Charmaine Phua, Senior Producer-Presenter at Power 98FM, hosts “The Impromptu Two” with Dee Kosh on weekdays from 9pm till midnight.

A graduate of Sociology and Communications, she has been trained in Speech and Drama since young, and taught Drama during her under-graduate years. Having the extraordinary ability to fall asleep to the pounding sounds of trance, and known to enjoy alternative tunes too, Charmaine’s love for music across the genres and her sense of adventure fuelled the passion and desire for a career in radio. She enjoys hawker food as much as home-cooked goodness or fine dining fare, and managed to travel at least once a month for most of last year (with hopes to achieve that same goal in 2017).

Follow her food, travel and cooking journey on Instagram: @charmainephua.

1.WHAT IS YOUR DREAM DESTINATION AND WHY?

Can I say Europe without sounding greedy? Hahaha! I think in particular, I’ve been obsessed with Spain (been on 3 separate trips in the past 2 years to different areas in the country), because I love the food, culture, people, history and shopping too! I’ve travelled there solo, and despite many warnings about pickpockets, I’ve been lucky to never have had anything but good experiences and memories across the various parts of Spain. Be it Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastián, Sevilla or the many other towns dotted in between – it has never let me down!

2.THREE THINGS THAT YOU COULD NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT?

A map, a sense of curiosity, and a list of recommendations from friends.

I am a firm believer of making good use of my time and not wasting calories on bad food – that’s when recommendations and a bit of research go a long way. I would plot out these recommendations on a map, then explore by area, so as not to waste too much time travelling to and from various spots.

That said though, I don’t rush from place to place, or limit myself to “the list”. I would take my time to soak in the atmosphere, people watch, and generally plan my day around the opening hours of the locations/restaurants, weather, transport and whatever I feel like doing at the time.

A map is definitely one thing that’s necessary for me – I would prefer if it were a digital map (on the phone), so that I wouldn’t look like a completely clueless tourist and a goldmine to pickpockets in the area.

And last but not least, a sense of curiosity is crucial. What’s the point of traveling if you end up going around with your eyes closed? Talk to random people, ask questions, listen and learn. There’s so much the world has to teach us, if we’re only open to it!

3.WHICH DESTINATION SURPASSED YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND SURPRISED YOU THE MOST?

Despite all my ramblings about Spain, I think the one that surprised me the most was Porto in Portugal. I had randomly picked it while planning a trip, and 2 months before I left on the trip, I changed my wallpaper to a stock photo of a view from the Dom Luis bridge in Porto. Being there in person, seeing that exact same jaw-dropping view in real life? That feeling is inexplicable. I loved that fleeting 3-day experience in Portugal so much – the colours, sights and sounds – that I’m planning to head to Lisbon later this year!

 4.WHERE AND WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MEAL YOU HAVE EVER HAD WHILE TRAVELLING?

I would say San Sebastián – they are the largest concentrate of Michelin stars in an area, well-known for food, and the old town of San Sebastián is dotted with so many Pintxo bars. Not all of them have stars, but the general quality of food there is nothing short of amazing. Pintxos are basically tapas of the Basque country. The way the locals do it (which I always believe is the right way) is to bar hop – order a drink and couple of dishes from one, take your time to polish them off, then head to another, and another, continuing the whole night long till you’re full and done! From octopus to steaks, foie gras to beef cheeks, tortillas to grilled mushrooms, I do have a full list of recommendations I’ve put together from 2 trips to San Sebastián in 2016, so get in touch if you’re heading there!

 5.WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING TO TRAVEL TO NEXT?

I do have a couple of friends who have destination weddings this year, so Bali and Penang are definitely on the list. I’m also having a weekend in Bangkok soon, but the biggest trip for the year is already in the works: a 3-week solo trip from London, Portugal, and you’ve probably guessed it – Spain! The intention is to head from London to Lisbon, as well as explore the South of Spain (Granada, Malaga, etc.) before rounding off the trip in Barcelona at my favourite haunts. I’m also on the waitlist for a meal at 3 Michelin-starred El Cellar De Can Roca in Girona, about an hour away from Barcelona. It was previously #1 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2013 & 2015, and was booked out for November 2017 by December last year, so I’m crossing my fingers and hoping there’s a cancellation!

 6.WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

I currently host “The Impromptu Two” on Power 98FM with my co-host, Dee Kosh. You can tune in to us from 9pm to midnight every weekday for off-kilter, off-the-cuff and off-our-rockers nonsense. This is also the third consecutive year I’ve agreed to be on the judging panel for Restaurant Association of Singapore’s Epicurean Star Awards, and I’m looking forward to it!

 7.DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS OR ADVICE FOR BUDDING RADIO DJS?

Work hard at doing what you love. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll do it well, it’ll shine through, people can see it, and opportunities will naturally knock on your door. It may seem tough at the start, but just do you, and things will fall into place.