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A Retrospective Look at Our Recent Trip to Hong Kong Trip 2023

By delta March 23, 2023

Hong Kong, a vibrant city known for its bustling streets, skyscrapers, and delicious cuisine, is a must-visit destination for travellers. With the covid restrictions in Hong Kong eased, my family and I seized the opportunity to explore this fascinating city and enjoyed its unique blend of cultures, history, and modernity.

We chose to fly with Singapore Airlines, and it was a comfortable and enjoyable experience. The flight was smooth, with friendly and attentive service from the flight attendants. The in-flight entertainment was excellent, with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and games to choose from. As we brought our children along for the trip to Hong Kong, we did not have the luxury of time to enjoy the in-flight entertainment.

Singapore Airlines offers a range of services and amenities for travellers with children to make the flight more comfortable and enjoyable for both kids and parents. These include kid-friendly meals, entertainment options, and activity kits with games and toys to keep little ones occupied during the flight. There are also baby changing facilities on board, and the crew is happy to assist with any special requests, such as heating up baby food or providing extra blankets and pillows.

Throughout our trip, we stayed at the Royal Plaza Hotel, which is located in the heart of Mong Kok. This luxurious hotel offers spacious rooms with stunning city views and amenities, including a fitness centre, swimming pool, and multiple dining options. The hotel’s central location made it easy to explore the city, and we like how convenient and accessible it is.

One of the attractions we visited in Hong Kong was the Cup Noodles Museum. Located in the Kowloon Bay area, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and production of one of the world’s most popular instant noodle brands. We even created our custom cup noodles to take home as souvenirs. However, if you have been to the Cup Noodles Museum in Japan, you might consider giving this a miss.

Another highlight of our trip was exploring the vibrant Mong Kok Street. This bustling district is famous for its street markets, which sell everything from clothes and electronics to street food and souvenirs. We spent hours wandering through the narrow alleyways, admiring the colourful neon signs and soaking up the lively atmosphere.

We also visited Fung Ying Seen Koon temple. The temple is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit, offering a unique glimpse into Hong Kong’s rich spiritual traditions. Nestled amid lush greenery, Fung Ying Seen Koon features intricate architecture and artwork. We enjoyed the peaceful ambience and the chance to learn more about the history and traditions of Taoism.

Our trip to Hong Kong has been a memorable and enriching one. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or delicious food, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city. Travelling with two young kiddos was fun but tiring. Here are some tips that we have if you’re planning to travel to Hong Kong with young children:

Pack plenty of snacks and drinks to keep your children fueled throughout the day. Hong Kong is a busy city, and you may find yourself on the go for hours at a time.
Bring comfortable shoes and clothing for both you and your children. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, and the weather can be hot and humid.
Consider bringing a stroller or carrier for younger children. Hong Kong’s streets can be crowded and uneven, so it’s important to have a safe and comfortable way to transport your child.
Plan your itinerary with your children’s interests and energy levels in mind. Hong Kong has a lot to offer, but it’s important to pace yourself and prioritise the activities that your children will enjoy the most.

Psst. If you recently won yourself a round-trip Cathay Air Ticket to Hong Kong or planning a trip to Hong Kong this coming Easter, we have some exciting news for you!

Pirata Group, the city’s undisputed leader when it comes to memorable dining experiences, is taking things one step further with a variety of egg-citing promotions across all venues. From tandoor towers and unlimited sushi to all-you-can-eat chocolate dessert stations and limited-time Easter brunches where kids eat for free, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy before or after partaking in the many kid-friendly activities around town. So, hop to it and start making those Easter memories with Pirata Group’s guide to the best things to see, do and savour in Hong Kong this holiday season!

Central

Victoria Peak, otherwise known as The Peak, has always been a must-visit Hong Kong destination for its iconic views and historic funicular railway. After a major upgrade that was completed last year, The Peak Tram now offers an even more exciting and efficient experience with new, larger-capacity green-coloured tramcars and an array of entertainment zones showcasing the area’s intriguing history and wildlife. Once at The Peak, be sure to check out Monopoly Dreams, the first Monopoly-themed attraction in the world that features an array of AR and other interactive experiences. Then, make your way to Sky Terrace 428, which at 428m above sea level is the highest viewing platform in Hong Kong. From here, the whole family will be wowed by 360-degree panoramic views across the city and harbour, which are impressive morning, noon or night!

“SomeBunny Feed Me!” Easter brunch menus with free-flow champagne and all-you-can-enjoy chocolate buffet at Chaiwala & TokyoLima, 7–10 April 2023

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s just a quick tram ride back to Central for a special Easter-themed dining experience. Fans of modern Indian cuisine won’t want to miss Chaiwala’s “SomeBunny Feed Me!” brunch feast (HK$388pp, HK$398pp champagne free-flow, HK$198pp classic free-flow) complete with a trio of chaat for sharing, choice of vegetarian or mutton biryani, a tandoor tower and dosas for sharing, and choice of six curries. A children’s menu is also available for HK$50. For a taste of innovative Japanese and Peruvian fusion food, head a few blocks north to TokyoLima and its adventurous take on “SomeBunny Feed Me!” (HK$398pp, HK$398pp champagne free-flow, HK$198pp classic free-flow). Designed for sharing, the brunch feast begins with a selection of appetisers including causa and ceviche before moving on to the Weeknd Salad, Edamame Hummus and Pop Ki-Mo-Chi, and finishing with a choice of mains such as chicken katsu with aji panca rice or pan-fried mackerel with potato puree and Nikkei escabeche. Both brunch menus are available 7–10 April 2023 and include an extravagant all-you-can-enjoy chocolate buffet – so be sure to leave some room!

Sheung Wan

Tsim Sha Tsui & West Kowloon

Just a short ride on the Star Ferry or a quick trip on the MTR from Hong Kong Island and you’ll find yourself in the always-buzzing Tsim Sha Tsui commercial and entertainment district or the up-and-coming West Kowloon cultural district. Must-visits on this side of Victoria Harbour include the new M+ Museum showcasing some of the world’s foremost collections of 20th- and 21st-century visual culture. The Herzog & de Meuron-designed building and surrounding outdoor spaces are worth a visit even on their own. After admiring the architecture, budding builders should definitely check out Legoland Discovery Centre. The ultimate Lego indoor playground is designed for children ages 3-10 and features workshops, play areas and even Hong Kong’s top attractions built out of bricks. Finally, burn off any residual energy at Kids Kids Car indoor electric-vehicle driving playground. The 20,000 sq ft space has three different themed zones where kids can zoom around and even experience various occupations.

Enjoy limited-time Easter specials at Pici & The Pizza Project, 5–10 April 2023

Cap off your Kowloon adventures at neighbourhood Italian spot Pici, which from 5–10 April 2023 is offering two limited-time additions to everyone’s favourite pasta bar brunch. The new specials are available all day and include the lavish Truffle Carbonara (HK$190), a tagliatelle with black truffle, guanciale, pecorino and Japanese egg yolk; and the Coppa Malu (HK$140) a velvety mousse dessert for two made with 70% chocolate, whipped cream and almond meringue. The famous, much-loved Italian treats are available all around the city, with more branches in Lai Chi Kok, Sha Tin in the New Territories but also buzzing Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, and Central amongst other prime locations. Another must-try Italian Easter dining destination for the whole family is The Pizza Project in Central – check out the two limited-time specials: Down the Rabbit Hole (HK$160), a pizza with a red hot chili cheddar stuffed crust, testa di coppa, black garlic pesto and fior di latte; and Bu-Nana (HK$65), a sweet treat consisting of banana and chocolate ganache stuffed gnocco fritto, dusted with icing sugar.

Stanley

Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city? Let’s head over to Stanley for a lovely seaside stroll with your little ones. The Stanley Bay promenade is a picturesque boardwalk overlooking all the small boats parked at the bay – this is a scene you can’t find in other parts of Hong Kong. With a backdrop of colonial heritage buildings, lots of locals come here to walk their pets and enjoy a peaceful afternoon.

Looking for a seaside cafe to enjoy the view? Pirata has got you covered! Located on Stanley Main Street, Pane e Latte will celebrate Easter with spring specials across three weekends from 1–16 April. Feast on Bomboloni al Torroncino (HK$48), a nougat cream-filled doughnut covered in chocolate couverture; the Gnocchi di Pasqua (HK$158), a dish featuring spring vegetables, ricotta and poached eggs; and the Easter Egg (HK$78), a sweet treat made with lemon madeleine, strawberry jam and fromage blanc. A giant, eye-catching Easter basket and eggs will also be installed at the bakery for the ultimate holiday experience.

Don’t miss the limited-time Spring specials at Pane e Latte, 1–16 April 2023!

Easter is an incredible time to enjoy Hong Kong’s fine weather, fun attractions and friendly hospitality. Hop over to piratagroup.hk to start planning your mealtime celebrations and make this year’s holiday your most memorable one yet!

Singapore’s Leading Geroscience and Wellness Centre Regenosis Begins A New Dawn By Reversing Our Biological Age

By delta February 9, 2023

Disclaimer:

This article provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog or in any linked materials.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.

The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice or other institution.

In 2019, it was reported that the life expectancy for the average Singaporean was 81.4 and 85.7 years for men and women respectively, making it among the highest in the world. However, this number does not take into account the quality of life of the elderly, which is more dependent on one’s health span – closely tied to biological age.

With the advancements in science and medicine over the years, ageing research has now entered an unprecedented new era. It has been long observed that the pace of ageing varies from person to person. This highlights a key concept that due to underlying biological mechanisms, biological age at an individual level can be separated from chronological age. The application of biological age as a measure of an individual’s health status offers new perspectives on the extension of both lifespan as well as healthspan. Unlike lifespan, which tabulates the number of years lived, healthspan is defined as the number of healthy years one lives.

Enter Regenosis, a leading geroscience and wellness centre in Singapore seeking to close the gap on fitness and nutrition literacy, such that everyone can self-sufficiently improve their healthspan and live their life to the fullest potential even in old age.

With their RealHealth programme, they go in-depth into understanding an individual’s current health, genetics and lifestyle habits and tailor a lifestyle plan according to their genetic and body composition. This includes close consultations with specialists to educate and advise on how best to adjust your lifestyle and ensure that is done in a sustainable manner such that in the long-term, individuals can continue keeping up even after the programme is over.

One big component of the RealHealth Programme is Rejuvant LifeTabs — a supplement that transforms the way we age by introducing Alpha-Ketogluterate (AKG) into our diet. AKG is a key molecule in the Krebs cycle, which determines the overall rate of the citric acid cycle of an organism and is responsible for most of our body’s energy needs. It is a nitrogen scavenger, a source of glutamate and glutamine that stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein degradation in muscles and enhances bone tissue formation. A central metabolic fuel for cells of the gastrointestinal tract as well, AKG has been proven safe and effective in multiple clinical applications – not only does it help in extending lifespan, AKG also prolongs healthspan by retarding the onset of age-related diseases and ailments (Wu et al., 2016).

Currently, Rejuvant LifeTabs with its use of Calcium-AKG is the only health supplement in the world to be clinically-proven to reverse biological age by 7 to 8 years (Shahmirzadi et al., 2020). Rejuvant LifeTabs does not exclusively cater to the elderly but rather to anyone who is looking to live life healthily, akin to their prime years, by boosting vitality and preventing age-related degenerative diseases which could plague one’s health in the future.

Distributed by Regenosis, Rejuvant LifeTabs boasts the culmination of twenty years of anti-ageing research by incorporating the use of LifeAKG. LifeAKG, Rejuvant’s proprietary, patent-pending, sustained-release formulation of AKG, is shown to provide more energy, better sleep, weight loss, bodybuilding effects, and even more youthful skin for its consumers. Additionally, whilst other supplements commonly use chemical ingredients like the “anti-ageing” drug rapamycin and metformin to produce similar age-reversal effects in experimental trials, there is a key difference – AKG is naturally made by our bodies, and it is already considered safe to consume by regulators. According to University of North Dakota ageing researcher Holly Brown-Borg, “The big thing about this (AKG) is that its safety profile is so good”.

Rejuvant LifeTabs are available for purchase on Shopee and come in Men’s and Women’s Formula.

Maintaining Healthy Bones and Joints with Traditional Chinese Medicine

By delta January 6, 2023

Disclaimer:

The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice or other institution.

As we age, our physical body undergo quite a fair bit of changes and for me personally, I noticed how difficult it could be to stand up after long periods of sitting down and inactivity. Even when stretching my legs and arms, I tend to pop/crack my joints to feel relaxed, and occasionally, I strain my neck and knees due to incorrect lifting methods (not weights in the gym but bags of groceries).

However, the worst feeling that one can ever experience is the occasional excruciating knee joint pain or ankle joint pain. So, why do we experience joint pain?

Joints form the connections between bones, providing support and helping us move. Any damage to the joints (from disease or injury) can interfere with movement and cause pain. Joint pain, fortunately (or not), is extremely common as we age. In a survey, about one-third of adults reported that they had experienced joint pain within the past 30 days. There are several causes of a painful and cracking joint, the most common being Osteoarthritis, which is similar to a “wear and tear” disease where the joints wear down due to age. Besides Osteoarthritis, there is also Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that happens when your body attacks its tissues, and also Bursitis, when sacs of fluid that help cushion our joints get inflamed. Sports injuries, strains, and sprains do contribute to joint pains as well.

Most recently, a survey in Singapore shows that 73% of Singaporeans are at risk of knee Osteoarthritis due to lifestyle habits. As much as it is commonly believed that the cracking sounds on our knees are normal as we age, they might not be.

To temporarily curb the pain, most people seek temporary solutions such as sports massage and joint compressions. However, massage and compression are temporary treatments for arthritis which are often short-lived. This is because the bone and joints lack the necessary nourishment to strengthen the bone and joint.

Introducing IngreLife Pro-Bone Plus Extra Capsules – a bone and joint health supplement manufactured and sold by Science Arts Co Pte Ltd that contains Chondroitin Sulfate, Composite Bone Collagen, and MSM. This unique formulation can combat bad joints by enhancing the health of bones and joints and nourishing the kidney.

IngreLife Pro-Bone Plus Extra Capsule’s formula focuses on relieving bone and joint pain, strengthening joints and improving bone health by promoting the deposition and absorption of calcium and the strength of bone joints. The formula also supports healthy bone density and regulates bone cells to maintain strong bones.

The capsule not only strengthens the bone and joint, but it also nourishes the kidney. The product is formulated based on a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory that human muscles and bones are closely related to the kidney. Hence, the reason for the age-old saying “the kidney governs bones”. Thus, nourishing the kidney helps to strengthen the bones and muscles.

Whether you struggle with cracks all over your joints or just want to build up bone and joint health, try out IngreLife Pro-Bone Plus Extra Capsules to experience its effectiveness.

IngreLife Pro-Bone Plus Extra Capsules are available at KEYI outlets, Yue Hwa Chinese Products, and selected Chinese medical halls. Alternatively, the capsules can be purchased directly from Science Arts’s online store via this link.

About Science Arts Co Pte Ltd:

Science Arts is a Singapore-grown holistic health and wellness brand that has been promoting Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) healthcare for over 50 years.

Our Experience at The Great Bay Fiesta

By delta December 8, 2022

The Show Master, a new blockbuster entertainment arm by Uncle Ringo, revives our festive cheer with a bang after a three-year hiatus with The Great Bay Fiesta from 1 December 2022 to 1 January 2023 at the Bayfront Event Space.

The Great Bay Fiesta, presented by Trip.com, is held in conjunction with Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2023, presented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Open daily from 1 pm to 10 pm, this event spans over 20,000 sqm at the Bayfront Event Space with a lineup of merrymaking activities clustered into four main event segments – The Great Cirque de Cascades, The Great World Carnival, The Great Food Fiesta, and Ice Magic: The Great Fantasy on Ice.

We brought our two kiddos to check out the latest happenings at The Great Bay Fiesta, and it was unfortunate that the weather wasn’t on our side. It poured quite heavily in the afternoon, but thankfully, the rain subsided, and all that was left was drizzles. The first thing we checked out was The Great World Carnival by Uncle Ringo.

Apart from the usual carnival games where carnival-goers can have a go at winning mega-sized plushies; classic rides like the Big Carousel, Bumper Car, and Pirate Ship are also available for the thrillseekers. Mikayla rode the Big Carousel, and it was the only ride she took because she did not meet the minimum height requirements for the other rides. In case you are wondering, a ride on the Big Carousel costs $6. We noticed that many other rides were not in operation when we were there, and given the bad weather, the giant inflatables were a no-go for us as it was “flooded” with rainwater, and we did not pack any spare clothes for the kiddos.

Something different from the regular rides and games was an experiential inflatable playland reimagined and redesigned from one of OpenSea’s renowned projects, Prime Ape Planet. This is Uncle Ringo’s first foray into the web3 landscape to explore an omnichannel integrated experience for its visitors using the NFT IP space. If there were some utility that Prime Ape Planet’s NFT holders could take advantage of at The Great World Carnival, we would have found it super interesting and even more newsworthy, but it was interesting to see a giant inflatable that is designed after a popular NFT collection.

To enter The Great World Carnival, you will need a Carnival Admission Ticket that will cost SGD$10, which comes with SGD$5 Carnival Credits.

As a strategic partner of the annual SG Cares Giving Week, The Show Master is proud to announce that The Great Bay Fiesta will be the main Giving Hub throughout December. On four consecutive Tuesdays, i.e. 6, 13, 20, and 27 December, the opening act of The Great Cirque des Cascades’ 7 PM shows will be performed by charities or non-profit organisations such as Breast Cancer Foundations, SASCO Khatib Active Ageing Centre, and more. The Show Master will also be donating 5% of the total revenue earned from their Tuesday 7 PM shows to the performing beneficiaries.

Before The Great Cirque des Cascades show, we went to The Great Food Fiesta to grab a quick dinner. There were many food options available, but we felt the prices were not wallet-friendly and the food quality (at least for the ones we had) was subpar. As some of the stores are serving Thai cuisine, including grilled meats, seafood and desserts (and were specially flown in from Thailand), this might explain why they are so pricey.

We ordered one serving of Pad Thai, one serving of octopus, one serving of fried sweet potato balls, and one serving of beer, and all these added up to SGD$34.50. For a carnival-styled setting (which is what we would also refer to as a street-hawker setting or food-festival kind of setting), the pricing was definitely on the high end.

After a quick dinner, we went to queue up to enter the climate-controlled 1,000-seat Big Top where The Great Cirque des Cascades was taking place.

Proudly presented by Gandey’s Circus, one of the best international circus acts the world has to offer, the 80-minute circus show features nine premium circus acts specially curated from all over Europe. The thrilling performances put us on the edge of our seats, and we were very glad that Jacob managed to take a nap during the show and did not kick up too much fuss. As for Mikayla, she was dancing away to the music and got very excited when she saw balloons in some of the acts.

If you have not been to a circus performance before and you have no plans to travel, The Great Cirque des Cascades is a good option to consider. For the best views, avoid booking the Standard Ticket. As seats are not numbered, do queue up early before the showtime so that you can secure the best spots. Bookings for The Great Cirque de Cascades tickets are now exclusively available at Trip.com.

Due to the lack of time, we did not check out the Ice Magic: The Great Fantasy on Ice, which is part of The Great Bay Fiesta and the biggest pop-up winter-themed attraction in Singapore. However, from what we know, tickets to Ice Magic: The Great Fantasy on Ice cost SGD$45 for an adult and SGD$35 for a child (aged 2 to 12). The Family Package for 2 adults and 2 children is worth considering as it costs just SGD$140.

This pretty much sums up our experience at The Great Bay Fiesta and if you have any thoughts about this event, feel free to share your comments with us too!

The Iconic ISETAN Momiji Matsuri Fair Returns to NEX from 18 – 30 October with an Array of Japanese Seasonal Flavours

By delta October 13, 2022

In Japan, autumn is said to be the best time for feasting due to the abundance of harvesting crops in the season. Known in Japan as “食欲の秋” (shokuyoku no aki) which translates to “appetising autumn”, there are plenty of delectable foods that you can only enjoy during this season – juicy persimmons, salt-grilled mackerel
pike and aromatic pine mushroom rice to name a few.

NEX, in collaboration with ISETAN, celebrates the rich deep flavours of autumn by bringing back the iconic ISETAN Momiji Matsuri Fair after a two-year hiatus. Shoppers can indulge in a smorgasbord of yatai delicacies, sweet treats and premium fresh produce from 25 renowned Japanese brands. Happening from 18 to 30 October, the fair will be held at NEX Atrium Level 1 where shoppers can look forward to various seasonal food flavours from Japan.

Here are some of the highlights of this year’s fairs to keep an eye out for.

Making their debut this year at the fair are heritage brands such as Kurikoma Chaya, TOKIO and KINOKUNIYA.

Kurikoma Chaya upholds their traditional-style appeal while connecting with the younger generation by appealing to their Instagram aesthetics with traditional sweets that elegantly incorporate a mix of colourful fruits and trendy elements. Their Fruit Mochi Cake is a very popular dumpling set that combines the well-balanced sweetness of specialty red bean paste and fresh seasonal fruits with mascarpone cream (5 sticks for S$25).

If you prefer something easy to eat on-the-go, TOKIO’s Banana Crepe is a delectable bundle of whipped cream and banana, and comes individually packed for your convenience (S$3/pc)! These sweet Japanese crepes are Harajuku’s most popular street food, and are sold with various fillings and toppings such as seasonal fruits. The 57 year old fruit parlour brand offers the freshest fruits and fruit products, be sure to try their famed Fruit Almond Pudding and Fruit Jello, available in mixed fruits and strawberry versions.

Another highlight to look out for is KINOKUNIYA’s signature American-style Apple Pie (S$24.90), a long-time bestseller since 1959. First established in 1910 as a fruit merchant in Aoyama Tokyo, KINOKUNIYA has since expanded and now houses 34 stores mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan, offering well-loved ready-to-eat foods and specialty bakes.

KINOKUNIYA’s signature American-style Apple Pie features a generous amount of Japanese apples with a hint of cinnamon, and a pie crust with a crisp texture. Warm it up in the toaster to bring out the robust flavours even more, and enjoy it with your favourite toppings such as vanilla ice cream, fruit or whipped cream!

Yatai Fare Not to be Missed

Enjoy Takoyaki by Nakayama Shokuhin (1 pkt of 6 pcs for S$8) — delicious grilled octopus balls made of wheat flour-based batter and filled with diced octopus from Hakata, Kyushu.

Topped with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, green laver and dried bonito flakes, this is one of Japan’s best-known street foods that you don’t want to miss out on.

Taste the essence of the sea with Ijima Shoten’s wide array of seafood items, such as octopus, scallops, squid and shellfish. Sweet and full of umami, the characteristic seafood from Kumamoto is served in both braised and deep-fried style (S$8.80 for 100g braised, S$7.80 for 100g deep-fried) – perfect for seafood lovers to indulge in.

Experience a piece of Japanese food culture with classic comfort foods such as Omurice (S$13.80 for one serving) and beef skewers (S$13) from Tekiya. Savoury fried rice flavoured with ketchup and topped with a thin layer of fluffy omelette, Omurice is a popular favourite amongst children and adults alike.

Premium Japanese Speciality Produce

nonomo brings you unique local produce from all over Japan by small lesser-known manufacturers ranging from region-specific agricultural produce, novel sweets and snacks and sake. The 157 year-old Dewatsuru sake brewery located in the southern part of Akita Prefecture boasts a quaintly designed cup sake. Apart from the small capacity which makes it easy for beginners to try sake, the Dewatsuru Junmai Sake Cup (180ml) is available in assorted designs that are perfect to be re-used as drinking glasses (S$13.90 per cup).

Dewatsuru Junmai Sake Cup 180ml Assorted

The Shio Koji (Salty Fermented Rice) Miso (S$30 for 450g) from Takazawa Jozo is a world-class all-purpose seasoning that goes well with any kind of cuisine. This miso is made from Koshihikari rice and water from Noto with traditional manufacturing methods, resulting in a deep and unique flavour.

Make sure to head down to NEX from 18 October to 30 October for a mouthwatering good time at this year’s fair!

Momiji Matsuri Fair Information

Dates:
18 October to 30 October 2022

Address:
NEX Atrium Level 1

Timing:
18 October – 12pm to 9pm
Sunday – Thursday – 10:30am to 9pm
Friday & Saturday – 10:30am to 9:30pm
30 October – 10:30am to 8pm

Stand a Chance to Win Nikon Z30 worth $1679 with Decathlon’s Photo Contest

By delta September 2, 2022

For all you travel lovers and globetrotters, Decathlon has something special just for you! As part of the brand’s Back To Travel campaign, Decathlon Singapore will be running a photo contest in collaboration with Nikon Singapore. 100 lucky participants will be chosen to snap the best pictures or videos that feature themselves using the Forclaz Trekking 40L Backpack provided by the Decathlon team, to stand a chance in winning this exciting reward!

From today to 30 September 2022, stand a chance to win either a Nikon Coolshot 200 GII worth S$248, a S$500 Decathlon Gift Card, or the grand prize of a Nikon Z30 worth S$1,679! As the lightest and most compact Z series to date, the Nikon Z30 is made for your inner videographer. From teasers and reels to stories and streams, stand a chance to win this reward and begin your content-creator journey with the Nikon Z30. What’s more? Chosen submissions will also be featured on Decathlon’s Back to Travel campaign across Decathlon’s marketing channels!

To join, simply follow the guidelines below:

Complete this form and stand a chance to be part of the 100 selected participants.
Upon being selected, a Decathlon Singapore representative will be in touch to help you with the facilitation of bag collection.
Upon receiving the bag, participants will have to:

a. Capture 3 visual content, photos or videos, and upload them on Instagram or TikTok with #DecathlonTogether, #nikonsg and tag @decathlonsg

b. Shortlist 1 photo as your Key Visual for contest submission before 30 September 2022.

*Contest ends on 30 September 2022, 2359.

Submissions will be independently reviewed by Decathlon, Nikon, and The Secret Little Agency (TSLA) panel of judges. Winners will be announced on 7 October 2022, on Decathlon Singapore’s social media platforms.

Terms and conditions apply.* This contest is open to Singapore residents only.

World’s Simplest & Safest Hardware Wallet for All Your Crypto Assets

By delta August 27, 2022

The crypto world is not entirely new to me. I actually tried mining Bitcoin in the past but it got increasingly more difficult and costly because the code just gets tougher and tougher to crack. Hence, I drifted away from crypto to focus on my career and have only recently gotten back into the crypto scene when a friend of mine introduced me to the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

If you are new to crypto and you want to start putting some real money into it, you must be prepared to lose all your money and I really mean it! One thing you need to understand about cryptocurrency is that once you lose it, you really lose it forever. There is absolutely no way you can reverse transactions like how one can do so in a retail setting.

One crucial aspect that you need to be mindful about when entering the crypto space is being responsible for your own safety and security. There are many dodgy scam tactics that people will try to employ and this could include getting you to reveal the seed phrases to your crypto wallet through phishing and bots.

Now, whether you use a hot wallet or a cold wallet, there will always be recovery seed phrases that you will need to jot down and safekeep (in the event you lose access to your wallet and need to re-gain access). This has always been the case but not anymore!

Hugware®, the world’s first seed phrase-free wallet by a locally founded tech company, UKISS Technology, is now available for US$139 and it comprises of an Authentication Key (A-Key), a Rescue Key (R-Key), and a five year warranty!

Safe and easy to use, the Hugware® crypto hardware wallet is the epitome of state-of-the-art security that every crypto novice needs, providing a reliable recovery plan for their investments. Users can be rest assured that their private keys will always be at their fingertips with this new must-have tech accessory.

Hugware® is a great solution for those who tend to forget or lose their seed phrase and are looking for a self-custody wallet with a simpler recovery process, thanks to its master seed synchronisation capability. It boasts seamless key pairing, which ensures that private keys are generated and stored in the hardware while enabling backups through device pairing. That way, the seed does not have to be translated into recovery phrases and will not be exposed to human error, phishing, or theft.

Hugware®’s safe and secure technology is patented in more than 20 countries and significant markets, including the United States, Europe, China, India, and Southeast Asia. Each Hugware® comes with a Certificate of Authenticity recorded on blockchain.

How Hugware® Works

Each Hugware® comes in a pair. During setup, the master seed is generated in the Authentication Key (A-Key) and synchronised with the Rescue Key (R-Key). The A-Key is used to manage crypto assets and is the gatekeeper of your private keys. Simply plug it into your device to provide authentication or confirm transactions.

The R-Key can be kept for when users need to recover access in the future, and is your life-saving gizmo. Plug it into your device to recover private keys in case you lose the A-Key. The R-Key backs up your master seed for fast wallet recovery.

Featuring a sleek and streamlined design, the A-Key and R-key are pocket-sized, enabling users to easily carry it around wherever they go. Hugware® also comes with USB and USB-C connectors that users can plug into their devices.

Additionally, Hugware® comes equipped with a security system that is programmed to lock the device after 10 failed logins. This offers an added layer of security in the event you lose either one of your keys.

The fuss-free solution supports multiple blockchain networks and is available on desktop for Windows and MacOS, and soon on Android (iOS users will have to wait a little longer) .

As an iterative product that consistently works to improve itself, there will be more features to be added with every Hugware® version upgrade. These include new features such as U-Archive and U-Hide that are in the works.

U-Archive

Fortify your backup in the cloud. Secure your archives without compromising on space. The U-Archive encryption software allows you to encrypt large folders in your computer or in the cloud, and only the holder of the associated Hugware® can access the archive. This software is slated to launch in September 2022.

U-Hide

Hide your files while keeping them within reach. Protect your sensitive files and media assets with ease. U-Hide allows you to encrypt individual files in your computer while keeping them accessible: only the holder of the associated Hugware® can access those files. This software is slated to launch in November 2022.

UKISS Technology is also rewarding buyers of the Hugware® and other UKISS services with KISS Tokens to offset their next UKISS purchase.

Visit https://www.ukiss.io/ or https://t.me/UKISSTech and get your Hugware® today!

Discover the beloved places and spaces that make Singapore home with My Community Festival 2022

By delta August 10, 2022

For the 5.6 million people who live in Singapore, home reflects a connection to a community and the continuation of time-honoured practices and memories. Exploring these unique and intimate connections is at the heart of My Community Festival (MCF), a ground-up community event from 5 to 21 August 2022.

Organised by the non-profit organisation, My Community, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, the third edition of the festival centres on the theme of ‘My Home Sweet Home’ and will give festival-goers exclusive access to the private spaces of the many communities in Singapore, including their homes, workplaces, places of worship, and communal spaces. This year’s programme will also spotlight three neighbourhoods which will become “festival villages”, and feature workshops and thought-provoking tours that allow visitors to discover more about the area’s history and uncover hidden gems.

This year’s line-up is the biggest, with 64 unique and riveting tours and experiences split across eight programme series. Each programme will be led by a member of the community who can bring different perspectives and understanding of home and community as they share intimate memories and knowledge about their personal spaces.

This year’s anchor programme series is “My Home, Truly”, which pays tribute to the different types of homes in Singapore. Tour participants will get to meet various groups of people ranging from foreign workers, animal shelter workers and students who will take them to the places where they lay their heads in. Participants can look forward to visiting spaces including a foreign worker dormitory, Singapore’s last kampung, and rental flats in Jalan Besar to hear heartwarming stories about creating homes out of these diverse housing types.

This year’s festival also includes several new programmes that provide perspectives on how people keep memories of home alive. For people who hold on to broken items for sentimental value, “Find My Fixer” offers participants an opportunity to restore them to their original state or find a new lease of life while doing their part to live sustainably and reduce waste in Singapore. This includes workshops with a soft toy “doctor”, kintsugi artist or teaware design for ceramics, and even a stained glass rescuer. The programme also offers an opportunity to meet Singapore’s own version of Marie Kondo, Amanda Ling, who can help revive spaces with the art of decluttering.

Festival goers can discover how expatriate communities recreate pockets of their home to form unofficial enclaves like Little Belgium, Little Philippines and Little Taiwan under “My Little Singapore”. Besides learning about their culture and their recommendations on where to find the most authentic taste of their hometown cuisine, participants can take the chance to reflect and appreciate how these communities contribute to Singapore’s identity as a melting pot.

Another programme, “What’s for My Dinner?” takes it a step further by having members of 20 Singaporean, ASEAN and international families, welcome visitors into their homes to serve up cultural dishes ranging from local fare, regional cuisine from Thai and Vietnamese food, to international flavours like African, Maharashtrian and Northern Chinese food.

Another new aspect of the festival is the introduction of three festival villages as part of the “My Lovely Neighbourhood” series of programmes. For each of the three weekends during the festival duration, the festival will spotlight a locale in Singapore to learn about its thriving community through a series of immersive tours, workshops, experiences and performances that are a result of My Community’s extensive community mapping exercise within these neighbourhoods.

For the first week, festival-goers can head to the quaint seaside town of Changi Village to get acquainted with its wartime history and the variety of shops and eateries. This is followed by a focus on Singapore’s largest motor repair village, Alexandra Village, which is also home to well-known hawkers and unique craftsmen like rattan weavers to glass installers; and lastly, the iconic Chinatown, where visitors can immerse themselves in the unique shophouses, discover the various clans’ associations and the mouthwatering food available.

Each festival village will feature three unique self-guided tours that can be accessed through My Community’s community map, comprising a main storyboard and wayfinding signages, allowing visitors to explore curated trails that capture different facets of these neighbourhoods. On the days when the festival village is running, visitors are encouraged to speak to the community stakeholders with stickers on their storefronts and get to know them better and attend co-curated workshops to get up close and personal with their trade.

Returning favourites such as Welcome to My Island Home, My Prayers and Practices, and After Hours @ My Community, have also been refreshed to align with this year’s theme, offering new and returning festival-goers an opportunity to discover the best that the festival has to offer from previous editions.

● Welcome to My Island Home: Discover the gems out of the city in a morning walk along six offshore islands led by ex-islanders and hear the stories of their beloved island communities. On top of visiting known islands like Pulau Ubin and Kusu Island, look out for special tours to visit transient islands like Pulau Hantu, and an exclusive tour into the Pacific Light Power Station on Jurong Island.

● My Prayers and Practices: Singapore is home to individuals of different races, languages, and religions. From the Jains and Zoroastrians to the Jews and Theravada Buddhists, join us on a journey to the places of worship of all 10 major religions in Singapore and learn about their cultures and practices. Additionally, there are private tours showcasing home-based rituals such as Seventh Month rituals at a shophouse, Eng Tiang Huat, and Baháʼí devotees introducing how prayers and practices are conducted differently in their homes!

● After Hours @ My Community: The city never sleeps with our unsung heroes keeping Singapore going at night while the rest of us sleep! Join in on a night walk around the spaces including Bukit Brown Cemetery that comes alive at night, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of some bustling hotspots, including Mandai Wildlife Reserve and Jurong Fishery Port.

For more information, visit https://mycommunityfestival.sg

Marina Central District Launches Body, Heart & Soul

By delta March 23, 2022

This March to November, align your Body, Heart & Soul at Marina Central district, where interactive installations, workshops and boundless experiences are set to vivify possibilities across arts, business and leisure. Debuting on
26 March, the travelling initiative Body, Heart & Soul will be unveiled at Marina Square as its first stop and will subsequently be popping up across Millenia Walk, South Beach and Suntec City.

Interweaving the district’s values of collaboration, innovation and sustainability to create a profound digital experience, the photogenic series of installations are designed to transform interactions in public spaces with new themes and experiences at each stop, vitalising the district into a thriving, interconnected community for the common good.

Marina Central Business Improvement District (BID)

Marina Central district (Image Credit: JWMarriott Singapore South Beach)

Marina Central Business Improvement District was established as a joint effort by four stakeholders, Marina Square, Millenia Walk, South Beach and Suntec City, and community partner, Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, to inject fun placemaking experiences, rejuvenate vibrancy and support businesses in the district. Exciting past
activations include the creation of the Largest Rubik’s Cube Mural in Singapore and the record-breaking skipping event, Skip for Steps organised in partnership with Health Promotion Board’s Healthy Workplace Ecosystem and National Steps Challenge.

Presently, Marina Central district rings in the second quarter of the year with the launch of the sublime art installation, Body, Heart & Soul — a testament to the district’s endless and exciting placemaking initiatives for locals and tourists to enjoy.

Body, Heart & Soul is an initiative by Marina Central district that is headlined by an interactive installation designed by Dr Jason Lim of Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Ar Asami Takahashi of YUME Architects, in collaboration with TinkerTanker. The installation which first made its debut at the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2018 is now reimagined as four illuminating cubes — representing Marina Square, Millenia Walk, South Beach and Suntec City — that explore the way light can be used to affect our perception. An intricate crystal lattice is artfully assembled out of more than 1,200 four-point-knots to channel light and create an illusory world of reflections and colour as it responds to human presence and gestures, transforming and taking on new forms with each movement they make. Body, Heart & Soul illustrates the convergence of art, technology and human consciousness.

Traversing through Marina Central District

Body, Heart & Soul kicks off with the first theme — Body at Play, in the central atrium of Marina Square from 26 March till 12 May. Visible from all four entries, the interactive cubes draw shoppers, young and old alike, into their vicinity and light up in response to playful poses and gestures. Through their body movements, audiences are invited to control projections of shadow puppetry. Integrating art and technology in a tangible way, this installation is the setting for new memorable experiences, further enhancing Marina Square’s reputation as the space for fun and merry-making with its diversity of amusement tenants including Pororo Park, Kiztopia and the world’s first NERF Action Xperience.

To complement the experience, children and adults can participate in a workshop entitled, Programmable Shadows. The workshop at Marina Square will tie in with Body, Heart & Soul’s key motive of ‘humanising technology’ as visitors learn to create their very own digital shadow artwork. Workshop participants will be able to draw their own artwork and transform them into shadows that respond to their body motions. The workshop is suitable for children from six years old and adults, and it is a great activity for parent-child bonding.

Register for the workshops at marinacentral.com.sg.

In mid-May, Body, Heart & Soul will be transformed and transported to the next mall, Millenia Walk. Themed Heartfelt, the cubes will create passages for visitors to walk through. Upon sensing the presence of its audiences, the cubes will pulse with light in a measured rhythm, creating an immersive atmosphere along with the additional transformational projections in the arena. To offer an intimate insight into designing the heart of the installation, the interactive animated lights — Dr Jason Lim will be facilitating a Heart of Computing workshop. The workshop offers participants a hands-on experience to learn how to express their creativity with the aid of technology by learning how to build an electronic circuit and compose a computer programme for light animation.

In July, the installation will arrive at South Beach themed In the Mood. The installation will take on an audiovisual format and be displayed across the open air plaza to allow visitors a more intimate and multi-sensory experience as they respond to audio cues to effect change in the illuminating cubes. Carrying forward Body, Heart & Soul’s sustainable initiative, and in a bid to normalise sustainable design in our everyday lives, visitors can also sign up for the Origami Upcycling workshop and learn to turn used paper products into beautiful Origami art.

The installation makes its final stop at Suntec City in mid-September 2022 with the theme Collective Soul. Visitors will be enthralled by synchronised displays of light designed to accentuate vibrancy. Visitors will also be encouraged to make their mark on the installation with their Instagram photos by tagging @marinacentralsg. The collage of photos contributed by visitors will aptly epitomise the ‘Collective Soul’ of Marina Central district’s Body, Heart & Soul. Adding to the experience and in line with the district’s aim of ‘galvanising sustainability’, the Second-life Electronics workshop seeks to impart vital skills of transforming used electronics into art and breathe new life into electronic junk, thereby saving them from landfills.

That’s not all, visitors at Marina Central district can also look forward to a variety of exciting retail promotions across the stakeholders, redeemable through their respective apps.

[Sponsored Post]- The Game Changing Toothbrush – Review of FOREO ISSA 3

By delta November 5, 2021

The ISSA 3 by FOREO Sweden is a game-changing toothbrush and it has made my daily cleaning regime so much more enjoyable ever since. I say this only because I have had many experiences with other electric toothbrushes and though I have my usual go-to electric toothbrush before the ISSA 3 landed in my hands, I sometimes do find it very annoying when I have to charge my electric toothbrush every week in order for it to work.

Since I received the ISSA 3 at the start of October, I did not have to charge it for more than 3 weeks now and though it is too early to tell if one single charge can last for one year (because this is what FOREO claims), I guess only time will tell.

The brush head of the ISSA 3 by FOREO is another feature that I must mention because the unique hybrid wave brush head is made with PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) bristles at the core and surrounded by a ring of ultra-soft silicone bristles that are extremely gentle and non-abrasive on teeth and gums. The hybrid brush head can also last for up to 6 months and this is twice longer than the brush heads of most electric toothbrushes.

Now, I have been using nylon brush heads all my life and I do have a very bad habit of brushing my teeth so hard that it causes my gums to bleed. This is probably the reason why as a child growing up, I have very sensitive teeth and it hurts so much whenever I consume ice cream or have some icy-cold soda.

ISSA 3 has truly made sensitivity and receding gum lines a thing of the past because with its revolutionary brush head design, it has literally made it impossible to brush too hard.

Those on the manual toothbrush camp will say that manual brushing feels more natural while those on the electric toothbrush camp will say that electric brushing is cleaner. Regardless, whether you are using a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, applying too much strength will cause bleeding and that is not healthy for the gums and teeth.

I am sure we have all seen advertisements about how electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes but what if you can brush your teeth manually and still get electric toothbrush results?

Well, that is what you get with the ISSA 3, a natural manual brushing gesture that you are most familiar with your whole life combined with perfect electric brushing results. An added advantage is the soft silicone bristles which are gentle on the gums and cannot be found on any other electric toothbrush.

Featuring a whopping 16 intensities, ISSA 3 offers a wider range of intensities and speeds than any other toothbrush on the market, so you can customise your brushing experience to suit your preference and oral care requirements.

10,000x more hygienic than nylon-bristled brushes; 100% waterproof and free of BPA & phthalates for health and safety; lasting up to a whopping 365 days on a single USB charge, with a travel lock and case for ease on the go; and featuring a built-in timer, and a brush head that lasts up to 6 months before it needs to be replaced; there is so much to love about the ISSA 3.

Get the FOREO ISSA 3 today!

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