Author: jackyyapp

Singapore: Asia’s Monte Carlo

Singapore is fast becoming the Monte Carlo of Asia and is often similarly described as the playground for the rich. Just 684 square kilometers in size, Singapore is the smallest country in Southeast Asia and at a mere 2 square kilometers, Monaco is also punching well above its weight. The Asian country shares many characteristics of its European counterpart.

Singapore can boast a low crime rate, a green environment, and an enviable public transportation system. It is considered a great place to live (and in both countries, the life expectancy is over 85 years) as well as work and play, a description that is also attributed to Monaco.

In the 1970s, the Singapore Tourism Board started marketing the city as a venue for conventions and other organized events to increase occupancy rates. Eventually, occupancy rose as high as 90%, as a result. Singapore’s manufacturing sector is dwindling, but the services industries, which have been encouraged to thrive, have continued to create jobs. The World Bank has dubbed it one of the world’s “easiest places to do business” as there is high transparency, reliability, and a pro-business government. Singapore also increased its attractions within the last 10 years to include a Universal Studios theme park, gaming establishments, and the famed Singapore Flyer, a huge Ferris wheel experience with air-conditioned pods.

Singapore also enjoys a thriving street racing industry. The Marina Bay Street Circuit even closely resembles Monaco, drivers claim, so enthusiasts compete on a stage that feels right at home. The Singapore Grand Prix is Formula One racing’s original night race, run on a 5.073-kilometer street track through the city’s heart. The race is held at night to avoid the blistering temperatures of the day.

Singapore, like Monte Carlo, is also famous for its food festivals like the month-long food festival that was born in 1994 and is now an annual event organized by the Singapore Tourism Board. International chefs travel from all over the world to showcase delightful food to suit every palette. Clearly, Singapore is seeking to wrest that title of Image Credit: Wikimedia[/caption]

Singapore also possesses a unique and diverse culture that will help attract the adventurous food lovers to its shores. Modern Singaporean culture (mod-Sin) merges with contemporary dining and is enriched by the Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Western influences.

The safety and cleanliness of the country are comparable to Monte Carlo. Spitting in the street and chewing gum are unheard of. Green spaces are also being created in Singapore, and the country received its first sought-after UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the botanic gardens and

Orchard Central’s “All Things Japanese” Festival Is Bringing Japanese Food And Culture Under One Roof

For the whole month of October (7 Oct – 6 Nov), Orchard Central is going all out to celebrate Japanese culture. Hosting All Things Japanese @ OC 2016, Orchard Central wants you to get into the festivities as well!

If you’ve not noticed, Orchard Central is somewhat of a “Little Japan”, and is home to several Japanese food outlets and retail shops. From an all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet to a Pompompurin themed cafe, Orchard Central is the perfect place for a Japan-lover to spend their weekends.

We’ve compiled a list of these particular shops, and what you can look forward to when visiting them!

1. UNIQLO (Global Flagship store)

TOKYU HANDS offers day-to-day necessities as well as creative and unique knick-knacks. From colourful stationery to beauty treats from well-known Japanese labels, TOKYU HANDS is the one-stop shop for all your must-haves!

A great place to pick up gifts, especially now that Christmas is around the corner. Check out some interesting products we’ve found at TOKYU HANDS!

Getting a gift for a friend who loves having friends over for dinner? Get the Nigiri Sushi Tong, picking up sushi just a whole lot easier. Never waste fallen pieces of sushi again!

If you haven’t got a green thumb but you still love the idea of miniature plants around the house, Ceraphyto makes sure that your plant gets the water it needs. Without having to lift a finger, your miniature plant will thrive and brighten up your room!

Want to try creating your own Bingsu? Good news for you, TOKYU HANDS has Yuki Yuki ice shavers for you to create icy desserts in the comfort of your own home!

3. Kiseki Japanese Buffet

Absolutely value for money and quality food Kiseki Japanese Buffet serves up all your Japanese favourites at an amazing $19.80++ for weekday lunch!

Head on down to Kiseki Japanese Buffet this month to experience their newest promotion, Mighty Taste of Autumn. Serving up both traditional and Singapore inspired fusion dishes, look out for the Salted Egg Tempura Maki, Salted Egg Seafood Pizza and the Pork Paitan Herbal Hot Pot! Bursting with flavor, The Mighty Taste of Autumn is available until 31 October 2016!

Kiseki Japanese Buffet
Orchard Central
#08-01/02/03,
Contact: 6736 1216/9626 7767 (SMS)

4. POMPOMPURIN Café

Looking for a dish that is bound to fill your appetite? The Coconut Milk Chicken Curry is the perfect dish for you! A warm and hearty dish accompanied with a mix of veggies, this dish is the perfectly balanced meal.

Newly-opened En Sakaba offers traditional Japanese dining and a casual spot to catch up with friends over drinks.

With a wide array of tapas, sake and cocktails, this is the perfect spot to unwind after a stressful day at work.

Their speciality here? The Jumbo Hotate Yaki and Zuwai Kani Kourayaki are the favourites at this casual dining spot.

En Sakaba
Orchard Central
#01-06
Contact: 6634 1018

6. Supermama –Pop-Up Store (Level 1)

One thing to look out for at OC this month is the Supermama Popup Store. Not your ordinary run-of-the-mill popup store, Supermama collaborates with local artists and traditional craft facilities in Japan to create Japanese-influenced contemporary giftware.

Kyoto-to Embroidery Purses

Look out for Kyoto-to’s embroidery purses. Fusing both traditional and contemporary sides of Japan, Kyoto-to explores new ways of promoting Japan’s culture and tradition through its embroidery designs.

Spend $100* at Orchard Central and you’ll be rewarded with a HAKOYA bento box!

A new design will be released each week, collect the remaining designs of this unique bento boxes that will brighten/cheer up your meal times!

*Terms & Conditions apply. While stocks last.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your family and friends and head on down to Orchard Central to join in the festivities!

Orchard Central is located at 181 Orchard Road, S(238896).

Customer Service hotline: 6238 1051(opens daily from 11am to 10pm daily)

Follow them on FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM for more information.

Also Read: Top 5 Events You Cannot Miss: 17 October – 31 October

Free Diving In Singapore – How Long Can You Hold Your Breath Underwater?

A “free” diving course? This sounds too good to be true  – and it is. The “free” in free diving (or freediving) actually refers to diving without standard scuba gear. Instead of having an oxygen tank strapped to your back, free divers simply hold their breaths and explore the depths of the ocean with minimal equipment! Yes, it is actually possible!

One of our writers checked it out! Here is his experience:

This “minimal diving” concept appealed to the practical and penny-pinching side of me: diving with less scuba gear would mean that I get to save on equipment rental! While there might be some incentive in this, it was definitely not the main motivating factor that pushed me to try this elusive (and borderline sceptical) sport. 

Free Diving v.s. Yoga

It was my love for yoga – not the vast blue ocean or a burning passion for diving – that drew me to this sport. As I began to read up more on free diving, I became increasingly fascinated by the parallels between the two disciplines.

For example, proper breathing techniques are fundamental in both yoga and free diving. Body awareness is something yogis are always striving to improve on. This is also equally important to free divers who need to relax their muscles and hold their breaths underwater for a long period of time.

I would say that certain parts of my freediving experience were extremely similar to meditation in yoga.

[caption id="attachment_12448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Convinced that this sport has sufficiently piqued my interest, I signed up for a free diving course with Sitting through a lecture on safety procedures and free diving theories gave me shuddering flashbacks of my university days (just kidding). But it was interesting to learn more about the history of free diving. It was first practised by people who engaged in spearfishing!

[caption id="attachment_12495" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] While I did enjoy this almost meditative part of free diving, my buddy, a water polo player, did not share the same sentiments.

For one, I had difficulty controlling my buoyancy. I was either constantly hitting the floor of the pool, or bobbing up to the surface. As I swam deeper down the pool, the pressure build-up in my ears also began to hinder my movement.

Gradually, with some help from my instructor Bernard, I managed to overcome these obstacles and swam 50m by my final try.

Freediving in Open Waters

Though I did not get to dive in open waters on this half day course, I appreciated that we were able to undergo basic free diving training in a safe and controlled pool environment. I doubt I would push myself as hard or remained calm enough to work on my breathing techniques if we were to undergo training in choppy, open waters.

Now that I have completed the beginner course, I am more than ready to head out to the ocean and descend 15m underwater without any bulky scuba gear.

What a liberating experience it will be! Free diving may seem daunting at first, but it is definitely an activity that will push you out of your comfort zone. It also rewards you with a surreal underwater experience.

[caption id="attachment_12492" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Bounce Your Way To A Stronger Core And Toned Muscles – Trust Us, It’s SUPER Fun