeline along which the city was built. There
are many global precedents from which Malacca
can learn in order to show off its historic urban
landmarks as part of a vibrant city.
European cities have well-preserved urban precincts
dominated by ancient buildings that attract tourists
throughout the year and Granada in Spain is an
excellent example of the preservation of old andnew. Buildings representing the cultural legacy
from the eight centuries of Moorish occupation in
the Iberian peninsula have been preserved as major
tourist destinations. The architectural masterpiece031

10-30% in tourism, so there is a future in preserving
the past. In recent years as well, culture has been
an important marketing asset to attract travellers
with special interests in heritage and arts.

An early-20th century
five-foot way at Mill Road,a feature introduced by the
British to unify street fronts

Organisations such as the Heritage Trust of Malaysia
prioritise authenticity in heritage conservation, as
inappropriate restoration or the artificial creationof ‘heritage’ attractions will dilute the cultural andsocial value of a site. Jonker Street, for example, islined with some of Malacca's oldest buildings, themost venerable of which date to as far back as the
17th century. Present-day Jonker Street, though, isa tourist trap. Ornamental street lights, commercial
signage and souvenir stalls — these superficial
alterations have somewhat obscured the original
beauty and historical significance of the area.

of the Alhambra has extensive gardens, and rooms
lavishly decorated with tiles and exquisitely carved
Islamic plasterwork – all of which has required
restoration after years of neglect.

It is now also known as ‘antique street’, where you
can find bargains and browse amongst tourist shops.
Artefacts can be found from different eras: Chinese
porcelain, brassware and old coins, some dating as
far back as 300 years and others with less exalted
pedigrees – originating as they do from the nearest
reproduction workshops. The street becomes apedestrian mall on weekends, transforming into
Jonker Walk as traders sell food, arts and crafts,
souvenirs, ornamental jewellery and more.

In fact, cities throughout the world are discoveringthat heritage developments have the potential
to fulfil two conflicting aims: they can boost theeconomy (by attracting tourism) and they can
improve their residents' quality of life. Locations
around the world that gained UNESCO status asWorld Heritage Sites show an estimated increase of

In the humid night air, surrounded by the glow of
artificial lighting and bustling crowds, it becomes
clear that everyone here is looking for a bargain.
Trade is still an important part of daily life in
Malacca as it was during the 14th century, with the
only difference being that it is now history that isbeing traded.

Past, present, future
The Majestic Hotel is Malacca’s latest and finest
example of how heritage and modernity can makeideal bedfellows.
The preservation of heritage sites has to be
conducted in a careful and deliberate manner; on
the one hand, the sites cannot be left to decay but,on the other hand, over-zealous restoration might
deprive them of their original character and charm.
Retaining a building’s function will therefore allow
us to relive the glories of the past in a modern
context. The maintenance of structural integrity, ofmaterials, and of decorative elements distinctive
to its particular period is also part of a sensitive
adaptation of historic structures.

032

archival records and any official
documents on Malacca they could
get their hands on. The result? This
stunning book that is pure poetry,both in words and images, and more
importantly, one which offers adetailed and informed perspective on
the city's social and cultural history,
and the perils which threaten toerase it today. The two authors havebeen active in preservation work intheir respective countries for many
years, and were part of a team which
restored a Dutch-period Malaccan
shophouse (8 Hereen Street) for use
as a heritage resource centre prior to
the publication of this book.

THE YTL LU XURY M AGAZIN E

artist renderings YTL hotels

The evocative photographs you see inthis article first appeared in Malacca:
Voices from the Street (2005), a 368page labour of love documenting thehistory and the people of Malacca,
and the impending loss of theirheritage, culture and homes. The
culmination of a collaborative effort
between two architects, Malaysian
Lim Huck Chin and Portuguese
Fernando Jorge, what began in 1999
turned out to be a 5-year journeythat took them to almost every street
in old Malacca to listen to stories
from the ‘man-in-the-street’, and to
Singapore, The Hague, London andLisbon in order to scour throughphoto ©Lim huck chin & fernando jorge, 2005

Malacca: Voices from the Street

One such notable example is the new Majestic
Hotel – which sits on the banks of the Malacca
River, directly across from the traditional wooden
homes of Kampung Morton. The hotel is an integral
part of Malacca’s colourful history, dating back to
the 1800s; the mansion is an elegant Neo-classicalstructure with the stature and authenticity of its
age. The recent renovation and restoration of thehotel building by YTL Hotels has recreated a grandMalaccan home from another time and has madea loyal attempt to retain as much of its original
character as before.
The hotel offers an experience that combines
luxury, tradition and modernity – three vital
components in ensuring the survival of any
city’s cultural heritage and buildings against the

TH E YTL LU XURY M AGA Z IN E

onslaught of a fast-moving commercial world.
Escape from the bustle of the streets into atiled courtyard cooled by a central fountain andsurrounded by well-manicured trees. Walk into an
expansive area and be welcomed by the vivid sightof original Peranakan tiling.
Rooms have been rejuvenated and refurbished but
an aura of old world charm still hangs delicately
in the air. Sumptuously appointed, each room hasa four-poster bed, warm wooden flooring and isfinished in rich silks.
YTL’s famed Spa Village occupies the first two
floors. The Group is one of the most awarded
spa brands in the world, and a spa experience at
any of their 5 Spa Villages is an experience to besavoured. Each Spa Village draws inspiration fromtheir location, making the Spa Village Malacca
the only one in the world that offers a Peranakan
treatment that's not to be missed.
Most importantly, though, the Majestic Malacca isa prime example of the way forward if we are truly
serious about preserving the fabric of our history.

The Majestic Hotel, Malacca, opens its doors on
January 15, 2008; call+603-2783 1000 or visit www.
majesticmalacca.com
033

photo corbis

passageof Rites

There is so much more to the mysticalisland of Bali than sand, surf andshopping. In this ancient land that
could have so easily been forever
tarnished by the trap of tourism, theBalinese people have not yet been
Forced to Cling onto their culture.
Instead, traditions are still thriving
in a place where daily offerings are
made and mock kidnappings are stagedb y A. K arim KhanM

ODERNISATION, it has
been argued, usually
heralds the death ofculture. The passageof time has seen
the rise and fall ofcountless civilisations
and, with their passing,another piece of history

consigned to distant memory.
This phenomenon has been well-documented byscholars over the years and, more recently, inthe pages of popular fiction; Neil Gaiman’s Hugo
Award-winning novel, American Gods, for example,
addresses such concerns. In it, Gaiman narrates
the present day fate of gods of ancient mythology
such as Odin, Bast and Ctulhu, whose powers havewaned on American shores after the death of theirworshippers over the course of time. Stranded
without believers, the mantle of these gods has since
been usurped by new ones such as the internet,
electronic media and modern transportation.
Though amusing, it nevertheless addresses this very
issue of how ancient beliefs, religion and superstition
have been left reeling in the wake of modernisation.

heritage is kept alive only by the respirator that is
the nightly tourist shows. Its temples, meanwhile,
are visited only by hordes of Nikon-toting tourists.
That, at least, was the grim scenario hinted atby Mexican painter Miguel Covarrubias in his
seminal 1937 book, Island of Bali. In the book, he
expressed his anxiety over what he foresaw as
the impending extinction of Bali’s rich tapestry ofculture, proclaiming that the island was “doomed todisappear under the merciless onslaught of modern
commercialism and standardisation.”
However, 70 years later, Covarrubias’ prophecy,
thankfully, has yet to be fulfilled in its entirety.
Granted, the serene hills of Ubud, once dotted onlywith rice terraces, are now home to hundreds ofsmall shops; while the ancient and awe-inspiring
5th century Besakih ‘mother temple’ at the foot of
the island’s highest and most revered peak, Gunung
Agung, hosts hordes of wide-eyed tour groups on adaily basis.
Yet, amidst the hungry commercial rush of Kuta,
each morning at daybreak, young Balinese womenplace small baskets of ‘canang sari’ – floral andrice offerings – to the gods at every doorstep. On

In a place where tradition, religion andfamily come Before business, it Is evident
culture is still very much alive

Thus, by all accounts, the Indonesian island of Bali
should be no different. The 5,000-plus km2 island
has long been the jewel in Indonesia’s tourism
crown and remains one of the country’s wealthiest
regions. Dubbed “paradise on earth”, it has beensteadily drawing in tourists since the 1930s but it
only truly boomed in the 60s and 70s after being‘re-discovered’ by hippies and surfers.
Today, thrill-seekers congregate along the ultratypical tourist trap Kuta Beach, packing its bars,
cafes, and nightclubs while shoppers trawl the retailhaven that is the Ubud district. In the face of suchoverwhelming commercialisation, it is only fairto presume that whatever is left of Bali’s cultural036

the holy day of Nyepi, the entire island grinds toa halt in a solemn display of devotion. On lesser
feast days, some are devoted to such quaint chores
as blessing wood, metal and other materials while
processions of brightly-clad women and men in theirHindu whites take to the streets. In a place wheremost people will tell you that 'adat' (tradition) andreligion come first in the scale of priorities, followedby family and, only then, business, it is evident that
culture is still very much alive.
What sets Bali apart from the rest of Muslimmajority Indonesia is that some 93% of the island’s
population is of Hindu Dharma faith: a heady mix
of art and ritual, which is less preoccupied withscripture, belief and law but which puts moreemphasis on local and ancestral spirits. I Wayan
Yudha, 59, a Hindu, is among the many locals whoearn a living from the tourist trade. Operating fromT HE Y T L LU XURY MAGA ZINE

statue photos corbis on wooden slats photo getty images

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Third World
countries, where the richness of their cultures hasby and large been diluted in the name of progress.

(Previous page and on
this page) Every morningat daybreak, young
Balinese women placefloral and rice offeringsin small woven baskets
called 'canang sari' asofferings to the gods

Bali's most important
temple, the Besakih'Mother Temple',located at the foot of
Gunung Agunga ramshackle stall outside the Pura Ponjok Batu
temple, he rents out sashes, sarongs and udang
headgear to visitors entering the temple. He does
not charge a fixed price for the items and only
asks that people contribute any amount they feelis appropriate. Like most Balinese, he chuckles at
the notion that the island’s culture and tradition are
gradually being driven to extinction at the hands ofprogress. The reality, he claims, is quite the opposite.
“The tourists bring us business but there is more tolife than that. Tradition and religion are too relevant
to our daily lives for them to disappear completely.”
However, the islanders’ determination to preserve
their way of life has been severely tested on
many occasions. In 1993, for instance, a developerin the end, the developers had to abide by thebhisama religious ruling which requires that such
establishments operate within a 2km buffer zone.
The Balinese people strongly believe that theirways will continue to prosper no matter how muchtheir surroundings are transformed by the tideof modernisation. To fully fathom this conviction,an outsider must first realise the extent to which
tradition holds sway over the people. Throughout
their lives, the Balinese’s every rite of passage –pregnancy, childbirth, puberty, adulthood and death– is dictated by ritual.
A Balinese’s first introduction to this way of life
begins as a baby, when its feet are not permitted

What followed was a virtually unprecedented displayof disenchantment when Hindu priests organised
mass protests. A compromise was eventually
worked out and although the resort was constructed038

to touch the ground for the first six months of its
life. The Balinese regard children as celestial beings
descended from godly realms and so to tread theearth before those six months are up is akin to
revoking the child’s divine status.
There is also no code of behaviour separating
children from adults: they are treated as equals.
Taboo subjects in Western culture such as birth,
sex and death, are often openly discussed andpresented ceremoniously as sacred passages oflife. Consequently, a sense of self-sufficiency isdeveloped early in life. Children are allowed to roam

photo getty images

unveiled plans to build a resort and golf course at
the Tanah Lot temple, one of the Balinese people’s
most sacred grounds. Built on a small promontory
accessible only at low tide, the temple takes on theappearance of a large boat at sea during high water.
Locals expressed horror that they would be able tosee the complex from the temple, which is regarded
as among the holiest in Bali.

T HE Y T L LU XURY MAGA ZINE

photo christopher a. @ ditto studio

Tanah Lot, one of
Bali's most sacredtemples is said toresemble a large
boat at sea duringhigh water

it won’t be able to return to cause mischief. Upon
arrival, the body is then transferred to an animalshaped sarcophagus before being set ablaze. The
ashes are later cast off into the sea or a stream – theway it has been done for centuries past and probably
for the next few.

Mourners carrycolourful parasols
during a funeralprocession, one of
the most importantceremonies inBalinese culture

What is Hindu Dharma?

But surely the most fun of all Balinese ceremonies
must be the wedding day. Most other cultures have
only one solitary ceremonial template for marriage
but the Balinese have two, the most popular being
Ngerorod, which also happens to be the lessexpensive of the two. Some, though, have theorisedthat the popularity of the Ngerorod – which requires
play-acting, often comical, on the part of the groom,bride and their families – is also partly due to its
appeal to the Balinese’s love of theatre.

wherever they wish as soon as they are able to walk,and roam they certainly do, often with other likespirited children. It isn’t unusual to see groups ofBalinese children gambolling around the countryside
free of any adult supervision. Such is the level of
freedom accorded to them.
One other rite of passage which every Balinese must
undergo is the Mesangih or tooth-filing ceremony,
which takes place upon their reaching adulthood.
According to their beliefs, the act of filing the six
front teeth in the upper jaw until they are flat will rid

In the Ngerorod, a spectacular kidnapping is staged
in which, traditionally, friends of the suitor capture
the bride in the fields, on the road or down by theriver. Theatrics are paramount here: she is expected
to bite and kick her abductors in mock self-defence.
These days, however, it has become more ‘stylish’
for the bride to be whisked away in a hired sedan
and, more often than not, she goes willingly, notmuch different from, say, an elopement. The couple
then ‘hide’ in a friend’s house.

order to enable them to progress to the afterworld.
In his book, Covarrubias wrote, “Strange as it seems,
it is in their cremation ceremonies that the Balinese
have their greatest fun.” To the Balinese, a cremation,
called Pengabenan, is an occasion for gaiety andnot mourning as it represents the accomplishmentof their most sacred duty: liberating the soulsfor reincarnation. However, only the wealthy areable to conduct a cremation shortly after a family
member’s death. There is usually a hiatus between
death and cremation for the average Balinese.

Meanwhile, the bride’s ‘infuriated’ father sounds thealarm, demanding to know of his daughter’s fate. A
search party is formed; it goes forth to rescue thedamsel; but it invariably returns with – as tradition
would dictate – empty hands. At the same time,
the couple consummates the marriage before thespecial offerings, known as Sesayut Tabuh Rah. The
offerings alone, under customary law, make themarriage binding. Upon the newlyweds return, thefamily of the groom then pays a visit to the bride’s
family, bearing gifts along with a desire to reconcile
her parents to the union. The result is that all ends
well with a formal ceremony.

040

Private ceremonies are costly, so the bodies of therecently deceased are usually buried in the cemetery
until such a time when a group cremation can be
performed. In that period, it is believed that the soullies in an agitated state, longing for release.

It is also believed that possessing uneven teeth or
longer canines is akin to being an animal, the lowestof God’s creations. And if a person is unable to afford
a tooth-filing ritual during his or her lifetime, it will
be carried out upon one's death, before cremation, in

On the day of the cremation, the body is housed
in a paper and bamboo tower and paraded to thetemple. En route, the tower-bearers will twirl thetower around many times before proceeding. This,according to their beliefs, is to confuse the spirit so

T HE Y T L LU XURY MAGA ZINE

photo christopher a. @ ditto studiothe person of his or her Sad Ripu (six weaknesses ofthe flesh), namely lust, greed, anger, drunkenness,
confusion and jealousy. Upon the ceremony’s
completion, they will then be able to join the ranks of
the adults and, consequently, gain the right to marry.

photo corbis

It is believed possessing uneven teeth
or longer canines is akin to being an
animal, the lowest of god's creations

The future, to the Balinese, may seem to havearrived unannounced. The land of their ancestors
is rapidly changing: it has been tampered with, andtrampled on by the endless waves of visitors whobring money – and destruction – every day of theyear. And yet, it is heartening to note that whilelesser versions of paradise have wilted in the faceof progress, the Balinese's unwavering devotion topreserving a sense of continuity of their culture andtraditions has seen them prevail. One suspects that
Covarrubias will have to wait a long time yet before
his prophecy is fulfilled.

THE Y TL LU XURY MAGAZ INE

Balinese Hindusim, formally known as Agama
Hindu Dharma, made its appearance on Balinese
shores after the remnants of the mighty Majapahit
Empire shifted to Bali during the 16th century as
Muslim kingdoms in other parts gained influence.
It is regarded as the youngest and least numerous
denomination of Hinduism, described as being closer
to Saivism than other major Hindu sects. Whatmakes it different from other denominations is thatmany themes of Balinese mythology, which existed
before the religion was introduced to Bali, have been
adapted and worked into the faith.
It lacks mainstream Hinduism's emphasis on rebirth
cycles and reincarnation but instead focuses more
on a variety of local and ancestral spirits. Great
importance is placed on dramatic and visuallystimulating acts of ritual propitiation of said spirits atthe numerous ‘pura’ or temple sites dotted across thevillages and countryside.
Each Balinese belongs to a temple either by descent,residence or mystical revelations of affliation but eachtemple can also be associated with material items or
locales such as the family house compound or evenpaddy fields.
The most important feature of Balinese Hinduism,
though, is its emphasis on the rites of passage –birth, puberty, adulthood, marriage and especiallydeath. These provide the Balinese people the means
to express their ideas on community, status and,ultimately, the afterlife.

041

GREENIS THENEW
BLACK
Living a life of luxury should be at our
expense, not Mother Nature’s. YTL Lifediscovers how you can live the highlife without committing high crimes
against this place we call homephoto getty imagesby Sam Yen

This is where the human capacity for invention comes
into play. No longer does being an environmentalist
involve linking arms around trees and eking out an
un-fabulous existence in a self-sufficient commune.
Enough entrepreneurial spirits have stepped up to
the task of ensuring that maintaining a modern,luxurious lifestyle and bearing green credentials
are not mutually independent. And as thisrolling stone continues to gather moss, being anenvironmentalist from the comfort of a downtown
penthouse becomes easier and easier. Living green
is simpler than you think; all you need is effort.
Wear is the love? Fashion seems to be theleast likely industry to champion environmentalism.
A business obsessed with glitz, glamour, gasconade
and two entire wardrobes changes a year can hardly
be altruistic, can it? But even as Anna Wintour
solicits boos for wearing real fur, fashion, it seems,
is developing a conscience.
Kicking the eco-fashion movement off is Ali
Hewson, better known as Mrs. Bono, who launched
an all-organic clothes line called Edun with designer
Rogan Gregory in 2005. Making the runways of
New York Fashion Week, Edun’s philosophy is toturn fashionistas into conscientious shoppers,
selling stylish chemises, jeans and dresses madefrom organically-grown cottons that forego
rapacious harvesting, polluting pesticides andnoxious chemical fertilisers. Furthermore, Edunis fair-trade clothing, sourcing its fabrics fromorganic Third World farms which pay fair wages
to their humanely-treated workers. Pennies paid
to Edun and the increasing number of fair-tradelabels, including Ciel (Sarah Ratty), Lara Miller,
Katharine Hamnett and Souchi, go to sustaining
local communities, ensuring that a dress is not justa fashion statement, but a statement of hope.

044

And when designers like the bombastic Diane vonFurstenberg and the suave Oscar de la Renta sendcollections to the first Seattle Green Fashion Week,
and green-only fashion shows like Paris’ Ethical
Fashion show and Los Angeles’ EcoNouveau start
popping up, it becomes obvious that this trend is
now quickly becoming a full-fledged movement.
Arguably the most recognisable face of the greenfashion movement is the vehemently principled
Stella McCartney. McCartney has skewed fashion’s
sartorial focus by creating must-haves made fromorganic cotton, bamboo and hemp fabrics. Her
recent all-green line for US retailer Barneys earned
the classy distinction of not “looking organic,
in any shape or form”. In fact, McCartney takes
her raison d’être several steps further by sellingcruelty-free vegan boots and handbags, madefrom bio-degradable plant micro-fibres, as well as
jumping on the organic beauty product bandwagon
through her Care line.

Stella McCartney shows
the path to green at her
recent Spring/Summer
08 runway show

Price of a Stella McCartney all-organic cotton
dress? RM1,200. Feeling fabulous while saving theearth? Priceless.

Even as Anna Wintour solicits boos
for wearing real fur, fashion, it
seems, is developing a conscience

It’s what’s on the inside that counts
Taking a moment to ponder the amount ofpesticides, preservatives and artificial flavourings
present in modern off-the-shelf produce isenough to scare one into eating green: by serving
vegetables grown sans chemicals, meat that isallowed to live freely (not battery-packed andpumped full of steroids) and recipes designed tocelebrate – not cremate – good food.
In the US, the movement has given birth to storessuch as Organic Valley, the country’s largest organic
frozen-food maker, and Newman’s Own Organics(founded by actor Paul Newman’s daughter, Nell)
which offer an entire range of natural, additivefree products from eggs and orange juice to cheeseand beef. The latest converts? Napa Valley’s oldest
winery, Charles Krug, has turned its vineyards
organic, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy
is attempting to convince France’s famously
fastidious farmers and wineries to go green.
Eco-friendly produce even gets the British Royalnod of approval. Prince Charles gets down anddirty with organic food through his Duchy Originals
line. Grown in His Highness’ Highgrove estate, theproduct line consists of organic food (Duchy has
the most fantastic marmalades and strawberry

THE YT L LUXURY M AGAZ INEjams) and even sustainable garden furniture.
Being a charitable organisation, all profits go topromoting sustainable agriculture in the UK.

edun PHOTO EDUN stella mccartney photo getty images

L

ATELY, the world’s headlines havetaken an almost apocalyptic tone,
predicting countless calamities
as the environment comes undercontinued pressure from humanactivities. It’s depressing enough tomake one choke on one’s morning
toast and marmalade. The ideathat human excesses have caused
untold damage on the planet isn’t a new one; but its
effects have vaulted the issue to such prominencethat it fosters a perpetual sense of guilt, even as
one zooms off on an exotic holiday. Two opposing
forces are at play here: the planet and prosperity.

Edun: Bono &Missus' all-organic
fashion label

Eating green isn't just about going organic but isalso about supporting local produce. Globalisationmeans that cheap foodstuff may be imported fromfar-flung countries, but quality is often suspect
and transporting the goods involves the releaseof startling amounts of greenhouse gases into theatmosphere. Gourmet restaurants such as Robert
Redford’s Tree Room in Utah and Jamie Oliver’s
Fifteen in London repudiate convenience-foodculture by revelling in local organic ingredients thattaste light years better than stuff from a can.
Also, inmates at the Opera prison in Milan are
producing luxury, ‘artistic’ gelato from local milk
and GM-free fruits, attempting to slash heattrapping carbon emissions from food transport. In
New York, the Slow Food movement has launched
its own gastronomic seal – the Snail of Approval–
conferred on outlets that serve sustainable, locallysourced food.

THE YTL LUXURY M AGA Z INE

045

Hot air balloons fly over
the organic vineyardsof Napa Valley's oldest
winery, Charles Krug, ona sunny day

The stylish Mini Cooper D, for example, has been
voted the UK’s most CO2 efficient car, while thelatest Mercedes SLK models boast advanced engine
technology that leaves air exiting the exhaustcleaner than the air that went in.
This new wave of consciousness has even caught
on in the realm of the super-muscle sports car.
Silicon Valley’s Tesla Motors manufactures the

Atlantic is planning to introduce in-flight casinos
and massage parlours.
Hitting the G-spot Living green has become
more than just a habit; it has evolved into acomplete lifestyle. Keeping abreast of the myriadof latest developments is tough, but one of thebest online resources is the ultra-discerning
G Living Network, which focuses on how to remain

Green measures have permeated almost
every human habit, leaving no excuse but
ignorance not to go green

The wheels are turning Studies by NASA
indicate that if global temperatures rise by a mere
two to three degrees Celsius in 2100, enough of theworld’s mountainous glaciers and polar ice shelves
will disappear, flooding the Maldives and leaving
above water only those buildings in Manhattan thatare higher than eight storeys.

The Toyota Prius, for example, is a hybrid gasolineelectric car that is incredibly emission-efficientand gives significantly more mileage than a gasguzzling SUV. And since Susan Sarandon arrived atthe 2004 Oscars in a Prius, eco-friendly cars havebecome de rigueur among the Hollywood jet set.
But if the middle class styling of the Prius is simply
much too pooh-pooh for you, there are plenty ofothers with shinier credentials.
046

at the forefront of the style curve while remaining
environmentally conscious. By covering global
green news from architecture to politics from a
glitzy broadcast perspective, G Living manages tostylishly convert environmentalism from a hippie
habit to a luxurious lifestyle.

Even in the air, airplane builders are quietly goinggreen, doing their part to reduce the fumes pumped
out each day by the world’s 50,000 commercial
flights. Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner is its mostfuel-efficient model yet, while Airbus’ superlative
A380 offers both improved environmental
credentials (increased capacity and travel distancelessen emissions per flight) and lavish amenities
afforded by its additional space. Singapore Airlines
now offers its first-class passengers private rooms
with Givenchy-designed double beds, while VirginIndeed, green measures have now permeatedalmost every human habit, leaving no excuse but
ignorance not to go green. Energy-efficient lighting
is one: using fluorescent bulbs (like EcoFuture's The
Bulb) that last far longer than cheaper, ordinary
ones reduces the strain on power generation.
The proliferation of digital music devices likethe iPod effectively negates the production of
resource-hungry compact discs. Companies likeSeventh Generation and Method produce stylish

Four reasons why the world has gone green mad

THE YT L LUXURY M AGAZ INE

PHOTO GETTY IMAGESThe chief instigator of this temperature rise is
the sheer amount of carbon and nitrogen oxide
emitted by automobiles, which are the chief formof human transport. Walking and cycling are greatalternatives, but for those who can’t, or would
rather not, the world’s auto-manufacturers are
hard at work looking for answers.

apples PHOTO CORBIS vineyard PHOTO CHARLES KRUG

Organic foods is
one of the fastest
growing trends allover the world

Tesla Roadster, a Lotus Elise lookalike that runs
entirely on electric batteries, while the Monacobased Venturi sells the appropriately-named
Fétish, a sweeping single-gear electric car that can
hit Ferrari-like speeds of 255 km/h and retails for acool US$500,000.

THE YTL LUXURY M AGA Z INE

1. Clearance of land has already halved
the Amazon rainforest in the past
two decades. The consequences are
dire: flora and fauna with potentiallyinvaluable pharmaceutical properties
may have already been eliminated;and global warming has been vastly
accelerated by the destruction of anatural carbon sink.

3. Poison-emitting industries – like
paper, chemical and power plants –expel vast amounts of toxins into thesea, drip-feeding over-exploited fishstocks with mercury that leads tomemory loss, blindness, infertility andmental retardation in humans that
consume them.

2. Hyper-consumption of electricity

According to Sir Nicholas Stern’s
The Economics of Climate Changereport, detrimental climate change
will possibly cost the world economy
a staggering US$7 trillion in lost
income unless steps are taken tominimise existing damage.

sucks energy from grids, even whenappliances are idle. Generally poweredby either toxin-emitting coal plants orenvironmentally destructive hydroelectric dams, vast grids drive a stake
into the environment’s heartlands.

4. Economics. Pure and simple.

047

household-cleaning products that forego polluting
industrial chemicals for ones made from naturalcleansing substances, while sustainable cutlery
like Spudware (made from 80% potato starchand 20% vegetable oils) and bamboo utensils andcrockery from Bambu score a green kitchen hattrick. As for those who can afford not to clean up
after themselves, premium green cleaning services
like New York’s Zen Home and San Francisco’s
Greenway Maid will spruce up using only the finest
non-toxic materials.

living a modern
luxurious lifestyleand bearing green
credentials are nolonger mutuallyindependent

Paints containing lead and potentially carcinogenic
VOC (volatile organic compounds) can be replacedwith paints with little to no solvents, like Yolo.
Green furniture is now an industry in its own
right: certifications by the Rainforest Alliance andGreenguard ensure that cutting-edge furnishings
by Herman Miller and Furnature are made fromsustainable forest wood and use low-toxicity
production methods, while houseware outlets like
Eco Home and The Natural Store sees to it thateven pillow cases and napkins bear the green
badge of courage.

Hermès' hand-wrought silk bag

The electric
sportscar Venturi
Fetish is capableof a top speed of
255km/hEco-jewellery (now available from companies like
GreenKarat) either use recycled precious metals
or contribute proceeds to sustainable mining.
Style-savvy reusable shopping bags, like Anya
Hindmarch’s best-selling and riot-causing I’m Not
A Plastic Bag and Hermès’ exclusive hand-wroughtsilk version, effectively replace the need for unrecyclable plastic.
Extreme consumerism can also be put to good use:
so-called affinity credit cards direct a percentageof every bill to conservation causes that work
towards negating carbon footprints (the amountof greenhouse gases emitted over a lifetime). And
when even electrical manufacturers are goinggreen by producing low-energy devices and thenotorious petroleum industry is starting to clean
up after itself, leading a green personal life doesn’t
seem that hard after all.

The five greenest celebrities
Al Gore‘The almost President’, Albert
Arnold Gore has arguably
done more than any celebrity
to hammer home the impact
of climate change through his
documentary An Inconvenient
Truth. And he has the Oscar andNobel Peace Prize to prove it.

George Clooney

Clooney leads a dual life: he stars
in blockbuster movies in order tofund more personal projects likethe scathing review of the global
oil industry in Syriana. To drive
his point home, the only wheels
he will be seen in are those of his
funky Tango electric car.

Julia Roberts

Proof you don't have to be an
activist to lead an eco-friendly
life. Roberts lives la vida verde,building her new home with wood
harvested from sustainable forests,
recycled tiles and powered bysolar energy. The Earth Biofuels
spokesperson dresses her children
in organic clothes and uses
recyclable diapers on her youngest.
ArnoldSchwarzenegger

Big Oil-loving Republican Arnie
makes up for his ties with Bushand Cheney by being the US state
governor with the most aggressive
greenhouse emissions reduction
targets in a country that hasn’t
even ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
He realises, perhaps, that if we failthis planet, there will be no sequel.

ALL CELEBRITY PHOTOS CORBIS

car PHOTO WWW.VENTURI.FR

Leonardo DiCaprio

The very existence of humans puts pressure on
the environment; there is no avoiding that. The
relationship ought to be a symbiotic one. Push theenvironment past its tipping point and there will
be no turning back. It boils down to choice. Going
green in the 21st century isn’t difficult; it doesn’t
even necessitate a dramatic change of lifestyleanymore. Living well and living green aren’t mutually
exclusive; and if tomorrow’s ominous headlines areto be avoided, they simply must not be.

THE YTL LUXURY M AGA Z INE

A year after Titanic, Leo founded
his eponymous foundation,
dedicated to promoting
environmental causes. He sits on
the American Natural Resources
Defense Council, and is making afilm – aptly named The 11th Hour
– about a literal state-of-theearth. In between all that, Leo has
also opened a ‘super luxurious’, yet
eco-friendly, hotel in Belize.

049

THE
REBIRTH OF
LIVERPOOL
800
Celebrating its
thanniversary in 2008, thehistoric port city ofLiverpool is shrugging
off decades of economic
deprivation and industrial
decay as it unveils Liverpool
08 to the world, a yearlong series of art, music andtheatrical events that is
set to offer Liverpool the
chance at a 21st Century
renaissance when it reigns
as European Capital of
Culture in 2008

photo corbis

by MATT ARMITAGE

DETAIL ON A WALL behind the cavern
liverpool stage – where the beatles
were discovered back IN the glory daysof the city

The Three Graces ofLiverpool — The Cunard,
The Royal Liver and Portof Liverpool

FIVE years ago, the city of Liverpool would
hardly have been on the itinerary for mosttravellers visiting the UK. The city that had
given the world The Beatles lived on in popular
British consciousness as a joke, with Scousers (asLiverpudlians call one another) largely dismissed aspetty criminals and drug addicts. The city that had
once been the world’s main port, with over 40% of
global trade passing through its docks, had by the
1990s become one of Britain’s poorest cities, beset
by crime, high unemployment and drug abuse. And
while the city had always retained a vibrant heart,its public persona now boiled down to two factors:
music and football.

Playhouse Theatre

The Beatles and the Mersey Sound – its contribution
to the swinging culture of the 60s – still defined
the city to many outsiders, a fact which entailed
thousands of annual pilgrimages to The Cavern
Club, the live music venue that made stars of theFab Four and others (like Gerry and the Pacemakers,
Herman’s Hermits and Cilla Black).

A statue of legendary
Liverpool FC manager
Bill Shankly stands
over the city as atestament to theimportance of football
to its people

seaward approach to the city. It’s a calendar thatencompasses 12 months of more than 100 speciallycommissioned events, ranging from street-cornermusic festivals to 10,000-capacity classical concerts
to lectures on the story-telling traditions of the cityand its sea-faring ancestors.
Of course, these celebrations would not be complete
without the endorsement of surviving Beatles Paul
McCartney and Ringo Starr. McCartney will beheadlining the massive Liverpool Sound Festival
on June 1st at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium,
while Starr will be part of the festivities that open
Liverpool 08 in January along with a roll call of thecity’s locally produced music talent.
In keeping with the Capital of Culture scheme’s
remit of promoting local culture and arts, many ofthe events are specially commissioned works witha strong link to the city. The Everyman, Liverpool’s
leading theatre, has been substantially renovatedin preparation and will be focusing on a programme

A crucial cog
in Liverpool's
culturalrenaissanceBut music and football exert only a small fractionof the force that has dragged the city back up by its
bootstraps. Next year, Liverpool will launch a newlook and a new identity to the world. Part makeover and part urban renewal, 2008 sees the city
embarking on Liverpool 08, a year-long celebrationof its cultural heritage which hopes to see anadditional 2 million visitors join its population of
450,000. It’s a project that has seen billions ofpounds worth of investments and grants flood into
the city to jumpstart and thus halt the decline in a
moribund local economy.
photo mary mccartney 2007

The Cavern
Liverpool –two words:
The Beatles

shankly photo getty images liverpool Fc & the cavern corbis tate liverpool www.tate.coIt’s a similar story with football. Not only are its
clubs, Liverpool and Everton, right up there in thePremier League and in Europe, but the city is also
known for the quality of its home-grown talent,
producing stars like Ron Atkinson, Sammy Lee and,most recently, Wayne Rooney. The city’s devotion to
football has conferred legendary status on some ofits clubs’ former players, like Newcastle-born Kevin
Keegan, Kenny Daglish and, of course, Liverpool
FC’s legendary manager whose shadow still looms
large over the city, Scotsman Bill Shankly.

Liverpool 08 will have the city celebrating a triptych
of events: its 800th birthday, its status as European
Capital of Culture 2008 (along with Stavanger andSidnes in Norway) and its international art festival
The Liverpool Biennial, a treble that mirrors its
own Three Graces – The Cunard, Royal Liver andPort of Liverpool, buildings that dominate the

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

Ex-Beatle Sir Paul
McCartney will
perform at Liverpool
08 in homage to thecity of his birth

of works with a ‘Made in Liverpool’ theme thatwill “be drawn from the astonishing array of local
writing and acting talent as well as partnerships
with national and international theatre stars,”
according to its Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz.
One of the theatrical highlights will certainly be
the experimental An Audience with Shankly, aplay which attempts to explain the significance offootball to the city’s identity. Taking place at theopulent Victorian theatre the Liverpool Olympia, theshow promises to break new performance groundby combining live monologues with documentary
footage broadcast on massive projection screens;
this multimedia experience will bring deeper
understanding of the lasting sense of pride thatfootball manager Shankly brought to the city.
In terms of lasting impact, the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO) has been theartistic lifeblood of the city for generations. So
it is natural that the RLPO takes centre stage
throughout Liverpool 08. Among the many

been very much a part of the artistic rebirth ofthe city, combining a cinema, bar, brasserie andmedia room alongside exhibition spaces in astunning industrial-themed building and providing
a counterpoint to more established galleries like
Tate and Walker.

The FACT centre

The foundation’s policy, according to Director Mike
Stubbs, is to show exhibitions “of the kind the
UK has never seen: encouraging both artists andaudiences to break boundaries, and consider who
we are and how we exist, from a fresh perspective.”
For Liverpool 08, this includes March’s curious
showpiece SONICStreams, an exploration of theeffects of sound on the human body that combines
new media artists with medical professionals.
Similarly, bars like Korova around the Fleet StreetBold Street nexus (a newly restored warren ofcafés), have continued to fly the flag for Liverpool’s
musical future, creating a new scene to rival thoseof The Cavern and the infamous Eric’s Club that
produced artists like Elvis Costello and Julian Cope.

Liverpool is a city that is reasserting
its voice and reclaiming its rightfulplace At the heart of British culture

Worthy of note is a performance by Sir John
Tavener of his new Requiem (Feb 28), an attempt
to unite followers of the world’s great religions, anda night of pure indulgence with the John Lennon
Songbook (July 18) where John Wilson conducts
the orchestra through specially-arranged versionsof many of the ex-Beatles’ most popular pieces.
Art institution the Walker Gallery has beenthoroughly upgraded in time for Liverpool 08
and along with Tate Liverpool – celebrating its
20th birthday in 2008 – will feature a variety of
showpiece exhibitions, including the unveilingof Liverpool Cityscape 2008, a painting by Ben
Johnson that memorialises the new waterfront
skyline of a revamped Liverpool.
At a more grassroots level, facilities like FACT(Foundation for Art & Creative Technology) have054

With nightly musical activities throughout the city,
Liverpool 08’s treats include a number of audiovisual installations under the Twilight City umbrellathat will combine electronic music with visual art
to transform ‘challenging’ architecture in the city.
But the highpoint of the musical calendar is August,when the 3-day Imagine Carnival – Liverpool’s answer
to London’s Notting Hill Carnival – transforms
the city centre into a multicultural melting pot
and when the city’s annual Matthew Street Music
Festival (August 8) unites more than 40 live-musicvenues with everything from traditional Irish jigs to
the latest nose-bleeding rock and techno.
However, for sheer head-turning ability, Liverpool’sinternational art festival the Biennial is also
adding its flavour to Liverpool 08. Eschewing fixed
premises for a variety of shows and installations,some elements (like Antony Gormley’s Another
Place, a series of human-like statues that appear
from the tide at Crosby Beach), have alreadygenerated controversy and acclaim in equalamounts. Also confounding expectations is Richard
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

photo fact centre

highlights of its 2008 season are a number of
performances by Sir Simon Rattle, the Liverpoolborn conductor believed by many to be one of theleading classical music icons of his age.

Don't miss theseFor a complete list of events,
log on To www.liverpool08.com.
But here are some Recommended
Highlights :Jan 11-13: Liverpool 08
OpeningWeekend @The Arena
Features a bevy of local acts from
Ringo Starr to the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO).
The best part, though, will be thehundreds of smaller celebrations
in galleries, museums, bars andpubs as the entire city of Liverpool
celebrates its birthday.

Feb 1-May 5: Niki de Saint
Phalle @ Tate Liverpool
In the first major UK exhibition of
20th century French artist de Saint
Phalle, the Tate Liverpool will
present works from every stage ofher career, including early paintingsfrom the 1950s to graphic work andinstallation pieces from the 1990s.

A busker keeps the spirit of rock'n' roll alive in Lime Street Station– which will soon be restored toits full Victorian glory

The purpose-built Arena and Convention Centre
056

But for sheer scale, the crowning glory ofLiverpool’s transformation has to go to the 42hectare Liverpool One / Paradise Project right inthe middle of the city’s commercial district. With aninvestment of almost £1 billion, the project is giving
a much needed facelift to the city centre. Stretchingfrom the edges of the King’s Waterfront project to
the Liver Building and Town Hall, the project will

add 40 buildings to the cityscape in six distinct
districts – mixing 1.6 million square feet of retail,office, leisure and residential space in a pedestrianfriendly zone that aims to make its centre thefocus of Liverpool’s city life; all in time for it to takecentre stage in Liverpool 08 and beyond.

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

plum bar photo malmaison hotel
niki de saint phalle & gustav klimt photos www.tate.com

Works like Wilson’s focus on the regeneration
efforts that, by the opening of Liverpool 08, will
have provided the city with the physical capital tomatch its impending series of world class events. A
major focus of the regeneration has been to provide
Liverpool with a new set of landmark buildings andto stamp a contemporary 21st Century identity onto
the city. This includes buildings like the futuristic
Malmaison Hotel (the lynchpin of the new Princes
Dock development), a new Liverpool FC stadium,the Museum of Liverpool on Mann Island as well as
the restoration of Lime Street Station to its former
Victorian splendour.

at the King’s Waterfront, including the historic
Albert Dock, will host the opening of Liverpool 08
at its 11,000-capacity indoor arena. Designed by theaward-winning Wilkinson Eyre architecture firm, thearena and convention centre gleam like a spaceshipfrom the future parked amongst the Georgian andVictorian architecture on the city's waterfront andis a development that will revitalise what was, atalmost 15 hectares, Europe’s largest unutilised citycentre plot.

busker photo getty images

Wilson’s Turning the Place Over installation, whichliterally rotates a section of a warehouse on
hydraulics before returning it to its rightful place.

Manhattan
chic arrives inLiverpool with
the Malmaison

While its long term future is still very much underdevelopment, Liverpool is a city that is reasserting
its voice and reclaiming its rightful place at theheart of British culture. So pity Stavanger andSidnes whose own Capital of Culture status willundoubtedly be overshadowed by the mighty
Liverpool 08. According to Warren Bradley, Deputy
Chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, “This isculture by the people, of the people, for the people.
I have no doubt being European Capital of Culture
will change how Liverpool thinks and how the restof the world thinks of Liverpool.”

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

Feb 18: John Tavener Requiem @ Liverpool
Metropolitan Cathedral
The RLPO and her sister choir will perform theworld premier of a new work by Sir John Tavener
which seeks to address the differences between
religions and to unite them in the face of a shared
final journey.

May 30 onwards: Gustav
Klimt @ Tate Liverpool
The Tate plays host to the mostcomprehensive Klimt exhibition
ever staged in the UK, with aclaim that it is ‘bringing thebling’ to Liverpool 08. His
stunning works will be placed in‘residential’ dioramas that attempt
to contextualise the influence of his
work on the Viennese Secession.

July 18: John Lennon Songbook @ Liverpool
Philharmonic HallJohn Wilson conducts specially arranged versions ofLennon’s canon in what is sure to be one of the mostpopular events of the festival.

057

Welcome
to Paradise

Casual luxe arrives at the elegant spa
sanctuary of Tembok Bali
photography Christopher A
styling Jennifer Choohair & makeup Taisu
model Amanda @ Faces Models
shot entirely on location at the Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali,
all clothes available at

Starhill Gallery, KL

Dress & sunglasses Celine; Bangle Louis Vuitton

Indonesia

Keychain Louis Vuitton

Dress Khoon Hooi; Shoes Fendi

Earrings, jacket & handbag Louis Vuitton; Pants Valentino

Scarf Kenzo

Shirt & skirt Kenzo; Shoes CelineDress & shoes Louis Vuitton

Bag Celine; Shoes ValentinoJacket & shorts Fendi; Shoes Celine; Bag Louis Vuitton

Sunglasses Celine

Dress Christian Dior; Shoes Louis Vuitton

Balloon dress Melvin Lam; Shoes Louis Vuitton

Top Fendi; Skirt, bangle & shoes Louis Vuitton

Holistic Hideaway
Rest your weary soul at Tembok Bali where
spiritual rejuvenation and healing spa therapies
are as much of a part of the natural landscapeas the black volcanic sand that stretches along
its beach EUGENE NG
byTucked away along the north-eastern coast of themagical island of Bali, amidst the rustic setting of
the village of Tembok, lies an oasis of spiritual calmand physical healing. This is the Spa Village Resort
Tembok Bali: a gorgeous new sanctuary whose very
essence is infused with the magic of the isle uponwhich it rests.
Inspiration is provided by the award-winning Spa
Village Pangkor Laut but, instead of merely being aslavish Xerox-copy of the original, Tembok Bali has
lived up to its famed brand's ethos by the merging
of the Spa Village's existing therapeutic treatmentswith the healing traditions of the local culture. The
result has been a range of four distinctive spa
programmes that suit different wants and needs:'Balance', 'Creativity', 'Vigour' and 'Spa Academy'.
Each programme has its own set of individual
goals (‘Balance’, for example, is concerned with‘Time for self’, ‘Timeless relaxation’, ‘Rediscovering
personal balance’ and ‘Detoxification from stressful
074

behaviour’). Each comes with a recommended
range of treatments and activities that take place
both inside and outside the resort. These activities
include yoga, art classes, beach walks and workouts,
or tours around the island, cultural pursuits andeven sunset cruises and white-water rafting. What’s
important here is that each programme has been
designed for you to best your achieve your goals.
The spa treatments at Tembok Bali never neglect
to borrow from the best of Balinese culture. Youmight, for instance, want to purify your body, mind
and spirit by sampling the ‘Penganten Melukat’ – atraditional pre-wedding Balinese ritual involving a
massage, a Boreh body scrub, and a bath in freshmilk and flowers. And along with the standard hairand body treatments and massage options, thisSpa Village also offers a range of wraps, manicures,
pedicures and facials.
THE YTL LUXURY MAGA Z INE

The luxurious 31-room Tembok Bali is locatedaround two-and-a-half hours away from the Bali
International Airport in Denpasar and for goodreason. This is what some might call 'glorious
isolation'. If your purpose for checking in to this spa
is to relax and rejuvenate, then it’s best not to be
too easily tempted by the numerous other tourist
activities taking place all over the island; that kindof hustle and bustle was probably the cause of yourstress in the first place.
It is a whole-hearted approach towards what can
and will be a holistic experience. And if that werethe case, the only problem with the Spa Village
Resort Tembok Bali, then, is that you might neverwant to leave.

For full details of what the Spa Village Resort Tembok
Bali has to offer, www.spavillage.com/tembokbali
THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZ INE

075

style | trends

rather dramatically committed suicide with the bite of anasp. The Art Nouveau movement transformed the snake into
a symbol of exquisiteness and elegance, making it a motif
for ornamental decoration as well as for jewellery. Henri
Toulouse-Lautrec gave the reptile its iconic status when heimmortalised cabaret dancer Jane Avril by depicting her
wrapped in a snake costume in an 1899 lithograph.

Slithery number Portia de Rossi inher serpent-inspired gown by Azzaro with her‘beau’ Ellen DeGeneres at the 2007 59th Annual
Primetime Emmy Awards.

So it seems fitting that fashion designers have turned to
the viper to enhance the inscrutability of a woman evenwhile enticing the opposite sex. In Hellenistic and Roman
antiquity, gold serpents were worn both as high fashion andas talismans; Bvlgari got in on the trend in the 60s with asnake-bracelet watch which Elizabeth Taylor famously wore.

Serpentine
Seduction

This slithery trend is now manifesting itself on all the
runways and can be seen coiled around the most beautiful
gowns on the red carpet (Claire Danes in Valentino, Portia deRossi in Azzaro). Needless to say, precious jewellery is also
gripped in a constrictor’s embrace (Marcia Cross and Queen
Latifah are both fans). And of course the season’s sexiest
bags and shoes are encased in voluptuous snakeskin. Kylie
Minogue was spotted with a gold python Zagliani bag on her
shoulder, Kate Moss with a retro snakeskin clutch and Eva
Longoria caused a fashion sensation when a Prada pythonskin bag promptly sold out after she was photographedcarrying it. Sienna Miller is often seen in her favourite Devi
Kroell snakeskin boots while the face of the perfume Coco
Mademoiselle, Keira Knightley, wears python shoes by whoelse but Chanel.

by JENNIFER CHOO

Sinuous. Serpentine. Sleek. These sibilant syllables all
describe that most controversial of creatures, the snake.
Feared by most, revered by others, this reptile cemented its
reputation as the villain when it appeared in the Garden of
Eden, and tempted Eve to partake of the forbidden apple,
thus forever casting mankind into mortal sin. The snake
represents mystery and danger, which, of course, makes it
oh-so-sexy.
Be it in legend, design movements or art, the snake has
certainly made an unforgettable impression throughout
history. That most archetypal of temptresses, Cleopatra,
078

Coiled Couture Henri
Toulouse-Lautrec’s famous 1899
lithograph of Jane Avril wrapped in
the embrace of a snake costume.

Gaio Bacci - BVlgari
commemorates all
their snake-inspired
jewelleryT H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

Leather love

portia de rossi, elizabeth taylor & henri toulouse-lautrec photos corbis

One of Mother NATURE’s mostfeared animals slithers ITS
way back into vogue

The origin of the word snake come from the English
language’s Old High German word ‘snahhan’, which means‘to creep’. This is highly appropriate, considering how thereptile has managed to do just that into our collective
consciousness; wrapping itself into a symbol of fertility,
immortality, eternal love, wisdom, and now, wardrobes
worldwide. Every lady deserves to enjoy a bit of intrigue andrisk sometimes… and this serpent trend offers just that –minus the annoying problems of fangs and venom.
Main photo: The trouble pendant boucheron Gaio Bacci photo BVlgari

SnakesAlive!

Elizabeth Taylor
in her iconic roleas Cleopatra, theseductive Egyptian
temptress who
succumbed to the biteof an asp, but at her
own hand.

Mulberry’s Mabel snakeskinhandbag in purple.

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

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style | runway

Retro
Renaissancecruisecontrol

Bright and breezy, floaty andflirty: the Louis Vuitton woman
on holiday as envisioned by
Marc Jacobs embodies allthese qualities. Sophistication
can be had in LV’s signaturebracelet-sleeved suits while
whimsical details like nostalgic
motifs of speedboats andliners, anchors and airplanes,
will delight the most jaded of
fashionistas. Retro influences
abound and no wonder: thecollection is inspired by vintage
travel posters.

This season’s Cruise Lines range fromthe Flamboyant to the flirtatious

In between the grim uniformity of Autumn/Winterand the ethereal confections of Spring/Summer are
the Cruise Collections. These ranges (also known as‘Resort’) were conceived for the vacation wardrobes of
those in colder climes lucky enough to be off on exotic
Winter Jollies. These days, designers allow themselves
to send out pretty, wearable clothes minus any grandartistic agenda, all of which makes this the perfect timeto acquire the kind of pieces which will be worn to death
regardless of the season.

Hippie Chic
There is nothing half-hearted
about Galliano’s Dior collection
which featured artisanal flair
and showmanship rivalling
his latest couture and readyto-wear extravaganzas.
Continuing his New-Lookmeets-the-Orient train ofthought, the collection’s
electric-bright palette is allembellishment and dazzling
prints. Muumuus, bikinis, capri
pants, trapeze dresses, cat-eye
sunglasses, and scarf-wrapped
hats all channel the 60s at its
most hedonistic.

by JENNIFER CHOO

080

T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

081

In Graphic Detail

Polo Hints

Graphic elements assault thesenses in Gucci Women’scollection and are shown in fullglory on its key piece: the fullskirt. Worn with tailored tops
and high-waisted belts, this is
the updated 50s silhouette inits most desirable incarnation.
But it is not all polished charm;
biker jackets add a sexy edge
and largely monochromatic
colours are interrupted byinjections of blood red or citrus
shades while Gucci’s signaturebamboo and coral motifs areendlessly interpreted.

Sportswear gets a luxurious
twist at Celine in a collection
defined by refinement andunderstatement. Ivana
Omazic’s Parisian style isevident in elegantly tailorednipped-waist suits, graceful
dresses and neat trenches.
The neutral colour paletteis punctuated by several
pieces in a delicious shadeof raspberry; while striped
polo dresses, logo sweaters
and cuffed shorts embody
country club chic.

Varsity Blacks
Gucci Men’s collection is
all about jackets: bikers andbombers in the most luxurious
materials, the belted military
jacket and the new “Gucci
Varsity”. As with the women’scollection, optical black andwhite are accented with orange,
green and lime. Suits are skinnyand high buttoned; trousers,
long and lean. Frida Giannini’s
Gucci man is a contradiction:
somewhat preppy, a little
bit of a rockstar but always
effortlessly turned out.
082

Feminine Flair
A plethora of lace, pleats,
ribbons and ruffles, Valentino’s
resort collection was
unapologetically ladylike.
Dresses and suits dominate
the collection, the loveliest ofwhich are embellished withfloral appliqués while others
feature watercolour prints.
Grecian draping made forsome remarkably fluid pieces
and his signature red dresses
didn’t disappoint.
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

083

PrimeTime

Watches which walk thewalk & talk the tock
by JENNIFER CHOO

Because everyone knows that God is in the details
by JENNIFER CHOO

Well heeled Corto Maltese’s
iconic comic strips are the inspiration
behind Riccardo Tisci’s spectacularfootwear collection for Givenchy. The
standout has to be the stretch-nappa
boot, fetishism at its sexiest, which wraps
its way up the leg – from heel to thigh –and is held together, not by a zip, but byguêpière-style criss-crossing laces.
Porsche for Play

Tote to joy Classic luxuryleather goods house, Lancel has
updated its signature bestseller – the‘French Flirt’ drawstring bag (“PremierFlirt” in 2006) – with bold colours
and trendy materials, all in time forthe new season. Combining softleather with vibrant colour, engraved
rings with refined stitching details,
femininity with playfulness – this isthe bag for independent fun-seekers.

In an unprecendented
combination of a Porsche
sports car with a Porsche
Design collection, the limited
edition Cayman S Porsche
Design Edition 1 has spawned
a highly desirable accessories
collection. The must-have?
The classically cut jacket madeof fine-grain, ultra-soft lambskin with a Bemberg lining
showcasing the “Porsche
Design honeycomb weave.”

Data day The
Flight and easy Van Cleef& Arpels’ Envol collection consists of anecklace, a bracelet and a Between-theFingers ring that emulate the delicate
beauty and carefree spirit of the butterfly.
The open structure of these pieces is athrowback to a more traditional style ofjewellery and lends itself to the suggestionthat the butterflies are nestling in thehollow of the neck or delicately poised on
the wrist.
084

latest addition to the
now iconic Dunhill
Bulldog family is
the USB key. Withhis head facing
proudly upwards
when inserted
into a PC, this 1G
noble stainlesssteel bulldog is theperfect antidote
to the sterility ofmodern technology.
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

You chrono my name The precision timingof Graham’s Chronofighter R.A.C. is made possible by its
calibre G1742 column wheel movement, known as “roueà colonne,” one of the finest chronograph movements inall of horology. Reinforcing the sport and flight aesthetic,
its riveting dial design presents 30-minute and 60second counters, all on a finely textured silver dial. This
quintessential Graham timepiece is made even moredesirable by its limited edition case of gorgeous red gold
finished with a hypo-allergenic black rubber strap.

style | watches

style | retail

The
Finishing
Touch

Regulator hours The
jeweller’s creative art meets highprecision technology with Korloff’s
new additions to its prestigious K12
line. Comprising of a quarter-repeater
movement and a mechanical regulator,
the design of these watches follows in
the footsteps of their predecessors bypaying attention to the most minute ofergonomic and mechanical details. The
case is available in stainless steel or in
18-carat white or rose-gold.

The Lovely Bones
Ville Power Omega’sclassic De Ville line welcomes a newmember to the family: the Co-Axial
Chronoscope. A sportier addition,
this self-winding gentleman’s watch
is powered by Omega’s Co-Axial
Escapement technology. Anotherunique feature is on the dial, featuring
three-dimensional markers andnumerals that catch the light for easy
reading of the time. In polished orbrushed 18-carat yellow or red gold,and stainless steel, and black alligatoror brown calfskin straps.
Heart to handle Since
its launch in 2000, Roger Dubuis’elaborate TooMuch collection has
appealed to the lady whose motto
is an emphatic: more is more.
For this season, its distinctive
rectangular curving shaped casefeatures a white mother-of-pearl
dial adorned by a ruby-set heart.
Being the kind of accessory whichpeople tend to remember, it isreassuring that there are only 28
pieces in existence.
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

Unique, surprising,
attractive... it’s impossible
to encapsulate Maurice
Lacroix’s new Masterpiece
Squelette in a single word.
Uniting a contemporary,innovative design with the
new skeleton manufacture
movement ML 134, thetimepiece shows off enoughof its intricate engineering
through its sapphire crystal
dial to satisfy traditional
watchmaking connoisseurs.

Birthday blast
On the occasion of their 35th
anniversary, Cortina Watch
commissioned Vacheron
Constantin and Chopard to
produce a limited edition of
their signature timepieces: thePatrimony and Happy Sport
respectively. These exquisite
timepieces are a collector’s
dream with only 35 pieces ofeach model available worldwide.

085

beauty & grooming

Lash out Rated one of the top 4 local
spas by Malaysia Tourism Traverama Awards,
Spa Indrani has earned its reputation as THE
destination for the ultimate in spa relaxation.
This exclusive spa uses only the best products
and is currently the only one in Malaysia
offering the Talika Eye Ritual and select Talika
products which boast a clientele of celebs
such as Victoria Beckham. Talika Eye Ritual is
the only product clinically proven to stimulate
eyelash growth, lengthening eyelashes
naturally in 28 days. @ Spa Indrani, S27 Pamper
Floor, Starhill Gallery; +603-2782 3868

Impress yourself The
unprecedented high quality of Impress by
Kanebo is due to an integration of state-ofthe-art technology and artisan craftsmanship.
This elegantly simple but effective cosmetic
range is for the mature woman whose style
has grown beyond frills and fripperies. It
focuses on improving the skin’s ‘binding andadhesive’ system, the key to skin enhancement
and beauty. @ Kanebo Salon, S21-22, Pamper

Personal touch

MTM formulates skincare that is as individual as you are
by JENNIFER CHOO

Floor, Starhill Gallery; +603-2144 1218

Founded on that very principle and drawing on Japanesemanufacturing expertise, MTM established in 1991 the world’s
first skincare centre to feature specifically customised
products and treatment services.
A highly personalised process, the MTM experience begins
with an analysis and consultation during which skin experts
determine the condition of your skin while taking into
account lifestyle and environmental factors. Their highly
trained professionals then identify your skin’s tissue patterns,
moisture capacity and internal temperature variations sothat the most accurate skin care regimen and products canbe prescribed.
Each unique skincare solution is composed of specificallyselected ingredients, combined with advanced customblending technology. Formulations are then labelled withthe person’s name, product ingredients and attributes, as
086

well as the manufacturing date. For a complete and holistic
experience, MTM also offers facial-treatment services withyour very own custom-blended products. You can rest
assured that this is as personalised as skincare gets.
For the fastidious fella who fancies some personal attention,
MTM also offers a custom-blended Men’s line which promises
to alleviate the toll which hectic lifestyles take on one’s skin.
This “only-for-him” experience is tailor-made to cater toevery skincare requirement.
Sixteen years on from the first MTM outlet, this dynamic
brand is now highly regarded by skincare experts andindustry professionals throughout the Asia Pacific region. It
is also now available in cosmopolitan cities throughout Asia,
including Shanghai and Singapore.
Indeed, it is reassuring to know that, in this age of mass
manufacturing and one-size-fits-all, there are still thosewithin the industry who still cater for the individual who will
settle for nothing less than individuality.

MTM Skincare Center is located at S3, Pamper Floor, Starhill
Gallery. +603 2144 8861. Open from 10am – 9.30pm daily.
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

@ IPL Skin Care Clinique, S2, Pamper Floor,
Starhill Gallery; +603-2141 4277/ 80
Nest and relax Give your skin theperfect pick-me-up with the ultra-invigorating
Beaubelle’s Opulent Glow – Bird’s Nest
Face Spa. Boasting anti-aging, brightening,whitening and blemish-reducing properties,
prime quality bird’s nest is combined withmedical-grade oxygen, 24K gold flakes, ginseng
root extracts and Fountain of Riches Mist to
make the remedial and restorative propertiesof one of the Chinese’s favourite delicacies
work not just for the body, but for the face too.

@ Beaubelle Body Care Day Spa, S15, Pamper
Floor, Starhill Gallery; +603-2148 4898
Decleor horizons ahead The Escentuals Urban Retreat is abeauty haven dedicated solely to pampering. With the ultimate selection of luxury
brands to choose from, Decleor comes highly recommended. This aromatherapy
skincare line (from Paris, since 1974) is recognised worldwide as the mostcomprehensive and effective range of Aromatherapy Face and Body Treatments(try the Aromaplasty Treatment and Aromatic Spa Mosaic). The brand’s
Aromessence™ line is so highly concentrated that only a few drops are needed
to release an abundance of unique benefits. @ Escentuals Urban Retreat, S32-37,

eyelash & woman with shell photos corbis

For the man who insists on bespoke suits and on
monogrammed personal effects or for the lady who enjoys
couture and made-to-order shoes, it would seem ridiculous tosettle for anything less than skincare which caters perfectly
to your own unique needs.

Lift and learn Looking greatwithout going under the knife is now possible
with Radio Frequency (RF) technology. The
latest non-invasive and non-abrasive trend
works by shrinking bundles of collagen under
the skin, thus tightening it and taking years
off the face. It also improves all common skinsigns of aging like wrinkles, fine lines and dark
eye circles. Best of all, the treatment is low risk
and offers almost instant results. Not quite theFountain of Youth, but still a few steps closer.

Pamper Floor, Starhill Gallery; +603-2148 3288

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

087

businessand family business owners. And because theseare global banks, they have the financial clout andresources to offer everything from information andadvice to products and reach.

Show
Me TheMoney

Private banking should domuch more for you thanjust Boosting your status

Moneyed customers will have first dibs at the best
IPOs, bonds and mutual funds, real-estate deals
and other structured instruments and alternative
asset classes like precious metals and art. You can
088

even instruct your private banker to customise a
portfolio in any number of countries in any numberof asset classes, depending, of course, on how much
moolah you have. Suffice to say, the more money
you have, the more slavish personal bankers will be
to your every whim and fancy, whatever that may
be, whenever and wherever.

Private banks can smell the money and are hiring
faster than you can spell ‘r-i-c-h’. JP Morgan andCitigroup, for example, are just two global banks
caught up in the mad rush. It is no surprise, then,that young, smart attractive bankers from UBS andCredit Suisse are falling over themselves to win apiece of the pie: your pie.

The best in the field are Swiss lender UBS, US bank
Citigroup and British bank HSBC. So unless yourname ends with Khashoggi, Onassis or Hearst, ifthey’re ringing your cellphone, answer it! They’vebeen ranked first, second and third by Euromoney
magazine based on assets under management,
ratio of clients to wealth managers, profitability
and services offered.
While the traditional targets include businessmen
and heirs, teams, such as in the case of Coutts –also known as the Queen’s bankers – have been
known to divvy themselves up to target inpatriates,
landowners, professionals, sportsmen, entertainers

Which is fine – except that you have to keep an eye
out for the real gains: ask, do the returns justify theof wealthy individuals in Asia grew 8.6% to 2.6
million in 2006 – a growth which was driven by aboom in every major industry from construction to
air travel to entertainment and music. But that’s nosurprise. India and China, the world’s two fastestgrowing economies are in Asia. So too are the tiger
Asian economies of Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore,
Malaysia and Thailand. And by 2011, the combined
value of Asia’s wealthy is expected to be US$12.7
trillion, which is greater than Europe and second
only to North America.

photo getty images

In the rarefied world of private wealth management,
the bank comes to you. Relationship managers,
often extremely attractive women with brains tomatch, arrive at your office/ golf course/ favourite
restaurant with a menu of investing options thatare usually not on offer to the hoi polloi. This
could include advice on currency exchange,
investment and wealth management, and on
pensions, inheritances, trusts, wills, estates andtax planning.

Going by this definition, a report by Merrill Lynchand consultants Capgemini shows the number

Private Banks can smell the money
and are hiring [Weatlh managers]
faster than you can spell ‘r-i-c-h’

by gordon wu

The definition of having ‘arrived’ changes with thetimes. In the 70s it was that American Express card.
In the 80s it was that BMW convertible. In the 90s
it was that London apartment. In the Noughties, it’s
your own wealth manager. No queues, no parking
problems, no dimwits with vacuous stares.

But the need to be selective in who you do
business with is important, because while it may
still reasonably be the domain of the high net
worth, most banks are dropping the thresholdfor entry. Some local banks allow access for as
little as RM100,000 in cash assets, which thesedays may seem like a lot, but is a far cry from theconventional definition of high net worth: folkswith more than RM1 million in financial assets notincluding their homes.

Wealth managers that don’t satisfy these basic
rules will lose their mandate, and there’s quite afew ways they can fall short. Hefty upfront charges
for access to financial instruments can and will cut
into potential gains, making it that much harder
to make a decent enough return to pay for thosecharges in the first place. That’s something which
British private bank Coutts has been accused ofrecently when it began marketing its credit cards
for the wealthy, according to the Motley Fool’s UK
edition. The worst kept secret in private wealthmanagement is that bankers ultimately want one
thing and one thing only: to get their mittens
on your capital so they can reinvest it for you in
exchange for a fee.

T HE Y T L LU XURY M AG A Z I NE

No Guarantee Of course, having your wealthmanaged by these folks is no guarantee of financial
success. Daniel de Fernando Garcia, head of asset
management and private banking at Banco Bilbao
Vizcaya Argentaria was quoted by Reuters assaying that there’s only three things wealthy folk
want their money for – to stay rich, to get richer, or
to enjoy their riches.
THE Y TL LU XURY M AG AZ I NE

fees and charges imposed? If not, then perhaps it’stime for a switch. Bankers are also getting smarterin engaging new clients. At a recent Reuters WealthManagement Summit in Geneva, banks realisedthat there were fees to be won from managing
endowed funds: otherwise known as Ways to Give
Money Away.
Maximilian Martin, the head of philanthropy
services at UBS, has said that demand is rising forphilanthropic advice. This is part of a growing wave
among the rich looking for a balance to their daily
work of aggressively accumulating wealth – whichmakes a change from the more traditional advice of
which yacht or work of art to buy. Yet more eclectic
is the move into attracting new clients in the formof Gen X’ers. For these younger folk, who are poised
to inherit millions or maybe even billions from theirparents, the focal point is all about education,
networking and succession planning.
Whether you already fall into the above or will dosoon, the best advice perhaps is this: treat privatebanking as you would any other business deal – buy
into it for the real return and not just for the sheen
it gives you. After all, just as with the BMW cabriolet
and the apartment in Hampstead, everything wears
off with time.
089

motoring

A new Class

Climb into a Mercedes-Benz E280 and discover thejoys of civilized continental-style motoring
by Ellfian Abdul Rahim

Mercedes-Benz has always been more than mere
four-wheeled transport and, in this country atleast, being driven in or piloting one will guaranteethat you get more than just a once over at fivestar hotels, chic night spots and valet parking
areas everywhere. There are automobiles that canmake you feel that you’re perhaps slightly more
important than the average motorist and the newly
gussied-up W211 Mercedes-Benz E280 is certainly
one of these machines.
Stereotypes aside, however, there are more thanenough reasons to justify spending upwards of
RM400,000 on a set of wheels like these. In theE280, Mercedes Benz has come up with somethingthat’s about as close as one can get to a perfectautomotive equation. Here is a car that offers
everything: room, poise, performance, safety and,to a certain extent, frugality.
Of course, you won’t see past the car’s typecast
persona if the only one who gets to drive is yourchauffeur. So step into the driver’s seat for a totallyrefreshing driving experience, be it a short drive
to the convenience store or a marathon crosscountry jaunt. On the go, the first thing that strikes
you is how silky smooth the car’s gearing is. The
clever seven-speed transmission is electronicallycalibrated to downshift only when necessary and toascend to the higher gears without delay.
You are usually unaware that it’s doing so. You candrive around the city all week and hardly see thehigh side of 2000rpm. On the open road, the softly
sprung, long-travel suspension irons out the worst
a sloppy road maintenance crew can throw at it.
Unquestionably, the Mercedes glides from point-topoint like no other car.
090

However, the conventionally suspended, comfortoriented base model E-Class does resent being
pushed too hard on tight bends, where pronouncedbody-roll and understeer characterises its handling.
It defies the preference for firm, taut, luxury-car
suspensions that attempt, with varying degrees ofsuccess, to deliver pseudo-sporty dynamics.
Mercedes has this style of drive as an option on
the E280, or as a standard in higher spec E-Classmodels, by adding its patented Airmatic air
suspension with adaptive damping, plus wider
wheels and tyres. The standard E280 remains
resolutely, and enjoyably, old-school Mercedes in
its ride and handling. It’s a similar story with the
speed-sensitive steering, which is accurate but
comparatively languid, remote and prone to mild
rack-shake on choppy bends.
The brakes are more than adequate in terms of
power and progression, with greater pedal feelthan some previous models. The Sensotronic
electric actuation technology, which in partprompted a worldwide E-Class recall earlier thisT H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA ZI NE

year, continues to cause the occasional problem
on rough roads, but the test car happily passed
through three days of vigorous driving without any
drama whatsoever.

225/55 tyres; front/rear parking warnings; andremote central locking. Of course, the standout inthe long list of standard fittings is the gorgeous
moon roof than can be partly tilted or slid open.

Under the bonnet, the V6 engine is capable ofproviding most of the torque from as low as
1,500rpm and 95% of maximum torque between
3,000rpm and 4,000rpm. This means that whendriven at slower speeds, the E280 is not hamstrungfor more power, but purrs in contentment and waits
for those open roads to reappear. Such wonderfully
civilized behaviour is great for cruising and it follows
that petrol consumption is not an issue here, as anaverage of 30mpg is something to be proud of.

On an all-day drive, the firm and wide driver’s seat
looks after you, though you still tend to sit on, rather
than in, it. The driving position can be tailored to all
physiques: leg room is sufficient for anyone. Dashlayout is efficient and easy to use, as is the multifunction wheel. The back seat is similarly firm andun-contoured. Tall front seat occupants may create
slightly restricted rear legroom and similarly sized
passengers may have to sit slightly knees-up.

The E280’s interior is pretty much unchanged
from previous models. It retains a lovely senseof elegance, openness and light that adds to theenjoyment of touring in the Big E. Now standard
are: active front-seat head restraints; leather/vinyl
upholstery; automatic air-conditioning, lights andwipers; a six-stack CD player; eight airbags; cruisecontrol with speed limiter; 17-inch alloy wheels with
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

Bottom line, the E280 with the 3.0-litre V6’s
deep reserves of pulling power, paired withrefined, effortless grace, gives this car a style ofperformance that works on every drive, in or out oftown. In spite of its minor shortcomings, and a lofty
sticker price, it’s very easy to see why many people
want to own one once they’ve gotten behind thewheel, and why many more feel a tad inadequate
driving something lower down the food chain.
091

technology

Travellingwithout
MovingClothes Call The new Giorgio Armani-Samsung luxury mobile
phone sees two industry giants collide in this hi-tech fashion statement.
But this sleek number isn’t purely style over substance. With the size of acredit card at just 9.9mm thickness, it packs a host of features (vibrating
display, 3-megapixel camera, music player, net browser, external memoryslot, Bluetooth®, stereo headset) and comes with a leather GA carrying
case. It also kickstarts an alliance that will see the development of an
innovative range of portable and home-consumer electronics products as
an extension of the Giorgio Armani, Armani Exchange and Armani/Casa
lifestyles. Available in Europe from November 2007; in other markets in2008. www.armani.com

Keeping in touch with homeand business while you’reaway has never been easierby MATT ARMITAGE

It’s a far cry from the ‘splendid isolation’ of old, when newsof your motherland could take weeks to arrive. Our businessand social lives have become inextricably linked, so much sothat the more time we spend away, the more we seem tobecome dislocated from our own lives.
But finally, the same technology that keeps us wired in isbringing some of the home comforts to us while we areaway. One of the simplest and fastest of these is ReallySimple Syndication (RSS), developed over 10 years ago andfinally come of age, which delivers updates on websites toour browsers and, increasingly, our phones.
Free services like Netvibes (www.netvibes.
com) and iGoogle (www.google.com/ig) allow
subscribers to customise their homepage witha variety of constantly updated information

Slingbox

iPhone092

from multiple sources. Many sites publish RSS links andthese pages use search engines to locate the links for you,thus keeping you in touch with the latest news from media
services, leisure sites and possibly your own corporation.

The Paperless Trail In terms ofinteractivity and portability, the paperback
novel or the notepad takes some beating. But
iRex Technologies is bent on trying with theiLiad: a book reader, note scribbler and more.
Its gorgeous monochrome 8.1 inch Electronic
Paper Display is perfectly visible in both brightand dim light, but here’s the clever bit: unlike
a laptop, the screen doesn’t flicker, making
it easy on the eyes. The iLiad allows you toannotate all manner of file formats and toturn handwritten notes into text; it also comeswith Wi-Fi for web browsing and is also able tostore hundreds of books and articles on USB
devices. www.irextechnologies.com

Large numbers of local and national radio stations now
stream their services online, and one of the most extensive,
the BBC (www.bbc.co.uk), keeps an archive of programmesthat allows you to listen at your leisure when in different
time zones. And as broadband speeds increase, so does ourability to stream ever larger packets of data. In Japan, 8MB
broadband lines allow users to download an hour’s worth ofHigh Definition video content in just a few minutes, and therest of the world is catching up fast.
This makes the Slingbox (www.slingmedia.com) one of themost exciting developments in gadget land. This nondescript
piece of plastic connects to your TV tuner and the Internet
router in your living room, streaming TV shows live to yourlaptop or web-enabled phone, which means real-time news,
sports and soap operas, if you must, direct from the den.

i got the Touch Apple Inc. has a nifty

Even the laptop is starting to look superfluous with the next
generation of mobile phones combining computing powerwith the ability to make calls. Devices like Apple’s touchscreen iPhone and Nokia’s E90 Communicator merge Wi-Fi
Internet browsing with a variety of productivity and leisuresoftware, enabling you to watch movies and listen to musicas easily as it is for you to edit a PowerPoint presentation.
But before you get completely lost in connectivity, rememberthat all of these devices have one thing in common: the ‘Off’
button. So when it all gets too much, use it, and then checkyourself into a Spa Village for some real-time recharging.
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Photo corbis

It isn’t easy getting away from it all these days. You could
be by a pool, or stretched out on a beach, but there’s agood chance that there will either be a laptop by your side,
hooked up to a Wi-Fi network, or a mobile phone keeping
you connected via a roaming partner. And you can literally‘pop’ into the office by remote, using video conferencing or
Messenger or Skype software.

Solid Gold Hits Of course we’ve all heardof the iPod Shuffle, but you simply have to hear about
this one. Some have plated them in silver and gold,
others have swathed them in Swarovski crystals anddiamonds. But few have completely re-engineered
them with an 18-carat gold casing. At almost £10,000,
roughly 200 times the price of a standard Shuffle,
this really is the ultimate, if slightly extravagant, audio
gadget. www.xexoo.com

habit of confounding all and sundry on a regularbasis. It’s not easy keeping things simple but thecompany’s minimalist ethos is the work of some of
the world’s most innovative industrial designers.
With the latest iPod, Apple removes all horror of
buttons and switches and consigns it to the past in
favour of a gorgeous touch-screen display. But whatsets the 8GB and 16GB Touch apart is its integrated
Wi-Fi and Safari Internet browser with innovative
touch and flick finger-zooming. www.apple.com

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Ringing Sexy Back
Sony-Ericsson phones are getting
sexier and sexier. One of theirlatest, the T650i is a quad-band
candybar with a more thancapable 3.2 megapixel cameraand 3G. We love the swirling
illumination effects but thekiller here is the traveller’s gem:
scratch-resistant mineral glass anda screen visible in bright sunlight.
If only it was waterproof, we’d beable to make calls swimming withthe fishes. www.sonyericsson.com

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design & architecture

Thrill Speakers Sound and design coalesce inspectacular fashion in the hands of renowned industrial
designer Ross Lovegrove. With the 2m tall loudspeakersystem Muon (‘mew-on’), superior sound comes courtesy ofthe best British acoustic technology in industry leader KEF.
This is housed in a structure fabricated from super-form
aluminium and imagined by Lovegrove’s design aesthetics
as an interpretation of the ‘physics of sound’. What thatreally means is anyone’s guess, but the Muon’s sinewy body
couldn’t have taken on a shape more beautiful than the one
it now has. There are only 100 pairs of Muon loudspeakers
that have been manufactured. They go for HK$880,000 per
pair in Hong Kong and £70,000 per pair in the UK.

www.kef.com/products/muonPHæNO ATTENTION
The future of discovering science is now housedin architecture discovered from the future
by ABDUL AZIZ DRAIM

One of Wallpaper* magazine’s finalists for Best ArchitectureAward 2007, the superlative Phæno Science Centre by
Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid underlines her
reputation for producing work distinguished by an unusual
form language that captivates with its spatial dynamics.
Located in the centre of Wolfsburg, Germany, next to the
ICE rail line, and at the crossroads between the Autostadt,
the city and the railway station, this futuristic sculptural‘spaceship’ is home to 250 interactive Experimental
Stations that cover 9,000m2 dedicated to discovering theworld of science. There’s fun science stuff such as a rodeo
gyroscope, a fire tornado, visible sounds, a game where
ambition doesn’t win, suitcases with minds of their own andmysteriously disappearing and reappearing visitors!
The breathtaking design of this completely unique structure
was conceptualised for this very purpose. Borne by conicalsupports made of self-compacting concrete (SCC), thebuilding appears from the outside to break free from theground below it. But under its 7m-high ceiling, Phæno’sinterior is a constructional wonderland of forms that findtheir inspiration in craters, caverns, terraces and plateaus.
The rest of the building consists of three Visitor Laboratories,
two restaurants, a science theatre, a coffee bar, a room forspecial events on three levels and the in-house shop (theSupermarket of Knowledge). But Phæno is a €79 million
initiative of the City of Wolfsburg that in itself reflects thevery nature of the purpose it has set out to fulfil.
Dr. Wolfgang Guthardt, the project’s initiator and Phæno’s
director, explains: “In Phæno the essential idea is to have fun,to feel one’s curiosity being awakened, and to deepen one’s
knowledge in the discovery of science. We deliberately set
no agenda and each visitor paves his or her own individual
way through our Experimental Landscape and chooses hisor her own focus of interest.”
Not just on the outside, but on the inside too. www.phaeno.dePhaeno Photo klemens ortmeyer japanese symbiosis photo courtesy the noguchi museum

Japanese Symbiosis The

Much Andoo about Sitting When is achair not just a chair? When it’s the Andoo, the recipient of
the Best of the Best for Highest Design Quality for Product
Design at the 2007 Red Dot Awards. The creative result ofVienna-based firm EOOS, the chair has been designed to“reflect archaic calm and clarity” – the two componentsthat define a minimalist art sculpture. But this isn’t justart. Using a combination of hard (wood) and soft (leather)materials, the chair is also as comfortable as an armchairwith an elastic sprung back and pocket springs within its
seat. Which means that it’s not just all about sitting pretty.

www.walterknoll.de094

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style now recognised as JapaneseModern can be traced to two men who
shared the same first name and whose
symbiotic partnership is the focus of
the exhibition Design: Isamu Noguchi
and Isamu Kenmochi, artist-designer
and interior designer respectively.
Showcasing a selection of some 85
works borrowed from collections inJapan and the US, Bonnie Rychlak– curator of the Noguchi Museum inLong Island City, New York – reveals:“Noguchi and Kenmochi shared aninterest in modernist design mixed
with admiration for traditional
Japanese form and craft and together
they created beautiful furniture that
was among the most forward-looking
of its era (1950s). I hope visitors to theexhibition will leave it with a greaterappreciation not only of the work ofeach man, but also of the powerfulrole that collaboration can play increativity.” The exhibition ends March
16, 2008. www.noguchi.org
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Molo Design : Paper Chaise
What the Milan Furniture Fair (I Saloni) and
the Red Dot awards had to teach us in 2007
was this: designers are going green. And noother design firm has driven this message
home more eloquently than Vancouver’s
molo design, the brainchild of architects
Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen.
Among their more creative efforts is ‘soft’,a dynamic furniture line made entirely of
paper or non-woven textiles and the ‘papersoftseating’ series. These pliable flameretardant pieces of furniture are madeentirely from kraft paper with 50% recycledcontent. Utilising a honeycomb structurethat gives each piece strength and flexibility,‘softseating’ can be manipulated to form
stools, benches, loungers and even low
tables, which means you can create your own
personalised seating-room topography. So
ingenious is its concept that ‘softseating’ hasbeen acquired by the Museum of Modern Art
in New York for their permanent collection.
molo design is also set to open their very
first workshop in Milan. www.molodesign.com

Julia Lohmann : Innard Beauty

GENIUSES AT WORK

Come 2008, these trail-blazing designers will show
you that originality really Does Go a long way

molo design photo martin tessler julia lohmann photo studio bec

by ABDUL AZIZ DRAIM

096

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With her latest foray into furniture design, Royal
College of Art graduate Lisa Lohmann has again
rendered us mildly squeamish yet fascinated at thesame time. Commissioned by Galerie Kreo in Paris,
the Lasting Void stool allows Lohmann, 31, to further
play out her affinity for meat-industry off-cuts; it isactually moulded from a plaster cast of the body cavity
of a cow that died of natural causes and later had its
internal organs removed. “I’ve always been interested
in the transition of an animal to the product,” theGerman designer explains. “That transition point is
not the killing – we still have emotions for the animal
then. It’s only when it is cut up that it becomes steak
and we feel detached.” Together with her husband,
Julia Lohmann runs graphic design agency Studio Bec.
Her work is currently exhibited at the Design Contre
Design, Grand Palais, Paris, which ends January 7,
2008. www.julialohmann.co.uk

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097

diningAST
W
at hile t IS B ARShmo tarhi e Fis ORN
ll’s
her
re
w
F
wa
s th ell-kn east man’s
V
e
o
C
wh
ich Pang wn o illage ove
f
fi
i
k
st
t
o
h
res rsttau est r Lau e two he
a
t
r
,
its
b
a
sup nt’s lishe outle it
erb fam d th t
cui e fo e
sin r
e.

A Tale of
Two Fishies
freshness and great taste go hand in hand. Want a bite of it? Set
your sails for one of the two outlets of Fisherman’s Coveby CHUA SIEW CHING

all photographs Choen lee @ Aspect network

You know you are in for a foodie feast when the first thingthat greets you as you enter a restaurant is the view of abusy kitchen with its staff bustling around preparing the
day’s orders. Couple that with the sight of fresh ingredientsand you are guaranteed a gastronomic treat.
Welcome to Fisherman’s Cove, YTL’s truly unique restaurant
built around the concept of a fishing village. With two outlets– one in its luxury resort, Pangkor Laut, and the other inStarhill Gallery’s Feast Village – Fisherman’s Cove is the lastword in coupling freshness with masterpiece recipes.
While both establishments have distinctive differences –location and ambience being the most obvious – one thingis for sure: an extremely satisfying meal is what you’ll haveexperienced when you dine next at Fisherman’s Cove.
Hooked on freshness Take a quick peek at the menu
and it is enough to make your mouth water. Consisting of
the finest selection of seafood, pastas, meat and desserts,
the restaurants are a celebration of flavours and aromas.
Despite a variation in both menus due to logistic reasons, aunifying theme of freshness runs right through. In the Feast099

Scenic view from thedeck at the Pangkor
Laut Fisherman’s Cove

Village, large glass fish-tanks display the catch of the day; in
Pangkor Laut, its location is a guarantee of this.
Both restaurants send a simple message: with freshness inyour ingredients, great taste is always assured. “This has
been the reason for Fisherman’s Cove success,” enthuses
Chef Wai Look Chow, now the head chef at the Feast Village
restaurant. “It’s the only way with seafood. Then all you
need to do is dress it up in your favourite dressing such aslemon juice, olive oil and herbs.”
However, the Pangkor Laut establishment has also opted
to take a slightly different approach than its Feast Village
counterpart in terms of the menu, choosing instead to offer
a focus of three cooking styles for all its seafood: Western
grill, Chinese and Italian.
Sensational view, scenic food While the offeringof distinctive recipes (see sidebar below) is what sets
Fisherman’s Cove apart from the competition, both are also
blessed with delightfully contrasting ambiences.

Welcome to adining paradiseat Pangkor Laut

Although both are built based on the concept of a typicalfishing village with its bamboo structures and furnishings,
the two-storey Fisherman’s Cove in the heart of KL city’s
Golden Triangle is decorated with sails, lacquered furnitureand lamps resembling fish baskets that give off a charming,rustic atmosphere – you can almost imagine being on some
sort of modern day kelong... until the smell of your Tiger
Prawn Meat Rolled with Foie Gras, Chutney and Orange
comes wafting towards your table.

with Roasted Aubergines and Wok-Fried Chinese Brussels
Sprout while soft live music plays in the background as thesea breeze catches your hair, enveloping you in the best ofwhat Mother Nature has to offer. It is the perfect place tolose yourself as you unwind and allow your taste buds totake over.

At Pangkor Laut, the restaurant’s natural surroundings
need no embellishment; how can you beat having, say,the delicious Steamed Spicy Local Barramundi presented

Sister restaurants they may be, twin winners they both are.
Take your pick for freshness at either Fisherman’s Coves fora dining experience unlike any other.

A quick guide to Fisherman’s Cove
Fisherman’s
Cove @ Feast
Village

LG10, Feast Village,
Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan
Bukit Bintang, KL
Tel: 03-2782 3848
Hidden in a nook at
the Feast Village, therestaurant’s open-concept
kitchen proudly displays
all its available fresh
ingredients. Watch the chef
create your meal right infront of your very eyes.
Must-tries Symphonyof Fisherman’s Cove Hors
D’oeuvres, a beautiful dishof four unique starters;

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Snow Crab Meat andAvocado Soup with
Shallot Chips; Chargrilled Black Cod with
Tomato Salsa, Mint andCapsicum; Honey and Soy
Glazed Chilean Sea Bass
with Duck Confit Risottoand Butter Roe Sauce.

Fisherman’s
Cove @ YTL
Pangkor LautResortTel: 03-2782 1000 or
05-699 1200

From the luxurious
Pangkor Laut Resort
comes this delightfulrestaurant that offers
fantastic ambience and astunning sea view.
Must-tries Blue
Swimmer Crabmeat Salad
Seasoned with Walnut Oil
garnished with Mango
Tartare; Oven Baked
Fillet of Red Snapper withJapanese Tomatoes, Olive
Oil, Sea Salt, Water Cressand Olive Tapanade; LesFraises, sauteed Cameron
Highland strawberries in
red wine sauce and very
berry ice-cream; Le Cake,a flourless dark-chocolate
cake served with vanilla

ice cream which is simply todie for!

101

The open kitchenat the Feast
Village outlet

In theKitchen

Chef Wai is the mastermind
behind Feast Village’s
Fisherman’s Cove. He shares his
secrets as to what makes thisrestaurant a firm KL favourite
With a colourful bandanna tied tightly on his head, thefirst impression you get of Chef Wai Look Chow is that hemeans business. This is indeed true when it comes to thefood business. As the Head Chef for Fisherman’s Cove,
Feast Village, Chef Wai is in charge of the entire kitchen
operations. “I have to bring the restaurant to a level that
I want it to be,” says the 37-year-old, who is more importantly,
also the creator of the restaurant’s exciting menu.
In the hands of someone as experienced as Chef Wai, thisisn’t a tall order and a quick glance at the unique offerings at
the restaurant is testament to that. From the most temptingof seafood creations to the most delectable of dessert
offerings, his inventiveness in the kitchen shines through.

102

For Chef Wai, the thing that counts the most when it comesto the kitchen is the freshness and the variety of theingredients made available to him and his crew. “Our main
goal is to provide each and every guest with the perfectdining experience,” he says with conviction, “and to achieve
that, those two factors are of utmost importance.”
This single-mindedness stems from the arc his career hastaken: as a young boy, Chef Wai was forced to fend for himself
in the kitchen when his parents were busy at work. Today,
he heads one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants after
being part of the team that set up the original Fisherman’s
Cove in the Spa Village Pangkor Laut.
He professes to be a fan of reality cooking programmes, if
not to expand his knowledge on new styles of cooking, butalso to learn about new and different ingredients. “I love towatch how other chefs use ingredients I’ve never seen or
touched before,” he says. “This way I can learn many new
things.” Which probably goes a long way in explaining why
the offerings in Fisherman’s Cove are a combination of someof the most unique ingredients fused together, resulting in
not just delicious tasting dishes, but surprising ones too.
What is also surprising is Chef Wai’s other secret of successin the kitchen. As a father of three, he is one of the rare
few chefs also ‘appointed’ head of the home kitchen. “I have
fun cooking at home though,” he smiles. “When I’m done, mywhole family sits down and enjoys the meal. We share thefood and the happiness it brings. And when you’re happy,
your cooking will be good as well.”
The secret is out. No wonder there are so many happy dining
moments at Fisherman’s Cove.
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wine

A Red
Revolution
The Carmenère grape is almost extinct in the REST of theworld, but is thriving in the Colchagua Valley of Chile.
In 2005, ‘Wine Enthusiast’ named Colchagua “Wine Regionof the Year,” and for the past decade, French, Chilean
and Californian maestros have been pampering andpunishing Chilean grapes to find the best combinations.
the first real harvests of 2007 are in. The results –particularly in red wines – are stunning the world
by Jonathan Franklin/ TCS

photography by Morten Andersen/ TCS

Sun blinds me as I swerve my rental car around thehorse. Will I hit the poor beast? Should I steer off
the road and careen into the vineyard? And why arethese plodding horse-driven buggies in the middleof the highway at rush hour?
The travel guides described this trip as a“convenient 90 minute drive” south from Santiago,
the capital of Chile. Not one travel book mentioned
the crazed traffic or the wandering horses in theirendless praise of the red wines of Chile – thosesame red wines which are the only reason that I
have rented a car, abandoned Santiago and driven
back in time to find the Colchagua Valley, where,
rumours have it, some of the world’s finest wines
are now produced.
I am in a hurry to arrive. Colchagua is supposedly
a valley packed with wine vineyards and palm trees
all to be enjoyed while sipping an endless variety ofChilean wine.
But my problem is getting there - I can’t see. The
sunlight cuts low this morning, having just cleared
the Andes Mountains, it strikes my eyes hard andthere are no clouds for protection. But a new signon the horizon catches my eye. Vinedo (Winery).
Then another. Dozens of wineries. Names I havenever heard of like Estampa and Hacienda El
Auracano. Meaning that I am close at last.
Between vineyards are small family farms ofbeautiful chocolate-coloured soil farmed by local
cowboys known as huaso who are distinguished bytheir trademark black hat, the crisp brim stretchingout nearly to their shoulders, providing permanentshade for long horseback treks through the fields.
My mission this weekend is to taste and understandChile’s chic new wine – the Carmenère grape whichis almost extinct in the world, but thriving here in
the Colchagua Valley.
“I find Carmenère fascinating and delicious, andregard its identification in Chile in 1994 as the
single most important discovery (or rediscovery)in the entire wine world during the past decade,”
wrote Michael Franz, wine columnist for the
Washington Post.
Pronounced car-men-air, this red wine is dark
purple and versatile, like a cook’s favourite pepperyspice. Alone, the Carmenère has fruity overtones –cherries and wild berries – and is smoother than atypical red wine like cabernet.
After the nerve - wracking, shock - absorber destroying ride, I finally pull up to the quainttown square – this is Santa Cruz, epicenter for therenovated Chilean wine-tasting industry in the
Colchagua Valley. Here it is common to see children
as young as eight galloping through town, theirponchos flying behind them. Ten years ago, when
I first visited Colchagua Valley, Santa Cruz wasAfter a 10-year-long research-and-development
project, the first real harvests of Colchagua arein. French, Chilean and California maestros havebrewed out the recipes, pampered and punishedthe grapes, and the results – particularly in red
wines – are now stunning the world.
The man behind the renaissance is Carlos Cardoen,a gregarious local businessman with a resumé
like James Bond’s. Photos of Cardoen with
Saddam Hussein and Fidel Castro are no longer
on display at his hotel, the Santa Cruz; they are

The identification of the carmenère inchile is the most important [re]discovery
in the wine world in the past decade
anonymous, like so many other rural ranchlands inChile. Colchagua in 1996 was home to the weekend
cowboy – wealthy landowners who worked in
Santiago during the week, then drove south from
Santiago to fill the weekend with polo matches andBBQs. All weekend they drank homebrew cabernet
sauvignon and merlot and it was amongst thiselite, that a rumour began to whirl, a rumour that
Colchagua was going to be “The Next Napa.”

relics from the 1980s when Cardoen a hyperactive
entrepreneur was the world champion bomb maker.
He designed, built and sold the world’s premierbombs, and he didn’t care whether your last namewas Bush or Hussein. “An arsenal is an arsenal,” hetold his guests. Colleagues remember that he wascapable of sketching out a new bomb design on atable napkin, combining physics, chemistry andan artist’s sensitivity for blowing everything (andeveryone) off the map.

Among this circuit circulated the elite vintners andwinemakers, a virtual cult of connoisseurs whoseek the world’s best wines and the corresponding
world-class weather to make it. They included
winemakers like Alexandra Marnier and Eric deRothschild who started snapping up properties andcultivating a new culture of winemaking.

106

A worker with afresh harvest of
the Carmenère
grape(This photo and below)
Wine ages in the
Colchagua Valley

Today Cardoen is a silver-haired country gentleman,living in his Chilean vineyard, investing millions ofdollars into wine. Cardoen has led the movement
to create the Chilean equivalent of a Napa Valley
for wine connoisseurs. The Santa Cruz has oneof Chile’s most complete wine cellars and its
restaurant draws tourists from the whole region.
I meet Cardoen at his hotel. Dressed in local attire,
he ushers me to the bar inside the Santa Cruz,
where I am introduced to the latest top picks inChilean reds. Forget about the merlot and cabernet
sauvignon, there is this new, hip and delicious red
wine coming out of Chile – Carmenère.
“Colchagua is ground zero for Carmenère,” said
Thomas Wilkins, as he explains to me how thisnoble grape emigrated from France and ended up
thriving here in Central Chile.

“The difference between 1994 and today, is that
before they (the local winemakers) were producing
wine like a commodity, big volumes,” says Marnier
as she stands on the roof of her new US$7
million wine cellar. “First you need much moresophisticated tools like stainless steel tanks, betterbarrels. Second, everything begins in the vineyard.
We started to plant on the hillsides, where the soil
is poor and fewer grapes are produced.”

The story begins in France in the 1860s when atiny bug developed a taste for grapevines. Within
years it had eaten through the roots, destroying
thousands of acres and eliminating entire
vineyards. The only survivors from that epidemic,
Wilkins explains, were clippings from France which
had been shipped to Chile before the outbreak.

Marnier who is the heir to the Grand Marnier liquor
fortune looks at me with an eye of conspiratorial
knowledge as she lowers her voice, as if she were
telling me a great family secret. “Even the French
realise that great wine doesn’t necessarily comefrom old wineries.”

Wilkins smiles when he describes the versatility
that local winemakers have. Not only do they makeworld-class merlot and cabernet sauvignon, but
by blending the Carmenère with cabernet, they
have a secret ingredient available only to Chilean
winemakers. While Argentina has Malbec andWine-making is
a festive event
here at the
Colchagua Valley

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Australia Syrah as national emblematic grapes,
Wilkins sings the praise of Chile’s own: the royal,
noble Carmenère.
I only stayed in Santa Cruz for two nights. Work andfive daughters called me back to Santiago, but after
eating world-class steaks, wandering the grape
fields listening to wine legends and absorbing the
local pace of life, I was as relaxed as if I had been aweek at the beach. Driving back north to Santiago,
I see the horses, the buggies and the traffic andjust smile. I am not in a hurry any more.
107

art

Malaysians in New York
Photographer Eric Peris and artist
Yeoh Kean Thai will become the first
Malaysians ever to exhibit at theInternational Asian Art Fair to be held inPark Avenue, New York this year. Showing
under the auspices of The Private Galleryof Shalini Ganendra Fine Art, Peris willfeature his ‘Tin Mine Landscapes’ series– a melancholic and meditative body ofwork from the 1970s which still retains
the power to evoke Malaysia’s beginnings.
(Peris will only exhibit 23 images; the restof the original 41 have been irretrievably
lost.) As for Yeoh, his current series,‘Link’, continues his fascination with
exploring the deterioration of theenvironment caused by urbanisation
but explores it through different
manipulations of perspectives. Mar 27-31,

2008; www.shaliniganendra.com or www.
theprivategallery.com

Windows of Genius
The artwork of a 13-year-old boy genius gives us a
glimpse into the complex and mystifying world of
the autistic savant
by EUGENE NG

Welcome to the wondrous of world of the prodigious savant– a world also inhabited by an exceptionally talented 13-yearold boy by the name of Yeak Ping Lian. This Malaysian boy
is fast making a name for himself in the international art
world. He has already exhibited as far afield as New York (atAutistic Savant Artworks: Don’t ‘dis’ the ability), and his work
has drawn admiration and critical acclaim from all quarters.
In popular culture, ‘autism’ and (by extension) ‘savants’, aremost closely associated with the famous Dustin Hoffman/
Tom Cruise movie Rain Man. The word ‘savant’, however, isgenerally used to describe individuals who are exceptionallygifted in any given field (such as art, music or maths) while
also suffering from disorders such as mental autism which
impairs their basic abilities. Within this select group, thereis then an even smaller group of individuals (which include
the likes of Wiltshire, Tammet and Yeak) who are called108‘prodigious savants’ and who have abilities which would beconsidered phenomenal even in a person with no mental
impairment or limitations.
According to experts in the field, Ping Lian’s work isunprecedented with respect to the vast range of subject
matter he portrays on paper: from dogs to flowers to people
to architectural structures and landscape in both full-colour
and black and white. Some of his favourite buildings to draw
include the Petronas Twin Towers, Sydney Harbour Bridge
and the US Capitol Building – many of which he is able to put
straight down on paper owing to his photographic memory(which many savants are blessed with).
Ping Lian began drawing at the age of 8, when his motherfirst started cultivating his interest in tracing in order to help
him develop writing skills. It was in 2002 that he suddenly
began to produce works of fine detail and surprising depth.
“I know he will be an artist one day,” wrote his mother Sarahat the time.
How wonderfully true that prophecy has turned out to be.

Jan 21-Feb 28, 2008 @ Suria Stonor Show Gallery (16,Persiaran Stonor, KL); +603-7804 0000 or www.pinglian.com
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Amours A-Merrier Fashion and styling is theall photos art commune

Consider Daniel Tammet, who has memorized the number ofpi to 22,514 decimal places. Or consider Stephen Wiltshire,
who once took a helicopter ride over London and who wasthen able, three hours later, to complete a “stunningly
detailed drawing of London which spans four square miles
with 12 major landmarks and 200 other buildings drawn toperfect perspective and scale.”inspirational backbone of Sandra Knuyt’s newest series,
named ‘Les Amours de la Belle Epoque’ after the famous
French era when art and fashion met in fabulous ways
during a time of peace between the European powers.
Known for her depiction of strong women, Knuyt loses
none of this trademark edge in the latest; in fact, she
pushes it one step further with even more ‘what-yousee-is-what-you-get’ expressions. These striking portraits
will grace the walls of her gallery and boutique, setting
off her latest collections of fashion, accessories andfine jewellery. Jan-Mar 2008 at Sandra Knuyt Gallery &Boutique, Shangri-la Hotel, KL, and Pangkor Laut Resort& Spa; 03-4103 3996 or www.sandraknuyt.com

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

Koala Lumpur Rimbun Dahan kicks off 2008 witha cross-cultural exhibition featuring two multimedia artists
selected for the Malaysia-Australia Visual Arts Residency
2007, a programme which saw the pair live and work at thefamily compound of famed architect Hijjas Kasturi for 12months. The gallery’s 13th Residency Exhibition will thus
showcase paintings and slide projections inspired by ourrecent 50th Merdeka entitled ‘Recollections of Long Lost
Memories’ by Ahmad Fuad Osman. Aussie artist Gabrielle
Bates will unveil ‘Mouth of Flowers’ which includes paintings,
objects and video works. The pair will also collaborate on avideo piece that will premiere on opening night. Jan 13-27,
2008, at Rimbun Dahan Gallery, Km 27, Jalan Kuang, 48050
Selangor; call +6013-224 2158 or rimbundahan@gmail.com or
www.rimbundahan.org
109

film

Helvetica
lapple
vetic
ti
Jee p
MARKS&SPENCER
MA

Lufthansa
AmericanMicrosoft

London Calling

The British film revival is getting a vigorous home nodat the London Film Festival
by MATT ARMITAGE

Airlines

Font of Knowledge

A small movie about a simple typeface is making big waves
by MATT ARMITAGE

One pioneer in the field is Plexifilms, an independent US
film production company started in 2001 by Gary Hustwit,
a former VP at digital magazine Salon.com, and Sean
Anderson, who had worked at classic movie re-issuing house
The Criterion Collection which releases “films we like”.
Earning itself a reputation for quality niche movies anddocumentaries, it wasn’t until 2005’s Moog, directed by Hans
Fjellestad, that the company crept out of the underground.
That movie, a chronicle of the life’s work of Bob Moog,
the electronics pioneer who created the Moog analogue
synthesizer, beloved of today’s cult bands, was as much achronicle of obsession and perversity (more so on the partof the musicians interviewed than Moog himself) as biopic
but it was that single-minded passion that made it palatable
to a wider audience.
And the company has hit pay-dirt again with Around the110

World with Helvetica, an 80-minute celebration of 50 yearsof one of the world’s most famous typefaces. Loved bygraphic designers for its simplicity, Helvetica is a favourite
for road signs, billboards and corporations. Companies thathave built their own iconic identities on its clean lines include
Jeep, Marks & Spencer, Lufthansa, Microsoft and Apple.

Time was when the London Film Festival (LFF) was acelebration of everything except British film. With its movie
industry in decline throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the LFF
served only to highlight the fact that Britain had become thecountry that Hollywood made its movies in, rather than aplace that movies came from.

Directed by Hustwit and co-funded by Veer, a visualcompany famous for its Helvetica variants, an idea thatwould sound like paint drying at a Hollywood pitch isactually an illuminating and rewarding appraisal of the way
communication seeps into our daily lives. Through interviews
with design luminaries including Massimo Vignelli (who used
it for the American Airlines wordmark among others), Wim
Crouwel and font architect Herman Zapf, the film’s potential
geek appeal is counter-balanced by the weight of thephilosophies that underpin graphic design.

But as Hollywood flocks into Eastern Europe, attracted byits lower costs, a new generation of British directors has
moved into the void, with auteurs like Guy Ritchie, Paul
Andrew Williams and Danny Boyle producing internationallysuccessful movies with a strong British identity.

Despite a limited release, the movie has become one of
the most talked about independent productions of 2007,
with a highly anticipated DVD release in November. Most
interestingly, it has captured the imagination of the media
and the public alike, igniting debate on everything fromnewspaper print to the legend above the local takeaway. Andin causing us to reappraise the world that surrounds us, aworld that is increasingly full of fonts, this movie transcends
the limitations of its subject matter and asks us to reexamine the boundaries between art and design.
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

Which is why the New British Cinema category is now oneof the LFF’s most exciting. This year’s event includes: Dog
Altogether, the double award winning directorial debut ofactor/writer Paddy Considine; In Prison My Whole Life, adocumentary on death row resident and political activist
Mumia Abu-Jamal by Marc Evans; Joanna Hogg’s Unrelated;and celebrated documentary-maker Nick Broomfield’scontroversial Iraq War docu-drama Battle for Haditha.
Now in its 51st year, the Times newspaper sponsored event
ran from October 17 until November 1, 2007, in venues allaround London. As well as its focus on British cinema,
this year’s festival continued with its world cinema ethos,screening works from over 60 countries. There was a strong
showing from Asian nations, including Indonesia, Thailand,
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

South Korea, Hong Kong and Philippines. Malaysia’s Mukhsin,
an exploration of culture and young love by the country’s
leading director, Yasmin Ahmad, also showed at the festival
to favourable reviews.
What sets the LFF apart, say, from the star-studded Cannes
jamboree, is its strong public access ethos. And though it has
attracted much stronger industry attention in recent years,
you’ll find very few closed door screenings beyond the galaopening and closing ceremonies.
Highlights of this year included: a show-and-tell screening of
Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited where the US director
took questions from a lively audience; and the Romanianfarce California Dreamin’ which deals with the misadventuresof a group of US Marines in a remote Romanian village; andthe moving and compelling portrait of life in a Vietnam War
POW camp, the Werner Herzog directed and Christian Balestarring Rescue Dawn.

Which movie is this classic
line from?

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”(Turn the page upside down to find out the answer)
Jaws (1975)

While big budget productions like Michael Moore’s Sicko and
Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth have brought documentaries
out of the art house and into the mainstream, there has
been a parallel development in micro-documentaries thathas taken the genre into new and more leftfield territory.
Subjects that would once have been confined to a hardcoreof specialist viewers are now finding a wider audience whoare interested as much in the motivations of the film-makers
as in the content itself.

111

ytl Hotels

ytl Hotels

Pangkor Laut Resort

The Estates
at Pangkor Laut

Voted the world’s best resort, multiple award-winning Pangkor Laut Resort promises the privileged visitor an
experience of exclusivity and elegance. Its home is the private island of Pangkor Laut, which is blessed with astunning 2-million-year-old rainforest and with pristine beaches bathed in the waters of the Straits of Malacca.
The accommodation is luxuriously appointed and the resort boasts unparalleled hospitality and attention todetail. On the gastronomic front, guests can enjoy a wide range of cuisine, whether dining at the new Feast
Village, at Fisherman’s Cove by the sea, or on one of the Resort’s teakwood junks. Add the tropical sun, luxurious
surroundings and the services of the Resort’s world-renowned Spa Village – which combines the healing arts
of India, China and Malaysia – and it is no wonder that this is the choice holiday destination for internationalcelebrities and the most discerning of holidaymakers. Tel: +603-2783 1000; www.pangkorlautresort.com

In a small secluded cove near Pangkor Laut Resort rest the eight wonders that make up The Estates. Each of these
individually crafted enclaves is reminiscent of the traditional South-East Asian way of living of days gone by,when an ‘estate’ was made up of a number of special purpose buildings scattered amidst gardens of astounding
beauty. Comprising either two, three or four bedrooms, each Estate offers a private infinity-edge pool, as well as
discreet living, dining, bathing and sleeping pavilions in various adaptations of Malay architectural traditions.
Every Estate has an Estate Manager, two dedicated attendants and a Chef, all of whom will aid in addressing
every aspect of each guest’s tenancy: from housekeeping to meals to any special requests you might have. Thereis also a private vehicle and driver assigned to each Estate should guests decide to leave the seclusion of theirvilla to dine in one of the Resort’s restaurants or to go for a treatment at the Spa Village. The Estates is truly theperfect luxury hideaway. Tel: +603-2783 1000; www.pangkorlautresort.com/estates/ytl Hotels

ytl Hotels

Tanjong Jara Resort

Cameron Highlands
ResortAn evocation of the elegance and grandeur of 17th century Malay palaces, Tanjong Jara Resort is the only
luxury resort that sits along Malaysia’s beautiful East Coast beaches. Built on a 17-hectare site that blends inwith its natural surroundings, the 99-room Resort is an embodiment of the gentle Malay arts of service andhospitality. With a philosophy based on the concept of ‘Sucimurni’ (which emphasises purity of spirit, healthand well-being), Tanjong Jara is the perfect place to escape and rejuvenate. The Resort’s Spa Village is the only
luxury spa in the world focusing on traditional Malay healing methods, and has also been voted ‘World’s Most
Innovative Spa’ by Tatler magazine United Kingdom. The Resort offers four different luxurious accommodation
options, each commanding stunning views of the South China Sea and appointed in a fashion fit for a Malay
king. Tanjong Jara is surrounded by sleepy fishing villages, shaded by coconut palms, alongside a meanderingriver teeming with wildlife – providing guests with an authentic taste of the region’s spirit and culture.
Tel: +603-2783 1000; www.tanjungjararesort.com

Set amidst tea plantations and rolling hills, this tranquil boutique hideaway promises visitors all the splendour,romance and nostalgia of Cameron Highlands’ grand colonial heritage. Cameron Highlands is Malaysia’s
largest hill resort and is the only place in this tropical country where you can find tea plantations andstrawberries, while enjoying a gentle temperate climate. Largely unchanged since its colonial heyday, this ‘little
corner of England in Asia’ is still dotted with Tudor-style cottages and is a place where scones and afternoon
tea will not seem out of place. The Resort itself is representative of all this: with tall French doors, timberbeamed ceilings, plantation shutters and even a fireplace adding old-world charm to the surroundings. It also
houses a Spa Village boasting a host of tea-inspired treatments as well as an 18-hole golf course and 56
luxuriously appointed rooms and suites which weave in the wondrous colours and textures of Jim Thompson’s
famed Asian silks. Visitors can also enjoy numerous nature trails, visit tea plantations and an orang asli village,
or immerse themselves in the unsolved mystery surrounding the disappearance of Jim Thompson in 1967.
Tel: +603-2783 1000; www.cameronhighlandsresort.com

Ytl Hotels

ytl Hotels

Spa Village Resort
Tembok Bali

Spa Village

The key to every YTL Luxury Spa Resort is the marriage of luxurious accommodation and sterling service withbeauty, tranquility and a sense of sanctuary. The Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali is all that and more. Inspiredby the Spa Village Pangkor Laut, this latest jewel in YTL Hotel’s crown embraces the same healing ethos ofcelebrating local culture, honouring the ancient remedies of the region and infusing each visit with the essenceof the surrounding location. Set in a landscape of great natural beauty, this 31-room luxury spa resort offers
guests the best of Balinese massage, wellness and spirituality therapies which seek to restore not just the bodyand mind, but also to replenish the spirit through a range of carefully-designed programmes. The seclusion of theresort also offers guests the opportunity to get away from the stresses of the world and rejuvenate within a placetailor-made for that very purpose. Tel: +603-2783 1000; www.tembokbali.com

YTL’s multiple award-winning Spa Village brand has developed a solid international reputation within the luxury
spa market and grown from strength to strength over the years. Besides the original Spa Village Pangkor Laut,there are now four other Spa Villages – Spa Village Kuala Lumpur, Spa Village Tanjong Jara, Spa Village
Cameron Highlands and Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali – with another, the Spa Village Malacca, soon to beopened. What’s unique about all the Spa Villages is that each draws inspiration from the healing cultures of its
particular region and blends traditional therapeutic remedies with a modern methodology. Whether in Pangkor
Laut, Kuala Lumpur or Bali, the Spa Village is a sophisticated and rejuvenating experience, not just becauseof the quality of its services but simply because the Spa Village is more than just a place: it’s a philosophy.
Tel: +603-2783 1000; www.spavillage.com

ytl Hotels

ytl Hotels

Majestic

JW Marriott
Hotel atStarhill
Gallery, KL

The Majestic Malacca is the first luxury
hotel and spa in the historic city ofMalacca. Faithfully restored and lovingly
refurbished by YTL Hotels, the 108-room
Majestic Malacca resonates with historicalsignificance even while it has beenthoroughly updated to cater to the needsof today’s upmarket traveller. Architecture,décor and dining all reflect the legacy of thisancients city’s history, and take guests on aluxurious journey into the past, The Majestic
Malacca also houses the newest Spa Village.
Adhering to the brand’s philosophy of
honouring the healing traditions of the local region, the Spa Village Malacca is now the only spa in the world tobase its healing heritage on the Baba-Nyonya culture. It thus offers luxury-spa seekers such delights as the warmenergy treatment of Malaccan palm sugar and honey scrub and a hot nutmeg and rice rolling body massage.
An icon of Malacca’s past has now become something to be desired in the present. Tel: +603-2142 8000;
www.majesticmalacca.com

The JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur was designed withthe business traveller in mind. Located in the city’s business
district, this five-star deluxe hotel is the ultimate venue formeetings and functions. Facilities include 47 flexible meetingroom options (including a grand ballroom) within the property,
the adjoining Starhill Conference Centre and the newly built
Carlton Conference Centre (at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, KL), all of which are connected via link-bridge.
There is also a Business Centre providing a full range of business services. Rooms feature ample workspace, aplush high-back executive chair, broadband connection and other standard communication services (two-line
speaker phone, fax modem, voicemail). The hotel is also integrated into the world-class shopping centre, Starhill
Gallery, which features high-end shopping, a range of award-winning Spa and beauty salons, and numerous
fine-dining options at the Gallery’s Feast Village. Tel: +603-2715 9000; www.marriott.com

Eastern &Oriental
Express

Based on the philosophy that great service should never
merely be reactive and compliant but anticipatory andspontaneous, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s
only 5-star luxury boutique hotel offering a full personal
butler service. Its location in the heart of the city’s prestigious
Golden Triangle district makes for easy access to the trendy
Bukit Bintang area: Starhill Gallery, one of the city’s premier
shopping centres, is linked to the hotel via an enclosed
sky bridge. With 365 elegantly appointed guestrooms(including 110 suites and 1 penthouse), 24 meeting rooms, three exceptional restaurants and anaward-winning ‘tropical’ Spa Village, The Ritz-Carlton is regarded as one of the city’s finest businesshotels where combining business and pleasure is as effortless as the masterly service it provides.
Tel: +603-2142 8000; www.ritzcarlton.com

E&O photo johnny mcgeorge

The RitzCarlton
at Starhill
Gallery, KL

Coursing right through the heart of South-East Asia
– from Singapore through Malaysia to Thailand –is the celebrated Eastern & Oriental Express, theultimate centrepiece of a visit to the Far East. Explore
the mysticism of South-East Asia in the unparalleled
comfort and luxury of what is regarded as one of
the world’s most exotic train journeys. On board the
E&O Express, you will enjoy a journey in the plushestof surroundings and will be pampered by private
stewards attending to your every need. Famed for its
exceptional fine dining, and classic atmosphere of
luxury, adventure and nostalgia – the E&O Express isa priceless pilgrimage that is bound to be a once-ina-lifetime experience, even for the seasoned traveller.
Tel: +65-6392 3500; www.orient-express.com

viva la diva

The Fabulous LifeYTL Life’s resident air-kiss queen makes a grandentrance… then high tales it out of hereby Lady Cristal Champers

Hello luvvies, mwah mwah to you all! Hope all is tickety-boo
in your world.
Let me take you on a flight of fantasy into the fabulous
world of luxury travel and lifestyle of the trendsetters,
the pretentious, the pretenders, the well-heeled, the highheeled, the rich and famous or even infamous as in the caseof poor little Britney Spears who is spiralling downwards
more rapidly than a lead balloon. Having clawed her way
out of Kentwood in rural Louisiana to hit the big time in Lala Land, the poor little lamb is now being swallowed up by
the flame of fame and fortune and is in complete meltdown.
There is more brass in new money than class. Don’t try thisat home, darlings!
Living the high life is hard graft as virgin high-lifers will tell
you regarding their first taste of luxury. No, not that type ofvirgins, you dirty boy, but more like lottery winners who arepropelled into its lap by accident rather than by birthright.

New York. Poor little dear has never quite recovered fromthe shock of having to sit among the paupers and drink winefrom a bad year, eat dreadful food and worse, eat with plastic
cutlery! How unkind to a châtelaine whose idea of a disasteris not being the first to get the season’s latest Prada bag.
Her ladyship is also an animal lover and is totally devoted toher two poodles, Gin and Tonic, and her horse Johnny Walker.
But she can’t give up wearing leather and fur. Her excuse isthat man-made materials like polyester and nylon are nonbio-degradable and bad for the environment. Underneaththat bleached blonde hair over a surgically-enhanced face,
there is a brain somewhere I am sure. The fur-lined anddiamond-encrusted champagne-soaked world of the wealthybons vivants and lotus-eaters who live in stately homes andown floating gin palaces in the Mediterranean is a dirty job
but someone’s got to do it.

I have observed many an airborne faux pas in the businessand first-class cabins in my jet-setting life. I once overhearda passenger asking the air stewardess what caviar was. She
politely explained that it was ‘some kind of salted fish eggs’
to which the passenger replied, “Sounds nice. I will have
two please, soft boiled.” Bless. The flat bed in the cabin
is also a death trap for the uninitiated – yes, it can bea major production to get just the right gradient – andseeing someone being mangled by a luxury flat bed is
not a pretty sight.

Illustration EDWARD MAK

On another note, my good friend Lady Prunella andI have decided to join all the Hollywood luvvies like
George Clooney, Brangelina and Leonardo DiCaprio et
al to save the planet and reduce our carbon footprints.
Why, how we used to grace the boutiques in Bond Street
and Knightsbridge in London, pounding the streets in our
Jimmy Choos while indulging in some serious retailtherapy! Now we confine our shopping sprees toHarrods and only use our private jets sparingly on
our winter jaunts to warmer climes.
Poor Lady Prunella had to undergo therapy
when a wretched airline that shall remain
nameless overbooked its first and businessclasses and she had to travel steerage to120

THE YT L LU XU RY MAGA Z I NE