YTL

Issue Twent y Two

T h e

Y T L

L u x u r y

M a g a z i n e

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

Riviera Revelry
Sweet Summer inSaint-TropezWest Lake
Awakening

Spa Village Hangzhou
PP 15585/10/2012(031264)

Time’s Treasures
The Best of
BaselWorld 2013

Bali Adventure • Hutong Guangzhou • Malacca & Metaphors

Contents
26Life Events

10 A round up of parties andevents in the world of YTL.

Life Bites

16 Hot happenings at YTL Hotels.

Life on the Cover

18 When summer hits France,
there’s no more glamorous
place to be in than sundrenched Saint-Tropez.
Explore this exceedingly-chicold fishing town from yourluxurious base at the MuseSaint Tropez.

Life Feature

26 More than just the perfectplace to lounge and be
pampered in, Spa Village

Resort Tembok, Bali isalso where you findunforgettable adventures andmesmerising art.
34 Celebrated artist andconservationist Victor Chin
explores history-soaked
Jalan Hang Jebat in Malacca.
42 Gaya Island Resort’s
resident marine biologist
Scott Mayback thrills at
the beauty of Sabah’s
underwater treasures.
74 A master dyer from
Kyoto, Japan, teams up
with a contemporary
Malaysian batik maison to
stunning effect.

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Beautiful Life

48 Potions and elixirs inspiredby Mother Earth.
50 There are few things thatsoothe the soul as muchas a getaway to a remoteisland, dressed in yourcolourful best, of course.
72 Some must-haves for yoursummer in the Saint-Tropez sun.

Life of Luxury

62 Dazzling baubles to sport
this season.
66 Highlights from BaselWorld
2013, the watch exhibitionof the year.

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90

Lawyer-turn-wordsmith
Tan Twan Eng talks about
history, his inspirationand home.

Life Cuisine

The Lot 10 Hutong in
Kuala Lumpur, the go-to
destination for the best of
Malaysia’s street cuisine,
spreads its wings toGuangzhou, China.
Executive Chef Hemant
Dadlani adds a gastronomic
frisson to your stay at
Pangkor Laut Resort.
Satisfy your inner chefand gourmet with lessons
at the shiny new Starhill
Culinary Studio.

Spa Life

78 Summertime in the
poetically-pretty city ofHangzhou in China’s
Zhejiang Province canbe a sweltering affair but
respite is at hand with
Spa Village Hangzhou’ssybaritic three-hour Summer
Joy spa journey.
94 A truly soothing andpampering Balinese spa
treatment right in the heartof busy Kuala Lumpur.

Life Guide

96 Glamour and the good life
go hand-in-bejewelled handat sublime Saint-Tropez.
Celia Gumbau, Brand
Manager – Sales & Marketing96
and Press for YTL Hotels’Muse Collection of bespoke
properties and a native
Tropezienne, shares her
favourite things about thisparticular patch of South ofFrance paradise.

Portfolio Of Life105 Explore the world of
YTL Hotels.

My Life

120 Celebrated couturier and thetoast of New York’s fashion
scene, Zang Toi looks to theart of travel, good food andluxurious hotels as his favourite
sources of inspiration
and relaxation.

Editorial Team
Editorial Director
Izan Yusuff Wilson
Editor-in-Chief
Diana KhooSub Editor
Christy Yoong
      
Editorial AssistantMichelle Liong
T h e

Y T L

L u x u r y

M a g a z i n e

ArtCreative Director
Eireen Ooi

Published By
YTL Hotels
11th Floor, Yeoh Tiong Lay Plaza, 55,
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55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Loo Kit Choong.

A Note fromTan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh

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

This quarter marks a particularly exciting time for us at YTL Corporation as welaunch the first-ever international outlet of Lot 10 Hutong in Guangzhou, China. I am
pleased to see the growth and global expansion of a product that was created asa way to preserve and share Malaysia’s culinary heritage and the richness of our
local street food. I remember how my father, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong
Lay, would take the whole family all over town to enjoy the best and most famous
local hawker dishes, be it in the back alleys of Petaling Street, along the road in
Campbell Street and further beyond to Petaling Jaya and Klang. The successof Lot 10 Hutong, listed by The New York Times as ‘Asia’s Top Odysseys’ for
its heritage hawker brands and unsurpassed selection of world-class dishes,
now expands its wings to China as we open within the Tsai Lan City of Fusion
Foods in the Fuli Yingxin Building of Zhujiang New Town Development, inpartnership with renowned food critic and personality Chua Lam and Ralph
Hu. After being away across the Nanyang for centuries, we have notforgotten our cultural and culinary roots. The concept of Hutong actually
represents the culture of hard work, long-suffering and perseverance,something embodied by the Chinese immigrants to Malaya, who could
prepare very good food at affordable prices as a means of catharsis,
to fight another day, if you will. This culture and what it represents
must not be forgotten. So, today, I am extremely proud to be able tobring back something of value to my grandfather’s homeland withthe culinary legacies of Nanyang’s best of the best comfort food tobe shared with everyone.
China has also warmly welcomed our award-winning Spa
Villages, with two successfully opened in the cities of Hangzhou
and Shaoxing, and one more to open by the year’s end in Xiao
Shan, all in Zhejiang Province. In this issue, please read allabout the world-class spa journeys available at Spa Village
Hangzhou on page 78. Summer also means it’s high season
in the French Riviera and, if your schedule permits, don’t
miss spending a few days luxuriating at the Muse Saint
Tropez, our beautiful boutique property in one of the mostdesirable destinations in the South of France, the subjectof our cover story this issue. It’s an exciting summer for allof us at YTL Corporation. We hope yours will be equallymemorable. God bless and happy reading.

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Of Jay &Daisy Fay
The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur proved to be the venue par excellence for a recent
dinner thrown by The Peak and New York’s preeminent jewellers Tiffany & Co to celebrate
the recent premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s much-anticipated screen adaptation of The Great
Gatsby, starring Leonardo di Caprio and Carey Mulligan. The evening began with classic
cocktails at the hotel’s The Smoke House, where Sidecars and Cointreaupolitans wereserved up aplenty, followed by a sumptuous dinner at The Colonial Café. Guests dinedon lobster thermidor, Beef Rossini with foie gras mousse and trifle as models paraded thelatest baubles from Tiffany’s Gatsby collection. The Solianos, Malaysia’s most renowned
musical family, entertained as a quartet while, to ensure the Fitzgerald feeling lingers onlonger than most, exclusive tickets to see the movie were given out as party favours to
all guests.

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1. Ooi Chean Ling, Puan Sri
Christine Khir Johari, Rayce
Han and Datin Kok Poh Thiam.
2. Pan-fried barramundi withvegetable ragout and Pommery
cream sauce. 3. A model
wearing dazzling creations from
Tiffany & Co’s Gatsby collection.
4. The Solianos were on hand toentertain that night. 5. Jeff Mong,
General Manager of The Majestic
Hotel Kuala Lumpur, welcoming
guests to the Gatsby-themed
dinner. 6. Joseph Yeoh, Vice
President of YTL Hotels, andDiana Khoo, Editor-in-Chief of
YTL Life 7. GT Low, TS Yap,
Shawna Yap and Ana Garcia deBarañano. 8. Marianne Liow of
Tiffany & Co and Mala Chandran.

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9. Dato’ Kok Yul Shin and
Dato’ Raymond Liew.
10. Puan Sri Pernille Goh,Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr Jason
Goh and Folco de Luca
Gabrielli. 11. Honey-roasted
chicken with glazed papaya
salad. 12. Key Soon Yue andDato’ Kok Wee Kiat.
13. Ric Tan and Colin Ng.
14. Kenneth Tan, Terry Lim
and Christy Yoong.

15. The evening began withcocktails at The Smoke House.
16. Rémy Martin’s Summit
Cocktails to help close theevening. 17. A classic English
trifle for dessert. 18. Dr Casey
Chow and Ashley Chow.
19. Roasted organic pumpkinsoup with crème fraiche.
20. Benjamin Yong, Sherin
Wong and Ming-Ne Tan.

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life bites //YTL’s newest events, attractions and not-to-be-missed experiences.

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Waking Up In Style

Start your day in sumptuous style thenext time you stay at the Art Deco-rific
The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Your suite at the historically-luxurious
Majestic Wing comes with 24-hour butler
service, who will serve you your choiceof Continental or traditional Hainanese
breakfast, the latter starring charcoaltoasted Hainanese bread slathered withbutter and kaya (coconut jam), in theprivacy and comfort of your suite. If you
fancy the full monty, mosey over to thehotel’s popular Contango restaurant for atruly worthy breakfast buffet spread.

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Imagine greeting the morning over asession of yoga and fresh sea breeze?
At Pangkor Laut Resort, complimentaryy o g a s e s s i o n s a r e o f f e r e d d a i l y,from 0830hrs to 0930hrs, excluding
Wednesdays, at the Spa Villa Pavilion.
Combining physical postures, breathing
techniques and meditation, it encourages
us to unite the body and mind, while
improving strength, flexibility and muscle
tone. The resort’s pristine surroundings,
tangy sea air and the visually-calming
effects of being around water, all merge
to offer a perfect setting in which to regain
physical and mental harmony.

The Spa Village Resort Tembok,
Bali, tucked away on the remote northeastern coast of Bali, resumes its
hugely-popular Guest Artist Programme
for the fifth consecutive year. From July,
shiatsu master Yutaka Homma andkinesiology specialist Esther Kivi will takeup residence for specific time frames toshare their expertise and unique healing
touches with guests. Meanwhile, Octobersees the return of world-renowned
clairvoyant Diana Manilova, recognised
as a daughter of the sky by shamans,sadhus and rinpoches, who will impart
her wisdom via spiritual life consultations.

Asana Hour

Spiritual Life Retreats

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Poetic Escape

For centuries, poets, painters and sages
have waxed lyrical about Hangzhou’s
e n c h a n t i n g n a t u r a l b e a u t y, e v e n
proclaiming that “above there is heaven,and on earth there is Hangzhou”. Evoking
this spirit is Spa Village Hangzhou,
whose range of treatments varies
according to the season and may range
from classic Tui-na massage to Shiatsu
and the Emperor’s Facial, designed
specifically for men, using a blend of wildcrafted blue lotus, rice germ, bamboo,
lemon, algae extracts and tiger grass topurify the skin. Each treatment is also
preceded by a session of Dry Fried Herbal
Rolling, an extraordinary experiencethat prepares you perfectly for the spa
journey ahead.

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The award-winning Tanjong Jara
Resort, on the east coast of Peninsula
Malaysia, offers holidaymakers a special
Summer Stopover package. Starting from
RM1,625++ per night for a minimum of
three nights’ stay, enjoy full board stay with
airport transfers from Kuala Terengganu
and your choice of one adventure getaway(choose from snorkelling, diving, waterfall
excursion or an eco-cruise along the
Marang River), one cultural activity (a visit toa local market, tour of Dungun town, batik
cloth painting, cooking class or a bicycle
tour through a nearby fishing village), one
private dinner and one 50-minute spa
experience per person at the luxurious
Spa Village Tanjong Jara. Available fromnow until 31 October 2013.

Located atop the Swatch Art Peace
Hotel along Shanghai’s Bund 19, theaward-winning Shook! Restaurant
and Rooftop Terrace makes summery
weekends all the more sublime with its
Mimosa Brunch every Saturday and
Sunday, from 1130hrs to 1500hrs. Ease
your way into the feast with glasses ofchampagne and orange juice Mimosas orperhaps a Bloody Mary or classic Bellini.
Chef Matthew Ona’s spread includes
a delectable line-up of appetisers likeheirloom cherry tomato salad and salmon
tartare, as well as eggs, prepared ina medley of styles, braised beef in a
Cabernet Glaze and the fluffiest wild
berry pancakes ever.

Summer Holiday

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

The Brunch Bunch

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life on the cover //Summer In The
South Of France
When summer hits France, there’s no more glamorous place to be in thansun-drenched Saint-Tropez. Here, explore the world-class offerings of thisexceedingly-chic old fishing town from your luxurious base at theMuse Saint Tropez.

Inspired by legendary muses, it’s safe
to say you won’t find a better (or more
luxurious) place to bed down for the nightin Saint-Tropez than at the Muse Saint
Tropez. Located just a short drive fromthe bustling Place des Lices, the elegant
boutique hotel is set on the stunning routede plages , perched atop a little bluff in
Ramatuelle and surrounded by ramblinggardens filled with local flora. The reception
area is designed to resemble the moulins(windmills) commonly found in the region,but modernised with sleek, clean lines
and a contemporary touch. “True luxury
is never about excess,” shares Celia
Gumbau, Brand Manager for YTL Hotels'Muse Collection, of which Muse Saint
Tropez is a part. “Our brand of luxury lies
in our attention to detail, like the reallyheavy chestnut wood doors we use andthe little touches that all combine to inspire
our guests during their stay. We want to be
their muse, if you will.”
The hotel itself boasts just 15 trés chicsuites, each dedicated to famous muses,
like ‘Edith’ for the legendary la môme Piafand Catherine, after screen goddess
Catherine Deneuve. Settling into eachsuite will undoubtedly prove soothing.
The beds are lined with nothing less than
800-threadcount Egyptian silk and cotton-

Text Diana Khoo Photography Yong Keen KeongSaint-Tropez is, undeniably, the richand famous' preferred playground.

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life on the cover //life on the cover //2

blended sheets, while the furniture is all
custom-made by Henriot, one of France’s
oldest manufacturers, who used to create
furniture for the royal court at Versailles.
Done up in soft earthy tones, cool stone
floors and marmorino wall finishes, you
may be among the lucky few to have yourown private plunge pool (so refreshing
to dip into after a sunny day out soaking
in Saint-Tropez’s sights and sounds) or
perhaps have a little patch of garden to callyour very own. Pull up a sun-lounger and
immediately ring for room service to send
up a bottle of the local chilled rosé, ideallyby Domaines Ott.

1. Dreamy summer
evenings at the MuseSaint Tropez.
2. Aperitif hour at theMuse Saint Tropez
equal cold cocktails
and oven-fresh breadsmeared with tapenade,a Provençal staple.

1

Meals at the Muse are an exercise in thefinest, freshest ingredients presented withgreat style. Breakfast on an assortment offreshly-baked breads and other assorted
viennoiseries, brought to your table by await staff in a wicker basket heaped withherbs and wild flowers. Lunch and dinnerbring more substantial delights, like foiegras mousse topped, perhaps, with white“Barbarac, themost famous
ice cream andsorbet shop in
Saint-Tropez
is particularly
famous for
French-inspired
flavours likemacaron, tarte
citron, canelé
and speculoos.”

asparagus foam and parmesan crisps,
saddle of lamb with rosemary jus and fresh
vegetables, stuffed Provençal-style babysquid and John Dory served on a bedof artichokes á la Barigoule . You must,of course, always save room for dessert
while in France and the Muse Saint Tropez
is no exception. Sweet treats include anassortment of sugary delights, like apple
and almond pie, as well as a selectionof ice creams from Barbarac, the most
famous ice cream and sorbet shop in
Saint-Tropez and particularly famous for
French-inspired flavours like macaron,
tarte citron, canelé (the famous Bordelaise
pastry) and speculoos – a famous spiced
rusk-like biscuit.
To work off the fabulous meals you’dinevitably enjoy here, the azure-hued
swimming pool is conveniently locatedright next to the dining room and few
pleasures beat swimming leisurely laps
before retreating to a nearby cabana. As
you relax with a cocktail, feast your eyes

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life on the cover //on the iconic pin parasol (umbrella pine)trees in the distance or alstroemeria
arrangements found everywhere you look.
For nature lovers, the Muse’s gardens
are particularly enchanting. Designed bycelebrated landscape architect Sophie
Agata Ambroise, the talent behind The
Bulgari Hotel in Milan, the gardens span
three acres and serve as a restorativeoasis of serenity. If you have a poetic soulor wish to capture the colours of the landon canvas, we can’t think of a better placeof inspiration.
Should you wish to wander the town andits surrounds (and why wouldn’t you?),
you’d be pleased to know the hotel
offers complimentary shuttle service tothe city centre, the Place des Lices, La
Croix de Fer and Pampelonne Beach.
If you’re an early riser, do visit the small
but well-stocked fish market at thePorte de la Poissonerie to see what thefishermen have hauled up from the sea
that morning. If you’re feeling adventurous,
pick out some shiny-eyed fish or luscious
langoustines and work your charm on theMuse’s chefs to see if they’d whip you

3. Saint-Tropez is filledwith lanes and alleys
studded with charming
stores, like this bakery.
4. A great selection of
local cheeses await at
the hotel's acclaimed
dining room.

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LIFE’S A BEACH
Summers in Saint-Tropez are all about its world-famous beach clubs.
Here’s our pick of the top four.
Moorea – Having celebrated its 60th
anniversary last year, this beach club isstill going strong. Quite the Pampelonne
legend and very much a local institution,
it is contemporary and chic, and serves
up delicious Mediterranean cuisine in a
restaurant set a little away from the beachclub area and its tanning beds. Chemindes Moulins, Ramatuelle. 04 94 971817.
Le Club 55 – It’s billionaires and theinternational jet-set galore at this high networth favourite. It, of course, shot to fameafter having catered for the cast and crew
(most notably Brigitte Bardot and Roger
Vadim) of And God Created Woman. 43
Boulevard Patch, Plage de Pampelonne.
04 94 555555.

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Tahiti – Located just below the Camarat
lighthouse, this is possibly the biggestof the Saint-Trop beach clubs. There’s
a large pontoon so it’s particularly
ideal if you plan on pulling up in yourprivate mega-yacht. Route de Tahiti,
Ramatuelle. 04 94 971802.
Nikki Beach – Oozing money andbeauty, Nikki Beach equals summer fun.
The DJ helps keep the crowd heaving
and the tables are almost always
filled by beautiful blondes daintily
nibbling on sushi. The hedge-funders
can, meanwhile, be found busying
themselves with opening magnums ofchampagne. Route de I’Epi, Ramatuelle.
04 94 798204.

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up something special. Also, don’t miss
exploring the riotous and colourful market
at the Place des Lices, held on Tuesday
and Saturday mornings, which is studded
by red and white striped umbrella-ed
stalls proffering everything from confitures
artisanales, jars of shiny black tapenadeor anchoïade and handmade saucissons,to gleaming antique silver bric-a-brac,
Baccarat crystal and even vintage Hermèsand Louis Vuitton handbags. For thosewith a magpie-like eye, be warned it’s all
too easy to drop over C10,000 at thismarket if you’re not careful. If the walking
makes you peckish, grab a croissantpignons (a local crescent-shaped pastry
made with pine nuts and almonds) fromone of the boulangeries or look out for
La Pizza du Marche, a van that sells themost delicious pizzas on market daysat the Place des Lices. Continue towander and shop as you munch away
on a slice of jambon Emmental. If you’re
wandering the square at other times, sit

5. Retail therapy isundertaken on a grandscale in Saint-Tropez,
where the world's best
names in luxury often
occupy turn-of-thecentury mansions,enabling shoppers tobrowse and buy in true
Riviera style.

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than a few bottles of Dom Pérignon, makesure you don’t leave your stash of Euros in
the hotel safe.

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6. Don't leave town
without a pair or two of
its famous Tropezienne
sandals. 7. Gariguettestrawberries in a crunchy
pastry with light vanilla
cream for dessert at theMuse. 8. A stall selling
local olives on market day
at the Place des Lices.

On the topic of high-end fashion, thewell-dressed set would be pleased
to know that, although Saint-Tropez
remains a fishing town, it’s not short onworld-class boutiques that could rival
the best of Paris and Milan. The main
shopping areas are concentrated aroundthe Place de la Garonne and the Rue
Gambetta. Every desirable label may befound here, from La Martina polo tees
to Vilebrequin swimmers, Dior dresses,
woven leather Bottega Venetta carry-alls
and Chanel handbags. But every chicvisitor to Saint-Trop knows, of course,
never to leave without picking up a few
more pairs of spartiates Tropeziennes“Although Saint-Tropez remains afishing town, it’s not short on worldclass boutiques that could rival thebest of Paris and Milan.”
78down and watch the locals while away asunny afternoon playing pétanque under
the shade of plane trees or stop by oneof the local cafes for a slice of Tarte
Tropezienne, a round cream-filled brioche.
The most famous place to indulge in thislocal sweet, though, would have to be
at Senequier, the famous portside café
located along the Quai Jean Jaurès anda favourite of Jacques Chirac. Establishedin 1887, the café became a hot favourite
among the fashionable set after Karl
Lagerfeld chose it as the venue for his
cruise collection fashion show a few years
back. Sit back on one of its iconic scarlet
director’s chairs and order one of its
famous Senequier cocktail, made with gin,
strawberry puree and champagne, andsettle back to people-watch in style. A
note, though – Senequier doesn’t accept
credit cards so, if you wish to order more

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THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE(gladiator sandals) from either K Jacques(a favourite of Madonna’s) or Rondini aswell as a Panama hat from Truffaux to lookeffortlessly chic while ensuring your facestays shaded.
There’s certainly been no shortage ofhype on why Saint-Trop remains theglossiest place to be come summertime.
But the minute you get here and see thegleaming waters off Pampelonne Bay,walk the cobblestone shop-lined streets,
party the day away at one of the achinglyhip beach clubs or even from the moment
you bite into a slice of sweet, spongy tarte
Tropezienne, you can’t help but fall in lovewith the place – regardless of whether
you travelled here humbly à pied or inyour private mega-yacht. Saint-Tropez
embraces everyone. That’s something
everyone who’s been never forgets.

life feature //Art And
Action In
North Bali
More than just the perfect place to lounge
and be pampered in, Spa Village Resort
Tembok, Bali is also where youfind unforgettable adventures andmesmerising art.
Text Simon Pridmore

See a different side of Bali on a jukung.

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Getting away from it all – relaxing in the peaceful atmosphereof a top resort, being pampered in the spa every day, waking
up with no more taxing decision to make than which balé tochoose from around the pool, and enjoying wonderful meals
in an ocean-side restaurant – what more could anyone
reasonably want? Such is human caprice, however, we didwant more! And we wanted the three As – art, action, andadventure – from our Bali holiday as well as all the relaxationand pampering on offer. There was only one place to go: Spa
Village Resort Tembok, Bali.

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life feature //“If you want art, action,
and adventure as well
as all the relaxation andpampering on offer,
there's only one place
to go: Spa Village
Resort Tembok, Bali.”On the Ocean

In the early hours of morning, the ocean is like gently undulating
liquid glass and the horizon seems impossibly far in the
distance. Waiting to take us out on a dawn cruise, drawn up
photogenically on the black sand, is a shiny, white wooden
outrigger canoe called a jukung . Boatman Wayan waits towelcome us on board, the white flash of his smile rivallingthat of our cameras as he wishes us a bright Selamat pagi
(Good morning).
We clamber over the side and take our places as Wayanholds the jukung steady with the help of his assistants. They
push the boat into the ocean and, once we are afloat, Wayanhops up onto a small platform at the back, where he expertly
manipulates the rudder and motor to get us going. Looking
back at the beach as we head out to sea, the symmetry of theresort is apparent but it soon becomes just part of the palmlined coast, with the green mountains of Bali’s jagged spine
rising behind. Wayan cuts the motor and we sit absolutely stillin the middle of the flat inky blue-black sea. By chance, we arelooking in exactly the right direction when several fins break thesurface a few metres away – dolphins, a pod of a dozen or somaking their way slowly towards shore. Wayan starts the motor
and we drift gently towards them. Then, as one, the dolphinsarch their backs further out of the water and dive. They aregone. Wayan manoeuvres us ahead before cutting the motor
again. We wait and, suddenly, they are all around us. He has
anticipated their path perfectly and we sit in complete silence,just watching in awe. They move on, leaving us behind and we
exchange a secret smile of an unforgettable experience shared.

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1. Towering cliffs and lush
vegetation add to the richexperience of being in Bali.
2. Experience an unforgettableencounter with dolphins in thewaters around Spa Village Resort
Tembok, Bali.
3. The resort also teaches you how
to create a traditional offering for
the Balinese gods.

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life feature //“We saw hundredsof electric blue
damselfish scurrying
between smallboulders and, to thewest of the resort, alarge area of coral,
pulsating with life.”

As we return to shore, a light breeze ripples the ocean, but
the sun is higher and we can now see through the clear water.
Surfing on a ripple, Wayan guides us back onto dry land,
where we thank him for such a memorable morning. Walking
back to a late breakfast, we pass the beachside lawn and spy
a poster, showing a plan of the resort’s reefscape, with sets ofmasks, snorkels and fins leaning against the wall below. It was,
we agree, a new adventure for the next morning.

Under the Sea

As soon as we dipped our heads below the surface just off thebeach, we saw exactly what American humorist Dave Barry
meant: “When you finally see what goes on underwater, yourealise that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean.
Staying on the surface all the time is like going to the circus
and staring at the outside of the tent.”
Just below us were large coral outcrops, each an oasis of lifein the desert of the sand flats and home to a host of fish, large

6and small. Many had been colonised by anemones and theresident clown fish would bob and spiral up curiously towards
us as we approached. Elsewhere, we saw hundreds of electric
blue damselfish scurrying between small boulders and, to thewest of the resort, a large area of coral, pulsating with life,
covering the ocean floor. We pottered about for hours above
the reef, fascinated by all the activity going on below.

Into the Hills

4

5

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4. Traditional Balinese
dancers offer both
entertainment andenrichment.
5. Terraced rich fields
that lead up to Bali's
central mountains.
6. Spa Village Resort
Tembok, Bali is morethan just a place to relax
and be pampered in.

A little light trekking on the slopes of Bali’s central mountains
was what we requested and a few minutes in the car took us
to Les, a pretty hillside village with narrow lanes and numerous
exotic temples. Striking out across the surrounding rice fields,
we found ourselves on a path, which skirted a stream, andthen climbed through plantations of banana, rambutan, jackfruitand pineapples. Meeting a woman cutting open an enormous
jackfruit to expose the fruit within, we asked to taste some andshe obliged. She watched as we bit into the rubbery flesh andsmiled broadly when she saw that we liked it.
A kilometre or so further along the increasingly forested track,
having been alerted several minutes beforehand by the steadily
growing thunder of crashing water, we came upon the Yeh
Mempeh Waterfall, where the river drops some 40m in a longnarrow horsetail. We had brought swimsuits and climbed
gingerly over the wet rocks into the shallow pool formed below
the torrent. The spray was instantly cooling after our walk in

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31

life feature //7. Writing on lontar palm
leaves is one of Bali's
traditional crafts.
8. A colourful jukung headingout to sea.
9. Luxuriously comfortableaccommodation in Spa Village
Resort Tembok, Bali.

the midday heat from the village and we backed carefully into
the waterfall to test the strength of this natural power shower:
bracing but bearable.

Culture at Home

We need not have worried that our artistic and cultural needs
might not be fulfilled. Those were taken care of on a daily basis
at the resort itself, with regular opportunities to learn about aswell as practice Balinese crafts and customs. These included
writing on lontar palm leaves, mixing traditional health-giving
elixirs called jamu jamu from herbs and spices, and creating
traditional offerings for the Balinese gods, small woven palm
dishes containing flower petals, rice, a clove cigarette, a pieceof candy and a burning incense stick.
Then, on our last evening, we were invited to watch a dance
performance by a local troupe. It was astonishing to see how
effortlessly young village boys and girls in t-shirts and shorts
became elaborately dressed warrior princes and exotic
princesses before our eyes, exhibiting discipline, poise andgrace beyond their years. Flashing eyes and flirting hands
accompanied the hypnotic rhythmic crash of the drums,
cymbals and industrial-size xylophones of the accompanying
gamelan orchestra. It was enchanting throughout, just likeeverything that we experienced in the past few days. Spa
Village Resort Tembok, Bali more than fulfilled our expectationsof the three As, so much so that we immediately planned areturn. Whatever more we might want to add to our escapefrom the real world – scuba diving, perhaps, or even climbing a
volcano – this is the place to be.

8

SPA VILLAGE RESORT TEMBOK, BALI
Dawn rises and an indigo curtain of stars is drawn backfrom the sky, exposing a dramatic landscape of soaring
peaks that sweep down across grassy lowlands to theblack volcanic sand that kisses the intense blue of theBali Sea. You are in Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali andthe day has just begun.
Inspired by the award-winning Spa Village Pangkor
Laut, Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali embraces thesame healing ethos of celebrating the local culture,honouring the ancient remedies of the region andinfusing each visit with the essence of the surrounding
scenery.

7

Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali is a place of peace andcalm, combining the therapeutic value of this beautiful
location with an ancient and rich cultural heritage.
Reflecting the spirituality of ages, the environment here
is soft and serene; its people go about their days ina caring manner that brings calm to the harried andpeace to the stressed. Here, at Spa Village Resort
Tembok, Bali, it is indeed possible to recapture one's
sense of self.
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For more information, visit www.spavillage.com

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life feature //life feature //MalaccaandMetaphors
Celebrated artist and conservationist
Victor Chin explores history-soaked
Jalan Hang Jebat in Malacca.
Malacca, the richest spice trading port in
the East, from the 15th to 19th centuries,
was served by the once-busy Malacca
River, which still meanders through thecity on its way to meet the Straits ofMalacca. The eastern side of the river,on a natural hillock, is where most of
the colonial Europeans – Portuguese,Dutch and British – left their historical andcultural landscape. This area was oncesurrounded by a Portuguese fortress, built
in 1511 but destroyed 300 years later by
the British.
The western side of the river, near the
Tan Kim Seng Bridge, is where all therest of the other early traders and settlers– Chinese, Malay, Indian, Javanese and1

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Bugis – congregated. They first set up
camps and, later, established homes,
businesses, mosques, temples andcommunity centres. The non-Europeanson this side of the river didn’t have thebenefit of any protective wall to defend
themselves during those dangerous andwarring years. What was the secret of
their defence?
The answer lies in the architecture and, awalk down Jalan Hang Jebat, will reveal
how the early residents lived, looked
after the well-being of their families andsecured their fortunes.
Jalan Hang Jebat, named after one of thefive legendary Malay warriors of Malacca

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life feature //life feature //(the others being Hang Tuah, Hang Lekir,
Hang Kasturi and Hang Lekiu), wasformerly known as Jonker Street, a Dutch
word for ‘servant or subordinate’, andJalan Gelanggang (‘arena’ in Malay). Now,
it is the most well-known and frequented
tourist street in Malacca. This bustlingroad caters to a host of tourist needs,
including food, foot reflexology, antiquesand collectables. It also has some of thebest examples of the earliest Chinese
traditional architecture in Malacca. This
unique architectural style belongs to a
hybrid culture called the Peranakan orBaba Nyonya.

dentil finishing. Below the windows is arelief plaster decorative frieze with local
floral motifs and it sits elegantly above
the Chinese style roof overhang for theentrance below.

Many of the early settlers from China cameduring the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
After 500 years of residence in Malacca,they had assimilated with the local Malay/
Western/Indian cultures and the resulting
Peranakan tradition blended their own
distinctive language, dressing, customs,
cuisine and music with some significant
traditional Chinese religious practices andbeliefs from ancient China.

The most outstanding feature is thebeautifully executed frieze, across thewhole width of the elevation, made upof the two mythical birds (a luan and aphoenix) on either side of a floral bouquet.
The piece of sculpture is made up of

One of the first beauties on the south sideof the street is No 11. This was once thefamily home of a Peranakan merchantbut, today, the current tenant uses it asa ladies’ fashion outlet. The façade is
now a dark brown, obscuring many of
its interesting architectural features anddetails.
In a painting I made of No 11, I attempted
to bring out some of the eastern andwestern influences on the façade, likethe two French style louvered windows
topped with fanlights, which used local
Malay wood carving motifs, and the two
European classical pilasters framing
the frontage. These pilasters have thetypical Greek capital motifs, including the36

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A few doors away is No 17 Jalan Hang
Jebat and this is a gem of a façade. In myartistic impression, I tried to capture theBaba Nyonya aesthetic essence. At one
time, many rich Peranakans spent lavishlyon themselves and on their family homes.
They would commission a group of skilful
artists or craftsmen, usually from China, tobuild and decorate their homes.

2

1. Architecturaldetails on thehouses inMalacca's Jalan
Hang Jebat reflect
both the beliefs
and wealth of the
Peranakan culture.
2. The Majestic
Malacca retains its
original porcelain
flooring and teakfitting as well as
intricate artworks
and antiques.
3. The writer'swatercolour of No
17 Jalan Hang
Jebat details
the building's
beautifullyexecuted frieze.
4. Jalan Hang
Jebat is a tourist
hot spot today
and caters totheir needs likeaccommodation.

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37
4

life feature //life feature //many colourful glazed cutout ceramicpieces of different sizes and thencemented together to fit the design. Thisis a traditional Chinese decorative art form
not much in vogue these days. What theBabas and Nyonyas preferred at thattime were flowers like peonies, fantastic
birds like phoenixes, and powerfulcreatures like lions or dragons. These
icons have deep roots in Taoist, Buddhist
and Confucian philosophies.
The residents believed the phoenix andthe luan to be auspicious birds that bringpeace. They are also symbolic of the maleand female, or yin and yang . The floral
aspect – probably peonies, the queenof flowers – is widely known to represent
noble character. Read together, thispiece of metaphoric sculpture evokes thefamily’s longing for conjugal blessings andmany offspring.
The pilasters on both sides of the building
are decorated with vertical plaster relief
with geometric patterns which represents
traditional Chinese lucky charms popularwith the Taoists. Covering the entire
surface of this façade are many painted
flowering plants including orchids,
bamboo, peach blossoms and peonies,
all implying nobility, longevity and peace.

5

The artists who created these images
and their patrons believed that these

5. The fantasticallydecorated roof of the
Lui Chiew clan
association building on
No 97 Jalan Hang Jebat
features auspicious
details like a vase andmedallion, flowers andmythical creatures.

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decorations had the metaphysical power
to protect the family from any unforeseen
dangers and harm. This imaginative
thought process opened the Chinese
mind to build a metaphoric fortressaround the home. The Portuguese too
wanted to protect their possessions but
they believed in putting all their army andworkforce into building a stone wall thatwas 18m high and 4.5m wide, only to
be destroyed later by the British. Whatis left of the Portuguese fortress now isjust an old gateway, the A Famosa. The
Chinese heritage, however, is still to befound widely and in many streets ofMalacca today.
Just next door to No 17 is No 21 Jalan
Hang Jebat, built in 1911. It is many years
older than No 17 but not as decorative.
The balustrade, lined with European darkgreen baluster, sits proudly across the
façade. It also announces the building’s
date of construction. The main focusof this frontage is the framed plaster
relief of a traditional Chinese landscape,with fantastical birds and creatures, set
between two wooden louvered windows.
This artwork on the wall is symbolic ofauspiciousness and happiness.
There is also a second plaster relief of anature landscape sprouting from the topof the framed artwork. This additionallayout was perhaps an afterthought by the“Jalan Hang Jebat has some of
the best examples of the earliest
Chinese traditional architecturein Malacca.”
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39

life feature //owner, who obviously wanted to double
his fortune and so ordered the artist to do
the necessary add-on. But it does look
odd in an otherwise elegant mix of theeastern and western architectural motifsof that period.
One of the most impressive buildings on
Jalan Hang Jebat is No 97, the Lui Chiew
association building with its unmistakableroof. In the middle of this colourful andflamboyant roof line, there is a flag staff.
Below it is the date of this building –1926. This was a time of great wealthand confidence in the region and in thecity. Standing proudly in the hollowed out
pediment is a beautifully shaped vase,
an auspicious object that evokes in the
Chinese mind the ideas of peace andprosperity. Sitting below the vase is a
medallion with arabesques of interlocking
foliage and flowers on both sides. To theBabas and Nyonyas, this conveys nobility
and purity. The final touch is the two
fantastical creatures – half lion and half
tiger – standing guard on both sides of
the gable, as if warding off any potential
invaders or ill omens.
Jalan Hang Jebat has a long and richcultural history. This was not just a street
for the Peranakan homes but also theirtemples, schools, a variety of traditional
services and trades, restaurants, markets,
funeral parlours, hospitals, clubs, andsporting and cultural associations.
The Lui Chiew clan association building
is one of the many social institutions
along this street. Once, the various ethnic
Chinese clans were important politicaland trade organisations responsible forresolving trade and territorial disputes,

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life feature //6
6. Sculptureson the roof ofCheng Hoon Teng
(Temple of Green
Cloud) in Malacca
are commonly
reproduced
in homes tosymbolically ward
off any invaders or
ill omens.
7. The Majestic
Malacca dates
back to the 1920s
and encapsulates
the city's uniquespirit and heritage.

and also providing security and protection
for their members. Today, they still cometogether to celebrate local and religious
holidays, and the association buildings
are a place to socialise and learn Chinese
traditional culture and current interests.
At one time, the Chinese artists and theirpatrons knew by heart all these cultural
metaphors for family and community
happiness, wealth and longevity. One
wonders how many locals and visitors
take the time to look up from the busy
road and take in some of this fantastic
public art or know the cultural significancebehind them. Since 2008, however, when
the cities of Malacca and Penang werelisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
there has been an awakening. This hasbrought much more local and international
interest in the cultural significance andpreservation of the two historic cities.
And, therein, lies the value. Not just for
Malaysia, but for the world.

THE MAJESTIC MALACCA
The historic city of Malacca is steeped in a rich tapestry of multi-cultural influencesreflected in its heritage, architecture, eclectic cuisine and diverse lifestyles. Locatedon the banks of the Malacca River, which, since the 1400s, has seen it teem with
Chinese junks and spice-laden vessels from the known world, The Majestic Malacca
today provides the cultured traveller a sophisticated and refined place in which tostay and soak up the city’s unique spirit. Part of Malacca’s colourful history, thehotel was originally a tycoon’s mansion and dates back to the 1920s. The core
structure of the house forms, today, the heart of the hotel, while a new building,mirroring the original architecture, houses 54 spacious rooms and suites, as well
as a world-class spa offering unique Peranakan treatments and therapies. From theoriginal porcelain flooring and teakwood fittings, to intricate artworks and collectionof antiques, every aspect of The Majestic Malacca echoes the history of the regionand offers a beguiling journey through its enchanting heritage. For more information,
visit www.majesticmalacca.com

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life feature //The Marine
MasterGaya Island Resort’s resident marine biologist
Scott Mayback thrills at the beauty of Sabah’s
underwater treasures and the challenge ofpreserving them.
Text Helen Oon

Hugging the shore of Malohom Bay, with a ringside view ofthe majestic Mount Kinabalu across the waters, Gaya Island
Resort is what the doctor would have ordered for stressbusting. The perfect place to recharge your batteries, it’s theideal tropical hideaway, with a stretch of sandy beach gently
lapped by the South China Sea, while a hill, canopied byvirgin rainforests and teeming with nature’s bounty of exotic
flora and fauna, forms the backdrop. YTL Hotels’ latest
resort in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Sabah
showcases the company mantra of responsible tourism
by minimising the environmental impact of its construction
and reducing carbon footprints in its operation. It offers
guests the best of Borneo by creating PURE activities
of Discovery, Vigour, Creativity and Balance. Theseholistic activities are designed to encapsulate the“vibrancy, scents, textures, sounds and tastes of
the natural environment and cultural heritage ofthe region”.
O ne o f t h e m o st p o p u l a r P U R E ac tiv itie s,
understandably in a marine park, is aquatic sports
under the Discovery programme helmed by Scott
Mayback, the resident marine biologist. Originallyfrom Long Island, New York, Mayback came to
Sabah nearly five years ago to work on a projectcalled the Green Connection, an aquarium andmarine science discovery centre in Sabah,
before joining Gaya Island Resort. While someare interested in outer space, 'inner space'is Mayback’s thing. Marine exploration and

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THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE“The Marine Centre is where
guests can learn about themagical world of the deep
and its fragility.”t

Clown fish findsanctuary in one of thetanks in Gaya Island
Resort's Marine Centre.

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life feature //life feature //“Gaya Island Resort's
Marine Centre includes
a nursery tank for the
breeding of seahorses
and pipe fish.”conservation are his passion, and, as a child, Mayback wasalways intrigued by the underwater world and fascinated by theinteractions and interconnections between marine organisms.
He pursued his interest at the University of Oregon and spenta year at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology learning about
coral propagation. It was love at first dive when he took up
scuba diving and he has been smitten ever since by thesecrets of the deep. After graduation, he travelled aroundCentral America before ending up in Sabah while looking for adiver’s paradise.

1

3
A typical day in the office for Mayback is spent teachingguests how to enjoy snorkelling on the reef withoutcausing unnecessary damage. That aside, his main
focus is working on the Gaya Island Resort Marine
Centre. Mayback explains: “The exhibition centre will
include four species of coral nursery tanks, one forthe breeding of seahorses and pipe fish, and one
turtle rescue centre, which will provide a safe andstable environment for sick or injured sea turtles togive them the best chance for survival. The coral
nursery is to establish an artificial environment toaquaculture coral fragments that will be returnedto the sea to help rejuvenate and enhance our
natural reefs. The Marine Centre is an educationand outreach plan, to educate our guests on theimportance of coral conservation and to engage
the local community in protecting our ocean
environment. Our services will include guided
tours, weekly conservation talks, adopt a
coral/turtle schemes and the Be A Marine
Biologist for a Day programme.” The centre

1. Three stripe
damselfish in the Gaya
Island Resort Marine
Centre. 2. The Marine
Centre includes anursery for the breedingof pipe fish. 3. Originallyfrom New York, Scott
Mayback has beensmitten by the sea eversince his first scuba dive.
4. Enjoy stunning views
from the Kinabalu Villa
overlooking the jetty at
Gaya Island Resort.

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45

life feature //aGaya Island Resort, a 15-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, offers divers the Marine Magnificence package,
which includes four nights’ accommodation with breakfast,transfers, Sabah Parks’ conservation and diving permit fees,
and five leisure dives. Diver’s Dream offers a similar package
but with PADI certification upon successful completion of the
Scuba Diver course. The Marine Magnificence and Diver’s
Dream packages start from RM1,150++ and RM1,290++,
respectively, per room per night based on double occupancy,with the travel period until 31 March 2014. For further details,
visit www.gayaislandresort.com

5

is located at Tavajun Bay, a beautiful, secluded bay next to themain resort, where guests can spend the whole day relaxing
on comfortable sun loungers, while learning about the magicalworld of the deep and its fragility.
While there is a plenty of publicity and banner-waving
about saving the rainforest in Sabah, Mayback has greaterinterest in saving the waters around it. Asked how he would
contribute to this cause, he says: “The bigger picture ofconservation in Sabah requires governmental intervention
to minimise habitat loss and further degradation, as wellas education to inculcate a love for the environment froman early age. I will help by teaching those around me toconserve our natural resources before it is too late.”
Since coming to Sabah, Mayback has immersed
himself in the local culture and even picked up
Bahasa Malaysia. In his downtime, he relaxes by
exercising, playing sports and indulging in his
passion for travel. He has travelled all around
Sabah and, as expected, his favourite spots are
Sipadan, listed by the BBC as one of the top 10
dive sites in the world, and the lesser-known
Banggi Island, just off Kudat on the northerncoast, where the marine life is just as abundantand conditions are perfect for diving. Asked

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7

what he misses most about America, he says: “My friends andfamily, of course, and I really miss the food.”

68

5. Sun and sea at thepool in Gaya Island
Resort. 6. Sabah hassome of the world's best
dive sites. 7. A rescued
sea turtle undergoingrehabilitation at the
Marine Centre. 8. The
coral nursery.

For now, though, Mayback has something to accomplish
and is here to stay as he works on marine conservation, andresponsible and sustainable fishing. “End blast and cyanide
fishing so that coral reefs will have a chance to re-grow andreturn to its natural beauty once again”, he says. “Sabah’s coral
reef is in good shape but still need research and protection tokeep them for future generations.” His personal mission is, as
he puts it, “to help create a sense of environmental stewardshipand inspire those around me to take action.” The marine masterhas spoken.

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47

beautiful life //Simply Di-Vine

Caudalie’s philosophy is simple – harvest all the unique benefits of the vine and grape
to create exceptional beauty products that are, not only effective, but also natural andluxurious. The grapevine has been proven to be an inexhaustible source of naturalriches and active substances. If you can’t get yourself to one of its critically-acclaimed
vinothérapie spas, pick up some of the brand’s celebrated products, like its Vinexpert
firming serum or the Premier Cru crème, for a Bordelaise beauty fix wherever you may be.

Of Flowers & The Sea
It’s all about nature this issue – being by the sea, waking up to a vista
where, in the horizon, sky and sea melt beautifully into each other, andpotions as well as elixirs that are inspired by Mother Earth.
The Constant Gardener

Renowned perfumer Thierry Wasser introduces yet another Aqua
Allegoria to complement the house of Guerlain’s opus of EauxFraîches. “For this, I imagine the world of a gardener perfumer,
a gatherer of aromas,” he said. “A life lived according to theseasons”. For the new Aqua Allegoria, be prepared to enjoy all
the treasures of the bigarade orange tree, from its essence toorange blossoms and even its branches, from which petitgrain
essence is obtained; a fragrant new interpretation of freshness
and delicacy.

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Marine Essence

The legendary Crème de la Mer adds
a wonderful new treatment lotion to its
family of efficacious skincare products.
Designed to resemble ‘liquid energy’,
the new La Mer treatment lotion works
by helping to ‘jumpstart’ skin’s naturalr enewal . For mul ated wi th 73 s ea
minerals and scenedesmus, an ancientdesert algae retrieved off the ocean
floor, it is said to boost skin hydration
immediately by at least 75 per cent.

Be Beloved

Created by its team of illustrious perfumers in Grasse, France, Amouage’s latest luxury
fragrance, Beloved, is a sensory treasure. For men, the fragrance is distinctly woody,with notes of spicy black pepper, cardamom, orange and grapefruit, while Beloved
Woman embraces fresh accents, with aromatic purple rose, jasmine and lavender.
Amouage fragrances are available only at select and exclusive locations around theworld, including Lane Crawford Hong Kong, Bergdorf Goodman New York, Harrods of
London and its very own standalone boutique at Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

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49

life feature //Enchanted IsleAs Shakespeare wrote in The Tempest, 'the isle is full of noises, sounds
and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not'. Indeed, there are few things
that soothe the soul as much as a getaway to a remote island, dressed inyour colourful best, of course.
Photography Ian Wong Styling Calvin Cheong Assistant Ong Poh Siong Hair & Makeup Bong Model Irina Stremyakova/Icon Model
Location Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu

Walk on water

Green lace bralette,
high-waisted hot
shorts & jacket,
Khoon Hooi;
Papaye snakeskinheels, Bally.

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51

life feature //Mountain view

Sweatshirt top,
REDValentino; Metallic
shorts, McQ Alexander
McQueen; Tina Sparkle
freshwater pearl bracelets,
Bowerhaus.

Even keel

Floral print
structured
princess dress,
McQ Alexander
McQueen.

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THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINEIn harmony

Chiffon kaftan
with side slit andshoulder studs,
Khoon Hooi.

Solitary retreat
Floral chiffon
blouse, McQ
Alexander
McQueen.

Stroll through nature
Leopard print satin
top, front pleatedflare pants &sunglasses, Kenzo.

On the terrace
Lace dress,
Delfina bag &heels, Bally.

Azure invitation
Off-shoulder
pencil dress,
leather belt &leopard print
stilettos, Gucci.

Print goddess

Leopard print
satin top &matching maxi
skirt, Kenzo.

Pillar of society

Floral print dress,
REDValentino.

The life aquaticMedusa studded
halterneck swimsuit,Versace.

life of luxury //life of luxury //All You Need Is Lava

Inspired by the raw force and beauty of nature, Mouawad’s latest Lava collection
features an exquisite line of handcrafted jewellery, fashioned using 18K rose gold,
citrines and black and white diamonds. The designs are mostly free-form, mimicking
molten lava in its natural state and include exquisitely-detailed earrings, necklaces,
pendants, rings and bracelets.

Quatre Season

Bejewelled Beauties

Not that it’s all about the women,though. Celebrated Parisian maison
Boucheron has created a marvellous
pair of cufflinks for its signature Quatre
collection, using four different typesof gold: yellow, white, rose and thepatented Boucheron chocolate gold, inan exquisite shade of brown. Elegant,sophisticated and unobtrusive, it is
the perfect touch of luxury to finish off
any ensemble.

Taking a leaf from café society darling and style icon Daisy Fellowes’
fondness for wearing her jewels to the beach, we present some of themost dazzling baubles to sport this season.
Red Carpet Rocks

Dreamt up by Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director of the house of
Chopard, the luxury house’s Red Carpet 2013 collection is inspired by the world’s
greatest actresses and the love stories of the silver screen. “Love is universal. It
illuminates women’s beauty, like a beautiful piece of jewellery. I very much wanted
to pay tribute to the finest sentiments. The Red Carpet collection is thus adornedin shimmering colours and red accents… like the fire of passion and heart-shaped
precious stones, one of my favourite cuts,” she says.

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THE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINEAll Hail The Alhambra

Created in 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra collection has long been favoured
by the world’s most elegant and beautiful women, including French chanteuseFrancoise Hardy, HSH Princess Grace of Monaco and actress Romy Schneider,
who wore an Alhambra long necklace in Michel Deville’s film Le Mouton Enragé.
For a touch of classic luxe to any look, treat yourself to several variations of theAlhambra, in gold and carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise malachite, white mother-ofpearl or classic yellow gold and diamonds.

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65

life report //Basel’s
Shining Lights
At the watch exhibition of the year, hundreds of renowned brands
descended upon the halls of Basel’s Messeplatz to show off theirlatest and most audacious timepieces. YTL Life brings you some ofBaselWorld 2013’s highlights from a stellar line-up of brands found in
Kuala Lumpur’s Starhill Gallery.

Rado – Once again, the brand demonstrates its mastery overceramic with the unveiled DiaMaster RHW1 . This timepiecepresents a 44.0 x 52.8mm case forged of a rugged ‘old bronze’
coloured high-tech ceramic composite (Si3N4 TiN), offeringsuperior durability at half the weight of regular ceramic. At theheart of this featherweight yet hard-as-nails timepiece beats thealuminium manual-winding RHW1 mechanical movement.
Hermès – This über-luxe French maison manifests its commitment
to immaculate attention with the Dressage Chronograph , thenewest addition to the revered Dressage collection first conceived
a decade ago. Available in two versions, an opaline-silvered dial aswell as a black dial, the timepiece houses the Manufacture H1925
self-winding mechanical movement within a 40.5 x 38.4mm
tonneau-shaped stainless steel case. As expected of a brand suchas Hermès, the finishing of the dial presenting the hours, minutes,
seconds at 3 o’clock, date and chronograph is second to none.

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Text Kenneth Tan & Weng Sheng Thong

Ulysse Nardin – Crafted in collaboration with musician Dieter
Meier, Stranger by Ulysse Nardin demonstrates the brand’s affinity
with musical timepieces. This wristwatch emulates a classic musicbox and uses a rotating disc with 10 individual blades, recreating
the musical chimes of Frank Sinatra’s renowned Strangers in theNight on the hour or at your whim.

Davidoff – For lovers of luxury, it is essential to equip yourself
suitably in a cosmopolitan world. Harness time with impeccablefashion using Davidoff’s Velocity Gent Automatic Moonphase
timepiece. It presents a moonphase at six o’clock, the day at 11
o’clock and month at one o’clock, alongside its hours, minutes andseconds indicator within a 40mm stainless steel case.

BEDAT & Co – Drawing inspiration from the iconic N o 3collection, Bedat & Co presented this year’s stunning limited
edition Extravaganza Collection 2013 – Ref 325. This feminine
piece features two intertwining bezels and a mother-of-pearl dial
displaying delicate Roman numerals and indexes, and finished withmore than six carats of diamonds.
Tudor – Inspired by the Ducati motorcycle, the Tudor Fastrider
Black Shield presents a 42mm-case forged of menacing black
monobloc ceramic. At the fiery heart of this timepiece is Tudor’s
self-winding calibre 7753 movement, which powers the hours,
minutes, small seconds at 3 o’ clock and chronograph function.
Cecil Purnell – BaselWorld 2013 saw the introduction of Cecil
Purnell’s inaugural ladies’ piece, the seductively beautiful Lady
Lacroix. This mystical timepiece features an 18K gold-engraved
floral frame against a translucent green enamel dial, to enhance thesubtle beauty of the CP-V11 tourbillon movement.

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1. Ulysse Nardin's musical Stranger.
2. Bedat & Co's Ref 325 is finishedwith six carats of diamonds.
3. Cecil Purnell's Lady Lacroix
features a green enamal dial.

RJ-Romain Jerome – Let your imagination soar with theformidable Moon Orbiter as your intergalactic companion. This
outworldly timepiece has been designed to ensure no detail of the
RJ3000-A mechanical self-winding movement goes unnoticed. To
top off the space-faring theme, the Moon Orbiter incorporates steel
from the Apollo 11 shuttle into its structure, with extraterrestrial
moon-dust layered into the dial where the flying tourbillon
is housed.
Antoine Martin – With most modern watches running at 4Hz,
Antoine Martin has decided to throw conformity to the wind withTHE YTL LUXURY MAGAZINE

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life report //4. Armand Nicolet's LS8.
5. Hautlence's Destination.
6. Hublot's MP-05 LaFerrari.
7.Rebellion's T-1000 Gotham.
8. Antoine Martin's Slow Runner.
9. Omega's Moonwatch.

very first dual time-zone watch with a day/night indicator. This
timepiece makes use of an externally sourced Sopord 9351/A102 self-winding mechanical movement and builds on Hautlence’s
DNA of architectural design, pure lines and a sense of threedimensionality.

8

Franc Vila – Brace yourself for the tongue-twisting FVi
Nº 8 Tourbillon Intrepido SuperLigero Skeleton . Like its
predecessors in the Intrepido collection, this timepiecemakes use of Lightnium, an aluminium-lithium alloy used inaeronautical engineering for its lightness and high-tensile
strength. This allowed for the creation of the lightweight
yet extremely durable hand-wound tourbillon FV Nº 8
movement, visible through the skeletonised dial.
of the manual winding
mechanical movement
AN0711S. In a 43mm
stainless steel case with an
18K rose gold bezel and crown.

Armand Nicolet – Ever renowned for its mastery inproducing beautiful timepieces with classical movements,
Armand Nicolet did not disappoint at Baselworld 2013 with
the LS8 timepiece. The LS8 features a skeletonised open-faced
guilloche dial through which the wearer can behold the majesty

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7
its Slow Runner. This timepiece takes the mantle as the world’s
slowest wristwatch, ticking away at a glacial 1Hz. However, thanks
to the kinetic energy stored up in the colossal 24mm balance
wheel (four times the size of a standard balance wheel), the Slow
Runner does not compromise on any accuracy and is also moreresistant to sudden movements and shocks. This timepiece ispowered by the in-house AM36.001 hand-wound movement
within a 42mm case of stainless steel or rose gold.

Omega – An all-black timepiece on the wrist is sureto generate attention and curiosity. This year’s Omega’s
Moonwatch, nicknamed ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, is an attentiongrabber with 18K white-gold indexes and blackened sub-dials that
update it from its predecessor. On both front and back is scratchresistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, while its
Co-Axial calibre 9300 within means the timepiece comes with the
comforting feeling of a full four-year warranty.

Rebellion – Fear not the night with the futuristically dark andgritty T-1000 Gotham strapped to your wrist. With six mainspringbarrels resembling ammunition racks arming this timepiece,
the T-1000 Gotham packs over 1,000 hours of power reserve.
Encased in an armoured shell of black titanium, this juggernautof a timepiece resides on yourwrist with surprising comfort
and lightness. At the heartof this monster growls
the manual-winding REB
T- 1 0 0 0 m o v e m e n t
with a state-of-the-art
winding lever.

Louis Vuitton – Rewriting the rules of a chronograph, Louis
Vuitton’s La Fabrique du Temps decided to go ahead and makehistory with its Tambour Twin Chrono. This chronograph features
a first-in-the-world differential display, with two measured times on
separate subdials. Encasing the LV175 movement is an 18K whitegold case that matches its 18K white gold hands.

Hautlence – The
aptly named Destination
by Hautlence marks amilestone in this young
independent’s history as its

5

Hublot – The earth shook in Basel this year when Hublot
unveiled its definitive ode to power reserve. On the dial of the MP05 LaFerrari were 11 barrels arranged as a spine, concealing a
total wire length of 77 metres. This innovation translates into an
insane 50-day power reserve, with 637 components providing
the physical method to the madness. Only 50 pieces will ever be
produced, in black PVD titanium.

Tag Heuer – At BaselWorld, an impressive crowd built up daily
at the entrance of the main hall. The reason for this gathering of
onlookers was an actual Porsche Carrera which inspired Jack
Heuer, fourth generation of the Tag Heuer family to design the
timepiece homage to this iconic automobile. That this happened

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life report //Nullam mi tellus, consequatac, turpis facilisis aliquammollis ligula, posuere nibh.
Nullam mi tellus, consequatac, turpis facilisis aliquammollis ligula, posuere nibh.

10. Maurice Lacroix's
Masterpiece Seconde
Mystèrieuse.
11.Bell & Ross' Vintage
Falcon BR126.
12. Louis Vuitton'sTambour Twin Chrono.
13. Girard-Perregaux's
Constant Escapement LM.
14. Chopard's Imperiale
Joaillerie Améthyste.

looking at the sparkling 40mm 18K white gold case set withbrilliant-cut diamonds and cabochon- and baguette-cut amethysts,
while a mechanical self-winding movement proves the other half ofthe equation, powering rhodium hands across a mother-of-pearland diamond-set dial.
Rolex – A giddy combination of pearl and diamonds can befound in the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust Pearlmaster . An
earlier model was worn on a balmy evening in 2006 by the mezzosoprano Cecilia Bartoli, who sang Exsultate, Jubilate at a galaconcert celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. The
same high-spirited music will likely resound in the mind of the lucky
lady owner of this piece of art; a 29mm case of Everose gold,with 34 brilliant-cut diamonds set in its bezel and a polished gold
bracelet alive with the fire of 226 brilliant-cut diamonds.

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10

half a century ago was cause for acelebration, and the 2013 animation of
the Carrera Calibre 16 Day Date went
down a treat; its three chronographsubdials, tachymetre scale and red
hands recalling white-knuckledthrills on the road.

13

LM measuring at a sixth of
the thickness of human
h a i r. T h i s i n n o v a t i o nincreases chronometricprecision by a giant leap.
Half of the team behind thisfather-and-son triumph
is commemorated with
the initials behind thetimepiece’s name. Luigi‘Gino’ Macaluso – theelder – passed away before
this timepiece came into being. Ah, theuniverse.

Maurice Lacroix – It wasalmost expected really. Twoyears after the brand made asquare wheel – you’ll have to lookit up to believe it – Maurice Lacroix
dazzled again with its Masterpiece
Seconde Mystèrieuse. An ML215
calibre is the magnificent conductorthat moves the floating seconds handin a zany way across a subdial. Again,
you’ll have to see it to believe.
Girard-Perregaux – The universe is a weird
one. In the entirety of its vastness and the logic of
its existence, sometimes it is the tiniest thing thatmakes the most sense. Case in point: the silicon
blade in Girard-Perregaux’s Constant Escapement

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Breitling – How often does a watch saveyour life? In the case of Breitling’s Emergency,
the correct answer is a couple of dozen
times. This timepiece, first introduced in 1995,

is a triumph in miniaturisation, concealing two antennas that will
broadcast both digital and analog signals via a microtransmitterover a 24-hour period. This enables the international network ofsatellites to identify distress situations and sends search-andrescue teams out to home in on the situation and person. This
year’s Emergency II upgrade includes an easily deployed antenna
system and longer battery life, with a choice of three variations indial colour.
Bell & Ross – It’s not so much step, as it is hurtle, into thepast with Bell & Ross’ nod to 60s-era civil aviation. Its Vintage
Falcon BR126 is a reminder of the 10-seater Falcon private jet
built by Dassault Aviation. Sand-coloured hands and numerals, around case and bulging sapphire crystal are but some of the recall
triggers in this 1960s time capsule.
Chopard – Something for the ladies comes in the form of
Chopard’s Imperiale Joaillerie Améthyste. One might ask, is it atimepiece or jewellery? The answer lies somewhere in between,

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beautiful life //À La Mode

There’s no better time than now to enjoy the South of France. Sunshine,
beach clubs, aquamarine waters and the champagne lifestyle – all beckon
the glamorous jet-setter to Saint-Tropez. To ensure you’re kitted out instyle, here are some must-haves for the season.
Let There Be Light

Whether or not you’re dining at Chez Bruno or dancing the nightaway at Les Caves du Roy, ensure your ensemble is nothing shortof a knockout with Emilio Pucci. Forget in-your-face sexuality but,instead, opt for a cool femininity, best expressed in this flowing togastyle creation (left) by the brand's creative director, Peter Dundas.
Soft, sensual and serene, we can’t think of a better thing to wear
after dark.

Daisy, Daisy

Few women epitomise the image of pin-up girl of the French Riviera better than Daisy
Fellowes can. The society darling of the Cecil Beaton-era was renowned for being
the last word in chic. Channel her spirit this season by pairing all your outfits, fromevening gowns to bathing suits, with lashings of eye-popping jewels. What we reallylike? Tiffany & Co’s diamond medallion punctuated by a cushion-cut fancy vivid 3.60
carat Tiffany Yellow Diamond, with Keshi and cultured pearls – a perfect gem-encrusted
daisy, to honour the legendary fashion icon.

Arm Swag

High temperatures equal minisculemaillots and swimwear. To ensure yourlook is effortlessly chic, try pairing yourpoolside ensemble with Hermès’ brightand beautiful quartet of mega-wide
enamel bracelets. These monochromearm jewels play with a scarlet-inspired
palette and are adorned in designs
inspired by the celebrated French luxury
house’s iconic scarves.

C'est Chic

It's not all about the ladies this summer as Alfred Dunhill brings its brand of English
flair to French shores via smart little touches, like classic double-sided travel cufflinks inrose gold and mother-of-pearl, a perfect holdall for weekends exploring la champagne
and, our favourite and a veritable summer essential, a Panama hat which comes with its
own khaki twill canvas tube to ensure long-lasting shape and protection for the delicate
panama weave.

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life feature //When East
Meets East

A master dyer from Kyoto, Japan, teams up with acontemporary Malaysian batik maison to stunning effect.
Text Diana Khoo Photography Patrick Chan

At 70 years of age and dressed in a supremely elegant kimono,
Akira Yamamoto looks every inch the master craftsman that heis. Having journeyed recently from Kyoto to Kuala Lumpur, therenowned Japanese dye master boasts an illustrious career,
beginning as a kyo-yuzen dyer in the 33rd year of the reignof Showa. For those unfamiliar with the name, yuzen is theJapanese art of dyeing, not too dissimilar from batik. The
main difference is in its usage of stencils and rice paste, as
opposed to wax. It was said that this method of dyeing wasintroduced to Japan in the eighth century and legend credits
the artist Miyazaki Yuzensai of Kyoto for being the first to create
hand-painted yuzen. After spending 11 years mastering yuzen,
Master Yamamoto then decided leave Japan to travel theworld, visiting countries as diverse as India, Egypt and Greece,in order to study the origin of the dye technique, which is said
to date back at least five thousand years. Upon his return, at
the age of 30, he became a student of Ujyo Maeda, one of
the most famous Japanese masters of natural dye, who had
once been tasked by the late Emperor Hirohito to revive andpreserve this traditional art form and technique. “Natural dye
is more subtle… very fine and delicate. It is also very difficult
to create as there are many challenges in its production
process and techniques. For example, we use only what
can be collected, like scraps of wood bark or leaves thathas fallen to the ground,” he shares, bringing new meaning
to the word ‘natural’. Traditionally working with ingredientslike plum moss and kihada, a type of tree bark which is thenboiled in order to extract a delicate hue, Master Yamamoto

was pleased to share that he had spent some time exploring
Penang Hill, in Malaysia’s north, where he had chanced uponsome new natural ingredients that he will take back to Japanfor experimentation.
All this is being done in collaboration with Pink Jambu, arenowned name in contemporary Malaysian batik. Tengku
Marina Ibrahim, the brand’s CEO and Design Director, points
out that “batik has, for far too long, been regarded as asouvenir handicraft from Malaysia. Just as kimonos are a workof art, we want to show too that there is very high-quality batik.
We are also planning to launch a line of kimono fabrics and it
is hoped that, by marrying fine quality batik fabric with the artof Japanese natural dyeing, a whole new audience might open
up in appreciation. We believe this is the way forward.” Tengku
Marina adds: “Also, Pink Jambu has always been dedicated tocreating the very best in textiles.”“It is my first visit to Malaysia,” adds Master Yamamoto. “Didyou know the technique of natural dye originates from this partof the world? And I can tell you I am very glad, because working
with Pink Jambu and Malaysian batik, I feel my technique has,at last, come full-circle. It has come home.”

Pink Jambu’s Renaissance of Natural Dye collection, created incollaboration with Master Akira Yamamoto, is available for saleand viewing at The Majestic Spa boutique in The Majestic Hotel
Kuala Lumpur. For more information, tel: +603 2785 8070.

Master Akira Yamamoto and Tengku Marina
Ibrahim teamed up to merge the worlds of kimono
and batik and create a new art form.

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shelf life //I’m interested in the progression of our past. The Second
World War and the Japanese Occupation was one of themost devastating events to have happened to Malaysia. It’s adividing line between the past and the present: the Occupation
marked the end of the British Empire in Asia; after the war, theDutch and British colonies in South-East Asia began to fight forindependence from colonial rule. I’m also fascinated by how
memory works, how we use, remember, interpret and revise ourmemories. The Emergency hasn’t been written much about infiction and I wanted to explore this period. It was another step on
the journey to our country’s independence.

Telling Tales
Leaving behind the legal profession, Tan TwanEng has successfully penned a new career asa wordsmith, most recently with his sophomore
novel, The Garden of Evening Mists. The winnerof the 2013 Walter Scott Prize speaks to YTLLife about history, his inspiration and home.

The Penang-born Tan's books are known for their lush writing.

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Born in Penang and currently residing in
Cape Town, Tan Twan Eng’s début novel,
The Gift of Rain, was long-listed for the2007 Man Booker Prize and translated
into Italian, Spanish, Greek, Romanian,
Czech, Serbian and French. The former
lawyer followed that up with The Garden
of Evening Mists, winner of the 2012 Man
Asian Literary Prize as well as the 2013
Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.
Both novels are based on historicalevents – the first before and during theJapanese Occupation, and the second
during the Malayan Emergency.

The Garden of Evening Mists is thehaunting tale of Yun Ling, the sole survivorof a Japanese prison camp physicallyand mentally scarred by her horrificexperience and the loss of her sister.
While working on a Japanese garden inmemory of her sister, Yun Ling’s life takes
a dramatic turn when she takes up an
apprenticeship under a former Imperial
Text Helen Oon
Japanese gardener, a man of mysteryand intrigue. Set in Cameron Highlands,
this book received rave reviews and is a must-read for anyone
interested in historical fiction. Beautifully-written and with agripping storyline, it takes the readers through a rollercoasterjourney of emotions against a background of guerilla warfare.

My research is conducted through books and memoirs,
and anything that will add to the depth and richness of thewriting: photographs, paintings, poetry and music. Writers are
magpies – we use everything we discover, read and hear, andwe weave all of it into our writing. A lot of the research has to bediscarded if it gets in the way of the narrative’s momentum. It’s
painful because, like many writers, I’m reluctant to waste all that
information I’ve spent months acquiring; but, more often thannot, the book becomes much improved once I’ve cut away thefat from the text.
I have had an admiration for Japanese culture ever since I
practiced aikido for nearly 10 years. It’s one of the more traditionalmartial arts and I realised that, to be proficient, I would have toknow its historical and cultural roots. My book touched on the artof creating an Imperial Japanese garden as the anchor of the plot.
My research was primarily through books and observation. On
my book tours, if the city I was visiting had a Japanese garden, I’dmake it a point to visit it. In the course of my research, I spoke tolandscape designers, and gardeners and gardening enthusiasts– but not Japanese gardeners.
I’ve lived in Cape Town on and off for about eight years. I speaka bit of Afrikaans but understand more. It’s a very scenic city,with very warm and friendly people. I have no plans to moveback to Penang at the moment, although since the George Town
Literary Festival was established, I’ve been going back to Penang
regularly every year.
I have a passion for heritage buildings and I would love toplay a part in their conservation. (Local historian) Khoo Salma
Nasution and the Penang Heritage Trust are doing remarkable
things in conserving Penang’s history.
I am planning to write my third novel but I prefer not to say what
it’s about at the moment. It tends to dissipate the momentum andenergy.
My favourite destination in Malaysia is my birthplace Penang– for its history, atmosphere, robust arts scene and, of course,
the food.

Tan's second novel
won this year's
Walter Scott Prize.

The Garden of Evening Mists is published by Canongate Books andMyrmidon, UK.

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spa life //spa life //Hot In The City
Summertime in the poetically-pretty city of Hangzhou in China’s Zhejiang
Province can be a sweltering affair. Take respite from the heat with
Spa Village Hangzhou’s sybaritic three-hour Summer Joy spa journey,
guaranteed to let your living be easy.
Text Diana Khoo

Spa Village Hangzhou offers one of the city's
most state-of-the-art spa experiences.

Rich in history, culture and heritage, there’s
no denying that Hangzhou in China’s
Zhejiang Province is a gem. Famed forits beautiful scenery and, of course, itslegendary West Lake, listed as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site and which has been asource of inspiration for poets and artists
for several centuries now, Hangzhou
has long attracted travellers. Marco Polohimself was said to have passed throughthe city during the course of his travels
through China. Summertime, however,can prove a hot and sticky affair. Should
you be visiting during this humid time, said
to run from early June to September, it isworth noting that Spa Village Hangzhou
offers an enticing three-hour summer
spa experience that guarantees to
uplift spirits.
Set on the second level of Tower 5 at
the luxurious Dragon Hotel, Spa Village
Hangzhou is a serene yet decidedly

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sophisticated urban retreat that mirrors
West Lake’s natural poetic beauty. Guests
will be greeted by a Zen-like pool fashionedout of ice-like engravings and adorned withexquisite liu li glass lotus flowers, before
being led to the relaxation room, designed
to resemble a traditional octagonal ba
gua mirror, complete with a yin and yangin its centre. An important tool in the
Chinese life science of feng shui, ba gua
mirrors are used to create good fortune,
to protect oneself against bad energy andto harmonise the environment. Here, sip
on cups of hot honey lemon water as you
relax and hone your senses for the spa
journey ahead.
Just as winter is all about introspection,
dark days and ice, summer is all aboutlight, heat and brightness. Taking this into
consideration, the team at Spa Village
Hangzhou has created a summer spa
journey designed to cool and refresh, while

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spa life //“Every spa journey at Spa
Village Hangzhou ends with anourishing herbal tonic or tea
to bring about radiance, vitality
and overall physical harmony.”
calming one’s inner fire as yang energies
are said to be at their most intense during
this time. Begin by being enveloped in acooling mask of barley and cucumber todraw heat away from the body, while yourtherapist proceeds to wrap you in warm
blankets to draw out impurities from theskin, soothe inflammation and calm any
irritation. As you luxuriate in your cocoon,
she will proceed to treat you to a deeplyrelaxing head massage. You’ll soon findyourself dipping in and out of a dreamy
state of consciousness. After about 20
minutes, you are invited to have a hot
shower before proceeding to immerse
yourself in a Silver Moon Bath – a lotus
and peony soak that is designed to battle
hypertension and regulate any lingering
sleep issues. Lotus, a popular symbol in
Hangzhou, is long-regarded as a symbolof vitality and purity. Its seeds are said
to possess astringent qualities and work
wonders at calming irritability – a hot
weather probability. Scattered rose andcarnation petals add to the languorous
experience.
The highlight of the Summer Joy experience
follows – the Lemon-Aid massage, so
named due to the lemon essential oils usedin this bodywork treatment, which will bring
mind, body and spirit to a place of balanceand calm. My therapist was particularly
skilful with her hands, blessing me withfirm acupressure, powerful fingerwork anddeep, flowing tension-releasing strokes, allperformed Swedish-style, complete withkneading and the rhythmic tapping known
as tapotement. And although three hours
might seem fairly long for a treatment, I
chose to augment my experience with afurther 90-minute facial session. Opting
for the Amala Platinum Facial, which uses
Ute Leube’s renowned range of luxuriousorganic skincare products from Germany,
I was pampered with a very-thorough facial
ritual which used several key bio-botanicalactive products, including Amala’s soothingrose water, a sea algae peel-off mask
and a second collagen mask that is richin natural firming agents and Vitamin A.
This treatment is designed to nourish andrejuvenate while working on tightening andfirming up the skin – a necessity if your job
involves late nights and long hours.
It was the haunting music from a Tibetan
singing bowl that lulled me back to
consciousness. While its harmonious
resonance is audibly irresistible, the80

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soup with goji berries and lotus seeds orgreen bean soup as they repose in rather
sumptuous style.

sounds generated by these mysterious
bowls are said to be based on an ancient
but potent way of healing via sound,affecting, not just a feeling of wellbeing,
but also physical healing by bringing tolight more awareness of the connection
mind and body share, and by selfcorrecting and rebalancing one's chakras
through its cosmic sound waves. It waswith great difficulty that I finally left myluxurious treatment room, my haven for
close to five hours, but the Spa Village
Hangzhou softens the blow a little byallowing you to luxuriate for as long as
you wish in the aforementioned relaxation
room. Guests are also served sliced fruitand bowls of nourishing white fungus

Hangzhou may long have been a treasured
place of inspiration for poets, paintersand sages. But with the sybaritic charms
proffered by the team at Spa Village
Hangzhou, it is equally likely that luxury
spa experientialists will be flocking here theminute word gets out to the world.
The Summer Joy spa journey (180 minutes)
is priced at RMB3,980 per couple or RMB2,380
for individuals, while the Amala Platinum
Facial (90 minutes) is priced at RMB1,900.
For bookings, tel: +400 838 5599 or visit
www.roonspavillage.com

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life cuisine //Wok The World

It’s inconceivable to come to Kuala Lumpur and not sample
its dizzying array of street food. From the charcoal-fired black
beauty of a dish of Hokkien noodles to the herbal goodnessof a bowl of bak kut teh (pork rib soup), there is something
deeply-comforting about tucking into a dish that is hearty
and robust while embodying the flavourful soul of a nation.
Granted, Malaysian street food is already renowned theworld over, but true foodies and connoisseurs alike knowthat there is street food and there is street food.

The Lot 10 Hutong in Kuala Lumpur has long been the go-to
destination for those wanting to sample the best of Malaysia’s
justifiably-famous street cuisine all under one roof. Now, the Lot 10
Hutong concept goes international with the opening of its first hugelyawaited outlet in Guangzhou, China.

Malaysia’s hawker food culture has undeniably been greatly
enhanced by the Chinese Diaspora. Having settled in the
country since the days of the Malaccan sultanate, theChinese have adapted their cuisine to local tastes and,in fact, boast a unique culinary heritage and richness
that is all their own. In Kuala Lumpur, for example, there
are stalls and establishments that have been pleasing
palates for several generations now and have since
become household names themselves. Soong Kee,for example, is considered the nec plus ultra when it
comes to beef noodles, while Ho Weng Kee’s wonton
mee has kept several generations of Malaysians happily
satisfied since it was first established along Petaling
Street by Ho Weng, an immigrant from Guangdong,in 1930. “My father and I have always had a soft
spot for hawker food,” shares Tan Sri Francis Yeoh,
Managing Director of YTL Corporation, who’s credited
as the mastermind behind Lot 10 Hutong. “Manygenerations of immigrants travelled here from China
and struggled and worked hard to make a living. And
I think I speak for many others when I say that good
food, comfort food, is a catharsis. Give a man areally good plate of char kway teow and he’ll work
even harder. I remember my father taking the wholefamily out all over town to enjoy the best, themost famous local street dishes and the thoughtthat many of these families might not continue
their trade any longer, as the world increasingly
hankers after fast food, had me panicking a little!”

Text Diana Khoo Photography Ting Yang Shan

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1

Malaysian street food takes on the world, one4city at a time,
beginning with Guangzhou, China.

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Not wanting his children and the younger
generation to forget their cultural roots andculinary heritage, Tan Sri Francis set off on a
personal mission to find the best hawkers intown and persuade those on his crème de lacrème list to set up at a dedicated destination
where the best of Malaysia’s street food might
be enjoyed in comfort and convenience. Thus,
was the Lot 10 Hutong born. Established in
2009, only hawkers who boast of a two- or
three-generation heritage or at least a proven

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life cuisine //track record of 40 years of culinary success are invited to set up
shop within the Hutong, each handpicked and distinguished byan all-time favourite signature dish that foodies hail as ‘nationaltreasures’. And, clearly, the formula has worked as thousandsof visitors throng the Lot 10 Hutong daily to sample the beststreet food they can find, be it fried oyster omelettes or classic
chicken rice. “It’s about nostalgia,” continues Tan Sri Francis.
“My family came from China as well and I can’t begin to tell
you how pleased I am that Nanyang now returns to themotherland as our Hutong brand goes global, starting withthe opening of our first outlet in Guangzhou this August.”
Created in collaboration with renowned food critic andpersonality Chua Lam and Ralph Hu of Zhujiang New
Town Development, Hutong Guangzhou will occupy
the first level of the Tsai Lan City of Fusion Foods inthe Fuli Yingxin Building. With interiors mirroring the
Kuala Lumpur flagship and done up, as before, byJapanese ID maestro Yuhkichi Kawai, residents andvisitors to the southern Chinese city may now enjoy
the unique taste and flavour of Malaysian street
food as no less than 19 hawker stalls with long,

Chua Lam, flanked by Tan Sri
Francis Yeoh (left) and Tan
Sri Dato' Sri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong
Lay, is one of the personalities
driving the opening of Hutong
Guangzhou, where a dazzling
array of Malaysian hawker
delights will be available totempt Chinese palates.

“Granted, Malaysian
street food is alreadyrenowned the world
over, but true foodies
and connoisseurs
alike know that there isstreet food and there
is street food.”rich heritage gear up for business, while the second level isdevoted to Hong Kong and Taiwanese favourites identified
and personally selected by Chua Lam himself. “The prospectof winning over the tastebuds of fellow Chinese in the greater
China market is indeed enormous,” muses Tan Sri Francis.
“China was the natural choice as we realised we alreadyhad huge numbers of mainland Chinese guests visiting Lot

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10 Hutong consistently. Our target for Hutong in China is toeventually open 33 outlets over seven years, with a forecasted
billion ringgit sales target.”
Chua Lam is equally optimistic about the success of Hutong in
China. “There are food courts all over the world but none canboast of such high-quality culinary tradition like what Tan Sri
Francis has put together.” Already, all the key staff are in placein Guangzhou and great emphasis has been placed to replicate
the taste and flavours of Malaysia flawlessly. “It’s as if an armyof our best hawkers are going to China. But it’s more than justsetting up a branch for them,” emphasises Tan Sri Francis.
“It is about ensuring the originality, taste and flavour. China isgoing to be a big mind-opener for them. And who knows?
Once they get the hang of doing business over there, there’s
no reason why they can’t expand independently. And, once
China is ready and steady, there’s the rest of the world to seeto,” says Tan Sri, with his signature enthusiasm. “I’ve alreadyhad so many requests asking Hutong to open up elsewhere.
So, who knows? London might be next or imagine it going to
Melbourne. But now, China first!”
Lot 10 Hutong is located at the lower ground floor of the Lot 10
Shopping Centre, 50 Jln Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. Opening
hours are from 10am-10pm.

YOUR GUIDE TO LOT 10 HUTONG,KUALA LUMPUR
If you can’t make it to Guangzhou just yet, don’t
panic. There’s always the original Lot 10 Hutong tovisit. Here’s a quick foodie’s roll-call of star things
to try, stall by stall.
• Kim Lian Kee – For over
80 years, Hokkien noodle
addicts have been visiting
Kim Lian Kee for their fix.
Its original shop can still befound near Petaling Street. A
true KL specialty!
• Woo Pin – F a m o u s f o r
its fish head and fish paste
noodles, this is a dish tosavour slowly as each biteof noodle or sip of the milkenhanced stock is heady andjoy-inducing.
• Layumcha – Enjoy the art ofyum cha at this newly-opened

stall. The top three things totry? Har gow , siu mai andloh mai kai – the holy trinityof dim sum whose quality is
the base factor that makes or
breaks any establishment.
• Tai Lei Loi Kei – Macau’sbest-loved pork chop bun
debuts in Kuala Lumpur at
the Lot 10 Hutong. A sweet
bun encases a huge chunkof juicy Brazilian pork chop,measuring no less than 5cm
thick. Other things to try
include curried fish balls,
curried squid and curriedbrisket and ribs.

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life cuisine //life cuisine //A dream holiday is like a grand banquet– great location, excellent service andan epicurean maestro to create foodthat tastes and looks sensational. Foodis of primal importance in a holiday as it
feeds your soul through your body and,
when set in a paradise island, the elixirof life is complete. That’s my idea of aperfect holiday – sun, sea and a satisfied
stomach – and I discovered it in Pangkor
Laut Resort. Just 300 acres in size,
largely covered by a pristine rainforest andfringed by a craggy coastline punctuatedby sandy coves, the sole resort on theisland is a gourmet’s delight. While theaccommodations are luxurious and thenatural beauty of the island is stunningly
enchanting, the cuisine is the icing on
the cake.

Sun, Sea & Sauté

With Executive Chef Hemant Dadlani at the helm of your dining
experience, expect an added gastronomic frisson that will makeyour stay at Pangkor Laut Resort just that much more enthralling.

There are seven food outlets here – twofine dining restaurants, Fisherman’s Coveand The Straits, two informal diners, Uncle
Lim’s Kitchen and Feast Village, and threecasual lunch outlets, Royal Bay Beach
Club, a poolside bistro, Chapman’s Bar
on Emerald Bay and Jamu Bar at Spa
Village. Commanding this diverse andcomplex catering operation is Hemant
Dadlani, the resort’s young and talented
executive chef. Fresh from his last post
as executive chef of the Rosewood
Little Dix Bay resort in the British Virgin
Islands, Dadlani, who hails from India, isno stranger to running an upscale culinary
operation, having spent years working forvarious luxury brands in the hospitality
industry in the Caribbean.
W ith Malaysia’s cornucopia of fresh
products, it is like a blank canvas fora kitchen wizard like Dadlani, who
confessed that he has “an allergy towards
bland food”. Right up his street, he
explains: “I am having the experienceof a lifetime being in Malaysia. The local
food culture is spectacular and immensely

diverse. This is unlike any country where
I have ever lived. Being partial towards
Malay or Indian cuisines is natural
because that is my comfort zone. Many
ingredients and processes involved arestill alien to me, but I am trying to close
this gap. I am learning Chinese cuisine
and, once I get there, I am hoping to beable to balance my interests.”
Describing his food as “contemporary
tropical cuisine”, Dadlani explains: “Having
lived for most of my life in the tropics, I
combine bold local flavours (dependingon where I am) with modern cooking
methods. My favourite ingredients areseafood. My Indian background provides
me with an interesting palate. Havinggrown up in India, one develops a strong
sense of taste for bold flavours. This hashelped me over the years in deciding
on combination of flavours.” He has anextensive repertoire of exciting dishes
for the menu but his favourite signature
dishes, such as olive oil poached halibut
in mild coconut curry, tandoori silver
pomfret with squid ink risotto and miso
tuna with agave honey and avocado,
reflect his distinct trademark in using
local produce and embracing the cooking
style of other cultures. He has fun
experimenting with various local staples.
“I have been heavily influenced by Creole
cuisine for many years. I like combining
tropical fruits and seafood. Someinteresting things we did here are lobster
laksa with rambutan dumpling, grilledsquid with watermelon and bird’s eye chilli
salsa, and pandan leaf sorbet with frozen
strawberry powder,” he enthused.
Being in a “one island, one resort” can bequite challenging for a chef as some fresh
products and other essentials can only
be delivered once a week. To alleviate
this problem, the resort is planninga “farm to plate” concept with small-

Text Helen Oon

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life cuisine //life cuisine //Pinch of minced ginger and mincedgalangal
Salt and sugar to taste

scale farming of tropical ingredients inprogress, allowing the chefs and guests
a chance to experience locavore cuisine(dishes prepared from food grownlocally). Fortunately, Pangkor Laut’s sister
island, Pangkor Island, supplies most of
its seafood requirements and the resort’s
farm will complement the larder. Dadlani
enjoys the intimacy of an island resort
where he can really work closely with his
executive sous chefs to plan the menu
and to bond as a team.

Pangkor Laut Resort's
Fisherman's Cove serves up
fresh seafood caught fromsurrounding waters.

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As a foodie and a mediocre cook, I was
keen to sharpen my skills with Dadlani
under the Chef’s Kitchen Experience.
The programme started with a tourof the kitchen of the Feast Village toobserve behind-the-scene activities ofa working professional kitchen. After
breakfast, it’s off to Pangkor Island byboat and visit the local market to see
first-hand where the resort gets its fresh

seafood. This is followed by a stop toan ikan billis (dried anchovies) factory towitness the production of this ubiquitous
ingredient in Malaysian cuisine, before
watching fresh noodles being made at
the island’s famous noodle shop. Backat the resort, it’s spa time to rejuvenate
those tired muscles after the morning’s
outing and get ready for a cookery
class in the early afternoon with Dadlani
in the show kitchen. Under his expert
tutelage, I assisted in the preparationof an impressive menu of rasam soup,chicken tandoori , Rajasthan dal andprawn masala , which I will add to mybragging rights when I next host adinner party. I even have a certificate toshow for it. On my final night, Dadlani
prepared a mini banquet for me and mycompanions at The Straits with a sampler
menu of his signature dishes, each ofwhich was an art on a plate. With sucha sumptuous feast delivered with artistic
flair against the setting of a silvery moonover the sea, it would be hard-pressed
not to bill Pangkor Laut Resort as agourmet paradise.
The Chef ’s Kitchen Experience is a
gastronomical journey which includes a tourof Feast Village, breakfast with the chef, visit
to Pangkor Island’s fish farm, spa session
and a cookery lesson of South-East Asian
dishes with Chef Dadlani. Pangkor LautResort is four hours from Kuala Lumpur byroad and boat. For more details, visit www.
pangkorlautresort.com

Poached Halibut in Mild
Coconut Curry with
Watermelon & Chilli
Salsa
Ingredients
250g halibut fillet
150 ml olive oil
2 sprigs fresh thyme
For curry sauce:
1tbsp olive oil
2 cups fish stock
1tbsp ginger (finely chopped)½ cup onion (finely chopped)
1tbsp lemongrass (finely chopped)
1 tsp lemon zest
1tsp turmeric powder½ cup coconut milk		
Green chilli to taste
Salsa:
1 cup watermelon (diced)
1tsp orange zest
1tsp lemon zest
½tsp ginger (finely chopped)
1tsp fresh lemon juice
1tbsp fresh orange juice
Bird’s eye chilli & sea salt to taste
Method:1. Slice halibut fillet in half and remove
skin (if any). Heat olive oil in a 3in deep
sauté pan to 120°F or about 50°C.
Maintain oil temperature and drop in
fresh thyme. Place fish in the heated oil

and gently cook for about 15 minutes.
Maintaining the temperature between
115°F and 122°F (47°C and 50°C).
2. While the fish is cooking, prepare thecurry sauce. Heat olive oil in a sauce pan.
Add ginger, onion and lemongrass. Cookat low heat and add turmeric powder.
Once the onion is translucent, add chilli
and fish stock. Bring to a boil and cookfor 10 minutes. Add coconut milk andwhisk the sauce for five minutes. Season
with salt and lemon zest, and strain.
3. For all the salsa ingredients andseason to taste.
4. Serve fish in a bowl with curry sauce
and top it with watermelon salsa.

Method:1. Heat vegetable oil and fry cinnamon
stick, star anise, cardamom andlemongrass till fragrant. Add mincedgarlic, shallot, ginger and galangal, andstir until golden brown.
2. Add chilli paste and cook for anothertwo minutes while stirring continuously.
Add turmeric powder, cumin powder,coriander powder and fennel powder,and cook for another two minutes.
3. Add desiccated coconut and cook for
another two minutes. Add chicken andcoconut milk. Cook over a medium heat
until chicken is browned.
4. Add lime leaf, palm sugar and season
to taste. Stir until most of the liquid has
evaporated and chicken is tender.
5. Garnish with sliced turmeric leaves
and serve hot with steamed rice.

Chicken Rendang
Ingredients
500g chicken leg
50g dried chilli
50g garlic, minced
50g shallot, minced
5 pieces lemongrass
1 stick cinnamon
4 pieces cardamom
2 pieces star anise
1 cup coconut milk
4tbsp vegetable oil
1tsp turmeric powder
1tsp fennel powder
1tsp cumin powder
2tsp coriander powder
1 cup dessicated coconut
30g palm sugar
1 piece turmeric leaf
3 piece lime leaf

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life feature //Cookwith Wai
Satisfy your inner chef and gourmet
with lessons at the shiny new Starhill
Culinary Studio in Kuala Lumpur.
Text Helen Oon

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life feature //Budding chefs, inspired by the plethora of cooking programmeson television, looking for a place to sharpen their cooking
skills can now head for the Starhill Culinary Studio,on Starhill
Gallery’s Muse Floor. There, all gleaming in chrome and glasswith shiny work-tops, are state-of-the-art teaching kitchens set
in a 12,000 sq ft beautifully designed culinary haven. Helmed by
YTL Corporate Executive Chef, Wai Look Chow, the objective isto deliver rewarding experience, teach new skills and different
cooking techniques. Chef Wai has cooked for many celebrity
guests and his impressive catalogue of haute cuisine recipes
has, hitherto, been held close to the chest. Now, guests will havethe privilege of learning from the master himself and his team oftalented chefs.
Paula Conway, the studio’s Operations and Marketing Manager,
who has vast experience in operations and new set-ups in thefood and beverage industry, is tasked in overseeing the runningof the culinary studio. She explains: “The aim is to entice people
to attend our creative culinary classes for them to experience

At Starhill
Culinary Studio,
learn all the tricksof the trade andthen some fromits team of
F&B experts.

life feature //life feature //“The aim is to enticepeople to attend ourcreative culinary classes
for them to experience
what I can only refer toas ‘magic’.”
what I can only refer to as ‘magic’. There certainly is something
miraculous that takes place during class: either a few strangers
attend a class and the experience brings them together and theyleave as friends, or someone with little confidence, for whateverreason, joins and, by the end of the class with his or her chef's
hat on, has cooked up a storm!“
This unique approach to cooking classes in a relaxed andinformal atmosphere has struck a chord with the public. Conway
says: “There are, indeed, a number of truly great cooking schools
in Kuala Lumpur and beyond, but the Starhill Culinary Studio is
the largest, for sure – with five different studios or kitchens: theBaking Studio; Pastry Studio; Wai's Kitchen (named after Chef
Wai), with a state-of-the-art demo kitchen and a professional
kitchen with both Western and Chinese stoves; Wai's Dining
Room, a private space for Chef's Table luncheons and dinners;
and a Wine Studio, where our sommelier conducts fun andinformative wine classes. Participants love that our classes arehands on and that they ‘never leave with an empty stomach’.
They all get to sit together and enjoy what they have made, withthe chefs rustling up a few extra dishes if need be for lunchor dinner.”
There is something for everyone at the Starhill Culinary Studio,from Malay, Chinese (hot wok and dim sum ), Western, Indianand Japanese cuisines to pastry and baking. To complete thegastronomic lesson, there are lifestyle classes in wine tasting,while future plans include table setting, decorating and flower
arranging, and useful tips to inspire a person to be the perfectdinner host. The Wine Studio offers lessons in wine appreciationand tasting using the collection from the famous wine cellar of
Shook!, YTL’s signature restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, which boasts
the largest collection of vintage wines in Malaysia.
Starhill Culinary Studio attracts an interesting profile of people.
Some prefer private lessons while others want to learn in a social
setting. Then, there are corporate clients who invite either their92

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Guests canparticipate in awide range of
culinary arts, fromwine-tasting toJapanese cooking.

staff to attend as a form of team building or their clients andentertain them via the medium of a cooking class. One thing thatevery participant loves is the facility and they are always surprisedthat the talented chefs are so humble and happy to share theirsecrets. Lessons are available for a class of a minimum of
one to a maximum of 100. The most popular classes for theladies are Memorable Macaroons, while men prefer The Perfect
Roast; tourists prefer Peranakan and children enjoy Japanesecuisine. Guests receive certificates in recognition of their efforts
and participation.
Starhill Culinary Studio is more than just a cookery school; it
is a place for social meetings, bonding and forming friendshipamong people with an interest in cooking. As Chef Wai says:“Starhill Culinary Studio goes beyond making dishes; it is also
an environment that creates friendships.” Or, perhaps, even a
Master Chef in the making.

Recipes taught at the Starhill Culinary Studio are often served in YTL Hotels’
resorts and hotels. For more information, visit starhillculinarystudio.com

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life cuisine //spa life //Signature Packages:
Harmony Extreme (3 hours)
Recommended for couples torelax, and relieve stress andtension. An exotic, luxurious
and unforgettable moment of
indulgence. This is the ultimate
spa experience, enjoyed in theluxury of your own Grand Spa
Suite with someone special.
• Welcome drink • Herbal heat
revival • Rose body mask orrose salt scrub • Luxury rose
petal milk bath • Balinese
massage • Donna refreshment& ginger tea
Usual price: RM1,280
Now: RM980

Spa Heaven

The Refined Man(3 hours)
This will help to improve blood
circulation, and relieve yourtired and aching body. This
pampering package will leave

Savour a truly soothing and pampering Balinese spa
treatment right in the heart of busy Kuala Lumpur.

you with a feeling of total rebirth.
• Welcome drink • Herbal hot
compress • Coffee scrub •Herbal bath • Excellent Donnamassage • Scalp massage• Donna refreshment &ginger tea
Usual price: RM880
Price: RM580
Donna Tropical Paradise(3 hours)
The Royal Donna massage andfacial treatment will ensure yourcomplete relaxation and total
well-being, preparing you toface the world again.
• Welcome drink • Herbal heat
revival • Orange yogurt wrap
or scrub with your choice •Seven flower traditional ritual •Excellent Donna massage• Donna facial treatment •Donna refreshment & ginger tea
Usual Price: RM880
Now: RM580

Donna Spa is located on the Pamper Floor of Starhill Gallery.

Text Loo Kit Choong Photography Yong Keen KeongMy pampering begins the moment I stepped off the frenzied
street of Bukit Bintang, after shopping all day, and right into
Starhill Gallery’s Donna Spa. This Balinese-inspired sanctuary
promises a complete spa experience to rejuvenate the weary
body, soul and mind. Be greeted first with a cup of sweet ginger
tea, before the friendly manager helps you select your choice oftreatment oils and scrubs. Rose geranium, lemongrass, lavenderand ylang ylang are just some of the exotic oils for your picking,complemented with over 15 scrubs like cinnamon, nutmeg andgreen apple.
My treatment starts with a steam bath, or a sauna if you prefer,followed by a cold or warm bath in the Jacuzzi. The treatment
room is carefully dimmed and temperature controlled – even the
bed is heated. The therapist makes sure that I wasn’t too cold
or too warm before beginning the Herbal Heat Revival treatment.
Soaked in warm ylang ylang-infused water, these little therapeuticbags are pressed and rocked gently on my back to produce apleasurably drowsy experience. As I drifted off, my therapist
began sloughing me off with a scrub made from ground toasted
rice, which is all natural, as are Donna Spa’s other ingredientsused in their treatments. The exfoliating treatment is gentle andprecise, beginning with my back, legs, arms and finishing with

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my upper body. This has to be my favourite part of the entire
treatment, as I feel very revived and renewed afterwards.
Shedding old dermis must be good.
The luxury rose petal milk bath came next. With warm water andmilk, and a generous of amount of rose petals, I blissfully settle
into the Jacuzzi for 20 minutes of pure decadence and was justthe perfect thing to soak off the scrub and soothe my body.
I decided on the traditional Balinese massage with ylang ylang oil
for my next treatment. You also have the choice of a pressure
point massage too and this is where all the magic happens. In
the hands of a skilled therapist, gentle soothing fingers apply justenough strength to unknot all of my worries and tired muscles. She
knows exactly where the kinks are and how to smooth them out.
The relaxing scalp massage came next, her finger tips pressing
into my scalp and releasing all the tension. It was a pleasure that
ended all too soon as she gently massaged my eyes and browsto tease out the last of my worries. Galvanised and refreshed, I
was extremely reluctant to leave the warm bed and back into busy
Bukit Bintang. Still, I left secure in the knowledge that, the nexttime I need some rejuvenation or just some pampering, Donna
Spa will be right here in Starhill Gallery.

Donna Spa in Starhill Gallery
is an oasis of calm andrejuvenation within the everbusy street of Bukit Bintang.

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RIVIERAREVELRY
life’s moments
life’smoments////Glamour and the good life go hand-in-bejewelled hand at sublime SaintTropez. Now in its peak season, there are few better places in the worldin which to see and be seen. Celia Gumbau, Brand Manager – Sales& Marketing and Press for YTL Hotels ’ Muse Collection of bespoke
properties and a native Tropezienne, shares her favourite things to see,do and experience in this particular patch of South of France paradise.

SIGHTS & SOUNDSThe church or Église de Saint-Tropez is a beautiful place around which to stroll and I think it also offers a lovely
romantic sunset. You can also explore the southern end of Quai Frédéric Mistral, where the Place Garrezio
sprawls east from the 10th-century Tour Suffren to the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. And there’s also La Ponche,
north-east of the Vieux Port, in the historical quarter of the city.

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What can I say? The Muse Saint Tropez is, inmy opinion, the best hotel in town and the only
place to stay in. It is indeed a rare sanctuary
and minutes from the Place des Lices, the mostelegant epicentre in the world.

SALUT!

Saint-Tropez is justifiably famous for its rose wines
and, if you happen to be staying in the Muse Saint
Tropez, there are many vineyards around the village
you can easily visit – our concierge would also be
happy to help you make the arrangements. My wineryof choice would be Château des Marres, a mere fiveminutes’ walk from the hotel, a beautiful property withdelicious wines to offer. fires as well!

The Muse Saint
Tropez’s suites are
all named afterlegendary muses.

NATURAL BEAUTY

There are few places as inspiring and rejuvenating like the Sentier du Littoral – a coastal path and hiking
trail that starts at Saint-Tropez and ends, many hours later, around the peninsula in Gigaro or Cavalaire. It
captures perfectly the essence of the South of France and is essentially 25 miles of wild nature and raw
beauty. You will also pass several of the area’s most famous beaches, including Pampelonne Beach and
the Plage des Salins.

DISCO NIGHTS

What would a summer holiday be without a night out on the town? I may be biased but Les
Caves du Roy is, without a doubt, the best nightclub in town… or make that in the world! It’s
located at the mythical Hotel Byblos and the resident DJ Jack-E is world-famous. Follow thebeat along the Avenue Paul Signac and get ready for a night to remember.

LIFE'S A BEACH... NIKKI BEACH

Although this famous beach club originates from Miamiand pioneered the beach club concept, where you party
on until the day’s end, Nikki Beach is still one of the bestplaces to see and be seen in. A quintessential element inanyone’s Saint-Tropez summer.

55 AND COUNTING

What started out as a simple canteen, set up for the film crew of Roger Vadim’s And God Created Woman,is now very much an icon of Saint-Tropez. For those who come for the summer season, it is unthinkable
not to spend some time at Le Club 55, named for the year it was established… just like YTL Corporation,
which owns the Muse Saint Tropez. It is, of course, the best, hippest and most famous beach club in SaintTropez and remains a magnet for the rich, famous and beautiful.

BLACK DIAMONDS

I’m a passionate lover of truffles and, around here,
Clément Bruno is known as the ‘king of the truffle’.
A visit to Chez Bruno, his eponymous restaurant in
Lorgues, about an hour’s drive from Saint-Tropez,
is a must, especially if you are a gourmet. He also
recently opened a little bistrot – Bistrot à la Truffede Bruno – in the historical district of Rue del’Église… just amazing!

TO MARKET, TO MARKET

The massive Places des Lices hosts an open-air market every Tuesday and Saturday, and thesquare positively explodes with colour. It becomes a jam-packed kaleidoscope of everything,from fruit and vegetables to antique mirrors and slippers. It’s truly legendary. Towering plane trees
provide shade for groups of petanque players – a regular sight whenever the market’s not on – ascene that depicts authentic Tropezian life.

LA DOLCE VITA

life of luxury //There is a delicious touch of Italy to be found inSaint-Tropez…. at La Pomme de Pin, the best
Italian restaurant in the area. Opened since 1992, it
stands in the middle of la pinede (the pinewood) andis away from the madding summer crowds. Thereis a beautiful garden and the restaurant is still familyowned. A cosy place for great meals.

STRAP HAPPYGaya Island Resort

Everyone who visits Saint-Tropez needs a pair of its
legendary Tropezienne sandals, made by the Rondinifamily for over 80 years now. Each pair is handmade
and is as close to sandal perfection as you can get.
It’s safe to say Rondini’s Sandales Tropezienne arede rigueur footwear here. You can own a wearable
icon of Saint-Tropez for just about €120. Affordable
luxury and a veritable must-have!

Set within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Gaya Island Resort is a gem
located just off Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Golden sand beaches and crystal
clear waters that teem with marine life beckon, while the Spa Village
offers guests a unique experience of Borneo-inspired healing and wellness
traditions.
www.gayaislandresort.com

Pangkor Laut Resort
Located off the Straits of Malacca, this luxurious resort boasts anentire tropical island all to itself. Villas are tucked into the hillside or
gracefully perched on stilts above the water, while an award-winning Spa
Village offers world-class treatments to leave you feeling recharged,
relaxed and rejuvenated.
www.pangkorlautresort.com
Soak up thesun at the MuseSaint Tropez.

Celia Gumbau is theMuse Collection’s Brand
Manager – Sales &Marketing and Press.

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www.ytlhotels.com

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www.ytlhotels.com

Tanjong Jara Resort

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Embodying the essence of Malay culture and tradition, Tanjong Jara Resort
on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia offers the perfect experience of
Malay hospitality. Fronted by the South China Sea and surrounded by thelush green beauty of the local countryside, Tanjong Jara offers you anexperience of Malaysia like no other.
www.tanjongjararesort.com

Fully restored to its former glory, this elegant property which dates backto the 1930s, is an Art Deco monument that blends history with world-classhospitality. Dining options include Hainanese favourites at the Colonial
Café or an interactive dining experience at Contango, while the rooms are a
blend of contemporary style and Old World elegance.
www.majestickl.com

Cameron Highlands Resort

The Majestic Malacca

This unique hill station combines all the splendour, romance andnostalgia of the area’s grand colonial heritage while the resort, with
its luxurious rooms and award-winning Spa Village, remains the best place
to experience it all, from verdant hills, tea plantations, rose gardens andstrawberry patches.
www.cameronhighlandsresort.com

Regarded as the cradle of Malaysian history, exploring Malacca is likestepping back in time, when the port-city used to welcome spice traders,sultans and warriors from bygone days. Soak up all the magic at The Majestic
Malacca, one of the city’s finest hotels whose structure dates back to the1920s and whose interiors are a reflection of the city’s fine past.
www.majesticmalacca.com

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The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

Hilton Niseko Village

Its name already conjures up images of old world elegance and opulence. Locatedin Kuala Lumpur’s downtown Golden Triangle business district, this luxury hotel
is conveniently located to upscale shopping, dining and entertainment. It also
boasts of its own award-winning spa while gourmets would be hard-pressed tofind better Cantonese cuisine than at Li Yen, its fine dining Chinese restaurant.
www.ytlhotels.com

Set at the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri, the Hilton Niseko Village offers
year-round activities, from skiing during the winter season to a host ofwholesome, family-friendly activities during summer. There are also two 18hole championship golf courses, a tennis complex, an equestrian centre
and a nature-based activity centre.
www.hiltonnisekovillage.jp

JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur

The Green Leaf Niseko Village

Located right along Bukit Bintang road in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, theJW Marriott is ideal for all travellers. From busy executives to families
wishing to soak up the city’s sights, sounds and world-class shopping, thiswell-placed hotel with its extensive range of facilities is undoubtedly theperfect choice.
www.ytlhotels.com

Located in the heart of Niseko Village in Hokkaido, Japan, this premium
contemporary resort offers guests a seamless experience of stay, snow
and ski. Goshiki offers a wide range of flavours to suit every palate whileaprès-ski drinks are best enjoyed at the contemporary Tomioka White Lounge.
www.thegreenleafhotel.com

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The Surin

Eastern & Oriental Express

Situated on Pansea Beach, without doubt one of Phuket’s loveliest and mostprivate, The Surin offers a perfect slice of Thai beach life. From sumptuous
cuisine to watersports, a world-class spa and spectacular sunsets, it combines
idyllic tropical charm with all the warmth and grace of Thai hospitality.
www.thesurinphuket.com

More than a train service, the Eastern & Oriental Express epitomises the
grandeur, luxury and romance of rail travel from a bygone era. Relive it
today as you journey from Singapore to Bangkok via the entire length ofPeninsular Malaysia in true luxury and ultimate overland style.
www.ytlhotels.com

Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali

The Gainsborough Bath Spa

Black volcanic sand, majestic Mount Agung, the deep blue of the Indian Ocean
and the mystical Balinese way of life all come together in style at the Spa Village
Resort Tembok, Bali. Set in the north of the island, it is a place of enchanting
peacefulness and a haven of wellness, where guests can enjoy all the benefits
and pleasures of spa life in tranquil, spiritual surroundings.
www.spavillageresort.com/tembokbali

Opening Spring 2014, The Gainsborough Bath Spa exclusively offers the only
natural thermal spa within a hotel in the United Kingdom. Keystone to thegeographic heart of Bath, the hotel is a moment’s stroll from Bath Abbey,
the high street shopping on Milsom Street, The Roman Baths and is the best
location from which to explore the city and its other pre-eminent attractions.
www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

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Muse Saint Tropez

Shook! Shanghai occupies the penthouse floor of The Swatch Art Peace Hotel,
a Renaissance- style 1906 heritage landmark on the Bund. The celebrated
restaurant features a show kitchen where signature dishes for four different
cuisines are created around the senses, flirting with seasonal trends.
www.shookrestaurantshanghai.com

A glamorous yet private hideaway in stunning Saint Tropez, living the South ofFrance lifestyle doesn’t get better than at the Muse Saint Tropez. Located in
Ramatuelle and surrounded by forests of umbrella pines, this bijou property
boasts just 15 suites, each named after famous ‘muses’. Make it your base to
explore all the sights, sounds and delights of this jewel of the Riviera.
www.muse-hotels.com

Muse Bray Cottages

Muse Casa MarbellaMuse Bray Cottages are situated in the heart of the picturesque village ofBray-on-Thames, Berkshire, England. The renovated period properties consistof Bray House, originally the stables for the nearby Manor House of Bray inthe 1780’s. Dormer Cottage is a particularly quaint and beautiful 500 year
old cottage while Lavender House is one of the most stunning houses in thisbeautiful 14th century village.
www.muse-hotels.com

Two gorgeous and luxurious villas, with 9 and 6 bedrooms respectively,
offer countryside living, tranquillity and peace as well as the security ofan exclusive residential estate, yet remain in close proximity to all types ofamenities and are ideal for exploring the famous Costa del Sol.
www.muse-hotels.com

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Spa Village Cameron Highlands
Featuring a wide range of treatments and therapies inspired by the restorative
properties of tea found growing in the highlands. Available are tranquil indoor
and outdoor treatment rooms, tea bath rooms and a fully equipped gymnasium.
www.spavillage.com

Muse Villa Tassana Phuket
Set amidst a tropical forest on a craggy cliff overlooking the Andaman Sea,
Villa Tassana is a bijou gem. Spread out over 2,800 sq m and boasting fourlarge bedrooms with en suite bath and dressing areas, this private villa isthe perfect choice for those who want nothing but perfection and privacy
in Phuket.
www.muse-hotels.com

Spa Village Tanjong Jara
Time-tested Malay health and beauty traditions are revived in luxurious
surrounds. Skilled Malay healers create a comprehensive programme oftherapies using unique ingredients from indigenous herbs and plants.
www.spavillage.com

Muse Pangkor Laut Estates
A cluster of eight individually-crafted enclaves offers guests to the island of
Pangkor Laut a unique and exceedingly-private tropical escape. Complete withprivate vehicle, driver, chef and butler, you will want for nothing, cocooned
within this uniquely luxurious hideaway.
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Spa Village Pangkor LautYTL Hotels’ flagship Spa Village extols the healing culture of Malaysia andAsia’s diverse history of people and cultures and abundance of exotic natural
resources. This tranquil island retreat is ideal for complete rejuvenation ofbody and soul.
www.spavillage.com

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Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali

This unique and stylish urban retreat offers the most sophisticated therapies
integrated with traditional healing practices of the region. Ancient and modern
practices blend seamlessly to deliver blissful relaxation and rejuvenation.
www.spavillage.com

This destination spa combines the therapeutic value of its beautiful location withan ancient and rich cultural heritage. The gentle spirituality of the island weaves
through every aspect of each spa treatment, producing a unique immersive andrestorative experience.
www.spavillage.com

Spa Village Malacca

Spa Village Gaya Island

This is the world’s only spa to base its therapies on the healing heritage of theBaba-Nyonya or Peranakan culture, a unique combination of Malay and Chinese
influences. It provides a serene and restorative environment in this historic city.
www.spavillage.com

Set amidst lush mangroves, this is a tranquil hideaway surrounded by
distinctive island flora and fauna. A rich tapestry of spa programmes reflects
the cultural healing traditions of Sabah’s many indigenous people.
www.spavillage.com

The Majestic Spa

Spa Village BathDistinctively appointed in the art nouveau style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s
famous Willow Tearooms of Scotland, and true to the spirit of colonial
times, this spa reflects upon a golden era in Malaysian history. The luxurious
treatments on offer have a decidedly British flavour.
www.majestickl.com

Tapping into the original Roman Bath springs, Spa Village Bath offers acontemporary perspective on the city’s thermal water heritage, integrating
the treasured waters of Bath with private aquatic body therapies and classic
treatments that focus on personalised aromatherapy.
www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

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Spa Village Hangzhou

Feast Village Kuala Lumpur

Spa Village Hangzhou is the showcase debut of Malaysian spa group ‘Spa Village’in China. In line with the Spa Village philosophy of “Honouring the Healing
Culture of the Region”, Spa Village Hangzhou highlights the transformationsof nature by offering a new series of treatments with each changing season.
www.roonspavillage.com

This is a dramatic and stylish dining haven with a village charm located in
the exclusive Starhill Gallery. 12 uniquely designed restaurants and bars
serve a mix of world class cuisine in a chic and contemporary atmosphere.
www.starhillgallery.com

Spa Village Shaoxing

Lot 10 Kuala Lumpur

Nestled in an ancient village veined by tranquil waterways, Spa Village Shaoxingis the ideal place to relax and reconnect with your inner calm. Surrounded by
the grounding elements of wood, stone and water, guests experience a feelingof peace embedded in the steady power of the earth.
www.roonspavillage.com

Trendy Lot 10 Shopping Centre is located within the heart of the popular
Bukit Bintang shopping precinct, directly on Bintang Walk. Key tenants
include Zara, H&M, Isetan and Hutong, a heritage gourmet village located in
the revamped basement.
www.lot10.com.my

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my life //

Toi’s
Story
Celebrated couturier and the toast of
New York’s fashion scene, Zang Toi
looks to the art of travel, good food andluxurious hotels as his favourite sourcesof inspiration and relaxation. YTL Life
catches up with the Malaysian-born but
quintessentially New York designer.
A typical day for me in New York Cityis simple: I get up at about 8am and I
always start my day with black coffee
and fresh fruit. I then sort out the 200 to
300 e-mails I’d get overnight before
showering and getting to the office.
Once I’m there, it’s like a doctor’sclinic. I normally work till 8pm, unlessit’s collections time, then I’m there, like,forever. But if the weather’s good, nothingbeats squeezing in a quick run aroundCentral Park.

fine restaurants. I’m really very happy justparking myself in the most luxurious hotel
room around and sketching.
I’m lucky to have visited many greatplaces. One recent trip that really stands
out, though, was when my brother See
Luon and I went to St Petersburg. It was
my first time there and I didn’t know what
to expect but we had the most fantastic
time, enjoying incredible cuisine andsoaking up all the culture and architecture.
My favourite was the Peterhof Palace.

I’m quite the night owl and I really dofunction on only four hours’ sleep eachnight. On weekends, especially Sundays,
I make up for it by sleeping for 14 or 15hours straight.

My ideal checklist for a holiday would
be: a great hotel, good food andcold weather. I really enjoy being in acold climate.

My favourite sources of inspiration are
travelling to wonderful destinations, staying
in the most luxurious hotels and eating at

My travel list next year includes Icelandand Antarctica. I also want to go on asafari again. That’s something I enjoy120

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greatly. I want to try staying in a tented
camp, albeit a luxe one, in Botswana.
My showroom’s playlist revolves entirely
around theme songs from the James Bond
movies. I am also obsessed with Adele.
At home, I love Jakob Dylan, Bob’s son,
who has the most amazing voice. But
when I sketch, I listen to Chet Baker a lot.
To really relax, nothing beats heading
to the spa. I’m the ultimate spa junkie andlove everything – facials, scrubs, manipedis… you name it, I love it!
I love Malaysia and need to spend moretime here. I’m planning to spend sometime relaxing on an island, perhaps, over
the Thanksgiving holidays. I’ve heard
Pangkor Laut Resort is stunning and I’dlike to spend a week there, sketching andcreating my new collection.