presse agent Danny Abichandani

dear Sara,

while rubbing the libations out of my eyes from an indulgent evening out, this morning was met with equal parts anxiety and relief.  for the first time in this loosely defined vacation, there were no familial obligations – the places to be have been and the people to see have been seen.  oddly enough even the blinking light from my Blackberry, that has conditioned my peripheral to succumb to its demands for attention, has stopped.  there was (quite literally) nothing to do – and i am alone.
now loneliness and i have a tumultuous relationship.  for someone motivated primarily by accolades and the attention of others, there’s not much in it for me to be alone.  i have yet to perfect a way to either comfortably pat myself on the back, or convincingly play the applause track in my head…for the time being.
however, i’ve been fortunate to have inherited/collected an interesting menagerie of family and friends who i continue to strive to please in exchange for them peaking my interest.  as a consequence, solitude is seldom at best and i suspect that my crippling fear of eating dinner, or watching a movie, alone is probably rooted in the fact that i’ve never had to.
so i defer to the norms of South Beach Miami. i put on some shorts, grab a few things to read, and was ocean bound.  walking aimlessly until compelled to stop.
it was the striking blanche of the Delano day beds, umbrellas, and uniforms juxtaposed with a sparkling blue ocean that got my attention.  it felt right – at that moment – to pause.
i walked up to an attendant who enthusiastically welcomed me. armed with fresh towels and cushion covers, he knew the exact (and highly limited) amount of pleasantries that I was willing to invest on our short stroll to my spot. eager to establish that there was nothing the staff were unwilling to incur for my enjoyment; all without the slightest hint to an entitlement to gratuities. this was refreshing after the less-than-enjoyable hustling of restaurateurs on Ocean Drive flipping tricks with misguided “specials”,  and the 18% gratuity added to every bill independent of the level of service realized. in the chit chat, i must have mentioned that i was parched as within a few minutes of settling down, i had a bottle of water sitting in a generous bowl of ice and a cup hinged with a lemon wedge. soon after, another attendant came by with a cup of frozen grapes.

this unspoken attention to my whims continued throughout the day.  with a mere tilt of my head, i would catch the eyes of the servers patiently waiting for a cue that i needed something (anything) else. it was time for lunch and i was quick to order the mahi mahi and shrimp ceviche.  my empty cup of grapes was replaced with a sample of their mango and strawberry daiquiri, a drink quite apropos for a day in the sun.
the ceviche arrived. the tortilla was crisp, the fish and shrimps were fresh, the citrus just right.  as i re-taught myself how to sip rather than drink, to taste rather than chew, and to BE rather than feel – i looked up for a few minutes to take in my surroundings.  the sand was pristine. the birds were well mannered and distant.  even the children were just how i like them – impeccably groomed, muted, dressed in neutral hues, and seemingly content at building sand castles without a hint of a whine or protest. the sun was bright, high in the sky, and in perfect unison with a carefully choreographed breeze that cools the flesh upon the precipice of a burn.  aside from a disappointing read of Bryson’s take on privacy, the redundancy of the economists’ predictions of 2011, the day was postcard worthy.
i had not seen the Delano pool during the day so i made my way up to take a glimpse. i asked the Blue Door restaurant to seat me overlooking the pool area for a mid-day snack.  i had the daikon and ginger-seared yellowfin tuna and a few ‘Miami mornings’ to drink (comprised of champagne, cognac, and raspberries and somehow tastes a bit like bananas). a buzz and bill later, it was dusk and reading became a chore so i headed inside.
i was drawn to warmth of the Rose Bar – and perched myself on a stool for a neat scotch and watched the eccentricities walk in and out of the lobby. i observed a consistency of purposeful strides partnered with a confident air of belonging.   at this point, i’ve gone without non-service oriented conversation for over 10 hours and thought it prudent to reintegrate into social interaction.  the idea was some discourse before the main course and the large communal table of the Blue Sea Sushi Bar was a perfect spot to do it.  i strategically sat myself in the middle of the table to allow for contingencies perchance i bore of the first person that bites.  predictably, the first conversation was a dud.  the couple beside me was cordial but numbingly boring.  from what i can remember, the conversation was centred on articulating the monetary value of their lifestyle while simultaneously showing clear evidence that they’re new money. the husband continued to taunt his wife to try caviar and sushi as if she’s about to enter a round of Fear Factor.  “fish eggs? eww”… why are you sitting at a sushi bar?

to my right sat my last hope for something to get me through a rare dinner alone.  two lawyers from the south – Jared and Justin – were in town for work and most of the conversation was focused on the devastating effects of Katrina and BP on their economy.  we also talked about the common plight of the American from Tennessee, as well as the Canadian Newfie being disadvantaged by an accent that lends itself too easily to stereotypes.

i had the soft shell crab and the tuna tataki. both excellently prepared, but hard to top the omikase at Tojo’s in Vancouver – my benchmark for Japanese food.  like most things, i lost interest in conversation once it went sideways with Justin trying to convince me that his twang is a useful litigation tool that many ‘common’ jurors can easily empathize with. that was my cue to finish on a good note.

i walked out of the Delano – sincerely thankful to the hotel for helping me re-acquaint myself with myself. the luxury of loneliness.

Danny is a super elite method traveler and Moleskine enthusiast. carry-on or none at all. feasts on everything from mystery meat to the Michelin ranked. hates emoticons, but hash tags prolifically. find him doing so @dabichandani.

presse agent Amanda Blakley

on the first night of our recent trip to London, my husband and i had the good fortune of spending one splendid night at The Goring. you might recall that the hotel accommodated a certain Royal for her pre-wedding prep.

having arrived on a transcontinental flight from Canada, we showed up a couple hours before official check-in. but, what luck! we were fortunate enough to have been shown to our room immediately. a beautiful marble bathtub awaited in the luxuriously appointed bathroom. we filled it with steaming water and bubbles and soaked away the long journey, before crawling into the heavenly bed for a kip (a Brit term for “nap”).

every little detail was considered and we particularly enjoyed the light settings (ohhh! was our favourite), and savouring breakfast in our private parlour room – feet up on the adorable sheep footstool, of course!

after a walk around the neighbourhood later that afternoon, we returned to a buzzing and lively lounge for a warm cup of Earl Grey tea. young and old made for a sophisticated crowd, and such great people watching. we shared some yummy bar snacks (i always judge a bar by the quality of its snacks) and a sandwich, before retiring to our room.

a tray had been delivered just in time for cocktail hour. ice, a shaker, a jug of fine British gin, twists of lemon and instructions on how to mix and pour the perfect gin martini. oh. la.

after these deadly concoctions, we can attest that the soft linens and luxurious bed were relished. 14 hours later we awoke refreshed and ready for a full English breakfast.

a very fine hotel indeed. a worthwhile splurge for your next trip to London.

juggling a young family, entrepreneurial pursuits and an insatiable appetite for unique experiences, Amanda Blakley documents the unknown, unseen, and untouched for readers of the National Post, Fashion Magazine, Flare Magazine and others. you can also catch up with her, and her chief adventurer, at www.theadventuresofatticus.tumblr.com.

presse agent Danny Abichandani

dear Sara,

as the throbbing subsides to a manageable frequency, the storage facilities tucked away in the what happened? files of my cortex begin to unravel. this past weekend was earmarked for success from the moment my friends decided to usher in spring with the hipster’s version of a vernal equinox. now, i’m not one to traditionally support any hipster-like activities – in fact, i can barely walk down Ossington Avenue in Toronto without being agitated – but, for this past week (and hopefully just this once) i decided to be a method festival attendee.  note to self: looking poor is expensive.
there were several highlights to a week filled with celebrations, adulations, titillations … i’m not even really sure what titillation means. however, i have recently developed an unhealthy infatuation with the word.

refocus. chia seeds in hand (not to be mixed with pinot grigio) on the road to recovery.

i arrived in Palm Springs a day earlier than the rest of my group to get a good night’s sleep, as well as spend a day with other veteran Coachella-ites who came for a relaxing vacation. now too cool to actually attend the festival. i decided to stay at Le Parker – the iconic orange-door boutique hotel manned by valets sporting Nantucket reds.  the hotel is very much my aesthetic; a nod to the modern with a healthy dose of kitsch. i had my morning coffee by the lemonade stand plucked straight from a serene French turn-of-the century garden. when the gentleman on a period-bike came around offering freshly squeezed muddled lemonade, i joked that if only it was noon, perhaps a pastis was more apropos next to the carefully groomed Pétanque lanes.  my friends joined me for breakfast on the grounds at Norma’s and i ordered the seared rock lobster and asparagus omelet.  i suspect that someone confused rock with rubber. everyone else around me seemed to be enjoying their breakfast so i guess sometimes you just have to live with a bad decision.

after checking out, i headed to my friend’s house for a supposedly relaxing day by the pool before the Coachella shenanigans got going. it seemed harmless enough – three friends, sitting by the pool with good music and a beer or two.  i think it went south right about the time a delivery man rang the bell to deliver a rush Amazon order for crystal wine glasses.  the house we were at only had plastic glasses and our friend insisted on trying a case of rosé he had brought in from Napa (Robert Sinskey – vin gris of pinot noir 2012 ) with the proper clink. it was an ideal selection for a pool day – dry with strawberry and melon notes and the right amount of acidity. last summer’s drink was a whiskey smash, but i think this one’s going to be a Rosé Renaissance.  4 or 5 bottles later, the relaxing day at the pool turned into a bit of a hazy good time resulting in a base tan and a buzz.
i joined my best friends for Ted’s Stag-chella in La Quinta (40 minutes outside of Palm Springs). note: i strongly recommend staying in La Quinta over Palm Springs or you’ll end up spending more time commuting to the festival than you’d like. we rented a sprawling home on a PGA course complete with games rooms, fire pits, and pools – key elements to any bachelor party weekend.

we headed to the festival ground around 5 p.m. each day. most of the big bands and/or DJs weren’t really on until late afternoon, which allowed for the 36 degree desert heat to be more manageable without a heavy dash of Gold Bond down your pants. i digress.

although there are many less expensive options for transport, including many opportunistic Americans who decided to make a quick buck over the weekend by providing taxi services with their personal vehicles, i think it is best practice to get a dedicated car service. but then again i tend to value punctuality over cost-effectiveness.  once on the grounds, well wait, it’s +/- 2 kms past camp sites and parking lots before you even get to the actual grounds. but once there skip the line if you aren’t carrying a bag. most tend not to realize this. once inside, it’s quite a diverse demographic – nearly as diverse as the acts.

in between breaks from the beer tent, i managed to take in some great shows including Benny Benassi, Nicky Romero, Blur, Phoenix, Alex Clare, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Wu-Tang Clan.  by far, the highlight was the interactive performance by the Diplo-fueled Major Lazer. it was, in the simplest terms, a shirts-off dance party infused with reggae, rap, british pop, and 90’s grunge, layered on heavy house tracks.  i would also be remiss if i didn’t mention the miraculous logistics of the event. herding 80,000 hipsters is far more challenging than cats, but still, somehow, this event ran like a well-oiled machine. i didn’t see one celebrity.
so, today i head back east and shed the final morsel of slightly over-baked sun burn peel from the heat of the desert sun. along with it, the musk of debauchery, the tint of the sun, and the persistent ringing of music in my ears . an exceptional time is guaranteed at Coachella on the rare occasion that a stellar team are assembled to vacation together at a rave in the desert. until next time.

Danny is a super elite method traveler and Moleskine enthusiast. carry-on or none at all. feasts on everything from the mystery meat to the Michelin ranked. hates emoticons, but hash tags prolifically. find him doing so @dabichandani.

lots of west coast focus this month so let’s give some sugar to the east with a great guide to Brooklyn – Fathom

GP makes us want to head to Santa Barbara  - GOOP 

she also gives some insider info on boutique vacation villas – GOOP (scroll down past the recipes)

important things to ask before you drop the kiddies off at a resort’s kids’ club  - CN Traveler

Vancouver Art Gallery pays homage to the hotel  - The Globe and Mail 

hidden gems revealed! where LA‘s indie set eat and drink – CN Traveler

Coachella style  - Style.com 

Mickey Rapkin talks to Francis Ford Coppola about Belize, beer, and organic farming at his resorts - Bon Appetit

best dressed at the Tribeca Film Fest (includes some awkward poses and facial expressions, but holy wow i love Leigh Lezark’s new blond crop!)  - Fashionista 

photo of the month is from Danny Abichandani. while at Coachella, he took this sweeping sunset vista… love those Canadian flags in the background. watch for Danny’s fella @Coachella feature coming soon!

presse agent MJ Shaw

after a week of teaching yoga and dance at the amazing Anamaya Resort in Montezuma, Costa Rica, my boyfriend, Vinney White, joined me and we quickly headed north – where the prices are cheaper and the tourists are fewer. Nicaragua was next, and although the difference in economy was immediately apparent (it’s the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, after Haiti), the mix of Spanish colonial cities, gorgeous (often untouched) beaches and lush jungle mountains, make it an aesthetically pleasing place to explore. despite the poverty, the people are proud and ready to share a laugh, and tourists are actively protected. in fact, we saw machine gun-carrying soldiers positioned in trees on a few occasions. there to watch over us? we hope so! we quickly coined Nicaragua the loudest country in the world, as there is always reggaeton blaring, people yelling, horns beeping, whistles blowing… even churchbells and roosters are chiming in by 5:00am. all this is to say, the true-grit ‘real’ nature of the culture makes it a vibrant and exciting place to visit. after our major Nicaraguan stops, we passed through Honduras and arrived at the surfer beach town of El Tunco in El Salvador. though El Salvador’s economy is improving, its more recent civil war means tourism is less developed. luckily Vinney speaks Spanish, or we would have been relying to ridiculous hand-gesturing. however, our attempts to rent a motorbike were moot as there were no rental companies – even in the most touristy beach town. but no problem, just walk into someone’s yard and ask them if you can rent one of their cars and they’ll hand you the keys. seriously. no money down. it’s been said that El Salvador’s hottest commodity is its people, and we’d have to agree: friendly, fun and kind. another highlight was our two-day trip through the mountain towns of Rutas de Las Flores. this 36km stretch (named for the explosion of wildflowers between October and February) routes through the heart of coffee country and is dotted with authentic rural charm and pockets of eco-beauty. back on the beach, we discovered the best $5-meal money can buy: 2 local beers and 4 jam-packed delicious fish tacos. it’s no wonder these two countries are starting to fill up with ex-pats looking to escape the cold and capitalism. we may very well be next!

Melissa-Jane (aka ‘MJ’) is an actor, choreographer and fitness expert based in Toronto. she is the co-founder of Seventh Stage Theatre and LaRouge Entertainment, and a lead in the Canadian TV series drama Hard Rock Medical, airing on TVO & APTN June 2013. interested in empowering and joyful retreats abroad with MJ? visit dynamicretreats.com. you can also listen to Vinney’s hilarious radio show @ vinneywhite.co.uk.

presse agent Erin Scheel

“it’s going to be about an hour and half wait,” i overheard one of the servers tell two hungry customers as i sat perched on a bar stool near the door overlooking the busy hallways of Brixton Village. when more people started putting their names down to wait for a seat, it was obvious to me that this was a destination. food lovers come from all over London to experience Honest Burgers; arguably the best burger EVER!
if you travel south west, all the way to the end of London’s Underground Northern Line you will reach Brixton. take a walk down Electric Avenue and through the Brixton market into Brixton Village – a covered market full of little sidewalk cafes, restaurants, vintage stores and Caribbean shops. here you will find Honest Burgers. it’s worth the wait for the simple yet well thought out menu of fresh homemade burgers. choose to have yours with bacon and/or a choice of three different cheeses: blue, a mature cheddar and leister (mild cheddar). the tomato onion jam that crowns each burger is the glue that holds it all together, giving the burger a sweet and savory taste without all the extra messy condiments. bonus! you can actually taste the perfectly cooked to medium handmade beef patty with every bite. they also offer a feature burger with different twists on the classic – all the more reason to keep coming back!
i love dining in London. and the fact that with every meal you are brought a bottle of ketchup and mayo to your table – the perfect combo for dipping Honest Burgers‘ extra crispy rosemary salted fries served as a side. these chips were one word – addictive. the best ever. and that’s saying a lot coming from me, a self-proclaimed French fry monster.
be sure to ask about what local beer they have tucked away in the fridge. i had the Great Eastern IPA from Red Church Brewery in London. its bitterness paired perfectly with the sweet and saltiness of the meal we thoroughly enjoyed, right to the last mouthful!

Erin is the kick-ass meal maven @ erinlovesfood.com

presse agent Amanda Blakley

tea or coffee service with your wake-up call? yes please!

customized stationery? there’s a first time for everything.

personal business cards with your hotel contact information? but of course.

greeted by name when coming and going? obviously!

our own butler to make sure any and all of our needs are met? why thank you.

my husband and i recently had the pleasure of spending two nights at The Lanesborough while we were in London for a close friend’s wedding. to say it was the highlight of our trip would be a disservice. the amenities, the beds (oh, the beds!) the restaurant, the location, the staff… i could go on. everything was done with the elegance and grace you would expect from five-star superior accommodation, but with a refined personal touch. to the point that we felt like we were staying at a good friend’s beautiful manor in the heart of London. Knightsbridge, overlooking Hyde Park, to be specific. oh, if only i knew such a chap!

other quintessentially British flourishes include a Library Bar that beckons one to sit and sip Cognac. fancy a vintage from 1720? no problem, they’ve got it. and you’ll likely want a cigar with that, so just pop over to The Garden Room for a Cohiba Behike, or some other exclusive pre-embargo cigar. note: this aerated open roof lounge meets London’s code for “indoor” smoking.

and after a long day, or night, the hotel’s Spa Studio welcomes with two serene treatment rooms. only wished i’d had time for a bespoke beauty tune-up!   narytheless, we did manage to indulge in a seven-course tasting menu at Aspleys. yes, our absolute favourite part of the property turned out to be the Michelin-starred restaurant, where one of the best Mediterranean-inspired meals in the city can be had. all expertly paired with wines recommended by an adorable Italian sommelier, of course. i strongly recommend this experience to anyone in the market for an exceptional night out.

we truly cannot wait for the opportunity to return… London will never be the same without a night or two at The Lanesborough.

juggling a young family, entrepreneurial pursuits and an insatiable appetite for unique experiences, Amanda Blakley documents the unknown, unseen, and untouched for readers of the National Post, Fashion Magazine, Flare Magazine and others. you can also catch up with her, and her chief adventurer, at www.theadventuresofatticus.tumblr.com.

about three years ago, my friend Paulina (who created the cartoon of Hollis above) and i did a bit of work adding design elements and editing Hollis Wilder’s web site. Hollis was about to debut on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and, although we were thrilled to on the project, we lamented that we could not be paid in the delightful variety of cupcakes and fro-yo that are sold in her two retail shops located in Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida. fast forward and Hollis’ very first book drops April 9^th! plus she’s preparing for the third round of Cupcake Wars (she is the two-time champion), which airs April 14th on the Food Network.

i’m thrilled to giveaway 4 copies of Savory Bites: Meals You Can Make in Your Cupcake Pan to readers. we’ll get to the contest details soon! first, the interview…

what led you to cupcakes? i was making cupcakes in Los Angeles when i was a catering chef doing the tv shows. they weren’t a big thing. it was so funny because i did not have my radar out on the phenomenon that was about to take off. i moved to Florida and i knew that i wanted to do something with food, but i wasn’t sure. it was just one of those things that hit me –frozen yogurt was a huge thing on the east and west coasts, and cupcakes were also huge on the coasts, but not where i was now living. it was a conscious decision to go with something that i simply thought would be good business.

do you maintain any of the relationships you had in LA? the people i cooked for [in LA] were my clients. when you cook for somebody you do get a glimpse into their inner life, but my job was to be protective of that and to be of service to them. i reached out to Sean Hayes and he’s given me a quote for my book, which is really kind.

the premise of the book is using the cupcake tin to make beautifully portioned meals that are healthy and taste great. How do you see it changing the way people eat? the cupcake tin is a way to get the conversation started about serving food in a different way. i think the timing is right and the presentation is in a fun and friendly way. smaller food, that is not shared, is the trend for 2013. the tapas concept is not working so well in the US….people are wanting their own food, in perfect portions.

you can have a dinner of cupcake-sized proportions! this [book] is for all meals…it’s food on the go…portable feast…party in a pan…as i’ve been writing the book and incorporating these recipes into my life, and preparing for people i care about, i came up with the idea of re-inventing the potluck . which, you know, is the classic casseroles wrapped in tin foil and the portions are ridiculous. if you elevate the potluck for a new generation, changing it into a pot-luxe – it’s more sophisticated and looks a lot prettier on the buffet. those casserole dishes are just not appealing to the eye.

so mindful eating factors into all of this? conciously or unconsciously, when you are done with your cupcake you ask – am i going to have another one. if you start to ask yourself, well i’m done with my [cupcake-sized] chicken pot pie, am i still hungry? do i want to get a roasted vegetable terrine? this is the way the Europeans eat, this is the way i learned how to cook. it’s not about sacrifice, it’s about size.

what’s been your biggest challenge to date? continually pushing and putting myself out there. at a certain point it’s difficult not to be attached to the outcome. i am not in charge of the timing of things, so being patient as well. i don’t really question that the success is going to continue, but i don’t have a Plan B. there is so much going on – Cupcake Wars, a producer is pitching TV shows for me, working with a company in New Zealand to create a product line with proprietary technology. very excited about all of this, but it’s the insanity behind building it. i have small children, two Sweet by Holly locations, the travel…that’s the challenge.

sounds like you have Plan B, C, D and E. it just takes time. success, i mean. i’ve been connecting the dots for many years, and everything is now coming together. every decision that i make leads me to something i don’t even know about. that’s life. it’s exciting.

how does someone like you stay so fit? i really need to start incorporating exercise that fits into my life. i may go back to working out with [a trainer]. quite frankly, i just watch what i eat.

so no alcohol, no sugar? i don’t drink, but i eat plenty of sugar. i would not be able to function if i was drinking. sugar is a successful part of my life, so i do indulge…overindulge sometimes, but then i pull back. it’s awareness and balance.

 if I was to come into your shop and try one cupcake, what would it be? the black and gold. my yellow cake is light and very moist – made with olive oil and egg whites.  iced with dark chocolate buttercream, which is made with melted French chocolate and dark cocoa powder with Madagascar pure vanilla and butter. this cupcake is filled with dulce de leche that a small Miami company makes for me. it’s sprinkled with chunky gold sugar. divine.

now for the travel stuff…

when was your last family vacation? i have family in England so we went to Derbyshire and Nottingham last year.

will your book be available there? i believe so! and in Canada! we are using metrics.

since your home is based in Winter Park (a suburb of Orlando), what are your favourite food haunts in the area? Prato, The Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder. There are a lot of chain restaurants and these ones make everything fresh. That is the way I eat and cook, so I appreciate the places that do the same.

any personal practices, like meditation or yoga retreats? i did yoga for 18 years and now i have to figure out exercise right now. last week i was in Sedona, Arizona, where igo every couple of years to shut down. i was talking to a woman there about the fact that i’ve not been doing the physical practice of yoga for a while. she said “you do yoga every day…it’s not always about getting on the mat.”

so true. is that a resort you go to? no, there is nothing pretty about it. oh, no. i am foraging the wilderness, going on hikes in cold conditions and eating nuts and berries. literally, living in a cave. i found out about it through a spiritual environmentalist.

how do you keep going? fresh kale, unsweetened almond milk, tons of banana, green powder…stuff like that. mostly just sheer will power. sometimes in your life you are just in the flow. i’m in the flow of great stuff. my husband is also the most amazing man. he is a wonderful father to our two kids and i just could not do this without him. it’s all too full-on.

last question: best meal ever? [long pause] well, i did a veal chop on the bone, pan seared and then roasted with rosemary crust. served with porcini mushroom sauce. i served it with a butternut squash gratin that was made in the cupcake pan, of course!

EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY! seriously, how much do you want this cookbook? you can order it here OR presse your luck for a chance to WIN one of 4 copies! it’s super easy to enter:

#1 Follow @HollisWilder and @TheTravelPresse on Twitter

#2 Like our Facebook pages here and here

#3 Send an email to sara@thetravelpresse.com telling me what your ultimate pot-luxe dish would be.

follow steps 1 through 3 and your name will be entered into a random draw on Sunday, April 14^th at 12PM. Winners will be announced that afternoon!

hotels step up their service to cater to the female biz traveler – CNN

i cover Honduras for the YPs - Notable.ca

a great feature on San Miguel de Allende … i hear the Peruvian spot is quite exceptional (thanks Amanda!) - New York Times Travel

a word on identity theft from the man who, Pan Am estimates, flew more than a million miles for free on 250 aircraft to 26 countries during his teenage crime spree  - The Guardian

Japanorama – Style.com

a grand tour of Asia – Conde Nast Traveler

Europe‘s best summer events – Jetsetter

for those who will be surfing soon, Tommy Hilfiger just announced six sweet limited edition boards – Vogue

instead of the usual photo of the week, i’ve got a hot tip on a brand new luggage tag series. inspired by vintage baggage claim tags, each one is designed for durability using ultra thick PVC and faux leather straps. get your airport code at one of the Drake General Stores in Toronto (note: the tags will soon be available at their online shop).

after Hawaii and Thailand, presse agent Charlene Lo continues her round-the-world yoga-inspired adventures…

after almost three weeks in Goa – staying at a combo of Bean Me Up, Purple Valley and the Tamarind Hotel in Anjuna - i was ready to take on the ‘real’ India. while i did love my time there, i also now associate Goa with an ‘acute bacillary dysentery’ (that ravaged my physical and spiritual self for six desperate days) and this constant feeling of being dazed and confused. both of which, so i’m told, are a required rite of passage for one’s initiation to this country. OK India, i did my time so please do let me stay awhile.

my route Goa to Bangalore to Kochi, where my tour of Keralan backwaters and beaches began… and some of my most memorable trip highlights so far.

Fort Kochi (Cochin) Old Kochi is a charming, pedestrian-friendly region in the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. with its Portuguese, British and Dutch influences, we found the area to be equal parts synagogues, churches and great shopping on Princess Street,  as well as at seaside local markets. upon landing, i stopped in at Chariot Beach Restaurant for their delicious take on Chinese egg noodles and classic Indian fare. if you’re traveling India and missing ice cream (which is not advisable in most places because of frequent power outages), i can attest that it’s safe to enjoy here.

Alappuzha (Alleppey) continuing south by autorickshaw, ferry, 2-hour local bus, another rickshaw, and finally a canoe to reach the picture-perfect Greenpalm Homestead. i highly recommend that you stay with the lovely family who own and operate this charming guesthouse. we were warmly greeted by Thomas and Maria – the gracious brother and sister team who run the place, while mama commandeers the kitchen with her classic Keralan/South Indian cuisine. the ice-cold ginger lemonade i was handed at check-in was the liquid amuse bouche to meals that shot to the top of my ‘best ever’ list.

our day was rounded out by a 3-hour, six km meandering ‘village walk’ at sunset, and then a twilight canoe ride along the waterways fringed by lush greenery. rolling rice paddies, peaceful backwater family life, Christian churches and Hindu temples… it is impossible to take a bad picture, or have a bad experience, here.

Varkala this traveler just can’t seem to stay away from the allure of beach culture. whiling away the afternoon with a pot of masala chai and a good book (obviously and predictably, i’m reading Shantaram). again i hear the calling of the Arabian Sea, and after an 8-hour backwater boat, autorickshaws and two local buses, i find myself on Varkala Beach – a delightful destination for those who want a more relaxed vibe from the ‘scene’ that is Goa. cliff-side shopping, ayurvedic treatments, seductive spice markets, juice bars and black sandy beaches dot this stretch of South Indian coast line . it all beckons for a lazy, meandering sunset stroll on uneven cobblestones. between sharpening my bartering skills with friendly locals, i ate and rehydrated at Claflouti, Cafe del Mar, Trattorias and Juice Shack, each with spectacular oceanfront views. Black Beach – a simple, clean sea-facing resort where i stayed, serves a traditional banana leaf lunch that inspires a second (or third!) helping. my two short days could have easily become weeks here.

now we are northward-bound in a feeble attempt to beat the heat. Mumbai, Delhi/Agra, Rishikesh and Dharamsala are on the itinerary that is subject to change at a moment’s notice!

nanni and namaste until next time.

ps. get more Goa on Cecily Milne’s blog – theyogaelement.com  - my roomie and brilliant yogini.