GOASIAPLUS November 2016

NOVEMBER 2016 | ISSUE 6 

WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM 

THE SABAH ROAD TRIP: 

Discovering 

Kudat 

Best Brunch Eateries in 

KOTA KINABALU 

Uncover the 

Japanese Alps in 

NAGANO

24 

Doodle up: 

The Local 

Stationery 

Scene 

06 

Editor’s Note 

08 

On The Radar 

11 

Out & About 

14 

FYI: Surviving 

Long Flights 

Contents 

12 

Now 

Boarding 

16 

Road Trippin’ 

Around Sabah 

28 

The Suitcase 

32 

Food Files: Brunch 

in Kota Kinabalu 

34 

Essential Connections 

22 

Bucket List 

23 

Road Less Taken: 

Nagano 

29 

Thai Temptations 

4 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM

COVER PHOTO BY AISHAH AZALI 

EDITORIAL TEAM 

GROUP HEAD & BRANDS 

JOHN SO 

EDITOR 

AISHAH AZALI 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

AYUMI SWEED 

CONTRIBUTORS 

VIVIAN TAN, AJA NG 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

AISHAH AZALI 

DIGITAL TEAM 

CONTENT 

AISHAH AZALI & AYUMI SWEED 

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES 

AISHAH@PCOMASIA.COM 

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER 

ZOE GOH 

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 

JAZLYN YAP 

+6017–9706080 

JAZLYN@PCOMASIA.COM 

COMMERCIAL & PARTNERSHIP 

JOHN SO 

JOHNSO@PCOMASIA.COM 

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EDITOR’s note 

Sunset at Tip of Borneo 

Our November issue explores my love of road trips (I make the 

best mixtapes) as my team drove across the diverse terrain of 

Sabah to be amazed by the mountain ranges, visit quaint little 

towns and pass by the random herd of cows. 

We toured the seaside village of Kudat, watched the sunset 

at Tip of Borneo and even sampled some delectable brunch 

options in Kota Kinabalu which you can read on our Food Files 

page. 

As a writer, I’m always searching for the cutest of notebooks 

to jot down my ideas and interviews. So in this issue, discover 

some of KL’s coolest stationery brands that create notebooks 

with pictures of furry animals on them. Bunnies and bulldogs! 

Lots of love, 

Aishah Azali 

Editor 

Spending a night at the longhouse 

WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 7

On The Radar 

ON THE RADAR 

First One-Stop Tour Centre & 

Lounge at klia2 

Wawasan Sutera Travel and Tours is a one-stop tour booking station 

and lounge in klia2 to ease the bookings for travellers. It also acts as 

a 24-hour lounge for customers that book tours and services through 

them with facilities like WIFI and drinks. 

The tourist centre of Wawasan Sutera Travel and Tours is the place 

to book hotels, transportation to various locations around town and 

even offers a pickup service for people that can’t make it to pick up 

their loved ones at the airport. This first lounge and tourist centre in 

klia2 is a reliable stop for tourist all around to discover the beauty of 

Malaysia. 

www.facebook.com/WawasanSuteraTravelTours 

Sony Launches 4K 

Action Cam 

Now travellers can own an action camera that provides beautiful 

4K clarity without worrying about jumpy videos thanks to the latest 

Balanced Optical SteadyShot (B.O.SS) image stabilisation. It can be 

mounted on bicycles and car dashboards or even handheld using the 

Finger Grip accessory. The body is splash-proof but for underwater 

recordings, supply it with a fully waterproof underwater housing that 

works down to 60 meters. 

www.mysony.com.my 


On The Radar 

Home Security with Panasonic 

Smart Home 

Check out our latest events 

& news on goasiaplus.com! 

Panasonic Smart Home range provides an easy and 

reliable solution for home safety that is just a click 

away. If you are new to the range, the Home Safety 

Starter Kit is the way to go. Accessories include the 

Smart Hub which is the heart of the system that 

connects to all other home devices. Then there are the 

door and window sensors that can be set to send alerts 

to your smartphone or to trigger the alarm. While the 

motion sensors can activate alarms or cameras. 

Other devices that can be added include the outdoor 

and indoor cameras that have 300m range connectivity. 

All the accessories communicate with each other using 

a DECT Ultra Low Energy (ULE) wireless standard that 

is undetectable by other regular consumer products 

and not easily hackable. Without the need to pay for 

monthly security fees, the Panasonic Smart Home can 

make your abode safer and more efficient without 

breaking the bank. 

The exclusive distributor for the Panasonic Smart Home range is Tamico Bell (www.tamicobell.com) 

www.panasonic.com/my 

Swedish Wireless Earphones 

Trusts the Swedes to come up with 

an elegantly designed earphone 

that is light and best of all 

of wireless. The Wireless 

Vasa Blå by Sudio is the 

next best earphone that 

blends quality sound with 

an ingenious design that 

avoids entanglement. 

This 14-gram masterpiece 

connects via Bluetooth and 

has an 8-hour battery life that 

you can keep in a matching 

leather case. 

www.sudiosweden.com 


On The Radar 

Japanese 

Cuisine in Edo 

Period Interior 

Taste the best of Japanese 

cuisine set in a restaurant that 

showcases the culture and art 

of the Edo Period at Itamae 

Sushi Edo. The restaurant is 

located at Akasaka-mitsuke in 

Tokyo and is modelled after 

the sajiki-seki box seating in a 

Kabuki theater that will make 

you feel like you have travelled 

back in time. One can enjoy 

watching a live performance 

where Itamae chefs prepare 

your meal before your very 

eyes, using the food and 

cooking style of your choice. 

www.facebook.com/ 

itamaesushi 

The Mythical Fragrance 

of Amouage 

World’s Largest Indoor 

Theme Park Opens in Dubai 

IMG Worlds of Adventure is taking indoor theme parks 

to another level with various thrill rides for adults and 

kiddy rides for the young ones. It features four exciting 

zones which are MARVEL, Cartoon Network, Lost 

Valley - Dinosaur Adventure and IMG Boulevard. 

Spider-Man Doc Ock’s Revenge spinning coaster 

propels its riders to save New York or ride to help the 

Powerpuff Girls in Mojo Jojo’s Robot Rampage. Besides 

the rides, visitors can enjoy up 28 F&B offerings, 25 

retail outlets and even an 12 screen state-of-the-art 

multiplex with an IMAX screen. 

www.imgworlds.com 

Amouage’s latest bottles of redolence for both men 

and women channel the feeling of being in a dreamlike 

state through the sense of smell. Myths of Man 

explores the scents of chrysanthemum, orris and the 

heart of a rose. While the Myths for Woman paints a 

floral note with the blending of the narcissus flower and 

carnation with the sultriness of patchouli. 

www.amouage.com 


Out & About 

OUT & ABOUT 

The hottest & most anticipated events of the month in Malaysia and beyond 

3 - 5 NOV | One 

Thousand Million Smiles 

KLPAC, Kuala Lumpur 

A musical tribute 

to one of Asia’s 

most beloved 

entertainers, 

Sudirman, 

the musical is 

directed by Dato 

Faridah Merican 

with popular 

performers like 

Aaron Teoh, 

Dasha Logan and 

Tria Aziz singing 

his classic tunes. 

The singers will 

be backed by a 

5 piece band a 

full orchestra for 

some drama and 

showmanship. 

25 - 27 NOV | Melaka Art 

& Performance Festival 

(MAPFest) 

Catch over 40 world-class artists from 10 

countries showcase their internationally 

recognised works at St. Paul’s Hill to paint the 

skyline of Melaka with multi-disciplinary art 

displays like contemporary dances, visual arts, 

multimedia arts, paintings and video arts, just 

to name a few. All events and performances 

during the festival is free admission. 

St Paul’s Hill, Melaka 

Across The Pond 

Check out our latest events 

& news on goasiaplus.com! 

19 NOV - 7 DEC | Fall 

Evening Illuminations 

Head on over to Rikugien Gardens 

in Tokyo for a light display of epic 

proportions at one of Tokyo’s most 

revered parks. The garden is the 

most popular daimyo lord garden 

from the Edo Period and will be 

illuminated for a stunning sight as 

the autumn leaves come to life. 

Rikugien Gardens, Bunkyo-ku, Japan 

26 - 27 Nov | 

Neon Lights Festival 

This festival in Singapore features a 

star studded international musical 

line-up like Sigur Ros, Yuna and 

Shura while featuring a slew of 

electronica favourites like Mad 

Professor and Chairlift. The 2-day 

festival will also serve up the 

unique experience called ‘silent 

disco’ for party goers in this massive 

celebration of music. 

Fort Channing Park, Singapore 

23 Nov - 4 Dec | 

27th Singapore 

International Film Festival 

The prestigious SIFF is back to 

regale cinephiles with the latest 

movies to keep an eye on in Asia 

as well as hosting various talks 

and masterclasses for all. Catch 

the screening of upcoming movies 

like the noir thriller Interchange 

by Malaysian filmmaker Dain 

Iskandar Said and A Yellow Bird by 

K. Rajagopal that premiered at the 

69th Cannes Film Festival. 


Now Boarding 

NOW BOARDING 

with 

KHOON HooI 


Now Boarding 

Khoon Hooi is a Malaysian 

fashion designer that has 

served our country proud 

by designing elegant and 

modern garments that 

garnered him recognition 

to participate in Paris 

Fashion Week for the past 

12 seasons. His signature 

embellishments with 

feathers and beads make his 

clothes a stand out and loved 

by fashionistas around. Here 

he talks about his favourite 

cities and what inspires his 

clothing collection. 

INTERVIEWED BY AISHAH AZALI · 

PHOTOS BY KHOON HOOI 

What’s a place that you’ve 

been to and would highly 

recommend to friends? 

New York. 

Your collections are known 

for standout details like 

feathers and beading, explain 

to us about your fascination 

for details on clothes? 

Details on a garment is what 

make people fall in love with it. It 

can be a beautiful embellishment, 

but it can also be a simple button 

on somewhere special that will 

grab your attention. 

Have you ever been inspired 

during your travels and translated 

them into your designs? 

Yes, I get inspired everywhere I go, 

I’m mostly inspired by the achitecture 

of the country I travel to. 

When you are on holiday, 

do you prefer sightseeing or 

lounging around relaxing? 

Both, I don’t enjoy rushing to many 

sightseeing spots in one day, so I 

balance up my traveling schedule 

with enough time to relax and 

enjoy sightseeing. 

“Yes, I get 

inspired 

everywhere 

I go, I’m 

mostly 

inspired 

by the 

architecture 

of the 

country I 

travel to.” 

If you had to live 

anywhere outside 

of Malaysia, where 

would it be? 

Paris. 

Name a country 

that fascinates you 

and that you wish 

to visit one day? 

Cuba. 

If you had to design a 

collection using only colour, 

what colour would that be? 

White. 

Do you recall 

your first time 

in an airplane? 

I was 21. On 

my way for a 

business trip in 

Hong Kong. 

Who is the 

best person to 

travel with? 

My best friend. 

What is the 

first thing you 

pack when you 

are going for 

travels? 

Pyjamas. 


FYI 

THERE’S A PRICE TO PAY WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING TO YOUR DREAM DESTINATION 

- A LONG-HAUL FLIGHT. JUST THINKING ABOUT IT CAN GET YOU RESTLESS! INSTEAD OF 

DREADING THE FLIGHT, READ UP ON THESE SIX TIPS, SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE. 

WORDS BY VIVIAN TAN · PHOTOS BY ISTOCKPHOTO 

“Travelling in 

comfort beats 

travelling in 

style” 

UPGRADE 

Paying for an upgrade to business class 

can burn a hole in the wallet for many of 

us. Remember those frequent flier miles 

you have been patiently saving up? 

Now is the time to make use of them! 

The perks of flying business class are so 

great that you would actually be excited 

for your flight. Feel like a king or queen 

with their impeccable service, the 

flight attendants will attempt to meet 

your every need to keep you happy. 

You do not have to worry about having 

sufficient legroom either, your seat will 

serve as a bed! 

COMFORT GEAR 

Travelling in comfort beats travelling in style. 

You would want to pick clothing that is 

comfortable to sleep in and does not restrict 

your movement. The temperature in the 

aircraft can get cold, so slip into something 

snug that will keep you warm, like a hoodie 

and track pants. In case you encounter some 

difficulties falling asleep, pack an eye mask, a 

pair of earplugs and neck pillow. 


FYI 

WORK & PLAY 

There is no better time 

than to get stuck into 

some neglected work. It 

definitely is not advisable 

to be a workaholic on your 

holiday, however when 

you are on a flight, this is the time where 

you have lots of time to kill and no calls or 

emails to answer to. You can finally 

be productive! If you are not feeling 

up for work, take out that novel 

you have been meaning to read 

or perhaps spend some time on a 

crossword puzzle or sudoku. Plug in 

your earphones and time will fly (pun 

not intended). 

“Many people get 

frustrated when 

trying to find the 

right position to 

sleep” 

EAT RIGHT 

Airplane food 

is known to be 

bland. Choose the 

right meals and 

you will find that 

not only is your 

appetite boosted, but also your mood! 

When picking your inflight meals, choose 

something rich in flavour such as curry 

or spices. Dishes with lemon, mustard or 

vinegar are a great pick-me-up as well. 

Avoid dishes like pasta or rice as they can 

get mushy and dull especially when they 

have gone cold. Enjoy a glass or two of 

red wine or a cocktail like a Bloody Mary, 

it’ll help to bring out the flavours of your 

food. Remember to steer clear of anything 

that is known to upset your stomach or 

that you are allergic to. 

SEAT GUIDE 

Use SeatGuru (www.seatguru.com) to 

help you pick the perfect seat. Everyone 

has different preferences - some prefer 

aisle seats while some prefer snuggling 

up against the window. SeatGuru will 

conveniently and efficiently give you 

a detailed seating chart of your flight. 

They will also advise you which seats 

have more legroom by using a colour chart. Other 

tips such as which seats are closer to restrooms 

or which may have more noise traffic are also 

available to help you make your decision. 

SLEEP WISELY 

If you did not have the chance to upgrade your flight 

and you are stuck with the tight economy seats, 

make sure you sleep in a good position. Many people 

get frustrated when trying to find the right position 

to sleep in and end up resulting in folding over and 

resting on the foldable table. This is something you 

should definitely avoid as it puts more pressure on 

your back bone, causing a strain which will lead 

to back pains. If you have a pillow or 

blanket, pop it in the gap between 

your lower back and your seat. 

This will help give you support 

and you will feel more rested in 

the long run. 


16 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM 

Road Trippin’

Road Trippin’ Around Sabah 

Around Sabah 

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS SHOT USING OLYMPUS PEN E-PL8 

hen it comes to the lush countryside, there is nothing 

like renting a car and driving across the open road to 

parts unknown. We drove around the northern side 

of Sabah for a cultural and beach adventure across 

the beautiful state they call ‘The Land Below The 

Wind’. Sabah is more than just its national parks and 

the lovely town of Kota Kinabalu, it is a cultural state 

with unknown parts just waiting to be explored. From 

KK International Airport, we decided to rent a car and 

Whead north to see what surprises lie ahead. 



The town of 

Kudat is a 

fishing village 

located 190 

kilometers 

north of KK 

which is home 

to the Rungus 

tribe of Sabah. 

It used to be 

a settlement 

for the British 

North Borneo 

Chartered 

Company 

but now is a 

quaint town 

by the sea for 

those seeking 

to experience 

fresh seafood 

and the 

charms of 

provincial 

Sabah life. 

SHARE YOUR 

TRAVEL PHOTO 

ON INSTAGRAM 

& GET A FREE TRAVEL KIT 

#goasiaplus 

Clockwise: The brass gongs made by the Sumangkap people, Beaded souvenirs available at the bee farm, The interior of 

the longhouse made from various natural wood 

Meeting the Rungus People 

In the Kudat district, there are several kampungs with traditional 

longhouses that offer accommodation to travellers seeking to stay 

in these traditionally-made abodes. Kampung Bavanggazo offers 

two lodging options which are Maranjak Lodge or the Bavanggazo 

Longhouse located just past the town of Sikuati. 

We experienced the culture and food of the Rungus people during 

our stay in the longhouse. The young ones performed their 

traditional dance called magigol sumundai with graceful hands and 

perfect synchronization wearing colourful beaded attire synonymous 

with their tribe. The family cooked authentic dishes from wild jungle 

vegetables like fern and banana blossom with a humble breakfast of 

battered fried tapioca and bananas. 

Nearby the kampung, we visited Kampung Gombizau where the 

people harvest honey. For a fee of RM5, get up close and scarily 

personal with the bees as the tour guide opens one of the many 

‘honey bee hotels’ to show a frame filled with bees and honeycomb. 

Don’t worry, they use smoke from burning coconut husk to 

temporarily disorient the bees. A tip is to stand relatively still and 

avoid swatting. 

Kampung Sumangkap on the other hand, is a kampung where its 

villagers pass down the art of making gongs. It is a hard trade to 

learn as these gong masters physically mold these gongs using 

mallets to the desired shape and most importantly sound. We even 

bought a miniature one as a souvenir for RM10. 


The frame housing the 

bees, their honeycomb 

and larvae


“The Tip of Borneo is a 

gorgeous place at the 

apex of Borneo where 

waves crash on the 

rocks below” 

Journey to the 

Tip of Borneo 

Back on the road, we took a turn to 

Tanjung Simpang Mengayau or Tip of 

Borneo where the name explains it all, 

as it is at the edge of Borneo. Once we 

arrived, we were greeted with a long 

stretch of beach with white sand and 

some pretty vigorous waves. Their 

waves are not Hawaii level but high 

enough for a light surf. Surfboards 

for rent are available and even surfing 

lessons if you have never surfed the 

waters. 

From top: The 

crashing waves of 

the Tip of Borneo, 

The sunset at 

6pm, One of the 

many cows by 

the paddy field 

countryside 

Eateries are pretty limited here 

where the ones we found include the 

Merrimas Restaurant in Merrimas 

Villa and Tip Top Restaurant. 

Accommodation wise, the ones you can 

find online are Merrimas Villa, Tommy’s 

Place and Tampat Do Aman. But there 

are smaller chalets like Borneo Tip 

Beach Lodge and Simpang Mengayau 

Chalet. 

The Tip of Borneo is a gorgeous place 

at the apex of Borneo where waves 

crash on the rocks below. Try catching 

the sunset and be amazed by the array 

of colours painting the sky as the sun 

drowns into the horizon. 



From top: The 

jetty at Esplanade 

Sidek, the wet 

buttered prawns, 

the many fruits 

sold at Kota 

Merudu 

The Town of Kudat 

This sleepy town by the sea is pretty 

small but the seafood sold at Esplanade 

Sidek is a must-try and the price is a 

fraction of what is sold in KK. We dined at 

the humble Kasilasa Floating Restaurant 

where the seafood price is based on 

weight. 

Choose between the variety of ways 

of cooking like sweet or sour, battered 

fried and our favourite butter sauce. 

The beautiful part of the town is that 

mosques, temples and churches are 

located close to each other signifying 

a sort of unified township despite the 

practicing of different religions. 

“This sleepy town by 

the sea is pretty small 

but the seafood sold at 

Esplanade Sidek is a 

must-try” 

If you are driving up to Kudat yourself, 

make sure to have enough petrol as the 

last town to have a major petrol station 

is Kota Belud. The next stop to pump 

gas is at the last town of Kudat which is 

roughly 130km away. 

1Stop 

2 

by the many stalls on the side 

of the highway just before entering 

Kota Merudu where they sell fire 

roasted sweet corn on the cob and 

fruits like bananas and rambutans. 

3The Kota Belud township is home to 

sprawling paddy fields and mountain 

ranges in the distance so do not doze 

off and miss the chance to view the 

mountainous countryside of Sabah. 

4 

Note that longhouse 

accommodations are pretty basic 

with no fan, a simple mattress and 

mosquito net over it to deflect 

from those pesky buzzers. 

Our rough expenditure 

KK & Kudat | 4 days & 3 nights for 2 people 

Accommodations - RM505 

Car rental – RM710 

Petrol – RM80 

Return flights – RM490 

Seafood - RM110 


Bucket List 

Phong Nha-Ke Bang 

National Park 

Quang Binh Province, Vietnam 

The forests here are known to 

have the richest biodiversity in 

all of Vietnam and is listed as a 

UNESCO World Natural Heritage 

Site thanks to the limestone caves 

and underground rivers. It is home 

to one of the most outstanding 

limestone karst ecosystems in 

the world that are more than 400 

million years old. Take a boat ride 

through the dark yet beautiful 

underground rivers that flow 

through limestone caves and be 

ready to be blown away. 

www.phongnhakebang.vn 

Going 

Wild 

at 

National 

Parks 

Asia has a treasure trove 

of national parks that come 

with the best lush jungles 

and ancient caves that 

Mother Nature has to offer. 

So take a ride on the wild 

side as we entice you into a 

nature holiday to melt the 

stress away. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · 

PHOTOS BY GETTY 

Gunung Mulu 

National Park 

Sarawak, Malaysia 

Trek through various caves like 

Lagang and Clearwater Cave filled 

with protruding stalagmites and 

flying bats for a creepy adventure 

that is close to Batman’s origin as 

you’ll ever get. A treat is to take a 

2-night hike to The Pinnacles which 

are a bunch of 45m limestone spikes 

jutting out from the vegetation 

where climbers aim for the peak 

to catch a breathtaking view of 

the surrounding jungle. Or follow 

the trail and walk along Paku river 

that leads to the dainty yet equally 

stunning Paku Waterfall. 

www.mulupark.com 


Road Less Taken is a collaboration with AirAsiaGo. 

Check out airasiago.com.my for flight & hotel deals! 

Road Less Taken 

Nagano 

Prefecture, 

Japan 

With sprawling mountains 

and home to the Japanese 

Alps, Nagano is an 

untouched part of Japan 

that will make you one with 

its ancient culture as well as 

the nature surrounding it. 

The capital is Nagano city 

located in the northern 

part of Nagano Prefecture. 

However, we are exploring 

Nagano across a couple of 

districts to give you a good 

package adventure in this 

nature-filled state. 

WHAT TO DO 

SHIMOTAKAI - Onsen or hot 

springs are big in Nagano and come 

in many odd colours like milky white 

sulphur onsens and orange-red iron 

ones. Jigokudani Monkey Park is 

a place where you can see snow 

monkeys bathe in the onsen but 

if you want to take a dip as well, 

try the Shibu Onsen hot spring in 

Yamanouchi town next door. 

For snow sports enthusiasts, Nozawa 

Onsen Village is known to be the 

birthplace of Japanese skiing and is 

home to numerous ski resorts thanks 

to its diverse terrain. Besides hitting 

the slopes, Nozawa Onsen Village 

blends traditional Japanese provincial 

life with extreme snow sports so you 

can get the best of both worlds. 

CHINO - Act out your best ‘Sound 

of Music’ portrayal in the lush green 

hills of Kurumayama Highlands where 

fields of flowers grow in vivid colours. 

There is a sort of ski lift ( but with no 

snow) to take you up the hill where 

you can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji 

in the distance. 

SHIOJIRI - Enjoy a preserved Edoperiod 

town at Naraijuku to take 

you back to the olden days of Japan. 

It is located at the foot of the Torii 

Mountain Pass which is quite a climb 

but the destination is worth it as 

you relax in places like Nakamura 

Residence which is a preserved Edo 

period town house and garden. 

WHERE TO STAY 

Museum goers can stay at Hotel 

Ambient Tateshina Cottage as the 

accommodation is close to the 

World Silhouette Museum and 

Shirakaba Highlands Museum. 

Enjoy Japanese style interior like 

tatami floors in a Western cottage. 

Try their hot springs and stay 

connected thanks to complimentary 

high-speed wireless internet. 

Chino city visitors can stay at Candeo 

Hotel close to scenic spots on top of 

mountains and volcanoes like Mount 

Yatsugatake. The facilities include a sky 

spa with an indoor and outdoor bath 

overlooking the snow-peak mountains. 

SHARE YOUR 

TRAVEL PHOTO 

ON INSTAGRAM 

& GET A FREE TRAVEL KIT 

#goasiaplus 


Stationery Scene 

Doodle Up: 

The Local 

Stationery 

Scene 

From journals to planners 

to pencil pouches, the 

artsy stationery scene 

of Malaysia is upping 

the ante with colourful 

designs and 

eco-friendly materials. 

Photos by Mossery, B’Nottee & Pebble Paper Design 

Text by Aishah Azali 



Mossery’s minimalist notebooks with thier signature name/word customisation in the 

front and its 3 brand creators 

MOSSERY 

Mossery’s philosophy is to 

inspire imaginative individuals 

to unleash their creativity and 

express originality. The team is 

based in Kuala Lumpur and have 

been around since 2001, having 

sold over 10,000 books in 80 

different countries. 

The personal touches are what make the notebooks from 

Mossery so cute and collectible. Request for your name 

or even your favourite quote to be printed on the cover in 

cool Sans Serif or curvy Brush Script. 

Design wise, there notebooks are adorned in everything 

from corgis to bunnies to the ombre colour effect that 

all exude sophistication. What we like is the fact that the 

notebooks come with front and back pockets to slip in the 

miscellaneous receipt or business card. Aim for their 2017 

planner notebook with a calendar and weekly planner page 

to keep yourself organize during the new year. 

www.mossery.co 



The Koi fish pencil case as well as the process of creating the washable craft paper; Above are the founder E-jie & Edmund 

B’Nottee 

Notebooks, folders, pencil 

cases and the cutest of 

pouches are their specialty 

that are especially handmade 

from washable craft paper. 

www.bnottee.com 

If one had to describe the brand, B’Nottee is advocating simplicity 

without sacrificing quality on top of being eco-friendly. The 

founders, Edmund and E-Jie are trained interior architects who 

have a passion for arts and crafts. 

Notebooks, folders, pencil cases and the cutest of pouches are their 

specialty that are especially handmade from washable craft paper. 

You know, the same stuff used to make your denim jean tags. The 

products are cut, hand-dyed and sewn together with a lot of heart 

and care to create the best when it comes to stationery. 

Their stand out product is definitely the traveller’s notebook covers 

using the same recycle washable craft paper but hand-dyed in vivid 

colours like coral orange and olive green. Get the slim one for your 

grocery list or go big with the A5 size to copy your lecture notes. 

The best part is that the inserts are refillable with options for blank, 

crafty or grid premium paper to get your doodle on. 

A good gift is the card wallet to store business cards and parking 

money that matches the colours of their notebooks. Or be a little 

whimsical with their Koi Fish Pencil Case where one can unzip the 

mouth to keep your pens and markers. 



The nature inspired planners of the brand in shades of autumn and spring 

PEBBLE PAPER 

DESIGN 

Their latest collection is the 

‘New Leaf’ which feature 

designs of the flower 

Nymphaea that is a symbol 

of rebirth across numerous 

cultures. 

Taking inspiration from nature and even the Orient for their pass 

collections, Pebble Paper Design injects an element of whimsical 

to their line of paper goods. It started in 2015 by classmates 

Rachel Chew and Anni Tai and since then, the brand has stock 

their products in places like Bali and Maldives while collaborating 

with brands like Shu Uemura and Pestle & Mortar. 

Their latest collection is the ‘New Leaf’ which feature designs 

of the flower Nymphaea that is a symbol of rebirth across 

numerous cultures, highlighting the theme of a new beginning. 

This coincides with a new beginning of Rachel’s journey as a 

solopreneur, even launching a new type of notebook, a planner. 

The hardcover planner is a 12-month yearless planner with 

180 pages, a great accessory to start of the new year and even 

a suitable present to give to friends for 2017. For the planner 

collection, Rachel works closely with print shop James Aries and 

local florist Jane (@dearJFlower) to produce these masterful 

pieces of stationery. 

www.pebblepaperdesign.com 


The Suitcase 

Shiseido Perfect UV 

Protector 

SPF 50+ PA++++ 

Shiseido’s popular 

sunscreen is now available 

for sensitive skin and is 

enhanced with WetForce 

technology where water or 

perspiration strengthens 

the protective veil. Bonus: 

It is safe for children. 

Price: RM159 

THE SUITCASE 

SPF is your Saviour 

Clarins BB 

Beauty 

Perfector 

SPF 30+ PA+++ 

Get the illusion 

of a perfect 

‘second skin 

morning glow’ 

that conceals 

imperfections 

while providing 

protection from 

the sun and 

environmental 

factors. 

Price: RM180 

When you basking in the sun during those 

sunny holidays, a nice tan is great but one 

must always be cautious with the effects 

of the sun. Luckily we have these SPF 

products to keep you protected, hydrated 

and flawless. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI 

FANCL Sunguard 

SPF 50+ PA++++ 

This formula offers three step 

protection where it prevents skin 

darkening by blocking UV rays, 

protects against photoaging and 

penetrates the skin for hydration. 

Price: SGD50 

Kanebo Full Radiance Foundation 

SPF 25 

Liquid foundations with SPF does 

double duty on your skin and Kanebo’s 

give you a lustrous veil with added 

radiance. Comes in 8 shades. 

Price: SGD82 


HAI 

TEMPTATIONS 

THE FOOD OF THAILAND IS RENOWNED THE WORLD OVER, REVERED FOR ITS BALANCE 

OF FLAVOURS AND INVIGORATING SPICINESS. BUT WHAT DO WE KNOW OF ITS DESSERTS 

BEYOND RESTAURANT STAPLES SUCH AS KHAO NEEO MAMUANG (MANGO WITH STICKY 

RICE) AND TUB TIM GROB (RED RUBIES IN COCONUT MILK)? HERE ARE SOME LESSER 

KNOWN THAI DESSERTS THAT ARE BOUND TO SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH. 

WRITTEN BY AJA NG · PHOTOS BY ISTOCKPHOTOS 

Woon Bai Toey 

Coconut Pandan Jelly 

Throughout Southeast Asia, pandan, or screwpine leaves are used to delicately flavor and 

fragrance; from dishes like Nasi Lemak and Pandan Fried Chicken, to desserts such as chiffon 

cakes, fruit salads and jellies. In the Thai kitchen, the use of pandan is particularly skilled, its 

delicate perfume permeating a myriad of dishes savoury and sweet. 

A refreshing, light treat, Woon Bai Toey comprises of firm layers of pandan 

and creamy coconut milk jellies, presented in small and intricate shapes 

such as flowers, all smaller than the palm of the hand. They are a 

treat not just on the palate but also on the eyes and a perfect 

dessert on a hot day! 

They can be easily made or bought at street 

vendors and markets across Thailand. 


Thai Desserts 

Luk Chup 

Fruit Shaped Desserts 

Cute, tiny and intricate, Luk Chup 

are miniature fruit-shaped desserts 

made of mung bean flour, coconut 

cream, sugar and clear gelatin. 

They are then painted with natural 

colourings. 

Harder to find because of the 

intricacy involved in making them, 

they are now presented at special 

occasions such as New Year’s, 

birthdays and other celebrations. 


Khao 

Tom Mud 

Steamed Banana & Sticky 

Rice Pudding 

Thai Desserts 

A humble dessert that is 

often enjoyed at home, 

Khao Tom Mud consists of 

glutinous rice, banana, sugar 

and coconut milk. The rice 

is first soaked, then mixed 

with the other ingredients, 

wrapped in banana leaves 

and steamed till cooked and 

tender. The result is comfort 

food that has been handed 

down through generations by 

Thai grandmothers to their 

grandkids; sweet, unctuous and 

fragrant. Making them is a skill 

handed down from the olden 

days, when they were prepared 

as after-meal sweetmeats for 

the King of Siam. 

Try Khao Tom at simple Thai 

restaurants, street stalls or 

secure yourself an invitation to 

a traditional Thai kitchen. 

Khanom 

Krok 

Griddled Coconut Pudding 

Sweet with a tinge of savoury, 

Khanom Kroks are a griddled hotcake 

made of coconut cream, grated 

coconut, rice and rice flour. There a 

two batters, one that forms the thin, 

crispy outer layer, while the second 

yields a moist custardy interior. These 

are then cooked in a cast iron pan 

before being served hot, plain or 

topped with corn, pumpkin, taro or 

spring onions. 

Khanom Krok can be bought at 

markets, street vendors and even 

hot off the boats at floating markets 

across Thailand. 


Food Files 

Brunching 

in Kota 

Kinabalu 

Kota Kinabalu or KK is a seaside town that is 

relaxed and filled with food joints to satisfy the 

tummy during the late mornings. We explore 

traditional and modern eateries in KK for those 

casual weekend brunch sessions that emulate 

this tranquil yet cultural town. 

WORDS & PHOTOS BY AISHAH AZALI 

Yuit Cheong 

Coffee Shop 

No 50, Jalan Pantai 

6am till 7pm 

Known as the oldest coffee shop in KK, 

this charming kopitiam sees all races 

converge for the love of food. They 

serve classic kopitiam drinks and of 

course, the toasted bread with a spread 

of kaya and butter or better known as 

roti kahwin. Another favourite of the 

locals is the satay where the meat is 

tender and fragrant that you can even 

eat it without the peanut sauce. We 

noticed that the locals dip their toasted 

bread into the peanut sauce, serving as 

an alternative to the nasi impit. 


Food Files 

NOOK CAFE 

No 8, Lorong Dewan 

9am till 11pm 

A modern take on brunch with 

delectable dishes like pesto pasta 

and pancakes, Nook is a quaint 

little coffee shop in an alley next to 

a hill. Their coffee is top notch and 

the selection of brunch favourites 

are the type of comfort food you 

want to nosh on a sunny Sunday. 

If you have room in your tummy to 

spare, there is nothing wrong with 

ordering a slice of cake. 

Clockwise: The Satay Jawi and roti kahwin from Yuit Cheong; Carrot cake and a cup of flat white; Assortment of kueh and nasi lemak 

Bits & Bites 

BG04, Wisma Merdeka, Jalan Tun Razak 

11.30am till 6pm 

The neighbourhood joint serves an 

impressive selection of traditional 

Malay and Chinese kueh in all 

shapes and colours, making it 

hard to choose just one to 

eat. Their leaf wrapped kueh 

like lepat pisang and kochi 

are splendid to snack on 

and it was a surprise to see 

Malaysia Chinese kueh like 

tepung gomak being sold 

there as well. Their packet nasi 

lemak sell like hot cakes every 

day thanks to it fragrant rice and 

almost sweet tasting sambal. 


ESSENTIAL 

CONNECTIONS 

KLIA 

Malaysia Airlines 

Tel Within Malaysia: 

1 300 88 3000 

Tel for Missing Luggage 

Office: +603 8776 3733 

www.malaysiaairlines.com 

All Nippon Airways 

Tel: +603 2032 1331 

www.ana.co.jp 

Air China 

Tel: +603 2166 1999 

www.airchina.com.cn 

Air France 

Tel: +603 7724 8181 

Tel for Missing Luggage: 

+603 8776 3733 

www.airfrance.com 

Air India Express 

Tel: +603 2072 6066 

www.airindiaexpress.com 

AIR MAURITIUS 

Tel: +603 21429161 

www.airmauritius.com 

Bangkok Airways 

Tel: +603 2148 0829 

www.bangkokair.com 

Biman Bangladesh Airlines 

Tel: +603 2164 6270 

www.biman–airlines.com 

British Airways 

Tel: +603 7712 4747 

www.britishairways.com 

Cathay Pacific 

Tel: +603 2035 2777 

www.cathaypacific.com 

China Airlines 

Tel: +603 2142 2383 

www.china–airlines.com 

China Southern Airlines 

Tel: +603 2163 9977 

www.csair.com 

Egypt Air 

Tel: +603 2145 6867 

www.egyptair.com 

Emirates 

Tel: +603 6207 4999 

www.emirates.com 

Ethiopian Airlines 

Tel: +603 9212 1819 

www.ethiopianairlines.com 

Etihad Airways 

Tel: +603 2687 2222 

www.etihad.com 

Eva Air 

Tel: +60321622981 

www.evaair.com 

Garuda Indonesia 

Tel: 0 8041 807 804 

www.garuda–indonesia.com 

Iran Air 

Tel: +603 2161 1351 

www.iranair.com 

Iraqi Airways 

Tel: +603 2053 1890 

www.iraqiairways.com.iq 

Japan Airlines 

Tel: 1800 81 5609 

www.my.jal.com 

KLM 

Tel: +603 7712 4555 

www.klm.com 

Korean Air 

Tel: +603 2030 0382 

www.koreanair.com 

Lion Air 

Tel: +603 7841 5333 

www.lionair.co.id 

Mahan Air 

Tel: +603 8778 8781 

www.mahan.aero 

Malindo Air 

Tel: +603 7841 5388 

www.malindoair.com 

Myanmar Airways 

International 

Tel: +603 2142 1199 (Agent) 

www.maiair.com 

Nepal Airlines 

Tel: +603 2698 7933 

www.nepalairlines.com.np 

Oman Air 

Tel: +603 2145 6123 

www.omanair.com 

Pakistan International 

Airlines 

Tel: 1800 80 8216 

www.piac.com.pk 

Qatar Airways 

Tel: +603 2118 6100 

www.qatarairways.com 

Regent Airways 

Tel: +603 2072 8255 

www.flyregent.com 

Royal Brunei Airlines 

Tel: +603 2070 7166 

www.flyroyalbrunei.com 

Saudia 

Tel: +603 2166 7778 

www.sausiairlines.com 

Shaheen Air 

Tel: +603 2181 5786 

www.shaheenair.com 

Silk Air 

Tel: +603 2618 6333 

www.silkair.com 

Singapore Airlines 

Tel: +603 2618 6333 

www.singaporeair.com 

Sri Lankan Airlines 

Tel: +603 2168 3615 

www.srilankan.com 

Thai Airways 

Tel: +603 2034 6888 

www.thaiairways.com 

Turkish Airlines 

Tel: +603 2162 0849 

www.turkishairlines.com 

United Airways 

Tel: +603 2031 4050 

www.uabdl.com 

Vietnam Airlines 

Tel: +603 2031 1666 

www.vietnamairlines.com 

Xiamen Air 

Tel: +603 2166 8222 

www.xiamenair.com 

Vietjet Air 

www.vietjetair.com 

klia2 

Air Asia 

www.airasia.com 

Air Asia X 

www.airasia.com 

Cebu Pacific 

www.cebupacificair.com 

Jetstar Asia Airways 

www.jetstar.com 

TigerAir 

www.tigerair.com 

TERMINALS 

KLIA 

Tel: +603 8776 2000 

klia 2 

Tel: +603 8778 5500 

www.klia.com.my 

Subang Skypark 

Tel: +603 7845 1717 

www.subangskypark.com 

Kuala Lumpur Sentral 

Tel: +603 2786 8080

GOASIAPLUS November 2016

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