MAURITIUS, among barracudas, sugar canes and real creole...
What do Mauritius has to offer except for its astonishing beaches and luxury resorts? The 25th June I stepped on a plane in order to find out.
Since all countries south of the equator are experiencing winter in June, so is also the case for Mauritius. In winter time they don't clean the beaches from seaweed in order to preserve the wildlife. It may not look as beautiful in a picture, but it's the perfect time to go looking for exotic shells.
It is winter season in Mauritius letting the small but intense rain showers shaping the sky with large rainbows. When driving through the beautiful stark green landscapes with sugar canes coloring the fields in silver and the mountains shaping the horizon, it shows a very untouristic side of the island. The local women and men harvest their land while we pass by with the windows open, letting the perfect temperature of 24 degrees in. We suddenly feel no need for the AC.
My accomodation was at luxurious private property Sankhara Villas, an incredible villa situated in the coastal village of Poste-la-Fayette in Mauritius, Sankhara harbours on the east side of the island. The east is also said to be the safer and more genuine choice of location,
As soon as entering the villa a sense of calmness and relaxation swept over me. Standing on the terrace it offered a beautiful view of the turquoise idyllic lagoon and a white sandy beach. A perfect retreat for stressed out soles in need of a break. As I walked through the XX house I was caught by the light fresh breeze revealing I was on an island mixed with the scent of exotic flowers from the garden and spices from the kitchen.
Photography by Hilde Palladino
In the evening we had an urge to meet the locals so we had a 5 minutes walk down to the nearest beach filled with locals spending time with their families. Very soon we lay eyes on a couple of fishermen catching their daily fish and it did not take long until we were invited for rome with their crew. With a genuine friendliness they were excited to know where we came from since we found out most tourists hide behind the walls of the luxury resorts.
We also received the amazing opportunity to make a visit to the family of our personal butler who so warmly welcomed us into his home. Fresh fish was served that we ate with our hands and the children from the surrounding houses came to join, looking very excited and surprised over our visit. Their faces lit up when I showed them the results on the camera after we had a little photo shoot.
Starting our day at 9am the today's theme was scuba diving. We met with our very caring diving instructor and a boat full of locals, (whom one of the ladies had a Swedish husband and traveled there every summer) and some tourists. The waterlife offered an amazing variety of colorful fishes. We got the opportunity to swim with a large group of barracudas with the size of approximately 1 metre in length. We also met the largest moray I have ever spotted and a marlin came by our waters, which the divers said to be very rare.
It is said that Mauritius has more to offer than the Maldives when it comes to kite-surfing, scuba diving, dining and other sorts of activities. A visit to one of the many sugar factories to learn about the original history of Mauritius is recommended. There is also a zoo with lions and other exotic animals.
Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius with its 150 thousand inhabitants offered a beautiful view of the harbor and its old buildings. With only a a couple of hundred metres to the local markets we were soon to inhale the scent of fresh herbs and spices like saffron and vanilla and exotic vegetables and fruits. A variation of rice and different kinds of beans were sold with meat that I found to be just a little too fresh, since the fur was still there.
Mauritius sunset. Leaving the island I always make sure I leave a little piece of my heart in every new place I visit.
BRAZIL- Carnival, favelas, waterfalls and eating goat!
CAVES, WATERFALLS AND TABLE MOUNTAINS IN CHAPADA, DANCING SAMBA ON THE STREETS IN SALVADOR, EXOTIC FOOD AND FRUITS EVERY DAY, WALKING THROUGH FAVELAS IN RIO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND SHOPPING SHOES, JEWELRY AND HERBS IN SAO PAULO AND CARNIVAL 2011!!
CARNIVAL IN SAO PAULO 2011!
Clip filmed by me, Carnival Champions of 2011, Vai-Vai!! (not in this videoclip)
This whole trip took place in the flourishing state of Bahia with first stop in Chapada Diamantina, followed by Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Let us just say, I found some precious spots on this earth..
Capturing the true essence of country life
CHAPADA DIAMANTINA
Once a week the flight leaves from Salvador to Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Highlands) Nationalpark, established 1985. In the old days diamonds were found and traded in the region, therefore its name. I would make sure to visit its table mountains, beautiful waterfalls and magic caves with blue crystal clear waters. the most scenic part and is devoted to hiking. The infrastructure of the trails is tracked back to 1700 and the 1st gold rush which lasted for 200 years. In 1844 the region became more connected with trails due to the diamond period that started. We visited the villages of Mucuge, Ibicoara and Lencois where I stayed in beautiful hotel Canto das Aguas,
Driving through the landscapes of Chapada Diamantina
Capturing Daily life in the picturesque village of Mucuge
Old man carrying out his daily chores in Mucuge
Beautiful painted colourful houses in Mucuge
Poco Azul, 150km from Lençois.
Not to be missed in Chapada Diamantina is Poco Azul, an amazing cave with an underground pool with crystal clear water. Some years ago the skeleton of a Megatherion (Giant Ground Sloth) that lived here 10,000 years ago, was discovered in the underground riverbed.
Another highlight in Chapada is the Canion and Cachoeira do Buracão.
Located close to Ibicoara in the most southern part of the Nationalpark you find this energetic energy-spot. The last 200 meters to reach the waterfall is a struggle against the strong current or by climbing the slippery canyon wall, but it's all worth it! It's hard to find a place with as much positive energy! Take your time to reload! Swimming close to the waterfall, hearing the sound and feeling its power was electrifying. We climbed behind the waterfall and sat there for a while, just taking it all in. A memory that will last a lifetime.
The Canion and Cachoeira do Buracão. Exciting!!
Located close to Ibicoara in the most southern part of the Chapada Diamantina Nationalpark you find this energy-spot. The last 200 meters to reach the waterfall is a struggle against the strong current or by climbing the slippery canyon wall, but it's all worth it! It's hard to find a place with as much positive energy! Take your time to reload! Swimming close to the waterfall, hearing the sound and feeling its power was electrifying. We climbed behind the waterfall and sat there for a while, just taking it all in.
It took some time to climb up here to discover a 360 degree amazing view and later watch the sunset. In an area of 1km there are over 600 different unique plants and on top of these table mountains special plants unique plants are found that can survive these weather conditions created from wind, heat, water and sun.
RIO DE JANEIRO - Christ of the Redemeer, favelas and ugly buildings, not my favourite...
Rio de Janeiro - Copacabana Beach
I'm very sorry to say but I did not find Rio appealing to me. Old dirty buildings from the 70s, no colours, a certain tension and the favelas all to mixed up with the rest of the buildings. Made a visit to The Statue of Christ the Redemeer, ate goat and walked through two favelas in the middle of the night...
SALVADOR - exotic, different and full of live music and samba
Famous Lacerda Elevator, located in Historic centre, Salvador, Bahia
Walking the colourful streets of Salvador
The famous band OLODUM performed live on the streets, a sound not possible to describe!
Salvador pre-carnival atmosphere, dancing samba on the streets in Hawaiiana flip-flops
SAO PAULO - Carneval, shopping and a feeling of being home
IGUATEMI shoppingmall, Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo has a strong contrast from the rest of Bahia. This global city is very different from the rest of the places I visited. The international atmosphere created from global businesses, the well-known university, its mix of international people, European and Italian influence and its diverse choice of restaurants and shopping makes it one of my favourite cities! I could definitely live in Sao Paulo, but first I need an intensive-course in portuguese. :)
SAO PAULO CARNIVAL 2011
Carnival Sao Paulo 2011
Carneval of Sao Paulo 2011!!
It is actually missleading to show such a "naked" girl at the carnival since 99% of the participants are wearing an enormous amount of beautiful clothes, but don't we all just love a super-fit body?!
The imagination never ends when it comes to the creation of these fantastic performances
more fantastic and colourful Carnival...
Much love from us to all of you, and if you are thinking of going to Bahia, Brazil.
Do not hesitate, JUST DO IT!!
CARNIVAL IN SAO PAULO 2011!
Clip filmed by me, Carnival Champions of 2011, Vai-Vai!! (not in this videoclip)
This whole trip took place in the flourishing state of Bahia with first stop in Chapada Diamantina, followed by Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Let us just say, I found some precious spots on this earth..
Capturing the true essence of country life
CHAPADA DIAMANTINA
Once a week the flight leaves from Salvador to Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Highlands) Nationalpark, established 1985. In the old days diamonds were found and traded in the region, therefore its name. I would make sure to visit its table mountains, beautiful waterfalls and magic caves with blue crystal clear waters. the most scenic part and is devoted to hiking. The infrastructure of the trails is tracked back to 1700 and the 1st gold rush which lasted for 200 years. In 1844 the region became more connected with trails due to the diamond period that started. We visited the villages of Mucuge, Ibicoara and Lencois where I stayed in beautiful hotel Canto das Aguas,
Driving through the landscapes of Chapada Diamantina
Capturing Daily life in the picturesque village of Mucuge
Old man carrying out his daily chores in Mucuge
Beautiful painted colourful houses in Mucuge
Poco Azul, 150km from Lençois.
Not to be missed in Chapada Diamantina is Poco Azul, an amazing cave with an underground pool with crystal clear water. Some years ago the skeleton of a Megatherion (Giant Ground Sloth) that lived here 10,000 years ago, was discovered in the underground riverbed.
Another highlight in Chapada is the Canion and Cachoeira do Buracão.
Located close to Ibicoara in the most southern part of the Nationalpark you find this energetic energy-spot. The last 200 meters to reach the waterfall is a struggle against the strong current or by climbing the slippery canyon wall, but it's all worth it! It's hard to find a place with as much positive energy! Take your time to reload! Swimming close to the waterfall, hearing the sound and feeling its power was electrifying. We climbed behind the waterfall and sat there for a while, just taking it all in. A memory that will last a lifetime.
The Canion and Cachoeira do Buracão. Exciting!!
Located close to Ibicoara in the most southern part of the Chapada Diamantina Nationalpark you find this energy-spot. The last 200 meters to reach the waterfall is a struggle against the strong current or by climbing the slippery canyon wall, but it's all worth it! It's hard to find a place with as much positive energy! Take your time to reload! Swimming close to the waterfall, hearing the sound and feeling its power was electrifying. We climbed behind the waterfall and sat there for a while, just taking it all in.
It took some time to climb up here to discover a 360 degree amazing view and later watch the sunset. In an area of 1km there are over 600 different unique plants and on top of these table mountains special plants unique plants are found that can survive these weather conditions created from wind, heat, water and sun.
RIO DE JANEIRO - Christ of the Redemeer, favelas and ugly buildings, not my favourite...
Rio de Janeiro - Copacabana Beach
I'm very sorry to say but I did not find Rio appealing to me. Old dirty buildings from the 70s, no colours, a certain tension and the favelas all to mixed up with the rest of the buildings. Made a visit to The Statue of Christ the Redemeer, ate goat and walked through two favelas in the middle of the night...
SALVADOR - exotic, different and full of live music and samba
Famous Lacerda Elevator, located in Historic centre, Salvador, Bahia
Walking the colourful streets of Salvador
The famous band OLODUM performed live on the streets, a sound not possible to describe!
Salvador pre-carnival atmosphere, dancing samba on the streets in Hawaiiana flip-flops
SAO PAULO - Carneval, shopping and a feeling of being home
IGUATEMI shoppingmall, Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo has a strong contrast from the rest of Bahia. This global city is very different from the rest of the places I visited. The international atmosphere created from global businesses, the well-known university, its mix of international people, European and Italian influence and its diverse choice of restaurants and shopping makes it one of my favourite cities! I could definitely live in Sao Paulo, but first I need an intensive-course in portuguese. :)
SAO PAULO CARNIVAL 2011
Carnival Sao Paulo 2011
Carneval of Sao Paulo 2011!!
It is actually missleading to show such a "naked" girl at the carnival since 99% of the participants are wearing an enormous amount of beautiful clothes, but don't we all just love a super-fit body?!
The imagination never ends when it comes to the creation of these fantastic performances
more fantastic and colourful Carnival...
Much love from us to all of you, and if you are thinking of going to Bahia, Brazil.
Do not hesitate, JUST DO IT!!
HAWAII, Oahu. Trip to Paradise
2010 ended in the best way possible. Spent Christmas (18th-31st Dec) in Hawaii and can truly say I went diving on Christmas day and surfing on NYE! I had the time of my life and brought with me home memories that will last forever. A piece of my heart will always belong to a special place in Oahu, Hawaii. I love the nature and for me this turned out to be the perfect vacation since I could go surfing, scuba-diving, hiking, skydiving, dining and to hang out with my brazilian friends that I really enjoyed spending time with. Friendly, passionate, loving, laughing, fun and extremely welcoming. I didn't speak portuguese and even if I was the only one, they spoke English when I was near. (something the Frenchmen should learn from!)
The vulcano islands on Hawaii are US first official state and Oahu is the third largest and most populous island (the Big Island and Maui are both bigger). The city of Honolulu, is the largest city and state capital, and main deepwater marine port for the State of Hawaiʻi is also located here. The island is filled with locals from a mixture of Americans, Japanese, Portuguese, Phillipines and other countries.
The 22nd December 2010 I had a fantastic experience 14,000 feet above ground with Big Jim at Skydive Hawaii at Dillingham Airfield, Mokuleia in Oahu. The adrenaline kick from jumping out of an airplane and falling towards the ground is just as great as it looks! Planned to do hanggliding as well but since President Obama made a visit to the island during this period, that was unfortunately not aloud... He really knows how to bodysurf though, which is really admiring! (guess he learnt when he grew up here)
Went scuba diving on Christmas eve the 24th December with amazing Divemaster Max Brunk, Manini Dive Company. In this pic I'm hanging out with an Hawaiian green seaturtle. When not in water they tend to crawl up on the shore of Laneakea (northern part of Oahu) to dry and rest. Diving sites: Turtle Canyon and Nautalis Reef (outside of Honolulu)
Me and my friend, the octopus. They normally weigh one to two pounds in Hawaii. The skin is as soft as a bunny rabbit. The only hard part of an octopus is its beak, which is used to crack open shells.
We found a clipper lobster, which is actually pretty rare at this diving site.
Went surfing with my dear Brazilian friend and private surfinstructor/ personal trainor (1-2feet) a couple of times at Diamond Head, about 20min by car from Honolulu.
Me and my private surfinstructor/ personal trainer Leonardo Machado.
An Hawaiian monk seal had made its way ashore to rest. Most seals are at home in frigid waters, but the Hawaiian monk seal is a rare tropical exception. They really love the warm sandy beaches here. Today, Hawaiian monk seals are endangered and, although many protection efforts are in place, their numbers are believed to have fallen more than ten percent per year since 1989.
Sunset cruise with a Outrigger catamaran from the hotelresort Outrigger. We departed from Waikiki Beach at 4.45pm.
View from the top of Diamond head. Ran the whole way to the top, great exercise indeed. Popular hiking locations on the eastcoast are:
Diamond Head very touristic but great view over Waikiki and very steep with some stairs to climb
Makapu'u (where you can sometimes spot humpback whales from the top)
Maunawili waterfalls (a very natural hiking path around 40min to arrive at the waterfall)
If it's bad weather or too hot you can always work out at 24hFitness, Kapiolani street.
North Shore - world famous laidback and popular place for surfers
North Shore - 3-5feet vawes
Other recommended spots are the all too crowded Waikiki Beach (go to see it but would never recommend you to stay on this beach!), the beautiful beach of Hanauma, Kailua Bay and the most famous vawes at North Shore, where you could also find the Pipeline (one of the world's most infamous and dangerous vawes)
I will truly miss Hawaii and all the great people I met there will all of my heart. Some of them I hope to see you soon again and others will be a true memory of a lifetime. Much Love/
The vulcano islands on Hawaii are US first official state and Oahu is the third largest and most populous island (the Big Island and Maui are both bigger). The city of Honolulu, is the largest city and state capital, and main deepwater marine port for the State of Hawaiʻi is also located here. The island is filled with locals from a mixture of Americans, Japanese, Portuguese, Phillipines and other countries.
The 22nd December 2010 I had a fantastic experience 14,000 feet above ground with Big Jim at Skydive Hawaii at Dillingham Airfield, Mokuleia in Oahu. The adrenaline kick from jumping out of an airplane and falling towards the ground is just as great as it looks! Planned to do hanggliding as well but since President Obama made a visit to the island during this period, that was unfortunately not aloud... He really knows how to bodysurf though, which is really admiring! (guess he learnt when he grew up here)
Went scuba diving on Christmas eve the 24th December with amazing Divemaster Max Brunk, Manini Dive Company. In this pic I'm hanging out with an Hawaiian green seaturtle. When not in water they tend to crawl up on the shore of Laneakea (northern part of Oahu) to dry and rest. Diving sites: Turtle Canyon and Nautalis Reef (outside of Honolulu)
Me and my friend, the octopus. They normally weigh one to two pounds in Hawaii. The skin is as soft as a bunny rabbit. The only hard part of an octopus is its beak, which is used to crack open shells.
We found a clipper lobster, which is actually pretty rare at this diving site.
Went surfing with my dear Brazilian friend and private surfinstructor/ personal trainor (1-2feet) a couple of times at Diamond Head, about 20min by car from Honolulu.
Me and my private surfinstructor/ personal trainer Leonardo Machado.
An Hawaiian monk seal had made its way ashore to rest. Most seals are at home in frigid waters, but the Hawaiian monk seal is a rare tropical exception. They really love the warm sandy beaches here. Today, Hawaiian monk seals are endangered and, although many protection efforts are in place, their numbers are believed to have fallen more than ten percent per year since 1989.
Sunset cruise with a Outrigger catamaran from the hotelresort Outrigger. We departed from Waikiki Beach at 4.45pm.
View from the top of Diamond head. Ran the whole way to the top, great exercise indeed. Popular hiking locations on the eastcoast are:
Diamond Head very touristic but great view over Waikiki and very steep with some stairs to climb
Makapu'u (where you can sometimes spot humpback whales from the top)
Maunawili waterfalls (a very natural hiking path around 40min to arrive at the waterfall)
If it's bad weather or too hot you can always work out at 24hFitness, Kapiolani street.
North Shore - world famous laidback and popular place for surfers
North Shore - 3-5feet vawes
Other recommended spots are the all too crowded Waikiki Beach (go to see it but would never recommend you to stay on this beach!), the beautiful beach of Hanauma, Kailua Bay and the most famous vawes at North Shore, where you could also find the Pipeline (one of the world's most infamous and dangerous vawes)
Dining
Morimoto restaurant in Waikiki. Japanese chef Morimoto (famous from the American Iran chef) had opened a great restaurant in the harbour. We enjoyed a perfectly delicious seafood plate and a nice white glas of Cabernet Sauvignon and I bought a cooking book signed by Morimoto.
Chuck’s, Outrigger hotel resort in Waikiki. Sipped a perfectly made Lava Flow drink (after strong reccomendations from my girlfriend and pediatritian Niki Cardoni)
Haleiwa Cats - Thai food place at North Shore. Not an exclusive place but with a great atmosphere and truly amazing and genuine thai-food! Well worth visiting!
Other places I got recommended but never visited where Bar35, Indigo's, Pearl and Next Door bar/ club.
Picture taken at Ala Moana beach, just hours before leaving paradise...
Shopping
Kalakaua street If you are into shopping then Kalakaua street in Honolulu is where you should head. You will find all exclusive brands like for example Salvatore Ferragano, Bottega Veneta, Hermes, Gucci, Dior, Fendi and the stores are just huge! In Waikiki you also find the
Ala Moana Center Largest shopping mall in Hawaii and the fourteenth largest shopping mall in the United States, with over 300 tenants, a shopper's paradise.I will truly miss Hawaii and all the great people I met there will all of my heart. Some of them I hope to see you soon again and others will be a true memory of a lifetime. Much Love/
SARDINIA , vacation for the world's most beautiful
I have lived and spent time in many jet-set areas around the world but I can truly say that not even during Cannes Film Festival you find as many gorgeous people gathered in one place, lika Costa Smeralda Sardinia...
Spent 3 days of hectic pure jet-set style in the heart of Europe, Sardinia. Was first invited to Yacht club Smeralda but headed for Phi Beach instead. Relaxing on a white sunbed with cold pink Perrier champagne while over-looking the ocean at PHI BEACH is an excellent way to start a perfect eve/night out in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia.
Maddelena Beach
The DJ is playing most of my favourite house tracks, the crowd is extremely good looking, tanned, skinny girls with legs reaching to the sky move their bodies into the early morning...
PHI Beach
We head to CALA DI VOLPE, Sardinia’s most famous hotel, as seen in James Bond. Zipping a cold fruitdrink, watching yet another day go by for the older super wealthy hotelguests.
Billionaire Club
Entered COUNTRY CLUB in Porto Rotondo around 23pm. We are served great food and heavenly chocolate mousse. The champagne is cold and the dancefloor hot, with gorgeous +180cm cat-walk looking girls in short stylish dresses. Another amazing DJ is creating that perfect atmosphere and we dance until my brain is telling me I have had too much champagne and soon too little sleep.
Lunch in Porto Cervo
Lived in COLONNA PARK hotel in Porto Cervo. Would have rather stayed in Porto Rotondo, since the crowd in Porto Cervo is older and it is less to do even if it is considered the most luxurious place in Sardinia...
Costa Smeralda
Places not to be missed, while in Sardinia..
Country club nightclub - The nightclub is a bit hidden outside the centre, it was earlier a private villa. It carries the same name as the boutique clothing store in Porto Rotondo with the same owner.
Billionaire club – Flavio Briatore’s owns this jet-set nightclub, do not need further explanation... (During Grand Prix in Monaco, Fairmont hotel is hosted by Billionaire club, since 2008, definitely not to be missed!)
Phi Beach – ”Nikki beach style like”, but better and cleaner. Perfect place to watch the sunset from a white sunbed. When the darkness comes the music gets louder and the crowd dance the night away.
Blu Beach – along the beachline in Maddelena you find this place, great crowd, the DJ is mixing house with old tracks and the tuna fillet on the menu, when served medium-rare, tastes just delicious!
Cala di Volpe hotel – super luxurious hotel as seen in James Bond
Porto Rotondo – area full of exclusive boutiques, cafés, restaurants, gorgeous people, a beautiful harbour, everything you need is here.
Clipper restaurant – not too expensive, but amazing seafood! The mussels are to die for. There is one restaurant in Porto Rotondo and another in Porto Cervo.
Porto Rotondo
Spent 3 days of hectic pure jet-set style in the heart of Europe, Sardinia. Was first invited to Yacht club Smeralda but headed for Phi Beach instead. Relaxing on a white sunbed with cold pink Perrier champagne while over-looking the ocean at PHI BEACH is an excellent way to start a perfect eve/night out in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia.
Maddelena Beach
The DJ is playing most of my favourite house tracks, the crowd is extremely good looking, tanned, skinny girls with legs reaching to the sky move their bodies into the early morning...
PHI Beach
We head to CALA DI VOLPE, Sardinia’s most famous hotel, as seen in James Bond. Zipping a cold fruitdrink, watching yet another day go by for the older super wealthy hotelguests.
Billionaire Club
Entered COUNTRY CLUB in Porto Rotondo around 23pm. We are served great food and heavenly chocolate mousse. The champagne is cold and the dancefloor hot, with gorgeous +180cm cat-walk looking girls in short stylish dresses. Another amazing DJ is creating that perfect atmosphere and we dance until my brain is telling me I have had too much champagne and soon too little sleep.
Lunch in Porto Cervo
Lived in COLONNA PARK hotel in Porto Cervo. Would have rather stayed in Porto Rotondo, since the crowd in Porto Cervo is older and it is less to do even if it is considered the most luxurious place in Sardinia...
Costa Smeralda
Places not to be missed, while in Sardinia..
Country club nightclub - The nightclub is a bit hidden outside the centre, it was earlier a private villa. It carries the same name as the boutique clothing store in Porto Rotondo with the same owner.
Billionaire club – Flavio Briatore’s owns this jet-set nightclub, do not need further explanation... (During Grand Prix in Monaco, Fairmont hotel is hosted by Billionaire club, since 2008, definitely not to be missed!)
Phi Beach – ”Nikki beach style like”, but better and cleaner. Perfect place to watch the sunset from a white sunbed. When the darkness comes the music gets louder and the crowd dance the night away.
Blu Beach – along the beachline in Maddelena you find this place, great crowd, the DJ is mixing house with old tracks and the tuna fillet on the menu, when served medium-rare, tastes just delicious!
Cala di Volpe hotel – super luxurious hotel as seen in James Bond
Porto Rotondo – area full of exclusive boutiques, cafés, restaurants, gorgeous people, a beautiful harbour, everything you need is here.
Clipper restaurant – not too expensive, but amazing seafood! The mussels are to die for. There is one restaurant in Porto Rotondo and another in Porto Cervo.
Porto Rotondo
MONACO: Grand Prix 2010
WELCOME ON AN ODDYSSEUS INTO A DREAMWORLD OF PURE LUXURY AND JET-SET!
I INTRODUCE TO YOU GRAND PRIX 2010 MONACO
I INTRODUCE TO YOU GRAND PRIX 2010 MONACO
The 13th,14th,15th,16th May the top elite from all over the world gather in one of the worlds most international and luxurious places, Monaco. They have all in common that they are rich, famous and fabulous and they are all here to experience 4 days of pure adrenaline. Mark Webber, driving for RBR-Renault got the pole position on Saturday (his second in one week) and on Sunday he became the lucky winner!
Professional photo taken of Indian Empress, one of the world's largest yachts in the world at 95m, owned by Vijay Mallya, owner of the Formula 1 racing team, Force India. Pricetag: breathtaking 125,000,000euros!
Yacht party at Indian Empress
Some people might wonder how I can feel comfortable in a place where there are people next to me wearing jewelry that costs more than my mothers apartment!, but it just feels so right.
With Flavio Briatore at his very own Billionaire club at Fairmont, Monte Carlo
Yacht party at 4H yacht, professional photo
With gorgeous Magdalena Art at 4H yacht party (the woman in the background is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen) Among the ladies you can truly say that ”one size fits all”. The tallest, slimmest and most stunning women of the world, gathered in one place! Even if it’s true that these people only live of Cristal and hors d oeuvres they are genuine and very exhiting people I have a great time with.
MyYachtMonaco.com party at 5 Fishes
MyYachtParty.com at 5 Fishes yacht
Amber lounge held Elton John charity fashion show at Meridien hotel and among the models where the Formula1 drivers themselves doing the catwalk. A pink diamond Chopard started on around 15,000euros and later sold for breathtaking 125,000euros! A Missoni cocktail dress started at 1200euros and sold for 12,000euros. A villa in Cambodia was sold for 300,000euros to a young guy.
View from the terrace of Hotel de Paris, Sunday 16th May
The sound of four-stroke V8 engines that (produces power up to 18,000 revolutions per minute (RPM)), combined with the smell of burnt rubber and fuel is overwhelming! Close your eyes and think of the best orgasm you ever had, multiply that by three and you get the idea. I’m in heaven! When leaving Hotel de Paris I was accompanied by Serena Williams and her girlfriend.
The crew at Hotel De Paris watching the Formula1 Sunday race 16th May
MyYachtParty.com at 5 Fishes yacht
Lunch at Miami Plage
Some other people where not so lucky this weekend, but judging by the distance from the steep maybe he actually was very lucky?
To extend that luxury feeling I made sure to bring home to Sweden some Mademoiselle and Moet champagne, foie gras, truffles and a Narciso Rodriguez parfume. Next adventure coming soon...
Final conclusion; MONEY CAN BUY HEAVEN ON EARTH
NORWAY with Hollywood healthguru David Sandoval
Rejuvenation You Boot Camp with Hollywood healthguru David Sandoval
"Discover the secret of how to reverse the aging process and stay fit for life"
"Discover the secret of how to reverse the aging process and stay fit for life"
Hollywood health-guru David Sandoval, teaching us how to live a long, healthy life, free from diseases. His articles have been featured in Skin Inc. Magazine, Dermascope and Healthy Living
I spent the weekend 17th-18th April at peaceful Zen Resort & Spa in Römskog, Norway. I had been invited to an event like no others!, an event held by Hollywood healthguru David Sandoval. David believes the aging process is a desease and that we all can live a long and healthy life by rejuvenate and re-activate the body through foods with a high nutritional density and low caloric value.
This nutritional food has been developed on his own land in California, this healthy food has been developed to let us all receive the opportunity to live a longer, healthier and more active life, free from diseases and early death. "We have potential to live until we are 125+ years old!". "I will coach you in how you can reach for this goal!", David tells us.
David Sandoval lists the main reasons why our bodies break down way to early:
- Lack of enzymes, antioxidants, digestion
- Excessive caloric intake, empty carbs, bad fats
- Low nutritionant intake, phytochemicals (occur naturally in plants)
- Poor elimintation, detox
- Eat healthy raw food (such as broccoli, tomato juice, nuts, avocado, whole-wheat brown bread)
- Have specific goals in life that match your desires and are achievable, keeping score each day!
- Life is a workout - each day is a wonderful new day! DO NOT STRESS
"YOU NEED TO SEE IT BEFORE YOU CAN BE IT" - David Sandoval
Went swimming followed by a healthy breakfast. (in the background; panoramic view spotted from hotelroom)
Our hotelroom had a lovely panoramic view over the peaceful lake and we could see the ice that was about to melt around the lake. A lovely healthy lunch was followed by workshops, yoga, pilates and information how to eat healthy, think positive and live a long, healthy successful life. Among the invited were celebrities and health-minded people from the industry. Some of the lecturers were actor Per Christian Ellefsen, TV presentator Monica Öyen, Jeanette Sleveland, and others.
Next events will be held the following dates:
26th April - Gothenburg, Grand Hotel Opera 5pm-9pm
28th April - London, The Langham 6pm-9pm
27th April - Copenhagen, First Hotel skt. Petri 5pm-9pm
Register at: seminars@davidsandoval.info
Some of the workshops and presentations during the weekend were held by:
Actor Per Christian Elling, Director, author and TV presentator Monica Öyen to the right
Ing-Marie Hagström – Theme: Increase your performance with a 20min Powernap
Her website: www.integrativzonterapi.se
Jeanette Sleveland – Theme: Courseleader and coach
Dressed for yoga/ pilates in the building next door...
To learn more about the products and how you can live a healthier life, Welcome to visit:
TENERIFE around Easter
GOOSE-LIVER IN MY MOUTH, WINE IN MY HEAD AND SUN IN MY FACE
At first sight it looks to me that Tenerife (the biggest island of the Canary Islands) is nothing else than a weelchair sight loaded with English and Irish bars that never run out of chips and HP sauce! Being so close to Africa you would think this island would be more exotic. Sure, I am almost guaranteed to have 25+ degrees and the sun shining on my face all year around, but since I am a cultural person, loving extreme sports and educated people, Tenerife is definitely not my cup of tea. Anyway, being stuck on this island for 3 weeks I have digged deep to find some quality stuff to fill my schedule with...
Dining – I love my goose-liver, Chateaubriand and a nice Rioja
La Cúpula restaurante- Goose-liver and Chateaubriand tastes best at this award winning Hotel Jardines de Nivaria in Costa Adeje. www.adrianhoteles.com
Bianco restaurante- I really like this place and the location is great if you want to have a walk before/after dinner, the food is great and the interior has contemporary, elegant decor. I like my drinks at the open-air cocktail terrace while overviewing the light and fountain show. Conveniantly located on the roof of Safari shopping centre.
Other restaurants I recommend:
www.la-fresquera.com
www.coeurdefilet.com
www.pascalrestaurant.com
WARNING! The worst place I have ever eaten is Slow Boat II in San Telmo!!
Bars, Clubs – I am fan of the glamourus crowds and locations
Adeje and its surroundings is one of the finer places in Tenerife, but since I am located in the area of Los Cristianos, Las Americas I would recommend to start an early evening in one of the many fresh bars in this area, for example Water Melon, overlooking the ocean at the Avda. Habana street in San Telmo, Los Cristianos. I highly recommend to take a 4min taxi or walk 14min to both Magic and Buddah Bar before heading to trendy Tibù nightclub around 00.30am.
Magic Cafe Lounge Bar- Live music and DJ performances and great selection of cocktails and liquors. Sofisticated ”upper-class” International crowd. Located at Avda. de Las Americas
Buddah Bar – same as Magic, 5min walk between the two places.
TIBÙ – definitely Tenerife’s one and only nightclub worth a visit! Great international crowd with well-dressed, sexy people. Fabulous DJ performances with great house music and live saxofonist and drums every night, located in Las Americas.
TIBU nightclub in Las Americas
Things to Do; I believe in ”the more you do, the more you see, live, learn”
I recommend to take a helicopter ride around Tenerife, visit the mountain of Teide on a clear day (and the amazing spa located on the way to the top), Masca valley, the capital Santa Cruz, one of the many sandy beaches, enjoy watersports, chilled cocktails and great wine (the three last mentioned are not recommended to combine)
TEIDE- the highest peak in Spain, reaching 3,718m above sea level, can be spotted wherever you are on the island. Thanks to Telefericoteide Cableway the top is accessable in only a few minutes.
MASCA valley is located up in the mountains and the road to get there is steep and narrow. It is one of the places where the locals used whisteling as communication. (today this way of communicating is only used in La Gomera, the neighbour island)
Teide, 3718m above sealevel
SPA’s
www.spaazulesdenivaria.com
www.spacio10.es
And for you out there with kids…
Loro Animal Park – with white tigers, located 1h drive north from Las Americas
Siam Waterpark – fun for the whole family!, located 5min drive from Las America
For the Adventurer – people like Me
I like everything that makes the adrenaline pump through my veins and I never miss the chance for some crazy adventure!
Rented a motorbike to get around the island
Bungee Jump- First weekend every month the university let their students queue to bungee jump 80m! (If you get away with looking like one of the students you can pay a fee and jump)
Helicopter - 30-50min of fantastic view over sunny Tenerife!
www.helicopterosinsulares.com
Paragliding – glide from the mountain, hanging freely in the air, a great experience!
Parasailing – not as fun as paragliding, fits better for the newbeginner…
Scuba Diving- Tenerife is not like Phuket, but it definitely has some nice diving locations. You can also spot wild 4m long dolphins, but be careful since there has been many accidents. They are not as friendly as they look like!
At first sight it looks to me that Tenerife (the biggest island of the Canary Islands) is nothing else than a weelchair sight loaded with English and Irish bars that never run out of chips and HP sauce! Being so close to Africa you would think this island would be more exotic. Sure, I am almost guaranteed to have 25+ degrees and the sun shining on my face all year around, but since I am a cultural person, loving extreme sports and educated people, Tenerife is definitely not my cup of tea. Anyway, being stuck on this island for 3 weeks I have digged deep to find some quality stuff to fill my schedule with...
Dining – I love my goose-liver, Chateaubriand and a nice Rioja
La Cúpula restaurante- Goose-liver and Chateaubriand tastes best at this award winning Hotel Jardines de Nivaria in Costa Adeje. www.adrianhoteles.com
Bianco restaurante- I really like this place and the location is great if you want to have a walk before/after dinner, the food is great and the interior has contemporary, elegant decor. I like my drinks at the open-air cocktail terrace while overviewing the light and fountain show. Conveniantly located on the roof of Safari shopping centre.
Other restaurants I recommend:
www.la-fresquera.com
www.coeurdefilet.com
www.pascalrestaurant.com
WARNING! The worst place I have ever eaten is Slow Boat II in San Telmo!!
Bars, Clubs – I am fan of the glamourus crowds and locations
Adeje and its surroundings is one of the finer places in Tenerife, but since I am located in the area of Los Cristianos, Las Americas I would recommend to start an early evening in one of the many fresh bars in this area, for example Water Melon, overlooking the ocean at the Avda. Habana street in San Telmo, Los Cristianos. I highly recommend to take a 4min taxi or walk 14min to both Magic and Buddah Bar before heading to trendy Tibù nightclub around 00.30am.
Magic Cafe Lounge Bar- Live music and DJ performances and great selection of cocktails and liquors. Sofisticated ”upper-class” International crowd. Located at Avda. de Las Americas
Buddah Bar – same as Magic, 5min walk between the two places.
TIBÙ – definitely Tenerife’s one and only nightclub worth a visit! Great international crowd with well-dressed, sexy people. Fabulous DJ performances with great house music and live saxofonist and drums every night, located in Las Americas.
TIBU nightclub in Las Americas
Things to Do; I believe in ”the more you do, the more you see, live, learn”
I recommend to take a helicopter ride around Tenerife, visit the mountain of Teide on a clear day (and the amazing spa located on the way to the top), Masca valley, the capital Santa Cruz, one of the many sandy beaches, enjoy watersports, chilled cocktails and great wine (the three last mentioned are not recommended to combine)
TEIDE- the highest peak in Spain, reaching 3,718m above sea level, can be spotted wherever you are on the island. Thanks to Telefericoteide Cableway the top is accessable in only a few minutes.
MASCA valley is located up in the mountains and the road to get there is steep and narrow. It is one of the places where the locals used whisteling as communication. (today this way of communicating is only used in La Gomera, the neighbour island)
Teide, 3718m above sealevel
SPA’s
www.spaazulesdenivaria.com
www.spacio10.es
And for you out there with kids…
Loro Animal Park – with white tigers, located 1h drive north from Las Americas
Siam Waterpark – fun for the whole family!, located 5min drive from Las America
For the Adventurer – people like Me
I like everything that makes the adrenaline pump through my veins and I never miss the chance for some crazy adventure!
Rented a motorbike to get around the island
Bungee Jump- First weekend every month the university let their students queue to bungee jump 80m! (If you get away with looking like one of the students you can pay a fee and jump)
Helicopter - 30-50min of fantastic view over sunny Tenerife!
www.helicopterosinsulares.com
Paragliding – glide from the mountain, hanging freely in the air, a great experience!
Parasailing – not as fun as paragliding, fits better for the newbeginner…
Scuba Diving- Tenerife is not like Phuket, but it definitely has some nice diving locations. You can also spot wild 4m long dolphins, but be careful since there has been many accidents. They are not as friendly as they look like!
BANGKOK - Sharks, prostitutes, corrupt tuk-tuk drivers...
SHARKS, PROSTITUTES, CORRUPT TUK-TUK DRIVERS AND HEAVENLY VIEW FROM SKYSCRAPER
4 days and 3 nights in the heart of Thailand, Bangkok. Information overload and cultural chock, is the way to describe it. After staying in a super luxury villa in Koh Samui, having massages on the beach, jet-ski rides and after have been playing with tigers, meeting the Long-neck Karen women, 50m bungee jump, eating insects, hanging on 300m long ziplines in the jungles of Chiang Mai, I can tell you that my expectations on Bangkok were high as the sky. I could not have arrived at a worse time since high-alert and warnings were announced due to the demonstrations between the red shirts (follower of the former Prime minister Thaksin) and the yellow shirts (the ruling government)
Diving with sharks in Siam Oceanworld, zipping a fine bottle of redwine on the roof on 63th floor at Skybar Vertigo and 63th floor at Sirocco, The Dome Hotel, taking in the scents from herbs and spices at Chatuchak weekend market, spotting the International backpackers shopping and drinking at Khow San Rd, being amazed by the Emerald Buddha at Grand Palace and partying with real Thai-people to thai-rock and -pop at RCA, all these experiences combined made a perfect stay in the capital, Bangkok.
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Hours before heading to Subvarnathani airport I got my ultimate Bangkok thrill from diving with sharks in Siam Oceanworld, located in luxury shopping center Siam Paragon. Having a PADI diving certificate from before I was allowed by Popeye (my US instructor) to dive with the big beasts for 40 min in the big dark tank. Coming face to face with huge Sand Tiger sharks, Blacktip sharks, Leopard sharks, Southern stingrays and Eagle rays is definitely not something you do everyday and I can assure you that when having a group of 4m sharks coming against you with their teeth feld out it definitely makes your adrenaline kick in!
SHARK PICTURE
One of many monitor lizards I spotted in the city canal of Bangkok
When strolling along the canal I was met by this astonishing creature, the canal in Bangkok is filled with 1.5m long monitor lizards and turtules. THE PLACE to shop in Bangkok (except for Siam Paragon high-end shopping center) is MBK. 5 floors filled with electronics, interior, fashion, accessorize, food and entertainment, all for a fraction of the price you would pay in Europe. For shopping it is also mandatory to make a visit to the Chatuchak weekend market on Saturday, a guaranteed cultural chock! Think about something you would like to buy and I can assure you that you would find it here!
Fruitstand at Chatuchak Market
From antiques, handcraft, some of the most astonishing sculptures, paintings and artworks I have ever seen!, to fashion, interior, herbs and all breeds of puppies being washed, blow-dried, combed and accessorized with hair ribbons like they where Barbie-dolls. It made my heart crack and I found myself standing with my left hand over my heart to heal it best I could.
Dog being prepared for sale at Chatuchak Market
Another place for locals and tourists to shop until they drop is the Night Bazaar, which is open every night from 6pm-12pm. A smorgasbord is offered with everything from elephant and crocodile wallets and bags to shoes for dogs, illegal weapons, handmade interior, fashion and massage services. It is also a great place to eat while watching live Thai- pop/rock while drinking a cold Thai Singha beer.
Workers on their way to the construction sites
If you truly want to hit the night scene you will have a perfect start entering the Distle/ Sirocco bar on the 63rd floor at the Dome hotel at Silom rd. It is truly the most beautiful and extreme view I have ever seem in a big city. Another safe card is Skybar Vertigo at Banyan Tree hotel on Sathorn rd. 63rd floors up you have a perfect view over the whole vibrant city. A had a Pina Colada made to perfection and shared a bottle of fine red wine with a Swedish friend I met with briefly in Bangkok during this magical evening. The terrace at Mandarin Oriental is also lovely.
Distle/ Sirocco Bar at The Dome Hotel
Skybar Vertigo at Banyan Tree hotel
If you want to see the locals rocking to Thai pop, hiphop & Co you should make a visit to the local nightclubs in the RCA area. I met with a French girl who was in town and we partied until 3am with Thai-people who invited us to their table. They did not speak a word of English but we communicated with big smiles and our dancing bodies (to their big surprise since Thai-people do not dance, they just stand around their tables getting drunk of Johnny Walker Whisky) Another more exclusive area to go clubbing is Sukhumvit soi 11, where you find international exclusive clubs such as Bed Supperclub and QClub.
Wall-Street with human bodies
Another part of the city I find the nightlife scene a bit more depressing. I arrive the Nana area where International tourists and prostitutes share the same space. The dream of a better life creates a disturbing market and in every corner there is negotiations taking place. Imagine Wall-street but the stocks have in this case been switched out with human bodies. Rich Arab men are walking along the narrow shopping streets accompanied by their big fat wifes, Russians, English and Internaional men meet with Thai or black women or ladyboys to close the deal.
In one corner two drunk white men are standing close to a black woman. What will be tonights value on this particular womans tired, worn-out body? One of the men bangs his hand in the wall over the womans head, with a grine on his face. The woman does not look pleased but she deals with it to have the chance to bring in some cash for the night. Here these women are just a number and hopefully a great yet cheap fuck.
Among the crowd walks a blind less attractive woman, singing with a microphone in her hand, to be able to silence her hungry stomach. Two wealthy women wearing watches worth around £11k and dressed in high-end brands overloaded with shoppingbags and with tired feet from their £450 Alexander McQueen heels, passes the blind woman while cought up in their own problems of career decisions and love problems. Another woman from the Mong minority hilltribes is trying to sell the handmade artscraft she is carrying.
Poor blind woman singing for money in Nana District
I stand there, right in the middle of where it all happens. I zip my mixed fruit smoothie while watching the crowd and taking it all in; the good and the bad of an old world, yet for me a world completely new. Something I have never seen before, I am stunned, bed is calling, lights out.
WARNING! DO NOT trust taxi, tuk-tuk or boat drivers in Bangkok who wants to offer you cheap ”guided tours”. They will just waist your time and money, bringing you around to tailors and souvenir stores where they will get commission if you end up buying something. I also recommend taking a taxi before a tuk-tuk to be less affected by the heavy polluton. You conveniently get around with the sky-train, it is clean, cheap (about 30THB), fast, on-time and free from congestion.
View from skytrain platform at Ekkamai station
From only seeing pictures from my mothers adventures in Bangkok about 30 years back, Bangkok now definitely has a place also in my heart and the memories of this truly unique and diversified city is like a colourful postcard that will never fade, I will carry it with me for a lifetime. This time I never had the time to visit the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market, about 100km south of Bangkok or taking a mahout elephant course. I leave that for my next visit to this wounderful country.
4 days and 3 nights in the heart of Thailand, Bangkok. Information overload and cultural chock, is the way to describe it. After staying in a super luxury villa in Koh Samui, having massages on the beach, jet-ski rides and after have been playing with tigers, meeting the Long-neck Karen women, 50m bungee jump, eating insects, hanging on 300m long ziplines in the jungles of Chiang Mai, I can tell you that my expectations on Bangkok were high as the sky. I could not have arrived at a worse time since high-alert and warnings were announced due to the demonstrations between the red shirts (follower of the former Prime minister Thaksin) and the yellow shirts (the ruling government)
Diving with sharks in Siam Oceanworld, zipping a fine bottle of redwine on the roof on 63th floor at Skybar Vertigo and 63th floor at Sirocco, The Dome Hotel, taking in the scents from herbs and spices at Chatuchak weekend market, spotting the International backpackers shopping and drinking at Khow San Rd, being amazed by the Emerald Buddha at Grand Palace and partying with real Thai-people to thai-rock and -pop at RCA, all these experiences combined made a perfect stay in the capital, Bangkok.
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Hours before heading to Subvarnathani airport I got my ultimate Bangkok thrill from diving with sharks in Siam Oceanworld, located in luxury shopping center Siam Paragon. Having a PADI diving certificate from before I was allowed by Popeye (my US instructor) to dive with the big beasts for 40 min in the big dark tank. Coming face to face with huge Sand Tiger sharks, Blacktip sharks, Leopard sharks, Southern stingrays and Eagle rays is definitely not something you do everyday and I can assure you that when having a group of 4m sharks coming against you with their teeth feld out it definitely makes your adrenaline kick in!
SHARK PICTURE
One of many monitor lizards I spotted in the city canal of Bangkok
When strolling along the canal I was met by this astonishing creature, the canal in Bangkok is filled with 1.5m long monitor lizards and turtules. THE PLACE to shop in Bangkok (except for Siam Paragon high-end shopping center) is MBK. 5 floors filled with electronics, interior, fashion, accessorize, food and entertainment, all for a fraction of the price you would pay in Europe. For shopping it is also mandatory to make a visit to the Chatuchak weekend market on Saturday, a guaranteed cultural chock! Think about something you would like to buy and I can assure you that you would find it here!
Fruitstand at Chatuchak Market
From antiques, handcraft, some of the most astonishing sculptures, paintings and artworks I have ever seen!, to fashion, interior, herbs and all breeds of puppies being washed, blow-dried, combed and accessorized with hair ribbons like they where Barbie-dolls. It made my heart crack and I found myself standing with my left hand over my heart to heal it best I could.
Dog being prepared for sale at Chatuchak Market
Another place for locals and tourists to shop until they drop is the Night Bazaar, which is open every night from 6pm-12pm. A smorgasbord is offered with everything from elephant and crocodile wallets and bags to shoes for dogs, illegal weapons, handmade interior, fashion and massage services. It is also a great place to eat while watching live Thai- pop/rock while drinking a cold Thai Singha beer.
Workers on their way to the construction sites
If you truly want to hit the night scene you will have a perfect start entering the Distle/ Sirocco bar on the 63rd floor at the Dome hotel at Silom rd. It is truly the most beautiful and extreme view I have ever seem in a big city. Another safe card is Skybar Vertigo at Banyan Tree hotel on Sathorn rd. 63rd floors up you have a perfect view over the whole vibrant city. A had a Pina Colada made to perfection and shared a bottle of fine red wine with a Swedish friend I met with briefly in Bangkok during this magical evening. The terrace at Mandarin Oriental is also lovely.
Distle/ Sirocco Bar at The Dome Hotel
Skybar Vertigo at Banyan Tree hotel
If you want to see the locals rocking to Thai pop, hiphop & Co you should make a visit to the local nightclubs in the RCA area. I met with a French girl who was in town and we partied until 3am with Thai-people who invited us to their table. They did not speak a word of English but we communicated with big smiles and our dancing bodies (to their big surprise since Thai-people do not dance, they just stand around their tables getting drunk of Johnny Walker Whisky) Another more exclusive area to go clubbing is Sukhumvit soi 11, where you find international exclusive clubs such as Bed Supperclub and QClub.
Wall-Street with human bodies
Another part of the city I find the nightlife scene a bit more depressing. I arrive the Nana area where International tourists and prostitutes share the same space. The dream of a better life creates a disturbing market and in every corner there is negotiations taking place. Imagine Wall-street but the stocks have in this case been switched out with human bodies. Rich Arab men are walking along the narrow shopping streets accompanied by their big fat wifes, Russians, English and Internaional men meet with Thai or black women or ladyboys to close the deal.
In one corner two drunk white men are standing close to a black woman. What will be tonights value on this particular womans tired, worn-out body? One of the men bangs his hand in the wall over the womans head, with a grine on his face. The woman does not look pleased but she deals with it to have the chance to bring in some cash for the night. Here these women are just a number and hopefully a great yet cheap fuck.
Among the crowd walks a blind less attractive woman, singing with a microphone in her hand, to be able to silence her hungry stomach. Two wealthy women wearing watches worth around £11k and dressed in high-end brands overloaded with shoppingbags and with tired feet from their £450 Alexander McQueen heels, passes the blind woman while cought up in their own problems of career decisions and love problems. Another woman from the Mong minority hilltribes is trying to sell the handmade artscraft she is carrying.
Poor blind woman singing for money in Nana District
I stand there, right in the middle of where it all happens. I zip my mixed fruit smoothie while watching the crowd and taking it all in; the good and the bad of an old world, yet for me a world completely new. Something I have never seen before, I am stunned, bed is calling, lights out.
WARNING! DO NOT trust taxi, tuk-tuk or boat drivers in Bangkok who wants to offer you cheap ”guided tours”. They will just waist your time and money, bringing you around to tailors and souvenir stores where they will get commission if you end up buying something. I also recommend taking a taxi before a tuk-tuk to be less affected by the heavy polluton. You conveniently get around with the sky-train, it is clean, cheap (about 30THB), fast, on-time and free from congestion.
View from skytrain platform at Ekkamai station
From only seeing pictures from my mothers adventures in Bangkok about 30 years back, Bangkok now definitely has a place also in my heart and the memories of this truly unique and diversified city is like a colourful postcard that will never fade, I will carry it with me for a lifetime. This time I never had the time to visit the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market, about 100km south of Bangkok or taking a mahout elephant course. I leave that for my next visit to this wounderful country.
CHIANG MAI - hilltribes, tigers, fish spa and beyond
700km north of Bangkok the mountains are surrounding the truly unique city of Chiang Mai. It is Thailands second largest city and the perfect place to explore the astonishing cultures of the minority hilltribes between north of the city and the border of Myanmar such as the Karen (long-neck women), Lisu-, Hmong, Yao, Lahu and Akha tribes.
As a tourist you can also try white water-rafting, ride elephants, ziplines adventures in the rainforest, hot airballoon, shooting, motorcross and enjoy a walk among the different artifacts, jewelry, spices and other products at one of the many markets such as the Night Bazaar, Sunday market, Saturday market, Kad Luang (Warorot market) and others. Why not try a thai-snack such as cricketts, grasshoppers or the delicasy ant eggs in omelette/pancakes? Because of the mountains surrounding the city there is unfortunately a problem with how to deal with the high air polution.
Karen long-neck children living north of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers a variety of festivals such as the Flower Festival in February, Sonkran (Water festival) in April, old Khum Khantoke dance shows, Fish Spas and amazing food from all corners of the world. Wherever you go you are always welcomed with a happy smile, as long as you follow the etiquette rules of how to behave!
For 600THB I took a tuk tuk to Tiger Kingdom, about 30min north of Chiang Mai. It was truly an amazing experience! The tigers were very tired and I believe it is the result of a mixture from the heat and the never ending tourists that wants to pet and cudle them. I am against this way of treatment but I could unfortunately not resist myself. I have heard rumours that the animals in places like this are being drugged and I very much hope this is not the case. They are such amazing creatures and should be kept in the wild. I believe the only positive thing with keeping them like this is to make children and people attached to the animals and hopefully spread the word of importance to save these animals (and other animals) for the next coming generations.
A visit to the Fish Spa is a must when you are in Chiang Mai! The Garra fishes use their mouth to gently suck of dead skin from the feet (they have no teeth so they can't bite), leaving your feet and hands amazingly smooth. Warning!, it tickles like crazy!
Nearly 95% of the Thai population are buddhists from the Theravada school. The Buddhists focus on using their mindfulness and following 7 points. 1. You should not let old negative feelings rule your life. A thought is just a thought, it is not the whole truth. 2. Be patient and focus on here and now. 3. View reality with the eyes of a child, all moments are unique and we can never know everything. 4. Have trust and confidence in yourself, your body and feelings; trust your intuition 5. Do not strive, be in the moment and be yourself. (many use meditation for this) 6. Show acceptance, look at reality for what it is, accept your thoughts and feelings. 7. Let go! Do not get stuck in old feelings and materialistic things.
Wat Phrathat Temple (1383) at Doi Suthep mountain (15km north of Chiang Mai)
Lovely sweethearts at Wat Phra Phat temple, Doi Suthep
My thoughts is that we should all focus on here and now. Forget the stress and enjoy everyday as it was your first (instead of your last) Feel every bite of the delicious food you eat, use all your senses to explore, the feeling of stroking a warm animal under your palm, the smell of flowers, wet grass or the forest, the sound of birds. Next time you go for a walk, look around you; I love many nice, expensive things in life, but the best things in life (nature, sunrise, sunset, ocean and the discover of kind human behavour ”true love”) are all for free!
My Saturday lunch was a nice mix of caterpillars, cricketts, grasshopper, ant eggs, wasp babies and some other huge insects! Video filmed it all but when trying to upload it to youtube the video was damaged, typical..
Dressed baby rabbits for sale at the Saturday market (Flowermarket 6-8Feb 10) Not for eating!
Handcarved soaps in shape of flowers, Saturday market
Everyday life in Chiang Mai
View of the canal at 7am, surrounding Chiang Mai city centre
Woman having lunch while selling thai sweets at one of the many food markets
As a tourist you can also try white water-rafting, ride elephants, ziplines adventures in the rainforest, hot airballoon, shooting, motorcross and enjoy a walk among the different artifacts, jewelry, spices and other products at one of the many markets such as the Night Bazaar, Sunday market, Saturday market, Kad Luang (Warorot market) and others. Why not try a thai-snack such as cricketts, grasshoppers or the delicasy ant eggs in omelette/pancakes? Because of the mountains surrounding the city there is unfortunately a problem with how to deal with the high air polution.
Karen long-neck children living north of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers a variety of festivals such as the Flower Festival in February, Sonkran (Water festival) in April, old Khum Khantoke dance shows, Fish Spas and amazing food from all corners of the world. Wherever you go you are always welcomed with a happy smile, as long as you follow the etiquette rules of how to behave!
For 600THB I took a tuk tuk to Tiger Kingdom, about 30min north of Chiang Mai. It was truly an amazing experience! The tigers were very tired and I believe it is the result of a mixture from the heat and the never ending tourists that wants to pet and cudle them. I am against this way of treatment but I could unfortunately not resist myself. I have heard rumours that the animals in places like this are being drugged and I very much hope this is not the case. They are such amazing creatures and should be kept in the wild. I believe the only positive thing with keeping them like this is to make children and people attached to the animals and hopefully spread the word of importance to save these animals (and other animals) for the next coming generations.
A visit to the Fish Spa is a must when you are in Chiang Mai! The Garra fishes use their mouth to gently suck of dead skin from the feet (they have no teeth so they can't bite), leaving your feet and hands amazingly smooth. Warning!, it tickles like crazy!
Nearly 95% of the Thai population are buddhists from the Theravada school. The Buddhists focus on using their mindfulness and following 7 points. 1. You should not let old negative feelings rule your life. A thought is just a thought, it is not the whole truth. 2. Be patient and focus on here and now. 3. View reality with the eyes of a child, all moments are unique and we can never know everything. 4. Have trust and confidence in yourself, your body and feelings; trust your intuition 5. Do not strive, be in the moment and be yourself. (many use meditation for this) 6. Show acceptance, look at reality for what it is, accept your thoughts and feelings. 7. Let go! Do not get stuck in old feelings and materialistic things.
Wat Phrathat Temple (1383) at Doi Suthep mountain (15km north of Chiang Mai)
Lovely sweethearts at Wat Phra Phat temple, Doi Suthep
My thoughts is that we should all focus on here and now. Forget the stress and enjoy everyday as it was your first (instead of your last) Feel every bite of the delicious food you eat, use all your senses to explore, the feeling of stroking a warm animal under your palm, the smell of flowers, wet grass or the forest, the sound of birds. Next time you go for a walk, look around you; I love many nice, expensive things in life, but the best things in life (nature, sunrise, sunset, ocean and the discover of kind human behavour ”true love”) are all for free!
My Saturday lunch was a nice mix of caterpillars, cricketts, grasshopper, ant eggs, wasp babies and some other huge insects! Video filmed it all but when trying to upload it to youtube the video was damaged, typical..
Dressed baby rabbits for sale at the Saturday market (Flowermarket 6-8Feb 10) Not for eating!
Handcarved soaps in shape of flowers, Saturday market
Everyday life in Chiang Mai
View of the canal at 7am, surrounding Chiang Mai city centre
Woman having lunch while selling thai sweets at one of the many food markets
KOH SAMUI - meeting the president
MEETING THE PRESIDENT, WATCHING THAI-BOXING AND ZIPPING YOUNG COCONUT
(all pictures taken by Iphone)
Just arriving Chiang Mai from having had an amazing week in Koh Samui! After being food poisoned in London and having spent time at the medical centre in both Dubai, Bangkok and when arriving Koh Samui I truly deserved to pamper myself.
Truly genuine life at Koh Samui
Early morning in Koh Samui
Spent 4 lovely days and 3 nights out of 7 in total at my friends lovely luxury villa up in the mountains. Nirvana-villa.com Was spoiled by the servants with delicious Thai food, fresh seafood and lots of fresh Banana/pineapple milkshakes. (unfortunately I forgot my camera at my hotel so no pics)
Embarked on an amazing boat trip on one of the genuine Thai longboats to watch the famous but rare pink dolphines. We spotted two and it was truly pink and his dolphine friend was of an amazing purple colour. So beautiful and sparkling colours they looked like taken out of a Disney movie. In the afternoon I went jet-skiing and finished the evening by watching the sunset from Nikki Beach while sipping another Banana milkshake.
One day I went to Chaweng Beach on the east coast of Koh Samui. There I was pampered on the beach for 2.5h having a foot scrub, followed by a foot massage, whole aloe vera body massage and manicure and pedicure. All for the price of 1050THB! (approximately 20pounds).
Massage treatment at Chong Mon Bay
Found a lovely restaurant right on the beach where I had barracuda and spicy Thai mango salad (think the kitchen tried to kill me with their spices!, and I love spicy food…) while lying down on one of the sunbeds.
Later the same evening I had an amazing dinner with an even more interesting new friend I met, at Oceans11 restaurant. Our chosen menu consisted of foie-gras, whole crab, French snails combined with a fine Pinot Noir, however it was a bit to light for my taste but combined with the spicy food it was just fine.
Arriving the harbour at 6pm after a long day of diving in Koh Tao.
7am in the morning the next day I went with a group of divers on a day-trip to Koh Tao. We dived among exotic fishes and corals of different colours and shapes. 6pm we arrived back to shore and I had a quick shower before hitting Chaweng again. While shopping at a market stand a man and his wife passed me to ask for the way to the Thai Boxing match held on the island. I went with them and saw Swedish K1 fighter Alex Tobiasson fight against Italian Armen Petrosyan. I bet 1000THB on Alex, unfortunately he lost. All fighters were part of a reality show on Itsshowtime.com I also met with the President of Koh Samui, a very nice man indeed.
Alex Tobiasson vs Italian Armen Petrosyan
Temple near the Big Buddha
Last day in Koh Samui I spent by first visiting the Big Buddha followed by another massage on Chong Mon Bay Beach.
Had a quick lunch with young coconut and shark before hitting the airport to fly to Chiang Mai. Bye beautiful Koh Samui!
(all pictures taken by Iphone)
Just arriving Chiang Mai from having had an amazing week in Koh Samui! After being food poisoned in London and having spent time at the medical centre in both Dubai, Bangkok and when arriving Koh Samui I truly deserved to pamper myself.
Truly genuine life at Koh Samui
Early morning in Koh Samui
Spent 4 lovely days and 3 nights out of 7 in total at my friends lovely luxury villa up in the mountains. Nirvana-villa.com Was spoiled by the servants with delicious Thai food, fresh seafood and lots of fresh Banana/pineapple milkshakes. (unfortunately I forgot my camera at my hotel so no pics)
Embarked on an amazing boat trip on one of the genuine Thai longboats to watch the famous but rare pink dolphines. We spotted two and it was truly pink and his dolphine friend was of an amazing purple colour. So beautiful and sparkling colours they looked like taken out of a Disney movie. In the afternoon I went jet-skiing and finished the evening by watching the sunset from Nikki Beach while sipping another Banana milkshake.
One day I went to Chaweng Beach on the east coast of Koh Samui. There I was pampered on the beach for 2.5h having a foot scrub, followed by a foot massage, whole aloe vera body massage and manicure and pedicure. All for the price of 1050THB! (approximately 20pounds).
Massage treatment at Chong Mon Bay
Found a lovely restaurant right on the beach where I had barracuda and spicy Thai mango salad (think the kitchen tried to kill me with their spices!, and I love spicy food…) while lying down on one of the sunbeds.
Later the same evening I had an amazing dinner with an even more interesting new friend I met, at Oceans11 restaurant. Our chosen menu consisted of foie-gras, whole crab, French snails combined with a fine Pinot Noir, however it was a bit to light for my taste but combined with the spicy food it was just fine.
Arriving the harbour at 6pm after a long day of diving in Koh Tao.
7am in the morning the next day I went with a group of divers on a day-trip to Koh Tao. We dived among exotic fishes and corals of different colours and shapes. 6pm we arrived back to shore and I had a quick shower before hitting Chaweng again. While shopping at a market stand a man and his wife passed me to ask for the way to the Thai Boxing match held on the island. I went with them and saw Swedish K1 fighter Alex Tobiasson fight against Italian Armen Petrosyan. I bet 1000THB on Alex, unfortunately he lost. All fighters were part of a reality show on Itsshowtime.com I also met with the President of Koh Samui, a very nice man indeed.
Alex Tobiasson vs Italian Armen Petrosyan
Temple near the Big Buddha
Last day in Koh Samui I spent by first visiting the Big Buddha followed by another massage on Chong Mon Bay Beach.
Had a quick lunch with young coconut and shark before hitting the airport to fly to Chiang Mai. Bye beautiful Koh Samui!
MIAMI - celebrating NYE with tigers in Russian luxury mansion
SPA, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, PARTY WITH WILD ANIMALS AND VISIT TO THE DOLPHINS CENTRE AND A STRIPCLUB IN KEYWEST
anded in Fort Lauderdale 29th December. Arrived the house and had a relaxing time in the jacuzzi with a glass of champagne followed by a great nights sleep. Started the morning by walking down to the marina, sipping some fresh orange juice combined with an omelette while watching the pelicans sailing around the boats in the harbour.
Had a loong walk along Fort Lauderdale beach towards the old lighthouse, among fallen coconuts and War of Man. I tried to not step on them. Lunch was followed by a zip of a cigarr and a long drive along the coastline with the Harley Davidson. The seaview, the fresh smell of saltwater and the sky in colours of red, purple and orange made it a ride to remember.
Arrived Grille Restaurant and ordered Swordfish and crab combined with a fine red Pino Noir. The food was great, the air held perfect temperature, life is good. :-) Home and spent the last 20min in the jacuzzi before reading my book called Life, Happiness and the Money, lights out.
NYE
Had a relaxing massage performed by a young muscular good looking black man at the private memberships club, BOCA RESORT. Relaxed and happy I walked along the beach and then rested in my sunbed while having a refreshing salad with a strawberry smoothie. The sun kissed my body while I continued reading my book...
Boca Resort, Ft Lauderdale
In the evening I met with my friends in hotel Fontaine Bleu to together arrive at a friends luxury apartment in South Beach for sushi and champagne. Met up with many old contacts and we jumped in the Lincoln limousine to a Private Mansion party in Hibiscus islands with a circus theme with wild animals such as big tigers, baby tigers, apes, monkeys and even a tiny little horse. I played with one of the baby tigers, however I think it's an awful treatment, to bring them to a noisy stressful environment such as this NYE party. The place renting the animals out is called www.zoologicalwildlifefoundation.com Later we entered Wall nightclub and a couple of Magnum champagne bottles later I finished the night by having a shower (to wash of the cigarette smoke) and roomservice with hot soup.
The rest of my stay in Floria I spent on magical performances such as The Phantom of the Opera at the Broward center in Ft Lauderdale. I also visited the LandShark Stadium to see Miami Dolphins playing against Steelers. 
Miami Dolphins vs Steelers at the LandShark Stadium
Of all the great restaurants I visited I particularly enjoyed the seafood platter at Joe's Stonecrabs in South Beach, Miami. Well worth a visit!, but come 4.45 when they open again after the siesta, in order to get a table. The place fills up in a couple of minutes.
Key West
Two days were spent in Key West, made a visit to the oldest Pier in the country, visited Ernest Hemingway's house, the bar he always went to, Sloppy Joe's, and to a stripclub where I got 3 lapdances performed by a gorgeous Russian girl who called herself Olga.
Dolphin Research Center at Grassy Key, Key West, Florida
On the way back to Ft Lauderdale I made a visit to the Dolphin Research Center, to play with the dolphins. I had planned to swim with them but would have had to wait for 4 hours, that will be next time for sure!
Pepp-talk från en vän och idéspruta, läs och begrunda:
I'm sorry but this text will follow in Swedish:
Har suttit här och käkat digestive kex och letat jobb världen över på olika sökmotorer. Är klar med mina ekonomiprov nu, känns skönt! London får mig inte på humör. Jag behöver spänning, exotiska platser och att få använda min kreativitet och känna adrenalinet pumpa i mina ådror igen. Kom att tänka på en vän (Johan Stael von Holstein) som har något att lära oss alla, längre ner följer en inspirationstext av honom. Jag kom först i kontakt med honom genom att mitt X lånade ut en bok till mig som hette "Ingen kan stoppa oss nu". Detta skedde i 2004 och jag tog boken till mitt hjärta. Därefter träffade jag honom genom gemensamma bekanta och fick möjligheten att uttrycka mina känslor som väcktes hos mig som 18-åring då jag läste boken och för hans företagande. Det är fantastiskt att få ha kreativa fantastiska människor i sitt nätverk, lär av dem, låt dem visa vägen (även om du ibland väljer att slipa om och gå din egen, en helt ny väg!
Här kommer lite pepp-talk som jag hämtat från Johans egna fantastiska blogg:
"Godta aldrig ett nej! Ge dig aldrig om du vet vad du vill eller tycker att du ha rätt. Det finns få sanningar och saker och ting blir vad du gör dem till, så även ditt liv. Ifrågasätt allt och alla! Fatta egna beslut och stå vid dem! Stå vid ditt ord! Var modig! Ta ansvar för dina handlingar och kom
ihåg, att livet inte är en popularitetstävling. Skäms inte för dina misstag, lär dig av dem och gör inte om dem.
Tro på dig själva och dina idéer. Kolla dig omkring på allt som finns. Kan andra, kan du, funkar andras idéer funkar dina. Ge dig bara fan på det. Låt aldrig sossar och fackföreningar trycka ner dig och få dig att tro att du ingenting kan och inget är värd. Låt ingen säga till dig att du skall vara
nöjda med det du har. Livet är inte rättvist, vänj dig! Ta för dig! Den som gapar efter mycket vinner ofta hela stycket. Ge aldrig upp! Gå efter dina drömmar, gör det du tycker är kul, det är ofta det du är bra på. Har respekt för andra människors kunnande, utbildning och hårda arbete.
Gör dig förtjänt av det du har och var stolt över vad du har åstadkommit. Lyssna inte på förståsigpåare och ”nej”-sägare. Du är lika bra som dem, minst! Arbeta bara en eller två timmar mer än andra och dina mål kommer att uppnås. Omge dig med människor som ger dig energi, som peppar dig. Kämpa, glöm inte att resan är mödan värd och vill du inte, vare sig kämpa eller gå för dina drömmar, stå då vid ditt beslut, ta konsekvenserna och ta ansvar för det. Livet är underbart, ta tag i det och gör något av det! Det vackraste som finns är kärlek det näst vackraste är entreprenörskap, prova dina vingar, det är inte farligt att misslyckas. Du kan, du kan, du kan!"
Citerat från: http://johansvh.blogspot.com/
Har suttit här och käkat digestive kex och letat jobb världen över på olika sökmotorer. Är klar med mina ekonomiprov nu, känns skönt! London får mig inte på humör. Jag behöver spänning, exotiska platser och att få använda min kreativitet och känna adrenalinet pumpa i mina ådror igen. Kom att tänka på en vän (Johan Stael von Holstein) som har något att lära oss alla, längre ner följer en inspirationstext av honom. Jag kom först i kontakt med honom genom att mitt X lånade ut en bok till mig som hette "Ingen kan stoppa oss nu". Detta skedde i 2004 och jag tog boken till mitt hjärta. Därefter träffade jag honom genom gemensamma bekanta och fick möjligheten att uttrycka mina känslor som väcktes hos mig som 18-åring då jag läste boken och för hans företagande. Det är fantastiskt att få ha kreativa fantastiska människor i sitt nätverk, lär av dem, låt dem visa vägen (även om du ibland väljer att slipa om och gå din egen, en helt ny väg!
Här kommer lite pepp-talk som jag hämtat från Johans egna fantastiska blogg:
"Godta aldrig ett nej! Ge dig aldrig om du vet vad du vill eller tycker att du ha rätt. Det finns få sanningar och saker och ting blir vad du gör dem till, så även ditt liv. Ifrågasätt allt och alla! Fatta egna beslut och stå vid dem! Stå vid ditt ord! Var modig! Ta ansvar för dina handlingar och kom
ihåg, att livet inte är en popularitetstävling. Skäms inte för dina misstag, lär dig av dem och gör inte om dem.
Tro på dig själva och dina idéer. Kolla dig omkring på allt som finns. Kan andra, kan du, funkar andras idéer funkar dina. Ge dig bara fan på det. Låt aldrig sossar och fackföreningar trycka ner dig och få dig att tro att du ingenting kan och inget är värd. Låt ingen säga till dig att du skall vara
nöjda med det du har. Livet är inte rättvist, vänj dig! Ta för dig! Den som gapar efter mycket vinner ofta hela stycket. Ge aldrig upp! Gå efter dina drömmar, gör det du tycker är kul, det är ofta det du är bra på. Har respekt för andra människors kunnande, utbildning och hårda arbete.
Gör dig förtjänt av det du har och var stolt över vad du har åstadkommit. Lyssna inte på förståsigpåare och ”nej”-sägare. Du är lika bra som dem, minst! Arbeta bara en eller två timmar mer än andra och dina mål kommer att uppnås. Omge dig med människor som ger dig energi, som peppar dig. Kämpa, glöm inte att resan är mödan värd och vill du inte, vare sig kämpa eller gå för dina drömmar, stå då vid ditt beslut, ta konsekvenserna och ta ansvar för det. Livet är underbart, ta tag i det och gör något av det! Det vackraste som finns är kärlek det näst vackraste är entreprenörskap, prova dina vingar, det är inte farligt att misslyckas. Du kan, du kan, du kan!"
Citerat från: http://johansvh.blogspot.com/
LONDON - meeting with Jeremy Irons
MEETING WITH JEREMY IRONS, ACTOR, LEGEND AND EXCELLENT TEACHER
It was Wednesday evening the 11th November and I had been invited by a friend to see Jeremy Irons (The Academy Award, Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Award winner) hold a terrific 3.5 hours educational guest performance at LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art). You recognize Jeremy Irons from Kingdom of Heaven, Eragon, Die Hard, The Man In the Iron Mask Waterland and many other films back to the 1980s.
Me and my friend sat down in a rehearsal room with large windows reaching up to the ceiling and with green curtains covering the walls of the room. I placed myself on one of the front seats to be able to take in every impression and wisdom he hopefully would share with us. Jeremy sat on a table about 3 metres infront of us, with his long legs down to the floor. He had a handsome dark fairly long hair-cut and he moved his fingers through his hair now and then while he spoke infront of us. Wearing brown round glasses, a dark skirt tucked down his beige manchester pants and brown high leather boots, he truly looked like an actor, and successful writer.
Jeremy welcomed us and informed us that he would let six of the Lamda students perform a monologue or dialogue, that they had practised. His personality was very friendly and relaxed, yet disciplined. Throughtout the evening, Jeremy shared his advice of how we could perform better. ”In acting we have to open the channels between of what we are feeling and our bodies”, recommending to practise yoga and singing to develop these skills.
Jeremy Irons in Eragon (2006)
We were told that even with the most practised skills, ” Simplicity is best, because it allows us to think”
It is all about thinking your way into a situation. To become free with our bodies. It’s about passion and doing things right. As an actor you have to let the audience come into your thoughts, to see who you are. You have to link your energy with the text, so it just does not become plain words. Everybody can read from a paper. It is the actors job to bring that text alive.
You should be able to see the effect the argument is having on the audience. Do not just let the audience here it, let them see WHY you say and do things. WHY do you love him or her? WHY do you say and behave like you do? Really USE the language. If you are really into what your doing, in the story focus your body does unconcious things, using so many little signals you could never dream of. When it happens that is proof of that you are really living the text. You have to do the words justice, because it is all there.
Jeremy thinks of the dialogue like a tennis match. What lines are you entitled to win and what lines are you not? Each time you are performing, the trick is to let the thought come to you. Just like in life when you say something, the words you say should sound like they are created from a thought that just sprang to mind. Even if you have been thinking of something now and then for a long time, that particular thought you have when you open your mind will be new and fresh and so the words that come with it.
Learn how to play of eachother rather than just say the lines. When it comes to ”Doings” you should be careful about woundering around, because it blunts your purpose. If you have to make a move, do it with a purpose and then – make that particular move!
When the evening came to its end I got some time to speak to Jeremy in person. We talked for a while and Jeremy told me about his acting background and how he had went to do 3 year at acting school after performing on stage.
Since my mother had come to London to visit me I called it a night, but it was a very interesting evening that I will remember.
And in the end, ”It’ll be alright when you know it”. It’s just that simple…
It was Wednesday evening the 11th November and I had been invited by a friend to see Jeremy Irons (The Academy Award, Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Award winner) hold a terrific 3.5 hours educational guest performance at LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art). You recognize Jeremy Irons from Kingdom of Heaven, Eragon, Die Hard, The Man In the Iron Mask Waterland and many other films back to the 1980s.
Me and my friend sat down in a rehearsal room with large windows reaching up to the ceiling and with green curtains covering the walls of the room. I placed myself on one of the front seats to be able to take in every impression and wisdom he hopefully would share with us. Jeremy sat on a table about 3 metres infront of us, with his long legs down to the floor. He had a handsome dark fairly long hair-cut and he moved his fingers through his hair now and then while he spoke infront of us. Wearing brown round glasses, a dark skirt tucked down his beige manchester pants and brown high leather boots, he truly looked like an actor, and successful writer.
Jeremy welcomed us and informed us that he would let six of the Lamda students perform a monologue or dialogue, that they had practised. His personality was very friendly and relaxed, yet disciplined. Throughtout the evening, Jeremy shared his advice of how we could perform better. ”In acting we have to open the channels between of what we are feeling and our bodies”, recommending to practise yoga and singing to develop these skills.
Jeremy Irons in Eragon (2006)
We were told that even with the most practised skills, ” Simplicity is best, because it allows us to think”
It is all about thinking your way into a situation. To become free with our bodies. It’s about passion and doing things right. As an actor you have to let the audience come into your thoughts, to see who you are. You have to link your energy with the text, so it just does not become plain words. Everybody can read from a paper. It is the actors job to bring that text alive.
You should be able to see the effect the argument is having on the audience. Do not just let the audience here it, let them see WHY you say and do things. WHY do you love him or her? WHY do you say and behave like you do? Really USE the language. If you are really into what your doing, in the story focus your body does unconcious things, using so many little signals you could never dream of. When it happens that is proof of that you are really living the text. You have to do the words justice, because it is all there.
Jeremy thinks of the dialogue like a tennis match. What lines are you entitled to win and what lines are you not? Each time you are performing, the trick is to let the thought come to you. Just like in life when you say something, the words you say should sound like they are created from a thought that just sprang to mind. Even if you have been thinking of something now and then for a long time, that particular thought you have when you open your mind will be new and fresh and so the words that come with it.
Learn how to play of eachother rather than just say the lines. When it comes to ”Doings” you should be careful about woundering around, because it blunts your purpose. If you have to make a move, do it with a purpose and then – make that particular move!
When the evening came to its end I got some time to speak to Jeremy in person. We talked for a while and Jeremy told me about his acting background and how he had went to do 3 year at acting school after performing on stage.
Since my mother had come to London to visit me I called it a night, but it was a very interesting evening that I will remember.
And in the end, ”It’ll be alright when you know it”. It’s just that simple…
Interview with Clive Owen at the BFI London Film Festival
It's the BFI London Film Festival and I'm at the BFI Southbank to meet Clive Owen. We can all just google Clive Owen to read about his achievements as BAFTA, Golden Globe winner and for his extensive work in the film and tv industry, so my ame wash to pick up some private goodies, things we won't read about...
Born 1964 in Coventry, Clive Owen was a man who didn't have it all set in his early life. With a father who left the family when Owen was three and raised by his mother and stepfather, a railway ticket clerk, he described his childhood as rough.
Clive says he first didn’t believe that acting could be tought, but eventually got into RADA by asking them to go to hell. He also called Julia Robers a whore in their first film together. When asked if he ever see it as just a job Clive express that he truly loves every film he goes into and that he never see it as ”just a job”.
”When performing in a play at the age of 13 I suddenly knew that I would dedicate my life to acting” he says. But being born and raised in a small place like Coventry didn’t leave much room for expressing his vision. ”I wasn’t taken serious when I explained I wanted to become an actor. People told me to stop dreaming” he says. School went out the window as he fell in love with the craft of acting.
Clive had no believe in that acting was something you could be tought at school., or ”You can’t teach people to act”, as Clive express it himself. But at the age of 16 when he had been chasing acting work for over 2 years without success he got persuaded to apply to acting school. He got in immediately, but turned it down. Then it occured to him that it was the only road to take so Clive spent another two years to try to get in.
He eventually got into RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) by swearing and cursing at the judges, as part of his audition. During his last year at RADA he went on to do 7 straight plays and he tells that it was a great experience to work with other like-minded people as passionate as himself. He mentions many times that the 3 years of full-time theatre work he dedicated RADA was vital for his success as an actor. However Clive reveals that as much as he loved RADA he thought they should have included some film continuity.
When entering the tv industry he fealt very new to the whole situation. It was basically learning by doing, as he had no experience from filming. Clive keapt the doors open to theatre which also turned him into an acclaimed stage actor. At the start of his career he was just happy to make a living, Clive says. In 1984 only 6 films was made in the UK. It was hard to get BFI funded, leaving the actors to fight for the very few jobs that were.
Clive managed to seize his first film role in Vroom (1988), coming straight out of RADA and within two years he played in the TV crime drama Chancer. The rich rewarding experience from hours of work opened up for more opportunities and many successful award winning films were to follow.
Oven got the great opportunity to work with Julia Roberts for the first time in Closer, where he in one of the scenes call her a whore, giving her the opportunity to offer one last great fuck in exchange for her freedom, meaning he would sign the devorce papers... He later got the chance to work with her again in the smart adult Hollywood film Duplicity (2009). The characters in the film don't trust eachother, but in real life Clive states that Julia Roberts was extremely easy to work with, leaving him feeling relaxed and confident. "We worked very well together", he explains.
”I don’t think there is no such thing as natural charisma on film. Charisma is developed through the way the actor relates to the camera and the people you work with”, Clive says.
When asked why he never moved to LA, as so many other successful actors, he explains his love for London. Whatever happend his base would always be London. ”You have to go to LA, it’s the centre of everything. It’s all about status, how much you’re worth as an actor. I don’t think that’s always healthy for an actor,” he says.
When finally asking him when he’s going to move into directing he says he does have a passion for directing and that he’s been flirting with the idea, but that he must find something he’s really passionate about, he would have to stop acting and be fully commited to directing. ”There are no rules in film making”, he says.
In a week from now he’s off to America to do another film, with David Schwimmer (Friends) as director. ”It’s an amazing script”, he says. Clive plays the father of a 14 year old girl who’s on Internet, being groomed. We’re all very excited about what his next masterpiece will look like.
Clive lives in Highgate, London with his wife Sarah-Jane Fenton and their two daughters Hannah and Eve. He met his wife when the two performed the leads in Rome and Juliet and they married in 1995. When asking him if he’s a bit domestic he responds; ”I do the washing up, yeah”. He also says he’s a Liverpool fan, simply stating the reason being that they won everything when he was a little kid.
Born 1964 in Coventry, Clive Owen was a man who didn't have it all set in his early life. With a father who left the family when Owen was three and raised by his mother and stepfather, a railway ticket clerk, he described his childhood as rough.
Clive says he first didn’t believe that acting could be tought, but eventually got into RADA by asking them to go to hell. He also called Julia Robers a whore in their first film together. When asked if he ever see it as just a job Clive express that he truly loves every film he goes into and that he never see it as ”just a job”.
”When performing in a play at the age of 13 I suddenly knew that I would dedicate my life to acting” he says. But being born and raised in a small place like Coventry didn’t leave much room for expressing his vision. ”I wasn’t taken serious when I explained I wanted to become an actor. People told me to stop dreaming” he says. School went out the window as he fell in love with the craft of acting.
Clive had no believe in that acting was something you could be tought at school., or ”You can’t teach people to act”, as Clive express it himself. But at the age of 16 when he had been chasing acting work for over 2 years without success he got persuaded to apply to acting school. He got in immediately, but turned it down. Then it occured to him that it was the only road to take so Clive spent another two years to try to get in.
He eventually got into RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) by swearing and cursing at the judges, as part of his audition. During his last year at RADA he went on to do 7 straight plays and he tells that it was a great experience to work with other like-minded people as passionate as himself. He mentions many times that the 3 years of full-time theatre work he dedicated RADA was vital for his success as an actor. However Clive reveals that as much as he loved RADA he thought they should have included some film continuity.
When entering the tv industry he fealt very new to the whole situation. It was basically learning by doing, as he had no experience from filming. Clive keapt the doors open to theatre which also turned him into an acclaimed stage actor. At the start of his career he was just happy to make a living, Clive says. In 1984 only 6 films was made in the UK. It was hard to get BFI funded, leaving the actors to fight for the very few jobs that were.
Clive managed to seize his first film role in Vroom (1988), coming straight out of RADA and within two years he played in the TV crime drama Chancer. The rich rewarding experience from hours of work opened up for more opportunities and many successful award winning films were to follow.
Oven got the great opportunity to work with Julia Roberts for the first time in Closer, where he in one of the scenes call her a whore, giving her the opportunity to offer one last great fuck in exchange for her freedom, meaning he would sign the devorce papers... He later got the chance to work with her again in the smart adult Hollywood film Duplicity (2009). The characters in the film don't trust eachother, but in real life Clive states that Julia Roberts was extremely easy to work with, leaving him feeling relaxed and confident. "We worked very well together", he explains.
”I don’t think there is no such thing as natural charisma on film. Charisma is developed through the way the actor relates to the camera and the people you work with”, Clive says.
When asked why he never moved to LA, as so many other successful actors, he explains his love for London. Whatever happend his base would always be London. ”You have to go to LA, it’s the centre of everything. It’s all about status, how much you’re worth as an actor. I don’t think that’s always healthy for an actor,” he says.
When finally asking him when he’s going to move into directing he says he does have a passion for directing and that he’s been flirting with the idea, but that he must find something he’s really passionate about, he would have to stop acting and be fully commited to directing. ”There are no rules in film making”, he says.
In a week from now he’s off to America to do another film, with David Schwimmer (Friends) as director. ”It’s an amazing script”, he says. Clive plays the father of a 14 year old girl who’s on Internet, being groomed. We’re all very excited about what his next masterpiece will look like.
Clive lives in Highgate, London with his wife Sarah-Jane Fenton and their two daughters Hannah and Eve. He met his wife when the two performed the leads in Rome and Juliet and they married in 1995. When asking him if he’s a bit domestic he responds; ”I do the washing up, yeah”. He also says he’s a Liverpool fan, simply stating the reason being that they won everything when he was a little kid.
Study hard, work hard, party hard!
Hi, it's been a couple of months since I have been writing. That doesn't mean I have slowed down, rather tried to speed up everything. I'm studying economics full-time in London and studying to become an actress. At the moment I'm doing a film with an environmental topic which will be presented on a film festival in London, later this year.
I'm also signed with a couple of agencies in London and have the opportunity to contribute in movies, tv series etc. It's a great way to learn the business, come in contact with the right people and learn how it really works. I won't travel much this autumn, just between Gothenburg and London every 7th week and to MIAMI over Christmas and NYE. Looking forward to it... now I'm gonna get back to my books and study... won't hit the gym tonight since I'm still exhausted from a hard week in Gothenburg... Birthday party, Liseberg, getting braces, meeting all my lovely lovely close friends. In London is 27+ degrees and would have loved to be outside, really tempting, but I know if I'm doing great in school I can buy any weather I want whenever I won't (just booking a trip to Barbados or whatever)
XXX
I
Picture taken by Jason Schulz in his studio in Hollywood
I'm also signed with a couple of agencies in London and have the opportunity to contribute in movies, tv series etc. It's a great way to learn the business, come in contact with the right people and learn how it really works. I won't travel much this autumn, just between Gothenburg and London every 7th week and to MIAMI over Christmas and NYE. Looking forward to it... now I'm gonna get back to my books and study... won't hit the gym tonight since I'm still exhausted from a hard week in Gothenburg... Birthday party, Liseberg, getting braces, meeting all my lovely lovely close friends. In London is 27+ degrees and would have loved to be outside, really tempting, but I know if I'm doing great in school I can buy any weather I want whenever I won't (just booking a trip to Barbados or whatever)
XXX
IPicture taken by Jason Schulz in his studio in Hollywood
