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The benefits of regular dental visits

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We all know that regular dental visits are essential for keeping our teeth and gums tip-top, but keeping up the habit of regular check-ups can often fall by the wayside. But when it comes to your oral health, it’s important to remain proactive and see your dentist regularly so that they can not only provide maintentance but also catch any issues early. For a quick reminder on why regular dental visits should be a must-have on your calendar, read on.

Prevents future pain

Early detection and diagnosis are essential to preventing more complex issues down the track. Please don’t wait until you’re in pain. Having regular dental visits helps to avoid cavities, gum disease, enamel wear and much more. Good oral hygiene is also vital to maintaining a healthy smile.

Improves your confidence

Having a healthy smile impacts so many aspects of your life. Confidence is one of them. So, whether it’s having fresh breath or a fresh smile – seeing your dentist regularly and making your oral health a priority will help build your confidence and make your smile shine.

Saves money in the long-run

Any oral health treatment delay, be it medical or dental, can prove to be a very costly experience if left untreated until the last resort. So don’t skip routine visits to the dentist as more extensive treatments incur higher financial costs.

Sets your mind at ease

Ensure your teeth are in experienced hands. Do your research and check out the clinic’s latest reviews. Visiting a dentist can provoke anxiety. Therefore, seeing a reputable dental professional can help put your mind at ease and ensure your oral health is in great hands.

Protects your natural teeth

We only get one adult set! Regular visits to the dentist will allow your teeth to be assessed and deep cleaned more frequently. In addition, tooth decay needs to be prevented as the enamel covering your teeth could wear down by infrequency or inadequate brushing and plaque build-up.

Makes you habit-aware

We know that lifestyle habits can affect our oral health. For example, excessive smoking, alcohol and caffeinated beverages, or actively grinding your teeth can negatively impact your teeth and dental health.

Provides better sleep 

Dental issues often cause chronic headaches and tension-type headaches. For example, temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ is known to cause much pain and discomfort in the joints of the jaw, making a comfortable night’s sleep difficult. However, if you’re grinding or clenching your jaw, there are solutions out there for you.

Visit our dentists at Smilefocus and smile without hesitation.

T: 6733 9882

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Smilefocus

Instagram: smilefocus_sg

ANZA Soccer: Youngest competition Matildas claim gold!

ANZA Soccer 2022Back in June, after many changes, limitations, stops, starts, restrictions, and forehead-smacking measures to ANZA Soccer due to the ever-changing pandemic rules, our youngest Matildas won the under-10 JSSL Singapore National Leagues Division 1 championship!

Since finishing second in their first-ever tournament, the February 2020 Bangkok International Girls Football Festival, the G10 Matildas were excited to continue building winning momentum. We don’t need reminding what else happened around the same time, but despite all the hurdles and roadblocks, Covid-19 didn’t dampen the fire in these girls aged eight to ten. Their determination to keep playing remained steady.

Fun, hard work, dedication

When the JSSL league opened up in 2021, we registered our team in the youngest girls’ age group available. This meant that our youngest ANZA Matildas would be competing with girls who were two to three years their senior and, in some cases, twice their size. This didn’t intimidate or discourage them. They finished last in their division, but it only encouraged them to work harder, get stronger, and have more fun along the way.
Fast forward to the summer of 2022, after months of on-and-off Monday trainings in different combinations and group sizes. The Matildas entered the G10 Division 1, excited to prove to their parents, coaches, teammates and themselves that passion, hard work and dedication does pay off.

Although their opponents from Singapore Football Club, JSSL, Euro Soccer Academy, Singapore Football Club, and SG7 also entered the league full of vigour and strength, they were no match for our fired-up team. After five matches every other Sunday in April, May and June, the G10 Matildas finished the season in 1st place to win the 2022 Division 1 JSSL Champions Cup. The girls went home overflowing with joy and confidence – and a huge trophy to ensure they remembered this momentous event.

ANZA Soccer 2022

Winning foundation

For years, ANZA Soccer has taken pride in raising players to great heights while led by volunteer parent organisers and coaches, in partnership with professional coaches. It’s this blend of mentors that provides our players with the motivation and inspiration to play with grit and determination. Taking home the Cup was a memorable achievement for these young girls, only surpassed by the unforgettable joy and friendships they had built along the way through victory and defeat.

Due to their fierce resilience over the last two to three years and, most importantly, because of their commitment to each other, to ‘the beautiful game’, and to enjoying the process along the way (no matter how trying!), our youngest Matildas have created a winning foundation to stand and grow upon. They truly are an inspiration to us all.

ANZA Soccer 2022ANZA Soccer Kicks Off Its 47th Season!

We’re delighted to announce a new season of fun, friends, and football, is now underway, with happy kids and parents enjoying our beautiful pitches at The Cage, Turf City every Saturday. Sessions began on 27 August, with general trainings (included in the fees) the following week. Our parent volunteer age group coordinators have been working hard to balance teams so that scrimmages and games are enjoyable and competitive for everyone.

Meanwhile, trials for our competition programme got underway in mid-August. The resulting teams have been training hard in preparation for the JSSL Singapore Professional Academy 7s tournament on the first weekend of September, and the JSSL Singapore National Youth Leagues the following weekend. There may still be spots available on some competition teams, which compete on Sundays.

If your child would like to join a mixed team or a girls’ team, or to find out more information about the competition programme, please contact the ANZA office on 62916301.

 

Deepavali activities in Singapore for 2022

Deepavali falls on Monday 24 October this year, but the celebrations are starting early in Little India with the forthcoming weekends beng filled with non-stop activities for all. Alongside stunning Rangoli decorations, friends and family can get together to enjoy traditional craft workshops, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, evening Trishaw Rides and live performances.

Deepavali (also known as “Diwali” or the “Festival of Lights”) is a five-day festival that marks the triumph of good over evil and is generally celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists.

Little India’s streets are already boasting a party spirit with a miniature replica of the Deepavali Street-light up arch along Campbell Lane and inside the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC). Insta-worthy light displays don’t get any better! Read on for more.

Money Packet Giveaways | Now – 23 October 2022 

Head down to the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) in Little India and redeem an exclusive Diwali-themed money packet featuring the oil lamp and peacock designs from the Deepavali street light-up this year. All you have to do is take a photo at IHC, upload it onto social media, and tag IHC using #IHCDeepavali to redeem their limited edition money packets. *While stocks last!

Little India Trishaw Trails

Get into the festive mood this Deepavali with a Trishaw Trail around Little India on Friday evenings. Sit back, relax, and join this fun 15-min trishaw ride while taking in the sights, sounds, and festivities as the precinct ushers in Festival of Lights.

Date & Time: 7, 14, 21 Oct |6 – 8pm (15 mins per ride)

Meeting point:IHC

Fee: $10 per trishaw ride (2 pax per ticket)

Little India Big Bus Tour

See the Deepavali Street light-up and decorations up close in this brand new open-top sightseeing bus tour. This tour provides the perfect introduction to the Little India precinct and the best photo opportunities of this iconic area from the top deck.

Date & Time: 8, 15, & 22 Oct |7– 8pm (30 mins per tour)

Meeting point:IHC

Fee: $10 per pax

Little India Heritage Trail

If you haven’t managed to bag a spot on ANZA’s very own Deepavali tour, join this Diwali edition of the Little India Heritage Trail which also features the Street Corner Heritage Galleries and various heritage businesses in the precinct. Listen to anecdotal stories of first- and second-generation heritage business owners such as the charasmatic Murugaia Ramachandra, owner of Jothi Store & Flower Shop.

Date & Time: 15 & 22 Oct |10.30am – 12pm

Venue: IHC

Fee: $10 per pax

Mandala Dot Painting Workshop

Get your creative juices flowing with this opportunity to decorate your very own clay oil lamp. Whatever the result, it will provide a talking point and add a touch of brightness to your home to celebrate Deepavali.

Date & Time: 15 & 16 Oct |2pm – 3.30pm & 4pm – 5.30pm

Venue: IHC

Fee: $10 per pax

Deepavali Cooking Demonstration with Chef Devagi and Chef Vasunthara

In this cooking demonstration participants will learn how to make festive Deepavali dishes by celebrity chefs Devagi Sanmugam (Spice Queen) & Vasunthara Ramasamy (Masterchef SG S2). There will be also be food sampling of the dishes at the end of each cooking demo.

Date & Time: 15 & 16 Oct |10.30am – 12pm

Venue: IHC

Fee: $10 per pax

Interactive Storytelling for Kids

Learn about the traditions and values of Deepavali through this interactive storytelling session combined with musical performances and a fun crafts. 

Date & Time: 22 Oct |11.30am, 2pm, 3.30pm

Venue: IHC

Fee: $10 per pax

For further details of all Deepavali events in Little India this year, log onto ihc-programmes.peatix.com and indianheritage.gov.sg

Fashions on the Field: Style tips for ANZA’s Melbourne Cup 2022

Dressing up, swapping your slides for a snazz pair of actual shoes, and considering the state of your hair are all activities slowly entering our psyche now that pandemic restrictions have eased. Thankfully, we’ve had a few months to practice them as the ANZA Melbourne Cup Race Day 2022 is back on Tuesday 1 November! Getting glam is the name of the game, especially if you’re taking part in our coveted Fashions on the Field competition to find Mr and Mrs Melbourne Cup 2022.

The ANZA Melbourne Cup Race Day is one of the most popular Aussie sporting events to be recreated on the red dot annually, and Fashions on the Field – where we crown three attendees with the titles of Mr Melbourne Cup 2022, Mrs Melbourne Cup 2022 and Best Millinery – is key to proceedings.

Entry to the Anantara Angkor Resort Fashions on the Field Competition at the ANZA Melbourne Cup is $10. One hundred percent of funds raised from the competition and the Charity Prize Draw go to Riding for the Disabled, Singapore (RDA). The winner of each category will walk away with a two-night stay at Anantara Angkor Resort, Cambodia for two adults in the Premier Suite, inclusive of breakfast and round-trip airport transfers.

Every year we’re inundated with entries, with the standard of stylish participants increasing each time – check out the pics on this page and here for inspo! 

Spectacular headgear

This best-dressed competition provides you with the opportunity to don your best bib n tucker and show off your innate style and spectacular headgear. Ladies, don’t be shy, the sky’s the limit with your look with headgear bagging extra chic points. Gentlemen, ditch the bermudas and slip into something more suave and suity. The tone we’re looking for? Think elegance and grace that is synonymous with spring racing – with an eclectic signature twist of your own thrown in!

As always, Fashions on the Field will be judged by an elite panel of judges at the event:

  • Monica Millington is a Texan fashion entrepreneur and reality personality based in Singapore. She began her Singapore journey with the launch of her first menswear brand Tropick (@tropick) in 2020, and most recently, the unisex leisurewear line, Sette (@sette). 
  • Elizabeth Grace is an International Couture Designer and Founder of Elizabeth Grace Couture, a bridalwear label that is “breaking traditions” for sustainability. Elizabeth has designed for Hollywood celebrity clients, awards shows like Asia’s Got Talent and The Brit Awards, and even used her developed 3D technology scanning system to tailor make suits for the F1 drivers at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Read on for some tips on what to bear in mind if you want to land the prestigious title of Mr Melbourne Cup 2022, Mrs Melbourne Cup 2022, and Best Millinery … and get raiding your wardrobe sharpish! 

Ms Melbourne Cup 2022: Simple style tips

  • Appropriateness of outfit for Fashions on the Field
  • Style and originality
  • Headpiece 
  • Attention to detail with accessories 
  • Unique personal touch
  • Colour palette/co-ordination
  • Pulled together with panache
  • Grooming and deportment

 Mr Melbourne Cup 2022: What to consider

  • Appropriateness of outfit for Fashions on the Field
  • Style and originality
  • Attention to detail with accessories 
  • Grooming and deportment
  • Colour palette/co-ordination
  • Personal flair

Best Millinery: Bear this in mind

  • Contemporary & classic racewear
  • Design & style
  • Originality
  • Wearability
  • Quality and workmanship of the millinery
  • Coordination with outfit /complimentary
  • Grooming and hair appropriate for the millinery

Every year, The ANZA Melbourne Cup Race Day is hosted by the Singapore Turf Club. The buzz of this iconic Australian carnival is recreated here in Singapore with live betting – the only place to do so in Singapore – including big screens beaming all the action in from Flemington in Melbourne. It’ a brilliant opportunity to raise money for Riding For The Disabled Singapore (RDA) who provide free horse riding therapy for children and adults all over Singapore. This year, we’re also thrilled to welcome AAM Advisory as the new Platinum and Presenting Sponsors of this prestigious event.

Register your place at Fashions on the Field 2022 here.

Why everyone is heading to Kusu this week

LEGEND

Popular legend tells of a turtle that saved two shipwrecked fishermen, one a Malay and the other Chinese. The turtle did this by transforming itself into an island, where the two friends are believed to have contentedly lived for the rest of
their lives.

KUSU

Kusu – in the Chinese Hokkien dialect, ‘ku’ means ‘turtle’ and ‘su’ is ‘island’ – covering about 85,000 square metres, south of mainland Singapore, in the Singapore Strait, is said to resemble the shape of a turtle. A sanctuary for such creatures, plus several large turtle sculptures, add to the peaceful, rustic atmosphere.

A BUSY MONTH

An annual event takes place on Kusu island throughout the ninth month of the lunar calendar, which is from Wednesday 6 October to Thursday 4 November this year. Thousands of people normally visit the island during this period via a 20-minute ferry journey from Marina South Pier; past statistics indicate that about 100,000 visitors travel to Kusu during this time of pilgrimage. At one end of the island stands a Chinese temple and nearby there are three Malay shrines (kramats).

Worshippers at Tua Pek Kong Temple pray for good health and for fertility, that they may be blessed with sons. Hard-boiled hens’ eggs (symbolising new life), painted auspicious red for good luck, as well as flowers, fruit and cooked chicken, are offered to the deities. At the shrines, reached by climbing up a long flight of steps, prayers are also said for good health and for babies to be born to childless couples.

For many people, visits to Kusu also involve picnics, games and swimming. My husband has happy childhood memories of these activities with his mother, many siblings, aunts and several cousins, where the picnic lunch was invariably a large pot of homemade chicken curry eaten with fresh loaves of bread. The happy group totalled about 15 people each year and they hired a boatman who ferried them by bumboat from Clifford Pier to Kusu Island.

LONGEVITY

ANZA ang ku kueh
Photograph of ang ku kueh, courtesy of M. Shinozuka

Turtles may be seen, in many forms, at many Chinese festivals and occasions, valued for their deference to longevity. Ang ku kueh comes instantly to mind. The red (ang), turtle-shape (ku), cake (kueh), made using glutinous rice flour, contains sweet paste fillings of peanuts, red beans or green beans. This auspicious cake is traditionally served at important events such as the ‘full moon’ celebration when a baby is one month old, representing good wishes for a long life for the infant. The individual soft, sweet, chewy, sticky cake is also a mainstay at other happy occasions, like birthdays, graduations, weddings, promotions and similar. To accept an ang ku kueh is polite, indicating an ode to long life in a particular situation. Bengawan Solo cake shops, with their well-known array of local cakes at numerous Singapore outlets, do brisk business with the ever-popular ang ku kueh. Much can be learnt about a country and its people from festivals and traditional fare.

In conversation with: Nick Magnus – Dulwich College (Singapore)

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Head of College, Nick Magnus - Dulwich College (Singapore)

When it comes to schools in Singapore, there are a lot to choose from! Dulwich College (Singapore) only opened its state-of-the-art campus in August 2014, and has fast established itself as one of the region’s leading international schools. With over 2,850 students from 55 countries, Dulwich‘s growth over a short period of time has been impressive. We sat down with the Head of College, Nick Magnus, to discover what it takes to lead an international school.

What has been your journey to Dulwich College (Singapore)?
When I was 17 I carried out some voluntary service in a local Primary School back in the UK and became truly hooked to teaching. I taught in the UK in the 90s before heading overseas to Kenya for a two-year posting. Twenty four years later and with Kenya and China behind me, I’ve been in Singapore for 10 years now. I start my 25th year as an international school educator in August!

What has been your most valuable lesson as the head of an international school?
That you always need to keep learning. I’ve also discovered that our diversity as an international school is our strength, and this sets us apart. If we want to be the best we can be and to live a fulfilled life, we have to learn from others – this is not easy if you only surround yourself with people who look, think and have the same experiences as you do. 

How do you balance ‘exclusivity’ with the need for students to develop a culture of inclusivity?
I sometimes feel there’s a misconception that Dulwich is a bit elitist, but this is just not the case. Dulwich isn’t just about academics; our sports, music, arts and drama departments have to be seen to be believed. We have recently introduced dance into the curriculum and it has gone down a storm. We also host the IB Career-related programme which allows young people to follow a different pathway and pursue careers in sport, the creative arts, theatre, television, business and sustainability, engineering or digital technology. 

The past two years have been challenging for schools worldwide. Has this caused Dulwich to change focus?
Our focus for the last 18 months has been on diversity, equality and inclusion with a number of working parties looking at every aspect of college life and how we can make it a better experience for all. These are not the actions of an institution that only cares about exam results. It’s about looking at every child as an individual with their own unique skills, talents and challenges. Our aim is to find a personalised pathway for everyone. 

Head of College, Nick Magnus - Dulwich College (Singapore)What positives has the school taken from recent times?
We’ve seen how technology can be used to enhance learning, although it’s never going to replace the importance of the relationships between individuals. As human beings we are at our best when bouncing ideas and enthusiasm off one another. The pandemic also made us appreciate the small things, like being able to breathe without a mask on; children running around and playing; and being able to just sing. We must never take these things for granted again. 

What are you the most proud of as a school?
Although we are far from perfect and we have made mistakes, I’m most proud of the fact that Dulwich has delivered on the promises that we made to parents, students and staff back when the place was just a building site. We have been honest and true to our word and repaid that trust and loyalty.

What have you learnt from your students?
As educators and parents we need to listen more to our children. They can be incredibly insightful and brutally honest. If schools genuinely want to be better, if teachers and parents want to be better, then we need to sincerely and proactively listen to what our children have to say. You don’t always have to agree with each other and there is no substitute for the experience that life brings with it. However, if we put relationships at the heart of all that we do, then everyone will have a voice and everyone will be listened to.

Dulwich College (Singapore)Find out more about Dulwich College (Singapore) at singapore.dulwich.org

7 ways to nurture mental wellbeing in Singapore

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People worldwide are more aware of the importance of mental wellbeing now than ever. The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that it’s essential to check in with ourselves from time to time and ensure everything is physically and mentally alright. While taking care of physical health is straightforward, taking care of mental health is not easy. Mental wellbeing relates to our ability to experience life positively. And having good mental health helps us to deal with day-to-day challenges, solve problems, and achieve our goals.

Expats, on the other hand, need to be more cautious about their mental health because moving to and living in a new country can be challenging. Living away from family and blending into a foreign culture can be stressful and adversely affect your mental health.

With World Mental Health Day coming up on 10 October 2022, we asked our friends at Pacific Prime Singapore to put together a list of things you could do to take care of your mental health, and here’s what they suggest:

  1. Exercise regularly.
  2. Spend more time on things that make you happy.
  3. Manage your time well so that you can avoid ‘last-minute’ stress.
  4. Join clubs or language classes where you can meet new people and make friends – signing up to ANZA is a great start!
  5. Think positive – even though it is easier said than done, thinking positively can help improve your mood.
  6. Get your sleep – adults need to sleep for 7-9 hours daily for better concentration and focus.
  7. If you’re feeling ‘out of it’ more than usual, reach out to a mental health professional immediately.

Invest in a comprehensive medical insurance

Comprehensive medical insurance will cover the costs of mental health consultations and treatments. Pacific Prime’s latest State of Health Insurance Report 2021-2022 points out that insurers in Singapore now offer coverage for mental health treatment due to increased demand for mental health services. Thus, it’s a good idea to ensure that your medical insurance covers mental health so that you can get help without worrying about the expensive bills.

About Pacific Prime Singapore

Pacific Prime Singapore offers comprehensive and unbiased health insurance solutions for individuals and corporates. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and a robust global presence, Pacific Prime has answers to all your insurance queries.

The special powers of spirit medium Fiona Teo

Fiona Teo connects to the afterlife and spirit world. She is a trained medium, spiritual healer and sound healer. She also reads Akashic records.

Fiona Lim - spiritual healer What are your beliefs when it comes to spirits?
Spirits surround us in life. They attach themselves to people constantly as divine guides without us even realising it. All of us have them. 

And you have the power to Speak to them?
‘Channeling’ is when you tap into these spirits – I compare the process to that of when you try and tune into a radio frequency. Over the years I’ve been trained to channel into my own divine guides, and I work with clients to tap into the guides around them, too. 

Are all spirit guides people?
They come in many different forms: random people, ancestors, shapes, totems (a sacred item) or animals. To interpret what a spirit is trying to communicate, they speak to you through your ‘Clair’ senses – your own psychic senses which can range from an internal voice to a physical sensation. When I tap into my intuition and spirit energy, my mind and body become flooded with mental impressions: thoughts, feelings, images, sounds, tastes and smells. 

What kind of spirits do you communicate with?
They tend to be lost and confused spirits who are stuck between two worlds. I bring them to the light and let them know what’s happening; often spirits don’t know where they are or why they’ve been summoned. Some spirits don’t even know they’ve passed on, they just miss a person or a feeling of energy. I have a soft, feminine and compassionate way of connecting to them and treat them equally to my clients.  

Please tell us about some of your client requests …
People come to me to discover what divine guides surround them, to contact deceased loved ones, and to use me as a path of communication between those who may be close to death. For example, I go to hospitals to speak to ill patients who want to convey something to a family member before they go. I also teach those who are curious to tap into the spirit world themselves.

What’s been your spookiest moment?
I contacted a deceased grandfather who had become ‘stuck’ in his grandaughter’s house. He needed forgiveness from his family before he could move onto peace.   

How do your skills impact your everyday life?When I first started out I had no boundaries with my powers. I was super sensitive to spirits around me which kind of stopped me living my life. I felt different energies everywhere and could instinctively tell if someone was mourning, or if a couple had been arguing. It was very distracting, but today I have much more discipline.

@fiona.healer 

fionahealer.com

In conversation with: Marco Mejia, new President, ANZA Cycling

Marco Mejia new President of ANZA Cycling
Marco Mejia, the new President of ANZA Cycling

We’re excited to welcome Marco Mejia to the role of President of ANZA Cycling. Originally from Quito, Ecuador, Marco has been part of the group for the past two years working closely with the committee on various initiatives to further strengthen the community. As Megan Kinder steps down to focus on the wider ANZA presidency, Marco is full of ideas and energy to move ANZA Cycling into the future. We caught up with him for more background info.

Tell us about yourself Marco …
Although I was born in Ecuador, I lived in the US for almost 10 years when I was younger. This lead me to practice various sports including ice and roller hockey, even being selected to join the National Team and compete in the Panamerican games. Skating is a great aerobic sport and as part of our training we also did quite a bit of cycling.

How long have you lived in Singapore?
For just over three years. I live in River Valley with my wife Eva (who also rides with ANZA) and my two girls; Emily, 6, and Natalie, 8. We are very close to Great World City so it’s always a convenient option to pop out for a coffee or weekend lunch with the kids. About half a year after we arrived in Singapore, I was riding around by myself and saw a group of cyclists that passed by in full ANZA kit. When I got home I looked up ANZA and joined that same weekend!

I look forward to ensuring ANZA Cycling continues to be a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community

When did you discover a passion for cycling?
From the age of about nine, I used to ride my bike to school everyday. I wish I had Strava back then because I put in a lot of kms each week! I was more into mountain biking and trail riding before moving to Singapore where I got into road cycling with ANZA. It’s been
an incredible journey that has taken me on some awesome rides in the US, UK and Ireland. My next stop is the Mallorca 312 in 2023 which I’m looking forward to.

Why did you run for ANZA Cycling President?
Ever since joining ANZA Cycling, it quickly became a very important part of my social and fitness life on the island. It’s an incredible organisation with like-minded individuals. The community has not only enabled me to improve my overall fitness, but also provided a sense of purpose and motivation during the difficult time of the pandemic. When the opportunity presented itself, it felt natural to put myself forward as a candidate for Club President, a voluntary role in which I could give back by collaborating with the committee and helping steer it in a new post-Covid direction. I feel excited about implementing some new ideas and making sure the group continues to be a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all.

What ideas are you working on?
It’s early days and as a committee we are always looking at ways that we can enable members to have more fun on and off the bike! For example, we will look at having regular bike maintenance workshops. These will teach current and newer members basics such as changing a flat tyre, drivetrain maintenance, tuning and indexing, as well as how to keep your bike safe and roadworthy. There’s lots more to come!

On the road again: Other happenings in the community

A cycling trip to KL saw the group taking on an epic ride, followed by serious recovery mode.

ANZA Cycling
After battling the ‘Durian Tourist’ traffic, it was KL here we come!

When the land crossing between Malaysia and Singapore opened up again a few months back, it was game on for ANZA Cycling club trips. Andrew Cherriman, the Vice President at the time and a trip organising veteran for the club, was flexing his skills to get ANZA Cycling members across the border and into Kuala Lumpur (KL) for the first long-awaited club trip since the pandemic.

Getting eighteen cyclists (plus some partners), bikes, kit and luggage into a bus and onwards to Malaysia was no small feat. Participants met up at the designated area on the Friday afternoon to get a head start on the ‘Durian Tourist’ traffic heading the same way for a bumper harvest season.

The long commute into KL was largely uneventful, only hitting mild traffic as we made our way to the Dorsett Hotel to get a good night’s kip before two days of solid riding. Saturday saw the cyclists taking on a mammoth 140km ride with 1,800m of climbing along the windy roads of Genting Sempah and Colmar, before turning back to take on Janda Baik on the return. Let’s just say, it was a good thing we had Hafiz in a support car who took really good care of everyone.

ANZA Cycling
ANZA Cycling contemplating
recovery mode

Sunday’s ‘recovery’ ride, if you would call it that, was half the distance and climbing of the previous day, along the quiet roads of Ampang. The two days of climbing was sufficient to knock out and silence a few participants who went into recovery mode whilst commuting back to Singapore on Sunday on the bus. It was a short trip, but definitely well worth doing if you haven’t done it before.

Hotspots: Tanglin Cookhouse

ANZA Members who have lived in Singapore for a long time will probably have warm memories of British colonial-style cuisine with its Indian influences, often prepared by deft Hainanese cooks who worked for British army personnel. These memories can now be brought to life at Tanglin Cookhouse which opened in April this year at Tanglin Mall.

Open daily, a relaxing breakfast can be enjoyed – try Welsh rarebit with its generous cheesy spread – lunch or tea time with friends, and family or business dinners. Bread and pastries are baked daily, adding to the welcoming touch of a traditional cookhouse.

Classic colonial signature dishes include delightfully spicy mulligatawny soup, ubiquitous Hainan pork chop with its crisp coating and fragrant sauce, and the iconic tender lamb shank tikka masala in its creamy sauce, served with Basmati rice. To finish, sticky toffee pudding appeals, as does comforting strawberry and rhubarb crumble.

Tiered stands hold freshly baked scones and petit fours, complemented by refreshing tea or coffee, with friendly service in an old-yet-modern setting, reminiscent of days of yore.

Tipples are plentiful, including a pleasing selection of gin including London Dry and Singapore’s own Brass Lion Gin, among other pick-me-ups.

VERDICT: Take a well-deserved break, step back in time and appreciate creative dishes reflective of Singapore’s not-so-distant history.

Tanglin Cookhouse

163 Tanglin Road

#01-106 Tanglin Mall

Singapore 247933

Telephone 62359382

Photograph courtesy Creative Eateries.

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