Singapore The Travel Show

Do you want it spicy, or do you want it kind of medium?

This week I'm feeling the heat in the kitchens of Singapore.

We're a well oiled machine here but I'm feeling the pressure.

You want a go, don't you?

You want a go.

Well, you're going to have to catch me first.

LAUGHTER

Tommy's on the case in global gadgets.

And Ben is making his own dinner in Vietnam.

You pop this into the...

Yes.

Tiddler, tiddler, tiddler.

And there we go, boom.

There you go.

To start this week we're in Singapore.

The city state is renowned for its cuisine and street food,

or hawker food as they call it here, is a national obsession.

This is Singapore's largest hawker market in the heart of Chinatown.

It's ram packed with stalls selling traditional dishes.

One stall in particular is causing quite a stir.

This queue is absolutely humongous, full of all sorts of people

from Singapore, from around the world.

There's a lot of tourists here.

You imagine they are queueing for some sort of concert,

but in fact it is for that hawker stall over there.

It is one of two recipients in Singapore who have actually

achieved a Michelin star.

So, we're going to meet the chef.

Hawker Chan!

Hi!

Wow, thank you so much.

How are you?

Good to meet you.

So busy.

My God, this place is teeny tiny.

Hello.

How are you?

Right, this is what a traditional hawker actually looks like.

Very small.

This is the chef extraordinaire, hawker Chan.

He's been cutting this for over 30 years, right?

Yeah.

Wow.

I attempt to give hawker Chan a hand serving crowds of people.

Do you want it spicy, do you want it kind of medium?

Spicy.

Is that OK?

Chilli, yeah?

The stall has become famous for serving the world's

cheapest Michelin star meal.

We're a well oiled machine here but I'm feeling the pressure.

So, one sauce here?

One portion costs less than $2.

But the wait can be up to three hours.

For the rice, which is boiling.

That was pretty good.

I have a chicken order and a chicken rice of takeaway.

OK.

The interesting part is that they're all queueing up for one

or two different dishes.

There's either rice on offer with the chicken or some noodles.

So it's very specialist.

And a black sauce.

OK.

One, two...

Wow, this is boiling.

Three.

And so do you think you receiving a Michelin star as a hawker

will raise the profile and hopefully inspire a new generation

of chefs and hawkers?

It's hoped the star reward might mean more young people consider

a career in the street markets.

Hawker expert Dr Leslie Tay explains there are fears that

the tradition might die out.

Singapore's prosperity, development, has got to a stage where the young

people are getting a good education.

Most of the hawkers don't want their kids to do what they do

because it is hard work, it's hot, long hours.

And if you sell any of the hawker food for more than $3 or $4,

people will start to question.

So, three or four bucks for a plate of food which is done with passion,

and maybe 70 years of history, and you can only sell it

for four bucks.

That's the main thing which is preventing young people

from going into it.

We have to change the perception of hawker food as being cheap.

And the lack of young chefs is reflected in the clientele.

If you come to a typical hawker centre like this and you look

around, you notice all the people here are of a certain age group.

Very few younger people.

The young people don't find these places hip enough.

Some food courts have opened up which has incorporated a lot

of new ideas which I think will appeal to a lot

of young people.

The next morning I had to check out one of these new food complexes.

Timbre+, which aims to put a trendy spin on the traditional hawker

centre, selling food from shipping containers and caravans rather

than market stalls.

6am here in the morning in Singapore and I'm just about to meet

Kelly who is a whole new generation of hawker.

Wow.

So this is like a full one-woman operation.

Just me in the morning.

Just you in the morning?

What's this for?

This is for the cashew.

We also have our own barbecue pork.

Your own barbecue pork.

Correct.

That's rare in most restaurants.

They get either get someone else to do it for you, but you actually

wake up at an ungodly hour just to put pork in the boiler.

Yeah.

What are the sauce this is actually marinating in?

It is my dad's secret recipe.

It's a secret recipe!

It's a generational thing?

So your dad was a hawker before?

Yes, he was.

And he did the same sort of thing, the noodles.

Yes, he did.

OK.

Timbre+ is a new concept.

It's not really a hawker centre.

They describe it as as a food arena kind of style thing.

Is that changing the perception of hawker food?

I think it is.

And places like this encourage more youngsters to actually start up

businesses in a maybe little bit better environment.

It's not a traditional hawker centre.

It's more rowdy.

I revamped my logo to suit this place because it's more

like hipster area.

It's still hot and hard work but it is hoped these new more

contemporary surroundings will encourage the next generation

of Singaporeans to keep creating some of the best street food

in the world.

Next up, Brad Coen heads underground to check out Moldova's 4000-year-old

tradition of winemaking.

For decades the USSR treated Moldova as its personal vineyard.

At one point making this tiny nation the seventh largest

wine producer on earth.

Since Soviet rule, state-run Milestii Mici winery has housed

the world's largest wine collection.

About 65 million litres in a 200 kilometre limestone cave system.

That you can drive through.

If you can look just in front of us that is a wall door on wheels.

This may close and open.

Of course, everything was hidden and no one could realise

there is something behind the wall.

Milestii Mici has a number of hidden treasures,

like this secret door.

A throwback to Soviet prohibition from 1985 until 1987.

When the government physically destroyed Moldovan vineyards

and crippled its wine industry.

This was to hide wine from the government,

right?

Yes.

But isn't this government owned?

Yeah.

So the government was hiding wine from the government?

This is the story.

Just a legend, of course.

About 35 kilometres south, state owned winery Cricova holds

the world's second-largest wine collection.

It stretches through 120 kilometres of tunnels and reaches depths

of 80 metres underground.

Historical wines from Hermann Goering's private collection.

He was the official successor of Hitler in the Second World War.

Bottles from his collection.

Can you drink a bottle of Goring's wine?

No.

I would get some sort of sick pleasure from it.

Despite its wide collection, Cricova is most famous

for its sparkling wine.

Cricova is a unique wine enterprise in Moldova,

which produces sparkling wine with traditional methods.

Noroc! Noroc!

After experiencing the history of Moldovan wine, I was curious

to see what its future holds.

So I headed to acclaimed boutique winery Et Cetera.

We have wine country but we forgot about our local,

indigenous varieties.

Et Cetera is only the second winery to reintroduce Feteasca Neagra.

A local variety that disappeared from the Moldovan landscape

during Soviet control.

When quantity of wine was of much bigger concern than quality.

This is something between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

To be honest I don't know how it's supposed to be.

Because I've never tried the perfect Feteasca Neagra, which I would love.

A Russian ban on Moldovan wine in 2006 forced Moldovan wineries

like Et Cetera to start making better wines for European tastes.

Another wine embargoed from Russia in 2013 has local vineyards

continuing efforts to improve their product.

But only those willing to make the journey to Moldova will discover

the secrets of the world's most unique wine destination.

Stay with us on The Travel Show, because coming up...

Ha, ha, ho ho!

We're getting the giggles in Vietnam.

The Travel Show, your weekly dose of destination inspiration.

Hello and welcome to Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport.

You know me, I like to bring you the gadgets that

make your travelling world a little bit easier.

And today I'm on the case.

I mean literally on the case.

This looks like a scooter but with a difference.

It comes with a suitcase on the front, plus handy Bluetooth

speakers within the body of the case.

It's quite easy to use and the handlebars collapse.

The footplate can be easily stowed away, turning your scooter

into the suitcase.

With a 26-litre luggage capacity, this is sure to get you noticed

at any airport.

One thing you have to consider is that this case is significantly

heavier than your average carry on luggage.

It's got the scooter, the speakers, and the tech,

all built into it.

But aside from that, it's a whole lot of fun,

and I know what you're thinking, you want a go, don't you?

You want a go.

Well, you're going to have to catch me first!

Nowadays when you're travelling with just carry-on

luggage, the process is really simple.

I mean, you can do most things online and beat all the queues

at the actual airport.

However, when you've got checked in luggage it's a bit lengthier.

You've got to go get the tags and then see someone at the counter

to get it all checked in.

Hi.

Good afternoon, where are you flying to?

Flying to Munich.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thankfully, the people who have made this case are trying to make

the whole process just a bit more simple.

With this piece of luggage you will be able to check

in your bag from home using nothing more than your smartphone,

and then simply drop it off when you arrive at the airport.

And whilst they can't guarantee that your airline

won't lose your bag, the digital tag somehow feels safer

than a flimsy paper one.

The magic lies in the electronic tag itself which replaces the normal tie

on labels with a digital data module, to which the airline's

luggage data is transmitted.

You can personalise the tag by way of the companion app,

and flight data will automatically be sent to the selected piece

of luggage and shown on the display.

So, the process is simplified, but the technology is only supported

by one airline in a very limited number of airports.

But there is talk of other airports and airlines getting

on board, so the prospects for the future seem promising.

But the moment it's a lot of money for something you can't really

use that much.

For me, hands-free equals hassle-free, but I never thought

that would be something which would apply to luggage.

Meet the cowarobot, a case that follows you around.

Now, this is definitely different.

It's a fully autonomous smart suitcase which the makers claim

is a world first.

It follows you around while trying to avoid obstacles in its path.

It comes packed with other tech inside as well and will be

on sale next month.

It feels like your very own pet is following you around

in the airport.

It does feel quite odd to begin with.

But this is just a prototype.

It's not even out yet.

What they're going to do is turn this technology into a bracelet

so you can wear it on your wrist or even have it in coin form

in your pocket which pairs up with the case.

They're also going to introduce a camera sensor which allows

the case to have its own bearings and effectively navigates its way

through the crowds at a busy airport.

You've also got here quite a practical compartment

where you can put your tablets, essential documents and a charging

station, so you can keep your mobile phone powered up whilst you're

on the move.

This is the future, my friends.

Come here, boy, let's go.

Next this week, our Trip Star Challenge.

We've been all over social media getting your tips for things to do

in six amazing cities worldwide.

There you go, that's a good idea.

The response has been great so far, and this week with a bounce

in his step and a fully charged phone Ben heads off for some fun

in the Far East.

South-east Asian cities are often buzzy and bustling.

But right in the middle of Vietnam's's capital Hanoi,

the Hook Bridge offers a chance to escape.

There's been a bit of a social media boom here.

Vietnam is one of Facebook's fastest-growing markets.

So I'm going to use that enthusiasm to improve my time here.

So, with a few clever Facebook posts, some nice tweets and some

well-placed Instagram pictures, you can have yourself your own

travel DIY handbook.

Let's see how far it gets me.

An early start.

It gets so hot in this city that exercise is only comfortable very

early in the morning.

It's 6am in Hanoi and there are people doing exercise everywhere.

Aerobics, football, cycling, badminton.

I like these guys who are getting a free class by standing

on the other side of the road.

So we've heard about something called laughing yoga

and this has got to be it.

Ho Ho!

Ha ha!

Ho ho!

Ha ha!

Ho ho!

Ha ha!

Hahahahahaha!

Hohohohohoho!

Silent.

Smile, but silent.

Smile but silent, OK.

LAUGHTER.

Oh my God.

I must have upset this lady.

She's going for it.

Oh my goodness.

Ho ho!

This is ridiculous and also hilarious.

I genuinely feel a bit happier.

I thought I'd feel awkward but I don't feel awkward

because everyone's going for it.

Very good!

Oh!

There you go, someone's getting their toenails cut

on the street.

So, it's still early morning, and now I need some coffee,

to get that energy back.

Someone suggested trying egg coffee.

I'm not really sure what that is.

But I think it's in this place.

Is it?

Yes.

I'm not quite sure how you order egg coffee in this place.

Do I just take a seat?

Yeah, I take a seat.

There we go.

There we go, thank you.

This looks weird.

You can see the egg yolk.

So it's coffee and they crack an egg on it.

Just stir it up.

I have to stir it up?

But have they just cracked an egg on it?

They do it a little bit like whipping cream.

They whip it.

So it's a coffee with an omelette inside?

Sounds delicious.

Got to get the hand motion in there.

It's nice.

Taste like coffee with egg in.

Mmmm!

Nice.

Very sweet.

I'm keen to see a bit more of the city and I know these

boneshakers the way to do it.

So I find a guide.

Hello, Elena, nice to meet you.

Hello, nice to meet you!

I'm Ben, how are you doing?

Thank you for showing me around.

I'm going to get on our ridiculously small cyclo and get awkwardly close.

Elena is one of Hanoi's top vloggers.

She sings and gives out dating advice.

I think people come here to relax.

And people come here to visit the night market.

And the history.

Yeah, the history.

This is very beautiful.

The most thing I like in Hanoi, I like the smell, the trees,

they smell very good in the winter.

Do they?

Yeah.

This is very scary.

Oh my God.

It can be very dangerous.

Oh!

Why are we going through a red light?

Because we are just going when the rest...

SINGS.

Here we go.

Think we've made it, we've made it.

It's so noisy.

You know, this is barbecue street food.

You take a bit of this.

Yeah.

I've never had udders before.

You pop it into the...

Yes.

Tiddler, tiddler, tiddler.

One, two, three , boom.

There you go.

I've got magic.

There you go, one right there.

Oh!

He's put another one in.

He's getting dangerous.

I'm getting into this whole Vietnamese street food thing.

Here you go, I made you a sandwich.

It's the moment of truth.

Does she like it?

Mmmm.

It's good, it tastes good?

I am a fast learner.

This place is good, I like it.

What makes Hanoi special?

It is a beautiful place.

The people in Hanoi are very friendly.

And the food is very delicious.

Very delicious.

There's nothing quite like cooking at your table to help you bond

with a new friend.

And to think, I'd never even have found this place if it weren't

for the power of social media.

I'm afraid that's all the time we have for this week.

But I do hope you've enjoyed joining us once again on our travels.

Catch us next week if you can, when...

Carmen is in Vladivostok in the far east of Russia,

exploring one of the city's oldest districts, Millionka.

In the early 1900s it was a nest of crime controlled by gangs,

but now tourists are heading there to explore its historic

alleyways and unique buildings.

I love this mishmash of architecture and ruins.

These tiny alleyways remind me of Beijing.

Although you will be hard pressed to find any now because they have

mostly been bulldozed to make way for new developments.

And some people here in Vladivostok are worried that with time,

this city within a city could suffer the same fate.

That is next week.

Before I go, don't forget to check out our social media feeds.

All of the details are on your screen now.

But from me, Henry Golding, and the rest of The Travel Show team

here in Singapore, it's goodbye.

Hello.