Helle Norup, author of The Missing Barbegazi
“I’ll be snuggling up with hot chocolate this Christmas and reading some snowy middle-grade novels: The Eye of the North by Sinéad O’Hart, Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy and The Legends of Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood.”

Alice Clarke-Platts, author of The Flower Girls
“My top Christmas reads are The Corset by Laura Purcell, a spooky story about a woman who commits murder with her sewing needle. Or does she? Graham Norton, the popular TV host has written a mystery set in his native Ireland called The Keeper. Ruth Jones, the creator of Gavin and Stacey has written a novel about marriage, love and everything else in between in Never Greener. And don’t forget The Trailing Spouse by Jo Furniss. Set in Singapore, it’s a thriller mystery about the eponymous wife of an expat with many secrets to tell. For the kids, my daughters love Chris Colfer’s The Land of Stories series, so they’re on the list.”

Stephanie Suga Chen, author of Travails of a Trailing Spouse
“A Yellow House by Karien van Ditzhuijzen, a story told from the point of view of a ten year old in Singapore. Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza, about an accomplished woman who decides to run for political office. Finally, The Leader in Me by Stephen Covey, it’s about raising kids abroad. I recently picked up this book on how to help our children be more effective, goal-oriented and successful in life.”

Jo Furniss author of The Trailing Spouse
“Louise Beechs’ The Lion Tamer Who Lost. I enjoyed her previous novel called Maria in The Moon. She’s really a great writer, especially if you’re looking for a character-driven story with lots of imagery. I also just read a book called The Promise by Teresa Driscoll which is out next year, a fast read, intense thriller, which seems to be popular right now. Finally, Bitter by Francesca Jakobi.”

It’s my third trip to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo – where centuries old history and culture collide with the blazing modernity of neon lights and robot cafes. This trip, I’m determined to get off the beaten path, and uncover the city’s less frequented neighbourhoods and secret hang outs.

After a great night’s sleep on the cloudlike beds at the super stylish new Pullman Tamachi hotel I stroll the new-to-me neighbourhood, lined with charming canals and local restaurants. Grabbing a quick omelette and a fortifying flat white at slick Pullman eatery, KASA, it’s time to join my group and hit the streets with our guide, Yasushi, from Tour Guide Tokyo (tourguidetokyo.com)

First up, we negotiate the spaghetti tangle of subway lines to the Sumida district, home to the country’s finest sumo wrestlers. Here, you can view wrestlers of all ages and sizes training in their stables. You can also spot them eating or serving kilojoule-heavy chanko or “sumo soup” – a broth containing vegetables, fish and/or chicken; or heading to practise bouts at Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, an indoor sporting arena where tournaments are held throughout the year. We bump into a real life sumo while visiting the arena, and he’s more than happy to pose for a quick photo before continuing on his way. The small sumo museum is worth a look – it’s free to enter and exhibits photos of the top ranking sumos, costumes, and ancient woodblock prints dating back to the 1700’s.

Tokyo’s famous fish markets in Tsukiji have a new home in the Toyosu area, close to Tokyo Bay. Although it’s over twice the size of the original market and is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities, 80% of the traders were opposed to the move, with some refusing to budge. We visit Tsukiji’s historic outer markets – buying Japanese snacks, and soaking up the atmosphere while it’s still on offer. With the main fish market relocating, many predict the jam-packed sushi bars and shops will soon close.

With sumo-sized appetites, our guide steers us away from popular chain restaurants to try Tokyo’s street food and local haunts. We line up at a hole-in-the-wall cafe for Japan’s famously creamy, milk soft serve in both green tea and cappuccino flavours, and sample a plate of round pancake bites, made with chunks of octopus (Takoyaki) We still have room for sushi – hand carved from fresh catches, and served individually at a tiny counter top by highly trained sushi chefs. After a quick stop at a pottery store to pick up some beautiful, traditional Japanese plates and bowls, we give up on the subway and head home in a taxi to rest up for the night ahead.

Footsteps away from the intense crowds of Shibuya’s famed crossing – said to be the busiest intersection in the world – lies the narrow laneway, Nonbei Yokocho, also known as Drunkard’s Alley. Here you’ll find remnants of old town Toyko in the rows of ramshackle tiny bars – some so miniscule they only fit a few people at a time. We pile in on an unsuspecting American tourist, who very graciously allows us to take up the entire bar. Bar hopping and sampling whiskey and sake along this colourful stretch is a fun way to spend a night, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to make a friend or ten along the way. There’s zero personal space!

Our second hidden night spot is the Iron Fairies underground bar in Ginza (ironfairies-ginza.com). Descend a flight of stairs, and behind a sliding door lies a fantasy world of fairies and magic dust. Order the Heaven Lonely Flows – a bright pink cocktail made of raspberry syrup and white rum, topped with a wreath of fairy floss.

Tokyo isn’t just a city of skyscrapers and vending machines – on our second day we delve into its ancient traditions at Fukagawa’s Fudō-dō Buddhist temple. After visiting the spiritual outer areas, we’re lucky enough to attend the spectacular religious fire ritual – Goma – held in the Hondō (main hall). We take off our shoes and join the mostly local crowd in this daily deity offering, where large taiko drums are pounded, sutras are chanted and sticks of cedar are burnt. Afterwards, we’re invited to have our bags held briefly over the smouldering flames – as a blessing and for good fortune.

After a rib-sticking ramen, we leap from old world to truly futuristic – with a visit to teamLabs Borderless (borderless.teamlab.art) The jaw-dropping exhibition sprawls over 10,000sqm and is located on the entertainment island of Odaiba, in the MORI Building. 520 computers and 470 projectors create an imaginative three-dimensional world, with lasers, crystal prisms, a room full of lanterns, a giant floating hammock with a flying digital show overhead, galactic trampolines and lighted orbs. Projections make it appear that mystical creatures (a leopard made out of flowers and a sinister bunny for example) are walking around with you. Book ahead for tickets, and be prepared to feel like you’ve stepped into another realm.

Where to stay
Pullman Tokyo Tamachi is located in an upcoming business district, with easy access to the subway and Tamachi Station and close to Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Odaiba. The 143 guest rooms are ultra-plush – with their own coffee machines, powerful rain showers and thoughtful touches like a daily delivery of fresh pastries (dangerous!). The hotel features KASA restaurant – boasting Japanese fusion dishes, and an impressive breakfast buffet (you must try the eggs benedict), and Platform 9, a groovy rooftop bar overlooking the train lines and serving up tapas and knock out cocktails. accorhotels.com, (+81)3/64005855

The Australian and New Zealand Association (ANZA) is thrilled to welcome leading international bank HSBC as a Gold Partner in 2019, and Platinum Sponsor of the Great Australia Day BBQ (GADBBQ).

GADBBQ is one of ANZA’s key events of the year, with over 4000 people expected to flock to the Australian International School (AIS) on 27 January for an afternoon of family fun, food and festivities.

“We are excited to welcome HSBC as a key sponsor for 2019,” says ANZA General Manager Kerry Low. “Our 7000 members from Australia, New Zealand and other countries require financial guidance during their time in Singapore, and HSBC provides many options to suit their banking needs.”

Anurag Mathur, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Singapore is looking forward to partnering with Singapore’s leading expat organisation.  “HSBC is committed to supporting our customers financial needs, no matter where they are, and providing worldwide access with our global network. We look forward to helping ANZA members thrive in Singapore as they settle here and experience everything this amazing city has to offer.”

The Great Australia Day BBQ is Proudly Presented by HSBC. Sun, Jan 27, 2-6pm at AIS Campus, 1 Lorong Chuan 556818

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact: 

Kerry Low

ANZA General Manager

Ph: 65 6223 7992

Email: gm@anza.org.sg

Why set up Seven Clean Seas?
We founded Seven Clean Seas in July 2018, as we wanted to scale up our own beach cleaning activities. We are huge beach and sea lovers and always collect plastic when we are out and about on our adventures. Every little bit helps, but we realised that if we created a movement locally and promoted it, we could pull together a lot of like-minded people to help us and really make a difference.

How has the journey been so far?
Incredible. The reception we’ve had from the public is amazing and it’s unbelievable how many people want to fight for this cause. We’ve experienced very rapid growth in attendees and the quantity of plastic we are removing is growing exponentially with every clean up. To date we’ve removed over 15,000kg of plastic from Singapore’s beaches!

What are your goals?
Short term, keep growing. It’s amazing what we‘ve achieved so far but the scale of the issue is gargantuan. There are over 8 million metric tons of plastic flowing into the oceans every year and this is only set to increase. We hope to leverage the power of social media to show people the scale of what we are collecting, and further educate them on the issue.
Longer term, we would like to make Seven Clean Seas an international movement, and really focus on education. Unless people can understand the repercussions of irresponsible plastic usage and disposal methods, they won’t change.

How can people in Singapore get involved?
Our beach clean ups are monthly, so check out our Facebook page (facebook.com/sevencleanseas) give us a like, and come along to one of them. It’s a great experience and is suitable for all ages. Beyond this, we are now trying to get into some fairs and festivals to help spread the word, so keep an eye out for us in 2019.

Can kids help out?
Yes! It’s super fun for kids. Families that have attended so far really love it and many of them keep coming back. It’s also really rewarding to hear that it’s had a positive effect on the plastic decisions they are making in day-to-day life.

Can we really fight back against the tide of plastic and rubbish in our oceans?
Yes we can! It’s going to be one hell of a challenge but humans are capable of great feats when we work together. It all starts with education on the issue, and then individuals need to actively make alternative, responsible decisions on a daily basis. At the same time, organisations like Seven Clean Seas will continue to physically remove as much plastic and garbage as we can from the oceans themselves. Hopefully one day in the not so distant future… we can turn the tide!

Plastic facts:

• About eight million metric tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean annually. Of those, 236,000 tons are micro plastics – tiny pieces of broken-down plastic, smaller than your little fingernail.
• There are five massive patches of plastic in the oceans around the world. These huge concentrations of plastic debris cover large swathes of the ocean; the one between California and Hawaii is the size of the state of Texas.
• Every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans.
• The amount of plastic in the ocean is set to increase tenfold by 2020.
• By 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish (by weight)
  Plastic is found in the ocean as far as 11km deep, meaning synthetic fibres have contaminated even the most remote places on Earth.

The Maldives stilted private villas, turquoise lagoons and powdery white sand beaches make it a bucket list destination for many. But can you visit the island nation on the cheap, and not skimp on the quintessential Maldives experience? During our stay we set out to uncover an affordable Maldives experience; skipping the high air fares, $1000 dollar a night overwater villa, pricey transfers and expensive meals for dive trips, delicious local cuisine and even a dreamy private island.

Getting there
We opt to take a flight from Singapore to Gan Island (via Colombo), rather than flying direct to the capital of Male. This cuts out the eye-watering cost of the airport transfers to the resort islands by private seaplane, jet or speedboat. Transfers to the island resorts from Male often cost more than the flights from Singapore – something which catches a lot of people by surprise! Leaving Changi airport on an evening flight, we stay one night in the conveniently located Colombo transit hotel, before boarding the short early morning flight to Gan. Gan is part of the Addu atoll and is the southernmost island in the Maldives. It’s connected to neighbouring islands by causeways, so a number of budget accommodation options are accessible by taxi from the airport.

Where to stay
Staying at a hotel on Gan Island itself means we are checked in and shown to our room by friendly smiling staff within half an hour of going through airport security. The rooms at the mid-range Equator Village Resort (equatorvillage.com.mv/en) are set in a pleasant tropical garden, complete with customary chickens and cats roaming around. The resort also boasts a restaurant and bar, day spa, gym, large outdoor pool and sun loungers overlooking the white sand beach and azure sea. For a fraction of the price of an overwater villa we have a relaxing base to explore the surrounding atoll.

Dive in
The Maldives warm clear waters are the place to see manta rays, whale sharks, and an incredible array of colourful reefs and tropical fish. Scuba diving is a must in the Maldives for anyone who has their dive certification, but the snorkelling is also wonderful. As luck would have it, Equator Village Resort has its own dive centre and runs daily morning and afternoon dives, with some guests submerging at every opportunity. We complete three dives during our stay and spot turtles, sharks and manta rays, as well as beautiful coral and fish.

Robinson Crusoe experience
A trip to a nearby secluded island is the highlight of the trip. After taking a 45-minute boat ride from our hotel, we’re dropped off on the island, with a packed picnic lunch and an ice box full of drinks. Our driver leaves us to enjoy the natural beauty and the freedom of having our own private island. We take advantage of the breathtaking scenery with a quick photo shoot – making sure to capture the powdery sands and blue sea (aqua on one side and ink blue on the other!) and spend time snorkelling and relaxing. It’s a slightly strange feeling being left on a deserted island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but three hours later, the boat arrives on time to whisk us back to reality. The icing on the cake is encountering a pod of dolphins on the way back to the hotel – a real bonus!
Between dives we make use of the hotel bikes to cycle around the surrounding islands. This gives us a real insight to Maldivian life – we cycle past a school, football pitch, shops and houses, see children playing in the street and people going about their everyday lives. It’s an enjoyable afternoon activity and a reminder that the Maldives isn’t all about luxury resorts.

Maldivian dining
We’re on an all-inclusive package and meals are served buffet-style at the resort restaurant, with delicious local and western options on offer each day, including a live meat and fish cooking station. There’s also a daily afternoon tea – usually consisting of very tasty samosas, and it’s at this time when the daily cocktails begin to be blended.
We venture out one evening to a neighbouring island with another Singapore-based couple we met on a scuba dive earlier in the day. We feast on interesting local dishes of fragrant curry and fresh seafood and after converting the currency, we’re delighted to discover the whole meal only cost us a few Singapore dollars. Bargain!
As we prepare to return home, we tally up the price of our amazing Maldives holiday: $1,500 each for return flights, four nights at an all-inclusive resort, a day trip to a private island, and three scuba dives. We also saved on annual leave, as we travelled over the Chinese New Year public holiday and only required two days annual leave. So, you can travel to the Maldives on a budget!

More Maldives Money Saving Tips
$ Booking flights and hotels in the off-season between May and October will save you big bucks (if you’re prepared to risk inclement weather!)
$ Many of the low cost airlines fly to Male – including Scoot and Air Asia, and prices are competitive. Return flights can be as low as $300-400.
$ You can opt to stay in the capital Male, where Airbnb’s are very cost effective, particular for families.
$ Maafushi Island also offers affordable hotels and guesthouses – a local ferry to the island costs a few Singapore dollars and takes around 1.5 hours from Male.
$ Food is mostly flown into the Maldives, and prices can be steep. Self-cater where possible, or go for local food.

Home grown social enterprise EDEN + ELIE incorporates hand-weaving techniques in their elegant Peranakan necklaces, inspired by the floral patterns of the kebaya ($269). Pair with matching bracelets ($169).

Is there a place on the planet that’s special to your dad? These cufflinks ($124) contain wooden inserts, etched with the coordinates of a chosen location – a beloved surf spot, wedding venue, or his birthplace perhaps?

Celebrate your little one’s first Christmas with a personalised Christmas baby romper ($39). This simple and classic white body suit is completely adorable and makes for a great keepsake.

Know a travel savvy teen who loves their phone? Gift them a personalised map phone case ($113)

** All above gifts can be ordered from giftslessordinary.com

STAPLES – NASI LEMAK, FRIED MEE HOON, CHICKEN RICE ($28 each) Adorn your keys with inexpensive, delicious and filling Hawker staples: chicken rice, nasi lemak and breakfast bee hoon. From Museum Label, nbh.gov.sg

Arriving by boat to Batu Batu resort, we are welcomed by smiling staff, and the delighted shrieks of children jumping off the jetty into aqua water, teeming with baby sharks and tropical fish. Before long, we are in swimmers, sipping a fruity welcome drink and contemplating a dip in a dreamy horizon pool, overlooking powdery white sands. I’d heard this private island was a screensaver come to life, but nothing could prepare me for its breathtaking natural beauty. The uninhabited island boasts eight pristine beaches, clear waters and healthy coral reefs just off shore, as well as tropical forest for hiking and exploring.

Dive in
Batu Batu means “rocks” in the local Malay language, but this laidback island resort offers much more than picturesque rocky outcrops. Set on the stunning tropical island of Pulau Tengah, Malaysia in the South China Sea, this small property delivers big on rustic luxury. We follow a sandy path to our digs for the weekend – a simple, traditional beach villa with steps leading down to soft sands and gentle lapping waters. Wandering along the deserted beach, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one inhabiting the island – there are only 22 villas set into the island’s protected environment.

Families welcome
For the adventurous guest, there’s plenty of action to be found. We try exhilarating ‘jetty jumping’ with the kids, snorkel over colourful coral reefs looking for Nemo, walk around its 3km perimeter and take out paddleboards to circumnavigate the island – stopping for a refreshing swim or two along the way in secluded beach stretches. The resort has a full PADI Dive & Activities Centre, so trips to nearby reefs and islands are available for dive enthusiasts. Kids are welcome – with dive programmes available to guests as young as five years old. After our paddle, we relax in the beach bar overlooking gorgeous Long Beach, sipping watermelon cocktails and watching the blazing sunset streak across the sky. And exhale….

Nature first

Batu Batu is heaven for families with kids – on our first day our daughter asks when we can come back! Our group includes three generations – all of us finding our own level of activity and enjoying plenty of low-key family time. Kids adore the pool area, the Play House zone with its regular movie nights, and being able to spot turtles waddling up and down the beach. There’s also a dedicated kids’ menu, and a handy kids annexe room with bunk beds in all Beach Villas and some Ocean and Jungle Villas. Plenty of room for everyone!

Resort staff are committed to the preservation and protection of Tengah Island and they take conservation of the flora, fauna and wildlife seriously. One of their initiatives is the Turtle Watch Camp (TWC). Guests can meet the enthusiastic TWC team for a hatchery tour, attend the informative Turtle Talks, and be notified of any nest hatchings or turtle movements during their stay. You can also volunteer to lend a hand at a beach clean-up, take on early morning “turtle patrol”, or even adopt a nest!

The good life

Food is something you won’t have to think about on the island – as the menu is pre-set and a delicious array of gourmet meals are included in the accommodation package. The open pavilion restaurant and bar has stunning sea views and a cooling breeze, and is the perfect spot to enjoy leisurely meals. The menu includes dishes like green papaya salad with char grilled beef, spiced coconut prawns, pan-seared black cod, as well as more traditional dishes such as the popular beef tenderloin. The bakery is a highlight with moreish home-made breads, parfaits, mousses, cakes, tarts, and of course fresh tropical fruit.
The small spa is located up a few flights of steep stairs, so you can burn off your three-course lunch on the way to your treatment. We opt for a couples massage and I pick the signature Batu Batu treatment, combining Balinese and Swedish techniques, and including both hot stone and long arm strokes. It’s the very last drop of relaxation and pampering we squeeze out of our trip, before tumbling back down the stairs, grabbing our bags and heading to the jetty to reluctantly make our way back to the mainland. But if our daughter has anything to do with it, we’ll return soon enough. Batu Batu is a repeat visit kind
of destination.

Travel essentials
Getting there: Pulau Tengah is a 20 minute boat ride off the east coast of Malaysia and is accessible by Batu Batu’s private speedboat from Mersing jetty. Mersing is approximately 130km (three hours) by road from Singapore. Book a return private car for ease of travel.
Best time to visit: Avoid monsoon season, which runs from December-February. Late March-November is a safer bet for clear skies and calm seas.
What to Pack: Take insect repellent as there are occasional mozzies and sand flies, dress code is super casual, but pack sturdy shoes to explore the island.
For more info go to batubatu.com.my