AUGUST 2019

AUG 2019

Readers take on... AUSTRALIA!

Health SYMPTOMS You can’t ignore Casualwear & HOME OFFICES Why Rent a Car in SG?

TREKKING WITH KIDS

Wine & Dine I TALIAN RESTOS SPECIAL CAKES

Rooftop 3 GREAT ars

Subscribe &WINA FAB STAY AT THEW!

EDITOR’SNOTE

I’ve recently been having lovely walks on the new stretch of the Round IslandRoute that’s being created at Seletar, where I live, and which will eventually be part of a 150km track around the island. It’s wide and pretty, with lots of flowering bushes and trees along the way, and a good breeze. I walk in silence and do my “thinking” while I’m at it, but one guy was reading a book as he walked this morning; I thought he was very talented! The aim of the track is to connect the whole island and enable us to be able to walk or cycle all the way around – pretty cool. The 36km Coast-to-Coast Trail was completed earlier this year, and the old rail track is being jazzed up too, so there are lots of options if you need to stretch your legs! EL is starting a walking and travel club soon, with a monthly hike or walk in Singapore and a few trips in the region. We’ll be sending you the details in our next newsletter, or you can email us at info@expatliving.sg to find out more. These aren’t going to be power walks, just nice social strolls to see more of nature, Singapore and the region. And to get us moving more, of course! Talking of nature, after receiving a letter to the editor about our laminated front cover not being recyclable, we have changed to an oil-based gloss one that is. We hope you like the new look and the more environmentally friendly approach. Thanks for your great feedback about our features in the small survey we’ve just done. In this issue, there’s a story on young trekkers, and one about an expat who moved from a career in law to being a drummer. You’ll also find some great rooftop bars and Italian restaurants to try, and readers’ recommendations on what to see and do in Australia. Happy reading!

REBECCA BISSET Editor-in-Chief

At long last, the old houses at The Oval at Seletar have been done and the windows smashed, but now it’s a great spot to walk around. up. The roofs were falling in

8

AUGUST2019

Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET

Group Editor SHAMUS SILLAR Editorial Team HOME & PROPERTY: KEL FLANDERS EDUCATION: MONICA PITRELLI WINE & DINE, HEALTH: AMY GREENBURG LIFE & FAMILY: LINDSAY YAP HAIR & BEAUTY, FASHION: ANTHIA CHNG Copy Editor JULIET KEYS Online & Digital Content MICHAELA BISSET IT & Web Support RENE YUTIAMPO | HANADDI REY DIAZ MAMBA Client Services & Production LEANDA RATHMELL | LIANA KEDDIE | NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE | EVELINE KARTIKA | JEANNE WONG Marketing, Circulation & Administration ANNA TSERLINGAS | GRACE BANTARAN SITI SHAHIRAH KHIRUDEEN Advertising Sales KARIN GALLEY | DANIELLE ROSSETTI | LARA SAGE | JACQUI YOUNG Events Curator SUSAN KNUDSEN-PICKLES Special Projects MELINDA MURPHY | VEENA GILL Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE Contributing Writers

BASAK YUKSEL BALAKRISHNAN | CAROLYN BEASLEY SHIMAALI FERNANDO-GOMEZ | HARSHARAN KAUR

VERNE MAREE | HOLLY WILCOX Contributing Photographers KEN TAN (WITHINIMAGES.COM)

CONTACT US General Enquiries: +65 6812 1780 | info@expatliving.sg Advertising Sales: +65 6812 1781 | sales@expatliving.sg Subscription: +65 6812 1783 | subscription@expatliving.sg Production: +65 6812 1787 | production@expatliving.sg Editorial & Media Releases: editorial@expatliving.sg Calendar of Events: calendar@expatliving.sg Events: events@expatliving.sg Websites: expatliving.sg | expatliving.hk

Printed by Times Printers Pte Ltd (timesprinters.com)

Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 37 Jalan Pemimpin, #07-06 Mapex Building, Singapore 577177

Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia (westernaustralia.com)

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AUGUST2019

CONTENTS

56 Create the perfect working space at home

NEWS 18 Calendar Updates: 24 Readers’ Letters 28 EL Forum: Our online antics and upcoming events HOME & PROPERTY 32 News 38 Home Showcase: Living in an art gallery 48 Japandi Style:

What’s on in the coming months

Add some fine-looking fusion to your home

52 Expert Tips:

Sustainable, low-maintenance outdoor spaces

54 Kitchen Addition:

Why you need a dishwasher

56 Buying Guide: Home office ideas 64 Street Talk:

What it’s like living in Outram

LIFE & FAMILY 70 News 74 Noticeboard: Birth announcements and pet adoptions 76 Reviewed: 78 Banning the Bag: The truth behind plastic 80 Learning Outdoors:

92 Helping Hands: Our latest on volunteer opportunities 94 Around Town:

Scandi meets Japanese style 48

Photos from openings, events and more

52 Smart picks for your outdoor space

Popular podcasts and Netflix shows

Inside a female-only trekking club

84 History Lesson:

Dempsey Hill’s rich heritage

86 People Profile:

An entertainment industry entrepreneur

88 Car Talk:

We hear some rental recommendations

12

AUGUST2019

CONTENTS

114 Italian eats you’ll love

114 Escape to

the Maldives

136 Book your next Aussie adventure

WINE & DINE 108 News 112 Bar Tab:

TRAVEL 132 News 136 Destination Focus: Australia insights and readers’ tips 141 Perth Highlights: Five things to do in the WA state capital 142 Margaret River with Kids: An adventure-filled family itinerary 146 Find the Flower: Hunting the famous Rafflesia

A new and notable venue for a tipple

114 Buon Appetito:

What to order at these Italian hotspots 118 Creating Confections: How a baker went from banking to brownies 120 Drinks with a View: Three rooftop bars to check out 124 Leveraging Leftovers: How one entrepreneur is reducing food wastage 126 Recipe Corner: Fail-safe favourites for your repertoire

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AUGUST2019

CONTENTS

STYLE & BEAUTY 152 Style News 154 Wardrobe Refresh: 158 Beauty News 161 Tried & Tested:

Hot picks to update your look

Masks, serums and more for sensitive skin

162 Fight the Clock:

Top anti-ageing treatments

HEALTH & FITNESS 172 News 176 Expert Voice:

Health symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

180 Fitness Focus:

154 Casual chic wardrobe winners

Stay in shape while you travel

184 Better Boxing:

5 reasons to try Muay Thai

162 Tricks to

tackle ageing

REGULARS 187 Numbers & Websites 188 Horoscopes for August 190 Advertiser List 192 Parting Shot: Serving Up a Life Lesson

facebook.com/expatlivingSG

twitter.com/expatlivingSG

pinterest.com/expatlivingSG instagram.com/expatlivingSG

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AUGUST2019

CALENDAR

THISMONTH

SHOPPING & FAIRS

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (16-17 AUG)

New Opera Singapore presents a performance of Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream , whose libretto is adapted from the Shakespeare play. Victoria Theatre Beats On Pointe (18 AUG) Look forward to captivating moves, freestyle acts, singing, comedy and more in this theatre dance sensation, with performances that merge the energy of street dance with the elegance of classical ballet. Victoria Theatre. Tickets from Sistic. Trevor Noah Loud and Clear Tour (19 AUG) The host of the award-winning US talk show The Daily Show is coming to Singapore as part of his new stand-up tour, Loud and Clear . The Star Theatre. Tickets from Sistic.

HotLotz Online Jewellery Auction (UNTIL 19 AUG)

Browse over 100 lots of beautiful jewellery, with starting bids below $100. Come along to the saleroom to check out these beauties. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays. Register online to view the auction catalogue. hotlotz.com

DANCE, THEATRE & CONCERTS

Supervision (8-18 AUG)

Written by Thomas Lim, this production touches on the implications of a rapidly ageing population; expect plenty of dark humour and emotionally charged scenes. The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice, Funan Level 4. Tickets from Sistic. SSO National Day Concert (10 AUG) Enjoy an evening of familiar tunes and new songs at this concert by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Symphony Chorus in August. Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets from Sistic.

Bizet’s Carmen (30 AUG – 1 SEP)

Westlife (10 AUG)

This four-act opera tells the story of brave Carmen who gets tangled in a love affair between a jealous corporal and a flirtatious bullfighter. Esplanade Theatre. Tickets from Sistic.

Back for one night only, Irish pop crooners Westlife will be performing brand new songs alongside popular hits in August. Fans will get the chance to sing along to their favourites including “Swear It Again” and “If I Let You Go”. National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub.

FAMILY Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities (UNTIL 4 AUG)

Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities

Cirque du Soleil is back in town with one of its most popular touring shows to date. Kurios follows an ambitious inventor who defies the laws of time, space and dimensions. Big Top, Bayfront Avenue. Tickets from Sistic. SJI International Coffee Morning (21 AUG) Meet the Elementary School team and find out how they adapt the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) to meet the needs of today’s learners. Enjoy refreshments and a tour of the

campus. Register on the school website. SJI International Elementary School. sji-international.com.sg

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AUGUST2019

CALENDAR

Walking with Dinosaurs – The Live Experience (29 AUG – 5 SEP) Seen by over nine million people in more than 250 cities around the world, Walking with Dinosaurs – The Live Experience is coming to town in August. You’ll be amazed to watch the creatures walk, roar and fight for survival and supremacy. Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets from the Singapore Sports Hub website. Wonderland at the ArtScience Museum (UNTIL 22 SEP) This playful and interactive exhibition is based on Lewis Carroll’s stories of Alice and her adventures through Wonderland. Look forward to theatrical sets, eye-catching props and amazing audiovisual artworks. ArtScience Museum

Walking with Dinosaurs

ARTS & CULTURE

Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture (UNTIL 15 SEP) This exhibition presents a dialogue between historical and contemporary Chinese design, juxtaposing 29 embroidered masterworks by Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei with 20 Chinese art masterpieces in the Asian Civilisations Museum’s collection. Asian Civilisations Museum Floating Utopias (UNTIL 29 SEP) Featuring over 40 artworks by more than 15 local and international artists, this playful exhibition explores the history of inflatable objects, and the way they’ve been used in art, architecture and social activism across the years. ArtScience Museum

Singapore Night Festival 2019 (23-31 AUG)

Watch façades of iconic landmarks in town come alive over two weekends in August, and enjoy the wide variety of activities and performances that are a hallmark of this annual arts festival. Bras Basah and Bugis. nightfestival.sg Capturing Water Conservation Through The Lens (UNTIL 31 AUG) Water conservation is the theme of this photographic exhibition, which features winning entries from a photo contest held in conjunction with Singapore World Water Day 2019 and United Nations World Water Day. The contest was open to Singaporeans and Japanese living in Singapore, aged from 13 to 35 years. Royal Plaza on Scotts

Wonderland at the ArtScience Museum

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AUGUST2019

CALENDAR

PLANAHEAD

Snow Patrol (1 SEP)

2

The hugely popular Irish band is back for an acoustic performance in Singapore, which is bound to feature their massive hits such as “Chasing Cars” and “Run”. University Cultural Centre Hall, NUS. Tickets from Sistic. Emily of Emerald Hill (4-22 SEP) Popular local actor Ivan Heng brings to life Emily Gan, one of Singapore theatre’s most iconic characters. The young girl overcomes all odds to become the matriarch of a distinguished Peranakan household. The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice, Funan Level 4. Tickets from Sistic. The 13-Storey Treehouse (7-8 SEP) Based on the multi-award-winning book series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, The 13-Storey Treehouse tells the story of Andy and Terry who live in an amazing treehouse, make stories and go on silly adventures together. SOTA Drama Theatre. Tickets from Sistic. Muse Tribute Night (14 SEP) Enjoy cover versions of songs by the prominent English rock band, including “Citizen Erased”, “Fury”, “Dead Star” and “Starlight”. There will be something for everyone, casual and hardcore Musers alike. SLED Production X Decline. Tickets from Peatix. Feeder (14 SEP) Welsh rock band Feeder will be in town this September. They’ll be promoting their latest album Tallulah , which features snappy songwriting and an organic home studio vibe. The Pavilion at Far East Square. Tickets from Sistic. The 1975 (16 SEP) The 1975 are back to perform live in Singapore – their first performance here for five years. The UK indie band is on a world tour this year, including playing at major music festivals such as the Reading Festival and Rock am Ring in Germany. The Star Theatre. Tickets from Apactix.

Snow Patrol

: www.expatliving.sg production tells the story of a little boy seeking adventure. Suitable for young children aged three and up. Quote “ExpatL2019” and enjoy 10 percent off. SOTA Drama Theatre. Tickets from Sistic. Glamorous Giving Fashion & Homewares Clearance Sale (18-19 SEP) Back for its 12th edition, this fashion, accessories and homewares clearance sale by jewellery brand Stones that Rock will feature independent local brands, designers and boutiques. Products will be going at clearance prices in support of the Singapore Committee for UN Women. Orchard Rendezvous Hotel. facebook.com/Glamorous.Giving The Way Back Home (27-29 SEP) Featuring original music and audience interaction, this charming intergalactic

For even more things to do every week, go to our online calendar or sign up for our newsletter

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AUGUST2019

LETTERS

DESTINATION FOCUS

FACTFILE Population: 1.34billion Capital: NewDelhi Religion:

Hinduism, Islam, plusChristianity, Sikhism,Jainism andmore

HOLIDAY Planning an Indian escape?Here are somehandy tips and recommendations

SNAPSHOTS

fromEL readers and staff!

Visiting... Kerala My husband and I took our first trip to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital ofKerala, onSilkAir inApril this year.Wewent at the endof thepeak seasonand itwashot. Ifyou take your children, I’d recommend finding accommodationwithapool so theycancool offduring thehottestpart of theday. We stayed at theGracefulHomestay for our first twonights.Wehada friendlydriver who drove us around the city and to the famous Indian CoffeeHouse.We also had thechance tohavea sumptuous sadhya feast atMothersVegPlaza. After that, we travelled to the seaside town Varkala, about 45km north of Thiruvananthapuram.We got there by car using the scenic coast road, but you can choose to go via the expressway, which is

Great guide to Singapore

quicker.We passed fishing villages with brightly coloured houses and churches along theway.We stayedat theKaiyaHouse homestay.While there, we enjoyed local food, morning swims in the ocean and Ayurvedicmassages,we had clothesmade, and we chatted with the friendly locals. Varkala is also home to the 2,000-year-old Janardana Swami Temple, which is well worth a visit; buy some flowers from the temple sellers andmake an offering to one of thedeities.

Thekeydates 27October2019: Deepavali,orDiwali, the festival of lights – a five-dayHindu festival, which includes the lighting of lamps,plentyof firecrackers and sharing of sweets. 7 May 2020: Vesak Day, celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Thehotspots

Whileyou’re there,please don’t… Eat foodorpassobjectswithyour lefthand; the left hand is used to perform bathroom functions, and is therefore traditionally consideredunclean Beforeyougo, read… A SuitableBoy , byVikram Seth – one of the longestbooksever tobepublished, it follows four families over 18-months as amother searches for a suitableboy forherdaughter. LifeofPi ,byYannMartell–a fantasticalnovel with adarkunderbelly. Beforeyougo,watch…

THEYSAID IT “The Indianwayof lifeprovides the visionof thenatural,

BEST LETTER We want to hear from you!

After a couple of days,wewent back to Thiruvananthapuram.We celebrated our 19thweddinganniversarybyhavingdinner atVillaMaya, amagnificent restaurant in an 18th-centuryDutchmansion.

realwayof life.We veilourselveswith unnaturalmasks. On the faceof India are the tender expressions,which carry themarkof the

Dear Rebecca, I missed the mag while I was back in India. I love the taxis that keep the issues for a read while I travel in this smart country, 110 JULY2019 Popular destinations include Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Kerala, Goa, Mumbai, RajasthanandBangalore.Therearemore than 30WorldHeritage Sites, including the TajMahal, Delhi’s QutbMinar, the churches and convents of Goa, and the ElloraCaves. Thehealthadvice Be careful with food and water; drink bottledwater,bewaryof street food and take anti-diarrhoealmedicine.Malaria is prevalent throughoutmost parts of the country,andbeaware thatChloroquine is notaneffectiveantimalarialdrug in India.

–JULIALEIMANIS,AUSTRALIAN

Visiting... Mumbai When one ofRoy’s colleagues invited us to his son’s four-daywedding, I leapt at the chance – itwould bemy first trip to Mumbai, andmy firstwedding in India. “Prepare tobeoverwhelmedby thenoise, thecolours, thedancingand the feasting,” oneofmy Indianexpat friends

creator'shand.” –GeorgeBernardShaw, playwright

warnedme. “And the hospitality shown to guests at a Sikhwedding isoutof this world.”How right shewas! Wehad just threedays to see the sights and shop forwedding clothesbefore the wedding began. Thewedding partywas

Gandhi – the storyof the leaderof the Indian revoltagainstBritish ruleandhisphilosophy ofnon-violentprotest. A Passage to India – based on the novel by EM Forster, the film focuses on doomed friendships and colonialdistrust. Beforeheadinghome,buy... Indianbling:bold,bright andbeautiful!

“In India, ‘cold weather’ ismerely a conventional phraseandhas come

We tickedoffsightssuchas theGateway to India, Gothic Revival-style Victoria Terminus, Hanging Gardens and the ColabaCausewaymarket.Wehadabeer at Leopold’s Café and watched the sun set at the Chowpatty and Juhu Beach, famous for street food such as pani puri . Other highlightswere the tranquil CST Museum (previously thePrinceofWales Museum), and tea and Indian snacks at theTajMahalPalace’sSeaLounge. But themoment thatmost stood out for me was the wedding day baraat , the noisy, colourful and festive street procession of the groom’s party to the gurdwara ; in themidday sun, on dirty pavements and in the crazy Mumbai traffic, dressed in our finery, family and friends danced frantically to the beat of theband and the rat-tat-tatof fireworks –unforgettable! –VERNEMAREE,SOUTHAFRICAN

Send us your thoughts on the magazine, or on any subject under the sun. For best letter, Serene Huang will receive a divine

intouse through thenecessityof

spending the week at the outstanding Trident Hotel BandraKurla, sowedid the same.Most ofMumbai is notpretty, tobehonest.The traffic is indescribable,and the sheermassofhumanity and scenes of painful poverty can be distressing for the uninitiated. But we enjoyed shopped for wedding clothes at the upmarket Mumbai Millionaireandatglorious sari emporium Paaneri in DadarEast.

having someway to distinguishbetween weatherwhichwill meltabrassdoor- knobandweather whichwillonlymake itmushy.” –MarkTwain,author

JULY2019

111

and I’ve even written to Singapore Airlines and Air India, our preferred airlines, to ask them to start keeping the latest issues on board – because they work as a great guide to this place. Best wishes for keeping this love ignited! – Tejinder Bedi

candle from To Be Calm. Each month, there’ll be one of their signature candles to choose from tobecalm.com .

Ed: Thank you!

Happy subscriber Congratulations to you and your team for putting out such great content and events – it’s always a pleasure when the magazine is delivered! – Ann Ed: I know you’ve been here for a while, Ann, so I am glad we’re still keeping it relevant for the “oldies”!

DESTINATION FOCUS

FACTFILE Population: 1.34billion Capital: NewDelhi Religion:

HOLIDAY Planning an Indian escape?Here are somehandy tips and recommendations fromEL readers and staff! SNAPSHOTS

Hinduism, Islam, plusChristianity, Sikhism,Jainism andmore

Visiting... Kerala My husband and I took our first trip to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital ofKerala, onSilkAir inApril this year.Wewent at the endof thepeak seasonand itwashot. Ifyou take your children, I’d recommend finding accommodationwithapool so theycancool offduring thehottestpart of theday. We stayed at theGracefulHomestay for our first twonights.Wehada friendlydriver who drove us around the city and to the famous Indian CoffeeHouse.We also had thechance tohavea sumptuous sadhya feast atMothersVegPlaza. After that, we travelled to the seaside town Varkala, about 45km north of Thiruvananthapuram.We got there by car using the scenic coast road, but you can choose to go via the expressway, which is Visiting... Mumbai When one ofRoy’s colleagues invited us to his son’s four-daywedding, I leapt at the chance – itwould bemy first trip to Mumbai, andmy firstwedding in India. “Prepare tobeoverwhelmedby thenoise, thecolours, thedancingand the feasting,” oneofmy Indianexpat friends

quicker.We passed fishing villages with brightly coloured houses and churches along theway.We stayedat theKaiyaHouse homestay.While there, we enjoyed local food, morning swims in the ocean and Ayurvedicmassages,we had clothesmade, and we chatted with the friendly locals. Varkala is also home to the 2,000-year-old Janardana Swami Temple, which is well worth a visit; buy some flowers from the temple sellers andmake an offering to one of thedeities. After a couple of days,wewent back to Thiruvananthapuram.We celebrated our 19thweddinganniversarybyhavingdinner atVillaMaya, amagnificent restaurant in an 18th-centuryDutchmansion. –JULIALEIMANIS,AUSTRALIAN

THEYSAID IT “The Indianwayof lifeprovides the visionof thenatural, realwayof life.We veilourselveswith unnaturalmasks. On the faceof India are the tender expressions,which carry themarkof the

Thekeydates 27October2019: Deepavali,orDiwali, the festival of lights – a five-dayHindu festival, which includes the lighting of lamps,plentyof firecrackers and sharing of sweets. 7 May 2020: Vesak Day, celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Thehotspots Popular destinations include Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Kerala, Goa, Mumbai, RajasthanandBangalore.Therearemore than 30WorldHeritage Sites, including the TajMahal, Delhi’s QutbMinar, the churches and convents of Goa, and the ElloraCaves. Thehealthadvice Be careful with food and water; drink bottledwater,bewaryof street food and take anti-diarrhoealmedicine.Malaria is prevalent throughoutmost parts of the country,andbeaware thatChloroquine is notaneffectiveantimalarialdrug in India.

Whileyou’re there,please don’t… Eat foodorpassobjectswithyour lefthand; the left hand is used to perform bathroom functions, and is therefore traditionally consideredunclean Beforeyougo, read… A SuitableBoy , byVikram Seth – one of the longestbooksever tobepublished, it follows four families over 18-months as amother searches for a suitableboy forherdaughter. LifeofPi ,byYannMartell–a fantasticalnovel with adarkunderbelly. Beforeyougo,watch… Gandhi – the storyof the leaderof the Indian revoltagainstBritish ruleandhisphilosophy ofnon-violentprotest. A Passage to India – based on the novel by EM Forster, the film focuses on doomed friendships and colonialdistrust. Beforeheadinghome,buy... Indianbling:bold,bright andbeautiful!

warnedme. “And the hospitality shown to guests at a Sikhwedding isoutof this world.”How right shewas! Wehad just threedays to see the sights and shop forwedding clothesbefore the wedding began. Thewedding partywas

We tickedoffsightssuchas theGateway to India, Gothic Revival-style Victoria Terminus, Hanging Gardens and the ColabaCausewaymarket.Wehadabeer at Leopold’s Café and watched the sun set at the Chowpatty and Juhu Beach, famous for street food such as pani puri . Other highlightswere the tranquil CST Museum (previously thePrinceofWales Museum), and tea and Indian snacks at theTajMahalPalace’sSeaLounge. But themoment thatmost stood out for me was the wedding day baraat , the noisy, colourful and festive street procession of the groom’s party to the gurdwara ; in themidday sun, on dirty pavements and in the crazy Mumbai traffic, dressed in our finery, family and friends danced frantically to the beat of theband and the rat-tat-tatof fireworks –unforgettable! –VERNEMAREE,SOUTHAFRICAN

creator'shand.” –GeorgeBernardShaw, playwright

spending the week at the outstanding Trident Hotel BandraKurla, sowedid the same.Most ofMumbai is notpretty, tobehonest.The traffic is indescribable,and the sheermassofhumanity and scenes of painful poverty can be distressing for the uninitiated. But we enjoyed shopped for wedding clothes at the upmarket Mumbai Millionaireandatglorious sari emporium Paaneri in DadarEast.

“In India, ‘cold weather’ ismerely a conventional phraseandhas come

intouse through thenecessityof

having someway to distinguishbetween weatherwhichwill meltabrassdoor- knobandweather whichwillonlymake itmushy.” –MarkTwain,author

110

111

JULY2019

JULY2019

FEEDBACK FROMOUR RECENT SURVEY “The magazine has always stood out in Singapore as the best lifestyle guide, though I would like to see fewer ads and more editorial content.” Ed: Thanks for the lovely feedback. Ads are essential for us, as they pay for our rather large print and distribution costs, and our designers’ and writers’ fees. “Keep up the goodwork – it’s an excellent magazine. More home reviews and monthly average costings, please, and include holiday activities for children of all ages, not just the very young.” Ed: Will do! We have a lots of kids’ travel info at expatliving.sg, but we’ll try to include more in the mag too. Thanks!

No more snore! I loved the snoring ad in your last issue – it is literally solving years of “suffering”, because my partner snores so loudly! I left the page open on the dining table as a hint that we should “check him in”; it gave us a good laugh. Then I flipped to the India feature in the Travel section to read the candid views from various visitors to different cities. I love reading real reviews of this kind; they tell so much more than just “what to do”. We’ve been dying to visit India and this will definitely help us plan our holiday. Killing two birds with one stone with this issue – thank you very much. You guys are amazing! – Serene Huang Ed: Thank you for such a nice start to the week. I have sent your letter to the teamand they loved it! So gladwe were helpful – and thank you for reading EL.

Email us at info@expatliving.sg

24

AUGUST 2019

LIFE & FAMILY THE SINGAPORE PAGES Investigating the island past and present, with tips, trivia and time travel – and the occasional tricky challenge for readers!

Exploring

DURIAN 101 ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE KING OF FRUIT! Durian: it seems people living in Singapore either love them or hate them… or are afraid to try them. MELINDAMURPHY discovers all you need to knowabout the spiky, stinky fruit. #1 They’re available in many varieties If you’ve tried one durian, you’ve tried them all, right? Wrong! Turns out, there are more than 100 named varieties. Some are sweet, some are bitter. Some have white flesh while others sport pale yellow, orange or even red fruit. Each has a very distinct flavour and, yes, smell. So, if you’ve tried one and didn’t like it, perhaps you just didn’t try the right one. #2 They’re native to several countries Durians come from Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra, but Thailand is now the biggest exporter, producing 700,000 tonnes per year. Most durians in Singapore come from Malaysia and are picked daily. The name “durian” is derived from the Malay word duri , which means “thorn” and was first used in the late 16th century. By the way, those thorns are sharp ! Gloves are a must. #3 They’re heavy, fleshy and seasonal Durians typically weigh between one and three kilograms, depending on the variety, and the copious volume of flesh inside can be found in five different compartments. Durian trees are evergreens, and there are several seasons for durian, but high season is mid-year. #4 They’re enjoyed at various stages of ripeness A ripe durian will begin to crack, but some people hit them with a knife and listen to test the ripeness – kind of like thumping a watermelon. In Thailand, people like the fruit a little more crisp, but Singapore’s durian fans prefer a gooey consistency. If the fruit gets too ripe, it can actually ferment and develop alcoholic properties. #5 They’re calorific Yup, durians are high in calories. An average 1kg durian has a whopping 1,350 calories (5,600kJ)! They’re also very high in sugar, which turns into carbohydrates. In other words, they should be a treat, not a staple. On the plus side, the King of Fruit is also high in monounsaturated fats, which can be good for lowering your LDL. #6 They’re high in nutrients Durians have lots of nutrients, being naturally rich in vitamins A, B complex and C, and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, manganese and copper, as well as the amino acid tryptophan. Also on the plus side: they’re an excellent source of dietary fibre.

NDP Firsts!

Flashback

The National Day Parade, which will be held on 9 August, has changed a lot over its long history. Here’s a look back at some innovations. 1966: The first National Day Parade was held on the Padang 1970: The Singapore Air Force performed its first NDP flypast 1973: The show moved from a regular morning time slot to afternoon/evening 1984: The first fireworks display was held 1989: The Red Lions parachute team debuted 2003: An electronic ticketing ballot was introduced because of overcrowding 2007: The NDP was held for the first time on the Marina Bay Floating Platform 2014: The Red Lions team featured its first female jumper 2015: The first NDP without Lee Kwan Yew in attendance 2017: The first 360-degree YouTube live stream of the NDP

Visit expatliving.sg to find out more about the event this year.

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AUGUST2019

Fact File ANIMALS ON THE RUN

In the back-page quiz of our newly published City Guide, we asked a question about an animal called Congo, who escaped Singapore Zoo in 1974, and proceeded to spend 52 blissful days living in the Seletar Reservoir. He was eventually lured back by handlers waving bananas and sweet potatoes. We’re not going to spoil the quiz and tell you more about Congo (go to expatliving.sg/ cityguidequiz instead!), but we will say it wasn’t the only time a wild animal has turned up unexpectedly somewhere in Singapore. • In 1990, and again in 1991, wild Asian elephants swam across from Malaysia • Both Singapore’s famous orangutan Ah Meng and her daughter Medan have been known to pull off great escapes. In 1982 and 2005 respectively, they broke away from handlers and scrambled to the top of the nearest tall tree; Ah Meng stayed there for three days. •When Coney Island opened to the public in 2015, signs warned the public of a solitary free-roaming Brahman bull living in the forests. (“What to do when you encounter the cow.”) The beast died in late 2016, leaving Coney cow-free. • In 2016, a dead 10.6 metre sperm whale washed up on Singapore’s shores. Nicknamed “Jubi Lee”, the whale was the first of its kind to appear on the island. Sadly, a scientific analysis of her stomach revealed plenty of plastic. Other famous escapees include a Malayan tiger (1996), a chimpanzee (2004), an African wild cat (2005), a jaguar (2005) and an African wild dog (2014). to Singapore’s Pulau Tekong (the island next to Ubin), before being tranquillised and returned to their forest reserve in Johor.

#7 They’re hard on your liver Because durians have a lot of fat and sugar, they can be hard for your liver to process, particularly if you consume durian with alcohol at the same time. Contrary to myth, eating durian and drinking together won’t kill you, but you might find yourself a bit bloated and uncomfortable. #8 They’re stinky

Yup, durians smell. Far better writers than me have tried to describe the odour with no luck – and for good reason. A team of German scientists once identified 50 distinct odorous compounds in durian, including four that were previously unknown to science! Animals can smell them from about a half a mile away. The strong odour is why they’re banned from public transport in Singapore. #9 They’re not an aphrodisiac Many believe durian has the same kind of qualities as oysters, strawberries and chocolate. Sorry, it doesn’t. (Bummer!) #10 They’re waiting for you to give them a try! Want to taste durian for yourself? Visit any durian stand in Singapore, or have it delivered – Durian Empire (fb.com/durianempiresg) in Punggol Point can even pack it the right way for a plane trip so it won’t smell. We suggest starting with D13, a milder variety of the fruit.

Check out our story online and watch Expat Living’s own Melinda Murphy give three of the most popular varieties in Singapore a try.

Think you know Singapore well? Which two famous food courts are shown here? Click!

See these pages in our October issue for the answer!

Last time: The two “walkways with views” from our June issue were Henderson Waves and The Pinnacle@Duxton

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AUG2019

August2019 Issue205

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Our upcoming events! Visit expatliving.sg/ELevents to register.

EL CAREER CLINIC

GET YOUR

DATE: 30 August 2019 TIME: 10am — 11.45am PLACE: Vitra PRICE: $30, including refreshments GEAR in CAREER

EL TALK

– Unlocking your Sleep Needs

DATE: 23 August 2019 TIME: 10am — 11.30am PLACE: European Bedding 32 Eng Hoon Road, Level 2, Singapore 169780 PRICE: $10, including refreshments

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HOME & PROPERTY

38

Home Showcase: Worldwide treasures that tell a story

48 Minimalist Movement: When Japanese meets Scandinavian style

52 Expert Advice: Easy solutions for your outdoor spaces

56 Shopping Guide: Fitting out a great home office

HOME & PROPERTY

WHAT’S NEW

Too Many Photos? Do you struggle tomanage your ever-increasing number of digital photos or get confused about how to use the Apple Photos app? Worry no more. Tekkie Help is running various hands-on workshops to help. The focus is on how you can manage, edit and consolidate your photos or use them to create keepsakes, and, most importantly, how to create a backup strategy so you never lose those precious memories! The hands-on courses are 90-minutes long and are aimed at various levels, from basic to advanced. Each is $150, with a discount for bookings of two or more courses. For dates and more details, visit tekkiehelp.com/it-training or contact the team at 8113 8682 .

Evolving Originals

After eight years at the Gillman Barracks and eight years in the Sime Darby Centre, Originals has reopened in a huge, open and bright warehouse space in Butok Batok. While showcasing countless furniture brands across 14,000 square feet, the store retains the charm and warmth it’s become known for. Pop in and see the team – they’d love to show you around! 1 Bukit Batok Street 22, #05-02/03.

Where Kids &Pets areWelcome! If trawling the property market for a condo that suits your whole family is exhausting, have you considered a serviced apartment? At Fraser Suites Singapore and Fraser Place Robertson Walk, your children and furry friends alike are more than welcome. Plus, if you stay for six nights or more, you get to choose a $50 hamper for kids or pets (terms and conditions apply). To book, visit frasershospitality.com/en/ our-properties/singapore and quote “EL2019”.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Need a NewMattress?

A Cut Above Introducing Oceania, a dazzling ensemble of ten new outdoor fabrics from JANUS et Cie, inspired by the world as seen from above. With an array of richly ornate patterns, soft bouclé weaves and sophisticated stripes, these fabrics are as distinctive as they are durable – designed and tested to withstand the busiest of settings from restaurants to hotel pools, offices to active homes. They harmonise brilliantly with the brand’s comprehensive collection of dining and lounge furniture that’s engineered and luxuriously designed to bring comfort and style to all spaces, indoors or out. Visit the store at 11 Beach Road or go to janusetcie.com .

If you haven’t already heard, WillowMattress now stocks its certified 100 percent natural latex mattresses in (drum roll, please) over 12 different sizes! These include European, Singaporean, Australian, US, UK and now Ikea sizes, while the Texas King size is coming soon. That’s the widest range of sizes for this type of mattress in Singapore. You can also pick up half-and-half and custom sizes. Willow Mattress offers adjustable comfort settings so you can change how your mattress feels in your own home – plus, there’s also a 100 Day Trial period in the unlikely event you can’t get that “just right” feeling. Willow Mattress is a pop-up shop within Emperor’s Attic. #01-10 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 OutramRoad.

Call in the A-Team Exclusively for EL readers, A-Team Amahs & Cleaners is offering a $120 discount off its agency fees for part-time maid and nanny services. Call 6100 6122 or go to a-team.com.sg for more information.

Personalised to Perfection Naturalis Historia has recently opened its factory doors to the production of custom-made furniture, made and finished to your needs. Be it your own design, a picture of that beautiful piece from your grandparents’ house or an idea sitting at the back of your mind, the company can help. Even the tiniest of details can be adapted – from your choice of brass fittings to the technical hardware that goes inside; plus, all pieces can be finished in a host of styles, from staining to colour washing and blocking. This service applies to any existing Naturalis Historia piece youmay have too! Visit the showroomat 48HillviewTerrace, #07-02 or call 6909 3464 .

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HOME & PROPERTY

Suck It Up! Dyson recently launched a couple of new products in its already diversified range. This time, it’s offering to light up your personal space with the Lightcycle task light, which adapts to the time of the day to reduce eye strain. Feeling hot and sweaty? The Pure Cool Me personal fan will keep the heat at bay and purify the air around you – great for when you don’t want to run your expensive air-con all night or if you’re sensitive to dust and allergens. For more info, visit dyson.com.sg .

Under the Hammer!

Moving, downsizing or decluttering?

Moving home is always stressful, especially when you’re trying to shift years and years worth of treasures. If you’re preparing to leave, downsizing or just need some more room, we understand how hard it can be to part with possessions that you’re emotionally connected with. But sometimes you just can’t take everything with you. At HotLotz, we can help you sort and select the pieces you would like to sell via auction, then arrange the whole sale process. You don’t have to deal with endless enquires or people wasting your time. This month, we are thrilled to be hosting a whole “Home Contents” sale. Paddy and Rob are heading for pastures new, and the eclectic pieces they have

collected over 20 years together are up for auction. Their Everton Road shophouse is an absolute treasure trove! You can even pop along to the house and view the pieces that are for sale. Check out page 38 for a sneak peak and the open home dates.

Smarten Up Your Home Funan Mall has opened, and a host of tech-forward brands have unveiled their flagship stores. Among them is Courts, which is celebrating its first IoT (Internet of Things) store, with over 12,000 square feet of smart home, AI, voice control and tech products! If you want to see how a home of the next century might work, pop into this store. You’ll be able to get your hands on the latest range of Pixel smartphones and smart speakers using Google Assistant as well as the newly launched Nest Hub. How about a robot butler? Come and meet GT Assiststar, GT Robot Technology’s robot assistant, and try out a range of smart robotic toys. #03-01 Funan Mall, 107 North Bridge Road.

MATTHEW ELTON is the founder of HotLotz Auction House, which holds curated auctions of hand-picked, eclectic items every week. Visit hotlotz.com for auction catalogues, download the app, or pop in for a visit at 120 Lower Delta Road, #01-15.

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Rob’s favourite space. “In addition to arts and homewares, we love to collect coffee-table books dedicated to style, design, gardening, architecture and art. I love being in here with all the books plus some of our most inspirational art pieces. Who doesn’t like to eat and read?!”

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HOME & PROPERTY

BY KEL FLANDERS PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL BERNABE

I’m in a lucky position that I get to have a nose around lots of beautiful, unusual and interesting houses in Singapore. I’ve also seen my fair share of immaculately decorated shophouses (and some shockers!). But PADDY andROB’s Everton Road home is, well, different.

When I walk in through the door, I literally gasp. This place is like a museum. Or is it an art gallery? No, it’s a home filled with love and memories. In fact, it’s all these things. As I walk around the three-story shophouse belonging to Paddy, an Aussie, and Rob, from Greece, I keep asking myself two questions: “How on earth did they find these things?” and “How does it all work so well together?” We’re talking clear perspex Phillipe Starck pieces next to mahogany arm chairs from the French Revolution (pictured, left) . But it works. Not in my wildest Ikea dreams could I curate a collection like this. Paddy explains: “Our home is a culmination of nearly 20 years of life together. We’re avid collectors of art, sculpture and furniture.” The two have sourced pieces from all over the region and added them to the existing treasures they brought with them from London in 2007. “We purchased many of the homewares from the usual expat haunts in Singapore, most of which have sadly disappeared now, but the artworks literally span the globe!” I’m a fairly minimalist person – think “scandustrial” as my preferred style. But this house? This house talks. Every wall, every surface (including tops of tall wardrobes) have perfectly placed fragments of Paddy and Rob’s story – they are hung, sat and perched everywhere. “To us,” Paddy tells me, “it’s an honour to live in this shophouse, and the shortcomings outweigh the joy the place gives us. It has a tremendously logical layout that makes entertaining and living really easy. This isn’t always the case with these buildings.” As we move from room to room, there are endless mementos of their life and travels – the home acts like a museum dedicated to their adventures. Where the house may lack large windows to the outside world, it generously makes up for it with ample wall spaces, which are a perfect canvas to display their incredible and eclectic art collection.

Who lives here: Patrick Dalton and Rob Ioannou Time in Singapore: 12 years, including three in this house Size and type of home: 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom, 3,000-square- foot shophouse. Décor style: Magically memorable museum

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Finding their gallery After four relaxing years in a bright penthouse condo on Sentosa, they felt the call to return to the bustling city. “We were familiar with conservation home living, having been in a magnificent shophouse on Emerald Hill for five years. We decided to keep an eye out for a cool shophouse close to Chinatown.” Amazingly, one actually found them, after friends of friends who were vacating the house mid-contract referred them to the agent. “We fell in love with it immediately as a fantastic backdrop for our art and furniture collection, plus the location was exactly where we wanted.” With so many items in the house that tell their story and journey, what are their favourites? Paddy laughs, “Wow, that’s a difficult question! Maybe we need to think about what we would rescue first if the house was on fire!?” Rob jumps in: “I would definitely grab the 19th- century Tibetan silver Buddha statue. While it’s one of the smallest Buddha images we have, it was definitely love at first sight. Paddy was travelling for work and I was browsing alone in The Renaissance Gallery when the intricate carving and delicate filigree called to me. I couldn’t pass up this most enchanting, beguiling and peaceful statue!” (Pictured, above right.) Paddy’s choice would be more challenging to carry out the door: a self-portrait of the artist Aiman with pink chrysanthemums that hangs in the living room (pictured, above left) . “It was painted by a talented young Singaporean artist and we purchased it from our favourite gallery, Art Porters, just around the corner in Spottiswoode Park Road. I love staring at it and sinking into the soft flowers while unwinding with a glass of wine.”

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HOME & PROPERTY

Left: Paddy’s favourite space. “It has various intriguing perspectives depending on where you sit and what you can see. Our custom mood lighting and Sonos sound system, all operated via Smartphone, background, and we love entertaining here or just watching TV.” really play to my tech

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HOME & PROPERTY

Moving on After 12 exciting and rewarding years in Singapore, Rob and Paddy feel it’s time for another adventure somewhere that will challenge them in different ways. “I’ve spent more than 20 years as an employee for large financial institutions around the world, so I’m eager to be more entrepreneurial and work for myself,” Rob tells me. Paddy explains they also want to spend more time on their property “ventures” outside Singapore. “We’ve decided to base ourselves in Sri Lanka while also spending time in Greece and Australia where we have homes. For now, we’re trading suits and shoes for shorts and flip-flops!” Paddy says with a smile. When they initially moved to Asia, they sold their properties in the UK, but wanted to buy a new home somewhere else to supplement their city life in Singapore. They travelled extensively around the region and fell in love with Sri Lanka after a holiday in 2010.

Above: These 1960s chairs were purchased at an auction in Brazil in 2004 and exported to be restored and reupholstered; they’ve followed Paddy and Rob from home to home. “Try as I might, I can’t find a space for them, so while they do ‘spark joy’ for me, we’ve decided to consign them to our HotLotz auction.”

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“Several weeks later, we went scouting for properties in the southern area of Sri Lanka, initially looking for a something small to renovate. But we somehow became spellbound with a huge plantation! The land has a magical quality to it and it’s so fertile! We love the seclusion – our nearest neighbours are a troupe of naughty monkeys and lazy grazing buffalo!” The plantation has nearly 50 acres and is surrounded by hundreds of acres of government-owned plantation lands that Paddy and Rob believe add to the beautiful sense of seclusion. The plot was formed during the Sri Lankan government’s contentious land reforms in the 1970s and was left derelict for decades, having been an extensive working plantation for many years. “It was bought by the last owners in the late 1990s. They worked hard to re-establish the tea fields and introduce more diversified crops such as coconuts and cinnamon. When we purchased it, we kept the same team. Together, we’ve been working to continue land improvements, crop diversification and expansion. We’ve also built an architecturally charming bungalow and have plans to diversify the plantation further by making it an agritourism venture.”

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