Midnight Oil talk to ANZA ahead of their stop in Singapore for the Great Circle Tour.

Midnight Oil by Olliver Eclipse

Is there a particular song you love to play because it means something to you? Or perhaps it is one that the fans love hearing?
That’s difficult to answer. All the songs are like your kids in one way or the other and none of us like to just play the favourites. Songs like Hercules, Beds are Burning and Blue Sky Mine are the hits which people go pretty apeshit to when we play them. On this tour, we’ve rehearsed more than 170 songs, which we can draw on at anytime. We rehearsed for four months for this tour. It will give a deeper Midnight Oil experience for those that love the older stuff especially, and means we never get bored playing the same set over and over.

What is your favourite aspect of your career?
We’ve always loved the studio and would stay behind watching and learning because the Oils always worked with great producers and engineers. And writing we love too; words, music, arrangements and instrumentation. Touring in the old days was difficult as it was relentless but now it’s easier for some reason – we stay in better hotels perhaps! It’s great to visit our old friends, fans and family that we’ve made over the years out there on the road.

Biggest musical influences at the beginning of your career? Have they changed now?
We don’t think our influences have changed at all, we don’t think anyone’s does, but we try to keep up with the new bands. King Gizzard, Olympia, The Drones, Holly Throsby et al, but also vintage gear like The Beatles, Creedence, The Faces, avantgard stuff like Pierre Henri and Rhys Chatham, and a lot of Canterbury scene people like Soft Machine, Syd Barrett and Robert Wyatt.

Most memorable concert?
The Oils have done a few, but we’d have to honourably mention the protest in 1991 where we set up a stage in front of the Exxon building in New York and stopped the traffic, protesting the oil spill in Alaska. And the Olympics in Sydney in 2000 where we wore the Sorry suits in front of the world to shame John Howard into an apology to the First Nation people in Australia.

What do you think of Australia’s present music industry? What are the biggest differences you see now to when you started out?
There are always great bands in Australia, the sense of isolation from the rest of the world creates unique and interesting art. The trouble is, you find it hard making money if you’re on a major record label or even an independent artist, as the music delivery systems are constantly changing and it’s hard (but possible) to keep tabs on it all. Go Between’s drummer Lindy Morrison is inspiring in her work to help artists find money under the hidden rocks and shoe boxes where it ends up, including radio airplay, film licensing, downloads and streaming through bodies like APRA, AMCOSS, PPCA. It’s changed so much, but in a way live performance is now the best way to earn a crust, a bit like it was in the early 1900’s before records were even invented.

What should ANZA members and Oil fans be looking out for with the Full Circle tour?
A celebration of Aus’ music. It’s a big show production-wise, but still organic and human, no computers or dancers, just flesh and blood. We change the set every night, but it’s always a deep retrospective of our history with all the hits peppered throughout. Hopefully, it will make you think and dance at the same time.

Ken Hickson, climate change consultant, advisor and six-time author including The ABC of Carbon and Race for Sustainability looks at Singapore’s place in climate departure.

In travel terms, we know exactly the difference between arrivals and departures. At Changi Airport it’s made very clear where to go for one or the other. But when it comes to “climate departure”, it actually means the point in time when the impact of a warming world “arrives” on the doorsteps of your city or country. Not signed quite so easily.

Not to be alarmist, but a very scientific study by the University of Hawaii published in Nature (October 2013) worked out the point in time when the earth’s climate stops resembling what has come before, and moves into a new state. One where heat records are routinely shattered and, what was once considered extreme, will become the norm. This is the point of no return – in travel talk – when we cannot turn the clock back, ask the pilot to turn around or delay our check-out because we’re having such a good time.

Some of us can be forgiven for thinking that the impact of climate change is something that the human race will likely experience in the distant future going by the inaction – and indifference? – of many Governments and industries. There needs to be a sense of urgency, because climate change is already having an impact.

Temperatures are increasing. Every year is warmer than the last. Sea levels are rising. We are seeing more extreme weather situations around the world than ever before.

Of course, action is being taken in some instances. The Paris Agreement at the end of 2015 means every country in the world is set to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. To turn away from burning fossil fuels and switch to clean renewable energy. But perhaps we’ve left it too late.

Because, going by the climate departure study, we are all in line for the arrival of the impacts of climate change sooner than most of us expected.  If we take action to drastically reduce and stabilise emissions we might be able to delay or lessen the impact. Tropical locations – that’s us! – will feel the effects of this shift first. In the 2020s! Of all places on Earth, Indonesia will face its point-of-no-return first, in 2020. That’s a mere two and a half years’ away.

The researchers have identified a place called Manokwari – capital of the province of West Papua and a tourist area – as first in-line for climate departure. Other South East Asian cities next in-line are Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) 2027, Singapore in 2028, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur in 2029.

Australia has a little more breathing space. Perhaps surprisingly, Sydney is the first of the Australian cities to be impacted in 2038. Darwin, Brisbane and Perth are expected to see a time of change in 2042.

Of course we should not take this to mean we can just sit around and wait for the worst to come. We can change our ways. We can save water, energy, waste. That will make a difference. We can also – like good boy scouts and girl guides – be prepared. Just like Singapore accepts that sea levels are rising. With 30{fad86f5e3336133246a213aa2a2588200b27e4ae08b3f6f25405093f2c4991ee} of the island state being less than five metres above sea level, protecting the coastline and improving drainage is one of the priorities in dealing with the effects of climate change. To cater for long-term sea level rise, the minimum land reclamation level in Singapore was raised from three metres to four metres above the mean sea level in 2011.

Singapore is doing a lot more to not only mitigate – change our wasteful ways and cut emissions – but also to plan for the future by assessing the risks and adapting to unavoidable changes.

We can all do our bit. Better late than never. But we have to recognise that climate change is for real and it’s coming to a city near you sooner than most of  us expected.

Maybe we can delay the inevitable. Maybe we can prepare for the worst and it won’t be so bad.

But we cannot bury our head in the sand on our tropical island and pretend climate change will go away.

Combining exceptional design, the laid-back luxury of a friend’s home and total care for the environment, Cempedak is an example of the future of sustainable tourism as Charley Larcombe discovers.

A faint tropical shower is dripping into the fresh seawater pool in the early morning light over the South China Seas. The jungle percussion of raindrops on palm fronds is only broken by a lonely fisherman skimming across the Riau Archipelago and the slight whir of the bamboo fans overhead. The toughest decision this early in the morning is whether to step out of the billowy muslin shrouding the bed and pad downstairs to make a coffee, admiring the extraordinary bamboo architecture of the private villa as you go. Stretch and come to life; there are white sands to leave footprints on, elusive pangolin to pray to find, and island tales to hear. Welcome to Cempedak.

Sister property to the well-known Nikoi, the island – so named after a local fruit tree – is the new sustainability haven that is quickly gathering column inches in travel magazines throughout the world. 17hectares of virgin rainforest ringed by talc-soft sand studded with Jurassic-esque granite boulders, this adults-only, private paradise has been years in the making. Painstakingly and meticulously planned so as not to disturb the original inhabitants of sea otters, hornbills, eagles and nesting turtles, this is a place to share with nature.

What makes it so ideal – apart from the fact that it looks like Eden – is that it’s a mere three hours door-to-door from central Singapore. Grab a ferry from the Tanah Merah terminal to Bintan where you’ll be picked up by a smiley face who’ll tell you childhood stories about the island en-route to the private jetty. Having driven for roughly an hour through jungle and ramshackle villages with only bare-chested children and scrappy dogs as residents, you’ll enter the gates of Nikoi and Cempedak’s own pier. Say “yes” to a cup of ginger tea and settle into the island-crafted chairs – so beautiful we wanted one as a souvenir – and wait for the private boat, Mana to come chugging into view. Then it’s just a 15-minute race across the blue, past uninhabited islands until your new home appears on the horizon, a perfect half-moon of verdant greens sitting above an azure ocean.

Barefoot luxury is all about paring things back; reaching for a book, not your email; taking the paddle board out to find an even quieter cove on the island, not because you’re desperately searching for something to do; leaving the strains and the stresses behind and reconnecting. And as soon as you step onto the pontoon here, you instantly feel your knotted and tired muscles release.

This is quickly followed by child-like excitement as you take in the beauty of the surroundings. We arrive at lunchtime and are led along the vaulted walkway – a masterclass in bamboo construction – to the restaurant and down reclaimed teak steps to one of four table ‘pods’ overlooking the sea. A light breeze takes off the heat of the day, butterflies flutter (Cempedak doesn’t use toxic methods to eradicate the mosquitos, instead using a natural and still successful one) and a delightfully chatty waitress talks us through the menu. Delicious prawns, spiced chicken, crisp vegetables and coconut rice sets quite the tone for the rest of our stay and I warn you now, you will find it very difficult to say “no” to the encouragement of “just a little more”. Nearly all of the produce used is grown on the island or purchased from local markets and small traders and you can taste that freshness.

There is no room service as the team encourage you to eat together and there isn’t strictly a menu. Instead, as you leave your meal to meander back to some shaded day-bed or for a massage appointment, you’ll be talked through what’s being prepared later. Personally, I can’t even think about my next meal having just eaten, but really it’s the kitchen’s way of being able to whip-up an alternative should they need to.

It’s these little touches – the invitation for sunset cocktails at the Dodo Bar, the jokes with the staff, the conscientious thinking towards the menu – that create a truly personal feeling on the island. It’s almost like you’re staying with friends at their weekend place – I say almost, as how many of us actually have friends with tropical islands as crash pads? But it’s a really lovely ambience to recreate and one you instantly feel as you check-in.

At present, about half of the eventual 20 villas are are complete and you can choose between ones with little paths straight onto the beach or opt for ones higher up in the canopy. We check into the latter, villa number 9, which is so new you can smell the freshly carpentered wood. The great bowed, alang-alang roof curves into the hill-side and manages to both envelop our private rooms, holding back the forest leaves, whilst also immersing us into the surroundings. Bali-based and New Zealand-born architect, Miles Humphreys and the on-island team created these incredible dwellings specifically to add to the environment, not to jar against it.

And they’ve succeeded. Open plan, large lofty spaces, private plunge pools and naturally cooled using the island breezes, the design is practical as well as aesthetically stunning.

Unsurprisingly, it’s difficult to leave your villa, but when you do, set-up for the day on a lounger with the pool behind you and the sea, sand and view at your feet. We take over a day-bed and taste the refreshing home-made cordials – sipping on Cempedak-hollowed bamboo straws – whilst idly deciding on what will encourage us off the cushions into activity. There are paddle boards and kayaks, a catamaran for sunset sails, excursions to local villages and wind-surfing when the breeze is right. A few hours later as the sun climbs in the sky, we finally head off down the beach to snorkel in the shallows. We spot only brilliantly-coloured fish, but there’s more to see on the dive trips the boat crew can organise nearby to coral reefs and ship wrecks. Coming back to shore, I get into conversation with one of the guys who looks after the nesting turtles and he quietly shows me one such nest that he has carefully protected. It’s like a very glamorous Enid Blyton story where you’re washed ashore to simpler times – but

with fabulous cocktails only an ask away.

You’ll rapidly fall into step with Island Time on Cempedak. You’ll drift between private pool, the beach, looking for the gamboling family of resident otters and sampling yet more delights from the kitchen.

One afternoon, I’m taken on a nature walk by Boyan who has worked first on Nikoi and now on the new development for several years. He, like all but Valentina, the guest co-ordinator, is Indonesian and is a true example of the other socially-responsible aspect of Cempedak.

In 2009, the owners set up The Island Foundation, which works with the local community on Bintan and neighbouring islands in establishing a network of learning centres. Education programmes focussed on honing English and IT skills are an aspect of the responsible tourism the company professes, educating not only guests but the local population on sustainability and protecting the environment. It’s clear that all the staff are passionate about where they work, about educating themselves on the island and contributing to the future of the island.

Boyan shows me the “100-use tree” aka the different palms, the Tarzan vines and any number of plants which all have a use on the island. He tells me about the water monitor lizards and its clouded cousin which hang in the trees, and the pythons which keep any rats away. There are ponds of fish fed by the waste management-produced larvae, a kitchen garden blooming with chillies – a personal project by Boyan which means the island is totally self-sufficient in spice – and around every corner there is another story or titbit of information. I take a look at the staff areas built around the trees – one in particular which is said to be home to a female spirit – and marvel at the water systems and the behind-the-scenes eco-ethos which presides here too. Nothing is just for show. Everything and everyone works here to create this oasis. It’s a way of life, rather than a marketing gimmick.

I first met the owner of this perfect drop in the ocean, Australian banker-turned-hotelier, Andrew Dixon for coffee in Singapore pre-trip. In keeping with this issue’s theme of  “being green”, I found it fascinating to discuss essentially ‘Cempedak The Business’; to hear how this private island resort is a pioneer in terms of its bamboo architecture, its low-waste materials and its ethos on the impact of the nature, culture and community. Andrew was measured and almost forensic on explaining the many aspects they implement on the island, combining the economics of the businessman and the passion of the idealist.

And it’s not superficial “Eco-tourism” that Andrew is after; he doesn’t believe in guests paying for the privilege, but more about how sustainability is good for the bottom line too. With an engineer-like analysis of solving problems, the Cempedak team have solutions for most things to make them truly self-sufficient. From the bamboo construction – the incredibly versatile material that regrows so easily, ticks the sustainable-box – to dealing with waste management, things are covered.

Back to the present in paradise, and after my inspiring lesson, I’m on my way back to the villa for a massage. The spa itself is yet to be built (although I confess, I had a sneak peek and it is going to be glorious) so the masseuse sets up on our deck. No whale music, no strongly-scented lotions; just the sound of the surf below, natural oils and a massage which leaves me with jelly-like limbs.

As a pre-evening turn around the island, we take delicious gin and tonics down to the croquet lawn and tennis court with their lovingly cared for real-grass, before walking back along the sands to watch the sunset at the Dodo Bar. The second-story tower offers an uninterrupted view of the sun dipping below Bintan, baskets of very moreish belinjau nut crackers and evening aperitifs under the watchful eye of a taxidermy dodo – a nod to another island resident, the Nicobar pigeon, the closest living relative to the extinct bird. It’s the perfect spot to wind down after a long day of…. Well, as the Italians call it: il dolce far niente.

The true traveller adage is to take only photographs and leave only footprints so you can leave paradise intact for future searchers of pristine beaches. With Cempedak, you really feel that they are actively helping in preserving that ideal.

Remember it’s all about how you feel rather than sticking to the latest paleo-coconut-oil-wheatgrass-shot fad.

Good morning. Have you blitzed your greens and almond milk? Been for your morning run along the Southern Ridges and taken your ‘that’s a happiness glow, not a sweating to exhaustion one’ Instagram shot? Packed your yoga mat for a lunchtime salutation or the circulation-constricting cycling shorts for an intense spin class? You haven’t? What have you been doing before 6am?

It would seem according to social media and the greater press in general, if we’re not sitting in a coffee shop with a soya latte in our Lululemon leggings, sun-kissed and glowing, we’re just not doing ‘Healthy’ properly.

What about all the people trying to get more food into the toddler, than on the floor? What about those juggling their sideline business with the 9-5 grind? What about those of us who can barely lift a smile before 11am coffee let alone a kettle bell? When did the poor old boiled egg get kicked to the curb by the acai berry bowl?

In short, is all of this food dictatorship going a little overboard?

The great benefit of this trend for all things vegan, organic, raw, antioxidant, juice – can anyone actually chew food anymore? – is that we’re all now more clued up on what we’re fuelling our bodies with. It’s not just a matter of calorie counting, it’s about nourishing ourselves; and that’s clearly a great outcome.

Here in Singapore, a healthy lifestyle isn’t always easy – I don’t mean because of the countless great restaurants and exceptional cocktail bars on our doorstep – but because of expense. For instance, it’s far cheaper to stop off at a hawker centre than often cook at home.

The release of the budget earlier this year had Health Minister Gan Kim Yong pushing for health over healthcare. One announcement was providing healthier food options – a scheme which comes into effect this month – by providing funds to support food manufacturers in developing products with healthier ingredients.

Singaporeans atypically have struggled with type 2 Diabetes – culminated from poor diet and an historical lack of importance placed on fitness – and the government here have now set up several initiatives to combat this. Some of which are the promotion of sport and investment in facilities to encourage the younger generations to reach for their trainers – and it’s working.

Organisations such as Sport Singapore are not only a platform for professional athletes to have access to exceptional training facilities – the hub at the National Stadium is extraordinary – but also to inspire the spirit of sport. We all know the importance of exercise not only in our well-being but also the impact it has on our professional lives too.

But eating well still has its difficulties in finding its place during our hectic working weeks. Dr Richard Swinbourne, Head Dietician at the Singapore Sports Institute tells me it’s all about getting back to basics. Despite the fads and trends, healthy eating isn’t rocket science and it’s not about bulk-buying the latest superfood. “SERF. Simply Eat Real Food,” Richard explains. “The Mediterraneans have a fantastic way of eating great food like fresh fruit, vegetables and fish – and being present whilst enjoying their meal. In busy lives, it is important to take a break and be conscious of what you’re eating. You may think you don’t have time, and that a shop-bought sandwich thrown down en-route to a meeting will suffice, but really it’s about priorities. And your health should be up there. Simply being present and taking your time, means you listen to your body and won’t be tempted by cravings.”

You might not be able to take an hour lunch break to sit at Dempsey Hill with a delicious salad, but the idea of taking time to eat can only benefit your productivity for the rest of the day – and in the long term.

The biggest trend to take away from all the nourishment noise is really to be mindful. Essentially, it is all about living a healthy and long life and that’s about balance.

Yes, pay attention to eating as many blueberries as you can, but enjoy the fun stuff too like sirloin steaks slathered in garlic butter, juicy chilli prawns from the grill, a slice of birthday cake. Step away from the smoothie and enjoy solid foods.

Ditch the #fitspo

Detox

Lightbulb moment, our livers don’t actually need to be detoxed. That’s their job. And they’re great at it. Cutting out the booze, carbs and sugars feel great at the start – because, hey, your body isn’t weighed down by four pints of Heineken – but in the long-run, it’s the all-or-nothing attitude which is more harmful.

Kale

And it’s fellow It Crowd of the vegetable world. Spinach is just as good for you. And it doesn’t get caught in your teeth.

Juices

You really don’t need to pulverise your veg to pulp to ingest your five-a-day; do it the old fashioned way and include them on your plate.

The Malaysian Queen of Rock returns to Singapore this weekend for the first time in 20 years to perform as part of Esplanade Presents Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts.

How do you feel about returning to Singapore?

It has been decades since my last solo concert here in the ‘90s so this will be a great time to reacquaint myself with my fans here. I’m looking forward to performing my career-defining hits for them.

How important is it to be a part of Pesta Raya?

I would like to applaud Esplanade for their initiative in hosting this festival to celebrate Malay heritage and culture from the Malay Archipelago. As a performer, the opportunity to sing on as prestigious a stage as the Esplanade, and to be part of the region’s finest Malay festival, is definitely an honour. I’m glad that my genre of music has a place in Malay pop culture.

Will you have time to enjoy the city too?

I’m looking forward to a taste of sup tulang merah from the Deen restaurant in Jalan Sultan as well as biryani and murtabak from Zam Zam. I hope Esplanade will include that in my menu!

What do you love about performing?

The stage is my safe-haven. I love to be on the stage; it’s where I feel the most comfortable and where I can be myself. I love how my fans are moved by what I do on stage, especially when they are singing along with me. The incredible energy that I absorb from the audience is a blissful sensation.

What is it about creating music that continues to push you to write, sing and perform after over 30-years in the industry?

Definitely my fans. They are the main reason why I’m still here; their love and adoration is what keeps me going. Their unwavering support makes me want to work hard and deliver only the best for them. As a special treat for my Singaporean fans, I’ll be performing my latest track from my upcoming album in the concert – I hope they’ll love it.

What are your passions away from the stage and studio?

Gardening; I love to tend my gardens. Sometimes I even talk to my plants. Watching the bees fly from flower to flower, or fishes swimming in the pond, is very relaxing. That is how I de-stress myself from my busy schedule. It’s like therapy for me.

Who do you most admire?

Musically, it would be Michael Jackson. He contributed a lot and changed the world through his music.

What are the greatest changes to the music industry for you?

The technology. I started during the cassette era and have witnessed the digital revolution. The rise of the internet and the introduction of MP3 format in the mid-90s had a significant impact, resulting in rampant piracy and illegal downloading. From making music more accessible to the masses, to the technology used in actually producing an album, a great deal has changed. The industry needs to be current and keep up with current needs. I believe the music business will stay resilient and keep on evolving despite the challenges of a changing world.

What? Kembara Ratu Rock

When? Saturday 22 July

Where? Esplanade Concert Hall

Australian, Rhianna Buchanan will fly to Singapore next month for the Monster Jam as a Blue Thunder Driver – expect thunderous, roaring engines and stunts that defy logic. We caught up with this extraordinary driver – who counts being a body double to Scarlett Johansson on her Hollywood resume – to talk about her career, positive outlooks and keeping safe in a dangerous industry.

You grew up racing bikes and driving cars on the farm in Queensland; how did this passion start?
I really was born into the industry; cars and bikes were in my blood! Great weekends were always spent with friends and family riding on our properties and testing our skills.
You also did ballet and hip hop and enjoyed performing – is that something that continues to this day?
I still love dancing, although these days it’s reserved for nights out with friends. I do love a spontaneous boogie when a good song comes on though; it always puts you in a great mood!
How did the step to stuntwork in Hollywood come about? What’s the move from Queensland girl balancing tom boy and dance, to working in the movies?
A friend of ours recommended my fiancé, Jack Field, for some work that came up. I was there to liaise on the stunts they wanted and be a mechanic for him, but when they found out I could ride as well, they put me to work! Obviously, my riding and driving skills are utilised but things like timing and choreography are also handy skills which I learnt from dancing.
What do you particularly love about stuntwork? And the driving in particular?
It’s always incredible to be part of creating or working on bringing a movie storyboard to life. I’ve been very lucky in working with some talented and professional crews. It is not as glamorous as it may seem – it’s hard work – but very rewarding as well and definitely a thrill.
Have you found any limitations or sexism in your industry?
I have been fortunate enough to work with so many positive and supportive people but there will always be others with differing opinions. While you can’t necessarily change the views of others, you can focus on what’s important to you and surround yourself with like-minded people. I guess I have maybe changed my outlook on it; instead of thinking someone is sexist, I simply figure they don’t know what I’m capable of and let my actions speak for themselves.
How do you keep yourself fit and safe in this dangerous job?
I train a lot and eat lots of healthy meals! Fitstop Australia will see me at their facility every day of the working week while I’m at home, and when I travel, I take the workouts with me and replicate them in the hotel gym or in a park depending on the exercises. Healthy eating is extremely important in maintaining energy levels, concentration and focus, and eating a good portion of food keeps me happy too!
When did the offer come through to take part in Monster Jam?
In 2015, I got a last-minute call asking if I was available to be a Monster Jam host for the Australian Tour. I said yes in an instant and had a great time getting to know the Monster Jam family and touring around Australia. As soon as the 2015 tour finished, we locked in for hosting in 2016 as well. As Octoberapproached the next year, however, I got another call asking if I was interested in trying out to become a Monster Jam driver! Again, it didn’t take long for my answer to come through the line and next thing Iknew I was off to Paxton, Illinois to attend Monster Jam University. Throughout the 2015 tour, they thought I would be a perfect candidate with my background in motorsports and stunts and my attitude towards achieving anything I put my mind to!
What can people expect to see you doing as a Monster Jam truck driver?
People can expect to be kept on the edge of their seats! I’m looking forward to ripping in and doing it all – big air, wheelies and donuts! It’s all about getting the Monster Jam fans cheering!

Are you ever terrified of a stunt in a show or on the silver screen?
Whenever there is risk involved, safety is of course the main priority. Although we are pushing boundaries for both machines and bodies, it is calculated, and with the right training, it can be done safely while being exhilarating, fun and entertaining at the same time.

Away from the day job, are you equally into adrenaline-pumping sports and experiences?
For sure! It’s all about experiencing and testing skills as well as just getting out and being active. From sky-diving to wake surfing and everything in between, I am lucky to have a rad bunch of humans I call friends who are always ready for a new adventure.
How do you relax?
Spending time with family and friends is a great way to unwind. I also love being outdoors and appreciating the natural beauty we have in this world. I am definitely known for spending lots of time appreciating wildlife, especially our Australian wildlife!
Are you familiar with Singapore? What are you looking forward to seeing on any downtime you may have here?
I love Singapore and have been a few times as well as visiting plenty of neighboring countries. The first thing that I fell in love with in Singapore was the use of space and incorporation of green areas throughout the city. The second thing I fell in love was the food!! Singapore is also very clean, which says a lot about the people; they are respectful and proud of their country. Speaking of the people, Singapore definitely has some of the friendliest in the world! I’m looking forward to catching up with lots of friends we have made there, seeing as much of the city as we can and also meeting plenty more new faces who want to come and see what Monster Jam is all about!

ANZA teamed up with Monster Jam to offer a fantastic Facebook giveaway to our members. The question was put to you to comment on your favourite road trip journey – and we had some excellent answers which had us reaching for our car keys – and our passports. And the winners are…

Leanne Mills for her recommendation for the California State Route 1 for the amazing towns and coastline.

Sam Atkinson for her “drive” throughthe Moselle Valley, Germany.

Congratulations , you have each won a family bundle of four tickets for Monster Jam, 19 August at SIngapore’s National Stadium. Please contact the ANZA office to get your prize on +65 6223 7992