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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]]> http://www.alicemarshall.com/2010/09/01/brant-point-grill-on-today-show/feed/ 0 http://www.alicemarshall.com/2010/08/27/ampr-fyi-mento-the-freshmaker/ http://www.alicemarshall.com/2010/08/27/ampr-fyi-mento-the-freshmaker/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:22:15 +0000 janet http://www.alicemarshall.com/?p=3121 This week’s installment of AMPR’s FYI comes from Lauren Wintemberg. Originally from outside Philadelphia (go Phillies!), Lauren joined the AMPR team just this spring. In addition to being an avid traveler, she has a passion for running, cooking (well, learning to cook) and cupcakes.

I am not what you would call a music “aficionado”. What’s on my iPod? I’m usually listening to the likes of Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Rihanna. And if I’m really honest, I never held much of a passion for the old music legends. That is, until I saw the light after seeing an amazing rendition of Amy Winehouse’s Rehab by the Jamaican band, the Jolly Boys. This band, which has been doing their thing for 60 years, has put their own groovy mento spin on the popular tune, infusing it with an uplifting island-vibe. Hearing the familiar song via a lilting patois accent with banjo, bongo, maraca and rumba box accompaniments brings on an instant wave of relaxation, transporting you directly to Jamaica, mon!

Just when the charts were being taken over by young artists with Ella Fitzgerald voices and a few renditions of Sinatra’s standards under their belts, here comes the old guard remaking a pop song. Gotta love it. The result is fun, a little familiar and a little exotic. It’s the ideal soundtrack to help you hold on to these last few days of summer – and the perfect way for me to dip my toes into a new appreciation for the sounds of another era.

So here’s the lowdown: Made up of five talented musicians, ranging in age from 71 to 82 years, the timeless group has been tapping the bongos, strumming the acoustic guitar and shaking the maracas since Errol Flynn first moved to Port Antonio and discovered them. Seriously! The Jolly Boys played every party thrown at Flynn’s Navy Island estate and have serenaded the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the members of the Jamaica chapter of the Rat Pack. Now guided by Jon Baker, who is the co-owner of Island Outpost’s Geejam resort and the on-property recording studio of the same name (the likes of No Doubt, Rihanna, Drake, Grace Jones and Ms. Winehouse herself have recorded there), the Jolly Boys are back on top.

Now you know who they are… But what on earth is mento you ask? Mento is the genre of Jamaican music that was the precursor to the better-known and more modern sounds of Ska (No Doubt) and Reggae (Bob Marley). Before the days of email, TV and even radio, mento hits would still make their way around the island. How? Band leaders would travel from far and wide into Kingston’s marketplace, where they would set up shop and play their latest tunes so the others could listen and learn. Then they’d head home at the end of the day, taking their new repertoire of songs back to the dancehalls of their hometown.

The Jolly Boys are currently touring Europe (follow them on Twitter to find out where they’re headed next: @JollyBoysMusic) but will be back in Jamaica late September. If you don’t get a chance to groove to their tunes live, watch this video to see what got me all hyped up – and be sure to check out their sweet dance moves!

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.

With only a little digging it is clear to see that many of James Bond’s sly spy maneuvers were drawn from Fleming’s own clandestine military experiences. In a show of Bond-like ingenuity, Fleming and his cohorts devised Operation Mincemeat – an elaborate scheme designed to trick the enemy Axis powers. Their plan was to plant fake documents on a “fallen” Allied soldier to fool the German army into believing that there were plans afoot for the Allies to move into Greece, meanwhile they’d really be heading to Italy. After finding a man in England who had recently died and was therefore presumed willing to accept the mission at hand, it was all systems go.

They dressed this newly-minted ‘Major William “Bill” Martin of the Royal Marines’ in military garb, planted his pockets with letters from a fiancée named Pam, a receipt for an engagement ring, and movie stubs from theaters in London. Major Bill was then dropped into the ocean so he could wash up on the enemy’s shore. Fleming and company even went so far as to list Major Bill as missing and presumed dead in the London papers. Smart!

The Germans took the bait and immediately diverted their defensive efforts to Greece while the Allies swiftly invaded Sicily. Sounds oh-so-007, although we can’t quite picture “Mincemeat” as a compelling title for a Bond installment. Perhaps Fleming shared our opinion.

While “Mincemeat” didn’t cut it as a Bond title, it didn’t make the grade for the name of his former Jamaican home either, where he penned all 14 James Bond novels. The blissful GoldenEye Hotel & Resort is opening this November (11.12.10), allowing us to live out our suave James Bond dreams in style. The 52-acre estate encompasses 22 units including Beach Cottages, Lagoon Suites, Villas and the original Fleming Villa. The hotel’s fitness and activity program (lead by Iona Wynter, Jamaican Olympic tri-athlete) offers something for everyone – including jet ski safaris, stretch and snorkel classes, bay rafting, Jamaican dance and coral restoration. Those seeking relaxation can sunbathe on the crystalline Low Cay Beach, enjoy a spa treatment at the lagoon-side FieldSpa or join a moon yoga session. Guests can literally kayak down the lagoon to their spa treatment or yoga session! The hotel offers beach-casual dining at the new Le Bar Bizot as well as more upscale offerings at The Gazebo.

Now the good. Mangroves are some of the toughest ecosystems on the planet and have adapted to thrive in some of the most severe environmental conditions (areas with high salt concentration and scorching temperatures) – so don’t count them out of this fight just yet.

54 percent of the remaining mangrove population can be found in Asia and the South Pacific, and residents there have long respected these biologically vital areas. Before this report was published, local resorts and conservation groups were working to preserve these habitats.

Guests at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara on Sir Bani Yas Island, 5-km off the coast of Abu Dhabi, UAE, pass the mangrove forests that surround the resort upon arrival. Every guest to the island also has the opportunity to plant a mangrove seedling. The Tourist Development and Investment Company of Abu Dhabi committed to plant one mangrove seedling for every guest that visits since the hotel opened in 2009 and has since planted over 1,500 seedlings.  Guests can also make a personal dedication to their seedlings at the welcome center.  Think of it as your permanent mark in the sand.

To fight destruction of the mangroves off Thailand’s Andaman coast, sister property Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa offers kayaking or guided boat excursions through the nearby mangrove forest, which not only support the local economy, but also add yet another reason to protect these vital resources.

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!

Just returned from a whirlwind trip to the City of Lights, Ms. Marshall shares with us her Top Ten Reasons to Love Paris. Dust off your beret, switch on the soundtrack to Amélie and prepare for a refreshing dose of je ne sais quoi…

1. Bread tastes like bread.

2. Fruit smells like fruit.

3. NO ONE is on a Blackberry or cell phone on the streets or in restaurants. No one is speaking or typing on them, they are not sitting out on the table, and they are not even hidden in laps for “discreetly” answering emails under napkins or tablecloths. 

4. Pretty courtyards are everywhere and perfect for peeking into as you stroll by (while not typing on your Blackberry!)

5. You hear the chiming of church bells and the cooing of pigeons (pigeons are okay in Paris) not the honking of taxi cabs or the obnoxious sirens of fire trucks.

6. Water is sold in biodegradable cardboard cartons instead of plastic bottles, very smart! (Okay, you can still get it in a bottle but the boxes are more fun.)

7. Honor bars DO still exist in big cities. The gorgeous hotel, Pavillon de la Reine, has a particularly lovely one.

8. Where else can you stumble upon a piano performance in a 12^th Century church? I listened to a magical recital of Chopin and Liszt at St. Julien le Pauvre – the oldest and smallest church in Paris.

9. Window shopping along Rue Charlot, which is lined with a cool mix of stores. You’ll find fine French lace underwear next door to sumptuous three-piece leather suits.

10. And the best thing about a trip to Paris is that there are no calories in a French croissant – mais bien sûr!

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.

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.

Arriving at AUH, I passed through immigration (U.S. travelers received their tourist visas upon arrival) and was off to find my driver.  The air was heavy and humid, with the tinge of salt water.  Palm trees were everywhere.  Yep, I was definitely somewhere tropical!  During the 2 ½ hour drive from the airport to the coastal town of Jebel Dhana, the backdrop of a starlight sky was enhanced by flames shooting out of oil rigs dotting the desert like candles on a birthday cake.   I spent the night at the hotel before catching the boat transfer to Sir Bani Yas Island off the coast of the mainland.  The ride across the Arabian Gulf was reminiscent of the Governor’s Island ferry ride, but in very choppy and brilliantly emerald waters. Arriving safe and sound, I dedicated a mangrove seedling to “PACE” (Latin for in peace) and headed on my way.  All visitors to the island have a chance to make a personalized dedication that is planted with a mangrove seedling. 

Off to see the hotel, Desert Islands Resort & Spa, I climbed aboard the Desert Islands 4×4 (NB, Desert Islands is also the name of the eight islands off the coast of Abu Dhabi).  We drove across sand and dirt and expanses that look like we were on the moon.  And in the distance, the hotel grew closer and closer.  The safari lodge feel is present when you arrive.  On the outside of the property, the entrance portico is a large white overhang reminiscent of a safari tent, and on the inside, two-story high ceilings with beautiful and intricately designed chandeliers hang down. Very laid-back luxury.  There are artifacts everywhere, all paying homage to HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late ruler and founder of the UAE.  Sheikh Zayed, for those who don’t know, is revered throughout the country and portraits of him, usually with one of his falcons, are in all lobbies and public spaces.  It was Sheikh Zayed who founded a wildlife reserve on Sir Bani Yas Island, the next stop on my tour.

The Arabian Wildlife Park is home to over 30 species of flora and fauna, like sand gazelles, hyenas, fellow and axis deer, ostrich, and cheetahs, just to name a few.  Our guide (originally from South Africa) was super knowledgeable about all the animals, plants and the history of the island.   The same guide led us on a kayaking expedition through the mangroves that afternoon.

 After a few days, it was time to say good bye to surf and say hello to sand!  Into the famous ocher dunes of the Liwa Desert I went.  The drive through the dunes was spectacular.  The sand shimmered like it was airbrushed with red and gold, and the dunes seemed to roll along into eternity.  After making a quick turn at Al Ruwais onto Qasr Al Sarab Road, we proceeded to go deeper into the desert.  Soon, the dunes were getting higher around the sides of the car.  And then as if a mirage was in front of me, two huge pillars marked the entrance to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara.  A ‘mirage palace’ indeed, Qasr Al Sarab is like a castle rising out of the sand.  The grandiose entrance reminded me of a drawbridge over a moat (you cross over a bridge) leading to the front gate of the castle.  When you get to the other side, there are fountains and lush greenery and some of the finest cars valet parked around you.  It’s like being at a car show!  Then the massive doors open and in you walk to the stately lobby, with a beautiful chandelier, trickling water fountains, and exquisite Bedouin artifacts.

Outside of the main hotel area, the rooms, suites, and villas spilled off like little villages, each slightly different from the next (i.e. small details, like the tiles would have a different patterns  or different color mosaics).  And what I couldn’t get enough of was the sights of the dunes undulating in the distance as far as the eye could see.  Next stop, a camel trek into those dunes led by a local Bedouin.  Having never rode a camel but growing up riding horses, I thought this would be easy.  NOT.  Camels are double jointed and their legs literally collapse underneath them when they go to sit.  That said, when the camel man gives the signal to stand up, the camel dips his keaster up into the air, meanwhile catapulting the rider forward. Then, all of a sudden, the camel stands up on its front legs, and the rider is whipped back into position.  Saddling up on a camel is not the easiest thing, but trekking through the dunes at sunset is most definitely worth the ride.

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.

The focus of this month is all about detoxification of your body and habits—and through her travels around the Gulf Peninsula, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Southern Philippines and Thailand Liz has developed wonderful detox plans and recipes.  Detox has never looked so good! First, she advises fasters to get about 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night during the program, avoid prolonged exposure in the sun, have a sensible breakfast before the fast/sunrise, and drink fresh detox juices and lots of water throughout the day. Being mindful of these tips will help jumpstart your new, healthier routine!

Once you’ve finished your cleanse, don’t just jump back into your old daily routine. Liz’s post-detox menu looks like this, and is similar to what Muslims will eat after Ramadan:

• First Day: Add a raw salad in the mid-day meal along with soups.
• Second Day: Add backed or boiled potato, rice (without any seasoning and heavy sauces) along with soups
• Third Day: Add steamed vegetables along with soups
• Thereafter: Start back with your normal diet, but maintain your favorite fresh juices as part of your daily intake.

Follow Liz’s advice and you’re guaranteed to have a much cleaner body on the inside. And with a visit to one of Anantara’s fabulous spas, it will be very easy for the new you to be reflected on the out.

 Liz also shared some of her favorite, and most effective, juice recipes that both new and seasoned fasters enjoy.

 Start with a pre-sunrise drink made from:

• 2 springs of parsley
• Small handful of wheatgrass
• 4-6 carrots
• 2 celery sticks
• 1 apple
• ½ beet

Finish the day with her sunset concoction:

• 1 Green Apple
• 2 cucumbers
• 2 Celery stalks
• ½ deseeded Indian bitter gourd

For any smokers looking to finally kick the habit, Liz also shared her detox juice to help you stop craving the nicotine:

• 1 Apple
• 300 grams Pumpkin
• 1 handful of lettuce
• Sprouts of alfalfa