GOASIAPLUS December 2016

DECEMBER 2016 | ISSUE 7 

WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM 

TOP ASIAN PLACES TO CELEBRATE 

FREE 

WRAPPING 

PAPER 

INSIDE 

Travel Talk with Badminton Olympic Medalist 

Goh Liu Ying 

*airport copies only 

JOURNEY ON 

Luxury Locomotion

Contents 

14 

24 

16 

18 

32 

08 

Editor’s Note 

16 26 

FYI: Travel Cameras 

Holiday Gift Guide 

10 

On The Radar 

18 

Christmas Destinations 

30 

The Suitcase 

13 

Out & About 

23 32 

Road Less Taken: 

Siargao Island 

KL Food Truck Scene 

14 24 

Now Boarding 

Bucket List: Luxury Trains 

4 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Layover? Delays? Tired? 

RELAX, REFRESH & RECHARGE IN COMFORT 

DAY ROOM 

Life's too short to spend waiting around a crowded airport, 

treat yourself to a Day Room 

@ Tune Hotel KLIA2 

How do I book a Day Room? 

Through our website at www.tunehotels.com 

or call us at: 

+60 (3) 2082 5777 

Monday - Friday: 9:00AM-9:00PM 

Public Holidays: 9:00AM-6:00PM 

Walk-in rates are also available and subject to 

availability. 

When are Day Rooms available? 

Tune Hotel KLIA2 offers the possibility to 

book day rooms for a stay period of up to six 

(6) hours between 8:00AM to 6:00PM. 

Is it possible to cancel the 

reservation? 

Other than change of guest name, all 

bookings cannot be amended, modified or 

cancelled. Any booking cancellation or failure 

to arrive on the scheduled check-in date will 

be treated as a no-show in respect of a 

booking and will result in the total payment 

under that Booking Confirmation (including 

any Add-on charges together with any 

applicable tax paid) non-refundable and will 

be forfeited. 

Find out more at 

www.tunehotels.com 

* Walk-in rates are also available, subject to availability. 

FROM 

RM 

SPECIAL OFFER 

129WITH A 

FREE MEAL 

Stay period of up to 6 hours 

between 8:00am - 6:00pm 

* Terms & Conditions Apply 

What is the earliest check-in time? 

The earliest time for check-in is 8:00AM. The 

room(s) is available for check-in at anytime 

during the booking period agreed with the 

Hotel and subject to the agreement entered 

between you and Tune Hotels. No refunds will 

be provided for the cancelled booking(s). 

What is the latest check-out time? 

Rooms are only available for a stay period of 

up to six (6) hours from your check-in time 

and date between 8:00AM to 6:00PM. The 

usage of the room shall be in accordance with 

your contract with Tune Hotels. If you 

check-out beyond the stipulated time at the 

Hotel of your stay, Tune Hotels shall be 

entitled to charge you for a full day’s stay at 

the prevailing room rate. 

Take a break during the day! For guests looking to escape the crowd, refresh or simply relax in 

comfort, our “Day Rooms” are the perfect solution for travellers with long layovers, transits or 

unexpected delays. Our 16 sqm Double Room comes with an en-suite bathroom, queen-sized 

bed and one (1) free meal at our bistro style restaurant The Glasshouse Cafe with outdoor patio. 

Day Rooms are only available for a stay period of up to six (6) hours 

between 8:00AM to 6:00PM. Walk-in rates are also available. 

These rates are reserved for Day Rooms (8:00AM-6:00PM) only and do not include an overnight 

stay. Extra charges apply. Please refer to the terms and conditions for further details. 

* Terms & conditions apply 

How do I claim my free meal 

and drink? 

The free meal and drink promotion is 

exclusive to online booking. Please present 

your booking ID at the reception counter to 

receive your voucher for a free meal and drink 

at The Glasshouse Cafe. 

* For more information, please refer to our full 

terms and conditions.

Check out our latest events 

& news on goasiaplus.com! 

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EDITOR’s note 

It is the end of the year and I can’t believe we just published the 

7th issue of GOASIAPLUS magazine. What a year indeed. 

Check out our piece on cool destinations to celebrate Christmas 

around Asia. Yes, Singapore is on the list but wait till you see how 

the Filipinos celebrate Christmas. Haven’t bought a present yet? 

Well our festive gift guide will give you some ideas. 

I fell in love with trains when I travelled through Vietnam in 

one so for our December issue, discover some luxurious train 

packages and find out more on how to celebrate New Years on 

the E&O Express across 3 countries. 

Till the New Year, I wish everyone happy holidays. Remember, it’s 

ok to stuff yourself with food. We’re Malaysians, the holidays are 

mainly about food anyway. 

Love, 

Aishah Azali 

Editor 

OCT PHOTO OF THE MONTH WINNER 

WHERE IS YOUR 

FAVOURITE 

PLACE TO EAT 

CHICKEN RICE? 

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARIA TONG HUAY LENG 

(IG: @HUAYLENG88) 

“A shot of the cool and quirky location of La Laguna in Bali. Travellers will 

be amazed by the spectacular view and the scrumptious food. Drop by 

early to beat the crowds and take some stunning pictures. Plus don’t forget 

to try out their fun nightlife thanks to the live music and clubs!” 

Follow us on Instagram: @goasiaplus #goasiaplus #photoofthemonth 

Be Our Food Ranger with #GAPeats & Your 

Photo Can Be Featured In Our Magazine! 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Look out for our food question of the month. 

Post a picture on Instagram of your favourite eating place 

based on our monthly question. 

Tag @goasiaplus and #GAPeats. 

Top posts will be featured on our magazine in our new 

column #GAPeats. 


On The Radar 

ON THE RADAR 

Christmas Feast at Premiere Hotel 

Celebrate this festive season with a glorious spread of food as Premiere Hotel offers a Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner and an 

International Hi-Tea Spread. Feast on holiday favourites like roast turkey, Christmas pudding and apple strudel cooked especially 

for the occasion while enjoying the sweet sound of carollers to lift up the spirit of Christmas. Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner will 

commence on the eve of Christmas starting from 6.30pm with a pricing of RM98 per adult. Hi-Tea is being served on Christmas day 

starting at 12noon with a pricing of RM78 per adult. 

www.premierehotel.com 

Rejuvenate at Tropical Spa, Premiere Hotel 

Get your spa on and 

relieve those tension aches 

by booking a session at 

Premiere Hotel’s very own 

Tropical Spa. Their festive 

deals are too good to be 

true with promotions like a 

one and half hour shoulder 

and foot massage worth 

RM58 or their relaxing 

Balinese therapy worth 

RM48. Why stop there? 

Indulge in the two and half 

hour scrub and milk bath 

package at the promo price 

of RM148. Call 03 3325 

6898 for more details. 

www.premierehotel.com 


On The Radar 

New Routes to 

Hue Via Vietjet 

Vietjet is expanding its flights 

to other regions of Vietnam like 

Hue and even opened another 

international route to Taipei city in 

Taiwan. Connecting through Noi Bai 

International Airport in Hanoi, both 

the route to Taipei and Hue will 

operate on a daily basis with a flight 

time of three hours to Taipei and 

one hour and 10 minutes to Hue. 

www.vietjet.com 

Johnnie Walker Island Green 

Now Available at KLIA 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Opens 

First Japan Boutique 

The sought after Island Green blend by Johnnie 

Walker is available for purchase at ERAMAN 

Duty-Free stores in KLIA and klia2. This new 

blend is set to transform the Scotch category, 

showcasing the same blended malt craftsmanship 

as Johnnie Walker Green Label but with a greater 

influence of smoky, maritime malt whisky. For the 

festive season, shoppers are entitled to 20% off 

with ever two bottle purchase. 

www.johnniewalker.com 

Ginza Namiki Street in Tokyo is 

now home to Japan’s first Jaeger- 

LeCoultre flagship store that 

covers 100 square-meters of space 

on a single floor. The boutique is 

devoted to timepieces from the 

Manufacture with a revamped 

interior design pervaded by a sense 

of discreet luxury. A special area is 

also reserved for Jaeger-LeCoultre 

watchmakers for repairs and 

maintenance. 

www.jaeger-lecoultre.com 

WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 11

On The Radar 

Niseko Village 

Gets An Upgrade 

To accommodate the 

abundance of visitors 

flocking to Niseko in the 

island of Hokkaido, YTL 

Hotel has upgraded by 

adding two state-of-the-art 

all season lifts and gondola 

to carry more skiers. 

They have also added a 

new 1.2km ski run that runs 

from The Green Leaf Niseko 

Village and Kasara Niseko 

Village Townhouse down 

the fall line of the mountain. 

Take advantage of the 

Powder Promise Offer at 

Kasara Niseko Village 

Townhouse with 

complimentary ski lessons 

and access to the resort’s 

onsen facilities. 

www.kasara.com/ 

nisekovillage.com 

The Scent of the 

French Countryside 

This holiday season, L’occitane took 

inspiration from the women of Arles 

(a town in the south of France) or 

Arlesienne in French who are elusive 

muses that dare to make a statement 

through the ribbons of their choice. 

Florals blend with the scent of white 

musk thanks to the fragrant plants 

like the rose of Grasse, the saffron 

of Provence and the violet leaf of 

Tourrettes-Sur-Loup. An added 

accessory is the unique purple and 

pink ribbon around the box that 

symbolises the muse of 

the perfume. 

my.loccitane.com 

Le Specs Luxe Metal Shades 

The Vagabond is the latest collection from 

Le Specs that is creating statement-making 

frames with an emphasis on modern 

details and technical materials. Durable 

ultra-lightweight frames act with the flat 

zero base lenses that give a futuristic feel, 

enhanced further by the contrasting blue 

and gold mirror lenses. The Cousteau is 

a take on the square aviator while the 

frameless Bodoozle gives new life to the 

classic oval shape. 

www.theWYLDshop.com 


Out & About 

OUT & ABOUT 

The hottest & most anticipated events of the month in 

Malaysia and beyond 

10 DEC | Johnson Lee & Friends 

Sing and laugh out loud as actor/ 

comedian Johnson Lee will 

serenade the crowd with some 

popular Cantopop hits then tickle your 

funny bone with his signature celebrity 

impersonations and stand-up comedy. He 

also brought some friends to liven up the 

show like Jacqueline Wong Sum Wing, Q 

Bobo and Bondy Chiu Hok Yee. 

Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting 

www.starplanet.com.my 

Johnson Lee & Friends 2016 is 

brought to you by Star Planet. 

Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting 

www.ticketcharge.com.my 

17 DEC | Peabo Bryson: 

Greatest Hits in Genting 

The man with the soulful voice 

that churned out R&B hits in 

the 80s and 90s will perform 

at Genting with two Grammy Award 

winning songstresses, Regina Belle 

and Deniece Williams. The man that 

brought you Disney hits like Beauty 

and the Beast as well as A Whole New 

World (with Regina Belle) will reignite 

the flames of love during this one night 

concert that cannot be missed. 

10 DEC | Bill Bailey: Larks 

in Transit 

One of UK’s beloved 

comedians and deemed by 

The Telegraph as ‘the brainiest 

comic of his generation’, Bill Bailey is 

touring South East Asia for his Larks 

in Transit tour where he cracks jokes 

about his travels. He shares two 

decades worth of experience as a 

comedian, infusing mundane topics 

like philosophy and the pursuit of 

happiness with his witty humour. 

The British International School of 

Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Utama 

www.ticketpro.com.my 

Across The Pond 

15 - 29 DEC | Cirque 

Adrenaline 

Head on over to Singapore 

this Christmas to 

experience a grand feast 

of daredevil thrills. Performed 

by Cirque Adrenaline’s troupe of 

over 30 performers, renowned 

worldwide for its theatrical flair 

and breath-taking acrobatic 

displays both on the ground and 

high above the stage. 

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 

www.MarinaBaySands.com/ticketing 


Now Boarding 

NOW BOARDING 

with 

GOH LIU YING 


Now Boarding 

Top: Goh Liu Ying with her mixed double partner, Chan Peng Soon during the 2016 Olympics in Rio. 

“With 

hardwork 

and 

dedication, 

I hope to 

become 

World 

Champion 

one day.” 

Our very own Olympic medalist in the sport of badminton 

has been making waves since her win in the 2016 

Olympic games in Rio. She and her mixed double partner 

made Malaysia proud by nabbing silver and have ranked 

as high as No 3 in the world ranking. She recently dabbled 

in a bit of acting in Asia Tropical Films’ latest movie 

Goodbye Mr Loser. Here we talked to Goh Liu Ying about 

her travels and her aspirations after the Olympics. 

INTERVIEWED BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY GETTY 

Where is the most exciting 

country badminton has 

taken you? 

I like Australia as the people 

there go all out to make you 

feel comfortable during your 

stay. Plus the weather is 

amazing. 

How do you stay relaxed 

during a long flight? 

I download my favourite talk 

show or sitcom and also bring 

along a novel for reading. I 

also walk around the plane 

for a good stretch when 

necessary. 

Outside of badminton, do 

you prefer comfort or style 

when it comes to what 

you wear? 

I prefer to wear something 

comfortable, mostly short 

pants because I seldom wear 

skirts or dresses. 

If you could go on a 

weekend holiday with a 

celebrity, who would it be? 

I don’t have anybody in mind. 

I actually prefer to travel with 

family and friends. 

What kind of food reminds 

you of home? Do you 

know how to cook it? 

Nasi lemak makes me think 

of Malaysia, though I do not 

know how to cook it. 

Do you remember your 

first overseas trip? Who 

did you go with? 

My first trip was to Thailand. 

I was 13 years old and I 

went there for a badminton 

tournament. 

What are your favourite 

skincare or makeup 

products that you 

frequently use to stay 

fresh and hydrated? 

I am currently using a few 

brands to find out which is 

more suitable for my skin. 

Do you bring back any 

type of souvenir for 

yourself if you visit a 

new country? 

I have this tradition of 

buying fridge magnets for 

myself in every country 

that I visit. 

You are already an Olympic 

medallist, what other 

achievements do you 

want to reach in badminton? 

With hardwork and 

dedication, I hope to 

become World Champion 

one day. 


FYI 

HAVE 

In 

this day and age, we don’t really need to bring 

a camera along when we travel because our 

smartphones can do the job. But somehow 

the quality and creative functions of our phones 

still cannot match those of regular cameras. And if 

the ability to shoot great quality photos is of utmost 

importance when you’re travelling, you know you can’t 

rely solely on your iPhone. 

But fret not. You don’t have to worry about lugging 

around a bulky DSLR with heavy lenses on your next 

trip to Bali or Hokkaido. There are much smaller and 

lighter cameras which are just as good as the DSLR. 

Here are three models to consider. 

WORDS & PHOTOS BY AZUL ADNAN 

CAMERA 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC H400 

This 20.1 MP compact (also known as a bridge) 

camera looks like a small DSLR, except that the lens 

is fixed to the body. But that’s not something to sniff 

at because the lens has a whopping 63x zoom, which 

is equivalent to 25-1550mm! If you were to take a 

picture of the moon, you could zoom in to see the 

footprints left by the astronauts in the 1960s (ok, 

maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration). 

The DSC H400 may look like a DSLR but it’s lighter, 

weighing around 650g, hence kinder on your 

shoulders. It has a nice large handgrip which provides 

a firm and comfortable hold. I had no problems 

shooting with one hand. 

Having manual controls on the dial on top will allow 

a more advanced photographer to be creative with 

his or her shots, like working with different aperture 

settings or using a slow shutter speed to achieve 

motion blur. 

The super zoom lens is a truly awesome feature to 

have, especially when you’re travelling. Imagine you’re 

a few kilometres away from an iconic structure like 

the Statue of Liberty or Big Ben. You simply zoom 

in the lens and you’re able to capture a close-up of 

people inside the crowd or the patterns on the clock 

face. This time it’s no exaggeration. 

To demonstrate the power of the DSC H400’s zoom, these two photos 

of KLCC were taken from the same location but on different days. 

Olympus PEN E-PL8 


FYI 

WILL 

Fujifilm has 

always been 

renowned for 

its film and the 

X-T10 carries 

on the tradition 

by giving you 

that same great 

colour. 

TRAVEL 

Fujifilm X-T10 

The Fujifilm X-T10, another mirrorless camera, has a 

magnesium alloy body which makes it sturdy and robust. And 

you know you need something tough when you’re constantly 

on the go. In the standard package, this 16.3MP camera comes 

with a 16-50mm lens but I got to test it with an 18-135mm 

zoom lens. This lens is a little bulky for the body but it’s useful 

to have that extra zoom range for your travels. 

The PEN E-PL8 captures good exposure, whether it’s 

under low lighting or in natural light. 

This mirrorless camera is the smallest of the three. It 

has a 14-42mm lens which makes it ideal for street 

photography. One of the things I love to shoot while on 

my travels are the locals going about their daily routines 

on the streets and having a small unimposing camera 

makes it easier to get those candid shots. Some people 

tend to be wary of photographers with big cameras and 

aren’t happy having their pictures taken. 

One of the nice features of the PEN E-PL8 is the tilting 

touch LCD monitor. You can flip the monitor to face 

the same direction as the lens – perfect for high-quality 

selfies! And with built-in Wi-Fi, sharing your photos on 

social media platforms couldn’t be simpler and quicker. 

To help you become creative in-camera, Olympus has 

included 14 art filters for you to play around with. 

These include things like Pop Art, Pinhole, Diorama and 

Grainy Film, and they’re quite fun to use to make your 

images a little special. 

If you also want to shoot video during your travels, the 

PEN E-PL8 has full HD video recording capabilities. 

With Wi-Fi and the flip monitor (and its touch screen 

making it a cinch to control), this camera is all you need 

for your daily vlogging on the road. 

Fujifilm has made its X-series range of cameras more for 

the serious photographer. And this is evident on the manual 

controls available on the X-T10. Dials like the shutter speed 

and exposure compensation make it almost effortless for a 

photographer to adjust camera settings. There’s no need to go 

deep into the software menu to find the controls. This is great 

to have on a travel camera because the last thing you want to 

do is waste time trying to tweak the settings. 

Another strength of Fujifilm is its film simulation modes: 

Provia, Velvia and Astia. This means you can shoot digital but 

have your images emulate the feel and colour of these classic 

film looks - a nice touch to have, harking back to the romantic 

travel era of the past. 

In addition to its built-in Wi-Fi, the X-T10 also has Geotagging 

which registers the location of where the pictures were taken. 

The tilting LCD monitor is a useful feature to have when taking 

high or low shots. Unfortunately, it’s not a touch monitor. 

Whatever camera you decide to take with you on your travels, 

do remember to enjoy your time in that foreign land you’re 

visiting. Don’t get too hung up about camera functions and 

settings or you may miss experiencing being in a beautiful 

place with wonderful people, a town or city which you may 

never visit again. And lastly, do respect the local culture and 

don’t take pictures of people if they don’t approve. Just have a 

friendly chat with them instead. It will leave you with happier 

memories than your camera can. 



4 

Destinations 

to Celebrate 

Christmas in 

Your Next Christmas Ho-Ho-Holidays: 

Words by Rachel Fong · PHOTOS BY GETTY

The neck-breaking 

pace at which 

time this year 

is passing by (wasn’t 

it just New Year like, 

yesterday?) has got 

us thinking: instead 

of trying to make 

time slow down, why 

not just make peace 

with it and make the 

most of every second 

we’ve got? With that 

thought in mind, we’ve 

decided to look beyond 

country borders for a 

Christmas celebration 

that’s unlike anything 

else. Here are 

four breathtaking 

destinations that will 

change the way you 

view Christmas in Asia. 

SINGAPORE 

If you’ve always longed for a scene 

where Christmas and city lights 

intertwine, you need not go far: 

down south is where it’s at. Just 

across the border from Johor lies a 

country that lights up like one big 

Christmas tree every end of the 

year, from the shopping district of 

Orchard Road to the bustling Marina 

Bay area. Even if you’re not an avid 

shopper, Orchard Road deserves at 

least one visit as this is the time to 

bask in streets lined with majestic 

arches, glittering lights and an 

infectious feeling of joy. 

Lying just 10 minutes away from 

this shopaholic jaunt is Marina 

Bay, where Gardens by the Bay 

resides. For three years in a row, 

it has played host to Christmas 

Wonderland, a Yuletide fair of 

epic proportions which features 

lofty sculptures of light, Europeaninspired 

festive markets and good ol’ 

carnival games. Tickets are already 

on sale and selling fast, so you know 

what to do! 



Visitors also anticipate 

the park’s 20m tall 

Christmas tree, 

Christmas tram and a 

tour around the park 

guided by Lotty, the 

park’s friendly mascot. 

SEOUL 

Seoul is yet another destination 

perfect for getting into the Yuletide 

mood, thanks to a world-class 

performance of The Nutcracker 

by the Universal Ballet that is held 

every December, and Lotte World’s 

Christmas Festival. Lotte World is a 

recreation complex that houses the 

world’s largest indoor theme park, 

making it a permanent fixture on 

many a tourist’s South Korea bucket 

list. Its Christmas Festival comprises 

a Christmas Parade that features 

Santa Claus and his merry crew, and 

a colourful itinerary of live shows. 

Visitors also anticipate the park’s 

20m tall Christmas tree, Christmas 

tram and a tour around the park 

guided by Lotty, the park’s friendly 

mascot. 

The year-end cheer isn’t limited 

to the city, as right outside of it 

is where you will find Konjiam 

Resort, a magnet for winter sports 

enthusiasts. It has eleven doublewidth 

slopes and three ski lifts for 

the skiers and snowboarders, plus a 

spa to wind down at in the evening. 

That said, Konjiam Resort isn’t your 

only option, and you can have just 

as much fun at numerous other ski 

resorts scattered throughout Seoul, 

like Jisan Forest Resort, Daemyung 

Vivaldi Park and Phoenix Park. 



From left: The giant 

Christmas tree in 

Seoul’s city centre; 

The welcoming 

street decor in 

Manila; A red 

handmade parol 

PHILIPPINES 

If you’ve ever felt weird for putting 

holiday music on blast earlier than 

anyone else, wipe that thought 

away right now, because there’s 

an entire nation that begins 

celebrating Christmas as early as 

September! We’re talking about the 

Philippines, a country where 90% of 

the population is Christian. Here is 

where you’ll find towns alight with 

a traditional lantern called ‘Parol’, 

which can be anything from a papermade 

5 point star to an elaborate 

LED work of art. It’s one of the more 

distinctive decorations that make 

Christmas in this Southeast Asian 

country unlike any other, besides 

the wholehearted embrace of the 

festival by the locals. 

Philippines’ diverse geography 

also means you have the option 

of celebrating the holiday by the 

beach. The famed archipelago of 

Palawan has sandy white beaches 

and delicious local cuisine in equal 

measure, and your camera is sure to 

go trigger-happy at the sight of all 

the light displays come nightfall. 

The famed archipelago of 

Palawan has sandy white 

beaches and delicious local 

cuisine in equal measure. 



SHANGHAI 

Although most Shanghai citizens 

aren’t Christians, it doesn’t stop 

Christmas markets, buffets, and 

of course, lavish decorations 

from sprouting up everywhere. 

For your inner generous gift 

giver/shopaholic/reveller, 

Christmas markets sell 

everything from trees to festive 

liquor to street food. One of the 

most hotly anticipated ones is 

Christkindlmrkt, which is hosted 

by German brewery Paulaner’s 

branch on Fengyang Road. 

Additionally, there’s Jiashan 

Market, a bi-monthly farmer’s 

market that takes on the form of 

a Christmas market in November 

and December. If you fancy 

your Western seasonal pastries, 

Jiashan is an ideal choice. 

Speaking of food, you’d be spoilt 

for choice when it comes to 

the buffets on offer during this 

season, as everywhere from 

fancy 5-star hotels to local 

restaurants serve up elaborate 

spreads of both Western and 

Chinese cuisine. Mr Harry, 

for example, serves a popular 

British-style dinner with eggnog 

and turkeys. After a good, hearty 

meal, you can descend onto one 

of the city’s busy bar streets to 

end the night on an even more 

jovial note, like Yongkang Road or 

Wuding Road. 

Speaking of food, 

you’d be spoilt 

for choice when 

it comes to the 

buffets on offer 

during this season, 

as everywhere 

from fancy 5-star 

hotels to local 

restaurants serve 

up elaborate 

spreads of both 

Western and 

Chinese cuisine. 

SHARE YOUR 

TRAVEL PHOTO 

ON INSTAGRAM 

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Road Less Taken 

ROAD LESS TAKEN: 

SIARGAO, PHILIPPINES 

FROM ITS LAID BACK VIBE, FRIENDLY 

LOCALS, AND WORLD-CLASS WAVES, 

SIARGAO IS A SECRET PARADISE YOU’D 

WANT TO KEEP FOR YOURSELF. 

WORDS BY LIZ BAUTISTA · PHOTOS 

BY AIRASIAGO 

HOW TO GET THERE 

Located 763 kilometers south of Manila, 

Siargao Island can be reached via flights 

from Cebu or a three-hour ferry ride from 

Surigao City’s Dapa Port. If you’re coming 

from Surigao, do remember that the last 

ferry leaves at noon and most of the Manila- 

Surigao connections only arrive in the 

afternoon, so travelers are required to stay 

the night before sailing the next day. 

WHERE TO STAY 

Great beachfront accommodations are aplenty 

in General Luna and Cloud 9, but for those 

looking for a calm respite after a day of island 

hopping and riding the waves, there is Bravo 

Beach Resort. Located on Tourism Road, this 

holiday spot has breathtaking views of the 

ocean from the resort’s infinity pool, rustic and 

well-equipped room, not to mention delicious 

Spanish tapas from its in-house restaurant. 

WHAT TO EAT 

Despite being an under-the-radar destination, 

Siargao surprisingly has an abundance of 

good dining options. Kermit Surf Resort and 

Restaurant is popular for its Italian dishes, 

while the Lux Boutique Resort boasts the 

island’s sole sushi bar. Of course, no trip 

to the island is complete without going to 

local favorite, Mama’s Grill, for its affordable 

skewered seafood, pork, and beef, among 

other delicious things. 

LOCAL TIPS 

WHAT TO DO 

Siargao owes much of its reputation to its 

year-round waves, which you can find in 

the town of General Luna, an area made 

famous by visits from rockstar Anthony 

Kiedis or Cloud 9 by pro-surfer Kelly Slater. 

Of course, there is more to Siargao than 

its famous swells: nature lovers can also 

explore neighboring uninhabited islets Naked 

and Guyam and their impossibly powder 

white sands or the mysterious Del Carmen 

Mangrove forest. If budget and time are on 

your side, the island of Bucas Grande, home 

to the beautiful Sohoton caves and lagoon, 

can also be visited by hiring private boats. 

Want to be closer to Bucas Grande? Club 

Tara Resort in Soccoro is a good alternative. 

Featuring villas on stilts right by the beach, this 

hidden hideaway offers luxurious amenities 

such as swimming pool, Jacuzzi, restaurant, and 

poolside bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail 

amidst spectacular sunset views. 

Siargao owes 

much of its 

reputation to its 

year-round waves 

1Beginners who want to 

practice their surfing skills 

can visit between the months 

of March to May, while more 

experienced surfers can enjoy bigger 

waves during the monsoon season 

from August until November. 

2Buy ingredients at the fresh 

market and cook them 

yourself if you’re booked 

at a homestay. If not, you 

can also bring what you’ve bought to 

resorts or restaurants that can cook 

for you for a fee. 

3Instead of renting a private 

motorbike, save more by 

taking the local transport 

habal-habal to go from one 

place to the other. As for islandhopping 

trips, it’s always cheaper to 

hire local boats yourself than by going 

on arranged boat tours. 


Bucket List 

Luxury 

Locomotion 

There is something rustic and nostalgic about discovering a 

country through a train. It offers unprecedented views of the 

terrain that is different from the view through the clouds. So if 

you have at least a week to spare, taste the luxury of travelling via 

locomotion to explore regions that are only accessible by train. 

Words by Aishah Azali · Photos by Deccan Odyssey, Golden Eagle Luxury 

Trains & E&O Express 

Golden Eagle 

Luxury Trains 

Heart of Persia Package – 14 days 

Price from USD16,495 

The mystical country of Iran is filled with 

history of the Persian Empire and miles of 

desert being home to pantheons and city 

fortresses. The Heart of Persia package will take 

you to modern cities like its capital Tehran and 

the holiest city in Iran, Mashhad. Visit the mud 

brick ancient city of Rayen and bask in the former 

capital of the Persian Empire, Susa where Darius 

1 the Great built a sprawling palace. Lovers of the 

arts would be hypnotised by the city of Shiraz 

which is known in Iran as the city of poetry and 

literature. 

The trains are equipped with three types of cabins, 

all with an LCD television, air-conditioning and 

private bathroom for optimum comfort. Take in 

the views at the Bar Lounge Car where guest can 

sip afternoon tea or play a hand of cards in plush 

maroon sofas. Learn about the vast history of Iran 

as the car also hosts history and culture lectures 

by expert guest speakers. 


Bucket List 

Deccan Odyssey 

Indian Sojourn – 8 days 

Price from USD5,810 

The best way to experience India is 

through their trains. The Indian 

Sojourn will take you to visit the 

architectural wonders of India like the City 

Palace in Udaipur built during the Mewar 

dynasty. Be transported back in time as you 

take in the blue hues of Jodhpur seen from 

the top of Mehrangarh Fort. Plus, an India 

journey would not be complete without a 

trip to the majestic Taj Mahal. 

The train offers two gourmet 

restaurants serving exquisite local 

delicacies fit for a raja in a coach 

decorated with traditional wooden 

carvings that add a sense of grandeur. 

Something special is the fact that 

the train offers spa services where 

masseurs incorporate ancient Indian 

techniques into today’s spa menu after 

a long day of exploration. 

Eastern & 

Oriental Express 

Singapore to Bangkok New Year Celebration – 4 days 

Price from RM17,371 

A 

treat for those looking to 

celebrate New Year in style and 

opulence, E&O Express takes you 

on a ride across three countries for a 

wonderful view of the South East Asian 

countryside. It departs from Singapore, 

making its way to Kuala Lumpur’s iconic 

train station that still has the colonial 

charm of the olden days. Then it is a 

stop in Penang for a guided tour of 

Georgetown before heading to Pattalung 

for a celebratory New Year’s dinner with 

music, drinks and fireworks. Fine 

fabrics and decorative marquetry 

adorn the cabins that are all fully airconditioned 

with en-suite bathrooms. 

Listen to the dulcet sounds of live 

piano music in the bar car as you 

sip some unique tipples. While the 

colonial-style teakwood observation 

deck allows visitors to breathe in the 

clean air of the countryside while 

indulging the scenic landscapes of 

paddy fields and mountain ranges. 


Gift Guide 

FOR 

HIM 

The 2016 Holiday 

IT’S THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY AND KIND 

THROUGH THE ART OF GIVING. SO IF YOU 

ARE STUCK ON IDEAS FOR GIFTS, LET 

US SUGGEST SOME COOL AND SWANKY 

OPTIONS FOR ALL BUDGETS. 

TEXT BY AISHAH AZALI 

PHOTOS BY FEATURED BRANDS 

Use the promo code 

GOASIAPLUS to 

get 15% off your 

purchase! 

2If dad appreciates listening to Sinatra 

through a turntable or your recordcollecting 

significant other needs a 

portable turntable, Makmal has the 

perfect one for music lovers out 

there. This portable turntable plays 

in 3 speeds (33/45/78 RPM) and 

has built-in stereo speakers for 

portable listening. The fun part 

is that it has a headphone 

jack for solo listening and can 

run on the juice from a power 

bank. Get it at Garage Station 

located at klia2. 

Traveller Turntable 

by Makmal RM850 

www.facebook.com/Garagestation 

Regent Wireless 

Headphones by Sudio 

RM649 

This foldable Regent headphones offers 

impeccable balance of instrumental tones and 

noise clarity with 24-hour Bluetooth playtime. 

www.sudio.com 

PAIR 

WITH 


Gift Guide 

1 

Traditional Barbershop and Shaving 

Service at Gentlemen’s Tonic 

Starting from RM190 per package 

Gentlemen’s Tonic began in London in 

2004 and has made it all around the 

world thanks to men’s enjoyment of 

pampering the way women love their 

highlights and gel nail polish. It brings 

back the traditional barbershop feel, 

down to the shop’s sleek interior as 

well as the attentive and professional 

service. Gentlemen can experience 

their curated menu of services like 

shaving, beard design, hair colouring 

and even facial treatment using their 

very own bespoke Babassu and 

Bergamot natural range products. For 

more information call 03 6412 8660. 

www.gentlemenstonic.com 

Season Gift Guide 

Whisky Wedge by Corkcicle 

Approx RM77 

3For the friend or loved one that 

is particular about his whiskey or 

bourbon. You know the one that takes 

it neat and appreciates the greater age 

of this caramel liquid. This Whiskey 

Wedge chills the spirit without 

watering it down speedily like ice. Just place 

the silicone mould in the glass, fill it water 

and freeze for 4 hours to be used to chill your 

liquor. Besides scotch and whiskey, it works 

for other spirits like vodka and tequila. 

www.corkcicle.com 

Budgetfriendly 

4Professional 

Diver Watch 

by I.N.O.X. 

RM2499 

The watch that adapts 

to any environment and 

is resilient enough for the 

toughest of men comes in 

the form of the latest diver 

watch by I.N.O.X. Its exterior 

reflects the utilitarian style, 

its bevelled edges framing the 

blue luminescent hands for easy 

readability under the ocean’s 

depths. Durability is thanks to 

the shockproof and anti-magnetic features. Plus, 

the rubber strap with the gadroons make it easier to 

wear over a diving suit or any other clothing. 

www.swissarmy.com 


Gift Guide 

1 

Nina Commuter Brief 

by Tumi RM3020 

The working woman appreciates a laptop 

bag that does not look like one. But 

instead looks like an everyday tote that 

she carries around during casual days. 

The Tumi Nina Commuter Brief from the 

Sinclair Collection is a briefcase 

that caters to the modern 

working woman with enough 

space to fit a 15” laptop 

and even has a jewelry 

pocket because there is 

nothing wrong with more 

storage. The exterior 

features textured coated 

canvas and some leather 

trimmings for added style. 

www.tumi.my 

FOR 

HER 

PAIR 

WITH 

Marble Macbook Laptop 

Skin by Happy Plug 

Approx RM110 

Popular among Instagrammers, marble laptop skins 

give that touch of luxury and style to your MacBook 

and Happy Plug has some cool colour variety with 

white, black and our favourite, jade green. Available 

for MacBook Air 13’. 

www.happyplugs.com 

Budgetfriendly 


Gift Guide 

2 

Holiday Collection Bangles 

by Swarovski 

Starting from RM380 per bangle 

Mix and match your jewelry with the versatile and not to 

mention sparkling bangles from the Swarovski Holiday 

Collection. The bangles are handpicked by the brand 

ambassador, supermodel Karlie Kloss as gift options 

for best friends and mothers. The new crystal cut and 

shimmering gold pieces were inspired by a faraway 

crystal galaxy to dazzle this festive season. 

www.swarovski.com 

3Spa Package at Iridium Spa, St Regis 

Treatments start at RM388 

Nothing beats pampering yourself at a swanky spa to relax those muscles and release 

some tension. Keen to get your loved ones an exclusive spa deal? Well the folks at 

Iridium Spa have some signature packages like the Immune Booster and Jet-Lag Reviver 

to massage the stress away. Plus, this festive season, purchase any of the Endermologie 

treatment and receive a Christmas gift in the form of a free treatment worth RM138. 

www.stregiskualalumpur.com/spa-iridium 

www.tartecosmetics.com 

4 

Pretty Paintbox 

Collector’s Makeup 

Case by Tarte RM240 

Instagram’s version of relationship 

goals includes buying makeup for 

your significant other. Though we believe it’s more than that, there is something 

cool about gifting makeup sets especially if that person is a makeup lover. This 

makeup case by Tarte is a girl’s best friend, all in one box that includes a 24-piece 

eyeshadow palette in every shade of neutral. The holy grail of cheek palettes 

contains a blush, bronzer, highlighter and contour powder combo for cut-throat 

features and blinding cheekbones. 


The Suitcase 

Bonia Ribbon Cuffs 

Karen Millen Ruffled Cardigan 

Banana Republic Wrap Coat 

Coach Collared Dress 

Bonia Bowler Tote 

THE SUITCASE 

Sweet Lolita 

Excited to dress up for all those holiday 

parties? Curate your look with some whimsical 

patterns in the sweetest of colours with fun 

details like collars and ribbons to bring out the 

lolita in you. 

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI 

Paul Smith 

Dress 

Karen Millen Metallic Clutch 

Karen Millen Silk Dress 

Loewe T-Strap Stiletto 


Food Trucks 

THE 

KL FOOD 

TRUCK 

SCENE 

THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS SEEN A SURGE IN FOOD TRUCKS AROUND KL 

SERVING A DIVERSE CHOICE OF STREET BITS FROM MEXICAN DISHES TO SWEET 

TREATS. SPRINKLE IN SOME LOCAL FAST FOOD AND SOME CAR PARKS TURNED 

FOOD TRUCK GATHERING SPOTS WHEN THE NIGHT FALLS, AND YOU’VE GOT A 

HIP OUTDOOR FOOD COURT TO SATIATED ALL THE FOODIES. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY FADZA ISHAK 

If you’re looking for.. 

COFFEE 

Ceaze & Sekkle 

Coffee Co 

The folks in this food truck 

serve the usual coffee 

favourites as well as some 

interesting concoctions like 

Caramel Mocha Latte and 

Nutella Espresso. If you are 

cutting down on the caffeine, 

their mocktails like bubblegum 

lemon are a sweet alternative. 

Snack wise, they serve a 

Singapore specialty called 

Kacang Phool Singapore 

featuring a sunny side up egg 

on top a sort of bean stew 

served with Arab bread. 

Ceaze & Sekkle Coffee Co 

Location: Carpark behind BHP 

Melawati 

IG: @ceazesekkle 


DESSERTS 

Sundaydo 

Their Instagram alone will make 

your mouth water thanks to their 

homemade cakes and brownies. 

Bestsellers include their Nutella Red 

Velvet cake and Devils Food Chocolate 

Cake that will entice you thanks to the 

swirls of chocolate and caramel on top. 

Everything is homemade with love and 

let us add that they do office delivery 

during certain days in the Nu Sentral 

area. Nothing like a slice of cake for an 

afternoon pick me up! 

Sundaydo 

Location: Carpark behind BHP Melawati 

IG: @sundaydo 


Food Trucks 


MEXICAN 

COMFORT FOOD 

Babarittos 

Cool enough, Babarittos is not your 

average food truck as it is built on a 

vintage Mercedes bus transformed into 

a mobile kitchen providing scrumptious 

Mexican dishes with a local flair. Their 

top dishes include their quesadilla 

topped with crunchy nachos or get 

the nacho platter with refreshing 

guacamole dip and a hefty sprinkle of 

jalapenos for a punch of spiciness. 

Babarittos 

Location: TAPAK Urban Street 

Dining, Jalan Ampang 

IG: @babarittosmy 


LOCAL EATS 

Mat Rock 

A food truck staple even before TAPAK popped 

up, Mat Rock has been serving the KLCC area 

some of the spiciest fried protein. Their signature 

turmeric marinated chicken breast have a chilli 

kick that is not for the faint of heart. Now they 

have expanded to fried beef, calamari and even 

squid. Served with rice and a side of long beans 

and carrots, it’s Malaysian comfort food at its best. 

Mat Rock 




Food Trucks 

Pink Pizza 

Thin crust pizza! Underrated in the 

spectrum of pizza crusts but the 

people of Pink Pizza are bringing 

it back with a twist. Their crust, 

just like the food truck comes in a 

pink hue. Yes, pink pizza thanks to 

some addition of beetroot in the 

pizza dough. Crispy and cheesy, we 

recommend having a slice of their 

Margherita or beef pepperoni pizza. 


ITALIAN 

STAPLES 

Pink Pizza 



IG: @pinkpizzabera_foodtruck 

Food Truck 

Gatherings 

Q Gastrotruck 

One of the first trucks 

(or in this case van) to 

popularise in the Melawati 

area, you can safely 

say that Q Gastrotruck 

paved the way for many. 

Customers line up to taste 

their sizzling comfort food 

of pasta with a plethora of 

sauces like bolognese and 

carbonara. Beside Italian 

dishes, they also whip up 

lamb and chicken chops 

with delicious sauces for 

protein lovers. 

Gastrotruck 

Location: Carpark behind BHP Melawati 

IG: @qgastrotruck 

TAPAK Urban Street Dining 

Jalan Ampang 

Every day, 7pm till late 

www.tapak.co 

Kuala Lumpur Food Truck Feast 

Dataran Merdeka 

1st and 3rd weekend of the month, 

6pm till late 

www.facebook.com/Kuala-Lumpur-Food- 

Truck-Feast 

Melawati Food Trucks 

Behind BHP Station, Jalan Bandar 4, 

Taman Melawati 

Every day, 8pm till late

GOASIAPLUS December 2016

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