DEPARTURE LOUNGE
look inside for essential travel tips and airport reads
MAY 2011 ÂŁ2.19
MINI CARIBBEAN GUIDE Find the perfect destination for you
PRINCESS IN EXILE
SHORT LONDON CITY BREAK go greenwich:
A look through the past
airort lounge: meeting of the minds a short sit down with
David Knight
May 2011 FEATURES
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the perfect island paradise awaits
LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE, ISOLATION, FUNFOR THE WHOLE FAMILY , ON A BUDGET, THERE’S AN ISLAND FOR YOU
5 LONDON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE PAST.
GREENWICH WITH A HISTORICAL TWIST
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A PRINCESS IN EXILE DEPARTURE LOUNGE
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INTERVIEW WITH A HYPNOTHERAPIST IT’S ALL IN THE TONE OF VOICE, KNIGHT SAYS
11 HELPFUL TRAVEL TIPS
IDEAS WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS
12 AIRPORT READS TO WILE THE TIME AWAY 2 THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE MAY’11
Letter from the Eiditor Life is all about the journey, the people you meet along the way and the places you have been to. Some of the joy and wonder has been taken out of travel through invasive aiprort securiy measures, and the like. The month’ s issue of the Departure Lounge will breath a little fresh air into travel Whether you are sipping ruma and coke on a sun drenched beach, taking a kip on the hammock, it is perfectly alright to admit that sometimes you need to escape the winter months for the tropical climes of the Caribbean. Fear not, for there is an island for you, that matches your palette and your wallet. Included inside is also a short forray into south east London. Had a lovely day in Greenwich (the w is silent, or so I’ve been told) outside of the typical tourist destinations. I always love how as modern London is, there is always a historical twist. With the fervor about the Royal Wedding passed, take a look inside of a life of a Libyan Princess exiled from her country. Editor Angel Aboud COVER IMAGE COURTESY: GOOGLE IMAGES A street in Havanna, Cuba.
The perfect island paradise awaits, whatever your whim A bevy of isles stretching from the south east of the Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America and north of South America, the Caribbean has different flavours to suit whatever your whim. While the Caribbean arrogantly boast some of the world’s most breath taking beaches, rich in colour, vibrant in sea life, a veritable tropical paradise. A mini vacation here could very well be more than just fun in the sun. The islands are as diverse and varied as its people. There is an island to complement whatever the taste may be, if money is tight, Cuba is the best option. If adventure is the preference, Tobago is your choice. If the family is tagging along, Guadeloupe is the French isle to pick. If a quiet place to relax is your wish, Nevis will grant it.
MINI CARIBBEAN GUIDE
CUBA
“Experience stunning Cuban cool, amidst half a century of rollercoaster history without depleting your bank account.
Lobster dinner for fewer than ten quid? Staying in a colonial style villa for a £15? Cuba delivers on all counts, grand enough to fulfil any island life fantasy at an atypical Caribbean price. Perhaps, organizing accommodation in a stranger’s home may be slightly unusual, but Cuban Bed and Breakfasts are generally the cheapest place. The ambiance is a homey bonus. When in Havana, swallow the nerves and try the street food, it is guaranteed to excite the palette rivalling the kitchens of any other establishment. Public transport is the best way to get around the island.
for £21. So underwater ogling completed, venture 300 kilometre down the coast, for more beach and culture at Trinidad: a picturesque cobble stoned lined street, Colonial houses and one of the country’s most recognized restaurants, Estela. Feast on platters of meat, fish and lobster for £6. One can’t be a true tourist in Cuba without experiencing the Revolution in some way; every town has its own museum devoted to the cause. Even though modernization is slowly creeping in, this sunny isle will always dance to its own beat.
The next step is to choose a beach, avoid the Atlantic-facing resorts and travel to the southern coast with the blue-green waters of the Caribbean Sea. For the best PHOTO ABOVE: CALLE ROJAS, IN HAVANNA, scuba diving, playa Giron is white sand, CUBA coral walled beach of choice for divers. SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES The Hotel Playa Giron hires scuba gear
GUADELOUPE F you have the family and kids in tow, there is no avoiding the expense, so the simple justification is that- how can I put this?educational. This irregularly shaped island is one of the few french speaking islands in the archipelago. One can till get the dancing, flavour, colour, music and rum but there is also the chance for the kids to practice conjugating french verbs while picking up their coconut ice cream. The island has two very distinct sides, the east side, Grande Terre is flatter and drier and the west side Basse Terre is much wetter. The southern edge has the white sanded, palm fringed beaches that are packed. This is the island’s hotel and tourism section. On to Bouillante and the Plage de la Malendure, on the west of Basse Terre lies the tell tale grey sand volcanic beach. This is the part where the family can have a gander around the shops, and a bite, and
get fitted with scuba gear. Now, be ready to tackle the diving sites made famous by Jacques Cousteau. Basse Terre has miles fo lush tropical forests to explore. More than worth the sweat. If you have the stamina to hike up the 15600m volcano of La Soufriere, the panoramic views atop is simply stunning. Pay no attention to the sulphurous smoke spewing. To be safe and to make the most of the trek, try Zion Trek, www. ziontrek-guadeloupe.com. Each island has its own history. This will be a good lesson for the kids. The Caribbean is more than just pretty beaches and scorching sun, they each have real pasts to overcome. At Mououba, marks the spot where 300 followers blew themselves up rather than yield to Napoleon’s reintroduction to the slave trade.
THE
PHOTO TOP; LA SOUFRIERE, BOTTOM: PLAYA DE LA MALENDURE SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES
FOR ALL YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS BOOK WITH THOMAS COOK 01244 323027
NEVIS
Fast forward to this century, this tiny 8 km wide island was voted among the world’s top three honeymoon destinations. The allure has remained because of its continuous isolation. Part of the isle’s appeal also comes from its exclusivity, mostly thanks to the limited hotel rooms available on the island. The key to the ultimate solitary vacation is meticulous planning. These rooms do not stay empty for long.
If this is your island of choice, it is safe to say that you are in very good company. The Sunshine Beach bar, a hidden gem whose wall are adorned with the likes of Bob Marley, and Beyonce, to drop a few famous names. Nevis has had somewhat of interesting story of romance and tragedy. In 1787, a sea captain named Horatio Nelson was wed to a local planter’s daughter. The sulphur spring claimed all four of his PHOTO ABOVE : PINNEY’S BEACH limbs, where the Bath Hotel is currently SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES located. 5 THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE MAY’11
TOBAGO
TOP: MAN BLOWING CONCH SHELL BELOW: STINGRAY IN A REEF.
potatoes, wrapped in thin bread. The Roti Hut should be a discerning travellers first stop for
Perfect for the few who prefer to travel independently, perhaps not always in luxury but fuel. combining genuine island life with a subtle Exploring the rest of the island is simply dose of culture. a matter of hopping on the bus network to Tobago is the sister isle to the twin republic the leeward coast, where there is a string of of Trinidad. Compared to the faster paced oil coastal communities on the north. Castara is magnate, Tobago is the rural backwater place. a popular fishing village, the idyllic stop for In order to reach Tobago, plan for an overnight food, more beaches and where one learns the stay in Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain. Keep concept of “liming”. To the islanders of the in mind that through recent twin republic, a lime is simply years it has formed comparison passing the time elegantly loafto Kingston, not in an entirely ing about. It is serious business “ Liming- Islanders positive way. though: a mix of skilled idlehas mastered the art Scarborough, the capital of of shooting the breeze. ness, passionate public speakTobago is completely different. The trick to liming ing, gregariousness and blatant is simple, all that is The ferry from Port of Spain lady watching, it might take a needed: friends, rum, drops passengers in a jovial, few days to master. bustling mini port.(list of ticket and a venue.” Running along the leeward agencies on www.patnt.com, side, there is also Charlottes£47 return) Another way to get ville, Englishman’s Bay. It is to Tobago is to fly in from Trinidad. The only simply too easy to allow the whole holiday airport is in Crown Point, home to some of the float by while coasting the calm shores of the larger hotels. It usually carries a cost of £30 west side.The return for travel between the isles. windward side Upon disembarking, prepare to be assailed faces the Atlantic on all five senses, Soca music will be playhereby the coasting in market stalls laden with fresh fruit and lines lean more toother delicacies. At this point, the pace of life wards the rugged is slower, the locals adopt a live and let live side, while still approach, with a very healthy dose of food appreciation, and a great place to start sampling the cuisine would be the local vendors. Bear in able to maintain mind, the vendors enjoy a bit of bargaining. the relaxed vibe Indian food on the island is vastly different that the island is culinary experience than any other place, one known for. that must be savoured, try the traditional working lunch called roti- a blend of curried meat,
South East London Greenwich
A leisurely stroll through history London is one of the world’s most vis After a spot of space exploration, ited international cities. It boasts a wide variety head to the Greenwich town centre with of cultural festivities that attracts millions annu- its plethora of quaint maritime shops ally. It is not too hard to see when you consider and antiques done in the Georgian and the diverse spectrum of attractions, top-notch Victorian style dating back to the eighmuseums and galleries. Only in this truly amaz- teen hundreds. ing city would one be able to gaze at Van Gogh’s British history is riddled with Sunflowers at the National Gallery for free or take blood, gore and royal treachery and this a trip to St. Paul’s Cathedral for Europe’s largest South Eastern hamlet amidst the buscrypt or even taking in a Shakespearean play in tling London is no exception. The only one of the many theatres. church, south from the river Thames, To a first time traveller in London, a few was named after an eleventh century destinations should be made a must see, such archbishop of Canterbury. Kidnapped as Piccadilly Circus, the London eye, Madame and transported to Greenwich via boat, Toussard’s wax museum to name a few of the he was then bludgeoned to death with typical tourist spots. the bones of captor’s buffet, all because London is constantly evolving, even for he refuted the paid ransom. The church the most experienced traveller. There is always was first constructed in 1012, the infasomething new and interesting to discover, a mous Henry VIII was baptised there in hidden nook in the city to venture for the more 1491. The crypt was used as a shelter seasoned explorer. Getting around London has for hundreds of locals, during the Secnever been easier, with its vast subway system, ond World War. For the traveller with to the locals known as the ‘tube’. a penchant for literary trivia, George As good a place as any to start on this off Orwell commented on the stench of the the beaten track journey is crypt with the live bodies. Greenwich: the home of the international time Taking a break from the macabre, settings, and also to the Old Royal Observatory, head over the King Williams Walk and the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park Park Row, have a pint at Trafalgar Inn, to name a few. one of the London’s most famous riv Greenwich Park is the oldest royal park in erside establishments that bragged the London, enclosed in 1433 and then after a few patronage of novelist Charles Dickens centuries later opened to the public in the eigh- and Harrison Ainsworth. By the turn of teenth century. Located just near the park is the the twentieth century, the pub’s popuOld Royal Observatory, which was designed in larity was fading and hereby was conse1675 by architect Christopher Wren, as a Charles quently converted to a seaman’s hostel. II wanted astronomers to accurately measure It is an impossible feat to experience time at sea. Visitors can see the 28-inch refrac- all London has to offer. Be a nerd, talk a tor telescope, boosting one of the largest in the walk through the past. world. Even if you don’t have any interest in space exploration, this is a must see.
EXILED London is almost always in the news for one reason or another. At the end of April, it was the venue of Prince William and Kate’s Royal Wedding, billions watched. It is also the refuge of London born, Libyan Princess Alia Idris al-Senussi. Her father, a member of the Royal Libyan family was exiled in 1969 in the aftermath of the coup that General Gaddafi staged. Born in Washington DC, she spent part of her childhood scattered everywhere from Cairo to Rome to Geneva. Despite having never stepped a foot on her home soil, she is still able to connect to her roots and the Arab world in general. A visit to Libya has remained impossible.
Source: Google images
She works in the Tate’s Middle Eastern and North African acquisitions committee. “I would love to be a part of the future of Libya,” she says. “ I love to think I could be a part of forging positive social policy there through arts.”
THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE MAY’11 9
DEPARTURE LOUNGE TRAVEL SPECIAL
INTERVIEW WITH A HYNOTHERAPIST Airports by definition provide a meeting ground of people from all over the world. Imagine the sheer volume of travellers that pass through an airport at any given time? The numbers are staggering. In England, heathrow and Gatwick are two of the main international airports in the united kingdom, which sees over 40 million. The airport, or global meeting point as it should be known as, is the one place that the world is quite literally at your feet. Imagine a long queue, there is a long layover before you go to the next leg of your journey, I almost guarantee that they will be at least four conversations going on around you, and you would not understand any. Furthermore, the hours spent in waiting, could be used productively. There is no telling who you might meet. This month’s airport lounge meeting is with the hypnotherapist’s David knight. The flight is delayed for another two hours, there is a palpable tension in the air, one can almost feel the exhaustion in the atmosphere. And sitting next to me is David Knight. A Yorkshire born and bred 46-year old lad who discovered a passion for hynosis at the age of 26, and has been in the field for the past two decades. What first attracted you to learning hynosis and hynotherapy? DK: Well, at first i was really skeptical, so I took it upon myself to try and learn as much as I could. I borrowed books and found a few course and I enrolled, basically on a whim. I guess the more I found out, the more I wanted to know more. So it just went from there.
what kind of courses did you study? How long were they? DK: I studied hypnotherapy at the British Academy of Hypnosis for six months. It was a combo of books and classrooms and practical experience. I then went on to complete another six months course in Stage Hypnosis, just because it seemed like it would be interesting. I trained as a hypnotherapist for four years. As a hypnotherapist, what kind of patients did you come accross? DK: I saw mostly people who wanted to quit smoking. It would take abour 3-4 sessions a week apart before they noticed a difference. I also get alot of people who come to see me with chronic pain. Pain is registered in the brain, through hypnosis, people can get relief. The most rewarding patient was a 19-year old boy who was agoraphobic, he could not get out of his house, I worked with him for a while and now he has a job and girlfriend. So it does work. I know you’ve done stage shows, what’s the difference and where have you performed? DK: The difference is that stage is much deeper and faster, it more for a show, entertainment. I have performed in 36 countries... Greenland, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, to name some. What as been your greates achievement so far? DK: (shrugs bashfully) I have the world’s speed record for most people hypnotised, I put 37 people under in a minute.
DEPARTURE LOUNGE
TRAVEL SPECIAL
TRAVEL TIPS AND ESSENTIALS
Some travel essentials: 1) SIM CARD- if you are travelling by yourself, it would be a good idea to invest in a cell phone 2)PUBLIC TRANSPORT MAPS- The maps will keep you organized and moving in the right direction, dollars well spent. 3)COMPRESSION BAGS- Use these bags and you will fit significantly more in your suitcase. Beware though, overpacking comes with a steep price. 4)GUM- Chewing gum relieves the ear pressure that builds up over long haul flights.
5)SMART PHONES- There are a bunch of useful apps that can be downloaded, like translater, alarm clock, GPS. 6)UNIVERSAL CHARGERS- Who doesn’t travel with their digital arsenal in their back pockets, investing in a good charger keeps all out gadgets powered up. 7) KINDLE- Granted these are relatively new on the market but they are ideal for travel. they are small, thin, fit over 3,500 books, and has amazingly long battery life. Get them from www.amazon.co.uk, they go from £100 and up.
TRAVELLING WITH KIDS? HERE ARE A FEW ACTIVIES TO SAVE YOUR SANITY Travel is meant to be an eye opening experience, but let’s face it, it is not very enjoyable if you are travelling with a restless toddler or a hyper active adolescent. Here are a few suggestions that might pass the time faster.
3) Moms say it with me, NINTENDO is your friend. 4) Play old school games like ‘Simon says’, ‘Go Fish’ and UNO. 5)Be prepared.
1) Portable DVD players- For the moms, forget telly limits, let them find Nemo, or take the shuttle to Pandora. 2) Hand out toys one at a time.
6) A travel pillow, if the cheeky bugger is comfortable, he or she might fall asleep and give their travel weary parents a breather.
BOOKS FOR AIR TRAVEL When choosing a book to read at the airport, keep in mind, it needs to be engaging, fast-paced to make the hours fly by and also engaging enough to keep your attention from people watching or just glued to the departure board. “The Monsters of Templton” by Lauren Groff. The Monsters of Templeton is a debut novel that is well worth the hype Filled with monsters, ghosts, ancestors with secrets, and illegitimate children, The Monsters of Templeton will make your wait fly by.
“The wisdom of whores” by Elizabeth Pisani The Wisdom of Whores is an intriguing combination of autobiography, exotic seedy adventure, and polical analysis. It is a witty, humorous page-turner that presents AIDS from angles most readers will have never even fathomed possible. Bear in mind that you will get funny looks from people, of course it is the title. “Breaking Dawn” by Stephanie Meyers This is the thrilling conclusion to the Twiligh saga, the previous three are light and perfect for airport reading. While the storyline is generic at best, it will hold your attention for the long haul flight. It is escapism reading at its best. Guilty pleasure to some adults.
Classic album for this month’s issue “Rumors” by Fleetwood Mac Rumors was released in 1977, and since then has gone on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide. It is a classic for a reason, filled with heartfelt, honest lyrics, lush harmonies and classic guitar work makes this one for anyone’s music collection. The stand out tracks are ‘Go your own way’, ‘Songbird’ and ‘Dreams’. This is the caliber of music that is timeless.
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