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From Seminyak, I traveled south in sight. As I slowly make my wayalong jungle-lined ancient roads to the back to my villa for the final time,expansive property of Alila Uluwatu. I am in awe of how effortless thisPerched high above the cliffs on the experience has been. The Alila brandedge of the Indian Ocean, the opulence has created sanctuaries for travelersof this remote location is obvious at who expect natural luxury in beautifulfirst glance. Architecturally, the resort surroundings. There is nowhere elseseamlessly blends the dramatic natural I would rather be, and I’m certain I’lllandscape with a contemporary wood- return again.slatted design. Upon arrival, I asked aporter why the winding paths to thevillas were unusually arranged. He toldme that it was of utmost importance towork around the preexisting flora andfauna during the building process,which relied on locally sourced,recycled, and sustainable materials.The villas are light-filled, spacious, andsupremely private, with larger-than-average plunge pools and day beds.Curated gardens are lush with tropicalplants. The walk from my villa tobreakfast at Cire, one of two in-housefine dining restaurants, made me feelas though I was within the grounds ofa private estate. The morning marketmenu is filled with local, nutritiousingredients, which are served poolsideunder palm trees overlooking theincredible view. The main pool is aprime location to lounge, and there areplenty of private areas to do so. It trulyfeels as though you’re swimming highabove the ocean within the clouds.Post-pool, I enjoyed a traditionalBalinese massage with essential oilsand ancient healing techniques atthe Alila spa. Their holistic approachto relaxation is unparalleled and myspa experience was calming for bothbody and mind. For those who preferto explore, the famed Uluwatu templeis only a 15-minute drive from theresort. Be sure to stay into the eveningto catch the Kecak fire dance at sunset.At night, the walkways are softly lit,the air is fragrant with the sweet smellof frangipani, and there isn’t a soul TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 51
EriLcI FHE +iSmT YelL’sE by: ERIC HIMELPacking for a warm destination is one part identifying RADEN A50 BLUETOOTHyour style and one part having a plan. Just because LUGGAGE SET IN PINKyou are going to a tropical island that doesn’t meanyou have to dress like Gidget. Don’t be literal, be THE ESSENTIALSsmart. Pack for the weather, comfort and of course - You’ve chosen your theme, now make a list and checkdress with style! it twice. Pack only what you need and nothing more.IDENTIFY YOUR STYLE Bathing Suit: For a one week trip, pack 3. One shouldWhat’s your vibe? Nautical, boho, feminine, edgy, be a one piece when you aren’t feeling your best.preppy? Pick a theme that is really you and stick to itwhen packing. Shorts: To throw over your bathing suit or for day trips. C A LY P S O S T. B A RT H MOKRA CROCHET Tops: To go with your shorts, natch! Both day time COTTON SHORT tanks and a sexy slinky one for evening. Day Dress/Cover Up: Interchangeable that will take you from pool to lunch and back. Night Wear: Whether you choose a dress or separates, this look should adhere to the three C’s: comfort, coordinated and chic!SUNNY SIDE UP! PACKING FOR THE TROPICS ERIC HIMEL (erichimel.com) is a widely known celebrity stylist, fashion expert and media personality. Himel attended Parson’s School of Design and trained under Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. Now based in Los Angeles, Himel’s roster of celebrity clientele has included Jenny McCarthy, Giuliana Rancic, Pete Wentz, Gabby Douglas and more,. Eric is best known for his signature Closet Purge™ and now offers Virtual Styling Sessions.52 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
VALENTI NOROCKSTUD SANDALSShoes: Pack three pairs: sandals for the pool, lace-ups for excursions and dressy sandal or wedge forevening.Sunglasses: Polarized for ultimate eye protection.Bags: Pack two - a tote bag that you carry on the planeand doubles for the pool. And a clutch for evening! EDIE PARKER ANCHOR CLUTCHAccessories: two pairs of earrings, one day, onenight. Bangles that go with literally anything. And aoversized soft scarf that doubles as a sarong. TRINA TURK RESORT WEARKENDRA SCOTT ERIC'S EXPERT TRIPS: BANGLES • DON'T pack the same day as your trip! • DO color coordinate. • DO try on outfits beforehand. • DON’T pack structured or constricting clothing. • DO get a pedicure. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 53
#havefoodwilltravel SFRAANNCISCO by: TRACEY DRAKE If it's true that the way to the heart is through the stomach, then the adage \"I left my heart in San Francisco\" could never be more true. This hilly, quirky California coastal city is in the midst of a culinary revolution, and it is the best reason to visit (or revisit) San Francisco. DRIFT recently spent three days in San Fran, and came back with our three favorite spots to eat. Each offers up memorable ambiance, exceptional food and some interesting menu items.54 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
One Market | 1 Market Street | onemarket.com Fine dining San Francisco style pretty much sumsTwenty Five Lusk | 25 Lusk Street | 25lusk.com up the understated elegant decor and world classDirty Habit | 12 Fourth Street | dirtyhabitsf.com menu offerings at One Market. One of the hottest culinary destinations in the city, Chef/Partner Mark Dommen and Sommelier/Wine Director Tonya Pitts offer a wonderfully symbiotic food and wine experience. The restaurant’s open kitchen offers a contemporary nod to a sophisticated menu that leans toward the classics. DRIFT RECOMMENDS: Main: Pancetta-wrapped Day Boat Scallops Dessert: Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tart Drink: Smokey Margarita The ambiance of Twenty Five Lusk is decidedly Mad Men Meets the 21st Century with just the right mix of cool, vintage and ultra modern. With a 130-seat main dining room, lower level lounge, and two bars, Twenty Five Lusk offers seasonally inspired creative cuisine, a worldly wine list and an inspiring variety of craft cocktails. Executive Chef/Partner Matthew Dolan puts an excellent spin on rustic food, tailor made for a modern, urban palate. DRIFT RECOMMENDS: Main: Sunchoke Risotto Dessert: Gingerbeer Cake Drink: SF Yacht Club On the fifth floor of Hotel Zelos in San Francisco's bustling SOMA district, Dirty Habit is a chic escape from the city. The dramatic film noir decor immediately envelopes you. Dirty Habit is definitely for those seeking a hip, social dining and drinking atmosphere. Chef Thomas Weibull does a brilliant job making the shareable, seasonal cuisine shine in this bar-centric hot spot, that also offers a genius craft cocktail menu. DRIFT RECOMMENDS: Main: Camembert Ravioli Dessert: Foie Gras Ice Cream Sandwich Drink: Artist’s Fizz TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 55
THE WARM HEART OF When David Livingstone first clapped eyes on Lake Malawi, its surface danced with twinkling stars. He named it theAFR IC A Lake of Stars, though it's also called the Calendar Lake for being 365 miles long and 52 miles wide at its broadest, with 12 big rivers flowing into it. It's a massive expanse of water, waves break onto the sandy beaches and on appearance it's a vast freshwater ocean stretching beyond the horizon.by: KERI HARVEY 'Lake Malawi is quite unique,\" smiles local lake guide Johnson Nthenda. 'It's only the third largest lake in Africa, but it was the first lake in the world to be proclaimed a56 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
Kayaking and snorkeling on Lake Malawinational park to protect the marine life of a tropical, deep lake a island paradise appeal. This is also a favorite area forwater, Rift Valley lake. Because nearly 1,000 species of fish kayakers, who go island to island enjoying pristine nature.mostly dazzling, brightly colored cichlid live in its waters, With goggles and snorkels, we slip quietly over the sideand new species are still being discovered every year.' of the small wooden fishing boat and into the tepidIslands in the lake are boulder strewn and dotted with lake water. Before long we are part of an underwaterbaobabs; wildlife is regularly seen on the lake shores. Pied Piper scene, with clouds of neon colored cichlidZebra, bushbuck, klipspringer, baboons, monkeys and fish following us through the clear water. As we turn,rock hyraxes live along the lake, otters frolic in the waters so does the cichlid cloud of yellow and blue behind us,and in the quiet reaches are hippos and crocodiles. Tiny and if feels like we are swimming in a tropical aquarium.deserted beaches and coves are everywhere, giving the TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 57
'That's exactly what this spot is called,' laughs Johnsonwhen we are back on the boat, 'it's The Aquarium becauseit always looks like that underwater.' The southern sectionof the lake around Cape Maclear is a proclaimed nationalpark, yet over 7 000 local people still live on the shoreshere and use the lake for water and subsistence fishing.Here people live close to nature, so if there's nofish there's no dinner - though good catches of tinysilvery capenta are sun dried for leaner times. Stilted,wooden drying racks topped with grass mats dot thelake shore, some empty and some packed with dryingcapenta. Virtually everyone who lives in the area is afisherman, bar a few freelance tour guides like Johnson.'Actually I'm from the capital Lilongwe,' says Johnson,'but there are too many people living there (780000), so I prefer to live here on the lake. It's quiet andbeautiful.' But there are many more places in Malawifitting this description too Mount Mulanje, theZomba plateau and the Nyika plateau, Vwasa Marshand Liwonde National Park, just to mention a few.At 3 000m, Mount Mulanje has the highest peak in south-central Africa. The mountain covers 1 000km and looksmore like an entire mountain range than a single mountain.It offers the longest roped climb in Africa 1 700m of it andthe mountain is so high it has its very own climate. Ominous,though, is the tallest peak named Sapitwa, which means'Don't go there'. But if you do, the views are spectacularover vast tea plantations all the way to Mozambique.From the magical Zomba plateau Mount Mulanje is clearlyvisible. The bowl of the mountain top is a forest reserve,and down below the town of Zomba was once the capitaland is now Malawi's university town. It has a colonialatmosphere and is threaded with streams and adorned withmajestic mahogany trees. Just half an hour north of Zombais Chingale, where craftsmen specialize in carving theuniquely Malawian 'chief 's chairs' from a single tree trunk.Also in southern Malawi, at the bottom tip of the lake,is Liwonde National Park, with the famous Shire Riverrunning through it. It's been a national park since 1979and has been restocked with wildlife that naturallyoccurred there, after it was shot out by trophy hunters.It was an ambitious conservation project that now drawsnature lovers from around the world to experienceAfrican wildlife in thoroughly magnificent surroundings.58 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
Fish market in the village of Cape Maclear, MalawiColorful wooden fishing boats on the beach in Cape Maclear, Malawi TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 59
So too, the Nyika plateau in the north of the country. In Chembe village in the distance, we can hear the chatterIt's Malawi's biggest national park and one of the most of fishermen over the glassy lake surface. They're preparingunusual in Africa. High altitude rolling grassland, vast for another night out, fishing with paraffin lamps andherds of eland, trout streams and prolific flowers, yet moonbeams, from their dugout wooden canoes. Theyit's all dwarfed by the scale of the landscape. Ground often fish in twos, dragging a net between them. Kampangoorchids, proteas, irises and aloes grow here in a natural and chambo are what they are after to feed their families,garden that is a wonderland for hikers, campers and but everything caught is eaten. A couple of boats do havecyclists. The eastern edge of the plateau forms a wall of motors, but most are poled by hand for miles and miles.the Great Rift Valley, though at times you may believe 'The lake's not always this smooth,' says Johnson. 'Inyou have found a piece of Scotland. Nearby Vwaza the windy season it gets very rough with big waves, justMarsh Wildlife Reserve offers great sightings of elephant like the sea. But Malawians are good sailors, so it's notand buffalo, and guided walking safaris are offered too. a problem and we still go fishing.' He smiles a flawlessJohnson's fire on the lakeshore has burnt to coals, and he's white teeth smile and puts more fish on our plates.grilling fresh whole chambo on it. The pot of white rice is 'Please eat,' he says, with characteristic Malawiancooked and chopped garden tomatoes have been heated over hospitality, 'there's no chambo in South Africa,the flames. 'This is what we eat most nights in the village,' and it's a long way to come back for seconds.'he smiles, and we tuck in and eat in silence. Fresh and For more travel information: www.visitmalawi.mwflavorsome, our fish dinner is superb, sitting on the beachof the Lake of Stars. Johnson smiles as we lick our fingers. Senga Bay Beach, Lake Malawi60 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
Simple made perfectDelta Hotels by MarriottTM Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort DeltaVictoriaOPR DeltaVictoria DeltaOceanPoint
There aren’t many places on this planet that offer as many mind blowing experiences as the mountain community of Whistler, British Columbia on Canada's rugged West Coast. Whether youlive just down the highway or you fly around the worldto get there, Whistler delivers. The natural beauty alonemakes it hard not to be wooed into the romantic spirit.My wife Rebecca and I made Nita Lake Lodge our re'treat'for the weekend and it was ideal for a couple who rarelyget a weekend for themselves. Quiet, friendly, and 100%West Coast in design and setting, Nita Lake Lodge wasthe perfect launch point for a whirlwind romanticweekend for two. We’ve had getaway experiences inthe past where we just frittered the time away, but herewe had a planned itinerary and it turned out to be justthe right balance of fun and relaxation. The fun listincluded Superfly Zipline tours, the Peak 2 Peak gondolaexperience and a night at Basalt, one of the village'sculinary hot spots. Relaxation was comprised of two spavisits as well as a little down time at the lakeside lodge. 62 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
An Insiders Guide to a Romantic Getaway toWHISTLER, BCskis not required! by: TODD TALBOT TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 63
>THE SPA lake at our hotel, we enjoyed the offering of a trio which was overWe had a couples massage at the top. We sat in the windowthe Spa at Nita Lake Lodge. indulging on the sunset andEquipped with a serene steam the deconstructed cheesecake!room, relaxation lounge androoftop whirlpools which >THE ACTIVITIESextended our massage into a fewhours of pampered indulgence. The activities appear to be atIronically one of the most talked the bottom of our list but theyabout experiences in Whistler is really weren’t. Everything abouta spot where you aren’t allowed our weekend away was onto talk! Scandinave Spa is quite point, including the experiencea draw for visitors to Whistler at Superfly and the Peak 2but we were still unsure of the Peak Gondola. Ironically, bothhot/cold/rest method at first. endeavors have a treacherouslyOur one minute of cold started deep expanse between twoout as one second. But after mountains to be crossed onthree rounds of the treatment cables. On the Peak To Peak,we were hooked, and Rebecca was stealing a little from those cables we were safely contained in a glass-extra time in the cold pool when I wasn’t looking. bottom gondola and were at ease to snap dramatic shots of the fog lingering over the mountain. At>THE RESTAURANTS Superfly, we were balls to the wind and contained only by a harness and helmet. The guys at Superfly madeBasalt, Aura and Christine’s. We had three amazing our excursion for us. They injected the right amountmeals that left us so satisfied, we just snacked for therest of our visit. The food was fantastic at all three of humor and information all the while ensuringrestaurants and the staff and servers took it to another everyone’s safety. They went above and beyond tolevel. Basalt impressed us with it’s intimate ambiance solidify our opinion capturing what it is to experienceand bold decor: phallic sconces on the walls and the Whistler romance. From two opposing platformscopper pendants over a bar made of volcanic lava they photographed our descent on the ‘romantic line”(the definition of basalt). Christine’s, at the peak where Rebecca and I held hands while speeding betweenof Blackcomb Mountain, is all about the view, and the trees to our final destination on the mountain.if you arrive in a thick fog you may want to wait a It did make me think about making a move to thisfew minutes. We pushed back our reservation and mountain village. With one of the world’s greatestwaited out the fog which gave us not only a splendid playgrounds at your doorstep, even the real estateview of the mountain but also the marmots playing savvy can be tempted!outside. I was able to get a couple of amazing photosof our meal, enhanced with the naturally stunningmountain backdrop. At Aura, located overlooking the64 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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It is increasingly harder to avoid paying checked baggage OUR TOPfees. Every airline charges them, and many are very strict PICKS:about the width of your carry-on case. If you are a messyor unorganized packer, there are products on the market PACK MORE INthat make it easy to organize your suitcase and who knows - LESS SPACE ANDyou just may fit everything into a carry-on and avoid costly SAVE MONEY ONbaggage fees altogether! BAGGAGE FEES.TUMI JEWELRY ROLLFrom Tumi's Voyageur collection comes this ultra-chicjewelry travel roll. Light as a feather and a must-pack toprotect jewelry and accessories during travel, it featuresa smartly-organized interior with multiple pockets andspecial earring holders. tumi.comEAGLE CREEK PACKING CUBESAvailable in seven colors, the Pack-It Original Starter Setfrom Eagle Creek will help you organize the contents ofyour bag so you can travel with the assurance that youknow where everything is. Sized perfectly to fit in mostcarry-on suitcases, it compresses 8-12 dress shirts or slacks,minimizing wrinkles. eaglecreek.comZIPLOC SUITCASE SPACE BAGS (NO VACUUMCLEANER REQUIRED!)The Space Bag Travel Bag by Ziploc is ideal for storingclothing and can compress up to 5 sweaters or shirts. Itprovides twice the storage and is airtight, waterproof, andreusable. No vacuum is required as compression is activatedby rolling the bag. ziploc.comPACKING TIP: Disposable hospital- style shoe covers let you stuff footwear into any bag without getting clothing dirty. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 67
ICELAND a photographic journey Featured Photographer: Debbie Steeper Debbie Steeper, a photographer based in British Columbia, Canada, loves to photograph fashion, architecture and fascinating landscapes. With a 360 degree creative mind, Debbie continually seeks to find new places to explore and curate her photographic point of view in interesting ways. Debbie's work has been published in numerous fashion and lifestyle publications. CAMERA EQUIPMENT: Canon 5D MK III Canon 24 - 105 F4 Canon 70 - 300 F4 FOLLOW DEBBIE ONLINE: Website: w w w.debbieste ep er.com Instagram: @debbiesteeper68 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
The spectacular Gulfoss Waterfall, on the Hvítá River in Southwest Iceland, crashing to the canyon below. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 69
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Skeletal remains of a US Navy cargo plane rest on a surrealistic landscTaRpAeVEoLf bOlaFTckENsa.nLdIV.E WELL . 71
Strokkur Geyser erupts every four to eight minutes, spewing boiling water up to 100 feet in the air.72 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
Spectacular waterfalls are a stunning backdropfor Icelandic homes at the base of the mountain. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 73
Pleasure boats moored in the harbor of Iceland's capital city, Reykjavík.74 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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Summer cottages, with views to the snow covered mountains, offerpastoral respite from city life.Outbuildings are protected by shoring them up with rocks and hay tohelp keep out the strong winter winds.Hardy Icelandic horses dot the frozen landscapes, with their manesblowing in the punishing winds as they stand without any shelterthrough the harsh winter weather. This breed stock has remainedpure, as Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into thecountry and once a horse leaves, it may not return. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 77
ICELAND WAS THE LAST COUNTRY they create for its own prosperity.to be settled in Europe, when emigrants Today, Iceland is a progressive, modernfrom Scandinavia and the British society that continuously ranks at theIsles first came to live on the island top of measurement's for quality ofin the ninth and tenth century. It life and its economy is one of the mostremains the most sparsely populated productive economies in the world,country in the continent. Iceland’s per-capita, and it is considered one ofharsh natural environment has bred greenest eco countries on the planet.a resilient nation that has learned Iceland also boasts a prospering musicto exist under extreme conditions, scene, a burgeoning film industry,and harness the natural resources and Icelandic design is coming of age.78 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
Iceland is a country of sharp contrasts. A place where fire and ice co-exist. Where dark winters are offset by the summer’s midnight sun. Acountry where insular existence has spurred a rich and vibrant culture. ICELAND TOURISM Öxarárfoss Waterfall is easily accessible and lies within ÞingvellirNational Park. TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 79
#WHERETONEXT CANOUAN ISLAND Unspoiled and virtually undiscovered, Canouan is the Caribbean's new found destination for discerning travelers. Located in the heart of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and just west of Barbados, Canouan Island is only 3.5 miles long. This small oasis offers perfect weather and an abundance of natural beauty including calm water bays, scenic tropical coves, pristine white sand beaches and one of the Caribbean's largest coral reefs. A newcomer to the island is Pink Sands Club, a luxury resort that opened in October 2016. Watch for it in the Winter 2016 issue of DRIFT magazine.80 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM
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