No matter who you will be supporting in the World Cup's final match, finding the right place with the right vibe to watch the game is the thing that counts. Here are some suggestions on where to say good bye to Copa Mundial for another four years. As the game starts at 1am, all these places will be open late especially for the event.

For a refined and enjoyable viewing experience, try…

87+ (Conrad Hotel, Wireless Rd., 02-690-9999. Open daily 6pm-1am. BTS Ploen Chit) Though you might have to watch the match with the band, at 87+ you can enjoy a big screen, special snacks and drinks for the football season as well as a lucky draw.

Aqua (Four Seasons Bangkok, 155 Ratchadamri Rd. 02-250-1000. BTS Ratchadamri) Getting all misty eyed over the finals? Don’t cry my dear, the next World Cup is only four years away. Oh, that’s just the mist spraying fans? Never mind. Lots of tasty German munchies included in their World Cup Platter set (B650) for two.

Amaze (559 Rim Klong Saen Seab Rd., next to Talay Bangkok, 02-245-8950/-1. Open daily 6pm-2am) This particular entertainment complex has a huge screen to watch the match on, as well as live music and drinks. While the ballers are having their break, enjoy the view of lots of girls conspicuously strutting around the premises.

Bacchus (Ruam Rudee Village, Soi Ruam Rudee, Phloen Chit Rd. 02-650-8986. BTS Ploen Chit. www.bachus.tv) What goes better with football than…wine? If that’s your bag, baby, this is your place.

Indus (71 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-258-4900, 02-661-5279. Open daily 6pm-midnight. www.indusbangkok) A 70-inch screen and unique vibe and atmostphere mark this locale. Cuddle up to a hooka of sheesha and cheer your team to victory. Drinks during the match will be B100 for all ladies and B150 for gents.

Zest Piano Bar (Westin Grande Sukhumvit, 0-2207-8000. BTS Asok) With a five-meter television on the premises, the Westin may be a good place to catch the game. Special items sprinkle their menu like jimmies on a McDonald's sundae. Try Thierry’s Ceasar Salad or the Beckham Cheese Burger. Hurray!

Out of control-ish

Blacky Sport Pub (G/F Radison Hotel, 92, Soi Saengcham, Rama 9 Rd., 02-641-4888. Open daily 4pm-1am) One of the rare sport bars in town that offers not one but TWO 200 inch screens. Wow, you might just feel like you are there on the field. Snacks and drinks served that evening will match the countries that enter the final round. Enjoy a reel of golden moments from previous games at half time.

Chang Stadium (Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Open daily 7pm-late. MRT Lumpini) Okay, it’s not really a “stadium” per se, but at least it’s huge enough for 2,000 people. There will be plenty of Chang on hand to booze it up during the whole game and maybe even get in a fight. Four mega screens will be found in the area along with live music and some pretty coyote girls. If you want to escape the midnight drinking curfew that is rumored to be enacted, order a couple of tankards at midnight and and put them on ice. Last time we checked, ice can be served after midnight.

The Londoner (Basement of UBC II, Corner of Sukhumvit Soi 33. 02-261 0238. BTS Phrom Phong) Oi, Oi, Oi! In this basement pub you can watch the game with the lager louts…just keep an eye out for flying pint glasses if the wrong team wins.

In its 13th year, the annual Singapore Food Festival is still going strong. This year’s festival of Singapore dishes promises its biggest showcase yet, with 50 events and activities lined up in the whole of July.

Kicking off the festival is an event centered on a dish that’s close to the hearts (or mouths) of Singaporeans—chili crab. If you’re a big fan of this man tou-dipping delicacy, then this event is for you: the Super Crab 101 Buffet will set Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza on fire on Jul 2 ($30 adult, $15 child). If you think there’s only one way to cook the crustacean, think again. Literally 101 crab dishes will be presented at this buffet spread, while 30 stalls will feature their own renditions of the chili crab dish.

The Singapore Food Ball Festival (Jul 6-9, 11am-9:30pm, Bugis Junction) is another much-touted event. This free admission event features, you guessed it, all food spherical—all in the name of World Cup mania. Hainanese chicken rice balls, glutinous rice balls, onde onde, Takpachi octopus balls, ice balls … you get the picture.

How about sampling some edible flowers? At Dining in a Garden City (Jul 12-16, 11am-9:30pm, Plaza Singapura), not only do you dine in a lush and luxuriant garden setting, discover how to make flowers palatable in your food too.

Go to any wedding and you’re always guaranteed a good feed. The Wedding Feast (Jul 28-30, 10am-9pm, Marina Square & Millenia Walk) showcases not one, but three, weddings—Malay, Indian and Chinese—including the food, cultural customs and wedding preparations of each ethnic group. At just $25 per person, this is also cheaper than a regular ang pao. And at $20, you can gorge yourself silly at Marina Square with the longest multicultural wedding cake, sweets, savories and candies.
Look out for food promotions, special menus and discounts at over 100 participating food establishments around the island. For more details, log on to www.singaporefoodfestival.com.

Speaking to a kid, who could be no more than 10 years old, in the thick of the action of the Olympic Distance of the Aviva Bintan Triathlon, we learnt a few things.

One is that he was cheering for his father, who looked in his 30s and was, at that very moment, pushing his exhausted body out of the ocean from the 1,500m swim and on to the next leg of the competition—the 40km cycling course.

The other was that the kid himself would be taking part in the children’s triathlon the next day. Over the course of the competition, we encountered participants ranging from men and women in their physical prime to grandparents long since past their physical peak.

One thing’s clear—triathlons, despite seeming like an impossible feat to finish—aren’t just for the incredibly fit.

“I’m asthmatic, so I need to take up some exercise,” says Desmond Kao, a 30-year-old junior college teacher who’s been taking part in triathlons for the past two and a half years. “I actually have no relapse when I’m exercising regularly.”

There are categories tailor-made for different competitors. There’s the aforementioned kids’ triathlon, open to kids from the age of seven to around 14 years old (depending on each competition). The Olympic and sprint distances (which are around half the distance of the Olympic) can be competed in as an individual or as part of a relay of either two of three people, so those of you who aren’t ready to fly it solo can get some support first. There’s even a mini category in the upcoming OSIM Singapore International Triathlon in July, which is a shorter distance than the sprint.
“It’s encouraging for people like me who aren’t particularly sporty,” says Rachelle Lau, an editor who had started training in August last year when her husband got her into triathlons. She soon discovered how addictive they can be. “It is a relatively easy sport to get into.”

Let’s Get Physical

But if you think that these competitions are going to be chicken feed, think again.

“In terms of monthly training, a newcomer to triathlons requires approximately three months of training prior to a race,” says Michael Turnball from Tribob, a team which trains competitors for triathlons. “In terms of weekly hours, this varies widely. It all depends on the individual and his strengths, weaknesses, time available to train and what he is training for. In general, most members train between eight to 20 hours a week. For some, it is simply a matter of training when they can, for example a 30-minute swim at lunchtime is better than no swim at all.”

25-year-old Courtney Atkinson, who came first in the Olympic Distance, has had the benefit of growing up in Australia where there has been a consistent outflow of great triathletes. “There’s been a system of training developed, so all I had to do was add in refinements,” says this professional triathlete. Those refinements have been specific to Courtney’s needs, particularly his bike riding, which he reckons is just average.

“Before morning sickness set in,” says Rachelle, who was three months pregnant when she took part in the tournament, “I used to wake up at 5:30am and get in an hour on the bike or running. I’d try to leave early from work and rush to the track, then on to the pool. I managed one training session a day, which meant I crammed everything on the weekend.”

Michael, who’s been training triathletes in Singapore for a year, adds that each triathlete is an individual and will follow his personal training program with his own individual goals and targets.

Get By With A Little Help

So, if the training is idiosyncratic, why work with trainers?

Michael elaborates, “Here at Tribob we offer 10 training sessions every week for our members that cover all aspects of a triathlon. I also sit down with members to plan individual training programs. The main aim is to achieve a balance between the disciplines. If there is an obvious weakness, we also schedule a little extra training in that area to accelerate improvements.”

Desmond echoes Michael’s points, emphasizing that while it’s fine for him to train on his own for easier sessions, nothing motivates quite as well during those more difficult sessions than being surrounded by athletic mates. “Tribob’s a great platform for group training,” he says. “And that really helps to train you in those specific aspects that need work.”

For Rachelle, it’s also about pushing herself. “I was very comfortable at a certain pace and I found that I wasn’t improving. I just didn’t have the motivation to. Whereas, when I joined Tribob, I was part of a group. At the end of the sessions, we would all get an email from Mike summarizing how everyone did.” She adds, with a laugh, “It can be very demoralizing to see my name at the bottom!”

Eat Me

Naturally, training has to be balanced by a proper diet. Although, as Desmond and Rachelle testified, this isn’t regimented.

“There is no strict regime for me. I eat to train,“ explains Desmond. “My diet gets stricter as the race gets closer. During that time, I also try to stay away from anything too heaty. But I do give in to my cravings once in a while though.”

Courtney’s eating habits, likewise, aren’t terribly specific, but just “not unhealthy.”

Rachelle’s diet, on the other hand, consists of more carbohydrates and lots of fruits and vegetables. But the one staple that she stresses the most is the all-important water. “I have to have lots of water. I get tired really quickly if I don’t get enough water,” she emphasizes.

Michael aptly likens balancing a proper diet with the proper training to another well-balanced machine—a car. “If a car is not tested (your training) before it is released, it’ll break down. If your car is not fuelled up regularly (your nutrition), it will stop running. And if you don’t give your car a break and a service (sufficient rest), it wears out quicker than it should,” he explains.

It’s All in the Mind

This leads us to one other very important aspect of taking part in a triathlon—the mental preparation.

“I just visualize myself doing well and really enjoying it,” says Rachelle, describing how she psyches herself up for a competition. “Also, nothing gets you going like that second wind in the middle of the competition.”

Desmond has a similar method of setting aside all worries the night before and just telling himself to have fun. But this is just the final part of his extensive preparation. “It starts really early,” he explains. “You’ve got to commit yourself to the training and set your mind to working through it. It gets better as the race gets closer; I find myself becoming more focused.”

To Courtney, however, who’s been taking part in triathlons since he was 15, triathlons are just jobs. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy his work. “It’s particularly fun when it’s a different tournament,” he says. Referring to the rain that hit the Aviva Bintan Triathlon, he says, with a smile, “Yesterday’s tournament was unique, because of the weather. I get very few opportunities to do a race like this.”

Moving On

The OSIM Singapore International Triathlon 2006, to be held on July 1 and 2 at East Coast Park, is primed to be the next big event for triathletes. Even though registration may be closed for this huge event, it doesn’t mean that you can’t swing by and take a look.

The kids’ and mini triathlons will be on July 1 and the Olympic and sprint will be on July 2.

Stray

For a collection that draws inspiration from David Bowie’s character in the movie The Man Who Fell to Earth, Aussie rocker Nick Cave’s performance from Wim Wender’s Wings of Desire, and actor Michael Pare’s Tom Cody character in Streets of Fire, Stray has certainly got it made. The main silhouette of the collection is a figure accentuated by elements of red and tailored cuts (see picture). One signature design in the collection is sharp pointy lines on the back of shirts and jackets—an evocation of characters that are “unconventional and quiet,” says its designer and founder Arthur Chua. “The designs are made for conflicted heroes … individuals who are gentlemanly, yet rebellious in every sense.”

Consisting of well conceptualized ready to wear pieces that include shirts, tops, elaborate jackets, vests and pants, the collection, which recently debuted at the Wardrobe show at Zouk, is made for men in the know.

The multitalented Chua is an art director by day, and has dabbled in many art exhibitions, commercials and film. His fashion collection is an extension of his work philosophy. Chua further explains: “Fashion is just an extension of what I do as Stray, also the name of my creative agency. The basic idea of Stray is my belief in venturing (hence straying) into all areas of creativity that interest me, including architecture, product design, installation, music, film, philosophy, science etc. Thus fashion is just one aspect of it all.”

But for now, it seems that Stray, the fashion collection, is here to stay. Some of the best and outstanding pieces include jackets with hand pressed metal studs, cropped pinstripe bolero jackets, and long hooded coats. Prices range from $599 to $899 for these conceptual pieces, most of them one-offs. “I don’t confine my target customers to any particular age group as much as I don’t believe in categorizing anyone. As long as that person appreciates my clothes, it’s a good enough reason to wear them,” adds Chua.

Stray is available from end July at White Room, 37 Haji Lane, 6297-1280. Or email [email protected] for more info.

Murder

Try not to kill yourselves over these babies. A much sought after collection between Stray’s Arthur Chua, FruFru & Tigerlily’s Ginette Chittick (who also plays in the rock band Astreal) and local music producer Muon a.k.a. Nick Chan, the fashion label Murder is here to rock with its unconventional approach to fashion. Murder’s main collection is not just the clothes, but an entire package that comes with a CD featuring music conjured by Muon. “The music is inspired by the imagery of the clothes, much like a soundtrack that completes a movie,” says Chittick.

The clothes, consisting of pieces for both men and women, also premiered at the Wardrobe show. One of its key menswear pieces is the black jeans that come with gold embroidered “Flying V and Explorer” guitar motifs, a la cult British fashion label Maharishi. For the girls, it’s the black dresses that come replete with electric red lightning motifs. This is essential fashion wear for wannabe rockers.

Asked how the idea for Murder came about, Chittick explains: “It just hit me in bed one morning when I was thinking about the relationship between music and imagery, and how both elements are so entwined and are such integral parts of each other. And as a fashion designer and musician, I wanted a label that would come with its own soundtrack, sort of like how a movie is incomplete without a proper soundtrack. Our clothes are part of that missing equation.”

Priced at $180-300, the collection, which plays on darker colors such as black, red and grey; and more angular cuts, is commendable for its eccentricity. “Aesthetically, it’s just pleasing and nothing sunshiny about it,” adds Chittick. “To fully understand the mood, one would have to wear and hear it.”

Murder is available from end July at White Room, 37 Haji Lane, 6297-1280. Or email [email protected] for more info.

Black Parasol

More darkness looms out from relatively unheard of fashion label Black Parasol. Although founders Ha Xiaoyun, Li Wenhui, Rhiannon Xiao and Shen Zhaoru have been selling their clothes annually at the Singapore Street Festival, only in January this year did the foursome launch the website www.blackparasol.com to retail their clothes online.

This self professed “alternative” fashion label mixes influences from gothic Lolita and punk fashions into individualized garments and accessories that are handmade by the four designers. “Ever since we launched the website, we’ve even had orders from the US,” says Ha. Some of the most outstanding pieces in the collection include the Peppermint Rose Headdress (US$22), made from black cotton, and trimmings such as black vinyl, satin ribbons and black netting, and the Decorum Choker (US$20), made from pearls, lace and a pendant.

“Usually we will meet to brainstorm the designs together, draft them, and then stitch and put them together,” explains Ha. “We try not to go OTT with the designs as the local market can’t really accept it. Given that Singaporeans are not very experimental with their clothing and styles, and are still unfamiliar with the gothic Lolita subculture (which originated from Japan), the items that we design are toned down. Still, it must still be aesthetically pleasing to the layman and still acceptable by people who are familiar with Lolita culture.”

Black Parasol is available from www.blackparasol.com.

See You Tomorrow

See You Tomorrow is an antithesis of a brand, tagged as “a signifier of greater hope, a minimalist and flea mart clash,” or so it claims. More playful than minimalist, this quirky collection by Aiwei Foo, a Sarawak native, is a breath of fresh air among the staple of darker collections featured here. Although it has been around for almost a year, making its presence felt in numerous art and book fairs, namely in Tokyo, the collection is finally available locally at hip lifestyle store Asylum.

“The reception to my works is usually that it’s happy,” says Foo with a chuckle. “That’s because on a personal level, I’m optimistic about tomorrow, and I believe that there is still hope out there.” We are also hopeful about Foo’s colorful collection making a splash here. We especially like her Accidental Bags, made from recycled materials found at Salvation Army and flea markets, that are reminiscent of the popular Freitag bags from multilabel boutique Actually... And at $120, they are more affordable too.

“I saw these materials at the Salvation Army, and was just so fascinated with them, and decided to use them for sewing and see how they turned out.” Little did Foo know that they will eventually become very trendy, one-off ladies handbags that are as lovable as they are innovative. “I also like to play with small little pieces of fabric,” she adds. The result: Accessories and necklaces ($60-90) that also pose as works of art that wouldn’t look out of place on the catwalks.

See You Tomorrow is available from Asylum, 22 Ann Siang Rd., 6324-2289.

Clarke Quay’s $80 million revamp has seen the waterside lifestyle precinct converted into a hive of modern bars, clubs and eateries. Alongside the drinking and dancing hotspots like Ministry of Sound, Bar Cocoon, and Baize & China One, Clarke Quay now houses numerous new restaurants as part of phase two of its refurbishment, which also includes the Central Square Fountain and a ventilation system utilising a combination of canopies and fans (that, incidentally, won the ASEAN Energy Efficient Building Award for Tropical Building Design in 2006). In keeping with the old favorites such as Coriander Leaf, Peony-Jade Restaurant and The Tapas Tree, the new restaurant tenants offer hungry diners a range of different cuisines from around the world. And they’re impressive—gone are the tired facades and dated decor. These newbies are fitted with modern furnishings and funky indoor and alfresco areas where every detail has been taken into account. Here are the newest that Clarke Quay has to offer our restaurant scene.

Le Restaurant

Modern European. Crazy Horse Paris, Block B, #01-01 Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6336-1800.
Although the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret show has been around for over six months, little attention has been given to its restaurant, which is open to the public. Le Restaurant is über glamorous with red floors, walls and furnishings, and vintage style black and white photographs of celebrities. The menu is similarly provocative and full of quality ingredients. House specialties include the millefeuille of crab salad ($20), the pan-fried Chilean cod ($34) and the rack of lamb ($36). But perhaps what is unusual about Le Restaurant are the dishes not on the menu. If you call ahead at least 24 hours, you can order the tomato confit dessert ($18) that uses vine ripened tomatoes which are skinless, seedless and stuffed with a stewed mixture of diced fruit such as kiwifruit, rock melon and peach cooked with mixed spices like star anise. Also recommended by Chef de Cuisine Gary Kwang is the chocolate fondant ($15), which also requires at least a 24-hour booking. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm.

Kura No Naka Japanese Restaurant

Japanese. Block B, #02-02 Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6336-6659.
Next door to Crazy Horse is Kura No Naka. This understated Japanese joint boasts a substantial menu of everything from salads to sashimi, noodles and desserts. The idea is for dishes to be served izakaya style, that is, in small portions with sake or sochu. Classic favorites here are maguro avocado or fresh cubed tuna ($10), tonkotsu sui gyoza or dumplings in pork soup ($14) and curry udon ($14). The restaurant has a laidback relaxed feel about it, making it a good choice for chilling with mates or for hosting less formal lunchtime meetings. Open Sun-Thu 11am-2:30pm, 6-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm.

Marrakesh—Moroccan Lounge & Bar

Moroccan. Block D, #01-01 Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6338-7331.
With its indoor swings surrounded by Moroccan tiling, hazy curtains and specially selected Moroccan ornaments and antiques, Marrakesh is a very cool place to sit back and soak up the atmosphere. Really more of a bar than a restaurant, Marrakesh serves finger foods such as shish kebabs ($18), jawanih dajaj or chicken wings ($18) and a mixed grill platter ($35 or $25 for vegetarian platter) traditional Moroccan style where it’s all about spreading the food out and sharing it with your company. All cocktails are $13, including the signature cocktails such as the gunga dean (Bombay Sapphire and mint) and the Marrakesh special of Malibu, Midori, banana liqueur and blue curacao. Sheeshas ($20) are also available if purchased with drinks and food. Open Sun-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 5pm-2am.

The Tent

Mongolian Grill. Block D, #01-02 Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6339-0200.
Right next to Marrakesh is The Tent, where Mongolian grilled vegetables and meats are the specialty. Over 20 varieties of vegetables, 12-30 meats and 16 sauces, oils and garnishes are in the spread for customers to mix and match. Unlike other Mongolian grills, where one is often left to devise combinations without guidance, The Tent provides menu suggestions of the best ways to get the most flavor out of your dish. Vegetarians are catered for as well—their sauces are kept in a separate area and there is a dedicated vegetarian hot plate to ensure no meat inadvertently ends up on the wrong plate. Open daily 6:30-11:30pm.

Zuma Bar & Grill

Mediterranean Grill. Block C, #01-01 Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6339-6365.
Zuma’s impressive U-shaped bar right on the Singapore River and its large alfresco area make it a great people-watching spot. Here, grilled meats are the specialty, with dishes such as lobster grilled in tarragon butter ($23 for half, $40 for whole), pan-fried sea bass with pistachio crust ($21) and sirloin steaks ($23.50 for 180gm, $28 for 275gm) on the recently revised menu. But perhaps the most interesting menu item is the Menu Surprise, where the only choice you have is whether you want three ($65), four ($80) or five ($90) courses. The rest is left up to the chef to decide, including dishes that may not be on the a la carte menu. If you prefer to know what you’re getting yourself into, there’s also the daily Menu Marche with three courses for $50. Open daily 3-10:30pm, kitchen opens from 6:30pm.

Bayang

Indonesian. Block A, #01-05 Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6337-0144.
Set between River Valley Road and the water are several other cool restaurants attempting to bring something new to the dining scene. The owners of Bali Thai and Renn Thai, for instance, have opened their own offering of Indonesian concept dining, where Indonesian food is elevated to the mid-tier restaurant level. At Bayang, they try to educate diners about Balinese and Padang foods by presenting traditional dishes using typically Balinese spices and ingredients in an unfamiliar way. They recommend new patrons to try their ikan pepes bandung ($18), a whole leatherjacket steamed with spiced coconut mousse wrapped in a banana leaf (we’re warned this is extremely spicy) or the bebek betutu or baked duck in banana leaf ($14). All wines on offer (they suggest you stick to the red blends) have been specially chosen to complement the spices in each dish. Open daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm.

Ivory—The Indian Kitchen

Indian. Block A, #02-04 Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6333-4664.
Also set to open to the public in mid-July is Ivory—The Indian Kitchen, a fine dining contemporary Indian restaurant serving healthy and contemporary style Indian food focusing on Indian coastal cuisine, and Shisha, a lounge bar serving delicious Indian tapas and exotic cocktails. Apart from fresh seafood, it will feature live cooking stations offering hot plate and spit fire cooking styles amid a warm contemporary decor.

On the boiler

Come October, keep a lookout for the opening of the international brand BICE, which will present a skillful amalgamation of traditional and newer trends in Italian cuisine. These will be constantly refreshed with visiting chefs from Bice’s international stable of restaurants. Also scheduled to open in October is Fashion TV, which will offer diners a front row seat at some of the best fashion shows in the world with more than 30 plasma screens fed through the FTV channel. Nibble on light international fare while sipping the latest in bar mixes and drinks as you ogle the hottest in runway fashion. Coming from the folks at The Tapas Tree will be Highlander, a restaurant and bar celebrating all things Scottish. Fans of Satay Club will be pleased to know it too returns to Clarke Quay come October. It all adds up to a sizzling selection of eats.

more restaurants in Clarke Quay

Like No Other

Things keep popping up at the Sino-Portuguese Baan Silom on Silom Soi 19, including the unique hand-made jewelry brand Kit-Ti‘s Jewelry. They just opened their first retail store, Kit-Ti’s Gallery (659 Baan Silom, Silom Soi 19, 01-821-1275. Open daily noon-9pm. www.kittijewelry.com). Since it first appeared in 1998, the brand has received Thai and international recognition including mentions in both Time and Wallpaper*. The room is dressed in contemporary black with a combination of materials: tiles, stones and a petite waterfall. Unique and colorful handmade jewelry sits on black wood poles with prices ranging from B3,000 to B100,000. They also feature funky watches from Japan and Funk sunglasses.

Donde Eres, Espanol?

Bangkok is home sweet home to several international institutions—we already have the British Council, Alliance Française and the Japan Foundation—so now it’s time for Spain. Insitituto Espanol (25/F, Vanissa Bldg., 26 Chidlom Rd., behind Central Chidlom, 02-655-1640/-1, www.institutoespanol.org) is in a prime location in the city center; and is not only a nexus for the study of Spanish language and culture but also for those Spanish speaking countries in South America. Apart from a wide range of Spanish classes, there are also classes for salsa dance, flamenco dance, flamenco guitar and cooking classes—all taught by native gurus. The institution is quite new; so not all classes are yet available. Please kindly contact them for more information.

Diamonds may still be a girl’s best friend, but anything pretty and sparkly will do in a pinch, including crystal. Realizing the expensive nature of such sparkly items, though, many people are hestiant to walk into jewelry-only outlets—hence the ingenious nature of the Crystal Lounge (28 Sukhumvit Soi 20, next to Koi, 02-258-1599. Open Tue-Sun 11am-1am. www.crystal-lounge.com), which includes a café, a jewelry boutique and a cocktail lounge.

Next to fancy Koi restaurant down Sukhumvit Soi 20 lies this triple-function store. Stepping inside you are greeted by a Harley-Davidson and a tuk-tuk lavishly decorated with crystal. In front, a staircase lead to a jewelry zone featuring display stands and windows filled with hundreds of crystal fashion accessories, artifacts and decorative items. These are creations of their house brand, Crystal Revolution, and will run you from B1,000 to more than B100,000, depending on size and design. Farther down, a dining area houses fine traditional wood tables with huge mirrors, and clear glass panes open to an open-air balcony where you can lay back on a comfy sofa bed (a great spot to relax after a tough day).

There’s also an adjacent alfresco area with about 10 tables on rustic-colored raw cement red tiles and surrounded with lush trees, which is a good place for your afternoon Illy coffee break. When the sun goes down, this place turns into an alfresco bar, with funky and chilled-out beats nightly.

Though the place is fragmented into many parts, there are chairs and sofas everywhere. Opt for any place you feel like: indoor amid sparkling jewelry, at the back with cozy atmosphere or outdoor under the trees. Wireless internet access is available throughout the establishment.

As their name implies, there’s dazzling crystal everywhere: from door knobs, ceilings, dining and drinking menus to lamps, mirrors and toilet signs. If you don’t drive, make sure you call ahead so you can enjoy their specialty shuttle service from the BTS in a crystallized tuk-tuk—that ought to be fabulous enough for any refined lady.

David Regu

Forty-six-year-old David Regu’s journey into busking began immediately after he completed his national service. He busked for fun at numerous MRT stations for more than 20 years, before auditioning for the NAC and earning himself a letter of endorsement just last year. Now he busks “365 days a year, come rain or shine,” he says.

For most of his life, Regu has done contract work. After a particularly bad year, when he had no work, he decided to busk full-time as a vocalist and guitarist. His obligatory repertoire includes many hit songs, including “Have I Told You Lately,” “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “Hey Jude”. Although he doesn’t draw the crowd in droves like eight-year-old drummer Ethan Ong does, Regu is thankful that “the crowds’ response has been pretty good so far.” Last year, he was part of a funeral band, which paid him $150 on top of his daily $20-30 busking earnings. It has been tough but “even when cash is low, I need not beg, borrow or steal, as I have something to tide me over,” he says.

Regu has a host of other problems. Homeless and single, he showers at a friend’s office and sleeps on a bench at Riverside Point. To prevent thieves from pinching the pittance that he earns, he says “I sleep under security cameras so that anything that happens to me can be recorded.” However, this has not stopped him from being robbed twice and attacked by gangsters three times. Nevertheless, he relentlessly returns to his sleeping spot night after night.

Regu has been performing in a Clarke Quay underpass for a year now. He has tried Orchard Road a few times, but finds it too competitive there. “I also avoid places like Chinatown because most of the crowd prefers Chinese music, and I can only do English numbers.” To supplement his meager income as a busker, Regu started a cleaning business, but has yet to attract any client. While waiting for good tidings to come his way, Regu remains committed to busking and “will stop only when I die,” he says. There’s definitely no turning back for this admirable busker, who also adds that “busking makes me feel good and has helped heal my soul.” Regu also happily recalls a time when a sailor popped a $50 note into his box. “It was the first and only time that I received a $50 note from a single person,” he says.

Ethan Ong

Arguably one of the most talked about and successful buskers in town, eight-year-old Ethan Ong garners thunderous applause whenever he hits the drums along Orchard Road. This child prodigy busks for the love of it, unlike most buskers in town who are doing it to earn their keep. Coming from a privileged background, this devout Christian sees busking not as a means to an end, but as an opportunity to use his talent and break away from his mundane routine at home. Ethan’s father Bernard Ong, who accompanies him on all his performances, says that busking has contributed to Ethan’s confidence and “is the only way to practice.” Bernard adds, “It would be impossible to do so at our condominium, as the neighbors would get annoyed.” Asked why he busks, Ethan simply answers, “I like to share the talent that God has given me with everyone else.”

Ethan’s favorite hot spot is outside Paragon, where he performs from 3pm to 6pm every weekend. He recalls two particularly memorable occasions when “a lady jumped out of her car to give me money, and a man asked me for my autograph!” Despite the overwhelming attention, the little drummer boy, who reveres drum legends Akira Jimbo and Dennis Chambers, has managed to stay humble. His advice to parents who have kids who want to busk is to “stay committed and let your children enjoy the experience.” Busking is certainly not about the money for the talented Ethan. Although judging by the hundreds of supportive fans who gather around Ethan every weekend to watch him play, he could certainly do well for himself if he keeps this up long enough.

Star Light, Star Bright

We shed light on some of our worst and best buskers.

Leo Lim

Never mind that he’s been performing on the Orchard Road underpass for more than 20 years. This supremely untalented busker amplifies his voice using a battery operated amplifier, and is still going strong despite his non-singing voice.

Star Power: 1 Thumb Up

Gn Kok Lin

We’ll give it to the 72-year-old who can play a harmonica and juggle two tennis balls at the same time. But man, the noise that he makes with those clogs sure is cloying.

Star Power: 1 Thumb Up

David Regu

Regu’s repertoire of songs may be predictable, but his lively renditions more than make up for it.

Star Power: 3 Thumbs Up

Loh How Tong

Harmonica player Loh, who can be found mostly on weekends near the escalators outside Shaw House, plays evocative tunes that are reminiscent of film music composer Ennio Morricone’s.

Star Power: 3 Thumbs Up

Ethan Ong

What’s not to like about this amiable and energetic eight-year-old drummer who draws the crowd whenever he plays? We always keep an eye out for this small wonder every time we’re in town.

Star Power: 4 Thumbs Up

Mashruddin bin Saharuddin

At 53, this vocalist and guitarist with a Stevie Wonder-likeness plays mostly at the Tampines MRT and sings with heartfelt emotions. He’s certainly one of the most soulful we’ve heard.

Star Power: 4 Thumbs Up

How hard can busking be you ask? Follow us as we attempt to find out what it means to be a busker in Singapore.

It makes sense. If you’re going to have something in your mouth for a while, it might as well taste good. Though flavored condoms generally get a bad rap for tasting nothing like what they’re supposed to, we thought it was about time to suck it up and see for ourselves.

Since this is Bangkok, we were expecting to find more exotic flavors out on the market—mango, durian, maybe even green tea! What we found was pretty basic—fruit and chocolate. Why stop at just fruit and candy? What about savory meat flavors like chicken, beef or pork—or vegetarian choices like carrot or eggplant?

And people like coffee too, so maybe Starbucks should come out with their own trio pack of condoms: mocha, latte and caramel macchiato. Now that it’s nearly rainy season, maybe condoms could be enriched with vitamin C to help prevent colds! The possibilities are endless…

Duo Strawberry: (B40, pack of three) This strawberry condom smelled very berry indeed, with some on our panel of experts likening it to the smell of Strawberry Quik. Unfortunately it lacked in the flavor department, with no apparent taste whatsoever. On the bright side, we appreciated its thin, glossy exterior and found its attractive pink color “sexy.”

Faire Strawberry: (B37, pack of three) This condom didn’t contain nearly enough fruit essence to mask the latex rubber smell. It didn’t taste much better, either, and several on our panel commented on its mostly plastic, rubbery taste. Its appearance was noted as being matte and powdery with a pink, fleshy color that was considered cute.

Durex Strawberry: (B47, pack of three) One of the most delicious smelling condoms we tasted, with favorable comparisons to "raspberries" and "bubble gum." However, the taste was non-existent. Appearance wise, this was the most scary looking condom thanks to its agressively red, “very Scarlet Letter” color.

Durex Chocolate: (B45, pack of three) Its cheap fake chocolate smell was reminiscent of Koko Krispies or coffee candy. It was by far the sweetest of those we sampled, and half hated the fake chocolate flavor and half liked it. Like the Durex Strawberry, this had a thick, sticky texture. Most were a little turned off by its muddy brown color. One tester even commented that it “looks like it’s been used.”

Faire Blueberry: (B30, pack of three) Be careful with this one 'cause the package is misleading. It is actually just one blueberry-flavored condom that’s been packaged and stuck in front of a separate pack of two unflavored Skinlight condoms. Tricky dicks. The special condom has a pleasant cherry, raspberry smell, but like so many we tried, barely any taste. Nice vivid color and sexy appearance, though.

Durex Select - Banana: (B53, pack of three) This rubber came in one of three flavors found in Durex’s Select condoms–Banana, Strawberry and Orange (see below). Most reacted favorably to the smell, likening it to banana candy or Banana Pocky. In terms of flavor, it got mixed reviews. Some said it had none while an equal number of our panel said it tasted like banana. Easy to see in a dark room thanks to the bright yellow color.

Durex Select - Orange: (B53, pack of three) Our favorite of the bunch: It had a pleasant fruity smell not unlike Tang and Orange Tic Tacs. Taste-wise this one also came out on top, with our testers commenting that it tasted like nice candy with a bit of sweet and sourness to it. Its thin, smooth texture and elasticity got a thumbs-up from our panel, as did its appealing orange color.

Brit-Fashion Queen

Recently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, there was the opening of the new special exhibition, “AngloMania,” which focused on British fashion that has rocked the world from 1976 to the present. This exhibition showed what a large impact British designers have had on the fashion world. The TCDC (6/F, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-664-8448, www.tcdc.or.th) is now following suit by exhibiting their own impression of the British fashion wave in a show dedicated to one woman who has been a unique symbol of outstanding British taste: Vivienne Westwood. First shown at London's victoria and Albert Museum, the exhibition showcase explicitly shows that over the past 30 years, British fashion has not only reflected and shaped trends and standards of beauty, but also addressed social, historical and political issues. Expect the full-range of Vivienne Westwood styles in this show—some of which will be for sale—running Jul 22-Sep 24. Catch up on further details in future issues of BK.