WORLD
TRAVEL MAGAZINE
Perfect the Art of Lazy in the
Coastal Gem of Galle Japan’s Urban Treasures Hidden in Plain Sight
Art’s rebirth along
Bangkok’s
Singapore S$8 Malaysia RM 20 Thailand THB 200 Indonesia IDR 75,000 Philippines PHP 320 All Others US$6 August/September 2018
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Chao Phraya River
Seamlessly blending art into its
Tulum
surroundings at
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40
16
Contents
August/September 2018
60
Departments 4 Editor’s Note 10 Just In
Maldives Mania - no limit to experiences in the Indian ocean, from gliding the currents in a submarine to ice skating on the beach; Unravel Bhutan’s seductive and secluded regions with Six Senses and Amankora; Step aside White House and say hello to Versace’s Villa Casuarina in USA; Phu Quoc is a glory of fine dining, comfort foods and fine views; Table Bay Hotel, set amidst Cape Town’s dramatic coastline turns 21; Turkish Riviera anyone? Six Senses Kaplankaya gives Europe a run for their money; Dine amongst works of art when at Cap-Ferrat; Passion and love behind Museè du Parfum Fragonard’s objects d’art; Mayfair’s The Square blends a symphony of flavours; Luxuriously sail along Mekong aboard Gypsy and Flores sea on a phinisi; Kuala Lumpur, a relaxing destination with an ever expanding 5-star offering; Dance, swim, drink and create in Bali’s party clubs; Everyone’s favourite city Bangkok and everyone’s favourite Banyan Tree meet at rooftop Moon Bar. 2 World Travel August/September 2018
22
Inspire Me
32
Art Scene
A quick peek into remote corners of the world and famous national parks that push the inspire meter high.
Playing with porcelain to create otherworldly replicas of blossoming nature, Hitomi Hosono shares her inspirations on pottery and travel.
35
Where to Stay
Six Senses Duxton, a sensory sojourn in Singapore, draped in black and gold; Glamping gets an upgrade in these wild lux experiences where dreaming beneath branch and moon need not mean compromising on comfort; Island escape to Bintan, an idyllic getaway from busy Singapore.
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Style Makers
Bespoke shoes, traditions and legendary relationships – a conversation with George Glasgow; Strolling in Sarah Flint flats, Meghan Markle’s favourite brand.
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Style File
Singapore’s bespoke designers bring their A game for that perfect wardrobe from top to toe; Celebrate jungle lux style in rich jewel hues of green, orange and royal blue while at Bill Bensley designed Rosewood Luang Prabang in Laos.
108 Design & Architecture
Celebrate the world of furniture and interior designer with Francis Sultana; Explore New York’s showrooms and stores that dress the most exquisite residences around the world and blur the lines between art and furniture.
116
Short Breaks
124
At Leisure
Discover the sustainable travel movement in Palawan in the Philippines. It’s a concoction of sunny days, friendly skies, white sand and clear blue waters.
Days spent leisurely sailing on the Irrawaddy River, running through the middle of Myanmar.
Contents
August/September 2018
Features 62
A Treetop Night in Tulum
74
Japan’s Unsung Cities
82
Bangkok Heritage: Riverside Rebirth
96
A Teardrop From Serendib
Ever dreamt of waking up in a treehouse? Travel to the hippie-luxe town of Tulum, Mexico for a stay at luxury eco-resort Azulik. No electricity and bath water from local cenotes complete the experience. Japan’s most rewarding cities are ones you never thought to visit. Discover storied castles, glittering panoramas and delicacies you won’t find anywhere else.
The area around Chao Phraya River is a hotbed of cultural renaissance, where its rich heritage is reinvented by visionaries.
Photograph by Robert Schrader
At Fort Bazaar on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, an earthy interpretation of luxury takes one back in time.
Yokohama’s Sankei-en at the peak of sakura season August/September 2018 World Travel 3
JUST IN
MALDIVES MANIA Taking you to the limits
Odyssey under the sea in Four Season’s Super Falcon 3S submarine
Underwater art installation, The Coralarium, at Fairmont Maldives
First ice skating rink in Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives
The azure seas of the Maldives enchant in exciting new ways that will find you breathlessly blowing up your Instagram feed with unbelievable adventures of a lifetime. Begin with a flight underwater in a submarine built for three on Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. The Super Falcon 3S submarine takes you and two of your besties on a dramatic odyssey under the sea – bringing ideas of Captain Nemo and the Nautilus to life. Fly through azure waters to literally immerse yourself in the beauty of the atolls and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve the way they are meant to be experienced––up-close and personal through 360-degree viewing domes. Exclusively for kids over seven years old with fifteen-hundred dollars to play with. A knowledgeable pilot engages adventurers with real-time insights into the coral formations and sea life, including sharks, dolphins, rays, and turtles. Can’t get enough of life under the sea? You’ll definitely enjoy a unique tidal gallery space created by renown environmental sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, that creates a transformational experience for guests at the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi. Seeking to tell stories of the sea while saving it too, the Coralarium marries art while healing local marine life. As time moves over the gorgeous structure, the marine environment itself will create its own artwork with a changing patina and algae colonisation. The roof of the underwater art installation made out of Jesmonite sculptures––part-human, part-plant, part-coral––connects the sky and sea, allowing the Coralarium to bridge the space between worlds. But maybe you’d prefer skating away overwater instead. At Jumeirah Vittaveli nothing says Maldives like ice skating. Ice, Ice Maybe, the first ice rink in the Maldives, will have you passing on the vanilla and going straight for the rum. Last March, Olympic Gold medalist Eygeni Plushenko accompanied by his wife and children, wowed guests with a stellar, athletic inaugural performance. The manufacture of the ice plates aims at the resort’s heart for sustainability, forgoing traditional ice rink technology for cutting-edge, complex molecular synthetics that function without water and at a zero-energy level. At 170 square metres there’s plenty of room to play hockey, practice skating routines or just take in breathtaking, above-water views from the ringside seats.
10 World Travel August/September 2018
The Coralarium
Latest in Luxury Experiences
UNRAVEL THE SECLUDED & SEDUCTIVE REGIONS OF BHUTAN Embracing the art of happiness one region at a time
Clockwise from top, sky pool, Amankora Punakha Lodge; Monastery in the Land of the Thunder Dragon; spectacular pool above the rice paddies, Six Senses Punakha; view of the quaint glacial valley of Phobjikha from Amankora Gangtey Lodge bedroom
The secluded mountain region of Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon, is famous for its arduous landscape and easy going people. While the journey to the nation is time-consuming and requires a couple of long flight hops, the discoveries one makes in its peaks are heavenly. Bhutan has its own nuances that add to the dimensions of one’s experience while visiting here. Six Senses Bhutan, set to take reservations from November 2018, has created five boutique lodges spread across the western and central valleys, each capturing the elements of the landscape in their own unique ways. Six Senses Thimphu welcomes you to discover happiness at the Palace in the Sky in the mythical Himalayan Kingdom that measures happiness as a gross national product. The second lodge in Punakha valley is set amidst rice fields while Six Senses Gangtey finds one birdwatching in the quaint glacial valley of Phobjikha, home to the sacred black-necked cranes. Meditate, contemplate and indulge in treehouse dining while at Six Senses Bumthang, surrounded by evergreen pine forest and beautiful monasteries. Race back up to be one with the clouds at Six Senses Paro located at a stunning elevation overlooking the Paro valley. A private dining experience in the 15th century stone ruins of a dzong leaves a lasting impression of the land and its roots that trace time back to 500BC. More magic can be had at Amankora, the first international hotel granted permission to operate within the borders of this spiritual mecca. Kora is the word used to describe the circular experience of discovery found throughout central and western Bhutan. Five lodges bring the majesty of this Kingdom at the top of the world to you, located in Paro, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Thimphu. Laid-back luxurious adventures here take you on breathtaking encounters, including unique cultural experiences like a series of Michelin-starred visiting chefs at Thimphu Lodge, helicopter breakfast at Twin Lakes, poppy treks, forest and prayer flag bathing, and immersive wellness retreats overseen by visiting health gurus. August/September 2018 World Travel 11
JUST IN
CULINARY ADVENTURE A BIG DRAW IN PHU QUOC Lava stone grilling with a side of champagne & caviar sunsets
You might want to throw one pair of super-sized pants into your suitcase when you head to Intercontinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort in Vietnam. Stylish and savoury, you’ll enjoy the highest bar in Phu Quoc called INK360, where stunning panoramic views of the mountains and the sea accompany award-winning interiors by Australian Ashley Sutton. Let the champagne flow along with your celebratory good times and stunning sunset tapas of fresh seafood and caviar. Round out your culinary escapades with LAVA, a fine-dining seafood restaurant featuring imported meats all grilled on lava stone and infused with aromatic peppers. Live Japanese and Vietnamese cooking stations take centre stage at Sora & Umi, featuring robatayaki and sushi. Ombra wows with homemade Italian cuisine including gelato, while Sea Shack serves the kind of comfort food you need after a day of touring like signature lobster rolls. Finish your exploration at Mercado, the place for coffee, picnic baskets and traditional Vietnamese delicacies. phuquoc.intercontinental.com/dining From top, the ultimate in barefoot luxury, Sea Shack Restaurant’s stunning ocean sunsets; get your comfort food fix at Sea Shack Restaurant; Ocean View Room, all at InterContinental Phu Quoc
EXTR AORDINARY MEMORIES AS THE TABLE BAY TURNS 21 Cape Town’s dramatic backdrop sets the scene for this luxury abode Opened in 1997 by Nelson Mandela, Sun International’s The Table Bay hotel, a unique place in luxury travel as well as South African history, finds you enjoying an unmatched local, authentic experience along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town. Panoramic views of the harbour, Table Mountain and the Atlantic also offer terrific proximity to the city’s downtown with just north of 300 lavish rooms and suites, a scenic pool, a spa and a handful of gorgeous venues for your special celebration. There’s no end to the charm here, whether experiencing the Camelot Universal Signature Hot Stone Massage calling up the best of Kahuna, Balinese and Indian head massage to a ruby martini served in the Union Bar, to the golden statue dedicated to the legend of Oscar the Cape Fur Seal and his unusual friendship with a lonely fisherman. Enjoy craft beer produced by Darling Brewery excellent for the heat of South African days and nights, the perfect pairing with fresh shellfish and fish. After your latest adventure at the end of the world, enjoy the old-world sophistication of high tea in the Lounge where the centuries-old tradition finds you enjoying indigenous flavours amidst one of the world’s most dramatic backdrops. suninternational.com/table-bay 14 World Travel August/September 2018
EXPLORING SOPHISTICATED TURQUOISE COAST A.K.A TURKISH RIVIERA Six Senses Kaplankaya, hottest spot in Turkey right now
Nestled amidst natural beauty, surrounded by olive trees, cypresses and undulating hills to arrive to the 400-hectare reserve of Kaplankaya, represents the new sophisticated Turkish Riviera. Overlooking the Aegean Sea, the Six Senses Kaplankaya resort features 147 rooms & suites, and 66 secluded Ridge Villas with private pool. The stunning sky-lit lobby, overlooking the azure water, dotted with leather-clad ottomans and handcrafted olive wood tables resting on layered Turkish rugs. The first wow impression. The private and secluded setting of the resort offers two outdoor infinity pools and three private beaches, it becomes without a doubt, the perfect place to relax, to do water sports and beach activities for the whole family or for a romantic escape. “Eat with Six Senses” philosophy is translated into three dining venues highlighting healthy and Mediterranean food in fabulous locations. Visit the resort’s organic garden where most of the vegetables of your lunch come from. If your favourite place is like mine, the spa, here is your very own paradise: a 10.000m2 of spa and sports facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, watsu pool, hammams, several saunas, and state-of-the-art fitness studios, etc. Do not miss the complimentary morning activities like meditation in the purpose built Dôme or the walk along the beach. All guided by experts who will help you to reach your goal. Truly a dream to feel reborn and relaxed. sixsenses.com/resorts/kaplankaya/destination
Orta Bay aerial, Six Senses Kaplankaya, Turkey
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Wild Caribbean AN ADRENALINE-FUELED CALL TO ADVENTURE
A SENSORY SOJOURN IN SINGAPORE
Photographs by Six Senses Duxton
BY SANJAY SURANA
The first urban Six Senses property in the world melds the brand’s expected wellness and sustainability with a rich dose of Singapore heritage.
August/September 2018 World Travel 35
WHERE TO STAY SLEEPING IN THE WILD
Sleeping in the Wild Lavish Resorts that Take you Back to Nature
Forget tangled mosquito nets, sweat-drenched nights, and damp canvas walls – sleeping in the wild no longer needs to be a ‘roughing it’ experience. Five-star resorts around the world are witnessing a travelling desire to reconnect with nature and are setting up camps of sass and splendour. Those well-heeled adventurers who dream of drifting away beneath branch and moon and waking to the melody of birdsong and dappled sunlight will fall in love with our selection. From grown-up silver service summer camps in Canada to tantalising treehouses in the jungles of Costa Rica, these handpicked homes in the heart of nature are sure to drive you wild. By Jodie Oakes 40 World Travel August/September 2018
This page, from top, A tented oasis a hidden haven deep in the impenetrable Bwindi Forest Opposite, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort Cookhouse Outdoor Lounge
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp UGANDA Waking to the sound of a male silverback thumping his chest deep in the green-cloaked misty mountains of Uganda is one of the most remarkable experiences you could wish for. The impenetrable Bwindi Forest is far from the tourist track of Africa. Here, in the velvet heartlands, only eight luxury tents make up the Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. Candlelit bathtubs, indigenous prints, and custom designed furnishings set the scene for intimate nights and exclusive days. Each cabin even comes with its own walkie-talkie, so you can order tall cool drinks to be delivered without having to abandon the sanctuary of your private space. Communal spaces are light and breezy – perfect for lazy breakfasts and sharing trekking stories around the campfire. Of course the major draw here is the chance to track endangered gorillas in the wild, but for the intrepid – you will also find Batwa tribe experiences, wild encounters at the Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Africology spa days. sanctuaryretreats.com/uganda-camps-gorilla-forest
August/September 2018 World Travel 41
FEATURE TULUM
By Sangeeta Kocharekar
62 World Travel August/September 2018
Photographs by Azulik/Santiago Heyser
A Treetop Night in Tulum
Tulum, which lies 90 minutes south of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, was once a Mayan walled city serving as a major port for the ancient city of Coba. August/September 2018 World Travel 63
FEATURE JAPAN’S UNSUNG CITIES
JAPAN’S UNSUNG CITIES WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT SCHRADER
When you think of urban Japan, you think of Tokyo—and maybe Osaka, or perhaps even Hiroshima. Regardless of the Japanese city in question, you probably imagine a sprawling metropolis filled with millions of people, serpentine rail lines and blaring neon signs that light busy thoroughfares all through the night. In fact, many of Japan’s most incredible cities bear little resemblance to this stereotype— Kyoto is perhaps the best-known counterexample. While you probably won’t recognise the names of these unsung Japanese cities, from Hokkaido’s Hakodate to Shikoku’s Kochi, you’ll definitely want to visit them by the time you finish reading.
The world-famous night view of Hakodate, as seen from Mt. Hakodate
FEATURE BANGKOK
BANGKOK HERITAGE: RIVERSIDE REBIRTH WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY VINCENT SUNG
82 World Travel August/September 2018
August/September 2018 World Travel 83
FEATURE GALLE
104 World Travel August/September 2018
MY BUREAU OF TRAVELS AND WRITINGS LIES TINGED WITH THE FABRIC AND THE FRAGRANCES OF TIMES GONE BY, MY NAVIGATIONAL COMPASS AUTOMATICALLY ATTUNED TOWARDS HORIZONS AND DESIRES DRENCHED IN VINTAGE
August/September 2018 World Travel 105
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE NYC ART TOUR & SHOPPING
THE ARTFUL HOME Chic, Modern, Expensive
If your idea of bucket-list travel includes world-class shopping and fashion, consider art & shopping tours to round out your luxury travel experience. Nothing thrills like a trip to the Big Apple, especially when you discover the perfect sofa there. By Carolina Real 110 World Travel August/September 2018
This Page, Soho - Ochre Showroom’s sophisticated, luxurious objects and innovative lighting designs Opposite, traditional and nontraditional woodworking techniques are a perfect fit at the Guild Store
N
ew York City’s artful showrooms, stores, and shops dress the most exquisite residences around the world. More art than objects, the chairs, sofas, lighting, tables, and home accessories seem like sculptures which just happen to have utility—“objets-d’utilité.” Here, art marries home design, possessing the imagination in such a way as to make the viewer feel like they have entered a painting, rather than a showroom.
BDDW is a favorite destination for architects & designers, one of many destinations that can be featured on tours run by Orange York, offering first-class Contemporary Art & Design and Luxury Fashion shopping experiences. This must-see showroom located in SOHO, an oasis of quality and exquisite craftsmanship, resides in a neoclassical modern building echoing the contemporary furniture and art it houses. The love of superior craftsmanship is shown in so many ways. Furniture hand rubbed with natural oils and lacquers make the artisanal pieces last. Fabrics and furniture, designed by owner Tyler Hays, reflect the sensibilities of the painter and sculptor, BDDW also carries exquisite fabrics that come directly from mills in Italy & Belgium. Signature sofas, solid walnut tables, and wall-mounted leather drawers could be considered fine art. Beware, an extraordinary BDDW sofa may list
at $80,000. One may also find a deck swing, a painted crock, or a ceramic pendant from one of the collections by Robert Malherbe, Jen Wink Hays, Apparatus Studio, Julian Watts, Lindsey Adelman, Kieran Kinsella or Gratz Industries. 5 Crosby St., New York, NY 10013
LES ATELIERS COURBET is a trusted source of home goods that tend to become family heirlooms. Here, in NYC’S Chelsea district, centuries-old manufacturers from five continents exhibit textiles, lighting, rare furniture, flooring, and museum-worthy objets-devertu. The shop houses pieces from archive collections, hand-crafted items, and artist collaborations––including exclusive editions from Serge Poliakoff, Frank Gehry, Vladimir Kagan, Aldo Bakker, Pharrell Williams, Pablo Reinoso, and from the Estate of Francis Picabia. 134 10th Ave., New York, NY 10011
OCHRE SOHO is a delightfully elegant store in Broome Street. Choose to visit for matchless craftsmanship in lighting, accessories for the interior, and for furniture designed with rich, sustainable materials. Among Ochre’s sophisticated and luxurious objects lie innovative lighting designs with titles such as Arctic pear chandelier wave and Seed cloud installation round. 462 Broome St., New York, NY 10013
August/September 2018 World Travel 111
SHORT BREAKS PALAWAN
D I S C O V E R P A L AWA N
From top left, 180-degree uninterrupted views of Bacuit Bay from the Nesting Table Restaurant at the Birdhouse; guests sleep in their own private luxury “Nest” perched in the canopy Opposite, clockwise from top, low impact activities like kayaking and paddleboarding are the preferred way to see the Big and Small Lagoons at the El Nido Resorts; one of the greenest ways to see Palawan is aboard a sailboat; Palawan is a diver’s dream with hundreds of unique species found only in its water
116 World Travel August/September 2018
PHILIPPINES’ SUSTAINABLE ISLAND HOTSPOT WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY AUDREY HILLS
August/September 2018 World Travel 117