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Singapore’s Last Kampungs

Pulau Ubin

Overshadowed by towering HDB blocks and shopping malls, Lorong Buangkok is a living piece of Singaporean history. Deep in the heartlands, this is the last of mainland Singapore’s traditional kampungs (villages). The little village was once home to more than 40 families, now around 20 households remain.
On a weekday morning, the kampung is peaceful. When I turn off the main road and walk down the dirt track leading to the kampung, traffic noise melts away. A handful of roosters crowing is the only sound. Some of the wooden houses are colourfully painted in pastel shades. Bird cages swing gently on verandahs, and chickens peck in the gardens. There is greenery everywhere, from pot plants and vegetable patches, to bushes, trees and overgrown grass between the houses.
The site has been earmarked for future development, with the government planning a major road and both a primary and secondary school for the site. But the plans have met with significant opposition.
Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio (the ward in which Lorong Buangkok lies), Intan Azura Mokhtar, has called for the kampung’s preservation. “Surely we can explore ways where the kampung can coexist and, in fact, enhance and bring value to urban life,” she said in Parliament in October 2017.
Her suggestions included integrating the kampung with the schools planned for the site, to teach students about history and traditional communal living.
Minister Desmond Lee of the Ministry of National Development subsequently announced that the proposed developments were part of a long-term masterplan for the area, and would not proceed for some years, maybe even decades. So it seems that the last kampung is safe for now.
In the meantime, the kampung has become something of a tourist attraction, especially for locals keen to show their children what their own kampung childhood was like.

While Lorong Buangkok is the last kampung on mainland Singapore, the island of Pulau Ubin hosts a small but thriving village of its own.
Around 40 residents are the last remaining occupants of the island, whose population once reached around 2,000. In the 1950s to 1970s, Pulau Ubin offered plenty of work, in granite quarries and on plantations like coffee, nutmeg, pineapple, coconut, tobacco and rubber. These industries declined from the 1980s, and many locals moved to mainland Singapore for work.
While some current residents still work in farming or fishing, the majority run businesses that cater to the 300,000 people who visit Pulau Ubin each year.
In 2014, the Ministry of National Development launched The Ubin Project to preserve the island’s cultural and natural heritage. The Project is restoring several kampung houses, including ‘Teck Seng’s Place’, the home of a local provision shop owner from 1970 to 2005. It has been conserved as a model kampung house, complete with furniture, appliances and decorations typical of a 1970s kampung house. It’s open to the public on the 2nd and 4th weekend of each month, and on public holidays.
If you want an in-depth look at life on Pulau Ubin, National Parks offers regular guided historic tours to the island to demonstrate the traditional way of life. nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/walks-and-tour

Keeping the Kampung Spirit Alive:

Kampung spirit refers to community-mindedness, locals helping locals, and looking out for your neighbours. But modern lifestyles, with long working hours and a preference for online conversations, can impact our human connection. Some community initiatives are aiming to keep Singapore’s kampung spirit alive in modern times.

Singapore Kindness Movement
This non-profit organisation exists to encourage kindness and civic mindedness. It has several initiatives that promote getting to know your neighbours, including ‘Let’s Makan’. A simple concept to invite neighbours to get together to share a meal, SKM provide tips for organising your ‘Let’s Makan’ session and invitation templates and publicity posters to advertise the session around your HDB or condo. kindness.sg

Ground up initiative
Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) is a non-profit organisation that aims to encourage community consciousness and showcase best practices in sustainable living.
“We aspire for urban dwellers to explore and reconnect with ourselves and others through conscious living. Our current mission is to build a Kampung Kampus, where we work to showcase the best practices in sustainable living and build towards a ‘5G Nation’ by being Gracious, Green, Giving, Grounded and Grateful,” explains GUI’s Koo Hui Ying.
GUI is building Kampung Kampus, a low-carbon footprint campus in Yishun, as a community space and venue for their educational programs. Part of the campus is an organic farm, where they offer harvesting experiences for groups and families. They also teach traditional skills. “Our most popular programs include Earth Oven Pizza Making, Fundamentals in Woodworking, and Harvesting Season.”
groundupinitiative.org

Human library
The Human Library concept started in Denmark and has spread all over the world. In a Human Library, real people are on loan to readers, giving them opportunity to hear people’s stories first-hand. If you have an interesting story to tell, you can sign up to be a ‘book’. Interested readers can register, choose who they’d like to hear from, and receive a meeting timeslot at the next event. It’s designed to promote conversation and empathy in society, as well as breaking down stereotypes. There have been four Human Library events in Singapore so far, with the next one planned for later in 2019.
humanlibrarysg.org

Male Trailing Spouse Support

Paddy Taylor, left, and Jason Hyndman, centre.

Jason Hyndman, from Auckland; Sydneysider Dominic Evans; and Paddy Taylor, also from Sydney, met through ANZA’s Secret Men’s Business (SMB) group, which Paddy runs.

What brought you to Singapore?
Jason: We came for my wife’s career, she’s in HR. As a plumber and gas-fitter, there’s no way I’d earn the kind of money that my wife is earning. So it was a no-brainer to come.
Dom: I had my own company in Sydney, and my wife was in Singapore for work for about 12 months before me. We decided I’d sell my business and semi-retire so the kids and I could be with her here.
Paddy: My wife’s work moved their Asia-Pac headquarters from Sydney to Singapore.

How did it feel not working?
Dom: For me it was strange. I’d gone from running a business, surfing every morning, looking after my kids, to suddenly not doing anything. We have a helper, so I had an enormous amount of time on my hands to do nothing. Everyone thinks it’s easy but it’s not.
Jason: I loved it, I went to the gym all day. For the first three years, before our kids were born, I was doing the cooking and cleaning. Then when the kids were born, we got a helper. Just before that I got certified as a Personal Trainer, but then we had the babies (twins), so I couldn’t really do much.
Paddy: I had a lot of friends and family in Sydney, so I got on the plane to Singapore kicking and screaming. I said, let’s give it six months. My wife said, ‘how about we give it 12?’ For me, it was something different. I wanted to spend some time getting to know the country.

When you first arrived, how easy was it to meet people and make friends?
Paddy: About two weeks after arriving, I went online and found ANZA, and the Secret Men’s Business group. So I went to Harry’s at Boat Quay, and had a very long lunch! I didn’t play golf at that stage but joined the boys at golf the next day. Also, I used to play a bit of rugby, so I got in touch with Bedok Kings and started coaching there.
Dom: When I first got here, I didn’t really meet anyone for six months. Then a couple of people at functions mentioned Secret Men’s Business, and said it’s good for playing golf and catching up with other guys in the same situation. And my son was a rugby player, so we joined the Dragons. Straight away I met other parents.
Jason: I used to coach and play rugby back home, so as soon as I got here I went to play for Bedok Kings. Paddy was actually my coach. We’re members of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce as well. Playing social mixed netball there was something I could do with my wife, we met a good bunch of people that way.

When you meet new people, how do you answer the question “So what do you do?”
Dom: The problem with Singapore is everyone’s networking. As soon as they ask what I do, and I say ‘I’m retired’; or ‘I’m a trailing spouse, I play golf and I surf’, their eyes go over my shoulder and they look for somebody else. That’s what I found, whereas SMB wasn’t like that. They were just intrigued about what you were doing, and as long as you could buy the next round, that’s all they worried about!
Paddy: I say, ‘I’m a Social Director for a small organisation’! Then I explain Secret Men’s Business. Particularly if I’m talking to guys who are working 60, 70 hours a week in the finance markets or whatever, they go ‘you’re kidding! How did you get that gig?’
Jason: I’m a true house-husband! My wife was pretty worried about me when we first got here, she thought I’d be bored out of my mind. But once I got my foot in the door with the rugby and was going to the gym every day, it was all good. All my mates were jealous!

Dominic, left, and Paddy, right.

Tips for new arrivals:
Paddy: Join something like SMB. You’ve got to make an effort, whether you’re a trailing spouse or not. People aren’t going to just knock on your door and say, ‘I hear you’re new, let’s go and do something’.
Jason: The first thing we joined was ANZA, and second was the NZ Chamber of Commerce. And the rugby. Straight away you have ‘meet and greet’ drinks with the NZ Chamber and ANZA.
Dom: The best advice I got was ‘vote yourself off the island’. Every few weeks I’d plan a surfing trip to Bali. It helps clear your head, gives you something to look forward to and something to talk about.

Taking trailing spouses seriously
Dr Yvonne McNulty, Senior Lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, researches the role of trailing spouses in the success of international work assignments. She believes that for male trailing spouses it’s particularly difficult. “It’s challenging being ‘different’ in a world that pigeon-holes stay-at-home partners as the woman or wife, and to find trailing spouse support tailored to the male perspective: golf instead of yoga, beer nights instead of coffee mornings etc,” explains Yvonne.
According to Yvonne’s research, 84% of trailing spouses (both male and female) have a tertiary qualification or college degree. Yvonne’s research has found that the dual-career issue has been the most common cause of overseas assignment refusal, and a major factor hindering trailing spouses’ adjustment.
“With localisation of expats (no more fat expat packages!), companies are shifting responsibility for trailing partners onto the families themselves. Support for families was never great among multinationals and I’d say now it’s almost non-existent. There are outlier companies that do outstanding programs – but they are one-offs. Most expat families today have to take responsibility for the ‘trailing’ partner themselves,” says Yvonne.

Meet the International Cooking Club Singapore!

American/British dual citizen expat Michelle Pilarczyk arrived in Singapore with her family in 2012. Three years later, when she was still struggling to meet people, she posted on a Facebook forum searching for a handful of women to start a cooking group. “I just put it up and said ‘I’m looking for nine women from different countries to cook with me’, and I got around two hundred responses,” says Michelle. After realising the huge interest in the idea, she formed an organisation to manage the administration of the group, and International Cooking Club Singapore (ICCS) was born. “We started out with 20 cooking groups and we grew to a peak of 30 cooking and baking groups,” explains Michelle.


The structure of the organisation is simple. Each group of approximately ten ladies meets either fortnightly or monthly at one of the participants’ homes, on a rotating basis. The host decides the recipes for that meeting and gathers the ingredients. The group cooks the meal together, then eats it as either lunch or dinner. There are no fees, you simply buy the ingredients when it’s your turn to host.
To accommodate both working and non-working ladies, there are groups that meet on weekdays, evenings and weekends. Dietary restrictions are also accommodated. “We have a gluten-free group, and two vegetarian groups,” says Michelle. Ladies wanting to join just need to fill in a form outlining their available times and any dietary preferences.
One of the key factors in forming each cooking group is diversity. “Back in 2015 our mission statement was to promote cross-cultural exchanges. We don’t want too many people of the same nationality in one group,” explains Michelle.


This focus on diversity and multi-culturalism has resulted in ladies of 93 different nationalities participating in the organisation. “Food has a special way of bringing people together and opening minds, regardless of culture, religion, nationality and race.”
Singaporeans are also included. “We’re not just expats. I think it’s a shame when you go to a country and you never get to know people who are local. I very much wanted to encourage Singaporeans to join,” says Michelle. “Currently around 5% of the active participants are Singaporeans.”
The organisation welcomes all levels of cooking experience. “When it comes to cooking skills it doesn’t matter, what’s really important is that they’re keen to make friends, have fun and learn. That’s what it’s about,“ says Michelle. “We welcome the type of person that says ‘I can’t cook that well’ – to them we say ‘awesome, come on in’! That’s the spirit of what we are.”
The multicultural nature of the group encourages people to learn recipes from across the globe and expand their culinary repertoire. “Because we’re so diverse, what’s basic to one person is exotic to another. I have a Japanese lady in my group and we all wanted to know her miso soup recipe. She was saying ‘it’s just miso soup!’ But it’s intriguing to the rest of us to learn how to make homemade miso soup, especially as it was an authentic family recipe.”
Over her years of running the group, Michelle has noticed other benefits for the participants. “It’s not just culinary skills and making friends, but gaining confidence. For example, it helps people to build their English in a very unintimidating setting. In the kitchen you don’t really need to talk, you can just watch, but little by little you
chime in.”
The club holds larger functions three or four times a year, so ladies from different groups can meet. “We have around 60 people and everyone brings a dish, ideally from their own country. We usually get at least 30 nationalities in the group, it’s incredible.” A popular feature of the lunches is the tasting competition, where attendees vote for their favourite dishes across several categories. “It’s so exciting because you get the ladies who, when they joined said, “I’m not a good cook”, and then they’re winning prizes. They just feel so proud.”

To find out more about ICCS, head to iccs.org.sg or instagram@iccs_sg

The Red Dot Melting Pot Cookbook
In 2017 Michelle self-published a collection of recipes from the ICCS meetings.
The 223 recipes in the book come from 75 different countries. Michelle chose the final ones from dishes that won prizes at the Pan-ICCS events, and the recipes that were most popular within the groups. Michelle admits it was a challenge. “We took more than 38,000 photos!” The initial print run of 2000 copies sold out in four months. Order online at iccs.org.sg.

Check Out: Toa Payoh

1.Dragon Playground
28 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh 310028
Toa Payoh is home to one of the last original dragon playgrounds. Built in the 1970s at various HDB estates, these dragon playgrounds have become a local icon, with the stylised dragon’s head appearing on everything from bags to fridge magnets and coffee mugs. A short walk from Toa Payoh MRT and bus interchange, this colourful dragon is a fun climbing structure with a concrete slide.

2.Uggli Muffins
#02-34 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh 310127
ugglimuffins.com
You probably wouldn’t expect to find muffins in a hawker centre, but this bakery in the Toa Payoh West Market and Food Centre has achieved a cult following. The name comes from the muffins’ irregular shape and burnt-looking top, a product of the baker’s secret recipe and method of baking. As well as standard muffin flavours like banana and walnut, they also offer a changing menu of flavours like Oreo cookie or sweet potato.

3.Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery
184 Jalan Toa Payoh 319944
shuanglin.sg
Previously known as Siong Lim Temple, this Buddhist monastery dates back to the early 1900s. It’s one of Singapore’s oldest Buddhist temples. The impressive entrance of two ornate gates leads to a seven-storey pagoda, several prayer halls and the monk’s living quarters. The peaceful gardens strewn with bonsai trees are an inviting spot for a moment of quiet reflection.

4.Epigram Books
1008 Toa Payoh N, #03-08, 318996
shop.epigrambooks.sg
A niche bookstore and award-winning publisher, Epigram offers an intriguing selection of both local and international books. With fiction, non-fiction and a well-curated selection of children’s books, Epigram should be your first stop for interesting local literature.

5.HDB Hub
Blocks 460 – 530, Lorong 6 Toa Payoh 310460 – 310530
hdb.gov.sg
The high-tech, multimedia gallery showcases the planning of current and future HDB towns across the country. It’s a fascinating look at what drives Singapore’s urban and residential planning, including some of the environmental initiatives making Singapore’s housing more sustainable. Interactive elements (and a model dragon playground big enough to slide on) make it suitable for kids too.

6.Hock Siong & Co
#01-03 Junjie Industrial Building, 153 Kg Ampat 368326
facebook.com/hocksiongco
This vintage and second-hand shop has a huge social media following with nearly 45,000 Facebook and 22,000 Instagram followers. Their eclectic and quality range of furniture, decor items and art is well worth checking out. Expect everything from Asian antique furntiure and Art Deco relics, to cute and quirky home accessories. Newly arrived stock is often posted on their social media pages if you want to browse before hitting the shop.

7.Niche Savoureuse
Block 128, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, 310128
nichesav.com
All day breakfasts, decent coffee, quality pizzas and a huge selection of cakes baked in-house, make this an ideal stop during your day in Toa Payoh. Try the slow-cooked lasagna, or the red velvet cake made with 55% dark chocolate and almond paste. The bakery also makes creative custom cakes if you need something sweet for a special event.

8.Toa Payoh Town Park
Junction of Lorong 2 and Lorong 6, TOA PAYOH 319393
Not far from the Toa Payoh Stadium is the Town Park. This expanse of green is a lovely spot for a stroll or a jog. A series of pretty little bridges leads you to a waterfall and pond that hosts fish and the occasional turtle. There’s also a pavilion and gazebo, making this a great spot for an outdoor gathering. For runners or cyclists, the park connects to the Whampoa Park Connector eastwards along Sungei Whampoa. At Sungei Kallang you’ll reach the Kallang Park Connector leading to Kallang Riverside Park.

9.ANZA Athletics
Toa Payoh Stadium, 297 Lorong 6, Toa Payoh, 319389
anza.org.sg
On Friday afternoons the Toa Payoh Stadium is overtaken by the ANZA Athletics participants. From 4.30pm, young athletes join in track and field events in a relaxed environment. The season runs from September to March, contact athletics@anza.org.sg.

What’s Happening at the SCC in October

Luncheon & Cooking with Celebrity Chef Paul Askew

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) on Tuesday, 22 October 2019, with a pre-cocktail reception and exquisite four-course lunch paired with wine as Celebrity Chef Paul Askew demonstrates how to prepare two of the dishes.

A pioneer of excellent modern British cuisine, Chef Askew is a stalwart of Liverpool’s burgeoning culinary scene and one of the UK’s most popular chefs. He spent part of his childhood in Singapore and it is here that his fascination with good quality food and ingredients begun after being exposed to different cultures and foods. Guests can look forward to a delightful lunch that will titillate your palate.

This event is part of the SCC’s fortnight of events that will be A Fiesta of Heritage and New Beginnings that commemorates the Singapore Bicentennial.

SCC Family Day & Open House

It’s Family Fun galore on Sunday at Singapore Cricket Club and Padang field on 20 October 2019! Bring your kids down to this free event with pony rides, bouncy castles, life-sized board games, bubble soccer and more! There will also be F&B stalls for you to purchase food, snacks and drinks.

In addition, SCC is opening its Clubhouse up to the public for special-access club tours which you can pre-register for here: tinyurl.com/SCCOpenHouse2019

Happening 11am – 4pm, the SCC Family Day & Open House is open to all, and parking is on a first-come-first-serve basis (alternative parking locations at National Gallery, Parliament House and The Adelphi)

This event is part of the SCC’s fortnight of events that will be A Fiesta of Heritage and New Beginnings that commemorates the Singapore Bicentennial.

Singapore Cricket Club
Connaught Drive
Singapore 179681
scc.org.sg

 

Get Charitable with ANZA Action

ANZA Action’s adopted charities support many groups such as the elderly, disadvantaged women, cancer patients, youth and children. Their work includes:

Empowering women
Dress for Success enables women to achieve financial independence by providing them with career and interview coaching, and suitable work clothes. ANZA members have volunteered as stylists, career coaches and boutique support, as well as providing clothes when the boutique needs donations. singapore.dressforsuccess.org
Dress for Success currently needs a volunteer graphic designer, and two new Board Members to support the organisation with finance skills and fundraising expertise.

The New2U Thrift Shop is part of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations which works towards equality for women in Singapore. ANZA members volunteer in the shop, and you can donate good condition clothes, toys, and crockery. scwo.org.sg
The New2U Thrift Shop is holding a bazaar on 23 – 24 November, 10am to 4pm, 96 Waterloo St.

Aidha empowers Foreign Domestic Workers and low-income women to achieve financial independence through education. ANZA volunteers act as mentors, teaching the Aidha curriculum to students on Sundays. aidha.org
“The students’ joy and sense of achievement during graduation is so special, and the rewards of being part of this are beyond words,” says Cathy Heeley, ANZA volunteer.

Assisting the older generation
The Salvation Army provides social services to Singaporeans in need. ANZA members have been supporting the Food Ration Programme and Elderly Drop-in Programme for over 10 years. salvationarmy.org/singapore
“Our volunteers support the Salvation Army with their time and enthusiasm, and in return they interact with an often unseen side of Singapore. They get the biggest smiles and ‘thank yous’ from the uncles and aunties during food delivery,” says ANZA volunteer, Virginia Soh.

Cycling Without Age (CWA) has a vision for a world in which no senior faces isolation, and where they can ‘feel the wind in their hair’. Since its launch in 2015 CWA Singapore has grown to 600 volunteers and has given more than 10,000 seniors free trishaw rides. ANZA volunteers have been part of this history. cyclingwithoutage.sg

Youth, children and families
Babes assists pregnant teenagers with information and support. Their vision is for an inclusive society, where pregnant teenagers needing support will not feel estranged or marginalised. Babes is one of the recipients of the generous donations that ANZA members make at events. babes.org.sg
“For more than two years, ANZA has been a constant in our partnership and fundraising journey. The donated funds have enabled us to conduct skills-based workshops and provide transport allowances to our beneficiaries who were in need,” says Anu Cherian, Community Partnership Executive, Babes.

Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) improves the health and wellbeing of children in Singapore. Our committed ANZA volunteers support the work of the charity at the National University Hospital, where they assist in the operation of the family room and support families whose children are being treated in the hospital. There are many ways to support RMHC, from volunteering to donating snack packs for young outpatients. rmhc.org.sg

Children’s Aid Society and Melrose Home provides services to families and children, including residential care for vulnerable children. ANZA supports them with volunteers and donations from our fundraising events. Having had a long relationship with Secret Men’s Business, Melrose Home is now also working with the Stitches Group who provide workshops and will support residents to sew bags and tissue packet covers for sale at the Society’s 117th anniversary gala dinner. childrensaidsociety.org.sg

Supporting diversity and opportunities for everyone
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) runs a riding therapy programme for people with disabilities. ANZA members volunteer as side walkers or horse leaders, and help out in the stables. rdasingapore.org “Riding therapy provides enormous benefits to a person with disabilities. It is a joy to see the improvements children make during the 10 week programme, as well as the special connection between the horses and riders,” says Deborah Gillies, ANZA volunteer.

IC2 Prephouse empowers those with visual impairments to live independently, and provides support for young people to remain in school. This year, six ANZA volunteers assisted IC2 Prephouse and their beneficiaries with a trip to Gardens by the Bay, where they visited the Flower Dome and completed a fun amazing race activity. ic2.com.sg

Through their hawker centre, Dignity Kitchen, and bookshop, Dignity Mama, Project Dignity creates opportunities for unemployed adults with special needs to train in a vocation and gain employment. Project Dignity encourages ANZA members to experience their hawker centre in Serangoon, or order their catering online. projectdignity.sg

Supporting those with cancer
The Singapore Cancer Society’s mission is to ‘minimise cancer and maximise lives’. ANZA volunteers have supported their work in the community, and this year the ANZA Biggest Morning Tea raised nearly $5,000 for the Singapore Cancer Society, which will go a long way to supporting their important work in the community. singaporecancersociety.org.sg

Want to get involved? Contact suzanna@anzaaction.org.sg or check the ANZA Action Facebook for opportunities. facebook.com/groups/755798497783855/

What’s On: October

Adrian Pang, star of Urinetown

27 SEPT – 13 OCT
Urinetown
Drama Centre Theatre
Singapore’s own Pandemonium Theatre Company brings the award-winning Broadway smash to local audiences. Urinetown gleefully takes the piss out of politicians, populism, people power, capitalism, corporate corruption, and musicals themselves! Tickets from $40, Sistic.

3 OCT – 17 NOV
Voilah! France Singapore Festival
The Voilah! Festival celebrates French culture and Franco – Singapore connections. It features 50 programmes and events over six weeks, including performances, exhibitions and presentations, in various locations across Singapore. voilah.sg

10 – 12 OCT
The Great Wine & Dine Festival 2019
Resorts World Sentosa
Resorts World Sentosa hosts a showcase of over 400 international wines, and a special Japanese zone featuring craft sake breweries. Sign up for masterclasses on topics like Tuscan wines, pinot noir, craft sake, Spanish varietals, and the difference between new and old-world wines. Tickets from $60, at thegreatfestival.sg

20 – 26 OCT
M1 Nations Cup Netball,
OCBC Arena, Singapore Sports Hub
Catch the Singaporean national netball team on their home turf, competing with teams from Ireland, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Botswana and the Cook Islands. Tickets from $10, apactix.com and Singapore Indoor Stadium box office.

25 – 27 OCT
Moonlight Cinema
Gardens by the Bay
In conjunction with the Singapore International Film Festival in November, Gardens by the Bay will host the free outdoor Moonlight Cinema. This year’s theme is the dreams of youth. Films include cult fave Empire Records, French film The Chorus, and award-winning Indian musical drama Secret Superstar. Tickets are free, register at sgiff.com/moonlightcinema

26 OCT
After Dark
Asian Civilisations Museum
Just in time for Halloween, the ACM presents their popular annual Halloween special. Get spooked by chilling performances, hear haunting tales by local storytellers, or make
your own supernatural souvenir at this free event, from 7 to 11pm.
acm.org.sg

27 OCT
Deepavali
Little India
Also known as the ‘festival of lights’, Deepavali is when Hindu families light up their homes, exchange gifts and perform prayers to Hindu deities. Experience the festivities at Little India’s Deepavali Festival Village; Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples; and the ‘silver chariot’ procession from Little India to Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown. smt.org.sg, srivkt.org

30 Oct
Backstreet Boys
Singapore Indoor Stadium
Backstreet’s back alright as the Backstreet Boys hit the little red dot for one night only. Join the fab five for a singalong of all their 90s and 2000s hits like ‘As Long as You Love Me’ and ‘Quit Playing Games With My Heart’ at Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets from $168 at stubhub.sg

3 Nov
Great Eastern Women’s Run
National Stadium
Join Asia’s largest all-women’s run, with a ceremonial finish at the iconic National Stadium. It features 21.1km, 10km, and 5km distances for adults, plus a 2km ‘Mummy and Me’ for girls 7-12 and their mums, and the ‘Princess Dash’ for girls 3-6. Entry from $49, register at greateasternlife.com/greateasternwomensrun

Finding Bliss in Koh Samui

To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d even make it to Kamalaya, a Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa resort located on Koh Samui’s peaceful south coast. Recently diagnosed with a painful spinal condition, I’ve been finding it a challenge to walk around the block, let alone bend myself into yoga poses or rise at dawn for a fitness class. Prior to arrival, I hurriedly checked the program box, ‘Relax & Renew’, thinking that their ‘newcomers to wellness’ program would be the gentlest entry point for my five-night stay.

Arrivals hall
After a short, direct flight from Singapore, I’m met at the airport, handed a cold towel and driven the 40 minutes out to the resort, accompanied by the sound of peaceful birdsong on the car stereo. Right away, I feel calmer. Speeding past busy tourist areas and markets, I arrive in the evening at the resort, nestled on a hillside in a lush Thai jungle. I’ll have to leave exploring for the morning. I’ve already had a Venti Starbucks coffee, waffle bikkies and an airline curry for dinner, so I knock back a super heathy purple welcome drink made with butterfly pea, coconut water and a squeeze of lime, and head for my luxurious digs – a spacious villa I suspect might be overlooking the ocean by the sound of waves that send me straight to sleep.


Rise and shine
Waking to burbling frogs, I raise the blinds and exhale. Kamalaya boasts its own white sand beach, pretty granite boulders rising from the blue sea, banyan trees, ponds topped with pink lotus flowers, swaying palms and serene swimming pools. A couple of friendly butterflies flap gently across my path as I make my way up the steep hill for breakfast. Quite simply, it’s paradise.
The buffet at the main alfresco restaurant, Soma, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen; an explosion of colour and healing, healthy foods. There’s no greasy bacon or hash browns here. I grab a plate of fresh tropical fruits, and a couple of shots (kale, turmeric and a green concoction made out of a leafy herb called gotu kola are soon to become my go-tos) Although some guests are on a ‘detox’ or ‘ideal weight’ menu, in general Kamalaya’s approach to nutrition ditches extreme dieting and promotes eating foods that nourish the mind, body and spirit. Their menu is extensive, seasonal, and features a variety of a la carte ‘healthy’ Thai classics, plant-based dishes, fish and some lean meats. Breakfast includes buckwheat and pumpkin pancakes, poached eggs, a sprawling salad bar, soups, nuts and seeds, and even gluten free breads, cakes and croissants. Although this is the ideal place to kick a habit, I’m not ready to give up my decades’ long morning caffeine fix. I order a latte, enjoy a delicious bowl of bircher muesli and make my way to the wellness centre.

Wellness consultation
Every guest at Kamalaya begins their stay with a wellness consultation. A nurse gives me a once over and performs a ‘body bio impedance analysis’, which measures my fat-to-lean-muscle ratio (not great) and my cellular health (pretty good). Then I meet with Emily Sarkies, a lovely, positive Australian naturopath, who puts me instantly at ease as we chat about my goals during my stay. They’re fairly modest: to kickstart a healthier lifestyle, and protect and strengthen my still fragile spine. I’m nervous and a little defensive, but she’s completely supportive, non-judgemental and wise. I’m in good hands.
After consulting the onsite physio team as to whether I could switch to the new ‘Structural Revival’ program, which is designed to realign the body, reduce tension, and rehabilitate injuries, I’m advised to stick with my original choice, which includes a slew of wellness therapies, alongside daily rotating activities.
As well as individualised programs, Kamalaya offers a holistic activity schedule which includes aqua-aerobics, cooking classes, meditation, tea sharing, wellness workshops, stretching, yoga and even some offsite tours to temples and other local areas of interest. Some guests head off for a sunset sail and snorkel one evening and spot a rare blue stingray. Although I’m usually one for excursions, I opt to stay within the bubble of the resort, trying to focus on relaxing and renewing.

Treatment time
Kamalaya takes cues from both Eastern and Western healing therapies which transcend the standard spa experience. Their world class team includes skilled massage therapists, doctors, physios, acupuncturists, nutrition experts, personal trainers, yogis, gurus and mentors.
Every program includes heavenly daily treatments in the tranquil open-air wellness centre. I kick things off with a Lotus Blossom Scrub & Wrap, followed by a 90-minute Vital Essence Oil Massage. The therapists are some of the best I’ve ever encountered; intuitive, caring and discreet. I also try traditional Asian hand and foot massage, Indian head massage, far infared sauna (30 minutes in a wooden hot box) and an unusual Chi Nei Tsang massage of the stomach and internal organs. It’s the only treatment I find challenging (most guests do at first). The rest leave me in a state of deep relaxation.
There’s plenty of ways to stay well here – I also visit the state-of-the-art gym, Pilates reformer studio, yoga pavilion overlooking the water, two swimming pools, hot pools, steam rooms, and even a monk’s cave. I tentatively step inside the small, spiritual space early one morning, lighting an incense stick and setting an intention for the day. I’m starting to find my bliss.


The people you meet
Perhaps the biggest surprise is how many fellow wellness warriors I connect with. I’m an introvert at heart, but at the long communal table, I share my meals with a group of fascinating people from all over the planet. Swapping stories over beautifully presented plates, tea and healthy mocktails is a joy – no wonder some guests return to Kamalaya for many years, each time gathering more friends and ideas for reinventing their lives.
As I check out on my final day, I’ve miraculously swapped my morning coffee for mulberry tea, my back is in good shape, and I feel energised and ready for a busy period ahead. I’m farewelled by a new friend from Bhutan, who presses her contact details into my hand and waves me off. As I leave this magical place and head back to the urban jungle of Singapore, I can only hope I’m lucky enough to return one day.

kamalaya.com

Interview: Wellness Warrior Natalie Dau

When did you first move to Singapore?
I moved to Singapore 15 years ago with my job. At the time I was working for an analyst firm. I’d planned to come for two years but loved it so much I didn’t leave! Singapore is home now.

What has been your journey to health and wellness?
I was always focused on staying healthy when working in the corporate world; one of these crazy people waking up at 5am to go to the hotel gym and taking protein bars into meetings. I got more serious when I decided to change my career and follow my passion to try and make an impact on the world around health and fitness. I started winning races and ended up representing Singapore at two Spartan World Championships. Things snowballed with sponsorships, and today life is crazy competing in things all over the world and running a business full time. Currently I’m training for 100km ultramarathon and will finish my season with the Great Eastern Women’s Run on the 3 November.

What does wellness mean to you now?
I make sure I’m looking after myself as a whole. Not just physically training hard, but eating right, getting enough sleep and managing stress. It’s all about finding that balance.

What’s one wellness activity you swear by?
I’m a much nicer person when I have exercised as that’s my time to destress – some people meditate, I run! Also, two important things which people dismiss far too easily – getting enough sleep (at least eight hours) and drinking enough water (I always encourage anyone in Singapore to drink three litres a day with the humidity). Sleep and hydration can make a huge difference to how you function.

What’s your advice for those wanting to be fit, but can’t afford an expensive gym membership?
Gone are the days of having to join an expensive gym to exercise. There are so many free or low-cost activities on offer from the likes of ActiveSG to SportsHub.

What’s your typical day of eating?
I eat the same thing almost every day! Breakfast is coffee, eggs and salad, a protein bar as a snack, steamed vegetables and some turkey for lunch and then late afternoon I might have some cottage cheese and vegetables. Weekends I am more relaxed and indulge a bit more. I also try and stick to a mostly vegetarian diet as red meat doesn’t work for me with my rheumatoid arthritis.

How do you encourage movement in kids?
Kids follow by example. As a mum to a 10-year-old daughter she thinks it’s normal that families exercise as that’s what she’s always seen us doing. We also try and look for events to do together and make family time on weekends activity based – it just needs to be fun for kids and they’ll want to do it.

How do you use your large social media reach to influence healthy living?
For me it’s about being real with my followers – letting them know everyone has good and bad days, being open and consistent with my messages, not taking myself too seriously and trying to inspire others to make that one small change that could be the difference to their life.

What are you most looking forward to with the Great Eastern Women’s Run?
I can’t wait to have so many amazing females coming together to run, be healthy and have fun. I also can’t wait to do it with my daughter so she can witness again what a positive impact a fitness community has.

Tips for a healthy lifestyle in Singapore?
There are two simple steps that will set you up for much greater long-term success.
1. Find a friend or join a like-minded community around health and fitness. This will keep you accountable, provide social interaction and make it more fun! There are so many great communities in Singapore from Spartan Race groups, gyms like F45, running or trail walking clubs or options like a Classpass where you can try lots of different activities.
2. Start with small changes or goals. Don’t train for a marathon week one, and don’t try and completely change your diet – small wins are easier and before you know it, it’s become a healthy habit and part of your life.

Great Eastern Women’s Run 2019
Run with Natalie on Sunday 3 November at The Singapore Sports Hub. Race categories offered this year include the 21.1km, 10km, 5km, the 2km ‘Mummy + Me’ run for mothers and daughters aged 7 to 12 and the popular ‘Princess Dash’ for girls aged 3 to 6. Register now at greateasternlife.com/greateasternwomensrun