When I hear the term "romantic-thriller", I never really quite understand what it means, but I have to say L'Appartement gives me a pretty clear idea. The film is a unique and well crafted work that explores the matters of the heart, in a way that keeps audiences...more

Saman, the novel by Ayu Utami, was published seven years ago to both acclaim and controversy. It won the prestigious Prince Claus prize in 2000. To date the novel has sold over 100.000 copies in its original language. Now for the first time it is available in English...more

If hindsight can be 20/20, is it possible for foresight to be the same? How do you package the lyrics of life's normal struggles? Canadian's Leslie Feist and producer Gonzales have finally returned after a five-year hiatus with what will be remembered as something Norah Jones...more

When asked which dish he would travel halfway across the world to eat, acclaimed chef and food writer Anthony Bourdain confessed it would be the dumplings at Din Tai Fung in Taiwan. He added that they were so good that ambience didn't matter and that he would "eat them off of a garage floor"...more

When you look at this fresh-faced pint-sized young woman, 'automotive mechanics' and 'construction worker' don't exactly come to mind. But don't let her dimples and petite frame fool you- she is all tomboy...more

When a French winemaker of world-class standards and world recognition goes to Bali to showcase his wines, what should one do? Jump on a plane from Jakarta and get over there quickly before the tickets run out! I confess to being a bit of a groupie when it comes to meeting high profile winemakers...more

In Asia we are living at the very heart of spice production so we ought to be the experts on everything from familiar spices such as ginger to the more exotic such as saffron, the most expensive spice in the world...more

All living things are dependent on water. We all know that we should be drinking more water but always find excuses to have the cappuccino or "just one more ice lemon tea" instead. In the human body...more

How should one value a life? Are rich people worth more than paupers? Are foreigners worth more than locals? Do the young command a higher price than the elderly? Are men worth more than women? In utopia we would obviously all be valued the same...more