all the dish that’s fit to print
elephants never forget
Elephants are captivating, clever and curious creatures. They have fascinated us for ages and have been depended upon by their human neighbors for centuries. Anantara Hotels Resorts & Spas and its charity, The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation will sponsor the upcoming photography exhibit, Elephants in Between, showcasing images by photojournalist Brent Lewin which captures this dynamic relationship in Thailand. Since 2007, Brent has focused on elephants in both urban and rural settings. His photographs are the story of a struggle to preserve traditional cultural identities in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
The exhibit will be located in Bangkok at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand between September 3 and October 14, and will feature Brent’s stunning images depicting Asian elephants in Thailand.
Once a symbol of honor and dignity, elephants have been used in development efforts across Thailand, especially in the logging and tourism industries. These exploits have come to represent the inequity of the country’s economy. Brent captures the deep emotion behind this modern problem through his series of moving photographs.
Brent’s work has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, New York Times, Discovery Channel Magazine and Newsweek. His work with elephants has been awarded by Pictures of the Year International, Prix de la Photographie Paris (Px3), the International Photography Awards, American Photo and the FCCT Photojournalism Annual. He is currently involved as associate producer and videographer on a feature length documentary, Elephants Never Forget, produced by CanazWest Pictures in coproduction with the National Film Board of Canada starting later this fall, which explores the plight of the Asian elephant and the modern human-elephant relationship in Thailand and China.
The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation is headquartered at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in Chiang Saen, Thailand, which also runs an on-site elephant camp and elephant conservation center dedicated to rescuing elephants from a life on the streets of Bangkok or other major Thai cities. Use this worthy cause as an excuse to visit Thailand. First see the photographs, and then travel to Anantara to get up-close-and-personal with the subjects for yourself.
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ramadan detox
Ramadan officially started August 11th and marks the month-long period where Muhammad is believed to have composed the Quran. In honor of this holy month, Muslims around the world will focus on inner peace and cleansing from now until September 9th through daily fasts during sunlight hours and abstain from any harmful habits that introduce toxins to the body (like drinking or smoking).
Ananatara resident spa guru and unofficial Ramadan expert, Liz Smailes, shared her advice with us on incorporating the relevant messages behind the holy celebration into daily life. (more…)
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ampr on t+l’s world’s best 2010
Looking to vacation at the most amazing places on the planet? Luckily for you, Travel + Leisure just released its annual World’s Best Awards issue. Seven AMPR properties and our favorite cruise line walked away with prized spots on the list. Here are the ones that made the cut:
Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa
- #12, Top 15 Resorts in Asia
- #1, Top 10 Large-Ship Cruise Lines
Palacio Duhau, Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
- #2, Top 20 City Hotels in Central and South America
- #82, Top 100 Hotels Overall
- #44, Top 50 Hotels in the Continental U.S. and Canada
- #4, Top 10 City Hotels in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific
- #9, Top 15 Large City Hotels in Europe
- #3, Top 10 City Hotels in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific
- #23, Top 25 Resorts in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas
Congrats to all the winners! While reading the August issue, watch out for Andaz Fifth Ave, Cocoa Island, and Geejam who are also mentioned in the magazine.
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baby elephant born at anantara golden triangle
On May 23, a large bundle of joy arrived into the world at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa near Chiang Rai, Thailand…
Weighing in at 220 lbs, the baby, nicknamed Nong ‘Phil (an abbreviated way of saying “Little Curfew”), was born well past the elephants’ bedtime. ‘Phil’s formal name, Plai Pa Choke, given to him by his mahouts and owners, translates “to bring luck.” Nong ‘Phil is the third birth at Anantara Golden Triangle’s Elephant Camp.
The on-site Elephant Camp, houses 35 elephants, their mahout caregivers, and their families. The camp is overseen by the resident Director of Elephants, John Roberts (@elehelp ), whose background includes working with tigers in Nepal and for national parks in Australia and the U.S. Guests can take part in the rehabilitation efforts in a three-day mahout training course at the Elephant Camp and learn the basics of elephant care, like how to drive, feed, and bathe them.
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ny recreates ancient thailand
Escape the bustling city for an evening of Thai beauty by checking out Pichet Klunchun Dance Company’s Chui Chai. The dance combines contemporary moves with Thai khon, a royal palace style. The women, beautifully composed in ornate headpieces and shimmering gowns, flow gracefully around Pichet Klunchun, who shows off his perfectly sculpted body by only wearing jeans.
Through dance, the performers convey stories from the Ramayana, which is a religious Hindu text that explores human nature and the existence of dharma. The story follows Rama, an incarnation of the Supreme god Vishnu, who loses his wife to Ravana, the evil demon king of Lanka. Chui Chai, which The New York Times calls “gorgeous from start to finish,” truly captures the emotional journey of Rama as he tries to save his captured love.
The performance takes place July 24th & 25th during the Lincoln Center Festival at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College. Find yourself wanting more after the show? Check out some of the special promotions offered at Anantara properties throughout Thailand, or the Metropolitan Bangkok’s Bouncing Back promotion.
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celebs hit the green carpet?
At the beginning of the month, celebs took a break from their usual red carpet to attend the Elephant Parade charity auction, of which Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a strong supporter. Stars including Elizabeth Hurley, Goldie Hawn, and Princess Beatrice of York hit the grass to show their support of the protection and conservation of endangered Asian elephants. Despite the rough terrain, fashion did not suffer. Sporting colorful dresses and forever high wedges and heels, these celebs looked almost as good as the painted model baby elephants (all of which were on sale at the event, including Anantara’s own ‘Little Bird’). The auction marked the end of the Elephant Parade in London, which earned over $1.5 million dollars for this great cause!
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baby elephants on the move
Remember when we told you about the Elephant Parade, the installation of model baby elephants scattered around London? Run by Elephant Family, the goal of the charity is to raise awareness of the declining population of the Asian Elephant.
‘Little Bird,’ the baby elephant representing Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, is somewhere throughout London. Now there is a little extra incentive to finding her, as the Director of Elephants at Anantara Golden Triangle, Mr. John Roberts, has announced that he would give out a free dinner to the first person to send in a photograph of themselves with ‘Little Bird’. And that’s not all! Elephant Family is offering the chance to win a vacation for two to none other than Thailand’s Anantara Golden Triangle where the lucky winners will train with mahouts at the resort’s famed elephant camp and learn about these gentle creatures. To enter, visit http://www.elephantfamily.org/how-can-you-help/events/competition/, fill out the petition, correctly answer the questions, and tweet a message to encourage your followers to sign the petition. The competition closes on July 9th, so hurry before it is too late!
The elephants are on the move! As the Elephant Parade comes to a close, 62 of these life-size, model baby elephants will be migrating from their positions around the city and congregating in Leister Square. July 3rd will mark the end of the parade, when these magnificent pieces of art will be auctioned off in hopes of raising over $2 million!
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baby elephants on parade
The Elephant Parade officially began in London this month. How will they fit, you might ask?
Well, the Elephant Parade is actually an open air art installation of life-size, model baby elephants positioned around the city. Elephants are painted by artists and celebrities, such as Diane von Furstenberg, Isaac Mizrahi and Lulu Guinness to inspire awareness of the plight of the Asian Elephant. With a current population of only 1,500 in the wild in Thailand (down from 300,000 at the turn of the last century), they face a severe risk of extinction.
Run by the small charity Elephant Family, these efforts require serious support from their patrons, which include Goldie Hawn and Sarah, Duchess of York. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a sponsor and champion of this cause, and has a little baby of its own, known as ‘Little Bird,’ placed somewhere around Londontown. All elephants are for sale by auction and Elephant Family aims to raise over $2 million.
This is London’s biggest outdoor art event on record and runs from May to July 2010. If you are hanging out in Trafalgar Square or Green Park, these colorful creatures will be impossible to miss. So, enjoy the exhibit because it may be the only time you see an Asian elephant in London!
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garden party
With the weather warming up, it’s time to head to the farmer’s market to indulge in the season’s finest locally grown produce. But what happens when we eat out? With the growing trend of on-site herb and vegetable gardens, restaurants and hotels are turning over a new leaf and guests are reaping the benefits with fresher food, straight from the garden.
North America
NoMi at Park Hyatt Chicago
In the middle of bustling Chicago, NoMi has created a garden sanctuary. Its lush landscaping sits on the seventh floor of the Park Hyatt, affording diners dramatic views of the city. At night, soft candlelight makes this urban oasis the perfect spot for sharing small plates and sipping carefully crafted cocktails. With summer coming up, NoMi has created a tomato-inspired menu with dishes like BLTs with vine ripened tomatoes and caprese salads with colorful heirlooms.
Chef’s pick: Composition of Heirloom Tomato with buffalo mozzarella, shallots, and Chianti vinaigrette.
TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet, Nantucket MA
Along with savoring the delectable cuisine of Chef David Daniels, guests at TOPPER’S get an extra fresh flavor note from the herbs gathered in the chef’s own garden. Chef Daniels keeps a plot of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme growing right outside The Wauwinet. Diners who opt for the more casual TOPPER’S Deck get a primo view of Daniel’s little Eden, so they can be assured that the seasonings are fresh and those basil leaves resting atop the spaghetti pomodoro were just plucked from their stems moments before.
Chef’s pick: Simple Spaghetti Pomodoro, with chili flakes and fresh basil leaves.
Caribbean
Strawberry Hill, Blue Mountains, Jamaica
This 50-acre mountain top resort in Irish Town, Jamaica, originated as an 18th century coffee plantation. Today, the resort still boasts extensive gardens and orchards yielding copious fresh produce daily. Aromatic varieties of mint are used at the Strawberry Hill Living Spa, and lemongrass and basil spice salad dressings and teas. Bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and other local fruit grow on the property, giving guests a variety of fresh produce.
Chef’s pick: Strawberry Hill Jerk Style Lamb Rack, with lamb reduction and a guava glaze.
Europe
Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken, Switzerland
Between the luxurious ESPA and the outdoor tennis courts lies a garden replete with all sorts of herbs. By mid-May, this chef’s garden supplies the hotel restaurants with coriander, lavender, basil, sage, and others, including edible blooms like fiery red nasturtiums. Torsten Goetz tends to the garden, making sure all of those delicious flavors flourish and make it to the kitchen to spice up the chef’s cuisine.
Chef’s pick: Saddle of Irish lamb with Indian spices, “Cama di rapa,” sweet and sour mango pearls, and lightly smoked lamb jus.
Asia
Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa, South Male Atoll, Maldives
Imagine eating dinner while the wafting aromas of lemongrass and hot peppers float in the air. Now imagine this garden in paradise. At Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa in the Maldives, guests can do just that with the addition of a new chef’s herb garden. A lone hut stands among Thai, Indian, and Maldivian chilies, wild rocket, Chinese cabbage, and other edible greenery, so locavores can rejoice in the fact that herbs and veggies are no more than a few feet away, bringing new meaning to “farm to table”.
Chef’s pick: Tom Yam Pho Teak, a spicy seafood soup with fresh lemongrass and hot basil.
Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand
The organic vegetable garden at Anantara Golden Triangle supplies the restaurant and on-site cooking school with fresh produce year round. The resort also organically cultivates its own rice paddy, and the rice harvested is entirely consumed at the property. Showing its green thumb, Anantara Golden Triangle uses natural fertilizer on all its crops, courtesy of the resident elephants.
Chef’s pick: Thick, creamy chicken curry, filled with herbs and spices such as sweet basil and kaffir lime leaves.
Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa, Changlang Beach, Trang Province, Thailand
At Anantara Si Kao, the herb garden holds a world of local flavors. Somewhat common names such as lemongrass, Thai basil, and chili grow next to the more exotic hot holy basil, galangal, and kaffir lime. No idea how to use them? Take a Thai cooking class – each class starts in the garden, gathering herbs for the recipes. Also check out the weekly Market Night when vendors from the local Trang Market set up stalls on the resort grounds and sell their wares, including local produce, vivid spices, and even the famous Thai street food (safely prepared in the resort’s kitchens so you don’t have to worry).
Chef’s pick: Pla Nueng Si Hio, steamed seabass fillet with ginger, garlic, chili, and light soy.
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happy new year!
The Thai New Year, or “Songkran Festival,” is upon us. Northern Thailand is considered to be one of the best places to watch the festival. From April 12th-18th, there will be lots of activities, including a three-county boat race, a “Miss Songkran” beauty pageant, and, the most anticipated, water washing! (It’s a tradition at Songkran that everyone gets soaked to wash away any negativity and bad luck from the past year.)
To bring good luck for a prosperous New Year, Anantara Golden Triangle is hosting a series of Northern Thai Khantoke dinners throughout the festival. At $100 per person, these traditional lanna (Northern Thai) dinners showcase the customs of the region in a breathtaking alfresco setting perched above the rolling hills of Thailand, Burma, and Laos.
If you want to ring in the New Year in Bangkok, The Metropolitan Bangkok is offering a Songkran Package. Stay three nights for the price of two in an oversized room and enjoy a special Songkran meal for two at Glow restaurant. Refresh after celebrating with a 20% discount on spa treatments and a 10% discount on retail products at COMO Shambhala Urban Escape.
Can’t make it to Thailand on such short notice? Head down to Kittichai in SoHo for a five-course feast in honor of Songkran. Learn the rituals of the holiday from executive chef Lulzim Rexhepi before your meal of traditional dishes from various regions of Thailand, like massaman curry and cod cooked in broth. It is $75 for five courses, including a welcome cocktail and wine pairings, and a portion of all the proceeds will be donated to Action Against Hunger. To reserve call 212 219 2000 and mention “Zagat Presents.”
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