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Friday, December 6, 2024
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World Class Sporting event on our doorstep: A walk in the Park for Inbee!

Take a bow, Inbee Park so Singapore can heartily congratulate you on winning the much-coveted golf title of “HSBC Women’s Champions winner”, unofficially known as “Asia’s major”. Hailing from South Korea, (World No.2) Inbee’s stellar performance over four consecutive days distinguished her from her closest competitors, Lydia Ko (No.1) and Stacey Lewis (No.3). Inbee’s demeanor of calmness, focus, confidence and consistency also led to her achieving an extraordinary feat of playing all four golf rounds bogey-free (playing each hole according to its par or better) – the first time such a feat has been recorded in professional women’s golf.

The HSBC Women’s Champions Event 5th – 8th March 2015 brought together most of the world’s top female golfers in a field of 63 players. Held in Singapore for the past eight years now, HSBC has partnered with Sentosa Golf Club for the past three years, hosting the event at the magnificent Serapong Golf Course. Exceptional course conditions and overall event management served to ensure the tournament remained a strong favourite with the competitors themselves.

Watching professional golf in person is a genuinely profound experience. Spectators greedily witness the intimacy between players and their caddies. Crowds of people stand in collective awe and hallowed silence, willing the players to perform yet another spectacular golf shot. Spectators see first-hand how these professional athletes conduct themselves in the public eye, while handling the pressure of their competitive environment.

Funnily enough, while the world places a higher monetary value on professional male golf, many spectators find watching female competitors more enjoyable for a number of reasons. Female golfers bring an element of glamour to the sport, presenting a diverse mix of physiques, making it easier for all spectators to relate to them. They tend to swing the golf club somewhat slower than their male counterparts, which is fascinating to see given the significant distance they still hit the ball. So spectators benefit from seeing what is physically possible through applying correct technique as opposed to sheer brute strength. Despite incredible mental discipline and concentration as they prepare for each shot (their pre-shot routine) many of the golfers appear quite relaxed in between shot-making, enjoying some group camaraderie.

Following a golf tournament over any or all of the four days is revealing. Sometimes players will shine, other times struggle. Seeing this unfold is a privilege not granted to many spectators of professional sports. So if you have the chance to attend next year’s HSBC Women’s Champions golf tournament, wear comfortable walking shoes and you won’t be disappointed!

Catherine Flanagan is an ANZA Member and new contributor to the ANZA Guide to Singapore.

Giant Poppy Project

ANZA Action and the ANZA Needlecraft group have been working hard getting our chapter of the 5000 Poppies Project out into the community to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landing this on ANZAC day this year. New Zealand artist Tony McNeight asks for the support of all New Zealanders to create the world’s biggest poppy in the Auckland Domain.

We are all working towards a greater purpose together to honour our brave men and women who fought for our freedom and democracy through times of such extreme hardship.

My idea for this came from an epiphany I had at the 2014 Dawn service when dignitaries were laying wreaths. I thought it would be amazing to create a Giant Poppy laid on the ground that EVERY New Zealander and (new New Zealander) can help to build. This will be the size of a football field consisting of 59,000 specially minted red metal discs.

And so it is happening – now – starting with a website for online donations.

The physical build starts in the Auckland Domain from April 16 – 24th when people can come down lay a poppy with their own personal message.

I see this as an opportunity to connect with ALL New Zealanders, whether in Singapore or worldwide.

Please visit the Giant Poppy Project website to make your contribution to this commemorative project.

Bakipa – buy, sell and save on your baby and kids items

Marigold Duncan writes about helping parents to save money and declutter their homes with her classifieds app, Bakipa.

Want to save money on baby and kids stuff in Singapore? Why not buy and sell your family items to save money and also save the environment by sharing and recycling with other parents.

As new parents in Singapore, Tom and I wanted to do just that. However when we tried we found that existing classifieds were cluttered and Facebook groups were confusing with all their do’s and don’ts. So we set out to design a better place for parents to buy and sell and we called it Bakipa (babies, kids parents).

Bakipa is the best place for parents to buy and sell their family items in Singapore. It’s simple, it’s organized, and best of all you can use it with one hand while you carry your baby in the other (we know what that’s like!). You can easily search by age, gender, location or brand, and if you can’t find what you’re after just save it in your Wishlist and Bakipa will let you know if someone lists it. Selling is easy too, you can save your preferences to save time and there is a Buy Now button to speed up the sale process.

The app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play, or you can visit our website for more information. Join thousands of parents on Bakipa today!

Boom Boom Kids Shoes: Bringing European Leather Shoes to Singapore

Larisa Bernholtz writes about her business importing quality kids’ shoes to Singapore.

After many years seeing my daughters wearing and enjoying the high-quality, well designed shoes we brought back from holidays in Europe and talking to many other mothers struggling to find high-quality, affordable shoes here in Singapore, I decided to start my own company to bring European designed and made shoes to Singapore.

The shoes are perfect for the hot humid weather in Singapore. They are of orthopaedic design, with fillers for arch support and ankle padding, firm heel cup and covered toes for improved stability. Premium genuine leather is used for both upper and linings. In addition the shoes are very cute, bright and elegant.

Suitable for toddlers to children of around 8 years, the shoes meet the requirements of European Safety and Quality Standard as well as podiatric recommendations on correct footwear for young children and toddlers. Every pair of the handmade shoes goes through stringent quality control.

In order to keep the price at the LOWEST possible level (which I reckon should not exceed SGD 50-70) for genuine leather and European handmade kids’ shoes, I try to minimise the expenses (Swedish concept, alright!) and at the same time providing “boutique” service for parents and children. I always welcome families to come over for a proper try-on and selection of the suitable models and sizes for their children.

Please visit www.facebook.com/euroshoes.sg where you can check the collection and order or arrange an appointment to try our shoes.

Singapore’s First Reservoir Stand Up Race

If your a keen Stand Up Paddler..get out training because for the First Time Ever in Singapore you will be able to blast out a easy 8km on the smooth waters of Seletar Reservoir. East Coast Paddlers SG and Aloha Kai Watersports SG are growing and promoting this fantastic new sport in Singapore and together they bring to you this first ever reservoir SUP Event. See the East Coast Paddlers Facebook Page for further information and updates.

Q&A with Michael Parsons, Vice President Marketing & Strategic Relationships, Accor Hotels (AsiaPac)

 

Accor Hotels has a presence across the globe in almost 100 countries. Does the experience differ depending on the region, and what is unique about the Accor experience in Singapore?

For more than 47 years, Accor has been providing world-class service and quality accommodation to travelers around the world. We offer a range of hotel choices from economy to luxury, with brands including Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, The Sebel, Novotel, Mercure, ibis Styles, ibis and ibis budget. We have a network of 3700 hotels around the world and in each region we adapt our hotels to provide a taste of the local culture and region. For example at Sofitel So Singapore we offer dishes that incorporate Singaporean influences such as a foie gras siew mai or a signature prawn laksa risotto; and at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy hotel we feature Peranakan dishes (one of the few international hotels in Singapore to offer traditional Peranakan cuisine). At ibis Singapore Bencoolen we offer the use of Handyphones that are loaded with maps of the city and listings of great restaurants, bars and attractions for them to experience during their time in the city. Sofitel So Singapore combines the best of French culture with distinct Singaporean touches such as the Lion’s Seal which was designed by Karl Lagerfeld and is based on the story of the creation of Singapore; as well as a mirrored table featuring a map of Singapore in the rooms etc. Also our staff at all hotels in Singapore are trained to be able to suggest the best local attractions so they can help guests discover the best of the city.

How have developments in technology influenced the success of Accor Hotels?

Our ability to constantly integrate new technologies and improve the way we serve our guests and hotels is at the heart of our innovation strategy. Accor places digital technology at every stage of the hotel experience – before, during and after their stay – adapting its hotel services to the new modes of consumption which are more mobile and connected. Accor recently announced a 225-metre Euro investment in improving the digital experience over the next four years. We also recently launched a Welcome project to enable guests to check into their rooms via their mobile phones. This is being rolled out across the network in coming months to save time when checking in and departing a hotel as these administrative formalities will be handled digitally, which in turn will enable staff to provide a more personalized greeting and be available to cater to individual guests’ needs. Sofitel So Singapore is one of the first hotels in the city to use Apple technology based guests solutions in rooms, with every room featuring an apple iPad mini that controls lighting, curtains, room service etc. We are also using technology to learn more about our guests and their preferences so we can service them better when they stay with us.

What makes Accor Hotels stand out from its competitors?

Accor is unique in that we offer a full spectrum from brands from budget to luxury to cater for every kind of taste and budget. And while many of the bigger hotel chains are American, Accor is proudly French in its heritage which shows in a certain joie de vivre that is in each hotel’s DNA. We also have a loyalty program Le Club Accorhotels which boasts better flexibility than any other program – so members can earn points anywhere in any brands participating from economy to luxury and convert them easily when booking without any restrictions.

Accor Hotels has been competition sponsor of ANZA Soccer for a number of years. How important is community engagement to the company?

Accor always strives to play an active part in the communities in which it operates. All our hotels are involved in their local communities, from protecting the environment through our PLANET21 program (e.g. tree planting, sustainable purchasing etc); to helping to feed the vulnerable; to promoting safety and well-being; to tackling child sex tourism and all hotels are encouraged to devise their own ways to give back. Ibis Singapore Bencoolen, for example, invented its own “Eco-pen” which recycles the newspapers and pens used at the hotel and makes them into a sustainable pen with a clear environmental message. The brainchild of the hotel’s housekeeping manager, it not only re-uses the 50,000 newspapers and 18,000 pens the hotel was throwing away each year but provides employment for disadvantaged communities who are now engaged in recycling the materials and making the pens. Due to its clear messaging, the pen is also a great way to engage guests in the conversation about sustainability. Accor’s sponsorship of such things as ANZA Soccer is another small way to give back to the community and is in line with our goal to play an active role in the community.

accorhotels.com

Decathlon Singapore – Online Sporting Goods

French discount sporting brand, Decathlon, established their online store in Singapore a couple of years ago. I visited one of their stores in London some time back and it could only be described as the sporting and outdoor equivalent of Bunnings.

I ordered two pairs of kids’ soccer boots ($18.90 each) and a fit ball for me ($16.90) and I added a soccer ball ($8.90) to bring my order above $60 to qualify for free shipping. I received email updates every few hours with status updates, tracking options and information about the ezyReturn service.

The parcel was dispatched the following day and delivered by Speedpost less than 48 hours after ordering. I wasn’t home to receive it, so a slip with a barcode was left and I was able to retrieve my parcel from a POPStation locker at my local post office, using a code that was sent to my mobile phone.

The goods arrived boxed in perfect condition and I was thrilled to find that the soccer boots were had velcro rather than laces, which will hopefully speed up our Saturday mornings. The fit ball is made of less sturdy material than the type used in gyms and although I ordered the size that matched my height, I would have preferred a larger size to enable use at a desk. Only time will tell if the boots last the distance, but if Decathlon have kept up the quality of the items I bought back in London I expect my kids to outgrow them before they wear out.

If you are looking for kids gifts, tennis sets (2 rackets and 2 balls for $29.90), hopper balls ($12.90) or folding soccer goals ($39.90) are good buys. There are also bikes, scooters, skateboards, skates and accessories.

For adults there is clothing, equipment and accessories for fitness and a large range of sports including Cycling, Golf, Tennis, Soccer and Rugby. 

www.decathlon.sg

Phoon Huat – for Bakers, Decorators and Eaters

If you are into baking, cake decorating or eating, Phoot Huat is worth seeking out.

For the baker there is a treasure trove of reasonably priced supplies including equipment, packaging, cupcake cases and ingredients. Cake decorators will find a good selection of decorating equipment, fondants, icing and display stands. Those who steer away from the baking arts will find plenty of delicious things to eat: my stand-outs are the cheeses, frozen berries, nuts and dried fruits. Most prices are lower that what you will pay in the supermarket and they offer a further 5{d2c05350095ed942d62ca1635aad234a702e9575e5f9632e6c89e76dec25dfbf} discount if you pay with cash.

Phoon Huat has plenty of locations in nifty spots, like my regular, the one next-door to ANZA member benefit provider “The Butcher” at Chip Bee Gardens (Holland Village). Check their website to find your most convenient location.

If you haven’t visited before, plan your shop with their extensive illustrated Food Catalogue and Bakeware Catalogue.

Phoon Huat
12 locations around Singapore
www.phoonhuat.com

The Royal Wombat Ball

November saw the Wombats take over the Concorde Hotel for a night of celebrating the year gone by, says Cameron Fidler.

After a long and somewhat turbulent – but extremely successful – season, the Wombats got together on November 15 to host the inaugural Royal Wombat Ball at The Concorde Hotel.

Apart from giving the current Asian Champs another reason to celebrate their hard fought win at the ALF Asian Championships in The Philippines, it also provided a great opportunity to thank our sponsors, members and ever-suffering partners.

As it was the first of hopefully many annual balls, there was no set format that needed to be followed, which was fortunate, as improvisation appeared to be the one common theme.

Guy Keating took on the role of MC, and provided a number of highlights including his re-enactment of being knocked out during warm ups of the Asian Champs Grand Final.

While mentioned on the night, it is worth acknowledging again the great support of our sponsors, who were able to join the ball festivities: Mogambos Bar and Restaurant; 8 Property Agency; 6 Drunk Men; Radiance Physiofit; Portfolio Builders; and Mothers en Vogue. Without their support, our club couldn’t survive let alone have the opportunity to travel and compete at tournaments such as the Asian Champs.

Keeping with the theme of back slapping and self-adulation, the winners of the annual awards were announced. Congratulations to all nominees and winners:

Best and Fairest (Tony Boatman Award) Troy Bruce

Best Clubman Guy Keating

Most Courageous (Bill Nikolopolous Award) Jason Mosel

Best First Year Player Craig Walton

Most Improved Stefan Wood

Best Player Against Armed Forces (Peter Chitty Award) Daniel Branchflower

Best Player Against the Irish (Alan Power Award) Cam Wright

Best Player at Bali Masters Cam Wright

Best Player at Asian Champs (Steffensen/Pemberton Award) Cam Wright

Best Brucey Award (three-3 way tie) Kane Bruce, Troy Bruce and Shaun Bruce

In addition, Tim Cuthbert and Philip Raff were inducted as life members to the Wombats. Both guys have been long term members of the club, both on and off the field, and thoroughly deserve the recognition.

All in all, a great way to round off a big year of football. Special thanks to the Committee who rarely get acknowledgement for all the good things they do.

If you haven’t had a chance to get down to have a kick with the Wombats yet, then it’s never too late. Training starts again in February – see you then.

Cycling: King of the Mountain

Exotic routes, local culture and tough conditions were the name of the game at Taiwan KOM, says Hish Scarff.

One of the great things about ANZA Cycling is that throughout the year, members are out riding interesting races and exotic routes all over the world. The other great thing about the club is the bunch of selfless volunteers who pull all these trips together.

I first heard about Taiwan KOM (King of the Mountain) after the 2013 edition of the race. Tales of cruising ever upwards through stunning scenery along with a good serving of local culture had me hooked.

Billing itself as the unofficial road bike world climbing championship, Taiwan KOM is short at 105km, but is an almost unbroken ascent up to 3300m with some hair-raising gradients, the steepest being almost 28 per cent.

From Taipei, our 17-strong team boarded the bus for the five-hour drive to Hualien, the sleepy seaside town that is the KOM base. The first 45 minutes out of Taipei were mainly industrial scenery but in time the landscape became more rural, with some chunky mountains to remind us of what lay ahead.

Along the coastal road, running down the sparsely populated eastern side of Taiwan, we were treated to scenery of verdant mountains jutting strikingly right from the ocean, divided only by a thin ribbon of rocky beach. After the race briefing in Hualien, the rest of the day was spent building bikes and checking they were working properly for the big day ahead.

Cool, drizzly weather greeted us as we made our way in the pre-dawn darkness to the 6.30am start point. As the 18km neutralised zone finished, a left turn off the coast road took us from sea level to the start of the climb. Teammates Guillaume and Raoul were up the front leading the charge, while the rest of us were spread out through the peloton. Happy to enjoy the ride, I soaked in some of the stunning environment en route: tunnels cut into the side of cliffs, plunging rocky gorges and pristine forest.

My race plan was pretty simple: steady as she goes all the way. It continued to rain and I felt a touch cool but otherwise comfortable. For the next hour and a half everything went exactly to plan, though visibility worsened and the temperature started to drop. Ever mistier, the scenery contracted to the road itself and the immediately surrounding forest. We had been assured that we were in for a long, hot day of climbing so I looked forward to emerging into bright mountain sunshine soon.

In reality, it just got colder – and we were all in summer kit. At about this time, I caught up with teammate Nate, and it was good to have some familiar company to share the miserable conditions with. With 50km yet to go, the shivers set in and it really started to get uncomfortable. I gave up on the hope that warmer weather laid ahead. In amongst all this unpleasantness, at about the 75km mark I was stoked to find myself riding beside Tiffany Cromwell, fellow Australian and pro-cyclist invitee. First time to ride next to a pro – how cool is that?!

While KOM is pretty much a continuous ascent, at around 80km in there is one descent of about 4km for a 200m drop. The freezing descent had me shaking uncontrollably; leaving me glad to get climbing again in the hope it might warm me up. A Taiwanese fellow was shouting at me passionately in Chinese as he pointed to my full-fingered gloves. It could have been ‘I will pay you $1000 for those!’ or ‘You know I’ll have to kill you if you don’t hand those over!’ but I guess I’ll never know. I then noticed the increasing number of dejected riders, having abandoned on the side of the road. (40 per cent of riders would not make the finish…)

In time, I found myself at the 95km mark, the start of the real steep stuff. 10km to go, at an average 8 per cent with the infamous 27.8 per cent in there somewhere… Somehow I rallied, maybe the gels helped, and bit by bit picked up a few places. At least climbing a grade at 6kph versus one at 24kph means that the wind-chill factor is much less. On the other hand, the insane gradients and slick road conditions meant many sections were ground out at barely walking pace.

Finally, the finish was in sight. Our guide was an absolute trooper, waiting in the rain and freezing cold at the finish line for over six hours. Raoul, Guillaume, Alex and Ståle finished ahead of me with the others still to come. I was so cold I couldn’t hold my steaming ginger tea steady and ended up throwing the tea everywhere with my cold-induced convulsions. Riders all around were in similar states of hypothermia.

ANZA Cycling finished with some credible results on the day, although in the end it was just about survival. When a seasoned pro comments that the conditions are ‘completely insane’, you know it isn’t just you! It was late afternoon when we finally got to our scheduled pre-dinner activity, a local hot spring visit, which was complete heaven!

Bike race over, the next day part of the group took the opportunity to stroll down to the magnificent Sun Moon Lake and had lunch at the Cardboard Restaurant (in which chairs, tables, plates, and even the pan in which you cook your hotpot over a burner, are all made out of cardboard). Those on the longer five-day tour took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to explore the surrounds by bicycle.

While the conditions were horrendous, what we love about this sport is the opportunity to dig deep and explore our limits, and we got that in spades!

Thanks to our sponsors Team Direct Asia and Hammer Nutrition for providing kit & fuel for our bodies; Taiwan Cycling Federation and Taiwan Tourism for a well-organised event and local guide; my teammates for working together for another great trip and lastly my wife, who got up at 2am when I arrived home and helped me unpack my bag of wet, stinky clothes, and then kissed me goodbye three hours later as I left for a weeklong business trip – you’re a star Jessie!

To find out more about ANZA Cycling, please visit the ANZA Cycling homepage.