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In Editor's Picks 8 Mins Read

Our 2018-2019 Refreshed Travel Guide to Batam

It’s been more than a year since we last visited Batam and during our most recent trip that took place last week, we noticed that there were a couple of changes that took place in Batam and it is about time that we refresh our travel guide to Batam.

Read on and get the latest update and information about Batam here in this post!

Travelling Within Batam- Grab/Private Driver

In the past, we mentioned that it was easy to travel around Batam by booking a taxi (Blue Bird or Silver Cab). However, It seems that booking a taxi that goes by the meter is no longer the way to go because there are now taxi counters located at major landmarks i.e. Batam Centre Ferry Terminal, Batam Megamall, Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall and etc. Legit taxi companies that run on meters like Blue Bird or Silver Cab are now not allowed to pick up passengers at these major landmarks and it is so disappointing that things have turned out this way because it is really not helping the taxi industry as a whole.

Just so you know, the taxi counters at these major landmarks charge 3 times more the usual price to get around Batam. You can still book a metered taxi like Blue Bird but do note that you will have to walk to the designated/authorised pick-up points which can be some distance away.

Although you can use Grab to get around, do be a little cautious as you don’t want to end up getting into a situation like this. If you want to use Grab, make sure that your pick up location has got no taxi counters around and that there isn’t a line of parked taxis idling.

If you were to ask us for our opinion on how best you can get around Batam, we suggest that you hire a private driver for the entire day. This way, you can save money and time, cover more grounds and visit more places.

Data SIM Card

A lot of our local Telcos like StarHub are offering affordable Data Roaming rates at SGD$5 for one GB of data. If you’re heavily dependent on data like us, one GB is definitely not enough and we would rather you get the Indonesian Data Sim Card which costs SGD$7 for 6GB worth of data.

Our Accommodation- Best Western Premier Panbil Hotel

It was our second time staying at Best Western Premier Panbil and this time around, we booked for an Executive Room that costs $112.15 a night, inclusive of breakfast for two persons. But of course, if you prefer a private enclave, you definitely should check out Batam Villas

The Executive Room

The comfortable 53 square metres room features a choice of king or twin size bed with 55-inch flat screen television, safe deposit box, and complimentary mini bar.  Although the bathroom is very spacious and is equipped with a bathtub, I was pretty hesitant about using it because when I turned on the bathtub tap, brownish water came out of it and I didn’t want to soak myself in murky waters. If you want mesmerising views, be sure to request a room that overlooks Duriangkang Lake & Forest! You will probably enjoy the large room space that comes along with a living room and a kitchenette.

The Hotel Facilities i.e Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Rooftop Bar

If you have the habit of doing some morning exercises to kickstart your day, you will be pleased to know that the hotel has an infinity pool that overlooks the mesmerising Duriangkang Lake and if you like to do some weightlifting, the hotel has a fitness centre equipped with a basic setup for you to pump some iron.

Best Western Premier Panbil’s full-service restaurant, Andaliman Restaurant, serves Asian and International specialities, including buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Compared to other hotels that we have stayed at in Batam, the buffet breakfast spread at Best Western Premier Panbil is one of the best that we have tried and tasted. Offering multicultural cuisines, from western-styled cereals and bakery goods to local cooked selections and fresh tropical fruits, we were pretty much spoilt for choices as there are also live stations for eggs, noodles, and even Japanese sushi too!

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One of the best spots that we like about the Best Western Premier Panbil hotel is the La Bella Vita Rooftop Bar that is located on the 15th floor of the hotel. Offering the best rooftop view in Batam, La Bella Vita Rooftop Bar serves a variety of alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages & Ala Carte Menu. If you were to ask us, Best Western Premier Panbil hotel is definitely one of the best for a group retreat or get-together session!

The Mini-Bus Shuttle Service

Best Western Premier Panbil offers a mini-bus shuttle service that accommodates hotel guests between the hotel and major landmarks such as Batam Centre Mega Mall and Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall. If you’re keen to use the mini-bus shuttle service to get around Batam, be sure to reserve your spot with the hotel staffs at the front desk/concierge desk as they get filled up pretty fast!

Book a stay at Best Western Premier Panbil here!

Our Preferred Massage & Spa Partner- Spa Central Batam @ Nagoya Hill

 

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This may sound bias but the folks at Spa Central Batam have been our long-time friend for many years now and it is always a pleasure for us to visit them whenever we’re in Batam.

There are plenty of massage and spa operators in Batam and it can be quite hard to decide which one to go because there are just so many options. Now, if you haven’t been to Batam or if you have been frequenting Batam but you haven’t found the perfect massage and spa place, may we suggest that you consider Spa Central Batam @ Nagoya Hill?

Spa Central Batam has got two outlets; one in Sukajadi (Batam Centre) and the other in Nagoya Hill. If Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall is part of your itinerary, you might want to consider including a massage and spa session at Spa Central Batam (Nagoya). With sessions as short as 30 minutes to a long session that can occupy you for half a day; there are a lot of options for you to choose from.

Why we love Spa Central Batam @ Nagoya?

Firstly, Spa Central Batam @ Nagoya is Spa Central Batam’s latest outlet and the entire spa experience is designed from scratch. Owned by a Singaporean couple, you can expect 5-star service and treatment, all at a very affordable price! For the Top-to-Toe spa package lasting 4.5 hours that we experienced, it costs only about S$145 per person and it consists of a foot bath, 90-minute aromatherapy massage, 30-minute body scrub, 60-minute hair spa, 60-minute facial, 30-minute foot reflexology and a lunch main course with a drink!

 

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Secondly, the massage and spa therapists are all professionally trained and the ambience is really soothing, cosy, and clean. With a social mission to equip women and single mothers with massage therapy skills to make a living and help them break out of the poverty cycle, be rest assured that the money you spend at Spa Central Batam will go towards charitable causes.

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Last but not least, all you married couples with children/toddlers can now rejoice! Spa Central Batam @ Nagoya will soon be equipped with childcare facilities that will keep your children engaged and occupied so that both of you can enjoy a temporary respite from the busyness of life while indulging in a pampering spa massage and therapy session.

The Number 1 Restaurant in Batam- Anchor Café and Roastery

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Anchor Café and Roastery has overtaken Bella Italia Restaurant as the number 1 Restaurant in Batam on TripAdvisor. Offering a hearty menu that comprises appetisers, main courses and desserts; Anchor Café and Roastery should definitely be on the itinerary for Café Hoppers.

 

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When we were there, we had their All-Day Breakfast Sets, Chicken Tenders, a Lemon Meringue Pie, and a cup of Mocha Coffee. The portions are really huge and for the price that we paid, we felt that it was pretty worth it. Furthermore, Anchor Café and Roastery’s coffees are really exceptional because the owner has built direct trade relationships with coffee farmers throughout Indonesia.

The Best Souvenir to Get in Batam- Kueh Lapis

 

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Layer Cakes (Kueh Lapis) remain the best souvenir to get in Batam and the best place to get it would be Diana Layer Cakes. They don’t take in orders through Facebook anymore but you can still drop by their place or give them a call. For a 1KG layer cake from Diana Layer Cakes, the cost is about S$25 and it is one third the price of what you can get in Singapore.

Well, we hope that this refreshed guide to Batam has been helpful and if you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to drop us an email or comment.

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In Automobile 3 Mins Read

Easy Ways to Try and Boost the Value of Your Car

If the time has come to sell your car; then you will know how important it is for you to make a good return on it. After all, the money you get from your old car may be going towards your new one, and if you are not careful, then you may end up losing more money than you anticipated.

Wax on- Wax Off

If your paint job is super faded, don’t try and spend a fortune in getting a brand new one done. Instead, get out your wax and polish. When you do this, you can easily add value to your car and even make it look newer as well. If your car’s paint job is so faded that you can’t even remember what it looks like; open the door and look inside the frame because this part of the car seldom gets exposed to sunlight or even harsh chemicals. This will give you a good idea of what your car used to look like. You might also want to invest in a car ceramic coating too.

Bright Lights

Dingy headlights can make your car look way worse than it actually is. There are a huge number of headlight cleaning products out there for you to choose from and you can easily brighten up your car this way. If you have tried window cleaners but they just don’t work for you; then you should know that headlight cleaner is a completely different product that is worth looking into.

Shiny Wheels

Shiny wheels that look new can really improve your car’s appearance. It can also boost the potential value as well. You don’t have to replace your tyres or anything else like that. All you have to do is get down there and clear out any dirt and grime. You should also invest in some tyre shine as well. This will help you get that new car shine and make it look shiny clean.

Inside the Car

If you have any removable floor mats, take these out. If they can be cleaned, then make sure you clean them. If they have huge gaping holes in them, then either throw them out or buy some new ones. A new set of floor mats shouldn’t cost you too much at all and they can make all the difference to someone’s first impression of the car. This is especially the case if you think that the potential buyer is going to be taking the vehicle on a test drive, so do keep that in mind.

Glass Cleaning

Don’t use household cleaners on your car. The materials inside your car are very different from the things that make up your furniture. For this reason, you should only invest in high-quality cleaning products that are meant for the car only. The same concept applies to glass cleaner as well. You’d be surprised at what a difference using a car glass cleaner can make when compared to standard window products.

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In Editor's Picks 4 Mins Read

What Gifts to Get for Family, Friends and Colleagues? Here are some tips!

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you! I’m not sure how many people would actually remember or have an inkling of this famous love poem but I do remember using it quite often whenever I write letters to my friends or fill up my profile on my friend’s autograph book.

Yes, this was pretty much how “the Facebook of my time” looks like when I was in primary school 2 decades ago and we usually “create” our profile on our friend’s autograph book at the start or end of the school year. One other thing that I would also do is to buy Christmas gifts for my friends and write Christmas wishes on greeting cards to send to them. Those times were indeed old-fashioned or even traditional but you know what, the principles and values of gift-giving are truly timeless.

Image Credits: Blog To Express

 

The act of gift-giving has been carried out since the medieval times and the word, “gift” comes in the form of a noun (thing or object) or a verb (action word). A gift is a thing given willingly to someone without payment i.e. a present; and when you engage in gifting, it essentially means that you are giving (something) as a gift, especially formally or as a donation or bequest.

Gifts come in many forms and sometimes, it can be really hard to pick the right gifts for a person that you have in mind. When you get a gift for someone, here are some questions that you probably want to ask yourself:

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

Knowing how much you want to spend can significantly widen or narrow down your choices. Price is a major factor for consideration when you want to get a gift for someone else and usually, you wouldn’t mind splurging on your loved ones unless you’re on a tight budget.

Are There Any Existing Promotions/Discounts?

There are a lot of great deals and sales that take place throughout the year and for the online shopaholic, the best times to shop has to be black Friday, 11.11 and 12.12. The cost savings that you get from online sales will certainly go a long way if you’re planning to get gifts for a lot of people. One of my favourite e-commerce site to shop is definitely Lazada.

Is the Gift for a Lady or Man?

There are unisex gifts and gender-specific gifts. Just don’t mix the two up. Typically, some gifts that are suitable for a lady will include a bouquet of roses from Roses Only, a box of exquisite chocolates, a plushie, and a designer handbag. Man will typically receive a cologne, wallet, tie or cufflinks.

What does the Person Like and Dislike?

I’m pretty sure you will want to receive a gift that you really like instead of receiving one that you dislike. Similarly, knowing what a person like and dislike is super important because it really narrows down and zooms in on the choices of gifts that you can get for the person.

What are the Favourite Colours of the Person that You’re Getting the Gift for?

It is sometimes useful and helpful to know the favourite colours of the person that you’re getting the gift for so that you will save the hassle of having to do an exchange at the shop. If you’re getting an apparel or footwear, be sure that you know what is the shirt/shoe size of the person before you make that purchase or better still, bring the person down to the shop.

How Are You Related to the Person that You’re getting the Gift for?

I’m pretty sure you will spend more on the person who is closest to you but if you’re getting gifts for your family members, friends, and office colleagues; what you get for them can vary greatly from person to person.

What is the Occasion?

Last but not least, it is equally important to know what the occasion is that you’re giving the person a gift for. There are different types of gifts for different occasions. Shopping for a graduation gift or Christmas gift, for example, can be quite different from shopping for a birthday gift or even an anniversary gift. Know why you’re giving what you’re giving.

I hope that this article has been helpful and if you haven’t got the time to do your Christmas shopping, here’s where Mel’s White Glove can help you! Mel’s White Glove can help you to procure suitable gifts, offer you some gift recommendations, make gift purchases on your behalf, and hand-deliver the gift for you!

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In Editor's Picks 3 Mins Read

How to Get Hooked Up On Series Online to Spend the Long Dark Nights

When the nights are getting longer and you feel like you don’t want to get out of the house after you got in from work, your main challenge will be to find some quality entertainment. Whether you are gaming, catching up with the latest series, or would like to entertain your friends after work; there are several new releases to look forward to this winter. Below you will find a few tips on creating the ultimate experience at home.

Your Theater and Entertainment Room

One of the things you can do when you are planning your winter entertainment is creating a stunning entertainment room or movie theatre. If you are good at DIY, you can set up the sound bars, the wiring, and upcycle some cinema chairs so that you can have a space other than your living room to escape to. Don’t forget about soundproofing and acoustics when you design your home theatre.

Your Movie Platforms

Next, you will need to discover entertainment platforms that will deliver the content you want and not get you into trouble. While Amazon and Netflix are the obvious choices, there are other movie sites out there that are worth checking out. For example, if you would like to watch anime at night and catch up with the latest storylines, you might want to find a themed entertainment channel that you can stream on your devices.  

Genre Collections

Of course, collections are also great for passing time. With the rise of catch-up TV, you can now watch a whole series in one sitting. However, you will often find it hard to locate older series that are no longer available on the apps. This is why you might want to subscribe to a collection that will give you access to the genres that you are interested in instead of some irrelevant results.

Viewing Plan

It might also be a good idea to have a viewing plan, so you can make sure that you are not missing out on an episode. You can add the dates and times on your online diary and make a plan to record the series that are clashing in time with each other. You don’t want to miss an episode and wait for months to catch up with the series online again.

Testing the Latest Games

Of course, if you need even more adrenaline in your life, you can also start testing the latest games at home. Improve your sound system and invest in noise cancelling headphones to make the most out of your entertainment and experience. You might even give virtual reality headsets a go. Whether you are into Deadpool or GTA, you will notice the difference when you surprise yourself with some new gaming gadgets.

There are plenty of things we can do at home to improve our nights and make the most out of the gadgets and devices we have at home. Catch up on series, discover new interests, genres, and games, and make sure you create a great environment for your nights in.

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In Editor's Picks 5 Mins Read

Ways to Have Better Natural Lighting at Home

Redecorating the home almost always means spending money. But that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. Surprisingly, there are household savings hacks that you can do to beautify your home without leaving a dent in your bank account.

One way to do this is to maximise the use of natural light to illuminate your home interior. Sunlight is not only an instant mood moderator; according to some studies, exposure to sunlight even for a short period helps prevent depression in adults. The vitamin D present in natural light is also an essential vitamin that helps build strong immune systems. But aside from its health benefits, using natural light for your home also greatly improves its aesthetics by bringing out the beauty of your fabrics and furniture.

All these are great reasons to consider this shift into the natural, on top of the dollars of savings you can shave off your electricity payments.

But how do you exactly manipulate light so that it complements your space just right? Read on to know the answers.

Work with Your Windows

First things first, you need to ensure that an adequate amount of natural light enters your home. Otherwise, all the following tips in this article will do little to achieve the results you’d like to have.

Check your window treatment and see if something can be improved in your setup to allow more light flow into your rooms.

For example, you can start putting up neutral- to light-coloured curtains in place of darker ones. A single drape set can also be used rather than a double set if you can’t let go of opaque-coloured choices. If you want more control over the inflow of light into the room, Venetian blinds do the job well.

Otherwise, if you are rather serious about your redecorating mission, you’ll have to shell out a few hundred dollars to install new, larger windows, preferably with the less low-E coating. Though they may be harder to come by, you can purchase windows with low-E coating and a higher solar heat gain coefficient, like these innovative options offered by Pella.

Lighten Up Your Walls

It’s not enough to just let in light into your home’s interior. You have to make sure it illuminates the space entirely. A lighter room colour helps reflect light rather than absorb it, creating the illusion of a breathier space and producing a fresher ambience without adding another square footage.

For this purpose, white is an easy choice, although there are plenty of cool tones that work just as well. Taupes and blue greys and, generally, a lighter palette, will do wonders to maximise whatever light that is being funnelled into your interiors through your windows.

To take advantage of a lighter paint’s reflective ability, you may as well think about redoing your ceiling paint so that it matches your chosen theme. Although it can be fun and stylish to paint your ceiling opaque, it is also a highly recommended thing to do as well if your goal is to maximise the room’s capacity to facilitate and disperse light.

Glow-Up

When adding accents and statement decors to your ensemble, opt for furniture and accessories that reflect light. Metallic surfaces, glass blocks, and kitchen countertops with a sleek finish help bounce off the light that filters into your room, creating a bigger and brighter appearance.

For the living room, this can mean opting for linen and cotton instead of velvet and brocade fabrics. You can also introduce a little element of gloss into your throw pillows and drapes.

For example, you can use a stylish metallic finial as a statement piece to your window setup. They’re subtle but also striking enough to stand as a statement piece on their own.

In addition, you can incorporate highly glossy ceramic or metallic tiles for your kitchen and bathroom backsplashes for a spectacular finish.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors are popular design elements for dressing up small spaces. Placed in the right location, a mirror can double the amount of light that enters the room and effectively make the space look not only brighter but also larger.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate mirror design into your home. If you don’t want a full-length mirror sitting in the room, you can place one above the console table or behind the shelves. You can also turn them into a window-style design, like this one.

Trim Your Greenery

Trees, hedges, and vines outside your home or windows can hamper the flow of natural light from the exterior to the interiors. See to it that you keep your garden population in check.

Final Word

Making use of natural light is a great way to cut back on your household expenses without compromising your style. Follow these tips, start saving, and see your home transform.

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In Business 5 Mins Read

1st Art Oil Painting Reproductions and Custom Creations

Unlike film and television productions, visual art is something that is relatively foreign to most people. Therefore, artists have to truly display unparalleled skill and technique, in order to transcend time and gain prominence in the public’s eye.

Today, to be esteemed as a true master of the arts, one not only needs to display sheer talent and brilliance, but an artist must also have the ability to create stunning pieces that stand out amongst the thousands of other works of art that are constantly being created.

1st-art.com works relentlessly to bring classic masterpieces from the middle ages all the way through to modern art, to art lovers around the world.

In their collection, you can find masterpieces from some of the world’s most famous artists which have been displayed for centuries in some of the most prominent galleries on the planet. From New York’s Museum of Modern Art to the Guggenheim museums in North America, Europe and the Middle East, they strive to provide their customers with stunning oil painting reproduction that are sure to impress anyone who sets their eyes on them.

Famous Artists Across History

Below, you’ll find just a few of the famous artists whose masterpieces can be reproduced by our skilled artists to become the next addition to your collection.

Read more on the risks of buying art reproductions here.

Michelangelo

Not only was Michelangelo a skilled painter, he was a renowned sculptor who created the David and Pieta and also a talented architect who designed St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy. Furthermore, while unbeknownst to most, Michelangelo also wrote poetry and is credited with the design of Pope Julius II’s tomb, which was completed in 1545.

Rembrandt

As one of the world’s most prominent Dutch artists, Rembrandt was an exceptional artist who created many stunning masterpieces such as Belshazzar’s Feast (1635) and The Night Watch (1642). He was also a draughtsman and printmaker who is acknowledged for his incredible ability to extract the feelings of his subjects and transpose those emotions into his works.

Pablo Picasso

With a name that has become synonymous with contemporary art, Picasso is known around the world as one of the most famous artists of the 20th century.

According to most art experts, Picasso overturned the entire field of art with his radical introduction of the Cubism movement, which singlehandedly destroyed the traditional representations of matter and paved the way for all contemporary artists to come.

Henri Matisse

Born in Le Cateau-Cambresis, France, Henri Matisse was not only an innovative artist but also a skilled printmaker, draughtsman and sculptor. Most of Matisse’s work focuses on the delights of playfully bright and flashy colours, as well as the idea of symbolism, which has brought the artist to international fame.

Read more on Henri Matisse here: https://www.henrimatisse.org/

Vincent Van Gogh

Known mostly for his mental instability, Van Gogh has managed to transcend time and has become one of the world’s most famous and beloved artists. His technique used an innovative and unique style of frantic brush strokes, which gave his work a very different appearance from most of the art being created during his time. Without a doubt, Van Gogh’s works have inspired countless generations of artists and will continue to do so well into the future.

Jackson Pollock

At first, Pollock was a rather conventional painter and he was plagued with addiction problems, self-doubt and a nearly debilitating case of awkwardness. Fortunately, between the years of 1947 and 1950, Pollock managed to use his weaknesses to create original works of art that would eventually lead to his fame spreading around the globe.

His technique involved laying his canvases on the floor and then dripping or throwing household paint onto it. This created radically original pieces that left a clear record of Pollock’s movements while he was in the creation process.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Da Vinci is considered to be one of the greatest minds of his time and is regarded by many as the original Renaissance Man. Not only has he gained fame and was internationally renowned for his masterpieces, such as The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa; Da Vinci is also credited with designing many avantgarde technologies such as the flying machine, steam tanks and automobiles.

Claude Monet

Monet is credited as being one of the founding fathers of Impressionism and is known for his use of bright vibrant colours and as well as painting using short, quick brush strokes. He was known for his love of nature and often used his gardens as inspiration for his works, which can be seen in his most famous collections of paintings, Water Lilies.

Edvard Munch

Although Munch’s artistic career was far more than just one single painting, he is most often known for his anxiety-ridden masterpiece, The Scream. Munch is known for his use of pastel colours, which give his works a certain touch of surrealism and adds to the feelings expressed in his work.

Although the Scream was painted more than a hundred years ago (in 1893), one of Munch’s variations of the painting was sold in 2012 at an auction for the jaw-dropping price of $120 million US dollars.

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In Automobile 3 Mins Read

Accessories That All New Car Owners Should Purchase

Whether you’ve just started driving for Grab or Go-jek, passed your driving test, or finally stomached the amount you need to pay to actually own a vehicle, it’s important to kit out your car with a couple of accessories to ensure that your driving experience is safer and more enjoyable. In this article, we’re going to list a couple of accessories that all new car owners should purchase.

Toolkit

You might not be the best at auto repairs but it’s still essential to have a toolkit in the back to ensure that your car is safe to drive. Even with minimal knowledge, you can perform simple car repairs such as how to switch out a flat tire, replace headlights or even change the battery should it fail in the middle of nowhere. You don’t need to buy an expensive kit, but if you do refuse to fork out the cash and only get something cheap, you’re going to end up buying a cheap kit several times.

Phone Holder

Everyone wants to use their phone in the car, but it’s dangerous and if you’re caught sending messages or even chatting with one hand on your phone and the other on the wheel, you’re going to end up getting fined and/or jailed. No one wants this to happen and safety is paramount, hence, this is why it’s important to get yourself a convenient phone holder that can also make it easier to look at the phone when you need to look at the GPS.

Seat Covers

The last thing you want is to get the seats on your brand new car dirty. Consider services like CalTrend that not only offer seat covers, but customised ones that are durable and help keep your car pristine. This will also help the resale value down the road and also give your car a good boost in appearance by keeping it in good condition.

Belt Cutter

It’s always better to be safe than sorry and this is where a belt cutter comes in handy. These handy tools are perfect for cutting into seat belts and even breaking glass should you end up in an accident. They’re cheap and affordable, and although you should pray to never actually use it, they’re an essential piece of safety kit.

Charging Kits

Whether it’s to charge your phone, laptop or any other devices, it’s important to get yourself a car charging kit. This could be something as simple as a splitter that plugs into your car, or even a spare battery bank that sits in the glovebox of your car. Having extra juice for your mobile phone is great if you rely on the GPS, and it’s never a bad idea to keep your devices charged for an emergency.

These are some of the basic accessories that all car owners should invest in. Be it for comfort, safety or even for more features, these items are low-cost investments that will help you get the most out of your vehicle no matter what class of vehicle you purchase.

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In Editor's Picks 4 Mins Read

The Whiskey Library: A Storied Collection Of Rare and Unique Whiskies

A new chapter to a distinctive and unforgettable whiskey adventure story opens this month with the launch of The Whiskey Library. Ensconced within the ornate and luxurious interior of The Vagabond Club- Singapore’s preeminent luxury boutique hotel with 41 individualistic and elegantly appointed rooms and suites; the Whiskey Library offers over 1,000 bottles of thoughtfully curated rare and refined award-winning whiskies from around the world, and comes with a Membership Programme to beguile guests with a love of whiskey and give them access to the captivating vagabond experience.

Adventure awaits within the vintage art deco exterior of The Vagabond Club. Each room within the luxurious hotel is an oasis of comfort and calm bathed in natural light, bearing the touch of the genius French designer Jacques Garcia, executed in his renowned over-the-top, maximalist panache with Parisian-chic flair.

With the unique Membership Programme, guests who sign up will enjoy 10-room nights at The Vagabond Club (fully transferrable) as part of the S$3,000 annual membership fee.

Members will also have privileged access to 80 lockers, each with its own gilded and tasselled key, evocative of a bygone era of old world charm and hospitality, kept on-site in a specially designed wood-crafted armoire placed in a private space at The Vagabond Club’s salon.

Each locker will store up to 15 bottles of whiskey. Members can bring one of their own bottles for every two bottles purchased at The Whiskey Library. Members will also enjoy special bottle pricing, access to the Vagabond Club gym, and reserved seating at regular Whiskey Club events and experiences.

Each bottle at The Whiskey Library has been carefully collected from the finest distilleries from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, the US and other countries around the globe, with the collection comprising predominantly single cask and limited-edition bottles. Just as with a great literary work, each bottle is a unique work of art that stirs the imagination, beguiles the mind and excites the spirit.

The creator behind The Whiskey Library is luxury hotelier Satinder Garcha. Motivated by his love and passion for artistry, Garcha has spent two years bringing his dream to realisation.

“What started out as a vacation with friends travelling around Scotland and visiting distilleries soon turned into an eye-opening journey of discovery; a discovery of the depth of craftsmanship, the artistry, the culture and the incredible history behind whiskey making. These elements combined inspired me to bring these untold stories to Singapore where anyone and everyone can experience the profound pleasure of enjoying truly great whiskies,” says Garcha.

“No two bottles are the same. Each is unique, each has its own story, and many bottles will be unfamiliar even to the most experienced connoisseur. To me whiskey is art, and the craftsmanship behind our whiskies in The Whiskey Library is truly astonishing,” adds Garcha.

Designed for what Garcha calls “a club for vagabonds seeking a unique and hidden experience”, the warm and beautifully appointed Whiskey Library hosts up to 75 guests who, while relaxing and enjoying their whiskies, will be entertained with bespoke experiences such as specially curated sung and told Jazz stories, intimate theatre, book readings, artist evenings, musical showcases, and even independent film premieres. Guests will also be able to enjoy delightful small bites prepared by the Chef de cuisine at The Vagabond Club.

In keeping with the theme of artistry and luxury, the vitrines housing the whiskey collection and other crafted white spirits were designed and hand-crafted by local woodsman Mr Ng – one of the few remaining craftsmen in Singapore who continues to create unique furniture pieces. Designed to enhance the decadent elements of the hotel surrounds, the armoires feature brass claw feet to complement the similarly brass Allahbuksh-designed Rhino reception desk.

Akin to the Allahbuksh family from Rajasthan who crafted the enchanting Banyan Trees at The Vagabond Club, Mr Ng has contributed much to the artistry ambience in Garcha’s hotel portfolio.

Bespoke elements such as artisanal ice and an international selection of the finest of cigars, together with the extensive collection of whiskeys, bourbons, and other crafted spirits bring a truly complete and unique experience to guests of The Whiskey Library.

The Whiskey LIbrary is perhaps one of the world’s great whiskey bars! Check them out today!

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In Automobile 3 Mins Read

Do You Think Of These Things Before Getting Behind The Wheel?

Do you know how much danger you’re putting yourself in every time you step behind the wheel? Even if you’re the most sensible driver out there, you’re still putting your life at risk. Unexpected accidents that aren’t people’s fault do happen on a daily basis! But, this article isn’t going to be all about the danger that you should be thinking about. There are other things that you should be keeping at the front of your mind. Driving is a daily necessity that most of us can’t live without and we need to make sure that we’re staying on the roads for as long as possible. Improve your driving experience by considering the things below!

How Likely You Are To Be In An Accident

We know we said we weren’t going to talk to you about the dangers that you might encounter, but we might as well get it out of the way. Your chances of being in a car accident are going up every day. With so many people passing their test each day and so many people who haven’t stopped driving, the roads are just becoming more chaotic and busy than ever.  This means that although it might never happen to you, a small accident could have happened to other people along the way! Accidents can be a driver’s worst nightmare, and just to warn you, the legal side would be a bigger nightmare. Always contact companies such as Greene Broillet & Wheeler for help as soon as possible. To avoid ever needing to contact an attorney, make sure you’re decreasing your chances. This can be done by not driving during peak times, not being on your mobile phone or speeding, and not doing long journeys without rest. Long journeys do really impact you and your car and that is what we want to explore next.

Is Your Car Ready For A Long Journey?

Sometimes you will have to travel long journeys. By that, we mean car journeys that take over an hour or so. When you do a long journey, the last thing you might think to do is to check whether your car is actually ready for the journey. It needs to have the right amount of oil and water, the tyre pressure needs to be right, and you need to have a sufficient amount of fuel. The number of people who get caught out because they don’t check, and then have to pay so much to have the car recovered because it has broken down is crazy. Always take the time to check your car, and you won’t regret it later down the line!

Do You Need To Get In The Car?

This is something you definitely won’t ask yourself. We’re talking about the relevance of your journey, and whether there’s a better way of doing it. For example, if you’re only driving to the shop down the road, can you not walk? If you’re going long distance, is there a train that could do the journey better? More often than not, we waste so much fuel and put so many miles on our cars for pointless journeys!

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In Editor's Picks 4 Mins Read

Sucimurni Retreat Women’s Edition Launches at Tanjong Jara Resort

Following the successful return of the Sucimurni Retreat, the award-winning luxury destination, Tanjong Jara Resort, will launch a special edition entirely dedicated to women. Taking place from 17th to 19th November; the Sucimurni Retreat, Women’s Edition, will be a unique getaway for mothers, daughters and girlfriends to rest, recharge and discover Sucimurni, the Malay concept that emphasizes purity of spirit, health and well-being.

This exclusive retreat will allow guests to learn a new concept of relaxation through a weekend of female-focused classes and workshops led by renowned wellness professionals. The retreat will include, but not limited to signature WeBarre classes, Yin yoga and sound & breath meditation session by Align Origins, wellbeing and batik workshops led by The Busy Woman Project and The Batik Boutique respectively, and a cooking class to learn the secrets of Malay kitchen from the resort’s resident Chef.

Day One

Amy Blair from The Batik Boutique will kick-off the retreat with a Batik Workshop where guests will explore the Batik process and unleash their creativity to take home their own personalized Batik Boutique product. Following the batik workshop, Linda Tang, co-founder of WeBarre Singapore, will lead a WeBarre Stretch & Technique session, guiding attendees to stretch out and lengthen all muscles to increase flexibility, improve mobility and reduce the risk of injuries.

Day Two

On the second day, Linda Tang, will start the day with an energising Sunrise WeBarre Signature Multi-Level class, an exhilarating workout inspired by ballet, yoga, pilates and strength training which aims to transform the entire body.

For lunch, Tanjong Jara Resort’s resident Chef Ann will teach attendees her best-kept secrets at the ‘Secrets of Malay Kitchen’ cooking class. Guests will be able to savour their scrumptious creations just before the next session with Jaslyn Koh, founder of The Busy Woman Project, an online platform focusing on mental, physical & emotional health for busy women living in Asia. In WE, Introspective Conversations, the ladies leading the classes and workshops during this weekend, will share their insights and connect with like-minded women on topics such as self-acceptance and self-worth.

To wrap-up the second day with a deep sense of balance and relaxation, Amanda Ling, founder of Align Origins –musician, yoga teacher and sound healing practitioner–, will share with guests the healing wonders of Yin yoga. In this slower-paced practice based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Taoist Yin Yang philosophy, postures allow a sense of release within the deeper connective tissues, fascia and joints in the body. A unique Sound and Breath Meditation session will follow. Focusing on the aspects of Nada (Sound) Yoga, Amanda will teach attendees various breath techniques to induce calmness and inner peace through breathing. Using Tibetan Tingsha bells and Singing Bowls to integrate sound vibrations into each breath, guests will learn how to build awareness to manage stress effectively.

Day Three

Before the retreat comes to an end, guests will partake in the resort’s signature Sucimurni Exercise led by the resort’s very own Resident Naturalist, Captain Mokh. The Sucimurni Exercise held by the beach at sunrise will see guests going through a series of stretches inspired by the main animal chakras, giving them a chance to explore their main energy centres and find inner peace.

The Sucimurni Retreat, Women’s Edition is priced at SGD333++ per room per night, with a maximum occupancy of two adults and one child and is inclusive of:
·       Accommodation

·       Return airport transfers from Kuantan airport

·       Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner

·       One 50-minute massage for two per stay

·       Two barre classes

 

 ·       One Yin Yoga session

·       One sound and breath meditation session

·       One wellbeing workshop

·       One batik workshop

·       Sucimurni exercise

·       One Secrets of Malay Kitchen cooking class
Babysitting services are available at the resort for an additional fee.

For bookings and enquiries, kindly visit http://singapore.ytlhotels.com/

 

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