Boomarang

Nine years after he won the title, we might now have seen the last of plucky Australian Lleyton Hewitt on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon; but this Aussie bar is still a solid bet for catching the remaining matches. With nine plasma screens, and tables and chairs spilling out onto the riverbank it attracts a crowd that could rival Murray Mount for good cheer and noise. Come (very) early if you want any hope of grabbing a seat.
#01-15 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, 6738-1077. Open daily 8am-3am. 

Tanglin 56

Quieter and more refined than any sports bar, this is a great place to come if you want to hear and not just see the action from Centre Court. (Although if the ladies still in the draw keep up their grunting, we're not sure that's such a good idea.) They are screening all the games, so you won't miss a thing. It's a nice and breezy spot, too—although don't tell the Wimbledon organizers else they try and slap a roof on it and spoil all the fun.
#B1-02, 56 Tanglin Rd., 6733-5600. Open daily 11am-late.

Brewerkz Indoor Stadium

It’s impossible to watch high-quality tennis and not want to pick up a racquet yourself. In our experience you’re better off doing that before you start drinking; but it’s your call. Either way, this popular outpost of everyone’s favorite riverside microbrewery is the perfect spot—it’s barely 10 minutes walk from the Kallang Tennis Centre (52 Stadium Rd., 6348-1291). With five plasma screens screening scorching tennis action, you can channel your best Rafa Nadal impression before or after you watch the great man play.
#01-06/06/K1 Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 6345-9905. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-1am; Sun noon-midnight.

On display are over 1,000 unique book covers and memorabilia narrating the extraordinary story of Penguin covers and their rich and diverse design heritage.

Co–owner Kare Wai admits, “Even before the establishment of our store, we trawled flea markets and secondhand bookstores in Singapore and overseas and amassed a sizeable collection of Penguin books.”

Among the collection are series of rare books from the publishing behemoth’s early days in the 1930s and 1940s. These include the blue-spine Pelican series containing original non-fiction writing from the likes of George Bernard Shaw, and displaying a flying pelican logo on the cover and spine that was designed by Edward Young, Penguin’s first production manager.

The Puffin Picture Books which were published under the guidance of Eleanor Graham in 1940 are also showcased. These were actually introduced to provide cheap reading material for thousands of city children facing wartime evacuation.

And it’s not just musty, old books—recent additions to the Penguin family like the highly coveted edition of D H Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley's Lover with an immaculate cover remixed by Brit fashion doyen Paul Smith in 2006 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the controversial novel, are also exhibited.

Even for novice bibliophiles, the mass of paperback jackets and memorabilia has special significance as it charts the development of British publishing, book cover design, and the influential role of artists and designers in creating and defining the distinctive Penguin aesthetic.

Catch An Ode to Penguin from Jul 8-16 at the Arts House, 1 Old Parliament, 6332- 6900. $6-9 from BooksActually, 6222-9195.

What is it like living in parts of the world torn by civil war and poverty? The month-long Wall Between Peoples exhibition may give you some insight.

Surrender your hair for a good cause and check out acts like Inch Chua and Typewriter at the Ignite! Music Festival 2011.

Learn how to take thought-provoking photos from National Geographic's Mathias Klum at his Photography Seminar.

Find out what male beauty pageants are all about in Dick Lee's latest play Beauty Kings.

Experience Bach like never before at Pluck: Musical Arson!, a hilarious gag show by this much hyped about UK comedy trio.

The best of K-pop will be in town for the Korean Music Wave, a mega concert featuring headliners Big Bang and 2NE1.

Plan a romantic night out at this year's Ballet Under The Stars.

Down Under funnies are making their way here for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow.

Still haven't seen Voyage de la Vie? Well now's about time—this theatrical highlight stars our very own Jonathan Leong.

See how British artist David Hockney sizes up the world around him in the David Hockney: Singapore Art Museum Tyler Collection show.

With a location right in the central business district, City Viva offers opportunities for worktime lunches, shopping sessions and some after-work wining and dining choices as well. The façade looks pretty similar to J-Avenue, but upon entry, you’ll be reminded of Palio in Khao Yai and a bit of Siam Square.

The food establishments cover everything from health foods and burgers to wine bars and beer bistros. Pordee Come (3/F) offers exotic drinks, like sugar-free teas extracted from water lily, butterfly pea, West Indian jasmine, and torch ginger flowers. They also do salad rolls (B89) with their original herbal dressing. The seating area is a bit too tiny, though, so take-away is also recommended. As for those who prefer heartier food, there’s Jurgen’s (3/F), a tiny burger stall that does a small menu of the classic pork (B99), beef (B109), and fish (B99) patties. You can order extra toppings like cheese (B10), sauteed onion (B10), or bacon (B20). A set of pork or fish burger, french fries, and soft drink is B139 and a beef set is B149. The signature here is a recipe of sauerkraut sauce, perfected over many years of house party cooking. Too bad there’s no seating area at all.

For a proper, sit-down dining experience, there’s V2 Beer and Wine Garden (3-4/F, 02-676-9669. Open daily 5pm-midnight), which also offers outdoor seating options overlooking the busy traffic on Narathiwas Road and daily live music. The whole floor is decorated with white furniture and astroturf. A wine list starts at B690 a bottle, and cocktails start at B99. Nice! The food menu is comprised of a few Thai standards. Bloc Beer and Bistro (3/F. 02-676-9595. Open daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-1am) does an extensive list of Belgian beers and Western comfort food served in a laid-back and slightly grungy atmosphere. The signature highlights are: the Bloc fried rice (B155) and their custom brewed Belgian beer, Bloc (B180). On tap are Leffe, Hoegaarden, and Stella Artois (B220/pint). For a more romantic experience, try Wine Fusion (G/F. 02-676-9576. Open daily 10am-midnight) which does Thai and Western food and some inexpensive wines by the glass.

Apart from dining, there are lots of shops covering lingerie, apparel, imported designer gear, shoes, fashion accessories, aroma products and even toys and gadgets. T-Sum (2/F), sells both in-house designed garments and other imported accessories from vintage earrings to designer scarves. There are some perfumes and cosmetics on the shelves as well. Prices range from B600 to B3,000, and best of all, you can try and bargain. Viva La Ville (2/F) imports most of their clothes, bags, and shoes from France, Japan, and USA. They have a wide variety of products from Miu Miu wallets (B12,500) to gorgeous heels (from around B1,290). Prices range from B990 for Mina green dress, to B18,500 for a Louis Vuitton Damier handbag. At Aromantra (3/F), you can buy all kinds of body care products like lotions, shower gels, essential oils and candles, with prices ranging from B149-499.

If neat gadgets turn your head, Taeta (3/F) sells all kinds of gizmos, like a digital slate clock (B2,990), an iPhone zoom-able lens attached with a tiny tripod (B1,200), and a Nikon lens coffee mug (B890). MD Shop (3/F) stocks Korean brand Marianne Kate gift products, and prices range from B300 to B700. There’re also some cute accessories like the iPhone and iPod diary cases (B890), flip flops (B1,500), and some cosmetic bags. You’ll definitely want to visit Len Kong Len (3/F), an endearing toy shop that’s not only for kids. The highlight pieces are the digital cameras with built-in games (B6,500), and a casino set consisting of cards, dominoes, chess, checkers, dice, and chips which all come in a cute dice-like box (B2,500). We also love the DIY Lomo kit (B1,500), the mini popcorn maker (B3,200), the stuffed dolls from Singapore and other childish playthings. Prices start at B40.

Corner of Narathiwas Soi 6, 02-237-9150. www.thecityviva.com. Open daily 10am-10:30pm

These days, trawling through flea markets for cool buys is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. With at least three flea markets taking place every weekend (see the full list here), shopping at flea markets is no longer a surefire way to find that rare 70s Prada or Christian Lacroix dress or collectible Miles Davis vinyl record. For these, you’ve got to head to specialist second hand shops for everything vintage, and legit ones at that.

A few years ago, flea markets were still a novelty here, like the quarterly Zouk Flea and Easy sessions where you could score a branded jacket at less than half its original price or a rare $2 CD or DVD. Today however, they—especially ones like Flea. Fly. Flo. Fun at Home Club, Flea-tique! at Old Kallang Airport and *SCAPE Bazaar at *SCAPE—have become a breeding ground for youngsters selling off unwanted goods—cheap, secondhand clothes that were purchased impulsively and paraphernalia that they’ve simply outgrown. Or worse, self-produced T-shirt and accessories lines that look like they belong in a neighborhood pasar malam (night market).

“Yes, there’re certainly way too many flea markets organized by individual groups lately,” says Yap Chang Ten, who runs the decade-old vintage shop The Attic at Far East Plaza. “And they’re mainly run by teenagers and wannabes who buy their goods from blog shops, which are of inferior quality. And imagine it when they sell it used!”

Chua Hwee Yee, who runs the specialist vintage shop Stevie General Store at Club Street, explains that the trend is simply a sign of the times.”Flea markets reflect the history and culture of a country or city; for example, you’ll find old kimono fabrics in Tokyo flea markets,” she says. “In the local flea markets, you’ll see a lot of Topshop, Zara and Mango clothes … that’s our hyper-consumerist culture for you! I think we must stop comparing current Singaporean flea markets with European, American or Japanese ones. We are a small, young country that developed rapidly over the past few decades; a lot of big, old houses were torn down to make way for HDB flats. Big, old houses tend to have a lot of old stuff. When you tear them down, old stuff gets lost. And HDB flats are really small; most of us don’t have attics or basements to store stuff that we want to ignore for the next 50 years, so we just throw things away. To expect the same sort of “era-esque” stuff we always find at flea markets overseas is like expecting your neighborhood $3 fish ball noodle stall to make fish balls from caviar.”

While flea markets are not necessarily the place to go to for good ol’ vintage rarities, there are a few exceptions. Look hard enough, and with a little bit of luck, you can still score a couple of gems: Collectible vinyls and tin toys at China Square’s Sunday flea market; old Levi’s jeans and vintage blazers at the weekend edition of Thieves’ Market; or collectible clothes at Zouk’s Flea and Easy, especially during its Fashion Elite-themed ones held during the city’s fashion seasons. The Attic’s Yap also recommends scouring through ad-hoc junk sales for unexpectedly rare and affordable buys. “Those organized by big charity organizations or expats are usually where you can find better stuff,” he says. “These are normally run by more influential and professional people who own and purchase quality merchandize. They are normally willing to part with their prized items at a fair price as these are sold for a good cause or because the expats are leaving the country for good.”

Firstly, let's learn from these professional vintage hunters on how to do it right.

Kenny Leck
Owner of Books Actually, which specializes in rare books and paraphernalia
I usually look at the durability of the item. Bakelite for example, a predecessor of plastic, was used in most light switches that were common in our HDB flats when they were first built. A very hardy material, it’s much harder to crack than plastic—though sadly not environmentally-friendly—and is still in demand by new flat owners who want the old original light switches that our parents are so used to. Always try to collect items that serve a function. Imagine Bakelite light switches used to cost our parents $0.50 cents from the hardware store. Now, you easily have to fork out $15-20 just for one in pristine condition.

Newbie collectors, read up on what you are collecting. Ironically, all information is online these days; it’s like modern technology feeding us with old “technology” information. Research is the key starting point for any collector.

A note for seasoned collectors and buyers: You can never complete any one single collection in its entirety. Even if you can complete one, you will have to move on to the next one. So leave it for another day, another collection.

Yap Chang Ten
Owner of The Attic
Vintage originals can be identified from their labels/markings, materials and hardware used. Most of the materials used back then are different from what you can get in today’s market. Firstly it has to be of good make, meaning the materials and hardware used to manufacture it have to be of good quality, making them still usable till today. Secondly, it has to be of good product design, meaning the item is well thought of and has great details in its design that appeal to the majority.

Thirdly it has to be iconic, meaning it represents a certain era’s culture by just looking at it.

Pricing really depends on the rarity, condition and year the product was manufactured. For example in jeans, you will look for how well it was worn in and maintained. The darker the color of a pair of vintage denim, the better it’s been taken care of. It would be a plus if the overall denim is still dark but sporting a nice wash with beautiful contrasting whisker lines around the crotch and back knee areas. You should also look to see if there is any selvage in the jeans. The first generation of Levi’s jeans, for example, does not have red or blue lines; just white lines in their selvage. This is just very basic, surface identification. There are many more details to look out for in a pair of vintage jeans. The buttons, rivets and numbers or markings are also some of the items to look out for when identifying a pair of vintage jeans.

To me, vintage must be at least 20 years of age, of good make and have an interesting story behind it. Buy only these.

Chua Hwee Yee
Owner of Stevie General Store
For clothing, the first thing you look at is the label. If there’s no label, it’s not likely to be vintage, unless it is tailored or homemade, and those can be recognized easily. You’ll also frequently (but not always) see a “Union-made” label on American clothing; you can date the garment precisely using the Union-made label (there are lists of Union-made labels on the Internet). Reproductions usually don’t pay attention to the zippers and buttons, even if they do use old fabric.

As for pricing, casual dresses will obviously cost less than formal wear and gowns. Mint condition dresses—some of them complete with hang tags—will definitely cost more.

Newbie collectors: Information is your friend. Read as much as you can about whatever you’re collecting. Seasoned collectors: Be original.

How to Shop Smart

Veteran vintage shopping queen Samantha See tells you how to prep for a day spent digging in the crates.

1. Be early and have a plan. For weekend fleas, most shoppers probably partied too much the night before, and are having a nasty hangover; it’s never wise to shop when you are in such a state. Make sure you rest well before your big shopping day, use your huge contact network base and get the insiders’ scoop on what’s worth your moolah. Always know what you are looking for so that you don’t end up wandering around like a lost, crying kid in an amusement park.

2. Study the psyche of the seller. It always helps to connect with your seller. A similar aesthetic sensibility and a genuine appreciation of the stock on display will usually garner you a discount.

3. The art of negotiation. If you love to shop for antiques then you don’t need my advice, but remember that everything is negotiable. Never ever settle for the opening price; only a novice would. Don’t forget to spot little blemishes and hog them for a bigger discount when you find them. And if you are buying multiple items, make sure the stall vendor gives you a better deal. Don’t forget to snag some last minute bargains when vendors get desperate to clear their wares.

4. Have a shopping mate. There’s nothing more fun than snooping for bargains with a like-minded individual, but make sure it’s two or three mates max because it gets way too messy with too many of them.

Now, it's time to shop! Here is the full list of flea markets and vintage stores in Singapore.

Top Walking Street

Bophut

Samui is now obsessed with walking streets, and there’s one almost every day of the week. If you have limited time, then this is the one you should try. Bophut stretches along the entire Fisherman’s Village Street where wooden shophouses are home to cool restaurants, cafes, shops and guesthouses. On Fridays, street vendors take over this tiny street and sell everything from food and cooking ingredients to souvenirs made from coconut shells. Foodies can sample local snacks at Kanom Chine Pa Somchai (B40, 087-265-4111) and Pad Mii Pa Paichit (B30, 080-147-4680) and refresh themselves with the street-mixed mojitos (B60). At the mid-point of the road (where The Pier is) there is a small space where local artists do traditional music and performances, which vary every week.

RUNNERS-UP

Maenam

At Maenam intersection where you would turn left for Kanom Chine Pa Maitree (which does wonderful nam ya, 077-247-075. Open daily 8am-3.30pm), turn right instead and you’ll hit a walking street every Thursday from 5-10pm. Vendors sell vegetables, snacks and clothes. The goods aren’t that exciting, so make just a quick stop on your way to dinner.

Nathon

Every Saturday between 5-10pm, Angthong Road, parallel to Nathon Beach Road, is closed to traffic to make way for local street vendors selling their food and clothes. This place is more for locals, so there’s not much in the way of souvenirs and t-shirts. But there’s plenty of food like deep fried fishballs and local Thai sweets.

Top Nature Spot

Na Muang Waterfalls

There are two small waterfalls at this spot: Na Muang 1 and 2. While Na Muang 2 is more crowded, thanks to the nearby elephant trekking service and zoo, Na Muang 1 is the place to go, with a beautiful, clear stream falling from a ten-meter cliff into a small pond. B20 parking fee and free entry.

RUNNERS-UP

Hin Lat Waterfall

Hin Lat is a small waterfall located only few kilometers from the main road. It sits on the Lipa Yai River and is part of a national reserve. Walk across the falls and you’ll find the Hin Lat Buddhist Monk Sanctuary for meditation. Free parking and entry.

Hin Ta Hin Yai

Forget the sex museums of Europe, this is truly au naturel. Hin Ta is a rock pillar that looks like a penis and Hin Yai is a rock that looks like a vagina (you need a bit of imagination on this one). On the way back, stop for some kalamae, a local snack. B20 parking fee and free entry.

Lamai Viewpoint

Driving along the main road from Chaweng Beach to Lamai Beach, there’s a viewpoint where you can see both beaches. There are stairs so you can walk down to the sea below for photo opportunities. Free parking and entry.

Top Island Day Trip

Angthong Marine National Park

Only 20 km from Samui is Angthong Marine National Park, which covers an area of 102 sq kilometers and is made up of 40 small islands. But as there are only a few islands we’re permitted to set foot on, a visit to the marine national park only really takes a day.
Countless travel agents sell this day trip but the cheapest option we found without compromising too much on quality is by Samui Leisure (083-434-1882, 086-883-3219, www.samuileisure.com). They offer a day trip with Samui Island Tour at B750, inclusive of a roundtrip transfer from your hotel to the port, one meal, soft drinks throughout the trip, snorkeling goggles and the national park fee. If you want to kayak, it’s B1,200 but we’re not big on exertion.
The pick-up is around 7:30am and the boat departs at 8:30am, taking you first to Koh Mae Koh (Mother Island) where you need to climb up the newly-built stairs to see the Inner Sea, a lagoon entirely surrounded by lush hills. After lunch on board, you’ll visit Koh Wua Ta Lub (Sleeping Cow Island). While farang tourists
are enjoying the sun and sand, we encourage you to put on your trainers (flip-flops not recommended) and go for a trek to the hilltop. Follow the rope and climb up the hill for 500 meters (no stairs, sorry) until you reach its peak at 262 meters from sea level. It’s at least half an hour each way but we promise once you’re there, all your exhaustion will disappear as you enjoy the 360-degree panorama of the entire Angthong Marine National Park. Soak it up, as it’s even rougher going back down. The boat leaves Koh Wua Ta Lub around 3:30pm, and you should be back on the mainlaind at around 5pm, weather permitting. Programs can be customized and vary from agent to agent. You can also try Lomprayah (B2,100 by catamaran, www.lomprayah.com) and Seatran Discovery (B1,900 by yacht, www.seatrandiscovery.com).
Angthong Marine National Park is closed Nov 1-30 every year.

RUNNERS-UP

Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan

A little further out, both Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan lie north of Samui. (Koh Tao is really closer to Chumphon.) Normally, most tours will take you to Koh Tao in the morning for sunbathing and snorkeling and to Koh Nang Yuan, where you can catch views of a beach that connects three small islands, in the afternoon. Prices are inclusive of a roundtrip transfer, soft drinks and one meal. Try Samui Leisure (B1,700, www.samuileisure.com) or Lomprayah (B1,800, www.lomprayah.com).

Koh Taen and Koh Matsum

These two small islands located southwest of Samui are best known for their untamed forests and beautiful corals. A day trip runs from 9am to 3pm. Try Thai Tour Group (B1,700, www.thaitourgroup.com) or Magic Samui (B1,300, www.magicsamui.net).

Top Nightlife Spot

9 Gems

Hidden away on one of the island’s many hilltops, 9 Gems combines fine dining with breathtaking views of Pru Chaweng (Chaweng Lagoon) and Chaweng town center below. The menu offers fusion food (from B400), tapas (from B300), desserts (from B300) and cocktails (from B350). And it’s the only place on Samui that stocks both prosecco and Moet & Chandon. Request to be seated on one of their beds on the rooftop to enjoy the 360-degree view. Settling yourself in just before sunset is highly recommended.
141/190 Moo 6, Bophut, 077-256-125, 080-692-0520. Open Tue-Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri-Sun 4pm-2am. www.9gemssamui.com

RUNNERS-UP

Green Mango & Sweet Soul

This has long been one of the most popular nightclubs in Samui. The real party starts at midnight and continues until just before dawn. With a gigantic open-air space that contains several bars, pool tables, live performances and huge dance floors, all you need is a plastic bucket of Sangsom mixed with Red Bull and some straws. If midnight’s too late, stop by at Sweet Soul, the sister club of Green Mango (located right in front) to warm up.
Soi Green Mango, Chaweng Beach Rd. Open daily 9pm till late.
www.thegreenmangoclub.com

Sound Club

A great spot to take the party after you’re done with Green Mango. Sound Club has both open-air and indoor spaces, and the DJs are usually the ones who do the Full Moon Parties on nearby Koh Pha Ngan, featuring all night hip-hop and R&B.
Soi Green Mango, Chaweng Beach Rd., Open daily 11pm-6am. www.soundclubsamui.com

Top Local Dining

Sabeinglae

Sabeinglae offers a long list of authentic local dishes like gang kua hed lhoob (mushroom curry), wai kua (squid simmered in coconut milk), and gang som pla grabog yod mapraw (sour curry with fish and young coconut). Also try the fresh oysters with deep-fried garlic (B40 each) and pla krapong tod nampla (deep-fried seabass). The kluay buad shi can’t be missed for dessert. Unlike other fine seafood restaurants in Samui, the bill is very affordable and will probably cost you less than B1,000 for two.
438/82 Moo 1, Maret, 077-233-082, 081-538-7045. www.sabeinglae.9nha.com

RUNNERS-UP

Janhom

Test your tongue with Janhom’s fiery Southern dishes like nam prik goong sod (vegetables with shrimp relish, B120) and wipe your tears away with the kua gling moo (stir fried pork with spicy herbs, B150).
7/3 Bang Por Beach, 077-236-458. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Kuay Tiew Moo Pratuwat

New but already quite popular, it stands out a bit from the others, in terms of both the vintage décor and concept—think Plernwarn in Hua Hin. Their highlight is the jumbo noodle (B60) which gets you up to three toppings including boiled and steamed pork with fresh seafood. Also try O-Charos (B20), which mixes o-liang and cha dam yen in one glass.
In front of Wat Lamai, Lamai Beach, 086-277-0268.
Open daily 9am-10pm. Free parking at the temple.

Top Sunday Brunch

Beach Republic

The club at Beach Republic embodies a hip, contemporary Mediterranean beach lifestyle. Elegant and sexy with its red hot decor, the mood here is more energetic and comfortable than, say, at Nikki Beach (see right). There are two infinity pools available with regular DJs and live performances. The Ultimate Sunday Brunch Club features a buffet offering myriad international options like meat carving stations, seafood, Thai dishes, sushi, cold cuts, and crepes suzette. Outside those hours, entry into the club for outside guests is B500, but that does turn into F&B credits. There are also 39 rooms available from B3,900 per night.
176/34 Moo 4, Maret, 077-458-100. Sunday brunch B1,400, 11:30am-3:30pm. www.beachrepublic.com
 

RUNNER-UP

Nikki Beach

The Thai sister of celeb-hang-outs, the Nikkis in Las Vegas, Miami and St. Tropez, Nikki Beach touts big star-spotting potential. In real life, you’ll see lots of Western tourists on their throw pillows, daybeds, plush champagne beds and Nikki’s signature teepees. The highlight of the week is the Amazing Sunday Brunch, offering over 40 dishes including seafood, sushi, meat carvings, and desserts. The brunch includes one free mimosa or bellini. Annual membership (approximately B7,500) gets you entry into the club for a year, but won’t include special events like Sunday brunch. Private bungalows available, starting from B4,600.
96/3 Moo 2, Lipa Noi, 077-914-500. Sunday brunch B950, 11am-4pm. www.nikkibeach.com

Top Tea Room

Namcha

Run by a Filipino family with an obsession on tea, the teahouse is just by the entrance of Fisherman’s Village and is one of the most charming buildings in the area. Like almost everywhere in Samui, the place offers an open-air vibe, and there are four sections with Japanese, Chinese, African, and English tea room styles. Their offerings range from English breakfast and Jasmine, to chai tea imported from around the world. Prices start at B120 per pot.
Fisherman’s Village, Bophut Beach, 077-427-115. Open daily 9:30am-10:30pm. www.namchasamui.com

RUNNER-UP

Le Salon de Ti

Created by a couple, Alex and Ti, Le Salon de Ti has everything from desserts to cocktails with a spot of tea. An open-air space on the second floor of the teak building is decked out in vintage-style French furniture, white chandeliers and antiques, and is perfect for afternoon high tea (from B590 for two people). As for the selection, there are 23 kinds of Dilmah tea, served hot or cold. And if you are a wine fan, the place also has an extensive wine list, with more than 1,200 bottles from 17 countries.
Zazen Boutique Resort, Bophut Beach, 077-425-085. Afternoon tea available daily 2-5pm. www.samuizazen.com

Top Café

Bakubung

A charming baan baan beach side cafe located just around the corner from the Fisherman’s Village, this is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the scenery, especially if you have a couple of hours left before catching your flight (it’s just 5km from the airport). The outdoor area is very spacious, and the cafe serves some snacks like ham and cheese baguettes (B80) along with hot and cold beverages, including signature drinks like the Bakubung iced lemon tea (B85). Free Wi-Fi and parking.
145/5 Moo 1, Bophut Beach, 084-636-9090. Open daily 10am-8:30pm.
www.facebook.com/bakubung

RUNNER-UP

Kalasea

Located right on a cliff between Nathon and Maenam beaches, this four-month-old artsy yet adorable beachside coffee house is a spot not to be missed. The naval theme shows up in nearly every detail of the place from their furniture, to their souvenirs. The drink options, though, are very basic: coffee, tea, beer, and some bottled cocktails (B20-B100). A glass of iced latte (B60) will probably last you your time there, or else order their jazzy Blue Hawai (B40) to go along with their navy blue theme.
Angthong, Ring Rd., 086-558-3290. Open daily 10:30am-8pm. kalasea.webs.com
 

GRAND OPENING 

Banyan Tree Samui

Gurich Samui at Lamai Beach

Akyra Chura

W Retreat Koh Samui

Hansar Samui Resort and Spa

Shasa Resort and Residences
 

ESSENTIALS

How to get there

Hiso: Just hop on a Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com) flight. A web promotion starts from B6,520 roundtrip, inclusive of taxes and surcharges. A roundtrip ticket from THAI Airways (www.thaiairways.com) is from B10,370.
Low-cost: Nok Air (www.nokair.com) together with Lomprayah Ferry is offering an air ticket-plus-ferry package. You will fly from Bangkok to Nakhon Sri Thammarat (from B1,295 one-way) or Surat Thani (from B1,200), then get shuttled to the pier by bus to get on the ferry to Koh Samui. Rates are for a one-way trip, exclusive of taxes and service charge. Cost 6 hours.
Old school: Sombat Tour (www.sombattour.com) takes you from Southern Bus Terminal to Don Sak Pier in Surat Thani (B542-632 one-way) where you then take a ferry to Koh Samui (Raja Ferry, B150, www.rajaferryport.com). Buses leave at 7:30am, 7pm, 7:30pm and 8pm, and it takes around 13 hours in total. Another option is Lomprayah (www.lomprayah.com), which leaves Bangkok at 6am, heading to Chumphon where you get on its catamaran boat to Koh Samui (via Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan). The whole trip takes around 11 hrs and is B1,400 one-way.

The buzz: Having been around for 10 years, local streetwear maven Flesh Imp shows no sign of slowing down with the launch of its largest concept store yet, right in the heart of town.

The vibe: The smooth concrete floor and bright lights suspended from the high ceiling by black wires give the new space an industrial look, made complete with a storage-style entresol. Not to be confused for a workshop, most of the store’s fittings are made from reused chipboards and refurbished furniture. Adding an interesting touch to the place are the galvanized zinc plates found all around the store that create a rugged yet alluring feel.

The goods: Keep an eye out for jeans from the latest Spring collection. Inspired by the scrap yard, it features a gamut of rough and unfinished textures and materials such as denim and cambric, daubed with haphazard and irregular pieces of corduroy and ginghams. Don’t forget to check out the new range of dress and boat shoes for men ($69-$99) and trendy basic tees for kids ($19-35).

Why you’ll be back: To support your local label, that’s why.

Despite entering the local scene over three decades ago, go-karting has only ever enjoyed a minimal following here, especially since there’s never been a permanent racetrack in Singapore to train on. Even Kart World, the go-to place for karting enthusiasts all over the city, had to close down last year when it neared the end of its lease. But things are set to change thanks to Singapore’s first permanent competition-length racetrack, the two-year old Kartright Speedway (511 Upper Jurong Rd., 6265-3303, www.kartright.com), fiercely promoting the sport with the second season of its AutoInc Singapore Karting Championship (SKC).

Inaugurated in 2010, the SKC is sanctioned by the Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA) and officiated by the Singapore GP, two very significant mandates from the local motoring industry. When it first started out, the championship drew over 70 competitors competing in five levels grouped according to age. Gearing up for its third round (Jul 16-17), the SKC 2011 now has hosted about 50 participants and this is before the qualifying rounds.

According to Yuey Tan, ambassador of the SKC 2011 and a podium finisher at the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Series, one of the SKC’s main objectives is to attract sponsors and expand the market. ”Motorsports is about 60-years-old now, and has opened doors to revenue around the world. Just look at the Singapore MotoGP and how successful it is. If we continue to promote the sport the way SKC is doing now, hopefully, we will be able to achieve a more inclusive motorsports industry where both the F1 and kart racing can thrive,” he said.

It’s not just the SKC 2011 that’s driving competitive go-karting in Singapore. Other championship events have also been drawing throngs of motoring enthusiasts. The OCBC Corporate Karting Challenge 2011 (next eliminating round occurs on Jul 2), a four-hour kart endurance race that tests wits and strategy, is now in full swing, with over 30 companies vying for a spot in the grand final. “The response has been good. This is our first time organizing this event and it definitely helps that we have Kartright Speedway to support us,” says Ben Lim, events coordinator at Kartright Speedway.

Want to be a part of the next big thing in local motorsports? Eric Ho, Round 1 champion at the SKC 2011’s Senior Master Class category tells us how he first started out.

How did you train when there wasn’t a permanent racetrack years ago?
Now, the Kartright Speedway is the natural and ideal place to go but back then, I was racing karts in the carpark. Besides driving lap after lap, I also figured out the kart set-up that worked best for me was at the carpark.

What other things do you do to prepare for a race?
Training is an endless pursuit for the physical and mental optimum.
I keep my meals light, simple, non-oily and non-spicy so that the only burning sensation I experience comes from the fired-up engine.
I also do sports. I can play tennis for two to three hours but give me 15 minutes of kart racing and I’d be asking for a break. It’s that vigorous!

What’s it like to be legitimately speeding?
Speeding without a chance of getting a ticket is wonderful. I feel so free from all constraints, especially when my machine and I “become one.” It feels great.

Do you worry that karting is somewhat environmentally hazardous?
No. Public buses can also be seen as an environmental hazard if that’s the case. What comes out of those few tiny exhaust pipes can’t change the world. Motor racing will soon be running on electricity, anyway, and I’m guessing that’d be way sooner than the other vehicles.

Have you ever gotten a summons for speeding?
Yes, but I’m not proud of it, ironically. The last time I was summonsed, I was going at 96km/h along AYE when the limit was 80 or 90 (km/h). And I still remember that was in 1996!

How do you help promote karting in Singapore?
Back in 2007, I organized practice sessions and fun races through online forums with other karting enthusiasts. I try to share my experience with others whenever I get the chance to, especially when I’m attending karting clinics or exhibitions. People need to understand that karting is a sport like any other, where mental and physical fitness are essential.

Famous last words?
Kart racing is finding cohesion, where aggression is unleashed yet controlled.

Showcasing 13 highly stylized works which incorporate enamel based self–portraits of the artist himself and spindly red wool on canvas. The very personal pieces adroitly explore the sociopolitical concerns of the artist regarding censorship and freedom in present day Singapore.

Having spent six months to conceptualize and execute, the buzzing atmosphere of the recent, watershed General Elections is also prevalent in his works.

TraseOne adds, “One of my all time local heroes is the soft spoken opposition politician Chiam See Tong. To a certain extent, the struggles that he went through in his career mirror some of the challenges I face in my artistic pursuit.”

Among the works that stand out are "Step Out" and "Break Out" which effectively convey the spirit of the artist taking risks and pushing boundaries, sometimes in subtle, clever ways or violent means, while following his passion.

Besides expressing TraseOne’s most personal thoughts, the works in a broader context can be seen as echoing the silent oppression of stifled Singaporeans.

FreeThem runs though Jun 26 at Utterly Art, 229 A South Bridge Rd., 6226-2605. Free.

1. The Ice Ball

“Regular ice cubes work but they melt fast and your whiskey will have a different dilution between your first sip and your last. Ice keeps ice cold, though, so one really big ice cube is better.”

2. Chill the Bottle

“Like vodka, you can actually chill whiskey. It changes the texture, and it removes some of the harshness associated with the alcohol. Unfortunately, it locks in a lot of the flavor, too.”

3. Add some ice-cold water

“Water opens up the flavors of your whiskey. And with this method, the amount of dilution remains identical from the first sip to the last. This is my preferred method.”

Extra Tip

“During tastings, pros will usually taste the whiskey neat first. Then they open it up with a splash of water.”

Top Whiskey Bars

The P&L Club Bangkok. Lobby Floor, The Conrad Hotel, 87 Wireless Road, 02-685-3898. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm.

Bar @ 494. Lower Lobby, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, 494 Rajdamri Road, 02-254-1234. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 5pm-12am.

The Finishing Post. 23/F Crown Plaza Bangkok, 952 Rama IV Road, 02-238-4300. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm.