RAINI HAMDI
SENIOR EDITOR
• Who’s in your family? Kurt, Hatta, Tamara, Chanel, Vanessa (and their spouses), Luis and Luna
• What do you do for fun? Zumba
• Your ideal vacation? Hiking with Kurt in the Alps
• How do you book your own leisure trips? Kurt does it mostly – he’s retired
• What are you reading right now? A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
• How do you stay healthy? Exercise every day, eat lots of salad, fruits and nuts
• Favourite food? Singapore hawker food
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Drinking more than I should at social functions
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? People who stroll in a crowded walkway; people who read their mobile while walking – especially in crowded walkways
• Most people don’t know that you…have a 28-year-old son
KAREN YUE
GROUP EDITOR
• Who’s in your family? Two adorable boys – one my age and another who has just turned one in early December
• What do you do for fun? I tell my husband bad jokes and watch him cringe
• Your ideal vacation? A month with my family in a cool and quiet countryside that has been painted in the rich colours of autumn
• How do you book your own leisure trips? I rely on one trusted travel consultant for the easy job of recommending, planning and booking my luxury resort sojourns, but personally take on the time-consuming process of fixing my annual two-week vacations in Japan
• What are you reading right now? A lengthy online article explaining the meaning behind the colours and textures of baby’s poop
• How do you stay healthy? I drink beer; it is made from healthy grains
• Favourite food? Tutu kueh
• A bad habit you cannot kick? I chew my fingernails when I’m thinking
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? People who keep sighing in frustration – they are instant mood busters
• Most people don’t know that you…sold chicken rice in a small neighbourhood shop throughout 2005, just for the experience. It was exhausting work, but so satisfying when you work for yourself
XINYI LIANG-PHOLSENA
DEPUTY EDITOR, TTG ASIA & TTG INDIA
• Who’s in your family? My husband and our baby girl
• What do you do for fun? I like to cook and blog about my culinary learning journey, although having a baby means having less time to try out new recipes
• Your ideal vacation? A road trip with my family, filled with good conversation in the car, numerous food stops and gorgeous scenery along the way
• How do you book your own leisure trips? I usually look to Google and friends for recommendations and tips, before making the bookings directly online
• What are you reading right now? Love, Life, and Elephants: An African Love Story by Daphne Sheldrick
• How do you stay healthy? Doing housework and lifting my chubby baby whenever I think my arms need some toning
• Favourite food? My current obsession is naam phrik kapi (Thai shrimp paste dip)
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Reading my iPad in the dark
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Supermarket or convenience store staff bagging a single small item into a plastic bag and the customer doesn’t say no
• Most people don’t know that you…were the interpreter for Thai action star Tony Jaa during his Tom Yum Goong movie promotion in Singapore
S PUVANESWARY
EDITOR, MALAYSIA
• Who’s in your family? I’d say my dog is more ‘family’ than the humans I live with
• What do you do for fun? I love spending money on foot reflexology
• Your ideal vacation? A quiet beach vacation
• How do you book your own leisure trips? I compare prices online and book with the cheapest provider
• What are you reading right now? Mende Nazer’s autobiography called Slave
• How do you stay healthy? I avoid people who are negative and caustic
• Favourite food? Pineapple pizza
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Drinking more than I should at social functions
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Smokers who ask: “Do you mind if I smoke?” It annoys me that I always say “No” when I do mind so much
• Most people don’t know that you…would love to be an entrepreneur
MIMI HUDOYO
EDITOR, INDONESIA
• Who’s in your family? My two sisters, one in-law, and five wonderful nieces and nephews
• What do you do for fun? Spending time with my family – going out for lunch and watching movies together, or gathering around food, drinks and jokes at home
• Your ideal vacation? I travel so much for work that my ideal “vacation” is to stay at home where I can try out new recipes in my kitchen, do some gardening, have a traditional massage (yes, I can call a masseuse home) or just to laze around watching movies
• How do you book your own leisure trips? I book online when I travel to a familiar destination and through a travel consultant when it is a new one
• What are you reading right now? The Rise of Majapahit by young Indonesian novelist Setyo Wardoyo
• How do you stay healthy? I walk for miles and miles…in the shopping malls, and have my weight training with shopping bags in both hands
• Favourite food? Most things savoury
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Snacking under stress (this usually comes when I’m on deadlines)
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Spam mails, spam calls
• Most people don’t know that you…like talking to the plants in my garden
PAIGE LEE PEI QI
ASSISTANT EDITOR, SINGAPORE
• Who’s in your family? Many ladies (three sisters, my mum) and the only male exception – my dad
• What do you do for fun? Feeble attempts at calligraphy in my journal
• Your ideal vacation? A spa retreat far away from the frenetic city’s hustle and bustle
• How do you book your own leisure trips? My favourite travel consultants are TripAdvisor users who provide me with realistic feedback and expectations before I click book
• What are you reading right now? On top of the Bible, I am in the midst of a psychological thriller by Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train
• How do you stay healthy? Opting for yogurt ice cream instead of the real ice cream
• Favourite food? Green tea chocolate
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Social media. The longest I’ve steered clear of it was one month, when I challenged myself personally to a social media fast
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Skinny people who tell me they are too fat
• Most people don’t know that you…used to wait for Santa Claus when the clock struck 12, and still wishes that he exists
ROSA OCAMPO
CORRESPONDENT, THE PHILIPPINES
• Who’s in your family? My siblings, nephews and nieces, a few grandchildren, friends, and friends of friends who camp at home perennially
• What do you do for fun? Sleep
• Your ideal vacation? Catching up with friends anywhere in the world
• How do you book your own leisure trips? Through travel websites
• What are you reading right now? Where God was Born by Bruce Feiler
• How do you stay healthy? Work, work, work, then sleep, sleep, sleep
• Favourite food? Anything and everything edible
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Caffeine addiction and sleeping too much
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Being taken advantage of
• Most people don’t know that you…I can catch a falling star
PRUDENCE LUI
CORRESPONDENT, HONG KONG
• Who’s in your family? My hubby and a 13-year old daughter
• What do you do for fun? Outdoor activities to appreciate nature like hiking and canoe
• Your ideal vacation? Enjoying food and wine in the Pacific Alliance (Mexico, Peru, Brazil and Colombia) of South America
• How do you book your own leisure trips? If it’s for family trip, I’ll leave all the hassle to my reliable agent
• What are you reading right now? The First Aid Manualpublished by Hong Kong St John Ambulance for renewing my first aider qualification
• How do you stay healthy? Staying away from desserts and sleeping for at least seven to eight hours per night
• Favourite food?I can’t live without rice, especially congee, rice noodle and rice rolls
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Turning my radio on before going to bed
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Driving too slow in the fast lane during peak hours
• Most people don’t know that you…love Chinese musical instruments and play erhu in my leisure time
CAROLINE BOEY
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, CHINA & SPECIAL PROJECTS
• Who’s in your family? My 81-year-old mum, older brother, sister-in-law, two nieces, a nephew and their respective spouses and boyfriend
• What do you do for fun? I enjoy working up a good sweat, spending time with my family and friends, watching my favourite TV series, cooking and baking
• Your ideal vacation? To discover a new place or revisit a favourite where I can still work up a good sweat, spend time with family and friends, watch my favourite TV series, cook and bake
• How do you book your own leisure trips? I book online
• What are you reading right now? A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
• How do you stay healthy? I exercise regularly, drink lots of water, eat healthy and have cheat days, enjoy the occasional drink, get enough sleep and always see the glass half full
• Favourite food? I love anything spicy
• A bad habit you cannot kick? I used to complete people’s sentences but I think I may have been cured
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Rude people
• Most people don’t know that you…practise holding my breath for more than 40 seconds. My yoga instructor says it is good for living longer. He can do so many things I cannot, so I guess he must be right
ROHIT KAUL
CORRESPONDENT, NEW DELHI
• Who’s in your family? Parents, wife, a daughter and a son
• What do you do for fun? I play a game of cricket with my friends and try to win even if cheating is needed
• Your ideal vacation? A quiet beach destination with my family
• How do you book your own leisure trips? I book directly with suppliers
• What are you reading right now? How to Keep Your Woman Happy: A Manual for Men
• How do you stay healthy? I play sports and walk
• Favourite food? Monji Haak, a vegetarian Kashmiri cuisine of collard greens that is eaten with steamed rice
• A bad habit you cannot kick? I don’t have any bad habit. I am a saint
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? People who don’t value people who have been helpful to them
• Most people don’t know that you…I never spoke to any girl in my school. I was too shy
FEIZAL SAMATH
CORRESPONDENT, SRI LANKA/MALDIVES
• Who’s in your family? My wife, son, daughter, fish and a dog who gives me hell but is adorable to the rest of the family
• What do you do for fun? Travel across Sri Lanka whenever I can find the time
• Your ideal vacation? Three days in a beach resort, tea country or British colonial bungalow with the phone off the hook and to hell with writing!
• How do you book your own leisure trips? Usually on my own through the web
• What are you reading right now? Climate change series on National Geographic magazine
• How do you stay healthy? Don’t ask. Trying to stay on track (I mean using the treadmill itself is a challenge)
• Favourite food? All the bad ones – burgers, sausages and alcohol! Unfortunately due to a strict diet owing to health issues, I’m off these at the moment. Waiting for the green light…hmm!
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Nothing. If there is a will, there is a way
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Injustice and bad road manners
• Most people don’t know that you…have raised millions of rupees for children’s charities over the past 30 years
REDMOND SIA
CREATIVE DESIGNER
• Who’s in your family? Mum, dad, brother, sister-in-law and my fur kid (a Jack Russell Terrier)
• What do you do for fun? Travelling
• Your ideal vacation? Sunny places
• How do you book your own leisure trips? Mostly online
• What are you reading right now? Comics
• How do you stay healthy? Eat and walk
• Favourite food? Mutton curry
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Eating too much
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Nothing
• Most people don’t know that you…love snacks with garlic chilli
GOH MENG YONG
CREATIVE DESIGNER
• Who’s in your family? My wife, my three-year-old daughter, my one-year-old son, my mother, brother and sister
• What do you do for fun? Building lego, playing with my kids, cooking and gaming
• Your ideal vacation? Any part of Japan for two weeks
• How do you book your own leisure trips? Mostly online
• What are you reading right now? The Dalai Lama’s Book of Wisdom, which I got during a stopover in Thailand
• How do you stay healthy? Eating moderately and healthily (smirk), cycling
• Favourite food? Sashimi, my wife’s cooking
• A bad habit you cannot kick? Binge watching on Netflix
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? Injustice and bad road manners
• Most people don’t know that you…write with my right hand and draw with my left hand
LINA TAN
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
• Who’s in your family? Steven (husband), Victoria (daughter), Gabriel (son) and Buddy (family dog)
• What do you do for fun? Laze around and watch movies/drama
• Your ideal vacation? Travel to any part of the world for shopping and pigging out with my family
• How do you book your own leisure trips? Go on the website to search for cheap air tickets and hotel stays
• What are you reading right now? The Bible, reading the stories and trying to figure the meaning behind each story
• How do you stay healthy? Walk Buddy and do housework as exercise
• Favourite food? I like savoury food but nothing in particular is my favourite
• A bad habit you cannot kick? None that I can think of
• Your pet peeve, something that never fails to annoy you? My outburst at anything that upsets me! I cannot keep calm
• Most people don’t know that you…like to be left alone at times! Hahaha
Meet the newcomers
When did you join TTG and what do you find most fascinating about your job and the industry?
DANNON HAR
ASSISTANT EDITOR, ONLINE
Since hopping aboard the TTG Asia supersonic jet plane on July 13 this year, there has been little time to reflect until now, when I got tasked to jot this personal piece. The ride is best described as being aboard a luxury cruise ship going full speed against river rapids, where every sightseeing opportunity is an excuse to Tweet and Instagram for #TTGAsia. Social media shenanigans aside, my first love and mind remains fixated on increasing the inbound traffic of TTG Asia’s online properties to achieve maximum occupancy. Speaking of which, time to check in on how the new website is developing…
RACHEL AJ LEE
SUB EDITOR
I joined the TTG family on July 13, 2015 and it has been a rollercoaster ride. Coming from a lifestyle background, adjusting to “harder” trade news is kind of like walking into a chiller after a dip in a hot onsen. But I get to discover the world through overseas trade shows and have a hand in producing show dailies, and expand my editing and writing portfolio, all of which makes the switch pretty eye-opening.
JULIAN RYALL
CORRESPONDENT, JAPAN
My first contribution to TTG Asia was in January – and I confess it has been a steep learning curve since day one. I’d previously written travel stories, but never covered travel as an industry. My second confession is that it’s addictive and I consider myself fortunate to be writing about a sector that is dedicated to helping people have a good time in some of the most exotic and beautiful places in the world. What can possibly be bad about that?
REBECCA ELLIOT
CORRESPONDENT, AUSTRALIA
I filed my first story for TTG in April and was over the moon when I became the official Australia correspondent in July. I love exploring and uncovering the latest news, innovations and opinions from the industry in Australia and then sharing them with TTG readers. The industry is thriving Down Under, which means there’s always a good story to be told.
This article was first published in TTG Asia, December 11, 2015 issue, on page 33. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.
