The Brompton

One of the most renowned foldable bikes in the world, the Brompton bike is London’s pride and joy, with a steel frame that can take weights of up to 110kg and its own exclusive range of front and rear luggage options. Comes in single to six speeds, three different handlebar options, three sizes and a myriad of colors. $1,750 upwards from Diginexx.

The Strida LT

This one’s an excellent entry-level option, especially since you don’t have to clean it—it runs on a Kevlar (synthetic material that’s stronger than steel) belt system, and is therefore chainless (and greaseless). This single speeder runs on 16-inch wheels and folds and unfolds in under 10 seconds—seriously impressive. Available in four colors alongside accessories such as a bike stand, aluminum pedals and travel bags. $750 (excluding accessories) from Diginexx.

Dahon Vector X10

If your ride to work takes you off the pavement and onto the tarmac a lot, this model by the world’s biggest manufacturer of folded bikes is probably your best bet. Its strong frame (the result of a hydro-formed design) and 10 speed options mean the quality of your ride isn’t too far from that of a road bike. $2,799 from Life Cycle.

Alex Moulton TSR 2

Alex Moulton models are touted as the Rolls Royce of foldable bikes, what with the classy brown leather saddle and excellent features. This one, for example, has a kick-shift two-speed gear and an integrated back pedal brake for ease of switching from one terrain to another. We also like how the bike is designed to be compatible with most cycle parts. $2,500 from Life Cycle.

YikeBike

We’re not going to lie—we’re a little wary of this one. Its design and built mean you probably won’t get much exercise out of it and it works more like a Segway than a bicycle. But damn it looks cool. At 10kg, it’s possibly the lightest electric folding bike in the world, and collapses up real good too, so you definitely won’t have issues with taking it on the MRT. $4,988 from EV World.

Mulberry: 40th Anniversary 

by Mulberry Venetia Dearden. B2,995 from Asia Books
It’s been 40 years since the British brand Mulberry first stepped into the world of high-end fashion. Rather than just providing a dry history or timeline, this book combines text with stunning images of the important people and momentous occasions in the brand’s long journey.

Icons of Men’s Style

by Josh Sims. B986 from Kinokuniya
They tend to get overshadowed by women’s fashion, but the backbone pieces of men’s wardrobes each have intricate histories of their own. In this book, Josh Sims, a famous freelance fashion writer and contributor, shares the history of men’s staple pieces, from sharp suits to biker jackets.

Style Book: Fashionable Inspirations

by Elizabeth Walker. B995 from Bookazine
This collection of 472 images, handpicked and edited by long-time fashion editor Elizabeth Walker, and categorized into a dozen themes, will motivate and inspire your individual style. You’ll be browsing through iconic looks from famous stars like Diana Ross, Marilyn Monroe and Louis Armstrong to no-name fashionistas.

Food, Fashion, Friends

by Fleur Wood. B1,750 from Asia Books
Style isn’t just about what you put on your back; it’s also about how you drink and dine. Passionate about styles, parties and home-cooked meals, fashion designer Fleur Wood shows us ways to put together chic events, like wild birthday parties, sophisticated fondue dinners and afternoon teas in the conservatory with the girls.

Stylelikeu

by Elisa Goodkind and Lily Mandelbaum. B850 from Asia Books
Starting out as an online fashion blog a la The Sartorialist, Stylelikeu focuses more on digging into the homes and closets of cool and fashionable people in major cities like New York, Los Angeles and London. So, rather than shots of people posing on the streets, the book demonstrates how individual lifestyles and fashion are related. Fortunately, the book keeps unreal celebs, models and pro stylists out of the pages, so what you’ll get is something you can really aspire to.

Balenciaga and spain

by Hamish Bowles. B1,995 from Asia Books
If you’re into more than just their chic shopping bag, this book tells you the story of how Spanish culture, history and art have influenced the legendary Christobal Balenciaga’s perspective towards fashion and his work. Filled with lots of beautiful photo illustrations, this book is for aspiring fashion designers and hi-so ladies who want to accessorize their B90,000 coffee tables.

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide

by Ines de la Fressange & Sophie Gachet. B986 from Kinokuniya
The French celeb model Ines de La Fressange, who was the first to sign a contract with Karl Lagerfeld in the 80s, reveals the top style secrets of Parisian women. The book contains tips on how to add stylish touches and charm to your life, as well as how to dress like a Parisian by mixing and matching without blowing your budget. There are also pages on Do’s and Don’ts, along with hand-drawn fashion images, some by the author herself.

Rebel Rebel: Anti Style

by Keanan Duffty & Paul Gorman. B795 from Asia Books
Two fashion experts study the personal styles of rebel icons like David Bowie, The Sex Pistols and Gwen Stefani and see how they have inspired today’s fashion, from the classic black leather jacket, to mini-skirts and jeans.

Essentials

Asia Books: Try 6/F, CentralWorld, 02-255-6209-10
Bookazine: Try 2/F, Silom Complex, 02-231-3153
Kinokuniya: Try 3/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9500

Tai Panich

9 Paholyothin 7, Ari Soi 1, 084-753-6162, Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm
After turning left at Phahonyothin Soi 7 (aka Ari), Tai Panich is a few shops into Ari Soi 1. One look at all the packed tables and all the pictures the owner has taken with celeb shows like Na-Nake and it’s obvious that the popular choice here is kao moo dang moo krob [red pork and crispy pork with rice] served with hot gourd soup (B40). The moo daeng is above average, but we especially love the crispy moo krob which has been fried to perfection. Other popular dishes are the yentafo and steamed chicken noodles (B40 each). The soup of the yentafo is a bit too sweet (we know some people love that) but the fish balls are very fresh and show little hint of being over-adulterated with flour.

Guay Tiew Ped Ari

2/2 Ari Soi 1, 085-338-6177. Open daily 10am-3pm
Offering only guay tiew ped (duck noodles), the shop looks like it’s been there forever and looks charmingly old. A bowl costs only B30 (B40 for takeaway) which is cheaper than other shops in the neighborhood. The soup tastes just right, not too salty, while the duck has been well steamed without making it too chewy. Be warned that unknown duck insides are also included and there’s only a tiny amount of veggies to be seen. A plate of duck costs B80 if you’d like to have it with rice.

Maliwan Kanom Thai

Beginning of Ari Soi 1, opposite Bodily Wax salon. Open daily 7am-3pm
For over 30 years, Maliwan Kanom Thai has been making fresh Thai desserts, running out by the end of lunchtime every day. They don’t accept phone orders so you better show up early and prepare for a short wait. The kow niew dum krati (black sticky rice with coconut milk, B15) is heavenly yummy, though the best sellers here are the kanom chan (layered rice flour and coconut milk snack, B15) which come in three colors: purple, brown and green. A box of look choob (bean paste filled miniatures) costs a bit more (B60) but the taste and the blend is just first-rate, without being too sweet.

Som Tam Loong Yom

End of connecting sois between Ari Soi 1 and 2, 087-685-2213. Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm
One of the legendary somtam places in Ari, Som Tum Loong Yom is not only popular among the office workers around the area, but plenty of expats come in for an Isaan lunch feast as well. The B30 somtam pu plara and somtam Korat taste authentic, and their huge bowl of tasty tom saeb (Thai spicy soup with pork ribs and mushroom) is a mere B50. What can’t be missed here is the B60 scrumptious grilled beef, served with the spicy jim jaew sauce.

Roti Kow Wang

Ari Soi 1, 087-123-4194.
If you stroll along Ari Soi 1, you’ll come across this small cart selling roti. Choose between a B15 ordinary roti or B25 for one with extra egg or banana, and B30 for a mataba. The original thick and soft roti is nice but the extra crispy one is super. The owner makes the crust extra crispy and not overly-done, which tastes perfectly well with the sweetened milk and lots of sugar on top.

Hospitality exchange is great for independent wanderers who travel alone to meet new people, learn from new cultures and love to take risks. But in Thailand, there are only 2,000 registered couch surfers, suggesting that we might want something less radical. If you’re not a backpacker and don’t want to sleep on a couch, but don’t want the bland experience of hotel rooms either, consider peer-to-peer vacation rentals.

Websites like AirBnB, Wimdu and Roomorama offer short-term rental apartments and homes around the world. These websites let property owners rent out their rooms without a third-party fee. (They charge travelers booking fees, though.)

Jia En Teo, a Roomorama co-founder, explains, “We serve travelers who have a bit more money to spend so they are looking for nicer places to stay. We offer places where you don’t have to share rooms, to secure your privacy.”

Higher prices also bring in better quality customers, too. And this benefits pad owners who wish to rent out their space. Kevin, one Roomorama member who rents out his apartment says , “It’s good that I can communicate with the guests beforehand, and all payments go through the website so I don’t have to worry. The guests I get are also usually pretty respectful, so it works out well for both parties.”

www.airbnb.com

America’s most popular peer to peer room rental site, with choices ranging from a few bucks to over US$5,000 a night, is now expanding its database to Asia, targeting the Chinese market.

www.wimdu.com

Featuring more than 12,000 accommodations in 50 nations, Wimdu is simply another AirBnB but it’s based in Europe.

www.roomorama.com

Unlike AirBnB and Wimdu where you might need to share a room with the pad’s owner, most of Roomorama’s listings are private spaces where owners do not stay. But it comes with higher price tags. Roomorama claims to have the most choices of rooms in Asia—22,000 properties (and 60,000 worldwide) with a 30% growth monthly.

Read more >> Couch Surfing in Bangkok

Two main reasons people hesitate to travel are expensive air tickets and expensive hotel rooms. With an increasing numbers of low cost airlines, there are now plenty of affordable air travel options. But what about hotel rooms? Surely you don’t want your limited budget putting you in a creepy guesthouse down a seedy alley. So travel pioneers have found a way to stay for less and meet new friends in the process, and it’s only just catching on in Thailand. Welcome to hospitality exchange.

Hop between couches

Couch Surfing is the world’s largest hospitality exchange community, where travelers are able to connect with local residents in their destination cities. If it works out, you might get a free or very cheap stay at their home in a spare room or on the couch. In return, you are expected to extend the same hospitality when a traveler comes to your town and needs accommodation. This trend has become a global phenomenon, though it’s especially popular in Europe (they’re all poor there now) and just starting to get tradition here in Asia.

“Couch surfing is created on a basis of give and take. It is based on an idea to make a better world where everyone can be friends,” says Toom Klanutai, a graphic designer who is also an unofficial leader of Couch Surfers in Thailand, many of whom meet every Wednesday at The Chilling House Café at Coco Walk (BTS Ratchathewi). Toom has been couch surfing since 2009 and has hosted more than 440 surfers. He also travels a lot; he just got back from an 85-day trip in Europe where he didn’t stay at a single hotel. “And that’s another benefit: when you travel, there are friends and free rooms everywhere in the world,” he says.

Couch Surfing is also a way to bridge cultural differences, offering a local’s perspective on new places. We met Ellyza Hamdan, a visitor to Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who says couch surfing has given her a new appreciation for different cultures. “Couch Surfing lets you go around the world and helps the world come to you. It makes me realize how great my country is. When I host people who want to learn, I try my best to introduce them to Malaysia’s many cultures. I’m a Muslim, but I don’t think religion is a limitation.”

Ming, a 30-year-old salesperson agrees. “I can actually travel by listening to their stories. I also improve my English as well as learn to speak some French from these couch surfing friends.”

Start Surfing?

The way it works is easy: create your account on couchsurfing.org, list your property with a description and pictures, and state your availability if you’re ready to host. Then go through your future friends’ properties in your preferred destinations, make a request and wait (and pray) for a confirmation. You can also join groups to meet people with the same interests. (There are groups for twins, cancer survivors or even gay nudists, if you wish.)

But there are some limitations, such as finding a room in very hot destinations. “It was very difficult to get hosted in Paris,” Toom says. Besides, there is the relative lack of privacy if you’re staying with someone, not to mention a very limited number of days you can stay. All this to say nothing about potential unplanned personality conflicts between host and surfer that may arise.

Furthermore not every friend turns out to be a good friend; new members must be careful. “Some members misunderstand the core idea of Couch Surfing,” warns Toom. “I used to experience travelers who expected to pay nothing—not even for their own food. Some also join Couch Surfing for international hook-up opportunities.” But Toom adds that he’s only had a few bad experiences over the years.

For those concerned about potential security issues, especially women, reading a surfer’s profile is a must. “This is essential as you are accepting somebody to sleep and share your space. I’ve done it every time so I haven’t had any unexpected situations,” says Meow, who has hosted around 100 surfers since 2008.

Read more >> Sofa, So Good!: Websites to Swap Free Stays

Read more >> REAL BEDS: Pay Up and Get Some Privacy

RedDot Brewhouse
Head to RedDot’s Boat Quay outlet from now till October 2 to enjoy their version of Oktoberfestbier along with a special Oktoberfest menu. There’ll also be Bavarian music and speed drinking contests on Fridays and Saturdays and if you show up in traditional German garb on those days after 6pm, you’ll get a free pint of beer to help put you in the Oktoberfest mood.

Magma German Wine Bistro + Shop
Offering the most authentic Oktoberfest cuisine in Singapore and wine in addition to beer (Oktoberfest revelers in Germany drink 125,000 liters of wine apparently), the normally tranquil Magma German Wine Bistro + Shop celebrates Oktoberfest through October 3.

Paulaner Brauhaus
With 6,000 liters of fresh Oktoberfestbier, classic Oktoberfest food and live music, Paulaner Brauhaus is a must-visit from September 30 to October 7 as they celebrate their 12th Oktoberfest in Singapore. Buy coupons for your pints before September 29 and you’ll get them for $16 nett and not $16.90++.

Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant
From October 3-9 at all Brotzeit outlets in Singapore, you’ll be able to knock back glasses of Paulaner Oktoberfestbier ($14.90 for a pint, $27.50 for a liter and $39.50 for a special liter can with a free mug) and tuck into a monumental Oktoberfest Platter ($168) which includes Bierbeisser sausages, garlic pork sandwiches, pork knuckle, pork chops, pork ribs along with sides of sauerkraut and wedges. If you’re at Brotzeit’s VivoCity outlet from October 6-9, you’ll also have authentic German entertainment in the form of the band AnTon and the Funny Guys.

Bar on 5
For one night only on October 5, Bar on 5 will celebrate Oktoberfest with free flow of Erdinger, pork knuckle, sausages and potato from 7-9pm for $30++ per person.

Clarke Quay
Held at Central Fountain Square, the celebration brings Erdinger promotions (these go on all month long), German food kiosks, waitresses in Dirndl, games like Ice Beer Smash and beer drinking competitions to Clarke Quay from October 7-8. There’ll also be live music from Highlander’s resident band DeJavu, and all sorts of German food from the traditional crispy pork knuckle and braised beef in vinegar, to the more contemporary chicken tikka currywurst and marsala fried chicken schnitzel. Admission is free.

Timbre @ The Substation
After a spirited debut in 2010, Timbre’s Singaporean take on Oktoberfest, Roktober!, is back from October 20-23 at the carpark of their Substation outlet. It’s a Timbre event so there’ll be live music, of course (The Marilyns, Cheating Sons, Pleasantry, Goodfellas, 53A, Raw Earth, Mel & Joe, to name a few), an Oktoberfest buffet (from $42.50), live screenings of the Rugby World Cup 2011, a beer pong championship and an eating contest. Heineken and Erdinger ($9 a cup) will also be flowing.

www.couchsurfing.org

Founded in 2004, Couch Surfing is now the largest hospitality exchange community with more than 2,000,000 members in more than 70,000 cities. There’s a fee to become a “verified member” (you don’t have to, though). You can join groups and participate in events organized by members at your city.

www.hospitalityclub.org

Founded in 2000, the Hospitality Club has more than 430,000 members worldwide, with a majority in the US, Germany and France. Membership is free and you can search for couches by countries and cities. Poor website, though.

www.bewelcome.org

Founded by the former volunteers of Hospitality Club, this relatively new player (five years old) has maintained its status as a free service as they are still run entirely by volunteers. Membership has grown rapidly after Couch Surfing recently turned into a profit company, with more than 13,000 members worldwide (most in France, Germany and USA).

www.triptrotting.com

Trip Trotter works a bit differently from the others. When signing up, you’ll be asked a bunch of questions about your attitudes and preferences. Then just choose your destination city and preferred dates, and the system will use the stored information to match you with other Trip Trotters who share same preferences. It’s not really accommodation centric but more of a way to find new friends prior to your arrival.

Read more >> Couch Surfing in Bangkok

Read more >> REAL BEDS: Pay Up and Get Some Privacy

Bangkok’s flood walls are 2.5 meters high. In Oct 2010, the terrible flood that ravaged much of the Northeast and Central regions came dangerously close to that limit, reaching roughly 2 meters, despite Governor Sukhumband’s fears that it would reach 2.3 meters.

The Odds

Pornthep Techapaiboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, told BK: “Bangkok is at risk from floods from three sources: localized rain, floods from the North and rising sea levels. We have levees on the Chao Phraya River that can withstand up to 2.5 meters of water above sea level—that’s for floods coming in from the North. We’ve also completed seven giant new drainage systems, which can drain 155.5-cubic meter/sec—that’s almost four standard swimming pools emptied in one second, stretching around town from Phaya Thai to Ladprao. These drainage pipes are 20-30 meters below ground level and can drain off water from flooded areas in eastern Bangkok directly to the Gulf of Thailand. Based on past data and our budget, this is the most we can do. But irregular things can happen—and tend to happen more and more these days—so we don’t really know what we are facing in the future.”

The Plan

Again, Deputy Governor Pornthep: “There are three more giant drainage pipes to be built with the total project scheduled to be completed in 2016. Normally the amount of rainfall in Bangkok is at around 1,900mm per year while the system is designed for an amount of 2,500mm per year or 60mm per hour.”
Ironically, New Orleans’ levees were scheduled for completion by 2015. And there is also the question of rising sea levels. Pornthep says, ““In the last 10 years, around 5,000-rai of space have been eroded by higher sea levels and waves. For now, we’re working on the bamboo project. Sticks of bamboo are lined along our coast so when waves come in these sticks will retain soil, sand and mud before the water goes back to the sea. These muddy spaces will later turn into mangrove forests. Bamboo sticks can stay for around five years so for the long-term, we need to cast t-shaped concrete barriers to be dropped along the coast. The budget for this is now being finalized.”

The Case Study

In the August 2005 Hurricane Katrina, the levees protecting New Orleans broke, flooding the city with as much as 4.5 meters of water in some parts. 1,464 people died and one study estimated the total economic damage at over US$150 billion. Although caused by a hurricane, it does give some notion of what damage a massive flood in a densely urbanized area can wreak.

If your home is sinking, do this:

• Shut off the electricity at the main circuit breaker.
• Collect a survival kit (see box).
• Don’t drive, don’t try to escape. Just move to the top of your building.
• Avoid water. Swimming in flooded water puts you at risk of electrocution caused by damaged electric wires.
• Beware of animals like snakes or scorpions which will also try to move to dry areas.

Party with cut-and-splice trip hop master DJ Shadow at his Zouk gig on September 22.

There aren't many parties that let you rub shoulders with the elite the way Amber Lounge (September 25) does—oh, and Taio Cruz is going to be there.

As if its name and lineup (DJ Tina T and DJ M.O.S are in the mix) aren't enough to set tongues wagging, the Johnnie Walker Jet Black Party Series from September 24-25 is also by-invite only.

Champagne, a swimwear show and a riveting skyline view make The Podium Lounge (September 25) a very desirable place to be at this racing season.

A mish-mash of fantastic, world-class acts like Benny Benassi, Ludacris, Massive Attack's Daddy G and M.A.N.D.Y awaits at Avalon Presents Stay! (September 21) Avalon's Singapore GP Season After-Race Party (September 25) and Avalon at Large Go! (September 23) courtesy of Singapore's newest mega club.

Rock up to the always exclusive Filter Members Club when DJ SmithAgentSmith spins his hip-hop masterclass on September 23.

Check out the acts at F1 (September 23-25), of course. This year, Rick Astley, Shaggy, Charice, as well as K-pop stars GD and T.O.P take to the stage.

F1's not all glitz and fluff. Absorb a little culture at Opera Gallery's Modern Masters show (September 23-October 23), specially curated for the F1 season.

Enjoy an impressive view of the race from Ku De Ta on September 24 as sexy Romanian DJ Scarlet Etienne spins some slinky dance tunes.

If you like hip art, check out An Impossible Project (September 23), a showcase of Polaroids of some of the city's edgiest personalities interpreting the theme "Chequered Flag".

We wouldn’t normally touch a microwave meal with a ten foot frozen pole. But sometimes it’s good to face your prejudices head on, and see if they hold up. And what better time than the month of the Emmy Awards to see if TV dinners deserve their bad rep? Herewith, five options to consider the next time you want something quick and easy.

Top Left to Right

CP Stir Fried Chicken and Basil with Rice

What it says on the box: Stir fried chicken and basil with rice.
What it’s really like: Packing the basil chicken separately from the rice is a nice touch. The jasmine rice had a pleasant texture and the meat was so-so, but it was the oily, spicy and salty sauce that put us over the edge. Our taste buds are still reeling from the assault. Give it a miss.
Stated time: Three to five minutes.
Actual time taken: A speedy three minutes was all it took, but the plastic film was tough to remove (it took us three tries and some careful maneuvering, so factor in another 20 seconds).
The damage: $4.65 for 320g, from Cold Storage Takashimaya.

Lean Cuisine Roasted Turkey Breast

What it says on the box: Roasted turkey breast with gravy, stuffing, whipped potatoes and green beans accented with cranberries.
What it’s really like: This was the only other frozen dinner that was compartmentalized. We were pleasantly surprised at how tender and juicy the slices of turkey breast were. The mash was just passable, and the standard brown gravy reminded us of our local Western food hawker’s. The “stuffing” was the worst bit—mushy and yucky, although there’s a generous portion of green beans.
Stated time: Eight minutes on high.
Actual time taken: Eight minutes on the dot.
The damage: $13.60 for 397g, from Jasons Market Place.

*I-S PICK* Amy’s Indian Paneer Tikka

What it says on the box: Paneer tikka (tomato masala with cheese), aloo palak (delicately spiced organic chopped spinach and tender potatoes) and organic basmati rice flavored with cumin and carrots.
What it’s really like: Granted, they oversold it with the description, but this was still the best of the bunch. It’s genuinely pretty tasty. The cumin rice was fluffy and was the perfect accompaniment to the rich, spiced tomato masala and paneer (cheese). Our only gripe is that the different components weren’t packed in individual compartments, and it wouldn’t hurt to have more of it.
Stated time: Four to five minutes.
Actual time taken: Exactly four minutes.
The damage: $10.95 for 269g, from Jasons Market Place.

Bottom Left to Right

Waitrose Fish Pie

What it says on the box: Succulent salmon and smoked haddock in creamy white wine sauce with buttery maris piper mash.
What it’s really like: To be honest, we were a little concerned about eating frozen fish pie. Fortunately, it wasn’t quite as bad as we anticipated. There were two substantial fillets of fish. While the salmon was dry, the smoked haddock was incredibly flavorful and moist. The mash was acceptably smooth and went well with the peppery, creamy sauce.
Stated time: 10 minutes to 12 minutes, plus an extra two to be left standing after.
Actual time taken: 12 minutes, including standing time.
The damage: $12.95 for 400g, from Cold Storage Takashimaya.

Marks & Spencer Pasta and Vegetable Bake

What it says on the box: Spiralli pasta with a rich tomato and red pepper sauce, broccoli florets and petit pois, topped with a cheese and spinach sauce.
What it’s really like: More like cafeteria slop than gourmet TV dinner. Taste-wise, it’s actually pretty decent. The pasta was very close to al dente, and the two different sauces served to impart a tart, creamy flavor that made the three sad pieces of broccoli more palatable.
Stated time: Six minutes to seven minutes.
Actual time taken: Despite our efforts to follow the instructions to stir after three minutes, ours was still a solid, frozen mass. It took another two minutes before it was even somewhat amenable to being stirred. Total time spent was nine minutes, three minutes more than advertised.
The damage: $8.90 for 350g, from Marks & Spencer.