Travel & Hospitality News – May 2019

[Travel & Hospitality News]
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur Introduces Sunday Bubbly Brunch

Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur launches their Sunday Bubbly Brunch in the airy, inviting interiors of Curate, bringing together good food, drinks and entertainment on a Sunday afternoon!
Savour a range of dishes at the lavish buffet – from local favourites to Western brunch classics and Four Seasons specialties. “For me, the best brunch means being able to have whatever you’re in the mood for – be it comfort food, or something different and exotic,” explains Executive Chef Junious Dickerson, the culinary maestro behind the selections.
In true Four Seasons fashion, the buffet’s live cooking stations will see the hotel’s talented chefs carve, roast and toss their woks in effortless style. With some of the freshest seafood and meats on the menu, top recommendations include the ikan bakar (Malaysian-style grilled fish), roasted whole lamb and prime rib, and Chef Junious’ chicken and waffles.
Seafood lovers will be thrilled to find the fresh Boston lobster, extra large Alaskan king crab and fresh oysters from New Zealand. Making an appearance will be local artisanal cheese, crafted especially for Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur: blending classic European cheese making techniques with local Malaysian flavours, selections such as cili padi and Sarawak black pepper.

Indulge in endless champagne or sample specially-crafted cocktails at the Bar Trigona Pop-Up where Head Bartender Ashish Sharma will use sustainable ingredients and distinctive techniques to create the bespoke cocktails. “I’m really excited for cocktail connoisseurs to taste the unique notes of our Trigona honey, which is made in small batches for us by local producers,” says Ashish.
For the little ones, there will be a live magician performing an interactive show, and a balloon artist ensuring that the Sunday Bubbly Brunch at Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur will a delicious, fun-filled afternoon for the entire family.
The Sunday Bubbly Brunch is served at Curate every Sunday, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm.
PRICE
It is priced at MYR 210 per adult for brunch only, MYR 348 per adult with free flow cocktails and wine (with one glass of welcome champagne), and MYR 488 per adult with free flow champagne. Kids age 5 and older eat and drink for MYR 105. All prices are nett inclusive of prevailing taxes.
To make a reservation, call +603 2382 888 or chat with the hotel through the Four Seasons App.
For more info, head over to https://www.fourseasons.com/kualalumpur/

Beer and Burger Now Open at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

This summer, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is bringing “Beer and Burger” back at its outdoor garden terrace on the 15th floor, where you can unwind and enjoy the cool summer breeze with gourmet-style burgers and cold beer while taking in unobstructed views of the city.
Served hot off the grill, the burger menu at the Garden Terrace is a fresh take on the classic American burger with international flavours using all-natural high quality meat and fresh, locally-sourced vegetables. The chefs have designed six (6) different gourmet burgers with housemade buns, a secret sauce and a wide variety of fillings including a vegan alternative. Pair the burgers with a cold beer from a selection of local draft beers or Charles H.’s cocktail-inspired beer The New Yorker.
Some highlights from the menu include:
·        The Classic Burger: US beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, “secret” sauce, brioche bun
·        Gourmet Affair: US beef, gorgonzola, caramelised onions, peppers, rucola, basil pesto, balsamic glaze, wheat bun
·        Cali Style: US beef, pepper jack cheese, avocado, tomato, green chili, chipotle, wheat bun
·        Aloha Chicken: Chicken breast, swiss cheese, pineapple, lettuce, leek salad, teriyaki, brioche bun
·        The Big Pig: Pulled pork, coleslaw, pickles, BBQ sauce, bioche bun
·        Garden Burger: Housemade vegan patty, ruccola, tomato, red onion, sautéed mushroom, avocado, ciabatta bread
Beer and Burger at the Garden Terrace is for adults only (19 years and older) and is available from Tuesday through Saturday from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. Burger prices begin at KRW 23,000 and KRW 9,000 for beer (tax included). Table seating is on a first come first served basis.
For more info, head over to https://www.fourseasons.com/seoul/
Image credits: Four Seasons Hotels

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Luminox Commando Raider 3320 Series

[Watches]

The new Luminox Commando Raider was designed to pay homage to military units all over the world. Designed to meet the needs of active professional military and police personnel, as well as adventure lovers, this analog timepiece is suitable for those who want an essential, reliable and versatile piece of gear.
Raiders in history have always been versatile fighters who specialize in quick strikes, and have to always be ready for anything. The Commando Raider timepiece fits this profile perfectly, as it can be worn for any adventure or operation, or just to wear throughout the normal day. A second time zone display, by virtue of a dedicated hand, makes sure it does not matter where in the world one is.

The Commando Raider combines all the features that Luminox is renowned; tough, luminous, extremely water-resistant and highly legible. The Raider also features a CARBONOX™ unidirectional countdown bezel with an integrated compass rose, in a light and extremely durable 46mm CARBONOX™ case with a sand-coloured dial.
To complete the militaristic theme, the font of the Commando Raider is based on ubiquitous military stencils, while the green compass points insert on the bezel is anodized aluminium coloured in what Luminox calls ‘Night Vision Green’, which matches the colour seen through night-vision goggles. The shape of the second hand is the same arrow that can be found in many Special Forces Unit logos around the world, symbolizing strength, penetrating power, speed, and positive attitude.
The Commando Raider is equipped with Luminox’s LLT system, ensuring that the watch is totally visible in low or no light conditions, never having to rely on an exterior light source. It is also equipped with a special Luminox-branded ‘cut-to-fit’ strap, designed to fit even the biggest wrists.
The Commando Raider was created to honour military and law enforcement personnel, and provide a handsome, reliable, and extremely versatile timepiece for a new generation of outdoor adventurers.
Luminox Commando Raider 3320 Series
Commando Raider 3321 – RM2,920

Commando Raider 3337 – RM2,920

Luminox watches are available at the following departmental stores and other leading watch retailers.
Parkson at Pavilion  Level 3, Pavilion, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Parkson at One Utama  Lot G 320, F 320, S 320, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Lebuh Bandar Utama 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Daruh Ehsan, Malaysia.
SOGO Kompleks SOGO, 3D Fashion Arena, 190, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
SOGO  Central i-City, Unit G-01, No 1, i-City, Persiaran Multimedia, Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
For further information and the full list of authorised watch retailers, call Crystal Time (M) Sdn Bhd at +603 2938 3938 or head over to http://www.crystaltime.com.sg
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Edaran Tan Chong Motor Launches the Nissan LEAF in Malaysia

[Automotive News]

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) launched the 100% electric Nissan LEAF (CBU Japan) in Petaling Jaya on 23 July 2019. The 100% electric and zero emission All-New Nissan LEAF is the icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s approach to changing the way cars are powered, driven and integrated into society.
The All-New Nissan LEAF highlights the three (3) aspects of Nissan Intelligent Mobility – Nissan Intelligent Power, Nissan Intelligent Driving and Nissan Intelligent Integration.

“Available in a single high-spec premium grade, the All-New Nissan LEAF is technologically advanced, contemporary is its design, it enjoys strong driving range and is extremely fun to drive. It’s SIMPLY AMAZING”, said ETCM Sales & Marketing Director, Christopher Tan.

“The introduction of the second generation of the world’s best-selling electric vehicle marks the next step in Nissan’s commitment to accelerate electrification across the region. More than 400,000 customers worldwide have chosen the Nissan LEAF. It is a testament to Nissan’s vision for the future of mobility, which we believe will help move people to a better world – a world that is more electric, more connected and more autonomous. And we believe that the All-New Nissan LEAF will transform the way Malaysians drive and live”, said Vincent Wijnen, Senior Vice President, Nissan Asia & Oceania.

Dato’ Rosie Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Sdn Bhd, Ms Ayako Nakamura, Vice President, Business Operation, Asia & Oceania Region, Nissan Motor Asia Pacific Co., Ltd., Mr Christopher Tan, Sales & Marketing Director, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd, Mr Vincent Wijnen, Senior Vice President, Asia & Oceania Region, Nissan Motor Asia Pacific Co., Ltd (left to right)
First Customer Key Handover to Nichicon Malaysia Sdn Bhd – Mr Christopher Tan, Sales & Marketing Director, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd, Mr Vincent Wijnen, Senior Vice President, Asia & Oceania Region, Nissan Motor Asia Pacific Co., Ltd, Mr Noriaki Kubo, Managing Director of Nichicon Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mr Hiroshi Seki, Business Group Leader of Nichicon Corporation, Mr Shiro Kutsuzawa, Managing Director of Nichicon Singapore Pte Ltd (left to right)

The new e-powertrain in the All-New Nissan LEAF generates maximum power of 150PS (110kW) and 320Nm of torque providing instant acceleration (0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds), and a top speed of 155km/h (electronically limited). Additionally, the Nissan LEAF’s battery pack sits low in the chassis for a lower centre of gravity that allows better road-hugging handling and stability at greater cornering speeds.
The All-New Nissan LEAF with its new 40kWh lithium-ion battery, has a driving range of 311km on a full-charge based on the ECE R101 New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test cycle, easily exceeding the daily driving needs for the majority of buyers.
The Nissan LEAF battery pack has been developed in-house, rigorously tested and has what Nissan claims to be an extraordinary record of reliability (with zero battery recalls across the combined 10 billion kilometres Nissan LEAF’s sold globally have covered). Additionally, the Nissan LEAF undergoes some of the most rigorous quality and durability tests, including a flood test and thunderbolt test.
Electric vehicle chargers are weatherproof and are specifically designed to protect both the vehicle and humans from electrical shock, which means that charging the All-New Nissan LEAF can be safely performed even in the rain.
The All-New Nissan LEAF comes standard with a 6.6kW (Type1) Wall Box Charger that takes approximately seven hours to fully charge, with no more need to visit petrol stations. Charging overnight is the most popular option for EV owners as they can easily plug-in when they return home.
With a 50kW CHAdeMO quick charger, the All-New Nissan LEAF is fully charged up in approximately 60 minutes. Currently, CHAdeMO quick charges are available free-of-charge at ABB Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Subang Jaya (Selangor), Nichicon (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Bandar Baru Bangi (Selangor) and PLUS Ayer Keroh R&R, Malacca (southbound).
Additionally, Nissan LEAF owners can drop by any of 17 ETCM locations nationwide for free usage of a 6.6kW Wall Box Charger. Plans are also underway to have chargers available in more ETCM locations in the future.

Equipped with the world’s first e-Pedal, it transforms the way people drive. e-Pedal allows drivers to start, accelerate, decelerate, and stop using just one pedal by increasing or decreasing the pressure applied to the accelerator. When the accelerator is fully released, regenerative and friction brakes are automatically applied, bringing the car to a complete stop. An innovation that helps reduce the need to move from one pedal to the other, making driving simpler and more engaging.
Integration goes beyond what’s in the vehicle; the All-New Nissan LEAF is a mobile power source thanks to its bi-directional charging capabilities. This means that, in future, Nissan LEAF owners will be able to use the vehicle to share energy stored in its battery with their home, business or even community.
Whilst bi-directional charging is still a relatively new technology in Malaysia, Nissan & ETCM are actively working with charging partners both internationally and locally, as well as various stakeholders in the energy, government and business sectors in order to realise the benefit of this technology for Malaysian consumers.
Another key benefit of the All-New Nissan LEAF for modern consumers is that the vehicle sends zero emissions into the atmosphere and is environmentally friendly (Ed – however do be mindful that electricity production does leave a carbon footprint – especially in Malaysia where the percentage of renewable energy stands at an abysmal 2% excluding hydro generated electricity). Air pollution is the highest environmental consumer concern in Asia-Pacific, with 85% of people extremely or very concerned about this issue (https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2018/global-consumers-seek-companies-that-care-about-environmental-issues.html). Thus, electric vehicles with zero-emissions and virtually silent operations, present a viable solution for owners to help do their part for an improved urban future.

The All-New Nissan LEAF’s design includes a low, sleek profile that gives a sharp, dynamic look. Along with excellent aerodynamics (Cd 0.28), the styling includes new Diamond Inspired Holographic Grille, Boomerang LED Daytime Running Lights, Headlamps and Rear Combination Lamps, Iconic Two-Tone ‘Floating’ Roof and 17-inch Diamond Cut ‘Turbine’ Alloy Wheels.
The driver centric designed interior boasts a Sporty Flat-Bottom Leather Steering Wheel with control switches, the 7” multi-info display meter and luxurious Leather Alcantara appointed seats for a premium, supremely quiet ambience. The Nissan LEAF also comes with a flexible cargo space of 435 litres (VDA). With the seats down, it expands to 1,176 litres (VDA) of available storage. Additionally, the Climate Control Timer can be programmed to a specific time to help keep the All-New Nissan LEAF cool and comfortable even before the driver enters the vehicle.
The All-New Nissan LEAF is also packed with various Nissan Safety Shield technologies including:

Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking (FEB)
Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) with Moving Object Detection (I-MOD)
Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA)
Intelligent Ride Control
Intelligent Trace Control
Hill Start Assist
Vehicle Dynamic Control
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA)
Electronic Braking Distribution

The Nissan LEAF is also equipped with 6 SRS Airbags and was awarded with a maximum 5-star safety rating in JNCAP (Japan New Car Assessment Program – https://newsroom.nissan-global.com/releases/release-fb0c7bf8bb480413626614af4103f4cf-new-nissan-leaf-gets-5-star-safety-rating?query=jncap)

The All-New Nissan LEAF comes in various colour schemes;

Exclusive Two-Tone Exterior Colour
Body
Pearl White
Magnetic Red

Roof
Deep Blue Pearl
Super Black

Single Tone Exterior Colour
Brilliant Silver
Super Black
Gun Metal Grey
Deep Blue Pearl

Interior Colour
Graphite Black
Stone Grey

All-New Nissan LEAF Official Price

RM188,888

* Peninsular Malaysia, on-the-road price with 10% Sales Tax, without insurance & valid for private individual registration

All-New Nissan LEAF Subscription Program

3 Years Contract

RM3,500 /month

* Peninsular Malaysia only, without insurance & valid for private individual registration

To reduce range anxiety, ETCM has introduced an exclusive New Nissan LEAF Owners Privilege program. This program allows new Nissan LEAF owners to enjoy complimentary twenty three days a year* usage of the Nissan X-Trail SUV, Nissan Serena MPV or Nissan Navara Pick-up for other travelling needs, during the first three (3) years of ownership.
For more info, head over to  www.nissan.com.my or Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at 1800 88 3838

Photo Credits: Edaran Tan Chong Motors
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Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Launch 280110

[Event]
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Launch
Headed down to the Westin in Kuala Lumpur on 28 January 2010 for the launch of the newest label in the Johnnie Walker family – Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve.
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What a lovely welcome!
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Here’s some info on the whisky:
There are seven million casks of maturing whiskies in the reserves of Johnnie Walker®. And every once in a while, the Master Blender sets aside a select few for his private reserve and the latest result is Johnnie Walker® Gold Label Reserve™ which somewhat sadly will be replacing the Johnnie Walker Gold Label which I love for it’s smoky flavours.
The whiskies used to make this premium blend are some of the most elegant Scotch whiskies, with the sweet, fruity and warm Clynelish™ single malt at the heart of the Gold Label Reserve™. Its special ingredient is the water that flows over legendary gold deposits in the mountains of Kildonand in Scotland.
The Johnnie Walker® Gold Label Reserve™ has a beautiful and grand structure that unfolds like a great big wave. Starting off with an intense sweetness, the flavours build up to a rich and fresh fruitiness, before mellowing out with a lingering softness.
Johnnie Walker® Master Blender, Jim Beveridge recommends serving the Gold Label Reserve™ with ice. The different layers of the whisky’s flavours are slowly revealed as the ice melts.
The result is a smooth whisky that’s easy to drink and yet flavourful. My favourite way to drink it is with a couple of cubes of ice and a dash of water.
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Master blender Jim Beveridge (L) and MD of Moet Hennessy Diageo Malaysia Frederic Noyere flanked by the beautiful models
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More info at http://www.johnniewalker.com
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Samsung IT Solutions Launch
Attended the Samsung IT solutions launch on 26 January 2010 which showcased its latest product line-up for the first half of 2010 featuring 25 products ranging from the latest netbooks, multifunctional printers, projectors, large format displays, monitors and digital photo frames.
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Chantelle Chuah doing a product demo

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Flagship products of each category are:
N Series Netbooks – Stylish, mobile and durable, the N Series is ergonomically designed for optimum ease of use and performance. Ultra-lightweight with a compact design, the N series boasts a 10.1″ LED anti-reflective screen that displays the sharpest details and boldest colors, with no mirror effect under bright lights or in sunny weather. Manufactured completely mercury-free, all three are awarded the leading environmental and usability standard, TCO Certified, and are ECO RoHS compliant. Available in Malaysia from February onwards, the N210 and N220 are priced at RM1499 while the N150 is priced at RM1299.
SCX-4623F Multifunctional Laser Printer – Delivering full multipurpose print functionality – print, copy, colour scan and fax – the SCX-4623F also offers the unique Print Screen function where users may pull together web pages, pictures or other documents in separate windows, and print them all together in a single operation.
Samsung UT Series Large Format LCD displays – As the world’s number one brand of professional Large Format LCD displays, the Samsung UT Series sets the standard for video wall technology. The UT Series allows users to simplify and streamline video wall design with its ultra-narrow bezels of only 6.7 mm bezel to bezel. When tiled, it provides a near-seamless viewing experience. With a patented interlocking display solution, system integrators can quickly build dynamic video walls for a lasting impression.
SyncMaster XL2370 LCD Monitor – With a screen depth of only 30mm, the 23” XL2370 is a stunning addition to any room. Using space-saving and energy-efficient LED backlighting, the XL2370 also uses up to 33% less power and offers a true-to-life HD experience. Recyclable and VOC-free, the XL2370 also utilizes Samsung proprietary Touch of Colour for a hint of rich red infused into the bezel.
Samsung P-series digital photo frames – With its glassy visage, the P-series offers both form and function. Features include LED display, Bluetooth connectivity, auto-off feature, clock and calendar display and 2 GB internal memory. The P series also comes with in-built speakers and battery with an operating span of one hour.
Samsung D400 Data Projector – The D400 data projector generates a brightness of 4000 ANSI lumens allowing users to present their work even in ambient lighting. There are no filters to replace and no colour decay over time, providing long-lasting value.
More info at http://www.samsung.com.my
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The very sweet Agnes Lim popped by my office for a shoot with ifeel magazine and I took the opportunity to take a pic with her.
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Camera – Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100

[Camera]
In my line of work which involves blogging on a regular basis, good photos are integral to my blog posts. I used to lug around a DSLR a couple of years back but it just got impractical as I would have to bring it around with me after events as I didn’t want to leave it in the car as cases of theft become more and more rampant.
Therefore after a couple of years I decided because I couldn’t take it anymore in the interest of practicality to sell off my DSLR and bought a prosumer camera to replace it. While this was definitely more portable and offered acceptable photo quality there were times when I wished that I had a pocket-sized compact camera that I could simply just put in my pocket or hook it to my belt. Compacts are definitely less obvious to thieves and more convenient to carry. However compacts available in the market simply didn’t have the photo quality that I needed so I stuck to my prosumer.
Last month I heard Sony managed to develop a Cyber-shot that had the capabilities of a prosumer but in the size of a compact so I jumped at the chance to attend the launch at ecoba in Damansara Perdana and get my paws on it. I was extremely lucky that MHB member Jennifer Foh was also free to attend the event with me and you will find out why I said so further down my post…
Shot this with my own camera while waiting to try out the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 test unit
Here’s a closer look at the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. It has sleek dimensions of 101.6 x 58.1 x 35.9mm (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 240g with battery and memory card,

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 offers a whole bunch of very impressive features. Here are some of the more outstanding features:
• 1.0-type (13.2 x 8.8mm) approximately 20.2 effective megapixel Exmor™ CMOS sensor and F1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 3.6x optical zoom lens for super crisp and bright photos even in low light
• Low-noise handheld shots in low light with high sensitivity up to ISO 25600 (for when you must take shots in really dark environments with no lighting ie. night landscape)
• Intuitive operation with Control Ring for creative photo shooting (you can set the ring to control different functions but my fav setting is for it to control the depth of field enabling you to produce DSLR ‘bokeh’ effects, with subjects in sharp focus against a smoothly-blurred background)
• Powerful features packaged into sleek, compact styling in an aluminium body, thanks to newly developed AA (Advanced Aspherical) lens
• Full HD movies with extremely low noise and full creative control
• Auto Portrait Framing, Creative Style and Picture Effect modes
Now let’s have a look at how this baby performs…
I believe Sony Malaysia choose ecoba for it’s dim and uneven lighting which puts the F1.8 lens to the test!
And the F1.8 lens performs flawlessly as seen in this photo. No flash at all. Another benefit of the lens is that I got to control the DOF and blurred out the background. I also love the colour reproduction!
This was shot on auto mode as I wanted to see whether it was intuitive enough. I was not disappointed!
Good thing I brought Miss Chinese Cosmos International 1st Runner Up, and Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers member Jennifer Foh along with me to be my model! Used the control ring to adjust the DOF and used the lighting from the display case on the wall to highlight her face. No flash used. Being able to shoot such photos using a compact but incredibly powerful, versatile, and feature rich camera really demonstrates that some of the best things in life come in small packages! Power in your pocket clearly epitomized by the Cyber-shot™ RX100 .
Portrait mode – F1.8, shutter speed 1/30 sec, ISO-800 (same settings for the photo above)
Auto mode – F1.8, shutter speed 1/50 sec, ISE-3200
Jennifer loves being in front of the camera!
Portrait mode – F1.8, shutter speed 1/20 sec, ISO-800
Auto mode – F1.8, shutter speed 1/25 sec, ISO-800. I think the camera captured the lighting very well thanks to it’s 1.0-type Exmor CMOS sensor and ultra-bright Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
It comes with a pop-up flash while the screen is a bright, high contrast 7.5cm (3″) Xtra Fine LCD enabling you to see subtle details and tones. The screen has an extremely high 1229k dot resolution, and debuts the new WhiteMagic™ technology that uses white pixels in addition to RGB to boost screen brightness.
Product Specifications

Model
DSC-RX100 digital still camera

Image Sensor
1.0 type (13.2 x 8.8mm) “Exmor” CMOS sensor, aspect ratio 3:2
(Effective resolution) Approx. 20.2 megapixels
(Gross resolution) Approx. 20.9 megapixels

Lens
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, with 7 elements in 6 groups (4 aspheric elements including AA lens); F1.8 (Wide) – 4.9 (Tele); focal length = 10.4-37.1mm; 35mm effective focal length (Still Image 3:2) = 28-100mm

Zoom range
Optical: 3.6x; Clear Image Zoom 7.2x

Screen
7.5cm (3.0type) (4:3) / 1,229,000 dots / Xtra Fine / TruBlack / TFT LCD

Image stabilisation
(Still image) Optical SteadyShot
(Movie) Optical SteadyShot Active Mode with electronic compensation (anti-rolling)

Focus modes
Single-shot AF (AF-S) / Continuous AF (AF-C) / Direct Manual Focus (DMF) / Manual Focus

Focus area
Multi point AF (25 points) / Centre weighted AF / Flexible spot / Flexible spot (tracking focus) / Flexible spot (face tracking) Digital Zoom: approx. 4x (still images / movies)

Sensitivity (still image)
Auto(ISO125-6400, selectable with upper/lower limit), 125/200/400/800/1600/3200/6400 (Expandable to ISO 80/100) Multi Frame NR: Auto (ISO125-25600) equivalent, 200/400/800/1600/3200/
6400/12800/25600 equivalent
NB: ISO 12800 and higher settings are achieved through combining Multi Frame Noise Reduction and By Pixel Super Resolution technology.

Continuous shooting
Speed Priority Continuous Mode: Approx.10 fps
Continuous mode: 2.5 fps (AF-S)

Shooting modes
Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto (Program shift available), Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene Selection, Movie, Sweep shooting

Picture Effect modes
Toy Camera, Pop Colour, Posterisation, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolour, Illustration

Other Shooting functions
Face Detection, Face Registration, Smile Shutter, Dual Rec, Grid Line, Digital Level Gauge (pitch and roll), MR (memory recall), Exposure Bracketing, White Balance Bracketing, Peaking, MF Assist, Auto Portrait Framing, Photo Creativity, Shooting Tips

Movie record
AVCHD: 28M PS (1920×1080, 50p) / 24M FX (1920×1080, 50i ) / 17M FH (1920×1080, 50i)
MP4: 12M (1440×1080, 25 fps) / 3M VGA (640×480 25 fps)

Battery life
(Still Image) Approx. 330 / Approx. 165 min. (CIPA standard)
(Movie) Approx. 80 min.( AVCHD, MP4, shooting in factory preset mode)

Dimensions (WxHxD)
Approx. 101.6 x 58.1 x 35.9mm  (CIPA compliant)

Weight
Approx. 213g (body only)
Approx. 240g (with battery and Memory Stick Duo)

Supplied accessories
Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BX1, AC Adaptor AC-UD10, Micro USB cable, Wrist Strap, Shoulder Strap Adaptor, Instruction Manual

Wishing I could take the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 home with me. Photo shot with my own camera.
Other notable features:
For those of you who like to edit your photos in the camera itself there’s a generous choice of artistic options to expand shooting possibilities for enthusiasts and novice photographers alike. You can fine tune your image with a choice of six Creative Styles to suit the scene or your personal preference. Picture Effect offers a bunch of ‘in camera’ effects that can be previewed on the LCD screen, including Toy Camera, Partial Colour, Pop Colour, HDR Painting, Miniature, Illustration, Watercolour and others which I suspect will be used mostly by the fairer sex as most guys I know aim to achieve the 4Cs of photography – content, composition, colour, and contrast (and some say crisp ie. focus as well but I regard that as a prerequisite for all photos).
The DSC-RX100, comes with a NP-BX1 Type X rechargeable battery that features a slim, energy-efficient design that allows up to 330 still shots or 80 mins AVCHD video shooting per charge. An accessory exclusively designed to match the camera, the LCJ-RXA is a stylish ‘jacket style’ carry case with a leather-look textured finish and supplied shoulder strap. Attaching securely to the camera, the case opens to allow easy shooting while protecting your camera when you’re on the move.
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Price – The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 is already on sale in Malaysia with a recommended retail price of RM2,499.00
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My conclusion?
This little baby utilises it’s multitude of features, big sensor and bright F1.8 lens for some really awesome pictures in a pocket-sized body. What a fantastic package. Definitely on my wish list!
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Remarks: Only minor editing (lighting, contrast, cropping) was done to the photos shot with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. Photos were then uploaded to Facebook and downloaded and included into this post. Standard operating procedure for all my blog posts to maintain the blog’s photo parameters so that I could see the difference between my existing camera and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100.
More info at http://www.sony.com.my
Subscribe to my public updates at https://www.facebook.com/timchewkc
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Science and Magic Collide at the New Swarovski

[Luxury Fashion]

With a rich history in innovation and crystal cutting, Swarovski charges ahead with its next chapter—a bold vision that celebrates crystal in all its forms. Regarded as fundamental in the worlds of design, science, fashion and entertainment and as an innovator, the new Swarovski debuts with a joyful universe that invites fans to ‘ignite your dreams’.
“Swarovski is a company rooted in innovation and reinvention. For 126 years, we have stayed true to our DNA as a brand while rising to meet the needs of an evolving world. We look forward to unveiling this new chapter in our history; one that will mark us as a true crystal lifestyle for the future.”Robert Buchbauer, CEO, Swarovski

The Swarovski Wonderlab comes alive with the unveiling of 28 Instant Wonder stores in key global markets. What began with Milan’s Galleria store opening in February, has led to a much-anticipated Parisian debut along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. A further 26 store openings are poised to follow across North America, Europe and APAC—including a new location in New York City.
The vision of Swarovski Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert supported by premier Paris-based events agency, Villa Eugenie, the Instant Wonder store concept welcomes guests into a sensorial space enhanced by vibrant brand colors, textures and innovative materials that work together to encourage exploration and self-expression. These stores are a realized incarnation of wide-eyed wonder, a candy-like dreamscape filled with the full spectrum of Swarovski crystals pieces —loose components, jewelry, watches, figurines and accessories.
In addition, a series of metallic-cast busts replaces traditional jewelry display stands, instead experimenting with form, scale, and representation to turn everyday situations in opportunities for self-expression. Each character, named and scanned from life, has been created using innovative 3D technology in poses representing moments of joyful play.

Swarovski has undergone a complete repositioning in tone, look and feel—with every detail designed to tease a sense of wonder out of those interacting with the brand. This immersive approach has led to a full reimagining of Swarovski packaging, which is now a tangible representation of the brand’s new icon, adding a luxurious and tactile element into the customer experience.
Though one facet of many in the brand’s relaunch, the covetable new boxes play a key role in bringing Instant Wonder stores to life. Each store is represented by one of five colors – white, pink, green, blue, and yellow – and inspired by the prismatic result of light shining through crystal. Walls are lined from floor to ceiling in the octagonal boxes themselves, used in a repeating pattern motif, inviting customers to embark upon a voyage of discovery and delight.
From every viewpoint, Swarovski’s ambition is to create an immersive entry into the new Swarovski world of wonder, leaving a lasting and inspired impression for all.

Photo credits: Swarovski

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Huawei Honor 6 Launched in Malaysia

[Tech & Gadgets News]

Huawei through its sub-brand Honor launched their new flagship Honor 6 in Kuala Lumpur on 27 September 2014 together with a new tablet – the Honor Tablet. The Honor 6 was first launched in Beijing in June, and garnered 7.7 million pre-orders in China during a span of mere five days.
The Honor 6 is equipped with Huawei’s proprietary processor – the Kirin 920, an octa-core LTE Cat6 chipset, 3GB RAM and 16G ROM. The operating system is Android’s 4.4.2 KitKat coupled with Honor’s EMUI 2.3, and coupled with the hardware, makes playing high-definition games, or multitasking between numerous applications fast and seamless for users.
The device measures 139.6mm in length, 69.7mm in width and 7.5mm in thickness, and comes with curved edges and a body ratio of 75.7%, making it slimmer, and easier to operate with one hand. The unibody Honor 6 is fitted with a sharp 5.0-inch full high-definition display, protected by the 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass.
Huawei Honor 6
Despite the phone’s very modest price, it comes with a 13MP rear-facing camera and the 5MP front-facing camera that runs on the IMAGESmart 2.0 professional image processing engine. The rear-facing camera has refocus, audio, watermark and panoramic modes, and is also capable of taking ultra-fast snapshots. You can easily access the camera directly when the device is locked by pressing the lower volume button twice which gets you to the camera app within 0.6 seconds, so you won’t miss that shot! This is a very useful function that I’ve used many times on the Huawei Ascend P7 that I’m currently reviewing.
Huawei claims that the Honor 6 is theoretically capable of a 300Mbps download speed – currently the fastest in the world for mobile broadband, equivalent to 14 times of 3G. Powering the phone is a larger 3100mAH battery that comes with power saving technology and software that enables savings up to 30% in power usage through intelligent scheduling and arbitrary combination, according to CPU load.
You can pre-order the Honor 6 from 29 September to 14 October 2014. The phone will be in stock in http://www.Vmall.my and Lelong from 16th October, and comes with the recommended retail price of RM999.00

The Honor 6 is available in two (2) colours – white and black.
Honor 6 (White)

Honor 6 (Black)

Honor Tablet
Honor also launched an 8-inch tablet with 3G phone function called the Honor Tablet. The tablet is powered by the Qualcomm snapdragon Quad-Core processor, with the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS, and has a 1280 x 800 HD Full-Angle-View IPS Screen with a 72% screen-to-body ratio. The device supports high-quality voice calls and is capable of running high-speed 3G data up to 42Mbps (dependant on the network of course). A 4800mAh battery allows ten hours of video and gaming or 20 hours of music.
The Honor Tablet will be available for pre-order from 29 September and has a recommended retail price of RM599.00
More info at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuaweiDeviceMY
Website: www.vmall.my
Photos courtesy of Huawei Malaysia

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Hong Leong Bank’s Digital Day 2019

[Finance]
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Hong Leong Bank Berhad (‘HLB’) launched of the bank’s third annual Digital Day on 2 July 2018 in Kuala Lumpur. HLB’s Digital Day campaign takes into account the growing customer adoption of its digital platforms by focusing on driving the country’s cashless movement forward by providing convenience as a core value within its entire suite of digital-led cashless ecosystem solutions for consumers and businesses.
HLB revealed that 64.4% of its customers are now utilising digital and mobile platforms for banking transactions as of the end of 2018, an increase of more than 20% from the previous year, lending strength to the Bank’s digital aspirations and focus on being digital-at-the-core.
According to Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at the launch of the Bank’s third annual Digital Day, “The Bank has been focused on delivering solutions that meet the needs, solve problems and remove frictions in the lives of its customers, be it the everyday consumers or business owners through digital transformation and innovation. Digital Day which marks the beginning of our Financial year, reinforce our commitment to enable digital banking for our customers through education, promotions and enablement in the areas of digital payments and cashless convenience.”

 Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
The focus to deliver simple, seamless and straightforward solutions to customers has seen the adoption of internet and mobile banking, and other digital solutions, driving significant growth in cashless transactions across its entire customer base. “Where we normally would see younger users taking to technology, we have instead seen the growth coming from both younger and older users across all our digital products. We have also seen the average transaction value growing year on year as well as consumers come to trust and depend on these convenient solutions,” said Charles Sik, Managing Director of Personal Financial Services, Hong Leong Bank Berhad.

Speaking at a media session themed Bye-Bye Cash! No Cash No Problem: Cashless is Convenience, Fuda and Sik also discussed some of the findings of HLB’s internal research and trends in the industry at large.
Chief among their thoughts was the fact for a cashless society to become a reality, there needed to be less focus on just transactional solutions that move money from physical cash to digital wallets. Instead, convenience, trust, security, and integration needed to be at the core of the general financial and digital payments space.
“Consumers are already making a conscious decision on how and what they use to transact, including when to still use some cash in their daily transactions. Consumers are increasingly aware that cashless is about convenience, peace of mind and ability to monitor where and what they spend on.  We will continue to educate consumers and businesses in Malaysia on the benefits of embracing a reduction in cash usage and ultimately cashless transactions, by continuing to work with our partners to develop real and meaningful value-added propositions in the cashless ecosystem, that’s safe and easy for them to use,” Fuda explained.

 “While you may think that with so many cashless payment methods, whether it is Mobile Payments, QR Code, debit and credit cards payments through PayWave and PayPass, DuitNow, WeChat Pay, JomPay, consumers may seem overwhelmed but we see our customers using a variety of ways to adapt to the increasing digitisation of our financial ecosystem.”

As a further example of where digital payments embedded in the customer daily journey, the Bank is piloting a collaboration with WeEat, a WeChat mini programme for F&B solution in Malaysia where customers can order, pay and eat/enjoy their meals seamlessly, avoiding queues and long lines for order and payment.This easy to use queue, order and payment solution can be used to manage both dining-in as well as take-outs, as WeEat will alert the customers when their food is ready for collection. Vendors can benefit from the analytical tools and data that can be used to analyse the performance of their business, from identifying hot items to rewarding loyal customers. WeEat has been launched in DC Mall, Damansara City with selected vendors and, should the pilot prove successful, there are plan to introduce it to more vendors nationwide.
Apart from consumers and business, HLB is also looking at ways to enable communities, especially residential associations to become more digital and cashless. To this end, HLB is working with MyTaman to empower Taman Desa Resident Association (TDRA) to use WeChat Pay functionality at all merchants in the community, the first of such an effort in Malaysia.  Through this, consumers will also enjoy access to greater discounts and promotions, while merchants will enjoy greater hyperlocal marketing and sales benefits. The benefits of a HLB empowered community goes beyond promotions and sales however – the MyTaman app will see the creation of a community WeChat OA community account. This will allow greater inter-community communication for a greater sense of belonging, safety, and security.

To encourage greater understanding of its digital offerings, Hong Leong Bank will showcase the various promotions in Personal Financial Services and SME segments for Digital Day 2019 campaign that will run from 7 July 2019 onwards.
These include Cashless Promos across Credit Card and Debit Card products; Deals both online and at the bank branches; special promotions for SMEs that include Digital Business Solutions, guidance and support in establishing Official WeChat accounts, and All-In-One Merchant Terminals.
Key promotions include:
The 7-Day Bye-Bye Cash Frenzy
Perform any eligible cashless transaction (minimum RM7) using HLB services and stand to get cash back, every hour of every day for seven (7) days beginning July 7, 2019. 150 x winners an hour / 24 Hours a day / 7 straight days! / RM 7 per winner.
This is in partnership with Mastercard, VISA, MyDebit and WeChat Pay.

HLB Cashless Sale
Partnering with a host of brands and services both online and at retail stores to offer consumers benefits, discounts and more. Brands include Expedia, DirectD, Zalora, Guardian, Shoppee, TaoBao, Baskin Robbins, Krispy Kreme, Harvey Norman, Jaya Grocer, Giant, and dahmakan.
More information regarding this is available on HLB’s website at http://www.hlb.com.my/DigitalDay

7.7.19 One Day Online Exclusives
Exclusive one-day online banking offers including eFixed Deposit/-i at 4.07% p.a. for 3 months with a minimum placement of RM10,000; Enjoy a flat interest/profit rate of 3.70% p.a. when you apply for a Personal Loan/Financing-i on Connect Online Banking; or apply for a Hong Leong credit card online and enjoy 50% cash back up to RM700 on your weekend retail spend!

For more info, head over to https://www.hlb.com.my/

Photo Credits: Hong Leong Bank Malaysia
Exciting promotions for Consumers and SMEs are revealed at the Bank’s Digital Day 2019’s “Bye-Bye Cash. No Cash No Problem” Campaign from 7 July 2019 that will promote greater adoption and drive higher usage of cashless payments, including rewarding 25,000 customers with cash back, every hour of every day for seven days
•    Working with various payment partners, online and retail outlets, consumers are in for a treat whenever they perform any cashless transaction through promotions such as The 7-Day Bye-Bye Cash Frenzy and The #HLBDigitalDay Cashless Sale
•    SMEs looking to take their businesses to the next level of convenience in the digital economy are encouraged to take advantage of the special promotions offered by the Bank for its all-in-one payment terminal, digital business solutions tool as well as activating WeChat Official Account to stay ahead of the competition

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Travel News – January 2019 – Regent Taipei Launched World’s First “Photography Butler” Service

[Travel News]

Regent Taipei launched the world’s first “Photography Butler” service on 3 January 2019 – where professional and passionate “Photobutlers” will accompany Regent Taipei room guests to popular Instagram check-in spots in the hotel, tourists attractions and insider photo locations across the city and take memorable photos for guests. The photo locations are researched popular Instagram spots while the “Photobutlers” are trained and like-minded Regent Taipei team members.
The service accommodates the rise of smartphone usage, and better serves guests’ social media habits. Travelers in Taipei who are unfamiliar with the city will be able to explore with insider tips; conveniently, there will be no need for selfie-sticks or handing phones to strangers for photo-taking.
Regent Taipei Managing Director Simon Wu states, “Enhancing guest satisfaction and driving digital engagement are continuous goals for us. Following the increase in FIT customers and the inseparable relationship between photography, social media and travel, the services we provide must also reflect these trends — hence the birth of the Photobutler service.”
Regent is known to dare to make changes in the way they conduct their business in the luxury hotel industry since the 1970s, and the first to introduce the 5-fixture bathroom, in-room check-in, the all villa resort, and the mixed-use hotel development. Following Regent Taipei’s introduction of British private butler training system, Wedding Butler and Shopping Butler, the new industry-leading “Photography Butler” service continues the brand DNA of innovation and guest-centric values.
Alex, Regent Taipei’s Chief Concierge, Taiwan’s Golden Key society president and Regent Taipei employee photography club president said: “We are excited to share insider knowledge of the city and our photography expertise. By providing the Photography Butler service, surpassing the industry standard, we were already able to secure a major client’s return stay due to enhanced customer satisfaction.” The “Photography Butler” service is available now and must be reserved in advance. Currently, photo location options include more than 30 insider Instagram-worthy spots within Regent Taipei; scenic locations nearby the hotel will be available in the following phase. Routes and itineraries may be customized based on time available, season and number of people in the guest party.
Regent Taipei is located at No. 3, Ln. 39, Sec. 2 ZhongShan N. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan.
For more information or to make a reservation, call the Regent Taipei’s Concierge at (02) 2523-8000 ext. 3406
Image courtesy of Regent Taipei.
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GUESS Summer 2016 Women’s Collection

[Fashion]

This summer, GUESS introduces an advertising campaign that captures GUESS Models, Emma Stern, Mia Kang, Tina Lozovskaia, Olga Caro, Paul Roemer, and Christian Hogue turning up the heat in sunny Malibu wearing the most sought after ready-to-wear and accessories of the season.
The campaign, directed by Paul Marciano, Chief Creative Officer for GUESS?, Inc., and shot by  renowned fashion photographer, Rayan Ayash, features the GUESS models photographed in a series of images shot against a breathtaking beach landscape.  Strong rays of sunshine beautifully reflect off the GUESS Girls tousled hair and flawless bronzed skin, allowing the natural sunlight to accentuate their striking beauty.

GUESS also launched their Summer 2016 Women’s Collection which is dominated by light-weight silhouettes including dresses, rompers, button-down tops, tanks and cut-off denim shorts.  Overalls with gold button-front detailing, dresses with semi-sheer crochet construction, maxis with breezy side-slits and shirts with flared sleeves and exposed shoulders are at the forefront of this season’s collection.
The collection also offers a handful of refined staple pieces including crisp button-downs, seersucker and maxi shirt dresses as well as fitted denim pencil skirts.  Matching two-piece black and white stencil floral camisoles and skirts lend a fashion-forward approach to your summer wardrobe.  In true GUESS fashion, denim makes a strong return this season in the form of flares, skinnies, jumpsuits, tops and overalls in several fits, washes and fabrics with touches of embroidered florals and heavy distressing.
The women’s handbag assortment offers a full range of styles in various shapes and sizes that effortlessly accessorize any summer look.  Ultra-mini cross body bags with edgy gold studding and satchels with soft gray python prints mixed with brilliant whites are trend-driven designs tailored to please any style-savvy GUESS Girl.  Structured faux-leather carryalls in sumptuous cognac and forest green shades as well as classic oversized totes with the GUESS logo are more casual, on-the-go styles.

More info at http://www.guess.com
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Editor’s Note – September 2019

[Editor’s Note]
Margaret River on Tour Kuala Lumpur 2019

Headed over to Pullman KLCC on 24 August 2019 for Margaret River on Tour Kuala Lumpur 2019 which is an initiative by Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, Australia’s South West and Margaret River Wine Association. It first landed in Singapore in 2016 and has been running for consecutive three (3) years now, and following the success in the Lion city, made its way north with the inaugural Kuala Lumpur chapter organised by Thirst Media.
The event which saw over 300 guests pack the Blu Bar & Cigar Lounge in Pullman KLCC, brought 10 brands from the Margaret River region of Western Australia – including Cape Mentelle, Churchview Estate, Flametree, Howard Park, Pierro Margaret River Vineyards, Vasse Felix, Voyager Estate, Woody Nook, and Xanadu for wines, and the Margaret River Distilling Company for a selection of whiskies and gins.
Among the notable guests were General Manager of Pullman KLCC Wolfgang Kiesel, as well as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Austrade, Daniel Havas. In his opening speech, Havas said “Margaret River is one of the most renowned wine regions in Australia, known not only for their top quality wines but for their outstanding food and serene beaches. While the Margaret River region produces less than 3 per cent of Australia’s wine, it accounts for more than a fifth of its premium wines. There are over 180 wineries to choose from, each with something different to offer so honestly, it’s hard to go wrong.”
He shared more about the wine trade, adding “There were 94 million cases of Aussie wines sold around the world last year, which is an increase of 5% in volume. The value of this is up by 10% to A$2.8 billion. Red wine now makes up 76% of Australia’s wine exports. Malaysia is Australia’s 10th most valuable wine export market, with A$32 million of wine exported in 2018.” And this bodes well for the first ever Margaret River on Tour stop in KL.

The wine masterclass led by Amanda Whiteland from Margaret River Wine Association

The day began with a masterclass led by Amanda Whiteland from Margaret River Wine Association, featuring a panel comprising of winemakers Brendan Carr from Xanadu Wines, Travis Lemm from Voyager Estate, and Cliff Royle from Flametree. The masterclass was attended by industry sommeliers, distributors, and restaurant managers, and included a seven-wine Chardonnay tasting.

Joining the wineries on the day was a selection of prints from Russell Ord Photography – as well as the world-famous photographer himself – showcasing the breath-taking natural beauty of Western Australia; a cultural performance featuring the didgeridoo and drum by Wadandi custodian Josh “Koomal” Whiteland of Koomal Dreaming, an organisation that conducts cultural experiences of the region through the eyes of the traditional Wadandi and Bibbulman owners; plus a cooking demonstration by Chef Evan Hayter of Arimia Estate, using sustainably-grown Australian abalone and local black truffles from Western Australia.

Russell Ord Photography exhibition
cultural performance featuring the didgeridoo and drum by Wadandi custodian Josh “Koomal” Whiteland of Koomal Dreaming

Cooking demonstration by Chef Evan Hayter of Arimia Estate

I got caught in the act of taking a wefie

Ruby and I with Michael from Briar Ridge Wines whom we met earlier this year during the pairing dinner at Roost
Kassey and I with Caning and Monica from renowned F&B site The Yum List – love their quality content!
Lost count of the number of wines we tasted but I would think easily more than 40 wines and liquors

Luxury Escapes ran a lucky draw to win an all-expenses paid trip to the Margaret River region worth RM3,000, plus offering luggage tags, complimentary head and neck massage, chocolates provided by Bahen & Co, and G&Ts with gin from Giniversity to complete the full experience.
For more info, head over to https://thirstmag.com/
Photo Credits: Thirst Mag and author’s own

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Honda Malaysia’s Media Night 140111

Honda Malaysia threw a media appreciation night at the rooftop bar of G Tower which saw a night of good performances, good food, loads of alcohol and 40 lucky draw prizes including 15 iPads, 5 PS3s, 5 iPods and 5 digital cameras for the less than 200 members of the media present.
Honda Malaysia could certainly afford to be so generous as they achieved record-breaking sales with over 44,000 units sold in 2010. With the global economy rebounding and things looking up slightly in the country, Honda Malaysia has an even bigger target for 2011 – 48,000 units which is roughly 8% of the projected total industry volume.
In case you were wondering, the bestselling Honda model in 2010 was the Honda City (19,946 units) which accounted for almost 45% of total unit sales! Coming in second is the Honda Civic with the Honda Accord closely trailing it.
In addition to the positive sales, Honda Malaysia was also ranke No. 1 in the 2010 Customer Service Index Study by J.D. Power and Associates which is a study of 10 automotive  brands in Malaysia.
For 2011, Honda Malaysia aims to do its part for the environment to ensure “blue sky for future children” with the launch of its Honda Insight and various CSR programmes including the Honda Dreams Fund for underprivileged children and the save the Sumatran Rhino programme.
The Insight is an entry-level hybrid model which has received more than 1,300 confirmed bookings since it’s launch at the KL International Motor Show 2010 back in December 2010. In fact the price-point and fuel consumption advantage of this car is so attractive that I’m actually considering buying one sometime soon. Check out my photos of the Insight from my KLIMS 2010 album.
In the meantime, enjoy the eye candy…
Honda is one of the few brands in Malaysia that really appreciates the contribution of the media to their business. Thanks Honda Malaysia!
What a lovely welcome party! Definitely worth going through the crazy Friday evening KL traffic.
Host and MC for the evening Jojo Struys with my media friends.
There was a bar serving molecular food which was really bursting with flavours!
Some creations even had alcohol infused in it! Awesome!

After that I decided to head over to join Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers Chantelle Chuah, Katherine Ng, Michelle Lee and Chammaine at Euphoria for the FHM Girl Next Door 2011 Finale Party.
FHM GND 2011 Finalist Melissa with GND 2010 Finalist Kat

The next morning Jin the Drama Queen decided to wake me up early to get me to accompany her to Malaya Optical to pick out a pair of sunnies and for nasi lemak at Village Park.
Jin Drama Queen with her new sunnies that will keep her looking cool in Australia.
Don't be fooled by the presentation, the nasi lemak at Village Park is to die for!

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Honda Opens Bookings for the All-New 5th Generation (2017) CR-V Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)

[Automotive News]

The Honda CR-V has been one of the most popular SUVs in Malaysia and many a fanboy would be thrilled to hear that Honda’s All-New 5th Generation Honda CR-V Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) is available for early bookings from today onwards in Malaysia, and will be revealed at all 91 Honda showrooms nationwide soon. The All-New Honda CR-V has been completely redesigned and reengineered with heightened attention to detail, bringing to the Malaysia market a premium SUV with a multitude of advanced features. The result is a culmination of both style and practicality in an SUV that raises the bar in safety, drivability, sculpted design, interior comfort, convenience and functionality as well as spaciousness in the Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) category.
For the first time, Honda Malaysia is introducing its comprehensive suite of Honda SENSING safety and driver-assistive technologies. Honda’s most Advanced Safety Technology, Honda SENSING is the next generation active safety feature to assist drivers by providing warnings and aiding drivers to avoid or mitigate the severity of a collision. Honda SENSING is unique as it uses both monocular camera and millimeter wave radar to enable a more complete view of the road and as an added safety measure. A monocular camera positioned at the top of the windshield and millimeter wave radar inside the front grille are able to achieve greater accuracy as they combine the strength of the radar in object detection and the camera in object recognition. The Honda SENSING safety suite consists of seven features, which are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) that will provide Driver’s Cruising Aid, Frontal Collision Deterrence and Side Collision Deterrence.

1. Driver’s Cruising Aid
The two systems of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Low-Speed Follow (LSF) allow drivers to cruise at a safe distance from the vehicle in front without having to manually accelerate or decelerate, and thereby reduces driver stress especially on highways. ACC with Low-Speed Follow operates at speeds up to 180 km/h.

1. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) allows the driver to set a desired speed and following interval from a vehicle detected ahead. This system helps to maintain a predetermined, safe interval from the vehicle ahead when cruising.

2. Low-Speed Follow (LSF)
Integrated with ACC, the Low-Speed Follow (LSF) automatically adjusts the cruising speed when a change of speed of the vehicle ahead is detected to maintain the set, safe distance. It extends the automatic following capability to stop-and-go traffic situations (down to 0 km/h).

2. Frontal Collision Deterrence
The combination of Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) work in tandem as a Frontal Collision Deterrence system.

3. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) – Integrated with CMBS
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) uses monocular camera and millimeter wave radar to detect the presence of vehicles in front. When the FCW system detects a risk of collision with the front vehicle, it triggers a visual warning and audible alerts for the driver.

4. Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
The Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) is activated using millimeter radar unit and monocular camera to scan traffic conditions in front of the vehicle and when it detects a possible collision. When the system determines a potential collision ahead, it will autonomously engage the brakes to reduce vehicle speed and collision forces and therefore reduces severity of eventual collision.

5. Side Collision Deterrence
Three systems of Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) are employed to minimise risk of a potential side collision.

6. Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
Working with LDW, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) uses a camera to read lane markings and employs Electric Power Steering (EPS) to adjust the steering to maintain the vehicle within the lane.

7. Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
The Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) operates when the vehicle is travelling at about 72 km/h – 180 km/h or more and the vehicle is departing from the roadway or the system predicts that the car will depart from the roadway. It will be activated when the vehicle veers too close to the edge of the road; the steering wheel will vibrate to alert driver and take corrective action via Electric Power Steering (EPS) to help the car stay in its lane. If the vehicle is detected leaving a lane marked by solid line, braking force via Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) kicks in to keep the vehicle from departing from the lane or roadway.

8. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) – Integrated with RDM
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) detects the lane boundaries and when the driver leaves the lane without using signal lights, it will notify the user with visual indication and steering vibration to bring attention to the driver.

In addition to Honda SENSING, for the first time, the All-New CR-V is equipped with a 1.5L VTEC turbocharged powertrain mated with upgraded Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). Developed under Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology, this new powertrain generates more horsepower and torque than its predecessor – up to 193 PS at 5,600 rpm, offering performance with superior fuel economy; while the torque is rated at 243 Nm @ 2,000 – 5,000 rpm.
In terms of size, the All-New CR-V is built bigger than the out-going 4th Generation model; measuring 4,584 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width and 1,679 mm (2WD) or 1,689 mm (4WD) in height with a wheelbase of 2,660 mm. The ground clearance is 198 mm (2WD) or 208 mm (4WD), providing a bolder stance. Despite its size, Honda claims that the CR-V’s manoeuvrability is just like a sedan even on byways with the driver enjoying high viewpoint in the All-New CR-V.
The interior is roomier than before, a trademark of Honda’s class-leading spacious designs, providing more leg room which taller passengers (like me!) would find more comfortable especially on long journeys. Honda has also reconfigured the cargo space, which can now be extended up to 1,084 litres with just a pull of the lever to lay the rear seats almost completely flat.
There are also standard features across all the variants, such as 6 Airbags, Reverse Camera, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Smart Entry and Push Start Button for convenience. The higher spec variants also come with eight (8) sensors. Wing-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights, LED Headlights, Tail and Brake Lights, Tailgate Spoiler and Dual Tone Alloy Wheels complete the upscale presence.
You can have a firsthand look at this new generation CR-V at the upcoming Honda roadshows.

DATE
LOCATION
TIME

4 June 2017
Gurney Paragon, Penang
10:00 am – 10:00 pm

7 – 11 June 2017
Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur
10:00 am – 10:00 pm

11 June 2017
Imago Mall, Kota Kinabalu
10:00 am – 10:00 pm

16 – 18 June 2017
AEON Tebrau City, Johor Bahru
10:00 am – 10:00 pm

18 June 2017
Plaza Merdeka, Kuching
10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Want to own one? Well you can place an advanced booking now at any of the 91 authorised Honda dealers nationwide.
For more information, telephone Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or head over to http://www.honda.com.my
Images courtesy of Honda Malaysia.
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Ninetology U9Z1T LTE Smartphone Launch

[Tech & Gadgets News]

Ninetology ASEAN launched its first ever LTE smartphone, the U9Z1T on 19 June 2014 at BB Park in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Ninetology Chief Executive Officer Sean Ng, and Chief Digital Officer Leslie Loh present this new smartphone which is an evolution of Ninetology’s U9 series.
The Ninetology U9Z1T comes with a five (5) inch IPS display that has 1,280 X 720 pixel resolution and runs on Qualcomm’s Quad-Core Snapdragon 400 processor, clocking at 1.2GHz with 1GB RAM. With a built-in internal storage of 8GB, the device’s storage can be expanded to 32GB with a microSD card. The phone also has a 13 megapixel rear camera and a 1.6 megapixel front camera. The phone weighs 164 grams, and has a 2,000mAh capacity battery (which Ninetology claims will supply you with talk time of up to 9 hours and stand-by time of up to 96 hours), while the operating system is Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
“Movement of Evolution is our theme today. This theme is based on a major transition towards an integrated structure of our latest smartphone technology, in line with the major advancement for our online and offline portals. Ever since the arrival of our highly celebrated U9 Series last year, we have one main aim – to progress further and develop consistent evolution in all our smartphone series,” said Sean.
The brand also launched its eChannel portal, established to increase services, including exclusive deals redemption and retrieval of Ninetology’s latest news and announcements.
“After some research and discussion, we developed the eChannel by Ninetology. This is a new platform that will fully integrate our online and offline services. The goal of eChannel is to reach out and unite our customers and business partners into a single platform, resulting in a complete business ecosystem, and create a brand new shopping experience for our customers,” said Leslie.
Ninetology is also running a promotion whereby consumers can enjoy rebates up to RM200 are available for the Ninetology’s U9Z1T LTE smartphone with selected mobile network operator.
Ninetology also took the opportunity to announce an annual revenue of RM180 million in 2013, with a 12 per cent mobile device market share in Malaysia, and a projected revenue of RM380 million for 2014, given its expansion plans into the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Ninetology U9Z1T comes with a recommended retail price of RM799.00
For more information, head over to http://www.ninetology.com

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Height: 8.4mm
Width: 68.2mm
Depth: 145mm
Weight: 164g

MEMORY
Internal: 8GB ROM / 1GB RAM
External Storage: Micro SD, up to 32GB
OS: Android 4.3
Form Factor: Full Touch Screen
CPU: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 processor with 1.2GHz Qual-Core CPU
GPU: Adreno ™ 305 , 400MHz

DISPLAY
Size: 5.0”
Resolution: 720 x 1280
Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)

FEATURES: LTE Connection, Snapdragon Battery Guru

MULTIMEDIA
Player: 3GP MP4 Player
Audio Format: MP3/AMR/AAC/MIDI/WAV
Voice Recording: AMR
Video Format: 3GP/ MP4
Video Recording: 3GP (720p@15fps)

CONNECTORS
USB: USB 2.0
SD Slots:  none
Audio Output: 3.5mm Audio Jack

POWER & BATTERY
Capacity 2000 mAh Li-ion
Talk Time Up to 9Hrs
Stand-by Time Up to 96Hrs

CAMERA
Rear Camera: 13.0MP
Front Camera: 1.6MP
Digital Zoom
F.NO: 2.2/2.4 Aperture
SENSOR: Proximity Sensor, Light Sensor, E-Compass, G Sensor

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Travel News – March 2023

Australia’s Newest Luxury Hotel Capella Sydney is Now Open

Capella Sydney is officially open after a seven-year rehabilitation and rebuilding process. The hotel invites guests to a benchmark destination of luxurious accommodation, outstanding gastronomy, and unsurpassed cultural immersion, occupying a whole city block only minutes from Circular Quay, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.
Capella Sydney is situated within the Department of Education building, which was designed by NSW government architect George McRae in the 1900s. The structure, which is part of the city’s prestigious Sandstone Precinct, has been extensively restored and redesigned by Pontiac Land.

“Pontiac Land has always been passionate about creating meaningful developments that contribute and help shape their communities. Capella Sydney was an ideal opportunity for us to sensitively repurpose this culturally significant landmark in the heart of downtown Sydney and transform it into a more public offering as a leading luxury hotel for everyone to be able to experience. We are grateful for the support of the NSW government, and the City of Sydney in the achievement of our shared vision for Capella Sydney’s contribution towards a vibrant and rejuvenated Circular Quay precinct.”
 David Tsang, Chief Executive Officer, Pontiac Land Group

Capella Sydney provides 192 tastefully designed guestrooms and suites spanning across nine storeys. The guestrooms and suites are the embodiment of luxury, with luxurious fabrics, freestanding baths, and Italian Frette linen, as well as a custom pantone and a bespoke range of vegan, sustainable in-room products made in collaboration with Haeckels.

“The opening of Capella Sydney is a milestone moment in the company’s global expansion. This launch represents a significant opportunity for Capella to showcase its refined and curated offerings to Sydney and its visitors, and we look forward to amplifying the stories, culture and experiences of the city through a uniquely Capella lens.”
Cristiano Rinaldi, President of Capella Hotel Group
The combination of purchased and commissioned art enhances the welcome experience when guests enter the hotel through the Farrer Place lobby. The ground-floor exhibition features pieces by Australian artists Judy Watson, Otis Hope Carey, Elise Cakebread, and Georgia Bisley, and culminates in a massive robotic lighting installation by Dutch art duo DRIFT.

Meadow, a DRIFT installation, hangs in the hotel’s central gathering space. The expansive lounge space, now called as Aperture, is located in the original courtyard of the old structure and serves as the hub from which all of the hotel’s amenities are accessible. This includes two dining establishments: the iconic restaurant Brasserie 1930 and McRae Bar, both of which showcase food created in partnership with The Bentley Group.
A world of luxury and cultural connections is accessible when you stay on-site at Capella Sydney. On level six, guests may enjoy in revitalising treatments at Auriga Spa or swim in the 20-metre heated indoor pool, which is designed to offer the finest wellness experience in the city.
The Living Room is the exclusive ground-floor sanctuary for in-house guests and is a trademark feature of all Capella properties. Culturists who are available to help shape the guest experience from booking to check-out facilitate the hotel’s culture and experience programmes there as well.

A spectacular two-hour narrative tour of a bygone age is one example of such an experience. The Department of Education building, now home to Capella Sydney, the Sandstone Precinct where it is located, and the culture, crime, and convicts that influenced the city are all topics that will be covered in the walking tour that departs from the hotel and proceeds to the laneways of The Rocks.
To celebrate the opening, Capella Sydney is offering this experience as part of the Capella History Journey which includes overnight accommodation in a deluxe guestroom for two guests priced at AUD $1500.
The Capella History Journey experience includes:

Daily breakfast for up to two people in Brasserie 1930
Bespoke welcome amenity upon arrival
Capella Culturist experience
24-hour fitness centre
Complimentary access to the Living Room
Valet parking for one car

Capella History Journey is valid until 30 June 2023, subject to availability.
Capella Sydney is now open for reservations, via telephone +61 2 9071 5000 or online capellahotels.com/sydney

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Photo credits: Timothy Kaye for Capella Sydney, and respective properties

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Editor’s Note – May 2020

[Editor’s Note]
A Special Treat to Celebrate Mothers at EQ
Assorted Desserts Box (RM188)

In conjunction with Mother’s Day 2020, EQ is offering indulgent savoury and sweet selections from its renowned restaurants Nipah and Sabayon with the Celebrating All Mothers menu.
Pamper mom with must-try delights from the Garden Brunch Box which is priced at RM88 and includes Smoked Salmon with Horseradish, Classic Prawn Cocktail, Air-Dried Beef with Pickles, Assorted Cheese Platter and more. Upgrade the set by adding on Home-Made Foie Gras Terrine, Half of Chaud-Froie Oriental Spiced Lobster and Bottega Prosecco Gold if you’d like a heartier (and more premium) selection!
The à la carte menu features both the aforementioned restaurants’ signature highlights, such as Sabayon’s Duck Rillette, Lamb Loin and Wagyu Beef along with Nipah’s Eight-Treasure Chicken, Lobster Cocktail with Garlic Croutons, Braised Beef with Herb Tossed Gnocchi, Miso-Marinated Rack of Lamb which comes with a choice of Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Vegetables or Polenta Cake, and more.
If mom is a sweet tooth then the Assorted Desserts Box crafted by EQ’s Pastry Chef Paul Kelly, selling at RM188 should make a perfect gift!
“This box is perfect for sharing as there’s something for everyone, from colourful Macarons and Chocolates, crunchy Raspberry Cones (chocolate biscuit cones filled with raspberry ganache), soft and airy Lemon Drizzle Cake and the favourite Victoria Sponge Cakes,” said EQ’s Pastry Chef Paul Kelly.
Classic Prawn Cocktail, Home-Made Foie Gras Terrine and Air-Dried Beef with Pickles (all included in GardenBrunch Box for RM88) with Add-On of Half of Chaud-Froie Oriental Spiced Lobster (RM45) and Bottega ProseccoGold (RM218)

Garden Brunch Box Add-Ons of Home-Made Foie Gras Terrine (RM30) and Air-Dried Beef with Pickles (RM88)
Tandoori Chicken Skewers (RM38), Ayam Percik (RM58) and Miso-Marinated Rack of Lamb with a choice of Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Vegetables or Polenta Cake (RM98)
Smoked Salmon with Horseradish, Guacamole with Tortilla Chips and Assorted Cheese Platter (all included in Garden Brunch Box at RM88) with an Add-On of Half of Chaud-Froie Oriental Spiced Lobster (RM45)
Classic Prawn Cocktail (included in Garden Brunch Box at RM88)
The Celebrating All Mothers Delivery and Takeaway is available for pre-order from 1 May onwards, and available for self pick-up and delivery on 10 May from 9am – 12pm. Orders above RM500 come with a complimentary RM108 gift voucher that can be spent at Nipah, valid until 30 December 2020.
EQ’s Nipah and Kampachi have reopened for in-restaurant dining as of 4 May 2020.
For more information, head over to https://www.eqkualalumpur.com/dining-promotions/

Post-Movement Control Order Market Recovery Packages by timchew.net and MHB Digital

We understand that this is a particularly distressing period for many businesses, especially SMEs that have limited cashflow and reserves.
To assist brands and business owners through this period and to set your business on the path to recovery after the Movement Control Order (here in Malaysia), timchew.net and MHB Digital (http://mhbdigital.com) are offering the following special recovery packages:
Digital, content, social media and influencer marketing: https://hottestbloggers.com/2020/04/14/affordable-and-cost-effective-digital-content-social-media-and-influencer-marketing-packages-for-companies-to-weather-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Professional photography (for food delivery apps, e-commerce platforms, social media, menus, etc. etc.) by Andy Kho Photography: https://hottestbloggers.com/2020/04/02/affordable-and-cost-effective-professional-food-delivery-platform-photography-for-restaurants-fb-establishments/
Email mhb@mhbdigital.com for more info.
If you’d like your product/ service featured on http://timchew.net , email me at editor@mhbdigital.com
MHB Digital has worked with many of the world’s top brands, yet remains affordable enough for local corporations, SMEs and even independent business owners!

#MYHennessyAtHome Cocktail Challenge

Hennessy invites you to put your mixology skills to the ultimate test and flaunt your creative prowess with your favourite spirits during the Movement Control Order!
“#MYHennessyAtHome Cocktail Challenge presents a wonderful opportunity for anyone to create a cocktail with Hennessy V.S or V.S.O.P Privilège using common ingredients found at home in the most creative way. They could opt to use a favourite fruit, for instance, or add a local ingredient to put a Malaysian spin to the concoction,” said Thomas Bouleuc, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy Diageo (MHD) Malaysia.
“Through this unique experience, we hope participants will discover and savour the best of Hennessy through a variety of homemade cocktail creations all from the comfort of their own homes”.
Participants only need to post a picture of their creation on Instagram anytime from 2 May to 6 May 2020 with the recipe and include the hashtag: #MYHennessyAtHome within the caption. Fifty winners will be chosen from among participants who received the most number of likes on their Instagram posts while meeting other criteria in the terms and conditions.
Once the MCO is lifted, the winner will receive one bottle of Hennessy V.S or Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège, as well as an exclusive hospitality package at any one of Hennessy’s 14 selected partner outlets of their choice in the Central region, Johor and Kota Kinabalu.
The contest will commence immediately after the Hennessy Declassified Live Masterclass on 2 May 2020 at 9pm (Malaysian time), featuring Antonio Lai, founder of Quinary, Hong Kong’s multi-sensory cocktail bar; and Shelley Tai, the outlet’s acclaimed bartender. For inspiration, participants can tune into the Masterclass and learn the basics from these experts.
Lai’s Quinary was named amongst Asia’s 50 Best Bars three years in a row and is a pioneer in comprehensive Multisensory Mixology (MM) concept in Hong Kong. He and Tai are known for their creations of Hennessy cocktails for V.S.O.P Sunset 2019. Tai also won the 2019 Diageo World Class HK & Macau Bartender of the Year title. Prior to that, Lai also achieved significant acclaim at V.S.O.P x The Drunken Pot 2015.
More information about #MYHennessyAtHome Cocktail Challenge and the Hennessy Declassified Live Masterclass can be found on Hennessy Malaysia’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HennessyMalaysia
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EQ Kuala Lumpur hotel mothers day 2020 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Mother’s Day 2020 desserts macarons tea affordable digital marketing social media marketing influencer marketing

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Upcoming Event – Boyzone “Thank You and Goodnight Farewell” Tour Kuala Lumpur 2019

[Upcoming Event]

Fans of Boyzone are in for a treat this June as the band makes its way to Kuala Lumpur for their “Thank You and Goodnight Farewell Tour” concert which will be held on 14 June 2019 at Malawati Stadium, Shah Alam.
Former boy band Westlife member and songwriter Brian McFadden will be the special guest performer in the show. McFadden started his singing career as member of Westlife, which was formed in 1998 and released the debut studio album “Westlife” in 1999. He left Westlife in 2004 to begin his solo career and released the single “Real to Me,” a track in his debut solo album “Irish Son.”
In 2016, McFadden and Boyzone’s Keith Duffy formed the group Boyzlife and toured the world, performing their bands’ hits.

 Brian McFadden formerly of Westlife

Boyzone’s Duffy, Michael Graham, Ronan Keating and Shane Lynch will be performing some of their greatest hits including “When You Say Nothing At All,” “No Matter What” and “Love Me For A Reason.”
“When we started out as five young Dublin Northsiders, eager to face the world, we never imagined that we’d still have an army of fans some twenty-five years later… If you’d seen our famous first TV appearance on ‘The Late Late Show,’ you’d probably be surprised too!” said the band, according the tour website.
“We’ve played stadiums and arenas all over the world, released six albums, and had almost two-dozen hits. We really can’t put into words just how much you, the fans, have supported us along the way. Without that support, we would have never achieved what we have, and for that we’re eternally grateful,” they added.
Purchase tickets here:  https://airasiaredtix.com/boyzone2019
The Boyzone “Thank You and Goodnight Farewell Tour” in Kuala Lumpur is organised by Wowstar Creative Entertainment Co., Ltd. Established in 2018, Wowstar Creative Entertainment is a fast-growing entertainment company specialising in diversified entertainment businesses from concerts, live music and entertainment events, artist management, to film, television, commercial production and distribution.
For more information, head over to https://www.facebook.com/WowstarCreativeEntertainment/

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News – December 2021

[News]
The Matrix Resurrections

From visionary filmmaker Lana Wachowski comes “The Matrix Resurrections” the long-awaited fourth film in the groundbreaking franchise that redefined a genre.  The new film reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.
The film also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Candyman,” the “Aquaman” franchise), Jessica Henwick (TV’s “Iron Fist,” “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens”), Jonathan Groff (“Hamilton,” TV’s “Mindhunter”), Neil Patrick Harris (“Gone Girl”), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (TV’s “Quantico,”), Christina Ricci (TV’s “Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story,” “The Lizzie Borden Chronicles”), Telma Hopkins (TV’s “Dead to Me,”), Eréndira Ibarra (series “Sense8,” “Ingobernable”), Toby Onwumere (TV’s “Empire”), Max Riemelt (series “Sense8”), Brian J. Smith (series “Sense8,” “Treadstone”), and Jada Pinkett Smith (“Angel Has Fallen,” TV’s “Gotham”).
Lana Wachowski directed from a screenplay by Wachowski & David Mitchell & Aleksander Hemon, based on characters created by The Wachowskis.  The film was produced by Grant Hill, James McTeigue and Lana Wachowski.  The executive producers were Garrett Grant, Terry Needham, Michael Salven, Jesse Ehrman and Bruce Berman.
Wachowski’s creative team behind the scenes included “Sense8” collaborators: directors of photography Daniele Massaccesi and John Toll, production designers Hugh Bateup and Peter Walpole, editor Joseph Jett Sally, costume designer Lindsay Pugh, visual effects supervisor Dan Glass, and composers Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, In Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, In Association with Venus Castina Productions, “The Matrix Resurrections.”  The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
It will be in Malaysian  (and worldwide) cinemas beginning 22 December 2021.

I first watched The Matrix when I was back in college. Back then, I thought Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss were so cool in the movie and I wanted a banana phone like the one used in the movie. The action too was very ground-breaking, pushing the edge of CGI that was available at that time.
The whole plot was rather interesting too with the whole concept of social conditioning and how society maintains control of its citizens. I resonated with it as Sociology was one of the subjects I was studying back then.
If you don’t want to know any plot details then just stop reading here.

Watching “The Matrix Resurrections” was certainly very nostalgic for me with the many many references to the original trilogy (I wasn’t surprised as this was a continuation of the storyline). What I kinda thought was rather pointless (for those in my generation who are fans of The Matrix) were the multiple flashback scenes from the original trilogy. Perhaps they were included for the new generation who have never watched the original trilogy but then again, you ABSOLUTELY MUST watch the original trilogy or else you’d be hopelessly lost if you start with this one.
The challenge for the producers was to make a fresh plot that would resonate with today’s audience, yet stay true to the original trilogy. I’d say that they mostly managed to achieve that. I was very impressed by the inclusive and diverse cast which included Jessica Henwick and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
To be honest, I did feel a tinge depressed seeing (the much older but still fit) Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss who are age 57 and 54 respectively but still kicking ass! Guess we all have to grow old sometime… the goal is to age gracefully.

BMW M @ The Pavilion Bukit Jalil

In the festive spirit of Christmas, over 60 high-performance BMW M vehicles, along with BMW M owners and fans gathered at Pavilion Bukit Jalil on Saturday to celebrate the upcoming 50th Anniversary of M in 2022.

BMW Group Malaysia announced on 20 December 2021 that they will be offering up to a 20% reduction on parts repair for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad owners affected by the flood over the weekend. Authorised dealerships will also provide an RM300 rebate on the towing cost for affected owners.
“Following the flood cases that have been reported in various states in the country, we remain committed to deliver peace of mind for our customers throughout their ownership experience, even during this challenging time. To this end, BMW Group Malaysia and our network of dealers stand ready to provide our customers with the needed support when it comes to their vehicles.”Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia
Owners are encouraged to reach out to their preferred authorised dealership or contact the BMW Roadside Assistance for more information. Alternatively, they may also contact the Customer Interaction Centre at 1 800 88 3000. The reduction and rebates are valid until 31 January 2022.

OPPO Offers Flood Relief Assistance to Affected Users – #OPPOCare4U

To ensure that OPPO users get the care it needs in these unprecedented times, OPPO is offering support to all its users affected by the recent flash floods via its #OPPOCare4U Flood Relief Program.
Under its flood relief assistance programme, OPPO is offering Up to 30 percent discount on all repairs as listed below. The entitlement will be only eligible on a single receipt and it starts on December 26 and ends on December 31, 2021.
30% price discount on selective spare parts for certain OPPO smartphone model; and/or20% price discount for courier service (only available for Customer who apply for online send-in repair service).
Users may walk into the nearest OPPO service centre or My OPPO Space to send in their smartphone for repair. Alternatively, they can also apply for an online send-in repair service request at https://support.oppo.com/my/send-in-repair/.
All affected users can contact their preferred OPPO service centre or My OPPO Space, or alternatively connect with OPPO’s online customer service at https://support.oppo.com/my/service-center/, to enquire on the eligibility of their smartphone model and the availability of spare parts.
To learn more about the terms and conditions, head over to https://support.oppo.com/my/answer/?aid=2045565

Heineken Malaysia Mobilises Assistance for Flood Victims in Klang Valley

When I think of Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia), it’s usually for the multiple memorable events and campaigns that they had throughout the years. However, it’s very heartwarming to see corporations rally to help the people affected by the floods in times of crisis.
HEINEKEN Malaysia through its HEINEKEN Cares programme, is channelling 100,000 meals and emergency care packages to victims impacted by the ongoing flash floods throughout Klang Valley.
In collaboration with its network of non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners, HEINEKEN Malaysia seeks to mobilise and distribute immediate aid to victims in need of necessities in the wake of the major flood caused by the recent heavy rainfall. The NGO partners include Dialogues Includes All, Epic, PWD Smart Farmability and Make It Right Movement.
“We deeply feel for all the flood victims, their families and loved ones whose homes and livelihoods have been affected by the floods. People are at the heart of our company, and as a company with a long history in Malaysia, we strive to assist communities during these challenging times. As the impacted families work towards rebuilding their lives, HEINEKEN Malaysia will play its role in mobilising urgent aid to the plight of flood-hit individuals and providing them with basic necessities. On this note, I would also like to extend my gratitude towards our employees as well as our NGO partners for their relentless support during these difficult times.”Roland Bala, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia
HEINEKEN Malaysia is calling on its business partners to participate and band together in undertaking essential support activities, by channelling food aid directly to their local communities or donating to the Company’s CSR arm, SPARK Foundation, where all fundings will then be directed to participating NGOs to further aid the flood victims.
The HEINEKEN Cares programme was established this year with the ultimate goal of providing 150,000 meals to communities affected by job or income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 30 November,  over 123,800 meals have been distributed to more than 8,000 beneficiaries. The 100,000 meals and emergency care packages are in addition to the original goal of 150,000 meals.
Renuka Indrarajah, Corporate Affairs & Legal Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia added, “In line with our Brew a Better World sustainability strategy, we aim to create positive social impact in the communities where we operate. Through our HEINEKEN Cares programme, we are now committing an additional 100,000 meals and care packages to bring much-needed essentials as well as cleaning equipment in aid of the communities affected by the floods.”
At HEINEKEN Malaysia, the health and safety of its people are among its top priorities. The Company is also reaching out to employees to support those affected by the floods during this difficult period to ensure the health and well-being of their employees and their families.
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Photo credits: Respective brands

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Mid Valley Fashion Week 2014 – Jaspal

[Fashion]
 Spotted the gorgeous Evelyn, Weena Marcus, L’Oreal Mok and their friends there

This year I only attended two (2) of the Mid Valley Fashion Week 2014 shows as it was a terribly busy week for me with loads of events running every day. The first show was the Miss Selfridge show (which you can read about here – https://timchew.net/2014/04/13/mid-valley-fashion-week-2014-miss-selfridge/) while the second one was the Jaspal show on 18 April 2014.
“The JASPAL Spring/ Summer 2014 Collection is designed as an easy wearable luxury with lots of special details o revive every women’s wardwobe” said Ms Annie Wang, General Manager of JPS Fashions Malaysia. “There’s a statement piece to suit every woman, whether it’s a sheer blouse or an ultra-feminine fitted dress, neon shoes or metallic detail.”
The JASPAL Spring/ Summer 2014 Collection featured outfits with classic Hollywood glamour for maximum weekday femininity, along with some bold ensembles with prints and pattern designs for a great night out. There was also a showcase of casual style outfits, where menswear-inspired silhouettes greatly added to the style factor for weekend get-togethers and soirees.
More info at http://www.facebook.com/jaspalmalaysia

 I happen to think that Evelyn Marieta is really pretty but sorry guys, she’s permanently off the market
 Amber Chia was the celebrity model for the show

And here’s a collection of photos from the show. Photos taken with the Sony Alpha 5000. More info on the Alpha 5000 and other Sony cameras at http://bit.ly/1eLboU1
Click on the individual photos to open a larger version.

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Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2014 – Farah Khan Autumn Winter Collection 2014

[Fashion]

Headed over to a very crowded and warm Pavilion KL (I think the mall should really turn up the aircon during these warm El Nino months) on 21 June 2014 to catch the Melium Group’s Farah Khan Autumn Winter 2014 collection fashion show at the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2014 (KLFW2014). The show was posted by Elaine Daly who conveyed Farah Khan’s apologies for not being present as she was in Europe attending some shows.
KLFW2014 at Pavilion is very straight to the point that being that there’s no peripheral activities at the event venue apart from the shows. This is slightly different to the shows that I am normally used to attending but I guess the organisers wanted the full attention to be on the show. Well at least there was ice cream for guests.
More info at http://www.klfashionweek.com/

 My partner in crime for the night – Crystal

(click on the individual photos below to open a larger version)

Alfio Raldo Spring/Summer 2014 Bags & Shoes Collection Fashion Preview

Alfio Raldo launched their latest range of accessories – Alfio Raldo’s Eyewear Collection and Watches at its Spring/Summer 2014 Bags & Shoes Collection Fashion Preview on 11th June 2014, at G Tower Hotel View Bar, Kuala Lumpur. The event was a sweltering affair with local celebs, members of the media and specially invited guests packing the venue.
Alfio Raldo’s new collection of watches were designed to be stylish and exudes contemporary elegance while remaining simple but elegant. The Alfio Raldo’s Eyewear Collection sported an array of unique-design sunglasses. Designers Andy Yap and William Liew also showed off their latest designs by being the apparel partners for the fashion show.
Among the celebs in attendance were Amber Chia and Chloe Chen.
More info at http://alfioraldo.com.my/

Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge
[Food & Beverage]
 Chef Bernd Uber, Chef Yam An Nie, Chef Malcom Goh, Dilmah Tea Founder, Merrill J. Fernando, Usmarini binti Amril, Chef KK Yau and Dilhan C. Fernando [L-R]
The first ever Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge Malaysia held on 14th and 15th June 2014 at the Berjaya University College of Hospitality where 14 professional teams of culinary professionals from 12 top hospitality establishments in Malaysia competed with one another with the single mission of redefining the 21st century high tea by putting the tea back in high tea.
The teams were required to showcase their creativity while allowing the unique character of Dilmah teas to shine through each food & beverage item.
 The judging criteria included tea preparation, brewing method, genuine tea-pairing innovations, menu items to compliment the Real High Tea concept, conceptualisation and presentation, knowledge of ingredients, and team work amongst the two participants in each team. All teams were required to brew a minimum of three varieties of tea in front of the judges which consists of a hot unflavoured Black Tea using loose tea leaves, a hot tea mocktail or comforter and a cold tea-based mocktail, each to be paired with one dish.

          Smoked Five Spices Duck on Mantou paired with Spices and Orange Watte, Dilmah’s Uda Watte Black Tea Orange Peel and Selected Spices             Overall Winner’s Ceylon Souchong Tea Mousse with Hazelnut Dacquoise          Overall Winner’s Yuzu Cheese with Orange Marmalade Tart paired with Jasmin Batrisyia, Dilmah’s Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers, Pomelo, Honey and Lemongrass                Overall Winner’s Chocolate Financier with Pistachio Cut paired with Dilmah’s The Original Earl Grey Tea
The panel of judges comprised culinary extraordinaire Bernd Uber, recipient of the prestigious Sidney Taylor Memorial Black Hat Award; Dilhan C. Fernando, son of Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando and Director of the Dilmah School of Tea; Chef Malcom Goh, Culinary Executive/Supervising Chef at the Berjaya University College of Hospitality and host of his own show “Back to the Streets” on the Asian Food Channel (AFC); and prominent culinary and F&B figure, Malaysian Chef KK Yau, Executive Chef of Dorsett Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
At the end of the two day showdown, the National Winner for the Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge Malaysia 2014 went to Usmarini binti Amril, Service Manager – Training, and Yam An Nie, Banquet Chef from Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur. They won themselves a 7-day visit to Sri Lanka – the home of Dilmah, where they will be given the opportunity to present their award winning Real High Tea creations to the Dilmah family and their VIP guests at the t-Lounge on Chatham Street by Dilmah. They are also entitled to compete in the Dilmah Real High Tea Global Challenge which will take place in Sri Lanka in 2015 bringing together National winners from 20 countries around the world.
More info at www.realhightea.dilmahtea.com

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