MILAN
DESIGN
ITALY´S STYLE CAPITAL
QUARTER
2
2010
24 HOURS
IN MANILA
MAGAZINE OF THE MARCO POLO CLUB
QUARTER
2
2010
CO N T E N T S
DEPARTMEN
MEN TS
ON T HE WING
O
03 MESSAGEE FROM
44 INSIDE CX
Cathay Pacific’s
engineering team
oversees safety
THE CLUB
B
04 EXPLOREE
HONG KONG
ONG
Feng shui
ui woodlands,
the best spas, and
how to see
ee stars
08 EXPLOREE
THE WORLD
RLD
Irises bloom
oom in Tokyo,
Resorts World Sentosa
in Singapore
pore and
history tours
ours in Hanoi
14
FE AT URES
10 WHAT’S ON
Dragon-boat races in
Hong Kong, ART HK10
and Grand Slam tennis
at the French Open
14 EXPERT ADVICE
How to prepare to put
your hand up and bid
at auction
28 24 HOURS
Experience all Manila
has to offer in a heady,
hectic tour
12 CHOICE
Vases: our picks of
the finest cells for
those stems
20 PERSPECTIVE
Mainland China’s golf
courses are designed
by the world’s best
36 TRAVEL
If it’s sleek and Italian,
it quite possibly was
designed in Milan
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Grace Poon Mun Wong Ella Young Mandy Chau
The Club is published by Cathay Pacific Loyalty Programmes Ltd. (CPLP)
Cathay Pacific – The Marco Polo Club, PO Box 1024, Tsuen Wan Post
Office, Hong Kong. Tel +852 2747 5500 Fax +852 2537 9900. No part
of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission
of CPLP Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010 by CPLP Ltd. Opinions
in The Club are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed by CPLP Ltd.
Manuscripts, photographs, drawings and other materials will not be
returned unless they are accompanied by a self-addressed envelope
and appropriate international postal coupons. The Club cannot be held
responsible for unsolicited material.
2 THE CLUB
20
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36
48 CX NEWS
New route to Moscow,
the Home Delivery
Service expands and
more news
M E SSAG E FR O M T H E CLU B
Positive news at last
Katie Rowen, Manager The Marco Polo Club
C
athay Pacific’s 2009 annual results
provided hope that the worst
times might be behind us –
although we must remain cautious – and
was the first of several pieces of good
news that I would like to share.
We reported an attributable profit of
HKD4,694 million versus a loss of HKD8,696
million the previous year. Excluding fuel
hedging gains of HKD2,758 million, a oneoff item of HKD1,254 million resulting from
the sale of HAECO shares, and the contribution from subsidiaries and associates,
Cathay Pacific made an operating profit of
HKD285 million from its core airline
business compared with a loss of HKD1,440
million in 2008.
In February, Cathay Pacific announced it
had signed a framework agreement with
Air China to establish a jointly owned cargo
airline. The cargo joint venture, which is
expected to begin operations in summer
2010, is conditional upon approvals from
regulatory bodies and the independent
shareholders of both Cathay Pacific and
Air China.
The joint venture will provide the two
most important cargo-generating regions
on the Mainland with efficient and highly
competitive home-based carriers –
Cathay Pacific in the Pearl River Delta and
Air China Cargo in the Yangtze River Delta.
There was more good news with the
launch on 28 March of Cathay Pacific’s
four-times-a-week service to Milan, providing a direct link between Hong Kong
and Milan Malpensa. In July, Cathay Pacific
aircraft will touch down at Moscow’s
Domodedovo Airport as Russia’s capital
is added to our network with a threetimes-a-week service. I am sure these new
destinations will bring more convenience
to all, whether for business or leisure.
Cathay Pacific was honoured to receive
the Total Caring Award 2009-10, which recognises local companies that demonstrate
a “continual and sustainable total commitment in caring for the well-being of the
community, the employees and the environment”. The Caring Company Scheme is
organised by the Hong Kong Council of
Social Service and Cathay Pacific has been
awarded a Caring Company Logo every
year since the scheme launched in 2003.
As you fly with us, I hope you can feel
happy in the knowledge that we take our
social commitments seriously.
THE CLUB
3
Have a sweet
time at Sugar
E XPLO R E
HONG KONG
Open house
Shop, eat and sip
Exquisite taste
Combine a trip to the tailor with lunch and a wine tasting at Alfred
Dunhill’s new store in the Prince’s Building, Central. The Home of
Alfred Dunhill combines custom tailoring with Alfie’s, a clubby
restaurant, bar and lounge operated by the KEE private members’
club. The store houses Berrys’ Fine Wine Reserve, operated by
Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest wine-and-spirits merchant.
www.dunhill.com
Eat like a local
Download
to find Hong
Kong eats
4 THE CLUB
Visitors who would like to try Hong Kong’s local cuisine
– but are not sure where to start – can download a
nifty free guide to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The
Hong Kong Local Delicacies Guide, produced by the Hong
Kong Tourism Board, introduces four types of classic
Hong Kong food – congee, rice noodles, noodles and
rice – as well as restaurant contact details and street
maps. Available from iTunes.
www.discoverhongkong.com
A new batch of outdoor bars has
opened in time for the warmer
weather. The Grand Hyatt Hong
Kong’s new poolside The Waterfall
Bar occupies a zen-like space on the
11th floor with views over Victoria
Harbour, plenty of leafy tropical
greenery and comfy rattan couches.
The bar is stocked with a selection
of fine Champagnes available by
the glass. In Mong Kok, Langham
Place Hotel’s The Backyard has 6,000
square feet of outdoor space filled
with bean bags, lounging couches
and chillout music. In Quarry Bay,
EAST hotel’s bar Sugar has a stylish
outdoor deck on its 32nd floor with
DJ, tapas and cocktails from 5pm.
www.grandhyatthongkong.hk
http://hongkong.langhamplacehotels.com
www.east-hongkong.com
Smart talk
The art of debating has been resurrected and popularised by Intelligence Squared, a debating forum that
now has a branch in Hong Kong. Leading speakers
are pitched against each other and the audience votes
on the outcome. British sculptor Antony Gormley will
be one of the speakers arguing for the motion that
“You don’t need great skill to be a great artist”, in
Hong Kong on 28 May.
www.intelligencesquared.asia
Antony
Gormley
speaks up
Show time
Hong Kong’s slick, three-storey pavilion at
the Expo 2010 Shanghai China is designed
to express the city’s modernity, creativity
and connectivity. Designed by Hong Kong
architects Chan Wai-ching and Sze Ki-shan,
who won a government competition in early
2008, the theme of the 800-square-metre
space is “Hong Kong – Potential Unlimited”.
The contemporary design incorporates a
ground-level exhibition hall linked to an
open, transparent middle level by a pedestrian ramp. On the upper level is an indoor
replica of Hong Kong’s Wetland Park. The
space can accommodate 7,000 visitors a day.
www.hkexpo2010.gov.hk
Hong Kong
gets connected
in Shanghai
Perfect pearl
Photos. Anthony Gormley: Dan Kitwood – Getty Images.
Food: Getty Images. HK Pavilion: ChinaFotoPress
Dubbed the most extraordinary South Sea pearl in the
world, the Paspaley Pearl
will go on display at the new
Paspaley flagship store at 1881
Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui. The
Seeing stars
Gaze at Hong Kong’s night sky from the city’s new Astropark located
at High Island Reservoir, near Sai Kung in the New Territories. The
park is managed by the Hong Kong Space Museum and has three
sections: a telescope area with 10 piers for amateur astronomers to
mount their own telescopes; a naked-eye observation deck with
specially designed stargazing benches; and an educational zone
with a replica of a Ming Dynasty celestial globe, a mini planetarium
and a gnomon, the instrument traditionally used in China to measure
the length of the sun’s shadow. www.astropark.hk.space.museum
perfectly round pink cultured
pearl, 20.4mm in diameter, was
harvested in Australia in 2002
and has been displayed around
the world. Also on show is
Paspaley’s Unique Pearl
Collection and the Kuri
Bay Collection, which
was harvested in the
1950s and became
the standard for
valuing cultured
pearls worldwide.
www.paspaley.com
Limited-edition Ribbon
pearl strands with
pavé-set diamonds
THE CLUB
5
E XPLO R E
The feng-shui woodlands
stand out against the
denuded hills in this 1960s
photograph
Kop Tong village near
Lai Chi Wo has a
layout typical of
Hakka hamlets in
the New Territories,
with a clearing in
front and feng shui
woodlands behind
The Lin Au feng shui woodlands shelter
the village in the New Territories
6 THE CLUB
Some of Hong Kong’s natural
gems are its feng-shui woodlands, found around many
villages in the New Territories.
The woodlands, many of which
are now under preservation
orders, were originally an important resource for the villages,
providing herbs, food, bamboo
for building and protection from
harsh winds and searing heat.
According to feng-shui principles, the best place for a village
is by water with a mountain
backdrop, which is why many
settlements are surrounded by
mountains and protected by a
crescent shape of woodland.
Villagers believe these woodlands bring luck and govern the
prosperity of village.
The largest, best-preserved
woods are in the northeast
New Territories and around
Sai Kung and Ma On Shan.
The only surviving example on
Hong Kong Island is the fourhectare Nam Fung Road
feng-shui wood, which spreads
along the south side of Mount
Nicholson. Follow the path
along Lady Clement’s Ride to
enjoy the woods.
Other woodlands that are
worth exploring include She
Shan Tsuen feng-shui woodlands, a small village on the
downward slope of She Shan
in Ma On Shan Country Park;
Shing Mun feng-shui wood in
Shing Mun Country Park, which
originally sheltered the hamlet
of Tai Wai before it was relocated
to make way for Shing Mun
Reservoir in 1929; and Lai Chi
Wo feng-shui wood on the
north-western side of Lai Chi Wo
Village in Sha Tau Kok, set amidst
the beautiful scenery of Plover
Cove Country Park.
www.hkherbarium.net
Photos. Kop Tong: From Hong Kong Nature Landscape by Edward Stokes (The Photographic
Heritage Foundation – Hong Kong University Press). Others: Courtesy of Hong Kong Herbarium
Into the woods
Just relax
Hong Kong has some of the
best spas in the world. Be
smoothed, soothed and
pampered in ultimate luxury.
Balancing act
Chuan Spa’s treatments are
inspired by the philosophy of
traditional Chinese medicine. The
spa, on Level 41 of the Langham
Place Hotel, combines principles
of wu xing (the five elements), yin
and yang and jing luo (the meridian system) for relaxation and
balance. The spa’s own doctor
of Chinese medicine is available
for consultations. Treatments
include the use of the spa’s health
facilities such as the fitness studio,
rooftop pool and Tri-bathing
Ritual areas with Asian hot
tubs, saunas, steam rooms and
onsen showers.
www.chuanspa.com.hk
Chuan Spa
Four Seasons Spa
Bliss® Spa
MiraSpa
Light this way
MiraSpa is the newest five-star
spa on the scene and provides
18,000 square feet for pure
pampering. Enjoy the spa’s pretreatment facilities including the
25-metre indoor infinity pool, the
Aura Room where guests relax on
loungers and experience moodaltering light therapy and the wet
zone, which includes waterbeds
and steam showers. There’s also
a nail bar and a hair salon.
www.themirahotel.com
Sinfully good
Asia’s first Bliss® Spa opened at
the W hotel in West Kowloon.
With fab views from its 72nd floor
home, this hip spa has nine treatment rooms, a movie-while-youmanicure/pedicure nail station
and luxe pre-treatment lounges
with steam showers, saunas,
steam rooms plus Bliss’ legendary
chocolate brownie buffet. Popular treatments include the Ginger
Rub and Triple Oxygen facial or
try the locally inspired “Thai” the
Knot that uses traditional Thai
massage techniques.
www.whotels.com/hongkong
Fragrant view
The Spa at Four Seasons offers
airy, contemporary design with
treatment rooms overlooking
Victoria Harbour and Kowloon.
The Vitality Lounge is perfect for
relaxation with its Finnish sauna,
crystal steam and rhassoul
chamber and indoor vitality pool.
www.fourseasons.com/hongkong/spa
THE CLUB
7
E XPLO R E
THE WORLD
A touch of
Hollywood
in Singapore
That’s entertainment
Iris focus
Singapore
Singapore’s mega resort and
entertainment complex Resorts
World Sentosa has opened its
doors. It’s made up of six hotels,
a casino, Southeast Asia’s first
Universal Studios theme park
and a shopping and dining
promenade, FestiveWalk.
www.rwsentosa.com
Tokyo
Cherry blossoms are not
the only flowers to charm
visitors to Tokyo. During
June, the Meiji Jingu
Iris Garden is a blaze of
colour when 80 species
of vibrantly hued irises
bloom. The garden, whose
iris beds were planted
about 1897, is part of the
71-hectare forested oasis
in central Tokyo next to the
Meiji Shrine. Emperor Meiji
(1852-1912) commissioned
the garden for his wife,
Empress Shoken (18501914) and the two are
said to have spent a lot of
time there.
www.meijijingu.or.jp
Oriental influence
Step this way
for history
in Hanoi
History lesson
Hanoi
Take a trip around Hanoi led by
Douglas Jardine, a professor of
Vietnamese history at Hanoi
University. Organised by Exotissimo to celebrate Hanoi’s 1,000th
birthday this year, the half-day
tours focus on a particular aspect
of Hanoi’s history or culture such
as the French colonial era or the
Chinese-influenced architecture.
www.exotissimo.com
8 THE CLUB
London
The Connaught Hotel in London
gets a taste of Asia with the
opening of the Aman Spa in the
hotel’s new wing. Treatments and
décor reflect the Aman resorts.
www.the-connaught.co.uk/Aman.aspx
Sit down and relax: the Aman
Spa at the Connaught Hotel
The irises are
watered from
a constantly
flowing
historic well
Chic lit:
Melbourne’s new
Wheeler Centre
Photos. Irises: JTB/ArgusPhoto. Hanoi: Courtesy of Exotissimo. Aman Spa: Damian Russell. Wheeler Centre: Andrew Paoli
Writer’s block
Melbourne
Melbourne, a UNESCO City of
Literature, is home to the newly
opened Wheeler Centre for
books, writing and ideas. Named
after Tony and Maureen Wheeler,
founders of Melbourne-based
ed
Lonely Planet Publications, who
made a substantial donation to
the
he centre, the space is dedicated
to the discussion and practice
of writing and ideas. In addition
to creating a home
me for literary
organisations including the
Melbourne Writers’ Fest
Festival and
the Victorian Writers’ Centre,
it will
Ce
host talks, lectures and debates.
d
www.wheelercentre.com
The eyes have it
New York
ork
Customeyes
eyes on Manhattan’s
Upper East
ast Side transforms vintage eyewear
wear into contemporary
frames. Owner, designer, optician
and collector
ctor Nader Zadi, makes
bespoke frames
rames using antique
eyewear components.
omponents.
www.rareframes.com
ames.com
Eye right:
Eyes
Bespoke
Be
spectacles
spec
THE CLUB
9
W HAT ’ S O N
SUMMER EVENTS
23 May-6 June
French Open
Roland Garros Stadium,
Paris
Expect some classy
tennis at the second
grand slam of the year,
played on clay courts
at the Roland Garros
Stadium. Last year’s winners Roger Federer and
Svetlana Kuznetsova will
defend their titles.
www.rolandgarros.com
25-29 May
RHS Chelsea Flower
Show
London
The pick of the bunch
of garden designers
converge on Chelsea this
month for the world’s
most famous flower and
garden show.
www.rhs.org.uk
for the first time – to
see these hidden gems
along Amsterdam’s
three main canals. You
get to see inside the
houses as well on the
way to the gardens.
www.opengardendays.nl
JUNE
12-14 June
Winter Wine Weekend
Mornington Peninsula,
Australia
Sip and slurp your way
through a weekend of
wine tastings among
the rolling hills of the
Mornington Peninsula,
less than an hour from
Melbourne and home
to more than 200
boutique vineyards.
www.mpva.com.au
Dragon boats
at Aberdeen
16 June
Dragon Boat Festival
(Tuen Ng Festival)
Various venues,
Hong Kong
Long narrow boats with
elaborately decorated
dragon heads are manned
by teams of about 20
paddlers who stroke to the
sound of beating drums.
www.discoverhongkong.com
18-20 June
Open Garden Days
Amsterdam
Peek at the gardens of
some 30 canal houses –
many open to the public
JULY
5-8 July
Hong Kong Fashion
Week for Spring/
Summer
Hong Kong Convention
and Exhibition Centre,
Hong Kong
Find out what we’ll be
wearing this time next
year at Asia’s largest
fashion fair, showing
everything from mass
market to high end.
More than 1,100 exhibitors
are expected.
http://hkfashionweekss
hktdc.com
Photos. James Bond Island I: Courtesy of White Cube. Chelsea: Impact/ArgusPhoto. Dragon boats: TPG Images. Rick Kulacz: Quinn Rooney–Getty Images
MAY
Daisies and
geraniums at
the RHS Chelsea
Flower Show
James Bond
Island I by
Andreas Gursky
on show at
ART HK10
16-18 July
Honda Indy Toronto
Exhibition Place, Toronto
Top international drivers
roll into the city for a
series of races, including
the Firestone Indy Lights,
the SPEED World
Challenge, the SCCA Pro
Racing Trans-Am Series
and the Canadian Touring Car Championship.
www.hondaindytoronto.com
Title holder
Rick Kulacz
AUGUST
5-8 August
Asian Tour:
Worldwide Holdings
Selangor Masters
Seri Selangor Golf Club,
Kuala Lumpur
Last year’s winner Rick
Kulacz from Australia
will defend his title.
www.asiantour.com
SUM M E R FE STI VAL S
27-30 May
ART HK10
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong International Art Fair is back with
more exhibitors than ever. This year more than
150 galleries from 29 countries will take part.
www.hongkongartfair.com
1-23 June: Holland Festival
various locations, Amsterdam
www.hollandfestival.nl
24 June-4 July:
Greenwich+Docklands
International Festival London
www.festival.org
25 June-4 July: TD Vancouver
International Jazz Festival
Vancouver
www.coastaljazz.ca
7-25 July: Lincoln Centre
Festival New York
www.lincolncenter.org
16 July-22 August: Puccini
Festival Great Open Air Theatre G.
Puccini, Torre del Lago
Puccini, Tuscany
www.puccinifestival.it
13-29 August: The New York
International Fringe Festival
New York, www.fringenyc.org
THE CLUB 11
CH O I CE
VASE SQUAD
With or without the flowers, vases add a sculptural element
to décor. Heritage brands update while retaining trademark
craftsmanship and others recruit well-known designers
Waterford
Lismore Essence
Art of Venice
Acqua 9
The crisp facets make Irish
Waterford crystal immediately
identifiable and a rakish angle
updates Lismore, a pattern
started in 1952.
www.waterford.com
Venice has long been famous
for the glass produced on the
island of Murano. This blownglass vase, signed by the maker,
has been deeply etched with a
ripple effect called battuto.
www.artofvenice.com
Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha
Hadid morphs her
trademark organic
curves into this
towering Crevasse
design for Italian
brand Alessi.
www.alessi.com
12 THE CLUB
Baccarat
Rois de la Forêt
Dutch designer-of-the-moment
Marcel Wanders has developed
a new range for Baccarat. The
Kings of the Forest vases are
mounted on metal or marble
bases and are part of the United
Crystal Woods collection.
www.baccarat.com
Photos. Kosta Boda: Micke Persson. Alessi: Robert Bianchi – Courtesy of Alessi
Alessi
Crevasse
Philippe Starck
Holly All
It’s a vase, it’s a seat, it’s a
sculpture. Holly All by Philippe
Starck stands two metres tall
and you also can sit on it.
The only problem will be
finding flowers long enough.
www.serralunga.com
Lalique
Révélation
Bacchantes
To celebrate the 150th anniversary
of the birth of French art-glass
master René Lalique, the 1927
Révélation Bacchantes vase is
updated using the costly, time
consuming and complex lostwax technique.
www.cristallalique.fr
Kosta Boda
Grass Bud
Eva Solo
Solitaire
Swedish designer Anna Ehrner
uses a glass-on-glass technique
to add depth to the blade of
grass. Also in orange and black to
show the life cycle of the grass.
www.kostaboda.com
Danish design company Eva
Solo pares this specimen vase
back to basics to highlight a
single perfect flower. Also
available in red and black.
www.evasolo.com
THE CLUB 13
Early Ming vase
HKD20,820,000
,
,
Christie’s
Qing celadon green jade vase
HKD2,660,000
Sotheby’s
Qianl
Qianlong
cinnabar
lacquer alms bowl
lacqu
HKD2,660,000
HKD
Sotheby’s
Sothe
eby’s
Qianlong Imperial
yellow jade bowl
HKD12,980,000
Sotheby’s
14 THE CLUB
E XPE R T ADV I CE
That’s your lot
BY TAR A JENK INS AND K AR EN PI T TAR
Making your first foray into the auction world? Don’t worry, experts are on
hand to help you at a time when Asian bidders are waving their paddles
Qianlong moulded octagonal
gourd brushpot
HKD1,460,000
t was a rare and beautiful yellow gourd vase, a piece
of Qianlong Imperial ware from the Qing Dynasty, that
seduced Kelly Cheng from Hong Kong, and became her
first purchase at auction. Today, an avid collector of antique
Chinese ceramics, Cheng clearly remembers her mixture of
emotions at that first auction. “When I placed the winning
bid, I felt as if I had won the lottery,” she says. “I’ve been
collecting Chinese ceramics for over six years and I have
never seen a piece like this auctioned anywhere else in the
world. I went to the preview a few times and researched the
pricing, but I was still very nervous before the bidding started.
I had set a price in my head, but I was worried I would get
overexcited and bid and bid.”
Auctions can be daunting to the uninitiated. Exorbitant
prices, uncertainty about how and when to bid, the involved
process of even getting in the door, are some of the misperceptions that deter potential buyers from taking that first step. But
buying at auction is much easier than you might think, as more
and more people across Asia, like Cheng, are discovering.
Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams – the three big international auction houses – report a substantial increase in the
number of auction bidders, particularly those from China.
“In Hong Kong the percentage of business from Chinese
Sotheby’s
THE CLUB 15
E XPE R T ADV I CE
Contemporary
Asian art is
just part of
the massive
Sotheby’s Hong
Kong auction
preview (right)
This Patek Philippe
watch set a
world record of
HKD4,460,000
buyers was once insignificant, to a current spectacular 50 percent or more,” says Kevin Ching, Chief Executive of Sotheby’s
Asia. “The impact of Chinese collectors is felt not just in
our biannual Hong Kong sales series, but increasingly
in our sales rooms around the world, and in a variety
of categories.”
There seems little doubt that Asia is leading the way in
auction sales. “We definitely see a growth in the Chinese
market, with the most relevant category being Chinese
art,” agrees Carson Chan, Managing Director of Bonhams
Hong Kong. “But there are also many new categories the
Chinese market is interested in, such as fine wines, jewellery,
watches, classic cars, and so on.”
So how does one become a buyer at auction? Chan says
many people think they can only attend an auction if they
16 THE CLUB
have been invited, though most are open to the public. “We do
not require you to commit to a purchase before admission, so
visiting a preview or auction is actually a great source of information, especially for people who are interested in Chinese
arts, paintings, jewellery design, watches and fine wines.”
Buyers range from amateur collectors to museum owners,
and goods on sale also cover the whole spectrum. Of course,
there is a protocol to follow, but it’s fairly straightforward. A
buyer simply needs to pre-register, especially if they are a new
bidder, as many of the auction houses like to run background
checks. On the day of the auction the buyer needs to bring
ID and proof of address before being assigned a numbered
paddle. Prior to the auction, it’s also helpful to obtain a copy
of the auction catalogue, which can be viewed online, and
condition reports for the pieces you are interested in.
Photos. Previous page. Ming vase: Christie's Imaging Ltd. Others: Courtesty of Sotheby's.
at Christie’s
Photos. Watch: Christie's Imaging Ltd. Auction previews: Courtesty of Sotheby's.
Zhang Xiaogang: Mike Clarke – AFP/Getty Images
Works by Chinese artist
Zhang Xiaogang were
on sale at Sotheby’s
April auctions in
Hong Kong (above)
Buy the best you
can afford advises
Kevin Ching, Chief
Executive of Sotheby’s
Asia (right)
If it all seems too complex then experts – either employed
by the auction house itself or independent – will guide you
through the process step by step. Amelia Johnson, who owns
a contemporary art gallery in Hong Kong’s Central district,
often works on behalf of her clients to secure special artworks
at auction. “If the piece a client is interested in is by an artist I
do not represent or work with, I would thoroughly research
the artist’s work, checking market values and auction history globally, as well as price, quality and quantity of works
available on the market, so we can agree a ceiling price,” she
says. “During the actual auction I often bid on behalf of the
client, who is either unable or unwilling to attend personally,
although they may be following the progress online and/
or on the phone.”
According to Sotheby’s, about 20 percent of participants bid by phone, and
there is a special process to do this:
a buyer must complete an absentee
form and a representative from the
saleroom will help relay the bids to
the auctioneer. Tsang Chi-fan, Senior
Specialist, Chinese Ceramics and Works
of Art, Christie’s Asia, says telephone
bids are particularly popular with Asian
buyers. “They feel more comfortable
“THE IMPACT OF CHINESE COLLECTORS
ORS
IS FELT IN OUR SALES ROOMS
AROUND THE WORLD”
hearing increments in their own languages, whether it be
Mandarin, Cantonese or Bahasa,” Tsang says. But as there are
a limited number of telephone lines, buyers must make an
arrangement for this service 24 hours before the sale, with
advance warning for languages not native to the auction location. A word of warning from the experts: make sure phone
reception is good, as buyer’s phones have been known to
go dead in the middle of a bidding war.
Christie’s International Co-Head of Watches, Tim Bourne,
explains that there are other ways to place a bid. “It’s possible
to place a written bid, but watch collectors and lovers tend
to be IT savvy and often consult our e-catalogues, use online
condition reports and register to bid with Christie’s LIVETM, our
online bidding room,” he says.
Online bidding is definitely a growth area: at Christie’s last
year, 30 percent of all bids and 14 percent of all winning bids
were made online. Winning bidders participating online in 2009
increased by 40 percent on the previous year.
If you feel confident enough to turn up on the day and go it
alone at a sale, it’s reassuring to know that each of the auction
houses has specialists on hand
to give adv
advice. Mei Giam, Jewellery Specialist
Specia at Christie’s Asia,
explains: “I would encourage
anyone interested in buying a pi
piece of jewellery to
visit a C
Christie’s pre-auction
This work by early
Chinese modernist Lin
Fengmian sold for
HKD5,024,000
by Bonhams
viewing to examine and learn more about the pieces on
offer. Here you can try on the jewels and consult with our
specialists. We have 35 jewellery experts, all of whom have
a degree in gemology. Our specialists are also available
at all times to help explain any particular jewel – its age,
rarity, provenance and price. They can even tell you the level
of interest in a particular piece.”
Christie’s Senior Specialist in Asian Contemporary Art, Ingrid
Dudek, agrees it is important to make every effort to see the
sales in person. “Even if you are still in an educational mode
[learning about the market], auctions are not only exciting
but are a great venue to get a broad view of a market, a place
to train your eye and develop your own personal taste and
standards of value.”
There is an argument, however, that a piece of art, jewellery,
Christie’s
International
Director of Asian
Contemporary
Art Eric Chang
with a painting
by Zeng Fanzhi
(above)
Sold! Christie’s
Eric Chang has
the winning
phone bid (right)
Photos. Zeng Fanzhi: Philippe Lopez–AFP–Getty Images.
Lin Fengmian: Courtesty of Baonhams.
E XPE R T ADV I CE
“DON’T GET DRAWN INTO A
BIDDING WAR WHICH GOES WAY
BEYOND THE NORMAL VALUES”
Photo. Eric Chang bidding: Christie's Imaging Ltd.
watch or antique is ultimately worth whatever someone is
prepared to pay for it. “The work of most artists has little or no
resale value unless and until that artist has established a track
record at auction,” says avid collector Howard Bilton of the
Sovereign Art Foundation. “In a way, the auction is the perfect
market place because if a painting goes for a lot more than
expected, then it is generally thought this establishes a new
value for that particular artist, so the art work is immediately
worth exactly what you have just paid for it. So it could be
said it isn’t possible to overpay at an auction except for the
dealing costs, which are substantial at around 30 percent
(20 percent paid by the buyer and 10 percent by the seller).”
Bilton is quick to point out however, that this argument –
often made by the auction houses – does not always hold
true. “Don’t get drawn into a bidding war which goes way
beyond the normal values if a similar piece is available from
the gallery at a normal price. You may be able to commission
the artist to make you a similar piece or buy a similar piece
another day from another auction. Unless the work is quite
outstanding and unlike anything you think will come up
again, it is better not to chase it too hard at auction.”
All experts agree on the importance of setting a price in
your mind before entering the fray. Many recommend sitting
at the front of the room and trying to catch the auctioneer’s
eye – especially if the auction has a large attendance.
Kelly Cheng would never dream of buying one of her precious Chinese ceramics anywhere but at auction. “The big
auction houses ascertain the provenance and authentication of every piece, and they have to reveal its true condition.
It’s totally transparent and, because the pieces are previewed
all around the world, they have been exposed to many
different experts.”
Ultimately, the most important thing is to look for something at auction that speaks to you and that you will always
value. “Any serious collector should first and foremost look
for something that they love and will enjoy possessing,” says
Kevin Ching, “and always buy the best they can afford.”
THE CLUB 19
Club class
BY AL C A M PB ELL
Golfers are spoiled for choice in Mainland China thanks to
spectacular courses developed by the game’s top designers
PE R S PEC T I V E
Mainland China
lends itself to
beautiful
golf courses
Photo. Tom Breazeale
M
ainland China is easily the hottest
golf-design market in the world and
undoubtedly will be for years to come.
Starting from a base of about 20 clubs
two decades ago, the number has
grown to more than 400 and counting,
representing some of the most innovative and dramatic layouts in the world. Star players Jack Nicklaus,
Nick Faldo, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, Gary
Player and Ian Woosnam – major winners all – are among the
many famous golfers designing courses in Mainland China.
But so too are celebrated designers Robert Trent Jones II and
Pete Dye, as well as Nelson & Haworth, Schmidt-Curley, Roger
Packard, Pacific Coast Design and JMP Golf Design Group, who
have multiple projects being designed in the country.
Golf in Mainland China dates back to the late 1800s when
the first courses were built in Shanghai and later in Beijing and
Nanjing. The game wasn’t played after 1949 – the site of the
old Hung Jao Golf Club is today the home of the Shanghai
Zoo – but the the seeds for its resurgence were planted in 1984
when Arnold Palmer designed the first modern course on the
Mainland at Chung Shan Hot Spring Golf Club near Zhuhai.
With 2,000 workers at his disposal, Palmer created a magnificent hand-built, tree-lined course that set the bar for all that
would follow. While the southern province was the catalyst
and now has about 75 layouts, the demand for new clubs
has spread across the country and today Mainland China’s
golf hotbeds are Shanghai, Beijing, Kunming and, perhaps the
biggest growth centre, Hainan. The southern island boasts
about 25 courses with numerous others under construction,
most notably the new Mission Hills project outside Haikou
which will feature 10 courses upon its completion.
THE CLUB 21
Tom Weiskopf is another champion with designs on Hainan:
the 1973 British Open winner recently opened the first 18 holes
of his initial Mainland China design, the 36-hole The Dunes
at Shenzhou West. “I am just experiencing a small amount
of what is happening within China and specifically what is
happening on Hainan Island,” says the 67-year-old American.
“Someone who does not personally visit China and see firsthand how the game of golf is growing there is going to have
a difficult time comprehending what its potential could be
over the next 10 years. To me, it’s truly unbelievable and I am
just glad to be a small contributor.”
Mark Hollinger, an old China hand, has created numerous
layouts throughout the country with his company JMP, most
notably Dongguan’s Long Island Golf and Country Club and
Beijing Qinghe Bay Golf and Country Club. Among his newest
creations is Grand Hill Golf Course near Chengdu.
The Californian says he loves the detailed landscapes that
can be created on golf courses in Mainland China. “This is the
signature feature of most of my golf courses – and what we
spend an enormous amount of time working on – the landscaping themes for our projects. We can [get] 20 times the
detailed landscaping in China for the same amount that we
can work with elsewhere in the world. It can really pay off with
special features and visually dramatic impacts to the overall
golf-hole design.”
British great Nick Faldo is increasingly making a name for
himself as a designer following a standout career that saw
the former world number one capture six major titles. With
21 courses to his credit to date, including seven in Asia, the
Englishman emphasises strategy and “memorability” in his
designs. He also likes to keep his layouts “clean” without residential developments infringing on the design. “I understand
real estate plays an important part in many projects, but there
are ways to design property on a golf course so that the result
22 THE CLUB
Long Island
Golf and
Country Club
in Dongguan
(above),
created by
Mark Hollinger
The Dunes Golf
Course (right),
next to the sea
in Hainan, was
designed by
Tom Weiskopf
Photos. Long Island and The Dunes: Tom Breazeale. Tom Weiskopf:
Stuart Franklin – Getty Images
PE R S PEC T I V E
Grand Hill Golf
Course (above,
right) at Jintang,
near Chengdu,
was designed by
Mark Hollinger’s
company
Tom Weiskopf
(right) is happy to
be working in
Mainland China
is not just ‘corridor golf’,” says Faldo, whose Mainland China
layouts include his signature course at Mission Hills in Shenzhen,
Beijing Honghua International Golf Club and one in Kunming.
“If we can set the housing to one side or in the middle or
wherever … at least golfers can have a little freedom.”
With so many Chinese developers looking to build the
toughest and longest layouts to host pro championships,
Faldo points out such courses also have to be playable
the other 51 weeks a year for members. “So we have to
balance that. The trick is to place bunkers where they
will annoy good players while giving options for
not-so-good players. We can do that with tees
THE CLUB 23
PE R S PEC T I V E
of different lengths, obviously, but we also must consider the
‘power factor’. Some players can hit the ball miles and turn
what you might think a good hole into a laughing stock.”
In Mainland China, where a weekday game of golf can be
enjoyed for RMB500 (about HKD570) and double or more
on weekends, caddie included, the sport is ranked as the
second-favourite activity of the country’s growing group of
millionaires, just behind travel, according to the Hurun 2009
Wealth Report. The luxury business magazine’s report of Mainland China’s 51,000 “super rich”, those with assets of more than
RMB100 million, claims more than 40 percent of respondents
played golf and boasted an average handicap of 24.1. Despite
24 THE CLUB
Part of the
17th hole of
Nick Faldo’s
course at
Mission Hills,
Shenzhen
a central government ban on new course construction that
has been in effect since 2002, the wealthy elite of Beijing were
ranked the most enthusiastic swingers and it was the only city
where golf surpassed travel in terms of popularity.
With Mainland China’s golf clubs so far largely catering to
the wealthy elite – there are only a handful of public courses
in the country – Greg Norman, “The Great White Shark”, says
he sees no reason why new course development in Mainland
China shouldn’t be a model of sustainability for the world.
The Australian, who is designing the Kaikou Golf Club course
at Xiamen, as well as the stunning The Dunes layout in Danang,
Vietnam, claims Mainland China has nearly three million golfers and
Photos. Nick Faldo & Misson Hills: Stuart Franklin – Getty Images.
Nick Faldo (below) prefers
space between his courses
and property development
PE R S PEC T I V E
“THE OLYMPICS WILL
SERVE AS A CATALYST
FOR NEW COURSES”
26 THE CLUB
Greg Norman believes
the number of golfers
in Mainland China could
double in five years
HIT THE GREENS
Beijing Honghua International
Golf Club, Beijing
www.h-cgolf.com
Beijing Qinghe Bay Golf Country
Club, Beijing
www.qinghebay.com
Grand Hill Golf Course,
Jintang, near Chengdu
www.grand-hill.com/en/
Chung Shan Hot Spring
Golf Club, Zhuhai
www.cshsgc.com.cn
The Dunes, Shenzhou West, Hainan
www.shenzhoupeninsula.com
Kaikou Golf Club, Xiamen
www.kkgolf.com
Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung, Hong Kong
www.kscgolf.org.hk
Long Island Golf and Country
Club, Dongguan
www.longislandgolfclub.com
Mission Hills,
Shenzhen & Hainan
www.missionhillschina.com
Greg Norman: Martin Hunter – Getty Images
the figure could “easily more than double in the next five years”.
Without a doubt, Norman says, golf’s reinstatement into the
Olympics for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games in Brazil “will
help propel the sport to the next level”.
“China is blessed with a diverse landscape that will support
spectacular and challenging golf courses,” says Norman, the
former world number one who has almost 50 golf projects in
various stages of development around the world.
“The Olympics will enhance the competitive landscape of
global golf and bring both new fans and new players to the
sport. There is no doubt that the road to Rio means expansion
of golf courses and associated real-estate development across
Asia. The Olympics will serve as a catalyst for the development
of new courses, especially in China where its Olympic sports
programmes have a history of quickly developing world-class
athletes in the Olympic arena.”
While Mainland China may indeed be the saviour for
designers who have seen their commissions dry up in Western
economies, Gary Player and others advise that greater scrutiny
of the golf-design sector is needed to ensure that reputable
and qualified people are working on projects.
“Golf could be a big thing [for Mainland China],” says the South
African great, a winner of nine majors and designer of the first 36
holes at Hong Kong’s Kau Sai Chau public course. “Golf courses create demand in manufacturing, exportation and tourism. All these
create employment, but it’s so easy to go the wrong way.”
24 H O U R S
24
Manila
HOURS
10am
METRO MANILA fascinates with contrasts: the old and new, the wealthy
next to the poor, the sacred amid
the profane. About 11 million people
live in the urban sprawl that is the
Philippines’ capital, an adventure in
diversity and layers of cultures.
Residents love Manila for being
a mega city full of possibilities.
The heart of the business district
in Makati, just a half-hour drive
from the airport with regular traffic, is the perfect perch from which
28 THE CLUB
to explore Manila, a metropolis of
many tales to tell. Most major international company headquarters are
in Makati, as are a number of retail,
dining and cultural offerings.
Check into a suite at a fivestar property such as the Makati
Shangri-La hotel or the Peninsula
Manila, oases in the middle of all
the Metro Manila action. Ascott
Makati luxury serviced apartment
tower is right on top of the Glorietta
4 development. An alternative, at
only four storeys, is the boutique
Hotel Céleste.
BY A L E X A N D R A A . SEN O
AND T R ICCIE BAQUIR AN
10:30am
VISIT THE Ayala Museum, whose
core art holdings and financing
come from one of the country’s
biggest conglomerates. Take a
Philippine history lesson through
dioramas. The museum also mounts
exhibits of art and antiquities. Not
to be missed: the fantastic and
dazzling special gallery dedicated
to pre-Hispanic gold objects and
the traditions behind them. The
museum also regularly mounts
shows of contemporary Philippine
Manila has it all: museums and mega malls, high-rise
alongside history, bustle and boutiques. So grab a
drink, enjoy the sunset and practise your karaoke
Local colour:
sunset over
Manila Bay
24 H O U R S
Boutique
charm at
Hotel Céleste
art with works from some distinguished
private collections.
11:30am
POWER shop at Greenbelt mall. Although
it houses global brands from Hermés to
high-street fashions, it also has an array of
shops by Filipino names. Local designers
are known worldwide for their skill, craftsmanship and creativity. At Greenbelt 5,
check out party dresses and gowns
by glamour master Jun Escario,
whose staff can alter and fit
their outfits off the rack.
Also of note are Amina
Aranaz handbags as well
as exquisite statement
contemporary jewellery by
Arnel Papa. Then, cross over to the
Peninsula shopping arcade for Jewelmer,
which is a prime purveyor of quail-eggsized South Sea pearls taken from the
waters of the Philippines.
30 THE CLUB
Noon
NAVIGATING the streets and sights of
Manila is by no means an easy task.
Arrange to hire a car and driver from
the hotel and a good tour guide. One
of the best is the flamboyant artist and
amateur historian Carlos Celdran, who
organises and performs for regular
group tours. He also conducts private,
bespoke tours upon request.
Drive to the war-ravaged Spanish-era
settlement close to the old walled city,
as Celdran or someone like him explains
the present by visiting the past. One
of Celdran’s most popular standard
spiels he calls “Living La Vida Imelda”,
a route inspired by Imelda Marcos and
an entertaining romp through the
former first lady’s colourful life and the
monumental 1970s and 1980s architecture
that she sponsored. At the height
of her power, she underwrote
the construction of grand and
visually ambitious buildings
such as the Manila Film
Old gold:
pre-Hispanic
ear ornament
from Ayala
Museum
Center and the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, which has a great gift shop
with unique crafts.
PA R T N E R O F F E R
Archway at
Casa Manila
Intramuros
Photos. Previous page: Roe Empleo. Intramuros: Alamy–ArgusPhoto. Gold: Neil Oshima.
2pm
A LATE LUNCH of “new” Philippine
cuisine, catered by chef Roland Laudico,
can be served by special arrangement at
one of the sumptuous rooms of the Coconut Palace. The compound, intended to
demonstrate the beauty and versatility
of the coconut tree as a construction
material, is one of Imelda’s legacies.
She had it built for the 1981 visit of Pope
John Paul II, but it was so ostentatious
that he politely refused to stay in it. The
palace is now available for hire.
Feast on re-imagined classics, lighter
than traditional fare, dramatically presented, such as heart-of-palm spring
rolls, tuna with pickled shrimp and the
famous adobo rice. And for dessert,
indulge in Laudico’s version of halohalo, shaved ice topped with fruit and
water buffalo milk ice cream. As a key
trade port in the region for centuries, the Philippines’ culture and food
emerged from the mingling of Chinese,
Indian, Malay and Spanish traditions.
3:30pm
Enjoy special rates
and other privileges at
The Peninsula Manila
From 16 May to 15 August 2010, stay at The Peninsula
Manila, and you’ll enjoy Special Guest Room Rates
from PHP8,500 per night! Plus, you’ll receive a
complimentary room upgrade to the next room
category, as well as daily breakfast for up to two
persons.
Built in 1976, the hotel stands as an icon and is at the
epicentre of high finance, lifestyle and entertainment
in the heart of the central business district, on the
corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues.
For reservations, please contact The Peninsula Manila
Room Reservations Department directly and quote
promotion code “Marco Polo Club Member Summer
Promo” at the time of booking.
Telephone: +63 2 812 3456 or +63 2 887 2888
Fax +63 2 810 4346
Email: reservationpmn@peninsula.com
AT THE METROPOLITAN Museum of
Manila, in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Complex, see treasures from bygone eras:
THE CLUB 31
24 H O U R S
Bags of style:
Amina Aranaz
designs have
international
appeal
from 8th-century pottery to 19th-century
paintings by Filipino realist masters
such as Felix Resurreccion Hildalgo,
whose work was once feted in Europe.
Some of the Philippines’ most prized
possessions are in the building, which also
houses a regular schedule of exhibits.
much as they once were. (Chinese and
Filipinos had to live outside the walls.)
What still exists makes it easy to picture
the area in its glory days in the 18th
century. The settlement was made
wealthy from the riches of the ManilaAcapulco galleon trade, one of the most
profitable sea routes.
4:15pm
6pm
WALK BACK in time strolling around
Intramuros, the colonial Spanish walled
city and its ancient Catholic churches,
which continue to function. Though
the Manila Cathedral traces its origins
to 1571, it has been rebuilt and restored
several times following earthquakes
and the bombs of World War II, and
the dome dates from the 1750s. The
cathedral is impressive as a historical
site and national landmark.
The cobblestone streets and the
houses of Spanish and part-Spanish
mestizos (mixed-race people) remain
32 THE CLUB
MANILA BAY’S sunsets are legendary.
In 1898, the United States became the
country’s new colonial master after the
American navy defeated the Spanish in
an epic sea battle here.
On a calmer note, book a yacht from
RealShip to sail the bay and to enjoy the
views from the deck, a refreshing green
mango juice drink in hand. Float past
Roxas Boulevard and its fascinating skyline, a curious mix of Art Deco buildings
and 1980s blocks, lit up to welcome the
early evening.
7pm
HEAD TO the Edsa Shangri-La Manila
hotel and its award-winning CHI, the Spa
for a relaxing hilot session, a traditional
massage technique based on Philippine
folk medicine. Therapists use ingredients
including virgin coconut oil for its trademark treatments. After all the walking,
also recommended is dagdagay, a foot
massage using bamboo sticks inspired by
rituals of the Philippine mountain tribes.
Sweeping
statement:
make an
entrance at
the Makati
Shangri-La
PA R T N E R O F F E R
10:30pm
Photos. Bags: Andy Maluche – OnAsia
9pm
REFRESHED, dodge Manila’s notorious
traffic and fly via Canadian Helicopters
to Tagaytay, 55km south. Along the way,
marvel at the thrilling vista of Manila by
night. In Tagaytay, dine at Antonio’s, one
of the region’s top 20 restaurants according to the Miele Guide. Famous for using
fresh and organic ingredients, Antonio’s
offers an experience in fine dining and
impeccable service.
ROCKAOKE time. Fly back to the city,
to Bonifacio High Street, to start an
evening where the nightlife is king.
Rockaoke is karaoke with a live band,
available at venues such as Mag:net
Café. The tone-challenged can be
reassured that your participation isn’t
necessarily required. As a music-loving
city, a good number of amateur singers
will probably be in attendance, so just
being in the audience can be fun.
Mag:net also holds various live-music
performances by a roster of hip local
bands that play the night away.
Midnight
WATCH, be watched and party at The
Establishment, a fashionable bar and
restaurant complex at The Fort Strip in
Taguig. Have one of its original cocktail
drinks or an ice-cold San Miguel beer, as
Manila’s social set sashay by. The venue
has quickly become the “it” spot thanks
to its clientele, food and ambiance.
Enjoy 20% off with Hertz in
the Philippines
From 16 May to 15 August 2010, members of
The Marco Polo Club who rent a car with Hertz in
the Philippines will receive a 20% discount on
Affordable Rates – on top of the regular 250 Asia Miles
you will earn for every qualifying rental.
To enjoy this offer, simply make your reservation at
least 48 hours prior to your departure and quote
PC# 143684 with CDP# 1039946 (Green), 44130 (Silver),
226006 (Gold) or 226817 (Diamond) at the time of
reservation. Then present your Marco Polo Club
membership card at the rental counter.
Telephone: +852 2525 2838
Email: reshertz@hertz-gsa.com.hk
Website: www.hertz.com
Terms and conditions
1. This offer is valid for self-drive rentals on Affordable Rates at
participating locations in the Philippines.
2. This offer is subject to a minimum two-day rental.
3. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any
CDP discount.
4. Standard Hertz rental terms and conditions apply.
THE CLUB 33
24 H O U R S
1:30am onwards
SHOP
Amina Aranaz
Greenbelt 5, Makati
+632 757 0301
http://aminava82.multiply.com
Arnel Papa
Greenbelt 5, Makati
+632 729 0181
Greenbelt 5
+632 729 8684
www.ayalamalls.com.ph
Greenhills Shopping Centre
+632 721 0572
www.greenhills.com.ph
Jewelmer (The Peninsula)
+632 844 0347
www.jewelmer.com
Jun Escario
+632 729 9070
www.junescario.com
SM Megamall
+632 633 5042
www.sm-megamall.com
EAT & DRINK
Antonio’s
Barangay Neogan, Tagaytay
+63 917 899 2866
Apartment 1B
Ground Level, One
Lafayette Square, 132 L.P.
Leviste Street, Makati City
Chef Laudico Bistro Filipino
+632 856 0634
www.cheflaudico.com.ph
Encore
+632 819 5481/5
www.encoresuperclub.com
34 THE CLUB
Harbour View
+632 524 1532
www.harborview-manila.com
Kamayan
+632 892 8897
www.kamayan.com.ph
Mag:net Café High Street
+632 856 3400
www.magnethighstreet.com
Sala Bistro
+632 729 4888
www.salabistro.com
The Establishment
The Fort Entertainment
Centre, +632 844 6364
VISIT
Ayala Museum
+632 757 7117
www.ayalamuseum.org
Metropolitan Museum
of Manila
+632 521 1517
www.metmuseum.ph
Canadian Helicopters
International
Royal Star Aviation Hangar,
Andrews Avenue, Manila
Domestic Airport,
Pasay City
+632 851 6521
Carlos Celdran Tours
+63 920 909 2021
www.carlosceldran.com
Cultural Center of the
Philippines
+632 832 1125
www.culturalcenter.gov.ph
Coconut Palace
Roxas Boulevard,
Cultural Center of the
Philippines Complex,
Manila
+632 832 0223
CHI Spa, Edsa Shangri-La
+632 633 8888
www.shangri-la.com
Manila Cathedral
+632 527 1796
www.manilacathedral.org
Manila Film Center
+632 832 1125
www.culturalcenter.gov.ph
RealShip
+632 832 5424
www.realshipcorp.com
Resorts World Manila
+632 836 6333
www.rwmanila.com
STAY
A MUST SEE is the recently opened
Resorts World Manila casino, where
locals really can play hard. The casino
has Manila all abuzz about who has
been winning and losing.
Gaming is a standard, aspirational
and well-accepted part of leisure in
the Philippines. This shiny, new casino
has been drawing the crowds with its
flash and cash, spectacular entertainment numbers on the floors as well
as the chance to win at the tables and
slot machines.
Back at Greenbelt mall, recuperate
with a visit to the urbane Sala Bistro.
The restaurant does a very civilised and
restorative breakfast and the city’s most
perfectly made lattes. It is the ideal setting at which to contemplate the last
day and living la vida Manila.
Ascott Makati
+632 729 8888
www.the-ascott.com
Hotel Céleste
+63 2 887 8080
www.hotelceleste.ph
Makati Shangri-La
+632 813 8888
www.shangri-la.com
The Peninsula Manila
+632 887 2888
www.peninsula.com
MORE INFO
www.wowphilippines.com.ph
Greenbelt is one of the
many malls in Manila
PA R T N E R O F F E R
Photos. Greenbelt: Andy Maluche – OnAsia
Mitzi Tronqued
Cathay Pacific
Customer Services Manager, Philippines
When in Manila, eating is a must to experience the
authentic local flavour. Some of the Filipino dishes,
delicacies and desserts include the popular lechon
(roasted pig served with liver sauce), adobo and
pork or beef sinigang (soup soured by tamarind,
calamansi and tomatoes) with local vegetables and
halo-halo dessert – Tagalog for “mix-mix”. All these
may be sampled at Kamayan in Makati City.
Freshly caught prawns, crustaceans, fish from
the Philippine Sea and a wide array of delectable
Filipino food, can be savoured at Harbor View Restaurant, near the famous Luneta Park.
For a restaurant that gives you the feeling of
being served in a cosy condominium unit (because
it is!), try Apartment 1B in Makati City, and their array
of gourmet comfort food.
My special favourite is fillets of tilapia fish with
its own special sauce. And you just have to try the
entire list of desserts, starting with frozen pie topped
with vanilla ice cream, choco syrup and nuts!
Apart from the infamous “jeepney” souvenir,
good buys are Philippine pearls from Greenhills
Shopping Center, capiz (mother-of-pearl) and coral
picture frames and jewellery cases, specially woven
hand and shoulder bags.
SM Makati (for those living in this premier
city’s hotels) or SM Mega Mall near the Ortigas
Business District give a wide selection of reasonably priced, fashionable and trendy clothes and
home wares. Various local designer boutiques
and ready-to-wear clothes can be found here at
bargain prices.
For jewellery at more than reasonable prices,
Greenhills Shopping Center is the place to go. It
boasts a wide assortment of pearls (South Sea,
water, rice), semi-precious stones, gold and silver
jewellery locally handcrafted and from Luzon in
the north and Mindanao in the south.
For a taste of Manila nightlife go to Encore at
The Fort Entertainment Centre, Bonifacio Global
City, Taguig, an after- party meeting point that on
a Friday and Saturday is packed with people who
love the party life. On Monday nights, it is transformed into a ballroom-dancing venue.
If you have the time, make the trip to Corregidor,
40 minutes by ferry from Roxas Boulevard. In World
War II, this island was one of the last to surrender to
the Japanese forces which occupied the Philippines
from 1942-45. Day trips and tours can be arranged
through hotel concierges.
Enjoy a complimentary
third night stay at the
Manila Marriott Hotel
From 16 May to 15 August 2010, stay at the
Manila Marriott Hotel at Best Available Rates for
two consecutive nights – and you’ll receive a
complimentary third night stay! And to make your
stay even more comfortable, you’ll also enjoy an
upgrade to the next available room category – plus
daily buffet breakfast for two.
For reservations, please quote rate code “CJ8” and
your Marco Polo Club membership number.
Then present your Marco Polo Club membership
card at check-in.
Telephone: 800 968 328 (Hong Kong toll-free)
Email: asia.reservations@marriott.com
Website: www.marriott.com
Terms and conditions
1. Room upgrade is subject to availability at the
time of reservation.
2. Room rate is subject to service charge and taxes.
THE CLUB 35
T R AV E L
BY SAL LY H OWAR D
Source of
the look
Instantly recognisable Italian design originated in Milan,
where form and function melded to make it accessible to all
36 THE CLUB
P
From left: Arco lamp
by Achille and Pier
Giacomo Castiglioni;
Olivetti Valentine
typewriter; Ply on
Ply chair by Martino
Gamper; Alessi Kettle
by Michael Graves;
Tufty Time sofa by
Patricia Urquiola
erhaps you don’t know the name, but
you’ll know the look. The influence of
disegno industriale, the Italian industrial
design movement that first bloomed in
early 20th-century Milan, is all around
you: in the conical chrome kettles copied
from Alessi’s 1985 design classic by Michael
Graves; in the voluptuous, rounded office machine design
influenced by Olivetti; in any number of takes on elegant
desk lamps first styled by Artemide. To the early owners of the
Olivetti Valentine typewriter, or the Artemide Nesso (1967), the
squat plastic lamp shaped like a nuclear cloud, this was potent
stuff. Arriving with mass production, disegno industriale was
democratising: it was all about harnessing the possibilities of
the production line to bring high design to all. It’s an idea that
resonates, and remains as seductively Italian, today.
Although the root of disegno industriale was in Italy’s great
craftsmanship traditions – Murano glass-blowing, cabinetmaking and lamp decoration – its aesthetic was inarguably
born of Futurism, the runaway turn-ofthe-20th-century movement founded by
Italian writer Filippo Tommaso. Tommaso
and his adherents, as he chirpily wrote,
“want no part of it, the past; we are the young
and strong Futurists”. Thus the Futurists rejected
the stuff y classics-obsessed Victorian age for speed,
youth, originality and the technological triumph of
man over nature as evidenced by cars, planes and the
modern industrial city. Within a decade, their movement
was to infiltrate every medium of Italian art: textiles, painting,
sculpture, music, architecture, literature and gastronomy. But
it was in product design that the new movement was to
have its most far-reaching impact.
One of the leading lights in Milanese contemporary
design, Martino Gamper, 38, spent his childhood in
Merano (a town in the Southern Tyrol mountains north
T R AV E L
States in the export of stackable furniture and home
appliances. But it was in the 1950s that the aesthetic impetus
truly bloomed, spurred in large part by L’Azucena, a design
workshop and think-tank set up at the University of Milan
by architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni, with the aim of making
everyday objects both functional and beautiful.
By the mid-1950s, industrial products had become
synonymous with the well-lived life, the concept “consumer
aesthetics” was coined and the insatiable conveyor belt of
mass production fed the work of talented Italian designers
into homes and offices around the world – among them
such classic items as Ettore Sottsass’s Valentine typewriter for
Olivetti (1969), Franco Albini’s woven cane Margherita (1950)
and Gala chairs (1951), and Achille Castiglioni’s alien pod-like
suspension lights for Flos (1960).
Central to the runaway success of mass-produced Italian
design was manufacturers’ relationship with talented star
designers, who’d move from brand to brand and became
powerful enough to make production decisions on the
manufacturers’ behalf. King of these mid-century renaissance
men was Giò Ponti – a Milan-born architect and industrial
Leading lighting
company Flos
was founded in
Milan in 1962
Gala rattan
armchair
designed in
1951 by
Franco Albini
38 THE CLUB
Photos. Gala chair: Alamy/ArgusPhoto . Alessi factory: Gianni Berengo
Gardin-Contrasto/IC
of Milan) and, after studying sculpture and product design in
Vienna, moved to Milan in 1996 to earn his spurs in the city’s
design studios. Gamper, who now lives and works in London,
recalls growing up inspired by design. “As the centre of Italian
design, Milan was a rite of passage for me,” he says. “When I
was a child, these inspirational, revolutionary designs were all
around me. There was a hotel Giò Ponti designed in the 1940s
that was very close to my parent’s home in the mountains.
Its smooth lines captured my imagination.”
Gamper says he also loved Italy’s cars and bikes, at a time
when star industrial designers were sought after by its carmakers, such as Pininfarina for Ferrari. He also appreciated
simple designs that he says one might not notice at first, such
as the Achille Castiglioni switch, a much-copied rounded
light switch designed for component
company VLM that became
a 1960s standard, and the
bollards in Milan designed by
Enzo Mari, “a hero of mine”.
By the 1940s, Italy was
second only to the United
Previous spread: Alessi Kettle: Alamy/ArgusPhoto. Ply on Ply chair:
Åbäke and Martino Gamper
Taraxacum
designed by
Achille and
Pier Giacomo
Castiglioni
designer, furniture designer, artist and publisher who turned
his talent with form to everything from bathroom fittings
(for Richard Ginori) to chairs (for Cassina, including the
famous 1957 Superlight chair that could be lifted by a single
finger) and lamps (for Artemide, Fontana Arte and Venini,
including the standard-setting minimalist 1931 Bilia lamp).
“Giò Ponti showed it was possible to succeed in a number of
design fields, and to produce for the mass market, without
compromising his standards,” says Gamper. “If I could own
one product from the history of Italian design it would be
a 1925 cutlery set commissioned from Giò Ponti by Tony
Bouilhet. To me it symbolises the best of Italian design in its
Alessi design
factory in
the 1980s
with (from
left) Alberto
Alessi, Achille
Castiglioni,
Enzo Mari,
Aldo Rossi and
Alessandro
Mendini
“EVERYDAY OBJECTS
BOTH FUNCTIONAL
AND BEAUTIFUL”
THE CLUB 39
T R AV E L
OWNING AN ICON
D
Design
expert Dominic Lutyens on the
best buys in Italian industrial design:
b
A
Achille
Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo
Castiglioni: Toio floor lamp, 1962.
C
SStyled from a car headlight and transfformer, the Toio’s spare looks are classic
Castiglioni. About USD1,400.
C
Boffi Carrellone
Mini-Kitchen
40 THE CLUB
J Colombo: Boffi Carrellone MiniJoe
Kitchen, 1963. Operating from one
power socket, this is a masterpiece in
miniature design with a hob, a fridge,
a chopping board, storage drawers and
a pull-out work surface. Recently reissued,
but originals cost about USD2,300.
Ettore Sottsass: Olivetti Valentine
typewriter, 1969. Bright red with
orange spools, this whimsical design
brought pop-art to the workplace.
About USD300.
Architect and
designer Giò
Ponti in his
Milan studio
in 1974
Photos. Joe Colombo: Courtesy of Boffi. Ponti: EDO/RCS/CONTRASTO/IC.
Cutlery: Alamy/ArgusPhoto
marriage of form and function.” One of these sets recently
sold at auction for USD5,000.
Today, the popularity of Italian products still pivots on
the country’s design talent. In 2007, in the face of growing
aggression from Asian manufacturers, Italy’s Institute for
Foreign Trade initiated the Machines Italia programme to
promote Italian manufacturers’ recognised preeminence
in design innovation. “The competition from cheaper rivals
toughened in the early 1990s,” says Giorgio Barba Navaretti,
Professor of Economics at the University of Milan. “Coupled
with this was the impact of the Euro. In the ‘80s and early
‘90s devaluations of the lira helped the country’s exporters
retain their edge. But entry into [the single European currency]
pushed Italian firms to drastically change the way they did
business, as their competitive edge evaporated overnight.”
Entering the 21st century, manuacturers were forced to
streamline and attract new talent in order to survive. Data
from the Bank
Ban of Italy showing that
PA R T N E R O F F E R
“INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
REMAINS A GOING
CONCERN FOR ITALY”
Classic cutlery
set designed
by Giò Ponti
in 1925
between 2002 and 2006 the median age of Italian company
chief executives had fallen to 45.4 years of age from 51.9 and
the number of CEOs with a university degree had risen to
40.7 percent from 23 percent. These unflinching moves to
modernise have paid off and today industrial design remains
a going concern for Italy – car and furniture design contributing
to the country’s strength in manufacturing (in addition to
chemical goods and precision machinery). Even Italy’s fashion
designers are gaining ground in the market with Armani,
Versace, Valentino and Moschino’s incomes from industrially
produced design items – such as eyeglasses and handbags
– far outstripping their incomes from haute couture.
Alberto Alessi took the helm of one of the most
recognisable Italian design factories, Alessi, from his father
Carlo in 1970, and sees himself very much in the disegno
industriale tradition. “I’m more like an art-gallery owner,
museum curator or even a film-maker than a design
manager,” he says, dubbing his designers a “stable of
first-class racehorses”. Alessi is optimistic that Italy
will retain its edge in industrial design, rising to the
challenge presented by Asian competitors. For
Alessi his brand is selling something concrete
and intangible: the Italian dream for living. “As it
always has been, successful design today is
about being a mediator between the best
expressions of creativity and what’s called
Enjoy up to HKD350 discount on
Milan packages
Members of The Marco Polo Club who book a
5-day/3-night Milan package from Cathay Pacific
Holidays will receive HKD250 discount on Economy
Class packages – and HKD350 discount on Business
Class packages.
Package prices start from HKD6,190 and include:
• A round-trip Economy or Business Class flight between
Hong Kong and Milan on Cathay Pacific Airways
• Three consecutive nights’ accommodation with daily
breakfast at selected hotels
• 1,000 Asia Miles (Economy Class) or 2,000 Asia Miles
(Business Class)
• Travel insurance
For reservations, please contact Cathay Holidays Limited:
Telephone: +852 2747 4388
Website: www.cxholidays.com
Terms and conditions
1. Price is quoted per person, based on two adults sharing one room,
checking in and travelling together throughout the entire journey.
2. This offer is not applicable to online booking.
3. This offer is only valid for packages booked and paid for, and for travel
between 16 May and 15 August 2010.
4. Cathay Holidays Limited and Asia Miles terms
and conditions apply.
THE CLUB 41
T R AV E L
W H AT ’ S I N S T O R E
With so many of the country’s designers based in and around Milan, the city remains the
shop-window for Italian design
Flos
Founded in 1962 and still going strong, Flos produced
the output of the celebrated Castiglionis and continues
to do so. Come here to pick up a design classic such
as the Arco floor lamp or Relemme pendant lamp, or
for modern pieces such as Konstantin Grcic’s floor and
suspension lamp May Day.
Corso Montforte 9, +39 02 7600 1641
www.flos.com
Artemide
Another lighting legend, with historical lamps such as
the Fato by Giò Ponti, Dalù by Vico Magistretti and the
sinuous Lesbo by Angelo Mangiarotti.
Corso Monforte 19, +39 02 7600 6930
www.artemide.com
May Day lamp by
Konstantin Grcic
42 THE CLUB
Schiffini
Founded in the 1920s, this modular kitchen designer
is famous for its use of brushed and lacquered
aluminiums, as in star designer Vico Magistretti’s
sharp-edged, muscular Cinqueterre.
Via Passione, +39 02 7600 3211
www.schiffini.it
Counter culture: kitchen
design by Vico Magistretti
Relax in style: sofas
by Patricia Urquiola
Photo. Alessi: Alessandro Albert – Contour by Getty Images.
B&B Italia
For retro and up-to-the-minute homeware designs,
including Patricia Urquiola’s Tufty Time brilliant-hued
blocky sofas and Antonio Citterio’s pencil-thin
Charles Bed.
Via Durini 14, +39 02 764441
www.bebitalia.it
PA R T N E R O F F E R
Enjoy a guaranteed room
upgrade and exclusive benefits
at Park Hyatt Milan
the market, but I prefer to call people’s dreams,” he says. “Since
the economic downturn, more and more people are buying
objects with intellectual and spiritual nourishment in mind.
This is something Italy excels at.”
The ongoing health of Italian product design, says Deyan
Sudjic, Director of The Design Museum in London, which
is hosting a series of talks “Made in Italy – The Influence of
Italian Design” during May, will depend on playing to its
historical strengths. “Italy has a unique place in the landscape
of contemporary design with its long history of innovation,
rooted in the skill and craftsmanship of its traditional
workshops, and continually refined by a commitment to
new technologies,” he says.
“Italian design, much like Italian culture, is all about the
family firm. If the sector keeps sight of this, the future will
be bright.”
For more on London Design Museum’s talks visit
www.designmuseum.org/talks
Laid-back:
Alberto Alessi
carries on the
family business
From 15 May to 18 August 2010, members of
The Marco Polo Club will enjoy the following privileges
during their stay at Park Hyatt Milan:
• Guaranteed room upgrade from a Deluxe room to
Junior Suite with Hyatt Daily Rate
• Breakfast buffet (cold buffet only)
• One bottle of Italian sparkling wine
This elegant hotel is located in the heart of the famous
fashion district, overlooking the Galleria Vittorio
Emanuele II and within walking distance of the ultra
chic shops in Via Montenapoleone and Via Della Spiga.
Please quote offer code “MP728 ” and your
Marco Polo Club membership number when making
your reservations with Hyatt Worldwide Reservation
Centre. Then present your Marco Polo Club
membership card at check-in
Telephone: +852 2956 1234 (Hong Kong)
+81 3 3288 1234 (Japan)
Email: milan.park@hyatt.com
Website: milan.park.hyatt.com
THE CLUB 43
INSIDE CX
BY TAR A JENK INS AND K AR EN PI T TAR
Under control
n a darkened room, engineers Pierre Lancrenon and
Kevin McHugh closely watch over eight huge monitors
that scroll and flicker, as vital new information comes
in from dozens of Cathay Pacific aircraft around the
world. A Boeing 747-400 in Los Angeles needs extra
engine oil; an Airbus Industrie A330-300 that has just
arrived in Hong Kong is ready for its yearly overhaul.
At Heathrow Airport, an Airbus Industrie A340-300
has detected a minor fault, and avionics expert
McHugh is helping the pilot reset computers to avoid
a lengthy delay. Working in the Integrated Operations
Centre (IOC) is a critical job, and the atmosphere in
the hushed room at Cathay Pacific City in Hong Kong
is focused and intense. But Cathay Pacific is an airline
that is unfailingly serious about safety.
“The IOC forms the hub of the airline,” says Christopher Gibbs,
Cathay Pacific’s Engineering Director. “The operations team
shares the same space as the engineers and when there’s any
sort of disruption – bad weather, a strike, aircraft on ground –
staff from the two departments can easily integrate to take the
appropriate action. This might include communicating with
pilots, or staying in touch with the ground engineers. We’re
monitoring the planes all the time with the latest technology.
The key is good co-ordination across functions.”
44 THE CLUB
There’s no better example of how this works than during a
typhoon. The IOC has a large bank of spare desks that is used to
accommodate extra staff during a crisis, such as when a storm
blows into Hong Kong. “All stations in the IOC are manned in
the event of a typhoon – aside from monitoring and managing
the planes themselves, staff call every member of The Marco
Polo Club due to travel, to advise them of forthcoming delays,”
says Gibbs.
Entering the IOC at Cathay Pacific City is an experience akin to
being a visitor at NASA’s Mission Control Centre. The airline is an
early adopter of state-of-the-art communications technology.
The room is filled with rows of monitors displaying the latest
software, automatically downloading information from planes.
“Our planes are now self-monitoring, and the staff at IOC often
know about problems even before the pilots do,” says Gibbs. “If
there are three systems running and one has an issue, we might
see it before they do. We certainly use leading technology but
when it comes down to it, the culture of safety at the heart of
the company is the most important thing.”
And Cathay Pacific isn’t afraid to put its money where its
mouth is where safety is concerned: in 1997 the company held
back an entire fleet. “We grounded the Airbus A330 fleet of 10 or
so aeroplanes because we’d had an engine issue. We made the
decision to put safety first, despite great expense to the airline.
Photo: David G. McIntyre
Rest assured, Cathay Pacific’s engineering department monitors all aircraft at all times
Cathay Pacific
Engineering Director
Christopher Gibbs
INSIDE CX
Gibbs and HAECO
technician Liu
Guoyou check
the inflight
entertainment
system
46 THE CLUB
Cathay Pacific has reduced margin for human error to the absolute
minimum by ensuring any critical checks on the twin-engine aircraft
are carried out separately by two people. If an engineer carries out
a check on one engine, he is not permitted to do it on another.
Cathay Pacific outsources much of its maintenance to quality partners, including aircraft engineering firms such as Hong
Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) and Taikoo
(Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (TAECO). “For example,
to ensure service excellence, we send the engines around the
globe to be serviced, from Hong Kong to Zurich, Madrid or
Hamburg. We find outsourcing gives us more flexibility,” says
Gibbs. To make triply sure the processes are watertight, the
Civil Aviation Department in Hong Kong regularly carries out
external audits.
When it comes to new planes, Cathay Pacific has full-time
managers based in Toulouse (where Airbuses are made) and
Seattle (home to Boeing), who oversee every step as a new
Cathay Pacific aircraft is constructed. “The manufacturers do a
lot of quality inspections themselves, but we witness many of
their checks and, when the plane is delivered to Hong Kong,
we check it very thoroughly again.”
Gibbs runs a tight ship and leads by example. “I walk through
the maintenance control centre once a day to find out what is
happening at the sharp end. The senior staff in my area are not
divorced from day-to-day operations. We keep in touch, we
meet twice a week to simply discuss operations.”
Gibbs is intent on keeping his finger on the pulse. For example, any time an inflight entertainment system goes down on
an aircraft, Gibbs is personally notified by SMS on his mobile
phone, no matter where he is or what time of day it might be.
“I’m getting maybe one alert in a month and we’re operating
400 flights a day.”
So back to those entertainment systems that figure so largely
in passenger’s minds. Gibbs says the airline has been making
Christopher
Gibbs (top,
right) keeps
a close watch
on all aspects
of aircraft
maintenance
Delivering a
new aircraft
(above)
Photos: David G. McIntyre
Our passengers place great trust in us to get them from A to B
safely; they may not articulate it as their primary concern – focusing instead on seat pitch or the inflight entertainment system.
But of course it’s paramount and our overriding responsibility
is to them. There is a prodigious safety culture here, which has
been built up over time. It sounds easy to put safety first, but in
practice it’s not quite so straightforward. At Cathay Pacific we
have worked hard to create a robust platform to deliver it.”
Gibbs and his team are responsible for the maintenance of
150 aircraft, including Cathay Pacific’s own fleet, the Dragonair
fleet and those of Air Hong Kong, a joint venture with international courier DHL. Planes are painstakingly serviced every
year, with a major overhaul every five years lasting three or four
weeks, where the aircraft is completely opened up. “Every single
galley and seat is taken out, as are the side walls. You could
argue it’s unnecessary but it has to be done. The whole objective of maintenance is to be proactive, and find issues before
they become problems.”
Of course, each time a flight lands there are also rigorous checks,
including tyre pressure, system checks and filling up with fuel.
great strides to improve its service. “We have lifted overall basic
Personal Television (PTV) reliability on departure to 99.94 percent. Resets are only at 97.38 percent, so three in 100 passengers
are affected, and we are now working to lift this. Seat reliability
is well over 99.9 percent in Business and Economy Class. First
Class seat reliability at 98.8 percent is not yet satisfactory and
so we are currently implementing a modification programme
on the actuators [switch mechanism] and seat control, with
about half the Boeing 747 fleet completed. We are working on
a defect-free initiative, and over the last three or four years have
Maintenance
Controller
Brendan
Clarke in the
Integrated
Operations
Centre in
Hong Kong
been placing greatly increased emphasis on cabin equipment –
ovens, chillers, toilets, coffee makers and so on.”
For someone who’s always had a passion for aviation, Gibbs’
job is only set to get more interesting, with the advent of the
new double-decker Airbus A380, and carbon composite Airbus
A350 and Boeing 787 planes. These planes are constructed
from the same lightweight material as tennis rackets, so there
is little or no corrosion.
For Cathay Pacific, the possibilities for engineering and safety
are entering an exciting new phase.
“THE WHOLE OBJECTIVE OF MAINTENANCE IS TO FIND
ISSUES BEFORE THEY BECOME PROBLEMS”
THE CLUB 47
C X N E WS
Fly to Moscow, the
beating heart of Russia
Kingfisher Airlines
to join oneworld
India’s leading domestic carrier
Kingfisher Airlines is preparing
to join oneworld® after signing a
memorandum of understanding
as its first step towards full
membership of the world’s
leading airline alliance, subject
to Indian regulatory approval.
Kingfisher Airlines could be
expected to start flying as part
of oneworld next year. Its
addition will link India’s most
extensive domestic network
with oneworld’s unrivalled
global network as the only
alliance with airlines based on
every continent.
It will add 58 Indian cities to
the oneworld map. This will
expand its network to 800 destinations in almost 150 countries,
served by a combined fleet of
2,350 aircraft operating about
9,000 flights a day, carrying some
340 million passengers a year,
providing greater flexibility and
choice for your travel needs.
48 THE CLUB
New route to Moscow
Cathay Pacific Airways will begin a service to
the Russian capital Moscow on 13 July with
three flights a week leaving Hong Kong on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Moscow is a stunning city steeped in history
and culture. Red Square, The Kremlin and the
Cathedral of the Assumption will be among
many visitors’ must-sees. And then there’s the
art galleries and the world-famous Bolshoi
Ballet. All this and much more is now within
easy reach on Cathay Pacific.
The Moscow route follows the new service
to Italy’s fashion capital Milan, which was
launched on 28 March.
Flight no.
From
To
Departure/Arrival
Days of operation
CX207
HKG
DME
00:45/07:05
Tue, Thu & Sat
CX206
DME
HKG
17:45/07:00 (+1)
Tue, Thu & Sat
Use the e-Channel for
faster clearance
No waiting around
at immigration
For faster immigration
clearance at Hong Kong
International Airport, Silver
or above members can
use the Frequent Visitor
e-Channel. Enrol quickly
with your membership
card and travel document
at the desks located after
immigration upon entering
Hong Kong, then simply
scan your travel document
and thumbprint each time
you travel.
Extra special delivery service
Cathay Pacific’s inflight sales programme Discover the Shop has been
listening to passengers. In October 2009 it launched a Home Delivery
Service for passengers living in Hong Kong. The focus was on fine wines
and the service, which delivers purchases direct to customer’s doors,
proved a hit. In response to demand, the service was expanded in April
2010 to include Château Lynch Bages 2000, gourmet food and other
affordable lifestyle luxuries. Go to www.cathaypacific.com/dutyfree
to see the full range. Orders can be placed inflight or online and
hassle-free delivery is guaranteed.
Photos. Russia: Frans Lemmens – The Image Bank/Getty Images
CLUB PARTNERS : For exclusive Club partner offers, please visit the member’s area of www.cathaypacific.com
Hilton Worldwide
Hilton® Hotels • Conrad® Hotels & Resorts •
Doubletree by Hilton™ • Embassy Suites Hotels by Hilton™
• Hilton Garden Inn™ • Hilton Grand Vacations™ •
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• St. Regis® Hotels & Resorts • The Luxury Collection®
• Le Méridien • W Hotels® • Westin Hotels & Resorts®
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SIXT rent a car
For all partner offers, prices quoted are subject to change without prior notice. Peak season surcharges apply. Advance reservation is required. Rooms and offers are subject to availability.
Blackout dates apply. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or membership benefit.
THE CLUB 49
MILAN
DESIGN
ITALY´S STYLE CAPITAL
QUARTER
2
2010
24 HOURS
IN MANILA
MAGAZINE OF THE MARCO POLO CLUB
QUARTER
2
2010