The list on this webpage is dedicated to our Friends who shares our philosophy in travelling and living. We encourage you to visit their websites and perhaps be inspired by what they do or believe.

Community Support Sites

Website	Location	Summary
	Joo Chiat, Katong, Singapore	Joo Chiat is a district in transition, seeking a balance between community and commercial needs. The revitalisation efforts is documented on the myjoochiat.com.
	Hanoi, Vietnam	Michael came through to us by way of the M1 Fringe Festival with Chiyin (journalist/ photographer). Blue Dragon Children's Foundation aims to help street children across Vietnam to secure a better future through education, training and job placement.

Fellow Travellers

Website	Location	Summary
	Germany, The World	The next venture of Mark Holleman, a series of Study Guides for university students in courses such as Finance, Accounting, Economics, MBA etc.
	Singapore	The Adventures of Tan Wee Cheng is collection of personal travel stories around the globe. Wee Cheng has a reputation for his ability to travel on a strict budget and eye for detail, and, very few people can say that they have travelled over 100 countries on the rough.
	Finland Germany	Daniel and Riikka dropped by at the hostel in Jan 2004 during their "Around the world in 365 days". They have a huge collection of images from all parts of the world which made us kindah envious... (btw Daniel, if you are reading this, you are right about Mark!)
	Belgium	Mario wandered into our hostel not quite sure what to expect from Singapore. For this 19 year old, the wanderlust started long ago and he is on his way from Belgium through to Australia overland... AND back! and on strict budget. Mario's trip is inspirational to all of us who wish to just junk it and go travelling.
	Singapore	CuiFen went to our website recently and dropped us a message on our guestbook. I know that a number of people out there use our guestbook as a means of propogating their websites but curiousity got the better of me and I read her blog. Her views and observations are actually quite inspiring, and, reflective of the typical young Singaporean graduate. Her gallery have some excellent photos.
Two Wombats in Asia	Australia	Wyn and Ulla are two Australian grandmothers who are currently cycling across South East Asia. Their website and blog are updated as often as they can during their trip. Safe journey, ladies!
	Holland	Sjakie's reis door Azie! Adventures of Sharon Bronsdjik through South East Asia and Beyond!
	Singapore	We met Tony Ting during the process of creating a travellers community to provide an avenue for local Singaporean Backpackers to meet overseas Travellers. During one of the stops, Tony was particularly interested in taking protraits of individuals and asking somewhat philosophical and personal questions. We found out that, Tony Ting has a website in the style of photojournalism which showcases his work and observations.
	UK	www.TravelTheEart.net is an independant website built by primarily one guy (Sam Downes) travelling the world. It has reviews on the accomodation, things to do in all the places he has been and loads of photos. It is designed as an online travel guide with countries including - OZ, NZ, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo with more to come.... Also check out the popular guestbook - you might even see someone on there you have met already!
	France	Conservationist, Technologist, Traveller... Marc-Antoine Dunais is one of our regular guests at the hostel as he travels through Asia. Marc's website covers mainly his core interest areas.
	Limbo, Wunderlust	Eric is Mark's dad and a large majority of our original photograhs that line our walls come from his private collection of ethnic travel photographs and slides. Eric and Meriam (Mark's mum) are prolific travellers; enjoying their well deserved retirement by "seeing the world". Many of our guests were impressed by Eric's work and some even offered to buy them... well, now you can!
	Limbo, Wanderlust	Michael Ambjorn dropped by at Betel Box with Florence; another travel addict-neighbour-henna artist-writer-juggler-philosoher (btw, Flo is available for henna parties). Michael on the other hand, more sober and responsible, is still making his way around the world, snapping pictures (that we would have taken if we have remembered the camera, batteries, spare film etc). Visit often as Michael is adding new sections as often as he can. Also, check out Michael's funny video "Singapore- City of Signs"

Sports/ Action/ Adventure

Website	Location	Summary
	Singapore	Living a dream at times mean taking risks. Halil and Philip would know because they run a rock climbing centre in a Little India shophouse. Climbing facilities include artificial rock walls of varying levels of difficulty and a cool chillout area looking into the gardens of the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. Aside from certification courses, Climb Asia does weekend climbs into Malaysia and facilitation for rock walls demonstration. If you are a keen rock climber, Climb Asia also published 2 books on outdoor rock climbing in Singapore and Malaysia. The books include excellent illustrations of climb routes and surface features of rock walls.
	Manado, Indonesia	Andrew Lok is the only person that I know that can sleep underwater. I've known him for 5 years since doing my Padi Open Water and followed him through 3 diving business ventures. Andrew's latest project, Odyssea Divers is in Manado is just across from the world famous diving destination of Bunaken Island. Hmm... maybe I should just move there and start on my long overdue DM course...
	Singapore	Eric and Karen operate Eko Asia Pacific; a dive equipment and dive travel company based in Singapore. Distributing both Ralf Tech Pro Diving Equipment and Force Fins. Another entrant to our government's entrepreneurship drive, both of them have the passion (for diving and each other) and business acumen to take on the competitive scuba diving industry.
	Bali, Indonesia	Peter dropped by awhile ago to stay with us and we found out that he is actually living out a dream that most of us had at some time in our lives... tropical island, sandy beaches and doing what one loves. So, check out Surf Travel Online which covers mainly surf camps and boat charters in Indonesia.
	Katong, Singapore	New to our district, Katong Gym is a family-run gym and fitness centre staffed by professional personal trainers focused on providing expert fitness advice. Katong Gym is well-positioned to take advantage of the lifestyle associated with being close to the beach and next door to some of the best foods in Singapore.
	Singapore	Campers Corner

Food!

Website	Location	Summary
	Joo Chiat, Singapore	Guan Hoe Soon is one of the oldest Peranakan Restaurants in Singapore with its roots firmly set in the Joo Chiat and Katong district. A rich heritage that reaches back to the days of Mr Chew Joo Chiat when the district was still relatively undeveloped. This restaurant chain is one of the best restaurants to sample authentic Peranakan cuisine.
	Ceylon Road, Singapore	Where do you find in Katong, a nicely decorated restaurant with open air dinning serving excellent European and Eurasian food? The secret is out, its at the Eurasian Association Community Clubhouse on Ceylon Road; barely 3 mins walk from Betel Box. Jasmine cooks up the best roast lamb cutlet in Singapore that I've tasted and it even comes with mint sauce! Even the Tiger beers are cheap at around S$15 per jug!
	Haig Road, Singapore	I came across Ruqxana on a food mailing list that I subscribe to. Her cooking school, Cookery Magic, is down the road where we are located. (It is exciting to find a neighbour who is just as passionate about food as we are!) Ruqxana's introduction to Asian foods and cooking classes in Singapore are conducted in her home kitchen and outings are organised to traditional wet markets like the one in Geylang Serai.
	Joo Chiat Place, Singapore	I hate to be biased but Chilli Padi is my favourite nonya restaurant. Its a mixture of things, the taste, causalness of the environment and the staff. Jack and Jessica are nice people that I look forward to meeting each time I go to their restaurant. My favourite dishes there are their kueh pie tie, ayam buakaulat and ayam kepiting.
	Joo Chiat Place, Singapore	I finally met the actual "Kim Choo" last week! We were on our food walk tour and we regularly stop at Kim Choo Kueh Chang for their rice dumpling. This nice lady showed us into the kitchen area and even showed us how to make the various bak changs. I later found out that this elegant lady is madame "Kim Choo". (its like an audience with the queen!) Anyways, Kim Choo has several outlets in Singapore and I like the one on Joo Chiat Place because of "real world" feel of Singapore. Next to a crowded street and Singaporeans of all social classes drop by and stand in queue to be served. Kim Choo has another shop on East Coast Road. Compared to the one on Joo Chiat Place, this outlet is definitely more up market and have live demonstration of making bak chang intended more for tourists. Raymond, third generation of the "Kim Choo" clan, is extremely knowledgeable of all-things-Peranakan and would be the best person to show you around his giftshop upstairs.
	Singapore, Singapore	Ai Ling is attempting to capture the origins of foods in Singapore and to document some of the stories behind the foods. Check out SingaporeFoodHistory.com - Good read for those really into Singapore Foods!

Artists

Website	Location	Summary
	Singapore	Our very own Min who is an aspiring young artist was at Raffles City (above City Hall MRT) creating art on pavements. Min who painted our front door mural of a betel nut tree is more used to abstracts and impressionist styles. Her works have graced the National Day Parade at the National Stadium and even the Esplanade. At the Raffles City, Min and Carl created copies of Picasso's works on paper and pavement. Chalks were provided for the public to join in the fun of scribbling and drawing on pavements. Check out a sample of Min's works in action. Min shares a website with her dad who is a well-known watercolour artist.
	Singapore	Charlene is a neighbour of Betel Box in Katong and she dropped by... for what original reasons I cannot remember... we chatted over the arts scene, hostels and SG in general. I told her that it is a aspiration of mine to host artwork at the hostel from artists from the Katong district. I was awed by Charlene's works the first time I saw it as I never thought such talent exist in Singapore. Not to mention the illustrations of goreous of women that is almost every man's fantasy....
	USA	The first time I met William Holden, he introduced himself as an inventor. William is the second inventor I've met and it does sounds like a great job without being in a real job. He design amongst other things, artistic and commerical fountains. Prolific cleaner, he must be the most conscientious guest we ever had the hostel. I moved away from the kitchen for a couple of minutes and lo and behold the dirty dishes gets done.
	London, UK	Paul Preacher is an ex-colleague of mine from the dotcom days. Man, those were the days.... the energy of a bunch of young people trying to change the world. Well, those days have came and gone but some things just gets better like Paul's photography and digital image doctoring techniques. Check out his website, there's some goreous pictures of his beautiful wife Catherine and his CUUUTEEEE baby Aodhan.

Affliated Oragnisations

Website	Location	Summary
	Singapore	Our alma mater University College London and its alumnus in Singapore. I guess our interests in setting up in Singapore may have really started in UCL when I dragged my then housemate Mark to all these weird UCL Singapore Society events all over London. Ahh... those were the days...
	Singapore	We took 3 months in selecting a location for the hostel and we chose Katong over other ethnic quarters for its distributed representation of all cultures in Singapore, its history, foods, architecture etc. One of the things that won us over was the fierce loyalty a Katonite (person from Katong) has of his community. We met with Dave Ong and team and were convinced that a revival of Katong was eminent through the setup of the Katong Heritage and Business Association.

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