1584 by TNT Magazine

August 2014 Issue 1584 tntmagazine.com

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EDITORIAL Editor Caroline Garnar Online Editor Vicky Anscombe TNT Australia Editorial & Entertainment writer Ian Armitage Contributors Michael Gadd l Emily Ray l Stephanie Palmer l Rachael Getzels l Tom Coote l Erica Crompton l Natasha Were l Andrew Westbrook l Paul Durrant l Kristen Batey l Matthew Baseden Butt EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES 0203 011 1066 SALES/MARKETING/EVENTS Sales manager Jaqui Ward EMAIL jaqui.ward@tntmagazine.com Sales Executive Matt Syder PHONE 0207 989 0491 EMAIL matt.syder@tntmagazine.com Digital Sales Manager Matthew Wilson PHONE 0203 011 1094 EMAIL matthew.wilson@tntmagazine.com DESIGN / PRODUCTION Head of design and production Lisa Ferron PHONE 01225 284107 EMAIL lisa.ferron@tntmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS / DISTRIBUTION Manager Caroline Penn PHONE 01603 559 004 EMAIL caroline.penn@tntmagazine.com ACCOUNTS Emma Overton EMAIL emma.overton@tntmagazine.com STARTRACK MEDIA LTD Directors Kevin Ellis, Ken Hurst Stuart Bidgood PUBLISHER Startrack Media Limited DISTRIBUTION Emblem Direct Ltd PRINTED BY Wyndeham Peterborough Limited NEWS AAP PICTURES Getty Images, TNT Images, Thinkstock TNT Magazine , 114 Coppergate House, 16 Brune Street, London E1 7NJ tntmagazine.com

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FROM THE EDITOR

It’s the last official month of summer, and I’m not about to let it go without a fight. My kicking and screaming will come in the form of booty shaking and loud singing at Notting Hill Carnival and the last few music festivals of summer. I will emotionally binge at numerous beer and food events. I will seek escapism from the realities of the impending crappy weather at Portobello Film Festival and Film4 Fright Fest, and I will numb myself to the pain of goodbye by cycling until I can’t feel my arse at RideLondon. And I won’t be alone. Londoners will be coming together this month at the top events listed on page 16 to dance, drink and enjoy the last rays of sun before saying, with a tear in our eye, “Please come back next year!” I’m not going to hold my breath, though. Instead, I’m going to start planning my next sunny adventure. Should it be the sand and surf of Indonesia (p62)? The wild landscape of East Africa (p58)? Or perhaps a relaxed trip in the Italian countryside (p50)? One thing I know for sure is I won’t be doing any last-minute summer getaways this month thanks to the school holidays. Wait, what’s that? I can stay at an adults-only hotel with sparkling pools, well-stocked bars and superb restaurants without a screaming kid in sight? I’m in (p40). If you are staying in London for the duration of the miserable months, some would argue that one way to keep your life bright and sunny is to seek spiritual enlightenment. With a whole host of practises in London – from Hindu temples to quiet spaces for meditation to tarot cards and feng shui – you are likely to find something that suits what you are seeking (p28). One person who has certainly been questioning his spiritual side is Eric Bana. His latest film is a supernatural thriller based on real-life accounts of an NYPD officer, and he tells in our interview with him on page 24 that he had to watch real footage that has changed the way he thinks about things forever. Ooooh. See you on the other side (September, I mean).

caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com

Human Nature return

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TNT Magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests. There is no business connection between the proprietors of this magazine and TNT Ltd, the worldwide transportation group. Copyright here and abroad of all original materials is held by TNT Magazine. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden, except with permission of the publishers. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.

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THIS MONTH LONDON DIARY 8 YOUR LONDON

LONDON INSIDER

FOOD 14

DRINK 15 CHATROOM

TRAVEL REVIEW

DIARY 38 TOP 5: ADULTS ONLY 40 UK TRIP: WALES

EURO TRIP: ITALY 50 FESTIVAL: RIO CARNIVAL 54 GUIDE TO: EAST AFRICA 58 BIG TRIP: INDONESIA

WEEKENDER: DORSET

TRAVEL TIPS 70 HOTSHOTS 72 LATE DEALS 74

ON THE COVER IT’S PARTY TIME

SPORT

August is chockers with festivals. Get in!

ROUND-UP 78

BANA: DEMON FIGHTER

PREMIER LEAGUE 80

We always knew Eric had it in him

WAYLON MURRAY

LET’S GET SPIRITUAL

24 28

We investigate the practises in London

LIFESTYLE STUFF

ADULTS ONLY 86

We find our top five adults-only hotels

SHOPPING 87

WORKAWAY INSIDER

STAY SAFE IN THE SUN 88

Our writer spills on her Workaway in Spain

CARE WORK SETTLING IN

EXPLORE EAST AFRICA

It’s wild, it’s rugged, and it’s amazing.

DESPERATELY SEEKING 98 CLASSIFIEDS 97 4

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IDYLLIC INDONESIA Follow the breadcrumbs to paradise

42 58 62

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MYLONDON

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DAVE BERRY

DJ/ OCTOBER HOUSE CO-FOUNDER

live

What baffles me about London is the never-ending queue snaking around the corner outside Madame Tussauds. It’s the Eighth Wonder of the World. When I want to chill out, I head to Brompton Cemetery. I’m not a 14-yearold Goth, it’s just a beautiful place to walk through or sit and read in.

Like to hear more?

My perfect weekend? Friday and Saturday have to be full of new sights, sounds and drinking buddies, and Sunday must be a mixture of Indian food and FIFA. A visit to my three-month-old niece, Alice, serves as food for the soul.

www.ipgvip.com www.facebook.com/ipgrecruitment

TNTMAGAZINE.COM FINAL 1516 My London.indd 12

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Photos: Ken McKay

capitalfm.com

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07716 376 408

The last naughty thing I did? I got caught out – through photographic evidence – touching Lisa Snowdon’s bum while we posed for photos on a red carpet. There was a camera behind us. Sneaky so and so’s.

october-house.co.uk Hear Dave Berry on Capital Breakfast

travel

Come & meet us for a drink & a chat. If you like what you see – BINGO! Immediate start. Full training provided. Live-in positions available too! To book a place at one of our information sessions, call:

The biggest faux pas I’ve made was when live on MTV, making a small error involving Prince Harry and a member of his family. It was a horrible mix-up.

Five words that sum up London ... One hell of a town!

live

What gets me up in the morning? Two alarms set on my phone – the first labelled ‘It’s the Capital Breakfast show’, the second: ‘Get up knob head!’ Then a standard alarm clock. And if they all fail, my lovely cab driver Kenny hammers on the front door. I haven’t needed to trouble him yet.

earn

For when you’re hungover in London chow down on the half chicken, half rack of ribs with beans and slaw combo meal at The Big Easy on the King’s Road. Wash it down with a cold beer and you’ll feel fresh out of the packet.

Looking for fun work, great workmates, freedom to travel (whenever you want) & the money to do it all with?

work

My favourite place for a drink is the Sporting Page in Chelsea. It became my second home and office during a recent messy time in my life. The staff have some major dirt on me, I’m sure. And that’s why I always buy them a 54 drink when I pop in.

travel

The most interesting person I’ve met in London is … too many to mention. If you live in London and haven’t been in an interesting situation with an interesting person, you’re wasting valuable time.

5 14/9/12 15:11:40

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THIS MONTH’S TOP PICKS HOLI ONE

KIWI FESTIVAL AT THE BLACK LION

Aug 2-3

Aug 2-3 If you missed out on Festival of Colours in June, or you want to do it all over again, be sure to catch this. It’s a day of intense colour, music, dance, performance art and getting gloriously messy. Make sure you wear white!

Got a hankering for the haka and hangi? What you need is the Kiwi Festival at The Black Lion, owned by the popular Kiwi Buzz Cousins. Entry is free, wine tasting is £10, hangi £12.50, hangi & wine, £17.50.

Noon-late Wembley Park, HA9 Wembley Park holione.com/en/events/london

Daily South Black Lion Lane, W6 9TJ Stamford Brook theblacklion-hammersmith.co.uk

£38

FREE

THIS MONTH’S MUST-DO NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL AUG 24-25 It’s one of the world’s biggest street parties, where the vibrant sights, sounds and delectable smells of west London’s multicultural community are celebrated by hundreds of thousands of revelers on the bank holiday weekend. Sunday is family day, Monday is adults only. See page 19 for more info. FREE

Notting Hill, W11

various

thenottinghillcarnval.com

FILM 4 SUMMER SCREEN

RIDELONDON FESTIVAL

STREAK FOR TIGERS

LONDON RIVER RAT RACE

Aug 7-20

Aug 9

Aug 14

Aug 16

Enjoy some of Hollywood’s finest offerings and the splendour of Somerset House with the outdoor Film 4 Summer Screen season. Highlights include 20,000 Days on Earth featuring Nick Cave, and a ‘behind the screen’ talk with Jermaine Clement on Aug 20.

A weekend-long cycle fest which sees an eight-mile loop of roads around central London closed to regular traffic so that bike-enthusiasts can get a clear run. It costs nothing but you have to register in advance. See page 17 for more info.

Unleash your wild side and strip down to show your support for ZSL London Zoo’s tigers by raising a few quid. Are you brave enough to bare all and streak around the zoo? We say go for it, just steer clear of the monkeys; you don’t want them grabbing your banana.

Ready to swim, wade, crawl, climb, jump, splash and run your way around an aquatic obstacle course? Great! Entry includes a £10 donation to Shelter, which helps people fighting homelessness in Britain today. Great fun and a great cause. Free to watch.

Various times The Strand, WC2R 1LA Temple somersethouse.org.uk

Various times across central London Cycle there! prudentialridelondon.co.uk

7pm Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY Camden Town zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo

From 7am Victoria Royal Dock, E16 1XL Custom House DRL londonriverratrace.com

£18+

FREE

£20

£48

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DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP & CONCERT / Saturday 9th August Enjoy the world’s premier International Jockeys’ Competition as four teams – Great Britain & Ireland; Europe; Rest of the World and The Girls – compete over six thrilling races to lift the Shergar Cup. Followed by an evening concert and free fairground. Tickets from £20 per person / Children go free Fine Dining from £145 per person +VAT

Book at ascot.co.uk

CAMDEN BEACH Until Aug 23 Summer is here and that can only mean one thing... the return of Camden Beach. NW1 isn’t usually on the list of coastal retreats but this little slice of paradise attracted some 40,000 visitors last year – and it’ll be even bigger this time around. Happy hour (which runs all night on a Monday) includes 2-for-1 cocktails. Entry is free. FREE

Mondays 5pm-11pm; Tue-Sun noon-11pm The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH Chalk Farm roundhouse.org.uk

LADY CELESTE LUMINARY

THE BIG FEASTIVAL Aug 29-31

Aug 19-21 & 23-24 With Dame Edna retired and Lily Savage locked in a nunnery, when it comes to decent drag acts there’s a definite void. Luckily Lady Celeste Luminary is heading to the West End this month and she’ll more than fill it. Read more about her in our chatroom (page 32).

Is food the new rock ‘n’ roll? Organised by Blur’s Alex James and TV chef Jamie Oliver, this event mixes cooking demos, food markets and pop-up restaurants with music from Kelis, Fatboy Slim and Norman Jay among others. Held in Oxfordshire, it’s a 90-minute train ride from Paddington.

11am-6pm Phoenix Street, WC2H 8BU Tottenham Court Rd phoenixartistclub.com

12pm-late daily Kingham, Oxfordshire, OX7 6UJ Kingham jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival

£32+

Photos: Getty, Camden Beach © Stuart Leech

£10

LONDONSOUND LONDONSCENE

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See Gillian Anderson in a Streetcar named Desire

Cornershop: Yep, knitted K-Y Jelly...

COMEDY NIGHTS

EXHIBITIONS

THEATRE

THE PHOENIX FRINGE AUG 2-9 / £10+ London’s alternative to the Edinburgh Fringe, The Phoenix Fringe’s line-up is impressive with the likes of Frankie Boyle and Al Murray.

COMICS UNMASKED ENDS AUG 19 / £12 This exhibition features sketches from some of the biggest names in comics, Alan Moore et al.

DESSA ROSE ENDS AUG 30 / £15-30 European premiere of Ahrens & Flaherty‘s musical drama set in 1846.

The British Library

Trafalgar Studios (2)

The Phoenix

96 Euston Rd, NW1 2DB

Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP

Oxford Circus

Euston

Kings Cross /

bl.uk

Soho Theatre

trafalgar-studios/

Leicester Square

CORNERSHOP ENDS AUG 31 / 10AM-7PM DAILY / FREE Formerly a beat-up old sweet shop, it has been lovingly restored to host the kookiest shopping experience imaginable. There are over 4,000 handmade felt versions of familiar grocery items from fish fingers to K-Y Jelly (what a combo!). 19 Wellington Row, E2 7BB

21 Dean St, W1D 3NE

Soho Theatre 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE

HENRI MATISSE: THE CUT-OUTS ENDS SEP 7 / £18 Matisse’s cut-outs aren’t just visual delights – but the product of painful searching and thought. Go see. Tate Modern Bankside, London, SE1 9TG

sohotheatre.com

tate.org.uk

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A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE ENDS SEP 19 / £10-35 Aussie director Benedict Andrews directs Gillian Anderson in Tennessee Williams’ modern classic. Young Vic The Cut, SE1 8LZ Southwark / Waterloo

youngvic.org

thecornershopblog.com

Leicester Square

Old Street

sohotheatre.com

CARDINAL BURNS SEP 8-20 / £13.75 The comedy duo set out on their first live tour.

Charing Cross

atgtickets.com/shows/dessa-rose/

phoenixcavendishsquare.co.uk

DAVE HUGHES – POINTLESS ENDS AUG 16 / £11 Us Aussies love this dude. He’s dry, he’s a moanie old git, and his accent is as strong as a well-matured cheese. His new show, Pointless, will be anything but, trust us.

Whitehall, SW1A 2DY

MY NIGHT WITH REG UNTIL SEP 27 / £7.50-35 Award-winning comedy of gay friendships and sexual relationships set against the backdrop of the mounting AIDS crisis. Donmar Warehouse Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX

Southwark

Covent Garden donmarwarehouse.com

Photos: Young Vic, Cornership, Getty, Supplied

Hughesy is headed to the UK. Hurrah

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CLUB NIGHTS

GIGS

OUTLAW WITH JOEY NEGRO AUG 8 / 10PM-LATE / £10 Joey Negro plays a refined mix of soul, boogie, raw and rare funk and disco. Joining him are DJ Booker T and bluesy electronic rock outfit Alabama 3 (Sopranos fans will know their song ‘Woke up this Morning’).

WILDERNESS FESTIVAL AUG 7-10 / PRICES VARY A four-day festival that champions the arts, the music line-up isn’t half bad either – headliners are legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach, pop trio London Grammar and Metronomy. It’s about 70 miles outside London in Charlbury in the Oxfordshire countryside.

Jamm 261 Brixton Road, SW9 6HL

WATCH THIS

Cornbury Park

Brixton

Charlbury, OX7 3EH

brixtonjamm.org

wildernessfestival.com

Rock out at Reading or Leeds festival

SMOKEY ROBINSON PRESENTS HUMAN NATURE

St Vincent: aka singer/songwriter Annie Clark XOYO SECOND BIRTHDAY SESSIONS: TODD TERJE AUG 15 / £15-20 adv Norse DJ Todd Terje is blasting out the tunes to celebrate XOYO’s second birthday (well, second birthday since reopening). XOYO 32-37, Cowper Street, EC2A 4AP Old St

SINEAD O’CONNER AUG 12 / £35+ She had a famous spat with Miley Cyrus and now the queen of political pop hits the road again on her ‘Crazy Baldhead Tour’. Great name. Roundhouse Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH Chalk Farm roundhouse.org.uk

xoyo.co.uk

CARNIVAL 2014: HOT WUK TRUCK PARTY AUG 23 / £12-18 adv Your ticket to go wild at the UK’s maddest bashment party. Get ready to twerk it. Koko

GOLDFRAPP AUG 21 / £72.75 Worth going just to see Alison Goldfrapp’s outfit. Old Royal Naval College College Approach, SE10 9LW Fenny Stratford station pearljam.com

Camden High St, NW1 7JE Mornington Crescent koko.uk.com

F*CK! I DIDN’T GET KATE BUSH TICKETS AUG 26 / 7PM / £10 If you missed out on Kate Bush tickets, Bushy super-fans are putting on a beano celebrating the music, dancing and films of this great lady. Hackney Picturehouse

Richfield Avenue, Reading

270 Mare St, E8 1HE Hackney Central OG

READING & LEEDS FESTIVAL AUG 22-24 / £300+ (ticket resellers only) Taking place over the bank holiday weekend, the twinned Reading and Leeds festivals remain the most popular and music-focused rock festivals in the country. The 2014 events pack an enormous line-up and should be just as raucous as usual. Reading is only an hour outside London so the easier of the two to get to. Reading

amygrimehouse.com

Aussie guys singing motown. It shouldn’t work, but it does. And Australia’s most popular boy band of the ‘90s-turned male vocal group, Human Nature, are set to perform their first ever solo London concert when Smokey Robinson Presents Human Nature: The Motown Show hits the Eventim Apollo on November 23. Tickets are on sale now to see the four-piece perform Motown’s greatest hits accompanied by their seven-piece band, The Funk Foundation. Smokey first heard the boys when they sang a-cappella for the legendary singer-songwriter in his studio. Smokey was laying down his vocals on ‘Get Ready’, the title duet track from Human Nature’s hit third Motown album. “When I saw these guys I was blown away,” said Smokey. And, heck, if they’re good enough for Smokey, they’re good enough for us. Tickets for the London show are on sale now and are priced between £35 and £49.50. Visit humannaturelive.com

readingfestival.com.com

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READER’S PIC OF THE MONTH

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ASK THE BOGANS

We ask our readers what they’ve been thinking about this month...

Thanks to Anastasia Pavlou for sending us this charming picture of a Chinatown lamp at night. She visited with her family earlier on this year and admits that the main reason she loves it so much is the food. We’re with you there, Anastasia – there’s no hangover that can stand up to a plate of crispy Peking duck pancakes. Lovely stuff.

STATUS UPDATE What’s been happening on Twitter and Facebook this month... When we posted an article about the annoying things non-travellers say to people like us who love exploring the world, we couldn’t have predicted the massive response it had. “You shouldn’t jeopardise your career and you should’ve bought a house are things I get all the time,” sighed Hellen Haga. “The best ignoramus bubble-bursting moment I’ve had on returning home was ‘I don’t need to travel, I have a TV and can see it all on there!’” said Steph Cowsill. However, Geoff Ho wrote our favourite comment. “You try sitting next to some of those freaks on the South West Trains services into Waterloo and you’ll be begging for the Indian train and goat option,” he said grimly. Looks like someone’s had their fill of Thames Ditton... Want to have your say or see your photo in print? Email the online editor at vicky.anscombe@tntmagazine.com

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Paulo, Earlsfield Dear Paulo, What you need to do is play this one like the unpredictable, impulsive, data-analysing tiger that you are. Hot Chelsea Girl is used to blokes hemorrhaging cash around her, so play the ‘reverse psychology’ card. Why not take her shoplifting? It’s exciting, kind of retro and you can make it into a team sport. Who knows, you may just cement a relationship around it as you thieve your way into each others’ hearts. The Bogans

Got a problem? Need some advice? No fear. Submit your questions to info@boganbingo.co.uk and the boys will do everything they can to solve it. No worries! Don’t miss Bogan Bingo every Thursday night from 8pm at The Slug at Fulham. There’s more than £400 worth of prizes up for grabs each week from Travel Talk. boganbingo.co.uk

Photos: Supplied. Words: Vicky Anscombe

Want TNT delivered to your inbox five days a week? Of course you do! Visit tntmagazine.com to sign up and you can opt to receive any, or all, of the below: Monday: News & Sport – what’s happening in the world, plus all the big sports results and stories. Tuesday: Jobs – whether you’re jobless and on the hunt, or just hate the place you’re at now, check out these job vacancies and TNT’s career advice. Wednesday: Travel – We round-up the last-minute deals and travel news, as well as giving you an in-depth guide to our destination of the week. Thursday: London Living – If you’ve just arrived or you’re planning your exit, this is your e-newsletter. Friday: Entertainment – It’s the weekend! Woop! We tell you how to fill it, as well as the week ahead.

Dear Bogans, I’m a regular guy who does data analysis for a software company and I’ve managed to land a date with this girl who is way out of my league. The thing is, I may have given her the wrong idea about my financial status when we met at a bar in Chelsea and we’re meant to be going out next Tuesday. Help!

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Mile End Climbing Wall It’s a Sunday morning, and I’m feeling peaky. Not because of the larger-than-average Saturday night (although that’s probably not helping), but because I’m strapped into a tiny harness and gazing up a sheer vertical wall that’s supposedly only eight metres high. It looks like a kilometre to me. My instructor, a chipper Scotsman named Gordon, is encouraging me to climb to the top, even though the only thing saving me from plummeting down again is a rope that’s attached to, er, Gordon. I take a deep breath and place my hands on the coloured grips. They seem fairly secure. Before I know it I’m scrambling upwards, and suddenly I’m eight years old again, scaling the craggy rocks of my beach-side home town, fearless and full of adventure. I’m unleashing my inner monkey, trusting the power in my arms and legs, and converting adrenaline into determined concentration. That is, until I reach the top and look down... that’s definitely more than eight metres. East London doesn’t have many actual mountains, so I’ve settled for an introductory session at the canal-side Mile End Climbing Wall Centre. It’s filled to the brim with beginners’ walls, outdoor bouldering and facilities for the pros. Skilled climbers dangle off clutches designed to strengthen the muscles in pinkie fingers, while others cling to the ceiling,

defying gravity like spider-people. Meanwhile, tiny kids scramble around as parents chatter, apparently unperturbed, beneath them. “Now you’re up there,” says Gordon, “the only guarantee is that you come down. You just have to do it well.” So I trust him, put all my weight in his hands and the harness, and abseil back down again. Safe and sound, I hit the ground, but I’m definitely still on a high. By Stephanie Palmer Taster session £20, beginners’ courses £55. Haverfield Road, Mile End, E3 5BE mileendwall.org.uk

MYLONDON When I want to chill out I…‎ dive into a movie. Preferably some form of escapism like a Marvel movie. This helps to bring the child out in you.

Image: Luoana Negut

The most interesting person I’ve met in London is... The next interesting person I meet. I have a lot of time and patience, so I find all sorts of people interesting. My favourite place for a drink is... The Artesian bar at the Langham Hotel. It has one of the best bar teams in the world, some of the best cocktails, and they are happy to serve me a beer with a dash of grenadine in it. They also have a fare bit of rum too.

My favourite spot in London is... My home. As I travel a lot as part of my job, I enjoy coming back home to relax in my own bed and catch up on any programmes on my Sky plus box. My perfect weekend would be... A nice hot sunny day, barbecue fired up in the garden, friends and family close by, rum punch flowing and my favourite football team winning on TV. What I love most about London is... Its diversity. It is a melting pot of cultures which, if you are willing to learn about them, is a great way to cure some ignorance. Five words that sum up London are... Greatest city in the world. Find more than 400 rums to sample, mouthwatering food and a carnival atmosphere at Rumfest, October 11 & 12. rumfest.co.uk

When you’re hungover in London you can’t beat... I don’t get hungover, but I’ve heard that an English breakfast or a large glass of rum does wonders.

IAN BURRELL FOUNDER OF RUMFEST TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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BITE SIZE

XXXXXX

YANKEE NOODLE

Tasty East meets yummy West as the husband XXXXXand wife team behind the American Xxxxxxxx Busan BBQ pop-up bring their bright red tent to the Old Bengal Bar. On Monday and Tuesday evenings [web] throughout August the street food dynamos XXXXXwill be serving up classic USA dishes fused with bold Korean flavours Xxxxxxxx (they have nattily named this new cuisine [web]AmeriKorean). Creating even more multi-national culinary harmony, they use authentic British ingredients, XXXXX such as rare-breed UK beef. Truly Xxxxxxxx burgers without borders. oldbengalbar.co.uk [web] / busanbbq.co.uk

THE BREAKFAST CLUB Can’t stomach another late-night kebab? Heston Blumenthal and friends are launching the APM (Always Past Midnight) project at the members-only Zinc nightclub. Doors open at 2.30am and members can dance the morning away before tucking into a fourcourse breakfast of bubbles and eggs Benedict before the 7am close. alwayspastmidnight.co.uk

BREW CAFE Aussie brinner

It’s a sunny Sunday afternoon, we’re strolling along Wimbledon High Street and we stumble across Brew Cafe. It has a wide open front, large wooden tables and groups of friends and families catching up on the weekend gossip while tucking into eggs, sourdough toast, pancakes and steaming cups of tea and coffee. And yes, for the lazy among us, Brew serves ‘brinner’ – its fantastically tempting breakfasts morning, noon and night. Life is good. THE GRUB Simple dishes done oh-so right. We went for the perfectly poached eggs on thick sourdough toast with a side of deliciously crispy and salty-sweet maple syrup bacon; a generous eggs royale with vibrant pink folds of salmon bathed in a creamy Hollandaise sauce; more thick toast, this time piled high with mashed avocado, cottage cheese, lemon and salt; and, for ‘dessert’, blueberry pancakes with banana, maple syrup and crème fraîche. If your mouth’s not watering simply at the sound of these dishes, it certainly should be as each one is totally delicious and perfect for mopping up a boozy weekend. Brew also adds little touches that make all the difference: soft-boiled eggs served up in egg boxes, a pot of Vegemite on your table, and a manager that encourages the staff to welcome you to the cafe like you’re friends coming to their home for breakfast. There are more substantial meals on offer too, with burgers, steaks, risottos and fish cakes offering to fill bellies come evening. BEHIND THE BAR There are a handful of beers and cocktails for you hair-of-the-dog fans, but the freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, shakes and wide selection of teas and coffees are what it’s all about at Brew. BILL PLEASE Breakfast items (served all day) average at £8, lunch £10 and dinner £13. VERDICT With the Aussie philosophy from its Antipodean founder of serving up topnotch food in casual surroundings, we’d say they’ve nailed it. Caroline Garnar THE SCENE

Words: Matthew Baseden Butt. Images: Supplied

SMALL BATS – BIG FUN Got the post-Wimbledon blues? Still craving the sound of bouncing balls and ferocious rallies? Fear not, because the Grand Union Wandsworth is now the first bar in London to offer outdoor table tennis, along with an array of American cuisine, from the spicy Fired Earth house burgers to the amply layered Dog’s Dinner hot dogs. Enter competitive tournaments every Tuesday, or rent out an al-fresco ping pong table for £5 for a half hour, with a cocktail of the week thrown in too. Game on. grandunionbars.com

21 High Street, Wimbledon, SW19 5DX (also 45 Northcote Road, Battersea, SW11 1NJ) Wimbledon (also Battersea)

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LiFestYLeMONEY LONDONDRINKS

how You spEnd iT

cash saVers THE FOUR QUARTERS Retro arcade, bar and cafe

Dreams come brew keiSha herBert, 24 We all know that JoB Market researcher Stepping into The Four Quarters, I felt like I’d stumbled into a teenage pounding headache from FroM Leeds boy’s dream. classic arcade games from the ’70s, ’80s andLiveS ’90s, nostalgia too wet much cheapWith bubbly Bethnal Green rules here, with Street Fighter II, Tron and Point Blank dotting the room, and retro the night before. Well movie posters blu-tacked at budget? this year your dream ofto walls. Punters (male and female) hammer Howaway do you buttons turning the air blue with their frustration. Other than that, it’s wakingand uplevers, hangover-free After monthly expenses and become a back, realitywith with a bit toall my savings, allcan very stripped ’70s-style tiles, beige walls and scuffed adding floors, which 50%tooff stellar bottlevibe. We stock up on coins (it’s £1 for fourI try to set from myself a weekly adds its a retro teenage quarters of bar, champagne. Usually per play) and while away a good two hours, spending amount. It can be the with one quarter although costing Heidsieck difficult when we’re still£29.75, nowhere near the top scores listed on the oversized blackboard. Luckilysome weeks Blue is £15 fun’, a popwith at beer kegs doubling up as tables and aare busier than others, but it’s notTop all ‘young glowing range Asda. Or you can opt for a I always try to go with the of spirits behind the bar. With the thoughtful addition of custom drink holders to bottle of ‘I heart Prosecco’ cheapest options. the of from machines, you can sip while you play too. forsides £9.99 Budgens, BEHIND THE BAR Rhythm While craft usyou ticking over Tesco.com, & beers rule the roost, the house wine keptDo have any tips for nicely too. They also reassure us that cocktails will be on their way soon. Booze or Londis. saving money in London? THE SCENE

THE GRUB The kitchen isn’t yet fully functional, but the bar is trialling some nibbles I try to take my own lunch a Fighting chance into work but I don’t always on the odd weekend, including Vietnamese food and good-old American grease. The origins ofbeers the and wine from £4. manage that. A Taste Card BILL PLEASE Draft term ‘Boxing are VERDICT A haven Day’ for grown-up gamers – both ardent nerds and eager part-timers – undecided, but all of after-work or weekend escapism. Emily Ray on the look-out forwe a spot

snap it up Do some celeb stalking at super-star hangout Gilgamesh in Camden. The famous restaurant is offering 50% off its £55 set menu through December. Just try not to tussle with the professional outside, 3 OF THEpaps BEST waiting for a star spot. See lastminute.com

SPICY DISHES

Last big blow-out? I went to a second-hand clothes fair last month. Instead of leaving with a few cheap bargains, I ended up spending a lot more money than I imagined! I spent the last week of that month on a very small budget. What non-essential items do you spend money on? Each month I get something new to refresh my wardrobe. And if there’s a special occasion, that’s another excuse to hit the shops.

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Spend it like Beckham

You know when you buy a fancy new toy and don’t know where to keep it? David Beckham faced this conundrum when he bought a Miami football team for £16 million but couldn’t find a stadium for them. So he’s building one...

❚ At least Beckham has earned his ridiculous fortune honestly – his old team, Manchester United, KICK-TAIL TIME are the most valuable sports Ifclub the fiery Mexican in the world, fare clocking offered at the newly opened in at £1.4 billion. Comensal doesn’t offer enough of acan kickget forin you, ❚ Nothing thetry way ofhouse business for J-Lo and exits cocktail. Reposado husband Marc Anthony. The tequila, agave syrup, mint and divorced pair still co-own lime are stirred up with red the Miami chilli. Suck itDolphins. and see. Looks like a sports team is for life, comensal.co.uk not just for Christmas.

Do more Spend less

❚ Basketball team Chicago Sky never have a problem finding someone to sing the national anthem given WING AND A PRAYER that former Destiny’s Child Back Room Bar is challenging member, Michelle Williams, diners take the ownsto a share of Suicide the club. Wings Challenge. You have 20❚ Former minutes basketball to finish 10star Magichot Johnson jumbo wings was withpart the of a £1.2billion deal buyRise the help of one pint of to beer. LA Dodgers. tobankrupt the challenge and youThat’s a hefty price hardrock.com/ for a team with eat for free. no money. Sounds like he thebackroom may have missed a trick.

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Photos: supplied. Main image: Georgia Camp

Photos: supplied and Getty. Words: Rachael Getzels

know it’s due to the punches that are thrown 187 Rye Lane, Peckham Peckham Rye as eager shoppers try to get the best deals on the first day of major nationwide sales. Oxford Street will be prime territory with up to 70% off all high street brands. Get ready to rumble.

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LONDONFESTIVALS August offers up a veritable feast of fests. From beers to bikes, films to food, we find the top 10 events that celebrate a few of our favourite things WORDS CAROLINE GARNAR

RideLondon When: August 9 & 10 What’s going on: Get on your bike and enjoy eight miles of traffic-free roads from 9am-4pm on Saturday August 9. You (and some 50,000 others) can cycle free of worry, honking horns and scary buses, taking in some of London’s most iconic sights including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Guildhall. In its second year, Prudential’s RideLondon is building on 2013’s event with more festival zones and activities including ramp parks, pro BMXers, mountain bike tracks, a bling-your-bike stand, bike polo, stunt unicyclists, bike art and a bike bell orchestra. Sunday 10 is about showing your support to the cyclists taking part in the London-Surrey races, with the finish line at The Mall. The mood: Power to the pedal people. Cyclists come out in their droves on push bikes of all shapes and sizes as well as stilt bicycles, penny farthings, rickshaws and ‘bike bands’. It is a family affair, with healthy food and lots of activities encouraging Londoners to get outside and on their bikes. What not to say: “This is the perfect opportunity to debut my Lycra onesie.” Free; central London, see website for route map of road closures prudentialridelondon.co.uk

London Craft Beer Festival When: August 14-17 What’s going on: Love the smell of beer in the morning? You might want to check in to AA... but before that get yourself down to the London Craft Beer Festival. With 24 local breweries sharing their carefully crafted brews, you are given a glass on entry, which, if you wish, you can use to try every beer on offer, although measures are sample size, bar four 1/3 pints of your favourites. You are also given a programme which tells you the back-story to each brewery. Live music and DJs create the vibe, while local producers cook up special dishes to complement the beer. The mood: It’s being held in east London, which tells you all you need to know: hipsters, cool music, and independent producers. Held in the shadow of the Bethnal Green gas holder, the industrial location is softened with twinkling fairy lights and lanterns, a canal-side setting and leafy terraces. What not to say: “Is that beer froth or just your poor excuse for a beard?” £35; Oval Space, Bethnal Green londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk ›› TNTMAGAZINE.COM

LONDONFESTIVALS Great British Beer Festival When: August 12-16 What’s going on: More beer! Indeed, those with true beer belly aspirations will be in their element at The Great British Beer Festival. With more than 900 beers, real ales, ciders and perries on tap, you can sip your way do delicious drunkenness. If you’re keen to learn more there are talks available: sample the gold finalists in bitter, mild, golden ale and more with guidance from award-winning beer writer and author Roger Protz; learn more about cider, Belgian and American-style beers; and even learn to pair beer with chocolate. Mmm, two of our favourite things. With a true British theme running throughout, you can line your stomach with pies, pasties, fish and chips and pickled eggs. Seriously, there’s a whole stand dedicated to them. The mood: Beer is serious business at this festival and there is a trade atmosphere to proceedings, although it’s more of a boozy business lunch than anything too serious. What not to say: “Hmm, yes this one has notes of chocolate, coffee and a sweaty undercarriage – I like it!” Day tickets £10 in advance, £12 on the door; season ticket £26; Olympia Exhibition Centre gbbf.org.uk

South West Four When: August 23 & 24 What’s going on: SW4 has been bringing in the big guns from electro, trance, house and techno for 10 years now. Combining stalwarts including Sasha, Pete Tong, Above&Beyond and

Dedmau5 with new talent such as Bicep, Booka Shade, Kolsch and Omnia, the line-up is stellar. Four stages (one main and three rotating), fairground rides and food and drink stalls will take you from noon until 10.30pm on Saturday and Sunday in a drunken, finger-pointing whirlwind of fun. The mood: Awesome. Being on Clapham Common, it’s packed with fellow Aussies. Also it’s better if you’re done with/can’t quite handle Glato-esque fests as there’s no camping at the two-day festival, so you can stumble home, sleep, shower and feel refreshed to do it all over again the next day. No baby wipe showers, sweaty tents or stinking Portaloos – hoorah! What not to say: “I’m getting on your shoulders and I will not get down for the foreseeable future.” Day tickets £57.50; weekend ticket £110; Clapham Common southwestfour.com

Foodies Festival Battersea Park When: August 15-17 What’s going on: This festival has been making its way through the UK, and if you missed it when it was last in London in May and June, then you definitely need to catch it this month in Battersea Park. From 11am-9pm (8pm Sunday) you can watch top chefs cooking gorgeous dishes every hour on the hour, go for tastings at the beer and cocktails tent, sit down with festival-goers and chefs alike at the banquet tables to eat when the temptation gets too much, and for dessert, make your way to the chocolate, bake, cake and preserves arena. Nom nom nom. The mood: Like a local farmers’ market on steroids. Interaction is encouraged, with tastings, free samples, challenges (we dare you to go for the chilli eating one!) and community areas like the real ale and cider bar, where you can perch on a hay bale and have a sing-along with the supplied guitar. A day in the country, in the city. What not to say: “No thanks, I’m not hungry.”

Foodies Festival does vintage feasting

£12 Friday, £15 Sat & Sun, £22 three-day ticket; Battersea Park foodiesfestival.com

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Details correct at time of print. For up to date information visit www.gbbf.org.uk

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Zara McFarlane is performing at the Canary Wharf Jazz Festival

Canary Wharf Jazz Festival

Free; Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf

canarywharf.com

Canary Wharf Jazz Festival

Notting Hill Carnival

Photos: London Craft Beer Festival, The Great British Beer Festival, Foodies Festival, Canary Wharf Jazz Festival and the Notting Hill Carnival, Wayne G Callender.

When: August 15-17 What’s going on: Canada Square Park is one of our favourite spaces in London: a gorgeously green patch surrounded by glistening glass skyscrapers. Even better, then, when it hosts a jazz festival – and it’s free. Ease yourself into the weekend on Friday night with jazz singer Eska then the Riot Jazz Brass Band from 7-10pm. Sit in the sun on Saturday from 1.30pm to enjoy GoGo Penguin, Zara McFarlane, Hidden Orchestra with Phil Cardwell, and, taking you to 8.15pm, Ciyo Brown’s The Motown Sound with Gwyn Jay Allen and James Morton; Sunday you can hear the sounds of Nostalgia 77, Polar Bear, the Yiddish Twist Orchestra and a finale from the Andy Sheppard Quartet. The mood: If the sun comes out, you can’t beat a chilled-out day on the grass listening to jazz. It’s what summer weekends are made for. Take a picnic and enjoy. What not to say: “Should I bring my glow sticks?”

When: August 24 & 25 What’s going on: Led by the West Indian community, for two days London’s prestigious Notting Hill is swamped with scantily clad dancers in spangly bejewelled bikinis and feathers, steel bands, stages booming out reggae beats, house, R&B and dubstep, and absolutely hoards of people (we’re talking 150,000). In its 48th year, the procession kicks off at 6am (6am! That’s dedication) and finishes around 10pm. Sunday is family day, while Bank Holiday Monday is rather sensibly for adults only. The mood: Basically, it’s one big party. An assault on the senses, there’s noise coming from all directions and the smell of sizzling jerk chicken served up with rrrrice and peeeeeas (actually kidney beans) in the air, mingled with a certain substance that will make you want to go back for more munchies. There’s a real community vibe as everyone dances together, many of the residents sit out on their doorsteps, blasting out music and inviting people over to chat and have some food and drink, and people get in the spirit with fancy dress and face paints. Inevitably where crowds and alcohol are involved, there can be trouble, and tragically five people have been killed there in the last 27 years. There is a huge police presence though, and far from putting a downer on the occasion, they are known to get involved with the fun – just YouTube ‘Police dance-off, Notting Hill Carnival’. What not to say: “Check out my amazing twerk/lunge/ shimmy.” *Proceeds to do very un-amazing twerk/ lunge/shimmy.* Free; Notting Hill, check website for travel advice thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com

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LONDONFESTIVALS Film4 Fright Festival When: August 21-25 What’s going on: Hailed as the ‘Woodstock of gore’ by director Guillermo del Toro, the Film4 Fright Festival screens all horror films great and small, alongside dark fantasy and thriller flicks. This year it’s moved to the new venue of Vue Cinema, Leicester Square, enabling it to screen more films than ever – up to six a day across three theatres. You can get day tickets to watch back-to-back films, and with Zombeavers (‘Cabin Fever meets American Pie’) and Wolfcop (yep, a crime-fighting werewolf) alongside the Sin City sequel and new horror musical Stage Fright, who wouldn’t? The mood: Scary! You will be greeted in the foyer by various axe-wielding, masked-up characters, and we advise buying a big bucket of popcorn to hide behind. What not to say: “Wouldn’t a cinema be the perfect place to go on a killing spree?” Thu £29, Fri-Sun £58, Mon £49, festival pass £170, individual screening £13; Vue Cinema Leicester Square

frightfest.co.uk

Portobello Film Festival

Free; various west London venues

portobellofilmfestival.com

Jabberwocky headliners: Neutral Milk Hotel

Jabberwocky

Portobello Film Festival screens unique documentaries, such as this one on how hip-hop is helping rehabilitation in a Columbian Jail

When: August 15-16 What’s going on: This new kid on the block is different, and it’s not afraid to show it. London is brilliant for giving a stage to up-and-coming, independent and/or niche acts with a gig on every corner, but the festivals tend to turn their interests to the big guns. Jabberwocky is now giving the lesser-known names a big festival stage to perform on, and it’s sure to bring an intimate but electric atmosphere. Names including Neutral Milk Hotel, James Blake, Darkside, Caribou and, our personal favourite name-wise, Pissed Jeans, will head for this two-day festival which is taking place in the Excel Centre, meaning you won’t get rained on, and they blast the speakers on full volume. Friday, 5pm-11pm, Saturday, noon-11pm. The mood: As this is the first one, it’s hard to tell, but we reckon it will be a more relaxed vibe with a chance to get up close to these unique and excellent bands. To lure people in, there are also a couple of epic after parties at Shapes in Hackney Wick and The Ace Hotel in Shoreditch, with DJs KodeJ, Fuck Buttons (another great name), Ought Live and DJ Cherrystones playing sets into the night. What not to say: “I love Perfect Pussy.” (They’re a band. You can love them, just be careful how you phrase it.) Day pass £38.50, weekend ticket £60; Excel Centre London jabberwockyfestival.com

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Photos: Film4 FrightFest, Portobello Film Festival, Will Westbrook

When: August 28-September 14 What’s going on: Founded in 1996 as a “reaction to the moribund state of the British film industry”, the Portobello Film Festival is a prestigious event which is known for unearthing major new talents, such as Shane Meadows and Guy Ritchie. It premiers more than 700 films each year, from shorts to documentaries to art films and animations, each one vying for the ‘Golden Boot’ award. Giving newcomers the chance for their films to be seen, this year’s festival has been broken down into ‘London’, ‘Rock and Roll’ and ‘World’ categories. The mood: One for true film buffs, the workshops and talks from directors make this an awesome creative environment

for those interested in the film industry. Some of the films are a bit weird, yes, but go in with an open mind and you could be among the first to see some soon-to-be globally recognised talents. What not to say: “Can we watch Die Hard VI?”

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CELEBINTERVIEW

A Bana in the works In anticipation of his latest film, Deliver us from Evil, TNT sits down with Eric Bana to talk car crashes, exorcisms, and why he’s never leaving Australia...

Remember the Eric Bana Show? Yeah, we’ve blocked it from our minds too. But you might have hazy memories of the comedian-turned-actor’s impressions of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise and Sly Stallone on Oz TV shows Full Frontal and Tonight Live; oh yes, he opened many-a can of laughter with those... Luckily, though, Bana took his first film role seriously, gaining 30lb, crafting a fetching handlebar moustache and spending four hours a day being painted in the tattoos of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read. His superb portrayal of the infamous Aussie gangster got him noticed, in particular by Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt, who then recommended him for Hollywood blockbusters Black Hawk Down and Troy respectively. Since then we’ve seen him in many movies great and small, playing characters from a green monster (Hulk), to an Israeli assassin (Munich), to a Romulan villain (Star Trek) to a doomed lover (The Time Traveller’s Wife). Now he’s taking on a very different role as a New York City cop dealing with demons and exorcisms in the crime/horror drama, Deliver us from Evil. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and co-starring the sultry Olivia Munn as his wife, the film sees Bana give a convincing performance as a man battling renegade priests and supernatural phenomena. Based on the experiences of real-life former Bronx cop turned demonologist, Ralph Sarchie, who participated in several exorcisms in cooperation with the local Catholic church, Bana was left shaken by some of the video footage he studied prior to shooting the film, which documented supposed supernatural phenomena. “I had trouble sleeping for a week after I saw this video that Ralph showed us,” Bana says. “I’m pretty sceptical of these things, but I do believe that some people are more attuned to certain kinds of experiences than others. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you can be thinking about someone and then bump into them on the street a few minutes later. You can’t explain those things logically, so I’m open to the discussion.”

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CELEBINTERVIEW Born and raised in Australia by a Croatian father and German mother, Bana (real name Banadinovich), still lives in Melbourne with his wife of 17 years Rebecca Gleeson, a former TV publicist, and their two children, Klaus aged 15, and Sophia, 12. Settling down for our chat, we see 45-yearold Bana’s jet-black hair is now streaked with grey, his 6ft3 frame is covered casually in jeans and a T-shirt, and his dimple creases with a welcoming smile. Damn us Aussies are fine... Eric, unlike most of your fellow Australian actors who have moved to Los Angeles for the sake of their careers, you’ve chosen to continue living in Melbourne. Do you think that this decision has hurt your career at all? No. And even if it has, it wouldn’t make any difference to me. I love my life with my wife and kids in Melbourne and that’s my home. I don’t mind flying to Los Angeles for a few days or weeks at a time to talk to people in Hollywood when I need to. I still have to travel to the US or other countries when I’m shooting movies, so it doesn’t make any difference anyway. These days you can just go online and have meetings using your computer. You have a self-confessed obsession with cars. Do you still tinker in your garage? Yeah but I haven’t been doing as much racing as I would like. If I hadn’t become an actor, I’m pretty sure I would have become a race car driver or at least tried to make it in that field. And if I wouldn’t have made the grade as a driver, I would have tried to become an engineer. You had a bad scare driving your beloved 1974 Ford Falcon XB coupe, aka ‘The Beast’, in a race didn’t you? The Beast and yours truly were nearly destroyed when we rammed into a tree at the Targa [a professional road rally in Tasmania]. My navigator and I were lucky to come out of that crash alive because a lot of people have been badly hurt or killed in those kinds of crashes. It’s just about the worst thing that can happen to you. You directed your own documentary about the race called Love the Beast... It’s one of the best 26

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It’s just about the “worst thing that can happen to you ” experiences I’ve ever had, except for the final result, which is a very unpleasant memory. I still can’t believe that it happened, but crashes are part of racing. I got to step out of that one and you just can’t wait until the next race. You never get that out of your system (laughs). I’m still hoping to team up with [former Formula 1 driver] Mark Webber for the Bathurst endurance race next year. It’s a very famous race in Australia and it would be great to do the race with Mark. What kind of car do you drive when you’re at home? A boring four-wheel drive. It’s is a practical car, something I can attach the trailer to and take the wife, the children and the dog out on road trips. Our dog’s a poodle. I call it Mario Testino after my favourite photographer! (Laughs.) Okay let’s talk about your new film, Deliver Us From Evil. What excited you about this supernatural story? I thought that the director Scott Derrickson had written an outstanding screenplay and I’m a huge fan of his work. Also, I had never played a cop before, which was something I always wanted to do in my career. It was an incredible experience. I was playing a real-life cop [Ralph Sarchie] who had worked in one of the toughest districts you could ever imagine – the 46th precinct in the Bronx. Shooting in the Bronx added a lot of intensity to everything. You felt that it was so much more authentic being there and shooting in the places where the events actually took place. We were doing mainly night shoots, so you can imagine that it adds to the atmosphere, which was pretty dark anyway because of the subject matter. I loved my time making this movie. Did you spend a lot of time with the real Ralph Sarchie? I spent a lot of time with Ralph, although I tried not to give him the impression that I was studying certain things about him while we were talking about the story. He was on set virtually every day and I got to know him really well. He wasn’t at all worried about how I was portraying him because the script presented him in a very detailed and layered way. I was glad to have him around so if I had a particular question I could go right to the source. This was a man who saw the most horrible kinds of crimes being committed in his district and was constantly dealing with very, very bad criminals. He saw the world in very blackand-white terms, but then he starts discovering that his world is maybe not so cut-and-dried and other things are going on that shake him out of that very cold and disciplined way of looking at the world. He doesn’t have all the answers after all. One of the interesting things about the film is that Sarchie is carrying a dark secret around with him...

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CELEBINTERVIEW

Eric with daughter Sophia and wife Rebecca Gleeson take in an AFL match together Yes. That’s a very fundamental part of his past that adds a lot to the impact of the film. The audience is not just following him as he investigates things; you’re also uncovering things about the man himself. There’s a lot of great drama to that, too. Are you a big fan of these kinds of horror or supernatural films? I love films like The Exorcist and others that slowly draw you into the story and show how people, who are at first very sceptical, start slowly believing in these phenomena. On the one hand it’s a police procedural, and on the other hand there’s this added dimension to what he’s investigating that turns it into a thriller. What we’re telling is the journey of a very tough Bronx cop who starts believing in these supernatural events and becomes a believer. That’s one of the fascinating aspects of this story.

It’s my hair! I’m 45 years old and I don’t want to pretend to be 25. I’m fine with going grey one day. Bring it on! (Laughs.) Your mother is German. Can you speak German? Not enough to carry on a conversation. Just a few phrases to order food or beer. That’s enough for me (laughs.) My mother originally come from Viernheim near Mannheim; I travelled with her there a few times, but I’ve also travelled alone through Germany. I love Bavaria; I’d like to travel some more in Germany and other places in Europe. One of your kids is named Klaus, a typical German name... He’s named after my mother’s brother as we had a close relationship. He took me to football games when I was young. We generally spent a lot of time with each other, and he’s my godfather. When my son was born, he was a big baby, so I thought, “he’s a true Klaus”! Do you like having your family around you when you’re shooting films? My family has travelled with me all over the world while I’ve been working on sets. But as the children get older you don’t want to disrupt their schooling and lives too much doing that. Children need stability and that’s why I could never bring myself to take them out of Australia. We love our life there and it will always be the place I look forward to coming back home to.

Your hair is greying in the film. Was that deliberate?

Deliver us from Evil is out in cinemas from August 22 TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Interview: The Interview Hub. Photos: Supplied & Getty

How did you and Olivia Munn react to all the scary stuff that takes place in the film? Olivia was pretty happy once the film was finished! (Laughs.) The scene I was worried about doing was the exorcism scene at the end, which was hanging over us the entire time. It’s a very difficult scene to film and you feel very claustrophobic and tense in such a setting. You can’t wait until it’s over. You feel such a relief and you just want to forget about it as fast as possible, even though the images and impressions still stay with you for a while.

[Caption] 28

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Let’s get spiritual If London is a cultural melting pot, the multitude of spiritual practises that come with it are the herbs and spices. Here, we have a taste of this spiritual stew and invite you to tuck in... WORDS ERICA CROMPTON

William Blake famously said: “I have conversed with the spiritual sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill”. You can now find that inscribed in Regent’s Park. The Blake inscription is appropriate for many reasons, but in particular London’s wealth of spirituality. Visit any rooftop at sunrise and you’ll not just see, but also feel, what Blake was talking about. Indeed, Westminster Council has recently granted the London Kabbalah Centre planning permission to double its size to accommodate fans such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. On a weekly basis up to 1,000 visitors pass through the centre and the expansion hopes to accommodate the footfall. “The fact that anyone can study at the Kabbalah Centre irrespective of their race and religion is proving popular with Londoners from all walks of life,” says a spokesperson for the registered charity. Spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi has just been recognised by the Government, too. Gandhi’s statue will stand in London’s Parliament Square. The plans, announced by Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor George Osborne last month, will hopefully blossom next year. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first statue of Gandhi in London either. In 1968 he became the centrepiece of the Tavistock Square Gardens, sculpted by Fredda Brilliant. London’s growing interest in spirituality shouldn’t come as a surprise, according to Mary Bryce, editor of leading spirituality magazine Chat it’s Fate. “There has been a marked rise in spirituality in the last few years, a result of the hardship of austerity,” says Bryce. “It’s what sustains us through the hard times and gives us reason to hope. With the decline of the role of the Church in many people’s lives, we have turned to a broader brush – something nonsectarian to provide us with answers, joy and belief. And comfort of course, when we suffer loss and bereavement. Spirituality cuts across race, creed, gender, and politics – it’s about personal belief and is born out of experience. This is the creed of the 21st century.” In keeping with this creed, author and lecturer Alex Norman launched his book Spiritual Tourism this year, in which travellers set out to either make changes to themselves in terms of meaning and identity concerns, or to experience

practises that they understand to be connected with such outcomes. He says: “The classic examples of ‘spiritual tourism’ are Westerners travelling to India to do some meditation or yoga, but we can also use the term to help understand a very wide range of touristic practises; from obvious ones like walking the Camino de Santiago, to less obvious ones such as trekking in the mountains. But in the main, spiritual tourism is about personal growth and improvement.” And if you haven’t got travel plans? “Getting spiritual in London might not be as stereotypically obvious as travelling to India. But London is, after all, the axis mundi.” You also don’t even need to be soul-searching to appreciate all that’s spiritual in London. Tarot cards are each unique works of art in their own right as well as a tool for guidance. Temples are marvels of architecture and not just places of prayer. And did you know those pesky orange-clad Hare Krishnas dancing and chanting along Oxford Street actually offer some of the best and cheapest curried food in Soho? And so it seems there’s no greater time to get ‘spirited away’ in the city, even if you’re a sceptic…

Tarot reading Before embarking on your London tour of spirituality, why not get some advice from a tarot reader first. Mysteries in Covent Garden is a spiritual shop that does tarot readings upstairs. It even comes with a ‘menu of psychics’ so you can pick who reads your cards. According to my cards I’ll be investing in foreign property next month – hadn’t thought of that but I’m inspired enough to look into it! Each day there is a different menu available for individual consultations and telephone readings. A 30-minute session starts from £45. mysteries.co.uk

Buddhism First opened in April 1998, Kagyu Samye Dzong London’s Tibetan Buddhist Centre runs courses and workshops weekly, focusing on meditation (now scientifically proven to change our brains for the better), four different branches of Buddhism, and a host of holistic therapies – there’s even been a series of workshops in lucid dreaming here by Charley TNTMAGAZINE.COM

LONDONFOCUS and bustle of the city centre. There are plenty more courses on offer as well as talks. innerspace.org.uk

Feng shui and Chinese astrology While a master in metaphysics and all things psychic, Chinese astrologer Ting-Foon Chik can be taken seriously – she also has a degree in mathematics and computing from the University of Bath and has worked as a banker and consultant. Her true calling, however, came in 1990 when she began various accredited courses in feng shui and Chinese astrology. She hasn’t looked back since. On visiting her, I came home with a printed astrological chart that I can keep for life to guide me through the ups and downs. While I probably won’t allow it to sway my life decisions, it’s been a great insight into a Chinese tradition. fengshuibritain.co.uk

Reiki Morley. “London is a haven for seekers,” says Morley, “and with every major branch of Buddhism having a centre in London, you don’t need to go to a cave in India to find yourself; everything you need is here. My teacher once told me that meditating in a cave is easy. When you can meditate in a nightclub, that’s when you know you’re making progress!” Too self-conscious for chanting? Try the Tibetan Tea Room for organic tea, coffee and karmic cakes. samye.org

Hinduism

Founded in Tibet thousands of years ago, reiki is an ancient practise that uses ‘life force’ otherwise known as ‘ki’. The ‘rei’ bit means ‘mysteriously guided’. What’s mysterious about reiki massage is that the hands don’t touch the body, and you remain clothed throughout, yet it is just as powerful as any Thai massage when you ‘feel’ the weight of your masseuse on you. My favourite London practice of this ancient tradition is in beautiful Blackheath, and I credit this place with curing a persistent cold one grim winter. The Healing Path offers other traditional therapies too. If you fancy something more hands-on, go for an Indian head massage or reflexology. healingpath.co.uk

The magnificent Mandir, otherwise known as the Neasden Hindu Temple, is not to be missed – it’s one of the largest Hindu Temples outside of India and cost £12million to build, funded entirely by the Hindu community. And what an architectural feat it is. It’s a marvel of marble and more. With all its intricate curves and elegant details, it’s a fairy tale structure that makes Disney castle look amateur. Entry is free, you just have to remember to cover your shoulders and take off your footwear before heading in. For culture vultures there’s also a free exhibition there should you fancy an overview of Hinduism. londonmandir.baps.org

Past-life regression Life is a journey, but what if there’s a spiritual destination in London that could help you time travel? Past-life regression coach and hypnotist Nicholas Aujula claims that he has tapped into that time travel, and has taken many people on journeys that they say have changed their lives. He’s appeared on ITV and in many of the tabloid papers doing as much. What’s more he reckons he can cure your ailments by taking you through your past lives. Fall under his hypnotic spell to discover more. In the very least he’ll notch up your history knowledge. inspired-artisan.com

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Hare Krishna To sample some of the Hare Krishna lifestyle without having to dance and drum your way down Oxford Street wearing a rather unflattering vibrant orange, try Govinda’s restaurant in Soho, which comes recommended by my Hare Krishna sources (or Hare Krishna sauces?). Choose from a wide variety of meat-, fish- and egg-free dishes. Try the thali, which consists of two sabjis (vegetable dishes), rice, chapattis, and a side salad. They also serve classic dishes such as pizzas, veggie burgers, and salads. iskcon-london.org/visiting/govinda-srestaurant.html

Photos: Getty and Thinkstock

In a hurry? Try a lunchtime meditation session at Inner Space in Covent Garden. You can do the creative meditation – which is a half-hour visualisation reported to improve productivity for when you return to work. Or pop in to the “quiet space” for as little as five minutes – it’s a silent room, softly lit, and is the perfect sanctuary away from the hustle

Neasden Hindu Temple

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Bowled Over The sun’s come out so it’s time, once again, for a barbie, some tunes and a roll on the lawn

Lawn bowls tournament Grab a bunch of mates and head down for an afternoon of barefoot bowls – The event starts at 12:00 and competitors must be signed in before 1:30 4 people to a team, £5 per person. Book in advance.

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Lady Celeste Luminary With Lily Savage locked in a nunnery and Dame Edna Everage retired, there’s a void to fill. Fortunately for the British public, Australian-born superstar Lady Celeste Luminary is about to make her West End return. INTERVIEW IAN ARMITAGE

Life would be wonderful if everyone and everything was as fabulous as Lady Celeste. While she is approaching the winter of her life (she’s been on the road for 30 years), the fiery redhead is in her theatrical prime and returning to London’s West End to delight the masses with her velvety renditions of contemporary pop and jazz, along with a few witty anecdotes. But before she does, we were lucky enough to catch up with the swaggering superstar, dolled up to the nines, naturally, and on delightful diva form... Lady Celeste, it’s lovely to meet you. So tell us, what can we expect from your news show ‘A Star is (Re)Born’? It’s a joy ride. You’ll be entertained with songs, comedy, music and sparkle. I’ll let you in on a few of my worldly anecdotes, turn some songs you love on their head and honour some classics that you might not have heard for a millennium. There’ll be jazz, seduction, and laughter for all. People rave about your performances. What is it you do on stage that is so special do you think? Share. I think there is a huge amount of generosity in what I do. I don’t hold back, it’s the reward to my Luminaries. If you want it – take it! Will it make us laugh? I bloody hope so!

Photo: Supplied

Can you tell us what you’ll be wearing? I have developed a fondness for jilbabs [a long robe usually worn by Muslim women]. The coloured ones are so dramatic! Perhaps some of those. I also like to wear a bit of shine or sequins. I’ve had some deaf people come to my shows before, and they can’t hear the music, so they are entertained by the sparkle. Are you happy to be back? Desperately so. Oh how I have missed the stage. And London! The West End is the pinnacle of theatre in the modern world. I can’t sleep some nights for all my excitement. 32

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What do you love about performing? The thrill. Theatre is raw, immediate, and vulnerable. It’s open to spontaneity and movement. Anything is possible in theatre and that’s what’s thrilling. What is your greatest fear? Being forgotten. All performers think that, even if they don’t say it. I don’t appreciate lying, or indifference, so I like to be honest. Secondly, wearing a see-through outfit on stage. That’s accidentally happened to me once with a dress that was a tad too sheer. As you’re being so honest, can you tell us a secret...? Then it wouldn’t be a secret. I will tell you this though, I’ll never turn down an invitation. What a wonderful thing. Someone asking to keep your company! What celebrity would play you in a film of your life? Cate Blanchett. She’s the only actress out there

that still epitomises class. We also have quite a similar strong nose. How do you stay so beautiful? Well, I had the good fortune of being born on February 29. Technically, I still haven’t turned 30! Can you believe it? Prevention is better than cure with ageing, so the best piece of advice I can give to someone is plan to be born on February 29. That and stay out of the sun, it’ll kill you. Not only will it kill you, but it will turn you into a hideous dried-up old beast beforehand. Sorry, we’ve haven’t even asked how you are. So rude... Darling, I feel like an inflated puffer fish. I may have had a few too many celebratory gin and Dubonnets for my producer’s birthday yesterday. Apart from that, I’m well. Thank you for asking. See Lady Celeste Luminary on August 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24. Visit phoenixartistclub. com or camdenfringe.com. Tickets are £10. theladyceleste.com

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IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A PLANE? No, it’s Flyboarding man! Strapping powerful water jets to your feet and arms, you can zoom above the water – before face-planting back down into it, probably; but it’s the closest you’ll ever get to being Iron Man. Try it out at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi (thesunsiyam.com/irufushi)

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INSIDE

CARNIVAL CRAZY /54

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IDYLLIC INDONESIA /62

The World Cup may have shamed them, but we want to put the spotlight right back on Brazil for the brilliant Rio Carnival.

Natasha Were tells of her travels around Spain, working in return for food, board and some very unique experiences.

Next time you head home, be sure to stop off at one or more of Indonesia’s stunning islands for a bit of what you fancy.

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Ragusa, Italy

BAROQUE OUT ITALY

Explore an idyllic corner of Sicily, steeped in history and jam-packed with ancient Baroque towns, rolling green landscape and golden coastline. This cycling spree around south-east Sicily is an unforgettable way to discover the southernmost part of Italy. Begin your 171-mile trip in Anapo Valley and enjoy the tranquility of the countryside, abundant with orange and lemon trees. Visit four of the region’s astounding Unesco World Heritage sites including the Baroque city of Ragusa, where a muddle of ancient buildings hug the side of a dramatic gorge. Wildlife fans can marvel over pintails and pink flamingos at the Vendicari Nature Reserve before relaxing over a slice of almond cake in a local café. Experience picturesque towns, authentic Italian cuisine and incredible wildlife on this seven-night tour with Freedom Treks, starting at £801pp. freedomtreks.co.uk

SMOOTH OPERATOR SILK ROAD

Travel the ancient path of King Alexander the Great and discover the mysterious beauty of the Silk Road and Central Asia. Follow one of the most famed conquerors in history on this new 15day tour of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, arguably the most picturesque countries in Central Asia. Explore the legendary Silk Road oasis towns of Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand and gaze upon the remote alpine lake of Iskander-Kul. Wander through some of the oldest towns on earth, bursting with vibrant bazaars, stunning mosques and striking citadels. 36

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Hey Bert! Bert is a crocheted orange bird who is travelling the world. His makers (Mr and Mrs Bert, we’d imagine) tell: “Originally, Bert was created in London, but moved to California when he was only a few months old. Ever since, he’s wanted to travel and see the world. Finally, he’s been given his chance.” Follow Bert’s journey at facebook.com/BertAbroad Do all this with World Expeditions, starting at £1,690 per person. worldexpeditions.com

24-HOUR CYCLE UK & FRANCE

Do you have what it takes to cycle constantly for 24 hours? Find out on this trial of endurance and strength from London to Paris. Test your limits next summer with Discover Adventure’s freshest cycling jaunt through Southern England and France, priced at £599 per person. Start your challenge at Blackheath Common and you will soon be cruising quieter roads and rolling English countryside before crossing the South Downs towards Newhaven on the coast. Take a well-deserved snooze on the ferry trip to Dieppe before peddling

through rural French farmland towards Paris, with the soaring Eiffel Tower beckoning you to the finish line. Reward yourself with celebratory drinks, then party the night away with your fellow cyclists. Even better, you can raise money for a charity of your choice. Better get training! discoveradventure.com

ALL ABOARD TURKEY

Discover the Turkish Riviera from the comfort of your own catamaran and watch the spectacular coastline of the Lycian Way go by. Begin your jaunt along the Turkish coast in Bodrum, where the 10-day tour sets off. Revel in the beauty of tiny fishing villages and pure blue waters in the state-of-the-art catamaran, which you can even learn to sail

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BEWARE OF SWEETTOOTHED THIEF AUSTRALIA [Caption] Sail along Turkey’s Riviera yourself. Spend your days sunbathing on a secluded beach, relishing the local cuisine or snorkelling in the turquoise ocean. Let the skipper guide you through the best of the shoreline’s optional activities which include hiking through ancient settlements at Knidos and relaxing in mud baths. Visit towns such as Marmaris and Gocek before sailing into the picturesque port of Fethiye where the tour disembarks. From £1,149pp. gadventures.co.uk

Fly high over Mt Everest

HIMALAYA HIGH FLYER

Words: Kristen Batey. Photos: Thinkstock and Getty

NEPAL

An iconic trek to Everest Base Camp is on many-a bucket list, but the journey is often too lengthy for those of us with limited time. Not any more! This unforgettable 14-day adventure with World Expeditions begins in the intoxicating city of Kathmandu, followed by a quick plane ride to Lukla, where the trek commences. Wander through quaint Sherpa villages to Namche, the gateway to Everest, ascending higher to enjoy panoramic views of the mountain itself and its surrounding peaks. Visit Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Pattar before speeding things up by taking an exhilarating helicopter flight over the Himalayas back to Kathmandu. Currently the quickest trip on the market, this majestic tour begins at £2,750pp. Now this is a trip worth ticking off your bucket list! worldexpeditions.com

ZIP IT

CUMBRIA, UK Unleash your inner Tarzan (or Jane) on an exhilarating zip trekking adventure through one of Britain’s most stunning natural settings. The Lake District branch of Go Ape in the scenic Grizedale Forest has just launched the longest series of zip wires anywhere in the UK. Relish zip after zip, flying high above the forest floor with a panoramic view of stunning valleys and wildlife. Choose to travel on a single or tandem zip wire at a distance of more than three kilometres and a speed of up to 30mph. Take white-knuckled delight in two adrenaline-charged hours of fun, soaring through the air at £45 per person with Go Ape this summer. goape.co.uk

Thieves are often found guilty of robbing banks or stealing jewels, but this particular thug was more interested in edible treasure. Following the opening of Australia’s first Krispy Kreme in Adelaide on July 4, there has been a frenzy of doughnut lovers queuing out the door for a sweet bite of the beloved pastry. So much so that two teenagers heading to their car were robbed of six boxes of fresh doughnuts by a knife-wielding thief on July 16. Mark Higginbottom, store manager, commented that the robbery was an isolated circumstance, but they are taking extra security precautions just in case. At least the police will be keen to get involved with this case...

MAILMEN TESTED WITH CRYPTIC ADDRESSES

A graphic designer is putting Royal Mail to the test by creating puzzling addresses on envelopes for postmen to decipher. James Addison has been fascinated with the postal service ever since growing up with an ‘efficient postman’ in his community. He began his ‘Puzzles for Postman’ project five years ago and has since used word searches, drawings and maps to set the challenge, with incredible results. Addison commented, “They never fail to deliver. Somehow I doubt that any other postal service in the world would embrace badly addressed envelopes in such an eccentric and light-hearted way.” TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Steam train into the African bush...

Stick to one colour: When you take a picture that is mainly one colour you can create depth and layers of shade, and you can really capture the mood of a moment. A mainly blue picture can look romantic and relaxed, while reds can make everything look a little bit more exciting. Use simple hues and your pictures are bound to have more impact. Utilise natural light: iPhonography is still photography, so it’s just as important to use light to your advantage. For portraits and group pictures try to keep the subjects lit from the back or the side, so they’re not looking right into the sunshine. It can be hard to get good lighting around the middle of the day, so try to get your mates posing in the mornings and late afternoons. Try to take photos during the ‘golden hour’ just before sunset. Everything looks better under the subtle rouge of dusk. Get low: Don’t be afraid to get on the floor. Shooting from the ground up can lead to dramatic perspectives and exaggerated angles, and it can simply make your pictures a bit more interesting. Whether you’re snapping towering landmarks or the inside of a Mediterranean villa, jazz it up by laying down. For more tips, see David’s new book, Take Great Digital Pictures in 24 Hours

Photos: Thinkstock and Vic Falls Carnival

IPHONOGRAPHY Professional photographer David Fairman (davidfairman.com) gives us some tips to get those iPhone holiday snaps looking spectacular. #nofilter.

VIC FALLS CARNIVAL Zimbabwe In the shadow of ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, Vic Falls Carnival rages in to the New Year with salsa, circus acts and DJ sets until the sun comes 29-31 up. Parties are interspersed with activities ranging from daring to ridiculous, and there’s even the chance to take a traditional steam train to a rave in the African Bush. All aboard. DEC

WHERE: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe WHY GO: As well as wild landscapes, there will be artists piling in from all over western Africa. So far for this year Goldfish Live, Beatenberg, Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi and Winky D have been announced. WHAT ELSE? Take advantage of the once-in-

GROOVE FEST

Dominican Republic Pick up a ticket to this dance festival for 9-15 luxury all-inclusive eats, drinks and dance parties. Acts like Soul Clap and Skream will be rocking boat parties, beach parties, pool parties and good old-fashioned clubs, while tents are traded for swanky hotel suites. SEP

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VILLAGGIO DELLA BIRRA Bibbiano, Sienna, Italy Vino is so last season in this Tuscan village. For 5-7 teeny two days streets will be lined with beers from small breweries who descend from all over Italy, plus some from as far afield as Belgium, the USA and good old Blighty. There’s a nibble to complement every slurp, while arts and music keep the atmosphere distinctly Italian. SEP

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a-lifetime location with elephant safaris, white water rafting, or, if you’re feeling gutsy, a bungee jump over the gorge. For views to the Falls, brave a dip in the famous Devil’s Pool. HOW MUCH: From ZAR550 (£30) for one day to ZAR1,100 (£60) for a three-day pass. vicfallscarnival.com

OUTLOOK Pula, Croatia

This beach-side celebration bass, funk and house 3-7 of music will see Busta Rhymes take to the stage alongside Massive Attack’s Daddy G. Extra tickets can be purchased for banging boat parties or a spot at the opening night concert featuring Lauryn Hill in an ancient Roman amphitheatre. SEP

outlookfestival.com

LEEDS FESTIVAL Leeds, UK AUG

One of Britain’s great 22-24 twinned festivals (with Reading), Leeds celebrates the bank holiday with tunes from Arctic Monkeys, Jake Bugg and Queens of the Stone Age, while ’90s punk heroes Blink 182 bring a little lyrical nostalgia. For those tired of head bopping, Katherine Ryan, Milton Jones and Bill Bailey will be on hand to get the crowd giggling. leedsfestival.com

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ADULTS-ONLY HOTELS

Planning on a last-minute summer break this month? You’d better pack your earplugs and a multi-pack of patience as it’s the school holidays, which means squealing kids splashing you in the pool/ kicking sand over you at the beach/ throwing their food at you at dinner. Or does it? We check out the top hotels in Europe where no kids are allowed....

BARCELO HAMILTON, MENORCA, SPAIN This place oozes class and sophisticated romance; from the rooftop deck complete with hot tubs, day beds and a well-stocked bar, to the luxurious rooms with views over Port Mahon and the superb restaurants, this is a haven for the over-17s. It’s perfectly placed to explore the pretty harbour and historic town of Mahon, Menorca’s capital, but in truth, you’ll not want to leave the comfortable confines of Barcelo. Let the August sun seep into your skin as you lounge on a rooftop lounger and look out over the sparkling water of the port, or soak yourself in the warm bubbles of the hot tub, with 40 00

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a drink in hand. Take a swim in one of the two pools in its ground-level courtyard, or check in for a gorgeous wine-oil-based body scrub and massage at the spa before bobbing about in the floatation tank, hidden away beneath the hotel in a fairy-lit cave. For dinner, Sa Cova is an absolute must. With tables spilling out into the harbour-side, watch the boats bob as you tuck into exquisite calamari, lobster tail with fried egg and chips (an awesome combo, we can assure you), finished off with an iced Pomoda: local gin muddled with real lemonade and frozen into a delicious sorbet. The rooms are sleek and simple, with huge beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies with views over the water or swimming pool, and en-suites with a ‘rain-dance’ shower. It’s the perfect place for couples or groups of couples to hang out and sunbathe by day, watch the sun sink over cocktails and dine on exquisite food by night. And with no screaming kids. Ahh, bliss. Rooms from €98 (approx £78) per night. barcelohamiltonmenorca.com

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ADULTS-ONLY HOTELS

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BOHEMIA SUITES & SPA, GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN

AQUAGRAND, RHODES, GREECE

This relaxed adults-only spot is like a lush oasis with a peaceful pool surrounded with tropical foliage. There’s a spa, fine-dining restaurant, gym and bar – all you need for the perfect grown-up getaway. And, for the truly relaxed among you, there’s even a nudey beach down the road. Go on – hang out with your wang out. Rooms from an affordable £104pn.

Some hotels aren’t interested in catering to the baby-toting crowd and the luxurious AquaGrand is one of them, lucky for us. Occupying an idyllic and relaxing beach-front location with some pretty amazing views of the Aegean Sea, this five-star spot screams luxury and is the perfect place to unwind minus any annoying kids.

bohemia-grancanaria.com

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TOPFIVE MY EXPERIENCE

ELOÏSE KERRSMILEY STAYED AT BARCELO HAMILTON WHY DID YOU STAY AT THIS HOTEL?

My best friend and I wanted a last-minute girlie getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of London life. We were looking for somewhere with guaranteed sunshine, short flights, good value for money, quick transfers and by the sea. WHAT WAS THE ATMOSPHERE LIKE?

Barcelo Hamilton was instantly welcoming and the atmosphere friendly and relaxing – we felt completely at home from the get go. The rooms were clean and spacious with beautiful views and all the staff were very accommodating. We were well looked after from start to finish. WHAT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS?

CASA CARISMA, BADALUCCO, ITALY

HOTEL PELIROCCO, BRIGHTON, UK

Like it a bit kinky? Of course you do. And none of us want kids to see that, so you need the Casa Carisma. This old farm house on the Italian Riviera near San Remo (Italy’s wannabe Monte Carlo) and some 30km from the French border is set at the end of a private road in an olive grove. It’s the ideal place for outdoor fun and games of all kinds – and you can do whatever you like (wearing whatever you like) all day long. The living room has a fireplace for ‘cozy evenings’ (wink).

This is getting a bit saucy so we couldn’t not mention this Brighton institution with 19 themed rooms created by fashionistas, musicians and the like. Okay it means no going abroad, but the wild Betty’s Boudoir is dedicated to the 1950s pin-up Betty Page and comes complete with leopard-print, king-size bed (oh, and matching handcuffs). We’re also big fans of the Modrophenia Room. Yep, it has an awesome shiny red Lambretta coming out of the bedroom wall. How cool is that?

casacarisma.it

The Blue Sky Bar! This hidden gem on the roof has it all – Jacuzzis, day beds and incredible views out to sea. They also serve delicious tea cocktails at the bar. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS HOTEL TO COUPLES?

Definitely – the hotel is adults-only and a real treat, especially as I was there in July during school holidays. Sa Cova restaurant serves delicious seafood and is incredibly romantic too.

hotelpelirocco.co.uk

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TRAVELEXPERIENCE

With icy rain trickling down the back of my neck and my hands practically frozen solid to the garden fork I was holding, I did have a moment of doubt. Was shovelling great piles of sodden straw matted together with duck shit so smelly it made my eyes water really so much better than the dull-but-dry office job I had left behind? It was my first day as a Workaway volunteer (workaway. info) – one of a number of web-based exchange schemes that connect willing volunteers around the world with hosts who need an extra pair of hands – and I was already wondering if I had made a catastrophically bad decision. My host, a no-nonsense Yorkshire woman who had spent the past 15 years living alone on a remote smallholding in north-eastern Spain clearly had no time for soft city types. And so, the duck shit having been relocated to the compost pile, she wasted no time in sending me down a disused well with a bucket on a string. For the rest of the day I repeatedly filled said bucket with broken glass, plastic bottles, old plates and the odd semi-decomposed sock that had been tossed into the bowels of the earth over the years, for her to haul up and dump in a wheel barrow. Having spent the wettest winter on record squelching around England, I’d decided it was time to wave goodbye to computer screens for a while, and head off to sunny Spain. My aim was twofold: to experience the country beyond the sand and sangria, and to learn more about the world of organic gardening and sustainable living. Similar to programmes like WOOFing, ‘workawayers’ receive board and lodging in return for four to five hours’ work per day, five days a week. Unlike WOOFing, however, hosts on the Workaway site are not necessarily farmers, and may be looking for individuals or couples to help with anything from childcare and language exchange to gardening, building or hospitality work. 42

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WHISTLE WHILE YOU

Ducks, bad-tempered parrots and mad scientists: Natasha Were shovels, builds and chauffeurs her way through Spain with Workaway

The village of Ronda in Andalusia ›› TNTMAGAZINE.COM

TRAVELEXPERIENCE between the chickens, orchard My first placement Enjoying calçotada and vegetable garden, wasn’t all bad, and having provided for almost all their apparently passed the food needs. initiation test, I was reThe gardens and terraces allocated to more enjoyable were magical, bursting with jobs, such as feeding the colourful flowers and all poultry and collecting eggs, sorts of private little nooks walking the dogs, weeding, to sit quietly with a book, or and planting crops for the laze away the afternoon in a coming season. I came to swaying hammock. look forward to my daily In the mornings I would visit to the ducks, who never pick oranges from the tree failed to make me smile and squeeze myself a juice, as they waddled about on and perhaps boil a freshly laid their splayed orange feet, egg, while lunch and dinner quacking away happily, and were prepared with flavourenthusiastically attempting packed vegetables straight to swim in two inches of from the garden. My hosts filthy water. clearly delighted in having On days off, my host volunteers stay with them, took me with her to local and we all worked together to farmers’ markets in quaint build a garden shed and clear medieval villages, and to the last of the winter crops the picturesque Costa Brava, from the organic vegetable where steep pine-clad patch, weed it and prepare it hillsides plunged down into to sow summer crops. After sandy coves, which, at that the day’s work was done I time of year, were devoid would take long walks along of people. the river, go for bike rides to One Saturday afternoon neighbouring villages, and in March, I found myself watch artisans at work in the standing at a long table many traditional potteries in with a bib tied around my Double whammy: Tie your trip in with Bilbao BBK festival the area. neck, readying myself for my Animal lovers in the first calçotada. A seasonal extreme, Maria and Matthew gastronomic celebration chopped the scraps for the particular to the Cataluña chickens into bite-size pieces, region, calçotadas are noisy, and even encouraged their messy affairs that involve the favourite cat to sit down to grilling of dozens of bundles dinner with them, placing a of large spring onion-like glass of water for her to drink vegetables, which are then from on the table. stripped of their charred Keen to show me outer leaves, dipped into a their adopted country, at rich red sauce and dangled weekends we drove through overhead, before being impressive gorges and winedropped into open maws. growing country, visited It’s all helped down with ancient villages precariously plenty of steak, sausages, and perched at the edges of cliffs lashings of red wine poured and picnicked by hidden straight from glass jugs into waterfalls. With the sun open mouths. It’s neither shining on my last weekend, we took their gigantic dog, Osa elegant nor ladylike, but it is definitely good fun. (meaning ‘bear’), for a walk at the coast. Unfortunately, Osa Two weeks later I arrived in Miravet, a small, historic was one of those dogs that had a tendency to bound up to village on the banks of the Ebro river, where a charming total strangers and bury her head in their crotches – not the older Dutch couple welcomed me warmly into the home worst thing in the world, except that the beach they had they shared with their two dogs, a dozen cats and a badchosen to take a walk on was a nudist beach… tempered parrot. Keen advocates of sustainable living, their From there I made my way south to a pretty whitewashed restored country house was entirely solar powered and,

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TRAVELEXPERIENCE

Pretty Andalucia

As we drove along narrow winding roads, high into the mountains of the Serrania de Ronda and into sparkling white villages nestled next to shimmering lakes, he’d regale me with endless stories of his incorrigible ways. And in the evenings, when we arrived back in the village, I would take a moment to stand and breathe deeply, savouring the complete silence, the stars and the scent of jasmine that hung in the air. After many-a cold beer, and many more laughs, it was time to move on. I knew anything would be a little disappointing after such a fun few weeks – but nothing could have prepared me for the absolute squalor that awaited me at my fourth stop, on Spain’s Atlantic coast. There, the drain in the bath had clearly been blocked for some time, but the residents of the house had continued to use the shower, so I arrived to find the bathtub full of cold, grey, scummy water with clumps of hair floating in it. Toilet paper could not be put down the loo, and so there

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Photos: Thinkstock and www.workaway.info

village in the mountains of Andalucia, where immaculate cobbled streets were lined with potted plants and a fresh water spring was channelled through the village, filling it with the sound of running water. A dishevelled-looking man with long, unkempt white hair and a wrongly buttoned shirt bounded down the steps to greet me. He had the look and air of a mad scientist about him and was, I soon discovered, one of the most disorganised, forgetful and absent-minded people I have ever met. He was forever turning on taps or opening the fridge, then walking away forgetting all Breathe it in: You can take time out to enjoy Spain about it, muttering, “Now where did I leave my glasses/ phone/wallet?”. was a stinking bucket next to it, which was overflowing with He was also, however, one of the most interesting, dirty, used paper. Cobwebs hung from every surface, the intelligent and kind-hearted people I’d ever had the good colour of the floor was impossible to determine below the fortune to cross paths with. A travel writer and walking guide, layer of filth, and the entire kitchen was sticky to the touch he’d been everywhere, it seemed, and had a story for every with years’ worth of accumulated grease. This one, I quickly occasion. He knew every soul in the village, had friends for decided, called for an immediate exit. miles around, and an almost constant stream of house guests. There’s always an element of risk when you choose to My first weekend there I accompanied him to a get-together stay in a stranger’s home. Some hosts take in volunteers a friend from the next village was having. The beer and wine because they genuinely enjoy the interaction and exchange; flowed freely, and with one of the guests being a flamenco others, perhaps inevitably, see it as little more than a source singer, it wasn’t long before the clapping, foot stamping and of free labour. But by doing your research, asking plenty of dancing that is so typical of Andalucia got underway. questions, and not committing yourself to anything you are My two-week stay soon turned into four, my duties mainly not sure about, this type of volunteering can be an excellent consisting of driving my host around on various errands or to way to meet new people, experience a different culture from meet up with friends (he’d lost his licence, among numerous the inside, and make your travel budget stretch a lot further. other things), and picking up his most valuable possessions when Like anything in life, it’s a mixed bag. But for me, the he left them in shops, on the roof of the car, or in the village bar. adventure continues…

Photos: Thinkstock, www.coasteeringwales.com, Zipworld

Have a Wales of a time A craggy coastline, peaks and troughs lined with foaming rivers, and deep, dark caves make North Wales a playground for adventure-seekers WORDS MATTHEW BASEDEN BUTT

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North Wales; land of lyrical accents, untamed coastal beauty, and proud green hills rising and falling like the crests and troughs of grassy waves. Nowadays, too, it’s home to increasing numbers of young people from London, taking breaks from work to rugby charge headfirst into a wide range of adrenalin-pumped adventurous pursuits. Why are so many of us swapping the Piccadilly Line for the zip line? Badger, a friendly director at One Planet Adventure (Badger asked this nickname to be used not for anonymity reasons, but the opposite: “Nobody knows me by anything else”), whose responsibilities include helping run the show at the Llandegla Forest mountain bike trails, had his own thoughts on the rising popularity of thrillfuelled breaks in North Wales. “There’s just too much mollycoddling in modern life; people feel beset by so much health and safety nonsense nowadays. The bike trails here are still a safe environment but they let people feel they can break away from all that; it gives them an adrenaline rush, a sense of danger. Mountain biking is very in vogue right now too, which probably doesn’t hurt.” But why Wales? According to Badger, part of the answer is sheer open space. Wales is currently home to more than 20,000 miles of public rights of way, around 30% of which

UKTRIP

The Quay Hotel & Spa

The mile-long wire at Zipworld

are bridleways and byways legal for the use of giddy cyclists and the steady trot and canter of horse riders. For a country with an entire population less than half of that of London, this means a lot of open space for each and every rambler, cyclist or horse-rider. Even if two-wheeled plundering up and down steep ground isn’t your thing, or if just the ground isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more to do. Zipworld, now in its second year, is home to the Northern Hemisphere’s longest zip line, a mile-long beast in the village of Bethesda. Bethesda is no stranger to such boasts, either – the line is located in what used to be the world’s largest slate quarry. The whole attraction is both all kinds of fun and an almost too perfect piece of symbolism of the past and present economies of Wales: the old quarries and mines of yore have all but gone and made way for the rejuvenating vivaciousness of a thriving tourism industry. If you prefer being closer to sea level, the Irish Sea can remedy you. Anglesey Adventures (angleseyadventures.com) offers a day of coasteering – where you explore the rocky coastline by climbing, jumping and swimming – for a cool £120, or short courses for less. Wildlife spotting as you go, the company also offers a 99mph ride along the Menai Strait. It’s easy to see the attraction of being out there on the waves for the average urban city dweller; endless sea around you

Llynnau Mymbyr Capel Curig, Snowdonia

Just hanging at Zipworld

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watersports, and if so, once again, the bountiful bosom of Wales provides. The region’s top attraction is the National White Water Centre (ukrafting.co.uk). In the shadow of Snowdon, the frothing mountain river plays host to novice rafters and the occasional canoeing world championship. In all, there’s nothing like getting home at the end of your break and feeling that incomparably pleasurable exhaustion spread through you; that exquisitely satisfying ache that tells you you’ve had a good time, safe in the knowledge you have the best bragging material for water-cooler chat when you get back to work. North Wales specialises in the export of that inimitable feeling. Where to stay For weekends packed with so much rugged endeavour, a person needs a relaxing place to crash. Now, it may be an overly whimsical idea, but a nice one, to think that certain buildings have a personality that they will retain through the years. The Craig-Y-Dderwen, also known as the Snowdonia Hotel (snowdoniahotel.com), is both a relaxing spot to crash and a place that greatly encourages such an idea. Built in 1890 by an industrialist from the Midlands, it is described as a place where ‘he could enjoy a retreat from the pressures of business’. Apart from a wartime spell as a secret MoD base, little has essentially changed. The almost unreal beauty of the place is like a hidden, lush green secret where the outside world’s troubles cannot intrude. For those who come along for the ride, dip their toes in the hot bath of adventure activities and find it to be a few degrees off their optimum temperature, the Quay Hotel and Spa (quayhotel.co.uk) in Deganway, Conwy, provides a somewhat more sedate experience. Customers can watch the sun set and the tide come in before having their aches, pains and cares massaged away at the spa. Where to eat

Go coasteering with Anglesey Adventures and endless sky above. The nearest a Londoner will get on an average day to feeling the electrifying coolness of salty sea spray on your face is when the snivelling, poorly chump crammed next to you on the Tube sneezes a bit too suddenly. All that pounding the waves in a RIB (that’s Rigid Inflatable Boat to landlubbers) may have whetted your appetite for

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facebook.com/shaggysheepwales Quote TNT for a free round of drinks!

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Not only is a place to crash necessary, but a good eatery too. In 2013 Signatures Restaurant (signaturesrestaurant.co.uk) in Conwy was awarded the no-messing-around title of ‘Best Place to Eat’ by the Welsh National Tourism Awards. That in mind, the price of just over £25 for a three-course meal is a definite reason to be cheerful. To stockpile quality local produce to take home, stick in Conwy and head for Bodnant Welsh Food Centre (bodnantwelshfood.co.uk), which has its own restaurant and farm shop, complete with produce including beef, honey and cheese that it produces straight from the Bodnant estate itself. A veritable foodie’s dream, it overlooks the Conwy estuary and aspiring chefs can book into the Bodnant cooking school to steal some Welsh culinary secrets. For the tolerant, if slightly exasperated, spouses of said foodies who are more into eating than cooking, the centre’s produce is cooked up in the Hayloft Restaurant on-site, again for more-than reasonable prices – a three-course meal is but £15. Get stuck in, we say. Where to party There exist in this world those who, like Casanova, are in possession of a supply of inexhaustible energy and are just as at home in a palace or a tavern (or in this case, up a mountain or in a nightclub) and need places to party come nightfall. The K2 nightclub in Caernarfon (cofiroc-k2.com) is a good all-rounder, with a cafe-bar that gets more raucous by night, the main nightclub, and the Oasis Bar, a more chilled area to recover from dancing.

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Go to tntmagazine.com/competitions. See webpage for terms and conditions. Winners will be selected at random.

WIN 1 OF 5 PAIRS OF TICKETS TO [TITLE] [ADDITIONAL] SEE THE SPLASH HIT URINETOWN! The ripples of revolution are now reaching the shores of the West End! Urinetown, the satirical musical comedy that was a sell-out splash hit at St James’ Theatre arrives in London’s West End at the beautifully refurbished Apollo Theatre. Award-winning director, Jamie Lloyd (Richard III, The Commitments) directs this sharp-witted rampant riot of a show that tells the tale of a town about to burst; spending a penny can prove problematic in a place where the privilege to pee has become a punishable offence. There is no such thing as rent-free relief until our young

hero, Bobby Strong, appears – with more than a good set of pipes – and starts a revolution! Sometimes all you need is a drop of hope to change the world. Make sure you catch this truly hilarious and critically acclaimed audience favourite when you’re in town. Terms and conditions apply. Valid on Monday to Thursday performances from September 29 to November 27, 2014. Subject to availability. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. Enter at tntmagazine.com/competitions urinetown.co.uk

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PREVIOUS WINNERS COPY OF GAGARIN – FIRST IN SPACE: Neil Lawrence, Pete Aighton, Rebecca Inman, Richard Tyler, Joanne Evans / PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE DJ TOMMY TRASH AT MINISTRY OF SOUND: Liz Huntley, Donna Large, Jordan Gamble, Chris Fletcher, Natalie Gillham TNTMAGAZINE.COM

View over the Tiber River and St Peter Basilica, Rome

ITALY xxx EUROPE XXXX

Xxxx

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Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Photos: Thinkstock

Out and about in Calabria

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EUROPEANBREAK

Rule Italia The sight of stunning countryside, the taste and smell of delicious food, the sound of classical music and the touch of a hot Italian (well, we can hope); get ready for a sensory overload... WORDS CHARLOTTE LENNON

Ah Italy. This stunning country has lured us with its siren call many times; promising days spent meandering through winding lanes, visiting historic buildings, and romantic balmy nights over superb wine and incredibly fresh and delicious food. It has to be said... mamma mia.

Best for… countryside CALABRIA The toe of the boot of Italy, Calabria is famed for its fertile agricultural landscape, making it a dream for farmers and holidaymakers alike. This picturesque province is rural Italy at its most beautiful: vibrant green surroundings scattered with olive trees, lemon groves and renowned vineyards make it perfect for food and wine as well as views. The people have a famously warm and friendly disposition and are always enthusiastic to share local wisdom. We visited beautiful villages such as Le Castella, Santa Severina and the most secluded beaches along the Italian coast on the advice of some affable locals. There are several tasting tours of the

Calabria countryside, which take you through the rolling hills and sunny coastline to work on farms and vineyards. If you prefer to take it all in at your own pace, a simple stroll through Calabria is serene, tranquil and unforgettable. Come to Calabria if you’re a sucker for romantic Italy and are in need of a peaceful escape. WHERE TO STAY For decades, Calabria has been one of the most popular destinations for ‘agriturismo’, an Italian style of holiday where guests stay in renovated farmhouses. Farmhouse hotels, such as Acqua di Friso (acquadifriso.it), offer meals from food produced on the farm and allow guests to get involved with farming activities. There is also a wide selection of more conventional hotels around Calabria to pick from with prices starting at £29 a night.

Best for… culture ROME It sounds obvious, but there really is nowhere as filled with amazing art, history, entertainment and architecture ›› TNTMAGAZINE.COM

souvenir market, Mercato Nuovo. If you’re looking to buy some lovely unique gifts and souvenirs for those back home, then head down the side streets off of Via del Corso for a wide variety of quaint boutiques; everything from vintage bric-a-brac, home wares, chocolatiers, perfumeries and antique stores reside here. WHERE TO STAY The website visitflorence.com is helpful for finding accommodation based on what activities and sights in Florence you want to be near to. Conveniently close to the airport, Soggiorno Pitti costs £40 a night and is within walking to distance to the heart of Florence.

Best for… food

Overlooking Scilla Castle, Calabria as Rome; you could spend years here and still not have seen or done it all. The Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica and the Pantheum really are as magnificent and thrilling as you’d imagine, and just travelling between these landmarks you’ll pass numerous museums and galleries. Allow yourself to get distracted en route, as Rome has just as much to offer in undiscovered treasures as it does in world-famous, monumental attractions. Chiesa di Santa Prassede resides on a quiet side street near the Basilicia of Santa Maria Maggiore; easy to miss and underwhelming from the outside, but breathtaking inside and filled with dazzling Byzantine art. Rome can be difficult to get around, so if you trust your navigational skills then opt for using the bus system as opposed to expensive taxis or confusing train lines. WHERE TO STAY There’s no shortage of hotels in Rome. Hotel Atlante Star costs from £17 a night and is just a few minutes’ walk from the Vatican, with magnificent views of Rome from the roof terrace.

Best for… shopping FLORENCE For those of us who can’t afford to trawl the designer boutiques of Milan, Florence offers a fabulous taste of Italy’s legendary fashion world for half the price. Florence is also a much more relaxing shopping destination, with the street markets, designer outlet factories and a selection of shops making it a must for bargain hunters and fashion fiends alike. San Lorenzo market can be overwhelming, but when you know where to look, and have mastered the art of haggling, you’ll find great bargains on some high-quality clothes and accessories – just make sure you know what you’re looking for and how much you should be paying. The duomo (cathedral) square in the centre of Florence is shopping mania. Here you can find the boutiques of worldfamous designers, which are sightseeing events in themselves; even if the strings on your Primark purse are too tight to shell out £3,000 for a new Gucci bag, fashion lovers will revel in admiring these grand stores. For some more realistic price tags, the area around Ponte Vecchio – the magnificent medieval bridge – is home to some recognisable chain stores such as Zara and H&M, as well as the famous leather and 52

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MONTECATINI In this Tuscan town, head high to Montecatini Alto, a medieval mountain-top hamlet where there’s an abundance of quaint eateries serving hearty Italian food. You’ll forget what century you’re in when eating delicious, authentic Italian food overlooking scenic Tuscany. At Caffe Giusto, try the most popular dish – fresh bread piled high with mozzarella and tomatoes, drizzled with garlic olive oil. For all-out Mediterranean romance, try some pasta at charming Casa Gala as you listen to jazz music. Pecora Nera is another one not to be missed, as friendly owner Luciana will personally see to it that you get the best possible service; if your server tempts you to have the fresh sea-bass, take their advice as it’s some of the best nautical nosh in Italy. Wherever you decide to have your food, wash it down with some local wine for a really traditional experience. Montecatini is definitely an underrated foodie haven as well as a stunning holiday destination, so if idyllic meals in dream destinations are your thing then this town will be just to your taste. WHERE TO STAY Albergo Natucci is a pretty hotel in picturesque surrounds with a charming old Italian feel and welcoming staff; a night here costs around £30 and is a great place to come back to for a food nap after devouring the delights that the town has to offer.

Best for… beaches CEFALU If your idea of paradise is a centuries-old fishing village filled with honey-hued buildings built into the rugged cliffs, white sandy beaches and the Mediterranean Sea glistening in the horizon, then join the club. This coastal town in the north of Sicily is an unspoilt glimpse into Sicilian fishing town life centuries ago. The beach is considered one of the most beautiful and serene in Europe, and really has to be seen to be believed. The brightly coloured fishing boats that line the sandy shore are a hint as to what to do when you start to feel peckish; eating some freshly caught fish as you overlook the stunning Sicilian bay will have you in the lap of luxury. Fishing culture here is still very prevalent; visit the small port to watch seasoned sailors and anglers reeling in their nets and boast about their catches of the day. Not one for those seeking a solitary getaway, as unsurprisingly this heavenly bay gets extremely busy during the summer months, but if the hustle and bustle of busy, narrow lanes is up your (cobbled) street then you’ll love the buzz and beauty of Cefalu in the summertime. WHERE TO STAY Bed and breakfast Palazzo Villelmi costs £43 a night with views of Cefalu beach and a tasty breakfast buffet on offer each morning.

O K T O BER FES T

LA TOMATINA THE WORLD’S BIGGEST FOOD FIGHT! n 3 or 4 Days Beach Camping 25/26-28 AUG n 3 or 4 Days Hostel/Hotel 25/26-28 AUG n Ibiza + La Tom Combos 23-28 AUG or 25-31 AUG n Barcelona & Italy Combo tours also available!

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CROATIA

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ISLANDS

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ALL BLACKS n NZ V SCOTLAND SAT 15 NOV fr£189 n NZ V WALES

fr£499

ISLAND HOPPING & PARTYING IN THE MAGNIFICENT GREEK ISLANDS! n 6 Nights fr£299 n 4 Nights fr£229

WALLABIES

n AUS V WALES, FRANCE, IRELAND, ENLGAND & BARBARIANS

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EDINBURGH’S INCREDIBLE NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATIONS! n 3 Nights Hostel or Hotel 30 DEC-2 JAN

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RIO CARNIVAL

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WHEN? FEBRUARY 13-18, 2015

FESTIVAL GUIDE

RIO CARNIVAL It’s 8am on a Sunday morning, I’m four days into a strict caipirinha diet, and I’m staggering across Rio on a Metro train. This being the world’s biggest party, you might be thinking it’s finally home time. But no, I’m going out. Forget New Year’s Eve parties, destined for disappointment, and believe the hype – Rio’s celebration of dance, freedom and life is as good as the good times get. Stumbling off my train, I head for Rio suburb Santa Teresa where one of Carnival’s coolest blocos, or street parties, is supposedly in full swing. The sleepy Sunday morning streets, however, mean I’m soon doubting my rum-fuelled memories (what was I thinking, 8am? Idiot!). And then I turn the corner. I’m met by a throbbing sea of nuns and deafening drums – I’m in the thick of Bloco das Carmelitas. To one side are a bunch of halfnaked Angry Birds, to the other are the Super Mario Brothers, but most of the thousands bouncing on the cobbles are in the black and white of nun’s habits, this street party’s theme. 54 00

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Everybody is dancing, most people are drinking, and there’s not an unhappy face in sight. When you’ve partied for this long, it seems, the time of day has no significance. And this is how Rio Carnival goes, day in, day out, for a week. At any time of day there will be a bloco somewhere in the city. There’s often several to choose between. And where there’s a bloco, there’s eskies full of cheap beers and food or stalls mixing up the freshest (and most powerful) caipirinhas you’ve ever got your lips around. Indeed, as one smirking Rio local, barman Luiz Farias, told me before the festivities began: “Carnival is a marathon not a sprint. It’s about free dancing, free drinking and free loving, for day after day after day. Right now we’re working on our stamina, our tans and on getting single!” He’s not wrong. A week of 24/7 madness, where at any time of day the streets are thick with sound systems and people, is the party to end all parties. Luckily, Brazil has a few sublime beaches on which to recover…

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RIO CARNIVAL

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Words: Andrew Westbrook Photos: Getty

CHECKING IN

HOW DID IT BEGIN?

WHAT TO EXPECT

Like so many of the world’s most debauched parties, Rio Carnival’s roots are in religion, with this celebration of indulgence being a precursor to the 40 days of austerity that is Lent. Brought to Brazil by the Portuguese in 1723, Carnival was initially a well-heeled affair, with rich colonialists donning luxurious masks and attending waltzes, but it increasingly became a working class (or slave class) festival. As the pulsating Afro-Brazilian rhythms of samba were born, so were the Carioca samba schools, each from different slums around the city. They’d work all year on their costumes and moves before competing on the streets, often sneaking sarcastic political messages into their lavish displays.

Feathers, fur and plenty of flesh are, for most people, the images that first spring to mind if you mention Carnival. However, most of those photos in the media each year aren’t taken out on the street, but in the 90,000-seater Sambadrome, where Rio’s samba schools do battle in organised parades each night, for which you’ll need a ticket, starting at £35 if you’re organised. The real heart and soul of Carnival, however, is in the more fluid street parties, or blocos, where most of the inhabitants of Cidade Maravilhosa, or the Marvellous City, will be getting, well, blotto. They might start at 6am, 2pm or 10pm, stay still or move around, but they will all feature plenty of drinking, dancing and wandering hands.

GET IN THE SPIRIT

WHAT ELSE?

Rule number one of Carnival is making sure you’re not just a passive spectator, so whether it’s simply a feather boa or a hat covered in fruit, dressing up to some degree is practically law. If you’re hoping to take part in one of the Sambadrome parades, you need to join an official samba school, where having your own costume will be your ticket to the action. But beware, they’re not cheap – expect to pay anywhere from £600 to £6,000 (see rio.com). Of course, there’s no need to go down the official route if you’re not bothered about actually dancing through the Sambadrome. Whether you dress as a Smurf, a nun or even Borat, just getting into the Carnival spirit will ensure you make plenty of friends.

Yes, you’re in Brazil for Carnival, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip the rest of what Rio has to offer. The iconic Christ the Redeemer is not to be missed. Get to the 706m Corcovado peak early to beat the crowds and clouds (£13, corcovado.com. br). Then soak up the city’s next best view by taking the cable car up 400m to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain (£16, bondinho.com.br). Next get your City of God experience with a tour of Rocinha, the largest of Rio’s 700-plus favelas (£21, bealocal. com). And finally, squeeze into your skimpiest Speedos and head to Ipanema, Copacabana or Leblon beaches to get schooled in footvolley – think volleyball, but only using your feet and head.

IPANEMA BEACH HOUSE OVERVIEW Right in the heart of arguably Rio’s coolest beach suburb – Ipanema – the Beach House is a friendly, party-loving hostel set in an old and beautiful, but modernised, house. The spectacular beach is just three blocks away, while many of the city’s top bars and restaurants are even closer. The area is also one of the most popular for blocos (street parties) during Carnival, meaning the madness will rarely be more than a few steps away. WOW FACTOR Head through the main house to the garden and sun-trap pool area, totally perfect for escaping the insanity on the street. ROOMS There are 13 rooms, some of which are stylish doubles. There are also plenty of dorms, famous for their dizzying triple bunks. A buffet breakfast is included, as is use of the communal kitchen. BILL PLEASE Beds cost from £15 a night, but expect that to at least quadruple for Carnival, probably with a minimum stay of six nights.

Rua Barão da Torre 485 ipanemahosue.com

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Take a walk on the wild side A vast and often inhospitable landscape, wild animals, frequent political turmoil; East Africa takes you out of your comfort zone and into a world of extraordinary experiences WORDS TOM COOTE

Best for: Mountain gorillas

Best for: Adventure sports

RWANDA Despite its horrific recent past, Rwanda is probably the safest and friendliest country in East Africa. It has great mountain scenery, is far cooler than the coast and, outside of the capital Kigali, still has some food and accommodation bargains for independent travellers. There’s a decent inland beach at Lake Kiva, and a number of pleasant day trips that take you out into the tea plantations and lush countryside. But the biggest single attraction has to be trekking through the Virungas in search of mountain gorillas. Unfortunately, although slightly cheaper to do than in nearby Uganda, the permits alone will still cost you hundreds of dollars. WHAT ELSE? Everywhere you go in Rwanda there are Genocide Museums and Memorials. Many of the corpses have been covered in lime and left out for everybody to see their smashed-in skulls and severed limbs. They want you to see for yourself what happened – and it’s stomach-churning stuff. WHERE TO STAY AND EAT The Discover Rwanda Hostel (discoverrwandayouthhostelkigali.com) is a popular base for backpackers in the capital, Kigali. It also arranges budget tours to some of Rwanda’s national parks. Outside of Kigali, some of the best budget accommodation can be found in church-run guest-houses that will also often provide goodvalue buffet meals.

UGANDA Jinja, at the source of the Nile, has developed a reputation as the adrenalin centre of East Africa. As well as first-class white water rafting, there are plenty of other adventure sports and activities on offer, such as quad biking, mountain biking and bungee jumping. The health and safety standards are all up to international standards – most of these companies are owned and run by Westerners – but unfortunately the prices are also pretty much on a par with Australia or New Zealand. WHAT ELSE? Slightly off the beaten track, the gorgeous Lake Bunyoni is worth a few days’ stay on the way to or from Rwanda or the Mountain Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. WHERE TO STAY AND EAT Many independent travellers opt to stay at big hostels such as the Red Chilli Hideaway (redchillihideaway.com), on the outskirts of the capital Kampala, and then get free transport to Jinja when they book up their adventure sports. They also offer budget safaris to popular national parks such as Murchison Falls. For food, Red Chilli offers free shuttle buses to the nearest shopping mall, closer to the centre of Kampala; but most backpackers just take the easier option of eating at the hostel’s own budget restaurant.

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A GUIDE TO EAST AFRICA

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GO IT ALONE...

Pictures: Getty, Thinkstock and Oasis Overland

If you are planning to fly into and then travel overland around East Africa, then you might want to consider flying into one location with Air Kenya, such as Bujumbura (via Nairobi), and then out of another one such as Zanzibar (again, via Nairobi). It doesn’t cost much more to do this than a straight return to Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. There has been talk of a multicountry East Africa visa for some time now but it still doesn’t appear to have taken off. It’s easy enough to buy the required visas at the border posts, providing you have some passport photos and the exact change in US Dollars, but if you are planning to travel around the whole region then a multi-country visa would definitely save you some money.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Best for: Wildlife & safaris KENYA Although Tanzania is also world renowned for its game parks, Kenya arguably offers the biggest and best variety of safaris on the planet. It is also still possible to find some more budget-friendly camping safaris, with a couple of nights out in the Masai Mara in search of big game, and another night at Lake Nakuru to check out the huge gatherings of flamingos. The best-value option would probably be to book up a budget safari through one of the large backpacker hostels in the suburbs of Nairobi. WHAT ELSE? Kenya’s other big attraction is, of course, the beaches. Unfortunately, some of the hawkers to be found along many of Kenya’s most attractive beaches can be a little too persistent (“Where are you from?”, “Who do you support?”, “Lovely jubbly”...). WHERE TO STAY AND EAT Owing to the staggering rise of property prices in central Nairobi, most of the decent budget accommodation has now moved out into the safer and more pleasant suburbs. If you wish to stay closer to the big city, then Kahama Hotel & Restaurant (kahamahotel. co.ke/bar.html) is walking distance from the main bus station and relatively good value. Best for: Mount Kilimanjaro

...OR TAKE A TOUR Intrepid travellers may be happy to go it alone in the depths of Africa, but if you want the adventure without the worry of permits, visas, how to get around, and roaming into risky areas, be sure to book an epic trip with a tour company. We can recommend Absolute Africa (absoluteafrica.com), which offers safaris from one week to 11, as well as volunteering projects, gorilla trekking and overlanding on a shoestring. Oasis Overland (oasisoverland.co.uk) offers various cross-continent tours, including ones that pick you up right from UK shores, taking you through some 22 countries in Africa.

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TANZANIA The highlight for many visitors to East Africa is the climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the snowtipped mountain towering over Africa’s equator. You won’t need any ropes or crampons as it’s really more of a strenuous hike than a climbing expedition, but that doesn’t mean that plenty don’t make it all the way. Tanzania’s other huge natural asset is, of course, the world-famous Serengeti National Park and Nogorongoro Crater (the Serengeti in Tanzania is actually joined on to the Masai Mara in Kenya). The epic annual migration of wildebeest is the biggest attraction in April and May. WHAT ELSE? A great place to start or end a trip to East Africa is the ‘spice island’ of Zanzibar. Most visitors choose to stay in the wonderfully atmospheric ‘stone town’. There is a huge variety of accommodation and restaurants,

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beautiful beaches, and plenty of historic sites to explore here, so definitely worth some time. WHERE TO STAY AND EAT There are a cluster of budget hotels in Kisutu in Dar es Salaam, within walking distance to the ferry to Zanzibar. The quality of the food in the mainland cities can be variable, to say the least.

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Best for: Off-the-beaten-track travel BURUNDI Few travellers make it as far as this tiny nation, squashed up between the giants of Tanzania and DRC, with only an impressively scenic mountain road connecting it to its culturally and geographically similar neighbour, Rwanda. Unless you have your own transport, or are willing to hire taxis by the day, then it is difficult to travel far outside the capital but it may well be worth considering a few days in Bujumbura. Coconut Beach, along Lake Tanganyika, has decent sandy inland beaches, and is only a short taxi ride out of the city. As well as the usual crowded African markets, and the recently renovated Musée Vivant, there are also a surprising number of decent cafés and good-value restaurants. WHAT ELSE? Despite some stiff competition, Bujumbura is home to possibly the world’s worst zoo. Having paid the entrance fee you will be escorted to packed cages of guinea pigs and bunny rabbits, which you will be invited to purchase so as to throw them over a two foot tall concrete wall into the mouths of hungry crocodiles. You need to be careful not to stand too close to the chimpanzee’s cage too, as they like to reach out through the holes in it. There were also a worrying number of cracks and holes in the glass screens, supposedly designed to protect the visitors from their collection of venomous snakes. Yikes. WHERE TO STAY AND EAT There are no backpacker hostels in Bujumbura, so most independent travellers opt to stay at the centrally located and secure Hotel De L’amitié (laicohotels.com). As it’s not recommended to wander too far around the streets at night, your best bet for evening meals is an excellent new coffee shop at the back of the nearby mini mall. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Indo-needs-ya Like a path of breadcrumbs leading you from Asia to Australia, Indonesia is spread across a chain of thousands of islands. TNT urges you to follow the trail... EDITED BY IAN ARMITAGE

First-time travellers to Indonesia usually head straight for Bali. It is Indonesia’s doe-eyed beauty and the undoubted star; a real boon for tourism. But Indonesia is an incredibly diverse archipelago, with no less than 17,000 islands, each with their own identity. So next time you head home, be sure to make a stop off at one or more. Here we offer you a nifty little overview of this expansive and beautiful country, giving you an insight into the popular travel hotspots, and revealing one or two incredibly valuable travel tips (it’s our speciality in case you didn’t know). This is an adventure that’s affordable and increasingly accessible – although half the fun is travelling in tiny, fragile planes, rusty boats and back-firing buses. It’s worth noting that if you only have a few days or even a couple of weeks, you’ll have a better time if you restrict yourself to exploring a small area; don’t try to island hop over 3,000km to see your top 10 sights. It’ll be a nightmare! Itinerary ideas IN 2-3 DAYS If you have limited time, it’s admittedly best to head straight to Bali, which most tourists do. Hotels are a dime a dozen, from five-star luxury outfits to budget $2-a-night rooms without a fan or fly screen (goodbye sleep). Spend your time surfing the reef breaks, feasting on cheap seafood, sampling the unique nightlife, shopping ‘til you drop and exploring mystical Hindu temples. IN A WEEK With a week up your sleeve, there is a bit more time for you to get to know Bali a little better. Explore the Bukit peninsula and head into the misty mountains at Ubud. In your last few days, catch a ferry across to Nusa Lembongan or Lombok, or consider flying to the island of Sumbawa. These places are slightly off the radar, offering a more traditional experience and an insight into the simpler Indonesia, away from the neon tourist districts of Bali. IN TWO WEEKS+ After exploring Bali and stopping in at Lombok or Sumbawa, head west to the islands of Java or Sumatra. Java has the capital, Jakarta, along with the peaceful mountain hideaway of Yogjakarta. Meanwhile, Sumatra is home to verdant rainforests chocka with bird life and orang-utans. Alternatively, head east from Bali and explore the oft-overlooked islands of Roti and Timor. Bali Bali is the complete tropical island: lush, culturally unique and exotic, yet it has all forms of creature comforts. It’s also

a surfing mecca: the epic reef breaks of Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Bingin have lured surfers from all corners of the globe since the 1970s. Back then, Bali was largely untouched by tourism. These days, with an international airport within a ‘coo-ee’ of the waves, the most popular breaks are always packed with a small army of Australian, Brazilian, American and local surfers. Still, with warm water and perfect coral-reef barrels, it remains a surfer’s paradise. The island is bursting with natural attractions, with miles of sandy beaches from Legian to Kuta and Nusa Dua, picturesque rice terraces, towering active volcanoes, pristine crater lakes, sacred caves, and lush tropical forests full of exotic wildlife. It’s also a scuba diver’s paradise – the best Bali diving sites are along the east coast near Candi Dasa, Amed, Tulamben and Nusa Penida. Bali’s rich cultural heritage is visible pretty much everywhere, with more than 20,000 temples – the best of the bunch are Tanah Lot, Uluwatu and the Besakih Temple on the slopes of holy Mount Agung. Plus there are palaces and dozens of colourful festivals and ceremonies including the Hindu ritual of tooth filing and cremations with drama, music and dance. The tourist strip from Kuta to Legian and Seminyak is a hedonist’s dream, with plenty of clubs, bars and pubs that are packed with revellers from all corners of the globe in the dry, warm months from May to September. Hit the Bounty Hotel if you’re up for a big night, or cruise the bars along the beachfront and Poppies Lane. The tranquil town of Ubud is a great escape into the cool, mountainous interior of Bali, away from the hectic pace of Kuta if you’re craving some peace and quiet. It also has a colourful daily market, famed for carvings and sculptures. You could while away a lengthy holiday just in Bali, but the island is also the perfect launching pad for cruises of the Indonesian archipelago. There are literally hundreds of cruises from Bali through to Lombok, Sumbawa, Sulawesi and the Moluccas. You can choose from modern cruise liners, luxurious private yachts, and traditional Balinese schooners. Jakarta At first glance, the Indonesian capital of Jakarta can seem like a smog-choked concrete jungle, but spend a little time here and you’ll fast come to recognise its charms. A wild array of restaurants offer the best of Indonesia’s varied cuisine. There’s also a fascinating dock district that is well worth exploring, and markets that rival those of the Grand TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Life’s a beach in Indonesia

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being home to good pubs and clubs, is also a good place to find cheap hostels and accommodation. Java Jakarta is of course on Java, and while there may not be any great beaches to speak of on the island, it does lay the bold, yet justifiable, claim to having the most mesmerising temple in South-East Asia and many fantastic volcanoes to hike. Rise with the morning adhan (call to

Rice terraces, Bali

Pictures: Getty, Thinkstock, Mövenpick Hotels and Caroline Garnar

Bazaar in Istanbul. This, remember, is one of South-East Asia’s largest cities, so there is plenty here for the independent traveller. A large chunk of Jakarta’s populace are immigrants from the other parts of the island of Java and the rest of Indonesia, so the capital is a vibrant mix of Javanese and Sundanese languages, culture, customs and traditional foods, making it an interesting city to get to know. Kuningan and Jalan Sudirman make up Jakarta’s main CBD, and this is where you’ll find the gleaming skyscrapers, clean streets, Western malls and restaurants, and a huge variety of nighttime entertainment. The endless gridlock and haze of smog might take a little getting used to. It’s no coincidence foreign residents nickname Jakarta ‘The big durian’ – the tropical fruit that has both a strong odour and is an acquired taste. However, there’s no denying the city is a bustling urban metropolis that never sleeps. Jakarta’s Chinatown (Glodok) is a landmark neighbourhood that is well worth a visit, full of tantalising restaurants, markets and a wealth of interesting shops to explore. Getting there is fairly easy because it isn’t far from Jakarta Kota Station and, when you’re finished, you can wander around Fatahillah Square in the town centre or explore the beautiful orchid garden at Slipi. The Jakarta History Museum, housed in the old Batavia Town Hall, is an interesting look at Indonesia’s past and one of the city’s solid reminders of Dutch rule. Jakarta is also home to plenty of rather odd monuments and giant statues – a legacy of former President Soekarno’s socialist ideals. One of the most impressive is the 132m flame-topped National Monument. A 10-minute walk from Taman Fatahillah, the old port of Sunda Kelapa is home to a flotilla of magnificent Makassar schooners. The bright-painted ships are a key transport and freight delivery link between Jakarta and the outer islands. They’re also one of the capital’s main tourist attractions. While it’s not oozing late-night discos and clubs, Jakarta nevertheless has a thriving after-dark entertainment scene, particularly in Kemang, where there are a number of good pubs. Kemang’s main rival is Jalan Jaksa, which as well as

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The monument is said to replicate the path to enlightenment

Jakarta at rush hour: Busy

”

prayer) for a dawn viewing of the 8th-century Buddhist temple Borobudur, a Unesco World Heritage site and one of Indonesia’s biggest draws, and you can explore the intricate lattice stupas while the morning mist unveils the surrounding paddy fields. Once abandoned, Borobudur is one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world, containing around 500 statues of Buddha. The monument was built between 840AD and 780AD to resemble a mandala – a wheel-shaped symbol of the cosmos. Walking up the monument is said to replicate the path to enlightenment, beginning at the base in the realm of desire and ending with the realm of formlessness at the top. When you’ve scaled that, you can hike (or take a 4x4) up Mount Bromo for lunar-like, cloud-carpeted views of Java’s nobbled volcanic spine of craters and steam-spewing peaks. Yoschi’s Guest House is located at Ngadisari, which lies about five kilometers from the crater rim, or you can choose Cafe Lava Hostel or the Cemara Indah Hotel at Cemoro Lawang, which are even closer.

Lombok and the Gili Islands Lombok is a low-key island situated east of Bali that remains a sleepy, peaceful getaway from the chaos of its western neighbour. Rice paddies line the roads and farmers still plow the land. The hardest decisions a visitor has to make are whether to have banana pancakes or fresh fruit salad for breakfast, and which beach to take a dip at to cool off from the ever-present equatorial sunshine. Lombok is the most popular destination in Nusa Tenggara as it is home to the fabled Gili Islands – the perfect spot for a Robinson Crusoe adventure. The Gilis dot along Lombok’s north-eastern fringe, a strip of tiny jungle-and-sand islands, haloed by kaleidoscopic coral reef, and all without cars, crowds or complexity. We wouldn’t recommend staying there, as lovely as the Gilis are, because they have little in the way of comforts, so it is best to visit for the day and stay back on Lombok – on the Gili-facing side, of course. Sumatra The island of Nias, off northern Sumatra, was home to head hunting tribes as recently as the 1980s. While lopping off skulls is discouraged now, the island remains a treasure trove for intrepid travellers keen to check out this ancient culture, while exploring the island’s verdant rainforests, surfing the world-class waves or diving over brilliant coral reefs. Sumatra is the home of Krakatoa – actually it is between Sumatra and Java on the Sunda Strait – the famous volcanic island whose eruption in August 1883 was one of the most deadly of modern history. It is estimated more than 36,000 people died. The island is about three miles wide and 5.5 miles long and, before the historic eruption, it had three linked volcanic peaks: Perboewatan, the northernmost and most active; Danan in the middle; and the largest, Rakata, forming the southern end of the island. Krakatau and the two nearby islands, Lang and Verlatan, are remnants of a previous large eruption that left an undersea caldera between them (see krakatau-tour.com). TNTMAGAZINE.COM

GETTING AROUND An ambitious travel itinerary could turn a relaxing holiday into a frantic race when visiting Indonesia. Buses and trains can be slow and crowded and so many travellers opt to hire a car or moped. Off the beaten track, especially on remote islands, travelling can be pretty unpredictable and, occasionally, downright impossible. Like most Asian countries, the local bus is the mainstay when it comes to transport. Buses link virtually every city in Indonesia with every other city and they are dirt cheap as well – just expect to share your seat with chickens and maybe a goat or two. Otherwise, a high speed train links Bali with Jakarta and ferries also plow the water channels between the islands, though high-speed vessels are a rarity. In Jakarta, tuk-tuks are a substitute for taxi cabs. Make sure you haggle with the driver for a decent price. Otherwise, taxis are common in Bali and, while they have meters, it’s also better to agree on a price with the driver before you set off.

GETTING THERE Tours to see orangutans bring thousands to Indonesia every year Sumatra is also, and rather significantly, one of the few places left in the world where elephants, rhinos and tigers live together in the wild. Critically endangered wild tigers are fighting to survive in the face of widespread poaching and forest-clearing. Across Sumatra, there are fewer than 400 tigers left, and they are extinct on the nearby islands of Java and Bali (see sumatratigertours.com). Kalimantan The untamed island of Borneo (of which Kalimantan makes up around two thirds) has enchanted adventurers since the days of the great Victorian explorers – and today little has diluted that raw experience. Home to an amazingly beautiful rainforest, bone throughthe-nose tribes (the sorts of which you expect to see in a King Kong movie) and the largest population of orangutans in the world, this is just the spot to find the last corners of wilderness, relatively untouched by humans. River boating into the ‘heart of darkness’ through the Tanjung National Park is one of the most popular ways to see this place – and marvel as the kind-eyed orangutans loop through the trees before meeting the Dayak Tribes. Kalimantan Tours (kalimantantours.com) offers a range of jungle trips throughout the region, including Derawan, a fishing island about three hours by speedboat from Berau that has developed as a dive resort, attracting divers from around the world. 66

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Garuda is the national airline, flying directly into Bali’s Denpasar airport as well as into the capital, Jakarta, on the island of Java – in total it services 33 domestic cities. Medan is the major hub on Sumatra, with flights linking it to many major cities within Asia. You can also enter Indonesia via ferry from Singapore and Malaysia – the trip from Kuala Lumpur to Medan takes just a few hours, and has been a major route for surfers and travel junkies needing to renew their Indonesian tourist visas. The type of visa you need depends on your nationality, the purpose of your THAILAND stay and how long you intend to visit. indo.com/tplan/visa

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48HOURS

NAPLES BOURNEMOUTH

YOUR WEEKEND IN

BOURNEMOUTH & EAST DORSET

Fed up with summer in the city? Then escape the helter swelter of London to sample the fresh air, stunning scenery and wide open spaces around Bournemouth and East Dorset. It’s the perfect place to soak up that quintessential English charm and catch a piece of the action too.

DAY ONE MORNING Let’s start off with a touch of culture, so wander the streets of Wimborne Minster, a Fairtrade-certified town that mixes independent cafes and shops with history and heritage. Wimborne Minster 68 00

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church (free entry, wimborneminster. org.uk) dates back to Saxon times, housing the tomb of Alfred the Great’s brother, Ethelred, King of Wessex. Upstairs there’s a unique ‘chained library’; a collection of ancient tomes dating back to the 14th century that were literally chained to the shelves to prevent theft by unscrupulous scholars. On display are books including the Polyglott Bible, a 350-year old translation of the Bible into nine different languages. AFTERNOON Stop off for lunch at The Olive Branch,

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a classy-but-quirky gastro-pub by the River Allen with Lichtenstein prints on the walls and Calvin and Hobbes wallpaper in the toilets. They call themselves “the most spectacular pub in Dorset”, and with a selection of local ales and gourmet pub grub, who are we to disagree? Don’t leave without trying the melt-in-yourmouth courgette fries (mains from £8, theolivebranchwimborne.co.uk). Next, take a walk along the River Stour to experience some beautiful countryside with big skies and fields of flowers. The picture-postcard hamlet of Pamphill, owned by the National Trust, is a short walk from the river, with rustic thatched cottages and the tiny Vine Inn on Vine Hill. The pub offers a warm welcome, a chat with the locals, seasonal real ales and doorstep sandwiches to die for. Be sure to bring your swimming gear for a dip in the river. Kingston Lacy may sound like a character from one of Dorset native Thomas Hardy’s novels, but it’s a sprawling country house estate close to Pamphill (from £7 for garden and park only, nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy). Run by the National Trust, Kingston Lacy dates back to the 17th century, when the Bankes family constructed a new home in the aftermath of the bloody Civil War and Restoration. On a walk around the gardens, take in the Egyptian obelisk brought back by adventurer William Bankes, the gorgeous Japanese garden, and the busy Kitchen Garden – complete with adorable pigs. There’s even a National Trust app to guide you around. EVENING No English town is complete without a proper Indian restaurant, and Rimjhim in Wimborne is a cut above the usual with unbeatable service and a fusion of Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Their affordable starter menu encourages sampling, so try the Nepalese lasuni kebab and a dish of choyla, a chargrilled favourite (mains from £7.95, 9 Leigh Road, rimjhimwimborne.co.uk).

DAY TWO MORNING Head to Bournemouth to enjoy some of England’s finest beaches and the gateway to the world-famous Jurassic Coast. For breakfast, enjoy fresh local

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EAST DORSET NAPLES

48HOURS Religious experience: Sacre Coeur

Cycle routes are plentiful in Bournemouth

Poole Harbour

Boscombe Pier

Words: Paul Durrant. Photos: Thinkstock and supplied

produce at Urban Reef, a smartly designed bar/cafe/deli on the Boscombe promenade. Its breakfast menu includes a full English with Dorset pork sausages, and a great view from the beachfront terrace across the bay (on the promenade near Boscombe Pier, urbanreef.com). Once your breakfast’s gone down, head right outside to the Sorted Surf School to catch some waves (lessons from £30, bournemouth-surfschool. co.uk). Boscombe boasts Europe’s first artificial surf reef, recently reopened for coastal activities including diving and wind surfing. AFTERNOON Established by Italian ice cream enthusiast Luigi Bray in 2008, Giggi Gelateria was rated the best ice cream outlet on the South Coast by The Times. This is genuine homemade ice cream made the Italian way, with flavours ranging from classic vanilla to Christmas pudding, and a selection of sorbets as well. Pick any three flavours and they’ll blend them together into a creamy frappe (10 Burlington Arcade, giggigelateria.co.uk). Cycle routes are plentiful in Bournemouth, so hire a bike (from £8 for four

hours, koolcyclehirebournemouth.co.uk) and go exploring. Head westwards towards Poole and take in the natural harbour, the largest in Europe. Cycle back towards the Lower Gardens near Bournemouth Pier, and drop in on the Pinewalk Art Exhibition (until September 7), a sprawling open-air art display that’s been running for more than 50 years. You can browse paintings, photography and sculptures created by artists from across the country, and with a range of artists from students to professionals, you might even get to pick up a genuinely unique souvenir. With its sandy beaches, Bournemouth is the home to British beach volleyball, and you might catch one of the tournaments held throughout summer. Test your skills and show the locals how it’s done at one of the free courts on the beach, east of the pier. EVENING After 6pm, enjoy the sunset on the beach with the hot sizzle of a barbecue and a few beers. Then make your way along the promenade to the beachfront Aruba bar and restaurant, a hotspot with great views, live music and DJs on Sundays. There’s a full selection of tropical cocktails, although Sex on the Beach is tellingly missing (cocktails from £5.50, Pier Approach, arubabournemouth.co.uk).

Jurassic Coast, off Bournemouth

Relax in the grounds of Kingston Lacey

Alternatively you could grab a snack and a beer at Sixty Million Postcards, an American-style diner with a cinemastyle marquee over the entrance. It’s the perfect place to digest your weekend with cheap booze, a plate of nachos and cosy booth seating (19-21, Exeter Road, sixtymillionpostcards.com). TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Hop on the Eurostar for a bargain break to Paris

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SWIMMING’S WINNING If you get a stopover in Singapore, make sure you pack your swimming stuff in your hand luggage. Changi Airport has a swimming pool on its roof that you can use while you’re waiting for your next flight for just over a fiver. Stevo, Balham

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If you had five days and £500 Q between two people, where would you suggest we travel in Europe to get the most bang for our buck and see the most? Thanks! Jess, via email

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A It goes without saying Jess that you will need to plan your budget for this trip very carefully. £250 per person doesn’t go that far for five days’ travel as transport to the destination will take up a considerable proportion of your budget leaving you with a modest spend on arrival. That said, it is certainly possible with a bit of research. I would recommend selecting your destination by the availability of cheap transport. You’ll need to be flexible about where and when you travel in order to pick up a bargain. Travelling mid-week and outside of peak season will make a huge difference to the cost of flights. Use a flight search engine such as Skyscanner, which allows you to search by multiple destinations and dates in order to bag a bargain. It is also wise to choose your destination by how far your pound will go when you get there. For example, you’ll be able to stretch your budget further in Eastern European cities than perennial favourites, such as Rome and Venice. When I took a look at

flights during the month of October, you could currently pick up a return flight to a number of Eastern European cities for under £50, including Prague, Budapest, Krakow and Bratislava. Budapest offers fantastic value with an array of budget accommodation and dining options at a pinch of the price of the UK. Budapest’s world-famous spas are also reasonably priced; it is just £10 for a day ticket at the Szechnyi Spa Baths. Many of Budapest’s major sights are also free to visit, including Heroes’ Square, the Fisherman’s Bastion and Castle Hill. Paris could also be an option if you manage to bag one of Eurostar’s £69 return tickets (limited availability four months prior to your departure date) and are prepared to be smart with your spending. Keep costs down by being flexible about the location of your accommodation and cutting back on eating out. French supermarkets and Paris’ fantastic markets are bursting with top-quality produce making self-catering a breeze; great bread, cheeses and croissants are available for just a few euros. Paris has the added advantage of having a number of fantastic sights you can visit for free; Notre Dame, Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris and the Sacre Coeur all don’t charge visitors to enter. Good luck!

SO HOT IT’S NOT Do not get sucked in by cheap summer flights to Dubai. I just got back from there and it was so hot, every time I stepped outside I was instantly dripping with a mixture of sweat and the humidity in the air. Also it was Ramadan so there was no eating or drinking in public during daylight hours (no water in that heat!), and everywhere was closed or really quiet. The big feasts – iftars – after sunset were pretty cool, but after our third I was done! Spend the extra and visit in the winter, as it’s a cool city – but not when it’s hot! Soph, Finsbury Park

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Rebekah, UK , May 2014 “If you’re looking to see more of Ireland outside of Dublin, I can’t imagine there’s a better way to do it than with Shamrocker.” Emma, Canada, May 2014 “Great way to see Ireland. It was a well-run trip, and we had a blast! Would definitely recommend.” Sarah, UK, May 2014 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

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WINNER GIRONA, SPAIN Jackie Jones, Leicester, UK TELL US MORE We were just heading back to our hotel to change for dinner when the day light changed to dusk and everything began to glow in the early evening light. It was magical. What we like about it: The colours in this shot are incredible: from the twinkling coloured glass to the seemingly glowing church. Stunning.

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STATUE OF THE LITTLE MERMAID IN COPENHAGEN Christine Davies, New York, USA TELL US MORE I’m sure most people take sunny photos just so their Facebook timeline looks uber cool, but I just loved the moodiness and history of this shot (and so does TNT).

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Enjoy seven nights all-inclusive in Corfu from £329pp

DEAL OF THE MONTH VALENCIA, SPAIN Two nights room-only pp accommodation staying at the 4-star Husa Reina Victoria in the historical centre of Valencia from £125.50. Set in a beautifully classic building dating back to 1913, the hotel offers easy access to many surrounding points of interest, as well as comfortable and well-equipped accommodation. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departs September 23. holidays.easyjet.com

£126

< £250 LA TOMATINA, BUNOL, SPAIN Fourday La Tomatina festival tour in Spain for only £219. Join thousands of “tomatinos” from all over the world eagerly anticipating the not-so spontaneous food fight. Includes: 4-star hotels, return transfers to the festival, breakfast and T-shirt. Does not include external flights or entrance fee (€10). Departs Valencia on August 25. traveltalktours.com SAN ANTONIO, IBIZA Seven nights staying at the 2-star Torres Hostel in the centre of San Antonio from £183pp. Great to enjoy West End’s bustling and frantic nightlife scene and the beautiful San Antonio beach, that are all within short walking distance from the hostel. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departing August 28. Icelolly.com REYKJAVIK, ICELAND Three nights’ B&B at the 3-star Centerhotel Klopp from £199. Combine your stay with a visit to Faxaflói Bay for whale watching or book to see the northern lights. Includes return flights from Luton, book by Sept 15, departing between Dec 1 2014 & March 24 2015. travelinteraction.co.uk

£250-500 PARIS, FRANCE Two nights roomonly staying at the 3-star Hotel Bergere Opera Astotel in Paris from £276pp. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants in the surrounding area. Includes return flights from London Gatwick, departs September 6. lowcostholidays.com GOUVIA, CORFU Seven nights allinclusive accommodation at the 4-star Aquis Park Hotel from £329pp. Situated 500m from a beautiful sandy beach and a short walk from the Marina with stunning views over the Ionian Sea. Includes return flights from London Stansted, London Gatwick or London Luton, departing on various dates between September 20 & 29. travelinteraction.co.uk

TURKEY GULET CRUISE Eight days of swimming and diving head-first into the rich history and culture as you sail Turkey’s Mediterranean coast from £410pp. Aboard a traditional, wooden gullet boat, all meals are taken care of and there’s a well-stocked bar, meaning all you have to do is lie back and relax. Excludes external flights, departs Fethiye August 23. topdeck.travel

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> £500 RAJASTHAN, INDIA 15 days travelling from Delhi and back again from £631pp. Explore the colourful cities of Rajasthan, uncover ancient forts, discover a traditional way of life, revel in the stunning beauty of the Taj Mahal and wander the canals of Udaipur. Includes accommodation and ground transportation. Does not include external flights, departs Delhi September 14. gadventures.com MOROCCO 10 days travelling through Morocco from £764pp. Wander through the mountains on the back of a mule, savour coastal views from the back of a camel, enjoy the unique accommodation of a beach camp and cycle through the Atlas Mountains. Includes accommodation and ground transportation. Does not include external flights. Departs Marrakech August 29. statravel.co.uk

EPIC AFRICA 28 days in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania. Enjoy game drives in the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park, a hippo cruise on Lake Naivasha, Kigali memorial & Lake Bunyoni. Track the rare Mountain Gorillas, go to the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater, relax on the paradise spice island of Zanzibar, meet the locals with village and orphanage visits and get your adrenalin fix with rafting, bungee, quad bikes and much more! From £461pp + $700 local payment. Does not include external flights, departs August 31 (Quote “TNT35GZ” when booking). absoluteafrica.com

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TO ENJOY A GREAT DAY OUT AT TWICKENHAM WATCHING THE WORLD CLUB 7S Twelve of the best Club Rugby 7s teams from seven northern and southern hemisphere nations will battle it out at Twickenham on August 16 and 17 to be crowned the 2014 World Club 7s Champions. Gloucester Rugby and Cardiff Blues will be joined by the Vodacom Blue Bulls, Auckland, NSW Waratahs, DHL Western Province, Buenos Aires, New York City 7s and Seattle as the teams competing for the title of rugby’s World Club 7s champions. Saturday will see 18 top-quality 7s matches throughout the day; on Sunday the tournament reaches fever pitch as four trophies are decided. Not only will there be a feast

of top-class 7s action, but the tournament also promises the usual 7s carnival atmosphere, with a weekend of music and family entertainment, keeping fans amused between the dazzling on-pitch clashes. We’re offering you one of seven chances to win seven tickets for you and your mates to enjoy the World Club 7s. To enter, simply answer the following question. Who won the 2013 World Club 7s? a) Brumbies b) Auckland c) DHL Western Province d) Gloucester Rugby Enter at tntmagazine.com/competitions worldclub7s.com

PREVIOUS WINNERS PAIR OF TICKETS FOR XO EXTREMA FESTIVAL: Daniel Hayward / PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE CALLING ALL CARS: Rachell Beeston / FOUR TICKETS FOR BROOKLYN BOWL BIG DATE Hilary J Lister 76

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SPORT NEWS | FEATURES | GAMES TO WATCH | VIEWPOINT IMAGE OF THE MONTH

TEARS FOR MEARES OVER MORTON’S GESTURE Anna Meares has World and Olympic Championships to burn on a cycling track but was just as chuffed to win silver in the Commonwealth Games women’s sprint. She was even more blown away when the winner, fellow Aussie Stephanie Morton, insisted she stand with her for the national anthem. It was Meares’ eighth medal in nine starts at the games.

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INSIDE

RHYS LIGHTNING /78

LEAGUE OF ITS OWN /80

LUCKY NUMBER 7? /82

We chat to Aussie Rhys Hanbury about his upcoming matches in the Challenge Cup semi-finals and the return of the Vikings.

Micheal Gadd gives the low down on the contenders, the up and comers and the best buys of Premier League 2013/14.

South African rugby player Waylon Murray is having a go at the upcoming Sevens at Twickenham. We see how he’s feeling...

SPORTROUND-UP

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FLASHBACK... 2011

HANBURY FIRED UP TO BRING CUP TO VIKINGS RUGBY LEAGUE

The Challenge Cup semi-finals bring together two powerhouses, Leeds and Warrington (Aug 9), and two sides who want to be, Widnes and Castleford (Aug 10). Aussie Rhys Hanbury lines up for Widnes, who haven’t reached this stage of the knockout competition since 2002. TNT caught up with him after his Vikings’ massive win over local rivals and potential Cup final opponents Warrington. Cracking win over the Wolves! Must have meant a lot... Yeah for sure. It was a win that we needed – really good to give something back to the fans. The Cup is a different proposition for a player coming from the NRL – what does it mean to have come this far? It’s something I didn’t know too much about before I came over here. I’ve never been to Wembley [where the final’s traditionally played] and never watched any games there, but I know it’s going to be massive for the club and town if we get a win over Castleford. Does the mentality change in the knockout compared to the Super League season? I think both teams will be edgy. It’s been a while for both teams to have come so far, but hopefully we can come up with the goods. The Tigers turned you over 40-20 in July – would you read anything into that? I don’t think so. And I don’t think they will either. It’s a knock out so it’ll be totally different. 78

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Sam Stosur may have an aversion for the latter stage of Wimbledon, but this month’s major – the US Open – is a mountain she’s conquered. The Aussie beat Serena Williams in the final of the 2011 edition of the tournament starting on August 25. Who’s their danger man? From one to 17 they’re good, and they’ve been well coached. But the forwards lay the platform down. Daryl Clark makes good metres up the middle, so it’d be good to shut him down, but we can’t just worry about one player. After the wooden spoon in 2012 coming back into the top flight, and a credible 10th last season, the Vikings look on track for a top-eight spot – what’s it like being part of the steady re-emergence of a great club? It’s a great chance to give something back to the fans who have been with the club through everything. It’s all in our hands now. We’re in the eight so we don’t have to rely on any other results. It’s us who determine if we make the eight or not. If we don’t make it we’ll be really disappointed.

BIG MONTH FOR... Even when they were second on the NRL ladder coming into their round 19 clash with the Sydney Roosters, Penrith Panthers were the least-fancied side in the top six. But were it for a few tight results going the other ways – such as the 18-17 and 24-20 losses to the Storm and Sharks – they could have been top! These black cats are dark horses for the Premiership and they’ve done it largely without superstars and the much-maligned Jamie Soward (pictured) making the plays.

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HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH

PREVIEW

Sydney Swans’ Buddy Franklin Champ under fire: Rafael Nadal

HARD COURT MAJOR WIDE OPEN IN NY US OPEN

TENNIS AUG 25-SEP 7 It doesn’t get much more open at a tennis major these days than the leadup to this year’s US Open. Defending champion Rafael Nadal, who won his second big one in New York in 2013, has gone off the boil since moving off the clay. Current world No 1 Djokovic, who beat Roger Federer in a five-set epic to win the Wimbledon final, will be after him to add a second US Open to his mantlepiece – it’s the only major he’s won only once. Federer’s won it five times, but that was all in a row with the last one in 2008, but he’s shown he still has class to beat the best.

His Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka hasn’t made the final here – just the semi last year – but is considered a strong outsider along with Grigor Dimitrov. Serena Williams is hot favourite to defend her title but has serious question marks over her health, fitness and even some speculation about where her head is at leading into the tournament after she bowed out of Wimbledon with a bizarre illness. This leaves it wide open for 2006 champion Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, who’s fallen in the final at Flushing Meadows the past two years. The young guns are also well-fancied, with Simona Halep and losing Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard hot prospects.

Words: Michael Gadd. Photos: Getty

LET’S GET TRIVIAL | India v England limited For two teams that play each other so much – it’s good for the coffers – it’s been a while for England and India. Their last meeting was at Edgbaston in the Champions Trophy final in June last year. It was on England turf but felt like an India home game, such was the support, as the visitors won by five runs. Shouldn’t have been a surprise as England had won just two of the 10 games before that, however they were in India. Good news for Alastair Cook’s side though – the last time India were in England they were just as rubbish as England are in India. Three home wins, a tie and a no result marked their September 2011 series. Their five-match series starts in Bristol on August 25, followed by Cardiff (Aug 27), Nottingham (Aug 30), Birmingham (Sep 2) and Leeds (Sep 5).

India win the Champions Trophy

1 AFL: Sydney v Essendon 2 AFL: North Melbourne v Geelong 3 Commonwealth Games: Closing ceremony 7 Cricket: England v India 4th Test 7-10 Golf: US PGA Championship 8 NRL: South Sydney v Manly 8 NRL: Brisbane v Bulldogs 8 Rugby Union: Premiership Rugby Sevens Final 9 Challenge Cup RL: Leeds v Warrington 9 AFL: Geelong v Fremantle 10 Challenge Cup RL: Widnes v Castleford 12-17 Athletics: European Championships 14 NRL: South Sydney v Brisbane 14 Super League: Hull KR v Wigan 15 Cricket: England v India 5th Test 16 Football: Premier League Begins 16 Premier League: Arsenal v Crystal Palace 16-17 Rugby Union: World Club Sevens 16 NRL: Wests Tigers v Roosters 16-28 Athletics: Youth Olympic Games 16 Premier League: Man United v Swansea 17 Premier League: Liverpool v Southampton 17 Premier League: Newcastle v Man City 18 Premier League: Burnley v Chelsea 23 Premier League: Everton v Arsenal 23 Premier League: Aston Villa v Newcastle 24 Premier League: Hull v Stoke City 24 Athletics: British Athletics Grand Prix 24 Formula 1: Belgian Grand Prix 25 Cricket: ODI – England v India 25 Premier League: Man City v Liverpool 25-Sep 7 Tennis: US Open 27 Cricket: ODI – England v India 29 AFL: Collingwood v Hawthorn 30 NRL: Roosters v Storm 30 Cricket: ODI – England v India 30 Super League: Catalan v London 30 Premier League: Everton v Chelsea 31 Premier League: Tottenham v Liverpool Sep 2 Cricket: ODI – England v India TNTMAGAZINE.COM

Defending champs: Manchester City’s Manuel Pellegrini and Yaya Toure

League intrigue They’ve bought big and are aiming for the stars, or simply survival – TNT previews the Premier League

The 2014/15 Premier League season kicks off on August 16 with so much changing since last season yet so much staying the same. Read on for the lowdown on Premier League title and Champions League contenders, those who’ve made the leap from the Championship, and the best buys in the transfer market.

THE CONTENDERS If listening to bookies, Chelsea are well and truly the favourites with Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Diego Costa and Felipe Luis (both Atletico Madrid) joining an already star-studded squad that managed second last year and should have done better. They’re so strong they’ve let Frank Lampard and Samuel Eto’o go and can afford to keep Fernando Torres. After that we’ve got Manchester City, the Champions, who have been relatively quiet on the transfer front but have kept Yaya Toure after his spat over them missing his birthday. After these two come some unknown packages in Manchester United and Arsenal, with the very busy shoppers Liverpool. United’s biggest addition is manager Louis van Gaal, while Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao) and Luke Shaw (Southampton) add quality and more youth to the squad. Arsenal are looking strong with Chile’s Alexis Sanchez 80

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(Barcelona) and France’s Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle). Liverpool have flashed the chequebook big time after letting chompy striker Luis Suarez go to Barca. They’ve raided Southampton for Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, and picked up Benfica’s Lazar Markovic and Lille’s Divock Origi (although he’ll remain at the French club on loand). They also turned down Loic Remy on medical grounds. Tottenham would wish they were on the list, but after spending big last summer, new manager Mauricio Pochettino has signed no one of note so far and their chances of reaching the Champions League look grim.

UP AND COMERS The promotion-relegation battle has to be one of the most exciting clashes in sport – and it comes when most of the season is done and dusted. Cardiff, Fulham and Norwich have dropped down a division as Queens Park Rangers, Leicester and Burnley come up. QPR won what is the richest game in football, beating Derby in the play-off final (TV money for PL teams is huge!). Harry Redknapp’s mob are joined by Rio Ferdinand, the biggest signing of the promoted clubs, but it’s easy to forget from all the excitement of the play-offs that the top two teams in the Championship went through before them.

No sympathy for sold Liverpool striker Luis Suarez

Words: Michael Gadd. Photos: Getty

All White Chris Wood leads Leicester celebrations

Man U signed Luke Shaw

Leicester ended a 10-year absence from the top-flight when they won the second-tier title in style - their 102 point haul just four short of Reading’s record points tally. The Foxes are managed by another stern and pivotal figure in their rise, Nigel Pearson. Burnley boss Sean Dyche looks like he should wield a sledgehammer but is known as the Ginger Mourinho. His side won promotion after finishing second behind Leicester. It’ll be a season of spirited scrapping for these guys to stay up.

BEST BUYS Arsenal’s Chilean Alexis Sanchez was one of the most exciting stars of the World Cup, only surpassed by Colombia’s James Rodriguez, now with Real Madrid, and the efficient unit that was the Germany team – his pulling-up-shorts habit’s a bit weird though. Gareth Barry was epic for Everton on loan last season and has officialy joined from Man City. Tom Ince is a good get for Hull FC after Inter Milan showed genuine interest, while they’ve also landed Robert Snodgrass from relegated Norwich. Up front Liverpool have gone bananas but Bayer Leverkusen’s Emre Can could be key to their midfield depth – as back-up for Steven Gerrard – going into Europe. Man City’s Costel Pantilimon got sick of being No.2 to Joe Hart and will be good for Sunderland.

DOWN UNDER IN THE TOP FLIGHT CHRIS HERD (Aus, Aston Villa) Had some personal problems in 2013 but back on track and ready to stake his claim on a first team spot. ALEX CISAK (Aus, Burnley) Poland-born keeper and lower league journeyman who’s played for Aussie U20s. MARK SCHWARZER (Aus, Chelsea) At 41, signed a new one-year deal at the west London giants. Will be third string to Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois. MILE JEDINAK (Aus, Crystal Palace) Socceroos and Palace skipper and stalwart in the heart of midfield. CHRIS WOOD (NZ, Leicester) No-nonsense powerhouse striker who’s found a permanent home with the Foxes. BRAD JONES (Aus, Liverpool) Another of Australia’s outstanding arsenal of keepers – unlucky to have played in this era – is Simon Mignolet’s understudy. CURTIS GOOD (Aus, Newcastle) The serial loanee defender missed the World Cup with injury. WINSTON REID (NZ, West Ham) The All Whites captain is fit after injury and ready to menace strikers again.

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Breakaway: South Africa’s Waylon Murray finds space

Going in blind(side) Waylon Murray has scaled the heights of the Springboks, but Sevens is a whole new ball game New experiences are few and far between for Waylon Murray, a journeyman rugby player who’s represented the Springboks and done the rounds of South Africa’s top clubs. But the shortened form of the game will thrust the centre out of his comfort zone when he lines up for the Blue Bulls at the World Club Sevens at Twickenham this month. “It was too good to pass up,” the 28-year-old says of his Bulls bosses asking him to join a squad of mostly youngsters at the home of rugby. “I just knew it would be a good experience to try something new, and to play against such an array of different clubs.” Now a fixture at the Commonwealth Games and with the IRB World Series going from strength to strength, there’s no doubting Sevens is booming. And in few places more than South Africa fans are embracing the miniaturised format. It won’t have hurt that South Africa inflicted the first ever Commonwealth Games defeat on New Zealand to win gold in Glasgow. “It’s been quite massive,” he says of Sevens’ growth. “From a South African point of view the country is really behind our national Sevens side. The attraction of it and popularity has really grown over the past decade. Being so spectator friendly is a major thing; they love the high pace and skills it offers.” So that’s Murray’s view from a fan’s perspective, but as a player he really is going in blind. With significantly more space – 14 instead of 30 players on the same-sized field – TNT asks if his 15-a-side physique will 82

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be ready for the rigours of the Sevens’ open running. Short answer is he hasn’t a clue. “I guess I’ll know a bit more about that when I find out the hard way,” he laughs. “But I imagine so. It’s so much quicker and the spaces are a lot more open. I assume it’ll be a bit tougher on the lungs, but I’m looking forward to that. I’ll experience all of this for the first time in London.” Starting his career for the Natal Sharks in 2005, he cracked their Super Rugby squad in 2007 and impressed from the outset alongside his schoolboy team-mate Brad Barritt – the same guy who now plays for Saracens and England. It earned him a call-up to the Springboks, albeit due to the resting of the first-choice 12 and 13 who would go on to win that year’s World Cup. Luck didn’t go his way after that. He was forced to battle his mate Barritt for the Sharks No 13 shirt and then suffered an injury that would make the 2009 season one he’d rather forget. In 2010 he was released to the Lions, but struggled to regain fitness. Then in 2012 he was released to the Eastern Province Kings, but knee surgery meant he made just four starts. Unfortunately, he also played in the Super Rugby play-off series that saw his former Lions teammates relegate the Kings by just four points after their home and away game. In a nutshell, Murray’s been through the ringer, but remains as positive, optimistic and genuinely nice a bloke as can be. Taking the field with up-and-comers could be seen as below a former full international, but not Waylon – he’s relishing it.

Murray lines up for Blue Bulls at the World Club

“I’ll have to rely on all my experience to tackle this,” he says. “I think as a rugby player you always wonder about what it feels like to play a different kind of sport and to challenge yourself, so these are things I’m looking forward to the most.” While he would have preferred his debut at Twickenham to be in the green of the Springboks, he’ll take to its famous turf proudly. “The entire tournament, how it’s planned and where it will be played, is phenomenal, especially for myself,” he says. “I think every rugby player wants to step forward on the hallowed ground that is Twickenham. “Something new creates a fresh enthusiasm, which I hope helps the team in the tournament. From what I’ve seen there’s a lot to look forward to.” The Bulls will have added motivation after a disappointing showing at last year’s inaugural World Club Sevens. They and Premiership Rugby’s defending premiers Northampton were third and fourth in their pool behind teams from Buenos Aires and San Francisco. A grave indignity for such proud and well-credentialled clubs? Or a sign of how Sevens is opening rugby to the world? No surprise which side Murray takes. “That’s the beauty and unpredictability of Sevens,” he says. “Anything can happen in a game and that makes it a lot more viewer friendly. It really does give countries who are not traditionally as strong at rugby a chance to compete and

Words: Michael Gadd. Photos: Getty

The centre powers on for the Lions

Murray in action for the Kings

“

There’s a lot to look forward to

”

come up against players from all around the world. It opens your mind up to different things and styles, so it’s a lot to absorb and makes it very interesting.“ Another sign of rugby’s global reach is Barritt, the 100kg centre from Durban who’s nudging 100 games for Sarries and 18 Tests for England since 2012. “Brad and I are the same age; we played school level up to the Sharks and we are very good friends,” he says. “I’m so happy for him and proud of him for what he’s achieved. His bravery to tackle something new, being from South Africa, it’s really incredible. “Obviously another country gets to see his talents, it’s a very hard part of being a rugby player. If you have to move to play somewhere else. Initially it would have been tough, but if rugby’s taught me anything it’s to adapt and adapt quickly.” If he’s learned that Sevens might not be such a stretch after all... World Club Sevens at Twickenham, August 16 and 17 worldclubSevensrugby.com TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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LIFESTYLE CAREERS | MONEY | LIVING | HEALTH & BEAUTY IMAGE OF THE MONTH

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JOIN THE (RIVER) RAT RACE London’s first ever aquatic obstacle course, The River Rat Race, is being held on August 16. Entry starts from £48, with a minimum of £10 from each entry going to homelessness charity, Shelter. Get involved or at least go to the London Docklands to cheer them on. londonriverratrace.com

INSIDE

DON’T GET BURNT /88

SETTLING IN /94

SHOW YOU CARE /90

The sun’s finally coming out to play (well, occasionally, he’s an unsociable bugger). Make sure you play safe, kids.

Just arrived? We let you know the practical ins and outs of what you need to do to get set up in your new city.

A career in carework can be one of the most rewarding life choices. If you have patience, a kind heart and the right quals, sign up.

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LIFESTYLEHEALTH CLASS OF THE MONTH

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Got wet? Reapply your lotion

ANIMAL FLOW

If the sun has got its hat on, so should you They call the city the concrete jungle, and now you really can behave like a wild animal in London. Animal Flow is the latest fitness phenomenon to swoop over from Miami. While the name suggests some kind of am-dram meets doga scenario, the class actually takes inspiration from capoeira, break dance and gymnastics. The actions are inspired by the movements of animals, but we’re not really acting like animals – so you can banish those thoughts of acting out Ol’ McDonald. It involves a lot of floor work; for example in the ‘active beast’ stance we’re on our palms and tip toes with our knees an inch off the floor. We flip over and in one swift movement we’re suddenly crabs. We’re stretching, we’re prowling and then we’re squatting like apes and moving through controlled handstands and leaps. It’s all about connecting with your body, moving with balance and synchronicity and being aware of all your limbs at once. Whether we were prowling around, sprung up on our toes or squatting and chilling out monkeystyle, it turns out that playing animals is just as much fun as it sounds. Roar. By Stephanie Palmer Animal Flow classes are available at TRAIN fitness, £10 per class trainfitness.co.uk

Play it safe Yes we know you want your tan back, but step away from the cooking oil and towards the SPF... Back home, there seems to be two extremes of people: those who buy vats of factor 50 sunscreen and bathe in the stuff, and those who think, “I’m an Aussie, it’s in my genes not to burn”. Whichever category you’re in, it’s likely when you moved to this cloudy part of the world, you definitely didn’t bother. But you should. The sun does shine here after all – occasionally – plus it really doesn’t take a lot to get those nasty cancer cells going. With that in mind, Paul Banwell (paulebanwell.com), skin cancer expert and head of the melanoma and skin cancer unit at Queen Victoria Hospital, gives his top tips on how to enjoy the sun safely this summer:

1. Slap on sunscreen before you put on your clothes Putting on SPF around your clothes will make you more likely to miss a spot. For your body, apply at least a shot glass-worth of broadspectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. For your face, you’ll need a teaspoon worth. Another good reason to apply sunscreen before you get dressed is that SPF needs about 20 minutes to sink in properly and completely protect skin from UV rays. By waiting until you are outside in the sun, it’s like not wearing sun protection for that first half-hour you’re outdoors.

2. Think a-head People often forget to protect their scalp 88

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and can end up with sunburn on their hair parting (or bald spot). Mist your scalp and hairline with a spray sunscreen all around the head to be sure it’s covered. It’s always the best idea to wear a hat.

3. Protect your skin from inside out Rather than soaking up the sun, taking a vitamin D supplement like Heliocare Ultra D Oral Capsules is a great way to ensure vitamin D levels are nicely topped up. Also, it is thought that oral vitamin D might be beneficial to guard skin against melanoma, a potentially lethal form of skin cancer.

4. Double up Layer your skin protection. For the face, always wear an antioxidant serum to help counteract the free radicals from the sun. Strengthen your skin’s protection barrier with a serum containing niacinamide. Then apply your SPF of at least 30. Even on a cloudy day! You will thank us for this advice in years to come.

5. Keep it fresh We all have that leftover bottle of sunscreen lurking in the bathroom cabinet, but it’s critical to start fresh each summer. Heat and bacteria damage sunscreens, meaning that the active ingredients can lose their potency. To help preserve your sunscreen during the summer, it’s a good idea to store it in the fridge. Plus it makes it lovely and cooling.

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Don’t skimp on good SPF care ...with Medik8 sunscreen. £33.50 medik8.com

6. Don’t rely on make-up

Words: Caroline Garnar and Paul Banwell. Images: Thinkstock

With ‘SPF’ written on many make-up products, it can be tempting to skip applying sun protection altogether, but this can leave your skin dangerously exposed. Daily cosmetics simply don’t offer the protection our skin needs. The way you would apply foundation is unlikely to reach the SPF on the label – to do so you would need to apply as much as seven times more than you would actually need to even out your skin tone. You’re far better off getting into the habit of using a high-factor SPF every day and then applying SPF-free make-up on top. Or choose a high-SPF tinted moisturiser.

7. Never run out Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen on hand. Get mini sizes or samples of sunscreens if possible and keep them in your handbag, car, or make-up bag for regular application. They are also handy for carry-on luggage when travelling.

8. Reapply regularly It’s a common mistake not to use enough sunscreen. Apply liberally and evenly every four hours and each time you get out of the water to ensure optimal protection. If you

are keen on watersports it’s especially vital to apply even more regularly. Apply at least two tablespoons of sunscreen to each body part (leg, arm etc), plus a little bit more for luck! Don’t forget the ‘forgotten’ areas such as ears and under the chin – or the soles of the feet if you are going to be lying down with them exposed to the sun.

Protect your pout ...with Lavera SPF lip balm. £4.80 lavera.co.uk

9. Get matey with your moles Look out for new or existing moles that are darkly pigmented, change in colour and/ or size, have an irregular outline and itch, bleed or crust. If you are unsure or concerned that you may have one or more of these symptoms, visit your GP. They will examine your skin and refer you to a specialist if needed. If in doubt, get them checked!

Get a daily dose of suncare ...with this SPF20 moisturiser. £26.95 lush.co.uk

10. Don’t push your luck in the sun It is possible that the increased use of sun creams may give people a false sense of security, which may encourage them to go into the sun more and, as a result, increase in the risk of developing skin cancers. Sunscreens only partially protect your skin; therefore using sun cream does not mean that you can sunbathe for long periods without harm.

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LIFESTYLECAREERS

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See if you care

Photos: Thinkstock and supplied. Words: Racheal Getzels

Not many of us can say we truly make a difference to people’s lives with our job, but you could...

Live-in carer

Working in the care industry can be incredibly rewarding, plus it has flexible hours and decent pay. Of course, this career requires that you have an interest in people – and looking after them – and it’s important that you feel passionately about this. Care workers are always in demand so you shouldn’t find it too difficult to find employment. Try Safehandsrecruitment.co.uk, for example, which recruits people for positions in everything from childcare to working with the elderly, and they will match you with a client based on your interests and experience. 90

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The role of a live-in carer is to offer personal care for someone who needs more help around the house – this could be overseeing medication, helping with mobility and doing household chores. The most important thing you’ll be doing is spending quality time with the person. A benefit of live-in care is that you get room and board while you are working, which means the majority of your salary goes right in your pocket. Christiescare.com provides 24-hour help to patients all over the country and will help place you. It also runs a five-day in-depth induction course that will train you for your position. Clarendonhomecare.com also finds carers placements, and its clients are focused around London and the southeast, so you can stay in the city.

QUALIFICATIONS Experience in care work is not essential but it can be helpful. In England the most relevant qualification would be an NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care, and equivalent courses of study from abroad will be recognised. Most of all, however, you have to show that you’re compassionate and care about people. All applicants will need to pass a DBS check (previously called a CRB check). HOURS AND PAY You will work nights and weekends as a live-in carer. Expect to make £600-700 a week, on top of your free room and board. There will also be budget for activities and outings.

Working in a care home If you work in a care home you don’t have to live on site, which gives you

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more flexibility. Old people’s homes are especially in need of employees and these roles can be very rewarding as you get to know the residents and hear some of the amazing stories they have to tell. You can also work in specialist positions such as in a hospice or rehab centre. At care homes there are also more managerial and administrative roles. Care24seven.com specialises in placing people in care positions with the elderly. QUALIFICATIONS In these jobs an NVQ certificate or equivalent in health care is preferable but again not always required. Recruitment agencies will help place you depending on background. Care24seven.com fast tracks you through whatever handling or first aid training you need for your placement.

HOURS AND PAY Shifts will be shorter than live-in work but carers will still be needed through the night or on weekends. Care workers make £7-10 an hour, generally.

Healthcare assistants Healthcare assistants work in more medical settings, such as hospitals and GP offices, so it will suit people who are interested in this side of care work and perhaps want to get into the medical profession. In this job you will work closely with a healthcare professional, such as a nurse or a midwife, and will get a lot of exposure. Duties will include things such as monitoring a patient’s health by checking temperature, pulse and weight, serving food, making beds and helping patients mobilise or get

Kim Lyttle is a self-employed carer and works in recruitment with Patricia White’s Personal Home Care. Here she tells us who they recruit, and why... What type of jobs are Patricia White’s recruiting for? Live-in and visiting positions with the elderly who may need companionship, housekeeping or help with moving. We also provide palliative care for people whose needs are more advanced because they have Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, cancer, or have had a stroke. What do you look for in your recruits? A bright personality is key. Our clients like to have interesting, approachable and flexible people in their homes. The clients our recruits work for are very prestigious and would like to have carers who fit into their lives – perhaps sharing a hobby or two like cooking. What kind of experience do recruits need? Being a health professional is a bonus and we also look for people with experience, but it’s not a requirement. All of our carers get first aid training, basic life support training and a Moving and Handling of People Certificate through us. How should someone get involved if they’re interested? Have a look at our website or call and have a chat with one of our Antipodean team, many of whom have worked as carers themselves. 01372 461100 info@patriciawhites.co.uk patriciawhites.co.uk TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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comfortable. If you have an interest in one area of medicine you can work alongside doctors and nurses in this area. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE You don’t necessarily need qualifications for this role, as it’s all part of gaining experience in the profession. HOURS AND PAY Most healthcare assistants work a 37-hour week with flexible shifts. Salaries start at £14,000 but can rise to £19,000 if you have experience. Additional pay for antisocial hours – at night or in the weekend – may be on offer.

Intermediate/short-term carer Short-term carers are hired for specific time frames so they’re perfect if you need a flexible job. Placements can come up when family members need a break, or if a patient needs extra support during or after an illness, with medication or getting around. HFHhealthcare.co.uk work with the NHS to place carers so they’re particularly useful if you’re interested in working with someone post hospital. Your schedule will depend on your clients, so you may work once a week doing the shopping, or on a one-off weekend if the rest of the family are going away. If you really like working with babies and children, there are options to work with a new mother when she comes out of hospital, helping look after her newborn. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Again, it’s all about bedside manner here, and being cheery and supportive. Getting to know patients can be very rewarding and you’ll often find with care work like this, that the most important thing is being a good friend, and having a good laugh. Draycottnursing.co.uk places people as live-in and short-term carers. They especially work on tailored plans with clients who are perhaps new to needing help, so they’re great to go to if you’d like intermediate or short-term work. HOURS AND PAY If you’re working as a live-in carer for a short period of time expect to make £100 a day, and have shifts through the night. If you’re working on an hourly basis helping out here and there, you’re hourly rate will start at £7.50 an hour. Again, clients will provide money for food, activities, and of course give you a room if you need to stay.

Home Care

Do you consider yourself to be a caring person? Home Care Assistant Vacancies across Surrey

No experience required as full training is provided Compe<<ve rates of pay and beneﬁts package Flexible hours Please call 020 8546 2208 for an application form, or apply online at

www.clarendonhomecare.com

Safehands Recruitment is a specialist agency providing solutions in Health and Social Care Recruitment across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Clarendon Home Care is a long established, family run care provider with clients in Kingston, Epsom, Spelthorne, Runnymede, Woking and the surrounding Surrey. WE REQUIRE PEOPLE WHO: • Can live in the service users home seven days a week. • Have a minimum of 12 months experience. At Clarendon Home Care we are interested in applications from candidates who are committed to providing a high standard of quality home care. We require people who are reliable, flexible and caring and who can demonstrate unquestionable honesty. We offer: • Twenty eight days paid holiday per year • An additional financial benefits package • Opportunities for career progression with the company Most importantly, you must share our passion to support people and have good verbal, written and time management skills. All positions are subject to references and Criminal Record Bureau check. Please apply at www.clarendonhomecare.com/clarendonhomecare/job_form.php CLARENDON HOME CARE IS REGULATED BY THE CARE QUALITY COMMISSION AND IS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HOME CARE ASSOCIATION.

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We are recruiting in Worcestershire for experienced support workers and health care assistant to work on a permanent full time contract in various setting. For more information and an immediate interview, please contact Paige Kerry on 01905 880200.

Live-in Care Assistants wanted

London and surrounding Areas - Adults and Children

HFH Healthcare is a rapidly expanding complex healthcare service

providing packages of careatolive-in highly dependent Three main reasons whybespoke you should use carer adults &

children living at home with the following conditions: • Spinal cord injuries • Neuromuscular-disabilities • Acquired brain injuries • Learning & physical disabilities

For quality of life Pay Rates: £12 – 18 per hour. Live–in rate: £85 - £120 per 24hr

Three main reasons why you should usesome a live-in long-term carer And

HIGHLY SKILLED HEALTHCARE ASSISTANTS

Do you want to be a live-in carer, looking after somebody in their own home? Can you commit to working

Preserve your social over the winter months, routine, or maintain regular including Christmas and outings, one-to-one care the New Year? Would you can help you do this.

like to earn up to £550 a week?

get up and go to bed when you want. Most With a live-in carer, you have one-to-one help, care homes work on a ratio of up to four etting you lead the life you Essential want to lead. You experience required: to one carer, so cannot give you a eat what you want, go out where and when • HCA’s with currentclients experience working with children dedicated service. you want, see your friends when you want,

And some long-term clients who already do…

I like to take them for a drive

clients who already do…

When to use our flexible service

A live-in carer will also help...

About us

When to use a live-in carer

Christies Care offers you:

or adults with the above conditions. NVQ2/NVQ3 • Skilled HCA’s with a minimum of 1 year within the acute sector of the NHS/specialist nursing homes • Qualified nurses trained abroad • Qualified PINThey or PIN need care. can not sharerenewed/Lapsed one live-in carer, At a weekly cost in the region of £600 tonurses awaiting

• A FREE five-day training course

For value

rather than paying two care home fees. If £700, live-in care can work out cheaper Previous experience working with PEG/tracheostomies/ventilators could be an family can be the live-in care for occasional than most good care homes. The savings or regular weeks, saving is greater are greatly increased when a couple both advantage. Type of work available: 12the hour shifts days &still. nights and live-in for

full/part-time with contracts offered. Our aim at HFH Healthcare is to provide our clients with a care team of the highest calibre. Our team of qualified specialist nurse trainers train all selected candidates in our fully equipped specialist training facility and further support all care teams in the client’s home on a daily basis.

To stay in your own home

homes, surrounded by the neighbours, According to a recent survey by the If people you would like to join our pets, friendly teamand at shops HFH and garden, furniture thatbe werewarded Alzheimer’s Society, 70% of have always known. We don’t nterviewed do not want tofor go your into askills in healthcare, please submit your want CV toto be committed to institutional life. care home. We all want to south.recruit@hfhhealthcare.co.uk be in our own or alternatively contact

Debbie on 020 8944 8831.

At a weekly cost in the • Support and advice region of £600 to £700, throughout your caring career live-in care can •work Workout with a wide choice of clients cheaper than most goodpreferred, but not essential • Driver care homes.

Interested?

Please contact our Recruitment Department: 70% of people interviewed 01728 605060 do notApply wanttotowww.christies-recruitment.co.uk/preapp/ go into a care home.

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Please be aware that if you do not receive a response to your application within 4 weeks you have been unsuccessful. Our policy at HFH Healthcare is not to keep your details on file unless you advise us otherwise.

We are an equal opportunities company

Do you want to earn from £4,928 in 8 weeks? Are you looking for Care work to suit your travel plans? Do you have what it takes to become a Self-Employed Carer? Patricia White’s Agency are looking for Health Professionals or Experienced Carers to introduce to their prestigious clients in London and the UK. Patricia White’s Carers provide companionship, practical and care support to elderly clients on a Live In or Live Out basis.

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Are you interested in becoming a carer?

• Can you commit to an 8 week position? • Can you commit to an 8 week position? • Do you have a minimum of 6 months • Do you have a minimum of 6 months experience or or an an equivalent? equivalent? experience Do you you have have aa clean clean drivers drivinglicence? licence? •• Do •• Do Do you you enjoy enjoy cooking? cooking? Would you you like like to to experience experience living living in in aa •• Would

British household? British Are you you flexible, flexible, reliable reliable and resourceful? • Are

Please contact our recruitment team Tel: 01372 46 11 00 | Email: info@patriciawhites.co.uk www.patriciawhites.co.uk TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Slowly but surely, dentists have separated themselves from the NHS, or even if they are NHS, that only covers the basics so you still have to fork out for any expensive dental treatments. It’s worth going with a private practice anyway as waiting lists are huge for NHS, plus it’s harder to get on top of the list if you’re a non-resident. Forest and Ray Dental Practice (forestandray.com) is an affordable option in central London that has long been popular with expats due to its easy location and affordable prices. Begin by booking a consultation to see how those pearly whites are doing, but they can cover dental implants, orthodontics and oral surgery.

Registering with a doctor We’re dippy for eggs Go all ‘cool and quirky cafe’ in your kitchen. shopatva.com 94

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The NHS provides free health care to all citizens of the UK. However, non-UK residents will only receive free emergency

treatment or treatment for certain contagious diseases. So this is where you have to listen up. Get travel insurance with some sort of medical coverage before you leave home. It’s crucial as it will save you from having to fork out dosh if you need to visit a doctor while you’re here. If you’ve been in the country for more than six months you can apply to see a GP for free, but you will need to provide documents of employment or evidence that you’re a student. It is up to the practice whether they accept you or not. Beyond that they can take you on as a private patient, in which case you’ll pay for the appointment and medicine yourself or you’ll have it covered by your personal health insurance. Most people choose to visit GPs in their area, so pay a visit to your local practice and tell them you want to book an appointment. They will tell you which documents they specifically require, and depending on your situation, they will decide whether they can offer you care for free. The NHS website has advice and information for using UK health services as a foreigner, nhs.co.uk.

Setting up a bank account Money makes the world go around, so they say, and you don’t want to be out of the running when you move. Setting up a bank account is a huge headache in the UK and

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LIFESTYLELIVING LONDON TIPS

you’ll need to do a lot of paperwork. But it can be done. Banks will consider your application on a case-by-case basis but generally you will need to provide at least your passport, proof of address or a utility bill with your name on it (which can be tricky if you’ve just arrived) and a birth certificate or driving license – and sometimes that isn’t even enough. Our best advice is to open up a bank account through HSBC Australia or HSBC New Zealand before you leave home. There’s also always the option of paying an agent like 1st Contact Kickstart to help you set up an account in the UK, 1stcontactkickstart.com.

Photos: Thinkstock and supplied.Words: Racheal Getzels

Transferring your driver’s license You may not need to drive if you’re in London, but having a car for those epic UK or European road trips is a must. Luckily, you’re allowed to drive on your foreign license in the UK for up to 12 months – just don’t go driving on the wrong side of the road otherwise the po-po will put a swift end to that. Beyond that, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have a special agreement with the UK that makes the license transfer easy-peasy once you’re a resident. At that point all you have to do is go online and fill out a beautiful questionnaire that will smoothly guide to you to the correct form (it will probably be

the D1 form). Download it, fill it out, send it off with a £50 cheque, and voila you can drive in the UK like a true Brit. This golden exchange can only take place up to five years after you become a resident, so if you leave it any longer than that you’ll have to retake your test. And no one wants to do that, do they? gov.uk/exchange-foreigndriving-licence.

URBAN PICNICKING St Botolph’s-without-Bishopsgate Right on buzzy Bishopsgate, this garden is made up of the churchyard of St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate and land donated from the Common Council in 1760. There are tennis and netball courts which are open all year round if you fancy a more active lunch hour! What to picnic on: Head to Polo 24 Hour Bar (176 Bishopsgate) for madeto-order sandwiches and freshly made brownie to follow. St Dunston’s Hill This is one of the city’s real hidden gems: set in the ruins of a church, it is lush and green and bursting with ornamental vines and exotic plants. What to picnic on: A stone’s throw away in Leadenhall Market is the new Hai Street Kitchen & Co sushi burrito bar. Pick up a customised hand-rolled sushi burrito and hibiscus tea to enjoy among the greenery of St Dunston’s. Primrose Hill Undeniably one of the loveliest al-fresco lunching spots with great views over the city centre. What to picnic on: Order from Melrose and Morgan (melroseandmorgan. com, 24 hours in advance) to enjoy handmade scotch eggs, quinoa salad, strawberries, dark chocolate brownie and more. £39.95 for two. Finsbury Circus Garden Finsbury Circus Garden is the oldest public garden in the city. At 2,220sqm it is also one of the largest green spaces in the city. What to picnic on: K10 on nearby Appold Street does a great takeaway sushi set deal. For £6.50 you can feast on a sushi set or one of their hot dishes including salmon or chicken teriyaki, edamame beans and a soft drink. TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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In the current market we are not advertising all our contract roles.We are seeking CVs for all levels In the current market we are not advertising all of MEICA, Process and Civil Engineers. RECRUITING CAD & DESIGN ENGINEERS our contract roles.We are seeking CVs for all levels

In the current market we are not advertising all our contract roles.We are seeking CVs for all levels of MEICA, Process and Civil Engineers.

of MEICA, Process and Civil Engineers.

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alexander-assoc.co.uk

London & South Coast £40 to £50k South East Up to £50k London £38 to £45k London & South East£32 to £35 Ltd South West Perm £Neg London & Surrey Up to £40 Ltd S.East & West £35k/£25 to £28 Ltd South East Up to £350 Ltd London & Mids Up to £35 Ltd South West Perm £Neg South East Up to £70k SE & NW Up to £32 Ltd South East Perm £Neg London Up to £48k South East £170 to £190 Ltd South East £75 to £100k East Anglia Perm £Neg Midland Circa £35 to £42k

In the current market we are not advertising all our contract roles.We are seeking CVs for all levels of MEICA, Process and Civil Engineers.

Commissioning Coordinator & Mgr Princ Civil Eng W & WW Netwks Civil Project Manager Electrical Design Engineer Flood Risk River Modeling expert MEICA Coordinator Civil Design Eng with 5-10 yrs exp MEICA Project Manager Proposals Engineer Developer Services Manager Process Design Engineer Mechanical Design Engineer Environmental Consultant Structural Engineer Technical Author Commercial Manager Hydraulic Engineer/Surge Analyst Chemical Sales Engineer

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ARE YOU JOB HUNTING? Visit tntjobs.co.uk for vacant positions in all industries across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. At tntjobs.co.uk you’ll find out how to land your perfect job, an A-Z list of employers, job alerts, career news and information, visa advice and details of recruiters.

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