Live luxe life

Hook, line, and sinker

Dive calendars fill up quickly when youre in the Maldives, but check in at Angsana Velavaru and you can complement your dives with fishing trips that go beyond dangling bait in the ocean. Sail out on a night fishing expedition and you might just bring home a red snapper, grouper, jack fish or sea bass. Those gunning for an adrenaline rush can take on big game fishing in the deep waters. An experienced crew will be on hand to guide you, or better still flick the shutter on that grand photo opportunity. South Nilandhe Atoll (Dhaalu Atoll), Republic of Maldives. Tel: +9606 760 028; www.angsana.com

Frequent Flier

To market, to market
Each Sunday, Tong Chong Street transforms into a bustling farmers market known as Island East Markets. The market brings together around 50 stalls, ranging from local farmers in Hong Kong to purveyors of artisanal coffee and craft beers. More than just a celebration of food, the market also gives local designers a chance to showcase their wares. With the line-up of stores rotating on a weekly basis, gourmands can look forward to filling their baskets with new discoveries. Tong Chong Street, TaiKoo Place, Island East, Hong Kong. www.hkmarkets.org

KurtWalter
After half a century of isolation from the world, Myanmar has finally opened its doors and theres no better time to go than now. We speak to Kurt Walter, Group General Manager of the Apple Tree Group, about Bagan as he knows it and the groups newly launched hotel in the historic heart of Bagan. by denise kok

What were your first impressions of Bagan? The sheer number of temples and ruins, the absolute beauty of Bagan and what it offers is unlike anything Ive ever seen before. On my first morning there, I went for a run. Every road I passed housed yet another temple or ruin. Visiting Bagan is not unlike taking a trip back in time, to see ancient Burma as it is. Why did the group decide to roll out Bagan Lodge as a tented luxury lodge? We wanted to do something unique with the design. The hotels designer used much of the local brick that is classic in Burmese architecture and common in rural Myanmar. To add a touch of adventure, we went with tented roofs evoking the spirit of Kiplings world through design. Do you have a favourite place to visit in Bagan? Of course there are popular temples such as Ananda Temple and gilded Shwezigon Paya, but there are so many smaller temples that are equally spectacular. My advice is to get up early and go for a walk or a drive. Tell us about your favourite Burmese dish. There is a wonderful dish called mohinga a soup featuring fritter, eggs and fish. The ingredients change depending on where you are in Myanmar. Overall, the food here is delicious, boasting lots of fresh produce and local spices. What tips would you share with a traveller visiting Bagan for the very first time? Be adventurous. The people are incredibly friendly and there is so much history and culture to discover in Bagan, on the shores of the Irrawaddy, and across Myanmar. Bagan Lodge is perfectly situated for guests to fully explore the entire area.

Q Q Q

Brave new world Brunch on the bund

Vinophiles looking to discover South African vintages will be well cared for at One&Only Cape Town. Besides boasting a beautiful property, the hotel is also home to one of the most diverse and extensive wine cellars on the continent. The cellar is stocked with 5,000 bottles ranging from Old World to New World labels but its the South African wines youll want to devote your time to. Let Head Sommelier Luvo Ntezo take you through award-winning labels as well as undiscovered gems little known outside the region. Ntezo also leads the hotels Wine & Dine programme, a monthly showcase of wines from the continent. This month sees a line-up from the Neil Ellis estate before De Grendel Wines take centre stage in May. Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa. Tel: +2721 4315 888; www.oneandonlyresorts.com

On the weekends, brunch is undoubtedly the first order of the day. Theres no better way to kick-start your engines than with a jolt of bubbly from two-for-one Mimosas served at Shook! Restaurant and Rooftop Terraces newly launched Mimosa brunch. The two-course menu three if you layer on dessert satisfies with classic brunch and lunch items. Think salmon tartare with avocado and ginger miso rose sauce; and eggs served in a multitude of ways poached and wrapped in prosciutto, soft-boiled with salmon caviar, and more. 5F & 6F, Swatch Art Peace Hotel, 23 Nanjing Road East (Bund 19), Shanghai, China. Tel: +8621 2329 8522; www. shookrestaurantshanghai.com

Elysium
Redefining notions of paradise is the Laucala Island, occupying its own 12 sq km kingdom in the Fiji archipelago. The island, served by its own airport, has 25 luxuriously appointed residences, each designed with a nod to traditional Fijian style. If true luxury is marked by excess, then Laucala Island reigns in this category. With 300 staff at your disposal, five restaurants, a top-notch wine cellar, organic farms, and a world-class spa all flanked by pristine beaches and turquoise lagoons theres no reason to head back into the real world. Tel: +6798 880 077; www.laucala.com

appetiteasia.com | 114

115 | appetiteasia.com