FR EE PHOTO: CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY | MCI (P) 020/05/2019
88 ISSUE Jul-Aug 2 0 1 9
As Above So Below
TURKEY | ROMANIA | TAIWAN ARGENTINA MORE
FANTASTIC STAY YOU HAVE BEEN DREAMING OF BOOK NOW
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CONTENTS J U LY - A U G U S T I S S U E
The crushing reins of the surrounding rocks were nothing more than the cordial embrace of a guardian angel.
28 BELOW THE SURFACE Uncover mankind’s greatest creation beneath
sg.tourismthailand.org • facebook.com/tat.sg
Photo: Cheryl Kho
JULY - AUGUST ISSUE
20 — FEATURES 20 An Amateur Hiker’s Guide to Xueshan Follow our writer up Taiwan’s second highest peak 24 City Colours Pedal around Buenos Aires’ trendiest barrio 35 Underground Fun Into the world’s most unique architectural marvel
Photo: Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland
36 Chambers of Secrets Mines of the past, now transformed
08 — REGULARS 08 Hotels 12 Events 14 Gear Guide 17 Short Breaks 19 Travel News 27 Travel Tips 44 Distribution 46 Snapshot
— SPORTS+ 38 Q&A: Chris Yu 39 Rafting 40 Canyoning 42 Spelunking
Photo: Brian Lauer
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24
EDITOR’S NOTE
WHAT LIES BENEATH
C
Hidden within Turda, Romania, lies one of the world’s oldest salt mines. But this is no longer just a regular mine. The Salina Turda has been transformed into an underground theme park equipped with fun and games suited for the entire family. Discover the hidden mines open to the public in the US, Canada, and Colombia! Unearth the hidden Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá in Colombia or experience the healing capabilities of the Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine in the US. Lastly, get on board for some new adventure sports that can cool you down in the hot weather. This issue we introduce you to Canyoning, Rafting, and Spelunking, read up on what you need to do to prepare and what gears you need before embarking on these extreme activities. With that, we hope you stay inspired and motivated to discover the wonders of the world and its myriad activities. We’ll be back with more stories to keep you inspired for your next travels. Until then, stay bold and adventurous!
Low Mei Fang Editor editor@sportsandtravelonline.com
FR EE
VISIT US: www.sportsandtravel.com.sg FACEBOOK Sports+Travel Singapore
PHOTO: CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY | MCI (P) 020/05/2019
88 ISSUE Jul-Aug 2 0 1 9
As Above So Below
YOUTUBE Sports+Travel Singapore
TURKEY | ROMANIA | TAIWAN ARGENTINA MORE
Cover: Cappadocia, Turkey
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Low Mei Fang CREATIVE DIRECTOR Orland Punzalan MEDIA MANAGER Eish Sandhu DIGITAL MEDIA & OPERATIONS MANAGER Adrian Rosario WRITING & DIGITAL Cheryl Kho Dave Poh Julia Lachica Livia Taslim Phua Jun Han
PUBLISHER NATIVIS PTE LTD 20 Maxwell Road #08-01Q Maxwell House, Singapore 069113 Tel +65 6909 5290 / +65 6429 0729 www.sportsandtravelonline.com enquiry@sportsandtravelonline.com SPORTS+TRAVEL LIMITED Rm. 1104 Crawford House 70 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Tel +852 2861 8746 enquiry@sportsandtravel.com.hk
ADVERTISING SALES GENERAL SALES ENQUIRY sales@sportsandtravelonline.com SG+HK Hylda Low Joshua Ng Surbhi Tiwari
CONTRIBUTORS Chris Yu
SPECIAL THANKS International Champions Cup Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia Tan Tock Seng Hospital Tourism Authority of Thailand TLM Foot-Knee-Back-Arm Orthotics Centre ...and many, many others!
op a feel of our new look and finish! Sleeker than before, Sports+Travel introduces its new aesthetics, coming at you bolder and better, without compromising on our signature uniqueness. For Issue 88, we venture into the underground all around the world! From subterranean theme parks to cathedrals built into mines, get ready for an adventure into a collection of chambers full of secrets. This issue, we follow one of our writers on her journey up Taiwan’s second tallest peak, Xueshan. Read as Cheryl Kho and her companions trek up and conquer the 3886-metre mountain to the beautiful summit! Take a break above ground as we walk you through the vivid city of Buenos Aires and show you what to expect of its colourful streets: from trying the local coffee and hot chocolate to admiring the kaleidoscope of street art that can be seen throughout the bustling city. Our cover story this time uncovers one of mankind’s greatest architectural creations in Cappadocia, Turkey. Go on an expedition in the Derinkuyu Underground City, the deepest underground city ever discovered in the world, as we take you through what goes on within the mazelike halls of the hypogeal city.
OUR TEAM
@sportsandtravelsg
DISCLAIMER Sports+Travel Singapore is a bi-monthly publication of Nativis Pte Ltd (Singapore) and distributed throughout Singapore. Articles published are in good faith and based on bona fide information to The Publisher at the time of press. The Publisher accepts no responsibility other than that stipulated by law, nor for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced in part or full without the written permission of The Publisher. Neither can any part be stored or recorded, by any means. Opinions expressed in The Publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher. This publication and the name are owned solely by Nativis Pte Ltd, (enquiry@ sportsandtravelonline.com). Trademarks and copyrights for all other products, logos and depictions contained herein are the properties of their respective trademark and copyright owners. Colour separation and printing by Times Printers Pte Ltd MCI (P) L007/08/2019
A fine challenge on a spectacular island course right on Singapore's doorstep
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Over the years, IRONMAN 70.3 Bintan has been awarded Best Destination Triathlon, Best Swim Course, Best Bike Course, Best Overall event in Asia.
ACCESS FROM SINGAPORE Once you land in Singapore, you are one step away from Bintan. A 10 min taxi ride will take you to the ferry terminal. Hop on the ferry for 50 min and you are in Beautiful Bintan, ready to race! # IM 703Bi nt a n
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L iving Beneath
Here are some hotels offering the most exquisite subterranean experiences.
p Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland CHINA
Photo: Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland
Hotels
t La Dimora di Metello ITALY
Photo: La Dimora di Metello
The stupendous Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland proudly holds the title of the first underground luxury hotel. Sitting within a decommissioned quarry and surrounded by vast nature, it incorporates its rustic environment in its warm and wooden furnishings throughout the premises. Escape to this modern wonderland without giving up on comfort and indulgence. › www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels
In the heart of Italy’s Sassi di Matera, known for its ancient cave dwellings, lies the regal, minimalistic elegance of La Dimora di Metello. Carved out of limestone cliffs, the craggy, cream rock walls blend seamlessly with the neutral hues of modern oak furniture and mellow fabrics. An ample terrace affords a sweeping panorama of Sasso Barisano - a truly magical Italian landscape. › www.ladimoradimetello.com
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Aboveground, its entrance is marked simply with a Swiss flag and a nondescript red door fitted into a stone facade. Underground, the slate grey of the Swiss Alps frames La Claustra, a rejuvenated former underground Swiss army bunker rife with rich history. The cavernous 5000m² space it occupies features a restaurant, library, spa, swimming pool as well as switchboard rooms, old military generators and an ammunition storage. › www.claustra.ch
Photos: Les Hautes Roches
Photos: La Claustra
t La Claustra SWITZERLAND
Hidden within the vast Australian Outback is the famed opal mining town of Coober Pedy, the unique setting of Desert Cave Hotel. While there are aboveground rooms as well, the more daring can live underground. The cozy, stone-walled rooms beneath are fitted with native rocks and furnishings, reflecting the unique culture of the Australian Outback. › www.desertcave.com.au
p Cappadocia Cave Suites TURKEY It isn’t Turkey without the underground. The picturesque city of Goreme brings you Cappadocia Cave Suites, a lush subterranean experience within its storied fairy chimneys. Indulge in the way rich luxury melds with the authentic style of Hittite, Roman and Byzantine Periods. From the private balcony, watch the iconic Turkish hot air balloons rise against the distant sunset. › www.cappadociacavesuites.com/en
Photo: Ibis Styles
‘Mind the gap!’ screams at you from the carpet, now your very own Tube platform. Here is a quirky aboveground rendition of London’s subway system, splashed with oranges, yellows and blues distinctively redolent of the colourful Tube map. A stylish tribute to the metropolis’ iconic underground, its decor also takes a page from the book of the sixties - plush velvet seats in the lobby, arched windows and prints bearing the names of famous stations. › www.accor.com
Desert Cave Hotel AUSTRALIA
Photo: Desert Cave Hotel
Ibis Styles London Gloucester Road ENGLAND
Photo: Cappadocia Cave Suites
Sleep in style within the heart of a volcano. The depths of Santorini’s volcanic cliffs play host to these enigmatic, new cave suites of the Iconic Santorini Hotel. Its dedicated terrace features outdoor loungers and a caldera-facing plunge pool offering a splendid vista of the vast Aegean sea right below. This is the pinnacle of luxurious serenity, warm Hellenic hospitality and truly unmatched local cuisine. › www.iconicsantorini.com
Photo: Iconic Santorini Hotel
Iconic Santorini Hotel u GREECE
t Kokopelli’s Cave UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
France’s leading luxury Troglodytic hotel rises over the Loire Valley and the meandering royal river. Sculpted into the tufa cliff face is a labyrinth of living spaces, each uniquely curated with light, velvety shades tastefully juxtaposed with vivid splashes of colour. The surrounding Châteaux de la Loire and the nearby Vouvray vineyards unfold right outside, for a richly rewarding trip down culture lane. › www.leshautesroches.com
Fashioned out of sheer Ojo Alamo sandstone cliffs overlooking the stunning La Plata river valley and sloping sandstone pathways, enter the quaint charm of Flintstoneesque Kokopelli’s Cave. Eclectic home design, rugged, textured rock walls and the warm tones of aspen furniture coalesce into a homely space for the perfect stay, complete with a stone hot tub jacuzzi, small patio and Native American kiva. › www.kokoscave.us
Photo: Kokopelli’s Cave
t Les Hautes Roches FRANCE
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FEATURE
MONGOLIA
EVENTS SINGAPORE JULY 20-21
21
27
2019 International Champions Cup Venue: National Stadium Category: Football 2019 OCBC Cycle National Mountain Bike ChampionshipXCO Venue: Centaurs Sports Park Category: Cycling, Mountain Biking Nee Soon FUNtARTstic Fiesta 3Ten Run 2019 Venue: Orchid Country Club Category: Running
AUGUST 3
SPARTAN Bukit Timah Super/ Sprint/Kids Race Venue: 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore Category: Obstacle course
4
Decathlon X GetActive SG Race Venue: Scenic routes in Central Singapore Category: Running, 7km
18
REGIONAL
Singapore Aquathlon Venue: Casuarina Grove, East Coast Park Category: 3km run-400m swim, 5km run-750m swim, 10km run-1.5km swim
JULY 13
Great Eastern Viper Challenge Venue: Bukit Jalil National Stadium Category: Obstacle course, fitness Country: Bukit Jalil, Malaysia
18
Pocari Sweat Run Bandung 2019 Venue: Gedung Sate Bandung, Jawa Barat Category: 5km, 10km, 21km Country: Bandung, Indonesia
21
17
Pattaya Marathon 2019 Venue: Central Festival Pattaya Beach Category: 3.5km, 10km, 21km, 42km Country: Pattaya, Thailand
AUGUST
9-11
12
Marines Obstacle Run 2019 Venue: Sea Forest Nuvasa Bay, Nongsa, Batam Category: Obstacle Race Country: Batam, Indonesia Danang International Marathon Venue: East Sea Park Category: 5km, 10km, 21km, 42km Country: Danang, Vietnam
Shape Run 2019 Venue: Kallang Practice Track Category: 5km, 10km
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TOUCH Giving Run Venue: Singapore Sports Hub OCBC Square Category: 4km, Charity Run
SEPTEMBER 29
The Straits Times Run 2019 Venue: Singapore Sports Hub Category: 3.5km, 10km, 18.45km
29
Singapore International Triathlon Venue: East Coast Park Category: Triathlon
8
24-25 4
25
Great Eastern LIVE GREAT Run 2019 Venue: Bukit Jalil National Stadium Category: 5km, 12km Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bangkok Midnight Marathon 2019 Venue: Sanam Chai Road Category: 10km, 21km, 42.195km Country: Bangkok, Thailand
SEPTEMBER 7-8
International Bintan Marathon 2019 Venue: Lagoi Bay Category: 10km, 21km, 42.195km Country: Bintan, Indonesia
Maybank Bali Marathon 2019 Venue: Gianyar, Bali Category: 10km, 21.1km, 42.195km Country: Bali, Indonesia
OCTOBER 27
The Jakarta Marathon 2019 Venue: TBC Category: 5km, 10km, 21km, 42km Country: Jakarta, Indonesia
NOVEMBER 3
District Race Kuala Lumpur 2019 presented by AIA Vitality Venue: Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja, City Centre Kuala Lumpur Category: Running Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ADVERTORIAL
The Bangkok Midnight Marathon 2019
T
his year’s race is conceptualised by Jak San, referring to the traditional woven Thai handicraft, Pla Ta Pian (fish-shaped wind mobiles), Ta Kraw (kick ball) and Nok Kra Jib (bird-shaped craft). They each represent wealth, harmony and freedom. Discover the bustling city of Bangkok at night as you race down the illuminated streets and past the glimmering historical sights. The Bangkok Midnight Marathon 2019 returns, once again, in August this year. This is one of the rare opportunities for you to set your milestones, or challenge your limits – without the sun’s glare. Avoid the blazing tropical shine as you navigate your way through the metropolitan hub. Be prepared to gain a whole new perspective as you weave through the enigmatic Thai capital’s nighttime urban landscape. Without the traffic. Without the substantial shopping crowds. Without the unintelligible visual buzz. As much as it is a test of physical limits, the entire experience would prove to be an exhilarating, once in a lifetime urban adventure.
RACE ROUTE As with previous editions, runners can choose from three different running distances. Apart from the full marathon, which covers a distance of
GETTING THERE: There is hardly any hassle in travelling to Bangkok from Singapore. Singapore Airlines, Scoot, AirAsia, Jetstar, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways and Thai Lion Air all offer non-stop flights to the Thai capital. The race begins and ends at the Phra Nakhon district, which is the central district of Bangkok.
42.195km, there is an option of a half-marathon (21.1km) and a mini marathon (10km). The full marathon will flag off at 12.59am, at Sanam Chai Road. The trail will bring you through famous destinations like the Democracy Monument and the Rama VIII Bridge before you head down and back up a stretch of Borommaratchachonnani Road. Take a glimpse of the King Rama V Monument and the Golden Mount before you cross the finish line in the vicinity of the Giant Swing. Indulge in the postrace festivities at the race village at the Bangkok City Hall. The half marathon begins at the same starting position and kicks off at 3am, taking you through a similar path, except that a part of the Borommaratchachonnani Road track is reduced. The mini marathon starts an hour later at the exact same location. Steer your way through the various aforementioned iconic landmarks on the East bank of the Chao Phraya River.
PRICING For non-Thai residents or expats, the full, half and mini marathon costs 2400 THB, 2200 THB and 700 THB respectively. Every runner is entitled a race shirt (finisher’s shirt for full and half marathons), running bib, goodie bag and a medal.
REGISTRATION: http://www.bangkokmidnightmarathon.com/ • https://www.facebook.com/Bangkokmidnightmarathon/ EVENT DATES: 24 August to 25 August 2019 (Note: The running routes are subject to changes from the organiser.)
GEAR GUIDE
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Our team of passionate mountain trekkers designed these two-in-one trousers so you can trek in the greatest comfort, no matter the weather or how you’re feeling. They offer an excellent compromise between durability and lightness, with the added advantage of breathability. The zips on the sides mean you don’t need to take your shoes off to get them on/off. › www.decathlon.sg › S$50.00
FITBIT INSPIRE HR A step up from Fitbit Inspire comes Fitbit Inspire HR, your new and improved fitness companion. Now equipped with even more precise tracking capabilities, such as 24/7 heart rate tracking, Sleep Stages monitoring and goal-based exercise modes, this versatile smartwatch takes care of your every fitness need on an even more minute level. Your tracker will even provide a Cardio Fitness Score as an indication of how fit you are, as well as personalised tips on how to further improve your health. This truly is, motivation at your fingertips. › www.fitbit.com/store › S$158.00
TENAYA OASI LV Introducing the Tenaya Oasi LV, the shoes you need to push your limits. Aggressive downturn for maximum edging, super sticky, yet pliable, Vibram XS grip rubber, flexible midsole with ample support around the toebox and the heelcup to allow for high performance without sacrificing comfort. If you think your shoes don’t matter when it comes to performance, you haven’t tried the Oasi LV. Try them today at Onsight Climbing Gym. › www.rsb.sg › S$189.00
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MEN’S LITEWAVE AMPHIBIOUS II This ultra-versatile and lightweight sneaker features quickdrying mesh uppers and insoles for hassle-free adventures both in and out of the water. The shoes are also fitted with UltrATAC™️ rubber outsole for traction in both wet and dry conditions. The PU-coated leather toe cap with TPU film over the big toe provides added protection for the wearer. › www.outdoor-venture.com › S$146.00
FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI LIPLAY Capture your memories most vividly with Instax Mini LiPlay, the most lightweight hybrid instant camera with an LCD monitor to review and choose your photos to be printed. Using a smartphone operation to release the shutter from afar, Remote Shooting is thus now available for easier group phototaking. The camera’s new Sound function records up to ten seconds of audio, converting this into a QR code that is printed with your photo for playback. Now you can relive every poignant moment of life most lucidly. › Available at all Fujifilm-authorised dealers › S$249.00
TRIAGE FITNESS - THE PULSER The Pulser is your ultimate self-massage foam roller. It is built to deliver maximum powered vibration to relieve muscle pain, improve overall body mobility and accelerate muscle recovery. The optimised vibration gives a pulsating deep tissue massage in the comfort of your own home. The Pulser is a truly versatile fitness tool. It can be used for warming up, cooling down, recovering as well as rehabilitation. › www.triagefitness.com › S$129.00
RAINWARM 500 3-IN-1 WATERPROOF JACKET There’s no need to lug lightweight and heavy duty cover-up options with you on your next hiking trip (or weekend activity) - just pack this 3-in-1 men’s jacket from Decathlon. The outer jacket is waterproof - yet super breathable so even if your hike is hard, perspiration can escape - and the interior jacket is padded for extra warmth, suitable down to -10°C. › www.decathlon.sg › S$110.00
15
Short Breaks
Country Roads, Take Me Home Forget the city, venture into rural Phong Nha.
Photo: ePi.Longo
Photo: Oxalis Adventure
By Cheryl Kho
TURN YOUR ATTENTION AWAY from the chaotic hubbub of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh; enter the natural, idyllic charm of Phong Nha’s bucolic setting in central Vietnam. From the adventurous spirit of the Bong Lai Valley biking trail to the vast hollows of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, this is one short getaway that is chicken soup for the urban soul.
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Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and its wonders A preserved sliver of Nature’s creation resides within this park of thick jungle and karst mountains - a sacred UNESCO World Heritage Site - in the form of Phong Nha Cave and Hang Son Doong Cave. The former conceals a snaking subterranean river system, bringing you past chandeliers of dripping stalactites and the most spectacular stone columns painted in all manners of natural hues and patterns - relics from
millions of years ago. Disembark about 3 kilometres in for a thrilling caving expedition before a final invigorating frolic in its secret underground lake. Nature’s masterpiece, Hang Son Doong Cave, currently holds the title of World’s Largest Cave, spanning over 5.5 miles, and can fit a 40-storey skyscraper within. This is a whole other realm that has created in itself its own ecosystem and weather conditions: lush foliage, underground rivers and fluffy clouds unsullied by the touch of man.
GETTING THERE: It is most convenient and time-saving to take a 3.5 hour flight to Hanoi first, before transferring to a domestic flight of about an hour to Dong Hoi Airport. Then, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is only an hour’s drive away.
Photo: Edgardo W. Olivera
From the front verandah, the stunning view of the sunset is unparalleled. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, just off the famed Ho Chi Minh Trail, is just a pedal away and the cornerstone of this rising adventure capital of Vietnam.
Phong Nha
Rural simplicity of Phong Nha Farmstay Built in the midst of peaceful farmland, Phong Nha Farmstay is truly an escape, for its many city-dwelling guests away from the buzz of downtown Saigon where the zoom of zig-zagging motorcycles is the constant soundtrack. Surrounded by rolling paddy fields, experience the magic of country life. The tranquil rurality does not compromise the indulgent comfort of the boutique guesthouse, rife with a blend of local Vietnamese and French Colonial style.
Bike the countryside: Bong Lai Valley Along the dirt road, along the river’s edge, is the rurality of Bong Lai Valley. First introduced to travellers using a hand-drawn map by Phong Nha Farmstay, the cycling trail around the valley is still fairly undiscovered. Weave through vast farms, sprawling rice fields and little indigenous villages, backdropped by the looming karst mountains. In the dry season, Wild Boar Eco Farm makes for a scenic stopover, offering freshly cooked pork and swinging hammocks from which to enjoy it, overlooking the river and endless wilderness beyond. After a day of winding country roads, kick up your feet and enjoy the surreality of the serene landscape with a cold beer at one of the rustic watering holes you come across. In fact, there is one with a quirkily literal, telling moniker: ‘The Pub with Cold Beer’.
17
MONGOLIA
FEATURE
TRAVEL NEWS More attractions open in Jewel Changi Airport Since the opening of Jewel Changi Airport in April this year, the world’s best airport continues to amaze us with the opening of its much-awaited Canopy Park and the Changi Experience Studio, a
Celebrate Visit Nepal Year in 2020
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After almost a decade, Nepal Tourism celebrates Visit Nepal Year in 2020.
The two new installations are
Nepal wishes to promote the country’s stunning tourism to the world through
bound to bring endless fun to
the year-long campaign.
tourists and visitors.
Boeing 737 MAX is yet to return to service After experiencing two fatal crashes throughout its service, the Boeing 737 MAX is yet to return to service, reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. Despite Photo: Orzalan
speculations of the aircraft’s recommencement in December, the FAA is yet to release a definitive timetable for its return.
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19
FEATURE
TAIWAN
An Amateur Hiker’s Guide to
Xueshan Cheryl, a novice climber, conquers her very first mountain, Taiwan’s Xueshan. Images and Text by Cheryl Kho
20
Xueshan
Day 1:
Day 1:
0815
0830
DAY ONE It is late spring when my motley band of companions and I arrive at the foot of Xueshan, Taiwan’s second tallest peak, after a half-hour drive along narrow, winding roads from Wuling Farm. The morning of our climb is a cold, wet one, with white, unrelenting fog. My backpack already feels like a deadweight on my shoulders, immovable and solid against my spine. The climb begins with blocks of stone paths that soon disintegrate into moist, zig-zagging dirt tracks that squelch underfoot. The rising altitude quickly begins to squeeze my lungs dry. The ecology in the lower parts of Xueshan is abundant: soft green moss encapsulating rock faces, mini waterfalls flowing through mounds of leaves and gravel, alpine slopes peppered with loud, purple blossoms, beautiful networks of tree roots woven into the dirt. Two kilometres and about an hour in, we pass Qika Lodge - the first of Xueshan’s sparse accommodation - a white, wooden
hut outside which a small congregation of hikers have gathered to rest. At the four-kilometre mark where the sharp rise of Crying Slope begins, I can see how it derived its ominous moniker. The short but intimidatingly precipitous stretch is a craggy, winding path strewn with branches and crumbling gravel, making for a tough upward scramble. Soon, I am huffing and puffing onto the 3201-metre East Peak, atop which a glorious wooden plaque announces my very first mountainous achievement. Struck by the breathtaking view before me, the tough hike seems worth all the effort now. Rolling green plains rise and fall before us as far as the eye can see, fading into the wall of fog. Yonder, the mist-shrouded tips of mountains beckon. Along the gradual, easier descent, I soon glimpse 369 Lodge, a cluster of three huts nestled in a dip in the slopes: a pungent outhouse, a long rectangular main hut and below a flight of wooden steps, a little cookhouse.
I step into the living quarters, leading off to two gloomily lit rectangular rooms, with patchy, stained ceilings and small windows. Two wooden platforms, above and below, line each side of the room, with numbered sleeping spots and small notches in the bed frame to clamber onto the upper deck. At dusk, the toasty kitchen below is thick with the aroma of hot dinner: a clear pork and bamboo broth, simmering pumpkin stew, fried home-grown long beans, cubes of greasy Chinese sausage and freshly-brewed sweet ginger tea. The foggy blackness at night is allencompassing; headlamps only afford barely a few feet of visibility. Sleep is futile for me as a cacophony of snoring, coughing and rustling erupts.
Day 1:
Day 1:
Day 1:
0930
1000
DAY TWO Our mission the next day is Xueshan’s mighty Main Peak. The trail seems less strenuous today, forging a meandering path up that helps strip away the strain of the
1415
21
FEATURE
Day 1:
TAIWAN
1530
Day 1:
1600
Day 2:
0745
steep slope. Perhaps it is because I am feeling a little more accustomed today, both to the intensity of the hike and the breathlessness accompanying the mounting altitude. The very top of this slope marks the entrance into the eerie Black Forest, which carries a weighty, almost deafening silence, save for our rhythmic footfall and clicking trekking poles. All around us are ramrod straight Taiwanese fir that shoot up into the mist above, some snapped in half about their sodden trunks, roots unceremoniously ripped clean out of the earth. The path, no longer as singularly clear-cut as the day before, is scattered with stone slabs, boulders, and running water. Two difficult hours in unveils the Glacial Cirque, the site of the largest glacial traces in Taiwan. It is a bowlshaped valley, a stunningly blanketed vista of vivid, blooming pink and white indian azaleas, only found in these mountainous regions. Where the beautiful meadow ends, the
final ascent to the summit of Xueshan’s Main Peak rises. The path up is lost in the murky, impenetrable fog; I cannot see how far up it goes or exactly where the peak is. Without a clear end, you just have to keep going. Again, it is a snaking trail but this time, the most challenging of all: an impossibly steep, monstrous collection of large rocks and boulders that shift and crumble. Struggling against the harshly biting gales makes the last kilometre to the summit feel a decade long. My hands are numb, knuckles white, feet leaden and my ears have lost their feeling. Eventually, pushing past the bushes and figuring out the unclear rocky path, we emerge onto Main Peak. I cannot believe I made it up a mountain, and not an easy one too. My legs are shaky, my breathing laboured but my heart is warm and full. We are surrounded by a fast-moving fog that the wind tousles and hurries along, revealing an arresting landscape of the vibrant flower-studded fields below and blue skies melting into the soft shades
of craggy silhouettes afar. The rewarding slab of grey stone sits atop messily fashioned stone steps, proudly declaring our conquest of Xueshan, a peak of 3886 metres – a true triumph for my maiden climb.
Day 2:
Day 2:
Day 2:
22
0800
0900
DAY THREE The day of our descent from Xueshan, we leave before dawn breaks. As the first huge, persistent drops of rain become a full-blown downpour, we are thankful to already be decked out in rain pants and ponchos. The gravel slackens into running mud puddles we either sink into or avoid by fighting through the tall grass. The dripping wooden posts counting down the remaining distance seem too few and far between. My waterproof hat quickly succumbs and running rainwater drips into my eyes. At long last, the rustling green overhead opens before us to finally reveal the trailhead where our Xueshan conquest began two days ago, now drawing to a very wet but contented close.
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Photo: Juan Antonio Segal Photo: g_u
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Photo: Andrew Milligan Sumo
City Colours
An eye-opening pedalling expedition around Buenos Aires’ trendiest barrio, Palermo. By Phua Jun Han
A few blocks down southwest and the aroma is pleasingly apparent. Coffee. There is this certain disposition that somehow inexplicably rejuvenates and reinvigorates. Several cafes line the streets. The scene is effervescent. A lively affair. Even at a marked distance, not exactly in the thick of activity, the hurly-burly is palpable. At the Palermo Soho, the dining tables are not constrained by the footpaths. Which makes it easier to notice the local preference. Apart from the usual cup of caffeinated concoction, spot the odd transparent glass of fallow-coloured beverage. Submarino. The Argentinian take on hot chocolate. Or a cute light-crusted pastry that looks delectably delicious. Medialunas. Homemade, hometown croissants. Mental notes taken: will be back for a sweet treat. The journey continues, for now. A splash of kaleidoscopic hues awaits. On the walls, on the doors. Pastel graphics. Monochromatic
commentaries. You name it. Where graffiti is legal, at the building owner’s permission, the innate artistry runs wild and free. Around the Soho, Palermo Viejo and Villa Crespo, this is street art, at its finest. On two wheels, the displays are engaging, appealing and a satisfying breath of fresh air. Stop, stare and ponder, though, and there is a chance a profound understanding transpires. Ten minutes away, and nature’s greeting is affable. The Parque Centenario takes a bemusing shape; pedal around the park’s perimeter, and you will realise you have travelled a circumference. In the centre sits a lovely pond. The Swan Lake, they call it. Oh, the greenery is exquisite, all right. But the interest lies in not the trees, the leaves nor the bushes. A rowdy and rambunctious bunch of boys decked out in a blue and yellow football kit strolls past. Their gait; fervent and cavalier with an air of thinly-veiled arrogance. Boca Juniors fans. Supporters of one of the country’s most
DID YOU KNOW? With over 130 km of connected bike lanes, the Argentinian capital is a cyclist’s paradise. The city government has even implemented their very own bike sharing scheme dubbed EcoBici.
celebrated football clubs, where world-class stars Diego Maradona and Juan Riquelme once plied their trade. And a microcosm of the ardent Argentinian passion for the Beautiful Game. On game days, the hinchas turn up in style and in numbers, and for a good ninety minutes, the city is divided by fierce loyalty. Not today though. The Superclásico – still a week away. Sitting on picnic mats, a couple of porteños sport a book in their hands. Not just holding it, but keenly focusing on the scroll’s contents. In this day and age, what a curious sight. But in a city with the highest number of bookshops per inhabitants in 2015, and where one of the world’s most enchanting bookstores resides, perhaps, it is not supposed to be that much amusing. Shame on us. Shame on the rest of the world, for forgoing one of mankind’s earliest indulgences and knowledge pursuits. Approaching the city bike station, a second hand bookshop on the park’s periphery comes into view. Maybe it is time to once again, pick up a good old book.
Photo: Matias Garabedian
WHIZZING PAST the life-sized monument of the charismatic Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi, the bicycle wobbled ever so marginally, as if in a hint of reverence. Not too far away, the bustling entrance to the Buenos Aires Zoo is visible.
Photo: ProtoplasmaKid
Buenos Aires
FEATURE
Photo: Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Photo: Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA
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Ever encountered the agonising pain in your feet as you climb up the steps of a famed monument during a holiday? Or swelling in your ankles and feet after a leisurely shopping excursion? Or even knee aches during a hiking expedition? Our feet is the foundation of our body, it carries all the weight and balance of the whole body while walking or exercising. It thus comes as no surprise that, musculoskeletal pain, especially in the lower half of our body, is a common ailment. The feet greatly dictates the overall durability of our skeletal structure. The immense amount of pressure exerted on our feet means that it is critically essential that we take extra care of them. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to long-term foot pain, foot conditions such as hammer toes, or even severe discomfort as a result of joints going out-of-alignment.
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If the human musculoskeletal system is in correct alignment, our body will be strong. Any problem with the musculoskeletal system, or joint displacement, will result in pain in the foot, knee, or back while walking or exercising. When a person has foot or knee pain, our body will automatically adjust its posture to minimise pain. For example, the left back muscle is activated to lift up the right leg, causing the shoulder to shift leftward. This new walking posture causes back pain or neck pain. Edema, bunions, plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are conditions that can cause foot, knee, or back pain when walking. Chronic pain weakens the circulatory system and immune system functions, causing high blood pressure or other related diseases. Awards:
TRAVEL TIPS ›› We’ve got to admit, traversing the subterranean actually sounds pretty scary, even to the seasoned explorer. Here are some safety pointers that you should follow. By Phua Jun Han
ILLUMINATION With no or limited form of natural lighting, it can get pretty dark at times. Be sure to bring along at least two sources of waterproof light. In the event an emergency arises, you would at least want to be able to visibly assess the situation.
COMPANIONSHIP Never enter the world of the unknown, alone. Certainly, there is an exotic beauty in solitary travel. Yet, with the considerable amount of risk involved in such endeavours, especially in non-commercialised destinations, if you happen to encounter any difficulties, having someone by your side would be critically important. The physical and moral support, could prove to be a crucial difference, between life and death.
THREE POINTS OF CONTACT On uneven ground, ensure that at least three parts of your body (your limbs), are in steady contact with a secure surface. While it might seem a hassle at times, adopting such a posture could actually save your life. Maintaining three contact placements, allows one to prevent or break a fall, while not limiting manoeuvrability.
HEAD PROTECTION In a dark, confined space, where it is sometimes necessary to utilise your senses to move around without harm, it is especially essential to ensure that your head, which houses the human body’s vital organs, is well-protected. Always don a helmet (with mounted lighting, for, well, light), so that the skull is not exposed. And be on the lookout for falling objects!
TEMPERATURE Even if the surface weather is baking hot, note that in an enclosed environment, temperatures can dip drastically. Be prepared for such a scenario, by bringing along the necessary layers of clothing. Constantly check that your fellow adventurers are not showing any symptoms of hypothermia: shivering, dizziness or a momentary state of confusion. In such cases, immediately halt and seek help or treatment. Warm up the affected person by applying heat to the body’s centre.
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At first glance, the region’s craggy veneer seemed a little daunting. The dusty, burnt expanse of telling telluric terrain apprised too much in a single setting. Uncover one of mankind’s greatest creations.
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By Phua Jun Han
TURKEY
FEATURE
A seemingly illimitable landscape. And so, so many visible, yet incomprehensible details. Overwhelmingly apparent, was that the demesne had a secret to divulge. A lone pillar stands fervently beneath a pyramid-shaped tip. The entire rock structure mightily resembles a chimney. If you are wondering, no, rocks don’t usually look like that. But in the Cappadocian town Göreme, such earthly formations are commonly sighted. They aren’t the unusual, odd occurrence. They are merely ordinary. The end result? An aggregation of queer constructs; the village is replete with mystic flavour. The similarity to a delightful imaginary world is uncanny. The dreamscape fascinates. But it misdirects. It charms, allures, entices and yet ultimately endeavours to conceal and obscure. To protect something deep within. Beneath the ornate and resplendent. Beneath the surface. The tawny subastral domain. If someone teleports here, it is impossible to not be briefly inundated.
CAPPADOCIA Aboveground Cappadocia is an array of marvels. The Goreme Open Air Museum is a fascinating showcase of ancient troglodytic existence. And the fairy chimneys all around are an extraordinary sight to behold. Many hotels offer a unique cave living experience; be prepared for a rocky adventure like no other!
DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY • Deepest of Cappadocia’s several discovered underground cities. • Believed to have held up to 20 000 people at a point in time. • Reports suggest there are 18 underground levels (not fully excavated), of which 8 are accessible by the public.
Cappadocia
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Photo: Nevit Dilmen
The walls are rough and grainy. As are the floors. Without the enigmatic laws of universal gravitation you probably cannot tell the difference. There is no natural illumination. Unless light somehow disobeys the laws of physics and confounds all of mankind. Deep underground. Obscured by the hypnotic reverie above. Shrouded within a burnished veil. Buried and ingrained within the ancients’ minds but never negligently disclosed or exposed. For the typical modern human, the quite ordinary response, to the prospect of being quite nearly enclosed within Earth’s vast depths for an extended period of time, would be that of awe and disbelief, and quite possibly a hint of pity for the archaic ways. For the bygone inhabitants though, who set foot here some 600 years back, there was hardly any room for self-commiseration. Derinkuyu was a haven.
At the foot of a flight of stairs, a large circular-shaped slab is lodged in the vicinity of a narrow entry gap. A recess carved into the centre of the boulder. Open-air Cappadocia saw its fair share of bloodshed. 645 AD; the Arabs and Byzantines were in constant conflict. Year 1388; the Mongolian assaults were relentless. April 1909; news of the Adana massacre petrified the natives. Aboveground. A panorama of geological wonders. The vast terrestrial territory seemed an arresting enchantment. Yet the span was also an orbit of vulnerability and impending peril. Underground. The air lacked a certain kinetic disposition. Any form of radiance was dreary. Yet, the duskiness was earnest and genial. The crushing reins of the surrounding rocks were nothing more than the cordial embrace of a guardian angel.
Various constricted corridors greet any trespasser. Penetrate as a collective group, and you would be forced into a single file. Isolation in company. Ripe for solitary pickings. Unless you are The Invincible, proceeding with no lateral support, is in any sense, no slick strategy. At the foot of a flight of stairs, a large circular-shaped slab is lodged in the vicinity of a narrow entry gap. A recess carved into the centre of the boulder. Rolled sideways from the inside and the walkway is all but sealed from the outside. There can be no admission, only exit. The adversary meets a dead end. Several such stone chunks, operable along each and every
TURKEY
FEATURE
building’s main columns in shape, but not in function. It was never intended to serve as an annihilation pit, yet if you fall in, you are sure to meet an inconspicuous end. Rival bodies plunging down – pleasurable but not preferable. The desired entity? Fresh air. Staleness and mustiness literally and metaphorically suffocate. To live beneath, for so long; a constant dose of invigoration, and a steady relief from negativity, is obligatory.
hypogeal level, and a solid defensive mechanism is in place. An upper zone compromised; the floor’s round blocks spin in tandem. The intruders can venture no further. The rest of the under-earth dwelling is safe and impregnable, access never to be granted to the malevolent. Hollow cylindrical chambers cut vertically through into the ground’s lower chasms. When the lithosphere is viewed as a cross section, the shafts resemble a
Hollow cylindrical chambers cut vertically through into the ground’s lower chasms.
Photo: Nevit Dilmen
GETTING THERE Cappadocia is roughly 730 km southeast of major metropolis Istanbul. Turkish Airlines flies from both Istanbul airports to the region’s nearest airports, Kayseri Erkilet Airport and Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport, with a flight duration of roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes. Other travel options from Istanbul are also available: bus (11 hrs), train then bus (8 hrs) and car (9 hrs).
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TURKEY
FEATURE
Cities were conventionally assembled with materials. It is intuitive. The human tendency is to build, forge and initiate. Here, materials were erased. The lithic surfaces disfigured. Whole slabs missing. Yet, in the destruction, is creation. At its finest. Ascending up the stairs, into the open, and Sun’s beams never felt so inviting. The whiff of vivaciousness. Nature’s vibrancy. It is blissfully infectious. And the freedom. No constrictions, no compressions. No gripping fear of imminent and impending danger. So seal the secret. Peace, a privilege never to be granted. And when the time comes, hope befalls the enchanted.
‘Yet, in the destruction, is creation. At its finest.’ And to manage to devise a viable solution, hints at an inconceivable extent of sophistication and grit. Mired in the depths of forgotten reprieve. In safety. Imperative forthwith, was activity. To preoccupy. To engage. To entertain. A chamber with arched beams comes into view. Not particularly wide or deep, but the curvature plays an optic illusion on the eye. There is something refined about the room. A school. Of course. Life goes on. The furious struggle shall not stall the lifelong pursuit of learning. Neither shall it halt the innate longing to impart. However scarce, however sparse. The intent was genuine and pure.
And that was enough. The level of wisdom, cognition or intellect was irrelevant. The intention was present, honest, and that was enough. Sometimes it gets too hard. Even with stimulus, the mental or physical kind. Devoid of sunlight. In self-imposed exile. Sometimes, there is riveting doubt. Even if there is no greater alternative in knowledge, the most strong-willed can fall susceptible to the manipulative machinations of the mind. Why not toy with and distort the consciousness, then? And eventually jolt the soul back to practical and sober reality? A pit is etched into the ground. Basin-sized. Experts reckon, a traditional wine press. Lest someone there survived till this day, or there was definitive (what is definitive in history?) written or scientific proof, no one can say for certain there was a direct causation. But a correlation? Maybe, just maybe.
Back in downtown Cappadocia, there is an opportunity to ascend even further. Up into the sky, above the extensive valleys and beyond. The hot air balloon shudders initially, then glides and slides gracefully. Up in the air, the land’s jagged topography never ceases to astound and amaze. Up in the air, open and unfettered. The realm of unparalleled exotic beauty beneath. And underneath.
FUN FACT The city was only recently discovered in 1963 under sensational circumstances. A local resident was renovating his house, when he knocked down a wall in his basement, to find a chamber he did not know existed. Only upon further inspection did he realise he had stumbled on a national treasure.
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MONGOLIA ROMANIA
Underground Fun
FEATURE FEATURE
Salina Turda
Take a peek into one of the world’s most unique architectural marvels.
Photo: Someone10x
LOCATED IN TURDA, ROMANIA, lies an underground theme park hidden deep inside one of the world’s oldest salt mines. An impressive modern art installation, this former salt mine is nestled about 400 feet below the surface of the Earth. Salina Turda started out as a salt mine that could be dated back to the 17th century. After being used for different purposes, from a WWII bomb shelter to a cheese storage, the salt mine has now been transformed into an underground theme park. The subterranean attraction is not just a typical salt mine, Salina Turda is fitted with an amphitheatre, a bowling alley, a Ferris wheel, an underground lake where you can paddle and row
Photo: Gabriel Tocu
Photo: Andrei Dan Suciu
By Julia Lachica
boats, and many more. This historical site would not be complete without having its very own museum. Throughout the entire mine, visitors have access to different caverns in which they can learn more about the history behind Salina Turda. Welcoming over millions of visitors each year, Salina Turda has an activity for everyone. This futuristic marvel will leave you in awe with just its state-ofthe-art architecture. Considered to be a subterranean wonderland, Salina Turda proves to be as magical as it looks. The out-of-this-world aesthetic of the mines lets you escape the busy reality on the Earth’s surface and experience a version of the future that one can only imagine.
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FEATURE
UNDERGROUND MINES
Chambers of
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Underground mines, a collection of dark, subterranean thrills. By Cheryl Kho BURIED CAVERNS OF MINERALS galore, dimly lit shafts, snaking passageways of tunnels. Now having fallen into disuse, these underground mines remain shrouded in mystery - an enigma for the adventurous to unravel. Dig deep in the Earth’s crust, into these forgotten worlds of decades past.
Photo: Jimmy Baikovicius
S E C R E T S
Complete with a basilica dome, this subterranean chamber, an architectural feat 180 metres underground, is Colombia’s beautiful house of worship, where thousands of Catholics congregate for Sunday service. Brilliant hues of light splash across the enormous cross at the main altar, carved majestically into the walls of salt. The magnificent archway leads to hollows converted into devotional chapels, each representing a key moment in Via Dolorosa, Jesus’ walk to his crucifixion. Even the non-religious stand in awe of its grandeur.
Photo: Bellevue Mine Tours
t Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá COLOMBIA
p Bellevue CANADA
Underground Mine
p Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine USA Ailing visitors from all over the country converge within the rocky depths of Montana’s first and oldest now defunct uranium mine for an omnipotent remedy of sorts. Over the years, the uranium decayed into radioactive, paradoxically therapeutic radon. This contentious treatment has drawn hundreds, nursing all sorts of maladies, from respiratory illnesses to arthritis and even cancer, to which miraculous recoveries, documented in glowing testimonials, bear testament. The treatment process is simple: ‘patients’ in the Radon Room lounge on cushioned seats, eagerly anticipating healing as the radon contamination works its magic around their varied afflictions.
DID YOU KNOW? You can taste the rock salt right off the walls of Zipaquirá’s Salt Cathedral - this salt is more than a hundred million years old!
Photo: Bonne Terre Mine
Photo: Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine
Descending 150 feet into the Earth, into the hollows of what was once the heart of Canada’s coal industry. Enter the chilly, murky gloom of Bellevue, Western Canada’s only authentic coal mine, concealing a rich, difficult history of explosions, strikes and lives lost. The web of narrow, angled tunnels unfold only as far as your headlamp can illuminate. Otherwise, the darkness all around is eerily disconcerting. With a knowledgeable, lantern-wielding guide by your side, this is the site for the most immersive history lesson, peppered with age-old mining equipment and chilling, true stories surrounding miners of the past.
p Bonne Terre Mine USA Underground and underwater, Bonne Terre Mine is now the world’s largest freshwater dive resort, divulging an experience not quite like any other. Once the world’s largest producers of lead ore before it was flooded, this national historic site has transformed into divers’ paradise, the centrepiece of which is Billion Gallon Lake. 24 different dive trails abound in the crystal clear water of over 100 feet visibility. Glide past oar carts, railroad tracks, rusting equipment, slurry pipes and an elevator shaft - artefacts of the submerged mining world frozen in time.
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Q&A with… Chris Yu
“
Avid hiker, professional photographer
Like every other mountain out there, it doesn’t go away. You can always go back.
”
This issue, we talk to Chris Yu, an experienced hiker from Hong Kong who has accumulated conquests of formidable peaks - the likes of New Zealand’s Mount Ollivier, the Japanese Alps, China’s Haba Snow Mountain and more - under his belt. By Cheryl Kho, Images by Chris Yu
ON HIKING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
ON PREPARING FOR DIFFICULT HIKES
I actually started landscape photography way back when I was in uni in New Zealand in 2010. Now I sometimes hike up mountains to take photos of the sunrise or sunset. Then I met more friends in the mountains, I started to go hiking with them around Hong Kong or overseas. I always go to the mountains for the view. Well, of course to take photos too, but I tend to take my time to enjoy it with my own eyes.
3 months before my 8-day Japanese Alps expedition last year, I started doing 5-8 kilometre runs on a daily basis. It helps to build up your cardiopulmonary function and physical fitness. I also had been hiking and doing trail running on the weekends, to get used to the slope gradient. Depending on your expedition. If I’m doing one that requires me to carry a load on my back, then I’ll put whatever I need for it in my backpack when I do my weekend hikes to get used to the weight too.
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WORDS OF WISDOM FOR BEGINNERS If you are a first-time hiker, get a friend to do an easy trail with you. In Hong Kong, I would recommend first time hikers to try Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak, both mountains are located on Lantau Island of Hong Kong. Both trails are well-developed and can be completed within 3 to 5 hours. For these trails, it’s best to go in autumn and winter, around October to March. Check the weather beforehand, do some research on the length and duration of the trail. Learn what kind of gear or clothes you need. If you plan to go hiking overseas, the easiest way is to hire a mountain guide, get some experience before you plan it on your own.
ON HIS NEXT CONQUESTS! In July, I’ll be climbing Mt. Tsurugi in Toyama Prefecture at 2999m, one of the most dangerous mountains in Japan. The most exciting one is in August, I’ll be climbing Mont Blanc in France, one of the Seven Summits!
SPORTS RAFTING
A COMPLETE TEAM EFFORT, white water rafting is an exhilarating experience best shared with your bundle of loved ones. This thrilling activity does not need much, apart from a few things such as your attire and ability to swim; white water rafting is bound to leave you wanting more.
Sail into RAFTING Not your typical day of sailing. By Julia Lachica
DRESS FOR THE OCCASION You need not dress to impress when rafting. When you’re out in the river, you are bound to get soaked. We suggest wearing clothing that would tend to dry fast such as t-shirts and shorts made out of dri-fit fabric, as long as you avoid materials that get heavy when wet—cotton and jeans—you are set to go. As for shoes, a pair that stays on your feet at all times is highly recommended. That means, no flip-flops. Go for some water shoes or reuse a pair of old sneakers that you wouldn’t mind getting soaked in the water.
FOLLOW THE LEADER Rafting can get intense, especially when you make your way down to the river and encounter some strong rapids. It is in these types of situations where you have to follow and trust your guide to be prepared for what the river has in store. Always pay attention to your guide’s briefing before every rafting journey! During the briefing, the guide will tell you all the safety instructions and procedures as well as paddling commands to get everyone in sync when you are out rafting.
GET READY FOR A WORKOUT Despite being on a raft with numerous adventurers, the raft needs to be powered by every single individual in the raft and not just the guide. So get ready for an arm workout. White water rafting does not require you to be an expert in rowing but it does help to have a little bit of extra upper-body and core strength.
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SPORTS CANYONING
G N I N O Y N CA
t a g n i w s a e k a T
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ea let th d n a up Suit hica ia Lac l u J By
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egin
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HAVING RECENTLY COME under the spotlight in many adventurers’ bucket lists, Canyoning is an adventure activity that combines rock and water activities perfectly! From hiking to swimming, Canyoning is an outdoor venture that is ideal for everyone. So suit up and let the adrenaline rush begin!
GETTING STARTED Despite Canyoning being a relatively easy activity that is suitable for all ages, it is still recommended that the individual have some sort of basic fitness training beforehand! The last issue, we talked about the basics of rock climbing. Well, you’re in luck! Canyoning incorporates rock climbing, hiking, and abseiling. This exhilarating escapade requires the individual to have the stamina to get to the top of the canyon while carrying their necessary equipment. Canyoning also involves swimming! One of the most electrifying quests in Canyoning is the part where you have to rappel down the canyon and into the waters of the beautiful gorge. The gorges are usually deep pools, so being well skilled even in the simplest swimming strokes can help you out when you take that big leap. Canyoning is a great way to see what nature has to offer up close, Going on an adventure in some places many do not have access to and seeing the beauty it holds.
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ESSENTIALS A basic essential that an individual needs to have before Canyoning is a wetsuit. Typically, wetsuits that have some kind of padding on the elbows and knees would be ideal. The padding would serve as extra cushioning for safety when you go up the canyon. Next on the list, will be a good and sturdy pair of shoes. There are now plenty of Canyoning-specific apparel out in the market, but as long as your shoes have a good grip, made to be in water, and have great ankle support, you are good to go! Last but not least, if you are getting into Canyoning for the very first time, make sure to find a reliable and qualified operator to guide you! Not only will you be safe, you will also be able to tackle more difficult obstacles that you encounter while gaining more insight and knowledge on the techniques and the area as well.
SPORTS CAVING n o d e t r a t Get s
G N I K N U SPEL ld of caves. e hidden wor th g in or pl t in ex Get your star ica
By Julia Lach
GEAR UP! Just like many of our Sports+ adventures, we always recommend getting the right tools for the job. The rocky nature of caves can cause some serious injuries if the individual is not wearing the proper gear. That said, one of the most important gears you need is a helmet to prevent you from butting heads with the rocks as well as some padded attire to act as added cushioning when climbing or crawling in the caves.
SPELUNKING, MORE COMMONLY known as caving, is the exploration of caves. Discovering the hidden world that lies within a seemingly boring cave can be an invigorating experience. The thrill of spelunking can be a tricky expedition, so here are some tips before you cave in!
GO IN GROUPS There is strength in numbers. Spelunking involves passing through slippery, dark, and steep obstacles, so the risk of getting an injury is very much possible. Even if you follow all the safety regulations and have all the necessary equipment, it is still better to go caving in a group.
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START AT THE BOTTOM Caves are one of the few places where Mother Nature can be quite unforgiving, so mistakes should be kept at a minimum. If you are going into spelunking as a beginner, know the limitations your skill set allows.
!
SPELUNKING is a very tiring activity! Make sure to alert your guide and group if you are feeling fatigued at any moment during your expedition.
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23 23 years years of of experience experience and and deliver deliver over over 600 600 programmes programmes on a yearly basis. We are proud to share that on a yearly basis. We are proud to share that our our Adventure Adventure Learning sites are available not only in Singapore Learning sites are available not only in Singapore but but also also in the region, such as Malaysia, Indonesia as well as China. in the region, such as Malaysia, Indonesia as well as China. Our Our site site in in Sentosa Sentosa includes includes state-of-the-art state-of-the-art facilities facilities such such as as TEAM CHALLENGE HOURGLASS, adrenaline-pumping Land TEA TEAM TEA CHALLENGE HOURGLASS, adrenaline-pumping Land and and Sea Sea Sports Sports activities activities and and a a suite suite of of function function rooms rooms for for meetings, teambuilding activities, dinners and many more! meetings, teambuilding activities, dinners and many more!
The The TEAM TEAM CHALLENGE CHALLENGE HOURGLASS HOURGLASS (TCH) (TCH) is is one one of of FOCUS FOCUS Adventure’s most significant innovation in our 23 Adventure’s most significant innovation in our 23 years years of of history. history. It It is is a a 24-metre 24-metre high high challenge challenge tower tower that that
comprises comprises of of 16 16 different different challenges. challenges. The The TCH TCH experience experience is ideal ideal for for learning learning experiences experiences centred centred on on leadership, is leadership, teamwork, teamwork, change change management management and and personal personal development. development.
Tel: Tel: (65) (65) 6278 6278 6560 6560 || Email: Email: info@FOCUSAdventure.com info@FOCUSAdventure.com || www.FOCUSAdventure.com www.FOCUSAdventure.com
DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS SINGAPORE Anytime Fitness (Bukit Panjang) Anytime Fitness (Boon Lay) Anytime Fitness (Choa Chu Kang) Anytime Fitness (Clementi City) Anytime Fitness (Jurong Central) Anytime Fitness (Jurong Gateway) Anytime Fitness (Jurong West, Nanyang) Anytime Fitness (Taman Jurong) Anytime Fitness (West Coast) Arena Country Club Bodacious Bar & Bistro Cali @Rochester Fitness First (Connexis) Fitness First (Mapletree Business City)
Singapore Yacht Club Sony Electronics (Singapore) Pte Ltd Sony Electronics (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd The Chevrons The Lawn (Nanos) Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee UFIT (Galaxis Building) UFIT Clinic (Galaxis Building) University Scholars Club UWCSEA Dover Campus Warren Golf & Country Club
Anytime Fitness (Admiralty) Anytime Fitness (Ang Mo Kio) Anytime Fitness (Greenwich) Anytime Fitness (Kovan) Anytime Fitness (Hougang) Anytime Fitness (Punggol Oasis) Anytime Fitness (Sengkang) Anytime Fitness (Sembawang) Anytime Fitness (Wisteria) Anytime Fitness (Woodlands) Anytime Fitness (Yishun Northpoint City) Bakerzin Fitness First (AMK Hub) Gearaholic Marina Country Club National Service Resort & Country Club (Kranji) Orchid County Club SAFRA Yishun Seager Inc Seletar Country Club Sembawang Country Club Sync Cycle Indoor Cycling TLM Medical Brace Pte Ltd Tresbella Asia Pte Ltd
Ann City) DBS Treasures Centre (Raffles Place) DBS Treasures Centre (Serangoon Garden) DBS Treasures Centre (Suntec City) DBS Treasures Centre (Thomson Plaza) DG Electronics Diners Club Drips Bakery Café F45 Amoy F45 Holland Village F45 Novena F45 Orchard F45 River Valley F45 Siglap F45 Tiong Bahru FAME Fitness First (Capitol Tower) Fitness First (Paragon) Fitness First (George St) Fitness First (The Cathay) Fitness First (One Raffles Quay) Fitness First (MBFC) Fitness First (Bank of Singapore Centre) Fitness First (100AM) Fitness First (Bugis Junction) Fitness First (City Square Mall) Fitness First (SingPost Centre) Flock Café
FRESH+ GentleBros Cafe Grids & Circles Ground Up Climbing Gymkraft Gym Brigade Highlander Coffee Espresso Bar H. I S. Travel Helphealsg Hertz Singapore HomeTeam NS Chinatown Hotel Jen Tanglin Huggs (The Clift) Huggs (AXA Building) International Medical Clinic ISS International School (21 Preston) ISS International School (25 Paterson) James Cook University Janice Wong JiBiru Japanese Bar Joe & Dough (Millenia Walk) Juggernaut Studio KARA Cafe and Dessert Bar Keppel Club KēSa House Kith Café (Spottiswoode) Kith Café (Cairnhill) Kith Café (Millennia Walk) Kith Café (Watermark @ Robertson Quay)
Scan here for more distribution locations islandwide!
WEST Fitness First (Westgate Mall) Fitness First (The Metropolis) Fitness First (321 Clementi) Fitness First (Junction 10) Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library INSEAD Kindred Folk King Edward VII Hall Leeden National Oxygen Ltd Ministry of Adventure Music Library NUH Diagnostic Imaging NUH Rehabilitation Centre Oh My Mango Physioconnect@Lakeside Registrar of Newspapers SAFRA Jurong SAFRA Mt Faber
NORTH
CENTRAL/SOUTH 1-Habit 2am Dessert Bar 5 Little Monkeys Café 6 oz Espresso Bar Adventure 21 Adventure Gear Post AJ Hackett Sentosa American Club Library Ann Siang House Antoinette (Mandarin Gallery) Antoinette (Penhas Rd) Anytime Fitness (Balestier) Anytime Fitness (Bukit Timah) Anytime Fitness (Boon Keng) Anytime Fitness (HillV2) Anytime Fitness (Jalan Besar) Anytime Fitness (PoMo) Anytime Fitness (Potong Pasir) Anytime Fitness (NEX) Anytime Fitness (Queensway) Anytime Fitness (Serangoon Gardens) Anytime Fitness (Tanglin P.O) Anytime Fitness (Tanjong Pagar) Anytime Fitness (Toa Payoh) Anytime Fitness (Telok Blangah) Anytime Fitness (Upper Cross St) Anytime Fitness (Upper Thompson) Anytime Fitness (Valley Point) Arcteryx Artisan Boulangerie Co (Killiney)
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Atlas Coffeehouse B3 Beary Best Hostel Bike Haus Boarding Gate (Paragon) Boarding Gate (Raffles City) Books Actually Brewerkz (Tanglin) Brewerkz (Riverside Point) Brewerkz (Singapore Indoor Stadium) Brunches Café Butter Studio BYX (The Bicycle Shop) Caffe Vergnano Camper’s Corner Cango Travel Climb Central (Novena) Climb Central (Sports Hub) Club HDB, Leisure & Learning Centre Club Managers Association (Singapore) Core Collective Courtyard Café & Lounge Crescendas Hospitality Management Pte Ltd DBS Treasures Centre (Bukit Timah) DBS Treasures Centre (Holland V.) DBS Treasures Centre (MBFC) DBS Treasures Centre (Ngee
EAST Anytime Fitness (Bedok Central) Anytime Fitness (Eastpoint Mall) Anytime Fitness (Kembangan) Anytime Fitness (Kallang Wave Mall) Anytime Fitness (Marine Parade) Anytime Fitness (MacPherson Community Club) Anytime Fitness (Kinex) Anytime Fitness (Tampines East) Anytime Fitness (Tampines North) Anytime Fitness (Tampines West) Aranda Country Club Art of Yoga Bedok Family Clinic & Surgery Burp Kitchen & Bar (Bedok) BXG Boxing & Fitness Cali @ Changi Challenger TecHub Changi Beach Club Changi Golf Club Changi Sailing Club Chinese Swimming Club
Civil Service Club Changi Dakota Residences DBS Treasures Centre (Parkway Parade) Dog & Bone Café F45 Siglap Fitness First (Tampines Central) Fitness First (UE Biz Hub) Healthway Medical Clinic (Elias Mall) Healthway Medical Clinic (Lengkong Tiga Blk 110) Healthway Medical Clinic (Tampines Blk 201D) Healthway Tampines Central Clinic Healthway Tampines Clinic HSBC (Marine Parade) Kate Porter Yoga Laguna National Little Island Brewing Co National Library Board National Service Resort & Country Club (Changi) Oompf Fitness
RAD Station SALON5 Smokeys Stamping Ground Coffee SURFSET Singapore Swimming Club Singapore University of Technology and Design Tanah Merah Country Club Garden Course Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines) The Coastal Settlement The Communal The Flourist The Moving Body (Tides Building) The Plant Story The Rock School (Bedok Community Centre) The Rock School (Our Tampines Hub) UWCSEA East Campus
CHANGI AIRPORT SINGAPORE T1 British Airways Lounge dnata Lounge Emirates Lounge Plaza Premium Lounge Qantas Singapore Lounge SATS Premier Lounge SATS Special Service Lounge Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge T2 Ambassador Transit Lounge DBS Asia Treasures Lounge SATS Premier Lounge SATS Special Service Lounge T3 Ambassador Transit Lounge DBS Asia Treasures Lounge dnata Lounge SATS Premier Lounge SATS Special Service Lounge The Planet Traveller (Public) T4 BLOSSOM – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge Cathay Pacific Airways Lounge Crowne Plaza Changi Airport CIP Terminal JetQuay
Kith Café (Winsland House II) Kizuki + LIM Leeden Classic Lennox & Ooi Media Pte Ltd Lorna Jane Lowercase Cafe M Social Hotel Magika Pte Ltd Marmot Marriott Café MDIS Mediacom Singapore Molly Malone’s My Awesome Café Nalno.com NewBase Singapore Nu Photo Private Limited (Orchard) Nu Photo Private Limited (Rochor) Nylon Coffee Roasters Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore Old Habits ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove One Farrer Hotel One Wellness Pte Ltd Onsite Orangetheory Oriole Coffee + Bar Orpheus Dive Outdoor Life (Velocity @
Novena) Outdoor Life (Plaza Singapura) Outdoor Sports Travel Outdoor Venture Outside Shop Owls Brew OYEYO Boulder Home Pacific Healthcare Specialist Centre Park Regis Singapore Platinum Fitness Perfect Attire Bespoke Tailors Polo Events International Pte Ltd Pounce Fit Pure Fitness (Asia Square Tower 1) Pure Fitness (Ocean Financial Centre) Pure Fitness (Ngee Ann City Podium Block) Pure Yoga (Ngee Ann City Towers) Pure Yoga (Chevron House) Pure Yoga (Asia Square Tower 2) Raffles Towns Club Raw Active Real Food (Orchard Central) Real Food (South Beach Tower) Regency House Service Apartments Salted Caramel
Science Library Segafreddo Serangoon Gardens Country Club Simply Bread Simply Peranakan Cuisine Singapore Polo Club Sports Affinity Sports Centre SportsHub Pte Ltd Sports Hub Library Sports Solutions Subway (Shaw Towers) Swiss Club Singapore Tanglin Club Temasek Club The Book Café Pte Ltd The British Club The Butcher’s Kitchen The Clueless Goat The Fabulous Baker Boy The Frosted Chick The Garage The InnCrowd Backpackers Hostel The Loft Gym The Moving Body (Robertson Walk) The Moving Body (Guthrie House) The Muffinry The PIT Singapore
The Plain Jane The Planet Traveller (Paragon) The Planet Traveller (Marina Square) The Pod @ Beach Road The Quarters Hostels The Singapore Island Country Club (Bukit) The Singapore Island Country Club (Island) Treknology 3 Tuck Shop UFIT (OG Orchard Point) UFIT (Amoy) UFIT Clinic (Raffles Quay) UFIT Clinic (Orchard Central) UFIT Crossfit (Hoe Chiang Road) UFIT Crossfit (Turf Club Road) UOB Privilege Upside Motion V Fitnest Gym WANNA CUPPA Warung M Nasir WEBARRE Clarke Quay WEBARRE Dhoby Ghaut WEBARRE Tanjong Pagar WEBARRE Telok Ayer Wheeler’s Yard Woobbee X-Boundaries YMCA
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FEATURE
MONGOLIA
SNAPSHOT izhou Photo: Anja Disseldorp
Gu
o
By Cheryl Kh
Photo: Jialiang Gao
Miao Villages The affable Miao people, a close-knit community of a richly colourful culture, form one of the largest ethnic minorities in southwest China, inhabiting rows of stilted wooden houses in the rural countryside. From personal experience, Miao homestays divulge a treasured slice of authentic village life. At mealtimes, share life around a large metal wok of soup stew full of fresh produce harvested from the terraced fields.
Mount Fanjing Fanjingshan, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a sacred Buddhist mountain, the highest peak in China’s Wuling mountain range. This isolated sliver of nature, unsullied by man, boasts rare biodiversity including the Chinese giant salamanders and Guizhou’s golden monkeys. Hike through steep paths dotted with Buddhist temples to the incredible summit, or enjoy a smooth, breathtakingly scenic cable car ride through the clouds.
Rural, mountainous Guizhou is one of China’s best kept secrets - a lush, underrated paradise of breathtaking, natural landscapes and pristinely preserved ethnic cultures.
Zhaoxing Dong Village Nestled in the hollows of the hills with a little stream running through, Zhaoxing Dong Village, hallmarked by its five wooden drum towers, looks straight out of a painting. This perfectly cloistered world, away from modern civilisation, offers some of life’s simplest of pleasures: from idyllic daily pastimes of chatting over rice wine and playing cards to singing the cheerful traditional Dong folk songs with the villagers.
Zhijin Caves Behold one of the most beautiful caves in China, its labyrinthine interiors showcasing twisting narrow passages and forked tunnels. Knobbly karst formations embellish the cave walls, protruding with bizarrelyshaped stalactites and stalagmites that sometimes seem to take human form in the most imaginative of minds. The cave’s highlight is the 17-metre high stalactite, Silver Rain Tree, a sparkling crystalline structure guarding the depths of Zhijin.
Travel Visa: Singaporeans do not require a Chinese visa for a stay of up to 15 days. Currency: 100 Singapore Dollars = 506 Chinese Renminbi
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Language: As English is generally scarcely spoken, especially in the countryside, it is advisable to have some conversational Chinese phrases on hand to get around more easily.
Photo: Larry Qian
Getting there: Flights with one stopover at major Chinese cities are offered by a range of Chinese airlines including but not limited to XiamenAir, China Southern Airlines and AirChina.
Magical Wonders of Guizhou Guizhou is becoming more and more popular among tourists thanks to its one-of-a-kind culture of local ethnic minorities and stunning natural beauty.
Huangguoshu Waterfalls
Tianhe Pool Scenic Area
A mesmerising blend of preserved nature and calming waters, the Huangguoshu Waterfall is one of the biggest waterfalls in China. Located in Guizhou province, the waterfall is 140 kilometres from Guiyang and is definitely worth seeing on your Guizhou Tour. The Huangguoshu waterfall is located in the ‘Baishui’ river in Anshun and falls from a height of 67 metres and its 81 metres wide. Also known as the yellow fruit tree waterfall, it derived this name from a rare fruit that grows in the testing conditions near the falls.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful and well laid out terraces in the world; The Longji Rice Terraces are located 23 kilometres from Longsheng City. These terraces were constructed during the Yuan Dynasty around 700 years ago and cover more than 16,300 acres in total with its highest point being 3600 feet above sea level. It is an excellent idea to include a visit to the Longji Rice Terraces whilst on your tour.
Longji Rice Terraces
Located 24 kilometres from the heart of the City of Guiyang, Tianhe Pool Scenic Area offers amazing karst landscape, local customs and a variety of entertainment activities to enjoy. You can admire caves, waterfalls, pools, and valleys. If interested, you also can experience zip-lining at the scenic area. After entering the gate of the scenic area, the Sun Square will come into sight. The square in the style of ethnic minorities shows ethnic culture, floors decorated with the patterns of auspicious clouds.
Featured on the Chinese currency, a glimpse of the Li River is enough for visitors to take the Li River cruise while they are on their Guilin Tour. The Li River (short for Lijiang River), stretches more than 430 kilometres crossing through Guilin, Yangshao and Pingle. The cruise can be boarded from just outside Guilin city and is very accessible for visitors. The Li River Cruise is perhaps the most inspiring, relaxing and breathtaking experience that people can gather from their Guilin Travels. Each different cruise option differs in length and time.
Li River Cruise
Travel with us to: 8 Day Best of Guizhou Tour from Guilin to Guiyang Yangshuo / Guilin / Ping’an Village / Sanjiang / Zhaoxing / Guiyang
5 Day Guizhou Private Tour Guiyang / Zhaoxing / Zhenyuan Lady in Traditional Miao garment
*Customized tours avaliable on request
Other Unique Holidays Choices Besides a vacation to Guizhou, venture around some of China’s greatest destinations with Wendy Wei Tours! Tour the cities of Shanghai and Beijing, to the provinces of Yunnan, Nanning, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Xi’an, and Yangshuo! +86 1348 1379 321 WendyWeiTours
wendy@wendyweitours.com
https://www.wendyweitours.com
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wendyweitours
By Appointment Only Donghui International Complex 29 East Chuanshan Road Guilin, 541001, Guangxi, China