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West Australian
07-06-2025
- West Australian
A night on the wild side in Singapore's urban jungle
After four days of enjoying the hustle, bustle and bright lights of Orchard Road, I've escaped the urban jungle for a night on the wild side in Singapore's rainforest. Opened in April, the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree sits within the greater Mandai Wildlife Reserve, home to Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Rainforest Wild Asia. There's greenery as far as the eye can see, and the resort's design has been inspired by biophilic principles and the creeping liana vine. Given Singapore's humidity, cookies and dispensers of chilled lime and guava water are a welcome sight in the open-plan lobby, where guests can rest on benches made from upcycled trees. With less than 24 hours to explore, I take some quick photos, then head to the sanctuary of the Banyan Tree Spa. All spa staff must undertake 650 hours of Banyan Tree training before they are allowed to touch a guest, which is reassuring given I have emerged from some previous holiday massages worse than I went in. The sleep-inducing gentle touch massage ($253 plus taxes) includes a personalised blend of lavender, geranium and thyme oils based on my questionnaire responses. Then it's time to snap myself awake for a hotel tour, taking note of warnings about roaming macaques. I never see any monkeys or wild boars, but am mindful of giant snails and frogs at night in the open, low-light walkways. The 50m rooftop infinity pool is a tranquil spot to start or end the day, especially for sunrise and sunset photography. Macaques have taken to stealing limes from the rooftop garden, where edible plants are destined for the 'trust the chef' menu at Forage, one of two in-house restaurants. I'm sharing a third-storey sanctuary twin with my sister. There's decent storage, USB A and C charging points, and uninterrupted views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir — even from the shower. In place of a balcony, we have an extended sitting area. If you are prone to mosquito bites like me, it's best not to open the retractable screen, and wear plenty of bug spray. Guests can request mosquito patches, and the resort is using mosquito coils and its dragonfly pond as repellents. The well-stocked bathroom amenities box even has a hairbrush, while the powerful little JVD Auva hairdryer is the best I have used. Top-of-the-range rooms come in the shape of seed pod-inspired treehouses with private patios and exclusive access to a nest-inspired swimming pool. Spacious family rooms offer a king bed and a big bunk bed that can sleep two children if they're happy to share. Resort decor and colours have been inspired by nature, with room artwork changing from floor to floor to reflect the layers of rainforest that can be seen outside. Banyan Group was founded on principles of wellbeing and sustainability, and Mandai is the first resort in Singapore to achieve the Green Mark Super Low Energy certification from the Building and Construction Authority in Singapore. Ambient room temperatures can't be set below 24C, 'to mirror the cool atmospheric temperatures of the rainforests in the tropics'. To combat the humidity, I guiltily crank up the ceiling fan and hope my interactive energy-use screen stays in the green zone. At least I can separate my rubbish into a dedicated recycling bin in the room. Before dinner, I take part in a meditative sound bath session that is so relaxing, some guests are snoring. The session gives me time to think about my favourite Singaporean pastime, eating. It's time for a speedy dinner at Planter's Shed international buffet ($82 per adult plus taxes), where the yakiniku marinated Angus beef ribeye is my favourite dish. There are plenty of cakes and a chocolate fountain, but I only have eyes for the local pandan kueh. Stays at the resort can be tailored to include exclusive wildlife experiences, so we are off to the Night Safari to find out more about preservation and conservation efforts. The Mandai Wildlife Reserve treats and rehabilitates more than 1000 animals a year. We are grateful to a restaurant staff member who finds us looking at a confusing sign and walks with us to the entry. On the guided Pangolin Trail, we spot white pelicans and giant anteaters, and learn how Sunda pangolin are at risk of poaching and becoming roadkill. Afterwards, we hop aboard the safari bus, keeping our eyes peeled for all creatures great and small, from otters to elephants. We've done so much walking there's no need or time to visit the hotel gym, or the 3.3km Mandai Boardwalk with stunning views across the Upper Seletar Reservoir. On our final day in Singapore, I sneak a look at the Planter's Shed breakfast buffet, which has a dedicated children's meal corner, as well as free-flowing champagne and mimosas. Breakfast is included for many bookings, or costs $62 plus taxes for adults, ($31 for children aged six to 12, and free for children under six). Our package includes front-row seats to Breakfast in the Wild at Singapore Zoo. It has been almost 20 years since I last visited, and these days, orangutans thankfully no longer pose with visitors. Instead, they are free to swing down for a look and to leave when they please. Putra, a male Sumatran orangutan, is the great-grandson of the cafe's namesake, the late matriarch Ah Meng. Mandai Rainforest Resort is an easy walk from Singapore Zoo, making it a sensible base for families who want to experience a nature and adventure-based holiday. The resort has a kids' club and nature playground, with a Zoo School and additional restaurants under construction nearby. Being so new, and with many entry and exit points for the attractions, our taxi had trouble finding the resort, so allow plenty of time to get to the airport, or ask the friendly staff for assistance. + Sue Yeap was a guest of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. They have not influenced this story or read it before publication. Mandai Rainforest Resort is about 25 minutes from Orchard Road, and 30 from Changi Airport. Room rates start from $488 a night plus taxes.
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
5 Father's Day gift ideas for gamers – presents to get your gamer dad
Struggling for gift ideas for the gamer dad in your life? Here are five potential presents that could go down really well! Father's Day is nearing, and if you haven't nailed down a present yet for the gamer dad in your life, we have some ideas for you to consider. What do you get for the dad who has everything? That's normally the question that comes up every year ahead of Father's Day, but if your dad is a gamer, there's good news, because there is always something they don't have that they probably really, really want! I can't guarantee he'll love all of the gift ideas below, but it should at least give you a few pointers about which direction to go! Here are five Father's Day gift ideas for gamer dads, at a variety of price points, albeit most are quite pricey (spoiler alert: gaming is an expensive hobby!). Introducing All Out Gaming, a dedicated gaming brand providing the best gaming news, reviews, previews, interviews and more! Make sure you don't miss out on our latest high-quality videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, where we'll be posting our latest reviews, previews, interviews, and live streams! You can also subscribe to our free All Out Gaming newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories. Father's Day gift ideas for gamer dads Keychron K2 HE keyboard Keychron's latest offering is perfect for gamer dads, particularly because it doesn't really look like a gaming keyboard! Its sleek, classic and smart design won't look out of place in an office environment, with natural rosewood featured along the side being a really nice and unique design touch. But don't be fooled, because the K2 HE features Gateron double-rail magnetic switches, with customisable actuation points and dynamic rapid triggers, as well as SA profile double-shot PBT keycaps, making it perfect for sweaty gaming sessions too! It also has multiple connectivity options, including 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired, and is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux. A superb keyboard for office and gaming use. Keychron K2 HE Wireless Magnetic Switch Custom Keyboard - £153.99 Razer USB 4 Dock Okay, I know what you're thinking, a USB dock? But trust me, and I speak from experience here, dads can't have enough ports on their PCs. And this isn't just any USB dock, this is the daddy of all USB docks. It features 14 ports, including a MicroSD and SD Card slot, Microphone Headphone Combo Port (supports 7.1 surround), USB Type C 3.2 Gen 2 (with battery charging 20W), USB A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s), upstream USB 4 Type C to host device, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, 1Gb ethernet port, two USB A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb/s), one USB A 2.0 (480 Mb/s) and finally a dedicated USB port for 2.4 GHz Dongles (480 Mb/s). And there's more: It supports a 4K 120Hz output and includes a 180W power adapter that can provide 100W of laptop charging while powering the other connected devices! It's also compatible with PCS, Macs, iPads, and Chromebooks, making it incredibly versatile. Razer USB 4 Dock - £229.99 Moza Racing R3 Racin If your dad is the type who watches F1 and thinks he could match Max Verstappen, but hasn't tried sim racing yet, Moza's R3 bundle is the perfect gift to get him started on his sim racing journey. It's 3.9Nm direct drive servo motor gives enough feedback to provide an immersive driving experience, but not too much that it might be overwhelming for beginners, while the aviation-grade aluminium construction and durable ISF PU grips mean it'll last, at least until he wants to upgrade! You get a wheelbase, wheel and pedals in this bundle, which is compatible with PC and Xbox, which is a great starting point, and the price is very competitive too. Moza Racing R3 Racing Wheel and Pedals for Xbox and PC - £359.00 SanDisk microSD Express Memory Card (256 GB) With the Nintendo Switch 2 now out in the wild and in the hands of gamers, my first impressions of the console are very positive, and it seems to be better than the original in pretty much every conceivable way. But, with the games looking better than ever, and in a higher resolution than ever, that comes at the cost of bigger game sizes, so this 256 microSD Express Memory Card is looking pretty essential for those with a big game library! The Switch 2 only supports games launching from a microSD Express card, not a standard microSD, so this is a great option! SanDisk microSD Express Memory Card - £49.00 (Currys) Steam Deck And last but not least, for those gamer dads out there who haven't experienced the joy of handheld gaming yet, the Steam Deck is a superb device that allows you to play your beloved Steam games on the go. Whether he plays Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3, Balatro, Red Dead Redemption 2 or Cyberpunk 2077, Valve's handheld can handle them all in 1280 x 800 resolution on its 7-inch display, which is surprisingly sharp given the lower than 1080p resolution. And, best of all, with the Steam Deck OLED also out now, the original Steam Deck is only £359 right now, making it cheaper than a Nintendo Switch 2! Steam Deck (256GB) - £359.00 And that's it. Hopefully, some of these ideas work out great, but if not, at least they might spark a present idea ahead of the big day.
Global News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Global News
How to pack for a fuss-free road trip in summer 2025
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Summer's around the corner which means road trip season is, too. Let's be real though, road trips can get chaotic with messy seats, missing chargers and stressed out skin if you're not prepared. With well-chosen items at your disposal, you can stay organized, comfortable and truly enjoy a fuss-free road trip this summer. Here are ten road trip essential items to shop this summer: Monos Check-In Medium This medium sized suitcase easily fits in your trunk while offering enough space for all your road trip essentials. It's durable, stylish, and road-trip-ready without the stress of packing. $395 at Monos Story continues below advertisement Lifewit 24L Cooler Backpack Keep road trip snacks and drinks fresh for up to 12 hours with this large cooler backpack. It's easy to carry, pack, and leak-free so you can snack and sip at any stop along the trip. $29.99 on Amazon (was $39.99) NOBIS Portable Power Bank Stay charged on the go with this road trip essential power bank that's equipped with 2 USB A and 2 Type C ports. $39.99 on Amazon Thrive Roadside Emergency Car Kit Stay prepared for the unexpected with this 104-piece emergency car and first aid kit all packed in a trunk-friendly bag. A must-have for any fuss-free road trip. $69.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Car Power Inverter Perfect for road trips, this lightweight and compact car inverter lets you charge while driving—from phones to fans, you name it. With 6 outlets and a cooling fan, it's a game-changer for staying powered on the road. $28.49 on Amazon (was $39.98) You may also like: Travel Games for Adults 100+ Games – $13 Travel Duffel Bag – $28 JOYTUTUS Car Cup Holder – $28 BOACAY Soft & Warm Travel Blanket – $32 Coleman Road Trip Sportster Propane Gas Grill – $229 Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Wet Wipes Gentle, travel-friendly flushable wipes are a must-have during long drives. Toss them in your bag and stay comfortable for the next stretch of the road. $8.97 on Amazon (was $11.99) Story continues below advertisement MERIT The Great Skin Duo Need to keep your skin in check? This serum and moisturizer duo keeps skin hydrated and fresh on the road. Perfect for packing light without sacrificing on the care part. $96 at Merit BLUE LIZARD Sensitive Sunscreen Stick SPF is a road trip must. This gentle mineral SPF stick is perfect for mess-free applications on-the-go. Toss it in your pockets or bag for quick touch ups at any time. $13.48 on Amazon (was $14.99) 2 Pack Car Seat Gap Filler Organizer No more digging between seats for lost phones or essentials with this handy car seat organizer pack. This keeps everything where you need it and keeps your car tidy during road trip chaos. $34.22 on Amazon (was $38.62) Story continues below advertisement Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer No more stickiness or dryness with this hydrating mist sanitizer that cleans and hydrates in just one quick spray. Great for road trip messes, meals and pit stops. $14 at Sephora Fable & Mane HoliRoots Good Karma Hair Set A travel-sized hair set that fights dryness and frizz—great for long drives, sun and beaches that can have hair feeling rough. $52 at Sephora You may also like: Holii Travel Pill Organizer – $8 Story continues below advertisement Neutrogena All-in-One Makeup Removing Cleansing Wipes – $10 Pack all Travel Shoe Bag – $18 Proglobe Orthopedic Neck Pillow – $25 Silicone Travel Bottles – $15
Travel Daily News
12-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
flynas signs MoU with Safran to equip its next 60 A320neo aircraft
flynas partners with Safran to equip 60 new A320neo aircraft with next-generation seats, enhancing comfort and aligning with Saudi aviation goals. DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and worldwide, has announced signing an agreement with Safran, one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seats, for both crew and passengers. This agreement is to equip the next 60 new A320neo aircraft joining flynas fleet with the latest-generation seats that set a new standard of comfort and convenience in the low-cost aviation. The seats' new features were introduced during Arabian Travel Market, held in Dubai from April 28 to May 1, in the presence of flynas Chairman, Ayed Al Jeaid, Bander Almohanna, Managing Director and CEO of flynas, and Safran Seats France EVP Quentin Munier. Including Economy class seats with a premium configuration at the front of the cabin, the agreement aims to fit cabins with seat types customized for flynas, with smart cushions designs and the latest technologies, increasing the guests' comfort as flynas operates the A320neo on flights up to 6 hours, and the new seat is designed especially for long-medium flights. With delivery set for the end of 2025, each aircraft will have 174 new seats that offer a new standard of comfort, privacy, and convenience. The economy seats will feature a portable electronic devices holder and a power supply system port that includes both USB A and C (60w output), a lower literature pocket, a coat hook, and a cup holder. Additionally, the Premium class seats, spanning 4 rows, will boast a wider pitch, an adjustable headrest, and a middle seat blocker for an optimized living space, ensuring a more enjoyable journey for passengers. Bander Almohanna commented: 'Through our strategic partnership with Safran, we are poised to reimagine our future cabins with smart design, stylish features, and next-level technologies. These factors were instrumental in selecting seat types, which will be customized for flynas to offer our guests a unique way of enjoying their flights. This partnership aligns with our expansion strategy, launched in parallel with the National Civil Aviation Strategy, to connect KSA with 250 International destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers, and host 100 million tourists yearly by 2030, and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques'. Quentin Munier said: 'We are honored to equip flynas' new Airbus A320neo fleet with our latest Z200, a new generation of Economy class seats that deliver benefits for both passengers and operators. This marks our first collaboration with flynas, and we are delighted to support its operations in the coming years.' flynas is ranked as the best Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and the 4th best worldwide by Skytrax. Equipping flynas A320neo fleet with the new seats is part of flynas initiative to become the best LCC in the world.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Flynas signs MoU with Safran to equip its next 60 A320neo Aircraft with the latest generation seats
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and worldwide, has announced signing an agreement with Safran, one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seats, for both crew and passengers. This agreement is to equip the next 60 new A320neo aircraft joining flynas fleet with the latest-generation seats that set a new standard of comfort and convenience in the low-cost aviation. The seats' new features were introduced during Arabian Travel Market, held in Dubai from April 28 to May 1, in the presence of flynas Chairman, Ayed Al Jeaid, Bander Almohanna, Managing Director and CEO of flynas, and Safran Seats France EVP Quentin Munier. Including Economy class seats with a premium configuration at the front of the cabin, the agreement aims to fit cabins with seat types customized for flynas, with smart cushions designs and the latest technologies, increasing the guests' comfort as flynas operates the A320neo on flights up to 6 hours, and the new seat is designed especially for long-medium flights. With delivery set for the end of 2025, each aircraft will have 174 new seats that offer a new standard of comfort, privacy, and convenience. The economy seats will feature a portable electronic devices holder and a power supply system port that includes both USB A and C (60w output), a lower literature pocket, a coat hook, and a cup holder. Additionally, the Premium class seats, spanning 4 rows, will boast a wider pitch, an adjustable headrest, and a middle seat blocker for an optimized living space, ensuring a more enjoyable journey for passengers. Bander Almohanna commented: "Through our strategic partnership with Safran, we are poised to reimagine our future cabins with smart design, stylish features, and next-level technologies. These factors were instrumental in selecting seat types, which will be customized for flynas to offer our guests a unique way of enjoying their flights. This partnership aligns with our expansion strategy, launched in parallel with the National Civil Aviation Strategy, to connect KSA with 250 International destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers, and host 100 million tourists yearly by 2030, and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques". Quentin Munier said: "We are honored to equip flynas' new Airbus A320neo fleet with our latest Z200, a new generation of Economy class seats that deliver benefits for both passengers and operators. This marks our first collaboration with flynas, and we are delighted to support its operations in the coming years." flynas is ranked as the best Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and the 4th best worldwide by Skytrax. Equipping flynas A320neo fleet with the new seats is part of flynas initiative to become the best LCC in the world. About flynas flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in World and in the Middle East with 61 aircraft, operating more than 1500 weekly flights to 70 domestic and international destinations. Since its launch in 2007, flynas has transported more than 80 million passengers. In 2024, flynas has been named the Best Low-Cost Airline in the Middle East for the seventh time in a row by the International Skytrax Organization, the global authority for assessing airline performance. Moreover, it kept its position among the top 10 LCC's worldwide, as per Skytrax. Also, flynas has earned in 2024 the Middle East's Leading Low-Cost Airline award from the World Travel Awards for 10 consecutive years (from 2015 till 2024). The leading Saudi LCC was also ranked in the 4-star low-cost carrier category, the highest category of the low-cost airlines in the World by APEX rating. About Safran Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices Safran Seats is one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seats, for both crew and passengers. 1 million Safran Seats-manufactured aircraft seats are currently in service with air fleets around the world.
