Fresh crab, bibimbap and crunchy Hangwa

Fresh crab, bibimbap and crunchy Hangwa

Fresh crab, bibimbap and crunchy Hangwa

2018 Korea's Winter Olympics

Lu Wei Hoong | 15 March 2017

For Malaysians, Korean barbecue and kimchi are probably be the first things that come to mind when discussing about Korean food.

These dishes are typical of many local restaurants in Klang Valley offering a taste of South Korea.

However, nothing beats an authentic experience and the upcoming Winter Olympics 2018 poses an opportunity.

While the focus of attention may be in the host city of PyeongChang, the wider province of Gangwon promises to offer a delightful culinary experience.

Being a thriving agricultural province with a coastline of over 200km, it has more to offer than the mundane, including an abundance of seafood.

One such gem of a restaurant is Daegewangguk.

Restaurant name: Daegewangguk
Address: 55, Saecheonnyeon-doro, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do
Tel: +82-33-573-8185

Daegewangguk, literally meaning the Kingdom of Crab, offers a rich selection of crustaceans dishes.

At the restaurant, guests are greeted with a tray of nine kinds of appetisers, including fresh prawns, baby octopus, mussel and quail eggs.

A popular main dish here is its steamed red snow crab.

The shells of the palm-sized crabs are broken up and neatly placed on a plate, allowing diners to easily savour the succulent meat instead of having to deal with the hassle of a crab mallet.

The legs of the crabs are also removed and broken up and can be easily eaten with the aid of a scissor.

Another must have is its crab meat soup and crab shell fried rice.

Bibimpap-variety of vegetable

Away from the coast, the Taebaek mountainous region produces a variety of vegetables which are used in Bibimpap, a traditional Korean mixed rice.

Restaurant name: Jeong Gang Won (serves authentic Bibimpap)
Address: 21 Baekokpo-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Tel: +82-33-333-1011

Similar to the ‘lousang‘ concept in Klang Valley back home, diners can mix the myriad of ingredients before tucking in. The ingredients include shredded mushroom, cucumber, turnip, carrot, bean sprouts, spinach and five other vegetables. They are simultaneously poured into a giant wooden bowl filled with rice, along with gochujang chili sauce and sesame oil. After being tossed around, the dish is completed with a seasoning of seaweed.

The restaurant only uses the freshest vegetables from the region and diners can savour in its crunchiness.

Diners with a penchant for spiciness can add on brown chili sauce.

Hundreds of Onggi earthenware can be seen in the dining hall, which is used by the restaurant to produce its own brown chili sauce, red chili paste and kimchi which complements the Bibimpap.

They come with side dishes including kimchi, pickled turnip and lotus root.

Hangwa dessert maybe?

After the scrumptious meals, diners may want try a traditional Korean dessert, the Hangwa.

Galgol Hangwa Village is well-known for this dish.

Restaurant name: Galgol Hangwa Village
Address: 446, Nodong-ri, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do.

In Korean culture, Hangwa is a festival food, served in wedding receptions, parties and paying homage to ancestors.

In the past, it was considered a rare confectionery for commoners.

Choi Hyung Jun, a fifth generation owner of the restaurant, said the popular sweet was even banned during the 1960s to 1980s on grounds of saving rice.

“The government had difficulty taxing small businesses selling the sweet, so they banned it.

“My father had to sell it secretly,” he said.

These dishes and treat are only a taste of what the province of Gangwon has to offer for an authentic Korean experience.

This trip was sponsored by Gangwon-do Province and Korea Tourism Organisation

Cool breezing experience watching athlete

Cool breezing experience watching athlete

Cool breezing experience watching athlete

PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Lu Wei Hoong | 13 March 2017

Ever thought about escaping the hot and humid weather of Malaysia for something different? Perhaps somewhere with winter for a change of scenery?

PyeongChang, 180km east of the South Korean capital of Seoul, would be a timely destination as it gears up for the Winter Olympics 2018.

The city is busy preparing a hospitable welcome for visitors with a new high speed rail, upgrades to hotels as well as a brand new stadium.

It is a six-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Incheon International Airport.

From there, the new Korean Train Express bullet train service, due to be completed in late 2017, will allow visitors to get to PyeongChang in just two hours.

Pyeongchang

At PyeongChang, visitors can enjoy the sights of snowy mountains and smell the breeze of fresh air.

PyeongChang is located within the province of Gangwon-do, which has a thriving agriculture industry.

Apart from the natural sights PyeongChang has to offer, the city is also pulling all the stops for an Winter Olympics experience to be remembered.

The upcoming Winter Olympics will take place from Feb 9 to 25, 2018.

Ahead of the games, the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Centre, (address: 131, Nanseolheon-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, 25466) offers an early experience.

The sporting events are split into two clusters, namely the PyeongChang mountainous cluster and Gangneung coastal cluster.

PyeongChang will be the focal point of all snow sports, hosting the Alpensia Sports Park, Alpensia Sliding Centre, Yongpyong Alpine Centre, Jeongseon Alpine Centre and Bokwang Snow Park.

Within the Alpensia Sports Park are a ski jumping centre, biathlon centre and cross-country skiing centre.

Most importantly, it is also where the 35,000-capacity Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium is located.

A main attraction within the PyeongChang cluster is the Bokwang Snow Park. (Address: 1095, Myeonon-ri, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Kangwon), a popular resort for ski sports lovers.

With an annual snowfall of 210cm, visitors can enjoy uninterrupted skiing from November up until March.

Skiing and snowboarding are common sports for locals at the resort which has opened its doors for 22 years.

It will also be the place where athletes show off their free style skiing and and snowboarding skills for the Winter Olympics.

The Alpensia Sports Park (Address: 225-3 Yongsan-ri, Daekwallyeong-myeon,Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do) will play host to six sports, namely cross-country skiing, nordic combined, biathlon, bobsleigh, luge and ski jumping.

The ski-jumping range has the stunning Baekdusan Mountain ridges as backdrop, a major national park in South Korea.

Organisers have made it a point to ensure that all venues are accessible within a short drive.

The Olympics Centre’s public engagement team project manager Jasmine Lim said the compact concept was a result of lessons learnt in two previous unsuccessful bids to host the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014.

In the two previous bids, PyeongChang narrowly lost the to Vancouver and Sochi respectively.

From the PyeongChang mountainous cluster, it is around a 30 minute ride by coach to the Gangneung coastal cluster.

In Gangneung, much of the venues are concentrated within its Olympic Park which hosts a hockey centre, oval, ice arena and curling centre. It also hosts the Kwandong Hockey Centre.

At the Gangneung Ice Arena, visitors can witness graceful skaters taking to the ice to the tune of soft musics and if they wish, toss flower bouquets or soft toys into the arena as a sign of appreciation for the performance.

After three tries, PyeongChang is set to become only the second Asian city to host the Winter Olympics after Japan’s Sapporo.

The city aspires to capitalise on the prestigious sporting event to become an Asian winter sports hub.

So if you’re up for a unique getaway, PyeongChang beckons.

This trip was sponsored by Gangwon-do Province and Korea Tourism Organisation

A bulky ambition of bloody battles

A bulky ambition of bloody battles

SHAUKAT VS THE D

A bulky ambition of bloody battles

On a quiet Wednesday night, the violent sounds of bodies slamming against the floor can be heard from behind a garage door, echoing through the empty halls of a badminton court.

Behind the door lies a wrestling ring, occupied by muscular men and women dressed in bright colours, who posture, yell and solve their problems in the middle of the ring.

The ring is a training ground for folks with a unique passion that not many can understand.

It is home for Ayez Shaukat Fonseka, a full-time professional wrestler and owner of Malaysia Pro Wrestling (MYPW), Malaysia’s first and only professional wrestling organisation.

Ayez, who is fondly known across the South-East Asian wrestling community as ‘Shaukat’, believes that professional wrestling is more than just sports entertainment.

Ayez Shaukat Fonseka

Shaukat’s in the training time

I do believe that pro wrestling is a form of art,

said the 28 year-old

Professional wrestling is a scripted form of sports entertainment, where the outcome of each match is predetermined by a creative team.

It is story-driven and features heroes known as “faces” and villains known as “heels” and the story is often told by the performers through their actions in and out of the ring, Ayez explained.

Professional wrestlers such as Ayez are taught how to deliver and receive moves safely to reduce risk of injury for both performers.

The former stuntman and national muay thai fighter also works as a part-time action director, stunt coordinator and filmmaker.

MYPW has occasional wrestling shows each month and during that period, Ayez works a total of nine jobs to keep up with the cost of running the shows.

The most is nine lah. If I take another one, I’d die,

he joked

This is his story,
in his own words.

I started watching wrestling when I was four.

The first match I caught was Kamala vs the Undertaker in the Survivor Series 1992. I remember it very clearly because that was the reason why I started watching wrestling. I was only four. I was scared of the Undertaker, but I was even scared of Kamala.

When I watched the match somehow, I already knew that wrestling was sort of a performance. I fell in love with the characters and the way they told a story through fighting.

As a young
healthy boy

watching pro wrestling, my head was injected with images of macho men, guys fighting, action. So I grew to love action movies, and then martial arts and everything.

Because there wasn’t a platform for pro wrestling, I ventured out into Muay Thai and then I did Mixed Martial Arts and boxing.

I first started learning martial arts when I was 14. It actually was my career path when I was 16 till I was 21. I was a professional Muay Thai fighter.

When I was 14, obviously my parents did not encourage me, because Muay Thai is known to be a macho sport. It’s very aggressive and parents don’t want to see their children getting hurt, but I was very stubborn.

So I started winning and increasing my portfolio

as a prizefighter and that was when they start to give me space and let me do my stuff.

When I was 17 years old, I was just an extra on the set at that time and one of the testing directors asked me if I could fight. So I said I could. So he introduced me to the stunt coordinator, to start me off as a stuntman.

Because of my stunt experience, my stunt background, I learnt wrestling a lot faster than people normally would.

My mentor, Ric Drasin, said what I learnt in three weeks, was what the average student would learn in three months. I was able to pick up his teachings very quickly.

I can’t feel my face on the left side

and I cannot feel my fingers on the left side.

At age 21, I suffered nerve damage diagnosed as Bell’s Palsy and that basically forced me to retire from my professional fighting career, so I focused mainly on just doing stunts and film.

I also developed this boxing slur, basically a condition where it is very difficult for you to talk. If I don’t put in the effort, when I talk, I will just slur, mumble, you know like Sylvester Stallone, and how some boxers talk.

I still have the boxer’s slur but Bell’s Palsy, no.

I HAVE SUFFERED MORE INJURIES in my three year career in pro wrestling, despite my five year career in Muay Thai and MMA.

The worst was a knee dislocation. Also if I take too big a hit on my stomach, I can cough up blood.

I feel that pro wrestlers are very tough people. We don’t give them much credit but we should because I got a lot of friends in the Southeast Asian community, pro wrestlers, who get hurt during a match with injuries like broken noses, dislocated joints, whatever, but continue just for the sake of the fans.

In my match with Chris Panzer, a Filipino, what happened was I popped my knee. When I was doing a move called the German Suplex on him, it popped out of place, so I had to put it back inside.

Panzer wanted us to end the match but I just had to continue because I felt that I had not entertained the audience enough yet.

The number one reason I continue is passion.

I really love wrestling. I’ve always wanted to do it since I was a kid. And now I got it. So I really really don’t want to let it go. It just pushes me to be better and what drives me the most, is the ability to evoke the emotions of the fans in the arena, so it’s a very cool thing to be able to play with the emotions of the fans.

For example the previous show in MYPW Resistance on Sunday, I was getting beaten up by the Din, another character. During that time, one member of the audience was crying because I was getting beaten up. So I feel good because it showed that I was doing well as a performer.

It hurt a lot

A lot of us got hurt during the earlier stages. It was for the first year we used a Muay Thai ring but it was a good thing as well. Once we were used to the pain of taking bumps in the Muay Thai ring, the wrestling ring, felt like a bed to us because we were already used to the pain.

So we collaborated with Peminat Gusti Malaysia and Malaysian Wrestling Club for one of their conventions called PGMania, and we had our show for the first time ever at that convention.

At first everyone was very skeptical. There were people like, A lot of us got hurt during the earlier stages. It was for the first year we used a Muay Thai ring but it was a good thing as well. Once we were used to the pain of taking bumps in the Muay Thai ring, the wrestling ring, felt like a bed to us because we were already used to the pain.

So we collaborated with Peminat Gusti Malaysia and Malaysian Wrestling Club for one of their conventions called PGMania, and we had our show for the first time ever at that convention.

At first everyone was very skeptical. There were people like,

“Malaysian people, peminat gusti trying to pretend they can wrestle themselves.”

It was really bad

Before they even saw us, we got a lot of negative comments from fans and everything, all making fun of us, but on that night we proved them wrong because the matched that we put up was on par with international quality, and that definitely shut them up and things have been going like crazy after that show.

It was very difficult because the first year of operating I only had four students. We were training professionally, religiously, but for the people who didn’t know what was going on, when they saw the pictures, when they saw the videos, to them it was just like five kids playing wrestling.

So it was very difficult because for me to motivate my boys when they kept on getting bashed on the internet, it was very disheartening but I kept giving them motivation so we can prove these guys wrong and so we did.

I definitely feel that there’s potential

because we’ve been approached by a lot of TV stations and stuff to try and stretch our appeal. So I think that there’s a high probability that MyPW will be on mainstream media soon. The main concern is the funding.

To be totally honest, usually our shows, the ticket sales do not cover the cost, because we have to fly in international wrestlers.

That’s the reason why I have nine jobs usually during showtime!

By the way it’s growing now, I feel that it can be very big like how NJPW is in Japan. I feel that we can be a promotion that every wrestler in Southeast Asia wants to wrestle in.

I’m thankful that I’m now a full time wrestller

So off-days I go to the gym and on-days, I train harder. So for me that’s my way of life now. It’s either gym or pro wrestling training. That’s about it, until there’s a show or unless there’s a shoot, because right now I’m an action director as well.

So I think it’s easy for me but it’s a bit difficult for those that are working and studying. They don’t do this full-time. They have commitments.

The reason why I’m on the frontline

in the pro wrestling scene is because my name is quite well-known in Singapore, in Thailand, Hong Kong and Philippines, so I need to put in my efforts to pull the crowds to MyPW.

But there will be a time where I would need to stop because I’m 28 and I have got a lot of injuries already. My plan is to find a time when I can stop, and then I will focus more on management.

Wrestlers are fake

Wrestlers are fake. Wrestlers are into drugs and stuff. We get that a lot.

But we are performers as well and we are also elite athletes as well in the sense that we not only have to act, but we must also be able to perform like real athletes.

We need to have the agility, the coordination, the speed, the stamina. Everything that an athlete has, a wrestler needs. So it’s a combination of these two. People don’t respect wrestlers but wrestlers are among the best athletes in the world.

I will always get laughed at

I will always get ridiculed because of my dreams but I believe that I have already created a platform now.

So if any of you out there wants to become a pro wrestler, don’t be shy. There’s a whole bunch of people who could be your family.

Just come and join us, share your passion with us.

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New tread, not threads

New tread, not threads

New tread, not threads
for Chinese New Year

Chinese New year sees every increasing road traffic accidents, don’t become another statistic, make sure your vehicle is in top condition before heading home.

January will see the annual exodus of more than a million vehicles filled with people leaving the cities to return to their hometowns during the Chinese New Year.

With the increased traffic on Malaysian highways during cultural and religious holidays, we also expect to see an increase in the number of road accidents. In 2013, 158 fatalities were recorded, while the total number of accidents was 11,788 compared to 13,550 in 2014. 2015’s holiday season saw 17,632 accidents, resulting in 199 deaths.

Accidents in 2013

Accidents in 2014

Accidents in 2015

It isn’t just the festive seasons that see road accidents, of the year 2015 in total, authorities recorded 489,606 road accidents. Out of which 6,193 were fatal accidents.
While a large number of these accidents are attributed to human factors such as:

Driving faster than the speed limit

Racing

Running red lights

Changing lanes without signaling

Using mobile phones while driving

and some are due to the neglect of the driver leading to mechanical failure of the vehicles.

The most commonly neglected parts of a car are often some of the most important components, for example, the tyres. The tyres are the only thing between the main body of the vehicle and the road, they travel thousands of kilometers a year and are in contact with the ground all of the time, all year round, they are in control of your steering, braking, acceleration and absorbing all the bumps that the road may throw at you, so it makes sense that they should be regularly checked and changed.

Research by the AA has revealed the alarming risks motorists are taking, it found that  1 in 10 road traffic accidents could have been prevented by decreasing braking distance with new tyres.

Improperly maintained tyres can reduce the performance of your car, increase the risk of skidding, and lesser known, increase fuel consumption, leading to a corresponding increase in CO2 emissions.

Under-inflated tyres can reduce the braking distance by a huge amount, which is dangerous because even a few centimeters can mean the difference between getting away scot-free and ending up in a fatal accident.

Malaysian weather is wet, and when it rains and roads are slippery, braking distance severely increases. To prevent this, road users must ensure that tread depth is at least 1.6mm thick so that braking distance isn’t compromised.  If you can only afford to replace to tyres, put them on the rear axle, this is because it’s harder to control a skidding car when the tyres of the rear axle is compromised.

Road users should also carry a spare tyre with them at all times. Not only because it’s safe, but also because failing to do so can affect insurance breakdown coverage if they don’t.

Malaysia hopes to cut its accident numbers in half by the year 2020, and just like the years before, road safety measures will be stepped up just prior to the balik kampung high-times and the authorities will be deployed to the accident-prone hot-zones.

Despite this, Malaysians must be vigilant and ensure that their cars are properly maintained and do not pose a risk not only to themselves, but to others.

Keep your treads thick and your family safe this Chinese New Year with Michelin CNY promotion!

Michelin is giving out a free travel organizer with a purchase of two tyres or two travel organizers with a purchase of 4! The promotion lasts until the 27th of January 2017 and is available at all TYREPLUS and Michelin outlets.

Excitement Awaits the Whole Family at the Formula One PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix

Excitement Awaits the Whole Family at the Formula One PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix

Experience Redef1ned

The Malaysian Grand Prix
A Family Event, but with Fast Cars and Usher

Sepang International Circuit is bringing back the family carnival spirit to the 2016 Formula One PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix.

Themed Experience Redef1ned, the 18th edition of the event will run from 30th September until 2nd October 2016.

Throughout the three days, F1 fans of all ages will be able to enjoy an extensive activity line-up featuring a mix of fan favourites and new experiences.

The Attractions

“We want to encourage families to make the F1 a weekend outing and also nurture more young F1 fans,” said Sepang International Circuit CEO Dato’ Razlan Razali.

Among the attractions ideal for the whole family is the XTrack, offering motorsports-themed thrills such as drifting, rallying, go karting and ATV rides. Kids can enjoy inflatable fun or try out the Safety Driving School and take part in the Strider Cup, besides exploring an array of other sports activities. The whole family can enjoy the mini golf course, picnic facility, or check out the F1 Fan Zone Stage for exciting performances and activities throughout the day.

For a dose of nostalgia, race day will include a classic car display. Fans can also enjoy a spot of shopping, browsing through a selection of souvenirs and memorabilia, limited edition merchandise, accessories, and many more items catering to the motorsports fan base. Spend time in the F1 Gamezone with the latest simulator machines, where you can experience the immersive feeling of racing. If you prefer handling a real car, why not go for a safety-driving course during race weekend. There’s even sporting action of a different kind with the Malaysia Professional Boxing Championship held on 1 October at the circuit.

For fans waiting to get close to their idols, don’t miss the Driver’s Autograph Session, Driver’s Fan Forum and Public Pit Lane Walk. 

During race week, beginning 26 September, there are more not-to-be missed activities! Catch the exciting After-race Concert headlined by Usher and four fantastic local artistes such as Fazura and Natasha Sass. Check out the details on SIC’s Facebook and Website.

Price & Seats

All these amazing activities, plus three day’s access to the F1 Malaysia Grand Prix for only one ticket! So what are you waiting for? 

Ticket prices begin from RM169.60 – with tickets ranging from RM360.40 to RM1,876.20 for seats in the Main Grandstand, RM466.40 for the Tower, RM296.80 and RM699.60 for Grandstands F and K1 respectively, and RM169.60 for the C2 Hillstand. Star Stand tickets are available at RM183.38. There are various ticket packages with exclusive merchandise available for purchase. 

For those preferring luxury, opt for the Formula One Paddock Club, one of the Corporate Suites or hospitality lounges, although the Platinum Club Suites have sold out. Team Tribune passes are available from RM1880.44, which includes exclusive merchandise and a coach transfer from the city. While the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Tribune is sold out you can still opt for the Ferrari and Red Bull Racing Tribune. 

Grab your tickets fast!

Seats in the Main Grandstand’s Emerald and Crystal zones and Grandstand F are selling very quickly.

Child tickets for children aged 7 to 12 are available with up to 50% price reduction, while disabled spectators can also purchase tickets at 50% off for accessible seating zones. The public can also pre-purchase F&B package options for RM26.50 for extra convenience during the race weekend.

How To Purchase Ticket

In Person

at the circuit

Ticketing Agent

just check the location from SIC’s website

SIC Ticket Hotline

03-8778 2222

To find out more about the hospitality packages, ticket pricing and activities lined up, visit SIC’s website at www.sepangcircuit.com 

and keep track of announcements on SIC’s Facebook page at

facebook.com/sepanginternationalcircuit

and Instagram account at

instagram.com/sepangcircuit


For more information, please contact
Nor Lina Ayob at [email protected]

Keep Updated!