Cider with rosé
Eating out in Singapore is all about choice – and there is so much of it. So how about a French restaurant with a twist? We visited Le Comptoir in Circular Road.

“I’d like a glass of cider please,” I casually said to the smiling barman.

A pig-like snort came from the friend sitting next to me: “Cider?! What are you? 16?”

I think cider has suffered from a bad reputation for too long, so I’m sticking my neck out. Yes, I admit it. I love cider. I’m a recent convert, but none-the-less I have changed my views.

Talking to friends I was surprised by how divisive the issue is. The innocent question of “what do you think of cider?” was met with the following answers:

“It’s what you drink when you can’t afford wine.”
“It’s for yobbish teenagers hanging round on street corners.”
“It’s far too sweet.”
“It’s hardly a drink of choice, is it?”

But it is a drink of choice. A whole bottle will only set you back S$24. You can even have a pretty rosé. Or a drink that smells so fresh and crisp it could easily compete with a Sauvignon Blanc. And it’s a drink that pairs nicely with meals too: pancake-based meals in fact.

A couple of days ago I visited a new bijou French restaurant called Le Comptoir. It’s a sharp-angled building thrusting into Circular Road. Forgot the red checked tablecloths and the baskets of bread; think trendy, industrial deco. This is new French with a nod to the past, and an eye to the future. 

At its heart, it’s a crêperie; many of its meals are based on pancakes (try the 79 – it’s divine). But this is no ordinary crêperie. The modern twist is its fusion of flavours. How about butter chicken with onion, garlic, turmeric, curry and coriander leaves, all wrapped in a pancake. Or if you have a sweet tooth how about chestnut spread, chocolate and Chantilly? 

Whether you're popping in for a swift after-work swig sitting at the bar, or tucking into a hearty meal, it's a little piece of something different.

Where? Le Comptoir, 79 Circular Road, Singapore. 

Fun fact: Le Comptoir serves Singapore’s first selection of traditional French Breton Cider. 

A little while ago I wrote about the meaning of the word “tiffin”.

I had originally thought it meant afternoon tea. When I asked my friends, a mix of answers came back: for some it was jam and scones. For others it was curry. Not exactly two meals you sample together.

So after a little investigation, I discovered that it meant both. The etymology of the word is difficult to trace but seems to come from an old English word, “tiffing”, meaning “to sip”. Packing the word in a steamer trunk and taking it to India, it became “tiffin”, and the description altered to mean a snack between meals. Which is exactly what afternoon tea is. According to afternoontea.co.uk, the custom was introduced in the early 19th century, possibly by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who complained of “having a sinking feeling” in the afternoon. The solution was a pot of tea and some sandwiches.
After Anna’s distress call, the traditional English “three'es” became a popular gentrified snack for those needing a little more sustenance from lunch to dining in the evening. It was also a class construction. The lower classes couldn't afford to eat more than a couple of basic meals. They took their meals earlier so they could sleep, in order to get up early for work, as well as avoid the hunger pangs. 

The upper classes, however, could afford the cost and time to luxuriate in several meals.

Suffering from similar signs of hunger to Anna, I took my young daughters, Madeleine and Tilda, for a princess tea in the aptly names Tiffin Room, at Singapore's Raffles Hotel.

This was no ordinary high tea. I had expected crustless cucumber sandwiches and pretty little cakes, served on a three-tiered stand, and that's exactly what we got. But it was so much more. 

In an east meets west approach, you can start with dumplings, graze on sandwiches and scones, and wind up with patisserie. Coupled with tea, coffee or bubbly, this is a meal that could take a while.

With so much choice I asked the girls for their insights, and favourite part of the meal:

Madeleine, age 7, said: “I really liked the music and it was a very grown up tea party.”

Tilda, age 5, said: “I like cake. And scones. And sandwiches. And…” The conversation went on along a similar vein for several minutes.

Whether you're looking for somewhere for a special occasion, or just fancy hiding from the heat in the colonial cool arches of this prestigious building, cossetted by history and wrapped in charm, the Raffles' afternoon tea is a relaxing experience that should be tried at least once while in Singapore.

The practical bit:
Where to find it: Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road, Singapore, 189673
Contact details: dining.singapore@raffles.com, +65 6412 1816

Random fact: A “cup of char” is a colloquial way of saying a “cup of tea”. It is similar to the Chinese word for tea - tcha. Tea was exclusively grown in China until the middle of the 19th century, when it was introduced to India.

Click here for an insight into The Raffles Hotel's curry buffet.

Bikes, boardwalks and hungry hogs

Escaping from the hustle and bustle of city life is a necessary step towards keeping your sanity, even for the most ardent urbanites. The island of Pulau Ubin is the perfect rural counterpart.

Situated off the north-east coast of Singapore, it's accessible by bumboat, a little chugging ferry that can carry about 15 passengers. An orderly queue forms at the Changi Point Ferry Terminal in Changi Village, as boat after boat traverses the short stretch of water.

You land in the main village on the island, comprising of just a couple of streets. If you turn left from the terminal you'll find bike hire shops and a couple of restaurants. Turn right and you'll find the police station and the path to the Celestial Resort (think shanty rather than shiny).

There are two ways to enjoy island life. Plan your trip and go equipped, or turn up and absorb. It really depends in the activities you're interested in: Walking, camping or cycling.

It's a safe place to explore, as there is very little traffic. The only motorised vehicles are a couple of island shuttle taxis. This also means that many of the main roads are unmade and can get muddy in the rain.

We opted to walk and found our way out to the Chek Jawa Wetlands, which is a loop of boardwalks. At low tide you can marvel at the mountainous mounds of mud in the mangroves, created by excavating crabs. At high tide you feel like you're walking on water, looking back at the coastline from the middle of the sea. Looping back inland there is a viewing platform (the Jejawi Tower), which offers great views of the jungle.

At the start of the boardwalk is a parking plot for pedal power, which was turned into a circus on the day we visited. Wild hogs were running amok, pushing over bikes in their quest to scavenge the tastiest treats. A word of advice: take your picnic with you. These foresters can smell dinner a mile off and were not put off by the camera-clicking spectators.

Watching wildlife in its natural habitat is part of the rural idyll, and the children loved scampering after butterflies, sneaking a peek at shy crabs and cooing over the baby boars. Just make sure they keep their distance. Animals are becoming more and more used to human interaction, but they are still wild.

Hot, exhausted, tired and a little muddy, we found a shack selling cool drinks and coconuts, and revived ourselves enough to stagger back to the ferry terminal, wondering why we hadn't hired bikes. Now we've done a recce we'll be returning fully equipped.

The practical bit:

• You can't get ferry tickets in advance but even on public holidays you don't have to wait for long as the flow of bum oats is constant. The fare is cheap (S$2.50, 2014), with children paying the same as adults. You also pay extra (S$2) for bikes.
• There are plenty of places to hire bikes, and the full range is available: children's bikes, bikes with stabilisers, adult bikes with child seats, tandems. Go early for the pick of the crop, as quality can vary, or take children's bikes with you. You can also hire bike locks. There are some mountain biking tracks for the more adventurous.
• Remember your mozzie repellant.  
• There are no paper maps of the island, in a bid to be environmentally friendly. When you get off the boat remember to take a photograph with your phone of the map on the board at the end of the pier. 
• There is a cursory nod to national security as you land again in Singapore again, in the form as an x-ray machine.
  

Dear expats: what do you miss about home?

Every year the expat hubs around the world begin to leak foreigners who flood back to the homeland. Like birds, the migratory pattern is seasonal and routine.

We have lived in two of the world’s biggest global expat hubs, Dubai and Singapore, and the phenomenon is similar in both places.

After school breaks up in June, families depart for the Western world, the husbands only staying a week or two in order to protect their annual leave.

But why do we make this annual trip, at great expense and inconvenience? After all, the husband complains he misses the kids (and occasionally his wife), the children complain that they miss their toys and friends, and the wife is pulling her hair out carting children around single-handedly.

[As an aside, I’ve often heard expat wives complain about hair loss issues. This happens in both Dubai and Singapore. I once put this down to desalinated water (Dubai) and humidity (Singapore). Now I put it down to stress of the Expat Exodus. I’ve just returned from the UK after a four-week trip. One week in Singapore and the plughole looks like the Yeti has fallen down it.]

So back to the subject. There are several reasons why the summer Expat Exodus is a necessary one. Most importantly it is about your identity and place in the world:

1.     We’re expats. We haven’t emigrated. This means we still feel the pull of the homeland. We understand that circumstances and jobs change all the time, and while we may feel that we’re here to stay, we could be gone tomorrow. We are part of a transient society.

2.     The homeland offers us stability in a global economic market that has had its ups and downs. We understand how the homeland ticks. We haven’t had to learn it, unlike our temporary expats homes. There is something comforting and effortless about that.

3.     Culture is important. What is the world without it? And so we ensure our children know what they need to know about bring British, or American, or Australian, or Kiwi.

4.     Family is really where the home is. We make fantastic friends in our expat homes, supporting each other with knowledge and a tissue when our mother is too far away. We all need support, and there is a certain magnetism about being with your own tribe.

5.     Friends also fit into the support category. We are the ones who have moved away and we need to make every effort to stay in touch with homeland friends. Forget about them and your risk feeling like an expat when you return home, starting your network from scratch.

6.     Getting out of the heat. Of course we love the weather where we live, most of the time. But everyone needs a break from 50C heat and 99% humidity.

We all miss different things about our homeland. For some it’s a postal system that runs smoothly (Dubai doesn't have a door to door system). For others it’s the freedom of having a car (Singapore, where the cost is astronomical).

For me, apart from friends and family, it has been the British countryside, gastro pubs and historical houses.  Oh, and strawberries that taste like strawberries, and don’t cost $20 and have a guilty-inducing 10,000 air miles attached to them.

What do you miss and why do you go home? We'd love to know.


Linked to the My Global Life Link-Up at SmallPlanetStudio.com.

“What's the weather like in Singapore? What does it feel like when it rains?” a friend asked.

“Erm, wet.” I said, not quite sure how to answer. I had returned to the UK for the first time since moving to Singapore.

However, once the clouds bubbled up over the English countryside I understood the question. There was a looming feeling, a heaviness across the shoulders, a tightening across the brow. The skies darkened as if nighttime had fallen early. The wind picked up, rustling dried leaves in a distinctly autumnal way, even though it was only July. And then of course it rained. Cold and blustery. A pervading dampness was sucked into the bone marrow. The road turned into a trickling muddy stream, and the seeds were striped from the trees, adding to the mounting detritus on the pavements.

Of course it didn't feel like this in Singapore.

I woke up this morning in Singapore to a yellow, sulphuric glow in the room. Was it sunshine? Had I overslept? I looked at the clock but it was only 7am. Then my ears woke up and I could hear the rush of water. Rain in Singapore is different. It happens nearly every day. And it still surprises me.

You first notice the colour of the sky. The clouds aren't always dark and threatening. This morning it was bright, but the yellow pallor was radioactive rather than fresh and cheerful.

And secondly you notice the intensity. The rain just rains. Rarely a breath of wind. It falls straight down. With such force it splashes through my umbrella. It's cleansing, washing the paths clean and turning the roads into gushing rivers.

I wouldn't usually want to go out in such weather, but after two hours the downpour showed little sign of abating. I had an appointment to keep, and with no car, the only option was a dash to the bus stop. Taxis are magic in Singapore. They disappear during rainstorms.

However inconvenient it is, at least it's warm. The rain often gives a short reprieve from the stifling humidity, and when you get wet you're unlikely to catch a shiver, unless you have to shelter in an over-air-conditioned coffee shop. You just fold away your umbrella, put it in into the handy plastic bag provided by most shopping malls to prevent everything else getting wet, and get on with the day.

Often the rain is accompanied by roaring thunder. This is no innocuous rumble. This is ear splitting, often shattering tree branches with its intensity. And then there are the lightening shows that dance across the sky. John Michel Jarre's laser shows can't even compare.

So the question “what does it feel like when it rains?” isn't so dumb after all.

My parents recently came to visit us. I asked my mother, Joan Fry, to put together her top tips and advice for visiting Singapore…

As our daughter and family live abroad we have been privileged to stay with them in various countries; the US, the UAE and now Singapore. One of the most interesting challenges we have faced has been to cope with different weather and traditions. Visiting Chicago the worst of the winter weather can be avoided by going spring time or autumn, also the same can be said of Dubai but for a different reason - avoiding the worst of the heat during the summer.

Staying in Singapore is a whole different ball game as the country is so near the equator. The weather is more or less the same all year round. This means it’s hot and steamy, with temperatures ranging from 28C at night to 35C during the day.

After being there a few days, and melting under a hat, we noticed that the locals used umbrellas to keep the sun off. This allows the air to move around and keeps arms and shoulders safe from sunburn; it also has an added benefit of sheltering from the frequent sudden and very heavy rainstorms.

Clothes should be light and easily washed as they need frequent washing. Also shoes need to be comfortable, as feet swell in the heat, and also waterproof.

As with other hot places, there are biting mosquitoes, which although not malarial, can transmit Dengue fever, so it’s essential to apply Deet or some other insect cream. The government does what it can to try to keep mosquitoes down by spraying with insecticide and making sure residents don’t have standing water around to allow them to breed, but inevitably bites happen so don’t forget the antihistamine cream.

All this makes it sound like a most unpleasant place to visit but it’s not. The locals are really friendly and most welcoming. The city is beautiful and lush. There are many flowering trees with ferns growing in the branches and the Frangipane gives the place a delightful perfume.

Although it is supposed to be the most expensive city in the world, it need not break the bank. There are many places to eat reasonably priced meals, such as the Hawkers’ market, where the food is very cheap and among the best. Certainly it’s where the locals eat.

Public transport is again very reasonable, air conditioned and clean. Buy an EZ Link card to swipe in and out. This can be topped up and reused.

Living and being with our grandchildren has opened our eyes, seeing things in a whole new world. Living somewhere is an entirely different experience to travelling through somewhere. The children, now aged seven and five, have no preconceived ideas and notice things that would otherwise go unnoticed. It adds an added dimension to the travel experience when you have a small child as your tour guide.

Here's more..
Down with Dengue Fever - what are the symptoms?
Taking Tiffin: The Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel
Top ten activities in Singapore

The Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel
"Would you like to go for a Princess Tea?" I asked my two daughters. It's the summer holidays and the long days seem to stretch in front of us. "We could go and get dressed up and have little sandwiches and cakes."

Madeleine and Tilda jumped up and down in front of me, excited as puppies being throw a stick.

We were heading to The Tiffin Room, at Raffles Hotel, for lunch.

A trip to Raffles is like stepping into a time machine. Steeped in history, the grandfather clock in the hall may still be ticking, but time has stood still. It's not that I walk around with rose-coloured spectacles. I like to think that I'm fairly progressive (did I hear my husband just scoff?), but I love to preserve the past, otherwise it's difficult to learn from it for the future.

Architecturally, the hotel has had some pretty hideous alterations over the years, including a flat roof ballroom plonked right in front of its beautiful facade. However, more recently the layers of paint and patina have been rubbed away, unsympathetic additions have been erased, furniture has been lovingly recrafted to match originals identified in photographs, and the Victorian colonial era has been preserved.

And what could be more British than immortalising Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, by building the hotel in his name? Its creators, the Sarkies brothers, were not Brits however, but Armenian, born in Iran. Regardless, Raffles is the epitome of English, colonial grandeur, with sweeping staircases, clipped lawns and polished brass. In December 1887, a ten-roomed hotel opened its doors – today there are 103 suites. The Tiffin Room was opened in 1892. In 1987 the hotel was designated a National Monument by the Singapore Government.

The Tiffin Room is white, airy and spacious, with huge picture windows. Holding the hands of my two princesses, we entered with a great sense of occasion. There was a familiar smell in the air and it wasn't the aroma of tea. Forget the sandwiches. I had mistaken tiffin for tiffin, and they are entirely different.

It’s fascinating how names have evolved over time, and taken on different meanings. After my visit I asked several people what they thought the word “tiffin” meant. Half said afternoon tea and half said curry. A little research was required to get to the bottom of this confusion, and here are the results:

Tiffin is slang for a snack between meals, such as second breakfast or an afternoon tea. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word itself is derived from the word “tiffing”, which is now obsolete, and means to take “a little drink or sip”. The term tiffin originated in British India. In South India and Nepal, tiffin is a general term used to describe a snack between meals. In other parts of India, such as Mumbai, the term refers to a packed lunch of rice, dal, curry and spices, and the special container became known as the tiffin-box.

Ironically, curry has practically become the modern British national dish, so I shouldn't have been surprised. I have to admit though to being a bit of a lightweight when it comes to spicy foods, and I wondered what Madeleine and Tilda would think. Tilda, it turns out, has inherited my delicate taste buds. Madeleine, on the other hand, vacuumed everything up, exciting by the opportunity to try new tastes.

The lunchtime curry buffet caters for lightweights and those hardened to spice. Creamy chicken curries, crisp poppadoms, aromatic lentil curries, sweet treats and, to top it off, an Indian Sauvignon Blanc, that was surprising fresh, pairing perfectly with the spices.

So I have learnt that tiffin is a curry meal. And given its alternative meaning as a snack between meals, we plan to return to The Tiffin Room for afternoon tea in our Princess dresses another day.

The practical bit:
Where to find it: Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road, Singapore, 189673
Contact details: dining.singapore@raffles.com, +65 6412 1816
A bit of fact: In August 1902, the last tiger to be killed in Singapore was hunted down at the Raffles Hotel, and was shot while cowering under the Bar and Billiard Room. 

#raffles #restaurant #tiffin #singapore

Top phone apps for expats
At the age of seven, in the early 1980s, I moved to Kuwait with my family. We didn’t have a telephone. There wasn’t a door-to-door postal system. But we did have a tape recorder.

I remember my mother barring us from the living room as she recorded her message home, trying to sound as natural as possible, while feeling terribly self-conscious.

Three decades later I moved from the UK to the US with a baby and a toddler. The wide-open plains of Chicago were bewildering to me. I didn’t recognise the shops brands and I didn’t know the landmarks, so navigation was a huge issue.

And then technology came along in the form of an iPhone (other products are available!).

I have to say that technology helped me to find my feet. Having access to broadband on the go meant I had access to maps, and more importantly a little blue dot telling me where I was. I would never be lost again. I was able to shop online, check out reviews, book restaurant and cinema reservations.

And most importantly I was able to call home, for free.

So which apps and websites are currently helping expats find their feet? Here’s our list, but we’re love to hear your favourites. Drop us a line.

International favourites:
·      Skype – call another computer for free using video. Buy credit to call landlines.
·      iTranslate – getting used to another language? Try asking for a courgette or augbergine in an American supermarket (sorry, grocery store).
·      Google Maps – you’re lost without it.
·      Facebook – I was never a fan until I became an expat. Now it’s the easiest way to keep up with life in the mother country.
·      Dropbox – keep your documents and photos on a cloud and you’ll have access wherever you go.
·      Convertbot – for changing your life from centimetres to inches, and from pounds to dollars.
·      iPlayer radio – for getting your BBC Radio 2 fix.
·      Stannp – send a postcard using your own photos.

UAE apps:
·      The Entertainer – 2-4-1 deals on restaurants, spas and hotels. Just flicking through the deals helps you to get an overview of what it’s like to live there. Also now available in Singapore.
·      Careem – a great chauffeur car app. Clean, courteous and safe – the cars and the app.
·      The Dubai Mall – helping you to navigate around the biggest shopping centre in the world.

Singapore apps:
·      How2Go: Helping you get from A2B via public transport.
·      ComfortDelGro Taxi booking: Does what it says on the tin.
·      Redmart: Grocery shopping is tricky without a car, but for dry goods Redmart is a great place to start.

Do you have some gems to share?
Join our free Expat Explorers' Club for the chance to win luxury hotel stays.

I am a rubbish patient. I’ll be the first to admit it, and my husband will be the first to tell everyone.  I’m not the type to raise the back of my hand to a fevered brow and weakly wail while lounging on the sofa. I pretend there is nothing wrong, soldier on, act like the world won’t function without me, until I drop and can no longer move. The simple truth is, illness is an inconvenience that I don’t have time for.

This week I have had to make time. I have just emerged from the fog of Dengue Fever – a tropical disease that worries most expats. I don’t usually write such personal posts, but by sharing my experience it might give a little insight into the symptoms to look out for.

How do you catch Dengue Fever?
I haven’t really worked out of the point of mosquitos yet, and they are the main culprit in spreading Dengue Fever. To prevent getting Dengue you need to prevent getting bitten. Your compound may use fogging as a means of keeping the mosquito population down. Mosquitos breed in water so make sure there is no standing water in your garden/ balcony: This includes potted plant saucers. Dengue is carried by several types of mosquitos, including the black and white striped zebra mosquitos, which can bite at any time of night and day, not just dawn and dusk. However, not every mosquito is a carrier – just enough to make you paranoid. Covering up and using mosquito repellant is the best line of defence. Never again will I curse when the fogging man comes round and I’ve forgotten to shut the window. The good news is that it is not contagious. Your children cannot catch it from you, although they are at risk if there is a Dengue mosquito around.

What is Dengue Fever like?
Each patient reacts differently. The bad news is that in a small number of cases, Dengue, also known as breakbone fever, can be life-threatening. The main risk is a fall in your platelet count, causing Dengue hemorrhagic fever. This results in bleeding, blood plasma leakage and dangerously low blood pressure, and is dealt with by a blood transfusion.

For most people, Dengue is uncomfortable and tiring. You need to drink plenty, and may need intravenous fluid. After ten days, I feel almost normal but very tired. The best advice is to take it easy and accept it takes time to recover.

What is the treatment for Dengue Fever?
There are no antiviral drugs to ease the symptoms directly. You may be given folic acid, and anti-acid prescriptions, in order to avoid stomach bleeding. Your doctor may be able to give you something for the nausea and an antihistamine for the itching. The best treatment is rest and drinking plenty of fluids – you just have to ride it out. I was asked to drink up to ten litres a day.

I visited the hospital daily for intravenous drips and blood tests, which checked my platelet levels and my liver function. I declined their kind offer of hospitality, but was a borderline case. 

There is no vaccine, and the risks are higher if you catch it a second time.

Dengue Symptoms:
·       Two days of “crawling” skin, similar to flu;
·       Two days of aching muscles and joints as if I’d just run a marathon;
·       A week of lethargy, restlessness and poor sleep;
·       Loss of appetite, nausea;
·       Headaches, chills, weakness, dehydration;
·       Memory blindspots;
·       Low energy and general tiredness;
·       Low platelet count – Mine reached 90, and it is possible to be hospitalized for a blood transfusion if the count drops too low.
·       A rash that covers the body and can be intensely itchy, or feel like extreme pins and needles. This is due to blood leaking out of the blood vessels.
·       The symptoms can be similar to chikunhunya, which is also spread by mosquitos, and causes joint pain.

Looking for more information?
Singapore currently has a number of red zones, classified by the number of confirmed Dengue cases. The Singapore National Environment Agency takes Dengue very seriously and all cases are reported to them. An official may contact you to find out where you think you caught it. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that you will be able to send the culprit to an identity parade.

If you want to check the area you live visit: http://www.x-dengue.com/
National Environment Agency: http://www.dengue.gov.sg/
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Need a break? Win a luxury hotel stay

We've partnered up with some great organisations with some super prizes, including:

• Cambodia holiday: Two free nights at the award winning Shinta Mani Club in Siem Reap.
• Cambodia holiday: Two nights for the price of one at the boutique Plantation hotel in Phnom Penh.
• UK: Win 2-4-1 weeknight stay in August at the historic Hope House, Woodstock, UK. Steeped in history, and surrounded by beautiful countryside.
• For new expats in Singapore: 8-hour familiarisation tour of the "Little Red Dot" to give you an insight into the best educational, cultural and historical attractions, as well as the city's food havens.

Click here to take part.
Winners are chosen randomly and you will be contacted by the prize-giver if you are successful.

Kids and bike in tow: Bintan Triathlon
After living in Singapore for six months we decided we needed an antidote to the urban jungle so we booked a weekend away on an island paradise.

If you’re thinking that we lay on the beach letting the warm, blue sea lap our toes, or sipped cocktails by the pool, you might be misled by thinking this was a relaxing trip. I decided to enter the Bintan Triathlon, and packed my bike, running shoes and family cheer squad.

I like sport, and I like active holidays, so combining this with travel is the perfect solution. And the Bintan Triathlon is a little different. Yes, it’s full of adrenaline-pumped athletes, with jangling nerves, and pent-up anticipation. But it’s also a family event and a great way to introduce your children to the sport.

I took part in the Sprint event, which given my speed, I’ve always thought was a rather inaccurate description. After a 750m swim and 20km bike ride, I managed to break a record in the run; for the slowest time I’d ever recorded. I blame it on the environment. The scenery is breathtaking, and therefore rather distracting, with swaying palm trees and sun bleached beaches. And it was rather hot and a little hilly compared to Singapore. Like every athlete I can make excuses for my lacking performance.

The Bintan Triathlon isn’t a “turn up and go” event. It takes a little planning. You need to book accommodation and a ferry ticket. You need to get your head around the logistics of where your bike should be. But it’s well organised and a great weekend away for the family. After all, you need your children to be on the sidelines so you can high-five them on the way round. Although, I wasn’t exactly chuffed when my four-year-old sprinted down the finishing chute, beating me across the line, and claiming my medal.

While I was huffing and puffing around the bike course the children were well entertained, building sandcastles on the beach, riding elephants (what other triathlon can claim that?!) and wallowing in the produce of a huge foam machine. They also got to taste the excitement and feel the electricity in the charged atmosphere that makes events of this kind so compelling. 

It’s not necessarily about being the fastest. It’s about the camaraderie, the shared experience and the achievement of reaching a goal.

I won’t push my children to take part in triathlons when they are old enough, although I hope they enjoy sport and keep healthy, but if they understand the importance of making a goal and working towards it, sport has taught them something.

If you fancy taking part in a triathlon, take a look at our kit list. Have we missed anything off?

Celebrity interview: Chris “Macca” McCormack
The start line is a unique and exciting place to be, with nerves and energy at straining point. This year we shared our start line with sporting royalty. Two-times Ironman champion Chris McCormack joined the race. He couldn’t decide whether to race in the Sprint or the Olympic race – so he ran, and won, both.

Macca, a Aussie, started his triathlon career when he took part in his first race at the age of 18. He’s now 41 has three children of his own, aged 10, seven and three.

He said: “I’ll be doing this for the rest of my life. I love it. I forced myself because I have a dream to chase. I encourage my kids to find their way and I’ll support their dreams. It’s a great way to get rid of adrenaline before settling down to study.”

The practical bit:
Several companies operate ferry services to Bintan. Your choice will depend on your destination; there are several ports on the other side depending on where your hotel is located. The Bintan Lagoon Resort has its very own terminal and immigration staff. Your hotel will often help you with your booking. The ferry leaves Singapore from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal near Changi.

Bintan is part of Indonesia so you’ll need a visa, which you can buy on arrival in Singapore or US dollars. Indonesia is also an hour behind Singapore.

If you want to take your own bike to Bintan you need to pre-book it onto the ferry. Remember to take off all the bits that you hang on your bike so they don’t fall off: water bottles, pump, fluffy dice.

The Bintan Triathlon celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. Over the past decade 11,113 people have taken part; 509 athletes joined the race in 2005. This year there were 1,300 competitors. For more information on the Bintan Triathlon: www.bintantriathlon.com

We've just put together a triathlon kit list to help you get your stuff together on race day. Have we missed anything?