October 2015

SINGAPORE

October 2015

Middle Eastern Cuisine

Short Courses

FUN TRIPS for preschoolers

River Cruise Mekong TAROTSCOPES for October

Recipes Great

Lights & Lamps

NEWS WELCOME MAT

Editor’s Letter So, for me the time has come – the time one doesn’t know whether to look forward to or dread. The time of “no more school runs … ever ”.

STAY UPDATED ONLINE @

NEWS Keeping you up to date with the latest news and promotions around town, plus heaps of online-only content. Tip: For fabulous EL travel deals, go

Well, I’ll have a few final runs to exams this month, but after that: zip, zero, nil. It’s very strange; I’m worried that if I don’t have to be out of the house for 7.55am I’ll end up dawdling, going back to sleep, becoming a slob … turning up to work at lunchtime! Or maybe I’ll become disciplined and start jogging or swimming every morning? Hmm, not sure about that option – though I have booked in for my first golf lesson; I reckon it’s what one does when one has leisure time. (And I’m presuming that I will have plenty of that, especially next year

to expatliving.sg/travel. EVENTS CALENDAR

You’ll never miss a concert, play, sale or exhibition again. Plus, upload your own events for free by hitting “Post an Event” on the homepage (top right). WHERE TO BUY A COPY Head to expatliving.sg/about_us for a list of retail outlets where you can buy the latest copy of Expat Living. Better still, subscribe at expatliving/shop. HOW TO SELL YOUR OLD STUFF Looking to sell off items online or in the magazine? Post all the details and photos by hitting “Post a Notice” on the homepage (middle left). EXPAT LIVING EVENTS COFFEE MORNING: Wednesday, 28 October TIME: 9.30am–11am (talk starts 10am) THEME: Ageing Backwards with Dr Komathy VENUE: Just Anthony, 379 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534972 COST: $10, includes refreshments and goodie bag. Online booking is essential at expatliving.sg/coffeemorning

when I have an empty nest.) Maybe if I get good enough I can play at one of the fantastic golf courses featured in our travel section this month (page 226). What do you do when you have some spare time? Are you an exercise junkie or a do you prefer to loll around in the sun? Do watch out for the sun, mind you – we’ve got a couple of articles in this issue that remind us of the damage it can do. It’s definitely safer to go out after the heat of the day has waned. Not that we want you all to turn into night owls, but there are some nights this month when you really have to go out – that includes Halloween, of course, so we’ve given you lots of ideas for how to celebrate it, from page 118. You can pretend to be a zombie and no one will care if you don’t have a tan! Happy Halloween!

REBECCABISSET Editor-in-Chief

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NEXT MONTH’S MAGAZINE Interior Design • School Trips • Indian Food

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October15

NEWS WELCOME MAT

Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET

Group Editor SHAMUS SILLAR Editors HEALTH & FITNESS: VERNE MAREE HOME, PROPERTY, WINE & DINE: AMY BROOK-PARTRIDGE LIFE & FAMILY: KATIE ROBERTS ARTS & LEISURE: ANNE-MARIE PARNELL HAIR & BEAUTY, FASHION ( LIV ): SUSANNAH JAFFER EDITORIAL INTERNS: MADISON DANIELS | ELINE JEANNE Regional Online Editor MICHELLE CASTILLO Online Editors AZLINDA SAID | CATHERINE WILLINGHAM | EMILY FINCH Web Developer RENE YUTIAMPO Client Services & Production LEANDA RATHMELL | LIANA TALIB | NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE | BEATRICE NG | JEANNE WONG Circulation ANNA TSERLINGAS

Front Cover: Make Room (make-room.net)

Expat Living Publications Pte. Ltd. has taken every reasonable care to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the information contained in this publication, but accepts no responsibility for the content of advertisements published, and no liability for mistake, misprint, omission, typographical error, loss or damage suffered as a result of relying wholly or in part on the content of advertising or editorial published herein. Expat Living Publications reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or advertorial for any reason. All artwork designed by Expat Living Publications or any part of this publication may not be reproduced in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by means - graphical, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording, taping, etc, without prior permission in writing from the Publishers. Expat Livingmagazine has been certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations for a total average net circulation of 18,455 per monthly issue. The audited circulation figures will be posted on http://abcsingapore.org/reports.html. 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 Expat Living Hong Kong info@expatliving.hk | sales@expatliving.hk subscription@expatliving.hk Websites expatliving.sg | expatliving.hk I exmag.sg Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 18 Howard Road, 08-10 NoveltyBizcentre, Singapore 369585

Subscription & Administration VALMAI DHIR | GRACE BANTARAN Regional Sales & Marketing KATIE PEACE Partnerships & Events NATALIE WHITTELL Marketing & Business Development Executive VEENA GILL Marketing Intern: : ELEENA KLAAS Advertising Sales, Singapore KARIN GALLEY-DICK | DANIELLE ROSSETTI JACQUI YOUNG | LARA SAGE Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE HR JULIET KEYS Contributing Writers BEATE BALDRY | AMY GREENBURG HARSHARAN KAUR | JEANNE MACK | ARMAN SHAH Contributing Photographers MARTHA CHAUDHRY (MARTHACHAUDHRY.COM) KEN TAN (WITHINIMAGES.COM) Printed by HO PRINTING SINGAPORE PTE LTD | HOPRINTING.COM

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CONTENTS

52

48

NEWS 20 What’s New in Town 26 Dates for Your Diary 34 Social Pages: Photos from recent events 40 Forum: Readers’ letters 42 Subscribe Now!

LIFE & FAMILY 102 News 108 Enrichment:

HOME 46 News 48 Showcase:

American expat Denise Palladino shows us her remarkable home 60 Furniture Focus:

10 short courses to expand your horizons

110 Noticeboard:

Birth notices; dogs for adoption

114 Buying Guide:

Inspired by the natural world

Safety-related products for kids

62 Showcase:

118 Special Feature:

Family of six, the Parkers, showcase their East Coast house

Everything you need for a Halloween party

125 Preschool Excursions 133 Entrepreneurs:

71 Buying Guide: Lamps and lights

Meet thewomenbehindapair of sporty start-ups

139 Photography: Favourite portraits 146 Bugis Staycation

PROPERTY 87 Hot Property:

School News: 148 An Alternative Approach 150 Changes at OWIS

What’s on the market?

93 Street Talk:

Living in Tanjong Katong

118

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CONTENTS

224

ARTS & LEISURE 164 On the Stage:

Live music, dance and theatre

168 On the Screen:

76

Big-and small-screen highlights for this month

170 On the Wall:

What’s on in the art scene

174 On the Page:

Recent book releases

176 Readers’

WINE & DINE 192 News 198 Bar Tab:

Recommendations: Favourite artworks

180 Buying Guide: Everything arty 184 Retail Focus:

The Expat Fairs, a shopping extravaganza

71

New nightspots reviewed

186 Actor Interview:

200 Best of Beef:

Award-winning kabuki actor, Ebizo Ichikawa Xi

Our roundup of steak restaurants for any occasion

206 Know Your Cut:

Which steak to prepare at home or eat out

208 Middle Eastern Cuisine: Some of Singapore’s best 218 Great Recipe Swap: Bread poha and lamb tagine

118

200

76

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CONTENTS

216

200

TRAVEL 224 News 226 Regional Escape:

HEALTH & FITNESS 252 News 256 Ask the Experts: Common health challenges faced by parents 262 Health Matters: Salicylate sensitivity and food intolerance 264 Safe Travels: Advice on vaccines and staying healthy abroad 266 In the Spotlight: Weighing up the benefits and perils of UV radiation REGULARS 275 Numbers & Websites 276 Horoscopes for October

Super spa and golfing destinations 228 Laguna Bintan Highlights 231 Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh by Riverboat: Faces of the Mekong 238 Family Adventures: Exploring Cuba by car 244 Laidback Langkawi

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140

278 Advertiser List 280 Parting Shot:

The TripAdvisor Effect

SUBSCRIBE NOW! expatliving.sg/subscribe

For the latest updates, find us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter @ExpatLivingSg

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NEWS

UP FRONT

New ideas for things to do, buy and try

RUGBY GALORE It might coincide with the final of the Rugby World Cup in England, but bleary-eyed rugby fans will still be pleased to watch top-class rugby in daylight hours, as the International Rugby 7s returns for another year. Defending champions the Borneo Eagles are joined by the South African, English, French and Italian development squads, who play at the SCC 7s ahead of the upcoming international Sevens World Series. (Singapore is one of the venues in 2016.) Besides the exciting matches, there’ll be a screening of the Rugby World Cup final, and an accompanying party. 30 October to 1 November. Singapore Cricket Club. Tickets from sistic.com. sccrugbysevens.com

A NIGHT WITH GURRUMUL For a night of authentic Australian indigenous music, witness Gurrumul , a guitarist and vocalist who was born blind. His music has earned him a cover on Rolling Stone magazine, and he’s been hailed by Quincy Jones as having “one of the most unusual and emotional and musical voices” of all time. Gurrumul’s touching songs are about identity, spirit and connection with the land. 20 October. Kallang Theatre. Tickets from sistic.com.

DOING GOOD New monthly charity event 100 Women Doing Good aims to connect expat women with worthy local causes. So far, they’ve raised over $21,000 for charities including the Children’s Wishing Well, Brain Tumour Society, Wings for Society and The Rainbow Centre. Every month, four local charities focusing on women’s and children’s issues share their stories, struggles and successes and explain how supporters can make a difference to the lives of the vulnerable in our communities. The event includes networking over wine and canapés; attendees are asked to make a donation to the charity of their choice. 6.30pm to 9pm. Tuesday 27 October. Parkroyal on Pickering. 8386 9272 | lisa@100peopledoinggood.com

CELEBRATE THE RIVER SG50 celebrations continue at the Singapore River Festival , with a range of events at Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay. Free activities include art installations, performances and interactive exhibitions, a highlight being the breathtaking aerial performances by Spanish theatre group La Fura dels Baus. Also check out the Riverside Marker Market, a pop-up event featuring local talent. 23 to 25 October. singaporeriverfestival.sg

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NEWS

SPACE AND BEYOND Support the fundraising efforts of Women On a Mission , and the Singapore Committee for UN Women ’s push to end human trafficking in Asia, at an inspirational lunch featuring Dr Anousheh Ansari. The first self-funded woman ever to fly into space will share her awe-inspiring journey, from daughter of war-torn Iran to space pioneer. 8 October, 12 noon to 2.30pm. ME@OUE rooftop restaurant. womenmission.com

HEALTHY WOMEN What started as the vision of Janne Ritskes, founder of Tabitha Foundation , and a pile of bricks and sand in a rice field, is now the outline of a three-storey building that will be the first women’s hospital in Cambodia, Nokor Tep . Women are the pillars of family life in Cambodia, but often the last to receive support. More than 90 percent suffer gynaecological infections that if left untreated can lead to terminal cancers. On completion, the 220-bed hospital will house 26 specialists and conduct 300 examinations per day, but US$5 million is still needed to finish construction. Future fundraising events include a gala dinner on 13 November. nokortep.com

BREAKING GROUND The Australian International School (AIS) recently announced the development of a new Early Years campus, scheduled to open in 2017. Located next to the AIS campus, the purpose-built facility for children aged 18 months to five years will boast a sports arena, a 22-metre swimming pool, library resources, numerous playgrounds and specialist classrooms. This will build on the new curriculum that’s launching at AIS this coming January, which includes a new LAMDA Dramatic Arts Program, a SMART Steps Perceptual Motor Physical Education Program, an Orff Musical Literacy Program with weekly violin instruction and daily Mandarin taught by a specialist. 1 Lorong Chuan. 6653 7906 | ais.com.sg

SHOPPERS’ PARADISE To avoid that last-minute panic-buying, head to The Fair , a pre-Christmas event to be held on 16 October. Find silk and beaded bags, pashmina shawls, exotic jewellery, artwork, chocolates, home-ware, skincare, clothing and lots more from all around the world at over one hundred stalls. Orchard Pan Pacific Hotel, Claymore Road. 10am to 6pm. 9737 2384 | fairsandbazaars.com

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NEWS

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

PINK PRODUCTS Many brands do their part to support breast cancer awareness month with special one-off products. Charles & Keith (charleskeith.com) has limited- edition platform loafers, donating 10 percent of proceeds to the Breast Cancer Foundation, while brands from Estée Lauder Companies – among them, Origins and Bobbi Brown – are joining together to raise awareness for breast cancer and funds for medical research through the sale of pink ribbon products. It’s an inspiring website, too. bcacampaign.com

DRESS PINK This is the 15th year of Ralph

Lauren’s Pink Pony Campaign , as a commitment by Mr Ralph Lauren himself to pay tribute to a dear friend. The collection includes apparel and accessories emblazoned with the iconic pony symbol. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from Pink Pony apparel and 50 percent from the Pink Pony Ricky drawstring bag go to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Visit Marina Bay Sands for the accessories collection, and Shaw Centre for the apparel collection. ralphlauren.asia

LEARN MORE The Singapore Cancer Society runs support groups, screenings and events for various kinds of cancer. There’s a public information session on breast cancer on 10 October at 3pm. For a full calendar of events, see singaporecancersociety. org.sg . HAIR FOR HOPE There are more creative ways to show your support than the standard pink ribbon. Why not put some pink in your hair? This October, Hairdreams will give you a dashing stripe of pink in your hair, starting from $80, and 20 percent of the proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Foundation. hairdreams.com.sg

THE STATISTICS • Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Singaporean women (Health Promotion Board). • Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer- related deaths among women globally, with more than 450,000 deaths each year (World Cancer Research Fund International). • Although breast cancer is often thought to be a disease of the developed world, almost 50 percent of cases and 58 percent of deaths occur in less-developed countries (World Health Organization). • Breast cancer survival rates vary greatly worldwide, ranging from 80 percent or more in North America, Sweden and Japan, to around 60 percent in middle- income countries and below 40 percent in low-income countries, mainly due to the lack of early detection programmes.

PINK RIBBON WALK Everyone knows exercise is good for us, so get walking at the Singapore Breast Cancer Foundation ’s annual Pink Ribbon Walk. The aim of the event is to increase awareness of breast cancer and raise money for the foundation while completing a 3.2km walk. Look out for the special pink ribbon pins, which you can wear to show your support throughout the month. The walk starts at 5pm. 3 October, Marina Bay Event Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard. pinkribbonsingapore.com

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NEWS

OCTOBER2015 CALENDAR BLOOMBERG SQUARE MILE RELAY (1 OCTOBER) It’s always fun to look at your colleagues in a different SUPER SUMO (2-4 OCTOBER) The traditional sport of sumo has been off the international radar for quite some time,

Robbie Williams Live

light, and the third edition of Bloomberg Square Mile Relay will see to that. Companies will partake in a 10-runner, 1.6K race through the Central Business District. The Promontory @ Marina Bay, Marina Boulevard. squaremilerelay.com INTERNATIONAL A CAPPELLA FESTIVAL (1 OCTOBER) Music without instrumental accompaniment – a cappella – is set to make quite the impression this month, with performances scattered across Singapore, and all kinds of unique vocal talents and sounds to be heard. Various locations. a-cappella.org.sg

which is perhaps why 15 sumo wrestlers are popping over to remind us of this mainstay of Japanese culture. Delectable Japanese eats and other goodies will be available too. Big Box, 1 Venture Avenue. sistic.com.sg. HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS (2-31 OCTOBER) Universal Studio’s Horror Night has shocked and scared people for the past four years and it’s now back to torment adults and children alike for its fifth freaky rendition. Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa. halloweenhorrornights.com.sg

Halloween Horror Nights

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NEWS

ROBBIE WILLIAMS LIVE (4 OCTOBER)

As part of his global “Let Me Entertain You Tour”, Robbie returns to Singapore, to remind concert-goers of his electrifying live presence and his big back catalogue of huge hits. Singapore Indoor Stadium. sportshub. com.sg AL MURRAY, THE PUB LANDLORD (7 OCTOBER) LA Comedy collaborates with veteran comedian Adrian Bohm to bring you a renowned sketch comedy from the UK, The Pub Landlord . The one-man show is touring Singapore and Hong Kong. National University of Singapore. la-comedylive.com BREAKING THE BARRICADE (9-10 OCTOBER) Love iconic musicals like Mamma Mia! , Jersey Boys and Phantom of the Opera ? Breaking the Barricade is a two hour-long spectacle that takes your favourite songs from many of these productions and wraps them up in a thrilling performance. Grand Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. sistic.com.sg SAFRA SWIM FOR HOPE (9-11 OCTOBER) Singapore’s SAFRA clubs want you to join them in a swimming charity event. Every lap you swim will contribute $1 to assist needy families and children. Participants will receive finishers’ medals for their contributions. safra.sg

Kenny G Live in Singapore

CHINGLISH (9-25 OCTOBER)

OKTOBERFEST ASIA 2015 (16 OCTOBER)

Centred around an American protagonist attempting to do business in China, this bilingual play explores not just the linguistic differences and similarities between the characters, but also their cultural differences. National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street. pangdemonium.com KENNY G LIVE IN SINGAPORE (14 OCTOBER) Famous saxophonist Kenny G graces Singapore this month, bringing his top-quality contemporary jazz tunes. Watch him live for one night only. Resorts World Theatre, 8 Sentosa Gateway. sistic.com.sg

Prost! Oktoberfest Asia is back once again, ready to serve up as many steins of cold beer as you could ever want, plus delicious German food to boot. Marina at Keppel Bay. sistic.com.sg ENGLISH ENRICHMENT THROUGH MEMOIR POETRY (17 OCTOBER) Poetry is a unique avenue through which children can express themselves creatively, and this workshop encourages people, especially teachers, to guide children through different methods of communication. Seminar Room LLP, 21 Tan Quee Lan Street. alap.bookcouncil.sg

Chinglish

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NEWS

SINGAPORE JEWELLERY & GEM FAIR 2015 (22 OCTOBER) If you’re lusting after a bit of bling, don’t miss this one-day fair at Marina Bay Sands. International jewellers will be showcasing some of the world’s best gems and settings. singaporejewellerygemfair.com NEW BALANCE RUN ON (24 OCTOBER) The New Balance Run On will pit contestants among others of the same age for a 5KM run, with the option of a 1KM “run on”. Winners of the race will achieve NB’s own Iron-on Achievement Badge, so get training! Gardens By The Bay, East. nbrunon.sg TENNIS FINALS (25 OCTOBER – 1 NOVEMBER) Returning for a second year, the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global will settle the score of who’s the world’s best in a ten-day play-off. This year sees the introduction of an expanded round-robin format. Singapore Indoor Stadium. wtafinals.com PASSAGES (30 OCTOBER) Contemporary dance makes its way to Singapore’s stage in a three-day showcase, featuring Swiss-Canadian choreographer Kinsun Chan along with Singapore’s Max Chen and Gigi Gianti. Singapore Dance Theatre. singaporedancetheatre.com RUGBY SEVENS (30 OCTOBER – 1 NOVEMBER) Hungry for more sport to coincide with the Rugby World Cup final? The annual Rugby Sevens will give you an amazing, first-hand experience here in Singapore, with great food and cold beer aplenty! Singapore Cricket Club. sccrugbysevens.com

Singapore Jewellery & Gem Fair 2015

Tennis Finals

For even more things to do every week go to our online calendar or sign up for our newsletter at www.expatliving.sg

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NEWS

PLAN AHEAD NOVEMBER 2015 Wild Rice’s annual holiday season pantomime is guaranteed to be a night of thigh-slapping jokes, innuendo and timely local jokes for good measure. The adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tale, The Emperor’s New Clothes is about the ultimate fashion victim. Drama Centre Theatre. Tickets from Sistic. wildrice.com.sg EXPAT FAIRS (3 AND 4 NOVEMBER; 1 AND 2 DECEMBER) The Christmas Fair features over 140 business owners offering a range of products for the festive season, plus a bouncy castle for young ones. Raffles Town Club . Call 9489 7707. theexpatfairs.com | facebook.com/theexpatfairs FAIRS & BAZAARS (19 NOVEMBER & 4 DECEMBER) Get started on your Christmas shopping and avoid the crowds at The Fair. Find silk and beaded bags, exotic jewellery, artwork, homeware, clothing and more from all around the world. Orchard Pan Pacific Hotel, Claymore Road (next to Orchard Towers). 10am to 6pm. 9737 2384 | fairsandbazaars.com WILD RICE (20 NOVEMBER – 12 DECEMBER)

Expat Fairs

NURSERY OPEN MORNING (11 NOVEMBER)

Prospective parents are invited to attend an “Introduction to Nursery” open morning at Tanglin Trust School. Parents can tour the infant school and learn more about its personalised Early Years curriculum, the staff and school facilities. For more information, email admissions@tts.edu.sg .

BOUTIQUES FAIR (6-7 NOVEMBER)

The Pit Building again plays host to Boutiques Fair, with more fashion, jewellery, home décor and lifestyle brands than you can shake a stick at. Its professionally styled lounge is the perfect spot for shoppers who need a break, and maybe a glass of wine. facebook.com/BoutiquesSingapore

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Halloween Horror Nights

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NEWS

SCENE AROUND TOWN Recent events, openings & parties

People Doing Good Kicking off in June, 100 Women Doing Good is a new monthly charity event that connects expat women with worthy local causes. So far, the event, held at Parkroyal on Pickering, has raised over $21,000 for charities including Children’s Wishing Well, Riding for the Disabled, the Brain Tumour Society, Ray of Hope, Wings for Society and Rainbow Centre. Stay tuned for the next event on 27 October and for the first 100 Men Doing Good event on 5 November.

Eat, Drink, Buy WA Australian High Commissioner Phillip Green threw open his residence to launch the new Eat Drink Buy Western Australia (WA) campaign, with charming WA television personality Tina Altieri as MC, and Malaysian Chef Wan there to promote his gourmet experience tours toWA (gourmetescape.com.au). FindWAproduce in Singapore at OhDeli, TheWine Palate, TheMoombaWine Shop, Cold Storage and Yahava KoffeeWorks, andWA-inspiredmenus at The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill and Bedrock Bar & Grill.

Fromtop left:SuzanneHaunold,JohnandYolandeDick;TonyFletcher,RebeccaBisset, Seva and Melvyn Sico; Louisa Daly and Tanya Watia; Greg Cornelius and Mike Dunn

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NEWS

New Furniture Unveiled Minotti by Marquis Interiors boutique showroom at 30 Hill Street was the location for the unveiling of their new collection in August. Brand Principal Antonio Marelli flew in for the event, joining more than 90 guests for an elegant evening of gourmet delicacies, sparkling Italian Prosecco and jazz.

Cheers! This year’s Heineken Cities Festival brought the cities of Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City and Seoul to Chijmes for a party like no other. Party-goers slaked their thirst with the contents of Heineken’s distinctive green bottles and rocked to live acts, before a confetti explosion that delighted and blanketed all in the large crowd.

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NEWS

Colours of Odyssey Odyssey, the Global Preschool successfully raised $10,000 for charity at an art exhibition. The school has continued its partnership with the Singapore Children’s Society to raise funds for underprivileged children in Singapore, and this year, innovative art pieces were exhibited at the Red Dot Museum. Since Colours of Odyssey launched in 2009, it has raised over $50,000 to support various charity organisations, including Make AWish Foundation and UNICEF.

Welcome Back Party Smokey’s BBQ hosted a day of family fun, laughter and warm American hospitality with superb food, a bouncy castle, a balloon artist and patriotic tattoos for the American Association Singapore’s annual Welcome Back event. Joining in the fun were Glenn van Zutphen, President of the Association, US Ambassador HE Kirk Wagar and DCM Blair Hall, together with their families.

SIFA Returns The second Singapore International Festival of Arts, which ran from 6 August to 19 September, opened with a performance of Returning , one of 12 Singapore commissions out of 19 productions in this year’s immersive arts experience.

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LETTERS

Readers’ thoughts and comments

Best Letter We want to hear from you! Send us your thoughts on the magazine, or on any subject under the sun. To tide her over until she can get to the African bush, Lilian Thorpe wins a bottle of champagne!

Cover Story Loved, loved, loved your October issue cover picture of rhinos thundering through the bush. And while the family finances don’t currently stretch to a South African holiday, a safari holiday is top of the list for when my ship comes in – or when the children eventually graduate from school. The zoo will have to do for now, I’m afraid.

Fit to Breathe? We know what’s caused Singapore’s recent haze crisis, so we know we’re at the mercy of the agricultural burning in Sumatra and the prevailing winds that each year blow in thick, choking smoke. It looks bad, it smells bad, and at its worst it causes my eyes to water and my daughter to scratch her sensitive skin. How bad is this airborne pollution for our health, actually? Should we be seriously worried? Does it help to wear a mask outdoors? I asked my GP, but he didn’t really seem to know. Ed: We’re not experts either, but we reckon that air pollution causing coughing, eye-watering and scratching should be avoided whenever possible – all the more so for the young and the elderly. Haze.com.sg gives hourly updates on the state of our air, and guidelines on protecting your health at different levels of toxicity in various parts of the island as measured by the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI). Most dangerous, they say, are fine particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5 for short). Small enough to enter the bloodstream, they increase our risk of heart, lung and even brain disease – the longer the exposure, the greater the risk. In non-haze periods, they’remostly from vehicle and industry emissions; the haze sends them sky-high. To protect yourself, stay indoors in air- conditioning whenever possible; drink lots of water to help flush toxins; build immunity with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E. If you have togoout, theMinistry of Health recommends a well-fitted N95 mask from a supermarket or pharmacy. Go to moh.gov.sg for detailed information – and remember, be safe out there! Billie Price

Lilian Thorpe

Eating Well Give us more articles like the one on Sustainable Seafood in your last issue, please! I found it an interesting mix of scientific fact and locally

relevant information from marine scientist Carolyn Beasley, along with the inspirational stories of two expats with the courage to follow their passion for real food. I wish more of us could do what Sasha Conlan and Kevin Gantner have done. I know I’ll never look at standard supermarket salmon the same way again!

Michael Slater

Ed: We’ll do our best, Michael!

Email us at info@expatliving.sg

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E&A Interiors

March15

HOME

WHAT’S NEW

Hot shops and what to buy right now

Get the Look et the designer look in your own home by using Finn Avenue ’s ideas for furniture and furnishings. These can be viewed on the “Shop Our Living Rooms” page of its website, finnavenue.com; click on a variety of different living room set-ups, such as this Upper East Side room, to find out more about the pieces suggested and their price tags. Shop online or in the showroom at 8B Admiralty Street, #02-21 .

OUTRAM OPENINGS

PERFECT PARTNERS Saakalya Collection has partnered with Departures & Arrivals (D&A) to showcase its products in D&A’s Ubi warehouse. The natural, handmade interior décor and furniture pieces complement D&A’s global collection of handcrafted products. Check them out at #02-61 Oxley Bizhub 1, 65 Ubi Road 1 .

Arete Culture has opened a second retail outlet, this time at the centrally located Tan Boon Liat Building. Visitors will find a diverse collection of artwork, table accessories and lighting and over 200 styles of cushions. This new branch also houses a customisation counter to meet all your decorating needs. Want a hand-woven rug or a silk duvet made to order? Simply pop in and speak to the resident stylist. The shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm, while Arete’s flagship showroom at Lam Soon still opens three times a week. 315 Outram Road, #06-01. Origin Asia has opened its second showroom, on the 14th floor of the Tan Boon Liat Building. The new branch will carry different designs and a wide variety of products, to complement its River Valley counterpart. Head to the new 4,600-square-foot space at 315 Outram Road, #14-03 .

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Beauty By Verne Maree; photography by Michael Bernabe and Martha Chaudhry

I’ve never seen anything remotely like this in Singapore. Tucked away behind a stone wall in Woollerton Park, off Farrer Road, this is a genuinely Balinese-style haven – a flow of interior and exterior living areas, charming courtyards and magical gardens. American DENISE PALLADINO showed me around the remarkable home that she shares with her South African husband JOHN and four children.

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Country of origin: Denise is American, John South African. Time in Singapore: Five and seven years respectively. Size of their home: An enormous 8,000 square feet of contemporary Balinese-style house with six bedrooms, open and flowing spaces, several gardens and a pool. What they’ve done to the property: A huge amount of work landscaping the gardens and the pool area. Personal style: Asian Contemporary. Home style: An eclectic mix reflecting their own histories and their extensive travels. Who lives here: John, Denise and four pre-teen and teenaged kids: Denise’s son Dylan; and John’s daughters Morgan and Chloe, and son Tyler. Getting together She’d visited Asia many times for her work in the fashion industry, Denise says, and met John five years ago when she came to spend the summer with her sister who lives here. His South African accent first sparked her interest, as she loves that country and Africa in general, having spent some time there, and they soon hit it off. “His heart and soul are there, and I understand the draw.” “My son assimilated quickly into the Singapore American School, and he now has three brothers and sisters and a father; and John’s kids have another brother and a mother.” (John’s late wife passed away about ten years ago.)

Moving in It’s not easy to find a house like this, says Denise, in what must be the understatement of the year. Going through a broker, it took her more than 12 months to find just the right place to accommodate her big, blended family. Their previous home was the penthouse in Honolulu Tower; a huge space, she agrees, but: “We wanted something on one level, and with a garden – somewhere we could live both inside and outside.” According to her, the pool with its lovely bale is everyone’s favourite place. And luckily for the kids, the wing that accommodates all four of their bedrooms, plus a guest room, runs the full length of the pool. “They’re in and out of it all the time,” she says, “and we love to relax out there on the bale cushions.”

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tank full of beautiful discus fish, and the saltwater tank in the central living room teems with everything from corals and sponges and sea anenomes to flitting fish – even a moray eel. As you can see from the complex filtration system hidden underneath it, maintaining this tank is a huge job. Diving, says Denise, is a passion that the whole family shares. This page, clockwise from top left: Travel memorabilia is in every room everywhere; A lot of family time is spent in the spacious pool area; Just one of John’s three beautifully landscaped gardens; A table extends the kitchen island to make a spot that’s perfect for family breakfasts Opposite page, top to bottom: A stunning saltwater aquarium separates this ante-room from the main living room; A freshwater Amazon aquarium adds interest to the dining room

Most of the lanterns came with the house, but the statues have been collected over the years – from Bali, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and more. There’s plenty of wildlife – cockatoos come to visit, bats fly in and out, and the odd monitor lizard lumbers around, too. “It’s great for parties,” says Denise. “Not just the kids but everyone is in and out of the pool.” Gardens and fish John is an avid gardener – luckily, as the property has no fewer than three gardens; and, as the house had been standing empty for some time, they needed a lot of work. He not only created these lush sanctuaries, but maintains them too, says his wife with pride. “Instead of a man cave, John has three gardens to keep him busy!” The same goes for the enormous tropical fish tanks. In the dining room is a freshwater Amazon

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This page, clockwise from bottom left: Master bedroom;

Ensuite dressing room and bathroom; Upstairs from the master bedroom, John’s study houses a world-class collection of botanical prints

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Furnishing and collecting When it came to furnishing the house, Denise says, they probably gave away more furniture than they acquired. While she loves open space and hates clutter, her husband is an inveterate collector of whatever takes his wide and varied interest – from regional artworks, antique Chinese, Indian, Korean and Sri Lanka furniture and objets d’art , to an impressive array of old maps of Africa and his extensive, world-class collection of botanical art books: mainly from Africa, dating from the 1600s onwards and all exquisitely hand-painted. An assortment of white-covered sofas, chairs and chaises longues were the main new additions to their home; the comfortable sofa we’re sitting on in the central living room is from Taylor B. In conjunction with the plethora of interesting and eclectic wooden furniture, their fresh, white look works beautifully. They reflect the light that pours in through long open windows and wide, floor-to-ceiling doors, enhancing the indoor-outdoor feel. Among this mainly neutral palette, splashes of rich red – in the cabinetry of the fish tanks, in the artwork and in the cushions and throws – add warmth and provide visual texture.

Art Like the rest of this home, the art collection is a wonderfully varied mix of the antique and the contemporary. As with the furniture, there’s far toomuch to list here; I’mespecially struck, though, by two hugemonochromatic works by acclaimed Chinese artist Qiu Zhie that hang in one elegant and minimally furnished ante-room. The family’s latest proud acquisition, however,isapieceofbespoke“photographic weaving”, commissioned from one of Denise’s friends, the photographer Martha Chaudhry. Having first asked her client to provide up to 20 photographs from special times in her, her husband and their four children’s lives together, Martha came up with a compositional design for approval, and then literally wove the photographs together. The result is an evocative, artistic and emotionally satisfying whole. “It was just so appropriate,” as Denise says – “this blended artwork to represent our blended family.”

Above: This recently bespoke piece of artwork by photographer Martha Chaudhry has been literally woven from photographs taken on special occasions and holidays shared by Denise and John’s “blended family”

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Altitude Fitness – “Altitude training before you climb your next mountain” altitude.sg Cathay Platinum Movie Suites – “The only way to see a movie” cathaycineplexes.com.sg Capella Singapore – “For a night away to reconnect and unwind with my husband” capellahotels.com Chopsuey Café – “Can’t live without the pumpkin and cod dumplings” pscafe.com Martha Chaudhry Photography marthachaudhry.com Paresa Hotel, Phuket – “Luxury pool villas for a mini-break, with dramatic sea views” paresaresorts.com Patisserie G – “The best macarons outside of France” patisserieg.com Project Acai – “Something to satisfy my sweet tooth” project-acai.com Simone Irani – “A chic and luxurious resort-wear brand” facebook.com/ SimoneIraniResortWear Stand Up Paddling School (SUP Singapore) – “For weekend family fun on Sentosa” supschool.com.sg

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DESIGNS ON NATURE By Amy Brook-Partridge; photography by Michael Bernabe EDD+ Furniture Gallery is a hidden gem on the edge of Kallang. We had a chat with assistant director VIVIE TEO to find out what it has to offer. Tell us about the recent opening of the gallery. Our company, ED Designs Group, has been in the commercial interior design and build industry for 25 years, and has been involved in many projects across the food and beverage, retail, office, showroom, entertainment and medical industries. Over the years, we have designed many statement pieces for our clients and, with their overwhelming encouragement, we opened this retail arm in March this year. We’re passionate about delivering uniquely crafted furniture and decorative pieces inspired by nature. Roots or trunks, for example, are given a new lease of life by being transformed into functional items such as coffee tables, lamps, TV consoles and cabinets, while retaining their natural organic form. Sometimes, we experiment with a mix of glass and metal to add interesting textures and layers. A few of our favourite lamps are creatively modified from vintage gas tanks and pipes. Our versatile designs enable our customers to explore their creativity and reflect their own personal style. All of our products come from central Java. What products are in demand right now? Table lamps are our most popular category, including those made from driftwood, vintage pipes and gas tanks, and motorcycle parts. Our customers tell us that the lamps are not only functional, but also that their unique designs make a statement in their homes. It helps that each piece is different. Even if two pieces are of the same design, each has its own distinctive mix of textures and character; for example, no two root consoles are exactly the same. What’s more, we try to keep our products affordable, because we believe that good design really belongs to all. EDD+ now also takes customised orders, with an approximate waiting time of six weeks. To find out more about this or to view the range of furniture, visit eddesigngroup.com or go to 994 Bendemeer Road, #01-07 B-Central. How would you describe the style of furniture found at EDD+?

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Clockwise from left: Intricate wooden birdcage, $888; Fibreglass British bulldog, $688; Coffee table made from branches, $888; Marilyn Monroe print canvas chair, $488; Lamp made from a fuel can, $388; red lamp retrofitted with headlights from a vintage motorcycle, $228

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Easy Living

By Amy Brook-Partridge; photography by Ken Tan in the East

Who lives here:

Althea and Jawan Parker and their children Miles (10), Kennedy (8), Cole (6), Quinn (4), their two helpers and their dog Silver. Seven bedrooms across three floors. Natural, down-to-earth and reserved.

Size of the house:

Personal style: Style of home:

Functional and child-friendly. Althea’s favourite room: The living room, because of the comfortable furniture, open style and natural sunlight.

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Since moving to Singapore seven years ago the Parker family has doubled in size, and they now reside in their biggest house yet: a seven-bedroom, three-storey home on the East Coast. American expat ALTHEA PARKER explains why it works for them.

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The masks are from Sierra Leone, the vases at the top right are from Spain, and the gold clock in the centre is from Singapore. The ottoman was commissioned by the Parkers from WTP. “Our request was to make sure it was child-friendly.”

W ith four children, one puppy, two parents and two helpers under one roof, it would be easy to assume there’s a little chaos in the Parker home. When I arrive, however, the older children are happily spring-cleaning their bedrooms, the younger ones are at preschool, and puppy Silver sits in his pen after an enthusiastic greeting as Althea welcomesme into her clean and calmhome. Chatting to Althea about her career path in the US, it becomes clear that she’s driven and determined, with a strong work ethic, but also has family at the heart of whatever she chooses to do. She began in engineering, working for a military helicopter manufacturer. Deciding this

wasn’t right for her, she moved into business consulting, focusing on marketing, before returning to school to study for her MBA. Her next role was within TJX’s marketing department, supporting the Marshalls and HomeGoods brands. During the time her first two children were born, Althea took a more flexible role at a market research company, which gave her a better work- life balance. When her husband Jawan, who works in the finance industry, was offered a position in Singapore and they relocated in June 2008, they viewed this as a short-term stint. “I was in the first trimester of pregnancy with our third child, and the physical and emotional upheaval was definitely hard.” Seven years on, and with two more children having joined the Parker family, that upheaval seems to have been worth it.

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From West to East The Parkers lived in a condo across from Tanglin Mall during their first four years here. “It’s a really convenient location, particularly for anyone new to the island,” says Anthea. “With the children at the Overseas Family School (OFS) at that time, it just made sense. But when we moved them to the UWCSEA East Coast campus, their daily commute became significantly longer, and it was harder for me to commit to volunteering there.” For this reason, the family moved to the East Coast three years ago, initially into a condo just down the street from where they are now. Then, just as their contract was due for renewal, the owner suddenly decided to sell. The Parkers had six weeks to find somewhere else to live. “It was in November last year, and our choice was between this house and another one nearby. Not only is this the first time we’ve lived in a house here or in the US, but it’s also the biggest place we’ve lived in.” It is indeed a large house, but it doesn’t look as if this sizeable family has struggled to fill it. “We didn’t go all out to find stuff to fill the place, and most of our pieces were purchased here in Singapore,” says Althea. They also had help from furniture business WTP; Althea says that its owner, Mimi Somjee, was a great help in sourcing what they needed for their new home.

Cole and Quinn’s bunk bed is from IKEA. “I don’t believe in investing too much in the kids’ things, because they grow out of them so quickly.”

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Dining

Old Airport Road Food Centre 19 Old Airport Road

Sandwich Saigon (“the best bánh mì”) sandwichsaigon.com

Shin Kushiya #02-120, 1 Harbourfront Walk shinkushiya.com

The Bread Project 174 Joo Chiat Road thebreadproject.com.sg

The Book Business Home and family commitments aside, Althea and Jawan have also been kept busy establishing their personalised children’s book business, ABC Me, in July last year. After enjoying a personalised book that was a gift to their eldest son, Miles, while they were still in the US, they looked in vain for something similar here in Singapore. “We were hard-pressed to find a customised gift book that was fun and engaging, with fresh and contemporary illustrations,” they say. The ABC Me books spell out a child’s first and last name, letter by letter, and also include their name in the illustrations, depending on the style of book chosen. They reinforce letter, name and animal recognition, and customers can even choose to include the child’s Chinese name. Books usually reach their recipient within two weeks, and there’s free shipping within Singapore. I ask Althea why she’s keen to stay so busy, and she admits that it might be easier to cut back. “But it’s important for me to be a role model for the kids, especially in this day and age of little job security. My family and Jawan’s are fairly ‘blue collar’, and there hasn’t been anyone who has started their own business. We wanted to show our kids that it’s definitely a viable possibility. I also want to be a support to my husband; we’ve both worked and I want to make sure I continue to be a partner to him in that sense.”

Travel

Shangri-La in Cebu, Philippines shangri-la.com/cebu/mactanresort

Fitness & Leisure

BXG Boxing & Fitness bxgfitness.com | 6348 8380

Gold Class at Golden Village (“our favourite adult activity”) gv.com.sg Jurong East Swimming Complex 21 Jurong East Street 31 6563 5052

The Luge @ Sentosa Imbiah Lookout sentosa.com.sg

ABC Me abcmebooks.com

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