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Spilling the Tea
Tea has always been integral to the way one lives. In fact, it forms a deep weave in the fabric of everyday life and social rituals. It’s everywhere from a quiet but effective way to start your mornings to that first thing which you extend to a guest. And the varieties are plentiful — the sweet milky chai that the vendors sell or the delicate aromatic kahwa, the Amritasari chai, and even the noon chai. Though, of late, it looks like favourite beverage tasting is undergoing a renaissance of sorts driven by Gen Z and millennials.
Wait, what’s happening?
The younger generation is pushing the boundaries of traditional tea consumption, embracing a variety of new forms and flavours. Matcha, a finely ground green tea powder from Japan, has found its way into everything from lattes to desserts, while sparkling teas are making appearances on fine dining menus, elevating tea to a status akin to that of champagne. These developments reflect a broader shift towards experimenting with tea, transforming it from a simple hot drink to a versatile ingredient. It also points to the ongoing ‘sober curious’ trend that seems to be showing few signs of slowing down.
But why, though?
While traditional teas continue to be cherished, there’s a growing appreciation for the diverse ways tea can be enjoyed. In Hyderabad, the Chit Chat Chai tea bar exemplifies this trend. Co-founded by Vidya and Poorna Tej Valluru, this establishment has tea-based mocktails and cold brews, showcasing tea as an herb with a myriad of flavour profiles. Their innovative approach aims to position tea alongside fine wines and whiskies, highlighting its potential as a sophisticated, multifaceted beverage.
Tea is evolving. While it remains a comforting staple for many, its new incarnations are capturing the imagination of younger consumers in a whole new way. And this blend of tradition and innovation ensures that tea continues to be a relevant and beloved part of the zeitgeist, appealing to both purists and adventurers alike.
Ice, Ice Baby
What’s your favourite summer snack? Many cultures around the world turn to ice, in its many forms, with a variety of flavours, to cool themselves down. And these recipes of one version or another of shaved ice are as easy to make as they are great to taste.
You can start by giving the Mexican raspado a shot. It resembles the Indian-Pakistani gola/chuski and is made with shaved-ice scraped with your hand. You can top your raspados with fruit, syrup, and sometimes milk. Then, there is the bingsu from South Korea. It often contains many ingredients like sweet red bean paste and sweet rice cake. You can have it in green tea, mango, and strawberry flavours. It is often topped with sweetened condensed milk for that creamy touch.
Another great option is kakigori from Japan. It is a taste bomb of classic flavours like matcha, yuzu, and kinako. Lastly, you can sample some piraguas, which are from Puerto Rico. In this refreshing summertime treat, the ice is shaved by hand, so it’s much coarser than the sno-cones. Shaped into a tall pyramid and flavoured doused generously with syrup, it is sipped through a straw. All sorts of flavours are available, from tamarind and coconut to sesame seed, passionfruit, pineapple, and even melon.
So, which will you try first?
Gaming Garments
Of the many, many things you would expect to come out of one of the biggest sporting events in the world, you probably don’t put uniforms on the top of your list. But that is exactly what’s happened with this year’s Olympics (okay, that and an inordinate amount of discussion of its logo). Let’s take a gander at some of the best uniforms and dresses for the event and what makes them so unique.
Sartorially superb
An event that draws eyes from all over the globe, the Olympics is one of the best ways to display not just the sporting excellence of different countries, but also is an occasion to showcase their cultural richness. And that is exactly what a lot of the teams have done, grabbing the opportunity to make a statement and drawing admiration from all over.
It is perhaps Team Mongolia that has made the biggest splash when it comes to designing what looks to be among the greatest uniforms in the history of the Games. Ulaanbaatar-based designers Michel & Amazonka are no newcomers to designing striking costumes. They have previously made the official garb for Mongolian Airlines, as well as the Olympic contingents in the last two editions. The duo has elevated their designs with rich hues of red, blue, and gold, incorporating traditional Mongolian symbols and embroidery this time around. Furthermore, select accessories have been hand-embroidered for the delegation.
The Haitian contingent’s sartorial choice is also the talk of the town. It is a modern take on a technique which dates back thousands of years. They are also made using recycled fabric. The women's uniforms feature full skirts adorned with vibrant colours with a local artist’s artwork. They are to be seen to be believed.
A grade array
The commercial appeal of sports uniforms for major events is significant, attracting numerous big-name brands. Ralph Lauren maintains its long-standing association with Team USA, presenting outfits with light blue, red, and white accents and classic tailoring — a tribute to previous editions.
So, which one of the uniforms do you like the most?
Play it Again, Sam
In a world where nostalgia meets the allure of old Hollywood, the podcast You Must Remember This takes the usual tropes of spilling glamorous secrets, but takes it to another level. Created and hosted by Karina Longworth, the podcast delves into the hidden histories of Hollywood’s first century, capturing the magic and mystery of a bygone era. Each episode feels like a journey back in time, filled with the charm and intrigue of vintage cinema.
Longworth’s meticulous research and captivating storytelling bring to life the lesser-known figures of Hollywood’s Golden Age. From Theda Bara’s transformation from a Cincinnati native to an exotic vamp to the tragic tales of Jean Harlow and Frances Farmer, Longworth uncovers stories that are as fascinating as they are poignant. Her voice, accompanied by period-specific music, is enough to keep you hooked. But the stories are just as fascinating, making this podcast hard to stop listening to.
A good place to start may be the series titled, The Invisible Woman, which delves into the life of Polly Platt, a producer, writer, and Oscar-nominated production designer whose name may not be familiar to many. Known primarily as the wife of Peter Bogdanovich, who notoriously had an affair with Cybill Shepherd during the filming of The Last Picture Show, Platt’s contributions to cinema extend far beyond this scandal. Drawing on Platt’s unpublished memoir, interviews, and extensive archival research, Longworth brings to light the incredible story of a woman who was the hidden force behind some of the best films of the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.
The Ultimate TBR
As we hit the year’s midpoint, several of us might have resolved to read more earlier this year. It is only around this time that our will starts to slump. Thankfully, NYT has come to rescue those who are fighting to live up to their promise. Asking more than five hundred authors, editors, critics, and readers for the best books of the century so far yields this list of a hundred books across genres. So, if you were thinking about starting a new read, here's your answer.
Translated Triumphs
The list is topped by Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend, which might be a surprise for a lot of people. While many have considered the enigmatic, pseudonymous author as a shoo-in for the best, her book topping the charts was unexpected, given we are considering close to twenty-five years in world publishing. But that isn’t her only book, as The Story of the Lost Child (also belonging to the Neapolitan quartet of novels) and The Days of Abandonment are also on the list. This makes her the third author after George Saunders and Jesmyn Ward to have three of their works on it.
Also present on the list is Chilean author Roberto Bolaño, whose two novels are on the list. 2666 is the highest ranked translated work after My Brilliant Friend, and like most of Bolaño’s writing, traverses through various periods and locations, the central one being the fictional city of Santa Teresa.
Notable Narratives
Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven is also on the list, which might not have been the case perhaps four years ago. The 2014 novel eerily predicts a global pandemic and follows a group of actors and musicians in post-apocalyptic North America. Speaking of dystopia, Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro’s heartbreaking novel Never Let Me Go is also present on this list. Examining identity and what it means to be human, it is one of the author’s greatest works, and is necessary reading.
Another major book, which has also recently been adapted to the small screen, is Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer. A satire, thriller, and a war narrative rolled into one, it examines the themes of immigration, voicelessness, and the necessity of representation.
So, which one will you be reading over the weekend?
Carthaginian Khazaana
The sun bounces off whitewashed houses in La Marsa, a bohemian seaside suburb of Tunis. It’s Friday lunchtime, and Boulevard des Capucines is buzzing with people clutching paper-wrapped sandwiches stuffed with meat, eggs, and fiery harissa. These portable meals, sold out of hole-in-the-wall shops, are perfect for the fast-paced city life.
Tunisian cuisine is a vibrant blend of flavours and history. At local patisseries, kaak warka, miniature doughnut-shaped desserts made from wild rose water and almond paste, are commonplace. But, just like its people, it too tells a story of the region’s rich past, with tales of it being used to smuggle gold during the Spanish Reconquista. These delicate sweets give you a taste of the cultural depth behind Tunisian food.
Walking through the bustling streets of Tunis, the aroma of freshly baked bread and grilled meats fills the air. Vendors sell brik, the iconic triangular pastries filled with runny egg, potatoes, cheese, and tuna. Tradition says that only women who can eat these without spilling the yolk are ready for marriage, adding a playful challenge to enjoying this crispy delight.
At the heart of Tunisian cuisine is couscous, a versatile dish made from steamed semolina. Whether paired with fresh seafood in coastal areas or hearty lamb in the interior, couscous is a staple. Speaking to the nature of Tunisian meals, it is always prepared in abundance and shared among family and friends.
Tunisian cuisine is more than just food — it’s a reflection of the country’s history, culture, and daily life. It holds space for exploration and yet packs a flavour each step of the way. So if a culinary adventure is what you seek, maybe Tunisia is calling you.
First There was Rice
When you think of Japanese food, what is it that comes to mind? Is it sushi and sashimi with all its colourful variety? Or is it ramen with a medley of flavourful toppings? Or perhaps teriyaki or karaage for those among you who are a bit more seasoned? Whatever, it might be, you might not be knowing about the oldest and still the most popular among them all. Welcome to the world of onigiri.
Originating from a time before chopsticks in Japan, onigiri is a traditional rice cake shaped into triangles or cylinders that are filled with ingredients such as umeboshi, salmon, or a mix of vegetables and meats. Despite looking similar to sushi, onigiri is quite different. While onigiri uses unsalted rice, sushi rice is almost always seasoned with vinegar.
First mentioned in the 11th century, onigiri was originally a way to preserve leftover rice before slowly turning into a common delicacy. In the present day, with the arrival of technology, onigiri can be easily mass produced and is a regular fixture in the Japanese bento.
Much like our very own pulao, onigiri can be a snack, a comfort food, or a gourmet preparation depending on how you create it and what fillings you can add. What would be your choice of filling?
Ageless Wonders
Ever since we can remember, special effects have been a mainstay in cinema. Right from its inception in 1989, CGI has filled us with wonder and the realism of the spectacle that it can create. While earlier it was relegated to simply action movies, it has more recently made its way into more than just larger than life set pieces. Computer generated imagery is now present in everything from the background to the most recent innovation that’s caught everyone’s attention: de-aging actors.
Picture (im)perfect
The de-aging of superstars has been going on for quite some time across film industries. We have all seen some of our favourite Marvel actors being their younger selves for some portions of their films that move back in time. More recently, the trailer for Here, starring the Forrest Gump-pair Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, portrays their characters across decades, from their teens to their old age. And while technological progress has made it a more seamless affair, there’s still something very odd about seeing our favourites looking so uncannily young.
The most egregious example of de-aging, which also shows its limitations, is Martin Scorcese’s The Irishman. The film de-aged its entire cast to mixed reactions. The scene that is consistently shown is that of a thirty-something (in the film) Robert de Niro beating up a shopkeeper. While his face does look like that of someone much younger than his seventy-six years, his movement is still that of a septuagenarian, which creates a very jarring effect. Similar reactions were garnered by the de-aged Harrison Ford in the latest Indiana Jones film. The technology has yet to take the differing body width and movement into account, it seems.
What’s the point?
The main contention behind de-aging is that rather than provide an immersive experience and make people appear believably young, it is mostly a lot of nostalgia-peddling. The de-aged Indiana Jones harkens back to the golden age of the character, which also applies to Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker appearing in The Mandalorian and other Star Wars properties. Rather than cast a younger actor for the role, as it used to be, franchises look to using AI deep fakes and CGI on the older actors, which creates an unnerving effect for audiences, who know these celebrities as veterans.
While the technology certainly has its merits in some small sequences, it works amazingly in creating anthropomorphic creatures such as the ones in Planet of the Apes series. Such effects, therefore, have to be in the service of the story, rather than simply inducing nostalgia for an age long gone. What do you think?
The Dance of Centuries
Among Thailand’s rich cultural treasures, Khon emerges as a shining gem. A form of traditional performing arts, it is as captivating as it is fascinating. And even if you’ve never attended a performance, you might have glimpsed its majestic characters, like the towering yak ogres welcoming travellers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Khon’s origins trace back to the Ayutthaya era (1351–1767), where it breathed life into the timeless narrative of the Ramakien epic through a mesmerising fusion of dance, martial arts, and traditional Thai music. Adorned with opulent costumes and intricate jewellery, this art form was granted UNESCO recognition in 2018 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
For an immersive encounter with Khon, you don’t have to look further than Bangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. Here, dedicated performers embody the characters from the epics, meticulously preparing for each show.
The people behind the masks play some of the many colourful characters from Ramakien, a national Thai epic based on the tale of Ramayana. Each mask is detailed and stunning. In fact, you can tell the rank of an official in Hanuman’s army based on just their mask.
The arts live and breathe, much like the people who create them. They evolve and tell stories that stand the test of time. Which is perhaps why Khon lives on — as a way to tell stories, revel, and maybe even let art thrive.
Dream it, Meme it
For most of us, memes have defined the internet era more than anything over the past ten years. And while they have become a part of our cultural zeitgeist and a language unto themselves, the way they are created and their virality has also undergone a monumental change in the past few years. From simple stick drawings and MS Paint graphics (remember Derp?) to GIFs to video grabs, AI has entered the chat and switched things up in a way that heralds a new age for online discourse.
A new age engine
One of the biggest changes that the AI revolution has ushered in is the ease of creating videos and music. By simply feeding in prompts, people without any animation expertise or software mastery, are able to create long, complicated videos that can tell a story. And while there is some time for this tech to create feature films, creating viral Reels is a fairly achievable task for the moment.
Among the most popular uses of creating such videos has been recreating classic memes into more detailed stories. Memes such as the ‘distracted boyfriend’ or ‘what’s nine plus ten’ have been converted into odd narratives that are enhanced by the janky graphics and animation that AI tends to create.
But rather than find it off-putting, it is the very weirdness of the graphics that endear them to the audience and make them popular. Think of last year’s ganji chudail, which initially started as a video for children, and became wildly viral among Millennials and Gen Z. The trend has continued with more such animated videos talking about space hacks and real estate animations.
Short-lived popularity
But the reality of these new memes is that they are short-lived in their virality. While the earlier memes, thanks to them being simple images or gifs, could and still are used in a wide variety of contexts. The same isn’t so for these viral videos. Their popularity comes from their specificity, which also harms their longevity. So while AI-generated videos will be ruling the roost for some time to come, nothing will beat the classic memes that laid the foundations for internet culture, just Derping around or something.
An Unconventional Journey
“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls,” wrote Anaïs Nin. Indeed, some books allow us to embark on such journeys, quite literally. Anthony Bale’s A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages: The World Through Mediaeval Eyes stands as a prime example of just that.
A distinguished Professor of Medieval Studies at the University of London, Bale provides a vivid account of mediaeval travel that resonates with both scholarship and wanderlust. In this book, he delves into the fascinating world of mediaeval globetrotters, including traders, soldiers, and pilgrims. They journeyed to places as distant as China and Ethiopia, with a keen eye for both the exotic and the familiar. Bale’s narrative is punctuated by accounts of these travellers, who navigated a landscape marked by pilgrimage routes, bustling marketplaces, and grand cities like Constantinople and Rhodes.
It is believed that travellers were advised to carry two bags — one for money and the other for patience when they left. The book is full of anecdotes and stories from the past, almost like a travelogue. But Bale’s work intertwines these mediaeval guidebooks to create a clear picture of how people lived back then.
A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages gives you a way to traverse time and immerse yourself in a compelling exploration of the mediaeval world through the eyes of its travellers. And that journey seems to be one worth taking.
A Summer of Art
The first half of the year has witnessed some of the world’s most prominent art festivals, such as the Venice Biennale and the Sydney Biennale. In India too, there has been a remarkable turnout for events like India Art Week and the Kala Ghoda Festival. While one might assume that the summer and monsoon months bring a temporary lull in the arts calendar, the reality is quite the opposite. The Indian art scene is vibrant with numerous exhibitions and celebrations.
New venues and avenues
It’s easy to think that most art fairs in India are centred in Delhi or Mumbai, given their rich histories in contemporary art and numerous galleries. However, Hyderabad has emerged as a new player, having recently hosted the three-day India Art Festival. This event, featuring over 3500 artworks by both emerging and established artists, marked the festival’s debut in the city.
Following this, the Kalakriti Art Gallery in Hyderabad is also hosting a month-long exhibition titled Can You See What I See?. This show, featuring a wide array of artists, explores how different perspectives foster artistic creation and reflect the diverse worldviews of the participants.
Celebrating legends
While galleries and events strive to promote new voices in art, they also honour the veterans and legends of the field. The Delhi Art Gallery is presenting Madras Modern: Regionalism and Identity, a retrospective on the Madras Art Movement, the last modernist art movement in India before the advent of contemporary art. In Bengaluru, Gallery Sumukha is hosting a two-part retrospective on Gulam Mohammed Sheikh titled Gulammohammed Sheikh: Graphic Prints.
In Mumbai, TARQ is celebrating its tenth anniversary with Overlaps, an exhibition featuring artists it has supported over the years. This show pairs artists to create dialogues between different art practices, adding an element of fun and unpredictability to the engagement.
Long Way Down
When it comes to road trips, there are a few places that automatically come to mind. Route 66, the Trans-Canada Highway, or even our very own Manali-Leh highway that is every biker’s dream. But there’s one route that is just as epic and the ones mentioned, but somehow seems to escape notice. This is Argentina’s Ruta 40.
At a little over five thousand kilometres in length, Ruta 40 is among the longest highways in the entire world. It runs through the western portion of Argentina, parallel to the Andes Mountains and Chile. Starting at the border town of La Quiaca, the road traverses through multiple climatic zones and biodiverse regions, which is what makes travelling through it such a treat.
The northern portion of the roadway is the more traffic prone section, as it passes through some of the most densely populated areas of the country. At Perito Moreno (the town, not the national park), one can also visit the Cueva de las Manos, which is a prehistoric rock art site that is famous for its collage of stencilled hands.
But after crossing Perito Moreno, the route becomes exceedingly remote, passing through two major national parks. This is where the real adventure begins, as the southern portion of the highway affords visitors some of the most beautiful scenery one can find in South America. Add to that a chance to encounter rare species of guanacos, pumas, Patagonian foxes, and the Pampas cat among others.
The highway comes to an end when it meets the Atlantic at Punta Loyola, which is also the point where Magellan’s ill-fated voyage went through. You can hop along with some penguins and even take a short cruise to Antarctica from here. So, when are you going?
Here We Go Aegean
With its unassuming villages and serene hikes, Kalymnos is the place to be. Located in the Aegean Sea, this little island is one of its lesser-known gems. The lack of agriculture thanks to its soil has contributed to the unspoilt natural beauty of the region. Driving through the island, you will traverse mountains painted in every hue, with tall oleander shrubs and placid goats for company.
In Kalymnos, the spirit of exploration is alive. Locals with a penchant for guiding you through the island’s natural wonders embody its otherworldly charm. As you navigate the subterranean marvels, they lead you through caves illuminated only by headlamps, revealing stalactites that grow mere millimetres each year.
If climbing is your outdoor activity of choice, this place can be your own version of paradise. The sheer limestone cliffs have made Kalymnos a renowned destination in the climbing world. Beyond the adrenaline, history buffs can explore ancient sites like the Hellenistic fort of Kastri, giving you panoramic views and remnants of the island’s storied past.
The quiet village of Vathi, with its calm crystalline waters, and the hidden chapel of Panagia Kyra Psili, perched high on a cliff, also provide serene spots for contemplation and awe. Each location invites you to connect deeply with the landscape, finding moments of stillness and reflection.
Questing for Quiet
Vacations have changed in the past few years. The variety of travel trends that pop up every few months tend to drive home the point. And now, it’s reached a point where many people want to visit new places, but not for the ‘gram. Social media saturation has also reached a point where many are more interested in being at places that rarely feature on it. With travellers abound through the year, it is less a case of FOMO than FOFO: fear of others finding out. We’re here to help you with just that.
Park life
Among the quietest and the least fussy places to visit are national parks. No, we’re not just talking about a safari or a hike, but a full blown vacay in the middle of one. There’s clean air, an amazingly beautiful and clear sky for all you stargazers, and green spaces abound. What more would one need?
Thankfully, there’s an organisation just for these requirements. Quiet Parks International is an NGO that connects people to low decibel places, and keeps a rather detailed list of them based on extensive research. And one of the first areas that inspired its creation, as well as the world’s first designated urban quiet park, is Taiwan’s Yangmingshan National Park. Created through volcanic activity and consisting of everything from lakes to meadows to hot springs, this is serenity in a picture. Although just ten kilometres from Taipei, it is a world apart from the bustling city.
From poles to equator
When it comes to quiet travel and scintillating views, Scandinavia is always on top of everyone’s list. But thanks to the ever-viral nature of aurora borealis, there can be quite some crowds there. For those wishing to sample some hygge and calm surroundings, there are several national parks at a slight distance from Stockholm that will give you just that and more. Whether your jam is bird spotting, mushroom foraging, or even a woodland trek, there’s one for each activity.
Coming down to the temperate regions, Ecuador houses the world’s first wilderness quiet park. The Zabalo River in the Amazon Rainforest is an indigenous protected area, and the population has been responsible for turning it into a paradise on earth. Featuring brilliant biodiversity and a crystal clear canoeing experience, the only sounds will be those of the fauna.
Aisle Travel
We often tend to take the specificity of our daily needs for granted. Which is why an experience like going to a grocery store can appear to be an extremely monotonous and boring task. But in case you have been to one in another city, let alone another country, you will start noticing stark differences across the aisles. And it is this that has been picked up by the internet to turn into the latest travel trend, and is quickly gaining currency among travellers all over. Welcome to the age of grocery store tourism.
Umm…what?
With all the hotspots filling up with visitors and a significant increase in overtourism charges across the board, authentic experiences are hard to come by. Along with taking away from the cultural importance of a place, it is also a hassle to get through long queues and is just not worth the time spent. Visiting a grocery store is always an inexpensive option, and is just as culturally immersive as visiting a historical monument. Think of it as a slow adventure.
Grocery stores are the repositories of how people in a part of the world live their lives and how it differs from our own quotidian existence. It offers an escape from our own monotony, and gives an exciting twist to a very commonplace activity. Think of it as visiting a museum of everyday life, with each aisle holding an exhibit that can be sampled with ease.
Little bit of everything
Think of it like going to a mandi or a kirana. It might be difficult to imagine since we tend to take it for granted, but the same in New York is called a bodega, while in France, it is the supermarche. Every place has some interesting product that is a window into what it means to be a local, such as fresh baguettes, or warm pretzels. A seafood section becomes an aquarium, while the deli becomes a zoo (albeit a slightly morbid one).
More than just exploring and sampling, the grocery store is the best place to get souvenirs, both for yourself and your friends. So, are you in mind to explore a city this way the next time you travel?
A Guest at Host
Off the coast of Croatia is an island that has been part of history and pop culture. Vis is a thin strip of land only sixteen kilometres across and before becoming a part of Croatia, was part of the Venetian empire. Featuring some of the most beautiful Benedictine and Italian Renaissance architecture, it was also the site where Mamma Mia 2 was filmed.
However, it is ten minutes from this historical island that an under-explored gem lies. Near the entrance to the Vis harbour lies Host. An island that is only a few hundred metres long, it is the ideal contemplative retreat, for along with its size, it is completely uninhabited.
The only building that stands on Host is a two-hundred year old lighthouse that has been refurbished into a holiday home, complete with a hot tub and scintillating views. The remainder of the island is lush with green vegetation, and is yours to explore at your own leisure.
Named after Sir William Hoste, an English general of the Napoleonic Wars, who spent time on the island and on Vis repelling the French forces. Recently, Roman era ruins have been found in and around the island, including a 7000-year-old road! In case you’ve had your fill of history and wish to partake of some local cuisine, you can always swim or take a short boat ride to Vis, which is full of great eateries and spots.
So, if you’re looking for a sojourn of silence and quiet meditation, Host is the place to be.
Southern Delight
Aotearoa has been known to be one of the most picturesque countries in the world thanks to its unspoilt natural beauty and unique wildlife. And while among all the islands that make up New Zealand, North Island tends to get the most eyeballs, there’s another that merits exploration as well.
The South Island is much bigger than its northern counterpart, by almost thirty two percent. However, unlike the North Island, where much of the governance and economic activity of the country is based, the southern island is home to only twenty three percent of the population of New Zealand. This has resulted in large stretches of the region to remain thickly forested and suitable for adventure activities, from hiking to bungee jumping and camping.
The island is also home to the Southern Alps, a mountain range that has several glaciers, as well as New Zealand’s tallest mountain Aoraki, formerly known as Mount Cook. A favourite of mountain climbers due to its challenging approach, it was surmounted by Sir Edmund Hillary in preparation for his ascent on Everest. Consisting of three peaks of varying difficulty, it is suited to climbers of all levels.
If you wish to immerse yourself in the local flora and fauna, bushwalking — known as 'tramping' in New Zealand — is the ideal activity. The lush greenery you will encounter on your walks is truly breathtaking. In fact, you will hardly have tree trunks in sight because they are often obscured by moss, lichens, and massive ferns.
Whether it’s adventure, time travel, or just a meditative retreat, South Island is the hidden gem that beckons travellers of all sorts. And in case you’ve had your fill of nature, small cities like Dunedin and Christchurch have an ideal mix of history and a friendly crowd to mingle and hang out with.
Wicked Resting
It isn’t odd for you to see new wellness trends popping up every few months. Ever since the pandemic, the industry has grown by leaps and bounds, propelled by people’s interest in exploring different ways of keeping themselves in the pink of health. While we have previously covered trends like quiet travel and nature retreats that connect the body with the natural environment for peace and tranquillity, there’s been movement in the opposite direction to achieve the same as well. Technology has taken everything up a notch, and hospitality is at the forefront of this new way of being fit.
Sleeper hit
When it comes to wellness, there has been no activity that covers as many wellness criteria as sleep. Of course, sleep is necessary in order to have both a healthy body and mind, and a lack of it tends to affect not just mood, but also productivity and longevity of life. To cater to and provide people with the best sleep ever, the hospitality industry has come up with several new initiatives backed by science and tech.
The first among these is lucid dreaming sleep therapy, which is being pioneered by Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel in London. Their ‘Room to Dream’ provides people with VR goggles and lulls them to sleep using it, after which people enter a state of lucid dreaming. Scientifically speaking (and not just from our repeated viewing of Inception), lucid dreaming has been proven to be extremely effective in aiding creativity, enhancing one’s learning capacities, as well as treating a myriad of mental health issues.
Among other innovations in the sleep sector have been ‘Sleep Concierges’ for those struggling to fall asleep, as well as beds and rooms with lighting and clocks that are aligned with the circadian rhythm to ensure a good night’s rest.
Freeze frame
The most amount of inspiration, however, for the wellness industry, has been from sports. Dubai’s hotel SIRO, in consultation with professional football clubs and athletes, is the world’s first ‘fitness hotel’, concentrating exclusively on wellness and muscle recovery. Featuring cryogenic chambers and state-of-the-art equipment such as ‘touchless facials’ and anti-gravity chairs, it heralds a new age in wellness therapy.
The Sands of Time
Do you know what the best part of speaking to locals when travelling is? Finding hidden gems. And if you were under the stunning Northern Lights in Finland and asked a local to tell you about a hidden gem, they would probably point you to Maakalla.
Adrift off the Finnish coast, Maakalla is a small, secluded island that comes alive each summer. Located 18km off Finland’s western coast in Bothnian Bay, it gives a fascinating glimpse into the past. Discovered in the 15th century by fishermen and seal hunters, Maakalla continues to rise gradually from the sea, thanks to glacio-isostatic uplift. Today, it’s more than 5 metres above sea level, a stark contrast to its initial 9 mm. The island’s rugged beauty and absence of modern amenities make it a true retreat. There are no shops, restaurants, cars, or roads — only empty wooden cabins, remnants of its fishing heritage. On a good day, you can see the wooden church atop a hill (and maybe even hike to it).
The island enjoys autonomous status, governed by a council of local fishermen elected each summer, a tradition dating back to 1771 under Swedish rule. The island changed hands from Sweden to Russia before Finland’s independence in 1917, yet its unique governance remains intact.
Summers see some fishermen returning to their ancestral cabins, bringing supplies to last their stay. The island’s population swells temporarily with day-trippers eager to experience traditional Finnish customs and Maakalla’s distinctive charm. Visiting Maakalla is a step back in time, a serene escape where the echoes of history blend with the tranquil beauty of nature. Resilient through centuries, perhaps this place can teach us a thing or two about slowing down.
Time Traveller’s Tour
Imagine embarking on a journey where the past and present converge. Picture yourself wandering through a heritage site, soaking in the rich history, then seamlessly transitioning to a vibrant club to dance the night away, and finally indulging in local delicacies that tell the story of the land. What if you didn’t have to choose between these experiences and could enjoy them all at once?
Wait, what?
No, we don’t mean you get into a portal and actually travel across dimensions, although being able to do that would be very cool. We mean exploring a place in its present form with a glimpse of its former glory intact. While it is still in its nascent stages, the concept is being mulled over in the tourism industry. Take Gloucester Luk Kwok Hong Kong, formerly known as the Luk Kwok Hotel, for example. Many consider this to be the ideal destination to be a time travel hub.
Nestled within the dynamic neighbourhood of Wan Chai, this area holds a rich historical significance, particularly in Hong Kong’s colonial era. In the days of yore, it was renowned for its vibrant nightlife, especially attracting sailors seeking leisure and entertainment. The city also flourished as a prominent port for both Britain and the US. And now, you can see its past first hand in the very near future.
So, how do you do it?
Upon entering the hub, you will be enveloped in an immersive multimedia experience, embarking on an interactive journey. Technologies such as virtual reality, holograms, and other innovative techniques will transport participants to significant periods in Hong Kong’s vibrant past. In addition, age-old recipes will also be presented alongside AI-generated food, depending on the timeline a visitor wants to explore. Just imagine sitting in the 1600s while sitting in 2024. Who said you can’t be at two places at once?
By mixing history and entertainment, any place can transform into a portal into the past, letting you not only immerse yourself in its wonderful history, but also its beautiful culture. So, what’s the first place you’d like to explore?
The Cinematic Journey
Some places don’t make you choose between being a mountain person or a beach person because you can be both. New Zealand, with its diverse landscapes, gives you this unique blend effortlessly. From rugged coastlines to snow-capped peaks, the magic of Aotearoa is undeniable, making it a dream destination.
NZ first enchanted many as the mystical land of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Its breathtaking vistas have since drawn travellers seeking the same awe-inspiring beauty they saw on screen. Which is perhaps why it is no surprise that it was recently named the most beautiful country in the world. With more sheep than people and never being more than 90 miles from a beach, it offers a stunning variety of landscapes. You can hike through lush forests, kayak alongside dolphins, or simply relax on serene beaches, all within a short distance from each other.
While summer attracts crowds, the shoulder season — autumn and spring — might be the best time to visit. As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, the country seems to come alive in vibrant hues. This is also the perfect time to experience local cuisine and wines, as vineyards.
For those seeking offbeat experiences, New Zealand has plenty to offer. You can climb Taranaki Maunga, the stunning backdrop of The Last Samurai, or explore the enchanting Pūrākaunui Falls, featured in The Chronicles of Narnia. Adventure enthusiasts can bungee jump at Kawarau Gorge or take a scenic cycling route through Central Otago, where The Power of the Dog was filmed.
Super Fly
Your flight is soon going to be a very different gravy. It is in part thanks to the increased demand for air travel, which has also given rise to the necessity of making aviation more sustainable as an industry. But it isn’t just the engine and the fuel that is undergoing change, there are a few more features to your flying experience that will be totally unique and interesting.
What’s happening?
Chances are that when one asks you to imagine a commercial carrier, you would come up with more or less the same image, irrespective of which manufacturer you think of. This has been adopted across the board, no matter what the size of the aeroplane. Design innovations in the sector, therefore, have been few and far between in the last two decades.
However, thanks to the increased demand for air travel, as well as the comparative affordability of it, airlines and manufacturers are feeling the need to change. One of the earliest changes that was proposed was to have double seating, which resembled those of double decker buses. While it might appear to be just a case of fitting as many seats as one can, there is structural integrity in this design innovation, and it is already being tested. On these lines, facing seats that create a small ‘meeting’ set up of four, are also being trialled and are being seen favourably.
And if the position of seats was the only thing changing, think again. There have been experiments regarding new foam material for seats to make them more comfortable, as well as innovating new ways to find foot room. But this is one area among many that is being experimented on.
An aerial experience
While features like common rooms and lounges are usual among first or business class flyers, airlines are now coming up with ‘WellBeing Zones’ that are meant for economy travellers as well. They will have sections for passengers to stretch, relax, or just have a little chat with others. It is aimed at reducing the stress associated with flying.
What goes without saying is that all these innovations are also done with the aim of being sustainable and green, whether it is aeroplane seating, or the fuel used.
The Sojourn of Sloth
Have you ever gone on a holiday with a long list of places to visit and activities to undertake, wondering that if you don’t, FOMO will take over? And after the end of such an adventure-filled vacation, you just end up feeling more tired than revitalised and require another time out to relax yourself? Well, you’re not the only one.
It often feels like one is trading a relaxing time with one filled with activities and sightseeing. But as the famed meme goes: Why not both? There is a solution for that too.
A little bit of everything
‘Slow travel’ and ‘slow adventure’ have been in existence for quite some time. However, as with the word ‘slow’, these two concepts were usually always reserved with some judgement. As if saved for those who want to exert themselves as little as possible. But it seems like Millennials and Gen Z are catching on to this trend too, as a way of having a holistic holiday.
One of the major outlets of slow travel are wellness retreats. Often restricted to just singular spaces over a few days, these retreats have undergone a change, inculcating short hikes, and other activities that foster mindfulness. Haridwar and Rishikesh have emerged as the hubs of slow travel, with a mixture of both meditation and adventure offering a more complete holiday for travellers.
Take your time
Outside the hilly environs of the Western Ghats and the Himalayas, Japan is fast emerging as the ideal hub for slow adventure. With its wild and untamed landscape, Hokkaido in the winters turns into the perfect slow travel destination.
The winters cause the river to almost freeze. Almost. What you’re left with is a river that’s closer to a glacier, but not completely that either. Canoeing in such a river allows one to admire the views and comfortably enjoy the feeling of paddling down in a boat. This slow adventure gives you most of the thrills, without any of the exhaustion, so that you can make the most of your visit.
Will you try going on a slow adventure next?
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