TRAVEL OFTEN.LIVE WELL TRAVEL MAGAZINE10TOP 5TEMPLESCAMBODIAN YOU MUST EXPERIENCE ADVENTURES FOR SERIOUS ADRENALINE JUNKIES ICELAND A PHOTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY MALAWI THE WARM HEART OF AFRICAEAxcRluCsTivIeC E X P E D I T I O N BREAKING ICE WITH ASTRONAUT CHRIS HADFIELDDEC 2016 COME ALONG ON THE JOURNEY at DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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INSIDE this issue 8 ISSUE'S TOP 10 34 AT A GLANCE 62 WHISTLER, BC. Thrills of a lifetime. Riomaggiore, Italy. Romancing the snow - without skis.18 ARCTIC EXPEDITION 36 CAMBODIA 66 TRAVEL GEAR Polar bears, glaciers and an astronaut. 5 Siem Reap temples you must visit. Pack more and spend less.30TRAVELLING EDITOR 46 BEAUTIFUL BALI 68 ICELAND St. Regis Punta Mita, Mexico Two locations, one lasting impression. A photographic journey.TRAVEL OFTEN.LIVE WELL TRAVEL MAGAZINE 52 LIFE & STYLE 80 #WHERETONEXT How to pack stylishly for the tropics. Canouan Island, St. Vincent and10TOP 5TEMPLESCAMBODIAN the Grenadines. YOU MUST EXPERIENCE 54 SAN FRANCISCO Three restaurants we loved. ADVENTURES FOR SERIOUS 56 MALAWI ADRENALINE Warm heart of Africa. JUNKIES ICELAND A PHOTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY MALAWI THE WARM HEART OF AFRICAEAxcRluCsTivIeC E X P E D I T I O N BREAKING ICE WITH ASTRONAUT CHRIS HADFIELDDEC 2016 COME ALONG ON THE JOURNEY at DRIFTTRAVEL.COMHOLIDAY 2016Whether your travel itch thisseason is adventurous, serene,frosty or tropical, it's allinside this issue of DRIFT.Come along on the journey.2 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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E D I T O Ra travel note from theFor travel lovers like you and me, 30the cold weather doesn't meanhibernation. It means finding worlddestinations that embrace the seasonand introduce us to new experiencesthat broaden our minds and add toour passport stamp collections.In this issue of DRIFT, our passionate teambrings you a diverse range of travel stories that range from luxury tooutrageous; from the comforts of home to the far corners of the earth.Whether your travel plans include a fun family road trip across the Oh, the places I've been!United States, or a grueling solitary trek across the desert, I understandhow much you love to travel. I do as well and that is why I work hard to 30ensure that each issue of DRIFT travel magazine is beautifully curated, BEACH FRONT BEAUTY30artistically crafted and chocked full of travel inspiration. Come along IN PUNTA MITAon the journey! Forty minutes from Puerto Vallarta, St. Regis Punta Mita provides aTravel often and live well, Mexican luxury haven, far away from the pressures of everyday life.Tracey DrakeEditor-In-Chief & Creative Director [email protected] with me on CULINARY CRAWL INInstagram: @TraceyDrakeEditor SAN FRANCISCO, CA 54 After spending three days in Cali's eccentric coastal city, I'm excited to share three amazing culinary hot spots you must try - and soon! 80 A SPECIAL LITTLE CARIBBEAN ISLAND In this issue, our #WhereToNext is Canouan, a tiny island in the Caribbean that got my attention, and it will grab yours too. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 5
PUBLISHER GLOSSY MEDIA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | CREATIVE DIRECTOR TRACEY DRAKE PRODUCTION/EDITORIAL TEAM BONNIE CONRAD, JANE CROSS, ELIZABETH DEAN, TRACEY DRAKE, LAURA FRIIS, KERI HARVEY, ERIC HIMEL, WILLIAM LAKE, PETER MANDEL, JOSIE SALDAT, TODD TALBOT, SYLVIA TENNANT CREATIVE | PHOTOGRAPHY GALYNA ANDRUSHKO, ADOBE STOCK, SERGE BERTASIUS, STEVE DRAKE, FEATUREWELL, LAURA FRIIS, CHRIS HADFIELD, ERIC HON, DENIS KABANOV, KARIN KAMON, CHRISTIAN MUELLER, VADIM PETRAKOV, MICHAEL PICCAYA, EKATERINA POKROVSKY, MEGAN SCRAPER, SHUTTERSTOCK, DEBBIE STEEPER, ST. REGIS PUNTA MITA, DIETMAR TEMPS, BARRY TUCK, ANDREY VERGELES, JIXEN YU SALES & CIRCULATION DIRECTOR STEVE DRAKE ADVERTISING & PUBLISHING RIGHTS INQUIRIES [email protected] | www.DRIFTtravel.com Published by: Glossy Media All rights reserved. No part of DRIFT magazine may be copied or reproduced without permission. © COPYRIGHT DRIFT TRAVEL MAGAZINE GLOSSY MEDIA 2015-20166 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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Enjoy the Thrill of a Lifetime10TOP Ultimate Adventures for Adrenaline Junkies by: BONNIE CONRAD8 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
For some people, the perfect vacation means relaxing on the beach and reading a good book, but forthe adrenaline junkie, that kind of staid getaway simply will not do. Whether you love to surf andkayak or climb and explore, the world gives you plenty of ways to indulge your love of adventure traveland get your fill of adrenaline rushes. Here are 10 great destinations for travelers who are not afraid toput themselves out there, in search of the next great adventure. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 9
1 Diving the Great Barrier ReefIf you love diving, it is hard to beatthe beauty and drama of the GreatBarrier Reef in Australia. You’llprobably want to stay away from thetouristy places and book your tripwith a local who understands yourneed for adventure. Once you n theGreat Barrier Reef is the most pop-ular dive spot in the world. 2 Kayaking in Belize Belize is a land of natural beauty, with stunning rainforests and abundant wildlife at every turn. The water sports here are exceptional as well, and guiding your kayak down its raging rivers (Moho River is a fast water dream for kayakers) will certainly get your adrenaline pumping.3 Rock Climbing YosemiteA favorite spot for rock climbingis Yosemite in California’s SierraNevada mountains. The stunningrock formations known as ElCapitan and Half Dome are themost popular climbing locations,but there are hundreds of otherlesser-known places to throw aline and get your fill of adrenaline-fueled adventure. 10 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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4 Skydiving in Interlaken, Switzerland Can you imagine yourself leaping from a plane into the great blue yonder and enjoying breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps? That is exactly what you will experience when you visit Interlaken, an underappreciated part of the Swiss countryside that simply must be seen to be believed. Interlaken is truly a paradise for fans of fun, with skydiving and paragliding opportunities at every turn. If you love to fly, Interlaken is the place to get your wings.5 Running with the Bulls in PamplonaAdult men and women can run in the footsteps of Papa Hemingway byfleeing from 1,000-pound bulls on the run through the streets of Pamplona,Spain. The 2017 Running of the Bulls is July 4-15, 2017 with daily bull runsand nightly street parties. 6 Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua If you are a true thrill seeker, you have gone dune boarding. Maybe you even traveled to locations in the Middle East and North Africa to indulge your passion. But have you ever boarded down the side of an active volcano? When you travel to the wilds of Nicaragua you can do just that. Nicaragua is one of the few places where you can sail down the side of an active volcano, and while it is not for the faint of heart, vol- cano boarding is an experience you will not soon forget. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 13
7 Scaling the Top of Mount Everest For the expert climber, Mount Everest represents the literal and figurative pinnacle of the sport. The climb is arduous and the risks are quite real, and when you reach the summit, you will be part of a small and exclusive club. Even the Nepalese foothills around Mount Everest are filled with unique encounters, so plan to spend some time getting to know the area. A trip to Mount Everest is truly the thrill of a lifetime, perfect for anyone in search of stimulation. 8 Braving the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon Imagine walking out onto a ledge and stepping into oblivion. That is exactly what you can do on the west side of the iconic Grand Canyon in Arizona. The installation of a glass walkway extending over that massive canyon was big news, and now that it has been completed, the walkway is a big hit. The floor of the walkway is glass, but so are the walls. The Grand Canyon walkway is the perfect place for adrenaline junkies to test their mettle.14 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
9 Hiking in Death ValleyIt would be hard to find a moreextreme environment in which toindulge your love of hiking thanDeath Valley. Conditions in this partof Eastern California are extremelydry, and natural sources of water arealmost nonexistent. As if that werenot enough, there are poisonouslizards, dangerous snakes and allmanner of scary desert wildlife. Theaverage traveler would wonder whyanyone would want to hike here,but for the adrenaline junkie it isall about pushing limits and seeingwhat they are capable of.1 0 Surfing Big Waves in HawaiiIf you have always wanted to ridethe biggest waves, Hawaii shouldbe your travel destination. TheHawaiian islands are renownedfor their enormous waves, andthe surfing here is outstanding.Whether you are an experiencedsurfer or a relative newcomer, youcan find waves that suit your needsand abilities. Hawaii is also theperfect spot for solo travelers, withlots of new friends to make andpristine beaches to explore. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 15
every single day, more thanEIGHT MILLION PEOPLE get on an airplane & travel Those who love to travel crave information on new countries to visit, exciting sights to see and once-in-a-lifetime adventures to experience. DRIFT covers all the travel bases for our readers; from hotels, airlines and cruises to city guides, culinary destinations, secret beaches and must-have accessories.excitingPublished six times a year, DRIFT is an magazine that is a pleasure to read and an inspirational resource for travel lovers.travel exoticWorking with many of the bestexperts in the industry, each issue of DRIFT offers up articles on destinations, citysecrets gear, adventure meccas, resort reports, global hot-spots, grab-n-go technology and travel . Using our publication mantraDRIFT“travel often, live well” as a launching point, is filled with exclusive editorial on where to go, how to get there and what to dophotographyonce you arrive; stories punctuated with meaningful, useful, expertly written travel guides and awe-inspiring travel . share your story ADVERTISING, ADVERTORIAL & PRODUCT PLACEMENT:with MILLIONS of [email protected] travel lovers TOURISM PR & PARTNERSHIPS: [email protected] 16 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM TRAVEL WRITER & PHOTO JOURNALIST SUBMISSIONS: [email protected]
Tidal bore rafting.There’s nothing quite like that moment when the river shiftsdirections and goes from serene to exhilarating. And just think,rafting the most extreme tides in the world is only one of thethings in Nova Scotia that will make your heart skip a beat. A real-life discovery channel.Explore all there is to do at NovaScotia.com TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 17
Working icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov18 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
POLAR BEARS, GLACIERS & AN ASTRONAUTARCTIC EXPEDITION Words and photography: Laura Friis top ice class expedition ships rarely go, and the helicopters gave us unparalleled access to remote areas.My polar obsession began in 2005, with my The KK, on this leg of the voyage, was going to try to cross first trip to Antarctica. Perhaps because of into the Canadian Arctic along the north coast of my biologist background, my travels have Greenland. The Arctic sea ice is diminishing every year, taken me to the earth’s wild places, where but what thick multi-year ice there is tends to accumulatethe impact of human activity is less (but never absent) and along the northeastern part of the Canadian Arctic andyou can escape the noise and trappings of civilization to the top of Greenland, so we knew it would be a challenge.some extent and see how the world once was. We encountered sea ice the day after leaving Svalbard, and spent two days trying to find a way west along theIn the summer of 2016, there was a remarkable Greenland coast. As polar travelers know, the quickest wayopportunity to do something truly special: the Kapitan through ice is to go around it, so although we did a bit ofKhlebnikov, a Russian icebreaker, was planning a ice-breaking, mostly we were just pushing our waycircumnavigation of the Arctic Ocean. Affectionately through leads and between floes, eventually reaching aknown as the KK, she had spent many years as a touristship with Quark Expeditions but had gone back to herregular icebreaking duties in Russia in early 2012. SoI BOOKED A TICKET TO GREENLANDand boarded Kapitan Khlebnikov, a working icebreaker, for an adventure to circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean.when I was informed of her return, “Book me to northern point of 81° 25’ N (about 500 nautical milesGreenland!” I said. And, not long after, “and the Canadian from the North Pole). Then, facing massive pressure ridgesHigh Arctic too!” across nearly solid sea ice cover, and with no leads visibleAnd so, at the end of July, I was on my way to from satellite imagery or helicopter flights, the CaptainLongyearbyen in Svalbard, to meet up with the ship. made the decision to turn back.Icebreakers are a different design than regular expedition After the initial excitement of boarding the ship andships. The KK is a working icebreaker, 123 meters long, learning our way around; the lifeboat drills, zodiac travelwith 24,000 horsepower and a cruising speed of 15 knots briefing, helicopter travel briefing, and polar bear safetyin open water. In expedition mode, she carries a briefing (“Can you run 100 meters as fast as Usain Bolt?maximum of 110 guests, six zodiacs, and two helicopters. Well, a polar bear can”), life aboard settled into somethingHer hull strength means she can venture where even the approaching a routine. The ship carried a full complement of specialists in the Arctic – culture, history, geology, TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 19
KK anchored opposite Quttinirpaaq National Park headquarters, Tanquary Fjord, Ellesmere Islandglaciology, wildlife biology, so no matter what the going for distance.) I belong to the latter. The chargersquestion, someone knew the answer. Most important, the may see more muskox, but we probably come out aheadgoal of the expedition team was to get us off the ship as with lemmings, wheatears and ptarmigan.much as possible. Alternatively, the team would find us a nice open spot,We spent the first several days exploring Northeast usually elevated and with good vantage points and fabulousGreenland National Park, the largest national park in the views of glaciers, fjords and ice, to fly us to, so we couldworld – larger than British Columbia - and a UNESCO meander at will while the gun bearers kept watch.World Heritage Site. Then we continued on south, In either case, I would often find a spot to just sit,exploring all the fjords, glaciers, archaeological sites (both experience the near total silence (something nearlyThule and Norse), Sirius patrol stations and communities, impossible at home), observe the wildlife and just absorbfrom Ittoqqortoormiit to Tasilaq, Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq the stunning landscapes around me.and Qaanaaq, that we could access as we traveled along Because of the near-24-hour daylight, if an amazingthe coast. opportunity presented itself, we could be off in zodiacs orWe had two types of shore excursions, both preceded by a helicopters at nearly any hour. In the end, this is anhelicopter flight to check for bears and hiking routes, and expedition, and ice and weather, and of course ourthen a few of the expedition team, appropriately armed, Captain, are ultimately in charge.going in to set up a perimeter or to take groups hiking. If Greenland is 80% covered by an ice sheet with an averagethe weather was calm and a beach accessible, we would go thickness of 1500 meters. Around the periphery of the iceashore by zodiac (no docks here) and then go off in groups sheet are innumerable glaciers, flowing inexorably(chargers, who go for distance and elevation, medium downwards. Over millennia, the landscapes have beenwalkers, and contemplative meanderers who are moreinterested in examining the landscape around them than20 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
carved by the glaciers, revealing a geologist’s dream of acountry, ancient rocks exposed by the irresistible power ofthe ice. As a glacier melts, vast quantities of rocks of allsizes are deposited in a jumbled heap along its edges andat the front. Huge rocks are left on the landscape randomlyas the glacier retreats - and the glaciers are definitelyretreating. As we sailed south along Greenland’s coast, wedid see glaciers reaching tidewater, but many more justvisible on the mountainsides.We could tell areas which had been recently glaciated bythe presence and extent of lichen on the exposed rocks.Lichen grows very slowly, so the size of the patches onrocks can be an indication of when the ice retreated, andcan easily be decades or hundreds of years old.Although we were far above the treeline, there were stilltrees. Arctic willow and birch are most common, but theygrow along the ground rather than upright, and can alsoreach ages of many decades. Like their upright cousins tothe south, these trees also change color in the fall,producing vivid splashes of red and orange across thelandscape. As I walked over the tundra, I found myself Aerial view of lake on glacier, Scoresbysund Icebergs at Ilulissat with ground vegetation TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 21
Photo credit: Chris Hadfield Writer Laura Friis (center) with astronaut Chris Hadfield (left) and son Evan Hadfield (right)apologizing to the lichens and old trees I was walking seeing these incredible landscapes all over again, throughover, hopefully not damaging them with my passage. their eyes. We heard fascinating space stories from ChrisWhen, after three weeks, we reached Kangerlussuaq on and some intriguing talks from the Generator team –Greenland’s west coast, it was time for most of the AND they brought guitars making for memorable eveningpassengers to head home and a new group to join us music in the bar.aboard, to explore the rest of Greenland’s coast and then We continued north, exploring another UNESCO Worldsail west into the Canadian Arctic. Among the joining Heritage Site: Ilulissat and the adjacent Sermeq Kujalleqpassengers were Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and glacier, which is flowing at several kilometers a year (up toson Evan, and with them, the team of Generator Arctic, a 45 meters a day), produces enormous numbers of icebergsgroup of photographers, writers and musicians, none of (35 billion tonnes per year, more than any other glacierwhom had been to the Arctic before. Unlike the previous outside Antarctica). We spent an exhilarating few hoursthree weeks, when the passengers were all seasoned polar zodiacing among these massive icebergs with occasionaltravelers, we now had an amazing group of very talented humpback whales for company. Despite the volume of icepeople experiencing all of this for the first time. And that flowing from the main ice sheet, the active face of thisin turn improved my own experience immeasurably, by glacier is retreating every year.22 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
CANADIAN ASTRONAUT CHRIS HADFIELD,SON EVAN AND THE GENERATOR ARCTIC TEAM JOINED US THREE WEEKS IN. Village of Uummannaq, NW Greenland TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 23
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WITH NEAR 24-HOUR DAYLIGHT, IF AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF,WE COULD BE OFF IN ZODIACS OR HELICOPTERS AT NEARLY ANY HOUR.Zodiac and iceberg. Rodefjord, Scoresbysund Big ice. That is part of what draws so many of us back. From the gigantic white blocks of ice calving from the glaciers of Scoresbysund or Ilulissat, maturing over the years as they roll and split and age, displaying incredible shades of blue, textures from pebbled to ridged to as clear as glass, every iceberg is different and beautiful. Their history can be traced through the layers, the number of times it has rolled by the “water lines”. The glacier ice from which the iceberg is formed is thousands of years old, but once the iceberg leaves the fjord and begins its journey south, its life is often only a year or two. Finding a particularly sculpted and weathered iceberg with infinite shades of green and blue can keep photographers happy for hours! A few glaciers and fjords later, we stopped for a visit at Qaanaaq, our last stop in Greenland, and then headed west into the Canadian Arctic. Our first stop in Canada was at Grise Fiord on Ellesmere Island, where Canada Customs and Immigration officers cleared the ship and all of us. At this point, two Canadian helicopters and crew joined us, having spent four days and 14 refueling stops to reach us from their base in Quebec. We had planned a community visit, but the inclement weather (huge waves) made a shore landing difficult, so the helicopters came into play, ferrying some of the school children and townspeople to the ship to visit us, and taking the Hadfields into town to visit with the school. Then we turned north again, sailing up between Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg islands and into Tanquary Fjord, where we reached our most northern point of this part of the voyage, over 81° N at the headquarters for Quttinirpaaq National Park, Canada’s second largest national park. The snow was now beginning, making hikes even more interesting because of the wildlife tracks we could easily see, and accentuating the geological formations of the mountains around us. Helicopter flights, charging and TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 25
meandering continued each day, and we were also able to levels again, have been happily following thevisit Eureka weather station, one of the few inhabited photographs and videos being posted by the membersspots this far north (80°N). of Generator Arctic.Eventually we had to turn our ship south again, havinga final magnificent encounter with a polar bear on the And yes, I’m planning my next return to the ice.sea ice, and then, once again blocked by ice, circlingback around Devon Island (with a brief stop for a polar About the author: Laura Friis is a travel consultantswim by the intrepid or foolish) to reach Resolute, the at Departures Travel (departurestravel.com) specializingend-point of our voyage. More snow, fog and big waves in adventure travel and helping others to experiencehindered the zodiac landings a bit, but we made it to these amazing destinations.the airport, and eventually were winging our way southagain, as the KK continued west through the rest of the For more information on arctic and antarcticNorthwest Passage and its home port in Russia. expeditions visit quarkexpeditions.comSince our return, I’ve adjusted to the southern noise26 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
Polar bear, NE GreenlandTRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 27
the editor when was the last time you saw something for the first time? by: TRACEY DRAKE If you have never experienced St. Regis hospitality, you are truly missing out on something very special. On a trip to Mexico, I spent some time at the lovely St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, and experienced a tropical travel experience filled with luxury amenities, elegant dining, and white sand. While you may have traveled to Mexico many times, you haven’t been to this Mexico. Punta Mita – which translates to Gateway to Paradise - is off the beaten path, as it should be. As you leave Puerto Vallarta proper, you travel through authentic Mexican countryside, enter into the State of Nayarit and eventually arrive at the gates of this 1,500 acre master planned community; greeted by the smiling faces of The St. Regis staff, armed with pitchers of ice cold Margaritas. This welcome was a glimpse into what became four days of what I can only describe as “always attentive but never intrusive” bliss.30 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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THE FINER POINTS • Getting Here: Punta Mita is a 40-minute scenic drive from the airport in Puerto Vallarta. Limo, shuttle and taxi services are readily available and can be booked in advance. • Packing: Bathing suit, beach sandals, shorts, sunblock and a good book should be the bulk of your suitcase contents but pack at least one nice resort outfit for dinner. • Attractions: Do not miss snorkelling to Hidden Beach on Marietas Islands (Vallarta Adventures) and board a helicopter at the St. Regis for an unforgettable aerial tour (Punta Mita Expeditions). FOLLOW @TraceyDrakeEditor on Instagram & Twitter or search hashtag #TheTravellingEditor32 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
Starting from the stunning decor in the hotel's openair reception lobby, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resorthas so much to offer including a collection of awe-inspiring infinity pools, beach cabanas, Remède Spa,numerous casual and formal dining options, as wellas access to two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf courses.My beach front deluxe suite was well appointed,with Mexican charm and high end finishes. Thesuite was large with a very private ocean-view walk-out terrace, and a spa bathroom with an oversizedsoaker tub and an incredibly private outdoor shower.As part of the long standing signature St. RegisButler Service, you are assigned a personal butlerwho is just a quick call, text or email away to getwhatever you may need - coffee, reading material,drinks, garment pressing or even a private partyplanned in your suite. They take care of everything,including packing and unpacking your suitcases.Here, you can do nothing at all - enjoying the whitesane beaches and peaceful sounds of the waveswashing ashore. Or you can do whatever you desire.The staff at St. Regis are happy to arrange yoga, beachactivities, water sports, excursions to Marietas Islandswhere you can snorkel into Hidden Beach (which Ihighly recommend!) and even a private helicoptertour to see this spectacular region from the air.This St. Regis waterfront resort is casual eleganceat its best. The sprawling property was carefullycurated to maximize guest privacy; even with thehotel booked to capacity for large weddings orspecial events like the very popular Punta MitaBeach Festival (held in July each year), the privatecasita-style accommodation and lush landscapesmeant it never feels busy or crowded or rushed.It is probably a good reason why celebrities loveSt. Regis Punta Mita. In fact, I spent an entireafternoon on the pure white sand beach, swimmingand lounging in a hammock with my book andmy thoughts, and never saw another person.Paraiso – yes, paradise.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: STREGIS.COM/PUNTAMITA TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 33
RATiAomGLAaNgCgEi: ore,Italy by: ELIZABETH DEAN34 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
CINQUE TERRE by: JANE CROSSSituated right on the Gulf of Genoa, in theprovince of La Spezia in the Liguria region ofItaly, and one of the five famous Italian fishingvillages known as Cinque Terre, Riomaggioreis one of the prettiest villages in the world.Charming by day and breathtaking by night,the origins of Riomaggiore dates back to the 8thCentury, when the inhabitants of the Vara valley,searching a milder climate to grow grapes andolive trees without the fear of pirate raids, movedto the coast. The town climbs steeply up along theridges overlooking the sea and it is characterizedby a multitude of colorful stone buildings,slate rooftops and open air balconies thatwelcome each day in the village of Riomaggiore. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 35
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MUST SEE TEMPLES IN SIEM REAP,5CAMBODIA by: WILLIAM LAKE Siem Reap is the most popular tourist destination in Cambodia, and the temples of Angkor Archaeological Park attract millions of visitors every year. Most people will have heard of the legendary Angkor Wat, but there are many temples located in Siem Reap and surrounding provinces which are also worth visiting. The temples in Cambodia were built by kings during the Khmer Empire, or what is known as the Angkor Period. The Angkor kings built up a vast empire which covered Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. During this time, they built huge reservoirs, canals, large cities, and the largest religious monument the world has ever seen. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIKVEohWKELerL T. e3m7 ple
ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE represent the five peaks of the mountain, the walls symbolize the surrounding mountain range, andThe magnificent Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World the moat represents the ocean.Heritage site and is the largest religious monument Angkor Wat is famous for its extensive carvingsin the world. It was built in the early part of the which mainly depict stories from Hindu epics. On12th century by King Suryavarman II and was the east gallery, you can see the famous \"Churningdedicated to Vishnu, a Hindu god. However, by the of the Sea of Milk\" scene with carvings of 88 devasend of the 12th century, it had been converted into and 92 asuras churning the sea under the guidancea Buddhist temple. of the great Vishnu.Angkor Wat was built to represent Mount Meru,the home of the Hindu Gods. The five towers Angkor Wat Temple38 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
It’s an irritating reality that many places andevents defy description. Angkor Wat andMachu Picchu, for instance, seem to demandsilence, like a love affair you can never talkabout. For a while after, you fumble for words,trying vainly to assemble a private narrative,an explanation, a comfortable way to framewhere you’ve been and what's happened. Inthe end, you’re just happy you were there-with your eyes open- and lived to see it.” ANTHONY BOURDAIN TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 39
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KOH KER TEMPLE Banteay Srei Temple Koh Ker TempleLocated around 120km away from Siem Reap, KohKer is far less crowded than the temples near SiemReap town. The peaceful surroundings and KohKer's unique place in Khmer history makes KohKer one of the most fascinating temples in SiemReap province.Located deep inside the jungle in a sparselypopulated area, Koh Ker was once the capital ofthe Khmer Empire. Much of the temple is closedto visitors as the area is completely surrounded byjungle. However, more than 20 monuments canstill be explored by visitors.The most fascinating aspect of Koh Ker is theunique pyramid design. The seven tiers of thepyramid are unique for temples built during theKhmer Empire and many people note the strikingsimilarities between Koh Ker and some of theancient Inca ruins built in South America. This hasled to some historians to believe that this wasn't acoincidence and is proof that temples all over theworld were built by aliens.BANTEAY SREI TEMPLEBanteay Srei is an early example of Khmer Buddhist monk at Angkor Wat Templearchitecture and was built in the 10th century.This Hindu temple is unique because it wasthe only temple not to have been built by aking. Instead it was built by two of the king'scourtiers.The name translates into English as the\"Citadel of the Women\" which historiansbelieve is related to the intricate carvings onthe red sandstone walls. Local legend saysthat the carvings are so beautiful that theycould only have been carved by the delicatehands of a woman.This unique temple is a very popular choice forvisitors and is located about half an hour awayfrom Angkor Wat. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 41
BAYON TEMPLE Ancient columns at Bayon TempleThe Bayon is another beautiful and extremelypopular temple. It was built in the late 12th andearly 13th centuries by King Jayavarman VII. Thetemple sits in the center of Angkor Thom whichwas once the capital city of the Angkor empire.This Buddhist temple was later changed to aHindu temple before being changed back again.This means that you'll see a mix of Hindu andBuddhist carvings on the bas reliefs and walls.This unique temple features 49 towers, 37 of whichremain today. Probably the most famous aspectof Bayon temple are the carved faces which aresaid to represent the face of King Jaravarman VII.Bayon Temple 42 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
More than 200 faces were carved into the temple. Ta Prohm was built in the same style at BayonAlthough Bayon temple has undergone some temple. It's located just outside Angkor Thom andrestoration work, it is still largely unrestored, was built by King Jayavarman VII in the early 13thwhich only adds to the charm of the temple. century to be used as a Buddhist monastery. At that time, it was home to more than 12,000 people withTA PROHM TEMPLE nearly 800,000 people living in the surrounding villages providing supplies and services for theTa Prohm temple was made famous as it was used people living in the temple.as a backdrop for the first Tomb Raider moviestarring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Due to its There are hundreds of temples located aroundunique appearance, Ta Prohm is one of the most Cambodia and the most popular temples arebeautiful temples in the Angkor Archaeological located around Siem Reap town. Angkor Wat isPark. After the fall of the Angkor Empire, Ta the main reason why people go to visit Siem Reap,Prohm was left to the mercy of the jungle and the but many of the smaller temples are also worthtrees are literally growing through the middle of visiting. Take your time to explore Angkor Watthe temple giving it a very unique appearance. and the other fascinating temples built during the Khmer Empire.Ta Prohm Temple TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 43
When asked about my travels to Bali,I always answer with an enthusiastic,“You MUST go!” words by: SYLVIA TENNANT photographs by: MEGAN SCRAPER 46 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
I realize that there are countlessbreathtaking tropical islands onour planet, but given the vibrantspectrum of experiences offered bythis destination, it has become myfirst suggestion for many, especiallythose who have never exploredIndonesia. Wandering yogis, avidentrepreneurs, jet-set fashionistas,families with young children, andwhat seems like everyone in betweenare flocking to Bali, and have beenfor years. The luxury travel industryon this island is brimming withelusive properties, and I jumped atthe opportunity to experience bothSeminyak and Uluwatu through abespoke artisanal journey with theAlila brand. World-renowned for theauthentic character of their resorts,sustainable approach and award-winning service, I knew that my timespent under their spell would be atreat for my senses. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 47
I began at Alila Seminyak, the beach front property that occupies prime real estate along the lively southwest coast of Bali. Marrying tropical luxury with minimalist design, the resort is a work of modern art and features a Balinese temple within its manicured grounds. Rooms are equipped with fine details, including floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open to a soft ocean breeze and black sand beach view. I was quick to spot surfers from my giant bed and thrilled to discover that the bathroom amenities were locally made and organic. The multiple infinity pools, open-air candlelit dinners, and evening (I suggest the Bali 75, an innovative rose water concoction) made it very clear as to why this resort is renowned for exceptional design, service, and cuisine. Just steps from the front gates of Alila Seminyak, the sophisticated offerings of Bali’s hottest neighborhood await. The fashion, food, and nightlife lends to a cosmopolitan ambiance that feels glitzy but relaxed. Exploring beyond the bustle into more traditional surroundings was easy. The resort’s concierge planned a guided morning bike ride through the rice paddies and charming village of Canggu, topped off with a picnic on Cemagi beach. It was a truly special way to get a peek into daily Balinese culture, and just one of the many customizable eco- luxury experiences available to guests.48 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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