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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brant point grill on today show
Chef Fred Bisaillon of Brant Point Grill made a starring appearance on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda this morning! What was on the menu? Grilled Watermelon “Steak” Salad and Lobster Bloody Marys, two very innovative cuisines offered at the White Elephant’s Brant Point Grill in Nantucket, MA. Watch the video below, and if it doesn’t work, click here to view the Today Show video.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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operation mincemeat
Ian Fleming’s creativity was thriving long before he created the iconic James Bond. As an officer in the British Army, Fleming was an integral part in several top-secret military campaigns. One of his campaigns – Operation Goldeneye – inspired the name of his Jamaica home, and another lives in history as a major coup for the Allies. (more…)
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my mangroves
There’s the good news, and then there’s the bad news. We’ll get the bad over with first — recent satellite images have shown that the world’s mangroves are disappearing at a faster rate than what was once believed. Approximately 53,190 square miles is all that remains of these precious ecosystems. While that number may seem big, it’s about 12 percent smaller than original estimates, according to a recent report from The Christian Science Monitor. These ecosystems protect both the coastland from storms and young sea life from predators during development. They are sometimes referred to as the ‘nurseries of the ocean’.
a toast to art
Photo from: paradizo.com
Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, located along the idyllic coast of the Gulf of Siam in Thailand, has teamed up with local Siam Winery and internationally renowned artist Christopher Hogan in a collaboration everyone can raise a glass to – and the first of its kind in Thailand.
At a tasting of Moonsoon Valley Wine at the resort last year, guests (Mr. Hogan was among them) at Hua Hin were so enamored with the local flavors from just down to road that he became inspired to create a label reflecting the wine’s natural surroundings and the beauty of Thailand.
Launching a little more than a year after his first sip, Mr. Hogans’s three limited editions bottles embody the lush tropical gardens of the resort and Thailand’s stunning marine life. The series is made from white shiraz, red shiraz, and colombard. In keeping with the local flavor, all three have been specially designed to pair well with the cuisine of Thailand and are best tasted alongside a traditional meal. We’ll drink (and eat) to that!
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castles made of sand
I’m sure everyone can make a pretty standard sand castle. Fill the pail with moist sand, flip, and voila! However, have you ever tried to build massive sand flip flips, or perhaps a VW bug made completely of sand? All have been done during The Annual Nantucket Sandcastle & Sculpture Day, which will take place on this Saturday, August 21 at Jetties Beach on Nantucket.
Starting at noon, teams must use their creativity and whatever tools possible (biodegradable items suggested!) to build an impressive sand masterpiece. The judges, professional artists from the faculty of the Nantucket Island School of Design, will review all creations based on creativity, concept and design and award ribbons to those that excelled.
How much for this amazing day on the beach? Just $10/person to participate, and free for all spectators! For more information, call the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce at 508 228 1700.
Photo courtesy of NICC website.
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ampr fyi: abu dhabi state of mind
This week’s rendition of AMPR FYI comes from Dena DiOrio. Hailing from the great state of Ohio, Dena has been with AMPR for two years.
Waiting for my flight to board at the Etihad gate at JFK felt like waiting for any other flight, although it was most definitely not. I was on my way to Abu Dhabi, capital city of the United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East. First time for me to the region, so I was extra psyched. The 13-hour flight was long, but bearable, with all the on-demand movies, music and games one could possibly want while cruising at 36,000 feet above cities like Trabzon, Erzurum, and Shiraz. (more…)
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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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getting away
In today’s busy jetsetter world, arriving to your hotel on vacation can sometimes seem like just another business trip. Instead, why not ease yourself into the mindset of relaxation and the realization that you are away. Put down the iPhone and forget about email, you have arrived. And while arriving… why not do it in style.
summer showers
When packing for Santa Fe in the summer most travelers think of sunscreen and sundresses, but this time of year an umbrella is just as important! The summer season is referred to by locals as the “monsoon” season for its daily – albeit normally brief – showers.
Inn on the Alameda’s resident naturalist and concierge shares a little history on these summer storms.
