SALA Samui Choengmon Beach is a stunning 5 star pool villa resort, combining traditional Thai architecture and design with modern facilities and amenities.
Personal, private space is the theme… a peaceful, serene atmosphere where one need not ever leave one’s villa to enjoy a wonderful relaxing holiday.
Valid from 01 June, 2020 – 01 December, 2020
Set on the pristine Pantai Cenang beach, Casa del Mar—meaning ‘Home by the Sea’ in Spanish—is a Mediterranean-style resort just 15 minutes from Langkawi Airport. Within a few minutes’ walk from the resort are a multitude of restaurants, night spots, shopping outlets and a night market.
Indulge in a delightful seaside vacation with dining and spa options, the 34-room Casa del Mar is the perfect oasis for couples looking for a private and peaceful retreat.
Valid from 1st June 2020 – 1st December 2020. Two adults permitted, no children under 12 years of age.
Set among gardens and 10 km from Siem Reap Airport, this upscale, modern hotel is 4 km from both Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the shops and restaurants of the Angkor Night Market.
Valid from 20th May 2020 x 8 months.
What are your earliest memories of The Doors music?
I discovered The Doors around the same time I discovered Nirvana. It was the early 90s and nostalgia films like Forrest Gump and Oliver Stone’s The Doors were huge, along with their soundtracks. I had painted a mural on my bedroom wall of Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain.
What drew you to performing in The Doors – Reimagined?
The opportunity to get into the head of one of my idols. Jim Morrison is such an interesting character to explore. There are so many contradicting shades of light and dark. And to hear these songs I grew up loving being interpreted by a symphony orchestra. It makes for powerful stuff.
Did you study Jim Morrison’s performance style?
Absolutely, I studied the way he moves and carries himself. It’s all very Jim. He was the Lizard King, after all. I listened to his speaking voice a lot, too. I wanted to get as much of his nuances as possible. But at the end of the day it’s only my interpretation, so I need to keep some room in there for me.
Which The Doors track really lights your fire?
I love The Crystal Ship. It’s so haunting and intersects Jim’s lyrical genius with the ingenuity of the band’s musicianship. The big party numbers are also great fun and I let loose on songs like Touch Me and Roadhouse Blues.
What’s happening in 2020 for End of Fashion?
A brand-new End of Fashion album is well on the way. We are about halfway through tracking the record and have already added a handful of the new songs to the live set. Plus, a lot more live shows and touring to come. Things are just beginning to heat up.
Anything you’d like to do in Singapore while you’re here?
I’d really like to see the Gardens by the Bay and eat amazing food. Most of all I’d like to get lost exploring the streets, taking in the gorgeous architecture. It really is an utterly beautiful place. I’m so excited.
What are you most looking forward to in 2020?
Everything! There are so many incredible things happening just around the corner. I can’t wait to do them all. Playing music with my band, travelling the world with this show. I say bring it all on!
Any new year’s resolutions?
Appreciate what I have.
7 – 8 Feb
The Doors – Reimagined
Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands
An orchestral concert, weaving through the songs of the revered band, The Doors – including Light My Fire, Touch Me, LA Woman, Riders on the Storm, Break on Through, and more. Bringing the collective memory of Morrison to life for this special occasion is End of Fashion frontman, Justin Burford.
For expats working and living in Singapore, health insurance is an important matter to consider, especially when healthcare costs in the Lion City are among the highest in the region.
While many companies offer private health insurance for expats in Singapore, those with family members like a spouse, children, or parents, might want to consider adding them on a family plan, however, this is not always the best option. What are the pros and cons of an individual versus family health plan ?
An individual health plan must be bought in the name of each individual, including spouses, children, parents, etc. This means the premium will be as per each individual’s age and respective sum insured. In a family health insurance plan, more than one member can be covered under the same policy, and one premium is calculated for the group.
As a rule, family plans are cheaper per person than individual policies, as they act as a group policy where the risks are divided among the policyholders. This is a good solution for families with young children.
Family coverage is cheaper per person, and because of that, family plan policyholders can increase the overall coverage limit per policy significantly, or add supplemental benefits like dental or vision, while still enjoying cheaper premiums.
This is where the family plan can be a disadvantage. The policyholder in the individual health insurance plan has a dedicated sum insured for themselves, whereas in a family plan, the insured sum is shared. In a situation where one family member makes a significant claim, the cover reduces for other members. This might be financially unviable if one individual is not in good health and poses the risk of using up the entire sum insured.
At Pacific Prime Singapore, we know that securing health insurance may seem like a complicated process. For more tips for choosing the best expat health insurance, or free quotes and personalised advice contact the experienced team of insurance advisors from Pacific Prime Singapore.
Six Senses Brasserie
Six Senses Maxwell, 2 Cook St, Singapore 078857 sixsenses.com/en/hotels/maxwell/dining/six-senses-brasserie
Forget hectic brunch buffet lines, Six Senses Brasserie offers an elegant, low key and leisurely weekend brunch, where the food comes to you. After a fruity mocktail in the adjacent bar, we head into the refined dining room for The Weekender’s Brasserie Brunch ($68++), which happens every Sat-Sun from 10.30am-3pm.
The first course arrives on a long wooden sharing platter, laden with chicken pate, a bright kale-spinach salad, tangy guacamole, roasted garlic prawns, and excellent New Zealand smoked salmon. We save room for our main course (there are seven to choose from) – I pick the SSB Eggs Benedict with guacamole, spinach and hollandaise on toasted sourdough. My husband can’t go past the American diner classic, Chicken and Waffles; juicy buttermilk fried chicken on a waffle, with piccalilli pickles, ruby grapefruit and semi-spiced maple syrup. We also share the Lobster Mac and Cheese, a rich and creamy dish with generous chunks of lobster meat. It’s hard to stop spooning!
To finish, the impressive “It’s a Piece of Cake” dessert board arrives. We’ve left a little space to try the red velvet cakes, mini tarts, lemon ‘stones’, cinnamon palmier, macarons and a mini cone stand. We linger over coffee and tea, in absolutely no rush to leave the relaxing room!
Verdict: Delicious food, fantastic service and a real sense of theatre – this new brunch is one of the best in town.
Baker & Cook at Core Collective Dempsey
30C Loewen Rd, Singapore 248839
bakerandcook.biz
Baker & Cook at Core Collective Dempsey is Dean Brettschneider’s newest concept cafe and bakery, set in the green Loewen Cluster. The menu features healthier all-day dining options, with a focus on families – there’s a shaded outdoor playground and on-site parking. Plank Sourdough Pizza shares the space and diners can order from their menu as well.
In addition to the usual Baker & Cook offerings of New Zealand All Press coffee, artisan pastries, breads, pies, salads and sandwiches, there are some fantastic brunch and larger plate options here.
We tried a series of delicious dishes, including Turkish eggs with whipped yogurt, Aleppo chilli butter and toasted sprouted wheat sourdough ($20), Dutch Baby Pancake with earl grey poached pear, berries, maple yogurt and lemon curd ($22) and Chorizo Hash – spiced crushed potatoes, chorizo, fried egg, rocket, with siracha oil ($20)
The standout dish for me was the Kuhlbarra Barramundi En Papillote with prawns, shimeiji mushrooms, hot and sour broth, and peanut crumble ($28) A delicious locally farmed fish simmered in a Thai style broth, with notes of lemongrass, ginger, garlic, fish sauce and lime. The sourdough bread was ideal for mopping up the leftovers!
Verdict: Another great neighbourhood café, pop in for a bite – the kids can run around freely outside, and pets are also welcome.
Here are some of the ways HSBC Singapore can make your banking life easier as an expat…
Benefits for crediting your salary
As an HSBC Premier Customer, you’ll enjoy benefits when you credit your salary to your account. These include:
Complimentary Priority Pass for airport lounge access (x2 usage per membership year).
Annual fee waiver on HSBC Premier MasterCard credit card and HSBC Visa Credit Cards.
Complimentary Personal Accident Insurance Cover; peace of mind when moving to a new city.
Everyday Global Account and Debit Card
HSBC’s Everyday Global Account supports all the international needs you might have. It’s an everyday transactional account, and an all-in-one multi-currency account and debit card for local and overseas use. Pair it with the HSBC SG App and you can now convert and transact in 10 currencies – including US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Euro, Pound and more on-the-go with $0 fee. What’s more, you can withdraw cash across all ATMs worldwide for free. T&Cs apply. Insured up to S$75K by SDIC.
Account set-up before arrival
If you’re looking for international banking prior to a relocation to Singapore, HSBC’s International Banking team can help you open an account for smooth access to your finances. All you need to do is get in touch with HSBC Singapore one to two months before you touchdown at Changi Airport, so they can start the process. You’ll enjoy complimentary relocation and arrival services once you open your account. Then all you need to do is visit any HSBC branch here in Singapore and they’ll give you all the information and support you need to start banking in your new city.
Property financing needs
HSBC’s dedicated Relationship Managers and mortgage specialists are highly experienced in handling the complex home buying needs of global citizens like yourself. Wherever in the world you’re eyeing property – and whether you’re looking at as an investment, income generator or residence – HSBC’s in-depth local knowledge helps you zoom in the ideal home loan package to make it yours.
Australian Property Financing:
At HSBC Singapore, you may explore refinancing your existing property or get financing for any new property purchase in Australia through HSBC International Mortgage. Choose to finance in either Singapore Dollar (SGD) or Australian Dollar (AUD) for properties in up to five states: Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
Singapore Property Financing:
HSBC offers you one-stop solutions for your banking and financial needs. If you are looking to invest in Singapore properties, get one step closer by taking advantage of HSBC’s suite of home loan packages. Choose from fixed rates, SIBOR-pegged rate or Time Deposit-pegged Mortgage rate. Get more savings with HSBC SmartMortgage.
Seamless FX Services to support your international needs
HSBC QuickFX app allows you to transfer currencies between HSBC accounts across 26 countries, and make remittances for overseas education, properties or investments to over 200 countries. It’s a great way to maintain easy control over FX conversion, and keep up to date with the latest market developments as well.
For more information
hsbc.com.sg/expat
To talk to friendly HSBC staff about their banking services, or to open an account, send an email to sapsgh@hsbc.com.sg.
Refer a friend to HSBC Premier and receive up to S$400 cash credit and an additional S$88 cash credit when you extend your Premier privileges to your family. T&Cs apply.
CNY Celebrations
The Official Light Up and Opening Ceremony is held on 4 Jan, 6pm-10pm. It marks the opening of the Chinatown Chinese New Year celebrations. Expect enthusiastic crowds, firecrackers and fireworks displays and performing troupes. New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street.
Street lanterns are on display from 4 Jan-22 Feb. Walk the streets of Chinatown and view beautiful handmade lanterns of the Rat and other Chinese Zodiac animals, gold coins, flowers and greetings. Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road and Garden Bridge.
Usher in the Year of the Rat with the official countdown party, which features live performances and a countdown celebration in the heart of Chinatown. 24 Jan, 9.30pm–12.30am at New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street. Nightly stage shows will run at Kreta Ayer Square from 4–24 January, 8pm until late.
The 13th International Lion Dance Competition is held at the Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre on 11-12 Jan. From the rhythmic beat of the drums, to the jaw-dropping stunts, this ancient dance is mesmerising. Book tickets at Chinatown Visitor Centre at Kreta Ayer Square
chinatownfestivals.sg
CNY feasts
Forest森, Resorts World Sentosa Equarius Hotel Lobby
8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269
Enjoy contemporary Chinese fine dining in Sentosa at restaurants Forest森, Feng Shui Inn, and Sessions. Highlights include the Signature Fruit Salmon Yu Sheng with Homemade Citrus Yuzu Honey-Lime Dressing – a refreshing interpretation of the traditional salad, paired with fresh fruits such as mango, pomelo, strawberries and blueberries and finished with a light, not too sweet dressing that invites a second helping. Sessions’ Crab Prosperity Yu Sheng with Soft Shell Crab and Singapore Chilli Crab Sauce is a very Singaporean Yu Sheng – spicy with generous chunks of crab and chilli sauce. Don’t miss the Feng Shui Inn’s Double-Boiled Cordycep Flower Soup with Chinese Ginseng and Sea Whelk. The soup is light but fragrant and it tastes nourishing and home-made.
Review: Christina Lim
Yellow Pot,
Six Senses, 83 Duxton Road, 089540
The Six Senses Signature Auspicious Menu starts its ten-course feast with a beautiful King Ora Salmon Yu Shen – a crisp salad with crunchy granola (yes, the breakfast cereal!), slices of tender salmon, and a light tangy sauce. So delicious. This is followed by the slightly challenging Treasures of the Sea in Superior Rich Broth, which features thorny sea cucumber, abalone and other seafood delicacies.
My favourite dish is a toss up between the BBQ platter of perfectly roasted meats, and the Lobster in Saffron Tonkatsu Broth with crispy noodles. The banquet also features King Crab, Honey Beef Tenderloin, and X.O. Asparagus with Pacific Clam.
The finale is something my Western palate has never tried – Double Boiled Snow Pear and White Fungus with Bird Nest. The nest is surprisingly jellylike and tasteless, but I’m assured is packed with collagen! This is followed by Chinese Sweet Cake, Mochi, and Red Tea with Sesame Rice Dumpling. If you’re looking for somewhere very special to treat your family, Yellow Pot boasts some of the best Chinese dining in Singapore, with an elegant dining room.
Review: Pip Harry
Arriving at CMCR’s hip, retro academy in Chin Swee, we are immediately asked if we’d like a coffee. Yes, please. Flat whites and lattes in hand, we settle in to find out more about how a coffee makes its way from bean to cup. Our guide is award-winning barista and Head Trainer, Keith Yee. Keith started his career in coffee eight years ago, when his brother opened a café in his home city, Kuala Lumpur. He quickly moved up the ranks, and now finds himself teaching coffee lovers and wannabe baristas the tricks of the trade.
Class in session
Classes are run on weekdays, with a morning session starting at 9am, and an afternoon session starting at 2pm. We take a 2pm Fundamental Barista Skills class and over the next three hours, Keith schools us in everything we need to know about coffee. This class is the starting point for most people and is open to all skill levels. The one thing we all have in common is our love of coffee. First up, Keith gives us a comprehensive overview of how coffee is grown, processed and traded around the world; then we move onto espresso preparation techniques, including dosing, distributing and tamping. The final part of the class is hands on, as Keith lets us take over the very fancy coffee machines, to make our own café style creations.
Verdict
Most of us arrive not knowing the different between arabica and robusta blends, or how to work anything more complicated than a Nespresso machine, but we walk out having measured and extracted the perfect espresso. There’s also time to try our hand at milk steaming and pouring, and even how to fashion a little heart in the foam. After the class we get a certificate and a bag of beans to take home. While we’re not quite ready to take on a shift at Common Man, we are quietly impressed with our efforts.
How do I sign up?
The fundamentals class costs $190 and takes around 3-4 hours. It’s perfect for new baristas, corporate team events, or home enthusiasts. The academy also offers classes in Latte Art Techniques, Fundamentals of Manual Brewing, Sensory Skills and Coffee Knowledge.
commonmancoffeeroasters.com/pages/academy
Please visit the ANZA & Red Cross Singapore Australian Bushfire Relief page to help Australia rebuild and recover. This page was set up by the Australian and New Zealand Association in Singapore, in response to the catastrophic bushfires currently affecting communities across Australia. Donations will go towards the Red Cross Australian Bushfire Emergency Response, providing immediate relief and longer-term recovery support to those affected by the fires. Every bit counts!
ANZA and the Australian International School (AIS) will also team up for a fundraising drive at the Great Australia Day BBQ on 9 February, 2-6pm – join us at AIS to drop some money in our fundraising buckets, gather with our community, and support our mates doing it tough back home. For more information about the GADBBQ head here
