June by TLF magazinr

02 I Note from the Editor-in-Chief

I hope the summers are not being too harsh on you and you are taking care to stay hydrated and keep your body temperature from soaring. Through our summer special issues we want to make sure our readers stay mind, body and soul hydrated, by travelling to the coolest destinations, beautiful beaches and by reading about the cool summer tips about skin, hair and fashion. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the summer health woes to drive you nuts! Since the holiday mood is on, enjoy the weather by travelling to the right destinations, wearing the coolest clothes and looking your best at all times, by flipping through the latest issue of TLF. We are proud to tell you all, about our recent success at two major travel events, ATM-Arabian Travel Market, held in Dubai and Mp tourism Foundation Day at Bhopal. We are lucky to have experienced the beauty of Madhya Pradesh and suggest our readers to visit the state, enjoy the beauty of Sanchi and other places plus the great wild life that MP offers. Hope you enjoy reading! keep writing at editorinchief@tlfmagazine.com

Destinations

18 08 12 28

Summer escape: kaas Tropical paradise: Thailand

Soaked in history: Sri Lanka Best of hospitality:Dubai

Food and Nightlife

52 46 50 57 55

The best cuppa in Mumbai Expats chefs in India

The man behind Sagar Ratana Lebanese feast at Ranoosh Middle eastern dishes decoded

Fashion and Entertainment

74 67 68

Rumour has it

28 Stay Here

36 40 42

Park Hyatt Hyderabad Sofitel Sukumvit Bangkok Wildnest nature resort goa

Opinion

58 59

Juhi Pande on the charm of accidental meetings. What you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about Women in Bangkok

Beach style In focus

70 Features

62 60 66

Summer supple skin Give your home a makeover this season Shahnaz Husain on haircare

Regulars Last Word

04 I Note from the Editor CEO Shivani Joon

Editorial Editor-in-Chief Shweta Joon Editor Natascha Shah

Contributing Writers Reema Moudgil Unboxed Writers Insia Dariwala Raynah Khursheed Dinshaw Juhi Pande Prerna Jaiswal Mita Singh Esha Narayanan

Marketing Head of Marketing Hiten Rajput Hrishikesh.P. Patil Business Associate Western India (Mumbai) MPEN Associates Mob: 9967429418 e-mail:mpenassociates@gmail.com Gunjan Bagai Urvashi Leekha Pushpa Raj Rathour Mob: 9324284758 e-mail: mpenmktg@gmail.com Sanat Tokas Jyotika

Design and Layout Billantoo Designs Manoj Negi

Administration Sumit Gaur

Head of Distribution Siddharth Joon

Published by Blue Butterfly Media House For Ads contactadvertise@tlfmagazine.com Phone no +91 9871871170 +91 9717546999 For editorial queries: editor@tlfmagazine.com editorinchief@tlfmagazine.com DISCLAIMER Printed and published by SHIVANI JOON on behalf of Blue Butterfly Media House. Processed and published at Rave India Scans, distributed in India by IBH. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All Prices are correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change. Manuscripts ,Drawings and other materials must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. However, TLF cannot be responsible for unsolicited material.

The Last issue, was a teaser to all the spectacular things one may do this summer. This one gives you more, for the way the temperature is soaring-one can never have enough of ideas that help you chill! I say, pack your bags and head to the Alps but isn’t that the obvious destination? Why not explore something a little less commercial and a little more exciting? Maharashtra’s beautiful valley of flowers—kaas—is one such hidden gem. The ones who love the sun, and that lovely bronze, but can’t get that in India without roasting, can hop on the next flight to Thailand or Sri Lanka where serene beaches await you! From travel tips for the single female travellers to where and what to eat, where to stay, what to pack—we have it all covered for you! TLF was a proud participant in the Arabian Travel Market, held in Dubai. I attended it as one of the hosted buyers and got a chance to explore the wonderful-indulgent hotspot that the city is (yes, more indulgent than the loo-renovation team at the planning commission). The best of Dubai section reviews five hotels where one must stay, eat and relax. Also read all about the middle eastern cuisine which has been lovingly decoded for you. One must know their hummus from their baba ganoush! May saw celebs strut down the red carpet at the Cannes Film festival and we at TLF love such events because we love to scrutinise who wore what! My personal favourite was the beautiful Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the grey Elie Saab gown. No size zero can match up to the womanly sex appeal she exuded. So trip on the heady cocktail of travel, hospitality, fashion and lifestyle and don’t get a heat stroke this summer! Cheers! Natascha Shah write to me at editor@tlfmagazine.com

08 I Travel

1. A traditional Thai boat

As the aircraft meanders over the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand, one canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but gape at the breathtaking view before landing on a narrow stretch of runway surrounded by mountains covered in lush tropic greens. Welcome to Koh Samui, a place that makes you fall in love with it almost instantly.

short 80-minute flight from Bangkok could get you to Samui, a jewel set in the Gulf of Thailand. The tiny boutique airport is absolutely enchanting and looks straight out of a story book! Quaint and happy, it has a pond, replete with beautiful water-lilies and shoals of colourful Koi-carp, waiting to greet every passerby. Not just that, the cloak rooms of the airport are stunning with larger-than-life salt water aquariums that house exotic tropical fish. Happy and welcoming, the airport sets the

mood for a perfect, lazy holiday whilst Ixoras, bouganveilas (in full bloom!) and ferns make the drive to the city an absolute pleasure period. Blue sky days, gentle ocean breeze, balmy afternoons and intoxicating eveningsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Koh Samui has it all. Some of the main beaches of Samui are Chaweng, Bo Phut, Lamai and Nathon. My personal recommendation will be to check-in at any one of the many outstanding spa resorts on Chaweng beach. Post sundown, Chaweng is vir-

tually the hottest night spot on the island. Lined with shops selling beautiful local handicrafts in wood, sculptures and figurines of Buddha to silver jewellery, funky T-shirts, music cds and junk jewellery, the Chaweng beach street is a bustling bazaar. Keep walking and exploring, till you are famished and tired. Get yourself some fresh Nutella and banana stuffed pancakesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they are irresistible and come at an equally irresistible price! Stop by at any of the Thai massage parlors for a rejuvenating foot massage

2. The Great Buddha Statue at Koh Samui

10 and you are good to go again!! Also stop-by at Starbucks for a cuppa- an ideal place to sit and contemplate or have endless conversations. One shop I can never forget is an old, dilapidated bookstore, run by a retired Englishman, who came to Samui a few decades back and never left. Although he makes a very modest living for himself, his store definitely deserves a mention! If you are out later in the evening, one of the great places to hang out is Bondi-The Australian Bar & Grill. Good old rock numbers and some beer could be a great way to wind up the evening with friends. And if you wish to have some more action, you could attend a Muay-Thai boxing championship in the ring or party at The Green Mango nightclub and dance the night away!! Amongst the other places, which I always remember is The Coffee Club (right next to Swensens Ice Cream & Sundae parlour). It has a nice café like ambience and a day bar and serves fresh Thai food along with a choice of some popular continental dishes to cater to the European tourist community. A must try would be KaPrao Moo— wok fried minced pork with chilli and Thai basil served along with a portion of steamed jasmine rice, topped with a fried egg— fragrant and spicy, it leaves you asking for more. I settled for my all-time favourite, classic, pad thai with prawns, which came wrapped beautifully in a banana leaf. It was incredibly delicious, finished with crushed peanuts, dried shrimps, red chilli flakes and a dash of lime—spicy and totally lip smacking! Make sure you don’t venture out

Blue sky days, gentle ocean breeze, balmy afternoons and intoxicating eveningsKoh Samuihas it all.

in the afternoons as it gets quite warm and sultry and most of the shops close down for siesta! And if it happens to rain, don’t worry, just step into Black Canyon Coffee and grab yourself a yummy cold coffee with cream and choco chips—the open coffee bar is the best way to beat the rain yet feel the wet, scented breeze brush past you. It is absolutely lovely to sit there and watch the rain lashed roads. One of the best options for a smooth, pleasurable stay on Chaweng could be the Amari Palm Reef Resort. It is calm and set amidst a stunning tropical setting with well-appointed rooms, a private beach (ideal for long walks), a pool and a lavish breakfast buffet. Don’t forget to have a few drinks in the bar; right next to the poolside—contemporary

and modern interiors with cool lounge music really sets it apart! The Resort also has The Sivara Spa. I remember having checked- in for a deep-tissue, stress relieving massage, which was heavenly! It is just the thing to do when it gets too hot to venture out. Another great stay option at Koh Samui would be The Aryaburi Boutique Resort, which resembles a tropical village with villas that exude a warm, homely and relaxed ambience. It is a hidden paradise beach resort. Villas have their private terraces, overlooking the poolside or the stunning Samrong Bay and the beachfront restaurant is a great place to dine. While you lounge on the poolside, treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage in the outdoors. Amongst other things, Samui also has a few nice options for sight seeing, ideal for first-timers. You could do a full-day island safari, visit the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks, visit the Secret Buddha Garden, stop by at the Secret waterfall and even spend a quiet sunset at the Big Buddha. Koh Samui also offers other exciting activities like elephant trekking and snorkeling. For foodies, there are Thai cooking sessions that one could attend. The options are endless; you just need to know what excites you most! I have been going back to Koh Samui almost every year since 2006 and it has sort of become my travel ritual! Strange that I don’t know what it is about me and Samui but I am sure there is a connection, deep and strong which takes me back to that place each year!•

1. The breathtaking Sri Lankan Coast

12 I Travel

A country known for its flavour, spices, gems, history, beauty, culture and warmth, SriLanka is heaven close to earth.

he beautiful teardrop island nation sashayed in the southern Indian Ocean offers a siesta that every mind, body and soul yearns to indulge in. It charms with its serene beaches, pampers with the exotic culinary varieties, lures one with its rich culture that creates an everlasting affinity. The beguiling smiles with which the Sri Lankans greet their visitors does add to the appeal; not lesser than the moist comfort of the coastal air embracing every soul with a fragrant warmth. To explore more, one can proceed on after disembarking once at the Bandaranayake International Airport, around 35 kms from the national capital city of Colombo. Colombo is a forthcoming city that was made the capital in 1815 when the British seized the island. It is a historic city, though donning contemporary transitions regularly over the last 2000 years from whence it was known as a major port for explorers and traders on the spice route. The current metropolis Colombo is the

2. The Seema Malaka Temple in Colombo, situated on Beira Lake

largest city in the country with a vibrant modernity sharing space with the colonial buildings and ruins. It is indeed a very beautiful capital city— free of the cluttered up dwellings and land breathing evenly with sprawling parks, lavish houses and a few towering heights balancing the avantgarde quotient. The plentiful hotels, malls, museums, shopping centres and markets comply amply to the dwellers and travellers. The marts here are especially exciting, as the stacks are thorough with products from all over the world, engaging the interests of the shoppers. The list is long for the buyers—clothes, gems, jewellery, spices, tea and coffee, china-ware, DVDs of movies, decorative items and so on. The city has its religious segment too. A majority of populace being Buddhist here, Colombo is garlanded with calm abodes of the Lord Buddha that are must visits for the unruffled tranquillity they picture.

Colombo

Stay: The Taj Samudra, Ramada Palace, Hilton, The Grand Cinnamon, Ceylon Continental, Hotel Galle Face, The Mount Lavinia Hotel, The Grand Hotel, The Cinnamon Lake side Dine: Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine at the Taj, Hilton, The Mango Tree Shanmugas (purely vegetarian), food court at the Crescant See: Lakes, national museum, parks, Buddhist temples, markets, cricket stadium and the beach, Promenade by the Galle Road (popularly known Galle Face).

Going for an ayurvedic spa is also highly recommended. Shop at: Odel, House of Fashions, Crescant Boulevard, Lakmedura, Barefoot, Liberty Plaza and Majestic City. Shop for: Tea, coffee, batiks, DVDs, gemstones, chinaware, seashell- souvenirs and clothes (be sure to bargain well). A famous beach near Colombo is Negombo, which lies closer to the airport. It is famed for its Hawaiian atmosphere and the interesting multi cuisine hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. It is also famed for being the largest fish market in Asia. Moving southwards from Colombo, we come to a small beach resort called Mount Lavinia. Here was built the governer house in the year 1815 AD, which is now a part of the fabulous Hotel Mount Lavinia that is worth a visit. Travelling further down south, Bentota beach resort is a -much sought after- destination. It owes its fame to the highly professional tourist infrastructure it offers. There are quite a few 5-and 7-star hotels that are constructed at one of the finest beach locales in the world. Apart from the regular swimming, surfing or diving in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, one can jet-ski, parasail and windsurf on the seductive waves. There is also the option of a quixotic river safari on the river Bentota or the adjoining lagoon. The hotel personnel gladly assist in any such activity one intends to take up. These resorts are, in fact, so gorgeously sited at their sandy grounds that one

can hardly resist a relaxed cup of tea here even if not having a stay at them.

Bentotta

Stay: The Taj Vivanta, The Bentota beach hotel Do: River surfing, taking a ride to the mangroves, The Lagoon, surfing, swimming, diving in the sea and a variety of water sports. Shop for: Gems and jewellery and batiks from the souvenir shops. Moving even further southward from Bentota is the historic city of Galle. It lies 116 kms south of the national capital Colombo. This city situated on the south eastern tip of Sri Lanka shines as the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in Asia, and is also the largest remaining fortress in Asia constructed by the western conquerors. The fort here was built by the Dutch in the year 1663 and was preserved as it is by the British when they took over in 1796. It is an exquisite portrayal of Dutch architecture, having picturesque lanes and houses that are reminiscent of the bygone era. The church buildings and a grand hotel (that used to be the then Dutch governer’s house) are especially noteworthy. Suffering major devastation in the Boxing Day tsunami (year 2004) Galle, however, is now a city resplendent with educational institutes, markets, business areas, and a cricket stadium that is of high repute.

Galle

See: The fort, museum, cricket

58 16

4. A Dutch era Christian Chapel

3. Elephants are a common sight in Sri Lanka

stadium, Galle Fort Hotel Do: Beach activities and a trip to view the underwater coral reefs. Eat: Exquisite Sri Lankan cuisine is available at the fort hotel along with continental delicacies. A massive hill seemingly out of place in the landscape just beside the Galle harbour is said to be a fragment of the medicinal mountain that Lord Hanuman is said to have carried from Himalayas according to the legend of Ramayana. This place is called Rumassala and is definitely worth a visit for its sheer natural beauty enhanced by the handsome cashew trees and other Himalayan herbs. Other places of importance around this region are the elaborate wildlife sanctuaries at Hambentota and Yale where various safari packages are available to the tourists. Sri Lanka can boast of a topography that is replete with beaches, plains, hills, and even high altitude mountains. Located at an elevation of nearly 1600 ft. is the scenic city Kandy, which also was the last capital of ancient Sri Lankan rulers. The approach road to Kandy from Colombo is

a treat to the eyes. It winds up to the hills surmounting the gushing rivers amidst rubber plantations and vast paddy fields. Half ways from Colombo to Kandy lies an interesting tourist spot that is called the ‘Elephant Orphanage’. This 24-acre large forest at a place called Pinnawala is a breeding and rearing place for elephants—bearing the largest number of elephants in captivity around the world. One can see the whole lot emerging from the orphanage and bathe at the Ma Oya river while their orphaned cubs are being fed by the mahouts, (at fixed timings in morning and evening). Coming closer to Kandy, a beautiful botanical garden that is unarguably the largest in Asia; arrests ones attention. Spread over an area of 147 acres this is a historic garden which dates back to the 14th century. Due to its vast variety of alluring orchids, medicinal herbs and palm trees this garden definitely could be indexed among the best in the world. It is called ‘the Peradenia Botanical Garden’ and is situated 5.5 km to west from Kandy. Reaching Kandy is in itself such a refreshingly engaging experi-

ence, but much more needs to be explored here. This hill town is home to the temple of the tooth relic. It is actually the tooth of Lord Buddha preserved in a casket stored in the temple herein which makes Kandy a place of immense religious importance for Buddhists globally. It is also famous for the annual festival called Perahara held around July or August. This hugely popular procession involves royal tuskers carrying the casket covering the tooth relic through the city, accompanied by traditional dancers and drummers, flag and torch bearers of erstwhile royalty escorted by a herd of decorated elephants. Apart from these conventional features, the modern town of Kandy offers much in terms of comfortable resorts, shopping malls, a cricket stadium, interesting museums and art galleries. The beauty of the city itself is rewarding with neat lanes and picturesque houses reflecting their splendour in the serene lakes of Kandy.

Kandy

Stay: Devon Hotel, Mass Villa, Tree of Life Hotel Topaz, Swiss Resi-

17 59

dency, and many more. Do: Nature walks, boating and witnessing religious activities (during season) Scaling further up north of Kandy is the delightful hill station of Sri Lanka, called Nuwaraeliya poised at an altitude of 6128 ft. The Kandy Nuwaraeliya road offers some breathtaking views of the beauty soaked in calm serenity. The unruffled tea plantations and paddy fields seem to carry the road magnificently up the hill. It is a colonial hill station set up by the British in the late 19th century. The comprehensive aj era buildings and tea plantation retreats imparts a nostalgic touch to this wistful town.

Nuwaraeliya

Stay: Queens Cottage, The Grand Hotel, (even the new hotels are being constructed in colonial architecture) Do: Flower show (during season), pony races, go cart race and auto rally. Located north of Kandy is another sacred town called Dambulla that houses some of the most famous Buddhist temples and ancient Viharas. It also has a cricket

stadium here. Preserved in the heart of the country is Sigiriya—the most amazing tourist attraction. It derives its name from a huge stone (meaning the lion stone) which is sacred to Buddhists and Hindus both. The Hindus connect this rock structure to the Ramayana while Buddhists used the place as a rock sheltered monastery in the 5th century BC. Placed in the central district of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya has an ancient stone palace, fortress and a few overwhelming remains of extensive gardens, reservoirs, fountains (some are functional even today!) and baths used by the palace inhabitants. One can witness all these wonderful architectural marvels while climbing up the huge mysterious rock structure bearing gigantic lions’ paws at its base. Halfway through is a gallery of frescoes painted on stone surface much like the Ajanta Caves in India. Travelling through Sri Lanka satiates every aspect of a travellers’ quest, enriching the mind with history, art, culture, religion and definitely- pleasure. But if the craving for more could ever be met with, no exploration would go beyond.•

The tooth of lord Buddha preserved in a casket stored in the temple in Kandy makes it a place of immense religious importance for Buddhists globally

General Information Visa Application: Online with a fee of 10 US$ per head. (given for 30 days stay) Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee called SLR1 US$ equals 128 SLR (approx) Approach: Sri Lankan airlines flights available from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and optionally Jet Airways flights from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai. Spice jet for low cost option can be searched through.

18 I Travel

Jyoti Shetty and Nala Ponnappa describe the enchanting treasure trove of beauty near PuneThe Kaas Valley.

Splashes of yellow and purple hedges along the occasional dwellings along the drive finally throw away their pretenses as the amazing openness of the endless fields of flowers opens up.

We were indeed blessed when we decided to drive down scenic bends and uphill views of the Kaas plateau. Ever since we moved to Pune from Bengaluru, the wealth and biodiversity of the Western Ghats, the hot spot for tourists from all over, always beckoned us. The drive to Kaas is 134 Km from Pune, and it is located in the Satara District of Maharashtra. Satara to Kaas is 24 Km amidst gentle hills and the most impressive views of deep gorges and valleys. We chanced upon this place, as it’s a bit unknown as compared to the great ‘Valley of the Flowers’ in the Himalayas. Our drive, though languid, was just right to breathe in the fresh air, which was an invigorating mix of green grass and the sweet scent of myriads of flowers—a heady cocktail set to give one a great high. Our mind did most of the clicking than the camera; we just wanted to have the first impression etched within. The drive up to Kaas from Satara is gradual, hugging the hillside with a fascinating view of the townscape below but once you hit the summit you know the Kaas plateau is right there before your eyes and it’s infinite. Splashes of yellow and purple hedges with the occasional dwellings along the drive finally throw away their pretenses as the amazing openness of the endless fields of flowers opens up. Nature’s carpet, the colours of the rainbow and many others in between, spread ever so gently, taking one’s breath away. This

humbles you. The Kaas Valley in the Western Ghats just needs a spurt of rain and dew during post monsoons to get this great burst of colours. The flora and tiny flowers blossom in myriad shapes and sizes, and shades. Thousands of visitors witness this flower show without knowing the botanical names or the local names. For nature lovers this small plot of the most fertile land is often referred to as the Mini Valley of the Flowers! Looking at what nature had to unfold we decided to stay on and leave the next day. A new hotel, Nivant Hill Resort, midway up the Kaas Road was very tempting, but we wisely decided to return after a few days. Reason? The plateau takes on different hues according to the dominant flowers that usurp more space! A veritable riot of colours. The popular ‘Kaas Valley of Flowers’, blooming period commences as the monsoons season ends, for a very short time of two to three weeks, usually until the end of August. UNESCO is planning to give it a World Heritage status. Nearby are picturesque places like Kaas Lake, Bamnoli and Tapola. From Bamnoli to Tapola a short boat ride takes you through the Shivsagar Lake formed due to the Koyna dam. Vasota Fort lies near Tapola. What is simply incredible is the wide carpet of yellow bright smithias commonly called Kavla, and just to contrast this carpet of yellow the purple hue lies side

Wild flowers in full bloom

by side. These are sky blue karvy and very lavender looking jambhalimanjiri the local name for pogostemon. Another aspect of colouring that astounds me is the contrasting of various other patches of flowers and they all grow in their side under the sun of Kaas plateau. White tuberous pipewort grows amidst a very common reference locally called sitecheaasave, a purple orchid looking plant. White and purple contrasts of different species are a common sight swaying in the wind. A sunflower species has a very apt local name sontikli. They are very bright yellow and when they are mixed with linums, another yellow flower, these bright yellow flowers in a bunch gives such an amazing effect under sunshine and the soft gentle wind swept plateau. An interesting chat later with the owner of Nivant Hill Resort, Chandrasen Jadhav we learned that the Kaas flower carpets changes its colours every 10-15 days, depending upon the dominant flowers during that particular time. Occasions of pink colour lawns of impatiens and white carpets of eriocaulons are dominant. Last time of the year the same location was covered by the purple-blue colour flowers of karvy, (strobilanthes sp) this flower blooms every 7 years! Chandrasen also sells a field guide of the Kaas flowers to all guests at the coffee shop of his hotel, one can often see them excitedly exclaiming as they spot the flowers seen in the book.

Kaas Valley is a treasure trove with surprises and different canvases to unfold year after year. Some dominant flowering plants we watched over there were utricularia, eriocaulons, and impatiens, with impatiens having the lions share. Utricularia is another interesting flower—apparently these plants are carnivorous, and they feed on small insects. At Kaas another insect-eating plant named drosera is rare. What we lacked when we went there was a guide who could have helped us identify these plants. It is a pity that like many who go there, the ignorance of knowing more about these wondrous plants would have helped people respect them and admire them more. The Kaas Valley, as it’s often called, has a narrow road dividing the plateau. During peak season rows of cars are often found snaking for miles, and the worst sight to see on these pristine landscapes are excited tourists treating the valley like a plant nursery! Some are often seen trampling the path, crushing the season’s wonders under human flatfoot shoes. Men, women, and children are seen pulling out plastic bags to fill in nature’s bounty. One of us took the job of warden seriously, and raved and ranted at a few for pulling at the plants mercilessly, we explained the futility of planting these wonders in pots as they would simply wither away. And for those who were cutting the flowers, hoping to adorn their vases back home, I came upon

them as a furious Mother Nature protecting her children. That was enough to dissuade them. There are boards, big and small, proclaiming “Appeal to Public” in Hindi-Marathi and English, very explicit rules to accept the moral responsibility to protect the environment at Kaas Plateau. Many in bold announcements that proclaim Kaas as a reserved forest, and to enjoy the beauty of nature without causing harm to it, do not pluck flowers, do not uproot the flora it will affect the biodiversity, do not carry plastic bags, do not eat food in forest areas, but sadly we Indians follow rules in other countries while in our motherland rules are meant to be broken! There is a poignant Japanese haiku that goes thus: ‘Even though it is written on the sign, do not pluck the flowers, it is useless against the wind that cannot read.’ The winds along the Kaas Plateau however are far kinder to these exquisite flowers perhaps knowing well that these seasonal spreads of colours are so ephemeral. So evanescent.•

How to get there By Bus: State Transport and private buses run frequently between Mumbai and Satara; the journey time is a minimum five hours. By Car: This will take lesser time via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and NH4 By Train: The Koyna Express, will take you from Mumbai to Satara in eight hours.

22 I Travel

Many think travelling alone can be boring and unsafe but for me it’s always been exciting and adventurous. Having explored Sydney, Dubai, Singapore, Hong kong, Thailand, London, Pondicherry, Ooty, Pune and Bangalore—alone, I can say nothing is more fun than walking around in a new place, ready to discover things, people and their culture to make friends and memories that last forever. Besides being vigilant and sensible, here are a few other things that need to be always kept in mind.

1. Be the place you are at Every country has a culture, a way of living and it is very important for a traveller to respect that. Be it the dressing norms, greetings, religious codes or the societal taboos, one must be well versed with these.

2. Walk If you want to max your experience— ditch the cabs. A luxury car or a metro wouldn’t take you to that unexplored corner which you might stumble upon while walking.

3. Observe and absorb The best way to know a place right to its soul is to observe your surroundings, the people, their body language, pace and actions—this shall give you an insight on the pulse of the place.

4. Look for local The local food, art and fashion is the true window to a place’s history and culture. So, make sure you don’t miss out on it.

5. Be a brave eater Going back to local—avoid Starbucks, Burger King, McDonalds and the likes— haven’t you had enough of these in your own city? Experiment. Taste the local food.

6. Document Be it a travel diary, blog, video, pictures or voice notes just make sure you capture the memories, the lessons, and the experience and have something to look back at.

7. Never carry too many stilettos It’s all about packing light. Being a woman I know we need four changes per day—beach dress, dinner dress, cocktail dress, and night dress—but you can avoid the heels. They take too much space and they are heavy. And you never wear them. You are either too tired to slip into those (having walked so much) or you have to walk

so much that you need to wear flats.

8. Handbag—better safe than stylish Make sure you carry a sturdy, wellzipped handbag as opposed to a small, open and fragile one. While travelling a big bag that has proper zips is the best options as one tends to buy a lot of small things such as water bottles, snacks and souvenirs, which are easier to carry in one bag then separately, also bags with latches tend to open up and your stuff might fall.

9. Store your money in different places It’s always better to divide your money and store it in different places so that if you get pickpocketed, you still have some dough on you. The worst situation would be to be stuck in an alien land without a penny in your pocket.

10. Carry copies of important documents Always make copies of your passport, tickets and visa. Misplacing either one of them could be agonising. Make sure you store the copies in three or four different places. • Bon voyage!

23 I Travel

The 34th foundation day of MP Tourism was celebrated amidst much fanfare in hotel Palash Residency. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC)organised a seminar to discuss the initiatives being taken to attract more tourists to the heart of India. The seminar ‘Madhya Pradesh Tourism – the road ahead’ highlighted the future prospects of development in the tourism sector. Chairman MP Tourism Dr Mohan Yadav, Vice- Chairman Santosh Jain, PS Tourism Vinod Semval, MD MPT Pankaj Rag and Chief General manager Marketing OV Choudhary were present on the occasion. The focus of the seminar was on the infrastructure development in the state, especially the connectivity. Dr Mohan Yadav threw light on the tradition of hospitality in Indian society and informed about the planetarium

coming up in Ujjain. Pankaj Rag highlighted the prospects of tourism development in the state in future like the development of marriage tourism and public private partnership and development of medical tourism in the state.OV Choudhary underlined the need of value addition to destinations through development of excursion trips and amusement parks. Some of the suggestions that were made included, emphasis on capacity building, more focus on tangible things like sanity issues, conversion of forts into heritage hotels, promoting biking as an activity, making things accessible for disabled tourists, initiating wayside amenities for women travellers, promoting more bread and breakfast facilities. The tourism department is also using strategies like aggressive marketing,encouraging investment, good publicity, infrastructure devel-

opment and retention of tourists. The tourism department has for the first time started advertising in reputed international tourist journalslike TLF, Travel and Leisureand others. The other highlight of the day was a photography exhibition, which showcased the work of tourist destinations, fairs and festivals and culture of Madhya Pradesh. MPT had held a national level photography competition the results of which were also declared in the event. The exhibition received tremendous response The day culminated in a Cultural Evening followed by a Food Festival. Famous ghazal singer Talat Aziz rendered soulful ghazals. The food festival served regional cuisines and was aimed to introduce the public with the delights of the various regions of MP. Malwa ki Thali, Sailana ki Thali, Aam ka Pana, Sannata were the main highlights.

24 I Travel

The 19th edition of the Arabian Travel Market featured a record 183 companies and hosted over 2400 exhibitors and 82 new companies, increasing its international reach with 54 national pavilions and 87 countries represented overall.

he Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) unveiled new tourism industry initiatives at the 19th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which saw record 183 companies, and government organisations join it as co-participants of Dubai Stand. The four-day fair took place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. ATM 2012 was used as an ideal platform to showcase the best of Dubai’s Tourism industry and how the tourism industry regulator has been working to enhance its performance and quality standards in the emirate. New programs were unveiled by the DTCM at the exhibition, which hosted 204 tour operators and media representatives from 19 countries across the world. Among the coparticipants were six government organisations, including Dubai Police, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFADubai), Dubai World Trade Centre,

“UAE will remain an open window for the West to look towards the East” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Dubai Healthcare City and Ministry of Social Affairs and Community Development. The Dubai Stand saw 16 new co-participants—Aero Space Tourism, Dubai Camel Racing Club, Skylink Travels, Rixos Hotel, Peacock International Hotel, Balloon Adventures Emirates, Suha City Hotel, Europcar, Easy Booking Tourism, Royal Pamir Travels, Belhasa Travel, Hues Boutique Hotel, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Tropic International Tourism and Travel, Mount Royal Hotel and Montreal Hotel. DTCM also introduced to the tourism industry the new Hotel Classification Checklists for all categories as part

25 of the new Classification Scheme. Dubai has further consolidated its position on the world tourism map with its hotels and hotel apartments posting impressive all-round performance in hotel guest numbers cruise passengers, revenues, guest nights and average length of stay.

The Grand Inauguration Ceremony

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai opened the ATM. Sheikh Mohammed cut the traditional ribbon and was greeted warmly by the exhibitors and guests. Also present were Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group. After the official opening, Sheikh Mohammed toured the exhibition and stopped at various stalls, which represented the major players in the travel industry. He was welcomed at the wings hosted by the Dubai Tourism and

On the rise 89.30 million hotel guests and cruise passengers in 2011, up by 10 percent compared with the previous year. 8Guest nights rose by 23 percent to 32,848,190 8Average length of stay went up by 12 percent. 8Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 575 hotel establishments generated revenues of AED16 billion last year, an increase of 20 percent. 8Five percent increase in the number of hotel rooms and hotel apartment flats which stood at 53,828 rooms and 21,015 hotel flats. Commercial Marketing Department, Meydan, Emirates airline, Qatar Airways, Salalah Tourism Authority of Oman, Kuwait Tourism and Fly Dubai. He also visited stalls of tourism and travel organisations from Thailand, India, Indonesia and Argentina. Over 250 companies from 90 countries around the world participated in the

event. At the end of his tour Sheikh Mohammed said that the UAE will remain an open window for the West to look towards the East and see its vibrant cultures, civilizations, as well as its products and investments in the commercial, industrial, educational and technical areas.

His Excellency Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) along with Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director Business Development and Media Relations, Mr. Saleh Al Geziry, Director, Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions DTCM, Mr. Satish Bhaskaran, DTCM Executive Director of Administration and Mr. Carl Vaz, Director DTCM India along with the hosted Indian buyers/media at the DTCM exhibit during the ATM 2012 Dubai.

26 fa crystal piece with their names engraved on it along with a group photo session. Commenting on the success of the ATM 2012, Carl Vaz, Director, DTCM India said, “We feel proud to have successfully hosted around 52 buyers from India who are all decision makers, representing different parts of Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director Business Development and Media Relations along with Mr. Satish Bhaskaran, DTCM Executive Director of Administrationgiving out the certifithe country. These cates to the Dubai Experts at the ATM 2012 Dubai. buyers had not only successfully completed the Dubai troduced to the other sellers such as Expert Online Training Programme hotel chains and destination manbut were handpicked after carefully agement companies at the DTCM India represents evaluating their ability to aggressiveexhibit. The 52 hosted buyers were the 2nd top source also given their Dubai Expert cer- ly promote and market Dubai.” With tificates at the DTCM exhibit. Eyad regards to India consecutively rank-

market (after Saudi Arabia) for inward visitor traffic into Dubai with an 11 percent increase in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to March 2011 last year.

DTMC India hosts 52 buyers

DTMC India’s strong DTCM India managed to host around 52 buyers (a mix of travel agents and media) all of whom who had successfully completed the Dubai Expert Online Training Programme. Carl Vaz, Director-DTCM India, introduced the 52 buyers to the Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai (DNRD). The two senior officials that the Dubai Expert Certified members met with during the ATM were 1st Lieutenant Salem Mohd. Bin Ali Head of Residency & Foreigners Affairs Section / Difc and Lieutenant Ali Obiad Almuhairi - Entry Permit Department. The buyers were also in-

The Dubai Stall at the ATM.

Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director, presented the certificates to the buyers. The third day of the ATM saw 10 lucky Dubai experts being facilitated at the Dubai Expert Award ceremony held at the DTCM majlis in the presence of His Excellency Khalid A bin Sulayem, the Director General-DTCM, Saleh Al Geziry, DTCM’s Director of Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions, Satish Bhaskaran, DTCM Executive Director of Administration and Shafeeq Hamza-DTCM-I.T. The two winners from India were Jason Samuel from Mumbai and Sanjay Maniar from Kolkata. The winners got a Burj Khali-

ing as the top source market globally for visitor traffic into Dubai, Vaz said, “India represents the 2nd top source market (after Saudi Arabia) for inward visitor traffic into Dubai with the total number of Indian guests amounting to 207,774 in the first quarter of 2012 rep resenting a 11 percent increase from 186,478 in January–March 2011 last year. The total number of Indian visitors utilising hotels and hotel apartments in the emirate in 2011 was 702,142 as opposed to 638,103 Indian travellers in the year 2010 representing a 10 percent increase in growth rate.”•

28 I Second Homes

Undoubtedly one of the most hospitable places in the world, Dubai is your most indulgent mirage come to life. The city is full of exotic hotels, offering the finest facilities and a true taste of luxury. TLF brings you the top five must stays.

The Natural Elements Spa at Le Méridien, Dubai

Le Méridien, Dubai Sophisticated, refined and inviting, Le Méridien Dubai is a hidden haven that enjoys an idyllic verdant setting in a city location. Staying here puts Dubai’s leisure attractions and business districts right at your doorstep. This hotel is considered the premier gateway for the well-travelled visitors to the vibrant emirate of Dubai and offers the finest setting for business and leisure travellers. Everything about Le Méridien Dubai is understated and detailed and that includes the hotel rooms. Wrapping around the lush green courtyard and outdoor pool all 383 rooms and suites share the same quality and comfort standards providing a complete break from the outside world. The rooms and suites

are grouped into four categories: Classic, Superior Deluxe, Executive Club and Royal Club for you to select the accommodation that suits you best. In addition, the Presidential Suite and the twolevel spacious Royal Suite are designed for those requiring a little more space. Royal Clubrooms and suites offer sophistication in a contemporary setting. Modern amenities and complimentary benefits include access to the Royal Club lounge. A la carte breakfast, afternoon tea, evening drinks and canapés can be enjoyed in the elegantly furnished Club lounge. In-room complimentary benefits comprise wired/wireless high-speed Internet access and an LCD television and DVD player. Along with offering some of the best Dubai’s accommodation, Le Méridien’s

29 Poolside at Le Méridien Dubai

Unlock Art programme allows the guests to experience some of the best of local art, which has thoughtfully been incorporated into the hotel through artwork, projections and unique soundscapes; much of it created by members of the LM100 Creative Community, Le Méridien’s group of cultural innovators. The property’s banquet and conference facility is equipped to accommodate the most demanding business meetings as comfortably as a social gala. Le Méridien Dubai provides a choice of meeting and banquet rooms, understanding the need for carefully planned event set-ups to suit individual requirements. Dedicated banquet and conference spaces are equipped with the latest technological support, designed to meet or exceed indus-

Good food and great ambience at Le Méridien Dubai Méridien Village Terrace

30 try standards—from the best in audio-visual to high-speed Internet access via broadband and Wi-Fi. The lush poolside gardens and open-air terrace are ideal outdoor venue options for a private dinner, or an elegant cocktail reception. Flexible spaces adapt perfectly to every event requirement.

Eat

Le Méridien Dubai offers the most sought-after dining experience stretching across three areas of the hotel—main hotel lobby, La Promenade and the stylishly terraced Méridien Village. Imaginative menus to a host of entertainment options, these restaurants reflect internationally recognised standards for exceptional service and cuisine. From a lively Irish pub showing the latest sporting events to sophisticated French dining, from contemporary Italian fare to the exotic oriental trail—Thai, Japanese and Far Eastern seafood and a boastful selection of handpicked fine wines; dining at Le Méridien Dubai temptingly blends the familiar and the extraordinary. TLF recommends Le Méredien Village for its beautiful ambience. Le Méridien Dubai also has plenty of bar options to keep you entertained the whole nightlong. Whether you are out for a glass of wine in one of the bars in Warehouse, a sociable get together with friends in the Pearl Bar or a livelier gathering in The Dubliner’s, there are plenty of options, whatever your plans.

Indulge

Nestled in a peaceful area of the hotel’s landscaped gardens the Natural Elements Spa & Fitness Centre is the ultimate escape from the day’s stresses. The Natural Elements Fitness Centre is a spacious state-of-the-art facility that is one of the largest fitness clubs in Dubai, featuring floor-toceiling windows overlooking the

landscaped gardens and swimming pools. Fitted with the latest fitness equipment from Nautilus and Life Fitness, the gym features individual workout areas— a stretch and abdominal zone, free weights and cardiovascular studio, power plate and aerobics studio. Personal trainers are on hand to offer advice or guide you through your workout. Outdoor fitness includes flood-lit tennis courts and four temperaturecontrolled swimming pools. When you step into the Natural Elements Spa Dubai you enter a serene sanctuary where peaceful and private spaces have been designed to instantly relax and rejuvenate. Here, personally selected treatments are conducted by professionally trained therapists using Pevonia Botanica and organic ila-spa products. A visit to the Natural Elements Spa includes access to the aroma heat cave, a themarium that combines subtle heat with aromatherapy and subdued lighting for a truly relaxing experience.The spa houses nine treatment rooms, two of which are designed for hydrotherapy treatments. Finishing Touches Salon, situated adjacent to the spa, takes care of ladies’ hair styling, hands and feet and make-up requirements. Airport Road, Dubai, (971)(4) 217 0000,www.lemeridien-dubai.com

The Ritz Carlton Dubai International Financial Centre Set in the world’s preferred leisure and business destination, The RitzCarlton, Dubai International Financial Centre offers a dynamic setting and opulent retreat for any traveller. Standing 14 storeys high, the hotel epitomises understated luxury and elegance behind its handsome limestone facade. Guests can enjoy a string of sumptuous amenities, a direct

walkway to The Gate, which is the heart of the Financial Centre, plus the added convenience of the city of Dubai at their fingertips.

Eat

TLF recommends the signature fine-dining Thai restaurant, Blue Rain, which offers a very minimal design emphasised by blue and gold shades. A water feature spills down one wall and through the centre of the room under a glass floor—a very contemporary version of the water in the Court of the Lions at the Alhambra – and a hand-blown glass bubble chandelier runs the entire length of the room. Situated behind the hotel’s dramatic 10-storey high waterfall, guests can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine, served with modern styling in hand-shaped porcelain. The Phad Thai Kung – Kai (Traditional Fried Thai Noodles with Prawn) served here is one of the finest in the city!

Indulge

The Spa here is the perfect place to unwind. Customise your experience by choosing your preferred

background music from their music menu or bring your own music selection. The Dubai spa features two suites with a private whirlpool bath, eleven single treatment rooms with natural daylight, male and female steam rooms as well as an extensive selection of face and body treatments using Natura Bisse and Ila.

Features -341 guestrooms and suites, including two Royal Suites -124 serviced apartments ranging in size from 125 to 350 square meteres and featuring one-to-fourbedroom, furnished luxury units -Blue Rain, a signature Thai finedining restaurant; Can Can, a French brasserie; the Centre Cut Steakhouse; Lobby Lounge & Terrace and No 5 Lounge & Bar -A 1,400 square meter ballroom with a separate entrance; 8 additional function rooms -Health club, spa and indoor swimming pool Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai, +971 4 372 2222

The Ibn Battuta Gate

This exotic Mövenpick property offers five-star Arabian-themed comfort. The Ibn Battuta Gate, Dubai provides amenities for both business and leisure travellers alike. Private beach access on the Palm Jumeirah, beside the Dubai metro and a shopping mall, eight restaurants and bars, 11 meeting rooms, a swimming pool are some of the facilities. Above this, a kids club and spa make this themed hotel located near top business free zones a perfect choice for individual travel needs. Each of the spacious 396 hotel rooms in the property are beautifully furnished in the colours and styles of Moroccan influence, while all of the suites are themed on the Africa, Asian, Middle Eastern and southern European countries visited by the 14th century Arabian adventurer Ibn Battuta. A five-star property steeped in the magic of the mystical past, the Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel also enjoys three floors dedicated to the business traveller with separate welcome recep-

4. Centre Cut Steakhouse, Dubai Ritz 5. Blue Rain, the Thai restaurant at Dubai Ritz 6. A delux room at Dubai Ritz 7. The indoor pool, Dubai Ritz 8. The Ritz Carlton Dubai International Financial Centre

4 tions and lounge areas. The restaurants reflect the journey of the great Arab explorer. You may be in Dubai, but there are Chinese restaurants, Indian restaurants, Italian restaurants, Moroccan and more to choose from. The majority are centred around Al Bahou (the Grand Hall), tempting and tantalising guests with their delicious sights and smells. Watch the chefs at work behind the windows of the kitchen at Shanghai Chic. Let your eyes be caught by the glow of the pizza oven at Sicilia or be enticed by the three great tandoor ovens in Chor Bazaar. If you simply cannot decide, then take the easy route and visit Mistral, the all-day dining restaurant with a combination of delicious flavours following their namesake’s incredible 30-year journey through diverse countries.

Eat

TLF recommends the sizzling tandoori Indian thali in Chor Bazaar. Thali (meaning “plate”) is a tra-

ditional way to present an Indian meal and Chor Bazaar has added a modern zing to it. Be welcomed with tasty mint morsels before starting a journey of spices, theatre and wines. The aroma of bread baking, sizzling prawns, chicken and lamb stimulate your senses while you wait for the show to begin. Five tasty sauces and curries are placed in front of you and then the food arrives piping hot and straight from the tandoor. Eat as much as your heart desires, but beware the food is so good you never know when to stop. From the time you sit down, this offer is valid for three hours Including only soft drinks; AED 139 Including wines, beers and soft drinks; AED 199 Offered daily from 7.00 pm onwards.

Indulge

Featuring products from a premium skin care range, Safar Spa is perfect for a rejuvenating facial, post-flight, anti-jetlag fatigue treatment or relaxing body mas-

sage. Whether it was a tough day of sightseeing or a successful day of meetings, at Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel you don’t need any excuse to ease away stress or reward yourself with some pampering. Ultra-hydrating and youthful lift facials, exfoliating wraps, reflexology and firming body treatments focusing on the back, legs and eyes are included on the spa menu. Classic Balinese, European and deep tissue massages are performed by experienced therapists, ensuring a deep sense of muscle ease and relaxation. Safar Spa has six separate treatment rooms for men and women and is open every day from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm, except Sundays. Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai United Arab Emirates, 04 444 0000

Features: -Eight outlets and 11 meeting rooms -Complimentary private beach access -Swimming pool, kids club and spa

10 -Adjacent to Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall -Close to business free zones

most incredible views, Marina is the perfect place to relax, unwind and reflect on the city lit from far away.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Indulge

This is a beach resort that’s given itself completely to the pleasures of life-a five-star lifestyle destination that’s dedicated to delighting the senses of every guest. The five-star delux resort has 598 rooms and suites and 19 private beachside villas. The rooms have spectacular views of the Gulf and Burj Al Arab and are equipped with wireless Internet access, private fax, printer and copier, hairdryer, safe and mini bar.

Eat

Out of the many dining options TLF suggests Marina. Located on the Gulf’s most famous and happening stretch of sand, Marina is at the heart of Jumeirah’s alluring beachside lifestyle, fusing together casually stylish dining and glamorous nightlife. With Dubai’s

The Spa at Jumeirah Beach Hotel comprises of two saunas, two massage rooms, three hot tubs, jacuzzi, steam room and plunge pool. A combination of professional massage treatments and facials including aromatherapy, reflexology, shiatsu, swedish and sports are available to soothe, stimulate, rest, refresh or heal you. A must try is the Breathe Easy Body Maintenance. This 60-minute massage is ideal for divers and those with respiratory problems. A combination of eucalyptus, pine and tea tree are used to clear your head and sinuses, enhanced by a relaxing back massage.

Features -Sinbad’s Kids Club; Teenager’s Club; Premium Leisure Club exclusively for families

9 .The Jumeirah Beach Hote Dubai 10. The view from the Uptown Bar, Jumeirah Beach

12 -Five swimming pools; six floodlit tennis courts; one multi-purpose floodlit court -The Pavilion Marina & Sports Club; water sports and PADI diving centre -36,300 sq m of private beach; purpose-built coral reef 2 km offshore -Wild Wadi Waterpark Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Tel: +971 4 406 8500, jbhreservations@jumeirah.com

Media Rotana

The Media Rotana is all about contemporary luxury. Guests can enjoy dramatic architecture and design in privacy, with personalised service and peerless facilities. The swanky property offers the best of everything; stylish restaurants, modern rooms and friendly service, fit for both the business and leisure traveller. On offer are 441 rooms, suites and

deluxe hotel apartments, replete with modern day facilities. Business travellers can also enjoy the exclusive Club Rotana facilities like Club Rotana lounge, complimentary breakfast and selected beverage served throughout the day, complimentary evening cocktails, complimentary Internet access throughout the day, dedicated meeting rooms with comprehensive facilities, audiovisual equipment and secretarial service can be provided, private reception with express checkingin/checking-out, deluxe in-room amenities and in-room 24-hour dedicated high-speed Internet access.

Eat

TLF recommends Pregoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, which offers diners a cosy, convivial ambience, warm and friendly interiors with exposed brick, mahogany accents, an open kitchen featuring an authentic wood fire oven, wine bar, and hip music and an outdoor terrace. The

food includes a range of homemade pastas, thin-crust pizzas, chicken and veal, and standout seafood. Pregoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is a welcome oasis of good food in this part of town.

Indulge

The Spa offers a plethora of massages that leave the body nourished and rejuvenated. The fitness centre offers all kinds of exercises and is very well equipped.

Features -Non-smoking rooms -Wireless Internet in public areas -Car & limousine rental service -24-hour multilingual concierge -Valet parking -Dedicated covered car Park -Currency exchange -Multilingual staff -Shuttle bus service to major shopping malls Al Barsha South United Arab Emirates, 04 435 0000

11. The pool at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel 12. Eat in style at the Jumeirah Beach 13. Pregoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the Italian Restaurant at Media Rotana 14. The outdoor terrace, Media Rotana 15. A lavish Breakfast spread at Channels, Media Rotana

36 I Second Homes The glorious ballroom

C TLF checks in at The Park Hyatt Hotel in Hyderabadthe brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first property in India.

ontemporary and elegant design, with the best of facilitiesis, what every traveller seeks in a hotel and the Park Hyatt Hyderabad is all that much more. Located in the heart of the upscale Banjara Hills neighbourhood, the property offers the best five-star facilities and amenities catering to each individual who seeks privacy, personalised service and luxurious elegance in a sophisticated ambience. The renowned architecture firm John Portman & Associates designed the newly built eight-storey property, while the modern and stylish interiors are done by the international design team Hirsch Bedner Associates, featuring silk and vibrant colours that add a saree-

inspired element to the decor.

Accommodation

The Park Hyatt Hyderabad has 185 guestrooms and 24 suites extended on the first six floors with 42 service apartments on the two uppermost floors. The spacious and modern guestrooms offer a soothing ambience with large glass windows that adds natural daylight to the room. Each guest room is also equipped with an oversized work desks, which is meant for the convenience of the busy corporate traveller

Dining

The Park Hyatt Hyderabad offers tastefully furnished restaurants with interactive show kitchens. Tre-Forni is the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature restaurant that offers

37 light and flavourful dishes from northern Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Veneto, Lombardia and Liguria regions, besides pizzas and pastas and an extensive range of wine featuring varietals from the Central and Northern Italian wine regions. For Indian food lovers, the formal Dining Room offers light and flavourful Hyderabadi dishes and classic European favourites. The Living Room offers the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature selection of freshly prepared macaroons and other French pastries, as well as elegant Western and Indian-inspired high teas in the afternoon. The friendly and warm Oriental Bar and Kitchen is a perfect place to meet friends or business associates for drinks that offer SouthEast Asian comfort snacks and other dishes.

Spa and Fitness Center

The Spa at the Park Hyatt Hyderabad offers alluring beauty and wellness therapies, which are inspired by the royal Nizams of Hyderabad. The Spa also offers other amenities including a Swedish sauna, steam room, beauty salon, and a fitness center featuring a temperature-controlled swimming

The beautiful hotel lobby

Park Hyatt Hyderabad

pool and the latest gym and cardio equipment.

Meetings and Events

The Manor at Park Hyatt Hyderabad is the first hotel in India to feature Hyatt’s innovative residential-style meeting concept. The meeting facilities are designed in a comfortable and welcoming style, offering small and mid-sized groups for personal tailor-made meetings or events, looked after by a dedicated service team. The other meeting and events facilities at the hotel includes a pillar-less ballroom that can be divided into three different spaces, a pre-function area, and seven meeting rooms, each

A unique feature at Park Hyatt Hyderabad are city’s first fivestar serviced apartments attached to a hotel. equipped with the latest technology, high-speed Internet access and audiovisual systems. With separate entrances and spacious parking facilities, meetings and events facilities have the capacity to accommodate a range of conferences and events, the largest at this ‘City of Pearls’.

The Residence

Another unique feature at Park Hyatt Hyderabad are the city’s first five-star serviced apartments attached to a hotel. The Residence offers an exclusive “home away from home” experience with a wide range of services and facilities including fully furnished spacious apartments. The hardwood floor apartments features fully equipped kitchens with appliances, stylish furniture and complimentary wireless Internet with oversized work desks.

40 I Second Homes

An elegant French experience in the bustling capital of Thailand.

1 2

ofitel Luxury Hotels recently launched Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit. The second Sofitel in Bangkok, Thailand, offers the French tradition of elegance, savoir-faire and hospitality. This hotel represents the group’s new positioning: a luxury hotel with a difference, individual and non-standardised. It is the first flagship Sofitel Luxury Hotel in South East Asia whilst Sofitel Bangkok Silom is rebranding to become Pullman Bangkok Hotel G. At the same time, Sofitel So Bangkok has been launched as the first urban design hotel under the Sofitel So label, offering a different experience of discovering Bangkok. Located in the Central Business District (CBD) and within easy

reach of the best of the city’s shopping and entertainment hubs, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit is the ideal base for visitors to the Thai capital. With 345 rooms, including 37 suites and 75 executive rooms (Club Millésime), French elegance is the strong touch of this hotel. The entire decor has been inspired by the French Art de vivre, especially within the restaurants. A key attraction of the hotel for visitors and locals alike is the skyline restaurant, L’Appart, which recreates the ambience of a luxurious apartment owned by a wealthy Parisian man and used by his hedonistic nephew for decadent parties. One can enjoy indulgent evenings of delicious French inspired cuisine prepared by gifted chefs, champagne, fine wines and cocktails, and mood-

A key attraction of the is the skyline restaurant, L’Appart, which recreates the ambience of a luxurious apartment owned by a wealthy Parisian man and used by his hedonistic nephew for decadent parties

enhancing music to ensure every visit is truly magnifique. L’Appart, is based on Haussmann-style apartments with beautiful bespoke areas including a library, a living room, a kitchen with an adjacent dining room, and lounge area with a bar. The warm and welcoming space delights guests with its interactive open kitchen concept, transforming Bangkok’s hottest new venue as the evening progresses. Outside tables overlook a stunning backdrop of the city skyline. There is also a strong French element in Sofitel’s restaurant, Voilà! The hotel’s premier restaurant showcases a ‘cuisines on stage’ concept that features French cuisine prepared from La Cornue stove and a Parisian-style Rôtisserie, Western and Asian dishes, Middle Eastern and Thai delica-

cies, aromatic pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven, and an array of sumptuous desserts available all day. Located in the lobby is Le Macaron, which is a charming patisserie and delicatessen with an inviting outdoor terrace that features a vast selection of pastries, desserts, and savoury items from our team of in-house chefs. This is a showcase for the finest gourmet items from around the world. Crispy meringues and handmade chocolates to fruit brioches and delicatessen products are all available here. A feature of the hotel is also the elegant Club Millésime lounge located on the 31st floor. With its state-of-the-art business facilities, chic style, spectacular views, spacious lounge areas and the

French flair for food and wine, the Club Millésime lounge offers a refined and welcoming space to work or hold meetings, enjoy breakfast, evening cocktails and a wide selection of French, vintage and new world wines tasting or simply relax and indulge. The Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit also has some of the largest meetings and function facilities in Bangkok for meetings and other events. In addition, leisure facilities include an outdoor swimming pool with pool bar, fitness centre, beauty salon and Le Spa with L’Occitane, the first luxury spa in Thailand to offer elegant L’Occitane products from the South of France, features the most soothing treatments including traditional Thai massage, aromatherapy, pedicure and manicure.

1. Sofitel Sukhymvit Bangkok 2. The spacious bathrooms 3. Sleep in style 4. The best of cuisine for your taste buds

42 I Promotion

The Wildernest Nature Resort near Goa offers the best of comfort and luxury in the lap of nature.

Operational since a year, the Swapnagandha valley near Goa is on its way to becoming a sought after destination by nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike and has already been praised by ecotourism professionals and patrons. Here adventure activities like mountain biking, trekking and rappelling are offered along with nature walks. There is also space for yoga. Nestled in this beautiful valley, amidst a thick expanse of forest tracts, overlooking the Vazra Falls is the majestic Wildernest Nature Resort. The property provides a panoramic view of Goa and is the best way

to relax in natural surroundings. The tranquility in the glorious greens and freshness of the fragrant wild flowers, combined with the melody of the birds chirping in the vast morning sky will not only please the senses but also soothe the soul. Wildernestâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a nature resort with 18 eco-huts, a restaurant, a swimming pool and Ayurshalaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;was built and operates on the concept of the international Ecotel standards using eco-friendly material. A local staff sourced from six villages runs the show here. Operational since the last eight years, Wildernest is recognised as a role model for ecotourism in

Goa and the Western Ghats of India, and is working to fuse conservation education with travel and relaxation. Replete with all modern amenities the Wildernest Nature Resort welcomes its guests with a rustic touch, transporting them to the property in bullock carts through serpentine roads in thick forests. A cascading fish pond amidst lush greenery and a breathtaking rural ambience greets one at the resort. The charm of the place lies in the utmost silence that encompasses the vicinity. The experience can be further enhanced in the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meditation centre and temple, which is a rare blend of simplicity and design and thus enables the inner soul to connect to nature at its best. Guests can go for a trek on an offbeat track, enveloped in hues

of greens on both sides and then revitalise their bodies with healthy ethnic cuisine in a grand jungle buffet that would leave one spell bound. One can delve into the preparations, the recipes and significance of the foods used and tickle their taste buds to the core. One can also relax and unwind in the swimming pool or chill out at Cloud 9 the garden bar, with its mystic surroundings and get entertained by the barmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories of jungle lore and folk art.

The Wildernest Nature Resort also has specially designed eco-cottages, surrounded by forests in every sense of the word. Life withdraws here, as guests relax in the cool recesses of the shady verandahs or laze around watching small creatures carry out their daily chores. One can enjoy special evenings where local artisans perform with dedication and honour at activity centres. The Ayurshala at Wildernest Nature Resort is a unique effort to revitalise the dying local knowledge of medicinal plants in the Goan Western Ghats and is based on the principles of Ayurveda in its purest form, as envisaged by the local communities. The Ayurshala strives to break the misconception of the typical styles of massage therapies followed elsewhere, and uses local

knowledge to combine ancient medical science with modern school of thought and comes afresh with some of the most rejuvenating therapies that have ever happened. Manned by local staff, this enterprise is a sincere effort to provide guests with a different experience amidst natural settings. Using derivatives of medicinal plants, herbs and roots and coupled with natural elements like buttermilk, water and natural gel, simple rejuvenation therapies are practiced here in the best of settings and help provide the mind, body and soul a different experience altogether. Activites at Wildernest Trek to the Highest Point This 15-minute trek to the tri-state boundaries of Goa-KarnatakaMaharashtra is a unique experience as it gives a 360 degrees view of the entire Chorla Ghats and Mahadeyi Wildlife Sanctuary. The trek is guided by a naturalist. Wildlife Film A wildlife film on the diversity of South Indian forests or the Western Ghats of India will be screened. Village Tour A trip to the village of Chorla in Karnataka, to view icons that lie

hidden in the forests. Guests can marvel at the same and visit the Rameshwar temple, which acquires centre stage in the village landscape. Slide Show on Local Biodiversity A slide show on the local biodiversity will be arranged wherein the important aspects of flora and fauna will be shown. Trek to the Waterfall This 45-minute trek is a mind-blowing experience for those who really like the virgin forests of the Sahyadris. Visit to Organic Farm This jeep trail to the organic farm, near Chorla village, is a great experience for witnessing the functioning of a small organic village farm. Guests can also get information of the various veggies that are sourced from the farm for the resort. Mehndi Art and Local Attire The guest relations team girls will apply Mehndi for the guests at a fixed time in one of the activity areas. Bon Fires at the Bonfire Point The naturalists of Wildernest will host the guests around a bonfire and roast local vegetables for all to. Folk Dances Guests get to view traditional folk dances performed by local communities in the region. An interaction with them and their dancing

techniques brings together a sense of belonging towards this region and its people. Botanical Tour The naturalists who will explain with detail the traditional medicinal use of plants and trees in the area will take guests on a botanical walk around the property. Theme Buffets The restaurant would organise theme buffets for the guests that would reflect the local biodiversity, traditional dishes and preparations of the region. Birding Trail The naturalists will organise a birding trail every morning that will begin from the restaurant and culminate at the main gate of the property. Night Trail A night trail will be organised by the naturalists to help guests understand the lives and activities of lesser known creatures of the night that include nocturnal birds, insects and reptiles.â&#x20AC;˘ For more information please contact Ms. Afra Lobo,+91 981 953 4619, afra.barreto@gmail.com Swapnagandha, off Sankhali, Chorla Ghats, Goa For Reservation: +91-832-3266911/ reservations@wildernest-goa.com

45 I Promotion

Before, I visited Waterstones Hotel, I had this clear feeling that it is going to be one of those regular state of the art properties with the standard works and comfort zones. But, Waterstones rocked me. The property has its own distinct style and is indeed unique. Situated near The International airport, this elegant and charismatic hotel looks young at heart and is clearly refreshing. For this, I should vouch for the creativity and the model conceptualised by MARS enterprises, the promoters and a reputed name in the hospitality business. On a quick tour, this is a luxurious business hotel of around 85 rooms and 10 suites spread over six floors. On five of the floors there are five different natured inspired theme rooms with the marine, rainforest, fire, mountain and glacier effects. All the floors are alluring, inviting and appealing and give you a cosy and comfortable feeling. In the vibrant lobby, I met Bruno Loosli, CEO, Waterstones Hotel, who looked brilliantly cheerful and all the staff were at ease with him. He credits his hotel to be the only boutique hotel dealing in warm and friendly hospitality, which has been designed to provide peace of mind with luxury that no other hotel in the vicinity can boast of.

‘’The hotel has been awarded by Tripadvisor for “Trendiest” hotel 2012 and it sure is trendy.’’ Zaq,Cliffside park, New Jersey, USA.

“Waterstones club is so much fun, I simply love to laze in the pool with my friends and enjoy squash sessions. Some time we have celebrities in the club. That’s life.” Karthika Pavvi, Entrepreneur, Mumbai.

He adds, “Besides the hotel, the Waterstones club needs mention as this facility can be used by the in -house guests and the recreational environment is splendid. With an array of games and fulfilled activities it is a delight being out there.” Loosli continues, “Also, situated inside is a beautiful and vast Olympic size swimming pool and lavish green landscapes around the property which are best utilised by our international patrons. You can say around 40 percent of our guests are foreign tourists.” Further, he adds, “Take a look around and also explore the club for the Van Gogh bar, the Moon Girl restaurant, the White Barn coffee shop and other areas and you will be amazed by vividness and the vivacity of the property.” One must also, try out the Waterstones Grill+Bar and the On the Rock bar within the hotel for a great time. On a final note he reflects, “Waterstones is only five years old and still fresh and we do have lots in store when we come up with our modern, comfortable serviced residence and offices in our sprawling 10.5 acres of prime land in the busy city of Mumbai.”

The Waterstone Grill+ bar has a great setting: indoor and outdoor. The glass walled restaurant offers dishes made on Robata grill cooking which means the food is cooked in front of you. The decor and ambience and the open kitchen is lively, offering you a choicest of grilled preparations and cocktails. I enjoyed eating there in the afternoon but my preference would be a night out in the same seat. The Van Gogh bar is classy and artistic. The bar is a tribute to the Dutch painter and replicas of his work adorn its walls. On offer is an amazing range of quality liquor and beverages. The Waterstones Club has so many amenities that it kept me mesmerised. With numerous options to enjoy, families will fall in love with this place for sure. Jacuzzi, spa, different game courts, movie room, library, music room, billiards-name it and they have it. There was a lot more to explore and in all probabilities I would but strangely this hotel reminds me of an Oasis.Thus, my ultimate punch line for this property is: Waterstones Hotel: An Oasis, in the heart of Mumbai.

“What amazed me is the thematic designof the property. The glacier theme rooms on the sixth floor, instantly take you to Iceland and are one of my favourites.” Ajay Malkan, Businessman, New Delhi.

Chef Franck Turmine

46 I Palate Pleaser

TLF talks to three expats, Chef Franck Turmine from France, Chef Ethem from Turkey and Chef Willi Haueter from Italy, who are currently working in India in different properties. They tell us about their love affair with the country and its cuisine.

hef Franck Turmine is a master of the cuisine that floored Julia Child. This French chef is trained to cook classic recipes from his homeland. Currently designated as the Executive Pastry Chef at Bakers Studio, Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort, Delhi he started working in 1979. Throughout his career, he has been associated with leading five star hotels in UK, Thailand, South Korea, Tunisia, Cambodia and France. He believes in flavours and enjoys mixing traditional French recipes with the spices of the country he is working in. Having first visited India in 1994, while he was at a six-month sabbatical from work, Chef Turmine was highly impressed by the local traditions, food and lifestyle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;India is a vast country with diverse cultures and so many places to visit, the difference in the lifestyle here as compared to the West is fascinating,â&#x20AC;? he says. Turmine finally moved to India to

47 work in 2009. As a bakery chef, he loves to cook anything that includes chocolate and admires French Pastry Chef Pierre Hermé for pastries and Chef Michel Bras for kitchen culinary. Cooking for the Indian palate he adapted recipes like Paan Chocolate Praline, a reduction of paan leaves mixed with a white truffle chocolate and stuffed in a chocolate praline (served at the end of a meal). “Indian desserts are difficult to change because they are finished products and have to be eaten freshly made, but incorporation of gulabjamun in the tiramisu is a recipe that Chef Jameel from Jaypee Vasant Continental hotel gave me and I found it very nice. Working on the gaajar ka halwa is the next plan,” Turmine says. Other bakery dishes loved by the Indian market are chocolate truffle cake full of chocolate cream and crunchy biscuits inside, black forest cake with good cherries, dry and fresh fruitcakes andcupcakes too are gaining popularity. Talking about the changing taste of the people in India Turmine feels that the majority is traditionally oriented as any other country in the world but some are still looking for innovative recipes and ingredients for experimentation, “For that we have to be creative,” he says. Living and cooking in India, he was bound to develop a taste for the cuisine, “I love the food here, specially the daal and kebabs,” quips Turmine and loves to eat at Paatra at Jaypee. He even starts his day at the kitchen with a cup of

‘chai’. Turmine feels that the Indian culinary scene is growing, “Increasing number of kitchen chefs are in demand and recommended around the world. My Indian native souse chef in England is now a pastry chef and does a very nice job. The reservoir of creativity and manpower here is enormous,” he explains. Being an expat chef, there are certain things like decoration, sugar work, explanation and sharing of European taste for imported products along with organisational planning, that has brought along with him to the Indian kitchen. The Executive Chef Ethem of Azulia, GRT Grand, Chennai is a Turkish chef who often travels to his country to bring down spices and other ingredients for Azulia, the Mediterranean restaurant. With an experience of 28 years, Chef Ethem holds the privilege of having served celebrities like Madonna and Bill Chinton. “I come from a lineage of chefs from a village

called Bolu near Istanbul where all famous Turkish chefs hail from. Cooking is our hereditary profession and it comes naturally to us,” Ethem tells us. He was formally trained from the age of 14 in a culinary school. Having read about places like Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, Kerala and Taj Mahal, Enthem always wanted to visit the country and finally got a chance to do so in 2010. The places matched his expectations and he loved it. Its no surprise then, when in the beginning of 2011 he was offered a position in GRT Grand, Chennai, he quickly grabbed it. Enthem loved the culinary scene in India, “The country is changing and exploring new frontiers all around, food is no exception. Experience dining has become very popular in this age. With more and more specialty restaurants coming up, guests obviously look for the restaurants that serve the most authentic cuisine combined with a wonderful dining experience. Azulia has done just that,” he explains. With the business becoming global, Indians have started travelling globally. Further, increasing number of foreign visitors has led to exposure to International cuisines. This has made Indians accept, understand and appreciate authentic cuisines of the world. “I am really happy that Indians like Mediterranean food. Lots of people know, hummus, moutabal, mousakka and baklava,” Chef Enthem adds delightfully. Talking about Indian food, Enthem loves to eat biryani and masala dosa and even likes

48 to work on the cuisine, but Azulia being an authentic Mediterranean restaurant he didn’t really have a chance to experiment. However, he adds, “From the Mediterranean cuisine, fresh vegetables, seafood, kebabs and desserts make a good choice for the Indian palate.” Chef Willi is the Executive Chef at the Imperial, New Delhi. He first came to India in 2011 as his wife hails from a Bengali family. But it was all about work and he never really got a chance to travel around. “Travel is on my calendar for the rest of the year. Agra, Goa, Assam, Kashmir and Nagaland are on

my agenda along with Nepal and Bhutan,” Willi says. Like his fellow expats, the Italian chef feels that the Indian food scene is evolving, “Indian people are in a sense very traditional, but like to try other things as well. I feel they are getting into European and American food now,” he explains. He doesn’t need to customize the Mediterranean food, he cooks for the Indian guests, as they love the authentic flavour. Chef Willi likes to cook simple food that tastes natural, without heavy flavours and is fond of barbequed meats, fish and vegetables. He feels now heavy

The country is changing and exploring new frontiers all around, food is no exception. Experience dining has become very popular in this age. With more and more specialty restaurants coming up, guests obviously look for the restaurants that serve the most authentic cuisine combined with a remarkable dining experience. food is being shunned in India as well, “Everyone wants to eat light,” he says. The chef who likes to eat tandoori chicken and the Mughlai food at Dum Pukth (ITC Maurya, Delhi) has contributed a lot to the Indian kitchen. He believes in simplicity in food and its preparation and a no fuss approach to preparation and consumption. He explains his idea as FRESH, which can be understood as:•

F - Four components (Food on Plate) R - Rapid (Form of Service) E - Elegant (Style of Presentation) S - Sumptuous (Food) H - Harvested Locally (Product Choice)

50 I Palate Pleaser

Sagar Ratna, the culinary giant, serving vegetarian South Indian delicacies has become one of the most popular restaurants in India. Jayaram Banan, Chairman, Sagar Ratna, shares the success journey of his venture.

From a runaway kid to the owner of a highly successful chain of restaurants, Jayaram Banan has indeed come a long way in life. A source of inspiration for entrepreneurs, his journey from naught to the Sagar empire is overwhelming. At the age of 14, he ran away from his little village Karkala in Karnataka and started working in a canteen. This is where his dream of owning a chain of restaurants was born. In early eighties he came to Delhi and bagged a contract with an industrial canteen in Ghaziabad. The contract led to the opening of his flagship outlet in Defence colony, on December 4, 1986. It was the first Sagar Ratna with a seating capacity of 40 people, which was taken over on a weekly rental. The high quality, moderate and affordable pricing, hygiene and personalised service made Sagar Ratna a South Indian hub in no time. Restaurateursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; biggest challenge, Banan says, is to find a good location as well as property owners willing to rent to startups. It was the hardwork, dedication, personal attention, motivation,

and broad vision that made Banan reap good results very fast. Within a short period of one year Sagar spread its waves all over Delhi and became a favourite because of their most affordable South Indian snacks for the mass and the class. Clients from all over Delhi patiently wait hours together to bite the authentic taste of dosas at Sagar. Banan quickly realised the need of the hour and increased the capacity to existing 225. But still the waiting continues and it is a craze for the customers to wait and enjoy the personal hospitality of Banan at the Defence Colony outlet. Presently Sagar Ratna has 70 outlets, which are spread out mainly in the northern region of the country. The company plans to open another 150 outlets in the next five years. This expansion shall cover the upper half of the country. Authentic South Indian vegetarian delicacies are a forte of Sagar Ratna. The nascent coffee aroma emanating from the filter cof-

fee is another specialty of Sagar. Moreover being served in the traditional steel tumbler and saucer adds to the authentic flavour of this concoction. Sagar Ratna has been awarded the “Best South Indian Restaurant” consecutively for many years by Times Food Award. Banan confesses that the secret of his success is that there is no substitute for hard work and self-confidence. “Quality is never an accident. It is the result of planning, team work and a commitment to excellence,” says Banan and has practically digested the above phrase in his day-to-day life and business. Banan has carried alongwith him the entire workforce, stimulated them with hardwork and honesty to achieve the best out of it. Further, Banan also started a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar under the brand name Swagath, which is famous for coastal, Chettinad, Mughlai and Chinese cuisine. Swagath too has become a popular brand in Delhi and won three awards for the best Coastal Food. Banan also manages the industrial canteen at the factories at Ghaziabad/ Delhi. Banan started up the unique

process of franchisee to spread the wings of Sagar Ratna without compromising on the excellence of service and quality. In the franchisee, he provides and entire trained team, including managers and helpers. Substitutes are also provided as per the requirements of the franchisee. The quality of control team visits the franchise outlets to check the quality of ingredients, cooked food, hygiene, and service. “The franchise concept was conceived in the year 1999 when we opened our first franchise outlet at the Hotel Maharaja Regency in Ludhiana. We have already added 28 franchise outlets as on date and very shortly we are opening eight more franchise outlets in Rajpura, Solan, Roorkee, Shimla, Karnal, Bangkok, Palwal and on the Jaipur highway,” explains Banan. In his own chain of restaurants, Banan’s favourite is onion rawamasala dosa and idli. This man with a charming personality believes in hard work and dedication and says “If you are passionate about something, never be afraid of competition and never give up.”

1. Inside Sagar Ratna

Quality is never an accident. It is the result of planning, team work and a commitment to excellence.

52 I Palate Pleaser

There is nothing more indulgent than a sinful cup of hot chocolate and when it is topped with marshmallows, churros, creams and cakes, then it is your taste of heaven right there. Insia Dariwala tries out two cafes that serve the best cuppas in Mumbai.

Cuppa Joe, Bandra

hey say big surprises usually come in small packages, and that’s precisely what I got on my recent visit to Cuppa Joe—a tiny coffee shop, set in the bustling, posh neighbourhood of Carter Road, Bandra. The place is minimalism at its best, with Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Hello darkness. How are you my friend?’, trickling down into a coffee mug and a Russian Nesting doll balancing her tea-pouring act, on a shaky stack of cups; all custom-made paintings for Cuppa Joe. This petite and rather cozy joint, has two levels, with the top level done up in light wood and white, while the basement seating has a dark wood and white décor, with some quirky posters adorning the walls. Slick and

classy, this coffee shop stands apart from its contenders, which I might add, are far too many. Owners of the plush EscoBar, the Choksi broth-

Must Try 8The ‘Butter Beer’- isfamous as Harry Potter’s drink at the Three Broomsticks Inn. 8The Cookie Monster- a giant oatmeal cookie in white and dark chocolate. ers have, yet again, strived hard to ensure that class and quality are not something that they will ever compromise on, and are quick to divulge

that this tiny coffee shop is just a preview of the bigger picture to be launched within a couple of months. After a quick tour of the place, I was presented with a trademark beverage of Cuppa Joe—a luxurious, sinful glass of Caramel Snow Frappe. Light and frothy, this indulgent, cold beverage came with dollops of freshly made whipped cream, sparkling with some crunchy caramel balls on the top, and just the right dash of coffee; a perfect fit for a hot, balmy day. Excited, I even tried the bubble gum flavour. Equally refreshing, this naughty drink not only teased the kid in me but also satiated my adult taste buds. The cool drinks were followed up with a nice hot Dijon Mustard Chicken Panini—luscious, delicately flavoured, barbecued pieces of chicken, gently laid on a bed of crunchy

53 onions and some molten mozzarella cheese. Incidentally, Cuppa Joe has many trademarked products, one of their bestsellers being the Marshmallow Mocha beverage, a large cup of delicious, creamy coffee, with pink and white marshmallows floating in it. The menu also boasts of some devilish desserts like ‘The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake’, a dramatic, ruby red colour, sharply contrasted with layers of white cream cheese and a bright white frosting on the top. This dessert was truly the icing on my cake. For a small place like theirs, the Choksi brothers have guaranteed that their menu appeals to all palates alike. From a mouthwatering ‘All day Breakfast’ menu, to some tantalising wraps, pastas and desserts, this joint surely has no dearth of food on their menu.

Light and frothy, this indulgent, cold beverage came with dollops of freshly made whipped cream, sparkling with some crunchy caramel balls on the top, and just the right dash of coffee; a perfect fit for a hot, balmy day. Address: Gagangiri Apartments Carter road, Bandra west, Mumbai

San Churros, Breach Candy To call San Churros just another coffee shop would be a sin I wouldn’t

want to commit. Especially since the seductive spread I was about to indulge in, had already increased the possibilities of landing me a front-row seat in Calorie Hell. Seduction—yes, that’s the best way to describe this Australian brand that has only recently, forayed into the Indian market. Despite the predominance of chocolate on the menu, San Churro is also positioned as a premium coffee shop, serving only Fair Trade coffee and Couverture chocolate, which is a very high-quality chocolate containing extra cocoa butter. As I entered this sprawling coffee shop, in the plush neighborhood of Breach Candy, I was reminded of Keanu Reeves in Count Dracula’s castle, surrounded by the blood-sucking nymphs, deadly and yet lusciously tempting. Except, in my case this seduction only added to my waistline.

Must Try 8Six kinds of pure 100 per cent Arabica coffee. 8The Strawberry Bizcocho- a glass of chocolate cake, with fresh strawberry pieces, lathered in custard and milk chocolate. 8The Fondue for two- a bowl of warm milk chocolate, churros, marshmallows, dark chocolate covered pretzels, fruits, chopped nuts along with some brownie too.

Churros-deep-fried doughnut sticks, dusted with some cinnamon sugar and served with a pot of the devil’s foodmolten chocolate, this deliciously crisp, Spanish dessert will surely make you come back for more.

The scent of chocolate mingling with the coffee soon got my mouth watering. However, aside from the hypnotising aromas, the décor too is worth mentioning. Dark wood and browns, with splashes of orange on the cushy leather tub chairs; a bright mosaic-tiled display counter, and the mocha walls that carry illustrations depicting Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés bringing cocoa to Spain , all a fitting tribute to the

birthplace of chocolate. My olfactory organ further led me to a table that was cozily surrounded by large murals of chocolate stories and chocolate quotes on the giant walls. One quote suitably read, ‘Forget love…I’d rather fall in chocolate’. “Too late for the heart,” I thought, but quite an enticing option for my tired body. Tucking the guilt far beneath my intestines, I dug into w h a t S a n Churros is b e s t known f o r — Churr o s . Deepf r i e d doughnut sticks, dusted with some cinnamon sugar and served with a pot of the devil’s foodmolten chocolate, this deliciously crisp, Spanish dessert will surely make you come back for more. Next in the line-up, was a delicious shot of hot chocolate- pure choco-

late melted to just the right amount of consistency. Incomparable to the others I have tasted. Suffice to say my happy endorphins raced in top gear. Taking my level of happiness forward, the manager then presented me with a seven-layer chocolate cake. This huge, moist, decadent slice of dark, white and milk chocolate was never meant to be eaten alone. So make sure to share this happiness with someone you love. They

say

too much o f

any g o o d thing is bad, and in a utopian state, my tryst with the happy hormones should have probably continued forever, but after the sevenlayered cake, I was but obviously ‘choc-ode out.’

Address: 101, Ackruti City Emerald, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai•

55 I Palate Pleaser

Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, and this vibrancy is best reflected on its dining table. With an extraordinary showcase of food and drink from around the globe, the emirate brings the world of restaurant and café culture to life.

Middle Eastern Cuisine The most distinct part of a Middle Eastern spread is the lavish choice of fresh bitesized starters known as ‘mezze’. With the potential of being a meal in itself, the mezze comprises a number of a number of dips like creamy hummus garnished with red pomegranate seeds, baba ganoush and muhammara, which is best enjoyed with piping hot Arabic bread. Fulsome and more savoury dishes occupy the table as the mela progresses. Succulent shish kebabs, tender morsels of spiced lambs or chicken cooked over charcoal fire and skewers of mince are typical of an Arabic main course. While dining in Dubai, guests should partake of these Middle Eastern specialties: Arabic Bread: Unique to this region is the oval flat bread served with just about every meal. Best enjoyed piping hot, it lends itself to a variety of eating options: toasted and stuffed with slivers of roasted lamb and crunchy vegetables, dipped in hummus and baba ganoush or even opened to form a pocket for meat, salad and falafel. Baba Ganoush: Grilled aubergines, garlic, tahina, lemon juice and olive oil are mixed to form a course dip. Falafel: Made of ground chickpeas, onions and spices, falafel patties are deepfried and can be served with a variety of dips or rolled into pita bread. Fattoush: Lettuce, cucumber and other greens dressed in mint, lemon and olive

oil, served with toasted flakes of Arabic bread. Hummus: Chickpeas, tahini or sesame paste, olive oil, garlic and lemon are mashed together to yield a buttery dip. This is the star dip of every platter. Tabouleh: A great alternative to traditional salads, this is a tasty mix of cracked wheat and chopped mint and parsley.

Some culinary creations of the local Emirati cuisine areAsseada: Local dessert made from semolina and spiced with saffron. Batheeth: Freshly ripened dates served with a sauce. Balaleet: A breakfast staple of fine pasta made from eggs, onions, cinnamon and sugar, Fareed: Carrots, potatoes, marrow and chicken or lamb are combined to form a stew that is then poured over a bed of regarg or pieces of very thin bread. Best served piping hot, this is a Ramadan special. Harees: A thick porridge like dish made from cubes of meat, cracked wheat and water. Khabeesa: A sweet dish made from roasted flour, water, sugar and saffron. Khamir: Thich bread served with honey and date syrup. Machboos: One of the most popular lunch dishes, it is an elaborate preparation of slow cooked lamb or chicken with spices, dried lemon, rice and onion. Mohalla: Flast bread eaten with honey and date syrup, mohalla is a breakfast favourite.

Hotels offer a remarkably diverse range of food and beverage outlets, partly because they serve not only their own guests but also attract large numbers of local residents. Their restaurants cover everything from coffee shops to fine dining and specialty outlets and the standard of service is on a par with the best in the world. The nightlife is equally varied, with many bars; pubs, discos and nightclubs open until the small hours. Outside the hotels, small eating-places are to be found in all parts of the city including Deira, Bur Dubai, Satwa, Jumeirah and Dubai Marina.While restaurants located outside hotel and club premises are not permitted to serve alcohol, all are air-conditioned, clean and are often culinary adventures in their own right. International theme restaurants such as TGI Friday’s, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café and Henry J Bean’s and Fashion Café are also popular. There are also several other American and Mexican restaurants in the city, while international fast food chains are represented by such names as McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Pizza Inn, Round Table Pizza, Pizza Corner, Harry Ramsden’s, Burger King, Shakey’s, Wimpy, Dunkin’ Donuts and Hardee’s. Dubai Dinner Cruises A dinner cruise along the Dubai Creek is a good option as it guarantees stunning views, sumptuous food, live entertainment and great fun.• For a detailed restaurant guide visit www.definitelydubai.com

56 I Palate Pleaser

T n Yellow foods: optimise brain functions n Green foods: rejuvenate musculature and bone n Orange foods: support skin and eye health n Red foods: support heart and circulatory health n White foods: enhance immune system, lymph system and cellular recovery n Purple foods: promote microcirculation

he new concept, ‘Colour Your Plate by Sheraton Fitness,’ is a program that makes it trouble-free for the busy travellers to eat scrumptious and good for health food on the road. All it takes is the addition of three colours from fruits and vegetables to your diet to help stay in figure and increase energy while the hectic travelling. The new program is the latest addition of Sheraton Fitness, programmed by core performance and is now available at more than 400 hotels worldwide. The Colour Your Plate is an initiative that incorporates the Core Performance’s Nutrition Colour Code to educate Sheraton guests about the significance of sustaining a fit lifestyle. All menu items feature colourful, key nutrients from fruits and vegetables, to make sure all meals represent the perfect dietary balance. Colour Your Plate offers a variety of flavoursome, well-balanced menu options, including: Skirt Steak Chimichurri, Shrimp Tacos, Portobello Burger and All-Natural Roasted Turkey BLT with lemon mustard aioli.

Scrumptious Summer

ark Plaza Noida presents Mango Delights-mangobased desserts at Cakewalk, its pastry shop. These delectable dishes are sure to notch up the dining experience of the guests. On offer are mango cheese and almond pastry, mango earl grey pastry, fresh mango mousse with earl grey patisserie cream, mango raspberry coulis pastry, fresh mango and raspberry duet, mango choux pastry, fresh mango and creamy custard in choux pastry, mango and grapes tart, mélange of mango and grapes on creamy butter custard, fresh mango cake and mango charlotte cake. Cakewalk, Park Plaza Noida C-Block, Sector 55, Noida, Phone: +91 120 4678888.

Price: starts @ INR 99. Taxes as applicable O n t i l l 3 0 t h Ju n e 2 0 1 2

Lebanese

DELIGHT R

Bangalore’s Lebanese food joint, Ranoosh offers simple yet scrumptious food in a comfortable ambience. Reema Moudgil digs in and finds out more.

anoosh is not exactly a restaurant with glitzy Middle Eastern interiors. It is a no fuss, no frills and unprepossessing place. But like most happy surprises, it reveals itself without bells and whistles. I am no authority on food, leave alone on Lebanese food but what hits my palate is an unmistakable combination of fresh, sub textual flavours I haven’t tasted before. Being a vegetarian limits my choices further but when I taste what am offered, I can actually pick out different notes of crushed spices, yoghurt, vegetables and, the tang of lemon fruits. This is not food in a hurry but an experience that grows on you with every mouthful. You are reminded of many micro-cultures within cultures we are oblivious to in a region that we remember only in times of violence and decimation. I feel heavy with wistfulness for history, food traditions, generations of family recipes that are fading away from every part of the world because of the imprint of the West on everything, right from our food habits, our lifestyle to our politics. Chef Mkram, who handles the kitchen here, tells me about his family is still in his olive farm in Syria, not completely away from political upheavals but he would rather

57 I Palate Pleaser

This is not food in a hurry but an experience that grows on you with every mouthful. talk about the food. He promises me, none of the dishes have been tweaked to the Indian palate out of respect for authenticity and in a city where Lebanese food is just a cliche being sold on the streets, this food, at The Ranoosh is a leisurely exploration of an entire cuisine. He cooks here, he says, like he would in his own kitchen, for his own family. Though he chuckles, “My wife won’t let me cook as much as I want to!” The food he says is easy to love because it speaks in familiar notes like semolina, black pepper, coriander, cardamom, and bay leaf. The processes and the uniqueness of certain spices are different. The marination techniques, the slow cooking are typical to the cuisine. He runs me through the salads and appetisers or cold mezze. Hummus, moutabal (roasted eggplant mixed with tahini and topped with olive oil) , baba gannoujsh (oven-grilled eggplant with tomato disks, bell pepper and coriander), dolma (grape leaf rolled with parsley, rice and tomato, steamed in olive oil and lemon juice), tabbouleh (finely chopped parsley mixed with olive oil and broken wheat kernels with a touch of lemon), fattoush (cubes of tomato, lettuce, and cucumber tossed in pomegranate molasses with Arabic bread) and a spread of surprising, refreshing salads created out of lettuce, cucumbers, green beans, fine sour cream, beetroot, fried potato, aged cheese, basil and more can be enjoyed here. And then ofcourse, the eternal favourites, the hot Lebanese starters or hot mezze. From falafel, shawarma, fatayer, the mixed puffs and counting. There are soups, sea food, grills, staples and specials and biryanis and melt-in-the-mouth desserts that deserve to be tasted without too many words to interrupt the joy they leave in their wake. Right from baklava, mahalabiyah (milk simmered with rose water), umm Ali (Puff pastry baked with cream and nuts), shabiet (crispy fillo sheets baked to a golden brown with ashda cream on the inside) and a few more.• The Ranoosh, 120-125, KH Road (Double Road, Shanthinagar), Bangalore. Ph: 080-43452222

58 I Opinion That’s the beauty of accidental meetings. They sneak up on you when you least expect them, like most good things in life, and they leave you with high-resolution memories.

Every time I go to Matunga hunting for food, I have an adventure. And by every time I mean twice. The first time I was with three women who refused to ask for directions but cackled a lot. We didn’t even need a car. We could have just made our way on some broomsticks. Anyway, that is not a story I want to tell right now. This story is Matunga version 2.0 subtle, South Indian and laced with gunpowder.

Besides being a soulful writer (www.therunawayjuiceincident.com), an avid traveller and a music, love and rocket addict JUHI PANDE is a Television presenter.

Cafe Madras opened in 1940. I moved to Bombay in 1998 and it took me 14 years to make my way to the place, which serves the best Udipi food in the city. Now, Bandra to Matunga isn’t the most scenic of routes. Infact, it is the polar opposite of anything even remotely scenic. I kept imagining giant metal scorpions taking over the road and killing us all. Maybe it was the heat. Anyway, once in Matunga, Bombay’s old world beauty takes complete control of all senses. Big houses surrounded by even bigger trees, smooth roads, ayurvedic medical supply centres, sunlight trickling in through dense greenery, camouflaging the 34 degrees, a stray cow, some breeze, people hanging out in their balconies. It’s a picture postcard aching to happen. It was my friend Yudhishtar’s idea that we come here for lunch. We walked up to Cafe Madras and were asked to wait our turn for a table and just as we were being seated Yudhishtar had to make a call, so I figured I’d go ahead anyway. Cafe Madras is always packed, so everyone has to share tables. I was taken to a table and seated in front of a gentleman who was slaying the waiter verbally. He must have been about 80, and wore a blue T-shirt, a green hat and a scowl. I didn’t look at him directly but I was listening to every word he was saying. The waiter hadn’t got him a spoon in time and now, from the sound of it, he had to die for his mistake. I sat there, diving my head into the menu, avoiding eye contact and judging furiously. Yudhishtar finished his phone call and joined me. He looked at blue T-shirt, then at me, gave me a big smile and sat down. I guess he knew. We didn’t take too much time deciding what we wanted to eat. Two of everything usually works. The food came and it was nothing short of spectacular. Making good sambar is an art. Making good sambar in Bombay is a miracle. And the sambar I ate that day? Miraculous. We were midway through our meal when our table-sharing companion asked for coffee. At this point he also looked up straight at us and Yudhishtar decided to be polite and make some conversation. “Do you come here often?”

“Yes. I do.” he said with a smile, which threw me off. “Oh, ok. So you must really like the food.” “I like their coffee. They make great filter coffee.” “Oh yeah? How long have you been coming here for?” “Since my college days. Sometimes I come here twice a day.” I couldn’t just sit there and stare, so I added my bit “This is my first time here.” He turned to look at me and said that I should probably meet him when I come to Cafe Madras for the 100th time. I said I would look for him when I did. That was it. The ice was broken. We spoke. A lot. Usual stuff. Bombay, food, weather. He finished his coffee and said he had to head home. We said goodbye and he left. Yudhishtar and I went on to have a discussion about whether drinking lassi right before coffee would make us spontaneously explode. We hadn’t really come to a conclusion when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Mr. Rege. “Julie...” “Yes?” I said. He said “Tell me, when you come back for the 100thtime, will this fellow be tagging along?” and there was a quick wink. I burst into a smile and then put on a serious face and told him that I would make sure that I got rid of Yudhishtar when I returned, to which Yudhishtar nodded furiously. And then Mr. Rege was gone. I don’t think I stopped smiling for a while. I had done a super job of judging a book by its cover when Mr. Rege was channeling Mr. Hyde a while back. And why not?! I had no idea that he’d been coming to this place since before most of the staff had been born, that Cafe Madras was as much a part of his everyday life as it was of the owners, that he did have a right to lose his cool if he so pleased.... and also because he wore a green hat. Mr. Rege lit up my afternoon. That’s the beauty of accidental meetings. They sneak up on you when you least expect them, like most good things in life, and they leave you with high-resolution memories. I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to go to Cafe Madras a hundred times, but I do know that I’m going there for lunch tomorrow. And I’m going to keep my fingers crossed.

59 I Travel

It seldom happens that the people, and not the place, make your experience a truly memorable one....

Every year thousands of people throng to Bangkok and the number is only increasing. Unbelievable apparel, accessories and footwear bargains, scrumptious Thai food, dirt-cheap liquor, enormous entertainment and nightlife scene—all these and more. But what really makes it the most preferred destination, is the local people. Bangkok amazed me. The first thing that strikes you is how hard working the local women are. The mass perception that Bangkok’s economy thrives only on prostitution is not completely true, if not totally false. The women of this city juggle all kinds of professions successfully. There are women bathroom cleaners at the mall, women security guards, drivers, women cashiers, managers and waitresses at Burger Kings, Starbucks and McDonalds, chemists, travel agents and roadside vendors—everywhere! They work from 10 am till midnight and

some till the wee morning hours. They take care of their homes and families; and I have a sneaking suspicion they feed their spouses, too. Independent and hardworking, I spoke to one such woman selling bikinis at the beach at Samui (not in Bangkok, I know). She juggles three jobs between 9 am and midnight, she told me. “I have three children, I feed them and clean my home before I leave and come back twice during the day to feed them again.” Yet when you are holidaying there, sipping a chilled delicious orange juice brought from the street, you feel so relaxed—the air is so calm and happy that no one can tell these people work too. They seem to be on a forever vacation mode. But observe a little deeper and you know they are always working to make Bangkok a comfortable stay for the tourists. Your drinks will always be chilled, there is no dearth of ice cubes, the massage parlours have see through

glasses so that you don’t miss the action outside, while relaxing. The pubs and clubs too are all open with tables facing the streets. There are very few, almost no tourist traps outside attractions. Bangkok is a city that functions to make everyone’s holiday an outstanding experience; one where the hearts of the people are like the climate—warm and balmy.

“The first thing that strikes you is how hard working the local women are. The mass perception that Bangkok’s economy thrives only on prostitution is not completely true, if not totally false.”

60 I Beau Monde

Want to give your home a seasonal punch? Here are some cool home fashion ideas that speak of style and comfort

Score some chic style edge this season with fresh home décor ideas. Deck out your den in summer’s brightest colours and gorgeous furnishings. There is no needfor a complete style revamping. Small little additions can create magic. We’ve listed a few fabulous inspirations to give your home the brilliant flavour of summer. Summer is the time to go light on fabrics and de-clutter. It is the time to connect with your surroundings and also arrange your home keeping in mind the comfort factor. 1. Inject some style and creativity into your décor by introducing soft summer colours. Soft doesn’t necessarily mean dull and pale. Opt for bright colours and then mix-n-match approach. Think of pretty polka dots for the bedroom linen. “The best way to introduce summer into your home is with the use of symmetric and floral designs,” believes Thomas

Don’t forget the bathroom. Place some fresh flowers to brighten up your mood early morning.

Johan, Sr. GM Retail Operations & Institutional Sales, @home. 2. A plain white room can be easily pepped up with the help of wallpaper. If you wish to avoid colouring the walls or using wallpapers, the best way to add vibrancy to a white room is with the use of colourful cushions, throws, mats and sheets. 3. Drape the windows in sheer curtains that allow night during daytime and serene during nighttime 4. Add spice to your living room sofa with some colourful, bright cushions and accessories. A soft-

filtered will help in adding the charm.

tos and frames together to create a wall art.

5. Houseplants will help in bringing nature into your home décor. Place them in selected places to bring in natural colours and freshness. Houseplants can be used to create focus areas.

8. Never underestimate the power of candles. Use scented candles that speak of summer. “Using scented candles of rose, sandalwood or vanilla will always keep the atmosphere of your house fresh,” suggests Mr. Johan. 9. Do not congest the bedroom look with too much furniture. A floor lamp is a major design element. You can also make use of table lamps to vary the lighting.

6. Amp up the décor scheme with the help of colourful vases in different creative shapes. Place them at different corners or places that look dull. Wooden vases or Ceramic vases give a rich feel to the overall look. The colours should blend with the furniture and flooring. Use potpourri, they are great options to keep at your centre tables. Potpourri’s was a French concept that came to Indian homes as the home interiors saw it as a hi-style trend,” says Mr Johan. 7. Instead of hanging posters on the walls, try making your own personalised wall art. Bring out old family pictures and frame them. Group different family pho-

10. You can easily transform an unused place into a reading spot by placing a comfortable chair, table and a good lighting. SEASON-SPECIFIC DÉCOR CHANGES The Look: In summer, the look should be happy and pleasing. Sun-kissed yellow can add a lot of depth to a room. Pattern: Opt for peppy but minimalistic patterns. Soft textures are a must. Seating: During summer months you spend a lot of time indoors. Avoid too much of layering and overdoing the seating space. Keep it simple with cushions thrown in. Window Dressing: Curtains have to be easy and breezy.

62 I Beau Monde

Healthy skin is sexy skin. Check out these skin-saving secrets to undo the sun damage.

he summer sun has wrecked havoc on your skin. Unprotected sun exposure will lead to wrinkles, blemishes and ageing spots on your skin. It’s time for some serious TLC. Self-care requires a lot of practice and dedication. Get prepared to indulge in some natural beauty pleasures to help you achieve a smooth and glowing skin. Excessive skin tanning can often lead to skin inflammation and itching. The use of a sunscreen should be an essential part of your daily routine. It may not prevent tanning, but will definitely protect your skin from photo-damage and premature ageing. It is not only your face that requires protection from the sun but also your body. We often forget to protect our hands, neck and chest from sun damage.

Hallmarks of a Healthy Skin

Immediate Tan Relief:

A light tan can take a week to fade away but a deep tan may sometimes take months. For immediate lightening, try one of the following face packs.

8Prepare a face pack by mixing gram flour (besan), turmeric powder, lemon

n An even skin tone n Smooth texture n Firmness n Radiant and hydrated skin.

juice, rose water, milk (only for dry skin) and chandan (sandalwood powder). Apply this every night for 7 days. Keep it for 15 min and then wash with lukewarm water. This will help in lightening the tan naturally.

8Mix sugar with lemon juice. Add a little glycerine to it. Scrub the affected area

gently in circular motion with this mixture. This not only helps in getting rid of tan but also softens the skin. Effect of sunburn could also be prevented by this home remedy. Mix 1 tsp potato juice, in 1 tsp of lemon juice and apply it on affected area. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash off. Repeat the process once a day till you get rid of sun tan.

Expert Help

“Apply a cucumber-based face pack for natural bleaching. With the help of your palms, just gently touch the ice cubes and then lightly massage the skin with a gel or cream as per your skin type. Use ice cubes to close the pores in order to reduce breakouts. Ice also helps in soothing burnt skin. A mixture of honey, rosewater and lemon is a great way to get rid of sun tan. You can also prepare a face pack using gram flour, lime juice and some curd. The best natural, homemade sunscreen can be prepared by mixing sesame oil, almond oil and olive oil. Spa treatments are also extremely helpful in reducing the tan,” advises Mahima Trivedi, Spa Manager, Club Renaissance Spa. Spa treatments are extremely beneficial. A relaxing day at the spa is the perfect way to get pampered and also undo the sun damage. Ask your therapist for tan removing treatments, facials and massages. Spa treatments involve massages and wraps that boost the blood circulation and enable the products to be absorbed effectively. “Opt for treatments like ‘After-sun refreshment’, which uses aloe vera for healing. Aloe vera is renowned for its extraordinary healing properties. Applied to tender, sun-damaged skin, a cool, refreshing wrap of cucumber with aloe vera gel releases heat from the body followed by aroma peppermint body massage,” suggest Mahima.

SAFE SUN BATHING

“Tanning has become more of a fashion these days. There has been an increased reporting of skin cancer and aggravated age changes in people who engage in tanning in a wrong or unsupervised manner. However, it has been found that the tanning beds use mostly UVA light. UVA has been proven to be more harmful as it accelerates ageing of the skin and increases the chances of skin cancer. Make sure you follow these precautions for a healthy sun exposure.

8 During summers, sunbathe between 10 am to 12 noon. Apply sunscreen and don’t forget to protect your eyes.

8Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. 8Moisturise your skin well 8Do not use exfoliating soaps prior to sunbathing. It darkens the complexion. 8Do not wax or shave prior to sunbathing.

64 I Fashion and Entertainment

It’s the perfect time for some poolside fun, breezy picnics, relaxing vacations and beaches galore. Get into cute colourful dresses, sleeveless shirts, bathing suits and trendy sandals and step out to have a blast. Forget all skin worries as our expert, Dr. Varun Katyal, Cosmetic Dermatologist, The Skin Centre, New Delhi, tells you how to brave the sun. Sunshine, heat, humidity, and chlorine can harm your skin if you are not careful. But don’t panic! Follow these tips under supervision of a dermatologist to get fresh, glowing and healthy skin this summer. Keep Clean: Cleanse your face and neck every morning and night using a gentle Ph-balanced cleanser chosen as per your skin type and skin concerns and follow this up with a good toner. Excess oil production is the body’s way of protecting the skin, so never use anything harsh. Always take off make up in order to avoid blocked pores. TLF recommends the Pears Oil Clear Cleansing Face wash. Moisturise: Your skin may be less dry these days, but don’t banish that moisturiser. Instead, switch to lighter, water-based formulas for both face and body. If your moisturiser contains antioxidants, it’s a definite bonus as antioxidants help to protect against sun damage and improve texture and tone of the skin. TLF recommends Vaseline Aloe Fresh Hydrating Lotion. Exfoliate regularly: Sun, sand, sweat,

and sunscreen only increase the amount of dead skin cells that build up on your face and body. Slough them off with an exfoliating scrub or loofah a few times each week. Use a gentle exfoliator for the face and a body scrub and be gentle while using it. TLF recommends Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash and Facial Foam Slather on the sunscreen: Choose a skin friendly sunscreen that is preferably water based. Choose products that provide broad-spectrum protection, preferably products that block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays) and have an SPF of atleast 30. Apply sunscreen liberally on all exposed body parts; reapply every two hours if you are out and always after swimming and exercising. TLF recommends the Lakme Sun Expert range Avoid peak sun hours: The sun’s rays are the strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and you risk the most skin damage if you head outside during those hours, especially during the summer. Opt for a self-tanner: If you want

that sun-kissed look without the risk of skin damage or skin cancer, use a self-tanner. Just be sure that you apply it evenly, and use rubber gloves to avoid tanning the palms of your hands. Protect your skin from other elements: Pool chlorine and sea salt can irritate your skin, and the constant heat can dehydrate you. Be sure to rinse off thoroughly with fresh water after hitting the beach or the pool, and stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water every day (more if you’re out and sweating a lot). Use sun protective clothing: Try and cover as much skin as possible. Do consider a long-sleeved shirt, widebrimmed hat, and sunglasses at least for part of the day. Try to stay in the shade when you are outside. Don’t bake in the sun or at tanning salons or at the pool. Get well heeled: Get regular pedicure to pamper your feet. Use a scrub to remove dead dry skin and apply a thick foot cream in the night and wear socks to make your feet

baby-soft and sandal ready! Switch to summer makeup: Replace your liquid foundation to mineral based powder with atleast an SPF 15. You may also skip the creamy blush and try natural looking glow with a bronzing powder. Use waterproof mascara for your eyes and smudge proof look after swimming. Check out Lakme’s latest summer collection. Eat right: Eat a balanced and nutritious diet. Citrus fruits are great to cope with summer. Lime juice, fresh oranges and cucumbers cool your system. Eating fruits and vegetables will also help in getting the right vitamins and minerals for your body. Keep yourself hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep skin clear and fresh. Always carry a water bottle with you to prevent dehydration of body and skin alike. Sweat it out: Exercising during summers is one of the best ways to make your skin glow. But make sure that you take a generous shower to clean yourself post exercise.•

Home Remedies: Make a paste of fuller’s earth, honey and mashed papaya and apply on your face. When it starts to dry, then wash if off. Make a paste of banana and milk and apply on your skin for 20 minutes and wash it off with cold water. Make a paste of sandalwood powder, mix 2 drops of rose essential oil and rose water. It calms the skin and reverses the effect of harmful rays of sun on your skin. Mash the pulp of papaya, strawberries and pears. Mix curd and form a smooth paste. This will soften the skin and refine skin texture. Mix 2 teaspoons of yogurt, honey and lime juice and make a thick paste. Apply on your face and massage for 2-3 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Take turmeric powder (Haldi) and orange juice. Mix them together to make a paste. Use it as scrub on your face and neck and wash it with cold water.

66 I Fashion and Entertainment

TLF’s celebrity guest columnist Shahnaz Husain helps you with all your summer hair care problems.

1. How can one protect their hair from the sun? > During summer, excessive sun-exposure makes the hair dry and brittle, leading to split ends and breakage. One of the best ways to protect the hair from the harsh summer sun is to cover it while out, either with a scarf, a hat or your dupatta. One can also carry a parasol while outdoors. Use hair products containing sunscreens. For example, we have formulated a saffron shampoo and saffron hair cream, which contains sunscreens. Our Nano Sun protective range also includes hair sunscreen, an ideal sun-protective hair spray, which forms a protective cover over the hair, protecting it from sun damage and fading of hair colour. 2. What kind of hair oils are the best suited for the season? The ones that nourish but don’t make the scalp oily? >Hair oils that contain herbal extracts may be used as their consistency is light. We have a neem hair treatment lotion which is ideal for summer, as it protects the scalp from rashy conditions. You can add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to 100 ml olive oil or sesame seed (til) oil and use it for the hair. Rosemary helps to protect the scalp from dandruff and eruptions. 3. Pollution leaves the hair damaged and dry; what’s the cure? >Curd or egg yolk can be applied on the hair for conditioning dry hair. Apply and leave it on for half an hour, before washing the hair.Twice a week, add one teaspoon castor oil to one tablespoon pure coconut oil. Heat and apply on the scalp and hair. Leave on overnight and wash the hair the next day. Use mild herbal shampoo. After shampoo, apply a creamy conditioner, massaging lightly into the hair. Leave on for two minutes and rinse off. Deep condition the hair once a week.

Take two teaspoons pure of glycerin, one tablespoon sesame seed (til) oil and one egg yolk. Mix together and apply on the scalp and hair. Apply on the ends too. Wear a plastic shower cap and leave on for an hour before washing the hair. 4.What’s the quick fix for frizzy hair? >Mix some water with creamy hair conditioner and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the hair. Then comb the hair, so that it spreads through the hair. This can be done on both dry and wet hair. 5.Which is the best haircut for summers? >The bob is back in fashion and will be the trend for short hairstyles in the coming seasons. For short hair, you can go for the slightly tousled look if you wish to be in. Not, harsh or obviously structured, but rather a careless and casual look. Fringes are in, so go for the sideswept fringe with your short hairstyle. Classic ponytails are also suitable for summer and are in. You can even put your hair up in a pony tail for a formal look, with the use of ribbons or glamorous hair accessories. 6. How can one protect coloured hair from the sun and make it last longer? >We can prevent hair colour from fading by covering the hair with a hat, scarf or dupatta, or by carrying a parasol, while out in the sun. You can also apply hair cream containing sunscreen.

extracts like amla, aloe vera, sandalwood, almond oil and sunflower oil. Ingredients like sesame seed, sunflower, sandalwood have hair protective properties. 8. Tell us your secret home remedies for healthy hair, that we will never forget. >Twice a week heat pure coconut oil and apply on the hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Have weekly henna treatments. Add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs and enough curd to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. Apply on the hair and wash off after an hour. If you do not wish to use egg, add more curd. Rinse hair with cold infusion of hibiscus. For cold infusions, the flowers and leaves are allowed to stand overnight in cold water, in a ratio of one to six. The flowers are squeezed and the water is strained before use. Such infusions can be used to wash the hair and scalp, or applied on the scalp with cotton wool. The paste or juice of the flowers can also be applied on the hair. 9. Summers tend to make our hair oily and sweaty which sometimes results into bad odour, how to escape?

7.What ingredients in hair products are most effective for hair protection?

Henna helps to cleanse the hair and also leaves it fragrant.

>Our hair sunscreen from the Nano Range contains amla, carrot seed, aloe vera and chamomile. Our saffron hair cream and shampoo contain neem and saffron, along with other

Take the juice of a lemon and half a cup of rose water. Add it to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse, after shampoo.•

67 I Fashion and Entertainment TLF brings forth the bikini trends that some of the Hollywood celebs and style divas are donning. Their personal jet set style statements are a definite route to success for this summers sun and sand vacation. Since it’s a concoction of your fashion line and bikini together, like a true good cocktail its desirable and a summer must!

Rosie Huntington Whiteley

Gwen Stefani

Gwen’s beach holiday style is as enviable as her washboard abs and platinum blonde hair. A tube bikini and a full-length flared printed skirt along with white retro shades creates the perfect cocktail for a stylish vacation.

It takes a very sexy woman to make patriotic apparel stylish without conjuring up images of fashion victims we see in gay rallies and Harley Davidson biker gangs. Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley did so with flying colours in this faded flag crop-top and skimpy striped bikini bottoms. Ironically, she’s British. Point to be noted is that cropped tops look uber sexy over bikini bottoms!

Mischa Barton

The 50’s inspired look is indeed a trendy beach look for the summer. Barton’s retro polka dotted top and wait high shorts is sailor – chic!! Throw in the retro white shades to get in the skin of a sexy pin up girl from the fifties.

Paris Hilton Jessica Stroup

The 90210 fashionista sports the HIT spring summer, mid riff exposure runway trend, with a twist – a bikini top. A printed halter with a high waist knee length skirt strapped with a belt is refreshing. TLF highly recommends.

Olivia Palermo

If you are afraid of those horrid tan lines, cover up like style goddess Olivia Palermo. Her off shoulder smocked style printed cover up looks perfect for a day at the beach when exposing is not on your mind!

Paris Hilton’s love for monokinis is very well known. Since she is jet setting perpetually all the time, she never runs out of moments to show them off. Paris has been wearing maxis over her suits, folding her maxi into a faux skirt whenever she finds the need to show her suit off. A good idea for this summer we say!

68 I Fashion and Entertainment

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is every inch a diva, be it on the ramp, on screen or in the streets—TLF decodes her style for you. When she isn’t looking smashing on the ramp Rosie is undoubtedly looking smashing off the ramp. Her simple yet trend setting, street style is inspiring. From playfully “short” shorts, unassuming yet intimidating skinny jeans to ladylike elegant midis—she brings variations to the category of casual, like never before. Keeping the brights aside, which she invariably dons in winter, she walks down ordinary alleys and simple grey roads setting them on fire. Get inspired by this spontaneous firecracker of a woman. Your Hotness! Who says leather is for winters? Everyone!! Well, Rosie suffers from leather addiction, just like all the models all over the world! In peak summers this beauty is seen in leather shorts, cooling herself off by wearing a white tank and adding the playful casualness of suede boots. Her tall stature, particularly her super long legs gets accentuated as soon as she slips into these shorts. The look is simple but it speaks loud, giving everyone the simple message, ‘less is more’. Sidewalk to heaven She wears a Stella McCartney runway piece and makes the sidewalk runway ready. The lace detailing at the hem of the dress is a winner. It takes the otherwise simple dress to another level of high-end street dressing. Carefully accessoring the look with a belt and ankle strapped heels, she brings forth the confidence of a woman who knows her way well, while the simple white handbag asks you to mind your own business!

Unassuming Sexiness People underestimate the power of a simple off shoulder and skinny jeans! Well, we hope this shot of Rosie’s changes your outlook towards the power of bare minimum. A woman’s neck and her shoulder line are her assets. This simple white off shoulder accentuates Rosies wonderful collarbone, while the subtle skinny jeans shows us just how perfect and fit she is. The subtle colour combination sets the easy breezy mood in. The suede booties add oodles to the glamour quotient. Pretty Woman! It must have been one of those perfect breezy New York days when Rosie hopped into a cab wearing this Chloe ensemble. The casual flats balance the formal appeal that the high waist silk midi invariably brings along with it. Only a smart stylist can balance opposites with such ease. Jet setting in style Smart travellers must take inspiration from Rosie. All you jacket lovers weep when summer arrives. But what you don’t remember is that a lot of places in the world are airconditioned! One such place is an airport! Rosie is ramp ready to board a flight in the best casual style—hot camel-coloured jacket, black jeggings and two carry ons, one of which is fern green in colour, complementing the camel colour. A casual yet sexy jacket is the best way of keeping up appearances on board.

70 I Fashion and Entertainment

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a very eventful month we must say, with the Cannes Film Festival, Met Gala in New York and Billboard Music Awards providing a one-stop show of some extraordinary couture and some really confusing attires. While Cannes is becoming a potpourri of celebs and styles, Met Gala was extravagant and dramatic. Check out who made it to our good and bad books.

Resurrected by Time Machine Lilly Collins and Sarah Jes-

sica Parker flaunt vintage styles by Valentino at the Met Gala. While Lily looks fragile in the lacy number, Sarah manages to maintain urban sex appeal even in this evergreen floral printed gown.

Red Carpet Colorama

Freida Pinto in Atelier Versace, Cannes: She finally looks picture perfect after a series of disastrous choices in major red carpet events. The colour and the silhouette with intricate embellishments look flattering on this damsel.

Coco Rocha in Givenchy couture, Met Gala: Casually smashing everyone, Coco does it again, quite effortlessly in bubble gum pink streaked hair and this embroidered cropped jacket pant ensemble.

January Jones in Atelier Versace, Met Gala: This structured corset gown is perfectly tailored and is fitting Miss Jones well. Her tall stature looks capital at the Met Gala event.

Jada Pinkett Smith in Atelier Versace, Cannes: One of the most refreshing tangerine gowns at Cannes was this Versace beauty with an interesting metallic golden trim contouring the chest.

Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte, Met Gala: She looked straight out a Greta Garbo movie set, a justified look for the occasion that celebrated the works of vintage designer Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli.

Katherine Mcphee in Elie Saab, Met Gala: The sequined Elie Saab number does wonders to Katherineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fit body. The belt clenched at the waist adds what otherwise would be missing from the total appeal.

TLF’s Favourite

She likes the drama

Beyonce in Givenchy, Met Gala: The lady covers her post pregnancy curves in this dramatic feather sequin number. It celebrates the event dedicated to costumes with lots of oomph.

Carrie Mulligan in Prada, Met Gala: She looks like a model posing in a world of wearable art costume in this fish scale metallic number. Wear your shades if u dares to stare!!

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan, Met Gala: the lady looks very fit in this complete sequin number. The long trail adds a lot of glamour to the costume event. The contrasting sequins form natural textures of soil eroded by water movement.

Naomi Watts in Marchesa, Cannes: Subtle colour but beautiful craftsmanship in the ensemble brings the 2 elements – Naomi Watts and Cannes in the same level of sophisticated showmanship.

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe, Met Gala: Comfortably winning the queen of all bling, supermodel Karolina decorates herself from head to toe in dramatic sequin work. It must be getting hot in there!

Eva Longoria in Marchesa, Cannes: Well, seems like the research a development team of Marchesa did something exceptionally right for the red carpet. This meticulously constructed gown, with a never ending trail, is a dream that seldom comes true.

Natasha Poly in Gucci, Cannes: This supermodel really does not need a designer to bring out the beauty in her. Whatever she wears rises to another level of sexiness! She looks like a mannequin on display.

Fan Bingbing in Christopher Bu, Cannes: She looks like a 16th century porcelain vase, standing pretty in the museum of some royalty. The intricate Japanese motifs all over the gown are incredulous!

Taylor Swift, Elie Saab, Billboard Music Awards : The queen of red carpet is back with another hit, this time wearing an ensemble by the king of red carpet looks himself – Elie Saab—quite a cracker of a combination ! We love the neat construction and figure-flattering fall of the gown over this beautiful lady.

Sofia Vergara in Marchesa, Met Gala: Marchesa is going to achieve a treble this month for yet another smashing piece of design. The very beautiful Sofia looks ten times prettier in this structured sequin detail ensemble.

The Sweet Saga of Dresses

Frieda Pinto in Paco Rabanne, Cannes: This impressive white v-neck ensemble with a golden chain like underlay is sensuous and distinct at the same time. Frieda had been popping in our disaster list off late but times are changing for the better again!

Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior, Cannes: This peach gathered ensemble is a very pleasing change in an otherwise over done up star-studded affair. The Oscar winner looks fresh and comfortable in the afternoon photo call.

Kirsten Stewart, Balenciaga, Cannes: We all SonamKapoor in Jeline know how hard it is to George, Cannes: The style Hollywood’s wild peplum is the in thing child Kirsten. Always Emma Stone, Lanvin, so kudos to Sonam for ending up in our fashkeeping up with the Met Gala: Diane Kruger, Jason ion victim list, this time trend. What bothers Stone goes back to relieves us in this quirky Wu, Cannes: This lacy us is the fact that it Lanvin for this event little black dress with Balenciaga number. after a series of misses looks quite unnecesEccentricity suits her, an overlay of midnight in several red carpet sary as if it was a last raising the level of this blue chiffon works for minute decision to events. The actress ensemble to a decent the talented actress. It with undoubtedly the raise the standard of level. Not fans of those adds that “something an otherwise skirt top cutest smile and the shoes though, yet we different” in an event combination, which best sense of humour of stereotypical dress promote her for figurwe suspect would’ve looks youthful, fresh code. ing out what suits her and perfectly at ease looked better without at least! the peplum! in this retro frock.

The Great Fall of Fashion

Dakota Fanning, Met Gala: There’s a reason why people laughed at the Met Gala so much. And that is Dakota Fanning. A month ago we had kept her under the spotlight as the most immaculately dressed young actress of Hollywood. And then she sat in a time machine and Eva Mendes, Prada, appeared at the Met Met Gala: The shade Gala in the most hideof orange is jarring, the ous gown that was stone work looks inprobably a unanimous complete and doesn’t reject even in add anything to the Medieval Earth. gown.

Mary-Kate Olsen, The Row, Met Gala: We were dying to reach this specimen and here we go, It looks disheveled. IT looks like it survived under debris of the nuclear holocaust for years without food and a comb! Then IT was supposed to attend the Gala and found garbage bags to cover ITself! For the love of god dear Olsen twin, don’t you ever do this again!!

Rihanna , Tom Ford, Met Gala : Rihanna was with the Olsen twin under the debris! From such impeccable selection of ensembles to this one for the Met Gala, we are deeply disappointed!

Miley Cyrus, Givenchy, Billboard Music Awards: Miley’s saga of wardrobe disasters continues as cheerfully as before. Whoever suggested her the make up and hairstyle certainly isn’t her friend. Looking like a 40-year-old twin sister of herself, flaunting her newborn skinny legs, Miley makes us slap our foreheads.

Jessican Chastain Loius Vouitton, Met Gala: The knight in shining armour of Met Gala– Jessica Chastain, who seemed to have travelled in the same time machine with Dakota Fanning, might have to remain chaste for the rest of her life if her selection doesn’t improve!!

73 I Snapshots

he thriving lifestyle hub of Mumbai got its first fashionable lounge, diner and bar at the One India Bulls Centre. F Lounge.Diner.Bar is FTV’s first spin off into the hospitality sector with the aim of creating a niche within the exhaustive hospitality industry with a concept that has never been explored before in the city with such zest and depth. The city’s fashion and film fraternity graced launch with their presence and were seen having a good time dancing, eating and conversing with each other. Some of the celebrities spotted at the event were actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, Nargis Fakhri, Sharman Joshi, HarmanBaweja, Shamita Shetty, Sameer Dattani, Mia Uyeda, designer Rocky S, models Candice Pinto, and Bhavna Sharma, model, VJ and actress Bruna Abdullah, fashion designer Nivedita Saboo, Pooja Missra, Nathalia Kaur, Shayan Munshi, Sonal Chauhan and many others. Michelinstar Chef Vineet Bhatia has designed a menu specially to go with the ethos of the venue. F Lounge.Diner.Bar serves contemporary Indian and Continental Mediterranean cuisine. F Lounge.Diner. Bar. pays tribute to the world of fashion and luxury, with dedicated spaces, impeccable cuisine, a stunning bar menu, praise worthy musical acts and above all, the exquisite ambience enveloping you in the glitz and glamour of the most vivid dining and lounge experience.

Hours: 12 noon-1:30 am For Reservations:Contact: 022-66505820 Address: One India Bulls Centre 3 rd Floor, Senapati Bapat Marg Elphinstone Road, Mumbai.•

74 I Fashion and Entertainment

DATE NIGHT

the target of Yes. He has been es but little many Internet jok how big the does anyone know age superstar heart of this teen ar-old Cady is. He took 18-ye ter to the Billalong with her sis ards held at board Music Aw Vegas as his MGM Grand Las parently his date. The girl, ap d contacted massive fan, ha iting him to him on Twitter, inv prom night. her high school at he couldn’t Beiber was sad th and oblige his attend the prom r him. Instead fans who waited fo and her sister he invited Cady ards. Now this for the music aw riously lucky! is called getting se Beiber fulfilled Few months ago inaly ill 6-yearthe wish of a term a Routh, by old fan, Avalann getting ‘marmeeting her and lentine’s Day!! ried’ to her on Va the afternoon Later, they spent mes and eatplaying board ga ECT!! ing cupcakes! RESP

MARC ANTH NY “I NEED YOUO ”

Look what marc Antho ny found! The “I need you” sin ger looked more than a little sm ug as he posed with the curvy model at the 7th Anniversary Sp orts Spectacular. He showed off his busy beauty queen girlfrie nd Shannon De Lima at a spo rts event in Los Angeles. And given the Venezuelan beauty at 24 is almost 20 years youn ger than Jennifer Lopez, no wo nder he is pleased. After JLO de cided to date her tour dancer, who also is way younger than her, Marc Anthony looked at thi s stunning beauty and hummed to himself, “I need you” an d the lady obviously obliged! Talk about competing with your ex!

VICTORIA’S DESIGN PLANS

Her clothing line has been a global hit and was deemed Designer Brand of the Year at the 2011 British Fashion Awards. And building on this success, Victoria Beckham is planning a flagship store in London. Currently the 38-year-old’s label is sold through luxury department stores and e-boutiques including Net-a-Porter. But the now singer-turned-designer stanown her h launc to s hope dalone shop and e-commerce site, while expanding her brand into Asia. Victoria’s line, which includes separates and luxury handbags which sell for up to £18,000, generated sales in excess of £15 million in the first quarter of 2011, up by 70 percent on the same period the previous year.

GROWING UP CYRUS

RIRI “LIVING LIFE QUEEN STYLE”

rs Rihanna is one of the sta for ble that gets into trou e their Twitter antics. Last tim nd it was Chris Brown’s girlfrie up ting put for and now it is r pte ico pictures of the hel h she flew in to perform wit of Kayne West and Jay Z. g win sho no s course their wa of lay off in that humble disp the wealth. After reaching the London 02 arena where the h wit d ma crowd went at rty pa gig, Rihanna left to . lub the famous Boujis nightc elThere she found out Ch gDro ier Did sea’s superstar untin co ba was partying, gue ing his champion’s lea she victory celebration and she t tha e rat got so despe r ove him made her PR call y the to her table where ing! spent 10 minutes talk ture pic the d She uploade star with the Chelsea super her immediately, making . account most informative to how ws kno She certainly get what she wants!

She first found fame as a Disney starlet with a famous da d but now Miley Cyrus has truly come of age - by filming her debut movie romp. In rom-co m LOL the 19-year-old pop star turned actress has finally shot a steamy sex scene with her hun ky Brit co-star, former Burberry model -Douglas Booth. When asked how she prepared for the raunchy role Miley said: ‘Breath mints, stomach crunches, spray tan. Plus workouts to ma ke my boobs look bigger, perk them up. Miley is equally co mfortable talking about her sex life in real life as she is discussing it in herwork. She admitted tha t her own ‘first time’ made her think differently about things say ing:’I think it does change you as a person a little bit be cause you start thinking maybe that’s what guys want from you”!! What a transformation-fr om the darling Hannah Montana to exercise freak, relationship girl… what next?

INDECENT PROPOSAL

in Keith Lemon’s film, She may only be starring y being thought of as but Kelly Brook is alread year-old model was a Hollywood star. The 32a French businessrecently approached by re-enact a moment man who wanted her to Proposal where Demi from the hit film Indecent h a stranger in return Moore spends the night wit ssman who is known for $1million. The busine ted a photocall session only as Frederic, interrup at the Majestic Barwhich Brook was attending a cheque for €1milriere Hotel and offered her with her. Brook was a lion in return for ‘one night’ thought it was nothing bit confused at first and by Lemon - whose film more than a prank set up 65th Cannes Film Fesshe was promoting at the said to be in his thirties, tival. But Frederic, who is one night! Please, one wouldn’t give up. “Just shouted as Brook sudnight! I have money!” he s a problem. Oh dear, denly realised there wa welcome to Hollywood!

GHNESS COLD BLOODED HER HIlook s anything other

never The secret of why the Queen been revealed – Her Majthan cool and immaculate has ing to royal dress designer esty does not perspire. Accord a ‘cold person’ – in terms of Stewart Parvin, she is generally ed that the coolness of her body temperature. He explain ly pressed – accounting for skin keeps the clothes perfect at all times. Mr Parvin, who her impeccable appearance en since 2000, described the has been working with the Que p her looking perfect. As one techniques his team use to kee er than the other, she wears of Her Majesty’s shoulders is high ure that no outfit appears in an extra shoulder-pad. To ens same company, each dress public too many times, or in the with the time and date it was is recorded on a spreadsheet colours ‘elongate her; she’s worn. He added that block , practicality always comes only very tiny’. For Her Majesty dresses rather than skirts and first – which is why she favours re is always someone they’re blouses. Mr Parvin added: “The gets out of a car, she can’t photographing her. So when she tighten her things; she gets pull her skirt up, tuck her shirt in, know, it’s equally tough to out and she’s ready.” So now we Kim Kardashian!! dress the queen, as it is to dress

76 I Last Word

She dazzled the ramp for many years and then hopped onto the silver screen, with her chic debut in Aisha and sizzling hot number in Rascals. The latest feather in her cap, being her design collection Lisa s. TLF talks to Lisa Hayden about her passion for fashion. TLF: What’s the design philosophy behind your first collection? LH: My designs reflects my bohemian lifestyle that includes a bright collection of dresses, rompers and tops, which are perfect fashion staples for someone like me who doesn’t sacrifice fashion for comfort. I want every girl to wear fashionable clothes hence the prices are so affordable!

like Sass & Bide for everything they make, but especially their dresses. My new favourite designer is Alexander Wang. Dolce and Gabanna, too. TLF: What brand do you love wearing the most? LH: Apart from my own capsule at SS, I also love to wear Isabel Marant, Zara and all the designers that I have mentioned above as being closest to my style aesthetic.

TLF: What is the target group TLF: What’s your inspiration for your brand? behind the designs? LH: The collection is for womLH: The designs of my clothen from ages 15 to 40. There ing line are simple and exare pieces from the summer tremely wearable. They collection that even my mom have really easy silhouwould wear and look great in! ettes and soft fabrics; each piece becomes a part of TLF: Is it only available online? your wardrobe and can be LH: Yes, it’s exclusively availworn according to one’s able on www.shersingh.com• own personal style. The collection can be interpreted as being playful, flirty, sexy or semi formal according Lisa’s five Fashion Trends for Summer 2012 to the way you choose to •Go in for minimal accessories. wear it! •Fun loving pastels, neon shades like electric blues, greens, oranges, hot pinks TLF: Being a model, you and trendy stripes. must’ve worn outfits by many designers-whom did •Windswept ponytails to bouncy long you find closest to your own open hair. •Must have’s include shorts, cotton sartorial sensibilities? LH: I love Ksbubi for their jumpers, floral dresses and a pair of fine distressed denims and all denims. round amazing punk style. i •Keep it simple this summer!