GOASIAPLUS November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 42 

WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM 

Legends of 

Loy Krathong 

DARK TOURISM IN ASIA 

KAWASAKI, JAPAN

CONTENTS 

4 ON THE RADAR 

6 OUT & ABOUT 

7 EVENTS 

Rasa Melaka The Musical 

8 TRAVEL 

Spotted: Asia in Film 

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal 

9 TRAVEL 

Day Trip to Kawasaki 

12 TRAVEL 

Loy Krathong 

Celebrating light, love and luck 

16 TRAVEL 

Road Less Travelled: 

Green Island, Taiwan 

17 TRAVEL 

Turning Tragedy into Tourism 

20 FYI 

Free Apps for Travel Distress 

21 FOOD 

A New World in Dining 

24 FOOD FOR TALK 

“Meat” up for Bah Kut Teh 

21 

PICK-UP POINTS 

Read our magazine exclusively in Aerobus airport shuttles or bring home a copy of GOASIAPLUS with 

you at these pick-up points below: 

GATEWAY@KLIA2 

AIRPORT SHOPPING MALL 

KLIA EKSPRES 

KL SENTRAL 

KLIA 

INFORMATION COUNTER AT 

DEPARTURE MAIN TERMINAL 

& SATELLITE BUILDING 

KLIA2 

INFORMATION COUNTER, 

SATELLITE BUILDING & 

INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL 

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EDITOR’S NOTE 

Time flies in a blink of an eye. Our day to day lives sees 

its approaching end of another year, which is mostly a 

welcoming term as it is another peak travel season for 

many. The end of year festivities, holidays and winter climate 

truly set the right kind of travel atmosphere. 

One thing to note is our takeaway from the journeys 

we have made. Besides getting strapped to gadgets when 

capturing photos and videos, it would be a good reminder of 

the importance to focus on the experience during our trip. 

I am also glad that the haze is over. However, like an 

annual affair, it may still come back so it is in the hopes that 

all closely related parties and affected countries to take proper 

measurements and steps to ensure there’s clean air to breathe. 

There are various parts of Asia in this issue from Malacca 

Town in Malaysia, Kawasaki in Japan, Thailand to Taiwan as 

exciting travel inspirations that we can plan for the coming 

months and next year. 

John So 

Publisher 

COVER BY 

ADOBE STOCK 

EDITORIAL TEAM 

GROUP HEAD & BRANDS 

JOHN SO 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

JAMIE SOO-HOO 

SENIOR WRITER 

JESSY WONG 

CONTRIBUTORS 

ANGELA GOH, NG SHEN LEE 

& FRANCIS YIP 

DIGITAL TEAM 

WEB CONTENT 

JESSY WONG 

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES 

EDITORIAL@PCOMASIA.COM 

COMMERCIAL & PARTNERSHIP 

JOHN SO 

JOHNSO@PCOMASIA.COM 

PUBLISHED BY 

PUBLISHCOM ASIA SDN. BHD. 

NO. 83–1, JALAN MEDANG SERAI, BUKIT BANDARAYA, 

59100 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA. 

+603–20118983 WWW.PCOMASIA.COM 

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PERCETAKAN TURBO SDN BHD 

NO. 8, JALAN SEKINCAN 26/9, 

SEKSYEN 26, SHAH ALAM 40000, MALAYSIA 

FOLLOW US ON 

@goasiaplus 

The views expressed in the articles published are not 

necessarily those of Publishcom Asia Sdn Bhd (963236–P). 

While every reasonable care is taken in compiling the 

magazine, the publisher shall not be held liable for any 

omission, error or inaccuracy. Please notify the publisher in 

writing of any such omission, error or inaccuracy. Editorial 

contributions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are 

submitted at the sender’s risk. The publisher cannot accept 

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NEWS 

ON THE RADAR 

GET UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST HAPPENINGS ON 

TRAVEL, HOTEL OPENINGS, FOOD OFFERS AND 

TRENDING FASHION AROUND SOUTHEAST ASIA 

COMPACT CANON CAMERA FOR TRAVEL 

The new Canon EOS M200 is user-friendly with mirrorless 

interchangeable lens, stylish design, and improved 

functions--all packed in 299g. The Creative Assist feature 

allows users to adjust the setting of the camera with voicecommand 

and with DIGIC 8 image processor, clear images 

can be captured even in dark surroundings. 

Available at all Canon authorised dealers nationwide 

SPECIAL PICK-UP SPOTS 

FOR E-HAILING AT 

MALAYSIA AIRPORTS 

Malaysia Airports announced 

new designated pick-up points 

for e-hailing services at airports 

to improve traffic flow and better 

amenities for waiting passengers. 

The pick-up spot at KL 

International Airport is at Level 

1 of Main Terminal Building by 

Door 3 and 4. klia2’s pick-up 

point is located at Door 5, Level 1 

of Transportation Hub. 

www.malaysiaairports.com.my 

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON BALI UNGASAN 

Overlooking Jimbaran Bay, Mount Batukaru and Mount 

Agung, the third Four Points hotel in Bali promises 

contemporary interiors with scenic outdoors. Four Points 

by Sheraton Bali Ungasan offers 270 modern rooms and 

suites, some with private terraces, garden and pool access for 

comfort. Also, taste local craft beers on tap at The Garden 

Pool Bar from the brand’s signature Best BrewsTM program. 

Jalan Raya Uluwatu, Banjar Giri Dharma Ungasan, 

Kuta Selatan, Indonesia 

www.marriot.com 

POP-CULTURE PARODY 

ART STUDIO 

Find the trendiest wall art for 

your space with Parody Parlour 

where jokes are non-exclusive 

and win laughs from everyone. 

Their first collection “LYAO” 

(stands for Laugh Your A** 

Off) features superheroes 

being something other than 

super while the “Just Kidding 

Collection” transform famous 

celebrities and classical 

paintings into a spoof. 

parodyparlour.com 


NEWS 

QATAR AIRWAYS OPENS NEW ROUTE TO 

LANGKAWI 

The national carrier for the State of Qatar launches 

a new route from their capital Doha to Langkawi, 

Malaysia–adding the idyllic island as the airline’s 8th 

new destination in 2019. The 14-hour flight journey to 

Langkawi will operate five times weekly by the Boeing 

787 Dreamliner aircraft with a short transit in Penang. 

qatarairways.com 

TRAIN TO BUSAN HORROR HOUSE 

Korea’s blockbuster zombie movie “Train to Busan” becomes 

a reality in Resorts World Genting for fans across the region 

to experience the apocalyptic world–created using the 

latest digital and virtual reality technology, live actors and 

immersive soundscapes. The Train To Busan Horror House 

experience will be accepting passengers from 31 October 2019 

to 1 January 2020. 

www.rwgenting.com 

PULLMAN SUZHOU ZHONGHUI WELCOMES 

GUESTS 

As the only international premium hotel in the north of Suzhou, 

Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui debuts in a strategic location with 

convenient access to Shanghai, Wuxi and surrounding cities. 

It has 413 rooms and suites comfortably fitted with Pullman’s 

luxury duvet and pillowcases. The brand’s signature Junction 

Bar brings the hotel lobby to life with changing moods 

throughout the day. 

www.pullmanhotels.com 

A FROZEN WINTER WONDERLAND 

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort makes the magic of Arendelle 

come true this November where Elsa, Anna, and Olaf can 

embrace guests during the winter festive season. Fantasy Gardens 

in Fantasyland will be transformed into the “Frozen Fantasy 

Gardens Village” for Anna and Elsa’s meet-and-greet. Visitors can 

also enjoy a Frozen Christmas experience with “A Magical Frozen 

Snowfall” royal procession performance to spread the holiday joy. 

www.hongkongdisneyland.com 


EVENTS 

OUT & ABOUT 

LOOK OUT FOR THE MOST ANTICIPATED EVENTS OF 

THE MONTH IN MALAYSIA AND BEYOND 

M. NASIR SATU HIKAYAT 

23 NOV 

The legendary singer and composer of Malaysia, M. 

Nasir, returned to the spotlight for his “One Story 

40 Years Journey” in remembrance of his colourful 

and award-winning career as a soloist. M. Nasir even 

prepared a session where he will perform songs 

which he wrote for other singers throughout his 

lifetime that the public is not aware of. 

Plenary Hall, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

myticket.asia 

DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE (THE MAGIC FLUTE) 

21-24 NOV 

First premiered in 1791 at Vienna, Wolfgang Amadeus wrote this opera in 

two acts to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder that tells the story 

of Prince Tamino who undergoes a series of tests to marry Princess Pamina. 

Escorted by his sidekick, Papageno, Tamino has to battle Pamina’s mother, 

the evil Queen of the Night. 

KLPAC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

klcityopera.com 

8 LETTERS TOUR 

14 NOV 

As one of pop music’s biggest 

breakout groups in the 21st 

century, the 5-member 

American boy band were 

previously soloists before 

forming the group in 2016. Why 

Don’t We has over 1 billion 

global audio streams for their 

hit songs like “8 Letters” and 

“What Am I”. 

Plenary Hall, KLCC, 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

myticket.asia 

SWEENEY TODD 

28 NOV - 8 DEC 

Multiple Tony Awards winning Sweeney Todd 

musical is staging its thrilling theatrical tale in 

Singapore for a debut. Tony Award winner, Lea 

Salonga, is starring in this freaky musical of an 

infamous barber who returns from exile to seek 

vengeance against the judge who framed him, 

meanwhile he meets the owner of a meat-pie shop. 

Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 

srt.com.sg 

U2: THE JOSHUA TREE 

TOUR 2019 

30 NOV - 1 DEC 

Since its formation in 1976, they 

are known to host great live 

performances with top-charting 

songs like “With or Without 

You” and “I Still Haven’t Found 

What I’m Looking For”, holding 

the all-time record as the 

highest-grossing tour by a group 

till today. Debuting in Singapore for the first time ever, fans can finally meet 

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. rocking it out on stage. 

National Stadium, Singapore 

www.u2.com 


EVENTS 

SHOW 

PERIOD 

Now until 

31 Oct 2020 

Rasa Melaka 

The Musical 

THE LONG-RUNNING THEATRICAL MUSICAL IN 

MALACCA CITY BECKONS TRAVELLERS TO THE 

HERITAGE TOWN FOR A DELIGHTFUL GLIMPSE 

FILLED WITH LAUGHTER INTO MALACCA’S 

RICH HISTORY, ARTS AND CULTURE. 

Text & photos JESSY WONG 

Just 2 hours drive away from Kuala Lumpur, the 

historic state of Malaysia needs no introduction 

when it comes to its long-list of worthy travel 

attractions, cultural sites, and foods. Malacca as a 

UNESCO World Heritage site is often regarded to be an 

introductory stop to learn about Malaysia. 

Rasa Melaka The Musical staged such a show; 

focusing on the country’s multicultural society, the 

musical ensemble sang, danced and acted through 50 

years of change from Tanah Melayu to present-day 

Malaysia. 

Directed by Beijing-based Malaysian Director, Dr. 

Deric Gan spared no expense in building the right kind 

of stage sets, good soundscapes and fitting costumes 

change for every era as he cleverly interlaces new 

original music in retelling the story of Malacca with 

surprising notes of local children rhymes. 

The comedic storytelling and flashback is an 

absolute treat given Dr. Deric Gan’s incorporation of 

Chinese custom dragon dance, the indigenous martial 

arts of Silat, and Joget, Malacca origin Malay traditional 

dance as preludes to Malaysia’s arts and cultural scene. 

“RASA Melaka The Musical” is the first production 

from the RASA-CITY Series for tourists to learn more 

about Malaysia’s culture. Hailing from all over the 

country, the 12-member talented acting cast portrayed 

an unforgettable tale of Malacca’s multiracial 

community through times of happiness and difficulty. 

Malay girl Melia, Hokkien boy Lak and Chetty 

girl Kashvi first appeared as school children in the 

historical city in the 60s, witnessing the independence 

of Malaysia, and over time, grew up before having 

their own families while seeing Malacca transformed 

into prominence. 

As the story unfolds between the three friends, 

audiences are entertained in an effortless mix of 

English, Malay and Chinese language dialogues– 

fitting the portrayal of a rojak Malaysian language. 

For universal enjoyment, timely subtitles in English 

and Mandarin ran along with the cast’s dialogues and 

catchy songs. 

SHOW INFORMATION 

Show Time 

Tuesday till Sunday (3pm & 8pm)* 

Duration 

60 minutes 

Ticket Price 

Starts at RM48* 

Venue 

Panggung Bangsawan, 

20, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, 

Malacca, Malaysia 

*For more information and ticket 

purchases, visit the show’s official 

website at www.rasamelaka.com 


TRAVEL 

SPOTTED: ASIA IN FILMS 

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal 

Text NG SHEN LEE • Photo ADOBE STOCK 

Kathmandu Valley 

is Nepal’s tourism 

trifecta. Comprised of 

Kathmandu, Patan (Lalitpur) 

and Bhaktapur, the three cities 

put Nepal on the map for its 

compelling Hindu-Buddhist 

architecture, the ubiquity 

of magnificent temples and 

colourful festivities galore. 

Since late 2016 however, 

another force has been helping 

to drive tourism within the 

country–and perhaps most 

unexpectedly, a superhero film 

at that. 

With Nepal chosen as 

its principal filming location 

to portray the fictional 

Himalayan highland of Kamar- 

Taj, Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” 

which premiered October 

2016 sets itself apart. Viewers 

are treated to a refreshing 

setting, worlds apart from the 

usual concrete jungles of its 

other film counterparts under 

Marvels’ reach. 

Though much of Kamar- 

Taj’s streets were replicated in 

a production studio, two sites 

in Kathmandu Valley boast 

the title of filming locale– 

Pashupatinath Temple and 

Patan Durbar Square. 

Pashupatinath Temple 

is a Hindu temple complex 

situated in Kathmandu. A 

UNESCO World Heritage 

Site, it serves as the seat of 

the Hindu god Shiva and has 

temples and monuments 

beautifully embellished with 

gold-covered spires. 

But locals also associate 

the temple complex with 

death. Or rather, with the 

celebration of it. Here is where 

the devout is cremated, and 

whose ashes will run down the 

Bagmati river. Cremations are 

a daily occurrence here, as it 

is believed that those who die 

here will be reborn as a human 

and not an animal. 

In the film, sweeping 

shots from above also reveal 

Patan Durbar Square in Patan 

(Lalitpur) as a filming location. 

The city lies just across from 

Kathmandu, merely separated 

by the Bagmati river. 

Patan Durbar Square is one 

of the oldest Buddhist cities in 

the world. Red tiles span the 

entirety of its grounds, and the 

many temples and monuments 

crammed within its borders 

are an awe-inspiring display of 

indigenous Newari architecture. 

From hidden courtyards to 

ornate stepwells, there seems to 

be no end to exploration here. 

Pashupatinath Temple and 

Patan Durbar Squares might 

seem apt for the spiritual 

setting of Kamar-Taj in “Doctor 

Strange”, but they might not 

have been the film’s first choice. 

Many locations initially 

scouted by the production 

team were destroyed by the 

devastating earthquake which 

ravaged Nepal in April 2015. 

In the wake of the calamity 

just seven months prior, the 

production team was adamant 

that Nepal remains the primary 

filming location to help boost 

the country’s tourism. 

Considering the film’s 

success grossing at $677 million 

worldwide, it’s certainly proven 

to be the right choice. 

FUN 

FACT 

Pashupatinath Temple 

usually forbids non-Hindus 

from the main temple, but 

an exception was made 

for the film crew given its 

potential tourism benefits. 


TRAVEL 

Day Trip to Kawasaki 

ESCAPE THE CROWD IN TOKYO FOR A DAY AND SEE THE 

SIGHTS THAT THIS PORT CITY HAS TO OFFER WHETHER 

ITS A FOLK MUSEUM OR HISTORICAL TEMPLE. 

Text JESSY WONG • Photos KANAGAWA JAPAN PREFECTURE & ADOBE STOCK 

1 


TRAVEL 

2 

“...tranquil 

suburban 

town and 

sightly 

attractions 

in the 

midst.” 

4 5 

3 

The populous industrial city of Kawasaki is 

just south of metropolitan Tokyo. As you 

enter the Kanagawa prefecture, towering 

factories and steel plants will be the welcoming 

sight; Kawasaki may be an industrialised coastal city 

but venturing deeper inland will uncover its tranquil 

suburban town and sightly attractions in the midst. 

Kawasaki Station is conveniently connected to 

the JR Tokaido, JR Keihin-Tohoku and Keikyu and 

JR Nambu Lines from Tokyo. Furthermore, you can 

also get to Kawasaki via the Odakyu Odawara line 

from Shinjuku Station. Taking only 17 minutes by 

train, the short and commodious travel distance 

makes Kawasaki a perfect day trip destination to see 

more of Japan. 

NIHON MINKAEN OPEN-AIR FOLK 

HOUSE MUSEUM 

Remnants from the Edo Period in Japan are 

collected from all over the country and relocated 

within the hills here in the suburbs of Kawasaki. 

The authentic and rustic folk museum care for a 

collection of 25 traditional buildings of different 

structures and purposes between the years of 1603 

to 1867. Discover historical monuments like the 

Gasshozukuri farmhouses (traditional Japanese 

farmhouse from Shirakawago), exciting samurai 

houses, merchant houses, fishing villages homes, a 

religious shrine and a kabuki stage used for classical 

Japanese dance-drama. 

Fully live in the historical setting by joining 

the traditional Japanese handicraft workshops 

like cloth weaving and bamboo craft making at the 

folk museum. Depending on the season, the folk 

museum would also organise cultural events in line 

with the festivities. So before you go down, visit 

their website at http://english.nihonminkaen.jp/ to get 

the latest updates and event information. 

Getting there 

A 15-minute walk from Shukugawara Station (JR 

Nambu Line) or take a direct bus service from 

Noborito Station (Odakyu Odawara Line) to the 

museum. Bus frequency is at every 10 to 15 minutes. 

ANATA NO WAREHOUSE 

Beating Saitama’s arcade center, Anata No 

Warehouse is the amusement arcade to visit–even 

if you don’t like playing games. The 5-storey center 

is a dystopian themed complex with a dark interior 

and orchestral pipe music echoing through space. 

The haunting space somehow draws resemblance to 

a war-torn period of a battered Chinese town. After 

you get past the eerie setting, you will notice that 

the arcade houses a wide range of game machines 

from darts, shooting games, dance machines, table 

hockey and many more. 


From JR Kawasaki Station, the arcade center is a 

10-minute walk. 


TRAVEL 

6 

7 8 

KAWASAKI DAISHI TEMPLE 

Founded in 1128, this large temple in Kawasaki is 

alternatively known as Heiken-ji. The century-old 

temple is a prominent shrine for locals during the 

New Year where the community goes to worship and 

pray for good fortune. Kawasaki Daishi is currently 

the headquarters of the Chizan sect of Shingon 

Buddhism, one of the few surviving Vajrayana 

lineages in East Asia. 

What you see today are the reconstructions of 

the period’s architecture as the temple was destroyed 

in the war. Modern building materials like steel and 

concrete are used in the main hall (Dai-Hondo) 

when restoration took place in 1958. Other new 

monumental structures in the temple include the 

main Dai-Sanmom Gate and the octagonal fivestory 

pagoda. The temple’s vicinity has plenty of 

restaurants and souvenir stores for shopping. 


Ride the Keikyu Daishi Line to Kawasaki Daishi 

Station and the temple is an 8-minute walk away. 

FESTIVAL TO NOTE 

Kanamara Matsuri or known as the Festival of the Steel 

Phallus is held at the Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, 

Japan each spring. Viralled as the “penis festival”, 

Kanamara Matsuri main emphasis is the enshrinement of 

the phallus, as mirrored in the candies, carved fruits, and 

vegetables, illustrations and decorations with the phallus 

palanquin parade. First began in 1969, the festival is 

based on a Japanese legend for the shrine but today, the 

festival is also used to raise funds for HIV research. 

This article is made possible by Kanagawa Japan Prefecture. 

1-3 Exhibits and scenic grounds of Nihon Minkaen Open-air Folk 

House Museum 4-5 Hong Kong inspired dark interior at Anata No 

Warehouse 6-7 Views and historical architecture of Heiken-ji 8 A 

festival parade on the streets of Japan 


TRAVEL 

Loy Krathong 

Celebrating light, love and luck 

WHEN 

11 Nov 2019 

LOY KRATHONG IS THE SECOND LARGEST FESTIVAL IN THAILAND AFTER SONGKRAN, 

THE THAI NEW YEAR. KNOWN AS THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, IT MARKS AN OCCASION 

TO CELEBRATE HOPE AND LOVE, BANISH BAD LUCK AND WELCOME GOOD FORTUNE. 

Text ANGELA GOH • Photos ADOBE STOCK 

ABOUT 

The festival of light is celebrated annually 

on the evening of the 12 th lunar month of 

the Thai calendar. 

Loy means “to float” while Krathong 

means a “raft”. The krathong is a small 

lotus-shaped vessel fashioned out of a 

banana stem or bark and adorned by 

exquisitely woven banana leaves. 

The festival pays homage to the 

river goddess, Ganga, known as Pra Mae 

Khongkha. Celebrants ask for forgiveness 

for polluting the rivers and also to thank 

her for providing water which sustains life, 

agriculture and livestock farming. It is also 

a time to banish misfortune, unhappiness 

and ill health, and make wishes for the 

coming year. 

Also regarded as a Thai festival of love, 

it is said that if the krathong which is set 

adrift by a pair of lovers remains afloat 

together until they drift out of sight, their 

love will last forever. If the krathong floated 

by each of the lovers drifts apart, this is not 

regarded as a good omen. 

SYMBOLISM 

Thais believe that launching the krathong 

on a river symbolically releases all 

negativity by letting their troubles drift 

away. The four components of a krathong–a 

candle, joss sticks, flower and coin– 

symbolise aspects of Buddhism. 

The candle represents knowledge and 

wisdom; the joss sticks (usually three) 

symbolise purity and sympathy; the flower 

represents respect for Buddhist monks; and 

the coin signifies the making of merit to 

gain blessings and wealth. 

Some worshippers leave strands of 

hair or nail clippings in the krathong to 

rid themselves of bad luck. If the candle 

remains burning while the krathong drifts 

out of sight, this portends good fortune in 

the year ahead. 

1 


TRAVEL 


TRAVEL 

MAP OF 

THAILAND 

WHERE TO CELEBRATE 

Loy Krathong is commemorated all 

over Thailand but the main places 

where the festival is celebrated on 

an impressive scale are in Sukhothai, 

Chiang Mai and Bangkok. 

Bangkok 

Loy Krathong is a major event in 

Bangkok, involving ceremonies at 

Wat Arun, Wat Po, Wat Prayoon 

and Wat Kalayanamitra, and 

cultural events along the riverside. 

Top spots 

The Chao Phraya River is the top 

venue where fireworks light up 

the night sky while tiny candlelit 

vessels and brightly lit boats with 

technicolour lights sail up and 

down the waterway. To enjoy these 

sights and sounds, it is best to 

stay at one of the riverside hotels, 

dine at a riverfront restaurant or 

venture on a river cruise. 

Celebrations are a little less 

touristy along the downtown 

canals or klongs such as the Saen 

Saeb kong where you can float 

your krathong in a less crowded 

waterway. Commuter boat traffic is 

stopped on Loy Krathong night in 

favour of the annual festival. 

Others include public parks 

with ponds or lakes (Lumpini, 

Benjakiti, Benjasiri, King Rama 

IX), riverside malls (Asiatique, Tha 

Maharaj) and temples (Wat Arun, 

Wat Yannawa, Wat Saket). 

Ratchaburi 

Traditions and activities that are unique 

to the Mon people are celebrated along 

the Mae Klong River. There will be an 

Eight Ethnics Parade showcasing the 

costumes and cultures of the local 

ethnic groups. Krathong cups made 

from eco-friendly coloured paper can 

be spotted along the river. Religious 

ceremonies paying respect to the Lord 

Buddha will also be held and festive 

activities happen along the Mae Klong 

River and Ratphracha Pattana Dam. 


TRAVEL 

Chiang Mai 

The International Cultural Lantern Festival will be staged at 

Malin Park in Chiang Mai from 11-12 November 2019 where 

sky lanterns are released to coincide with the celebration 

of Yi Peng. This festival which coincides with Loy Krathong 

is commemorated in northern Thai Lanna culture, where 

Chiang Mai served as the capital of the ancient Lanna 

Kingdom. The hot air lanterns are a spectacular sight when 

they fill the night sky. 

Top spots 

Most of the activity takes place at the Ping River and at 

bridges, while a beautiful parade captivates onlookers along 

Thapae Road. 

Sukhothai 

As the birthplace of Loy Krathong, the festival is celebrated 

for 10 days here. In addition to magical floating lights, there 

are folk music and dance performances known as ram wong, 

beauty contests, krathong-making competitions, parades, and 

light and sound shows at Wat Mahathat. 

Top spot 

Nearly all the festivities are held at the Sukhothai Historical 

Park (the old city), a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the 

banks of the Yom River. 

Tak 

Famous for its Loi Krathong Sai or the floating of a line of 

krathongs made from coconut shells, a local tradition that 

has been passed through the ages. Catch it by the banks of 

the Ping River at the foot of the Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi 

Bridge where a thousand lighted coconut shell cups are left 

adrift. A parade will also be held from the Shrine of King 

Taksin the Great to the main venue at the town centre. 

Phuket 

Krathongs are set afloat with the outflowing tide by 

the beaches island-wide. Other places to celebrate the 

festivities include the Sapan Hin Park, Suan Luang Park, 

Nai Harn Lake and Karon Lake. A parade starts at Sanam 

Chai Park in Phuket town and continues around the island 

ending at Saphan Hin. 


TRAVEL 

ROAD LESS TRAVELLED 

Green Island, Taiwan 

BY THE EASTERN COAST OF TAIWAN, THE SMALL 

VOLCANIC ISLAND IN THE PHILIPPINE SEA IS A SCENIC 

SPOT FOR TRAVELLERS TO SEEK PLEASURE IN HOT 

SPRINGS, SNORKELING, DIVING AND OTHER ADVENTURES. 

Text JESSY WONG • Photos ADOBE STOCK & WAITING HERE B&B 

HOW TO GET THERE 

Fly domestically to Taitung County from Taipei 

International Airport. From there, catch a direct 

flight with Daily Air to Lyudao Airport for only 15 

minutes. For a more affordable option, a ferry ride 

from Fugang Fish Harbour in Taitung takes about an 

hour to reach Lyudao Nanliao Harbour. 

WHERE TO EAT 

Walk around the main village center like Nan Liao to 

find snacks, local Taiwan delicacies and restaurants 

to dine in. Green Island is also famous for its 

seaweed produce and seaweed flavoured food so 

don’t be surprised to see seaweed ice and seaweed 

omelette on this volcanic island. 

16 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM 

WHAT TO DO 

The Lyudao Lighthouse is worth visiting to see 

the bright tall lighthouse against the clear sky; 

the surrounding area is absolutely scenic. The 

Human Rights Memorial is a jail turned museum 

and memorial in Lyudao Culture Park as the 

infamous jail used to detain political prisoners. 

If you like exploring, the abandoned aboriginal 

village of Youzihu sits on the island’s eastern side. 

Snorkelers can go to Chai Kou, Shi Lang 

and Da Bai Sha to see some of Taiwan’s wellpreserved 

coral reefs. A deeper marine exploration 

will reveal an underwater paradise for divers. 

More scenic adventures await at Hai Sheng Ping 

bay where travellers can view the famous rock 

formations reminiscent of a Pekinese dog and 

Sleeping Beauty. Down south, catch the sunrise in 

the hot spring pool at Zhaori Hot Springs–one of 

the three saltwater hot springs in the world. 

WHERE TO STAY 

Waiting Here B&B is a quaint beautifully 

decorated bed and breakfast on the island. The 

friendly staff can help arrange activities like 

snorkeling, diving and fishing other than a free 

airport shuttle for guests. 

GOOD 

to 

KNOW 

Green Island 

is also known 

as “Lyudao”; 

a Mandarin 

pronunciation for 

“green island” 

The Lyudao 

Lighthouse is 

constructed after 

a US luxury ocean 

liner gone ashore 

from a typhoon in 

1937. 

Rent electric 

scooters to go 

around the island 

as the attractions 

are not exactly 

within walking 

distance.

TRAVEL 

Turning Tragedy into Tourism 

1 

THE COMPELLING DRAW OF TRAGEDY, DESTRUCTION, 

AND DEATH BLURS THE LINE FOR TOURISM. MOST 

QUESTS TO UNDERSTAND HISTORY HAS TURNED INTO 

TERROR TRAVEL–WHICH INTRODUCES DARK TOURISM. 

Text JESSY WONG • Photos ADOBE STOCK & JESSY WONG 


TRAVEL 

2 

4 

5 

3 

6 


TRAVEL 

How do I enjoy the rest of the 

holidays after my first visit to a 

genocide detention camp? The 

chilling school-turned-prison camp for the 

Khmer Rouge is a popular place to visit 

in Phnom Penh. With a small admission 

fee, visitors to the Tuol Sleng Genocide 

Museum can walk around independently 

with individual audio guides. 

The prison has turned into a memorial 

site to preserve the tragic times of the 

Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. The 

musty smell of its torture rooms, cramped 

dehumanised prisons, and a roomful 

of victims’ headshots may already be 

overwhelming, but having the audio guide 

recounting the terror directly to the ears 

put multiple stops to my tracks. My energy 

was completely drained, and I was deeply 

conflicted. Little did I know, it was the start 

of dark tourism for me. 

THE GRIM FASCINATION 

It is not a 21 st century trend that death 

and tragedy appeal to travellers. Across 

the globe, public beheading is a crowd 

attraction in the past. Town folks of the 

early 18 th century in England would wait 

out criminals to die in the gibbets hung in 

public crossroads. Visiting the morgue is a 

favourite pastime for Parisians to pore over 

dead bodies for free. 

Today, travelling to places related to 

violent mass killings and natural disaster 

sites is coined as dark tourism. As seen 

in the media, Netflix’s TV series “Dark 

Tourist” invites curious watchers to follow 

their travels to places with a dark history. 

Admittedly, I had limited knowledge of 

Cambodia’s history before my visit. Walking 

on the grounds of Choeung Ek–a mass 

grave and killing fields over one million 

people in the Khmer Rouge–gave me more 

than just insight to the history and the 

political regime of Cambodia, the harsh 

reality helped me to understand the bleak 

period of humanity in the country. It was 

sympathetically terrible to see thousands of 

victims’ skulls displayed in the glass stupa, 

arranged to precision. 

Despite that, my inquisitiveness brought 

me to the War Remnants Museum in Ho 

Chi Minh City where there are photographic 

entries of the horrific war crimes during 

the Vietnam War. The blatant gore of some 

captured moments brings tears to the eyes. 

And I can’t help but admire the courage of 

generational victims of Agent Orange. 

Man-made crimes are not the only kind 

of dark tourism. The remnant of a violent 

volcano eruption in 2010 is turned into 

a tourist attraction for visitors to see the 

dilapidated houses near Mount Merapi in 

Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Nearby, Bunker 

Kaliadem is a more popular stop for 

tourists to take scenic pictures with the 

volcanic mountain in the background. The 

bunker failed to prevent hot magma steam 

from seeping through and has ended the 

lives of people trapped inside; visitors can 

enter to take a look. 

Malaysia has its share of dark tourism 

too. Tsunami Gallery in Kota Kuala Muda 

in Kedah showcases houses destroyed 

by the 2004 Indian tsunami and pictures 

of the natural disaster. Outside, there’s 

a monument of stacked fishing boats in 

remembrance of the lives lost. 

APPROPRIATION OF TRAVEL 

Visiting dark sites has its constructive 

endings to the nightmare it contains. 

It brings a better understanding and 

awareness of the dark past that teaches 

us a lesson. Visitors to these galleries and 

sites also contribute financially to the 

community involved. 

Sometimes visitors can forget that the 

presence of an outsider may unintentionally 

cause affected people to relieve their grief. 

A place where so many people have met 

their deaths should deserve the right kind 

of visitor’s attitude. The ignorance of one 

American Youtuber in Japan is a warning for 

technology-driven society to adhere–filming 

a hanging man in the Aokigahara forest for 

gag and profits is among the examples of 

exploitation of tragedy. 

On a deeper level, we may also not be 

aware if corporations are selfishly profiting 

from tragedies-made tourism. Is the money 

collected channeled back to the victims or 

used to restore the sites? Some answers 

may be obscure. So before visiting these 

grave places, prepare yourself to travel with 

a conscience. 

If anyone asks, did I regret any of my 

trips there? Absolutely not. 

7 

MORE DARK TOURISM 

SITES AROUND ASIA 

 

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, 

Hiroshima, Japan 

 

Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

 

War Museum, Penang, Malaysia 

 

Yingxiu Township, Sichuan, China 

 

Museum Tsunami Aceh, 

Kota Banda Aceh, Indonesia 

1 Stacked skulls of victims during the Khmer Rouge in 1975-1979 2 Stupa at Choeung Ek Killing Fields in 

Cambodia 3 An old guillotine is exhibited at War Remnants Musuem, Vietnam 4 Museum Mini SisaHartaku 

from 2010 volcano eruption in Yogyakarta, Indonesia 5 Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh 6 Tsunami 

monument at Kota Kuala Muda in Kedah 7 Actual volcano bunker opened for visitors in Yogyakarta, Indonesia 


FYI 

Free Apps for 

Travel Distress 

FOR LAST-MINUTE PLANS, BUDGET TRAVEL AND PRE- 

TRIP ORGANISING, THESE APPS DESERVE A SHOUT- 

OUT FOR MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR ALL NEWBIES, 

FREQUENT AND BUSY TRAVELLERS. ALL APPS ARE 

AVAILABLE ON THE APP STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY. 

Text JESSY WONG 

Photos ADOBE STOCK & ALL FEATURED APPS 

Best for 

OPTIMAL TRAVEL PACKING 

Best for 

ORGANISING PLANS 

TRIPIT 

TripIt keeps you on schedule whether 

it’s a business trip or leisure travel. 

Available on smartphones and computers, the app instantly creates 

a roster for your day and when you’re on the trip, the app supports 

you from navigation (ride options), airport maps (layout of airport 

and terminals), nearby places and neighbourhood safety (shows 

safety scores for security). Besides calendar sync, you can also easily 

share your plans with others through text or email. Additional 

features include real-time flight alerts and a currency converter. 

PACKPOINT 

Now, you don’t have to list 

everything you need for 

your trip because this app 

automatically builds a custom 

packing list based on your 

destination, date, length of 

stay and types of activities. 

The app checks the weather forecast for the day of your visit and 

recommends items like jacket, umbrella, shorts or sandals to your 

packing list. You can “hide” checked items as you pack and add 

quantities to items in the packing list for efficiency. 

Best for 

MANAGING EXPENDITURE 

TRABEE POCKET 

It is much like a diary, except 

that it helps to keep abreast 

of your travelling expenses so 

you won’t bust your budget. 

The customisable categories 

for expenses create an orderly 

daily report to track spending 

and receipts at a glance. Trabee Pocket also has multiple currencies 

support for instant conversion to the currency you’re familiar with. 

For a detailed record, add a note and image to the spending. 

Best for 

PREDICTING FARES 

HOPPER 

Plan your trip up to one year 

in advance with Hopper as this 

app predicts flights and hotel 

prices with high accuracy. The 

“watch” feature will send you 

notifications when the prices 

you’re following for your trip 

have dropped and it shows you the cheapest travel dates with price 

comparison over hundreds of global airlines. The price tracker can 

score you the best deals and save for more travels. 


FOOD 

1 

2 

A New World in Dining 

WHEN ENVIRONMENTAL PASSION MEETS DINING, IT IS A REVOLUTIONARY 

CONFLUENCE OF NATURE'S BEST GIFTS–WARMLY SERVED ON PLATES. 

Text JESSY WONG • Photos NECTAR & OPEN FARM COMMUNITY 

3 4 


FOOD 

5 

8 

6 

7 

NECTAR 

The high-end dining concept by 

award-winning chef and owner 

Peggy Chan tops our list with its 

plant-based gourmet cuisines. 

Setting the standard for overall 

wellness in dining, Nectar 

promises a tasting experience 

that focuses on holistic, 

nutrient-dense, and seasonal 

tasting menus in Hong Kong. 

Peggy is internationally 

recognised for her dedication 

to the environment and was 

awarded the title “Sustainability 

Champion” in 2018 at the 

T.Dining Awards. Also, Peggy 

actively involves in food 

biodiversity and sustainability 

movement that addresses 

undernutrition, food waste and 

soil degradation in the industry. 

Applauded to be raising 

awareness of plant-based 

cuisine, Nectar’s bold 

approach shows a promising 

future for sustainable dining 

and opened doors for Hong 

Kong’s food revolution. 

Peggy’s plant-based cooking is 

very much technique-driven 

that uncover textures and 

depth of flavour in vegetables 

and legumes. 

Nectar’s seasonal tasting 

menu is locally and regionally 

sourced with a wish to educate 

and empower diners on 

conscious eating and ethical 

sourcing. Guests are given the 

option to choose from a five, 

eight or twelve multi-course 

tasting menu. 

Shop D, G/F, CentreStage, 108 Hollywood Road, 

Central, Hong Kong 

hello@nectarexperience.co 

Nectarexperience.co 


FOOD 

9 

1-4 Edible garden at Open Farm Community 5-6 Nectar's plant-based food 

presentation 7-8 A calming minimalist interior at Nectar 9 Open Farm Community 

outdoor deck dining area 10 Lip-smacking roasted Anxin chicken 11 Indonesian 

baby potatoes reinterpreted 

10 

OPEN FARM COMMUNITY 

As a restaurant, they are 

known to be more than 

just an eating place–they 

familiarise themselves as being 

a community food project 

in Singapore. Established in 

2015, the culinary team at 

Open Farm Community (OFC) 

takes the lead by encouraging 

diners to reconnect with their 

surroundings and nature 

through food. 

The creative menu approach 

is curated by both Head Chef 

Oliver Truesdale-Jutras and 

Sous Chef Phoebe Oviedo. The 

passionate duo has taken their 

turns in various cities across the 

globe, skillfully trying different 

approaches when cooking to 

bring in new flavours over 

familiar local palates. 

Naturally, the highly 

urbanised Singapore is a 

perfect choice for celebrating 

Asian delicacies. OFC aims 

to inspire people to learn 

about what they eat and 

how they eat with primarily 

locally-sourced ingredients in 

metropolitan surroundings. 

The support for local urban 

farming movement sees OFC 

harvesting fresh produce from 

the establishment’s own green 

garden–setting a farm to plate 

example in the city. 

Among the prolific cuisines, 

the “Crab & Prawn Laksa 

Pappardelle” distinguishes 

itself as a Southern Malay Laksa 

assimilated with homemade 

pasta, crispy soft-shell crab 

tempura, and herbs from the 

OFC’s garden. The environment 

in OFC definitely makes the 

grade for diners to easily 

reconnect with nature from its 

scenic surroundings, open-deck 

dining and greenhouse-themed 

atmosphere. 

11 

130E Minden Road, Singapore 

enquiries@ofcsingapore.com.sg 

www.openfarmcommunity.com 


TALES ON TRACK 

FOOD FOR TALK 

“Meat ” up for 

Bah Kut Teh 

Text FRANCIS YIP 

Photo ADOBE STOCK 

Bah Kut Teh 

is probably 

the Malaysian 

dish that sparked the 

most conversation and 

controversy. Years ago, a 

pair of sex bloggers created 

a nationwide storm for their 

Bah Kut Teh photo posting as 

Ramadan greetings. Then, we also 

have netizens from Malaysia and 

Singapore fighting over the origin of Bah 

Kut Teh–each claiming the dish belongs to 

their country. 

MEAT BONE TEA 

Bah Kut Teh means “Meat Bone Tea”. 

However, it is not really tea as it references 

more to the drinking ritual which has 

become an integral part of eating Bah Kut 

Teh–to demulsify the fat of the pork. 

Bah Kut Teh is a pork rib dish cooked 

gently with a mix of herbs and spices in 

the soup for hours. There are Hokkien, 

Teowchew and Cantonese-styled Bah Kut 

Teh but in Malaysia, the most common 

is the Hokkien style which is darker and 

more fragrant soup. On the other hand, Bah 

Kut Teh in Singapore is lighter and more 

pepper-ish in taste. 

ORIGIN OF BAH KUT TEH 

There is a lot of argument about the 

origin of Bah Kut Teh. Klang is often 

well-known as the birthplace of Bah Kut 

Teh. It was introduced by the Chinese 

immigrants who were mostly Hokkien 

during the 19 th century. 

According to Ng Soon Tiong, owner of 

Samy and Min Bah Kut Teh, “Bah Kut Teh 

was created as a dish to help replenish the 

energy of the Chinese coolies who mostly 

carried heavy loads while barefooted. 

In those days, they boiled pig heads and 

knuckles with medicinal herbs and spices 

as a way to nourish and strengthen their 

bodies.” 

It is also 

believed that 

the word 

“teh” of “Bah 

Kut Teh” is 

derived from the 

name, Lee Boon 

Teh who brought 

the dish from Fujian 

and popularised the dish 

in the 1940s. But across the 

causeway, netizens claimed that 

Bah Kut Teh was created in Clarke 

Quay and River Valley. They said the dish 

was spotted even in the 1920s. 

FLAVOURS TODAY 

Whether it is Klang or Clarke Quay, it 

doesn’t matter. But one thing is certain. 

Some Bah Kut Teh shops attempted to 

be innovative by offering Seafood Bah 

Kut Teh, Cheese Bah Kut Teh, and even 

Durian Bah Kut Teh. 

Will you try it? For myself, I am 

still a die-hard fan of authentic Bah Kut 

Teh. In fact, I have mastered the art of 

boiling Bah Kut Teh from my mother and 

my herbs are mostly bought from the 

Chinese medical hall. 

Special thanks to Ng Soon Tiong, owner of Samy and Min Bah Kut Teh Malaysia and the World Top 

Gourmet Awards Team. 

24 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM 

FRANCIS YIP loves to eat and will always go find the best food in every nook and cranny. He is passionate to share his food journey and 

may spark a storm in the teacup too. After all, no food, no life. 

www.franciswriter.com franciswriterAd franciswriter

GOASIAPLUS November 2019

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