Tropicana Magazine Sept-Oct 2015

pg 74 

Taking a 

CHANCE 

Adventure isn't always defined 

by death-defying stunts, as 

Mrs Stephanie Sitt reveals 

THE 

ADVENTURE 

ISSUE 

Stepping Outside The Box 

TROPICANA PROPERTY NEWS 

Tropicana Aman launched in Shah Alam 

KDN No. 1505 (7892) 

Vol. #103 September - October 2015

EDITOR’S NOTE 

BE ADVENTUROUS! 

We have decided to take you out of your comfort zone for this latest issue of 

Tropicana Magazine. 

For people who think that the corporate world is missing the feel of 

adventure, check out our cover story. Stephanie Sitt, director of her own 

companies, will make you change your mind. She talks about juggling work life 

with family time and shines a new light on women in the corporate world. 

Travellers, we have chosen the best places to ski for you. Winter is around 

the corner in Europe and if skiing down snowy slopes is your cup of tea, 

then this feature is for you. However, we did not forget the après-ski. Luxury 

and comfort were the two main words we kept in mind when we made our 

selection. From France to Switzerland and over to nearby Austria, pick and 

choose from our selection! You will not be disappointed. 

If you thought that golf was not adventurous, South Africa’s Legend Golf and 

Safari Resort will make you think again.Wait till you reach the Extreme 19th 

hole; the tee box is only accessible by helicopter and is set up upon the majestic 

Hanglip Mountain with an Africa-shaped green lying a ‘mere’ 400m below! 

Tropicana breaks new ground in the property world with Tropicana Aman 

getting a new property gallery, organising a fun ride and going for gold at the 

BrandLaureate Special Edition World Awards 2015. We wish Tan Sri Dato’ 

Danny Tan happy retirement as well from his position as the Group Executive 

Vice Chairman. 

When it comes to food, adventure may well start in the kitchen. Ever heard 

of fugu? We take a look at - and a taste - of one of the world’s deadliest fish and 

find out why people risk their lives to try it. Handle with extreme care! 

And what better way to round this all up than with our personalities? Larger 

than life, Executive Chef of Le Meridien, Antoine Rodriguez, will show you 

why he is the ‘King of the Kitchen’. Meanwhile, Bear Grylls - widely known for 

his TV series Man vs Wild - will give us his views on leading an adventurous 

life. Plus, we have asked renowned mixologist Joshua Ivanovic to create an 

exclusive cocktail recipe just for you. The theme? Adventure, of course. 

The Last Goodbye this month features Malaysian sweetheart Hong Yi, better 

known as ‘Red’. This innovative artistic talent put Malaysia on the map for art 

with her portrait of Jackie Chan done entirely in chopsticks. 

We truly hope you will enjoy this trip through a less ordinary life. And we 

look forward to entertaining you again in our next issue. 

All the best. 

10 TM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

TROPICANA MAGAZINE IS 

EXCLUSIVELY CIRCULATED TO 

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Berhad 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

YBHG TAN SRI DATO’ NIK HASHIM BIN NIK AB RAHMAN 

Chairman 

YBHG TAN SRI DATO’ DANNY TAN CHEE SING 

Founder 

DATO’ YAU KOK SENG 

Group Chief Executive Officer 

DATO’ DICKSON TAN YONG LOONG 

Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer 

DATUK EDMUND KONG 

KOK KONG CHIN 

Group Managing Directors 

DILLON TAN YONG CHIN 

DIANA TAN SHEIK NI 

HERMAN TAN KAR ENG 

Executive Directors 

EDITORIAL 

DATO’ DICKSON TAN YONG LOONG 

Editor-In-Chief 

• Tropicana Privilege Cardmembers 

• Residents of all Tropicana’s developed properties 

• Members of Tropicana Golf & Country Club 

• Honourary members of Tropicana Golf & Country Club 

• Select group of VVIP 

SERENA LIM 

Deputy Editor-In-Chief 

JOSHUA CHAN 

Sub Editor 

EVELYN WAN 

Editorial Assistant 

When 

you have 

finished 

with this 

magazine, 

please 

recycle it 

Tropicana Magazine is published by 

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Berhad, 

a member of Tropicana Corporation Berhad. 

The views and opinions expressed or implied 

in Tropicana Magazine are those of the 

authors or contributors and do not necessarily 

reflect those of Tropicana Corporation Berhad, 

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Berhad, 

Tropicana City Mall, its directors or editorial 

staff. All rights reserved by Tropicana Golf 

& Country Resort Berhad and Tropicana 

Corporation Berhad. All information is correct 

at time of printing. Reproduction in whole or in 

part, without written permission is prohibited. 

All materials published remain the property of 

Tropicana Corporation Berhad. Transparencies, 

CDs or films submitted for publication are 

sent at the owner’s risk and while every care 

is taken, neither Tropicana Magazine nor its 

agents are responsible for any loss or damage. 

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PROMOTIONS & ADVERTISING 

SERENA LIM 

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PUBLISHER 


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FEEDBACK & INQUIRY 

COMMUNICATIONS & PROMOTIONS MANAGER 

Tropicana Corporation Berhad 

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T. 03-7710 1018 F. 03-7725 3035 

corp.comm@tropicanacorp.com.my 

www.tropicanacorp.com.my 

DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER 


Jalan Kelab Tropicana, 47410 Petaling Jaya, 

Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. 

T. 03-7804 8888 F. 03-7804 3688 

gm@tropicanagolf.com 

www.tropicanagolf.com 

LEASING & MARKETING MANAGER 

Tropicana City Sdn Bhd 

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Produced by 

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8 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Antoine Commare 

MANAGING EDITOR Kavitha Seheran ASSOCIATE SUB-EDITOR Justin Heyes STAFF WRITERS Aishah Azali, Theresa Stephen & Karin Chan 

ART DIRECTOR Nor Hamimah Abdullah GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Penncakes, Rozalya Rayceal Ramlin & Bobblyn 

CONTRIBUTORS Audrey Teoh, Kah Mun, Tian Xing, Brian Fang, Soo Phye, Voon Wei, Sahir Sabri, Ckay Liow, Juno Ko, Joey Yap, 

Sze Mun, Angeline Low, Aleksandra, Alex, Weronika & Maja 


52 

74 

Volume 

#103 

62 

26 

14 TM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 

18 THE SCENE 

• Nobu Kuala Lumpur 

Officially Opens at 

Menara 3 Petronas 

• Naza Italia Debuts 

Refurbished Showroom 

and Ferrari 488 GTB 

• Opening Day for 

Fritz Hansen and 

Louis Poulsen 

24 THE LATEST 

• New Opening 

• Fashion 

• Beauty 

• Gadgets & 

Home Living 

• Time Pieces 

• Golf Equipment 

• Books 

• Music 

• Movies 

pg18 

pg20 

pg22 

pg24 

pg26 

pg30 

pg34 

pg38 

pg40 

pg42 

pg44 

pg46 

48 THE DIARY 

52 THE HOME 

Luxury On The Move 

61 PROPERTY NEWS 

• Wholesome Living with the 

Best of Tropicana Parks pg62 

• Financial Report pg66 

• Tan Sri Dato' Danny Tan 

Announces Retirement pg68 

• Unveiling of New Tropicana 

Aman Property Gallery pg69 

74 AN INTERVIEW WITH 

MRS STEPHANIE SITT 

Taking a Chance 

80 THE VACATION 

Taking On The Mountains 

86 THE GAME CHANGER 

Bear Grylls: The Hero 

In The Wild


86 

142 

92 

80 

92 THE DRIVE 

The Perfect Companion 

96 THE SWING 

A Trip On The Wild Side 

100 HEALTH 

Benefits Of Spicy Food 

104 THE LOOK 

• The Bare Elements 

• Style Wave 

• Her Mane Attraction 

126 THE COOKBOOK 

The Simple Chef 

128 THE DISHES 

pg104 

pg114 

pg116 

136 THE DRINK 

Captain's Cup Of Tea 

138 THE RECIPE 

Fugu Roulette 

140 THE LIST 

142 THE LAST GOODBYE 

The Spirited Artist 


ROCA 

AD

THE SCENE 

There are a lot of happenings 

going on around town if you 

know where to look. From 

launches to charity dinners to 

grand openings, strap on your 

fancy dresses and suits and be 

ready to brush shoulders with 

high society as we bring you the 

latest events that everyone 

is buzzing about. 

1 

Nobu Kuala Lumpur 

OFFICIALLY OPENS AT 

MENARA 3 PETRONAS 

KUALA LUMPUR 

20 MAY 2015 

2 

Although the renowned Nobu opened its doors 

back in September 2014, it was only officially 

‘opened’ close to a year later. Situated on level 56 of 

Menara 3 Petronas, this 12,000 square feet outlet is 

Nobu’s first in Southeast Asia, able to accommodate 

200 guests along with two bars, a stunning lounge, 

and private dining rooms. 

Guests led a percussive ensemble in beating a set of 

special Taiko drums, generally used during special 

occasions in Japanese culture, before being treated 

to a traditional sake ceremony know as ‘Kagamibiraki’. 

Notable personalities who were at the 

opening include globally acclaimed chef Nobuyuki 

“Nobu” Matsuhisa, celebrated American actor 

Robert De Niro, Hollywood film producer Meir 

Teper and Her Royal Highness Tengku Zatashah 

Idris Shah. 

3 

1 — Her Royal Highness Tengku Zatashah Idris Shah, 

Tan Sri Syed Yusof Tun Syed Nasir, Chef Nobuyuki 

“Nobu” Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, Grace Hightower 

and Meir Teper drum up support for Nobu Kuala 

Lumpur at its Grand Opening 

2 — Tan Sri Syed Yusof Tun Syed Nasir, Chef Nobuyuki 

“Nobu” Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, Grace Hightower, 

Meir Teper celebrate the restaurant’s opening 

3 — Wadaiko Syo, a Malaysian-founded and widely 

popular Japanese Taiko drum troupe, preparing to 

perform for the evening’s distinguished guests 

18 TM | SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2015

ROYAL SELANGOR 

AD

1 

2 

NAZA Italia 

DEBUTS NEWLY REFURBISHED 

SHOWROOM FOR FERRARI AND MASERATI 

PETALING JAYA 

15 JUNE 2015 

1 — The new showroom showcasing their cars in a way that is accessible 

to buyers 2 — Spacious and sleek, the showroom brings a comfortable 

lounge-feel 

NAZA Italia 

DEBUTS THE NEW FERRARI 488 GTB 

PETALING JAYA 


1 

Located next to NAZA Auto Mall, the newly refurbished 

centre in Petaling Jaya is one of the largest of its kind outside 

of Italy. The new centre offers a one-stop luxury lifestyle 

experience from exemplary point of sales and aftersales to 

quality merchandising. Expect everything a Ferrari and 

Maserati fan would drool over from limited edition and highly 

sought after memorabilia to detailed scaled models, gifts, 

apparel and accessories. There’s a fully-equipped business 

centre and boardroom facility for Ferrari and Maserati owners 

to mingle and indulge in their shared passion of the two 

brands. With the availability of an atelier, new owners have 

the opportunity to further customise their cars through the 

Personalisation Program, which allows owners to customise 

everything from the external body colour to the internal trims 

and gadgets of their cars. 

The Ferrari 488 GTB was launched in NAZA 

Italia’s newly refurbished showroom just a few 

months after the model’s International Premiere in 

Geneva. The architecture of the Ferrari 488 GTB’s 

twin-turbocharged V8 Ferrari 488 GTB sets a new 

benchmark in the sports car sector, making its debut 

in a new Rosso Corsa Met livery with black and red 

technical fabric cabin trim. Although it highlights the 

car’s sportiness, the design stays true to the classic and 

legendary styling of the brand. The sculptural forms of 

the car are completely new and designed by the Ferrari 

Style Centre. NAZA Italia is the sole importer and 

distributor for Ferrari in Malaysia. 

1 — Visitors and media ogling the new Ferrati 488 GTB 


1 

2 

Opening day for 

FRITZ HANSEN AND LOUIS POULSEN 

3 

GARDENS MALL 


The launch of two pioneer brands in the furniture and 

lighting industry at XTRA, Gardens Mall by Louis 

Poulsen and Fritz Hansen was a successful one with 

one of the invited guests walking away with an iconic 

Fritz Hansen chair. The Louis Poulsen Artichoke 

lamp turned many heads and intrigued guests with its 

design, a glare-free lamp created based on the principle 

of reflection and multi-shade system. For a lamp that 

has been around for 40 years, the design is classy and 

works in every possible setting. The same goes to Fritz 

Hansen furnishings with designs that remain fresh and 

elegant despite dating back to the 50s. Their Egg and 

Swan line was by far the guests’ favourite. 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

4 

1 — Media people getting a first look at 

the new furniture 

2 — Fancy hors d’oeuvres are served for 

guests during the launch 

3 — The catering crew making sure 

everyone gets a bite to eat 

4 — The showroom showcasing all the 

latest furniture 


NEW OPENINGS 

NANA’S GREEN TEA NOW OPENS AT PAVILION 

This modern Japanese café specialises in ‘Matcha’, the 

finest Japanese powdered green tea, which is said to 

boost metabolism, control stress and reduce cholesterol. 

Do not be fooled by its name, however, as this cafe 

serves more than just green tea. ‘Matcha Shiratama 

Float’, ‘Locomoco Hamburg’, and ‘Chicken Karaage 

Curry Udon’ are among its wide selection of must-try 

signature Japanese cuisine. 

www.nanasgreentea.com 

BALLY MAKES ITS DEBUT 

AT JOHOR PREMIUM OUTLETS 

If you are a fan of the Swiss high-fashion brand 

Bally, its 1,300 square feet store will surely tickle 

your fancy bones. Renowned for its world-class 

craftsmanship and passion for perfection, shoppers 

can choose from an exceptional range of shoes, bags 

and accessories for both men and women. 

www.premiumoutlets.com.my 

SNOOZE KL OPENS AT KLIA 

Looking for a safe place to catch some shuteye without 

having to worry about your hand-carry bags? This is 

now possible at the Contact Pier in KLIA. The first 

of its kind, Snooze KL comes with a bunk bed, wifi, 

phone and laptop charging facilities, printing, fax and 

photocopying facilities and enough room to store 

hand-carry baggage. It has 13 rooms that are each big 

enough to accommodate two adults and one child. 

www.snoozekl.com 


FASHION 

2. 

IT’S A CINCH 

There’s always an aura of allure around women 

with small waists and this season, we follow the 

fashionable path of Marni and their ever-colourful 

belts. The fall collection sees Marni cinching the 

waist with thick belts to add some sex appeal to 

bulky overcoats. The Marni belts come in luxurious 

materials like leather or snakeskin and they will 

likely be your best accessory this season. 

www.marni.com 

1. 

THE EDGY BARBIE 

Moschino has always been known for its 

shocking exaggerated designs and bold 

colours. This fall, Moschino Boutique takes 

the style of a modern-day Barbie doll but 

puts a Moschino stamp on it. Images of 

maxi jewellery are plastered over different 

fabrics which give the clothes some threedimensional 

decoration. We love how first 

lady suits get some fuchsia love, the shorts and 

military jacket combo get some fur detailing 

while overcoats get some sparkle. 

www.moschino.com 

3. 

CHAIN OF LOVE 

In a time where architectural tote bags rule the closets 

and runways, it is refreshing for Balenciaga to come up 

with a cute boxy cross body bag to carry our womanly 

essentials. The detailing of the bag is a standout as the 

chain doubles as a handle and shoulder strap. Dark 

tones take a step back as Balenciaga opts for pastel hues 

that look like they were spray painted on, giving the 

bag some artistic edginess. 

www.balenciaga.com 


FASHION 

4. 

JEWELS OF THE UNIVERSE 

Spanish jewellers Carrera y Carrera took inspiration 

from the mysteries of the universe to create a 

collection of jewellery called Universo to awe the 

crowd. Part of Universo is the Prisma collection 

which symbolises culture as a source of the eternal 

light of the universe. It is designed with geometric 

motifs in distinct unusual shapes that show the 

craftsmanship of Carrera y Carrera. 

www.carreraycarrera.com 

5. 

CHECK 

IT OUT 

Known for their clean lines and structured 

cuts, Hugo Boss takes a ride on the wild 

side by adding a cool dose of punk-inspired 

red checks. Transform into a rebel without 

a cause with the stunning red and black 

checker pattern pieces such as the overcoat 

and even the skinny pants. We even like the 

subtle fine lines of red checks that appear on 

one of their single-breasted suits. 

www.hugoboss.com 

6. 

PATTERN PLAY 

Solid coloured loafers are a staple, but we are 

taking a cue from Tod’s this fall and going playful 

with pattern. Despite keeping to the classic shape 

with the leather string bow, Tod’s spiced it up by 

adding interesting motifs to their footwear such as a 

cobblestone-esque design and a leaf-like pattern. A 

chequered pattern satisfies the simplistic man but we 

think any of these designs would turn heads. 

www.tods.com 


BEAUTY 

2. 

FINE & DEFINED 

Put aside the whitening skincare 

ranges for a while as Estee Lauder 

has come out with a new range 

to define the facial shape. The 

New Dimension Transformative 

Collection features a concentrated 

serum to help define the look 

of contours, visibly lifting the 

cheeks and jawline using the New 

Dimension Shape + Fill Expert 

Serum. It works within multiple 

levels of the skin’s surface and 

supports critical proteins that help 

promote natural elasticity. 

www.esteelauder.com 

THE LINE 

If you think only kids have a use for crayons, then 

1.WITHIN 

you have not been introduced to the Burt’s Bees 

Creamy Matte 100% Natural Lip Crayons. Known 

for their moisturising bees wax lip balm, Burt’s 

Bees’s new creations are aiming to be nourishing 

and moisturising on top of being rich in colour. 

The lip crayons come in six creamy shades from 

dark rouge (Napa Vineyard) to vibrant magenta 

(Hawaiian Smoulder), all easy to apply without the 

hassle of sharpening them. 

www.burtsbees.com.my 

3.SUBTLE TO STATEMENT 

Go from subtle to statement with the newest 

collection from Bobbi Brown - the Greige Collection. 

Mixing grey and beige to create ‘Greige’, Bobbi Brown 

takes her favourite neutral shade to deliver a chic look. 

We like the Intense Pigment Liners that give full on 

colour with easy application. It comes in a portable 

compact with two rich liner shades and one standout 

colour in Black Plum, Midnight and Forest hues. 

www.bobbibrown.com 


BEAUTY 

4. 

KISSES FROM ENGLAND 

Expanding their lips collection, Burberry introduces 

a range of lipsticks that are designed to feel like a 

second skin on the lips. The Burberry Kisses range is 

a lipstick that allows buildable sheer to high coverage 

with just one shade. Plus there is an extensive palette 

of colours from nudes to brights that gives you 

luminous colour brilliance. 

uk.burberry.com/beauty 

5. 

ROSY COVERAGE 

Flawless yet moisturised skin is now achievable with 

the help of Lancome Blanc Expert Cushion Compact. 

The Expert Cushion Compact is a liquid that gives even 

coverage but in compact form. It uses an airy sponge 

cushion with air holes to optimise the formula’s absorption 

into the sponge. Use a little as a primer or press deeper 

into the applicator for a flawless foundation effect. The 

Blanc Expert range also has a Compact Foundation for a 

mattifying effect that eliminates skin dullness. 

www.lancome.com.my 

6. 

ORIENTAL INCENSE 

Hermes perfumer and admirer of the Oriental, 

Jean-Claude Ellena, travelled to China to get 

inspired for the latest fragrance by Hermes. 

Jean-Claude took the smell of the ponds, 

jasmine, kumquats and plum trees to create an 

airy fragrance called Le Jardin De Monsieur Li. 

The scent invokes the simplicity and serenity 

of Chinese gardens that takes you somewhere 

between reality and imagination. 

www.hermes.com 


#PaintAllSurfaces 

with 

Asia’s Leading 

Coatings Expert 

ARCHITECTURAL INDUSTRIAL PROTECTIVE AUTOMOTIVE MARINE 

NIPPON PAINT (M) SDN. BHD. (7516-H) 

THE 

COATINGS 

 

EXPERT 

1-800-88-2663 www.nipponpaint.com.my 

Scan me. It will 

make your day.

GADGETS & HOME LIVING 

2. 

BEAUTIFUL SOUND 

A speaker with style and great technology, Bang and 

Olufsen’s BeoPlay A9 is the ultimate music speaker for your 

home. The circular speaker has a minimalist design that 

allows it to stand free in your room or be mounted on the 

wall to save space. Volume changes and muting can be done 

with a simple wave of the hand. The A9 supports streaming 

services like Spotify and has a wireless connectivity using 

Apple AirPlay and Bluetooth 4.0 to play your music. 

www.bang-olufsen.com 

1. 

SUPERIOR BOOST WITH SONY EXPERIA Z3+ 

The improved Sony Experia Z3+ features 

superior camera qualities and an extended battery 

life of two days. The camera gets an improved 

Superior Auto mode that optimises the setting 

for the best picture and with the new Gourmet 

mode, even your food pictures will be looking 

their very best. As for battery life, the Z3+ has a 

two-day battery stamina with innovative powersaving 

technology, including a one-day usage 

with just 45 minutes of charging. 

www.sonymobile.com/my 

3. 

NO 

MORE CLUTTER 

One of the best ways to keep your 

room away from clutter is to make it an 

organised space. Ikea understands this 

concept and has created furniture with 

specialised storage units to help minimise 

clutter. There is the MALM high bed 

frame with four drawers to smartly utilise 

space beneath your bed while for the 

bathroom, there are the SILVERAN/ 

HAMNVIKEN sink cabinets to organise 

your bathroom necessities. 

www.ikea.com/my 


GADGETS & HOME LIVING 

4. 

NO HANDS CLEANING 

Sit back and relax with this new technology that will 

keep your house spotless. The POWERbot Robot 

Vacuum Cleaner by Samsung is a new addition to its 

smart living appliances which can clean everything 

from hardwood to carpeted floors. The POWERbot 

features impressive suction power with the Digital 

Inverter Motor and has an extra-wide rectangular 

brush to cover more ground while cleaning. No 

need to worry about manoeuvring it as well as it is 

equipped with a sensor to detect even the smallest of 

obstacles. 

www.samsung.com 

5. 

BREATH OF WIND 

To beat the heat at home or even at your office space, 

the Otto fan from Stadler Form is the fan that mirrors 

Swedish design and practicality. It is an industrial fan 

with three power levels and height-adjustable feet 

encased in a sustainable bamboo frame. There is no fuss 

in cleaning the blades thanks to the removable protective 

grille, making it a different take on a conventional windblower. 

www.stadlerform.com 

6. 

CUP 

OF SLOW-BREW 

A coffee maker for the coffee snob with patience, 

we love Bodum’s Pour Over Coffee Maker 

to create the best cuppa at home. Made from 

borosilicate glass to retain the heat of your water 

as the coffee drips, this stylish contraption exudes 

60s era vibes. It includes a permanent stainless 

steel mesh filter to continuously create cups of 

slow-brew for your mornings. Get them in all 

their vivacious shades and brew that perfect cup of 

coffee for you. 

www.bodum.com 


TIME PIECES 

1. 

OFF 

THE CUFF 

At first glance, the new Viv watch from Marc by Marc 

Jacobs looks like a cuff bracelet with shiny finishing, but 

closer inspection reveals a dial with the letters M, A, R 

and C replacing the 12, 3, 6 and 9 hour markers. It also 

features an edge with a wide strap for an urban feel while 

the metal components give a touch of industrial style. Go 

all black with this watch or try the grey with rose gold 

finishing for a dose of glam. 

www.marcjacobs.com/watches 

2. 

TACTILE ADVENTURERS 

Adventurers pack a lot of equipment for their escapades 

and a sturdy tactile watch is a must on their list. The 

newly updated Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar is a solar 

powered watch with new details like a compass rose 

and a Super-LumiNova arrow on the minute hand for 

easy reading in the dark. The design is edgier with a 

leather Velcro bracelet that comes with an extension. 

Enjoy 20 tactile functions from a perpetual calendar to 

an altimeter with altitude difference meter. 

www.tissot.ch 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

3. 

MILITARY MINIMILISM 

Blending military functionality with industrial minimalism, 

London-based multidisciplinary design firm MALAYA is 

allowing watch wearers freedom of choice when it comes 

to their timepieces. Their watches are timeless yet versatile, 

available in a rose gold coated frame paired with a royal blue 

leather strap and a silver coated frame with a tanned brown 

strap. Depending on your mood, the straps can be changed to 

the five colour variety of nylon straps. 

www.malayaco.com 


GOLF EQUIPMENT 

1. 

LASTING SPIN 

Get that lasting spin on your swings with 

TaylorMade’s EF Wedge with electroformed 

Nickel Cobalt grooves, which are sharper and more 

durable. Rest assured that the Nickel Cobalt is super 

resistant while the cast itself is made from a soft 

1025 carbon body steel. With this kind of durability, 

tour players have the chance to use one wedge for 

an entire season. 

www.taylormadegolf.com 

2. 

HEAVY 

MATTERS 

Heavy is not always bad and when it comes 

to this particular putter, heavy came with 

good results. TaylorMade’s Daddy Long 

Legs putter is designed with a counter 

balance which gives it a heavier overall 

weight to increase the MOI. Already the 

company’s highest MOI putter at 8500, 

the counter balance adds to that to create 

a more consistent ball speed as well as 

better stability. 

www.taylormadegolf.com 


360-degree 

ventilation. 

climachill tour 

© 2015 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. adidas, the 3-Bars logo, and the 3-Stripes mark are registered trademarks of the adidas Group.

BOOKS 

1. 

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING 

NICOLA YOON 

[RM40.00] 

Pollen and food allergies are the bane of people’s lives at the best of times, but life gets 

a whole lot more complicated when you’re allergic to the entire outside world, as the 

heroine of this book discovers. However, new neighbours bring a whole new world to 

her doorstep as she begins an exciting yet challenging new romance that forces her to 

reexamine her perspectives in life. Eschewing regular prose, this story is told through 

vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations and more that lend a personal 

touch to her tale of trying to live a normal life. 

2. 

THE REST OF US JUST LIVE HERE 

PATRICK NESS 

[RM35.00] 

All the fairytales speak of heroes, of ‘Chosen Ones’ that suddenly discover 

that they have special powers or hidden destinies that equip them for 

facing off against the Ultimate Evil. But what if, like Mikey, you’re just 

an ordinary kid trying to live an ordinary life, fretting about ordinary 

concerns like asking your crush out and graduating? What if you’re just 

‘normal’ and you just...happen to have to fight zombies and stop the 

school from blowing up? A novel following the ordinary lives of those 

not charged with preventing the end of the world, Patrick Ness presents a 

wonderfully creative idea from a funny, original point of view. 

4. 

3. 

THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH – ALI BENJAMIN 

[RM35.00] 

There are few things more devastating than losing a loved one — especially 

when it’s your best friend. After losing her best friend to a drowning 

accident, Suzy is adamant that a rare jellyfish sting is the real culprit. Letting 

her imagination run wild, she devises a plan to prove her theory no matter 

the cost, even if it entails a solo trip around the world. Despite the depths of 

her despair, she finds that love and hope are never far away. 

THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS 

ANNA MARIE MCLEMORE 

[RM40.00] 

Echoes of Shakespeare’s popular Romeo and Juliet can be 

made for this novel, which follows the love story of two 

individuals from long-feuding families. The Palomas and 

the Corbeaus are both travelling performer families with 

a 20-year long feud that doesn’t look like ending anytime 

soon...that is, until Lace Paloma and Cluck Corbeau come 

along. Despite a Corbeau aversion being ingrained into 

Lace’s head early on — according to her family, they may 

as well be the devil himself — that’s hard to remember 

when a Corbeau boy ends up saving your life. His touch 

awakens a world of new possibilities for her, but new 

dangers wait in the wings as well for both the young 

lovers. Will true love conquer all, or will the pressure of 

their families tear them apart? 


MUSIC 

1. 

ANTHEMS FOR THE DOOMED YOUTH 

THE LIBERTINES 

The Libertines, rather by surprise, are back with their 

third studio album ‘Anthems For The Doomed Youth’ 

which is scheduled for release on 4 September. Despite 

their destructive tendencies, this indie rock band is wellloved 

for their distinctive sound and beautifully intricate 

guitar work. The rousing single ‘Gunga Din’ from the 

album instantly reminds us of everything we loved about 

The Libertines. 

2. 

WATER FOR YOUR SOUL 

JOSS STONE 

Going through a more spiritual journey, Joss 

Stone returns to music with an eclectic sound 

without leaving behind her soulful roots. Joss 

collaborated with Bob Marley’s son, Damien, to 

infuse some reggae and island soul into her album. 

The combination is different but refreshing like the 

album title itself. Songs like “Let Me Breathe” exude 

Spanish island vibes and “Wake Up” with Damien 

Marley will give you a dose of reggae soul unlike any 

you’ve ever heard before. 

4. 

BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS 

THE WEEKND 

R&B’s leading man of 2015 gives us sensuality, sex and 

all the sounds that come with it in his sophomore LP. 

He became the first artist to hold the top three spots in 

the R&B Song Charts with his tunes, the upbeat “Can’t 

Feel My Face”, “Earned It” from the 50 Shades of Grey 

soundtrack and the haunting R&B song “The Hills” which 

are all present on his album. We love his collaborations 

with artists like Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey, which 

really make this album worth listening to. 

3. 

CROSSEYED HEART 

KEITH RICHARDS 

Perhaps one of the most recognisable faces 

in rock, if not the best preserved, Keith 

Richards is the bluesy guitar sound which 

has driven the Rolling Stones for all these 

years. After 20 years, Keith has still found the 

desire to release his much anticipated second 

solo album. Album single Trouble’ showcases 

Keith’s mastery of country and blues and is a 

great choice to introduce the album. Give it 

a listen. 


TOMATO KIDZ 

AD

MOVIES 

1. 

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 

After discovering that his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) has 

thoughts of moving out of Hotel Transylvania with husband Johnny 

(Andy Samberg) and son Dennis to a safer place, ‘Vampa’ Drac (Adam 

Sandler) must bring out the vampire in his grandson to convince 

them to stay. While Mavis is visiting her human in-laws, Drac 

and his friends put half-human, half-vampire Dennis through a 

monster-in-training bootcamp with a little unnecessary help from 

great-grandpa Vlad. 

Release: 24 September 2015 

Genre: Animation/Comedy 

Cast: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Steve Buschemi 

2. 3. 

RICKI & THE FLASH 

Rocker Ricki (Meryl Streep) left her family 

life to pursue her rock and roll dreams. But 

when her daughter Julie’s (Mamie Gummer) 

husband leaves for another woman, Ricki 

goes back to try to help out. Her arrival 

causes a stir among the family as her long 

absence has created a hole she did not realise 

existed. Ricki then tries to correct the past 

by being the mother she never was to her 

children to try to win back her family’s love. 

Release: 3 September 2015 

Genre: Drama 

Cast: Meryl Streep, Mamie Gummer, Kevin Kline 

& Sebastian Stan 

4. 

CRIMSON PEAK 

Edith (Mia Wasikowska), an aspiring 

writer who is able to see ghosts, falls 

in love and marries a mysterious 

man named Thomas Sharpe (Tom 

Hiddleston). Marriage life takes a 

frightening turn when she moves into 

Thomas’s family mansion with his 

sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain). With 

her ‘undead vision’, she discovers 

the dark and horrible things that 

roam the mansion, leading her to 

dive deeper into the frightening past 

connected to the Sharpe family and 

the mansion they grew up in. 

Release: 15 October 2015 

Genre: Horror/Drama 

Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, 

Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam 

THE SCORCH TRIALS 

In this next chapter of the epic “Maze Runner” saga, 

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers face 

their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about 

the mysterious and powerful organisation known 

as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, 

a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable 

obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the 

Gladers take on WCKD’s vastly superior forces and 

uncover its shocking plans for them all. 

Release date: 18 September 2015 

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi 

Cast: Aidan Gillen, Dylan O’Brien, 

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kaya Scodelario 


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THE DIARY 

4 – 13 September 2015 

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER 

For the first time in eleven years, the famous Bee 

Gees’ smash hit musical - Saturday Night Fever 

- is making its way onto the Malaysian stage. 

Put on your groovy bell bottom pants and dance 

your way to this jam-packed and energetic dance 

performance for a two-hour spectacle that is sure 

to cause nostalgia. Hit classics such as “Stayin’ 

Alive”, “More Than A Woman”, “Disco Inferno”, 

and “How Deep is Your Love” are among the many 

songs in the musical. 

Istana Budaya, KL 

03-9222 8811 

www.milestone-entertainment.com 

8 – 16 September 2015 

JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL 2015 

The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) has been the premier 

platform for Malaysian moviegoers to enjoy the best 

of Japanese cinema (English subtitles provided) for the 

past 11 years. There will be a total of 12 films that range 

from the drama, comedy, animation, history, and fantasy 

genres. Among the films in store are ‘Kakekomi’, ‘My Little 

Nightmare’, ‘Initial D the Movie Legend 2: Racer’, and ‘You 

Are Umasou 2: I Love You Always’. 

Opening Ceremony: 8 September at GSC Pavilion KL 

Screenings: 10-16 September at GSC Mid Valley, One Utama, 

Pavilion KL 

www.gsc.com.my 

19 September 2015 

BON JOVI LIVE IN 

MALAYSIA 

Instead of singing your heart out in the shower 

or karaoke room, scream the lyrics to all-time 

Bon Jovi favourites like ‘It’s My Life’, ‘Livin’ On A 

Prayer’ and ‘Have A Nice Day’ out loud alongside 

thousands of other fans as the band returns to 

Kuala Lumpur this September. 

Stadium Merdeka, KL 

03-7731 2929 

www.imclive-group.com 


THE DIARY 

23 September 2015 

SKRILLEX LIVE IN KL 

One of the biggest names in electronic dance 

music, Skrillex, is making his way to KL for 

an exclusive show for his inaugural Malaysian 

performance! Skrillex is a multiple-Grammy 

Award, MTV Video Music Award winner, and 

one half of the electronic duo Jack U. 

KL Live, Life Centre 

03-2162 2570 

www.galactix.asia/skrillexliveinkl 

26 September – 4 October 2015 

MALAYSIAN OPEN, KUALA 

LUMPUR 2015 

Catch a bevy of tennis stars in action upon the hard courts of Putra 

Indoor Stadium with marquee names such as Spain’s David Ferrer 

and Feliciano Lopez, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and Australia’s 

Nick Kyrgios. Sanctioned by the Lawn Tennis Association of 

Malaysia, the Malaysian Open is one of the more popular events in 

the ATP World Tour. 

Putra Indoor Stadium, Bukit Jalil KL 

03-9222 881 

www.malaysianopentennis.com 

23 October - 25 October 2015 

SHELL ADVANCE MALAYSIAN 

MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX 

Some of the world’s top racers will set your hearts racing 

in this exciting event at one of the most challenging racing 

circuits in the world, the Sepang International Circuit. A race 

not to be missed by lovers of full throttle action and bikers 

alike! 

Sepang International Circuit 

03-8778 2222 

www.sepangcircuit.com 


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HOME & INTERIOR 

Luxury 

ON THE MOVE 

WORDS AUDREY TEOH 

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RS MOTORHOMES & ISTOCKPHOTO 

GONE ARE THE DAYS OF HIPPY CARAVANS PLASTERED WITH SLOGANS FOR WORLD 

PEACE; TODAY’S HIGH-END RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, OR RVS, COME COMPLETE 

WITH JUST ABOUT EVERY LUXURY A 5-STAR HOTEL CAN OFFER 


SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 | TM 53

What do you find in a 5-star hotel room? Cool airconditioning, 

a comfy bed, cabinet, dressing area, side 

table, television set…well, you can find all these in an RV 

too. In fact, a luxury RV has amenities that far surpass 

those found in budget hotels, hence why these are fast 

becoming a popular option for vacationers around the 

world. Some opt to own one so they can – literally – pack 

up and go whenever they feel like it! 

It’s easy to see the appeal – today’s RVs are a far cry from 

the traditional caravan or camper. Similarly, the idea of 

a roadtrip has evolved significantly over the years. Just 

as RVs now come equipped with every luxury, roadtrips 

are no longer just for reluctant familes with stressed-out 

parents and whiny kids to have ‘quality time’; today it’s an 

opportunity for couples and BFFs to get away without the 

distractions of urban life or even as a retirement plan to 

celebrate one’s liberation from being chained to a desk. 

Driving your way around may seem like a chore for some, 

but when there’s good company and beautiful scenery to 

enjoy, plus all the comforts of a well-stocked hotel room, 

a roadtrip in a well-equipped RV is an option that offers 

freedom, adventure, and a great deal of flexibility. 

Although it’s not the ‘in’ thing yet in Malaysia, there are 

numerous rental services all over the world and a huge 

global community of RV enthusiasts who share their 

experiences and advice with anyone willing to ask. 

To get you started, recreational vehicles come in two 

broad categories – the caravan, which is hitched to a 

vehicle, and the motorhome, which is a single entity. 

Each comes with its own set of pros and cons, hence it’s 

important to review your needs and preferences prior to 

renting one. 

“With its sturdier 

construction, a motorhome 

is more rugged and able to 

handle long distances; they are 

also considered safer.” 


From left— the spacious interior of a luxury motorhome; a 

luxury motorhome with an extension for more room; 

a fully-equipped modern motorhome 

caravans 

Generally easier to drive than a motorhome but a challenge 

to reverse, caravans can be detached from the main vehicle 

so you can move around without having to haul the entire 

thing around when you want to make a short trip to the 

nearest town for supplies. This also makes parking easier! 

However caravans are made to be lightweight and thus 

comparatively less sturdy than a motorhome; there is also 

a limit to how much weight they can bear. 

motorhomes 

With its sturdier construction, a motorhome is more 

rugged and able to handle long distances; they are also 

considered safer and generally require less maintenance. 

They can also carry greater loads, but unlike a caravan, 

you can’t detach anything. Motorhomes are also larger, 

consume more fuel due to their size and weight, and are 

more difficult to manoeuvre; larger units may require a 

special driver’s license. 

No matter which one you choose, your options are varied 

in terms of size and facilities. Thankfully there are ample 

online resources to refer to and many rental companies 

provide a wide variety of support. This can range from 

training on how to handle larger units to directions on the 

best routes to your chosen destination. 

So if you’re looking for a holiday that doesn’t entail 

roughing it out in a backpacker’s inn or putting up in 

another generic hotel room, an RV trip may be just what 

you need. 

manufacturing luxury 

RS Motorhomes (www.rsmotorhomes.com), a family-run 

business based in England, specialises in bespoke luxury 

vehicles that are manufactured according to each customer’s 

requirements. With over 25 years’ industry experience, 

their craftsmen are able to offer a level of comfort 

unimaginable to someone who’s never experienced travel 

by motorhome. Essentially, the fully-equipped designs 

means not having to ‘do without’ as they include showers, 

double beds, refrigerators, cookers, television, toilets, and 

air-conditioning – pretty much everything you need! 

The managing director, Mick Rowe, says, “Motorhomes 

are perfect for all kinds of holidays. We have customers 

all over Asia who are thrilled with our luxury bespoke 

motorhomes and they travel all over the world in them. 

For the first-timer, the best advice we can give is to ensure 

that the motorhome you select matches your requirements 

and lifestyle.” 


a few things to consider 

There are many things that may not occur 

to you on your maiden voyage, so here are 

a few helpful hints. 

d r i v e safely 

Remember that you’re driving a much 

larger vehicle than a normal car. This 

means taking corners more widely (so 

the back wheels don’t hit the curb). 

Depending on the size of your caravan or 

motorhome, you may need to drive more 

slowly than the speed limit for cars. 

b e courteous 

Pull over to let other vehicles pass if 

you’re driving slowly and causing traffic 

to build up. Due to the high sides, wind 

displacement is more pronounced so 

be extra careful when driving in strong 

winds and also when passing cyclists and 

motorcyclists or horses, sheep and cattle 

(if you’re driving through farming areas). 

l o o k up 

Many car parks have height barriers so 

remember to check if your vehicle can 

safely clear the barrier. To make this 

easier, write down the dimensions of 

your vehicle and stick it on the dashboard 

for easier reference before entering any 

parking structure. You should also be 

cautious of low-hanging branches and 

other obstructions. 

p i c k your spot 

When you’re ready to stop at a camper 

park, there are a lot of decisions to make: 

Parking close to the facilities can be 

convenient but it also means having more 

people walking around your unit. 

Trees offer shade but roosting birds may 

leave a mess on your vehicle and the 

surrounding area. 

Remember to look for flat ground; uneven 

ground leads to an uncomfortably tilted 

living space and you may need a ramp to 

level it. 

s a f e t y matters 

Remember your RV is your home, so take 

every measure to secure your unit such as 

turning off the gas, emptying food waste 

to avoid attracting pests, locking windows 

and doors, checking the handbrakes are 

on and using chocks even when you’re on 

level ground. 


THE LEADING SOURCE FOR INSPIRATION & IDEAS FOR THE HOME! 

THE EXHIBITION THIS TIME WILL SHOWCASE THE HOMEDEC SHOWHOME: AGED CARE LIVING & DESIGN 

A CANVAS OF CREATIVITY 

HOMEDEC is one of the most creative exhibitions on 

the market. A hit with homeowners year after year, 

HOMEDEC leads its exhibition by highlighting a popular 

thematic showcase where life-sized showhomes are 

displayed on the exhibition floor through the HOMEDEC 

Showhome feature. 

You’ve got to see it to believe it and these HOMEDEC 

Showhomes allow you to do just that. Carefully curated 

by leading designers and firms, the unique displays 

allow you to walk into an actual room to get a first-hand 

view of the layout as well as the furnishing, colours and 

accessories used. This feature helps you gain a more 

thorough understanding of design and how these ideas 

can be applied to your own home. 

Running across two consecutive weekends, the awardwinning 

HOMEDEC returns this October 2015 at the 

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, complete with 

roomfuls of innovative solutions for homeowners to 

choose from. 

For over 12 years, HOMEDEC has been regarded 

as the leading source of inspiration and ideas for 

homeowners seeking help in interior design and home 

decoration, offering solutions for everyday living needs. 

On 22-25 October, HOMEDEC Part 1 will be 

focused on a ‘Design and Renovate’ theme and will 

bring together specialised services and products for 

permanent fixtures for major renovation works in the 

home. These all-important foundations form the basis 

upon which your room or dwelling will be renovated and 

are designed with long-term needs in mind. 

What do you do after renovation work is complete? 

‘Furnish + Decorate’, of course, and that’s exactly what 

visitors to the HOMEDEC Part 2 showcase will find out 

how to do. Running from 29 October - 1 November, this 

showcase will concentrate on products, furnishings 

and more for enhancing the interior of a room after the 

groundwork has been laid. 

Both weekends of this exhibition will have more than 

1,500 exhibition booths by more than 500 top exhibitors. 

There will also be exhibitors’ product cash vouchers 

and cash to be given out to lucky visitors who spend 

a minimum of RM200 and RM1,000 respectively in a 

single receipt. 

HOMEDEC SHOWHOME: 

AGED CARE LIVING & DESIGNS 

This October in Part 1 and Part 2, the HOMEDEC 

Showhome will feature something very different and 

very significant for not only homeowners but for the 

younger generation. HOMEDEC through the HOMEDEC 

Showhome is proud to bring to the home front on 

the needs and awareness of the Aged Care Living 

and Designs. 

This feature is a joint collaboration between 

HOMEDEC and the National Council of Senior Citizen 

Organisations Malaysia (NACSCOM) and the Malaysian 

Institute of Interior Designer (MIID). All three bodies are 

embarking on making aged care living and designs 

for families, senior citizen, parents or even special 

needs/care individuals, for everyone to understand the 

designs of their living spaces, information or guidelines 

and any special attention needed when renovating or 

refurbishing the home.

Advertorial 

NEW STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE 

HOMEDEC has won multiple accolades for its 

high standards of excellence and innovation in the 

professional Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and 

Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Most notably, it was the 

winner of the coveted 2013 Best Consumer Exhibition 

and Industry Excellence Award by the Malaysian 

Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB)/Malaysian 

Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers 

and Suppliers (MACEOS)’s annual Malaysia Business 

Events Awards of Excellence. In 2011, HOMEDEC was 

also honoured with the 2011 Best Consumer Exhibition 

award by MACEOS.

PR 

OP 

ER 

T 

Y 

N E W S 

WHOLESOME LIVING WITH THE BEST OF TROPICANA PARKS 

TAN SRI DATO’ DANNY TAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT 

Prestigious. Award-winning. Quality. Innovative. High capital appreciation. These are just some of the 

signatures of the property projects undertaken by Tropicana Corporation Berhad. The following pages 

showcase some novel and stunning residential and commercial developments as further testament to the 

organisation’s flair in this industry. Tropicana Corporation hopes to create a more compassionate and 

supportive community, especially within its circles of influence. As a responsible developer, Tropicana 

Corporation continues to deliver on its responsibility to give back to society by supporting various 

charitable causes and participating in celebrations and community events. 

61 TA | JAN/FEB 2015 


Wholesome living 

WITH THE BEST OF 

TROPICANA PARKS 

WITH THE CONSTANT DEVELOPMENT THE IN THE CITY, GARDENS AND PARKS – 

IN WHICH TROPICANA IS ABUNDANT OFF – SEEM TO BE THE MOST ACCESSIBLE 

PLACE FOR ONE TO CONNECT TO NATURE. WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE VARIOUS 

EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE AT TROPICANA AMAN, TROPICANA HEIGHTS AND 

TROPICANA METROPARK INTRODUCING THEIR BREATH TAKING PARKS. 

THE YELLOW RIDE AROUND TROPICANA AMAN 

Despite poor weather conditions, this year’s second 

Fun Ride themed “The Yellow Ride”, held after the 

overwhelming response to the first, had 500 cyclists from 

all ages riding along the 12km cycling route on the 1st 

of August this year to take in the beautiful scenery of 

Tropicana Aman. 

Tropicana Aman is set to be a scenic place where residents 

can breathe in the fresh air, and live in a walk and bikefriendly 

environment. Their facilities accommodate for 

this and include a generous 85 acre central linear park and 

lake and a 7km vehicular free bike trail/jogging path – 

great for resort-styled living. Tropicana Aman’s naturally 

blooming park has been designed especially to reacquaint 

you with all the alluring charms nature has to offer. The 

picturesque surroundings and living features of the park 

are expected to provide a safe and tranquil backdrop to 

everyday life. After the fruitful event, participants were 

then treated to an array of delicious food at the Raya 

themed buffet dinner with a DJ performance. The day 

ended with much luck with participants winning 20 lucky 

draw prizes and four yellow bicycles. 

SUMMER CARNIVAL OPENING WEST LAKE 

During a two-day “Summer Carnival” on 8 August, 

Tropicana Heights officially opened its West Lake, which 

is a part of the 16 acre Central Park. A total of 1500 

participants graced the evening to enjoy the natural 

landscape for a breath of fresh air. 

The park itself is a haven for a walk with the family or a 

loved one accompanied by the lovely ambience of Mother 

Nature. Tropicana Height’s 16 acre Central Park is also set 

to be the largest park in Kajang featuring a 750m linear 

lake, seamless pedestrian walkway, jogging tracks, bicycle 

tracks, its very own recreational and commercial hub, all 

of which are complemented by beautiful landscaping 

and parkland views. Since we live in an age where taking 

photographs are essential, one ought to have Central 

Park’s views in their timelines especially with their 

gorgeous canopy of trees and fresh green carpeted grass. 

The park, being an extension of Tropicana Heights offers 

residences a complete balance between urban life and the 

wholesome affects of living alongside nature. The tracks 

themselves winding out amongst the serene lakes allow 

you to take in the calm of the waters and the beauty of the 

blooming fauna that line the banks, all while enjoying a 

clean, cool breeze. 


TROPICANA HEIGHTS 

199 acres 

MASTER PLAN 

16 acres 

CENTRAL PLAN 

— 

From left to right: Participants stay cheerful despite the weather; 

an aerial view of the stunning Central Park, Tropicana Heights 


TROPICANA AMAN 

863 acres 

MASTER PLAN 

85 acres 

CENTRAL PLAN 

— 

From left to right: Tropicana Aman's tranquil Central Park; 

the aerial view of Tropicana Metropark's intricately woven scenery 


TROPICANA METROPARK 

88 acres 

MASTER PLAN 

9.2 acres 

CENTRAL PLAN 

“Since we live in an age where taking 

photographs are essential, one ought to 

have Central Park’s views in their albums, 

especially with their gorgeous canopy of 

trees and fresh green carpeted grass” 

REINVENTING THE FUTURE OF TRANQUILITY 

Tropicana Metropark recently hosted a media preview 

of its transformation journey from an industrial site to a 

vibrant community of tomorrow. Datuk Edmund Kong, 

Group Managing Director of Tropicana Corporation 

Berhad presented an in depth progress and feature of 

Tropicana Metropark during the media preview that 

was held at the contemporary Tropicana Metropark 

Property Gallery. 

Tropicana Metropark is strategically located in Subang 

Jaya with an estimated gross development value of RM7.2 

billion. The 88-acre development features a 9.2-acre 

Central Park that is centrally located in the department. 

The Central Park features a man-made lake that includes 

a bio-filtration system, pedestrian promenade and an 

F&B strip for guests who would like to dine alfresco. 

Aside from that, the park also has a jogging and cycling 

track ideal for brisk walking, jogging or cycling. In terms 

of security, Tropicana Metropark has a team of security 

guards on standby performing round-the-clock patrols 

as well as CCTV’s placed around key areas of the park. 

Relax, unwind and enjoy an alfresco meal with a view, the 

Central Park creating a peaceful and soothing setting for 

a lifestyle that is both modern and in touch with nature. 


FINANCIAL REPORT 

Tropicana Corporation Berhad (“Tropicana” or “Group”) 

announced its unaudited financial results for the second 

quarter recently. The Group recorded a revenue of 

RM312.3 million or 3.6% increase from RM301.5 million 

in the same period in 2014. The Group achieved a lower 

profit before tax (PBT) of RM26.0 million, against 

RM111.0 million in the previous corresponding period 

a year ago. Following that, the net profit attributed to 

shareholders also decreased to RM23.2 million in the 

quarter under review, compared with RM89.5 million in 

the same period last year. 

For the six month ended 30 June 2015, Group Revenue 

rose 26.9% to RM703.3 million as compared to RM554.2 

million in 2014. For the half-year period, Group PBT 

decreased to RM67.0 million from RM128.3 million a year 

ago, whilst a net profit attributable to shareholders was at 

RM42.4 million compared with RM97.3 million previously. 

The above revenue and PBT figures relate to the Group’s 

continuing operations, which exclude contributions from 

Tenaga Kimia Sdn Bhd which was disposed of on 2 July, 

and is categorised as discontinued operations. 

In May, the Group recorded a success in its maiden 

properties launch in Tropicana Aman, Shah Alam, where 

all 432 units of two- and three-storey Arahsia Residences 

link homes with gross development value of RM342 

million were fully taken up. 

On top of that, the Group launched the second phase of 

the development, Bayan Residences, on the 6th of August 

which consist of 372 units of two- and three-storey link 

homes competitively priced from RM850,000 onwards. 

Spanning over 863 acres, Tropicana Aman is a RM13 

billion self-contained mixed township development 

offering various facilities and features such as a generous 

85-acre central linear park and lake, a 7km vehicular free 

bike trail/jogging path. 

For the first half of 2015, Tropicana has achieved a total sale 

of RM787.4 million as at 30th June in addition to having 

secured unbilled sales at a record high of RM3.0 billion. In 

a nutshell, the Group is confident of achieving total sales 

comparable to previous financial year of RM1.5 billion in 

the financial report new sales. 


A WALkiNG & BikiNG CoMMu N i T y @ koTA kEMu N i NG 

85 Acres Central Park Neighbourhood Commercial 

Residents’ Clubhouse 

Nowhere is nature more present than at Tropicana Aman. With 85 acres central park, 

a residents-only clubhouse, vibrant neighbourhood commercial, educational institutions 

and gated & guarded residential enclaves, it is a wholesome township designed with 

your wellbeing in mind. Everywhere you turn is a new pocket of nature and discovery. 

All you need to do is just step out of your home, take your heart for a ride, and give 

every beat a new meaning. Let this be your home. 

Kota 

Kemuning 

From 

KLANG 

EXIT 

506A 

NEW LAuNChiNG 

Property Gallery 

GPS Coordinate: 2.955240 N, 101.549156 E 

Waze: Tropicana Aman New Property Gallery 

https://waze.to/lr/hw280y9r9d 

1700 81 8868 

tropicanaaman.com.my 

Developer: Sapphire Index Sdn Bhd 1030655-A 

Lot G-28A, Ground Floor, Tropicana City Mall 

No. 3, Jalan SS20/27, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor 

t +603 7713 8888 f +603 7713 8840 

e enquiry@tropicanacorp.com.my 

EXIT 

506B 

From 

KL 

KESAS 

Tropicana Aman Property Gallery 

No 2, Persiaran Aman Perdana 3, Bandar Tropicana Aman 

42500 Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor Darul Ehsan 

gps coordinate: 2.955240 N, 101.549156 E 

Waze: Tropicana Aman New Property Gallery 

• 2 & 3-storey link homes (22’/24’/26’ x 80’) 

• Gated and guarded • 2.5-acre community park 

• 20’ wide backlane linear park • 3.5km jogging track 

• Community centre, skateboard plaza, 

half-basketball court, par course, 3 feature gazebos 

• Developer’s License No: 14012-1/05-2017/0460(L) • Validity: 28/5/2015 – 27/5/2017 • Advertising & Sales Permit No: 14012-1/05-2017/0460(P) • Validity: 28/5/2015 -27/5/2017 • Approving Authority: Majlis Daerah kuala Langat • Building Plan Reference No: MDkL/JkB/2/4/1080(17) • Expected Date of Completion: Jun 2018 

• Tenure of Land: 99 years (Expiry 9/4/2110) • Land Encumbrances: Nil • Total units: 2 Storey Terrace house - 326 units; 3 Storey Terrace house - 106 units • Type of house: 2 and 3 Storey Terrace house • Selling Price: 2 Storey Terrace house RM977,760 (Min.) – RM1,743,360 (Max.); 3 Storey Terrace house RM1,192,560 (Min.) – RM1,522,560 (Max.) 

• Built-up Areas: 2 Storey Terrace house: 2,278 sf (Min.) - 3,314 sf (Max.); 3 Storey Terrace house: 3,261 sf (Min.) - 3,660 sf (Max.) • 7% Bumiputera Discount • Express Condition: The Land Cannot be Transferred, Leased, or Charged except with the Consent of The State Authority. 

The Tropicana Aman development is not associated in any way with the Aman Group.

TAN SRI DATO’ DANNY TAN 

ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT 

Group Executive Vice Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Danny 

Tan is stepping down from his post to enter retirement. 

Upon his retirement, he will also relinquish his day-to-day 

management. The baton of daily responsibilities will then 

be taken over by Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Yau 

Kok Seng and Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer Dato’ 

Dickson Tan. 

“Both Dato’ Yau and Dato’ Dickson have been instrumental 

in formulating and leading the transformation journey of 

the Group. Together with the other board members and 

senior management team, I have full confidence that they 

can effectively lead Tropicana into greater heights,” says 

Dato’ Danny. 

He also adds, “I want to assure all stakeholders and our 

employees that I will remain as the significant shareholder 

of Tropicana and stay committed to the Company.” 

The boardroom composition in Tropicana has undergone 

some changes with Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza bin 

Zakaria appointed as Independent Non-Executive Deputy 

Chairman and Mr Dion Tan Yong Chien as Executive 

Director. Dato’ Larry Gan Nyap Liou will assume the 

role of Senior Independent Non-Executive Director of 

Tropicana. Ms Diana Tan Sheik Ni has stepped down as 

Executive Director of Tropicana, while Dato’ Francis Ng 

Tian Sang @ Ng Kek Chuan and Datuk Seri Panglima 

Mohd Annuar bin Zaini have retired as Independent Non- 

Executive Directors of Tropicana. 

With the new Board, the Group is dedicated to further 

strengthen its commitment of delivering innovative and 

quality products that enhances shareholders’ value. 

“I will remain as the significant 

shareholder of Tropicana and stay 

committed to the Company” 


— 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: (from left to right) Ms Ung Lay Ting, Head of Marketing & Sales of Tropicana; Mr Dion Tan, 

Executive Director of Tropicana; YBhg Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza, Non-Executive Deputy Chairman of Tropicana; 

Datuk Edmund Kong, Group Managing Director of Tropicana and Mr Daniel Teh, Executive Director – Project of Tropicana 

THE UNVEILING OF TROPICANA AMAN’S 

NEW PROPERTY GALLERY 

Tropicana’s newest township, Tropicana Aman, is getting 

a new and bigger property gallery. Relocating to Bandar 

Tropicana Aman from Kota Kemuning, the new gallery 

spans over 12 acres and doubles as the satellite office. The 

new property gallery aims to better promote Tropicana 

Aman’s “Walking and Biking Community” with the 12,000 

sq ft office surrounded by lush greenery and a lake. 

The property gallery, which was three months in the making, 

provides guests with a complete Tropicana experience and 

houses everything from Tropicana Aman enormous master 

development scale models and individual residences scale 

models as well as lush open space landscaping. 

The gallery focuses on strengthening dialogues between 

guests and sales consultants in an exclusive lounge-like 

setting that also offers a friendly kids’ play zone. Guests 

will also be given an insight into Tropicana’s DNA, one that 

is built on the cornerstones of accessibility, connectivity, 

innovative concepts and designs, generous open spaces, 

amenities, facilities, multi-tiered security and quality. 

The development of Tropicana Aman marks Tropicana 

Group’s fifth township development in the Klang Valley 

region. The launch of Arahsia Residences, the first phase 

of Tropicana Aman has recorded an impressive 100% 

take-up since its launch two months ago. 


TROPICANA WINNING BIG AT BRANDLAUREATE 

SPECIAL EDITION WORLD AWARDS 2015 

BrandLaureate hosted the BrandLaureate Special Edition 

World Awards 2015 in conjunction with the 10th 

anniversary of The BrandLaureate. Tropicana won the Brand 

Excellence for Best Property while Tan Sri Dato’ Danny 

Tan won the Brandpreneur Life Inspired Achievement 

Award alongside other distinguished businessmen. Hosted 

at the Majestic Hotel, the award show was a spectacle with 

exciting entertainment like a performance by songstress 

Syafinaz just to name a few. Winners of the BrandLaureate 

Special Edition World Awards 2015 received a masterpiece 

trophy made of pewter and 24K gold that personifies the 

Brand Champion. 

— 

Winning the achievement award: YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Aseh Che Mat, 

Chairman of The BrandLaureate; YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Danny Tan Chee Sing, 

Founder of Tropicana; YAM Tunku Datuk Dr Hajah Sofiah Jewa, Founder of the 

Tun Suffian Foundation and Dr KK Johan, President of The BrandLaureate 

Receiving the award: YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Aseh Che Mat, Chairman of 

The BrandLaureate; YBhg Dato’ Yau Kok Seng, Group CEO of Tropicana; YBhg 

Tan Sri Rainer Althoff, Director of Top Glove and Dr KK Johan, President of The 

BrandLaureate 


1 

2 

1 - Council member of Rumah Amal Cheshire Selangor, Major (R) Habibah Baharom 

(standing in the middle) and students received the mock cheque from En. Ismail 

Saleh (in dark blue Baju Melayu) 2 - Would you like a pistol balloon or a hat balloon? 

3 - Duit Raya time! 

3 

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort 

RAYA OPEN HOUSE 2015 

TROPICANA GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT 

12 AUGUST 2015 

In the spirit of giving and sharing, Tropicana Golf & Country 

Resort hosted a Hari Raya open house for 130 children and special 

needs people from three charity organisations. TGCR also donated 

RM30,000 to the charity organisations namely Rumah Amal Cheshire 

Selangor, PDK Selayang and PDK Lembah Pantai. Goodie bags and 

‘duit raya’ were distributed to the beneficiaries after the opening 

speech by Mr Ismail Salleh (Security Senior Manager); the children 

and special needs people were later treated to a sumptuous lunch and 

entertained by Helmi, the gimmick and balloon sculpture clowns. 


1 

Malaysia Golf Media 

SOCIETY GAME 2015 


25 AUGUST 2015 

2 

The Malaysia Golf Media Society Game 2015 is the first golf game 

hosted by the management for 50 members from the print and 

electronic medias of Malaysia Golf Media Society. The day was 

blessed with great weather and local delicacies from the Tropicana 

Golf & Country Resort’s Banquet team served to the players during 

lunch. The players were surprised with the 11.5 feet stimp meter 

greens provided on the day of play. Many players mentioned it was 

the best putting surface in Malaysia. 

3 

1 - The top 10 players of the day! 

2 - Where is my photo? 

3 - Group photo before the game begins 


AN INTERVIEW WITH MRS STEPHANIE SITT 

Taking a Chance 

ADVENTURE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN SKYDIVING, BUNGEE 

JUMPING OR SCUBA DIVING – SIMPLY BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR 

COMES WITH ITS OWN SET OF THRILLS AND SPILLS, AS 

MRS STEPHANIE SITT REVEALS. 

AN INTERVIEW BY KARIN CHAN PHOTOGRAPHS BRIAN FANG/M8 STUDIO 

ART DIRECTION NOR HAMIMAH ABDULLAH MAKE-UP & HAIR JOEY YAP HAIR & ANGELINE LOW 


First impressions are important, as every business(wo)man 

knows, and Mrs Stephanie Sitt is the perfect image of refined 

warmth – perhaps even picture perfect. The comparison 

seems a fitting one for the co-founder of INMAGINE and 

123RF, two homegrown Internet platforms that provide 

millions of images for creative purposes and conquered the 

international market. It soon becomes apparent that her 

poised exterior and warm smile belie a core of steel and a 

determined mind, ready to face whatever challenges the 

working world throws at her. 

How would you define the word ‘adventure’? 

How does it apply to your own life? 

I would call a person who can challenge their own limits and go 

above and beyond ‘adventurous’. In relation to my own life, the 

first thing I think of is when I ventured into business. I’m not 

a born entrepreneur, but I took up the opportunity to set up a 

business with my husband despite not knowing anything about it, 

needing a lot of trust from our colleagues and having to believe in 

our own ideas. This is the most adventurous thing that I’ve done! 

Are you a businesswoman at heart? 

Not at all! My background is actually in marketing, 

but when my husband first started the business in 

2000 he needed a lot of support and someone that he 

could trust. I’m not a born entrepreneur and I always 

wanted to be in a high-level position for a listed 

corporation instead, but I wasn’t scared and I don’t 

regret it at all. I think every individual deserves a chance. 

What kind of person are you? 

I would describe myself as a person with principle, but 

who can be flexible depending on the situation. People 

in the office tend to say I’m fierce, but some people tell 

me that they actually respect me. I’m happy to hear such 

a compliment because we understand that respect is 

something you earn, not demand. Once, my staff asked 

me, “Why don’t you just enjoy your life and go for high 

tea? Treat yourself!” Well, maybe that’s not me. 

SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2015 | TM 75


What kind of challenges have you faced in your life? 

Many people think that ‘oh, you’re a boss, you have a lot of 

flexibility and can do whatever you want’ or something. But 

it’s not as easy as everyone thinks. We started young and 

sacrificed a lot of our time, not going to cinemas or hanging 

out at mamaks drinking teh tarik until midnight. We didn’t 

have millions of dollars to pour into marketing or social media 

to help promote our brands, so it was quite challenging to go 

to customers and introduce our platform. People need time to 

develop confidence towards your products and services and 

there was a lot of criticism back in 2000, but I saw it as a way 

to improve. 

What projects are you working on? 

When I started, I didn’t have anyone to talk to and picked up 

a lot of things through experience. So I began a project called 

‘Be My Guest – Calibration’. I invited about 50 staff to ‘be my 

guest’ for a casual drink at 4-5pm and to talk to them about 

the history and journey of the company, as well as guiding 

them on how to be a better employee or maybe be their own 

boss someday. It’s something to open up their minds and 

look at the big picture from a new perspective wherever they 

go. I think every individual deserves a chance and I hope 

what I taught them is something positive for their future. 

How do you juggle family and work? 

I will make an effort to go to work earlier, settle down, 

turn on the phone and Skype and sit in on meetings in the 

car before I pick up my girls. During the journey home, 

we spend quality time in the car and they have no gadgets 

so they have to focus on talking to me in that 30-minute 

window. They like it a lot and I never fail to pick them 

up unless I’m travelling. We spend more time with them 

on weekends because on weekdays they have their own 

curricular activities after school as well. Some authors I’ve 

read say that it’s not the length of time that you spend with 

your kids, it’s the quality. 

What do you like about the Tropicana lifestyle? 

I’ve been here six years and I love this place. Every day 

we’re in the city or office, so it’s nice to come home and 

see green. That’s the most attractive thing for me. I mingle 

with other people in the clubhouse quite frequently because 

I think that’s the safest place for you to go – you don’t have 

to worry about parking and you can get food, massages, 

manicures – everything is here. 

SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2015 | TM 77

If you had a free day to yourself without work, what 

would you do? 

I would hop on to my cross trainer for 30 minutes, go for a 

massage, have high tea with some friends at the Tropicana 

Club, then go for dinner with my husband. It doesn’t have 

to be posh. We try to make time for each other, especially to 

have dinner together. Sometimes our schedules are different 

and we’re in different places, but if possible we have dinner 

together every day. 

What plans are in store for the future? 

My favourite song is Whitney Houston’s ‘One Moment In 

Time’. The lyrics are my life’s motto. I always see things as 

though today was my last day. Every day before I go to bed 

I ask myself: what have I accomplished today? What do I 

want to do tomorrow? You’ve just got to make sure things 

are on the right track, right now. 

“However successful 

you become, remaining 

humble and striving for 

continuous improvement 

is important. I think that’s 

the key to life’’ 

Any life philosophies or advice to offer other 

young entrepreneurs? 

As a boss, you truly need a lot of discipline. You need to 

have interest in your work and you need to have faith in 

your product and your decisions. In Malaysia we can say 

that we have achieved a lot, but when you go to other 

countries you need to start all over again. So you have 

to have determination and be humble enough to learn. 

However successful you become, remaining humble and 

striving for continuous improvement is important. I think 

that’s the key to life. 


THE VACATION 

Taking On 

The Mountains 

WORDS JUSTIN HEYES 

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCKPHOTO 

ADVENTURE IS ALL ABOUT GETTING THE ADRENALINE 

PUMPING AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO GET THE HEART 

RACING IN STYLE THAN A SKIING HOLIDAY AT SOME 

OF EUROPE’S FINEST SLOPES? 


“The snow in Courchevel is some of the 

best in the whole ski area and there’s 

terrain to suit everyone from 

beginner to expert” 


“Megève is highly recommended for 

those who want to do more than just 

ski during their holiday, with its scenic 

village and gorgeous rustic chalets” 

its way up from Courchevel Le Praz (formerly 1300), through 

Courchevel Moriond (formerly 1650) to the highest resort 

which is now simply known as Courchevel (formerly 1850), 

by passing Courchevel Village (formerly 1550) on the way. 

1850 is by far the biggest resort village, spreading a good 

way up the hillsides. It’s the most prestigious place to stay, 

where the rich Russians and Parisians head to be seen and 

to flash their cash. It’s also the main lift hub with gondolas 

from the centre heading up in three different directions and 

mainly easy pistes back down. It’s also home to huge numbers 

of luxury chalets and swanky hotels, plus some pricey shops. 

The Courchevel 1850 village is the place to go if you like to be 

treated like royalty and have the cash to pay for it. 

When looking for an adventurous holiday, many people 

often imagine a far flung, gruelling time spent jungle trekking 

and then immediately opt for a much more relaxing holiday, 

often somewhere with a beach and five-star luxury resorts. 

But you shouldn’t be disheartened as adventure holidays can 

be luxurious too. The best example of this are the ski holidays 

– a bit of adrenaline pumping, minimal effort activity (let’s 

face it, gravity does most of the work) followed by long 

evenings in warm chalets looking out at the snow over a glass 

of champagne. Sound good? Then keep reading to find out a 

little bit more about some of Europe’s best skiing destinations. 

M e g è v e, France 

Megève has a medieval heart but it was, in a way, the original 

purpose-built French ski resort – developed in the 1920s as 

a response to Switzerland’s irritatingly swanky St Moritz. 

Although Courchevel long ago took over as France’s top 

C o u r c h e v e l, France 

Courchevel is at one end of the Trois Vallées, which has 600km 

of pistes and over 170 lifts. Because of the north-facing aspect 

of many of Courchevel’s local slopes, the snow here is usually 

some of the best in the whole ski area and there’s terrain to 

suit everyone from beginner to expert. Many visitors never 

feel the need to leave the Courchevel valley, despite having 

the rest of the Trois Vallées to explore. 

Courchevel is not one resort village but four distinctly 

separate ones. They were renamed a couple of seasons ago but 

are still commonly known by their old names – Courchevel 

1850, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550 and Courchevel 

1300. They are linked by lifts, pistes and a road which winds 


Verbier’s challenging slopes offer some of the most impressive mountain views 

resort, Megève’s smart hotels and rustic chalets still hold 

a charm that attracts visitors to the region. Not too many, 

though, which leaves the slopes clear enough for you to enjoy 

them at your leisure. 

Megève is in a lovely sunny setting and has a beautifully 

preserved, partly medieval centre. Visitors are mainly wellheeled 

French people who come here for an all-round holiday 

of sun and snow. This is one of the best places to be in falling 

snow as Megève regulars take one look and retreat back into 

their duvets, leaving the slopes entirely to your devices. 

The skiing is divided into three sectors. One is directly 

accessible by lifts close to the centre and from the southern 

edge of town, another from an elevated suburb or from an 

out-of-town lift base; and these two are linked by cable car. 

The third involves a bus or free horse-drawn sleigh, which is 

an added holiday treat for most people. 

Megève is highly recommended for those who want to 

do more than just ski during their holiday with its scenic 

village and gorgeous rustic chalets, it also comes highly 

recommended for easygoing couples who enjoy their time in 

the snow. 

V e r b i e r, Switzerland 

Verbier is the main resort in Switzerland’s largest ski area, 

the 4 Valleys. Thanks to the combination of a sunny, scenic 

location, exciting terrain and a lively nightlife, it has long 

attracted a youthful, sporty clientele. Easy access has helped 

make the resort popular with Brits as well as the Dutch, the 

Scandinavians, the international Geneva set – and above all, 

the Swiss. 

The challenging terrain on Verbier’s doorstep has given rise to 

thrilling spectator events from the Xtreme Verbier (the finals 

of the Freeride World Tour) and the Verbier High Five (at 

which amateur skiers compete alongside world champions), 

to the Patrouille des Glaciers, a gruelling ski touring race 

from Zermatt. 

The area also had an ambitious complex open at the foot of the 

main Médran gondola. New shops, restaurants and a luxury 

hotel – W Verbier – plus a generous allocation of lounges, 


ars, cafés and other public spaces have given a welcome new 

focus to a resort long heavy on exclusive private chalets. In 

general, the shops, restaurants and hotels are concentrated in 

a relatively small area of the resort: the streets leading off Place 

Centrale and up to the main gondola at Médran, 500m away. 

Because of this, Verbier has a reputation for being the perfect 

place for those who like to ski hard and party harder. The 

easier slopes are a bit isolated here so if you’re not a confident 

skier, another resort may be a better option. 

G s t a a d, Switzerland 

Gstaad is the Swiss resort of fairy tales. Surrounded by Alps, 

the town’s most prominent feature is a picturesque castle 

that sits on a hill overlooking the village. At night, the Palace 

Hotel is lit by spotlights and the eaves of every chalet in the 

village are illuminated by strings of small white lights. Adding 

to the charm of this winter marvel, the town is car-free and 

all destinations are a close walk away. 

Gstaad is known for its luxury hotels, shopping and excellent 

service. Over the years it has also developed a reputation for 

being the reserve of the global elite, becoming a sort of enclave 

for the super-rich. The town is located at the intersection of 

two valleys in the Bernese Oberland in the Alps. 

“At night, the Palace Hotel is lit by 

spotlights and the eves of every 

chalet in the village are illuminated 

by strings of small white lights” 

Gstaad’s castle and town is like a picture of a bygone time 

There is a vast array of activities year-round to be found 

in Gstaad. Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular 

activities, and are abundant for both the novice and the 

advanced skier. Visitors can ski the entire Gstaad “Super Ski 

Region,” which comprises some six sectors, over 70 lifts, and 

150 miles (250 kilometers) of trails. In summer, this ticket 

gives skiers access to summer skiing on the gentle Diablerets 

glacier. 


THE GAME CHANGER 

Bear Grylls 

THE HERO IN THE WILD 

WORDS DAMIAN WHITWORTH / THE TIMES / THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE 

PHOTOGRAPH GETTY IMAGES 

BEAR IS THE RIGHT MAN YOU WOULD WANT 

TO STICK WITH IF YOU ARE STRANDED 

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TROPICS WITH A 

GRIZZLY IN THE WILD. PUN INTENDED. 


“There is a difference between 

risk and danger. If you try and 

strip risk out of kids’ lives you 

disempower them” 

After his father died, Bear Grylls was helping his mother to 

move house when they came across some forgotten trunks 

in the attic that had belonged to his grandfather, Brigadier 

Ted Grylls. “I looked inside and they had all these old bundles 

of war documents and a lot said ‘Top Secret’,” recalls Grylls. 

To most of us that would have been a cue to comb through 

the papers in search of the secrets. Not Grylls. “I’m from a 

military background,” he says. “I know everything is ‘Top 

Secret’. The lunch menu is ‘Top Secret’. I looked at them but 

never got into them.” 

The trunks were stashed away and several years passed. 

Then, about 18 months ago, while searching for inspiration 

that would enable the TV survivalist and adventurer to add 

novels to the ever-expanding Grylls brand, his co-author, 

the writer Damien Lewis, poked around in the trunks and 

unearthed the remarkable truth. 

At the end of the Second World War Winston Churchill 

set up a clandestine organisation called T-Force that was 

charged with “rescuing” Nazi scientists and technology from 

the advancing Soviet Army and bringing them to the West. 

“Damien came back and said: ‘your grandfather was involved’. 

I said: ‘Really? I thought he was just in a tank regiment in 

the war. He never really spoke about it.’ He said: ‘Bear, your 

grandfather commanded it. He was the guy in charge.’ It was 

the first time it had come out. Nobody knew about it.” 

Below — Bear Grylls enjoying hte view with actor Channing Tatum in the 1st 

season of Running Wild with Bear Grylls 



This is slightly exaggerated. Bear may not have been aware of 

his grandfather’s wartime exploits but they were not entirely 

unknown. That Brigadier Grylls commanded T-Force was 

recorded in his Times obituary in 1994 and in a 2009 book. 

Nevertheless, it was an astonishing story. Among the technical 

information Brigadier Grylls liberated were blueprints for the 

Volkswagen Beetle. He excitedly sent them back to Britain 

where manufacturers concluded that such a vehicle was 

impractical and would not sell. “He always had a real love of 

VW Beetles and he always drove VWs,” says his grandson. 

Grylls is convinced that his grandfather’s reticence about his 

war service can be attributed to the controversial nature of 

his work. “It was a morally difficult line because a lot of these 

people should have been standing in war tribunals. Now, 

you are protecting them for the greater good. The right way 

isn’t always the easy way and he had a tough road to walk.” 

Before his work with T-Force, Brigadier Grylls served with 

Monty’s Eighth Army at El Alamein, was twice blown up 

in his tank and was among the first liberators to enter the 

Belsen concentration camp. 

After the First World War, he had served in India. “I 

remember him saying he had taken part in a charge on 

horseback in India with a sword.” In another incident he 

sent a scout to catch an enemy sniper. “The guy came back 

very excited as my grandfather was having breakfast in his 

field tent: ‘I got the sniper.’ My grandfather said: ‘Not while 

I am having breakfast.’ As an eight-year-old I was, ‘Wow!’ I 

grew up very respectful of him.” 

Grylls talked to his grandfather when planning his own 

military career, which led to him serving as a reservist in 

the SAS. His love of the outdoors was fostered by his father, 

Sir Michael Grylls, who was in the Royal Marines before 

becoming a Conservative MP. 

“He really encouraged in me from an early age a love of 

adventure.” He approved when his son took to climbing on 

the roof, both at home and at Eton, where he went to school. 

He also taught him to embrace failure, “something that kids 

get taught so little now. At the time I thought: ‘Why is he 

clapping when I fall out of a tree?’ Now I understand it is the 

heart of progressing in life.” 

Grylls has three sons of his own, aged 11 and under. “We have 

a thing: ‘TTT — To The Top.’ The little one, Huckleberry, 

gets mad because I always go into his class and say: ‘Come on 

guys, listen in. You’ve got to look after each other. Be kind. Be 

humble. Work hard and never give up and I’ll see you at the 

top.’ And Huckleberry is holding his head in his hands: ‘Papa, 

you’re so embarrassing.’ But secretly quite liking it. Those are 

the lessons that matter and the memories that matter.” 

The boys can all light a fire without matches and skin a 

rabbit. It is all very well being cool about risking your own 

skin, but does he find it harder to be relaxed when his kids 

are in peril? 

“There is a difference between risk and danger. If you try 

and strip risk out of kids’ lives you disempower them. I see it 

a lot with friends who won’t let their kids do anything.” He 

gives the example of people who wouldn’t let their kids go 

to the mountains before taking exams in case they injured 

their hands. Recently his eldest son broke his leg jumping 

off a slide. Grylls told him: “Bones heal and chicks love scars, 

so remember that.” 

He takes his kids up in his powered paraglider. “People go 

mad. But I am really safe with it.” He shows me footage on 

his phone of him paragliding with his youngest son, who 

was aged about four at the time, strapped to his front and 

grinning broadly. “We probably should have helmets and 

stuff like that but the thing is, I know how to do it safely. He 

loves it. The law would say: ‘Do the helmet’, but I know the 

sport well, I know where the risks are.” 

What does Shara think? “She trusts me to do the stuff safely 

and it’s just as dangerous driving on the school run.” On 

activities in his role as Chief Scout he makes sure to wear 

a lifejacket even when he doesn’t think he needs it. He will 

wear a helmet if he thinks there is loose rock above him 

when climbing “but a lot of times I don’t. I am the first to 

admit I am probably not perfect when it comes to health and 

safety and I probably edge the wrong side of it.” 

I suspect I know where Grylls stands on the modern parent’s 

challenge over how much screen time to allow children. “I 

hate being the cliché of, ‘My kids don’t play computer games’, 

but they genuinely aren’t that into it. When they stay with 

a friend they quite enjoy messing around on a Wii.When 

you give them things, whether it’s PlayStations or whatever, 

it erodes their imaginations and self-confidence. I really do 

believe that the best things in life are free.” 

I notice on his website later that there is a Bear Grylls video 

game. Perhaps his kids get to play it at their mates’ houses. 

We talk at 9am. Grylls was up at six doing a workout on 

the roof of his barge and cracks open a Diet Coke. Life in 

Bear-world sounds exhausting. In the past year he has done 

seven TV series and travelled to 39 countries. His show, The 

Island, has been sold to 34 countries. He is about to head 

to America to promote programmes and is working on a 

TV series taking Chinese celebrities into the wild. He has 

just finished writing a diet book filled with dairy, wheat and 

sugar-free recipes. He is lean and muscular but his frame is 

lighter than you expect. He says he is fitter at 41 than he was 

at 25 because he has learnt to exercise and eat better. 

The boys and Grylls’s extremely tolerant-sounding wife, 

Shara, travel with him on some trips and they spend holidays 

on an island they own off north Wales. In London they live 

on a barge on the Thames. 


Grylls’s company runs 30 businesses, including lucrative 

lines of outdoor clothing and survival knives, but he has 

more free time than when he was doing one series a year 

five years ago. “I am calmer. We delegate. I have learnt to 

say ‘no’ and to prioritise the family. It’s a work in progress.” 

His tip: “If the top of your priorities isn’t work, don’t spend 

90 per cent of your life swamped by emails. Have the simple 

discipline of not emailing in the bedroom.” 

He is relentlessly upbeat, claiming to be “genuinely touched” 

that I have read his book and been dispensing over-thetop 

flattery — “you’re such a star”, he says when we part. 

There are only two occasions when his cheeriness briefly 

disappears. The first is when I mention a recent story in 

America about a teenager who stabbed a nine-year-old boy 

to death with a Bear Grylls knife. He genuinely doesn’t seem 

to have heard about this. “God, I didn’t see that. You know, 

my heart sinks when I hear things like that. Gosh.” 

The second is when we talk about killing animals. He was 

criticised by animal rights campaigners because pigs were 

killed by contestants on The Island. He says the scene was 

“a reflection of just how starving those guys were”. Hunting 

is “definitely not sport for me. Any old slime can shoot a 

harmless animal. I get a lot of Americans saying: ‘Bear, come 

and see my hunting trophies.’ It makes me feel quite ill. If 

your life is on the line I will teach you how to catch and kill 

a crocodile, but it’s not a pleasant experience, I warn you.” 

Those crocodile-killing techniques get an outing in his 

novel Ghost Flight, which mostly takes place in the 

Amazon jungle, where the toxic legacy of the Allies’ secret 

repatriation of Nazi technology emerges 70 years after the 

war. The hero, funnily enough, is a former - SAS officer who 

finds a mysterious trunk full of his grandfather’s wartime 

documents. Grylls says the book was a true collaboration 

with Lewis. “I definitely wrote a lot of this. If you just use 

a ghostwriter it becomes quite hard work and doesn’t have 

your voice.” 

Those looking for less cliché-ridden prose might wish there 

had been a bit more ghostwriting, but Grylls has produced a 

decent story and no doubt this, the first of at least three novels, 

will be the next success in the relentless march of his brands. 

When it comes to keeping his fans happy he could give Tom 

Cruise a run for his money. I mention that my children enjoy 

his programmes and a few minutes after the interview one 

of his team emails to ask their names. Shortly afterwards, up 

pops a video message from Bear to my children urging them 

to “follow your dreams”. 

This tireless attention to detail has got him where he is today. 

Whether he is trying to extract himself from some selfcreated 

perilous wilderness situation, persuade a celebrity 

to drink his own urine or charm a newspaper interviewer, 

Bear Grylls always goes the extra mile. You might find it 

exhausting. You might sometimes find him cheesy. Yet if 

you were unfortunate enough to find yourself up to your 

armpits in piranha-infested waters in a stinking jungle, you 

know who you would want to get you out of there. 


The Perfect 

COMPANION 

TAKE THAT BREEZY ROADTRIP ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH 

THE BEST TWO-WHEEL COMPANION IN THE MARKET. 

WORDS ANTOINE COMMARE 

PHOTOGRAPHS TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES 

When I got my hands on the Triumph Explorer 1200, I was intimidated. At first 

glance, it is huge. At second glance, it is even bigger. Blame the fuel tank and the 

added luggage cases. However, start the engine and ride, and it will be an entire 

different feeling. The handling of the 1200 is quite light once you get out of the urban 

traffic. Hit the highway and the 1200cc engine will roar to its full potential. 

Relative to the wide-barred Tiger 800XC, the 1200 sits in a very comfortable and 

neutral position, which makes it perfect for longer jaunts into the countryside. 

Cranking out several-hundred-mile days on the Tiger 1200 is a breeze. 

Triumph put some thought into the Tiger 1200’s ergonomics and user features, 

ranging from wind protection to heated options with easy-to-use switches. The 

windscreen frame is adjustable, and the heated grips and seat are a joy to use on cool 

mornings or cold nights. The mixed digital/analog gauge cluster is bright and easy 

to see, but while the trip computer offers a lot of information, unfortunately the 

handlebar controls, which change the information display and settings, are rather 

cryptic and unintuitive to use. In an otherwise well rounded adventure-touring 

package, this is perhaps the one thing we’d most like to see improved. 

We did manage to load it up for a trip to Penang. Strapping on luggage was an easy 

chore, and there was plenty of room for bags. Loads on a motorcycle are usually a 

number one no-no, so at first it was unnerving. However, the bike’s behaviour didn’t 

change in the slightest once fully loaded. 


"Sport-touring riders 

looking to dabble on 

fire-roads will find the 

Tiger 1200 Explorer a nice 

sweet spot" 

The sporty Triumph Explorer 1200 in black 

Performance and Handling 

The legendary triple motor needs to be experienced to be 

appreciated. Like the Tiger 800, the 1200 Explorer has one 

of the quickest, smoothest and most positive shifting actions 

we’ve experienced, making quick and confident work of 

even the trickiest sets of curves. With great amounts of 

on-demand power and a comfortable riding geometry, the 

1200 Explorer lends itself to a 'sportier' ride and a more 

blacktop-friendly experience than its counterparts. Sporttouring 

riders looking to dabble on fire-roads will find the 

Tiger 1200 Explorer a nice sweet spot. 

In terms of long-distance comfort, any of the 1200cc 

adventure bikes on the market fare well for eating major 

miles, but arguably the most challenging design aspect of 

large adventure tourers is managing their off-road prowess. 

The adjustable preload-only front suspension and preload/ 

rebound adjustable rear are sufficient on the street. Like 

the Tiger 800, which lacks any front fork adjustments, we 

conjecture that Triumph is leaving room for subsequent 

generational improvements. 

While large bikes are inherently dirt unfriendly, 

having enough suspension travel matched with correct 

dampening, can be the difference between making it home 

or not. After a couple hundred miles of fire and logging 

roads, we found the 1200 Explorer tended to chatter a bit 

at speed, and we wouldn’t suggest subjecting it to anything 

more strenuous. 

All in all, this Triumph is an amazing companion if you 

want to hit any kind of roads. Highways become a breeze 

and off-road is highly recommended. The only downside 

might be the hassle of urban traffic. 


Advertorial 

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is superb to drive. 

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Citroën’s DS, the DS5 has 

been built to encompass all 

that is great about the DS 

brand, and Citroën have 

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in showcasing what they 

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DS5 is masterfully put 

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comfortable and refined, and 

is powered by advanced, 

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technology. The DS5 is not 

only a joy to look at, but it is 

also a joy to drive. 

Everything about the DS5 has been orchestrated to enhance 

the driving experience; the responsive twin scroll turbo engine 

giving power in bundles when requested, but retains that smooth 

controlled ride. The technology assisting your drive, a signature of 

the DS family, has been perfected in its integration to complement 

the superb driving position, maximizing visibility and comfort. 

The DS5, innovating from models before it, has included cutting 

edge technology in a more driver friendly manner to give you all 

the information you need, at your convenience. An innovative 

colour ‘head-up display’, projects essential driving information 

onto a transparent panel in the driver’s direct line of vision, to 

keep your eyes on the road. 

The DS5 also offers a cockpit glass roof that comes with three 

individual blinds and a driver seat equipped with electric lumbar 

and massage function for maximum comfort. Start your car 

with ease as the DS5 is also geared with an electronic key with 

push start utility on top of having improved security functions 

like daytime running lights and Electronic Stability Program 

(ESP). Ease your parking game with an electronic parking 

brake and the front and rear parking sensors to cover you from 

every angle. 

With a seemingly endless list of intelligent design features 

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inside of the corner to improve visibility, the DS5 is bringing the 

future of driving to you.

THE SWING 

A Walk 

ON THE WILD SIDE 

WORDS KARIN CHAN 

PHOTOGRAPHS LEGEND GOLF AND SAFARI RESORT 

IF A GOLF COURSE SET IN AN AFRICAN ‘BIG FIVE’ GAME RESERVE IS NOT ADVENTUROUS ENOUGH 

FOR YOU, HOW ABOUT A SIGNATURE COURSE THAT HAS 18 HOLES EACH DESIGNED BY AN 

INTERNATIONAL GOLF SUPERSTAR? OR TAKING A SHOT AT A 19TH HOLE ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY 

HELICOPTER? FIND OUT WHY THE LEGEND GOLF AND SAFARI RESORT REDEFINES THE WORD 

‘EXOTIC’ FOR EVEN THE MOST SEASONED GOLFER. 


For many, the words ‘South Africa’ are synonymous with 

‘lion’, ‘elephant’, ‘buffalo’, ‘rhinoceros’, and ‘leopard’ – the 

so-called Big Five of the animal kingdom in the African 

savannah. But besides being home to some of the most 

unique creatures in the world, few know that South Africa 

also hosts another stunning attraction: the longest golf 

course in the country. 

s i g n a t u r e attraction 

Located within the aptly-named Legend Golf and Safari 

Resort, this 18-hole Championship golf course is so named 

primarily because of its unique Signature Course, where 

each hole has been designed by one of the world’s top 

golfing legends to create a truly world class experience. 

Enthusiasts will recognise names like Jim Furyk (Hole 3), 

Padraig Harrington (Hole 10), Vijay Singh (Hole 15), and 

South Africa’s very own Trevor Immelman (Hole 1) and 

Retief Goosen (Hole 18). 

Already an impressive 6,534m for daily play, the course is 

capable of extension up to 7,748m to cater for tournaments, 

ranking it among the longest in the world. Out of respect 

for the surrounding flora and fauna, every effort has been 

made to ensure that the flowing fairways do not needlessly 

disrupt the natural beauty of the pristine bushveld 

environment, earning its wide recognition as one of the 

most environmentally-sensitive courses on the continent. 

t a k i n g it to the extreme 

Try your hand at the legendary Extreme 19th, the longest 

and highest Par 3 in the world. Imagine this: not only is 

the hole set 400m up on the top of Hanglip Mountain, 

making it accessible only by a helicopter, you also have to 

complete a 361m shot to the Africa-shaped green down 

below in just three strokes. Padraig Harrington was the first 

to successfully make a Par 3 on this incredible golf hole. 

a worthy tribute 

Ever wanted to try playing at unique golf holes on different 

courses around the world, but simply cannot fly to all the 

locations? The 10-hole Tribute Course gathers nine worldrenowned 

Par 3 holes from all corners of the globe in one 

quick and convenient two-hour course, including the 12th 

‘Golden Bell’ and the 16th ‘Redbud’ at the Augusta National, 

the 8th ‘Postage Stamp’ at Royal Troon and the 6th at Royal 

Melbourne, each famous for their punishing play. 

g e t your swing on 

Whether a beginner to the game or a seasoned pro aiming 

to get some practice in, the Golf Academy provides an 

exciting experience for all. The six target greens are shaped 

like elephant heads with protective ‘tusk’ bunkers and range 

from 140m to 300m, while the teeing areas have three types 

of grass and various slopes. 


Top — The king of the beasts lies in royal repose upon the grasslands; cheetahs watch tourists rumble 

by in game vehicles on a safari exploration 

b e y o n d the green 

Had enough golf for one day, or perhaps have a partner who is not quite as 

keen as you are? Take some time then to enjoy the other facilities provided in 

the resort, particularly the Game Drive experience, which will allow you to 

get up close with the wild beasts of Africa from the safety of a game vehicle 

driven by a trained ranger. For a more adrenaline-pumping adventure, hit 

the road with a Segway in a one-hour Segway Gliding Tour or take to the 

skies with a helicopter flight over the 22,000ha Entabeni Safari Conservancy 

for a stunning bird’s eye view of the grounds. 

Either way, it is safe to say your experience will be… legendary. 

legends of the signature course: 

1. trevor immelman 

(south africa) hole 1 

2. thomas bjorn 

(denmark) hole 2 

3. jim furyk 

(usa) hole 3 

4. bernhard langer 

(germany) hole 4 

5. michael campbell 

(new zealand) hole 5 

6. colin montgomerie 

(scotland) hole 6 

7. mike weir 

(canada) hole 7 

8. camilo villegas 

(colombia) hole 8 

9. justin rose 

(england) hole 9 

10. padraig harrington 

(ireland) hole 10 

11. raphael jacquelin 

(france) hole 11 

12. ian woosnam 

(wales) hole 12 

13. luke donald 

(england) hole 13 

14. robert allenby 

(australia) hole 14 

15. vijay singh 

(fiji) hole 15 

16. sergio garcia 

(spain) hole 16 

17. kj choi 

(south korea) hole 17 

18. retief goosen 

(south africa) hole 18 


JB 

AD

HEALTH 

Benefits of 

SPICY FOOD 

WORDS SHEREEN KHOO PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCKPHOTO 

HERE ARE A FEW EXCUSES YOU CAN USE IF YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH 

CHILLI BUT GET TOLD OFF FOR ITS DISADVANTAGES. 


If you love spicy food, there is a high chance that you have a thing for 

adventure! This is a finding from Pennsylvania State University’s research 

who found an association between a love of chilli and adventure seekers. 

A few years ago, UK tabloid The Daily Mail published a summary of a 

research project done by Pennsylvania State University, which examined 

the link between personality types and the love of hot food. Their findings 

suggest that people who seek adventure and intense sensations have a 

greater liking for spicy food than those who avoid risky situations. 


NUTRITION 

In terms of health, new research is starting to reveal the 

health benefits of consuming spicy food. Did you know 

that chillies are richer in vitamin C than citrus fruits? 

However, since they are typically used in small amounts 

just to add taste and spice up dishes, they are unlikely to 

contribute much vitamin C to the daily intake. 

WEIGHT REGULATION 

Perhaps one of the most heavily discussed health benefits 

of eating spicy food is its possible potential as a dietary 

approach to weight management. Overweight and 

obesity are associated with many health problems such as 

coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 

two diabetes and the list goes on. The underlying cause 

of obesity is a result of an energy imbalance that develops 

when energy input exceeds energy expenditure. 

Capsaicin is the active ingredient found in jalapenos, 

cayenne pepper and red chili pepper. It is known to be the 

chemical that gives peppers and chillies their distinctive 

hot taste. Capsaicin is also a thermogenic ingredient which 

stimulates energy expenditure, as shown in some human 

studies. Thermogenesis represents the production of heat in 

the body. Indeed, one study in particular has demonstrated 

that the consumption of cayenne pepper does increase body 

temperature by an average of 0.02 o C. Therefore, if your 

usual meals consist of hot and spicy food, you may have a 

weight-control advantage over non-spicy meals. 

In addition, preliminary research conducted at Purdue 

University in the United States has suggested that red peppers 

suppress hunger and make the body generate heat. Before 

we get too happy about this finding, it is also worth noting 

that the researchers found that this effect is especially true for 

individuals who do not consume the spice regularly and those 

who are regular consumers may be desensitised by its effect. 

CONCLUSION 

If you like spicy food, there are good reasons to indulge 

your cravings. Just try not to go overboard as chillies can 

sometimes irritate the digestive system. Remember, all 

good things in life should be enjoyed in moderation! 

“Their findings suggest that 

people who seek adventure 

and intense sensations have 

a greater liking for spicy 

food than those who avoid 

risky situations” 


Advertorial 

BE BOLD, NOT BALD 

Get that full head of 

hair with Follicular 

Unit Extraction (FUE) 

Hair Transplant 

In this day and age, a receding hairline or 

the thinning of hair is easily solved with hair 

transplants. Now with the introduction of a 

procedure called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) 

Hair Transplant, heal faster and get the best 

results for thick luscious hair. 

FIRST OFF, WHAT IS A HAIR TRANSPLANT? 

A hair transplant is a cosmetic surgical 

procedure to counter baldness permanently by 

transferring healthy, regenerative hair to balding 

areas. Hair transplants can also be used to 

address hair loss caused by scarring such as on 

the beard or eyebrows. 

Healthy-growing hair follicles are harvested 

from a donor site and moved to the recipient 

area where they are implanted. The donor site 

is usually identified at the back of the head 

where it’s less visible. 

There are many different types of hair 

transplants but ultimately, a successful 

procedure means that the transplanted hair 

grows healthily and naturally without noticeable 

scarring. Today, the most advanced hair 

transplant treatment is Follicular Unit Extraction, 

or FUE. 

SO WHAT IS FUE? 

FUE takes individual hair follicles from the 

donor site (harvested in small units) and inserts 

them into the recipient site (the bald area of 

the scalp). 

FUE enables individual hair follicles to be 

individually restored onto the bald area. This 

massively improves the success rate, makes 

the process less noticeable and creates natural 

hair-line growth. 

WHAT DOES A FUE PROCEDURE INVOLVE? 

Patients are anaesthetised and the surgeon 

uses a microscope and a micro-needle to make 

a small circular incision around the follicular unit 

to extract the hair. This prevents any long linear 

scars or stitches. 

Each hair follicle is extracted individually and 

is then inserted into the recipient area, up to 

1500 grafts transplanted in a single session. 

Depending on the surgeon’s technique, the 

grafts are either transplanted straight into the 

recipient site after each follicle is harvested, or 

in a bunch, after the entire extraction process 

is complete. 

Harvested hair follicles that aren’t 

immediately transplanted are placed carefully in 

a holding solution that consist of saline, buffers, 

antioxidants or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) 

which contains growth factors and woundhealing 

properties. 

After the follicle is extracted, the small hole 

left behind heals over in the next few days, 

contracting as it heals. This results is a lessnoticeable 

scar which cannot be detected by the 

naked eye. 

WHY IS THE FUE METHOD CONSIDERED AS 

THE GOLD STANDARD? 

The FUE method has many advantages 

compared to other hair transplant procedures. 

The extraction technique not only avoids 

extensive scarring, but it also guarantees that 

the implanted follicles have a reliable and 

natural environment to encourage growth. 

With its less invasive nature and potentially 

faster healing time, FUE is an ideal minimally 

invasive procedure for patients with hair loss 

problems. The results are so natural that people 

wouldn’t know. 

6 ADVANTAGES OF FUE 

LESS INVASIVE 

Less invasive with its extraction 

techniques and requires no closure of 

the post-extraction wound. 

NO SCARRING 

No linear scar visible above the ears 

and at the back of the head. 

FASTER HEALING 

Faster healing and less downtime due 

to the lack of wound closure, staples 

or sutures necessary. Less pain or 

discomfort, and patients can return to 

work as soon as the next day. 

CHERRY-PICKING THE BEST HAIR 

Surgeons can choose optimal follicular 

units for transplanting by cherry-picking 

the finer, single hair follicles for the 

critical hairline and using thicker, more 

robust hair follicles for other areas of 

the scalp. 

PERMANENT RESULTS 

Patient is healed within a week after 

surgery. They can expect to see results 

3 months post-procedure. 

TO REGAIN YOUR CROWN OF GLORY, 

JUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH 

BEVERLY WILSHIRE’S FUE EXPERT 

BY CALLING 1800 88 8882 FOR A 

CONSULTATION TODAY! 

Visit our centre or beverlywilshiremedical.com

The 

BARE 

elements 

Walk on the wild side & embrace the 

beauty of the natural elements. 

Photographs by Kah Mun/Myth Studio Styling by Voonwei @ The Style Animal assisted by Katoe Lam 


ON ALEKSANDRA Michael Michael Kors suede 

playsuit & bangle; shoes stylist's own 

ON MAJA Michael Michael Kors phyton printed 

shorts & top with belt; shoes stylist's own 

Art Direction by Nor Hamimah Coordination by Aishah Azali Make-up by Sahir Sabri Hair by Ckay Liow Models Aleksandra/Base Model Management, Maja/Attitude Models 

Location Tropicana Aman Sales Gallery 



ON ALEKSANDRA Kate Spade New York leopard printed dress; 

Diane Von Furstenberg python heels; Michael Michael Kors golden bracelet 


ON MAJA Bottega Veneta dress; Diane Von Furstenberg phyton heels; 

Michael Michael Kors golden bangle 

RIGHT: ON MAJA Diane Von Furstenberg jersey dress; shoes stylist's 

own; Michael Michael Kors gold ring; ON ALEKSANDRA Diane Von 

Furstenberg jersey wrap dress; Kate Spade New York kitten heels; 

Michael Michael Kors gold ring 




ON ALEKSANDRA Khoon Hooi embellished blouse and feathered pencil skirt; 

Michael Michael Kors golden bangle 

ON MAJA Khoon Hooi collared shirt & tailored pants; Michael Michael Kors necklace; 

Kate Spade New York kitten heels ON ALEKSANDRA Bottega Veneta sweater; Michael Michael Kors 

python printed maxi dress; Michael Michael Kors golden chain; Diane Von Furstenberg python heels 



RIGHT: ON MAJA Khoon Hooi maxi dress; 

ON ALEKSANDRA Bottega Veneta polka dot 

chiffon blouse & pleated skirt ON MAJA Michael 

Michael Kors python printed pants, chiffon 

blouse & bangle; shoes stylist's own 


STYLE WAVE 

by Aishah Azali 

Valentino 

1. 

East Meets West 

Marni 

1. Painting Lines – Get structured and vibrant as geometric lines make a comeback 

as if the 70's never left. From left: Salvatore Ferragamo, Jil Sander, Gucci, Balmain. 

2. Material Girl – Simplistic design is given the luxurious treatment for the 

materials as beading and brocade take center stage. From left: Marni, Alexander 

Wang, Dries Van Noten. 3. Daring Dynasty – Take a cue from the east as mandarin 

collars, kimono wraps and the colour red fill the runways. 

From left: M Missoni, Moschino, Kenzo, Dries Van Noten. 

Carven 

2. 3. 


1. 

2. 

Sergio Rossi 

The Wild Side 

1. SHINE ON – Whether its some metallic or a shining finish to a coat, we 

advocate some sparkle in menswear. From left: Kenzo,Valentino, Ermenegildo 

Zegna. 2. BAGGY BUSINESS – Give those legs some room and opt for the 

growing trend of baggy pants to style up your wardrobe. From left: Duckie 

Brown, Lanvin, Maison Martin Margiela. 3. ANIMAL CALLING – Menswear 

trekked through the jungle for inspiration to give us suave in animal prints. 

From left: Saint Laurent, Burberry, Agnes B., Burberry Prorsum. 

Hugo Boss 

Tod's 

3. 



Her 

MANE 

We embrace curly and voluminous hair with a touch 

of Hollywood glamour. 

Photographs by Tian Xing / Show Up Pictures 

Art Direction Nor Hamimah Abdullah 

Coordination by Aishah Azali 

Hair by Juno Ko 

Make-Up by Sze Mun 

Models Alex / Wu Models 

Weronika / Icon Model Management 


LEFT Go full barbie 

like Alex and channel 

the styles of the 50s 

with a half updo 

complimenting your 

curls 

RIGHT An edgy take 

on an old Hollywood 

glamour look, sweep 

your hair to the side for 

an air of mystery like 

Weronika 



120 TM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 

LEFT Add some height behind a 

headband and keep your curls in place 

for more casual days 

RIGHT Bring out your inner goddess and 

get this look during your limp hair days 

by piling up your hair in braids


Get inspired by Marie 

Antoinette and go big 

with a new take on an 

high updo 




LEFT Accessorise your simple 

low ponytail with some head 

bands for those lazy days 

RIGHT For a red carpet look, 

loosely pin your curls up for a 

romantic look 


THE Simple CHEF 

GET READY FOR STEAK AND LOBSTER AS CHEF 

ANTOINE RODRIGUEZ FROM LE MERIDIEN’S PRIME 

TAKES US DOWN THE SIMPLE PATH OF FOOD. 

WORDS AISHAH AZALI 

PHOTOGRAPHS SOO PHYE 

If you are a foodie and a conversation 

about the best places for steak pops 

up, chances are Prime at Le Meridien 

hotel is on the list, which is practically 

an attraction for extravagant foodies 

and carnivores. Many fancy eating 

institutions thrive on their food 

presentation and their gleaming decor; 

but I discovered that the story behind 

the success of Prime, as told by the 

executive chef, is much simpler than we 

all thought. 

As I stood in the stainless steel 

cookhouse that is Prime’s kitchen 

with the chief cook, Chef Antoine 

Rodriguez, I could not help but feel like 

I was a live spectator at a cooking show. 

I am not talking about the staged shows 

that Chuck and Nigella do in their home 

kitchens but those variety cooking 

shows of the old days when Wolfgang 

Puck and Mario Batali graced your TV 

screens for the first time. 

Jovial and easy-going with a 

refreshing sense of humour, Chef 

Antoine erased my initial impression of 

what a French chef should be. I did not 

know what to expect before arriving 

at the restaurant, but a jolly man with 

a love for simple food was not the first 

thing I imagined. 

Part of the interview began in the 

kitchen while Chef Antoine stirred a 

pan of polenta, creamy and pale, then 

sprinkled some seasoning and a dollop 

of mascarpone cheese into it. He did 

all that while explaining the process 

as though my photographer Soo was 

recording instead of taking photos. 

It was entertaining and informative to 

watch because I knew exactly what he 

was putting into his pan. The first dish, 

a gorgeous Slow-Braised Wagyu Beef 

Cheek with the mascarpone polenta, 

was served to me in the usual intricately 

plated gourmet way. The beef cheek was 

accompanied by a slice of pan fried foie 

gras on top, elevating the lavishness of 

the dish to a higher level. Taking a bite 

of everything on the plate, I tasted four 

distinct flavours – beef, polenta, foie 

gras, and truffles. Frankly, the flavours 

were so pronounced and balanced that 

any addition to it would be a culinary sin. 

Why is this important? Chef Antoine 

explains, “People can distinctively 

remember five types of flavours. If you 

put 20 or 30 ingredients on your plate, 

it would be overwhelming.” 

That one statement sums up his 

cooking philosophy, underscoring the 

evident fact that Chef Antoine is a 

man that cherishes quality food. He 

understands that good ingredients need 

to be treated with simplicity and respect 

in order to bring out their true flavours. 

“This is why Italian food is so good. A 

little tomato, olive oil, basil, garlic, pasta 

and that is all you need. The flavours are 

there and it is fantastic,” he says. 

Rest assured that the ingredients 

served at Prime are the finest you can 

find at the market. I took a mental trip 

around the world with Chef Antoine 

as he revelled in his truffles from Italy, 

salts from Australia and lobsters from 

Maine, USA. Fine ingredients need 

fine treatment and Chef Antoine has 

the opportunity to showcase their 

true flavours through his simplistic 

approach to food. 


Intense flavours dazzled my tastebuds 

in that small medallion of beef cheek, the 

result of 7 to 8 hours of slow cooking 

producing an almost melted texture. 

It goes to show that they put love into 

the cooking process because as a place 

that mainly serves prime beef, how they 

cook it is as crucial as what they cook 

it with. “We use a charcoal grille to 

cook our meat. Some places they broil 

their meat which is different. It is not 

the same as barbecuing where you sear 

and mark the meat to get the flavour of 

the charcoal.” 

“You know how meat gets the flavour 

of charcoal? When cooking, the fat 

from the meat drops onto the charcoal 

which produces smoke (cue dramatic 

hand gestures of smoke coming out) 

which gives the taste to the meat.” 

My second dish called the Lobster 

Navarin was an eye catcher for sure. It 

was decorated with some edible flowers 

and sautéed vegetables that made the 

dish look like a piece of art. Plus did 

I mention that the main component 

is lobster? Mouth-watering, I know. 

Chef Antoine describes that, “It is a dish 

that pleases the ladies. It is a charming 

dish with my take on the best gourmet 

ingredient, lobster. Everything about it 

is simple, making it very pure.” 

What he means by pure is that the 

lobster was blanched then pan fried 

(bringing out a redness that I have never 

seen on a lobster meat), vegetables were 

cooked with butter and seasoned with 

salt and pepper, while for texture, some 

brioche bread was toasted. My personal 

favourite surprise was the adorable 

pieces of handmade gnocchi sprinkled 

lightly around the dish to compliment 

the frothy lobster bisque. 

After all the talking and laughing 

and eating, I came to realise that Prime 

is appealing because of its approach 

to food. Swanky decor and prime 

ingredients aside, the back to basics 

philosophy gives the restaurant a 

homely rustic appeal. 

“We don’t abuse the product. We buy 

high quality products and I put it on a 

plate. If you order a steak in Prime, you 

get a steak.” 

RECIPE 

LOBSTER NAVARIN 

(4 SERVINGS) 

Ingredients 

COURT BOUILLON 

1 Sprig fresh thyme 

2 Bay leaves 

10g Peppercorn 

100g Carrots peeled and roughly cut 

100g Leek, cleaned and roughly cut 

80g Onions peeled and roughly cut 

5cl White vinegar 

15g Sea salt 

4 litres Water 

The method 

1. Bring salted water to boil in a large pot and 

add all the aromatic ingredients 

2. Cook the lobsters for 6 minutes in it 

3. Chill them in ice water, then remove the shell 

and carefully abstract the meat from the claws 

to keep the flesh in shape 

4. Reserve the head and the shell 

Ingredients 

LOBSTER BISQUE 

Cut the shell and the lobster head into small chunks 

30g Butter 

5cl Olive oil 

50g Minced shallots 

3 Garlic cloves, crushed 

150g Carrots, diced 

50g Celery, diced 

4 Fresh large tomatoes cut into cubes 

25g tomato paste 

1 sprig Fresh thyme 

2 Bay leaves 

Salt and pepper to taste 

10cl Martell cognac (facultative) 

25cl White wine (facultative) 

50cl Hot water 

500g Cooking cream 

The method 

1. In a large casserole, heat oil over high heat 

and crush the head and the shell into small 

pieces. Keep roasting and stirring, then flame 

with Martell Cognac (facultative) 

2. Add shallots, onions, and garlic, and stir for 

one minute 

3. Add the diced carrots, celery, fresh tomatoes 

and tomato paste 

4. Add the aromatic herbs (thyme and bay leaves) 

5. Deglaze the pan with the white wine, and cook 

for a few minutes (facultative) 

6. Season, add hot water and combine well 

7. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes 

8. Add the cooking cream and bring to a boil 

9. Cook over med-high heat for 20 minutes 

10. Remove from the heat, and blend the bisque 

until fine 

11. Strain through a fine sieve to extract all the 

flavour of the shell and aromatic elements, 

rectify seasoning and reserve in a hot bain marie 

Ingredients 

LOBSTER 

15g Butter 

5cl Olive oil 

The method 

1. Cut the lobster meat into large medallions or 

cut into two 

2. In a sauté pan, heat oil and butter over low 

heat and sauté the lobster gently just for a 

couple of minutes 

3. Season with salt and pepper, and reserve aside 



47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor 

MYEONG DEONG 

Bulgogi - The best way to 

enjoy this traditional Korean 

fare is by cooking the strips of 

marinated beef, spring onions, 

glass noodles and enoki 

mushrooms upon the domed 

griddle, daubing it with a bit 

of soybean paste and wrapping 

it in lettuce and sesame leaf 

for a warm, sweetly flavourful 

bite. Green chillies and garlic 

are optional inclusions and 

the three provided side dishes 

change daily. 

Clubhouse - T. 03-7805 3935 - Business hour: 11.30am to 3.00pm and 5.00pm to 10.30pm 

Operating hours - Monday to Sunday - Lunch - 11.30am to 3.00pm 

- Dinner - 5.00pm to 10.00pm 




J ITALIAN 

RESTAURANT 

Clams Aglio Olio - Clams, 

garlic, olive oil, parsley and 

chilli flakes – an age-old 

marriage of seafood and 

aglio olio spaghetti that 

never fails to please. Strewn 

liberally in generous amounts 

throughout the dish, the 

natural briny taste of the 

clams is beautifully offset by 

garlic and parsley accents 

while the silky spaghetti 

provides the substance, 

filling without being cloying. 

Clubhouse - T. 03-7805 3935 - www.jojoitalianrestaurant.com 

Operating hours - Monday to Thursday - 11.00am to 11.00pm 

- Friday to Sunday - 11.00am to 1.00pm 




THE PALM 

COFFEE HOUSE 

Big Bowl Noodle - The 

name says it all – this 

hearty meal is not for small 

appetites. Flat rice noodles, 

sliced beef brisket, beef 

meatballs, fresh beansprouts 

and water spinach come 

together in a bowl of hot 

beef broth reminiscent of 

Vietnamese pho. Be careful 

when you bite into the 

springy meatballs or you 

might get juice all over 

yourself! Turn up the heat 

with chilli flakes and a bird’s 

eye chilli dipping sauce. 

Clubhouse - T. 03-7804 8888 (ext 306/309) - www.tropicanagolf.com 

Operating hours - Monday to Friday - 7.00am to 12.00am 

- Saturday to Sunday - 7.00am to 8.00pm 




GIN SHUI TEI 

Salmon Ikura Cheese 

Maki - Salmon and sushi are 

two things that go perfectly 

hand-in-hand, and when 

joined by cucumber, lettuce, 

and cheese, the end result 

is a satisfying mouthful that 

hits all the right notes. Large 

spheres of salmon roe crown 

each piece for a juicy burst 

of flavour in the mouth. 

Have them plain or dipped 

in wasabi and soy sauce, and 

cleanse your palate with a 

refreshing slice of Japanese 

ginger to finish. 

Clubhouse - T. 03-7804 8888 - www.facebook.com /ginshuitei 

Operating hours - Monday to Sunday - Lunch - 12.00pm to 3.00pm 

- Dinner - 6.30pm to 10.30pm 


SURIA KLCC 

50088 Kuala Lumpur 

SPRING GARDEN 

Glutinous Dumplings 

with Sesame Paste – 

Melding together the best 

elements of Japanese mochi 

and Chinese tang yuan, these 

black beauties comprise 

of chewy mochi-style skin 

encasing a delectably sweet 

sesame seed and peanut 

filling, then wrapped in 

pandan leaves for some local 

flavour. 

Fans of the King of Fruits 

will love the Charcoal Bun 

with Durian and Salted 

Egg, a twist on the traditional 

‘flowing’ salted egg buns. 

Upon biting into the bun, the 

distinctive aroma and creamy 

taste of durian is immediately 

apparent, but the infusion 

of salted egg balances the 

sweetness of the fruit and 

adds some grainy texture for a 

delicious contrast. 

Lot 413, 4th floor, Suria KLCC , 50088 Kuala Lumpur 

T. 03-2166 9881- www.taithong.com.my 

Operating hours - Monday to Saturday: 11.30am to 10.30pm 

- Sunday and Public Holidays: 10.30am to 10.30pm 


SHARE THE 

MOMENTS 

WITH YOUR 

FRIENDS 

Get rewarded with more than RM1,000 for 

every successfully referral of a friend or 

relative to Tropicana Golf & Country Resort. 

The more referrals you make, the more 

rewards you get. 

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort is proud to announce 

the member-introduce-member programme which 

entitles members to be rewarded for their contribution 

to the club. Not only does the member get rewarded 

but the new member will get extra privileges. 

Member-Introduce-Member Program 

Types of Membership 

Golf 

Single Golf 

Sports 

Single Sports 

RM 

65,000 

39,000 

21,000 

14,000 

Prices shown above are inclusive of 6% GST 

Promotion valid till 31st December 2015 

Mode of payment: Cash / Cheque 

Installment Plan: 0% installment up to 24 months with 

Maybank, Alliance Bank & Ambank 

credit card. 

* Terms and conditions apply Ref no.: 1-2015-mem-tgcr 

For reservation or more information, please contact 

Tel: +603-7804 8888 ext 156 / 208 / +6012-326 5228 (Vivian Ho) 

Email: vivianho@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Website: www.tropicanagolf.com 

Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Berhad (203361-T) 

Jalan Kelab Tropicana, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, 47410 

Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia 

Tel: 03-7804 8888 Fax: 03-7804 3688 

GST No.: 001481367552

THE DRINK 

Captain’s 

CUP OF TEA 

IT IS ALL RIGHT TO CONSUME ALCOHOL BEFORE NOON WHEN THE DRINK IS THIS GOOD. 

WORDS AISHAH AZALI PHOTOGRAPHS HIZWAN HAMID 

Adventurous does not have to be absolutely crazy. So for 

this issue, our take on an adventurous drink went down a 

more unconventional route. We got in touch with world 

champion mixologist, Joshua Ivanovich (42 Below Cocktail 

World Cup UK Champion for 2008) to concoct a drink that 

was different from what people would expect. 

What we got was a drink that was served warm and tasty 

enough to be taken in the morning. The drink is called the 

East India Brew and Joshua even regaled us with a scene for 

this interesting drink. 

Imagine back in the 1800s, captains and sailors were 

preparing for their early morning embark to discover 

new land or transport valuable goods like spices or wheat. 

Picture the captain of The East India Company sitting in his 

great cabin, sipping a warm cup of East India Brew as a pick 

me up before setting sail. What is in this drink? Well tea of 

course. Tea laced with alcohol to be exact. 

The tea is infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves 

to give that festive aroma and the honey? Well fancy does 

not even begin with Joshua’s use of lavender honey. The 

choice of spirit reminded us of the drink of choice of pirates 

as Joshua used the oldest brand of rum in the world from 

Barbados. Together it created a drink that is definitely our 

cup of tea. 

When it comes to taste, we discovered that the rum goes 

wonderfully with the spiced tea. We can even say that it 

elevates the spice flavour and we love that it gives that 

tingly warm feeling as the liquid goes down your throat. 

We are pretty sure that is the spices and not the alcohol. 

We were urged by Joshua to drink the brew with a side of 

Cornish ginger biscuits that complimented the lavender 

honey in the drink. Let us just say we had a lovely brunch 

of tea and biscuits laced with some of the best rum we have 

ever tasted. 


C o c k t a i l Solutions 

To get more information on Joshua and his 

drinks, check out www.cocktail-solutions.com 

Cocktail Solutions produces classic and bespoke, 

ready-to-drink bottled cocktails along side a 

unique and original cocktail catering service and 

a consultancy program. 

Ingredients 

• 3 dashes of Angostura bitters 

• 15ml lemon juice 

• 13ml lavender honey 

• 60ml Mount Gay rum 

• Tea that has been brewed with 

cinnamon, star anise and cloves 

Method 

In a cocktail shaker, add the bitters, lemon 

juice, honey and rum and shake well. Pour 

in the warm tea brewed with spices and 

serve with a Horse’s Neck lemon peel and a 

side of honey ginger Cornish biscuits. 


THE RECIPE 

Fugu 

ROULETTE 

“Fugu chefs must go 

through rigorous training 

for years to gain the 

certification that allows 

them to prepare the fish 

for human consumption” 

LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE ON YOUR PLATE? 

LOOK NO FURTHER – WE TAKE A LOOK AT ONE 

OF THE WORLD’S MOST DEADLY FISH AND 

WHY PEOPLE RISK THEIR LIVES TO TRY IT. 

WORDS 

JUSTIN HEYES 

PHOTOGRAPHS 

ISTOCKPHOTO 

If you are tired of the same old, standard 

food, odds are you are probably looking for 

something new to try – maybe even seeking 

a meal with a bit of a kick. Fugu fish could 

be the thing you have been looking for. 

However due to the risks involved – we 

are certainly not going to be giving you a 

recipe anytime soon. So why not read up on 

this ‘dice-with-death’ dish and see if you are 

adventurous enough to go out and try the 

dish that can bite back! 

PRESENTING FUGU 

Fugu fish, otherwise known as pufferfish, 

blowfish or globefish, has long been 

a delicacy in Japan usually eaten raw, 

as sashimi, cut into very thin slices. 

Many describe the taste to be somewhat 

like chicken, but with an incredibly 

enjoyable texture. What makes this dish 

so interesting is that the Fugu is a fish 

famous for its ability to kill, if it is not 

prepared right. 

The Fugu fish gets its name from two 

Chinese characters meaning “river” and 

“pig”, because of its ability to puff itself 

up with water, to make it look stronger to 

its enemies in the sea. However, the Fugu 

hardly needs to do this, owing to the fish’s 

other defence mechanism – a lethal poison. 

The poison, tetrododoxin, is found in 

the skin, skeleton, ovaries, intestines and 

particularly the liver, and is more potent 

than cyanide. There is no antidote for Fugu 

poisoning, and because tetrododoxin does 

not cross the blood-brain barrier, victims 

remain fully conscious while their central 

nervous system gradually shuts down, first 

producing dizziness and incoherent speech, 

then paralysing the muscles. This can lead 

to asphyxia, and possibly death. 

Fortunately though preparation of Fugu 

is strictly controlled by law; Fugu chefs 

must go through rigorous training for years 

to gain the certification that allows them to 

prepare the fish for human consumption. 

At the end of the training, there is a test in 

which the chef must prepare a Fugu dish – 

and then eat it! 

If the fish is prepared properly, the flesh 

can be eaten safely. It is even possible to eat 

parts of the organs if they are thoroughly 

washed out. Some people even like to eat 

the fish with a tiny amount of toxin left 

in it. They feel a tingling in the lips, and 

it is this effect that attracts people. But it 

is a dangerous move, because if there is 

too much toxin left over, diners will soon 

experience something much worse. 

In addition to Japanese restaurants, 

you can eat Fugu in the US and South 

Korea. The fish itself is actually found in 

waters around the world. The thrill of 

eating something that might kill you is 

clearly addictive as the dish is extremely 

popular, however if you want to order 

it yourself, we recommend you make 

sure you see the chef’s certificate before 

you commit! 


FACILITIES AND TENANTS AT 

TROPICANA GOLF AND COUNTRY RESORT 

TROPICANA GOLF AND COUNTRY RESORT 

SITE LAYOUT PLAN 

N 

Buggy Track 

DRIVING RANGE 

WESTERN COURSE 

Practice Green 

Children’s 

Playground 

Landscape 

Lands 

18th Green 

18 

14 

Tai Thong 

13 

17 

33 

32 

Landscape 

30 

31 

Children’s 

Playground 

29 

21 

Administration 

Office 

48 

19 

20 

Banquet 

Office 

26 

22 

25 

17 

24 23 

15 

16 

Main 

Lobby 

8 

MAIN WIN 

Car Porc 

34 

35 

36 

Landscape 

28 

27 

Fount 

Poolside 

Cafe 

38 

37 

39 

SPORTS WING 

41 42 

43 

44 

40 

Carpark 

Lake 

45 

LEGEND 

Lower Ground 

Ground 

46 

47 

Carpark 

Level 1 

With a gross built-up area of over 380,000 

square feet (35,303 square metres), Malaysia’s 

largest and award-winning Clubhouse 

at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort is 

truly impressive. This is a listing of all the 

facilities and amenities that are built for 

the convenience of all Tropicana members, 

residents and their guests 

Golf / Sports Membership 03-7804 To Basement 8888 Carpark 

Vivian ext 208 

Membership Email membership1@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Golf Email 

golf@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Sports Department 03-7804 2087 

Operating Hours 9.00 am – 6.00 pm (Monday to Friday) 

Email 

gm@tropicanagolf.com 

Website 

www.tropicanagolf.com 


ANGE 

7 

Practice Green 

Buggy Track 

9th Green 

EASTERN COURSE 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE 

Main Wing 

7 Golfers’ Terrace 03-7804 8888 

(Ext 326) 

15 Gin Shui Tei Japanese Restaurant 03-7886 9168 

36 Poolside Café 03-7804 8888 

(Ext 327) 

9 Spring Garden Tropicana 

Chinese Restaurant 03-7880 7226 

11 The Palms Coffee House 03-7804 8888 

(Ext 306) 

The Palms Wing 

8 Royce 017-322 3668 

26 J Italian Restaurant 03-7805 3925/3935 

25 Myeung Dong Korean BBQ 016-3684500 

Landscape 

ain 

obby 

8 

Car Porch 

12 

IN WING 

11 

10 

9 

asd 

Main Kitchen 

6 

GOLF WING 

1 

2 

5 

Golf 

Counter 

4 

3 

Buggy Station 

1st Tee 

SPORTS AND RECREATION 

Sports Wing 

46 Outdoor tennis court 

43 2 indoor tennis courts 

45 4 indoor badminton courts 

31 12-lane computerised bowling alley 

33-34 2 play pools with water slides and waterfall 

42 3 squash courts 

23 Multipurpose studio 

38 Japanese bath and Jacuzzi 

3-4 Male changing rooms with 

360 private lockers 

35 Resort-style larger-than-Olympic-size 

swimming pool 

41 Sauna and steam bath 

24 Snooker room 

39 2 table tennis courts 

40 Well-equipped gymnasium 

44 1 VIP badminton hall 

47 1 futsal court 

Fountain 

Buggy Pick-up Area 

LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT 

24 Havana Lounge 017-885 4188 

27 Thai Odyssey Spa & Massage 03-7803 1233/ 

03-7804 1129 

29 Trocadero Bowling & Café 03-7804 8888 

16 Gaming room 

37 Library 

22 Spine & Joint Tropicana 03-78042072 

Carpark 

Carpark 

FUNCTION AREAS 

6 Greens I 

10 Greens II 

30 Greens III 

32 Poolside Terrace 

28 Spanish Courtyard 

12-14 The Grand Ballroom (First floor) 

arpark 

Carpark 

Sales & Marketing (Banquet Function) 03-7804 8888 

Liza ext 141 

Shah ext 517 

Sandy ext 142 

Siti Fairuz ext 155 

Lian Yan Wai ext 162 

Mas Suria ext 517 

Email 

salesmarketing@tropicanacorp.com.my 

Toll Free 1800 88 8128 

Lake 

GOLFING FACILITIES 

Golf at Tropicana 03-7804 8888 

(Ext 211/212/200) 

Tropicana Driving Range 016-243 4801/ 

012-278 3172 

Buggies and turf mates 

56-bay driving range 

27-hole championship golf course 

18-hole putting greens 

5 Female changing rooms 

with 60 private lockers 

AMENITIES 

20 Alam Convenience Store 03-7804 3095 

1 De Manshop Tailoring 03-7880 4063 

21 Eco Hair Saloon 03-7804 9316 

2 Pro-Shop Golf Shop 03-7804 6348 

17 Kain 017-200 8142 

18 Kindyland Tropicana 017-314 6754 

48 Klinik Tropicana 03-7805 5461 

19 The Green House Florist 03-7880 1388 

3-4 Prayer room 


THE SPIRITED ARTIST 

AN INTERVIEW BY AISHAH AZALI 

ago with two of my high 

school friends. It was tough, 

rough and beautiful at the 

same time. I have never 

felt so terrible physically 

(we got to the Everest base 

camp and altitude sickness 

hit me hard), I never knew 

instant noodles could be 

so good after four days of 

yak meat or milk. But I 

would definitely go back 

again. I fell in love with the 

beautiful mess that is Tibet, 

its people and its culture. 

Her stunning art work 

does not require a brush 

to create. Instead she uses 

materials like chopticks and 

tea bags to create amazing 

portraits. A gem in the art 

scene, Aishah spoke to the 

artist and architect, Red 

Hong Yi on what inspires 

her and her favourite reads 

on lazy Sundays. 

What reminds you of 

your childhood? 

So many things! Off the 

top of my head now, what 

pops into mind is a plate of 

fried noodles with a sunnyside 

up and some Maggi 

sauce - I had this a lot in 

my school canteen! 

What is your 

ideal Sunday? 

A run in the morning, a 

good breakfast (avocado, 

toast and yogurt make me 

very happy), church, and 

just hanging out with good 

friends and family. And 

maybe a good book towards 

the end of the day. 

Do you read a lot? If you 

do, what kind of books 

piques your interest? 

I LOVE reading (draws 

big heart with fingers). I 

usually read non-fiction 

books on psychology, 

business, self-development, 

philosophy, biographies 

and memoirs! I think I’m 

drawn to non-fiction more 

because I like referencing 

what others have done 

before and applying lessons 

into my own life... though 

currently I am trying to 

read more fiction too. I’m 

currently reading Viktor 

Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search for 

Meaning’ and Bob Goff’s 

‘Love Does’ – one’s very 

deep and introspective; the 

other is much more fun 

and light-hearted, and I 

highly recommend both. I’m 

hoping to publish my own 

books one day! 

What or who 

inspires you? 

Human connection and 

the ability to see value and 

worth in another person – 

especially when that person 

does not see it in him or 

herself. I love watching 

people grow and persist 

through their doubts and 

failures and brokenness to 

reach a goal or place they 

never thought possible. 

What is the best lesson 

you learned from 

your parents? 

Always choose to be kind 

and hold on to integrity. I 

know I can count on them 

for the best advice because 

of their love for people 

and for truth. 

What is the most 

adventurous thing you 

have ever done? 

Great question... All I can 

think of now is a trip I 

made to Tibet a few years 

Since you work with a 

variety of materials for 

your artwork, how do 

you choose which one to 

use for a specific project? 

It’s always a process of 

experimentation that I go 

through. I try to narrow 

it down to just one or 

two materials and work 

out how to install a piece 

using that one material. I’m 

usually inspired by elements 

associated to the subject I 

am ‘painting’, so choosing 

the material requires 

quite a bit of research 

and development. 

What is next for Red? 

Any upcoming projects? 

A personal exhibition 

of massive pieces. Social 

justice is also something 

close to my heart, and I’ll be 

creating a piece alongside 

other artists in an event 

called Free to Be Concert in 

Melbourne in October, to 

raise funds to fight against 

human trafficking. Updates 

are available on my site: 

www.redhongyi.com 


A 

STYLISH 

WAY 

TO 

LIVE 

Corporate Branding 

category for 

Consumer Hardwood Flooring 

2013-2014

Tropicana Magazine Sept-Oct 2015

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