KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 30): Keen to explore a vacation island that has more than meets the eye? Try Phuket; it’s not all about parties and naughty nightlife. Parts of the old town harbour sacred sites and traditions that hold surprising attractions for the modern traveller, from tasteful reincarnations of old mansions to a java haven that doubles as a cinematheque and bookstore, or restaurants where guests can find food that provides solace as they fuel. If sustainability is on your mind, get a social enterprise to curate activities — coconut-picking, releasing berried female crab back into the sea — that connect you with nature.

Schneider Electric is in the business of leading digital transformation for energy management and automation. Chief marketing officer Chris Leong talks about why that is important, especially with the world experiencing the single-biggest energy transition now. Schneider was ranked the world’s most sustainable company in 2021. Leong is among the 2022 Forbes World’s Most Influential CMOs — the third time she is on its list. Born in the backwaters of Kuala Lumpur, she talks about ethics, talent and working for self-fulfilment.

You can have your cake and eat it, even if you are diabetic or on a vegan diet. Five Two Foods whips up desserts that are gluten-, sugar- and dairy-free for those who used to have to watch others enjoy sweet treats. Among its 18 cake choices are Mango, Earl Grey Blueberry, Chocolate and Lemon Ginger Chia.

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative begins once again, with the company announcing names of participants for 2023 to 2024. Created in 2002, this programme pairs young artists in a variety of disciplines from around the world with artistic masters for a period of creative collaboration, in a one-to-one mentoring relationship. Find out who will be working together in visual arts, literature, film, architecture and music.

Read more in the Oct 31, 2022 issue of The Edge Malaysia weekly.

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