If you’re no stranger to Taipei, it’s time to spice up your travel adventures with something extraordinary. Start your journey by choosing to fly with Starlux Airlines. Starlux Airlines offer superior comfort, pampering and exceptional flight services, and occasional themed flight experiences in partnership with renowned brands and Michelin-starred restaurants like Hutong restaurant. Pamper your taste buds on board with a delectable selection of artisanal food and drinks including cocktails, mocktails, fruit teas, the famous bubble milk tea and many more.

If you’re a foodie, Taipei is indeed a paradise with its diverse culinary scene ranging from street foods at night markets to Michelin-starred restaurants serving authentic local delicacies.

Don’t miss the old hidden gems like the “戡戴반 (Shu Yu Kuan)” in Taipei, specializing in various delectable fish dishes. Their signature Douban fish dish is a must-try, bursting with fermented chili bean paste flavors and made from fresh carp.  Shu Yu Kuan old restaurant offers a variety of other cooking styles for fish: salt and pepper, sweet and sour, garlic, and pickled cabbage, alongside pickles, steamed rolls and other traditional food dishes.

The global boost of creative economy has resulted in increasing popularity for cultural and creative parks, such as Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (SCCP). Discover the transformation of the former tobacco factory into a vibrant hub of art & design, cultural events, and shopping experiences in SCCP with the iconic Eslite Spectrum Songyan 24-hour bookstore nearby.

No matter where you go, it is always relaxing to unwind at a trendy café like the Simple Kaffa flagship cafe near Huashan 1914 Creative Park. Enjoy their unique coffee creations like the Whiskey Latte and Brown Sugar Latte, paired with the Instagram-worthy 3 colors ‘Sweet Potato Buddies’ thick toast.

Other interesting bucket lists to be considered are: visiting contemporary art museums and galleries such as Artdoor Gallery and take a factory tour at 郭목촘묏렌 (Vigor Kobo) for a unique and memorable experience beyond their popular pineapple cakes.

Reimagine your travel narrative in Taipei city, where every corner unveils a new story and a fresh perspective. Every travel experience is a delightful discovery!

Madrid, Spain is a beautiful city rich in culture, art, and architecture. Even with limited time, it’s possible to enjoy the most interesting things that the city has to offer. Google maps, Google Earth, Rome to Rio, Spain’s official tourism website, and Facebook groups are valuable resources to get around the city since many locals can’t speak fluent English.

Museum Reina Sofia

Museum Prado

Rare art piece by Salvador Dali

We thought of visiting Las Ventas yet it was not the right season to do so. Thus, we decided to explore some of the popular museums in Madrid: Museo Nacional del Prado and Museo Reina Sofía. The Museo del Prado is considered the most important art museum in Madrid as it beholds precious art masterpieces in history with renowned old art masters like El Greco, Goya, Rubens. The Museo Reina Sofia housed a massive collection of 20th century and contemporary artworks, including rare pieces of Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miro.

A variety of churros

El Rastro Flea Market

El Rastro flea market is a popular Sunday attraction for tourists, but be careful of the pickpockets despite the presence of the police.

Botin Restaurant – the oldest restaurant in the world

Dining in the Botin Restaurant is an ultimate culinary experience not to be missed. Botin Restaurant is the world’s oldest restaurant according to the Guiness Book of records. The signature roast suckling pig and lamb here are a must-try and the venue itself is a historical gem.

Hop on hop off bus tour

To have a quick wrap up of the Madrid tour,  we opted for Madrid-Hop-On-Hop-Off bus service that covers all the top attractions in Madrid. It’s a good way to get a good view of the city, especially the rooftop architecture.

Since we had limited time, we decided to take a day trip to Valencia only. Euro train tickets were pre-booked via the Omio app. 

 Valencia’s Old Town

Valencia’ s city view

Valencia has an interesting cityscape with spectacular modern architecture, the old town, beaches, and the natural park. Valencia is also the home of Paella, ideal for strolling around, and having a good break.

The City of Arts and Sciences including Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe –  an interactive three-floor science museum that currently runs the exhibition of MARS expedition, L’Hemisfèric, and L’Oceanogràfic – the largest oceanographic aquarium in Europe. We tried Paella while having lunch at Submarino Restaurant in L’Oceanografic. The dining area is surrounded by an aquarium, but the food was overrated.

 L’Oceanogràfic

With only a week, we managed to enjoy most of Madrid’s exquisite attractions, including a fantastic day trip to Valencia.

Stunning architecture of La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

The World of Frozen made its debut at Hong Kong Disneyland on November 20, 2023, offering guests a magical and immersive experience in the beloved kingdom of Arendelle with breathtaking landscapes, iconic characters, and state-of-the-art attractions.

“Come Celebrate Summer Snow Day” as you step into the world’s first and largest Frozen-themed land – and the first of three at Disney’s international theme parks. Inspired by Disney’s Frozen, the biggest animation hit of all time, this wonderland features landscapes that merge together with the Lantau mountains, and characters from the movie; Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Oaken, wandering the streets of Arendelle throughout the day, creating more spontaneous and immersive character interactions.

The park pays homage to the real-life nature, arts, culture, and architecture of Norway, reflecting its 19th-century “Dragestil” (dragon) and Bellstrand’s asymmetrical style, with rose-melting flower paintings and the kingdom’s golden crocus flower incorporated into designs, showcasing the meticulous collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Iconic film locales like the North Mountain, Arendelle Castle, the Clock Tower, the Bay of Arendelle, Elsa’s Ice Palace, Friendship Fountain, Northern Delights, and the Golden Crocus Inn transport you to the heart of Arendelle.

The Arendelle experience is highlighted by two revolutionary attractions: Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, a family rollercoaster ride through the rocky landscapes of Arendelle Forest with a view of the Arendelle Castle, and Frozen Ever After, a delightful, song-filled boat trip around the kingdom. It is Hong Kong Disneyland’s first attraction to feature Walt Disney Imagineering’s most advanced, all-electric Audio-Animatronics® figures, which bring to life characters such as Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf with amazing likeness.

The attention to detail extends to merchandise, with Tick Tock Toys & Collectibles offering a myriad of irresistible ‘all things Frozen’ keepsakes. Dining options to enjoy Arendelle cuisine include the Golden Crocus Inn, which serves a good selection of Nordic-inspired dishes, and Northern Delights, with Frozen-inspired quick sweet treats and desserts on its menu.

“The World of Frozen” promises an immersive journey into the heart of the Frozen universe, and as the first Frozen-themed land to open internationally, it sets the stage for similar experiences at Walt Disney Studios in Paris and Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs expansion, bringing the magic of Frozen to fans around the world. With Frozen 3 and 4 already in the works, Hong Kong’s World of Frozen is just the beginning of Frozen fever for Disney Experiences. 

Images by Laughing Place Inc.

If you love hide and seek, look for the enchanted Tanao Cafe Bar that is hidden in a historical site in the Phra Nakhon area near the bustling Khao San road in Bangkok, Thailand.

Upon entering the Tanao Cafe Bar, you’ll be greeted by the alluring sight of a grand centennial building owned by the royal family. This building has been renovated to include an indoor, air-conditioned glass dining area. As for those seeking a more al fresco experience, the Tanao Cafe Bar also has a charming garden under the shade of a majestic tree where diners can enjoy their meals while surrounded by a soothing embrace of green nature.

The Tanao Cafe Bar serves the finest food, from home-made pastries to great cocktails.

Prepare to tantalise your taste buds with a selection of signature starters like Miang Bua Luang (Miang Kam wrapped in bite-sized lotus petals), Kratong Tong (Shrimp Salsas in crispy cups), and Somtum Salmon Rolls (Rice paper salmon spring rolls with papaya salad).

Goong Che Nam Pa is a raw prawn dish served with dipping Thai sauce, which is very much a Thai-style sashimi. Moo Pla Ra is fried sun-dried pork served with a spicy-sour sauce that is perfectly complemented by sticky rice and a selection of raw vegetables.

The Tanao Cafe Bar also takes pride in reviving an ancient recipe for Traditional Vermicelli Salad. Rich in flavours of garlic and fried dried shrimp, this salad is a nostalgic journey of flavours through time.

Beside the iconic Khao Ob Saparod (Thai pineapple fried rice with prawns), another must-try signature main dish is the Spaghetti Singha Nua Sua Tai, a captivating fusion of Western and Thai cuisine. In this exquisite creation, al dente spaghetti is paired with spicy Northern Thai sausage.

From classic coffees and teas to an enticing selection of soft drinks, mocktails, cocktails, and more, the drinks menu at Tanao Cafe Bar is carefully crafted to provide a feast for the eyes. It also offers quite a few exclusive dessert creations for sweet lovers, like The Tanao Affogato with Coconut Ice Cream, The Tanao Ruammit, and the Coconut Sundae. 

Although Hong Kong reopened its borders in 2023 and launched the “Hello Hong Kong” tourism campaign with 500,000 free flights, the recovery post-pandemic has been slow and challenging. Many shops in popular tourist destinations remain vacant, awaiting new tenants. However, the surviving establishments are grateful to have witnessed a gradual resurgence in business.

Food holds a cherished place in the hearts of Hong Kongers. From local favourites like beef and wonton noodles to succulent roasted meats, the culinary offerings meet a variety of tastes and budgets. Economy rice shops now provide a more diverse range of dishes that are visually appealing; nonetheless, they are commonly served cold. It is a no-go if you are looking for a nice, hot meal. Otherwise, a simple, golden, crispy polo bun coupled with a steaming cup of Hong Kong milk tea is always something to consider.

Many locals grew up with Yung Kee when it first started up as a roadside food stall. Today, the restaurant occupies an iconic building in one of Hong Kong’s most expensive areas, Central District. To visit and savour Yung Kee Restaurant’s famous double charcoal-roasted goose and their other timeless dishes is a must for all tourists. The restaurant features different themed areas for dining, from the nostalgic 1960s Shanghai ambiance to contemporary fusion spaces. For an elevated food experience, it is recommended to make a special booking for private VIP rooms that are available on the higher floors.

Since the return of Hong Kong to China, the Sichuan boiled fish dish (Shui Zhu Yu) has become increasingly popular with the locals. Mian Restaurant, located in the prestigious Murray Hotel, is probably the best around for offering this dish. The fiery delicacy from China combines dried peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and fresh fish, creating an endorphin rush that is spicy and savoury yet compounded with a numbing experience to challenge the diners senses to “culinary heights’.

The Hong Kong dessert scene is another heaven for food enthusiasts. Crispy egg tarts, egg waffles, steamed milk puddings, and sweet dessert soups are available in almost every corner of the popular spots. While many are queuing outside the Australian Dairy Co. for the famous double steamed milk puddings, it is advisable to opt for Kai Kai, an alternative Michelin-awarded dessert shop that offers equally good steamed milk puddings with shorter queuing times. Speaking of drool-worthy desserts, the amazing artisan cakes of Dan Wen Li by Dominique Ansel are another one not to be missed.

As always, remember to call it a day with a cup of local Hong Kong milk tea or a robust, strong coffee. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich culinary traditions, where old and new intertwine to create a food journey that you will always remember. 

Is there a difference between the Chinese and the Baba Nyonya of the Straits Settlement during the good old days? Definitely it is undeniable that the lifestyles have some distinctive variations. The obvious were the food, customs, kinship, attire and language. The Nyonya believed that to keep a man’s heart at home was to have excellent culinary skills – to cook good, delicious food making sure that the husband is full and happy. Hence this is one of the reasons why Nyonya food until today is still so popular. Due to the fact that the Baba Nyonya have resided along the Straits Settlement for a long time, the way they dressed and conversed were highly influenced by the Malay culture. However, the common belief is that somewhere along the ancestry line is that the great grandmothers or the great, great grandmothers were of Malay origin but was found to be unsubstantiated as research by interviewing offsprings of Baba Nyonya families did not show any Malay blood line. Even by arguing the fact that some of the Chinese men who stayed on with Princess Hang Li Po during the late 15th century and marrying local women, thus creating the Baba Nyonya’s connection is over stretching history especially when only after four centuries were the Baba Nyonya and its historical lifestyles documented. The common misinterpretation until today that the Chinese in Malaysia are called ‘Malay People’ or ‘马来人‘ by Chinese living in China and Hong Kong may be the answer that the Chinese men who migrated from China then married a ‘Malay Girl’ from Malaya which in fact is referring to a local Chinese girl.

Further to comparing the similarities and differences between the Chinese and Baba Nyonya, it is rather peculiar that scholars have yet to find any Baba Nyonya association that was formed during the late 19th century. Unlike the Chinese, where many associations were established for those who came from the same regions in China, spoke the same dialects, have the same surnames, or worked in the same trades, etc. it is also found that some prominent Babas were members and contributed to these Chinese associations. The reason why the Baba Nyonya did not have their own association that time inclined some to opine that they actually considered themselves part of the Chinese community but living differently from the traditional Chinese culture.

by CHT & Glen Chee

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Famille rose kamchengs or covered jars are considered the ‘must have’ among Straits Chinese porcelain specialist collectors. There are two major types of kamchengs that are considered to be Straits Chinese between the period of mid 19th to early 20th century. The famille rose enamels are colourful and gaudy wares that are usually presented as gifts and used during ceremonial occasions to display the opulence and affluence of the Straits Chinese Peranakan families. The other category of kamchengs are the Kitchen Qing blue and whites that were mass produced and exported to South East Asia mainly for utilitarian usage. The word Kamcheng pronounced in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect from Fujian carries the connotations of love, affection and relationship. Among the Straits Chinese Peranakan community,  most have opined that these colourful kamchengs were used for storing cooked rice or as soup tureens and used during special and auspicious occasions. However, in recent years, the television series ‘Little Nyonya’ had dramatised the colourful kamcheng into an item that the bride would bring along to her new home after the wedding ceremony. Perhaps this dramatisation could be interpreted as the kamcheng signifies or seals the ‘kamcheng’ (relationship) between both families through the wedding ceremony. Hence, many collectors and enthusiasts have started to accept and preach this analogy. 

There is no doubt that these is food containers but there are no evidence suggesting that only the colourful ones were actually used for ready cooked food or as a momento for brides. In fact these porcelain pieces were mainly used as storage jars for dried food and herbs in China and other countries where the Chinese had migrated to. It is common to find traditional Chinese medicine halls using the blue and white kamchengs as herbal jars. It may well be that only the affluent families could afford having these famille rose porcelain to match their other table wares. Large kamchengs made during the mid 19th to early 20th century are hardly found in China but most extant pieces are found in Southeast Asia. Some rarely encountered leviathan kamchengs can comfortably hold a sitting baby! As for the mini or baby kamchengs, it is accepted that they were predominantly used for storing valuable daily health supplements or life saving medicinal pills.

The blue and white kamchengs are comparatively much cheaper than the colourful ones. Prices for the coloured pieces greatly depend on the ground colour, size, motif designs and markings. A big rare kamcheng may fetch more than RM100, 000 whereas a green ground baby kamcheng could be asking for RM5,000. Beginners  should be vigilant that there are a good number of fakes and a significant  amount of reproduction items in the markets asking for genuine antique prices.